Piecemeal June (6 page)

good thirty pounds on Mushy. Anyway, second minute of the first round, BAM, Mushy lands an overhand right and lays this guy out, broke his jaw. Mushy looked embarrassed, half-smiling and shaking his head. Ah, that was a lucky shot I got on him. He was a tough guy. You were always such a modest guy, man. Anyway, Im going to miss you. A lot. Kevin got up and patted Mushy on the shoulder. June followed and did the same. 53 Jordan Krall Mushy got up and grabbed Kevin, giving him a great big bear hug. Right back at ya, kid. But I do know we have to get together before I go. Ill stop by in a few days. Ill call you first. Sounds good. June kissed Mushy on the cheek. It was nice seeing you fight. Take care of yourself. Thanks, hon. Mushy blushed. It was a pleasure meeting you. Kevin and June left and Mushy was alone in the locker room. Hed been fighting on and off in this same hall for fifteen years. Now, at age 35, he was getting tired both mentally and physically. He needed a change of scenery. He stuck his finger into his mouth and pulled out a bloody tooth. Rubbing his bruised chin, Mushy walked over to the dark, wet corner of the locker room. He started picking at a spot in the wall, digging out the loose rubble with his fingers until there was a hole with a two inch diameter. Mushy stuck three of his fingers in and pulled out a dozen dusty teeth. Putting them into his hand, he added his newly uprooted tooth to the collection and then put them back into the hole. Mushy pulled down his shorts and inserted his engorged penis into the hole. 54 CHAPTER ELEVEN After questioning most of the porn shop employees, Max was no closer to finding his sex doll. Motherfuck. He slammed his fist down on Gregs back. Who else is there? Greg gulped. Um, just one other guy. Wally. Hell be in soon, half hour maybe. I told you to call all the guys here NOW. I dont have all day. He was getting more frustrated by the minute. Pop was next to him, twirling his beard hairs and singing. Rocket rocket U. S.A..... His voice was whiskey-soured gravel. Max turned to him and gave him a nasty look. What the fuck you singing? Pop shrugged. I dunno. Heard it on the radio. He continued to sing but walked away from Max as to not upset him more. They waited for another forty-five minutes and finally Wally came walking in. He was a short, plump guy sporting a red and black mohawk haircut; his Crass t-shirt at least two sizes too small. On his feet were checkered Converse sneakers that had seen better years. He walked in smiling. Hey, whats going on? Whats up? Greg walked over to him, chest pushed out, playing the role of boss real well to impress Max. Where the fuck where you? I told you to be here fucking fifteen minutes ago! Wally 55 Jordan Krall shrugged. Dude, whats the big deal, its my day off anyway. He fiddled with the oversized dildos. Max gave Pop a wink and motioned toward Wally. Pop shook his head. A fist landed smack-dab in the center of the Crass logo; Wally went down to his knees. Max started asking questions and when Wally was able to finally catch his breath he started babbling. I dont know what the fuck youre talking about, Christ, fuck, I cant breathe! He lifted his shirt and examined his belly. Thatll be the least of your worries. Just tell me, did you see anyone take my shit? A sex doll, not one of those blow-up ones, a life-like doll that was in one of those boxes with the word MAX written on it. You know.. because my name is Max and anything in those boxes was MINE. Understand? So? Max felt his stomach bubble. Shit, what now? Pop walked over. Something wrong, boss? Dont worry about me. Just my stomach. Wally, my boy, where the fuck is my doll? The pieces didnt just get up and walk away on their own, did they? Is that what youre telling me? Wally sat there on the ground, his eyes filling with tears of pain and fright. He didnt know anything about a theft but he pondered the questions anyway. In a span of a minute and a half he reenacted the last week on the job. I remember something. Well then fucking enlighten us, jack-off. Max stepped closer to the punk. The cat that comes around here, Greg knows what Im talking about. One day I saw it running out of here with something in his mouth. I didnt think anything of it, figured it was some garbage or something, I dont know. But it could have been a piece of the doll but Im not sure. Thats all I remember, I swear. Max looked somewhat pleased. He doubted the kid would be so stupid as to lie to him and especially make up a lie like that. 56 Piecemeal June A cat? Thats ridiculous. Greg, what cat is he talking about? Greg looked down at his shoes. One of my tenants has a cat, sometimes comes down here. He lives upstairs. What apartment, Greg? Max lifted his chin and smiled. With a frown, Greg said, Upstairs. First door on the right. Max farted. A loud, trumpet-like call exited his ass and sent Pop walking away. Greg dared not move. Shit, my fucking stomachs killing me. Pop, take care of the guy upstairs. Im getting the fuck out of here, I gotta take a real mean shit. Pop pointed to the backroom. Just use the bathroom here. Yeah, Im gonna use the fucking bathroom in a porn shop, fucking cum puddles everywhere, you kidding me? Id rather shit in the street. He quickly ran out farting while Pop and Greg looked at each other and exchanged giggles. * * * Anyone home? Pop knocked again. He didnt think he really needed to but he figured hed give the guy the benefit of the doubt and let him answer the door like a gentleman. Then Pop would lay into him. With one downward motion, Pop breaks the doorknob with his fist sending the thing down the steps. He leaned into the door and pushed it open. Im coming in, motherfucker, ready or not. Ten minutes of searching the apartment left Pop with nothing to report back to Max. During the search, he made sure to smash the television, break the records and CDs in pieces, and kick several holes in the walls. Just as he was finishing throwing the contents of the refrigerator onto the kitchen floor, his stomach gurgled. Shit. 57 Jordan Krall It was a sharp, sudden pain of gas that started right below his belly button. He doubled over in pain as wet, warm gas escaped out of his asshole. Pop ran into the bathroom and sat down, barely having time to pull down his pants when his bowels exploded in a cacophony of rippling farts. GodDAMN! He leaned his head on his hands and sighed. Out of the corner of his eye he saw something moving. It was Mithra, coming out from under Kevins bed and walking across the floor. He stopped in front of the bathroom and sat. Oh, look who decided to come out, you little bastard. Pop picked up the bar of soap from the sink and threw it at the cat, hitting it in the ribs. Mithra squealed and ran back into Kevins room. The toilet made a sound. What the fuck? An abrasive chiming echoed out of the water, causing Pops diarrhea to bubble like stew on a stove. He sat up, liquid shit running down the backs of his thighs, and turned to look into the bowl. Oh for Christs sake, what now? A small burst shot out of the toilet, sending a tidal wave of feces and brown water up and onto Pop. He yelled, stepped back, and tripped backwards, falling on his ass. Another small eruption came next and he watched in horror as a small piece of his own shit hovered in the air towards him. It landed with a SPLAT right on his forehead. Aw, shit, shit, what the fuck, what the fuck!! Pulling his pants up on the way out, Pop ran through the doorway and down the stairs out onto the sidewalk. A couple of people looked over at him and chuckled. Pop mumbled a curse and got onto his motorcycle. Meanwhile in Kevins apartment, Mithra sat under the bed, grooming himself. 58 CHAPTER TWELVE For two hours, Simon made Steven Sigil use his cards to explore the June situation. Patiently, Steven did reading after reading, coming up with the same result almost every time. Further involvement will only bring pain. Steven hated to say those words to Simon. Steven tried to change the subject. So, I hear youre opening up a new brothel over there in Tosu. I guess youve got whores to spare, huh? He smiled. Simon shrugged. Yes, thats the plan. My harems getting too large to manage by myself and so I figured Id open up another one. Tosu seemed like the right place. There arent too many brothels there to begin with. I heard they mostly have spit-shops over there. A few of my nieces went and sold their saliva. All they had to do was fill a jar about this big, he separated his hands by six inches, and they got fifty shells each, you believe that? Without smiling, Simon chuckled. Well, we have a spit-shop or two here and they sell only diseased saliva. I bet you cant find that in Tosu. Maybe well change that, I dont know. He stood up and patted Stevens shoulder. Thanks for everything. I appreciate it. The pleasure is all mine, your holiness, all mine. 59 Jordan Krall * * * Youre shitting me, right? Max couldnt stop laughing. He sat on his couch, right below a bad surrealist painting depicting a young boy shoving a fish down his throat while tiny clones of John F. Kennedy rode bicycles around his feet. No, for fucks sake. Im not lying! Pop still felt dirty even after showering. He eyed up the artwork behind Max and rubbed his head. Ive always wanted to ask you: what the hell is that ugly piece of shit? That piece of shit is an original Tim Sullivan circa 1962. Pop looked closer at the painting. Whats it called? Worth anything? Its called Cantaloupe in my Mouth and its worth more than your goddamn life. Max laughed. You have room to talk, calling something a piece of shit considering you came to my house looking like a big old turd. Pop grunted and walked into the kitchen. He went through the cabinets and found what he was looking for: rice. With one motion he tore the box open and showered the floor. He heard Max yell What the hell you doing in there? but ignored him. Pop knelt down and caressed the grains. Within a minute, hundreds of old, nude women came to life on the floor, dancing and jumping up onto him. A group of the women held hands and jumped into his nostrils; Pop sniffed them up and fell face first onto the rice-women. The rest of them licked Pop from head to toe, devouring his dead skin cells. Max again yelled from the living room. Make me a sandwich or something, will ya? Pop gathered up the old women, grabbed four pieces of Pepperidge Farm Hearty White bread, and mashed the women into two sandwiches. He brought them out to the living room and handed one to Max. 60 Piecemeal June Whats in it? Max looked in the sandwich. Fucking cheese sandwiches? What am I, twelve years old? Despite his complaint, he took a bite anyway. He sniffed. Smells like feet. Pop just smiled and wiggled his nose; he still could hear the women in his sinuses, screeching and hollering as they were grinding their asses against his insides. With a mouthful of his cheese sandwich, Max started to talk about their situation. So, Im thinking we go back to that assholes apartment. I bring the boys with us and we take care of it. Pop nodded. Sounds good, I guess. I just dont know about that fucking place, that toilet. Dont worry about it. Just make sure you take a shit before we leave. * * * Kevin and June drove down Washington Road and turned up Main Street. While they looked for a parking spot, Kevins cell phone rang. June, can you hold the wheel? He picked up the phone while keeping an eye out for the cops; the last thing he wanted was a ticket for driving while talking on the phone. His phone said it was Ryan. Hey, buddy, whats up? Ryan answered in a panicked, breathless voice. Kevin, yo, Im in trouble, man, you gotta help me out, fucking shit, Im in trouble, please... He rambled. Sara and I were in an accident, shit, man. Shes hurt bad. Sara was the student that Ryan had been dating. Kevin winced at the sound of her name. Just thinking about his friend screwing the girl made him uneasy. 61 Jordan Krall Okay, calm down, man, calm down. Just relax and call 911. Where you guys? Were in Old Bridge by that Sunoco station. But listen, I cant call the cops. We were smoking weed, I cant fucking call 911, theyll arrest me, I cant... Ryan started sobbing. Kevin could hear him shouting at Sara who sounded like she was babbling with a mouthful of cotton. Ryan, how bad is she hurt? He couldnt bring himself to say her name. He had nothing against her, really, but saying her name made him feel like he was validating their relationship. Goddamn, man, her ... legs ... theyre off, man, I mean, theyre cut off. The dashboard cut them off. Fucking blood everywhere, man, shes still talking, still alive but please just help us, please. It sounded like Ryan dropped the phone. Kevin turned to June and whispered. Its my friend. He was in an accident. She nodded in concern. Ryan came back on the phone. Please, are you going to come? Yeah, Ill be there. But if Im not there in fifteen minutes, promise me youll call 911, please Ryan, just promise me that much. His friend was silent on the other end but after a few seconds and a couple of heavy sighs, Ryan agreed. Kevin hung the phone up. Alright, were gonna stop at my apartment first and then go meet my friend. The gravity of the situation dawned on him. Fuck, that stupid son of a bitch! June pointed to a parking spot a block away from his apartment. They parked the car and sat for a moment. Kevin leaned back and closed his eyes. Hes 25 years old and smoking pot with one of his students and gets into an accident and wants ME to help him out of it? Christ, whens he gonna grow up? Whys he dragging me into this shit? Alright, lets go. Kevin got out of the car and the two of them jay-walked across the street toward the apartment building. 62 Piecemeal June They passed Kevins favorite Mexican restaurant and he automatically took a look inside. A short, attractive young woman was working the front counter. She turned her head and spit, letting a huge mess of phlegm fly into the garbage can. Most of the mess hit the target but a few stray dots peppered the wall. Without effort on his part, an image entered his mind: himself as a miniature person standing at the bottom of the garbage can being bombarded with a heavy, stinking comet of Latina phlegm that would ultimately drown him in its yellowish deluge. June tapped his should and the thought disappeared. Hey, whats wrong? Nothing, sorry. The entire situation with Ryan got to him. He looked at June and remembered their love-making; it cheered him up quite a bit. They stopped at the door to the building and saw Greg through the door to the porn shop. Kevin waved and Greg responded with a somber nod. What the fucks his problem? Kevin rolled his eyes. His cell phone rang again. He looked at it and saw that it wasnt Ryan calling as he had expected but Mushy. Shit, Im not in the mood to talk to him now. He didnt pick up. Sorry, Mushy. * * * Upstairs in Kevins
apartment, Max and Pop were sitting on the couch eating out of a box of Capn Crunch with Crunchberries. Macchu, Pacchu, and Frank were in the kitchen going through Kevins cabinets. Max giggled. Remember that bitch we picked up in Highland Park? The one with the blue hair? High as a fucking kite on meth? He crunched down on a handful of cereal. Hell yeah. The shit we made her do, Christ. Ill tell you, you and I were drunk as hell that night but 63 Jordan Krall after I looked at all the footage, man, half the shit we recorded I cant even release or Id have lawsuits up my ass! Max let out a fart and lifted his ass off the couch. Yeah, I dont remember much of what we did but I recall a dirty toilet brush. And some oysters, I remember oysters. Pop laughed so hard he almost choked on a crunchberry. Oysters, yeah. That little bitch had it coming, asking for meth the whole time, telling us shell suck both our cocks. She wants to score, she better be ready to earn it! In the kitchen, Macchu was quiet, contemplating his role. Normally he was okay with butchering humans and sending them to the Women of the Gati. But for some reason, this situation was setting him on edge. Something wasnt right. His association with Max wasnt that appropriate to begin with but Macchu had already made temporary peace with that mistake. Bacchu threw an egg beater at Macchus head. Think fast, fuckface. Frank and Bacchu laughed. Macchu grunted and sent a handful of spoons flying at the two of them. They ran into the living room. Knock it off in there, will you? Youre like a bunch of children, for Christs sake. Max shouted. Hey, Max, Pop said, know what I heard? I heard that in Japan, a guy can walk into one of these shops and pick out a girl and go into a room with her and shell sit there right in front of the guy and spit into a clear container. The guy can actually buy her fucking saliva, can you believe that? Max chuckled. Yeah, I fucking believe it. Some sick people out there. * * * Simon straddled one of his favorite whores and found that he was 64 Piecemeal June bored. He looked down at the beautiful diseased ear that he was screwing and pulled his penis out. Leaving his harem to worry about their master, Simon left and went back to the Orange Dukkha. When he got there, Latrina was getting ready to do a reading for a hermaphroditic hermit who came down from the hills only once a year. With a respectful gesture, Simon motioned the hermit to step aside and then escorted Latrina to the back room. I want you to do a reading, Latrina. She sighed and turned her back, revealing fecal whirlpool. I dont think youre going to like what you see. I didnt want to say anything... Latrina frowned. I knew it! Simon yelled. Latrina walked toward him and put her hands on his shoulders. Relax. I think something has to be done but I think we have to do some traveling. Simons eyes grew wide in shock. So I was right? Somethings different. After you left I had Steven take a look to find out if there was anything to do with June that we should be worried about. She paused and looked down at her feet. Junes dead, Simon. She killed her husband and then herself. Latrina never withheld information even if that meant emotional devastation. Simon stood silent, eyes filling with tears, his mind and body recalling every moment he spent with the flesh-and-blood June St. clair. Latrina put her mouth close to his ear. Junes second self woke up. What? But I thought... Simons mouth opened in a grin. Thats wonderful! Latrina kissed him on the cheek. Its not that simple. Let me explain.... 65 CHAPTER THIRTEEN As soon as he put the key into the door, Kevin knew something was wrong. The doorknob fell limp and then dropped down the stairs. What the hell? The door opened and he was grabbed by the throat and thrown onto the floor. June soon followed. Kevin looked up and saw two sleazy men and three freakish looking crab-human things. He grabbed June and pulled her close. The man with the hairy chest and gold chain around his neck spoke. So, youre the asshole. The other guy smirked and scratched his crotch. He doesnt look like much. One of the crab-things came close to Kevin and snapped a claw at him, plucking a single hair out of his head. Kevin yelped and watched as the thing took his hair and flossed its yellowish teeth with it. Im Max, by the way. And these are my boys. I dont know if June told you about us but she probably should have. Kevin looked at June who was looking down at the floor. June, whats going on? Max took a step closer. Yeah, honey bunch, tell your little douche-bag friend here all about us. He crouched down and put his face to Junes. Tell him all the wet, sloppy moments we spent together. Junes hand shot up and slapped Max across the cheek, sending him backwards. Pop grabbed June by the hair and threw 66 Piecemeal June her up against the couch. Fucking cunt. Kevin lunged for Pops legs but was met with a kick in the nose. Kevins cell phone started to ring. Give me the phone, Max said and when Kevin didnt comply, he dug into his pockets and got it himself. Then he smashed it against the wall. Kevin heard the snapping of claws as the crab-creatures taunted him. He closed his eyes. Immediately he thought of Mushy, thought of all the times he saw him get his brains beat in and how he didnt try to talk Mushy out of it. He thought of Ryan and his now legless girlfriend. Then he heard the pitter-patter of cat feet. From out of the bedroom Mithra came running, carrying another tarot card in his mouth. The cat dropped it at Maxs feet. What the fucks this? Max picked the card up: the Three of Swords. A faint sound of rumbling came from the bathroom. It got louder and louder, ajarring din of watery commotion and metallic clanking. Max motioned for Pop. Go check it out. As Pop walked with trepidation to the bathroom, a figure appeared in the front doorway. It was Mushy. Hey Kevin, I tried calling you, he stopped himself once his eyes took in the scene. Max was about to order Macchu, Bacchu, and Frank to slaughter the intruder but was interrupted by the explosion: gallons upon gallons of chunky shit-water spilling out from the bathroom. Pop was carried in the mess and landed on top of June. Get outta the way, you little bitch! He gave June a punch in the jaw. Mushy reacted. Despite being a fighter, he was generally a well-mannered guy. As soon as he saw that biker piece of shit punch that nice girl in the face, his blood boiled and his mind blocked out the reality of the flood of shit that just exploded from the bathroom. Ankle-deep in bowel soup, Mushy landed punch after punch on Pops skull. His arthritic knuckles cracked from the 67 Jordan Krall force but Mushy kept at it, making the skull crackle and pop like a plastic Easter egg. Chunks of Pops skull flew across the room and landed in Mithras litter box. He spent his last living moments thinking about his fish. Whos gonna take care of them? Theyre saltwater fish. Theyre fragile! And then his body and mind surrendered. Max was stunned. Macchu, Bacchu, and Frank looked horrified as if they knew what was coming. There was no longer a toilet in the bathroom. In its place a bald woman stood, naked and covered in brown streaks. She turned around, revealing a large swirling pit in her back. Kevin thought it looked like a big old puddle of shit. An arm appeared out of hole. Then two arms. Then a head. A torso. Legs. A whole man squeezed out of the womans back and plopped onto the floor. He was dressed in regal robes which were also stained with brown and black streaks. The man stood up and looked at the three crab-creatures. You little ingrates! Ill deal with you three later! He pointed his finger at each of them. They scurried back with their heads down like scolded puppies. Maxs jaw fell open as if he knew he was figuratively and literally in the deepest shit of his life. Simon looked at June. Do you remember who I am? She looked up at him and nodded her head. There was a layer of her consciousness that knew everything about this man. She knew that for a very short time she was his Most Holy Whore. But she also knew that it wasnt completely her, that it was only some distant part and that fact was overwhelming. She sobbed into Kevins chest. Kevin, all things considered, was holding up pretty well. His main focus was fucking up that guy Max. Asshole, fucking sleazy piece of shit motherfucker... And then it dawned on him: he recognized this guy from some porno movies. Kevin remembered some videos that he saw; the degradation and misogyny 68 Piecemeal June made him sick to his stomach. This was the guy. He thought of him doing those same things to June. Fucking cocksucker. Simon walked into the living room and stood face to face with Max. And you. I no longer needed your services, I dismissed you and you have the gall to use my assassins for your own purposes? He motioned for Macchu, Bacchu, and Frank. They came out of hiding and stood behind Simon. Max, I hope you fully understand that youre now in a world of shit. Maxs eyes were bloated and fearful. His face turned red and with all of the bravery he could muster, he squeaked out one last attempt at machismo. Fuck you. It was barely audible. Simon chuckled. As King Dallas once said Ask not what your body can do for you, ask what I can do with your body. He put his hand on Macchus shoulder. I forgive you. Now take care of this piece of scitte. I want him part of my harem by tomorrow morning. Before Max could cry out or fight, the three creatures that, earlier that morning where snuggling in bed with him, proceeded to rip him to shreds in a matter of seconds. Frank especially took great pleasure in the kill; he had always taken reservation with Maxs letting Macchu pick the restaurant theyd get takeout from. Latrina put her hand on Simons shoulder. Are we done now? He didnt answer. Mushy, who just got finished pounding Pops skull into paste, walked up to Latrina and knelt down. Take me home, take me home, take me home, I dont want to go to Shadow Hills, dont want to crash, dont want to die. She nodded. Simon bent over and took June by the hand. I know youre confused, filled with a million memories that dont feel like your own. I want to help you make sense of it all. But you have to come back with me. Youre part of a love I once knew. She looked him in the eyes and tried to force herself to feel as if she 69 Jordan Krall had no choice in the matter. It would have made it a lot easier. But she knew that wasnt the case. She had a choice. Every one of her consciousnesses screamed to stay with Kevin. Im staying, Im sorry. She pulled her hand away. Simon turned around to Latrina, hoping for some support but was shocked at the sight of her on her hands and knees as she allowed Mushy to climb into the hole. Simon was heartbroken. His true love had committed suicide and now the only remnant of that love was being denied to him. Normally, in his world, he would have solved things by force, by some sort of authoritarian order. Unfortunately, Simon knew that not all of his powers extended to this reality. Besides, he didnt want to take her by force. He wanted her to want to go. Otherwise, what was the point? Mushys head was peaking out of Latrinas hole. He looked over at Kevin and June. Im going home! he yelled and then was completely swallowed in a brown splash. Simon turned his back on June and Kevin. Fine. He threw himself into Latrina who then fell into the pond of sewage that was covering the floor of Kevins apartment. She slowly disappeared beneath the surface. June and Kevin exchanged a tight, passionate hug. She put her plastic lips to his and breathed into his mouth. I love you. Though he tried not to, Kevin started crying. I love you, too. He blubbered into her cheek. I love you. As if sensing the affection and wanting to be in on it, Mithra came running out and turned over, revealing his belly. Kevin rubbed the cat and continued to cry. June wiped away his tears. Kevin? Yeah? I think Im pregnant. 70 EPILOGUE The Orange Dukkha was filled to capacity and Simon had a front seat for the event. Steven Sigil came out into the ring and shushed the audience. As you know, Im well known for being somewhat of a great fortune teller. Recently, in an epiphany of even better fortune, Ive given up that field and have taken up a new trade! The audience jeered as Steven began to do sloppy sleight-of-hand tricks involving live clit-fish that he secured from Simons pond. When he finished, the audience cheered, not in appreciation of Stevens tricks but for the fact that they were now over. He was not aware of this. Thank you! Thank you! Now, for the main event. Two new-comers to the Orange Dukkha. In this corner, he motioned to his left, standing five-foot-two and a hundred and twenty pounds, Max Fish-Faced Alexander! In the corner stood a monstrosity made of both animal and human parts. Maxs face stared up from a misshapen skull, his lips pursed together as if he just ate something sour. And in this corner, standing six-feet-four-inches tall and weighing two hundred and fifty pounds, Mushy Pop Popper Nebuchadnezzer! The audience screamed and threw tiny crab shells in the ring as a show of support. Simon sat silently, still lamenting June. Latrina came up behind him. Howre you feeling? He shrugged. How do you think? Oh, youll get over it. By the 71 Jordan Krall way, she looked over at the ring, I thought you were keeping Max for your harem? Simon couldnt help but laugh. Yeah, well I spent all day yesterday dragging him around the east side, letting the locals face-fuck him. So I thought Id give him a break and have Mushy have a crack at him. Well see how it goes. His eyes spotted someone across the room. Oh, there he is, you want something to eat? Coming through the crowd was a young boy holding a large fish. The boy stuck the fish down his throat andjammed it in and out, choking himself. Mucus dribbled out of his nose and as he pulled the fish out, its mouth filled with an assortment of cheeses. The boy made his way over to Simons table and presented the cheese-filled fish mouth. Would you like a treat, sir? The boy smiled with all the intensity of a roomful of hungry cats. Simon leaned forward and sniffed. He sniffed again. He cleaned out his nostrils with two fingers and then sniffed a third time. Smells like feet. The boys smile got wider. And your point, sir? THE END 72 Jordan Krall is a bizarro author and special education teacher. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, stepdaughter, and cat. His influences include film noir, true crime, Jim Thompson, Buddhism, Elmore Leonard, and squid. When he is not reading, writing, or teaching, Jordan is watching The Karate Kid Part III. Visit him online at www.filmynoir.com ,/,-.-..r.1.5.. 4......,2,...2.,, 4.,fie;:; "..-- 4-: ,:. .r,,,-,,, 1 - ,.... r ' f. 4,=.- -P.:-..0,5, 19, ,,,, , . ,.....Y.e,, 4,;,..,,,1 ' -;&.,Nr e .t r"4-?"-i;.. -