Read Online Death in the City by Kyle Giroux - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Kyle Giroux
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above his head and twirled around, sending himself into a giggling fit. Death laughed along with him, but it was more out of confusion.
“B—uh…Backspace?” asked Death. “Where can I find him?” He looked behind the man where a group of the pink-clad people had just formed a circle around a very elderly woman, who was defending herself with a cane.
“The great Lord Backspace is everywhere,” said the man. “The air, the water, the trees. Earth, sky, people. Everywhere and everything. We worship the Lord Backspace, and he gives us all we need in life.” The man held out a flier, which Death took quite willingly. After seeing how incredibly happy Backspace made the man, Death wanted some of that happiness for himself as well. “My name is Kevin. We are called the LightScribe Gate Group, and we’re always looking for new members. All are welcome. Do you ever question your beliefs? Do you ever feel unhappy, or let down? Do you think you deserve something better in life?” As Death looked at the brightly colored flier without actually reading it, he pondered the questions.
“Yeah…yeah I suppose so,” said Death, confused. He did not think unhappiness was so uncommon, but apparently the LightScribe Gate Group did not feel it. “I guess sometimes I can be unhappy.”
“See, my friend?” said the man consolingly. Death felt better already. “You need the LSGG, and we need you. Backspace needs all of us.” He looked at Death with raised eyebrows, silently nodding.
After a few questions, Death found out he was not happy with life at all. So, on a late sunny morning on Maine Street, Death became part of the LightScribe Gate Group. He was given his pink garments and danced with the group all the way to their headquarters.
As the rest of the LSGG sat down in black plastic chairs, Kevin led Death to the front of the long hallway and spoke into a microphone. “Everyone, I want to introduce our newest member, Dean.” The crowd applauded. Death did not have the heart to correct him on the name in front of everyone. “To initiate him, we will shave his head, as our Lord Backspace commands us.” Another member brought out a chair, upon which Death sat. As he did so his pink clothes stretched and threatened to break. They were made of poor material and they were incredibly abrasive--especially the pants, which Death found to be quite tight around the groin and waist. Kevin walked up to him with electric hair clippers. Death, being cautious, took them and shaved his own head. And so he was officially initiated into the LSGG to a round of applause.
“You’ve come just in time,” whispered Kevin to Death, who was thrilled to be a part of something special. The crowd of wide-eyed aliens cast their robotic gaze on him and clapped in unison. “Today is the rapture.”
Before Death could ask what the rapture was, Kevin sprung up to face the crowd, his arms outstretched again. “My fellow members,” he bellowed. “I give you our Messiah and Messenger…Kenny Silverman.” The crowd upped the volume of its eerie ovation. Kevin motioned that he and Death get off the stage, and they found two empty seats. Death sat down next to a woman, whose pretty features were obscured by deep bags under her eyes. She smiled at Death, a strained, mechanical smile, and turned back to the stage.
A man in purple robes appeared at the tip of the stage to strong waves of applause. He stood with his hands on his hips and chest puffed out, looking up towards the ceiling. His white smile gleamed like the top of his head and reflected the fluorescent lighting that poured down upon them. His charisma transcended the uniformity of the group.
“Brothers and sisters,” said Kenny in a loud, booming voice that gave even Death chills. “Here we are: the day we’ve all been waiting for.”
“Wait,” said Death to Kevin, “so what exactly is the—“
“Shhh,” whipped a harsh sound from Kevin’s tightened lips. He and all those
“B—uh…Backspace?” asked Death. “Where can I find him?” He looked behind the man where a group of the pink-clad people had just formed a circle around a very elderly woman, who was defending herself with a cane.
“The great Lord Backspace is everywhere,” said the man. “The air, the water, the trees. Earth, sky, people. Everywhere and everything. We worship the Lord Backspace, and he gives us all we need in life.” The man held out a flier, which Death took quite willingly. After seeing how incredibly happy Backspace made the man, Death wanted some of that happiness for himself as well. “My name is Kevin. We are called the LightScribe Gate Group, and we’re always looking for new members. All are welcome. Do you ever question your beliefs? Do you ever feel unhappy, or let down? Do you think you deserve something better in life?” As Death looked at the brightly colored flier without actually reading it, he pondered the questions.
“Yeah…yeah I suppose so,” said Death, confused. He did not think unhappiness was so uncommon, but apparently the LightScribe Gate Group did not feel it. “I guess sometimes I can be unhappy.”
“See, my friend?” said the man consolingly. Death felt better already. “You need the LSGG, and we need you. Backspace needs all of us.” He looked at Death with raised eyebrows, silently nodding.
After a few questions, Death found out he was not happy with life at all. So, on a late sunny morning on Maine Street, Death became part of the LightScribe Gate Group. He was given his pink garments and danced with the group all the way to their headquarters.
As the rest of the LSGG sat down in black plastic chairs, Kevin led Death to the front of the long hallway and spoke into a microphone. “Everyone, I want to introduce our newest member, Dean.” The crowd applauded. Death did not have the heart to correct him on the name in front of everyone. “To initiate him, we will shave his head, as our Lord Backspace commands us.” Another member brought out a chair, upon which Death sat. As he did so his pink clothes stretched and threatened to break. They were made of poor material and they were incredibly abrasive--especially the pants, which Death found to be quite tight around the groin and waist. Kevin walked up to him with electric hair clippers. Death, being cautious, took them and shaved his own head. And so he was officially initiated into the LSGG to a round of applause.
“You’ve come just in time,” whispered Kevin to Death, who was thrilled to be a part of something special. The crowd of wide-eyed aliens cast their robotic gaze on him and clapped in unison. “Today is the rapture.”
Before Death could ask what the rapture was, Kevin sprung up to face the crowd, his arms outstretched again. “My fellow members,” he bellowed. “I give you our Messiah and Messenger…Kenny Silverman.” The crowd upped the volume of its eerie ovation. Kevin motioned that he and Death get off the stage, and they found two empty seats. Death sat down next to a woman, whose pretty features were obscured by deep bags under her eyes. She smiled at Death, a strained, mechanical smile, and turned back to the stage.
A man in purple robes appeared at the tip of the stage to strong waves of applause. He stood with his hands on his hips and chest puffed out, looking up towards the ceiling. His white smile gleamed like the top of his head and reflected the fluorescent lighting that poured down upon them. His charisma transcended the uniformity of the group.
“Brothers and sisters,” said Kenny in a loud, booming voice that gave even Death chills. “Here we are: the day we’ve all been waiting for.”
“Wait,” said Death to Kevin, “so what exactly is the—“
“Shhh,” whipped a harsh sound from Kevin’s tightened lips. He and all those
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