Once Inside, You're on Your Own!

 

The farther we strayed from the point of entry, the more irritable we became. I adjusted my visor but that seemed to only make things worse. Speaking of 'working', who is it that always plays the part of the 'watchdog'? That'd be your first clue. Some of us had known about each other since before the date was set. Everyone made a good faith effort to remain calm in the face of biting criticism. Now and then, I'd reach into my temporary sack and pull out one of the miniturized models which we'd practiced on to see if hope was still on our side. The second time I did that, my row mate, Jack Claminty, withdrew an unheard of sum from one of his overseas accounts and made like a big shot around some of the older women. I could tell he wasn't getting very far when the face of the one nearest to him resumed its icy cast. By the second series, I could tell that she was lost in a very special little world all her own. Why she ever wanted to assume the challenge is enough to make me want to cry. Fortunately, not all those attaining Masterhood on the Southern Disc would have any trouble saying the same. Even if you throw one in, no one hereabouts is likely to go chasing a smaller version when all he had to drink was a 2 oz. glass of soy milk. You have my symphony, I'm sure...

Points were made and tasks were assigned. Finally we'd each taken a turn dismantling a functional array. Only a discreet, yet muffled, tone from behind the third false partition helped stabilize our respiration. From the eyes forward, when alternate sides took turns marching, shouting, eating, shooting and stabbing, those among us who'd been through this particular mill more times than we'd care to remember, got it into our heads to begin targeting our remarks with ever increasing precision. On the ground, no one would ever guess that we were the ones they'd promise to never stop waiting for. However, when altitude becomes an issue for the common man, the only banner worth raising is one you might find in the distance while you innocently scope the spread. This is not about disease, it's about tried and true protocols. You can't win if you walk around pretending not to be overwhelmed by invisible enemies. Face it: This dog won't bark.

Thelma Harlingkoo and Marie Chendir have made it quite clear that credit will be assigned at a time and place which we've only begun to process. I inspect their paltry shack weekly to ascertain their ranking on this play-net. From the looks of it, a person who once fit their description could be counted upon to lift a regularized object and firmly attach it to a secret molding. As we take the readings, the two of them take turns launching obscure votaries into massively selective hiding caves. They used to live in my town and were known widely for their unguarded pomposity. Anyone who thought this was normal were required to attend a mandatory seminar on passive induction dynamics. In my cabinet there's a generous tube of clarified gel. The person who most deserves its application is believed to be all but finished, not to put too fine a point on it. Does this count? Go ahead.

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