"Stay in shape," an envelope was

  circulating.  "For the family," a woman dug a five dollar bill out of a cigarette wallet.  

  "Make the chain longer.  Can you?" 

  "Yeah, but I need my tools." 

  "That way it will hang over my heart."  The tiny play-dough snake was painted in green and pink.  "It looks preppy." 

  "I don't get how someone can just call it all a (i)program(i).  To me that feels like calling the flag like, just a cattle brand, or 

  "They can't just delete or erase all that we've learned." 

  "Did you learn anything from hanging with us?" People scoffed and guffawed.  "No shit man, can we do it all again?" 

  Vats of corn were boiled and lay steaming on a canvas tarp.  "Was that the last tent?" 

  "Means everyone who wants to has a home to go to!" A woman smiled broadly revealing two missing teeth.  "Thought you were going to a Dentist." 

  "Was.  But the Dentist and his people moved to Jerusalem!" 

  "What's going on there?" 

  "There's some hope for diplomatic solution." 

  "Oh.  But the fighting?" 

  "Was told it's more seasonal, more routine now.  And you know what Andy said."  The barbeque chicken and pig was uncovered on tailgates.  "What he say?" 

  "There's always a hot war somewhere." 

  "Meaning?" 

  "I think, maybe, it's useless to just push for peace like total peace." 

  The sound of dog tags.  "So we stay in shape.  Let the think tanks re-program how the news frames all the ongoing shitpile." 

  "What are you doing next?" 

  "Probably cobbler, but I'll have to dig a shithole." 

  "No I mean," an electric guitar was strummed into a heavy metal rift. 

  A horn blaring and an ATV slowing and skidding had the crowd trying to take cover.  Everybody running into eachother.  A shade hatted, shirtless man with hand cupped was yelling from the ATV, (i)THEY GOT MARIE!!! THEY GOT MARIE!!!(i) 

  Some people grabbed up picnic blanket belongings and ran towards the ATV.  

  (i)WHERE?(i) 

  (i)IN A CAGE, IN A TRUCK, IN THE OTHER FIELD!(i)