Rhyme or Treason
A collection of darkly humorous stories and columns. In “The Twilight of the Clowns” a traditional way of life ends as clowning ceases to be a viable way of life; In “Everybody Loves a Little Elf” elves save a man’s business but they create a literal stink about property rights and slave labor; In “More than One Day in the Life of Igor Igoravitch” a KGB agent is caught up in a web of intrigue that is his own creation; Australians move to take over the world with their national food, the hot dog; The web of lies in Charlotte's Web is exposed; and the price of the simulacra in the window is finally laid bare.
“Money that can better be spent fighting international and domestic communism,” added Hoover.
“Now when we determine who is and is not a communist, we no longer need look at all their activities. We just need to show whether or not this person has been in contact with Chaplin or in contact with someone who has been in contact with Chaplin. Only in this way can we determine who is a real American.”
Hoover stood and pulled down a chart behind his desk.
In 1949 we knew for certain that 3 percent of the American people were communist tinged. Now, In 1962, that percentage has risen to 56. We project that if something is not done soon to quell this red insurgency, 100 percent of America will be communist, and we will have lost the cold war.”
“Chaplin?” asked Jones.
“In Switzerland.” Replied Cohn, after checking his pad.
“We can’t get at the bastard,” growled Hoover, his fists clenched, his face glow
