A Game Show
Background lights, neon, radiant. To each buzzer there is a wire; these wires get lost in space, time, thickets, sewers, and end in residential doorbells. The first contestant to answer correctly shocks himself (at 673 Rosseau, a FedEx deliveryman screams after pressing the doorbell.) One woman, three men, all white, vie for the grand prize of bragging rights, dinner for two at the chain restaurant of their choosing, and a one-year membership to match.com. 'A green olive'' (Honey, can you get the door?) The young contestant winks at the audience. The camera only zooms in on wrong answers.
? Who is the most celebrated storyteller in
history?
A Who is 'Jesus.'
? A plug is for what?
A What is 'for turning something on.'
? What is the one thing without class?
A What is 'poor people.'
? What is the biggest Spanish export?
A What is 'hola.'
Hitler's mustache is winning. The lights vibrate a new shade, slowly; audience anxiety heightens. The young contestant flexes his face into the tango while the final question is read, smoldering nostrils and arched eyes, loose hair curling into one spiral.
'Name the steps of facial hair maintenance, in order.'
Hitler has won. The other wins three books, or, the other three win a book, accepted with a tight smile.
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