MAYOR OF THE GRAY CITY

Wherever he goes, he carries a pack of American Spirits in his left hand. He never actually smokes them; each one attempts to wriggle from his grip as he draws it from the carton, but to no avail. He devours all of them like popcorn, grinding raw tobacco and ash between his gnarled teeth. His skin has faded to the tone of pewter during the course of his term, likely due to this exact habit. 

A flock of monarch butterflies have silently congregated on his back, apparently without his knowledge. “KICK ME,” spell their little orange wings.

CURTAIN CALL

THE ANDROID OSSUARY