Page 214 - The Grotesque Children's Book

Tozzo: Then she says, “Stand back and observe.”

Aurelio: “Stand back and observe.”

Tozzo: (getting up) Let’s stand back from the book and see if we notice anything different.

Aurelio: “Stand back and observe.”

(Tozzo, woozy, the room spinning, sits back down, not feeling well suddenly.)

Aurelio: (ignoring his sick friend; onto something!) Stand back. Not from the book. But
from...the ceiling! That’s it!

Tozzo: Great. If that’s it, I’m going to bed now.

Aurelio: We’re supposed to stand back from the ceiling and observe something. But what?
(rifling the book) Alpha, Omega. Flecks. Armless. Archway. Three hills, four
mountains, three sets of three. Omega, Alpha. Citia says, “I’m the beginning.”
We’re supposed to start looking at this picture of the children turned into gold
pillars. Santi is saying, “This is the first clue. Start here!” It’s brilliant. I’m the
only one who would able to understand that. Or even know to look. He’s hidden
the clues in his paintings in the ceiling. Before they killed him, he found a way to
tell us who killed him.

Tozzo: I’ve got it! Carola killed him. (hiccoughs; belches)

Aurelio: (disapproving) Sometimes I wish you were someone else.

Tozzo: How do you think I feel!?

Aurelio: Blue, red, green. Blue, red, green. In the story, Citia is touching some blue, red and
green banners. That’s the Omega; that’s where we’ll find the first clue.

Tozzo: Brilliant! Now can I go to sleep?

Aurelio: I wish you would. We have a lot of sleuthing to do tomorrow. We’re on it, Santi!
Rrrah!

Tozzo: (snoring)

Aurelio: All by myself, as always. Not true! I have Santi.

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