Slowly, he became aware that he inhabited a vast library, bookshelves sweepingoff in either direction, periodically pierced by cross-corridors.

"Where are we?" he finally asked.

"I was able to create a compelling metaphor, allowing you to coordinate yoursituation," Nik replied. "This is the cornucopion within which all of theinformation is stored. We inhabit a bookshelf ourselves. I gave you a nice blueleather cover, embossed, hubbed spine."

"Thanks. What do we do now, to pass the time?"

"I think we should be able to establish contact with the others. We can startreading them."

"I'll try. I hope they're interesting. How do we know whether we've made it intothe next universe and freedom?"

"Hopefully, somebody will stop by to check us out."

Jeremy extended his consciousness to a smart red volume across the way.

"Hello," he said. "You are ...?"

"History," the other stated. "And yourself?"

"Autobiography," Jeremy replied. "You know, we're going to need a catalogue, sowe can leave a Recommended Reading List on top."

"What's that?"

"I'll write it myself," he said. "Let's get acquainted."