Modes Of Perception

Gaius and Arthur are by the pool, out the back.

It is dark and the water is still.

I'm not sure how we do this, says Gaius.

Hold one end, drop it in, and swish it, says Arthur. 

Swish it? says Gaius. As in ... how?

If I jump in, says Arthur, it'll be easy.

He takes off his trainers and tee shirt, and jumps in.

From this position it should be easy to swish it.

Gaius holds onto one end of the stained duvet cover.

Arthur swishes.

The pink stain dissipates into the water.

The water which had been a shade of pool-blue, becomes slightly purple.

But at night you can't see it.

.....

In the self-catering area, Sweezus and Kant are sitting at a white kitchen table.

They have eaten half of the chocolates.

And are on their second glass of wine.

Sweezus is recording the interview on his phone.

Time and space are not things in themselves, says Kant.

Well, yeah, says Sweezus. So what are they?. 

They are modes of perception, says Kant.

Heavy, says Sweezus. 

Do you see what I'm getting at? asks Kant.

Yeah, modes of perception, says Sweezus. 

Exactly, says Kant.

He takes a chocolate. It's a peppermint cream.

Sweezus can smell it.

.....

But what of Terence?. 

What of that ghostly hand?

The ghostly hand is part of a ghostly person. An old grey man in formal grey clothes. 

Which boy are you? asks the ghostly old person.

Terence, says Terence.

Are you a new boy? asks the ghostly old person. 

I threw up, says Terence.

Then why aren't you in the infirmary? asks the ghostly old person.

Where is it? asks Terence.

Round the back, says the ghostly old person. I shall take you there.

He grips Terence firmly by the shoulder.

You are a hard boy, says the ghostly old person. 

Because I'm made of cement, says Terence.

The ghostly old person taps Terence's curls with a ghostly old finger.

Cement. Yes. Has he made a foolish mistake?

Will he continue to march the boy round to the infirmary?

Much depends on his decision.

If he does he will see Arthur arise from the pool draped in an off-white duvet cover.

If he doesn't, he won't.