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From: gaucho@io.com (Mike Dalton)
Newsgroups: talk.bizarre
Subject: periaktoi
Date: 24 Aug 1995 00:27:33 -0500
Organization: Hic Bibitur Bar & Grill
Message-ID: <41h2k5$g1s@pentagon.io.com>
Summary: I apologize in advance for being a pretentious git.

"It's not quite what you're used to," she said, and she was right.

Her eyes were harsh; she seemed displeased - angry, maybe? - as she 
certainly had a right to be.  "I didn't mean to . . ."

"Hush.  You're talking nonsense."

"No, I . . . I'm sorry.  I did what was necessary, and of course that
doesn't make everything right, but I'm sorry things have evolved so
wrongly."

"Don't be coy.  You did well - this should be your time in the sun.  Enjoy
it.  This attempt at modesty just isn't appropriate."  She glanced at the
clouds, at the dust on the ground.  "The dirt should rise up and follow
you, trees and grass should grow wherever you step."

"Ridiculous . . ."
 
"Maybe something else.  Maybe I can do something, make this world a little
more appealing.  Not much, but after all you've done, gratitude must be 
shown."

As she was speaking, she turned half away from me.  I saw her in profile,
flat, as through only one eye.  She dug her fingernails into the middle
of the sky, and tore and   thus Clytemnestra turned   pushed and pulled
it, until that center of   to Agamemnon at the door   the sky gave way,
revealing another place,   of the palace, and said,   a new one.
                           "My husband returned who
"It's what you deserve,"   has brought back spoils,   she said, "I can't
begrudge anything to you   (one too fair) could not   now.  Take it; it's
a present.  Don't refuse   Priam have ended in your   me, and don't deny
you've earned it.  False   place and you in his?  I   modesty is far worse
than hubris."              thus shall laud you as I
                           wish, and of pride there
"It's too awkward a gift   is none in stepping on a   and too great a debt."
I tried to keep my voice   sea-dyed tapestry, or no   steady, but there is
real and grave danger in   pride undeserved rather.   not appreciating a
kindness, regardless how   Therefore, crush beneath   ill-intentioned the
giver.  "Please, take it   your sandalless feet the   back.  This world must
be and is enough without   royal purple cloth.  May   trappings or stage-
tricks . . ."  Silently,   prayer this accomplish."   and without visible
emotion, she tugged on the frame of the sky still scarred by her fingernails,
forcing it back into place.

"Thank you.  It's just that there's now no place in my world for . . ."
 
"A change of scenery?"
 
"A change of scenery."
-- 
Mike  gaucho@io.com madalton@silver.ucs.indiana.edu sentir? sinta quem le^!