Chapter 10 Philosophy or Theatre

They landed on a familiar grassy slope and each rolled over once before they sat up. They both glanced around quickly, but like the last time, all seemed peaceful.

"We're back at the college again," Jeff observed, pointing to the wide road and the sign that read 'California State University'. They were behind a few large trees and Jeff peeked around them again and saw grassy lawns and a few students walking on the paths that criss-crossed the area. "Is it the same date?"

Bogg took the omni off his belt and opened it, "Long Beach, California, 1964, red light."

"There he is," and Jeff pointed to a very youthful appearing Steve Martin, standing in virtually the same spot as last time, about to toss a coin.

Jeffrey walked forward and touched the man's arm, drawing his attention away from the coin toss. "Hi, I'm Jeffrey, this is my father, Phineas Bogg," he said.

"Phineas? Bogg?" the man said staring at the two voyagers. "That name has a strange sound to it. Kind of funny, did anyone ever tell you that?" he asked.

Bogg cleared his throat, "yeah, it's come up," he answered with a smile.

"You're Steve Martin, aren't you?" Jeff asked again.

"That's right."

"So what're you doing with that coin?"

Martin sighed, "I'm tossing this coin to make a decision because I have no idea what to do."

"What decision?" Jeff asked as Bogg looked on.

"I can't put it off any longer," he said, and his voice betrayed his stress. Jeff waited for him to continue, "I need to pick a major."

"What are your choices?"

Steve laughed, "I really don't see how a kid I've never met can help me, but okay kid, Philosophy or Theatre, what do you think?"

Jeff smiled, "you mean Philosophy, like in Plato and Aristotle?"

"Yeah, as in 'What's the meaning of life, why are we here', that kind of stuff."

"You're a great comedian, I've seen your act," Jeff said, "you belong in Theatre."

"Really?"

"Yeah, of course," Jeff answered enthusiastically.

Martin looked down at the form in front of him, "okay kid, I don't know why I should let some kid I don't know tell me what to do, but, I guess stranger things have happened. He checked off the box for Theatre and bent down to pick up his backpack. "See ya kid," he said as he walked toward the Administration Building not far away.

Jeff turned back to Bogg with a satisfied smile and watched him open the omni. When he heard the red light blinking, he froze. "This can't be," he said.

"He must need to choose Philosophy," Bogg said.

"That's impossible."

"Well, there's only one way to find out" and he hurried after Martin, with Jeff following close behind. Inside the building, he caught up to the actor and stood behind him in line. "So, why were you thinking about Philosophy?" he asked.

"Because you study logic, and non-sequiturs. I always thought that would be interesting."

"If that's what you're interested in, why don't you major it that?"

Martin stared at Bogg for a moment, "you know, maybe you're right. I'm performing outside of college, I don't need to take Theatre in college too." They watched as he erased the check mark on his form and checked the box for Philosophy as a major. "Thanks," then he turned away from them as the line moved forward and Jeff watched him hand in the form.

Bogg eased out of line and Jeff watched as he opened the omni, sure that it would still be red.

"Green light?" Jeff whispered. They walked out and went back behind the trees where they had landed. "But I don't get it?" Jeff asked. "He's Steve Martin, he's a famous comedian, it doesn't make sense."

"Kid, sometimes the path from here to there can be very crooked. Sometimes you just have to trust the omni."

Suddenly they both disappeared.