THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY (1961, SWEDEN)

(The blog writer contemplates what he wants to say about Ingmar Bergman’s Through a Glass Darkly, the first of Bergman’s faith trilogy. His train of thought is interrupted when the invisible entity known as The Presence, descends upon him.)

Blog Writer: (Putting his hand to his chest) My God! You startled me.

The Presence: I’m sorry. Know you hate the pop-in.

Blog Writer: No, no. Actually, I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been thinking that you were right about me promoting myself more. In fact, I’ve been practicing. Listen to this: L & L Dreamspell’s Dreamspell Nightmares 2 featuring many great stories including “Death Takes Another Holiday” by Christopher Cox is now available…You don’t seem to be listening.

The Presence: No, I heard most of what you said.

Blog Writer: I haven’t gotten to the part where I say the ISBN number, it’s…could you try to pay attention?

The Presence: Of course. All you say is well and good… I don’t know. I haven’t been in the mood for promotion lately.

(It’s at this point the blog writer notices bubbles floating from where The Presence’s presence is.)

Blog Writer: Are you blowing bubbles?

The Presence: You should try it sometime. It’s really cool. (The Presence blows a longer string of bubbles this time.)

Blog Writer: What is going on here? Last time you were here and I was writing about The Haunting, you were acting like a salesman on steroids like…like Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross and now you’re acting like some stoned hippie like…like…

The Presence: Dick Shawn in The Producers?

Blog Writer: Yes, like Dick Shawn in The Producers.

The Presence: (Laughing) Yeah, he was so funny. Why don’t you watch something like that? This Bergman picture just gives me the blues.

Blog Writer: But wasn’t it interesting? The underlying search for God…God as a spider…the artist that does his art but doesn’t know how to communicate to his family. And I love those remote Swedish settings and the great black & white cinematography.

The Presence: Sometimes all I want is just an old-fashioned pie fight.

Blog Writer: But a pie fight’s not very deep.

The Presence: But it’s real funny. You know, when the person who the pie is intended for ducks and it hits the wrong person. Especially when it hits a society woman with a string of pearls and a fancy hat and she doesn’t know what to say, because she’s got pie all over her face but she’s trying to still act all proper! Isn’t that a scream?

Blog Writer: Can I promote the book now?

The Presence: I’m not stopping you. (The Presence turns from the blog writer and blows another bubble)

Blog Writer: OK, Here I go: She came towards him, panting with anticipation. Cheeks rosy from the blustering wind…Huh, why did I type that? I was going to mention the book again and I… my fingers just seemed to type out the lines from…

The Presence: (Giving the impression of snapping his fingers) The same lines that the novelist played by Gunnar Bjornstrand typed in Through a Glass Darkly!

Blog Writer: Do you think my subconscious is trying to tell me that I can relate to art more that I can relate to real life?

The Presence: I thought I was your subconscious.

Blog Writer: I don’t know what the hell you are! But, I’m a little scared here. Yet I’m oddly exhilarated. Would you watch the second part of the Bergman faith trilogy with me? I’m not up to doing it alone. Please? I have a feeling this might be difficult for me emotionally, yet I’m driven to embrace it.

The Presence: Okay, Sybil. To tell you the truth, I’m more in the mood for some Keystone Kops or Fatty Arbuckle, maybe a Laurel and Hardy two-reeler...But I’ll do it.

Blog Writer: Thanks, pal.

TO BE CONTINUED