Name of Names

-fucking hell with the names!

-don't blame the names, blame the people who misuse them.

-they can't very well abuse them if the people didn't snatch them up in the first place!

-you're angry.

-what was the point of pointing that out?! I know I'm angry, you know I'm angry, the only possible reason you would say those two words is if you're making a paltry attempt at some sort of pseudo-psychiatric form of empathy.

-which-

-which helps no one!

-it's taking your mind off the names.

(Silence)

-I will grant you that, but I hope you understand that saying such a thing reminds me of the names again.

-a temporary respite...

-is a bed for the night. Fine, fine. You've proven your intellectual and emotional superiority over me. May I tender my resignation now?

-you may not.

-I was being sarcastic. Or are you suggesting that's something else I have to work on?

-I suggest nothing.

-but note everything.

-I noted one thing.

-and I'm working on that. I've hardly swore today.

-there are finer measurements than 'hardly'.

-and there are finer ways to make your point.

-and I'll drink to that fine turning of a phrase.

-you make a point of growing a mouth and I'll believe you.

-I've heard you distilled a fine spirit in your day.

-I'd argue that it's still my day.

-and I'd argue to let days end in their own good time.

-I'm not the one holding up the sun, am I? I am demurely observing the clock of the stars set in motion by our well-dressed neighbour, trying in my own particular idiom to keep the labels affixed to all the little mongrels running around until that very night comes.

-'mongrels', though?

-oh, just another name among the names.

-we're to be delicate with these names. Like pigs sniffing for truffles-

-what a comparison! I understand the desire to be humble, or even the need to not get too high-headed about these sorts of things, but I cry foul that we're not much different then creatures that wallow around in their own excrement.

-pigs are actually very intelligent animals.

-truth be told, I expected a nobler defence than that from you.

-well-

-wait-

-let's keep track-

-of course-

-and-

-oh-

-yes-

-I-

-do you-

-see it, yes. But I never thought it would ever look quite like that.

-sometimes under alternating variants the lighting arrangements can take on a less pleasing form.

-I don't find it any less pleasing.

-there's no reason to placate its ego. An honest opinion would be more beneficial.

-I'm being honest. I care not a whit for its feelings. It's difference for the sake of difference as far as I'm concerned.

-so I can trust you with taking the lead in this corrective enterprise?

-'corrective'? Since when were we tasked with being anything more than observant and reportable?

-since the moment I asked you if I can trust you with taking the lead in this corrective enterprise.

-thank you for your offer, but before I consider, I would like some clarification as to this change in our job description.

-just sense the path and as long as it feels right.

-please don't dump that spiritual drivel in my head. We're flattening bosons, not going through a mid-life crisis.

-as some words have said in the comparatively recent memory, it can be two things.

-I never would have thought you to quote something so untested to the sands of time.

-my use is part of its test. But we are digressing at an accelerating pace. I hope you will be able to play my role in the following activity of monitoring the movements from point A to point B.

-since when was point B any of our business?

-since the moment I said so.

-I detect a slight temper.

-your detection of such emotions are off.

-that's as close as I've ever heard to you swearing.

-but if you are afraid of the responsibility of point B-

-And that's the closest I've heard to you insulting me. You think I can't handle responsibility now? And regarding point B, of all places?

-I've told you time and time again to unshackle your mind regarding primitive hierarchies. Names of points are just to illustrate difference, not suggest a difference in value or importance.

-don't lecture me on the values of point B! Not when we're supposed to concentrate our quantum-like focus on point A!

-there are two of us, and there are two points.

-not yet there isn't!

-I'm not going to debate the math with you.

-then debate the time!

-you must-

-wait-

-what-

-is that-

-no-

-just-

-wait-

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-you there?

-*

-I'm asking again. Are you there?

-*

-I detect a faint frequency. Are you there?

-I-

-yes?

-I am here.

-well thank fuck for that. And let me remind you it's now been several eons since I last swore.

-consider me reminded. What happened?

-there was a low rumble, a quaking in the essence around us, then a flash of light...

-and after that?

-when the flash ended I was clutching my awareness in the event called pain, and when I was able to sense again, you were just lying here, and I came over and started shaking you in the electrochemical sense, and you finally responded. That is the beginning, middle, and end of what happened.

-a flash of light...

-yes. Does that...suggest anything to you?

-perhaps...have you checked the database?

-all the systems are functioning normally.

-I mean, go through the database.

-line by line?!

-yes, but you only have to check the first few names to see if anything is awry.

-well there's...

-yes?

-the names don't match. This one...and this one...and...

-it was the light. There was a surge.

-we can't proceed if the database is corrupted.

-it's not exactly corrupted.

-the names of the names are moving of their own volition!

-yet like you said, all systems are functioning normally.

-but at any moment contradictory nomenclature could use a chain reaction of misattribution and bring the whole thing into itself in a big crunch!

-sometimes that's what functioning normally will look like.

-so we just wait here until the inevitable failure that's built into the system? Until the labelling system turns malignant?

-that's the nature of the experiment. You can learn more from a mistake than a success.

-those that make this particular mistake never will.

-there are times to have a hint of sympathy for the subjects. Now is not one of those times.

-you seem to be at peace about it.

-in one sense, yes. In another...fucking hell with the names, indeed.

END