Memory
Persons of the Dialogue
Director
Memorist
Student
1
"I want to forget, forget it all."
Director and Student exchanged a glance.
"But if you do, how will you earn a living?" asked Student.
Memorist looked at him for a long moment then sighed.
"Most people wish they could remember," said Student. "I'm afraid you won't get much sympathy."
"There are those who know what it means to wish to forget."
"Sure, bad things - but not everything. Why do you want to forget?"
"My memories have become a burden. I'm tired of the responsibility, the authority they bring."
"Why do you think they bring you authority, Memorist?" asked Director.
He shrugged. "For many people loss or lack of memory is frightening."
"Your authority is based on fear?" said Student.
"Oh, not entirely. My authority is based on accuracy, which happens to be frightening to some."
"Why do you think you can remember and the frightened ones can't?"
"I organize and index all of my experience. They likely don't."
"What if you want to change your organization, you indexing?"
"It takes great effort, but I have done this on occasion of learning something new and important that questions my previous mental arrangements."
"What if in the process you wreck your index, you jumble things?"
"Then I'm like most everybody else."
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Nick Pappas, pappasnick.typepad.com
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