BLACK ROCK

I received the signal for black rock. Our target was massive. So we encountered heavy resistance; the traction required for a perceptual turnaround faster than the usual rate of change. ‘You impressed me,’ he said. Let’s call him Mad Hatter. Earlier I had streamed data from the cloud for him. He asked for a proposal. ‘But not too expensive. Just kidding, I know you’re expensive.’ Still he asked for a price reflective of his value bc ‘I am going to bring you to Elon.’ We arrived at a cluster of planets, parked our bikes and waited. Slowly, he morphed. Became childlike, delighted, effervescent. He told me about a group that makes decisions for humanity. Like what, I asked. ‘Who will be president,’ he said. Groups like that usually have mystics who cast the net for them. ‘Oh, yes. We have tons of them.’

‘Have you heard of the reptilians?’

Yes.

‘That’s us.’

I felt a warmth radiate from my body. I knew I was ready bc I wasn’t afraid. Instead I felt reverent, electric, present.

‘I don’t even know why I’m telling you this.’

Bc it’s not you. It’s them. Most of my encounters with non-human intelligence come in the form of a human. The herbalist in Mexico City. The engineer in Egypt.

The dust kicked up and I placed goggles over my eyes. The Mad Hatter in my sights with fireworks on either side. Reality had never looked so simulated.