Big Bad Love by Larry Brown

Author:Larry Brown [Brown, Larry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
ISBN: 0679734910
Publisher: Vintage
Published: 1990-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

PART II

Discipline

Please tell the court again, Mr. Lawrence.

We were tortured in pairs, singly, that is, individually, but only on Saturdays, or in groups of not more than four.

Let me see if I have this straight. Now, you said you were only tortured on Saturdays, is that right?

No. You misunderstood me. What I said was that we were only tortured individually on Saturdays.

And why do you suppose that was?

I have no idea.

[Turns, facing the room, head shaking in mock wonderment, small malicious smile of feigned chagrin or imagined bond of friendship obvious] You have no idea. I see. Well then, let me ask you something else. [Referring to notes] You said that on the evening of March twelfth, yourself and a man named Varrick? I believe? were taken from your quarters and allowed intercourse, blindfolded, with two obese women?

Well, that’s partly correct. . ..

And where do you suppose—no wait. Who do you suppose these two women were?

I told you we were blindfolded.

Ah, yes.

And we weren’t allowed. We were forced. That’s all in my deposition. I don’t see any need to—

Just answer yes or no, please. How well did you know this Mr. Varrick? Was he a close friend?

Well. [Perhaps hedging here?] No. I wouldn’t say he was a close friend, no. I mean we ate lunch together a few times. We read a few of each other’s stories.

And you took a few showers together, too, didn’t you? Yes. Did you at any time of your last period of incarceration engage in a sexual act with Mr. Varrick?

I did not.

You’re under oath here, sir. Need I remind you?

Never.

Did you ever catch Mr. Varrick watching you in the shower? While you were in there together? Naked?

I never noticed.

Never noticed. I’m constantly amazed at how much you didn’t notice over a period of—what was it? Five?

Four. Four years.

Four years, five years, whatever. All right. Now back to Mr. Varrick. How long did you know him?

Let’s see. Let me think. I think it was . . . four, no, three years. Yes, three years. [Nodding vigorously, hands clasped in lap]

I think we’ve already established your capacity for not noticing things, but during the time you knew Mr. Varrick, did you ever happen to notice what his first name was?

I believe it was Howard.

You believe it was Howard.

Yes.

Under the contention of cruel and unusual punishment, the defense would like for us to believe that this alleged torture actually took place without due cause. Without being deserved, in other words. All right, Mr. Lawrence. Doyle Huey, isn’t it? [Titters from crowd; judge’s gavel rapped lightly, perfunctorily] You have already stated, under oath, that you and Mr. Varrick had sex with these two unidentified women. I would like for you to explain to the jury and to this court exactly how you knew this act was being consummated while you were blindfolded and, apparently, engaged simultaneously in the same alleged action.

What do you mean? I don’t know what you mean.

Forgive me. Let me make it simple enough for you to understand it.

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