Groucho in the Bardo – another piece from my new book Miserable Adventure Stories – is up today at HeadStuff.org. Very cool site. Check it out.
This piece features the Marx Brothers – (Zeppo, too! circa Duck Soup) – as well as many other famous film celebrities, and Lincoln.
This piece, FYI, was inspired by my mother’s intense interest in the new book, Lincoln in the Bardo – although you don’t need to have read that book to enjoy this piece. In fact, you may enjoy this piece even more if you haven’t read that book. If you’ve read the book, there’s the slight chance that this piece might actually make you angry. Although, my mother loved this piece. But hey, she’s my mother.
Here’s the opening:
Scene – The Bardo. A misty, foggy place. RUFUS T. FIREFLY wanders about lost. There are sounds of faint WAILING and CRYING.
FIREFLY
Hello! Hellooo! Either I’m in Hell or the world’s worst sauna!
CHICOLINI appears – also lost. They both creep about, not seeing one another. Chicolini raises his fists, ready to fight.
CHICOLINI
Who’sa dat? I hear you, but I no see you! And that’s two a you, I already don’t like!
They slowly back into each other and collide, surprised. They’re approximately pleased to see one another.
FIREFLY
I should’ve known it was you – fog follows you everywhere!
CHICOLINI
At’sa true! Hey! This is some barbecue! I think you left the steaks on too long!
Alex Bernstein 