… And there was another assassination in Beirut, and I found myself…
Strange how some statements seem ageless and dateless, as if their only
reference is simply their own being. The above could have taken place any-
time between 1975 and 1990, then sporadically – yet recurrently – after that,
although choosing 1990 and 2006 would give a better statistical opportunity
of be dead on. Excuse the pun.
It seemed the same as saying “the sun rises”, a benign statement with no im-
plications whatsoever in the grand scheme of things, a mechanic, repetitive
act – a little like sex when the initial impulse of the discovery of the other’s
body has gone.
Another assassination in Beirut? The sun rises? – Harmless statements in
ready-to-dismiss formats which bring the fundamental question “What’s the
weather like according to the paper?” For those not paying attention, “the sun
rises” was a direct plagiarism of the weather pages. Zap immediately to the
sports section, it will save you time.
But there was another assassination, and I did find myself back in Beirut and
as I wore my Thursday shirt on a Tuesday (Laundry problem):
“I am not trying to sleep with you,
I am just inviting you to dinner” (Stern tone)
“Can’t I have both?” (Playful voice)
“If I said yes, you’d think I am trying to sleep with you,
And you won’t come for dinner.
If I said no, then you’d have to find a place for you to have dinner,
As my mind is made up as to what I want”
(Tone alternating between helpless and pseudo- witty)
“But aren’t you married?” (Smart ass)
“No.” (Categorical)
“When will you?” (Daring)
“Why? Are you proposing?” (Matter of fact)
“No thanks I am fine on my own” (Conclusive)
“And I am fine on my own too.
Maybe we should cohabitate,
To see if we are fine on our own together.” (Smart ass – but different from
above)
“Not funny” (Annoyed)
“So?” (Inquisitive)
“What?” (Now really annoyed)
“Dinner?” (Innocent/Enticing)
“There’s a man who just died, have you no feelings? Bye” (Automatic re-
proach to dismiss. Bye)