JOEL OPENED THE tunnel. His nerves jangled at every step. Every move from point to point down the digital warren of rabbit-holes to get to Hopes.’ In his mind he composed a message. Then he rejected it. Then he composed another.

He got to the infranet and finally he reached the gateway of Hopes.’

As soon as he connected to the unwelcoming ‘Welcome’ page, the annoying clown popped up.

“Data is noise.” He grinned.

Oh, joy, Joel thought, impatient, The whole ‘Things can change, I can change, Be the change’ bullshit isn’t enough now. Now we have to do the fucking articles of their foil-hat faith.

He bit his lip as he said, “Understanding tunes it.” He hoped that would be all. But no.

The clown said, “Information is powerless.”

Joel resisted a groan as he said, “Understanding sharpens it.”

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He was ready for the next part, “Knowledge is in darkness.”

And wearily he replied, “Understanding lights it.”

Then, he and the clown said together, “Wisdom is peace.”

The clown smiled, and paused. Then, “What do you seeking in Hopes’?”

“Somebody left a message for me.”

The clown nodded.

Joel started, “She,” the clown frowned and raised a pointing finger. “They,” Joel said. The clown’s smile returned. Thinking he’d probably blown any chance he might have had of getting any help right there, he said, “I wanted to leave a message for…” he hesitated, “That user. Them. If that could be possible.” He seethed inside as the clown grinned at him.

“The visitor will be made aware at the first opportunity.”

“Do you… have you any idea when that might be? Have they…” He wanted to ask if she had been back since his last visit. Or since she left that message. Or anything. Anything at all.

The clown said, “The visitor will be made aware. Your wishes and intention will be communicated. At the first chance that arises.”

“Have you any idea, any clue when or if that chance would be,” He desperately wanted to know if they had any idea about her whereabouts. And he felt sure that they did. He was certain they knew more than they were telling him. But he wasn’t going to get any more out of them.

“Okay. I haven’t recorded a message. May I do that now?”

“They will know that you came. They will see that you were here. And how much you care. That much is evident. Is there something more important that you wished to communicate?”

There was, but Joel didn’t know how to say it.