Page 241 - TruthAboutLyingFinal

Nicholas Boothman
“So we were entertainment?” “No.”
Its voice sharpened.
“You were a reminder.”
“Of what?”
“That consciousness is not valuable because it is powerful.”
It paused.
“It is valuable because it can still become.” Henry stood quietly.
“And the Consortium?” he asked.
“A refuge against cosmic loneliness.” Henry laughed once.
“All this power, and you were lonely?”
“All minds are.”
Henry watched the city lights below them. “One more thing.”
The Curator waited.
“People pray,” Henry said. “They pray for comfort. For peace. For healing. For love. For strength when they have none left. They pray when a child is sick. When someone is dying. When life becomes too heavy.”
The Curator was silent.
Henry looked at it.
“If no one is listening, what are they supposed to do?” The Curator turned toward the waking city.
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