Ageless nudges Louttit awake.
This is a heavy responsibility, says Ageless. I'm not up to it.
What, what? says Captain Louttit groggily.
Ageless shows him the poem. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Louttit starts reading.
When he gets to the shooting of the Albatross with the cross bow, he stops.
He opens a drawer to look for a notepad and pencil.
Ah! David's notebook. David's pencil.
You know it's David's. David has done that thing where you get a razor blade and scrape a small wedge of wood from the end of the pencil. Then you write your name on it. DAVID HUME.
Of course to do that, you need another pencil.
I'll make some notes, says Louttit.
While Louttit makes notes, Ageless passes the time thinking up ethical reasons for killing an Albatross which the crew think is lucky. To show it isn't? No, that would be barmy.
I've got it, says Louttit. It's tricky. The answer is this. The Ancient Mariner is God.
Why? asks Ageless.
No reason, says Captain Louttit.
No reason? says Ageless. Why are you writing notes then?
No no, I mean because he kills the Albatross for no reason, says Captain Louttit.
You may be onto something, says Ageless. But then who's the spirit who bideth by himself in ice and snow?
Huh? says Captain Louttit.
He loved the bird that loved the man who shot him with his bow, quotes Ageless.
Captain Louttit ponders.
They'll be three buddies, says Captain Louttit.
Ageless winks at Louttit. Louttit grins.
We've nailed it, says Ageless. I was worried about the ethical aspect, but you've got it sorted.
Yup, says Louttit. A complete Marine Philosophy with all the isms. Perspectivism, pragmatism, vitalism, historism, existentialism........
And an irrational God, says Ageless, looking through the window.
The night sky is streaked with black and grey and purple. A spot of golden light flares suddenly and disappears, for no apparent reason.
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