THE BOY UNKNOWN

Raspberries, I don’t care for. They’re prickly. They are fragile little pods, all delicate and thorny! Who needs prickly, thorny, fragile, mushy, seedy, moldy raspberries? 

They make a fine preserve…

But fresh, they don’t keep!…not hereabouts, they don’t. Blackberries, are big and hardy…cherries, and…first-pick strawberries…short window for perfect berries… Wait too late, and you end up with strawberries so bad, a raspberry wouldn’t date it. For that matter, get to any berry too late, and it’s a waste… So? You were saying…?

(and yet there are jams...) 

What?

(ahem) I was suggesting a small, simple, fruit plate with le fromage.

Then, Pear will suffice. A sherry might be nice…you have something?

Most assuredly. Might I also suggest…? We have a small assortment of delicate wafers – angels’ wings - dusted with finely powdered Cuban-cane, held in-reserve, for our ‘special’ guests. I could have them prepare an assortment with perhaps, an espresso…perhaps a vanilla bean custard…with blackberries,was it ?

Again with the berries? Did your buyer go mad at the berry mart, Marcel? The season is waning and so are my tastes for ...you know...

We got bananas in just yesterday, directly from Guatamala. Very fresh! Ha! Ha!

Something humorous about the bananas, Marcel?

The snake!

Snake! Where Marcel?!

In the bananas! In the kitchen! Green, like the bananas! Seven feet long!

My god!

Python! 

Oh No! Any staff injured or…?

No-o-o.

Pietro?

No.

Sixto & Michel?

No.

‘The Bowery’ still intact?

Yes.

And your sudden sadness...?

The mop boy got caught in the alley. It awaited him while curled in a can, and attacked on the boy’s last nightly visit. He lifted the lid…it was quick…it was late. No one heard. I suspect if they had heard they wouldn’t know.

How so?

It's just...what, exactly, does 'that' sound like? A muffled scream as he squeams within the vipers squeeze? A whimper…? Could that be a cat…? Two AM?... in these lots? You expect gunfire not whispers.

Screams and shots. Yes, I see, if its not gunfire, it hardly matters. 

There are silent options, of course...

What do we know about the poor boy?

Not much. He’s small…hard worker…He came on the previous boat, just last month... in from Guatemala. His remains will return on the same boat tomorrow.

Oh, no, …and the snake?

Claro took a clever…it was too full to give a fight. We plan to hang the skin. What do you think?

Seven feet might look grand above the bar, over there…and the meat?

Ha! You are a rare one, Harry. We are taste-testing tomorrow afternoon. The boys are looking forward to it. Would you like to join us?

Yes. Yes, I would. As testament to the young man lost, I would be proud to eat the snake that ate him.

Exactamento. We are proud to prepare. 

They traveled a long way to meet such a tragic fate, and each misplaced in this miserable place. Pour yourself a brandy, Marcel…and take a seat, there’s no one here. Join me.

Merci.

Now, if I may be allowed the honor, I would like to propose a toast:

May you finally find your home. 

Little Boy - Unknown.

(clink)

              
    ... and, snake, I'm betting you taste heavenly.

Amen.

  

V

observer