Strung out like that along the hedges.
You questioning what I swear by?
Have you tried any of the others?
Sometimes he smells medical.
Yes once youve had it for a very long time it doesnt make much difference any more.
Not me.
Colder weather coming and then warmer.
Will it rain again again?
Im not into disgust.
Think Im getting nosebleed.
Until the scaring bell rang.
Any artist will do. Chewing red candy hearts.
Where can a body get a spritz around here?
Getting very fond of you and your hands.
In a symbiotic hug resembling that which obtains between pigeons and old ladies with bread crumbs.
What were we eating?
Give you a shirtful of sore tit.
God knows I tried.
Large piece of white plaster fell off the wall then.
The bathtub proved impossible to smash although I tried.
Ways of dealing with them when they dont want you.
Slept with a man once it was a very pleasant experience.
A week later she applied for a post in Warsaw.
Two is one too many.
Like sending a hired substitute to the war.
Does it hurt?
Something is wrong.
Dark hair across the pillow.
Yes Ive had self-respect.
I tried to tell you but you wouldnt listen.
Probably we should have spoken up before this.
Thought I heard a dog barking.
A lady always does.
Yes I can take it or leave it.
Something trembling in the balance.
Spiritual aridity which was quite hard to reconcile with his surface gaiety.
Reels of 16-mm. film each with a photograph on the box suggesting the particular motif or specialty.
Take it any way you like it.
Feeling is whats important.
Always darkest just before the dawn.
Very busy making the arrangements.
Will it hurt?
I mean when youre feeling bad youre glad to be alive.
Like trying to digest a saddle.
Yes Ive had it for a very long time too.
Since you have not as yet responded to my suggestion.
Its all been carefully considered.
Give you a fret in the gizzard.
Have you tried any of the others?
Ive heard that.
Wake up one dark night with a thumb in your eye.
Hes not bad-looking.
In a bed.
Much cry and little wool.
Thats one way of looking at it.
Worn out your welcome.
Did we have a good time?
Why hasnt anyone had the simple decency?
And the myriad flower stalls with their bursting sun-dapple. . . of the rainbow. . . good God. I read about it. In Die Welt.
Remembering, leaving, returning, staying.
Thats my business.
I can make it hot for you.
Dog-Whipping Day. Eighteenth of October.
What is the motivation?
Until the scaring bell rang.
Throw a little shit into the game.
I cant remember.
What?
No it hasnt.
If I pop one will you pop one?
You can lose confidence in your own experiences.
What?
Learning to put the world together.
Where the buffalo roam.
Thats my business.
Thats one way of looking at it.
Its no mystery.
Simple, honest, generous feelings.
I can do anything when its not important.
Various circumstances requiring my attention.
Wake up one dark night with a kiss in your eye.
What?
Yes, as a wet nurse. She was accepted.
Not me I dont give a rats ass.
What?
Did you find the scene disgusting?
That was in Barcelona. Rounded up as a work-shy element.
Unable to take him seriously at any level.
How did that make you feel?
Yes Ive had self-respect for a very long time.
Perhaps its medical.
Intolerably angry for short periods.
Until the scaring bell rang.
Nobody ever died of it.
Ready again to send his Son to die for us.
Friendship is difficult at best.
The waiter was listening.
At other times unconscious in the street.
Then he sobs, and faints.
You questioning my value system?
They disagree with me regularly but are not disloyal to me.
They like to suck.
You can bank on it.
Stop being petty, stop trying to cut each others throat.
Scrumptious.
You must have studied English.
People are frightened.
Time to go.
Its perfectly obvious.
God knows you tried.
Matter of paring down to a supportable minimum.
The white vase holding the marigolds had fallen to the floor.
A little forest or a night of dancing.
No its not.
A meeting. The men discontent. Crowded around Thomas. His orange tights, orange boots, silver belt buckle with rubies, white Sabatini shirt. His clear and true gold-rimmed spectacles. Complaints of the men: (1) Quality of the pemmican (2) That the leadership better fed, in general, than the rank and file (3) That the cable was cutting into shoulders and where were promised heavy canvas gloves? (4) Edmund (5) The rum ration could be doubled without damaging the high regard in which the rank and file held the leadership (6) What plan for dealing with possibly hostile Wends? (7) Attention of the women monopolized by the leadership (8) Edmund (9) Couldnt the women just come and talk to them sometimes? (10) That the Dead Father sometimes dead weight, sometimes live weight, variations made feasance more difficult than strictly necessary, see contract provisions D, E, and F (11) Truncation of the pornographic film and what had happened next? (12) What of wholly arbitrary and ill-considered ban on fraternization with locals in territories hayfooted/straw-footed through? (13) Nonexistence of chaplain (14) Happy birthday. It is my birthday? Thomas exclaims, astonished. Yes, men reply, todays the day, where is the party? Thomas counting on his fingers. The men watch. Yes it is my birthday, he says at length, God damn it, you are right as rain. General heehaw, battering of Thomass back, Edmund whisks flask from hip, tilts. The Dead Father sitting in the road looking off into the far distance where fields of garlic grow. Thomas removes flask from Edmunds mouth. Julie practicing harmonica, tune "Oh, Give Me a Home Where the Buffalo Roam." Emma gazing at immense shoulder of Dead Father, speculatively. Thomas begins to answer complaints point by point. Pemmican good for you, he says. Etc. Julie puts away mouth organ, moves to side of Emma.
Self-respect.
I tried to tell you but you wouldnt listen.
Said there were various ways of handling it but I thought I could keep the lid on.
Havent made up my mind.
If I pull this little white string, will you explode?
They do like to suck.
As a wet nurse.
I just see whether theyre friendly or unfriendly.
Where can a body get a hit around here?
Hair on it.
Yes Ive had self-respect too its a very good thing self-respect.
I rehearsed the argument with him.
Elegant way of putting chairs here and there.
Cold rolled veal.
Thats my business.
