The Fat Man in History and Other Stories Read Free Page A

smile.
    She says, hello Cuddles, and kisses him on the cheek. Finch embraces her and pats her gently on the back. He says, the heat …
    As usual Finch sits on the bed and Florence Nightingale squats yoga style on the goatskin rug at his feet. Finch once said, you look as if Modigliani painted you. And was pleased that she knew of Modigliani and was flattered by the comparison. She has a long straight face with a nose that is long vertically but not horizontally. Her teeth are straight and perfect, but a little on the long side. But now they are not visible and her lips are closed in a strange calm smilethat suggests melancholy. They enjoy their melancholy together, Finch and Florence Nightingale. Her eyes, which are grey, are very big and very wide and she looks around the room as she does each time, looking for new additions.
    She says, it got to 103 degrees … the steering wheel was too hot to touch.
    Finch says, I was shopping. I got a book on Botticelli.
    Her eyes begin to circle the room more quickly. She says, where, show me?
    Finch giggles. He says, it’s in the kitchen cupboard. Fantoni came back while I was reading it.
    She says, you shouldn’t be frightened of Fantoni, he won’t eat you. You’ve got blue sheets,
double
blue sheets. She raises her eyebrows.
    He says, no significance, it was just the colour.
    She says, I don’t believe you.
Double
blue sheets. Florence Nightingale likes to invent a secret love life for him but he doesn’t know why. But they enjoy this, this sexual/asexual flirtation. Finch is never sure what it is meant to be but he has never had any real hopes regarding Florence Nightingale, although in sleep and half-sleep he has made love to her many times. She is not quite frail enough. There is a strength that she attempts to hide with little girl’s shyness. And sometimes there is a strange awkwardness in her movements as if some logical force in her mind is trying to deny the grace of her body. She sits on the floor, her head cocked characteristically on one side so her long hair falls over one eye. She says, how’s the Freedom Fighter?
    The Freedom Fighter was Finch’s name for Fantoni. Finch says, oh nothing, we haven’t done anything yet, just plans.
    She says, I drove past the 16 October Statue—it’s still there.
    Finch says, we can’t get the explosive. Maybe we’ll just paint it yellow.
    Florence Nightingale says, maybe you should eat it.
    Finch loves that. He says, that’s good, Nancy, that’s really good.
    Florence Nightingale says, it’s your role isn’t it? The eaters? You should behave in character, the way they expect you to. You should eat everything. Eat the Committee of Seventy-five. She is rocking back and forth on the floor holding her knees, balancing on her arse.
    Finch tries not to look up her skirt. He says, a feast.
    She cups her hands to make a megaphone and says, The Fat Men Against The Revolution have eaten General Kooper.
    He says, and General Alvarez.
    She says, the Central Emporium was devoured last night, huge droppings have been discovered in 16 October Avenue.
    He says, you make me feel like the old days, good fat, not bad fat.
    She says, I’ve got to go. I was late tonight. I brought you some cigars, some extra ones for you.
    She has jumped up, kissed him, and departed before he has time to thank her. He remains on the bed, nursing some vague disappointment, staring at the goatskin rug.
    Slowly he smiles to himself, thinking about eating the October 16 Statue.
7.
    Florence Nightingale will soon be here to collect the rents. With the exception of Fantoni, who is in the shower, and Glino, who is cooking his vegetarian meal in his little cupboard, everyone is in the kitchen.
    Finch sits on a kerosene drum by the back annexe, hoping to catch whatever breeze may come through.
    Milligan, in very tight blue shorts, yellow T-shirt, and blue-tinted glasses, squats beside him smiling to himself and rubbing his hands together. He has just finished