Oliver Benjamin
2. Caterpillar
Armies of workmen were busy clearing away the remains of the
Biddenbrooks on the Promenade. Noisy machinery competed with
the yells of the workmen and the smashing of the remaining
structure. Colin, Bennie and Izzy watched from a distance, amazed at
what a little damage could do.
“Who knew Undergrounds was so close to the Promenade?”
Bennie said. With the Biddenbrooks store blown up, they could now
see the low entrance of their former glory directly from the main
thoroughfare. The circuitous maze of an alley that led to Roy’s
property created the illusion that it was far removed from the
shopper’s haven, but it wasn’t. With the elimination of the
Biddenbrooks building, Undergrounds might have enjoyed
unrestricted access to the river of commerce.
“What Roy should have done was sell his property and buy that
one,” Izzy said.
“He couldn’t.” Bennie said, “It was in the will.”
“And anyway, it wouldn’t have been so cool if it had been out in
the open,” Colin noted.
“Fat lot of good being cool did it,” said Izzy.
“Well, now is the time to come to the aid of our company,” Colin
said.
“How?” Bennie said. “Arson? There’s people everywhere. I could
do a little rain breakdance. Pray for a flood.”
“No sense waiting around for God,” Izzy said, “He’s deaf these
degenerate days. I’ve got a better idea.”
Before they could stop him, Izzy ran out into the destruction
zone, ducking under the barriers erected to protect the pedestrian
from the outrageous. No one noticed as the slight kid snuck up to the
giant bulldozer and slid inconspicuously behind the wheel. He
examined the controls with a brief, cursory glance and decided that
he had no idea what he was doing. Pressing every button, turning
every lever, initiating as much change as possible seemed to be the
solution. Soon the beast was moving on its own accord. All he had to
do was turn the wheel, urge it clockwise towards their former haven.
“Geronimo!” he yelled. The poorly-maintained building shuddered
as he drove the heavy metallic monster into it’s corner pillar.
359
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