The Brains of Rats by Michael Blumlein

Author:Michael Blumlein
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Valancourt Books
Published: 2015-05-05T04:00:00+00:00

THE GLITTER AND THE GLAMOUR

Face long like a capsule. Mirror eyes.

“Hello, Mr. Crane. Any problems today?”

I blink.

“No? Good. Just stopping by to check.” A face looms, and a feeling of confidence surges in me.

“The heart’s a jaguar. And the rest . . . I’m sure you’ll be pleased.” He touches a button and my chest starts to jump. My eyes pop. He nods.

“You see? Younger than springtime. You know you’re the oldest one still living?”

Let him go, Sandra. You know he wanted it this way. We’ll build a life, a home, right here. On his grave.

“You got started, what?” He pulls a book from his pocket and flips the pages. Animals rustle in the bushes. “More than eighty years ago.”

I blink twice and try to smile. A hand flies to my face.

“Please don’t do that, Mr. Crane. We’ve got your lips tied back until the new teeth grow in. Popularity depends on the integrity of the labio-gingival junction. It’s better if you just try to relax. Do you understand?”

Two blinks.

“Good. I’ll be going now. By the way, I won’t be back again this run. I’m due to be kildaired. Faith in the innocent youth and all that.” Deep and mellow, his voice is a drug.

Thank you, doctor, thank you. I blink and blink until my lids are sore. He smiles on me.

“Nature loves excellence. I hope to see you again.” He turns and leaves, and I lay back in the comfort of his winning style.

After awhile another man comes in, making noises to himself. He nears me, and a dark moon presses. I flatten. He shakes his head.

“Too bad, man.”

He disappears. An arm floats up, fiddles with a bottle. White sleeve, stain of sweat in the armpit. Loretta’s pants. On the beach, where I loved her. The sharp brine, that other smell. Plastic now, rubber snakes down my nose. Some jungle here. I sleep.

Later on, Randy comes in. He swallows air and clucks down in his throat when he’s nervous. I know it’s him before he speaks.

“Hi, Swan.” He flashes a smile and gold coins fall from his mouth. “I brought the contract.”

I see bright lights. Randy’s rainbow face hovers in the air. He waves a white goose.

“They’re ready for you in two weeks. Got a hot one this time. Name’s Charlene.”

Charlene? Ashes. Hairless knee. Marry you, beauty queen? Who’s Charlene?

“She’s tracked for minor fame. Athletic, domestic, speaking parts limited to kindness, worry and support. They want to show her with you. Give her a start.”

Charlene, I love you. Marry me. We’ll hire someone to take out the trash. I’ll be your father, a milkshake date, the boy next door with freckles. It’s always been you, Rhonda. Your legs are my dream. A waltz through champagne, they made my hair pink for you.

Randy’s pancake blots out the light. “You’re really something, Swan. My grandmother swooned for you, and my mom too. Now Sara’s starting in, and she just turned twelve. You’re the standard, all right.”

Flashbulb eyes, his voice is syrup. For breakfast it’s my silhouette.

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