Chapter 02

"Long ago, across many a vlog," said Jack, as he entered the cottage, "I read about a strange topic."

The silver, silent sphere peaked through the open window as the promise of yet-uncounted mysteries filled the room.

"Post upon post asking after the simplest of things," said Jack, as he lifted his pipe off the mantel.

The sound of a shrill night bird drew Jack's attention as he sat in his favorite chair.

"Over and over, so many souls asking 'Where do you get ideas?'," said Jack, as dabbed his pipe.

As the smell of night-blooming jasmines gently wafted into the cottage, Jack thoughtfully replaced the pipe on the mantel.

"Usually, they come when you pay attention," said Jack to himself, as his thoughts drew inward.

...

At the age of ten, Beschdel "Leroy" Jenkins was diagnosed with an extreme form of jamais vu.

"Beschdel, have you heard of the term 'deja vu'?" asked Dr. Samuel Presque, as she sipped her ginkgo biloba tea. "Where something seems unusually familiar?"

Beschdel sat in the chair and squirmed.

"Um, yeah," replied Beschdel, as she looked around the doctor's office.

Pictures of smiling child models looked back.

'I wonder if any of these kids were ever that healthy,' thought Beschdel, 'Mom says you can hide anything with makeup.'

Behind her, Beschdel's mother Martha coughed; Beschdel looked back at the doctor.

"But how does that relate to ... what was it again?" asked Martha, as she squeezed Beschdel's hand.

Across the desk Dr. Presque turned toward Martha.

"It was 'jamais vu'," said Dr. Presque, "which is generally described as the opposite of deja vu."

Curious, Beschdel looked at Martha and back to Dr. Presque.

"So, is it where something seems unusually new," asked Beschdel, lightly reading the diplomas on the wall and squeezing her mom's hand back.

Turning toward Beschdel, Dr. Presque smiled.

"Yes, traditionally that is how I would introduce it," said Dr. Persque. "However, in your case, it is a bit more extreme."

Turning toward the doctor, Beschdel turned her eyes toward the doctor.

"How so?" asked Martha as Beschdel turned to listen to the radio drifting in from the waiting room.

Looking back toward Martha, Dr. Presque replied.

"Well, you know how sometimes, when you say a word frequently enough, it no longer sounds familiar?" asked Dr. Presque.

"Yes," replied Martha. Beschdel turned again to listen to the example.

"I'm afraid Beschdel will simply have that experience constantly." explained Dr. Presque as he leaned slightly toward Martha.

"She learns things well and quickly - but the words will never feel 'comfortable' or 'old hat' to her."

Raising her eyebrows, Martha asked, "But ... what does that mean?"

Taking a small breath, Dr. Presque continued.

"Simply that she has the unique capacity to see things anew all the time." said Dr. Presque, as she took another sip of tea.

Leaning forward, Beschdel laughed.

"I'm glad I like surprises!" beamed Beschdel.

Dr. Presque slid open a draw, removed a notebook and pen, and handed them to Beschdel.

"Now, Beschdel," said Dr. Presque "my recommendation is to write everything down that you notice. Try to capture it."

Happily, Beschdel reached out to take the notebook and pen and looked to Martha; Martha nodded and Beschdel pulled them to her chest.

Turning toward Martha, Dr. Presque explained "You likely already know this, but I would recommend training Beschdel to be extra cautious."

Martha turned back to Dr. Presque.

"Is it because she won't remember bad things?" asked Martha, as she gently put her hand on Beschdel's back.

Dr. Presque shook her head slightly.

"No," said Dr. Presque, "she has an excellent memory; however, her condition will tend make identical experiences, even bad ones, seem new."

Martha raised her eyebrows.

"Yes," said Martha, "I have seen that."

Dr. Presque leaned slightly back and said, "Which means that Beschdel may not associate the new potential experience with the old experience."

"Oh," sighed Martha, "Yes, I think I've seen that too."

Dr. Presque pressed on.

"But it also means she may notice things most of us disregard because we take them for granted," said Dr. Presque. "She is special."

Martha smiled.

"That she is," said Martha.

...

"The ability to notice things," said Jack, "isn't always an objective thing. Sometimes it just take reframing what you see every day."

As Jack relaxed into the chair, he heard his back *POP* and winced quietly to himself.

In pain, Jack said, "Sometimes it is as simple as writing down your thoughts, asking the proverbial 'What if?', or riding a wild thought"

Humming to himself and bracing, Jack quickly twisted his torso and sat back in the chair; a satisfied sigh escaped his lips.

"Of course," said Jack, as he smiled wistfully, "it also helps to do things with an air of gratitude. You'd be amazed if you paid attention to what you took for granted."

As the smell of the night-blooming jasmine finally diminished, Jack blinked a bit more slowly.

"And it helps to get regular rest too," said Jack, as he pulled the lever to raise the foot rest.  "I do so love the smell of night."

With feet raised, Jack lay back.

"And of course, who can forget recording your dreams," said Jack, as he pulled out an audio recorder. "I use this instead of trying to write things down."

Placing the recorder neatly on the table next to the chair.

"Good night," said Jack, as he his eyes drooped and his head turned toward the lamp. "Please turn off the light on your way out."