The Railroad of The Universe

Refracted Light

    As the scene began to ripple in before them, they noticed that the differences in this universe were blatant. The colors of once-familiar signs and buildings were now strange, bold shades that they didn't even know existed. The sign to their own restaurant now read 'Bob's Dogs' and the sign to Jimmy Pesto's instead read 'Poplopovich's Bakery'. The place where Mort's funeral home had once been now read 'Birth Certification Center'. Instead of the cheery man who would rollerskate down their street in a speedo, there was now a serious, distressed man in a business suit, checking his wristwatch as he speed-walked down the block. The Wonder Wharf amusement which could usually be spotted in the distance was replaced with a dull, gray building which towered over the rest of the town. It read 'Wharf Enterprises'. 

   Linda and Tina took a moment to process everything. Afterwards, Linda broke the silence, "Okay, now things have definitely changed!" 

   Tina was flummoxed. "Bob's... Dogs?"

   Another difference was that their father's restaurant was bustling with life. Many people entered and exited the restaurant. Those who were entering looked eager and those who were exiting appeared satisfied. 

    "Look at all the customers!" Linda mentioned. "Huh, must be a good day for business." 

    They watched the customers enter and exit for a moment longer. Seeing their restaurant so busy was, sadly, surreal for them as in their own universe they were barely scraping by. 

    "Wow, if only every day were as busy as this back home," Linda said. "I could finally buy a lock of Tom Selleck's mustache off of EBay." 

    Another moment passed by before Linda turned to Tina, "Well... guess we should go and get help searching for that number, huh?"

     "Yeah..." Tina replied, trailing off as she took in the sights around her, curiously. "Whoa, does Jimmy Pesto own a bakery?"

    "Come on, baby," Linda urged. "We've gotta go find the-" 

     "Is that a birth certification center?" Tina continued. "What's going on? Where's Mort?"

     "Tina, I get that this place resembles home a little, but it isn't home, sweetie," Linda told her. "Let's go find that number and everything will be okay."

     "Okay." A beat of silence followed. "Hey, Mom?"

    "Yes, sweetie?"

     "If I ended up hooking up with Tyrone, would that be considered incest or masturbation with a chance of pregnancy?"

     "Um... good question, sweetie. That I never thought I'd have to answer."

     Linda and Tina entered the restaurant. The chatter was loud and exuberant and the interior was cheery and uplifting, a notable change from their humble restaurant back home. The customers were enjoying hot dog entrees instead of burgers; waiters and ushers were greeting people and leading them to their seats, but none of them were the Belcher children. 

    "Wha-?" Linda began. "What's going on? Where's our family?" 

    Tina let out a nervous groan. 

    "It's okay, Teeny Tina," Linda comforted her. "We'll find 'em. Everything will be okay." 

     Linda looked around for a moment before gasping in joy.

    "Did you find us?" Tina asked, hopefully.

    "No, but I found someone who might be able to help!" Linda claimed.