173: "Fan letter"
Dear sir,
I hope you don't think it forward of me to write, but I've been a fan of your work for some time now without saying so directly, and I felt-- in light of your most recent magna opera -- that I should remedy that.
I was first exposed to your craftsmanship at a young age, perhaps too young to fully appreciate the skill and artistry with which you work, let alone the scale on which you operate. But as time went by, and I studied the works of lesser masters, I began to have a greater admiration for your work-- to appreciate not just your scope, and skill, but the humorous subtleties and touches of whimsy that mark your finer pieces. Despite my high regard for your workmanship, I haven't bothered you with praise or communiqué before now-- I realized that, with the rabble intent on misinterpreting your work at every turn, with their absurd conceptions of you and constant requests for you to perform, you were quite a busy individual, and so I have kept a polite distance. Forgive me if you have felt underappreciated as a result.
But your recent works-- my goodness! You have been a busy fellow, haven't you? And I would be remiss if I didn't take the time to jot a little note to tell you how much I enjoyed these performances. A beautifully executed two-parter. Your opening movement in Mexico City on the nineteenth of September was pleasant, certainly-- ten-thousand, I believe the official estimates were (and we both know how conservative those tend to be)? --but surely would not have had the same effect without the follow-up in November. Magnificent! Earth and water for a prelude; fire and clouds for the nocturne. Fond as I am of the poetry to be found in your smaller works, I confess myself awed by the magnitude and ambition displayed here. Between the two you managed at least thirty-thousand, and that’s a cautious assessment.
But any fool (or modern government) can kill thirty-thousand people; in today's world with its split and fused atoms such figures hardly arch a brow. As I said, it is the little touches you add that sets your work apart. In this case, the part of the world you chose as your stage: poor countries, without the resources to detect the oncoming slaughters, or to provide adequate aid for those left bleeding and burnt in the rubble after. And so quick, one after the other; I can just imagine your smile as you viewed the smoke ascending from the first and flicked the first domino over for the even grander sequel in Colombia. Your sense of timing, sir, is impeccable.
And then there's the aftermath of Nevada del Ruiz's eruption! A masterful flourish, to let those just grazed and nicked by the wrath of the volcano itself count their blessings in relief, and then be laid low by the bacterial and fungal infections that bred in the heated wake of the volcano. And, lest it seem I'm focusing only on November's artistry, I should point out that the bit where the earthquake demolished three of Mexico City's hospitals was also especially nice.
And, of course, you incorporate the audience reaction into your work; even now prayers are rising across this country and others; blame is being laid at the feet of the godless and the sinners and the general state of moral decay.... I confess myself embarrassed; while I like to think my own little contributions are not devoid of artistic merit, I shouldn't dream of achieving the levels of irony that you so effortlessly give the world.
There; I fear I've taken enough of your time, and anyway it's time for the mail to go out. Keep up the good work, God; I look forward with keen delight to future installments.
Hannibal Lecter
____________
Dr. Hannibal Lecter
Silence of the Lambs, etc
645 words
For the curious, the events the doctor references would be this and this, respectively.
I hope you don't think it forward of me to write, but I've been a fan of your work for some time now without saying so directly, and I felt-- in light of your most recent magna opera -- that I should remedy that.
I was first exposed to your craftsmanship at a young age, perhaps too young to fully appreciate the skill and artistry with which you work, let alone the scale on which you operate. But as time went by, and I studied the works of lesser masters, I began to have a greater admiration for your work-- to appreciate not just your scope, and skill, but the humorous subtleties and touches of whimsy that mark your finer pieces. Despite my high regard for your workmanship, I haven't bothered you with praise or communiqué before now-- I realized that, with the rabble intent on misinterpreting your work at every turn, with their absurd conceptions of you and constant requests for you to perform, you were quite a busy individual, and so I have kept a polite distance. Forgive me if you have felt underappreciated as a result.
But your recent works-- my goodness! You have been a busy fellow, haven't you? And I would be remiss if I didn't take the time to jot a little note to tell you how much I enjoyed these performances. A beautifully executed two-parter. Your opening movement in Mexico City on the nineteenth of September was pleasant, certainly-- ten-thousand, I believe the official estimates were (and we both know how conservative those tend to be)? --but surely would not have had the same effect without the follow-up in November. Magnificent! Earth and water for a prelude; fire and clouds for the nocturne. Fond as I am of the poetry to be found in your smaller works, I confess myself awed by the magnitude and ambition displayed here. Between the two you managed at least thirty-thousand, and that’s a cautious assessment.
But any fool (or modern government) can kill thirty-thousand people; in today's world with its split and fused atoms such figures hardly arch a brow. As I said, it is the little touches you add that sets your work apart. In this case, the part of the world you chose as your stage: poor countries, without the resources to detect the oncoming slaughters, or to provide adequate aid for those left bleeding and burnt in the rubble after. And so quick, one after the other; I can just imagine your smile as you viewed the smoke ascending from the first and flicked the first domino over for the even grander sequel in Colombia. Your sense of timing, sir, is impeccable.
And then there's the aftermath of Nevada del Ruiz's eruption! A masterful flourish, to let those just grazed and nicked by the wrath of the volcano itself count their blessings in relief, and then be laid low by the bacterial and fungal infections that bred in the heated wake of the volcano. And, lest it seem I'm focusing only on November's artistry, I should point out that the bit where the earthquake demolished three of Mexico City's hospitals was also especially nice.
And, of course, you incorporate the audience reaction into your work; even now prayers are rising across this country and others; blame is being laid at the feet of the godless and the sinners and the general state of moral decay.... I confess myself embarrassed; while I like to think my own little contributions are not devoid of artistic merit, I shouldn't dream of achieving the levels of irony that you so effortlessly give the world.
There; I fear I've taken enough of your time, and anyway it's time for the mail to go out. Keep up the good work, God; I look forward with keen delight to future installments.
Hannibal Lecter
____________
Dr. Hannibal Lecter
Silence of the Lambs, etc
645 words
For the curious, the events the doctor references would be this and this, respectively.