Stamford, Connecticut: Two men on an Amtrak train, strangers. Each is on his phone, speaking with his wife, perhaps about their plans for the evening. Their conversations become similar, as each man can’t help hearing what the other is saying. Eventually, each finds himself telling his wife what the other man is saying about events planned for the weekend, a party in New York, perhaps. The voices overlap, pause, conclude, fade with offhand goodbyes. At home, each wife reflects on the new … [Read more...]
“Observation” / Memorable Fancies #1041
3 December, 2014 by Leave a Comment
[“Now I can keep her under constant surveillance, through this system of mirrors and trained dogs.” – Donald Barthelme] Since that was written (1965), civilization has advanced beyond such primitive means to keep track of one’s wife as mirrors and dogs. We now have mirror apps, elevated heartrate snooper apps, analyze facial expression for possible unfaithfulness apps, knows when she takes off her ring and slips it into a pocket apps, more insidious and different apps each day. If … [Read more...]
“Foreground” / A Memorable Fancy #058
26 July, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The piece is incomplete, the one Harold and Irene paid the famous artist to paint. It leans against a wall of their home, three faceless figures against the sea. After a month, with Irene not at home, Harold phones the artist, who says “get someone else to finish it – I’ve gone on to other things now.” In the background, a sound of surf and Irene’s delighted voice; in the foreground, a silence. … [Read more...]
Memorable Fancies 