The First State of Being

Gibby has a tense relationship with her family. Beejee has his own apartment in Fox Run. Gibby’s mother abandoned them, so Mr. Gibson and Beejee force the housework on Gibby because she is a girl. At Gibby’s apartment, she and Michael encounter Beejee, who reluctantly agrees to loan them clothes.

On their way, they meet Mr. Mosley, who is ill. Gibby gives Mr. Mosley her book to read. Mr. Mosley mentions that when he was young, his mother had regularly set aside a small amount of money for him.

Gibby and Michael find Ridge with Jamar Prince and his brothers. The Princes invite Michael to play basketball, but Michael becomes anxious and refuses. After they leave, Gibby asks Ridge for further proof that he is a time traveler. Ridge offers him a deal: He will continue to prove his story in exchange for the mall trip.

Gibby takes them to Beejee’s apartment. Michael asks about the sumbook. Ridge explains that it is dangerous because it contains knowledge of the future that must be kept secret from denizens of the past. Ridge uses it in 2199 to study history. Michael again asks about Y2K, but Ridge refuses to answer. Michael notices Beejee’s tools and thinks of his Y2K stash.

Ridge shows them the EGG, a device named after the future founder of the time travel research institution. It is currently turned off. Ridge explains that he wanted to visit his favorite year from history: 1999. Gibby scoffs, but Ridge points out that “[e]very breath we take, we’re contributing to history” (94). Michael becomes anxious about the conversation; he decides to check on Mr. Mosley.

An informational insert explains that Spatial Teleportation Scientists (STSs, or time travelers) can only travel through time; they cannot change their geographical location. When initialized, the STS is dematerialized from the present (2199) and rematerialized in the past (1999).

Michael finds Mr. Mosley reading Gibby’s book. He asks Mr. Mosley if he can help with housework, but Mr. Mosley declines. Michael jokes that he excels at “getting people fired” (100). Mr. Mosley emphasizes that Ms. Rosario losing her job was not Michael’s fault—it was entirely Mr. Gibson’s selfish choice. Instead of worrying about that, Mr. Mosley says Michael should concentrate on being “the best person [he] could be” (101). Michael doesn’t believe him, convinced that his mother lost her job because she stayed home to take care of him when he was sick. Mr. Mosley takes Michael up on his offer to help. Michael decides that the Rosarios will take in Mr. Mosley after Y2K.

In a flash forward to August 18, 2199, Ridge’s mother and sibling visit the library. They search for records of Ridge in the past, but there are none. Dr. Sabio worries.

Michael goes home and worries—about Y2K, about his mother, and about Ridge. Although Ridge assures him there is no immediate danger, Michael doesn’t believe him. Gibby tells Michael that Beejee has reluctantly allowed Ridge to stay at his apartment. They are all going to the mall tomorrow.

An informational insert explains the rules for spatial transportation (time travel): Don’t reveal information about the future to Native Timeprint Inhabitants (NTIs, i.e., denizens of the past). Avoid contact with NTIs “unless absolutely necessary” (112).

The next morning (August 19, 1999), Michael is unenthused about the mall. Ridge is ecstatic about everything. Still, he worries that his impulsive mistake will cost his family their careers. Michael asks about Y2K again, but Ridge dodges the question. He advises that Michael should focus on the first state of being rather than the third—living in the present, rather than worrying about the future.

For Ridge, the mall is an iconic, mythical place. Michael and Gibby disagree. Michael worries that Ridge could potentially disrupt their timelines and break the future. Gibby tells Michael to focus on the positives, rather than the negatives. She encourages him to enter a raffle for a LEGO robotics set, but Michael secretly puts her information on the raffle ticket instead.

At the bookstore, Michael buys a book, hoping to impress Gibby. Ridge is enraptured by the books, especially depictions of nature.

Gibby finds them, a high school classmate in tow. Her classmate’s younger sister, Paige, will be Michael’s classmate. Paige is interested in Michael and gives him her phone number before they part ways.

An informational insert explains that during the 21st century, various human-induced ecological losses caused the bee population to dwindle dangerously. By 2199, wild bees are extinct and very few human-cultivated bees remain.

Gibby drives Ridge and Michael to Michael’s apartment. Michael listens to a voicemail from Mr. Mosley stating that he stopped by, but no one was home. Ridge is excited about the retro technology. They call Mr. Mosley back and promise to have lunch together tomorrow. Michael remembers the sumbook and asks about Y2K once again. Ridge refuses to answer, explaining that doing so could destroy the timeline.

Michael doesn’t believe him, but Ridge changes the subject. Ridge observes that Michael has a “weighted mind” (139), a subject that is debated even in the future. Ridge says that he is named for a debate, which he hates. Ridge sneezes.

An informational insert describes the Ridge Document Mystery. The Ridge document belonged to the founder of the time travel research institution. It is a framed document, with the word “RIDGE” written on it. No one knows the meaning of the word “RIDGE”; it has spawned much debate about the significance of the word and the document.

Ridge agrees to tell Michael some vague information about the future, but not about Y2K. Ridge encourages Michael to call Paige. He tells Michael about the Conklin Principle: “For every bad outcome you can anticipate, you should consider at least one positive outcome” (149), reminding him of first state versus third state thinking.

Michael is alone when Ms. Rosario returns from work. He decides to acquire gummy bears for his Y2K stash because she likes them. When Michael goes to bed, he thinks about Paige and decides not to call her.