“Evil” by Lem Billings

(June 4th, 2024 – Afternoon)

Prospector’s Arrive by Jonny Greenwood plays.

How did Lacey become so attacked? Because Jack Kennedy very possibly refused to listen to God’s voice when he died. I was straight. And everything that happened between us was a horrific experience for me that I lied to my about to survive. But to him it was…happiness.

Jack Kennedy was a malignant narcissistic buffoon. And we coddled him. Way back then. So when he was killed he never understood how hated he was. Or how hurt he’d made people feel. And he took all of that out on Lacey and me when he died. How me? Because I loved her and love her. And from the grave there’s not much I can or could do.

I’m astounded by her love for me…and yet…I’m also not. Because that’s what we have. That’s what a lot of my generation had, actually. And in that way it’s sad for Lacey and for me too to some degree to watch Jack make a complete fool of himself. To make himself look like even more of a fool than he already did.

There was nothing brave or courageous or intelligent or wise or…advantageous to him to attack her. But he was possibly so motivated by hatred and profound arrogance that to him it genuinely made sense.

I knew he wasn’t straight. But I had no preparation for how…deranged he is and was. He wasn’t in love with me. But he was. He was extremely possessive. But he was adamant he was extremely heterosexual.

“I bet the Lake Osakis Resort was a part of the elite sex ring!” says Kick Kennedy from 2018.

“Oh no!!!” says Evann. “NOT EVER. Oh no!”

“I don’t think that’s likely.” says Lacey.

“NEVER!!” says Evann, genuinely clutching her beaded necklace.

Silence.

“The resort closed in the 1990’s at the latest?” says Donald Trump.

“Yes.” says Julian.

“That’s possibly too far back.” says Donald Trump. “To be honest it wasn’t that common back then.”

“Yeah. There was no way Jack was straight.” says Harold Loeb.

“Right? No way. …But he was so adamant.” says Lem. “He was such an obnoxious prick. But we didn’t know what to do to deal with his behavior. And I was…such a fool.”

Later.

“A sex ring? An adult sex ring?” says Evann.

“Yeah.” says a woman.

“In the 1950’s!?” says Evann.

“Yes.” she says.

“No!!” Evann clutches her beaded necklace and smiles. “We had sex. And we were adults.”

“But there was no ring?” asks a woman.

“I had a ring on my finger.” says Evann primly but with a kind smile.

“Because you were married?” says a reader.

“YES!!!” yells Evann. “DEAR GOD!!!”

“No. That’s not who we had staying with us.

It was a very nice resort.” says Julian.

“You know people other than you do exist!” says Joel to JFK.

“I’d never fall in love with you.” says JFK to Joel.

“Unlikely. You’d stalk me more.” says Joel.

“I was cold as ice to you often. You just didn’t notice it.” says Lem to JFK.

“Yeah. I noticed it!!!” yells JFK, sincerely.

“Then why did everyone think you were in love with his love for you?” says Joel.

“It wasn’t real.” says JFK.

“What wasn’t?” asks MSNBC.

JFK snarls. Rolls his eyes in annoyance.

“You’d have been violently obsessed with me.” says Joel.

“Because you’re warmer?” asks JFK.

“YEAH! And I get angry.” says Joel. “Lem does too. But I’m…a lot more loud. I’d have scared you and you’d have been more obsessive.”

Later.

Robert Kraft hatches a plan whether serious or not to steal all the Nesheim oil because Lacey Banks is too pretty for Robert Kraft to psychologically handle. He’s insecure and annoying and so are his sycophantic friends. And he hates that the Crafts are the former Krafts and that his ancestors owned their farm that they farmed for. In the early 1800’s.

“Yeah. There were Krafts who owned the land we farmed on. And we took their name. But we were Norwegian.” says Ron Craft.

“YEAH!!! So become I have more monies I OWNE YOU!!!” yells Robert Kraft, extremely drunk.

“You do realize you’re peasant shit compared to me?” says Tom Banks to Robert Kraft.

“But she’s ILLEGITIMATE!” yells Robert Kraft.

“No. That’s what she calls it. She’s my love child.” says Tom Banks. “With my long time girlfriend.”

“I SAY IF A CHILD ISN’T BORN IN MARRIAGE THEY’RE A FUCKING BASTARD!!” says Robert Kraft.

“Nope.” says Tom Banks, laughing at him. “You’re wrong.”

“So you’d have raised her yourself if not for your age?” asks Robert Kraft.

“Yes. And no, I’m far more intelligent than you.” says Tom Banks.

Robert Kraft farts. Looks embarrassed. Pees his pants.

His maids escort him off.

“I’ll be BACK!!” yells Robert Kraft.

Later.

“So your ancestors owned us?” says Jim Craft to Robert Kraft.

“No.” admits Robert Kraft.

“Yup.

Were they peasants?” asks Jim Craft.

“Yes.” says his great grandmother, in annoyance.

“Well…we weren’t really owned like slaves. You’re confusing feudalism with American slavery. We were- We were workers. But we owned our own land.” says Jim. “Well…eventually at least. But I think we may have not owned the land at one point. Possibly before the nation of Norway was founded.”

“Yeah. Before Norway was created.” says Crystal of the Nesheims.

“Yes. We weren’t a country until rather recently.” says Gwen of the Nesheims.

Later.

“So did you own me??” asks Robert Kraft, laughing.

“That makes no fucking sense.” says Lacey, losing patience.

Jim Craft laughs.

“No!” says Ray Craft, casually and calmly.

“You were in Germany!” says Lacey primly, but certainly.

Robert Kraft stares at her and becomes enraged.

“What!? You’re GERMAN!” says Lacey.

“Fine.” says Robert Kraft.

“No. You’re missing a lot of history.” says Jim Craft, losing patience himself now. “Do you even care at all about history or are you just a fake? Because to me you seem like a charlatan businessman with little sense. I’m not some uneducated babbling idiot and neither is Lacey.”

“No. We’re an unusually intelligent family.” says a Nesheim who voted in the Electoral College.

“I’m trying to work with Bobby for his election.” says Robert Craft.

“Ohh!

Huh.

Well that’s nice.

Are you two friends?” says Jim.

“Lovers?” says MSNBC.

Jim laughs. Snarls. “Well why not nowadays?”

“No.” says an Englishman. “They’re just metaphorically in bed together.”

“DAMMIT!! I can’t get her daughter to have an ER visit.” says Kick.

Lacey’s daughter has been running around the room quickly everywhere. In a rather peculiar way.

A random woman watching breaks out in laugher.

“Our family owns a lot of land…and a lot of oil.

You can trace our sociological supremacy back to the late 1800’s. In America. Mostly. We became what really is technically old money in…the 1990’s. But…it’s indisputable today.

Look…the Nesheims are old money. The silversmiths are actually very important. You can’t be so archaic intellectually and expect me to take you at all seriously.” says Jim.

“I agree.” says the Nesheim Electoral College vote.

“Yes. The Nesheims are upper middle class in Norway. The Berges are old money.

The Crafts are middle class in Norway and then became upper class in America.” says Ron Craft.

“So we are the American Dream working.” says Jim Craft.

“I think I am.” says Robert Kraft.

“Because you’re richer? Ha! No. You’re too insecure. Unfortunately class is what matters.

Grow-up America.

And…you’re still new money or upper middle class.” says Lacey to Robert Kraft.

“Is that shameful?” asks Robert Kraft.

“Ask Jesus. Asks India.” says Lacey.

“So my money isn’t as important given their class and their oil.” says Robert Kraft. “And I’m fine with that. I barely give a damn.

Look…if you hadn’t fucked-up the country being a new money billionaire would have been impressive and moral and cool still.”

“Wow! That’s so true.” says Joel.

“Joel…” says Chris Hayes, drunk and laughing. “Dude…look at me. Was there ever any chance she was going to find me attractive without the Kennedys convincing her I was attractive first? And her accidentally channeling Michael Rockefeller?”

Joel thinks…”No.

She would have naturally found me attractive. But she was brainwashed at age 13…to find Joe Kennedy Junior attractive. And she’s never been able to get that out of her mind.

The thing is…Joe is better looking than Lem and I. In a way. But…Lem and I look far better naked. *He laughs* So…if I’d had a chance to be with her…she’d have instantly changed her mind. But I mostly messed-up.” says Joel.

“You were built. Shoot!” says Lacey.

“I was.” says Joel.

“Are you still?” asks Lacey.

“Yes.” says Joel.

“Well that’s nice for your wife.” says Lacey.

Joel laughs. “HOW…THE FUCK…DID YOU GET CONVINCED THAT YOU DIDN’T CARE?”

“I was an incredibly sad child.

Idea 22 plays.

And buff men seemed so…mean. So…vain. And careless. And nothing.

So I set my eyes on death. And wiry men with a seething hidden rage…like John McEnroe seemed…possibly wonderful. Except he’s not wiry. But I loved his…perspective.

No more excuses. No more putting-up with…the lies.” says Lacey.

“David Lennoye was like that.” says Joel.

“Yes. Except he hated me.” says Lacey.

Joel stares at her. “I could have convinced you that we aren’t that bad.”

“Did you love me?” asks Lacey.

“Yes!” he says.

“I cared more about men’s souls.” says Lacey.

“I have a good soul.” says Joel.

“You were gentle.” says Lacey. “But you scared me.”

“You were terrified I was going to rape you.” says Joel.

“Yes. But…then you’d abandon me.” says Lacey.

“No! That’s an intriguing fear. But no. …I’d never have done that. I’m sorry I scared you.” he says.

“Well…I hope you’re happy.” says Lacey.

“I am.” says Joel.

“How happy?” asks Lacey.

“Not as happy as I would have been with you; to be honest. The Kennedys ruined our lives in a way. …I’m a lot like Lem.

But…I did get married.” says Joel.

Jesus cries.

“And you got to be happy somewhat?” asks Lacey.

“Yes!” he says.

“How happy?” says Lacey.

“Mmm…on a scale of one to ten I’d give it an 5 to 10 depending on the day.” he says.

“Good for you.” says Lacey.

“How about you?” he asks.

“My kids are a billion. Off the charts.

And I’m glad I’m not poor.

But other than that…it’s negative 10.” says Lacey.

He thinks.

Roger Sterling laughs.

“But Mark is cool?” he says.

“Mark is my good pal. I care about him immensely.” says Lacey.

It’s Not Unusual by Tom Jones plays.

“So you have- So…I antagonized you too much. But I was in love with you.” he says. “You know…you seem…different.”

“She is.” says Lem. “She’s with me.”

“Yeah. If he loves me.

You know…I was a very cheerful baby…and then I slid slowly into death.” says Lacey in a trancelike state that’s not demonic but rather…metaphysical. She’s not unlike the lead female character in Eyes Wide Shut.”

Open Spaces by Jonny Greenwood plays.

“She’s with me now. I’m a ghost.” says Lem. “Could I have been with her had she been alive in my latter years? Yes. But she has yet to see that side of me. I seem too happy to her.”

“I just can’t be that happy.” says Lacey.

“I couldn’t be either.” says Queen Elizabeth II.

Lacey smiles. “We’re cheerful. But also…very deeply sad?”

“No. I’m sad too.” Lem says in 1978 to Lacey had she been there.

He sits on his sofa and she stares out of his window at New York City.

“Will I be able to touch you when I die?” she asks.

“No.” says a demon.

“Yes.” he says.

Andante commodamente from Kalinnikov’s Symphony Number 1 plays.

“Do you hear death in this song?” asks Lacey of Lem.

“Yes.” he says. “I can.”

“Isn’t it beautiful?” says Lacey. “I wonder if that’s what Heaven sounds like?”

The second movement draws to an end.

“Yeah. …Wanna shoot heroin?” says Lem.

She stares at him. “Yes.” she says.

He cries. “I’d NEVER SHOOT HEROIN WITH YOU.”

“Why?” asks Lacey.

“Because you’re my everything.” says Lem.

“I thought I was more than your everything. And I’d never do heroin with you or anyone else.” says Lacey.

“You are.” says Lem. “I said that to point out my own sadness. I’m a poet. See?”

“No. Listen.” says Lacey.

The second movement plays over again.

“That’s US!” says Lem. “Happy. But from the perspective of right now.”

“Listen.” says Lacey.

He listens. “I’m SO IN LOVE WITH YOU.” he says to Lacey.

“Listen.” she says.

He listens. “Lacey. Aside from God and our kids you are my meaning.”

“I feel the same way about you.” says Lacey to Lem. “Everything else is just subterfuge.”

“We love our parents. But they aren’t us.” says Lem. “Let’s go to bed.”

“I love you.” says Lacey.