Two cavepeople impersonators deal with cutbacks at the theme park.

(from The O. Henry Awards, 2001 Prize Stories)

This story rocked. It’s 45 pages long, and after five I was already plotting who to lend it to first. The tone was perfect; the absurdity of the situation was tempered by the sadness of it and the author was careful to establish the characters in stages and moments. A beautiful story that made me smile the whole time. Ah.
I think I should read more George Saunders. This is the second story of his I’ve read and enjoyed — the first was “Sea Oak” on August 17, 2004 — and I’d like to take a swipe at why. In his reality, at least in these tiny deputies of his mostly unexplored ouevre, everybody gets the blame for the fucked-uppedness of the world. It’s society! But also, it’s the individual! And then there are people who play by the rules, as well as they can, and it doesn’t help because most everybody else is contributing to the fucked-uppedness. Not that it matters because not all problems are caused by, or can be remedied by, people. There is nothing you can do. Enjoy your day.

Starting tomorrow: Request week! It’s what it sounds like! Now, for real, enjoy your day.