Illywhacker

"Die, arsehole," says Hissao Badgery.

The poor little fellow. Is he frightened of the enemies who shout his name in the street? Can he feel their passions? Their rage? Is that what it is, my little snookums? He must feel dreadful – he was such a nice boy – everybody liked him – he has not been prepared to be the object of such intelligent and necessary hatred.

For, you see, the emporium is working, sucking rage and hatred towards itself. Such vilifications. Such tempers in the street. Last week we had CS gas drifting through the skylight. The parrots had to be replaced but I drew deep on the gas as if it were honeysuckle. My old optimism is returning.

Did I hear crashing glass, the sound of the first wave breaking as it enters the ground floor? It is this which Hissao fears, this which I wait for, which keeps me alive through all these endless days. But it is not time, not yet.

I take the boy – he is light as a feather – and put him to my breast. His red Bacchus lips pout like a baby. Ah, there. His little lips suck and the contractions are a deep and steady, rhythmic thrum.

It would be of no benefit for him to know that he is, himself, a lie, that he is no more substantial than this splendid four-storey mirage, teetering above Pitt Street, no more concrete than all those alien flowers, those neon signs, those twisted coloured forms in gas and glass that their inventors, dull men, think will last forever.

No, he cannot know.

I close my eyes and do the only thing I can do. I am, at last, the creature I have so long wished to become – a kind man. With my swollen blue-veined breast I give my offspring succour – the milk of dragons from my witch's tit.

It will give him strength for the interesting times ahead.

About the Author

Peter Carey lives in Sydney. He is the author of the highly acclaimed selection of short stories, The Fat Man in History, and the novel, Bliss.

The Fat Man in History 'A new talent is always exciting. A new talent that seems formed, not just promising, is exhilarating. The Fat Man in History introduces a remarkable Australian, Peter Carey. His view of things is totally original, his eyesight alters the world… The effect is dazzling!