What if It Is Not Magic?
Beta: Actually, now I do not understand why that magic was even necessary.
Gamma: Why? Beta, what’s come over you? How was that artist initially exposed? Remember all the nifty stuff they just got! All the riches, the champagne pouring from the sky! If it were not for the magic, then there would be no publishers in line, no money for the first sale, not the slightest interest in proudly putting on the cover “I sponsored this author!” Nothing, Beta, nothing, just empty pockets!
Delta: Hmm … well, actually, if an artist is not known to the public, there is no way for him to get paid on any planet.
Alpha: How do they get rich then?
Beta: Frankly, I don’t care how it happens down here.… By the way, I’ve heard many times that only a handful of artists get considerable money. The great majority of them are starving artists anyway.
Alpha: So? A talented one gets money, untalented—does not. What’s wrong with that?
Delta: What’s wrong with it is that it ain’t true. As simple as that. My father says that it is a rare coincidence when real talent gets real money.
Gamma: This is not the case on the Magic Planet! I am dying to learn how Beta was going to provide the magic without magic!
Alpha: I’m not. All you fantasized before wouldn’t work! And anyway, it’s impossible.
Delta: Oh, that’s clever. You do not want to hear what Beta is up to because you think it wouldn’t work?
Kappa: It is too early to judge. Beta, what was it that you wanted to tell us?
Beta: Look, can you imagine that publishers and others who want to use a work of art are free to do so?…
Delta: Like on the Magic Planet!
Kappa: Delta, do not interrupt, please! You’ll never hear the answer!
Beta: OK, I’ll continue. Everybody is free to use it but is obliged to attribute the work to its author.
Alpha: So?
Delta: Ah … the author gets exposed with every single use of his work.
