The Broken Glass Kids

MARK Z. DANIELEWSKI

House of Leaves (2000);

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Built over 1,000 years ago in the dead center of an ocean of sand dunes, nobody actually knows who constructed this circular fortress. This is Ksar Draa in Timimoun, Algeria. An ancient architectural marvel whose true origin story is completely lost to time.

Make a deal with an ancient deity

Run away from society

Grow another pair of eyes

Forfeit your corporeal form

Become The Thing in the woods

concrete

rusty metal

vast pools of water

overgrown foliage

a dense fog covering the land

broken machinery

a landscape of ancient structures too vast for one to fully explore in a single lifetime

[JERRY STARES AT GEORGE FROM ACROSS THE TABLE IN CONFUSION AND DISBELIEF FOR SEVERAL SECONDS]

JERRY: “You understand trans people?”

GEORGE: “Is that so hard to believe?”

JERRY: “I find it hard to believe you understand yourself.”

GEORGE: “But that’s kind of my point, see. When one life isn’t working out, you can just try to find one that does. You’re doing your best as Danny, things aren’t going great… [GEORGE CLAPS HIS HANDS FOR EMPHASIS]… give it a second go as a Deborah.”

JERRY: “Like a do-over.”

GEORGE: “A do-over.”

JERRY: [PICKS UP COFFEE CUP] “I don’t think that’s what’s going on.” [DRINKS COFFEE]

GEORGE: [COMPLETELY IGNORING THIS] “And I get that. I really do. Because things have never worked out for George. George has never been able to stick the landing. But Georgina? [HE CHUCKLES CONFIDENTLY] Georgina’s going places.”

JERRY: “Georgina.”

GEORGE: “It’s a work in progress.”

JERRY: “Ya know, I think that the trans community is facing enough challenges without you being in the mix.”

GEORGE: “What, are you implying they’re too good for me?”