the unveiling

An excerpt of the short stories' collection THE UNVEILING.

The unveiling

"THE UNVEILING"

The anthology's first story

I’m descending the staircase with quite an amount of optimism; I’m still quite optimistic. But the closer I get to that hideous little box my optimism fades away. How can anyone expect a letter when there’s nobody to write to, and nobody to answer it, if…? There’s always hope though to revive one’s heart, indeed, one should always be hopeful �" although the five tiny round dark holes in that box, are the very proof that it’s empty. 

A letter!!! A sudden outburst of movements takes place; a bundle of keys is pulled out in frenzy. The tiny tin door is almost torn off.

Relax man! Slow down and don’t you tear it! The envelop is open. What’s that? An invitation… Someone is getting married?  A doubled and redoubled disappointment! 

“Dear and honorable Mr. X”, oh, what a delightful card, what a blissful moment! Let’s read it once again.

“Dear and honorable Mr. X, you are solemnly invited hereby to unveil the statue of naivety and innocence, at the public square in the gardens of anonymity �" do come incognito”.

What an astounding invitation, what a treatment, I shall have to wear my top hat.  

 

The gardens of anonymity paradise on earth, vast green lawns stretching up to the horizon.

How long do I roam here, where does the ceremony take place? Where are all the guests? I must concentrate otherwise I'll get lost.  

‘Dear honorable Mr. X.’

Oh, there they are, a dark wall of human bodies and above their heads rises a familiar figure of a woman. Who is she? A Leonardo’s Madonna or Raphael’s? Not at all, it’s some familiar woman, as simple as all that.

‘Dear honorable Mr. X, would you please unveil the statue.’

I ascend the broad staircase all alone, me and my top hat and nothing else. So what! Why should I be ashamed? Big deal! Should I run about instead, looking for a fig leave? I ascend still but I can’t see any veil, a row of buttons that’s what I see… Do I have to strip this woman in public? Where are all the guests and where is that certain type, with that caressing voice of his? Doesn’t he wish to tell me a few more things?

Well, there’s something I should better tell him: ‘Dear Sir, I’d rather undress. Oh, what a deplorable tongue’s slip. I’d rather unveil an abstract statue.’

© Haim Kadman 2012 �" all rights reserved.

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