…Pahn
has come into a room
A
friend of Pahn’s is sitting
on
the floor nearby working
with
beads and rags
A
random Roman dictator
comes
into the room and
stands
in front of Pahn taking
a
nonchalant
amused
and challenging stance
These
thoughts run quickly through Pahn’s mind—
that
the dictator is mean
and heartless
having no redeeming characteristics
that he persists
in his position of authority because
no
one has the nerve
to do away with him
that the dictator will assume
Pahn is harmless
Pahn is harmless
(because
Pahn exudes
kindness and sympathy)
that
the dictator will therefore
leave
himself open to attack
Pahn
pulls his scimitar from its sheath
and
takes the stance
of
Hindu warrior
from
the time of Asoka
The
dictator mocks him
They
circle the room once or twice
Pahn thrusts the sword
into
the dictator’s chest
Pahn
knows that he hasn’t pierced
the heart and
thrusts again
Still
he is not sure of a kill
and
slices the dictators neck
on
both sides
The
dictator slumps and dies
Pahn’s
friend mumbles approval
without looking up from his beads
and
rags
…
Pahn
has been with a woman for a while
He
sits now
by
the corner of a building
working
on the ground
He
is afraid
that
the authorities
or the dictators supporters
will
come after him.
He
isn’t sure
if
anyone will know
that he has
killed the dictator
He
can’t even remember
what he has done
with the body
He
isn’t sure
if he should be
scared or not
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