excerpt Archives - The Rumpus

Rumpus Exclusive: “Did You Play?”

Jesus, did he play the fucking lottery last week or not?

“You should only bluff if you are prepared for the life it brings you,” my dad said. “You bluff, then you can’t go back.”

The bed is squeaking again so I open my eyes.

Allow her to bewitch you as she bewitches all who cross her path.

It had only been a matter of time before they’d find her.

Man was living on the moon but Medicare was still a disaster.

The babysitters inspired me, and Kristy’s entrepreneurial vision seemed plain yet elegant; easy-to-follow, too.

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be strong, to be tough. I didn’t want to be soft.

I’m not sure why it didn’t occur to us then that we could all become excellent doctors.

What they really needed in Pleasantview was light.

I am standing at the entrance to American History.

There are many ways to be ripped to shreds.