SNUFF (h.s.)

Chapter 24

The Girls in The Band

Nora has a gun now.

Sergio was sitting on his armchair watching the headline on the news; "Adult Film Director Sodomized... to Death!". His face was as a mess of a bastard as the guy's carried on the gurney. His meninx whirred while he laughed but couldn't keep it to himself.

"Fucking crazy bitch!", he hissed laughing. His eye hurt and teared, his smug was getting its previous shape but the bruises were persistent. He hadn't taken the dressing off yet. Still a Pharaoh mummy. He tried to watch the Adult Film Director's face. He could recognize this motherfucker just as easy as Nora did. He was Iznogoud. He stared and laughed. He listened to the reporters and was in hysterics. "You crazy bitch!" he talked to a screen.

Half an hour later he called her. She didn't pick up. That's alright. He'd wait. He dialed calm. Half an hour later she called. Sergio stood from the couch, walked to his favorite piece of furniture and kneeled. He pulled the glass door and the tiny string to light the petit shelf. He picked a glass he hadn't seen in a while and pulled the wooden door on the right. Sergio didn't have to consider his decision here, he knew what bottle to choose from the start. Nora had stuffed her vinyl records there. Let them be.

The phone made an irritating echo. Until it stopped. He smiled and walked to the kitchen. He threw a couple of his hand-made lemon ice cubs for his limonchello. The phone was echoing again. He let her have her fair share of anticipation. Once he was comfortable on his armchair his picked the lavish handset sticking his pinky in the air adorned with a chevalier.

"It's public quiet hour, haven't you noticed?"

"Then pick the fucker when it rings!"

"I understand that you've grown fond of me"

"What the fuck do you want?"

"You are married, we shouldn't. Should we?"

"I wasn't eager to but if I have to, I'll drive to your fucking door and paralyze the rest of your smug"

"I found Nora and Harry"

"You remembered where you've buried them?"

"Do you watch the news along with your lunch?"

"That's why you're calling?"

"Perhaps you should watch the news more"

Marilou didn't spit back a wisecrack. Sergio listened to her opening the TV and changing channels until she stopped. She was silent for a while. He imagined her charlie and ignorant face staring at the glowing screen as if she witnessed the miracle of television for the first ever time in her life. Coquito had surprised him alright, he wouldn't hold back.

He thought of Marilou eating something. It was an amusement. She was probably standing in front of the screen like an old timer beldame in a rest home who doesn't see or hear anymore and has to stick her nose on the glass in order for her hairy ear to catch a glimpse. Marilou didn't have any hairs in her ears yet but she was stubborn and purblind like an old fart harridan.

"What the fuck is that?"

"That's my cue, Marilou"

"You've got time to spare for prank calls? Next time call Satan from a booth!"

"It's Nora and Harry"

"The evil dead rise again, Sergio?"

"Watch, Marilou. Watch what's happening"

Sergio's been patient these days since he couldn't see on his left without turning half his body. He could smash Marilou's head with one hand. Right there. He gripped his glass of limonchello.