The Magnificent Kornblatt

by Todd Schindler

read parts  1,  2,  3

4.

Kornblatt worked rapidly, nimbly, and after half a day, the outlines of a what appeared to be a small city began to take shape on the board: sugar cube foundations of buildings; winding streets; twisting alleyways; parks and plazas. He continued through the night and all the next day and the next, not sleeping, but building, building, a fever of construction, of planning, calculations, adjustments and readjustments. He refused food, and when Daniel came to his door, he curtly ordered him away. He labored on. The city rose, an astonishing amalgam of crenellated ramparts and colorful domes, arcades and covered markets, a miscellany of architectural styles which somehow fit together organically, with not a hint of contrivance. In a word, it was beautiful. He slept.

The work had taken nearly four full days to complete. Hannah had become increasingly worried about Kornblatt's health, confiding to Daniel that she felt her brother was trying to starve himself. It was Friday morning and Hannah called in sick to work. It was her intention to do whatever she could to make contact with him, to convince him to see a doctor, to commit himself voluntarily. She could no longer contain the despair that had been building inside her. Slowly, and with trepidation, she made her way out to the guest house, pausing outside the door first to listen for signs of life - she was half-certain she'd find him dead. But inside, Kornblatt was speaking, seeming to carry on an animated conversation with several people.

"Don't make me quote to you, Mrs. Applebaum. You've seen what I can do for you. I have given you everything. And you, Stern, you swine! To take down those walls again - I'll bring a fucking plague on you! If you and Klein think you can build again, know this: You may build, but I will tear down. You people will be damned forever and your eyes shall behold it!"

Hannah inched the door open quietly. Kornblatt stood alone in the center of the room, gripping his head in his hands. He was dirty and unshaven, his hair greasy. His smell reached her through the crevice. At his feet, Hannah witnessed his creation. She was amazed, petrified. Kornblatt continued.

"It is useless to serve me, you say? What have you gained by keeping my charge and walking in abject awe of me? I'll warn you, the day is at hand, burning like an oven. All you arrogants and all you doers of evil shall be straw. That day is coming!"

The door creaked and Kornblatt suddenly looked over. If she could have moved, Hannah would have slammed the door shut and run through the yard and down the street, she was so terrified. But her body was frozen and she stood stunned as if someone had hit her. This was her brother, her flesh and blood, yet she no longer recognized him. Their eyes locked, and slowly, the muscles in Kornblatt's faced eased. "Hannah," he said, and that was all. She loosened. Tears ran down her face. They stood staring at one another for what seemed like a very long time. Kornblatt opened his mouth as if to say something, then shut it again.

When he finally did speak, he did so clearly and forcefully. "Do you know what the prophet Ezra had to say about Jerusalem? He said, 'Know that this is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and states.'"

part  1,  2,  3

part  5

Todd Schindler, a former child star in Mexico, is a filmmaker and writer. He currently lives in New York City.