Hughlings Himwich

Don't Give It Another Thought

Fool: But you did think of it, did you not?
Player: Think of what?

Fool: How they would applaud?
Player: No. Not at all.

Fool: Then you are a better man than I!
Player: I would not say so.

Fool: Nor would I.
Player: Would not what?

Fool: Say I am the better man.
Player: Of course, you said I was.

Fool: Yes, but I didn’t think it.

Two fingers or three

(boy girl, sitting on a bench in lamplight)

There's something else bothering you, isn’t there?

No, I’m fine.

No you’re not.

I tell you I am fine.

I’ll believe that when you can tell me how many fingers I am holding up. 

Two.

No, I was holding up three. 

No you weren’t.

Yes I was. Try again. How many fingers?

Two!

No, three again. Something's not right.

Well, there’s nothing wrong with my eyes.

Maybe not, but I know there’s something bothering you.

You’re right! YOU are bothering me.

I knew there was something.

I hate how you always think you know.

Like now?

Exactly! I'm leaving.  

Then leave.

I can’t.

Why not?

Because I don’t know where to go.

Home?

No.

Why not?

I can’t tell you.

Well, you can come home with me.

Thank you. 

Two fingers or three?

Just drop it. 

What?

You got what you wanted, right?

What's that?

Me.

Reading lesson

(for Peter)

Mom, who is dad talking to? Friends who write.

Where did he meet them? In books.

Is he talking to himself? Yes.

Is he crazy? Yes, a little.

Will I be crazy like dad one day? Just keep reading.

Can I read dad’s books some day? Of course, he is talking to you.

Are you crazy too, Mom? A little. I am talking to you, aren’t I?

But Dad is so quiet when he writes.  Yes, he talks and talks.

Like me? Yes, little one, like you.

The Man Who Cried When It Rained

Why are you crying?

Am I crying?

Yes, you are. Is there something the matter?

No. I’ve had a good day except, of course, for the rain.

Maybe you should get some help.

What kind of help?

Like from a friend.

You’re my friend.

But I can’t help you.

Why do you think I need help?

Because you are crying for no reason.

But I told you.

What?

About the rain.