Travesty by Mike Johnson

Author:Mike Johnson [Johnson, Mike]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Titus Books
Published: 2020-07-31T20:39:46+00:00

20

the ley lines of their craving

Harvey is back in his room facing short-term memory loss. Despite his efforts to keep a calendar by scratching on his wall, his life takes place in episodes rather than continuous action. It jumps, quantum-wise, from one event to the next, even in a single day. First there were bullets ripping through the window; he’s established that (except for the dust on the glass). In the hallway he ran into Drunk Len. Then Hermes came. Then he was with Michelangelo. First he didn’t have a gun then he did. Now he can’t find the gun again and there’s nowhere to hide it. People and things popping in and out of existence to a tune of their own.

He hates the thought that the Veil has finally gained entry to the rathouse.

Hermes appearance heralded the end of his refuge in the rat-house, but he doesn’t like to admit that. He would rather sink onto his camp stretcher and think about the paradox of Shrodingers Cat. Curiously, the paradox doesn’t exist for the everyday mind. The cat is either alive or dead, you just have to lift the lid of the box to find out. The idea that lifting the lid is itself a creative act won’t occur to most people searching for a cat – alive or dead. Hermes proved that.

He’s just got started on this fruitful line of thought when there’s a knock on the door. After a few hectic moments, with time and thought leaking away through the cracks in his fear, he opens the door. No gun in sight.

Two young men in green uniforms nod politely. One of them consults an electronic device.

“Excuse us, we’re from Census. Do you occupy this room?”

“Who?” Glow makes you slow.

“Are there any young children here? Just born or under two.”

“No.”

“Do you have any children of your own?”

“No.”

“What about your neighbours, any young children?”

“No.” The rathouse is no place for children.

“You’re absolutely certain?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you. We’d like you to forget our visit, Mr Harvey. We need play no further part in your life. Please look at this symbol.”

One of the young men holds up his hand, palm out. There is a symbol inscribed on the palm.

Harvey looks. And forgets.

Instead it is Hermes at the door, smiling brightly.

Her smile momentarily turns Harvey’s rundown room into some-thing else. A place where people can smile.

Harvey says, “Where did you go? I thought we were going together.”

She laughs, pushing her hair back behind her ears. Her laughter goes off like a can of air-freshener in his stale room, blowing his question away with it. “You glowworms take the cake, you really do. Are you ready?”

“You mean I’m not the only one?” Harvey glances regretfully at his sandwich board. He is stepping out, starting a new life, he cannot take it with him any more than he can carry the rathouse on his back.

“By no means.” Hermes gets very serious. When she’s serious, her youthful face looks like that of an older woman, experienced and mature, which makes him appreciate how young she must be.

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