People believe what they need to believe. — Jonathan Lethem

“OK, so he’s a producer, right?” Lucius spoke as a prosecuting attorney, nailing down established facts. “The thing about producers is that they are producing something, usually several things at once.”

“He’s a liar,” said Jane.

“Same thing,” said Lucius.

This was before cell phones. The desolate spaciousness between humans, between human moments, not yet filled in with chattering ghosts of reassurance. You could hear yourself not think.

Things changed, he thought. Then they didn’t. And we forgot they could again.