Imaginary Friends by Alison Lurie

Author:Alison Lurie [Lurie, Alison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4532-7119-3
Publisher: Open Road Media
Published: 2012-10-12T23:17:00+00:00

With the shine of hysteria in her eyes, but in a fairly controlled voice, Verena explained to us what this wonderful new Message meant. We had accomplished a great deal by omitting from our diet all the dead organic substances which held back spiritual progress by getting into our cells and blocking favorable vibrations. Now we must do the same with our clothing. Henceforthwards we would wear only clothes made of “mineral and electrical materials”—fabrics like nylon and Dacron which had been created by pure scientists in a clean laboratory, not excreted by worms, torn from the backs of sheep, or beaten out of dead plant fibers. We must cease to cover our feet with the skins of dead cows and pigs, or (even worse) snakes and lizards.

The new rule, she announced intensely, went into effect immediately. Right now, everyone present would remove all dead organic material which might happen to be in contact with their bodies.

“We must cast them away, we must be free now to rise up from the earth!” In demonstration, Verena stood up, shook off the gold sandals she always wore to meetings, and pushed them aside.

“That’s right.” Elsie started on her pumps.

There was a moment’s pause. Then Peggy Vonn, with a little murmur, bent down to slip off her loafers. Bill, next to her, raised one of his perforated brogues to untie. Sissy was next, then Ed Novar. Half the Seekers were taking their shoes off now, so McMann started in, giving me a quick nod to do the same.

“My socks are Dacron,” Rufus said. “I don’t have to take them off, do I?”

“No, Dacron is a synthetic material. The vibrations can pass right through it.”

“Y’know, my feet feel better already,” Bill said. “More alive, kind of.”

“Nylons are a scientific material too.” Milly looked down at her plump, shiny legs. “We can keep them.”

“But these are part wool.” Peggy stuck out her red kneesocks. “I guess I better take them off; they look like they could stop a lot of current.”

“Sure, you got to take those off,” Rufus said.

“My socks are cotton,” someone said; they were beginning to speak all at once. Catherine Vanting (the last to comply) was taking her shoes off; McMann and I removing our organic socks.

“Say, I can feel the current coming through a lot better now,” Rufus exclaimed.

“Me too.” Peggy wiggled her toes, then stopped, holding one bare foot out. “But what about the rest of our clothing? I mean, this is a wool cardigan.”

“Sheep fibers,” Elsie said. “You better lay it aside.”

“Okay.” She started pulling at the sleeve.

“Well, then, I better take off my jacket,” Bill said. “And this angora sweater.”

The Seekers began denouncing and removing their jackets and sweaters, then remarking how much better they felt. McMann, in shirtsleeves, stretched his arms and loosened his tie; I took off my heavy tweed jacket. Sissy curled her bare legs up under her and leaned against Bill; for a moment, there was a sort of informal, picnic feeling in the room.

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