I nodded. I cleared my mind with one of the tricks I’d already learned, and bore down on believing. I started to sweat. After what may have been ten minutes I nodded again. He let go of the rock. It fell. I began to get a headache. He picked the rock back up. “Do you believe that it floated?” “No!” I sulked, rubbing my temples. “Good. It didn’t. Never fool yourself into perceiving things that don’t exist. It’s a fine line to walk, but sympathy is not an art for the weak willed.” He held out the rock again. “Do you believe it will float?” “It didn’t!” “It doesn’t matter. Try again.” He shook
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