Earthman Jack vs. The Ghost Planet Read Online Free PDF Page A

our
subconscious is aware of?  If one of us decides to see something else, would
that change how others see it?  Are we capable of literally changing reality,
simply with the power of our minds?  According to quantum theory, the answer to
that is ‘YES!’”
    Green looked over his class as the wonder of possibility
began to worm its way into their brains.
    “So what does that have to do with alternate realities and
all that other stuff?” asked Jack.
    “Well, let’s do a little experiment, shall we?” said Green. 
“What’s behind you in the back of the room?”
    The class, almost as one, turned and looked behind them.
    “Nothing,” said Jack.  “Just a wall, a table, a few
microscopes…”
    “Okay,” said Green.  “Now everyone look forward again.”
    The kids all turned their attention back to the Professor.
    “Now, without turning around again, tell me… what’s behind
you in the back of the room?”
    “A wall, a table, and a few microscopes,” said Jack again.
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yeah.”
    “How do you know?”
    “Because they were there just a second ago.”
    “They were there when you observed them a second
ago.  But right now, when you’re not observing them, there could be anything
behind you.  Right now, your subconscious mind is aware of an infinite number
of possibilities that could exist in the back of the room.  It’s not until you
make the act of observing what’s back there, that you settle on one of those
possibilities, and the atoms are arranged to suit that choice.”
    “So let me get this straight,” said Jack.  “Right now, in my
subconscious mind, there’s the possibility that a supermodel in a bikini is
chilling in the back of the room, and if my brain chooses to observe that
possibility, she’ll be back there?”
    “Exactly,” smiled Professor Green.
    At that moment, Jack, and every other boy in class, eagerly
turned around to take another look.  As expected, there was no supermodel, just
the same old microscopes there had been before.  A chuckle spread through the
class.
    “Dang,” said Jack.  “I don’t think this quantum physics
stuff is working, Professor.”
    More laughter.  Even Professor Green chuckled.  “That’s
where you’re wrong, Jack.  Quantum physics is always at work.  It’s we who
choose the reality in which we find ourselves.  And unfortunately, once we’ve
chosen a reality, it is very hard for us to perceive anything else.  But if you
were able to free your mind, and consciously choose to observe a different reality… to actually shape the world around you as you see fit… then anything
is possible.  Even the bikini model.”
    At that, Jack had to smile.  The thought that he could make
anything a reality just by thinking about it tickled him.  He’d first give
himself a ton of money, then he’d get a date with Anna, and then he’d make Mr.
Shepherd himself have detention for the rest of eternity. 
    It was too bad that none of the stuff the Professor was
talking about actually seemed to work.
    At least, not yet.

Chapter 4
    River Heights High School’s cafeteria
was one of the largest areas in the school, second only to the gymnasium. 
Unlike the rest of the building, which was decorated with sickly green tiles,
for some reason (and no one was really sure why) the cafeteria was adorned with
boring beige tiles that climbed a quarter of the way up the walls before giving
way to stucco painted a color which had at one time been white but was now pale
yellow from age.
    Students lined up against the walls, waiting for their turn
to buy whatever passed as food in the kitchen toward the back of the room. 
Above them were painted various inspirational sayings from famous historical
figures, intermixed occasionally with the cartoon image of Barry the Beaver, a
friendly little rodent who was the official school mascot.
    For an hour a day, the cafeteria was filled with the commotion
of students seated at the long neat