Sexy Bodies, by Evelyn Waugh

“Lem. Be honest.” says Evelyn Waugh.

“I’m not sure if I can be.” says Lem. “I was hurt.”

Evelyn Waugh laughs.

“Then why didn’t you stop her before Micheal Rockefeller had his way with her?” asks Evelyn Waugh.

“I couldn’t breath.” says Lem. “It took my breath away.”

“Serves him right.” says Lacey. “What was he expecting to happen?! Please! It’s a relatively harmless mistake. What you did Lem was far worse. …Because you matter.” she says bitingly. “You know I love you. I don’t know that you love me.”

“How is it harmless?” asks Lem.

“How is it harmful?” asks Lacey.

“It hurts Michael.” says Lem.

“What was I supposed to do? And how is that not your fault?” asks Lacey.

“You could have gone to me.” says Lem.

“And been abused?” asks Lacey.

“Abused?” asks Lem.

“Yes! You were cold as ice and totally snobbish and hateful.” says Lacey. “Or something else.”

“I was lusting after you.” says Lem.

“But I didn’t know that. I just felt your brutal rejection.” says Lacey. “What did you expect?”

“What was I doing?” asks Lem.

“I thought you weee ducking behind doors to ‘get it on.’“ says Lacey. “With Jack.”

“You’re heard this before!” yells Michael at Lem.

“He’s saying that just to fuck you!” yells Lem at Lacey.

“Who cares?!” says Michael smiling.

Lem smiles. Open mouthed. “Yeah. I hear you.” he says sadly to Michael.

“Where are you going with any of this?” asks Michael, in anger at Lem.

“I wasn’t fucking anyone but you.” says Lem to Lacey.

“I still don’t fully know that.” says Lacey.

“No. You don’t.” says Lem.

“So! How is it harmful?” asks Michael.

“Because it happened!” says Lem.

“What happened?” asks Louis.

Lem thinks. “Well. I physically touched Jack.” he says. He blinks thoughtfully. “She doesn’t want to discuss it publicly. But she should.”

“She? Hey, why not us?” asks Michael Rockefeller.

“Why should I?” asks Lacey.

“You shouldn’t.” he says. “I misspoke.”

“Why shouldn’t I?” asks Lacey.

“Because you’re tired. We’ll do it later.” says Lem. “Give your eyes a beak.”

“Alright.” says Lacey.