Yokel 1: It be that Thomas Hardy's birthday then
Yokel 2: That it be.
Y1: Shall us goo and wish en well?
Y2: Mortal craters like us voäkes can't do that.
Y1: Why's that?
Y2: Because he's dead and gone, as we all shall be.
Y1: Shall us wish en "Happy Heavenly Birthday" then? Like on Facebook?
Thomas Hardy: No. For an afterlife is but a human invention, to make the modern life more bearable for us as we walk the shaggy heaths below the empty Wessex skies.
Y2: How come you can talk to us then?
TH: Because I am but the personification - the anthropomorphization, if you will - of your hopes for what comes beyond the grave. Incidentally, any chance of getting my ashes back from Westminster Abbey? I'm weary of people treading on me, and never wanted to be there.
Y1: If this is our imagination how can you say words like anthroponilification which we unlearned yokels don't even know?
TH: Bugger. I knew I'd get caught out if I got sucked into the discussion.
Y2: Art coming to Peter's Finger for a pretty drop of tipple?
TH: No. I've got tea and crumpets with TS Eliot.
Y1: And Peter's Finger has been turned into a trendy suburban house.
Y2: The Convivial Rabbit then?
Y1 Wi' all ny heart. It's more expensive than the Royal Oak, but a much nicer place.
