That Way Madness Lies: XV of Shakespeare's Most Notable Works Reimagined

by Dahlia Adler

“You asshole,” Tony blubbers, because he wants to be triumphant in this moment but is still shaking. “You tried, but you’ll never—” “I’ll never what?” Shai spits back. “I’ll never make you piss your pants in fear the same way I almost did when I came home to those swastikas? I’ll never make you cower, afraid you’re about to feel a world of pain, the way you’ve done to me a million times for no reason other than that I wear a kippah? I’ll never make you beg and plead the way you’ve had me do from inside my locker over and over again? I’ll never make you feel completely friendless and alone? I’ll never make you wish for death because you know it’ll be a lot more pleasant than whatever you’re about to endure?” Shai unbuckles the first strap, and they both watch the blood flow back into Tony’s arm, though his face remains white. “I did it, Devenzano. I made you feel the way that brand on your arm is intended to make everyone like me feel—everyone with less power than you in a world that rewards you for being a blank slate. I want you to remember that every single time you look at that number in the mirror, every time you tag someone’s car. I want you to think about everyone you’ll be terrorizing with that tattoo, everyone you’ll be making feel the same panic you felt today, everyone who’s unsure just how deeply you mean what your skin says.” The second one is unbuckled, but Tony is unable to move, unable to internalize that he’s actually free. Finally, he rasps, “So now what? ...