Seymore's Interlude

by Franci Neale

  Chapter 35

  Working Theories

  The four residents of ES360 waited and waited for something to happen, but the Watcher’s tendrils simply stayed wrapped and motionless around the hologram’s mid-section. Seymore couldn’t stand it any longer and suggested, “Geralty, I think we need and put the other hologram out, maybe on the chair. We’ll leave it the size it is when it’s first opened. Maybe this hologram is too big. It also occurs to me that if there was still an opening in the dome like we used to have that the light could have more easily reached out to the bigger hologram. Remember when Sarah left and the light came down the arched walkway to meet her? Let’s go around through the hall to the study and get the other hologram.”

  He quickly moved around the end of the screen with Geralty in his wake. Geralty asked, “Do you think we will need more holograms. If you do, I can call Celic from your band connection and ask him to forward however many you want.” Seymore thought for a moment and then agreed, “I think that’s a good idea. Ask for two more and make one of them very young. Jesmond is probably right that the Watcher is young so maybe he would relate better to a very young image. While you’re about that I’ll go put the small hologram on the chair.”

  Seymore went across the hall and quietly opened one of the French doors and moved to the Watcher’s table. The big eye was not visible. He moved the chair close but not under the table edge and set the hologram on it. He tapped the black dot and the small hologram unfolded. It was a young woman in a lovely flowing dancing costume. Seymore smiled at the charming image and moved to the door to Jesmond’s room and stepped inside. As he turned to look out the window into the atrium, the Watcher had moved its gauzy grasp from the large hologram to the small one and was picking it up and moving it to the table top. The light enveloped the small hologram and took it away, presumably to the interior of the dome. Everyone looked very surprised. Seymore was delighted. This was a better and faster result than he had hoped for.

  By the time Geralty returned to Jesmond’s room from the study the small hologram had vanished. Geralty asked where it was. Before Seymore could explain, Jesmond said, “Let me go ask the Watcher.” She didn’t wait for permission or advice; she simply walked into the atrium and sat in her chair at the Watcher’s table of her own volition. She again put both hand on the top of the magic table and assumed her near-trance state. It wasn’t long before she turned to look toward the window and smiled. She again gave the Watcher her gesture of personal good will and came back to her room.

  She said to Seymore, “The watcher is going to return the hologram as he doesn’t recognize it. It is not his rider.” As she said that the Watcher returned the small hologram to the top of the table and reached out a long misty arm to again examine the big hologram between the shoulders and waist. Then the long light arms returned to the desk’s mysterious interior.

  Jesmond said, “I think you should remove both holograms. The little story the Watcher told was: ‘A little boy searched and searched for his home and found an incomplete image that wasn’t where he wanted to be. Is there any other way to interpret that little story?” Seymore, looking puzzled, responded, “There might be, and I’d like to think about it a little. Meantime, let’s remove the holograms, Geralty. Jesmond will you move the small one to the chair first and then we’ll take them both out at the same time.”

  Jesmond went into the atrium put her hand on the table to let the Watcher know it was her and lifted the hologram off and carefully looked at it before she set it on the chair. She returned to her room and said to Seymore. “I don’t think the small hologram looks the same as it did when it was first opened. It’s still a young women but she looks different to me.”

  “Really?” Seymore was unsure what that news could mean. “I’ll have a good look after we get the holograms out of the atrium.” Geralty and Seymore went quietly out the door into the glass room and each tapped the red button on one of the holograms and they folded back into their cards. They picked them up and Seymore moved toward the French doors and Geralty followed him out and over to the study. Seymore set his card on the desk and tapped the black dot. The hologram of the young woman again appeared and Seymore set her on the window sill to have a good look in the light. Jesmond was right; this young woman now looked different. The dress was the same, but her face was changed and her hair was shorter. He hadn’t looked at the hologram carefully enough initially to remember much else, but it was pretty obvious that the hologram’s trip into the light had resulted in a noticeable difference.

  Geralty told Seymore that he couldn’t see the difference as he didn’t see the young woman’s image up close before its experience with the Watcher. He added, “Celic is sending along two more holograms and I’m going down to the Beach House to wait for them.” Seymore thanked him. After he was gone, Seymore went out to the pond, got into his canoe, released the rope from the cleat and pushed away from the dock to paddle to a spot where he could think clearly and maybe even talk to himself out loud. He considered out loud self talk both a worthy exercise and a great pleasure, the same opinion he had of canoeing. To do both at the same time was utopian.

  He had the makings of a plan to further test the interaction of the Watcher with holograms. After the changes in the small hologram he deduced that the Watcher had tried to create the personality that best represented his desires. Seymore knew that the original rider of the Watcher light was a small baby who abandoned the light. There would be no other reason besides choice for a rider to leave or separate from its own light. The most natural person for the Watcher to create would be some representation of its mother. The baby would have most certainly imprinted that impression on the light.

  If that was true, then the Watcher would most likely be aware of the desires of the larger lights as they arrived and could impress them on the holograms. That the light didn’t move the larger hologram into its private world or attempt any changes would tend to support Seymore’s assumption that the holograms should be of the right size, ethnicity, and gender to best serve the travelers. Smaller holograms were more successful in the first test and maybe larger holograms were unnecessary or even unacceptable. Seymore decided to use the small versions in the next test and he would open both of the new holograms on the magic desk in Mesa’s turret room for a preview. They all would be able to carefully look them over and know exactly what the images looked like before they were offered to the Watcher. He hoped that would give him some additional information about what the Watcher was looking for by seeing how he changed the holograms, or not. He might even get an insight into how he made the changes, but that might be wishful thinking.

  Seymore was pretty sure he had everything lined up in his mind to proceed to the next step. He turned his beautiful blue canoe toward the dock and paddled with smooth, even strokes that sent the craft sliding soundlessly over the pond. Idly he thought that the pond needed a name and that Mesa needed to check it for stability. It was one of the best ideas he had for Seymore Place; it brought him great pleasure.

  He reached around to reset the dock rope to the cleat and carefully stepped out of the canoe. He walked to the back door of his study and went in. Geralty was sitting in his desk chair and Mesa and Jesmond were sitting on the arms of his big leather chair. Geralty said, “I brought the two new images and a copy of the one of the young woman the Watcher rejected so we can see exactly what was changed.” He handed Seymore the two new holograms. He put the copy on Seymore’s desk next to the one that had been altered. Seymore hit the black dot on each of the two holograms and they simultaneously unfolded. They were different, significantly different. The Watcher had changed the hologram to meet its own desires. It was amazing, far better than Seymore imagined. When it came to The Watcher Jesmond didn’t miss anything and she had noticed the change right away.

  The next test was all that was needed to finish the last link in his theory of how to create a me
ans of consistently serving the great lights. He was ready to start, “Is everybody ready?” Everyone nodded eagerly and he continued.“ I want to take the two new holograms to the turret room and unfold them on the magic desk, if that’s OK with you, Mesa.” She nodded her agreement and he continued, “That way we can all see them up close in good light and make our own observations about how they look. Then we will put them one at a time in the atrium on the chair for the Watcher to examine. Jesmond, we will depend on you to talk to The Watcher to collect his reactions.” She said, “I will”

  They all left the study by the door on the hallway near Geralty’s room and went down to the library and into the turret room. They each sat down in one of the four magic chairs and Seymore set the new holograms on Mesa’s magic table. He opened them and they unfolded perfectly. One was a young woman in a business suit, dark hose and high heels. She had brown short hair, a small pill box hat and bright blue eyes. The other was a young boy toddler with blue denim overalls over a striped T-shirt and sturdy shoes. He had blonde hair and pale green eyes. Seymore turned each hologram so that everyone could see all side of the figures and after the third turn, a thick white light extended from the top of Mesa’s magic desk around each of the holograms and they were gone!

  Everyone at the table had a look of shock and disbelief except Jesmond who was laughing. Seymore looked at her and said, “What is going on, Jesmond? Did The Watcher take the holograms?” She stopped laughing but was still smiling as she replied, “Yes, The Watcher took them. He almost always knows where I am. That’s part of our telepathic connection. He knew I was here and looking at holograms that were also about him because that’s what I was thinking. He knew about this magic desk since he’s been here before. He assumed he would be welcome. To me he was, but the rest of you were taken by surprise. You should all know that he is not unhappy here and is very happy in my company. He does yearn for his rider, but he is not totally sure what that is. He looks upon himself as a resident here, just like we all do. He thinks that his place at this table is in it! Does that help?” Everyone laughed, but they were still more than a little disconcerted, especially Mesa.

  Jesmond tried to be reassuring. “I’m going to go back to the atrium and see if The Watcher will appear in the desk there. I’ll see if there is a new story and ask The Watcher to return the holograms to the atrium when he’s through with them. One of the things I know for sure is that the Watcher enjoys and feels stronger and more supported by having good instructions. Something I think we all share. Please don’t leave this magic desk until I come back. I’m sure the Watcher and the holograms are in the dome, but a return visit here is possible.” Everyone was impressed with her good humor and knowledge of exactly how to proceed when it came to The Watcher.

  Seymore particularly liked Jesmond’s observation that The Watcher enjoyed good instructions. That would be very helpful. He also consciously shifted his context on The Watcher. He would now acknowledge that The Watcher was The Watcher of Seymore Place and was a permanent resident of the dome. He was as much a resident as anyone and once communications were better understood he probably should be included in the same manner as anyone else, though that would take some getting used to. He also needed to expand his level of trust and include Jesmond in the same manner he did Geralty and Mesa. She had demonstrated her skills and confidence; and she loved The Watcher.

  Jesmond returned, smiling, and took her seat at Mesa’s magic desk. She relayed, “The Watcher is back in the table in the atrium and has returned the young woman but wants to keep the toddler. Sending a toddler was genius, Seymore. The Watcher gave me this little story: ‘A very young child seeks help to grow. There are large friends who know him but he is lonely. An unfinished child arrives and they will grow together. The young child is safer.’.” The response was dead silence. It would take them some effort to fully appreciate The Watcher; except Jesmond as she seemed to understand perfectly.

  Suddenly, and seemingly out of the blue, Seymore, for the first time, realized that his time at Seymore Place was coming to an end. It was a startling thought and not a particularly welcome one. Geralty knew more about the holograms than he did and was light years ahead of him technically. Jesmond had as much mastery as was possible of the workings of the dome and its Watcher. Mesa knew more about Units of Energy than he did and was his natural successor. Reluctantly he knew his next step after establishing the process for serving the incoming light travelers would be to plan his return to Middle Mind.

  He said, “Jesmond, I agree with your interpretation of the story. I assume you are going to put the stories from today’s experiments in your new journal. ”Before he could continue she said, “I’ve created a new book just for the history and stories that pertain to just The Watcher. In many ways the dome belongs to him and he belongs to the dome. I don’t think The Watcher knows where he ends and the dome begins. The Watcher is quite happy and honored to be a part of what we do. He’s aware that he has a role to play and that the holograms are for his use. I think it is important to have a record of who The Watcher is and will become.” She smiled softly but one could sense the strength of her confidence and decision making skills. She was a force.

  Seymore said that was a wonderful thing to do and hoped she would make the history a part of the Memory Trove. He purposely used her suggestion for the name of the beautiful chest that would house the treasures of Seymore Place. She smiled and said. “I’ll be sure that it is included in the Trove.”

  “This has been quite an experiment and a number of things are now clear and, fortunately, easy to fit into the overall operations for Seymore Place.” Seymore asserted. “I’m going to prepare an outline of the processes we will use for when the next light arrives. After that event, we can refine our methods and set a routine. I think we have been lucky so far that another one of the great lights didn’t arrive; but we are prepared now. Do you agree?” Mesa said she did and that she was going to go out and check the stabilization, including Seymore’s new version of the pond, and then perhaps Seymore would go with her to the Beach House to throw the force field. She turned to Geralty and said, “After the force field is in place you’ll want to run another test with Celic to make sure that the field doesn’t impair reception. Also, now that we have some small experience with the holograms, do you see anything that should be added to the Beach House?”

  Geralty said he’d arrange to have a desk and chair down there and a few occasional chairs to sit in so everyone could enjoy the view out over the beach and the water illusion. Other than that, it was very functional. It would be even better after the force field was in place and stabilized.

  Seymore asked Mesa to come with him out to the pond so they could tweak it and make it just right before it was stabilized. It would also give him a chance to talk about what he had planned for himself and ES360.Everyone left the turret room with lots to think about, their own tasks to pursue and a strong sense that ES360 was very, very closed to completion. Mixed feelings were experienced about that.

  Seymore and Mesa went down the hallway toward his study and stopped to look into the atrium where Jesmond was sitting at her table communing with The Watcher. Mesa said, “We can stand here and look at the charming Jesmond embrace her desk which houses an amazing new life form we know as The Watcher and we think it quite normal. It is the only place in Everything to view such an event. Seymore Place is incredible.” Seymore nodded in agreement and they moved on to his study and out the back door and up toward the pond. It was lovely and calm with dramatic flowers and the soft breeze rattled the bamboo. The sound echoed over the smooth water. The canoe sat next to the dock in anticipation of a calming trip over the glassy surface. Two friends began to slowly walk around the pond and point out and agree on small adjustments, little additions and enhancements. They paused at the boat house and Mesa applied an old fashioned hex to the weathered boards on one side. Seymore added an assor
tment of wild flowers to the big meadow between the pond and the rustic end of the alder woods. At the end of the pond where the boulders sat in the water Mesa set a long stone bench and they used it to view the pond from a new perspective

  They shared the view, solitude and sense of well being and then Seymore said, “Mesa, I am going to begin to prepare to return to Middle Mind.” The sudden audible intake of breath was an expression of her surprise and dismay and she replied “It’s too soon for that!” Seymore disagreed and said, “I am thinking of making the change gradually. There are some things that need to be arranged before I make my first trip back to my former work, but I will start right away to make my return. I want you to begin to take over the oversight of ES360.You have been here from the very beginning and may know more about this place than I do. It is natural for you to assume the leadership role.” He stopped and laughed, “Does that make it easier to see your role here?” She nervously chuckled and said it did, but insisted, “I’m worried that my lack of experience and understanding of life at The Rim will be a barrier to full understanding of the light travelers’ needs.”

  Seymore considered her issue and said, “I think that The Watcher, which is created of Rim stuff, is wiser about The Rim than you and I put together. And as his stories are shared and understood everyone is going to gain new insight and knowledge about the Rim. That knowledge, rather than my fragmented memories, will help to understand the nature of our services and how to make them better. And, as I said, I’ll not be leaving abruptly; I’ll come and go as needed. I will be certain that my agreement with the great Psyche is complete before I leave ES360.And I will never leave Seymore Place completely, it is mostly my creations and it will forever have a place in my heart. I’ll come here often. I didn’t create that beautiful blue canoe for anyone but myself.” And he hastily added, “Anyone can use it, if they take the time to master the navigation of the noble craft. Even you, my dear Mesa.”

  Mesa slipped her arm through his and leaned her head on his shoulder, “I can’t imagine being without you.” And Seymore replied, “And you never will be, I promise.” They rose together and finished their tour of the pond by adding some ivy around the back side of the dome edge and small round table with a small bright umbrella hnear the iris clumps. At the dock Seymore gave Mesa a gentle embrace and went on to his back door and into the study. Mesa stayed and took a seat on the bench that sat near the dock and faced the pond. She took one last look around, moved one of the walnut trees to provide some shade near the boat house and then piece by piece she stabilized the pond and its environment.

  When she was finished she sat for a long time and tears streamed down her cheeks. What would she do without Seymore? Was it really possible that he was going back to Middle Mind so soon? He was and he was leaving sooner than even he imagined.