Ramon Menendez Pidal adjusts his metal rimmed glasses. They flash in the sun.
He peers at the Astroboy toy.
The surface of Astroboy, shiny and plastic, glints in the sun.
Arthur surfaces momentarily, from the water.
Blinks, shakes a few drops from his hair and dives under again.
Ramon says: Do you know the story?
David says: No.
Maria Goyri says: Tell it Ramon. But first, let me say that this little superhero is unique among superheroes, in that he fights for peace, not for justice.
Admirable, says Vello, without thinking.
Not really so admirable, says Schopenhauer.
No, of course not, says Vello, as he calls to mind various tyrants.
He is a robot, says Ramon. He has special powers. Rockets in his boots. Super hearing.
(The Astroboy toy does not have super hearing. He is only a toy).
After he escaped from the circus, says Ramon. He returned to the Ministry of Science where he was mentored by the kindly Dr Elefun. Dr Elefun provided him with a robot family.
A doting mother and father, says Maria Goyri. And a younger sister, Arun.
With special powers? asks David, getting into the spirit.
Originally yes, says Maria, She could split in two. But after an accident she was repaired by Dr Elefun and she lost this special power. As you no doubt understand, this is a metaphor.
David nods. It is not up to him to question a woman's metaphor.
The Astroboy toy remembers things differently.
His father. That was Juan Redón, the collector. His brother is Arthur Rimbaud.
Never never has he had a mother, or a sister.
He smiles his fixed smile. The sun gleams on his rockets, and shines on the place in his backside where a machine gun would be hidden, if he were the real Astroboy.
If he could refocus his eyes, he would scan the beach for his brother.
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