CSI: American Carnage (Tuesday, March 3, 2020)
WASHINGTON – Chris, Chris, you can’t just sit on the lounger, you can’t just stare at the wall all day, Kath says. You’ve got the podcast. You’ve got the book. Ed just called. He wants to know how you’re doing. You want to have lunch with him at Butcher’s? Chris, Chris! Ed called! He wants you. He wants to talk the primary. Chris’ head lolls to starboard. You know, Kath, he finally says, eyes dull. Bobby said this is the way it is. You lose your kid, and I don’t know about that, but Joe says the same thing, but not like Bobby. Bobby knew about what it’s like when your kid or your brother or your dad, Old Joe, what a powerful guy, so much power, and Rose! Chris’ eye catches a spark. But it quickly fades. Women, he says, women are the life, where would we be without them? They are so beautiful and full of the feminine. Teddy knew. Teddy understood. Now he’s gone. They’re all gone. But there still are the women, firm and beautiful, I love them all, Kath, I have to tell you, I love them all, so smart, so sassy. Chris trails off and looks at the wall. Kath says, Okay lover boy, what should I tell Ed. Chris! Chris opens his eyes. Kath says, What should I tell Ed? Chris says, Ed is one of the greats. He’s a battler, a fighter. He’s also a builder, a visionary. He loves the women too. So did Bobby. So did Teddy. Great lovers of women. All gone. All memories. The women, though, the women. They are all here. Ripe, beautiful, they’ve got life in them, Kath, life, and that’s what we all live for. Chris lapses into silence again. He looks at the wall. His head lolls. Kath says, What am I gonna tell Ed, lover? And not all the women are still around, don’t forget, they aren’t all still here. Chris says, Tragic, tragic, their lives are filled with tragedy, Teddy fought through it. He became one of the greats. One of the greats. Tip said Jack was pasty looking. Tip was tough. That was a different era, you know. When Jack ran for congress, I remember, old Joe told everybody that no donations under a grand would be accepted. Joe put up some serious dough. Beautiful, it was all beautiful. Chris stares at the wall for a long moment. He says, Different era. Kath says, Dammit Chris! What about Eddie? Chris says, Butcher’s is okay. McGillin’s. Whatever. I’ve got a podcast to do and maybe a book. Thanks Kath. You’re one of the greats. – Tuesday, March 3, 2020