Chasing Utopia Read Free Page B

to
    make any sense
    to this person
    this time
    game point
    set point
    match point
    no love

THE GIGGLE BANK
    The Poet was having a typical day: too much to do with too little time to do it in, yet . . . she was excited. Today she would have a Christmas/Birthday dinner with friends. True, she would have to share the occasion but, hell, if poetry isn’t about sharing, what is?
    She was up early because she knew she would need a nap in order to stay alert. The Poet is a great napper and heartily recommends it.
    She was off first thing to The Giggle Bank. She hadn’t been to the Bank since before the Sadness. And because this was a special day she didn’t want any thoughts other than happy ones. To be on the safe side she decided to make a substantial withdrawal.
    The Giggle Bank requires an appointment. As the Poet sped through town she was willing to risk a ticket because she just couldn’t be late. It can be difficult to get an appointment with The Giggle Fairy, since so many people always want to see her. The Poet had had to pull a few strings to be seen on such short notice. She remembered The Giggle Fairy from younger days but they had not seen each other in a while.
    Your Mother left you a bunch of Giggles, the Poet was told. Probably a years or so’s worth. You never did come back to ask us after she went on her journey to the sky.
    I was sad, said the Poet.
    The Giggle Fairy was having none of that: Well, we noted you went to the Wyne Bank and made many withdrawals.
    Yes, the Poet confessed, and many silly phone calls in the middle of the night seeking a comforting voice.
    Had you come to us, GF sternly stated, we could have saved you some embarrassment.
    Yes, the Poet acknowledged, and I am working very hard to set things right. That’s why this evening is so important to me. May I ask if the Administrator has been in for a withdrawal?
    You know we cannot answer that. Nor can we answer if her Wonderful Husband has or has not been in. We are a secure bank, you know.
    The Poet appreciated the tip. Then maybe I should get enough for the car and for the dinner.
    Where are you going to dinner?
    About an hour and a half south. Maybe two hours for dinner. An hour and a half back. I think five hours of Giggles should do us proud.
    Well, here you are. And don’t forget: You Must Not Leave Any Giggles Just Laying Around.
    Are you still having that sale? For every Giggle I use I get two back in the bank?
    Yes, of course. Even though you haven’t been in that is still the arrangement we made with your Grandmother. What a laffer she was! There were times we would have been out of Giggles but your Grandmother always found a reason to raise a smile. We were hoping you might . . . but never mind. I’m glad you came to us. Enjoy your evening.
    The Poet hurried home to quickly nap, shower, dress, and eat a bit. She wanted champagne for the drive and knew she must eat to keep everything on an even keel.
    And what a lovely night. The drive down was just about the expected time until the driver got lost. But not for long. The meal was exquisite. The wine wonderful. The service and the company beyond compare. Dinner was not over at nine but rather eleven. And there were still two hours, more or less, to home. Then the unexpected happened.
    Everyone had been laughing and giggling and having such a good time that no one realized the Giggles had run out. The Poet should have warned the table but she was so busy laughing she forgot. The Poet knew what would happen: The Administrator would crash on the way home. The Wonderful Husband who had also laughed but who is very protective of the Administrator would not ever have allowed himself to sleep. The Director of a Special Program never slept when she was out. That only left the Poet and the Administrator. Someone had to close her eyes until more Giggles would be obtained.
    The Administrator yawned, blinked, and lay her head in the Wonderful Husband’s lap.