DIRT- the fragrance

from THE FEAST by Juliana Lewis

One couple, the Trendsets, arrives via motorcycle in smutty jeans, zooming towards their altar: an espresso bar built on an automatic fireplace beside which a DJ-for-hire spins down-moded variations on a Caribbean groove while two maidservants hollow out pineapples. The Trendsets say something about garbage and begin dancing; they dance by zooming, powered by espresso, to the retro-stops and tropical beats. Dirt is smeared on their necks and denim like on the billboard they saw that one time: two shirtless models on an empty airline runway who are covered in dirt and grab at one another. A gyspy cab sped by at the very moment the Trendsets were gazing at the advertisement, blasting a zimmer-tone groove. Music combined with image and the sunset adjusted to the appropriate levels of alternative purple and sedated grunge to establish the value of Dirt as that which was both intellectually and sexually desirable, solidifying Trendset as single entity. They groped and sniffed one another, relishing in the base smell of their armpits from all the walking-around.

Facing the Feast, Trendset stretch their arms over their oily hair and give half-smiles to one another.

“Is this ennui?” Trend Woman asks.

Trend Man touches the back of his hand to her cheek, communicating profound condescension, “No, dear, you aren’t ready for that.”