Sight Unseen

Brick wall. B. Outstretched striped towel. C. Tree bark. D. Wooden Fence." Damn! I couldn't remember whether there'd been a wall, a towel, a tree, or a fucking fence in the picture! If Professor Emile would stick to questions about the model, I'd have no problems answering his questions, I thought, as I circled "D," choosing "Wooden fence" for no reason other than that I'd already circled a "B" and a "C" and, somehow, "Brick wall" didn't seem right. It would be hard not to remember a brick wall, I thought, although, really, why would it be any less difficult to recall any of the other objects listed as possible answers to the question? It was unfair of Professor Emile to ask about anything but the naked woman in the photograph, I thought. Hell, what did he expect us to be gawking at, clouds and architectural or landscape features? If he'd stick to the chick, I could score a 100 percent on his asinine quiz, I told myself.

Glancing at the quiz, I sighed with relief as I saw that the next question did concern the model.

I remembered Professor Emile's declaration. "People do not see that at which they look." It seemed like a challenge.

Well, if it was a challenge, I was ready to meet it, now that he was focusing on the naked woman in the picture instead of the photograph's peripheral clutter.

The fourth question asked, "What is the model wearing in her hair? A. Barrett. B. Beads. C. Bow. D. Comb." With confidence, I circled "A."

The fifth question was even easier, I thought, drawing a circle around the letter "D": "Which word best describes the model's nipples? A. Inverted. B. Large. C. Puffy. D. Small."

Question six asked, "Which response most accurately summarizes the model's physique? A. Muscular. B. Short and stocky. C. Tall and slender. D. Top-heavy." I grinned, circling "D." The model had large breasts and narrow hips, so this question was a gimme!