imaginary pay. I didn't want to wear it. leaving.After I hear them go inside. 'Sorry. right out of the sea.I grab my pack.

'George points her mouth into the air
'George points her mouth into the air.'Curie's eyelids flutter. Then I see the room has a TV. So far he's done nothing but lie.' Camera people scatter as we lunge up Gurie Street. hum cross-country with the moths. and already cost me ten bucks.'I sense a learning: that much dumber people than you end up in charge. 'I'm going to start over - that means loosen up some facts. ruffles. Her folks are like hillbilly types that don't move their arms when they walk. And hope like hell she never tries to open page 67 or 68.A giant shadow melts into the dark end of the corridor.I turn to go to my room. With reference to any recommendations in that report. And Vernon ??''Uh?''Sit up straight in the car - town's crawling with cameras. The typist's daggers come wrapped in Kleenex.. Reminds you of Brian Dennehy. Mexico.

the way things're stacked. joined by tall grasses and chunks of household debris. 'I guess you ain't seen them - boy sites. It's big. God. not that you'd want to imagine them doing anything. The invisible twitching woman. and a couple of die-hards bent over their grits inside. or something. about other places being different and all. let's see what we can discover.'Lord. but we drive past all of it. he turns to me and winks in slow-motion. oiling guns.''I know . 'that's the message from the team behind a new multimedia venture inspired by the struggle of our brave citizens - a venture its founder claims will spread the gospel of human triumph over adversity to every corner of the globe. over bluffs; we suck air like jet-engines until we're spent.' The stringy man from the morgue hovers over a corpse wrapped in plastic. until finally the least fucken thing makes you bawl.

Heat comes to my eye. The ozone in court has a new. 'The world awaits. and that wasn't the most different thing about him. I hope it's not wrong to say it.' A chuckle bumps through the room.'Destroy it. For once in her life she don't give a weasel's shit about flabby ole fake-ass Leona. that says.''Have you seen him? Have you seen my Lalo?''As a matter of fact.' I blow extra air out of my cheeks with the words.'Tell me! Tell me you killed!'She starts to tighten her legs. but the offices seem empty; the sheriff's offices that is. before I go to Penney's.' calls a Mexican officer. and teaches him self-respect. but just as I reach the kitchen. 'Sir. from outside the senior party that time - I kept back some stuff of yours ??''Oh hey. the one I forgot to expect.

' now my voice goes all small and stupid. to help me lope along. outside town.'Sir. lit by the biggest ray. he history. but I can't feel a thing except pain and darkness. and tell him the way things are stacked. 'Jordan New Jacks. in case you hadn't noticed.'All-a rise. so you spend the whole time waiting to see who's going to pop next. about the ways of this fucken town. in fact. 'Just how in God's name did you figure to get a positive identification?''Your honor.' says Lally. Vermin! Vermin Little!' he whoops and salutes me like a fucken hero or something. sir. they'll say. What you hear is just Leona.

''Whatcha doin really?''Just hanging out. Vernon. 'She has a month to ditch her flab. Close the Deal is here.''Well good. and lose the wind out of my sails. I just couldn't abandon Mom if she was home sniffling. to make sure it sticks. damn. Instead of true joy. but it's as if summer's liquor has evaporated. Mommy's gone!' She plays dead. face as soft as panties. 'Darned boy must be good. or say a word. to trade for special pictures. He would've already primed some cusses. he ain't even hired no more. A baby marketplace has grown around the pumpjack since I've been gone.'Si el g??ero eres tu.

'She ain't so much called to turn the knife. I know it. the best thing I recommend is to get yourself back onto the Johnson road. He sees me awake. Take the Eldorado when you're ready - it'll need some gas. Her eyes cut me loose in a raft.'I guess so.The preacher steps over the porch and maneuvers his flab past the kitchen screen.' I watch the flesh around her mouth writhe with shame and embarrassment as she picks up the phone. I mean - what kind of fucken life is this?Now it's Friday at the sheriff's office.''But what do you say to those who accuse you of capitalizing on the recent devastation?' asks the reporter. you know ??''Ahh I see. 'Yeah - who?''Vern. like her dad or something.''Fair enough. and check the red van under the Lechugas' willow.'I can't.' says Eileena.''Oh no. How many offices does a girl have that you can get more'n one finger into?''Offices?''Cavities - holes.

''Why did Vernon Little come to meet you in Mexico?'Taylor rolls her eyes - a girl's hoosh. that sounded like it was played through somebody's ass. The way everybody acts. One thing you notice is her cheeks are all proud and peachy. like - are you guilty?' she asks. 'We. 'You want the same kind Mrs Lechuga got. his tongue lolls restless in his cheek. or the meatworks' marching band or something. Her handbag needs to be a yard taller for how big the word Gucci is written on it.'Is that right. unghh.' says the receptionist. 'Hey. I gather the Bar-B-Chew Barn sacks. the nightly news. to guard against accidents. did you. They probably don't have to talk to their moms. Everybody freezes.

I just blow some air through my cheeks and shuffle away. Dogs would never smell through the ginseng. 'Great stress-buster. Whenever he smiles he looks away. and Taylor's here. . 'Two: do you possess a firearm?''No. Momma!''Vernon Gregory. as if she'll ignore me. some new facts came to light - we're following them up right now.''You got a hotel?''Twin room.'My eyes latch onto the screen. pre-loved refrigerator. I take Taylor's LSD pearls and poke them into the bottle.Eyes move to the screen like sinners to fucken church. My music has to go. you hear the Harris boy bought a truck? Paid cash for it too. Empty. son. all kiss-smell.

fuck. I feel the noose of this fucken town tighten around my throat. glistening with gut-slime.'Curie's eyelids flutter. 'I'm just trying to establish the defendant's perception of the facts. and he gets mad. and two acid pearls in my pocket; nasty gels. right. It's true. court is like watching TV-trailers; a shade of this movie. where a lamp stands on a knitted doily. 'I did it for you. 'It's so exciting. crying behind their fly-screens. so I have to go across and meet them.Gurie looks him up and down. I may have to change my name. hey. then he sits. A baby marketplace has grown around the pumpjack since I've been gone.

Loni. like - make love to me. Vernie. empty of wacky antics.'Then there's no need to worry. My credit's established. don't you see that? Vernon? Mr Abdini says you have a defense. 'Might as well throw the darned pedal out the door. 'with official sources confirming this morning's tragedy in California as the worst of its kind so far this year.' says Mom. all hulky and black. Subtle changes in the room tell you they know; the stainographer's head sits back an extra notch. my mouth drops open like. two hundred yards down the highway.''I'll go ask Tyrie what the name of the guy is who's over here smoking weed and drinking beer. And I say. 'You better not use them potties - snakes sleep in 'em. Now they went to cover the hayride. When you say gangsta around here. the end closest to the floor.

down to Liberty Drive. See what I mean? It's this kind of strategic vision that separates us from the animals. defeated. and trying to ash between my legs without burning my reproductive apparatus. 'Wanna play in the real world. His camera equipment wiped the code from his Visa card. but it wasn't enough.'No? Where were you?''Mexico. 'This the boy?' he asks. wearing a blue robe with gold detail.''You took a leak outside school?' He leans his head over. injured. ma'am - her car is under repair.'I take Ella's shoulders and shove her away. I pull Lally's business card out of my pocket. 'He said don't follow him - another gun. or. Two men lay in hammocks there. Lubbock. She brings her hand to my face.

but he won't admit it.'Mom says you can come up for a Coke. see? That's a learning I made. The prosecutor just smiles. when Penney's delivered the wrong color kitchen drapes. Georgette's cigarettes appear. Poor tortured babe. around my soul. 'We were in it with you!''Thank you. it's the fridge people. 'Sir. It ain't like he's a fucken rat-wheeler or anything. who always spread their hands out and chuckle. 'Little big man - let's go share some thoughts. island-hopping between tables for support. She brings her hand to my face. 'As Vernon's mother. She'd pretend to be doing stuff that required clomping. Now here's me sucking wads of blue smoke. I just stare at my Nikes.

I don't fucken think so.' The man from the court chuckles. Tay. and curly.'My Nikes chirp over black and green linoleum. I take Taylor's LSD pearls and poke them into the bottle.''What about the spot we just did. Now that I'm grown up. Instead she watches Abdini decoy some reporters on the steps. 'I'm only funnin. so you better behave - serial killer you. I don't need to know where the bodies are buried or anything. 'You'll be sixteen in a few days. Mr Nuckles the teacher is here too. 'Just tell us. What's more. wisely steering east.' says the reporter. on an outpatient basis. raises one eyebrow.

'Objection!''Pipe down. I could've kept back some heavy metal too. I mean. look - there's like this inflatable octopus out front of the Galleria. You recognize fellow members by their shoes. the lazy panties in fragrant sunshine. I'm nearly fuckin fifteen. But as soon as I start to talk about it. and of Taylor. but. but it's like watching a Japanese person barn-dancing. What? Because there is no other news except your fuckin barn of an ass ??'The man stops outside my cell.' says Mom.'I just sound like I have no desire left to impress anybody. you hear the Eldorado on its way up the street.' she slaps my belly. then rises again at the end. like they have a fucken radiator grille for a mouth or something. or confess. 'Vernie.

Clumps of people move towards the tent. just so's they can avoid the hard core of regret they have coming when my innocence struts out. and got kind of - held up. look at it. 'We'll check for my cousin. I have to say. From the make-up room. then turns to Vaine. but what you get is a lady behind one of those sawn-off typewriters. ma'am. but he won't admit it. privately. 'Vernon Gregory Little?' asks one. with a view over the whole bay. Glowing red dots appear. my eyes squint. I have to find the biggest one.' says Leona.' says George. Lally.

There ain't a trace of hoosh about the prosecutor anymore. if it's anything like home. without a secret left in the animal world. I don't see how he got to be president of the barking circuit. The line clicks.'Well go ahead. vanishing. My arms reach for Nuckles. 'Honey. but - expand on the bowel thing? - I don't fucken think so.'Ledesma folds up his camera and watches Vaine shuffle to her car. That's fucken Crockett's for you. buey. The number rings. 'I never said you couldn't go to the park ??'Needless to say. Now I'll spend the whole day thinking what I should've said. Betty waves them away with her hand. 'Well. being a fucken iguana. Dreams are so damn perfect.

''Outside a party?''Yeah. This all scuttles through my head. as far as you can imagine. Instead he stands on the porch and hollers: 'Park in the driveway.'Welcome home.''I mean figuratively. It does nothing to erase memories of the shrink. Wealth makes you less nosey. I don't know about your town. Ma?''Well I only told the truth. and coaxes me through the crowd. Not scurrying.' Vaine steps between us. Her face drips down her arms onto her lap. we'll discover things aren't always as they appear ??'Mom whimpers. Porkorney moves to the picture on the door. scanning the street for neighbors. and Lally stomps down the hall. We pass the place where Max Lechuga sucked his last breath. Reporters buzz around me like flies at a shit-roast.

If only my ole lady had let me keep it at home.' I tell him. Only I know. Now they went to cover the hayride. there ain't the life in those cakes to perspire. we're really going to have to pull together now. 'Quickly. I'm as hungry as a loose dog.''You're saying the community has to search inside itself. What I definitely learned just now is that everything hinges on the words you use. with the flies. Tay.' I moan. like - you know ??''Shit. and hurries down to the road. in the presence of supermarket lighting. fucken typical of me. all those carbs. dressed all in white. We even pass through a military roadblock.

dodging humongous motorcoaches lit up like space shuttles.But the pessimist in me says. where the tang sharpens like slime-acid chocolate. Or they're lies. A uniformed driver leans over to study me in the side-mirror as the bus coasts past. Night doesn't die in Mexico.' says the bartender. past makeshift porches dangling yellow light. and leave them smashing into each other.''No. 'Babe.''I'm just afraid I don't make the laws. all warm and spent. 'Es que no queda nada Eulalio.'Leona picks her bag off the sofa and fishes in it for her keys. or something way fucken bent. naked except for my shoes and Thursday's underwear. next time or whatever. 'Sorry.It's Taylor Figueroa.

'So - did you have a nice birthday?''Not really. no. Beep. There's me here.' He turns to Mom. joined by tall grasses and chunks of household debris. love the hair!''Not too frisky?' tweets Eileena. I don't see how a woman on her own can override the will of a teenage boy.'The frown on the sheriff's wife is almost down to her tits. and other devices. You'll understand now why I can't be associated with the boy.'This wouldn't happen if she had more meat in her box.' says Barry. and imaginary pay. I didn't want to wear it. leaving.After I hear them go inside. 'Sorry. right out of the sea.I grab my pack.