19 April 2010

Notes & and scene six, Ch.5


         Early afternoon. Busy morning. Scene six is also about circumstance. This time we return to Mother and she is talking with Aeneas and Mario.

         Wow. This is a surprise. Why would they go to Mother? Aeneas is the adventurer, has he discovered something? This will be interesting to me in any case.

         Take time to relax, catch up on one of your magazines. Later Carol wants to go to the grocery (taking Owen out for a ride as it is a nice but cool sunny day).

         Monday evening and the national news is on in the background. You have finished scene six. Post what you have. 

Scene 6

         Beneath the great limbed tree in the center of the stone circles the three, Mother and Aeneas and Mario, sat cross-legged in the grass at midday.

         “It is always strange sitting beneath a tree with no shade,” continued Aeneas.

         Mother smiled. “It has been like this since the day I arrived. No sun, a few clouds on a fair day in April, and no rain. The basics are here otherwise.”

         “What did you call this Place when you first arrived?” asked Mario politely.

         “Continuity.”

         “That’s a strange name.”

         “I didn’t know I was dead. Here I was in a strange but familiar landscape. It was daylight but I thought I had just missed the son. That night the familiar stars were out, all but the north one. Then I remembered the old shaman’s story. I laughed to myself and pointed to where the north star should be and said, ‘Earth is there. I am Here.’”

         “It must have been a very comforting thought,” noted Aeneas.

         “It was. I had my sense of humor which made up for the loneliness. Then I set out a search of the territory. I assumed there would be scattered tribes but found none.”

         “When did you realize you were dead?” asked Aeneas.

         “It took me a while. I was busy exploring. I felt alive because the other people had accepted me.” This has been a long time, thought Mother. People don’t ask me such questions anymore. I used to hate telling these stories over and over. Now everyone is busy with one another. I am family but feel remote. Then she added, probably by my own choice.

         “The other people, the people with no nipples?”

         “Yes. In those days I thought about them from time to time and eventually it dawned on me that they were out among the stars too, just as I was. When others began to arrive, I knew some personally but others were strangers though we spoke the same language.” She laughed comfortably and more casually than usual, “They asked where they were and I told them they were in continuation, that their bodies were dead, then I told them the old shaman’s story about being Here and There.”

         “Is the shaman here?” asked Aeneas.

         “Yes, he is.”

         “What did he think about the other people?”

         “He didn’t understand what I was talking about. He never did. Finally, I stopped the discussion and he seemed the happier for it.”

         Mario asked, “What is his name?”

         “Panagiotakis is his formal name but he has always gone by Takis.”

         “Where can he be found?”

         She smiled thinking he was like her first son. “That is a good question, Aeneas. No one knows. He likes to live alone so that is what he does. He can generally be found in the territory of Arcadia Forest.”

         Mario was suddenly struck with an idea. “He may be our key, Aeneas. He is one of the oldest Here.”

         Mother shrugged, “Elysium is not on my shoulders, it was Here first. Takis may know something.”

         “Elysium was Here because Takis said it was,” replied Aeneas.

         “That is true,” replied Mother.

         Coincidence, thought Mario. “Mother, we will look into this and what we were talking about earlier.”

         “Yes,” concurred Aeneas. “I think this is a connection among the Dead that the others have not considered.”

         “Meanwhile,” she ordered, “Keep the plan as it is. Continue with the bridge as it gives a focus people can see. Those who newly arrive may be able to help.”

***

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