Knock unbidden on the door ((Schön))

[losthunter]

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.

Comments

[losthunter]

Hunter keeps the reminder in his mind as he watches the episode. He finds himself trying to figure out if any of the neighbors are the 'monsters' hidden in plain sight. And is pleasantly surprised by the twist ending.

"Ahhh, playing on other's fears to gain the upper hand. Truly clever writing."

[bed summons]

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

((Goodnight.))

"Who has need of any monster greater than fear, paranoia?"

[losthunter]

"I must admit, I even had thought that one of their neighbors was the 'monster' who was causing all the chaos."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Schön grins. "You see? A great story doesn't merely tell you its events, you experience them! You journey with Atreyu, as it were."

[losthunter]

"It definitely keeps the mind alert and thinking." Hunter doesn't feel tired at the moment, despite the fact that it is a later hour.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Indeed. Imagine gathering one's family, once a week, with no inkling of what sort of story might unfold, to be woken up by the strange and compelling fantasies framed by Mr. Serling."

[losthunter]

"Was it a very popular show during its time?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Oh, yes," he answers with a nod. "Quite popular. Entrancing, in its way. It had several seasons, was revived several times, and enjoyed a number of imitators, the better of which were themselves renewed and revived occasionally."

[losthunter]

"It is such a shame that they don't have quality writers like that anymore. Most of the time, I just use the TV as a video game console."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Are you so certain that they don't?" Schön challenges. "As you say, you use yours as a conduit for your games--whose writing may also challenge and excite the mind, I may add. When did you last sift the chaff of nine thousand channels in search of a grain of quality?"

[losthunter]

"Valid point. I can't remember the last time I looked for something of quality."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"I shall have to see if I can find anything worth your time, then," Schön decides.

[losthunter]

"I will honestly give any of your recommendations my time." Because Hunter respects Schön's opinion.

And out of respect of Schön, Hunter does take note of the late hour. "How are you doing? Did you want to keep watching a few more?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Then I shall give them with care," the thin man promises.

"Oh, I'm quite well. I have a few little tricks for staying up when the whim arises. And yourself?"

[losthunter]

"I usually run artist hours, so staying up late is typical." Hunter laughs softly.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Then we are well matched this eve," Schön concludes. "Another?"

[losthunter]

"Please." Hunter is going to take a quick moment to collect a few more snacks before the next show starts.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

While Hunter obtains snacks, Schön queues up the next episode, "Nervous Man in a Four Dollar Room." He waits, of course, until his companion is settled again before beginning it.

[losthunter]

Hunter collects a small collection of snacks before returning to his seat on the couch. He lounges, relaxing, and gives Schön a slight nod.

This is another episode that speaks to Hunter on a personal level, since for a while he too had struggles with different sides of his personality.

"It can be a challenge to face yourself truly, and come out of it stronger."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Indeed," Schön agrees. "Though it is also worth noting that this man had, for all his life, pretended the choices were not his own. That circumstance simply arranged itself around him, beyond his power to change."

[losthunter]

"It must have been the catalyst situation." Hunter surmises.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Murder in cold blood, a bridge too far," Schön agrees.

[losthunter]

"For the first few weeks of my curse, I couldn't handle looking in mirrors... without letting my anger get the best of me." Sometimes he worries if that bad luck still will come for him, some day.

"I couldn't imagine what went through that character's head, talking to... himself."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Schön might be one to ask about the mystic implications of mirrors and their breakage. "There are those who catalogue the tropes of stories, laying out the tools with which such things are made in order to understand them. Such people call that circumstance a 'conversation with the devil.' Not a literal devil, necessarily, but someone who knows you--deeply, intimately, who knows all your wrongs and all your buttons. I have noticed some few conversations like that in life, as well."

[losthunter]

"It seems such a shame that the person that knows you most intimately is often compared to being the devil. Most people struggle so facing their wrongs. Their buttons. Their insecurities."

"Me, I worry that I still have bad karma."