...
paco watson
prose: ed markowski
TEN MINUTES AGO I WAS STANDING IN THE PLANT PARKING LOT
PURE , WHOLE , SHINING , AND SMILING IN A MONSOON OF MID
JULY SUNLIGHT .
MARVIN GAYE WAS HITCHHIKING TO CHICAGO , ON HIS WAY TO
BECOMING A SPIDER FROM MARS DAVID BOWIE FLOATED ABOVE
THE FACTORY STACKS IN A TIN CAN , WHILE THE WICKETT MISTER
WILSON PICKETT AND MISS MUSTANG SALLY SHOOK , AND SHOOK ,
AND SHOOK THEIR MONEY MAKERS ON THE MIRRORED HOOD OF
A STARDUST SILVER COUPE de VILLE .
LENNY THE SPOT WELDER ' S BONDO AND BUBBLEGUM FORD ECONOLINE
DEPARTMENT STORE WAS OPEN FOR BUSINESS , LENNY SANG AND SANG ,
" NEW LEVI BOOT CUTS FOR YOU COWBOYS AND SLUTS , HOT PANTS
WITH PLEATS FOR YOUR BITCHES IN HEAT , PRETTY GOLD CHAINS FOR
THE LADY JANE WHO LUBES YOUR DRAIN , TICKLERS AND WHISKEY TO
KEEP THE GIRLS FRISKY ....... STEP RIGHT UP , STEP RIGHT UP , AND DO
SOMETHING NICE FOR YOUR SWEET BUTTERCUP , "
AND , TWO CARS DOWN FROM LENNY , POURING THROUGH THE GLASSLESS
WINDSHIELD OF A MOTOWN ROUGE RUST ROTTED 1967 IMPERIAL , BOB DYLAN ' S
HARMONICA WARPED , WHEEZED , ROARED , AND DRIZZLED FROM THE NORTH
END OF DESTINATION LOW CLEAR ON DOWN TO THE SOUTH .
SIX INCHES INSIDE THE MOUTH OF THE LYNCH ROAD ASSEMBLY PLANT
ISN ' T ONE WHIT DIFFERENT THAN BEING SIX FEET UNDER . THE SUNLIGHT
DROWNS , AND I 'M BURIED ALIVE IN THE BUZZ , AND VIBRATION OF A
LOUD WHITE LIGHT THAT FALLS FROM A VAST FLUORESCENT SKY WHO ' S
SUN AND MOON IS A BULOVA TIME CLOCK . IT ' S EXACTLY 2 : 40 PM .
THESE CLOCKS DON ' T LIE .
BENEATH ITS GREASY CRYSTAL , THE CLOCK MOCKS EVERYONE WHO COMES
TO PAY HOMAGE . THE TIME CLOCK WHISPERS , " I OWN YOU LOSER . "
THE TIME CLOCK CHANTS , " ANOTHER DAY OF YOUR LIFE THAT BELONGS
TO ME . " THE TIME CLOCK SCREAMS , " I OWN YOU PUNK , JUST LIKE
I OWNED YOUR OLD MAN , THREE OF HIS FINGERS , AND HIS LEFT EYE . I
OWN YOU LIKE I OWNED YOUR GRANDFATHER AND HIS BOOZE BRANDED
MIND . I OWN YOU LIKE I OWN YOUR NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS , AND THEIR
NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS , AND THEIR NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS , AND THEIR
WIVES , AND THEIR WIVES , AND THEIR BABIES , AND THEIR BABIES BABIES .
NOW FUCK ME WITH YOUR TIME CARD AND GET THE FUCK TO WORK . "
HALFWAY TO MY WORK STATION I DECIDE TO DIVINE HER BEAUTY . I
DIVINE HER BEAUTY BY PRESSING AND POINTING THE BRASS KEY RING
SHE MADE FOR ME WHEN SHE WAS WORKING THE CARNIVAL CIRCUIT
CIRCUIT IN TENNESSEE AS MISS AMBER ONYX , THE SEER AND MYSTIC
JEWELER BY WAY OF DELTA COOL , MISSISSIPPI .
WHEN I PRESS AND POINT , I SEE STARS . I SEE GLITTERING STARS .
I SEE GOLD STARS GLITTERING . I SEE GOLD STARS GLITTERING AND
SPINNING . I SEE SHIMMERING GOLD STARS SHIFT AND SLIDE WITH
EVERY STEP SHE TAKES . THE SLIDING AND SHIFTING STARS I SEE
ARE THE GOLD STARS THAT SHINE AND CALL TO ME FROM THE
ASS POCKETS OF AMBER 'S BLUE JEANS .
THE SLIDING , SHIFTING , AND SHIMMERING STARS , ON AMBER ' S ASS
POCKETS ARE ALL I SEE UNTIL MISTER OZIBAL , THE FINAL LINE STOCK
MAN , ROLLS UP ON HIS FORKLIFT , SAILS A BIBLE TRACT MY WAY ,
SAYS WITH A LEER , " I AIN ' T NEVER GONE GIVE UP ON YA MISTA
EDDIE . NAW SUH , NOT EVEN THE DEVIL HISS ELF COULD NEVER MAKE
ME GIVE UP ON CATCHIN ' , CAPCHURIN ' , CORRALIN ' , AND DELIVERIN '
YER SOUL OVER TA JEEEZ US KER ICED , " AND RIDES HIS FORKED
TONGUE BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THE FINAL LINE . TRY AS HE
DOES EVERYDAY , MISTER OZIBAL WON ' T BE DELIVERING ME TO ANYONE
ANYWHERE .
I 'VE GOT .......
NO RELIGION . NO POLITICS . NO PHILOSOPHY . NO DOGMA . NO MA .
NO PA . NO DOCTOR . NO DOCTRINE . NO ANGLES . NO ANGELS NO
MANNA , MANNERS , NO MANIFESTO . IN THE MECHANIZED BELLY OF
THIS WHALE , I AM . I AM NOT . A MAN . I AM . A MANNEQUIN .
I AM A FULL BLOODED MEMBER OF A BLOODLESS TRIBE . I AM A
HOLLOW BODY THAT MOVES GROOVES BOOG - A - LOOS JERKS AND
FRUGS TO THE SENSUOUS LESS NESS OF METALLIC STIMULI .
AS FAR AS EYE CAN SEE , EYE ' M A SIGHTLESS I WITHOUT A
SOCKET TO SEE FROM , WITHOUT A WINDOW TO SEE THROUGH .
STILL , EYE CAN SEE EVERYONE HERE , FROM THE MEN AT THE
TOP , TO THE MEN CHECKING FOR FLUID LEAKS IN THE PITS
BENEATH THE CARS , IS A NEGATIVE VARIABLE IN AN EQUATION
NO ONE CAN SOLVE , WAITING FOR THAT MOMENT WHEN THE
ASSEMBLY LINE MOVES , AND BEGINS TO BREAK EVERYONE DOWN
TO THE LOWEST COMON DENOMINATOR .
IF YOUR HEART BLOWS OUT ALONG THE WAY AND YOU DIE BEFORE
YOUR SHIFT IS THROUGH , SOMEONE WILL DRAG YOU OUT OF THE
WAY , MISTER OZIBAL WILL SAY A QUICK PRAYER . THEN YOU ' LL BE
LOADED ONTO HIS FORK LIFT , AND HE ' LL OFF LOAD YOU GENTLY
ONTO A STOCK RACK BESIDE BOXES OF PISTONS , SPARKPLUGS , AND
DISTRIBUTOR CAPS .
EVEN THOUGH YOU ' RE DEAD AND YOUR LOCKER ' S BEEN REASSIGNED
TO THAT GUY FROM BUFFALO WHO DID EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER TO
MAKE YOUR LIFE PUKE , YOU ' VE BEEN GRANTED THE HEIGHTENED SENSES
OF A GHOST , AND BEFORE YOU ' RE GONE FOR GOOD , YOU ' LL HEAR
A PANIC SOAKED VOICE IGNITE LIKE A MOLOTOV COCKTAIL AND ECHO
THROUGH THE UNIVERSE , " JESUS CHRIST FRANKIE , JACK JUST FUCKIN '
CROAKED . GETCHER ASS OVER HERE AND TAKE HIS HEAD GASKET JOB
UNTIL ....... AND THE LINE WILL KEEP MOVING ON AND ON AND ON AND
ON , RIGHT ON THROUGH THE EMBALMING , THE VIEWING , THE FUNERAL ,
THE BURIAL , AND THE WAKE .
MY TIME X TELLS ME IT ' S 2 : 43 POST MERIDIAN . I ' VE GOT MY GLOVES ,
POWER WRENCH , BOLTS , SCREWS , AND SEAT BELTS LINED UP WHERE I CAN
PICK THEM UP AND LAY THEM DOWN LIKE A MENAGE - A - CARD MASTER .
I ' VE GOT A FRESH CUP OF VEND - O - MATIC BLACK , I ' VE GOT MAGIC IN
MY POCKET , AND I ' VE GOT SEVENTEEN WHOLE MINUTES TO KILL . I PRESS
AND POINT THE KEY RING WEST . I CAN SEE AMBER STANDING ON A QUARTZ
BOULDER FIFTY FEET ABOVE THE SURFACE OF HORSE THIEF LAKE BENEATH A
CRISP TURQUOISE BLACK HILLS SKY .
I FOCUS THE CAMERA ON AMBER ' S CRESCENT MOON SMILE . SHE JUMPS ,
I SNAP THE PICTURE . HERE 'S THE PHOTO IN LIVING COLOR WITH AUDIO .......
AMBER LAUGHS AS SHE SPINS AND SOMERSAULTS TOWARD THE SURFACE OF
THE LAKE SHOUTING , " I LOVE YOU BECAUSE I LOVE YOU JUST BECAUSE I
LOVE YOU . "
WHEN AMBER REACHES SHORE , I CASE THE CAMERA . WHEN I LOOK UP ,
A FAT BALD MAN WITH SKIN THE COLOR AND TEXTURE OF WONDER BREAD ,
WAVES A NEWSPAPER IN MY FACE . THE MAN IS WEARING A WILLIE MAYS
JERSEY , AND THERE ' S A LITTLE RED BOOK PEEKING OUT FROM HIS PANTS
POCKET . " HOW ' BOUT BUYIN ' A COPY OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST
BROTHER ? CAN YOU AFFORD FIFTY OF UNCLE PORKY ' S BLOOD STAINED CENTS
TO BE ARMED AND INFORMED ? I KNOW YOU CAN BROTHER , I SAW YOU
CHANGE A TWENTY FOR THE VENDING MACHINES . IT GETS CLOSER EVERY DAY !
I CAN TASTE LIBERATION EVERY DAY , AND IT IS SWEET ! DO YOUR PART ,
DO YOUR PART TO TIGHTEN THE NOOSE AROUND THE NECKS OF THE STAR
SPANGLED GANGSTERS WHO RUN AMERICAN DEATH INCORPORATED ! "
I SHRUG . I SHAKE MY HEAD FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. I SHAKE MY HEAD FROM
RIGHT TO LEFT . I ' M SILENT . I ' M ABSOLUTE SILENCE . ON HIS WAY BACK TO
THE DUGOUT , THIS BLEACHED AND BROMATED FLOUR VERSION OF AL JOLSON
SHREDS THE STAGNANT AIR WITH BOTH MIDDLE FINGERS , AND YIPS , " IF MAO
HADN ' T LIBERATED TIBET , THE PEOPLE WOULD STILL BE SLAVES TO A FUCKING
TEN YEAR OLD BUDDHA . WHEN THE WALLS COME DOWN , WE ' LL WON ' T FORGET
CORPORATE LACKEYS LIKE YOU . WE ' LL CUT YOU DOWN WITH THEM YOU FUCKING
PEASANT . "
AS SOON AS THE SOCIALIST BROTHER DISAPPEARS BEHIND A FLOOR TO CIELING
RACK OF REAR VIEW MIRRORS , AMBER AND I SIT DOWN ON A GRASSY BLUFF
OVERLOOKING THE MISSOURI RIVER . WE WATCH A HERD OF MULE DEER DRINK
AND DRIFT DOWN STREAM . WE FOLLOW THE WIDE ARC OF A HAWK AND THE
GLINT OF SILVER FLAPPING IN ITS BEAK . A LOUD BURST OF FIREWHEEL BLOSSOMS
BRUSHES AMBER ' S CHEEKS SUNSET RED . PATCHES OF PURPLE GROUND CHERRY
PAINT HER BARE FEET .
BEER BOTTLES , WHOOPS , AND HOLLERS FLY OUT THE OPEN WINDOWS OF A BLUE
PICK - UP THAT RAISES A PLUME OF DUST AND VANISHES INTO A CORNFIELD ON
THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE RIVER . AMBER TELLS ME TO CLOSE MY EYES . I DO ,
AND I CAN FEEL , HEAR , TASTE , SMELL , AND SEE HER VOICE SILENCE THE WAILING
OF MEN AND MACHINES .
AMBER KISSES MY CHEEK AND TELLS ME TO OPEN MY EYES . WE WALK DOWN A
SANDY PATH LINED WITH WILD RASPBERRY VINES . THE PATH ENDS , AND A MAN WHO 'S
EYES BURN BLOOD RED SHAKES HIS FIST AND SHOUTS AT ME .......
I ' M GONNA TELL YOU WHAT THE REVOLUTION ' S GONNA LOOK LIKE . FIRST OF ALL MAN
WE ' RE GONNA BURN EVERY MOTHERFUCKING BIBLE IN AMERICA ....... THEN WE ' RE GONNA
MELT DOWN EVERY FUCKING ROCK AND ROLL RECORD IN AMERICA BECAUSE ROCK AND ROLL
IS A FUCKING FBI / CIA DIVERSION TACTIC DESIGNED TO BRAINWASH THE REVOLUTIONARY YOUTH
INTO THINKING THEY CAN DANCE THE OPPESSOR TO DEATH . WELL BROTHER , YOU CANNOT
MAKE REVOLUTION WHEN YOU 'RE SMOKING DOPE , TAKING TRIPS , POPPING PILLS , SWILLING
BOOZE , AND FUCKING THE ALL AMERICAN GIRL NEXT DOOR . THE REVOLUTION WAS RIGHT ON
TIME IN BERKELEY , THEN THE BERKELEY AND D.C. PIGSTYS SENT IN KEN KESEY , TIM LEARY ,
AND THEIR HENCHMEN THE FUCKING GRATEFUL DEAD , AND THE PEOPLE' S ARMY TURNED INTO
A FUCKING BALLET TROOP OF CUB SCOUTS AND PUSSIES . YOU MADE CIA BOB 007 THE
ZIONIST DYLAN A FUCKING MILLIONAIRE , HOW ABOUT TWENTY - FIVE BUCKS FOR CHAIRMAN BOB
AVAKIAN AND THE VANGUARD ? TAKE PART IN YOUR LIBERATION FRIEND !
TO LIBERATE MYSELF I CLOSE MY EYES AND LOCATE THE THE PINPOINT OF LIGHT THAT LIES
BEYOND THE REVOLUTIONARY , AT THE END OF THIS TUNNEL . THAT PINPOINT OF LIGHT LEADS
ME TO THE KITCHEN OF OUR UPPER FLAT ON MARSHA AVENUE .
AMBER OPENS THE CUPBOARD AND BRINGS DOWN TWO TUMBLERS WE GOT FOR FILLING UP OUR
65 FLEETWOOD AT THE TEXACO STATION . SHE FILLS THE TUMBLERS WITH ICE AND BOURBON , TURNS
TO ME , PULLS HER MAHOGANY HAIR INTO A PONY TAIL , AND SAYS , " LET 'S CELEBRATE . LET 'S
CELEBRATE US ALL NIGHT LONG ! LET 'S CELEBRATE AND TOAST TO US , AND OUR FRIENDS , AND
OUR FAMILIES , AND OUR HEALTH , AND OUR LIVES , " AND .......
I SLIP THE LEFT STRAP OF AMBER ' S BIB OVERALLS OFF OF HER SHOULDER . THEN THE RIGHT
STRAP . AMBER ' S SKYLINE CHILI T - SHIRT IS THE NEXT SHACKLE TO GO , AND I WON ' T REST
UNTIL SHE ' S LIBERATED FROM EVERY RED , WHITE , AND BLUE COTTON BOND DEVISED BY FASHION
DESIGNERS FROM THE PRAIRIES OF PARIS KANSAS TO THE RUNWAYS OF PARIS FRANCE .
I ' M WORKING AMBER ' S HIP BUTTONS LOOSE BETWEEN SIPS OF BOURBON WHEN THREE STUDENT
ENGINEERS SURROUND ME , SHAKE THEIR HEADS , SHOOT ME SIX EVIL EYES , AND START ASKING
QUESTIONS .
MISTER GREY HUSH PUPPIES BEGINS THE GAME SHOW WITH .......
" WHO DELIVERED THESE K - 13 BOLTS ? I WANT THE MAN ' S NAME . "
MISTER BLACK WING TIPS FOLLOWS UP WITH .......
" WHO TOLD YOU TO USE K - 13 BOLTS ? I WANT THE MAN ' S NAME . "
BATTING THIRD , MISTER OX BLOOD PENNY LOAFERS SWINGS FROM HIS HEELS .......
" WHEN WERE THESE K - 13 BOLTS DELIVERED ? I WANT THE DAY AND DATE . "
THE BALL BOUNCES BACK TO THE WINGED WONDER .......
" WOULD YOU USE THE WRONG HARDWARE ON A HOME REPAIR ? "
THE GREEN EYED GREY HUSH PUPPY BARKS NEXT .......
" DO ANY OF YOU PEOPLE TAKE PRIDE IN ANYHING YOU DO ? "
BABE THE BLONDE OX BLOOD PENNY PINCHER THROWS A CURVEBALL .......
" THESE PEOPLE DON' T THINK I THINK YOU PEOPLE DON ' T I DON ' T THINK EITHER . "
FLY BOY THREATENS .......
" WE ' LL HAVE TO REPORT THIS ANOMALY TO THE PLANT MANAGER . "
HUSH PUPPY SNARLS LIKE A PIT BULL .......
" YOU NEED TO WAKE UP , OR YOU ' LL BE ON THE STREET . "
AS SOON AS THE ENGINEERS ARE SWALLOWED BY THE FACTORY HAZE , AMBER ' S BIBS FALL TO
HER ANKLES . SHE PULLS ME INTO HER ORBIT , KISSES ME TWICE , WHISPER ' S " HEY YOU LET 'S ....... "
THEN THE DOOR BELL RINGS , AND MISTER JIMMY DOG , THE FINAL LINE PHARMACIST IS PANTING
GROWLING , AND BARKING ON OUR FRONT PORCH .......
" GOT CODIENE ON SALE TWO BUCKS A BON - BON AN ACE FOR YOU EX CONS GOT PENNY PACKS
NICKEL SACKS AND DIAMOND JACKS FOR ALL THAT YOU LACK GOT SILVER SPOONS FOR THAT
TRIP TO THE MOON AND SOMETHING TO BRING YA ' LL BACK TO THE RUINS TOMORROW AT NOON
GOT EVERY TOOL FOR EVERY FOOL TO BE FOREVER COOL LET DOG KNOW IF YOU WANT A BLOW
OF MIX ' T JIVE BOY OR GIRL LUDES SPEED HASH OR WEED THE DOG GOTS EXACTLY WHAT YOU
NEED WHEN THE REST OF THE WORLD IS DEAD AND GONE , MY MOTHERFUCKIN ' SIGN IS ALWAYS
TURNED ON . "
THE DOG WALKS AWAY AT 2 : 46 . NINE HOURS FROM NOW , I ' LL WALK AWAY FROM HERE THIRTY
YEARS OLDER , WITH ASH WHITE HAIR , JAGGED FANGS , GREASE CAKED CLAWS , FRIGID PALE SKIN ,
AND A MIND ONCE YOUNG AND SUPPLE , STIFFER THAN STONE UNTIL ....... I STEP ONTO THE PORCH ,
AND AMBER RESURRECTS THE MAN I WAS THIS MORNING WITH THAT REVIVAL TEA SHE LEARNED TO
BREW DOWN ON THE NATCHEZ TRACE WHEN SHE WAS AMBER ONYX , SEER AND MYSTIC JEWELER FROM
DELTA COOL , MISSISSIPPI .
AT 2 : 47 , A PARADE BEGINS . FIRST , IT 'S BLACK BEAN , " CHECK POOL CHIEF ? JACKPOT 'S 550 . "
FAT FRANK FOLLOWS THE BEAN . " THREE DIGIT ? FOUR DIGIT ? WE PAY TWICE THE STATE RATE . "
AS FAT FRANK WALKS TOWARD THE HORIZON , MISTER LUCKY FROM KENTUCKY SHOWS .......
" FOOTBALL CARD ? PICK SIX WINS A CLEVELAND FOR A LINCOLN . HOW ' BOUT IT JACKSON ? "
WHEN LUCKY SPLITS , ROY MADDOX APPEARS AND WHISPERS , " JOIN THE WHITE MAN ' S UNION ? "
MADDOX VANISHES . KID IRISH POPS UP . " HELP MY BOY GET TO CAMP . BUY A CANDY BAR . "
KID IRISH ROLLS OUT , WHEN LOUD LIPS LIZ ROLLS IN , CALLING , " AVON CALLING ! " I CALL
ON AMBER .
AFTER THE DOWNPOUR , AMBER AND I RIDE OUR 1965 COPPER TONED FLEETWOOD INTO SHAMROCK ,
TEXAS WITH LESS THAN A QUARTER TANK OF GAS , TWO TIRES THAT RISE ABOUT A SKIPPING STONE
TALLER THAN THE FLATLANDS THAT SURROUND US , AND TWENTY - FIVE DOLLARS SPLIT BETWEEN OUR
EIGHT POCKETS . AMBER POINTS . TWO ORANGE BUTTERFLIES KNUCKLEBALL THEIR WAY TO NOWHERE .
AMBER SMILES AND SAYS , " THAT ' S US ON OUR WAY TO NIRVANA . "
AT 2 : 50
I ' M THINKING ABOUT AMBER . I ' M THINKING ABOUT WHAT SHE SAID , AND THE WAY SHE SAID IT .......
" I ' LL BE WAITING RIGHT HERE ON OUR RED CARPET . "
" I ' LL BE WIDE AWAKE . "
" I ' LL BE WIDE OPEN FOR YOU FORTY - EIGHT HOURS A DAY . "
AT 2 : 51
I ' M THINKING ABOUT AMBER SLIPPING OUT OF HER ROBE .
I ' M THINKING ABOUT AMBER SLIPPING INTO MY SKIN .
I ' M THINKING ABOUT SLIPPING INTO AMBER ' S SKIN .
I CAN SEE HER .
I CAN SEE HER TAN LINES IN THE MOONLIGHT .
I CAN SEE A FOUR POSTER WATER BED .
I CAN SEE US SURFING EACH OTHER WELL PAST SUNSET .
THE WATER BED BECOMES A CRUISE SHIP .
A KAYAK .
A ROW BOAT .
A CANOE .
A LIFE BOAT .
BECAUSE WE DROWN IN EACH OTHER , I ' M AMBER ' S BRIGHT ORANGE
LIFE JACKET , AND SHE ' S MINE ,WHEN I GET BACK .......
RAINDROPS HANG AND FALL FROM THE BOTTOM POINTS OF A WIND WASHED TEXACO STAR
THAT SITS CENTER BENEATH THE ARC OF A DOUBLE RAINBOW . I STEP OUT TO FILL THE
TANK . AMBER WALKS TO THE CASHIER ' S WINDOW TO BUY A BOX OF SUGAR DADDIES .......
AT 2 : 52 .......
A WARM BREEZE COMES UP.
THIS BREEZE CARRIES AMBER ' S SCENT .
THE SCENT OF CHARLEY , CITRUS , AND CINNAMON .
THE BREEZE PUSHES ME AND PUSHES ME .
THE BREEZE PUSHES ME INTO AMBER ' S LOVE BOAT .
WE ' RE SOUTH OF THE BORDER .
WE ' RE SOUTH OF BELIZE .
WE ' RE SOUTH OF HONDURAS .
WE ' RE SOUTH OF THE KEYS .
WE ' RE PAST THE SUN .
WE COLLIDE
WE LAUGH
WE MERGE
TWO WAVES INTO ONE .
AT 2 : 53 .......
I WALK TO THE CASHIER ' S OFFICE . THE DOOR IS LOCKED , AND AMBER IS STANDING FROZEN
IN A BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH BEHIND A RAIN AND MIST STAINED WINDOW . HER PALMS
ARE PRESSED TO THE GLASS . SHE ' S LOOKING PAST ME . AMBER ' S BONNE BELLE PINK LIPS
MOVE , THEN FREEZE , I CAN SEE THE REFLECTION OF A CARVED STONE FACE BOBBING BENEATH
A PEACOCK PLUMED TEN GALLON HAT . THE MAN SAYS , " BOY , CAN YA TELL ME WHY IT IS
THAT EVERY TIME ONE OF YOU RICH FUCKIN ' YANKEES COMES DOWN HERE , YA ' LL MANAGE
TO ROPE , WRESTLE , AND CORRAL A BEAUTIFUL TEXAS GAL ? " WHEN THE COWBOY SLAPS THE
BACK OF MY NECK ..........
I TURN AROUND AND INTO A HEAD ON COLLISION . I ' LL BE DAMNED , IT 'S MY FOREMAN
SPIDER . HERE ' S SPIDER RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME . HERE ' S SPIDER DRESSED TO KILL . HERE ' S
SPIDER DRESSED TWO LIGHT YEARS BEYOND THE NINES .......
SHARK SKIN SLACKS SILKY SMOOTH
ALLIGATOR PAWS WITH CUBAN HEELS AND CLEATS
SNAKESKIN BELT CHERRY RED
BLACK SILK SHIRT ....... MOTHER OF PEARL BUTTONS
SOMETHING WENT WRONG . I DON ' T KNOW WHAT WENT WRONG . SOMETHING WENT WAY WAY WRONG .
SPIDER STAYS HIDDEN MOST OF THE TIME. SPIDER SHOWS UP WHEN TROUBLE SHOWS UP . SPIDER
APPEARS WHEN THERE ' S ROT IN THE GARDEN . SPIDER SHOWS UP WHEN THE JU - JU ' S GONE BAD ,
AND THE MOJO ' S ON FIRE .
AT 2 : 54 .......
SPIDER LOOKS ME IN THE EYE . OLD SPICE EXPLODES LIKE A BOTTLE ROCKET FROM EVERY PORE OF
HIS SHINY FACE . A THIN LINE OF SWEAT SQUALL LINES BENEATH HIS SPARKLING AFRO . WHEN THE
HIPPEST GUY ON THE PLANET TITANIC BREAKS A SWEAT , SOMETHING ELSE IS WAY WAY WAY OUT OF
WHACK .......
SPIDER SAYS , ' WE ' RE PULLING YOU OFF THIS JOB . "
SPIDER SAYS , " YOU GOTTA WORK THE JUNGLE TONIGHT . "
SPIDER SAYS , " STEERING COLUMN INSTALLATION . "
SPIDER SAYS , " YOU GOTTA WORK IT TONIGHT AND MAYBE FOR GOOD .......
THE STONE FACE IS ABOUT TO BRING HIS FIST TO MEET MY TEETH . AMBER SMILES , AN ORANGE
BUTTERFLY ZIG ZAGS AND PULLS ME THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MIRROR .
AT 2 : 55 .......
SPIDER LIGHTS A KOOL THAT SMELLS LIKE COLUMBIAN .
SPIDER HITS THE SPLIFF AND HANDS IT TO ME .
SPIDER SAYS , " YEAH , MAYBE FOR GOOD . "
I ASK , " WHY ? "
SPIDER SAYS .......
" BECAUSE PACO WATSON SHOT HIS BITCH IN THE PARKING
LOT BEHIND VANN ' S BAR LAST NIGHT . SHE ' S DEAD . THE
MOTHERFUCKER CALLED ME FROM DALLAS THIS MORNING . HE
AIN ' T COMING BACK . YOU GOT ABOUT FIVE MINUTES , NOW
GET YOUR ASS OVER THERE . "
AT 2 : 56 .......
I MELT INTO AMBER , AMBER BLENDS INTO ONYX ,
WE VANISH THROUGH A GASH IN THE AIR .
AND SET OUT TO FIND THE JUNGLE .
