"Jerry Davis - Death's Head Reunion" - читать интересную книгу автора (Davis Jerry)

Joy. Glee. Rapture.
Heartburn.
Sickness.
They say good-bye and George labors far into the wee hours of the morning, falling asleep
with his head inside the image of Bernadette's heaving torso.
The rain continues on and off the next day. Large areas of coastal Los Angeles have been
claimed by the sea, and one seaside highway, on pillars, gives a great view of half-submerged
buildings encrusted with sick yellow barnacles and gray-blue mussels. George is on his way
to meet Bernadette, and he is wondering why it was happening.
Maybe, George, it's because she likes you, and wants to get to know you better.
You know that's bullshit, George. She couldn't possibly give a rat's ass about you. She's
pulling some sort of career move thing, and she's going to try to talk you into working on her
portfolio for free, "as a friend." Or maybe she's involved in one of those stupid cults and she's
going to try and recruit you. She's one of the "Daughters of Orca" and she needs you as a
male sacrifice to that big fish they're keeping in Huntington Bay.
The restaurant, Sal's by the Water, is on the banks of the Los Angeles River, which is so
full it's in danger of flooding the parking lot. Despite the run-down look this is a chic place,
and the entrance is guarded by doormen. As the SmartCab pulls up and stops, two dozen
heads turn to watch George get out, watching to see if he is somebody. Disappointed, they
turn away.
The two large male doormen have Cinematia bodies: Sylvester Stallone and Arnold
Schwarzenegger. While the clones are pumped up enough to be realistic, the psyches
inhabiting them are all wrong. Sylvester looks far too intelligent, and Arnold looks gay.
Sylvester confirms that George is on the list and they step aside and allow him to pass. The
crowd's interest in George is suddenly renewed; obviously George is somebody, but they
have no idea who. A few wave and call out to him, as if it would help them get inside.
Inside, Marilyn greets him at the door. She's a receptionist. "Your name?" she asks.
George stares at her for a moment, waiting for her to recognize him. Then he realizes it's
not Bernadette, and he looks around feeling overwhelmed. The place is full of Cinematia
bodies, and one of the most popular is Marilyn. There's at least eight of them. They're all
throughout the restaurant, mingling in with James Deans, Clark Gables, Cary Grants, Burt
Reynolds, John Waynes, Raquel Welchs, Annette Funicellos, Bridgette Bardots, and young
Jane Fondas. Strategically placed throughout the various sections are old-style flat video
screens showing non-stop classic cinema, with no sound.
George gives the receptionist his name and asks after Bernadette. Bernadette has not yet
arrived, so George takes a seat at the bar between Rock Hudson and Elvis. This perturbs
Rock and Elvis, as they were making eyes at each other. George orders a $50 beer and waits.
Bernadette makes an entrance, and heads turn. George bites his lower lip --- she's wearing

file:///G|/Program%20Files/eMule/Incoming/Jerry%20Davis%20-%20Death's%20Head%20Reunion.htm (3 of 8) [10/18/2004 3:24:45 PM]
Death's Head Reunion

The White Dress. She smiles, looks around, and waves at George with white gloves almost
up to her elbows. The other Cinematia Marilyns fade into the background like 3rd rate
mannequins. Bernadette's mannerisms, her smile, the twinkle in her eye --- they're genuine.
They're the real thing. She wears the Marilyn body as well as Norma Jean herself.
"Ooo, you're here! You showed up," she says.
"Of course I did. How could I not?"
"Very easily, I'm afraid."
"Nonsense!" George's hands are shaking so that he nearly spills his beer. "Not a chance."