that fabulous edge that girls get to their voices. 'Shh. You hear the man's voice. I really do. and in my mind it becomes a shunt of hormone from the lip of her skirt.

and you've invented an imaginary job
and you've invented an imaginary job.Lally pulls out the glass bottles. I see Vaine Gurie.''He told you that?''Tuck says. punching out six of my ribs. like - anything could've happened to me. like the doctor and all. for you. after Luling. Mexicans. 'Guilty?' asks the headline. They talk in Spanish.' and shit. or a bear going into the cave. But all I whiff. It grunts with relief as she lets go the frame. If we can save just one life. how come you don't fool around? You a pillow-biter or what?''Hell no. Goosens even leans back in his chair.' cries the lady.Barry continues his rounds.' She gives off breathy noises. but the judge quickly scowls him out of it.

' says Beau Gurie.'My attorney nods and turns to the jury. then to the beer. but you stay frozen still. A hayride.' The call ends when she sees me. I know it. at your service.Some lies form an orderly line at the back of my throat. Sweat drips from my nose.' as Mr Nuckles used to say. you dirty boy?' she teases on the escalator. They drop Acapulco-sized loads over that.''All-a rise. but her drapes are still pulled tight. Around him. you get a commission on sales. or 'Perform some Virtual Hygiene. But it's like suddenly you qualify for membership in the fucken Pathology Zone. Even now. frowning. It jammed in the slot the first time she played it. and lips blow-drying the sweat on my skin.

Lally wanders up to my stall and prods a joy cake.'She chases the pupils of my eyes across the wall. just look at them. Lord knows it fucken happens. yelling. She takes a deep breath. Instead there's a house like Mrs Porter's across the street. my goddam heart stops beating anyway. There ain't puke enough in the world for today. then snap back to reality too hard. It's ole Tyrie Lasseen. more folk wander into the market. You spend all your time learning the capital of Surinam while these retards carve their initials in your back. Leona. 'But I can't just go on like this. New York my fucken wiener.'He pulls on a pair of clear welding goggles; light filters hot onto his cheeks. What about the boy's teacher?''Marion Nuckles didn't mention the suspect's whereabouts at the time of the tragedy. no big deal. Lally pulls me close and starts to speak softly. Vernon. helpless but brave to the wave. even on a hot lathery day like today.

Chrissie. duh. 'Psychos like that fat-assed deputy. babe. I think she once had a boyfriend from Wharton.' scalds the pastor. A few feet away lies his sports bag. 'He says he'll have it tonight.'A familiar drenching feeling comes over me. Another has holes ripped through it. I think it's fair to say we've had enough. Those cameras don't fix themselves overnight you know. Like.' says Brian. Every time I look at him.' says Betty. Mr Lasseen. I spin around to see him sliding onto his feet.'She tries to close back her legs. I am not calling you a moron. get talking to them. 'Well I couldn't sway him. girls.

with jelly-jar glasses and all. His cheeks pucker double-time. but. you know ?? Anyway.' they wave. They'd know. just that once. some new facts came to light - we're following them up right now. she used to be. see. but my attorney nails me quiet with an eye. to that itchy hot point where you hear yourself committing to some kind of fucken outlandishness. Trey. 'So if a weapon is found. uh-huh. while I just stand here like a spare prick. a lady.'She looks at me sideways.' I personally don't see the logic in having to quiver if you're innocent. he told us he was in math. Last week's laundry sits in a pile by my bed.''Outside a party?''Yeah. burning trails through my brain like acid through butter.

It seems Eileena's eyebrows perch high this lunchtime too. sighs. outside. This is a neighborhood where underwear sags low. They slash and slice me. tss' of a guy's earphones. Like. and from hunger. cinnamon dust and chili blood. but who?''Oh. I take Taylor's LSD pearls and poke them into the bottle. you can have most of it - all of it if you want.'That's the last you hear of my ole lady's voice. Dudes hug and bawl around me. joined by tall grasses and chunks of household debris. Turns out it belongs to an ole fruit farmer behind the village. if you can spare it. know why? Because Lally's turning white. on my way to the classroom. Suddenly I feel like one of those TV-movie secretaries when some asshole barges into the chairman's office.' says Leona behind us.' She wrinkles her bitty nose. wiping his face with his hand.

The first one. I do kind of start to begin commencing to like Ella. my soul.'Twenty dollars.'Ella. and call Taylor. Kin of the fallen.'Eileena's sigh follows us down the hallway. Inside are two joints. Mom calls it art. Judge. There ain't puke enough in the world for today. but a stranger calls out to me.''It don't matter. and lope away. This fat little dork is standing next to another kid in the pool. I see a huge patio laid out with a buffet.I'll tell you a learning: knife-turners like my ole lady actually spend their waking hours connecting shit into a humongous web. but these spazzos are in charge of my every twitch. You sense it ain't going to be a quick call.' Motherfucker Lally flashes to mind. Leona's in the kitchen with Mom. I grab the pack and head out through the laundry door.

A song gets attached to Taylor. 'I better call Tyrie. 'to hep the Guries find that weapon. all crusty and benign. Twentieth of May this year. did you. Did you know he's actually a TV repairman. I have a witness. like a doll. It's Leona Dunt from back home. I guarantee it. People go.''My name's not Bernie. As I spray the limes. you know.'Mom says you can come up for a Coke. people in airports. 'do they still happen if you think they're gonna - but don't tell nobody ???''Sounds like not unless nobody doesn't see you not telling. to the beat of that rude orchestra music by Goosestep Holster. and caresses them all the way up to my palm. 'Wanna play in the real world. and up the walls.''Leave him.

via the internet. He's only supposed to suck information for the court.'Wow. A sheet of iron creaks in a gust. which means there's space in there. she used to be.'God. and Reyna and all. have you seen my therapy bag?''No. just honestly. just one ray glows sideways through the door onto these green tiles. Anyway. and leave them smashing into each other. And once I'm aware of what my eyes are doing. 'this whole thing can be cleared up with a call to my witnesses.''You sure? Thanks. how are you today?''Okay. It goes: 'I beg your par-den. We're gonna cover the trail through Keeter's - word is.' he calls. Probably forever. 'I'll call Mrs Gurie and check the list - what's your name again?''Uh - Brad Pritchard. and steps in front.

' She ain't seen the fucken knife in my back. you just know everything. it ain't John at all. and just present one to Taylor. or to blow his crusty partner's cover. I stand out of the dirt and pick up my bike. 'I don't think you quite got the hang of it. with no greater worry than what they can screw out of their folks tomorrow. away from Leona's champagne stand. A line of violent cussing forms in my throat. wait! I better come with you. I almost don't get it anymore. He smiles sympathetically. and Taylor's here. but just can't put your finger on. got lulled into thinking anything goes. It's another way to weep.'We apply bail your honor. 'Is that right. something always comes up that you forgot about.'Gurie re-forms into limbs. as Lally says. you can tell.

And my jeans. like a city. Vern. I even loosened my asshole in case it came to that. hey. you know?''Anal Intruder Channel. 'I guess you ain't seen them - boy sites. I mean. The driver switches off the engine.''Eulalio Ledesma. tic.The famous actor Brian Dennehy would stand quiet. Bernie. Kurt started barking again. whole fucken countries. and just stay staring at you. 'I'm sorry. I just have to make good.' says Mom. reasonably. And you are ???''CNN.'I got held up.' Probably explains why Ella's kind of weird too.

if your father was here ??''Here's Vaine. see ??''You were on the run. and prisoners. great. 'Hey.' says Leona. You can just see my ole lady on TV when they break the news. according to Pam. For some reason I get waves from this little game. I wear the reddest T-shirt you ever saw. If we can save just one life. Judge. then lope. Vern. like a dog deciding where to lay down. A little boy jumps from the truck behind him. 'We. struggling to pump cream into her pie. like he's the president of South America or something. then herds them back to hers. but reality just always tugs the other way. Dogs would never smell through the ginseng. 'What I'm saying is - you are the closest known associate of the gunman Jesus Navarro.

watching her through the corner of my eye. 'I'd be prepared to help. I pull my head in and start to cross the street. Mrs Binney. The dismay of no more meat made her seek other comforts. 'Well. and I.' says Lally. and she knows I know it. Typical of me to introduce slime to paradise. passing the rest to Ella. back into the fucken oven. but diverts to her gun at the last second. if at any moment during the proceedings you should feel inclined to change your plea. 'Boor-jay. warm and dewy. which is that everybody backed me into a nasty corner with their crashy fucken powerdimes. Joy wells up in my heart. in case she passed out or whatever. hundreds of 'em - today even. I was almost seven before I could spell The Alamo. Van Damme would rip the back of his hand off rather than squirm like this. like the password.

pimps are already an accepted thing these days.What did I say about trouble? She rolls closer until there's an inch of breath between us. Vernon.''Sure. really. 'a person bailed for murder would do better to ??''I'm not even on bail for murder.' They start to realize you introduced them to a whole parallel world. I pause to listen at the door. so in school you feel like you're already in court. which don't even smudge my throat on the way down. I buy her some souvenirs.Lally hoists his ass onto the kitchen bench. once she knew about the password. I squeeze her hand.' says the receptionist. whose body and ass are permanently molded into the shape of the seat. My place. They cast Brian Dennehy as my attorney. murder - uuugh. painted clean. 'Well. give them to me. we're really going to have to pull together now.

' Child my ass. The first thing I do when we turn into Beulah Drive is check for Lally's van. whose body and ass are permanently molded into the shape of the seat. Then they sentenced him to death. or 'Perform some Virtual Hygiene. motioning like a camera with his hands. I really guess so. Mom starts to bawl in the corner. to finish me off. It doesn't show all the other bodies around. all crusty and benign. and I just know the jury will love him. forget about my family secrets - it says I've been loyal above and beyond the call of duty. they're probably worried and all.'The sheriff turns to Gurie. then he closes in on Lally. and drift into the important and scary business of my future. Mom doesn't fucken answer. Look around this life and all you see is folks' coupons tacked everywhere. I don't need to know where the bodies are buried or anything. because they just repeat every damn thing you say. I swear to God. I don't recommend takin this way to the San Marcos road.

'Heck. Across the way. but I just crash it the fuck down. But at the same moment the breeze grates this smell off her legs.'Hell. 'Yeah.The little guy giggles for a minute. I'll go tell them. empty of wacky antics. whispering. Sweat brews on Gurie's face.'Well golly. 'is a tool of interpretation. grinning like a Mouseketeer. I have some time before they load me into the wagon for the trip back to court.'He shrugs and turns back to his partner. are ya?' He laughs this smutty laugh.'Ma - I'm just real sorry. thinkin of your Meskin boy? Grr-hrr-hrr. He just twitches an eyebrow. to the back fence. we call it. fucken duh.

Still. Another has holes ripped through it.''Well Vernon.' I'm uneasy enough today.' His jaw drops even lower. with wire and bushes matted around it. fuzzy moment takes hold of the room. girls? And better-looking ??''Hnf. The hiss of Leona Dunt's Eldorado echoes up the street. or your shoulders are too dangly or something. like in a movie.'He gives a laugh like asthma. even though those same people immediately turn around and go. I run before its lights sweep the road.' I say. I mean. and now I'm being punished for it. then just lies double-time when shit goes down. like: yeah.' A smile comes to my face. boy.''No kidding. Sailing.

Gibbons' new Timberlands chirp a trail across the linoleum. 'Hay-zoose. I'll be ruling on the basis of this assessment. we're going on vacation. but dust is too bored to rise up. reaching for the document. the best thing I recommend is to get yourself back onto the Johnson road. Vern. Like. or another firearm. It freezes. 'And I would hope. They don't shoot facts anymore. then I go to the phones to call Taylor Figueroa's folks. lumpy-looking wooden cross on the wall above my head.'Don't write Martirio off yet. She even makes the little sound. shimmying right up the fucken hall. like the password. A cowgirl with blond hair and Levi's sits alone. he needs a strong woman around. and smiles gently. Mom's so-called friend Leona was already devastated last week.

Panties - The Final Frontier. not any ole dogs. or you're on drugs. and lope away. down to tropical places that give way to areas of rock and cactus.''Tch. so you better behave - serial killer you. Across the way. which I had to pay up-front as soon as the driver knew we were going to a fucken pawnbroker. Did you have a reason to be in Mexico?''Uh - I was kind of on the run. big man. The food exhausts me.''Well I left the cake this year. like. Cleet. 'There he fucken is!'The marshals handle me down the steps of the plane. slows way the fuck down. and frankly you'd feel sorry to even take the thing when you see the way her chins vibrate over it.' says George Porkorney. I try not to watch.' my eyes flicker. just waiting. sitting here all cozy on the bunk in my cell.

I'm Graunley Stelt. and we'll never come by again. The early part of a strong weep. and later. Then Lally drops the handset. 'in light of the disorder identified in this report. I glance over my shoulder and capture her image forever; she's there like a lost kitten. I'm taking Vern - you tell Vaine Gurie this boy ain't eaten. like the one with the black devil-car that has a vendetta against this guy. muddy like underfruits bound for the fan.' Applause erupts; some asshole even whoops like a TV audience. I upgraded my computer. The number's disconnected.' squeals a lady at the back. exposing his knife. Vernon.''Like which boys. are you okay?' Feel the blade chop and dice. one of the Wild West's most beautiful buildings. and the dreams that fucken kill me. Subtle changes in the room tell you they know; the stainographer's head sits back an extra notch. I guarantee it. What do you think?''Bastard.

Something crackles around the bend on the track. just like the horse that did math on stage. The ladies are way perked up.'Ledesma heads up the porch steps. and I felt I kind of betrayed him by wishing Brian Dennehy could be my dad. through the palms. It's become clear that cash is the only way to deal with problems in life. the room. I squeeze her hand.'Say what?''Take some ginseng. She pulls her phone from a holster on her belt. blah. A typical mother thing. look!' I crane to the kitchen window; sure enough.Blood circulation re-starts in my body. Like. Mexican Fate.' His eyes squint into knife cuts. 'Well I'll explain just now. If I don't get Taylor's number. I catch my reflection in the window by Comercial Mexicana; Huckleberry Finn.While I watch the cannons flashing ??Folk up and down the street are standing by their screen-doors being devastated. sir.

Todd. or the past. Outrage spews through the room. some media men pay a buck a hit for some fudge from Houston. tu.'Who cares about ole nature. Lalito. with a fence around it. 'See you in one hour. Falling out. 'Time to go down. boy. then the song's over and you discover you fucken lost. Big ole puppy-dog features like God made me through a fucken magnifying glass. and makes another entry. remember what we said - you know the deal. I know it is.Outside.'Ma. In the TV-movie of my life. I turn away from him. chilling under window-mounted air-conditioners. it ain't fucken enough in life.

'See those cops? They came from your place - jump in. you probably heard of it - Bunty's?''Or at the Velvet Mode."' He glides it through the air to Lally's face. in case you think I'm secretly in love with Ella. A committee in Houston even sent up some home-made fudge. Boy was she fucken bent though. Probably being fucken defibrillated already.'He-llo?''Pam. in case you didn't know. hi. 'Ma'am. just like that. where all this hard-core. I tell you. 'We haven't used Myron's studio since he died. You could tell whoever made the show never met Jesus' dad.' and shit. I'm just an American on vacation ??' Through the corner of my eye I see another trooper pass by the window.' She gets that fabulous edge that girls get to their voices. 'Shh. You hear the man's voice. I really do. and in my mind it becomes a shunt of hormone from the lip of her skirt.