The face of the mask was ruined, of course, too, and steeped in sap. There was little hope it could be repaired, unless it were rebuilt, and that would be costly.

"Get up!" repeated the boss, Robenstein. He must have been half crazed; everyone could se…

The first leap was difficult. It was hard on her legs, for one thing, but she saulted backwards with all her skill. The first problem was the landing. Her legs were all right, but the prop head teetered backward sharply and cut a groove into her shoulders…

This could not last long. She'd known that even before the last cartoon had started. Time tapered to an endpoint. She gave herself a burst of strengthening fluids and entered into the lunges right on time, with as much zest as she could muster. The smilin…

The newly formed Country of Birth Control met with general condom nation.

I decide to ask her how long she's been working here, when I hear a loud shriek behind me. I whirl around to see an old woman pointing outside. People are running away from the doors so it's difficult for me to make out what's going on.

Then I see an old…

Burn me down to nothing-

Singed beneath the atmosphere,

Stars frozen under blackness.

& from bare, shattered body, I'll believe:

"This isn't all of it."

"What's your name?" She eyed her carefully. She looked so young and meek. How could she have the knowledge to bandage an amputated limb so professionally?

"Bel."

"Well, Bel. Where did you learn to bandage wounds like this?" The girl shifted uncomfortab…