P. S. – An Epistolary Tale
Mark Blickley
March 24, 2021
OCCUPANT of Apt. 2K 31- 25 Queens Blvd. Long Island City, NY 11101 Dear Neighbor: Just because I HAVEN'T (any) APPROPRIATE TIME to speak ORALLY to you, therefore I took the liberty to write directly to you in the hope that you'll be kind enough to take into consideration the following request: Consequently, if you permit me, I'll ask you (right now), as follows: Did you (ever) anything hear considering someone, or (did you) see) somebody who was looking for me (in front of (my) Apt. 3K, (in the hall) in connection with any message, news, or information) in the past days, weeks, or during the last months, or within the past several years, (somehow, somewhere in the building), ANY TIME? Thank you for your very kind attitude toward the matter. In expectation of your reply IN WRITING EXCLUSIVELY in the near future, I remain, Sincerely, (Q. Shabraya) p.s.: I would not want to create the impression that you'll not do me a favor that I just requested. If you're interested regarding our ORAL CONVERSATION AT YOUR AND MY EARLIEST CONVENIENCE, if that is the case, I'll be glad to talk to you as one gentleman to another, to exchange our views, to discuss about subject that you and I wish. Your (eventual) any FRIENDLY remark, CONSTRUCTIVE objection, LOGICAL observation, RATIONAL comment, etc., WELCOME! It's not only an APPROPRIATE, BUT HIGHLY DESIRABLE Thanks, again. _____________________________ March 25, 2021 Dear Mr. Q. Shabraya: Thank you for taking the time to write me a letter and to slip it under my door. I was surprised, pleasantly surprised, as we have been next-door neighbors for close to two years now, and we've only met three times in the elevator. I've appreciated the hello you've given me on those three occasions. Mr. Shabraya, as the walls to these apartments are paper thin, I cannot help hearing you from time to time. I think it is healthy for a man to scream occasionally. I believe it purges the soul the same as water purges the body. Your screams are never disruptive as I am a sound sleeper. Mr. Shabraya, I was wondering, do my screams disturb you? I try hard, very hard, to muffle them with my pillow, but I don't always succeed. Your screams are never whimpering outbursts of self-pity like mine. Your screams never seem to deteriorate into tears. I know— it is unmanly to cry, and I hope I have not embarrassed you on the occasions when this has happened to me. You never cry, do you? I have the utmost respect for you because you do not. Please don't judge me harshly. Once again, thank you for your unexpected correspondence, and I look forward to hearing from you again. Respectively Yours, Louis Mirabella |