45. Superknowledge, part 2.

Nan was frustrated.

"I need to know more. I need to know who you are, how you know these things, where you get these stories."

They were seated again, this time toward the northern end of the park. Sid leaned back on the bench, stretching his back slightly. "Does it matter?"

"It does to me." Sid watched her. "I want to know what it's like," she said finally. He looked down at his hands. "Superknowledge. That's what it's called, right?"

"That's one of the names for it. But that's not all you're looking for." Little signs of torment were visible on her face when he searched for them. She searched his eyes, as though for an answer. "It's proof you want, direct experience. There are forces in you that tell you that I can exist--that I must exist--and there are forces in you that say I can't, that I mustn't. You want to know for yourself."

Now she looked at her own hands. "That's just about right."

He thought for a moment about the heart. Then he stood up. "Come with me." He began to walk away, toward Broadway.