Dave had been sitting in the cosmic waiting room for what felt like an eternity. Time, he realized, was a fickle concept when the universe was on hold. He'd read through all the incomprehensible magazines, attempted to solve a Rubik's Cube that kept changing colors, and even tried to strike up a conversation with a potted plant that may or may not have been sentient.

Just as he was considering the merits of a nap that might last several millennia, a door appeared. It was a peculiar door, seeming to exist in multiple dimensions at once, and it bore a nameplate that read: "Xzorplax the Ineffable, Senior Customer Service Representative."

The door swung open, revealing a being that looked suspiciously like a floating, glowing question mark. "Number 42?" it called out in a voice that sounded like a blend of wind chimes and a dial-up modem.

Dave looked down at the ticket in his hand, which indeed bore the number 42. He stood up, his joints creaking in protest. "That's me, I suppose."

"Excellent," Xzorplax chimed. "Please, step into my office. Mind the existential void on your left."

Dave cautiously entered the office, which seemed to be a swirling vortex of mathematical equations and half-finished crossword puzzles. He sat down in a chair that felt like it was made of clouds and dreams.

"So," Xzorplax began, consulting a file that appeared to be written on a Möbius strip, "it says here that you... broke the universe? My, my, that's quite an achievement for a former deity on his first week as a mortal."

Dave shifted uncomfortably. "It wasn't entirely my fault. There was this guide named Zorg, and a time machine made of office supplies, and—"

Xzorplax held up an appendage that might have been a hand. "Say no more. Zorg is a repeat offender. Last week, he tried to teach quantum physics to a group of flatworms. It nearly caused a dimensional collapse in Sector 7G."

"So, can you fix it?" Dave asked hopefully. "Get the universe running again?"

The glowing question mark tilted thoughtfully. "Well, that depends. Tell me, Dave, what is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything?"

Dave blinked. "Is this a joke? Everyone knows it's 42."

"Ah," Xzorplax sighed, "but do you know WHY it's 42?"

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Dave opened his mouth, then closed it again. He furrowed his brow, thinking hard. "I... don't know," he admitted finally.

"Exactly!" Xzorplax exclaimed triumphantly. "And that, my fallible friend, is the key to fixing this whole mess."

"I don't understand," Dave said, feeling more confused than ever.

"Of course you don't!" Xzorplax chimed happily. "That's the beauty of it. The universe runs on a delicate balance of knowing and not knowing. When you were omniscient, you knew everything, which paradoxically meant you knew nothing. Now that you don't know everything, you have the capacity to truly understand!"

Dave's head was spinning. "So, you're saying that my ignorance is the solution?"

"Precisely!" Xzorplax did a little loop-de-loop in the air. "By admitting that you don't know why 42 is the answer, you've created just enough uncertainty to reboot the cosmos."

With a wave of its question mark-shaped body, Xzorplax produced a large red button. "Would you like to do the honors?"

Dave hesitated. "What exactly will this do?"

"Oh, who knows?" Xzorplax said cheerfully. "That's the fun part!"

Shrugging, Dave reached out and pressed the button. There was a sound like a giant computer powering up, and the office began to dissolve around them.

"Oh, one last thing," Xzorplax called out as it faded away. "Do try to avoid any more paradoxes for a while, won't you? The paperwork is dreadful!"

As reality reasserted itself, Dave found himself back where he had started, standing next to a very confused-looking Zorg.

"Did we just...?" Zorg began.

"Break and then fix the universe? Yes, I believe we did," Dave replied.

Zorg grinned. "Brilliant! What's next on our quest?"

Dave sighed, a smile tugging at his lips despite himself. "How about we try something simple? Like finding the meaning of life?"

"Ooh, I know that one!" Zorg exclaimed. "It's 42!"

Dave chuckled, patting Zorg on the back. "You know, my friend, I have a feeling it might be a bit more complicated than that."

As they set off on their next adventure, Dave couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. He might not be omnipotent anymore, but the universe suddenly seemed full of endless possibilities. And really, wasn't that what being a god was all about?