Thursday, January 13, 2011

Chapter 17: The Good, The Bad, and The Bed Bugs

Lately, you can't throw a rock in NYC without hitting a bedbug; the rats, and even the cockroaches, are jealous of the attention. The city has even formed a taskforce. Tonight, while I'm routinely checking for these nasty little creatures in my bedroom, I start wondering about this "taskforce." I'd like to think they travel in finely-tailored packs—the dapper members pausing only for a moment, while in pursuit, to light their Parliments in perfect synchronicity. After a nod from their ridiculously handsome team leader, they suavely climb into an idling unmarked van, ready to investigate damp, dark rooms around the city which are rumored to house dangerous infestations. With never a hair out of place, this crack team arrives on the scene to assess the situation and break some hearts.

The battle is fierce. Shirts become wrinkled, and brows remain furrowed. The team still manages to enjoy numerous cigarette breaks, and after a short while, someone produces a bottle of Johnny Walker. 45 minutes later, the team join forces to sexually harass a neighbor. There is reason to be proud, and many grunts and back-slaps can be heard. However, there's always a weak member of the team. Despite the leader's ruthless (and by this time, drunken) taunts to one team member named Percy (the leader calls him Nancy, and asks if he needs a diaper change), Percy's anxiety and revulsion get the better of him, and he runs screaming from the location while furiously clawing at random parts of his body and yelling, "For God's sake, get them off me!"

In reality, I fear this taskforce is actually made up of complacent (and poorly dressed) bureaucrats; they are happily confined within ancient cubicles inside a windowless, beige room amid their charts and spreadsheets—surrounded by inspirational posters like 'don't let bed bugs bug you' or 'let's take the bed out of bed bug.' The only sound to be heard is the gentle friction emanating from Mark's ill-fitting khaki slacks as his chubby legs make their way through his usual loop beginning at the copier room, and ending at the vending machine.  The most exciting thing to happen to this bland group is when Doug announces, "Hey guys, it's Taco Tuesday, and Mary brought donut holes!"