A Pair of Books
Every day, after his morning ablutions, Mark opened and read from two books, two books written together by a great poet—a pair of a happy collection of poems and a sad one—and from his preference concluded how his day would go on. He found this method infallible, as when he preferred the joyous book, he would be happy, a logical consequence of some internal decision of the carbon-based computer in his head. Fortunately, Mark thought, his inclinations changed from time to time, so he was not bored with his emotions and even postulated that the mechanism was designed to keep him involved.
Today, Mark was glad to prefer the happy poetry because he will have the chance to meet the author of these fate-deciding books and, barring any inconvenience, get them both signed by him. Since the day would be filled with joy either way, Mark desired for his brain to play along and make this day one to remember by its feelings, as well as by its events. On the journey to the bookstore in which the writer would be, he allowed himself to enjoy the trees, persons going about their day, cars whizzing by, nature's allowances of happiness for Mark, and a gift from the heavens. This day.
When he arrived at the shop of wonders, he saw a sign saying: “Only one signing by Mr. Gordon,” and was deeply disappointed. He would not be able to get both books signed. Getting one inscribed by the author he respected, the other remaining plain, would disrupt Mark's equilibrium of emotional evaluation. When his wait in the line of patient fans was over, he met his role model and shared his story, secretly and lightly hoping of getting a boon of an additional signing.
The poet listened carefully, nodded along, uttered generously insightful notes, and offered to sign a piece of paper that Mark could copy and stick to the first page of either book, a mark of wisdom, empathy, and fairness. On the mentioned piece of paper Mark produced, he had written swiftly and signed it:
Dear Mark,
When it waxes and when it wanes, just remember who is to blame.