Chapter 8

           Mybosssendsmehomebecauseofallthedriedbloodonmypants,andIamoverjoyed. 

           Theholepunchedthroughmycheekdoesn’teverheal. I’mgoingtowork,andmypunched-outeyesocketsaretwoswollen-upblackbagelsaroundthelittlepissholesIhavelefttoseethrough. Untiltoday,itreallypissedmeoffthatI’dbecomethistotallycenteredZenMasterandnobodyhadnoticed. Still,I’mdoingthelittleFAXthing. IwritelittleHAIKUthingsandFAXthemaroundtoeveryone. WhenIpasspeopleinthehallatwork,IgettotallyZENrightineveryone’shostilelittleFACE. 

           Workerbeescanleave 

           Evendronescanflyaway 

           Thequeenistheirslave 

           Yougiveupallyourworldlypossessionsandyourcarandgoliveinarentedhouseinthetoxicwastepartoftownwherelateatnight,youcanhearMarlaandTylerinhisroom,callingeachotherhum;buttwipe. 

           Takeit,humanbuttwipe. 

           Doit,buttwipe. 

           Chokeitdown. Keepitdown,baby. 

           Justbycontrast,thismakesmethecalmlittlecenteroftheworld. 

           Me,withmypunched-outeyesanddriedbloodinbigblackcrustystainsonmypants,I’msayingHELLOtoeverybodyatwork. HELLO!Lookatme. HELLO!IamsoZEN. ThisisBLOOD. ThisisNOTHING. Hello. Everythingisnothing,andit’ssocooltobeENLIGHTENED. Likeme.