"Time flows differently here? Mm. What else do you know about this place? If time is out of synch with Earth, there is the possibility of other changes as well. People from different universes, differing spots in time... this is very curious, and possibly--no, definitely dangerous. Physics aren't supposed to be manipulated in such ways. The energy involved to travel and take people from different universes would be tremendous." He's poked his head up now, just a bit; he's off on a tangent again.

"Although they may have other ways. Olivia could traverse them without opening a wormhole." He pauses. "My future stepdaughter, though my son hasn't quite accepted it yet." His moods are like a rubber band, stretching almost to the point of snapping, then malleable and loose. He switches back and forth abruptly, like hitting a speedbump you didn't see was there.

A few people drift by, from their dwellings to work or pleasure. Walter notices them and lowers his head, pulled taut again.