Ballistic Kiss (Sandman Slim 11)

“Remember when we first met and I told you about magic? I taught you how to make fire dance across your fingers.”

She opens and closes her hands.

“I haven’t tried that in a long time. You think I can still do it?”

“I guarantee.”

“Okay. Let’s do it together.”

“Yeah.”

She puts her hands on the white layers of cloth.

“One . . . two . . . three.”

Flames spring from our hands and move across the sheets. They catch quickly and in a few seconds Vidocq’s body is burning, a ball of orange radiance against the stark peaks. A crow circles around us a few times, then is joined by a second one. After a few passes, they take off together and we disappear into the dark. Just a couple of dumb birds or a psychopomp coming to take the old man away? I’ll have to ask him one day when we’re all back together again.

We stay with the pyre under the stars until dawn, then let the morning winds carry Vidocq’s ashes away. When it’s done, we go back down the mountain and I drive everyone home to rest for a while, because the day isn’t over yet.

When I get to Bamboo House of Dolls around noon there’s a big sign out front:

PRIVATE PARTY. CLOSED UNTIL 2.

Fuck Hollywood is outside in my torn-up coat that I gave her. She stares at the sign all agitated, like a cat that found the kitty door into the house locked.

I say, “What are you doing here?”

She looks surprised when she sees me.

“I heard that Carlos is looking for a bar back. I was going to ask him for the job, but I guess I should come back later.”

“Maybe not. Come with me.”

It’s strange going inside at this time of day, with no crowd and the jukebox quiet. Carlos is behind the bar and Ray is blowing up a few last balloons. There’s sparkly “Happy Birthday” bunting up over the bar.

When he sees me, Carlos says, “The party store was out of wedding decorations, but I think this is still goddamn festive.”

There are flowers, a cake, and paper plates on a nearby table.

I look at them both.

“It looks great.”

With a hand on her shoulder, I say, “Carlos, this is Fuck Hollywood. You should give her a job.”

He looks her over for a moment.

“You have bar experience?”

She shakes her head.

“No.”

“Do you know how to mix cocktails?”

“Jack and Coke.”

“Do you have any experience at all in the beverage or service industry?”