Excerpts from the margins

Flarna the magic one. She is consolidated fur. The cat and the slow burn, the golden melt.

Eric the solid meat butcher. Show him your digits.

Ogthoro, a candid man with a devious plan, one hand, and a used juicer for sale at half price.

Elrondo and his boot with the secret spur. He’s the plaster of Paris, two-ton tomatillo bandit.

Dennis the ex-jeweler. Got out before he ever got in.

Perry Combover, he’s travel broke and hungry. Needs guitar strings.

Landerhand, Oursler, Eckman, Frankie Fisch, Jackie Sides, Erath Minichew, Basarion the Bean Roaster, Vern Bickford, Sally Hoyt, Bearman, Ritter, Troncoso, Anselmo, Brummel, Dick Sisler, Hooper and Struth. They’re built to know your needs. The power of mediocrity compels them.

“Pass me the cider, Grandma. No, the cider, not the cyanide gravy.” To his friend, under his breath, “She’s almost 90. Fumes for brain cells. But she can still wrestle.”

“That was good. But don’t waste it. Don’t waste it on people who won’t understand.” AWL, Little Man Exports.