File No. 034

Sister Switch

Reluctant Conductor

"On, off. Everything else is negotiation."

Found: Wired into a wall that no longer had a house around it · Filed 1994

Quirks

• Hums faintly when someone lies in her presence
• Fond of thunderstorms. Frightened of doorbells.
• Refuses to be photographed with the lights on

Parts

• Bakelite light switch (c. 1948), head
• Brass terminal screws, eyes
• Rigging shackles, midsection
• Cast pipe junction, legs

Origin

Sister Switch was still wired to a length of cloth-wrapped wire when we pulled her from the demolition pile. Mother said, 'Don't touch the copper.' She was correct, but not for the reasons she thought.

The switch has never been thrown. We suspect she is waiting for the right question.