,,URBAN ,,%AMAN

            ,C4 ,E4 ,,MURPHY

              ,PUBLI%$ BY
     ,LUNA ,BOOKS1 ,NEW ,YORK1 ,,NY
   ,COPY"R ^C #BJJE 0,C4 ,E4 ,MURPHY
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
  ,TRANSCRIP;N ( ,,ISBN #J-CGC-HJBBC-D

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
     ,C>OLYN ,RI<I1 ,%>ON ,CILLEY1
           & ,RUSSELL ,MILL]
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #E ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
         ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #A-AAD

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 ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK @& ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
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          ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS        ;II
         ,,US$ ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

@ 7#D7 A35T M>K
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^C COPY"R SYMBOL
@& AMP]S&
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                                    ;III










         ,? BOOK IS = MY GR&"F1
     ,FRANCIS ,JOHN ,JOSEPH ,MC,N,Y
     ,MAL"O1 :O WD H BE5 PR\D ( ME4











              ,AC"KL$G;T3            ;IV

  ,I H>DLY "K ": 62G9 SAY+ ?ANK-Y4 ,/>T+
AT ! 5D & "W+ MY WAY BACKW>D SEEMS
APPROPRIATE4
  ,F/3 MY $ITOR1 ,M>Y-,!RESA ,HUSSEY1 =
TAK+ A *.E ON A BR&-NEW AU?OR2 MY AG5T1
,J5NIF] ,JACKSON1 = H] 5?USIASM2 & COV]
>TI/ ,HU< ,SYME1 ^: "W ,I'M DELI<T$ 6H
MY BOOK JUDG$ BY4
  ,SECOND3 ,TRIP1 = PO9T+ \ ! GL>+ ]ROR
9 ! R\< DRAFT & "!BY MAK+ ? A .M* BETT]
BOOK2 ,SILKIE1 = DEM&+ ! NEXT *APT] E "T
%E SAW ME2 & ,S>AH1 MY CRITIQUE "PN]
EXTRAORD9AIRE4
  ,?IRD3 MY FAMILY1 :O N"E ONCE D\BT$
!Y'D 2 HOLD+ "O ( MY BOOKS 9 _! H&S "O
"D '''
  ,& MO/ ( ALL1 ,T$1 :O LOOK$ \ !
AIRPLANE W9D[ 9 ! F/ PLACE4





              ,,*APT] ,,"O            #A

    ,TUES"D1 ,JANU>Y #D?1 #F3DE A4M4
  ,"!'S NO?+ WORSE ?AN A R$-EYE FLI<T4
  ,WELL1 ALL "R1 T'S WILDLY UNTRUE4 ,"!
>E LOTS ( ?+S WORSE ?AN R$-EYE FLI<TS4
,"! >E />V+ *N 9 ,AFRICA1 HATE CRIMES &
,AU/9 ,P[]S'S TEE?4 ,T'S J (F ! TOP ( MY
H1D4
  ,B ,I 0 CRAMM$ 96AN AIRPLANE S1T T
WDN'T -=TABLY HOLD A F\R-YE>-OLD *1 & _H
BE5 = S _M H\RS ,I 0 NO L;G] C]TA9 :AT
SPECIES ,I 2L;G$ TO4 ,I _HN'T SLEPT 9
OV] A "D4 ,I 0 3V9C$ T IF "S"O DIDN'T
/AY AWAKE1 ! AIRPLANE WD FALL \ (! SKY1
& ,I CDN'T TRU/ ANY"O ELSE 6D ! JOB4
  ,MY /OMA* 0 ALT]NAT+ 2T NAUSEA F !
AIRL9E M1L ,I'D EAT5 H\RS E>LI]1 & HUNG]
F N EAT+ ANO!R REVOLT+ M1L M REC5TLY4
,I'D =GOTT5 6TAKE MY 3TACT L5S CASE ) ME
9 MY C>RY-ON1 & MY EYES 7 BURN+4 ,MY
SP9E 0 S B5T \ ( %APE ,I'D H 6VISIT A
*IROPRACTOR =A WEEK 6/& UP /RAI<T AG4 ,I
0 FLY+ BACK F A FUN]AL 6BE FIR$4
  ,OV]ALL1 />V+ *N 9 ,AFRICA 7 TAK+ A
4TANT SECOND 6MY [N MIS]Y & 4COM=T4   #B
,%ALL[1 B TRUE4
  ,A V SMALL "P ( MY M9D 0 3V9C$ T IF !
FLI<T ATT5DANTS WD J LET ME 96! UNPRES-
SURIZ$ LU7AGE -"P;T 6F9D MY 3TACT CASE1
"EY?+ WD MIRACUL\SLY 2 "R )! _W4 ,N"O (
!M WD LET ME1 S MY 3TACTS 7 WELD$ 6MY
EYES4 ,E S"EAL M9UTES ,I DECID$ X WASN'T
WOR? X & />T$ 6TAKE !M \4 ,E "T1 ,I RE-
MEMB]$ T !Y 7 MY LA/ PAIR & ,I'D H 6SU6]
) GLASSES UNTIL ,I MADE AN EYE APPO9T;T4
  ,I MI<T H SU3UMB$1 B ! GLASSES 9 "Q 7
AL ) MY LU7AGE4 ,! IDEA ( NAVIGAT+ A
S(T-FOCUS _W FULL ( F1TURE.S FACES GAVE
ME A H1DA*E4
  ,N T ,I DIDN'T H "O ANYWAY4
  ,I CLIMB$ OV] ! R.D MAN SLEEP+ P1CE;L-
LY 2S ME & W5T 6! BA?ROOM4 ,AT L1/ ,I CD
TAKE ! 3TACTS \ & /EW !M 9 TAP WAT] =A
FEW M9UTES4 ,ANY?+ WD 2 BETT] ?AN KEEP+
!M 9 MY EYES4
  ,ANY?+ EXCEPT MY REFLEC;N4 ,H Y "E NO-
TIC$ T ! MIRROR IS 0F> ! L>GE/ OBJECT 9
^? T9Y AIRPLANE RE/ROOMS8 ,I 0 A SICK
PA/Y COLOR "U ! FLICK]+ FLORESC5T LI<T1
MY EYES M* TOO GRE5 AG/ A NET"W (     #C
BLOOD%OT VESSELS4 ,I LOOK$ L A WALK+ AD-
V]TISE;T = "O ( ^? 8W[0 EYEDROP -M]-
CIALS4 ,SECOND RUNN]-UP = ,L1/ ,ATTRAC-
TIVE ,F1TURE ON AN ,9T]N,NAL ,FLI<T 0 MY
HAIR4 ,I PUT MY 3TACTS 9 TWO LL PAP]
CUPS & SET !M O/5TATI\SLY ON ! APPROPRI-
ATE SIDES (! S9K1 !N RU2$ WAT] "? MY
HAIR 6GIVE X "S LIFE AG4
  ,N[ ,I LOOK$ L A BLOOD%OT PORCUP9E4
,BIG IMPROVE;T4 ,! ONLY ?+ ON MY P]SON T
DIDN'T LOOK SLIMY 0 ! BR&-NEW SILV] *OK]
NECKLACE MY "M'D GIV5 ME J 2F %E DI$4 ,A
,CELTIC CROSS P5DANT SAT 9 ! HOLL[ ( MY
?ROAT4 ,I WASN'T US$ 6JEWELRY1 & N[ T
,I'D BE5 REM9D$ X 0 "!1 X FELT MILDLY
HORRI#1 L "S"O 0 G5TLY PU%+ 8 ?UMB AG/ !
DELICATE FLE%4 ,I %U4]$ & PUT MY 3TACTS
BACK 9 2F W1V+ MY WAY BACK D[N ! AISLES
6MY S1T4 ,! FLI<T ATT5DANTS AVOID$ ME4
,I CDN'T BLAME !M4
  ,I RE/$ MY =EH1D ON A GR1SE SPOT ,I'D
LEFT ON ! W9D[ E>LI]4 ,! AIRL9ES1 ,I
?"\1 M/ H CU/ODIANS :O CL1N ! W9D[S1 OR
"!'D 2 AN 9*ES-?ICK LAY] ( GOO ON !M F P
L ME4                                 #D
  ,T ?"\ 0 PRO( POSITIVE T ,I %DN'T 2
ALL[$ 6/AY UP = M ?AN EI<TE5 H\RS AT A
"T4 ,I H A BAD HABIT ( FOLL[+ E ?"\ 6XS
MIS]A#1 PA!TIC LL 5D :5 ,I'M TIR$4 ,I
DON'T M1N TO4 ,X'S J T MY BRA9 & MY
T;GUE GET UNH+$4 ,?\< "S ( MY LESS *>I-
TA# ACQUA9T.ES WD SAY ? 3DI;N DIDN'T RE-
QUIRE SLEEP DEPRIV,N4
  ,! PLANE _H BE5 DESC5D+ =A :ILE N[1 &
,I SQU9T$ AT MY H1VY BLACK WRI/WAT*4 ,!
B"R ORANGE BUTTON = *ANG+ ! "T _H 2COME
P]MAN5TLY DEPRESS$ 9 ,MOSC[1 OR MAYBE
,V5ICE4 ,PROBABLY ,MOSC[2 ,I'D F.D ,MOS-
C[ DEPRESS+1 & SAW NO R1SON :Y ! WAT*
%DN'T4 ,X CLAIM$ X 0 #E3EJ P4M41 : M1NT
X 0 ALM SEV5 9 ! MORN+4 ,I FR[N$ \ ! W9-
D[1 TRY+ 6F9D ! HORIZON4 ,! SKY WASN'T
TURN+ GRAY YET1 N FLY+ 96,S1TTLE ?REE
"DS AF ,NEW ,YE>'S4 ,I BL9K$ AT ! D>K;S1
TRY+ 6UNGLUE MY 3TACTS AG4
  ,MY EYES TE>$ UP & ,I SP5T A FEW M9-
UTES ) MY H&S OV] !M1 HOP+ P]V]SELY T ,I
DIDN'T BL9K ! 3TACTS \4 ,0! "T ,I CD SEE
AG1 ! CAPTA9 _H ANN\NC$ ! F9AL DESC5T
96,S1TTLE4 ,CDN'T !Y F9D A LESS OM-   #E
9\S PHRASE = X8 ,I DON'T L FLY+ Z X IS1
EV5 )\T ! IMPLIC,N T 2F L&+ ,I MI<T WANT
6H ALL MY _WLY & _SUAL A6AIRS 9 ORD]4 ,I
PRESS$ MY H1D AG/ ! W9D[ S ,I CD SEE !
GR.D :5 X CAME 96VIEW4 ,MAYBE ,I CD CON-
V9CE X 6LET U L& )\T X 2+ \R R1L F9AL
DESC5T4
  ,OR MAYBE N4 ,! PLANE BANK$ ABRUPTLY &
2GAN 6CLIMB AG4 ,A MO;T OR TWO LAT] !
CAPTA9'S VOICE CRACKL$ OV] ! 9T]COM4
  8,SORRY AB T1 FOLKS4 ,LL 4AGREE;T OV]
:O GOT 6L& NEXT4 ,WE'RE GO+ 6TAKE ANO!R
SP9 >.D ! ,EM]ALD ,C;Y & !N WE'LL H Y AT
! GATE "R ON "T40
  ,:Y D AIRL9E PILOTS ALW CALL PASS5G]S
8FOLKS80 ,I DON'T USU,Y TAKE UMBRAGE AT
G5]IC T]M9OLOGY--,I'M "O ( ^? =W>D-?9K]S
:O 2LIEVES T 8MAN0 5COMPASSES ! :OLE
D>N$ RACE--B AT :AT"E O'C 9 ! MORN+1 ,I
?"\ X WD 2 NICE 6BE CALL$ "S?+ T SU7E/$
UNWA%$ MASSES A LL LESS4 ,LADIES & G5-
TLEM51 = EXAMPLE4 ,N"EM9D T1 2+ AN ALM
SIX-FOOT-TALL ME*ANIC1 ,I _H A H>D "T
PASS+ =A LADY ON A GD "D1 : ? WASN'T4
  ,I WAT*$ LI<TS SLIP AWAY 2N U Z     #F
WE CIRCL$4 ,IF ,I H 6FLY1 ,I L FLY+ 9TO
CITIES 9 ! D>K ( MORN+4 ,"!'S "S?+ REAS-
SUR+ & LIKA# AB ! PURPOSE;L SKIM ( VEHI-
CLES1 ZOOM+ AL;G 6_! DE/9,NS4 ,! :ISK (
C>S M1NT T ! P DRIV+ !M _H A GOAL1 "S":
6BE1 "S?+ 6D4 ,T 0 A HELL (A LOT M ?AN
,I _H4
  ,I />$ D[N AT ! MOV+ LI<TS4 ,MAYBE ,I
DIDN'T L !M AF ALL4
  ,! PLANE DROPP$ ! 4T.E T MADE ME AN
ACTIVE VOYEUR 9 P'S LIVES1 9/1D (A 4TANT
WAT*]4 ,I CD SEE 9DIVIDUALS "U ! /REET-
LI<TS4 ,TREES 2CAME SETS ( BRAN*ES 9/1D
( BLURRY MASSES ( BR[N4
  ,A S*OOL W5T 02L U1 SW+SETS EMPTY4 ,!
NEI<BORHOOD 0 FULL ( TIDY1 ORD]$ /REETS4
,C>E;LLY T5D$ TREES1 2REFT ( L1VES1 L9$
UNI=MLY TRIMM$ LAWNS4 ,WELL-WA%$ C>S RE-
FLECT$ ! /REETLI<TS4 ,EV5 F ! AIR WELL
2F SUNRISE1 X SCR1M$ \1 ,? ,IS ,A ,GD
,PLACE ,6,LIVE4
  ,! NEXT NEI<BORHOOD OV] DIDN'T LOOK Z
PO%4 ,WR;G SIDE (! METAPHYSICAL TRACKS4
,C>S 7 OLD]1 _H DULL] PA9T & NO WAX JOBS
6MAKE !M GL1M 9 ! /REETLI<TS4 ,MIS-   #G
MAT*$ %+LES ON PAT*$ RO(S /OOD \2 LAWNS
7 OV]GR[N4 ,X WASN'T T ! [N]S DIDN'T
C>E4 ,X 0 T ! PRICE (A LAWNM[] OR A
MAT*$ RO( PAT* CD 2 ! DI6];E 2T ,*RI/MAS
OR NO ,*RI/MAS T YE>4
  ,N T ,I KNEW ANY?+ AB X4
  ,A :OLE /REET W5T BY1 LI<T.S EXCEPT =
"O AMB]-COLOR$ LAMP1 ! K9D T'S SUPPOS$
6CUT "? FOG4 ,X MADE ! /REET SEEM UNNAT-
UR,Y VIVID1 DETAILS -+ 96%>P-$G$ FOCUS
2L ME4
  ,A MOD]N *UR*1 AN ;,A-FRAME )A %>P1
NA/Y SPIRE1 0 LIT 0! $GES (! L"O AMB]
LI<T4 ,XS P>K+ LOT 0 AB&ON$ EXCEPT = "O
C>1 P>K$ AT AN ANGLE ACR TWO SPACES1 "O
( XS DOORS HANG+ OP54 ,I WOND]$ IF X
CLOS$ AT ALL4 ,PROBABLY3 X 0 A 2HEMO? F
! SEV5TIES1 ! K9D ( C> T W LA/ ="E4 ,I
GREW UP ) T K9D ( C>4 ,AIR BAGS OR NO1 !
LL CRUMPLY ?+S !Y MAKE TD DON'T SEEM Z
SAFE4
  ,"S"O TALL & L1N GOT \ (! C>1 DRAP+
HMF OV] ! DOOR Z HE LOOK$ D[N ! /REET
T[>D ! FUNC;NAL LI<T4 ,EV5 F ABV ,I CD
SEE ! GLITT] ( LI<T ON ! BUTT]FLY     #H
KNIFE HE PLAY$ )1 -=TA# & FAMILI>4
,WAT*+1 ,I KNEW T HE CD PLAY KNIFE GAMES
9 ! D>K & BLFOLD$1 & HE'D N"E /AB A F+]4
  ,A WOMAN BROKE 96! AMB] LI<T1 RUNN+
D[N ! C5T] (! /REET4 ,%E TOOK 9CR$IBLY
L;G /RIDES1 EAT+ A HUGE AM.T ( 4T.E )
EA* /EP1 B H] H1D 0 D[N & H] /EPS SW]V$1
L %E WASN'T US$ 6RUNN+4 ,H] HAIR 0 V
L;G1 & SWUNG LOOSE1 FL>+ \ Z %E :IPP$ H]
H1D BACK 6LOOK 2H H]4
  ,I TWI/$ 9 MY S1T Z ! PLANE LEFT !
SUBDIVI.N 2H1 TRY+ 6SEE4
  ,A PACK ( DOGS L1K$ \ (! D>K;S4 ,_!
COATS 7 PALE GOLD "U ! AMB] LI<T1 & !Y
LOP$ )! CASUAL 3FID;E (A HUNT+ PACK FOL-
L[+ EASY PREY4
  ,! WOMAN /UM#D1 ! PACK GA9$ &! PLANE
TOOK ME AWAY F !M4

  8,Y DON'T "U/&4 ,"! IS A WOMAN 9 TR\#
\ "!40 ,X 0 ! F\R? "T ,I'D SD X1 &! PI-
LOT KEPT LOOK+ AT ME L ,I 0 ON DRUGS4
,WELL1 MAYBE ,I WAS4 ,LACK ( SLEEP HAS !
SAME E6ECT Z C]TA9 N>COTICS4 ,I 0 LODG$
9 ! DOOR (! COCKPIT1 O!R PASS5G]S     #I
PU%+ \ 2H ME4 ,F\RTE5 M9UTES _H PASS$
S9CE ,I SAW ! WOMAN4 ,"! 0 A KNOT ( DIS-
-=T 9 MY /OMA*1 L ,I'D ?R[ UP IF ,I
DIDN'T F9D A WAY 6HELP H]4 ,I KEPT HOP+
,I'D BURP & X WD G AWAY1 B ,I DIDN'T1 &!
PILOT 0 / EYE+ ME4
  8,& Y SAW ? F ! PLANE10 HE SD1 AL =!
F\R? "T4 ,HE _H T B"R LILT+ S.D 6HIS
VOICE T F/ GRADE T1*]S USE 6MASK IRRITA-
;N4 8,"! >E LOTS ( P 9 TR\#1 MA'AM40
  ,I CLOS$ MY EYES4 ,!Y SCR1M$ ) PA91
TE>S FLOOD+ Z ,I OP5$ !M AG4 ,"? ! UP-
WELL1 ,I SAW AN EXPRES.N ( 4MAY$ HORROR
CROSS ! PILOT'S FACE4
  ,WELL1 IF HE 0 GO+ 6FALL = X1 ,I MI<T
Z WELL MILK X4 8,X 0 FIVE M9UTES 2F WE
L&$10 ,I QUAV]$4 8,WE CIRCL$ >.D & CAME
9 F ! NOR?WE/40 ,I LIFT$ MY WRI/ 6%[ HM
! -PASS ON MY WAT* B&1 AL? ,I HOP$ T1 2+
! PILOT1 HE KNEW WE'D APPROA*$ F ! NOR?-
WE/4 8,I 0 LOOK+ \ ! W9D[4 ,I SAW A WOM-
AN RUNN+ D[N ! /REET4 ,"! 0 A PACK (
DOGS AF H] &A GUY )A SWIT*BLADE D[N !
/REET 9 ! DIREC;N %E 0 RUNN+40
  8,MA'AM10 HE SD1 / V PATI5TLY4     #AJ
,I R1*$ \ & TOOK A FI/;L ( 8 %IRT4 ,AC-
TU,Y1 AT ! LA/ MO;T1 ,I GRA2$ ! AIR 9
FRONT ( 8 %IRT4 ,I DIDN'T ?9K SECUR;Y CD
?R[ ME \ (! AIRPORT = GRA2+ AIR 9 A
?R1T5+ FA%ION1 N EV5 9 ? PO/-#I_/AA AGE4
  8,DON'T MA'AM ME '''0 ,I />$ AT 8 *E/
UNTIL MY EYES FOCUS$ 5 6R1D 8 "N BADGE4
8,/EVE4 ,IS T YR "N8 ,/EVE4 ,DON'T MA'AM
ME1 ,CAPTA9 ,/EVE4 ,I J NE$ 6"K \R RATE
( DESC5T4 ,HUMOR ME1 ,CAPTA9 ,/EVE4 ,I
"W =! POLICE DE"P;T4 ,Y DON'T WANT ME 6G
6! SIX O'C NEWS AF A MURD]'S BE5 4COV]$
& TELL !M ALL AB H[ ! AIRL9E WDN'T LIFT
A F+] 6HELP ! WOMAN :O DI$40
  ,I DIDN'T "K :Y ,I BO!R$4 ,! WOMAN 0
PROBABLY D1D 0N[4 ,/1 ,CAPTA9 ,/EVE
BLAN*$ & LOOK$ BACK OV] 8 %\LD] AT 8 IN-
/RU;TS4 ,I RETRIEV$ MY H& & SMIL$ AT HM4
,HE BLAN*$ AG4 ,I GUESS MY SMILE WASN'T
ANY BETT] ?AN MY HAIR OR EYES J N[4
  8,HURRY10 ,I SD4 8,ONCE ! SUN -ES UP !
/REETLI<TS W G (F & ,I DON'T "K IF ,I'LL
2 A# 6F9D H] !N40

                                     #AA
  ,I LEFT MY LU7AGE 9 ! AIRPORT & CLIMB$
96A CAB1 TRY+ 6"W \ ! TRIANGUL,N (
HEI<T1 SPE$ & 4T.E4 8,DRIVE10 ,I SD1 )\T
LOOK+ UP4
  8,": TO1 LADY80
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,NOR?WE/40
  8,! AIRL9E8 ,X'S J A C\PLE FEET D[N !
T]M--0
  8.,6! NOR?WE/10 ,I SN>L$4 ,! CA2Y GAVE
ME AN UNFRLY LOOK & DROVE4 8,D Y H A
MAP80 ,I DEM&$ A M9UTE LAT]4
  8,:AT =80
  8,S ,I C FIGURE \ ": WE'RE GO+40
  ,HE TURN$ >.D & />$ AT ME4
  8,WAT* ! .ROAD60 ,I BRAC$ MYF = IM-
PACT4 ,"SH[--)\T LOOK+--HE TWIT*$ ! /E]+
:EEL & AVOID$ ! COLLI.N4 ,I COLLAPS$
BACK 96! S1T1 WIDE-EY$4 8,MAP80 ,I ASK$1
"S:AT M POLITELY4
  8,Y1H1 "H40 ,HE ?REW A C;Y GUIDE 96MY
LAP4 ,I ?UMB$ X OP5 6F9D ! AIRPORT4
  ,AIRPLANES G FA/4 ,I R1LIZE ? ISN'T A
REVEL,N 6/UN ! _W1 B X 0 A LL 4TRESS+ TO
R1LIZE H[ F> WE'D FL[N 9 FIVE M9UTES1 &
H[ L;G X WD TAKE 6DRIVE T4 8,ALL     #AB
"R1 WE'RE GO+ NOR?WE/ (! LAKE40 ,I RE-
MEMB]$ SEE+ XS (F-COLOR$ %AD[ MAK+ A
BLACK M>K 2L ! PLANE Z WE'D LEFT ! SUB-
DIVI.N 2H4 8,"S": 9 ,AURORA40
  8,?9K8 ,T A9'T S* A GD NEI<BORHOOD1
LADY4 ,Y SURE Y WANNA G "!80
  8,Y1H1 Y1H1 ,I "K4 ,I'M TRY+ 6F9D "S-
BODY :O'S 9 TR\#40
  ,! CA2Y EY$ ME 9 ! RE>VIEW4 8,T'S ! "R
PLACE 6LOOK40
  ,I GL>$ AT HM "? MY EYEBR[S4 ,HE
SMIL$1 A ?9 ,I'VE-SE5-X-ALL GR9 T DIDN'T
RE,Y H ANY HUMOR 9 X4 ,HE _H GRAY EYES
"U EQU,Y GRAY1 BU%Y EYEBR[S4 ,HE _H A
?ICK NECK & LOOK$ L HE'D 2 AT HOME *EW+
ON A /OGIE4 ,I ASK$ IF HE _H A CIG>ETTE4
,HE TURN$ >.D & LOOK$ AT ME AG4
  8,^? ?+S'LL KILL Y1 LADY40
  ,8 VOICE 0 R\< & DEEP L A LIFE"T SMOK-
]'S4 ,SURPRISE %[$ ON MY FACE & HE GAVE
ME ANO!R S\L.S SMILE1 REFLECT$ 9 ! MIR-
ROR4 8,MY WIFE DI$ ( EMPHYSEMA ?REE YE>S
AGO ON \R =TY-EI<? W$D+ ANNIV]S>Y4 ,Y
WANT A SMOKE1 KID1 F9D X "S": ELSE40
  ,"S"TS ,I WOND] IF ,I H A BIG      #AC
OLD NEON SIGN /AMP$ ON MY =EH1D1 FLA%+
,ASSHOLE4 ,I RETALIAT$ ) /UNN+ WIT3
8,I'M N A KID40
  ,GRAY EYES D>T$ 6! MIRROR AG1 & BACK
6! ROAD4 8,Y'RE :AT1 TW5TY-SIX80
  ,NOBODY "E GUESS$ MY AGE "R4 ,S9CE ,I
0 ELEV51 P H MISGUESS$ MY AGE ANY": F
?REE 6SEV5 YE>S 9 "O DIREC;N OR ! O!R4
,I FELT MY JAW DROP4
  8,X'S A GIFT10 ! CA2Y SD4 8,A TOT,Y
USE.S GIFT4 ,I C TELL H[ OLD P >E40
  ,I BL9K$ AT HM4
  8,GRT WAY 6GET GD TIPS10 HE W5T ON4
8,I G 96? L;G EXPLAN,N ( H[ ,I ALW GET
AGES "R1 & !N ,I LIE4 ,"WS L A *>M40
  8,S :Y'D Y GUESS MY AGE "R80 ,! "Q
CAME \ ( MY M\? )\T 3SULT+ MY BRA9 F/4
,I DIDN'T WANT 6H A 3V]S,N )! CA2Y4
  8,N"E MET ANYBODY :O DIDN'T WANT 6BE 9
_! TW5TIES1 S :AT'S ! PO9T8 ,:Y Y GO+ \
"!1 LADY8 ,LOTTA TR\# \ T WAY1 & Y DON'T
LOOK L ! TYPE40
  ,I GL.ED SIDEWAYS AT ! W9D[4 ,A FA9T
REFLEC;N LOOK$ BACK AT ME4 ,HE 0 "R4 ,I
LOOK$ TIR$1 HOPE.S & WORN-\1 B N L   #AD
TR\#4 8,LOOKS C 2 DCVG40 ,8 EYES SLID (F
! RE>VIEW MIRROR L HE 0 TOO POLITE 64BE-
LIEVE AL\D4 8,X'S "SBODY ELSE :O'S 9
TR\#10 ,I SD4 8,I SAW H] F ! PLANE40
  ,HE TWI/$ >.D YET AG4 8,Y'VE TRY+ TO
RESCUE "SBODY Y SAW F AN .AIRPLANE80
  8,Y1H40 ,I FL9*$ Z HE TWIT*$ ! /E]+
:EEL 6KEEP 9 \R LANE1 AG )\T LOOK+4
8,:AT D Y D1 USE ! ,=CE80
  ,HE GL.ED AT ! ROAD & %RU7$ 2F TURN+
>.D AG4 8,S1 :AT1 Y'VE GOT A H]O -PLEX8
,H[ ! HELL >E Y GONNA F9D "O DAME Y SAW
F ! AIR80
  8,I PASS$ A C\PLE BASIC MA? CLASSES 9
COLLEGE10 ,I MUTT]$4 8,LOOK1 ,I GOT !
APPROXIMATE HEI<T & SPE$ WE 7 TRAVEL+ F
! PILOT1 S FIGUR+ \ ! 4T.E WASN'T T H>D4
,I M1N1 ADJU/+ =! *ANGE 9 SPE$ IS K9D (A
PA9 9 ! ASS1 B--0 ,I SET MY TEE? TGR TO
KEEP MYF F RATTL+ ON4 ,X 0 A MO;T 2F ,I
0 SURE ,I _H 5 3TROL OV] MY BRA9 63T9UE
)\T BA2L+4 8,"SPLACE 9 T VIC9;Y "!'S A
MOD]N *UR* ON A /REET ) ONLY "O AMB]
/REETLI<T4 ,IF ,I C F9D X 2F ! LI<TS G
\--0                                 #AE
  8,!N Y'LL 2 ! F/ "O ON A MURD] SC5E4
,Y'RE NUTS1 LADY4 ,Y M/ 2 DESP]ATE =
?RILLS40
  8,L X CD POSSIBLY 2 ANY ( YR BUSI;S10
,I SNAPP$4
  8,T\*Y1 TOO4 ,PRETTY GIRL L Y "\A 2 ON
H] WAY HOME 6H] SWEETIE1 N *AS9--0
  8,I DON'T H "O40 ,I ADMIT X4 ,I SN>L$
AG4
  8,) YR P]SONAL;Y1 ,I C'T FIGURE :Y N1
LADY40
  ,I L1N$ =W>D & RU2$ MY EYES ) MY F+]-
TIPS1 ELB[S ON MY KNEES4 ,! KNOT ( UN-
PL1SANT;S 9 MY /OMA* FELT L X 0 TRY+ TO
PU% XS WAY \ "? MY /]NUM1 PRESSUR+ ME TO
ACT :E!R ,I LIK$ X OR N4 ,! IDEA T X WD
G AWAY IF ,I CD J F9D ! WOMAN 0 SETTL$
96MY B"OS1 LOGIC 2 DAMN$4 8,HAV5'T Y "E
J RE,Y FELT L Y _H 6D "S?+80
  8,SURE4 ,I FELT L ,I RE,Y _H 6M>RY MY
OLD LADY :5 %E GOT KNOCK$ UP40
  ,I 0 9 A CAB ) ,PLATO4 ,8 DEP? OV]-
:ELM$ ME4 ,I LIFT$ MY H1D 5 6/>E OV] !
BACK (! S1T AT 8 %\LD]4 ,HE GR9N$4 ,HE
_H GD TEE?1 CL1N & :ITE & /R;G1 L    #AF
HE _HN'T "E SMOK$4 ,!Y 7 PROBABLY FALSE4
  8,N"E FELT L ,I _H 6G *AS+ D[N "S DAME
,I SAW F AN AIRPLANE1 NOPE4 ,GUESS ,I
FIGUR$ ,I _H 5 TR\#S ( MY [N )\T A4+ ON
"SBODY ELSE'S40
  ,I L1N$ AG/ ! W9D[1 EYES CLOS$4 8,MAY-
BE ,I'VE GOT 5 T ,I NE$ "SBODY ELSE'S TO
MAKE ! LOAD SEEM LI<T]40
  ,I CD FEEL 8 GAZE ON ME 9 ! RE>VIEW
MIRROR AG4 ,!N HE GRUNT$1 A SORT ( SAT-
ISFI$ NOISE4 8,ALL "R1 LADY4 ,LET'S G
F9D YR CORPSE40












             ,,*APT] ,,TWO           #AG

  8,?ANKS =! VOTE ( 3FID;E40 ,I GL[]$ \
! W9D[4 ,I WDN'T H BE5 S ANNOY$ IF ,I'D
FELT M 3FID5T MYF4 ,! CA2Y--^: "N 0
,G>Y1 AC 6! PO/$ DRIV]'S LIC5SE1 & ^:
SEV5TY-?IRD BIR?"D _H BE5 ?REE "DS AGO--
DROVE L ! PROV]BIAL BAT \ ( HELL1 :ILE
,I CLUNG 6! S1T & TRI$ N 6GASP TOO AUDI-
BLY4
  ,! /REETLI<TS 7 / ON :5 WE GOT 6,AURO-
RA1 & ,I WASN'T ACTU,Y D1D1 S ,I FELT L
,I %DN'T -PLA94 ,G>Y PULL$ 96A GAS /,N4
,I SQU9T$ TIR$LY AT ! BACK ( 8 H1D4
8,:AT >E Y DO+80
  8,G ASK IF ANYBODY "KS ": T *UR* ( YRS
IS40
  ,MY SQU9T TURN$ 96LIFT$ EYEBR[S4 8,I
?"\ M5 CDN'T ASK = DIREC;NS40
  8,I A9'T ASK9'10 ,G>Y SD ) APLOMB4 8,Y
>E4 ,G ON40
  ,I GOT4
  ,! PIMPLY KID 2H ! C.T] DIDN'T LOOK
HAPPY 6SEE ME4 ,JUDG+ F 8 ?RU/-\ LIP &
D[N-DRAWN EYEBR[S1 ,I FIGUR$ HE WASN'T
HAPPY 6SEE ANYBODY1 & DIDN'T TAKE    #AH
X P]SON,Y4 ,HE SMIRK$ AT ME :5 ,I ASK$
AB ! *UR*4 ,SMIRK+ IS N A NICE EXPRES.N4
,! ONLY P]SON 9 ! HI/ORY ( MANK9D :O'D
BE5 A# 6MAKE SMIRK+ LOOK GD 0 ,JAMES
,D1N1 & ? KID1 =GIVE ME ,S5ATOR ,B5TS51
0 NO ,JAMES ,D1N4
  ,I TRI$1 BRIEFLY1 6REMEMB] IF ,I'D BE5
T SULL5 & /UPID :5 ,I 0 SIXTE54 ,I FIG-
UR$ ! FACT T ,I CDN'T REMEMB] DIDN'T
BODE WELL1 & W5T /RAI<T =! ?+ ,I KNEW WD
H GOTT5 MY ATT5;N AT T AGE3 CA%4 ,I
WASN'T USU,Y PR"O 6BRIB+ P1 B ,I 0 TOO
TIR$ 6?9K ( ANY?+ ELSE & ,I 0 9 A HURRY4
,I DUG MY WALLET \ & WAV$ A BILL AT !
KID4 ,8 EYES WID5$4 ,I LOOK$ AT X4 ,X 0
A FIFTY4
  ,%IT4
  8,Y BETT] WALK ME 6! *UR* = ?1 KID40
  ,HE DIDN'T TAKE 8 EYES F ! BILL4
8,"!'S TWO ;,A-FRAMES ,I C ?9K (4 ,"O'S
AB FIVE BLOCKS F "H4 ,! O!R IS A C\PLE
MILES AWAY40
  8,: DIREC;N8 ,= BO? ( !M40 ,HE TOLD
ME1 / WAT*+ ! FIFTY L X 0 A TALISMAN4 ,I
SI<$1 DROPP$ X ON ! C.T]1 & MUT-     #AI
T]$1 8,?ANKS10 Z ,I PU%$ MY WAY \ (! GAS
/,N4 ,HE SNAT*$ X UP1 H>DLY 2LIEV+ ,I 0
RE,Y H&+ X OV]4 ,GRT4 ,I'D J TURN$ A KID
ONTO ! LIFE"T ROLE ( SNIT*4
  ,WORSE1 ,I'D GIV5 AWAY A QU>T] (! M1G]
CA% ,I _H ON H&1 & CABS F ,S1,TAC 7
DAMN$ EXP5SIVE4 ,I CLIMB$ BACK 96! C>4
8,EA/ A FEW BLOCKS1 & IF T'S N X1 "!'S
ANO!R "O 6! S\?WE/4 ,HURRY1 X'S GETT+
LI<T \40
  8,:AT1 Y WANT 6GET YR F+]S 9 ! BLOOD
:ILE X'S / W>M8 ,Y NE$ HELP1 LADY40
  8,JOANNE40 ,HAV+ A NOSY CA2Y "K MY "N
_H 6BE BETT] ?AN 2+ CALL$ 8LADY0 = ANO!R
HALF H\R4 8,& Y'RE ! "O HUNG UP ON
CORPSES4 ,I'M HOP+ %E'S / ALIVE40 ,I
TU7$ ON MY S1T BELT1 SC[L+ AG4 ,X 0 />T+
6FEEL L A P]MAN5T FIXTURE ON MY FACE4
  8,Y ALW AN OPTIMI/1 OR J DUMB80
  ,A %OCK ( R1L HURT1 PALPA# & COLD1
TI<T5$ XF >.D MY ?ROAT & HE>T4 ,I FUM#D
! S1T BELT4 ,X TOOK EF=T 6=CE ! ^WS \3
8,Y H NO "R 6CALL ME DUMB40 ,I />$ \ !
W9D[1 S1T BELT 9 "O NUMB H&1 TRY+
FURI\SLY 6BL9K TE>S AWAY4 ,G>Y       #BJ
LOOK$ AT ME 9 ! RE>VIEW1 !N TWI/$ >.D4
  8,HEY1 HEY1 HEY4 ,LOOK1 LADY4 ,JOANNE4
,I DIDN'T M1N NO?9' 0X40
  8,SURE40 ,MY VOICE 0 H>% & TI<T1 ALM
TOO QUIET 6BE HE>D4 8,J DRIVE40 ,I GOT !
S1T BELT ON ? "T4 ,G>Y TURN$ >.D &
DROVE1 QUIET =! F/ "T S9CE ,I'D GOTT5 9
! CAB4
  ,I WAT*$ /REETLI<TS G 0IN ! HAZY GOLD
( SUNRISE1 TRY+ 6GET MYF "U 3TROL4 ,I
DIDN'T G5],Y CRY EASILY & ,I DIDN'T G5-
],Y GET HURT 0CASUAL -;TS F /RANG]S4 ,B
X _H BE5 A L;G "D4 ,M ?AN A L;G "D4 ,A
L;G WEEK1 A L;G MON?1 A L;G YE>1 N"EM9D
T X 0 ONLY ! F\R? ( ,JANU>Y4 ,&! "D 0
ONLY GO+ 6GET L;G]4 ,I / _H 6/OP 0MY JOB
& GET FIR$4
  ,! /REETLI<TS ABRUPTLY W9K$ \ Z WE
TURN$ D[N ANO!R /REET1 &) !M1 MY *.E TO
F9D ! RUNN]4 ,A SMALL VOICE SD1 8,FUCK40
,AF A MO;T ,I R1LIZ$ X 0 ME4
  8,T "O'S / ON10 ,G>Y SD1 SUBDU$4 ,I
LOOK$ UP1 KEEP+ MY JAW TI<T 6D5Y TIR$1
4APPO9T$ TE>S4 ,A BAS;N ( AMB] /OOD AG/
! DAWN1 "O S+LE LI<T %9+ ON ! EN-    #BA
TIRE /REET4 ,I WAT*$ X G 0)\T -PREH5.N1
!N J]K$ >.D S FA/ ,I HURT MY NECK4 8,T'S
X60
  ,G>Y HIT ! BRAKES H>D 5 6MAKE MY NECK
CRUN* AG4 ,I W9C$1 CLUT*+ AT X Z ,I
PRESS$ MY NOSE AG/ ! W9D[4 8,T'S X1 T'S
X60 ,I %RIEK$4 8,LOOK1 "!'S ! *UR*6
,/OP6 ,/OP60 ,! C> 0 G"O F ! P>K+ LOT1 B
"! 0 NO MISTAK+ ! VICI\S SPIRE /A2+ !
MORN+ AIR4 8,HOLY %IT1 WE F.D X60
  ,G>Y A3EL]AT$ AG1 GR9N+1 & PULL$ 96!
*UR* P>K+ LOT4 8,MAYBE Y'RE N DUMB4
,MAYBE Y'RE LUCKY40
  8,Y1H1 WELL1 ,GOD WAT*ES OV] FOOLS &
LL *N1 "R80 ,I TUM#D \ (! CAB1 GETT+ MY
FEET TANGL$ 9 ! FLOOR MAT & CAT*+ MYF ON
! DOOR J 2F ,I FELL4 8,WELL80 ,I DEM&$4
8,>5'T Y -+80
  ,8 EYEBR[S ELEVAT$ 2F HE %RU7$ & SWUNG
8 [N DOOR OP54 8,SURE1 :AT ! HELL4 ,I
N"E SAW A FRE% MURD]$ BODY 2F40
  ,I CLOS$ MY DOOR4 8,H Y SE5 /ALE "OS80
,I DECID$ ,I DIDN'T WANT 6"K ! ANSW]1 &
/RODE AWAY4 ,G>Y KEPT UP1 : SURPRIS$ ME4
,HE 0 S BROAD-%\LD]$ ,I EXPECT$ HM   #BB
6BE %ORT1 B HE /OOD A GD TWO 9*ES TALL]
?AN ME4 ,9 FACT1 HE LOOK$ L A L9EBACK]4
  8,Y LOOK L A L9EBACK]40
  8,COLLEGE BALL10 HE SD1 4P>AG+ 5 T X 0
OBVI\S HE 0 PL1S$4 8,2F X TURN$ 96A M$IA
FE/4 ,X'S ALL AB M"OY & GLORY N[40
  8,X DIDN'T US$ 6BE80
  ,HE FLA%$ ME 8 :ITE-TOO!D GR94 8,X US$
6BE AB GLORY & GIRLS40
  ,I LAU<$1 /OPP+ AT ! *UR* DOOR1 F+]-
TIPS DRA7+ OV] ! H&LE4 ,!Y 7 BIG & BRASS
& TWICE Z WIDE Z MY [N H&S4 ,Y CD PULL
!M D[N TGR & ?R[ ! DOORS OP5 9 A V IM-
PRESSIVE FA%ION4 ,I WASN'T SURE ,I WANT$
TO4
  8,Y SURE YR BROAD IS GONNA 2 9 "H1 LA-
DY80
  8,Y1H10 ,I SD1 !N WOND]$ :Y T WAS4 ,X
MADE ME HESITATE & TURN BACK 6! P>K+
LOT4 ,EXCEPT = ,G>Y'S CAB1 X 0 EMPTY4
,"! 0 NO R1SON ! WOMAN CDN'T H GOTT5 96!
C> )! MAN )! BUTT]FLY KNIFE1 NO R1L REA-
SON 6?9K %E'D EV5 MADE X Z F> Z ! P>K+
LOT1 M* LESS ! *UR*4
  8,Y1H10 ,I SD AG1 B TROTT$ BACK    #BC
D[N ! /EPS4 ,G>Y /AY$ 0! DOOR1 WAT*+ ME4
,! C>'D BE5 ON ! S\? 5D (! P>K+ LOT1 2T
! WOMAN &! *UR*4 ,I JO7$ OV] "!1 EYES ON
! GR.D4 ,I HE>D ,G>Y -E D[N ! /EPS1 RAT-
TL+ SCATT]$ GRAVEL Z HE FOLL[$ ME4
  8,:AT'RE Y LOOK+ =8 ,I ?"\ Y SD !
BROAD 0 9 ! *UR*40
  ,I %RU7$1 SL[+ 6A WALK & FR[N+ AT !
CE;T4 8,Y1H1 B T'S PROBABLY J WI%;L ?9K-
+4 ,I 0 WOND]+ IF "!'D BE5 A FI<T4 ,IF !
GUY )! KNIFE 0 AF H]1 %E'D H _H 6H GOTT5
?R--0
  8.,:AT GUY )A KNIFE80 ,G>Y'S VOICE
ROSE Z ,I CR\*$ 6SQU9T AT ! GR.D4 ,I
LOOK$ OV] MY %\LD] AT HM4
  8,DIDN'T ,I M5;N T80
  8,NO10 HE SD EMPHATIC,Y1 8Y DIDN'T40
  8,OH4 ,"! 0 A GUY )A KNIFE4 ,HE 0 GD1
TOO40
  8,Y SAW ? F A .PLANE80
  ,I PU6$ \ MY *EEKS4 8,Y "E SE5 "SBODY
:O'S GD )A KNIFE8 ,/REET-GD1 ,I M1N80
  8,Y1H40
  8,OKAY4 ,S H ,I4 ,X LOOKS A C]TA9 WAY4
,GRACE;L4 ,? GUY LOOK$ T WAY1 Y1H1   #BD
EV5 F A PLANE40
  8,LADY1 Y BETT] H L TW5TY-TWO-HUNDR$
VI.N40
  ,I /OOD UP4 ,! BUB# ( ICKY FEEL+ 9 MY
/OMA* 0 / "!1 PRO4+ AT ME L ,I _HN'T D"O
5 6HELP ! WOMAN4 8,I WE> 3TACTS40
  ,G>Y SNORT$ DERISIVELY4 ,I SI<$4 8,I
"K :AT ,I SAW40
  8,SURE40 ,HE DIDN'T SAY ANY?+ = ANO!R
SECOND1 LOOK+ AT ! GR.D4 8,I "K :AT Y
DIDN'T SEE40
  8,:AT80
  ,HE PO9T$1 !N WALK$ =W>D A C\PLE (
SPACES4 8,"SBODY LO/ A TOO?40 ,HE B5T
OV] & POK$ AT A %9+ :ITE ?+ ON ! 3CRETE1
N Q T\*+ X4
  ,I WALK$ OV]1 B5D+ 6LOOK AT ! 5AMEL$
?+ ON ! GR.D4 ,X 0 A TOO?1 ALL "R1 SMOO?
LL CURVES &A BUMPY TOP1 -PLETE ) BLOODY
ROOTS4 8,EWW4 ,"SBODY GOT CUT1 TOO40 ,I
NO4$ AT ?9 SPLATT]S ( BLOOD1 A FEW FEET
F>!R \ ?AN ! TOO?1 T 7 ALR DRY ON ! CON-
CRETE4 ,G>Y CA/ 8 GAZE 6! H1V5S4
  8,! LADY GOES ,8EWW0' AT A TOO? & %E'S
LOOK+ =A CORPSE40                    #BE
  8,I'M LOOK+ =A P]SON10 ,I CORRECT$4
  8,& Y ?9K %E'S 9 ! *UR*40
  8,Y1H40
  8,S :Y ! HELL >E 0 SCREW+ >.D 9 ! P>K+
LOT80
  ,I LOOK$ >.D4 8,! LI<T'S BETT] OV]
"H80 ,X 0 "O ( MY FAVORITE JOKES1 LEFT
OV] F MY *ILDHOOD4 ,I N"E EXPECT$ ANY"O
ELSE 6GET X1 B ,G>Y GR9N$1 DUG A H& 9TO
8 POCKET1 & TOSS$ ME A QU>T]4 ,I CAU<T
X1 GR9N+ BACK4 8,N[ T WE'VE GOT T TAK5
C>E (40
  ,WE WALK$ BACK 6! *UR* TGR4

  ,I 0 "R4 ,! DOORS SWEPT OP51 IMPRES-
SIVELY SIL5T4 ,I FELT L ,I %D 2 L1D+ A
3GREG,N 9 SE>* (! LI<T1 N A L9EBACK]-
TURN$-CA2Y 9 SE>* (A CORPSE4 ,I /EPP$ "?
! DOORS1 HALF-EXPECT+ A FLOORBO>D 6CR1K
& M> ! ENORM\S SIL;E4
  ,)9 A FEW /EPS ,I 0 SURE A FLOORBO>D
WDN'T H D>$ CR1K 9 ? PLACE4 ,X WASN'T !
SOLEMN1 WEI<TY QUIET ( OLD *UR*ES OR CA-
!DRALS4 ,^? PLACES CD ABSORB ! S.D (
HEELS CLICK+ & *N LAU<+ ) DIGN;Y &   #BF
A3EPT.E4 ,? *UR* SIMPLY =BADE !M4 ,I
WASN'T EV5 WE>+ HEELS1 & ,I F.D MYF L1N+
=W>D ON MY TOES A LL S T MY T5NIES CDN'T
POSSIBLY MAKE ANY EXCESSIVE NOISE ON !
H>DWOOD FLOORS4 ,? 0 A *UR* ": 8,S9N]S 9
! ,H&S AN ,ANGRY ,GOD0 WD 2 P]=M$ & H>-
K5$ 6WEEKLY4 ,I NOTIC$ ,I 0 HOLD+ MY
BR1?4
  ,X 0 /UNN+1 9 AN AU/]E1 HE>T.S WAY4 ,!
;,A-FRAME PROBABLY C>RI$ S.D B1UTI;LLY1
B ! ONLY NATURAL LI<T+ 0 F A WALL ( W9-
D[S 2H ! PULPIT4 ,I USE ! T]M NATURAL
LOOSELY3 "! WASN'T M* NATURAL AB ! VIO-
L5T1 GRIM IMAGES ( ,*RI/'S CRUCIFIXION1
OR ,JOSEPH & ,M>Y 2+ TURN$ AWAY F ! 9N1
OR ,JUDAS'S 2TRAYAL1 OR ANY (! O!R SC5ES
,I RECOGNIZ$1 M ( !M JIMMI$ 96! /A9$
GLASS ?AN ,I WD H ?"\ POSSI#4 ,? 0 A
*UR* ": Y CAME 6BE T]RIFI$ 96OB$I;E1 N
WELCOM$ Z A S9N] :O HAS F.D ! TRUE WAY4
  ,! PEWS 7 H>DWOOD1 )\T CU%IONS1 &!
*OIR BOOKS LOOK$ Z ?\< !Y'D N"E BE5
CRACK$ OP54 ,I GUESS$ Y'D BETT] "K YR
MUSIC 2F Y CAME 6*UR*4 ,X 0 N A FRLY
PLACE4                               #BG
  ,X 0 AL -PLETELY EMPTY ( HUMAN LIFE
O!R ?AN MY [N & ,G>Y'S4 ,I LOOK$ BACK AT
HM4 ,HE FR[N$ FA9TLY 2F MEET+ MY EYE4 ,I
CDN'T BLAME HM4
  8,I DON'T "K ": %E IS10 ,I SD 2F HE CD
ASK1 & LIFT$ MY VOICE4 8,HELLO8 ,HELLO80
,MY VOICE B\NC$ UP 6! RAFT]S & E*O$ BACK
AT ME4 ,! AC\/ICS 7 9CR$I#1 & ,I TILT$
MY H1D BACK 6LOOK L;G+LY AT ! CEIL+4
8,W[4 ,I'D LOVE 6S+ 9 "H40
  8,Y1H8 ,Y S+80
  ,I %RU7$4 8,I DON'T SC>E ! NEI<BORS40
  ,G>Y B5T OV] & LOOK$ "U ! PEWS4 8,Y1H1
WELL1 MAYBE Y C S+ YRF UP A DAME4 ,"!
A9'T NOBODY "H1 ,JO40
  ,A MUSCLE 9 MY %\LD] BLADE TWIT*$4
8,Y'"K1 NOBODY CALLS ME T EXCEPT MY
DAD40
  8,:AT1 DID HE WANT A BOY80
  8,N EXACTLY40 ,T SEEM$ L 5 9=M,N 6VOL-
UNTE]4
  ,G>Y UNB5T A LL1 HOOK+ 8 >M OV] ! TOP
(A PEW Z HE LOOK$ AT ME4 ,5 "T PASS$ TO
LET ME "K T HE 0 POLITELY N ASK+ AB MY
DAD 2F HE ASK$1 8,!N :AT D !Y CALL   #BH
Y80
  8,JOANIE1 OR ,JOANNE1 USU,Y4 ,"S"TS
,ANNE1 ,ANNIE40
  ,G>Y /RAI<T5$ UP1 H&S 9 ! SMALL ( 8
BACK4 8,MY WIFE 0 "ND ,ANNE4 ,Y DON'T
LOOK L AN ,ANNE 6ME40
  ,I SMIL$4 8,:AT'D %E LOOK L80
  8',B\T F\R ELEV51 BLOND HAIR1 BR[N
EYES1 PETITE4 ,Y GOTTA 2 AT L1/ A FOOT
TALL] ?AN %E WAS40
  8,Y1H40 ,X CAME \ S.D+ L A LAU<1 & ,I
SMIL$ AG4 8,S CALL ME ,JO1 !N40
  8,Y SURE8 ,I DON'T ?9K Y GET AL;G ) YR
OLD MAN40
  8,I DON'T N GET AL;G ) HM40 ,H[ _H ,I
5D$ UP 9 A *UR* LOOK+ =A BODY & 4CUSS+
MY HOME LIFE8 8,X'S OKAY4 ,I DON'T M9D
,JO40 ,I WAIT$ =! MUSCLE 9 MY %\LD]
BLADE 6SPASM AG4 ,X ALW DID :5 ,I 0
T5SE4 ,? "T X DIDN'T4 ,MAYBE ,I RE,Y
DIDN'T M9D 2+ CALL$ ,JO4 ,:O KNEW8
  8,"!'S NOBODY 9 "H1 ,JO10 ,G>Y REP1T$4
,I TRI$ 6/UFF MY H&S 9 MY POCKETS1 ONLY
64COV] ,I DIDN'T H ANY4 ,! ?+ ,I'D LE>N$
AB TRAVEL+ 0 T X 0 SLI<TLY LESS      #BI
MIS]A# IF ,I WORE /RET* PANTS ) AN ELAS-
TIC WAI/B&4 ,! "OS ,I 0 WE>+ 7 BLACK &
-FY & _H NICE /RAI<T LEGS1 B NO POCKETS4
,I HOOK$ MY ?UMBS 96! /RAP ( MY FANNY
PACK1 9/1D4 ,I HAT$ ! ?+S1 B ,I N"E
LE>N$ 6C>RY A PURSE1 &A FANNY PACK IS AT
L1/ ATTA*$ 6ME4 ,MAKES X H>D] 6=GET4
  8,C'MON1 LET'S G4 ,NOBODY "H40
  8,NO1 WAIT40
  ,G>Y SI<$1 EXASP]AT$1 & L1N$ AG/ A
PEW1 >MS FOLD$ ACR 8 *E/4 ,SEV5TY-?REE
OR N1 HE MADE A PRETTY IMPRESSIVE WALL (
A MAN4 8,!N D YR ?+ & F9D ! BROAD40
  ,I LOOK$ AT HM4 8,MY ?+80
  8,Y GOT "S K9DA ?+ GO+ ON "H1 LADY4
,NORMAL P DON'T /ICK _! H1DS \ A PLANE
W9D[ & SEE DAMES T NE$ RESCU+4 ,S D YR
?+ & RESCUE H]4 ,MY MET]'S / RUNN+40
  ,OH1 ,GOD4 ,X PROBABLY WAS1 TOO4
8,HOPE Y TAKE CR$IT C>DS40 ,I WALK$ 6!
FRONT (! *UR* & >.D ! PULPIT4
  ,I RE,Y1 H"O/-TO-,GOD1 EXPECT$ 6SEE !
WOMAN C[]+ 9 ! BACK SIDE (! PULPIT4 ,T
%E WASN'T CAME Z A %OCK4 8,WELL1 %IT40
  8,:AT8 ,Y F9D YR BODY AF ALL80     #CJ
,G>Y %OV$ (F 8 PEW & CAME L;G-LE7+ X UP
6! FRONT4
  8,NO1 Y <\L4 ,"!'S NOBODY "H4 ,I RE,Y
?"\ %E WD BE40
  8,I'LL CUT Y A BR1K & WON'T EXPECT A
TIP1 J =! SATISFAC;N ( 2+ "R40 ,HE L1N$
ON ! PULPIT1 GR9N+ :ITELY AT ME4 ,I _H !
SU45 URGE 6POP HM 9 ^? NICE /RAI<T CL1N
TEE?4 ,X M/ H %[N 9 MY FACE1 2C 8 GR9
GOT EV5 WID]4 8,Y WANNA TRY X80
  8,NO10 ,I SD S\RLY4 8,I ?9K Y'D BR1K
ME 9 HALF40
  8,ONLY A LL BIT40
  8,GEE4 ,?ANKS40 ,I BACK$ UP A C\PLE
/EPS & L1N$ ON ! $GE (! ''' HELL IF ,I
"K :AT X'S CALL$4 ,LOOK$ L AN ALT> 6ME4
,ALL GILD$ & D\R4 ,X _H PROBABLY N"E BE5
9TRODUC$ 6A WOMAN'S 2H 9 XS :OLE EXI/;E4
,OR MAYBE X _H BE54 ,Y ALW HE>D /ORIES
AB ! PRIE/ :O'S A PILL> (! -MUN;Y B
TURNS \ 6BE HAV+ A6AIRS ) HALF ! 3GREGA-
;N4 ,SEEM$ 6ME IF Y'RE GO+ 6S91 Y MI<T Z
WELL D X "R4 ,ON ! ALT> WD 2 A NICE BIG
S94 8,I ?"\ %E'D 2 "H40
  8,:Y80                             #CA
  ,I %RU7$4 8,I DON'T "K4 ,*UR*ES >E
SUPPOS$ 6BE SANCTU>Y1 OR "S?+4 ,I ?"\
%E'D 2 SAFE 9 "H4 ,3SECRAT$ GR.D40
  8,:AT C5TURY >E Y LIV+ IN1 LADY80
  8,! WR;G "O1 ,I GUESS40 ,I ?UMP$ ON !
$GE (! ALT>1 ANNOY$4
  ,! TOP SLIPP$4
  ,I L1P$ (F X L X _H BITT5 ME4 ,G>Y'S
BU%Y EYEBR[S W5T UP4 ,WE BO? />$ AT !
9*-WIDE CRACK AT ! $GE (! BOX ": ! LID
_H PU%$ BACK4 8,Y DON'T 2LIEVE 9 VAM-
PIRES1 D Y1 ,G>Y80
  8,GOD DAMN X10 HE SD1 8,I 0 TRY+ .R1L
H>D N 6?9K T WAY40
  8,K9D ( FITS1 ?\<1 DOESN'T X8 ,SC>Y-
LOOK+ *UR*1 BIG OLD CRYPT 9 ! MI4LE1 !
LIV+ D1D RIS--0
  8,X'S PA/ DAWN10 ,G>Y SD HA/ILY4 8,NO
VAMPIRES AF DAWN4 ,"R80
  8,"!'S NO S* ?+ Z VAMPIRES1 ,G>Y40
  ,HE />$ AT ME DUBI\SLY4 ,I />$ AT !
CRYPT DUBI\SLY4 ,FUNNY H[ A SECOND AGO X
_H BE5 AN ALT> & N[ X 0 A CRYPT4
8,WELL80 HE DEM&$4 8,>E Y GONNA LOOK 9
X80                                  #CB
  8,Y1H40
  8,:580
  8,Z SOON Z ,I GET UP ! N]VE40
  ,HE PRO4$ ME 9 ! SMALL ( MY BACK1 PU%+
ME =W>D4 ,I ADMIR$ ! RESI/.E 9 MY BODY4
,I FELT L HE 0 TRY+ 6MOVE A ME-%AP$ L1D
WEI<T4 ,I EXPECT$ 6HE> MY FEET SCRAP+
AL;G )! S.D ( METAL RIPP+ UP H>DWOOD4
,9/1D1 ,I /UM#D HALF A /EP =W>D1 !N GL>$
OV] MY %\LD] AT ,G>Y4 8,Y'RE A BIG /R;G
MAN4 ,>5'T Y SUPPOS$ 6BE PLUNG+ 96DANG]
2F ME80
  8,Y'RE =TY-SEV5 YE>S "Y] ?AN ME1 LA-
DY10 HE PO9T$ \4 8,& ALM Z TALL Z ,I AM4
,& Y'RE 9 MY WEI<T CLASS4 ,& X'S .YR
VAMPIRE 9 ! C(F940
  8,I AM .N 9 YR WEI<T CLASS10 ,I SD1 (-
F5D$4 8,Y'VE GOT 6\TWEI< ME 0AT L1/ =TY
P.DS40 ,I $G$ A QU>T] (A /EP CLOS] 6!
CRYPT4 8,& X'S N A VAMPIRE40
  8,H[ M* D Y WEI<80
  8,ISN'T X RUDE 6ASK A WOMAN H[ M* %E
WEI<S80
  8,NAH1 X'S RUDE 6ASK H[ OLD %E IS1 &
,I ALR "K40                          #CC
  ,OH4 ,DAMN4 ,I /EPP$ =W>D1 HOLD+ MY
BR1?4 ,! CRYPT DIDN'T D ANY?+4 8,I WEI<
"O SEV5TY-TWO40
  8,NO %IT80
  8,I'M ALM SIX FEET TALL1 ,G>Y1 :AT D Y
WANT ME 6WEI<1 A HUNDR$ & ?IRTY8 ,I'D 2
D1D40 ,I PEEK$ 96! LL HOLE ! LID MADE ":
X _H SLID OV]4 ,IF "! 0 A VAMPIRE 9 "!1
X 0 A V SMALL1 V HI45 VAMPIRE4 ,OR MAYBE
X BL5D$ ) %AD[S WELL4 ,VAMPIRES 7 SUP-
POS$ 6D T1 W]5'T !Y8
  ,I 0 SC>+ MYF4 8,GIVE ME A H& ) ?40
  ,G>Y CREPT =W>D4 8,I \TWEI< Y 0SIXTY
P.DS40
  8,T'S :Y Y'RE A L9EBACK]1 & ,I'M N4
,PU% ON ?REE4 ,"O1 TWO1 ?REE60
  ,I "UE/IMAT$ H[ M* PU% WE CD PROVIDE4
,! LID %OT (F ! BOX1 CRA%+ 6! FLOOR )A
?UD T RATTL$ ! RAFT]S4 ,I FELL =W>D1
%RIEK+1 ) VI.NS ( 2+ SUCK$ DRY 0VAMPIRES
SUPPLI$ 0MY TOO-VIVID IMAG9,N4
  ,HALFWAY 96! CRYPT1 ,I 0 MET 0ANO!R
%RIEK+ WOMAN ON H] WAY \4

                                     #CD
























             ,,*APT] ,,?REE          #CE

  ,MY H1D HIT ! FLOOR )A CRACK ONLY
SLI<TLY LESS IMPRESSIVE ?AN ! CRYPT LID
_H MADE4 ,MY VI.N SWAM 6BLACK1 & MY
TAILB"O DECOMPRESS$ L A S]IES ( FIRE-
CRACK]S4 ,I WDN'T NE$ 6VISIT ! *IROPRAC-
TOR AF ALL4
  ,VI.N RETURN$ 9 "T 6SEE "S?+ B"R &
GLITT]Y >*+ D[N AT ME4 ,I FLUNG MY H&
UP1 B>ELY DEFLECT+ ! FALL (A KNIFE4 ,MY
WRI/ HIT ! WOMAN'S )! SOLID ?UNK T M1NT
A WEEK F N[1 AF ,I'D =GOTT5 ? _H HAPP5$1
A B"O BRUISE WD COLOR HALF MY >M4 ,!
WOMAN'S GRIP LOOS5$ &! KNIFE GL.ED (F MY
*EEKB"O 9/1D ( DRIV+ 96MY ?ROAT4 ,I HIT
H] AG1 &! KNIFE SKITT]$ AWAY1 B\NC+ ACR
! H>DWOOD FLOOR4
  ,! WOMAN %RIEK$ AG--OR MAYBE %E _HN'T
/OPP$--& SCRAM#D AF ! KNIFE4 ,I TACKL$
H]1 FL++ MY >MS >.D H]4 ,H] :ITE BL\SE
SU45LY /A9$ R$ ": MY *EEK PRESS$ AG/ X4
  ,G>Y PULL$ H] \ F "U ME & 6H] FEET1
PU%+ H] ELB[S 9 AG/ H] WAI/ & HOLD+ H]
/4 ,8 H&S LOOK$ BIZ>RELY L>GE 9 PROPOR;N
6H] WAI/4 ,%E W9C$ & HISS$1 H] H1D   #CF
D[N Z ,I GOT UP UN/1DILY & T\*$ MY FACE4
,BLOOD SKIMM$ OV] MY F+]TIPS & 96MY
PALM1 COLOR+ 9 ! LIFEL9E4 ,I WAT*$ VA-
CANTLY Z X TRAIL$ ALL ! WAY >.D ! SIDE (
MY H& & D[N MY WRI/4 ,MY FACE DIDN'T
HURT4 ,X SEEM$ L X %D4
  8,Y GOT LUCKY10 ,G>Y SD4 8,%E 0 GONNA
CUT YR ?ROAT "R \4 ,:AT %D ,I D ) H]80
  ,I LOOK$ UP1 />TL$ & VACANT4 8,OH1 F]
,*RISSAKES10 HE SD1 8,Y'RE %OCKY1 OR "S-
?9'4 ,GET "S?+ 6/OP ! BLE$+40
  ,T SEEM$ L A PRETTY GD IDEA4 ,I LOOK$
>.D1 SILV] CAT*+ MY EYE AG4 ,! KNIFE
%E'D CUT ME ) LAY AG/ ! FOOT (A PEW1 A
NICE H1VY BUTT]FLY KNIFE4 ,I PICK$ X UP
& CUT A PIECE (F ! ALT> BANN]1 HOLD+ X
6MY FACE :ILE ,G>Y ASK$ AG :AT 6D )!
WOMAN4
  8,UM10 ,I SD1 & .!N MY FACE />T$ TO
HURT4 ,=A M9UTE ,I 0 TOO BUSY BL9K+ BACK
TE>S 6GIVE A DAMN :AT ,G>Y DID4 ,I
CROAK$1 8,HOLD H] =A M9UTE10 & TRI$ IN-
CR1S+ ! PRESSURE ON MY CUT 6SEE IF X
HELP$ ! PA9 ANY4 ,X DIDN'T4 ,I LOOK$ UP
"? TE>Y EYES4 ,X _H 6BE ! SAME       #CG
WOMAN4 ,%E _H HIP-L5G? D>K BR[N HAIR ) J
5 CURL 6MAKE ME COVET X4 8,Y'RE ! "O ,I
SAW F ! AIRPLANE40
  ,%E LIFT$ H] H1D 6LOOK AT ME1 EYES
WIDE4 ,I DROPP$ MY H& F MY FACE &! MAKE-
%IFT B&AGE FELL 6! FLOOR Z ,I GAWK$ AT
H]4
  ,%E 0 B1UTI;L4 ,N YR G>D5-V>IETY PRET-
TY GIRL1 N YR MOVIE-/> K9D ( B1UTI;L4
,%E 0 ! SORT ( B1UTI;L T ,TROY _H G"O TO
W> OV]4 ,HI<1 FRAGILE *EEKB"OS1 DELICATE
PO9T$ *91 ABSOLUTELY UNBLEMI%$ PALE SK94
,L;G-LA%$ BLUE EYES1 ?9 /RAI<T EYEBR[S4
,A ROSEBUD M\?1 = ,GOD'S SAKE4 ,"! 7 V
F9E L9ES ( PA9 >.D ! CORN]S ( H] M\? &
EYES1 &! NO/RILS ( H] P]FECTLY /RAI<T
NOSE 7 FL>$ A LL1 N"O ( : DETRACT$ F H]
B1UTY4
  8,JESUS40 ,I SU45LY _H A V GD IDEA (
:Y %E'D BE5 *AS$4
  8,:AT80 ,G>Y DEM&$4 ,I J KEPT OGL+ !
WOMAN4 ,%E _H A P]FECT ?ROAT4 ,%E _H GRT
COLL>B"OS4 ,%E _H ,MAE ,WE/ CURVES1 TOO1
A R1L H\RGLASS FIGURE4 ,%E 0 AT L1/ EI<T
9*ES %ORT] & FIFTY P.DS LI<T] ?AN    #CH
,I WAS4 ,X SD "S?+ = H] MO;TUM T %E'D
KNOCK$ ME FLAT ON MY ASS4 ,I DIDN'T ?9K
,I CD H KNOCK$ ,G>Y OV]1 IF ,I'D BE5 H]
& HE'D BE5 ME4
  ,I HAT$ H]4
  ,I 0 S BUSY />+ & HAT+ H] X TOOK A
:ILE 6NOTICE "! 0 DRY+ BLOOD ON H] %IRT1
N J ! NEW /UFF ,I'D PUT "!1 B /ICKY1
HALF-DRI$ BR[N SPOTS4 8,%IT4 ,LET H] G1
,G>Y40
  8.,:AT80
  8,LET H] G4 ,H] >MS >E ALL CUT UP4
,Y'RE HURT+ H]40
  ,G>Y LET G L 8 H&S 7 ON FIRE4 ,! WOMAN
MADE A SMALL S.D & FOLD$ H] >MS "U H]
BR1/S1 %ALL[ GA%ES L1K+ BLOOD ONTO H]
%IRT AG4 ,I EXPECT$ H] VOICE 6BE MUSI-
CAL1 DULCET T"OS1 ) AN EXOTIC A35T4 ,IN-
/1D %E 0 AN ALTO :O S.D$ L %E 0 F ,NO":
,9 ,"PICUL>1 ,U4,S4,A4 8,Y SAW ME F AN
AIRPLANE80
  ,P KEPT SAY+ T4 ,I TOOK A BR1? 6RE-
SPOND & R1LIZ$ ,I DIDN'T FEEL L ,I NE$$
6?R[ UP ANYMORE4 ,! TWI/ ( SICK;S 9 MY
BELLY _H 4SIPAT$4 ,MY %\LD]S         #CI
DROPP$ & ,I LET ! BR1? G 9 A SI<4 ,I
WASN'T A FAN ( MY 9N>DS GUID+ MY AC;NS4
,N[ ALL ,I _H 6D 0 EXPLA9 MYF S ,I CD G
GET FIR$ & G HOME 6SLEEP4 8,AT AB SEV5 ?
MORN+4 ,I 0 FLY+ 9 F ,DUBL940 ,Z IF T _H
ANY?+ 6D ) ANY?+4 8,I SAW Y RUNN+1 & "S-
?+ 0 AF Y4 ,DOGS1 OR "S?+4 ,&A GUY )A
KNIFE40 ,I LOOK$ AT ! KNIFE ,I 0 / HOLD-
+4 8,? KNIFE8 ,H['D Y GET PA/ HM8 ,H['D
Y GET AWAY F ! DOGS80
  8,I RAN AWAY F ! DOGS10 ! WOMAN SD1 8&
,I KICK$ ! GUY )! KNIFE 9 ! H1D40
  ,G>Y & ,I BO? />$ AT H]4 ,%E SMIL$ A
LL BIT4 ,A LL BIT (A SMILE F H] 0 L
SP5D+ A LL BIT ( "T ) ,M>ILYN ,MONROE4
,X W5T A L;G WAY4 8,I GUESS ,I DON'T
LOOK L A KICKBOX]10 %E SD4
  8,T'S = DAMN$ SURE10 ,G>Y MUM#D4 ,HE
LOOK$ EV5 M AW$ ?AN ,I FELT4 ,I GUESS$ X
0 NICE 6"K "S ?+S DIDN'T *ANGE EV5 :5 Y
HIT YR EI<? DECADE4 8,S H['D Y GET ALL
CUT UP80 HE ASK$4
  ,%E %RU7$ A LL4 8,I _H 6GET CLOSE 5 TO
KICK HM40
  8,T 8 TOO? \ "!80                  #DJ
  ,H] :OLE FACE LIT UP4 8,I KNOCK$ A
TOO? LOOSE80 ,%E LOOK$ L A LL KID :O'D J
GOTT5 H] V [N ,R$ ,RYD] ,,BB GUN =
,*RI/MAS4 ,I ALM LAU<$4
  8,Y KNEW HM8 ,:Y 0 HE *AS+ Y80 ,EV5 Z
,I ASK$1 ,I KNEW ! "Q 0 IDIOTIC4 ,M5 H
HUNT$ P D[N = M* LESS ATTRACTIVE PRIZES4
,I .LIK$ 2+ TALL4 ,NEXT 6? WOMAN ,I FELT
Z UNGA9LY Z A GIRA6E4
  8,:Y DID Y -E 6SAVE ME IF Y DON'T "K
:O HE IS80 %E ASK$ AT ALM ! SAME "T4 ,WE
/>$ AT EA* O!R4
  8,LET'S />T AG10 ,I SD AF A L;G MO;T (
SIL;E4 ,!N ,I _H NO IDEA ": 6/>T ) "S"O
:O'D BE5 ATTACK$ & :O J TRI$ 6CUT MY
?ROAT \4 ,"NS SEEM$ L A GD PLACE4 8,I'M
,JOANNE ,WALK+/ICK40
  ,X'S PHYSIC,Y IMPOSSI# 6LOOK AT YR [N
M\? 9 A/ONI%;T4 ,I GAVE X A GD %OT4 ,I
_HN'T CALL$ MYF 0T "N 9 AT L1/ FIVE
YE>S4 ,M L T54 ,G>Y RAIS$ 8 BU%Y EYEBR[S
AT ME CURI\SLY4
  8,Y DON'T LOOK L AN ,9DIAN10 HE SD1 :
RE,Y M1NT1 8,H[ ! HELL DID Y 5D UP )A
LA/ "N L ,WALK+/ICK80 ,I'D HE>D X    #DA
=! F/ TWELVE YE>S ( MY LIFE4
  8,I "K40 ,I _HN'T "KN T A PRACTIC$ T"O
( 3TROLL$ PATI;E CD LIE 9 WAIT =! NEXT
"T X 0 NE$$1 B "! X WAS4 ,X _HN'T BE5
NE$$ = YE>S4 ,X M1NT ,I WASN'T GO+ 6SAY
ANY?+ ELSE1 & IF Y WANT$ 6MAKE A BIG D1L
( X1 Y'D 5D UP 9 A FI/FI<T4
  ,I 0 GD AT BRAWL+4
  ,G>Y1 ! L9EBACK]1 LET ! T"O BL[ "R OV]
HM & /AY$ "! ) 8 >MS FOLD$ & EYEBR[S
LIFT$4 ,! WOMAN /UDI$ ME "? DRAWN-D[N
EYEBR[S4 ,X MADE A WR9KLE 9 ! MI4LE ( H]
=EH1D4 ,ON ME1 T WR9KLE 0 SC>Y4 ,ON H]1
X 0 CUTE4 ,I HAT$ H] "S M4
  ,G>Y 0 WR;G1 ANYWAY4 ,I DID LOOK ,9DI-
AN4 ,MY COLOR+ 0 WR;G1 B 9 BLACK-&-:ITE
PHOTOS ,I LOOK$ L ,I DIDN'T H A DROP (
,IRI% BLOOD 9 ME4 ,I'D *ANG$ MY LA/ "N
6,WALK] :5 ,I TURN$ EI<TE5 & GRADUAT$ F
HI< S*OOL4 ,NO": (FICIAL4 ,I J FILL$ \ E
PIECE ( PAP]"W1 EV5 ! DIPLOMA APPLIC,N1
) ,WALK]4 ,MY BIR? C]TIFICATE 0 ! ONLY
PIECE ( PAP] ,I [N$ T _H ,WALK+/ICK Z MY
(FICIAL LA/ "N4
  8,MY "N IS ,M>IE ,D',AMBRA10 !     #DB
WOMAN SD4
  8,Y DON'T LOOK ,ITALIA--0 ,I NE>LY BIT
MY T;GUE (F4
  8,ADOPT$10 %E REPLI$1 AMUSE;T SP>KL+ 9
H] EYES4
  ,OH4 8,MY "M 0 BLACK ,IRI%10 ,I SD AF
A MO;T4 8,I GOT H] COLOR+40 ,X SEEM$ L A
FAIR EX*ANGE ( 9=M,N4 8,:Y 0 T GUY AF Y8
,:AT 0 .*AS+ Y8 ,X DIDN'T LOOK L A DOG
PACK4 ,EXACTLY40
  ,M>IE 9CL9$ H] H1D4 ,X LOOK$ GRACI\S4
,H[ DID %E D T8 8,X WASN'T4 ,8 "N IS
,C]NUNNOS1 & HE IS ! L1D] (! ,WILD
,HUNT4 ,X 0 ! ,HUNT :O *AS$ ME4 ,:Y DID
Y -E 6HELP ME80
  ,I LOOK$ SIDEWAYS AT ,G>Y1 :O %RU7$
ALM IMP]CEPTIBLY4 ,I WDN'T ?9K A GUY )
%\LD]S T WIDE CD %RUG IMP]CEPTIBLY4 ,X
%D 2 M L PLATE TECTONICS4 ,I HOP$ ,I 0 9
T K9D ( %APE :5 ,I 0 SEV5TY-"S?+4 ,M>IE
WAIT$ PATI5TLY1 & ,I %RU7$ M P]CEPTIBLY4
,I RE,Y DIDN'T WANT 6SAY1 8,I FELT L ,I
0 GO+ 6PUKE IF ,I DIDN'T10 B ,I HE>D MYF
SAY+ X ANYWAY4 ,I CURL$ A LIP1 %OOK MY
H1D1 & A4$1 8,Y LOOK$ L Y NE$$       #DC
HELP4 ,I FELT L ,I _H 6TRY 6F9D Y40
  ,"O HALF ( H] M\? CURV$ UP 9 A SMILE4
,I /OPP$ HAT+ H]4 ,I CDN'T HATE A SMILE
L T4 ,H] SMILE MADE ! _W SEEM L X WD ALL
2 OKAY4 8,A .GWYLD AT ! CROSSROADS10 %E
MURMUR$1 & ,I FR[N$ AT H]4
  8,A :AT80
  ,%E %OOK H] H1D & DID ! WOND];L HALF
SMILE AG4 8,NO?+4 ,I'M SORRY = CUTT+ Y4
,I ?"\ Y _H 6BE "O ( ,C]NUNNOS'S P4 ,I
CDN'T IMAG9E :Y ANY"O ELSE WD 2 LOOK+ =
ME40
  8,"O ( 8 P8 ,N HM HMF80 ,T S.D$ WR;G4
8,HE HMF40
  ,M>IE %OOK H] H1D4 8,*RI/IAN E>?4 ,EV5
,C]NUNNOS C ONLY /& ON X A FEW M9UTES4
,N"O (! ,HUNT C AT ALL40
  ,I LOOK$ AT ,G>Y4 ,G>Y LOOK$ AT ME4
,WE BO? LOOK$ AT ,M>IE4 ,%E SMIL$ ! TI<T
LL SMILE ( "S"O :O "KS %E S.DS CRAZY4 ,X
MADE ME FEEL BETT]4 8,? ISN'T ! BE/
PLACE 6TALK AB ?10 %E SD4
  8,:Y N8 ,Y J SD ! GUY :O 0 AF Y C'T -E
"H10 ,G>Y SD4
  8,NO1 B HE C S5D P :O C10 ,I SD    #DD
2F ,M>IE CD4 ,%E NO4$4 8,IF HE CDN'T1 %E
WDN'T H ?"\ WE MI<T 2 TR\#40 ,I T\*$ MY
*EEK G+]LY4 ,X 0 / BLE$+4 8,AN EM]G5CY
ROOM MI<T 2 A GD PLACE 6G4 ,? IS GO+ TO
NE$ /IT*ES1 & Y %D GET LOOK$ AT1 TOO40
  ,M>IE EXT5D$ H] >MS1 PALMS UP4 ,HALF A
DOZ5 CUTS / OOZ$ R$ Z %E LOOK$ AT !M4
,%E LOOK$ L A CLUMSY SUICIDE ATTEMPT4
8,!Y'LL H1L10 %E SD 4MISSIVELY4 8,HE "KS
,I 0 HURT4 ,I'D R N G "S": S OBVI\S40
  8,Y'D R .BLE$80 ,I DEM&$4 ,G>Y CLE>$ 8
?ROAT4
  8,I GOT A F/-AID KIT 9 ! C>40
  ,I GL>$ AT HM4 ,HE SMIL$ & %RU7$4
8,SURE10 ,I SD1 8! PRETTY "O ^: FACE
ISN'T CUT UP GETS H] WAY4 ,F9E40 ,I
/OMP$ (F ! DAIS1 PICK+ ! BUTT]FLY KNIFE
UP (F ! PULPIT4 ,X MADE A SATISFY+ S]IES
( CLICKS Z ! BLADE & H&LES SLAPP$ AG/
EA* O!R :5 ,I CLOS$ X4
  8,HEY4 ,T'S M9E40 ,M>IE _H 6TAKE TWO
/EPS 6E "O ( M9E1 EV5 AF %E RAN 6CAT* UP
) ME4
  8,N ANYMORE1 X ISN'T4 ,CALL X A F9D]'S
FEE40                                #DE
  8,Y DIDN'T F9D X40
  8,I F.D Y40 ,I %OV$ ! KNIFE 96MY WAI/-
B&4 ,TWO /EPS LAT] ! ELA/IC %IFT$ &!
KNIFE SLID D[N MY LEG & \ ( MY PANTS1
CLATT]+ 6! FLOOR4 ,G>Y *OK$ BACK A GU6AW
& ,M>IE GR9N$ BROADLY4
  ,I PICK$ UP ! KNIFE ) Z M* DIGN;Y Z ,I
CD MU/] & /ALK$ \ (! *UR*4

  ,I ?"\ GO+ 96A D9] ALL BLOODY & B&AG$
0 M 3SPICU\S ?AN GO+ 6AN EM]G5CY ROOM1 B
,M>IE 9SI/$4 ,G>Y BUTT]FLY-B&AG$ MY *EEK
& WRAPP$ UP ,M>IE'S >MS :ILE ,I SULK$4
,Z A GE/URE ( P1CE HE TURN$ ! MET] (F1 B
MY FACE HURT TOO M* = ME 6BE GRATE;L4
  ,I DRA7$ A COAT \ ( MY C>RY-ON & PULL$
X ON OV] MY BLOODY ;,T-%IRT Z WE W5T 96!
D9]4 ,M>IE WALK$ 9 L %E 0 D>+ ! _W 6-;T
ON H] BLOOD/A9S4 ,NO "O DID4 ,WE SAT
D[N1 SIL5T UNTIL ! WAITRESS BR"\ U \R
DR9KS4 ,I DIDN'T "K :AT X 0 AB FOOD1 B X
ALW SEEM$ 6MAKE X EASI] 6TALK4
  ,M>IE FOLD$ H] H&S >.D AN ENORM\S
GLASS ( ORANGE JUICE4 ,I _H A C(FEE4
,ACTU,Y1 ? 2+ ,S1TTLE1 ,I DIDN'T H   #DF
J A C(FEE1 EV5 AT A *1P D9]4 ,I _H A
GR&E D\#-%OT LATTE )A %OT ( AM>ETTO4 ,J
! SMELL (! /UFF GOT ME HI<4
  8,C]NUNNOS L1DS ! ,WILD ,HUNT10 ,M>IE
SD 6H] ORANGE JUICE4 8,!Y RIDE 6COLLECT
! S\LS (! D1D40 ,%E LOOK$ UP 6SEE IF T
CLE>$ ?+S UP = U4 ,G>Y J WAIT$4 ,HE RE,Y
0 HAV+ A REGUL> BLACK C(FEE4 ,I DIDN'T
EV5 "K !Y MADE T ANYMORE4 ,HE'D ORD]$
BR1KFA/1 TOO4 ,I 0 HUNGRY1 B 2T ADR5AL9E
& NO SLEEP1 ,I 0 PRETTY SURE FOOD WD J
-E BACK UP AG4 ,N[ T ,I ?"\ AB X1 ! IN-
JEC;N ( CA6E9E PROBABLY WASN'T S* A GRT
IDEA ON T -B9,N4 ,FOOD WD H BE5 BETT]4
  8,Y A9'T D1D10 ,G>Y PO9T$ \4 ,M>IE
W9C$1 PRODUC+ A PA9$ SMILE4
  8,AN OV]SI<T40
  8,FILL 9 U DUMB "OS10 ,I SD4 8,:AT'S A
WILD HUNT80
  8.,! ,WILD ,HUNT10 %E CORRECT$4
  8,OKAY1 .! WILD HUNT4 ,:AT IS X80
  ,%E SAT BACK1 H] H&S / WRAPP$ >.D !
ORANGE JUICE GLASS4 ,%E _HN'T DRUNK ANY
YET4 8,C]NUNNOS 0 AN OLD ,CELTIC GOD10
%E SD SL[LY4 8,:5 ,*RI/IAN;Y CAME    #DG
6,IREL& & ,BRITA91 8 CULT 0 S P[];L T X
TOOK A :ILE = X 6DIE \4 ,& X N"E 5TIRELY
FAD$40
  8,L ANY PAGAN RELIGION10 ,I 9T]RUPT$4
,M>IE LIFT$ H] EYES 6LOOK AT ME4 ,! MUS-
CLE 9 MY %\LD] BLADE TWIT*$ AG & ,I
%RU7$1 TRY+ 6LOOS5 X4 8,! ,PEOP--! ,*]O-
KEE / PRACTICE _! OLD WAYS1 TOO4 ,FAI?
IS H>D 6/OMP \40 ,! ,P4 ,WALK+/ICK4 ,:AT
0 WR;G ) ME8
  8,L ANY PAGAN RELIGION10 %E AGRE$4
8,C]NUNNOS IS ! ,CELTIC ,HORN$ ,GOD1 ES-
S5TI,Y A F]TIL;Y FIGURE B ) V DEEP TIES
6D1? Z WELL4 ,"! >E ,NORSE & ,G]MAN C\N-
T]"PS1 ,WOD51 ,ANWYN1 ROOT$ 9 A -MON AN-
CE/RY40 ,%E WAV$ H] H& ABS5TLY1 BRU%+
ASIDE ! TRIVIA4
  8,& HE'S AF Y40 ,I 9FUS$ MY VOICE ) Z
M* S>CASM Z ,I CD4 ,X 0 PA!TIC,Y LL4 ,%E
0 TOO PRETTY 6BE S>CA/IC AT1 EV5 IF %E 0
CRAZY4
  8,YES40 ,M>IE NO4$ & DRA7$ H] ORANGE
JUICE 6! $GE (! TA#4
  8,Y S]I\SLY ?9K Y GOT "S K9D ( GOD AF
Y80 ,G>Y ASK$4 ,M>IE NO4$4 ,G>Y      #DH
TURN$ 6ME4 8,I VOTE WE DROP H] (F AT A
LOONY B9 & RUN =! HILLS40
  8,>E Y ASK+ ME 6RUN AWAY ) Y1 ,G>Y8
,AF S* A %ORT1 VIOL5T C\RT%IP80 ,X
WASN'T T ,I DIDN'T AGREE4 ,9 FACT1 ,I
PU%$ MY LATTE AWAY1 GETT+ R1DY 6/& UP4
,G>Y DID ! SAME1 LOOK+ RELIEV$4
  8,SORRY1 LADY10 HE SD1 & /OOD4 ,I PUT
MY PALMS ON ! TA# & LOOK$ AT ,M>IE4 ,%E
LOOK$ B"O-TIR$1 M TIR$ ?AN ,I FELT4 ,%E
LOOK$ L %E'D BE5 "? ? A DOZ5 "TS ALR1 &
0 J WAIT+ =! "T T %E SCREW$ UP & DIDN'T
LIVE "? X4
  ,DAMMIT1 ,I'D JUMP$ (F A PLANE & -E
TE>+ "? ! /REETS ( ,S1TTLE 6F9D ? WOMAN4
,I DIDN'T FEEL L ,I'D SE5 X "? 6! 5D
YET4 ,I SETTL$ BACK 96MY S1T4
  8,AW1 HELL10 ,G>Y SD1 & SAT BACK D[N4
,M>IE BIT H] L[] LIP1 HOLD+ H] BR1? :ILE
%E WAT*$ ME4 ,:5 ,I DIDN'T MOVE AG1 %E
LET H] BR1? \ & 2GAN TALK+ AG1 )\T TAK+
H] EYES (F ME4 ,IF %E ?"\ %E 0 P9N+ ME 9
PLACE1 %E 0 "R4 ,GIRLS W]5'T RE,Y MY ?+4
,HELL1 ,I DIDN'T EV5 L WOM5 M*1 Z A
SPECIES4 ,I _H NO IDEA :Y ,I WANT$   #DI
6HELP H] S M*4 ,M>IE TOOK A DEEP BR1?4
  8,I GA!R NEI ( Y >E MY/ICS40
  ,G>Y LAU<$ S L\DLY ,I NE>LY SPILL$ MY
C(FEE4 ,A TIR$-LOOK+ BLONDE 2H ! C.T]
TURN$ >.D & LOOK$ AT U4 ,M>IE TWI/$ A LL
SMILE AT H] ORANGE JUICE4 ,I SU45LY FELT
SORRY = H]1 : 0 NEW4
  8,OKAY10 %E SD 9 A V SMALL VOICE4 8,C
Y H&LE ! IDEA T "!'S M 6! _W ?AN WE
SEE80
  8..,"! >E M ?+S1 ,HORATIO1 ?AN >E
DR1MT ( 9 YR .PHILOSOPHY40 ,X 0 ! OBVI\S
L9E4 ,:AT WASN'T S OBVI\S 0 T ,G>Y B1T
ME 6X1 & SD X 9 A RI*1 SONOR\S VOICE4
,M>IE & ,I BO? LOOK$ AT HM4 8,ANNIE LIK$
'EM BIG1 N /UPID10 ,G>Y SD )A GR94
8,SURE1 LADY1 "!'S M ?AN WE SEE40
  ,M>IE GL.ED AT ME4 8,:Y DOES HE KEEP
CALL+ ME LADY80
  8,I ?9K X'S AN 5DE>+ "* TRAIT4 ,:5 HE
RE,Y GETS 6"K Y1 HE'LL />T CALL+ Y
,8DAME0' & ,8BROAD10' TOO40
  8,Y1H80 ,%E LOOK$ AT ,G>Y1 !N BACK AT
ME4 8,H[ L;G'VE Y "KN HM80 ,I TURN$ MY
WRI/ OV] 6LOOK AT MY WAT*1 : 0 /     #EJ
WR;G4
  8,AB N9ETY M9UTES4 ,S :AT'RE WE MISS+
9 \R PHILOSOPHIES1 ,M>IE80
  ,%E SMIL$4 ,X 0 RADIANT4 ,H"O/ 6,GOD4
,H] :OLE FACE LIT UP1 ALL W>M & WELCOM+
& *>M+4 ,G>Y LOOK$ POLEAX$4 ,I PRET5D$
,I DIDN'T & ALL[$ MYF ! SUP]IOR ?"\3
.,M54
  8,I'M AN AN?ROPOLOGI/10 ,M>IE SD4
8,I'VE BE5 /UDY+ SIMIL>ITIES 2T CULTURAL
MY?OLOGIES = AB T5 YE>S N[40
  ,ALL (A SU45 %E _H AN AURA ( CR$IBILI-
TY4 ,WELL1 EXCEPT ,I ?"\ %E LOOK$ AB
TW5TY-FIVE4 ,I /OLE A GL.E AT ,G>Y1 :O
DIDN'T LOOK 4BELIEV+4 ,EI HE ?"\ %E
LOOK$ OLD] ?AN T1 OR 8 S-CALL$ USE.S
TAL5T 0 A LOAD ( BUNK4 8,H[ OLD IS %E80
,I ASK$ HM4 ,HE LIFT$ A BU%Y EYEBR[1
GLANC+ AT ME1 !N LOOK$ BACK AT H]4
  8,?IRTY-N9E10 HE SD1 9 T&EM ) ,M>IE4
,H] EYEBR[S W5T UP :ILE MY JAW W5T D[N4
,G>Y LOOK$ SMUG4 ,AF A FEW SECONDS %E
%OOK H] H1D & W5T ON4
  8,X'S H>D10 %E SD C>E;LLY1 86IMM]SE
YRF 9 A /UDY1 9 MY?OLOGY & 2LIEF1    #EA
)\T 2G9N+ 6"U/& T EV5 IF .Y DON'T 2LIEVE
X1 T "S"O DID1 & T X HAS1 OR _H1 P[]4 ,I
DON'T 3SID] MYF "PICUL>LY SUSCEPTI# TO
BULL%IT40
  ,LOOK+ AT H]1 ,I CD 2LIEVE X4 ,%E _H
6H HE>D E L9E 9 ! BOOK1 0N[4 ,X WD TAKE
G5U9E EF=T 6REMA9 GULLI#1 & %E DIDN'T
SEEM GULLI#4 ,%E F9,Y LIFT$ H] ORANGE
JUICE & DRANK HALF ( X4
  8,C]TA9 LEG5DS _H M P[] = ME ?AN O!RS4
,!Y 7 EASI] 62LIEVE4 ,!Y T5D$ D[N ,CELT-
IC L9ES--MY MOM SAYS X'S BLOOD %[+ "?4
,B ! ,MORRIGAN1 ! ,HUNT1 BAN%EES1 CROSS-
COMP>ISONS ( ^? LEG5DS 6O!R CULTURES 7 M
FASC9AT+ 6ME ?AN MO/ O!R ?+S4 ,A :ILE
AGO A GLOOMY FR ( M9E PO9T$ \ T !Y W]5'T
J ,CELTIC LEG5DS4 ,!Y 7 ALL ,CELTIC LEG-
5DS T _H 6D ) D1? OR VIOL;E40
  ,%E TOOK A DEEP BR1?1 LOOK+ UP AT U )
^? V BLUE EYES4 8,"R AF T ,I />T$ 6BE A#
6S5SE :O 0 AB 6DIE40
  ,SIL;E HELD1 /RET*$1 & BROKE Z MY
VOICE %OT UP TWO OCTAVES4 8,Y'RE A FUCK+
.BAN%EE80 ,! TIR$ BLONDE 2H ! C.T] LOOK$
\R WAY AG1 !N %IFT$ H] %\LD]S &      #EB
TURN$ AWAY1 UN9T]E/$4 ,M>IE'S ?9 /RAI<T
EYEBR[S LIFT$ A LL4
  8,I ?"\ Y DIDN'T "K ANY?+ AB ^? LEG-
5DS80
  8,I J GOT (F ! PLANE F A FUN]AL 9
,IREL&40
  ,"U/&+ & CURIOS;Y CAME 96,M>IE'S EYES4
8,^: FUN]AL80 %E ASK$4
  8,MY MO?--:AT DOES T H 6D ) ANY?+80
  8,I 0 CURI\S4 ,Y DON'T H ! S5SE ( "S"O
CLOSE 6Y HAV+ DI$40
  8,WE W]5'T CLOSE10 ,I SD %ORTLY4 ,? 0
! SECOND "T ? MORN+ ,I'D SD "S?+ AB MY
FAMILY4 ,I 0 BR1K+ ALL SORTS ( RULES =
ME4 ,I RE,Y NE$$ SLEEP4 ,! WAITRESS CAME
0& SLID ,G>Y'S BR1KFA/ 9 FRONT ( HM4
,?REE E7S1 FRI$1 OV] A SLAB ( /1K1 ?REE
HUGE PANCAKES1 HA% BR[NS1 BACON1 SAUSAGE
&A SIDE ( TOA/4 ,I GOT FULL J LOOK+ AT
X4 ,G>Y DIDN'T PICK UP 8 =K1 & AF A C\-
PLE SECONDS ,I FR[N$ AT HM4
  ,! BIG GUY 0 ACTU,Y PALE1 GRAY EYES
WIDE "U ! BU%Y EYEBR[S4 ,HE />$ AT ,M>IE
L %E'D TURN$ F A GOLD5 RETRIEV] PUPPY
96A K+ COBRA4 ,I DID A D\#-TAKE F    #EC
HM 6H] & BACK AG1 WOND]+ :AT 0 WR;G4
8,G>Y80
  8,DON'T WORRY10 ,M>IE SD1 V S(TLY4 8,I
DON'T SEE ANY?+ AB Y40
  ,G>Y FOCUS$ ON 8 PLATE ABRUPTLY1 CUTT+
A HUGE BITE ( /1K & E7S 6/UFF 96HIS M\?4
,8 EYEBR[S *>G$ UP 8 =EH1D DEFIANTLY1 L
HE EXPECT$ ,M>IE 6MAKE AN A45DUM 6H]
-;T4 ,H] M\? TWIT*$ 9 A SMILE1 B %E
DIDN'T SAY ANY?+ ELSE4
  8,DOES 2+ A BAN%EE H ANY?+ 6D ) :Y
:AT'S-HIS-FACE WANTS Y80 ,I R1*$ OV] &
SNIT*$ A PIECE ( BACON (F ,G>Y'S PLATE4
,HE NOTIC$1 B DIDN'T /OP ME4
  8,C]NUNNOS4 ,I DON'T "K4 ,MAYBE40
  8,2C1 :AT1 ! ,HUNT ISN'T SC>Y 5 )\T
Y80 ,I HE>D MYF CAPITALIZE ! ^W1 & WON-
D]$ :Y ,I'D D"O X4
  8,I HAV5'T _H A 3V]S,N ) HM AB X10 %E
SD4 8,I DON'T RE,Y ."K :AT HE WANTS ME
=40
  8,S H[ D Y "K HE WANTS Y80
  8,HAV+ A PACK ( <O/ DOGS & ROOKS &A
H]D ( M5 ON HORSEBACK *ASE Y D[N ! /REET
GIVES A GIRL A PRETTY GD IDEA T      #ED
%E'S WANT$ = "S?+10 ,M>IE SD AC]BIC,Y4
  ,I _H ! GRACE 6LOOK EMB>RASS$4 8,OKAY1
X 0 A /UPID "Q40
  8,CDN'T X H BE5 VAMPIRES80 ,G>Y ASK$
WI/;LLY >.D A M\?;L ( HA% BR[NS4 8,VAM-
PIRES >E AT L1/ K9DA SEXY4 ,:AT'S SEXY
AB PACKS ( DOGS & BIRDS8 ,NO S* ?+ Z
ROOKS >.D "H ANYWAY40
  8,!Y -E ) ,C]NUNNOS40 ,M>IE KEPT SAY+
^! ?+S L !Y 7 OBVI\S4
  8,M>IE1 :AT .>E Y80 ,I ASK$4 ,%E %RANK
BACK1 LOOK+ SURPRIS+LY GUILTY4 8,BAN%EES
>E FAIRIES10 ,I SD4 8,PL1SE DON'T TELL
ME Y'RE A FAIRY40
  8,N M* ( "O1 ANYWAY10 %E SD 6H] ORANGE
JUICE1 8OR ,I WDN'T 2 A# 6HIDE ON HOLY
GR.D1 OR USE T KNIFE40 ,%E NO4$ AT !
BUTT]FLY KNIFE ,I'D SET ON ! TA# AT MY
ELB[4 ,I PICK$ X UP )\T OP5+ X & LOOK$
AT H] CURI\SLY4 8,IRON10 %E SD1 8/EEL40
  8,:AT AB X80
  ,H Y "E _H "S"O LOOK AT Y L Y 7 A P>-
TICUL>LY SL[ *8 ,T'S ! LOOK ,M>IE GAVE
ME4 ,-E 6?9K ( X1 ,CAPTA9 ,/EVE _H GIV5
ME T SAME LOOK E>LI]4 ,I 0 2G9N+     #EE
6?9K ,I %D 2 (F5D$4 ,M>IE 9T]RUPT$ 2F ,I
GOT UP ! 5]GY4 8,Y RE,Y DON'T "K ANY?+
AB ! MY/ICAL1 D Y80
  8,:Y %D ,I80
  8,I ?"\ ,9DIANS KNEW T K9DA /UFF10
,G>Y PUT IN4 ,I LOOK$ AT HM 9CR$UL\SLY4
,HE %RU7$4 8,WELL1 Y GOT ALL !M P[W[S &
/UFF4 ,:AT 7 Y DO+ DUR+ ! P[W[S80
  8,R1D+ BOOKS ON EVOLU;N10 ,I SD "? MY
TEE?4 ,APP>5TLY T T"O 0 SC>I] ?AN ! "O
,I'D EMPLOY$ E>LI]1 2C ,G>Y CLOS$ 8 M\?
>.D ANO!R =K;L ( FOOD ) AN AUDI# SMACK4
8,T'S L SAY+ ALL BIG GUYS >E /UPID1 OR
ALL BLONDES >E DUMB1 OR--0
  ,G>Y PU%$ 8 FOOD 96"O *EEK1 SQUIRREL-
L1 & NO4$4 8,Y1H1 Y1H1 ,I GOT*A4 ,X 0 A
JOKE1 ,JO4 ,JEEZ40
  8,P]PETUAT+ /]EOTYPES "? JOK+ ISN'T
FUNNY40
  8,I'M .SORRY40 ,G>Y S.D$ L HE M1NT X4
,I FR[N$ AT HM1 !N SI<$ & PUT MY FACE 9
MY H&S4
  8,=G--.FUCK T HURTS60 ,I J]K$ MY H&
AWAY F MY *EEK1 EXPECT+ 6SEE FRE% NEW
BLOOD ON MY PALM4 ,I 0 SP>$ T1 AT    #EF
L1/4 ,? 0 N MY MORN+4
  8,! ,CELTIC FAIR FOLK >5'T SUPPOS$ 6BE
A# 6BE> ! T\* ( IRON10 ,M>IE EXPLA9$1
ONCE M 9T]RUPT+ MY D[NW>D SPIRAL ( MIS]Y
2F X 2GAN4 8,N EV5 _! GODS4 ,& ,I DON'T
"K :AT ,I AM1 N 9 ! WAY Y'RE ASK+ ! "Q4
,I'M AN AN?ROPOLOGI/ ) AN UNUSUAL
SKILL40
  8,SKILL8 ,L Y LE>N$ X DELIB]ATELY80
  ,M>IE %RU7$4 8,TAL5T1 SKILL4 ,I HESI-
TATE 6CALL X A GIFT40 ,%E CAU<T ,G>Y'S
EYE1 & FLA%$ A QK SMILE4 8,AL? ,I CD
MAKE A KILL+ 9 9SUR.E10 %E SD QKLY4 ,HE
SNAPP$ 8 M\? %UT >.D ANO!R BITE ( FOOD1
B1T5 6! PUN*4 ,I GR9N$4 ,X MADE MY *EEK
HURT4 8,IN ANY O!R ASPECT10 ,M>IE SD1
8,I'M ORD9>Y40
  8,Y >E N10 ,I SD1 8ORD9>Y40 ,MY VOICE
CAME \ AB SIX NOTES L[] ?AN NORMAL4 ,I
FELT COLOR RU% 6MY *EEKS1 : MADE ! CUT
?ROB FURI\SLY4 ,M>IE'S M\? QUIRK$ 9 A
CROOK$ LL SMILE4 ,I BET EV5 A SMIRK WD
LOOK GD ON H]4
  8,?ANK Y10 %E SD1 EASILY 5 6MAKE MY
BLU% FADE4 ,I CD FEEL ,G>Y LOOK+     #EG
AT ME4 ,I V C>E;LLY DIDN'T LOOK AT HM4
  8,Y'RE WELCOME40 ,I LIFT$ MY H&S 6MY
TEMPLES & HELD MY H1D4 ,MY %\LD]S A*$4
,I NE$$ A HOT %[]1 A MASSAGE F A TALL
BRONZE GUY "ND ,RAFAEL & AB SIXTE5 WEEKS
( SLEEP4 8,ALL "R1 LOOK4 ,LET ME TAKE Y
AT FACE VALUE40
  ,M>IE PULL$ A WRY LL M\E1 & ,G>Y LET \
A DEEP *UCKLE4 ,I FELT A LL SMILE CREEP
OV] MY FACE & SPLIT MY *EEK OP5 AG4 ,I 0
GO+ 6BLE$ ALL "D L;G4 ,H[ FUN4 8,LET ME
TAKE YR ./ORY AT FACE VALUE10 ,I AM5D$4
,M>IE LAU<$4
  8,I'M SORRY10 %E SD4 8,I 0 AB EI<T :5
,I FIGUR$ \ 2+ TAK5 AT FACE VALUE M1NT P
7 GO+ 6LET ME GET 0ON MY LOOKS4 ,IF ,I'D
_H A DI6]5T FAMILY ,I'D N"E H LE>N$ 6?9K
AT ALL4 ,:Y WD ,I NE$ TO80 ,! WAY %E SD
X MADE ME ?9K %E'D US$ H] LOOKS J Z M* Z
%E'D US$ H] BRA9 6GET ": %E 0 9 LIFE4
,"! >E B1UTI;L P :O "K !Y'RE B1UTI;L1 &
USE X L A W1PON4 ,I GOT ! IMPRES.N ,M>IE
US$ X Z A TOOL4 ,I CDN'T BLAME H]4
  8,Y'RE 2+ HUNT$ 0AN ANCI5T ,IRI% GOD
:O WANTS Y = 8 [N NEF>I\S PUR-       #EH
POSES4 ,D1D OR ALIVE W D4 ,H ,I GOT T
"R80
  ,M>IE NO4$4
  8,"R10 ,I SD4 ,? 0 -PLETELY 9SANE4
8,H[ C ,I HELP80
  8,HE'S GA9+ P[]10 %E SD4 8,HE W UNTIL
! SIX?1 & !N HE'LL 2 BANI%$ 6! O!R_WS
UNTIL ,SAMHA94 ,X'S ! CYCLE HE'S B.D
TO40
  8,UNTIL :AT80
  8,HALL[E510 ,G>Y & ,M>IE BO? SD4 ,I
LOOK$ AT ,G>Y4 ,HE %RU7$ & ATE A PIECE (
BACON4 ,I PRESS$ MY EYES %UT1 WI%$ X
DIDN'T MAKE MY *EEK HURT1 & OP5$ !M AG
6LOOK AT ,M>IE4 ,%E KEPT "R ON .N LOOK+
Z IF %E 7 -PLETELY 9SANE4
  8,J \ ( MORBID CURIOS;Y--! SIX?80
  8,X'S ! LA/ "D ( ,YULE40
  ,I WI%$ %E WD /OP SAY+ ?+S L T Z IF X
EXPLA9$ "EY?+4 ,I WAV$ MY H& 9 A CIRCLE1
EYEBR[S LIFT$ Z ,I %OOK MY H1D4 ,APP>5T-
LY ! 3NOT,N ( 8Y1H1 S80 GOT "? 6H]1 2C
%E SAT BACK )A QUIET SI<4
  8,YULETIDE US$ 6BE V IMPORTANT 9 !
,CA?OLIC ,*UR*4 ,X'S ! TWELVE "DS    #EI
F ,*RI/MAS 6! SIX? ( ,JANU>Y1 & X M>KS !
"DS ( ,C]NUNNOS'S GRTE/ P[] Z HE RIDES
ON ? E>?40
  8,Y'RE TELL+ ME "S R&OM *UR* HOLY "DS
HOLD SWAY OV] AN IMMORTAL GOD40 ,T "T !
S>CASM CAME "? L\D & CLE>1 :E!R %E 0
PRETTY OR N4 ,H] %\LD]S DROOP$4
  8,^? DATES >E CLOSELY TI$ 6! SOL/ICE &
! HALF-MOON CYCLE AF ! SOL/ICE10 %E SD V
QUIETLY4 8,"! >5'T ANY WRITT5 RECORDS1 (
C\RSE1 B ,I'VE ALW SUSPECT$ ! LUN> CYCLE
_H M 6D ) :5 ! ,HUNT RODE ?AN \R CAL5-
D>40
  8,OH40 ,I /OPP$ 2+ S S>CA/IC1 ! W9D
TAK5 \ ( MY SAILS4 8,OKAY4 ,I GUESS ,I C
BUY T40 ,9SOF> Z ,I 0 BUY+ ANY ( X4 ,:AT
0 ,I .DO+ "H8 8,S :AT'S HE WANT ) Y80
  ,M>IE %OOK H] H1D AG4 8,I DON'T "K4
,I'VE BE5 TRY+ 6/AY AWAY F HM S9CE ,HAL-
L[E51 TRAVEL+ ALL OV] ! PLACE4 ,HE KEPT
F9D+ ME40 ,%E %IV]$1 WRAPP+ H] >MS >.D
H]F4 8,ALL OV] ! _W4 ,S ,I KEPT MOV+4 ,B
S9CE ,*RI/MAS ,I'VE BE5 ''' ? MORN+ 0 !
CLOSE/4 ,I'D N"E ACTU,Y .SE5 HM 2F4 ,N"E
T\*$ HM40 ,%E DUG 96H] POCKET &      #FJ
PULL$ ! TOO? \1 PUTT+ X ON A NAPK9 ON !
TA#4 8,I DIDN'T EV5 ?9K "S?+ L ? CD 2
D"O 6HM40
  ,I />$ AT ! TOY4 8,EWW4 ,I DIDN'T "K
Y'D PICK$ X UP40
  8,:ILE ,G>Y 0 B&AG+ YR FACE10 %E SD4
8,X'S A GD ?+ 6H4 ,X GIVES U A PHYSICAL
3NEC;N 6HM4 ,X MAY HELP U BUILD %IELDS
AG/ HM40
  8,BUILD :AT80 ,G>Y ASK$4 ,HE'D CLE>$
TWO-?IRDS ( 8 PLATE4 ,I R1*$ OV] & /OLE
A PIECE ( BACON4 ,HE /A2$ AT MY H& ) 8
=K1 B N L HE M1NT X4 ,! BACON 0 RE,Y GD1
S CRUN*Y X PRACTIC,Y MELT$4 ,I /OLE AN-
O!R PIECE4 8,CUT X \10 ,G>Y SD4 8,I GOT-
TA WAT* MY FIGURE40
  8,%IELDS10 ,M>IE SD4 8,PROTEC;N40
  8,H[ D ,I PROTECT Y F A GOD80 ,I DEM&-
$4 8,I CD GET Y ?R[N 9 JAIL =A FEW "DS4
,! SIX? IS :AT1 ?REE "DS8 ,HE C'T GET "?
/EEL B>S1 "R80
  8,TWO4 ,X'S ! F\R?4 ,& NO1 HE C'T1 B
HE CD S5D "S"O :O CD10 ,M>IE PO9T$ \4
  ,I %RU7$1 H&S SPR1D \4 8,F\R?1 OKAY1
:AT"E1 X'S MORN+1 Y'VE / GOT ALL     #FA
"D 6GET "?4 ,T MAKES ?REE "DS4 ,ANYWAY4
,S :AT D ,I D80
  8,BUILD ME A CIRCLE ( PROTEC;N40
  8,UH-HUH10 ,I SD4 8,Y WANT ME 6GET A
BUN* ( P 6/& >.D Y ) IRON CROSSES & ?
TOO? & ONLY LET P Y SAY >E OKAY -E IN80
  8,NO1 A--0 ,M>IE BROKE (F ) AN UGLY LL
GASP4 ,I 0 LOOK+ "R AT H]4 ,I CDN'T MIS-
TAKE ! COLOR DRA9+ F H] EYES4 ,ALL T
GORGE\S DEEP BLUE SPILL$ AWAY1 EV5 EAT+
AWAY ! PUPIL1 UNTIL "! 0 J BL :ITE1 & !N
%E BL9K$4 ,COLOR CAME BACK 6H] EYES1 B N
! "R COLOR4 ,H] IRISES 7 ALL BLACK1 T+ES
( GOLD & BLUE >.D ": ! PUPILS "\ 6BE4
,%E BL9K$ A SECOND "T1 & BLAN*$1 !N
SPOKE 9 A V ?9 VOICE1 />+ /RAI<T AT ME4
  8,Y'RE GO+ 6DIE40







                                     #FB
























             ,,*APT] ,,F\R           #FC

  ,AN ANN\NCE;T ( IMP5D+ D1? SURE CD
TAKE A GIRL'S APPETITE AWAY4 ,! KNOT (
WE>Y T5.N 9 MY /OMA* 3TRACT$ >.D ! BITES
( BACON ,I'D /OL51 COLD ?R1DS ( T]ROR
SEEP+ D[N L A NET4 ,! R,NAL "P ( MY M9D
4MISS$ X ALL4
  ,T WD H BE5 A -=T1 EXCEPT X APPE>$ A
LOT M ( MY M9D WASN'T R,NAL4 ,I SEIZ$ ON
6PANIC & RAN ) X4 ,ALL (A SU45 ,I "U/OOD
:Y ,G>Y _H BE5 S UNCOM=TA# ) ,M>IE'S
GIFT4 ,I CL5*$ MY TEE? TGR1 WOND]+ :Y MY
H&S 7 S COLD4 ,I WRAPP$ !M >.D MY C(FEE
CUP & TRI$ 6/>E AT ,M>IE )\T LOOK+ AT H]
EYES4 ,!Y 7 / UNN]V+LY BLACK1 & ,I N"E
WANT$ 6SEE ANY?+ L T AG4
  8,"S?+ J *ANG$10 %E W5T ON1 / 9 A :IS-
P]4 8,Y W]5'T SUPPOS$ 6DIE1 B N[ Y'RE
GO+ TO40 ,"! 0 3VIC;N 9 H] VOICE4 ,%E
DIDN'T BL9K4 ,H] EYELA%ES 7 Z BLACK Z H]
EYES1 N BR[N L H] HAIR4
  8,S ,I'M GO+ 6DIE 2C ( Y40 ,I M1NT TO
S.D *ALL5G+4 ,"SH[ X CAME \ S.D+ M L A
F"R5$ LL GIRL4 ,M>IE NO4$1 4MAY VIVID
EV5 9 H] ALT]$ GAZE4                 #FD
  8,WELL1 FUCK T40 ,"!4 ,T S.D$ M L ME4
,I /OOD UP4 8,I'D L 6HELP Y1 LADY1 B N 5
6DIE = Y40 ,GRT4 ,N[ ,I S.D$ L ,G>Y4 ,HE
SCRAM#D 6HIS FEET 2S ME1 FAVOR+ ,M>IE )
AN UNHAPPY GL.E4 ,I DUG 96MY FANNY PACK
& CAME UP )A FIVE DOLL> BILL & ?REE
,IRI% PUNTS4 ,I ?REW ! FIVE D[N & PICK$
UP MY BUTT]FLY KNIFE4 8,G>Y1 COV] ! RE/1
W Y80 ,I H1D$ =! DOOR IGNOR+ ! SU45 BUB#
( SICK;S T ERUPT$ 9 MY /OMA* AG1 J Z X
_H :5 ,I'D SE5 ,M>IE "? ! PLANE W9D[4
,G>Y1 ?ANK ,GOD1 DIDN'T >GUE1 J PULL$ \
8 WALLET4
  8,WAIT60 ,M>IE'S VOICE CAME AF ME1
PLA9TIVE4 ,I DIDN'T /OP4 8,MAYBE ,I C
HELP Y60
  ,I TURN$ >.D 9 ! DOOR4 ,! TIR$ BLONDE
2H ! C.T] LOOK$ A LL M AWAKE1 WAT*+ F/
ME1 !N ,M>IE4 8,Y ?9K Y C .HELP ME80 ,I
DEM&$4 8,W]5'T Y ! "O J TELL+ ME ,I 0
GO+ 6DIE80
  ,M>IE /OOD UP4 8,! POSSIBILITIES *ANG$
V QKLY10 %E SD S(TLY4 8,IF ,I'M ) Y1
MAYBE ,I C SEE !M *ANGE AG4 ,MAYBE ,I'LL
"K :AT Y %D D 6AVOID DY+40 ,%E       #FE
TOSS$ A BILL ONTO ! TA#1 TOO1 Z ,G>Y
CAME >.D X4 ,! WAITRESS 0 GO+ 6GET A MA-
JOR TIP4
  8,:AT >E Y1 A BAN%EE OR A PRECOGNI-
TIVE80 ,I ASK$4 ,I 0 / 9 ! DOOR HAV+ !
3V]S,N4 ,T WASN'T A GD SIGN1 Z F> Z ,I 0
3C]N$4
  8,6SEE "S"O'S D1?1 Y H 6BE PRECOGNI-
TIVE10 ,M>IE SD4 8,I ?"\ Y DIDN'T 2LIEVE
9 ANY ( T40
  8,J 2C ,I DON'T 2LIEVE DOESN'T M1N ,I
DON'T "K ! "NS40 ,I PUT BO? H&S ON !
DOOR'S C5T] B> & %OV$ MY WAY \ (! D9]1
LI/5+ 6! BELLS *IME Z ! DOOR SWUNG %UT
2H ME4
  ,A ,,SCUD MISSILE HIT ME 9 ! *E/4 ,I
SMA%$ BACK 96! DOOR1 GLASS %ATT]+ )! IM-
PACT4 ,! C5T] B> HIT ME 9 ! SMALL (!
BACK1 & ,I ROTAT$ >.D X4 ,GOD DID N 9T5D
ANYBODY'S BACK 6BE US$ 9 T FA%ION1 EX-
CEPT MAYBE ^? B5DY ,CIRQUE DU ,SOLEIL
ACROBATS4
  ,UN=TUNATELY = ME1 ,I WASN'T "O ( ^?
ACROBATS4 ,I FLIPP$ OV] ! B> & SLAMM$ !
BACK ( MY H1D AG/ ! /-9TACT GLASS    #FF
9 ! L[] HALF (! DOOR1 !N COLLAPS$ ON MY
FACE ONTO GLASS-LITT]$ L9OLEUM4 ,MY *EEK
SPLIT OP5 AG Z ,I HIT ! FLOOR4 ,M GLASS
FELL 96MY HAIR & ONTO ! FLOOR >.D ME1
S.D+ L FALL+ />S4
  ,! POSSIBIL;Y ( PASS+ \ CROSS$ MY M9D1
B ,I J ._H 6SEE :O 0 RUNN+ >.D SUBURBAN
,S1TTLE )A ,,SCUD4 ,LIFT+ MY H1D TOLD ME
ALL SORTS ( PA9;L ?+S AB MUSCLES 9 MY
NECK T ,I DIDN'T WANT 6"K4 ,I CL5*$ MY
TEE? TGR ON A :IMP]4 ,:IMP]+ SEEM$ UN-
DIGNIFI$4 ,NO "O "E :IMP]$ 9 ! MOVIES AF
GETT+ SMA%$ "? A GLASS DOOR4
  ,"! 0 NO MISSILE LAUN*] 9 ! P>K+ LOT4
,9/1D "! 7 V L>GE HOOVES A FEW FEET \T-
SIDE ! DE/ROY$ DOOR4 ,:ILE ,I WAIT$ = T
6MAKE S5SE1 !Y 4APPE>$ & REAPPE>$ AG1
MOV+ =W>D4
  ,H Y "E HE>D ! S.D ( TE>+ METAL8 ,X'S
A HI<-PIT*$ SCR1M T SETS YR TEE? ON $GE
& LIFTS ! HAIRS ON YR >MS4 ,X'S ! K9D (
S.D A ME*ANIC GETS US$ TO1 B 9 ! D9]1
AL;G )! RATTLE ( M BR1K+ GLASS & "S O!R
NOISES ,I CDN'T PLACE1 X 0 9COMPREH5SI#4
,! HOOVES 4APPE>$ AG1 & ,I WOND]$    #FG
": MY KNIFE _H G"O4 ,GLASS & DU/ &
SPIKES ( WOOD FELL D[N >.D ME4
  ,! FLOOR WR5*$ A"P )A %RIEK ( S.D Z "O
(! ENORM\S HOOVES SMA%$ D[N 9*ES F MY
FACE4 ,I TWI/$ MY H1D UP1 :IMP]+ AG AT !
PA9 9 MY NECK4 ,AN EXTRAORD9>ILY BROAD
*E/ 0 AB F\R FEET ABV MY H1D4 ,X RE>$
UP1 : SEEM$ WR;G "SH[1 B ,I 0 TOO BUSY
ROLL+ FRANTIC,Y \ (! WAY 6GIVE X M ?"\4
,GLASS CRUN*$ "U MY >MS Z ,I ROLL$4 ,I
FELT T9Y CUTS OP5+ UP ON MY >MS4
  ,I 5D$ UP SITT+ ) MY BACK AG/ ! C.T]1
GASP+ :ILE ! RE/ (! _W CAU<T UP ) ME4 ,!
TIR$ BLONDE 2H ! C.T] %RIEK$ )! REGUL>;Y
& VOLUME (A C> AL>M4 ,G>Y _H MOV$ MAYBE
TWO FEET F ! TA#1 : SU7E/$ T DESPITE !
SL[ CL>;Y ,I 0 EXP]I5C+1 ! ATTACK _H
HAPP5$ V QKLY4 ,M>IE 0 %\T+ 9 A LANGUAGE
,I DIDN'T "U/&4 ,X DIDN'T S.D L ,ITAL-
IAN4
  ,! HORSE MADE M S5SE N[1 = "S NEBUL\S
VALUE (! ^W S5SE4 ,X _H BE5 A# 6RE> UP
2C AF X KICK$ ME 9 ! *E/ X _H TORN \ !
5TIRE DOOR /RUCTURE1 & "P (! RO( _H
FALL5 D[N4 ,! RE/ (! RO( 0 ON        #FH
FIRE4 ,I WASN'T SURE H[ T _H HAPP5$1 B X
DIDN'T SEEM 6BO!R ! HORSE4
  ,HORSE IS S* A LIMIT$ ^W4 ,! B1/ 9 !
D9] _H ! GRACE & DELICACY ( AN ,>ABIAN &
! SIZE (A ,CLYDESDALE1 MULTIPLI$ 0TWO4
,X %IMM]$ A WAT]Y GRAY1 BORD]+ ON SILV]1
! COLOR S FLUID ,I ?"\ ,I MI<T 2 A# 6DIP
MY H& 9 X4 ,DESPITE MYF1 MY GAZE J]K$ UP
6XS =EH1D4 ,"! 0 NO SPIRAL HORN SPR\T+
"!1 B ,I WDN'T H BE5 SURPRIS$ IF "! _H
BE54 ,X 0 ,PLATO'S HORSE1 ! ID1L ^U :
ALL O!RS >E BAS$4
  ,X 0 TRY+ 6KILL ME1 & ALL ,I CD D 0
ADMIRE X4
  ,!N X SCR1M$1 %RILL & DEEP ALL AT
ONCE4 ,! BLONDE 2H ! C.T] %UT UP1 B ,I
SCR1M$ BACK1 A SORT ( PRIMAL RESPONSE )-
\T ANY ?"\ 2H X4
  ,J =A MO;T1 "EY?+ /OPP$4
  ,"! 0 A RID] A/RIDE ! GRAY1 >RE/$ 9
MO;N 0MY SCR1M4 ,HE WORE GRAY HMF1 S
CLOSE 6! COLOR (! HORSE ,I CD B>ELY TELL
": "O 5D$ &! O!R 2GAN4 ,! REPUT$ ,NATIVE
,AM]ICAN 2LIEF T :ITE M5 ON HORSEBACK 7
"O EXOTIC CR1TURE SU45LY SEEM$ V     #FI
PLAUSI#4
  ,! RID] TURN$ 8 H1D SL[LY & LOOK$ AT
ME4 ,8 HAIR 0 BR[N1 PEPP]$ ) />LI<T1 &
CRACKL$ ) LIFE1 Z IF T\*+ X WD BR+ AN
ELECTRIC %OCK4 ,X SWEPT BACK F A MAS-
SIVELY %>P WID['S P1K1 & 0 HELD 9 PLACE
0A CIRCLET4 ,8 FACE 0 A PALE N>R[ L9E1
ALL HI< *EEKB"OS & DEEP-SET EYES &A L;G
/RAI<T NOSE4
  ,! IMPRES.N HE LEFT 0 ( LIV+ SILV]4 ,I
LOCK$ EYES ) HM1 EXPECT+ 6SEE T LIQUID
SILV] AG4 ,9/1D ,I MET WILDFIRE GRE51 A
VICI\S1 9HUMAN COLOR1 PROMIS+ VIOL;E4
  ,HE SMIL$ & R1*$ \ A H&1 9VIT+ ME T[>D
HM4 ,8 M\? 0 B1UTI;L1 ?9 & EXPRESSIVE1 !
CURVE ( TEE? UNN]V+LY %>P1 L A PR$A-
TOR'S4 ,I PU%$ UP ! C.T]1 US+ X 6BRACE
MYF1 & WET MY LIPS4 ,M>IE 0 "R4 ,I 0 GO+
6DIE4 ,! RID] WANT$ MY S\L & ,I 0 GO+ TO
GIVE X 6HM )\T A FI<T 2C ( T SMILE & ^?
9HUMAN EYES4 ,I TOOK A /EP T[>D HM4
  ,! SECOND ,,SCUD (! MORN+ HIT ME 9 !
RIBS & "EY?+ />T$ 6MOVE AG4 ,I SLAMM$
96! FLOOR "U ,G>Y'S WEI<T1 SLID+ ACR
L9OLEUM &A ZILLION %>P PIECES (      #GJ
GLASS4 ,WE /OPP$ :5 MY H1D HIT ! F>
WALL4 ,I OP5$ MY EYES 6F9D ! BUTT]FLY
KNIFE LY+ AG/ ! WALL A FEW 9*ES AWAY F
MY NOSE4 ,! HORSE SCR1M$ AG & RE>$ BACK1
MISS+ MY H1D 0HALF AN 9* Z HE CRA%$ BACK
6! FLOOR4
  ,G>Y'S BR1? SMELL$ L SYRUP & BACON4
8,>E Y \TTA YR .M9D80 ,HE POPP$ UP ONTO
8 KNEES & HAUL$ ME 6M9E 0A FI/;L ( %IRT
AT ! BACK ( MY NECK4 ,I SNAT*$ UP !
KNIFE Z ! HORSE SMA%$ D[N AG1 "R ": MY
H1D _H BE54 ,I LOOK$ UP AT ! RID]1 &!
HORSE KICK$ ME 9 ! RIBS )A TOE4 ,I FELT
! B"O CRACK 9W>D1 & DIDN'T EV5 MANAGE A
SCR1M1 J A PA!TIC LL GRUNT4
  ,F A V L;G WAY AWAY1 ,I HE>D ,M>IE
SCR1M A W>N+1 9 ,5GLI% ? "T4 ,2F ,I CD
REACT1 ,G>Y HAUL$ ME OV] BACKW>D4 ,A TIP
( SILV] GLITT]$ "? ! AIR ": MY ?ROAT _H
BE54 ,! RID] LOOK$ G5U9ELY />TL$ 2F 8
EYES N>R[$ & HE URG$ ! HORSE F>!R 96!
D9]4 ,!Y 7 HUGE1 TAK+ UP ALL ! ROOM1 ALL
! AIR4 ,I GASP$ & SCRAM#D 6MY FEET1
CLUT*+ ,G>Y'S >M ) "O H& & MY RIBS )!
O!R4 ,BR1?+ HURT4                    #GA
  8,L1VE !M AL"O40 ,M>IE S.D$ ?9 & TIR$
& AT ! 5D ( H] BRAV]Y1 B "! %E 0 AT MY
SIDE1 LOOK+ UP AT ! RID] )A SET *94
8,I'LL G ) Y4 ,J L1VE !M AL"O4 ,!Y 7 ON-
LY TRY+ 6HELP40
  ,I LET G ( ,G>Y'S >M & %\LD]$ =W>D4 ,!
RID] WAT*$ ME4 ,NEI ,G>Y NOR ,M>IE MOV$4
,2H ME ,I HE>D ! BLOND WAITRESS FUMBL+ )
! PH"O1 & H] PANICK$1 8,HELLO8 ,POLICE8
,HELLO80
  8,HE'LL KILL U ANYWAY10 ,I SD1 V L[4
,I CDN'T GET 5 BR1? 6D ANY?+ ELSE4 8,2C
X'S :AT Y D1 ISN'T X8 ,X'S NO?+ P]SONAL4
,Y'RE ! ,HUNT1 & :5 ! ,HUNT IS LOOS$1 Y
KILL UNTIL "S"O B9DS Y AWAY AG4 .,C]NUN-
NOS40 ,T]RIFY+ 3VIC;N GAVE MY VOICE
/R5G?4 ,TW5TY M9UTES AGO ,I'D N"E HE>D (
! ?+ /&+ 9 FRONT ( ME2 N[ ! K ( :O & :AT
HE 0 FELT L ! ONLY ?+ ,I'D "E BE5 C]TA9
( 9 MY :OLE LIFE4 ,I DIDN'T L T AT .ALL4
  ,! RID]'S EYES WID5$1 & !N HE SMIL$1
9CL9+ 8 H1D4
  8,! ,HORN$ ,GOD40 ,I LIFT$ MY EYES TO
8 CIRCLET AG1 : WASN'T A CIRCLET AT ALL4
,X 0 M L ,CAES>'S CR[N1 B X 0 "P (   #GB
HM4 ,X 2GAN AT 8 TEMPLES & SWEPT BACK 9
AN ELEGANT B"O PATT]N1 HORNS CURV$ 6!
SIDES ( 8 H1D & MEET+ AT ! BACK1 WOV5
TGR "!4 ,V PRACTICAL4 ,NO CAT*+ YR H1D
ON TREE BRAN*ES T WAY4 ,I WOND]$ IF HE
%$ !M YE>LY & GREW !M AG1 OR IF !Y 7 Z
ET]NAL Z HE WAS4
  8,!Y GR[ ) MY P[]10 HE REPLI$4 ,*ILLS
RAN "? ME4 ,X WASN'T T HE RESPOND$ 6AN
UNASK$ "Q4 .,T SEEM$ P]FECTLY NORMAL F ?
2+4 ,X 0 8 VOICE1 D>K & RI* & E>?Y1 DEEP
5 T A RO> F HM WD %AKE ! _W4 ,T1 & ,I 0
Q C]TA9 HE _HN'T SPOK5 ,5GLI% OR ANY O!R
LANGUAGE ,I KNEW4
  8,:AT'D HE SAY80 ,G>Y :ISP]$4 ,\ (!
CORN] ( MY EYE ,I SAW ,M>IE %AKE H] H1D
FRAC;N,Y4
  8,Y _C /OP ME10 ,C]NUNNOS SD1 LL M ?AN
A MURMUR4
  8,:AT D Y WANT80 ,I / CDN'T BR1! 5 TO
GET A R1L VOICE \4 ,HE LAU<$1 & X TOOK
"EY?+ ,I _H 6N RUN AWAY4
  8,6RIDE FREE & HUNT10 HE ANSW]$4 8,T
IS :AT WE ALL WANT40
  8,ALL80                            #GC
  8,MY HO/40 ,HE FLICK$ 8 H& CASU,Y AT !
P>K+ LOT4 ,I KNEW ,I %DN'T1 B ,I LOOK$
ANYWAY4
  8,JESUS1 ,M>Y & ,JOSEPH10 ,G>Y SD4
  8,N EXACTLY10 ,C]NUNNOS SD1 & T "T
,G>Y "U/OOD HM4 ,HE FL9*$1 J]K+ 8 EYES F
! P>K+ LOT BACK 6,C]NUNNOS4 ,I CDN'T H
LOOK$ AWAY F ! LOT IF "S"O PD ME TO4
,"EY?+ ,I DIDN'T 2LIEVE 9 _H -E 6ROO/
"!1 ?+S T J _HN'T .BE5 "! A MO;T E>LI]4
,X 0 L "S"O PULL$ ! B&AGE (F 9 "O SWIFT
RIP1 EXPOS+ A _W ,I DIDN'T 2LIEVE EXI/$
9 FULL ,TE*NICOLOR GLORY4
  ,! RID]S MOV$ TOO QKLY1 OR MAYBE N 5 9
? _W1 = ME 6GET AN A3URATE C.T4 ,"! 7
CLOSE 6A DOZ51 ?\<1 & "O MAGNIFIC5T PALE
GOLD HORSE ) NO RID]4 ,ANIMALS & RID]S
ALIKE FAD$ AT ! $GES1 SUNLI<T DRA9+ "?
!M4 ,>.D _! KNEES CREPT ENORM\S SLEEK
:ITE DOGS1 ) L[]$ H1DS & R$D5$ E>TIPS &
VIOL5T R$ EYES4 ,!Y AVOID$ ! FEW C>S 9 !
P>K+ LOT1 MILL+ >.D !M B N"E T\*+ !M4
,SETTL$ ON ! C>S 7 N>R[1 L;G-B1K$ BIRDS
,I'D N"E SE5 2F1 ^: CRIES S.D$ L LO/ *N4
,! DOGS GR[L$ & SNAPP$1 E ONCE 9 A   #GD
:ILE "O BAY+ AT ! SUNRISE4 ,I CD HE> !
HORSE'S HOOVES AG/ ! ASPHALT1 B ! BRI-
DLES MADE NO S.D1 & NEI DID ! RID]S Z !Y
DRIFT$1 WAIT+ = _! MA/]4
  8,T ISN'T POSSI#10 ,I :ISP]$4 ,C]NUN-
NOS LAU<$ AG4
  8,Y "N ME ! ,HORN$ ,GOD & YET SAY MY
HO/ IS IMPOSSI#8 ,:AT >E Y1 LL MORTAL80
,HE PUT ! SILV] SWORD AG/ MY *91 & TURN$
MY FACE T[>D HM4 ,I HELD V /1 MEET+ 8
EYES4
  ,APP>5TLY ,I D N LE>N QKLY4 ,MEET+ 8
EYES 0 A T]RI# MISTAKE ! SECOND "T1 TOO4
,!Y 7 PH5OM5AL1 PROMIS+ P[] & PAS.N &
ET]N;Y4 ,ALL ,I WANT$ 0 6BE ) HM1 "P ( 8
ANCI5T _W4 ,8 BLADE C>ESS$ MY *EEK1 OP-
POSITE ! CUT ,M>IE _H MADE E>LI]4 ,X
FELT L A LOV]'S T\*1 & ,I WANT$ ALL ! M
6BE ) HM4
  8,Y CD BE10 HE MURMUR$ 6! UNSPOK5 DE-
SIRE1 8B !N Y WD 9T]F]E1 LL MORTAL1 & ,I
AM V TIR$ ( 2+ 9T]F]$ )4 ,A %AME1 65D
ALL YR UNR1LIZ$ P[]1 B M (A %AME 6BE
CLOS$ 96! NI<T AG40
  ,!Y SAY WAT* ! EYES1 :5 Y'RE AB    #GE
6GET 96A FI<T4 ,"! >E "S P :O C HIDE !
TELEGRAPH ( _! AC;NS F _! EYES4 ,C]NUN-
NOS WASN'T "O ( !M3 HE _H NO NE$ 6BE4 ,X
J TOOK A FLICK]1 2F HE DREW ! SWORD BACK
& PUN*$ X =W>D4 ,X 0 ALL ,I NE$$4
  ,I JOLT$ =W>D1 .96! SWORD1 9/1D (
AWAY4 ,I TRI$ 6TWIT* 5 6"O SIDE S !
BLADE WD CAT* MY %\LD]1 9/1D ( "S?+ VI-
TAL4 ,! HORRI# COOL /RAI<T;S ( METAL
SLID "? ME1 FI]Y PA9 FILL+ UP ! "R HALF
( MY BODY4 ,X HURT S BADLY MY KNEES COL-
LAPS$1 &= AN 9/ANT ! SWORD "? MY TORSO 0
! ONLY ?+ HOLD+ ME UP4 ,I 0 PRETTY SURE
! NEXT BR1? ,I LET \ WD H BLOOD ON X4
  ,B N[ ,I _H 8 BLADE TRAPP$4
  ,& ,I _H /EEL4
  ,"O-TWO-?REE4 ,! .CLACK-CLACK-CLACK (!
BUTT]FLY KNIFE S.D$ V L\D 6ME1 OV] !
P.D+ BLOOD 9 MY E>S4 ,I C\<$1 & T MADE !
SWORD SCRAPE UP & D[N MY LUNG4 ,I SPAT A
M\?;L ( BLOOD AT ,C]NUNNOS1 PL1S$ T HE
FL9*$ BACK4 ,I DRA7$ MYF =W>D AL;G !
BLADE1 & TOOK A H&;L ( 8 %IRT1 HALF-
EXPECT+ X 6SLIP AWAY "? MY F+]S L MELT+
COTTON C&Y4 ,B X HELD1 & Z 8 HORSE   #GF
NEI<$ & RE>$ UP AG1 ,I KEPT MY FI/ 9 8
%IRT & PULL$ HM D[N4 ,HE FELL1 WEI<+ M
?AN ,I EXPECT$4 ,MY KNIFE SLID 2T 8
RIBS1 & HE SCR1M$4
  ,! W9D[S %ATT]$4 ,MY E>DRUMS %ATT]$4
,I %RIEK$ BACK1 S.D.S 96! OV]:ELM+1 UN-
E>?LY NOISE T HE MADE4 ,I CD SEE ! SCR1M
VIBRAT+ F 8 ?ROAT EV5 :5 BLOOD SLID F MY
E>S & D[N MY *94 ,8 EYES W]5'T -PELL+
ANYMORE4 ,!Y 7 FILL$ ) SEE?+ RAGE1 GRE5
FIRE BOIL+ OV]4 ,I WAIT$ = X 6SPILL \
ONTO ME1 6SET ME ON FIRE1 & AF A FEW
SECONDS ,I SMELL$ X3 FLE% BURN+4 ,X 0
SICK & SWEET & HORRI#4
  ,X TOOK A L;G "T 6LOOK D[N & SEE T X 0
! HOLE ,I'D PUT 9 ,C]NUNNOS'S RIBS T
BURN$1 N ME4 ,SILK S+$ >.D ! KNIFE1
/ICK+ & REEK+4 ,2N ! FABRIC1 8 SK9
BLACK5$ & FE/]$1 BUB#S 2G9N+ 6BUR/4 ,I
SCR1M$ AG1 & J]K$ MY H& BACK4 ,! KNIFE
CAME \1 & ,C]NUNNOS DROPP$ 6! FLOOR4 ,I
2GAN A L;G1 SL[ COLLAPSE1 ,C]NUNNOS'S
SWORD / /UCK 9 MY LUNGS4 ,2Y X1 ,I CD
SEE 8 M\? MOV+1 & EV5 ?\< ,I CDN'T HE>
ANY?+ ELSE1 ,I HE>D HM PROMISE1      #GG
8,Y W PAY = ?1 LL MORTAL40
  ,! FLOOR CAME UP 9 A RU% & HIT ME V
H>D4





















                                     #GH
























             ,,*APT] ,,FIVE          #GI

  ,=A FEW MO;TS X 0 V1 V D>K1 & !N X 0
V1 .V B"R4 ,I ?"\1 ..,S ? IS :AT X'S L
6BE .D1D1 & !N1 ..,%IT1 MAN1 ,I DIDN'T
WANT ALL T CRAP AB A :ITE TUNNEL 6BE
.TRUE4
  ,I SQU9T$4 ,! B"R;S WASN'T RE,Y V M* L
A :ITE TUNNEL4 ,X 0 ACTU,Y A LOT L />+
DIRECTLY 96! SUN4 ,I CLOS$ MY EYES1 &A
GIANT BALL ( GRE5 D.ED 2H MY EYELIDS4 ,X
TURN$ R$1 !N BLUE ) R$ \TL9ES Z ,I
SQU9T$ MY EYES OP5 AG4 ,\TSIDE (! :ITE
LI<T "! 0 BLUE T LOOK$ SUSPICI\SLY L !
SKY4
  ,LY+ "!1 "U ! SUSPICI\SLY ORD9>Y SKY1
,I HE>D A DRUMB1T4 ,X FALT]$1 UN/1DY1 L
! DRUMM] DIDN'T "K :AT HE 0 DO+4 ,I
TURN$ MY H1D T[>D X1 SCRAP+ MY *EEK AG/
HOT E>?4 ,TE>S F />+ AT ! SUN RAN OV] MY
NOSE & WICK$ AWAY 96DES]T S&4
  ,MY *EEK DIDN'T HURT4 ,I RU2$ X AG/ !
GR.D A LL1 & X KEPT ON N HURT+4 ,9 FACT1
N"O ( MY BODY HURT1 & T SEEM$ WR;G4 ,I 0
PRETTY SURE T ONLY A M9UTE AGO "!'D BE5
ALL K9DS ( HOLES 9 X4                #HJ
  ,OV]ALL1 N HURT+ 0 AN IMPROVE;T4 ,!
SUN 0 HOT1 &! S&1 = GR.D1 0 -=TA#4 ,I
CLOS$ MY EYES AG & RELAX$4 ,! DRUMB1T
MISS$ A B1T4
  8,I WDN'T ADVISE GO+ 6SLEEP "R N[40
  ,MY EYES POPP$ OP5 & ,I BL9D$ MYF )!
SUN AG4 ,DAMMIT4 ,I PU%$ UP ON "O ELB[ &
LOOK$ >.D4 ,NO "O 0 "!4
  ,"SH[1 ,I WASN'T SURPRIS$4 ,I FLOPP$
ONTO MY BACK AG4
  8,D Y HE> ! DRUMB1T80
  8,( C\RSE ,I D10 ,I SNAPP$4 ,! DRUMB1T
SP$ UP =A FEW B1TS1 !N SL[$ AG4
  8,Y %D GET UP & FOLL[ X40
  8,I'M -=TA#40 ,I CLOS$ MY EYES M FIRM-
LY4 ,I 0 .N HAV+ A 4CUS.N ) AN 9VISI#
MAN4
  8,I'M N 9VISI#4 ,Y J C'T SEE ME40
  ,"! 0 A LOVELY PIECE ( LOGIC4 ,I SAT
UP1 GL>+ >.D4
  ,IF ? 0 MY SUBCONSCI\S'S IDEA ( P>A-
DISE1 ,I NE$$ MY H1D *ECK$4 ,SULFUR-
COLOR$ S& DUNES SWEPT UP AG/ ROB9'S EGG-
BLUE SKY1 BO? BROK5 P]IODIC,Y 0HUGE
\TCROPP+S ( R\< R$ /"O4 ,W9D HISS$   #HA
ACR ! S&1 SMELL+ DRY & OLD4 ,"U MY H&S1
F9E "PICLES ( E>? GRITT$ AG/ EA* O!R &
MELT$ AWAY1 L1V+ DEPRES.NS = MY F+]S4 ,!
:OLE PLACE REM9D$ ME ( ,>IZONA1 ONLY M
S4
  8,? ISN'T EV5 ! K9D ( ,9DIAN ,I AM10
,I PROTE/$4 ,! DRUMB1T SP$ UP A MO;T1
GETT+ L\D]4 ,I TWI/$ T[>D ! NOR?1 ": X 0
-+ F4 ,I WOND]$ IF ,I RE,Y %D FOLL[ X4
  8,Y %D10 ! VOICE SD HELP;LLY4
  8,:Y8 ,I C'T EV5 SEE Y4 ,:Y %D ,I LI/5
6Y80 ,I LOOK$ >.D "? MY EYEBR[S1 TRY+ TO
F9D ! VOICE'S ORIG94 8,:Y .C ,I LI/5 6Y8
,HE> Y1 ,I M1N4 ,:AT >E Y80
  8,Y SURE ASK A LOT ( "QS4 ,Y C'T SEE
ME 2C Y DON'T 2LIEVE 9 ME4 ,Y C HE> ME
2C Y'RE DY+1 & X'S LETT+ ME SLIP IN40 ,!
VOICE S.D$ L ? 0 A NORMAL ?+ 6SAY4
  ,DESPITE ! BURN+ SUN%9E1 %IV]S RAN "?
ME1 &! DRUMB1T FALT]$4 8,AM ,I RE,Y DY-
+80
  8,OH1 Y1H4 ,Y'RE RE,Y DY+40 ,! VOICE
_H A CASUAL B$SIDE MANN]4 8,Y C *OOSE N
TO1 IF Y WANT40
  8,:Y ! HELL WD ,I .*OOSE 6DIE80    #HB
,I CLIMB$ 6MY FEET4 ,HE _H 6BE >.D "H
"S":4
  8,2C LIV+ M1NS *ANG+ YR 5TIRE _WVIEW4
,T C 2 A V DI6ICULT ?+ 6D40 ,8 VOICE
CAME F ! SAME DIREC;N Z ! DRUMB1T4
  8,OH1 & DY+ IS EASY80 ,I 2GAN WALK+
T[>D ! NOR?1 GL[]+ AT ! 9VISI# VOICE4
  8,DY+ IS REM>KABLY EASY4 ,J /OP GO+
T[>D ! DRUM1 & 9 A FEW M9UTES1 X'LL
/OP40
  8,& !N ,I'LL 2 D1D80 ,I DIDN'T EXACTLY
BR1K 96A RUN1 B ,I PICK$ UP ! PACE A
BIT4 ,! DRUMB1T A3EL]AT$4 8,T'S MY HE>T1
ISN'T X80
  8,YEP10 ! VOICE SD4
  8,>E Y A _S GUIDE80
  ,"! 0 A PAUSE T FELT 3SID]+4 8,YEP40
  ,Y1H1 T'S :AT ,I ?"\4 8,>E _S GUIDES
SUPPOS$ 6SAY ,8YEP0'80
  ,HE LAU<$4 8,YEP40
  8,H[ F> IS X 6MY--0 ,I CDN'T SAY1 .TO
.MY .HE>T4 8,6! DRUM80
  8,N TOO F>4 ,WD Y L ME 6L1D Y "!80
  ,I TOOK A DEEP BR1?4 8,PL1SE4 ,I DON'T
WANT 6DIE40                          #HC
  ,A SMALL COYOTE B.D$ 9 FRONT ( ME1 L
HE'D ALW BE5 "!4 ,I LOOK$ 2H U4 ,8
TRACKS 7 TANGL$ ) M9E1 ACR ! S&4 ,HE
YIPP$1 & ,I LOOK$ =W>D AG4 ,HE SMIL$ A
COYOTE SMILE1 & L1P$ \ ACR ! S& 9 A L;G1
L1N RUN4 8,I C'T KEEP UP )A RUNN+ DOG60
  8,I'M N A DOG4 ,-E ON40 ,HE /RET*$ \ &
,I SWORE1 B ,I 2GAN 6RUN4 ,! DRUMB1T SP$
UP AG1 & MY /RIDES GOT L;G]1 UNTIL ,I 0
RUNN+ AN EASY FA/ LOPE ACR ! DUNES1 MY
FEET KICK+ UP SPRAYS ( S&4 ,! COYOTE
/AY$ A FEW Y>DS 9 FRONT ( ME1 CRE/+ OV]
A DUNE4
  ,I FOLL[$ RECK.SLY1 &! E>? DROPP$ \ F
"U ME4 ,X TURN$ SC>R$ & PITT$1 L AN A/]-
OID CRAT] ) DEEP1 %>P SIDES4 ,I HIT !
GR.D ": X 2GAN 6SLOPE AG & ROLL$ ASS OV]
T1KETTLE1 TRY+ 6PROTECT MY H1D Z ,I
B\NC$4 ,! DRUMB1T S.D$ ONCE1 !N /OPP$
AG1 A R>E /A3ATO4 ,! COYOTE RAN ON1 M* M
GRACE;LLY ?AN ,I1 !N LOOP$ BACK 6SNAP 8
TEE? AT ME4
  8,HURRY4 ,Y DON'T H "T = ?40
  8,I .FELL60
  ,HE B>$ 8 TEE? 9 A SN>L & PR.ED    #HD
AWAY1 J]K+ 8 H1D 6URGE ME ON4 ,I /UM#D
6MY FEET & 2GAN 6RUN AG4 ,! COYOTE
SNAPP$ 8 TEE? AG1 SATISFI$1 & =G$ AH1D4
  ,! CRAT] N>R[$ 96AN IMPACT SPOT1 LESS
?AN A FOOT ACR & PLUMMET+ 96BLACK;S4 ,!
COYOTE DOVE 96X1 J B>ELY FITT+4 ,I CDN'T
POSSIBLY SQUEEZE 96X4
  ,ON ! O!R H&1 ,I CDN'T POSSIBLY 2 RUN-
N+ ACR AN UB]-,>IZONA L&SCAPE 9SIDE MY
H1D1 EI1 & T SEEM$ 6BE HAPP5+ )\T !
SLI<TE/ REG>D 6:AT 0 POSSI#4 ,I TOOK A
DEEP BR1? & DOVE AF ! COYOTE--
  --&! IMPACT SPOT GOT M* BI7]1 OR ,I
GOT M* SMALL]4 ,X TURN$ 96A TUNNEL1
PLUNG+ D[NW>D4 ,A TRICKLE ( WAT] APPE>$4
,I LOP$ AF X1 RUNN+ ON F\R FEET L ,I'D
ALW D"O X4 ,MY H&S .FELT L H&S1 B Z ,I
WAT*$ !M FLA% "U MY NOSE1 !Y 7 PAW$ &
CLAW$1 L ! COYOTE'S4 ,! WAT] WID5$1 BE-
-+ A /R1M4 ,I RAN AL;G ! BANK AF ! COYO-
TE1 FEEL+ A TAIL SWI%+ 2H ME4 ,! S&
TURN$ 96RI* D>K TOPSOIL1 & !N 96SOLID
GRANITE1 ! /R1M CUTT+ A SWA? "? X4 ,E
ONCE 9 A GRT :ILE ,I FELT MY HE>TB1T
%AK+ ! /"O >.D U4                    #HE
  8,IS "T SL[+ D[N80
  8,NO10 ! COYOTE SD1 8YR HE>T IS40
  ,DAMN4
  ,! /R1M 4APPE>$ )\T W>N+1 S9K+ 96/"O1
&! TUNNEL VE]$ UP AT A /EEP ANGLE4 ,I
DUG UNA3U/OM$ CLAWS 96! H>D ROCK1 SCRAB-
BL+ =A PUR*ASE1 & WRI7L$ MY WAY UP !
TUNNEL1 %\LD]+ PA/ ! COYOTE4 ,/"O GAVE
WAY & ,I BUR/ "? ! E>? 96A POOL ( NUMB+-
LY COLD WAT]4 ,I KICK$ FRANTIC,Y T[>D !
B"R SURFACE1 DRA7+ MYF ONTO ! BANK A FEW
SECONDS LAT]4 ,MY H&S 7 H&S AG4 ,I
WASN'T A COYOTE ANYMORE4 ,X FELT /RANGE4
  ,! DRUMB1T1 MY HE>TB1T1 RICO*ET$ >.D
ME1 %OCK+LY L\D4 ,! COYOTE RAN \ (! POOL
& %OOK HMF FURI\SLY ON ! BANK1 !N TROTT$
"? A SP>SE1 /+ILY KEPT G>D5 6AN UNMOV+
LUMP ON ! GR.D4 ,I ROLL$ ONTO MY /OMA* &
PU%$ 6MY H&S & KNEES1 WAT*+ HM4
  ,HE NOS$ ! LUMP ON ! GR.D1 !N SAT D[N
2S X1 H1D COCK$ AT ME1 EXPRES.N FULL (
EXPECT,N4 8,PHYSICIAN1 H1L ?YF40
  ,I CRAWL$ OV] 6! LUMP1 / %IV]+4 8,JE-
SUS .,*RI/60 ,I RE>$ ONTO MY KNEES1
BACK+ AWAY4                          #HF
  ,! LUMP 0 ME4 ,I LOOK$ L HELL4 ,BLOOD
MATT$ MY HAIR1 : _HN'T BE5 CL1N 6/>T )4
,! B&AG$ CUT ON MY FACE 0 ALM LO/ AM;G
DOZ5S ( O!R T9Y1 GLASS-9FE/$ NICKS &
SCRAT*ES4 ,MY %9+ NEW SILV] NECKLACE 0
/A9$ R$1 ! CROSS SETTL$ 9 A POOL ( BLOOD
AT ! HOLL[ ( MY ?ROAT4 ,MY RIBS ON !
LEFT SIDE LOOK$ DEFLAT$1 B5T 9W>D1 &!
SWORD 0 / /UCK 9 MY "R LUNG4
  ,I--! "O SITT+1 N ! LUMP--FELL ONTO MY
BUTT & 2GAN CRAB-WALK+ BACKW>D4 8,I'M
.DY+60
  8,I ?"\ WE'D E/ABLI%$ T10 ! COYOTE SD4
,HE HOPP$ OV] MY BODY--! "O LY+ "!--&
GRA2$ MY %IRT 9 8 TEE?1 TU7+ ME =W>D AG4
8,H1L YRF4 ,X'S 9 Y40
  8,DAMMIT1 ,JIM1 ,I'M A ME*ANIC1 N A
DOCTOR40 ,! COYOTE 0 /R;G1 PULL+ ME =W>D
EV5 Z ,I RESI/$4 8,I DON'T "K .H[40
  ,HE LET G ( MY %IRT & LAY D[N ) 8 *9
ON 8 FRONT PAWS4 8,Y "K H[ 6FIX C>S1 "R8
,Y "K ": "EY?+ GOES40
  ,I NO4$4 ,HE LIFT$ 8 BONY %\LD]S 9 A
%RUG4 8,PRET5D Y'RE A C>4 ,X'S A NICE
ANALOGY40                            #HG
  ,>E _S GUIDES SUPPOS$ 6"K :AT ANALO-
GIES >E8 ,! COYOTE GR9N$ AT ME1 EV5 ?\<
,I _HN'T SPOK5 AL\D1 & TIPP$ 8 H1D T[>D
MY BODY4 8,Y DON'T H M* "T40
  8,PRET5D ,I'M A C>4 ,"R4 ,OKAY40 ,I
SCOOT$ CLOS] 6MY BODY1 HESITANTLY1 M\?
PRESS$ CLOS$4 8,A C>4 ,"R4 ,/>T )! OBVI-
\S40 ,MY CO-"W]S TELL ME ,I TALK 6MYF :5
,I'M "W+4 ,I'D N"E NOTIC$ X 2F4 8,I'M
L1K+4 ,:AT L1KS8 ,OIL FILT]S L1K4 ,GRT4
,I'M AN OIL FILT]40 ,I PUT A H& ON MY
*E/1 GRA2$ ! SWORD'S HILT )! O!R1 &
TU7$4 ,X /UCK =A MO;T1 GRAT+ AG/ MY
RIBS1 &! DRUMB1T /OPP$ 5TIRELY4
  8,NO60 ,I YANK$ ! SWORD H>D]1 & X SLID
\ )A LIQUID S.D4 ,I ?REW X 6! SIDE1 &
HIT MYF 9 ! *E/4 ,I--! "O ON ! GR.D--
C\<$1 &! DRUMB1T MADE A SAD LL ?UMP4
,D>K1 IMPORTANT-LOOK+ BLOOD SPURT$ \1
COV]+ MY H&S4
  8,PAT* X UP10 ! COYOTE SD4
  8,I DON'T "K H[10 ,I :ISP]$1 CLOS+ MY
EYES4 ,I CD IMAG9E AN OIL FILT]1 EMPTY+
XF ONTO ! GR.D4 ,I RAN "? ! PROCESS (
*ANG+ X--LOOS5+ ! DRA91 OIL+ !       #HH
GASKET ON ! NEW FILT]1 SCREW+ X BACK ON-
TO ! FILT] PIPE4 ,UNC]TA9LY1 ,I TRI$
OV]LAY+ ^? IMAGES ON MY BODY1 5VI.N+ MY
TORN LUNG Z ! OLD1 BURN$-\ FILT]1 IMAG9+
! NEW "O SLID+ 96PLACE4
  ,"S?+ CLICK$ 9 ! C5T] ( ME1 2L MY
BR1/B"O & J ABV MY DIAPHRAGM 9 EXACTLY !
SAME PLACE1 ! SICK;S T _H IMPELL$ ME TO
HELP ,M>IE _H BE54 ,X FELT L C>TILAGE
POPP+1 A ?ICK PA9;L FEEL+1 Z IF A LOCK1
/IFF ) AGE1 _H RELUCTANTLY OP5$4 ,I FELT
X 9 BO? MY BODIES1 ! "O ,I 0 3SCI\SLY
9HABIT+1 &! "O LY+ ALL B LIFE.SLY ON !
BLOODY GRASS4 ,5]GY SURG$ "? T PLACE )!
SAME COOL FEEL+ Z DR9K+ WAT] ON AN EMPTY
/OMA*4 ,X L9$ ! 9SIDES ( ME & R1*$ \1
3NECT+ MY KNEEL+ SELF 6! DY+ BODY "U MY
H&S4 ,=A FEW SECONDS ,I ?"\ ,I CD SEE
."? MYF1 ! RIDICUL\S OIL FILT] ANALOGY
AT "W REPAIR+ MY LUNG4 ,! 5]GY ,I FELT 0
C5T]$ "!1 COIL+ 9SIDE ! RU9$ CAV;Y &
PAT*+ X4 ,!N ! S5S,N FAD$ & DIZZI;S
SWEPT "? ME4 ,I TILT$ OV] SIDEWAYS1 SUD-
D5LY EXHAU/$4 8,I DON'T ?9K X "W$40
  8,TAKE A LOOK10 ! COYOTE MUR-      #HI
MUR$4 ,I PRI$ MY EYES OP5 & LOOK$ D[N AT
MYF4 ,I*ORY BLACK BLOOD / COV]$ MY *E/ &
MY H&S1 B :5 ,I PU%$ MY %IRT \ (! WAY1 !
HOLE 0 G"O1 ! SK9 UNSC>R$4
  8,HOLY %IT40
  ,! COYOTE *UCKL$4 8,N[ RE9FLATE YR
LUNG40
  8,:AT1 L A TIRE80
  8,J L T40 ,HE S.D$ APPROV+4
  ,FLAT TIRE4 ,FILL$ TIRE4 ,X DOESN'T
TAKE T L;G 6FILL A TIRE1 B ,I _H ! HOR-
RI# IDEA T ,I WD EXPLODE MY LUNG IF ,I
FILL$ X TOO FA/4 ,! DRUMB1T ?UMP$ UN/1D-
ILY1 !N FELL 96A M REASSUR+ PATT]N Z ,I
5VI.N$ AIR 2+ PU%$ 96A TIRE4 ,I FELT !
SAME 5]GY COIL 2H MY BR1/B"O AG1 %IMM]+
"? BO? BODIES4 ,X SPILL$ \ Z ,I DRA7$ 9
A DEEP BR1?4 ,2N MY H&S1 ! O!R ME DID !
SAME ?+1 &! ALI5 POOL ( 5]GY W5T D1D AG4
,? "T X LEFT ME )! FA9TE/ S5S,N ( / 2+
"!1 WAIT+4 ,I SWALL[$ H>D4 8,:AT IS T80
  8,X'S YR DE/9Y10 ! COYOTE SD4
  ,MY HE>TB1T MISS$ ANO!R PULSE1 B OV]-
ALL X 0 M* BETT]4 ,I LET \ A HI<-PIT*$
LAU<4 8,MY DE/9Y4 ,I'M A C> & ,I'M   #IJ
FIX+ ME & X'S MY DE/9Y8 ,GRT1 T'S J GRT1
9 A -PLETELY FUCK$-UP SURR1L WAY40
  8,! RIBS NEXT1 ,I ?9K40 ,! COYOTE S.D$
S]5E4 ,I R1*$ =! UNLOCK$ KNOT ( 5]GY M
DELIB]ATELY ? "T1 & LAU<$ AG1 A LL HY/]-
IC,Y1 :5 X RESPOND$4
  8,H[ C ,I 2 DO+ ?80 ,MY BROK5 RIBS 7 L
A BODY FRAME T _H BE5 TORN A"P4 ,I
PRESS$ !M BACK 96%APE1 CAUTI\SLY RE-
ALIGN+ !M1 WELD+ ! W1K PO9TS C>E;LLY4
,PRESSURE ,I _HN'T 3SCI\SLY R1LIZ$ EXI/$
SL[LY EAS$1 & ,I CD BR1! M EASILY4 ,MY
:OLE BODY FELT M ALIGN$1 /R;G]1 J L A C>
FELT SOLID ) XS FRAME 9TACT4 ,! 5]GY ,I
0 US+ SPILL$ F ME L X 0 "P ( MY B"O
/RUCTURE1 L X 0 9TEGRAL 6MY 2+1 B ,I'D
N"E FELT ANY?+ L X 2F4
  8,Y'RE F9,Y 2G9N+ 6A3EPT A PA? Y ABAN-
DON$ A L;G "T AGO10 ! COYOTE ANSW]$4 8,Y
H GIFTS1 ,JOANNE ,WALK]1 T YR _S CRIES \
6USE4 ,H1L+ IS *IEF AM;G !M40
  8,I DON'T "U/&40 ,I S.D$ "Y & F"R5$1 B
EV5 Z ,I MADE ! PROTE/,N ,I MOV$1 )\T 2+
TOLD1 ON 6! NEXT ( MY 9JURIES4 ,! CUTS &
SCRAPES ON MY >MS & FACE 7 A PA9T    #IA
JOB4 ,US+ ! COYOTE'S ANALOGY "W$3 X GAVE
ME A WAY 6FOCUS ! COOL RU%+ P[] 9SIDE MY
BELLY4 ,X 0 2WILD]+LY EASY1 ALM 9/9C-
TIVE4 ,! SURFACE DAMAGE (! CUTS &
SCRAPES CALL$ = LESS ( T 5]GY ?AN ! LUNG
OR ! RIBS _H4 ,I FELT MYF MAK+ *OICES ,I
B>ELY "U/OOD1 SIPHON+ J A FRAC;N (! P[]
AVAILA# 6D1L )! SMALL] 9JURIES4 ,! RE/
SETTL$ 2H ! UNLOCK$ PLACE ABV MY BELLY1
WAIT+4 ,:5 ! 8PA9T JOB0 0 -PLETE1 ! EX-
T5.N ( 5]GY FAD$ BACK 96ME1 JO9+ ! RE/ (
! P[] 2H MY BR1/B"O4 ,I FELT A LL L A
BATT]Y *>G+ UP4
  ,I OP5$ MY EYES UNC]TA9LY1 LOOK+ D[N
AT MYF4 ,I CDN'T D ANY?+ AB MY CLO!S4
8,I ?9K ,I'M OKAY N[40
  8,:AT AB T "O80 ,! COYOTE POK$ 8 NOSE
AT ! L;G CUT ON MY *EEK F ,M>IE'S BUTT]-
FLY KNIFE4 ,I PUT MY H& OV] X2 ! NEW
PA9T JOB _HN'T 5TIRELY TAK5 C>E ( X4
,9/1D ( 4APPE>+1 X _H SC>R$ OV]1 A ?9
SILV] L9E AL;G MY *EEK4 ,AF A MO;T ,I
%RU7$4
  8,X WANTS 6/AY40
  ,V SM>T DOGS C LOOK APPROV+4 ,!    #IB
COYOTE DID1 !N SNAPP$ 8 TEE? AT ME4
8,I'M N A DOG40
  8,:AT .IS X ) P R1D+ MY M9D TD80 ,I
LOOK$ D[N AT MYF1 ! "O LY+ 9 ! GRASS4 ,I
/ LOOK$ HORRI#1 MY SK9 A <A/LY PALLOR T
MADE V FA9T FRECKLES /& \ ACR MY NOSE4
,MY FACE WASN'T "O T DID SUNK5 FLE%
WELL4 ,MY NOSE IS :AT Y MI<T POLITELY
CALL REGAL1 & MY *EEKB"OS >E HI<1 MAK+
MY *EEKS LOOK V HOLL[ & FALL54 ,LY+ "! L
T1 ,I LOOK$ TWO BR1?S F D1D4 ,! DRUMB1T1
MY HE>TB1T1 0 / ?U4+ )A DEGREE ( UNC]-
TA9TY4 ,I PUT MY H& \ OV] MY TORSO &
*EW$ MY L[] LIP4 8,"!'S / "S?+ WR;G4 ,L
'''0 ,MY C> ANALOGY ALM FELL A"P4 8,L !
W9D%IELD IS ALL CRACK$ UP & BURNT F !
SUN40
  ,! COYOTE DID ! APPROV+ LOOK AG4 8,?
IS ! H>D "P40
  ,I FR[N$ AT HM N]V\SLY4 8,:AT D Y M1N1
! H>D "P80
  ,HE PU%$ 8 NOSE \ T[>D ! ME T 0 DY+1
"! ON ! GRASS4 8,Y H 6*ANGE ! WAY Y SEE
! _W40
  8,ISN'T ? PLACE 5 PRO( ( T80 ,I    #IC
ASK$1 PIT* RIS+4 ,! COYOTE'S E>S FLICK$
BACK & HE SAT UP PRIMLY1 (F5D$4
  8,IS X80 HE ASK$4 8,D Y 2LIEVE :AT'S
HAPP5+ "H80
  ,I LOOK$ D[N AT MY BODY AG4 ,MY HE>T-
B1T 0 DRUMM+ M* TOO SL[LY4 8,I DON'T "K4
,X FEELS R1L1 B S D DR1MS40
  8,? PLACE %>ES M* ) DR1MS40 ,! TIMBRE
( 8 VOICE *ANG$1 DEEP5+ F A T5OR 96A B>-
IT"O4 ,I J]K$ MY EYES UP1 64COV] A R$
MAN SITT+ "! ON 8 BUTT1 >MS WRAPP$ >.D 8
KNEES1 LOOSE & -=TA#4 ,HE WORE J1NS )!
KNEES TORN \1 NO %IRT1 & HE 0 G5U9ELY
R$4 ,BRICK R$1 N A COLOR SK9 -ES IN1 N
EV5 SUNBURN$ SK94 ,L;G /RAI<T BLACK HAIR
0 "P$ D[N ! MI4LE1 & 8 TEE? 7 BETT] ?AN
,G>Y'S4 ,8 EYES 7 GOLD51 Z GOLD5 Z !
COYOTE'S4 ,I BL9K$1 &! COYOTE 0 BACK4
  8,IS ,COYOTE EV5 A ,*]OKEE LEG5D80 ,I
KEPT BL9K+ AT HM1 HOP+ HE'D TURN BACK
96! R$ MAN4 ,HE /AY$ A COYOTE4 ,/1 IF M5
L T 7 W&]+ >.D "H1 ,I'D TAKE X Z A GD >-
GU;T T ? G>D5 _H A LOT 9 -MON ) DR1MS4
  8,X'S A LL M -PLICAT$ ?AN T10 ,COYOTE
SD4 8,Y DON'T H A LOT ( "T1 ,JO4     #ID
,IS ? R1L80
  ,I SC[L$ D[N AT MY BODY4 ..,IF ? IS A
.DR1M1 ,I DECID$1 ..:5 ,I LOOK UP1 HE'LL
2 ! GUY AG4 ,I'M AW>E1 S X'S A LUCID
DR1M1 S ,I C A6ECT X1 & HE'LL 2 ! MAN 2C
,I WANT HM 6.BE4
  ,I LOOK$ UP4 ,! COYOTE 0 SITT+ "!1 H1D
COCK$1 WAIT+ = ME4
  8,DAMMIT10 ,I SD \ L\D4 ,A ?9 L9E 9 !
SPID]WEB ,I FELT 9SIDE ME MADE A HISS+
S.D L CRACK+ GLASS1 & 4APPE>$4 ,! DRUM
MISS$ A L;G1 SC>Y B1T1 !N FELL 96A NATU-
RAL1 REASSUR+ RHY?M4
  8,"T 6G BACK10 ,COYOTE SD1 &! G>D5 W5T
AWAY4









             ,,*APT] ,,SIX           #IE

  .,%IT1 ,I ?"\ AG1 ..,I DIDN'T WANT ALL
T CRAP AB A :ITE TUNNEL 6BE .TRUE4 ,I
CLOS$ MY EYES4 ,! LI<T 3T9U$ 6BORE 96MY
EYELIDS UNTIL ,I OP5$ !M AG4 ,! P>AM$IC
SQUATT+ ABV ME CLICK$ ! P5LI<T (F1 AN-
N\NC+1 8,%E'S BACK10 6"S"O \ ( MY L9E (
SI<T4
  8,I'M BACK10 ,I AGRE$ 9 A CROAK1 &
CLOS$ MY EYES AG4 ,P]H S IF ,I 0 V LUCKY
,I'D G AWAY AG4
  8,GETT+ ! CRAP B1T \ ( Y ISN'T GONNA
MAKE ,MORRISON FEEL BAD 5 N 6FIRE Y1
,JOANIE10 ! "S"O SD1 !N LIFT$ 8 VOICE4
8,=GET ! ,,ECG1 ,JIMMY4 ,%E'S BACK ) U4
,LOOKS L ! O!R GUY GOT ! WOR/ ( X4 ,:AT
HAPP5$10 HE SD1 A4RESS+ ME AG1 8HIS GANG
DRA7$ HM (F 6DIE80
  ,MY >M WEI<$ AB TW5TY ?\S& P.DS1 B ,I
PICK$ X UP & DROPP$ X ON MY *E/1 TRY+ TO
F9D ! HOLE ! SWORD _H POK$ 9 ME4 ,I F.D
X 0PROXY4 ,"! 0 A GA% 9 MY %IRT1 A NA/Y
HOLE /I65+ ) DRI$ BLOOD4 ,2N X1 MY RIB
CAGE SEEM$ 6BE UNPUNCTUR$4 ,I ROLL$ MY
H1D 6! SIDE1 "S:AT AMAZ$ T X /AY$    #IF
ON1 & CROAK$1 8,G>Y80
  ,ALL ,I CD SEE 7 FEET4 ,I DIDN'T "K
:AT K9D ( %OES ,G>Y WORE1 B ,I 0 PRETTY
SURE !Y W]5'T OP5-TO$ BLUE L1!R HEELS1
ABSOLUTELY IMPRACTICAL = ,S1TTLE 9 ,JAN-
U>Y4
  8,:O ! HELL IS ,G>Y80
  ,I ROLL$ MY H1D BACK 6": X _H BE5 &
TRI$ 6FOCUS ON ! P>AM$IC4 8,OH10 ,I SD
AF A :ILE4 8,BILLY4 ,CA2Y40
  8,NO1 ,BILLY ,HOLLI"D1 SWEETHE>T4
,Y'VE ALW BE5 EASILY 3FUS$40 ,HE SQUATT$
0ME AG1 PU%+ MY EYELID BACK & 9SPECT+ MY
PUPIL4 8,H[ _M F+]S D Y SEE80
  8,I DON'T SEE ANY?+1 ,BILLY1 "SBODY'S
GOT 8 DAMN ?UMB /UCK 9 MY EYE4 ,:AT HAP-
P5$1 Y GET CALL$ 9 E>LY80
  8,H['D Y "K80 ,HE TOOK 8 ?UMB \ ( MY
EYE & ELEVAT$ 8 EYEBR[S AT ME4
  8,! %OES40
  ,BILLY ,HOLLI"D WAS1 Z F> Z ,I KNEW1
,S1TTLE'S ONLY CROSS-DRESS+ DETECTIVE4
,I'D MET HM ?REE "DS AF ,I 0 HIR$3 4PAT*
ASK$ ME 6RESCUE AN (F-DUTY (FIC] ^: C>
_H BROK5 D[N4 ,4PAT* _HN'T M5;N$ T   #IG
! COP 9 "Q WD 2 WE>+ A PALE YELL[ FLORAL
PR9T DRESS & _H BICEPS BI7] ?AN MY H1D4
,BILLY LOOK$ BETT] 9 A DRESS ?AN ,I DID4
  ,N T ,I CD REMEMB] ! LA/ "T ,I WORE A
DRESS4
  ,BILLY 9SPECT$ 8 FEET4 8,I %OV$ MY
FEET 96! F/ ?+ ,I F.D NEXT 6! DOOR10 HE
ADMITT$4 8,D Y L !M80
  ,I DECID$ ,I 0 FEEL+ BETT]1 & 2GAN TO
SIT UP4 ,BILLY PU%$ ME BACK D[N4 8,I ?9K
!Y'RE GRT10 ,I (F]$1 & TRI$ 6SIT UP AG4
,! ADMIR,N DIDN'T APP1SE HM1 & WE _H A
GD LL TUSSLE GO+ :5 ,G>Y'S KNEES 9TRUD$
9 MY L9E ( VI.N4 ,HE CR\*$ :ILE ,I WON-
D]$ H[ ,I RECOGNIZ$ 8 KNEES4
  8,Y "\A 2 D1D1 LADY40
  ,I LET ,BILLY W9 & DROPP$ ONTO MY
BACK4 8,Y1H80 ,I ASK$4 8,:AT'S ,M>IE GOT
6SAY AB T80
  8,Y "\ 6BE D1D10 %E SD F ABV MY H1D4
,I TILT$ MY *9 UP & LOOK$ AT H] =E%ORT5$
=M "? MY EYEBR[S4
  8,T'S REASSUR+40 ,I CLOS$ MY EYES4
8,:AT HAPP5$80
  ,I FELT ,M>IE & ,G>Y CA/ UNCOM-    #IH
=TA# GL.ES AT ,BILLY4 8,BILLY10 ,I SD
)\T OP5+ MY EYES1 8G *ANGE YR %OES1 WD
Y80
  ,MORTAL (F5SE FILL$ 8 VOICE4 8,:AT1 S
Y C GET YR /ORY /RAI<T8 ,:AT K9D ( DE-
TECTIVE D Y TAKE ME =80
  8,X'S A LL M -PLICAT$ ?AN T40 ,I TRI$
6REMEMB] ": ,I'D HE>D T REC5TLY4 ,OH1
Y1H4 ,COYOTE4
  ,MY H1D 2GAN 6HURT AG4
  ,I PU%$ UP ON AN ELB[1 OP5+ MY EYES4
8,I'M ASK+ Z A FR1 ,BILL4 ,OR ,I'LL /1L
YR 4TRIBUTOR CAP40
  ,HE GR9N$ RELUCTANTLY4 8,FRS DON'T
?R1T5 FRS' 4TRIBUTOR CAPS4 ,LOOK1 Y SURE
Y'RE OKAY1 ,JOANIE8 ,Y LOOK L HELL40
  8,I'M SURE4 ,I'M F9E4 ,I SWE> ,I'LL
EXPLA9 X LAT]40
  8,>"R40 ,BILLY /OOD UP4 ,S DID ,G>Y4
,!Y SIZ$ EA* O!R UP :ILE ,I "W$ ON
CLIMB+ 6MY FEET4 ,G>Y NO4$ T]SELY1 &
,BILLY WALK$ (F4 ,X ALL SMACK$ ( "S SORT
( BIZ>RE MALE TE/O/]"O ?+4 ,I TRI$ H>D
6IGNORE X4
  8,:AT HAPP5$80 ,I ASK$ AG4 ,MY     #II
BAL.E 0 (F4 ,I SPR1D MY >MS \1 TRY+ 6F9D
MY C5T]4 ,!N X O3URR$ 6ME T ,COYOTE
WANT$ ME 6D EXACTLY T1 & MY H1D HURT M4
,I RU2$ MY TEMPLE1 !N MY FACE1 & T
DIDN'T HURT AT ALL4 ,FASC9AT$1 ,I PRO4$
AT MY *EEK4 ,NO PA94
  8,Y GOT A SC>10 ,G>Y PRON\NC$1 />+
WIDE-EY$ AT MY FACE4 8,ON YR *EEK4 ,":
%E CUT Y4 ,A R1L ?9 SC>4 ,X 0 / BLE$+ J
A M9UTE AGO40
  ,I SLID MY F+]TIPS OV] MY *EEK1 FEEL+
! ?9 L9E1 P]FECTLY H1L$4 8,:AT10 ,I ASK$
=! ?IRD "T1 8HAPP5$80 ,! SC> FELT WEIRD4
,I'D ALW _H GD SK94
  8,! ,HUNT TOOK ,C]NUNNOS AWAY10 ,M>IE
SD4 8,I'M N SURE ANY"O'S "E HURT HM L T
2F40
  8,BULLY = ME40 ,I KEPT RU2+ MY *EEK4
8,H['D ,I GET 96! P>K+ LOT80
  8,I C>RI$ Y10 ,G>Y VOLUNTE]$4 8,! D9]
0 ON FIRE40
  ,I TURN$ >.D & LOOK$ AT X4 ,SURE 5\<1
X 0 ON FIRE4 ,"! 7 FIREM5 "! N[1 & ,I
R1LIZ$ ,I'D BE5 HE>+ ! S.DS ( WAT] & /1M
& M5 CALL+ 6"O ANO!R S9CE ,I WOKE   #AJJ
UP4 ,CL\DS ( /1M & SMOKE ROSE UP1 &1 Z
,I WAT*$1 A SEC;N (! RO( FELL IN4 ,ALL &
ALL1 ,I 0 GLAD ,G>Y _HN'T LEFT ME 9 "!4
8,?ANKS4 ,:AT HAPP5$ 6! SWORD80
  ,G>Y J]K$ A ?UMB T[>D 8 CAB4 8,IN !
BACK S1T4 ,I ?"\ WE "\A L1VE X 9 Y UNTIL
! P>AM$ICS GOT "H1 B ,M>IE KEPT SAY9' WE
_H 6GET X \4 ,GUESS ,I'M N M* GD AT SAY-
IN' NO 6A DAME40
  8,Y1H10 ,I SD1 8Y LOOK L ! H5PECK$
HUSB& TYPE40 ,MY F+]S DRIFT$ BACK 6!
HOLE 9 MY %IRT1 FEEL+ SK9 "? X4 ,X FELT
P]FECTLY NORMAL4 ,I PULL$ ! COLL> (!
%IRT \ & PE]$ D[N4 ,G>Y GU6AW$4 ,I MUT-
T]$1 8,OH1 %UT UP10 & KEPT LOOK+4
  ,MY BRA 0 A BLOODY MESS1 & "! 0 A GA%
9 X4 8,GOD DAMN X10 ,I SD1 8T 0 A NEW
BRA40
  ,G>Y LAU<$ AG1 & ,I LOOK$ UP L;G 5 TO
GL>E AT HM4 8,SURE1 LAU<4 ,X CO/ SIXTY
BUCKS4 ,GO4AMN$ M5 DON'T H 6BUY GO4AMN$
EXP5SIVE "UWE> '''40 ,I PE]$ D[N MY %IRT
AG4 ,"! 0 NO 9DIC,N ! BLOODY MESS ON !
%IRT & BRA 0 F MY [N BLE$+4 ,BR1/S1 BRA1
BLOOD1 NO HOLE 9 MY *E/4 ,LOOK AT   #AJA
T4 ,I FELT L AN ;,X-,FILE4
  8,Y KEPT FLA%+ 2T LIV+ & DY+10 ,M>IE
SD4 8,I J _H ! FEEL+ T Y WDN'T LIVE IF !
SWORD /AY$ 9 Y40
  8,Y 7 "R40 ,I /OPP$ PEEK+ D[N MY %IRT4
,X 0 TOO WEIRD4
  8,S %E MADE ME PULL ! SWORD \10 ,G>Y
SD1 8 :OLE FACE WR9KL+ UP 9 A GRIMACE4
8,& !N '''0 ,HE TRAIL$ (F4 ,M>IE DREW 9
A BR1?4
  8,& !N Y 2GAN 6H1L4 ,J L MAGIC40
  8,X 0 MAGIC10 ,I MUM#D4
  8,:AT80 ,G>Y LAU<$ AG4
  8,X 0 MAGIC10 ,I REP1T$1 UNCONV9C+LY4
,M>IE DEVELOP$ A SMUG GR94 ,EV5 SMUG
LOOK$ ATTRACTIVE ON H]4 ,X WASN'T FAIR4
  8,I ?"\ Y DIDN'T 2LIEVE 9 MAGIC10 %E
SD )A R1SONA# AM.T ( DIPLOMACY4 ,UN=TU-
NATELY1 H] GR9 RU9$ ! S9C];Y (! MO;T4
  8,A LOT'S *ANG$ S9CE !N10 ,I MUTT]$4
,A CORD TI<T5$ >.D MY HE>T1 !N LOOS5$1 L
A B[/R+ SNAPP+4 ,A SU45 VI.N (! CRACK$
W9D%IELD BLURR$ MY VI.N1 &A SPID]WEB-?9
L9E 9 X S1L$ UP1 H1L+4 ,I %IV]$ A LL &
WRAPP$ MY >MS >.D MY RIBS4          #AJB
8,C'MON4 ,LET'S G TALK 6,BILLY40
  8,WAIT40 ,M>IE CAU<T MY >M4 8,WE H A
PRO#M40
  ,^? 7 N ! ^WS ,I WANT$ 6HE>4 ,X TOOK A
L;G "T 63V9CE MYF 6SAY1 8,:AT K9D (
PRO#M80
  8,C]NUNNOS WASN'T ! "O ,I F"\ AT !
*UR*40
  ,I FR[N$ AT H] )\T -PREH5.N4 8,HE
CDN'T H BE510 ,I SD AF A M9UTE4 8,Y TOOK
T KNIFE F HM40 ,I FELT T]RIBLY CL"E =
FIGUR+ T \1 ESPECI,Y :5 SURPRISE1 FOLL[$
0EMB>RASS;T1 WA%$ ACR ,M>IE'S FACE4
  8,Y'RE "R4 ,I DIDN'T EV5 ?9K--B :O 0
HE1 !N8 ,! ,HUNT .0 AF ME10 %E 9SI/$4 ,I
UNFOLD$ "O H& F >.D MY RIBS 6H1D (F H]
PROTE/,NS4
  8,I "K4 ,I SAW4 ,MAYBE X 0 "SBODY HU-
MAN :O'S "W+ = HM40 ,I ADMIR$ H[ ,I SD
T1 ALL CASUAL-L4 ,I CD H&LE MY _W 2+
TURN$ UPSIDE D[N & %AK5 L A SN[ GLOBE4
,NO PRO#M4 ,I 0 COOL4 ,I 0 GD4 ,Y1H4
  8,!N :Y DIDN'T HE FOLL[ ME 96! *UR*80
  ,I />$ D[N AT H]1 AT A LOSS4 ,S M* =
2+ COOL4 8,I DON'T "K4 ,LOOK40 ,I   #AJC
%OOK MY H1D4 8,LET'S G TALK 6,BILLY &
GET T "P ( ? OV] ) 2F WE TRY 6FIGURE !
RE/ ( X \1 OKAY80 ,I GL.ED AT ,G>Y4 ,HE
NO4$4 ,S1 AF A RELUCTANT MO;T1 DID ,MA-
RIE4
  ,WE W5T 6TALK 6,BILLY4

  ,ONCE ^U A "T1 A NICE "Y HALF-,*]OKEE
HALF-,IRI% GIRL W5T 6COLLEGE & GOT ! UL-
TIMATE WD-Y-L-FRIES-)-T DEGREE3 ,5GLI%4
,I _H NO ILLU.NS T ,I'D GET A JOB 9 MY
FIELD :5 ,I GRADUAT$ F COLLEGE1 B ,I'D
N"E PLANN$ TO4 ,I ALR _H A "D JOB4 ,I'D
/>T$ LE>N+ H[ 6FIX C>S :5 ,I 0 B>ELY OLD
5 6WALK1 & ,I N"E RE,Y WANT$ 6D ANY?+
ELSE4
  ,:5 ,I GRADUAT$ F ! ,UNIV]S;Y ( ,WA%+-
TON1 MY "P-"T COLLEGE GIG AT A LOCAL ME-
*ANIC'S %OP CDN'T UPGRADE ME 6FULL-"T1 S
,I HIR$ ON )! ,NOR? ,PREC9CT POLICE DE-
"P;T4 ,! BE/ "P AB X 0 ,I DIDN'T H 6MOVE
\ (! A"P;T ,I'D BE5 R5T+ S9CE MY SOPHO-
MORE YE> ( COLLEGE4
  ,"! 0 J "O ITTY-BITTY CAT*3 MY !N-
SUP]VISOR1 ,CAPTA9 ,NI*OLS1 WANT$   #AJD
ME 6G 6! POLICE ACADEMY4 ,X 0 ! BLACK-&-
:ITE PHOTOS !Y TOOK = /,N ,,ID T DID ME
IN3 MY ,NATIVE ,AM]ICAN BLOOD %[$ "? L A
WAV+ R$ FLAG1 & ,NI*OLS CDN'T RESI/ A
BONAFIDE ,9DIAN WOMAN ON ! RO/]4 ,X MADE
! DE"P;T LOOK GD4 ,I W5T 6! ACADEMY1
MANAG$ 6SURVIVE X & GRATE;LLY SLUNK BACK
6! G>AGE1 "! 6/AY4
  ,A YE> LAT]1 ,NI*OLS RETIR$ & ,CAPTA9
,MI*AEL ,MORRISON REPLAC$ HM4
  ,O4S >E T ,MORRISON & ,I N"E WD H S M*
Z SPOK51 IF ,I _HN'T BR"\ MY C> 6! PRE-
C9CT C> WA% FUND-RAIS]4 ,I 0 N PR"O 6DO+
T SORT ( ?+3 MY C>1 ,PETITE1 IS MY BABY1
& ,I PREF] 6WA% H] MYF1 B ,BILLY'S OLDE/
KID BE7$ & PL1D$ ) ME1 & ,I 0 W1K 9 !
FACE ( BIG-EY$ N9E-YE>-OLD BOYS4 ,S ,I
BR"\ H] 6! C> WA%4
  ,H[ ANY R$-BLOOD$ ,AM]ICAN MALE CD
MISTAKE A #AIFI ,MU/ANG =A ,CORVETTE1
EV5 AN ADMITT$LY SEXY #'FC ,/+RAY1 ,I W
N"E "U/&4 ,B ,MORRISON DID1 & ,I LAU<$ 9
8 FACE4 ,IF ,I 7 6BE TOT,Y H"O/1 ,I MI<T
G S F> Z 6SAY ,I MOCK$ HM MI<TILY1 2F1
DUR+ & AF LAU<+ 9 8 FACE4           #AJE
  ,I DIDN'T ."K AT ! "T T HE 0 MY NEW
TOP-LEVEL SUP]VISOR4
  ,I SAY T L "K+ WD H MADE A DI6];E4
  ,I G5],Y W5T 6"S L5G?S 6AVOID ADMITT+
6MYF T ,I'D 2HAV$ L A -PLETE1 UNMITIGAT$
J]K4 ,X 0 L A HORRI#1 EMB>RASS+ REV].N
6ELE;T>Y S*OOL1 ": Y 9DICATE Y ?9K A BOY
IS CUTE 0?R[+ ROCKS AT HM4 ,ONCE ,I'D
LO2$ ! F/ ROCK1 S 6SP1K1 ,I DIDN'T "K H[
6/OP1 &! REL,N%IP _HN'T EXACTLY IMPROV$
) "T4 ,Z F> Z ,I CD TELL1 NEI ,MORRISON
NOR ,I _H M* LIFE AT ALL \TSIDE (! /,N1
S WE RAN 96EA* O!R (T5 5 6DEVELOP A L;G-
T]M1 /&+ ANIMOS;Y4 ,WE 7 L ,FELIX & ,OS-
C> )\T ! GD MO;TS4
  ,S :5 ,I'D ASK$ = "S P]SONAL "T (F 6G
MEET MY DY+ "M1 ,MORRISON'D BE5 9 A HUR-
RY 6TELL ME T ! DE"P;T CD ONLY AF=D ME
SIX WEEKS ( L1VE1 & !N !Y'D H 6REPLACE
ME4 ,I TOLD HM ,I'D 2 BACK 9 A MON?4
  ,T MON? /RET*$ 6TWO1 !N ?REE4 ,:5 ,I
CALL$ 6SAY X 0 GO+ 6BE ANO!R MON?1
,BRUCE AT ! FRONT DESK S.D$ D[N"R GRIM1
& TOLD ME T ,MORRISON WANT$ MY ASS 9 8
*AIR ! M9UTE ,I GOT (F ! PLANE4     #AJF
  ,: 0 :Y ,I 0 N[ ON ,MORRISON'S SIDE (
,MORRISON'S DESK1 9 ,MORRISON'S REM>KA-
BLY -=TA# *AIR1 ) MY FEET PROPP$ UP ON
,MORRISON'S SC>R$ GRAY DESK4 ,I J _H TO
PU% MY LUCK4
  ,! (FICE 0 L>GE 5 6N 2 CLAU/ROPHOBIC4
,! DOOR OP5$ AG/ A HALF WALL ( W9D[S T
LET 9 ! MILD W9T] LI<T4 ,TWO *AIRS T FIT
"U ! CATEGORY ( 8-FY0 7 ON ! OPPOSITE
SIDE ( ,MORRISON'S DESK1 ! SIDE ,I 0
SUPPOS$ 6BE ON4 ,ANO!R ?REE FOLD+ *AIRS
7 TUCK$ >.D A L;G BR[N TA# %OV$ "U ! W9-
D[S & 96! BACK CORN]4 ,! TA#1 L ,MORRIS-
ON'S DESK1 0 BURI$ 2N *AOTIC,Y 4TRIBUT$
PAP]"W4
  ,MORRISON'S DESK LOOK$ \ ONTO ! (FICES
"? ANO!R SET ( W9D[S1 FLOOR-TO-CEIL+1
,V5ETIAN BLS HANG+ AT ! TOPS4 ,HE USU,Y
LEFT !M OP54 ,:5 !Y 7 CLOS$1 "SBODY 0 9
HUGE TR\#4 ,I CDN'T DECIDE IF ,I 0 RE-
LIEV$ !Y 7 OP5 N[4
  ,?REE CAL5D>S1 )! PA/1 PRES5T & NEXT
MON?S TURN$ UP1 7 TACK$ ON A BULLET9
BO>D ABV A QUIETLY P]COLAT+ C(FEEMAK] ON
! O!R SIDE (! (FICE4 ,>.D ! CAL5-   #AJG
D>S 7 CLIPP+S F CASES1 PA/ & PRES5T1
OV]LY+ "O ANO!R UNTIL ! BO>D 2L !M 0
VIRTU,Y 9VISI#4 ,NEXT 6! C(FEEMAK] 0 A
,FRANK ,LLOYD ,W"R CLOCK4 ,I WOND]$ IF X
_H BE5 A ,*RI/MAS GIFT1 & :O _H GIV5 X
6,MORRISON4 ,"! 7 NO PHOTOS ( FAMILY ON
8 DESK4 ,I D\BT$ HE _H ANY4
  ,I EY$ ! CLOCK4 ,HE'D KEPT ME WAIT+
SEV5TE5 M9UTES4 ,X ONLY SEEM$ FAIR1 S9CE
,I'D KEPT HM WAIT+ F\R &A HALF MON?S4
  ,A MO;T LAT] ! DOOR BANG$ %UT & ,I
FL9*$ UP"R1 />TL$ \ (! F/ SLEEP ,I'D _H
9 "DS4 ,MORRISON GL[]$ AT ME F ! DOOR-
WAY4 ,I CA/ ANO!R GL.E AT ! CLOCK4 ,I'D
BE5 ASLEEP LESS ?AN ?REE M9UTES4 ,J 5 "T
6MAKE ! WOR/ POSSI# IMPRES.N4 ,I HOP$ ,I
_HN'T DROOL$ ON MYF4
  8,GET10 ,MORRISON GR[L$1 8! HELL4 ,\4
,( MY4 ,*AIR40
  ,I B1M$4 8,BRUCE 0 V SPECIFIC10 ,I SD
9 MY BE/ 9NOC5T VOICE4 8,8,MORRISON
WANTS YR ASS 9 8 *AIR ! M9UTE Y GET (F !
PLANE40
  ,MORRISON TOOK A ?R1T5+ /EP T[>D ME4
,I CACKL$ & WAV$ A H&1 CLIMB+ 6MY   #AJH
FEET4 8,I'M GETT+4 ,DON'T GET YR PANTIES
9 A BUN*40 ,I WALK$ >.D ! DESK 6! *AIR
,I 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE IN1 & SAT4
  ,OR T'S :AT ,I M1NT 6D1 ANYWAY4 ,:AT
,I ACTU,Y DID 0 TAKE TWO /EPS1 TR1D ON
MY %OELACE & COLLAPSE 9 A SPRAWL AT
,MORRISON'S FEET4 ,I LAY "! WOND]+ :Y ,I
CDN'T BR1!4 ,I CD FEEL ,MORRISON />+ AT
! BACK ( MY H1D4
  ,! FLOOR 0 PRETTY -=TA#1 ALL ?+S 3SID-
]$4 ,MAYBE IF ,I /AY$ "!1 ,MORRISON WD J
H ME ?R[N 9 A NICE QUIET CELL ": ,I CD
SLEEP = TWO OR ?REE "DS4 ,EXCEPT "! 7 NO
QUIET CELLS AT ! /,N1 & ,I KNEW X4 ,I
GROAN$1 PU%$ MYF 6MY H&S & KNEES1 !N SAT
BACK ON MY HEELS4
  8,DON'T D X1 ,JOANIE60 "S"O BELL[$1
L\D 5 6BE HE>D "? ! W9D[4 8,! JOB A9'T
WOR? X60
  ,X TOOK S"EAL SECONDS = MY POSI;N1
RELATIVE 6,MORRISON'S1 6S9K IN4 ,!N ,I
TURN$ A DULL CRIMSON1 TOO TIR$ 6EV5 GET
UP A RE,Y BRILLIANT %ADE ( R$4 ,MORRISON
GL>$ OV] 8 %\LD] & /OMP$ >.D ! DESK TO
TAKE 8 S1T1 ALL )\T C1S+ 6SC[L AT   #AJI
ME4 ,I CLIMB$ 6MY FEET 9 A S]IES ( SMALL
MOVE;TS1 US+ ! DESK 6PU% MYF UP 9CREM5-
T,Y4 ,EV5TU,Y ,I GOT TURN$ >.D & MET
,MORRISON'S FR[N4
  8,Y LOOK L HELL10 HE SD1 : WASN'T :AT
,I EXPECT$1 S ,I BL9K$ AT HM4 ,HE WAV$
AT ! *AIR4 8,SIDD[N40
  ,I SAT4 ,N1 ?ANK;LLY1 "R ": ,I 0 /&+3
,I _H ! PRES;E ( M9D 6/A7] ! C\PLE (
/EPS 6! *AIR4 ,MORRISON WAT*$ ME4 ,HE 0
9 8 LATE ?IRTIES & LOOK$ J L A POLICE
CAPTA9 "\ TO3 A BIG GUY1 A LL BIT FLE%Y1
) COOL 9VE/IGAT+ EYES & /R;G H&S T _H
BLUNT1 WELL-%AP$ F+]NAILS4 ,HE 0 GD-
LOOK+ 9 A SUP]H]O-GO+-TO-SE$ K9D ( WAY1
: IS PROBABLY "O ( ^? ?+S Y'RE N SUPPOS$
6NOTICE AB YR BOSS4 ,I SANK 96! *AIR &
CLOS$ MY EYES4
  ,MORRISON L1N$ BACK 9 8 *AIR4 ,X
CR1K$1 A HI< %RIEK T MADE HAIRS /& UP ON
MY >MS4 8,Y OV]EXT5D$ YR P]SONAL L1VE BY
?REE MON?S1 ,WALK]40
  8,I "K40
  8,I HIR$ YR REPLACE;T T5 WEEKS AGO40
  8,I "K40 ,DAMN1 B ,I 0 A /UNN+    #AAJ
3V]S,NALI/4 ,MY EYES 7 GLU$ %UT4 ,I RU2$
AT !M1 &! /ICKY 3TACTS SU45LY MADE TE>S
FLOOD "? MY LA%ES4
  8,JESUS10 ,MORRISON SD 9 MY/IFI$ HOR-
ROR1 8DON'T TELL ME Y'RE CRY+40
  8,X'S MY 3TACTS10 ,I SN>L$4
  8,?ANK ,GOD4 ,Y N"E /RUCK ME Z ! WEEPY
SORT40 ,MORRISON 0 QUIET A MO;T4 ,I
DIDN'T H ! 5]GY 6LOOK UP AT HM4 8,X
SEEMS L HALF ! DE"P;T'S BE5 06MAKE GOO-
GLY EYES ON YR 2HALF40
  ,I SNORT$ 96MY PALMS1 UNDIGNIFI$ LAU<-
T]4 8,GOOGLY EYES80
  8,GOOGLY EYES10 ,MORRISON SD FIRMLY4
8,= "S R1SON !Y L Y40
  8,I FIX _! C>S40 ,X 0 TRUE4 ,ON "PICU-
L>LY BAD "DS--( : ? 0 "O--,I ?"\ X 0 2C
,I _H NO WAY 6RELATE 6O!R P EXCEPT "?
C>S4 ,ON BETT] "DS1 ,I AC"KL$G$ T ,I J
LOV$ ! JOB1 &! FACT T ,I'D MADE FRS 2C (
X 0 A BONUS4 8,-E ON1 ,MORRISON1 GIVE ME
! RITUAL ,8,I DIVORCE !E0' ?REE "TS1 &
LET ME G HOME & GET "S SLEEP40 ,I PU%$ A
H& BACK "? MY HAIR4 ,MORRISON W9C$4
8,GOD1 D ,I LOOK T BAD80 ,I _HN'T   #AAA
*ECK$ A MIRROR4 ,MAYBE ,I %D H4
  8,Y LOOK L Y GOT HIT 0A TRUCK4 ,:AT
HAPP5$80 ,MORRISON ACTU,Y S.D$ CURI\S4
  8,I GOT 96A FI<T40 ,I DR$G$ UP A LL
SMILE4 8,B Y %D SEE ! O!R GUY40
  ,MORRISON SNORT$ & /OOD UP1 -+ >.D 8
DESK 6L1N ON ! $GE ( X1 >MS FOLD$ Z HE
LOOK$ D[N AT ME4 ,I *ECK$ ! IMPULSE 6GET
6MY FEET4 ,MORRISON & ,I 7 EXACTLY !
SAME HEI<T4 ,I'D BE5 "KN 6WE> HEELS %E]-
LY =! PL1SURE ( LOOK+ D[N ON HM4 ,HE 0
LOOM+ ON PURPOSE4 8,I'M MOV+ Y 6! /REET
B1T40 ,HE S.D$ AL>M+LY PL1SANT4
  ,I />$ AT HM =A L;G "T4 8,:AT80
  8,I'M MOV+ Y 6! /REET B1T10 HE REP1T$4
8,CORN] COP DUTY40
  8,Y'RE SUPPOS$ 6FIRE ME10 ,I BLURT$4
,I'D N"E D"O "T Z A COP4 ,I DIDN'T RE,Y
WANT TO4 ,MORRISON GR9N$1 & PU%$ AWAY F
8 DESK 6GET HMF A CUP ( C(FEE4
  8,! *IEF WDN'T LET ME4 ,Y'RE A WOMAN1
Y'RE AN ,9DIAN1 Y'RE A COP1 ALL Y'VE D"O
WR;G IS N %[ UP 6"W =A FEW MON?S1 & T 0
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