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Description
The Calcutec, The Librarian and the Iridescent Light

The Calcutec walks at a quick pace down the wide sidewalk while looking up at the sky at the towering buildings with the gleaming, reflective windows. The smile on his face is as broad as the sun glinting off the silver light post. He thinks to himself that he has never felt so free and unhindered. Meeting with The Librarian on such a gorgeous, perfect day will just add to the crazy feeling of effervescent bliss that expands from his solar plexus and seemingly glows outward from his body.

Even if it had been raining The Calcutec feels like it wouldn’t have dampened his spirit. Seeing the beautiful, vivacious Librarian waiting for him on a bench across the street near The Coffee Shop of Nectar he picks up his already quick step.

The Librarian catches his eye and waves excitedly. The Calcutec waves back wildly, looks both ways at the traffic and literally prances across the street. Laughing, he grabs her around the waist and twirls her around in a bear hug. “Why are you in such a good mood?” the Librarian questions him as her laughing eyes squint into the sunlight.

The Calcutec just squeezed her harder and replied, “I don’t know! I feel great! The best I have ever felt in my life. I want to sing, I want to dance, I want to run….”

The Librarian put her hand over his mouth and giggled, “I think I’ve got the point. In that case, let me take advantage of your good mood. I am just aching to go see the ‘The Enchanted Flower Garden Festival’ at the Convention Center.”

“Even a sedate tour of topiaries couldn’t bring my mood down today. Let’s go.”

Together they held hands, swung their arms and headed down the street towards downtown and The Convention Site. At the entrance they stopped and waited their turn to enter the premises. “Did you just see that?”

“See what?” The Librarian murmured as her head jerked around looking this way and that.

“That flash of light! It is the third time I’ve seen it today…. as if it were following me around. It has to be my imagination. How could a flash a light be following me around?” He replied shaking his head feeling rather foolish.

“No, I don’t see anything.” At this point the Librarian had furrowed her brow and with a bit of consternation asked, “Are you sure you saw a light? It is awfully bright out today, it could just be the sun shining off of something.”

“I thought that the first two times but it is the same glare…. the same size. Even the same angle. I don’t know. I don’t get it. Let’s go inside.”

They walked into the Convention Center and made their way into the ballroom to where the most exotic displays were. Beautiful flowers of every color and hue, hanging from elaborately crafted pots, both from the ceiling and from wood posts made of cedar. The smells engulfed the area between the mixed fragrances of the flowering shrubs, roses, hanging plants and the delicious cedar wood.

There were topiaries of every size. Animals, bugs, people, cartoon characters. The work that must have been involved in getting this show prepared must have been staggering! “Oh look at the beautiful butterfly topiary! The purple and pink flowers are gorgeous! Look! There are real butterflies sitting on the inside of the leaves.”

The Librarian stepped closer and parted the leaves with her fingers and touched a butterfly with the tip of her finger. The butterfly stepped gingerly onto her finger and she lifted it up and out into the open. “He looks amazingly delicate. Just lovely.” She carefully set the butterfly back onto the topiary and turned back towards The Calcutec.

“What’s the matter?” Suddenly the Librarian looked alarmed. The Calcutec was standing stock still, his facial expression a look of total confusion. “I saw it again. The flash. It was right over there by the entrance to the bug exhibit. There it is again! Don’t you see it?” The Calcutec was becoming upset thinking he might be freaking out and seeing something no one else could see. Was he just paranoid? He had been through a great deal at work lately and worried the stress may have gotten to him.

Without waiting for an answer he shot over to the flowered gateway to the bug exhibit and quickly went inside. The Librarian was in chase right behind him. She stopped at the entrance and looked from side to side. Leaning forward to see around a massive topiary of a grasshopper, she spotted The Calcutec not far away inside the circular exhibit.

Walking towards him and feeling growing concern, she quickly caught up to him and faced his back. Curiously, his hand was extended into what looked like a hole. A black hole, as she couldn’t see inside the area, not even his hand or wrist. She shook head quickly back and forth trying to clear her senses. How could she be seeing nothing? She slowly reached out to put her hand on his shoulder. She didn’t want to jolt him, she just wanted to know what he was doing and wondered what was going on. “What is it? What are you doing?”

The Calcutec slowly withdrew his hand. It had an effervescent glow. He looked at it for a moment before replying; “I could see the light so I came over here to check it out. When I was looking at it I could tell there was an opening. I reached in and I could see through it into a pasture. The view isn’t great but I could see animals that were white. Or sort of white. More like a golden white. There was a wall. I giant wall the likes I’ve never seen. I can’t understand how it stands up without additional support.” He shook his head in amazement.

By this time The Librarian was looking curiously where his hand had been. It looked like a patch of flowers to her. She was beginning to think The Calcutec might be getting delusional. “Uh-huh.” She replied noncommittally.

He reached out and reopened the portal. This time he used both hands and pulled the light opened widely. He leaned closer and peered through the opening. The Librarian leaned over his shoulder and looked where he was looking. She couldn’t figure out what was so interesting about where the flowers were attached to the base of the display.

“Wow. I’ve never seen anyplace like it. Almost like the end of the world.”

“What?” The Librarian asked confusedly. She took a step back and looked behind her to make sure no one else was observing The Calcutec’s absurd behavior. “There isn’t anything there. It’s just a bunch of flowers.” She said slowly thinking she may have to humor him.

“Huh? Oh. Don’t you see this pasture? The animals are beautiful and delicate. The birds fly around nearly silent. The trees are swaying in a breeze I can’t hear. It is just so unusual. I need to get closer.

The Librarian reached out and grabbed his shoulder. “Come on, let’s get out of here. Something is wrong. You’re acting weirdly and I’m scared.” She tried to drag him backward but he stood firm.

“No, no! Don’t you see it? It is an opening. I’m going through.”

The Calcutec opened the portal more fully and lifted his right foot and set it inside. The Librarian gasped when she saw his foot and lower leg disappear. “Stop! You’re disappearing!” She shouted crying, “Please come with me. Let’s go! Please?”

Not hearing her The Calcutec moved deeper into the portal. “I need to see this. I need to go there.” He was talking in a monotone. He was close to robotic. The Librarian was in full panic by this time.

“Please someone help me! My friend needs help!” She was screaming and yet no one else heard her. She grabbed him around the waist but he kept moving into the portal. “Come back in here! I can’t go with you. Please come back in.” She was sobbing and yelling at him in hopes he could hear her. She realized he was going out of reach into what realm she had no idea. How could he just, just disappear???

“You don’t need to come with me. You’re already there. I see you now. I have to go. I have to see. I want to be with you.” He droned in the same monotone voice he had before.

“What are you talking about? I’m right here! You’re leaving me here. Don’t leave me!” He peeled her hands off of his waist and was nearly into the portal when he turned his head. The Librarian gasped and choked on her tears when she saw the look on his face. It was vacant and coarse and lacked color. He didn’t look like himself. She flashed her hand to her mouth to cover her reaction. Her eyes widened thinking she was, somehow, now looking at a ghost. Taking two or three steps back she stammered, “Who, who…. or what are you?” She looked around to see if she could escape before becoming some type of ghost herself but she needn’t have worried. The portal wasn’t for her. It couldn’t take her anyway. She was already there. Waiting. Waiting for The Calcutec to enter and live with her forever, there at the end of the world. He would be forever separated from her and forever connected. He found his love, his life, the meaning behind his existence. He just had to let go of everything and everyone he had ever known. It was the end of one life and the beginning of another.

The Calcutec turned and looked at The Librarian once last time. “Goodbye.” He said blankly. He turned his head and as he disappeared she heard him say, “And hello again.” She stood with her chest heaving as the sobs surged through her body. Confused and spent she collapsed onto the floor.

The portal closed behind him. The day was bright but he could The Librarian running towards him. “I knew you would come back.” She said as she threw her arms around his neck. “But I never left. Not really.” They walked away arms around each other’s waists. It was good to be home.

Description
The Calcutec, The Librarian and the Iridescent Light

The Calcutec walks at a quick pace down the wide sidewalk while looking up at the sky at the towering buildings with the gleaming, reflective windows. The smile on his face is as broad as the sun glinting off the silver light post. He thinks to himself that he has never felt so free and unhindered. Meeting with The Librarian on such a gorgeous, perfect day will just add to the crazy feeling of effervescent bliss that expands from his solar plexus and seemingly glows outward from his body.

Even if it had been raining The Calcutec feels like it wouldn’t have dampened his spirit. Seeing the beautiful, vivacious Librarian waiting for him on a bench across the street near The Coffee Shop of Nectar he picks up his already quick step.

The Librarian catches his eye and waves excitedly. The Calcutec waves back wildly, looks both ways at the traffic and literally prances across the street. Laughing, he grabs her around the waist and twirls her around in a bear hug. “Why are you in such a good mood?” the Librarian questions him as her laughing eyes squint into the sunlight.

The Calcutec just squeezed her harder and replied, “I don’t know! I feel great! The best I have ever felt in my life. I want to sing, I want to dance, I want to run….”

The Librarian put her hand over his mouth and giggled, “I think I’ve got the point. In that case, let me take advantage of your good mood. I am just aching to go see the ‘The Enchanted Flower Garden Festival’ at the Convention Center.”

“Even a sedate tour of topiaries couldn’t bring my mood down today. Let’s go.”

Together they held hands, swung their arms and headed down the street towards downtown and The Convention Site. At the entrance they stopped and waited their turn to enter the premises. “Did you just see that?”

“See what?” The Librarian murmured as her head jerked around looking this way and that.

“That flash of light! It is the third time I’ve seen it today…. as if it were following me around. It has to be my imagination. How could a flash a light be following me around?” He replied shaking his head feeling rather foolish.

“No, I don’t see anything.” At this point the Librarian had furrowed her brow and with a bit of consternation asked, “Are you sure you saw a light? It is awfully bright out today, it could just be the sun shining off of something.”

“I thought that the first two times but it is the same glare…. the same size. Even the same angle. I don’t know. I don’t get it. Let’s go inside.”

They walked into the Convention Center and made their way into the ballroom to where the most exotic displays were. Beautiful flowers of every color and hue, hanging from elaborately crafted pots, both from the ceiling and from wood posts made of cedar. The smells engulfed the area between the mixed fragrances of the flowering shrubs, roses, hanging plants and the delicious cedar wood.

There were topiaries of every size. Animals, bugs, people, cartoon characters. The work that must have been involved in getting this show prepared must have been staggering! “Oh look at the beautiful butterfly topiary! The purple and pink flowers are gorgeous! Look! There are real butterflies sitting on the inside of the leaves.”

The Librarian stepped closer and parted the leaves with her fingers and touched a butterfly with the tip of her finger. The butterfly stepped gingerly onto her finger and she lifted it up and out into the open. “He looks amazingly delicate. Just lovely.” She carefully set the butterfly back onto the topiary and turned back towards The Calcutec.

“What’s the matter?” Suddenly the Librarian looked alarmed. The Calcutec was standing stock still, his facial expression a look of total confusion. “I saw it again. The flash. It was right over there by the entrance to the bug exhibit. There it is again! Don’t you see it?” The Calcutec was becoming upset thinking he might be freaking out and seeing something no one else could see. Was he just paranoid? He had been through a great deal at work lately and worried the stress may have gotten to him.

Without waiting for an answer he shot over to the flowered gateway to the bug exhibit and quickly went inside. The Librarian was in chase right behind him. She stopped at the entrance and looked from side to side. Leaning forward to see around a massive topiary of a grasshopper, she spotted The Calcutec not far away inside the circular exhibit.

Walking towards him and feeling growing concern, she quickly caught up to him and faced his back. Curiously, his hand was extended into what looked like a hole. A black hole, as she couldn’t see inside the area, not even his hand or wrist. She shook head quickly back and forth trying to clear her senses. How could she be seeing nothing? She slowly reached out to put her hand on his shoulder. She didn’t want to jolt him, she just wanted to know what he was doing and wondered what was going on. “What is it? What are you doing?”

The Calcutec slowly withdrew his hand. It had an effervescent glow. He looked at it for a moment before replying; “I could see the light so I came over here to check it out. When I was looking at it I could tell there was an opening. I reached in and I could see through it into a pasture. The view isn’t great but I could see animals that were white. Or sort of white. More like a golden white. There was a wall. I giant wall the likes I’ve never seen. I can’t understand how it stands up without additional support.” He shook his head in amazement.

By this time The Librarian was looking curiously where his hand had been. It looked like a patch of flowers to her. She was beginning to think The Calcutec might be getting delusional. “Uh-huh.” She replied noncommittally.

He reached out and reopened the portal. This time he used both hands and pulled the light opened widely. He leaned closer and peered through the opening. The Librarian leaned over his shoulder and looked where he was looking. She couldn’t figure out what was so interesting about where the flowers were attached to the base of the display.

“Wow. I’ve never seen anyplace like it. Almost like the end of the world.”

“What?” The Librarian asked confusedly. She took a step back and looked behind her to make sure no one else was observing The Calcutec’s absurd behavior. “There isn’t anything there. It’s just a bunch of flowers.” She said slowly thinking she may have to humor him.

“Huh? Oh. Don’t you see this pasture? The animals are beautiful and delicate. The birds fly around nearly silent. The trees are swaying in a breeze I can’t hear. It is just so unusual. I need to get closer.

The Librarian reached out and grabbed his shoulder. “Come on, let’s get out of here. Something is wrong. You’re acting weirdly and I’m scared.” She tried to drag him backward but he stood firm.

“No, no! Don’t you see it? It is an opening. I’m going through.”

The Calcutec opened the portal more fully and lifted his right foot and set it inside. The Librarian gasped when she saw his foot and lower leg disappear. “Stop! You’re disappearing!” She shouted crying, “Please come with me. Let’s go! Please?”

Not hearing her The Calcutec moved deeper into the portal. “I need to see this. I need to go there.” He was talking in a monotone. He was close to robotic. The Librarian was in full panic by this time.

“Please someone help me! My friend needs help!” She was screaming and yet no one else heard her. She grabbed him around the waist but he kept moving into the portal. “Come back in here! I can’t go with you. Please come back in.” She was sobbing and yelling at him in hopes he could hear her. She realized he was going out of reach into what realm she had no idea. How could he just, just disappear???

“You don’t need to come with me. You’re already there. I see you now. I have to go. I have to see. I want to be with you.” He droned in the same monotone voice he had before.

“What are you talking about? I’m right here! You’re leaving me here. Don’t leave me!” He peeled her hands off of his waist and was nearly into the portal when he turned his head. The Librarian gasped and choked on her tears when she saw the look on his face. It was vacant and coarse and lacked color. He didn’t look like himself. She flashed her hand to her mouth to cover her reaction. Her eyes widened thinking she was, somehow, now looking at a ghost. Taking two or three steps back she stammered, “Who, who…. or what are you?” She looked around to see if she could escape before becoming some type of ghost herself but she needn’t have worried. The portal wasn’t for her. It couldn’t take her anyway. She was already there. Waiting. Waiting for The Calcutec to enter and live with her forever, there at the end of the world. He would be forever separated from her and forever connected. He found his love, his life, the meaning behind his existence. He just had to let go of everything and everyone he had ever known. It was the end of one life and the beginning of another.

The Calcutec turned and looked at The Librarian once last time. “Goodbye.” He said blankly. He turned his head and as he disappeared she heard him say, “And hello again.” She stood with her chest heaving as the sobs surged through her body. Confused and spent she collapsed onto the floor.

The portal closed behind him. The day was bright but he could The Librarian running towards him. “I knew you would come back.” She said as she threw her arms around his neck. “But I never left. Not really.” They walked away arms around each other’s waists. It was good to be home.