THE LIBRARY HERE IS enormous. I was in no mood to read, but slowly the catalogue hypnotized me by its scope. And this one was only for the ground floor.
When the chimes rang for the rest period the guide led us out. On the inside of the front door hung a plaque on which was printed:
LONG AFTER THE WORLD WILL HAVE CEASED TO BE, THE WORD “WORLD” WILL STILL EXIST. THAT IS THE MEANING OF HOPE.
Ah, I thought, you hypocritical bastards. But then as the wind shook the open door I noticed that the plaque hung loosely and could be turned around. On the other side was printed:
LONG AFTER MEN HAVE CEASED TO DESTROY THEMSELVES THE WORD “SUICIDE” WILL STILLEXIST. THAT IS THE MEANING OF FATE.
Okay, I thought. At least that evens the score. Hell of a motto for a library, though.
In the end was the word.