– Yeah, dont got to tell me. Small business owners of the world unite.

He hooked a thumb at me where Id sprawled back on the couch with my magazine.

– Wish you could teach some economics to the freeloader over there.

I didnt look away from the magazine.

– Indentured servant is more like it.

He ignored me, answering the phone and flipping open the appointment book on the counter at the front of the shop.

– Yeah, what did you want?

He rolled his eyes.

– A dolphin? In the small of your back?

He stuck a finger in his open mouth.

– Yeah, no problem. How about tomorrow afternoon?

Po Sin came over and peeked at my magazine.

– That guy got toes for eyes? -Yeah. Cool, huh?

– He a monster?

– Nah, just a guy gets all fucked up by a psycho.

– What you see in that shit, man?

– I dont know.

– Doesnt bother you, all that gore?

– Why should it?

He looked at Chev.

– Why should it? He always been like that?

Chev put his hand over the phone.

– Actually, no. The taste for horror is kind of a new thing.

I looked up from the magazine.

– Hey is there a problem here Im unaware of? Am I not allowed to develop new interests and tastes? So I never really got into horror before, so its a new thing, is that supposed to mean something? I mean, fuck, its just fun is all.

Po Sin grunted.

– People getting hacked up and tortured and mutilated is fun. Shits disgusting.

I put the magazine in front of my face.

– Says the man with a van full of bloody rags and dirty needles and shit-stained sheets and used condoms and wads of tampons.

He pulled the magazine from my hands and flipped through it, looking at the pictures.

– Some nasty stuff in here.