we are in the adjacent room, listening, as norbu thundrup tells a bedtime story.
wind whistles through the potala's hallways and porticos.
the boy is tinkering, as he listens to the radio.
tenzin gyatso is asleep. we have not seen him this still, this peaceful, in a long time. he sleeps in the "buddha~ pose" - on his right side9 his head resting in his right hand. the wall behind him is white.
the dalai lama consults the nechung oracle. alone.
it is late at night. the boy is alone. he sits in front of his altar - meditating.
the nechung oracle is brought in. the monk quiets himself and readies himself for the trance.
tenzin gyatso rolls the thangka of penden lhamo and slides it into its ancient container.