Fallout (Crank 3)

I stand in wordless defiance.

Bear asks Shreeveport, She’s

not, like, a mute, right?

I am so loving him already.

Shreeveport says, Of course

not. Say something, Summer.

I use sign language: “Hi.”

Blonde (Tanya) takes the high road,

giggles. Ha. Hi to you, too.

Shreeveport does not find it

funny. Please don’t be difficult.

Bear (Walter) asserts control.

No such thing as difficult here.

I push back with a silent “Bet me.”

Tanya ignores my defiant look.

Come meet the other girls.

I shrug, start to follow her.

Shreeveport doesn’t quite drop

it. Cooperation is important.

I grab my bag, turn shadow.

Walter goes all syrupy.

There’s a good little girl.

I try not to notice the way my skin crawls.

I NOTICE THE WALLS

Are eerily bare. No photos. No

paintings. No cheap ceramics.

Apparently Tanya isn’t much into

the Martha Stewart school of

homey decor. Fine by me.

Even the Christmas tree, leaning