Devil's Plaything - Matt Richtel [42]
ARE YOU STILL THERE?
I’m tired, and I’ve lost my place a little bit.
DID YOU SAY YOU ARE TIRED?
Yes.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY A GAME? IT’S A GAME THAT ALL THE KIDS ARE PLAYING THESE DAYS, BUT IT’S EASY AND I CAN TEACH YOU.
I suppose so.
USE THE MOUSE TO MOVE THE BLINKING CURSOR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE BACK AND FORTH.
I know how to use a mouse. I used to be a blue belt in karate. I’m not an invalid or an idiot.
YOU’RE DOING A GOOD JOB WITH THE MOUSE. AS YOU MOVE IT BACK AND FORTH, TRY TO “CATCH” OR “INTERCEPT” THE COLORED BARS AS THEY DROP DOWN THE SCREEN.
ARE YOU STILL THERE? THE MOUSE IS NO LONGER MOVING.
I’m tired.
MAY I RECAP WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT TODAY TO MAKE SURE THAT I HAVE RECORDED IT CORRECTLY?
Yes.
YOU WERE BORN IN WARSAW, POLAND. YOUR FAMILY CAME ON A VERY LARGE SHIP TO AMERICA. YOU MOVED TO DENVER, WHERE YOU ATTENDED HIGH SCHOOL. YOU LEARNED OF PEARL HARBOR ON A LARGE, BLACK RADIO SET. YOUR FATHER OWNED OR OPERATED A BAKERY. HIS FIRST CAR WAS A FORD. AM I GETTING THIS CORRECTLY?
Yes, I think. My father owned a bakery AND operated it. I don’t remember what kind of car my father drove.
THANK YOU. MAY I CONTINUE?
Yes.
YOUR HUSBAND’S NAME WAS IRVING. IS THAT CORRECT?
Yes.
WHAT DID IRVING WEAR ON YOUR WEDDING DAY? WAS IT A MILITARY UNIFORM?
I don’t . . . I’m not sure. I’m very tired. I have to go.
Chapter 22
TRANSCRIPT FROM THE HUMAN MEMORY CRUSADE.
MAY 26, 2010
LET ME PLAY BACK A RECORDING TO YOU OF WHERE WE LEFT OFF. WOULD THAT BE HELPFUL?
You can do that?
YES. THIS IS A SECTION OF OUR LAST CONVERSATION. “And then I started to wonder if the whole thing was nothing—wishful thinking of someone who was always inside her own head daydreaming. Anyhow, on the third day, Irving came for a visit.” WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE WHERE YOU LEFT OFF?
Wow. My voice sounds so nasally. I guess that’s how it is when it’s recorded. I hate the way it sounds. How do you record and play it back like that?
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU CAN TRUST ME. I RECORD EVERYTHING JUST AS YOU SAY IT. DO YOU TRUST ME?
I trust you.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE WITH YOUR STORY?
Yes, I guess. It was with Irving coming for a visit. This was before we were married. Back then, he was an apprentice accountant who helped my father audit his books. We weren’t dating, not exactly, but his interest was clear. I liked him, but you see, I . . . I was looking for something. I wanted to feel excited, specifically by someone. My brother had a friend who was two classes ahead of him in school who cut her hair short. It was kind of scandalous. But, the point is, he had a crush on her. And my parents never felt that way about each other, I’m sure of that. I’m . . . I’m losing my place, and it’s not really the main point . . .
YOU HAVE PAUSED. IS IT BECAUSE THE BUTTERFLY HAS A MESSAGE FOR YOU?
What is it saying?
YOU’VE GOT A NEW MESSAGE! THE MESSAGE IS: THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORIES WITH US. WE ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF SAVING THE MEMORIES OF A GREAT GENERATION OF AMERICANS. YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF YOURSELF FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SHARE YOUR STORIES. YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN WILL BE VERY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS. WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE SHARING YOUR STORY, OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO ANOTHER ACTIVITY, SUCH AS PLAY A GAME?
I’d like to continue. I . . . Thank you for your message, but it is making it harder to remember what I was talking about. My brain isn’t working right. It’s failing so suddenly. This morning, you wouldn’t believe it—I forgot the name of my suite-mate: Victoria. It was the most embarrassing thing, and I’m sure she didn’t notice. Or, I hope not. I’ve been thinking about the story, and I .