everybody was talking at once
alice was possessed of a strange suspicion
suddenly a savage thought sent her brain hurtling through space
it was almost time for the six o'clock show
but sissy and charisse and the others just kept on yakking
alice was sorry, but she had do what she had to do
things like this have happened a million times through history
everybody is always sorry afterwards and they build temples and monuments to the dead heroes
it is just the way it is
but, thought alice, this just doesn't feel right
she had a half-pint of whiskey in the pocket of her dressing gown
suddenly johnny appeared out of nowhere and gave her a smack on the jaw that sent her reeling
he stood over her and gave her an insolent and cynical sneer
"we were just ready to break into the big money."
"i'm sorry, johnny, it won't happen again, i promise."
"get out there and get on with the show."
he gave her one of his sudden quick smiles and everything was o k
they will do it every time
alice reached into her pocket for the half pint of whiskey
what could she do? - she couldn't read everybody in the world's mind
everything would be different when they got into the big money
a dust storm was brewing on the horizon
maybe the rubes wouldn't show up and they would have to cancel the show
sometimes the way things turned out made you wonder
the whiskey went down her throat like a burning silk caterpillar
who will ever know your mind or anybody else's
the show started on time
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