,,?"UBIRD ,,FALLS

            ,C4 ,E4 ,,MURPHY

              ,PUBLI%$ BY
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            ,ONT>IO1 ,CANADA
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  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

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        ,? "O'S = ,ALEX ,TREBEK
                7,RE,Y47












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           ,US$ ,9 ,? ,VOLUME

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                                     ;IV
























           ,,?"UBIRD ,,FALLS          #A

              ,,*APT] ,,"O

    ,?URS"D1 ,JUNE #AF1 #F3AI A4M4
  ,TWO ^WS ,I N"E ?"\ WD G TGR3 ,JOANNE
,WALK] & #F3JJ A4M4
  ,N"E M9D T T'S ACTU,Y F\R ^WS1 FIVE IF
Y SPELL \ ANTE M]IDIEM4 ,IF Y'RE GO+ TO
GET TE*NICAL1 Y'RE GO+ 6LOSE ALL YR FRS4
,! PO9T IS1 X 0 ,OH ,GOD ,E>LY & ,I 0 N
ONLY UP1 B AT "W4 ,N EV5 AT "W4 ,I 0
.VOLUNTE]+4 ,VOLUNTE]+ MY [N PRECI\S
SLEEP+ "T1 FIVE H\RS 2F ,I 0 SUPPOS$ 6BE
AT "W4 ,I 0 S NO# ,I CD KILL MYF4
  ,:ILE ,I 0 BUSY ADMIR+ MY NOBIL;Y1 A
BUN* ( PROTE/]S L9K$ >MS & WAD$ T[>D !
POLICE L9E ,I 0 A "P (4 ,"! 7 3SID]ABLY
M ( !M ?AN "! 7 ( U--H;E ME 2+ "! AT ALL
--&! P[] ( AU?OR;Y Z GRANT$ 6U 0! C;Y (
,S1TTLE WASN'T PULL+ A LOT ( WEI<T ) !M4
,!Y W]5'T VIOL5T1 J DET]M9$4 ,I SPR1D MY
>MS WIDE & L1N$ 96! ONCOM+ MASS1 BL[+ A
:I/LE T 0 M NOI"S ?AN E6ECTIVE4 ,! PRO-
TE/]S /OPP$ CLOSE 5 T ,I CD C.T !
9DIVIDUAL SILV] HAIRS ON ! H1D (!     #B
MAN 9 FRONT ( ME1 :O /OOD "!1 ,"R ,9 ,MY
,P]SONAL ,SPACE4
  ,P H GOTT5 %OT = LESS4
  ,N1 H["E1 0ME1 & 2SS1 Z "O (! C;Y'S
F9E/1 ,I WASN'T 9 A POSI;N 6BE %OOT+ P J
= GETT+ 9 MY P]SONAL SPACE4 ,9/1D1 ,I
TOOK A /EP =W>D1 TRU/+ MY [N PRES;E 6BE
5 6C[ !M4 ,X WAS2 ! SILV]-HAIR$ GUY 9
FRONT ( ME %IFT$ BACK1 MAK+ A B[ 9 8
L9E4 ,I PRESS$ MY ADVANTAGE1 >MS / SPR1D
WIDE1 & !Y ALL FELL BACK A /EP4
  ,I LET G A SI< ( RELIEF T ,I CDN'T LET
!M SEE1 H]D+ !M BACK S"EAL M /EPS 2F ,I
LET UP1 & BACK$ UP AG MYF4 ,!Y WAT*$ ME1
SIL5T1 SULL51 & %ORT4
  ,I 0 "W+ ON A !ORY T SD ALL 5VIRONM5-
TALI/S 7 %ORT4 ,I KNEW X 0 WR;G--,AL
,GORE IS A TALL MAN--B X GAVE ME "S?+ 6D
:ILE ,I PLAY$ PU%-ME-PULL-Y )! PROTE/]S4
,( C\RSE1 MO/ P >E %ORT -P>$ 6ME3 ,I
/OOD A SMIDGE "U SIX FEET 9 SOCKS1 &!
/URDY BLACK WALK+ %OES ,I WORE PUT ME AN
9* OV]4
  ,2H ME LAY ! SUMM]"T GLORY (! ,S1TTLE
,C5T]1 ": A SYMPOSIUM ON GLOBAL       #C
W>M+ 0 2+ HELD4 ,REPRES5TATIVES F E OIL
-PANY1 E C> MANUFACTUR]1 E CORPOR,N T _H
"E BE5 F9$ = TOO _M DIRTY EMIS.NS 2+
PUMP$ \ 96! AIR 7 GA!R$ "! 6>GUE _! CASE
AG/ ! BLE$+-HE>T LIB]ALS :O ?"\ A LL
CL1N AIR WASN'T ASK+ TOO M*4
  ,S>CASM ASIDE1 ! GRE5IES 7 LOS+ MAJOR
GR.D & _H BE5 S9CE ! SYMPOSIUM _H OP5$
TWO "DS E>LI]4 ,! F$]AL ADM9I/R,N FAVOR$
BIG M"OY & BIG -PANIES1 & ^? -PANIES 7
TAK+ Z M* ADVANTAGE Z !Y CD4
  ,MY [N SYMPA?IES LAY A :OLE LOT M )!
PROTE/]S & _! 3C]NS AB DETAILS L GLOBAL
W>M+4 ,X 0 ALR 9 ! HI< SEV5TIES & X
WASN'T YET SEV5 9 ! MORN+1 : 0 J WR;G =
MID-,JUNE4
  ,B X WASN'T MY JOB 6H AN OP9ION AB :O
0 "R & :O 0 WR;G4 ,X 0 MY JOB 6KEEP !
S"EAL ?\S& M5 & WOM5 :O 7 GA!R$ AT !
,C5T] F BR1K+ "? & R5D+ ! ,>MANI SUITS F
! BODIES (! CORPUL5T PIGS MANAG+ !
SLAU<T]4
  8,(FIC]80 ,A WOMAN'S VOICE1 HI<-PIT*$
) WORRY1 BROKE ME \ ( MY *E];LLY SPIRAL+
CYNICISM4 ,I TURN$ T[>D H]1 "O H& /   #D
LIFT$ 9 W>N+ AG/ ! CR[D4 ,I SUSPECT$ A
TRICK3 4TRACT ! COP =A M9UTE :ILE "EY-
BODY SURGES =W>D1 "!=E LOS+ ! LAW A FEW
PRECI\S FEET ( L&4 ,"! 7 M PHYSICAL B>-
RI]S ?AN J ! POLICE (FIC]S KEEP+ P (F !
,C5T] GR.DS--B"R ORANGE1 CORDON$ SAW-
HORSES SURR.D$ ! 5TIRE PLACE--B X 0 XS
[N SORT ( PSY*OLOGICAL W>F>E4
  ,! WOMAN HELD A PALE-*EEK$ SLEEP+ GIRL
9 H] >MS4 8,%E FA9T$10 ! WOMAN SD4 ,H]
VOICE 0 ?R1DY ) 3C]N & FE>4 8,PL1SE1 ,I
?9K %E NE$S A DOCTOR40
  ,"R 2H ! BOTTOM ( MY BR1/B"O1 C5T]$ 9
! DIAPHRAGM1 A COIL ( 5]GY FL>$ UP1 MAK+
A COOL FLUTT]+ SPACE 9SIDE ME4 ,X DEM&$
ATT5;N1 MAK+ MY H&S CRAMP & MY /OMA*
*URN4 ,I RU2$ MY /]NUM1 SWALL[+ BACK !
WAVE ( NAUSEA4 ,I'D GOTT5 GD AT IGNOR+ T
S5S,N 9 ! PA/ S"EAL MON?S1 PRET5D+ ,I
CDN'T FEEL X WRAPP$ >.D MY 9SIDES1 WAIT+
= ME 6GIVE 9 & USE X AG4 ,HAV+ X CROP UP
S %>PLY MADE ME FEEL Z PALE Z ! GIRL4
,MY H&1 )\T ANY 3SCI\S ORD] F MY BRA91
R1*$ \ 6T\* H] =EH1D4 ,H] SK9 0 COLD &
/ICKY ) SW1T4                         #E
  ,=! F/ "T S9CE ,I'D NE>LY BURN$ \ 9
,M>*1 ,I LO/ ! BATTLE )! 5]GY )9 ME4 ,X
%OT "? ME1 MAK+ SILV]-T9T$ RA9B[S 2N MY
SK91 & /RA9$ AT MY F+]TIPS1 TRY+ 6PASS F
ME 96! *ILLY-SK9N$ *4 ,_H %E BE5 AN
ADULT1 ,I MI<T H BE5 A# 6PULL BACK & RE-
FUSE YET AG 6AC"KL$GE XS EXI/;E4
  ,B %E 0 A KID1 & :E!R ,I WANT$ ! P[] &
RESPONSIBIL;Y ,I'D UN9T5;N,Y TAK5 ON1 A
SIX-YE>-OLD DIDN'T DES]VE 6SU6] = MY
/U2ORN;S4 ,SILV]-%E5$ MAGIC TOLD ME 9 !
MO/ SIMPLE1 NONM$ICAL T]MS POSSI#1 T !
GIRL 0 SU6]+ F NE> H1T/ROKE4
  ,6ME--A ME*ANIC 0TRADE1 EV5 IF ,I 0 A
COP 0"D--T M1NT H] 5G9E _H OV]H1T$4
  ,FIX+ AN OV]H1T$ 5G9E'S N A H>D ?+4 ,Y
POP ! HOOD1 P\R NEW WAT] 96! RADIATOR &
TRY N 6GET BURN$ 0! /1M1 !N D X AG UNTIL
! RADIATOR'S FULL &! 5G9E'S COOL$ D[N4
  ,TRANSLAT+ T 6A * SICK ) H1T 0 SUR-
PRIS+LY EASY4 ,! 5]GY 9SIDE ME BOIL$ )
EAG];S 6FL[ \ ( ME & 96! GIRL1 B ,I MADE
X DRIP 9/1D ( P\R1 AFRAID ( :AT MI<T
HAPP5 IF H] SY/EM COOL$ D[N TOO RAPIDLY4
,I CD ACTU,Y 5VI.N ! /1M HISS+ (F     #F
H] Z H1T GRADU,Y 0 REPLAC$ 0MY COOL SIL-
V] /R5G?4 ,X SEEM$ A WOND] T NO "O ELSE
CD SEE X4
  ,I 0 GLAD %E 0 ASLEEP4 ,AT H] AGE %E
PROBABLY _H V FEW P]CEP;NS AB H[ H1L? &
ILL;S "W$1 B X 0 A :OLE LOT EASI] 6H1L
"SBODY :O CDN'T 3SCI\SLY 4BELIEVE T :AT
Y 7 DO+ 0 POSSI#4
  ,! BITT] TRU? (! MATT] 0 T ,I _H 6BE-
LIEVE X 0 POSSI#1 TOO1 & ,I DIDN'T WANT
TO4 ,:AT ,I WANT$ & :AT WAS1 H["E1 7 TWO
V DI6]5T ?+S4 ,"R "? ! CORE ( ME1 ,I
KNEW T COOL+ D[N AN OV]H1T$ LL KID 0 ON-
LY ! B>E $GE ( :AT ,I 0 CAPA# (4
  ,I LET MY H& FALL (F ! GIRL'S =EH1D4
,"! 0 A LL COLOR 9 H] *EEKS N[1 H] BR1?+
"SH[ M /1DY & LESS %ALL[4 ,%E 0 GO+ 6BE
ALL "R1 ?\< AN ,,IV DRIP 6HELP GET H]
FLUIDS BACK UP WD PROBABLY 2 A GD IDEA4
,F ! \TSIDE1 X LOOK$ Z IF ,I'D T\*$ !
GIRL'S =EH1D Z AN ASSESS;T1 !N SD1
8,I'LL ESCORT Y \40 ,I 0 ! ONLY "O :O
KNEW BETT]1 & ,I 0 GRATE;L = T4 ,H1DL9ES
BL>+ ..,COP ,TURNS ,FAI? .,H1L]6 WD N
5DE> ME 6MY BOSS4                     #G
  ,! GIRL'S "M1 B"R-EY$ ) TE>S1 :ISP]$
H] ?ANKS4 ,I L$ !M "? ! CR[D1 RADIO+ =
AN AMBUL.E Z WE WALK$4
  ,WAT*+ !M DRIVE AWAY HALF AN H\R LAT]1
,I R1LIZ$ ,I CD BR1! M EASILY ?AN ,I'D
BE5 A# 6IN MON?S4 ,I RU2$ ! HEEL ( MY H&
OV] MY BR1/B"O AG1 IRRITABLY1 & W5T BACK
6"W4

  ,I LEFT AT N9E1 : 0 CUTT+ X WAY TOO
CLOSE 6EXPECT 6GET BACK 6! UNIV]S;Y BY
N9E-?IRTY4 ,! TRA6IC GODS SMIL$ ON ME1
?\<1 & ,I SLID MY ,MU/ANG 96A P>K+ SPOT
\TSIDE ! GYM )A :OLE TWO M9UTES 6SP>E4
  ,I H N"E BE5 :AT ,I WD CALL ! A?LETIC
SORT4 ,N 2C ,I'M UNCOORD9AT$1 B 2C ,I 0
N"E V GD AT "W+ )A T1M 9 HI< S*OOL4 ,I
_HN'T IMPROV$ AT X S9CE !N1 = T MATT]4
,! BASKETBALL COA* _H BE5 5D.SLY FRUS-
TRAT$ 0ME4 ,AL"O ,I CD %OOT HOOPS TILL !
C[S CAME HOME1 B PUT N9E O!R P ON A C\RT
) ME & ,I GOT SULL5 & /UPID & CDN'T HOLD
ON 6! BALL4
  ,S F5C+1 : ,I'D />T$ %ORTLY AF WRASSL+
A BAN%EE 6GR.D1 0 ! F/ SPORT ,I'D     #H
"E RE,Y PURSU$4 ,I 0 SURPRIS$ AT H[ M*
,I 5JOY$ X1 EV5 ) SW1T L1K+ 96MY EYES &
MY [N HOT BR1? WA%+ BACK AT ME AG/ !
MASK4
  ,METAL CLA%$ AG/ METAL1 A TWIT*Y VI-
BR,N RUNN+ UP MY >M1 EV5 "? ! H1VY CAN-
VAS GLOVES4 ,BLOCK & RETR1T1 BLOCK & RE-
TR1T1 LUNGE & ATTACK4 ,I BL9K$ SW1T AWAY
Z ,I EXT5D$4
  ,MY @EP@EE SCRAP$ AL;G ! O!R BLADE &
SLID HOME1 ?UMP+ MY OPPON5T SOLIDLY 9 !
RIBS4 ,=A MO;T WE BO? FROZE1 EQU,Y />-
TL$4 ,!N "? ! ME% ( H] MASK1 ,I SAW H]
GR9 Z %E CAME BACK 6A FULL /&4 ,%E PULL$
! MASK (F1 TUCK+ %ORT DAMP HAIR 2H H]
E>S1 & SALUT$ ME4 ,I /RAI<T5$ & YANK$ MY
MASK (F4 ,MY %AD[ SPLA%$ AG/ H] :ITE TU-
NIC1 MY HAIR A H$GEHOG ( SA7+ PO9TS4
  8,WE MI<T J MAKE A F;ER ( Y YET1 ,JO-
ANNE40
  ,PANT+ & GR9N+1 ,I TUCK$ MY MASK "U MY
>M1 TRANSF]R+ MY @EP@EE 6MY LEFT H&1 &
(F]$ ,PHOEBE MY "R4 ,%E GRA2$ X 9 AN
OLD-FA%ION$ W>RIOR'S H&%AKE1 WRAPP+ H]
F+]S >.D MY =E>M1 ! WAY %E ALW %OOK   #I
H&S4 ,%E 0 SMALL & -PACT1 L A ,PORS*E1 &
_H MUSCLES ": ,I DIDN'T EV5 H BODY "PS4
,MO/ "DS %E MADE ME FEEL L>GE & LUMB]+ &
SL[4
  ,( C\RSE1 ON A BAD "D1 ,GODZILLA CD
MAKE ME FEEL L>GE & LUMB]+ & SL[4
  8,T'S MY PLAN40 ,I %OOK ,PHOEBE'S H&
SOLIDLY 2F FALL+ BACK A /EP1 RU2+ A ?UMB
OV] MY /]NUM4 ,PHOEBE'S D>K EYEBR[S
KNITT$4 ,X 0 V NE>LY H] D>K EYEBR[ KNIT-
T+1 B ,I 0 AFRAID 6EV5 ?9K T TOO L\DLY1
= FE> %E'D HE> ME & B1T ! T> \ ( ME4
  8,:Y D Y D T80
  ,MY H& DROPP$ Z IF WEI<$ D[N 0A 3CRETE
BRICK1 & ,I TWI/$ X 2H MY BACK GUILTILY4
8,D :AT80
  8,Y'RE ! WOR/ LI> ,I'VE "E MET4 ,E "T
"SBODY MAKES A PO9T AG/ Y & E "T A MAT*
5DS1 Y RUB YR BR1/B"O4 ,H[ -E80
  8,I _H ''' SURG]Y A :ILE AGO40 ,I TOOK
A TOO-DEEP BR1?1 TRY+ 6W AWAY ! S5S,N (
N GETT+ 5 AIR4 8,I GUESS X / BO!RS ME40
  8,HE>T SURG]Y80
  8,M L LUNG40
  ,PHOEBE'S EYEBR[S W5T UP4 8,Y      #AJ
DON'T SMOKE1 D Y80
  8,NO40 ,I _HN'T SNIT*$ S9CE ,JANU>Y1
:5 A /EELY EY$ CAB DRIV] REFUS$ 6GIVE ME
A SMOKE 2C 8 WIFE ( =TY-EI<T YE>S _H DI$
( EMPHYSEMA4 ,I CD LE>N F O!R P'S LES-
SONS4 ,T 0 :AT ,I TOLD MYF4
  ,QUITT+ SMOK+ _H NO?+ 6D )! CRU%+ S5-
S,N ( 2+ UNA# 6BR1! F HAV+ A SWORD /U6$
"? MY LUNG4 ,I TOLD MYF T1 TOO4 ,X TURN$
\ MYF 0 A SKEPTICAL BIT* & DIDN'T 2LIEVE
ME4 ,EV5 S1 ,I TRI$ H>D N 6?9K AB !
TRU?3 T ! SWORD _H BE5 WIELD$ 0A ,CELTIC
GOD1 & 9 A %AD[L& 2T LIFE & D1?1 A ,NA-
TIVE ,AM]ICAN TRICK/] CALL$ ,COYOTE (F]$
ME A *OICE 2T ! TWO4
  ,I _H NO IDEA :AT ,I 0 GETT+ MYF 96:5
,I *OSE A LIFE & 2CAME A %AMAN4 ,I FELT
T COIL ( 5]GY BUB# UP AG 9SIDE ( ME1 &
SQUEL*$ X4 ,"! 0 NO "O >.D :O NE$$ H1L+
"R N[4 ,NOBODY B MYF1 ANYWAY1 & ,I
DIDN'T D5Y ,I _H A LOT ( SELF-H1L+ 6D4
  ,ACTU,Y1 ,I D5I$ X ALL ! "T4 ,: 0 "P (
:Y ,I 0 LE>N+ 6F;E1 9/1D ( SITT+ "S":
QUIETLY1 Z ,COYOTE WD L ME TO1 FOCUS+ ON
MY 9N] TURMOIL & GETT+ X ALL SORT$   #AA
\4 ,9N] TURMOIL CD WAIT1 Z F> Z ,I 0
3C]N$4 ,EXT]NAL TURMOIL SEEM$ 9CL9$ TO
/ICK ME ) PO9TY ?+S OR O!RWISE TRY 6D ME
IN4 ,"U ^? CIRCUM/.ES1 ,I FIGUR$ LE>N+
H[ 6P>RY 0 A M* BETT] USE ( MY "T ?AN
FUSS+ OV] ?+S ,I'D R LET LIE4
  ,I ROLL$ MY %\LD]S1 PU%+ ! ?"\S AWAY4
8,X WASN'T C.ER4 ,SORT ( M H]$IT>Y4 ,X'S
F9E N[4 ,J K9D ( BUGS ME "S"TS4 ,I ?9K
X'S MO/LY M5TAL40 ,I KNEW X 0 MO/LY M5-
TAL4 ,I DIDN'T EV5 H A SC>4
  8,IS T :Y Y />T$ -+ "H80 %E WOND]$4
8,A LOT ( P F9D M>TIAL >TS 6BE A GRT WAY
6C5T] !MVS AF !Y'VE _H A LIFE-*ANG+ EX-
P]I;E40
  ,I DUCK$ MY *9 & LET \ A BR1?Y LAU<4
8,"S?+ L T1 Y1H4 ,PLUS ,I CD USE ! EX]-
CISE40
  8,I ?"\ COPS 7 SUPPOS$ 6BE 9 GD %APE40
  ,I LOOK$ BACK UP "? MY EYEBR[S4
8,DON'T "K _M COPS1 D Y8 ,SP1K+ ( :1 ,I
BETT] HIT ! %[] & GET 6"W4 ,?ANKS =!
LESSON1 ,PHOEBE40 ,I H1D$ =! LOCK] ROOM1
,PHOEBE TAK+ ! L1D & HOLD+ ! DOOR = ME4
  8,MY PL1SURE4 ,I L B1T+ UP ON !    #AB
BIG GIRLS4 ,MAKES ME FEEL ALL /UDLY40
  8,Y >E ALL /UDLY4 ,& Y'RE N T SMALL40
  8,-P>$ 6Y ,I AM40
  8,-P>$ 6ME ,>NOLD ,S*W>TZNE7] IS
SMALL40
  ,PHOEBE LAU<$ \ L\D4 8.,Y'RE N .T
BIG40
  ,I GR9N$ Z ,I /RU7L$ \ ( MY TUNIC4 ,I
0 PRETTY SURE X _H A SECRET MIS.N 9 LIFE
6/RANGLE ME Z ,I UNDRESS$4 8,NAH4 ,I
LACK ! %\LD]S40 ,PHOEBE TURN$ ! %[]S ON1
DR[N+ \ ANY?+ ELSE ,I MI<T SAY4 ,ONCE ,I
GOT LOOSE (! TUNIC1 ,I FOLL[$ H]1 /&+ 6!
SIDE :ILE ! P9S-&-NE$LES WAT] PELT$ F
COLD 6TOO HOT4
  ,! B1UTY ( UNIV]S;Y %[]S IS T !Y N"E
RUN \ ( HOT WAT]4 ,I /OOD "!1 L1N+ MY
=EH1D AG/ ! WALL1 UNTIL MY SK9 TURN$
BOIL$ LOB/]-R$4 ,PHOEBE TURN$ H] %[] (F
)A SQU1K ( FAUCETS1 & 9 ! FA%ION ( -MU-
N;Y %[]S "EY":1 ! WAT] 9 M9E GOT SIGNIF-
ICANTLY HOTT]4 ,TURN+ X D[N DIDN'T HELP4
,T 0 ! FLIP SIDE ( N"E RUNN+ \ ( HOT WA-
T]3 ! ONLY WAY ,I'D "E F.D 6KEEP A
PUBLIC %[] F 2+ TOO HOT 0 6RUN M     #AC
?AN "O AT A "T4 8,[4 ,TURN T BACK ON1 WD
Y80
  8,SORRY40 ,! FAUCETS SQU1K$ AG & AF A
FEW SECONDS MY %[] FAD$ BACK 6A BE>A#
H1T4 ,WAT] LAPP$ OV] ! TOP ( MY FEET1 &
,I PU%$ AWAY F ! WALL ) ANO!R GROAN1
LI/5+ 6,PHOEBE SLO% 6! DRY+ >EA4
  8,?ANKS40 ,I R1*$ = MY %AMPOO1 SCRU2+
A PALM;L "? MY HAIR4 ,IF ,I W]5'T S FOND
( /&+ M9D.SLY 9 ! HOT WAT]1 X WD ONLY
TAKE ME AB ?IRTY SECONDS 6%[]4 ,A M9UTE
&A HALF IF ,I US$ 3DI;N]1 : MY HAIR 0
TOO %ORT 6BO!R ) EXCEPT O3A.N,Y4 ,B ,I
WASN'T Q LATE = "W1 S ,I LUXURIAT$ 9 !
H1T4 ,WAT] CREPT UP >.D MY ANKLES4 8,I
?9K ! DRA9'S PLU7$40
  8,*ECK10 ,PHOEBE SD4 8,I'LL CALL MA9-
T5.E IF X IS40
  8,OKAY40 ,I R9S$ MY HAIR1 TURN$ ! WAT]
(F1 & WRAPP$ A T[EL >.D MYF Z ,I SLO7$
"? ! %[] ROOM 9 SE>* (! DRA94
  ,TWO /ALLS D[N F ME1 A NAK$ BLACK
GIRL1 H] SK9 A%Y BLUE ) D1?1 LAY ) H]
HIP FITT$ N1TLY 9 ! HOLL[ (! DRA94
                                     #AD
























             ,,*APT] ,,TWO           #AE

  8,PHOEBE10 ,I SD1 AMAZ$ AT H[ CALM MY
VOICE WAS1 8CALL ! COPS40
  8,Y >E ! COPS10 %E SD4 ,I CD HE> ! GR9
9 H] VOICE 9 ! SU45LY E*O+ %[] ROOM4
  8,PHOEBE60
  8,Y[1 OKAY1 :AT'S WR;G80 ,PHOEBE
DIDN'T CALL ! COPS4 ,%E SPLA%$ BACK "? !
%[]S1 REWETT+ H] FEET4 8,:AT'S WR;G1
,JOANNE80
  8,"!'S A D1D GIRL 9 ! %[]10 ,I SD1 / V
CALMLY4 8,PL1SE G CALL ! POLICE1 ,PHOE-
BE40
  8,"!'S .:AT860 ,PHOEBE LOOK$ >.D ! $GE
(! %[] /ALL & W5T PALE "U H] OLIVE SK94
8,OH MY ,GOD4 ,OH MY ,GOD1 WE H 6D "S-
?+60 ,%E SURG$ =W>D4 ,I GRA2$ H] %\LD] &
PULL$ H] BACK4
  8,WE H 6CALL ! COPS10 ,I REP1T$4
8,%E'S D1D1 ,PHOEBE4 ,LOOK AT H] COLOR4
,"!'S NO?+ WE C D4 ,WE %DN'T T\* H]40
  8,Y .>E ! COPS60
  8,I'M AL ! "O :O F.D ! BODY4 ,AG10 ,I
A4$ 9 A MUTT]4
  8,AG80 ,PHOEBE'S VOICE ROSE &      #AF
BROKE4
  8,I F.D A MURD] VICTIM 9 ,JANU>Y10 ,I
SD4 ,MY BOSS 0 GO+ 6F9D A WAY 6BLAME ME
= ?4 ,HE 0 3V9C$ ,I LIV$ \ EA* "D )! DE-
LIB]ATE 9T5;N 6PISS HM (F4 ,"S "DS HE 0
"R1 B X _HN'T BE5 9 MY GAME PLAN TD4 ,I
DIDN'T GET UP AT FIVE 9 ! MORN+ 6VOLUN-
TE] AT PROTE/S ) IRRITAT+ MY BOSS 9 M9D4
,R ! OPPOSITE1 9 FACT1 N T ,I'D ADMIT T
\ L\D4
  ,I TOOK ,PHOEBE'S O!R %\LD] & /E]$ H]
AWAY F ! BODY4 8,%DN'T WE AT L1/ *ECK TO
MAKE SURE %E'S D1D80 %E DEM&$1 VOICE
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  8,%E'S D1D1 ,PHOEBE4 ,LOOK1 OKAY40 ,I
LET H] G & WAD$ 6! D1D GIRL4 ,%E LOOK$ L
%E'D BE5 POS$ =A PHOTOGRAPH1 H] BACK AG/
! TILE WALL1 H] BOTTOM LEG & >M /RET*$ \
L;G & H] TOP LEG FOLD$ GRACE;LLY =W>D
96! WAT]1 B5T AT ! KNEE4 ,H] H1D 0 ?R[N
BACK1 SL5D] NECK EXPOS$1 Z IF %E 7 LAU<+
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PICTURE1 !N REMEMB]$ T IF NOBODY     #AG
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JOB4
  8,*RI/40 ,I CR\*$ & PRESS$ TWO F+]S
AG/ H] NECK1 2L H] JAW4 ,%E 0 ON ! COOL
SIDE ( LUKEW>M1 ! SK9 PLIANT1 & _H NO
PULSE4 ,I TRI$ A SECOND "T1 !N A ?IRD1
%IFT+ MY F+]S SLI<TLY4 8,%E'S D1D1
,PHOEBE40 ,I /OOD UP AG1 WIP+ MY F+]S
AG/ MY T[EL4 ,I'D N"E T\*$ A D1D BODY
2F4 ,X _HN'T FELT L ,I EXPECT$ X TO4 8,G
CALL ! COPS40
  8,:AT'RE Y GO+ 6D80 ,PHOEBE'S VOICE
TREM#D Z %E BACK$ AWAY1 WAT] SPLA%+ >.D
H] ANKLES4
  8,I'M GO+ 6G GET DRESS$40 ,I TURN$ TO
FOLL[ ,PHOEBE1 :O 3T9U$ 6BACK UP1 / />+
AT ! D1D GIRL4 8,WAT* ": Y'RE G--0
  ,I LUNG$1 TOO LATE4 ,PHOEBE'S HEEL
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F "U H]1 KICK+ WAT] 96MY EYES4 ,MY F+]S
CLOS$ ON EMPTY AIR Z %E %RIEK$ & CRA%$
6! TILE FLOOR )A PA9;L CRACK4 ,MY [N
FEET SLID ON ! WET TILES &=A MO;T ,I ?"\
,I'D DIVE AF H]4 ,MY >MS SWUNG WILDLY &
,I CAU<T MY BAL.E1 H1V+ MYF UP"R )   #AH
A GASP4 ,PHOEBE1 H] M\? A TI<T L9E1 />$
UP AT ME1 !N LET \ AN UN"*I/IC SOPRANO
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H& UP4
  8,I TAKE X Y'RE OKAY1 !N40
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,I'M N OKAY40 ,H] VOICE SQU1K$ Z HI< Z
H] GI7LE _H4 8,WE J F.D A D1D GIRL 9 !
%[]S & ,I ?9K MY BUTT'S GO+ 6BE BRUIS$ =
A MON?40 ,%E GI7L$ AG1 !N SET H] M\? &
PRESS$ H] EYES %UT1 9HAL+ DEEPLY "? H]
NO/RILS4 8,I'M OKAY10 %E SD AF S"EAL
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  8,I'LL CALL ! COPS4 ,Y GET DRESS$40
  8,OKAY40 ,%E GAVE ME A PA!TIC,Y GRATE-
;L LOOK T ,I DIDN'T L F MY F5C+ 9/RUC-
TOR1 & LEFT ME AL"O )! D1D GIRL4 ,I /OLE
A GL.E AT H] OV] MY %\LD]1 FEEL+ P[]
FLUTT] 2H MY BR1/B"O1 URG+ ME 6USE X4
  ,I CD ?9K ( "O GD R1SON 64REG>D X4
,WELL1 "O R1SON4 ,GD 0 DEBATA#1 ESPECI,Y
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.B .,I .DON'T WANT ..6BE A .%AMAN6
  ,EXCEPT1 POSSIBLY1 :5 X M1NT ,I    #AI
CD SAVE LL GIRLS F H1T/ROKE4 ,I SI<$ &
W5T BACK 6! D1D WOMAN1 KNEEL+ 9 ! COOL+
WAT]4 ,! BOTTOM $GE ( MY T[EL DROOP$ 9TO
X1 SUCK+ UP Z M* Z X CD1 & ,I DEBAT$
RUNN+ 6PUT "S CLO!S ON 2F DO+ ANY?+
ELSE4 ,ONLY !N ,I'D 2 SOAK+ UP WAT] ) MY
UNI=M1 :1 UNLIKE A T[EL1 WASN'T DESIGN$
= X4 ,X WASN'T L ! POLICE WD >RIVE 9 !
?IRTY SECONDS ,I 9T5D$ 6BE \4
  8,>"R10 ,I MUTT]$4 8,"O H1L?Y LL GIRL
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"H10 ,I SD \ L\D1 8IF Y WANT 6TALK40
  ,"! 0 A PLACE 2T LIFE & D1? T _SS CD
L+] IN1 A PLACE T1 ) ALL DUE APOLOGY TO
,MR4 ,K+1 ,I'D />T$ CALL+ ! ,D1D ,Z"O4
,IF ,I CD CAT* ? "Y WOMAN'S _S "!1 ,I
MI<T J 2 A# 6LE>N "S?+ USE;L1 L H[ %E'D
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PLIFI$1 DELIB]ATE .POIKS B\NC+ (F ! B"OS
2H MY E>S4 ,I LO/ C.T (! DROPS1 & ROSE \
( MY BODY4
  ,I SLID "? ! CEIL+1 SKIMM+ "? PIPES &
WIRES & 9SUL,N T FELT LAC$ ) ASBE/OS4 ,!
SKY ABV ! UNIV]S;Y 0 S B"R X MADE MY
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( SUMM] & ,I CD SEE ! ?9 SILV] RIV]S (
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SME>S ( PA9T _H 5D.S SP>KS ( LIFE AL;G
!M1 DEFY+ :AT SEEM$1 AT ? LEVEL1 6BE A
DELIB]ATE ATTEMPT 6WIPE \ ! NATURAL ORD]
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  ,DON'T GET ME WR;G4 ,N ONLY D ,I L MY
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  ,/1 LOOK+ D[N F ! A/RAL PLANE1 ! WAY
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MADE OBJECTS4
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LAY (! L&1 "! 0 "S?+ SUBTLY WR;G )! PAT-
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TRAL PLANE--& X SEEM$ WORSE N[4 ,"! 0 A
SICK HUE 6! NEON BRILLI.E1 L ! H1T _H
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JECT$ X BACK 96! _W )\T M* REG>D 6": X'D
-E F4 ,X MADE MY N]VES JANGLE1 4COM=T
PULL+ AT ! HAIRS ON MY >MS UNTIL ,I FELT
L A PORCUP9E1 HUN*$ UP & DEF5SIVE4
  ,! L;G] ,I HUNG "!1 /UDY+ ! _W "? SEC-
OND SI<T1 ! WORSE ! COLORS GOT4 ,IMPA-
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": ! S\RCE (! PRO#M WAS4 ,X FELT L X 0
ALL >.D ME1 &! M ,I 3C5TRAT$ ON X ! H>D]
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CLE>+ A C\< F MY LUNGS1 & %OOK (F ! NE$
6FIGURE \ :AT 0 WR;G4 ,I SUSPECT$ X _H M
6D ) PROCRA/9,N ?AN ANY?+ ELSE4 ,I'D BE5
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>.D & G D :AT ,I M1NT 6D4
  ,COYOTE _H TOLD ME T TRAVEL+ 9 ! A/RAL
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W4 ,X SEEM$ L 4T.E 6ME1 ALW DI6]5T1 ALW
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2 J "O BURNT-\ C;Y1 ! SP>KS ( LIFE T
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96MIDNI<T1 ! SKY RI* & BLUE & />-/U4$4
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  8,Y'RE MAK+ 5 NOISE 6WAKE ! D1D40
  8,T 0 K9D (! IDEA40
  8,SIOBH@AN ,WALK9--0
  8,DON'T CALL ME T40
  8,X'S YR "N40
  8,DON'T10 ,I REP1T$1 8CALL ME T4 ,N
"H40
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MY TW5TIES1 NO "O _H CALL$ ME ,SIOBH@AN
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  ,! LA/ "N1 ,WALK+/ICK1 ,I'D AB&ON$ ON
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LE>N$ 6BUILD PROTECTIVE %IELDS >.D X1 !
"O ?+ ,I'D MANAG$ 6D 6,COYOTE'S SATIS-
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%IELDS Z 2+ TITANIUM1 ?9 & FLEXI# & VIR-
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M9D4 ,!Y 7 M1NT 6PROTECT MY 9N]MO/ SELF
F ! BAD GUYS4
  ,S ,I DIDN'T L HAV+ ! TWO "NS ROLL$
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9 EXACTLY ! SAME T5OR ! MAN [N$4 ,8 M\?
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  8,D Y RE,Y "U/& :AT Y'RE DO+80 ,! COY-
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%\LD]S G BACK DEF5SIVELY4
  8,I'M J TRY+ 6SEE IF %E C TELL ME ANY-
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  8,"! >E M MUNDANE WAYS 6F9D \4 ,Y >E A
POLICEMAN1 >E Y N80
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8,B1T COPS DON'T GET 69VE/IGATE D1D
BODIES 9 ! WOM5'S %[]40
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  8,I ?"\ X 0 ALL BASIC,Y ! SAME10 ,I
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TICISM =! O3ULT 0 ! ONLY ?+ WE _H 9 COM-
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  8,IF Y SAY1 ,8,) GRT P[] -ES GRT RE-
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=! ,D1D ,Z"O4
  ,! />S %UT D[N &! _W W5T BLANK4





             ,,*APT] ,,?REE          #CA

  ,9 "T1 />S 2GAN W9K+ 9 & \ AG1 SOLIT>Y
DOTS ( LI<T T MADE ME FEEL L A S+LE EX-
TREMELY SMALL PO9T ON AN 5D.S CURVE (
BLACK;S4 ,I 0 COLD 2N MY SK91 B :5 ,I
T\*$ MY >M1 MY BODY TEMP]ATURE SEEM$
NORMAL4 ,I DIDN'T REMEMB] ! *ILL 9 !
,D1D ,Z"O 2F4 ,X 0 Z IF X 0 TA9T$1 TOO1
)! SAME SUBTLE WR;G;S T _H M>R$ ,S1TTLE4
  ,I HELD MY BR1? & TURN$1 "O SL[ CIR-
CLE1 R1*+ \ ) MY H&S & MY M9D ALIKE4 ,!
=M] FELT NO?+4
  ,! LATT] 5C.T]$ PA94
  ,X ROLL$ "? ME1 A B"O-COLD A*E T SET-
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A H1DA*E4 ,ICE ?RO2$ 96MY VE9S ) E HE>T-
B1T4 ,MY SK9 0 FLAY$ F MY FLE% & MY FLE%
F MY B"OS1 KNIVES ?RU/+ 96MY KIDNEYS &
CUTT+ \ MY HE>T4 ,MY B"OS BROKE1 CRU%$
0A WEI<T ( REGRET T LAY H1VI] ?AN ! SEA4
,X DRA7$ ME D[N 6MY KNEES1 TOO W1K F A
HUNDR$ BILLION LIFE"TS ( MISTAKES 6BE>
UP ANY L;G]4
  ,& RAPTURE %ATT]$ "? ME1 TURN+ ! ICE 9
MY BLOOD 6GOLD5 H1T4 ,I /A7]$ 6MY    #CB
FEET AG1 FIRE 9 MY LUNGS S PURE X SEEM$
,I CD BR1! X4 ,BURN+ TE>S SCALD$ MY
FACE1 TRACKS FOLL[+ A ?9 SC> 6! CORN] (
MY M\?4 ,I SWALL[$ !M D[N1 N C>+ T !Y
SE>$ MY ?ROAT4
  ,4BELIEF CAU<T ME 9 ! BELLY1 A B[EL-
TWI/+ MO;T ( R1LIZ,N T CULM9AT$ 9 ! ^WS1
8,OH1 %IT10 :5 ,I KNEW ,I CDN'T /OP !
.C>CRA%BOMBEXPLO.NRUNAWAYHORSETRA9WRECK-
%IPS9K+ FOLL[$ 0RELIEF & 4MAY1 6PUT D[N
! BURD5 (A BODY AF .SECONDSM9UTESH\RS-
"DSYE>SDECADESC5TURIESEONS ( LIFE4
  ,DIMLY1 ,I 0 AW>E T ,I 0 3NECT$1 HIDE-
\SLY & 9TIMATELY1 6"EY?+ T _H "E DI$4
  ,M IMMLY1 ,I "U/OOD T N[ .,I 0 GO+ TO
DIE4 ,AG4 ,= GD4
  ,!N "SBODY HIT ME 9 ! FACE4 ,NEW1 FRE%
PA9 BLOSSOM$1 %ATT]+ ALL ! OLD4 ,I
CLAPP$ BO? H&S 6MY NOSE1 D\BL+ OV] &
%RIEK+4
  ,NOTE 6SELF3 GRA2+ A BROK5 NOSE DOES
N1 9 ANY FA%ION1 HELP4 ,LI<TN+ %OT "? MY
H1D 9 BL9D+ /ABS ( AGONY4 ,I MADE A
RET*+ NOISE & FELL 6! GR.D1 KNOCK+ MY
=EH1D AG/ ! F1TURE.S PLANESCAPE4     #CC
,B"R;S FLA%$ 9 MY EYES4 ,I CLOS$ !M1
GRATE;L =! A*E 9 MY SKULL T TOOK A LL
AWAY F ! %>DS ( PA9 9 MY NOSE4 8,"M (
,*RI/40
  ,I ROLL$ ONTO MY SIDE1 PANT+1 & G+]LY
PUT MY H& OV] MY NOSE1 5VI.N+ A ,MU/ANG
)A D5T$ HOOD Z ,I DID S4 ,UND5T+ X 0
EASY3 /ICK A SUC;N CUP OV] X & RAT*ET UP
! PRESSURE UNTIL X POPP$ BACK 96PLACE4
,9 MY M9D'S EYE1 ! D5T BANG$ 96%APE4 ,I
OP5$ MY EYES1 RELIEV$4
  ,PA9 SLAMM$ "? MY NOSE & /A2$ ME 9 !
PUPILS4 ,I %OT 6MY FEET1 CLUT*+ MY NOSE
M CAUTI\SLY1 & />$ A3US+LY AT ,COYOTE4
  8,? IS ! R1LM (! D1D1 ,JOANNE10 HE SD
)A %RUG4 ,HE 0 BACK 9 COYOTE =M1 8 N>R[
%\LD]S TWIT*+ LANKILY4 8,X'S N A PLACE =
H1L+40
  ,N"O (! ?+S T CAME 6M9D 7 V LADYLIKE4
,I MANAG$ 6HOLD MY T;GUE1 B ,COYOTE
TILT$ 8 H1D AT ME & GAVE A V HUMAN SNORT
( DERI.N4 8,NICE GIRLS DON'T ?9K ?+S L
T40
  8,?ANK Y = GETT+ ME \ ( T10 ,I SD )\T
! SLI<TE/ DEGREE ( G5U9E GRATI-      #CD
TUDE4 ,I _HN'T FELT EV5 A H9T (! H1L+
P[] T NORM,Y BOIL$ 2H MY BR1/B"O :5 ,I
5VI.N$ FIX+ MY NOSE4 ,I %D'VE "KN X
_HN'T "W$4
  8,Y'RE WELCOME10 ,COYOTE SD1 N M1N+ X
ANY M ?AN ,I _H4 8,C WE G N[80
  8,NO1 WE'RE "H4 ,I MI<T Z WELL SEE IF
,I C F9D H]40
  ,COYOTE SI<$1 A TREM5D\S PUFF ( AIR4
8,ALL "R4 ,:AT'S H] "N80
  8,I DON'T "K40
  ,I DIDN'T "K DOGS CD LOOK SCA?+4 ,I
?"\ !Y 7 SUPPOS$ 6BE ALL AB SUPPORTIVE
LOOKS & HOPE;L PUPPY EYES4 ,COYOTE TURN$
A SCA?+ LOOK ON ME ANYWAY4
  8,I'M N10 HE SD "? 8 TEE?1 : SEEM$
L>G] & :IT] & M* PO9TI] SU45LY1 8A DOG4
,H[ D Y EXPECT 6F9D "S"O 9 ! R1LMS (!
D1D IF Y DON'T EV5 H A "N 6/>T )80
  8,! O!RS J MET ME "H10 ,I SD UNCOM=TA-
BLY4 ,COYOTE SD "S?+ 9 AN ,9DIAN LAN-
GUAGE ,I DIDN'T "K1 B ,I DIDN'T RE,Y NE$
A TRANSL,N4 ,! T"O 0 5\<4
  8,:5 Y GET \ ( "H10 HE W5T ON1 8IF Y
DON'T F9D A T1*] ,I'M GO+ TO '''0    #CE
,HE SNAPP$ 8 TEE?4
  8,BITE ME80 ,I SUPPLI$1 Z HELP;LLY Z
,I CD4 ,HE SNAPP$ 8 TEE? AG4
  8,! O!RS MET Y "H10 HE SD1 9/1D ( COM-
PLET+ ! ?R1T1 82C Y 9VIT$ !M 63TACT Y4
,!Y DREW Y "H "? _! SKILL4 ,? "T Y'RE ON
YR [N40
  8,AM N4 ,I H Y40
  ,? "T HE SD1 8,M9I/]S & ANGELS ( GRACE
DEF5D U10 9 ,5GLI%1 & %IFT$ BACK 96HIS
HUMAN =M1 /EPP+ =W>D 6PUT 8 H&S ON MY
%\LD]S4 ,I BL9K$4 ,ASIDE F HITT+ ME 9 !
FACE A FEW M9UTES AGO1 ,I CDN'T REMEMB]
HM HAV+ T\*$ ME 2F4 8,H Y NO S5SE (
SELF-PRES]V,N AT ALL1 ,JOANNE8 ,>E Y--0
,SU45 CL>;Y LIT 8 GOLD EYES 6AMB]1 & 8
*9 CAME UP ) EVID5T SURPRISE4 8,AH10 HE
SD M QUIETLY1 & LET ME G4
  8,:AT8 ,:AT8 ,AM ,I :AT80
  8,I ?9K WE'D BETT] TRY 6D :AT Y CAME
6D1 & GET \ ( "H40 ,HE /EPP$ AWAY F ME4
,A /RANGL$ S.D ( FRU/R,N ERUPT$ F MY
?ROAT4 8,? IS A DANG]\S PLACE = Y1 9 M
WAYS ?AN "O4 ,TELL ME :AT Y "K AB ?
GIRL1 & WE'LL SEE IF WE C F9D H]40   #CF
  ,I TOLD HM :AT ,I KNEW3 "Y1 BLACK1 D1D
9 ! %[] (! WOM5'S LOCK] ROOM4 ,X 0 PA!T-
IC,Y LL1 & ,I 2GAN 6FEEL EMB>RASS$4
8,FOCUS ON H]10 ,COYOTE SD4 8,FOCUS ON
:AT %E LOOK$ L4 ,IF WE'RE LUCKY %E WON'T
H LO/ H] BODY S5SE YET1 & WE'LL 2 A# TO
F9D H] T WAY40
  8,& IF WE'RE N80
  8,!N WE'RE GO+ HOME & Y'RE GO+ 6H 6D
YR RESE>* ! OLD-FA%ION$ WAY4 ,I DON'T
WANT Y 6BE "H40
  ,I MUTT]$ "U MY BR1? Z ,I CLOS$ MY
EYES1 3/RUCT+ AN IMAGE (! D1D GIRL 2H MY
EYELIDS4 ,%E'D BE5 PRETTY1 ) R.D *EEK-
B"OS &A PO9T$ *94 ,H] HAIR 0 %ORT ) K9KY
CURLS1 A FEW ( !M BL1*$ & DY$ FIRE 5G9E-
R$4 ,%E 0 D>K-SK9N$1 EV5 9 D1?1 & ,I
TRI$ 6IMAG9E AWAY ! A%Y BLUE T _H T+$
FULL LIPS & 4COLOR$ H] F+]NAILS4
  ,A *ILL SLID D[N MY BACK1 SL[ & ?ICK1
L COLD BLOOD W5D+ XS WAY >.D MY SP9E4
,F9E HAIRS /OOD UP ALL OV] ME1 SWEEP+ 9
WAVES UNTIL ,I %IV]$ & %OOK MY H&S4
8,I'M SORRY10 ,I SD1 EYES / CLOS$4 8,I
C'T D ANY BETT]40                    #CG
  ,COYOTE'S VOICE CAME F A L;G WAY AWAY1
E*O+ Z IF "? A CAV]N\S *AMB]4 8,I ?9K
Y'VE D"O M ?AN WELL 5\<40
  ,I OP5$ MY EYES4
  ,SNAKES4
  ,SNAKES 7 "EY":1 W9D+ "? ! EMPTY
BLACK;S (! FLOOR L SANGU9E RIV]S1 CURDL+
9 SPOTS & MAK+ POOLS ( HE>T'S-BLOOD R$4
,!Y WRAPP$ >.D MY ANKLES & CRAWL$ UP MY
?I<S1 9VASIVE & 9TIMATE4 ,"O TWI/$ XF
>.D MY WAI/ & RIBS & LIFT$ XS FACE 6M9E1
A HISS+1 FLICK]+ T;GUE TA/+ MY BR1?4
,SMELL+ ME & SEE+ ME4 ,FANGS CURV$ DAN-
G]\SLY PA/ XS WIDE-OP5 L[] JAW1 DROPS (
V5OM =M+ & SPLA%+ AWAY4 ,X DIDN'T BL9K2
,I CDN'T4 8,COYOTE80 ,I CD B>ELY HE>
MYF4
  8,I C'T HELP Y40 ,HE S.D$ EV5 F>!R
AWAY4 ,I D>$ 6TURN MY H1D1 ! SMALLE/ MO-
;N ,I CD MANAGE1 V AW>E T DO+ S EXPOS$
MY JUGUL> 6! SNAKE4 ,X HISS$ S(TLY1
DROPP+ XS JAW WID]4
  ,COYOTE 0 NO L;G] (F 6MY "R4 ,NO1 HE
WAS1 J AT AN IMPOSSI# 4T.E1 A SPECK (
MAN-%APE AM;G ! SEA ( SNAKES4 ,!Y    #CH
ROIL$ & BUB#D OV] "O ANO!R1 MAK+ ! FLOOR
A LIV+ ?+1 & Z ,I WAT*$ !Y 2GAN 6DRIP F
! EMPTI;S ABV ME4
  ,I 0 CAU<T 9 A ,SALVADOR ,DALI PA9T+
G"O HORRIBLY WR;G4
  ,I LAU<$4 ,X REV]B]AT$1 %ORT & BROK51
(F ! NONEXI/5T WALLS (! ,D1D ,Z"O4 ,!
SNAKE >.D MY MI4LE TI<T5$ & HISS$1 BR++
XS H1D CLOS] 6MY ?ROAT4 ,MY LAU<T] CUT
(F )A %U4]4
  ,G>T] SNAKES1 CRIMSON & RUSSET1 CREPT
UP MY BODY1 TANGL+ >.D MY F+]S & EXT5D+
L WRI?+ TALONS4 ,!Y NE/L$ "? MY HAIR UN-
TIL ,I CD SEE !M WRI7L+ 9 MY L9E ( VI.N1
MAK+ ME A MOD]N-"D ,GORGON4 8,COYOTE1
:AT'S HAPP5+80 ,MY VOICE 0 SC>$ & ?91 J
! WAY ,I _HN'T LIK$ HE>+ ,PHOEBE S.D4
  ,"! 0 NO ANSW] F ! TRICK/]4
  ,! SNAKE AT MY WAI/ / WAT*$ ME4 ,I
FELT MY PULSE JUMP+ 9 MY ?ROAT L A F"R5$
M\SE & DUCK$ MY H1D1 TRY+ 6HIDE X F !
SNAKE4 8,:AT D Y WANT80
  ,X DREW XS H1D BACK1 FL>+ A HOOD1 &
HISS$ AT ME4 ,MY KNEES LOCK$ UP1 KEEP+
ME F BOLT+1 B ,I DIDN'T "K IF T 0    #CI
GD OR BAD4 8,:AT D Y WANT80 ,I MANAG$ A
SECOND "T4 ,! SNAKE SPAT1 V5OM FLY+ PA/
MY FACE S CLOSE ,I ?"\ ,I CD FEEL X
BURN4 ,!N X TWI/$ XS H1D AWAY F ME )\T
REL1S+ XS GRIP >.D MY MI4LE1 FOCUS$ ON
"S?+ ,I CDN'T SEE4
  ,! ,D1D ,Z"O H1V$ )A BLOODY MASS (
BODIES1 SEE?+ & KNOTT$ REPTILES WA%+ >.D
"O ANO!R 9 SEA-SICK5+ MO;N4 ,A WAVE
BROKE "? !M1 L A SUBM>9E CRUIS+ J 2N !
SURFACE1 4PLAC+ WAT] )\T 2+ VISI#4 ,!N !
SURFACE RUPTUR$1 SPRAY+ F"R5$1 TWI/+
SNAKES "? ! AIR4 ,!Y WRI7L$ FRANTIC,Y1
CLUT*+ AT UNSUPPORTIVE SKY1 & COLLAPS$
S.D.SLY BACK D[N 96! MELT+ MESS ( S]-
P5TS4
  ,! ?+ T LOOK$ D[N AT ME 0 N AT ALL L A
SUBM>9E4 .,MON/] L1P$ 6M9D1 & !N A N>R[]
CLASSIFIC,N3 .SEA .S]P5T4 ,:Y ,I 0 WOR-
RI$ AB ! V SPECIFIC K9D ( MON/] ,I 0
FAC+ 0 2Y ME1 B ! LABEL HUNG 9 MY ?"\S Z
! ?+ RE>$ UP ABV ME4
  ,X 0 MASSIVE4 ,X _H A WEI<T 6X UNLIKE
ANY?+ ,I'D SE5 9 ! ,D1D ,Z"O1 A H1VI;S T
SEEM$ 6BE> D[N L ! GUILT & PA9       #DJ
,I'D EXP]I;ED MO;TS AGO4 ,"! 0 NO S5SE (
2+ D1D AB ! S]P5T4 ,I WASN'T SURE ,I'D
"E SE5 ANY?+ S ALIVE OR S FILL$ ) PUR-
POSE4 ,X LIV$1 & X LIV$ 6KILL4
  ,XS SCALES 7 BLACK1 FA/5$ TGR L 9TRI-
CATE >MOR1 & GL1M$ S H>D AG/ ! D>K;S (!
,D1D ,Z"O !Y HURT 6LOOK AT4 ,X FL>$ \ A
RUFF1 EXPOS+ GILLS T GLITT]$ & SP>KL$ )
H>D $GES4 ,T5TACLES1 L ,M$USA G"O MAD1
WAV$ >.D XS H1D4 ,X _H NO LEGS1 B ! ^W
.SNAKE FELL PITI;LLY %ORT4 ,RIDGES CRE/$
XS BACK1 %>P & D1DLY4 ,EV5 9 ! HALF-
LI<T1 X LOOK$ Z IF ! SPIRES GLI/5$ )
POISON4 ,X COIL$ HI<]1 5 /R5G? VISI# 9
XS BODY 6CRU% A %IP4 ,IF ? 0 ! K9D ( ?+
T _H 9SPIR$ ANCI5T M>9]S 6_! W>N+S (
.,"H .,2 .,DRAGONS1 ,I CDN'T BLAME !M =
WANT+ 6AVOID ! UN"KN >1S (! SEA4 ,X OP5$
XS M\? 6HISS AT ME4
  ,XS FANGS 7 NE>LY Z L;G Z ,I WAS4
  ,I WOND]$ IF ,I WD /OP FEEL+ "R AWAY1
OR IF ,I'D 2 ALIVE A :ILE 9SIDE ! S]-
P5T'S MAW1 FEEL+ ! MUSCLE ( XS ?ROAT
CRU% ME Z X SWALL[$ ME D[N4
  ,! SMALL] SNAKES 2GAN 6DROP (F     #DA
ME1 SLI!R+ D[N MY >MS & LEGS AG & FALL+
6! FLOOR4 ,I CDN'T BLAME !M3 ,I DIDN'T
WANT 6BE FAC+ _! "L & MA/]1 EI4 ,"O
WRI7L$ "U MY %IRT & D[N MY SP9E1 !N PAN-
ICK$1 ?RA%+ >.D1 :5 X MET ! TAUT MUSCLE
(! SNAKE >.D MY RIBS1 BLOCK+ XS PASSAGE4
,! SNAKE >.D MY RIBS :IPP$ XS H1D >.D1
P9N+ MY >M AG/ MY BODY Z X SANK XS TEE?
96! LLR "O "U MY %IRT4 ,! SMALL] REPTILE
SPASM$1 FLAIL+ "U MY %IRT 9 XS D1?
?ROES4 ,XS COLD T]ROR SEEP$ 9 "? MY SK91
L1V+ ME 9 AN ICY SW1T4 ,I />$ UP AT !
MON/]1 FEEL+ ! SNAKE DIE1 LL & B"O.S AG/
! SMALL ( MY BACK4
  ,! RIB-HU7+ VIP] 2GAN 6UNW9D F ME4
,ABV ME1 ! GIANT S]P5T SWAY$ & MOV$
CLOS]1 SNAKES 2L X SQUIRM+ AWAY F !
WEI<T ( XS HUGE BODY4
  8,COYOTE10 ,I SD ONCE M1 B ? "T ,I
KNEW HE WASN'T GO+ 6ANSW]4 ,! VIP] FELL
AWAY F ME4 ,=! SECOND "T T MORN+1 MY H&
R1*$ \ )\T 3SULT+ MY M9D4 ,I CAU<T !
CR1TURE AT ! BASE (! NECK1 2L XS JAW1 L
,I'D SE5 SNAKE H&L]S D ON ! ,4COV]Y
,*ANNEL4 ,X HISS$ & SPAT & WRI!D1    #DB
E6ECTIVELY NEUT]$4
  ,! ?+ ABV ME W5T /4
  8,OH GD40 ,MY VOICE CRACK$ L A TE5AGE
BOY'S4 8,Y'RE N A CANNIBAL40
  ,X HISS$4 ,I WANT$ 6LOOK D[N 6SEE IF X
_H T9Y IMPOT5T >MS L A ;,T ,REX1 WA7L+
ANGRILY AT ME1 B ,I DIDN'T D>E4 ,>.D ME1
! SEA ( SNAKES BACK$ AWAY1 MAK+ A CIRCLE
( BLACK;S )! SEA S]P5T AT XS H1D4 ,L _!
MA/]1 ! "OS CLOSE/ 6ME RE>$ UP1 & UNLIKE
! MON/] CR1TURE1 SWAY$ M5AC+LY1 Z IF TO
REM9D ME ,I WASN'T ! "O 9 *>GE "H4
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  8,S MAYBE N[ WE MAKE A B>GA910 ,I SD4
,X BL9K$ AT ME1 AN AC;N T 9 ANO!R CREA-
TURE MI<T H R1D Z SURPRISE4 ,9 ! GIANT
S]P5T1 X ONLY S]V$ 6MAKE ME AW>E T ,I CD
SEE MY 5TIRE BODY REFLECT$ 9 ! EMPTY
BLACK;S4 8,Y LET U G10 ,I SD HOPE;LLY1
8& ,I'LL LET X G40
  8,USSSSS40 ,! S]P5T'S VOICE 0 A RIV] (
S.D1 P.D+ 2H MY E>S4
  8,U10 ,I SD AG4 8,ME & ,COYOTE40 ,4T.E
& SPACE 9 ! ,D1D ,Z"O 7 MALLEA#4 ,I'D
LE>N$ T ! F/ "T ,I'D VISIT$1 ?\<     #DC
,I _HN'T BE5 A# 6DELIB]ATELY A6ECT X4
,N[ ,I SWALL[$ AG/ ! TI<T;S 9 MY ?ROAT1
CLUNG 6! IDEA ( ,COYOTE1 & TOLD ! UNI-
V]SE 6*ANGE4
  ,MY FEET W5T \ F "U ME L ,I'D HIT A
PAT* ( ICE4 ,MY GUT LUR*$ ) PANIC & ,I
TI<T5$ MY /RANGLEHOLD ON ! SNAKE 9 MY
FI/4 ,SPACE 3TRACT$ 96A NE$LE PO9T1 !N
EXP&$ AG1 SNAKES SLI!R+ D[N 96T PO9T L A
SUCK+ DRA91 & REAPPE>+ ALL >.D ME4 ,!
DRAGON-?+ SLID ) ME1 & S DID ! SNAKE ,I
HELD KNOTT$ 9 MY F+]S1 B ALL ! O!R
SNAKES 7 NEW4
  ,H[ ,I RECOGNIZ$ "O WRI7L+ FIELD (
SNAKES F ANO!R1 ,I DIDN'T "K1 B "! X
WAS4
  ,! SEA S]P5T FLICK$ XS T;GUE1 L;G 5 TO
WRAP >.D ME1 & AT MY ELB[1 ,COYOTE
GR[L$1 8,:AT10 & 9 AN AUDI# PAUSE ,I
HE>D HM N SAY+ 8! HELL0 2F HE F9I%$1 8D
Y ?9K Y'RE DO+80
  8,RESCU+ U10 ,I SD ) ALL ! 3FID;E ,I
CD MU/]4 ,MY VOICE DIDN'T BR1K AG1 S ,I
C.T$ T Z GD 5\<1 & BR&I%$ MY CAPTIVE
SNAKE4 8,X = U10 ,I SD 6! WAIT+      #DD
SEA S]P5T4 ,X FLICK]$ XS T;GUE AG1 W1V+
BACK & =? 6EXAM9E ME F "O SIDE1 !N ! O?-
]4
  8,"! ISSS "O ( X10 X ANSW]$4 8,"! >E
TWO ( Y40
  ,CRAP4 ,I'D BE5 AFRAID X WD NOTICE T4
8,I DON'T SUPPOSE Y'LL GIVE ME "T (F =
GD 2HAVIOR80
  ,X />$ AT ME1 UNBL9K+4
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  8,JOANNE10 ,COYOTE SD1 A W>N+ 9 8
VOICE4
  8,!N LET ? "O G10 ,I SD1 J]K+ MY H1D
AT ! R$ MAN 2S ME4
  8,JO10 ,COYOTE SD AG4 8,DON'T40
  ,! MON/] FLATT5$ XS SN\T1 T;GUE D>T+
\1 Z IF X 7 FL>+ XS NO/RILS4 8,! SSSAC-
RIFISSE IS SSWEETES/ :5 ! VICTIM ISSS
WILL+40
  8,I'M WILL+40 ,I WAV$ ! SMALL] SNAKE
AT X4 8,? LL GUY = ,COYOTE1 & ,I'M ALL
YRS40
  8,D"O10 X SD4
  ,I REL1S$ ! LL SNAKE & %OV$ ,COYOTE
AWAY F ME ) ALL MY W1 L ! RECOIL F   #DE
A C> CRA%4
  ,= AN 9/ANT1 ,COYOTE RESI/$4 ,HE KNEW
ME2 HE KNEW T ,I "W "? ! M$IUM ,I "K
BE/1 C>S4 ,9 FACT1 HE'D TAU<T ME 6D T4
,S =A MO;T1 ! RECOIL ( T C> WRECK 0 MET
0HIS [N IMAGE1 ! /1DFA/;S (A M.TA91 AB-
SORB+ ! 5]GY ,I TRI$ PU%+ HM AWAY )4
  ,!N P[] SURG$ "? ME1 BLOOD-R$ & DEEP &
COOL1 A L9K F ! S]P5T Z X B5T XS W 6!
SAME 5DS ,I PURSU$4 ,"! 0 NO METAPHOR TO
XS DESIRE1 ONLY ! 9T5T 6REMOVE T : X _H
PROMIS$ TO4
  ,COYOTE FLICK]$ L ! S]P5T'S T;GUE1 &
4APPE>$4
  ,! VIP] ,I'D DROPP$ :IPP$ >.D & HISS$
AT ME1 /RIK+ =W>D S QKLY ,I DIDN'T /& A
*.E4
  ,! S]P5T SPAT1 V5OM SPLA%+ OV] !
SMALL] SNAKE 2F X -PLET$ XS ATTACK4 ,X
%RIEK$1 A HI< ?9 S.D1 & FLIPP$ ONTO XS
BACK1 WRI?+ & :9+ 9 PA94
  8,Y1H60 ,I SPAT AT X1 TOO1 6M* LESS
E6ECT4 8,I'M ONLY A M1L =! BIG GUY60
  ,! S]P5T LIFT$ XS H1D & SPR1D XS HOOD1
/>+ AT ME4 ,X /RUCK ME T GLOAT+ 0    #DF
N A SNAKELY TRAIT4 ,I CLE>$ MY ?ROAT4
8,N"E M9D4 ,X'S J1 Y "K1 IF Y'VE GOT 6G
\1 MI<T Z WELL GET TAK5 \ 0! ''' N"E
M9D40
  ,X RE>$ UP & D\#D =W>D1 JAWS GAP+4 ,Z
,I />$ 96XS DESC5D+ MAW1 MY LA/ ?"\ WAS1
..ISN'T "! A ,%EL ,SILV]/E9 POEM APPRO-
PRIATE 6? .SITU,N8
















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

  ,A M1TY H&1 W>M & CALLUS$1 CLAMP$ ONTO
MY %\LD]4 ,MY EYES POPP$ OP5 & ,I LOOK$
BLANKLY AT ! CR1M-COLOR$ TILES ABV ! D1D
GIRL4 ,? 0 N :AT ,I IMAG9$ ! 9SIDE (A
SNAKE 6LOOK L4
  8,WALK]80
  ,I TWI/$ MY H1D UP4 ,! W>M H& ON MY
%\LD] 0 ATTA*$ 6! WRI/1 >M1 %\LD]1 & UL-
TIMATELY1 BEEFY BODY ( MY IMM SUP]VISOR1
,CAPTA9 ,MI*AEL ,MORRISON (! ,S1TTLE
,POLICE ,DE"P;T1 ,NOR? ,PREC9CT4
  ,MORRISON ALW MADE ME ?9K (A SUP]H]O
/>T+ 6G 6SE$3 LATE ?IRTIES1 GRAY+ HAIR1
%>P BLUE EYES1 A BIT TOO M* WEI<T ON !
B"OS4 ,I'D N"E BE5 S GLAD 6SEE A SE$Y
SUP]H]O 9 MY LIFE1 & SD ! F/ GRATE;L ^WS
T CAME 6M9D3 8,? ISN'T YR JURISDIC;N40
  8,& T SURE Z HELL ISN'T YR UNI=M40
,MORRISON SMIRK$ & TOOK 8 H& (F MY %\L-
D]4
  ,GOOSE BUMPS %OT UP ALL OV] MY BODY &
,I CLUT*$ MY >MS >.D MY T[EL4 ,? 0 N !
\TFIT ,I'D H *OS5 6SUMMON ! POLICE IN4
,& IF ,I'D BE5 \ L;G 5 =! COPS TO    #DH
GET "H1 "T _H G"O FUNNY 9 A WAY ,I
WASN'T US$ TO4 ,I TOOK REFUGE 9 DEF5-
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HELL >E Y DO+ "H80
  8,I 0 ON MY WAY 96"W :5 ! CALL CAME
ACR ! SCANN]4 ,I J CDN'T RESI/ ! ^WS
,8,(FIC] ,JOANNE ,WALK]0' & ,8#AJ-EE0' 9
! SAME S5T;E40
  8,Y1H4 ,Y MI<T'VE GOTT5 LUCKY &! D1D
BODY MI<T'VE BE5 M9E40 ,IF HE'D PUT 8 H&
ON MY %\LD] HALF A SECOND LAT]1 X WD'VE
BE54 ,I DIDN'T L 6?9K AB ! IMPLIC,NS (
T4 8,:AT HAPP5$80
  8,Y 7 9 A TR.E1 OR "S?+10 ,PHOEBE
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FOLL[+ ME1 B Y DIDN'T1 S ,I CAME BACK TO
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T\*$ Y40
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EI4 ,I CLIMB$ 6MY FEET 9/1D4 ,COLD WAT]
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COLD] SLID D[N ! BACK ( MY T[EL & HIT !
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  8,JESUS ,*RI/6 ,:AT ! HELL IS      #DI
T80 ,MORRISON ALL B LEVITAT$ AWAY1 MOV+
BACK ACR ! O!R SIDE (! CURB )A SMOO? B.D
T DID ! AG+ SUP]H]O LOOK PR\D4 ,MY NECK
/I65$1 PREV5T+ ME F LOOK+ AT :AT _H
FALL54
  8,X'S A SNAKE10 ,I SD 9 A SMALL VOICE1
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! D>K;S4 ,I ?"\ T 0 A M* NIC] S\V5IR ?AN
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  8,X IS N4 ,X'S 3TAM9AT+ ! CRIME SC5E40
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  ,I GROAN$4 8,NO40
  8,F9E4 ,!N TELL ME :Y ! HELL Y'RE C>-
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  ,LOOK1 9 8 %OES1 ,I WDN'T H BE5 A# TO
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6BE A LOT LESS UNPL1SANT :5 ,I 0 WE>+ A
POLICE (FIC]'S UNI=M ?AN X _H BE5 :5
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UNIV]S;Y POLICE DIDN'T SEEM 6?9K ,I'D
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Z ,I WALK$ AWAY :5 WE 7 F9,Y DIS-    #EA
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! LOT4 ,MORRISON HELD ! YELL[ CRIME SC5E
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WE 7 9 GRADE S*OOL4 ,I SNORT$ AT MYF4 ,Z
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8,Y'RE WELCOME40
  8,?ANKS4 ,I WASN'T TRY+ 6BE RUDE40
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ADMIT A C]TA9 VICI\S PL1SURE 9 TICKET+
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MISS$ 2+ ELB[ DEEP 9 GR1SE & OIL4 ,? 0 N
H[ MY LIFE 0 SUPPOS$ 6G4             #EC
  ,! CORON]S :EEL$ ! BODY--,CASS&RA
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T 9 M9D1 ,I PA/$ ON A B"R SMILE = MY
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RIDE80
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  8,I WANT 6TALK 6Y 9 MY (FICE :5 Y GET
6"W40
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/ TI<T4 8,Y1H1 ALL "R1 BOSS10 ,I SD1 M
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HM AB X4                             #ED
  ,X TURN$ \ MOCK+ A NEWLY PROMOT$ CAP-
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SEDATE PACE4

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  8,Y WDN'T 2LIEVE ME IF ,I TOLD Y40 ,I
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  8,WALK]60
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8,I TOOK A QK TRIP 96! A/RAL R1LM 6SEE
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  8,YES1 SIR40                       #EG

  ,X WASN'T A DIRECT 4OBEYAL ( ORD]S TO
DROP 0,DETECTIVE ,BILLY ,HOLLI"D'S DESK
& HIT* MYF UP ONTO A CORN] ( X4 ,I 0 9
UNI=M4 ,! DOOR 0 M]E Y>DS AWAY4 ,N MY
FAULT ,I GOT CAU<T UP 9 A BIT ( 3V]S,N4
  ,MORRISON WDN'T H B"\ X1 EI1 B HE 0 /
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  8,I'LL TRY 6F9D \ AB SNAKES10 ,BILLY
CALL$ AF ME1 & ,I DUCK$ \ (! /,N ) ,MOR-
RISON HOT ON MY TAIL4

















                                     #FB
























             ,,*APT] ,,FIVE          #FC

  ,MORRISON DIDN'T CAT* UP ) ME4 ,HE
DIDN'T H TO4 ,I SP5T ! RE/ (! MORN+ RE-
CIT+ :AT HE WD'VE SD 9 MY H1D1 ANYWAY4
,X 0 A BAD SIGN :5 ,I'D BAWL MYF \ &
SAVE MY BOSS ! TR\#4 ,I F.D MYF WRIT+ M
P>K+ TICKETS ?AN 7 /RICTLY NEC4 ,"! 0 A
K9D ( QUOTA AB !M4 ,TOO _M M1NT ,I 0 2+
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TAK+ A M1N V5GE.E AG/ ! UNIV]SE 0OV]DO+
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MY H1D4
  8,LADY1 ,I _C 2LIEVE Y J DID T40
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A3ORD & MY FACE WR9KL$ UP UNTIL X FELT L
A RAIS9 >.D MY NOSE4
  8,I M1N1 AF ALL ,I D"O = Y1 Y G &
WRITE ME A TICKET8 ,A ''' ,*RI/1 LADY6
,A SIXTY DOLL> TICKET80
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ME1 ,JO4 ,DON*A LOVE ME ANYMORE80
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*EW+4 ,TWO GNAWS IN1 ! FLAT GRAY TA/E (!
PAP] &! %>P BLUE (! 9K /UNG MY T;GUE1 &
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7 BACK10 ,I CROAK$1 & SPAT ! GOOEY TICK-
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CRAZY DAME80                         #FE
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96MY LIFE--OR ,I'D CLIMB$ 96HIS CAB1 M
A3URATELY--SIX MON?S AGO1 ! "D "EY?+ W5T
6HELL4 ,"SH[ HE'D 2COME ! MO/ R1L ?+ 9
MY LIFE S9CE !N4 8,WAS X T\<80
  8,Y1H4 ,"S"TS4 ,B %E WDA HAT$ ! ?"\ (
ME SITT9' >.D UNTIL ,I 0 ROTT$ 5 6DIE1 S
,I FIGUR$ ,I BETT] GET (F MY DUFF & G
SEE "S (! _W AG40
  ,I EXHAL$ A SNORT4 8,G>Y1 .,I'M GO+ TO
ROT 2F Y D40
  ,HE SQU9T$ UP AT ! SKY4 8,IN ? H1T1
Y'RE PROB'LY "R4 ,IF ,I'D "KN X 0 GONNA
2 N9ETY 0NOON1 ,I MI<TA /AY$ 9 ,SAN ,DI-
EGO4 ,AT L1/ ! GIRLS "! WE> BIK9IS40
  ,I PUT ON MY BE/ 9DIGNANT LOOK4 8,>E Y
*1T+ ON ME1 ,G>Y8 ,RUNN+ >.D ) BIK9I-
CLAD BIMBOS80                        #FF
  8,Y1H10 HE SD1 GD HUMOR RE/OR$4
8,BLOND "OS40
  8,Y'RE BR1K+ MY HE>T40 ,I SMIL$ S ,I'D
FOOL MYF 96?9K+ ,I WASN'T J A LL BIT
J1L\S (A SEV5TY-?REE-YE>-OLD'S ROMANTIC
NO;NS4
  8,GUESS ,I BETT] 9VITE Y OV] = D9N]1
!N10 ,G>Y SD ) APLOMB4
  8,X'S A DATE10 ,I SD 9/ANTLY4 8,WAIT4
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  ,HE LET \ A %\T ( LAU<T]4 8,L Y C COM-
PLA9 AB MY COOK+4 ,I "K :AT Y LIVE ON40
  8,HEY1 Y'VE GOT ME EAT+ FROZ5 ,ITALIAN
D9N]S 9/1D ( MAC & *EESE4 ,ALL YR NA7+
DID "S GD40
  8,I DON'T NAG40
  8,Y D TOO4 ,ITALIAN D9N]S H VEGETA#S 9
!M4 ,I HAV5'T EAT5 VEGETA#S )\T NA7+ 9
MY :OLE TW5TY-SEV5 YE>S40
  8,>"R1 IF Y SAY S1 ,JO40 ,HE GAVE ME A
GD-NATUR$ GR91 L HE KNEW HE 0 HUMOR+ ME4
  ,ACTU,Y1 X 0 TRUE4 ,I'D />T$ EAT+ BET-
T]--FROZ5 5TREES .DID QUALIFY Z BETT]
?AN AN 5D.S DIET ( MAC>ONI & *EESE--IN
"P 2C ,I WANT$ 6LOOK Z GD Z HE DID   #FG
AT SEV5TY-?REE4 ,HELL1 ,I'D 2 GLAD 6LOOK
Z GD Z HE DID AT TW5TY-EI<T4 8,I GET (F
"W AT SEV51 B>R+ 4A/]40
  ,G>Y'S BU%Y EYEBR[S DREW TGR4 8,BE5
ANY LATELY80
  ,I HESITAT$1 !N BRU%$ ! ANSW] AWAY )A
WAVE ( MY H&4 8,I'LL TELL Y AT D9N]40
  8,>"R40 ,G>Y B1M$ AT ME4 8,LOOK1 ,I
GOTTA TAKE (F1 "!'S ? CRAZY LADY COP :O
WANTS 6TICKET MY CAB4 ,CALL :5 Y'RE ON !
WAY OV]4 ,D9N] AT SEV5-?IRTY40
  8,X'S A DATE10 ,I REP1T$4 8,SEE Y TN40
  ,G>Y GAVE ME A BROAD W9K & CLIMB$ 9TO
8 CAB4 ,I /OOD ON ! SIDEWALK1 SMIL+ /U-
PIDLY Z ,I WAT*$ HM DRIVE AWAY4

  ,G>Y 2+ BACK 9 T[N LIFT$ MY _SS DE-
SPITE ! OPPRESSIVE H1T4 ,)A D9N] DATE TO
LOOK =W>D TO1 ,I /OPP$ WRIT+ S _M TICK-
ETS & GRA2$ A D\<NUT = LUN*4 ,I WANT$ TO
DROP 96! A/RAL R1LM 6APOLOGIZE 6,COYOTE1
&A R1L M1L WD TAKE TOO L;G4 ,2SS1 ,I 0
ON /REET B1T1 : ,I TOLD MYF GAVE ME LI-
C5SE 6EAT ANY?+ ,I WANT$ 2C ,I'D WALK X
(F4 ,S F> ,I 2LIEV$ ME4              #FH
  ,D\<NUT 9 H&1 ,I SCURRI$ D[N 6! G>AGE1
MY FAVORITE PLACE 9 ! /,N4 ,! SMELL (
GASOL9E & MOTOR OIL SOO!D ! SAVAGE B1/1
OR AT L1/ ! SAVAGE ,JOANNE4
  ,N "EY"O D[N "! WD MEET MY EYE4 ,I /
_HN'T GOTT5 US$ 6T1 ESPECI,Y F ,NICK1
:O'D BE5 MY SUP]VISOR &A PRETTY GD FR N
ALL T L;G AGO4 ,8 GREET+ 0 MADE UP (
%OV+ 8 H&S 9 8 POCKETS & LIFT+ 8 %\LD]S
Z HE DROPP$ 8 *91 TURN+ HM 96A NO-NECK
WOND]4 ,HE KEPT 8 GAZE FIX$ FIRMLY ON !
WALL Z ,I GAVE HM A T5TATIVE SMILE4 ,T5-
TATIVE DIDN'T US$ 6BE 9 MY VOCABUL>Y >.D
! BOYS 9 ! G>AGE4 ,WE'D "W$ TGR = ?REE
YE>S1 & ,I'D ?"\ ,I 0 J "O (! GUYS4 ,B 9
,JANU>Y ,I'D 9VIT$ ! ,WILD ,HUNT 96! GA-
RAGE'S (FICE1 & TWO MON?S LAT] ,I'D COL-
LAPS$ ON ! /AIRS1 BLE$+ F ! E>S4 ,S9CE
!N ?+S _H BE5 A LL T\*Y :5 ,I CAME D[N
6VISIT4 ,I HOP$ IF ,I J KEPT X COOL "EY-
BODY WD RELAX AG1 B S F> X _HN'T "W$4
  ,/1 HOPE SPRANG ET]NAL4 ,I /R5G!N$ MY
SMILE = ,NICK & SD1 8,HI10 Z NORM,Y Z ,I
CD4 ,MY VOICE SQU1K$ & BROKE1 : AT L1/
MADE HM LOOK AT ME4 ,I CLE>$ MY      #FI
?ROAT & SMIL$ AG1 WI%+ X DIDN'T FEEL
PLA/IC4 8,I 0 WOND]+ IF ,I CD HANG \ 9 !
(FICE =A LL BIT40
  ,NICK'S GAZE SNAPP$ BACK 6! WALL & HE
%RU7$ 8 %\LD]S HI<]4 8,SURE4 ,:AT"E40
  ,N ! MO/ R++ 5DORSE;T ,I'D "E HE>D4
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ICS1 :O GAVE ME A WRY LOOK & ROLL$ 8
EYES4 ,X MADE ME FEEL BETT]1 & ,I SD1
8,?ANKS10 6,NICK'S RETR1T+ BACK 2F TURN+
64COV] MY >* NEMESIS1 ,?OR ! ,?"U ,GOD1
/&+ AB EI<T 9*ES 2H ME4 ,?OR--^: R1L "N
0 "S?+ DULL L ,$ OR ,$DIE OR ,FR$DIE--_H
BE5 HIR$ 6REPLACE ME 9 ! MOTOR POOL4 ,HE
0 BLOND1 AB SIX FOOT FIVE1 & _H %\LD]S T
,?OR HMF WD 5VY4 ,I FIGUR$ HM TAK+ MY
JOB GAVE ME LIC5SE 6CALL HM :AT"E ,I
WANT$4 ,= "S R1SON HE DIDN'T L X4
  ,WE BO? /EPP$ ! SAME DIREC;N1 TRY+ TO
GET \ ( EA* O!R'S WAY4 ,WE BO? HESITAT$1
!N LUR*$ ! O!R WAY4 ,0! ?IRD TWIT*1 ,I 0
GR9N+4 8,% WE D.E80
  ,HE TOOK A DELIB]ATELY L>GE /EP BACK-
W>D & GE/UR$ ME 0)A S>CA/IC FL\RI%4 ,MY
SMILE FELL AWAY4 8,?ANK Y1 ,O        #GJ
,MI<TY ,GOD ( ,?"U40 ,I SAW 8 M\? TWI/ Z
,I H1D$ =! (FICE4 ,X 0 ! "O PLACE 9 !
/,N ,I ?"\ ,I CD SLIDE 96! A/RAL R1LM )-
\T ! HELP (A DRUM4 ,I 0 -=TA# "!1 & BACK
9 ,JANU>Y ,I'D D"O 5\<--
  ,? %AMAN ?+ 0 GETT+ 6ME4 ,I'D ALM ?"\
..D"O 5 MAGIC ."! )\T ! IDEA EV5 MAK+ ME
HIT*4 ,I SAT D[N )A %IV] & TRI$ 6PU% !
?"\ AWAY4 ,DESPITE "EY?+1 ,I DIDN'T L 2+
-=TA# 5 )! IDEA T MAGIC 0 R1L 6J ?9K X
CASU,Y4 ,HAV+ OATM1L = BR1KFA/ 0 CASUAL4
,DO+ MAGIC 0 N4
  ,!N1 EXCRUCIAT+LY AW>E (! IRONY1 ,I
RELAX$ & ?"\ ( MY G>D54
  ,! BOTTOM FELL \ (! _W & ,I SLID 96A
TUNNEL1 TWI/+ & BUMP+ OV] E>!N RIDGES1
FA/ 5 6MAKE MY NOSE TICKLE F ! VIBR,NS4
,X REM9D$ ME (! DEF5SIVE DRIV+ C\RSE AT
! ACADEMY1 RATTL+ OV] SPE$ BUMPS PLAC$
TOO CLOSELY TGR4
  ,! TUNNEL %OT 6! LEFT1 LEVEL+ \ & N>-
R[+4 ,I 0 AW>E T1 L ! TUNNEL1 ,I 2CAME
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:AT LL /UDY+ ,I'D D"O1 ,I'D R1D T
%APE%IFT+ 9SIDE "O'S [N PSY*E 0 !    #GA
F/ /EP T[>D A -PLETE & PHYSICAL %APE-
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TRANS=M+ 96AN EAGLE1 A BE>1 A WOLF--!
USUAL ,_W ,WILDLIFE ,FUND ,*>ISMATIC
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WORMS4
  ,I R1LIZ$ )A 4MAY$ JOLT T ! TUNNEL _H
4APPE>$ 5TIRELY & ,I 0 GR9D+ MY WAY "? !
E>? BLLY1 GNAW+ ON DIRT 6MOVE =W>D4
  ,E>?WORM4 ,I RE,Y NE$$ 6LE>N 6BE C>E;L
AB :AT ,I 0 ?9K+ 9 TR.E /ATES4
  .,BADG]1 ,I ?"\ 5C\RAG+LY1 &A FEW SEC-
ONDS LAT] BUR/ UPW>D "? ! E>? 9 A FLURRY
( DIRT & /R;G CLAWS4 ,I SCRAM#D \ ( MY
TUNNEL & %OOK MYF ALL OV]1 BITS ( GRASS
& SOIL PLOPP+ 6! GRASS >.D ME4
  ,"EY"O HAS AN 9N] L&SCAPE1 %AP$ 0!
EV5TS & ?"\S T MAKE A LIFE4 ,! F/ "T
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ES ABV ! GR.D & 9 FAD$ GRAYSCALE4 ,6! "R
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  ,POSSIBLY1 J POSSIBLY1 ,I / _H "S 9N]-
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  ,IMMLY 2H ME1 MY BADG] HOLE FOLD$ 9 ON
XF & SMOO!D \ AG1 L1V+ LAWN 2H4 8,WELL1
T'S "S?+10 ,I SD \ L\D1 Z ! _W >.D ME
/A9$ ) COLOR4 ,! POOL FAD$ F M]CURY TO
CLE>1 XS E>?Y BOTTOM REFRACT+ BR[N "?
REFLECT$ GRAY SKIES4 ,I ROLL$ ONTO MY
BACK1 BRIEFLY MISS+ ! EXTRAORD9>Y /R5G?
(! BADG]'S LEGS1 & CLOS$ MY EYES4 8,COY-
OTE80 ,I TRI$ 6PICTURE HM1 L;G-LE7$ &
GOLD5-EY$1 !N LAU<$ SIL5TLY Z ! IMAGE
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P]K$ FURRY E>S4 ,HE LOOK$ L A "* F ,DIS-
NEY'S .,ROB9 .,HOOD G"O T]RIBLY WR;G4
  ,A RU/LE HISS$ OV] ! GRASS L WAX PAP]
SLID+ AG/ XF4 ,I SAT UP1 GR9N+4 8,Y'RE
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LOAD ( H[ ,I ?9K ( ''' Y80
  ,A RATTLESNAKE SWAY$ 9 FRONT ( ME1
BLACK EYES REFLECT+ ! SU45 PALE;S ( MY
SK94
  ,A SNAKE 9 MY G>D54
  ,= "O HY/]ICAL MO;T ,I LOOK$ = AN AP-
PLE TREE4 ,!N PANIC TOOK OV] & ,I CRAB-
WALK$ BACKW>D1 ELB[S & KNEES GO+ "EY":4
,X TOOK ANO!R FEW SECONDS 6MAKE MYF /OP
0ASS]T+ 5 3TROL 6DIG MY F+]S 96! E>?4
8,MY G>D510 ,I CROAK$4 8,Y C'T 2 "H40
  ,! RATTL] SLI!R$ =W>D A FEW 9*ES1 DRY
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ME1 L;G T;GUE D>T+ 9 & \4 ,I %OT 6MY
FEET1 B>ELY KEEP+ MYF F L1P+ 6"O (! /"O
B5*ES & SCR1M+ L A #'EJ;S H\SEWIFE4 ,X 0
MY G>D54 ,MY RULES 7 SUPPOS$ 6APPLY4 ,I
BIT ! 9SIDE ( MY *EEK & CLOS$ MY EYES1
REV]T+ 6! C> METAPHOR ,I 0 MO/ -=TA# )4
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GLASS >.D MYF REM9D$ ME ( MOVIES ": !
V5OM\S ANIMAL 0 KEPT AWAY F ! ACTORS 0A
%EET ( GLASS4
  ,! SNAKE BONK$ XS NOSE AG/ !       #GD
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F5D$4 ,I GR9N$ 9 A BR1?.S -B9,N ( TRI-
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8,G'BYE1 !N40
  ,= ONCE ,I LET MYF =GET ! VEHICLE MET-
APHOR1 & 9/1D SPUN GLASS4 ,H1T P\R$ (F
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MYF &! SNAKE4 ,I BLEW AIR "? PURS$ LIPS
&! GLASS EXP&$1 SPILL+ CLE> & DELICATE
OV] ! LAWN Z ,I PROTECT$ MY G>D54 ,!
SNAKE SQUI7L$ BACKW>D1 =C$ 6! $GES (!
G>D54
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BODY ?ICK5$1 >MS SPR\T+ & WAI/ N>R[+4
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  ,! RATTLESNAKE'S D1D EYES GAZ$ BACK AT
ME2 L ,RA1 %E 0 HUMAN-%AP$ )A SNAKE'S
H1D1 L>GE 5 6FIT ! BODY4 ,%E FLICK$ H]
T;GUE AT ME ONCE M & -PLET$ ! TRANS=M,N
96A BRISK-LOOK+ ,NATIVE ,AM]ICAN WOMAN
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_H SALT-&-PEPP] HAIR & WR9KLES >.D H]
EYES4 ,H] *EEKS 7 R.D OV] A ?9 M\? T
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! A/RAL R1LM1 L1V+ PSY*IC DEBRIS ALL OV]
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"R 9 "H4 ,I C SEE :AT NE$S 6BE D"O4 ,AT
L1/ Y H POT5TIAL10 %E A4$1 %AK+ H] H1D4
8,Y NE>LY PU%$ ME \ J N[40
  ,I SET MY TEE? & RE>$ MY H1D BACK1 RE-
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2COM+ A SOLID CURVE ( GLASS 2T ! SNAKE
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  8,:O >E Y8 ,& :AT >E Y DO+ "H80
  8,MY "N IS ,JUDY ,MORN+/>10 %E SD4
8,I'M GO+ 6BE YR T1*]40




















             ,,*APT] ,,SIX           #GG

  8,! HELL Y >E40 ,GUILT MIX$ ) 9CR$UL;Y
9 MY VOICE4 ,COYOTE'D J F9I%$ TELL+ ME
,I NE$$ A T1*]1 & ,I HAT$ 6ADMIT HE MI<T
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F :AT YR ABILITIES SIX MON?S AGO W]E10
%E 4AGRE$4 8,EV5 ?REE MON?S AGO4 ,Y
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! 3SEQU;ES40
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AIRPORT1 ALL ! P[] /AY$ ON S P WD 2
OKAY40 ,*ILLS SWEPT OV] MY >MS RE-   #GH
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G>D54 ,I TRI$ RU2+ ! GOOSE BUMPS AWAY )-
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/R1KY VI.N ( WR;G;S4 8,I SAW X10 ,I SD
RELUCTANTLY4 8,I DON'T "K :AT X IS1
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X TAKE ! SN[ 6MELT1 ,JOANNE80
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,EGYPT4 ,! WOR/ "P 0 ! UNCOM=TA#1 %\LD]-
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_H BE5 CATALYZ$ 9 ME4 ,I'D D"O DETAIL
"W1 FIX+ UP *IPS 9 PEOPLES' PA9T1 S TO
SP1K4 ,MY CO"W] ,BRUCE GOT A HAIRL9E
FRACTURE ON 8 ANKLE &! DOCTORS _H BE5
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SD AF A MO;T4 8,IF Y'RE ON CASUAL T]MS )
,COYOTE1 MAYBE ,I MIS9T]PRET$ YR NE$ =
HELP40 ,%E GOT 6H] FEET Z SMOO?LY Z %E'D
SAT1 B[+ H] H1D T[>D ME4 8,I HOPE ,I'LL
SEE Y AG1 ,JOANNE40 ,%E 2GAN 6FADE1 AG N
L ,COYOTE1 B Z IF %E 7 A <O/4
  ,I GRITT$ MY TEE? & DUG MY F+]S 96MY
RIBS4 8,WAIT40
  ,! FADE /OPP$ & %E LIFT$ H] H1D AG1 "O
EYEBR[ RAIS$ 9 "Q4 ,I CL5*$ MY JAW A C\-
PLE ( "TS 2F ASK+1 8,:O >E Y8 ,I M1N1 H[
D ,I "K Y'RE QUALIFI$ 6T1* ME8 ,D Y EV5
EXI/ \TSIDE "H80 ,I SWEPT ! F+]S ( "O H&
9 A CIRCLE1 M M1N+ 65COMPASS ! A/RAL
R1LM ?AN MY G>D54
  ,JUDY GAVE ME A V BRIEF1 WRY SMILE4
8,Y M1N1 WD ,I ANSW] IF Y DROPP$ ME AN
;E-MAIL MESSAGE8 ,N USU,Y4 ,I'M T]RI# AB
*ECK+ X4 ,Z = QUALIFI$ '''0 ,%E SPR1D H]
H&S & LIFT$ H] %\LD]S 9 A %RUG4 8,I'VE
PRACTIC$ MAGIC = MO/ ( MY EXI/;E4 ,WE CD
TRY A H&;L ( LESSONS & Y CD DECIDE IF
,I'M ! T1*] = Y40
  8,MO/ ( YR EXI/;E80 ,I ?"\ T 0 A   #HB
WEIRD ^W 6*OOSE1 & X %[$ 9 MY VOICE4
,JUDY'S SMILE W5T LESS WRY & M OP54
  8,Y1 ( ALL P1 %D "K T .LIFE IS TOO
LIMIT$ A T]M = ^? :O WALK 9 O!R R1LMS40
  ,I REMEMB]$1 Q VIVIDLY1 A S\R-FAC$ %A-
MAN :O 0 IRRITAT$ AT H] UN"TLY D1? 2C %E
0 "Y 9 ! PRACTICE ( %AMANISM1 & O!RS :O
_H BE5 TOL]ANT ( H] 2C !Y _H F> M EXP]I-
;E1 EV5 ?\< "S ( !M LOOK$ M* "Y] 9 YE>S4
,I RU2$ MY H& OV] MY EYES4 8,Y1H4 ,I
GUESS S4 ,ALL "R40 ,I PRESS$ MY LIPS TGR
& LOOK$ AT H] AG4 8,ALL "R1 F9E4 ,WE'LL
SEE H[ X GOES =1 L1 ?REE LESSONS1 OKAY8
,& !N ,I GET 6REEVALUATE40 ,! CRY/AL
WALL ,I'D BUILT _H DIMM$ DUR+ \R 3V]S,N1
A PHYSICAL SIGN T ,I 0 REL5T+ M5T,Y4
  ,JUDY SMIL$ & DUCK$ H] H1D 9 ANO!R
SEMI-B[4 8,WOND];L4 ,WE'LL MEET "H TM AT
SIX 62G940
  8,SIX8 ,9 ! .MORN+80
  8,! M9D IS CLE>] & LESS BURD5$ AF
DR1M+40
  ,I GROAN$4 8,OKAY4 ,SIX4 ,GOD40
  ,JUDY GR9N$1 TOOK "O /EP BACKW>D1 &
4APPE>$4                             #HC
  8,\ ( SI<T1 \ ( M9D10 ,I MUTT]$4 ,I
WI%$ ,I ?"\ ,I'D A3OMPLI%$ RI4+ MYF (
H]1 B X 0 PA9;LLY CLE> T %E'D OPT$ 6L1VE
ON H] [N4 ,I CURL$ A LIP GR\*ILY & CA/ \
MY 3SCI\S;S1 CALL+ = ,COYOTE4
  ,"! 0 NO ANSW]4

  ,I OP5$ MY EYES AG1 WAT*+ ! CLOCK M>K
AWAY SECONDS 9 CLICKS T _HN'T SEEM$ L\D
:5 ,I W5T "U4 ,I _H FIFTE5 SECONDS (
LUN* BR1K LEFT1 &A S\R LUMP ( D\<NUT 9
MY BELLY4
  ,! SECOND H& SWEPT 6! TOP4 ,I GOT 6MY
FEET & WALK$ \ (! (FICE1 SAY+1 8,HEY10
UNBI45 :5 ,?OR A3ID5T,Y MET MY EYES4 ,HE
J]K$ 8 H1D 9 A NOD1 A />TL$1 8,HEY10
FOLL[+ ME UP ! /AIRS4
  ,ANO!R 8,HEY10 CAU<T MY ATT5;N Z ,I
H1D$ =! FRONT DOORS1 ,BILLY SW++ >.D A
CORN] 6GR9 BEEFILY D[N AT ME4 8,JOANIE4
,"! Y >E4 ,SNAKES >E GD JUJU4 ,?"\ Y'D L
6"K40
  ,I />$ AT HM =A C\PLE ( SECONDS1 !N
%OOK MYF4 8,CD'VE FOOL$ ME4 ,:AT D Y
M1N80                                #HD
  8,LOOK$ 'EM UP ON ! ,NET1 B ,I RE,Y
%D'VE "KN X 2F4 ,I M1N1 ?9K AB X4 ,!
,HIPPOCRATIC SYMBOL--0
  8--A /AFF )! SNAKES TW9$ >.D X4 ,DUH40
  ,BILLY GR9N$4 8,YEP4 ,DUH4 ,S1 Y1H1
BASIC,Y1 GD VIBES4 ,!Y'RE SYMBOLS ( H1L+
& RENEWAL & *ANGE40
  ,I ?"\ ( ,JUDY1 %IFT+ F SNAKE 6WOMAN 9
MY G>D51 & TRI$ 6SMILE4 8,GRT4 ,GD4 ,I
CD USE "S40
  ,BILLY'S EYEBR[S DREW D[N4 8,Y OKAY1
,JOANIE8 ,Y LOOK L Y LO/ YR BE/ FR40
  ,MEMORY HIT ME 9 ! /]NUM1 S R1L & IMM
T MY BR1? /OPP$4 ,I LIFT$ MY H&1 PRESS+
! HEEL AG/ MY BR1/B"O1 TRY+ 6CLE> !
TI<T;S4 ,MY HE>T P.D$ 9 FA/1 ?ICK PULSES
T BR"\ ! D\<NUT BACK UP 6! GA7+ PO9T1
MAK+ ME SWALL[ H1VILY4 ,COLOR BURN$ MY
*EEKS1 & ,I RES5T$ MY FAIR SK9 ALL OV]
AG4
  8,JOANIE8 ,>E Y OKAY80 ,BILLY CAU<T MY
%\LD]S1 3C]N WR9KL+ 8 =EH1D4 ,MY VI.N 0
CL\DY1 A HAZE SETTL+ D[N 2T U4 ,=A FEW
SECONDS ALL ,I CD D 0 REMEMB]4
  ,I 0 FIFTE5 & MY "F & ,I _H BE5    #HE
LIV+ 9 ,NOR? ,C>OL9A = OV] A YE>1 0F> !
L;GE/ "T ,I'D "E LIV$ 9 "O PLACE 9 MY
LIFE4 ,I'D N"E BE5 ANY": L;G 5 6MAKE GD
FRS2 T PRETTY1 PETITE ,S>A ,BU*ANAN _H
*OS5 ME Z A BE/ FR 0 A S\RCE ( REGUL>
AMAZE;T & PL1SURE 6ME4 ,B 9 MEMORY1 H]
EYEBR[S 7 DRAWN D[N OV] ANGRY HAZEL
EYES1 &! GOLD5-BR[N SK9 T ,I 5VI$ S M* 0
SU6US$ ) FURI\S R$4
  ,%E'D SD %E DIDN'T L HM4 ,I 0 ALR T]-
RIFI$ 0:AT ,I'D D"O 9 TRY+ 6FIT IN1 TRY+
6MAKE A BOY L ME4 ,I _HN'T M1NT = ?+S 6G
Z F> Z !Y DID1 & ,I ONLY WANT$ "S"O TO
TELL ME X'D 2 OKAY4 ,%E'D SD %E DIDN'T L
HM1 & :5 ,I'D :ISP]$ T1 3FUS$ & F"R5$1
%E'D B>K$ DERISIVE LAU<T] AT ME4 ..,I
LI$6 ,GOD1 :AT 0 ,I SUPPOS$ 6SAY1 Y1H1
,I L HM8 ,H[ OBVI\S IS T8 ,GOD1 ,JOANNE1
DON'T Y "K .ANY?+8
  8,NO40 ,I :ISP]$ X N[2 J L ,I'D D"O
!N4 ,NO1 ,I DIDN'T "K ANY?+4 ,I'D GR[N
UP SOLIT>Y 5\<1 ) MY "F R ?AN GIRLS =
-PANY1 T ,I'D H"O/LY _H NO IDEA T H]
HAIR-TOSS+ D5IAL _H BE5 A FRONT4
  ,T9Y BLACK SPOTS ( PANIC SWAM AT   #HF
! CORN]S ( MY VI.N1 ET*+ >.D ! MEMORY (
,S>A UNTIL %E /OOD \1 FULL ( VIBRANT
COLOR1 AG/ AN 9KY BACKGR.D4 ,"! 0 FE> 9
MY /OMA*1 M POT5T ?AN :AT ,I'D FELT )!
BOY4 ,! ,F/ ,BOY2 EV5 9 MEMORY ,I DIDN'T
LET MYF ?9K 8 "N4 ,PANIC $G$ "? ME1 S ,I
CD FEEL ! FL[ ( BLOOD FLUTT]+ "? MY
HE>T1 LL MISS$ MURMURS T ,I CDN'T CAT*
MY BR1? 6BANI%4 ,L ! TIDE -+ IN1 S.D
?RUMM$ AG/ MY E>DRUMS1 BLOCK+ \ ,S>A'S
^WS1 AL? ,I CD SEE !M 9 ! %APE ( H] M\?4
  ..,I'M N"E SP1K+ 6Y .AG4
  ,& %E DIDN'T4
  ,%E WAT*$ ME ) COOL 4DA9 T TURN$ 9TO
HATE :5 ,I 2GAN 6%[ A FEW MON?S LAT]4 ,!
,F/ ,BOY W5T BACK 6HIS "M'S P 9 ,CANADA1
& N"O ( U1 N ME1 N ,S>A1 C]TA9LY N !
,BOY1 "E TOLD ANY"O HE 0 ! "F4 ,:5 !
TW9S 7 BORN &! LL GIRL DI$1 ,I TRI$ 6ASK
,S>A 6SP1K = H]4 ,%E LOOK$ "? ME Z IF ,I
WASN'T "!4 ,I'D LO/ MY BE/ FR4
  ,& EV5 N[1 ALM ?IRTE5 YE>S LAT]1 TE>S
/UNG MY EYES Z ,I %OOK (F ,BILLY'S H&S4
8,I'M ALL "R40
  ,I DIDN'T S.D ALL "R1 MY VOICE     #HG
?ICK & /U6Y & -+ "? MY NOSE4 ,I 0 AFRAID
6BL9K1 = FE> ^? TE>S WD ROLL D[N MY
*EEKS4 ,BILLY'S :OLE FACE TURN$ D[N L AN
UNHAPPY ,MUPPET & HE PUT 8 >M >.D MY
%\LD]S4
  8,-E ON4 ,A COLD WA%CLO? W HELP40 ,HE
WALK$ ME D[N ! HALL1 BLOCK+ ME F ! O!R
(FIC]S' VIEW ) 8 BODY1 & U%]$ ME 96!
M5'S BA?ROOM4 ,I LET \ A /RESSY LL GIG-
GLE4
  8,I DON'T ?9K ,I'VE "E BE5 9 A BOY'S
BA?ROOM 2F4 ,I ?"\ !Y 7 SUPPOS$ 6BE ALL
DIRTY & GROSS40 ,! ^WS SPILL$ \ 9 A TOO-
HI<1 TOO-FA/ VOICE1 B X 0 BETT] ?AN
BUR/+ 96TE>S4 ,BILLY SMIL$1 PULL+ PAP]
T[ELS \ (! 4P5S] & RUNN+ WAT] OV] !M4
  8,"H Y G4 ,Y RE,Y ?9K ,MORRISON'D LET
U KEEP ! BA?ROOM ALL DIRTY & GROSS80
  ,I BURI$ MY FACE 9 ! COLD T[ELS1
PRESS+ ! WET PAP] AG/ MY EYES4 8,NO10 ,I
ADMITT$ HO>SELY4 ,MY %\LD]S DROPP$ Z !
COOL;S PULL$ "S (! BURN+ F MY EYES &
*EEKS4 ,I SNU6L$1 L[]+ ! PAP]S 6F9D
,BILLY L1N+ AG/ A S9K1 >MS FOLD$ OV] 8
*E/ Z HE FR[N$ AT ME4                #HH
  8,Y OKAY1 ,JOANIE8 ,Y WANT 6TELL ME
:AT T 0 ALL AB80
  ,I WIP$ MY NOSE ON MY WRI/ & SNU6L$
AG1 LOOK+ AWAY4 8,I'M J 2+ /UPID40 ,I 0
SU45LY TIR$1 ! PRICE ( SU45 & HI< EMO;N4
,& MAYBE ! PRICE ( US+ A P[] T ,I'D BE5
DO+ MY BE/ 6IGNORE = S"EAL MON?S4 ,I'D
BE5 UN"*I/IC,Y EMO;NAL ! "D ,I 2CAME A
%AMAN1 TOO1 N[ T ,I ?"\ AB X4 8,X'S BE5
"O ( ^? "DS4 ,I'VE BE5 UP & D[N & ALL
OV] ! PLACE40
  8,T GIRL ? MORN+ A FR ( YRS80
  8,:AT80 ,I LOOK$ AT HM1 !N DROPP$ MY
%\LD]S1 RELIEV$ = AN EXCUSE 6HANG MY BE-
HAVIOR ON4 8,NO4 ,NO4 ,I GUESS ,I'M J A
LL M FR1K$ \ AB X ?AN ,I ?"\40 ,X 0 Z GD
AN EXCUSE Z ANY4
  8,HAPP5S 6! BE/ ( U10 ,BILLY SD4 8,Y
NE$ A DR9K40
  ,MY EYES BU7$4 8,I'M ON DUTY40
  8,HOT *OCOLATE ) M9T10 HE SD1 / FIRM-
LY4 8,WA% YR FACE AG & ,I'LL BUY Y "O40
  ,A LL BUB# ( HAPPI;S BUR/ "? MY MIS]Y4
,I %U6L$ =W>D 6TURN ! COLD WAT] ON AG1
SPLA%+ X OV] MY FACE1 & R1*$ BLLY    #HI
=A DRY PAP] T[EL1 : ,BILLY PUT 96MY H&4
8,Y'RE A GD FR10 ,I SD 96! T[EL4
  8,I J "K YR -=T FOOD HOT BUTTONS10 HE
SD1 PL1S$ ) HMF4 8,-E ON1 ,JOANIE4 ,X'LL
2 OKAY40

  ,BILLY 0 "R4 ,J GO+ \TSIDE DID ME "S
GD1 EV5 IF X 0 N9ETY-?REE DEGREES & AB
EQUAL HUMID;Y4 ,I FELT SORRY =! PROTE/]S
D[N AT ! ,S1TTLE ,C5T]1 & WOND]$ H[ ! LL
GIRL 0 DO+4
  ,I 5D$ UP ) AN ,ITALIAN SODA1 2C X 0
WAY TOO W>M \ = HOT *OCOLATE1 B ! V NOR-
MAL ACT ( GETT+ A DR9K & GETT+ BACK ON
MY B1T DID A LOT 6RE/ORE MY EQUILIBRIUM4
,I _H A T5TATIVE T1*]1 : WD MAKE ,COYOTE
HAPPY1 & SNAKES 7 GD JUJU4 ,! ,9T]NET SD
S1 & IF Y CDN'T 2LIEVE ! ,9T]NET1 :O CD
Y 2LIEVE8
  ,! RE/ (! "D 0 B.S$LY NORMAL1 EXCEPT
,I 0 S GRUNGY & /ICKY ) SW1T 0! "T "W 0
OV] ,I CALL$ ,G>Y & TOLD HM N 6H D9N]
UNTIL EI<T4 ,HE SD1 8,AW1 DAMN1 & ME )!
MICROWAVE H1T9' UP ALR10 : KEPT A GR9 ON
MY FACE UNTIL ,I >RIV$ ON 8 DOOR-    #IJ
/EP1 NEWLY %[]$ & WE>+ Z LL Z HUMANLY
POSSI#4 ,= ME1 T M1NT A /RAPPY TANK TOP
) "O ( ^? BUILT-IN BRA ?+IES &A PAIR (
%ORTS T ,I 3SID]$ 6BE CUT D>+LY %ORT1
AL? ,I _H NO?+ ON ,DAISY ,DUKE4 ,G>Y >*$
AN EYEBR[ & GAVE ME A GR9 T 0 BETT] ?AN
^WS1 EV5 IF HE 0 SEV5TY-?REE YE>S OLD4
,I MO;T>ILY WI%$ ,I _H L;G HAIR S ,I CD
FLUFF X4 ,!N R1L;Y KICK$ IN3 IF ,I'D _H
L;G HAIR1 ,I'D H CUT X (F 0N[ 9 AN AT-
TEMPT 6COOL D[N1 S X DIDN'T RE,Y MATT]4
  ,! H\SE DIDN'T SMELL L HE'D BE5 COOK+4
,I KICK$ MY S&ALS (F & PA4$ "? ! LIV+
ROOM 96! KIT*51 ": COLD CUTS & CRACK]S &
FRUIT &A PA/A SALAD 7 >RANG$ R ELEGANTLY
ON A PLATT]4 ,I /OLE A PIECE ( HAM1
WRAPP$ X >.D "S *EESE1 & NIB#D4 8,Y D ?
YRF OR Y BUY X80
  ,I CD ALL B HE> ! OLD MAN'S (F5D$ LOOK
Z HE CAME 9 2H ME4 8,DID X MYF4 ,DONNO
AB Y1 B ,I ?9K X'S TOO HOT 6COOK OR EAT
HOT FOOD4 ,I GOT SALMON 9 ! FREEZ]1 B
Y'RE GONNA H 6WAIT TILL ! H1T BR1KS40
  ,I GR9N$ OV] MY %\LD] AT HM & PICK$ UP
! PLATT] 6BR+ X \ 6! LIV+ ROOM4      #IA
,"! 7 PICTURE W9D[S T W5T ALL ! WAY UP
6A VAULT$ CEIL+ OV]LOOK+ AN EXPANSIVE
FRONT Y>D FULL ( LILACS & O!R FL[]+ ?+S
,I CDN'T ID5TIFY4 ,"! 0 5 ACTUAL LAWN T
! KIDS NEXT DOOR T5D$ 6SPILL \ ONTO X1
HAV+ WAT] BALLOON FI<TS Z !Y HID 2H !
H$GES4 ,G>Y & ,ANNIE _H [N$ ! PLACE S9CE
AB #AIFE1 ?\< HE'D BE5 LIV+ 9 AN A"P;T1
HAV+ ! PLACE MOD]NIZ$ & REFURBI%$ :5 ,I
MET HM4 ,2T T &! 5D.SLY CLIMB+ R1L E/ATE
VALUE 9 ,S1TTLE1 ,I CDN'T IMAG9E :AT !
M>KET VALUE (! PLACE 0 N[4 ,G>Y CD PROB-
ABLY RETIRE RI*1 IF HE WANT$ 6MOVE \4
,OR RETIRE4
  8,LEMONADE OR WAT]80 ,G>Y ASK$ F !
KIT*54 ,MY M\? PUCK]$ UP AT ! V IDEA (
LEMONADE1 S ,I REQUE/$ X HAPPILY Z ,I
PUT ! FOOD PLATT] ON ! C(FEE TA#4 ,!
FURNITURE 0 L1!R1 B "! 7 H&-SEWN QUILTS
?R[N OV] "EY?+1 S A P]SON CD SIT D[N 9 !
>M*AIR )\T /ICK+ 6X4 ,I DID1 & ,G>Y CAME
\ (! KIT*5 )A JUG1 TWO GLASSES1 &A F+]
PO9T$ AT ME A3US+LY4 8,GET \TTA MY *AIR1
KID40
  ,I LAU<$ L A GUILTY FIVE-YE>-OLD   #IB
& SQUIRM$ \ ( ,G>Y'S *AIR 6KICK BACK ON
! C\*4 8,I _H 6TRY40
  ,HE SNORT$ & SAT D[N1 P\R+ JUICE 9TO
GLASSES T CL9K$ ) J A C\PLE ( ICE CUBES4
8,Y ALW TRY4 ,>"R1 ,JO1 S :AT'S GO+ ON
N[8 ,I G AWAY =A FEW WEEKS & MISS ALL !
GD /UFF80
  8,ONLY Y WD ?9K X'S ! GD /UFF40 ,I
SQUI%$ F>!R 96! C\* &1 2T BITES ( CRACK-
]S & M1T1 TOLD HM AB MY "D4 ,SIX MON?S
AGO ,G>Y'D ?"\ ,I 0 A HUNDR$ P]C5T 9SANE
:5 ,I CLIMB$ 9 8 CAB 9 SE>* (A WOMAN
,I'D SE5 F AN AIRPLANE4 ,0! 5D ( T SAME
MORN+ ,I'D -E BACK F ! D1D & HE 0 DET]-
M9$ 6/ICK ) ME ON ! LOGIC T ,I 0 ! MO/
9T]E/+ ?+ T'D HAPP5$ 6HM 9 YE>S4 ,?+S ,I
CD B>ELY H&LE1 L ! V IDEA (! P[] T'D
AWAK5$ 9SIDE ME1 HE TOOK 9 /RIDE1 %RU7+
(F IMPROBABIL;Y ) EASY AXIOMS AB OLD
DOGS NE$+ 6LE>N NEW TRICKS1 OR !Y'D J UP
& DIE4 ,0T /&>D1 ,I SUSPECT$ ,I'D BE5
D1D = HALF MY LIFE ALR4
  8,Y ?9K %E'S "R80 ,G>Y ASK$1 BU%Y EYE-
BR[S ELEVAT$ Z ,I F9I%$4 8,AB ! H1T WAVE
2+ "S?9' Y DID80                     #IC
  8,G>Y1 IF ,I ?"\ ,I CD A6ECT GLOBAL
W1!R PATT]NS1 ,I WD G HOME & HIDE "U !
B$ =! RE/ ( MY LIFE40 ,I />$ GLOOMILY AT
! PA/A SALAD1 MY APPETITE SU45LY G"O4
,G>Y NOTIC$ & H>RUMPH$4
  8,S Y ?9K %E'S "R40
  ,I SI<$ & SANK A FEW 9*ES F>!R 96!
C\*4 ,! QUILT SLID D[N OV] MY %\LD]1
BLOCK+ MO/ ( MY VIEW ( ,G>Y4 ,I FELT L A
,KILROY1 PEEK+ OV] X AT HM4 8,S :AT D ,I
D80
  ,G>Y GAVE ME AN 9CR$UL\S LOOK T MADE
ME WANT 6PULL ! QUILT ALL ! WAY UP S X
COV]$ ME 5TIRELY4 8,Y FIX X1 ,JO4 ,Y G
LI/5 6? DAME & Y LE>N :AT Y GOTTA D 6FIX
X40
  ,I PU%$ ! QUILT BACK UP OV] ! >M (!
C\* & R1*$ = MY SALAD AG1 PICK+ AT X )\T
5?USIASM4 8,I HATE X :5 Y'RE "R40
  ,G>Y B1M$4 8,Y GOT A LOTTA HATE GO+
ON1 !N1 D>L9'4 ,NO PO9T 9 2IN' AN OLD
DOG IF Y C'T 2 "R40
  ,A :EEZE (A LAU< ERUPT$ UP "? MY
?ROAT1 QK JOLTS T 7 M L A C\< ?AN
LAU<T]1 B A GR9 SPR1D ACR MY FACE4   #ID
8,Y1H1 Y1H Y1H4 ,ALL "R1 F9E4 ,2 T WAY4
,I'LL %[ Y40
  8,Y W80
  8,Y1H40 ,I GOT UP F ! C\*1 H1D+ =!
KIT*5 AG4 8,I'M GO+ 6EAT ALL YR ICE
CR1M4 ,S "!40
  8,:AT MAKES Y ?9K ,I'VE GOT ANY80
  8,Y'VE ALW GOT ICE CR1M40 ,I PULL$ OP5
! FREEZ] & TOOK \ A C>TON4 8,G>Y6 ,X'S
ROCKY ROAD4 ,Y "K ,I DON'T L ROCKY
ROAD60
  ,I HE>D HM KICK ! FOOTRE/ UP ON 8
*AIR1 & :5 ,I LOOK$ OV] MY %\LD] HE _H 8
>MS FOLD$ 2H 8 H1D1 EXPRES.N SMUG Z A
CAT'S4 8,N[ :O %[$ :O8 ,GET ME A B[L1
WDYA8 ,& IF Y DUMP X ON MY H1D L Y'RE
?9K9' AB10 HE A4$ A M9UTE LAT] Z ,I CAME
\ ) 8 B[L ( ICE CR1M1 8,I WON'T TELL Y
": T RASPB]RY-*OCOLATE /UFF Y L IS HID-
D540
  ,I /OPP$ )! B[L TILT$ AT A PREC>I\S
ANGLE & />$ D[N AT HM4 ,HE GR9N$ UP AT
ME G5I,Y4 8,Y\? & GD LOOKS >E NO MAT* =
OLD AGE & TR1*]Y1 DOLL4 ,:O W9S80
  8,Y D1 Y OLD GOAT40                #IE
  ,G>Y'S GR9 EXP&$ EXPON5TI,Y4 8,G>AGE
FREEZ]40
  ,I W5T \1 TRY+ N 6LAU< Z ,I GRUM#D
DIRE IMPREC,NS L\DLY 5 = HM 6HE> ME4
,G>Y'S *ORTLES FOLL[$ ME ALL ! WAY 96!
G>AGE4


















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             ,,*APT] ,,SEV5          #IG

    ,FRI"D1 ,JUNE #AG1 #E3EH A4M4
  #F3JJ A4M4 TWO MORN+S 9 A R[ 0 M ?AN
ANY CIVILIZ$ P]SON %D H 6BE>4 ,OR ME1 =
T MATT]4 ,I SAT AT ! $GE ( MY G>D5'S
POND1 N LOOK+ 2H ME4 ,I CD FEEL ,JUDY1
T5 /EPS AWAY1 /&+ 9 ! MI4LE (! V %ORT
LAWN4 ,! GRASS LOOK$1 IF ANY?+1 WORSE
?AN X _H ! "D 2F4 ,CL\DS HUNG ?ICK & L[
OV] ! CLI6S T MADE UP ! NOR!RN B.D>Y (!
G>D51 FULL (! PROMISE ( RA94 ,I FELT L T
MYF1 ON ! $GE ( OV]FL[+ ) TE>S4 ,X BO!R$
ME T ,I / FELT T FRAGILE AF SP5D+ ! EV5+
AT ,G>Y'S & EAT+ AN 5TIRE P9T (
*OCOLATE-RASPB]RY SWIRL ICE CR1M4
  ,JUDY SAT D[N 2S ME ON ! POND %ORE1
CLOSE 5 T ,I CD FEEL ! W>M? ( H] SK9
NEXT 6M9E4 ,I L1N$ AWAY SEMICONSCI\SLY1
! CL\DS ABV D>K5+ ) 4PL1SURE4 ,I MI<T
NE$ A T1*]1 B T DIDN'T M1N %E _H 6-E
B>G+ 96MY P]SONAL SPACE4
  8,": DOES ! P[] -E F80 %E ASK$ 9 A
LI<T1 LILT+ T"O4 ,X REM9D$ ME ( MY NEI<-
BOR'S CAT1 : HABITU,Y SAT 2S ! S9K & />$
AT ! FAUCET :ILE %E WA%$ DI%ES4      #IH
,:5 %E TURN$ ! WAT] (F1 HE WD ?RU/ 8 H1D
2N ! FAUCET1 Z IF TRY+ 6FIGURE \ ": !
WAT] CAME F4
  8,"EY":10 ,I SD1 A# 6ANSW] ,JUDY1 IF N
! CAT4 8,E LIV+ ?+ C>RIES P[] )9 XF4 ,A
%AMAN IS A 3DUIT1 A FOCUS1 = T P[]4 ,WE
C USE :AT'S GIV5 6U 6A6ECT *ANGES4 ,TO
H1L4 ,T'S :AT WE'RE SUPPOS$ 6D1 IS H1L40
  8,AT L1/ Y'VE LE>N$ "S?+40 ,%E DIDN'T
S.D "PICUL>LY PL1S$4
  8,G ME40 ,I WAV$ AN IMAG9>Y FLAG4 ,JU-
DY'S GAZE SLID SIDEWAYS T[>D ME1 !N AWAY
AG4
  8,ASK+ Y :AT YR _S ANIMALS >E WD 2
RUDE10 ,JUDY SD4 ,! IMPLIC,N T ,I %D
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AT ! WAT] & %RU7$4
  8,HAV5'T GOT ANY40 ,I GL.ED AT ,JUDY1
^: />E ALL B BORE A HOLE 96MY H1D4
8,:AT80
  8,Y H NO _S ANIMALS8 ,Y'VE N"E D"O A
QUE/ = "O80 ,H] EXPRES.N 0 9DECIPH]A#4
  8,I'VE D"O A C\PLE4 ,NO?+ CAME 6ME1 OR
:AT"E'S SUPPOS$ 6HAPP540 ,X IRRITAT$ ME
T MY HALF-HE>T$ ATTEMPTS 6SUMMON A   #II
_S ANIMAL FELT L FAILURES4 ,! TRU? 0 ,I
WANT$ MY CAKE & 6EAT X1 TOO4 ,I DIDN'T
WANT 6ADMIT ANY ( ? %AMANIC NONS5SE 0
R1L1 B ,I AL WANT$ 6BE A# 6SNAP MY F+]S
& MAKE X S4 ,I 0 PRETTY SURE ,I'D ?W>T$
MY [N QUE/+ EXP]I;TS )! M5TAL EQUIVAL5T
( 3CRETE BUNK]S ( 4BELIEF4
  8,IS ? RE,Y S H>D = Y 6RESOLVE80 ,JUDY
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  8,NO S5SE 9 2+ ,IRI% IF Y C'T 2 ?ICK10
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,JUDY'S M\? QUIRK4
  8,MAYBE WE C WE> "S ( T ?ICK;S AWAY4
,I C GUIDE YR SE>* = _S ANIMALS1 IF Y
?9K X MI<T HELP40
  ,I MUM#D S 9COH]5TLY EV5 ,I DIDN'T "K
:AT ,I 0 TRY+ 6SAY4 ,JUDY'S SMILE BROAD-
5$4 8,I'LL TAKE T Z A YES40 ,%E OP5$ H]
H&S1 A SK9 DRUM APPE>+ 9 !M4 8,I'LL DRUM
U "U10 %E SD4 8,>E Y R1DY80

  ,X 0 DI6]5T4
  ,! DRUMB1T RANG 9 MY BLOOD1 TA/+ L
COPP]4 ,I RAN UP A M.TA9SIDE1       #AJJ
NIM# Z A GOAT1 L1P+ F "O /"O 6ANO!R )\T
HESIT,N OR FE>4 ,! SKY ABV 0 PALE1 WA%$-
\ BLUE1 S ?9 A SP>KLE ( />S %"O "? X4
  ,6! WE/ ,I SAW A GL9T 9 ! SKY1 GOLD
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G"O AG4
  ,I CDN'T SEE OR FEEL ,JUDY ANY":1 &
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MYF UP1 MY BR1? :ISK$ AWAY 9 LL CL\DS (
H1T4 ,ICE /UNG MY PALMS & DROPS ( SW1T
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TRACK ( "T1 9*+ UP ! CLIFF4 ,MY     #AJA
>MS BURN$1 F+]S SPLAY+ WIDE 9 SE>* ( H&-
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$GE4 ,PANT+ ) TRIUMPH1 ,I SWUNG MY LEG
UP & HAUL$ MYF ONTO ! TOP (! M.TA94 ,I
/AY$ ON MY H&S & KNEES1 H1D HANG+ D[N
:ILE ,I :EEZ$1 !N PU%$ MYF 6MY FEET1
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  ,"! 0 NO?+ ON ! O!R SIDE (! M.TA94
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W9D 6KEEP ME F PLUMMET+ (F ! $GE (! _W4
  ,AB A MILLION MILES 2L ME1 AN EAGLE1
GOLD Z SUNRISE1 ROSE & FELL ON ! UP-
DRAFTS4 ,I TILT$ F>!R 96! W9D1 TRY+ TO
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EAGLE %AD[$ 9 & \ ( 4TANT CL\DS1 LI<T+
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/R1KS ( GRANITE D>K 2H ME1 MILES ( SKY 9
FRONT ( ME4 ,I SPR1D MY >MS & LEGS1
SWALL[+ AG/ PANIC & SICK;S1 TRY+ 6SL[ MY
FALL4 ,I CDN'T SEE L& 2L ME1 ONLY BLUE T
FAD$ 96/>S4
  ,W9D SLAMM$ 96ME AG1 S H>D X DROVE ME
UPW>D A FEW FEET 2F ,I 2GAN 6FALL AG4
,ANO!R UPDRAFT TOSS$ ME HI<]1 !N CUT \ F
"U ME S FA/ ,I SCR1M$1 L1V+ MY /OMA*
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  ,A GI4Y LAU< ERUPT$ F MY ?ROAT Z ,I
BANK$ 96! W9D & SO>$1 ALW LOS+ SKY4 ,I
ROLL$ ONTO MY BACK1 LOOK+ =! TOP (! M\N-
TA91 ALR S F> AWAY X SEEM$ 6G ON ="E4 ,I
>*$ MY BACK1 SPILL+ UPSIDE-D[N "? ! SKY1
EYES CLOS$ AG/ ! RU% ( AIR4
  ,TALONS P9*$ CLOS$ >.D MY \T/RET*$
>MS4
  ,I OP5$ MY EYES 6! BRILLI.E (! GOLD5
EAGLE'S BELLY ABV ME4 ,XS BELLY AL"O 0
WID] ?AN ,I 0 TALL1 & TILT+ MY H1D TO
SQU9T AT XS L5G? MADE ME FEEL L A DOLL 9
! H&S (A *4 ,! W+S1 /RET*$ 6_!      #AJC
FULLE/1 7 S BROAD T ! TIPS FAD$ 969VISI-
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Z IF !Y'D BE5 DELIB]ATELY CRAFT$ (! PUR-
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,NATIVE ,AM]ICAN MY?OLOGY1 CD FAIL 6REC-
OGNIZE ! 9CR$I# ANIMAL T _H CAU<T ME4
,CR1TOR1 DE/ROY]1 ALL->.D MAGNIFIC5T TO-
TEM CR1TURE1 S F> 2Y ! ORD9>Y ,I CR+$ AT
MYF AG4 ,I'D ?"\ A .?"UBIRD 0 A L\SY
.EAGLE8
  ,! ?"UBIRD SCR1M$1 A HI< SWEET S.D T
CD H BE5 RAGE OR PL1SURE4 ,XS CLAWS
SNAPP$ UP 6XS BELLY1 FL++ ME \ ( XS TAL-
ONS ) B"O-J>R+ /R5G?4 ,I FLEW UPW>DS =A
FEW 4CONC]T+ SECONDS1 FLIPP+ 5D OV] 5D
"? ! COLD SKY4
  ,!N XS B1K CRU%$ MY RIBS & WE FELL "?
! AIR1 ! ?"UBIRD TE>+ ME A"P & EAT+ ME4

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POPP$ OP5 6A GI2\S MOON1 HANG+ L[ & FAT
9 ! C>M9E SKY4 ,"! 7 JUNGLES1       #AJD
?ICK & LU%1 H1VY GRE5 V9ES HANG+ AG/
BLACK TREE TRUNKS1 &! AIR SMELL$ ( RI*
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! PALE BLUE SKY T W5T ON ="E1 & C]TA9LY
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9 3FU.N4 ,I REMEMB]$ "S PA91 & M FE>1 &!
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B--
  8,H['D ,I GET "H80
  ,JUDY /EPP$ UP 6MY SIDE1 SMIL+4 8,X C
2 3FUS+ = "S"O ELSE 6L1D ! _S J\RNEY4
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7 WILL+ 6GUIDE Y 6JO9 U4 ,^! >E ^? :O H
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  ,%E LIFT$ H] "R H&4 ,A COPP]H1D SNAKE1
EYES B"R & BLACK1 W.D UP >.D H] >M &
OP5$ 8 M\? WIDE 6ME4 8,! /R5G?S T SNAKES
H ,I %>E ) Y10 HE SD4 ,XS ;S'S 7 SIBI-
LANT & HISS$1 /RET*$ \ L;G 5 6MAKE *ILLS
RISE ON MY >MS4
  8,?ANK Y40 ,I DIDN'T WANT A SNAKE
GUIDE4 ,MY :OLE FEEL+ AB SNAKES 0 V
MIX$1 AF ! 5C.T] 9 ! ,D1D ,Z"O4 ,I CDN'T
?9K (A POLITE WAY 6SAY T1 ?\<4      #AJE
  ,! SNAKE FLICK$ 8 T;GUE AT ME & TWI/$
8 WAY UP 6,JUDY'S %\LD]1 PIL+ HMF 96TALL
COILS "!4 ,Z ,I WAT*$1 HE *ANG$1 H1D
GR[+ R.D]1 %\LD]S APPE>+4 ,W+S SPR\T$1 A
*E/ & SP9DLY LEGS %AP+ \ (! COILS4 ,8
D>T+ T;GUE /RET*$ & 2CAME GLOSSY & H>D1
UNTIL A RAV5 P]*$ ON ,JUDY'S %\LD]1 ONLY
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/RET*$ 8 ?ROAT & CAW$1 A S.D ( RAUC\S
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EY$4 8,! /R5G?S T RAV5S H1 ,I %>E ) Y10
HE SD4
  ,I F.D MYF SMIL+4 8,?ANK Y4 ,Y'RE B1U-
TI;L10 ,I A4$ IMPULSIVELY4 ,HE PU6$ \ 8
F1!RS1 PRE5+ ) SATISFAC;N1 !N L1P$ (F
,JUDY'S %\LD]1 W+S FANN+ \ 65COMPASS !
%AD[S DROPP$ 0! ENORM\S MOON4
  ,D>K;S SWEPT UP 96HM1 BROAD5+ 8 *E/ &
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HAIRS4 ,8 NECK EL;GAT$ AG1 FACE %ATT]+ F
A BIRD'S DELICACY 6! F9E WEI<T (A
HORSE'S H1D4 ,HE SNAPP$ 8 TAIL OV] 8
SIDES Z IF BRU%+ (F A COAT+ ( DU/1 &
PR.ED A "T OR TWO ) 8 FRONT FEET1   #AJF
2F 9CL9+ 8 H1D4 ,8 =ELOCK FELL OV] B"R
BLACK EYES4 ,LOOK+ = ALL ! _W L AN IMPA-
TI5T KID1 HE TOSS$ 8 H1D 2F SAY+1 8,!
/R5G?S T HORSES H1 ,I %>E ) Y40
  8,?ANK Y10 ,I SD A ?IRD "T1 !N1 SE>*+
= "S APPROPRIATE RESPONSE1 ASK$1 8,H[ C
,I HONOR Y80
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SOLID ?UMPS 96! D>K GR.D4 ,F "O HO(
PR9T1 ! SNAKE COIL$ UP AG1 W9D+ XF >.D !
HORSE'S LEG4 ,F ! O!R1 ! RAV5 EXPLOD$ =?
9 A FLURRY ( F1!RS & CAW+1 !N W+$ >.D TO
SETTLE ON ! HORSE'S H1D1 2T 8 E>S4 8,H[
MAY ,I HONOR Y ALL10 ,I AM5D$ HA/ILY1 8=
%>+ YR GIFTS ) ME40
  8,0HE$+ ! ^WS ( YR T1*]10 ! SNAKE SUG-
GE/$4
  8,0SEEK+ TRU?40 ,! RAV5 GAVE ! SNAKE A
"O-EY$ LOOK1 !N TURN$ X ON ME4 ,I FELT
9EXPLICABLY GUILTY4 ,NO1 N 9EXPLICABLY3
,I CD EXPLIC X P]FECTLY WELL4 ,I J
DIDN'T L TO4
  8,0A3EPT+40 ,! HORSE'S VOICE _H A RAW
T5OR 6X T %IV]$ D[N MY SP9E1 MAK+ ME
COLD DESPITE ! JUNGLE H1T4 ,HAIRS   #AJG
/OOD UP ON MY >MS1 MAK+ ME %IV] A SECOND
"T4 ,I MET ! HORSE'S EYES =A FEW SEC-
ONDS1 FEEL+ EXPOS$ & VULN]A# "U XS BLACK
GAZE4
  ,MON?S E>LI]1 "!'D BE5 A MO;T ( CL>;Y1
A MO;T :5 ,I'D "U/OOD T Z A %AMAN1 ,I CD
MAKE A R1L DI6];E 9 ! _W4 ,! 3FID;E _H
SLIPP$ AWAY ALM IMMLY :5 ! 3FLICT ) ,C]-
NUNNOS _H 5D$1 & ,I'D LET X4 ,! _W 0
SIMPL] )\T ! RESPONSIBIL;Y ,I'D TAK5 ON1
& N 2LIEV+ 0 EASY :5 "! W]5'T O!R_WLY
MON/]S 6FI<T E "D4 ,I TOOK A DEEP BR1?1
CLOS+ MY EYES & /RU7L+ 6REMEMB] ! C]TA9-
TY T _H FILL$ MY B"OS & MY BR1? =A FEW
H\RS4
  ,I CDN'T4 ,X 0 A /RU7LE1 L TRY+ 6BR+ A
FACE 6M9D CLE>LY4 ,9/1D ( HOLD+ X1 ,I CD
ONLY GRASP AT ! $GES1 "K+ ,I'D _H X &
LO/ X AG4 ,E "T ,I TRI$1 X SLIPP$ F>!R
AWAY1 UNTIL MY H&S 7 %AK+ F A :OLLY DIF-
F]5T EX];N4
  8,C Y TELL ME80 ,I ASK$1 MY VOICE
SMALL Z ,I OP5$ MY EYES AG4 8,C Y TELL
ME H[ _M "TS ,I'LL H 6REM9D MYF1 OR
RELE>N :AT ,I C D1 2F ,I 2LIEVE X   #AJH
)\T "Q80
  ,! RAV5 MADE A DERISIVE S.D1 A SORT (
TRILL T SEEM$ 6-E F 2H 8 EYES4 8,6BE )\T
"Q IS 6BE D1D40
  8,?ANKS10 ,I SD1 EQUILIBRIUM TEMPOR>I-
LY RE/OR$ 0WRY;S4 8,V REASSUR+40
  8,E "D10 ! HORSE SD4 8,UNTIL ! H\R -ES
:5 YR F/ BR1? TELLS Y ! A*ES (! _W & YR
F/ EXHAL,N H1LS !M1 E MORN+ Y'LL H 6FI<T
62LIEVE40 ,HE 9CL9$ 8 H1D1 MAK+ ! RAV5
GRIP 8 =ELOCK & SPR1D 8 W+S 6KEEP F
SLID+ (F4 8,YR NATURE IS N T ( AN EASY
2LIEV]1 B T'S N A FLAW4 ,X ONLY M1NS T
:5 Y A3EPT ! TRU?--0 ,HE SNORT$1 TOSS+ 8
H1D ) V HORSELIKE AMUSE;T4
  8,T WILD HORSES WON'T 2 A# 6DRAG ME F
X80 ,I ASK$1 SMIL+ A LL4
  8,EV5 S10 ! HORSE AGRE$4 ,! RAV5 CAW$1
CLE>LY IRRITAT$ AT HAV+ BE5 \TCL"E$4 ,I
LOOK$ D[N AT ! SNAKE1 W.D >.D ! HORSE'S
LEG1 & SI<$ Z ,I KNEEL$4
  8,:AT AB Y80 ,I ASK$ HM4 8,D Y H AN
ANSW] = ME80
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? IS R1L1 EV5 :5 Y LIVE X4 ,SS/UDY W
HELP OP5 ^? DOORSSS4 ,!N Y W N LOOK
BACK1 ONLY =W>D1 & Y W G ) /R5G?4 ,HE$
YR T1*]4 ,HE$ YR ELD]S4 ,HE$ YR SS_SS4
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SNAKE'S ^WS1 AN UGLY C.T]PO9T 6! DRUM T
/ ?UMP$ 9 ! BACKGR.D4 8,X'S "T 6G BACK10
,JUDY SD4 8,WE'LL MEET AG TM MORN+40
  8,?ANK Y10 ,I SD1 M 6! _S ANIMALS ?AN
6! WOMAN :O'D BR"\ !M 6ME4 8,I'LL TRY TO
REMEMB] :AT Y SD & HONOR YR ^WS & AD-
VICE40
  8,HONOR YR AL>M CLOCK10 ! RAV5 SU7E/$1
& ,I OP5$ MY EYES 6F9D \ ,I 0 ALR LATE =
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