Sapped and stupid
I lie upon the stones and I swoons
Darling little dandelions, done their thing
They've changed from suns into moons
- Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, 'Night Of The Lotus Eaters'

Deconstruction

Jessica lasted five rounds.

'Ew. Gross!'

She tore off the blindfold. Nose wrinkled, gagging theatrically, complained: 'That's tragic. Worst than the bottled stuff, and I never thought I'd say that. What the fuck is it?'

A row of shot glasses, half of them empty, pink-tinged. Eric picked up the fifth, swirled the last drop around. Sniffed. The verdict: 'Liver disease.'

'Like, an alcoholic?'

'Not necessarily, but possible. Remember, depravity is an acquired taste. Some vampires considered the Beat poets a delicacy.''

'Well I like this one best.' She indicated the third empty, and Eric laughed, told her:

'An innocent. Virgin blood. You and Bill have that in common.'

No way she wanted to know that. About Bill, about herself. Jessica bared her teeth, said: 'That wasn't me. I never wanted to be good.'

Fuck innocence. She liked the feel of his eyes on her. Slouching against the bar, she let the bottom of her skirt ride up her thigh. Despite her best efforts, nothing she did ever shocked him. He looked at her like he was figuring her out. Why couldn't she be his?

He did a rare thing and met her gaze. Gave her the full effect of those blue eyes.

'Blood is like appearances on a person. Once you learn how to read it, it'll tell you if their body is old or young - clean or unwell - male, female. But it can't tell you what the person is - or was - really like. What they're thinking,' touched a hand to his chest, 'here.'

'Don't you mean up here?' Jessica pointed at her temple.

'I'm with the Greeks. You think with your heart.'

'And what is my heart thinking?'

'In circles.'

'Huh?'

'You're still working it out. There is no rule that you have to be what you eat.'

'And what do you like to eat?'

'Whatever has potential.'

THE END

27 January 2009