“Yes, your Honor.  I saw the incident.  But, your Honor I still can’t tell you what happened because I was ‘inphase.’  What’s that, you say?  Well, your Honor, it’s when I am working on a piece, similar to a detective solving a complicated case, a scientist working on a great experiment, or even someone playing Tomb Raider. 

My work grips me every waking moment until I work through the steps to complete my stories.  When I am ‘inphase’ I take in ideas the way lungs need air.  I have to ponder and write while they are in my head.  This part is similar to emptying your lungs.  I work through each bit and pick what I need for my story.

This flow through me is nearly as important as breathing, and sometimes overcomes my other thoughts.  Sometimes being ‘inphase’ takes my mind away from the surrounding realities, even more so than when contemplating the jungles in Lara Croft’s adventures.

Your Honor, may hold me in contempt of court over this, but I really can’t help you.  I was only a block away when Barney Fife shot the tire and ran.  I didn’t hear the green Dodge Ram extended cab spin into the black Windstar.  Isn’t that how the blue Toyota crashed through the Sears front entrance?  Well, your Honor, as I was saying, I was there.  It happened right in front of me but I didn’t see a thing!”

© 2000, from Wanda's Weekly Entry