Stage Managing the Revolution

“Does she know?” the Ghost asked the monolith.

“Know what?” Sphinx feigned ignorance.

“Don’t play coy with me, statue. It’s nearly time,” he answered.

Sphinx would have shifted, would have liked to be able to make some small, meaningless movement, as he saw human beings doing, to cover his discomfort. Not to mention, to give him time to think of something to say.

Life had been simpler when all he’d worried about had been how to worship the moon properly. He glanced up and saw that that deity was barely visible, not even bothering to shine down brightly, not even noticing her acolyte’s adventures.

“I believe she will be ready,” he uttered, finally.

“Good then. See that she is.”

“I—” Sphinx started to object. What could he be expecting? Was he picturing the Sphinx dressing Venus, fluffing her up, tying and fastening her, getting her ready for her big date like some kind of gigantic, stone governess?

“I don’t have time to argue, statue,” the ghost cut off his thoughts. “I gotta go. But you make sure she’s ready.”

And he went, flickering away like an old black and white movie — which was something Sphinx had heard of, but never seen, of course. He sighed.

“Thank you,” a small voice said.

“Of course.”

“I am ready, you know,” Venus went on. “It’s coming. The big moment, when we meet Zem. I hope our champion shows up. I don’t—” she broke off. There was silence.

“Want to face him alone?” Sphinx prompted. He waited.

He might have heard a sigh, somewhere behind his massive head and crown. But no words. Venus had retreated again, or disappeared, or maybe even gone once and for all to make her way to the meeting.

Destiny, it seemed to Sphinx, was coming in for a landing in Vegas. And he was here on the outskirts. He stared up at the sky, wishing the moon would hear his complaints.

NEXT POST: HERE BE DRAGONS (FINALLY AND DEFINITELY) (Friday 2/26)