Today's Stichomancy for Mel Brooks

The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Red Seal by Natalie Sumner Lincoln:

subsided in his chair with what the detective concluded was dangerous quietude.

"My next step, now that suspicion was directed against Sylvester, was to make personal inquiries regarding him," went on Kent. "Judge Hildebrand, who had just returned to Washington, said that he first met Sylvester at a circus sideshow where he gave exhibitions as a contortionist. One of his special stunts was to slip out of handcuffs and ropes."

"So that explains last night," Ferguson grinned. "You'll not do it again, Sylvester," and he shook an admonitory finger at the erstwhile clerk.

The Red Seal

The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson:

Treasure Island

The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Salome by Oscar Wilde:

je ne veux pas qu'elle danse.

HERODE. Ne te leve pas, mon epouse, ma reine, c'est inutile. Je ne rentrerai pas avant qu'elle n'ait danse. Dansez, Salome, dansez pour moi.

HERODIAS. Ne dansez pas, ma fille.

SALOME. Je suis prete, tetrarque.

[Salome danse la danse des sept voiles.]

HERODE. Ah! c'est magnifique, c'est magnifique! Vous voyez qu'elle a danse pour moi, votre fille. Approchez, Salome! Approchez, afin que je puisse vous donner votre salaire. Ah! je paie bien les danseuses, moi. Toi, je te paierai bien. Je te donnerai tout ce

The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare:

Samp. Draw if you be men. Gregory, remember thy washing blow.

They Fight.

Ben. Part Fooles, put vp your Swords, you know not what you do. Enter Tibalt.

Tyb. What art thou drawne, among these heartlesse Hindes? Turne thee Benuolio, looke vpon thy death

Ben. I do but keepe the peace, put vp thy Sword, Or manage it to part these men with me

Tyb. What draw, and talke of peace? I hate the word

Romeo and Juliet