Conversation · Shelf of Paranormal Books

This bookstore is not strictly about crime, romance, and biographies of famous people -- there's also a wide range of paranatural literature.

Look through the shelf.

Amidst the various books you find one written by someone named Matthias W. Dundas. It's about "Wholeness, Unity, Balance".

These three things are very important to the working-class mind.

The point of the book, and many others on this shelf, is to give people medicinal advice in situations where they don't have access to paid health services.

How does that work?

It serves platitudes, while also telling everyone that traditional medicine (the kind people don't have access to, and which costs more than this book) is garbage, and would only give you cancer anyway, without even curing your cold or anything.

"Wholeness, Unity, Balance" on the other hand, can basically take care of anything. Though it is important to note...

"When it's up to your mind to heal yourself, then it's because of your mind that you're ill in the first place."

It's your own fault if you're ill, got it.

Uh huh, interesting.

Various paranatural books still litter the shelf.

Does the book say anything else?

The book features chapters on topics such as: how to find magnesium (it even lists plants you can harvest magnesium from); how to continue drinking if you're an alcoholic who has destroyed his liver; and...

...there's even a chapter on the ancient Seraise tradition of using duck gall bladder (preservatives) to treat and prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Pre- and post-factum apply. Nothing worth buying.

This is just mundane garbage. What's even para-natural about this?

"All right. I want to buy Medicinal Purposes of the Pale."

"Indeed..." She mumbles, staring at the book for a moment. "Something about that book does seem to have spoken to you..."

"Well, I hope it contains what you're looking for."

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Find something truly otherworldly.

The throbbing in your head increases with every passing moment you gaze at this shelf...

Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, a small green book becomes apparent. The title of it reads: "Medicinal Purposes of the Pale."

What's the pale?

The book contains very little explanation on the matter -- this knowledge seems to be taken for granted.

That's all I need to know.

What's this book about?

The book contains descriptions of various pseudo-scientific therapies, alternative medicines, and folk remedies involving the pale -- also known as le territoire.

For example, it recommends vigorously swatting one's naked body with a venik, or hand broom, made from "the leafy twigs of a young birch tree from the near-pale."

Even better if you can find someone else, preferably a large man dressed in nothing but a towel, to thrash you while you're spread naked and helpless on a cool slab.

Sounds painful.

It is supposedly invigorating and good for the circulation.

I think I've heard enough.

What else?

It also recommends consuming distilled spirits like vodka or whiskey that have been aged in the pale. Readers are instructed to cover these jars in a shallow hole just inside the pale, and leave them there for 30-60 days, depending on the potency desired.

And what does this pale-aged liquor do?

Among other benefits, it is alleged to restore a damaged liver to perfect health.

That seems... improbable.

I should probably get my hands on some of that. What else is in there?

For general health and well-being, readers are encouraged to take regular strolls through the pale, though a sidebar cautions readers to limit each stroll to less than an hour...

These strolls promise to "cleanse the mind of worries and the body of toxins," especially if the perambulator performs this ritual in the nude. (Nudity figures prominently in a number of these prescriptions.)

This is exactly what you need!

Entroponetic nudism? That's insane. That's beyond dangerous.

Huh. Anything else of note?

There's an entire section devoted to cures for men who are struggling to perform their "marital obligations."

I probably need that.

"Excuse me, sir! I believe you've been perusing that particular volume long enough. If you'd like to continue reading I must insist you buy it."

Well, I certainly don't need that.

You close the book and return it to its place on the shelf.

I don't know... I don't want to be the party-pooper, but this pale territory sounds sort of dangerous. Maybe you shouldn't walk in it naked.

I think I've heard enough.

How is that possible?

Is it any more improbable than anything else that human beings put their faith in?

Fair enough. What else is in there?

Sounds invigorating.

It is, and good for the circulation, too.

You sense something ominous emanating from the shelf... but it lacks form and substance, and soon enough you lose track of it.

"Storekeep, what books are these?"

"Hum... sir, please, no browsing in that shelf." She narrows her eyes. "That wisdom is not for free."

"I can't have you end up... like... opening a police store next door and stealing my customers, oh no."