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North Dakota | 1962 | By MERLE KESSLER

“Mr. Thorson lived upstairs from the Schissens. They were a retired alcoholic couple on a fixed income, who frequently stiffed me during the collection process. Often, while ringing the bell of the Schissens, I would see Mr. Thorson descend from his converted attic. He never greeted me, and I certainly avoided interaction with him, but I noted once as he passed, below the short sleeve of his white nylon short-sleeved shirt, a heart-shaped tattoo, with a name scratched out.”

Merle Kessler lives in San Francisco, but grew up in North Dakota. His work has been published in The New York Times, the Washington Post, and other publications. Under his nom de plume, Ian Shoales, he is a frequent commentator on the radio and in print. He is also a performer, and his new theater piece, SLOUCHING TOWARDS DISNEYLAND, debuts in San Francisco in late 2007. The names in this story have all been changed.

Music courtesy of Cryil Pereira (”Misc HQ,” “Dark Sable,” and “Dark Sable 2,” Jamendo) and Xcyril (“La Decouverte et la Conquete,” Jamendo).

Posted by Common Ties on Monday, October 1st, 2007 | Email This Post

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