See You in the Cosmos

Alex and Zed are on the observation deck of the Stratosphere casino looking at the lights of Las Vegas as Alex begins the next recording. Steve, who wants to buy the cell phones of down-on-their-luck gamblers for resale profit, is on the street watching Carl Sagan. Alex’s thoughts wander to his father again: “Maybe he came up here after he got amnesia, and he looked out at the Las Vegas lights and he had a funny feeling because it reminded him of being on top of Mount Sam with my mom” (99). Alex wonders if his father might lift him off the ground when they hug.

Alex and Zed leave the Stratosphere but can’t find Steve outside the restaurant bar. Notified by the bartender of Steve’s whereabouts, they head to the parking lot of a “weird casino” called Zelda’s. Alex is concerned about the noise from Zelda’s scaring Carl Sagan. When Zed finally comes out with Steve, Alex’s iPod picks up the conversation. Steve is upset that Zed took him from a casino game. Alex notices at once that Steve does not have Carl Sagan and asks where the dog is. When Alex finally raises his voice, Steve is surprised that Carl Sagan is gone: “But I tied the dog to the No Parking sign over…I thought…” (105). Alex is terribly upset and the recording cuts off there.

This recording begins with a conversation between Alex and an unidentified male voice telling Alex to be brave. Alex tells his alien audience that he was so angry at Steve that he threw the iPod at him, then explains the unknown voice: “And then Zed picked up my iPod from the ground and he crouched down in front of me, and he said, We’ll find Carl Sagan, and I said, You talked!” (107). Alex feels worry and guilt for the loss of his dog. He asks the aliens to return to Alex’s present if they are capable of time travel and help him find Carl Sagan.

From the motel where Zed, Steve, and Alex stay, Alex makes a brief recording to explain that his dog is still missing despite looking for him until 4:30am. Alex relays his conversation with Cheryl at an animal control hotline. He describes Carl Sagan for Cheryl, but she says no dog fits Carl Sagan’s description. Steve tells Alex they can make missing dog posters in the morning. Alex is not ready to give up: “I wanted to look for Carl Sagan even more but Zed said it’s going to be light again in a couple of hours, let’s get some rest and look for him then […]” (113). Alex waits for dawn.

Alex describes how he, Zed, and Steve spend the day searching for Carl Sagan. They print posters and put them up. Alex checks with animal control. They take a break for a fancy lunch at the Bellagio casino. Steve suggests going on to Los Angeles if they do not find Carl Sagan soon. Alex is not ready to move on: “I said, How can you say that!” (117). Then Alex remembers that his “maybe dad” lives in Las Vegas and thinks he might help. Steve is hesitant but Zed encourages the idea. They drive to the address as Alex thinks about meeting him: “I wonder if he’ll recognize me” (119).

Alex has Terra, his newly met half-sister, say hello to the aliens. Alex explains how they were waiting in front of the house when Terra pulled up in the driveway. He asked if Joseph David Petroski lived there, “And Terra said he’s her father but he died eight years ago” (121). Alex shows Terra the photo he has of his dad, and she shows photos as well. She calls her mother and tells her an 11-year-old boy arrived and has a photo of her father. Alex sees that Terra is upset after calling her mother: “Then [Terra] started crying and saying stuff but she wasn’t making any sense, it runs in the family, and I started crying a little too” (123). When Terra calms, she says she will help look for Carl Sagan after her mother arrives. Alex notes that Steve stares at Terra and doesn’t say much. Next the recording picks up the argument between Terra and her mother when her mother arrives. Terra’s mother is apologetic and sympathetic but does not directly explain. Terra, frustrated, leaves the house with Alex in her car.

Terra takes Alex to her apartment, where she does his laundry and orders take-out. Alex suggests inviting Zed and Steve too, which they do. Terra asks Alex about his mom and Alex gives only a physical description, then mentions how she and his father “fell in love on the top of Mount Sam” (133). Terra says her father was not a significant part of her life. Zed and Steve arrive, and they eat the ordered Indian food. Terra tends to Alex’s laundry in the basement and finds Alex sitting outside upset about Carl Sagan when she returns. Terra hugs Alex and offers to help look for the dog in the morning. She then asks to listen to the other recordings on the iPod. Afterwards, she hugs Alex again and tells him she admires his efforts with his Golden iPod project: “Terra said she wants to help me with my mission however she can” (136). Terra supplies an air mattress for Zed and Steve, and Alex looks forward to searching for Carl Sagan. He mentions how happy he is to have met Terra and that he loves her.