In which Rufus sings Opera

by | Jul 31, 2021 | Comedy, historio-tragicomedy

Rufus: Opera singing can’t be that hard. You just have to raise your voice to a great volume, and then wiggle your voice around like this: I AM SINGING PASSIONATELY ABOUT MY LOVE, MY LOVE, MY LOVE, MY LOOOOOOOVE! A shoe flies through the open window and hits...

In which Rufus meets Camões on the beach

by | Jul 27, 2021 | Comedy, historio-tragicomedy

Rufus fell off the boat and floated for some time before the ocean current brought him to shore. He crawled out of the water and lay on his back in the sand. After a while, an old man approached Rufus and stuck him with a walking stick. Old man: Are you alive? Rufus:...

In which Rufus joins his mother at the beach

by | Jul 23, 2021 | Comedy, historio-tragicomedy

A beach. Full sun. Nearby, a green flag waves in a light sea breeze. Soft waves lap at the seashore. Rufus sits in the sand near a naked woman. Rufus’ back is to the woman. His eyes are firmly closed. Tears roll down his cheeks. Rufus: No, no, I won’t! Mother: Turn...

In which Rufus meets a gypsy in Portugal

by | Jul 20, 2021 | Comedy, historio-tragicomedy

Dermot ran an absent-minded hand in a small circle around her bellybutton. “The gypsy girl is a waste of your time, Rufus. You should come back to New York City with me.” Rufus raised his leg and rested his foot between the bars of the jail cell. He pointed at a...

To be or not to be awkward

by | Jul 17, 2021 | historio-tragicomedy, History

Two guys sit at a beach café and discuss the word awkward. 1. The word awkward is difficult to define. 2. No it isn’t; it just means that expectations aren’t met. 1. I disagree; I think it is difficult to define. In English, one’s whole identity could be awkward; one...

Rufus buys creams

by | Jul 15, 2021 | Comedy, historio-tragicomedy

Rufus walks into the body-lotion shop. Rufus: Do you have activated-microplastic cream? Worker: Yes, we sell activated microplastic cream. What kind of creams would you like? Rufus: Oh, well, I don’t know. I want to cream everything. Worker: What specifically will you...

In which Rufus’ books are burned

by | Jul 10, 2021 | Comedy, historio-tragicomedy

Rufus’ mother had returned from a few weeks away in Los Angeles and the detox had taken sundry effects. She had not decided any particular dramatic revenge upon her son until after she and her boyfriend entered the living room and found themselves standing on a...

The well: the stone door

by | Jul 8, 2021 | historio-tragicomedy, History

Teresa and Irene walked up the stairs together and stood in front of a stone door. Hieroglyphics covered the door. Teresa: Where does this stone door lead? Irene: To your house. Teresa: No, it doesn’t. Irene: Yes, it does. Teresa: No, it doesn’t. Irene: Yes, it does....

The well part two

by | Jul 3, 2021 | historio-tragicomedy, History

Teresa walked on stage and danced three of the dances; as she reached the far edge of the platform, during one of the more provocative gesticulations, the platform gave way below her and Teresa half fell and half slid off the platform and into the sinkhole that had...

The well

by | Jul 1, 2021 | historio-tragicomedy, History

Teresa: I won’t do it! Uncle: It will be a couple minutes. Teresa: Wearing this outfit? In public? For even a second will destroy everything I’ve done over the past lifetime! Uncle: This doesn’t matter; when you are my age, you won’t remember today at all. Teresa: My...