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... A column of water spurts six feet in the air from a hole in the hull. "Man the pumps, Mr. Hyslop. She's shipping water." The barge gives a sudden lurch throwing A. J. into the canal. "Abandon ship, God damn it! Every man for him- self!" Fadeout to Mambo music. The inauguration of Escuela Amigo, a school for de- linquent boys of Latin American origin, endowed by A. J., Faculty Boys and press attending. A. J. staggers out onto a platform draped with American flags. "In the immortal words of Father Flanagan there is no such thing as a bad boy.... Where's the statuary, God damn it?" TECHNICIAN: "You want it now?" A. J.: "What you think I'm doing here Furthucrisakes? I should unveil the son of a bitch in abstentia?" TECHNICIAN: "All right... All right. Coming right up." The statue is towed out by a Graham Hymie trac- tor and placed in front of the platform. A. J. presses a button. Turbines start under the platform, rising to a deafening whine. Wind blows the red velvet drapes off the statue. They tangle around the Faculty members in the front row.... Clouds of dust and debris whip through the spectators. The sirens slowly subside. The Faculty disengages itself from the drapes.... Every- one is looking at the statue in breathless silence. FATHER GONZALEZ: "Mother of God!" THE MAN From Time: "I don't believe it." Daily News: "It's nothing but fruity." Chorus of whistles from the boys. A monumental creation in shiny pink stone stands re- vealed as the dust settles. A naked boy is bending over a sleeping comrade with evident intention to waken him with a flute. One hand is holding the flute, the other reaching for a piece of cloth draped over the sleeper's middle. The cloth bulges suggestively. Both boys wear a flower behind the ear, identical expressions, dreamy and brutal, depraved and innocent. This crea- tions tops a limestone pyramid on which is inscribed in letters of porcelain mosaic -- pink and blue and gold -- the school motto: "With it and for it." A. J. lurches forward and breaks a champagne bottle across the boy's taut buttocks. "And remember, boys, that's where champagne comes from." Manhattan Serenade. A. J. and entourage start into New York night club. A. J. is leading a purple-assed baboon on a gold chain. A. J. is dressed in checked linen plus fours with a cashmere jacket. |
