Read Online 21 Tales by Dave Zeltserman - Free Book Online Page A

ground. My legs were twisted behind me in a way that shouldn’t have been physically possible, but other than the throbbing in my shoulder I felt nothing. I knew I was paralyzed from the waist down. Then the stench overwhelmed me. It was the most godawful thing I had ever smelled. Even though I was in shock I knew what that smell was. I fished a book of matches out of my pocket, lit one, and there he was waiting for me. Even with his face mostly rotted away, there was enough of him left for me to notice the resemblance.
    “Dave Stevens, I presume?” I asked the decomposing corpse. Then putting everything I had into it, I punched what the flies and other insects had left of his face. His head broke off and skidded along the dirt floor of the well before bouncing off the wall and rolling back toward me. I think that was when I went insane. I started laughing like a madman, laughing long after the match had burnt out, long after the cosmic joke that had been pulled on me made any sense.
     

View From The Mirador
     
     
    This story was inspired by a trip to Acapulco. While the tone of the story has an almost old-fashioned cheery quality to it, this may be one of the sickest stories I’ve written.
     
     
    The maitre d'hotel ran to greet Oscar Heile. "It is good to see you!" the maitre d'hotel exclaimed as he pumped the fat man's arm. "We have been so worried!"
    A great wave of relief had broken over the maitre d'hotel's face, leaving a joyful smile. "And who could blame us?" he asked as he walked with Heile to the Mirador's entrance. "For eight months you have been a fixture here. Every day, every show you are here. We always have the very best table set aside just for you. And then what happens? You disappear for six whole days! Not a word! The cliff divers look up and see your empty table and they are heartbroken. We all are heartbroken!"
    Heile smiled apologetically, his lips almost lost on his large, pink face. "I am very sorry," he said stiffly. "But unfortunately, personal business kept me away."
    The maitre d'hotel, now beaming from ear to ear, gave Heile a clap on the back. "You are here now. That's all that matters." He turned and motioned to a waiter standing a few feet away. "Almondo, show Senor Heile to his table."
    The waiter, a small thin man with slightly stooped shoulders, approached and bowed politely. "It is very good to see you, Senor Heile," he said, a wooden smile intact on his face. "Please follow me." He escorted Heile to the table on the second level that for the last eight months had been reserved exclusively for the fat man. The best spot from which to watch the cliff divers.
    Heile waited until he had squeezed himself into his chair before asking the waiter whether Sunday was his day off.
    Almondo nodded. "Normally, yes. But how could I not come today worrying about you?" He gave Heile a sly wink. "The two ladies behind you were very mad that I would not give them your table. But I held it for you, hoping you would come."
    Heile glanced over his shoulder and saw two ladies glaring at him. They were both young, beautifully sculpted, obviously part of the jet set Acapulco crowd. One was honey-blonde and wearing a wide-brim gray hat, the other was a dark brunette with very rich red lips.
    Almondo smiled slightly at him. There was no warmth in his eyes. "I will get you your champagne right away, Senor."
    Heile nodded. "Bring a bottle to the ladies," he commanded. He watched uneasily as Almondo walked away. All he could think was damn him! Damn that little man to hell! The last six days had been torture for Heile. And it was all Almondo's fault. All because Almondo thought he saw something.
    Oscar Heile shifted uncomfortably, feeling a queasiness stir in his stomach. Almondo had been his waiter for eight months and like everyone else at the Mirador had treated him with genuine warmth and adoration. Until a month ago ...
    It was after Roberto had made a successful dive from the one hundred and