Four Rotting Oranges

There is a small kitchen that smells of fading sunlight and baby powder. On the counter there are four rotting oranges and a Spock bobble head. Leroy enters and says “It is time for a snack.” He taps Spock’s head and Spock says “Fascinating.” Leroy watches Spock bobble until Spock stops bobbling.

Leroy opens the topmost drawer. It is full of spoons. Leroy removes a spoon and uses it to cut the leftmost orange in half. It is slow, tough work because Leroy has to wedge the handle through the thick, orange skin. The juice spreads across the counter and through his fingers. When the orange is halved Leroy puts one half in the sink and taps Spock’s head and Spock says “Live long and prosper.”

When Spock stops bobbling Leroy removes his shirt and presses the other orange half against his chest. The juice runs down his abdomen. Leroy says “I bet you like that, Leonard.” When all the juice has run from the orange Leroy taps Spock’s head and Spock says “I endeavor to be accurate.” Leroy watches Spock bobble until Spock stops bobbling.

He rips a piece of rotting skin from the dry orange half and puts it in his mouth. Leroy exits the kitchen—the skin in his hand and his shirt on the counter, in the juice.