Part 32 (1/2)
”They were fascinating, if vile,” said s.h.i.+mrod.
”I did not find them so. The colors were of great variety, and the scents were unusual.”
”Still-you must believe me!-they represented the aspects of evil: the many flavors of purulence, so to speak.”
Melancthe smiled and shook her head. ”I cannot understand these tedious abstractions, and I doubt if the effort would yield any amus.e.m.e.nt, since I am easily bored.”
”As a matter of interest, do you know the meaning of the word 'evil'?'”
”It seems to mean what you intend it to mean.”
”The word is general. Do you know the difference between, let us say, kindness and cruelty?”
”I have never thought to notice. Why do you ask?”
”Because, for a fact, I have come to study your character.”
”Again? For what reason?”
”I am curious to discover whether you are 'good' or 'bad'.” Melancthe shrugged. ”That is as if I were to ask whether you were a bird or a fish-and then expect an earnest answer.”
s.h.i.+mrod sighed. ”Just so. How goes your life?”
”I prefer it to oblivion.”
”How do you occupy yourself each day?”
”I watch the sea and the sky; sometimes I wade in the surf and build roads in the sand. At night I study the stars.”
”You have no friends?”
”No.”
”And what of the future?”
”The future stops at Now.”
”As to that, I am not so sure,” said s.h.i.+mrod. ”It is at best a half-truth.”
”What of that? Half a truth is better than none: do you not agree?”
”Not altogether,” said s.h.i.+mrod. ”I am a practical man, I try to control the shape of the 'nows' which lie in the offing, instead of submitting to them as they occur.”
Melancthe gave an uninterested shrug. ”You are free to do as you like.” Leaning back into the cus.h.i.+ons, she looked out across the sea.
s.h.i.+mrod finally spoke. ”Well then: are you 'good' or 'bad'?”
”I don't know.”
s.h.i.+mrod became vexed. ”Talking with you is like visiting an empty house.”