tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23924536620768171582024-03-04T23:05:53.194-08:00Bus Full of LosersJohn Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-127950693551330502014-09-12T11:53:00.001-07:002014-09-12T11:55:07.234-07:00Meet My Character<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 10px; min-height: 15px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span>Thanks to <a href="http://www.maxeverhart.com/" target="_blank">Max Everhart</a> for tagging me in the Meet My Character Blog Tour. This was fun.</div>
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Snakeskin from my work in progress/ almost finished novel, <i>Tuskaloosa</i>.</h3>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1) What is the name of your character? Is he/she fictional or a historic person? </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Rusty Jones aka Snakeskin. He’s totally fiction.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">2) When and where is the story set? </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The story is set between 1984 and 2014 along a fictional version of the Black Warrior River, just south of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">3) What should we know about him/her? </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Snakeskin is a cold-hearted killer, a man that kills without thought or remorse. He has a thing for innocence though, and refuses to hurt children. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">4) What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life? </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Snakeskin’s life was messed up from birth. His mother (before he killed her) was the most feared criminal in the county. When he was fourteen, he was bitten in the face by a water moccasin. The bite created necrotic tissue on his cheek, and his nickname. When he was fifteen, something else happened that I can’t share because it would spoil the entire book. But let’s just say, it changed his life and him into a killer.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">5) What is the personal goal of the character? </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">To make the world a better place through murder and torture. Seriously. That’s how he thinks.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">6) Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it? </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Tuskaloosa</i>. I’m putting the finishing touches on it now, and then my agent will try to sell it.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">7) When can we expect the book to be published? </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Who knows, but hopefully soon?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Here’s a little piece:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I borrowed Martin’s boat the next day. I changed my tactics and began asking around the Crook for Snakeskin instead of Rusty. The responses changed considerably. Everybody knew where he was, or at least claimed to. Jeannie Mitchell, who still drove the same old boat with the same old outboard motor she’d driven when I was just a kid, told me between handfuls of sunflower seeds that he had a place up in Tuscaloosa now with “the rich a-holes.”</span><span style="font-family: Courier; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Hank Burnside grunted at me as he worked on his dock. He stood knee deep in the river, a toolbelt slung around his bare shoulders, trying hard to tighten a striped bolt on his slide before his grandkids came to visit. “He don’t stay nowhere. That’s by design. Like a ghost on the fucking wind. You don’t go looking for Snakeskin. He’ll find you if he wants you.”</span><span style="font-family: Courier; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> I came to Joe Chambers next, who looked like he was on death’s doorstep. Liver spots all over his face, nothing but pure skin and bones. He sat on his dock wetting a line and drinking Wild Turkey straight from the bottle. He waved when he saw me, but once I began talking to him, I realized he didn’t remember me. He just waved at everyone. “Snakeskin?” he said. “Hell, Snakeskin lives in his truck. It’s geared so low, you’ll hear him coming from a mile away. It’ll shake the damn road, it rumbles so much.”</span><span style="font-family: Courier; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> He raised a bony finger and jabbed it at me. “But you don’t want to find Snakeskin. Hell naw. Something in the boy’s brain ain’t right. He suffers from an affliction that ain’t in no medical book. It’s a meanness, but it ain’t the ordinary kind. It’s a deeper and uglier and more lonesome than any meanness I’ve ever seen, and when it comes at you, it don’t hesitate. Man moves like a panther, always a pounce away from introducing a man to his maker. A man like that don’t remember nothing nice about life, not even from childhood the way the rest of us do. Once I heard he was running with Denton Price, I saw his kind of meanness straight on. What Crook kid would take up with the man trying to run us down to Bibb County? Even the meanest sumbitch around here has some pride about his home. But, the devils always do find one another.”</span></div>
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John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-29236706402369110272014-04-28T08:07:00.002-07:002014-04-28T08:12:39.984-07:00Updates!It's been a while. <br />
<br />
I've been busy, too busy to check in, I suppose. But here's what you missed:<br />
<br />
-My debut novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Year-Storm-John-Mantooth-ebook/dp/B0095ZMT1Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398697871&sr=8-1&keywords=the+year+of+the+storm" target="_blank">THE YEAR OF THE STORM</a>, came out from Berkley.<br />
<br />
-My enovella, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Branch-Novella-John-Mantooth-ebook/dp/B009KUNPAS" target="_blank">BROKEN BRANCH</a>, came out from Penguin.<br />
<br />
-My agent, Beth Fleisher, retired. That was unexpected, to say the least.<br />
<br />
-I wrote a book called TUSKALOOSA. It's a crime novel about a fictional community in Alabama.<br />
<br />
-THE YEAR OF THE STORM was nominated for a<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bram_Stoker_Award_for_Best_First_Novel" target="_blank"> Bram Stoker Award for First Nove</a>l. <br />
<br />
-I found a new agent, <a href="https://twitter.com/alecdshane" target="_blank">Alec Shane</a>. He's with Writers House. He's super smart and very enthusiastic about TUSKALOOSA. With a little luck, you'll see it in print sooner than later.<br />
<br />
That's about it. Hopefully, I'll be checking in a little more regularly around these parts.<br />
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<br />John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-20231370318422736832013-06-05T09:35:00.001-07:002013-06-05T09:35:47.584-07:00Highlights from Release Day<br />
Yesterday was release day for The Year of the Storm. It was also a day full of links and excitement surrounding the book. Here are the highlights:<br />
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Interview at Litreactor<br />
<br />
http://litreactor.com/interviews/10-questions-with-john-mantooth<br />
-This is my favorite because I really respect Keith Rawson as a reviewer and this is what he says about The Year of the Storm in his introduction:<br />
<br />
Debut novels are a dime a dozen; I hate to say it, but it’s a cold hard fact. With the sheer number of books being produced by the big 5, small presses, micro presses, and no presses on a daily basis, it’s near impossible for a first time storyteller to gain any sort of attention for a project they’ve slaved over their entire lives, which is a shame. But it is what it is, and I’m more than guilty of passing over a debut author because one of my standard bearers has a new novel coming out the same day.<br />
<br />
But there are debuts which immediately grab my attention and demand to be read, and The Year of the Stormby John Mantooth is the very definition of “attention grabber.” It is a flat out page turner. It is a rare thriller which combines elements of rural noir, supernatural horror, and is an intense dual coming of age story that is as spellbinding as anything from horror masters such as Stephen King and Laird Barron.<br />
<br />
The Year of the Storm is without question my debut novel of 2013, and one which I hope you’ll be willing to take a chance on.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Guest blog at SFsignal<br />
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http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2013/06/guest-post-john-mantooth-on-fitting-a-square-book-in-the-round-hole-of-genre/<br />
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<br />
<br />
Interview at My Bookish Ways<br />
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http://www.mybookishways.com/2013/06/interview-john-mantooth-author-of-the-year-of-the-storm.html<br />
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<br />
Interview at The Qwillery<br />
<br />
http://qwillery.blogspot.com/2013/06/interview-with-john-mantooth-author-of.html<br />
<br />
<br />
And at my buddy Kurt's blog<br />
<br />
http://kurtdinan.wordpress.com/2013/06/05/a-conversation-with-john-mantooth/<br />
<br />John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-34625893303979950662013-05-31T15:20:00.002-07:002013-05-31T15:21:52.826-07:00Very Random Thoughts Four Days Before The Release of My NovelOn Tuesday, my first novel hits the shelves. It's something I've dreamed about for a very long time, certainly since high school, but most likely even before that. How does it feel? It feels good, of course. It feels like I've accomplished something. It feels like the end of a journey, but also the beginning. I'm anxious, but it's the kind of anxiety that is a privilege, so I'll savor it rather than complain about it. Mostly, I just want the day to come already.<br />
<br />
I'm also feeling nostalgic. Reflective is the best way to put it, I suppose. I'm thinking about my old house, the little room with the IBM computer, typing away on that fantasy novel that nobody bought (hell, I couldn't even get an agent to read the thing). I'm remembering waiting in front of the IBM for an email to pop up that would tell me I had finally made a pro sale. When it finally did, I felt a momentary twinge of pleasure and got back to work, wondering what it would feel like to sell a novel one day. I imagined myself running around the house, screaming my head off. I imagined a release of every tension I'd ever pent up, my eureka moment, my salvation from a world that was increasingly boring and scary to me. When we moved to the new house, I started selling more short fiction. I felt momentum building, even while I saw so many holes in my ability, my stories, my craft. I sold a story to Ellen Datlow for her <i>Haunted Legends</i> anthology, and this was the closest I ever came to my eureka moment. I ran to the door and hollered for my wife. She came running because she thought I'd been injured. I was barely able to get the words out, to tell her that I'd sold a story to <i>the</i> anthology that everybody wanted to be in. This was a turning point. If I could write a short story that Ellen Datlow wanted, I could write a novel that one of the big six wanted. It was probably a little irrational, but that's how I saw it at the time.<br />
<br />
When I finally did sell the novel, it wasn't like I expected it to be. There was no single moment when everything changed, but rather little ones that allowed me to gradually get used to the idea my book was going to be published. First there was the call from my agent. An editor wanted to talk on the phone. <i>Does that mean she wants to buy the book? </i>I asked. <i>Maybe. Maybe not</i>, she said. Then I was asked to rewrite and resubmit. I did. An email came. The editor was pleased with the changes. <i>Does that mean she wants to buy the book?</i> I texted my agent. <i>Maybe. Maybe not</i>, she texted back. When it was finally official, I was ecstatic, but I didn't run all over the house screaming my head off. Instead, I sat in a chair in my front yard (this was almost exactly a year ago) and soaked it all in. I was thankful. I was excited. But I also wanted more. I'd heard about this sort of thing before. Wanting more, never being satisfied. I believe it was John Rector who first told me that there's always another novel to write, always another goal, and that I should just enjoy the ride of the first one because it would never happen again. He was right, even though I think I've worried far too much over the course of the year to actually make a case that I've been "enjoying the ride." But it's not to late to start is it? <br />
<br />
Four more days. I'm going to enjoy all of them.<br />
<br />
After that I'm going to get that next novel finished.<br />
<br />John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-51074486381561388612013-02-15T14:41:00.004-08:002013-02-15T14:45:02.009-08:00Four Months<br />
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In four months, The Year of the Storm comes out from
Penguin/ Berkley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though it's
still a ways away, I've got a few updates to report.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, I can finally reveal the cover...</div>
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I'm extremely pleased with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you think?</div>
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Speaking of extremely pleased, I also have received the
first two blurbs for the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://johnrector.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">John Rector</a> has been a friend since I began writing back in
2002 when we were both publishing in little for the love magazines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has since gone on to be a
bestselling author, and I've, well, I'm trying. Heh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, he was kind enough to read TYOTS for me and he
offered this amazing blurb:</div>
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"Powerful, dark, and heartfelt. The Year of the Storm
is a wonderful coming of age novel by a very talented new writer. An astounding
debut."</div>
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- John Rector Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of
Already Gone, The Grove, and The Cold Kiss.</div>
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Pretty cool, huh?</div>
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The second blurb comes from <a href="http://frankbillshouseofgrit.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Frank Bill</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you're not familiar with Bill, you
will be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He's already published a
universally well-regarded collection called Crimes in Southern Indiana, and
he's got an awesome looking novel due out this spring from FSG called
Donnybrook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here's what he had to
say about TYOTS:</div>
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“A dark and mysterious southern-gothic story with hints of
Tom Franklin’s Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter and Stephen King’s novella The
Body, John Mantooth’s voice is masculine and powerful, flavoring the pages with
the Alabama wilderness, the turmoil of family and how all of these elements
work to shape and nurture teenage boys into men.”</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-Frank Bill,
author of Crimes in Southern Indiana and Donnybrook<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I've got to say, that one feels really good as I am a huge
fan of The Body and Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure my book's in the class of those two, but I've never
been one not to take a compliment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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If any of this looks interesting to you, I do hope you'll
consider preordering...</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Year-Storm-John-Mantooth/dp/0425265749/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_3" target="_blank">amazon</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-year-of-the-storm-john-mantooth/1112758049" target="_blank">barnes and noble</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780425265741-0" target="_blank">powell's</a></div>
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John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-2529425160964071392012-12-29T11:55:00.003-08:002012-12-29T12:02:33.991-08:00Five books I loved in 2012<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't know when these books were published, I only know that I read them in 2012 and each book, in its own way, took over my life for a little while (the way all good books should). Here's the list in no particular order with links so you can order them!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dare-Me-Novel-Megan-Abbott/dp/0316097772/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356809781&sr=8-1&keywords=dare+me" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #444444; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dare Me- Megan Abbott</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheerleading goes noir. A beautifully written novel. I'm always in awe of how Abbot gets into secret worlds, in this case it's the secret world of cheerleaders and teenage girls.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Volt-Stories-Alan-Heathcock/dp/1555975771/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356809989&sr=1-1&keywords=volt" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Volt- Alan Heathcock</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For some reason, I didn't read many collections this year. I suppose it was because I was working on a novel, but this one by Heathcock reminded me why I love collections so much. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">This guy can write, and though the stories are typically dark and gritty, there is an underlying grace that I really admired. </span> Well worth checking out. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Next-Time-You-See-Me/dp/1451683367/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356810074&sr=1-1&keywords=the+next+time+you+see+me" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">The Next Time You See Me- Holly Goddard Jones</span></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A gorgeous novel that switches viewpoints between characters that enthrall and disturb in equal measure. I loved the middle school angle (I teach middle school), and this novel solidifies HGJ's status as one of my favorite writers.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Calls-Inspired-idea-Siobhan/dp/0763655597/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356810537&sr=1-1&keywords=a+monster+calls" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Monster Calls- Patrick Ness</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm a sucker for novels that blend reality and fantasy so smoothly. Also, I think Ness nailed the teenage angst and confusion when dealing with a sick parent. A fast, touching read. Really excellent art, too.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Devil-All-Time-Donald-Pollock/dp/0307744868/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356810802&sr=1-1&keywords=the+devil+all+the+time" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Devil All the Time- Donald Ray Pollack</span></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A dark, dark midwestern gothic about the wages of violence. Hell, I'd even classify it as straight up horror. This book isn't for everyone, but if you like McCarthy, Gay, Franklin, etc., you will devour this one.</span>John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-13069762591861920072012-12-06T14:19:00.000-08:002012-12-06T14:21:32.379-08:00The Next Big Thing or A Day Late and a Tag ShortApologies to <a href="http://luxferre.wordpress.com/2012/11/28/the-next-big-thing-round-robin-invitational-embloggening-continues/" target="_blank">Bracken MacLeod</a> (who so kindly tagged me in this blog tour) for dropping the ball and coming in late with my post. I'm also going to be one person short, as I only managed to wrangle four of the five people required.<br />
<br />
So, rather than waste anymore time, I'll get started.<br />
<br />
<strong>1. What is the title of your book?</strong><br />
<em>The Year of the Storm.</em><br />
<br />
<strong>2. Where did the idea come from for the book? </strong><br />
<br />
It came from two places. First, that place inside of me that wonders about missing people. What about the ones who are never found? Where do they go? Letting my imagination run wild with that led to the book. The other place the book came from was a painting. It was passed down to me after my grandmother died, and according to the story my aunt told me, the artist was one of my grandmother’s sisters. My aunt described her as different. Quiet, withdrawn. She wrote poetry and painted. Never married. The painting itself reflects this kind of quiet solitude. It’s just a little cabin in the woods at dusk. There’s a lake nearby. A single light burns inside. I put it aside but never stopped thinking about it. Somehow, it merged with my curiosity about missing people, and I had the seeds of the book. If I say much more, I’ll risk giving stuff away, so… next question.<br />
<br />
<strong>3. What genre does your book fall under? </strong><br />
<br />
Southern Gothic. Is that a genre? If not, I’ll say literary horror. <br />
<br />
<strong>4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? </strong><br />
<br />
Well, the main character is fourteen, and I don’t know the name of a single actor that age, but the secondary character, Walter Pike, is a quick-tempered Vietnam vet, and I think Robert Duvall would be perfect for him. <br />
<br />
<strong>5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? </strong><br />
<br />
That’s tough. How about...<br />
<br />
Boy tries to find his mother and Autistic sister who have disappeared in the Alabama woods.<br />
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<strong>6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency</strong>?<br />
<br />
I’m represented by Beth Fleisher of Clearsailing Creatives. She’s great! And THE YEAR OF THE STORM comes out in June 2013 from Berkley/ Penguin. You can preorder it <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Year-Storm-John-Mantooth/dp/0425265749/ref=pd_sim_b_1" target="_blank">here</a> for a very discounted price.<br />
<br />
<strong>7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?</strong><br />
<br />
First draft probably took about eight months. The other drafts took about two years.<br />
<br />
<strong>8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre</strong>?<br />
<br />
That’s tough. <a href="http://www.elsewords.com/" target="_blank">Beverly Bambury</a> was kind of enough to read this for me when it was in the final editing stages and she compared it to <em>Boy's Life</em> by Robert McCammon (which I love) and <em>The Thief of Time</em> by Clive Barker (which I’ve never read).<br />
<br />
<strong>9. Who or What inspired you to write this book?</strong><br />
<br />
See answer #2<br />
<br />
<strong>10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest</strong>?<br />
<br />
Well, as you might expect from a book titled THE YEAR OF THE STORM, there’s a lot of bad weather in there. And ghosts. Murder too. Oh, why don’t I just say it? There’s something for everyone.<br />
<br />
<br />
I've tagged four others that will posting on their respective blogs sometime next week. First up is the inimitable <a href="http://samwanderson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sam W. Anderson</a>. I've known Sam since 2006, and not only is he a phenomenally talented writer, he's also one of the true nice guys in the business. Do check out his Money Run stories <a href="http://www.amazon.com/American-Gomorrah-The-Money-Omnibus/dp/0615676936/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354830474&sr=8-1&keywords=sam+w.+anderson" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Next is <a href="http://usmantm.blogspot.com/2012/08/review-of-my-story-demon-in-mughul.html" target="_blank">Usman Tanveer Malik</a>. I met Usman at the Horror Library on Zoetrope. He's been extraordinarily supportive of my writing, and I hope to be able to return the favor to him one day. He doesn't have a lot out there right now, but I have a feeling that's going to change soon.<br />
<br />
Speaking of supportive, I've also tagged <a href="http://www.eriksmetana.com/" target="_blank">Erik Smetana</a>. Many of you probably know Erik as the editor of the sports infused journal, <a href="http://www.stymiemag.com/" target="_blank">Stymie</a>, but Erik is also a very talented writer in his own right. I'm looking forward to seeing what he's working on next week.<br />
<br />
Finally, I'd like to introduce <a href="http://blog.dannyevarts.net/" target="_blank">Danny Evarts</a>. He's not a writer. He's an artist. And a damn good one too. I know because Danny did the interiors for my collection, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shoebox-Train-Wreck-John-Mantooth/dp/1926851544/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354831643&sr=8-1&keywords=shoebox+train+wreck" target="_blank"><em>Shoebox Train Wreck</em></a><em>, </em>and if you've seen the book, you've seen how amazing they are. Like all the others I've tagged, Danny is one of the good guys, and I'd love to work with him again.<br />
<br />
Well, that's it. Go ahead and check out the other blogs and be on the look out for their posts on Dec. 12.John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-12649309853822394162012-07-25T15:07:00.001-07:002012-07-25T15:07:51.025-07:00Changes<i>Slip</i> is no more. Well, the book still exists, but the name is history. The new title is <i>The Year of the Storm.</i> I think this is a better fit and will work better with expected cover art, not to mention that it's more evocative than <i>Slip. </i>It was tough to let go at first, but now I'm completely sold on the new title. Just need to get used to referring to it as <i>The Year of the Storm.</i><br />
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
Another change is the release date. Instead of the fall of 2013, the book will be out in June of 2013. Very excited about this as well. Less than one year!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
More later.</div>John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-53968874770159513822012-06-16T19:42:00.001-07:002012-06-16T19:43:10.634-07:00I Officially Have Something to Post AboutI don't update this blog much. Mostly because I'm pretty boring. I teach. I write. I read. I do the family thing. I check email for good news from my agent. That's pretty much it. That and fail miserably at trying to promote my fledgling writing career.<br />
<br />
Then one afternoon, my humdrum existence was interrupted when I innocently checked my email and found one from my agent (the talented Beth Fleisher). It said that an editor from Penguin wanted to talk to me on the phone about possibly revising <i>Slip</i> (that's my Southern Gothic, murder mystery, coming of age story set in rural Alabama). I immediately emailed Beth back and said I might possibly be able to make some time to discuss <i>Slip</i> with an editor from Penguin (actually I said, ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME? OF COURSE I'LL TALK TO HER). <br />
<br />
From there, things got crazy. The editor, Amanda Ng (smart editor that she is) said the book needed to be pushed a little bit in a certain direction (I'm not telling what direction), and I agreed. So, I immediately spent the next two weeks pushing. Pushing very hard. I pushed and I pushed and I pushed some more until I had a much better book. I sent it back in, and <i>five days later</i> my agent texted me and said we had an offer. Who said publishing was slow? <br />
<br />
Did I mention the offer was from Penguin? I'm still reeling a little from it all. <br />
<br />
Details? I'm glad you asked. Trade paperback and e-versions, due out in the fall of 2013 from Penguin/ Berkley.<br />
<br />
That's all I know for now.<br />
<br />
<br />John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-3210302966857773472012-04-07T09:32:00.000-07:002012-04-07T09:32:34.844-07:00Free StoryHere's a free one from my collection, <i>Shoebox Train Wreck</i>. If you enjoy it, please consider picking up a copy. Links to buy are <a href="http://shoeboxtrainwreck.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Originally published at Thuglit.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h1 align="center" style="page-break-before: always; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">HALLOWEEN COMES TO COUNTY RD. SEVEN<o:p></o:p></span></h1><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">settles</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">back</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">down</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">on</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">couch</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">with</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fresh</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">beer,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">as</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">starts</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">another</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">porn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">flick.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">doesn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">say</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">anything,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">opting</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">drink</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">beer</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">silence</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">while</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">adjusts</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">volume.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">A</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">girl</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">saunters</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">onscreen,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">her</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">silicone</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">implants</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">rigid,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">her</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shorts</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">so</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">tight</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">they</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">might</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">as</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">well</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">be</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">painted</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">on.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sex</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">starts</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">without</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">preliminaries.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">cruel</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">mean</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">soulless.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">focuses</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">on</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trees</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">outside</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trailer,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">thinks</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">today</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">might</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">be</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">day</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">leave.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Two</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">weeks</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ago,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">was</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fired</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">from</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">job</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Honda</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">plant</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">because</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shift</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">foreman</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">smelled</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">alcohol</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">on</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">breath</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">one</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">time</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">too</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">many.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">When</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">wife</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">found</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">out,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">she</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">told</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">not</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bother</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">coming</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">home</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">until</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">had</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">another</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">job.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">been</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">with</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ever</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">since.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">looks</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">over</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">high</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">as</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">cow</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">jumping</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">over</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">moon,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">grinning</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">stupidly</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">television.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">whom</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">has</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">known</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">since</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">grade</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">school,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">lost</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">job</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">three</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">years</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ago</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">just</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">look</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">—</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sack</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shit,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">true,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">but</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">happy</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sack</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shit.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">lays</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">around</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">most</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">day,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">taking</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hits</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">crank,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">then</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">doing</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">something</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">asinine</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shooting</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hole</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">side</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trailer</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">or</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">running</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">laps</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">around</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">above-ground</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pool.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Sometimes,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">after</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">few</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hits,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">just</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sits</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">picks</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">toenails</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">for</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hours,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">mutilating</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">them</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">until</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">they</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">look</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">tiny,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bloody</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">faces,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">leering</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">back</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Once</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">got</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">scared</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">tried</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">cut</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">them</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">off,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">but</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">managed</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">talk</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">down.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Mostly,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">though,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">just</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sits</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">on</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">couch,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">watching</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">porn,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">raving</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">about</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">some</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">whore</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">done</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">or</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">wants</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">do,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">waiting</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">for</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">doorbell</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ring.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">doorbell</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">rings,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gets</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">up</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">answers</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Trades</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">little</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">homemade</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">baggies</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">for</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">government-issued</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">green.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Saturday</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">nights,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">might</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shower,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">go</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bar,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pick-up</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">twenty-three-year-old</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">high</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">heels</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">mini</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">skirt</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">looking</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">for</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">some</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">free</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">crank.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">have</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">an</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">agreement.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">can</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">stay</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">indefinitely</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">as</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">long</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">as</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">willing</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">help</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">out</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">when</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">some</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fellow</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">named</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shows</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">up.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">isn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">even</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sure</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">if</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">real</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">person</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">or</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">just</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">another</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">one</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">drug-induced</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">delusions.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">going</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">be</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">by</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">one</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">these</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">days,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">when</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">comes,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">coming</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">kill</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">me,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">told</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">week</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">into</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">stay.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">That</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">when</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">you</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ll</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">earn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">your</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">keep,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Dougie.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ll</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">know</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">by</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sound</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">truck.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">geared</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">low,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">so</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">you</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ll</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">feel</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">your</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gut.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Unable</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">deal</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">with</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">more</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">porn,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">leaves</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">alone</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">escapes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">through</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">back</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">door</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">light</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">cigarette</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">on</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">tossed-together</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">deck.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">air</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">out</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">here</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">smells</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">good.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Another</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">downside</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">living</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">with</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin:</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trailer</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">smells</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">chemicals</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">stale</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">beer.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Not</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">happy</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bastard</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ever</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">notices.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">glances</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">back</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">over</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shoulder</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">grateful</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">for</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">darkened</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">windows.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Sheathed</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">black</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trash</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bags,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">windows</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">remind</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">something.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Today</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Halloween.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">thinks</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">about</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">daughter,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Maci.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">she</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">old</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">enough</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">go</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trick</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">or</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">treating?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Probably</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">not,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">maybe</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">next</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">year.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">stands,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">watching</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">afternoon</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sky.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">There</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">good</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">breeze,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">but</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">cold,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">too</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">cold</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">for</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">late</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">October</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Alabama.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Winter</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">coming</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">going</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">be</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bitch.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Especially</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">without</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">place</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">stay</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">or</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">job.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">tries</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">convince</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">himself</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">can</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">find</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">work</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">again.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Tries</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">believe</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">can</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">patch</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">things</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">up</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">home.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Tries</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">imagine</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">how</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">next</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Halloween</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">will</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">be:</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Maci</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">waiting</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">for</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">come</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">home</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">from</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">work.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">She</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ll</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">be</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">standing</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">driveway</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">dressed</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">as</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Tinkerbell</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">or</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">some</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">princess.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">likes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">this</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">image.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">wants</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">go</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">back</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">home.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">As</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">starts</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">back</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">inside</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">for</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">beer,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">stops,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">frozen</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">by</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">loud</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">rumbling</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">out</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">on</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">road.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">waits,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hoping</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">will</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pass.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">When</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">doesn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">feels</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">torn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">between</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">going</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">back</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">inside</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">or</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">taking</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">off</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">for</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">woods</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">where</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">truck</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">parked.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trailer</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shakes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">as</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">truck</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">eases</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">up</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gravel</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">drive.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Hey</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Dougie</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">boy,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">comes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">voice</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">from</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">inside.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">show</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">time.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">could</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">run</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">up</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">through</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">woods</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">be</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">house</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">no</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">time.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">could</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">convince</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">wife</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">take</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">back.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">could</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">help</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Maci</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">make</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">costume</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">together</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">they</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">could</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">go</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trick</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">or</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">treating.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Where</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">would</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">they</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">go?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">laughs</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">prospect</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">coming</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">door.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">would</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">put</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Maci</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bag?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">A</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">joint?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">not</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">funny,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">though</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">has</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">laugh</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> And</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">just</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">before</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">swings</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">door</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">open,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">feels</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">A</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">burning</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">inside</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">get</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hell</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">away</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">from</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Back</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">school,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">always</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">managed</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">get</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">wrapped</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">up</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">stupid</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">schemes.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">door</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">open.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">stands</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">threshold.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Shake</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">your</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">thang,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">man.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">time.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hesitates,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">maybe</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">even</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">steps</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">away</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">from</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">smile</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">vanishes.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">aren</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">thinking</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">about</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bolting,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">are</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">you?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">doesn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">speak,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">eyes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">down.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Hey,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">there</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">nothing</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">need</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">your</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">help,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Just</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">you</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">needed</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">mine.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">steps</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">back</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Take</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">this</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">says,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">opening</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">drawer</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">contains</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">several</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">dirty</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">needles,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pair</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">women</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">underwear,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">biggest</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">handgun</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">has</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ever</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">seen.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Go</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">lab</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">—”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Lab?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">—”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">holds</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hand</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">up.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fucking</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">closet.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">motions</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">door</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">with</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Flip</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">vent</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">up</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">so</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">you</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">can</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">see.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">makes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">move,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shoot</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">right</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">between</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fucking</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">eyes.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">holds</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">out</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">looks</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">but</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">nothing</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">else.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">think</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">m</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fucking</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">with</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">you,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shoves</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hard</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">chest.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">think</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ve</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">just</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">been</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">letting</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">you</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">lay</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">on</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">my</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">couch</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">drink</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">my</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">beer</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">for</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">free?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Take</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Now.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hears</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">someone</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">outside</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fiddling</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">with</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gate.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">A</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">coldness</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">grips</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">all</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">beer</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">drank</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">today</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">feels</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bladder.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">reaches</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">for</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">doesn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">know</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">guns.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">one</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hand</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">so</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">heavy,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">barrel</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">so</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">thick,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sure</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">can</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">destroy</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">man,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">obliterate</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">change</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">face</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pulp,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">from</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">something</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">recognizable</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">something</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">isn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">lab</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">dark</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">smells</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ammonia.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">finds</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">opens</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">vent</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">enough</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">see</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">out</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">into</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">room</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">where</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">taking</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">final</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hit</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">before</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">facing</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">doesn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">want</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shoot</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">anyone,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">but</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">second</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">opens</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">door</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">walks</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">knows</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">may</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">not</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">have</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">wonders</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sometimes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">if</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">has</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ever</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">really</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">had</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">choice.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">reminds</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">better</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">times,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">better</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">times</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">all</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">got.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">wishes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">could</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">forget</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">completely,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">but</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">feels</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">powerless</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">do</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">so.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">His</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">life</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">seems</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">series</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">inevitabilities,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">rolling</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">down</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hill,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">continually</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">picking</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">up</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">speed.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">One</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">these</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">days,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">knows</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bottom</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">will</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">come</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">when</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">does,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">all</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">those</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">inevitabilities</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">will</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">crush</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> From</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">open</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">vent,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">watches</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">come</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">small</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">man,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">but</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">muscular.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">His</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">complexion</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">dark,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">as</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">if</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">has</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">spent</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">many</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">days</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sun.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">His</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">dress</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">minimal</span>—<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">white</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">tee,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">blue</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">jeans</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fit</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">tight</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">around</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trim</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">waist,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pair</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shit</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">kickers</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">look</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">least</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">size</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">too</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">big.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">unconsciously</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">raises</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">open</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">slat.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> There</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">are</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hundreds</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">men</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">just</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">all</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">over</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">county.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">looks</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">not</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">unlike</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">himself,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">perhaps</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">little</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">more</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">muscular,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">clothes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">little</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">tighter.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">real</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">difference</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">eyes.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">They</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">look</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">wild.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Reckless.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">knows</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">those</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">eyes.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">They</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">belong</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">men</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">who</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">have</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">stopped</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">caring</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">long,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">long</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">time</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ago.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">exudes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">confidence</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sets</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">on</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">edge,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">grips</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">big</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">little</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">more</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">tightly,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">lifting</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">closer</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">open</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">slat.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Behind</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">comes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">tall</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">razor</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">blade</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">man.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">younger</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">than</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">but</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">only</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">flesh</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shows</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">His</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">eyes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">look</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">tired,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">so</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">lazy</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">they</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">are</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">intense,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">so</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">unconcerned</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">they</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">are</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">asks</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">how</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">been</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">doing.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">nervous,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">jumpy</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">manages</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">say,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Life</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">good,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">man.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Who</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">your</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">friend?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">frowns</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">floor.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Then</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">thrusts</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">thumb</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">tall</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">man.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">This</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Rodney.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Rodney,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">this</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">looks</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">eye</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">eye</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">adds,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">one</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">told</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">you</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">about.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Rodney</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">barely</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">glances</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">says,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">one</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sells</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">good</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shit</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">or</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">other</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">one</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">you</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">were</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">telling</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">me</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">about?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">says,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">other</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">one,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">man.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">other</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">one.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">thought,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Rodney</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">says.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">glances</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">quickly</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">closet</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">door</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">says,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Fellas,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">m</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">just</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trying</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">run</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">lab</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">here.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ain</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">about</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">crank,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">you</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">probably</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">got</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">wrong</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">guy.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Oh,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">think</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">we</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">got</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">right</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">guy.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pulls</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">switchblade</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">from</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">back</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pocket.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">nods</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Rodney.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Go</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">get</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">her.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Rodney</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bobs</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">head</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">as</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">if</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">some</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">unheard</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">music</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">says,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Hell</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">yeah.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> An</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">awkward</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">moment</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">passes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">as</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">keeps</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">eyes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trained</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">on</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shakes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fidgets</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">needs</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hit</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">something</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bad.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Rodney</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">returns</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">with</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">young</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">girl,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">maybe</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">seventeen.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">She</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">walks</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">front</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">stares</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">her</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ass,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">barely</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">covered</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">by</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pair</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">tight</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">cut-offs.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Prime</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">jailbait,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">type</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">girl</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">who</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">been</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">living</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">life</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">unfit</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">for</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">any</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">age,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">much</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">less</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">seventeen,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">type</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">girl</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">who</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">wears</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">her</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sadness</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">underneath</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hard</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">looks</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">snarled</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">lips.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">She</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">doesn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">meet</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">eyes,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">knows</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">why</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">here.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">you</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">know</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Emily?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shrugs.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">think</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ve</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">seen</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">her</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">around.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Seen</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">her</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">around.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">nods</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">slowly.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Seen</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">her</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">around.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">makes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">about</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">stroke</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">chin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">thoughtful</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">manner</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">with</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hand</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">does</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">not</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hold</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">switchblade.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">blade</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">still</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">unexposed,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">twirling</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">between</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fingers</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">as</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">if</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">this</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">might</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">just</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">be</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">nervous</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">habit,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">nothing</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">more.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Then</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">suddenly</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">with</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">great</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">force</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">thrusts</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">palm</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">free</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hand</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">out,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">catching</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hard</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">nose.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">head</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">snaps</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">back.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shakes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">once</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">thick</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">streams</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">blood</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pour</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">from</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">nostrils.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">switchblade</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">open</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">throat.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">seen</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">her</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">around,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">huh?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">by</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">seeing</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">her</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">around</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">you</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">mean</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sticking</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">your</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">dick</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">her,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">then</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">yeah,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">suppose</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">you</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ve</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">seen</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">her</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">around.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">No,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">says.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">crying.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">No,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ain</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">never</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fucked</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">her,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Oh,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">am</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">mistaken?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Let</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">me</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">check</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">my</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">source.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">turns</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Emily.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">this</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fella</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ever</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">do</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">anything?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Emily</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">looks</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">then.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Well,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">yeah,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">she</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">says.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">A</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">couple</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">times.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">was</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trade.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gave</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">me</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">what</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">wanted.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">done</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">told</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">you</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">all</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">this</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">before,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snake.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Yeah,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">but</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">needed</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hear</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">again,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">baby.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">looks</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">knew</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">me</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Emily</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">had</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">thing</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">going</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">right?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">doesn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">respond.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Answer</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">me!</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shrugs.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">She</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">offered.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">should</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">have</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">said</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">no,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">says</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">grins.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">A</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">boyish</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">grin.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">makes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">look</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">younger,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">maybe</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">less</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">dangerous.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">This</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">only</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">an</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">illusion,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trick.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">m</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">not</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">into</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sharing</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">her.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">think</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">get</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">off</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">on</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">her</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">being</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">with</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">another</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">man?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">m</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">telling</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">you,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">was</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fair</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trade.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">didn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">make</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">offer.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">She</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">did.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">didn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">know</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">you</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">two</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">had</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">thing.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">How</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">could</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">have</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">known</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">man?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">turns</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Rodney.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">believe</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">this</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shit?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">First</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">didn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fuck</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">her.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Now</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fucked</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">her</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">but</span></i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">was</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">just</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fair</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trade.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">next?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">going</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ask</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">me</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">for</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">refund?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> While</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">eyes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">are</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">on</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Rodney,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">looks</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">direction.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">nods</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">head</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">quickly</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">as</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">if</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">say,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">now</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">or</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">never.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #993300; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">already</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">knows</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">this,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #993300; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">yet he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">feels</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">no</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">real</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">obligation</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">doesn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">even</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Maybe</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">did</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">once.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">A</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">long</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">time</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ago,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">when</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">they</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">were</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">young.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">When</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">world</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">was</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">different.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Somehow,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">reminds</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">place,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">youth,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">happier</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">time.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Yet,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">still</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">considers</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">briefly</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">just</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">letting</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">get</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">what</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">coming</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">could</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">get</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">away</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">with</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">might,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">though</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">realizes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">situation</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">more</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">complicated</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">than</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">will</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">likely</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">cut</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">In</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">which</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">case,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">will</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">scream</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">for</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shoot</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">them.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">In</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">which</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">case,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">they</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">will</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">come</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">for</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">too.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> So,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">really</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">now</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">or</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">never.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">glances</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">nervously</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">over</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">again,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">lip</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trembling.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">says</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Rodney,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">we</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">got</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">us</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">little</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">weasel</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">here.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">A</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">lying</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">weasel.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Know</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">what</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">means?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Rodney</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shrugs</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">scratches</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ass.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Means</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">m</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">going</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">have</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">cut</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">—”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sound</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">deafening,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">recoil</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sudden</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">harsh</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">for</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">an</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">instant</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">thinks</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">has</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">misfired</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">has</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">been</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">one</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shot</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">instead</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sees</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">body</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">jerk</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">back,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sees</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">blossom</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">blood</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">soak</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">through</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">white</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t-shirt,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">knows</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bullet</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">has</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hit</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">its</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">target.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">somebody</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">presses</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">slow</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">motion</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">button.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">grimaces</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">lurches,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">tries</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">find</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">where</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shot</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">came</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">from.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">feels</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">vomiting,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">but</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">grips</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">tighter</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">squeezes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">off</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">two</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">more</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shots.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">One</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sails</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">over</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Rodney</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">head.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">next</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">one</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">collides</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">with</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">mouth.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">For</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">second</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Rodney</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">twists</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">face</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">up</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">as</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">if</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">has</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">only</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">swallowed</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bitter</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pill</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">instead</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bullet.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">His</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">mouth</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">begins</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">leak</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">blood.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">falls</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">down</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hard.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">drops</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">doubles</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">over,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pukes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">on</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Emily</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">screaming.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">next</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">thing</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">knows,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">standing</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">over</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ordering</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">get</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">up</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shoot</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bitch.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shakes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">head</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">throws</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">up</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">again</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">between</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">knees.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">reaches</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">into</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">puke,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">retrieves</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hears</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">front</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">door</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bang</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shut</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">behind</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">There</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">another</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">blast</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">from</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pulls</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">himself</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">up,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">wiping</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">off</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">knees</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">comes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">back</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">tosses</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">on</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">couch.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pumps</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fist</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">air</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">few</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">times</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fumbles</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">inside</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">chest</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">drawers</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">for</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">stash</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">crank.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">does</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">line,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">inhaling</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hard</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shadowboxes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">air,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shuffling</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">feet,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bobbing</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">weaving</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">some</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hick</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">parody</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Cassius</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Clay.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">We</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">got</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">clean</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">up</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">this</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">mess</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hide</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bodies!</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shouts</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">does</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">little</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">two-step</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">around</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">den.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> “</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">But</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hell</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">yeah,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">lives</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">on!</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Dougie</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">saves</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">day!</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">does</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">little</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">jig,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">flailing</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">around</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">man</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">who</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">has</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">just</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">won</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">lottery.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">His</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">face</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">flushed,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">splashed</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">with</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">tiny</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">beads</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">blood</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sweat;</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">nose</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">swollen</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">from</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">where</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Snakeskin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hit</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">still</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bleeding,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">staining</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">smile</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">red.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sees</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">on</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">couch,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">blood</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">vomit</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">around</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trigger.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">time</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">act.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">has</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">before</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">even</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">stops</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">dancing.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">aims</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">head</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">waits.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> It</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">didn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">have</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">end</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">this.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">There</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">were</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">places,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bumps</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">along</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">journey</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">where</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">could</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">have</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">jumped</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">off</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">train.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">simply</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">chose</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">not</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">because</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ground</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">looked</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">too</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hard</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">rocky</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ride</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">was</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">just</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">too</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">much</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">damn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fun.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">So</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">had</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">held</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">on</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">for</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">this.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">warm</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hand,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pulse</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">thunder.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> This</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">could</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">work.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bodies,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">drugs.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">could</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">put</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hand.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">could</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">be</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">home</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fifteen</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">minutes,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">maybe</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">less,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">leaving</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">this</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">part</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">life</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">forever.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">could</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">start</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">over.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">still</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">has</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">not</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">noticed</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">or</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">jiving</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">some</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">soundtrack</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">head,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">oblivious</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">everything</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">except</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Hey,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">” </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">says.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">soundtrack</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ends.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shimmies</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">stop.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">turns,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sees</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sees</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">makes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">face</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">can</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">believe</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pointing</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">head.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Then</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">scoffs,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">making</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">some</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">half-assed</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">noise</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">throat,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">making</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sound</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">thinks</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">funny</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pointing</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Stop</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">playing,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Dougie.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">We</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">got</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">some</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">work</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">do.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shouldn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">have</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gotten</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">me</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">mixed</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">up</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">this,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">This</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">wasn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">any</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">my</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">business.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">got</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">your</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ownself</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">mixed</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">up,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Dougie.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">didn</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">t</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pull</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trigger.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">You</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">did</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">man.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> It</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">true,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">what</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">says,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">somewhere</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">below</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">all</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">anger</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shock,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">realizes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">best</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">thing</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">do</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">would</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">be</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">put</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">down</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">leave.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">But</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">best</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">already</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">behind</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">has</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">reached</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">survival</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">mode.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Here</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">there</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">can</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">be</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">no</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">black</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">white,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">no</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">right</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">or</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">wrong,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">just</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">shades</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gray,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">melting</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">together</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">form</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">something</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">can</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">barely</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">recognize.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> There</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">only</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">one</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">way</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">out</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">now.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pulls</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trigger.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bullet</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hits</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">chest</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">woofs</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">loudly.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">staggers</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">then</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">collapses.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">goes</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">over</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">watches</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">him</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gurgle</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">spit</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">blood.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">wants</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">say</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">something,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">but</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">there</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">will</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">be</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">no</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">more</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">words</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">from</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">aims</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">again,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">this</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">time</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">at</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">forehead.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fires</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">once</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">then</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">twice,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ripping</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">chunks</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">flesh</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">from</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bone,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">obliterating</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">friend</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">face.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">drops</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">one</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">knee</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">carefully</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pries</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">fingers</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">open.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">almost</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">puts</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gun</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hand</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">before</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">realizing</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">there</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">is</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">better</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">solution.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Wiping</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">clean</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">blood</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">puke,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">slips</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">inside</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">waistband</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">jeans.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">On</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">way</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">home,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">will</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">toss</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">into</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">river.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">leaves</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trailer.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">wind</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">has</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">picked</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">up,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">howling</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">through</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bare</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trees,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">banging</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">back</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">door</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Martin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trailer.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">steps</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">over</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Emily,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">feeling</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sorry</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">for</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">her.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">She</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">just</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">one</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">more</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">piece</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">of</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">debris</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">caught</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">windstorm</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">been</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">plunging</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">headfirst</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">into</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">whole</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">life.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Out</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">by</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">road,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">someone</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">has</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">thrown</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pumpkin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">from</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">their</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">car,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">starts</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">toward</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">it,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">thinking</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Maci</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">might</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">like</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">have</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Jack-O-Lantern</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">put</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">on</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">their</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">doorstep.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">As</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gets</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">closer,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">sees</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">that</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pumpkin</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">been</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">smashed,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">orange</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">pulp</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">lay</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">glistening</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">strings</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">against</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">blacktop.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">’</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">s</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">gone</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">rotten</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">stinks.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Doug</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">turns</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">away</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">and</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">circles</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">trailer,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">beginning</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">walk</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">into</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">the</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">woods</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">where</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">he</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">has</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">parked</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">his</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">truck,</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">hidden</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">away</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">from</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">a</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">world</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">where</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">things</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">so</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">often</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">go</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">ruin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-34981906951680876642012-03-15T17:29:00.001-07:002012-04-03T05:03:22.455-07:00Hardcover Giveaway<div class="MsoNormal">I’m giving away two limited edition, signed hardcovers of <i>Shoebox Train Wreck</i>. These are first editions, and extremely nice (see pics below). These books originally cost 50 dollars apiece.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZDEspVAU2x3iZYmmHlhRm0xMEcPfC6Qc-uh4Zd8yA6yHmue3MNTrLADkWB7PzOhkOVam6RnOB0iE1nt5ahP4doHzL2Xr5XhO5Q_41_PUOlt3F5Tau4Srlcv7ndPcO5nWzSQTZYSH83Og/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZDEspVAU2x3iZYmmHlhRm0xMEcPfC6Qc-uh4Zd8yA6yHmue3MNTrLADkWB7PzOhkOVam6RnOB0iE1nt5ahP4doHzL2Xr5XhO5Q_41_PUOlt3F5Tau4Srlcv7ndPcO5nWzSQTZYSH83Og/s200/photo-2.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cDgoHHWoyDXUYwcVMo0vQEh2LM98BfLg_DL2oJk0Do6fI4Txn4Ei61z3U289pIwzsxTLEJAPmG3sItmATfq_278IBc4pAdohKXOsaOz5QjWp8jbtOFN3BL41P1rfp6S2atMpvvPWAB8-/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cDgoHHWoyDXUYwcVMo0vQEh2LM98BfLg_DL2oJk0Do6fI4Txn4Ei61z3U289pIwzsxTLEJAPmG3sItmATfq_278IBc4pAdohKXOsaOz5QjWp8jbtOFN3BL41P1rfp6S2atMpvvPWAB8-/s200/photo-1.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmpM3SkBYBsRiIUFz9j2EsR4KN5MwVNgnbr5ex6c323kAli5SlZfOCxo7-l2svXdA7sDJ-_2opqVddpw6Ly27EaJlbVhkpaMaDDX19ylgj6edidd8GUcARQdzeLqW7VajM8_RB60NrEim/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmpM3SkBYBsRiIUFz9j2EsR4KN5MwVNgnbr5ex6c323kAli5SlZfOCxo7-l2svXdA7sDJ-_2opqVddpw6Ly27EaJlbVhkpaMaDDX19ylgj6edidd8GUcARQdzeLqW7VajM8_RB60NrEim/s200/photo.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So what do you have to do to win one? Just a couple of things.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">1.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Friend me on facebook (this will be important for step three).</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">2.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Purchase a softcover or Kindle version of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shoebox Train Wreck</i> from Amazon.com (you were going to do this anyway, right? Right?).</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">3.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Provide proof of purchase to me (more on this below*).</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">4.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Write a substantive review of the book on Amazon (it doesn’t have to be positive, but if it’s not, I’m going to feel really silly for doing this--a risk I’ll have to take I suppose) .</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">*Proof of purchase: Amazon has a new feature that let’s you post your purchase to your facebook wall. It looks like this:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv57IwGdGjiDy_GVl82x6Z0ybQG0zvtF7CJekW5uAV2PsKH-1YmUrPfMdajcOnkndz57cxnCfeY-9m-VmLUSpTGxjzn5-OPOWeBi9Eq0tIJW72tsb87iA5jntiF_PxFZcIGcMsaE6mDuST/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-03-15+at+6.51.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv57IwGdGjiDy_GVl82x6Z0ybQG0zvtF7CJekW5uAV2PsKH-1YmUrPfMdajcOnkndz57cxnCfeY-9m-VmLUSpTGxjzn5-OPOWeBi9Eq0tIJW72tsb87iA5jntiF_PxFZcIGcMsaE6mDuST/s320/Screen+shot+2012-03-15+at+6.51.23+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Be sure to click share.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Once, you’ve completed all the steps, send me an email at <a href="mailto:johnpmantooth@yahoo.com">johnpmantooth@yahoo.com</a>. I’ll go and verify the review and the facebook post. If you are one of the first two to complete this, I’ll send you a hardcover ASAP (U.S. and Canada only).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I hope to give these away soon!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-41974393659055932402012-03-13T05:30:00.000-07:002012-03-13T05:30:25.632-07:00Release dayToday is the official release day for <a href="http://www.shoeboxtrainwreck.com/" target="_blank">Shoebox Train Wreck</a>. It's a little anti-climatic considering the book has been shipping from Amazon and Barnes and Noble for about a week now. It's been in stores too for the last few days. So, the day I've been looking forward to for about a year now is finally here, and, well, it feels just like any other day.<br />
<br />
Anyway, the book is out. The book is being very well reviewed thus far. What are you waiting for?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shoebox-Train-Wreck-John-Mantooth/dp/1926851544/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_1">http://www.amazon.com/Shoebox-Train-Wreck-John-Mantooth/dp/1926851544/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_1</a><br />
<br />
Oh, and look for an interview with me <a href="http://mourninggoats.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a> (Mourning Goats!) on Thursday. I'll be talking about the book, my writing group Snutch Labs, and the best writing advice I ever received.John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-61776107095077062492012-03-07T21:20:00.000-08:002012-03-07T21:20:33.710-08:00What's New?<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">It’s been a while since I’ve posted here, and I plan to make up for lost time over the coming days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mostly, I’ve been busy with the release and promotion of <a href="http://shoeboxtrainwreck.com/shoeboxtrainwreck.html" target="_blank">SHOEBOX TRAIN WRECK</a>, my collection of 16 stories from Chizine Publications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve also been neck deep in a new novel, but as usual, the going is slow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I think I may have turned a corner recently, though there is always the chance that I may have actually run off the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What else… oh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new website.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you came to this blog through the new website, then you’ve already, uh, seen the new website.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you found my blog the old fashioned way, please do check out the new site, <a href="http://shoeboxtrainwreck.com/" target="_blank">here</a> (design by the extremely talented Cesar Puch). And while you’re there, order a book (or three).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You won’t regret it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t believe me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check out some of the reviews, which have been very positive thus far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t get a coveted star from Publishers Weekly, but I did get a positive review.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Booklist seemed to like it too, as did Rue Morgue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of this is covered over at the new site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s not on the new site is the latest review from the Crow’s Caw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s worth the read (hint, they liked it a lot!).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Going forward, I’m going to try to use this space more, and not just to talk about me (although there will always be copious amounts of self-love here).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve recently read <a href="http://www.hollygoddardjones.com/" target="_blank">Holly Goddard Jones</a>’s spectacular collection, GIRL TROUBLE, and I hope to post some thoughts on it soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And maybe after that, I’ll find something else to talk about (ahem, besides myself).</div><!--EndFragment-->John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-30223950985568184172011-12-29T21:32:00.000-08:002011-12-29T21:32:36.974-08:00Best Books I Read This YearAs always, these are the top five books I read this year (not necessarily published in 2011). In no particular order:<br />
<br />
1. Affliction by Russell Banks<br />
<br />
This one started slow, but wow, what a finish. My first Russell Banks, but definitely won't be my last. There were some amazing passages in this novel, so amazing, I actually pulled out a highlighter for much of it (something I really don't think I've ever done before).<br />
<br />
2. The End of Everything by Megan Abbott<br />
<br />
Thanks to Paul Tremblay for the recommendation. Abbott is a fabulous writer who grounds the reader firmly within the psyche of an adolescent girl. The writing is image filled and gorgeous without ever losing the all important teenage voice. The kind of book I'd love to write.<br />
<br />
3. Refresh, Refresh by Benjamin Percy<br />
<br />
This fine collection features the kinds of stories I like best: edgy, violent, sometimes creepy, but always grounded by muscular, starkly beautiful prose and an acute sense of place. My favorite "The Caves in Oregon" begins with blood leaking from a freezer and ends with a married couple traversing the caves beneath their house. I always love stories where the strange (the caves) intersects casually with real life (the couple's devastation over a miscarriage). Plus, the freezer bleeds!<br />
<br />
4. Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco Stork<br />
<br />
This novel covers a surprising amount of philosophical and moral ground without ever becoming didactic. It's a about a boy who teaches the people around him what it means to be a good person. He's a high functioning-- aw, screw it. I'm really at a loss of how to describe this one. Just know this: it will defy your expectations, and when you're finished, you'll walk away from the novel with the realization that you've fallen in love the Marcelo and Jasmine. And "the real world?" You'll realize it's pretty damned overrated.<br />
<br />
5. Joe by Larry Brown<br />
<br />
I don't know why it took me so long to read a Larry Brown book. I read two this year, Fay and Joe. I liked them both, but I loved Joe. The best thing about this book is the characterization of the title character. He comes alive, and despite all his flaws (and he's got a ton), the reader can't help but root for him. It seems like many of the writers I love, are able to pull this feat off. Brown does it with a keen ear for language and some of the best dialogue this side of Elmore Leonard. Do check out Fay, as well, but out of the two, I liked Joe better.John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-2160369898285226282011-10-24T14:11:00.000-07:002011-10-24T14:12:31.097-07:00Sam Anderson (Tales From The Yellow Rose Diner And Fill Station)If you’ve ever been fortunate enough to read one of Sam W. Anderson’s short stories, you know he’s a writer long on imagination and short on wasted words. His Money Run mythos is so inventive, so damned full of humor and pathos and (most importantly, I think) possibility that I can offer no greater praise than to say I wish I had thought of it myself.<br />
<br />
<br />
Anyway, like me and the other four members of our little group, Sam wrote a tale for <a href="http://sideshowpressonline.com/?page_id=4&category=3&product_id=66">The Yellow Rose Diner and Fill Station</a>. It’s one of my favorites in the book. It’s called “Hate Crimes and Therapy over Creamed Chipped Beef,” and it’s every bit as entertaining as that title suggests. <br />
<br />
<br />
Despite this not being a Money Run Tale, all of the things that make those stories great are here: humor, pathos, an imagination as sharp as the edge of a straight razor, and that rarest of things in horror fiction—compassion. It’s obvious that Sam loves his characters, and I feel confident that the readers of his stories will too. Here’s a little taste from one of my favorite passages in the story. Check it out. You’ll see what I mean.<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>In his mind, he was there again, as if he could reach out and pull back the kid. He smelled the subway exhaust and dried urine; saw the grimy white and green tiles decorating the platform walls; experienced the eerie solitude of a Tuesday at two a.m. beneath the streets of Manhattan.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>He’d been an NYC cop for less than a month and was working on a joint operation with the Transit Authority to crack down on subway system muggings. For the most part, it’d been pretty uneventful, but he was finally a cop. He’d survived the academy and the nonstop needling about his lack of size and fulfilled his promise. Pop would have approved. Everything in life was coming together.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Until he saw Eldrich Irons standing alone on the platform. The fifteen-year old was one of the suspects linked to the latest rash of muggings, and Darien had seen his picture a thousand times in the last month. The kid belonged to a group not organized enough to be a gang, but reportedly armed enough that they could have been.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Darien’s heart thundered and he put out his cigarette with his foot. The suspect hadn’t noticed. Instead he leaned out over the platform and looked for the next subway. His hands remained in a satin Yankees jacket and he fidgeted as if he needed a bathroom. He wore a black baseball cap, the bill turned backwards. Darien ducked behind a column. He’d wait until the train approached so Eldrich Irons would be less likely to hear footsteps.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>A slight rumbling filled the space, but grew louder quickly. Darien quivered with a nervous excitement and anticipation he hadn’t felt since before his first track meet in high school. He slid from behind the graffiti-covered column and unholstered his firearm. The thumping in his chest grew so violent, it throbbed through his arms.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>As the volume rose, Darien broke, his adrenaline pumping to the point he could almost fly. A set of headphones plugged the suspect’s ears. The train’s light illuminated the dark tunnel. Darien’s pace seemed to match the subway’s. As he reached for the suspect’s shoulder, the kid turned. His eyes opened comically wide, and he stepped back.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Darien missed with the first grab. As the kid fell, he reached again, but only pulled back the ball cap. A slight scream rose before the crushing of bones and the subway’s brakes.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>The doors opened in unison with a loud hiss, but nobody exited the train. Did the driver not see the fall?</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Darien stood with hat in hand, waiting for somebody to wake him. After a short eternity, the subway pulled away. Darien peered over the platform edge, the tracks too dark to see anything. He pulled free his flashlight. His hands shook so hard, he needed both to turn it on. When he lowered the light, he closed his eyes. He listened for any signs of life, but only heard the train in the distance. Swallowing hard, he opened his eyes and saw nothing. The body was gone. A pool of blood had formed between the tracks, and it streaked toward the departed subway.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>His body went limp, as if it were he who the train had struck. He looked to his hand like the hat could bring the kid back. Through the forming tears, he saw the Chicago Blackhawks emblem.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em>John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-10103873471034585512011-09-26T20:55:00.000-07:002011-09-26T20:55:21.898-07:00Cover Image for Shoebox Train Wreck (and blurbs)This week, I got my first look at the cover for my collection (March 2012, Chizine Publications), Shoebox Train Wreck. It's a collection of 16 stories that run the gamut from literary to noir to horror to fantasy/ scifi. Most of them have been previously published, but a few are original to the collection. Here's the cover:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2y1wlJlClqd8C-a8E9NQ-EVbDVCNo49OAmXN_UWDG96ZfM707WAF4-ZV4wici2BhiqAkg75tUSIrF3IcrejQsm0B2TpEpQfLgMOF61-Qfz6idZmHL-4vqFAbAUyFCmcKCTGxhSsSmLlXD/s1600/304162_2001673690131_1492241992_31714915_1436058431_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2y1wlJlClqd8C-a8E9NQ-EVbDVCNo49OAmXN_UWDG96ZfM707WAF4-ZV4wici2BhiqAkg75tUSIrF3IcrejQsm0B2TpEpQfLgMOF61-Qfz6idZmHL-4vqFAbAUyFCmcKCTGxhSsSmLlXD/s320/304162_2001673690131_1492241992_31714915_1436058431_n.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><br />
Pretty sweet, eh? Erik Mohr did the cover, and I'm not sure I've seen one of his that I didn't like. He really captured the overall vibe of the collection with the cover.<br />
<br />
And what about the collection? Well, I've had some folks read it already who have been kind enough to offer blurbs.<br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">"Outstanding! John Mantooth is an exciting new voice in dark fiction."</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Douglas Clegg</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_1_1317094865512173" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="yiv507546871MsoNormal" id="yui_3_2_0_1_1317094865512170" style="display: block; font-family: serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="yiv507546871apple-style-span" id="yui_3_2_0_1_1317094865512167"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_1317094865512164">"John Mantooth's short stories crackle with intelligence and violence. He writes about desperate and </span></span><span class="yiv507546871yshortcuts">simple lives</span><span class="yiv507546871apple-style-span"> gone not-so-simple, and those lives beat with a savvy and familiar </span><span class="yiv507546871yshortcuts">broken heart</span><span class="yiv507546871apple-style-span">. His down-and-out characters are ugly and beautiful, and most importantly, compelling. John is the real deal, and I think I hate him for it." </span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="yiv507546871MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="yiv507546871apple-style-span">Paul Tremblay, author of The Little Sleep.</span></div><div class="yiv507546871MsoNormal" style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"John Mantooth writes with enviable grace, vigor, ease. These stories pulsate with the inevitable pain of familial love, and loss, and the horrors of the human condition while remaining peopled with unforgettable characters who move through their lives toward moments of personal realization and doom that can only come from the Southern experience. Mantooth has here collected a group of stories that exceeds the sum of its parts. You won't regret picking up this collection and will think on these amazing and heartfelt stories long after you've closed the covers. Absolutely brilliant." - John Hornor Jacobs, author of <i>Southern Gods, This Dark Earth, </i>and <i>The Twelve Fingered Boy</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hopefully, I'll have some more blurbs to post in the coming days...</span></div><!--EndFragment-->John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-61151317376323148772010-12-15T10:45:00.000-08:002010-12-15T12:33:33.637-08:00Best Reads of 2010Five best books I read this year in no particular order:<br />
<br />
Everything Matters- Ron Currie Jr.<br />
This book took over my life for a few days. I was at the lake this summer, and the rest of my family couldn't figure out why I wouldn't leave the bedroom. It's so good, it hurts to read because it makes me face my own limitations as a writer.<br />
<br />
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter- Tom Franklin<br />
I loved Poachers, Smonk, and Hell at the Breech, but Franklin's latest may be his best. Small town Southern gothic murder mystery wrapped in a dual past-present narrative. Did I mention the flawless writing?<br />
<br />
Tunneling to the Center of the Earth- Kevin Wilson<br />
Read this: <a href="http://www.greensbororeview.org/fall-2005/birds-in-the-house.html">http://www.greensbororeview.org/fall-2005/birds-in-the-house.html</a><br />
Most of the stories are that good. Nuff said. If you want more, I have a more in depth analysis <a href="http://jpmantooth.blogspot.com/2010/04/story-by-story-tunneling-to-center-of.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
We're in Trouble- Christopher Coake<br />
<a href="http://jpmantooth.blogspot.com/2010/06/sigh-story-by-story.html">Read my thoughts here</a>. A stunning collection. Can't wait for this guy to write a novel.<br />
<br />
Looking for Alaska-John Green<br />
Much like Everything Matters, this book held me under its spell for a few days. I talked about it so much with my wife that she read it and even tried to get her book club to read it (no go; most of them had already read it and didn't like it).<br />
<br />
Seek these out if you haven't already.John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-54931975275831800792010-12-13T18:21:00.000-08:002010-12-13T18:22:28.613-08:00My Year in Review (2010)It's been a good year.<br />
<br />
Or at least a good five months. From January to July of 2010, it was shaping up to be one of the most frustrating years since I began writing nearly a decade ago. I was struggling to finish the novel that was supposed to be "the one." As in the one that would get me an agent, get me published, and launch my career. I finally finished it in April and then began the frustrating process of querying agents, some of whom requested partials or fulls, but no matter how enthusiastically an agent raved about my potential or how he or she wanted me to send them my next book, I didn't get any real bites. At the same time, I had this short story collection sitting on my desktop and in the slushpile at one place (Chizine Publications). It was frustrating because I kept hearing the same old mantra- Nobody buys collections. Because of this, and because they'd had my collection for over seven months, I didn't hold out much hope that Chizine would buy it either. And if they didn't, I had no idea where else to send it.<br />
<br />
Enter August. I was still querying agents, mostly those who handled young adult. Since my novel had a 14 year old protagonist, I believed I had written a young adult book. Yet, most of the responses I got from agents were along the lines of "if you decide to rewrite this in the kid's voice think of me." See, I had a 14 year old protagonist but the voice was that of a thirty year old man remembering his fourteenth year. I was frustrated and about to give up when I received an email from an agent that I didn't even query. Her name was Beth Fleisher and she said she'd like me to send the whole manuscript to her as well as some of my short stories. I did a little checking and saw that she was with BG Literary, and I had queried Barry Goldblatt, so I could only assume he'd passed the query and the first fifty pages onto her. I sent her what she requested, thinking it would be another long wait followed by another positive rejection (if you're a writer, you know a positive rejection is like kissing your sister). But lo and behold, Beth got back to me the next day with one of the most exciting phrases I think I've ever read in an email. "Can we set up a time to talk next Monday?"<br />
<br />
And we did. One of the first things she told me was that my novel was not young adult. It was literary horror. After some reflection, I agreed, and a few weeks later, Beth was my agent. She's been outstanding so far, offering advice and counsel on both the manuscript and all aspects of the business. Landing Beth alone would have made 2010 my best year ever. But it gets better.<br />
<br />
Remember that collection? The one I thought Chizine would never buy? In September, I heard from Brett Savory and Sandra Kasturi and they said they loved the stories and wanted to publish it. I informed Beth and she immediately went to work ironing out the contract, which at this date is actually still being tweaked (I also learned the publishing works really, really slowly this year), but I do have a tentative release date- April 2012.<br />
<br />
As if that wasn't enough, I also found out that one of my stories "The Water Tower" was selected for inclusion in Paula Guran's Year's Best Dark Fantasy and Horror (Prime) and another story "Long Fall into Nothing" was a finalist in the Crime Factory sponsored contest and will appear in a future issue.<br />
<br />
So yeah, it's been a pretty good year.John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-47068526848939392122010-10-09T07:54:00.000-07:002010-10-09T07:56:42.392-07:00A lot of news...and linksThe last few months have been really cool. Let me list the ways:<br />
<br />
1. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Haunted-Legends-Ellen-Datlow/dp/0765323001/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1286633611&sr=8-1">Haunted Legends </a>came out.<br />
2. "<a href="http://www.fantasy-magazine.com/2009/07/the-water-tower/">The Water Tower</a>" was accepted for reprint in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Years-Best-Dark-Fantasy-Horror/dp/1607012332/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b">Year's Best Dark Fantasy and Horror</a>.<br />
3. I found an agent, Beth Fleisher. She works with <a href="http://www.bgliterary.com/">BG Literary</a>, and I couldn't be more pleased with her so far. I just sent her the revised version of my novel, and if it meets her approval, she'll be submitting it soon.<br />
4. Finally, <a href="http://chizine.com/chizinepub/">Chizine Publications</a> has accepted my short story collection, Shoebox Train Wreck to be published in Fall of 11 or Spring of 12. Still negotiating contract stuff, so hopefully I'll know more soon. If you aren't familiar with Chizine, they put out some of the most beautiful books. Check their covers out <a href="http://chizine.com/chizinepub/books/index.php">here</a>. <br />
<br />
Some other folks have had some good times recently as well:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.samscrap.com/">Sam W. Anderson</a> has a funny (and twisted) story in the recently released <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Lite-II-Kevin-Anderson/dp/1439187657/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1286634791&sr=8-1">Blood Lite II</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://erikwilliams.blogspot.com/">Erik Williams</a> continues his hot streak with more <a href="http://horrorgy.com/blog/2010/10/01/horror-mall-bestsellers-september-2010/">best sellers at the Horror Mall</a>. Check out <a href="http://www.horror-mall.com/BLOOD-SPRING-by-Erik-Williams-trade-paperback-edition-p-20636.html">Blood Spring</a> and <a href="https://www.horror-mall.com/sideshowpress/product.php?productid=21100">The Reverend's Powder</a>, not to mention his <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Erik-Williams/e/B002ESEU20/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1">books available for the Kindle</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.horror-mall.com/HORROR-LIBRARY-VOLUME-4-edited-by-R.J.-Cavender-trade-softcover-p-21326.html">The Horror Library 4</a> is up for preorder. It contains stories by Erik, <a href="http://www.kimdespins.blogspot.com/">Kim Despins</a>, and <a href="http://kurt-dinan.livejournal.com/">Kurt Dinan</a>.<br />
<br />
Speaking of Kurt, his story "Nub Hut" will also be appearing in The Year's Best Dark Fantasy and Horror.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ian-rogers.com/">Ian Rogers</a> has a new chapbook out from <a href="http://www.burningeffigy.com/store.shtml">Burning Effigy Press called The Ash Angels</a>. It's already been <a href="http://www.paperbackhorror.com/2010/10/ash-angels-by-ian-rogers.html">very well reviewed</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.paultremblay.net/paulgtremblay/">Paul Tremblay's </a>collection <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mean-Time-Paul-Tremblay/dp/1926851064/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1286635980&sr=8-1">In the Mean Time</a> is due out any day from Chizine. I'm really looking forward to this one.<br />
<br />
John Rector is still selling <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cold-Kiss-John-Rector/dp/0765326434/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1286636013&sr=1-1">The Cold Kiss</a>. If you haven't picked one up yet, do yourself a favor and buy a copy now. He's also got <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grove-John-Rector/dp/1935597132/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_2">The Grove</a> coming soon.<br />
<br />
If I missed anyone, I apologize, but that's all the linking I can handle on a Saturday morning.John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-59937384950775117692010-08-15T13:29:00.000-07:002010-08-15T13:29:31.277-07:00Year's Best Dark Fantasy and HorrorMy story "The Water Tower" (originally appearing in Fantasy Magazine) <span id="goog_615438490"></span>will be reprinted alongside some great authors in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Years-Best-Dark-Fantasy-Horror/dp/1607012332/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281903698&sr=8-1">2010 Year's Best Dark Fantasy and Horror</a><span id="goog_615438491"></span> edited by Paula Guran. It should be a cool book with some absolutely first rate authors including Peter Straub, Paul Tremblay, Kelly Link, John Langan, Margo Lanagan, Holly Black, Stewart O'Nan, Norman Prentiss, and Kurt Dinan. Dinan, as most of you know, is in my writing group, so I'm especially excited about sharing a TOC with him.<div><br />
</div><div>Look for it this fall.</div>John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-40471989093601062002010-07-13T12:38:00.000-07:002010-07-13T12:38:53.121-07:00Reading...I've been doing a lot of reading lately, so it's time for a report:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Everything-Matters-Ron-Currie-Jr/dp/B002XULWLG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279048916&sr=8-1">Everything Matters</a> by Ron Currie Jr.<br />
<br />
There's nothing much I can say about this book to do it justice. I will say this: Best book I've read this year, probably one of the best books I've read in a long time. If you haven't read it yet, quit reading this and go buy it now.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cold-Kiss-John-Rector/dp/0765326434/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279049270&sr=1-1">The Cold Kiss</a> by John Rector<br />
<br />
I always dread when I have to read a friend's book. What if it sucks? What if it's just okay? Do you just say nothing or lie about it? I still haven't figured that one out, but luckily, I don't have to worry about it with John Rector's debut. It's a hell of a first novel. I loved the setting, the characters, the impending sense of doom, the growing claustrophobia as you read. Most of all, I loved the writing--smooth, polished, and stylish. Check it out if you like thrillers or noir. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Absolutely-True-Diary-Part-Time-Indian/dp/0316013692/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279049789&sr=1-1">The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian</a> by Sherman Alexie<br />
<br />
This National Book Award winner tells the story of a kid who grows up on a reservation and decides to attend the "white" high school in order to better himself. This doesn't go over so well with his best friend and some of the other kids on the reservation. He becomes torn between loyalty to his community and loyalty to himself. A fast-paced, insightful, and often hilarious read about an important topic. I liked it a lot.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mistik-Lake-Melanie-Kroupa-Books/dp/0374349851/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279049827&sr=1-1-spell">Mistik Lake</a> by Martha Brooks<br />
<br />
Okay, this is not a book I would normally pick up, but it was assigned to me for a class. I was surprised that I kind of liked it. Well-written and has a few surprises, but definitely a little too romantic for my tastes.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Abandonment-Peter-Rock/dp/0156035529/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279049875&sr=1-1">My Abandonment</a> by Peter Rock<br />
<br />
Yeah, this one was exceptional. About a girl who lives in a forest with her father. They live on the fringes of society and they like it. It's a sad and strangely uplifting book. Highly recommended. I'll be picking up some of Rock's other books.<br />
<br />
And on a semi-related note, I recently found out I'm getting a Kindle! Thanks Linda and Eugene!John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-80982424390948100862010-06-21T16:30:00.000-07:002010-06-22T08:01:20.454-07:00Haunted LegendsFrom Ellen Datlow's blog:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPks_vRf9z1-Go9Rs7FAl2-ajSrtaIIuqt4rqSLwSKi5D3cvXLqt4yBq8W_IkFFcv6mEHj4RMEVD1pagEb_CRBDADBHaUmcVzYO6iZI-oJCPYeROPhT4hEIdcklffQRtumIUOO3brFQuC/s1600/s640x480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPks_vRf9z1-Go9Rs7FAl2-ajSrtaIIuqt4rqSLwSKi5D3cvXLqt4yBq8W_IkFFcv6mEHj4RMEVD1pagEb_CRBDADBHaUmcVzYO6iZI-oJCPYeROPhT4hEIdcklffQRtumIUOO3brFQuC/s400/s640x480.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div><br />
</div><div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Pre-order here:</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Haunted-Legends-Ellen-Datlow/dp/0765323001/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277162510&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></div>John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-26998894770200753612010-06-04T12:17:00.000-07:002010-06-04T14:01:43.089-07:00Sigh (story by story)I finished Christopher Coake's brilliant collection <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Were-Trouble-Christopher-Coake/dp/0156032775/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275679013&sr=8-1">WE'RE IN TROUBLE</a> about twenty minutes ago and I still feel the chills rolling across my skin. It's one of those books whose cover is full of effusive praise that the skeptic in me looks at and thinks, "Yeah, right." But then you open the book and begin to read, and suddenly Nick Hornby saying that "you forget to breathe" when you read these stories doesn't sound so ridculous. Coake's tales have a certain intangible voice about them that makes it feel as if he is literally whispering the words in your ears. The subject of all of these stories is love in the face of death, which in lesser hands could quickly fall into sentimentality, but Coake writes in such spare, yet lovingly assembled prose that such concerns quickly seem ridiculous. <br />
<br />
And as always, I find myself horribly conflicted upon reading such a great book. I want to celebrate the brilliance even while I want to lock myself in a room and tell myself over and over that I'll never be able to write this well. Yeah, I suffer from a few self-confidence issues.<br />
<br />
On to the stories:<br />
<br />
We're In Trouble- this opening suite of three stories, sets the dark and probing tone of the book. These short explorations into tragic circumstances aren't the best tales in the book, but I enjoyed them and realized very quickly, I was in the hands of a writer who knew exactly what he was doing. 8/10<br />
<br />
Cross Country- a story within a story about a kid who sees something on a cross country drive with his father and then imagines all the details that occurred to create said moment. It sounds complicated, but that's because I'm not describing it well. It's really a very well-done story that reminds me of how there is a story behind every small gesture. 9/10<br />
<br />
Solos- a story about a woman waiting to find out about the fate of her husband who is mountain climbing. In the meantime, she has an almost affair with his brother and frets over the future of her son. Coake has a knack for taking the reader deep into the interior lives of his characters, and it is the narrator's conflicts and desires that seem so familiar to us that make the story truly transcend. 9/10<br />
<br />
In the Event- when his best friend dies, Danny is left with the staggering responsibility of caring for his friend's young child. The story takes place on the night Danny discovers the news of his friend's death, and he choses not to wake the child. Again, this story shines as it explores Danny's fears and doubts about taking over a job he feels ill-prepared for. 8/10<br />
<br />
A Single Awe- this was my least favorite story, but it was still an engaging, thought-provoking read about why we love people and how sometimes, those reasons are not good enough. 7/10<br />
<br />
Abandon- I loved this story about Brad and Mel, two people on the brink, who find love and then disaster in a Michigan snowstorm. Very affecting and real. 10/10<br />
<br />
All Through the House- this is the story that gave me chills. I won't say much more than it centers around a sheriff and his best friend who snapped one night, murdering his whole family and then himself. It's perfect in every way, and it lingers long after you close the book. 10/10<br />
<br />
Overall- 9/10<br />
<br />
Read this now.John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-18994259920150542172010-05-19T18:55:00.000-07:002010-05-22T07:04:28.477-07:00Looking For AlaskaI just finished John Green's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Looking-Alaska-John-Green/dp/B002N2XI2U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274320526&sr=8-1">Looking for Alaska</a> and all I can say is go read this book right now. It's always a double edged sword for me when I read a book like this. On the one hand, I loved it to death. On the other hand, I am almost sick with jealousy (which can quickly turn to despair) because Green is so damned good.<br />
<br />
Highly recommended.John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2392453662076817158.post-7761010483228333532010-05-13T18:27:00.000-07:002010-05-15T16:16:15.990-07:00Entry for Jason Duke's Red Hot Writing Contest<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><div class="MsoNormal">A Long Fall into Nothing </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I met Larry Bryant on a cold morning during the spring of 1981. I was a senior and rode the school bus because we couldn’t afford a car and my father had to be at work too early to take me. We lived pretty far out, near the Black Warrior River, in an area some people might have called poor—or if they were feeling less kind—rough. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The first time the driver, Mr. Jennings, stopped at Larry’s trailer, I thought he must be having bus trouble. There was no way anyone could live in such a place. The trailer had been burned and the whole front side was gone. Someone had strung up shower curtains to keep out the elements, but most of that had been ripped and pieces were scattered about the yard. When I saw the flashing lights and the stop sign extend on the left side of the bus, I sat up, anxious to see who would emerge from the squalor. When no one came out, Jennings blew the horn two short blasts, shrugged, and released the handbrake. Just as he started to pull away, a tall, broad-shouldered kid appeared in the doorway of the trailer and strolled across the trash-strewn yard like it was a Sunday afternoon walk in the park. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I pressed my forehead against the dirty glass, fascinated. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This guy was in no hurry. Normally, Jennings would have gone by now, but I knew he’d let this kid on because he was new and didn’t know the rules. But then he’d chew him. Eat him alive like he had done Reggie Calhoun last year. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Except… I don’t know what it was. This kid was pretty big. Jennings was bigger, though. That wasn’t it. It was more the way he carried himself. The way he held his chin out, like he was proud of his greasy hair and ragged clothes. It was the way he looked out past the bus at something only he could see. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I don’t know… To this day, I still don’t know. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Whatever it was, Jennings saw it too. There was a moment of almost unbearable tension, as the new kid climbed onto the bus, when I thought Jennings might tear into him, but it passed with Jennings grumbling something under his breath. Larry took no notice of him. Instead, he scanned the bus, looking for a place to sit. His eyes fell on me, and he worked his way toward the back where I was seated in the very last row. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“So,” he said, settling into the seat across from me, “what do you do around here to kill the goddamn time?” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">*** </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Violence was something I learned about early on. My mother shot herself when I was eight, and although I was spared the sight of her body, I heard the door to her room slam just before she unloaded the 45 into her mouth. I heard that too. Dad, drunk on whiskey, still had enough sense to get me out of the house. It was a firecracker, he’d said. I must have looked at him like he was a fool because he shoved me hard toward the front door and told me to play, okay Jake, just go outside and play. I was still outside playing when they carried her off in the body bag. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Though Dad never offered much in the way of an opinion about why Mom shot herself, I had some ideas of my own. She couldn’t take living with her husband anymore. She couldn’t take being passive. She couldn’t take anymore. Period. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My mother’s suicide worked on me. Even when I wasn’t thinking about it, I felt it there gnawing at me, whispering. And something else was there too. The adrenaline rush of violence. I could feel it deep inside me, and in rare moments, like déjà vu, I felt it coursing through my veins, a steady thrum of blood that felt like a birthright.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">*** </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I suppose it might have all been different if Larry had chosen somewhere else to sit, but all the sleepless nights have taught me the futility of thinking like that. So I accept what happened even if I can’t understand it, this puzzle of events that nearly thirty years later, I am still trying to assemble. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Larry was a senior like me, but he could have passed for a man in his twenties. He was long-haired, sullen, and utterly intimidating. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We’d ridden in amicable silence for three days when he leaned across the aisle and said, “What we need to find,” he said, “is an easy target.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Huh?” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“How about her?” he said, gesturing to a girl a few rows in front of us. Mae Duncan. Fat girl, extraordinaire. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Mae?” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Yeah. The fat bitch.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I shrugged. I didn’t understand where this was going. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“What’s your name,” he said, his tone changing, becoming friendlier. There was something ingratiating about him then. I wanted him to like me. Lord knows why. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Jake,” I said and stuck out my hand. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When he took it, his hand felt cold, lifeless, and somehow, I knew then how it would all end up. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">*** </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Little help!” Jennings called as he always did when he had to turn the bus around at the stop near Ben Self’s driveway. It was a hell of a turn for a bus, and I’d always felt proud he’d entrusted me to help him do it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The tricky part was where Ben lived, on a bluff facing out over the Black Warrior River. Jennings had to nose into the Selfs’ driveway and then put the bus in reverse, while cutting the wheel hard. No problem there, Jennings could handle a bus. The problem was what he had to back into—a sheer forty-foot drop into fast moving water, riddled with jagged rocks. Jennings and the school administrators had been after the county for years to put up a guardrail so at least he’d have something to bump against before the bus plummeted out into nothingness, but the county didn’t give two shits for what the principal and a bus driver wanted, and Jennings was left having to rely on students to help him. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Anyway, I was supposed to call out to him when he got near the edge. The first few times, he had me do it, I hollered stop too early, and he couldn’t make the turn, so I learned from trial and error the back of the bus had to be practically hanging out over the bluff in order for him to avoid the pine trees in front. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Because of the danger of this maneuver, Jennings demanded absolute silence when he made the turn. Even the little kids who had never been close enough to the back to see what dizzying fates we were tempting, fell strangely silent, and when Jennings made the cut and put the bus in drive at last, there was a palpable sense of relief. It was a like a collective sigh, a hushed whisper that said, we did it, we pushed the limit, but we did not die today. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">*** </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I opened the back door and leaned out, aware of Larry’s eyes on me. He muttered something, but I ignored him, concentrating on the pavement below. It would turn to grass and then to nothingness. The grass came. I waited, leaning forward. The Black Warrior streaked past. A hawk skimmed the surface of the river, its beak grazing the silver current. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Stop!” I shouted. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jennings stopped. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">He cut the wheel hard. Put the bus in drive. I shut the door. The tension was gone. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I turned to look at Larry, but he was standing, admiring the river through the window. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The bus stopped suddenly. “One more time!” Jennings shouted. I’d been too cautious. He’d have to back up again to make the turn. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">He put it in reverse. I reached for door release, but Larry’s hand was there first. “I got it,” he said. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“But—” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“I got it,” he repeated in a tone that made me feel like any argument would be silly. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I slid back into my seat. He opened the door, leaning way out. “Keep coming,” he said. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jennings, who I had long suspected was hard of hearing, didn’t notice the voice belonged to someone else. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Got plenty,” Larry said. “Come on.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I stood behind Larry to look out. What I saw made me grip the seatback with both hands. The bluff was gone. We were teetering on the brink of disaster. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“A little more.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“No,” I said, but my voice wasn’t strong enough. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Good!” Larry called out and smiled at me. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jennings grunted and put it in drive. The back tires were poised on the very edge of the bluff. Any further and we’d have slid right off into the river. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The bus lurched forward and Jennings had no problem missing the trees. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">*** </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Larry and I fell into an uneasy rhythm: mornings he spent in the seat beside Mae, chatting her up so well that in a week she was smiling at every word he said. In the afternoons he sat in the back and took over—without really ever asking—my responsibility helping Jennings. He seemed to have an innate sense about just how far to go without sending the bus plummeting into the Black Warrior, and he delighted in nudging us right up against that line. Once or twice, leaning against the side window, watching the lip of the bluff disappear, I was sure we were doomed, but just when I thought Jennings couldn’t go further, Larry would call him off with an ecstatic, “Whoa there, Nellie!” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">One day he told me he was going to be visiting Mae’s house after school. “It’s on,” he said. “Parents out of town. Fat girl’s going down.” This little rhyme seemed to please him to no end. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I tried to imagine Mae on her knees, her heavy tits sagging almost to the floor, as she regarded Larry’s dick with that stupid, wanton smile she always gave him. Something about this image both sickened me and turned me on. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Hey,” he said. “You should come.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Nah, sounds like you two will need some privacy.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Fuck that. I don’t care about privacy. You can watch. Hell, you can participate if you want.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“What about Mae?” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“What about her? She’s a fat whore. You know what fat whores are good for?” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I shook my head. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Catching cum.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“What?” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">He punched my arm. “You a virgin or something?” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Hell no.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">His eyes darted around my face, never meeting mine. I think, in all the time I knew Larry, I only locked eyes with him once. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Well, shit. Come with me this afternoon. You’ll see how fun a fat girl can be.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Just then Jennings shouted out for “a little help,” and Larry popped out of his seat to open the backdoor. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">*** </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Mae’s house was worse than I ever imagined. I’d seen the place where she got off in the afternoon, but that was only her bus stop. I knew she had to walk a long dirt road to reach her home, and I’d assumed it was a dump, but dump didn’t quite do it justice. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The windows were broken. All of them. The siding had been ripped clean off the front of the house, and somehow the whole place leaned to the right. Her yard—if you could call it that—was littered with rusted bicycles and kitchen appliances. A stained sheet hung over one broken window, flapping in the wind. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Larry approached the window with the sheet. He caught it in his fist and ripped it down. We peered inside letting our eyes adjust to the darkness. She was on the couch wearing a pair of cut-off jeans and bikini top. When she saw us, she smiled, offering us that same “please pet me” smile I’d seen for weeks on the bus. I wanted to leave. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It wasn’t just that I felt sorry for her. I also felt sorry for myself. What was I doing? Why was I letting this new kid, this bully, pull me along in his wake? I didn’t have an answer. I still don’t, though the perspective of time has given me some ideas. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We went inside. Some things happened. They were all bad. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When we left, Larry was laughing. He put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me to him, giving me one of those best friends forever hugs. I remember smiling, even though I felt sick inside. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">*** </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I think about what happened next the most. It was a warm day, almost spring, the sky painted a double-coated shade of blue, the bare tree branches reaching out for something that was not there. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Larry sat down in the seat across from me. “I’m bored,” he said. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“What about Mae?” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“She’s used up. Too easy.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“I thought that’s what you wanted.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">He shrugged. “It’s like there’s no goal anymore. She just lays there and let’s me do whatever the fuck I want.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The last couple students climbed aboard as Jennings cranked the bus. Mae was one of them, swiveling her hips to keep from getting stuck between the rows of seats. From the look on her face, I saw that Larry had already made his feelings clear to her. Still, she kept coming, until she sat down in the seat directly in front of Larry. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Something you need?” Larry said. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">She shook her head, her eyes flashing with an anger I didn’t think she was capable of. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Larry ignored it and scanned the bus. “What about that girl up there?” he said, pointing at one of the younger girls, a sixth or seventh grader. I didn’t know her name but she had an eye for the older boys and a body to match. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“She’s a little young,” I said. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“It must be boring being you,” Larry shot back, a challenge in his eyes. Jennings pulled out onto County Road 22, and the tension in the back of the bus was palpable. “I mean, what the fuck do you get out of life?” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Before I could answer, he turned and grabbed a handful of Mae’s hair in his fist. She let out a low whimper and said, “Don’t touch me.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Larry pulled her hair back even farther, so her neck was bent. Her face was flush and her eyes darted to me. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Since the day I joined Larry at her house, she’d ignored me. Even though she was compliant with Larry’s every request that day, I could tell she wasn’t comfortable with me being there. I thought she hated me, but maybe I was wrong. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Let her go,” I said, and was immediately disappointed in the strength of my voice. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Did you say something?” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Let her go, Larry. Do you have to be so mean all the time?” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Larry let go of her hair and placed his palm on the back of her head and shoved hard. “Nah. You’re right. I need to be a nicer person. I’m going to be nice to her.” He pointed directly at the young girl in the front of the bus. Then he got up and brushed past Mae. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For the next several miles I tried not to think about anything. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">*** </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Little help!” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Larry rose and made his way to the rear of the bus. He threw open the emergency door and leaned way out into the opening, using both hands to brace himself on the doorframe. Over time, he’d become even more daring, and sometimes it seemed like he wanted to fall. Larry, I had come to realize, felt constrained by everything. He was always looking for the boundaries not because he wanted to stay behind them, but because he wanted to move past them. Me, on the other hand, I was looking for something absolute, some secret, some reason for why things stayed together and why they fell apart. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Come on,” he said, leaning out the back of the bus now with only one hand positioned on the doorframe to keep him from falling out into the river. The other hand was in the air, waving Jennings on. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Whoa!” he shouted. “You’re good to go.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I felt myself relax; I felt the bus relax, a general sigh of relief because once again we were back on track, certain disaster averted. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But disaster can never be completely averted. Like violence, it always lurks, waiting for the right moment to explode and make you wonder why it doesn’t happen more often. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I heard her before I saw her. When she rose from her seat, there was the sound of her blue jeans and her blouse scraping against the torn seats. I turned and saw Mae’s eyes locked in on Larry, both arms extended like some of those pictures you see of Frankenstein’s monster stumbling forward. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">She hit him with all of her weight, and for an instant, I thought she was going to go with him. The momentum of the bus moving forward, combined with Mae’s heavy blow literally shot Larry through the opening. For one fascinating moment, I saw him frozen, his body arched like a diver setting up to bend and tuck and turn into a perfect needle nose descent. But none of that happened. Instead, something even more miraculous did. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">He flailed his hands and one of them managed to catch the door release—a slender steel bar. Somehow, improbably he held on. Somebody closer to the front screamed. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jennings slammed on the brakes. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I leaned out and saw there was nothing between Larry’s dangling legs and the rocky rapids below. If his hand slipped, he’d plummet into the teeth of the river. He twisted his body around and reached out to me with his free hand. His other hand was already beginning to slide off the door release. I knew if I didn’t reach for him, he’d have to take a chance and lunge for the door opening. He’d probably get his hand back in and be able to climb back onboard. Probably. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“What the hell is going on?” Jennings demanded. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I knew there was a window, however slight, that had opened. An almost imperceptible space in time when I could do something, something big, something important, something right. I reached one hand out for Larry, bracing myself against the door frame with the other. He took it. Even as I felt his rough hand cover mine, I knew Larry couldn’t be as evil as he appeared. But at that moment, I didn’t care. All I cared about was making sure he couldn’t hurt anyone again. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Come on,” I said reaching out my free hand. “Give me your other hand.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">He looked at me then, his eyes locking right on mine. I nodded, reassuring him. He looked afraid. Damn if that look doesn’t still haunt me. Why is it some of us can feel pity when it is least deserved while there are others of us who cannot even fathom the sentiment? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">He must have read the pity in my eyes because he let go of the door release bar and reached for me. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was easy. Much easier than I thought. Just before I did it, I heard Jennings behind me, telling me to hang on, he’d pull the bus forward and goddamn why had we let him back up so far? I also heard the blast of a 45 and my father again: just go play, okay Jake, just go outside and play. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I let go. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">His eyes stayed locked on mine as he fell. I’d like to believe I saw a kind of recognition in them, a flicker of insight that took most people years to obtain. I’d like to believe in the instant before his body broke on the rocks below that he thought about how cruel and pointless his life had been and how his actions had only brought pain to himself and those around him. I’d like to believe a lot of things. But in reality, I don’t believe much of anything these days. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jennings grabbed me from behind and pulled me back into the bus. It was only then I realized I was halfway to falling out myself. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I was sobbing. I’m not sure for whom. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jennings heaved me into a seat. “It ain’t your fault. You tried, son. You tried.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">*** </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And I did try. In my own way, I tried to do the right thing, to turn the violence that needed to jump out of me like an ungrounded current into a kind of heroic act. Thirty years later, I’m not sure I succeeded. I’m not sure how to put together the pieces of my life. I turn the events over and sometimes try to force them into something like meaning, but those constructs are only temporary, as enlightening as learning truth isn’t absolute and the world is a series of indecipherable paradoxes. In the end, I always come back to that long drop, the look in Larry’s eyes as he fell, the rocks waiting beneath. This is absolute, I tell myself. Truth, I tell myself. Greater good. I did the right thing because there is a right thing. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But then I remember my own indiscretions, the fumbling, half-skewered world of my childhood without a mother. And I think maybe when I let go of Larry, I dropped someone else off a cliff as well, somebody who loved him. Somebody who needed him. I don’t know. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I do know this: Larry wasn’t the only one who fell. I’ve been falling too. The difference is he found what he was looking for: a hard line at the bottom that could not be crossed. My greatest fear is I’ll fall forever and never find the bottom. </div></span>John Mantoothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06676689707345808612noreply@blogger.com8