writing from
Scars Publications

Audio/Video chapbooks cc&d magazine Down in the Dirt magazine books

 

This writing was accepted for publication
in the 84 page perfect-bound issue...
Down in the Dirt magazine (v102)
(the January 2012 Issue)




You can also order this 5.5" x 8.5" issue
as an ISSN# paperback book:
order issue


Down in the Dirt magazine cover

Order this writing
in the book
It Was All
Preordained

(a Down in the Dirt
collection book)
It Was All Preordained (Down in the Dirt collection book) issuecollection book get the 320 page
January-April 2012
Down in the Dirt magazine
issue collection
6" x 9" ISBN#
paperback book:

order ISBN# book

Order this writing in the book
After the Apocalypse
(prose edition)

(the 2012 prose
collection book)
After the Apocalypse (prose edition) (2012 prose collection book) issue collection book get this poem
collection
6" x 9" ISBN#
paperback book:

order ISBN# book

Above the Forty-Seventh Floor

Kenneth Rutherford

    She says, “Hey. I’m Arachniah. That’s Arachniah with two ‘Hs.’ What’s your name?”
    The man takes a step back before responding, “Wayne.”
    “Well, Wayne,” she says as the muscles in her face tighten in pleasure, “I’ve just come from the forty-seventh floor’s outer window ledges. I like to go there, so I can feel the cold breeze and watch the tiny cars below. Ever try it?”
    “Uh, no.”
    “Oh, dude, you should. It changes your perspective and makes you realize how small you are within the vast cosmic arena. The sheer exhilaration of it is fucking awesome!”
    Wayne grips his briefcase handle tighter and takes a step away from Arachniah.
    “Are you okay?”
    “Yeah. I’m just stressed. Deadlines, y’know.”
    “Relax, dude. Have a drink.” Arachniah pulls out a silver flask from a holster beneath her dress. It reads, “Vodka” and has a small spider logo on it.
    “Thanks. Maybe I’ll have a little.”
    As he begins to drink, the elevator lights go out and the elevator plummets a few stories before stopping.

+++


    His papers secured in his briefcase, Wayne stands. “I didn’t see you come in here with a candle.”
     “Wayne, you worry too much. I always carry candles strapped in my boot buckles in case of emergencies. Besides, you’re stressed out and overworked. Why not take a break by spending time with your new eccentric friend?” she asks, putting her head on his shoulder.
    “Okay, maybe I can spare some time, but we should call someone...about the elevator, I mean.”
    “Nah. Me and Schizo will have this fixed in a jiffy. Schizo! Wake up.”
    Wayne stares at Arachniah whose head is bent as she gives orders to her cleavage. He leans forward raising his eyebrows. The fabric of her dress moves and a white mouse with red eyes emerges. While he stands on his hind legs, his forepaws reach toward her.
    Wayne gasps, “Oh, God! You keep rats in your dress in addition to candles?!”
    “Wayne, baby, relax. Schizo and I go way back. Besides, he can help if I prompt him, and he has experience.”
    “Whatever you say.”
    Arachniah chuckles and then redirects her attention to Schizo, “Schizo, I need you to crawl into the shaft and find out why the elevator is giving us a thrill ride. I’ll pry the vent off the wall so you can crawl through.”

+++


    “Thanks, sweetheart. See? I told you we could fix this,” Arachniah says, turning to Wayne and winking at him.
    Just then, the mouse drops a frayed wire.
    “Oh, I see. The wire is severed from another one, so I’ll have to reconnect it.” Arachniah nods her head.
    “Okay. Wayne, you get to assist. I need you to let me sit on your shoulders, so I can climb into the shaft and fix the problem. Oh, and hold the candle. There are plenty more where that one came from.”
     Wayne squats down and Arachniah straddles his head. He stands upright and she crawls into the shaft. Knocking sounds are heard from the upper right side of the elevator. Ten minutes later the lights illuminate the elevator and Arachniah’s face appears in the open vent.
    “Fixed. Help me back through.”
    Arachniah holds onto Wayne’s shoulders and he pulls her back into the elevator. She lands firmly on her feet. “I knew the time I escaped from those Mafian thugs would come in handy.”
    Arachniah puts her arms around Wayne’s neck and presses her body against his. She bites his neck. “See you around, Wayne!”
    The elevator “bings” and the doors open. Arachniah strolls through the lobby with Schizo riding on her shoulder.
     Spotting the abandoned vodka flask on the floor, Wayne shouts, “Arachniah, you forgot your flask!” but the elevator door closes in his face.



Scars Publications


Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.




Problems with this page? Then deal with it...