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The Portable Door’s Journey

The Portable Door

This thread follows Paul’s discovery of the portable door, its uses and limits, and its central role in freeing the prisoners.

increasingupBearing stren­gth in each eventdowndecreasing
A Tube in the DrawerA Tube in the Drawer from "The Portable Door". A Tube in the Drawer A Strange Object Paul Carpenter finds a rolled rubber sheet in his desk, accompanied by instructions for attaching it to a wall as a door.
A Tube in the Drawer A Strange Object Paul Carpenter finds a rolled rubber sheet in his desk, accompanied by instructions for attaching it to a wall as a door. A Tempting Experiment The object feels familiar and draws him toward use. Paul treats it as a possible shortcut rather than a dangerous artifact.
The First CrossingThe First Crossing from "The Portable Door". The First Crossing A Door to Venice Paul opens the portable door and steps into Venice, where he buys coffee and cake during a brief apparent visit.
The First Crossing A Door to Venice Paul opens the portable door and steps into Venice, where he buys coffee and cake during a brief apparent visit. Uneven Time He returns to the office only seconds later by his watch, carrying a café matchbook as proof. The door changes what distance means.
An Unwelcome CompanionAn Unwelcome Companion from "The Portable Door". An Unwelcome Companion Rosie Appears Rosie follows Paul Carpenter through the door and confronts him in Ankara, where she can use her own supernatural…
An Unwelcome Companion Rosie Appears Rosie follows Paul Carpenter through the door and confronts him in Ankara, where she can use her own supernatural shortcuts. Pleasure with a Price Her intrusion makes Paul question whether effortless travel is freedom or another shallow gratification. He becomes wary of using the door casually.
A Journey Goes WrongA Journey Goes Wrong from "The Portable Door". A Journey Goes Wrong A Careless Crossing Paul opens the door in the moving minibus without choosing a destination or securing it with a stopper.
A Journey Goes Wrong A Careless Crossing Paul opens the door in the moving minibus without choosing a destination or securing it with a stopper. Displaced in Time The door closes behind him and leaves him at the office on the previous day. Its power extends through time as well as space.
The Door as a Rescue RouteThe Door as a Rescue Route from "The Portable Door". The Door as a Rescue Route Keys from the Swords Paul Carpenter and Sophie Pettingell recover the paired keys concealed in their swords and remove the lock on…
The Door as a Rescue Route Keys from the Swords Paul Carpenter and Sophie Pettingell recover the paired keys concealed in their swords and remove the lock on the door. A Prison Opened Paul uses the door to return to the doorless room and lead the prisoners out. The once-private shortcut becomes a means of rescue.
The first Saturday Paul works alone
Paul’s first use during the lunch hour
During Paul’s lunch trip in Ankara
During the early-morning trip with John Wells
Near the climax, after the selective lock is discovered