The network. The psychic energy network."
"Really?" ("Yeah! Yeah! Right! Right! Right!")
"Yes."
Rama, who wanted to see who else was on the net, hobbled out
to the living room where Sal and Al quietly sat.
"Are you on the net?" Rama asked them.
"Yes," replied Sal, who had always been adept at learning rules
to new games.
Rama looked at him suspiciously, when suddenly the phone rang.
It was Dana. Rama told her that she was on the net, seeing as
how she had called at so auspicious a moment. "So," he told her,
"it's me, you, Mark, and Sal..." He paused and said, "Sure, Mark
is on the net. He's quick like mercury. He's right there."
I realized it was less a network than it was Rama's net, but I
was happy because the man I had once been friends with was back.
I was also happy because my conflict-diffusing strategy seemed to
be working.
The following morning, I greeted Rama.
He squinted his eyes and looked away.
"Is anything the matter?" I asked.
"Oh, yes," he answered, haughtily. "I know all about it."
"About what? I thought we were friends."
"Oh, sure," he replied. "I know all about that part of you.
That's the part that wants to control me."
"Rama," I said, looking him squarely in the eye.
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