For Mitch and John,
Because of what you said yesterday.
And to that little yapping dog that ran up to me on the beach last night,
Because he was a little devil.

(unedited)

---Dogs bark at me because I am beautiful.
-----Oh?
---They say "Hau hau hau how are you so beautiful?" and I tell them "It's because I'm wearing my eyes!"
-----Why did they bark at you before?
---Probably because of my fear.
-----I see.
---But now I've put my eyes back in, I've set them right and softened them and now I am beautiful and can see it.
-----Where were they before?
---The gargoyles were using them.
-----…the… Gorgons?
---Dunno, it's so hard to keep track of where I leave them.
-----And now?
---Now I'm smiling because my eyes are soft and wide and can take it all in properly. And let it all out.
-----…
---There are two of them!
-----Yes. You're catching on.
---…
-----…
---…
-----You came to China to kill yourself, didn't you?
---Yes.
-----Are you doing a good job of it?
---Egos die hard, but I'm making a valiant effort.
-----Did you think it would be different if you accompanied yourself to some other place?
---I wanted to do this alone-- it's easier when no one is watching.
-----Then why do you persist in reaching out?
---Because I love them.
-----Oh? How can you tell?
---Because they inspire me.
-----So you would remove yourself from their lives?
---I'm still right here!
-----And those who communicate by touch?
---My body?!
-----It's not irrelevant!
---Yes, you're right.
-----Sssshhh.
---Hmm?
-----Shhhh—the waves.
---I'm right here with my body. I can rejoice in myself!
-----Ssssh! Enough about your body. It's irrelevant.
---Yes… you're right.
-----Stop agreeing with me!
---I'm sorry.
-----Don't apologize!
---I'm-- I… but I'm the speaker and you're the listener!
-----Now that you put your eyes back in, it's about time!
---Time for what?
-----Time for all of it.
---I've always known all of this.
-----You've always been presumptuous, yes.
---I've been this surface all the while and they just put dents in me and shape me.
-----Who, now?
---All of them.
-----You're losing it.
---Not fast enough!
-----Why are there storms?
---Huh?
-----They ask you to speak on storms.
---Mm… storms just are-- that is the nature of things.
-----Explain storms or I'll kill your guru ass!
---Uh! Storms are to bring about change with their chaos.
-----Evasion!!!
---Storms are… to give the calm something to live for.
-----There can be calm without squalls.
---Hm, how would you know? Can you know happiness without contrast?
-----Tell me the real reason.
---There are no reasons. They just happen and you can't control them and that is the way of things.
-----Do you fear windlessness?
---Hah, that would never happen!
-----Some days there is no wind.
---No-- all days I create and live my own wind with my breath.
-----Ah, this is wise-- let out your storm in small gusts.
---You are also very wise, but we know nothing.
-----We know the right questions to ask.
---Oh?
-----What would you ask of me?
---What do you want from me?
-----Show me how to use your eyes.
---Here, just here, take this, there are two of them.
-----They're not barking at you, you know.
---What?
-----The dogs. They're not barking at you. It's me they've sensed this whole time.