(I like the actors who appear, etc)
Well, why not.
Here's the story: I lead you into the next room, and pull back the curtains on the window. You look through the window and see I want to demonstrate my ability to tell time automatically. Mentally.
I'll write the time on this piece of paper
Eight-- thirty four
Now I seal this paper in this envelop. I'll attach this envelop to the wall.
Now-- YOU will go and take this piece of paper out of the envelope
It says eight thirty four. That doesn't agree with the clock.
Maybe the clock is wrong. At least, some of the time.
Can I sit?
(Pause)
Of course. But I don't think it stops with sitting. Or, being seated.
You're correct.
Look at this ordinary mouth.
Magic?
Not quite yet.
I shall sit down to my dinner, and you, of all people. . .
Is it warm out?
No--
Are overcoats being--
No. NO! It's quite cool. It's the anticipation of a coming holiday. People's faces, flushed with excitement.
And what is the kernel of that excitement? Is it something inside the people themselves, or is it in the environment through which they pass, the colored lights, the flags waving in the reflected brightness—
Where are they? What's the name of the city?
It has a certain evocative presence. Invading even this room—
Now it's disappeared completely.
It's subjective.
Yes.
(The darkness falls)
This is for you
(Pause)
I wouldn't eat it
Why?
I made it special
Ah. It's a kind of poison?
Well-- not poison
What
(Pause)
A kind of emotional poison
I'd better see what effect it has on me
I wouldn't eat it
Try an alternative
Eat it and find out
This fulcrum of possibility--
You name it
It has no name
These ideas were PRESSING into his skull, and that PRESSURE-- it was too many ideas-- none of them able to come to fruition-- but was that OK? --or a new lease on life, really, and he was up and about, being totally amazed at the way it added to the RICHNESS of his life.
That stopped our conversation in mid-stream
Could you talk to me about something better?
You will not believe me when I tell you the truth about myself. The truth about myself is that I have obtained. . . supreme knowledge, and this knowledge radiates from me, to fill each of you, in my presence.
In fact, however, you will not believe me, which means you will not believe in the full extent of your own knowledge and radiance.
But this is not wrong or undesirable.
This is a function of the very knowledge and radiance you acquire from my presence.
I have had enough realism to last a lifetime
These continual substitutions are the fruit of much mental fun
If it was mental fun I was into, then I'd be approximately called one fun machine after another
I knew I'd be caught and you'd be caught
Flipped over a table that stood in my way. I pivot, and a new plot of ground, a new territory, even though urban in the extreme, was mine for all kinds of floral expansion.
Did I already empty this bottle to this significant degree? Oh my god--
What?
I must be under a rather terrific influence
Are you drunk?
Is this for me?
Of course
Well, I'll save it
Be careful. In time, it's contents change.
(Thinks)
For the better?
(Pause)
Of course.
(Points to self)
The quake in the forehead.
(Pause)
I don't see any movement in your forehead
I'm not saying I imagined it, I'm saying-- treat it as a fact
I must be partly responsible.
Not yet
When does it change?
(Pause)
Let's give it some time
Oh, that is very upsetting to hear
I have nothing but time
I'm in a similar category of course.
* * * * *
What did you buy
Shoes
Did you have a need for new shoes
Yes I did
(Pause)
I was beginning to be depleted in my stock of shoes
I bought shoes
Why?
To get down to earth
This is hardly believable
This is hardly a mistake
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