City, Sister, Silver, page 48
Hooh, Sister shuddered, guy was weird. He smelled funny.
Yep, shepherd’s son in an ill-fitting uniform. I mean everyone out here crosses emselves. But that guy was weird. So’re we. By morning, maybe afternoon, we oughta be in Prague.
God willing, said Sister.
An why wouldn’t he be? Uh … I hushed up.
After a while I got thirsty … and hungry.
I wouldn’t mind somethin either … but don’t go anywhere. It’s dumb, I know, but do you hear the train?
Aha. I didn’t hear any ties, or wheels. I darted to the window, the landscape rushed past, changing, not the darkness, just an occasional flash of light from some town or gorod or wherever it was we were.
Oh, know what, it’s probly one a those ultramodern Western turbo-charged … shinkansens.
You’re all pale! What’s wrong!
Nothin, nonsense. I’m goin to scope it out. Come with me if you’re afraid to stay.
Me? She bristled. But I just took off my boots, it still hurts, be back soon!
I walked down the aisle, peeking into compartments, not a soul … the train was empty, butt or two on the ground here an there, stains, bottles, I picked up one that rolled under my feet … didn’t know the brand … but inside was a spiderweb with a little black … don’t clean too much here, do they … I walked on, just about ready to give it up, the curtains flapped out the windows of the empty compartments into the night like they were tryin to get away, curtains with a mind a their own, idiot? Hush up, you’re only hurting yourself … but at last I found the dining car, it was empty too … on the tables tablecloths and fake flowers and salt and pepper shakers, the waiter busying himself in the back by the counter, back to me, I went up and coughed politely, he turned around an I felt my heart start poundin wildly … that same guy … smilin … beer, I rasped … he bowed an took off, after all why not, I mean the train’s empty, he can handle it, bigger take for him, I reassured myself, on the whole unsuccessfully … he handed me some bottles in a plastic bag, again smiling and shaking his head at the coins … I made sure to keep my distance, some types I just can’t stand, instinctively an right off the bat.
Fear gripped me. The thought of going back through that empty train, curtains flapping to nowhere … I opened one of the bottles on a window in the dining car, and chugged it, Sister, forgive me! Černá … my vision went black. She’s back there all alone, I rammed into the door and almost fell. A Gypsy family sat in the aisle, splayed out on their bundles. I stared at them, I guess … like some goof walkin into the bedroom on his old lady an she’s, well, I’d wish him all the best … one of the men stood up. I climbed over them. The whole train was a ruckus, columns of cigarette smoke billowed everywhere. I fought my way through a pack of drunken soldiers, held my nose with two fingers by the toilet, clambered over a teenager wrapped in a jacket with an embroidered skull winkin up at me, belly to the floor. In one compartment a German shepherd sat on the bench, a tramp sprawled on the floor with his guitar, I barked. People in the aisle were guzzlin beer an gobblin crackers, I got a close-up look at their ruddy faces, stomped on one of em’s foot, to see if he was alive, he swung round. Ugh, guess so … train must’ve stopped while I was in the dining car, yeah, that’s it … me and Černá both’re gettin hypersensitive … Ušanica’s by the border, it’s obvious, they just got on, why bother with customs … smokes! She’ll get testy, me too. I traded two beers for a pack of … Bělomorka, well, we’ll see. White Plague, didn’t like the sound of it, but I was in a hurry. Every now and then a figure peeled itself off from the aisle, full of smoke and the moon’s night mist, and slipped past me, I stood still, collecting my breath, Uchryujte, I heard, a greeting, a curse, a secret password? Chrunchru, said a mamluk in a turban apologetically, shoving me out of his way, step aside, said one of ours, ramming into me. From some compartments I heard snoring, from others shouting, boozing, gorging, bottles smashing. Spotted a Soviet Army uniform. He lay snoring away on his back, next to him some bum with an officer’s cap on his head, red T-shirt, earrings, blue tattoos all over. They sprawled across each other, the soldier’s gold teeth on display, a puddle of drool on his shirt collar. The muffled sounds of a brawl near the toilet. Someone hadn’t paid for something, did something, lost something, stole it, better not to know. The whole train unanimously celebrated the successful traversing of another border. True, a couple hucksters were removed from the train, but the rest were unstoppably headed for Prague. It stank like hell.
But Černá wasn’t there. Just her boots. I flew out the door, going through every toilet in the area and peeking in on the neighbors, which didn’t come off without a few minor tiffs and exchanges of pleasantries, and came back and all that was there was the boots. I fell to my knees and begged him: I know we’re on the shinkansen, but please, we’ve done some really bad things … give me whatever I deserve, her too, I don’t care, just as long as we’re together, I can take anything …
Černá fell laughing into the compartment, I could tell right away she was liquored up, a tall, strapping guy came charging in behind her … bald head topped with a derby, bottle of Jack D. in hand, looked like a wholesale pig dealer … easy, honey, Sister wrapped her arms around my neck, she can tell very well what’s bugging me, even when she’s bombed … this gentleman’s got news for us, it isn’t goin to Prague, Černá spluttered, tipping over on the seat … Truly, young man, I’m pleased to know you’re Czechs on the go, this here pocig, which is to say train, is going to Warsaw, and there’s a suburb there called Prága and that’s where I live, the name’s Josef Švejch and you’re Mr. Potok, your little sister tells me, she’s gone beddy-bye, isn’t that the sweetest thing! Sister sat, legs spread, snorin away … you wouldn’t happen to know a Mr. Potok from Poříčí nad Sázavou, would you? Old Vávra’s got a drayery there, and he told me once how the year I was captured a fireball wiped out both their churches, and why, do you think? Because the foreigners pulled into town … he leaned toward me and said … soon as it stops, grab the girl and hightail it out of here, and don’t look back, believe me, I’ve been helping out around here quite a while, it’s straight down from here on in! We’ll just put little sissy here’s booties on, tickle the señorita’s hoofs, heehee, the man gestured wildly toward the ceiling and then to his ear … the sign that the place was bugged … I was flabbergasted … so I’d been right! The question is whether he’s lying, I decided to chance it, I didn’t like that train one bit … the guy nodded and the train pulled to a stop. I grabbed Černá and flung her at the door, and again, she woke up: Let’s fly, run, I said in a voice reserved for awful moments … dragged her down the aisle, it was … totally empty again … not a soul, just the door at the far end creaking … we staggered along, Černá started to kick back in, didn’t ask any questions, smart girl … past three more empty compartments, at any moment expecting someone to reach out of the darkness, I looked over my shoulder, that pale thin guy was runnin after us, and how! … he was leaping, I caught a glimpse of his face, like … a wasp’s … mouth and nose merging into a single orifice … bubbling yellow foam … I had to stop and watch, it was like the foam was boiling, and I could see the pinchers … as he ran his … face grew, filling up the aisle … he raised his arms, tried to strangle me, slashed my neck with his nails … then somethin … Černá grabbed my hand, tugged, and I fell out onto the platform, hard … and the train was gone.
Little brother, are you hurt, she kneeled down next to me. Move, please, move.
What’re you doin, I’m fine. Just a little banged up. I hoisted myself.
Oh, you’re … I thought you got hit.
Huh. By who?
That disgusting guy that was after me, c’mon, he shot at me! I was afraid he got you, didn’t he? It totally hurt when you fell on me. But thanks for yankin me out, I was out of my mind with fear. The barrel on that thing. It was totally growin, seemed like it filled the aisle. It’s a wonder my head didn’t burst I was so scared. I’m amazed that train even left.
But you yanked me out! That’s how come I fell on you.
What do you mean … you yanked my arm. I was in the aisle with him an he was shootin, it was horrible … she covered her face.
Černá, wait a sec, I think I get it … you with the pistol, me strangled, those were … demons. An we made it through, I think we’re past it. I might’ve even prayed. I donno.
I prayed too, the whole time.
Hey, but that one guy saved us!
No he didn’t, I was about to make a move when he started gabbin at you how we oughta get off, an I knew he was gonna start shootin. He pulled a pistol on me an forced me to take him to our seats. I just pretended to be drunk. On that Fernet a his. When he was tellin you how we should get off, I wanted to scream. But I couldn’t move. It was real bad.
We went on discussing the train of horror for a while. The cool night air got it out of us. Peace and quiet all around, small platform, not a soul. We were together alone in the night and we’d just wriggled out of a trap, what more could we ask for.
Whatcha got there, Sister wondered.
I hadn’t let go of the plastic bag, astonishing!
I reached in my pocket and there were the cigarettes, only Cleos, marvelous Cleos. Warily I lit one up, and a smile spilled across my face.
Yep, Sister, now we’re in reality, let’s sit down a while.
There’s one thing still … we both know why he tried to shoot me, but why would they try to strangle you? Don’t cha wanna tell me?
I winced.
Why don’t we wait on that, huh?
Whatever you want. I trust you. An I think I know. Don’t get mad, but that girl who held me, the night after … you said you know her. Did you love her?
Yeah.
Was it her? Sister gasped.
Leave me alone.
I’ll never leave you.
We sat against the shabby waiting-room wall, taming our thirst and puffing away. The beer was real. Černá remarked that she didn’t give a damn if it was bewitched, she’d had her fair share of swills anyway. I had a feeling it wouldn’t throw me off either. And besides, I’d paid in normal money, there’s gotta be some logic still! Sister fervently concurred. Just to be sure we kissed a few times, hungrily and passionately. Then softly and tenderly. Our hands roamed over each other’s bodies. That worked too. Wait … have we got any cash? I gotta buy myself some shoes, this isn’t workin anymore. She took off her boots. We searched ourselves. Almost nothing, a couple thou, good for about two lunches. In Prague. Here maybe more. I’ll swipe you some sneakers somewhere, or we’ll hitch, or stow away, or somethin, I consoled her. I reached in the pocket where I’d put the tickets that pale Azazello had sold me. Came out with two dry leaves that crumbled in my fingers. We eyed the empty bottles with a touch of concern. But so what!
All at once Černá twisted up and started squirming, I alertly dropped to the ground, gropin for her … but she was screaming with laughter … Brother … don’t even lift your head … I lifted my head and saw a sign hanging there: USANICA. I didn’t laugh, I swore like crazy.
We lit up another round of Cleos.
Maybe something’ll go from here?
Sister started squirming again.
Listen … the only way … I’ll get on that train … here … is with a pack of nuns … at least they … won’t be curious … about me!
I was curious how long she could keep up that laughter.
Idea, Sister, we nap here, an at daybreak we’ll see more.
Yeah … what stumps me is, with all those dreams you have, aren’t you afraid to sleep?
Yeah, that’s been my problem ever since early childhood, that’s why I hafta go crazy in the daytime. Drinking puts me to sleep all right. I confided in this shaman my concern that I drank too much, she heard me out a couple times an then we went for some vodka. She said go ahead an drink, at least it puts a brake on your insanity. But I’m talkin about the old time. With you, love, it’s different. I feel much better an I’m calmer!
Maybe … it’s the lovemaking?
Definitely. An everything.
Yeah. Since we’re together, everything’s easier.
All at once she broke up laughing again, guffawing and roaring. This time I didn’t get why, and tried to fall asleep.
I woke up … gazing straight into a … the word iris occurred to me, or nonthorn, crimson cloud, treasury of rosebushes … it was kind and familiar, I blew out a puff of air and my dream’s orgiastic landscape trembled imperceptibly … focused my gaze, it was Sister’s ear, inserted the tip of my tongue, she jumped up … ick, oh it’s you? Then out with it, now … what were you dreamin?
This time I was too lazy to invent anything.
Nothin. Nothin at all! An you?
I’m not tellin. She blushed.
We walked down a lane and then through the streets. Just to have a look around. Not a soul, we loitered on streetcorners. Studied the situation. Explored shredded posters from last year’s festivals. Windows. Behind some of them were family things, we often spotted the outlines of furniture. And people. Sometimes nothing. Up above, the same sky; down below, trickles of mud. The movie theater was playing Chainsaw. We deciphered that, the pictures were inscrutable. At the end of the sidewalk, we found a little park with a statue in it. Sit down, said Sister when we came to a bench, I’ll tell you somethin.
You’re probly not gonna like this. I’ve been havin dreams … about someone. I like him a lot, an I feel safe an pretty blissful with him. I’ll just spew it out: The guy’s washin me. I’m in the bath an he’s splashin water on me an soapin me up an touchin me. He’s gentle but strong. An I know that before, I was really … dirty. Are you angry?
Not at all! Surprise, but no! Can you see his face?
No, my eyes’re shut an I can’t open em. Then somebody walks in, somebody bad, an the guy chases him out. But only with words. This dream keeps comin back. Don’t get mad, but maybe when I find out who he is … I’m gonna wanna be with him.
She eyed me from the side. Saw I was smiling.
That doesn’t bother you?
No! C’mon, let’s keep goin.
Next to some building with a shop selling something, not food, sat a bus. The driver was starting the engine. A small, rather obese guy with glasses. We ran over, not caring where it was headed as long as it was away … from here. It only had seats in front, otherwise it was empty, apart from a few crates. If he’d tried to throw us off, I probly woulda pulled the gun. We’d had it up to here with Ušanica. I let Sister do the negotiating, she’s prettier. But the guy … it pissed me off, Černá may be petite, but when she sticks out her chest … gave her an appraising look. It’s not like I care if some fella looks her over. My eyes’re active too. It’s those disgusting market looks that go right for the price. Since that time in Berlun I’ve been sensitive to that stuff. I couldn’t hear what they were talkin about over the roar of the engine. Shoulda been more on guard with my sister.
She came back … furious, guess he musta gotten raunchy with her. Who wouldn’t, girl in distress.
What’s his deal?
Aw, you know these fuckheads … laid all sortsa bullshit on me, yeah, you know. Plus I think he’s drunk. Czech.
Where we goin?
It’s cool, said he’s going through a place where there’s a railway hub to Prague, ends at some market near the border with Hungary, some Kyselice* or somethin.
Hungary, that’s weird. An what’s the first place?
He said Hungary, maybe there’s Hungarians there, I donno. An that hub’s in the Czech Lands! We’re in luck.
What’s it called?
Ahh, said Sister softly … some Bezbožice.*
Hah, not a chance! Are you crazy? It’s obvious! Forget it, hey, we’re outta here …
Take it easy. Wait a sec.
She grabbed my hand, which helped.
Let’s go to that Kyselice or whatever. He’s got a stall there, there’s a market, there’ll be connections.
What’s he sell?
Donno. He didn’t say.
But the way she said it was weird somehow. After a while we dozed off again. The bus rocked us to sleep. And the landscape around us was empty, I noticed during the short time I was awake. Fields. A road or two. And the occasional scarecrow stuck up on a pole.
Up an at em, kids, nighttime! The fella stood in front of us, circles of sweat under his arms, swaying side to side, the bozo, uninviting guy.
Brother, said Černá astonished, he’s gropin me!
The big man slid his paw off her breast, made a playful face, said: Hoho! Enjoy the snooze? I’m Pepek, an you’re the only menagerie in my parlor, we’ll eat in a while, gang! An shoot the shit a little.
I eyed him incredulously as he fondled Černá’s thigh.
Sister … this guy’s a suicide case, I blurted.
Ah, so you’re siblings! Said to myself right away, an I’ll take your word on it, sir … seein as you two’re on the lam, you lamsters! You two … what? Addicts, that or you pulled some heist. Sit down! That paw of his was stronger than I expected. Gripping my shoulder, as she lay there feebly like … some body dragged outta the river … he kept it there. As it stands, you owe me a pretty nice wad for the trip, but I don’t want any horror shows, the young lady here’s quite a piece of work. I mean, compared to what’s around. Ride with me an we’ll make a deal, shake on it.
