Social Sciences
MARGARET MENSA died today, March 22nd , of starvation and dehydration. She was 42 years old. Actually, we are not completely sure when she died, but she was found today. Preliminary estimates suggest that she could have died as far back as two weeks ago, but until the autopsy comes back, it’s anybody’s guess. It’s amazing what recycled air does for the preservation of the human body. Especially those addled with the pain of everyday existence.
The single life that Margaret bore allowed her to work long hours at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. Hours that turned into weeks that turned into months. You get the picture. The 8th Social Sciences floor of building 3 - special collections - microfiche - section B. That’s where she could be found for going on 18 years now. And that’s where she was found on this morning by the cleaning lady. If Milagros Melendez had not been making her routine 2-week visit, who knows how long it would have been before Margaret was found. In fact, district management for the library were quick to inform us that they were not even aware of Margaret’s division. (Which consisted of a desk in the corner and a mountain of filing cabinets, shrouded in muslin.) It seems that the bureaucracy of this cavernous monster of research really leaves a void all around. But there were a few sad facts we were able to derive for ourselves, with no help from the U.S. government.
One - Margaret held no degree in library sciences. She barely finished high school.
Two - Margaret had worked off the payroll since 1990. After being terminated.
Three - Margaret had pristine personal hygiene. Great fingernails.
Four - The 8th Social Sciences floor of building 3 - special collections - microfiche - section B was Margaret’s home. No, really. We can’t find an address for her.
Five - Dewey Decimal had nothing on Margaret. We got a brief peek at her fiche files…scary.
Six - Margaret apparently dabbled in poetry…scary.
Seven - All she wanted out of life was to be a librarian. (From one of her journals - dated 2/14/2005)
All in all, despite the results of the coming autopsy, Margaret’s life seems cloaked in mystery and loneliness. Even though she died bone skinny and twisted with a book in her hand and a fiche between her teeth, there was a smile on her face. Maybe there’s something she’s not telling us. I’m kind of sad she’s gone.
The single life that Margaret bore allowed her to work long hours at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. Hours that turned into weeks that turned into months. You get the picture. The 8th Social Sciences floor of building 3 - special collections - microfiche - section B. That’s where she could be found for going on 18 years now. And that’s where she was found on this morning by the cleaning lady. If Milagros Melendez had not been making her routine 2-week visit, who knows how long it would have been before Margaret was found. In fact, district management for the library were quick to inform us that they were not even aware of Margaret’s division. (Which consisted of a desk in the corner and a mountain of filing cabinets, shrouded in muslin.) It seems that the bureaucracy of this cavernous monster of research really leaves a void all around. But there were a few sad facts we were able to derive for ourselves, with no help from the U.S. government.
One - Margaret held no degree in library sciences. She barely finished high school.
Two - Margaret had worked off the payroll since 1990. After being terminated.
Three - Margaret had pristine personal hygiene. Great fingernails.
Four - The 8th Social Sciences floor of building 3 - special collections - microfiche - section B was Margaret’s home. No, really. We can’t find an address for her.
Five - Dewey Decimal had nothing on Margaret. We got a brief peek at her fiche files…scary.
Six - Margaret apparently dabbled in poetry…scary.
Seven - All she wanted out of life was to be a librarian. (From one of her journals - dated 2/14/2005)
All in all, despite the results of the coming autopsy, Margaret’s life seems cloaked in mystery and loneliness. Even though she died bone skinny and twisted with a book in her hand and a fiche between her teeth, there was a smile on her face. Maybe there’s something she’s not telling us. I’m kind of sad she’s gone.
posted by The Passenger at 9:01 AM
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