the flamethrowers: a novel by rachel kushner

7/29/2019 The Flamethrowers: A Novel by Rachel Kushner

1/25


2/25

scribner

A D sm & str, i.1230 A t Amra

nw yrk, ny 10020

T k a wrk t. A rr t tra t, ra pp, r rapa ar d tt. otr am, aratr, pa, ad t ar prdt

t atr magat, ad a rma t ata t r pa r pr,g r dad, tr dta. Atg tr wa a grp tat ad t tMtrkr, t d tt ad a aratr, drpt, ad t a-

atd wt tat grp t k ar ta (ad t War strt pt ad t trpt ar d a trat t tm w t tak pa, ad ar

t tdd t dpt a ata r tt t, pr, r aratr t k).

cprgt 2013 Ra Kr

A rgt rrd, dg t rgt t rprd t k r prt tr arm watr. Fr rmat addr srr sdar Rgt Dpartmt,

1230 A t Amra, nw yrk, ny 10020.

Frt srr ardr dt Apr 2013

scribnerad dg ar rgtrd tradmark T Ga Grp, i., d dr

sm & str, i., t pr t wrk.Fr rmat at pa dt r k pra, pa tat sm& str spa sa at 1-866-506-1949 r @madtr.m.

T sm & str spakr bra a rg atr t r t. Fr mrrmat r t k a t tat t sm & str spakr bra at

1-866-248-3049 r t r wt at www.mpakr.m.

Book design by Ellen R. Sasahara

Maatrd t utd stat Amra

1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2

lrar cgr catagg--Pat Data

Kr, Ra.T famtrwr : a / Ra Kr. 1t srr ardr

d.p. m.

1. Wm arttFt. 2. MtrFt. 3. FtrmFt.4. brgat rFt. 5. nw yrk (n.y.)Ft. 6. itaFt.

i. Tt.Ps3611.u7386F57 2013

813'.6d2 2012027350

isbn 978-1-4391-4200-4isbn 978-1-4391-5417-5 (k)

captr 4 appard The Paris Review Wtr 2012 . captr 1ad 3 appard, gt drt rm, Animal Shelter.

Pag 387 ttt a tat t prgt pag.


3/25

1. he killed im wit motorbike edlmp

(wt e d in i nd).

vara ad a ak rm qadr ad wa ttg t wr

atr rdr amp. T rdr, cprt, wa dad. vara t ad, trag, tg cprt ad a mrad arm,

m vara ad pd ag wt dr t va d cr wt

, g r t t trd r t atta 1917.

it wa cprt w ad agd at vara w d rad t

va d cr trtar trak, w d ppr a gggt.

cprt drd m a ttr rdr, t t wa cprt

w ad gg t at t d wd ad ammd ad-

rt t a tr. h k ram wa magd, t adgt

ad a ratrd amt, w w wak matd a pat

drt ad t gra. cprt mtr wa a drt md

ta vara, t t d t am amp . vara watd a par.A par wd ad.

h ard t at w a famtrwr ad t attrd

g. cmat wa t tr d a dp a, ar


4/25

2 R a c h e l K u s h n e R

t iz Rr. it wa pa ad drtd r, jt t r pat-

tr tr a mg t rz.

hd parkd mtr, t cara rf atd t t

rar rak, ad wa wrkg t r t adgt, twtg t t

amp t rm t kt. it rtd. h wa tggg t arg

wr w a ma dartd rm d a rw ppar, mtaka

Grma, t gr-ad-w rm, ad mt k a rg

par t t att.

vara pd t a ra ag r ad wt r a dmp

tak. T Grma wa dw. vara tmd atr m. T Grmaramd t k ad trd t gra t adamp, w wa jt

at t z ad ap a rg a t ar, wt a rad t

wr trag t k a rd pt r. vara trggd t rga

tr t adamp. Tw grr-kkd t t mw t

Grma dd p p. vara grdd m, kd t Gr-

ma t a, ad prd gr rm t adamp. Tr wa,

atr a, pat r r pa, t fa m a rd ard t qt wd. h w pat wa m aad, ad mw t

Grma wa d rm pak, t amg t ppar.

T Grma rard p, trg t dr-arg m.

vara rad m wt t adamp.


5/25

2. spiritul americ

iwakd t t , atg m trap. swat wa p-g ag m ar, trkg dw m ak ad t m drwar, rg dw m g dr t atr rag t. i tk m mt ad t a atr jakt, t tm t grd,

ad zppd t t m rdg pat.

i td r a g tm trakg t w drt d, grat f

ma ard fat ag tr ttm dg k t wr mtg

a t grdd.

Tr wr tg i ad t t rk, k wd t

d, w fg dw t gwa at a drd m a r. iwat a rr, dr tm trat. spd dt a t a

tm. o tat da, rdg a Mt vara at rm R, t wa

a watg t m ar t map nada tat wa tapd

t m ga tak a i md ar t ata tat. Trg t am-

ar rt at R, t rt ad wrkg ard, t g p-

g pwr pat ad t at rad ad prg ad g,

a aa rgt tra ad t madrg ad mmr-awTrk Rr, rarad trak ad rr rtg m t Fr, wr

t t t rt.

Frm tr t ad wa drad r ad pt, ag-ttd


6/25


drt ad at am gwa. i pkd p pd. T atr i

wt, t mr td i t t t map. it td m tat t-x m

atr Fr id t lk, ad t-x m atr ag Fr

i t lk. i md rm map pt t map pt. Wma.

vam. car. ek. W. i t a grat m, a i at

dr a trk tp awg, wat rg dw t d m a,

a am rz, t ad dr, wkg t damp rm m t

drrt. F mt, i td m. F mt. i i tad gr,

t pa t map dptd mgt ra.

A ard ar t gwa adschaefer. whenyoure hav-

ingmorethanone. A rd add t ra a ma

dr t g-ara g t ard. T rd rd t ak

ra, t atr a prt k t ad pwdr-atd

at t atr. i tgt Pat nx, r dark gamg ad r-

ma tt t wt adr tar ad adg. har dd t

r wk ad wppd t a mg wa. T rd ttd

t a rt wt, a mdda d t t t trt rrgat w ar t gwa. Pat nx wa rm nada, k

m, ad k t prm tt tat rd, agat t da. s wa a

rattd at-parr tg w am rt ad. nw w wd k

a Ra cartr wt r ga ad r g t rd

a, gwg wt art. it wa Pat w md m. Pp w ar

ardr t p a ag, ad t ag mak tm ar t

. yr dr t tm. Pp w wat tr a dtra wat .

i pad r m ga t t d m t arad rm pag a

d gam ad ngt Drr. T wr atd w-g kpt

mad parkg, mdd rga, trg jrk, pa-kkd,

trg t ad t gardra rftr tr d t rad, t

rga kpt jggg ad rkg a t m attmptd t tr

tm t atatrp, warg ad agr ppg t tr-g w wt t a ad w t rd ad rad. it

ad t wa at ra trk tp w. T wa w t m

rtd rm drg. latr i td R Fta. i grd t wa m-


7/25

t h e f l a m e t h R o w e R s 5

tg R wd d pa t ddt ag. h ad,

ya, . Tat t tg at rdm. i ad, Wat? Ad

ad, nd wat t.

M b, w ad drt r a g, pt a

mmt jrkg g t dpr t t w g a

pta, d dtrmd t prat dmp trk, tg

ad tg gar a pd tward dat a pta gr. h

dd t j, tw ad, md. b wa t ma r

tm t . stt ad Ad ad rd t b trk r

sda ad w wa dad ad t ad sda t tm, t tr w trk. b wa m mtr rtr. Grwg p, wd

a d tgtr. M mtr wrkd gt, ad b wa wat w

ad a a part. D drg dmp trk, at xpa d

watg Tv ad mad prat t da r m, wdt

a t gt p. hd x m a g tak ad g tat d.

smtm d tak t a a, a t parkg t wt

tt rkt. or pa k wt t tr ar i-80, wt m adstt ad Ad t akat rg r . i m rm rk,

tmta pp. sadr d t agat m a. h

prtdd i wa pad t trtr m, w t wa ra t

tr wa ard. h atd mtt t i wa t mtt . sadr

d a t pwr. h wa dr rt ar ad a art-

t, ta ad gd-kg wrk t ad t-td tt

am kd t tat b ad stt ad Ad wr, t sadr t addd p t mtg : a g wt a am r-

ta w d a a g, a dr pr, a pr t mad t

m, w drd k a wrkr r mtm a m t wa -

gat t t, ad r amprd t qt wtr

gd a g tat (t qt t wa d t

gg).

sadr kpt a pt a t dk t, m pg a xt t Mrt Fdma ck-tt ga, sadr

kg ad a, dg a rad, add tg, t arr

g a t ttr Xrg t ptgrap daga. sag


8/25


t. it wa a ak-ad-wt mag t d tat sadr

wr t wt- a w, gg m a d, tt. T

pt wa tak Rk, wr rd Gra ad sta

Kat ad a pa. sadr wa awd t t g tr prprt,

ar adg ad rf ad td, m tm mad

am mpa r t gt t t rarm . sa-

dr kd tg mt a ad ad r dd t ata

k m, tat wa wat d wat, a tg. Tat wa wa,

t tr t t kw gt at, ar itaa, tat d

k m ad t.Wm rpdd t t. T am t m rgt rt

m, k t gart h hrgr, a r t at Grk

wma w drd a t wr prmat 1962, a ak t

ad wt pwpt ar. W ra t r sprg strt jt r i

dpartd r R t pk p t Mt vara r t trp. h h-

rgr, r tgt dr ad atr fat, dg r arg ak

pktk a t wr a tx, ad ad watd ad tm t sadr td. Wd a t g? sd pt r ad

arm ad t md a wat gg t t g t ad .

sadr wa wt t erw Fram Gar. h hrgr watd

t ta m r r w gar. h trd t rdrt r trdg

m, t a grrd t a a g artt, jt t , a

t a, at a m, t r mtg mgt dr

pkg p. A r ad t mar ard rdr t pr ad gt m t mmt t t td t.

Wt a art dgr rm . . . wr? akd m.

unR, i ad. i kw wdt amar wt t

ta.

s fd lad Art, sadr ad. Ad r da ar

grat. s mad a at m at R.

h hrgr rprtd t t-kw lad Artt, amdarr, -p, ad i t pa - at sa-

dr t tat ar at m, m wrk. i wat rad t

w wt h hrgr ad prtdg tat i wa, i t


9/25


sadr wa tg m wtt ar tdg t. it wa p-

kw t. Tat d m prr mr rg m

m.

o. Wr dd a s wa gg a w- pt,

jt g t at m.

nada, i ad.

W, w a ra ar at art. s md at m a

dptg a rt tw tm. i r wt sadr vara. Wat

a mtr r m w jt arrd rm . . . ida?

R, sadr ad. s gg t tr t d a p. Drawga ar t at fat. it gg t grat. Ad t. s gt

ra t da at ad drawg.

h ad trd t pt arm ard m t id md awa. i kw

w i kd t t at wma w pt wt a r rtr,

ardg t R Fta, w wa r rtr m: i wa t-

g t a mr r ampag t rprt sadr.

s gg t Wt? d akd r w partd wa,ad t d qtd m at t partar m rd wt a

trt tat ddt qt m g. o m atr dd i tk

ak t tat mmt, k at t. Youll be going out of town? R, ida.

smpa ar awa.

W i wa gttg rad t dpart, sadr atd a i mgt t

mg ak, a i wr ag m t td ad tdm, a p-

a d rgd m t drg. h rd at tapptmt h hrgr ad wragd.

i r gttg at tr, ad, w r tar-

g ar t at fat, m kw mpttr drg r

k td dt. ba tat wat d, d ad, t

tgt. Wt r g trt.

When youre having more than one. i at at t trk tp, ag tat

ard, a tkg m g trt wa g.h hrgr ta lad Artt dd t mt

am, Rrt smt, w dd tr ar arr w i wa a

tdt at unR. i ad ard at m ad t Spiral Jetty rm a


10/25


tar t wpapr ad t rm m art dpartmt, w

wa pra ad rat (t trt h wa tat i

did ar mr rm sadr ta i ad art ). T rma

w t t Spiral Jetty wa qtd xpag w trk t ad

t trt t t md, ad tat ad amt t m

r xp qpmt. h wa rkg m ad rt adr ad

rgrttd takg t j, ad t t artt w p t uta m-

mrtm drt, t 118 dgr, ad t g warg ak atr

pat. smt wa qtd darg tat pt ad dtr

d at, ad tat t wa a t rarad t adt drdgg tat t part t Grat sat lak r

prjt, wr t ak pp r watr ad arta t,

rag t at tt g tat tg t rd aga d grw.

i ad mmdat watd t t tg mad a nw yrk artt

atr pat, w drd mr r t ag-ap wrd t

Wt i kw, a t kd t m, ad d t wrt attt. i

wt tr, rd t tp nada, ad am dw jt r tuta rdr. i watd t watr, w pd par drt, rt,

wt, ad raggd. T wt drt kd amt k w t t

md k ap, qrg ad wgt. spk drt pat ag

t r wr atd a r wt at. T jtt wa -

mrgd t i d t trg t ra t watr. it wa t

am aat rm t ak r, rarragd t atr rm. T

t da wr t mp, , xpt tat adtgt tm r. i kd at t watr ad t dtat r

t ak, a at w mpt, jaggd rk, g , t. i

wd m t nw yrk ct.

W wa a r, a t artt m ad g rm nw

yrk t t Wt t mak pa Wtr dram m tr. i

wa rm t pa, t ard-at-warg, dmp-trk-drg wrd

t lad Artt rmatzd. s w dd h hrgr prtdt ida ad nada? it wa a r t a at tat a pr

ad t m t nw yrk ct rt, t m a artt t Wt. i

tat wat i wa gg t . sadr dard t, fd


11/25


lad Art, t t a rd t xpa awa t at tat wa wt

a wma g, wt dtta pdgr r ampmt.

Jt wrd.

W i wa tt, kg t srra, i t tat i wa drawg

t mta a, makg g wpg gra . Tat wa w

i ad tartd t draw, id td sadr, a a tt gr, , x ar d,

k. latr, w drawg am a at, a wa g, markg

tm, i awa tgt kg. W i ga k rag, am ad

gat am, t wa a i wr trag tat wr arad draw,

ad t ta ag tat adwd t prmar , t - wt a mptt tm, wa t ta prt t , t ta

ar trg t gat, t a tra, a t ardr t

r k mta dg, t ggr wdg d t, t mr

wd dw. y watd w prag t d . y

watd t tra. T rd a fat k a m a p. T rt

tat t ard ad dr t am gat, dp tr t w

wa t, wr t add gg g, pkg a g ad gra- , wt dd wr r ddrg dg, a i rd t ra

t t .

sk rag wa drawg in time, i ad t sadr. i a ad m-

tg w watd t drtad: t tw tg i d wr

drawg ad pd, ad kg i ad md tm. it wa drawg

rdr t w.

T rt wtr i wa datg sadr w wt t t Kat pap Rk r crtma. it wd a gt, ad

t mrg i rrwd r-tr k ad kd ar a rz

pd, mad trak tat wt ar t a X, ad ptgrapd tm.

Tat w gd, sadr ad, r X. bt i wat atd

t trak. T m rt, t pddg k p r t

t. cr-tr kg wa k rg. it wa k wakg. c-

tmpat ad ar. T tra wa ttr t wa a, t wamad at m atra pd. i akd t Kat w d rrw

tr trk. W dd dgt t w-rd madw d

t rz pd, m pg t trg w k stt ad Ad


12/25

1 0 R a c h e l K u s h n e R

ad tagt m, sadr agg a t trk tr d. i mad rad,

rar trak t madw ad ptgrapd t. bt t wa

at ag a gd tm ptat. i tgt art am rm a rdg

td. i t t ad t rk, m g rk.

M mt at t trk tp wr amt p. i rradd m ar,

w wa kttd rm t wd ad rmpd dd pa rm t

paddg m mt.

Drr wr argg at trk r. A prp rg k a

grap Pp amg t rw m. A p a ad tward t

gr, atg a t wt a am ad attr . T m agd

ad tartd t dpr. nada wa a t, a gt, a dad tat wa

part m. bt t wa drt t m ak r w. id t. i wa

r t a i wa tk r, t t d mtg. T d t ad

t rtr t nw yrk.

o t trkr pk t m a pad. Tat r?Fr a mmt, i tgt mat t trk. bt tppd

tward t Mt vara.

i ad ad kpt radg m ar.

h md a rd wa. y kw wat?

i md ak.

y wt k ar gd w tr adg t

gwa a d ag.

allvehicleswithlivestockmustbeweighed. i pad t wg ta-

t, rzd trg trd gar ad t t mdrag rt,

ttg t m a r. i d t jaggd pak ta m-

ta, ta mmr w trd t drt az t t rw

t pat. i wa gg gt. Wt k ar a gd. P-p a atat. i rdd t, t rt gar, watg.

lgt wkd rm t ak mtg r, p aad t

rgt a. i rd t trtt t ddt dwt. A i gt r,


13/25

t h e f l a m e t h R o w e R s 1 1

i rgzd t amar rdd rar rr a Grd. bd

aratr, m mtr kd t a. s ad rdd a t

ar 1950, a pd jt r i wa r tat wa r xpad

ad ddt m qt wm, a g wma drtg ard

, pattg d watr r a ga tat atrm. T

tag ra trg m md g-trat ak ad wt, gt

t t r, dprat wm adta tragd tp

rd, r a wt t m, drkg a rat a g

ga. M mtr wa t gamr. s wa a wt-

ard pratr, ad r pat dd mtg ak t r, t wa t grtt part, t part at g ma, pr, ad a, w

a m wa g a rmta t rg t trg, t

r t attratd m atr. h t w i wa tr. er

t am ad t wa gd rdda, ad tat b wa a

ttr atr t m ta m w d a . A i apprad t

Grd, rad t pa, i aw tat t wdw wr md ad

akd. exat wa wg t ar rm t , wr pa-, nevadacorrections t d. A m pr, wt pagr

w d t t. bt prap t t wa wr. o, a a

kd, rdg m ard t t ja, i ad a ma targ

dw at m rm arrd wdw. A -grad ra wa ag. i

tppd pdag ad kd p at ma a, ramd a grat-

fp gra d ar. T ra wa amt . h pt a arm

trg t ar. T t ra, i amd. h ga m t mddgr.

sa r rdm r a ra da, m ad wrtt t

atrm wa at Rd bar sh, wr sadr ad R kd

t drk. it rmad tr at a t waa a mmr.

n rtrt r r-t. Jt t ak mmad a agd ad

trd r ad dr t at.

i pad t , td t t, ad t t, t rag dtad t a m ak pdmtr. i tkd dw t m

tt arg. i d tat arg t mmt i aw t k at t da-

rp R, wr i pkd t p. Mta-fak ta, t r dp


14/25


rz. it wa a rad-w 650 prprt. it wa ata a 77next

ar md. it wa w t utd stat ad t m.

i ad r a Mt vara t r. T id wd g,

a 65, ad wt.

id rdd mtr i wa rt. i tartd t rdg t

wd d r , wt stt ad Ad, w ad yamaa DT,

t rt ra drt k. br i ard t rd, id rdd t ak

m ramr, w wr trt k t tmzd,

pagr pg, m g d t t t d p adg a

xat pp r. T wr t trt ga, adgt r

pat, t stt ad Ad rd wt m t ak a r R.

expt pat t rt r , a m mtr ad rd-

d m t rd m mtr. i d r w ad

jmp ad ard qk t trt. it wat stt ad Ad i trtd,

wm agd a w t g ad fppd t k wt m t ak ( ad t t ard t tap t t rak, t tt t k

rward), ad t tr tk a jmp r a p drt at a tr-

t t ad td m t d tgt. Tat wa Ad. h add wt t

rt d t ptd ad w wt r t adar. i ddt trt

tr k. i ad ra t, t rad rgar. i trtd

t d r rk, t mprta rg t. i g, i gt a

Mt vara ad t d t t m t nw yrk. Wt m w t g t, i tgt id trt t i ddt. Ma i wd a,

ad i t mt sadr vara.

i wa gg drd m a r w, trg t tr prpr

rm m d pt, a t tkd ad tmpd ad pattd

agat t wdr.it wa d t t t md drt. id prmd m t t d t.

A Wag twg a vkwag bt wa t t a. T W-

ag mt a gg rt m a r: t md t tad


15/25


t t rad. W wr parat rat, at ad w. Tr

xd rat, jt trat. e t eart mg. i

wa dd rgt p t twd vW rar ad ad t wr t

t rgt a. T rad wa ad ap, ad i wt t a dt. it

trw t rt w aa. i d ad wrd. T rt

d t k wa wg k raz. i ddt dar t t rak.

i trd t rd t t w. i wa a r m a ad tkg i wa

gg t wrk, ad i adt gtt t t at fat t. bt t

t rt w ga t am ad tragt t. i md t aga

t t ttr rad ra. T w id trw t wa mwak-p a. i wa k i adt rad. spd r ma rgt

wa hda w ad ga, t pd wa t a rgt. spd wa a

awa tw ad dat ad pd am t t

d .

i tppd r ga at dk. T rad k ad trd a d mdm-

wt tar rg, a pprk t, rgt wt. A ar

pd p t tr d t pmp. T wdw wr dw adi d ar a ma ad wma pakg t a tr.

T ma rmd t ar ga ap ad kkd t zz t t

pg tak a tg t rqrd r t gt t t t rrt.

T waggd t ad t t tak a wd mar. h ak

wa t m. i watd m a i watd r m tak t . W i wa -

d, t wma wa gttg t t ar. s kd m drt

t md t t rgtr m.y mad r , ad. Ad i mak m. crp.

smtg at t gt, t dm ad t dpg

a , t mmmt twgt t, mad tr

, tmat.

y a m a rp atr wat akd m t d? Ad w t

tg?Im a rp?

T ma pd t zz rm t ga tak ad jrkd t at twma. Ga d r ar g. h rmd g tak.

W wa d, tad pttg t zz ak t rtg

pa t d t pmp, drppd t t grd k t wa a


16/25


gard wa d g. h rtrd a k mat rm

pkt ad ga gtg tm ad fkg tm at t wma.

ea t mat ard trg t dm gt ad wt t r ra-

g r. Ga wa drg dw r g. h t mat atr

atr ad fkd tm at r, tt parktrat, r prm

tat dd t mp.

Wd qt t? ad, ttg r g wt t papr

tw rm a dpr t pmp.

T agd dm gt a kd , zzg t . A

trk pad t gwa, trwg t ar rak.h, ad. h grad a k r ar.

s md at m k t wr at t r a ak tgtr.

ngt a tat r. i rd , a dark agd t drt.

it wa mr pr ad at w, a m wa mtd t

tratr am ag t t rad rt m. T rmt dark wa t rar ad a wak fr, r tw ga ta-

t. i tgt at t ma trg t gt t wma r. h

wat trg t gt r r. crta at, a t ar ra, ar

a mr gtr. h wa ag, Wat i dd? Ad wa a-

g, G aad.

T ar trd d a i md at t a gr ar t

drt warm-t- parat. T wd akd t m atr wr-r t d. i adt atpatd d. M gr wr amt

t rz t wrk t rak t tm i rad m dtat, a

ma tw wt g a t uta rdr, Damd Jm ttrg

gwg gd agat t gt. o a kj wd am wat

at. it jmpd ad dad, ag t w atrmag. bt rm

d t ma drag t t tr wa novacancy razr rag.

i tppd at t mt, t parkg t rwdd wt trktwg ra ar, pg t mgt tak pt m. i trggd t

gt m g , ad t wr , d ar k t

trap m mt. M ad ad rdd tm t tw -


17/25


t, trtt ad rak. i trd t t m ad m rm m

d, t m t-m gr rd t prrm t a at.

i wrkd ad wrkd t rga mt. Fa i gt m mt ad

wt t t . A wma ad t wr kd. A ma am t

rm t ak, at m ag. i ad t, lara. h ad wa t

wr , ad i t a ma rg p. i xpad tat id rdd

a t wa rm R ad ra dd mpa t p, tat i wa

pag t r at t at fat.

Ma w a wrk mtg t, ad.

Ra? i akd.i at prm atg, t w dt w g a a drk p t

trt at t a ad tak at t?

Tak at t?

Tr mgt mtg w a d. i at at a drk.

it wa awa t pwr, t dagtr pwr, w wa

mt agr t a t.

i dt tk , i ad. Wr r atr?i a rt m. h trd t wak awa. oka, a r, jt

drk.

i ad ad t. otd t mt atr ma addrd

m.

h, ad. h a twrp. Tat wa t.

h am wa strt. h wa t mata ma ad d

t rm. h wa ta a a mmr trt wrkr tddt qt maat a wrk. h wr ja ad a dm rt

t am add , ad ad a grar art k t wa 1956,

t 1976. h rmdd m t g drtr t Jaq Dm

mModel Shop, w k tm r trg p r t drat, wadr-

g, tag a at a wt rt trg t fat ad t

t hwd.

lt, i a t ta t a gt gardg t twrp ra ar,strt ad. i wt g m rm. Ad d a pa t p.

W dt p tr? i prm t t tr . Tr a Tv.

Tr r t rdg. it a, t t ttr ta ag t ar


18/25


a d wt m. i kk t dr t mrg t m ad

wr t tat t, i war. i at t w tr t gt r m-

. it mak m k.

h wa xtdg ata art, t kd dt qt. i

trtd t. Part a rmdd m tat aratr. id

Model Shop wt sadr jt atr w mt, a ar arr. T tag

am a jk tw , Ma tmrrw. Ma r. Maybe.

it g wt drrk jrkg p ad dw d t wdw

a g p v ak, t drtr ad a grrd

dt ar at. T gg wa sadr art ad tra d t m, drrk rgt td t wdw, p ad

dw, p ad dw, a t gr ad azd d, ad a arg-

mt, pttrd ard tr gaw, drpt ad radwd

dtr. Atr tat w t d t wrd bungalow a t. Ar

mg p t mbungalow t g? sadr wd ak. Tg

at t wa a ga ad at-r dg, r tad qar t

a fr.strt wd m rm. it wa td ad a tt artrakg.

T wr ad t tag rr rwd-

g t a t pa, a w a tak wd mk rat d

wt wr ad part. strt ad wa d t t. o

d t waa wa a t pat ad t tr, a ag kt

ad brrm. it wa k a m t r a m at a drtr amd

strt w a ma gamg tw t nada rdr.At a Mxa rtarat ar t rad rm t mt, i rdrd

, w am w. i pkd ard, t r t apprprat

mtd, ad a ddd t t t ad. it at m pat k

a r arpa ag. i t ar, tad mt-mg

pt, t dark mk t rmr md. i ad t tr awa, ad

watd tw m w at a t ar t rm, pra a

r t r t at fat. bg mta, a ard ad wd, pdr ramg rga pa. T watr

rgt tm tw ada pat, at ak t ad a.

A t t pat dw, t m tppd takg ad a tk a


19/25


prat mmt t k at d, ra k at t. er dd t

rtarat, pad t pt t d, t i r td t

i wa a.

strt t wr t tt fa, r t t mt. it

awa am a a rpr t m tat m d wat dmt m-

rt. sadr pt t fr w wa a , ad t k

ddt dr a d. it wa a atm tat wa m wa rjtg

prg, rg t. i ddt ar wtr i drd a d r t

t i ad tr ttg. Trk rm t gwa rmd trg

m ar p. i dt warm p ad a wt m jakt pad rt akt, atr d p k a rad. i wrrd tat strt

wa gg t ak t d wt m. W i ad d m

wdt, i wrrd at tmrrw, ad m pd tra t at.

Wat wd app t m? i a wa, t ddt mattr. i wa r. i wa

gg trg wt t.

i t dpt d mt p, i dramd a ggat ma,

a arpa arg t d t k wt mta ad t rakg d wg g. i wa t nada t m, nw yrk ct,

w wa add ad dark dr t aw ma, a pagr jt

argd drd tm. it md w, t pd a pa jt

at t ad, t wt gt dr t wg. i aw g adg

fap, g wt rt, p gra g, a t pa am wr

ad wr, t tr wa tg t t k t a gmta dr-

arrag, a pg r.i t mrg, strt am ad tk wr. W t

watr ra, i rrd pd m atr. i wa makg t d w

mrgd, a tw ard wat. Ta ad d ad ak, k a

gra, watr adg k tat wa rdd rm t t wr. h

akd i mdd rg m r a mmt. i t dt a

agd, t i pp d jt a a am t a t m,

rgt tr dr m t.Drd, at dw t d ad md wt ar t t

t r a dk a, r ad td, t dw t ap

k. T mprtat mattr ma-tw ar. i ad m t.


20/25


W takd at t pd tra, w wr tartg tda. i ad i

wa rg tm, t t tat t wa at art. it wat a . i wa

a nada gr ad a mtr rdr. i ad awa trtd

ad pd rrd. i wa rgg t tat a nw yrk drat,

atrat da at tra ad pd, w wat mtg strt

dd t kw at. it wd mak m m k a trt.

strt ad t mt wr ad a crtt rg t tat

d t m a k t r tr prr, tat ma

wrkd t ad a drr rad t r m.

i a t t rag rm a dt kw watdpamt ma. h agd ad t wt qt.

i r mt a gr w rd itaa mtr, ad. it k

art ra.

h kd at m mt, g, m mtr k, ra.

T rm md t d t rat, t mt rta kd agat

t ga t drat a part pd wdw, a trp warg

drat t rta m, t gt-kg ar dg akt td wrd.

h ad wd d m d m r, t wa tk at

t mt, rtg a rtt wr.

it ka, i ad. i wa rd. i t r tat t trd, m

gt strt d, dt rap wt m xt dtat.

D tk mgt m trg r? akd. i ma,

r aga?i kd at t rat t ad t jmd tak t w-

r t, m tm gd dt ad t-

r rtd kt wt d a, prap ad mp a

ad amp trag pa pr strt rm. i tgt at

strt ag t t a parkg t a gt tad w

d, ad i war, i amt ddd t p wt m. i aw r ,

strt d wt a da wrk, rd wt patr dt, r a,pg t k p r g, taprd a. T tt pd

rd ad gra d dat ad t wd rpa ma-

tr wt m.


21/25


i td p ad td m mt ad g ad ad i pra

wdt ak atm . Ad t i ggd m, ad tak.

h ad mgt d t g tak atr wr, a d , ad

mw t mmt wa wt tad dtat.

latr, wat i rmmrd mt wa t wa d ad m am. h

ad t k d kw m.

o a i t m tgt a t tat ar pa tw m

ad watr strt da m wa. h wd drtad wat i

am rm, w dt tak at m r art. Wr

vtam? id ak, amg m trr tr wd m tmgt, m tr t r mrt, t tw t a a d wt

pkp, t drt rag ad gat r t fat dg a nada

rz. Me?d a. na.

o t rt dr rm tw t t t at fat, t g drt

gamd dr t mrg . Wt, ad, r, ad matwr t r r, ad dgg t gr pa, wt prad

rt pwdr w, wd fwr mg tr--t-

tr.

T tt gamg tw at wa a mpd trar

rpad a . liquoranddancingandnudewomen. i tgt

aga Pat nx, drtg a Pat nx patt. Fadd pa,

r m-rgt . A a tagr R, w i ard t wrdMustang Ranch i ptrd a pa dg wt gd-d mrrr

ad rd d, t-ptrd trw pw apd k g. T

ata Mtag Ra wa jt a attrg rdd tdg,

gm wm wt drg at d. e atr i drtd wat

t wa, t md atra g t ar Mtag Ra ad mag

tr xr, k g rm wt wt ar, ma m

pttg Wada Jak, Tar at t Grad o opr. bt twr tg t Tp Frt t pa, r t t d t g-

ratr.

bd t a rad t trtat, a ak wt akd ad


22/25


mmrd, farg ak p at t k a k ad trd fat.

Pr wt trtg ar t t dta tat t rz rad

a at r t eart. i ard t rp a mtar jt, k a

gat trw g draggd trg wt rt, t aw

a, a raw ad atratd tat md t rm a r wdg

k. T jt ad t tra, jt a pg d tat am

rm g drt. Atr jt rapd t a, g ad -

. i mt a ard tm t gt. Tr wa a a ar,

Ara G m map, a gra part. i tgt at att, st

, w atr i rrwd rm t tag g-apd mt a dp-a dr, a kg rd r ratg t gr t

k k a trta t. ertg Ara G pt awa, rtrata

r d, m rd t gt r t dd appara

t pr, t mtar agg tatr t r t xt at.

i wdrd w t mtar ddt am t at fat r tm-

, r tr w tt. i dt kw wat kd tt, t m-

tg g at, pd, trt, t rk g. Amragd Fp Farmr ad t ar t fat ad t drd

m a r, drg a tr-wd, rt-r-t amm a-

tr qppd wt a jt g rm a a Patm. W Fp, a

rdar tz, ad t t mtar? yd tk t wd a

watd t pa, a t kd ad amt rpr

pd. bt t mtar ddt wat a rm at drt. T ga

t, mr r , t Fp Farmr, wrd ad pd rrd dr.Grwg p, i d Fp Farmr k m gr d p r

katg r Pa Mcart. i ad a ptr a m d Fp ad

wg ar, t Victory of Samothrace. Fp wt rakat ra

m, zp-p ad pd t, mad a r- rptp t

tat rratd t adr at ag ad d, ad a-p rag t

tat wr t r aa ram. h ad a mt dr arm,

r, wt Farmr a prp rpt. id d tat mag agart, prparat r m w r t at fat, a k

at id pkd p at t strad. T Victory of Samothrace wa


23/25


jt d m t at. it wa patd t am adr a t

rratg drt Fp fampr t, ad-rd r a-

qrd t a gam, r at t tak dt ad ta wg.

Pr wgt ad rg, t wgt, t, wt t rm ta,

a k r rapg t k.

W i wa tw, Fp am trg R ad ga t at-

grap at a a. i ddt a a g pt r m t g, i

ad m g m ad. Fr wk i tk a wr wt a pat ag

r tat ad, rr-add at t wrt. it wat qt a rmat

atat. Tr ar rad. yg gr dt trtat da x, tr d ad atr tgtr. Tat m atr,

t tr t tg r t. Tr a t dpamt, a

dramg, ad d ar prt r a tt gr dramg. T art

ra. T art t ga tat attdat trg t r t t

ak t r tat, a papr trg t r t a t-

d, a rd atr trg t r t ar. T dt r.

T k, t k drt mrag. Fp Farmr wa a ra-a. h wa mtg pa. i m rm amg a t m

t wrd, ad gd t ak m ad ad md wt r

wt, tragt tt. h ga a tat am m, t dr ad

adt w d p at harra. W wrt dda t a ra

md r, mg ad rmt. T tg wa, ad rtrd

m gaz, i pra wd a wad atgrap rm m ad.

T ar am trg R, Fp ad ar apd dat ad mad ad pd rrd t at. Jt atr t 522 m

pr r, rar t prmatr rad. it w t t ak

t Victory ad appd , dg t ar rg t ad r tw

m markr. h rrd, t wt t, ad wa t w

dw. h wa t gg drd m a r. h kw tat

m a tappd t rak t wd mt ad r t,

ad t d a rak. T wr dgd r pd ta 150 m a r. h wd a t t t ar w t, t t

wat wg. h razd, a fw ar t at, amt rt-


24/25


, tat t wa a gg t r aw. Wtr d t

rak r t, t wa a at t d. s d tm. h tappd r

gt t pda wt t drg . it ak t t fr.

T ar ad ward, t pd kd. h pmpd t rak, ad

tg. Jt t tk t pda ttg t fr, t fat wrd

rg qd d t ar pat -ap.

h fw pat m zr, t d t a rar. h rw

ad ra tam wm kd . h wa gg r drd

m a r. T ra, r, wa gradd. T g wa , ad

a ard wa t kkg ad ammg t Victory pa t tddd r t rg at. h ad tm t tk, a at t

kpt, t tm, tm t t w ma ad amar a pa

t wa. hw tmat ad am. T ar wa d wt a wt mk.

A watd r dat, ag g p pmpg rak, t

rrd t m tat t mk wa at, apratd t a arr pw-

dr, ag grd t w ad rd p trg t ax

t t rampd kpt t ar.Trg a mt wt, tg w t t ap, a rw

trt p rard p. h trd t tr tw tm t dd

p mwg dw ra. T wa rdg tragt t t a-

w at ak, watr prag g t d t Victory. T ar

a ga t wt tr drd, t tw drd. bt t

wa t p a t-t-g at dk, w ad t w a

draag dt wa dg ar t tr dg t fat. T wrdwt rta. A qadrag pa, d k. A rd tmpa-

t t a, rp ad ag , a a prd t dat. i

tr ad jt p trawr, a tt tgat a d,

m a a tt a apr agat t , wd a pd.

Tr wa . h wa add r t draag dt t tr

d t dk. it wa d wt rawatr. T Victory ammd t

t. A t ak, rt, Fp dprat pppd t ap. Tr wa wa d gt t ap p t ar wa drwatr. h tr

xg mak ad trd t d m rm t drr at.

h wa agt. h d t gt m t rm d t tr-


25/25


g w. T ar wa kg. h rpr t wa aggd t

atrrr r. T Victory wa dp drwatr, ad wa t

trg t k t ar t- rm t r. Jt a

ra wa g t at t xg tagd m ad wam

tward t warg rgt a m, wr ptratd t

watr. h mrgd a k draz tat wa tg

t ra. emrg wrkr am rg. T draggd m t

at jt r t draz gtd, dg a m, ad t a ar

ggr m, wd a t g, a t Victory of Samothrace

xpdd drwatr k rd a ratr p.T xt ar, Fp t atr ar, Samothrace II, wt a ggr jt

g ad rar d rak, at p t Watt ara l

Ag. it wa 1965. T rt am ad war agt r,

r ma t wa trd. T Victory of Samothrace II wa ad dam-

agd. h dt rd tm r t a at t at fat, w

at rm Agt t sptmr r otr, r t ra m

ad tr t at ak d t a g aw w. Tat ar tra am ar, ad t Samothrace wa t t rad. i rad at a

t atgrap, Winning. Rt ad ra wr prtd t

k a mrt t am rdr: ad t atr. Rt

Watt, ra at t fat. smg, ra Fp takg at w

ad t rw ad trtad tm wt a mprd r

matr g, arradd d tr wrkp a maradr fg

mmad m. G, Fp r gt atr wrt, wat a ar radm ad k.

Fp raptrd t wrd rrd t a atr t Watt rt

ad kpt t t at ar, 1975, w a itaa t t awa a

rkt-d ad Fp a rtrd. nw d t

mmra r atr-markt k. T itaa, Dd bmat,

prd vara Tr, w wr t g t r. Dd

bmat wd at t b sat Fat t t a rrd. sa-dr sadr vara, vara Tr ad Mt vara mtr.

* * *

the flamethrowers: a novel by rachel kushner

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