The diner was open in the afternoon, and I was
alone so I sat at the counter. The guy next to
me was sleazy.

"Three eggs, bacon, and toast," I ordered,
"Please." The fry cook smiled when I said
bacon. People everywhere love bacon.

The Sleaze and me got to talking. "What's
your job?" I asked, picking the most
innocuous question I could think of.

"Clutter," he said. "I work in Clutter."

"Making it or taking it away?" I joked.

But I didn't hear his answer, because there
was a sudden commotion behind me. Someone
retched, and there was the smell of puke.
"Don't look," I told myself. "Don't look."



Index