ON A POST-IT AFFIXED TO THE UPPER MARGIN OF THE PAGE CONTAINING THE LAST CHAPTER
Just in case this journal somehow survives and I don't.
No, essences and rituals do not invalidate the scientific method. I am so sick and tired of those conspiracy theorists crawling out from under every rock. The mutability of the laws of nature themselves is again subject to scientific study. We have extended science not broken it.
Maybe this matters even if all is lost. I am no longer categorically ready to rule out an afterlife.
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THE NEXT REGULAR PAGE
Unknown man: Come in
A native. Around 60. Bearded. Was this a joint operation? Nobody had asked. Why? I felt revulsion against asking. I had enough problems. Tomorrow maybe. Making him wait would make things worse. I entered the tent.
Unknown man: Dr. Bruckner, nice to meet you, Mr. …
He did not need to go far down the list.
Unknown man: … have a seat. I’ll check blood pressure. Have you taken your medication today?
They had my medical records. Damn the state of emergency. I discovered a novel appreciation for the protection of civil rights within myself.
P: Yes. I feel fine with it. - No use pretending. Do not make it worse. But a little spin might help.
Dr. B(formerly unknown man): As usual?
P: Yes, for more than a decade now.
He kept pumping. Hesitated .
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
Dr. B: 145/95 acceptable under the circumstances.
P: You are still measuring? Aren’t you one of the special doctors?
Dr. B: Special? Magical you mean. You may say it. I won’t transfer you to the psychiatric department for saying it. I got my degree the old-fashioned way. I still feel I should draw your blood, even though I can see what’s wrong with it. They inducted me two years ago, when it became possible.
I liked this man. He had my sense of humor. And he was presumably covered by medical confidentiality. That was even better.
P: So you can only diagnose?
Dr. B: No, no, no. It is a joy. I could heal a brain tumor, cardiac arrest. Last week I fixed somebody’s spine.
P: That … That is mighty impressive
I struggled to control myself. Two years ago. So close. That meant ...
Dr. B: We cannot guarantee the supply of your medication. In your case I’ll have to call in Dr. Kowalski for the ritual. And before you ask, as you seem to be interested in that stuff, the problem with you is that your condition is so ancient and you have been knowing about it all the time.
Dr. B: (louder and facing the doorway) Dr. Kowalski could you do the full ritual here?
P: What do you mean by not guaranteeing the supply? - I was alarmed
I was distracted. The implications ...
Dr. Kowalski, as identified by his badge, entered the room and raised his hand.
Dr. B: You saw his file?
Dr. K: Sure, this’ll drain me, but let’s get it done.
A green ritual diagram formed under me. A pain like a bad case of a sprained limb combined with a piercing toothache went to my whole body and interrupted my thoughts. It went on for minutes. Not really recommended.
Dr. K: Sorry about that. Regular painkillers wouldn’t work and general anesthesia would be overkill. You will no longer need that medication. Everything’s fixed. You are as healthy as a man of your age can be. Bernhard, time for a coffee and some good stuff?
Dr. B: Sure.
I am socially awkward, but I get the more obvious hints.
P: Thank you gentlemen. It has been very impressive and an extreme pleasure meeting you.
I was shaken. Healthy people do not understand the extent to which medication is on your mind, if you really need it every day. These people were salvation and saved so many people. If only magic had come a year earlier ...