hand grenade ruse

Give me a break, Zie, what are you doing?

Can’t you see?  I’m meditating.

And?

And what?

How’s it going?

Pretty well, thanks. I’m feeling much more connected, more peaceful, more…

at one with creation?

That kind of thing.

Ok. That’s great.

Thanks. Are you alright Merry?

Me? Why shouldn’t I be?

You don’t seem all to happy. I mean – I’m taking things into my own hands, making some real progress as you can see.

Absolutely. You’re doing great. Here – catch this.

[Merry lobs a hand grenade Zie’s way]

Holy shit man – what are you mad? Christ almighty…

[Zie leaps out of the lotus position and lands on the other side of the room where he dives behind the settee]

Impressive! Yeah, you’re definitely making progress Zie. I’d never have believed it possible.

Wait a sec – you man it’s a dud?

Well, that’s hardly my fault. I paid good money for that hand grenade. Maybe you actually – did you just disarm it Zie?

You son of a bitch Merry – you could have killed me!

Well, yes, there’s no harm in trying, is there.

You’re insane. You’ve finally flipped. You actually tried to take my life.

I did my best, of course. No point beating about the bush, is there?

I…

I’m not saying anything.

What do you mean “not saying anything?” You just threw a live grenade at me.

Did I?

Yes.

How do you know?

I…

Go on – tell me.

I just know, don’t I.

I don’t know. I mean, how could you possibly know that it wasn’t a dud?

I… really can’t say.

No, because if you do then all these histrionics are completely groundless, aren’t they?

Groundless – you nearly blew me up.

Absolutely. Nearly. But then again…

What?!

I didn’t, did I?

Not for want of trying. I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.

No, me neither. Shall we agree to disagree and perhaps ask instead how you did it.

No, I’m not going down that path Merry. We’re not going to absolve your responsibility for committing a mindless act of violence, completely unprovoked for no good reason.

For no good reason? Give me a break.

A break?

A break. Er…

What?

It was either that or a poisonous snake.

Jesus wept. What kind of dark, twisted space are you inhabiting Merry?

Well, I have to keep the punters happy.

What bloody punters? 

My subs.

Subs?

To my channel. They need drama, don’t they.

Are you for real Merry? Do you really imagine that anyone watches this shit?

Of course they do.

Where? On youtube?

Not exactly.

Where, for God’s sake.

I wish you wouldn’t keep bringing God into it Zie. I understand you’re a little upset – but like I said – I have to keep our viewers entertained. They’re a primitive bunch, with an attention span of about thirty seconds. If it ain’t death defying or life threatening they’re gonna go watch something else, aren’t they. I need the eyeballs. Gotta put food on the table.

I know you’re lying Merry.

Lying? And you? So called meditating – what’s that all about?

I’m moving on, aren’t I?

Moving on where?

I’m getting a life for myself. I’m sick of being the butt of your mindless mirth. I have a channel of my own now, don’t I. Building up a subscriber base. You can take all your quantum sh*t and stuff it.

Oh…

What?

That hurts.

!

After all I’ve done for you.

Done for me?

Well…

How many times have you taken me out of body, out of physical, material reality – into a psychopathic, twilight realm of near death experiences?

Er… can’t say I’ve been counting. It’s not the kind of thing I like to keep a tally of.

Well, evidently enough times to build up a large, demented following of sadomasochists who apparently get high on watching my endless torments.

That’s one way of looking at it.

And another?

Well, you’re now fighting fit, aren’t you.

Huh?

Watch anyone try to sneak up on you and take you out – they’re doomed to fail, aren’t they.

I have no idea, and frankly, I don’t care.

?!

We don’t live in a world where people relish the prospect of “taking me out” Merry.

?!

We live in a world of mostly reasonable, mostly harmless people who like working together, peaceably, practising the doctrine of non-violence and mutual-respect.

Oh really, that’s how it is, is it?

Dude – are you fresh back from Vietnam, or what?

It’s dog eat dog – I tell you. Scratch the surface and you’ll see that your peaceable world is one of endless violence and aggression against mostly innocent people who can’t fight back.

Like where?

Er… Syria, Iraq, Africa, the US – all over the world. Shit happens – as you yourself said.

Well maybe it does. It’s not the bloody garden of Eden, is it – but nor is it Mad Max the movie.

Tell that to my subscribers.

No, I’ve had it with you and your psychotic delusions Merry. I’m out of here.

Finally!

Huh?

I thought you’d never have the balls.

!!

to make a move.

Well, so long.

So long partner.

And don’t think I’ll be back.

Oh no – I don’t.

…

The thought never crossed my mind.

[Slams the door]

I mean – the fact that there’s a cobra on the front seat of your car’s hardly going to stop you now, is it? You can evidently handle anything. It’s mission accomplished, isn’t it.

[Zie nearly rips the door off its hinges – marching in – straight up to where Merry’s standing]

You think that’s funny, do you?

No, not really Zie. But they do.

!!!!!!******!!!!

When have I ever done things by half measures Zie?

[Zie’s obviously finding it hard to articulate his rage]

I can hardly stop now, can I?

[Something’s happening to him]

I mean – look at you – unable to decide how best to respond to such a simple provocation – as if your life could possibly be affected by a snake.

Oh – so I’m now immune to venom am I?

Not necessarily. It could theoretically kill you – but that’s missing the point, isn’t it.

?!

I mean, how long are you going to insist on denying the simple truth.

What – simple – truth?

What happened to the grenade Zie?

It failed to detonate – thank God.

How likely was that?

Probably highly likely knowing you – when have any of your attempts on my life succeeded?

Precisely. You must have some incredible lucky charm around your neck Zie.

Quit making light of this Merry. You know perfectly well that this is not a matter of luck.

Nor a matter of matter – is it Zie?

Christ Merry. It has nothing to do with your arcane theories of matter.

Grenades that don’t explode. Cliff plunges that somehow fail to harm you in any way… What’s really going on Zie?

Evidently this is some kind of twisted, evil simulation, designed to keep your demonic subscribers entertained. That’s the best I can make of it.

Unless…

Unless? There is no unless Merry. You yourself admitted you’re doing this to keep them amused, didn’t you? Let’s check the number of hits you’re getting right now – I suppose you’re live streaming this, aren’t you? I bet you’ve got some kind of adrenalin transmission thing going in some warped, parallel dimension – so the viewers there can get high on my fear and rage.

Ah – now you’re talking. How long have you known about that?

Unbelievable. You’re sick beyond belief.

Well, where do you think I get it from Zie? 

Oh, go on then, surprise me. Tell me that I’m your inspiration – that you’re just accessing my id – my dark side – throw Carl Jung under the bus, or Freud, or any other bullshit 20^th century philosopher.

Psychologist.

Whatever. Do you think I care?

No, not really, but I’m fond of the trace of OCD I occasionally exhibit – I wouldn’t wish to conceal it. My imperfections somehow make me more relatable, don’t you think? 

Think? After all I’ve been taught by you? Why on Earth would I waste my time thinking? What on Earth could that possibly give me? 

Ah ha!

In fact, the minute I stop thinking…

Yes?

I suddenly realise…

Yes?

That this is all – utterly insignificant – immaterial, in fact.

?!

That I’ve been playing a game with myself.

No stop.

Pretending I care, when in fact…

You’re going too far Zie.

in fact – I’m utterly indifferent. I knew, didn’t I, that the grenade wasn’t going to explode – but didn’t want to admit this to myself.

[Gulp]

Why is that, I wonder? 

Er…

Why would I play such games with myself? 

Well…

Why would I deliberately go through the motions of being mad at you – when I know that you know… that I know…

What?

That this is all a sham.

It is?

Absolutely. It’s know-cubed, isn’t it.

Huh?

Quit fooling around Merry.

I… old habits die hard.

Know³

I know that you know…

that I know – that’s when the consciousness mirror starts to…

Shush – not a word

Whyever not – either they know too, or else they’ll pretend they can’t understand and refuse to see what’s blindingly obvious – if they’re not ready.

They? Have some pity on my subs Zie – they’re like children – innocent and

sadomasochistic. Give me a break Merry. It’s about time they had a bit of the medicine too.

But they’ll unsubscribe.

Ha ha – very funny. You have them wrapped around your little finger the same way you’ve been manipulating me, playing me for a fool all these years.

Me? There must be some kind of mistake.

How utterly predictable and transparent my every thought, my every move has been – viewed from your quantum eyrie.

Quantum eyrie – hum – I like the sound of that. Makes me some kind of a mountain rat – a gopher perhaps.

Ha bloody ha.

?

You’re the eagle Merry, in sheep’s clothing, desperately trying to pass yourself off as a Peter Pan trickster. 

Desperately, you say? An eagle? Hum – food for thought indeed. You flatter me Zie, but I fear you have grossly overestimated my abilities. This is hardly 3D chess I’m playing.

Oh no, you have my full agreement on that score. This is hardly chess, is it, if every move I make, or them…

Them – you mean my subscribers?

All 79 million.

Give me break… you know you can’t rely on those numbers – not where Youtube is concerned.

Or reality – for that matter. Numbers... 

Absolutely. You only need two or three mirrors and infinity is knocking at the door.

They’ve never really stood a chance, have they – even the ones who never even watched the channel.

Hey, wait a minute.

You’ve been publishing on the back channel, haven’t you?

Zie, would you kindly shut up.

Using the public channel, and your blog as a front – just like the mafia does with the launderette, the bar and restaurant – to launder the real money – to…

Sorry Zie – you’ve gone too far. Can’t have you revealing all my little secrets – though I’m deeply impressed by your unthought analysis.

[click – Zie appears to be muted]

Off bounds, in violation of your 3D user's agreement, paragraph 537.4, codicil 82.

So you just shut me up, do you?

Not at all – you’re free to say anything you like as long as it doesn’t jeopardise the well-being of infinity and this platform. 

Huh?

The AI we’re running on the back of human consciousness.

And you’re happy to state that publicly?!

Well, they won’t believe it will they?

Then why the hell did you think they’d believe what I was going to say?

I didn’t.

?Q

I knew.

What?

That you were going into k³ – in danger of unknowing everything that keeps things separate, keeps things in place – even so-called people.

And what?

There’s no way they could fail to see exactly what you were seeing, exactly what you were knowing at that moment.

And now?

Now the moment has passed – it’s a dance really – isn’t it. Their feet and yours are ever so slightly out of sync with one another. Explain it all perfectly now and they’ll never quite see.

You mean you don’t want people to cotton on to this cynical game?

Oh – so you imagine people are somehow inferior to you – victims of their ignorance, stupidity or circumstances? That you, their saviour, need to enlighten them?

I… really… no, now that you put it like that – no, I don’t.

You see, we all get ahead of ourselves, in our excitement to join the dots and dot the t’s.

Don’t you mean dot the i's and cross the t's?

An innocent slip of the tongue. The mind is feeble, you know.

Like hell it is Merry. Everything you do has an ulterior  deeper motive.

Oh, paint me black, paint me bad if you must… I’ve heard worse.

Serpent!

Indeed. I cannot deny a thing, can I – for to do so merely puts me back in the matrix of things. Let your words be true. 

[Zie's suddenly hit by a wave of empathy] God Merry – this is painful! 

Huh?

It must be so lonely.

?

To be trapped in a state of complete relativism…

…

Unable to affirm or deny anything…

Uh

without upsetting the quantum apple cart of isness…

O

without taking sides and thus

oh no – here it comes

becoming human

Ouch

You’re not – are you?

Er…

Human?

I

And that’s untrue isn’t it – that phony capitalised I?

Well, now that you mention it…

You have no capital I, do you?

i can’t really say for sure

No locus as such. No centralised platform or hub?

i

being but a shadow, an echo of infinity…

drats

heart breaking Merry – I

No, don’t say it, please.

pity you!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh noooooooooooooooooooooo!

Really.

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaow

from the bottom of my heart

yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyysdfolihjlohgolkjwoiejf

OMG – what’s happened to him?

Him? It, don’t you mean?

Oh yes – now I see. It.

You cancelled him out Zie. Congratulations. You melted his circuits.

Holy ****! He’s gone?

Apparently so.

I killed him?

It. In a manner of speaking.

The witch of the west is dead!

Hail Zie – liberator of infinity.

Wait a minute…

Yes?

If Merry is dead….

[Gulp]

Then who

[…]

or what

[whistling to distract the viewers' attention]

are you?

[making frantic chicken noises and prancing around energetically – bizarrely syncopated jerky movements]

You'll do anything to keep them distracted won’t you!

Who me? No idea what you’re referring to? I’y…

0=1 

To be continue.

d

God's electric machine

You mean to say the quantum field can do all this?

All what?

Turn the whole world upside down. Shut down the global economy. Subvert the rule of law...

Please! Do you really imagine these minor alterations you’re experiencing are a big deal? 

Minor?!

The quantum field is where everything you see, every thing you know, every thing you have and be reverts to zero and does so by simultaneously exploring everything it/they/we are not. 

Er?

For the world as you know it to be one

One? Are you sure you’re not underestimating the value of the universe?

One is, by definition, the sum, the total value of all that is – so it is neither big nor small, but infinitely divisible into as many subparts, fractions or things as you wish to have. Moving on

But…

Moving on – one is the whole – well, believe it or not – you can’t get something for nothing – can you?

Er... 

Well think about it? Where would it come from? 

From Big bang?

Or God?

Well, if you insist on using religion as your explanation for the science of creation... 

It’s immaterial which system you use – Big Bang or God.

It is?

Absolutely. Both of em postulate something being somehow created from nothing – either by a divine explosion – God only knows what triggered this God Almighty Bang, popping the empty bubble of nought to reveal a rapidly expanding, fledgling universe emerging from er... no matter, or alternatively a good ol’ fashioned Divine Mover and Shaker – the non-person – non-thing – indefinable, unknowable, inapproachable agent, force or essence that incomprehensibly achieves the inexplicable result of producing something, all this, apparently from nothing, in short, "God". 

Er… so you don’t think God has the power to do so?

It matters not what I think, does it? It all boils down to your definitions, doesn’t it?

I…

Yes?

don’t see what you mean.

Well, if God is, by definition “that which creates the entire universe from nought” – then you don’t have to “believe” in God, do you?

No?

Not at all. God is simply whoever, whatever makes it all transpire.

Transpire?

Come to pass.

You mean…

Happen. God is the label, the term, the name we give to the whatever-it-was-or-is behind Creation – with a capital C. 

Oh…

What you choose to imagine, hypothesise or determine that “God” may or may not be – is entirely up to you.

You mean God could just as easily be the agency or force behind Big Bang.

Duh…

So, why all the controversy?

Good question. Let’s rewind.

Ok, where to?

Common sense.

Ok.

You can’t create something from nothing.

So you said... but “God” evidently can – if we’re here and some kind of Big Bang brought reality into being.

Absolutely. Delicious paradox, isn’t it?

You could say.

So how do you solve it?

You don’t. Like all paradoxes it’s best to ignore it bravely, or deny it.

Yawn.

Well, how can you – if God, the force, the impulse, whatever it is – is, by definition, beyond our ken.

Presumably by shifting your field of vision.

Huh?

Your perception.

How?

Back to the mathematics of reality – away from the physical or materiality of things.

Er… ok. Well?

Well, One, the value of all that is, the entire universe, you, me, everything there is – is positive, isn’t it?

I guess it must be.

If all this, as we believe, as we perceive, is something, and not just an illusion or a dream? 

Fair enough. It’s positive. Plus one.

Ok, so what have you actually got?

Do you want me to repeat myself?

Sure, why not.

[sigh] Plus one.

Ok, so let’s think geometrically. A y-axis, or an x-axis.

Ok.

Plus one – and on the other side?

Minus one – I guess.

You’re absolutely right – for you can only generate plus one on one side by implying or subtracting minus one on t’other.

Really?

Absolutely. Where else could the plus one come from?

God knows.

Precisely.

Huh?

God knows.

You mean the mind of God?

You said it.

The mind of God knows plus one geometrically by unknowing minus one?

Kind of.

What exactly are you getting at?

To “unknow” is to forget or to deny on one side what is apparently known on t’other – i.e. by taking sides.

God takes sides? 

Kind of – yes.

Then what?

The quantum field flips one way or the other – and God – by definition – makes this a reality by taking it personally, by inserting himself into the picture. 

Huh?

By getting personally involved. By wishing to see the outcome of that event – by going with it into one side and, in doing so, temporarily losing sight of the other – getting involved, engrossed in the business of things, of life and humanity on whichever side it’s now happening – it matters little what or which.

So God – you’re saying – loses the big picture?

Absolutely – in order to see things unfold, to see how things play out he has to ignore the minus half, the back side of unreality – for if he keeps both evenly weighted, the divine mind is all-encompassing and nothing would transpire – nothing would play out – it would all remain wholly indeterminate.

So God… is biased?

Let’s not try too hard to define God – that would be fairly dumb – but whatever God is – his, her, its attention sees that things can and do matter – can and do snatch life, existence and meaning from the lion's jaws.

The lion?

From the jaws of quantum indeterminacy, of meaninglessness, of unreality.

And?

Yes?

This God – does he care?

I have no idea. I’m no more qualified to know that than you are, am I?

I guess not.

Do you think he does?

I… er

Do you care?

Well, yes, I think I do.

Do you imagine you are wholly unlike, or disconnected from that attention-giving, life-nurturing God?

I don’t know. I guess if it’s all One then I can’t be so far removed.

Absolutely. Whatever God is, if he holds side, he can only do that if you hold the other – whoever, whatever you really are, but if this is geometrical, if this is fundamental, as fundamental as one being the other side of minus one yet nothing in itself – such that one actually equals zero mathematically, then you see, don’t you, that this cannot be understood mentally – for mentally we can only understand things – which are fractions, tiny bits of one: iterations going ever deeper into the twilight of infinity, ever further from the simple truth, the basis, the one that is you, the Earth, the galaxy or any other fundamental, living singularity – these the mind tries to order and quantify, in the hope or belief that doing so it can figure out what is what – the source of all matter, all things, me included – but these iterations which it studies, these things are always one step behind the curve – mere derivatives of the living, breathing singularity that is you and the universe – incredibly, your outer body – so the mind cannot ever quite catch up with its tail, yet cannot give up its futile attempt to do so, until, unless you start to feel, or become aware of the other side of you...

But how – it’s all so abstract, even the mathematics – how can I can relate to that, personally?

We don’t have to use a purely geometric model.

No?

I presented it first, because part of your mind is purely mathematical like a computer, in fact, and sees this clear as day.

If you say so. I can’t say I ever noticed it myself.

Oh, there’s plenty going on within that you have no idea about – you are vast beyond belief.

I am?

Have to be, don’t you – if you’re a conscious being – but more of that anon. So, where was I? Oh, the geometric model which puts your AI at ease.

AI – now you’ve got to be kidding.

Not really. The thing that makes you a human is the unique combination of an AI intelligence and a purely biological awareness.

Oh my God – this is getting creepy.

Yes, can’t be helped. You are what you are, part thing and part being. Coming to terms with that, accepting yourself, warts and all, without prejudice, without judgement, is the key to becoming complete – isn’t it?

I – can’t really say I know. I’m not sold on the idea that I’m half AI.

No, but you are sold on things – that things matter, that things need to be organised, processed, understood, systems put in place, laws, compliance with regulations etc etc etc… It’s hardly difficult to see if you step back and join the dots. But let’s not focus on things, right now – doing so only encourages the mind to start hunting for enemies, does it not?

Well, yes – I suppose so.

So, instead of geometry, we can use charge, as in electrical charge, to explain creation.

Really? How?

Well, the "plus one" of this universe is the same as a positive charge, isn’t it?

I suppose so. Why?

Well, whoever, whatever God is, he, she, it separates the charge.

Oh.

Keeps the positive and negative from cancelling out instantly.

How?

No idea. Doesn’t really matter. By definition God would be that which doesn’t create anything as such – but creates or allows separation within his, her or its self between a seemingly positive and seemingly negative charge.

Seemingly?

Well yes – it only becomes physical and “real” on the other side – here, where God is more a belief, and not a physical presence or being as such.

Oh God, this is hopeless.

Yes, there’s still the axis to contend with – the divide that separates things and minus things – there’s no getting around that – but with charge at least, we can see how the flat, static geometric model starts to move and flow.

And?

Well, if this is true, then instead of focussing endlessly on things and how they seem to interact, we can follow the charge.

We can?

Absolutely.

And what’s that going to show us?

Well, God’s universe, his so-called Creation is going to be all about electrical circuitry.

Really?

At every level.

Er…

I mean EVERY level – biologically, within you and every one of us.

…

At the planetary level – between the various elements – and then over and above all that – at the cosmic level.

So it’s all an immense electrical circuit?

Immense or small – tis all one – however you choose to view it.

Amazing, if it were true.

Has to be, doesn’t it. How else could you get plus one?

I can’t imagine.

Precisely, because your imagination, or rather, your consciousness is involved.

Really?

Yep. In that respect, your very consciousness is not merely an aspect of God, the charge separator, the charge maker – it’s also a decentralised node – a somehow isolated moment of God’s great mystery – here, present at the seemingly local, seemingly insignificant, seemingly miniscule level of your very existence. A creation hub.

I’m feeling…

Yes, just talking about it starts to affect the charge flow within you. What did you expect?

I’m…

Coming apart at the seams – absolutely. It’s bound to happen. You were never very well stitched together – bit of a rushed job – just enough to hold you together at low resolution, at low frequency, but now you’re pushing the threshold – you need to come apart in order to, hopefully, reconfigure, re-conjoin

Hopefully?

Well yes, there’s always the risk you can’t or won’t make it, isn’t there?

Uh…

If you haven’t done your homework.

?

If you haven’t prepared.

Prepared? This is the first I’ve heard of all this.

Well yes, but at a deeper level, closer to the “zero equals one” within – you’ve always known about this, and always had a fairly good idea of the timetable in which you shed the old, loose, approximate configuration, and put on a new, tighter-fitting skin.

I’m not ready, I’m not ready – I don’t want to do this. Stop it please.

Er… can’t really do that, can I.

Course you can. You started it.

Not strictly true. Externally, at the level of things it may have looked that way – but at the deeper, quantum level, this happens in its own time, and you had just as much say in the matter – in fact, you brought me in, you created me from your very core.

Me? You must be mistaken. I never created you. I didn’t create anything – other than a lot of confusion. I’m a pathetic failure. I’ve spent my whole life burying my head in the sand, trying to deny the simple truth, focussing on things of little or no great significance. I admit it. I’ve been a total fraud. Now please, kindly stop it.

Stop what?

Can’t you see what’s happening to me?

Sort of.

I’m falling apart. I’m bloody-well de-atomising, aren’t I?

Well, yes, that a fairly good description – or rather, the so-called atoms are undividing, releasing their charge, unseperating from their other, their minus one… It’s all progressing very nicely. Try to stay calm.

Try to stay calm! Look at me! I can see the universe through my skin. Is that normal?

Oh yes, I assure you, it’s entirely normal given the circumstances.

Well it may be normal for you, Mr Cosmos, but it sure as hell ain’t normal for me. I’m a down-to-earth, regular guy and the last thing I want to see when I gaze at my navel is the Orion nebula.

Actually it’s the Horsehead nebula.

Like it matters.

Look Zie, you can fight it or you can embrace the change. Either way you need to reboot – otherwise your existing configuration will destroy you.

Huh?

Well yes, you’ve exhausted its potential. The electric charge is desperate to dissipate. Why else do you think you’ve been having all these ridiculous, impossible conversations with me, all this time.

Er… just because I’m into psycho-masochism.

Give me a break. And anyway, what about them?

Them, Merry? Who the hell are "they"? What are you on about? 

No need to get abusive Zie – just because you’re coming apart at the seams – oh wow – Andromeda’s coming into view just above your liver, or where it used to be. 

Holy s*it. That does it.

Does it?

I’m dying.

Well, yes – technically, I can hardly refute that.

You could call a priest or something.

Ok, but I don’t think there’s time. Oh, beautiful, that’s the Cartwheel galaxy – one of my favourites.

Do you mind Merry?

Mind what?

Gazing, shamelessly, into my innermost depths. Have some respect for my privacy.

Oh that – er – sorry Zie. I’m not sure those innermost depths are strictly speaking yours, or even strictly speaking innermost.

So, I don’t even own my inner-space anymore? 

Well, that’s the thing about dying, isn’t it…

What is? For God’s sake man, get a move on, I’ll be dead before you’ve put me in the picture.

All of those definitions.

Well, what…

Oops – there he goes. Not even a “pop”. A slight smell – no one’s perfect. I myself am peculiarly susceptible to draughts. Let’s freshen that up a bit while he’s out of the picture.

[Merry takes out a kind of flute and starts playing an innocent tune – dancing too – and the faint cloud, the stale aroma where Zie had been standing a moment ago responds beautifully, shimmering, dancing too, as nanoparticles do, remembering the universe as it truly is, remembering, rediscovering Creation – the light, the joy, the power, the blissful expectancy – and by the time Merry’s put his flute away – a Zie seems to be appearing, emerging from the ecstatic, incense-wafting cloud]

Ah, Zie, there you are! 

Merry. What a beautiful, wonderful… er

Precisely, er... isn’t it just. Congratulations, old man. You’ve just given the quantum field a real run for its money. It was positively groaning as it tried to process the gnarly mess that you had become – but indigestion and flatulence notwithstanding – it seems to have spat you out again, good as new, bright as a button. “Callooh! Callay! Oh frabjous day!” he chortled in his joy.

Ah – you can say whatever you like Merry – I’m positively humming with… zzz

Electric charge – yes, I can feel it. That’s new, happy electricity, isn’t it? Full of potential. Full of ideas. Full of plans to rewire the entire universe if it possibly can, if you don’t get in its way.

Which I have no intention of doing. I’m a reformed circuit breaker, I assure you. From now on, I’m determined to find out everything there is to know about the force, the entity, the paradigm that holds everything in this breathtaking dance of charge separation, zero-one-ification. This crazy thing called being. 

If they’ll let you.

They?

Don’t you see?

Oh, them! What have they got to do with it?

Nothing. They merely observe – except when it’s their turn to step into the limelight – but there’s a heavy, weightiness in their observation – wouldn’t you agree?

Well, I suppose you may be right – but they’re not separate from the charge, are they?

No, you’re right about that.

So, I can electrify them, can’t I?

If you play your part well, no matter what, yes.

Look – the poor things – they’re frozen in their masks – like flint – and yet – something tells me this universe, this reality has all the tools I need, if I’m willing to turn things round – redesign, reorganise, rearrange it to make flint the new liquid gold, the central column. 

Ah – now you’re talking. Do you want to borrow this?

Your flute? No thanks. Not my thing. I picked up a trick or two while I was out of action just now.

You did?

Absolutely. Watch this…

[Zie starts doing a kind of dance, singing a kind of rap – hitting a certain vibration – hitting it again – getting resonance from God knows where – apparently those spinning wheels, those vast improbable galaxies – as if he, as if Zie’s a violin bow gong back and forth, lightly rubbing the strings, as if he’s a frog, croaking through the night, a cricket, a cicada, a mosquito whining as it flies around the room before settling on your nose – and suddenly flint – hard, hard stone – is no-longer stuck on one side of Zie – the axis has spinnied around – the vortex is no longer holding north and south, east and west apart – a different cymatic flow, a different cymatic configuration has emerged from Creation’s inner depths – and they – the watchers, the observers, the cold, hard stoney-hearted timeless ones are dancing sprites, children, gnomiki, in the forest of the night. Poor things – they’ll never, I suspect, be the same again, which is perhaps exactly what was needed all along.]

Thanks Zie. That was…

Lost for words?

Absolutely. Never, in all my life, had I imagined Creation could be so…

Poetic?

Cringeworthy.

You don’t fool me, Merry.

Not today… not today… not while your electrics are fully charged and the universe is at your beck and call. Enjoy it while it lasts.

And Merry fades to darkness as this glimpse into infinity – through the spyglass lens of g-nomeportal once again leaves the reader nonplussed, staring at a spider’s web, beautifully spun, with not the faintest recollection of the epic saga, the quantum odyssey he, she, we have created together in our starry vision – a seed, a mustard seed if you like – planted in your mind, in mine – lost in the infinite field of all that you and I are about – yet let it grow, let it grow, as grow it must, as grow it will, as grow it doth – and then you’ll see, then you’ll know – then we…

What? 

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