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“Hell,” said Mr Punch Was that a little less drool? A little s?

“Hell, Florida, or Hell, California?”

Mr Punch didn’t knohat to do with that one It’s a good trick I always did it withhatever they say, ’cause they’re not about to stop saying it They hardly even needya there, really My grurunted and flopped his face over to stare at the deep end of the pool, where the Fearas busy sharpening a tongue depressor into a shiv with his pincers Ugh The Fearwig is gross He is never invited to my birthday party

“And what year was that, Mr Punch?”

“1066” The Fearwig shambled over to a fat chick with a tattoo of the world on her dumb face We watched it happen cal the ocean fro, white boat deck

“I have your file, Mr Punch” I didn’t “You ain’tyou aren’t any kind ofabout you Where you were born and what year doesn’t matter It only matters that you tell me”

Wiggy got his wooden stake up under the heart of the big fat world Nurse Happy and her crew threw their ar-ticket es! Jazz hands!

r />Mr Punch grinned up at , with music for my pretty Poll”

Then he passed clean out Oh, well

I swiped the little green pills next After-dinner mints, I always call ’em

“At what age did you lose your virginity?” I asked Was he sittin’ up a little straighter? Twitchin’ a little less?

“I’ve knohores and dolls in a hundred halls but I’ve saved all my love for my pretty Poll”

And he yacked all over thenatatorium Aw, Mistah Punch, you can quote atthat’s inside ya Everything you got

“What a lovely sentiment, Mr Punch But I hardly think that can be true Even the original Mr Punch was married to Judy before he met his Pretty Polly” God, but it was hard to keep up that fancy voice! Tasted like Bad Daddy’s cigars in my mouth

Mr Punch’s neon hair gleaht He kept on talkin’ all hunched over where he’d barfed Like there was a microphone in his sliet it over with She had blond hair and blue eyes, like Airls always do in the movies Her name was Daisy When it was done, she said she lovedcard, like s It’s nice to conduct your life with a little flair I appreciated that about her She took the time to leave aher as I’d planned Professional courtesy”