Images 009

FP—011

Notes

1 There is a common motif in Russian folk tales, where a knight comes to a fork in the road with an inscription: “If you ride to the left, you will lose your horse, if you ride to the right, you will lose your head”.

2 In Western folk mythology, a forking path can be used to summon a demon in order to broker a supernatural deal.

3 A “T junction” is when two arms form one road; a “Y junction” is when a fork is approached from the stem of the Y.

Chapter (9)
~ This or That Path


Us has to push harder. Us needs to fiercely block thoughts about “fate” and “luck” and keep sharp. It feels distinctly like the choice between two paths. “Drive her right side! She can’t hit it there! Only one more time!” Us hits it with full power. The result is clear and and the coliseum erupts with the noise due to a home town winner.

Us falls on both knees, clenches hands into tight fists and begins to cry. Us feels no pain, just transcendental joy.

After a very short time Us is surrounded by reporters. Us ignores them at first and asks for water. The questions are answered automatically (humble sentences peppered with specific points about strategy). Us loves the feeling of proof, of winning — seeing it reflected in everybody’s eyes. Us is ravished by exertion and this unique satisfaction.

One of the reporters has a patch on their shirt which Us thinks looks like a Japanese mask with gold braids and buttons for eyes. Us pauses absently not able to make sense of it and asks the man to repeat the question.

“Are you going to go for the record? You would have to beat _____.” Us doesn’t have an answer but continues on with other questions.