章節 6: What a weird world

As Mike entered the familiar apartment building, the sound of contented munching caught his attention. He followed the sound and discovered a plump, orange cat sitting next to a plate of lasagna.

Its round, sleepy eyes stared back at him with a mischievous glint, and its fur had the distinct hue of a summer sunset. It was as if the cat had stepped out of a comic strip.

Curiosity piqued, Mike knelt down and extended his hand cautiously towards the cat. "Hey there, little buddy, why do you look so much like the cat in the cartoons I watch back then? If I remember correctly his name was… GreyField? Ah no it's Garfield." he said with a smile, reaching out to stroke its soft fur.

But just as his fingers made contact, the cat turned and sank its teeth into his hand, letting out an indignant "Mroww!" before darting away like lightning.

"Ouch! What was that for?" Mike exclaimed, shaking his hand in mild pain.

He couldn't help but call after the retreating feline," Garfield, is that really you?"

The echoing sound of his own voice in the empty hallway served as a reminder of the absurdity of the situation. "This world just gets weirder and weirder," he muttered as he shakes his head before walking away.

Mike couldn't help but chuckle to himself, wondering if he had imagined the whole resemblance to the famous lasagna-loving cat.

He shook off the incident, his hand throbbing slightly, and continued on his way, determined to reach Sheldon's apartment without any further unexpected encounters.

On the first floor, Mike found himself face-to-face with Mrs. Henderson, a sprightly elderly woman known for her intricate knitting projects and her pet parakeet, named Percival.

The colorful bird perched on Mrs. Henderson's shoulder, chirping and fluttering its wings in excitement.

"Ah, Mr. Mike, you're just in time to witness Percival's latest prediction!" Mrs. Henderson exclaimed, a twinkle in her eyes. "Listen closely, dear birdie, what's the weather forecast for tomorrow?"

Percival tilted his head and let out a series of melodious chirps as if holding a conversation with Mrs. Henderson.

She nodded knowingly and turned to Mike, saying, "Percival says we can expect sunny skies and a gentle breeze. Isn't he clever?"

Mike couldn't help but smile at the charming interaction. "Hello, Mrs. Henderson and Percival! I hope you're both having a wonderful day."

The parakeet, seemingly intrigued by the newcomer's voice, turned its head and squawked a greeting in response. Mrs. Henderson chuckled and said, "Oh, Percival likes you, Mr. Mike! He doesn't usually warm up to strangers so quickly."

"Well, I must have a way with birds," Mike replied with a playful grin, enjoying the whimsical encounter. "Take care, Mrs. Henderson, and tell Percival I said goodbye."

As he bid farewell to the bird and its delightful owner, Mike continued his journey up to the next floor, feeling a sense of warmth from these unexpected connections that added a touch of magic to his day.

Reaching the second floor, Mike found himself immersed in a spirited debate between Mr. Johnson, an eccentric fanatic with wild hair and a tinfoil hat, and Miss Ramirez, a down-to-earth woman with a warm smile and a cross necklace around her neck.

They stood face to face, their arguments tinged with a mix of passion and exasperation.

"But, honey," Mr. Johnson exclaimed, waving his hands animatedly, "the evidence is all around us! Crop circles, UFO sightings, government cover-ups! It's undeniable!"

Miss Ramirez sighed, her voice calm but firm. "Oh, sweetie, I understand your enthusiasm, but let's not jump to conclusions. We need scientific evidence, not mere anecdotes and conspiracy theories."

Mr. Johnson's eyes widened, his voice rising in excitement. "But what about those classified documents, the testimonies from credible witnesses? We can't ignore the signs!"

Miss Ramirez shook her head gently, a touch of empathy in her eyes. "My dear, anecdotes and testimonies can be subjective. We must rely on rigorous scientific methods and critical thinking to separate fact from fiction."

Their debate escalated, their voices echoing through the corridor as they traded arguments and counterarguments, neighbors peeking their heads out the door.

Mr. Johnson fervently cited obscure theories, while Miss Ramirez calmly debunked them with scientific reasoning.

Amidst the intensity of the debate, Mike couldn't help but interject, injecting a touch of levity into the situation. "Excuse me, folks,"

Mike interjected with a friendly smile. "While I understand both of your points, I think it's important to approach this with an open mind. We may not have all the answers yet, but the universe is vast, and who knows what mysteries it holds?" He says amusedly as he remembers his own situation.

Both Mr. Johnson and Miss Ramirez turned to Mike, momentarily taken aback by his unexpected remark. They exchanged puzzled glances before easing into smiles, recognizing the humor in his words.

"You have a point, honey," Mr. Johnson conceded, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Perhaps there's room for different beliefs in this vast universe."

Miss Ramirez nodded, her eyes sparkling with understanding. "Indeed, dear. It's important to have an open mind and foster healthy discussions."

With newfound camaraderie, they bid each other farewell, acknowledging the value of diverse viewpoints and the power of respectful dialogue.

Mike continued his ascent to the third floor, leaving behind a small ripple of harmony in the midst of their passionate debate.

As he ascended to the third floor, Mike stumbled upon a group of enthusiastic college students gathered around a table, their eyes alight with excitement and their voices filled with anticipation.

They huddled together, rolling dice and delving into a world of fantastical adventures.

"I cast a fireball spell at the dragon!" exclaimed Sarah, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.

"Roll for damage!" James, the game master, instructed.

The sound of dice clattering against the table echoed in the hallway as Sarah rolled the dice. A collective gasp filled the air as the numbers were revealed.

"Critical hit! The dragon's scales begin to smolder, and it lets out a mighty roar," James narrated, his storytelling skills captivating his friends.

Michael, another player, chimed in with a mischievous grin. "I'll use my rogue skills to sneak up behind the dragon and deliver a stealthy strike!"

The other students cheered, their imaginations running wild as they cheered on their friends' heroic feats. The room was alive with energy and camaraderie.

Mike paused for a moment, watching the group with a smile. He couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia for his own days of gaming and sharing stories with friends.

"Hey there, fellow adventurers!" he greeted, catching the attention of the players.

They looked up, momentarily breaking character, and smiled back at Mike.

"Hello!" replied Emily, the game master. "Care to join us on our epic quest?"

Mike chuckled, shaking his head. "Not today, my friends. But I wish you all the best in your thrilling adventures. May your rolls be lucky and your quests be victorious."

The college students nodded appreciatively, understanding that not everyone was meant to be part of their ongoing game.

They returned to their fictional world, their imaginations soaring once more.

With a wave and a final farewell, Mike continued his journey, ascending the stairs to the last floor, leaving the college students to their epic battles and imaginative storytelling.

Finally, as Mike approached Sheldon's apartment, his path abruptly crossed with an elderly gentleman who exuded an aura of wisdom and mischief.

The man had a distinguished look, with silver hair, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, and an uncanny resemblance to a legendary figure known for creating superheroes.

Before Mike could react, the old man collided into him with surprising force, causing a momentary commotion.

"Hey, watch where you're going, geezer!" Mike exclaimed, his voice filled with annoyance.

But instead of offering an apology, the man swiftly leaped off a nearby window with agility defying his age.

In the midst of his departure, he let out a spirited cry of "Excelsior!" that echoed through the air, leaving Mike utterly bewildered.

As the old man soared away, Mike stood there, mouth agape, as realization dawned upon him.

"Wait a minute," he muttered to himself, a mixture of awe and disbelief in his voice. "That was... Stan Lee!"

He couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement and amazement at the unexpected encounter with the comic book legend.

Though taken aback by the extraordinary spectacle, Mike couldn't deny the honor of crossing paths with someone who had left an indelible mark on the world of superheroes.

Shaking his head in astonishment, Mike collected himself and continued towards Sheldon's apartment, his mind buzzing with the encounter that would forever be etched in his memory.

Shaking off the bizarre encounter, Mike entered Sheldon's apartment, where he was greeted by a lively scene of several people indulging in a delicious Thai meal.

Laughter and animated conversations filled the air, as everyone enjoyed the company and the flavorsome dishes. It was yet another memorable gathering in the peculiar world of Sheldon Cooper.

Today happened to be Sheldon's designated Thai food day, but Mike wasn't particularly picky when it came to food. After all, he was here and didn't want to be hypocritical.