losthunter | Knock unbidden on the door ((Schön))

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Knock unbidden on the door ((Schön))

The evening on which Schön and Hunter had agreed upon a TV marathon to watch 'Twilight Zone' episodes had come very quickly, even though it had been a couple of days since the Spring Fair and the last time they had spoken.

Hunter had a lot of artwork to keep himself occupied in the time between the two events. There were a couple of sketches in his notepad from the evening of the Spring Fair that he had wanted to get on canvas. Some are watercolors. Some are color pencils. Some are using the rose petals, soaked in paint. In all aspects, he had been busy.

During the day, before Schön would arrive at the apartment, Hunter had been quite busy finishing a charcoal piece depicting an elderly couple sharing an intimate, and touching moment. He wrapped that up right before he was expecting Schön, so had to jump in the bathroom quickly to get cleaned and dressed for the evening.

Then he went into the kitchen to bring out the snacks that he had prepared for the evening. There are delights such as cranberry pretzel clusters, brownie batter popcorn, assorted chocolate-dipped fruit (bananas, kiwis and strawberries), and a cheese platter. For a wine choice, Hunter had selected a Wild Vines strawberry white zinfandel.

With everything else in place, Hunter does one more walk-through of his apartment, to make sure everything is prepared for his guest.

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If anything, Hunter almost feels less hungry right now. Strange how that happens. "It really opens ones eyes to the old adage of not judging a book by its cover."

"The make-up for the aliens was really phenomenal. Realistic."

Yes, odd how the episode about aliens fattening humans up to eat them might suppress the occasional appetite. "Indeed. And the one about Greeks--or Others--bearing gifts."

"Ah, now it's interesting that you say that about the makeup. Dressing actors and sets for black-and-white posed an interesting set of challenges, as certain colors would look like something else in monochrome. What seemed on the screen like a hint of blush might be great garish patches of green. The Adams' Family's living room was all done in pink."

"I wonder how long it took them to figure out how to dress their actors so that it showed appropriately in black-and-white. It almost seems like they had to work harder then, then they do now days."

"It was harder, in ways, but there were lessons learned, as well. By the time the Twilight Zone was airing, the moving picture was half a century old, and the arts of fooling the eye had become very refined. There were venerable masters of the craft who had grown up working in black-and-white film, and as the cinema went to color, were able to carry their body of knowledge to a generation of television. Knowing to make test reels, among the other tricks of the trade, probably helped."

"I have seen the behind-the-scenes stuff when I was a child. But I think it would have been cool to see how these cast and crew had worked together."

"When I find a doorway to an appropriate time," Schön promises, "I shall see what I can arrange."

"Do you particularly pay attention to different doorways, and where they lead?" The question is not related to the movie, but still part of the conversation.

"Very close attention," Schön answers. "Much of my business is in finding doorways to worlds that have something in abundance which will be wanted somewhere else. Another part is in finding people the door to where they want to go--whether that somewhere is home, or some other clime."

"I imagine that it is often the case, that where people want to go, is not what they imagined. It is more where they are needed." Hunter speaks from personal experience.

"My own experience is that where people want to go and where they need to go sometimes differ. Sometimes, they find where they need without knowing they need it, but they more often ask after places they want to go."

"It is strange... with all the possible outcomes that the Nexus offers, I am sure that the opportunity was there that we could have met earlier, when I first came into the Nexus."

"But in the same context," Hunter turns to look at Schön, his hand moving to gently touch the other man's shoulder. "I know that I would have not been ready to have someone like you in my life."

"I was just so angry when I first arrived. Scared. Uncertain. I pushed people away, instead of accepting their friendships."

"I am hardly one to sneer at happy chance--and the chance to meet your best face first is certainly one of those," Schön answers with a smile. "Friendship is a precious thing--I'm glad to have yours, and to have you accept mine."

"So what show is next on our watching agenda?"

"Oh, I think I'll let this one speak for itself," he answers, queuing up the next.

He wonders if Hunter's world had Will Shatner, and if Hunter will recognize him from any of his other roles.

Another movie being cued is a good distraction for Hunter. It can be somewhat of a complicated situation when you are spending time with someone you like, especially when there is a bit of a crush involved. And he values his friendship with Schön very much. He is still trying to figure out the social cues.

While watching the show, Hunter straightens slightly, recognized Shatner for the actor he is. He can tell that this role was made before what made Shatner famous in his world (Star Trek). And finds some of the similarities quite interesting, that even in the show itself, Shatner has to deal with a strange 'alien' creature bent on destroying the plane.

In the end, he finds quite interesting that Shatner's character is viewed as crazy -- even though he was telling the truth the whole time.

"Wow..."

Schön, too, is trying to thread the social labyrinth. He'd prefer not to break Hunter's heart, either by commission or omission, but sleeves are such perilous places to wear the fragile things. Nor is he oblivious to the effect he has on people. It's a delicate balance to seek.

"How many speakers of truth have been called mad by the masses who simply wanted them to be wrong?"

"It makes you wonder how long the characters had been 'locked-away', before the truth was discovered." Hunter moves fluidly off the couch for the moment. He pours himself a little more wine. And brings the bottle back to the coffee table in case Schön wants more too.

"And how many people are out there... who are still thought mad."

"In the world from which I come," Schön offers, with an air not unlike admission, "there is magic fine as gossamer, delicate as a dream, that can only be seen by those who believe--and which can be destroyed by the doubts of those whose faith is strictly limited to what they can touch."

"I assume that you are one of those people who support that magic. And the believers." Hunter smiles softly.

"Support?" He gives a slight shake of his head, for such a phrase vastly understates his connection to it. "I am made of such magic. Outside the protection of the Nexus, a dull conformist is acute poison, and could scrub my very soul from the cosmos." It's a solemn admission to make, and a sobering reminder, for all his style and power, of his fragility.

Hunter takes a moment to let the statement fully sit in his mind, so he can appreciate Schön's role in his world. In a way, the admission makes sense to Hunter. He had thought there was something unique about Schön.

"I would not want to see that happen." He speaks softly.

"It must be so difficult. Even in the Nexus, to find people who aren't conformists." Hunter also knows that many people walk such strict paths, as if they are frightened of leaving the well-known trail.

"Nor I," Schön agrees quietly.

The slight change of subject allows him to relax and return to a more normal speaking tone. "It grows easier, the longer someone stays in the Nexus. People who can't handle a worldview broader than they already have tend to leave, and quickly. Thus, most of those who stay are, on some level, willing to accept the possibility of more than they know. The longer they stay, the more open they become. It's impossible to stay in the Nexus for too long without acknowledging the existence of magic, conflicting realities, and the rest."

"If there is one thing I can say about myself, my eyes were opened to the possibilities and power of magic long before I entered the Nexus. But even now, there are so many new wonders to explore."

"It is exciting. The possibilities."

"I'm glad to hear it," Schön notes. "Although there is a certain bitter irony--those who first thought it would be best for humanity to shun magic did so precisely because they were aware of the power and possibilities."

"It is a sad truth that there are people who would misuse magic, because of its power and possibilities."

Hunter reflect on what Schön mused earlier, about the possibility of him having some magical abilities. In a way, he is a little scared about it. But more nervous that he might not know how to handle any abilities he might have.

"I have felt only a small portion of magical power, when it was used on me. And it was painful."

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