The Invention Door

Author's Note: There is an obscure definition for the word "invention" that is the basis for this story. And, if you'd like to hear what 31-EDO music sounds like, I invite you to listen to Zhea Rose's amazing piece "Prayer Room."

I was at the University Library researching when I came across the article. It was dated over seventy years ago, and showed a holo of a young woman and the legendary Invention Door on Vineaus III. I had to read the article three times before I truly believed it. I then spent the next three days ignoring my doctorate thesis to dig through the library catalogs in order to find out everything I could about the Invention Door and who discovered it.

"I can't believe it!" I said out loud on my third afternoon in the library. "Why didn't she say anything?"

"Shhhh!" I heard from a cubicle near me.

"Sorry!" I whispered back. I had to know why, so I picked up my tablet, and left the library.

Taking the tram to the residential district, I got off at the second to last station, in the neighborhood my family has lived since the planet was colonized nearly five hundred years ago. It was the oldest part of the colony, and it's architecture ran the gamut of old Earth styles, grey colony panels, and more modern architecture. Trees lined the streets in a neat grid pattern, although the streets were only truly used for emergency vehicles and cargo transport. Most people walked or took the trams.

Gran's townhouse was a mixture of red brick and grey plascrete. Out front, there was a flower garden that she took great pride in tending, when she wasn't doing the occasional music lesson for the local school children. When I approached the house, I heard the sound of violin being inexpertly being. I grinned as I touched the door plate, remembering my own music lessons with her as a kid. I always wondered if she was disappointed that I didn't take up a music career like she did. The truth was, that even thought I liked music, I loved xenoarcheology more.

"Come in, Dana," her voice said through the commspanel, and I let myself in.

The music room was to the right of the entryway, filled with all types of instruments from floor to ceiling. When I entered the young kid Gran was teaching looked up and blushed furiously, knowing I'd just heard them play. "No worries," I said. "You should have heard me play the piano when I was your age! I think Gran had to put cotton in her ears!"

Both of them laughed. "I would never do that, Dana!" Gran said. "Why don't you have a cup of tea in the kitchen. There's some treats in stasis, too."

"Thanks, Gran," I said, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and left them to finish the lesson.

Ten minutes later, after the kid had left, Gran came into the kitchen and sat down with me at the table, picking up the tea I'd made for her and one of the cookies I'd dug out of stasis. "Ah, bless. This is lovely. So, to what do I owe the pleasure of you coming to visit?"

I took a breath, brought up the article on my tablet, and passed it to her. "Why didn't you tell me you were famous?"

She took the tablet, looked at it sad smile, then handed it back. "My parents were famous, I just happened to be into the type of music that the door required."

"Gran! It wasn't just you almost solving the lock!" I replied. "You were famous all by yourself, too! You had this whole music career! I listened to some of the music you created, and I had no idea that a lot of the music I've liked over the years was yours! And all the covers and remixes people have done of your music! Gran, it's incredible!"

The old woman shrugged. "I did have a decent career, but fame is a fickle beast," she said with a sigh. "My parents were obsessed with me opening that damn door, and would bring me once a year to try again. I couldn't get any further than I did that first time, so after the fifth time the dragged me there, I told them I wouldn't do it anymore. I can't say that being the 'Invention Door Girl' didn't help my career when I left music school, but by the time I met your grandfather, I was ready to quit the music scene all together. It was a lot." Gran stood, putting her cup in the kitchen sink. "Thankfully, with your grandfather's business and my residuals, we were able to come back here, settle comfortably and raise our family." She smiled. "And then be able to be here for you once you were born."

"But Gran, no one, and I mean no one at all, has ever been able to get as far as you did! They've tried everything, and still no one's figured it out!" I said.

"Really?"

"Yes, even though you figured out it was a 31-EDO scale, other people have tried and still failed!"

Gran got a far away look for a moment, then said, "Well, if I remember right, I think there was more to it than just the music itself."

My archeology senses perked up. "Oh? None of the articles I read said anything about additional requirements. Only that they tried to play the 31-EDO scale, or hired other musicians to do so, and every one had failed."

The older women narrowed her eyes at me. "Just how many articles did you read, Dana?"

I thought for a moment, my sleep-deprived brain adding things up. "Twelve hundred and two news articles, three hundred videos, and 2000 academic packets."

"When was the last time you slept?"

"Ummm..."

Gran gave me that look that only grandparents seem to know how to give. "Go on, get upstairs and take a nap!"

"But Gran!" I said. "We should talk about this! I want to make this my thesis project! I know I could get the funding for this!"

"Dana, you have a perfectly good thesis project that your PhD supervisor has already approved!"

"But Gran! This would be so much better, and have that personal connection that academics just love!"

"No."

"But--"

She shook her head. "No, Dana. That planet is no fun vacation spot!" she said, tersely, surprising me. "It was dusty, dry, and cold and the door was hard to get to. Trust me, you'll be better off sticking to your original project." Her face softened, then she came over and kissed the top of my head. "No, go on, take that nap. I'll let your mother know where you are. I'm sure you'll see reason after you've had some sleep."

"Ok, Gran," I said and did as I was told. But before I passed out, I set up an appointment with my supervisor.

The next day, when I told my supervisor what I'd found and the conversation I'd had with Gran, he nearly dropped the tablet in shock. "You mean, Eva Paterson is your grandmother?" he sputtered.

"Yup!"

"I mean, I kinda wondered, given your last name."

"Yeah, I took on my Mom's last name when her and my Dad divorced."

"Right. Wow! I remember seeing one of your grandmother's last concerts. It was incredible! She always used these weird scales and harmonies, and it really was amazing stuff. I had no idea she was the same person who had almost solved the Invention Door!" He tabbed through the articles on the tablet. "I'll certainly approve the change in thesis! I have no doubt you'll get enough grant credits to actually go and bring your grandmother with you!"

I smiled. That was exactly what I wanted to hear. "Excellent! Let me know when I need to go before the committee!"

A week later, in a show of great speed for an academic institution, the committee approved the change in thesis. The week after that, while I was home writing grant proposals, a person in a dark grey suit and blue tie showed up at my apartment. "Dana Paterson?" they asked when I opened the door.

"Yes?"

"I'm from Dean and Associates Legal Services on behalf of my client, the Blumlein Institute. May I come in?"

"Um. Who's the Blumlein Institute?" I asked.

"The Blumlein Institute was created to fund projects in archaeology, paleontology, and anthropology on planets of interest. The founder of the institute has a particular interest in the Invention Door, and would like to sponsor your work. However, I would appreciate having the rest of this conversation inside. In private."

I'd never heard of the Blumlein Institute, but if they wanted to throw some credits at my research, then I was perfectly willing to listen. "Oh. Yeah, right, come in," I said and opened the door wider to let him through.

"Thank you," he said as he slipped in. I closed the door behind him and gestured towards the small table in the kitchenette that only had two chairs. He sat down in one and pulled out his tablet.

I paused before I sat down. "Uh. Would you like a cup of tea?"

"No, thank you. I'd rather conduct my business here and get back to my office, if you don't mind."

I sat in the empty chair. "No, I don't mind."

"My client is prepared to fund your entire expedition, and any other scientist wanting to study the Invention Door's planet, including private ship and equipment, with only two conditions."

I blinked. "Fund the entire expedition? Are you serious?" I sputtered in surprise.

"Yes," he said, expressionless.

I took a deep breath to try and steady my nerves. "Why? And what are the conditions?"

"Why they wish to fund you is none of my concern. I just offer the contracts to the people they tell me to." He adjusted his tie. "As for the conditions, they're rather simple: first is that your grandmother must come with you, and second, my client is to accompany you on the expedition."

That brought me up short. Nothing worse than a financial backer breathing down your neck trying to make sure you find something worth selling or reverse engineering. I'd seen more than one doctoral student quit completely because of that. "I was planning on taking Gran with me anyway, if I can get her to agree, but... your client too?" I paused. "What kind of person are they? If they're going to micromanage the expedition, I'll find another source of funding!"

"My client has authorized me to reassure you that this will be your project, start to finish. They will not interfere. They are... well... something of an academic tourist, I suppose you could say. They like to attend the expeditions themselves in order to be there when discoveries are made. They sometimes even lend a hand if the PI approves, as they do have degrees in chemistry and biology, in addition to business. They aslo told me that they have the deepest respect for the scientists and scholars who do the real work in academia."

Even thought I was impressed with the sentiment, I was still a little skeptical. "You'll have to forgive me, but that just sounds too good to be true, Mr, uh...?"

"Williams," he replied. "I assure you that it's not. My client is always looking to fund rare and interesting expeditions, and in their lifetime, they've only funded about fifteen of these trips. They're an antiquities dealer, and they deal mostly in ancient and alien musical instruments and recordings." He paused. "They also admitted that they are a big fan of your grandmother's music and would like to meet her."

"They know about Gran?"

"Oh, yes. The client is around the same age as your grandmother."

"Wow. Ok. This is... wow..." I scrubbed my hands through my hair. Come on, Dana, old girl, this is an opportunity of a lifetime! I thought to myself. I took a breath, then said, "All right. I'll see if I can convince her, but I can't guarantee anything."

"Yes, my client understands. If she refuses to go, my client will still give a smaller, but still significant, grant for the research. They still believe that the research needs doing, regardless if you grandmother goes or not." He tapped his tablet. "I've just sent you the preliminary contract, with the financials, and my contact information. Once you have your answer, let me know. If she does say yes, we will finalize the contract, discharge the ship, and my client will meet you at the Vineaus system's oort station."

He stood, nodded his head, and left, closing the door behind him. My tablet chimed and Mr. Williams' message came up. My jaw dropped at the credit amounts for both the full funding and the grant. Picking up the tablet, I ran to Gran's house without my jacket. Somehow, I would convince her to come with me.

Six months later, we arrived as Vineaus station. It was small compared to stations closer to the core worlds, but well appointed. The Blumlein Institute's ship that was loaned to us for the trip was also richly appointed, and felt way too fancy for an expedition ship. But, honestly, the equipment that the Institute bought for us was all brand new and it made me rather giddy. The undergraduate students post docs from other departments that were invited to come, along my supervisor, were all excited to get to Vineaus III and start working. Honestly, I was, too, but before we could continue on, Gran and I had to meet our benefactor.

"I should have said no to this whole expedition," Gran muttered nervously as we exited the airlock and headed toward the station's Bazaar.

"Too late to back out now," I said. "Did you know about the Blumlein Institute?"

She shook her head. "Like I said before, I have no idea. I mean, the only Blumlein I know about is a microphone technique. But you did say that the lawyer said the client liked ancient music, right? And was a fan of mine?"

I nodded. "That's what he told me."

"I wonder..." Gran shook her head and shrugged. "What's the restaurant we're meeting them at?"

"Nona's Garden, I think Mr. Williams said," I replied. "Ah! Yes! There it is! Oh, and I see Mr. Williams."

We approached the restaurant, which looked like it was situated underneath a trellised garden and had actual grapes hanging from the ceiling. Mr. Williams was standing at the entrance in his familiar dark suit, with a masculine looking person dressed in white dress pants and a patterned shirt, who was, indeed, as old as Gran was. When Gran saw him, however, she stopped in her tracks. Her face went white, as if she'd seen a ghost.

"Gran?"

"No! It can't be!" she whispered.

"What is it Gran? You ok?"

"That's-- But I thought--" Gran was so shocked, she could barely speak.

The man next to Mr. Williams smiled and strolled over to us, eyes only for Gran. "Hello again, Eva," he said in a rich, dark voice.

"Andreas Dumont!" she said. "I'd recognize those eyes anywhere! But it can't be! You disappeared! You left me that night on Alpha Centauri Station-- no note, nothing-- I thought that you'd been taken or something! I looked for you, but I couldn't find you anywhere!"

"I have regretted how I left you ever since that night, but we were both caught in our careers, and... well..." His face softened. "By the time I was able to find you again, after you'd retired, you were already happily married with children. I didn't want to intrude on your happiness."

Gran's mouth opened and closed. Andreas held out his hand. "Join us for dinner? Please? Honestly, Eva, I don't expect anything else from you, except to see the Invention Door when your granddaughter is studying it, and maybe lend a hand in the work."

Gran nodded and took his hand. He led her into the restaurant, and I followed them, feeling a bit like a third wheel. He held the chair out for Gran, then for me, then he and Mr. Williams sat across from us. To my surprise, the rest of the restaurant was empty.

Seeing me look around, Andreas said, "I took the liberty of renting out the restaurant for us tonight. I figured it would be less stressful for both of you." He turned to me. "I'm sure this must all be rather confusing, but I really am that invested in your thesis, Dana. I do hope we can figure out how to open the Invention Door. As Mr. Williams told you, I do have a fondness for ancient musical artifacts."

"Ok. Great," I said. "But, um, how do you know Gran?"

The older woman blushed furiously and said, "We spent a month together on Alpha Centauri Station while I was there for a music fellowship. It was-- he was--" she cleared her throat.

Andreas smiled warmly at her. "It was the single greatest month of my life," he said gently. "Unfortunately, your grandmother had her music, and I was interning at my father's antiquities company. We couldn't stay together, mostly because my father wouldn't allow it, and instead of properly saying good bye, I just left without giving her any way to contact me." He glanced at Gran with a sad look. "As I said, I've regretted that every day of my life."

Gran blushed again, but didn't say anything.

Andreas smiled, recovering, then said, "So, Dana, what methodologies are you planning to use for examining the Invention Door and the temple site?"

That sent us into a conversation about science and equipment use, among other logistics for the expedition as the waitstaff brought out our dinner, which I thought was a kind way to give Gran time to compose herself. Eventually, we turned to other topics, and Gran added her own insights into the conversation. When we finished dinner and walked back to the airlock with the two men, I caught Gran stealing looks at Andreas, and it made me wonder what would have happened if they hadn't been separated all those years ago.

The Invention Door was in a ruin of white stone that my great-grandparents had called the temple. The door itself was three meters tall, round, and had black and silver carvings that looked dots and waves. There was an altar-like table in front of it, just large enough to hold the instruments that Andreas and his assistants had set up. There was a keyboard, synth, and other instruments to try, although, during the trip from the station to the planet, Gran said that she had only used a small synth-board that she had been learning on when she had come here with her parents.

All of us stared at the temple room in awe. You could barely see the outline of the seam where the door met the wall and there were no obvious hinges. The rest of the room was smooth, white marble-like stone with barely visible black inclusions. The geologists were already having raptures over the stone and were quietly setting up their instruments on the other side of the large room.

"I never thought I'd be here again," Gran said.

"Is that good or bad?" I asked.

"A bit of both, really, but I'm glad you convinced me to come, because I think I know how it works."

"What?!"

Andreas turned to Gran. "Eva! You know how this works? Really?"

She nodded. "I think so. I used to walk in here barefoot a lot, especially when I was playing music, since the acoustics are perfect and you could feel the vibrations through the floor. When I played the 31-EDO scale, the circles on the door began to light up, one by one, and there was a matching vibration in the floor each time. What I've never told anyone, though, is that I could feel something in me, looking for certain emotions, and at one point, no matter how many times I went through the scale, I couldn't go any further. I had a feeling that, at the time, I didn't have enough emotions to open the door." She stepped towards the keyboards on the altar. "But that moment left me with the seeds of a composition, and part of the reason I said I'd come, Dana, is because I recently finished it, and wanted to play it here."

"Do you think--?" Andreas began and Gran nodded.

"Even if it doesn't work, I think I'll just be happy to have been able to play it here." She stared at the door for a moment, then turned to us. "Shoes off, you two," Gran ordered, taking off her own shoes and socks.

The others in the hall stopped to watch us, wondering what was going on. Gran turned on the synth-board, flipped on the amps, adjusted the tuning to her liking, and then began to play.

I gasped. I'd never heard Gran play one of her own compositions before. I had only listened to the records. I stood watching her play, transfixed. The melody was haunting, beautiful, and slightly jarring all at once. It made my body vibrate in ways I didn't know music could do. It gave me goosebumps. Andreas was also entranced, tears running down his face. I understood. Somehow, the piece captured life in all it's complexity, and I couldn't quite make out how.

But then, the first circle on the door lit up, and emotions jolted through the floor, through my feet, and into every nerve of my body. Everyone, except Gran, was rock still, staring. As Gran played on, visions of my childhood emerged. My early life played out as the music swelled again, and the second circle lit up.

As each change in music came, a new era of my life would come into my vision, and a new circle lit up. I had no idea how long we stood there, but when she got to the point where two-thirds of the circles were lit, she whispered, "Come closer." I knew she said the words, but I felt them more than heard them. Both Andreas and I moved to within touching distance of her, and somehow we both knew to put one of our hands on her shoulders. The music shifted again and became a crescendo, and suddenly, the visions in my head came to my present and stopped. Again, I was able to comprehend the room, as if the music had left me behind because I wasn't old enough for the rest of the piece. Andreas was still staring while he held on to Gran, who was playing the synth-board as if she were in a trance, like a high priestess of an ancient cult.

All but two of the circles had lit up, and suddenly, Gran's playing slowed and grew quieter, tailing off into the simplicity of only a single note. When she stopped, the last note rang in the hall and the last circles lit. There was a clunking sound. The door swung slowly and quietly inward, a bright light flaring for a moment, making me shade my eyes.

Gran slumped over the instrument, and Andreas came out of his trance to hold her up. He cleared his voice twice before saying, "I think you've earned the right to be the first to see what's inside."

Gran could only nod and wipe her eyes. I put an arm around her from the other side, and we helped her to the open door.

Her eyes went wide as we looked in. "No one is going to believe this!"

Wide-eyes ourselves with wonder, Andreas and I could only nod in agreement.