Riley In The Fishbowl
| By : Supriya Sahu ( Posted on :04 Dec, 2005 ) | Total Views : 305 | Previous | Next |
Riley sailed into the shop on half-mast, his motor running. "Not enough wind," he said. "Had to buy extra gas down the street." He anchored down on a chair in the back near the fridge and opened a beer to cool his engine. "Good news, baby. I'm getting married. Never thought it would happen like this. We're gonna have a big god damn wedding and ship them in from all over the country. Got any friends you haven't seen in a while? No worries, baby. Her parents are paying for the whole rig-a-ramole. Make a list and check it twice."
He twisted in his stool and blew his nose, took a sip of beer, and sneezed. He rubbed his shiny skull with the palm his smooth hands. His beautiful eyes smiled as his mouth gushed a yawn. "You think it's too soon? Well, that's fine. But I know. You'll know. When it's right. She asked me. We think it's just a hoot. The whole thing is gonna be a hoot. Just wait and see baby. It'll be fun,. And I want you there, right there, in the thick of it, in the inner sanctum."
As Riley spoke the shop began to sink. Water seeped in through the front door and the main window. It leaked from the ceiling and through the floorboards. It cascaded down the walls filling empty cocktail shakers and Victorian perfume bottles.
"Great idea. Oh my God! I knew you would understand. I'll arrive on the bus, the Master of Ceremonies. Niel behind me with his sax and Johnny with the stand-up bass. You can dress any way you want. Sparkles or jeans. You know how to put it together."
Water reached the first tier of display cases and small objects began to float aimlessly. The old tricycle bobbed momentarily on the surface and sunk to the bottom where other heavy objects twirled and spun. Suddenly, fish appeared, surveyed the scene, and blew bubbles filled with dainty rings and tiny buttons.
"We're gonna have the rings made. Silver with something special. Not sure yet, really. We thought about engagement rings, but I know that's kind of silly. Got any in the shop she might like? How about that pretty little emerald set in 14 karat gold?"
Riley plugged his nose and swam towards the spot where the little emerald floated and surveyed its unusual sparkle. "Yes," said Riley. "This is perfect. I'll take it. Whatever the cost. You should make more money, you know. You're far too generous with your friends." He placed the band on his slender pinky and wiggled it in the damp air. "It looks good on me, don't you think?" A glint flew from his green eyes and created a spark near some exposed wire.
As the sun moved effortlessly across the sky, Riley drank more beer. His slightly stout belly bulged with the extra weight. With every sip, the water rose. His cigarettes became damp. The empty beer bottles twirled around his head. When he spoke, water entered his mouth and obscured his words.
"It's been so good seeing you again. I really missed you, baby. You made it all possible. The rock. That's what you are, the rock."
A lighthouse in the distance sent its warning.
"Gotta go, baby," said Riley as he removed the barnacles. "I'm too drunk to sail? Ha! I have other means."
So he swam effortlessly through the front door leaving his boat behind. His webbed feet and silken hands well designed for easy motion. As he pushed opened the shop door, water poured out on to the sunny street and every object was emptied of its added weight. Within seconds, gravity regained its dominance, lamps began to crash upon the shop floor, and lacey objects lay to waste in saturated trunks.
Written By : Supriya Sahu
Humour
