Keep your eye on the ball.

I said yesterday I liked to check the statues of Art and Science outside the McKim Building to see which one has gone to the birds. While I was waiting on the steps with Boston’s homeless literati for the library to open I had occasion to study the two Goddesses more closely. I have to admit that over the years I have taken them both for granted, but ever since they got a new coat of paint—what was it, a year ago or so?—they look so young and fresh they seemed to merit another look.

And talk about looks. The photo here hardly does them justice. You really have to see them for yourself, to verify what I’m about to reveal here: Art is clearly, clearly jealous of Science’s ball. Check it out for yourself. Science isn’t paying the least little bit of attention to Art, but Art is craning her neck to get a gander of what Science is up to. Science has this sort of haughty look on her face. Because she knows Art would like to snatch that ball from her. And Art looks pensive. Maybe aside from coveting Science’s ball, she’s afraid Science is gonna up and nail her with it, and Art’s got both hands full. She’d have a rough time dodging it.

And that’s another thing about Art. She’s trying to look all cool and casual but she’s clearly worried. Maybe she’s just anxiety-prone in general. She’s off her Prozac again. But she’s so forgetful! She’s brought her paint brush and her pallet, but where’s her easel? Where’s her canvas? Art has all this equipment to lug around, but all Science needs is her ball.

If only they could cooperate. Maybe Art should offer to paint Science’s ball! Do you think Science would go for it? Well, it’s worth a try.