‘And the Dew is Our National Treasure’
Chapter 1.
Kerensa is missing.
Kerensa has vanished. Whether it’s by foul play or choice is un
certain. Herfriends, Sarah and Michael, begin to search and dis
cover an undergroumi network of people committed to sustain
able economics. But this idea threatens the existing economic,
religious, political and educational hierarchies. Kerensa’s con
nection to this network may have cost her life.
The Emerald is printing “And the Dew is Our National Trea
sure” in serial form, with an installment every Tuesday in the
Pulse Relax section.
“If it were only possible,” I say, “for a person to just walk away, to
just go, leaving all behind...” My words dissolve in the still air. I
smile. “Sarah, I’m not mocking your beliefs; they’re just irrelevant
in the hard world!”
Sarah’s finger skates circles on the black marble. I continue:
“Trusting the universe is a dream a loser might have, someone who
lives at the margins, someone who’s content in a cardboard box.” A
Harley pulls up to the light and growls. Our glasses rattle. “Kerensa
Wheres
Kerensa?
is not a loser.”
“But something else is going on here,
Michael. You can try to look for her in the
traditional way, and a million paths will
open up, any one of which could be a shortcut. You’d have no way of
knowing. You have to trust the universe.”
I shake my head; she breaks off a piece of scone and rolls it in her
fingers as she speaks. “You can search systematically, Michael; go to
the police, to her work, the missing person’s bureau, all her haunts.
But in the end you’ll find her only if you have luck.” Sarah’s white
hand slides across the marble table; her unpainted nail touches my
finger. “Kerensa’s leaving is different. There’s an aura around this
whole thing.”
I move my hand away. “Mysteries, Sarah? You still think there
are forces at play?”
Her soft, blue eyes smile. “There are forces... .” I look away. She
waits, perhaps for a stronger reaction; I give none. “Something bigger,
Michael. I can feel it. Something more than a person can grasp.”
I slap my hand on the table. “This is no street waif! This is my
sister. I know her. And New Age voodoo is not behind her leaving.
_ And it won’t play a part in my finding her. I’m a doer, Sarah.
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I need to do. Sarah sits back and takes her purse from her
coat pocket. “Fools believe the universe will provide, be
cause fools are lazy.” Sarah takes out an ointment and re
moves the cap. “If Kerensa’s gone, there’s a reason, a hu
man reason, a logical, rational, cause-and-effect reason.”
She applies the balm to her lips with her little finger. I
expect her to say: “Some of the reasons you’ll find by not
looking. Some of them will come to you as if by magic.’2 In
stead, she says: “I don’t have any money.” She looks at me,
tilts her head and blinks.
“No money!” I stab my fork at her scone and hit the edge
of the plate; the scone flips onto the sidewalk.
“I know I’m right about how to look,” says Sarah trying to
change the subject.
“Just like you knew you had money! ”
She puts on her innocent face. “When you let go, you’ll
find her. She’ll be there, right beside you.”
I stand and look through pockets I know are empty.
The waitress comes out the door with a tray full of
sugars and creams.
“Gan you believe? I left my wallet.”
“Why must I believe?” she says. “We have a policy:
The first customer of the day always gets free coffee. It’s
good luck.”
I look quickly at Sarah to see if she gloats; there is hardly
a smile.
Peter Wright is a printer living in Portland. He received his bache
lor's degrees from UC Berkeley, served in the U.S. Navy, worked
as a stock broker and taught at Stanford University.
© Peter Wright 2002. All rights reserved.
Mark McCambridge Emerald
Studio One Cafe, decorated with Hollywood memorabilia,
offers a varied menu for breakfast and lunch.
Two thumbs up
Studio One serves up a diverse array of meals for
students who venture a short way from campus
Helen Schumacher
Pulse Reporter
There’s a small, relaxed restaurant near campus that
serves tasty meals for both breakfast and lunch. It’s called
Studio One Cafe, and it can be found at the comer of 19th
Avenue and Agate Street —1473 E. 19th to be exact.
Studio One is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and
its menu lists options such as the Spanish scrambler (a
large portion of scrambled eggs, tomatoes, onions, green
peppers and cheese, topped with sour cream and salsa
with toast and home fries on the side) or build-your-own
burgers. Besides the basic breakfast fare, the restaurant
also offers pasta and several vegetarian dishes, as well
as a variety of hot teas.
Studio One’s french toast is especially delicious. Thick
slices of challah bread, dipped in batter and grilled, are
served with a rich almond sauce, warm berry compote
and fruit on top — a flavorful alternative to maple syrup.
Most dishes run between $6 and $9, plus $2 for a drink.
The restaurant is decorated as its name might suggest
— with Hollywood in mind. Posters of movies, such as
Austin Powers, hang on the white walls along with pic
tures of movie stars, such as a young Robert Redford.
There is also a porch for outdoor seating on sunny days.
The service is good, with a fairly prompt, personable
staff. Overall, the atmosphere is earthy and friendly,
which makes it a likely choice for a mid-morning meal
with friends. Highly recommended.
Contact the pulse reporter
athelenschumacher@dailyemerald.com.
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