Life in Black and White

Frank and Peter are brothers, twin brothers. Sara and Michelle are sisters, twin sisters.

When Frank and Peter awake in the morning, they carry their sisters Sara and Michelle down the stairs on their backs. They try to feed them, but these sisters are dead. When people see them feeding their sisters in the morning, they say, "Why are you doing that? They're dead."

"Yes," say Frank and Peter, "they are dead."

When Frank and Peter are done feeding their sisters, they give them a morning bath. "Why are you doing that?" say the people. "They're dead."

After bathing Sara and Michelle, Frank and Peter dress them and set them in the living room to watch TV. Sara and Michelle watch TV all day though dead eyes, while Frank and Peter go to work, as one must work to live.

When Frank and Peter get home, they seat their dead sisters at the table for dinner.

"How was your day today, Michelle?" asks Frank.

"And how was your day today, Sara?" asks Peter.

The sisters say nothing, for they are dead.

After dinner Frank makes tea, and Peter does the dishes. The four of them sit, Frank and Peter and Sara and Michelle, with teacups in front of each. "Well, did you see anything interesting on TV today?" asks Frank.

After tea, Frank and Peter load Michelle and Sara atop their backs, and mount the stairs, then lie these dead down in their beds.

"Goodnight," says Frank.

"Goodnight," says Peter.

When night comes Sara and Michelle rise, and carry Frank and Peter downstairs atop their backs. "Why do you do that?" say the people. "Frank and Peter are dead."

"Yes," say Sara and Michelle, "they are dead."

Frank and Peter are brothers, twin brothers . . .

End