Sisyphus (4)

Love comes in many forms

VI. Love

Sisyphus had to focus to feel the atmosphere. Ever since the Gods died, it was never as simple as “hot” or “cold” anymore. But with the light beating down on them, Sisyphus could tell himself that it was “warmer,” and could even will a drop of sweat. The wind dried it away quickly, before it reached the scars of his face. King Sisyphus of Ephyra had seen Death done her deeds before, even felt her cold touch upon himself. Quick, effortless, emotionless, cold Antarctic wind against candle flame, turning your palm upward and downward, the easiest activity one can imagine, that was how she took you away. Sometimes, for those she didn’t fancy, Thanatos would age their soul by decades, so that their journey in the Asphodel Meadows was as uncomfortable as could be. She would usually take the form of a petite teenage girl, with long black hair and long black sleeping gown that swept the Earth. Now, she had as much power as one.

In front of Sisyphus, Death was standing there, aghast by her own lack of power. He could see her little face tense up as she tried to summon her divine birthright, and her eyes dropped when nothing came. She was blinking one eye, then another, then both of them, then closed them altogether, hoping reality would fade away. Ted, whose body’d managed to pick up its head, knew not to anger Sisyphus twice, so he pointed to the car and excused himself. Familiar with Death’s mood swings, Sisyphus picked her up on his shoulder and followed the man to the car, where a woman was sleeping in the back, her mouth gapped wide, her legs on the front seat.

“Another one, Ted?” – The once-King half expected this.

 The woman was wearing tight leather overalls, the types you see in pornographic magazines. She smelled somewhat like a funeral home, and her face was caking with make-up. She snorted as the trio approached and woke up.

“Ted love, ya wonderful man. We coo’ really use fresh blood.” – The woman’s eyes sparkled at the sight of Thanatos. “And for the gentleman, why doncha chat wit’ me a bit?”

“Shut your mouth, whore, ha. Lest’ you want your mouth sew shut, ha.” – Ted was now behind the wheels.

“Now Teddy, ya know I ain’ a Grim. Index of Fuck Finger or whatever he is, he’s only worth something if he pays.” – The woman laughed.

“We will have a talk regarding your behaviour later, Ted. Based on her usefulness.”

“What’re ya about? If ya want a blowjob, ya at the right place. That’s all this gal’s good for.” – She laughed even louder.

“Madam, we need a word with The Mistress.”

“My tongue’ll move however ya like fer the right price.”

“How much?”

“Let’s see what a handsome man like yaself can give me.”

Sisyphus nodded and produced from his pocket a Walkman, already with a cassette inside. He offered the woman a pair of headphones, and pressed play. The woman was no longer laughing, her face stern and focused, her hands cupper around the headphones as if to stop any noise from leaking out. At exactly two minutes, Sisyphus pressed pause.

“Aye. Thanks, love. Ya have three questions, one on me.” – The woman was on the verge of crying, but she held herself back, putting her hands on her hips and pouted.

“Where’s The Mistress?”

“She’s at our HQ.” – She was laughing again, as if it was the only way she could react.

“How do we get there?”

“Ya can’t, love. But she can. Ya gonna have to find another group for male prostitution.”  - She nearly buckled over in laughter.

“If I let you listen fully, will you take us there?”

“Told ya, women only. Unless ya’re invited.”

By the Gods! The thought of Sisyphus wriggling on a pole for some old ladies woke me up from my shock. Happy thoughts, Erebus, shadows, Hypnos, his sand slipping through my hands. Ah, much better. I could hear Ted talking with the prostitute, while Sisyphus stared into nowhere.

“How ya man manage an invitation anyway? Me Mistress hasn’t gone outside for years.”

“All the faction leaders knew one another. Lord Index knew The Mistress a bit better is all, ha.”

“So ya man’s the famed Sisyphus. No wonder he had hands on that beautiful music. Ah that wonderful, wonderful music.”  

“Why you moved your HQ? Ted wants new girl. Old place was close by” – Ted asked.

“You Grims don’ make good customer no more. The same videos, same clips, same music. Our service moves where the money is.”

“Ted still got you.” – Ted said with all honesty. I was surprised at how straight-forward this bumbling buffoon was.

“Ya sweet, Teddy. But ya know I can’t be anyone’s exclusive.” – She smiled, revealing teeth splotched black and brown.