While still gesturing back towards the center of the granite stage, I turn forward, smiling while looking out across many rising aisles, summer grasslands, and the distant monumental clear walls of the Paladium Level all showing through to bright blue sky beyond the Tower. The vast milky mirror surface of the ceiling continues gently warping...copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOSbLp73jR
"And that is all we have for you today," the sAI concludes the joint presentation. "Thank you."copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG4ninjFee
Have we pleased it properly?copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3FSgmUDfW
I fold into a bow. The golden sphere PULSES white...copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSKN3vcbzv
... and singular clapping follows.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kb7Huv1aJ
Thank goodness.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvNVn3hiHx
We wait until the clapping finishes and the curtains finally sweep closed, dimming all. I immediately head out across the dim granite stage towards the side-stairs, with the sAI floating after. Descending the stairs, we then emerge out at the softly lit base of an aisle ascending towards distant brightness in the sky through the wall.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCpZptvBF4
(Ready for judgement?) Hm. Why not?copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IpjP6Nl8Y
Heading up the aisle now, we pass row after row of empty seats towards the Griffin sitting in the aisle with his lambent eyes fixed upon us...copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4otSkQVB9D
Approaching; I smile.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ofyoE2UgH
"You work well together," The Master praises, smiling briefly from its seat.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnpoGfvuAD
We did well!copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF2VxmMtXW
"Thank you, Master Gabriel," I say, stepping into the adjoining row before vaulting over it into a seat adjacent to The Master.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66llFJ0HDg
"Thank you, Master," the sAI says, floating after me to settle into a silent hover just above the adjacent seat on the other side of me.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDEO1l4wPF
The Master flicks its grey fingers in dismissal of such pleasantries, turning back towards the stage again...copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ikbeSx0lv
Yes. The play.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsChOh1OZF
I turn, as well...copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5piKdj5iQV
The curtains are parting slowly, revealing a medieval castle. An Audiovisual Representation actor, in period attire, is guarding a forward platform.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZdhbsaJsw
Curious.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpYRHM9JB9
A moment later: another Audiovisual Representation actor in period-attire walks onstage, and...copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHyIrM2w4S
The play begins.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1SGj38tNB
...copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡ021YTJL3sm
"This above all: to thine own self be true,copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR3KzvxB1B
And it must follow, as the night the day,copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuDmaWpiqd
Thou canst not then be false to any man."copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqfVp9Eac6
...copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpYBay6Ha8
I am frowning.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡiECW0MTq5j
"You are not entertained?" The Master suddenly breathes quietly, while still sitting beside me.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZKTUa2ykf
Turning, I face The Master regarding me silently, and the Griffin still sitting in the dark aisle, eyes hooded. "It is not for me to say." I finally answer.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSEDtOcAvm
"I disagree."copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡIO1lK18Dsd
Oh.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6cIZ7S1Fd
Complete acceptance. "In that case: I find the play puerile, illogical and unsatisfying."copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡgk5UYzJa9e
The Master smiles sadly. "A valid criticism."copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR3ydOAlr2
I nod.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp8L78SZ9y
Rubbing its grey chin, The Masters turns slightly and looks out into the distance...copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqTilSS421
I turn back.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡjATn86bJrC
Onstage: the father finishes a second monologue, the son bids him goodnight and leaves. Afterwards, the father remains behind with her...copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡL01UM93E9d
Eyes are upon me.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmD6FZYx41
I glance aside, then turn.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡynBsLKyWt0
The Master is silently regarding me again. "Do you have it in you," it finally asks me, "to recognize art?"copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡyf1AaNKdrT
I frown.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFf4MV4Ls8
Onstage: an interrogation into the nature of certain affection begins...copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1woth92dD
The Master shakes its thorn-crowned grey head sadly. "This is an oversight I have neglected."copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MT4n3R7hj
Another opportunity to perform!copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IYgNKcSvE
Eagerly. "How might I rectify this shortcoming?"copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iGxHaORd2
"First I would have to tell you what that shortcoming is." It tisks. "To be honest: I fear that art is not in you. At least not the sort which strikes away breath at autumn sunset, kindles love at beauty and led humanity to dream of gods, and demons."copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡugPnkcrbjJ
Well...copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡvksuBgfN8K
"I will find a way to remedy this!" I insist.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡs939GLjvCw
"Mmmm." The Master pauses. "I would not have scientific momentum stall in such a pursuit..."copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6Mmu7zWjS
I wait patiently.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOd7iOnxCw
"... but you may study art as interlude, never distraction," it eventually concludes.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5Fmel7xQK
I nod.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oRQLlYkhh
The Master hums again while turning back towards the stage...copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW6q4pfsWR
Yes.copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfWECb0JIR
And I follow suit, paying full attention to the rest of what has become an exceptionally important play.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzV0Z0pfsl
copyright protection139ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNflE1GClY
