The Megapode, by Mike Finley

Page 88

Marty daydreamed again about all the funny Latin phrases in the Mass. Asperges became asparagus, of course. Ora pro nobis was oh wrap your nose up. Liberamus domine turned into liver on a stormy day. The same was true for English. Who could forget "oh my God I am hardly sorry" or "Hail Mary, full of grapes"? Marty and Dodge took their places adjoining the chairs of Father Harris and Archbishop Croatch, while Tichenor spieled off the Gospel about the Clever Steward. When he had finished, the big man rose and advanced to the Lectern to give the homily. With the usual amplified fumbling with his microphone, he launched in to his talk. "The theme of my discussion today, my friends, is: "Bernard de Veaux, eleventh martyr of Oceania, and patron saint of the little things in life!" It was the dullest thought which had ever occurred at the Bluff -- no mean feat. For the longest time it appeared that the Archbishop would succeed where the cannibals of the Solomons had failed. "... and so I suggest to you today that perhaps it would do each of us a bit of good to pause from time to time in our own lives, and to ask ourtselves this simple and yet, oh-sorelevant question: What does the life of St. Bernard de Veaux have to do with my life?" Marty was fantasizing even has he nodded sagely at this thought. He was picturing a latecomer arriving at the chapel, opening the doors, and drowning in the deluge of vomit pouring out onto him. It was that kind of a homily. He scanned the faces in the congregation. There was his friend Dubois, gazing distractedly at a stained-glass window. There was Mrs.

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