Conditional Reality

The giant was completely covered with tattoos. We found his body washed up on our island’s shore while scavanging for clams one morning. Following ancient practice, we skinned the giant and cut his hide into pieces, then rigged a ship with those pieces. We set sail the next day. That evening, as the waves tossed our craft in the darkness, we were inundated with dreams of life as a giant. Our feet crushed the Earth. Our hands eclipsed the sun. Our brains looped endlessly with tales of massive meals. We awoke sobered and disoriented. We tactfully avoided all neighboring islands.

Doublechin Flashbulb stood next to her cross cut paper shredder on the sidewalk. She offered a dollar bill to everyone who passed by. Most declined Doublechin’s gift, many with a decidedly frightened look. When someone accepted, Doublechin indicated the paper shredder with a long sweep of her hand. Her meaning was clear. People stood holding the dollar bill. They looked at the shredder, then back at the bill. In the end, most of them shredded the money. They thanked Doublechin for the unexpected pleasure it gave them. Those that chose to keep the dollar also chose to remain completely silent.