David S. Barkley

The Only Real House of Mirrors David S. Barkley

   An old man hikes and climbs in the wilderness -- a scientist seeking God. Visions and voices heal him as he finds his way.

   It's early afternoon as I hike into this high meadow and see the glacier. I've been alone on the trail for days but now, suddenly, there are carnival tents! She never said anything about this!
   A barker sits in his cage and eyes me cautiously.
   "What is this place?" I ask.
   He points to red lettering on a bright yellow banner that announces: "The Only Real House of Mirrors." Smaller, black letters say, "Enter at your own risk."
   "How much?" I ask.
    He points to another sign.
   "That's a lot," I complain.   Silence.
   I pay the barker his fee, enter, and follow the tent curtains along a twisting passage. It's dark. Up ahead I see an exit at the back of the tent.
   "That's it?"
   Feeling chagrined I leave the tent and follow a path up towards the ice. I look back only once; the tents are gone.