For this next exercise, they’re told to write ‘It’s not your fault’ in the center of the page, but Leonard’s first impulse is to make it smaller, so he erases it and makes it smaller, then scratches it out before erasing it altogether.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Dr. Pratz asks him why he did it, he tells the truth: Because it doesn’t work like that. Because it’s only ink on paper. Because deep down, he knows he should’ve been smarter, stronger, more fortified. Because maybe he deserved it. Because through the palimpsest all he can make out is ‘It’s your fault’ and this tiny piece of paper could never be big enough.