Page 92 - The Myth and the Moment

Evening

“Okay. But I want to hear what you’re saying to him.”
Ah, the good life: nice plush cushions, sink right in. Wonder what
time it is. Mmmm. Not polite to yawn without covering your mouth,
Nate, you old reprobate.
“Hello, Lin? It’s Aestheria. Nate Evangelino is here at my place; I
need to talk to Phil...yes, yes, I know he walked out on you...well, he’s
pretty upset...I’d better talk to Phil about it.”
She knows how to handle the Dragon Lady. Phil’s as enthralled by
that Asian princess as he is by Almighty Dollar. Love and money,
love and money, go together like the bee and honey. Hmmm. What
is she saying to that turkey? Sounds like...

. . . . . . . . .

Earth under the onion skins. Peeling, peeling, what am I feeling? In
my eye, must be down to the smog. Crying, crying, why am I dying?
Layers above, layers below. Crystalline spheres, all shatter as I fall
freely down, down, down, into the black holy pit.
Unhhh.
Where am I? Fell off the bed. Weird smells in here. Dark in here.
Must be Aestheria’s bedroom. No, must be a guest room. What is
that smell? Ah, incense: she must store it in here. Did she carry me in
here? What’s going on? Hear voices out there. Very quietly now,
Nate. Damn! Stumbled on—my own shoes! That’s a gift. Thank you
very much, my dear friends: they fit perfectly. Put my ear up to the
door. Is that Phil?
“—so they’ll be here within ten minutes, depending on traffic.”
“Are we sure this is necessary?”
Aestheria.
“Doctor not listen to crazy story; policeman maybe will.”
Phil’s wife! What do they mean: ‘doctor?’
“Well, Lin, you have, perhaps, in your own way, perfectly
summarized the situation. Now, Aestheria, just one more favor: I do
not want get involved with the authorities. I’m sure you understand
why. So, you won’t mind if we leave before the wagon gets here, will
you?”
“I guess not, Phil. He’s sound asleep, totally exhausted.”

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