The streets resembled an ant hill. He pushed through the crowd and into the Brick Lane Gallery. As
he looked at the art, he realized that people don’t want to see great walls anymore. People complimented his
landscape, then just walked past. He only knew one other place to go.
As he stepped up the stairs he thought about Catherine, and how happy she made him feel. She always
seemed to find the perfect way to make him forget his sadness. He scurried through the doors, and through the
big hallways. He walked up to the manager and presented the art. Astonished, the manager took the fragile
canvas and went to show it to the rest of the staff. They returned soon after and paid Parson handsomely. He
happily took the money and walked out of the Museum of the Great Wall.
Parson now had enough money to go to the Great Wall of China. He ran back to his room, put his
Commonplace Book into his coat pocket, grabbed a bag of salmon crackers, scooped up Numero and rushed out
the door.
The Great Wall was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, even more beautiful than Catherine. It
looked exactly like a dragon– every single measurement must have been checked a thousand times. Looking far
ahead, he saw somebody, but not anybody -- the figure of someone from a past life.
As Parson walked faster up the slope, the figure turned and saw him, and then ran straight for Parson.
Closer, Closer, boom! Both gentlemen fell to the ground, then got up. The figure said, “Charles! It’s been so
long! This is incredible! What are you doing here? When did you get here? Why didn’t you tell me you were
coming?!” but Charles still didn’t know who it was.
“
Excuse me, but I do not know who you are,” he said distractedly.
“
It’s me! Julian! Julian Brook!” Charles lost his balance and fell. He couldn’t believe it was his best
friend and he didn’t even recognize him.
“
Whaa.. You..I.. We….” He stuttered “ I.. It’s been 25 years!”
“
Yes, it has been a very long time indeed, but I am so happy to see you here! Tell me, what are you up
to?” he asked as he helped Charles to his feet. “I heard about your sister’s passing. I am so sorry. She was so
young.” Parson replied, “Yes, yes, that was a long time ago, anyway . . . .” Julian ventured, “I met this woman
named Catherine. She knew you. She said that you were in a relationship. I’m so glad for you! But it’s been a
while since she saw you. Anything wrong?”
Parson looked down at his hands. He hadn’t given her much thought lately, or anyone else for that
matter. “Yeah, I don’t think we’re together anymore.” Julian looked sad. “Well, anyway, what are you doing
here?” he asked, trying to sound cheerful.
“
The measurements you sent me were wrong. I have come to measure them myself. I want to be as
precise as I can,” he replied.
“
Well then, can I help you?”
Together they measured the wall, precisely this time. At night, they reminisced and went to sleep in the
tourist hotel nearby.
After 30 days, the men found that the Ming Wall measured 6,259 km, and the hills and rivers that
blocked it were 2,232 km wide. Parson looked at the numbers, and out came the 8. He’d done it again; it was
correct. He beamed a smile at Julian.
* * *