A.G.E's Joint

Without a word, the bartender put the drink next to his hand. The 3 sheets was quiet this time of night. It was getting close to last call and all rowdy yuppies had either paired off or passed out on the bar. Not drunk enough to shake off the rage, he was finding it hard to focus. He chugged the scotch without thinking.   A sharp pain followed. With a curse, he pulled the stirrer away from his eye dabbed his face with the bar napkin.   The offending alcoholic droplets remaining were spared from going into his eyes. Two blond heads were nodding and arguing over the latest sex offender stats on the screen over the bar. They tried to one up themselves on what the best method to deal with this “crisis”. One championed longer prison terms. The other was touting a medical treatment that would cause the prisoner to collapse like a myotonic goat was upon arousal. Kind of a reverse Viagra, with everything deflating as one part inflates.    A smirk crossed Je...

Monday, Monday. Can’t trust that day… 7:00 AM and the bullpen was a beehive of activity. Weak sunlight streaming through the windows seemed to invigorate everyone. Phones ringing and message systems pinging, it was a far cry from the late Saturday night, where it was a silent as a funeral in a hard Kentucky rain . The captain was true to his word and left him alone Sunday to get some sleep. He was back with a clear mind a cup of extra strong coffee. Jackson had beaten him in and waved when he cleared the hallway. “Yo! Wally!” Jackson called out. “Latent Prints got a hit on the victim yesterday.” “Nice way to start the day.” Sitting down, Murray took a sip out of the cup and winced. He opened the notebook to a clean page.   “Let me have it.”  “Diego Rodriguez Aguirre, 23, a Salvadoran National here illegally. Has convictions for weapons and narcotics possession. Last arrest was for loitering with intent on Jimmy Carter in Januar...

Coral cloud in indigo sky Sun rises, birds flying high Wispy snow covering like a hood Over the cabin in the wood Cup of coffee seaming cold hands Flannel buttoned tight, hair in band Pure serenity if she would Over the cabin in the wood Winter wedding, her beau asleep Love in mind and soul grows deep New life soon, if Lord would In the cabin in the wood. Coral Cloud in indigo sky Over the cabin in the wood.

Fear gripped him. Then, rage.  Going what seemed like 104 past the old golf course, the pounding began in his temples. The challenge to his plans was plainly obvious to him. “Changes?” He said out loud. “Yes, there are. And I am the one in charge of them for once" He wasn’t going to fail.   Even if he took out twenty nine people, Murray and Jackson were going down in flames. Picking up a piece of an old chocolate bar, he popped in this mouth.  The cards did say the cycle would be ending, one way or another, which is true. He was going to end it. End it in a way that would be remembered for all times. If he goes with it, fine. Joining Sarah in bliss is consolation. And in those three cards was the validation that was sought. Fates?   That was for the delusional and naïve. Not an enlightened person like himself. He relaxed and slowed the car down. No need to attract attention yet.  There were no more thought...