Chapter 20
"The real payoff, Eve, is not in telling people what they already know; but in convincing them what they want to believe, is true."
Talbot stood, straightened his vest as if it were his tuxedo jacket, and began pacing in a small pattern, hands behind his back except when he needed one or both to emphasise a point.
"I'm certain I've mentioned my interest in Spiritualism. At first, I considered the possibilities of forces beyond our understanding that could allow for particularly intense 'emotions' to carry through from one world to the next." He stopped and faced Eve to underscore is point. "Emotions' and 'feelings', of course, being nothing but functions of the brain; perhaps electrical signals originating from one and receptive to another. Please, have a seat." He gestured toward a random grouping of mis-matched chairs.
"But Spiritualism; for some Mysticism; claims the mere desire to connect with another realm; to 'pass beyond the void'; is neither a matter of fact nor faith, but the function of an intermediary who provides a bridge between worlds; an impartial conduit between the truths of this world and the dreams of another. Some advocates claim Spiritualism is a science; others that it is a religion; and still others, claim both! And this I where I recognised a fatal flaw of Spiritualism perceived as its strength; the belief, among adherents, that contact between worlds is possible only through those whom they believe are open and skilled at such contact! It's these 'true believers' who have conned themselves and lie ensnared and awaiting someone with the talent and artistry to step in and be paid handsomely for a shoulder to cry onto and a few minutes entertainment."
Talbot beamed in the brilliance of his plan.
"That's what Lila told me that partner of yours was up to; makin' 'em think they was talking with people that'r dead."
"No, no. Your sister was mistaken. My former partner was...how should I say...somewhat unbalanced. Or maybe he was a believer caught up in his own beliefs. He never, by so many words, claimed to be one of the so-named 'channelists', but he did profess the ability to 'step outside his mind' and inhabit the minds of others, therefore forming a bridge between people who may, or may not, have wished to be connected. This became such an obsession, he insisted not only was he able to manipulate men's thoughts in ways that would broaden their thinking and open potentials they didn't know they possessed; he became consumed by the magnitude that could be accessed through the manipulation of multiple minds...it became quite discomforting, his talk of controlling others as if they were nothing but pawns in a game of his fabrication. He was so adamant, not only did he swear by these abilities but he thought it his right to exercise these perceived skills by whatever means he saw fit. From the beginning I was against what he was proposing, particularly when I discovered once a persons thoughts have formed, those thoughts do not melt away into time but persist and remain as vital and accessible, even after a body has passed, as are thoughts of the living...but that became too much for Lila, and she became uncomfortable with our arrangement..." he trailed to a mumble.
"And that's what you're doing, here? Looking at the thoughts of dead people?"
"Really Eve, you're much smarter than that. Whatever Edgar claimed is clearly impossible, the rants of someone who should be confined where he can receive help. He and I parted ways and I wasn't too concerned his apparent instability would lead to much harm; if you'd seen him, you know there's little chance of him being a danger to anyone." Talbot chuckled at a joke Eve didn't understand. "But he did allow me to see the results he alleged could be achieved through simple illusion and suggestion. I realized the pretension of communication with another world would be more than sufficient, particularly when the audience is predisposed to believe that anything; a few largely incomprehensible words; a flickering image; the mention of a favorite book; a remembered photograph; 'manifestations' that could be interpreted as the shadowed presence of the dearly departed when actually a sheet suspended on wires; and the audience will return again and again, paying large amounts for the smallest assurance."
"And that's what this Edgar showed you?" Eve questioned, tentatively tugging on a wire suspended to her side.
"No, and leave that alone until you know its purpose. Edgar truly believed he held the power to manipulate people's minds. I'm talking about putting on a show."
"Then what he said; what he thought was real, makin' people think what he wanted them to think and understanding dead people like they was still alive. But all this" she waved her arms around the room, brushing against a fabric-screen, causing it to totter, "is all fake. Just like what we used to do, all made up."
Talbot rushed to grab the screen before it could fall and break a nearby mirror. "It was real in his mind. The truth of 'Spiritualism', is that's it's only one more way to separate the gullible from their money. What is this interest you have in my former partner?"
"No reason, I guess. Kinda curious, if there was some way to talk to the dead, or really read people's thoughts, or know what's going to happen before it does. Like you did when those copperettes came that one night and started in to questioning us, you knew who they were before they even said anything."
"Pure speculation."
"But you said you saw one of them holding a sword and a shield, and she came from far away for a great purpose..."
Talbot turned toward Eve with a harshness she'd seldom seen. "That was nothing but fortunate guesses based upon years of practice. You think I don't know an officer when I see one? The entire concept of 'psychic powers' are only wishes of the unfulfilled or the insane. I refuse to be a part of either."
"Just askin'. So you think he got the help he needs? Maybe he's in Bethlem now?"
"I wouldn't know. Weeks ago two of his associates appeared at my door, claiming Edgar was setting up shop somewhere in London, encouraging me to join into his inner circle, but I sent them on their way. I doubt he's behind bars, curative or corrective." He breathed deeply, briefly closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "So as you can see, I'm currently working alone; my most recent assistant having disappeared into the night and not yet having found a replacement. The positions are open, if you; or your friend secreted along the wall; hold any interest."
"My, uh, friend?" Eve stammered.
"The young woman concealing herself behind those un-used props. You two entered together and she's been attempting to remain unseen and quiet as a mouse since then. That wouldn't be your Aunt, I assume?"
"My Aunt? Oh, from Worthing" Eve giggled nervously, backing toward the doorway. "No, I don't think she gets out much. Bad health 'n all. That's just...uh, shy she is." Eve looked back, waiting for Kate to emerge from the shadows as they had planned, to confront and accuse Talbot of various crimes he'd just admitted; for Kate to warn and shame and make Talbot sorry he'd ever thought Eve's only worth was as a distraction. But Kate remained silent and invisible.
"Well, the positions won't remain empty long. As simple to find attractive girls in Brighton as it is in London. If you or your friend desire the work, return before the end of the week; of course you realise this staging is far more complex than simply stuffing notes into my cuff. Any assistant, even one otherwise experienced, requires training and I can't pay full wages until you've proven you know the act."
"Yah, that's only fair. I'll, uh, I'll talk to her and we'll think about it and, uh,...be back?" Uncertain and uncomfortable, Eve hurried to the door, with each step growing more angry about why she'd been left alone in a situation she hadn't been all that eager to be part of in the first place, and confused what about their plan she'd misunderstood and done wrong. As the door opened and she and Kate were momentarily outlined against the sunset, Talbot thought while that other girl looked a bit older than Eve and too tall to be an effective front-man, she could be useful operating the rigging or standing-in for the apparition of someones long-lost loved one.
"What's that all about!" Eve blurted the instant the two crossed the street. "You said all I had to do was get 'im to start talking and you'd come out, surprise 'im 'cause he didn't see it coming, and you'd tell 'im were on to 'im. An' there I'm standin' not knowin' what's what and you don't do nothing at all. It..." she began to wilt; "...it weren't nice, Officer Kate."
"I'm sorry Eve, truly I am; I didn't act as you expected and that put you into a difficult position. But while you two were talking; and you did an excellent job gathering the information we need; I recognised Talbot could be more useful in the future than any advantage we'd gain by being too forceful now."
"But he admitted he was stealing and cheating and, uh...chumming around with dead people. Those are all crimes, right? An' what do we need him for in the future?"
"Sometimes the smaller crimes are worth overlooking if there's suspicion of imminent larger offense. After listening to your conversation, I'm certain there's more to Talbot than he lets on. Besides," Kate lowered her voice, "I really don't have any authority outside the Metropolitan area."
"Then what are we here for?!" Eve exclaimed.
"To collect information, which we did. And determine what our next steps should be, which we didn't know until you spoke with Talbot. And," she smiled; "to visit the beach."
Eve scuffed her well-worn boot-heel along the pavement. Yah, I guess that'd be allright, goin' to the beach 'n all. Still don't think it was nice a' you to keep me hanging like that, though."