THE INTERROGATION
The light was harsh
on its sole object
a painter in a hard back
stiff metal chair.
Somewhere in the dark
sat the questionnaires.
Folded hands and
mechanical voices.
"You are here
of your own free will?"
"No."
"You are here
to answer a query
of the school board
that employs you?"
"Let me go."
"We are not here
to threaten or cajole you."
"Let me go then.
Let me go..."
"This is only a
few days of your life.
We ask you and
you instruct us."
"This is reality,
not a Kafka farce!"
"Who is this Kafka?
Is he on the campus?"
"He is a painter,
(thoughts like vapors
in these harsh times)"
[pause]
"Are you comfortable?
Do you need water
before we go on?"
"My glass is near empty
but it tastes too bitter."
"It's only the drink
we all must share."
[The painter suddenly
shoves the glass
onto the floor.
It lands with a clang
unbroken, unchipped.
Water gushes out
in a line like a knife.]
"I'll have some more."
[pause]
"Again we are not
here to hurt you.
Help teach us
and then recess.
The students require
stable voices.
They need to see
that we, the staff
have no divisions.
Or how could they
respect our message?"
[pause]
"For our records
where is your dorm?"
"My home is the same.
My address the same."
"The address you confess
is 202 Lane?"
"Yes."
"Where is your studio?"
"What is a 'studio'?"
"Painters paint
in a studio.
You sleep and paint
in this place?"
"But that's illegal
for a teacher
that teaches students
how to paint."
"You sleep and paint
in this place?"
"I sleep and prepare
my lessons in this place."
"Are lessons on paper
or primed white canvas?"
"Is that not
against the prospectus?'
"Confine yourself
to answers not questions.
As you know
State University
is responsible for
everyone's safety.
Students and teachers
are under our roofs.
Dean and Board
are instructed
to maintain
and protect all dorms,
or be liable
for prosecution.
[pause]
Your room IS
one we protect.
Campus Patrol
said something's amiss.
Instructed the Dean
to search for danger.
Found these paintings
hidden in walls.
Hidden in walls
at 202 Lane.
[pause]
These are works
shocking to us.
Shocking to all
that's right and proper.
Hateful to see
by anyone's children.
Not in accord
with our curriculum.
Not in accord
with teachers guidelines.
Not in accord
with sanctioned textbooks.
Counter to all
the bylaws approved of.
Counter to what
is by us acceptable.
Students and faculty
have risen in accord
to publicly accuse you
of painting these works."
[pause]
"May I see them?"
"Why and what for?"
"To identify
who may have done them."
"Do you now confess
you know of instructors
that have used paint
to oppose the faculty?"
"No."
"Do you now confess
you yourself
have used paint and brushes
to oppose the faculty?"
"No."
"Why would you request
to see abominations? ...
Your curiousness
is not here fitting
for such an august
Board of Regents.
[pause]
And so again
we ask you now,
did you paint
these illegal works?"
[pause]
"I am hungry.
I am thirsty.
I work for the school
of my ancestors.
I am tired
of telling the truth
over and over.
Let me go.
This night is long."
[pause]
"We are not here
to condemn what's mandated.
Are we not
now in accord?
Are we not
a single team?
Are we not
here to serve?
Students of the state
with proven tactics."
"May I know
who is out there?"
"We told you before.
We are the people.
We are the group
that's been authorized."
"Have there been
others on staff
that have done
those despicable deeds?"
"Never before
to our knowledge."
"How are they punished,
those who breach rules?"
"Again none before
to our knowledge."
"What would happen
to whoever is found
that painted these works
that can't be shown?"
"This is not
a tactics course.
The governance here
is taken care of
without worry by
anyone enrolled."
[pause]
"Who is now
teaching my class?"
"Always more questions!
Perhaps more answers?"
"No he's right
to care for his classes.
The message is the same
so a substitute is there.
He'll teach the lesson
for this date.
Your students will not
miss their instructions.
"I know not
about this art.
Why ask me
who painted these works.
Know of no one
who paints to provoke."
"Yet there are rumbles
outside of the campus
that a new movement
of utter contempt
is infecting
all that is good.
We must stop this
at our front door.
We must uproot it
within our house."
"Why would anyone
paint against what's good?
Isn't what's now
the best of all worlds? ...
[end of interrogation session]
[One hour later -
new mechanical voices]
"For our records
where is your dorm?"
"My home is the same.
My address is the same."
"Then you are still
at 202 Lane?"
"Yes."
"What do you know
about 'new' painting?"
"What is that?"
"What do you know
about the art revolution?"
"What is that?
And how do you know
about these strange things?"
"Again we will ask
and you will answer ...
[the glass is gone.
the water has dried].
****
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