Prologue | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20A | 20B | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25-26 | 27 | 28-29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35-36 | 37 | 38A | 38B | 38C | 38D | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42-43 | 44-45 | 46 | 47 | 48-49A | 49B | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57A
PART II
ELEVATOR TO THE GALLOWS
57B
… wherein the besties are at Kresge’s discussing Trey’s extracurricular activities and Dot’s nascent scheme …
“What about it? Go to the speak with me?”
“No! Trey is nice to me and gives me everything I want and has asked me to respect two wishes. One of them is to not go to the speak. Oh, you know what he did this morning?” Marina told her about the tutor.
“What?! But that would mean I would never get to see you!”
“You could come over and be tutored too. You’d be so far ahead of your classes you could maybe test out and get a jump on college!” Now Marina was getting excited. If both of them were—
“I don’t want to go to school in the summertime! I want to run around with you when I’m not helping Daddy. After all, you don’t even get out of bed until after noon.”
“It’s just six hours a week!” Marina protested. “Two hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, maybe dinner—”
“Hold your horses, sister! You’re going to be alone with a man younger than Trey over six hours a week in your house? Having dinner with him?”
Marina blinked. “Well, yes. I’m married now. I’m a Missus.”
“That’s not the point and there are people who don’t pay attention to Missuses. Look at your father—grandfather. What if he’s the type of man to force himself on you? What if he gets a crush on you? What if—”
“Augh! Nobody is going to get a crush on me.”
“Trey has one.”
“Oh, he does not.” But the fact that Dot thought he did was a strange sort of thrill. “How can you have a crush on somebody you’re married to?”
“So his is more than a crush, but you can have a crush on a married woman and a married woman can have a crush on a man she’s not married to. Marina! That’s playing with fire.”
Marina gaped at Dot. “Do you really think that little of me?” she whispered, hurt to her core.
“No!” Dot said desperately. “I think that little of strange men and before you think I’m cuckoo, remember I thought Trey was up to no good.”
That was true.
“It’s just not seemly.”
“If Trey doesn’t care, why should you?” she asked defensively. “If he thought it would happen, do you think he would’ve arranged for it?”
Dot was getting ready to protest, but stopped and thought about that for a second. She snapped her mouth shut. “No. That’s not like him. But it would still make me uncomfortable. There’s temptation.”
“I’m not tempted,” Marina said flatly. Then something occurred to Marina. “Did you … were you tempted to be indecent with Gene?”
“Yes!” she snapped, then clapped her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide. “Um,” she squeaked through her fingers. “I just … I wish he’d kissed me,” she admitted weakly.
Marina’s eyes were as wide as Dot’s. “Oh. What— What does it feel like to want to?”
Dot, taken by surprise at Marina’s question, propped her chin in her hand and looked out the window. “Well, I don’t know exactly,” she mused after a while. “It’s like a tingle in my belly.”
“Oh, I get that on the Wildcat,” Marina said, waving that off.
Dot scowled. “Doesn’t Trey even kiss you like, you know, that?”
“Um … well … yes. Sometimes.”
“And you don’t get that tingly feeling?”
Yes, but she wasn’t going to say it because it wasn’t in her belly. It was lower, in her between. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore,” she grumbled. “What we do and what everybody else does aren’t the same, I guess.”
Dot heaved a put-upon sigh.
“Do you want to come over and be tutored with me or not?”
“Mama wouldn’t allow me to be alone in the house with an unmarried man even if you were there to chaperone and besides, no. I told you. I don’t want to go to school in the summertime.”
“It’s not really that improper, is it?”
“What would your mother—er, grandmother—say?”
Marina’s heart hardened a little. “It doesn’t matter. I can’t trust anything they ever taught me now. It’s like I’m learning things all over again. Trey is the only person I’m accountable to and he thinks this is a good idea and this is the only way I’m going to be able to do what he wants me to do.”
Dot looked confused. “What he wants you to do?”
Suddenly, Marina was embarrassed and she looked down at the table. She picked up her napkin and started fiddling with it.
“Marina,” she drawled threateningly. “Don’t make me tickle it out of you.”
“I … I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to laugh at me—”
Dot gasped. “I would never laugh at you!”
“Oh, well, I mean, give me your bless-your-heart look. But Trey thinks I can go to college and—” Marina gasped at Dot’s look of skepticism. “See? See? I knew you’d give me that look!” Angry again, hurt, she started to slide out of the booth and leave Dot to catch the bus. She didn’t care how mean it was.
“No!” Dot cried. “I’m sorry! Marina, listen! Married women don’t get to go to college!”
Marina stilled.
“That was what that look was. They have a baby and then, boom, they’re stuck at home. I know you can do it. Now I know, I mean, and I am sorry I didn’t see how really smart you are before and I’m really glad you have Trey for that. But you’re going to have a baby and then what? I help take care of my siblings. I see what Mama has time and energy for and college isn’t it! It’s why I don’t want to have children, or at least not till I graduate from college. Marina, listen to me!”
“It can work,” she muttered resentfully. “Your mother has you. Trey can hire a girl. He already said he would.”
Dot’s mouth opened a little. “Uh, that’s true. I never thought of that. But Marina, I don’t doubt you can—”
“And then he wants me to go to law school,” she blurted.
Silence.
“That’s … queer,” Dot said in a daze. “Women don’t … ”
“They do too! There’s a woman municipal judge, just up the street there!”
Dot gaped at her. “A judge?!”
“Trey told me that. He says some of the smartest people he knows are women and it doesn’t matter anyway. He said Carrie Nation almost single-handedly got Congress to pass an amendment to the Constitution. He says Mother is very smart, even though he hates her. He studies smart people, even women, and Marie Curie is one of his favorite people to study. He likes smart women, don’t you see? That’s why he hates girls like Ruthie so much. It’s always over small things, small bits of power. It’s not smart. It’s not important.” Marina had no idea where those words were coming from, but Trey had told her that when she was passionate about something, the words just flowed. “And since he has female employees, it hurts the business if they get like that.”
“But law school?”
“He says that’s just how my mind works. If you came over for tutoring, it’d be like it was before we met Trey and Gene. Please?”
“Hrmph. I’ll ask, but I don’t think Mama will let me. I just— Marina, it’s really not a good idea. How about a lady tutor? If he likes smart women so much, he can hire a lady, can’t he?”
“He said he interviewed a bunch, but the one he hired could teach me the way I learn best.”
“Maybe I should come just to chaperone him.”
“Maybe you’re afraid you’d get a crush on him,” Marina teased.
Dot rolled her eyes. “Well, I guess, if Trey can be around a hundred loose women every night and not be tempted— Or else he is and he’s doing it or controlling it or … something. Mmm. I’ll ask. That’s the best I can do.”
Dot was at Marina’s house promptly at three-thirty Wednesday to chat before Mr. Carville arrived at four. He looked a lot younger than twenty-one. He was bashful with her and Dot, intimidated by Trey, and the perfect teacher for how Marina learned. They would start at the beginning of algebra and just work their way through the book, stopping for as long as it took for Marina to grasp a concept.
Dot wanted absolutely nothing to do with Mr. Carville after he shyly greeted her with the same smile other boys gave her.
“Dot, he looked at me the same way,” Marina said impatiently the next day. “He’s just shy and we aren’t in a regular classroom where he can stand up at the board and be cool toward his students. He would have too many at once and he’d be the authority figure. That’s what Trey said.”
“Marina, he’s handsome.”
“I noticed. What does that have to do with anything?”
“It’s easier to be tempted with someone who’s handsome.”
Marina blinked. “Are you?”
“No! I’m still— I mean— Um.”
“You’re still heartbroken over Gene.”
“Doanwannatalkaboutit!” she snapped, then whined, “Marina, can’t you ask him to change his schedule so we can go to Kresge’s more than twice a week? Please?”
“No! We are going to be having dinner and then he’s got barbershop quartet after.”
“Don’t give him dinner!”
“Dinner is part of his pay. He doesn’t know how to cook.”
“Pack it up so he can take it home! Marina—!”
“Argue about this with Trey,” Marina finally huffed. “I want to be a good wife.”
“Marina,” Dot said soberly, “this is a really bad idea. Just remember: I was right about Trey. He wanted something from you and he did what he had to do to get it. He only cares about what he wants, just like your father. Grandfather. The reverend.”
“Dot,” Marina pled, “please stop speaking ill of Trey. Yes, you were right and yes, I should’ve listened. But he’s not my sort-of beau anymore. He’s my husband and he thinks I’m smart. It was either Mother or him, and so far, I like living with him a lot better than living with Mother, now that I can see you were also right about her. Even if he weren’t nice to me, I’m stuck with him for the rest of my life—”
“You know people can get divorced now.”
Marina gasped, her eyes wide. “Dot! I don’t want to be one of those women! A divorcée?! Why, it’s, it’s—I don’t know what. Why would I divorce a man who’s nice to me, even if he did— And he said he wouldn’t! I don’t want to spend my life hating my husband!”
“But I was right and you don’t know. Do you want to be stuck with him knowing or not knowing?” Dot challenged.
Marina didn’t answer because she didn’t know—
—until washday and saw lipstick on his collar.
Again.
57B
If you don’t want to wait 2 years to get to the end, you can buy it here.
Donations can be made here, if you so desire.
Poor Marina, having to deal with so many complications.
Obligatory
https://youtu.be/y8Kyi0WNg40
Howdy Festus. You and I haven’t been around at the same time in a while. I see your posts long after the thread dies. How are you doing?
Thanks for asking! Not very swell to be honest. That’s the reason that the comments are so few and far between. Everyone else has their own row to hoe.
Sorry Festus.
Festus abides.
…in her between.
Hmmmmmm.
Sounds naughty.
Yes. Her “between.”
It brought out her youth and inexperience. It was cute.
My little cousins were taught to call it their “napper” for some reason.
lol came here to add a 😮
*continues8
Thanks Mojeaux for your works. Deck is ongoing and in progress. Dog is on edge from the deck folk here all day while I was at work.
Dot’s nascent scheme …
Nothing good is going to come of this.
“Hold your horses, sister! You’re going to be alone with a man younger than Trey over six hours a week in your house? Having dinner with him?”
Dot knows what’s up.
you can have a crush on a married woman
Yep.
“What would your mother—er, grandmother—say?”
Dot has some smarts, but she fucked up there.
He said Carrie Nation almost single-handedly got Congress to pass an amendment to the Constitution.
Not the best example.
Marie Curie is one of his favorite people to study
Good example.
Dot wanted absolutely nothing to do with Mr. Carville after he shyly greeted her with the same smile other boys gave her.
Be attractive. Don’t be unattractive.
—until washday and saw lipstick on his collar.
Oh no.
RIght?? 😱
How times change. Alone with a Mayun! Heavens to Betsy!
I think the old times had a better idea. I never would have met my wife in the old days though.
#metoo
It took me a long time to realize that – and that I’m not alone or a crazy weirdo in thinking that.
/still single, why do you ask?
Dot’s schemes start to wear thin on Trey, but he has very little patience for her anyway.
You people wouldn’t know sexy if it came in and choked you while fucking you silly.
Oh yeah?
We’re bringing sexy back.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3gOHvDP_vCs&pp=ygUSYnJpbmdpbmcgc2V4eSBiYWNr
I know sexy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1IxOS4VzKM
The real secret is to grow old and decreprit enough so that you don’t care anymore.
You people are exposed to the most sexually charged Firsts on the planet on the daily. I’d hope I’m here to educate you all on what is sexy or not.
Oh, so that’s why you’re an exemplar of unsexy.
UNTZ UNTZ UNTZ UNZT
I’m too sexy for my legs
Too sexy for my legs,
Crash, burn, thud and a circular object rotating on a flat surface.
I have to have some fun here. Vegan deepfakes eating meat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIfv22BQ1Y0&t
Only skimmed but it hits an idea – can video-anything ever be trusted again? I think not.
It’s not evidence of shit. How is it going to impact Law and Order?
No video can ever be trusted again is the right answer. Now watch “Fuck me Ray Bradbury” on the my link above and realize this was from before deepfakes.
It wants me to sign in so… no can do.
But yeah, every Columbo Mark II plot (90s/00s) just went out the window.
Yeah. It’s 18+.
Ray was reportedly not amused by that.
https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/895/377/226.gif
Today I looked on the bottom shelf and found a cheap-ass vodka that’s steps from my house and so-far-so-good. It’s only a dollar more than the link claims. We’ll see how it has treated me in the morning.
I was concerned because after my recent move all the name brands at this shop are expensive AF, as in, way more than I was used to paying in Brooklyn.
But I only drink highballs, not fancy martinis and shit so who cares.
Can you give some examples of the other prices at issue? $13 Vodka is pretty bottom shelf.
I didn’t see $13 at the link but this stuff is $17 per 1.75l at my local store.
My go-tos from NYC days like New Amsterdam or Svedka or Smirnoff are pushing $30 at this market or about $6 more than I paid in Brooklyn.
To be fair, there was bottom shelf stuff in Brooklyn that I never really explored because I didn’t feel the need to.
When I follow the link, I see a product page for
To which I added the one dollar you mentioned.
The closest Barton Vodka at the store I usually visit Is also listed at $13 but is a different sub-label. Svedka and Smirnoff 1.75l are both $21 at that store. So, yeah, you’ve got a terrible price.
Maybe the link tries to match your location?
I know I don’t live in Totowa, NJ.
I think it does, since it gave me a Connecticut location.
You fellers have the strangest taste in dildos.
I don’t have a taste in dildos, just cheap vodka.
Are you sure? I mean you’re pretty drunk.
Monopolova is real potato vodka, costs $11 for a 750 mL. Wonderful stuff.
Good to know.
Vodka is okay, I lean towards Krupnik and Rum.
Ah. I see. 1.75 of Monopolva is $21. Still worth it.
Costco has fairly good Vodka for 12 bucks.
https://www.totalwine.com/spirits/vodka/vodka/pinnacle-vodka/p/97655175?s=301&igrules=true
This is excellent at it’s price point. 👍
This seems squarely aimed at certain Glibs:
https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/escape-2
“The closed loop of happiness” Indeed!
If I haven’t said it yet, am glad to see you this past week.
Thank you Friend.
Firsters don’t have friends. God damn it Festus!
👎
Hmmm…. I wonder who?
*taps nose*
I saw this morning that the Democrats called the Republican proposal to cut IRS funding to aid Israel “unserious.” Their own package will include aid to Hamas and Israel. How very serious.
To the troops! All the troops. Both sides…
https://www.instagram.com/p/CybcalOP1YB/
Pre-emptive Good Morning to all.
I am up half of an hour early.
Good morning all!
A bit more Hawkwind to finish out the week.
Uncle Sam’s on Mars.
Robot, Robot.
Share and enjoy!
Something I have been giving a lot of thought to lately…
I used to duck into Spiked-online more often than I do now. I found that we aligned in our views mostly, but they were not as hard-line as I am. Regarding 1A and 2A rights I am what might be considered an absolutist. Spiked….not so much. However given the starker contrast between good and evil that we have now, and getting starker every day, seems to have inspired them to move closer to my camp.
https://www.spiked-online.com/2023/10/31/the-normalisation-of-savagery/
“The same fresh-faced Maoists who will weep and stomp their feet if you say ‘women don’t have penises’ have collectively shrugged their shoulders over the mass murder of Jewish women and children.”
Makes sense when you remind yourself that these leftists only principles are rooted in hatred and power. Objective standards of right and wrong and humanity don’t factor into their worldview.
Yes. They are amoral. What I find most interesting is that for those that are principled the slight squishiness they had seems to be disappearing and they are moving more toward hard liberty mindedness. Perhaps the evil we see so starkly today serves as an example of what not to be in the way that the old Maoist and Soviet regimes did.
It is hard to ignore when it is right in front of. your face. The old lax attitude of “It cant happen here” is now shown to be a fantasy.
suh’ fam
whats goody yo
I left some stuff behind at the job in Indiana so Im about to go back for retrieval……
TALL HOOSIER CANS!
That sounds like a PITA. Sorry to hear that.
Puttering around the house here this weekend. Grass cutting…laundry….detailed floors…..keeping a fire going and cooking for wife. I am living my ideal life.
Watch out that those Indiana Guns don’t stow away in your car….
Yo!
Ho ho, and a bottle of Rum?
Sodomy, and the lash.
https://youtu.be/e3ahUQHKMWI
Mornin y’all!
☕🌞
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C9GTEsNf_GU
🎶🎶