Hidden Talents

studied this kind of stuff once. You know what I'm talking about. The social dynamics of this place are fascinating. Based on my initial observations six months ago, I've created a theory. Now I want to test that theory.”
    “What theory?”
    “It has to do with the role of legends in small communities, especially small frontier communities. I think local myths are one of the forces that give the social structure substance and make the whole thing work. They unify a community. In a nutshell, my theory states that communities that don't have a few local myths have to invent them in order to survive.”
    “Sounds interesting,” Serenity admitted.
    “Sometimes the myths seem mundane, especially to outsiders,” Lloyd said. “Just gossip about the neighbors in many cases. Who's sleeping with who. In the old days some of the local legends of a frontier community probably revolved around gunslingers and gamblers and gold strikes. The point is, the community needs those tales in one form or another to help give it cohesion.”
    Serenity nodded. “I see what you mean.”
    “Look, I promise I'll tell you all about it later. The thing is, I need your help. I can't do good fieldwork here without you. You know I won't be able to get decent interviews or participant observer responses unless you convince the natives to cooperate.”
    “Forget it,” Serenity said.
    “I can't forget it.” Some of the upbeat tone went out of Lloyd's voice. It was replaced with grim determination. “I told you the other night, I need this project. I've got a lot riding on this, careerwise.”
    “Choose some other small town,” Serenity said.
    “But, Serenity love, Witt's End is unique. And as far as I can tell from the literature search that I did, no one else in the field has even discovered this place, let alone studied it.”
    Caleb raised one brow. “I think the natives, as you call them, like it that way.”
    “I'm not going to disturb their precious lifestyle,” Lloyd insisted. “Hell, that's the last thing I want to do. But I need to get into the social circle, so to speak. This place functions almost like a tribe, as far as I can tell. That's what gave me the idea about the importance of the local legends.”
    Serenity glanced at him warily. “Just what local legends are you trying to analyze, Lloyd?”
    “The one about the vision pools, or whatever you call them.”
    “What on earth are you talking about?” Serenity asked coolly.
    “Come on, Serenity, don't play dumb with me. This is your old friend, Lloyd, remember?” He grinned. “You told me yourself about the hot springs that are hidden in a cave somewhere around here.”
    “I may have mentioned them. It's no secret that there are hot springs in this part of the mountains,” Serenity said casually. “They've never been commercially developed, however. They're not easily accessible.”
    “But they're the stuff of local mysticism and legend, aren't they?” Lloyd insisted. “People claim to see visions in them.”
    “That's nonsense,” Serenity said firmly. “I don't know anyone who's ever seen a real vision in the hot springs.”
    “Hell, I know that no one has ever seen a real vision.” Lloyd waved that aside. “There is no such thing. The point is, the myth about the pools exists, and that makes them a very interesting element in the local social dynamic.”
    “Those pools don't have any impact at all on our social structure.” Serenity opened a cupboard and took out three mugs. “Lloyd, please try to get this through your thick skull. I'm not going to help you turn Witt's End into a research subject.”
    “We can talk about it later,” Lloyd said easily. He slanted a glance at Caleb and then frowned intently at Serenity. “Tell me again why you need a business consultant? I didn't catch it the first time.”
    “Probably because I didn't say.” Serenity poured hot water over the leaves in the pot. “I'm going to expand my grocery into a mail order business. I think it will be very good for Witt's End. A lot of people here in town have something to market but no practical way of reaching consumers except through craft fairs. When Witt's End by Mail gets going, they'll be able to sell their products through my catalog.”
    “Are you serious?” Lloyd was clearly horrified. “You're going to expand Witt's End Grocery into a catalog operation?”
    Serenity looked at him. “Yes. That's why I hired Caleb. He specializes in consulting start-up