8/19/2019 Henix Sides

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Branden steps outside. He’s on Mars. He and Henix get in a rover

and drive for kilometers. They eventually get out to continue

surveying new territory. Suddenly, when he enters and is the

first human to lay eyes on an unexplored area, he has peculiar

visions of distant places in the universe; of various points in

human and cosmological history; and finally of Nick, sittingwith his eyes closed atop K2. Nick opens his eyes.

BRANDEN

Nick?

Nick smiles.

HENIX

Who?

Branden suddenly notices the minute details of everything around

him--the red dust, surrounding landscape, and Martian sky from

the unexplored vantage point--as if it all has just come into

existence. He cries.

HENIX

Hey, Branden?

BRANDEN

Yeah?

HENIX

I was wondering. I’m way smarter than you, so--

BRANDEN

I like where this is going.

HENIX

Infinite possibilities collapse and reality comes much more

quickly for me. But the world seems so much more beautiful to

you. Why?

BRANDEN

Suspend your expectations, Nix.