XIX. FROM THE ARCHAIC TO THE FAST SELF
Click here for original version
Reality is a sound, you have to tune in to it not just keep yelling.
He woke fast from a loud wild dream that vanished at once and lay listening
to the splendid subtle ravines of Hades
where hardworking dawn monkeys were wheedling and baiting one another
up and down the mahogany trees.
The cries took little nicks out of him. This was when Geryon liked to plan
his autobiography, in that blurred state
between awake and asleep when too many intake valves are open in the soul.
Like the terrestrial crust of the earth
which is proportionately ten times thinner than an eggshell, the skin of the soul
is a miracle of mutual pressures.
Millions of kilograms of force pounding up from earth’s core on the inside to meet
the cold air of the world and stop,
as we do, just in time. The autobiography,
which Geryon worked on from the age of five to the age of forty-four,
had recently taken the form
of a photographic essay. Now that I am a man in transition, thought Geryon
using a phrase he’d learned from—
door hit the wall as Herakles kicked it open and entered carrying a tray
with two cups and three bananas.
Room service, said Herakles looking around for a place to set the tray down.
Geryon had moved all the furniture
up against the walls of the room. Oh good, said Geryon. Coffee.
No it’s tea, said Herakles.
My grandmother is in Argentina again today. He handed Geryon a banana.
She was just telling me about the electricians.
You know you have to pass an examination to get into the electricians’ union
in Buenos Aires but all the exam questions
are about the constitution. What do you mean the human constitution?
No the constitution of Argentina
except the last one. The last constitution? No the last question on the exam—
guess what it is you’ll never guess. Guess.
No.
Come on. No I hate guessing. Just one guess come on Geryon just one.
What time of day did Krakatoa erupt?
Great question but no. He paused. Give up? Geryon looked at him.
What is the Holy Ghost?
That’s it? That’s it. What is the Holy Ghost—a truly electrical question!
as my grandmother put it.
Herakles was sitting on the floor beside the bed. He drained his teacup
and regarded Geryon.
So what time of day did Krakatoa erupt? Four a.m., Geryon said pulling the quilt
high up under his chin.
The noise awakened sleepers in Australia three thousand kilometers away.
No kidding how do you know that?
Geryon had found the Encyclopaedia Britannica (1911 edition) in the basement
and read the Volcano article.
Should he admit this? Yes. Encyclopedia. Herakles peeled a banana.
He seemed to be thinking.
So your mom was pretty angry last night. Geryon said Yes. Herakles ate
half his banana. He ate the other half.
So what do you think? What do you mean what do I think? Herakles placed
his banana peel on the tray
and straightened the parts of it carefully. Think you should be getting back?
Geryon was chewing
a mouthful of banana and didn’t quite hear. This sentence is important for you,
said a little lulled voice inside.
What? I said there’s a bus every morning at nine or so. Geryon was trying
to breathe but a red wall
had sliced the air in half. And what about you? Oh I’ll be staying around here
I guess my grandmother wants
the house painted said she’d pay me I can probably get a couple guys
from town to help.
Geryon was thinking hard. Flames licked along the floorboards inside him.
I am quite a good painter myself, he said.
But the word good cracked in half. Herakles watched him. Geryon you know
we’ll always be friends.
Geryon’s heart and lungs were a black crust. He had a sudden strong desire
to go to sleep. Herakles slid to his feet
smooth as a monkey. Hurry up and get dressed Geryon we’re going to show you
a volcano today I’ll be
on the porch my grandmother wants to come too.
In Geryon’s autobiography
this page has a photograph of some red rabbit giggle tied with a white ribbon.
He has titled it “Jealous of My Little Sensations.”