{"id":292,"date":"2025-11-06T23:45:03","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T23:45:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/21-1\/?page_id=292"},"modified":"2025-11-06T23:57:21","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T23:57:21","slug":"erzo","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/21-1\/fiction\/erzo\/","title":{"rendered":"Erzo"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mark Keane<\/span><\/p>\n

Erzo finishes the carton of Pulpy Juice and licks the stray bits from his lips. He drops the empty carton in the bin, then washes his face at the sink. Before leaving the house, he checks his pockets to make sure he has his keys and two plums.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The blackthorn trees murmur in the neighbouring gardens. Scraps of cloud hang in the deep blue sky. The approach of a dirty grey mass in the distance promises rain. Erzo feels good in himself. He can\u2019t explain this onrush of positivity. Sometimes it happens that way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Erzo lives in a middling-sized town on the Atlantic coast. Not a particularly nice or friendly town. There\u2019s nothing remarkable about it; very much an unprepossessing place. Not a town Erzo would choose to live in if Erzo had a choice, which of course he should have.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He heads for the seafront, stopping to examine the display in a pharmacy window. A hill of blue and yellow tablets sits on a bed of red crenulated paper. The banner overhead reads, Let us take you to the summit<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 At the Births kiosk, he asks for the latest figures. The official inside consults a computer screen, scrolling down a table of data.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs of two o\u2019clock,\u201d he tells Erzo, \u201cthere have been sixteen births in the last twenty-four hours. A cumulative figure of ninety-three in the past week, and four thousand two-hundred and ten in the last year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA good number,\u201d Erzo remarks. \u201cYou don\u2019t do deaths?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo, only births. You\u2019ll have to enquire at the other kiosk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Babies are important in this unremarkable town. Pushing them out like billy-o, Erzo often thinks. The continuation of the line, keeping the show on the road\u2014isn\u2019t that what it\u2019s all about?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Erzo waits at a junction for the traffic light to turn red, and remains waiting, counting the seconds in his head. Eight, nine, ten \u2026 he runs across the road as the light goes green, and the car engines growl at him. It\u2019s a game he plays when he\u2019s feeling good in himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As he passes the convent, four nuns exit the adjoining abattoir. Their hands are red, the white of their habits blood-stained. One nun rushes towards him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you looking at?\u201d she demands. \u201cWatch it, or you\u2019ll be next.\u201d She makes chewing motions and sounds. \u201cOwmm nom nom<\/em>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Erzo walks away, picking up the pace, a walk-run that becomes a run.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He slows down once he reaches the safety of the rope shop on the next street.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPhew <\/em>\u2026 that was a close call.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He feels his pockets, worried he\u2019d dropped the plums in his rush to escape the bloody nun. No, they\u2019re still there, one in each pocket.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A man with ruddy jowls waves at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHey you,\u201d he calls. \u201cTurn around and face me. I can\u2019t see your badge.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Erzo turns, and puffs out his chest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYour badge,\u201d the jowls tell him, \u201cmust be clearly visible at all times.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Erzo undoes the clasp, and positions the badge higher on his lapel.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s your colour?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBlue,\u201d answers Erzo.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA bluey, I thought as much. Off with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Erzo continues walking, not feeling as good in himself as before. A visit to Happy Faces should cheer him up. He goes past the vinegar shop and the aphid shop. A security guard in a brown uniform stops him at the entrance to Happy Faces. Erzo hands over some coins.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOkay, that\u2019ll get you five minutes.\u201d The guard steps aside. \u201cRemember, no touching.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Erzo opts for the room on the left where a priest kneels at a prie-dieu<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow are you, my son?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This is not what Erzo needs, and will not make him feel good in himself. He hurries on to the next offering, a Marilyn Monroe lookalike caked in makeup, blonde wig askew.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBoop-boop-be-boop<\/em>.\u201d She simpers over ill-fitting dentures.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No time to waste, Erzo doesn\u2019t linger at the smiley displays he has seen many times before: the happy schoolgirl or the nurse or the astronaut. He comes to a granny on a rocking-chair, knitting and humming to herself. A new display\u2014an excellent granny, grey hair in a bun, round glasses, long shimmering blue dress and bleached white apron.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHello there, dearie,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Now this is a proper happy face, one that makes Erzo feel good in himself again. Such a kind granny, and so reassuring.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As Erzo reaches to touch the granny\u2019s bun, he\u2019s knocked to the floor. Looking up, he sees the guard standing over him. The guard starts kicking Erzo.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat did I tell you?\u201d Another kick from the guard, and one more for good measure. \u201cNo touching.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Erzo is thrown out the door of Happy Faces and lands on the pavement. He drags himself to his feet, his knee stinging, his ribs on fire. Angry faces glare at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA disgrace,\u201d says one woman, tea cosy hat plopped on her head. \u201cYou should be ashamed of yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Erzo limps over to a public bench and eases himself onto the seat. He leans back, and lets his eyes glide over the buildings across the street. A sliver of Atlantic is visible through a gap between the aglet shop and Aquari-Yummies. Erzo definitely doesn\u2019t feel good in himself. He feels sore in himself. Maybe he should have a plum, but he decides to leave the plums for later. He calculates how much money he has left; not enough for a visit to Aquari-Yummies to nosh on live guppies and goldfish.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 An old guy with a stick hobbles over and sits beside Erzo. The oldie starts coughing and snorting and hawking, releasing a meaty discharge of mucus that splats on the ground. He looks over at Erzo.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019re you doin\u2019, Bluey?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAlright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFeelin\u2019 good in yourself?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNot particularly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They sit for a long time in silence. Erzo examines the tapering shadow cast by the walking stick. Finally, the oldie speaks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI haven\u2019t felt good in myself for eighty years. And I remember nothin\u2019 of my first three years, but I doubt I felt good even then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry to hear that,\u201d says Erzo. \u201cEarlier today, I was feeling good in myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWere you now?\u201d The old guy shakes his head and laughs. \u201cIt didn\u2019t last though, did it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo, it didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBest thing you can do.\u201d The oldie taps the ground with his stick. \u201cTake yourself over to Nelly Silke\u2019s contentment shop. She\u2019ll sort you out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This is a new shop to Erzo, but shops open and close all the time in this town.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s that shop?\u201d he asks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOver there.\u201d The oldie waves his stick. \u201cBeside the second-hand pram and nappy place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd will she be able to help me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou never know. She comes highly recommended. They say she\u2019s a very contented woman.\u201d The oldie shrugs. \u201cWhat do you have to lose?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Erzo thanks him and makes his way gingerly across the street.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Nelly Silke waits behind a counter. A big woman, hair cut like a schoolboy, eyes bulging from bad goitre.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow can I help you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Erzo puts money on the counter. Not all he has, for he\u2019s wise enough to keep some aside. His day hasn\u2019t ended.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not feeling good in myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Nelly Silke counts the money and says, \u201cThat\u2019ll get you three statements.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWill that work?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve never had any complaints.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Erzo leans on the counter, taking the weight off his sore knee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFirst statement,\u201d says Nelly Silke. \u201cIt\u2019s not as bad as all that. It could get a lot worse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Erzo waits, expecting more.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSecond statement. Accentuate the positive\u2014the sun is shining, and it isn\u2019t raining.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDo people actually pay for this?\u201d Erzo asks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Nelly Silke stares at him through her googly eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThird statement. You\u2019re still young, and have your health. Wouldn\u2019t it be worse to be a snail without its shell, nothing to live for, other than sliming around and having people look at you in disgust?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As the part concerning the snail was phrased as a question, Erzo believes the business about being young and having your health is Nelly Silke\u2019s third statement.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve never had any complaints?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNever, not a single one,\u201d says the contented Nelly Silke.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When Erzo leaves the shop, it starts raining. He shelters under the awning of a pharmacy. There are many pharmacies in this town. The display this time shows a sea of blue pills and a sandy patch with a tropical island tree represented by brown and green pills. A flag in the sand reads: Let us take you to paradise. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He watches the fat raindrops spatter the ground, then looks up and spots the oldie with the walking stick, shuffling along the other side of the road. Should he go over and tell the old guy that Nelly Silke did nothing to make him feel good in himself? It\u2019s not worth the effort\u2014no point getting drenched in the rain. In any case, it might be a different oldie. There are so many of them about, and they all look the same to Erzo. This oldie goes into a bookmaker. Second only to pharmacies, there is an abundance of bookies in this town. People like to bet. Winning is a bonus, and losing confirms that not everything is certain.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The rain ceases abruptly. Erzo continues on his way, stopping at the Deaths kiosk. The official inside looks very much like the one in the first kiosk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat are the numbers today?\u201d Erzo asks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The official turns to his computer and presses the refresh button.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAs of ten minutes past five,\u201d he says, \u201cthere have been nine deaths in the last twenty-four hours. A cumulative figure of seventy in the past week, and four thousand one-hundred and eighty-eight in the last year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMore births than deaths recently,\u201d Erzo observes. \u201cBut it evens up in the long run.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat tends to be how it works,\u201d the official replies.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A band practices in XY Park for an upcoming parade. People like to march and display their determination. The drummers pound their goatskin lambegs. Erzo blows out his cheeks in time to the music. Bum-te-de-bum-bum-bum<\/em>. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He makes his way along the coast, passing rows of parked cars. A favourite pastime of the people in this town is to drive to the seafront, stay in the car and read a newspaper or listen to the radio, smoke a cigarette or eat a sandwich. Some even contemplate the white-capped Atlantic.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 On Erzo goes, towards the diving tower. A romp of nuns from the convent abattoir run along the beach, stretching out a net filled with crusts of bread that they use to catch seagulls. Motorboats zoom by, pulling skiers in their wake. Erzo is not a strong swimmer, and finds the water too cold. It makes him slightly sad, hearing the excited whoops<\/em> as, one by one, divers somersault into the ocean.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The light shimmers on water lapping the basalt rocks that line the promenade. Erzo sits on a rock and gazes at faraway grassy headlands. He puts his hand in his pocket, and feels a squidgy mess. His fingers are coated in sticky pulp. He turns the pocket inside-out, and dumps the remains of a squished plum on the ground. It must have happened when he received that kicking from the guard at Happy Faces. Slowly and very carefully, he slides his hand into the other pocket and sighs with relief on feeling the reassuring solidity of the second plum. He holds it up, like an offering to the heavens, delighted by its purple roundness and imagining its plummy sweetness. Another onrush of positivity, and Erzo feels good in himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A seagull, fleeing the nuns, swoops down and grabs the plum in its beak. Wings flapping, it wheels away, the sharp gull claws ripping a long tear in the sleeve of Erzo\u2019 coat, cutting his arm and drawing blood.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOuch,\u201d cries Erzo.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tears of pain and defeat fill his eyes. He leans forward on his rock and submerges in himself, slipping momentarily from his circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Twilight ensues, the distant headlands canted against an afterglow of sun.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The divers stop diving, the skiers stop skiing, and the nuns return to the abattoir with their catch. Erzo lingers in the growing darkness, a cool breeze easing the sting of his cut.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s time to return home. He stops on the way at Last Orders Ice Cream, and hands over his remaining coins.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA raspberry ripple, please.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The fat man who serves him points at the tear in his coat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou need to get that seen to. Was it a seagull?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt was.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSavage buggers,\u201d the ice cream man says. \u201cHere, you\u2019ve given me too much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He hands back one coin.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Erzo takes his time over his raspberry ripple, slowly spooning it into his mouth. Others come in, and Erzo listens to the banter of the after-hours ice cream crowd.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJust got in under the wire. Pull us a cone there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMake mine a Ninety-Nine. <\/em>What are you having?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA Choc Ice, if you\u2019re buying. But it\u2019ll have to be quick, I\u2019ve got to get back to the ball and chain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Erzo licks his bowl clean, then gets up to leave. On the way out, he drops his last coin into a charity box. It bears a generic head silhouette and the words: Please give generously and feel better about yourself. <\/em>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The end of Erzo\u2019 day. Not such a bad day, all things considered. A single kicking and only attacked by one nun and one seagull. He didn\u2019t get to eat his plums, but it could have been a lot worse as Nelly Silke had told him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Erzo strolls past the bookies and pharmacies, the aphid shop and the vinegar shop, Aquari-Yummies and Happy Faces. Maybe not feeling good in himself, but not feeling so bad.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\nMark Keane Erzo finishes the carton of Pulpy Juice and licks the stray bits from his lips. He drops the…\n<\/div>\n
Continue reading “Erzo”<\/span>…<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":81,"featured_media":0,"parent":14,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-292","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/21-1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/292","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/21-1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/21-1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/21-1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/81"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/21-1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=292"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/21-1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/292\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":294,"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/21-1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/292\/revisions\/294"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/21-1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/euphemism.illinoisstate.edu\/21-1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}