Octavia E. Butler - Earthseed, Book 1 -… [277]

“I know,” I said. “And as bad as that is, there’s more.” … “Who needs more? That’s enough!” She began to eat the bean salad. It looked good, but I thought I might be about to ruin it for her. — , Octavia E. Butler - Earthseed, Book 1 -…, 277

Note

The bean salad is the whole device. A domestic, appetizing detail is placed exactly where dread is about to be delivered, so the scene’s tension registers as a physical thing about to be spoiled. ‘Ruin it for her’ works on both levels at once — the lunch and the small remaining comfort of not knowing.