He spat, licked his lips, and coughed. The morning was too much with him.
The Holstein — Darlin’ Corey — turned the corner, and then about a mile remained.
He moved slowly into the study and regarded the priest.
“Thank you,” Tibor said, accepting a cup of coffee and manipulating it slowly into a position allowing two quick, scalding sips.
Dr. Abernathy added cream and sugar to his own and stirred noisily.
They sat awhile in silence, then Dr. Abernathy said, “You want to become a Christian.” Whatever question mark may have followed the sentence was a thing implied only, by a slight raising of the eyebrows.
“I am — interested. Yes. As I said last night –”
“Yes, yes, I know,” said Dr. Abernathy. “Needless to say, I am pleased that our example has impressed you in this fashion.” He turned away then and stared out his window and said, “Can you believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, and in his only begotten son Jesus Christ our Lord, born of the virgin Mary, who suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried, and on the third day rose again?”
“I think so,” said Tibor. “Yes, I think so.”
“Do you believe He will come to judge the living and the dead?”
“I can, if I try,” Tibor said.
“You’re an honest man, anyhow,” Dr. Abernathy said. “Now, despite the rumor that we’re looking for business, we’re not. I’d love to welcome you to the fold, but only if you’re sure that you know what you’re doing. For one thing, we’re poorer than the Servants of Wrath. So, if you’re looking for business here, forget it. We can’t afford murals or even illuminated manuscripts.”
“That was the farthest thing from my mind, Father,” said Tibor.
“All right,” said Dr. Abernathy. “I just wanted to be sure that we were meeting on the same ground.”
“I’m certain that we are,” said Tibor.
“You’re in the employ of the SOWs,” said Dr. Abernathy, pronouncing each letter.
“I’ve taken their money,” said Tibor. “I’ve a job to do for them.”
“What do you think of Lufteufel, really?” asked Dr. Abernathy.
“A difficult subject,” said Tibor, “since I’ve never seen him. I have a need to paint from experience. A photograph — such as the one they furnished me — it would do only if I could lay eyes on the man himself, if but for an instant.”
“What do you think of him as God?” asked Dr. Abernathy.
“I don’t know,” said Tibor.
“. . . As man?” asked Dr. Abernathy.
“I don’t know.”
“If you have doubts, then why do you wish to switch at this point in the game?” Dr. Abernathy asked. “Perhaps it would be better to resolve them within the context where they arose.”
“Your religion has something more to offer,” said Tibor.
“Like what?” asked Dr, Abernathy.
“Love, faith, hope,” said Tibor.
“Yet you’re taking their money,” Dr. Abernathy said.
“Yes,” said Tibor. “I’ve already made an agreement with them.”
“One which requires a Pilg?” Dr. Abernathy asked.
“Yes,” said Tibor.
“If you convert today, what will you do about this commission?” asked Dr. Abernathy.
“Give it up,” said Tibor.
“Why?” Dr. Abernathy inquired.
“Because I don’t want to make the Pilg,” said Tibor.
They both sipped their coffee.
Finally, “You think you’re being an honest man,” said Dr. Abernathy. “One who meets all his commitments. Yet you want to come over to us in order to break faith with them.”
Tibor looked away. “I could give them back the money,” he said.
“True,” said Dr. Abernathy, “as it is commanded, “Thou shalt not steal.’ This applies to the SOWs, as well as anyone else — so it is only just that either you give it back or keep your promise and paint the mural. On the other hand, what is it they have really asked you to do?”
“A mural involving the God of Wrath,” said Tibor.
“Just so,” said Dr. Abernathy. “And where does God live?”
“I do not understand,” said Tibor, sipping his coffee.
“Is it not true that He dwells in all places and all times, as eternity is His home?” asked Dr. Abernathy.
“I think the SOWs and the Christians both agree on this point.”
“I believe so,” said Tibor. “Only, as God of This World –”
“Well, He might be found anywhere,” said Dr. Abernathy.
“Father, I fail to follow you,” said Tibor.
“What if you do not succeed in locating Him?” asked Dr. Abernathy.
“Then I should be unable to complete the mural,” said Tibor.
“And what would you do then?” asked Dr. Abernathy.
“Continue with what I’ve been doing,” said Tibor, “painting signs, painting houses. I’d give back the money, of course –”
“Why need you resort to this extreme? Since God — if he be God — may be found anywhere, this being his world, it would seem you might properly seek him there,” said Dr. Abernathy.
With a certain uneasiness, and yet a glimmer of fascination, Tibor said, “I’m afraid I still don’t see what you mean, sir.”
“What if you saw his face in a cloud?” said Dr. Abernathy. “Or in the shiftings of the Great Salt Lake, at night, under the stars? Or in a fine mist descending just as the heat of day departed?”
“Then it would only be a guess,” said Tibor, “a — a fake.”
“Why?” asked Dr. Abernathy.
“Because I’m only mortal,” said Tibor, “and therefore liable to error. If I were to guess, I might guess wrong.”
“Yet if it be his will that this thing be done, would he allow this error?” asked Dr. Abernathy in a strong, measured voice. “Would he allow you to paint the wrong face?”
“I don’t know,” said Tibor. “I don’t think so. But –”
“Then why don’t you save yourself much tune, effort, and grief,” said Dr. Abernathy, “and proceed in this manner?”
After a pause, Tibor murmured, “I don’t feel it would be right.”
“Why not?” said Dr. Abernathy. “He could really be anyone, you know. Chances are, you’ll never find the real Carl Lufteufel.”
“Why not?” said Tibor. “Because it wouldn’t be right, that’s why. I’ve been commissioned to paint the God of Wrath in the center of the mural — in appropriate lifelike authentic colors — so it is therefore important to know him as he really is.”
“Is it all that important?” said Dr. Abernathy. “How many people knew his appearance in the old days? And if they are living, how many of them would recognize him today — if he be still living, that is?”
“It’s not that,” said Tibor. “I know I could fake it, that I could manufacture a face — just from the repro I’ve seen. The thing of it is, though, it wouldn’t be true.”
“True?” said Dr. Abernathy. “True? What’s truth? Would it detract from a single SOW’s devotion were he to look upon the wrong face, so long as his feeling were proper in terms of his faith? Of course not. I’m not trying to denigrate those you may consider my competitors. Far from it. It is you that I value. A Pilg is a risky thing at best. What would be gained by losing you? Nothing. What would be lost by losing you? A soul and a good painter, perhaps. I should hate to lose you on a matter of such small consequence.”
“It is not a matter of small consequence, Father,” said Tibor. “It is a matter of honesty. I have been paid to do a thing, and by God! — yours or theirs — I must do it properly. This is the way that I work.”
“Peace,” said Dr. Abernathy, raising his hand. He took another sip of coffee, then said, “Pride, too, is a sin. For by this, Lucifer fell from heaven. Of all the Deadly Seven, Pride is the worst. Anger, Avarice, Envy, Lust, Sloth, Gluttony — these represent man’s relationships to others and the world. Pride, however, is absolute. It represents the subjective relationship of a person to himself. Therefore, it is the most mortal of them all. Pride requires nothing of which to be proud. It is the ultimate in narcissism. I feel, perhaps, that you are a victim of such sentiments.”
Tibor laughed. Then he gulped coffee.
“I fear you have the wrong man,” he said. “I’ve precious little of which to be proud.” He placed the coffee cup before him and raised his metal hand. “You would call me proud — of anything? Hell! I’m half machine, sir! Of all the sins you’ve named, it’s probably the one with least application.”
“I wouldn’t bet money on it,” said Dr. Abernathy.
“I came to discuss religion with you,” said Tibor.
“That’s true,” said Dr. Abernathy, “that’s true. I think that that is what we are discussing. I am trying to place your task in proper perspective before you. More coffee?”