Light the Saber

War is to killing what fucking is to love.  My father always said that pistols are toys.  They certainly are- compared to real weapons of war.  War is to weapons what business is to sex.  My father never spent much time aboard a ship or gambling with rogues.  Your sidearm looks like watercolors.  Yes.  I sketched you my first day here.  You looked like an old sunflower mated with a small cactus.  Now look at a decade’s progress.  There is Mrs. Asa Candler jr. little girl as they are today.  Except Buddie is a boy.  Hell Asa Sr. was a crafty war profiteer just like me… dodging the draft as an Atlanta medicine man.  We were both operating in Georgia on the red string line and he brags about the Creek war.  Doughface red string man.  Gave him a saber lesson and made him an offer he could not refuse:  here is 300 in gold.  You will make a purchase for me. 

And if I do not… say he- and give me this bald faced squinty-eyed jaw.  Then I shoot you in the head with this horse pistol says me. Fiddle dee dee. Irene was not on her usual bench. Daisy made her way casually through the park until she reached the Fifth Avenue townhouse at 1009. Although uninvited, she made her way up the stairs to the second story entrance and gingerly rang the service bell at the massive oak door. A very tall and very starched man answered her call in traditional butler apparel. Daisy was more annoyed than impressed. The man looked preoccupied rather than interested in her presence at the entryway. He did not inquire as to her presence, but rather waited for a declaration of her intrusion, so she spoke boldly, as if on cue. I… wonder if Mrs. Guggenheim might receive my unscheduled visit if she is available and so inclined. My name is Miss LaCroix  

Daisy felt somewhat awkward standing before the closed door, but was consoled by the idea that he had, at least, not slammed it in her face. She wondered how long it would take for him to locate Irene in the large building. Awkward did not look attractive on Daisy. Only a few moments later, He reappeared and asked her to follow him to the dining area. There she found Irene, sitting alone with a book, a muffin and coffee. Irene rose to greet her with a two cheek European kiss  and motioned Daisy to the seat next to her. She pointed to the coffee urn and muffin, and the very starchy man served Daisy the identical service that had been in front of Irene. When the very starchy servant left the room, they both started talking at once, then laughed.

Heirs, legacy, whatever else falls into the category of never being able to disappear totally. May I ask why you never married Daisy. No need to reply if it might be a distressing subject, I marvel at you mostly and wonder of your marital status frequently, though clearly none of anyone else’s business. Trying to process such a statement was a huge mental chore for a woman like Daisy who never looked for motives in her relationships. Although proud of her husband, Irene was reaching… a woman she felt close to in order to tell her she felt like a collectible. Irene felt used. Daisy answered with concern, but simply said I never thought of it that way.   For the rest of the day she tried to apply the thoughts to Henry. He seemed to require none of this. She wished she could see him briefly just once more. 

 Economic reforms in a social environment are pillars of society.  Aboard the Dart we learn they always want something new because they are bored… nothing is trying to kill them… right now.  Punta laughed.  They have other ways to amuse themselves.  Like this sweet sugar drink that tickles the tongue and whets the whistle.   Like a tit… grumbled Henry.  No.  Kola nuts are cheaper than coffee.  Yes.  During the war the saber became an accessory for dress.  Use the sidearm as a sign of authority and not a prop.  Meaning pointed at me. I put up my hands. In a hurry!