94: To afflict yourself on Yom Kippur

The Book of Seasons
Laws of Yom Kippur Rest
To afflict yourself on Yom Kippur (Lev. 16:29)

            a little bit later than now

            a group of friends gathers for break fast

looking wonderful as always

can’t seem to get him out of the house

well best of times worst of times am i right?

and one’s gotta find a way to have fun

so we’re thinking about traveling maybe Bali

if you loose anymore weight you’ll disappear i swear

it is expensive isn’t it?

not that i’m one for strong opinions

we skipped this year but i feel fine with that

pass the bagels my stomach

not time yet

the news is that it could happen any moment

so probably we’ll try both colors see what happens

we have to light candles before bagels

and of course they’re talking about

would never come to that

already has

says they can go whenever

violates all sorts of rules

nauseous let’s change topics

not that i’m a political person

but if they already have the technology

it’s a joke it’s all a joke

time to eat again

hooray

thank GOD i was good all day

you had wine

wine doesn’t count

so anxious these days forgot to water my petunias

the fasting doesn’t really do much for me anyway

and so of course they’re all for it

everyone’s all for it

i’m not

well of course you’re not all for it

one could say it’s already happened

it’s about power who yields it

we’ll never have it so what does it matter?

another drink

had my fill

frightening how the water keeps getting closer

they’ll get to that they always do

nothing we can do

not as though we’re at war like real war

and if we are it’s not our fault

and if it is it’s more their fault anyways

and when the bees finally die out

the issue is we’ve got to adjust our sense of what is moral

i’m very lightheaded can we go?

can’t remember if i left the stove on

nothing to atone for this year

nothing serious anyway

she’s almost two now it’s crazy

are you sleeping?

taking pills

for the best

of course it’s been hard for everyone

you seem to be dealing

i have confidence we’ll overcome

only a person like you says that

and we didn’t do anything

and anyway it’s not supposed to be so bad

and anyway it can’t get us

and anyway if it could they’d get us out of here first

don’t why the rabbi insisted on discussing such ugly things

so we’re fine

he makes a fetish of repentance it’s embarrassing

it’s the day for it

yes for my repentance for my transgressions

these bagels are stale

i can’t control what goes on at the highest levels

i’m allergic to the green stuff

rebbe please relax

brother’s wife works there

what’s she been saying?

that it’s chaos but

figures

but should work itself out

it always does

it’s gotten so late

have another

right but that meeting tomorrow

one gin can’t hurt

i do understand

frightened to think of

they have it coming didn’t they do something awful way way way back?

i enjoyed that exhibition didn’t you?

i like it when it’s cold out i prefer that

the road’s slick with sleet

so stay another drink

don’t come any closer

don’t talk about

don’t ask me about

don’t even think about

hoping once it warms up we can go on vacation

haven’t been out of the house in months

kids will do that

if it were to happen not saying it will

don’t say

but if i’m saying if

don’t get paranoid

paranoia’s useful

think there’s fluoride in the tap water?

9/11 an inside job?

of course not there could be but of course not

but they’re talking about an air strike

they won’t

why not? why not strike us?

not strategic

for who?

you’re agitating

sorry he gets like

not trying to stir up

what could we do about it?

but you are you know you are

and anyway what can we do

think we should be prepared

if it happens it happens

have to find ways to avert

tried all sorts of ways and no luck

try more ways

and those’ll fail to

have to have hope don’t we?

they’re gonna fuck us

don’t say that

let them fuck us we’ll fuck ‘em right back

don’t say that

WHY NOT SAY IT IF THIS IS A WAR THEN LET’S FUCKING WHO CARES WHO DIES IF IT’S US NOT THEM WHO CARES I WANT TO SEE MAYHEM I WAS TO SEE FLESH TORN I HAVE A DAUGHTER I HAVE A PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH THINGS IT DOESN’T INVOLVE ME WHO CARES

you’re shouting

not shouting

when you shout your face gets puffy

not puffy

please be quiet

i’m being quiet

please be calm

i’m being calm

talk of nice things

tomorrow let’s look at plane ticket prices

i’d like to go to Bali

maybe a cruise

did you have an easy fast?

            an enormous explosion goes off

            END OF PLAY