The Tarkowsky Experiments          

They 1

he slams a wooden rod down upon the floor to erect a barrier.

the man and woman gaze at each other unaffected by the barrier

and walk towards one another

without appearing to see each other.

they collide

and subject to the laws of physics

they turn

and retreat to their individual world.

the man and the woman stare at each other again

still unaffected by the barrier

and walk towards one another

more rapidly than the first time

still without appearing to see one another.

they collide

and embrace.

she attempts to smile.

she brings her hand unhurriedly to caress his face

removing the smile

and exits the slowing motion to slap his face rapidly.

she smiles

bringing her hand unhurriedly to caress his face.

she slaps his face.

they never cross the barrier.

They 2

she slams a wooden rod down upon the floor to erect a barrier.

two men gaze at each other unaffected by the barrier

and walk towards one another

without appearing to see each other.

they collide

and turn

and retreat to their individual world.

the two men stare at each other again still unaffected by the barrier

and walk towards one another

more rapidly than the first time

still without appearing to see one another.

they collide

more violently this time.

they are angry with each other.

a description not applicable to when he collided with her.

at their third collision

they collide with great force and fall forward

so that they he sees Him from the other side of the barrier.   

and they are incredulous.