T H E A N D R E A N

S P R I N G 1 9 6 6

THE SFRli'G

Editor: Angus Davis Faculty Advisor: >Ir. Boyle

Associate Editors: John Evans, Fritz Hofiecker, 'Jin Schwab,

Jim Rogers

Contents

TITLE PAGE

POEM ................................ Cy Hogue ....................... 1

THE BIRD ............................ James Davis .................... 1

THE CHASE ........................... Fritz Hoffecker ................ 1

NOT ................................. Jim Rayner ..................... h

SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES ........ Andy Parrish ................ ... h

A TOUCH ............................. Larry Russell .................. 5

DENTURE IN THE RAIH ................. Charles Parry .................. 6

THE xIAII :;HO LIT D IS A BOX .......... Ed Strong ...................... 7

ACORiJ ............................... Justin Comstock ................ 7

THE PARTI ........................... Jim Rogers ..................... 7

THE HUGE BEASTIE .................... John Evans ..................... 15

AND • JHI ............................. Angus Davis* ................... 17

CHAPEL .............................. Tom Coulson ................. ... 18

THE FAhT/.SY OF LIFF. ................ .Peter Gibson. .................. 19

NO I CAN'T .......................... Tom Coulson .................... 19

ANT DEATH ........................... TJin Schwab ..................... 21

THT GROUP.. .. in Schwab., , 21

POEM

Manifestations of the mind,

Compounding: Grief

Hate

Sorrow.

A man walks on to death,

And no one follows.

~Cy Hogue, '68

•JHBHBHf

THE, BIRD

Circling slowly, lazily, swooping, I wing, rising on an air current,

reaching a peak, hesitant for one crystal moment in space when all time

and life stop and watch, breathless x\rith anticipation. Falling dead,

heavily like a cold unfeeling stone, falling faster, lessening space

between bird and cold, treacherous water below, falling faster, the

rough water waiting. Only then, seconds before the impact of bird with

water, the stone becomes alive, levels off, and skims saucily inches

above the water, white-caps lapping its bellyj wings, freedom. And I

watch envious, jealous of this freedom, for I, a man, am bounci to the

earth by chains, hateful, invisible, real chains.

She was more beautiful than anything 1 had ever seen as if sculptured

by the loving hand of an artist. The wind gently caressed her silver

flowing hair. The breeze lovingly ruffled her dress. ,&nd I watched,

loving her helplessly, but knowing that to touch her with my soiled hand

and lustful soul would be a sin worse than murder or envy. It would be

defiling and corrupting God's most perfect creation. The lti.nd loved

this goddess, and she loved the wind. She and the wind, and I Thatched,

an outsider, love tearing at my heart. I turned and ran away, leaving

my soul'1 behind. Tears ran down my cheek, and the wind gloated at my

inadequacy.

—James Davis, '68

IHHHHHt

THE CHASE

Homer walked into the office, trying to smile—not too much—but

failing. He supposed he looked rather troubled—that's how he felt any-

way. Was he dressed too perfectly? He was afraid so—the polished ox-

blood Weejuns, gray slacks, thick leather belt, blue button-down shirt,

madras jacket, dark blue club tie. But then he remembered; he was still

-2-himself as he glanced at his black and red striped socks.

For the first timo he looked at the admissions man for a minute as

he bent over a drawer. He was not surprised to see that the man's uni-

form was much the same as his own except that a gray seersucker replaced

the madras. His anti-prep school cynicism was satisfied, and he felt

a bit more assured as he and the man were acw on nearly equal terms—

except that he was a little stronger than the admissions man, who wore

gray gold cup socks.

The man's face appeared from out of the drawer. Short, neatly

combed hair—they wouldn't want to scare away any prospective students.

"Homer Schmidt?" He nodded and smiled or tried to. "I'm Jim Halls.

Have a seat. Let's see, do you have your grades and board scores?" He

handed them over and felt a little more assured. High 600's and above

80 in everything except math. Was he frowning? do—theman was looking

at the sheet of paper anyway.

Suddenly they came again. Lressed in black—black leather covered

with glistening studs and belt buckles, black goggles surrounded by dust,

grime, oilcovered faces. They stared straight ahead, not seeing, erect

on their powerful, roaring, expertly sputtering, gleaming machines.

"These are quite good. T?hat subject do you like the most?" Homer

had hoped for this. He was an expert.

"English, I guess. Mostly poetry." Or was he?

"Ah, poetry. That's not too common. Who did you. read this year?

"Uh, just about everybody. More of poets from the past hundred

years or so and not so much of the l?th and 18th century as we had before."

",>vho do you like?"

"Oh, Frost and Jilfred Owen a lot. But I g ess I liked Housman

best."

The water was appearing gradually. The shimmering tops of the tiny

waves leaping over and around each other in the light breeze and the

orange sun rising amidst the pink and gray fuzsy-edged layered clouds

in front of the blue-green sky.

"Well what did you like about Housman? I don't know much about him

myself."

"Well, it was mostly what he said about how sad death is and about

life being sad too. He was more realistic, I guess you'd say. "The

link of life snanped as his wringing neck was strangled in the string."

"Fine. J-*o you think you want to major in English in college?"

-3-"'i'ell, I'm no sure—one thing I was sort of wondering. How is the

English Lepartment here?"

"Actually, it's quite good. I'll find an English major to tell you

about it. What are your extra-curricular activities?1'

"Mainly athletic, I guess. I lettered in football and basketball

and baseball. But really 1 like golf best,, only they don't have it at

school. I play a lot in the summer, though."

"What do you shoot?"

The tiny round pearl-like spheres of dew glistened in the hot sun

sprinkled with abandon across rich dark g:.-aen Bermuda grass. A corpulent

bloodworm, looking so innocent, contracted and cozed his spiralejd tubular

life on his long journey.

"In the mid-seventies. I've got about a five handicap."

"Good grief." He wrote something down. "Do you have a summer job

or just nlay golf?"

111-ell, in the mornings I get up early and go out to the club to

caddy. Then I have to be back in town by ten to work in a gas station.

I'm sort of a gas-pumper, window-washer, tire-changer, assistant mechanic."

He laughed for the first time all day—or was it all week? "I get off

at six and go play 'til eight or so."

"Isn't it too dark by then?"

"I've got the course memorized." He smiled a second time, and not

bitterly, either.

"That's quite a rough day. Let's see, it says here that your

parents and brothers work in a clothing store—.family owned and operated.

I guess you don:t see much of them, even in the summer. Are you plan-

ning to work there after college like your brothers?"

"No,not much, don't see them much."

They were there again, even blacker than before^ the sneers and

snickers en the smeared faces, confident, knowing as they approached,

carrying with them the constant buzz, the regular, unrelenting low,

loud whine-belching flame and foul, smoking exhaust. They carried him

away down—down the sloping, darkening road. Then, dropped and left,

motionless and shattered, his face in the choking dust. He watched

them disappear, speeding on through their own smoke, still staring

straight ahead, still erect.

"Not much."

—i-ritz Hoffecker, '6?

-u-NCH

A long time passed

since that first

warm birth—and j"ow

The vital link with

•l-,he thick bl.-c.d

had weaker":!—and now,

A strong spring puff

twisted and Bhred

the strandr—and now

The soft pulp petal

glided quickly and

silently down—and now

A hard heel trod,

life's blood and

juices flowed—and now

Another heel

ar;.i the very substance of being,

th.3 unknown fluids and cells,

the complexities of color and

essence, ruined—and now,

Tb~i beauty of the

blossom stains the

stone dark.

•--Jim Rayner, '6?

******

SATURDAY NIGHT AT TIE MOVIES

John and S .rah strolled out of the theater together into the freez-

ing night air. The neon lights of the morquee momertarily dazzled them.

"That was a wonderful movie," she said. "So touching..."

"Yeah. Great."

"When her brother was killed, I almost cried."

He didn't even look at her. "Come off it." He was about to head

for the parking lot when Sarah noticed the crowd and the blinking red

lights of four police cars two blocks down the avenue.

She tugged at his coat. "C'mon John, let's go find out what's hap-

pening." Moments later they had joined the frosty-breathed people star-

ing eagerly up at the man sitting, legs dangling down, on a windowsill

on the top floor of an apartment building. John asked one of the police-

-5-men what the man was doing.

"What's it look like he's doing, cleaning his toenails? Figure

it out for yourself, bud.," The policeman moved away, leaving John to

stand alone in front of the crowd.

Sarah chuckled. !:'Ihy, John, the cold is r.r iking your cheeks red."

"Okay, okay." He looked upward again, "I ?ok at that sr.p — sitting

out in the cold in only his shirtsleeves. If .' o's gonna jv."p, why

doesn't he do it and get it over with? Ho '11 freeze his tail to the

concrete and be there "til next spring."

"What a horrible thing to say! He's probably got a wife and kids."

She looked at his face to mark the effect of her words. There was none.

"Think of the problems that poor man must have to be forced to this."

"Garbage. I'd probably trade my troubles for his any day." He

laughed at her, "I doubt if he would trade places with me right now."

Sarah was too occupied with the spectacle above her to catch his

last remark. "OH — he's going to do it. Look at the anguish on his

face I "

"You must have good eyes, I can't see a damn thing. Y'know he's

twenty stories up. Pretty dark too."

That found the mark. "Don't you ever think of anyone besides your-

self? That man up there is going to kill himself and all you can do

-i <? "iO o • .

Arms encircled the man and yanked him out of sight into the build-

ing before he could struggle free.

Sarah almost cursed the rescuers but caught herself.

"It's all over folks," the cop yelled to the crowd. "You can go

home now." But John and Sarah had already walked too far down the

street to hear him.

— A. R. Parrish Jr., '66

A TOUCH

A rapid wind, passing

Hot and laden with yellow silt,

Engulfs the body,

Forces the tongue to taste its horrid impurity,

Chokes the lungs in purging spasms.

-6-The dust settles—

Indifferent to beauty,

Unconscious of desire—

Shrinking laughter to silence,

Dehydrating all sorrow,

Coating finally the closed eyelids

(as if to seal

the yellow-grey impotence

it imposes).

But your presence

Wakens another wind—

A wind of brow-cooling warmth

That lifts the yellow-grey veil

For one moment of verdancy.

—Larry Russell, '6?

******

REFLECTIONS QtM A DEuTURE IN TH RAIN

Eternal friendship swearing,

He calls on Pilot's finger bowl,

Causing me alone

To eat of the forbidden fruit.

In proverbial need

I cry out—-

Unheard, weak, alone.

And he who is the stranger

Awakens,

Selfishly to do without gain

His Samaritan bidding.

When I awake

From too brief happiness,

He too is ignorant of my words

And pulls the cloak

From my already mortal wounds.

And yet I live—-

Unheard, weak, alone,

Yet released from all

Free,

-7-And I build my world,

Independent and indifferent,

Rather than be

Alone.

And happiness is a point of view.

—Charles Parry, '66

*****

THE MAN WO LIVED IN A BOA

M. lived in a box—not that he liked it,But it was warm and secure.And besides, when all those people began bothering him,He could run—with his box—to another park, another city,another country.

M. slept a lot—that's about all he did,He read some too, perhaps, but he really didn't need it,For he had escaped.Life was a breeze for himj he lived within himself.

But M. was different—he had a message.He had figured it all out: there was no need to struggle,He wanted to tell the people what he had learned;He wasn't altogether content—he had a message.

As the people strolled past on the sidewalk,M. would clear his throat and say(Every morning about nine):"The jacks were twostraw twines, you see,And how could they mingle slowly sinking;Mother toasted sixteen advertently anyhowOr if you prefer an infinite airspace—please i"And crawl smiling back into his box.

—Ed Strong '66

*****

ACORN

A drop of rain

As the woody crucible

With its grained tamoshanter cap

Laterally lies

On its bed of festering leaves.

Minute to the world;

Encasing the particle of an oaken monument.

— Justin Comstock, '66

THE PARTY

(A party is in progress at George's and Kitty's house. The party takes

place in a room to the left. At the right is an entrance to the house.

Now and then a few stragglers enter, say "Hi" to George, who nods back,

and go to the main party at left. Rock 'n Roll music loudly from left,

-8-George and Kitty at center stage.)

George: John ought to be here any minute now.

Kitty; You say he's cute? I sure hope so. The last time—that Tom.

Yech. (sarcastically) He sure was the life of the party. A laugh a

minute. Talked your head off. And good looking? Hmmmm mmmml

George; Can it, Sisi He was a nice guy. You made such a fool of your-

self. Dancing on the table 1 That's oldj stupid.

Kitty; I had to do something. Make some action. Everyone was so dead.

Not Kitty. I don't mess around with the bored ones.

George: No, not Kitty.

Kitty: Now what's that supposed to mean? I'll admit i'm a little loud

now and then, but at least I have personality. You're an ole bump on

a log. Dead wood. Just like in my English comps—dead wood. You're

full of it.

George: Can it. I'm getting you this date. You should be grateful.

Kitty: Lissen who's talking. I have to babysit for your failures of

friends, and you say I should be grateful. You bet, George! (Enter

John at right)

George; Shut upl I'm warning you.—Oh, there's John. John!

Kitty (whispering): Saaaaaay. He's toughl Look at those sexy brown

eyes. Let's hone he's got some personality.

George; Let's hope you don't make an ass of yourself.

Kitty; Oh, George! (John has come over.)

John (affably): Hi'. I'm not late am I?

George; Hey, man, not at all. How are you doin'. I'd like you to

meet my sister—

Kitty: Kitty. That's me. My clod brother calls me Catty. He's a

real card. But it's Kitty, and I'm very glad to meet you.

John; Well, thank you, Kitty. I'm glad to meet you. It was sure nice

of George to arrange this, (glances to right) Looks like a pretty

nice party.

Kitty; Oh, it is! These shindies turn out to be real blasts. But if

you think this is movin', wait'11 later. A real orgy. Ha! A regular

Roman orgy. Last time, over at Wick's—his parties are the most, the

supreme—everyone got plastered. I didn't know x^hich end was UD, whether

I was comin1 or going. It's not polite for a lady to get drunk, I guess,

but just now and then a swig is good ior the system.

John: (half-heartedly): Yeah, it sure does sound pretty cool.

Kitty; My lungs are craving for a weed. Have a light? (he lights her

-9-cigarette—she inhales deeply) Ahi Springtime freshness. HaJ

George; Kitty, you better put that out. You know how it chokes you.

You're allergic.

Kitty; Oh, George, you're a bore. A real party pooper. (to John)

That's George. He's £o fond of raei His sister's keeper. But ole busy-

body is right. Kitty should cut down. But I'm hooked on that awful

plant, tobacco. Ah, me, by the time I get cancer, they'll have a cure

for it. Ha, ha. That's what I say.

John (weakly): That is good, (off right there is a voice calling:

John, John? Is that you? Hey buddy commere a second.) I think that's

Bill. A friend of mine. I didn't know he was here. Just a second I'LL

be right back (exits.)

Kitty; He's sure a live one! Another dud, George, you outdid yourself.

George: Shut up, Kitty. Sometimes you make me sick. Already you've

made your cheap character appraisal. Just because you monopolize the

conversation doesn't mean he's dull.

Kitty; Oh, George, he's a nebbish. You could spot it in him a mile

away. He reeks of it. All your college friends do—colossal bores I

George; I really don't care what you think; just be a lady for a change.

Kitty; 1-Jhat do you mean? Next to you I'm Marie Antoinette.

George; Well, you know what happened to her.

Kitty (sarcastically): Oh, Har, Harl

George; Please be good, now, here he comes.

Kitty; Anything to please you! (reenter John)

John; Excuse me—-an old friend. Bill—he's from my home town.

Kitty; Oh, really, (this is the best social chit-chat she can manage.

She obviously isn't interested.)

John; Yes. ue went to high school together. He says he's studying

music at Oberlin. He always was quite good—oboeist. Tfe used to be in

the band together. I didn't know an F from a C# until he helped me.

Kitty(unattentive, looking about to see if there is anyone else):

mmmm Hmmmm.

George (acting interested): Oh, that's right. What was it you said

about the concert?

John: Oh, yes. He had a solo in the band's last concert, and I was sup-

posed to turn pages for him. Half way through I dropped them on the

floor and—but don't let me bore you with—(Rod bounds through door at

right)

-10-Kitty (lighting up): Hey, there's Rodl Oh, you'll have to meet Rod.

He's an honest panic1 Never a dull minute with him around. Rodl Rod!?

And what an athlete. Solid muscle through and through. Rodl

Rod (sauntering over, tall, solid, he throws an arm around Kitty): Well

how's my favorite little girl goin'?

Kitty: Oh, Kitten's fine. How are you? Oh, great game last nightl

You really tore 'em apart. I was on the edge of my seat just screaming

my fool head off. Oh, by the way. I want you to meet a friend of

Georges' s—John, John ¥-W-¥alsh?

John; Yes, glad to meet you, Rod.

Rod; Sure, John!

Kitty; How did the paper put it? Like a bulldozer or a tank. Which

was it?

Rod; Yup. That was it. (with false humility) They did overdo it.

The rest of the team did a real fine job.

Kitty; But you really deserve the publicity. You might make all-state.

Mhat a game.'I

George (hinting disapproval): Kitty.

Kitty; Oh, George, go blow.

George (quietly): Not a bad idea. John, would you care to see the

party?

John; I'd like to very much, (exit John and George left.)

Kitty; George thinks he's my guardian angel. The only thing he has to

qualify him for that is a big pair of wings.' And his friend! (sarcastic)

Notice his quick wit? George begged me to be this John's date, and I

said I would. What a mistake 1 But I can drop him. It must have hap-

pened to him before some time.

Rod; Oh, they aren't all bad—not fun people like us, though.

Kitty; Let me feel your muscle. Any bigger?

Rod; I don't see how it could be, Hal I'm only kidding. I'm not really

conceited. (she feels his muscle, then his coat pocket where she finds

a flask and starts to pull it out. He forces it back in.)

Kitty; Vhy, why you sinner 1 You naughty little boyl That's breaking

training 1

Rod; Hush. I know you're no prohibitionist either.

Kitty; Then you'll have to pay a liquor taxj one bi ; swig for Kitten.

Rod; Not right now, Kit. I see some of the crowd—be back later, (exits)

Kitty; Rod? (she is disappointed—expected more. Looks around and

sees some of her girl friends enter right.) Hey, Evelyn, Joani Hey

-11-girls. (they move over) Gee, you all look great. Nice little skirt,

Joan. Hey, how do you like my slacks. How about the flower print,

really great, huh? Do you like 'em, huh?

Joan; Gee they're suavel I wish my Mom let me wear cool things like

that, but you know Mom. Really antiquated.

Kitty; So's Daddy. He said they were a little too "Jazzy". How's that

for an up-to-date, groovy word! "Jazzy." Parents! But they let me

wear them around the house. They have to—I bought them before asking

if I could. What a bargain—£3.001

Evelyn: Really! Gee, Kitty, where?

Kitty: At Arnold's. That's where I got this Tahitian Orange Lipstick.

Joan; Wild!

Kitty; Don't worry—I won't take all the men in the jungle. You can

have a few monkeys, seeing as you're my friends.

Evelyn: We're really grateful! I still don't see how your parents let

you wear it!

Kitty; Oh, you know me, forceful Kitty! Actually, I don't think they

know I'm wearing it, but when they do it'll be too late. How do you

like thatI Wot only is this head of mine beautiful, but it has a com-

puter in it too.

Joan; Good grief!

Kitty; Ha, ha. Of course I'm kidding.

Joan; well, Eve, let's go nab some boys.

Kitty; Oh, no, you don't. They can come in here to see me perform.

You look surprised! Didn't I tell you I learned how to Charleston? I

want to demonstrate for you—I've learned all the intricasies.

Joan; Well, O.K. You'll need music, though.

Kitty (going to cabinet, pulling out record) Here's one of Daddy's

Lester Lanin's. Put it on, will you, in the other room and turn up the

volume, \ hile I emcee as well as perform—I'm such a versatile creature

(Joan exits left). Hey, everybody, come on in and gather 'round! The

magnificent Kitty is going to perform feats of skill with her talented

pieds!! (couples stroll in, curious. Along with them are George and

John. The music begins.)

George; Good Lord!

Kitty; All right, everybody. Kitty is about to show you a true artist's

method of Charleston. And here she is, Kitty! (She bounds forward and

starts to Charleston. At first reserved; then faster and more excited,

performing a bizarre repetoire.) (panting) Ev-ev-everybody join in.

-13-Rod (putting arm around her; she, around him)j Hey, you know this

party isn't as wild as I'd expected. I got a 22 mule team hitched out-

side—care to try it out?

Kitty; Why, mister, I'd like that awfully much (exeunt right).

SCENE II

Later that same night

(Enter Kitty, enraged, slams door. Stops. Notices couole heading for

door. She is bewildered, and her attitude changes radically.)

Kitty: Heyl T:)here are you going?

Joan; It's late and we're tired. Thanks for a great evening, (couple

exit) (another couple pass through)

Kitty; Hey, you aren't getting booted out. You can stay. I bet you

haven't played a single game. I shouldn't have left—1 knew the party

couldn't survive without that sparkler Kitten.

Evelyn; Gee, thanks, Kitty, but we do have to run. It's almost 1:00.

But we really enjoyed ourselves. See you at school Monday (couple exit).

Kitty; Oh, gee, I missed the whole party, (enter George from left).

George (cynically)! Have a good time?

Kitty (her attitude reversing to that which she had when she stormed in,

indignant): Now, wait just one second. Don't jump on rne_. If you only

heard what happened to me tonight I You'd think twice.

George; Oh, really?

Kitty; TTould you believe what that—that animal Rod tried to do tonight?

He took me for a spin in his new car, but I never imagined he would try

what he didl Do you know what he didj? He stopped the car, and we

talked for aTtfhile, and then he leaned over and tried to take off my

blouse. I told him not to, but he kept at it. I pushed him back,, but

then~(she is intensely excited and dramatic)tnen, he leaped on me. He

started tearing at my clothes. I fought him, oh I fought him, but he

was a monster. He was all over me, clawing me, tearing at me. AHHHJ

Oh, God, I was so frightened, George, so terrified. He wanted to RAPE

mei-il George, you will have to _do something about it. Your own sister

ATTACKEDi! George, you will do something!

George; Hmmmm? Oh, excuse me, I'm very sleepy.

Kitty; George!11J1I You weren't listening.

George; Oh, yes I was. He tried to rape you, that's it, isn't it?

Kitty; Oh, George, how can you say that and be so calm?

George: I rather expected it. This isn't new.

-Ill-Kitty: GEORGE 111.1

George; You were dressed up and asking for it like a pickup, and some-

one tried to pick you up. What did you expect?

Kitty (livid; pulls off shoe and throws it at him) You dirty PIG'. 1

George (going up stairs at the right, near the door) Shhh. Mor>. and Dad

are asleep; you'll wake them. Sleep tight. (Exits),

Kitty; YOU BASTARD, YOU GOD DAMN BASTARD11 (She breaks up completely

and curls up into a ball on the sofa, sobbing miserably).

CURTAIN

—Jim Rogers, '66

**#«*

THE HUGE BEAST3E

Poetry by John Jcivans, '66

TRLKS

If trees were smarter

they might tell us what it's like

to be all leafy.

INVITA MINERVA

, . . I don't enjoy lying on the ground

with ants crawling over but(t)

you know,

to keep myself nor-

mal and

balanced ...

ARBORESCENCE

Trees across a sliding lake,

blown by the unseen wind,

seem to be eating themselves.

They pucker up all over, like a child

eating pie with no hands,

grasping, reaching out

every which-way, opening and closing

vague lips and mouths

between the branches.

Trees across a sliding lake

look like hairy white and green

caterpillars shish-kebobbed

on an upright toothpick,

squirming and rearing up

all out of time.

-16-THi: CATARACT

Steaming with mist the cataract

shoots and dashes down

from side to side, leaping out from its sudden

precipice

like a bullfrog in a balloon;

glistening emerald cascades

and crashes in a frenzied quick-step to the sea.

EXCERPTS FROM "GULF OF MAINE"

Ahl 1/!hen that spruce-sprung northern coastline lies

Beneath the moon's bedazzling silver rays,

And clear night's flowing breeze dips the wild trail

Of sparks, a crushed-glass avenue of sea,

I find the sea is irresistible

In all its high tide majesty;

But so is land: the scent of pointed firs,

The feel of northern turf, and over all

The crisp wind streaming out of the northwest.

So there I stand, as black waves lick the rocks,

Until some buzzing insect bites at last

And interrupts my brooding reverie.

an unwhite lighthouse, unused for years,

unpermanently perched on Saddleback,

its door banging in the wind

as we limp along.

no one but you and I

and the slapping sails

and the offshore swell that

might have come from Spain.

Rounding the wooded headland,

heading downwind for the final run,

the sky pink and gray with clouds,

and the sea, stretching out of sight,

nodding and waving good-bye.

-17-AND W

The sun shone through the long window and spread in an elongated

rectangle across the hard wood floor and glittered on the brass bed-

stead. Alexis Davids groaned and rolled over, dangling one foot out of

bed, the toe brushing the floor. Hardly opening his eyes, he came to

his feet.

"Crap," he muttered squinting at the clock, >jbich said eleven.

Alexis muttered and staggered to his mahogany bureau, there to procure

a cigarette. He sucked the dry smoke into his lungs„

Over the clean, blue bathroom sink Alexis watched himself as drops

of cold water ran down his face. He blew the waoer off onto the mirror

in which a plump, not unhandsome face watched him back, long bleached

hair hanging just over his eyes, red from the night before.

In the kitchen he opened the refrigerator; there were eggs and

bacon and steak and orange-juice.

"Oh, hell," Alexis said, "it's too much trouble." He pulled th<=>

orange-juice out. Standing in bare feet and Bermuda shorts, he sipoed

his orange-juice, reading Life. The phone rang.

"Hey, Scubie, you coming to the beach?" the voice of a young lady

asked.

"Yeah, I don't know, maybe. 1 don't feel too good,!:

"Well, if you do, Spud said she's snowed."

"Yeah?"

"TJell, not in so many words. You know."

"O.K.. Thanks."

Later in the afternoon Alexis wandered over to his T.R,

"Go to hell, old lady," he muttered as his mother shrieked after

him.

"I'll tell your father about this."

The wire-spoked T.R. wheels kicked up gravel.

Alexis walked down the beach. He climbed under the cable that

separated the guarded beach from the wild, abandoned rocks and shrubs

that stretched out for miles towards the north. Spud had not come—not

that Alexis really cared—and as an alternative he decided t.-o wtlk.

The sea simmered in its frothy bowl, galls chased fish, and, across the

bay, a fisherman's boat made its way toward its harbor. After lying

down briefly in the sand, Alexis decided to go swimming. The water was

tepid and not really very "oleasant. Alexis swam for a short distance;

then, bored, he began to wade ashore. Vlith only yards left he stepped

-16-on a fleshy, spiney thing. In sudden horror he recoiled from it. Even

as he jumped, the menacing form of a stingray sprang from the bottom

and brought its short, powerful spiney tail in a full arch that ended

on his ankle. Alexis screamed and began to run ashore. In his path

blood made the sea run red. Once ashore Alexis saw the severity of the

wound. The stingray's tail had severed the major artery in his ankle

and blood was pouring onto the sand in spurts. "A tourniquet," he

thought, but none was to be had. In an attemnt to stop the bleeding,

Alexis firmly gripned his leg just above the ankle. The bleeding ceased.

The pain was excrutiating . .alexis' hands began to tire; there was no

prospect of help for some time.

"Hell," Alexis thought, "it's too much trouble." He lay back in

the sand.

Slowly, steadily, his blood ran out onto the sand, and Alexis

Davids died.

— Angus Davis, '66

«*#**

CHAPEL

All those finks who think they're great

Get on their knees and meditate,

Seeking favor from their God,

They're all so stuck-up, queer and odd.

Old men who are scared to die

Look for help from in the sky.

All humanity they bless,

For guys like me they couldn't care less.

All hypocrites, they think I'm

And when I fail they're all so glad;

None can face the world outside,

So here behind safe walls they hide.

But as for me, I'll stand up straight

I'll fight for right, not sit and wait.

I'll sacrifice right here and now.

No phony's going to tell me how.

-12-Come on; I get stage fright being alone, (a few couples start, taut the

song ends as Kitty kicks off one shoe in a gallant, final fling. Then

she flops into a chair, exhausted, a s the audience wanders out left again,

some applauding. She pants heavily as Jack Burns, who has been in the

party crowd watching Kitty, amused, brings her shoe to her.)

Jack; Here, sweets, did you lose something?

Kitty (whispering hoarsely, jumping up): Jack Burns, what the hell are

you doing here?il

Jack; Oh, I thought I'd drop by to see how street meat was doing.

(Kitty turns away indignantly, furious) Well? How's my little road-

burger?

Kitty; How dare you use such obscene language around me? I'll warn

you to get out of my house before I call Daddy'.

Jack (cynically): And have him see you the way you are?

Kitty; What—what do you mean? This is VOGUEi

Jack (amused): You look like a 7th Avenue pick-up.

Kitty: If so (unable to resist)—if so, that makes you the, the weak

link in a daisy chaini

Jack; Hey, Puss, that's pretty goodl Is that some girl's locker room

joke? Where they tell all those dirty jokes they're ashamed to hear

boys say in public? My, my. How impure'.

Kitty; How dare you. In MY house.

Jack; Ummmm Hmml Aren't we self-righteous today. Well, just remember

I'm Uth in line tonight.

Kitty (seething): Get out of here I

Jack; Oh, I'll go, But, here(tosses a nickle on the floor), let me pay

you in advance.

Kitty (hissing): You bastard, (swings her hand to slap him, but he

avoids it)

Jack; Heyi That's no way to treat a paying customer, (exiting right)

Well, see ya around, sugar pie. (Rod enters left)

Kitty; God damn himl

Rod: Huh? What's this? Cuss words for Kitty? I won't have such talk.

Kitty: Oh, I'm sorry. I was just very angry.

Rod (looking over shoulder, removes flask from coat): Hey, you want

some of this?

Kitty (brightening): Yeah. Yeah I sure would (gulps) (gasps). Hoo,

boyl That's right pow'rful stuffl

-19-To our own selves, lads, let's be true;

Us good guys, we know what to do.

TJe'll prove that we are men, not boys,

And play with atom bombs, not toys.

— Tom Coulson, '66

****»

THE FANTASY OF LIFE

The fantasy of life

is all.

That all is the remaining thing of

beauty.

The bourgeoisie, the sign

is this,

But when you begin to think

you die.

This ghastly inward ghost

that creeps,

¥hile all is shot and falls

beyond.

—Peter HcK. Gibson, '65

NO, I CA;-i'T

Fred and Bill wandered over to the school wrestling tournament

on Saturday night. Fred had fifty cents in his pocket, exactly enough

for a ticket of admission, but he wanted some candy. Of course he knew

he shouldn't have any candy, especial]./ chocolate, He had been in

Boothby1 s room snitching chocolate cookies alter dinner, and that had

been bad for his lace. He didn't mind having pimples; he just didn't

want people to say that he wasn't trying his hardest to clear up his

face* Tjhen the two boys arrived at the gym, Fred turned, to Bill. "Hey I

You go on in; I gotta go to the can^ I'll be in in a minute,"

Fred wandered over to the candy counter, looking around to see if

anyone was watching. 'C'siron little fink," he thought of the small boy

behind the counter, "thinks he's real smart cause he knows I'm eating

chocolate." "Two Hershey bars," he muttered aloud, pusing his dime

through the window. He hastily unwrapped and devoured the chocolate,

and then proceeded to the wrestling arena. Upon reaching the ticket

counter, he demanded "Heyi Does anybody have fifty cents they can lend

-20-me?"

A boy answered, "l/hat do you want it for? To see the wrestling?"

Fred replied with great deference to his oxm importance, "Yes, I

guess so. I don't really want to go, but you know how it is. They need

somebody in there to keep up the spirit." The sma3.1er ticket salesman

gave him fifty cents, Fred wandered in to look around.

Here was Fred, a senior who didn't make the wrestling team. "Those

guys out on the mat must think they're pretty cool," he meditated, "going

around flexing their muscles thinking they're better than anyone else."

He looked at the stands, where about three hundred fans sat. He saw

Bill sitting with some g;irls they both knew. "That bastard's moved in

already. He's taken all the attention so I can't even talk to them."

He slinked past the spot where Bill and the girls were sitting.

"Hey Fred'." Bill called, "C'mon up and have a seat!"

"You sure I'm not breaking in to anything?"

"Hell no! C'mon!"

Fred climbed up, muttering plaintively, "I guess old Bill's got

to have a prop for conversation."

"Hi Fred, how are you?" sang out one of the girls.

"Trite question," thought Fred, and gave no answer. After he was

seated one girl asked him "Uho's the boy wrestling for your team now?"

"Hum, oh that's Jack Gillette," grumbled Fred.

"Yea," added Bill with some juice, "he's the strongest guy in school,

and one of the best wrestlers in the league."

"Garbage," thought Fred. "Back in the ninth grade 1 was as good

as he was. He just grew and I didn't. He had nothing to do with being

good. All these stupid bitches gape at his biceps. Hell, I know him^

he's dumb, but nobody cares about that. They just look at his biceps

and gape. The good guys never get any credit."

"You know," said Bill, "I asked him hoxx he got to be so strong,

and he showed me this training program the coach put him on in the nir' h

grade. Remember how scrawny he used to be? I think I'll talk to the

coach about a program like that for me. I could sure use it. Hey, Fred.,

why don't we go over there together on Monday?"

"Haven't got the time," mumbled Fred. "You wouldn't, believe all

the work I'm stuck with." Again Fred medits4ed, "Sure thing, start

lifting weights now. In a year you're out of this damn place, and then

what good does it do you? It would have been great if I had started

three years ago... Then these broads would be gaping at me now instead

-21-of that dumb clod. But it's too late now. It won't do me any good.

I'm getting out of here. It makes me sick." Fred got up. "Excuse,

I've got to hit the old grind again."

On his way to the old grind, he spent the rest of his fifty cents

on chocolate candy.

—Tow Coulsoii, '66

*****

AWT DEATH

Fat brown ether bottle, open on the shelf„

Thin ether vanor tube, held by a schoolboy,

Mad boy, scientist.; loney with himself.

Hate-mouthed bleck ant r?ces on the table top.

Hungry, lonely mad boy squirts it from the ether tube,

Craze-bent, twist-legged, gasrdng round the tabl-5: ant stop]

Fool stung idiot ant, freedom at the table ledge.

Ether-gassed, hop sprang, up and down circles ant,

Jump claws on the brown bottle, clings to open bottle edge.

Gas rises through the ant, wobble-legged, edge-r+eppin^

Round the rim; fall out ant, to safety,

Fall in, forever death, and always ether lipping-

Kick with his hind legs, drunken ether lures him in.

Falling he drops, but lands on an island glass bump

In the bottle middle, from channel ether, death din.

Ant jerked to the ether channel, splashed, popoed and died.

Mad bojr scientist, haooy all alone5 hate-mouthed

Black arit popped. Laugh, laugh, aeath, he sighed.

—I/in Schwab, '66

*****

THE GRjJP

Before opening the door, I remembered what it slight mean to me.

Meeting again a ?irl I had not seen for a year, a girl I had almost

forgotten. But I needed people, and I did not know, I could only hope

she would be someone I wanted.

-22-I opened the door. Lin greeted me and reproached me from her chair

for being late. Two boys sat in the room and looked quickly at me and

away. They were all watching cartoons on television. I sat doim on

a couch to xratch. There was nothing else I could do, and I was to

stay with Lin for five days.

During advertisements they spoke to each other. "Gimme a cigarette,

Momma Lin," saict Beatle, who with his arms iolded around his knees had

been rocking back and forth in his chair since I arrived.

"Me, too," added Dave as he again glanced quickly at me.

"Hey, fellas, I've only got two leit, and they have to last all

night," answered Lin with pitying finality.

Beatle raised his middle finger to her, lowered it, said, "And on

the other hand," and raised his other middle finger. It was a trick

that amused me at first, but later annoyed me as I found the motion

repeated every few minutes.

Lin had tried twice to talk with me, but she was stopped once by

the television and a second time by Dave and Beatle.

The cartoons ended. There was more bickering over cigarettes until

they agreed to get more. They wanted ma to drive, but the car had

only one headlight. Dave wanted to replace it with one from another

car. 1 was not enthusiastic. At the drug store they bought cigarettes

and stole Beatle Bailey comic books. Outside they made beer drinking

noises with a soda can and barked at a policeman they had named Augie

Doggie.

They were The Group. I was in it if 1 wanted, and I did want some-

thing. But in The Group no one spoke. The Group kept me from saying

anything more than nothing to Lin, and I do not know if sne would have

listened. It was her Group,,

1Tith no place to go, I left early in the morning. There must be

someone, somewhere for me.

— 'Jin Schwab, '66