["Chapter\t88 They\t switched\t me\t back\t to\t nights\t and\t Tam,\t kind-hearted\/easy-going Tam\twas\tthere\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tshift\treminding\tme\tthat\tthe\tride\toffer was\tstill\t good.\t Her\t big\t car\t was\t packed\t with\t a\t few\t other\t Vietnamese\t ladies. My\t bike\t was\t in\t the\t trunk\t in\t back,\t and\t we\t headed\t up\t Grant.\t A\t block\t east\t of Stone\t the\t rear\t right\t tire\t blew.\t I\t asked\t if\t there\t was\t a\t spare\t available.\t Tam\t said that\tthere\twas. We\t got\tthe\ttrunk\t open.\tI\thauled\tthe\tspare\tout,\tthe\tjack,\ttook\ta\tlook\tat\tthe lugnuts\tand\tfroze.\tLocking\ttype.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tthe\tkey\twith\ther.\tWe\twere\tin trouble.\t No\t point\t even\t attempting\t to\t unscrew\t \u2018em.\t They\t were\t locked,\t solid.\t I explained\tto\tmy\tfriend\tTam.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tquite\tget\tit.\tI\ttried\tagain.\tAsked\tif\tshe had\tthe\tkey.\tShe\tshook\ther\thead. \u201cDoes\tyour\thusband\thave\tthe\tkey,\tTam?\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d\tshe\tsaid. \u201cYou\u2019ll\thave\tto\tcall\thim,\thon,\tbecause\tthere\tis\tno\tway\tfor\tus\tto\ttake\tthem\toff without\tstripping\tthe\tlugnuts,\tnot\tthat\twe\u2019d\teven\tbe\table\tto\tget\tthem\toff.\tYou\u2019ll have\tto\tcontact\tyour\thubby.\u201d And\t while\t this\t was\t sinking\t in,\t a\t strung-out\t white\t dude\t in\t his\t late\t 20s staggered\tup\tout\tof\tnowhere,\treached\tfor\tthe\tjack.\tGot\tit\ton\ta\tlugnut\tand\tbegan to\tstruggle\tand\tstrain\tto\tunscrew\tit. No\t one\t had\t asked\t him\t to\t get\t involved;\t there\t was\t no\t hint\t of\t it.\t Junkie\t was sweating\t like\t a\t pig,\t desperate\t for\t a\t shot\t of\t dope\/rail\/something\/anything, working\t to\t show\t how\t eager\t he\t was\t to\t assist\t in\t hopes\t of\t picking\t up\t some \u201cloose\tchange.\u201d He\tgot\tnowhere,\tbut\tit\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tto\tmatter\tto\thim.\tEven\tafter\tI\tinsisted\tthe lugnuts\twere\tlocked,\tthe\tjerk\twouldn\u2019t\tlet\tgo\tof\tthat\tgoddamn\tjack. \u201cYou\u2019re\tstripping\tthe\tlugnuts,\tman.\u201d He\tkept\ton.","\u201cYou\u2019re\t ruining\t my\t friend\u2019s\t car.\t Those\t lugnuts\t need\t to\t be\t unlocked. Understand?\u201d He\t had\t his\t head\t down,\t sweat\t pouring\t from\t his\t brow,\t while\t jamming\t that jack\ton\tthere\tand\tstruggling\tto\tturn\tit\tover\tand\tgetting\tnowhere\tfast,\tas\tbefore. This\t druggie\t loon\t was\t dumber\t than\t the\t locked\t lugnuts.\t It\t bothered\t me\t plenty, while\t Tam,\t slight\t of\t build\t and\t harmless\t in\t every\t way\t and\t too\t classy\t to\t insist that\tthe\tmook\tlet\tgo\tof\tthe\ttire\tiron\tand\tmove\ton. I\thated\tto\tpart\twith\tmoney,\tmy\tpress\tand\tpublishing\tmoney,\tno\tmatter\thow small\t the\t amount,\t but\t reached\t in\t my\t pocket\t and\t shoved\t a\t fiver\t in\t the\t \u201cGood Samaritan\u2019s\u201d\t face,\t thanked\t him\t for\t his\t help.\t He\t snatched\t the\t five-dollar-bill, shocked\t to\t be\t the\t recipient\t of\t so\t much,\t and\t hurried\t back\t down\t Grant,\t the direction\the\thad\tevidently\tcome\tfrom\tinitially. \t I\t reached\t inside\t the\t trunk,\t hauled\t my\t bicycle\t out.\t Paused\t there\t briefly, looking\t at\t a\t perplexed\t Tam.\t I\t suppose\t she\t didn\u2019t\t like\t the\t idea\t of\t having\t to wake\ther\thusband,\tor\tsome\tsuch.\tThere\twas\tno\tchoice. \u201cTam,\t your\t husband\t will\t have\t to\t come\t down\t here\t with\t the\t key.\t That\u2019s\t the only\tway\tthe\tspare\tcan\tbe\tput\ton\tthere,\tmy\tfriend.\u201d I\t would\t have\t hung\t around,\t and\t probably\t would\t have\t had\t she\t been\t by herself,\tbut\tshe\thad\ther\tfellow\tco-workers\twith\ther\tto\tkeep\ther\tcompany\tuntil her\thusband\tshowed. I\tgot\ton\tthe\tbike,\tand\tpedaled\ton\thome.\tHitching\trides\twith\tfolks\tjust\twasn\u2019t worth\tthe\ttrouble.\tHauling\tass\ton\tthe\tcheapo\tK-Mart\tbike\twas\tno\teasy\ttask,\tyet remained\tpreferable\tto\tthe\talternative.","Chapter\t89 Got\tthrough\tSunday\tsomehow.\tWorked\tmy\tsix\thours\tof\tO\/T.\tIt\tis\t8:36\tp.m. now.\tEyes\tburned\tthe\twhole\ttime\tat\twork\tdue\tto\tlack\tof\tsleep.\tYou\tget\tused\tto not\t going\t to\t bed\t until\t about\t 3:30\t a.m.\t (my\t regular\t schedule\t during\t the\t week), and\tthen\tyou\tsign\ton\tto\twork\tSunday\tand\tthe\thours\tare\tsimply\tmurder.\tStarted to\tget\tsleepy\tabout\t1:00\ta.m.\tthis\tmorning,\tbut\tstayed\tup\tfrom\tfear\tI\twouldn\u2019t be\table\tto\tmake\tit\tin.\tAt\t20\tafter\t3\tthis\tmorning\tleft\tthe\tapartment,\twalked\tup to\tTin\u2019s\tplace\tand\twaited\toutside\tthe\tapartment\tbuilding\tfor\tPing\tto\tpick\tme\tup in\t her\t car\t (after\t swearing\t off\t accepting\t rides\t from\t any\t of\t them).\t She\t showed and\twe\tdrove\ton\tin. Did\t OBDs\/stocked\t pallets\/helped\t welders,\t etc.\t During\t our\t fifteen-minute- break\t at\t 8:00\ta.m.\t had\thalf\t a\tsandwich,\tyogurt.\tI\tdid\tride\tback\twith\ther.\tThis would\tbe\tthe\tlast\ttime\tI\u2019d\tride\twith\tany\tof\tthem.","Chapter\t90 Last\t night\t was\t another\t killer\t ten-hour\t shift.\t For\t the\t first\t two\t hours\t they had\t me\t working\t the\t puncher,\t whereby\t I\t punched\t holes\t in\t various\t vents, labeled\/OBD\u2019ed\tand\tstacked\tthem\ton\tshelf\t(with\tTam,\twho\tremains\ta\tpleasure to\twork\twith).\tWhen\tI\tpunched\twrong\tholes,\tetc.,\tmade\tmistakes,\tshe\thandled it\t quietly,\t did\t not\t make\t a\t big\t fuss\t the\t way\t Ping\t likes\t to\t do.\t In\t fact,\t Ping\t did stop\tby,\tsaw\tme\tpunching\tholes\tin\ta\tvent,\tI\twas\tdoing\tit\tright\tat\tthat\tpoint,\tand she\tscreams: \u201cWAIT!\tWAIT,\tI\tSHOW\tYOU!\u201d She\u2019s\t screaming\t some\t more\t and\t I\t just\t ignored\t her,\t placed\t the\t vent\t on\t the shelf,\tknowing\tit\twas\tright.\tThen\tTam\tshowed\ther\tthe\tchart,\tand\tPing\tshut\tup that\tfast.\tShe\treturned\tto\twork\tat\ther\tstation. Fat\tMan,\tRodrigo,\tcomes\tby: \u201cYou\u2019ll\tbe\tworking\tin\tthe\tback,\u201d\the\tsays. I\tknew\twhat\tthat\tmeant:\tthe\twarehouse,\tbut\tsaid\tjust\tthe\tsame: \u201cYou\tmean\tthe\twarehouse?\u201d \u201cRight.\tSee\ta\tguy\twith\twhite\thair\tnamed\tBud.\u201d \u201cWill\tI\tbe\tthere\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tshift?\u201d\tI\tinquired. \u201cYes.\u201d I\t grab\t my\t things:\t Igloo\t cooler,\t thermos,\t and\t the\t plastic\t bag.\t Walk\t in\t the back,\tway\tin\tthe\tback.\tThe\twhite-haired\tdude,\tanother\tsuper,\tis\tat\this\tdesk.\tHe points\tto\tthe\tloading\tdock,\ta\tgood\tdistance\tfrom\there,\tsays:\t\u201cSee\tJethro.\u201d I\tnod,\twalk\tsome\tmore.\tReach\tJethro\u2019s\tdesk,\tand\the\tsays: \u201cGive\tthat\tguy\ta\thand\tloading\tup\tthe\ttruck.\u201d Loading\t is\t right.\t Work,\t heavy\t lifting,\t work.\t Back\t muscles\t ached;\t groin muscles,\ttoo.\tDid\tthat\tfor\tthree-hours\twith\ta\tMexican\twho\u2019d\tbeen\ta\twelder\tfor seventeen-years,\tand\tyet\tthe\tman\thardly\tspoke\tEnglish.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tget\tit.\tHe\twas\ta nice\t enough\t sort.\t We\t got\t the\t damned\t trailer\t loaded\t up.\t High.\t Way\t up\t there.","Threw\t the\t medium-to-light\t boxes\t up\t on\t top\u2014and\t then\t several\t boxes\t came tumbling\tdown\ton\tmy\thead. Then\t the\t Mexican\t driving\t the\t forklift,\t Junior,\t worked\t like\t a\t maniac. Probably\t on\t uppers.\t He\t kept\t pushing\t those\t full\t pallets\t in\t on\t us,\t damned\t near burying\t us\t in\t packages\/boxes\/crates.\t Junior\t had\t been\t in\t Tucson\t since\t April, was\tfrom\tMontebello,\tCA.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\thave\ta\tproblem\twith\this\tEnglish.\tBig\tnose and\thead\tshaped\tlike\tan\tacorn.\tCrewcut.\tBad\tone.\tShort.\tBaggy\tLevi\u2019s\tcut-offs. \t When\twe\twere\tdone\twith\tthat\twe\ttook\ta\tbrief\tbreak,\tthen\tI\treturned\tto\tmy other\t post,\t working\t the\t puncher,\t etc.,\t the\t rest\t of\t the\t shift.\t You\t ache,\t brother, by\tthe\ttime\tyou\u2019re\tdone,\tyou\tache\tall\tover.\t.\t.\t. And\there\tI\tam,\tstill\taching.\t.\t.\t.\tThe\tdog\tstarted\tbarking\tearly\tat\t8\ta.m.\tafter I\u2019d\tonly\tslept\ta\tmere\tfour\thours.\tAttempted\tfor\ta\tbit\tmore\tslumber\t(after\ttelling her\t to\t shut\t the\t hell\t up).\t Did\t get\t a\t few\t more\t hours,\t but\t still\t feel\t tired. Exhausted.\tWeight\tdropping,\tbut\texhausted\tis\twhat\tI\tfeel\tlike\ttoday\tand\tevery day.\tGot\tto\tstay\twith\tit.\tGot\tto. It\u2019s\toff\tto\twork.","Chapter\t91 Thursday\t is\t always\t a\t good\t day\t because\t it\u2019s\t payday.\t Three\t minutes\t past noon.\tLast\tnight\tnot\tas\thard\tas\tsome\tothers.\tSure,\tyou\u2019re\ton\tyour\tfeet\tfor\tjust under\ttwelve-hours\tand\tthe\tsoles\tand\theels\tnumb,\tbut\tthat\u2019s\tpar\tfor\tthe\tcourse; that\tpart\tI\tmay\tbe\tgetting\tused\tto. They\thad\tme\twith\tthe\ttwo\tVietnamese\tguys:\tDong\tand\tHung.\tI\tshoved\tsteel slats\t through\t various\t support\t bars.\t Relatively\t easy\t (as\t no\t hammering involved).\tLater,\tthere\twas\tsome\thammering\trequired\t(during\tthe\tlast\tcouple\tof hours). Dong\tsays: \u201cI\tgo\tto\twelding\tnext\tweek.\tMake\tmore\tmoney.\tFifty-five-cents\tmore.\u201d I\t nod\t my\t head.\t This\t guy\t is\t all\t right,\t usually\t (they\t all\t have\t their\t moods). Today\the\u2019s\tin\ta\tgood\tmood.\tHe\u2019s\tvery\tloud\twhen\the\tspeaks.\tSkinny.\tRail\tthin, as\tthey\tsay.\tIn\this\tmid-50s. He\ttells\tme: \u201cI\twork\tbefore,\twelding.\tNo\tpay\tmore\tmoney\tbefore.\tNow\tpay\tmore.\u201d His\t response\t to\t my\t question\t why\t he\t hadn\u2019t\t stayed\t with\t welding\t while\t he was\tin\tit: \u201cI\thave\tenergy,\u201d\the\tsays,\tmeaning\tallergy.\t\u201cI\twork\tdifferent\tarea,\tno\tallergy.\u201d (After\tI\u2019d\tcorrected\thim.) \u201cI\u2019ll\tgo\twith\tyou,\u201d\tI\ttell\thim.\t\u201cI\twant\tto\tbe\ta\twelder.\u201d \u201cYou\tcannot.\tYou\tnot\thave\tbeen\there\tsix\tmonths\tyet.\tLater.\u201d \t Rodrigo,\t the\t super,\t moves\t slow,\t very\t slow.\t When\t you\u2019re\t obese\t that\u2019s\t the way\t it\t is.\t We\t had\t three-minutes\t to\t go\t before\t the\t buzzer\t went\t off\t and\t I\u2019d already\tswept\tour\tarea,\tand\tRodrigo\tsays: \u201cYou\tsweep\talready?\u201d\tIndicating\tnear\taisle. \u201cNot\tout\tthere;\tonly\tin\there,\u201d\tI\ttell\thim. \u201cJust\tsweep\tup\tsome\tby\tthe\ttable.\u201d","I\tdon\u2019t\tmind\tthis\tguy;\tit\u2019s\tnot\tlike\the\torders\tyou\taround\tlike\ta\tdrill\tsergeant. Appears\teasy\tgoing\ton\tthe\toutside,\tcalm.\tQuiet.\tBut\tinside\tI\u2019m\tsure\the\u2019s\tgot\this tornadoes,\t maybe\t even\t high\t blood\t pressure.\t Rarely\t takes\t a\t day\t off.\t He\t has thirty\t years\t in\t here\t at\t the\t plant.\t Works\t usually\t six-days-a-week\u2014and\t on Sunday\twhen\tneeded.\tHe\twas\tthere\tlast\tSunday. I\t grab\t a\t broom\t and\t sweep\t up.\t I\t don\u2019t\t need\t problems\t at\t this\t point.\t When\t I pick\tup\tthe\tcheck\tthis\tevening\tI\u2019ll\thave\tnine-\thundred\tfor\tthe\tprinting.\tPretty darn\t good.\t I\u2019ll\t wait\t another\t check\t or\t two\u2014apply\t for\t my\t credit\t card,\t have\t the cover\tdone,\tleave\ta\tdeposit\tat\tthe\tprinter\u2019s. First\t thing\t to\t do,\t though:\t need\t to\t pay\t rent\t on\t the\t PO\t box.\t There\t is\t still\t the apartment\tto\tfind.\tSo\tclose\tto\tgetting\tthe\tprinting\tdone.\tHard\tto\tbelieve.","Chapter\t92 I\u2019m\tworking\tthe\thole-puncher,\twhen\tI\thear\tRodrigo\tcall\tmy\tname.\tThis could\tmean\tanything.\tCould\tmean\tI\u2019m\tback\tat\tthe\tloading\tdock\tloading\ttrailers. Hard\tfrigging\twork.\tSweat. He\tsays:\t\u201cGo\twith\tNo-Ass\tLeon.\u201d Leon\t Lupo\t is\t the\t super\t with\t the\t pot\t belly\t and\t no\t ass.\t 6\u20191\u201d.\t In\t his\t 50s.\t Been with\tthe\tcompany\tthirty-or-forty\tyears.\tRodrigo,\tas\tmentioned,\thas\t30-years\tin. Lifers. I\treach\tunder\tthe\ttable,\tgrab\tmy\tcooler,\tthe\tplastic\tbag\tI\u2019ve\tgot\tthe\tmask\tin, Tucson\tWeekly,\tand\tfollow\tLeon,\twho\thas\ta\trather\tfast\tway\tof\twalking. We\t near\t the\t Pepsi\t machine\t outside\t the\t restrooms,\t where\t one\t of\t the\t other supers\t is\t yakking\t with\t a\t plain\t blond\t (not\t only\t are\t there\t no\t good\t looking women\tin\tthis\tfactory,\tbut\tnone\tof\tthem\u2014not\ta\tsingle\tone\tof\tthem\u2014knew\thow to\tdress,\tother\tthan\tthe\tbabe\tin\tthe\tfront\toffice\twho\thired\tme). I\t stand\t waiting\t at\t the\t soft\t drink\t machine\t while\t he\t yacks\t with\t them\t for ten\/fifteen\tminutes.\tThis\tis\twhat\tthey\tdo,\tthese\tsupers,\tshoot\tthe\tbreeze\tall\tday long.\t They\t don\u2019t\t do\t any\t work.\t While\t the\t rest\t of\t us\t are\t toiling\t our\t asses\t off, these\t clowns\t are\t wasting\t their\t time.\t I\u2019m\t finding\t things\t out\t about\t this\t plant: while\t the\t rest\t of\t us\t are\t killing\t ourselves\t day-in\/day-out,\t you\u2019ve\t got\t slackers with\t cushy\t jobs\t who\t spend\t their\t day\t walking\t around\/chatting\/doing\t nothing. Their\tfavorite\ttrick\tis\tto\tappear\tto\tbe\tlooking\tfor\t\u201ctickets\u201d\t(orders). You\tsee\tthem\tholding\tforms\tin\tone\thand\tand\twalking\tto-and-fro,\tin\tsearch\tof something\t (with\t what\t might\t resemble\t determination).\t You\t never\t see\t these people\tbreak\ta\tsweat,\tunless\tthe\tcountless\tgigantic\tfans\tthroughout\tthe\tfactory fail\tat\treducing\tthe\tsummer\theat\tin\tany\tgenuine\tway. \t Finally,\t we\u2019re\t on\t the\t move,\t pass\t the\t paint\t line\t (where\t the\t frames\t are\t hung for\t the\t painter\t inside\t the\t paint\t room)\t and\t stop\t at\t the\t giant\t Komatsu\tpress. This\t thing\t is\t a\t beast,\t a\t monster.\t Four-million-bucks.\t It\t forges\t panels,\t comes","down\tlike\tthunder.\tThe\tground\tshakes\teach\ttime.\tThis\tpart\tof\tthe\tplant\tis\tlike something\tout\tof\tBlade\tRunner,\ta\tgloomy\tcavern.\tHigh\tceiling. Am\tintroduced\tto\tRay,\tthe\tpress\toperator.\tEarly\t50s,\tthin,\twith\tthe\texception of\t the\t spare\t tire\t around\t his\t middle.\t He\u2019s\t in\t baggy\t jeans\t and\t a\t dirty\t T-shirt. Dude\t is\t probably\t caucasian.\t Hair\t the\t color\t of\t old\t and\t dirty\t motor\t oil.\t Wears glasses. \t My\t job\t is\t easy.\t Sit\t on\t the\t left\t side\t of\t the\t long\t press\t and\t occasionally\t pull scrap\t metal\t out\t of\t trays\t with\t a\t six-foot\t long\t bar\t with\t a\t curved\t tip.\t The\t press has\t a\t grill\t (that\t you\t can\t easily\t see\t through)\t on\t either\t side\t (that\t goes\t up\t and down,\t when\t needed).\t Ray\t stands\t a\t yard\t or\t two\t to\t my\t right,\t at\t that\t end,\t from where\the\tcontrols\tthe\tpress. I\t cannot\t get\t over\t this\t mechanical\t freak\t that\t is\t about\t the\t size\t of\t a\t double- decker\t bus\t and,\t as\t stated,\t Ray\t controls\t from\t where\t he\u2019s\t standing.\t There\t is\t no way\the\tcan\tsee\twhat\tI\u2019m\tdoing,\tor\twhat\tthe\tpress\tis\tdoing\u2014unless\the\tleans\tout to\this\tleft. \t To\t communicate\t with\t one\t another\u2014due\t to\t the\t extreme\t noise\t in\t the\t place\u2014 we\tmust\tshout.\tI\tshould\tpoint\tout,\tin\tall\tfairness,\tbefore\the\treturned\tto\this\tpost, I\u2019d\t been\t advised\t to\t keep\t my\t arms\t and\t any\t part\t of\t my\t upper\t body: head\/shoulders,\t etc.,\t out\t of\t the\t impact\t area.\t Ray\t suggested\t I\t use\t the\t bar\t I\u2019d been\tgiven\tfor\tall\tretrieval\tpurposes. Easiest\t gig\t I\u2019ve\t had.\t No\t work\t required.\t So\t long\t as\t I\t didn\u2019t\t stick\t any\t part\t of me\tin\tthat\tverboten\tsection\t(beyond\tthe\tgrill\twith\tthe\thorizontal\tbars).\tI\tasked Ray\thow\tlong\the\u2019d\tbeen\tat\tit. \u201cNine-months.\tToo\tlong.\u201d And\t then\t about\t two\t hours\t hence,\t when\t a\t new\t roll\t of\t sheet\t metal\t had\t to\t be fed\tto\tthe\tpress,\the\tgot\ta\tbit\tbent\tout\tof\tshape,\tas\tit\twas\tnot\tas\twide\tas\tit\tshould have\tbeen\tand\tthe\tfeeder\/rails\thad\tbeen\tleft\tloose\tapparently\tby\tthe\tday\tman. Adjustments\twere\tmade.\tStill\tnothing.\tRay\twas\tgetting\tpissed\/worked\tup.\tI\tsat back.\tNo\tconcern\tof\tmine. Why\t let\t a\t machine\t get\t to\t you?\t (Especially\t at\t what\t we\t were\t being\t paid.)\t It was\tcrap\tanyway.\tToo\tmuch\twas\tbeing\twasted.\tToo\tmuch\tmetal\/paper\twasted \u2014everywhere,\t all\t over\t this\t country\t and\t the\t world.\t We\t were\t destroying\t the","planet.\t Then\t they\t (Lupo\t and\t Ray)\t figure\t out\t why\t the\t sheet\t metal\t wasn\u2019t coming\tin\thigh\tenough\toff\tthe\tconveyor:\tthe\tbent\tupwards\ttray\/makeshift\ttray wasn\u2019t\tbent\tenough. Later\tRay\twas\tshaking\this\thead,\tfeeling\tbetter,\tand\tsaying: \u201cGuess\t I\t was\t too\t tired\t to\t think\t straight.\t Of\t all\t people\t to\t get\t me\t to\t figure\t it out\t I\t had\t to\t get\t No-Ass\t Lupo.\u201d\t He\u2019d\t had\t a\t confrontation\t with\t Leon\t once\t or twice\tbefore. We\thad\tthe\tKomatsu\trunning\tagain.","Chapter\t93 There\twas\ta\tlull,\tRay\twas\tfiddling\twith\tbuttons,\tmaking\tadjustments\tat his\tend.\tChu,\tone\tof\tthe\tforklift\tdrivers\tpulls\tup.\tClimbs\tdown.\tChu\tis\tAsian, 34.\tDoesn\u2019t\tlook\tit.\tDidn\u2019t\tlike\tdriving\tthe\tdamned\tthing.\tGave\thim\tback\tpain, but.\t .\t .\t .\t After\t fourteen\t years\t in\t he\t was\t only\t making\t $8\t an\t hour.\t Planning\t to retire\tin\tsix\tyears\t(at\t$135,\tplus\t$750.00\tmore\tfrom\tthe\tgovernment).\tIs\ttaking an\taccounting\tcourse\tduring\tthe\tday\tso\tthat\the\tcan\tdo\this\town\tbooks\twhen\the opens\this\town\tbusiness\twhen\the\tretires. Like\t I\t said:\t Everyone\t dreams\t of\t a\t better\t life.\t Only\t by\t the\t time\t we\t get\t there (should\twe\tever\tget\tthere),\twe\u2019re\ttoo\tclose\tto\tthat\thole\tin\tthe\tsod. \u201cHow\tyou\tlike\tthe\tKomatsu?\u201d\the\tasks. What\tcan\tI\ttell\thim? \u201cIt\u2019s\tnot\tas\tbad\tas\tsome\tof\tthe\tother\tthings\tthey\u2019ve\thad\tme\tdoing.\u201d \u201cYou\t not\t supposed\t to\t lean\t in.\t You\t supposed\t to\t use\t the\t long\t bar\t when adjusting\tpanels.\tThey\ttell\tyou\tthis?\u201d \u201cRay\tmentioned\tit.\u201d \u201cMexican\tguy\twho\twork\there\tbefore\tyou,\u201d\the\tsaid,\t\u201che\tdie.\u201d I\tstared\tat\thim. \u201cNobody\ttol\u2019\tyou?\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d \u201cYou\t not\t supposed\t to\t lean\tin\t when\t adjusting\t panels.\t Always\t use\t the\t long bar.\t Mexican\t was\t crushed.\t Komatsu\t come\t down\t when\t he\t lean\t in\t to\t make adjustment\twithout\tthe\tbar.\u201d \u201cCrushed\thim?\u201d He\t nodded.\t \u201cFrom\t chest\t up.\t Like\t taco.\t He\t want\t to\t adjust\t panels,\t but\t don\u2019t wait\tfor\tRay\tto\tstop\tthe\tpress.\tHis\tlife\tover.\tThat\u2019s\tit.\u201d \u201cFor\tshit\twages.\u201d \u201cYou\tthink\tcompany\tcare?\u201d","He\t looked\t around\t nervously,\t making\t sure\t none\t of\t the\t supers\t were\t around. Pointed\tout\the\thad\tto\treturn\tto\twork. \u201cThey\tsee\tus\ttalking\tthey\tyell\tat\tus.\u201d He\twas\tgone\tbefore\tI\u2019d\thad\ta\tchance\tto\tthank\thim\tfor\tthe\theads-up. \t We\t shut\t the\t press\t down\t at\t 7\t to\t midnight.\t I\t swept\t the\t area.\t Thought\t about what\t Chu\t had\t said\t as\t I\t scooped\t up\t debris\t and\t dumped\t it\t in\t one\t of\t the\t trash bins\tthere.\tA\tman\thad\tbeen\tcrushed\tto\tdeath\tand\tno\tone\thad\tmentioned\ta\tword to\t me\t about\t it.\t Made\t you\t wonder\t how\t many\t others\t had\t been\t killed\t or\t left maimed\tover\tthe\tyears. Even\t though\t I\t suspected\t Ray\t was\t a\t moody\t type,\t the\t signs\t were\t there, assisting\t him\t had\t been\t relatively\t easy\t so\t far\t and\t I\u2019d\t even\t contemplated offering\tto\treturn\tto\tthe\tpress\tas\ta\tway\tto\tget\taway\tfrom\tHung\tand\tDong\tand all\tthe\tother\thumiliating\tand\/or\tphysically\tdemanding\tchores\tI\u2019d\thad\tto\tendure, but\t hearing\t about\t the\t helper\t who\u2019d\t ended\t up\t flattened\t by\t the\t Komatsu\u2014and really\t how\t easy\t it\t would\t be\t for\t it\t to\t happen\t to\t anyone\u2014made\t me\t less\t than eager. I\twalked\tback\tto\tmy\tregular\tstation.\tClocked\tout\tat\t12:15\ta.m.\twith\tthe\tother slaves.","Chapter\t94 You\tblink\tand\tthe\tweekend\tis\tover. Worked\t Saturday.\t Off\t at\t 4:15\t p.m.,\t as\t usual.\t Didn\u2019t\t do\t much\t Sat.\t night. Rested.\tI\tnever\tgo\tout\tto\tclubs\tthese\tdays\t(not\tthat\tI\twas\tever\tmuch\tof\ta\tbarfly or\t even\t cared\t for\t that\t type\t of\t life).\t Then\t today\t rode\t the\t bicycle\t to\t the laundromat\t at\t Alvernon\t and\t Pima.\t Took\t care\t of\t two\t loads\t of\t shirts,\t shorts. Some\t teenage\t black\t chick\t screaming\t and\t cursing\t at\t three\t black\t youngsters\t in there.\t It\t was\t no\t way\t to\t raise\t kids.\t Didn\u2019t\t say\t anything,\t although\t I\t was disgusted\tby\tit. Got\tout\tof\tthere. Back\there. Went\t to\t see\t Kiana\t South,\t Mel\t South\u2019s\t daughter\t (who\t does\t proofreading)\t to talk\tto\ther\tabout\tproofing\tmanuscripts\tfor\tme.\tWoman\twas\tin\ther\t20s.\tSeemed nice\t enough.\t Just\t hope\t she\t knows\t her\t stuff.\t Did\t let\t her\t do\t a\t sample\t and\t she seemed\tcapable.\tNo\tmatter,\twill\thave\tto\tdo\tthe\tusual:\tproof\ther\tproofed\tversion myself.\t So\t then\t why\t do\t it?\t Because\t it\t helps\t to\t have\t another\t pair\t of\t eyes\t go over\ttypos\/errors\tI\ttend\tto\toverlook.\tIt\talways\tworks\tthat\tway.\tWe\ttend\tto\tmiss the\t most\t obvious;\t all\t of\t us:\t me\/Ernie\t Hemingway\/F.\t Scott\t Fitzgerald\/James Jones\/Thomas\tWolfe. These\t guys\t had\t the\t legendary\t editor\t Max\t Perkins\t and\t his\t input,\t while scribes\t like\t me\t get\t it\t where\t we\t can\t afford\t it.\t Yes,\t in\t spite\t of\t the\t fact\t I\t got\t As and\t Bs\t in\t English\t in\t high\t school,\t I\t fail\t to\t pick\t up\t missed\t letters\t and\t other errors.\tSo\tnow\twaiting\tfor\tthe\tms\tto\tcome\tback\tfrom\tthe\ttypesetter. \t Stopped\tby\tthe\thealth\tfood\tmarket\ton\tSpeedway\t(not\tfor\tany\thealth\treasons, either,\t but\t because\t it\u2019s\t the\t closest\t in\t the\t area).\t Picked\t up milk\/bread\/pasta\/sauce.\t Stayed\t in.\t Had\t the\t tube\t on\t for\t a\t bit.\t Nothing\t on. Television\tis\ta\twaste\tof\ttime.\tUsually\tis.Tossed\tthe\tdog\ta\tcouple\tof\tbiscuits.","Well,\tgoing\ton\t1:00\ta.m.\tnow.\tOrbison\ton.\tSinging\tIt\u2019s\tover\t.\t.\t.\tYes,\tI\tknow.\tIt was\tover\ta\tlong\ttime\tago,\tRoy.\tTomorrow\tis\tMonday\tand\tit\u2019s\tback\tto\twork,\tpal. The\tfactory.\tSheet\tmetal.\tBust\tyour\tback\tfor\tThe\tMan.","Chapter\t95 They\t had\t me\t on\t the\t Komatsu\t again.\t Am\t getting\t to\t hate\t working\t back there.\t Loaded\t 24\u201d\t x\t 24\u201d\t panels\t into\t bins\t on\t the\t floor.\t Lifted\t this\t stuff\t off\t the conveyor\t belt\t and\t lowered\t into\t steel\t bins.\t Cut\t my\t forearm\t on\t steel\t panels.\t A rough\tway\tto\tmake\ta\tliving.\tThey\thad\tfour\tguys\tback\tthere\tat\tone\ttime.\tWhy? Good\t question.\t The\t press\t operator\t Ray,\t Jorge\t the\t scrap\t man,\t me\t and\t some Mexican\tguy\tin\ta\tlarge,\tvinyl\tcowboy\that. I\u2019ve\t got\t cuts\t up\t and\t down\t both\t forearms.\t This\t is\t the\t way\t the\t writer\t buys time\tto\twrite. Crawled\tinto\tbed\tat\t4\ta.m. And\tthen\tat\t7:30\tI\thear\tthe\tg.d.\tdog\tbarking,\talso\tthe\ttwo\tdogs\tin\tthe\tyard\tto the\t right\t of\t here.\t God\t help\t us.\t Am\t forced\t to\t get\t up\t out\t of\t bed\t and\t hiss\t at\t my dog.\tShe\tshuts\tup.\tThe\twoman\tnext\tdoor\tbrings\ther\town\tdogs\tinside. Am\t back\t in\t bed,\t only\t trouble\t is\t I\t can\u2019t\t fall\t asleep\t now.\t And\t I\t need\t my\t rest (for\tthe\tjob).\tCan\u2019t\tgo\ton\tthis\tway.\tNellie,\tthe\tdog\there,\tis\tjust\ttoo\tdumb\tto\ttake a\thint.\tYou\ttell\ther\ta\tmillion\ttimes\tto\tshut\tthe\thell\tup\tand\tshe\tdoesn\u2019t\tget\tit,\tor does\tfor\ta\twhile\u2014and\tthen\ta\tfew\thours\tlater,\tor\tthe\tvery\tnext\tmorning\tdoes\tthe same\tdamned\tthing:\tmakes\ta\tbig\tracket\tover\tnothing.\tIt\u2019s\tusually\tsomeone\tout there\t walking\ttheir\tdog\t in\tthe\tearly\ta.m.\tand\tNellie\tacts\tlike\tshe\u2019s\tprotecting the\tplace\t(when\tshe\tand\tI\tboth\tknow\tdifferent). \t It\ttook\tme\tforty-minutes\tto\tdoze\toff\tand\tthis\ttime\tslept\tfor\tthree\tmore\thours. Needed\tit.\t Here\tit\t is\t11\tto\t2\t (p.m.)\tpresently.\tGot\tmy\tlunch\tready\t(for\twork), etc.,\tdressed,\twaiting\tfor\twhat.\t.\t.\t.\tI\tleave\there\tat\tabout\tten\tto\t3.","Chapter\t96 Once\t again:\t I\t drop\t in\t the\t sack\t at\t 4:00\t a.m.,\t and\t the\t damned\t dog\t starts barking\tat\tsomeone\twalking\ttheir\tdog\tat\t7:30\tin\tthe\tmorning.\tIncredible. This\t dog,\t this\t dog\t here\t has\t got\t to\t be\t one\t of\t the\t dumbest\t animals\t I\t have\t ever seen.\t One\t of\t the\t most\t unfeeling\t and\t cruel.\t I\t have\t to\t get\t up\t and\t hiss\t at\t her\t to shut\tup. It\ttakes\tme\tthirty-minutes\tnow\tto\tfall\tback\tasleep.\tLast\tnight,\tlast\tnight\tat\tthe factory,\t the\t sheet\t metal\t factory\t was\t another\t bitch\t of\t a\t night.\t Every\t now\t and then\tyou\tget\tstuck\tworking\twith\tpeople\twho\tmake\tlife\ta\tlot\ttougher\tthan\tit\thas to\tbe.\tWorking\twith\tRay\ton\tthat\tgoliath\tKomatsu\tpress\twas\/is\talways\tlike\tthat. Hell.\tThis\tjerk\thas\tserious\tmood\tswings.\tAnd\tsoon\tit\ttires\tyou\tout,\twears\tyou out. What\t gives,\t man?\t He\u2019s\t always\t angry.\t Not\t smart\t enough\t (really)\t to\t run\t the press,\tbut\tthere\the\tis.\tAnd\twhile\tI\u2019m\tplacing\tpanels\tin\tthe\tbin\the\twants\tme\tto get\tmore\tand\tmore\tin\tthere.\tHands\tme\ta\tlong\tscrewdriver\tso\tthat\tI\tcan\twedge that\ttip\tin\tthere\tand\tmove\ta\tlayer\tof\tthem\tand\tmake\troom\tfor\tmore\tpanels. \u201cYou\tcan\tat\tleast\tget\tanother\thundred\tin\tthere.\u201d Like\ta\tfool,\tI\tdo\tas\tam\ttold.\tDon\u2019t\tmake\twaves,\tI\tfigure.\tThen\tlater\tJorge\tand I\trealize\twhat\tall\tthat\tshifting\twith\tthe\tscrewdriver\thas\tdone\tto\tquite\ta\tfew\tof the\t panels:\t scratched\t them\t along\t the\t edge,\t dented\t them;\t dented\t so\t many.\t I\u2019m on\tprobation\t(for\tthe\tfirst\tsix\tmonths)\tso\tdon\u2019t\tsay\tanything.\tBut\tyou\tbet,\tI\u2019m tired\tof\tit. Turns\t out\t this\t guy\t Ray\t is\t about\t the\t most\t miserable\t wretch\t working\t here. You\t feel\t like\t saying\t to\t a\t grump\t like\t this:\t Hey,\t lighten\t up,\t man.\t Life\t is\t short. Wipe\tthat\tfrown\tfrom\tyour\tface.\tIt\tisn\u2019t\thelping\tyou\tor\tthose\taround\tyou.\tGet\tit? Only\tthey\tdon\u2019t\tget\tit.\tIt\ttakes\ta\tbit\tof\twisdom\tto\tget\tit,\ta\tbit\tof\tsmarts.\tI\tquit talking,\t saying\t much\t to\t the\t guy.\t I\t help\t out,\t etc.,\t that\u2019s\t it.\t I\t help,\t along\t with Jorge,\t load\t up\t new\t coils\t onto\t the\t feeder\t carousel.\t Unload\t scrap\t to\t clear\t main chute\t from\t the\t press\t and\t make\t room\t for\t small\t scrap.\t Mainly,\t though,\t my\t job","was\tto\tunload\tpanels\toff\tthe\tconveyor\tbelt\tand\tplace\tthem\tin\thuge\tsteel\tbins\ton the\t cement\t floor.\t Then\t Chu,\t the\t forklift\t driver,\t comes\t in\t and\t carts\t the\t bins away.\t We\t usually\t have\t five\t bins\t on\t either\t side\t of\t the\t conveyor.\t Fill\t them\t up. Then\t Chu\t drives\t in,\t takes\t that\t away,\t comes\t in\t with\t empty\t bins.\t He\t does\t a lot\/works\t hard\/keeps\t a\t good\t attitude\/cheerful,\t except\t when\t he\u2019s\t around\t Ray, the\tpissed-off\tguy,\tthe\tangry\tface. \t Twenty\t to\t 1:00\t p.m.\t now.\t Cooking\t spaghetti.\t Placed\t a\t bagel\t (with\t slice\t of beef\t boloney\t inside,\t cream\t cheese),\t along\t with\t another\t sandwich,\t w\/mustard, one\t green\t apple.\t Lemonade.\t I\t drop\t them\t inside\t the\t cooler\t by\t the\t door.\t In\t one plastic\t bag\t I\t carry\t the\t extra\t pair\t of\t work\t gloves\/dirty\t apron\/face\t mask,\t a magazine\t (we\t get\t to\t the\t plant\t early\t and\t this\t way\t I\u2019ve\t got\t something\t to\t read until\tthe\tbuzzer\tgoes\toff). But\tthis\tis\tthe\tway\tit\tgoes,\tthe\tway\tone\tgets\tready\/prepares\tpsychologically for\tthe\tten-hour\tgrind\tat\tthe\tsheet\tmetal\tfactory,\tthe\tslave\tdungeon\t(for\tslave wages). I\t guesstimate\t this\t one\t plant\t takes\t in\t (monthly)\t anywhere\t from\t 2.7\t mil.\t to\t 4 mil.\tThat\u2019s\tper\tmonth,\tHoss.\tExploitation\tthrives\tin\tthe\tOld\tPueblo. \t Got\t some\t Bach\t on\tthe\tFM\tdial,\tand\tmainly\t just\ttrying\tto\ttake\tit\teasy\tuntil the\t time\t to\t walk\t up\t to\t my\t Vietnamese\t pal\u2019s\t apartment\t building\t and\t then\t he drives\t us\t in\t to\t the\t plant\t in\t his\t beat-up\t black\t Toyota.\t (Comes\t down\t to\t putting up\t with\t the\t loud\t funk\/nose-picking\/cigarette\t smoke,\t versus\t aching\t legs\t and exhaustion,\tso\tI\tride\twith\tthe\tdude.) I\u2019d\tlike\tto\tget\tout\tof\tthe\tfactory.\tPlaces\tlike\tthis\tgrind\tpeople\tinto\tthe\tground, literally.\tThey\tdo\tit\tslowly,\tbut\tsurely\t.\t.\t.\tevery\tday\ttaking\tan\tinch\tor\tso\tout\tof you.\tIt\u2019s\ta\tdeath\tsentence.\tI\u2019ve\tgot\tcuts\tup\tand\tdown\tboth\tarms\tfrom\thandling sheet\tmetal\/panels\/rails\t(aluminum\tand\tsteel). And\tfor\twhat? For\twhat? At\tfive\t(and\tchange)\tper\thour. Somebody\t is\t laughing\t his\t head\t off\t at\t how\t stupid\t we\t are,\t how\t gullible\t and easily\t taken.\t Someone\t is\t howling\t at\t our\t feeble-mindedness.\t (Letter\/key\t \u201cN\u201d sticks\tmore\toften\tthan\tI\tcare\tto\tbe\treminded.)","Chapter\t97 Worked\tmy\tSaturday\tshift\tand\tdropped\tin\tthe\tsack\tsoon\tas\tI\tgot\thome. Feet\t sore,\t feet\t sore.\t These\t new\t boots\t (steel\t toe)\t just\t not\t wide\t enough.\t This\t is pain.\t Even\t after\t spending\t fifty-bucks\t (a\t lot\t for\t me).\t What\u2019s\t the\t solution? Without\t comfort\t down\t in\t the\t foot\t department\t you\u2019re\t doomed\t (at\t this\t place). Not\tsure\twhat\tto\tdo.\tDo\tthey\tmake\tshoes\twider\tthan\tthis?\tSell\tthem\tat\tPayless? This\twas\tsupposed\tto\tbe\ta\twider\tpair.\tWould\tthey\ttake\tthem\tback?\tHave\tworn them\tfor\ttwo\tdays\tnow.\tI\trealize\tit\ttakes\ta\twhile\tto\tbreak\ta\tpair\tof\twork\tboots in\t.\t.\t.\tstill.\t.\t.\t. Should\t look\t to\t buy\t another\t pair\t of\t shoes,\t a\t different\t type\t of\t work\t shoe (\u2018cause\t just\t can\u2019t\t make\t it\t this\t way).\t Won\u2019t\t last\t much\t longer.\t Every\t chance\t I got,\tthere\tI\twas\tleaning\t(for\ta\tbrief\tsec\tor\ttwo)\tagainst\tthe\tconveyor\tbelt\twhile the\tframes\tcame\tdown. Doing\t the\t same\t lately.\t Same\t old\t thing.\t Working\t the\t hole\t puncher.\t I\t stand there\t with\t my\t foot\t on\t the\t metal\t pedal\t on\t the\t cement\t floor\t and\t press\t down, punching\t holes\t in\t different\t size\t frames.\t Yes,\t errors\t are\t made\t at\t times.\t Yes,\t it happens.\tBut\tam\tgradually\tgetting\tit,\tand\tmaking\tfewer\tand\tfewer\terrors\tevery day. Tried\t to\t feel\t upbeat\t early\t on\t in\t the\t shift,\t good\t attitude,\t all\t that\t (like\t most people),\t but\t eventually\t the\t pain\t down\t in\t the\t foot\t area\t got\t to\t me,\t baby;\t the pain.\tFelt\tblisters\tcoming\ton\t(you\tknow,\twith\tthe\tbig\ttoes\tpressed\tup\/pushing against\tthe\tsteel\ttoe\tof\tthe\tboot).\tIt\twas\tsheer\tagony.\tBut\twhat\tdo\tyou\tdo? The\t obese\t super\t there,\t Rodrigo,\t sitting\t at\t his\t computer\t desk\t in\t his comfortable\tchair\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tthe\tplant,\tcomfortable\tsneakers\t(could\thave bought\t sneakers,\t yes,\t with\t thick\t soles,\t but\t I\t got\t the\t steel\t toes\t for\t safety reasons).\tAfter\tall,\tthings\tdo\tland\ton\tone\u2019s\tfeet.","Chapter\t98 Returned\t to\t Payless\t to\t take\t their\t killer\t boots\t back.\t Got\t my\t $42,\t then drove\tto\ta\tfew\tplaces\t(with\tBro)\tlooking\tat\tshoes.\tTo\tmy\tamazement\tfound\tout that\tsome\twork\tshoes\tgo\tfor\tas\tmuch\tas\tone-hundred-and-eighty-dollars.\tWhat! Give\tme\ta\tbreak.\tRed\tWings\tor\tRed\tTips,\tetc.\tThanx,\tbut\tno\tthanx,\tamigo,\tsaid I\tto\tthe\tstore\tclerk\ton\tBroadway.\tThen\twe\tdrove\tover\tto\tEl\tCon\tMall.\tHad\tno real\t luck\t until\t we\t went\t in\t JC\t Penny.\t Their\t Wolverines\t were\t excellent\t and reasonably\tpriced\tat\t$125\tand\t$140\t(25%\tdiscount);\tonly\tthey\thad\tno\tDouble\tEs. So\tthat\twas\tthat. Found\t out\t from\t a\t clerk\t at\t Robinson-May\t we\t ought\t to\t try\t K-Mart.\t Treated Bro\tto\tlunch\tat\tBoston\tMarket,\tthen\twe\tdrove\tout\tto\tBroadway\tand\tKolb.\tThey had\tthe\tEs,\tbut\tnot\tsteel\ttoe.\tI\tsettled\ton\ta\tpair\tof\tsteel\ttoe\t9s.\tFifty\tbucks.\tPlus tax.\tAdd\ton\tthe\t$8\tI\thad\tto\tspend\ton\tinserts\tat\tWalgreens\tthe\tother\tday. A\t bit\t narrow\t and\t tight,\t but\t much,\t MUCH\t better\t than\t the\t goddamn\t killer shoes\t I\u2019d\t worn\t for\t two\t days\t bought,\t as\t I\t said,\t at\t the\t Payless\t at\t Alvernon\t and Grant.\tThe\tpain\tlingers\tfrom\tthose\ttwo\tdays.\tFeet\tremain\tsore.\tSore.\tTake\tcare of\t your\t feet,\t man.\t Got\t to.\t GOT\t TO.\t Without\t your\t feet\t you\t won\u2019t\t make\t it\t at work,\tand\tyou\tknow\tthe\trest\t.\t.\t.\tno\tpaycheck,\tetc. \t Bought\tBro\tpower\tsteering\tfluid,\tquart\tof\toil.\tWe\tdrove\tback\there.\tDropped me\toff,\tand\the\tdrove\ton\tover\tto\this\told\tlady\u2019s\tapt. Watched\t a\t beauty\t pageant\t from\t Mexico.\t Jacked\t it\t during\t the\t swimsuit competition.\t Dropped\t in\t the\t sack\t and\t slept\t for\t three-hours.\t Woke\t up\t at midnight\tto\ttake\ta\tleak\tand\there\tI\tam,\tat\tthe\ttyper\twith\tMichael\tMcDonald\ton the\tcassette\tplayer. Love\tlies,\tsays\the.\t.\t.\t. Yep.","Chapter\t99 They\t gave\t us\t four\t days\t off.\t Without\t pay.\t Need\t to\t be\t there\t six\t months\t in order\t to\t get\t a\t paid\t holiday.\t Okay.\t Still\t happy\t to\t have\t the\t time\t away\t from\t the place. The\tother\tday\ta\tMexican\tgot\tthree\tof\this\tfingers\tcrushed\ton\ta\tmachine.\tFor $5.95-per-hour.\tAnd\tthe\tfat\tcats\tat\tthe\ttop\tover\tin\tEngland\u2014do\tyou\tthink\tthey give\ta\tdamn?\tHey,\tlife\tis\tcheap. \t Leon\t Lupo\t fired.\t The\t guy\t with\t the\t big\t gut\t and\t no-ass;\t remember?\t Yes,\t that Leon.\t After\t 37-years\t and\t three-years\t short\t of\t retirement\u2014fired\t at\t 59.\t Loyalty? Sure.\t This\t company\t has\t it,\t baby.\t The\t guy\t I\t used\t to\t work\t with,\t Ray,\t in\t all likelihood\t rigged\t the\t Komatsu\t and\t Leon\t let\t him\t attempt\t to\t \u201crepair\u201d\t it,\t which only\tmade\ta\tbad\tsituation\tworse.\tRay\tloused\tthings\tup\tto\tthe\tpoint\tthat\tit\tcost the\tcorporation\ta\thundred-grand\tto\trepair\tthe\thuge\tpress.\tAnd\tguess\twhat?\tA thirty-seven-year\tman\tgets\tthe\taxe.","Chapter\t100 Sunday.\t11:32\tp.m.\tIn\tthis\tduplex\tin\tTucson,\tArizona.\tPulp\tFiction\ton\tthe\ttube for\t a\t while\u2014and\t had\t to\t shut\t that\t shit\t off\u2014and\t here\t I\t sit,\t at\t the\t desk,\t at\t the typer. Thanksgiving-weekend\t over.\t Tomorrow\u2019ll\t be\t Monday\t (again)\t and\t time\t to return\t to\t the\t hardrock\t mine.\t Again.\t Bob\t Marley\t on\t my\t black\t radio.\t Things\t to be\t done.\t Got\t eighteen-\t hundred\t in\t the\t bank,\t after\t three-months\t of backbreaking\t sweat\t and\t toil\t at\t the\t plant\t on\t Flowing\t Wells\t Rd.\t Stay\t or\t move on?\tThe\tquestion.\tIf\tI\tstay\there\tthe\trent\tis\t$340,\tplus\tutilities.\tAnd\tof\tcourse\tI\u2019ll have\ta\tcouple\tof\tphone\tlines\tinstalled.\tIf\tI\tmove:\tthere\tis\ta\tlarge\tstudio\tcloser\tto work\t available\t for\t about\t three-hundred\t a\t month,\t plus\t utilities.\t One-hundred- and-fifty\tdeposit.\tThey\tcan\u2019t\twait,\tthe\tvultures,\tcannot\twait\tto\tget\ttheir\tgrubby claws\ton\tyour\thard-earned\tcash,\tbaby. Life.\tThe\tworld.\tPeople.\tJackals.\tJackals\tand\tvultures.\tThere\u2019s\ta\ttitle\tfor\tyou: \t Jackals\t&\tVultures \t \u201cN\u201d\tkeeps\tsticking.\tNothing\tto\tdo\tabout\tit. \t Electric\tbill\tsits\ton\tBro\u2019s\twaterbed\tin\tthe\tliving\troom,\tfor\t$52.\tIt\u2019s\treally\tfor $24,\t but\t a\tbounced-check\tfee\t of\tten,\tplus\tlate\tcharge\tmakes\tit\t$52.\tBro\tkeeps writing\t bad\t checks.\t Not\t intentionally\u2014still.\t .\t .\t .\t I\t figure\t I\u2019ll\t pay\t the\t bill,\t plus kick\tin\tfor\tat\tleast\thalf\tthe\trent.\tGot\tto\thelp\thim\tout\t(for\thelping\tme\tout). But\tthe\tmoney\tin\tthe\tbank\tis\talready\tspent.\tThis\tis\tmoney\tfor\tthe\tprinting\tof the\tbook.\tThe\tbook.\tFinally.\tDo\tI\tgo\twith\ta\thundred\tcopies\tlocally\tfor\t$850?\tOr do\t I\t have\t a\t real\t book\t printer\t out\t in\t Michigan\t do\t a\t run\t of\t 250\t for\t about\t 26- hundred-\t bucks?\t The\t latter\t is\t cost-effective.\t The\t more\t books\t you\t print\t the cheaper\tit\tgets. It\u2019s\ta\ttough\tone.","Do\t the\t local\t short-run\t for\t reviews\t and\t to\t test\t the\t waters\u2014and\t then\t go\t for the\tbigger\trun? Decisions.\t.\t.\t. And\tthen\tbe\tbroke\tgain.\tPenniless. Don\u2019t\teven\town\ta\tcar\tyet.\tCan\u2019t\tdo\tboth.\tOne\tor\tthe\tother:\tprint\tthe\tbook\tor buy\ta\tcar.\tGot\tto\tprint\tthe\tbook\tand\tmove\tcloser\tto\twork\t(so\tthat\tI\tcan\tmake\tit in\ton\tthe\tbicycle\tif\tI\thave\tto). How\tlong\tdo\tI\tremain\tin\tTucson? Not\tsure. Should\t stay\t here\t long\t enough\t to\t get\t these\t books\t printed\t and\t on\t their\t way. Eventually\tI\u2019d\tlike\tto\ttry\tliving\tsomewhere\telse.\tWhere?\tNot\tsure.","Chapter\t101 The\tCash\tRegister\t\u201cTribune\u201d\trolls\ton.\tGot\tEdith\tPiaf\ton\tthe\tCD\tplayer.\tThe check\t for\t Thanksgiving\t was\t for\t $137.\t We\t were\t given\t the\t days\t off\t (w\/o\t pay\t if you\t were\t on\t \u201cprobation\u201d).\t They\t refer\t to\t your\t six-month\t \u201ctrial\t period\u201d\t as PROBATION.\tSounds\tlike\tsomething\telse,\tdon\u2019t\tit? Anyway,\t it\u2019s\t a\t cheap-ass\t company\t to\t work\t for.\t Heartless.\t Got\t five\t days\t off coming\tup\tnext\tweek\u2014and,\tno,\tthey\tain\u2019t\tpaying\tus\tfor\tall\tof\tthem\t(no\tmatter how\t long\t you\u2019ve\t been\t here).\t People\t are\t always\t quitting.\t Just\t no\t future\t here, amigo.\t They\t got\t me\t back\t spot-welding\t again\t (during\t O\/T).\t We\u2019re\t working nine-hours\t Monday-through-Thursday\t these\t days.\t Eight\t on\t Friday.\t Six Saturday.\t Would\t like\t to\t find\t something\t else.\t Not\t easy\t to\t do\t without transportation.\tThe\tway\tit\tis. \t Waiting\t for\t the\t manuscript\t from\t my\t typesetter\t in\t Colorado.\t Then\t will proofread\t once\t more\t and\t take\t it\t from\t there.\t Then\t it\u2019s\t on\t to\t the\t cover\t design and\t printing.\t Amen.\t It\t has\t been\t a\t long,\t LONG\t time\t .\t .\t .\t like\t forever.\t What\t a gestation\/birth.","Chapter\t102 Sitting\there\tsipping\tRC\t(yes,\tback\ton\tthe\tsoda)\tand\tsmoking\ta\tcigar.\tOff for\ta\tfew\tdays\tfor\tXmas\tand\tit\tfeels\tgood.\tFeeling\trested\tup.\tIt\twill\tbe\tback\tto work\ton\tMonday\tfor\ta\tcouple\tof\tdays\tand\tthen\toff\tagain\tfor\tNew\tYear\u2019s. Obtained\ta\tsecured\tVisa.\tBought\ta\tnew\tvacuum\tcleaner.\tThe\tplace\tneeded\tit. And\tsome\tother\tthings.\tThe\tplace\tneeded\tit.\tNow\tthat\tI\u2019m\tstaying\there\tmight\tas well\t make\t it\t livable.\t Don\u2019t\t like\t living\t in\t a\t sty.\t Ain\u2019t\t no\t Felix\t Unger,\t but\t don\u2019t like\ta\tdisorganized\tabode.\tCan\u2019t\tthink\tto\twrite\twhen\tthe\tjoint\tis\tin\tdisarray. However,\t having\t mentioned\t all\t of\t the\t above,\t it\u2019s\t scary\t how\t quickly\t the money\t goes.\t So\t damn\t difficult\t to\t save\t and\t then\t all\t at\t once\t it\t begins\t to\t slip away,\tright\tthrough\tthe\tproverbial\tfingers. Was\t up\t at\t Borders.\t Spent\t sixty-six\tbucks\t on\t a\t few\t books.\t Not\t that\t many\t at all.\t Total\t of\t four.\t Felt\t I\t needed\t them:\t couple\t of\t dictionaries,\t paperback\t of Bohumil\t Hrabal\u2019s\t Too\t Loud\t A\t Solitude;\t and\t last,\t but\t no\t way\t least:\t Nelson Algren\u2019s\tThe\tMan\tWith\tthe\tGolden\tArm.\tThe\tlatter\tI\talready\thad\ttwo\tcopies\tof, pocketbook\t versions,\t though\t the\t print\t too\t fine\t to\t make\t out\t without tremendous\tstrain. This\t version\t came\t with\t a\t beautiful\t black\t &\t white\t cover\t photo\t of\t Algren w\/gold\ttitle\tlettering\tand\tit\tis\ttrade\tpaper\tsize.\tJust\thad\tto\thave\tit.\tYou\tbet,\tthe look\t of\t the\t book\t does\t mean\t a\t lot.\t If\t you\t can\u2019t\t read\t the\t print\t and\t if\t the\t cover does\tnot\tdo\tthe\tcontent\tjustice\t.\t.\t.\thell,\tit\thurts\tit.\tSo\tthere\tyou\thave\tit\u2014sixty- six-bucks.\t And\t then\t while\t riding\t the\t bicycle\t back\t down\t Broadway,\t then cutting\tacross\tsome\tstreet\tor\tother\t(north-bound)\ttoward\tSpeedway,\tit\tis\tnight now,\t mind\t you,\t and\t windy\t and\t cold\t and\t I\u2019ve\t got\t no\t gloves\t on,\t make\t it\t to Speedway\tand\thead\twest,\tI\tpass\ta\tHoover\tvac\tstore\tin\ta\tpractically\tvacant\tstrip mall\tparking\tlot.\tI\tgo\tin\tand\tend\tup\tbuying\ta\tvacuum\tfor\t$107. Now,\tI\tneeded\tthe\tdamned\tthing.\tIt\tis\tnot\tlike\tI\u2019m\tspending\tthe\tmoney\tjust to\tspend.\tI\twrite\ta\tcheck.\tThe\tman\taccepts\tmy\tcheck.\t(In\tLA,\tNo\tWay,\tJose.)\tHe takes\t my\t check.\t Nice\t man.\t And\t I\u2019m\t on\t the\t bicycle.\t You\t see:\t one\t hand\t (my","right)\tis\tgripping\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tvac\thandle,\twhile\tI\tattempt\tto\tsteer\tthe\tbike\tby gripping\tthe\thandlebar\twith\tmy\tother\thand,\tand\tall\tthe\twhile\tdoing\tmy\tbest\tto keep\tfrom\tlosing\tmy\tbalance\tand\ttoppling\tto\tthe\tside.\tNot\tan\teasy\tthing\tto\tdo. The\tHoover\tis\tnot\tlight,\tplus\tI\u2019ve\tgot\ta\tpack\ton\tmy\tback\tfull\tof\tbooks.\tBut\tyou do\twhat\tyou\tgotta.\tSurvival\tis\tthe\tname\tof\tthe\tgame.\tHow\tlong?\tFor\tas\tlong\tas\tI can\tendure. The\t vac\t is\t so\t heavy\t and\t puts\t enough\t strain\t on\t the\t arm\t holding\t it\t up\t that\t I have\t to\t stop\t every\t block\t or\t so\t and\t switch\t hands.\t Got\t to.\t No\t choice.\t But\t you endure.\t No\t choice.\t Right?\t Not\t that\t I\t think\t there\u2019s\t anything\t special\t going\t on here.\t Plenty\t of\t other\t peeps\t before\t me\t have\t suffered\t through\t a\t lot\t more\t than\t this little\t task;\t and\t plenty\t of\t others\t (long\t after\t I\t have\t vacated\t this\t mortal\t coil)\t will endure\ttheir\tshare\tof\tshit\tthat\tthe\tfates\thave\tin\tstore\tfor\tthem. \t I\tmake\tit\t(somehow),\tthe\tthree\tor\tso\tmiles\t(with\tplenty\tof\trest\tstops)\tto\tmy place\t(blister-free\tfor\teither\thand\tor\tbackside).\tI\tunload\tthe\tcargo,\tand\tam\tback in\t the\t saddle\t and\t riding\t west\t on\t Speedway\t toward\t Viva,\t the\t Mexican\t food joint.\t Buy\t a\t burrito,\t and\t something\t else\t I\t can\t no\t longer\t pronounce,\t drop\t my change\t into\t the\t Styrofoam\t tip\t cup\u2014and\t rolling\t once\t again.\t At\t the\t Circle\t K\t I pick\t up\t a\t large\t plastic\t jug\t of\t RC\t (back\t on\t it)\t and\t some\t weight\t gain;\t tray\t of Danish\/newspaper\/milk\/cereal. You\t see\t how\t fast\t the\t money\t goes?\t And\t it\t adds\t up.\t And\t when\t all\t you\u2019re pulling\tdown\tis\ta\tmeasly\twage\tand\tbusting\tyour\tass\tto\tdo\tit\tsix-days-a-week\tit hurts\t.\t.\t.\tbut\tyou\u2019ve\tgot\tto\tlive. \t And\tafter\tall\tthat\t.\t.\t.\tI\tfeel\tall\tright.\tI\tfeel\tokay.\tStill\tthinking\tabout\tthe\tbook every\t day,\t all\t the\t time.\t Tunnel-Vision.\t TUNNEL\t VISION.\t The\t only\t way.\t I might\thave\tsecond\tthoughts\tabout\thaving\tincluded\tthe\tfree\tverse\t(but\tit\tis\ttoo late\tnow\tto\thave\tthose\tsecond\tthoughts). Feeling\t is\t poetry\t detracts\t from\t the\t prose.\t Never\t cared\t for\t poetry\t per\t se, never\t did.\t Until\t I\t came\t across\t Bukowski\u2019s\t hard-hitting\t free\t verse.\t His\t was about\tthe\tonly\tpoetry\tI\tcould\tstand\tto\tread\tor\twanted\tto.\tAll\tthose\twhite-collar academia\tfakers\twith\ttheir\thorse\tdung\tand\tnothing\tto\tsay\twere\ta\tjoke.\tI\tdidn\u2019t care\t for\t Ginsberg\u2019s\t poetry;\t didn\u2019t\t care\t for\t Kerouac\u2019s,\t either.\t Not\t worth\t the time\/not\tworth\ta\tdime.\tAnd\tso\tI\tthought:\tHey,\tI\u2019d\tlike\tto\tgive\tthis\ta\ttry;\twrite","a\t few.\t And\t I\t have,\t between\t fares\t in\t the\t cab,\t while\t waiting\t on\t cab\t stands\t at various\t hotels\t in\t Century\t City\t and\t Beverly\t Hills\t and\t in\t the\t LAX\t taxicab Holding\tLot,\twhile\ttreading-water\tin\tthat\troiling\/over-crowded\tHellhole-of-a- Pit\tcalled\tLa\tLa.\tBut\tpoetry\tand\tstory\tcollections,\twe\twill\tdiscover\teventually, rarely\t sell\u2014unless\t you\t happen\t to\t be\t Chinaski.\t Even\t there,\t what\t got\t him over\/made\t him,\t were\t the\t novels:\t Post\t Office\/Women\/Ham\t on\t Rye\u2014and\t of course,\tthose\tincredible\tshort\tstories\tof\this. In\tmy\thumble\testimation,\tBuk\twas\tsecond-to-none\twhen\tit\tcame\tto\tthe\tshort story.\tSuperior\tto\tErnie\tHemingway\teven;\tbetter\tthan\tthe\tgreat\tNelson\tAlgren. Yep.\tBuk\thad\tthem\tbeat.\tKicked\teveryone\u2019s\tass\twhen\tit\tcame\tto\tthe\tshort\tform. Hilarious\t shit.\t Quite\t a\t bit\t of\t it\t was\t and\t still\t is.\t More\t than\t likely\t saved\t my ass\/kept\tme\talive\tall\tthrough\tthe\tsuicidal\t80s,\tthat\tand\tjogging\tsix-to-ten-miles- a-day,\t Monday-through-Friday.\t Made\t just\t enough\t hacking\t weekends\t to\t make rent\tand\tput\tgrub\ton\tthe\ttable. Where\twas\tI?\tPoetry.\tVery\toften:\tjust\tanother\tjive-ass\t shuck.\tThere\tyou are.\tOne\tman\u2019s\ttwo-farts.","Chapter\t103 1:20\ta.m.\tJan.\t1,\t1998.\tWed. Ring\t in\t the\t New\/Out\t with\t the\t Old,\t as\t they\t say.\t Here\t alone\t in\t this\t duplex\t in Tucson,\t AZ.\t Did\t not\t go\t out,\t did\t not\t do\t much\t .\t .\t .\t as\t per\t motto,\t this\t loner\u2019s motto.\t Recluse\t is\t right.\t This\t is\t how\t the\t scribe\t lives.\t And\t it\t got\t lonelier\t than most\ttimes,\tit\tdid.\tAte\ta\tbag\tof\tRuffles\tchips\/cherry\tpie\/bean\tdip\twith\tjalape\u00f1os .\t.\t.\twashed\tdown\twith\tRC\tCola. What\ta\tlife. They\t made\t us\t work\t at\t the\t plant\t today.\t Six\t hours:\t 10:15\t a.m.\t to\t 4:15\t p.m. Since\t I\t finally\t gave\t the\t color\t set\t away\t (along\t with\t the\t VCR)\t to\t Bro\t and\t his girlfriend,\tam\tsitting\there\twith\tthe\tsmall\tradio\ton.\tOldies.\t.\t.\t.\tGoing\tthrough\ttv withdrawal\teven\tthough\tI\t hate\ttv,\t always\thave.\tLived\twithout\tfor\tten\tyears. Never\tgot\tso\tmuch\taccomplished.\tBut\thad\tto\tget\trid\tof\tthe\tdamned\tthing\t(that interfered\t with\t my\t writing).\t Have\t not\t done\t much\t at\t all\t since\t starting\t at\t the plant.\t The\t plant,\t the\t plant,\t eats\t up\t time.\t Will\t have\t to\t adhere\t to\t a\t better\/more disciplined\t schedule\t and\t get\t back\t to\t the\t typer\/writing\/prose.\t Prose.\t GOT\t TO. I\u2019ve\tgot\tbooks\tto\tfinish\t.\t.\t.\tbut\tthe\tjob\tis\ta\tbitch.\tThey\twon\u2019t\tlet\tme\twork\tjust eight-hours\t per\t shift\t for\t another\t three\t months\t (by\t which\t time\t my\t probation will\tbe\tup).\tI\u2019ll\tstill\thave\tto\tput\tin\tmy\tsix-hours\ton\tSaturday\t(which\tthey\toften make\tmandatory).\tBut\tat\tleast\tby\tworking\tonly\teight-hours\tfive\tnights\ta\tweek I\u2019ll\tbe\tgetting\thome\tearlier\tand\thitting\tthe\tsack\tearlier\tand\tgetting\tup\tEARLIER and\tin\ttime\tto\tget\ta\tfew\tdecent\tlines\tdown!\tAnd\tthis\tis\tall\tthat\tmatters,\tfolks. \t Have\t yet\tto\t receive\t the\tlatest\tversion\tof\t Streets\tof\tL.A.\tfrom\tthe\ttypesetter. She\u2019s\t had\t the\t thing\t for\t over\t four\t months\t now.\t Way\t too\t long.\t Need\t it\t back\t to go\t over\t one\t final\t (hopefully)\t time.\t Been\t on\t it\t eighteen-years\t now.\t (Been revising\t for\t only\t the\t last\t eight),\t but\t the\t original\t draft\t had\t been\t written\t way back\tduring\t1980\tthrough\t1990.","Yes.\tA\tLONG,\tLONNNNNNGGGGG\tDAMN\tTIME.\tBut\tthe\tway\tit\tgoes,\tman. Just\t trying\t to\t do\t a\t good\t job\t of\t it.\t Feel\t that\t book\t lovers\t deserve\t to\t be\t treated with\trespect.\tIf\ta\twriter\/artist\t(anyone:\tarchitect\/shoemaker\/auto\tdesigner,\tetc., etc.)\tcannot\tdo\this\/her\tbest.\t.\t.\t.\tJust\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\tright\tto\trelease\tless\tthan\tyour best.\tAlways.\tHave\tfelt\tthis\tway\tabout\teverything.","Chapter\t104 At\tleast\tthe\tms\tfrom\tmy\ttypesetter\tis\tin. Been\t biking\t it\t for\t a\t week\t now.\t Yep.\t Eight-miles\t down,\t and\t then\t back\t up again\tat\t1:15\tin\tthe\ta.m.\tAin\u2019t\tfun,\tnot\tat\tthis\tworking\tstiff\u2019s\tage,\tbut\tit\tsure\tis\ta lot\t better\t than\t having\t to\t listen\t to\t the\t Vietnamese\t guy\u2019s\t rap\t crap\t on\t the\t car radio.\tTin\tloved\tto\tblast\tthat\tshit\tthe\tminute\twe\twere\tin\tthe\tcar.\tFunny\tpart\tis he\t can\t understand\t maybe\t twenty-percent.\t Go\t figure.\t After\t a\t shift\t of\t hard\t toil this\t is\t the\t last\t thing\t I\t need.\t A\t bad\t headache\t is\t always\t the\t result\t for\t me.\t So enough\tof\tthat,\tI\tsaid.\tENOUGH. And\t so\t the\t next\t day\t rode\t the\t bike\t way\t up\t there,\t about\t ten\/eleven\t miles\t to the\t K-Mart\t on\t Broadway,\t bought\t myself\t rain\t gear\t (coat\t and\t pants,\t etc.).\t So now\t if\t I\t get\t caught\t in\t a\t downpour\t am\t protected.\t Carry\t it\t with\t me\t always\t in my\tpack. \t Had\t another\t beef\t with\t Hung,\t the\t Vietnamese\t guy\t I\t work\t with.\t Yes,\t Dong\u2019s pal.\t Toothpick\t thin,\t 50.\t Reminds\t me\t of\t a\t rooster.\t Yells\t a\t lot.\t Not\t unlike\t Ping. This\tis\tthe\tmale\tversion.\tCouple\tof\tinches\ttaller\tthan\tPing.\tThe\tman\tis\ta\tyeller. For\tover\tthree-months\tnow\tI\thave\tbeen\tputting\tup\twith\tthis\tshit.\tFinally\thad\tit out\twith\tthe\tlittle\tbastard.\tI\tcould\thave\tgrabbed\thim\tby\tthe\tcollar\tand\tthrown him\tout\tthe\tgoddamned\tdoor\u2014but\tthat\twould\thave\tmeant\timmediate\tdismissal. Bro\t had\t moved\t out\t and\t was\t staying\t with\t his\t old\t lady,\t and\t since\t the\t lease\t on the\t apartment\t for\t the\t next\t six-months\t was\t in\t my\t name\t I\t thought\t I\t ought\t to hold\ton\tto\tthe\tjob.\tBesides,\tpunching\tthe\tguy\tout\tmight\u2019ve\tmade\thim\tcrumble like\t a\t potato\t chip,\t which\t I\t didn\u2019t\t need\t to\t see.\t He\t was\t nothing\t more\t than another\tnoisy\trunt\tof\ta\tturd,\tas\ta\tfew\tare. My\tfirst\tmonth\twas\tspent\twith\ta\tscreamer\tof\ta\twoman\tnamed\tPing,\tand\tthe last\tthree-months\twith\tthis\tSOB\tnamed\tHung. So\timmediately\the\tgoes\trunning\tto\tthe\tsupervisor:\tbla\tbla\tbla.\tThis\tis\twhere my\tlife\tis\tpresently.\tAfter\tall\tthe\tdues\tpaid,\tthere\u2019s\talways\tmore\tthey\u2019re\tgoing","to\t throw\t at\t you\t just\t around\t the\t bend.\t Life.\t I\t can\t tolerate\t the\t job,\t it\u2019s\t the assholes\t one\t has\t to\t deal\t with\t that\t makes\t it\t tough.\t These\t Vietnamese\t people will\tturn\ton\tyou\tover\tthe\tslightest.\tThey\tact\tlike\tthey\u2019re\tyour\tfriend\tand\tbam, they\t stab\t you\t in\t the\t back.\t The\t best\t thing\t is\t to\t stay\t clear,\t if\t possible,\t but\t that doesn\u2019t\t work\t unless\t the\t super\t puts\t you\t in\t a\t job\t situation\t where\t that\t can happen,\twhere\tyou\tcan\tjust\tkeep\tto\tyourself\tand\tdo\tthe\twork\tin\tpeace.\tI\tnever asked\tto\tbe\tstuck\twith\tthese\tpeeps.","Chapter\t105 Did\t my\t six-hours\t at\t the\t plant.\t Difficult\t to\t unscramble\t the\t brain\t after\t the plant\t has\t done\t a\t pretty\t good\t job\t of\t scrambling\t things.\t Slept\t for\t about\t three hours\t just\t now.\t Too\t exhausted.\t Needed\t the\t sleep.\t You\t see,\t they\t kept\t us working\tuntil\t1:15\ta.m.\tFriday\tnight,\tand\tthen\tforce\tus\tto\tcome\tto\twork\tagain Sat.\t morning\t at\t 10:15\t a.m.\t Assholes\t run\t the\t company.\t Right.\t Callous\t assholes who\t care\t about\t nothing\t but\t making\t money\t for\t the\t corporation.\t And\t the\t grunts? Fuck\tthe\tgrunts. The\tway\tit\tgoes. Look,\t I\u2019ve\t said\t this\t before:\t I\u2019m\t not\t political,\t nor\t do\t I\t believe\t in\t any\t form\t of communism\tand\/or\tsocialism.\tI\tbelieve\tin\tDemocracy,\tthe\tConstitution.\tFreedom of\t speech,\t Second\t Amendment;\t all\t that.\t Yes.\t Forever\t and\t a\t day.\t That\t does\t not make\tme\tsome\tkind\tof\tpolitical\ttype.\tNo,\tsir.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tbelong\tto\tany\tparty.\tNone. Zip.\tZero.\tI\u2019m\ta\tmember\tof\tMy\tParty,\tthe\tChance\t\u201cCash\u201d\tRegister\tParty.\tHow\u2019s that? Free\tenterprise\tis\tfine.\tBut\tif\tyou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tgive\tthe\tsupers\ta\tbonus\tfor\tworking us\tand\tpushing\tus\tlike\tdogs,\thow\tabout\ta\tsafer\tworkplace?\tHow\tabout\ttreating\tthe grunts\t more\t like\t human\t beings\t as\t opposed\t to\t animals?\u2014Which\t is\t what\t goes\t on here.\t People\t are\t underpaid.\t People,\t who\t risk\t life\t and\t limb\t are\t way\t underpaid, fuckers!\tFingers\tget\tcrushed,\ttorsos\tget\tsmashed\tflatter\tthan\tan\tIHOP\tflapjack\u2014for pennies.\tCrumbs.\tIt\u2019s\teffing\theartless. \t Articulate\t some\t of\t this\t to\t a\t super?\t Are\t you\t kidding?\t The\t rookie\t supers\t are just\tas\tnervous\tand\tscared\tas\tthe\trest\tof\tus.\tAnd\tthe\tones\twho\thave\tdecades\tin? Hell,\tthey\u2019re\tpart\tof\tthe\tproblem.\tUsed\tto\tit.\tPaid\ttheir\tdues,\tyou\timagine,\tand feel\t like\t they\u2019ve\t earned\t their\t right\t to\t dictate\t and\t shove\t and\t push\t around. Brainwashed\t lemmings.\t The\t Bonus\t is\t the\t perpetual\t carrot\t being\t dangled\t in front\tof\ttheir\teyes.","I\u2019ve\thad\tsimilar\tgigs\tbefore,\twarehouse\tshipping\tgigs\tbefore;\thad\tall\tsorts\tof dead-end\teffing\tjobs.\tBut\tthis\tone,\tthis\tgoddamn\tsituation\thas\tgot\tto\tbe\tone\tof the\tworst.\tI\tequate\tit\t(almost)\tto\tbeing\tin\tthe\t\u2018Nam\tjungle\tburning\tleeches\toff your\tnutsack,\tsidestepping\tsnakes\tand\tdodging\tbullets.\tYou\tdie\tin\tboth\tplaces: there\tand\there.\tFor\twhat?\tOnly\tdifference\tbeing\twe\u2019re\tnot\tbeing\tshot\tat\tin\tthis jungle\t of\t machinery,\t and\t the\t booby-traps\t are\t easier\t to\t spot\u2014at\t times.\t Not always;\tat\ttimes.\tAnd\tthere\u2019s\tno\trisk\tof\tbeing\tcaptured\tand\ttortured\tand\tbeaten and\tstarved.\tHell;\tmisery\tis\tmisery,\tthough,\tisn\u2019t\tit? If\tnot\tfor\thaving\tthis\tability\tto\twrite\tit\tdown,\tas\tI\tsee\tit,\tI\u2019d\thave\tpicked\tup\ta piece\t and\t blown\t my\t brains\t out\t a\t long\t time\t ago.\t What\t was\t it\t that\t Bukowski said?\tFirst\tthing\twriting\tmust\tdo\tis\tsave\tyour\town\tass. Exactly. \t And\t so\t today\t I\t walked\t over\t to\t the\t foreman,\t 6ft-3\t Rodrigo,\t aka\t Doughboy, who\t actually\t happens\t to\t be\t a\t pretty\t good\t guy\u2014for\t a\t foreman.\t You\t sense\t it underneath\t the\t poker-face\t exterior.\t Rodrigo\t is\t Tohono\t O\u2019Odham\t Indian,\t who also\t happens\t to\t speak\t Spanish.\t He\u2019s\t standing\t outside\t the\t restrooms\t dropping coins\tinto\tthe\tCoke\tmachine. The\trat-fink\tis\talso\tthere:\tYago.\tStanding\ton\tthe\tother\tside\tof\thim.\tRatting somebody\t out,\t no\t doubt.\t This\t was\t what\t he\t was\t best\t at.\t Ran\t around eavesdropping\/watching\t to\t see\t who\t was\t not\t working\t as\t fast\t as\t they\t were supposed\tto.\tHe\twas\talso\tin\tand\tout\tof\tthe\tjohn,\ttiming\thow\tlong\tit\ttook\tyou\tto take\t a\t dump,\t insane\t BS\t like\t that.\t It\t was\t bughouse\t loony.\t And\t if\t you\t were\t in there\tsmoking,\tyou\tgot\tsnitched\ton\tby\tthe\trat,\tthe\t45-year-old-punk\twith\tskin like\tcracked-and-weathered\tbrown\tshoe\tleather. So\t what\t that\t he\u2019s\t here,\t because\t I\t need\t to\t talk\t to\t Rodrigo.\t I\t ask\t him\t in\t a respectful\/quiet\ttone: \u201cDoes\tthat\tmean\tI\thave\tto\tstay\twith\tthe\tyeller?\u201d \u201cWhat\tyeller?\tWho\u2019s\ta\tyeller?\u201d\the\tsays. I\t don\u2019t\t get\t it.\t He\u2019s\t got\t to\t be\t putting\t me\t on.\t Everyone\t knows\t Hung\t yells, always. \u201cI\tnever\thear\tany\tyelling\twhen\tI\u2019m\tover\tthere,\u201d\tsays\tRodrigo,\tthe\tforeman. Give\tme\ta\tbreak,\tDoughboy,\tI\tfeel\tlike\tsaying,\tbut\tdon\u2019t. \u201cThat\u2019s\twhat\tthat\tbeef\twas\tabout\tthe\tother\tday\u2014the\tyelling.\u201d","\u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tmove\tyou\tuntil\twe\tget\tcaught\tup.\u201d And\t the\t rat-faced\t fink\t is\t standing\t on\t the\t other\t side\t of\t Rodrigo,\t the\t fink named\tYago.\tThe\tsnitch.\tAverage\theight,\tthin.\tPushing\t50.\tFink\thad\tthe\tface\tof a\t fink.\t Shifty-eyed;\t sunken\t cheeks.\t Eyes\t and\t ears\t always\t on\t the\t alert\t for\t the latest\timage\tand\/or\tbit\tof\tgossip\the\tmight\tabsorb\tand\trun\tto\tmanagement\twith, especially\tRodrigo. Yago\tlived\tto\trat\this\tco-workers\tout\tand\tstab\tpeople\tin\tthe\tback\tin\torder\tto kiss-up\t to\t Doughboy.\t Rat-fink\t is\t not\t a\t foreman\t himself,\t but\t acts\t like\t one.\t He goes\taround\tlooking\tfor\tanything\the\tmight\tbe\table\tto\trun\tto\tRodrigo\twith\tand score\ta\tfew\tbrowny\tpoints.\tSon\tof\ta\tbitch\treminded\tyou\tof\ta\tshit-house\trodent. So\tthe\tsnitch,\tstill\ton\tthe\tfar\tside\tof\tDoughboy,\tturns\taway\twhen\the\tnotices me\tglance\tat\thim\t(to\tlet\thim\tknow\tthat\tI\tknow\twhat\the\u2019s\tabout),\tand\tthat\the\u2019s (clearly)\teavesdropping\u2014and\tI\tdon\u2019t\tgive\ta\tdamn.\tI\tknow\tit\u2019ll\tget\tback\tto\tHung, but\t I\t don\u2019t\t care\t at\t this\t point.\t I\u2019d\t like\t to\t get\t away\t from\t the\t little yeller\/pissant\/crybaby\t who\t ran\t to\t Rodrigo\t about\t the\t \u201cincident\u201d\t right\t away (when\tthere\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tany\tneed\tfor\tit). \t So\t I\u2019m\t stuck\t now.\t Stuck\t working\t with\t the\t little\t punk.\t The\t biggest\t irony\t of all?\tI\twas\tthere\tas\ta\tyoung\tkid\tof\t19\tscared\tshitless,\tthere\tin\tthe\tjungle\tfighting to\t keep\t peeps\t like\t Hung\t and\t Dong\t and\t Tin\t and\t Ping\t and\t their\t mothers\t and daughters\t and\t sisters\t from\t being\t overtaken\t by\t the\t ruthless\t North,\t Uncle\t Ho and\this\tdetermined\tCommie\tmurderous\tslime\tfrom\tslaughtering\tthem\tlike\thogs in\t a\t slaughterhouse.\t And\t that\u2019s\t what\t happened\t once\t we\t pulled\t out;\t exactly what\t took\t place.\t And\t then\t there\t was\t what\t Pol\t Pot\t and\t his\t butchers\t did\t to\t so many\t in\t Cambodia.\t Eliminated\t anyone\t with\t a\t brain,\t the\t educated.\t Anyone with\ta\tdegree\twas\this\tenemy.\tOnce\tthey\twiped\tout\tthe\tintellectuals,\twhat\twere they\tleft\twith\tto\trun\tthe\tcountry? What\t makes\t sense?\t We\u2019re\t for\t Democracy.\t Me,\t my\t Vietnamese\t co-workers\u2014 but\tyou\tlook\tat\tthe\tcrap\twe\tput\tone\tanother\tthrough.\tAnd\tit\tisn\u2019t\tjust\tthem\tvs. me;\tlook\tat\twhat\ttook\tplace\tin\tIreland\tfor\tdecades,\tin\tBosnia\tand\tthe\tmindless killing\t there:\t Serb\t vs.\t Croatian,\t with\t the\t Bosnians\t caught\t in\t the\t middle\t and paying\ta\tfar-greater\tprice\tthan\teither\tof\ttheir\toppressors;\tand\tthen\tall\tthe\tcrazy waste\tof\tlife\tamong\tthe\ttribes\tin\tAfrica\u2014for\tyears\tand\tyears.","Hell.\t Humans.\t It\t never\t changes.\t We\u2019re\t rough\t on\t each\t other.\t Look\t at\t the years\tof\tabuse\tmy\tsiblings\tand\tI\tendured\twith\tthat\tbrutal\tbully\tof\ta\tfather\twe had.\tHe\tprovided,\tyes;\the\tdid\tnot\tchase\twhores,\tstayed\tout\tof\tbars;\tdid\tnot\tdo drugs,\twas\tnot\ta\tdrinker\u2014but\the\tbeat\this\tkids.\tThe\tunenlightened\tbully\tbeat\this kids. Didn\u2019t\t matter\t if\t you\t were\t male\t or\t female,\t he\u2019d\t backhand\t you\t over\t nothing, man.\tLiterally\tover\tnothing.\tIf\tthere\thappened\tto\tbe\ta\tbit\tof\tdust\tin\ta\tcorner,\ta piece\tof\tpaper\tor\twhat\tappeared\tto\t be\ta\tcrumb\t on\tthe\tliving\troom\tcarpet,\tor say\t you\t dropped\t a\t glass\t while\t washing\t it,\t whatever,\t he\u2019d\t walk\t over:\t and wham!\tThat\thard\tbackhand\tnearly\tknocked\tyou\toff\tyour\tfeet. He\twould\tusually\tcome\thome\texhausted\tand\tpissed.\tBuilding\tcabinets\tkicked his\tass,\tI\timagine,\tand\the\thad\tto\ttake\tit\tout\ton\tsomeone.\tCouldn\u2019t\tvery\twell\thit the\t wife,\t because\t she\t would\t have\t walked.\t Who\t was\t left?\t The\t kids.\t Or\t else\t if she\tcomplained\tabout\tone\tof\tus\tabout\tanything,\tdidn\u2019t\tmatter,\tthe\tbelt\tcame\toff and\t the\t knuckle-dragger\t would\t give\t you\t a\t beating.\t This\t was\t how\t and\t why\t I got\t into\t weightlifting,\t so\t I\u2019d\t be\t able\t to\t fight\t back\u2014and\t eventually\t did.\t But\t I digress. \t The\t other\t Vietnamese\t guy\t isn\u2019t\t as\t bad,\t but\t hardly\t someone\t to\t trust.\t Not many\t can\t be\t trusted.\t Weasel-eyed,\t sneaky.\t Backstabbers.\t Is\t it\t any\t wonder\t I have\tmade\tevery\teffort\tlo\tthese\tmany\tyears\tto\tstay\tout\tof\tplaces\tlike\tthis?\tAny wonder\tat\tall?\tThis\tis\tthe\tkind\tof\tmind-fuck\tI\thave\tstayed\tclear\tof\tmost\tof\tmy life.\tAnd\tnow\tI\u2019m\tstuck.\tFor\tthe\ttime\tbeing.\tTrapped.","Chapter\t106 Well,\t the\t day\t went\t quietly.\t Hung\t says\t nothing\t to\t me,\t and\t I\t say\t nothing\t to him.\t If\t I\t need\t info\t about\t a\t certain\t order\t I\t speak\t with\t Dong.\t Which\t is\t fine\t by me.\t Others\t have\t expressed\t same\t feelings\t regarding\t the\t rooster.\t He\u2019s\t a\t quirky little\tcocksucker.\tUnpredictable. For\t months\t he\t had\t been\t telling\t me\t if\t the\t support\t bars\t are\t too\t long\t that makes\t for\t a\t bad\t welding\t job,\t a\t difficult\t weld.\t When\t I\t point\t out\t that\t support bars\t cut\t by\t the\t day\t shift\t were,\t in\t fact,\t too\t long,\t and\t that\t I\t could\t have\t easily trimmed\tthem,\the\tgoes\tagainst\tme\tout\tof\tspite,\thaving\ta\tbad\tday\tand\tall,\ton\tthe rag,\t so\t he\t takes\t it\t out\t on\t others,\t not\t unlike\t my\t brother\u2019s\t chick.\t I\u2019m\t so\t sick\t of little\tturds\tlike\tthis.\tWhy\tcan\u2019t\tadults\tact\tlike\tadults\tand\tkeep\ttheir\tproblems\tto themselves? That\u2019s\ta\trhetorical\tquestion,\tisn\u2019t\tit? \t I\u2019ve\t got\t a\t month\t to\t go\t before\t I\t am\t off\t \u201cprobation,\u201d\t before\t I\t can\t apply\t for\t a change\t of\t position\/or\t day\t shift\t even.\t Toward\t the\t end\t of\t the\t shift\t I\t sweep\t up the\t floor,\t as\t I\t always\t do,\t while\t Hung\t and\t Dong\t are\t off\t somewhere\t sneaking smokes.\tBy\tthe\ttime\tthey\treturn\tI\tam\tdone. Something\t wrong\t with\t this\t picture.\t Once\t a\t month\t we\t have\t these\t meetings in\tthe\tbreak\troom\twhere\tRodrigo\tmakes\tit\ta\tpoint\tto\tdiscuss\t\u201chousekeeping.\u201d \u201cThere\u2019s\talways\twork\tto\tdo.\tAlways\tbe\tdoing\tsomething:\tbe\tit\tworking\tat\tyour table\ton\ta\tunit\tor\tbe\tit\thousekeeping.\tIf\tyou\u2019re\tdone\twith\tyour\tarea,\thelp\tclean\tthe area\tnext\tto\tyou.\u201d And\t so\t how\t is\t it\t that\t these\t clowns\t I\t work\t with:\t Hung\t and\t Dong,\t get\t away not\tdoing\tany\tof\tthe\thousekeeping? You\ttell\tme. They\u2019ve\t been\t here\t fourteen-years,\t you\t see,\t and\t so\t they\t don\u2019t\t have\t to\t lift\t a broom.\tThe\tother\tthing\tis\tthey\tare\twelders\tand\tneeded,\tand\tyou\u2019re\tnot.","At\t4:15\tthe\tbuzzer\tsounds\tand\twe\tclock\tout.\tI\tcarry\tmy\tbackpack\toutside\tto where\tI\thave\tmy\tbicycle\tchained.\tUnlock\tit,\thop\ton\tand\tride.\tFreedom,\ta\tbit\tof freedom\tfor\tthe\ttime\tbeing.\tUntil\tMonday\tanyway\t(which\trolls\taround\tway\ttoo quickly).\tI\tride\teast\ton\tGrant. At\t the\t corner\t of\t Campbell\t and\t Grant\t I\t stop\t in\t at\t the\t large\t used\t bookstore called\t Bookman\u2019s.\t It\u2019s\t packed\t in\t there.\t Lots\t of\t people.\t Buying\t used\t books\t and CDs\/computer\tgames.\tI\twalk\taround\ta\tbit,\tdo\ta\tbit\tof\tbrowsing.\tSome\twoman who\t works\t there\t tells\t me\t I\t need\t to\t check\t in\t my\t pack.\t I\t tell\t her\t I\t was\t leaving anyway.\tAnd\tdo.\tAin\u2019t\tbuying\ta\tthing\tfor\ta\twhile.\tGot\trent\tand\tother\tbills\tthat come\tfirst,\tthat\tand\tthe\tprinting\tof\tthe\tcab\tbook.","Chapter\t107 The\t weekend\t over\t for\t me\t already.\t Where\t did\t it\t go?\t What\t weekend? Saturday\tnight\tand\tSunday.\tCall\tthat\ta\tweekend?\tSat.\tnight\thaving\tbeen\tspent catching\t up\t on\t much\t needed\t rest.\t And\t then\t it\t takes\t a\t while\t to\t get\t into\t the groove\t of\t writing,\t to\t get\t into\t the\t book,\t the\t dynamics\u2014and\t it\u2019s\t not\t easy\t with the\tclock\ton\tthe\twall\tin\tthe\tliving\troom\tticking\tand\tyou\trealize\ttime\tis\tslipping away.\t This\t is\t what\t I\t am\t up\t against\t with\t this\t goddamn\t factory\t job\t that\t I\t am stuck\tin\/trapped\twith\tthe\tloonies\tand\tnot\table\tto\tbreak\tthe\tshackles. And\t tomorrow\t again\t it\u2019ll\t be\t time\t to\t return\t to\t the\t madness\/the\t nightmare, and\twhile\tyou\u2019re\tthere\thammering\tand\tlistening\tto\tthe\tmaddening\tVietnamese voices\tchattering\ttheir\tusual\tsenseless\tcrap,\tand\tlaughing\ttheir\tfake\tlaughs\tand chattering\tsome\tmore\t.\t.\t.\tgoddamn,\tsave\tme.\tI\thave\tpaid\tdues,\tplenty\u2014all\tmy life.\tGet\tme\tout\tof\tthis\thell. \t When\t and\t how\t do\t I\t find\t the\t time\t to\t do\t real\t work,\t MY\t WORK,\t not\t the factory\u2019s\t and\t the\t fat\t asshole\t millionaires\t who\t own\t the\t plant?\t When?\t WHEN DO\tI\tGET\tTO\tFINISH\tPOLISHING\tMY\tTAXI\tMS?\tWHEN? \t It\u2019s\t the\t way\t it\u2019s\t always\t been:\t There\t is\t no\t let\t up.\t Never\/ever.\t You\t deal\t with the\t pressure,\t the\t bullshit,\t nine\t hours\t (or\t more)\t of\t it\t and\t then\t must\t ride\t the bicycle\t for\t close\t to\t an\t hour\t at\t after\t 1:00\t a.m.\t in\t the\t morning\t and\t attempt\t to write\ta\tbit,\twork\ton\tthe\tcollection\t.\t.\t.\tbut\tyou\tare\tonly\thuman\tand\tsimply\ttoo exhausted. You\t will\t attempt\t to\t rise\t very\t early\t the\t very\t next\t day\t and\t make\t another effort.\t You\t will.\t YOU\t MUST.\t Finish\t it.\t Send\t it\t back\t to\t the\t typesetter.\t Get\t this damned\t thing\t finished.\t Have\t it\t proofed\t and\t then\t it\u2019s\t on\t to\t the\t graphic\t artist and\tthe\tprinter.","Chapter\t108 The\tmonth\tof\tJanuary\tabout\tover. Seven\t minutes\t to\t 1:00\t p.m.\t Just\t could\t not,\t could\t not\t get\t up\t until\t about\t 11 this\tmorning.\tToo\texhausted\tfrom\t(nine\thours\tof\thammering)\tthe\tnight\tbefore. Nine\tsteady\thours\tof\tnothing\tbut\thammering.\tThat\u2019s\twhat\tmy\tjob\tconsists\tof\tat the\tplant.\tThey\tlet\tus\tout\tat\t1:15\ta.m.,\tthen\tI\u2019ve\tgot\tto\twalk\toutside\tand\ttinker with\tthe\tdamn\tbicycle\tchain,\tunlock\tit\tand\tthen\twrap\tit\ttightly\taround\tthe\tseat post.\tMaybe\ttakes\tme\tabout\tfour\/five\tminutes.\tAnd\tthen\tI\tride\tlike\ta\tmadman (if\tI\tcan,\tif\tthe\tenergy\tis\tthere).\tFor\tabout\ta\tquarter\tof\ta\tmile\tthere\tis\ta\tgravel shoulder\t I\u2019ve\t got\t to\t stay\t on\t in\t order\t to\t reach\t Grant\t Rd;\t so\t it\u2019s\t a\t wobbly proposition,\t but\t you\t do\t what\t you\t can.\t I\u2019ve\t got\t that\t small\t light\t on\t the handlebar,\t and\t one\t blinking\t red\t light\t in\t back\t below\t the\t seat.\t I\t use\t them\t both sparingly\t (to\t save\t the\t batteries\u2014and\t the\t other\t reason\t being\t if\t people\t in\t cars, fools\tin\tcars\tdon\u2019t\tnotice\tyou\tthey\tusually\tleave\tyou\talone,\tand\tby\tthat\tI\tmean they\tdon\u2019t\tscream\/shout\tat\tthe\ttop\tof\ttheir\tlungs\tas\tthey\tdrive\tpast,\tscaring\tthe bejesus\tout\tof\tyou). \t Once\t I\t get\t to\t Grant\t I\t stay\t on\t it,\t taking\t it\t east.\t I\t stay\t out\t of\t the\t street,\t too dangerous.\tI\tkeep\ton\tthe\tdirt\tsidewalks.\tSometimes\tthey\u2019re\tgravel,\tother\ttimes paved.\tBut\tI\tkeep\ton\tthe\tsidewalk\tand\tdo\tmy\tbest.\tIt\u2019s\tquiet\tout\there\tthis\tlate\tat night.\t Not\t much\t open,\t save\t for\t Fry\u2019s\t supermarket,\t some\t gas\t stations.\t (Since Circle\t K\t accepts\t checks)\t now\t and\t then\t I\t will\t pull\t into\t one\t and\t pick\t up\t some milk\/chips\/bean\tdip\/Danish,\tstuff\tit\tin\tthe\tbackpack\tand\tcontinue\ton.\tBut\tit\u2019s\ta long\t haul,\t my\t friend,\t for\t this\t middle-aged\t never-was,\t for\t this\t blue-collar working\tstiff\twho\thas\tbeen\tpaying\tdues\tforever. And\t while\t you\u2019re\t biking\t it\t this\t way\t in\t the\t nippy\t night,\t by\t yourself,\t alone, you\tand\tyour\tthoughts,\tso\tmuch\tgoes\tthrough\tyour\tmind:\tyour\tlife,\tyour\tentire life,\tfrom\tchildhood\ton,\tall\tof\tit\u2014the\tdreams\tyou\tonce\thad,\tthe\tbad\tchoices\tyou made,\tthings\tnot\thaving\tgone\tright\tat\tall.\tYou\tthink\tabout\tso\tmuch\t.\t.\t.\tall\tthe","while\trealizing\tthe\tclock\tis\tticking\tand\tyou\u2019re\tapproaching\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tline\t. .\t .\t AND\t STILL\t PAYING\t DUES,\t MORE\t DUES,\t UNTIL\t THEY\t DROP\t YOU\t INTO THAT\t BOTTOMLESS\t PIT.\t Dues,\t at\t five-dollars-and-ninety-five-cents\t per\t hour at\tthe\tplant. They\t sure\t know\t how\tto\t squeeze\tthe\tpoor\t bastards.\t They\tknow\thow\tto\tget the\tmost\tout\tof\tus.\tAnd\twhy\tdoes\tit\tgo\ton?\tHow\tmuch\twealth\tis\tenough?\tHow much\tdo\tthey\tneed\t(before\tthey\tstart\tacting\tlike\thuman\tbeings),\tand\tlet\tus\tup for\tair? These\t are\t rhetorical\t queries\t (that\t you\t cannot\t help\t but\t keep\t asking).\t Greed has\tbeen\taround\tsince\tforever\u2014and\twill\tgo\ton.\tNow\tthey\twant\tus\tto\twork\tnine hours\t on\t Saturday.\t Nine\thours.\t \u201cInventory.\u201d\t They\u2019ve\t got\t the\t reasons\/excuses. \u201cInventory.\u201d\t Nine\t hours\t this\t coming\t Saturday.\t (My\t only\t time\/my\t only\t chance to\t focus\t on\t my\t anthology\t manuscript:\t Saturday\t evening\t and\t Sunday.)\t But that\u2019s\tshot. \t You\tthink\tabout\tthese\tthings\tas\tyou\u2019re\tpedaling,\tpedaling,\twishing\tyou\tlived closer,\t just\t a\t little\t closer.\t It\u2019s\t late\t and\t you\u2019re\t too\t tired\t to\t have\t to\t go\t through this\t every\t night.\t Finally,\t at\t last,\t you\t reach\t Campbell,\t the\t half-way\t mark.\t It makes\t you\t feel\t good\t inside.\t I\u2019m\t halfway\t home.\t Bookman\u2019s\t is\t there,\t the\t used bookstore.\t Closed\t and\t quiet.\t You\t glance\t at\t the\t hardbacks\t in\t the\t window. Maybe\tone\tday\tsoon,\treal\tsoon,\tyours\twill\tbe\ton\tthe\tshelf.\tMaybe\t.\t.\t.\tcould\tbe\t. .\t if\t you\t can\t only\t find\t the\t time\t to\t wrap\t up\t these\t revisions.\t Been\t revising\t the book\tsince\t1990.\tIt\tgoes\ton\tand\ton.\tJust\ttrying\tto\tmake\tit\tbetter.\tWant\tto\tdo\tthe best\tI\tcan\t(for\tpeeps\twho\tlike\tbooks).\tYou\towe\tit\tto\tthem.\tPeople\twork\thard\tfor their\tmoney,\tsome\tpeople\tanyway,\tmost\tpeople\t(like\tyourself). \t You\u2019ve\t got\t to\t remember\t to\t keep\t your\t eyes\t peeled\t to\t the\t ground\t in\t front\t of you,\t avoid\t broken\t glass\/nails\/sharp\t rocks\/anything\t that\t might\t damage\t your tires.\tThe\tbike\tis\tyour\tlifeline\/bloodline\u2014without\twhich\tyou\twould\tnot\tbe\table to\t function,\t to\t live.\t You\t ride\t it\t everywhere:\t post office\/supermarket\/pharmacy\/laundromat\/work.\t You\t throw\t a\t pack\t over\t you shoulder\tand\tride\/make\tthe\truns\/place\titems\tinside\tthe\tbackpack\tand\tride\tit\ton back\t home.\t Your\t lifeline\t without\t which\t you\t would\t never\t make\t it.\t Watch\t the ground\tin\tfront\tof\tyou.\tTucson\tstreets\tare\tpoorly\tlit,\tand\tsome,\tlike\tthe\tones\tin","my\t neighborhood,\t have\t no\t streetlights\t at\t all.\t It\u2019s\t pitch-black\t and\t nearly impossible\tto\tsee\tanything. \t I\u2019m\t sweating.\t The\t ski\t jacket\t has\t kept\t me\t warm.\t No\t matter\t how\t chilly\t it\t is outside,\tall\tthat\twork\ton\tthe\tbike,\tthe\tpedaling\tkeeps\tyou\twarm;\tyou\twork\tup\ta sweat. Check\tthe\tmail\tbox.\tGrocery\tstore\tflyers\/furniture\tstore\tads.\tJunk\tmail.\tYou open\t the\t gate,\t and\t the\t dog\t is\t there:\t frantic\/excited\t to\t see\t you.\t But\t you\t shush her\tso\u2019s\tnot\tto\twake\tyour\tneighbors.\tMade\tit.\tHere.\tAt\tlast. What\ta\tlife.\tAnd\twithout\tfail,\tyou\twonder\thow\tit\twas\tthat\tyou\tpulled\tit\toff, such\t a\t great\t distance,\t after\t spending\t a\t long\t shift\t on\t your\t feet\t hammering away.\tYou\tjust\twant\tto\tforget:\tthe\tnight\/the\tjob,\thoping\tby\tdoing\tso\tit\twon\u2019t\tbe there\t tomorrow,\t that\t it\t will\t go\t away,\t but\t you\t know\t it\t won\u2019t.\t It\u2019ll\t be\t there tomorrow\t again.\t You\u2019ll\t have\t to\t go\t through\t it\t all\t over\t again.\t But\t that\u2019s tomorrow.\tTomorrow. \t You\t unlock\t your\t glass\t patio\t door,\t slide\t it\t open.\t Pet\t the\t poor\t animal.\t Bring out\tthe\tbag\tof\tdog\tfood,\tpour\tsome\tin\ther\ttray.\tYou\ttake\tthe\tbike\tinside,\tclose the\tdoor,\tslump\tyour\ttired\tbody\tin\ta\tchair\tand\trest.\tJust\trest. \t This\t is\t that\t next\t day.\t It\t is\t 1:20\t p.m.\t Time\t to\t start\t thinking\t about\t doing\t it again,\tall\tover\tagain.\tOne\tmore\ttime.\tTime\tto\tget\tinto\tthe\twork\tclothes,\ttime\tto prepare\t the\t peanut\t butter\t sandwich\t you\t will\t be\t taking\t to\t work.\t Time\t to\t get into\t those\t steel\t toe\t work\t boots.\t Shortly\t it\t will\t be\t time\t to\t sling\t that\t pack\t over your\t shoulder,\t climb\t up\t on\t the\t K-Mart\t Caddy\t and\t ride\t it\t on\t down\t toward Flowing\tWells\t.\t.\t.\tfor\tanother\tnight\tof\tthe\tsame.","Chapter\t109 Work\t getting\t impossible\t to\t take.\t I\t function\t in\t a\t perpetual\t state\t of numbness.\tThey\thad\tme\thammering\taway\tagain\t(different\tsize\tblades\tthrough various\tsupport\tbars).\tThe\tS\tand\tZ\tbars\tare\teasy,\tit\u2019s\tthe\tother\tthat\u2019s\ta\tbitch. So\tam\tinto\tit\tfor\tabout\tan\thour,\thammering,\tmy\tmind\ton\tother\tthings,\twhen suddenly\tthe\tnew\tforeman\t(his\tturf\tis\tin\tthe\tback,\twarehouse)\tsticks\this\tmug\tin my\tface,\tshoves\ta\thand\tat\tme.\tAm\tforced\tto\tshake.\tSays\tthey\tneed\tme\tto\tload semi\t trailers.\t And\t walks\t away.\t This\t is\t a\t real\t hard-nose\t type\t (from\t back\t east somewhere).\tJersey\/New\tYork,\twho\tknows?\tWord\tis\tout\ton\tthe\tguy:\the\u2019s\ta\treal asshole.\t Shooting\t for\t brownie\t points.\t Various\t supervisors\t have\t been\t fired (Tungston,\tafter\tonly\tsix\tmonths,\tLupo,\tetc.),\tso\tI\tdoubt\tthis\tguy\twill\teven\tlast three\tmonths. And\t I\u2019m\t boiling\t inside.\t I\t cringe\t as\t I\t grab\t my\t backpack,\t jacket,\t and\t take\t my time\t walking\t to\t the\t rear\t of\t the\t plant.\t I\t hate\t what\t I\t am\t about\t to\t do.\t I\t hate loading\t truck\ttrailers.\t Not\t only\t is\t the\t light\t inefficient\t inside\t these\t things,\t but the\tboxes\tare\theavy\tand\thave\ta\ttendency\tto\tfall\tover\t(from\tup\ttop)\tand\tland\ton your\thead.\tIt\u2019s\ta\tbitch\tof\ta\ttask.\tI\tABHORE\tIT\t(more\tthan\tI\tcan\tdescribe). \t I\u2019m\tback\tthere\tloading\ta\ttrailer\twith\ttwo\tother\tgrunts:\ta\twelder\t(Mexican,\tan all\t right\t sort:\t skinny\/crewcut\/\t jet\t black\t hair;\t couple\t of\t inches\t taller\t than\t me), and\ta\tJamaican,\tor\tAfrican;\tnot\tsure\twhere\tthe\tblack\tdude\tis\tfrom. The\t forklift\t drivers\t are\t maniacs.\t They\t drive\t like\t lunatics:\t rushing\/pushing pallets\t of\t crates\/backing\t out,\t like\t someone\t on\t speed.\t And\t there\u2019s\t laughter, painfully\t loud\t laughter\t 9by\t them,\t at\t how\t obviously\t overwhelming\t they\t are making\t the\t tsk\t for\t us)\t that\t makes\t it\t worse\t for\t me.\t What\t am\t I\t doing\t here? When\t does\tthe\tDUES\tPAYING\t END?\tDOES\tIT\tEVER?\tWhy\tam\tI\tstuck\tin\there with\t these\t clowns?\t Like\t I\t said,\t the\t Mexican\t was\t all\t right,\t a\t quiet\t type,\t but\t I could\thave\tdone\twithout\tthe\trest.","We\u2019re\tgoing\tat\tit,\tloading\tthe\tstuff\tup.\tAnd\tthen\tsome\tboxes\tstart\ttumbling down\t on\t us.\t I\t get\t rapped\t on\t the\t left\t side\/ear.\t I\t check\t to\t see\t if\t my\t protective glasses\tare\tokay.\tThey\tare.\tAnd\tthen\ta\tshort\twhile\tlater\ta\tfairly\tlarge\tbox\tlands against,\tor\tshould\tI\tsay\tbounces\toff\tthe\tblack\tguy\u2019s\tforehead,\tnearly\tknocking his\tprotective\tgoggles\toff.\tHe\tremoves\tthem\tto\tcheck\tfor\tdamage.\tNo\tdamage. \t At\t about\t 7:30\t am\t sent\t back\t to\t my\t regular\t post.\t I\u2019m\t relieved,\t more\t than relieved.\tThe\thammering\tis\thard\twork,\thard\ton\tthe\tarm,\tbut\tit\u2019s\tmy\tarea\t(that I\u2019m\tused\tto).\tI\u2019d\trather\tnot\tbe\there\tperiod,\tbut.\t.\t.\t. \t Lunch\tconsists\tof\ttwo\tpeanut\tbutter\tsandwiches\twashed\tdown\twith\tan\tRC.\tI have\tsome\traisins.\tTry\tto\tread\tthe\tpaper.\tThirty\tminutes\tis\tall\twe\tget\tfor\tlunch. At\t8:30\tlunch\tis\tover.\tBack\tto\twork.\tThe\tatmosphere\twith\tthe\tVietnamese\tguys there\tis\ta\tbit\tbetter.\tWe\u2019re\tall\tmaking\tthe\teffort\tto\tget\talong.\tThey\tmight\thave taken\t a\t different\t view\t of\t me\t upon\t discovering\t that\t I\t had\t spent\t time\t in\t their country. And\t then\t at\t about\t 9:00\t the\t hard-nosed\t foreman\t makes\t another\t appearance. The\tson\tof\ta\tbitch\twants\tme\tback\tthere\tagain\tloading\ttrailers.\tI\tcan\teither\tblow up\tor\tsmile.\tI\thappen\tto\tsmile. What\tam\tI\tdoing\there?\tI\tshould\tbe\tat\thome\tfinishing\tthe\tre-write\ton\tthe\tcab anthology\t .\t .\t .\t I\t should\t be\t working\t on\t stuff\t that\t matters\t to\t me\t .\t .\t .\t and\t not wasting\taway\tin\tthis\tdungeon. \t I\tmake\tthe\tslow\twalk\tonce\tagain\tto\tthe\tback.\tDo\tI\thave\tany\tchoice?\tNot\tif\tI want\tto\tpublish\tthis\tbook.\tI\tneed\tthe\tmoney\tto\tget\tthe\tbook\tdone,\tto\tmake\trent. I\u2019m\t back\t there\t again\t with\t the\t same\t two\t guys.\t The\t geniuses\t who\t run\t the show\tback\there\tlike\tto\tsee\tthe\ttrailers\tfilled\tto\tthe\tbrim;\tto\tthe\ttop,\tbaby.\tAnd since\t no\t one\t here\t is\t that\t tall,\t we\t end\t up\t throwing\/tossing\/hurling\t boxes\t up there.\tTrouble\tis\tsome\tof\tthe\tboxes\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tstay\tand\tthus\tcome\ttumbling right\tback\tdown\t(and\tif\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tcareful,\twill\tland\tright\ton\tyour\tnoggin).\tAnd that\u2019s\t exactly\t what\t happened:\t one\t of\t the\t boxes\t came\t tumbling\t back\t and bounces\toff\tthe\ttop\tof\tmy\thead.\tThat\twas\tthe\tlast\tstraw\tfor\tme.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\ttake it.\tI\u2019d\thad\tenough,\tMORE\tTHAN\tENOUGH,\tand\texploded:","\u201cGODDAMN,\t I\t HATE\t THIS\t MOTHER-FUCKING\t PLACE!\u201d\t I\t shouted. \u201cFUCKING\tSHIT-HOLE!\u201d I\tthink\tthe\tMexican\tjumped.\tThe\tblack\tguy\tmuttered\tsomething\tabout:\t\u201cOhh no.\t .\t .\t .\u201d\t Then\t shut-up\t real\t quick.\t I\t didn\u2019t\t give\t a\t damn\t who\t heard\t me.\t Black- and-blue\t is\t what\t I\t was\t going\t to\t end\t up\t looking\t like\t and\t paid\t peanuts\t for\t it. Exploitation.\t This\t was\t it.\tThe\t rich\t shafting\t the\t poor.\tWhen\t would\t it\t end? ONLY\tWHEN\tWE\tSTOPPED\tLETTING\tTHEM\tDO\tIT\tTO\tUS. The\tblack\tguy\twent\tto\twork\tsomewhere\telse.\tGood,\tfar\tas\tI\twas\tconcerned. I\u2019d\theard\thim\tbad-mouthing\tme\tearlier.\tDidn\u2019t\tknow\tme\tfrom\tAdam,\tbut\tthere he\twas\tsaying\tshit\tabout\tme\tto\tthe\tMexican.\tYou\tcan\talways\ttell\ta\tlow-class\ta- hole\t simply\t by\t how\t quick\t he\/she\t is\t to\t badmouth\t somebody\t they\t don\u2019t\t even know. \t We\u2019d\tunloaded\ta\tbunch\tof\tpallets,\tone\tafter\tthe\tother,\tand\tnow\tthere\twas\ta lull\tand\tme\tand\tthe\tMexican\twere\tleaning\tagainst\tthe\twall\tof\tthe\ttrailer\tto\trest up\t a\t bit.\t He\t mention**\t (trouble\t with\t letter\t N;\t sticks);\t anyway,\t he\t mentioned that\t the\t fumes\t caused\t by\t the\t welding\t guns\t in\t his\t area\t were\t causing\t people\t to cough\tup\tphlegm,\tmaybe\tsomething\telse\tmixed-in\tthere,\tmaybe\tblood,\tnot\tquite sure,\t due\t to\t lack\t of\t ventilation.\t They\t were\t going\t to\t get\t a\t bunch\t of\t signatures together\tand\tsend\tit\tto\tOSHA\tin\tPhoenix. \u201cDamn\t right,\u201d\t I\t said\t to\t him.\t \u201cGotta\tdo\tsomething.\t The\tcompany\t doesn\u2019t\t give squat\t about\t us.\t All\t they\t care\t about\t is\t making\t their\t millions.\u201d\t Low-wage\t paying shit-hole\tis\texactly\tright.\t\u201cWe\u2019re\ttreated\tlike\tslaves\there,\u201d\tI\tsaid. He\tcouldn\u2019t\tagree\tmore.\tArizona\tis\ta\tslave\tstate.\tOn\ttop\tof\tthat,\twe\thave\tto put\tup\twith\ta\tbrown-nose\ta-hole\tlike\tthis\tnew\tforeman. \t At\tabout\tmidnight\twe\u2019re\tsent\tback.\tI\tdo\tsome\tmore\thammering\tfor\tan\thour or\t so\t in\t my\t area,\t then\t it\u2019s\t time\t to\t sweep\t up\/clean\t up.\t Time\t to\t punch\t out,\t go home.\tOnly\thome\tis\tan\thour\taway\ton\tthat\tbicycle\tof\tmine. \t I\t climb\t on\t the\t bike\t and\t begin\t the\t pedaling\t phase,\t \u2018cause\t I\t got\t no\t other choice.\t It\u2019s\t slow-going\t at\t first,\t feet\t and\t legs\t already\t tired\t from\t having\t spent nine\thours\ton\tmy\tfeet\u2014but\tnow\tif\tI\twant\tto\tget\thome\tI\thave\tto\tkeep\tpedaling.\tI take\tit\tslow,\tthe\tonly\tway\tI\tcan\tgo.\tEasy.\tCan\u2019t\thelp\tbut\tgo\tover\/recall,\tall\tthose","years,\t so\t many\t years\t of\t living\t like\t this,\t of\t this\t kind\t of\t non-existence.\t What\t a life.\t Biking\t it\t home\t after\t working\t my\t ass\t off\t for\t The\t Man.\t So\t many\t years\t of this\tkind\tof\tfucked\tlife. A\t body\t would\t be\t better\t off\t dead.\t Somehow,\t somehow,\t I\t make\t it\t to\t Tucson Blvd.\t I\t take\t my\t bike\t inside\t the\t Circle\t K\t market,\t pick\t up\t a\t few\t things:\t ice cream\/milk\/Danish\/potato\tchips\/bean\tdip.\tWrite\ta\tcheck\tfor\tit,\tand\tmake\tit\ton home.","Chapter\t110 Sunday\tnight. Struggling\t (against\t time,\t as\t usual)\t to\t finish\t this\t (one\t page\t and\t a\t half)\t poem about\t Christine\t that\t has\t turned\t into\t eleven\t or\t 12\t pages.\t So\t help\t me.\t The damned\tthing\tgrew.\tNot\tentirely\trecently\t(spent\twell\tover\ta\tmonth\ton\tit\ta\tfew months\t back,\t prior\t to\t starting\t at\t the\t plant,\t when\t there\t was\t time\t to\t sit\t down and\t write).\t Yes,\t it\u2019s\t long\u2014but\t I\u2019m\t proud\t of\t it,\t I\t like\t it\u2014and\t will\t leave\t the\t new version\t in,\t if\t only\t I\t could\t complete\t it.\t Then\t off\t to\t the\t typesetter.\t Then\t I\t wait for\ther\tbill\tto\tappear\tin\tthe\tPO\tbox. Was\t so\t exhausted\t from\t having\t put\t in\t eight\t hours\t at\t the\t plant\t Sat. (inventory;\teverything,\tall\trails,\tetc.,\thad\tto\tbe\ttaken\tdown\toff\tthe\tshelves\tand taken\t to\t scales\t and\t weighed).\t These\t loads,\t on\t average,\t were\t five-hundred- pounds\t each.\t Talk\t about\t back-breaking\t work.\t Tried\t it\t their\t way\t for\t a\t while. Then\tthought:\tTo\thell\twith\tthat.\tAm\tguesstimating,\tand\tdid.\tBut\tthen,\tfearing I\u2019d\tget\tbusted,\twent\tback\tto\twhat\tI\twas\tdoing\tbefore:\tloading\tshit\tonto\tthe\tcart and\tpushing\tsaid\tcart\tdown\tto\twhere\tthe\tscale\twas\tin\tthe\tfloor\t(yes,\tpart\tof\tthe floor\titself)\tand\tis\tabout\tfive-feet\tby\tfive-feet,\tetc. I\t was\t half-finished\t with\t my\t workload\u2014when\t someone\t pointed\t out\t the forklift\toperator\thad\ta\tscale\ton\this\tforklift.\tSHIT!\tWHAT\tSHIT. Doing\tit\tthat\tway\twas\ta\tlot\teasier!\tWay\teasier.\tAll\tyou\thad\tto\tdo\twas\tload\tup the\tcart,\tpush\tit\tout\tinto\tthe\taisle\tand\tthe\tforklift\tdriver\twould\tshove\tthe\tfork under\tit,\tlift\tthe\tcart\tan\tinch\tor\ttwo\toff\tthe\tfloor,\tand\tread\toff\tthe\tdigits\ton\this scale\tinside\tthe\tcab.\tEasy.\tAnd\tthen\tI\tsaid\tthe\thell\twith\tall\tthat\tand\twent\tback to\t doing\t guesstimates\t like\t before\t to\t finish\t up.\t Damn\t right.\t I\t wasn\u2019t\t about\t to weigh\teverything. \t Either\t way,\t it\t was\t a\t bitch\t of\t a\t day,\t the\t work\t and\t the\t new\t super\t getting\t his nose\tin\teverybody\u2019s\tass.\tDude\twears\tthese\tlarge\tglasses\twith\tan\torange\tframe, something\t like\t the\t type\t Elton\t John\t is\t known\t to\t wear,\t and\t so\t peeps\t started","calling\tthe\tnew\tsuper\t\u201cElton.\u201d\tMade\tas\tmuch\tsense\tas\tanything\telse.\tOnly\tthis guy\t was\t tall;\t not\t pudgy\t at\t all.\t This\t was\t our\t one\t chance,\t though,\t Hung\u2019s\t and mine,\t to\t clean\t out\t all\t the\t crap\t under\t the\t steel\t table.\t We\t pulled\t the\t pallets\t out and\tthere\twas\ta\twhole\tbunch\tof\tcrap\tdown\tthere:\tpieces\tof\tbars\tand\tblades,\tdirt and\t dust.\t I\t get\t that\t crud\t out\t with\t the\t broom\t and\t am\t doing\t what\t I\t can\t to separate\t the\t dirt,\t what\u2019s\t biodegradable\t from\t the\t metals\t and\t Elton,\t wise-ass Elton\tsays: \u201cHey,\twhat\tare\tyou\tdoing?\u201d I\texplain\tit\tto\thim;\tand\this\tcrony\t(another\ta-hole\tsuper)\tand\the\tlaugh.\tElton says: \u201cNo,\tno;\tthat\u2019s\ta\twaste\tof\ttime.\tDump\tit\tall\tin\tthe\ttrash.\tOnce\tit\thits\tthe\tfloor it\u2019s\tgarbage.\u201d I\t say\t nothing.\t Don\u2019t\t care\t for\t it,\t but\t I\t say\t nothing.\t Do\t as\t I\u2019m\t told.\t I\t look\t up, see\tthat\tthe\tidiots\tare\tgone\tand\tI\tcan\u2019t\thelp\tbut\tcurse\tloud\tenough\tfor\tothers\tto hear: \u201cIt\u2019s\t stupid\t people\t like\t that\t who\t are\t destroying\t the\t planet,\u201d\t or\t some\t such. Everyone\t else\t not\t saying\t a\t thing;\t their\t heads\t are\t down,\t busy\t working\/too scared\tto\tsay\tanything\tand\trisk\tlosing\ttheir\tprecious\tlow-wage\tjob. \t So\tHung\tsees\tthat\tthe\tmiddle\tpallet\t(that\twas\tunder\tthe\ttable,\tis\ttoo\tshoddy to\tbe\t put\t back\tthere),\t finds\tanother\tpallet.\t Only\tit\t does\tnot\tfit.\t Too\twide.\t He tries\tcutting\tit\ton\tthe\telectric\tgrinder\u2014that\tcauses\tlots\tof\tsmoke.\tYou\tsee,\tthis thing\tis\tfor\tsteel,\tmetal\tonly,\tnot\tcutting\twood.\tAsshole\tElton\truns\tover\/makes a\tbig\tfuss.\tMan\u2019s\tgot\tto\tstick\this\tnose\tin\teverything. \u201cThis\tis\tnot\tfor\twood.\tMetal\tonly.\tOnly\tmetal,\tremember\tthat.\u201d Hung,\t the\t Vietnamese\t guy,\t nods\t quietly,\t goes\t about\t his\t business.\t Elton disappears\t to\t bother\t somebody\t else.\t Man,\t this\t guy\t is\t hated\t by\t everyone. Where\tin\tthe\thell\tdid\the\tcome\tfrom?\tSomebody\tsaid\the\twas\tMormon.\tCouldn\u2019t be.\tI\u2019d\tnever\tknown\tMormons\tto\tbe\tthis\tobnoxious. We\t still\t need\t to\t trim\t the\t pallet.\t I\t take\t it\t outside,\t by\t the\t maintenance\t guy\u2019s door,\t ask\t for\t a\t saw\t and\t hammer.\t I\t saw\t off\t what\t I\t need\t to\t saw\t off\t and\t do\t my hammering,\tand\tfreaking\tElton\tshows\tup\tagain,\tsticks\this\tface\tin: \u201cWhat\u2019s\tgoing\ton\there?\tYou\tguys\tbuilding\ta\tpiano?\u201d The\tmaintenance\tguy,\tagain,\tsays\tnothing.","My\tcomeback\tis:\t\u201cYeah.\u201d Elton\twants\tnone\tof\tit.\tToo\tobnoxious\/too\tnervous\/a\tbusybody,\tshaking\this head. \u201cWe\tdon\u2019t\thave\ttime\tfor\tthis.\tWe\tgot\tinventory\tto\tfinish.\u201d He\t walks\t off.\t I\t drag\t the\t pallet\t back\t to\t my\t table.\t Hung\t slides\t it\t under\t there and\tmakes\tit\tfit. \t And\t so,\t after\t a\t day\t of\t that,\t yes,\t was\t damned\t tired,\t hit\t the\t sack\t about\t 9:00 p.m.\tand\tdid\tnot,\tDID\tNOT\tget\tup\tuntil\t11:30.\tHalf\tthe\tSunday\tshot.\tNow\tI\u2019ve got\tto\tstuff\tfour\tloads\tof\tdirty\tlaundry\tin\tmy\tgym\tbags.\tWeighs\tplenty.\tI\u2019ve\tgot one\tbag\thanging\tfrom\tone\tside\tof\tmy\tneck,\tone\tfrom\tthe\tother\u2014and\tI\tbalance this\ton\tthe\tbicycle\tas\tI\tride\ton\tup\tto\tthe\tlaundromat\ton\tPima,\ta\tthree-mile\thaul from\t here.\t No\t fun,\t and\t no\t choice.\t Got\t to\t have\t clean\t clothes\t for\t work\t next week.\tI\tleave\tthis\tstuff\twith\tthe\tdesk,\thop\tback\ton\tthe\tbike\tand\tride\tit\ton\tover to\t Fry\u2019s\t supermarket\t on\t Grant,\t take\t a\t twenty\t from\t the\t ATM,\t buy detergent\/fabric\tsoftener,\tand\tride\tback. \t It\ttakes\ta\tcouple\tof\thours\tto\tget\tthe\tlaundry\tdone.\tFour\tloads.\tTwice\tto\tdry. First\tcycle\twasn\u2019t\tenough. I\t ride\t back\t to\t the\t duplex.\t It\u2019s\t after\t 4\t p.m.\t Close\t to\t 4:30,\t in\t fact.\t My\t Sunday finished.\t When\t am\t I\t supposed\t to\t get\t my\t writing\t done?\t I\t cook\t up\t some spaghetti,\t feed\t the\t dog\t (her\t bag\t empty;\t got\t to\t remember\t to\t buy\t dog\t food tomorrow).\tI\tdo\ta\tbit\tof\tvacuuming,\trearrange\tsome\tof\tthe\tboxes\t(Bro\tgot\twhat remained\tof\this\tstuff\tout\tSat.,\tbrought\tmy\town\tstuff\tdown\tfrom\tstorage). I\tleaf\tthrough\tThe\tNeon\tWilderness,\tstories\tby\tNelson\tAlgren,\tthen\tI\tattempt to\tget\tto\twork\ton\tthis\tpoem\tabout\tthe\tgirl\tI\u2019d\thad\tthis\tcrazy\tcrush\ton\tin\tthe\t5th grade.\tGet\tsome\twork\tdone.\tOnly\tit\tis\t1:36\tin\tthe\ta.m.\tnow\t.\t.\t.\tlate\t.\t.\t.\tlate\t.\t.\t. and\tBobby\tDarin\ton\tthe\tradio:\tDream\tLover.\t.\t.\t. I\tlike\tBobby\tDarin\u2019s\tvoice. Died\tyoung,\tway\ttoo\tyoung. And\t tomorrow\t is\t Monday\t .\t .\t .\t and\t you\t know\t what\t that\t means?\t Back\t to slavery\t.\t.\t.\tback\tto\tthe\tplant\tand\thard\twork\tand\tsweat\t(for\tpeanuts).","Chapter\t111 Weekend\tover\tfor\tme.\tHad\tus\tworking\tSaturday\tagain.\tThe\tgeniuses\thad\tthe maintenance\t guy,\t Walker,\t spray\t painting\t the\t ceiling.\t And\t they\t had\t me\t assist. Walker\thad\ton\twhite\tcoveralls,\tI\thad\tnothing.\tWhen\tI\trequested\tcoveralls\tfrom Rodrigo,\the\tand\tWalker\twere\tquick\tto\tshake\ttheir\theads. \u201cYou\twon\u2019t\tneed\tany.\tBesides,\twe\u2019re\tout.\u201d Like\tI\tsaid:\tIt\u2019s\ta\tpathetic\tway\tto\trun\ta\tplant\tof\tthis\tsize\t(or\tany\tsize,\tfor\tthat matter).\t I\t walk\t back\t there,\t to\t my\t original\t area\t where\t I\t first\t started\t with\t that screaming\tPing\twoman.\tWalker\thas\ta\tbucket\tof\tpaint\ton\ta\tpallet\ton\tthe\tforklift, machine\tbeside\tit,\those\tand\tspinner\tinside\tthe\tpaint\tcan\topening. The\t sprayer\t in\t Walker\u2019s\t hands\t is\t three\t yards\t long\t and\t he\u2019s\t holding\t this thing\t up\t and\t spraying\t the\t ceiling\t with\t white\t primer.\t Paint\t all\t over;\t raining down\tlike\traindrops\u2014only\tit\tis\tnot\train.\tWalker\tis\twearing\tan\told\tball\tcap\/his eyeglasses\/no\tmask.\tDoesn\u2019t\tcare.\tI\u2019m\tdifferent,\tI\tsuppose,\tI\tgive\ta\tdamn\tabout stuff\tlike\tthis.\tI\tsimply\tdo\tnot\twant\tmy\tlungs\tlined\twith\tpaint. I\twalk\tback\tto\tthe\tforeman,\task\tfor\ta\tpaper\tmask\t(that\twill\tgo\tover\tmy\tnose and\t mouth).\t It\t does\t little\t good.\t Walker\t is\t spraying\t that\t paint,\t doesn\u2019t\t give\t a shit.\tNot\ta\tcare\tin\tthe\tworld. Says\tto\tme:\t\u201cWhen\tI\twear\tthe\tmask\tit\tfogs\tup\tmy\tglasses.\u201d \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tcare\tabout\tthe\tpaint\tgetting\tinside\tyour\tlungs?\u201d He\tshrugs.\t\u201cOnly\tgot\tone\tleft.\tSpleen\u2019s\tgone,\ta\tthird\tof\tmy\tintestines.\u201d \u201cYeah?\tHow\u2019d\tthat\thappen?\u201d \u201cI\twas\tin\ta\tprop\tplane\tcrash\tin\tSouth\tAmerica\twhile\tworking\tfor\tthe\tCIA.\u201d \t And\t we\t keep\t painting.\t One\t Vietnamese\t woman\t comes\t close\t to\t fainting, another\tlady\tstarts\thollering\t(rightly\tso).\tGoes\tup\tto\tWalker.\tGives\thim\ta\tpiece of\ther\tmind.\tAt\tthis\tpoint\twe\thad\tbeen\tpainting\tfor\tclose\tto\tfour\thours. Walker\tlays\tdown\tthe\tspray\tgun.\tHe\u2019s\tgot\ta\tdoor\tto\trepair.\tAnd\tit\u2019s\tmy\tjob to\t clean\t up,\t sweep\t the\t dry\t paint\t (flecks,\t some\t of\t it,\t some\t blotches\t from\t the","leaky\t spray\t gun),\t mop\t the\t floor.\t It\u2019s\t a\t cement\t floor.\t I\t am\t covered\t in\t paint: spots,\t white\t spots\t all\t over:\t hair\/shirt\/shoes.\t The\t company\t just\t doesn\u2019t\t give\t a damn.\t Somebody\t needs\t to\t call\t OSHA\t in\t Phoenix\t and\t complain\t about\t this.\t It\u2019s too\t much.\t No\t real\t masks,\t no\t coveralls\t (or\t anything\t regarding\t genuine protection). This\tspray\tpainting\tshould\tnot\tbe\tgoing\ton\tduring\tworking\thours,\tnot\twhile people\t are\t here.\t The\t other\t shop\t foreman,\t Doris,\t who\u2019s\t been\t here\t at\t the company\tfor\tabout\t three\tdecades,\tagrees\treadily.\tShows\tme\ta\tfolder\tthat\thad been\t sitting\t next\t to\t her\t computer\t desk\t and\t the\t paint\t film\t on\t it\t that\t had accumulated\tsince\tWalker\thad\tbegun\tthe\tspraying\tthat\tSaturday\tmorning. \t Alas,\t4:15\trolls\taround.\tTime\tto\tgo\thome,\ttime\tfor\tthe\tpoor\tbastard\tslaves\tto leave\tthe\tdungeon\tand\tget\ton\thome\tand\ta\tbit\tof\tfreedom\tat\tlast. I\tget\ton\tthat\tbicycle\tof\tmine,\tthat\tblack\tK-Mart\tbike\tand\tpedal\tslowly\ton\tout of\t there,\t south\t on\t Flowing\t Wells\t Rd.,\t to\t Grant,\t and\t then\t east\t on\t Grant.\t No energy,\t no\t gusto.\t All\t gone,\t this\t 46-year\t old\t factory-hand\t running\t on\t empty these\t days.\t It\t is\t dark\/overcast\t this\t afternoon,\t windy,\t but\t am\t sweating\t inside my\tblue\tski\tjacket\t(due\tto\tthe\tpedaling).\tMy\tlegs\tache.\tThey\talways\tdo. I\t continue\t on\t slowly,\t and\t then\t hear\t someone\t from\t across\t the\t street\t at\t the Harley-Davidson\tmotorcycle\tshop\tparking\tlot,\ta\twoman\/cycle\tmama,\tlaughing, saying\t something\t to\t her\t male\t companion\t about\t how\t tough\t I\t am\t having\t it\t on the\tbicycle.\tShe\tyells,\tgood-naturedly:\t\u201cKEEP\tTHE\tFAITH,\tBABY!\u201d I\tdon\u2019t\tturn\/don\u2019t\teven\tlook,\tkeep\ton\tgoing\tslowly\tup\tGrant,\tstaying\ton\tthe oftentimes\tdirt\/sometimes\tgravel\tsidewalk.\tIt\tis\ta\tslower\tpace\tthan\tis\tusual\tfor me.\t Can\u2019t\t be\t helped.\t Haven\u2019t\t got\t the\t Go-Power\t lately.\t I\t do\t what\t I\t can\t (in keeping\t at\t least\t a\t steady,\t if\t not\t quicker\t pace)\t in\t hopes\t of\t beating\t out\t the impending\tstorm. Each\tand\tevery\trevolution\tof\tthe\tsprocket\tis\ta\ttask,\ta\tjob,\tordeal.\tThe\tpain\tis in\t the\t thighs\t mainly.\t Breathing\t heavily;\t no\t way\t around\t it.\t Keep\t going.\t Get home.\t The\t dog\t (you\t inherited)\t waiting\t to\t be\t fed.\t And\t you\u2019ll\t be\t able\t to\t plop down\tin\tthe\tchair\tand\trest.\tRest. \t I\t make\t it\t to\t the\t purple\t gate\t at\t last.\t Get\t inside\t the\t yard.\t The\t dog\t is\t about\t to get\t frantic.\t I\t know\t she\t is\t happy\t to\t see\t me,\t but\t it\t is\t no\t fun.\t Too\t exhausted\t at","this\tpoint. I\tunlock\tthe\tglass\tdoor\tto\tthe\tduplex,\tgo\tin.\tI\tgrab\tthe\tbag\tof\tKibbles\t\u2019n\tBits, pour\t enough\t in\t her\t red\t food\t dish\t and\t watch\t her\t go\t at\t it\t in\t a\t nearly\t maniacal way.\t I\u2019m\t inside\t the\t apartment.\t Glass\t door\t closed.\t No\t sooner\t do\t I\t have\t the jacket\t off,\t the\t dirty\/paint-covered\t work\t boots\/pants\/shirt,\t and\t drop\t into\t the comfortable\t chair\t in\t the\t middle\t of\t the\t living\t room,\t does\t it\t start\t pouring.\t And hard. \t Made\tit\tthrough\t(once\tagain).\tGot\tthrough\tanother\ttorturous\tday\tat\tthe\tslave dungeon.\t How\t much\t longer?\t How\t much\t more\t of\t this\t can\t I\t take?\t How\t many more\tmonths?\tWeeks?\tDays? My\tprobationary\tperiod\tends\tMarch\t7th\tof\tthis\tyear.\tIt\u2019s\tFeb.\t16th\tpresently. Will\t I\t make\t it?\t Will\t I\t last?\t Will\t I?\t (There\t awaits\t for\t me\t either\t a\t 25\t or\t 28-cent raise.\t How\t magnanimous\t of\t them.)\t And\t if\t I\t don\u2019t,\t how\t does\t the\t book\t get published?"]
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