MURDER, POLITICS, AND THE END OF THE JAZZ AGE
by Michael Wolraich
Order today at Barnes & Noble / Amazon / Books-A-Million / Bookshop
MURDER, POLITICS, AND THE END OF THE JAZZ AGE by Michael Wolraich Order today at Barnes & Noble / Amazon / Books-A-Million / Bookshop |
This morning, I awoke at 10 AM. I dressed quickly, styled my hair in pigtails, and set off.
Passed a bright pink tree in bloom. Touched the petals lightly, as I would a pet dog.
Arrived at thrift store #1, and found nothing. Walked past many people who stared at me. I pretended not to notice, nor care.
Saw Marine Corps Dress Uniform (Blue trimmed in Red and Gold) in store window. Stared at it a bit, then got lost in my own thoughts.
At end of two strip malls worth of stores, there is a Goodwill. Went in. Found rather large two ft Indian statue, like the ones that used to be in old bars when you walk in. Circa 1969, Chalkware. $10.
Nice.
Walked around with it cradled in my arms, and took it home.
Many more people stared.
Changed clothing. Changed hairstyle.
(Thought perhaps I could trick the people at the Thrift stores that I had a twin. Thus enabling me to visit many more times in one day, and also to add mystery.)
Round 2. Walked past thrift stores to local Burger King. Ordered my usual; Double Cheeseburger plain with ketchup and Mayo only. Large Diet Coke. (Sorry fc.) Then, as usual, tasted food in my mouth--then, whilst holding a napkin, emitted said food from orifice in a quick fan motion, like I was just wiping my mouth. Hopefully no one sees, but I'm rather good at it.
Voila. Like I never ate.
Walked to my Grandma's house. Well, apt. Sat, and talked about my grandfather. She gave me a Dr. Pepper.
Then, I walk back to thrift store #2. No luck, but a few quizzical looks. "Wait, didn't he have a red shirt on earlier, and glasses?" "Is that the same guy?"
but then, at the other store, jackpot; an old wooden hand shaped sign from the 40s, pointing the way to the incribed "CANNED FOOD AND COFFEE." Price for the sign: 80 cents... Cool.
So, as I walked with the large wooden hand, looking like one of those guys who just left a Cardinals game--again many stares and smiles. I guess I should just get used to it.
Later on in the evening, I walked to a local Long John Silvers. As I ate--and swallowed--my 6 hushpuppies, I looked out the window and watched the sun set in pink, violet, and blue. As I left, I noticed the large bell mounted by the door, which said "Ring the Bell, if we did well!" So, of course, I rang the bell three times as loudly as fucking possible, to the amusement and start of all therein.
I then found a spot along Coldwater Creek to find occasion to sit with my pocketknife a craft my son a bow from a medium sized tree branch. I must have been a sight as ten minutes later I was shooting arrows across the park, in front of the concerned white people.