Steven had never had much interest in string theory or alternate realities or any of that nonsense. When Philip brought it up, he listened, interested, then grinned. "Man, we have enough problems in the here and now. Why worry about other realities?"
In some ways, the old rocker considered himself a practical man. This was one of those ways. He had attended protests and sit-ins, and he had marched down the streets of Washington, DC to support causes he saw as righteous. He was not the sort of man who dreamed of other worlds -- he wanted to make a better world.
"But, yeah, I get what you're saying. There's something else here. It's what we used to call an energy, I guess." Of course, that had just been a term thrown out for almost everything. "And the way we connect to this place, it's almost spiritual."
It wasn't quite the right word, but that was another thing about Steven: he felt that if he talked long enough, he'd eventually hit on the right words to suit his ideas.
Philip's compliments interrupted his musings, and Steven at once grinned. It was easy for him to switch topics, hopping back from something quiet deep to enjoying a simple compliment.
"Yeah? Good. I'd hate to find out I was being a poor host to my first guest."