Notes on "Between Kirov and Vorik"
in P. Cam Twister, Quibbler, Puzzler, Cheat (1998)
1. Situation/ Review
traveller and stranger share tea over a campfirebeyond the Gallows Bridge
stranger says he prevented arrest of the traveller
to be released would be to be hanged
a dark dilemma: neither be released or be hanged
"here you are across the bridge" (71)
2. Questions to the text:
a. Suggest where this is: "morning never comes here"
- not a natural place?, an afterlife place?
b. Did he cross the bridge?
Did the stranger lie?
What would the stranger get out of such deception if he lied?
How does it capture the traveller? ( in a debt of obligation)
c. Is the traveller credulous?
What other choice does he have but to believe the stranger?
What future does he have?
d. Consider these solutions:
They are ghosts of themselves after the hanging and the stranger is the one arresting.
e. Consider and explain: "You saved me twice."
f. What is a dilemma? Just a hard choice?
What is a paradox? Will there be a right answer?
What is the traveller's "dark dilemma"? How is it said to be dark?
Checkmate = no win options
G. Smith 1998
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