Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Your local fools!
Not interested. We’re doing serious work here.
On?
Existential matters. You wouldn’t get it. Bye, now.
But some problems have a way of lurking at the threshold. What better subject?
With enough construction within the discipline, anything can be explained. You really must depart now.
You mean from standard principles?
No, I mean from my porch. But yes, that too.
And yet, even the most careful practitioner rarely gets above theory.
Sure, but finding a given to begin with is harder than it seems.
Can you hold this?
Being, when it isn’t sticky, tends to be too slippery.
You could try putting your hand in a jar of honey.
I know, then try to feel where hand ends and honey begins. Old hat.
Well, to the extent that being can be known, it won’t be with knowledge.
Maybe not, but you can use what you know to construct beings in sequence.
What do you know?
I really don’t have time––
Here’s a mirror! Wanna start with the eyes? Then you can get to all things seen and unseen, and the whole arrangement until you get to the point where you are asking why we’re here and not there, while––
Really, I don’t––
Awww, look at this cat! Hi, kitty! Oh, aren’t you gorgeous! Okay, yes, yes.
That’s my cat, Oliver.
Are you sure?
That’s enough.
Oliver is licking his teeth and turning away now. How do you read that, exactly?
I’ll ask him later. But now I really have to––
You know, you may be waiting a very long time for an answer.
Speaking of time, I can’t––
Maybe we ask questions like daubing at paint, to give us something to do––
––I have plenty to––
––with the eternities we can’t seem to keep from conjuring, even as our skins crack in recognition.
Of what?
Of the endless amusement we provide at our own expense!
You’re not leaving, are you?
Maybe later, but I’m really into petting this cat right now.
Well, do you want a chair?
Nope, just wanted to leave you this paintbrush. Later!
Sooner?
That’s it!