In the middle of construction, structural components, methodologies for obtaining information with as least resistance as possible, breaking down cells, co-opting knowledge systems, a matter of course is finding the easiest path of obstruction, the entrance has been foreclosed, definitively.
I am listening to the progressive elements and I cannot understand their willful ignorance in the matter, I think it’s just a weakness of character and the burden lies on me to be strong and continue our path, the path we set, the path we agreed on. Or are you suggesting that the path has been an erroneous interpretation of the people’s will?
With hate and venom I crunch down upon this, I ravage and destroy because this was my assigned task and the task I chose and the joy with which I undertake my work and reap my just rewards is a proud accomplishment I cherish.
Laughing we can talk it about, scorning, I am lashing out, my mouth is spit and anger and violence, I am a wall of sleazy resolution, wicked naughty arrogance and carelessness. I jostle along, and whiplash affection into my direction.
I am the high vortex you only see me as a blur.
I am incensed by the report, it is not the kind of document we accept, it falls short of our high standards, it is above all compromised material Doris I will have you destroyed I will crunch you I certify. So we are seeking damage limitation, yes, we have made all the correct apologies in all the right places, I am thinking of the dark hive and all its cells.
What the devil do you mean to present me such tendentious sentimental garbage I swear I am rendered paralyzed with rage at the utter incompetence shown in this document, it was a simple task, all told.
Gutchurning material, obscene material, dangerous for dissemination, undermines authority, makes us look stupid, all that stuff about the castle and I go blind with, apoplectic, all my buttons explode and steam comes out and my eyes pop out at the portions containing the talking cat. A talking cat. This is what we are reduced to Doris I personally want to hear you answer that one.
Going native, gone native, if this isn’t proof of our correct course of action, the place is tainted, it’s sick, we have done the right thing. I want to see it reclaimed, is that vague enough?
Yes, mineral extraction is of the highest relevance, we are carefully logging the input of vital materials of the region, rich in sediments, profitable calculations indigenous population neutralized, we have employed humane means to the effect of causing maximum operations functional, optimal renditure, investment key belonging.
There is a swirling void of horror at the heart of the universe, I must tell you that gathered here today to hear me speak I appreciate your generosity. Valuable. Very valuable to me, you do me honor with your support, I accept with humility the gesture, being the sword of the community, entrusted with that by the people. And I run the risk here of dehumanization I am aware I am the victim I martyr myself to the conventions of profit, my reward is just.
Of course frustration anger wincing. I am vomited inside by myself, I choke on my crimes, I find a sickening bliss inside the accomplishment of the horrific. I am a brand, I cower in terror at the blood I spill with my hand I am transfixed by it. I don’t take my duties lightly I am appalled at any aspersions against my professionalism, slurs they are, wicked weaknesses of the fallen, I spit on them I trample on them, I hate those ingrates those liberals they enjoy the fruits of my labor, they want to scorn me for them. I don’t need them. They are the appalling. We can shame them and cast them out, to the margins of the community. I respect everyone’s voice and opinion. Sick sick, I find you, I curse you as you have cursed me.
Physical pain is inside the box.
You want to rot us from within, you put the seed of venom inside me you poisoned me Doris, your message was a poison necroticizing my body, but I can fight back two can play at that game Doris you will see.
I appeal to you, by doing my business. I am a civil servant, I am busy. The pleasure of my duty is mine alone to cherish, or commercialize as I see fit. The people have bestowed that honor on me, and my precious countenance blanches at insinuations of impropriety. I scoff. Let them drop the handkerchief, the king queen castle, the limbo, I am not stumbling around drunk out of my senses, altered by grief and shame.
Fairytales! The empathic is just a distraction, I told you that the first time. A slight of hand, I can see how the main issue at hand is obscured by this, yes, like a cloud, it passes across a moon, and darkens, it goes dark, but we mustn’t lose sight, these are artist tricks, they are bit-players, they seek to cast spells but we are on to them and we will crush them in the middle of the night, we will break their necks, come down hard on them, crunch their bones, we will eradicate and splice their bodies, they will hang in the meat gardens for eternity spiked and pierced and sighing as they are digested and excreted for ever.
Hold my tongue! I see how the warts and pocks of cowardice and pity have eaten at you. I seethe with a mania, fits of anger, convulsions, I grasp at you I would thrash you to an inch of your lives if it would help get my message through more clearly, I am tongue-tied, a verbal disaster, not like that dainty Doris with her fancy fine way with words. You made a mistake by elevating her, by giving her success among the people. Margaret. Ursula. Octavia. Angela. Victoria. Strike them all down, wrap them in chains, fasten them to the bottom of the universe and fill it up, watch the air bubbles rise from their mouths, watch them expire.
Oh don’t mind me. I am just expectorating, farting frustrations. Of course I fear their power! Their ability to change hearts and weaken our empire. But they will be co-opted in the end, as will we.
I need to take my medicine. Yes I am doing OK. Thanks for asking. My heart is weakened. I am seeking… a transplant.
My anger has dissipated, the day is long. I am seething I am exploding. No. I am now lulling and observing, I have accomplished much of what I set out to do. No doubt I am not speaking to you. The remnants of my disgust turn to comfort, I swallow my hurts and gorge myself on them, creepily. I am the bogeyman in a children’s game, and it is all good. I am the drunken emperor, I am the decider and slender man. My sword is a flaming food, I am break down machine.
Viciously, I will sit across Doris for a “coffee.” I can spew at her, like an eel-man, an alien blue and grey skinned, I sit and squirm.
I hate you Doris I hate you Doris I will say. Look at the scandals we have in store for you. We will break you on the wheel and humiliate you in the eyes of the people. You are a disgrace. Hiss hiss. And I want the audience to hiss at her with me, pantomime-style.
The physical pain is inside the box?
Explain yourself. Explain your intentions.
You are treason I will lock you up for a very long time I will behead you.
I look at my hands, horrified by the extent to which I now take on human form. Disgusting dripping bodies of flesh. Liquids stilled by cool temperatures. Burn them all. I want to see the Earth flattened to a disc!
Here is where the phrase was used: the threat to flatten the Earth to a disc. Please note that here in the report is the contentious phrase. Bookmark this entire section for context.
Hooey. Haha. Yeah we sometimes get a hostile audience. I don’t care, comes with the territory. Not expected to be Mr. Popular. You tell people the truth, they don’t like you. I wouldn’t be able to without the institutional support backing me, whom I thank profusely. I couldn’t do it without them, I’d just be a nut with a gun. The profound love of the people that I feel within me, channeled through the institutions of government that uphold my actions, justify me, absolve me every day.
This fury, this is a sickness, I am the shock troops of your generation, I am crushed so that you may dance with joy in the cosmos. I make your place clean, I am but a humble butler of your comfort. I take my pleasure where I find it. I will destroy entireties, I will crush stars, I will make of myself the instrument of… oh damn it all.
Unable to experience self-pity for my future self, old and blind and dying, I alienate outside myself. I am floating, umbellically attached to you.
My grip on my inhumanity is total. I have fevered, I have fought the infection, I am young again, ready to do battle. I am refreshed, washed with the blood of billions. I have severed myself from myself. Complete, successful amputation of the soul.
I am a box within a box within a box within a box within a box.
Open me and you will see.
The Queen was handed a box of chocolates.
A Royal box of chocolates.
It was opened, they nestled on little felt impressions.
There was a key, a guide for interpretation.
“How to choose how to choose” said the Queen, not really asking a question, just thinking out loud.
She looked around, her eyes danced.
“I think I’ll pick that one,” she laughed.
She pointed to one, a dark one containing a nut.
Her fingers, long nails, closed in on the chosen one.
She popped it into her mouth, and giggled again.
Then she bit into the nut.
Come back Doris, come back to accept your punishment.
Come back all is forgiven… is not
Daniel Lukes has a PhD in Comparative Literature, and his most recent book is Black Metal Rainbows (PM Press, 2023). His short stories have been published by Litmora, Memezine, Moonpark Review, Expat Press, Misery Tourism, Alien Buddha Press. You may find him on Bluesky at @danielukes.bsky.social.