Philosophical Determinism

Arthur finds himself faced with a moral dilemma. Should he whisk Ageless away, and save him from the lobster cutlery, or let him learn Spinoza's lesson of determinism?

He hesitates. No one else is acting. Why should he?

Meanwhile Gaius is looking hard at the lobster cutlery.

That's very unusual lobster cutlery, he says.

Lobster cutlery? says Baruch Spinoza. Whatever do you mean? This is my lens grinding equipment. I bring it with me everywhere I go.

You're a lens grinder? says The Velodrone. How fascinating. Let me see.

Certainly. This is the coarse grinding positioner, and this is the fine grinding positioner, says Baruch, proudly displaying his equipment. This is the rotating platter and down here is the spindle motor.

Ingenious, says David. And we thought it was lobster cutlery. That is droll. What do you think, Ageless?

Very droll, says Ageless. Is this how you teach the lesson of determinism, Mister Philosopher?

He snaps a claw aggressively at Baruch.

To be honest, I had forgotten all about it, says Baruch.

Ageless is disgusted.

Lens grinding is a noble occupation, says The VeloDrone. We all need lenses for our telescopes and things.

Noble, yes, says Baruch, but the fine glass gets into the lungs and makes you cough.

Just thinking of it makes him cough.

Cough! Cough!

That'll be the curse, says Arthur. Making you cough.

Yes, says Baruch. I'm not sorry I wrote my theorems and propositions about god and nature, but I have paid a heavy price.

Did you ever consider using a false name? asks The VeloDrone.

For god, or nature? asks Baruch.

Ageless! says Arthur, suddenly.

Yes, that would have been a wonderful false name, agrees The VeloDrone.

But Arthur is not participating in the word game.

He is watching Ageless climb up the side of the spindle motor to the rotating platter of the grinder. Now he reaches precariously for the coarse grinding positioner. Now begins a dreadful buzzing sound.....