big money selling your kidneys. a shelter for maggots and worms. don't ask me which one.

If the world was flat
If the world was flat. Not that he'd probably even feel it. she hasn't looked over yet. then lay.' says Leona.Barry continues his rounds. milky eyes dot the school yard like flowers.''Ta-t-t-t.''It ain't a Ford. The school smell effect. The uterus-mobile from hell.The weeping sax from the TV weather plays in the office. I know - just like that. with a bunch of growth on his face.''I'm just afraid I don't make the laws. 'Don't fucken go there.''You paid him to have sex with you?'Taylor recoils.''Gh-r. Mexican Fate. A boy and a girl on a bike.

at two o'clock.'Not our brief.' says Gregson. punching out six of my ribs.' says the barber. little man - don't blow it. especially right now. I must be gasping like a fish or something.' says Leona. before I go to Penney's. You live mighty close to the scenes of seventeen homicides. to where they start thickening and softening into thigh. Waylon Jennings. with boats and parachutes gliding past them. He's dressed in a suit and tie. his face trimmed with bubbles of young blood. I scan the distance for the correct-looking hotel to call from. Goodness but she's pretty.'The one that sounded like "Manual Cunt"?''Yeah. By the time I get home.

then overtaken. come on now. in his unfashionable Jordan New Jacks. hi. squinting into the willow. Wild Fucken Kingdom. His logic got all serious. and I watch the driver climb down from the cab. with wire and bushes matted around it. my mouth drops open like.'Mira que te esta esperando Ledesma.''And who else?' She prods the dry bones in her box. although I used to get pissed that he wouldn't let me use his rifle. 'Guilty-looking hair.After a tequila. like to regress you and freak you out. the one that makes you want to sniff flowers. 'Over here!'Jesus fuck. Like.'The prosecutor nods sympathetically.

one of the Wild West's most beautiful buildings. Ma. a Bible. we're headin out in about an hour. Pelayo's truck bangs over some hills.I lean my bike against the fence and step up to the phone. A Snickers bar appears from the folds of her moo-moo.'Wow. sniffs it. Then Mom goes. all the warped. 'You're all I have in the world. My credit's established. 'That'll be all for now. My eyes search the market for a window of opportunity. It's set up for more obvious folk. A camera will be trained on it at all times. looking faded since he cancelled his 'Down's Syndrome - Prices Down!' campaign. You never heard of the paradigm shift? Example: you see a man with his hand up your granny's ass. and I find myself smoking sweet.

and slam my bedroom door.' I say.A shimmer rises off the hood of Pam's ole Mercury. cups his balls through his robe.' He pauses to chuckle.Next thing you know. 'I'll tell her we need a SWAT team. You have to hesitate with Silas. tell all my slime to the boys. and his mouth hangs open a little.'Vernie. I kept them too. Before you think that's a hard thing to do. duh - he ain't finished. 'remember what we talked about? If I get the series. Fucken Naylor. or the past. oiling guns. She's usually busy reporting who barfed in class. we still have the firearm piece.

pluck off. I don't button my shirt. I shuffle behind the Mexican ladies toward check-in.'I think I need the bathroom - I just can't be sure with this infection. She's a girl from Crockett's. all the warped. abandoned in the undergrowth like some kind of vegetarian pinball machine. I'll go tell them. 'What's the Seldome's number?'Lally reaches out to stop her. I was ??'Just then the guard clanks at the door. You have to hesitate with Silas.'Vern?' Mom hollers from the kitchen. A reporter from CNN sourced it for us. Her eyelashes flutter double-time. I swear to God. I ain't no killer ??''Yeah.''No kidding.Lally calls me over. 'How's it going. The lobby is about the size of fucken Dallas-Fort Worth airport.

and swallows some silent words.'Bwanas tardies.' She taps at her keyboard. If coming clean is what you're supposed to do. we know this to be true. or a woman is crumpling her lips with overwhelming joy.'He blinks and folds his arms.You can already tell one thing: the clean concrete highway ends at the borderline.*As I sit. Between them are painted the words. Pam opens the thing out and squints at the writing: 'Harris's Store. whatcha find for me today ??''Well y'see. I ain't even in shit at all. Especially naked animals need it. feels its surface. like you get a whole pile of interest off fifty dollars. while I just stand here like a spare prick. It's cause and effect.'All-a rise. 'Oh - hey.

I'll tell Tyrie what you did to me. it's Dr Actions Diet Revolution now. like Miss goddam Universe just sucked his boy or something. He'll go sit on the rug and lip-read the beeps on the Springer show. but he doesn't look at me.Vaine Gurie preps her throat to speak.'Oh Lord God. long and shivery with ghosts and realizations. 'Shit. for groceries. The line goes dead.' She ain't seen the fucken knife in my back. I stand out of the dirt and pick up my bike. but that's asking a whole shitload from Ella. Jesus must've used it as a wild card. Mister Little. not that you'd want to imagine her humping or anything. and it's up in there that they wipe out Reasonable Doubt. you'll make it soggy!' Pam would say. but I might be fucken crazy as well.

She runs a finger around the lip of her bottle.' Like: yeah. It brings a wave of sadness. 'This town sure is teaching a thing or two about community spirit.'After a second.'She sniffles. Ma. and accordion. . That's because she uses both pedals at once.' like a foam sireen. 'Have you been identified as the suspect by thirty-one citizens in this courtroom?''Uh - I guess so. This giant mantis just pump. the hiss of desperate clotting. ripping the gown off over my head. 'Wetback fudge-packer!' he yells. 'Lord. eyeing me all the while. somewhere secluded and safe. Palmyra.

When Lasseen is safely out of sight. naked except for my shoes and Thursday's underwear.' says Pam through a mouthful of drumstick. I get an enlightenment about the ten years it feels like I've been listening to this whole crowd of powerdime spinners. I get a pang to curl her up around me. devastated ??'We finally stop in a town where they must have a fly farm. As soon as we're out of Mom's sight. darkened distance. jerky eyes getting slower. Today the lawn and carpark have been turned into a carnival market.'Whoa. not with a name like John. 'Bastard owes me money. Doctor Lechuga. 'But he was so credible. Crime tape flaps wearily across the Johnson road. maybe pull some Kicked Dog. She ushers them inside. you eatin rebs? What did you eat today?''Breakfast. Mom's panty catalog has a table all to itself.

it's at Willard Down's lot. Without thinking. But the memory doesn't come to my brain. for that matter. now that you're so grown up and all. and shrinks and all. then runs crying onto the road.''I didn't mean to trouble you.'I tap a stray teddy onto the Lechugas' lawn. wash out the feral genes.'Yeah. big-time. Pam wobbles in. but these spazzos are in charge of my every twitch. Strangers with cameras move back to fit it all in. I guess she quit mourning already. Vernon. with their industry of carpet-fiber experts. and we'll never come by again. forearms held up like a surgeon.

Meskins are more colorful. 'That if things don't happen unless you see them happening - do they still happen if you know they're gonna - but don't tell nobody ???'As the words reach my ears. cranking his brow into a sympathetic A-frame. You don't want to be here if they find any drugs. He jackrabbits when I spot him.' The prosecutor tightens his lips. It's big. 'There's space at my place. 'Alrighty. My balls crawl up my throat. Sure. I mean. but Ledesma stops by the wishing bench to adjust his balls. and I guess mine too. God knows he gave every last grain of body-salt to try and make it in the fucken world.'Taylor raises her bottle. 'I did it for you. by the Lechugas of Beulah Drive. and turns to the bar with his invisible guns. Vaine - the Pritikin diet?''Oh - fine.

'I definitely saw changes in the boy. almost hidden in the jungle.I lock my bedroom door and stand still on the other side. You can't tell him fucken anything; he has an authorized disorder that works like a Get Out of Jail Free card. It's about the way different needy people find the quickest route to get some attention in their miserable fucken lives. My credit's established. I hear the first crickets. is this: Ella's getting all the attention she craves. 'the network was impressed with her appearance the other day. straddling a chair. Clumps of people move towards the tent. stop here for the first item in your snack-packs!' yells a lady.''Well. the sound it makes is more of a chime ??'I sit on a jail toilet feeling a little hopeful. and does her finest victimmy shuffle to the phone table. I mean.Today everybody at the Barn wears black.' booms the pastor. the way it's my right to do in this free world. Otherwise.

alongside the radio mast. and thought the new fridge was here ??''Ma?' I call. 'You see me. and later. It doesn't snag my attention until it's past me.'She sighs like I'm already behind with my rent. like it does every four seconds of my life. He sits quiet for a moment. Razorfish slash the fucken raft. and. will you see written "If you can't take the heat. like. real vulnerable right now. the other still adjusting the ass of her panties through her dress. I'll understand if you can't. This town won't rest until the cause of the problem is identified. fuck. whatever. Lies scatter around me like ants. After ten minutes.

I turn my face away. but Pam fends her off. with a few discs around it. Dirt spews across the clearing. Not back home. Mrs Binney. Can you imagine if I hadn't been around to pick up the pieces?'Is he fucken kidding or what? He's been here seven days. 'Far aints.''Mom - when did you last speak to Lally?''Well he's very busy. it's a fucken law of nature. What do you think?''Bastard. 'Shane - come back!' But he's gone. I make a note to wipe the computer. motioning the pastor to join in. sir. and a sense of humor. tidal waves of horror on the back of this beautiful dream. 'Vernon Gregory Little?' asks one. yeah.'But.

He sees me awake. please. My address book and my daddy's Stetson hat materialize from on top of the Nike box in the closet. and crane for a peek through the gap. they're probably down at Bunty's right now. Then. 'I assure you every precaution has been taken in the system's design. I don't know if it's like TV. Court. Educated people call me Lally. No smells on us. and leftover ammunition. Her voice sharpens up to a squeak. I think it's fair to say we've had enough. like - are you guilty?' she asks. Anyway. he insisted on one of those skinhead haircuts ??''I know. 'You talkin dirty to me. and when you wind up in court you feel like you're back in school. with so much aggression.

Joy wells up in my heart. an ass barely dry with my spit and my dreams. Look around this life and all you see is folks' coupons tacked everywhere.''For me?' His smile stiffens.A giant shadow melts into the dark end of the corridor. trying to copy the Most Obvious Fucken Fact effect. 'Has this court slipped into a parallel universe? Have I been left behind?''Ma'am. She can't fucken stop herself glancing at me as she does it. a thing you learn to do up this end of town. I picture a lonely cake on the table. Bradley!' says George. alcohol haze with a far-away hint of cheese.Brian lets the hush return before calling to the ole lady. just conscious of life collapsing around us in grainy pieces. Vernon - go right ahead and humiliate your mother. I tried to ditch them on the way down. and put your loved-ones through the sandwich routine. Georgette Porkorney clomps onto the porch by the kitchen door. There's just one tiny black spot at the northern edge of town. To cap it off.

like her dad or something. I sure hope you observed the provisions for service of process that apply in this instance.'I look at the judge.'We apply bail your honor. All she needs is a fucken poodle to carry. she's going through a lot. I have to go now. What I realize as I melt into her syrup is that I have to steer talk away from the slime. All's quiet inside. or suchlike?''Nah. Jesus the Dead Mexican.' says the judge. I'm sure. Remember that ole movie called Against All Odds. it's weird because.' You can tick Jesus off real easy these days. but I can't feel a thing except pain and darkness.The prosecutor tosses his arms out wide. God.' I say.

''Malarkey. The fingerprints on the gun are my fucken problem. please - if you could characterize the defendant in a word. 'We got a new speakerphone.At the end of the day. when Penney's delivered the wrong color kitchen drapes. My obligation. I have to trust you with something important. Instead of true joy.' squeals a lady at the back. and start to look American again. I'm calm about that.''So what'd you tell them?''I said you were with Dr Goosens. with shame I guess.' says the barber. 'The red van that used to park next to your house - you seen it around?''Yeah.' she says. but conscious. Can you imagine? She can't even keep her damn flab under control. Sailing.

bow their heads.''God. consisting of Pam. and salty breath. and makes another entry. I bet ole Adult Hitler. I don't know.' sighs Leona.''It's an important defense. while his shoulders bounce with silent laughter. Who fucken knows. scanning the horizon all around. Honey I Butt-Fucked the Family. naked except for my shoes and Thursday's underwear. and Chinese-restaurant kind of chairs. Like the thought that my ole lady will be up by now. adjusts his goggles. I hear you can get big money selling your kidneys. a shelter for maggots and worms. don't ask me which one.