"Do you find me unattractive?"

"Alien."

"Alien?"

"Different."

"Yes, I know the meaning of the word."

"Dead. Alien. Of course, I knew you would be. I didn't expect you to measure up physically to our standards. The human form has improved a great deal since your century."

"But why? Was there a reason?"

"Man made reasons..."

"Can you tell me?"

"Well, it began with interplanatery wars conducted by the nations of the world and the struggle to build empires in outer space on other planets."

"When was this?"

"Oh, not in your century. You saw only the first feeble attempts to explore space."

"Yes, I suppose our attempts are feeble."

"Well the interplanetery wars caused a great deal of destruction particularly on this planet. Precious documents, books were lost but there was another reason; the atmosphere of the earth became charged with radioactive matter. For a while it looked like the human race would become extinct, but it didn't. The human body aclimated itself to new atmospheric conditions and flourished again and by that time our physical form had changed. A change for the better. And today..."

"Go on."

"Well, today the human form is the most beautiful creation has ever seen."

"And by your standards I am something of a shock to you?"

"Your physical form was, at first, yes."

"Am I very different from the women here?"

"Very different."

"To you they're...beautiful?"

"They are beautiful."

"Would I find them attractive?"

"I don't think so."

"I might."

"Oh no."

"Why not? If they're so beautiful, I mean."

"Well your conception of beauty is not ours."

"I understand that, but..."

"But what?"

"Oh, I don't know. I was going to say beauty is beauty, but that wouldn't make any sense."

"No, the concept of beauty is what matters."

"But you said beauty is a force. It radiates."

"Inner beauty radiates."

"I...I understand that too."

"Well, how do you think of the universe?"

"Oh, I think I associate it with God. Identify it with the Divine Mind."

"I'm surprised."

"The universe is a reflection of God."

"Now I begin to understand despite your physical form, your beauty reached me. And it has nothing to do with your looks."

"I...I wouldn't be very gracious if I didn't say thank you."

"I'm going to keep you here, you know. If I can."

"I don't think you quite mean that."

"I mean it in every sense. I want you know to remember what I said about the change for the better in human form. I am going to open the door to your room and come in. And please keep in mind I do not look like the men of your century look, but also remember here I am supposed to be a reasonably good looking fellow."

"I...I would like to see you."

"And you will, in the next few seconds."

"Oh! Oh!"

"Is it so bad?"

"I'm sorry, I..."

"I should not have exposed myself to the shock you feel, to the revulsion you feel at the sight of me."

"I'm sorry..."

"I should have known."

"Forgive me, I just can't look at you for the moment. I have to...I have to adjust."

"There's a window behind you, you can look out."

"Oh, thank you. Please don't resent me."

"No, I...I was just wondering if you have any idea how incredible to me your revulsion is."

"Yes, I think I have an idea."

"You must overlook what sounds like vanity, I have to repeat what I told you before, I am supposed to be more than passibly good looking."

"Yes, I understand."

"But you can't stand the sight of me."

"Give me a moment."

"Wait, you want to go back to your own miserable century?"

"To my people, my own people. I belong with them, I don't belong here!"

"The curious thing is, I'm still in love with you"

"You mustn't be."

Recorded: January 2025
Warwick, UK.


Samples from: Exploring Tomorrow, The Adventure Of The Beauty Queen
Bret Morrison and Charlotte Sheffield (Miss USA 1957)

The Curious Thing Is I'm Still In Love With You

Cathode Ghosts