By Ben Greenman
from forthcoming collection, as yet untitled
A disquieting event took place at the Merritt Pavilion in Alarm Park yesterday afternoon, shortly after the bird races began. A number of spectators gathered upon a temporary structure made of salt, glass, and straw and erected over the permanent viewing platform in order to watch. Those who ascended to the upper level included both living beings and ghosts left behind by beings who have passed out of existence but who, while alive, enjoyed the thrill of winged competition. They mingled among one another and interacted cheerily despite their membership in different dimensions. Old friendships were renewed and new friendships forged. Suddenly it began to rain and sections of the roof deliquesced. Fortunately only the ghosts were flung fully onto the lower level below, and as a result of their essential insubstantiality, did not hurt those they landed upon. One woman slipped and chipped a tooth, but this was the most serious injury, though several persons fainted from fright. After the shock of the moment passed, the ghosts floated back up to rejoin their corporeal companions. Falcons, mostly, came in first.
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