LA CRUDA

Jack O'Connell and Estanislao Contreras sat at the Toddle Inn and ate a late breakfast.

"You look like shit," said Contreras.

"I feel like shit," said O'Connell. "I've taken a Xanax to ease the pain."

O'Connell invoked the spontaneity clause after the Astros' loss when Tony Gray materialized at his front door the previous night.

"Tony and I did the belly of the beast thing downtown," said O'Connell as he held his coffee in both hands and sipped the steaming elixir with his eyes closed. "It was nasty. I thought I had finally caged the beast, but it escaped again. When the animal smells meat, it roars."

Contreras laughed.

"Did you and Tony solve the world's problems?" he asked.

"We reduced existence to the essential elements," replied O'Connell. "We have control over only two aspects of our beings--our health and our jobs. As long as we're healthy and we're working, there are positive solutions to the other challenges we face in our lives."

Contreras slurped his huevos rancheros into his mouth.

"How are you faring in those two departments?" questioned the bard.

"My system is filled with tobacco and alcohol," sighed O'Connell. "I abused my sick leave again today. I am asking the Great Powers for one more chance."

Contreras paid the bill.

O'Connell went home and slept for the rest of the day.