Medicine Mask

Sketch, Dec 1960

By James Wickliff, Published on 01/01/60

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Medicine Mask

Medicine Mask Iowa State University Copyright c 1960 by the authors. Sketch is produced by The Berkeley Electronic Press (bepress). http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/sketch - 1960 Preliminaries accomplished, Dr. Jensen stepped for­ ward, turned the machine on and then inserted the white tape into the small slot. Silently the machine digested the four-word question and then began its work. A loud hum startled viewers, but the scientists nodded knowingly to one another. Unconcerned, Dr. Jensen reached forward to press the anti-loop control, but stepped back in amazement as the machine reversed itself. The silence continued, scientists eyed their watches; way beyond the usual ten or fifteen thousand millisecond range, still the silence continued. Noisily the printer began chattering to itself. Quickly Dr. Jensen tore the yellow answer tape from its roll, mentally translating the answer to himself. "There was no god/' . . . his knees were firm, his mind was blank, yet his eyes con­ tinued, "but there is one now/' He stood woodenly, his back to the cameras. Quickly his disbelieving mind reread the in­ comprehensible reply. Suddenly his steel grey eyes lifted to face his machine and with a sudden urgency he reached for­ ward to press the red emergency stop control. All the audience saw was a large blue arc which jumped from the PRODIGY and left Dr. Jensen's body lying on the white tile floor. A second spark flashed on the yellow answer tape which began to burn. Finally the small flame flickered and then died as mankind crossed itself and waited. Milo Schield, Sci. & H. Soph, tfledicihe ftlajk This grotesque and twisted plaque Hangs upon the wall Of carved and painted wood Serving no seeming good. Dust always seems to collect In folds too hard to clean, And cobwebs often add A certain aging sheen. The Direction Knowing the direction from before W h e n , with sincere callousness, Those who loved me turned me away, Does not help now. I look back with hunger, Longing to be with their love and laughter — T o hold them close. Resolved in independence I strive, I strain, I stall. I fan thick volumes A n d t h u m b precious pages For help. Yet I cannot hide from those around me — T h e accusing stares, T h e bony fingers yet point T h e direction. (...truncated)


This is a preview of a remote PDF: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2675&context=sketch

James Wickliff. Medicine Mask, Sketch, 1960, Volume 26, Issue 3,