Answer

It was less of a party and more of a gathering of misfit toys - the small apartment a warm and happy place for odds and ends. One was finishing their story, "... and the voice said, "I will give you all of the answers that you are seeking this year; I will hide them in plain sight - using everyday things to solve the riddles and complete the puzzles. Will you trust that this is so - that the answer has been given to you, whether you see it clearly or not? Do you agree to look and find and accept that anything not found is still waiting for you ... right there?" I started awake and stood there for ages. Wait ... no, I didn't. I hadn't been asleep; I had been filling the sink to do dishes and no time had passed at all. I said, "YES" instantly. The fastest I've ever said yes to anything." In the silence that followed, a second person added, "I also said yes to the voice." "Screw you, guys," said a third. "I said "no" and I stand by it. Just say no to alien anal probes, my dudes," but they were fearful of what would happen next (it's hard to miss how much the hands are shaking when they are holding a small, thin glass of champagne). "What about you?" they asked, turning. "It's obvious that you had the same experience; you're white as an effing sheet. What did you answer?" "I ... haven't yet," comes the response. "I just ... I mean ... it's big, right? Binding?" They stare and offer nothing; they've decided. The television begins to count down, "10 ..." "Just decide," someone whispers. "I think that's the whole point." (9) Silence. (8 ) Silence. (7) Silence. (6) "You guys; help me out!" They shake their heads. (5) Silence. (4) Silence. (3) "Come on," one says. (2) Silence. (1) And you take a gasping breath and say ...