original story - 5. the lion

by bofa xesjum

has anybody seen joe? emily asked plaintively with a glass of gin in her hand. why would anybody see joe? ralph responded. this is bucky’s party. a lion had escaped from the zoo earlier in the morning, and this event had dominated the conversation until emily’s question. more people had shown up than bucky and belinda had expected, and they were running out of everything. belinda was trying to reach the caterer to order more sandwiches, especially the peanut butter and marshmallow, which had been a great hit. you will never understand, professor maling was explaining to deborah, events like the lion escaping are all part of an elaborate plan. deborah was wearing an old red t-shirt with power to the people stenciled on it in fading black letters. her eye caught a blue flower in the hair of a younger woman she did not immediately recognize. where is the passion, the commitment, emily asked bill waters, who had been standing in one spot with a blank stare through most of the afternoon. it disappeared when the people stopped wanting power, bill replied with surprising force. you think it’s funny, don’t you, bill? emily’s dark eyes glittered. you want passion and commitment? a voice asked behind them. a lion is roaming the streets devouring innocent citizens, and you all stand around with drinks in your hands like it is the most natural thing in the world - you young people are the problem, professor maling interjecetd forcefully. but before he could continue, belinda intervened - let’s all take a break, she suggested, a fifteen minute break, and then we can all assume new identities and start this party all over again. that’s a great idea, honey, bucky seconded, because dead men tell no tales. even after we assume new identities, the young woman with the blue flower in her hair exclaimed, the people will still be without power. the flower trembled in her hair, as if it wished to bloom in the spring. let us make this a day we will always remember, emily opined. why are you always picking on me? deborah whispered to bill waters, as the guests drifted apart to take a break and assume their new identities. i forget, bill answered sheepishly. let’s do it people, belinda reminded everybody, because we have a bigger crowd than we expected. the girl with the blue flower in her hair, whose name was jenny lake, sighed wearily. outside, the lion was still on the prowl. the guests began assuming their new identities, even though nobody had seen joe. why does everybody hate me? belinda wondered, i am trying to do the right thing.