THE MATINEE
The chamber, you know the next room over with a picture
window? 50 people sitting and looking through that window as the dead man
strapped down, strapped but not nailed like 20 of the 50 would like, to the
gurney is raised up Christ like without any companions except Tom Hanks ready
to say (in a calm compassionate tone) “roll on 2” with another 20 silently
praying at the foot of the window, sorry they believe—or not; guilt is so
subjective they say. Beyond a reasonable doubt they say. The other 10 are just
curious folks who were given free passes to the private screening of the last
show at the ice cream stand that now has a sign over the marquee reading “Billy
Condemned soon in gone to hells fire got his last chill here” They
jumped the gun to get a leg up on the concession. “You got any last words Billy
Condemned, about to be dead?” Tom asks. Yeah motherfucker read War and Peace to
me.” “No, roll on 2” The chemicals course through Billy’s veins and the crowd
smiles—or cries—or eats their ice cream. Can’t let some good vanilla go to
waste now can they? No one really feeling it except Billy. It is his own
crafted reality he is experiencing as he expires. The doc enters the picture
window listens for a minute. “Ol’ Billy C. here—he’s dead; pretty good thing
they wouldn’t let him choose the guillotine like he wanted eh Tom?” Yep, that
was ol’ Billy alright a pain in the ass all the way to the end though it did
get him an extra 2 years’ worth of appeals.” Tom walks to the intercom. “Thanks
for coming folks, shows over, anyone want to claim William’s body? No? C’mon
someone raise your hand, don’t make the state pay for his coffin too! Going once—going
twice—victim’s family you want it?” One fella starts rubbin’ his chin thinking
about it; the word “fertilizer” running through his mind. He remembers he didn’t
bring the pick-up with him and he didn’t want to ruin the upholstery on his
car, shakes his head no. “Well then folks thanks for coming, please do not
leave anything behind. Including napkins ya’ll with the Ice Cream.” He pushes a
button and the curtain drops. The crowd files out of the room. One guy says “All’s
well that ends well!” Another remarks “Gonna miss Ol’ Billy, that boy could
pull a plow better than a mule.” Last one out says to his girlfriend, “want
another ice cream?” his hand in the back pocket of her jeans while he eyes her
braless tits.
© M Durfee
6.18.2014© M Durfee
finding ourselves somewhat behind due to a lack of answers
on which drugs to use, America executed 3 prisoners on 6.17.2014
