Dell's Journey

Chapter 43: Gradient's Speech, Part 2 of 2

The darkness, which Gradient controlled and brought

about at the slightest provocation, felt cold and stale.

The two detainees were becoming uncomfortable.

"Couldn't we have some light?" asked Dell, beginning

to imagine all the onlookers were devising some secret harm

for him and the Monster.

Gradient sighed and said,

"Really, Dell, do you think the presence or absence of

light makes any difference to our discussion? Do you need

some childish comfort which only bright daylight can give?

I thought you would understand by now that children's

bedtime fears are merely vestiges of an ancient past when

prowling wolves might creep into the cave and carry off a

human baby...but NOW!" He shouted, making a threatening

movement, "all of that is long past and you are quite safe

here...though...you are, I admit, somehow suspended hundreds of

meters above the ground – and certain death – in perfect

darkness."

All of a sudden Dell realized the awful rudeness of

the trick. Gradient was browbeating him for being afraid

of the dark, and on the other hand, was trying to scare him

with the dark and with heights. He realized something else

too and said sharply:

"You're trying to make us dull with sleep deprivation,

aren't you Mr. Gradient? That's why you keep turning the

lights on and off and waking us up and leaving us in the

dark – you're trying to weaken us!"

"Oh my!" exclaimed Gradient, looking both insulted and

disgusted, "You are further behind than I suspected.

Although I ought to ignore your accusations, I will explain

that the lights and their cycles are designed for the

explicit purpose of optimally nourishing the plants and

animals under our care. Those of us who are developed

enough to make modest sacrifices of comfort take it upon

ourselves to do so without grumbling."

He shook his head sadly.

"I am displeased and offended by your suspicion. Your

comfort, if you could only believe me, is of more concern

to me than perhaps even to you yourselves."

"What in the hell is that supposed to mean?" cried

Dell, suddenly overcome with weariness, frustration and

fear. "Our comfort is clearly not your concern or you

would not keep us against our will. I am sick to death of

your nonsense, so full of self-importance and yet so empty

of real meaning!"

A slight murmur rustled through the shadowy characters