The Determination of Grounds for Meaning Conference: Library Harassment

Cast:

Alethiology— study of the nature of truth

Deism—belief either that a supreme deity created the world and that this can be discovered with the use of reason or the belief in a deity without limit by doctrine or organized religion

The Determination of Grounds for Meaning Conference: Library Harassment

Idle hands being useless, Alethiology threw conferences on discovering the truth about various subjects. This year, he would orchestrate The Determination of Grounds for Meaning Conference. He organized. It was what he did. He walked through libraries, a conditioned and happy home for him, for organizing purposes. His conferences were sweet group validation, and he expected Deism to be excited about it. Deism tended to be a less than enthusiastic team member, but this vague protest never amounted to much. No matter Deism’s usual resistance, eventually he would be exited.

“Are you excited about my conference?” Alethiology asked, passing by Deism, who was stirring his coffee idly with two small red straws. Sucking the end of one of these straws, Deism attempted to cultivate the mien and aura of someone who did not want to be disturbed.

“Are you really asking me that?” he threw back. Alethiology was undeterred,

“Who else would I be asking?”

“Someone who cares?”

“Shouldn’t you care?”

“Can you give me one good reason why?”

“Are we going to play Questions?”

“Shouldn’t you find Surrealism for that?” Deism was less amused by the game than he wanted to let on, yet he still wanted to win.

“Isn’t Surrealism…gone…?”

Deism smiled, “You’ve always sucked at this game.”

“Statement!”

“I know.”

A short silence pervaded the library’s nook as the two finally looked at each other without agenda. They were fondly annoyed with each other.

“Of course I’ll come, and I’ll participate, but stop expecting me to be excited all the time.”

“Deal,” Alethiology briskly sidled through the library, stalking his next victim. Deism found he could no longer concentrate on his book, instead sipping his coffee and staring out of the window.