Now the other arm, the only arm now, began to be a conundrum. Not only was its basic existence changed, but its meaning as well. It was no longer one of a matched pair. It became the family care taker filling in for the absent arm and soon amassing so much other work. It was a focal point for all of his attention. Doted on, but to the point that it was overworked and babied at once. And now instead of a twin to displace attention there was a binary opposition, the empty space that once stood for a particular. There was its own fate, to be immobile, dismembered, a removable element--important yes--but essentially disposable. Not that it could think this of itself, but it provided a way for Merc to think through the change. Not through perhaps, but about. To give attention to the full situation. If not the arm or arms.