The Throwback Special by Chris Bachelder

Author:Chris Bachelder
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

THE FIGURE AT THE FAR END of the fourth-floor hallway seemed inhuman in its shape and movement. It was Myron. Chad had bestowed upon him the Rick Donnalley gear, but Myron had yet to bestow his Leonard Marshall gear upon Vince, whom he could not find. Thus Myron was one of several men who trudged a long hallway with two bulky sets of gear and a faraway look in his eyes. When he slowly emerged from silhouette, the men in their doorways could see that his face had a startled look, and that two helmets hung like decapitated heads from his hooked fingers. After some confusion and misinformation, Steven explained to the tight ends that the Gorgon was a type of monster, and that the Medusa was the name of a specific Gorgon. Also, that Perseus had beheaded Medusa, though Perseus had not beheaded Medusa in a giant maze.

And where was Fat Michael?

He was in the stairwell between the second and third floors, hiding from Peter, who was searching for him.

Why?

To give him the Theismann gear.

No, why was he hiding?

It’s difficult to say.

Was it unusual for the man selected to play Theismann to hide in the stairwell?

No.

Did hiding remind Fat Michael of anything from childhood?

There was a boy he used to hide from with some frequency. The boy had a metal leg brace, and Fat Michael could always hear it creaking and thumping as the boy climbed the front porch of the foster home. He hid beneath his bed as the boy rang the doorbell.

Why did he hide?

He didn’t want to see that boy.

Did Fat Michael like his nickname?

No. Would you?

How was Fat Michael passing the time in the stairwell?

He was lining up the bodies of dead ladybugs. There were nine. Then some light stretching.

Would Fat Michael have come this weekend if his missing dog had not returned late last night, smelling like garbage?

It’s difficult to say.

Would Peter ever find Fat Michael?

Yes, Gil would eventually tip him off.

What would Peter say to Fat Michael?

He would say that everyone should play Theismann once. He would say it’s hard to explain, but it’s an intense experience. What he would mean was that it’s powerful to relinquish control, particularly for those men, like Fat Michael, who are determined never to relinquish control.

Why did Peter always wear that mouthguard?

It made him feel safe.

What would Fat Michael say?

He would say not to call him that.

What else would he say?

He would ask Peter about the drought and a new operating system.

Would he apologize?

There would be no need.

Would he clack the shoulder pads with his fist?

Yes.

Would anyone else join them there?

Terence, a guy from Prestige Vista Solutions.

What would the men’s voices sound like in that stairwell?

Hushed and loud at the same time.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.