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Noir Fiction
Johnny Bullet
Johnny Bullet
Chapter 1:
At the Very Far Away Ends of It All
At the end of all roads, lost is found again.
Page 1:
"I was ten weeks on the road. Going nowhere. I ha..."
Page 2: "Regardless of my silent penance, the sun rose on t..."
Page 3: "Almost, I felt I could catch the sparkle of its di..."
Page 4: "It was an ephemeral sigh, coming and going. It wa..."
Page 5: "For here, I would say, staking some sort of mental..."
Page 6: "The first experience I had of the town and its peo..."
Page 7: "Then I shook my head free of such fancy. Nonsense..."
Page 8: ""What you want here, mister?" belched she unceremo..."
Page 9: ""Maybe. I don't know yet." This seemed somehow s..."
Page 10: "She grunted, and turned an unfriendly shoulder. "..."
Page 11: "That soured her face a bit. She glared at me with..."
Page 12: "I thought how badly I wanted to run even now from ..."
Page 13: ""Do you have Swiss cheese?"
"'Do you have S..."
Page 14: ""Yeah, that's better. Bastards always get stuck o..."
Page 15: "He turned me atop the stool and let me loose. "Ge..."
Page 16: ""Everything. Bonnie's got this way with her. A s..."
Page 17: "I struggled to pull my gaze from the stillness of ..."
Page 18: "This was but a man. Sitting on a rusted chair. O..."
Page 19: "I jumped up to stand, and cowered to accept the sa..."
Page 20: "I had my cheese sandwich, and the road. I knew th..."
Page 21: "The contraption was a rattle trap. He shouted ove..."
Page 22: ""That Bonnie of mine, she's a sharp jolt! You can..."
Page 23: ""Yeah? What's so special about this place, anyway..."
Page 24: ""What I mean to say is, you don't get here by look..."
Page 25: "His gaze turned to mine again, and flames burned b..."
Page 26: ""Foreign? I don't know what you mean there, miste..."
Page 27: "I didn't think I would be here that long. Then ag..."
Page 28: "I nodded. "Yeah. How did you know?"
He st..."
Page 29: "His face remained impassive and neutral behind his..."
Page 30: "He jerked me along the high porch and around the c..."
Page 31: "Then the man appeared at the bars between the desk..."
Page 32: "Sheriff Estes frowned, and sat in a protesting rol..."
Page 33: ""So, for you, it goes something like this... you'r..."
Page 34: ""Second, you can be and do whatever you want here...."
Page 35: "He lay his head back again to sleep, and dismissed..."
Page 2: "Regardless of my silent penance, the sun rose on t..."
Page 3: "Almost, I felt I could catch the sparkle of its di..."
Page 4: "It was an ephemeral sigh, coming and going. It wa..."
Page 5: "For here, I would say, staking some sort of mental..."
Page 6: "The first experience I had of the town and its peo..."
Page 7: "Then I shook my head free of such fancy. Nonsense..."
Page 8: ""What you want here, mister?" belched she unceremo..."
Page 9: ""Maybe. I don't know yet." This seemed somehow s..."
Page 10: "She grunted, and turned an unfriendly shoulder. "..."
Page 11: "That soured her face a bit. She glared at me with..."
Page 12: "I thought how badly I wanted to run even now from ..."
Page 13: ""Do you have Swiss cheese?"
"'Do you have S..."
Page 14: ""Yeah, that's better. Bastards always get stuck o..."
Page 15: "He turned me atop the stool and let me loose. "Ge..."
Page 16: ""Everything. Bonnie's got this way with her. A s..."
Page 17: "I struggled to pull my gaze from the stillness of ..."
Page 18: "This was but a man. Sitting on a rusted chair. O..."
Page 19: "I jumped up to stand, and cowered to accept the sa..."
Page 20: "I had my cheese sandwich, and the road. I knew th..."
Page 21: "The contraption was a rattle trap. He shouted ove..."
Page 22: ""That Bonnie of mine, she's a sharp jolt! You can..."
Page 23: ""Yeah? What's so special about this place, anyway..."
Page 24: ""What I mean to say is, you don't get here by look..."
Page 25: "His gaze turned to mine again, and flames burned b..."
Page 26: ""Foreign? I don't know what you mean there, miste..."
Page 27: "I didn't think I would be here that long. Then ag..."
Page 28: "I nodded. "Yeah. How did you know?"
He st..."
Page 29: "His face remained impassive and neutral behind his..."
Page 30: "He jerked me along the high porch and around the c..."
Page 31: "Then the man appeared at the bars between the desk..."
Page 32: "Sheriff Estes frowned, and sat in a protesting rol..."
Page 33: ""So, for you, it goes something like this... you'r..."
Page 34: ""Second, you can be and do whatever you want here...."
Page 35: "He lay his head back again to sleep, and dismissed..."
Chapter 5:
Ever Been To Texas Boy
A man with maps and a girl twiddling pig tails.
Page 1:
"I found him lurking on the porch. He hadn't gone ..."
Page 2: ""I hate this fucking place," he spat. "What about..."
Page 3: ""Hey, no offense. I'm just upset, I suppose."
..."
Page 4: ""Yeah, I got the same speech. When did you get in..."
Page 5: ""I don't know," I quipped, leaning forward to rest..."
Page 6: "He brightened instantly. "Really? You'd take me ..."
Page 7: "Then I turned my thoughts to the garage and my run..."
Page 8: "As I passed before his front gate, he shouted rheu..."
Page 9: ""That dog there," cried the old man happily, his f..."
Page 10: "He cackled, and held his arm higher. "'Cause THAT..."
Page 11: ""A map? That's what it is?"
"Why, sure, bo..."
Page 12: ""Mmm," he mumbled toothlessly, turning his head to..."
Page 13: "He stewed and steamed a minute, but I didn't let g..."
Page 14: ""Why? I have no intention of going anywhere soon...."
Page 15: ""But I ain't said what I have to say, boy."
Page 16: ""'Cause the thing about Texas is its law. God dam..."
Page 17: "The old man seemed to draw the same eventual concl..."
Page 18: ""It's a fork in the road that every man and woman ..."
Page 19: ""Damned straight. Our kind never does. 'Cause it..."
Page 20: ""A man that ain't goin' back, ain't goin' back. I..."
Page 21: ""Yeah, maybe. Maybe so, but this here says I ain'..."
Page 22: ""Know nothin', that's what! Now get the fuck off ..."
Page 2: ""I hate this fucking place," he spat. "What about..."
Page 3: ""Hey, no offense. I'm just upset, I suppose."
..."
Page 4: ""Yeah, I got the same speech. When did you get in..."
Page 5: ""I don't know," I quipped, leaning forward to rest..."
Page 6: "He brightened instantly. "Really? You'd take me ..."
Page 7: "Then I turned my thoughts to the garage and my run..."
Page 8: "As I passed before his front gate, he shouted rheu..."
Page 9: ""That dog there," cried the old man happily, his f..."
Page 10: "He cackled, and held his arm higher. "'Cause THAT..."
Page 11: ""A map? That's what it is?"
"Why, sure, bo..."
Page 12: ""Mmm," he mumbled toothlessly, turning his head to..."
Page 13: "He stewed and steamed a minute, but I didn't let g..."
Page 14: ""Why? I have no intention of going anywhere soon...."
Page 15: ""But I ain't said what I have to say, boy."
Page 16: ""'Cause the thing about Texas is its law. God dam..."
Page 17: "The old man seemed to draw the same eventual concl..."
Page 18: ""It's a fork in the road that every man and woman ..."
Page 19: ""Damned straight. Our kind never does. 'Cause it..."
Page 20: ""A man that ain't goin' back, ain't goin' back. I..."
Page 21: ""Yeah, maybe. Maybe so, but this here says I ain'..."
Page 22: ""Know nothin', that's what! Now get the fuck off ..."
Chapter 9:
I
The old, black crow cackles.
Page 1:
"I was one with the white line again. It was a com..."
Page 2: ""Son of a bitch," I cursed, spinning the wheel abo..."
Page 3: "The Datsun's tires smoked again, as I smashed the ..."
Page 4: ""Ha!" he gloated, "And you'll be damned lucky to g..."
Page 5: ""I thought that was the whole lesson."
He l..."
Page 6: "Though shaded by the brim of his battered hat, I s..."
Page 7: ""Who the hell are you talking about, old man?"
..."
Page 8: "He cackled, "You and me, Johnny, we're to be best ..."
Page 9: "I grimaced. The thought of watching him eat rolle..."
Page 10: "We stopped at that familiar intersection, and I as..."
Page 11: "Despite myself, I grinned and shook my head. "The..."
Page 12: ""Ha ha, boy, what fun," he remarked with a deadpan..."
Page 13: "With a groan, I prompted, "Unless what?"
"U..."
Page 14: "Francis sat, brooding, on the porch, gently rockin..."
Page 15: ""Oh, I see. Thanks for the advice."
He gru..."
Page 16: "Francis grinned and rocked without facing me. "Ye..."
Page 17: ""I have no idea. He says he knows me, that he wa..."
Page 18: ""Thanks, I think I will," I returned placidly, pul..."
Page 2: ""Son of a bitch," I cursed, spinning the wheel abo..."
Page 3: "The Datsun's tires smoked again, as I smashed the ..."
Page 4: ""Ha!" he gloated, "And you'll be damned lucky to g..."
Page 5: ""I thought that was the whole lesson."
He l..."
Page 6: "Though shaded by the brim of his battered hat, I s..."
Page 7: ""Who the hell are you talking about, old man?"
..."
Page 8: "He cackled, "You and me, Johnny, we're to be best ..."
Page 9: "I grimaced. The thought of watching him eat rolle..."
Page 10: "We stopped at that familiar intersection, and I as..."
Page 11: "Despite myself, I grinned and shook my head. "The..."
Page 12: ""Ha ha, boy, what fun," he remarked with a deadpan..."
Page 13: "With a groan, I prompted, "Unless what?"
"U..."
Page 14: "Francis sat, brooding, on the porch, gently rockin..."
Page 15: ""Oh, I see. Thanks for the advice."
He gru..."
Page 16: "Francis grinned and rocked without facing me. "Ye..."
Page 17: ""I have no idea. He says he knows me, that he wa..."
Page 18: ""Thanks, I think I will," I returned placidly, pul..."
Chapter 13:
Mother
Setting wrongs to right.
Page 1:
"After the 'incident' that was never mentioned, thi..."
Page 2: ""Let me tell you something about a bastard." He w..."
Page 3: ""So then there's also this, John... say you're out..."
Page 4: "I climbed off my seat, and stood at the ready next..."
Page 5: ""He deserved it." I think my tone shocked her mor..."
Page 6: "My mother was another story, however. True to his..."
Page 7: "Unceremoniously, I jostled my mother awake, again ..."
Page 8: "She let me go, nodding her head. "Okay, John. Ok..."
Page 9: ""No, I don't think you will," I returned coolly, l..."
Page 10: ""You might have killed him."
I nodded. "I ..."
Page 11: "I felt my eyebrows rise. Butterflies stirred my g..."
Page 12: ""Maybe. Either way, I'm not afraid. I'm never af..."
Page 13: ""Jesus Christ, kid, are you for real?"
I re..."
Page 14: "Just as I knew it was too late to help. Where wer..."
Page 2: ""Let me tell you something about a bastard." He w..."
Page 3: ""So then there's also this, John... say you're out..."
Page 4: "I climbed off my seat, and stood at the ready next..."
Page 5: ""He deserved it." I think my tone shocked her mor..."
Page 6: "My mother was another story, however. True to his..."
Page 7: "Unceremoniously, I jostled my mother awake, again ..."
Page 8: "She let me go, nodding her head. "Okay, John. Ok..."
Page 9: ""No, I don't think you will," I returned coolly, l..."
Page 10: ""You might have killed him."
I nodded. "I ..."
Page 11: "I felt my eyebrows rise. Butterflies stirred my g..."
Page 12: ""Maybe. Either way, I'm not afraid. I'm never af..."
Page 13: ""Jesus Christ, kid, are you for real?"
I re..."
Page 14: "Just as I knew it was too late to help. Where wer..."
Chapter 17:
Question With An Open End
Johnny Bullet, enigma.
Page 1:
"I saw a funny picture, once. It was of three fish..."
Page 2: "Then a second glance at it, and all was askew, out..."
Page 3: "He shrugged, "I've never been inside." He said it..."
Page 4: "I watched it roar around the bend in the drive and..."
Page 5: "I wished to God with all the earnestness of my sou..."
Page 6: ""Oh, well, sir... that wouldn't be my place, would..."
Page 7: ""One way or another."
I climbed a stair abo..."
Page 8: ""This way, sir," he breathed roughly, "If you plea..."
Page 9: "For, the solution of a thing is its ownership. Th..."
Page 10: "That leap of faith required a complete surrender t..."
Page 11: "Dragging leaden feet across the threshold, I enter..."
Page 12: "Even from so great a distance, I was immediately c..."
Page 13: "It was another, a man. Of long, flowing black hai..."
Page 14: ""So fine, and so, good." He reached out to guide ..."
Page 15: "I tried again, but could not speak. I nodded, ins..."
Page 16: "Touching me gently where every man so longs to be ..."
Page 17: "His smile broadened, and he reclined coolly. "So ..."
Page 18: "If possible, his smile broadened further still. "..."
Page 19: ""Very well, we start with what I want, which has m..."
Page 20: ""All that is bloody and black I love. All that is..."
Page 21: ""As every golden age has fallen into neglect. For..."
Page 22: ""So I say, I have stood fast behind a Macedonian s..."
Page 23: " "It is my nature to be this fear from the time of..."
Page 24: "His smile returned, as I finished, "I mean, what d..."
Page 25: "It sobered me a bit, him reminding me of my adopte..."
Page 26: ""Oh, you have been there? Then you clearly see wh..."
Page 27: ""Despite what I have said about the absurdity of t..."
Page 28: "He began again, his tone fallen an octave, from pa..."
Page 29: ""For he was a peasant, did I say? Even as base as..."
Page 30: "I jerked my head away from those tongues and finge..."
Page 31: ""Joshua. You are too familiar."
"Whatever...."
Page 32: ""So I'm the peasant come before your court," I dra..."
Page 33: ""Play."
I groaned and cursed. "Somehow, I ..."
Page 34: "Making a dismissive gesture with his hand, he hast..."
Page 35: ""Or bridges. I always built bridges with mine."
Page 36: ""Well, what of it? Where is the shame in being an..."
Page 37: ""I have known many of your kind in my times on Ear..."
Page 38: ""So I come to our business at hand. As you say, w..."
Page 39: "I started my mouth open to speak, and stopped. In..."
Page 40: "I understood him at once, then. Her. His alter e..."
Page 2: "Then a second glance at it, and all was askew, out..."
Page 3: "He shrugged, "I've never been inside." He said it..."
Page 4: "I watched it roar around the bend in the drive and..."
Page 5: "I wished to God with all the earnestness of my sou..."
Page 6: ""Oh, well, sir... that wouldn't be my place, would..."
Page 7: ""One way or another."
I climbed a stair abo..."
Page 8: ""This way, sir," he breathed roughly, "If you plea..."
Page 9: "For, the solution of a thing is its ownership. Th..."
Page 10: "That leap of faith required a complete surrender t..."
Page 11: "Dragging leaden feet across the threshold, I enter..."
Page 12: "Even from so great a distance, I was immediately c..."
Page 13: "It was another, a man. Of long, flowing black hai..."
Page 14: ""So fine, and so, good." He reached out to guide ..."
Page 15: "I tried again, but could not speak. I nodded, ins..."
Page 16: "Touching me gently where every man so longs to be ..."
Page 17: "His smile broadened, and he reclined coolly. "So ..."
Page 18: "If possible, his smile broadened further still. "..."
Page 19: ""Very well, we start with what I want, which has m..."
Page 20: ""All that is bloody and black I love. All that is..."
Page 21: ""As every golden age has fallen into neglect. For..."
Page 22: ""So I say, I have stood fast behind a Macedonian s..."
Page 23: " "It is my nature to be this fear from the time of..."
Page 24: "His smile returned, as I finished, "I mean, what d..."
Page 25: "It sobered me a bit, him reminding me of my adopte..."
Page 26: ""Oh, you have been there? Then you clearly see wh..."
Page 27: ""Despite what I have said about the absurdity of t..."
Page 28: "He began again, his tone fallen an octave, from pa..."
Page 29: ""For he was a peasant, did I say? Even as base as..."
Page 30: "I jerked my head away from those tongues and finge..."
Page 31: ""Joshua. You are too familiar."
"Whatever...."
Page 32: ""So I'm the peasant come before your court," I dra..."
Page 33: ""Play."
I groaned and cursed. "Somehow, I ..."
Page 34: "Making a dismissive gesture with his hand, he hast..."
Page 35: ""Or bridges. I always built bridges with mine."
Page 36: ""Well, what of it? Where is the shame in being an..."
Page 37: ""I have known many of your kind in my times on Ear..."
Page 38: ""So I come to our business at hand. As you say, w..."
Page 39: "I started my mouth open to speak, and stopped. In..."
Page 40: "I understood him at once, then. Her. His alter e..."
Chapter 21:
Unborn
Logic and unreason. The crime.
Page 1:
"Near the end, I found a bill tucked away in the ce..."
Page 2: "For the first time, I hated her. I despised her.<..."
Page 3: "She was so beautiful in that moment. A beautiful,..."
Page 4: "She immediately rolled her eyes, sighing with exag..."
Page 5: ""Yes, Johnny, I did."
"Did you do anything ..."
Page 6: ""What sights, darling? It was Reno, Nevada."
<..."
Page 7: "She appeared at the door again, struggling into an..."
Page 8: ""Jealous? Of what?"
She shrugged. "How th..."
Page 9: ""Well, what?"
"Are you going to let me pass..."
Page 10: "She remained motionless in my grip. She blinked h..."
Page 11: "I felt my jaw clamp shut savagely to hear her tone..."
Page 12: ""Tell me about it."
"You already have the w..."
Page 13: "She paused to seethe. I summoned up the courage t..."
Page 14: ""Fuck you!" She started down the stairs with a sh..."
Page 2: "For the first time, I hated her. I despised her.<..."
Page 3: "She was so beautiful in that moment. A beautiful,..."
Page 4: "She immediately rolled her eyes, sighing with exag..."
Page 5: ""Yes, Johnny, I did."
"Did you do anything ..."
Page 6: ""What sights, darling? It was Reno, Nevada."
<..."
Page 7: "She appeared at the door again, struggling into an..."
Page 8: ""Jealous? Of what?"
She shrugged. "How th..."
Page 9: ""Well, what?"
"Are you going to let me pass..."
Page 10: "She remained motionless in my grip. She blinked h..."
Page 11: "I felt my jaw clamp shut savagely to hear her tone..."
Page 12: ""Tell me about it."
"You already have the w..."
Page 13: "She paused to seethe. I summoned up the courage t..."
Page 14: ""Fuck you!" She started down the stairs with a sh..."
Chapter 25:
You
Contact.
Page 1:
"Already disturbed by the blast's concussion, the o..."
Page 2: "Except, I didn't want them, anyway. I waggled the..."
Page 3: ""I have thought about it, Edwin," I slurred his na..."
Page 4: "I watched realization dawn in his eyes from the co..."
Page 5: ""Hullo," I offered grimly, gasping for breath. "I..."
Page 6: ""You tried it before, and failed. Are you certain..."
Page 7: ""You gave me everything and more, alright," I conc..."
Page 2: "Except, I didn't want them, anyway. I waggled the..."
Page 3: ""I have thought about it, Edwin," I slurred his na..."
Page 4: "I watched realization dawn in his eyes from the co..."
Page 5: ""Hullo," I offered grimly, gasping for breath. "I..."
Page 6: ""You tried it before, and failed. Are you certain..."
Page 7: ""You gave me everything and more, alright," I conc..."
Chapter 2:
Burning
A first night in purgatory.
Page 1:
"I felt it more than I saw it, that first sunset in..."
Page 2: "Somehow, on some level, I felt that I had been swa..."
Page 3: "I felt its myriad eyes upon me. Eyes of all kinds..."
Page 4: "For termination must, necessarily, append all begi..."
Page 5: "When I passed beneath it on the street, it defecat..."
Page 6: "I smiled. She did not return it.
I shuffle..."
Page 7: "Her lips barely moved as she spoke. She crossed h..."
Page 8: ""How old is this place?" I enquired to make conver..."
Page 9: ""I don't make small-talk."
"Well, then what..."
Page 10: "She rolled her black eyes and sighed. "What's fun..."
Page 11: "This was an alternating grunt and pant of human br..."
Page 12: "At the far side, beyond the bed, a single window s..."
Page 2: "Somehow, on some level, I felt that I had been swa..."
Page 3: "I felt its myriad eyes upon me. Eyes of all kinds..."
Page 4: "For termination must, necessarily, append all begi..."
Page 5: "When I passed beneath it on the street, it defecat..."
Page 6: "I smiled. She did not return it.
I shuffle..."
Page 7: "Her lips barely moved as she spoke. She crossed h..."
Page 8: ""How old is this place?" I enquired to make conver..."
Page 9: ""I don't make small-talk."
"Well, then what..."
Page 10: "She rolled her black eyes and sighed. "What's fun..."
Page 11: "This was an alternating grunt and pant of human br..."
Page 12: "At the far side, beyond the bed, a single window s..."
Chapter 6:
Fix It For Free
The price of friendship.
Page 1:
"She was standing on the sidewalk around the corner..."
Page 2: ""Sure," I replied coolly, neutrally. I let her ta..."
Page 3: "Whereupon she broke into a coy smirk, and rolled h..."
Page 4: ""I don't have time for games. Sorry."
I st..."
Page 5: "The little girl gasped. "You have a car? Will yo..."
Page 6: "Horrified, I scolded her for her language. She wa..."
Page 7: ""That's your car?" she inquired in disgust, as I p..."
Page 8: "I shrugged. "Whatever floats your boat."
S..."
Page 9: "Lester was there, to be sure, and he was working, ..."
Page 10: ""My car. Is it ready?"
He growled deep in ..."
Page 11: "He raised his eyebrows to caution me. "Don't nobo..."
Page 12: "He continued grinning and chewing but said nothing..."
Page 13: ""You are the shit awful worst excuse for a human b..."
Page 14: "Lester chewed and grinned and spat and chewed. "H..."
Page 15: "He chuckled, which gave way to a low grumbling. "..."
Page 16: ""I say I don't have seventy five."
"Then I ..."
Page 17: ""Well, then," he hedged, scratching himself and ch..."
Page 18: "Through gritted teeth, I tried one last time. "Th..."
Page 19: ""Damned straight, and you never will."
Befo..."
Page 20: "Lester sat up at the desk, his head standing stiff..."
Page 21: "Scratching my chin wisely, I turned my gaze over m..."
Page 22: ""Fuck her, and fuck you, mister. That little girl..."
Page 23: ""Yeah, right!" he called after me through the swin..."
Page 2: ""Sure," I replied coolly, neutrally. I let her ta..."
Page 3: "Whereupon she broke into a coy smirk, and rolled h..."
Page 4: ""I don't have time for games. Sorry."
I st..."
Page 5: "The little girl gasped. "You have a car? Will yo..."
Page 6: "Horrified, I scolded her for her language. She wa..."
Page 7: ""That's your car?" she inquired in disgust, as I p..."
Page 8: "I shrugged. "Whatever floats your boat."
S..."
Page 9: "Lester was there, to be sure, and he was working, ..."
Page 10: ""My car. Is it ready?"
He growled deep in ..."
Page 11: "He raised his eyebrows to caution me. "Don't nobo..."
Page 12: "He continued grinning and chewing but said nothing..."
Page 13: ""You are the shit awful worst excuse for a human b..."
Page 14: "Lester chewed and grinned and spat and chewed. "H..."
Page 15: "He chuckled, which gave way to a low grumbling. "..."
Page 16: ""I say I don't have seventy five."
"Then I ..."
Page 17: ""Well, then," he hedged, scratching himself and ch..."
Page 18: "Through gritted teeth, I tried one last time. "Th..."
Page 19: ""Damned straight, and you never will."
Befo..."
Page 20: "Lester sat up at the desk, his head standing stiff..."
Page 21: "Scratching my chin wisely, I turned my gaze over m..."
Page 22: ""Fuck her, and fuck you, mister. That little girl..."
Page 23: ""Yeah, right!" he called after me through the swin..."
Chapter 10:
Johnny Bullet
Time: the eternal philosophy.
Page 1:
"I don't know why, but I waited in the courtyard be..."
Page 2: ""I thought about it a long, long time as a young m..."
Page 3: "I shrugged. "Coincidence. Reincarnation is bulls..."
Page 4: ""Johnny!" he gasped, scolding me, shaking his head..."
Page 5: ""Daoism?" I parried, raising my eyebrows to show I..."
Page 6: ""Let's start simple, Johnny Boy, 'cause you ain't ..."
Page 7: ""It's bigger than that, even, way, way bigger. So..."
Page 8: ""Still," he sighed, thumbing his towel to keep it ..."
Page 9: ""You make it sound like we're married."
"No..."
Page 10: ""It means lots of different things to different pe..."
Page 11: "Bored again, I stood to check his clothing with a ..."
Page 12: ""A parasite?" he returned, wounded. "Who told you..."
Page 13: "He leaned close and was my co-conspirator. In a n..."
Page 14: "I felt myself blush uncontrollably. "I'm not sayi..."
Page 15: ""Nothing more than the lady at the window wants. ..."
Page 2: ""I thought about it a long, long time as a young m..."
Page 3: "I shrugged. "Coincidence. Reincarnation is bulls..."
Page 4: ""Johnny!" he gasped, scolding me, shaking his head..."
Page 5: ""Daoism?" I parried, raising my eyebrows to show I..."
Page 6: ""Let's start simple, Johnny Boy, 'cause you ain't ..."
Page 7: ""It's bigger than that, even, way, way bigger. So..."
Page 8: ""Still," he sighed, thumbing his towel to keep it ..."
Page 9: ""You make it sound like we're married."
"No..."
Page 10: ""It means lots of different things to different pe..."
Page 11: "Bored again, I stood to check his clothing with a ..."
Page 12: ""A parasite?" he returned, wounded. "Who told you..."
Page 13: "He leaned close and was my co-conspirator. In a n..."
Page 14: "I felt myself blush uncontrollably. "I'm not sayi..."
Page 15: ""Nothing more than the lady at the window wants. ..."
Chapter 14:
No Place Special
Some get out again.
Page 1:
"She said nothing to me the next morning. Breakfas..."
Page 2: "He rolled over to one elbow and faced me squarely...."
Page 3: ""Run by an... an unhappy old woman?" I could thin..."
Page 4: "I was a long legged athlete, two years from a prof..."
Page 5: "He was off again without a reply, ducking into the..."
Page 6: ""Outsiders? What sort of outsiders?"
"Outs..."
Page 7: "I followed the jut of his suddenly pointing finger..."
Page 8: ""So?" I started again. He shushed me with a silen..."
Page 9: "He elbowed me silent with a hiss and pointed again..."
Page 10: "We waited for a short time. Presently, they all e..."
Page 11: "I agreed by shaking my head, turning my gaze on th..."
Page 12: ""How should I know? What do I look like, some kin..."
Page 13: ""Oh, I don't know…." I returned softly, starting ..."
Page 14: ""Me, too, but then, most of the people in this tow..."
Page 15: "Relenting, I skipped a flat pebble twice across th..."
Page 16: "He seemed to roll his answer unspoken about his to..."
Page 17: ""Well," I conceded presently, standing to brush th..."
Page 18: ""Where you boys been?"
Sucking a chestful o..."
Page 19: "Francis inserted quickly, "No, we'll walk."
Page 20: ""I suppose you're both wonderin' what the hell it'..."
Page 21: ""What..." I started, stopping myself abruptly, as ..."
Page 22: "The old man's shoulders hunched. He apparently ha..."
Page 23: "The old man tilted his head, beaten. "Naw, it's o..."
Page 24: "I was staring out the window at the drab little to..."
Page 25: "Squawking like an old crow, the vagabond climbed o..."
Page 26: "The old crow clung to the side of the Ford, and ma..."
Page 27: ""What's that?" wondered the daft Francis. I wonde..."
Page 28: ""No place special, 'cept maybe to hell, if I don't..."
Page 29: ""Down the road?" repeated Francis. "What the hell..."
Page 30: ""You did, drivin' this old Ford all over town, sti..."
Page 31: ""So's you got some place to stick your knife, righ..."
Page 32: "Francis screamed. Or maybe it was me. The interi..."
Page 33: ""What did he do?"
"Do? Ah, hell, it don't ..."
Page 34: ""It's for the best, though, you know. I heard not..."
Page 35: ""Well, we got to be too famous near the end of it ..."
Page 36: ""You had the look of a man that had seen himself i..."
Page 37: "I started the door open, and let one foot fall ont..."
Page 38: ""The sort of help only our fine Town Store can pro..."
Page 2: "He rolled over to one elbow and faced me squarely...."
Page 3: ""Run by an... an unhappy old woman?" I could thin..."
Page 4: "I was a long legged athlete, two years from a prof..."
Page 5: "He was off again without a reply, ducking into the..."
Page 6: ""Outsiders? What sort of outsiders?"
"Outs..."
Page 7: "I followed the jut of his suddenly pointing finger..."
Page 8: ""So?" I started again. He shushed me with a silen..."
Page 9: "He elbowed me silent with a hiss and pointed again..."
Page 10: "We waited for a short time. Presently, they all e..."
Page 11: "I agreed by shaking my head, turning my gaze on th..."
Page 12: ""How should I know? What do I look like, some kin..."
Page 13: ""Oh, I don't know…." I returned softly, starting ..."
Page 14: ""Me, too, but then, most of the people in this tow..."
Page 15: "Relenting, I skipped a flat pebble twice across th..."
Page 16: "He seemed to roll his answer unspoken about his to..."
Page 17: ""Well," I conceded presently, standing to brush th..."
Page 18: ""Where you boys been?"
Sucking a chestful o..."
Page 19: "Francis inserted quickly, "No, we'll walk."
Page 20: ""I suppose you're both wonderin' what the hell it'..."
Page 21: ""What..." I started, stopping myself abruptly, as ..."
Page 22: "The old man's shoulders hunched. He apparently ha..."
Page 23: "The old man tilted his head, beaten. "Naw, it's o..."
Page 24: "I was staring out the window at the drab little to..."
Page 25: "Squawking like an old crow, the vagabond climbed o..."
Page 26: "The old crow clung to the side of the Ford, and ma..."
Page 27: ""What's that?" wondered the daft Francis. I wonde..."
Page 28: ""No place special, 'cept maybe to hell, if I don't..."
Page 29: ""Down the road?" repeated Francis. "What the hell..."
Page 30: ""You did, drivin' this old Ford all over town, sti..."
Page 31: ""So's you got some place to stick your knife, righ..."
Page 32: "Francis screamed. Or maybe it was me. The interi..."
Page 33: ""What did he do?"
"Do? Ah, hell, it don't ..."
Page 34: ""It's for the best, though, you know. I heard not..."
Page 35: ""Well, we got to be too famous near the end of it ..."
Page 36: ""You had the look of a man that had seen himself i..."
Page 37: "I started the door open, and let one foot fall ont..."
Page 38: ""The sort of help only our fine Town Store can pro..."
Chapter 18:
Rusted Trestles
Leaving town.
Page 1:
"I awoke to find myself in bed at the hotel. It wa..."
Page 2: ""Across the bridge. I have business."
"Acr..."
Page 3: "She nodded, and her face was pale. She would come..."
Page 4: "Vincent said nothing, but stood abruptly from the ..."
Page 5: ""Will we return?"
"I don't know what you're..."
Page 6: "I shrugged. "It's a favor. I don't like it any m..."
Page 7: ""I remind you of someone, don't I?" she sighed. "..."
Page 8: ""Another will come to take my place, as I took the..."
Page 9: ""Then?" I prodded, gulping tepid coffee.
"T..."
Page 10: "I grunted, and pushed away from the table, dabbing..."
Page 11: "After a moment of silent debate, and much consider..."
Page 12: "The little girl in the bright yellow Easter Sunday..."
Page 13: "We that were the beaten, refused, turned-out, cast..."
Page 14: ""Why are we stopping here, Johnny?" wondered Franc..."
Page 15: ""Your part of it," he hissed urgently, "Is just th..."
Page 16: "I smiled, despite her. "Is that it?"
She g..."
Page 17: "They laughed with me, as I spun us around and back..."
Page 18: ""So," enthused Francis from the backseat, apparent..."
Page 19: ""The place smells better already!" brayed Francis,..."
Page 20: ""I think I'll walk it from here."
Shrugging..."
Page 21: "We left him there, standing near the center line. ..."
Page 22: "It was too late. "Nice," replied pigtails, "Is a ..."
Page 23: "So quickly that it might have been a trick of the ..."
Page 24: ""I don't think so." I breathed deeply through my ..."
Page 25: ""You know you're here because he wants you to be h..."
Page 26: "I exchanged a concerned glance with the dark one. ..."
Page 27: "What was done, was finished and permanent, never t..."
Page 2: ""Across the bridge. I have business."
"Acr..."
Page 3: "She nodded, and her face was pale. She would come..."
Page 4: "Vincent said nothing, but stood abruptly from the ..."
Page 5: ""Will we return?"
"I don't know what you're..."
Page 6: "I shrugged. "It's a favor. I don't like it any m..."
Page 7: ""I remind you of someone, don't I?" she sighed. "..."
Page 8: ""Another will come to take my place, as I took the..."
Page 9: ""Then?" I prodded, gulping tepid coffee.
"T..."
Page 10: "I grunted, and pushed away from the table, dabbing..."
Page 11: "After a moment of silent debate, and much consider..."
Page 12: "The little girl in the bright yellow Easter Sunday..."
Page 13: "We that were the beaten, refused, turned-out, cast..."
Page 14: ""Why are we stopping here, Johnny?" wondered Franc..."
Page 15: ""Your part of it," he hissed urgently, "Is just th..."
Page 16: "I smiled, despite her. "Is that it?"
She g..."
Page 17: "They laughed with me, as I spun us around and back..."
Page 18: ""So," enthused Francis from the backseat, apparent..."
Page 19: ""The place smells better already!" brayed Francis,..."
Page 20: ""I think I'll walk it from here."
Shrugging..."
Page 21: "We left him there, standing near the center line. ..."
Page 22: "It was too late. "Nice," replied pigtails, "Is a ..."
Page 23: "So quickly that it might have been a trick of the ..."
Page 24: ""I don't think so." I breathed deeply through my ..."
Page 25: ""You know you're here because he wants you to be h..."
Page 26: "I exchanged a concerned glance with the dark one. ..."
Page 27: "What was done, was finished and permanent, never t..."
Chapter 22:
Voices
Never quiet, unrelenting, incapable of forgetting.
Page 1:
"As we are born, it is born within us. As children..."
Page 2: "For most of us, it is not so much a matter of God ..."
Page 3: "As I said, it is born into us all, even as we are ..."
Page 4: "The dark one at my right elbow, the antithesis of ..."
Page 5: ""I can't stop now. Now, it's too late." I wanted..."
Page 6: ""Yes, there is. We can go anywhere but where you'..."
Page 7: "Accelerating, we passed along the frontage road to..."
Page 2: "For most of us, it is not so much a matter of God ..."
Page 3: "As I said, it is born into us all, even as we are ..."
Page 4: "The dark one at my right elbow, the antithesis of ..."
Page 5: ""I can't stop now. Now, it's too late." I wanted..."
Page 6: ""Yes, there is. We can go anywhere but where you'..."
Page 7: "Accelerating, we passed along the frontage road to..."
Chapter 3:
Cause and Effect
Learning the rules.
Page 1:
"My father, my step-father I mean, sat in his foldi..."
Page 2: "'Good. 'Cause it ain't pretty. Even I see that, ..."
Page 3: "I gulped. I nodded. It was best not to lie to hi..."
Page 4: "Still, I turned an eye to the merciless August sun..."
Page 5: "I dropped to the ground on shaking legs. Stepping ..."
Page 6: "Its head came off in my hand, and I flung it with ..."
Page 7: "When next we sat to hunt and slaughter, we sat the..."
Page 2: "'Good. 'Cause it ain't pretty. Even I see that, ..."
Page 3: "I gulped. I nodded. It was best not to lie to hi..."
Page 4: "Still, I turned an eye to the merciless August sun..."
Page 5: "I dropped to the ground on shaking legs. Stepping ..."
Page 6: "Its head came off in my hand, and I flung it with ..."
Page 7: "When next we sat to hunt and slaughter, we sat the..."
Chapter 7:
Good Years
Remembering momma and daddy.
Page 1:
"The one thing my old Datsun had that I genuinely a..."
Page 2: "I stopped the Datsun at the corner and walked to t..."
Page 3: "How patient, fate. How cruel and pitiless.
Page 4: "A particular shift of the shadows near the corner ..."
Page 5: "I had come to the ends of it all, yet I had not be..."
Page 6: "The dark man huddled at the corner. Of course.
Page 7: ""No, sir, I do not. I know Johnny Bullet's face. ..."
Page 8: "I scoffed. "Even if I were this Johnny Bullet, wh..."
Page 9: "Gritting my teeth, and careful to get the door ope..."
Page 10: ""Ha ha! Yeah, well, you can trust me as much as y..."
Page 11: ""Yeah," he grunted, slamming the door and arrangin..."
Page 12: "The brakes worked surprisingly well. My abrupt st..."
Page 13: ""Yeah, sure as shit. I guess I had it comin', too..."
Page 14: ""What?"
"Only… well, this ain't much of a c..."
Page 15: ""Okay, okay, Johnny. No sweat! No worries!" He ..."
Page 16: ""Right."
"Ha ha! Told you! Huh? It's wha..."
Page 17: ""No, I like it fine. Just fine. It runs, anyway,..."
Page 18: ""For you, maybe." I reached for the handle to rol..."
Page 19: ""That's what I'm sayin'. You was glad you came so..."
Page 20: "I was reminded of the old man down the street. "Y..."
Page 21: "He was unashamed. "I can't be sorry for somethin'..."
Page 22: ""Then how did your cum get into their panties and ..."
Page 23: ""A FEW! Ha ha! What a joke! The whole god damne..."
Page 24: ""Bullshit. Not you, Johnny! That's the last thin..."
Page 25: ""Hell, I'm glad you ran, Johnny. I was glad to se..."
Page 26: ""Then what the fuck do you want?"
"Want? T..."
Page 27: ""Right, right, Johnny. Like I says, I talk too mu..."
Page 28: ""Who, specifically?"
He grumbled and groane..."
Page 29: "The car came to a stop, and I motioned for him to ..."
Page 30: ""You ain't goin' to kill me, John- er, eh, mister?..."
Page 31: "A familiar light shone in his eyes then, which was..."
Page 32: ""I never killed anyone!" Why was I arguing with t..."
Page 2: "I stopped the Datsun at the corner and walked to t..."
Page 3: "How patient, fate. How cruel and pitiless.
Page 4: "A particular shift of the shadows near the corner ..."
Page 5: "I had come to the ends of it all, yet I had not be..."
Page 6: "The dark man huddled at the corner. Of course.
Page 7: ""No, sir, I do not. I know Johnny Bullet's face. ..."
Page 8: "I scoffed. "Even if I were this Johnny Bullet, wh..."
Page 9: "Gritting my teeth, and careful to get the door ope..."
Page 10: ""Ha ha! Yeah, well, you can trust me as much as y..."
Page 11: ""Yeah," he grunted, slamming the door and arrangin..."
Page 12: "The brakes worked surprisingly well. My abrupt st..."
Page 13: ""Yeah, sure as shit. I guess I had it comin', too..."
Page 14: ""What?"
"Only… well, this ain't much of a c..."
Page 15: ""Okay, okay, Johnny. No sweat! No worries!" He ..."
Page 16: ""Right."
"Ha ha! Told you! Huh? It's wha..."
Page 17: ""No, I like it fine. Just fine. It runs, anyway,..."
Page 18: ""For you, maybe." I reached for the handle to rol..."
Page 19: ""That's what I'm sayin'. You was glad you came so..."
Page 20: "I was reminded of the old man down the street. "Y..."
Page 21: "He was unashamed. "I can't be sorry for somethin'..."
Page 22: ""Then how did your cum get into their panties and ..."
Page 23: ""A FEW! Ha ha! What a joke! The whole god damne..."
Page 24: ""Bullshit. Not you, Johnny! That's the last thin..."
Page 25: ""Hell, I'm glad you ran, Johnny. I was glad to se..."
Page 26: ""Then what the fuck do you want?"
"Want? T..."
Page 27: ""Right, right, Johnny. Like I says, I talk too mu..."
Page 28: ""Who, specifically?"
He grumbled and groane..."
Page 29: "The car came to a stop, and I motioned for him to ..."
Page 30: ""You ain't goin' to kill me, John- er, eh, mister?..."
Page 31: "A familiar light shone in his eyes then, which was..."
Page 32: ""I never killed anyone!" Why was I arguing with t..."
Chapter 11:
Kansas
Ah, the memories.
Page 1:
"Once, I sat with my father, my step-father, I mean..."
Page 2: "Because the night must come. For every day that s..."
Page 3: ""Cages?" I asked innocently. He was drunk. I kne..."
Page 4: ""Ten for sure, though." I prayed to a God I didn'..."
Page 5: "He paused to make a savage motion of counting out ..."
Page 6: ""Twenty four hours in a day."
"No, no, no, ..."
Page 7: ""Three and a half years? That's all? You sure?" ..."
Page 8: "I didn't know, so I said nothing. I was thinking ..."
Page 9: "As I worked my way out of the brambles, he came to..."
Page 10: "The flat of my right palm came up hard against the..."
Page 11: "With a carefully controlled voice, I said, "If you..."
Page 2: "Because the night must come. For every day that s..."
Page 3: ""Cages?" I asked innocently. He was drunk. I kne..."
Page 4: ""Ten for sure, though." I prayed to a God I didn'..."
Page 5: "He paused to make a savage motion of counting out ..."
Page 6: ""Twenty four hours in a day."
"No, no, no, ..."
Page 7: ""Three and a half years? That's all? You sure?" ..."
Page 8: "I didn't know, so I said nothing. I was thinking ..."
Page 9: "As I worked my way out of the brambles, he came to..."
Page 10: "The flat of my right palm came up hard against the..."
Page 11: "With a carefully controlled voice, I said, "If you..."
Chapter 15:
Or Reviled
Has-beens and will-be-was.
Page 1:
"The smallest detail may kill. A bit of tape left ..."
Page 2: "Reach in to discern the character of this person o..."
Page 3: "As the gaunt old man had said, a kind of redemptio..."
Page 4: "Still, however bloody and painful, however slight ..."
Page 5: "When I was on screen or on the field, I was someth..."
Page 6: "It seemed from my vantage point at the time that t..."
Page 7: "I saw her Porsche. Her jewelry. Her fine clothes..."
Page 8: "I went downstairs when she said I should, trying t..."
Page 9: "I wouldn't have believed it at the time, you under..."
Page 10: ""What are your numbers?"
I shrugged and tri..."
Page 11: ""I've been watching you, son. You look like a fis..."
Page 12: ""Hey, don't say that. This is where you'll get to..."
Page 13: ""You know what I'm going to do, kid?"
"What..."
Page 14: ""Not any more, though. This is my last year. Did..."
Page 15: "I turned to find her in the crowd, much as he had ..."
Page 2: "Reach in to discern the character of this person o..."
Page 3: "As the gaunt old man had said, a kind of redemptio..."
Page 4: "Still, however bloody and painful, however slight ..."
Page 5: "When I was on screen or on the field, I was someth..."
Page 6: "It seemed from my vantage point at the time that t..."
Page 7: "I saw her Porsche. Her jewelry. Her fine clothes..."
Page 8: "I went downstairs when she said I should, trying t..."
Page 9: "I wouldn't have believed it at the time, you under..."
Page 10: ""What are your numbers?"
I shrugged and tri..."
Page 11: ""I've been watching you, son. You look like a fis..."
Page 12: ""Hey, don't say that. This is where you'll get to..."
Page 13: ""You know what I'm going to do, kid?"
"What..."
Page 14: ""Not any more, though. This is my last year. Did..."
Page 15: "I turned to find her in the crowd, much as he had ..."
Chapter 19:
Shoel
The color of shadows and grim shades of gray.
Page 1:
"I was thirteen years old when my father, my step-f..."
Page 2: ""Why, John?" she asked, puzzled, exasperated, frig..."
Page 3: "'Why?' she had asked. Sometimes, I couldn't separ..."
Page 4: ""The fifth will be the last," I returned softly. ..."
Page 5: "With a single flash of light. Within the span of ..."
Page 6: "It was from the financial firm that held the mortg..."
Page 7: "Patience that is the death adder lying alongside a..."
Page 8: "Just as she levered into first and spun the wheels..."
Page 9: "Soon, I heard sirens wailing in the distance, whic..."
Page 10: "They wouldn't let me get close, but I thought I wa..."
Page 11: "They told him she was, and he stopped walking, the..."
Page 12: "Eventually, I was disturbed by the latch of the do..."
Page 13: ""Hells bells, boy, your secret's safe with me. Ju..."
Page 14: ""They say," he confided, leaning closer still to a..."
Page 15: "Ultimately, I decided it was his job to convict me..."
Page 16: ""That's right."
"With five boxes of shells...."
Page 17: ""He was your step-father, you mean," he corrected,..."
Page 18: ""No," I returned dully. "You haven't. Not by a l..."
Page 19: "He shivered. "You're a puzzle, John. A real puzz..."
Page 20: "I remained undaunted. This was a day for him and ..."
Page 2: ""Why, John?" she asked, puzzled, exasperated, frig..."
Page 3: "'Why?' she had asked. Sometimes, I couldn't separ..."
Page 4: ""The fifth will be the last," I returned softly. ..."
Page 5: "With a single flash of light. Within the span of ..."
Page 6: "It was from the financial firm that held the mortg..."
Page 7: "Patience that is the death adder lying alongside a..."
Page 8: "Just as she levered into first and spun the wheels..."
Page 9: "Soon, I heard sirens wailing in the distance, whic..."
Page 10: "They wouldn't let me get close, but I thought I wa..."
Page 11: "They told him she was, and he stopped walking, the..."
Page 12: "Eventually, I was disturbed by the latch of the do..."
Page 13: ""Hells bells, boy, your secret's safe with me. Ju..."
Page 14: ""They say," he confided, leaning closer still to a..."
Page 15: "Ultimately, I decided it was his job to convict me..."
Page 16: ""That's right."
"With five boxes of shells...."
Page 17: ""He was your step-father, you mean," he corrected,..."
Page 18: ""No," I returned dully. "You haven't. Not by a l..."
Page 19: "He shivered. "You're a puzzle, John. A real puzz..."
Page 20: "I remained undaunted. This was a day for him and ..."
Chapter 23:
Writhing Amid a Waste
The dark women in his life.
Page 1:
"We exited the highway to find a bathroom and some ..."
Page 2: "It was a convenient method of mocking me, I decide..."
Page 3: ""Will you just shut up, already!" I shouted at las..."
Page 4: "He said, "Hey, ain't you Johnny Bullet?"
I ..."
Page 5: "Then the dark one slammed the bathroom door open a..."
Page 6: "I didn't. In fact, I tried not to look at her, be..."
Page 7: "She says good-bye with a tight, thin smile. She w..."
Page 8: "I watch them plunge from the sky, sloshing tanks f..."
Page 9: "I mourn them, I assure you. As I say, having done..."
Page 10: "Do it, Johnny Bullet, do it well. Do it better. ..."
Page 11: "I can hear him now, the short, fat official that c..."
Page 2: "It was a convenient method of mocking me, I decide..."
Page 3: ""Will you just shut up, already!" I shouted at las..."
Page 4: "He said, "Hey, ain't you Johnny Bullet?"
I ..."
Page 5: "Then the dark one slammed the bathroom door open a..."
Page 6: "I didn't. In fact, I tried not to look at her, be..."
Page 7: "She says good-bye with a tight, thin smile. She w..."
Page 8: "I watch them plunge from the sky, sloshing tanks f..."
Page 9: "I mourn them, I assure you. As I say, having done..."
Page 10: "Do it, Johnny Bullet, do it well. Do it better. ..."
Page 11: "I can hear him now, the short, fat official that c..."
Chapter 4:
Descent
Making new friends and old enemies.
Page 1:
"How it drags you or it drives you, after a time. ..."
Page 2: "When I was alone, it was there in my thoughts to c..."
Page 3: "I sat upright in bed, propping the hotel's thin pi..."
Page 4: ""Shit," I grumbled, scratching my ass. "So much f..."
Page 5: "Breakfast was a plain but filling affair. I sat w..."
Page 6: ""You make yourself clear every day, Francis," goad..."
Page 7: "Francis brooded. Francis frowned. Francis steame..."
Page 8: "Now the big one bristled. In fact, they all brist..."
Page 9: ""Not today, he says. Maybe never, but I don't thi..."
Page 10: "I shrugged. I felt his and their eyes upon me, an..."
Page 11: "They laughed quickly, softly, cruelly. We were al..."
Page 12: ""There you go. Hammer, meet the head! No matter ..."
Page 13: "I shook my head, no. I couldn't guess.
"I ..."
Page 14: "I felt her black on black gaze before I turned to ..."
Page 15: "Stiffly, her long black dress concealing the worki..."
Page 16: "I couldn't resist. "Maybe we should weave a littl..."
Page 2: "When I was alone, it was there in my thoughts to c..."
Page 3: "I sat upright in bed, propping the hotel's thin pi..."
Page 4: ""Shit," I grumbled, scratching my ass. "So much f..."
Page 5: "Breakfast was a plain but filling affair. I sat w..."
Page 6: ""You make yourself clear every day, Francis," goad..."
Page 7: "Francis brooded. Francis frowned. Francis steame..."
Page 8: "Now the big one bristled. In fact, they all brist..."
Page 9: ""Not today, he says. Maybe never, but I don't thi..."
Page 10: "I shrugged. I felt his and their eyes upon me, an..."
Page 11: "They laughed quickly, softly, cruelly. We were al..."
Page 12: ""There you go. Hammer, meet the head! No matter ..."
Page 13: "I shook my head, no. I couldn't guess.
"I ..."
Page 14: "I felt her black on black gaze before I turned to ..."
Page 15: "Stiffly, her long black dress concealing the worki..."
Page 16: "I couldn't resist. "Maybe we should weave a littl..."
Chapter 8:
Hand-Me-Down's
Motivating a superstar.
Page 1:
"I saw a funny picture, once. It was of three fish..."
Page 2: "I decided that I was not a farm boy from Iowa. I ..."
Page 3: "I knew nothing about the game, though, and it was ..."
Page 4: "Into this pile, I tossed locations that reported m..."
Page 5: "I say, fuck pride. It stands in the way. Like co..."
Page 6: "So I shed it with my name. I became a piece of pl..."
Page 7: "A single thought filled my mind for a long moment...."
Page 2: "I decided that I was not a farm boy from Iowa. I ..."
Page 3: "I knew nothing about the game, though, and it was ..."
Page 4: "Into this pile, I tossed locations that reported m..."
Page 5: "I say, fuck pride. It stands in the way. Like co..."
Page 6: "So I shed it with my name. I became a piece of pl..."
Page 7: "A single thought filled my mind for a long moment...."
Chapter 12:
Liquid Fire
The devil is a beautiful woman.
Page 1:
""Funny thing about killin'," he said some time lat..."
Page 2: ""They always know, in the end, before it's finishe..."
Page 3: ""Oh, la-de-da, Johnny Bullet, high society. Nobod..."
Page 4: "He was suddenly, abruptly, disturbingly, serious. ..."
Page 5: "Abruptly changing tacks, he inclined his head curi..."
Page 6: "Grinning, he returned pointedly, "As can be learne..."
Page 7: "I lay back, lacing my fingers behind my head casua..."
Page 8: "With a sudden bolt, it was gone with its companion..."
Page 9: ""I- I-" my tongue felt thick and was stubborn. "S..."
Page 10: "As a swimmer emerging from a cold, deep dive, I ca..."
Page 11: ""Outside. At night. And this your, what, first, ..."
Page 12: "It was my turn to scoff. "Like you kept it for th..."
Page 13: "I was taken aback by the vehemence and the cursing..."
Page 14: ""Yeah," I offered, somewhat embarrassed, as I clim..."
Page 15: "A face was there! Smashed against the window, lic..."
Page 16: "Still, what is a man, I considered eventually, if ..."
Page 17: "It was liquid fire, that first touch. It ran thro..."
Page 18: "A love of her was a crushing force to squeeze all ..."
Page 19: ""Okay," I said sleepily, and this was how it all s..."
Page 20: "As I considered this, I thought of the old man's w..."
Page 21: "Oh, yes. She was indeed the frame to hang me.
..."
Page 2: ""They always know, in the end, before it's finishe..."
Page 3: ""Oh, la-de-da, Johnny Bullet, high society. Nobod..."
Page 4: "He was suddenly, abruptly, disturbingly, serious. ..."
Page 5: "Abruptly changing tacks, he inclined his head curi..."
Page 6: "Grinning, he returned pointedly, "As can be learne..."
Page 7: "I lay back, lacing my fingers behind my head casua..."
Page 8: "With a sudden bolt, it was gone with its companion..."
Page 9: ""I- I-" my tongue felt thick and was stubborn. "S..."
Page 10: "As a swimmer emerging from a cold, deep dive, I ca..."
Page 11: ""Outside. At night. And this your, what, first, ..."
Page 12: "It was my turn to scoff. "Like you kept it for th..."
Page 13: "I was taken aback by the vehemence and the cursing..."
Page 14: ""Yeah," I offered, somewhat embarrassed, as I clim..."
Page 15: "A face was there! Smashed against the window, lic..."
Page 16: "Still, what is a man, I considered eventually, if ..."
Page 17: "It was liquid fire, that first touch. It ran thro..."
Page 18: "A love of her was a crushing force to squeeze all ..."
Page 19: ""Okay," I said sleepily, and this was how it all s..."
Page 20: "As I considered this, I thought of the old man's w..."
Page 21: "Oh, yes. She was indeed the frame to hang me.
..."
Chapter 16:
Palaces To Rule Them From
Chartered to play.
Page 1:
"I sat on the porch through the afternoon. Thinkin..."
Page 2: ""Who are they?" Then she was gone, and the only a..."
Page 3: "I wanted to laugh. I thought I heard the old crow..."
Page 4: ""So talk."
They exchanged glances, and ease..."
Page 5: "I sighed. "You know," I offered glibly, "I've only..."
Page 6: "Instantly, he was at my throat. The other one sla..."
Page 7: "When I next glanced back, I was startled to see tw..."
Page 8: "Gasping, I nodded, and followed when he started wa..."
Page 9: "The suit at my back shoved me across the lawn, in ..."
Page 10: ""You're dead," I stated simply, my eyes wide. Lon..."
Page 11: ""We?"
"Those of us that care, John. Those ..."
Page 12: ""I might say the same to you."
I ignored th..."
Page 13: "Sizing me with his steady gaze, he sipped and smok..."
Page 14: ""Not even you."
"Not even me, kid, right." ..."
Page 15: "His glance at me was sharp and immediate. It was ..."
Page 16: "I stared at him hard and long while I drained my s..."
Page 17: ""Who says I did it? Besides everybody, I mean."
Page 18: ""The worry of it, John, at least for me, is that a..."
Page 19: ""I guess not."
Waggling a finger at my face..."
Page 20: ""I lost a lot of money."
"More than you won..."
Page 21: ""Really?" I sipped from my drink coolly. "Do you..."
Page 22: "He slapped the glass from my hand, so the whiskey ..."
Page 23: ""Still, it wasn't you that pushed the button."
..."
Page 24: ""Prick. You'll get yours, too. Don't you see it?..."
Page 25: ""Maybe. Maybe not."
"I don't understand yo..."
Page 26: ""You..." I sighed, remembering it all so wearily, ..."
Page 27: "His face went pale and doughy. He seemed to remem..."
Page 28: ""Perhaps from dead men you have the most to fear. ..."
Page 29: ""This your place?" I wondered aloud, hoping I soun..."
Page 2: ""Who are they?" Then she was gone, and the only a..."
Page 3: "I wanted to laugh. I thought I heard the old crow..."
Page 4: ""So talk."
They exchanged glances, and ease..."
Page 5: "I sighed. "You know," I offered glibly, "I've only..."
Page 6: "Instantly, he was at my throat. The other one sla..."
Page 7: "When I next glanced back, I was startled to see tw..."
Page 8: "Gasping, I nodded, and followed when he started wa..."
Page 9: "The suit at my back shoved me across the lawn, in ..."
Page 10: ""You're dead," I stated simply, my eyes wide. Lon..."
Page 11: ""We?"
"Those of us that care, John. Those ..."
Page 12: ""I might say the same to you."
I ignored th..."
Page 13: "Sizing me with his steady gaze, he sipped and smok..."
Page 14: ""Not even you."
"Not even me, kid, right." ..."
Page 15: "His glance at me was sharp and immediate. It was ..."
Page 16: "I stared at him hard and long while I drained my s..."
Page 17: ""Who says I did it? Besides everybody, I mean."
Page 18: ""The worry of it, John, at least for me, is that a..."
Page 19: ""I guess not."
Waggling a finger at my face..."
Page 20: ""I lost a lot of money."
"More than you won..."
Page 21: ""Really?" I sipped from my drink coolly. "Do you..."
Page 22: "He slapped the glass from my hand, so the whiskey ..."
Page 23: ""Still, it wasn't you that pushed the button."
..."
Page 24: ""Prick. You'll get yours, too. Don't you see it?..."
Page 25: ""Maybe. Maybe not."
"I don't understand yo..."
Page 26: ""You..." I sighed, remembering it all so wearily, ..."
Page 27: "His face went pale and doughy. He seemed to remem..."
Page 28: ""Perhaps from dead men you have the most to fear. ..."
Page 29: ""This your place?" I wondered aloud, hoping I soun..."
Chapter 20:
Three
One with the white-stripe, bound for Texas.
Page 1:
"Three of us, I thought so many years later. Three..."
Page 2: "For it is but a small measure of the entire cost o..."
Page 3: "I stared out the Datsun's front windshield at the ..."
Page 4: ""I want to go to DALLAS! I want to go to DALLAS! ..."
Page 5: "I glanced to the left, and thought of the freedoms..."
Page 6: ""So," I encouraged later, as we turned onto the In..."
Page 7: "I nodded. "Yeah. I've been there. It wasn't... ..."
Page 8: ""Because," she answered eventually. A lengthy pau..."
Page 9: ""It's Sunday, isn't it?"
"I don't know." H..."
Page 10: "I smiled, and felt a familiar light burning in my ..."
Page 11: "I nodded, and tried to return her smile. It was ..."
Page 12: ""Yeah. So what?"
She sighed, prying her fi..."
Page 13: ""Never mind what?"
"Nothing."
I cont..."
Page 14: ""Do you still love her? Really love her, I mean?"..."
Page 15: ""Still, you're not certain that you love her, eith..."
Page 16: "I shrugged. I struggled to stifle the conflagrati..."
Page 17: "In that moment, I heard a snide snigger from the b..."
Page 18: ""You watch your mouth!"
"Or what?"
"..."
Page 2: "For it is but a small measure of the entire cost o..."
Page 3: "I stared out the Datsun's front windshield at the ..."
Page 4: ""I want to go to DALLAS! I want to go to DALLAS! ..."
Page 5: "I glanced to the left, and thought of the freedoms..."
Page 6: ""So," I encouraged later, as we turned onto the In..."
Page 7: "I nodded. "Yeah. I've been there. It wasn't... ..."
Page 8: ""Because," she answered eventually. A lengthy pau..."
Page 9: ""It's Sunday, isn't it?"
"I don't know." H..."
Page 10: "I smiled, and felt a familiar light burning in my ..."
Page 11: "I nodded, and tried to return her smile. It was ..."
Page 12: ""Yeah. So what?"
She sighed, prying her fi..."
Page 13: ""Never mind what?"
"Nothing."
I cont..."
Page 14: ""Do you still love her? Really love her, I mean?"..."
Page 15: ""Still, you're not certain that you love her, eith..."
Page 16: "I shrugged. I struggled to stifle the conflagrati..."
Page 17: "In that moment, I heard a snide snigger from the b..."
Page 18: ""You watch your mouth!"
"Or what?"
"..."
Chapter 24:
Xanthippe
To know her one last time.
Page 1:
"We were early. Traffic was light. I pulled over ..."
Page 2: "I stared at them from far away for a moment. "Sis..."
Page 3: ""Johnny, don't. Don't go."
"Why not?"
<..."
Page 4: "That caught me up short. I climbed back to her si..."
Page 5: ""Because now, of all times, Johnny, is the right t..."
Page 6: "For the third time, she was there to stop me with ..."
Page 7: ""Okay," she breathed, "Okay, Johnny, but will you ..."
Page 8: "Here at the very far away ends of it all, I sudden..."
Page 9: "I was halfway there, it seemed. My feet were ligh..."
Page 10: "I recognized the smile first, for almost everythin..."
Page 11: ""Johnny, let's not get sideways here. Hey, what's..."
Page 12: ""What do you expect me to do? I don't have ticket..."
Page 13: ""Now, we'll take a short walk around the arena, Jo..."
Page 14: ""You really done it! You didn't care about all th..."
Page 15: "Me? I didn't care what else happened, I didn't ca..."
Page 16: "The gate slammed shut at my back, forcing me the r..."
Page 17: "I didn't slow my pace, but hastened it, letting my..."
Page 2: "I stared at them from far away for a moment. "Sis..."
Page 3: ""Johnny, don't. Don't go."
"Why not?"
<..."
Page 4: "That caught me up short. I climbed back to her si..."
Page 5: ""Because now, of all times, Johnny, is the right t..."
Page 6: "For the third time, she was there to stop me with ..."
Page 7: ""Okay," she breathed, "Okay, Johnny, but will you ..."
Page 8: "Here at the very far away ends of it all, I sudden..."
Page 9: "I was halfway there, it seemed. My feet were ligh..."
Page 10: "I recognized the smile first, for almost everythin..."
Page 11: ""Johnny, let's not get sideways here. Hey, what's..."
Page 12: ""What do you expect me to do? I don't have ticket..."
Page 13: ""Now, we'll take a short walk around the arena, Jo..."
Page 14: ""You really done it! You didn't care about all th..."
Page 15: "Me? I didn't care what else happened, I didn't ca..."
Page 16: "The gate slammed shut at my back, forcing me the r..."
Page 17: "I didn't slow my pace, but hastened it, letting my..."
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