Over the sounds of bare feet and deteriorating sneakers pattering on the ground was the wailing of the destitute. Men, women, and children wept with e...ch step, cursing the crippling heat, the aches and wounds of travel, their dry throats and empty stomachs, the lives they had left behind, the loss of friends and family, and the evil that chased them down. The sick and dying would beg passersby for aide, but no one had the strength to extend a helping hand.For families, one member would often. I will order the same coffee, in the same way. The waiter will have the same look of detached politeness. I may even catch the heel of my shoe in the same knot in the floorboard, and sigh. I will look up and see you. As I did that day. That day you smiled and watched as I slipped my foot out of my shoe, leant down and twisted the heel carefully to release it. My eyes meeting yours, again. And again. You will come over to me as I slip my foot back in my shoe, smile and say, ‘Typical, isn’t. " The fallen girl was not dead, protected by the collar around her neck butshe was in shock. A gladiator cradled the fallen girl in her arms and paradedher body around the coliseum finally placing her, spread-eagled, on the altar. The crier next explained, "The daughters will now be allowed to vent theirfeeling of betrayal on this ingrate so that they might continue their questfor forgiveness and absolution without rancor and hate."That was the cue for each girl, in turn, to abuse the little. In the version he gave to the woman on the phone, he had no idea why his workstation had suddenly exploded.“Well, just put a ticket in and someone will take a look at it Monday morning,” the woman said, adding that everyone else was already gone and she was also about to leave.“Couldn’t you just take quick look at it?” Jack asked. “It might be something really minor, just a quick fix.”“It doesn’t sound like it,” the woman said, “but I guess I can spare a few minutes to take a look.”“Thank you,”.