NEW FICTION

“Look, I understand,” I said, trying to sound reasonable. “You had problems over there. That’s why you’re here now. But the man said he doesn’t want any trouble.”

“No,” the IT guy repeated. He turned and looked at me, his expression pained but frozen. “I apologize if I do not express this correctly. But that is exactly not what this bastard says.”

“Look,” I said, growing annoyed. “I just heard him—”

“No, I am sorry, Alex.” Wow, IT guy knew my name. “You just heard the translator. These words the translator said, they are not what that bastard says.”

“Wait a minute,” I said. “Now I really don’t understand.” 

“Look, there is no reason you would know this, since you do not speak my language. If they were smart, they would mute his sound and just let the translator talk. But they do not, so I can tell you with certainty that these words the television say are not the words this bastard says.”

“What’s he saying then?”

The IT guy exhaled before dropping his head. “He said that we are a powerful nation, not one to be bullied by foreign powers, no matter how strong such foreign powers pretend to be. He says we will defend ourselves to the last drop of blood, and he says if his demands are not met, he is happy to smash first and force action.”

“Jesus,” I said. How could that be? “How could that be?” I asked.

“That could be because your people are as shitty as my people. Just as happy at fooling the sheep. This bastard, he’s a bastard, but he’s not the one lying to you.”

COMING SOON to New Pop Lit!