Reading: "Machines of the Occultus" from the novel 'The Graft of Shadows' (A.Glass 2019).

 

“Thank you very much for joining me tonight in this special discussion relating to Quantum Physics and the metaphysical. We have some very interesting guests who will be discussing at lengths the very topic that I have just mentioned. Before I present the guests for tonight's talk, first of all I will introduce myself. My name is Sam Carlos, I am a science writer for the online magazine 'Cynosure'...” The host walks to the center of the stage, as behind him are five seats positioned in a slightly lunated array in their crimson upholstery. “...What is Quantum Mechanics? We all see a tangible reality, this in turn correlates with what we know as classical physics. Yet, it is the invisible that is beyond our comprehension. And for this we, as human beings, grapple with the world that is beyond our sensory experiences and it may concur a metaphysical dilemma...” The host walks towards a chair which is angled in the direction of where the guests will be sitting. He sits down and lift his notes for the evening discussion. “...So, tonight joining us is Peter Chilton ...” A man in his early thirties, ill fitted jacket and pants, a dowdiness that seems appropriate to suite his studious mien. Enters the stage and walks towards the chair closer to the host. “...He is a Professor of Physics at the University of Southern California and a faculty scientist at Lawrence Berkeley's experimental laboratories...” The man sits, nodding his head, acknowledging the audience whilst they clap in an introductory manner. “...Our next guest is Margaret Stuttgart, a neuroscientist from the University of British Columbia, who has chaired many conferences and represents the Canadian Association for Neuroscience, she was also awarded in two thousand and thirteen a medal of commendation from the Canadian Government...” A woman in her late forties, short, wearing spectacles, her dress sense akin to the prior guest, Professor Chilton. Unstyled clothes, that despite the blowzy ensemble appears better fitted than the first guest. She sits, bowing graciously at the audience as they maintain their opening applaud. “...Professor Acklin Kristopher...” A middle aged man, balding and graying. Slightly more casually dressed, but neater and well presented than the other two guests, walks towards one of the two vacant chairs, sitting down next to Professor Stuttgart. “...He is a Professor of philosophy at Cambridge University in England, having a special interest in the metaphysical, whilst also known as, in his words a 'dissonant' skeptic. Professor Kristopher has appeared on many talk shows as a regular guest.” The crowds claps. “...And finally our last guest for tonight's presentation is Kyla Lillias, an author with her latest book titled ‘Spooky Mechanics of an Entangled World’, who also calls herself a Neuro-paranormal investigator. Please make her feel welcome.” Lillias enters the stage, wearing a dark purple mid length short with a half way split on the right side hem of the skirt, dark brown full length heeled boots and a cream colored blouse, cut slightly low between Lillias cleavage with a white padded bra beneath which isn't visible. Her dark brown hair has recently been cut, so that it sits loose just above her shoulders.

___

Reading:  "Machines of the Occultus" from the novel 'The Graft of Shadows'  (A.Glass 2019)