Luke Rhinehart's THE DICE MAN is one the most remarkable novels of the Twentieth Century. First published in 1971, the book in the last several years has experienced an amazing resurgence of interest. It has been published or republished in more than twenty countries and is now selling more copies than ever. In 1995 a BBC production named THE DICE MAN "
Luke is also the author of seven additional books. SEARCH FOR THE DICE MAN and THE BOOK OF THE DIE are books that expand some of the ideas and comedy of the original DICE MAN novel. WHIM is the innocent side of Chance and the novel is the hilarious story of this teenager's frantic efforts to discover ultimate truth. Most recently Luke has published NAKED BEFORE THE WORLD, a comic romp set in Mallorca at the height of the hippy age.
"Officially," Dr. Toom was saying with a relaxed smile and a half-empty glass, "there are no hippies in Maya. There are no drugs."
Dwight, Diane and Ned Flower were drinking with him at the cafe. It was the first informal meeting of the Institute of Creative Arts and Letters; one student was absent.
"Officially," he went on, "the Spanish fascist dictatorship does not exist. Franco is a short General Eisenhower."
"Oh yeah?" said Dwight. "Then where are we anyhow?"
"We live in legendary Spain, home of beauty, friendliness and history."
"Is there booze?" Dwight asked.
"Yes," replied Dr. Toom. "Booze officially exists and may not be taken to your rooms."
"What about sex?" asked portly Ned Flower.
"Sex also exists,” said Dr. Toom, puffing three quick times on his pipe, "but only between married students."
"I thought all the students who're coming are single?" Diane said.
"They are,” replied Dr. Toom.
Dwight laughed.
"Sex between other people doesn't exist?"
"Not officially," answered Dr. Toom, and his face assumed its serious, lecturing frown. "Officially all students are here to learn and to create.”
"Isn't that what sex is all about?" suggested Diane, smiling brightly.
"Hardly,” answered Dr. Toom.
"What about the native Islanders?" asked Ned Flower.
"The Mallorquins do not exist,” Dr. Toom replied sedately. “For two reasons. First of all, it might damage our reputation when the Islanders hear the non-existent Spanish most of our students speak; and secondly, the Mallorquin language is far from Castilian Spanish and thus would act as a bad influence on you."
"What are we supposed to do in the local stores?" Dwight asked.
“I have always found it perfectly effective to point and grunt, " said Dr. Toom. Again Dwight laughed.
"What are some of the things that do exist?" asked Diane; she was sitting erect and slender at the little cafe table ready to take notes, if there were ever anything noteworthy.
“Art exists," replied Dr. Toom. "Literature exists. I exist." He paused and puffed on his pipe. "Not necessarily in that order of course.”
'What about nature, Bernie?" asked Ned Flower. "I'd like my students to do some sketching of the trees, the rocks, the old stone houses."
"Good idea, Ned. Nature exists. We expect no trouble from nature and thus it is an important part of our official program. I'm sure you’ve read our brochure."
"I wrote it, " said Ned.
"Ah yes," said Dr. Toom. "However, the rats, the garbage, the sewage, the flies, and the occasional blatant copulation of the animals do not exist."
"How about birds?” asked Dwight.
"Birds are generally discreet," answered Dr. Toom, "and may exist."
"How about the world situation, the War in Vietnam, the revolt of the Basques, the Franco dictatorship?"
Dr. Toom looked over sharply at Dwight and scowled.
"We have created this educational institution here precisely to avoid such distractions. In Maya, thank God, the War in Vietnam does not exist; the Basques do not exist; Franco is a pot-bellied old man, and the world situation consists solely of world literature and world art up to Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea."
"But Dr. Toom," Diane said, "Your brochure spoke eloquently about the relevancy of art in a torn and divided world."
"It did?" Dr. Toom said.
"A lovely phrase," said Ned Flower. "Art is relevant in a torn and divided world by rising above ephemeral upheaval and conflict."
"Ah," said Dr. Toom. "Very good. Thus Oedipus Rex will live forever, and live forever precisely because it was not set in Vietnam.”
Dwight leaned back in his chair shaking his head.
"Hippies don't exist, drugs don't exist, Franco doesn't exist, the natives don't exist, sex doesn't exist, war doesn't exist. . . What kind of a place is this?"
Dr. Toom smiled triumphantly.
"This island is a paradise. And Maya is the Garden of Eden."
"A garden without any bugs and without any dirt."
"Exactly."
"Sometimes I wonder if the students exist."
"Believe me, Dwight," said Dr. Toom, setting down his pipe and picking up his drink, "It took a lot of courage on my part and I may yet live to regret it."
"Regret what?" asked Diane.
"Letting students exist."
