The Wages, An Illustrated Story | 23. Songs and Parables | Stop Talking


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A black-and-white drawing. We see over the artist’s shoulder as Brandy grips the sides of her head with her hands in gripping into her hair like claws. Brandy frowns with fierce wide eyes and bares her teeth in a snarl. Her words, Stop talking, you condescending megalomaniac, appear over her head. The artist raises her hands as if in surrender and shock, and pulls back with slack-jawed alarm. End of description.

“Stop talking, you condescending megalomaniac!” I said, holding the sides of my head, “If you insult people and then apologize by calling them undignified, your liberation of the trailer parks ain’t gonna go as smoothly as you think it will.”

“I meant... I...” she stammered.

“When you make fun of poor people in trailer parks, you’re making fun of my big sister doing the dishes, and reminding me to do my homework because hers was done. Think about that. Okay?”

“Okay. Whatever. I said sorry. Jesus.”

I relented with a sigh. “I apologize. I’m having a bad day. Your paintings are cool. I find them affecting. But I have to eat, and then get my band rounded up. I hope you enjoy your project.”

“Thanks for stopping by.”


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