Question

D4.

Aurigae II Dear Pen Pal, You say you showed the photographic plate to one of the doctors at the hospital-I cannot picture what you mean by “doctor” or “hospital” but let that pass-and he took the problem up with government authorities. Problem? I don't understand. I thought we were having a pleasant correspondence, private and personal. I shall certainly appreciate your sending that picture of yourself.

D5.

Aurigae II Dear Pen Pal, I assure you that I am not annoyed at your action. It merely puzzled me, and I am sorry the plate has not been returned to you. Knowing what governments are, I can imagine that it will not be returned to you for some time, so I am taking the liberty of enclosing another plate. I cannot imagine why you should have been warned against continuing this correspondence. What do they expect me to do? - eat you up at long distance? In any event, I would like your picture as a memento of our friendship, and I will send mine as soon as I have received yours. Skander

D6.

Aurigae II Dear Pen Pal, Your last letter was so slow in coming that I thought you had decided to break off the correspondence. I was sorry to notice that you failed to enclose the photograph, puzzled by your reference to having a “relapse”, and cheered by your statement that you would send it along as soon as you felt “better” - whatever that means. However, the important thing is that you did write. Here I am in prison, doomed to spend the next thirty years tucked away from the mainstream of life. Even the thought is hard on my restless spirit, though I know I have a long life ahead of me after my release. In spite of your friendly letter, I won't feel that you have completely re-established contact with me until you send the photograph. Skander

1. Why (D4) do you think Pen Pal showed Skander’s photographic plate to a doctor at the hospital?
2. In all the last four letters, Skander is insistent that Pen Pal sends a photograph of himself. Why do you think Skander is so insistent?
3. Why (D5) do you think Pen Pal’s government warned him against continuing the correspondence?

Answer 1

1. The Pen Pal showed Skander’s photographic plate to a doctor because it was very unusual and confusing. He wanted an expert to examine it and find out whether it was real or if there was something strange about it.
2. Skander wants the photograph because he values their friendship and wants to know what his Pen Pal looks like. He also wants to keep the photograph as a memento (memory) of their friendship.
3. The government warned the Pen Pal because they believed Skander could be an unknown or dangerous being. They wanted to protect public safety and gather more information before allowing further communication.