Tat

Predator Press

[Cobe]

If a man’s character can be judged by inexplicable acts of compassion, Ethan is indeed a great man.

To say my house burned down is somewhat understated; where my house was is now a smoldering crater extending four city blocks. A city bus lies in the charred concrete hole that was my basement.

Rather than going to work on Christmas, I rescued all 41 of the passengers.

This, understandably, resulted in my prompt termination.

It’s bad enough being homeless, jobless, and starving during the holidays … but I’ve spent the last six months neglecting friends and family too. That was inexcusable. Still, they were all very gracious, sending burlap bags and only slightly-soiled sheets so I can make myself warm clothing.

As I boiled my ornately-wrapped Christmas bonus from Predator Press --collapsible cardboard banker boxes-- for dinner, Ethan had an apparent "change of heart". He says I can still work here, but I will have to accept a pay cut and transfer to one of the arctic listening posts monitoring our battered planetary defenses.

Mmmm … battered defenses.