Epilogue:

Reclamation

A year after Nathan died, Mayor Brion Mindur sat in his newly acquired office. Then, as he checked the Cityopolis Crier, a terrific thing happened: Brion was surprised.

There, on the front page of the paper, was a simulacra of Nathan Marvelous in metal, face down on the ragged impoverished streets of a far off African republic. Brion sat up straight in his chair, pressing the paper flat on his desk. He stood, looked out the window for a minute, laughed out loud, and once again read the lead article.

This is what it said:

Marvelous Statue Comes Down

Libertyville – Samerikandia: A statue of the late, great Herbert Nathaniel Marvelous was toppled last night just outside the Presidential Palace. For decades the tipping of statues has been a widely used method of dissidence among Samerikans, a statement of political disapproval. However, until recently, the statues have always been those depicting political figures, most notably the current President; and although, this was a common method of protest, no statues have been tipped in many months.

Ackmabar Mufastofeiles the Third, President of Samerikandia, denounced the defacing of Nathan’s statue as act as cowardice. The PLES, a group critical of the President, also called the attack shameful. Indeed, it is anomaly of the attack that no group has taken credit. Authorities are baffled not only by the lack of responsibility, but by the choice of the target, especially since several Presidential statues around the city are far more vulnerable.

After foiling an assassination attempt against the President, Nathan Marvelous was often embroiled in Samerikan politics. In life, he never managed to extricate himself from Samerikandia’s internal affairs, and had often attempted to negotiate with the PLES, though the negotiations were never fruitful.

When asked about the attack, Anna Marvelous surprised everyone when she stated that she didn’t really care. She said the world should be proud of anyone who protects the life of another, but Nathan never asked to be associated with the government of Samerikandia and noted that the statue was not erected with his approval. That said, she added that she personally felt the statue was tastefully done—though her son never cared for it.

The Samerikan government has not commented on the future of the statue.

An hour later, Brion picked up the phone to find Nathan on the other line. A year ago, this would also surprise Brion, but as of late, Nathan had managed to call more and more frequently. “I was just glancing over the newspaper. Did you hear about your statue?” asked Brion.

“I may have heard a thing or two,” Nathan admitted. “I talk to my mother almost as often as I talk to you. Did you know they’re trying to convince her to be in This City as one of our most eligible bachelorettes?”

“Is that so?”

“Apparently she’ll be number 2 on their list, if she decides to participate.”

“I hear they tried to get you on their list some time ago,” Brion noted.

“Yeah, until they decided I’m too precocious,” Nathan stated.

“You mean too anti-social?”

Nathan chuckled. “And I always thought the people didn’t understand me.”

“When are you coming back to town?”

“Monday. I’m out of the country right now, seeing the sights.”

“Seeing the sights, huh? How long have you been in Africa?”

Nathan didn’t reply. For a second Brion thought the connection had failed. He reached across the inter-spanning distance, following the line with his mind, searching out the familiar thought patterns of a man he knew—but telepathy over such distance is never so easy. “Hello?” Brion asked.

“How’d you know I was in Africa?” Nathan responded.

Brion laughed as he located the mind of Nathan Marvelous. Nathan still thought too much, but from time to time, silence overcame his old friend, allowing him the peace and solace he so desired. “Who else would knock down your statue?”

Nathan snorted, “I figure in a week, nobody would even remember it.”

“Now you’re thinking that’s not going to be the case?”

“Not at all,” Nathan began. “This morning, a protest gathered, thousands and thousands, demanding the statue be restored and the perpetrator brought to justice.”

Brion smiled. “Ah, the fickle favor of the general public. What will you do now?”

“Well, we can’t stay here. We’re wanted man,” Nathan noted.

“We?” Brion asked.

“James and Davies and I,” Nathan explained. “James came to do more research on elephants, and Davies came along for the ride. Both were willing participants in the vandalizing,” Nathan paused. “You won’t hold it against us, will you?”

“Not my jurisdiction,” Brion noted.

“It was spur of the moment. We saw it, decided we didn’t like it, and took a hacksaw to it. They have footage. Someone posted up a camera, but it’s pretty grainy. I’m pretty sure we got away with it.”

“That reminds me,” Brion began. “Did you hear about the new book?”

“Someone wrote a new book? I didn't think anyone cared anymore.”

“This one is mostly about the elephants. It’s called Among Titans and has an insufferable sub-title.”

“Oh, I know the book. James released it last week,” Nathan noted. “Isn’t it nice that someone finally wrote a book about me worth reading?”

“That is nice,” Brion noted. “Maybe it won’t be the last.”

“Who in their right mind would be interested?” Nathan huffed. “Besides, what more is there to say?”

FIN

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