Vic and Blood by Harlan Ellison

Author:Harlan Ellison
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: /Science Fiction
Publisher: E-Reads
Published: 2010-12-15T07:09:03.463000+00:00

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FROM: THE WIT AND WISDOM OF BLOOD

“In terms of labor relations, the basic problem with living your life is that it's on the-job training and by the time you get some skill at it, you're permanently laid off.”

“The truest thing ever said about the human condition is this: The surest test of who's an intellectual is ... anyone who can hear the 'William Tell Overture' and not think of The Lone Ranger

“Vic!” Quilla June's voice was high and whining. “Come on! He'll be all right. We have to hurry!”

I looked up at her. The sun was sinking into the darkness. Blood trembled in my arms.

She got a pouty look on her face. “If you love me, you'll come on!”

I couldn't make it alone out there without him. I knew it. If I loved her. She asked me, in the boiler, do you know what love is?

It was a small fire, not nearly big enough for any roverpak to spot from the outskirts of the city. No smoke. And after Blood had eaten his fill, I carried him to the air-duct a mile away, and we spent the night inside on a little ledge. I held him all night. He slept good. In the morning, I fixed him up pretty good. He'd make it; he was strong.

He ate again. There was plenty left from the night before. I didn't eat. I wasn't hungry.

We started off across the blasted wasteland that morning. We'd find another city, and make it.

We had to move slow because Blood was still limping. It took a long time before I stopped hearing her calling in my head. Asking me, asking me: do you know what love is?

Sure I know.

A boy loves his dog.

The Treehouse—Los Angeles—1964

Harlan, with Ahbhu; for whom he wrote “A Boy and His Dog.”

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