I noticed a strange lady at the museum of art history. More to the point, what I noticed was the jewelry she wore around her neck. She was staring intently at a painting of a storm over sea, waves crashing. She seemed delighted by the dark and foreboding work. The light caught the necklace as she turned her head this way and that to view the painting. At some point, she felt my stare and directed her smoky gaze at me. With one eyebrow raised, she asked, "Is there something the matter? Do I know you?" Feeling slightly embarrassed to have been so rudely staring, I replied, "I am intrigued by your necklace. It is so unusual." Her hand quickly went to her neck. "Yes, I guess you could say it is unusual. It is old. Very old. It is a collection of keys to Pandora's Box." I think I laughed out loud. When I saw she was not amused, I said, "Oh, it is one of those mystical new age type things. Right?" Her curt reply pierced me to the soul. "Sir, have you not been watching the news the last few months? These keys have opened the box many times lately. Soon you will believe what I say because I will have opened it a hundredfold!" I stood with my mouth open, as she walked down the corridor and turned the corner. I ran after her to ask more questions or to perhaps apologize for offending her somehow, but when I turned the corner she was no where in sight. I left the museum wondering if I had seen a crazed woman or the actual "keeper of the keys". I shivered even though the day was warm. Thanks for looking and reading. Appreciated. Lyla (Incendia)