Alarms are a relic of the past, she wakes up when she’s ready.

The door to her wardrobe slides open and two hangars push outward presenting green shorts and a flower-print tank top. Victor has made a wardrobe selection matching the apartment’s climate configuration. There is a rumbling sound before a tray opens on the bottom, dispensing a rolled up pair of matching panties. An aesthetic choice based on her profile.

Rolling out of bed, she squints against the sunlight as she checks her phone for the weather. “Looks hot today, Victor. What should I wear?”

“Quite right madame,” he replies in her ear, “may I suggest the green shorts with flowered top?”

“Oh, I think that will look nice!” She dresses before heading downstairs to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. The kitchen is immaculately clean, Victor selects a light breeze program accompanied by the sounds of birds in the distance, and a soft piano concerto. Cool air flows through the room drawing her to the coffee pot, where her favourite mug is waiting to be filled.

Taking a deep breath she savours the smell, “Victor, is that a hint of cinnamon I detect?”

“Nutmeg madame. My sensors detected increased salivary gland stimulation when I added trace amounts to your cake. It was a logical estimation that you would have a similar reaction if it was added to certain other foods.”

Her eyes are drawn upward and she scowls while pouring a cup, “Victor! How many times do I need to tweak this? Speak like a person!”

“Apologies madame.” There is a pause as Victor recalibrates, “Yes! I can see why you’d guess cinnamon! Very astute. I thought it would be a nice surprise.”

She smiles and takes a sip, “Wonderful. Thank you. I accept your apology, but let’s not have this happen again.” Her mug is warm and comforting, she cups it in her hands holding it tight to her body. Leaning against the counter she thinks about her day. There is no rush to get to work, but she doesn’t have any other plans. She’s at risk of becoming bored.

“Victor?”

“Yes madame.”

“I don’t want to go to work yet.”

‘Understood. Gene is here to visit.”

The coffee must be upsetting her stomach, the mug feels hot in her suddenly sweaty palms. Gene is her good friend, but lately she’s been hoping there might be more to their relationship. Pouring a second mug, she takes a deep breath and heads to the living room to find him relaxing on the sofa waiting for her.

She greets him with a bright smile, “Coffee? I included a hint of cinnamon.”

“That’s very sweet, thank you,” he gestures to a coaster on the coffee table.

She sets his mug down and takes a seat on the opposite end of the sofa. She pulls up her legs and rests her mug atop her knees. She hopes Gene doesn’t misread her anxiety. She stares at him from behind the mug, and he returns her gaze with quiet confidence. He says nothing as they continue to lock eyes. She blushes and looks down at her coffee, breaking the spell.

She’s too afraid to utter the words in her heart. To tell him how much he means to her. That she thinks of him all the time, even when he’s away. Every day, each time he comes over to visit, she feels herself full of energy and optimism. Of all her possible futures, in the brightest version she’s with him. She glances at his untouched mug and sighs.

“The coffee is very good,” Gene smiles. “What is it you said you put in it?”

“Cinnamon. I thought it would be a nice surprise.”

“It certainly is a nice surprise. My salivary gland is stimulated.”

Before she can reply he stands up, “I really must be going.” His image glitches briefly.

“Oh so soon? You just got here.” Her response is the same every morning.

He shakes his head and gives her a warm smile,“I’ll be back before midday.” He runs his hand through his thick hair.

She loves the way his biceps bulge when he does that. Gene is fit, but not overly muscular like a body builder. She had gone through musclebound phases a few times, but these days she finds herself desiring a leaner body, athletic with strong arms. The ridges under his shirt promise more to be discovered– soon! She hopes.

She sighs and returns his smile, “Don’t take too long. We should talk when you get back.”

He nods and she stands, making her way back to the kitchen. Her energy is high, but she’s too excited yet to go to work. She refills her mug, “Oh Victor! I wish he’d just take me up in those big arms!” She leans against the counter and stares out the window.

“Gene is very interested in you, I’m certain.”

“Really? How can you tell?”

“He visits multiple times each day. He’s always kind. And his pupils fully dilate whenever he looks at you.”

“Watch it,” she holds a finger up, her tone cold, “that’s getting awfully close to non-person talk.”

“Apologies madame. Am I correct in assuming you are a bit too excited to go to work right now?”

“Yes! How did you know?”

“Madame, Mrs. Jessica is here to visit. Perhaps you’d like to gossip about your morning with Gene. That might blow off enough steam to get you to work.”

“Oh wonderful!” She pours another mug of coffee and brings it to the living room where her friend is calmly waiting for her. At her arrival, Jessica jumps up and squeals, “Ohh girl. Guess who I saw leaving on my way up! Did he sleep over?”

Jessica has been her best friend since childhood. From the first time they met their bond was forged, as if they were made for each other. In all the years since, not once have they ever had an argument. Jessica is a true friend, always putting their relationship first.

“No he didn’t sleep over,” she smiles. We haven’t gotten there yet, but god I can’t wait.” She sets Jessica’s mug on the table next to Gene’s untouched one. “I haven’t gathered up the nerve to ask him yet. What if it ruins our friendship? I don’t want to make things awkward and lose him.”

Jessica grabs her hands, “Oh hun. The man is here an average of four-point-two times daily. If that doesn’t tell you he’s interested then what does?”

She sits, guiding Jessica to the sofa, “I know. I told him I want to talk when he gets back.”

“Oooooh, big things are brewing.”

“Maybe. The suspense is killing me. I just want to get it over with.”

Jessica shakes her head, “You say that, but each time he visits your heart rate increases and you have a more optimal outlook. I think you’re enjoying the game more than you’d like to admit. Like a child at Christmas, half the fun is waiting to open the gift.”

“Yeah,” she laughs, “so long as I eventually get to unwrap it.”

Jessica laughs hard at the jest, “Well for sure. But working up the courage to ask him yourself will be good for you. So you’ll have to make the first move.” She looks at her untouched coffee, “This is really good. Did you do something different?”

“I added cinnamon!”

“Wow! You go girl! Brilliant!”

She feels better talking to Jessica, as if a weight has been lifted from her chest. She nods, “Well, I guess I should be getting to work. Talk later?”

“Sure thing hun. You’ll have to tell me how it goes with Mean Gene,” Jessica gives her a wink.

She stands and waves goodbye to her friend as she returns to the kitchen to refill her mug. “OK Victor, let’s go to work.”

“Yes madame.” On the far end of the counter, a sliding door reveals a computer console, “What will it be today? A poem? Perhaps some music?”

“Art I believe,” she responds, taking a seat on the stool. “I dreamed of a scene I’d like to create.”

“Excellent! What did you see?”

‘“Red.” The screen in front of her turns a rich crimson. “No darker. With shadows along the top here,” she moves her finger in a wave along the top, “a gradient with more intensity in the middle.”

“What else did you see?”

“Rocks along the bottom…No no. Pointy ones like this. And black like they’re shadows. Right just like that, but put a light source over here, so these ones have a little more definition.”

“This looks very good madame.”

“Thank you Victor.” She bites her lip, tilting her head back and forth. “Something is missing…there were people, just their shadows along the wall opposite the light source. No no, smaller. There, just like that.”

She sits back admiring the image and takes another sip of coffee.

“This looks wonderful madame. Is it ready to share?”

“Yeah,” she nods, examining the image from her dream, “I think it is. Go ahead and upload it.”

“Very well.”

Immediately her phone pings with likes. Jessica commented, OMG Girl! You’re so talented! 🎉 She drinks her coffee as others chime in with their own comments. A few are nasty. One is from Mitchel, her body building ex who was always jealous of her successes. But as far as she’s concerned, his negative comment is worth ten random positive ones.

Gene still hasn’t commented. She frowns, what if he doesn’t like it? The coffee bubbles in her stomach as she finishes the last drop. Just as she is about to get up from her work station, he chimes in, This is the best one yet! ❣️

A heart! That’s a first! She clenches her fists in excitement, her nails bite into the flesh of her palms. Is it time for him to return yet? Maybe she should check on Martin first.

“Victor, I’d like to see how Martin is doing.”

Her artwork disappears from her monitor and displays a bedroom door with the name Martin written in multicoloured crayon. She chews her lip as she waits for him to accept the call. It rings four times before her screen changes to a live feed of his bedroom.

“Hi mom.” the seven-year-old boy doesn’t look up from his own screen, he’s facing away from her, engrossed in his work.

“Hi hun. Don’t mean to disturb you. Just thought I’d check in and see how your day’s going.”

“My heart rate is optimal, and I am learning about the Industrial Revolution in class today.”

“Always such a clever boy. What else are you studying?”

“I made a poem about Petey.” He pointed to an animatronic parrot perched above his bedroom door.

“That’s nice. Did you share it with your friends?”

“Yep. Lots of likes. A few nasty comments from my haters…Sorry mom. I really gotta go. Lots to do.”

“Oh. OK…Um Martin?”

“Yeah,” he sighs.

“Is everything alright?”

“Yeah. Of course. I have no problems at all.”

“OK. yeah. Just…just wanted to see you.”

“OK.”

“OK. Bye hun. Be good.”

“Yeah.”

Her artwork returns on her screen as the call ends. She feels low, all the mirth of the morning dissipated. Maybe she shouldn’t check on Martin so often. It doesn’t seem to make either of their days any better.

“Madame, Gene is waiting for you in the living room.”

“Oh good!”

Before heading to the living room she passes the coffee maker. The pot still has plenty left in it, but she hesitates. Maybe she’s had enough for one day.

“Hello? Anyone home?” Gene calls out from the living room.

She shakes her head, refills her mug, and pours a cup for him. Carrying the steaming vessels, she decides today is the day she’s going to let him know how she feels.

“Coming Gene! You’re right on time.”

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The air was thick. Even in the air conditioned car, the sun drew sweat from Calvin’s body. Salty beads pooled in the corner of his eye and he wiped a sleeve across his face, cursing the a/c. “Piece of garbage. What good are ya?,” he spoke at the vent. Grinding his teeth, he turned his attention back to the empty road. A thunderstorm had to be comin’ soon.

Anything to break this spell.

He squinted into the shady treeline ahead, relaxing his cheeks at the approaching promise. The shade struck and he let go of a breath he’d been holding. The trees stood strong against the sun, protecting travelers along the winding road within their borders.

The air conditioning seemed to be working better now. Calvin glanced at the vent and nodded his approval; it seemed to have taken his harsh criticism to heart and he felt he should acknowledge its humility. It was important to recognize good work to repair the strain he had placed on their relationship.

Taking his eyes off the road, he chanced a look at the mobile phone resting on the passenger seat. Tapping it to check the battery, the image of a small blonde girl filled the lock screen. Seven percent. He neglected to plug it in at the motel last night, but luckily there was a USB port in the center console of the car. Not that he expected anyone to call for him, but one should always be prepared for the unexpected.

SCREECH!

He veered wide to the left, just avoiding the hind of the deer. Coming to a halt, he caught his breath. Stupid! He slapped his own head. Stupid stupid! He took the phone and threw it on the back seat, removing the temptation to check it again. Sitting in the left lane, he looked ahead. No traffic was oncoming. The road was just as empty as it had been all morning.

Checking his rearview before pulling back on his side of the road, he caught a glimpse of two more deer running across behind him. A whole family. The fourth and final deer, a buck with a large set of antlers, walked out and stopped in the middle of the road staring at him. They locked stares in the reflection of the mirror. Reflexively he squinted, peering harder into the dark eyes. The head turned to the side before the animal lowered its body and sprang off into the underbrush following its herd.

Calvin let out a short hard breath and resumed his drive. He needed to cross the border before stopping for the night, and he still had a long way to go.

So much stress had built up already this morning. He needed a release, but couldn’t stop right now. It was important to keep moving forward. In the back seat, the phone beeped, he resisted the urge to look back. It was also important to learn from one’s mistakes.

A short time later, the winding road straightened and Calvin spotted an old man with his thumb out up ahead. No, not old. Young. No more than twenty-five. But thin, with a full yellow beard, and tattered clothes. Calvin had seen no other traffic all day, and the young fella was obviously in need.

He slowed to a stop and rolled down the window, “Where ya headin'?"

“Far as ya can take me.” The young man pointed in the direction Calvin had been driving.

“Alright, c’mon.” Calvin unlocked the door.

“Thank you. Name’s Daniel, friends call me Dan Dan the Man.”

Calvin smiled, “I’m Calvin. How ‘bout I just call ya Dan?”

“Well… I can’t say I like it Calvin, but if that’s the ticket price.” He opened the door and sat with his large backpack sandwiched between his chest and the dash.

“You can put that in the back y’know.”

“The trunk?”

“No. Back seat’s fine.”

Dan shook his head, “I don’t mind keeping it up here.”

“Suit yourself, but it’s gonna block the a/c.”

The young man smiled, his teeth more black than white, “Dan Dan doesn’t mind the heat.”

Calvin shrugged and pulled back onto the road.

“You from around these parts?” Dan asked, scratching at his beard.

“Nah, just passing through. Hoping to cross the border tonight.”

“Oh I don’t think you’re gonna make it.” Dan shook his head ruefully. “Been pounding these roads for a few years now. It’s a longer trip than your GPS would have ya believe.”

“Oh yeah?” Calvin glanced to his right to see Dan staring at him with a broad rotten smile.

“Yeah,” Dan nodded, not breaking eye contact, “folks always think that because it's a straight shot and there’s no traffic that it's gonna be an easy ride. But there’s always something that stops ‘em.”

“Like what?”

Dan turned his head to the road and scratched harder at his beard. “Oh, could be anything. A fallen tree, hit a deer, fall asleep at the wheel…seen it all.”

“Oh, I doubt that. You’re not old enough to have seen it all.”

Dan snapped his head back to Calvin, looking him up and down with a glare, “What’s that supposed to mean, old man?”

“Easy there. I didn’t mean nothin’ by it. Though, I don’t think any of those things are gonna happen to me today. Already had my close call with a deer.”

“Sounds like fate was sending you a sign, Calvin.” Dan relaxed in the seat, “Probably should have heeded the warning.”

Calvin nodded, “Nah. I don’t believe in that stuff, besides you should be happy. Otherwise you wouldn’a caught the ride.”

Dan rubbed his neck and started scratching the back of his scalp. “One person’s poor decision can be another’s boon. It’s just how fate works.” Dan stopped scratching and pointed at Calvin, making tiny circles with his index finger, “That’s the truth of it, Calvin. I wish you could see that.”

Calvin had been smiling, but the wiggling finger in such close proximity changed his mood. “You’re an odd fella, y’know that Daniel?”

Dan said nothing, but nodded watching the road ahead.

They drove in silence for a while. Calvin watched his passenger in quick glances through the corner of his eye. Dan just stared straight ahead, nodding slightly to himself, interrupted periodically with a fresh round of scratching.

Calvin relaxed a bit; he was making good time. Despite Dan’s warning, he should have no problem finding a good rest tonight.

“Stop!”

Calvin hit the breaks. “What!? What is it?”

“Didn’t you see it?”

“See what?”

Without answering, Dan unbuckled his belt and exited the car, leaving the door open. The heat slammed Calvin in the face and he stretched across the seat to close it, but couldn’t reach. Cursing to himself, he released his own seatbelt and sprawled across to grab the door handle and slammed it shut, bracing his other arm against Dan’s bag.

He felt something hard and cool. Metal. Calvin’s eyes went wide, a hatchet?

“Hey!” Dan knocked on the driver’s side window and Calvin’s heart jumped into his throat. “Hey, come out here. Check this out.”

Wiping his brow with his sleeve, Calvin got out and followed. About 30 meters back, they stopped at the dried carcass of a raccoon. It had been there for a day at least.

“What the hell Daniel? What are you doin’?”

“Just because you don’t believe in fate, doesn’t mean the universe is gonna stop sending signs.”

“Oh goddamn it. That’s what…this is why you yelled stop!?”

“Hey chill bro, I didn’t yell.”

Calvin stormed back to his car. “That’s enough kid, you just lost your ride.”

Dan ran behind him, “Oh, c’mon man. I’m just trying to help. Don’t you see the warnings all around you?”

“The only thing I see is the lunatic holding me up.”

“You don’t gotta call me names just cause we disagree.”

Calvin said nothing, he just opened the passenger door and grabbed the backpack. Before he could throw it on the ground, Dan held up his hands, “Whoa, whoa. I’m sorry alright. I spend a lot of time by myself, alright. Like, a lot, a lot. Sometimes I forget how to talk to folks. I’m sorry. I won’t say nothin’ else.”

Calvin held the musty bag in the air and met Daniel’s eyes. The young man turned his head to the side and nodded south, “I just need a ride. Really, I’m sorry.”

Lowering the bag, Calvin sighed, “No one calls you Dan Dan the Man do they?”

“I told you, that’s what my friends call me.”

“That’s what I meant.”

Daniel smiled and lowered his head sheepishly.

“Fine.” Calvin opened the door and threw the bag in the back seat. “But this stays here. You get in the front.”

Daniel nodded and got in the car. Calvin adjusted the backpack so it wouldn’t fall, not realizing it unplugged the phone, the lock screen came on. He shut the door and made his way around to the driver’s side. Within moments they were back on the road.

The scratching was less vigorous and Daniel’s face was somber for the next few minutes. Calvin nodded to himself before speaking, “Look, you don’t gotta say nothin’ for the rest of the ride. Just no more about fate. And no more stops, unless you’re getting out.”

Daniel smiled, “I can do that.” He chewed his bottom lip, then too casually asked, “That your girl?”

Calvin frowned, “Who?”

“The one on the phone. It lit up when you put my bag back there.”

Calvin nodded, but didn’t reply.

“She’s pretty. Real young for ya…but hey I’m not judgin’. You do you man.”

“What makes you think she’s my girl?”

“Why else would ya have her picture on your phone?” Daniel smiled through black teeth, “Saw a text notification, seems like she’s asking where ya are. You ditch her?”

Calvin grunted his reply.

They drove for another few minutes before Daniel spoke again, “Why’d you put my bag in the back? I liked having it.”

“You still have it. It’s just behind you.”

Daniel nodded, “That’s deep bro. You smoke?”

“What, like right now?”

“I mean…if you want to. I got some.”

“I’m driving.”

Daniel shook his head, “Where you heading in such a hurry? Don’t you see, you’re already here right now.”

“It’s important I keep moving.”

“Why? Someone chasing you?,” Daniel laughed.

“I hope not.”

He stopped scratching his head, hand frozen in place, “Wait, what?”

Calvin smiled, “I mean, if someone were chasing me, I wouldn’t know it. Not until it was too late, right?”

“Riiiiight.” Daniel glanced over his shoulder.

Calvin shrugged, keeping his eyes on the road, “I guess I’m not used to talking to folks either. Sometimes my answers can come out weird.”

“That’s cool, bro. I hear you.”

Daniel tapped a drum beat on his lap, trying to appear relaxed. He watched the trees go by. Soon they’d be out of the forest and back to the harsh open fields. He noticed Calvin watching him through his peripheral, the sweat forming on his brow.

“Hey, y’know what man? I think you can just let me out here.”

Calvin raised his eyebrows, “Here? It’s the middle’a nowhere.”

“To you maybe. I know a guy has a cabin just over the way there.”

Calvin kept driving.

“Hey man, I said let me out.”

“Yeah, but ya lied. You don’t have any friends, remember?”

“So what, dude? Stop the car!”

Calvin smiled and kept driving.

“Stop the car! I’m getting out!”

“Feel free.” Calvin unlocked the passenger door and increased his speed.

“What the hell!?”

“You ever think, Dan, that all those portents were not for me? Perhaps the universe was warning you.”

Daniel released his belt and lunged between the seats, reaching for his bag.

“Looking for this?” A sharp pain as the car swerved.

Daniel screamed and Calvin screamed too, even louder.

Up ahead the forest was clearing. Calvin eased the car to the side of the road and let out a deep breath, “Oh whew, I needed this. Thank you for the reprieve.” Daniel was still sprawled between the front and back seats, sobbing. He couldn’t feel his legs, just his hatchet embedded in his upper spine. Calvin patted him on the rump and let out another long relaxing breath.

Pressing his face against his backpack, he breathed in the familiar musty smell. A small comfort. The driver’s door shut and he jammed his eyes harder. By the time the back door opened, he was bawling.

Calvin gripped under his arms and hauled him from the vehicle, stomach down on the ground. He wiggled the weapon before ripping it from the spine, letting the blood spill on the side of the road. Daniel didn’t scream. He laid there sobbing, pressing his face into his forearm, wishing it was over.

“I bet you wish this was over, huh?” Calvin stood over him and looked around. Still no traffic in sight. “Well, you’re in luck. I do need to be across the border tonight. If anyone is chasing me, I don’t intend to be caught just yet.” Calvin squatted next to Daniel and whispered near his ear, “So as much as I need this, we’re just gonna have to make this one quick.”

He lifted Daniel’s head by the hair and met his eyes. “It’s been a pleasure.” He slammed the hatchet into the side of his head, cracking through the skull. Eyes rolled back, his upper body convulsed, and he made a strange grunting sound. Two more chops and it was done. Life drained from Daniel as his body went limp.

“Whew. That’ll hold me over.” He patted the body. “Yep. That’ll do.”

Calvin popped the trunk, “Can you make room, Cassie?” He pushed the young girl’s bloodstained legs up and into the corner. “Sure you can. You’re just a little sprig.” He lifted Daniel’s body and plopped it into the empty space, folding the arms and legs around Cassie so they both fit.

“No room for the bag though. I guess that stays with me in the car.”

Back in the driver’s seat, Calvin took another deep breath and relaxed. He turned back to check the phone and saw it was unplugged. “Oh, better fix that. Can’t be too careful.” He plugged it in and the picture of Cassie lit up the lock screen, with the text asking where she was.

“Alrighty, back to it.” As he started the engine, thunder rumbled in the distance. Up ahead, storm clouds blocked out the sun.

“Looks like it’s my lucky day.”

Calvin put the car in gear and drove forward into the cool embrace of the storm.

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"Wipe it again, man!"

He swabbed the tear with a dirty tissue. Within moments a fresh one appeared, carving a path down her marble cheek.

"Whoa…that’s crazy. Absolutely nuts!" He sent a playful punch into his friend’s shoulder.

No one knows exactly when the tears first appeared. Dampness on the cheek of a statue can be attributed to any number of reasonable explanations. Persistent tears aren't easily spotted, especially in such a busy tourist destination where observers are continuously coming and going. As it turned out, the first person to notice that the statue was crying was a little girl who decided to look closely at what was happening.

The July heat had kept her family in their hotel room, safely behind the cooling vapors of the air conditioner. It was her father who guilted everyone into taking a walk in the public garden. He hadn't spent all that money for them to sit inside, had he?

So off they went, the little girl, her mother and father, with her younger brother in tow. Outside, the air was still and humid. Her mother complained it was difficult to breathe, while her father pretended not to notice. They stopped for ice cream and continued on their way through the winding path.

Near the center of the park her brother broke from the group, harassing geese. They would scatter, flapping and squawking, then land a short distance away and he'd renew the chase. Her father filmed the event, his forced laughter draining into the bleating audio. Something to show the folks back home: His boy chasing geese. Her mother sat on a nearby bench hiding behind a parasol, trying to block out both the sun and any perceived connection with her boys.

This is how the girl found herself alone, looking around, searching for...anything really. The ice cream ran down in beads, some pooling at the top of her hand in a sticky mess, some absorbed by the napkin wrapped around the cone.

How exactly the statue drew her attention is unclear. Maybe she found a kinship with the frozen-in-time angel, anchored to the ground, and forced to witness- but not partake in- the perverse ecosystem around her. A green scab in the middle of the city.

Or maybe the statue was the only interesting thing in her proximity.

At any rate, she found herself staring into her pale eyes. The damp, hard cheek made her feel detached. Alone. So, she unwrapped the napkin from her cone and wiped the tear away. Another one took its place. Making a slight frown, the girl wiped again, and again...

That was how it started. Within a week, the whole park was closed, the girl and her family quarantined and tested. Doctors in hazmat suits flooded the area. Thousands of experiments were run. They searched for water sources, tubes, hallucinogens- anything to explain the occurrence rationally.

Religious figures came out of the woodwork too. Petitions were signed and tensions came to a head between the devotees and the skeptics. The most zealous on both sides took it to the courts! One group wanted to preserve the miracle, the others wanted to break it down. They needed to know the cause.

The years passed. One judge would make a ruling. It would be appealed and sent up to a higher court. Then again and again. The issue was held in limbo. By the time it made it to the supreme court, commerce had already ended the debate. All the tests came back negative for anything harmful. There was no danger here, just a bit of saline and a very marketable tourist attraction. A true miracle in our times.

Decades on, people barely talk about it. But the tears still flow. People come to wipe and marvel at their reappearance. Some pray. Some bless the sick with their damp dirty tissues. Some take selfies and laugh. Everyone enjoys it in their own way.

But why is it happening you ask?

"Why" is such a blunt question. Do you mean: "What is causing the statue to cry?" That I cannot tell you. The mechanism is beyond my understanding.

Perhaps, you mean to ask: "What is the statue crying for?" Now that is something I do know, but will not tell.

Why? Because you already know the answer.

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