Exceptional Excerpt

In this excerpt from Dave Eggers’ novel Your Fathers, Where Are They? And the Prophets, Do They Live Forever?, the protagonist, Thomas, has kidnapped and chained a hostage to a post in an abandoned barrack in a desolate part of Fort Ord. Thomas intends to interrogate his prisoner, and begins the questioning.

BUILDING 54

– Do you know why you’re here?

– No. Where am I?

– I’m not telling you that.

– How did you get me here?

– It wasn’t hard. I waited for you to bring out the recycling.

– Oh my god.

– You’re locked to that post, and you’ll stay there until we’re done.

– Don’t hurt me.

– I have no plans to do that. This is a deposition.

– A deposition.

– I think you know what it’s about.

– I don’t. Who are you?

– Maybe you could guess.

– You want me to guess?

– I want you to guess why you’re here. There’s no way the astronaut or the congressman knew why they were brought here, but you really might have an idea. I actually think you already know.

– I don’t.

– You do, though.

– Sir, I don’t know what you want.

– Sir? Wow, I like that. I like you calling me Sir. Thank you. That actually helps me see you in a more favorable light. Now do you remember me?

– No, I don’t. My head hurts so much. And I can’t see that far.

– Are these yours? I found them in my bag and I didn’t know whose they were. You didn’t wear glasses when I knew you.

– You were a student?

– Yes. I was a student in your class. Sixth grade. Ah, I just saw something in your eyes. Some flash of fear. Now do you know why I’m here and you’re here?

– No. I don’t.

– Okay, now you’re defiant again. I heard that about you. I heard you were good. You passed lie detector tests and everything. And the thing is, you really might be innocent. No one knows for sure. That’s why you’re here.