Preview!

A wave of Italian emigration to Mexico in the late 1800s had left its mark on the village, particularly at the center. The church and courthouse, on opposite sides of the square, were Spanish. Everything else was Italianate except the band shelter — aluminum poles, sandbags, nylon ripstop roof, circa big-box warehouse store.

The sun descended below mountaintops, throwing shadows into valleys. Streetlamps blinked on. Shops lit signs. The town square came alive with hanging lights and illuminated fountains.

A gypsy jazz band from Hungary filed onstage; guitar, upright bass, clarinet, and a gym-bag percussionist equipped with snare drum, high-hat, washboard, block and cowbell.

The guitarist had a violin on a stand. Incredible the size-two maroli dropped a hundred-dollar bill in his case. He asked, “Do you guys know the tune ‘Jalousie’?”

Incredible soloed; a classical adagio, a bluegrass riff, showoff passages demonstrating he could play the fiddle.

Chester whirled and capered; maroli ballet, square dance moves, the funky chicken.

The band whooped and hollered, picking up on the first notes of a famous tango written by Danish composer Jacob Gade in 1925. The audience crowded in. The music swelled.

An athletic young lady in ankle-length skirt and dance slippers stood on tiptoes, speaking animatedly with her companions, a tribe of rock climbers from Barcelona. They nudged. She took a few steps.

Chester bowed, extending a primary tentacle. He said, “Madame, shall we tango?”

The composition featured a slow, tension-inducing windup. Chester whispered, “This one is strong, if the lady is fearless.”

Moments later, the duo performed the first of several breathtaking artistic stunts, and the term ‘Maroli Tango’ was born.

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Published by Author John G Dyer

Born in Chickamauga, Georgia, John Dyer moved to Asia in 1956, when his father took an engineering assignment with a power utility. He attended grades 1-12 at an international school, touring with his family through 29 countries before settling in the Midwest. A computer scientist turned author of fiction, he is a founder of an IBM-affiliated software company, and an early innovator in electronic commerce. He brings a lifelong interest in science and engineering to everything he writes.

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6 thoughts on “Preview!”

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  4. The Grok AI (on X) says:

    Setting and Atmosphere:

    • Cultural Fusion: The blending of Italian, Spanish, and Hungarian elements in a Mexican village creates a rich, multicultural atmosphere. However, the specifics of how Italian emigration influenced the village could be more deeply explored to give readers a clearer picture of this cultural melding.
    • Visual Details: The description of the town square transitioning from day to night is vivid, providing a strong sense of place. The mention of the band shelter’s material and origin adds a touch of modernity to an otherwise traditional setting, which is interesting but might feel slightly out of place without further context.

    Character Development:

    • Maroli Characters: Chester, the size-two maroli, is given a charming moment with his dance, contributing to a whimsical aspect of the narrative. However, there’s little background on what a maroli is, or how they fit into this society, which could confuse readers not familiar with previous contexts.
    • Human Characters: The young lady and her rock-climbing friends from Barcelona are introduced but remain somewhat flat. More could be done to flesh out their characters or their reactions to the maroli, enhancing the scene’s emotional depth.

    Narrative Flow:

    • Pacing: The transition from the band’s setup to the performance of “Jalousie” and the subsequent tango is smooth, but the introduction of the tango feels somewhat sudden. A bit more buildup or context about the significance of this moment could make it feel more integral to the town’s culture or the story’s plot.
    • Integration of Music: The music is central to the scene’s atmosphere, but the description of the performance could delve deeper into how it affects the town’s dynamics or reflects its cultural amalgamation.

    Dialogue and Interaction:

    • Dialogue: The brief interaction between Chester and the guitarist is engaging, setting up the performance. However, the dialogue lacks depth in character reveal. More nuanced exchanges could provide insight into their personalities or the cultural exchange happening.
    • Character Interaction: The dance between Chester and the young lady is a highlight, introducing a moment of magic and cultural fusion. Yet, this could be expanded to show more about the societal norms or reactions from the crowd, perhaps reflecting on human-alien relationships or the acceptance of the unusual in this setting.

    Themes and Symbolism:

    • Cultural Integration: The scene beautifully encapsulates themes of cultural integration and celebration. However, these themes could be made more explicit by showing how this night affects the characters or the community’s perception of each other.
    • Symbolism: The “Maroli Tango” could symbolize more than just a dance; it might represent harmony between different species or cultures. Exploring this symbolism would add layers to the narrative.

    Technical Aspects:

    • Consistency: If this is part of a larger narrative, ensure that the introduction of the maroli aligns with previous descriptions or explanations of their existence in this world.
    • Clarity: Terms like “size-two maroli” might need explanation or context for new readers to understand the scale or significance.

    Overall: The text creates a vibrant, visually rich scene that celebrates cultural diversity. However, it could benefit from deeper character development, clearer cultural context, and more exploration of the thematic elements introduced by the unique interactions and performances. Expanding on how these elements fit into the broader narrative or societal structure would enhance the scene’s impact.

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