|
Wanna read the latest
from Clever Magazine? The Chasm, Chapter 4
Here's an old (circa 1950s) "real photo"
postcard taken somewhere in Germany. |
Meanwhile, back in the Balkans, the schoolteachers and their devoted staff have devised a plan. Will it succeed? The staff knew what to do. There had been many parties in the mansion over the years. It had been a long time now since the last one, but they hadn't forgotten. Out came the best tablecloth, a little shabby but sharply creased and shinning white. The huge linen napkins lay neatly folded beside the sparkling crystal goblets. The silver flatware and centerpieces reflected brightly the candlelit room, just like the old days. The carpets were threadbare and the upholstered chairs were lumpy but everything looked very inviting in the dim and fading light of the late afternoon. Their guests would arrive soon. The school teachers were up in their rooms getting ready. Neither Adele nor Patricia had given much thought to formal dress occasions when they packed for their Balkan adventure. Now they wished they had given a little more forethought to such an unlikely event. Adele wore her gray dress with the white collar and long sleeves. Nearly floor length with a soft-falling bias cut skirt, it was a dress more appropriate for an afternoon tea. -Goodness, Adele, I believe that dress alone will bore our guests to death. Patricia smiled at the sight of her friend. -And I daresay, you've lost a little weight. You're thin as a biscuit. That's what the French say, n'est pas? -Please Patricia. Don't be a tease. Can't you see how nervous I am? And look at yourself. That black jersey is positively hanging off you. As a couple of wanton seductresses, we'll be abject failures. -Oh, you worry too much! Patricia took a critical look at her reflection in the mirror. It was true. They were both thin, bony really. Everybody was hungry these days. -Food is what we all need. They'll be seduced all right, but it won't be by us. The smell of that bread is already having an effect on me. I feel light-headed. -It's hunger, Patricia. We're all simply famished. Where did the cook get all that food? It smells glorious. -Oh, they have their ways. Best not to ask. Well, are you ready, Adele? -Yes, I guess so. But Patricia, have you given any thought at all to what we're about to do? Have you no conscience? Why, we've just plotted murder. I just don't know if I can go through with such a thing. Patricia gave her a look and folded her arms in that alarming way she had. -It's not murder at all, Adele. It's self-defense. You heard what the maid said. They'd just as soon kill us as spit on us. Now, remember that. We'll be fighting for our lives, and those of the staff. Think about it that way and we'll get through this. Just remember not to sip your wine when they refill the glasses. And don't eat the stew. They heard the loud rap at the door as they were halfway down the staircase. They nodded to the servant and waited while the door was opened. Several men burst through the door with rifles raised. They pushed the maid aside and trained their weapons on every corner of the room. Right after them, came a tall thin man, with dark hair thinning to a widow's peak. His rifle was slung over his shoulder. They were all dressed in dark pants and green parkas. Their boots were muddy and their faces were covered in stubby beards. The soldiers wore caps, the leader had none. He noticed the teachers first. He stared at them, saying nothing. Finally he nodded. - Come in, Captain. Patricia was the first to speak. The riflemen turned their weapons on the women. The two stood their ground on the staircase looking down on the scene. - You can put your guns away. We're English, you see. We're not here to hurt you. The man in charge grunted something to the men and they lowered their weapons. He sighed and spoke to them in a low tired voice. - We know of you already. That's why we are here. It's time for you to leave our country. - Well, I couldn't agree more, said Patricia, beginning a slow descent down the grand staircase. Adele began to move too, while trying to hide herself behind Patricia as best she could. - If you could help us, we would appreciate it. Patricia tried to smile and felt her lips begin to quiver and her knees begin to shake. A cruel, thin smile played at his face as he considered her request. He finally spoke. - Nothing is easy these days. We are looking for the owner of this building. He must come forward. And also the others who live here. - Oh, the servants, you mean? Why, you'll see them at dinner. They work and live here. Simple people. We know nothing about the owner. I have never met him. We corresponded. That's how we were hired on, you know. Henry chose that moment to appear at the dining room entrance. He cleared his throat and said in a firm voice that dinner was ready. Then he bowed and stood by the door as if this were a typical dinner party. The soldiers trained their weapons on him. And then the thin man once again called them down. - Ah, captain. You will join us for a meal, of course. We were hoping you and your men could stay. Perhaps we can figure out a plan for us to leave this place. The men looked beyond Henry into the dining room where the maids were piling food onto the table. The smell of steaming stewed chicken and vegetables and fresh baked breads seeped into the room and surrounded them. They were haggard and dirty, and now that they remembered how hungry they were, nothing short of a bullet would prevent them from eating. The captain spoke a few indistinguishable words to the men. They stood back for a moment to let Patricia and Adele lead the way, and then they all trouped into the candlelit room. It was a rather incongruous sight -- Patricia and Adele seated at one end of the table, surrounded by the band of rowdy, roughnecks. They jostled each other taking their seats, while propping their rifles beside their chairs. There were enough bowls of food lined up along the table, and hunks of bread and pots of jam, crocks of pickles together with potted and vinegary vegetables to fill up the entire table. It was a remarkable spread considering everything. They laughed and made crude-sounding jokes to each other. Neither Patricia nor Adele could understand a word, but the insinuations were clear enough. Patricia tapped her empty wine glass with a spoon and the men fell silent. She motioned to Henry and said, -Henry, pour the wine. And then to everyone at the table, - I would like to propose a toast. Will you join me? The men's eyes popped at the sight of the tray of wine bottles that Henry set on the sideboard. They looked at the captain, who nodded yes. Henry poured a round of drinks and when he had filled the last one, Patricia raised her glass and said, - To Your Health! The men raised their glasses and muttered something in unison and drank off the blood red wine in great gulps. Patricia and Adele each sipped theirs. - Now eat hearty, gentlemen, she said, as they reached for the food in front of them. The sounds of serving spoons striking crockery were soon drowned out by the noise of hungry eating. Henry stole a glance a Patricia, who nodded discretely back to him. He took up several wine bottles and began refilling glasses. Many men simply ignored him as he passed between them. Several men drained their glasses in preparation for the next round. Voices rose in laughter and good cheer as dishes were replaced with others and the men devoured the food that had been placed in front of them. Patricia and Adele looked at each other. This was no polite society dinner where the guests waited for the host between courses. Nobody even seemed to notice them as they sat a picked at their food and sipped their wine. The captain ate with the same gusto as the others but nevertheless, Patricia tried to engage him in conversation. - Have you heard about our school? Patricia asked. He nodded. - Do your family members attend our classes? Perhaps we know them? Adele asked. He looked at her and then at Patricia and frowned. - I have no family. - Oh, I'm so sorry. Perhaps you know of someone who attended, a friend or neighbor perhaps. There are so many fine students there and oh, the fun we have. Isn't that right, Adele? - Oh, yes, indeed. We do have a good time. Ah, there are games, of course, and lessons every day. Why, I can't tell you how much I miss those fine students. Just yesterday… As he watched Adele, Patricia thought she noticed his eyes begin to glaze over. Adele, out of shear terror, took a big gulp of wine, and then forked up a hunk of stew meat. Patricia tried to kick her under the table but couldn't reach her in time. By the time the men had cleaned their plates, they'd all drank several glasses of wine, most of it tainted, or so Patricia hoped. She nodded again to Henry. It was time for dessert, which was a heavy concoction of mostly sweetened bread with preserves baked into it and mounded with whipped cream. Henry came round to each guest and as he removed the dinner plate he placed a generous portion before everyone in turn. Then he once again refilled the wine glasses, this time with a thick dark port. Patricia glared at Adele, willing her not to even taste the deadly concoction. Adele blinked at her, smiled crookedly and winked. Patricia relaxed a little. The meal had been laced with spicy foods and pickles that they had hoped would mask any off taste in the wine, but as Patricia and Adele looked around at the empty bowls, bottles, wine glasses and plates, they realized they needn't have worried. Everything had been emptied or scraped clean.. Now the guests faced this rich dessert and the port, which she hoped had enough medicine in it to finish them off. The men were beginning to look a little sleepy but all were digging their spoons into their treats and gulping the port. Nobody even stopped long enough to toast. - Ah, madam. I don't think I heard your name, the captain said, burping suddenly as he began speaking. - 'cuse me, ma'am, he said, looking around. None of the others seemed to notice. Patricia watched him raise his spoon and then rest his arm as if it were too heavy. He smiled and tried again. The others were slowing down now too. At the far end of the table, one of the skinnier soldiers was already asleep, snoring softly in his chair. His mates laughed at him and then nodded to each other. The captain looked at Patricia through definitely bleary eyes. - Your men seem tired, Captain. Perhaps they need a rest. He nodded. - You are welcome to stay, you know. That is, if your men don't mind sleeping on the floor in the main hall. It's dry and warm there, safe enough. He barked a few short words to the men and pointed to the room on the far side of the hallway they had first entered. Those who could, stood up and helped the others out of the dining room. They dragged their weapons and comrades off to the other room in relative silence compared to the noise of the dinner. - Now captain, may we ask you about our problem. We are so very concerned about leaving here and we've heard such awful rumors. I'm sure you'll understand why we're nervous… Patricia continued in a steady tone of voice and watched as her guest grew more heavy-lidded with each word. - What are you talking about? He growled the words.. Patricia reiterated her long and convoluted question. He looked at her in a most confused way. -I'm very tired now. We'll talk later. If you'll excuse me. He tried to stand up, and then sank heavily back into his chair. He looked at the women with just the flicker of understanding in his eyes before they glazed completely over. And at that moment, his head fell forward, landing in his nearly empty dessert dish. He was unconscious. Henry stood beside the women smiling and slowly raising and lowering himself on tip toe, rocking back and forth with extreme pleasure. - Mission accomplished, ma'am. Everybody seems to have thoroughly enjoyed the meal. Home
| Contributors
to Clever Magazine | Writers' Guidelines © No portion of Clever Magazine may be copied or reprinted without express consent of the editor. |
