Still Life by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview

Still Life

Page 253

need them for "self-defense" to "protect our women," which actually isn’t a lie, but more importantly serves as a valid reason for the arms clerk to issue Mark a gun.

Simultaneously and 2,344 miles away, primarily through US Route 1, in a downtown Los Angeles office building, successful real estate executive Lee Speyer reviewed a proposed television commercial for Sunny Dunes, a new resort-like real estate development in the desert near as yet unspoiled Zabriskie Point. Instead of actors or models, the slickly produced commercial featured casually dressed, smiling mannequins. In the next scene Speyer talked with his business associate about the greater Los Angeles area's very rapid growth as the two drove through crowded streets.

Mark went to a bloody campus confrontation between students and police. Some students were tear gassed and at least one was shot. As Mark reached for the gun carried in his boot, a Los Angeles policeman was seen being fatally shot, although it was unclear by whom, as shots were heard coming from many directions.

Pushin' Too Hard

The Seeds