Read Online The Secret History of Las Vegas by Chris Abani - Free Book Online
Authors: Chris Abani
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the Latin for âlife,â Water said.
Yes, Sunil said, careful not to indulge Water. May I examine you?
Fire nodded.
Water?
Water nodded.
Sunil conducted a brief but thorough exam and with the exception of telling them what he was going to do from time to time, and asking them to clamp down on thermometers or open their mouths, the process was conducted in silence and the twins surrendered with ease to Sunilâs quiet authority.
I need to take some pictures, he said. Is that okay?
Whatever, Doc, Fire said.
Good, Sunil said, reaching for the Polaroid camera in his coat pocket. Please stand against the wall.
Water shrugged off his shirt and did as he was told. Sunil lifted the camera to his face and took a picture.
Turn to your left, Sunil said to Water, who turned, bringing Fire straight into focus.
Please put your shirt back on and sit, he said to Water.
Water sat and arranged the shirt so Fire was visible, hanging off his side; clearly they had done this before. Sunil waved the Polaroid around to dry, and something in the movement looked like he was fanning away a bad smell.
You donât have to do that anymore, Fire said. They dry by themselves.
Sunil ignored him and took a manila file from his briefcase and flipped it open. With extra care he stapled the photos to a blank sheet of paper.
How odd, Sunil said, rubbing the photo where Waterâs mouth was. He looked up at Water. Is your mouth always slightly open?
I call him Lizard Mouth sometimes, Fire said. His tongue flicks.
Why is that?
Probably some birth defect, Doc, I mean, look at us.
And what is this tattoo, he asked, pointing in the photo to Waterâs chest, over his heart. These linesâlooks like a Chinese character.
Itâs a hexagram, Fire said, from the I-Ching. It means Fire and Water.
A hexagram is a combination of characters for the elements, Sunil said. It can mean many things. Isnât that the point of the I-Ching? Precision is important.
Even at the risk of sounding like an asshole, Fire said.
Even then, Sunil replied, reaching for the hole-punch on a medicine cart. He lined the paper up exactly and punched two clean holes and then threaded the paper onto the metal clasps. When he looked up Fire was studying him intently. Their eyes met; Fire smiled, Sunil flinched. Fireâs teeth were rather canine looking.
You should get a tattoo, Fire said.
No, I donât want a chup, Sunil thought, returning in his mind to the slang of his youth.
In Vegas you can get a tattoo on your eyeball, Water volunteered.
Sunil thought about Asia and the tattoo on her shoulder. No, he wouldnât be getting one anytime soon.
Iâm just going to ask some questions. May I record the session?
The twins nodded.
Good, Sunil said, setting a digital recorder between them.
Full names, please.
Water Esau Grimes and Fire Jacob Grimes.
Date of birth?
December twenty-first, 1969.
Address?
No fixed abode, Fire said.
Where do you live, then, Sunil asked. Did the police not ask for ID?
We live off the grid. Donât believe in IDs, Fire said.
So what did you tell the officer?
He didnât press it. He was too busy trying to get us here.
I see, Sunil said, not seeing at all. You must be staying somewhere.
Motel over by Fourteenth, Fire said.
Sunil asked for and wrote down the address. Maybe he could get Salazar to search it.
Occupation, he asked.
King Kongo the African Witchdoctor, Fire said.
Circus act?
No, Fire said. Sideshow.
Marital status?
Single, Fire said.
Fred loves me, Water said.
What is your sexual orientation, Sunil asked.
Fred is a girl, Fire said.
Are you married to her, Water?
Water shook his head.
I would still like you both to answer the question regarding your sexual orientation.
Water here is straight, Fire said. And I have no penis.
Iguanas have two penises, Water said.
Thank you, Sunil said. Have either of you had any trouble with your mental health before?
No, Fire said.
Water
Yes, Sunil said, careful not to indulge Water. May I examine you?
Fire nodded.
Water?
Water nodded.
Sunil conducted a brief but thorough exam and with the exception of telling them what he was going to do from time to time, and asking them to clamp down on thermometers or open their mouths, the process was conducted in silence and the twins surrendered with ease to Sunilâs quiet authority.
I need to take some pictures, he said. Is that okay?
Whatever, Doc, Fire said.
Good, Sunil said, reaching for the Polaroid camera in his coat pocket. Please stand against the wall.
Water shrugged off his shirt and did as he was told. Sunil lifted the camera to his face and took a picture.
Turn to your left, Sunil said to Water, who turned, bringing Fire straight into focus.
Please put your shirt back on and sit, he said to Water.
Water sat and arranged the shirt so Fire was visible, hanging off his side; clearly they had done this before. Sunil waved the Polaroid around to dry, and something in the movement looked like he was fanning away a bad smell.
You donât have to do that anymore, Fire said. They dry by themselves.
Sunil ignored him and took a manila file from his briefcase and flipped it open. With extra care he stapled the photos to a blank sheet of paper.
How odd, Sunil said, rubbing the photo where Waterâs mouth was. He looked up at Water. Is your mouth always slightly open?
I call him Lizard Mouth sometimes, Fire said. His tongue flicks.
Why is that?
Probably some birth defect, Doc, I mean, look at us.
And what is this tattoo, he asked, pointing in the photo to Waterâs chest, over his heart. These linesâlooks like a Chinese character.
Itâs a hexagram, Fire said, from the I-Ching. It means Fire and Water.
A hexagram is a combination of characters for the elements, Sunil said. It can mean many things. Isnât that the point of the I-Ching? Precision is important.
Even at the risk of sounding like an asshole, Fire said.
Even then, Sunil replied, reaching for the hole-punch on a medicine cart. He lined the paper up exactly and punched two clean holes and then threaded the paper onto the metal clasps. When he looked up Fire was studying him intently. Their eyes met; Fire smiled, Sunil flinched. Fireâs teeth were rather canine looking.
You should get a tattoo, Fire said.
No, I donât want a chup, Sunil thought, returning in his mind to the slang of his youth.
In Vegas you can get a tattoo on your eyeball, Water volunteered.
Sunil thought about Asia and the tattoo on her shoulder. No, he wouldnât be getting one anytime soon.
Iâm just going to ask some questions. May I record the session?
The twins nodded.
Good, Sunil said, setting a digital recorder between them.
Full names, please.
Water Esau Grimes and Fire Jacob Grimes.
Date of birth?
December twenty-first, 1969.
Address?
No fixed abode, Fire said.
Where do you live, then, Sunil asked. Did the police not ask for ID?
We live off the grid. Donât believe in IDs, Fire said.
So what did you tell the officer?
He didnât press it. He was too busy trying to get us here.
I see, Sunil said, not seeing at all. You must be staying somewhere.
Motel over by Fourteenth, Fire said.
Sunil asked for and wrote down the address. Maybe he could get Salazar to search it.
Occupation, he asked.
King Kongo the African Witchdoctor, Fire said.
Circus act?
No, Fire said. Sideshow.
Marital status?
Single, Fire said.
Fred loves me, Water said.
What is your sexual orientation, Sunil asked.
Fred is a girl, Fire said.
Are you married to her, Water?
Water shook his head.
I would still like you both to answer the question regarding your sexual orientation.
Water here is straight, Fire said. And I have no penis.
Iguanas have two penises, Water said.
Thank you, Sunil said. Have either of you had any trouble with your mental health before?
No, Fire said.
Water
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