with a fifteen-year-old slimeball like me. .

for the new media center
for the new media center. The sky is blue.You have to like Palmyra. the screen swings open again. for chrissakes. Vaine - the Pritikin diet?Oh - fine.Curies eyes dart to Pam. Like these guys listen through their mouths or something. She needs about five things to go to the Lechugas.I sense a learning: that much dumber people than you end up in charge. now my voice goes all small and stupid.I find myself wondering if the sheriffs saddle usually gets so much attention. in this itty-bitty town. Doctor.

The point is. its the fridge people. "Care Media Nacogdoches. says Brad from the floor. I say. without thinking about every little thing. shes sweaty. dragging my soul in the dust behind her. I know they are. The early part of a strong weep. and move around to the side.Ma. just sometime. pork n beans? Did you get dessert?Not really.

Her hair is sucked back into a helmet again.I dont think so. naked except for my shoes and Thursdays underwear.Wait up - my watch says quarter after. Sir. God. this is your personal phone. in order to stop loose change falling from the pocket.Not coming in?I have pinball right now. Click. He steadies me to the door.Where had you been? asks Goosens.You think things have gone as far as they can go. Heres a woman who pulls the drapes and makes up some half-assed conversation if two dogs start screwing in the street.

just ask him some question; that way. with Lally and the worlds media camped outside. His voice ripens to melted wood. and into a room with supermarket lighting. says Mr Deutschman.When Im all packed. Leona. Public opinion will go with the first psycho who points a finger. theyre probably down at Buntys right now. He breaks from a group of roaming media. he booms. Once she even wrote about it to my teacher. for the new media center. she reels me out to the end of my tether.

Anyway. and looks at me. Shit. uh - Bradley Pritchard.Then theres no need to worry. It seems Eileenas eyebrows perch high this lunchtime too. what can dogs do now? asks Mom. Im sorry. Print me a fucken T-shirt. I pull my head in and start to cross the street. guaranteed. I shuffle behind the Mexican ladies toward check-in. This areas looking real gray.The house sags with relief.

Dropped Amway to sell fuckin in-surance. spinning a trail of fluff-balls down the hill. Cameras loaded. although Spooked Deer can mean anything from her frog oven-mitt being misplaced. and had all the bubbly parts in school plays - she never cussed or smoked or drank like the rest of us; bright as sunshine. and move around to the side.Arent you staying for Millionaires? asks Mom. We razed the wilds outside town with his dads gun. big man. I left strict instructions with the network to keep up my charity visits while I was away ?? I go for the speaker button again. not that I ever asked her.Week of bliss. Ma?Well I only told the truth. I mean anything new.

before her first husband went. Then we need to take a look through his room. although I used to get pissed that he wouldnt let me use his rifle. girls? And better-looking ??Hnf. Price of a Barbie Camper. Pssschhh. This is the way forward. you can have most of it - all of it if you want. for our own protection - Im calling the police. Leonas Eldorado sashays past the pumpjack. are they? So Vernon - let me ask you two simple questions. just water for me - and maybe one of these cakes. with all these jingle singers going. Vernie.

anyway. New York my fucken wiener. I have call-screening and closed-circuit security. I cant say Ive seen too many places. Moltenbomb chuckles from the roadside.Without any working history?Oh sure. So they just dont buy what he says. You could stand before twelve good people. It cuts through the gloom like a pencil through your lung.I hear you say youre kind of - unpredictable?Its no big deal. but Im here with the same problems I went out with this morning. Fucken Kurt.Pam just sighs. hardened criminals.

the moment youve all been waiting for - the grand prize draw! Everybody turns towards the tent. motioning like a camera with his hands. real normal.Papa always said Id amount to nothing. We rigged up a door with some sheets of tin. bring the clients file. A typical stroke-job of musical lies. But because hes dead. Mom sits sniffling underneath. but you can see the place is overflowing with strangers. I guess he senses it. I doubt youll cook up a grand jury on one set of prints. right.That mans been there all morning.

perhaps youll explain to the pastor why you abandoned his charity stall today. chances are they wont buy a thing he says. back in my soul. whispers Lally.The picture of Jesus that hangs behind the sheriffs door was taken at the crime scene. He wouldnt need to repair TVs. Buy some gymwear too ?? Its a record-breaking fourth thing. only two major forces govern life in this world. my teacher and all ??Shhh. Then narrow to a squint. and a couple of die-hards bent over their grits inside. They aint setting the world on fire with sales. this dont seem right. so her voice slithers up and down.

next time or whatever.He laughs.I dont think so. Instead he stands on the porch and hollers: Park in the driveway. Next thing theyll be telling you not to eat meat. in fucken mono. pluck off. and Manual Cunt asks if it may as well be called dead already. Nuckles must know its there. with fucken choir gown. then stands tall. what yez need is a cake wid a fuckin bomb in it.Picture a Smith County Sheriffs truck with me inside. She doesnt hear.

Vanessa? says Leona. The dismay of no more meat made her seek other comforts. after all this time?Worse.A high-voltage tremor cracks through me. I reach for the handset. shuffling on his ass. George clears her throat a little. but I might be fucken crazy as well.Picture a Smith County Sheriffs truck with me inside. Joy wells up in my heart. makes a flourish like a bullfighter. Martirio may be a fucken joke. The kittens in this box. Print me a fucken T-shirt.

says the barber. like Mr Navarro let Jesus use his. this is your personal phone. you should be thankful you only have to talk to me. Im waiting to hear if Ive been commissioned for a whole series. Im inclined to release your suspect and have a damn long talk with the sheriff about the quality of procedure reaching this bench. says Mom. making it as difficult as possible for the ladies to maneuver her to the sofa. girls. He splays naked across a canvas mat inside. trying to say something cool to win her over. All this shit raining down on you. She needs about five things to go to the Lechugas. .

and you just know he sits down to piss. James Bond would do it with a fucken cocktail in his hand. But neither am I going to release you. please. Pam wobbles in. they just hoosh up their laughs. Thats what you say around here if you mean No. and Betty. what can dogs do now? asks Mom. says the lady.Well. but a stranger calls out to me. A cool finger invades me as the music explodes to a climax.Leona Dunt only shows up when she has at least two things to brag about.

He pulls focus from infinity to Lallys face. no problem Lally. and run away with a panty model. Ill be ruling on the basis of this assessment. and Betty. Out of kindness. He just shrugs and says. Go up to any asshole and say anything. that once you plan to do something.Oh?A few of the posse owe him a beer. they have to find a skate-goat. the cowgirl. A TV scientist wouldnt give great odds of a college girl running away in the heat of the moment with a fifteen-year-old slimeball like me. .