//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: A Give And Take Relationship // Story: To Cure Insanity Please Insert MORE Ponies // by No One and Nobody //------------------------------// Chapter 5: A Give And Take Relationship Clark awoke to the family rooster crowing outside his window and rolled over to see a full-sized Rainbow Dash still snoring on a cloud next to his bed. He sighed as he remembered how they'd both grown to their full size after he'd agreed to give them and their friends a chance last night. However, as he lay there watching the blue pegasus slowly breathing in and out, he felt his initial skepticism of the morning shift a little. There was definitely something about how her feistiness left her while she lay there dreaming, that couldn't help but get Clark to smile. So, making sure to be quiet, he floated out of bed and hovered there considering how to silently make his bed. With a slight creak the door to his room opened and he turned to see Applejack standing there. Raising a finger to his lips he nodded to his left to indicate Rainbow was still sleeping. However, AJ merely rolled her eyes, took a deep breath and then gave a rather exaggerated, "AHEM!" Like a bolt from the blue Rainbow came full awake, back-flipped off her cloud (kicking it into nothingness behind her) and landed next to AJ in the doorway with a grin to her friend. AJ snorted and looked back at Clark, "Don't forget to make your bed. We're meeting in the living room to discuss what we're doin' next." As Clark exited his room, he saw his parents sitting on the couch, one of Twilight's parents either side of them. Sitting across the coffee table from them he looked around the small room to see Applejack in the chair next to him while Rainbow drifted on another cloud, and a score or more of smaller muzzles peered out of the cardboard box which sat on another chair to his right. On the coffee table lay a detailed map, artfully drawn in crayon with a short list on top and Pinkie Pie standing next to it wearing some sort of frilly general outfit. "Morning Clark, did you sleep well?" Asked his Mother. "Like a rock, Mom," answered Clark, smiling, then he looked down at the map and list, "Have they already laid out their plan?" "Nope," replied his father, "That pink one just whipped this up right before you got out here, couldn't have taken her more than a few seconds." Clark leaned forward and glanced over the small list. "Which one of you is 'Rarity'?" He asked, looking towards the cardboard box. "Hello," Called out a feminine voice, and he looked over to see a small white unicorn standing on the couch between his parents, "Good morning Mr. Superman, I am Rarity. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Clark stared disbelievingly from the immaculately coiffed, ladylike pony to the list in front of him. "I know what you're thinking darling," Cut in Rarity, smiling, "But Pinkie told me which one of your miscreants I'd be dealing with beforehoof, and I'll have you know, I've handled rougher scoundrels than him." Clark ran his right hand over his face, down to his chin where he rested it, before glancing over at Rainbow and Applejack. Both of them were leaning forward, practically ready to fall out of their chair and cloud respectively. At last, he returned his gaze to the little white figurine, inhaled and asked, "Do you possess some highly dangerous power that could potentially injure the citizens of Metropolis or be turned against me?" Rarity laughed, "Not unless you consider creating fashion catastrophes 'highly dangerous'. I'm afraid I do not have the power of my friend Twilight or the strength of Rainbow or Applejack." "Don't let 'er fool ya though," Interrupted Applejack, "She can hold her own just as well as any of us." "Yeah!" "I'm asking because the 'rapscallion' you want her to face poses more danger to her the more danger she poses to us." "You worry too much Supey," Said Pinkie Pie, "Stop stalling and make with the up, up and awaaayyyyy!" "Very well. But I'm keeping an eye on her at all times." "I must say, the crimson and royal blue look absolutely fabulous," said Rarity, as Clark reemerged from his room, now dressed as Metropolis's protector. "Here, take this," said Martha, handing Clark a small, red cloth, drawstring bag, "It has fabric separators to keep them from getting bumped around so much." "You think of everything Mom," he said, kissing her on the cheek as he picked up Rarity, Pinkie Pie and his two other pony friends, who had both shrunken down so he could carry them. "Let us know how things go," They called out, as he and the small bag of ponies took off towards Metropolis. Professor Hamilton had taken the miniature ponies decidedly well. Though he seemed as cautious to trust their capabilities as Superman, he was definitely fascinated by their magic-based biology and the possibilities they presented him with. After a great deal of convincing from them, as well as a brief remark from Superman that he would be watching over them Hamilton led the group through the Star Labs security door into his lab and down a hallway to another large steel door with a glass port in it. From the other side of the door they could hear the random sounds of a TV skipping through channels along with a long, high-pitched yawn and groan. Hamilton knocked on the door and the TV switched off with a click. "Hey, what's up doc?" Came a cheery voice from the other side of the door and a violet face appear looking out through the glass. The figure noticed Superman and leered, "Hey there Supes, no hard feelings about last time I took you out to lunch?" Superman didn't even flinch as Rudy Jones looked at him, almost attempting to drink his power through the door. "Rudy," Said Professor Hamilton, regaining his attention, "Superman may have found a way to help you." "Help me? What are you talking about? I've got everything I need right here. Free TV, no responsibilities, and if I ever get out of here, one super smorgasbord waiting for me." "But you're not happy, are you Rudy..." said Superman, stepping forward. "Enough with the sappy 'go straight' nonsense." muttered Rudy, using his right hand to imitate a yammering mouth, "No one cared about me till I became what I am today. I ain't giving this up and you can't make me." There was a gentle feminine cough from somewhere and both Superman and Hamilton gave each other nervous looks. "Rudy-" Superman started to say, but was cut off by another cough, more firm this time. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" Asked Professor Hamilton, giving the Man of Steel a questioning look. "Hey, you two are up to something!" interjected Rudy, who had begun to notice their uncomfortable looks. "I agreed to this," responded Superman to his friend, "I just really hope they know what they're doing..." "Very well then," said Hamilton, opening the door to a small cavity between the corridor and Rudy's cell. "Careful Professor!" Said Superman. "Don't worry, Superman. The transfer box is designed to only allow one door open at a time. Rudy can't do is anything till I close my end. Now may I see... uh 'it'?" There was a quiet harumph sound as Superman passed Hamilton something enclosed in his hand. Rudy was doing his best to look through the small window to see what was going on at this point. "Seriously guys? What is it?" Professor Hamilton placed some small object into the transfer box, closed the door and stepped back. A short, pregnant silence from the other side of the door ended in a snickering guffaw as Rudy lifted the little white unicorn toy up to the glass. "This was what you guys are all worked up about? I'm touched. But seriously, how old do you think I am? Four?" "What are we supposed to do next, Superman?" Asked Professor Hamilton, ignoring Rudy. "We just leave them." With that the two figures walked away, leaving the confused cell's occupant trying to stare after them through his small window. When they'd gone, Rudy set the small figurine on the lip of the window to his cell and bounced it around, saying in a mocking tone of voice, "I'm Superman, and I'm going to give my enemies little kiddie toys. What a chump." With a flick Rudy sent the plastic toy flying into the corner of his cell as he lay back down on his cot and continued flicking through the channels on TV. What he failed to notice, was the blue glow surrounding the figurine as its descent slowed, or the lifelike way the toy arched its back, flipping to land gracefully first on its rear and then front hooves. After landing, Rarity turned to look at her new cell mate. Oh. It. Is. ON! Rudy was bored. He was correct in his assertion that he had everything he could want. He got three square meals a day, full TV privileges, and nothing was expected of him expect that he stay put. But he had scanned through all the TV channels more times than he wished to count, and his otherwise comfortable bed was getting ever more uncomfortable the more time he spent laying on it. It had been this way for months now, since Superman last locked him back up. Every day was the same: wake up, eat, lay around and wish for something to do, eat lunch, lay around and wish for something to do, eat dinner, and go to bed. His act that he didn’t care he was locked in here was just that, an act, and now he was really beginning to wish he could figure out some way to escape. But unfortunately, all his previous escapes had been based around someone on the outside making a mistake and getting too close to him. “Excuse me young man.” The voice, coming from inside his cell, took a second for him to register. He spun around, looking for where the voice had come from but no one was there. “What the...” He started to say, but was interrupted by the voice. “Ehem, down here.” Rudy’s gaze drifted down to the floor and the tiny, white unicorn who stood there, addressing him like he was a child. He couldn’t help but straighten up in shock (and maybe a little apprehension) at the strange situation. He blinked and rubbed his eyes as he stared at the cell’s new occupant, not believing what he was seeing. “Great, I’m so bored, I’m starting to see things.” He muttered to himself, turning his attention back to the TV screen. “It’s not polite to treat people like they don’t exist,” she continued. “Whatever,” he responded, not even bothering to look away from the screen. “Especially-” Rudy felt a strange sensation moving over his body, like refreshing water and mint, out of the corner of his eye he could see a blue glow radiating around his body and he found himself sitting up on his cot and getting to his feet, “When they are a lady.” The glow faded and he found himself standing, looking down at the now unmistakably real talking pony figurine. “What the- How did you?” “My magic may not be as potent as Twilight’s but I am still not one to be trifled with,” she continued. Rudy’s expression quickly shifted from one of shock to greedy interest and, getting down on one knee, he attempted to butter up the mare. “Oh, um... pardon me... ma’am? I don’t know what came over me.” She didn’t seem to pay any attention to his outstretched hand as he picked her up a waited for the sensation of rushing power. But nothing happened. Rudy’s expression changed to angry consternation as he held the plastic pony in his left hand and tapped her mane with his right index finger. Shaking his head, Rudy hit the power button on the TV remote and muttered something about ‘too much TV’. That said, this time, he placed the toy on the edge of his cot instead of leaving it on the floor. “That’s a bit more like it,” she continued. Like a striking snake he snatched her up again and stared at her. “Am I hearing things or are you actually talking to me?” “Is that what you are truly curious about, or are you instead confused why you can’t drain me of my magic?” She responded as he held her small plastic form in his fingers. Rudy rolled his eyes and grunted, “So you know about that then?” “I should hope so,” she answered, giving him an ignominious look, “Walking into some unknown ruffian’s cell and not knowing what they’re capable of, what kind of foal do you take me for?” “Well, can’t blame a guy for trying,” chuckled Rudy. “Taking that which doesn’t belong to you? I most certainly can,” for some reason, Rudy felt like wincing, almost as though his mother was scolding him. “And the reason you can’t take my powers is because I am made of plastic and not a living pony... yet.” “What do you mean, ‘yet’?” Asked Rudy. “Well, it is my mission to teach you about friendship and as you learn so I grow, hopefully, into an actual friend.” Rudy’s beady eyes squinted at her. “So all I have to do to get your power is make friends with you? Sounds simple enough.” The toy gave him a fixed, half-lidded, stare as though he was being unbelievably thick. “Not with that attitude young man. Friendship isn’t something you exploit, it’s something both parties benefit from.” “Yeah, that’s not going to happen,” continued Rudy, rolling his eyes and looking away, “I ain’t got time for friendship nonsense.” “Ugghhh, how can you say that?!” The pony sputtered, “I see you in here, bored and lonely. Some one like you needs a friend and- would you look at me when I’m talking to you.” Rudy felt the magic grip his face, but this time he was prepared. The blue glow faded, and the pony let out an involuntary gasp as he absorbed the magic surrounding him like a sponge. Turning back to look at the pony, he gloated, “I don’t need any friendship, and I don’t need to pay attention to anyone. And you know why? Because I’m the Parasite. I take what I want, when I want it, because I can. And if you think a little plastic pony is going to convince me otherwise, guess what? I don’t care. And you can’t make me!” The pony looked noticeably drained and taken aback, but she still had the wherewithal to raise one hoof towards the small camera in the corner of the room to show she was OK. Her fiery gaze refocused on the hapless villain as she gently informed him, “I tried to be polite, but since you have made it quite clear that you are nothing but a stubborn brute, I’m afraid I must resort to drastic measures. You have brought this upon yourself, young man.” With that she turned her head towards the camera and her horn lit up. Whatever she had been about to do, however, was cut short as Rudy focused on her glowing blue horn and made the connection. Reaching out a hand, he gripped her and her glowing horn. She stiffened and let out a shrill scream as the glow around her horn faded to be replaced with a blue glow around Parasite’s hands! “YEAH BABY!” Yelled Rudy as the white mare flopped over in a dramatic faint in his left hand while he checked out the magic in his right, “So this is what magic tastes like. Looks like we might become closer friends than you thought.” Rudy looked up from leering at Rarity and saw Superman outside the door wearing his lead-lined protective suit. It couldn’t have been but a few seconds since he had taken Rarity’s powers and he sure wasn’t going to let them take this opportunity away from him now. He just had to figure out some way to escape with his new powers. “Ta-ta darling,” said Rudy, waving through the window and, in a flash of blue light, he vanished from the room. “This is terrible!” said Hamilton, coming into the empty room after Superman and adjusting his glasses, “What have we done?” “Ta-ta darling?” said Superman, quoting Rudy’s last words, and giving the professor a raised eyebrow. In a flash of blue light, the Parasite appeared below Metropolis in one of the sewer lines. He shook his head and looked around, a little surprised. “Wow, not very potent magic my foot. You and I are going places Rarity.” With that he started strutting down the pipe, water sloshing around him as he tried to find an exit to the world that waited above him just waiting to be claimed. Suddenly his walk and happy thoughts came to a crashing halt. “Wait a second!” Rudy’s memory flashed back to him making his flashy and oh so fashionable escape, “What did I say?” ta-ta darling “I don’t talk like that.” Raising his left hand, he shot a nervous glance at the small unconscious mare, her hair slightly mussed from her adventure so far. Rudy blinked as he found himself trying to smooth out some of her stray hairs with his right index finger, “What am I doing?!” Getting more uncomfortable by the second, he bent down to leave the fashionista resting on the top of the sewer pipe’s channel. Before her hooves touched grime, he tightened his grip and pulled her back towards him. Startled, Rudy tried extending his arm again, but found that he couldn’t. His hand kept returning to him like he was pushing against a spring. He placed his other hand over the hand that was holding Rarity and tried pushing with all his might. With almost every iota of his being he tried gingerly setting the pristine white pony on the filthy cement edge. She hovered there, in his fingers, just inches above a puddle of something, his hands shaking uncontrollably. Finally, he gave up and his arms relaxed, returning the pony to his side. Sweat began to trickle down his bald head as he could swear he felt someone, somewhere giving him a terrifyingly dark look. Opening his hand, he looked down at the pony, lying there, harmless and unconscious. Slowly, centimeter by centimeter he started pivoting his wrist. The pony, like a tremendous weight, felt like she was cemented to his outstretched palm.  Was he calling her fat?! Rudy gritted his teeth, trying to push past the pressure in his own head, and continued tipping over his hand. The small plastic toy felt like it was made of sandpaper as it slowly began to slide down his skin, catching on every ridge, wrinkle and pore as it slowly made its way off the jittery, inclining plane of his palm. With one last look out of the corner of his eye, he saw her purple mane drop over the edge and she fell- *plop* Into his outstretched right hand. I have absolutely NO intention of going for a swim in that slimy, dirty, foul, filthy, dis-gusting sewer water, thank you very much! Rudy’s eyes flew open and the sewer walls echoed with the helpless reverberations of his pitiable cry. “OOOHHHHH, COME ON!” Barely five minutes or so had gone by and Parasite had given up trying to win out against the pony inside his mind. No matter how much he informed her it was his brain. She merely responded that he was the one who put her there in the first place. And believe me, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have to be. This place is a mess! And I don’t mean in a chaotically creative way, but a slovenly disgrace for an underutilized mind sort of way. “Don’t touch anything!” Yelled Parasite, slapping the side of his head. In order to separate out the voice in his head from his own, he found himself talking out loud, “It’s MY mind. I’m in charge up here.” Very well darling. I’m merely suggesting that if you did a little dusting around you might find some beautiful memories, and stop wasting so much brainpower devoted to... egh. A vast hodgepodge of garbage television landed with a splat, like a tipped over can of paint on the floor of Rudy’s mind. For a fraction of a second, Rudy considered running back to Star Labs to turn himself in and hope the Professor could help him. But then I’d win... But then she’d wi- “SHUT UP!” Rudy did a little hissy fit dance in the water, pounding both sides of his temples with his fists, “Shut-up, shut-up, shut-up! It’s MY head, you do what I say. SHUT-UP and leave ME alone!” You-you-you. My, you really are a parasite. I'm not trying to hurt you, Rudy; I'm trying to show you that there's more to this life than just you, and sometimes giving can be the greatest gift you can receive. "That makes no sense." A great many things in life don't have to make sense darling. But think about it; if you contribute a little to the beauty of the world you're living in, wouldn't it beautify the life you're living in that world? "The world's never shown me any respect," responded Rudy, "I'm just trying to get something from it my way, just like everyone else." The respect due a worthwhile, confident individual like yourself... Rudy couldn't tell whether all he or the pony was thinking about was the wet paint smear of all his accomplishments on the floor of of his mind, but that thought just sat there, silently staring at him from the empty recesses of his mind. Thankfully, while trying to ignore her, Rudy stumbled upon a manhole. Lifting the manhole cover with Rarity's magic was just a little easier than climbing up the ladder with only one hand, and luckily for him, the manhole exited in an empty alleyway, just off the street, so no one saw them exit. "I need some kind of disguise, preferably with pockets." Look, there's a clothing store across the street! There was a barely audible pop and the empty alleyway he had started running down, transformed into a side door, that Rudy ran face-first into. "OW!" He muttered, raising his hand to his face, "Don't do that without warning me!" I said, 'look there's a clothing store across the street'. YOU weren't listening to me. I was just trying to help. Others can do that for you, you know... "Whatever," said Rudy, still rubbing his nose. Then he tried to open the door. "Locked!" He muttered angrily under his breath as Rarity watched within his mind. Rudy hadn't actually seen the store he was trying to break into, and while he tried to figure out a way in, he leaned against a dumpster behind him. Rudy could feel Rarity's discomfort for leaning against a trash container. Grinning at this, he laid his hand on the metal behind him, but something felt off. He turned and grinned as he realized it wasn't actually a dumpster but a Salvation Army clothes donation box. Pushing his arm into the donation slot he felt around, but all the clothes were just out of his reach. After straining with all his might for a few second he heard of slight cough in his head and remembered his 'borrowed' abilities. Scooping with Rarity's magic aura he managed to snag a pair of pants, a long trench coat (for some reason Rarity was very happy about that), a pair of mismatched shoes and a gray beany-type cap. He was just about to put them on, when he found himself putting the shoes and the cap back. "What are you doing?!" He said. They shoes don't match darling, and you don't want that kind of hat, it doesn't go with the jacket. "I don't care what they look like, if they work!" Still, let's see if we can find something better for you. Rarity pulled out several more shoes until she found a set that matched and Rudy was about to just leave hat-less, when he magically pulled a fedora out of the box. Rarity was ecstatic, Rudy was indifferent. Why aren't you more excited? She asked, This completes your ensemble. "A hat's a hat." With that he donned the fedora, rolling his eyes. "Hey you!" Came a voice from the street, and Rudy instinctively pulled the brim of his hat down to hide his face. Just one reason that some hats are better than others... Came a smug voice in his head. He ignored it and turned towards the voice. "Uh, yeah?" He asked, looking up just enough to see who he was talking to. It was an old woman, pushing a beat up shopping cart filled with junk. Her clothes looked even worse than his. "Don't s'pose you could spare some change? I'm trying to catch the bus to go see my son," she said. Sure you are... Thought Rudy rolling his eyes under his hat. "Bug off lady." She turned her cart around and started to push it towards the street, while Rudy exited the alley and looked around to get his bearings. As he was doing this, he noticed that the lady with the shopping cart was about to cross the street in front of an oncoming car. Without even thinking, Rudy jumped forward and pulled the lady back onto the sidewalk, knocking over her cart in the process as the car continued on, the driver apparently missing the two pedestrians. Rudy was too busy watching the car to notice as the woman grabbed a stick from her toppled cart and whacked him on the head with it. "Hey!" He shouted, "What the heck lady?!" But she wasn't listening to him, she was too busy trying to pick up her cart and continue hitting him with her stick. Rudy held up his hands and backed away from the screeching woman as she continued trying to right her cart. Thankfully, she didn't seem interested in calling for police, and Rudy managed to dart off down the street, grumbling at the injustice of it all. Lousy, good-for-nothin', he thought to himself as he walked. I keep her from getting squashed and the ungrateful nut beats ME up. For trying to help her? "Exactly!" Said Rudy under his breath. "The stubborn bat would know someone's trying to help her if they were staring her in the face." Suddenly, Rudy turned and found himself staring at his own reflection in a store window. You mean like how I am with you, right now? Rudy shook his head and turned to continue walking down the sidewalk. "It ain't the same thing." Oh really? "Yeah. I don't need help. I've got powers." Even Superman needs help sometimes. You don't think we'd let him handle this situation on his own do you? "Wait! You mean, even he's got one of you in his head too?!" While they're not in his head, yes, two of my friends are helping him as well. Just because you have super powers, doesn't mean you don't need help. In fact, sometimes when you have too much power, it can run away with you and you might do things you regret. "Like you would know." I'll have you know that I once lost myself to a dark enchanted book that almost had me destroy my entire town in a fit of unbridled creativity. "You're kidding. Someone like you? What'd you do, decorate everything within an inch of it's life?" She gave an uncomfortable cough (somehow) in his mind. Yes... It wasn't one of my better moments. If it hadn't been for my dear friend Spike, I have know idea what might have become of me or my friends... or Equestria. I completely lost myself. Looking back now, it still makes me shudder. With that, Rudy found himself remembering a world of pastel ponies suddenly over-decorated to an almost incomprehensive level. Crystal houses without doors (they compromise the aesthetic), roads of gold lined with gemstones (simply stunning), childrens' parties forcibly turned into ritzy, high-class affairs (so prestigious and austere). But along with this he also felt Rarity's emotions looking back at the state she was in. At first all he could feel was an overwhelming sense of creative power, the all-consuming ability to mold the world to his whims. The jittery caffeine-high of the green energy flowing through him was so enticing. Then he saw a small purple dragon, felt a wave of emotion wash over him and the energy evaporated from his body. His head cleared and his sense of self sharpened. He remembered the sleepless night before as the magic took its insidious hold over his mind. It all started so simply but grew like a monster in your head until she wasn't controlling the magic, the magic was controlling her! He snapped back to reality, and blinked. But that wouldn't happen to me! He thought. You've seen my life, and what kind of a pony I am. You really think that the kind of power that could do that to me would really have no affect on you whatsoever? An image of the sort of future he might conjure if he let a different power take hold of him twitched at the back of his mind like a worm trying to squeeze out of an apple. Rarity winced at the apt description and the idea began to wiggle through his mind unchecked. Every time he tried reframing the ideal power fantasy it kept looping back and biting into him. "Stop doing that!" he said, rather loudly, then he looked around to see he was in the Metropolis public park and people were giving him odd glances. Pulling the hat down to hide his face, he turned and walked down a mostly empty path, while Rarity answered him in his head, I'm not doing anything. I'm merely pointing out what kind of a person you are and if a pony like I can make mistakes, so can you. "But then, what's the point?" He whispered to himself, staring at the ground as he walked. With your outlook, there really isn't one. "Thanks a lot. I thought you wanted to help me or something." I do. But first, you need to change how you look at the world. "Let me guess, some goody-two-shoes viewpoint?" See, that's the kind of viewpoint that isn't helping you. Gripping a nearby tree, Rudy was about to smack his head against the bark, when he stopped. You know that's going to hurt, right? "That's the whole point," he answered. Suit yourself. It's not my head. Rudy regained control and smacked his forehead into the solid wood of the trunk. "OWW!" At the back of his mind, he could feel Rarity rolling her eyes. Lacking Superman's invulnerability, Rudy had to sit down on the grass next to the tree. His head was throbbing. As he sat there, he kept expecting the pony to butt in, but she remained silent. At last he winced and whispered, "Why aren't you saying anything?" Well, you've already made it clear you don't want my help. "Don't need your help. What I need is an aspirin." As he sat there, something in her silence began to suggest to him that she knew something but was purposefully keeping it to herself. He didn't want to say anything, but as he sat there the silence just made his head hurt even more. Finally, he couldn't take the silence anymore and whispered, "Do you know something that will help this headache?" You want me to help you? "I've got this feeling you know something. So what is it?" There was a second of silence and then. All right. Try to relax. "Excuse me?!" But before Rudy could add anything else, he felt himself forcefully take a breath, and then another, and then finally he let himself breath in and out once... gently. He felt the grass underneath him and, looking up, he found himself staring at the surrounding park through a pair of brilliant, blue eyes, eyes that helped him see it as he had never seen it before. Just a few seconds before, all he could focus on was his shoes, the dirt underneath them and the pain in his head, but now it was like the world around him had expanded and swallowed up the pain and even himself. It was a beautiful day. The weather was mild with barely a cloud in the sky and the sun shone across a wide field of grass across from him greener than he'd ever seen before. The path he was sitting by, started to curve just past the tree and from where he was sitting he could see people playing with their pets, families picnicking in the sun, joggers and a fountain just off to his left. The sunlight reflecting through the droplets sparkled like a thousand diamonds. The sunlight, the fresh air, the bird-calls, the sounds of people laughing and relaxing took his breath away. How's that for a point? She asked as his focus faded but the image and memory remained. Everything you just saw, while they were nice individually, when they came together, was it better or worse? Rudy felt like what he had just witnessed was good enough to eat. But how could one 'eat' a place, a feeling, what he had just seen? That's just it, she continued, You see the world as something to take from. But when you look at this park, everything you could experience, comes from engaging with it. You can't relax on the grass till you lay back in the sun. You can't feel the spray of the fountain unless you stick your hand into it. Life isn't what you get out of it. It's what you put in. Be generous of yourself and let the world sparkle around you. As Rudy sat there, he realized he was shaking and there was something in his eyes. The park was in front of him. He could see it. But he couldn't see what she had just shown him. It was there. But he couldn't see it. Don't worry darling. That's what I'm here to show you. Now, why don't we go for a walk? With that, the darkly clad individual stood up and continued down the path, his invisible guide showing him the way.