© 2000, Bruce A. Martin

(After Gravel)

Ari explains (to Alan) that a group of fanatics known as "The Torch" (of Islam) has been trying to use advanced technology (and plans) stolen from the Peep time capsule to alter the environment and bring about changes that will result in "The Tenth Day" -- transformation of the planet into a water world (and, destroying all land creatures).

Ari has already described the thefts (Jap. paid, carried out by Jihadists), and the splitoff of the fanatic group known as "Torch". He also explains the origin of their "Tenth Day" beliefs, which are actually based upon Peep scroll writings

Notes: - "Tenth Day" beliefs were introduced earlier in the book. - These beliefs are (somewhat) shared by some Christian fanatics (awaiting the "rapture"), by ancient cults (Egyptian Amon Ra cults, Gnostics, and others), and even by some Jewish mystics (e.g. fans of Cabala, Tsevat numerology, etc.). - In addition, there are some cults/groups that diametrically oppose the Tenth Day movement, including Druids and Zoroastrians.

[Ari must leave.  Yossi takes over.]

[Alan makes dismissive/dispatraging remarks (about 10th Day, etc.)]

Yossi (wincing): "Alan, Alan, Alan.  You're being too logical[reasonable?]."

Alan:  What the Hell does that mean? Why should I waste my time on ...

Yossi [interrupting]: Just shut up and listen!
And shut off your [?? brain/logic-circuitry].
You're being too logical.

Alan:  But ...

Yossi:	You don't think I really believe this stuff, do you?

Alan:	I should hope not.  But I was starting to think that ...

Yossi:	Don't think!

As Alan opens his mouth, Yossi shoves a pretzel into it with one hand,
and sharply points his finger between Alan's widening eyes,
almost but not quite poking him on the bridge of his nose.
Involuntarily, Alan bites down on the pretzel.
Without realizing it, Alan begins to chew.

Yossi says, "Sheget!"

Alan says, "Sheget?"

Yossi points again, and stares him down.

Alan, stunned, says nothing.
He swallows, crunches the pretzel, and continues chewing slowly,
without realizing it.

Alan, again starts to speak.
Yossi stares him down, and Alan remains silent.

Yossi asks, "you don't speak Hebrew, but you know understood 'Sheget'.
No, don't answer, just nod."

Alan nods his head up and down for "yes" but does not try to speak again.

"Sheget, OK."

Alan nods again.

"Make like a binary computer.  Just nod yes or no.  Agreed?

Alan nods.

"There is a reason for this.  Trust me.
(No forget I said that.  I never trust someone who says that.)
Just go along with me.  There is a reason for what I'm doing.
I have to get you to stop thinking."

Alan reacts.

"No, don't do that.  Stop thinking.  Stop analyzing.
Never mind the words.  Forget the semantics.  Just try 
to absorb the point of what I'm about to tell you, without
letting the language and the logic get in the way.  

Alan just stares, still puzzled.

"Relax, Alan.  If I promise I won't poke you in the eye,
will you try to relax?  Do me a favor and take a breath,
before you answer."

Alan takes a breath.  He starts to open his mouth,
then apparently thinks better of it.  He leans back 
into the chair, almost as if he is first realizing that 
it is there.  Another breath, then he smiles and nods.

Yossi continues, "OK, now we begin.  Just follow where I'm
trying to lead you.  And don't about the words,
don't worry about precision."

Yossi ignores Alan's slight frown, and continues, 
"Look, Alan, if you wish, you may think of this as just
a psychological  experiment.  After it is over, you may
decide it was pointless and silly.  Just go along, for now.
It may be more important than you realize, but for now just
DON'T THINK.  To understand what you need to understand,
just 

Alan shrugs, then nods.

"Make believe you are floating on your back in a warm pool 
and just soaking in the sun.

Alan smiles again, and leans back further.

"Good.  But do not think about the sun.
Erase from your mind everything you know about astronomy,
fusion, neutrinos, ...
You don't know why or how it the Sun works.
More importantly, you never even thought about knowing.

Alan frowns slightly.

"It's just there.  Inshallah."

A slightly quizzical expression appears on Alan's face.

"You know the word, Alan.  But you don't understand the concept.
The sun is ... just there.  That's how it is.
There is no further understanding.  Everything just IS."

Yossi waits while Alan digests this nuance.

"To understand the concept, Alan, you must put aside
so many things that you know, so many things that are
automatically in your mind.  Just clear the slate,
start with no assumptions - and no knowledge."

Y waits again.  "You do need to learn something here.
But to learn the new, you must first unlearn - at least
temporarily.  Just be an infant, a sponge for knowledge,
but for the moment an empty sponge."

Yossi waits a moment.  "Now, regard the sun for what it is to 
you - but no more.  Things exist.  That's all you need to know.