15بخش

Is there anything special you wanna eat that night?

We can rustle you up most anything.

Meat loaf be nice Mashed taters, gravy.

Okra.

Maybe some of that fine corn bread your missus make if she don’t mind.

Now what about a preacher? Someone to say a little prayer with.

Don’t want no preacher.

You can say a prayer, if you like.

Me?

Suppose I could, if it came to that.

John.

I have to ask you something very important now.

I know what you gonna say.

You don’t have to say it.

No, I do. I do. I have to say it.

John tell me what you want me to do.

You want me to take you out of here?

Just let you run away? See how far you could get?

Why would you do such a foolish thing?

On the day of my judgment when I stand before God and he asks me why did I.

Did I kill one of his true miracles what am I going to say?

That it was my job?

It’s my job.

You tell God the Father it was a kindness you done.

I know you’re hurting and worrying.

I can feel it on you. But you ought to quit on it now.

I want it to be over and done with.

I do.

I’m tired, boss.

Tired of being on the road, lonely as a sparrow in the rain.

I’m tired of never having me a buddy to be with to tell me where we’s going to, coming from, or why.

Mostly, I’m tired of people being ugly to each other.

I’m tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world every day.

There’s too much of it.

It’s like pieces of glass in my head all the time.

Can you understand?

Yes, John, I think I can.

Well, there must be something we can do for you, John.

There must be something that you want.

I ain’t never seen me a flicker show.

I’m in heaven

And my heart beats so That I can hardly speak

And I seem to find The happiness I seek

When we’re out together Dancing cheek to cheek

Why, they’s angels.

Angels, just like up in heaven.

I’ll be all right, fellas.

This here’s the hard part.

I’ll be all right in a while.

John, I should have this just for now.

I’ll give it back after.

You know, I fell asleep this afternoon and had me a dream.

I dreamed about Del’s mouse.

Did you, John?

I dreamed Mr. Jingles got down to that place Boss Howell talked about.

That Mouse Ville place.

I dreamed there’s kids.

And how they laughed at his tricks.

I dreamed that those two little blond-headed girls was there.

They’s laughing too.

I put my arms around them and set them on my knees.

And they was no blood coming out of they hair, and they’s just fine.

We all watched Mr. Jingles roll that spool.

How we did laugh. Fit to bust, we was!

John.

They’s lots of folks here that hate me Lots!

I can feel it.

It’s like bees stinging me.

Well, feel how we feel, then.

We don’t hate you.

Can you feel that?

Kill him twice, you boys!

You go on and kill that raping baby killer twice!

That’d be fine!