"Ahem. Excuse me, God, but I wondered if you had the time to chat about your latest project?"

"Ah yes, the 'Universe Project.‘ Of course, Adam, come on in and pull up a cloud. I can always make time, you know that."

"Well yes, absolutely. I've taken a look at the plans for the project and I must say it all looks very .. erm .. grand."

"Do you think so? Oh good. I do like it when everyone‘s on board. I'm so glad you like it."

"I do, God, I do. But there is one thing that concerns me, and that is the cost of powering the whole thing.“

"Oh, don't worry about that. I've got everything in hand," said God, with a dismissive wave.

"I'm sure you have, God, but with respect, as your Project Manager, I have to manage the costs, set milestones, observe deadlines and so forth and, for that, I need be made aware of all the details." 

"Do you indeed? Well, yes I suppose you do but, regarding the power, have no concerns about it. I have created something called Energy and just one unit of it will power the whole project.“

"One unit! But that‘s impossible. Our engineers have run a prototype and found that, when certain conditions occur, which is rare I admit, things start to appear. These things we call 'bioforms' for want of a better word."

"Oh I know about those prototypes. What’s your point, Adam?“

"My point is that these bioforms consume power – lot’s of it. I’ve taken a look at the specifications and I see that you’ve rated the longevity of the Universe as infinite. Once these bioforms take hold they multiply at a tremendous rate consuming power as they go. If they remain unchecked, then the Universe will last nothing like that length of time.“

"You’re not listening to me are you, Adam. This energy I have created is a new form of power and it is designed to last forever. Let me explain. The starting point will be this great ball of Energy and after the big bang...,“

"The big bang?“ interjected Adam.

"Of course,“ said God. "This is our most ambitious project yet. It’s only fitting that we start it with a bit of noise and bluster, don’t you think. Now, if I may continue?“

"Yes, I see, sorry God.“

"As I was saying, this initial starting point of energy will disperse as bright spheres of energy, expanding the universe as they go. I like to call them the 'stars' of the show. Now, if and when your bioforms come into existence they will consume energy from their nearest star but, according to my design, energy cannot be destroyed! It can exist in many forms and even change from one form to another but the total amount will always be one unit. There will be no loss – nifty, eh?“

"I’m sorry, God, but you’ve lost me completely.“

"Let me give you an example. Simple bioforms will absorb Energy directly from their nearest star, yes? These, in turn, will be consumed by other, possibly more complex bioforms and the energy passes from one to the other. This property of Energy is so important to the success of the project that I have consulted our legal team and they’ve enshrined it in a law that states that 'Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only converted from one form to another.‘ I’m sure that your bioforms will evolve and eventually realise this for themselves.“

"Evolve?" said Adam. "I’ve never heard of that word before and I’m not sure I like the sound of it either.“

"Did I say that? hmm how strange. I don't think I know what the word means either. Let's just
forget that I ever said it at all, shall we?“

"In that case, if I may say so, that is genius, God!.“

"You may say so, Adam. After all, they do call me the omniscient one, you know.“

"On to the timescales then. How long do you propose it will take to create this Universe?"

"It’s up to you but I was thinking no more than six days tops, and on the seventh day, we'll have a rest or even a party. I think we'd have earned it, don’t you? 

"Six days, you say?“ said Adam. "Hmm, I think it’ll take a little longer than that.“