Michael Moore was sitting on a wooden seat at the foot of the Bell Rock Lighthouse
His cousin Miranda was swimming in the sea
His sister Siberia was photographing the smiling crabs in the many rock pools that surrounded the beach
At the base of the lighthouse a wag (possibly a soldier) had carved a Japanese proverb into the weathered stone
Darkness
Reigns
At The
Foot
Of The
Lighthouse
The wag-wit had added his initials
JC
1943
There was no darkness at the foot of the lighthouse that day
Every inch of the beach
The rocks
And the sea
Were bathed in the most beautiful light
Although the day was quite young
There was a languid heat
That inhibited the pace of the morning
Siberia climbed the steep path to the lighthouse occasionally turning to photograph her cousin in the sea
She took a photograph of Michael Moore
Are you bored of the rock pools?
No
Then why are you photographing me?
Because you do not smile
And the crabs do?
To a crab
Why did you not join Miranda in the sea?
Because of the light
Were you here in 1943?
I was not born in 1943
In the June of 1943 a deserter from the British army was hiding in the small town of Bell not far from the lighthouse
He had deserted for love
And was hiding in Spain
He had assumed the identity of his girlfriend’s brother
John
John also lived in the house and they both shared the bed of Agota
Agota was of medium height but was dwarfed by both her brother and her lover
John was over six feet tall
As was John
They often swam together in the sea near the Bell Rock
And sunbathed on the beach or on the rocks afterwards
Although they did not possess a camera
They often though about photographing the smiling crabs
Miranda had finished her swim and had joined Siberia and Michael Moore by the lighthouse
Let us go to the beach
No I am staying here
Why?
Spoilsport
Because I can see the ships passing
You can see the ships from the beach
But they cannot see me
Is it important that they see you?
Very
Why?
So they can record the sighting of Michael Moore in their ships log
That way I can travel the world
Agota was carving a quote from
Izumi Shickibu
On to a stone
Found on the beach
She was naked
Agota was always naked near to the lighthouse
To her the lighthouse was a spiritual place
Neither her brother or her lover objected
She was not a classical beauty
But possessed a femininity
That attracted them both
Those were sad times
When without you
I watched worlds and days
Come up
And then again go down
When she had finished her carving
Agota walked away from the lighthouse
Taking the steep path that led to the beach
When she reached the point of the path nearest to the sea
She stopped and threw the rock into the deep blue waters below
As she did so John noticed a group of soldiers on the beach
They cheered as Agota walked towards them
Soon they were swimming together
The Englishman opened the lighthouse door and hid inside
He did not want the soldiers to see him
Her brother made himself visible on the Bell Rocks
The soldiers enquired of him
We are in charge of the lighthouse
But why are you naked?
Because the lighthouse demands it
Behind Agota one of the soldiers placed his finger on to his temple
Mad girl
May we visit the lighthouse?
No it is not permitted
Why does your brother not join us?
Because he is simple of mind and your uniforms alarm him
We are not wearing uniforms
He is simple of mind
Why do the crabs smile?
Because they are happy
Mad girl
Michael Moore watched as his sister and cousin ran in and out of the waves
He had slept with his sister the previous night
As it was the sixth of the month
He was planning to sleep with his cousin in twenty-two days
On the twenty-eighth of the month
He did this in attempt to cure his homosexuality
Which tormented him
He watched as a naked Algerian dived into the sea from the low rocks
How he wanted to swim with him
Michael Moore could not swim
He had decided at an early age
To forgo the pleasures of swimming
To forget the pleasures of swimming with naked Algerians
Miranda and Siberia had returned from their swim
They lay on their towels in front of Michael Moore
The towels were white
Which was the colour of the lighthouse
As he watched the Algerian swimming Michael Moore noticed a large ship
Crossing the narrow straight
He immediately picked up his semaphore flags
Where to?
Brazil
Where from?
Genoa
Do mention me in your ships log
We will
Miranda was reading a book
What book are you reading?
Robinson Crusoe
Do you realise that Crusoe need not have been stranded for twenty-eight years
No
He need not have been stranded for twenty-eight years
Crusoe is a fictional character
He was not it was Defoe’s humour
A humour that has fooled us for many years
That was not what I was taught
I never believed in my education
Alexander Selkirk was stranded in real life
It did not concern Alexander Selkirk
You are missing my point
Crusoe could have been rescued after six years you know
Then why was he not rescued?
Because the island was full of women
Were they friendly?
Very friendly
He actually saw the Esmeralda on that May day but did not light a beacon
Why?
Think about it
Was he fucking them?
Well I do not think they were doing crosswords together do you?
They was a peal of laughter from the nearest rock pool
The crabs were amused
He was in paradise you know
Did he father many children?
He fathered many children
Do you think this is paradise?
Yes and no
Why no?
Because we share it with many
You have us
I use you both
You do not
We enjoy your company
You are gentle
I am seduced by the Algerian swimming below
He was watching us as we left the sea and touching himself
The Algerian was attracted to us not you
Then why did he dive off of the rocks below?
So that he could see us rise from the sea
Miranda and Siberia stood up so that the Algerian could see them fully
Do you not like what you see?
The Algerian is certainly enjoying the view
He is taking photographs of us as we speak
Would you like me to ask him to stop
For what reason we are both beautiful?
There is no denying that you are both beautiful but I feel little
Then we shall stop our nights together
As you will
We will invite the Algerian to share our bed
Although I consider him grotesque he is not complicated
Michael Moore saw another ship on the deep horizon
He raised his flags
Where from?
There was no answer
Where from?
Miranda turned towards the sea
Hand me the flags
She began to signal wildly
Where from?
Brazil
Where to?
Genoa
Do not take this passage again or I will shipwreck you
Love can live in a ship or a castle
Miranda smiled and threw the flags into the sea
Be sure to rescue me
What is your name?
Ferdinand my name is Ferdinand
The deserter stayed with John and his sister for another six years
His cover was only blown when a jealous suitor keen for Agota’s hand reported him to the authorities and he was expelled from the country
He was imprisoned on his return
But neither John nor Agota corresponded with him
After he was released he returned to Spain
And travelled to the lighthouse
But his friends were not to be found
He began to write a book in a nearby town
And changed his name to Michael Moore
On the advice of his publishers