“The best table.” Oz sets the newspaper on the table. It’s the English edition of The New York Times. “From here you can see the world as it comes in.”

The headline is about the US president and the conviction of another of his top aides.

“For lying to Congress.” Oz smiles as he taps the paper. “As though this is a crime in politics.”

I look over at the buffet and try to imagine what a sick person would like to eat.

“So, the news,” says Oz. “I spoke with a friend who works at the National Museum. And yes, Wild West shows did come to Prague. There is a story, he says, of an Indian man who falls off a horse and is injured. My friend says that this Indian stays in Prague to recover from his injuries.”

I feel a small surge of excitement. “Leroy Bull Shield?”

“Why not.”

“But your friend doesn’t know. Was there any mention of a medicine bundle?”

“This can be added to the story,” says Oz.

“So, the man wasn’t Leroy Bull Shield.”

“Who can say,” says Oz. “This is how it is with stories. What we wish to be true can be made to be true.”

The items on the menu have changed, and I don’t know what to order for my hot entree.

“Imagine,” says Oz. “Uncle Leroy comes to Prague. And during the show, he is injured while attacking a wagon train.”

“Injured?”

“A fall,” says Oz. “He is placed in a hospital, where he recovers. Perhaps he is treated by a nurse, a beautiful Czech woman. They fall in love, marry, and move to Karlovy Vary, where is her family.”

“Karlovy Vary?”

“This is to the west. Karlovy Vary is famous for its hot springs. There, in Karlovy Vary, our Indian is a celebrity.”

The server comes by, and I let Oz order for the both of us. “They have three, no, four children and live happily ever after.”

“Which is why he never comes home.”

“Yes,” says Oz. “That part is sad, but unavoidable.”

“And the medicine bundle?”

“Ah,” says Oz. “It is still with the family. The children have it, and each time it is opened, they remember their father.”

“Grandfather.”

“Yes, of course. Grandfather.”

“Good story,” I say.

“This is how realities begin,” says Oz. “But first, we must tell a story again and again, until it can walk on its own.”

“Even if it’s not true.”

“Adam and Eve,” says Oz. “Supply-side economics. Weapons of mass destruction. Stories don’t have to be true in order to prosper. A great lie can be a great success.”

I get up and go to the buffet. Oz stays at the table and reads his paper. Making up a new medicine bundle to replace the old one is one thing. Making up a story about Uncle Leroy and his life after he left Canada is another.