Incurable disease and chronic pain throw a big wrench in the mechanics of a story line. In this episode I reflect on why that might be, and why main character energy dries up so profoundly in the face of it. I also talk a little about the paradox in the symbol of the snake, and explore just briefly what went on between Eve and the serpent in the garden of Eden and the particulars of their mutual “curse”. And I also mention the Rod of Asclepius - the universal logo for hospitals and healing - a staff with a snake climbing up it. There is ambivalence in this imagery. Poison is medicine and medicine, poison - the difference seems to be in the framing and application. Perhaps there are some clues here about how to move forward - even when the snake is still biting.