The Unforbidden Is Compulsory; Or, Optimism

Episode 3: "Here we take over," said Sergei, who was now wearing an aviator's scarf. "Here we end this thing. Here we win."

Published January 30, 2004 6:44PM (EST)

At 1 o'clock, a program was scheduled in the makeshift bandshell, a brief medley of patriotic songs performed by the elementary school's Lesbian Gay Straight Transgender Alliance, followed by two minutes for each of the three candidates for State Assembly, followed by the finale, the presentation of a lifetime achievement award for Karch Kiraly, perhaps the greatest volleyball player this nation has ever known, who was at the moment in the infirmary, having his head bandaged and ribs taped.

The rest of this story is no longer online, but does appear in the book "The Unforbidden Is Compulsory, or Optimism."


By Dave Eggers

Dave Eggers is the author of "You Shall Know Our Velocity" and "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius."

MORE FROM Dave Eggers


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Books Dave Eggers Fiction