Visions Edition 1 (1) by archbishopcurley.org

Non-Fiction

Colin Evans

Art(TheMostUselessTerm)

ByChrisDijulio‘26

Artasatermhasbeenusedforsomanyyearsthatmanyhavenotonly accepteditasanadjectivebutalsoasanoun.Thinkingitassomethingreal anddefiniteasstone.Thenforatimethistermhasbeenexpandedupon.The Postmodernhavemuchtodowiththis:choosingtoexpandthedefinition (generally).Iinsteadproposesomethingdifferent.Notanexpansionofwhat thetermartcouldbeusedtoexplainbutinsteadacompleteannihilationof theterm.

Onecouldasknowthequestionofannihilatingaterm,howdoesone annihilateaterm.Theannihilationofatermtakesplacewhenthattermhas notonlylostfavorbuthasalsooutliveditsusefulness.AndIclaimthatthis termhasdoneboth,andthatthingsshallbecomemuchmoreclearoncewe clearthefogofthisvague,flimsydecrepitterm.

Whatistherootofthis“art”?The conscious mindistherootofart.Itis thereasonabucketofpaintbrokenopenbyafallisnotartanditisthe reasonAIcannotcreatearttillitcarriesthesparkofawareness.The differencebetween“I”andmeatismyabilitytofeel.OnehasnotrueTuring Testtotellmeatfrommind.Onehastrustinthesamenessofotherstothem andthatisallthatispracticallyneeded.Moreaccuratelythefunctionwithin ustobesosureintheconsciousnessofothersstemsfromempathytowards others,usingourselvesasreference.Itisthereasontheselfhatingmancan alsobesocrueltotheother,thosewhoarenothimbutstillfeel.

Mindisthethingthataddsvaluetothisworld.Ourmindshavea featureweknowasabstraction,theabilitytogeneralizeanaspectwe experienceintoanidentifiablefeatureofathing.Abstractionisthereason forculture,languageandreligion.

(AndBeliefItself)

Fortheseareallaspectsoftheworldwefeelputintopracticeor practicetounderstandthembetter,toexperiencethemmoreclearly.One practicesritualstobecomeonewithall.Bywitnessingasacrificeweseea beingwecanempathizewithturningbackintomeatandbythiswecan seeourselvesasthatsamemeatwithoutrevertingtoit,wecanabstractour deathsthroughcommunalrituals.

Languageisformedfromcircularreasoning.Allworddefinitions loopbackintootherwords.

“A square is a shape with four sides”

A- Used to refer to something or someone

Square- A plane figure with four equal sides

Is- The third person singular present of be

A- Used to refer to something or someone

Shape- The external form of something

With- Accompanied by

Four- Two twice or one added to three

Sides- A position to the left or right of a thing

Thecontextwehaveforlanguagecannotoriginatefromlanguage though.Ratheritcomesfromsensoryexperience!We“scream”whenin painand“cry”whendepressed.Wedonotknowtherootofthesoundbut weempathizebecausewehavebeencalledtomakethenoise,oratleast havetheabilityto.

Wehavebeencalledtoabstractthroughempathy.Languageis generalizationthroughsimilaritiesweunderstandthroughempathywith sensory.

1. Sensory

2. Others(empathy,similar)

3. Abstraction(causeandeffectfromevet,reactionsimilarities, usefulness)

4. Repeatuse(sharedunderstanding)

5. Abandonedwhenuseless

Artisanattempttoputawordtothenatureoftheabstractionofthe humanmind.Theoceanthatisconsciousnessandallitsfunctionshasbeen narroweddowntoatermmeanttoimplyspecificconsciousnesswhenthere isonlyoneconsciousness.Arthasattemptedtoreplaceourprocessofmaking abstractionwithawordthatstemsfromabstractionitself,thatstemsfrom empathy.

Thisword“art”isthecrimeoflimitingthelimitless,explosive, groundlessmindsconsciousnesshasproducedonthisbluegreenmarble. Whatisthepointoflifebuttolive,whatisthepointofsensorybuttofeel, whatisthepointofconsciousnessbuttobeconscious.Thecategorizationof consciousnessisashackling.

Thereisnothingtobedonewiththisdissolutionoutsidethat.Theterm neverdidanythingmeaningfulexceptlimitwhatweconsideredourselves capableof.Thereisnorealvalueclaimabouttheworldbehindmydistaste foraword.Liveandspeakasyouwill,Iaminnoplacetoarguehoworwhy youshouldignorethiswordotherthanmyownpersonalopiniononhowwe shouldcommunicate.

RespectIndifference

ByWilliamH.Hibbert‘26

Introduction

Regardlessofrace,class,sex,orcreed,weasacollectivepeoplecan agreethatallshallbetreatedwiththeutmostdignityforaslongaslife beckons.Inthemodernworld,theideaofrespecthasbeenshapedinto somethingthatencompassesmoreofaverbalthresholdratherthanthat whichrelatestohumandignity.Wefocustoomuchonwhatweperceiveto respectratherthanactuallyshowingandtreatingotherswithgenuine dignity.

Justrecently,afriendofmineshowedmeashortvideoregardingthe valueofpoliticalandreligiousbeliefsonanindividuallevel.Rightoffthe bat,thecreatorofthevideo(female)openedupwiththefollowingquote regardingthevocalizationofreligionsviews:

“No, I don’t respect your religious beliefs or agree with them, but I respect your right to have them” -Unknown

Afterwatchingthisvideo,Ibegantoponderthegreatroleof“respect” insocietyandthesheerdistortioninwhichmodernhumanshaveplaced uponsuch.Thepreviouslystatedquoteseemstohavebeenfabricatedby thedesiretohaveorreceiveaglimpseofrespectfromothers.Thishasbeen madecleartomebythesimpleformattingofherspeech.Priortothesecond commaofsaidquote,thecreatorlaysoutanegativelyconnotatedphraseby insistingthatshedoesnothaverespectforcertainreligiousbeliefsandthen goesasfartoreinforcethenegativebystartingitoffwiththeword“No”. WhatIfindtobemoststrangeisthesecondpartofherdialect.Afterstating theobviousnegative,shefollowsupwithapositiveclause.Thisismade apparentbecauseshedoesinfactclaimtohaverespectforthepossession ofsuchanopinion.

Bystatingthepositiveclause,itisclearthatthespeakerisattempting tonegatethepreviousnegativeandultimatelyturnherspeechsoithasa moreneutraltopositiveoverallconnotation.Iliketosay“neutralto positive”becausethepositiveencompassesthenegative.Thepositive overshadowsthenegativebyplacingherrespectonamorebroadstandard thanthatofthespecificlackofrespectinthefirsthalf.Overall,her reasoningfordoingthisissimplyunknownsotheonlyoptionweareleft withistositbackandquestionwhy.

TheProblem:

ThemostconvincingargumentIhaveforthespeaker'spositively connotatedstatementdoesnotfallbackonhersoul,butratherthatof society.Totrulyunderstandthisargument,wemustalsolookatthe definitionof“respect”.

Respect- to consider worthy of high regard -Merriam Webster

Presentingthisdefinitionisanecessitybecause,whenanalyzingthe positivelyconnotatedsegmentofthespeaker’squote,itisclearthather wordsdonottrulyreflectthemeaningofrespect.Whensomethingis considered“worthyofhighregard”,wehaveanunderstandingofthevalue ofthisthing.Wehavesomethingsthatareworthyofhighregardandothers thataren’tbecause,ashumans,wegivesomethingsvalueinourlife dependingontheirrelationtoothers.Ashumans,wehaveatendencytorank andcomparethings.Wecanfurtherunderstandthisbylookingatthe teachingsofPlato.Platoteachesofthedegreesofbeingbyusingtheworld offormsandthematerialworldtocompareandcontrastthequalityof things.Theworldofformsisawaytoshowthegreatestpossibleversionof something.Theworldofformsislikethefullestandmostcompleteform somethingcantakeon.

Thematerialworldencompasseseverythingwehavewithus.Nothing wehaveisabsolutelyperfect,butsomearecloserthanotherstothatideaof perfection.

Perhapsthistrickwasnotintended.Ifitwasnotintended,whatwasthe purposeofevenaddingthepositiveconnotationifshewassofirminher beliefs?Ifshewassofirminherbeliefs,shewouldn’tneedthepositive connotationbecausetherewouldbenoneedtogetonpeople’sgoodsideif sheknewtheultimatetruthofherargument.Iseemtobelievethatregardless ofthepositivesegment,sheisstillinsupportofherstatementbecauseshe hadmadethevideopublictoall.Neveroncedidshegobackintoiteitherto deleteitorfurtherspecifywhatwassaidprior.Thusbeingsaid,thespeaker hadaninclinationtogiveapositiveoutputandIcommendherforremaining respectful,howeverthemotiveand“need”tofollowthroughwithsuch raisesthequestionofwhy.Whycan’twebefullyopenwithourbeliefs withoutothersgettingupsetandwhydoweputsuchastrongemphasison whatwedoanddonotrespect?

AShiftinSocialNorms

Whenglancingbackuponsocietieslongsincepassed,onethingis apparent. FromChinaundertheTangDynasty (618-907 A.D.) tothe AncientGreekcitystates (1050-700 B.C),societiesputstrongervalueon whattheyrespected.Respectwasnot grantedfromsimplyliving,butrather contributingone’sabilitiesandtalentstothe nation.UndertheTang Dynasty,respectwaswarrantedtotheelderly,forthewisdom theybrought totheyouth,aswellassoldiers,forembodyingstrengthandfortitudein defendingthedynasty.AllacrosstheGreekCitystates,respectwasearnedin a multitudeofways.LookingatAthens,respectwaswarrantedto intellectualsandthose whotookanactiveroleinthesuccessionofthe democracy.InSparta,thosemost respectedandreveredweremilitary leadersfortheirleadershipandloyaltytothestate. Womenplayedahuge roleinkeepingthewheelsofSpartaturningsotheywerealsoathighlevels ofrespect.

Thesearejustafewofthenumerousexamplesinhistoryin which respectwasearnedratherthanbeingwarrantedtoanybeing.Respectwas somethingthatwasheavilystrivedforandnotmanyweregivensuchhigh regard.Like anycurrencyordelicacy,thingsgainvalueintimesof deficiencyandthingsbeginto losevaluewhenthereisanabundanceof such.Thevalueofthingsfluctuatedueto supplyanddemand.Today,there issuchlittlevalueinrespectbecauseitissoeasyto receive.Onecanbe respectedforsimplyliving.Peoplemaketheclaimthatthey respectpeople andideasbuttheideaofrespecttheyhavemeanssolittlebecauseof how frequentlyitisthrownout.Fromearningrespectthroughcontribution,to receiving respectfromsimplybeinghuman,whathappenedinsocietyto causesuchaviolent shift?Astechnologyhasprogressed,therehasbeena decreasedneedfordirect contributioninsocietybutwestillseerespect beinggrantedtothemasses.

EventhoughitwasChristwhoemphasizedtheimportanceofhuman dignity,itwasn’tuntil1785whenImmanuelKantcompletelycorrupted Christianvalueswithhisemphasisonuniversalrespect.In1785he published Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals.ThereasonIsay “corrupted”isbecauseheprioritizedrespectassomethingthatreflects humandignity.Fromthis,peoplebegantothrowaroundthewordrespect withoutconsideringthevalueofhumandignity.Inhisdissertation,Kant explainsthatallhumansaredeservingofrespectbecausetheyarehuman beings.Theyarealllogisticallyprocessingbeingswhomustthinkthrough everyconsciousactionsothisgreatfeataloneshouldbeareasontowarrant one'srespect.

“Every man is to be respected as an absolute end in himself; and it is a crime against the dignity that belongs to him as a human being, to use him as a mere means for some external purpose” -Immanuel Kant

Ifeveryhumanbeingisrespectedforsimplybeinghuman,thenit wouldbebetteriftheideaofrespectwassimplyneverconceptualized.By warrantingeveryonethesamedegreeofrespect,whatseparatesthetalented fromthemediocre?Whoinsocietyshallwelooktoforguidance?Bysaying thateveryoneshallberespected,theveryideaofrespectisnotnecessary.If everyhumanbeingisgivenrespectbecauseofaconsciousmind,thensuch termsas“respected”and“human”wouldbenothingexceptinterchangeable.

IamnotagainstKant.Hehasstrongmoralprinciples,howeverhis viewsonrespectarenotpracticalinasocietythatexpelstheimportanceof cherishinghumandignity.AsofJanuary,2024,TheUnitedStatesof Americahas32,882homelessmilitaryveteranswhomwehave“respect” for.Wehaveanabundanceofrespectbutadeficiencyindignity.IfAmerica trulycaredforthetroopstheyclaimto“respect”,thentherewouldn'tbea singlehomelessmilitaryveteran.Werespectthem,butwedon'tgivethem thehumandignitytheydeserveaspeople.Respectmeansnothingifpeople aren’ttreatedwithdignity.Intoday’sworld,thevalueweputonrespectis soheavilyinflatedthatthetruemeaningthewordholdsisequivalenttothat ofacent.

Conclusion:

Asacollectivepeople,weneedtonormalizetheideaofindifference. Thenormalizationofindifferencewillbeanecessityinupholdinghonesty andthevalueofhumandignity.Insteadofrespectingeveryhumanforthe sakeoftheirnature,weneedtounderstandthatsomepeopleareandarenot worthyofrespect.It’sabrutalrealityhowever,dishonestyinfectingour societyisfarmorebrutal.Eventhoughnoteveryoneisworthyofrespect, everyone’shumandignityshouldbevaluedwiththeutmostcare.Just becauseoneisnotrespecteddoesnotjustifymistreatment.Ifonedoesnot believethatanotheriswarrantedtheirrespect,thensobeit.

Thatshouldnotbetakenasapersonalattack.Weneedtonormalizethe ideaofindifference.Justbecauseonedoesnotrespectanother,doesnot meandisrespectistheequivalent.Itisnotdisrespectfultonotrespect someone.Ifrespectisnotwarrantedtosomeone,forwhateverreasonthat maybe,suchfeelingsshouldbeasignofindifferenceratherthandisrespect. Assoonaswenormalizetheideaofindifference,peoplewillbecomemore honestbecausetheywon'thavetobebackedintoacornerinwhichtheyfeel theymustlietoshowhighregard.Deepconversationsregardingpolitics, religion,andethicswillbefarmorelogicalthanthatofaconversationthatis floodedwiththeillusionofrespectbecauseemotionswillbeplacedona secondaryfront.Aspreviouslystated,nothavingrespectdoesnotequateto devaluinganotherperson.Ifrespectisnotpresent,thenastrongvalueon humandignityshallstillbemadeapparentbecauseweareallhuman creaturesalikewithintricatethoughtsandemotions.

Myreasoningforwritingthisessaywasnevertoshamethespeakerin thefirsttwochaptersforherhumanmistakenorwasittospeakdownupon EmmanuelKantforourvastlydifferentviews.Iwishpeopleweremoreopen toexpressingtheirbeliefsinacivilizedmannerinwhichtheydid.Tothe reader,Idonotwishforyourrespect.IfyoutrulybelieveIamnotworthyof suchrespect,befirminyourbeliefsbecauseyoushallmarkthestartofan honestsocietythatisconfidentintheexpressionofindifference.

WorksCited

SourceofQuoteinChapters1-2

“LintheMystik�� onInstagram:‘NormalizeNotForcingYour ReligiousBeliefsonOthers.NormalizeNotRespectingBeliefSystemsYouDon’t Agreewith,butRespectingthePerson’sRighttoHaveThatBelief.Respectthe PersonasaHumanBeing,butThatDoesn’tGiveYoutheRighttoBe DisrespectfulJustBecauseYouDisagreewithSomeone’sReligiousBeliefs.Mind YourOwnBusiness,andLet’sLiveinLoveandPeaceInsteadofJudgingPeople WeDon’tEvenKnowMuchabout..MutualInnerstanding.Follow@indig0.Lin forM re#linthemystik#indigo#LinSoulTiktok:@indig0.LinTwitter:@ LinthemystikYoutube:(LinkinBio)PersonalACC:@nishaa.Lo•••#religion #spiritualawakening#spiritualgrowth#spirituality#consciousness.’” Instagram, www.instagram.com/reel/DGI0yMDRaaW/?igsh=MTEwdW9qMzMzOGo1ag. Accessed25Feb.2025.

StatisticsRegardingHomelessPopulous

Health,VHAOfficeofMental.“VeteransAffairs.” Go to VA.Gov,8Mar.2012, www.va.gov/homeless/pit_count.asp#:~:text=end%20of%202023.-,The%20Janua ry%202024%20PIT%20Count,the%20PIT%20Count%20in%202019.

2008Publicationof Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals

MobileReference. Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals: By Immanuel Kant. MobileReference.Com,2008.

TheEndofNegativity

ByJacobBerman‘26

Theyear2024wasfullofnegativeemotionsandselfhatredformyself. IwouldbehappywhenIwouldtalkdowntomyselfandmakemyselfseem likethatwasn'tworthwhatIdesirednorwhatIwouldgetinthefuture.My emotionswerelikeabottomlessvoidthatnoamountofsmallthingscouldfill it.Iwasatalossforlove.

TheonlywayformetofeelembracedandfeltlikeIwasabletofeel smalltruehappinesswasbylisteningtoYouTubevideosthathadsomeone talkpositivelyaboutthelistener.IwasdependentonthesevideosbecauseI wastiredofnothavingsomeoneIcouldtalktoandfeellikesomeoneactually lovedme,whileYouTubedidhelpmefromtimetotimeitwasn'tlikeIwas beingheldbyalivingbeingwhowasabletoholdmeclose.Idesireda girlfriendandIwouldalwaystrytomeetsomeoneatmixersprovidedbymy highschoolbuttheywouldghostmeandneverhearfromthemagain.

Iwasfeelingatalossduetodesperationaswellasdepression.Iwould copewithmydepressionbyeitherlisteningtoangrymusicorsadmusicto ventmyemotions.ManytimesIconsideredbeingapriestsoIcouldthrow outtheideaofhavingamarriageandjustbealoneforever.Ihadthisidea becauseIwantedtoescapemydesiretohavetheloveofmylife.My desperationwassostrongthatseeingtrueloveinmoviesandothermedia makesmelaughbecauseIknowIwouldn'teverhaditmyself.

WhenIgaveuponmychasetofindagirlfriendIwenttoamixerin SeptemberandIsawagirlplayinggameswithherfriendonthestairs.Iwas tryingtobecoollookingandcomicalandsoIjumpedoverthemwhenI neededtogetpast.Ikeptlookingatoneofthegirlswhowassittingonthe stairs.Ididn'tknowitbuttherewassomethingthatwasdrawingmetoher.

Ididnotpaymuchmindtothosetwogirlsandwentaboutmynightand nothingmuchhappenedexceptagirlwhosaidshelikedmystylebutshewas tooyoungformesoIsaidthatIwasn’tinterested.Immediatelyafterthat encounterIsawabeautifulgirlwhoseemedtobemysamestyleandshewas soprettyIwantedtotalktoher.Ieventuallyfoundoutthatshegoesto Catholichighschool

Weinstantlymadeaconnectionthroughsimilarmusicpreferencesand wehadaspark.Wehungouttheentiretimeandwetalkedaboutinterestsand foundoutthatwehavemanythingsincommontothepointwherewe thoughtwewerethesamepersonjustdifferentgenders.TheemotionsIhad whenIwastalkingtoMariawereimmenseexcitement,happiness,andrelief ofdepression.Afterfeelingthesenegativeemotionsforsolongthese emotionsfeltlikearelief.

WetalkedeverydaysincethenandwestarteddatinginlateSeptember wherewewerebothafraidoftellingourparents.Iwasafraidbecausemy parentsalwaystaughtmetonotjumptooquicklyandscareheroff accidentally.Withherontheotherhandwasafraidbecauseherparentsare overprotectiveofherduetoherbeinganonlychildbutwebotheventually toldourparentsandwehadapprovalinstantly.Ourfirstdatewasgoingto TowsonMallwherewewouldwalkaroundandbuystuffforeachotherand wewouldenjoyeachother'scompany.AfterthatdatesheandIwouldgoon datesatleastonceaweek.

EverytimeIgoonadatewithherIfeelhappinessandcareforher.She ismyonetrueloveandIneverwanthertoleavemygrasp.Ialwaysdesireto bewithherinperson.Sheissokindandlovingthatit’stoapointwhereyou cannoteverbeangryorupsetwithher.

It’samazingtothinkbacktomywaysbeforeImettheloveofmylife, callingmyselfnames,notallowingmyselftoletgoofanger,mebeingso usedtodepressionthatIfeltitwasmynormalself.ThroughallthattimeI gainedknowledgeofthemindandsoI'vegainedwisdomfrommy experiencestothepointIbelieveI'mthemasterofmyownmind.Tothose wholookforlovebutarestuckindepressionanddesperationIsaytoyou thatnomatterhowimpossibleitseemsyoucanachieveitbutwhatittakesis foryoutounderstandyourselffirst.

They’veLeftMeAloneWithASword

ByWilliamH.Hibbert‘26

They’veleftmealonewithasword

They’veleftmehere

They’veleftmedear

“I am the Knight to free this begotten realm”

“I am the Knight to receive the golden helm”

Toooftenarethesewordsspokenfromtheknightsofpride

Toohighintheirtowerstoeverseethefamilieswhohavecried

Theyfightmicewhilewefightmen

Thegetcrownedwhilewestaybound

Aswordwillkeepmesharpwhenthenightisyoung

Butaswordwillsendmedangerwhenthefoeishung

Whenlostonearth,wesinganddance

Wheninthegraspofdeath,wetakethechance

Weliveforpeaceandweliveforthrills

Wewalktheplainsandscourthehills

Theearthisawifeforthepaladinlostinlife

Shegivesushopewhenhomeisfar

Shegivesuslifewhenthewoundbeginstoscar

Whygobackwhenthekingdomisgray

Whygobackwhensinisondisplay

Theworldisplaceforripplingends

Theworldwillbemykingdomofmysteriousbends

WhyshallIgobacktotheplacethathassentmeout

WhyshallIneedabadgetoshowI’mdevout

Iwillbedukeastheearthismythrone

Iwillconquerthedayandbuildmyown

They’veleftmeinplacesyettobeexplored

They’veleftmealonewithasword

PhotobyIsaacDukes‘26

WithintheMazeofChoiceandQuestion

ByWilliamH.Hibbert‘26

Hush. theknightislost inthearmor ofhisowndisposal

Butahuntsman inthenight searchingfor soulsinstrain

Hewon’tfind wherewelie atthebootsof truthandiron

Remainsteadfast onthepathtofreedom forhewillseekyouout onlyifyoufear Don'tquiver, forthealmighty willkeepwatch whensleepbecomes ashallowwhisper withinthemazeofchoiceand question

PhotobyJackGeisbert‘26

ChickenPieGuy

AaronJohnson‘28

Thereoncewasachickenpieguy.

Heatelotsofchickenpie.

Oncehehadenough,

Hewouldsay“I’mstuffed!”

AndcontinuereadingCatcherintheRye

Itwashisfavoritebookforrelaxation

Butheatechickenforrehabilitation

Hisstomachswelled

Buthelostweightquitewell

Orsohesaid,withoutexamination.

Thereoncewasaguy

Whoenjoyedchickenpie

Butconsumedtoomuchgrease, Andgrewtobeabeast.

Heslumpedinhischair,fornowhewasfull

Thechickenpieguywasnowbuiltlikeabull.

No,he’sstillalive,butisonadietnow

Thechickenpieguyisinthepast.

Acucumberorrye,apotatohereandthen

Ofchickenpiehe’dhadhislast.

Buteveryyearlycontest, He’deathischickenpie

Toinspirethosewhowerethin.

Thechickenpieguylivedanaspiringlie, Ofhow,inlife,youcanwin.

PhotobyGavinMcCarty‘26

SpiritTrain ByAaronJohnson‘28

Thesmokethatchurnedtheairbroughtforth

Akindofwarmthamongthehearth

Overmanywheels‘aturning

Astheblowofthemightywhistlewassent

Andforthfromthewintersnowitgoes

Thetrackssmeltcoldamongthebends.

Theconductingforcesoundsout

Amongthemanymenwhocry

Thehillsandsnowaspassasfall

Yetitbringsawarmthtothee,

Andwhatisfeltisamightygustthroughthewindow

Yondertheiceitfliestonight.

Thepaperpassedaroundthecattle

Christwasborninwarmthofsheep

Thetrainwhichpassesfulloflivestock

Bothcomparableyettothesleetandice

ForwhichthewarmthofGodsurpasses

Andfillsuswiththelightofrelief.

Thelifeanddeathnowmeannothing

Asthetrainhaltsandtherestexalt

Andwithheavyheart,theworkofart

Themagnificentjourneyends

Thewarmthofallisturnedtothesoul

asofferingoftheone,truewhole.

PhotobyJackGeisbert‘26

Charger

ByRafaelReside‘27

ThethingthatIlosemostis mycharger. Mychargerisaslong asspaghettinoodles. Ifmychargerwasasnake Iwouldbebitten. Thechargercharges mylife. Itchargesmy phone,myipad,myheadphones,myairpods. Theseholdmymemories. Withoutmycharger Iwouldhavenowaytokeepmymemories.

GasStation

ByRafaelReside‘27

IseeyoueverySaturday

Youcan pumpgas,eatfood,orbuytickets

IseeyoueverySaturday

Thenightisgloom

Therearenocars

IseeyoueverySaturday

Ibought food,anddrinks butyouaccusedme

Idon’tseeyoueverySaturday

Idon’tgothereanymore

Yourilluminatedbuildinghaunts myhead

PhotobyTannerSmith‘25

PhotobyChrisDiJulio’26

Whatisthisfeeling?

Adeepfeelingofsadness

Myeyesweepwiththecoldtreatmentoftheworld

Toputonthemaskofego

Ifitmakesyoufeelbetter

TheworldiscomingtoanendasIsitandthinkin thebackofmymind,whereisthetrueplaceIcall home?

PhotobyGeorgeZannino‘26

Untitled

ByTylerFerguson

‘28

Iwasborninatimeofbrightgreengrass, whensummersstretchedwideandslow, whentheairsmelledofchalkandsunshine, andthemourningdovecalledsoftandlow.

Backthen,Iranbarefootwithoutknowingtime, withoutknowingloss,withoutknowingpain. Theworldwassimple,mylaughterwasreal, beforetheskyeverdarkenedwithrain.

Thenthestormscame,andtheyneverleft. Fightsechoedthroughthewallsatnight, halfmyfamilyfadedintothepast, andIlearnedwhatitmeanttosurvive.

Wasitthevirus?Wasitthephone?

Wasittheweightofgrowingtoofast?

OrdidIjustwakeuponemorning andfindmychildhoodhadalreadypassed?

IusedtobebymyPopPop’sside, helping,learning,beingthere. Nowmysistertakesmyplaceinstead, whileIsit,staringatascreen,unaware.

Itellmyself,I’llgotomorrow, buttomorrowneverseemstostay. Anddeepdown,Iknowthetruth— hewon’tbehereforeveranyway.

Themourningdoveusedtogreetthedawn, asoundsosoft,sopure,sofree. ButnowIonlyhearitsecho, asongthatbarelyreachesme.

Imissthedayswhenlovewassimple, whenheartbreakwasjustaword,notpain. WhenIcouldrun,andlaugh,anddream, withouttheweightofwhatI’vegained.

Ifthatsmilingboycouldaskme,Whathappened? I’dhavetolookhimintheeyesandsay: Timetookusboth,littleman. AndI’vebeentryingtofindmyway.

Butmaybetimeisnotthevillain, maybeIamnotjustlostandgone. MaybeifIlistenalittlecloser, themourningdovestillsingsatdawn.

Soifyoustillwakeuptoitssong, don’tletitfadelikeIdidtoo.

Holdontighttoallyouare, beforetimetakesitawayfromyou.

Chris DiJulio, John Giordano

Clockwork

ByHarrisonBeyea‘26

Tommyawokeinhisroom,hecouldstillfeelthepaininhishead.The ringingneverreallyleavesnomatterwhattheytellyou.Helookedoverat theclockbyhisbedside,itread19:68.Howcouldthatmakesense?Justas soonashewokeup,hewentbackout.Hecouldsmellthesmokethathung aroundtheolive-drabtent.Thesoundofdistantgunfiresignaledtheendof hisinnocentlife.Heknewwhathehadtodoyethecouldn’t.Tommy reawokefromthisstrangedream-likestatehuddledontheground.Tommy didn'tcareaboutthetintheygavehimforhisserviceforheknewthat whateverwasleftofhimmatterednolonger.Hecouldfeelhimselfslipping intothefarawaycitiestheysenthim.Heneverchosethislife,hejustgot “lucky”.Tommystoodforwhatfeltlikehoursbuttheclockstilltaunted him.“19:69”.Tommycouldfeelthefreshrifleinhishand,theringinginhis ears,themudandbloodmovingunderhisnewboots.Hecouldhearhis radiogoingoffandtheshrewdcallforairsupportpromptinghimtoanswer. TheM-16thathisUnclepromisedwouldprotecthimjammed,costinghim hisonlyfriends,butthepeopleathomestillcalledforhimtofight.Moving frompointtopointbutfeelingnorealprogress,sloggingalongthroughthe jungle,thecity,andthecountrysidewithnoobjective.Evenwhenhewas freehefeltchainedbyhisrank,heneverwantedthisdamnedlifelikethe othersbeforehim.Hefeltnopride,noglory,andnovictory,ofcourse, unlesspeopletoldhimto.19:70.TheclocknowbeckonedTommyforward. Tommycouldfeellifeslippingfromhiseyes,thesoundofgunfireand fightersoverheadthatonceshooktheboywithinhimtohiscoremadehim feelcrazy.Theonceyoungoptimisticman,themanwhowatchedthelottery onTVandheardhissectionsoldofftowarwasleftbehind.

He’dbeeninthishellholefor3yearsnow,hefeltnoemotionbut emptiness.Nomatterwheretheysenthimdeathseemedtofollow,buthe wascalledtocarrytheweightofhisgreatcountrynomatterthecost.He knewthepeoplehefoughtforcouldneverunderstandhissacrifice,forthem hewasjustacog.Whenhewaseventuallysenthomeearlybyafriendly shellthepeoplelookedathimlikeananimal.Theyspatandcursed,the sameUnclewhopromisedtohelphimwasnowheretobefound.Buthewas ofcoursecalledontobeintheparades.

Tommycouldneveravoidtheparades,thesamethathauntedhimin thecursedlandscapehefoughtinwouldfollowhimhome.Marchingfor nothing,fornoonebutthedeadthatlaybeneathhim.Theycouldnever forgettherhythmofmarching.Forthemenleftbehind,itwaslike Clockwork.

AHumblePersuasionon LimitingthePoliticalAristocracy

ByJohnGiordano‘26

IfyouweretogointoabusycityandaskanypersonwhothePresident is,Iamcertainthatanyrandompersonwouldtellyouwhoheis. However, you’reboundtofindsomeonewhomentionshisoldage. Thetruthisthat peoplearelookingforayoungerpresident. InarecentsurveyfromSuffolk UniversityandUSAToday,itwasfoundthatthree-quartersofAmericans wantapresidentundertheageof65. However,forthoselookingtobeone ofthefewgeneralpeoplewhoachievethe“Cinderella”presidency,itwas alsofoundbyUniversityofBuffalobiostatisticianRachelSternthatitis25 timesmorelikelytobecomepresidentthanitistowinthePowerball,which hasminusculeodds. Thechancesforanaveragepersonlikemeoryouto becomepresidentareincomprehensiblysmall.

IntheConstitution,itsaysthatthePresidentmustbe35yearsold (ArticleII,Sect.1),anatural-borncitizen(ArticleII,Sect.1),andaresident oftheUnitedStatesfor14years(ArticleII,Sect.1). Whileexactdetailson whywesettledonage35areunknown,thebesttheoryIhaveforthisclause toensurethatthePresidentismatureandcompetentenoughtoleadanation andthattheyhaveenoughexperienceinthefieldofpolitics. However,fresh bloodisvitalinfuelingideasandintroducingnewperspectives.

Oneofthebiggest“freshblood”successstoriesisDwightD. Eisenhower,34thPresidentoftheUnitedStates. Heisoneoftherarefew presidentswhohadnopriorpoliticalexperiencebeforeascendingtothe OvalOffice. Hiscareerstartedasahigh-rankingofficerintheArmy culminatingwithhimreceivingtherankofGeneraloftheArmyand SupremeCommanderofEuropeduringWorldWarII.

EventhoughEisenhowerhadnopriorpoliticalexperience,hewonthe presidencyin1953. HimandhisadministrationpioneeredtheInterstate HighwaySystem,asprawlinghighwaysystemthatisstillusedtoday. StorieslikeEisenhower’sareproofthatanybodycanascendtothe presidencyregardlessofpriorexperience. Nowthatweknowthatyoudon’t necessarilyneedexperiencetogetintotheOvalOffice,howcanwegeta commonmanlikemeoryouinthere?

Thefirstthingthatcomestomindwhenitcomestoelectionsishow thiscandidatewillgetanyendorsements. Anygoodpresidentialcandidate needssupporterstobackthemup. IfIweregoingtotryandgetelected,I wouldusemyconnectionstotheGambinoandGenovesecrimefamiliesto effectivelyblackmailanysenatorsorrepresentativesintoendorsingme. My connections,whichhappentobefromtwoofthelargestcrimefamiliesofall time,wouldsendsomesortofthreattoanylegislatorwhochoosesnotto endorseme,stressingthemintoendorsingme. Thismethodhasbeenproven toworkverywellforme. Sincefourofmycousinsaremademeninthe abovelistedfamilies,Imadea“charitabledonation”totheir“causes”in exchangeforsomehelp. Isuggestworkingwithpeopleassociatedwithany crimefamiliesifpossible. Ifyoudonothavesuchconnectionstomafiosos, non-violentlobbyistsarefineaswell,however,notethattheyarenotas effective. Nowthatwehavejumpedoverthefirsthurdle,wehavetodeal withsomeoftheworstorganizationsontheplanet-thepartynational committees.

ThegroupsthathavetorntheUnitedStatesapartthemostarethe politicalpartiesandtheirnationalcommittees. YouknowwhatIamtalking about,theongoingstrugglebetweenRepublicansandDemocrats. Because ofthissystem,thereisamassivesplitinthiscountry. Ibelievethatthis systemalsofeedsintothearistocracyIwanttoend. Ifwewantthecommon mantobecomepresident,thenweshouldgetridofthesepartiesintheir entirety.

WithournewsupportersinCongress,Icanassureyouthattheywill passanybilloramendmentthatabolishedthebipartisansystem. Ifyouare torecreatethisorderofevents,pleasemakesurethatyouuseyourendorsers inCongresstoexpeditethisamendmentthroughasfastaspossible,soyou cangetontheballotonElectionDay.

Whileyouaretalkingwithyourendorsers,pleasebringupanything elseyouwouldliketohavechangedintheConstitution. Remember, amendmentstotheConstitutioncanbemadeifyouhavethesupportof two-thirdsofbothhouses,somakesureyourendorsersareloyaland convincing.Theremightbeascandalortwointhisprocess,butifyouhave supportfromtheincumbentPresident,whoshouldbewelcomingtoa meetingattheWhiteHouse,youcanhavethosescandalscoveredup. Ifthe Presidentdoesnotknowwhoyouareyet,thenIwouldtablethose discussionsandcarryonasplanned.

Nowthatallofthosescandalsinvolvingyourendorsershavebeen speedilycoveredup,itshouldnowbeAugust,threemonthsoutfrom ElectionDay. Thisisaroundwhenyouneedyourrunningmatetobepicked ifyoudonothaveonealready. Youshouldalsostarttofigureoutwhois goingtobeinyourCabinet,whichwillbeveryimportanttoyour administration. WhileIcannotgiveyouanyadviceonwhotopickforyour Cabinet,makesurethatincaseofemergency,yourCabinetisperfectforthe PresidentialLineofSuccession.

AssumingthateverythingfromheretoOctoberwentperfectly,now youneedtoworrymostaboutthevoters. WhenIrunforpresident,Iwill workwithmagnateElonMuskandhisNeuralinkbrainimplantstostrongly encouragealloftheconstituentsusingtheimplantstovoteforme,whichis projectedtobearound83%ofthecountry’spopulationbythetimeIrun.

Inyourcase,youcanuseanymethodnecessarytolimittheoptionson theballottojustyouandyourrunningmate. Thisistheonlywaytoensure yourvictory!

NowthattheresultsfromtheElectoralCollegehavearrived,whichis anotherhorriblesystemthatIdonothavetimetotalkabout,youhave becomePresidentoftheUnitedStates!Youhavecomealongway,whichis verycommendable. Youalsomightbealittleconfusedaboutwhattodoat first,soherearesomesuggestions.

Thefirstproblemthatmostpeoplewantyoutoaddressisinternational affairs. WhenIbecomepresident,Iwillestablishforeignpoliciestolevel allthreatsandestablishAmericaasthebestcountryintheworld,whichisa statusthatisdebatableatthispoint. Theidealgoalistoleaveno competitionatallandmakethecountryautopia,buteveryrosehasits thorn,andIwilldigress.

Anotherproblemthatyouwillbepressuredwithisthecurrentfinancial state. Inmytenure,Iwillhalttheprintingofmoneythathasinflatedour economy,andredistributeallofthefundsintogovernmentagenciesthatwill serveasthemiddlemanbetweenthepeopleandthecashflow. Thiswill alleviateanyfinancialcrisisoranydisputeoverfundsbetweencitizensof theUnitedStates.Inthepast,therehavebeenmajoreconomicdownturns duetoerrorscausedbybusinessesorbanks. Withthisnewmodel,wecan keepaccountabilityofourcurrencyandpreventfurtherinflationofthe dollar.

Themostimportantproblemyouwillbefacedwithisnationalsecurity. Itrulycareforthisnationanditshistory. YoucanconsidertheRevolution thegreatestCinderellastoryeverwrittenbecauseofaragtaggroupof militiamenfightingagainstthegreatestarmyintheworldandwinning.

Iwanttoensurethatthiscountrystayssecureforeverygeneration,soI amgoingtobringthiscountryintotheonlytruepoliticalideologycommunism. Thinkaboutit.

Communismhasalwaysworkedinsomeway,shape,orform,right guys? Don’tletthosefilthyRussianexpatriatesandSovietescapeestellyou otherwise.Thenationalspendingbudgetwassaved! Everyonehadstable jobsecurity! AnimalFarmwasagreatbook! Iamcertainthatcommunism willsavethiscountryandbringittoitsformerglory.

Nowthatmylittletangentisover,weprovedit’spossiblefora commonmantobecomepresident!Hopefully,undermyreign,everyonewill knowmyname. Remember,ifanyofthesestepsarenotwhatyouare lookingfor,thenmakechangesasneeded. Then,maybeyouwillbeamong theranksasPresidentoftheUnitedStates,andmaybeevenfollowmylead! Thankyouforyourtime,humblereader,andIhopeIpersuadedyoutolook towardsafutureinpolitics!

Johnson,Chris.“Three-QuartersofAmericansWantPresidentunder65, NewPollShows.” New York Post,NewYorkPost,28Dec.2022, nypost.com/2022/12/28/75-of-americans-want-president-under-65-poll-sho ws/.

Stern,Rachel.“TheMinisculeOddsofWinningPowerball.” University at Buffalo,8Jan.2016,www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2016/01/013.html.

ContributorstoWikimediaprojects.“ConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesof America.” Wikisource, the Free Online Library,WikimediaFoundation, Inc.,20Aug.2022, en.wikisource.org/wiki/Constitution_of_the_United_States_of_America.

Murse,Tom.“DonaldTrumpIsn’ttheFirstPresidentwithNoPolitical Experience.”ThoughtCo,ThoughtCo,16Jan.2020, www.thoughtco.com/does-president-need-political-experience-4046139.

Author,Unknown.“FirstTermasPresidentofDwightD.Eisenhower.” Encyclopædia Britannica,EncyclopædiaBritannica,inc.,18Feb.2025, www.britannica.com/biography/Dwight-D-Eisenhower/.

Unknown,Author.“DwightD.EisenhowerandtheBirthoftheInterstate HighwaySystem.” Www.Army.Mil,20Feb.2018, www.army.mil/article/198095/dwight_d_eisenhower_and_the_birth_of_the _interstate_highway_system.

OnlyPerspectives

byJohnHaynes‘27

Monday,October29th,1945.MynameisRobertAllen,Iam26years oldandIamacriminalpsychologistandjournalistinNewYorkCity.After graduatingfromcollegeinNewYorkforadegreeincriminalpsychology,I tookajobopportunityfromasmallpublishingcompanywhohadinterestin writingabookaboutacertainEdwardNorman,aserialkillerwhowas caughtandchargedforhiscrimesinthesummerof1939.Thoughthe publishershadthemeansandmaterialstocreatesuchabook,theysought aftermeformynewlyclaimeddegreeandwantedmy“intellectualand professionalpsychologicalopinions”onEdwardandhiscrimes.Asayoung aspiringmanwhohadtheopportunitytousehisdegreeforsomethingother thanrottinginmylocallawenforcementoffice,Ihappilyaccepted.Theonly catchtothepositionwasthatIwasgoingtohavetotraveltotheAlcatraz ImprisonmentFacilityinSanFrancisco.However,againconsideringmyage Ifigureditwouldbeagoodthingtoexploreandtraveltheworldfreshoutof school.So,ImadetheproperarrangementsandthenextthingIknewIwas onaplaneheadingtoanotherstate.Ihadsomanythingstobeanxious about,thehighestbeingthatIwasgoingtohaveclearancetoenterthe UnitedStates’mostnotableprison.ButotherthanthatIwascuriousabout thenatureofEdwardhimself.Inschool,theywouldgiveusexamplesand storiesofthosewhohadcommittedsimilarcrimes.However,theynever trulycapturedthebehavioroftheperson,somethingthatIwishedto accomplishthroughmyinterviews.Theapproximately7hourflightwentby atacomfortablepaceduetotheinquiriesfloatingaroundinmymind. OccasionallyIlookedaroundatthesullenweatherthatsurroundedme,the cloudsthatenvelopedtheskyandspatontheearthwithrain.Ididn’tmind therainthough,inmyminditgavetheworldcolor.Igrabbedataxicabwith adriverwhomIcan’trememberthenameof.

HebroughtmetothehotelroomIwasmeanttobestayingat,thename ofwhichIcannotremember.Nonetheless,Ispenttherestofthenight planningoutquestionsthatIwouldaskthefollowingday.

Tuesday,October30th,1945.Iwasescortedtotheislandbyboatin whatIwasinformedweresharkinfestedwaters,“Impossibletogetby.”Is howthecaptainandguardreferredtothem. Ithenreachedtheislanditself, thedullweatherhadnotyetceasedsoitgavethewholeislandaneerie, unsettlingfeeling,nottosaythatitdidnotalreadyhaveone.AsIwas escortedthroughthemaingate,throughouttheprison,andthentotheroomin whichIwouldconductmyanalisis,Iwasgreetedbythestenchofhundreds ofprisonersalongwiththey’reverypolitecommentsandnoisestowardsmy presence.Thoughtheywerekeptinchambers,thenoisewasstillvery plausibletomyears.Wewalkedthroughthearrayofconcretewalls,steel doors,andbarbedwirefencesuntilIreachedaroomwithafaintyellow illuminatedsignthatread,“ResearchFacility”.Withanamelikethatyou wouldassumeitwasaplaceofscience,butwhenIentereditwasanything butalab.Itwasnothingbutmoreconcretewallswithasingletablethatwas screwedintothegroundwithtwochairsoneithersideofit.Onthefarsideof thetablesatEdward,handcuffedtohislegsandchairbymultiplesteelchains. However,theprecautionsdidnothingtotakeawayfrommysightofhim,he waswellkept.Hisgrayinghairwasslickedbackandtherewasn’taspoton hisclothing,notevenaslightdiscoloration.Itwasasifhewerearobotwho worethesameuniformeveryday,therewasn’taflawinhisdesignandthe lookhegavemewasnothingmorethanoneofgestureandgreeting.Itook myseatontheoppositesideofthetable.

“HelloEdward”,Isaidtohim,

“I’mDr.-,”Iwascutoff.

“Dr.RobertAllen,”hesaidtome.

“Yes,verygood.Forgiveme,Ididn'tconsiderthattheymayhave informedyouofme.”

“Theydidn’t,peopletalk,Ilisten,”heansweredcoldly.

“ThenyouknowwhyI'mhere,Iwanttowriteabookaboutyou,”I responded.

Hesaidnothing,justexaminedmeasifIweresomesortofanimalina zooattraction.

“Let'sjuststartwiththebasics,canyoutellmeyourbirthday?”

“Youalreadyknowthat,whydon’twejusttalkaboutwhatyouwantto hear,myart.”

“Yourart?Thatiswhatyouliketocallit.”

“Idon’thaveawayIliketocallit,thatiswhatitis.”

“Okaythen,yourart.Let’stalkaboutthat.”

Hewentonforhours,detailsabouthiskillingsdowntothedatesand times.Thepatternshewouldkillintheritualshewouldfollowinorderto ensurehis“art”wasperfect.Hedidnothaveacertainpreferenceingender orage.Herenderedthemunconsciousthroughbluntforceorviamedicine. Then,helecturedthem,that'sright,trulylecturedthemonhisperspectives oflifeandtheiroppositionstowardshisactions.Hewoulddebatehis victims,makethemreasonwithhimtoletthemkeepwhattheywanted dearly.Butasyouknownoneofthemendedwell.Hoursandhoursof informationIwrote,hoursandhoursofspeakinganddetailinghedid.I couldn’thelpbutfeelhewastryingtousethisasanopportunityfor something,asifheenjoyedtalkingabouthiscrimes.

Evenforsomeoneexperiencedinthislikemyself,thiswasawfulto hear.Men,women,childrenthismanhadnolimittohisactions,nolifehe wouldn’ttake.Heshowednoexpressionduringourconversation,onlythe blanknessofhisstare.It'sasifnoonetaughthimemotion.

Ashewenton,Ibegantonoticethesmallerdetails.Likehowhetapped hisfingerstogetherashereminisced.Lightly,subtlytappinghispalefingers. Suddenly,hestopped.Hegavenomoreexplanation,nomoredetail,nomore tapping,hejustlookedatme.

“Doyouwanttoknowtheworstpart,Allen?”heaskedme.

“WhatisthatEdward?”Irespondedreluctantly.

“EvenafterallthatIdid,theeffortandenergyIgave,noone understands,nooneeverwill.”

“Whyisthat?”

“Becausetheynevercaretolisten,noteventheoneswhowereforced.”

“Wouldyouwanttoexplainittome?”

Hestaredblanklyagainforamoment.Thenagainhecontinued,this timemuchslower,itwasmorelikeaquestionnairethanitwasastorytelling. Heaskedmesimplequestionsaboutmylife.Interests,hobbies,cares,etc.I askedhimthesamethingtowhichhegavesimpleanswersbutanswers nonetheless.Againhestoppedabruptly.

“Doyoubelievethesethingsmatter?”heaskedme.

“Well,ofcoursewhywouldn’tI?”Irespondedreluctantly.

“Theybelievedthesame,yousee,everyonecaresforthesethings becausetheyaretoldtheyshould.Butnooneeverformstheirown perspective.Lookatme,myactions,whyaretheybad?”

“Becauseit'smurder.It'swrongEdward.”

“Wouldyouhavebeenabletocometothatconclusionbyyourself?”

“Yesofcourse.”

“No,noyouwouldn’thave.Youwouldhavedonethesameaseveryone else,failingtoreasonforyourselfastheydid.”

“Youdon’tknowme,youdon’tknowanythingaboutme”,Isaid defensively.

“Doyou?”heasked.

“OfcourseIdo.”Iresponded.

“Isthatwhatyouthinkorwhatyou'vebeentaughttothink?”

“Whatdoesthatmean?”

“Ifyouwerenottoldthetruthsandlies,rightsandwrongs,wouldyou knowwhattofollow?Orareyoujustthatofwhatyouhearandfollow.Are youjustaproductofunderstandingandnotoneofyourownreasons?”

Isatforamomentuntiltheguardwalkedin,asmytimeforthatday wasup.Irodeontheferrybacktothemainland,whereIwasmeanttoreturn tomyroomandcomebackfordaytwoofmytwodayinterview.AsIdrove backtotheroom,Icouldn’thelpbutlookatthepeoplethatsurroundedme. Thosethoughtshetoldmebotheredme.Dugintomymind.Ididn’twantto lookthewomanatthefrontdeskofthehotelbuildingintheeyes,forallI couldsee

washisblackexpressionstaringbackatme.AllIcouldthinkaboutwerehis questionstome,whatifheisright?Nohecouldn’tbe,he'sjusta psychopath,nothingbutoneofthepeopleIwouldhavestudiedbackin collegeathome.Buthewasn’t,hewasmorethanamindlessanimal,hewas anartist.Igotlittlesleepthatnight,hiswordsbouncedthroughmyhead makingitimpossibleformetofocusongettingagoodnight'srest.Butthe nextdayhadcomenonethelessandIwouldhavetoreturn.

Thursday,October31st,1945.Irosefrommybed,Edward’swords stillbouncingaroundinmyskull.Irodetheferrybacktotheislandand returnedtothesameroom.Onthewaythereweretalksofabigstorm hittingtheislandandhowthesecuritywouldneedtobebracedforit.When Ienteredhesatthereashehadsatbefore,maintainedandblank.Todaywas supposedtobeadayofwrap-upsandfinishingtouches,butIneeded answers.Heexplainedthattheonlywayhecouldgetmetounderstandwas ifIhelpedhim.Yousee,Edwardwasstrategicand“goodatlistening”,ashe explainedittome.Heheardfromtheguardsthattherewouldbeabrief momentwheretheywouldneedtheguardstostepdownfromtheirpositions andhelpsetupweatherdefensesforthestorm.Inthatmoment,Icouldsteal akeyfromaguardalternatingpositionswithanexcusethatIwassupposed togotoanotherroomwhereIwouldhavefurthersafetyfromthestormand gotlost,toexplainwhyIwasstillnotinterviewingEdward.ThenIcould uncuffhimandwewouldhaveapassagewaythathehadseenpreviously, andoncehewasfreehecouldshowmethetruemeaningofwhathemeant. So,Ifollowedhisplancarefullyandquickly.Stealingthatkeywassomuch simplerthanIthought,itcamewithaneasyslipofftheguard’sbeltasI bumpedintohiminthehallway.Theexcuseworkedperfectlyaswell,he pointedmetotheroomthatItoldhimIbelongedin.Whatsurprisedme morewashowquickIwastofollowhisinstructions,butmyambitions blindedme.Ineededanswers.

IreturnedtoEdwards'interviewroomanduncuffedhim.Ifollowedhis passagewaythroughthedarkcorridorsoftheprison,untilwereachedan outdoorquartersthatwasblockedofftoprisonersduetoitsdamagedfence thatcamefromapriorstorm.Weranthroughthequartersandoutthegate, untilwefinallyreachedtheoutsideoftheprison.

“Sowhatnow?Whatwasthemeaningofit?Imustknow!”Iyelled overtheblisteringrain.

“Nowyoushallunderstand,”hesaidtome.

Icouldbarelysee;however,asthelightningflashedIcouldseehim lungetowardsme.Hehadstabbedmewithamakeshiftknifehemadeoutof autensilfromthekitchen.Hemusthavebeencarryingitwithinhisclothing somehow. Heplungeditintomychest,causingmetofalltotheground,asI layedthereandbegantoloseconsciousness.Helookeddownonmewiththe samecoldstareandaskedmeonequestion,“Whatcanyousayindefenseof mesavingyounow?Ilookedupathimandthoughtaboutmyresponse.I thenmusteredtheonlywordsIcould,“Nothingthatwouldn’thavebeensaid bysomeoneelse.”HelookedatmeandshowedtheonlyemotionIhadever seenfromhim,asmile.Itwasnotthefakeoneheusedasagesturewhenhe firstgreetedme,thiswashistruesmile.Onethatcrackedtheoutlinesofhis facelikeaclaypot.“Nowyouunderstand,allthatisaroundusisnot original.Allthatwearearewhatwehavecomefrom,weareonlyproducts ofourgivenperspectives.TherearenotruthsAllen,onlyperspectives.”The lastthingIcouldseewastherain,butInolongerfeltthesamewayaboutit. Nothingtruewasgainedfrommythoughtsandinsights.Onlyperspectives.