Page 31 of Nerdplay
“Oh, delightful because I didn’t bring any with me.”
“Because this is a barn, not a bar, and we don’t serve alcohol,” Courtney continues.
Angela points at my photo. “Who would choose to malign such a gorgeous face? At least besmirch someone who’s already unattractive.”
“Because ugly people deserve an axe to the face?” Courtney asks.
Angela doesn’t seem to hear her. “I’m surprised you didn’t put up a picture of what’s-his-name.”
Courtney doesn’t shoot daggers with her eyes, she hurls axes. “You know the rules, Angela.”
The older woman dawdles toward a bucket. Courtney sighs as Angela reaches for an axe.
“Should I intervene?” I ask in a low voice.
“I’ll handle it.” Courtney leaves the stall to deal with Angela. “I take it things didn’t go as planned with Herb.”
“He says he’s in the market for a younger woman. For the love of Yul Brynner, has he seen his reflection in the mirror? I’ve seen moons with fewer craters.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s for the best. Camp should be romance free.”
“Romance has nothing to do with it, darling.”
Courtney gently removes the axe from the older woman’s grip. “Why don’t you go back to your room and put on a nice charcoal mask before bed?”
“Yes,” Angela murmurs, more to herself. “My skin does feel a little on the dry side. Thank you, Cricket.” She staggers out of the barn and my axe-throwing companion returns to the stall.
“You’re good at that,” I say.
She casts me a sidelong glance. “Is this flattery or a genuine compliment?”
“Does it matter?”
“Always. I’ll take authenticity any day of the week.”
“You should tell that to your buddy in the retro sci-fi warlord suit.”
“That is authentic.”
I laugh. “How is walking around in the costume of a fictional character authentic?”
“Because it’s a character that truly resonates with him.”
“So Adam’s an evil overlord at heart?”
“He’s telling us he’s complex and morally gray. It’s a form of self-expression.”
I’m still smiling. “Like those people who dress up in animal costumes to have sex with each other?”
“They’re called furries and, yes, that’s also a form of self-expression. You’re welcome to take the chipmunk suit this week. Our regular Simon couldn’t make it.”
I can’t tell if she’s joking. “And what do you wear?”
“Can’t tell you or it ruins the mystery. Half the fun is not knowing who’s behind the mask.”
“So much for authenticity,” I say.
She narrows her eyes and hurls the axe at the target. The blade hits my picture right between the eyes. I’m glad she’s not shooting an apple off my head.
