The Like/Hate Thread

[Jonathan Meer]

" How many fingers am I holding up, Winston ? "

" Four. "

" And if the party says that it is not four but five - then how many ? "

" Four. "

The word ended in a gasp of pain. The needle of the dial had shot up to fifty-five. The sweat had sprung out all over Winston's body. The air tore into his lungs and issued again in deep groans which even by clenching his teeth he could not stop. O'Brien watched him, the four fingers still extended. He drew back the lever. This time the pain was only slightly eased.

" How many fingers, Winston ? "

" Four. "

The needle went up to sixty.

" How many fingers, Winston ? "

" Four ! Four ! What else can I say ? Four ! "

The needle must have risen again, but he did not look at it. The heavy, stern face and the four fingers filled his vision. The fingers stood up before his eyes like pillars, enormous, blurry, and seeming to vibrate, but unmistakably four.

" How many fingers, Winston ? "

" Four ! Stop it, stop it ! How can you go on ? Four ! Four ! "

" How many fingers, Winston ? "

" Five ! Five ! Five ! "

" No, Winston, that is no use. You are lying. You still think there are four. How many fingers, please ? "

" Four ! five ! Four ! Anything you like. Only stop it, stop the pain ! "

(from Chapter 20 of 1984, George Orwell)