By Ben Greenman
from forthcoming collection, as yet untitled
In distorting to her own selfish ends any information she possesses about others, Freida seems to have taken a hint from the ancient practice of “poison tipping,” in which falsehoods were inserted into the first paragraphs official documents to undermine neighboring kingdoms, though it is possible that her inspiration is more proximate and that she is acting in simple imitation of her father, a limitlessly gossipy man. Those who know Freida, a group significantly larger than those who wish they knew her, have taken the only sensible action by depriving her words of all legitimacy, so that what she says henceforth about anyone will be plainly considered by all as fiction. Freida is against most of the people in city government, along with local historians and the administration at the high school, though those sentiments do not prevent her from circulating freely through town, as well as owning a restaurant, Sticks, at the north end of downtown. Many dine there despite their dislike of her, as she is a talented chef, and many smile at her, as she is a striking woman.
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