hard deadlines

Excerpt from story appearing in ReVisions, 2004

"In the course of its growth and development, the school came to be the center of culture and learning in Sumer. Moreover, unlike present-day institutions of learning, the Sumerian school was also the center of what might be termed creative writing."

-Samuel Noah Kramer
History Begins at Sumer

There was no question that Enzu had performed all the required actions, and yet, his manuscript had been rejected. He had brought an arua gift to the temple of Nanna, paid the divination priest to prod a reeking sheep’s liver, and, much to his wife's annoyance, he had hired a professional omen reader to untie his dreams.

"And what did she tell you, Enzu-dumu? 'Opportunities exist, but there are challenges.'" Mari, who made a few bits of gold on the side by reading dreams for friends, shook her head.

"Something like that," he muttered. In truth, he thought ruefully, the shailtu had said his petition would be granted.

"You don't really believe in that nonsense," Mari persisted.

"No, beloved." Enzu sighed. "What's important is that influential elders still do, and one does well to be seen adhering to the forms."

"Lum." She gave him the eye of death and stormed off into the kitchen where he heard her busily rearranging jars.

Her anger was understandable. He brushed dust from his robe and set down the heavy leather bag holding his tablets.

Approaching the temple for sponsorship had been expensive, and their savings were nearly exhausted. The high life he'd enjoyed as a school-father had evaporated. Gone were the hordes of aspiring scribes paying cash — and offering up delicious and exquisite bribes for good grades.

Gone with the invention of printing.