The word-worker, on vacation, tries to avoid her colleagues. Though she shelters in concert hall, museum and woods, words sneak in.
Sighing, she picks up a book. Not the breezy novel, brief story or brazen catalog. She opens "The Sympathizer" _ dark, devastating and dense with words, familiar and not-so-much.
She admires the way the protagonist, new to English, conquers, annexes and dominates the language. Adamantine? Shambolic? Crapulent? (Unbreakable, chaotic, drunk.)
She closes the novel _ and vacation _ doubtful she'll retain all her new acquaintances. One will stick: snick. Like slit and nick, it's a small cut. Surely it will make a dependable co-worker.
She dines at Roister (boisterous) and packs her bags, eager to get back to work.
