Cosmic Significance

"Strange, how small it looks."

"Mhm. So fragile. As if a giant space baby could appear every moment and decide that blue ball looks like a good afternoon snack."

"Do you feel powerful?"

"Not at all. I feel cosmically insignificant. You?"

"I do. I feel like I could crush this planet."

"Do you want to?"

"Given that about everyone and everything I've ever cared about is on there - probably no. But if I could selectively crush some parts..."

"I can see the view from above hasn't made you any wiser."

"Oh, no chance. You hungry?"

"God damn it Mark, no! I'm not. You go, get some food. Don't you worry about the most significant, impressive, astonishing sight you'll ever get to see in your short life!"

"Ok, I'll make carbonara. With that powder paste. Food's no good up here but I guess that's all there is."

"Yes Mark. That's all there is. Now go, I'll join in a bit."

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"Oh, there's Jane! Back from your planet-gazing?"

"Did you see something new? Any space monsters? Did a giant mysterious pattern appear on the Earth's surface? Did you see huge volcano explosions? A tornado at least? No? Ok well, no news on that front. Carbonara's great, Mark."

"Yeah I know Jim. Space makes us all gourmets. Hard to mess up the powder paste preparation."

"I feel like you've added an extra touch though."

"Oh I did. Constraints breed creativity and all, you know. I mixed the powder with some of the plant growth vitamins."

"Are you sure those aren't toxic?"

"Nearly sure."

"Good enough. Maybe we get to grow a little more. Although I'd honestly rather shrink. I bump my head enough already in this oversized tin can."

"Have we heard anything from that contact on Mars, Jane?"

"Uuuhm, Mars... ah yes, right. They can't do it."

"Damn it! So what now?"

"I mean it's not exactly a surprise, isn't it? We've been turned down by 19 stations at this point. We committed to trying at least 30 before we reconsider."

"Yes I know, Jane. But shouldn't we have some plan B? The lease of this ship does not pay itself and our bills have been increasing. We're putting all our eggs in one basket here."

"Well, we only have one egg."

"What do you think Tony?"

"Fuck plan B's."

"Do you wish to elaborate?"

"No success ever comes from spreading yourself too thin. Investors diversify cause they don't care about anything. I mean, they do. 'Bout money. But I mean anyone who really does something. Like, you know. Make movies. Create music. Found an intergalactic space corporation. They have no time for plan B's."

"I feel like we have enough time. Jane just spent half an hour staring at Earth."

"It's probably futile, but Mark: there's more to life than carbonara, football and dad jokes. And if anyone's interested, I'm actually against an option B as well. Every full moon, Tony has a good point. That was this full moon's."

"Thanks Jane, appreciated."

"Ok, so I guess time is not really the issue, but focus is. How about we make some adaptations to our business plan though? Isn't it a signal when 19 stations have rejected us?"

"Sure it is. It signals that they're idiots and have no sense of the creative genius that is our proposal. They can go fuck themselves."

"Thanks for your balanced take, Tony."

"Ok then, seems like we stick to the plan. Keep going. Maybe 20 will be our lucky number."

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"Hey, people, listen everyone! We have an answer from Pluto and the first words sound promising!"

"The pseudoplanet Pluto?"

"Yep."

"Does that matter for our business?"

"Well Jupyter or E-48-JCP would have sounded cooler. More prestigious, you know?"

"Ok would you kindly fucking listen to the message?"

"Alright, play it."

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"Dear Kalaborte team,

We have received your proposal for Hubris, a solar-system wide interneuronal communication network. We believe that your idea holds promise and are happy to welcome you to Blitz, our fast-track incubation program. Before entering, you will have the opportunity to discuss your business plan with one of our experts with extensive experience in the field. Contact details will be forwarded soon.

Please make sure to cover all the prerequisites, sent in a separate memo. And importantly, do not forget that Pluto operates under a different legislation and it is mandatory that all program developments stay under full disclosure. No information shall leave Pluto's boundaries while the program is running.

A warm welcome to Blitz, our hugely competitive incubation program. We look forward to building the future of Space with you."

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"And so, we begin."