Cryptofauna ePrint by Patrick Canning

Author:Patrick Canning [Canning, Patrick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

“Right arm looks good,” Oz slapped Jim’s punching arm. “Kinda limb you find on a tennis pro or a chronic masturbator and last time I checked, no tennis court in the Abbey.”

“Brother Petit’s been teaching me punching.”

Sebastian produced two glasses of milk that was, to Oz’s tremendous dismay, pasteurized.

“Heard you givin’ it to Whip pretty good down there. I’m on board obviously but doesn’t seem much like you.”

“I’m getting headaches like crazy. Mood swings too. I think I’m dying —“

Oz waved Jim off, uninterested, and drained his glass, the resulting milk mustache invisible in his white beard. “I’m not here to micromanage. You’re feeling it though, aren’t you?”

“I told you, I’m getting headaches—“

“Not that. Your relation to other people. Bolstered, ain’t it?”

Oz would only ever talk about what Oz wanted to talk about, so Jim begrudgingly obliged. “When we were in the boat, a few days before we got picked up, I felt a strong connection to Barney that came out of nowhere.”

“No mystery there. You’re just a goddamned homo.” Oz guffawed at his own joke.

Jim smiled politely. As was the case with many people, he’d always found the effort Oz employed to try and be funny was inversely related to how funny he was at any given moment. Humor was a cow on the railroad tracks or a catheter tube two sizes too big: trying to force it didn’t do anyone any favors.

“Okay, okay. Just relax, master of comedy. You’ve uncovered one of the great gifts in this life: to serve of one’s own accord. Meaning you’ve chosen to give your whole life to those around you. Now, I know what you’re thinking: what’s with the commie balderdash? But we Operators are truly in a position to help.”

“It’d be great if you didn’t call me a homo again, but I really did, um . . . love Barney. And he wasn’t like he is now. The guy was damn near impossible to like.”

“To play this game is to live with emotion turned all the way up. You’re gonna love like you’ve never loved before, but that territory comes with a mountain range of hurt. Impossible to avoid I’m afraid.”

Sebastian chucked a drunk out the front door and Hawk fluttered in above his head.

“Ride’s here.” Oz helped himself to the rest of Jim’s milk and waved to Hawk. “Just wanted to say a quick hi and give ya something.” Oz put his hands on Jim’s shoulders and spoke directly at him. “I know you’re feeling off. Engage with your buddies, I know Barney’s always game. Do what you’re good at, do what you want to be good at, and keep an eye out for that crafty bitch, Bo Peep. Hawk’s gettin’ antsy, I’ll see ya.” Oz started to shove his way through the Bar Mars crowd.

“What do you have for me?” Jim shouted.

“Oh!” Oz returned and pulled Jim into a solid hug. “A good hug can change everything. Keep up the good work, Jim. You’re doin’ me proud.”

Hawk landed on Oz’s shoulder and they left.

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