The Museum of Eterna's Novel

FOR THE CHARACTERS IN MY NOVEL

They know that I’m extremely happy with their performances, but they’re begging me to tell them so before the novel, and not wait until its conclusion. Although they don’t show it, this is because they know I’m competent to finish prologues, and they believe me less than competent to finish novels. Seeing that I’m in the last prologue without keeping my promise, they have me cornered. The novel would already be starting if it wasn’t for this exigency, which occasions yet another prologue.

But if I acknowledge that they have conducted themselves admirably — for example, the Traveler, who has always been by my side and who has constantly been traveling within the novel, perfuming the chapters with his scent of suitcase-leather — it must be recognized that I, for my part, have been faithful to his docile character. In this way, although I have suffered shocking budget shortfalls while I wrote my great novel, I have neither sold nor pawned a single character. How much could I have gotten for the President? Or for the character who makes himself a millionaire, complete with a Rolls-Royce? Anyone would have pawned himself for Sweetheart’s life and happiness, but among ourselves we all found a way to avoid one evil or another, and if I’ve borne certain inconveniences so as to not have to be separated from them for a few weeks, the novel has not been totally frustrated.

Thus characters and author are mutually content and a joint reception is planned in their honor.