To prepare his meat they wrapped himin succulent leaves, and then dug a pitinto which they threw stones, hot from the fires,and then, still living, th...y lowered him down,and covered the pit with pebbles and sand,his screams finally dying away, as his meatslowly started to cook in the underground heat.Then it was my turn. The flickering fires,the torches, and the half moon in the sky,threw their light on the faces and the naked bodiesof the men and the women who gathered around me,some covered. "What about your manicure?" she answered. "The manicure can wait," I said as I took her hand and pulled her towards the spiral staircase that led up to the mezzanine floor and my king-size bed. I dragged the black satin duvet onto the floor and we climbed onto the bed on our knees facing each other. Until that moment Anna’s hair had been tied back in a ponytail but she pulled the band off and tossed her head letting her glossy red hair cascade around her shoulders. We kissed as we unbuttoned. I was supposed to get her pregnant. But I couldn’t be there because my asshole of a boss had us all working very late on Halloween.”He slid the envelope back into the coat and said, “I found this invitation on the floor of my room when I got home just after midnight. When I wasn’t there, Jerome had slipped it under my door.” He patted the coat once again and said sadly, “I was supposed to be at that party.”He then gave a very deep sigh and said calmly, “I was also supposed to die last. Youknow make some money while learning a trade?" Money, aaah there is money to be made in doing this as well, from what Iwas told a Captain's share is yours upon completion of the voyage. Howdoes that sit with you? Not the lowly rate of a mess boy, but a fullCaptains share."Some what relieved I brought the glass back up to my lips, thinking atthe time that I really could be well off went the voyage was over andthen perhaps I could seek a better trade for myself, one that did notinvolve mother's.