Justice of the Knife

The street lights shine upon the blades hidden behind their backs.

"I feel betrayed," moaned Mister Gorilla as he shook his shaggy head.  The others nodded in sympathy.

"Life can be unfair... deals us many a fearsome blow.  I say you were screwed."  Captain Aspen nods again.  "Yes.  You were screwed."

TV Boy looks around.  The street was deserted, and moonlight plays across the wet asphalt.  Beyond the empty buildings, traffic hums.

TV Boy stamps his foot.  "Can we just get on with it?"

"Not yet!"

"Then when?"

"When it's time," assures Captain Aspen and glares at TV Boy.

Mister Gorilla sighs again.  "Smell the night.  Do you feel the silence?"

"Yes."  Captain sighs, sympathetically.

"I can hear the traffic," grumps TV Boy.

"I feel alive!  The night pulses... like the bar!  I feel loved!"

"You've made enemies," warns Captain Aspen.

"I was screwed."

"I know.  He lied about your age.  That wasn't fair.  You have 5 years left."

TV Boy ducks away from a sputtering street light and peers into a hollow building.  "This one's empty."

"NOT YET!" snarls Captain Aspen.

Mister Gorilla touches him on the shoulder.  "Let's go.  Let it go.  I need to rest."  Captain Aspen slumps.

"It's not fair, my friend."

"I know.  I was screwed."

Within the darkened, empty windows, TV Boy crashes through the debris.  He lights a zippo, and the fire is a beacon to those outside.

"It is good to have friends like you."

"We're not worthy."

"You take care of me... and take care of things in the future."

"I'm not worthy."

TV Boy kicks garbage with impatience and curses when he burns his hands.

Mister Gorilla rests his hands on the sill of the window and stares into the darkness inside.  He watches the bright blaze of the lighter.

"It's time to leave," sighs Captain Aspen, and Mister Gorilla nods.

"I want you to take care of things... later.  Take care of HIM.  Because we both know I was screwed."

Captain Aspen rests his hand on Mister Gorilla's shoulder and silently agrees.  Mister Gorilla slumps and nods his head.  He breathes hard and holds onto the sill for support.  "I am relieved.  You are a good friend."

Captain Aspen nearly panics.

"I'm tired.  I've got to rest."  Mister Gorilla struggles into the window on shaky legs.  Captain Aspen helps him in and then follows him into the dark, abandoned building.  TV Boy puts his lighter away. 

And Captain Aspen and TV Boy kill Mister Gorilla.

© John Lawson 2001