THE DETRIMENT OF DOUBT by Hannah Smart
Hannah SmartTHE DETRIMENT OF DOUBT “Hello, I’d like to report a fire at the Gerry’s Pizza off West Ninth Street.” “Okay, and your name, sir?” “Gerry Parker.” “Could you describe the situation?” “I am seated in the restaurant parking lot about twenty feet from the double-paned glass door customers use to enter the building. The flames have moved through the restaurant and are threatening to enter the liminal buffer space between the two sets of doors leading to the outside and inside of the restaurant, respectively—the area where guests wipe off their boots and queue to be seated on particularly busy days. The flames are licking the inside doors. I am sitting on the curb, smoking a cigarette within a safe distance.” “Anyone in the restaurant?” “Part of me wishes Rebecca were in there.” “But no one is?” “Long history with Rebecca. You wouldn’t want to hear it.” “I certainly … chop! chop! read more!