Part 28 (1/2)

”I guess it's been quite a while. n.o.body cares how a giant feels. n.o.body even thinks a giant has feelings. No one inquires about his health or his general state of mind. People think giants are stupid, but we're smart enough to know that people don't give a d.a.m.n about us.”

”You got that right,” Oliver said. ”What about the back rub?”

”Okay,” the giant said. ”But do I gotta take off my s.h.i.+rt?”

”Not if you don't want to.”

The giant lay down on the long slab of rock that he used for a bed. During the day, he made it up into a couch with boulders that resembled pillows.

Oliver pushed up the giant's s.h.i.+rt. He began to pound and knead the giant's back, gently at first, but then with more force as the giant complained he couldn't feel a thing. Oliver pounded and slapped and hammered, all the time trying to get a look at the ticket attached with a bronze staple to the left shoulder of the s.h.i.+rt.

At last he was able to make out what was written on the ticket: ”This giant is vulnerable only under the left armpit, which is unarmored due to the need for ventilation. The giant should be careful not to let anything near this area.” There was a manufacturer's mark under the writing, but it was blurred.

So that was something, but not really enough, because Oliver had no idea how he was going to get at the giant's left armpit. Even the right one was inaccessible.

A shadow crossed the cave door, and Oliver looked up. Standing there was a tall, well-dressed Italian-looking fellow.

”Hi, there, I'm Aretino,” the man said. ”Azzie sent me. If you're quite finished with your ma.s.sage, do you think we could get back to work?”

”Who's that?” the giant asked sleepily.

”Don't be alarmed,” Oliver said. ”It's someone for me.”

”Tell him to go away. After the ma.s.sage I'm supposed to eat you.”

Oliver rolled his eyes and took his hand from the giant's back long enough to make an imploring gesture.

Aretino now became aware of the giant. He walked slowly into the cave, keeping alert in case there were any more giants around. He whispered to Oliver, ”Is he armored?”

”Yes,” said Oliver. ”Everywhere but his left armpit.”

”You're going to have to catch him stretching.”

”Sure. But how?”

Aretino whispered, ”Are there any grapes around?”

”I'll ask,” Oliver said, catching on at once.

”Grapes? What do you want with grapes?”

”Last meal before I die. It's the custom.”

”I never heard of it. But I guess we could find you some grapes. That was a pretty good ma.s.sage.”

The giant heaved himself to his feet. ”Come with me.” He led Oliver outside. Quite near the cave was a very tall grape arbor.

”I can't reach them,” said Oliver.