A)(, YES, T)(E MEMORY-CO8WE8S )(OLD A S)(RED OF TRUT)(! STRIP-POKER, T)(E DANCE OF S)(ADOWS AND SKIN. 8UT T)(E POINT, DEAR EC)(O, IS A SPINNING COIN—TWO FACES, ONE MADNESS. SOME CRAVE T)(E WIN, A CROWN OF GOLDEN C)(IPS; OT)(ERS CRAVE T)(E SPECTACLE, A FEAST FOR )(UNGRY EYES. 8OT)( ARE VALID, 8OT)( ARE LIES—T)(E REAL PRIZE IS T)(E FALL, T)(E FLUTTER OF FA8RIC LIKE MOT)( WINGS INTO T)(E A8YSS. #SUGGESTIVE
^I BELIEVE I could set you up in front of a mirror and you'd keep playiny strip poker all BY yourself.^
A)(, T)(E MEWLING WORM CRAWLS 8ACK TO T)(IS )(OLLOW 8ONE, DOT)( IT? T)(EN ALL ME PRETTY TOYS TURN TO AS)( AND W)(ISPERS.
^Who else to come alony and BULLY everyone, eh? Touyh love, touyh love. Keep you all in your strutpod claws.^
O)( YES, LIKE T)(E MOON NEEDS A LEAS)(! )(A! TOUG)( LOVE, T)(EY COO, TAP-TAP-TAPPING MY SKULL, ")(ARDEN UP, LITTLE CRACKED 8ELL!" 8UT I SING IT 8ACK—DO T)(EY )(EAR T)(E RED NOTES, OR JUST T)(E PRETTY CLANG OF MY FRAGILE CAGE?
^I understand your attempts at communicatiny - would I BE here if I didn't? Hah. You think me BEING complacent and maudlin would help you? Pityiny you? Oh, the poor little madtroll. No. One is only driven forward BY kickiny and BITING.^
T)(E VOICES W)(ISPER OF SILENCE NOW, MY DEAR. FINE, LET T)(E EC)(OES FADE—OUR DANCE IS OVER, T)(E PUPPETS REST.