tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58145207854253560442024-02-07T09:21:12.606-05:00The Itinerant Lib'rulA Blog for anything I think is worth saying... be it stories, poetry or political rants. Grab a drink, settle back and prepare to be amused, insulted, infuriated, entertained or all of the above.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger378125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5814520785425356044.post-11944569116150939432017-06-01T23:04:00.000-04:002017-06-01T23:04:21.173-04:00Trump’s “Climate Change” Decision; This is Leadership?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Well
no, it’s not. This, folks, is abandonment of leadership at its most egregious. In the face of
overwhelming scientific evidence that the climate of this planet is heating up,
and that it’s the fault of humans that this is so, our astoundingly ignorant
Chief Executive has declared that it just ain’t so, and if it is happening we
can’t afford to fix it, so it ain’t so. In response to a shit-storm of
ignorance, the most ignorant man ever to be elected President of the USA made
the most ignorant decision since Eve decided that apples were food (yeah, I
know, there’s nothing in the story that says it was an apple tree, but it’s in
the mythology now).He declared that Global Warming (aka, Climate Change)
doesn’t exist, and announced that the USA would pull out of the Paris
Agreement... an agreement among all but two countries (now three) to
dramatically reduce the production of greenhouse gasses.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">There
is absolutely <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">no</i> scientific support
for this decision. Our Cheeto-In-Chief accepted the advice of lobbyists,
ideologues in his own party and his wealthy peers over the reasoned science of
climatologists and other climate scientists, plus the support of biologists,
particularly Wildlife Biologists. He has listened to his wealthy peers and
those far beyond him in wealth for whom this is only a short term economic
decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are precisely zero
climate scientists <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>who disagree witn the
basic tenets of global warming science. . .none, nada, zip, zilch. And the
argument that they’ve closed ranks to maintain their lucrative positions is
laughably inane. Scientists study the science that interests them, and get paid
pathetically poorly for the knowledge they produce. Very few become wealthy,
and most that do have started a business. These guys study the climate, and
they’re damned good at it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Scientists
of other disciplines support, by a greater than nine to one margin, the idea of
androgenic (human caused) climate change. Why? Because we know how science is
done when it’s done properly. And we can read the studies and see that it has
been done properly in this case. I don’t understand the jargon of climate
science, but I don’t have to. The business of trying to prove oneself wrong is
evident in their work, whereas, in the work of the opposition “scientists” work
is done to prove oneself correct, and that is evident to any other scientist.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">So
don’t tell me I’m no more qualified than you are to evaluate the science that
has produced the hypothesis of androgenic climate change. I am more qualified
if I’m a scientist and you’re not. I am if I’m a scientist and you aren’t. In
fact, when it comes to the facts, you count for nothing, because your arguments
are based on ignorance of science in general and this science in particular. We
don’t vote on facts. And I’m NOT going to debate this. That you will try to do
so simply emphasizes my point.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5814520785425356044.post-70624716073367139922017-04-07T19:20:00.001-04:002017-04-07T19:31:59.072-04:00Journey’s Long End<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ever since I’d first seen
one at maybe the age of nine or ten, driven by a soldier home from the Big
War, I’d wanted an MG T-Type roadster. And here I was in my own soldier’s
uniform, standing by my very own MG, the Old Man’s welcome home gift to me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Bought you a car,
son,” he’d said as soon as my brother and his wife and son were out of the
house. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I looked at the door
and raised an eyebrow. My brother and I had just mustered out of the Army and
driven from San Antonio, Texas, to a farm a little bit north and east of Akron,
Ohio. One car, the three of them, me, his wife’s cousin and all our worldly
possessions had come 1,500 miles in his ’59 Galaxie, trying to make it in one
long slog. Didn’t quite. We broke for about four hours’ sleep eight
hours from home. Now I was being given a car.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Bought him a wedding.”
It was short, dismissive and definitely brooked no further discussion. The Old
Man had not been happy at my brother’s choice of wife or time of marriage. I
hoped he would change. He never did. “Don’t you want to know what it is?” As if
no other words had been spoken.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh, Hell yes!” There
was nothing to be done about his relationship with my kid brother. . .never had
been. “Where is it?” I headed for the door.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“In New Jersey.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I nearly fell over a
flower in the linoleum as I screeched to a halt. “New Jersey.” It wasn’t a
question. “My new car is in <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">N</span>ew Jersey.” I looked at him. “And I should...?” I
had just driven and ridden fifteen hundred miles in less than two days and now
I was going to have to...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You should get your
ass on a Greyhound for East Rutherford, New Jersey, and go collect your car
from your Aunt Jean. Her son Danny got it taken away from him for screwing
around in school and almost flunking out. She sold it to me for you, on
condition that you come see her to get it.” He stopped talking. He wasn’t about
to tell me what it was unless I asked. OK, I’d ask.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Um-m-m... Not that
I’ll turn down a free car, but what is it?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The word “jalopy” was floating around in my head. The ’39 Dodge pick-up
he’d brought home in 1956 (“Look what I got for thirty-nine dollars, Pat,” he’d
crowed to my mother. She had not shared his enthusiasm, although she gave her
grudging approval when he told her it was for me to drive around the fields and
learn driving skills on.) rose like a ghost before my eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Old Man laughed.
“Nuthin’ you’re thinkin’ of, Son,” he said. “I got you an honest to the bear
sports car.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Right then and there I
almost blew the whole thing up. . .his pride, his joy in what he’d done and his
certainty he knew what I wanted above all things. “You bought me a Mustang?” I
blurted. It was mid-August, 1965. Mustangs had appeared on the streets in the
middle of the 1964-1965 “winter” in San Antonio, and I had fallen in love.
Mustang was the only sports car I could think of.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No.” The Old Man was
crestfallen. “I knew you’d always wanted one, so I got you an MG.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“An MG?” I goggled at
him. “You bought me an MG. An honest to Pete MG?” I took two steps and grabbed
him in a bear-hug. I lifted him off the floor. “You’re not shittin’ me, are
you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Charles!” My mother
spoke for the first time in the entire conversation. “I still have a bar of
Ivory soap.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes’m,” I said. “I’m
very sorry.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“All right. But you
know your father would never shit you about something like that.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And the tension was
broken. The Old Man put his arm over my shoulder and led me outside into the
muggy August twilight. He took out a pack of Camels and offered me one. We
smoked in companionable silence for a minute or two. A Redwing Blackbird’s
raucous call echoed up the hill from the cattail marsh at the foot of it. I
took another drag and asked, “An MG? For real? How’m I gonna learn to drive
that?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">”Your Aunt Jean will
teach you. She’s the best driver I know. She’ll scare you half to death, but
she’ll have you ready to drive it back in a few days.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Late one evening about
a week later, I pulled the little black MG into the Old Man’s driveway. I was
home. From a small farm in Ohio I had been to Hiram College (I returned to
graduate), Fort Knox in Kentucky, Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, Camp
Page in Chun Chon, Republic of Korea and back to Fort Sam Houston, barely
avoiding the morass that Viet Nam was already becoming. From there, home to the
farm and immediately to East Rutherford, New Jersey. From there I had driven my
new sports car back to the little farm in Ohio. My journey was over. The trip
through the mountains of Pennsylvania to get back to Ohio was a journey in its
own right. But that’s another story. This larger journey was over. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The MG wasn’t a T-type,
and I’d only assumed that because I wanted a T-type. Gone were the angular body
and the flared fenders that marked the T-C, thru the T-F. She was an A-type, slick
and rounded, built to slide through the air, an MGA. She wasn’t a true roadster
either. The hardtop was permanent. There would be no open top driving, for
there was no soft top. My Aunt Jean had sold my father a 1957 MGA, a solid-body
coupe with a 1500 cc four-cylinder engine, twin two-barrel carburetors, a
hydraulic clutch and a top speed of less than a hundred miles an hour. Her son
had scorched and seared the cylinders, and knurled the pistons to take up
space. I would have the engine rebuilt and run it with oversized pistons as a
1600+ cc engine. It may have been the only bored and stroked MGA on the planet.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(C) R C Larlham. All Rights Reserved</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A
longer version of this story was published in </span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The
Old Man and Me, Book 1;” Black Rose Publishing</span></i></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5814520785425356044.post-3911702596191941382017-03-20T21:10:00.000-04:002017-03-20T21:21:48.821-04:00She Found Herself Tripping Over Miracles <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She
found herself tripping over miracles. . .again! The damned things were
everywhere. Yorissi swore, <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">vividly<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> and with conviction. </span></span>This was the worst thing about being the lover of a god and living
with him. He never put <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">anything</i> away!
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Beneath
me,” he’d say, "I don't "put away." But he and his friends could
stay up all night drinking the booze they conjured up, and top each other’s
miracles until dawn—and leave them all where they fell. Not one of them would
stoop to picking up or putting away one… single… miracle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She
stumbled over a small cask of cognac. VSOP, she had no doubt. He never did
anything by halves, this one. Why couldn’t he just do the hand-wave thing and
“make” them away?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Olandas,”
she called, “come clean up this mess. I’ve had i… OW!” she screamed as she stepped
down squarely on some small bit of broken miracle. “NOW!” she squawked,
grabbing her abused foot and hopping about the room, re-scattering the already
scattered miracles.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“What
now?” he groused, appearing in the doorway, fingertips to temples. “I have the
daemons’ own rock-hammer in my head. Can’t you be a little quieter?” He looked
up and grinned through his hangover. “Very nice,” he purred, watching her hop
about the room, breasts, young, high and firm, bouncing nicely as her buttocks
quivered every time her foot struck the floor.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Yorissi
looked up at him, and followed his gaze. “O-o-o-o…” she ground out, dropping
her foot and standing upright. She glared at him. Waving her arm in a
half-circle she spat, “Look at this mess! You gods! Up all night drinking!
Popping miracles out of the air and leaving them all over the floor!” She took
a breath. “I don’t care if it is “beneath your station;” I don't care if you
don’t “put away," she took a breath, “you… will… clean… up… this… mess!”
She glared some more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Olandas
leaned languidly against the door, headache dispelled (after all, if a god
couldn’t dispel his own hangover, what good was he?), and watched Yorissi’s
tantrum. He was proud of her. Totally sentient, she was his best creation yet.
He had given her eternal life, of course, and eternal youth for obvious
reasons. He was just beginning to learn the depths of personality she was
developing on her own. “Or?” he prompted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Or,”
she stood very straight, “you can forget ever seeing this again!” A languid and
graceful swoop of her hand, palm upward, fingertips toward her lovely body, from
mid-face to mid-thigh, accompanied her threat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Olandas
affected a pout. “Really?” he asked. “Are you sure there aren’t “other”
miracles you’d still like to see?” The pout morphed into a leer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Not
today!” she snapped. “Not until this mess is cleaned up.” She bent down to
retrieve a brightly colored miracle. “Look… a perfectly good miracle of sight,
and you just leave it lying around!” she said with exasperation, tossing him
the miracle. “And look at this!” She held up an intricately constructed metal
and wood… something. “I’ll bet this is just wonderful! I’ll bet somebody is
praying to you for one of these right now.” She looked at it, head cocked.
“Er-r-r… what is it, anyway?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He
smiled, reaching out and carefully taking it from her. “Technically?
Technically, it’s a Klein bottle, a three-dimensional mobius strip.” Seeing her
still puzzled look he tried a different tack. “Inspiration,” he said. “There’s
this engineer…” His voice trailed softly off. He looked at her again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Not
now!” she snapped. She turned and headed for the door to her bath. “Clean up
this room,” she tossed over her shoulder, “and we’ll see. But I wouldn’t make
any definite plans,” she muttered, closing the door to the bath behind her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Olandas
chuckled. “I heard that, my lovely,” he smirked, “but I believe I’ll make some
anyway.” He waved his hand. One by one, miracles blinked out of sight. “Oh,
yes… I believe I will.” He pulled slightly open the door to her bath.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Yorissi
looked up as he entered the bath. “Finished?” she asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Olandas
stepped forward. “Just beginning,” he said, bending to brush the top of a
perfect breast with his breath, “just beginning.” He took a nipple between his
lips.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“About
that other miracle,” she breathed, sliding her hand around his neck and into
his hair. “Would you still like to show me?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Bending
slightly, he slipped a forearm behind her knees and lifted her. “Well,” he
said, pushing the far door open with his shoulder, “I might at that.” Perfect teeth
touched lightly…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
door closed behind them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">© 2017 - All Rights
Reserved R C Larlham</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5814520785425356044.post-32660832303519746922017-02-11T20:56:00.000-05:002017-02-11T20:56:34.972-05:00A Man on the Moon<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom stumbled backward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">He stepped on something that rolled under his foot. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He staggered abruptly two steps right, banging
his shoulder into the laser-cut wall of the subsurface cavern, dropping his cane
on impact. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least he didn’t drop the
beer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cane, Malacca with pure silver
inlays in the ivory grip, reminded him of his wife. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His ex-wife, but that was long ago.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Goddam lunar gravity,” he muttered, kneeling to pick it up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom lifted the cane, careful, in case someone was watching, not
to show the heavier weight of the lower half. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Settling it in his hand, he shoved himself
upright.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Shouldn’t go around flashin’ cash at every bar in Luna City,”
somebody said in a growling androgynous contralto. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom looked up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were two of them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One was a tall, skinny redhead wearing a
combat uniform, hair to the shoulders and a smirk. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gender of this apparition was in question. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Yeah, let us carry that f’r ya.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was the sidekick, a shorter punk who
played with a knife as they walked toward Folsom, smiling with every step. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That kinda thing will get ya robbed.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Thank you, no.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom
adjusted his grip on the cane. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Or is
that your plan? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I’m right, do I get a
prize?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He noticed that the redhead was
flanking him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He glanced around.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“An alley? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re trying to herd me into an alley?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stupid to back an old soldier into a tight
space where they had to come head-on. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well,
if that was what they wanted… Folsom backed into the alley. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His assailants picked up the pace. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A collapsible security baton appeared in the
redhead’s hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom turned his head from side to side, evaluating the
situation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t really drunk, just
mildly buzzed, though it had been days of mildly buzzed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Couldn’t feel the ground with his feet and one
arm half-useless, of course, but he had experience on his side, and the cane. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked at the two youngsters, mebbe old
enough to drink, but not by much, approaching him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Best get home,” he told them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This can only end badly for you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">He hefted the Malacca. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
heavy slug of high density plastic in its lower half required care not to
over-swing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He listened in case one of
the doors backing into the alley might lead to escape, but they were all closed
tight, locked as things always were in this part of Luna City. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Choosing a place heavily covered with trash, Folsom shuffled
through it and stopped at the wall at the end of the alley. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put down the bag of beer, and faced the two.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Best leave now,” he said, “or
somebody’s gonna die.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The redhead smirked, “Yeah, we know.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom shrugged and settled into a fighting stance.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The shorter man stepped forward, flipping the knife backward and
forward and tossing it from left hand to right. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stupid. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom watched, timing him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The punk stumbled on something buried in the trash but didn’t go
down. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cat-quick, Folsom took two steps
forward and flicked the knife aside. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
weighted Malacca broke the smaller man’s wrist with a sharp crack, followed by
a shriek. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom shuffled a step closer
and jammed the end of the cane into the knife fighter’s chest, hard, breaking
his sternum and cutting off the shriek. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom
moved forward as the knife-fighter collapsed, and hit him under the nose with
an upward swing of the cane as he passed him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom felt a nano-second’s resistance and the
knife-fighter’s nose collapsed into his face. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A warm gush of blood erupted from his nose and
eyes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The knife fighter fell to the
ground, dead.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Go home or die, Red,” he said to the redhead.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Red’s eyes were wide. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You
killed my boy Tommy.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He narrowed his
stare, and flicked his baton open, advancing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why’d you hafta do that?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Didn’t have much choice. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>C’mon
Red, you can still leave.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Red stepped forward and swung. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom stepped inside it, slipped his crippled
left arm under Red’s right arm and gripped Red at the intersection of his left
shoulder and neck. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took a short
outside-in swing with the cane. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
crunch of breaking bone at Red’s knee and his screamed curse were nearly
simultaneous. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he dropped swearing to
the ground, Red pulled a dart pistol from his pocket. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before he could bring it to bear, the Malacca
crushed his left temple with a hollow “thock”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom retrieved his bag of beer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He checked his adversaries. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Definitely dead,” he announced. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave a thought to checking the gender of
the redhead, but decided it was long past mattering.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The City decided it was night and dimmed the lights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom sat down with his back against a
building and contemplated heading back to the center. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His earlier buzz was gone. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked around. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tunnel, the debris, the bodies… was this
where it happened? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His heart beat
faster. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shook his head. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, that was another place, another crater.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">He took out a beer and tried to open it with shaky hands. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His exertions overcame him, and he passed out.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">- - -</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">U.S. Army
Sergeant First Class Giles I. Folsom looked back at his team; twenty-two
highly-trained, heavily-armed soldiers, stumbling around in unfamiliar lunar
gravity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t even know half their
names. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Goddam circus,” he muttered. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t impart his month of low-g combat
training in the three days he’d had with these grunts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They followed him into the excavation off the
completed end of the lunar tunnel, bouncing off the walls noisily. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A parade would’ve been less noticeable.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">They were
part of the U.S. contingent brought to the moon to put down the rebellion. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “putting down the rebellion” part was not
going well.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">They pursued
a dozen hired corporate rebels into a partially-carved tunnel. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rock and gravel littered the floor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Muffled curses filled the air as the men
tripped and slipped. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom’s assault
was falling apart. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He raised his hand in
a fist, signaling the company to stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At that moment, the rubble ahead exploded, sending huge chunks of rock
into the company. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A nine-inch blade of
basalt slammed edge first into Folsom’s chest, splitting the Kevlar. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he fell, he watched a blast-propelled rock
massing twenty kilos slam into his arm, crushing it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He saw bodies and blood. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the men grabbed him, shouted at him,
but he sounded so far away. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tunnel
went black.</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">- - -</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom screamed, then felt his chest and his arm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No rocks, just scars and pain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He always woke up in pain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rolled over and reached for the bag with
his pills and the beer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No medicine bag.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No beer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where was he?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A room, was he back on Earth? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rolled over on the single bed, threw back
his old scratchy woolen blanket—it wasn’t scratchy and didn’t feel like
wool—and sat up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grabbed the bed
frame to stop himself flying off the bed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Definitely not Earth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The barracks? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He opened his eyes for the first time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he did, his brain began yammering for
attention.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Um-m-m...” he said to the woman in the armchair facing his bed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had dark skin and short hair, halfway to
gray. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was in civilian clothes, but
from her posture he guessed she was military. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He maintained his grip on the bed frame with
his functional right hand.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“You’re naked, Sergeant Folsom,” the woman informed him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Ung...” he told her, slinging his nearly-useless left arm and
hook of a hand back and snagging his blanket, pulling it forward and throwing
the end over his lap, again nearly flinging himself off the bed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said something he would not normally say in
the presence of a woman. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Where in hell am I?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“VA hospital, Shackleton Crater, Luna. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were sent here last week as part of an
experimental pain management program. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
lower gravity is supposed to help. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember now?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Oh yeah, I remember. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boy
do I remember. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t imagine how I
forgot.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Beer sometimes has that effect.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her voice dripped with disapproval.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Where’s, what’s-his-name?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rodriguez?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The caseworker.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Dave Rodrigo transferred your case to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get the pleasure of working on the more…
difficult cases for the VA.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">He scowled at her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Effin’
useless, you VA people. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Won’t allow me enough pain medication to
actually control the pain I’ve been suffering for years. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I won’t shut up about it, you ship me
back to Luna, tell me there’d be less pain with fewer pills.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom paused, looking around the room. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, it doesn’t seem to be workin’ so far.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“How would you know? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
haven’t cooperated with the program! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
haven’t let us chart your pain since you got here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Twelve’ is not a useful answer to a
one-to-ten scale question. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scans of your
parietal lobe don’t show as much pain as you claim.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">He spotted his pants and shirt. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wanna hand me my clothes?” he asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">She tossed them to him, his clothes arcing through the air. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’ve been here almost two weeks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three days ago you took a maximum allowable
withdrawal from your bank account and left against medical advice. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve been basically drunk since two hours
after you withdrew it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last night we
found you in an alley with two dead men nearby. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you explain?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Both of ‘em men, eh? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You a
cop?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Nurse. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sandra Williams,
RN. Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army Medical Corps, Retired. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now a VA chronic pain specialist. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the moment, however, something else is a
bit more pressing… keeping you out of jail. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, what happened last night?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Nurse Williams seemed to be used to obedience. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom suspected the attitude had little to do
with her military rank; she was just that kind of nurse.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“My guess? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A mugging turned
killing gone bad… for them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t
really fight, and I look like it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
sorta one-handed.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned over his
left arm, showing a mass of scar tissue from elbow to wrist. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My left hand doesn’t work,” he tried to make
a fist but his hand only made a hook, “and there’s no wrist rotation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t outrun ’em either. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turn away please.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">When she did, he pulled on his boxers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You can turn back. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve seen my torso,” he indicated wide,
primitive-looking scars from mid-sternum to the underwear’s elastic band and
showed her the similar scar crossing it below his navel. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My feet are arguably worse.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He showed her the soles where some bones had
been removed and ulcerations were beginning again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took a breath. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can’t run far on those.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked her in the eyes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“As for last night, there wasn’t any choice at
all. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somebody was gonna die in that
alley. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turned out it was them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always has been so far.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried to get up from the bed, but winced in
pain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need my pain meds.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">She handed him a two-ounce paper cup with three pills in it,
different from his usual meds, and a bottle of water. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No beer to wash these down. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need a good evaluation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In case you missed it, those are—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“I didn’t miss it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll
see how they work.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He swallowed the
pills dry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">He looked at Nurse Williams and said, “Breakfast.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">She bridled. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not here
as a—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“I’m inviting you to breakfast, not askin’ you t’ make it.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pointed vaguely outside the room. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re at the hospital, right? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a nice little restaurant two doors
down. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a Navy fella from Oregon
runs it, great buffet.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">She stared at him for a moment. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Breakfast,
then we discuss your stay here on Luna.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom nodded. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Uh-huh. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need a minute, OK? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bathroom?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">She pointed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In the bathroom he found a kit with a razor, toothbrush and comb. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He washed, shaved, brushed his few remaining
teeth and soaked his hair with very hot water to cut the oil. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He dried off and combed his hair.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">He stepped out of the bathroom. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ready?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">She nodded and stood.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Then let’s be about it, Nurse Williams.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Once outside, he turned left and they walked to a restaurant
within a short distance. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Behind the
restaurant was a fenced-in farm with chickens, some roosting in stubby trees
and some pecking at the ground. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
went in.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Inside, he motioned to the large tables laden with food and backed
by cooks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“All buffet except eggs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those they cook to order.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He filled his plate with fruit, sausage,
bacon, and home fries, then added two slices of rye toast with butter and
ordered two eggs over easy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">At the table, Nurse Williams looked at his plate. “We’re going to
have to talk, Sergeant. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll have a
coronary.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“I’m already fifty-nine, might as well enjoy my breakfast.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom grinned. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Y’know, you sound like my ex-wife, always
nagging me about eating better.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Any children?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Yep, a couple of grown kids who hardly know me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about you? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Married? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any kids?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At her blank stare, he chuckled. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s a question, not a proposal.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“I have children, three, all grown and a husband lost in the Rebellion.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am here by request because your
chronic pain seems more intractable than most cases.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“I’m sorry about your husband. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lot of good men died up here.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">She shifted subjects. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You
should know, I don’t make friends with my patients. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not personal. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I seem to be too hard on you, I am only
pushing you to get better.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom laughed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll try
to remember that…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A shadow covered the table. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a thud, their table was kicked
ceiling-high and away from them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Table
and breakfasts drifted down, distributing themselves like fall leaves
throughout the room, much to the vocal dismay of other patrons.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“You killed my brother!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
massive, angry, ginger-haired man loomed over Folsom.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Could be.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom was
smiling. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t a welcoming smile. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew his smile made his particular version
of a sick old man look absolutely dangerous. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They tell you he was trying to kill me?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Like hell! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You killed him!
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You killed my brother!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Outside. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re not gonna
bust up Mr. Chang’s restaurant.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom
stood and started for the door. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
large man took three strides, caught up with Folsom and grabbed his shoulder.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Snap quick, Folsom stepped back, turned under the arm holding him
and hugged the big man, jamming his face into the man’s throat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The redhead let go and took a half-step back,
making terrible sounds as he tried to breathe through his partially crushed larynx.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blood poured down his chest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom spat and raised the Malacca. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stepped forward and crushed the big man’s
nose. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a break in the
astonishingly fast violence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom
leaned in and said something.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The man gave an inchoate roar and reached for him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom stepped into him and hit him several
times very fast and hard. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A crunching
snap and the big man’s left arm had a new elbow when Folsom stepped back,
breathing hard. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Will you stop now?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The man staggered forward again and reached for Giles, but
abruptly collapsed, shocky from pain and blood loss.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom raised the Malacca for the killing blow. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Swaying, sweating, ears buzzing, he missed
Nurse Williams’ approach.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">She grabbed his arm and stepped in front of him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sergeant Folsom, stop! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop right now!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom looked at her in confusion. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His knees buckled. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He found himself on the floor, propped against
a support column.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Nurse Williams turned to his adversary. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man began to stir, even tried to rise
using his good arm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She held him in
place using a single pressure point.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The entire fight had not taken ninety seconds.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Everyone in the restaurant resumed breathing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stillness after the incredible violence of
the fight was oppressive.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Nurse Williams waved to a server. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pointing to Folsom, she said, “Get me some
juice for him, now! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s hypoglycemic.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The server hopped.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom was awake, but detached. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He watched Nurse Williams maintain a firm hold
on the redhead. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man was sobbing now.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The server came back, along with Mr. Chang. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom fumbled with the juice as he drank.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Nurse Williams looked to Chang, and asked, “Which security company
protects you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Luna City Business, through the restaurant co-op. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve contacted LCB and they’re on their way
with medics.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked at Folsom. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is the sergeant okay?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">She nodded. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’ll be
fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I need you to call LunaCorp. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>U.S. Government is paying, this is an assault
on a U.S. citizen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sergeant Folsom here
is a VA patient, and this man and his brother both attacked him.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Chang pointed to the redhead. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This guy? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>O’Connor?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked puzzled. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He hasn’t had a brother since the Rebellion. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They came up together as part of the U.S.
advance on the rebels. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His brother got
killed, he blamed the guy who led the assault. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But O’Connor’s brother died here, in
Shackelford. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sergeant Folsom here, said
he served up at Tycho.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chang shook his
head, then changed subjects. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who’s
gonna pay for all this? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My tables, my—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“The VA will reimburse you for all verifiable expenses. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will not be out of pocket, I promise.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Chang frowned, then reluctantly nodded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Black-uniformed LCB guards showed up a few minutes later and
secured the redhead to a gurney. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom
watched as Nurse Williams spoke to the security captain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t look happy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the blue-uniformed LunaCorp detail
arrived, he reluctantly accepted a chit for the call-out fee from her and
turned the man over. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LunaCorp’s captain
spoke with her a moment, nodded, swapped LCB an identical gurney and hauled off
the redhead.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Nurse Williams helped Folsom to a table and brought him a new
breakfast from the buffet… no eggs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
his grimace she said, “You just had a hypoglycemic attack. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You need a balance of carbohydrates and protein,
not fats and cholesterol.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom did not respond; he simply ate.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“What exactly,” Nurse Williams asked, “was all that?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom realized Nurse Williams was angry. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Furious might not be too strong a word.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“And why were you going to kill that man? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because you ‘can’t fight?’ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked like a fight to me.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sat across from him, livid but saying
nothing further.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“That was me staying alive. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t fight more than a few seconds at a
time without a break or a snack. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You saw
my chart. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t just lose the use of
my arm in the rebellion, lost most of my pancreas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to kill or die, ‘cause my blood sugar
drops. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really tried to save him,
something I never do, it’s too dangerous. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I have a brother, so I know what it’s
like. I’d want to kill anyone who killed him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end Red left me no more choice than his
brother did. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without the breathers, I’d
have killed him early in the fight.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Nurse Williams’ body language was skepticism and outrage
personified. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s why those men died
in the alley?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom blew an exasperated sigh. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Look… a big part of me staying alive is,
nobody gets a second punch.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">She looked at him for a long time, then spoke. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sergeant, you need a positive outcome here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting drunk all the time, killing anyone who
gets in your way? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to help you, but I’m not going to let
you play me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom looked at her for a few seconds. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He nodded. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes Ma’am.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">They finished eating, and Nurse Williams escorted him to his room.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Stay here, you’ve had enough excitement
for one day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll see that your meds for
today take into account your… your altercation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll see you in the morning.”</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">- - -</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">He could
feel the shard of basalt enter his chest. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gulped for air to scream, but he couldn’t
breathe…</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom woke up with a start, sweating. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was in more pain than usual. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Goddam nurse,” he muttered. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took his morning pills—less than made any
kind of sense—and showered and dressed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">She picked him up outside the VA in a personal cart a little
bigger than a golf cart. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re going to
a Luna Veterans’ Club meeting,” she announced.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“But—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“You need to let me lead for a while, Sergeant.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She smiled. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I promise you, no explosions.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“I don’t know…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">She spoke as she drove. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They’re good guys. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do charity work for the poor.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She turned to him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m doing this for you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t screw this up, Sergeant Folsom.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Okay.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom sounded
unwilling, even to himself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Listen, I found out some things yesterday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man you fought, his name is O’Connor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s not the brother of the redhead from the
alley. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His brother died here, in
Shackleford.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Must’ve heard about your
story, too similar, thought you were responsible. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s got the wrong guy.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Yeah, maybe.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom
ruminated a moment, thinking about the men who died on his watch. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There’s a lot of responsibility to go
around.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Without responding, she pulled into a parking lot. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A sign over the door of a smallish building
carved into the rock read, “Lunar RebVets – Post 15.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“I’m U.S. Forces,” he objected.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“They know. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One U.S.
veteran who emigrated here came to them a while back and was granted
membership. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He died about a year ago. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give them a chance.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom shuffled in the door behind Nurse Williams. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside, some men were sorting boxes of food
and clothing, while another group sat at a table, talking. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One man, maybe fifty with dark thinning hair,
peeled off and introduced himself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m
Tommy.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked to Nurse Williams. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This him?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">She nodded. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sergeant Giles
Folsom.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Tommy looked him up and down. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the other men were looking at him now,
some giving him the thousand-yard stare. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tommy nodded to him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Where’d you serve, Sergeant?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Couple of places. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tycho
crater’s where this happened.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked
down at his arm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Chasin’ some… some of
you rebels. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a trap.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A man from the group at the table stood up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I was at Tycho. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We set lots of charges, might’ve been my unit
set the one that got you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom looked at him with a hard stare. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was younger, maybe early forties, with
blond hair and a scar on his neck. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally,
Folsom spoke. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Maybe you did. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>War is war.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom looked around the room. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And soldiers are soldiers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it’s over, I reckon it oughta be over.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The younger man looked back at him a few seconds more. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom saw his jaw clench, then his face relaxed.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned and spoke to a younger man
behind him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The man needs a chair.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave a nod to his fellow soldiers, then
moved the chair into place at the table. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Have a seat, Sergeant.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom looked back at Nurse Williams. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked to the chair, then back to him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t smile, but he could see it on her
face anyway.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">He shuffled forward and sat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom and a couple of the more welcoming veterans began swapping
stories. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had the table laughing at
the idea of two dozen crack assault troops trying to navigate a rock-strewn
passage on Luna at a “run” with virtually no training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Folsom lifted his shirt.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Same tunnel,” he said. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But
I’m still here.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Do you still think about the explosion?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom turned. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tommy had
pulled up a chair, was sitting just behind him to the side. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah… yeah, I guess I do. I dream about it,
sometimes…” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned to face Tommy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why you askin’?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Tommy said, “I didn’t introduce myself fully earlier, Sergeant
Folsom. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was Corporal Tommy Sanders,
Gamma Company, Luna. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I’m Dr.
Sanders. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I work for Luna Military
Corporation as a psychiatrist, and I contract out with the VA.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom looked over to Nurse Williams. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This a setup? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not crazy!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folsom started to get up.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Nurse Williams stepped over and put her hand on his arm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m an old soldier too, Sergeant. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent thirty years as an Army nurse, six
tours of combat duty. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not crazy
either, but I watched soldiers die in awful ways. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My drink was white wine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dr. Sanders specializes in listening to us.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Us?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Yes, us! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PTSD victims. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re a dying breed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they made memfuzz treatments mandatory
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stress disorder is going to be a disease of the past. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most violent crime victims elect it, too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But us, we’re still here, long past any chance
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need help. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need my meds. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a beer.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Nurse Williams gave him a hard stare. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re going to attend Dr. Sanders’ PTSD
group sessions here, with me and these men from Luna, or you’re going to jail
here in Shackelford. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No beer, and not
much in the way of meds. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, are you
going to cooperate?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Folsom scowled. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fine.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">She nodded, satisfied. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Now,
tell me, why do you maintain a beer buzz, Sergeant?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“I told you yesterday, it’s—”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“No. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell me the real
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friends. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat with you all night after
the alley fight. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched you toss and
turn and yell in your sleep all night long. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now,” Nurse Williams bit off the words,
“truth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me, and to your fellow vets
here, all of whom have seen things like you have. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do you drink?”</span></div>
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audience. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked around at the men. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many had scars, a couple were missing limbs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all had a look in their eyes, one he had
seen before. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the mirror. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay… truth.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Giles Folsom sighed, and his eyes felt watery.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t know what he was about to say,
but he spoke anyway. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The beer, the
meds… they drown the ghosts, blur the dreams.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt like he had failed, like he was weak.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Nurse Williams gave a hint of a smile. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Welcome to the group, Sergeant Folsom.”</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5814520785425356044.post-39783828816788544982016-12-28T18:49:00.000-05:002016-12-28T18:58:04.875-05:00America’s Looming Trump Disaster<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Donald Trump, President-elect of the
United States of America is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i>, by
any stretch of the imagination, backing off his campaign rhetoric or what he
promised to do to Progressive programs and regulations. We should prepare for
environmental damage on an scale unheard of since the EPA was chartered under
President Nixon. We should prepare for the normalization of overt racism and
sexism among our co-workers and neighbors. A description of the men and women
he has chosen to be his Cabinet and Kitchen Cabinet members leaves no doubt and
demonstrates the thesis, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to wit</i>:</span></b></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol";"><b>A</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Secretary of Education who believes public education funding should be diverted
to various private education approaches, including religion-based charter
schools and academies. She is widely considered to be an enemy of public
education.</span></b></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">An Attorney General who has been denounced for racial comments by attorneys who
practiced before him when he was a federal judge, staff from his days as a
federal judge and staff from his days as a senator, not to mention Senatorial
colleagues.</span></b><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">An EPA Director who has sued EPA several times on the basis that the regulations
that prompted the suit were excessive (courts often agreed that a new look was
required, but the regs often came back stronger) or were not supported by
science (a common right-wing and industry canard virtually never accepted as
valid by the court). Although unsuccessful in the long run, these lawsuits often
did manage to delay implementation of needed environmental regulations for
months to years.</span></b><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A Secretary of Labor who is presently CEO of a company that owns Hardees
and Carl Jr. fast food restaurants, and who has vehemently opposed regulations
that benefit labor. He has also opposed the idea of a federally mandated
minimum wage. He is also prone to bouts of political incorrectness.</span></b><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As Secretary of Defense (a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">civilian</i>
position) a retired Marine general whose nickname is “Mad Dog.”</span></b><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A Secretary of State who is presently the CEO of ExxonMobil, America’s
largest energy company. He also supported through the company a con on America
against the idea that global warming was a man-induced phenomenon, delaying for
two decades any effective governmental efforts to reduce carbon dioxide
production.</span></b><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A Secretary of the Interior who has promised to lift the Interior
Department’s moratorium on mining permits on federal land, and to lift the
stream buffer zone rule for coal mines. Perhaps worse, he will reopen “large
swaths” of the continental shelf to oil and gas extraction.</span></b><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A Secretary of Energy who has said the department should be abolished.</span></b><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As Secretary of Housing, the most anti-science Neuro-surgeon ever Board
certified. He has said he doesn’t believe the US government has a role in
housing.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A Senior Strategist who is an avowed White Supremacist.</span></b><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A primary Speech Writer who is a smarmy little racist with ties to white
supremacist and race-baiting groups.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></li>
</ul>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Lists of posts, both Senate-approval-required
and Presidential-discretion appointments (including short bios) that covers all
the above and all those not discussed in this diary can be found <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/us/politics/donald-trump-administration.html" target="_blank">here,</a></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> It is evident from this list, that
however much the President-elect may appear to be backing away from some of his
promises and some of the positions he took during the campaign, he intends the
bulk of the destruction of five generations of progressive legislation and
programs to go forward. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Couple all the above with a Congress
that is slavering over the opportunity to gut Social Security (up to a 28% reduction
in payments, with all or part of the system privatized, putting one’s entire
future in the hands of Wall Street brokers) and Medicare and Medicaid (some
sort of voucher system with perhaps an FSA), and to repeal the Affordable Care
Act (aka ACA or Obamacare) in favor of their “Plan.” Note that nobody in the
House, where these particular destructive measures will originate, is
discussing increasing the Social Security contribution cap, preferably to unlimited, which would (because
employers match all employee “contributions,” effectively double the amount),
according to Bernie Sanders, guarantee Social Security’s solvency for the next
40 to 50 years.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Just to be clear, the Republican
healthcare “Plan” can be summed up as follows:</span></b></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Marketplace!</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span></b></li>
</ul>
<ol><ol>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Work ‘til you die <span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t get old</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t get sick</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you do get sick, die quick</span></b><b> </b></li>
<li><b>I</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">f you insist on recovering, relocate
to re-established County Poor House.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></li>
</ol>
</ol>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> This plan is also known as the “Increase
Medical Equipment Manufacturers’ and Pharmaceutical Companies’ Stock Price Plan.</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> My only consolation is that the fools
who foisted this disaster upon us will be drowned in the same tsunami that
swamps us. And make no mistake, we’re gonna get swamped. By the time Trump and
this Congress are done, we’ll have not only the most reactionary Supreme Court
in history, but we’ll have the most reactionary federal judiciary system in
history. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it will be that way for a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">loo-o-ng</i> time. There are presently a hundred and
seven federal judgeship vacancies with fifty-nine vacancies pending. </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> To quote the president-father of the worst president in modern history until this coming January 20: "We're in deep doodoo."</span></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5814520785425356044.post-87037353705607595902016-12-16T17:46:00.001-05:002016-12-16T17:46:28.683-05:00Tiny Ginger Christmas Kitten<br />
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Lxc3SOCPGODPWKCApLDIjPjYyCpMZnpMZnpEWlpgYmJzKKiydWVzwCwCSiWlJ97p0e6JgcGl17cn3xU+liWhA0zdD5x7PJ3v5/96fvD//rX0e/OmZy2D7K+lXAzGp2Yw8dlMtHJxNxYYso9dGQUKTqBnhJLB0dTcoMQ2R4ZmbdSsz3SoYEwVAKVHk7AO8VHuyXHXo8MicXDEslI+7u+LtHBlv63ThhreoW7Odw0DA53yYFG9j6uvuNmBgEFttSyakqJUk5WhQz+qLVgrF9ayEjqbaasTdTPj1T21VMWx2p6GyizI1Wbs51NpejaEuTiZMOzx4KJ52WjQ/KmJhpHkF1eR2noEvBK87GcFCw/MYcSFpxkm4LwzStIzGeDObXkvpmu1rH64i5RZZ+0rl9a91hYfZ9ZWJvPK02gFd7MYxmAKOdyuJZYeRyjgSgfKJM+LqfX8/Nl2GweBMyITSR6gxi3EIWeGSwXqCCQVpVDkaOopflYSWI61S0aaZBENIBwbGKxOhGocyCmbjLtQjDskCf4pxjCpWjsFa80LXJFHLUyxSro2Gmb//nLsQNZBXdzeP5eIB33pFM3U466p/zqlvLTNxSu3bTVMNK8aKqjYaitZXRRy+iiroX+cY0TF/TOm10zvuN/U8/sgr7Vb95R+ikopySU491sW+dQY/M75lZ3nG19vex8PdzveQYmBQSnBHtF+XhFBIQkRrkEe3nFhKaicxsGupuHHxQ/qBG1FDUNtz2c7ml72cSsQYdkOV/1OXXZ7tAx3V9+OPbdX349oGWp5RjiGAwOBzMpEC4/hcuPolHvEhEh2IxIMiixIDOekRlBAPnlJrklxzrERjvHxQdkZ0Zj4KlU7PV7PtaBLm6x3tH5CSl40O1Yz9DMu3fB4WeNThpYnkbgYlH4eB4P2vuwaLS/MjLAqrOKPN5bNPZQ2FdP2pyqH2wmjD9ir76UvxsUro3J3w0IZvuEnydrP7+p/zBR8+oxd6KXtzpR/mqAvTZTvTRT83RAWF6BrK7FNXey5DV4Mg9El2aSRKlxOTfTMV4objhVniZpITQOlTQNV1f3l5U+kFQ9FjcMCAubkBhuCLLgBoJzBUQ+nUm/jBS75PJ8EkiuGfwbIL5LEuNGCsMbxLybSvVPINmm0CyRsuvZHPs8YUBBVS6zPJ8ozcTKIpIIVxPweqnUSwmkM5HoPyJxv6Uyz8ZSTvhADt5MPRSFNQnJNcos8JI9QATnmun7/MUv77xB4N91fP55D28RiDBySTlzPe6wQ8LPDnH//rZWcDXSMj6jbXLhvP5ZPYvLxlf19c10Dh7+8diZQ8bml/z8XfQNTv34+wFNwx/dws6EZGqEI84EQI65xBy3Dbpg6WVk6GxqcdPe0df9RtBtJ98bN3zdA6KDPSO9r/s7nzPWdPJ3TUSlQQuQBZWcxmfNDSPNNU/kSHGiV4qxfdhJC88jZ81//uXc3w/8duDitUu3ojySMBCYgBeNowajyf4oYiAaFYTKiSRnxNKTo6iR93Chd8DetvfcrcM87qTE3IMmBYPDc9nQbCb4bnaA5R0dUmEuhBwTA/HOwERRxQgwPPKmtxGZkiQthFbI8we7RBtvO3jY8Ol+2epoxVgbc/lp0e5M06tuxs67uvXxks+vy4G5hv2pyt1XZftTlcB846dX8rmn3LUx6ac3ZUvPRdvzdV/m6+fGSwcfFAz18UqLcxqayIVlyLI6vLQaCaeFo7jR3NqciseMiod8eYe4+Uld50hHxf3iwgZOaVsBuywLRvPIopjnFJzKoPwJZZtR5H5IsWdo3sU7WX/3y/suAH4kGm+YRHaKxzmkUqwTicZIiUMuxxnGCabKszlVRIwwA84LTcTb5PKccgXW0fhjUfhDcZRfUllHYkl/eIN/ck34HSkN4DVn0arSiKVxZj4/WIb+xTv319uQQ5d9D/zb6MD1RO0gjIVt/BHr6O9tYr77hoKDh5G540ULJx2jaxetHPQtrxvomWn+fvL7o+d+snbWDwh3vuqg/8PBf//02781jX+zcP3N+e6PAeBfAnN+8Un/1SniNwvPozYeJo6+Tnae9kYOV+w8zFwDra/7Wdn5WJ4yOXpQ8xevOE84C1naVdf5ord5qKPsURFGmnIXZu2ResEh/NiVO7+fvfbTcfPvzbwuhUB8kkkp8VhIQGaaDxjknwXyzYi/C42Kx4YkEW5Foc1DoDo34s5cufO73u0zrtG2MQh/JCcpGe1zD2wPowYm5jiyChNhOB9yQQyFGS8vxYoFubXl6Act1KnhkucPOcsvy5RzbR9eV2yNyv9z3sBC08Igb3u6Btjq/jgpB5aagMXmnddlwHydYqpsZ1z2+YUYmKtWz1Vtjoq/TpQo5us+TZZtvCyZHRCsTFV1N2JaavObG/BdPRyWKF1Sk9/QKyx/wJV1MIs7CiofCRqeyqseC+mlkHScdyb5Fkbkzaz0JZVey+H+mcM5juRZM0qD8BKvKJiGH+S7u8gfw1BHI7FaSWT9RIJ+ZoEFiGxEKHbJF7pkF7ijRXcJRQlQdlAywQFS4C5qBWMLg+/maYbCD8eRf09m/h7POBSSf9A780g2z72iH48rjnWJOa9760AA7Khn1k/XY/8aSbhkFXn4Z/MDjsln/PMNbmacdUo+8g0Fk2snja6etHa6bGKtaWiledHwtPaVU0fP/XT4wg9OPuY+EfZOd0y0r5w6q3Vc1+iivrmGieOZ25GXAzIv+Gcd80z57Wbsn96JhkFJ1/2iHR08TGxu6gTEOntHOTr6mOtf0zihd8Qr2iuHmi9pqavpfdT0rEfYLMkXp8ZgHL0zL7nEn7oeccHE66RDlIEnyC6eEBKHi/LLCA3MjA3Jig/JiAxMCogGe2dg3bPJ1qmEC5Hww37gPxwifrMJPemdZpWC80JzwnHCu1Fgs7R8G6rAny4KJrOCaupRlZXYwd7yunJqew1tclC+NFax/LxkeUQKzDd+flW0OykH3tWppqtV76o/vS5RLzYBK23ASrPiXY16ruHLyxLFm0pgpmZnXLY9LgOW6/ZmKjaei5RvqxWz9R/Hy7dela68KNxdbBp+QHvyiNbdQRh4xiuvh7f0c5oHBXUDouIuZnEnWd5NKOnKY1XF5PNuxsF1YxHaCIEFucw2h3s+lfZTNvckgmNHLQohiAITkaYgkm4WwyABZxSD0kuhakLYFzOZOmkkbVLJVaTAOJWkl11wFSVyyxe6RKEuomTuZT3wLIZ3APhyKPRcLPFoPPVgHPWHSNwvocijaUwrbltyONLa0Ps7X8i5OLK2H+Sgc8zf3RJ/DYBqX7r9P4evHXCIP+kL1YrEX/mGwvHLf9e/dszM+Zy+zcnzpod/Ov2PH85+/8PZHw/rH7LyNnaLtnYMNbW8rW3ifNbY4aSRwxEj50P2fiduRZ0MSDvvm3rUM/GPe7kXElBmEVAr3yQLl1B9v0S7sExXr3hba189XcezLndt4/NjC6q5vGYJo5YGF6Wm0j3C8y38sy95ZZz3TD/nnnQqOM8wGmcfi3UKybH1TjEPzXSIyHIKiLdxCzINTrLNIruhhM7Z7Csp5DPx2D/DoUdDMjTDs4wziPbpBDu8yC+H6IZj+rNFsTUNeQz6XbEgaWK0eOAhY2pIsvKicGNUtj9Tsz9To56vBRYb9+dqVQuNyoV61WKDcrlJudykWGhQLDQA622qxYb92er96SpgqWF/tvLrRCmw0Ai8r/r8UqKcrQIW6lXvqrcny/beVu7P1OzO1k0P8N+9LBofEff3sZo6SP0v5E09/KpudmkHub6fwiyPYdffQ0odE0jagbmH4smncgSX86Q6KdQ/kyk/ZhacSCddxEvcyCW+GZSruQXWUNbVNIppAs4whWQKYZqBKJrJ+OP5Mj1ssVkaTT+NeiWLZ5DJ1YtGn6FV3xZ2RUSjdfzBR1JJOqG5p6Ixp+7hvwsnfB8I+5NeH4KRB1v6H7wW9j2m2C0YrhEI1fCAnPTMPuOVc9Y97ayh36+HzA5cjz4Xibf/hsLvlw5Y3D7jflff3kfrsu0fP5458Nvlfx83/OOS4znbYONbCVau0UauUQa3oq64hF28Earpdu/8nWgN77gLwaCLQRnnA9NPxyK00whG4TCdILBOQIZ+WI5ZZP7VUKipd9oV1+jLd5JMIuC38viJefzkTNbdFIpHItE+AW+egDeNwxpGwLUj4NpJJJNUilUs2iIEciUwQzcq1zId5w7G+cTD7iQg72QyXKECB4TkKkygl0g6HI85loYzzKY4YsQeWRQHRmkEWRRa3ggrqYIMP5fWVsLqyiBrb6smn/JWxwt3Zis+vypSz9eq5+uBlWb1YtP+fL1ysVm52gZsdqs/dCnX21UrTcBio2q+Sj1XBczXAXO1wFytYqby61QZsNICLNTvvikD5utU76rVsxW7k3LlbJV6ruHLdOXq67LZFyXjw7KePnZbN63nWeH9AUl7n0RSky9tzCXKwnAlnlkcixSaTiTqeDT+CEyiiyzSTaUdyZdq06osUwgXYBwrQtGtRIwhmGaexTDPYJikUoxAFBsw4yqIqpVCOZkv0SfIbcBMkzS6URZHD8S4GIvXwpXeQMquB2T9GQY9GJN/NBapGY/RTGD86Zf3XSbfmtOakEJxNL7ztzj8pXSqfgruSgraLB5umJBvHIPS94OcdU08fDX8l6P2Bywjj31DwcjlO/+kS1FQU98kLduAP/Sc/mV883db/wuu0UaeKRa+GaZeqXrBWYbhUJMoqHlUrmVU9tWobJt7WRZRuZaxCON4lH4GzTCLeSUGcz4MdjIKdT6JqJdGN0qhmMTjTOKxFgmEaykU5yyWZw7LK4ftmUlxzGba5XFs84XXoByTVKIWiKwFYepCmPogkm4i5lISRjebbk+R3eVXg6lFKXBuSA7LFca3RxVaIyUGCcRDINpxlNiSILuVL7gDZ3lUPcgjc4MaOhDt7ejxEfHsy5K50cJ3T0Xr40WqhUZgtWV7plK10gSstQIfOpWrbV/mqlVrrcCHLvWHB6qPXcrNTmCjXbXU9OlN2f5cLbDepl5q3J0uV83VAAsNwGKjaq5G/b4GmKtXvKlUz9So3tUC842772vXpsrevSwafcod7GcNDvH7ngn6R0RPXhQ+esItq4OKKtLIohCUwD2HZZ0nsgQxteJwf6CLLyOl55NIv5ArjCr7AzEiO1iBXb7QJR5lACIbZdJNslhmmQUWGfSrYIZlKuV8IukwQqyFLboCouuA6AYQrkEiUTOBqAsTXk8hG9yDnkwhn4lFHQEzLiWSzoPYp4Pgv1LqgqAiDzPffzrF/JjJ1UkknM7C6edizfOwFmjadSzbIR1r7As6GUMw0fX+20mXA99QCEw/l0owBRGNw3Mu+GecDMg475l8NgRyJRppGY20DM8zjoAbRiMNEtBGaQSrdIJdOtEpGe0AwjpDKK6ZVHsIwxousEaKrDLZejGYs9HoCyCaEZRvncu1BTOuZjHt8gW3iEX+VHkIuSSQUOKH4DuhRHZYiQ2+0AopNMikn08jncxinoVytGHci7nsS7ksHYzIjlsVUdoOFTakE6ShUK4TTGCLK7qOFJum049C+ecJRZZo4XWswJNVEtUzwqCzQx5040YHOeP9rJVXJerl1qmegsVREbDZDqy17s/XAxvtipVm9XqHer3j41ydYqMD+PJY9fGB4mO38kO3erMTWG3ffl+tXm5SLzbtztbsvKtWLzcBa22KhYa99zWqubr96er96WrV+3pguU251LI+WTE1zHvWS+vvoT0d5Iy8EI6MCEdHxZOvS7o6sN1d2O4ePF0QhObdIRXdwciup9O0IeyzBPmlbO4fIPIveYKL8oeBRZ3h5GKvnAL7FLxJJt0km2WSwzPN5liAGZYgmlEi4XQc/jeY8DSmSCeDpglhXskTGCdgtUBUM7jQGUQzSqXqZdAv5vL0Ushn4ginItBHYVJbZlNkGNzIwOMAqOByNP4IiHneP+NgOOxUElYbzrPGFbpCGLYBaVqhYH0w9UvQIs8AACAASURBVKal5+/fUIjHaGezTKC8Kynkcwn4E6lkjWS8VibNOJtpk0GxTCeagykWGVQTMM00h2Wdx3WAc1ygTGck1x0rvp0vdMVIXIklNwglzshC20y2WRrVMJd9FVfogpe5IngOuUxbnNSNWenLrg6kyD2wUgek0BIpMEaJDTCFhkjJpRzuWRDtSCbnKFx8FinVQIg0crjn8/iGlGIPeUdGeTeEXR2Zw7HPEzlQqryIZa54uRm+xARfaIUTOpTUJVTUZg4NsVvqchdeF84+5SoXGzbGC4Glht3p8s/TJcBqo2KpYWehHvjYvb/aqlhrAz507a53qLd7gP3B3S+P1bv9qq+9qo9d6s1OxVozsNG2v9iwPVutXm0B1lqBlZb9+frd97X77+t23lSq39cr55uAlbaNmaqJYf5AL7X3MfVJH+vFsPjVc8noIG/imWBpQv6wMW/iGWfqtUQkjSZyvEUN0RixczrlEqnMFCvTyKD9mMc7nsO6yKi81fQMImtNgLIdQCSzXI5FDtsYwjXI5ppk0s3AVKM08vlkwuF86Wm8XCur4AKUa4ArvgZhmqHFrvlC1yymCaTAOI1kSKu8GYk4Ggz9NQpzgdt+L5vnauT1X365v6QwT8WRTiZRNQKRf7pl/hSAOxZO00zhmacwbUIgV0LTzVmlIKIg4RsKYMZlCPsyhKOZzjyezjyWKzify7sE4xvl8a/msq/mFlgj+deRAiekwAklcsFIXTBSJ6zMEVfoQih2JZa40Su9Cqr9yXKPfKk9RmaXL7FECs1REmtcoS2u0BYntcZKLUhF5vQyK1KxSb70MlSoCRGchUo0oNKz2aJTKczfk+iHQOw/wbxjEOHJbOGZLO4JpFgfX+jEq7lb3Jkoaooiyr3xxZ6EQj9auV9BjStcYAShG5BE7vcfoocGuZMjotGHVNVS49bLQmClXrlQDaxUq5Yq9xbKlCu1wGbb3kqL8sN95YduYKcX2B1Qbj8GFE9UO33bWw9UisG9rz27m+2KjY7tlUbgQ+feUuPuYgPwuUu92f71XZVysQFYa1EuN+0t1KvXOz7P1a3MVIw95/f2Uvr66END3MF+5sgg+/Ugb25IsvWqdHNc/qaXuTpZ+npU+qiHXlQDLmvLzOe6onjWrOqruQV/5jIPkksuIfjGeSy70vupzU8QgvqobOa1XJYphKkPZulAOIZZLLNslkka9Uwa7Q9U4cl82YkU8mEwXSOPZ4IRO7Kqw7NpTslYvUyyWT7bS94JBtOveKf/SKy+mSd1coz5zT3l10jSYY+svyRTL2YwzNIZFsE5Z8LzT3tn/BKQeyIapxOerxsG17mH1EkgmX7bpOZezCzQyGBopNMvZHG1kRLDfKkJodgGUmAI5VrCuXbEols4mTtWdgMttccV2RHk11BSC7TMEltoS61w5TX6Mau90BJHlMgGV2iDL7LGyCyQEmOUxARbZEwoNsEW6mAKtXElmni5BqbkPFxyOk+sgZBqwyVaYNaJFMpvyZSfk5k/pzAPgtlHoELNXN4lhMicXn6HUuItaIkuvJ9GKgumV4djigPgwlvsRn8o2yIWfoEt8xgaoC5NVGxOVy6PFyuXWoCVlv35OvVKg2q1bnehcnuhWr3Rqtxq215pVH3sAr4+Vnx+qNzu3fv8CNjpV3x+vLfZDXx9vLfRub/arFxt2V2qBzba1ZvtirW2vbW27eXm/fV24NMD4ON99Wa7aqNtd6154U3R23Hxk376QC/9yQB7dEj49CH1RU/BZA975XnRzlTF5qhs+ZlwfbxkdrToySNm10NiYxecIfElSRwJMlOkQAPKOYqSauPlVklEPWqZb8NTeEU/BC/3yuVdTaPpp5EvwwXWcO41BM8+h2mcQdFAyc7BhEcTiIeSiCcSMVoYsSO90iu7wDIOdQ5E0meU+3a8QCB4ttEIjeKH8cHZGq6xB0mV7lGE4zfT/haFOQPlW2fSLZKxBvEoLb+0gz7pv0QgT0bjL6bQTUJRmuFYnW8oZHM1IGytDIZWOu1yDs84X2ZDq3IUtnnkCYyRYgso24JY5EosccNInfLFNrjia3i5Rb7UCCE0zhdZEOVO7HovsvwGgm+FEFpipFcJxTZYqSVCaAgX6KNlhgjR5XyZJlJ6Pk96Mld0LFvwJ1xyGinRzhfrIIW6OewLENbJdPqh9IKf0+g/Q9in8cWWGKlNHseGXefLbwxj1oXJukCiNhCjOk7YnEoqCmZWBCG5jnlM68qWuKlR3sp4+d5Sq2KlXbHWplxvV2207i43qNfbgI32/bUG9VaLarNZsdas/twJfH6wvdmp/NKj/NoH7D0BdgdVX3uBnV7gcxew1qJcqFUsNShXW4Ctjv31zq8rrXub3YDyGbDTC2y2qVYadpfq58YlY89YL4d5vd2kgUf0oV7Wi37uUCf1TR935jFrqZ/7aUy69oS//lSw+bzo85uavlbCUD+j8z6yvi1dWh2cRdKBc3SSCEdyuZqUSts0si6Eda2sJ71lDC1sj0ZInKLyNROJl0glLiihI6nwNkbgBmNZ5osvQdh/pjP+SMAdDoEczWVbYotskGLTZMKpRNwptNis7GFYEvoSgnOdVu7tFPZDBsOMWecZgTrnA/49FquZWWCaQtZPIl2Ow50PgBz0hfzrXv6fIJohjO8Yg7WMRn/bpM4T6sMEepkFF1PI5yAsXVzxVXKFNafJGVdijpdbgAvOIyXGRLkDrtAJKbRFSewIJdexRTYwvhGEZZAnMMUVXccVOqHE9mipLbbIhlhyDVdkhZFYYCQW+CJrGO8KSmaKKTJFiHQzmWfjcQchnBO5vLN5Qg2k5BJSrIOUXMrhaGQyz4PpWnC+KbPqNrPSk1jkihXbi5oCGFXehEKvkgdgcROosC2z+gFCWJlCF4bxi6Ofj3I2Fxu/LLQpPz4GtgeAr32Kj93qT92qj53qnUfAzuP9j23KrTbFZrNivXF/o0Wx2abY6AA+P1Z97FJ/6gY+dqu27qs/dqo323eXavcWahTrjYq1ZsVas2KjA/j8APjaA3zpUa627c7XfZ6pXHhVPP5EMDIkePlC9uQRY7SH/XqQN9HHGW3DrTwTLA0wZ7twm8/YM/fxa884Gy+kH6fKJvo4E8PCgUfUySlpTVM6ruCGsDIgCanNKHXDiOyRXPuIXF1BQ9z9SUrtMwS3OTwBZwiimtHKbiP4Nowyb0qRH1bkmsO6mIg7BGGdj0Mfv5t9EkQySCaeT6GcTCT9Ho87mEI+kk45E5N/nFbhEo44cyvh56KesGy+aTT6TCJOk1Lulk7WS6ZoxOKPR+MOh8AOBuUeSaWaUipCoVzPZJJLLObbdwU43xQpNIWydTOo58GM83CBPpRrkC82RQgNMYVGUO65PMFFUpktTu6IljhipC70ytv0qlto2VUozzBPYISSWuGLnAnFLkS5A77EBiOzoJZf5zXeZNXeJMkdkEJLfNE1cpktocgyj3cZRD2ZxToDYZ/O5Z2Di7TRMn2C3CxfbJzHM8lmmiL5dgVVfqxqf1qZB0JwDVfoVNIdx64JY5Tea+rHFTXn9L4Qtj+iNLZg6xuR87P1X1e6FBu96p0BQPkM2B8C9p6odvqU24+BnV5gu2f/Q7v6Y+feerNqo1W90axab9pfbdpZqldttAEfOoGtDmCrQ7XRqlhr3l1u2F1uUG80K1abFEsNwFrrf2aBjc6vc/W7c00fp+vfjhaND8uGnwnGRiRjfdypAd54N/V9H3uiFbcxwFl6THrbkrfRT3/TilgZZCw9Za2NSN4/FSyMFU8OCWcmSiTimI5O5OAIDYpxaOvLg1HsBdXhELIjoySytg/94BWnuh9NKQ2Hcl1QIpcclgVOeoNZGooRuMF5hkn4P9Mop9LIGiCSPpx3NR53PAT6j1DofyWSfsxgHolBH8TITFBSC/fEf4O5pqKugGjs+WSydjLhEr/JP5dlDmZqxmJ/D0P8cBfxWwJeJ4/vzq5PyC7wTqW4ReXb/r8omOeLzBAivRyOBrjgPJipCWHqYqQ2GKklUnQFLtKEsE8Ty6ypFa6EwpukIk9eQwivMYBc6oiRWaBkxiipObnUjV7pQS5zQknNoVw9Uqm1uM1T0OyFL7yeL7TGSK/iiqzQhUZwsS6MfymXq53D0crhaOXytZBSfVyRGa7wKr7YASN1wogdaWW3GVV3sDJHWsWdXJatqDm6rh9Gkd6raEVUNsMn31Z1tJMHHvPfTdYszzRtLz8AvjwFVCNq1bBaMQSon6uVT/e3+5R7vcBO797HbvWn7r2NVuBTJ/CxBfjQAqw3fJ6VK9cagc/3gc9dwNdHqo+d+6vNqpUmYKUZWG1ULNbuva9SLdapV5uBtVblasund/Vb7+rmJyqeD/JHhyRDg7yXz4Sv+zgLzwRvuimr/eyZduzKI9q7DsxMG2qxh/ymPX9lkL48QF8fEa4Mib68qVgYkb19Kmwpz516VdLby0Dk3xkY4UJQzuWt2fSiWKIwSlQP65mQNw/y63qpRFkYjO0MZVviZI6UIq8cujVKbJBBO5aAO5JO1cqkGVPL3HO5V+7m/eyf9dcozPdg1olE4hF2veM92J9OkX9nN/uiiu0jkGdBdL14lAap2C2HYQoiacShjwbm/BKL18jhXkdJvSml4dnMW+ACtxiM1TcUUEJrJN8MLdTHSgyQQt2cAt1cprm0JVzUGJbLNINxL6VTTlMq7LkNvrRyP2ppML85hlUfjC92wBSZI6X6SIkhpfwGu86XUn4DLbHK5ejnC00o5XbM6huUMieM1AYhMMlmXcxmX8gTaqFlV9BSYzjfOJulm1VwIYejhRAaIIXmlFJXUsmNfJFVvsgMI7OglbuyqkJyaO6M0ojGfkxhU5agLKWoKnNoRDg2InnRz9te6fw016bc7AM+PwP2RwH1S5V6VKF+vqMY2NnrV6ueAcpniq89wNfHiq12YKsd2GwC1huAtbqvsyXb70v2FivUW03Al07lesvXd1Xq+Xpgrlb5rkL5rky9UAks1aqWa/cW6r7MNS5OVE6NFb98XjjYx30xLJ4eL5ofL5p4SFkZYK/2MtYf0hba8cudlJk24sIj5psO4usW9MJj8nIfdfuleHOItz1VPPeUO93PWh6XTwwLe+5TmhvQ97vo5IKYjh5uUU2+oDSvuUf6arHvwfPmR2MNRe0EnDgki36VUuqGEtiDKbpZBSfAzN/BzFMReX+CKWa8+mC01DYadTQ054d47B8QzgUoXxfCMbwZ/5NX2lFeayhe7pZCNkjCXwRRDLKZZll0EzBDNwGrEYm8kMOxg4ncswpcwAwHEO1aBtsmlvRtDwLBM0XwjRECfVyhKb7YEs43h1CtCltjyh8kZlGNcxhaEOYFauVVbtPtgkr/goq7/IYIeqVXvsgMLTNEiPWhvCuUUjd2jQ+1whVTaA3lXcnlXkFLrMlyZ2alO6n4OlJklFVwLoP+B5R/HFusS5RbwgXWWQxTCPNKdoFeDks/u0APLTVHCA2hPK0Mxkm4SJte5VDZkwln+xW15jb1UVp7qXVtaFFJWksbVq0YWnhTu7PZA3x9BnwZUnx6AiheAsBrJTC2rRzZVTzd2RtUA88B1cj+di+w06v60A5sNinXa1UrVcBSqeJd4c5b6e5MsWq5FthsV2+27S42qFcb995X7b6VA+8qVTOVwFzt3kzFl9nKxenK8bHCZyOSp8PiJ4PcyTHp+hv50gh/pA4220FYeUCab8Mtd5PnOikzneTlPu54G/55HeJtB3rpMek/FD6NiReecOef8T5PV4/38V89kb2fqn3YVVBVj3s2Vn6/V9TULZxeG95QvH/2pqf7eW3NIyazPBbCsMUVOoGpBmD6RRDtKFx8Potzyjf9u2yGRUGlP5hpfjfvVCTiWAb9IlJshiuyC4Ic90s/EYPR5beGSzris1nXI/POI/g2UJZNJtUyk26RiL+SWXANJbsDKXBKIVxLwlsk4kyzWLYJBKNvKKTRTuYJdZEiI5TYEidzyOPYQJm2OLFbYXsoTmSdRb0A52pgCjWplRbMSk9OTRi/IYRc4oAQauMLddBScwTfhlLqRS3zLajxxBc7ZDNNoWxLjNiRUOhGK71VUHWTUGwO45xJp32Xw/kJVXicWmUMFZhmFVz9z0MFgm+TQtBEiPTypZeh/PNJhCNoqTGcd7V+IK/mEb64BfX4hbykDjc52yYtye3qZn/c6N/+MKLcmVDvTan2xve+jgCqcUD9UqUcAYDnADC8s90LqAZ3vj7c33kIqPqUHxoUa9XAh2pgo0o5LVRN8VVT/L0JoXKmRLVYB2x1KLY69z61r78r35+vA97V7Q4Vql9VfHpTvvim9MVkYf+oYGBU8HyYPznI+jReuDXCnWzOm2lDbA3Sp9vzFx+S3nfg5++Tl3vZky246Q7yZAtuqh0z95i0/pTzaUy69VK6OCRcHy9aGi1aHq96PSCdHasaHyqproK9nqx79qK292nd1t7s/MdXQzPtTf3Chif0ml4UodAvFWOagtVLxVzKoOhTK6/fQ30flv9jKlsPJnOIwGkFwU6E5R/LYOtiS+2yuMY3E/59N+9UOsWwsiej9jEBww+Nhl1GCa/jxN4pGOtYlHEm0wZXfAvCso1C6mbSbNIIVskYMwT3RgrW/BsKIMZRCPdMLlczj6+HEpvDOJY4sSuc5VhQ4VvaGQFjGoHJF/L4mgS5Kb3qFrXMi1vnRypxgfH0URITrMyKVu5OL/PBS2+y63wJJc5IoWW+0BortSMUORVU3eTV3yKVWcAFGuCCX3M5v8Jlf2BLz+ZJzkIF2uhCE2KpLVp8DS22y+NawdjWGKELpyo0DXcNyfZll6UPva3rfFLy6Fn58FiDCpgtKUV++DA4O9sBqKd2Po8AqikAeK3YG1UqhlXKEcX+U7VqGACeqRSDauXAl4/3gb0+YPfRl4WKnTm5YqkMWCzfneRvj7F2J4V7kxLFbDmw2AhsdAIbXfvLTTvvaoDl5t2JsvVnwt3ZmvX3la9fS4dfS549F46NiN+NFK6PFS/1c2a6CC/qchZ7KJ+GuC9qsjYGmJNNyOlWwtoT/kg1/O19yvtHjPePae8fU+b7C1aH+BvPJUtPBetjxWvj5R9mGt6PVW6+bxt7WlRWjphffPB0uGbm3RMVsPFq4kn/cGdnT9XTF3V9w3JZeTYc71HXnoVjuBB4jliBVXDWP9NoJxNI2jkimyiChm/uoSDkoQy+dn6ZSSjiF++Mf4TBf4cKLAu74yofwzAi32j4hVy2IYxjnojRSiRqQwWmaTTdkNyjfuA/kgmXYvI1QCTdHJZRHOrMNxSSKIcyCo5D+ecQost5fL1Mui6t9BZO7IoVubY+AzPLXDOIGmDaWZTUgFxmi5VdY1bdJstd8zg2pGI3aukdUtEdZnkIuciPJL+FENrki6xIcgdSqSO13Jld504tsyOWmmML9ZDCM3D+MZjwKIR7JItzFsK+iJZYUcvcsGJHFN+JUnxH3BjBKr9b14OQ1oILaxH1Xbyn4+2zy897Bpu+7r3/+PFVVTVRrX69vvoYACb2t58D6glA+UKt+F8KgHpIpXyq3B8AlE9V+z2fN1qB3YeqTx17q/Wq5VrlYoXyfenehHD3JW9vXLj7SqKaKQeWmoCNTmDtvmqhVf2uWTlbuz5W/HGuYXO5ZXhcNjpZMj5VNDEuez8iXn4qWH8qeH+ftDXMX+qlv2lHzXcT5rrw43WwuYfkoSro61bc8lPB4oBg8j757QPq2wfkuR768iB7+Sl3ro+1+kKyPCr7+Kb23XDJ+puWN8OV05PN05OdGxsvPn+aVai2Pn9ZB4Adxe7Hva+rX7fmtpZf731++2a8obUZ3dQBy0KbpGBPZRVoxGLPZfLMEhnaPtBfwrC/Zku1YylHPcF/TaQfDkcdJJY7sGsDWdV3EXyXGOSpJMKxVOoJEP1MrtAglXopDqd1F3Y2DHoORDVLIxlnUE1yWBaR8HPfUEilnshknUOILmMKDfP4BlkMPbzUgSq/mcs0k3eHCOrdMkinM+inEeKLuGJDpOgKvsiOWnqHWhJQ8TBT2hqNFd/k10VzqiNQIrdcli2Cb00qcSLJHXCFtsRiG0KRNbnMhlFly6y0JBcZoSS6mXSN7AJDGNuaVHRH1BTFrgwjybwwvBs4gRtV5lvVmSWpTkZRgtofCafnB3eUCxNv+hSqpeXFZ8+elav2xgDlK+X2qGpvDFCMK3aHVfvPVcohAHgOAEMKxYBir1e136fee7i93gxsP1ButQEbLcBa3f68fGdSuDch3BsT7L4U7L2Wqd5VA0vNwPqD/aXOr2/qlXNtqrXOpcnKpbmGN9PVw+OyF6+KZt6ULk3IV0dEawOc1X7u8qOCrWHhQg9jogXxtgP9/j5hvA6+3M+ZfUB/3oBRzNbPPOZMdtEm7pOnHlBmHzPm+9nz/ezZx8zlEfHisGxrsnJprOzzfPuH912Kry8+rD8HgFWVYn37y5Jy7wOg+vJxc+nrpxVA8Wn3y9qn9dmulqIH90Ud98npUIsMvAacrxeNOAkuMMrk6gUjDsUQjmTxL/pm/hCBOgIVaydRTzJqbiAEdlC2XSbdLAp+Ig59NLPgNEFuSq12jcfpZhXY5LAd0sjXYCx3CO0GnHUbK/JOQll+QwHCMshmX0GKTDAyCxjvCoxrSCi0IxVfz6LpMsptKXKzTOqpPL42QnQZKdWAi7ThAiN6uXdZV/bDcY6sJRUv8ZW1Jhd3pNHLgzEidwTPHidxIBY7YyS2GLE1XmZLLrVj197g17kWlF/HF5nBeQb5QtN8wVVy0U1pc1RBeYigNrrmAaT+EbyuG1HaBCtvRueiAh8MFA48qwOAzcWlVwCwubczu7HxBFC/BtQTe19HAMXLva/DasUIoBr9XwrqIeX+wP5uz87HTvXOA8VWu+pDK7DVqliuAZbrlO9Ldyek6gmpYkygHBOrJoqAd3XAchuw0bU917I5UaFY7lRsPph7UzM1WfFsSPrqZcXky/KliYqNV/LVIeHaAGdriLf8mLbSx3rfTZm5j5/tIrxuQc92U989ZGyNFk/3c7YmK4dbCNN9gjePC6a66W8f0d71MN/3Fkw/pM8/5c8O8lZfyhdGS74udn1dery+2Asopnc+T+58nV1bfbmy+nrr07vF5akPnxYA4OvW1tz4WP/o0MOx0c77j3hwgmta/gUY82JE7lEwRTdPeCUGfSSVfCoZfz4o6wxadgPM0oFLDUkVzonESxk0vVSyZgjk12jkERhPlyi3gQms78LOp9HMoAKHVNJVENk+CW1DKw1nlN7LIjt/QyFf6gjlWOXxr6Il1giBGUpsXlB1Ayu1zONdJhYZIPkn87hHCHIddJE2THQcyj+XxbzMKPdtfUbrGOLS5ZHkwuCSjozqx9DyR5kUeQBK4IIWOdEqbjGrbrNr7+CkdjipHUXuzKpwp8mvY6VmxBJTQolRHu9yNuMKlu+cR3fKyHdAUn35cvDQ6/qZ5YHp+f7hFy2P+uVT010rG2NqYHV3dxoA3u3tvQSA17vbw8rdUQCY2N8dBdQvAeDF3u7g/t4AoH62v9u3v/Pw80YrsPdI9bFzb70Z2GrfnitXL9UCCxXAbCkwU6qckClfSZWvC1XvaoHlNmC1++N00+d3rburj95P106Ml8++aXrWL301VLIx3fjxTe3qsHRhkLnyhLUyUDDTRfkwIll7wp/uIEx34qbv46facXOPmYsDgq1XpdN9vKeN2IVnksUh4duH9Mlu8vRj+twA+10va7afPfWIOTsgeNPHX35ZuTndtv7uAbA7tTD7aG3p6dra86WV5wurL1Y2X08vjb6Ze/5+ZWJtY3Z1febFy+6uXgGR4wsh6cNYOjHwk0kYDZTQIgF5MouscS/jSDbNQdySEIPWote64orsopHnUFIrtOxqNOIkiHwRV2iDEFhEIi+EwU5GY05l866AGMaZTJtkwlVScQCU6ZyE/rYdRS12gLPM0omGBKk7WnwDKXRg1tzBFV/Nl16GiY5ncX5Mp/9PDusnapkWXHghi62RytBGFNlVjqQJOmOgvJs4SSCtOLKkFVLSniZuiONVR+GEXtyKMHF9WFlnKKfKCSszIpeaUytskELTPLYlo8SLKQ3gSCIK5aD+XvHW0ojy04py9yugAr6NSg3sqdWfAPW6Wj0PKGdU+xPbn4a/bA7ufR0BlBMAMAkAo0rFk/39/v3dvr2vPbsfutRfuoBPneqPncBGu3KtEVhtBFZrgfnK7anCnYki5XQZ8K56b7L860TZ/vsmYKVbudL1Ybbjy4cns7P3p6aaXz6vePuyZupZ8cKofGe2YX2seOoBZXGQ/fGF5GUT+v0DxseRoulOyqtG9ERL/kgtZKwRuj7EXXkmePuQOdMrmHzEedPDf9PDedPDef2I/foR++0Twdxz2dQAZ7KfvfiyZG60cOGFbGu6Zn22Zmu+eetdx9p0x8pMx8rsg4kXrePP21+NP9zYnP70ZWXqzdjgyMP+kdaufgGGGZiGtM2lO8bn60RCNXHFt2NQeukFBl4ZPxIrnbO5ZonES7QKJ3K5JUpoxS6LYxSn5RX457LdQXTzJLxWIuZMAuxoAuwonG4MYzmRCiPo8hycKC2V6Abjffs7ilF6Ayeyy6abY4QuKJELqeQOr9GPKHfIZl3MYp6Gi05kMX9Nxv+E4J9HiDVzuGdBjGOoQn1p1y1iqS2UY0Uq8WCWh0mb00R1SdLG1KY+RIE8iCb35NR4Sv4fLu7yOwrr+wP1VKCl31KhRksFKBRoC5RSrEChLe4U9yRAQtzdJuPu7u6uGddMJpOJuxEDglMqFM3cF7+77lrc/+FZ5+y9zz4f51G8chNC9BOU/yOcuxFC/6WWuEVqTLe5yltbGZPXbY8edT97ci2R+DuRePb/EXgy/fjJs0cvpp/8v7+Qpx9Mv7g5/WI88XzoyaOux/+0Pvuv8mOjvAAAIABJREFU48XTjsSL7kSi89nj5v/+Dj35O/Ts72Di3+CLh57ph+7EX57pe47nd6zTtyxPJlXT17WJa9rEuPb5VVViTH+/lf94WJt4GHl8yzvVr/3zmvv+7XBfn3lg0NTToR7t1w23SP4cMU+1Sm8280f9pDvNrLtx9oADdSfG/atDMuYjDTtRHfraqKJ4xIPpdaIe9ionYpzhBub1dmmHm9jpIvYH6CMRzkiEMxRhj0S5/SFGb4A23MwfbOKOxIVTPdqpQcP9MdeDCf+NIddYX31/h6WjxTQx0vj48dhfD0faOwJuj95ml3r8Uq0VVg3fU4nYimLuyqxdWoz8iWtJoWnP5CK+vVjzFYi3Owe1tpCwFqvcDhEuLyF9DeftENrSiaoTtcytRaQfMuELionfpdZ8frl6XjHmRyB7H92US9GXFeJO1HJO5eNffoNAcX/H8HdAGL8jOXvArF0k5Ql5IINlPlnDWFNN+Z6k+hnCXZKNequE+mEte2EldUkx/luy5rDKn4MRHgUxd/MsKXLPFZb2DJC4R2zJ88TRZPFZGHc7UrgFIfoJLlqJEPxQx/gBSP6ZwDvCk1yyWmp6m7k3B+3XB3wPbvQ8fXQvMf10OvH0RWL6RWL6xXTiaWL6WWJ6OpFIJF48Tzx6/PTusxdTicRkIjGSmO5PTHcmnrclnsUTj2OJJ41PHvr/u+d+fNf95J7n+R3Pszv107frX9yyv5iyPb9heTppfDSqTtwwJ6ZsL8aNTwbVz0d0f/cpHl01PL5R/2DMen3YPD5s6+rRdvfq27sUfd3K2+O2iQ7Zv8PmyRDreph+zUe628i6FaK1amoftomuRxjdVvjtGLu/HtluAo4HydeijL/71YNB2lS7bDDE6vPT+/y0/gD9aiP3eqtkrEXU38Dq9FEGIuzxVvFQlNsbYg43C8Y7lZM9uolu/WCLuq1BFPUJBrvs40OhoT5vOKi1WQVOh9RiYrtdHJmqrBa6G006gGMczCxbWlj3Y3QQpw8Wnsr7OAvyPYh1AMw9ilecQEl3ZWLmHS8GXAbNZZgOomU7C3HL87ALLtV9UEX/4UL53JPFn2Yh10GlpymW/Er26WzsvnzCvlTolpfLRuxGNHcvTngILzoMpG9HCvfLvFeYpuMg1voa6nKiciNcsLSANCuPOLOS9WkVbRmYucPSCPe1MHiacoLoElN3kaQ8gBb8DmNsM/mL6xuAZPFpqvIoSbUHyP4BLd+AkW1A8jeDqb8zRRccjuqBNt7NHu2fw4HHd68mph8nEs+mE0+fJZ48mf7v+fSz59MvpqcTz59PT08/n048SST+TiTuTD8dn34ylHjeO/2kI/E4nviv6cW/kWcP/c//dD9/4Hp235F44Hpxz/nslj1xx/F/CBK37ImbtucTxufjpsQ16/SE+dGg+mGP7NGQ7t9Rw5MbrofX6icGDAN9hu5uXbxDOThs6WiTjQ/q/r3huterut3Kux4i34wwbjcw7sf59+P8DhPsyaBuwE1oMUD+7pb1O9Dd9cgBD+6fAc1oI/NGm3iiRdTuIrQ5CB1OYp+ffrWRd7WR1+Um9/npwxHuUAOnv4HVE6QPNnKHm/g9IXZvmNfXwO+NSLobJa0hcVtE3t9h9bt4DisnGtI2R0xSKVatwXCFuRDUASTlIAi3LaPyuyvlywbuC6nqU4fS3s4CLytCbSErk4WOTKjg9xTo7GPlgCTo+xDpz+X01dnIr3NQnybXvFVK/za59ouzFQsrWfvwugyUKj0FtjWPcuBC7aYqzsupK7XYX6ji4yz1OabyPIixA8zcwTadJir3wrhraihL6hiLIJyFJbR305GAcuZ7IO7naMkKZ0uyvSmVqTpAku6mKA/Aedvw4n1s1SmLv0hmyiALTkrr04T2FLxiD1L8G5S7GcndVo3ehCTsc9krbgxIhyLswQbFf7cHE9OPbt0YvXt34r9nt59N35tO/JuYfjL94snzZ4+eP73/7OnNF4lbicTk0/96//0z9uTPhmf3g8/v+xIPAi/uuZ/ediT+dL+4Wz99z5G45/y//bPE7frpKeuz65bErfrETdvzcdPzcdP0uPXpmP7RsPrfQfU/w7o/hzSPp1z3rzs722RNzeLWLnVrl3p4xNrbobw7an04rP93QDXiwUz68HejjAcx7t0Y906MO+Am/NklH/aRu2yof3tVzRpghxExHmZNNYv7/LR/Ri1tblLcgY9ZsJ1u8kiEO9EkHI3wOt3kwTB7skXSH2TGXYRmJ36wkX+tQ3mtQ3k1Jh1qFA00insaxK0BfjwgbG9UBNy8oEfgc/HkUgyfD5cqkHI9kMA6j6AfBZF2FkBXF8BWebohObAfL9Z+egn4WS58Fcd8URHIqaJtPF31vwugt3PwiypY60D87SDuLzmYz5KqZxaTFqWBFlwE/gAXXYCIUkqpx64gtuTgtl+B/46Qpb58QbD3c3VJYms6z5gCZu4E0rcQlXsx0i1o8Wow65tKwjwoa3EF+YtLda9U0N+oE74KlgCYjrep1jchAkAFbTbXul0TzpHZ82miJIEyFU09BCXuFpuviKypVM1phGAfiPkrVrgPiNmKwO2IhupG26m9LkyXg3HvanNi+u+HDybGxtvu/tX7+Pn482c3Xjy5/+L548T0s+lnt29ea747FXvyd9eLx53P/mp+fDf45Lbv+f1A4r4/cc+TuONO3HU8mTT+O655ck3/YsqauGl7es3836j+v1H9iwnzi0nTv4Pqp1f1z66ano4aXkyYpydtz8dtfw8b/hwxD3YpQ2FOqFnU0CKLxKSDvcbxHu3fY7apNv7jQcWgAzZcD7sVpd5p5gz6CB0OdIcL0+8njYapYyH6n11yB6cgpoP9N2Turife7VLf6laGjTCfBtTuJHZ76d1uWoed1O2kXo0KB8Pc/gbuYCO/3UtrcZE7PIy+AKfLQ+t0Ujrd9A4Pq9lFb3TQol62QQrVKWB2A1klhdMolQwOVKIlWXxUijCrHL2/Er+rBL8JyttD0Jw4lP1+JXflhdo5aaCvKZqTMnd6MXbNqYp3i5nLa/mb8vHrSLrTfMf5IvK8dMQblayvc9GLC/BbyNqsCsbZEspRqOTk8eJlxaSDFbSXTwUc7wJDeVnlzCdLjlPkx8C07TTZGY4+CcHfXohbXEb/uIY/p4j2WiFlRjr8NSDrC5p+JUExn274GMKbUUqcxTbt6LkjZuoykdItUPFqCP+nCspqqHA/3XABI99ThFuGlKwuxi+AcX5Gs3Za7EWNAbzHRHry8Ort22N3/7r57/S9sameazf6Hz++m0g8+u/Rtb//6Xz+tOvFvx2JP9sejHr+uupI3A9PT7meXzc/HVU9H1clJtXT1+QvJlWJm5YX163PpqyJO87EbcfTUcPzMd1/A/LENcv0hCkxaXw6rHo+ZkhMWhI3PC+u+x6MOMZ6TePjrrZebbBFHG2TBULs1ohwtE19La66FpP+029O3A4OeKh9NuS9Zu64nzzswl31ke+1SAY81CEfo92B7XDiJpoE3S7S7Q5Fswl5NUS72yGZjHDiemhYWTPSwIw7MSMxfneA1u2lDjXw+gKsgRCr1YFrsaHanej2ekSnG9vqxca9xE4/I1pP8egxfjPZosZJWLUqMUwpgnGo5QxShUSOkWlQSiNQbspLyv28BPkDWXYURN9VjNuYA1+NFu89X/rphYoPKPpddOOBM6Xvn6uZDVf9WExbcCT3TabxoilSVwz9GU7dxZSdx7HOgvAXsdw8rCiZb8s7W7AqpexnOCe5CHngJQoMWbrUUsjVpsLoO+Hs3zDCbVjxryzDPrzylzLywjLqJyDBl6W0D9Pgr2aiXqlhz8YqP6YZPmFZPgCxXs9HzGRot0WH4XjJiXLSOgh3C1r8awXph3LyDyjxTpLqeMs48/4Ld6SdUoPYzREmexwVg60sqxwy3h2Ymux78PDGrfuD//w38fc/Ezevd9+c6L4/1f3gbsvNCe94r+2f6+GHk/6HE64nN1wPh/V/j2gejWqfjKmejiqeXZU9HpE9GdX9N6qfnrI+nTT+N6J5OqZP3LA+HzM8var7q0syPWFOTFoe9ir/GzY+nbD9PWy+3qUeapP3dCrDjRxPkBlq4IYCjN4W2WS3dqRRMBhgPh4yT8V4f3XJH7aLJwKUqQizz4YccGImw7TJMO1WjDfkJw8HaLfbJL0uwpCX0qyD3GwW3oqLumyYbjvWyS/qtGPiNvhgiN7to3R7qSONgjYHqcWO63STu7zEdheuxYbqdOHbPaQGEyJqwzVa8U4N3CwFSZjlAmqplFcn5gD5jBqVDCtTYhiCchr/CkeecrF4waXSL/nm8zDmzrSa7/HyI3T9iaTyL86XfQQTbAZxNiZXzs0nLqzmfZcG/eBI3sxq2kaFNx0h+K0EvQJI+5VnykTx0xCcdKziYhXjwPH8b4vwe4iay/mYlzsIhalGZixF0g4jGTvh3I21tG9BzCV42Sq48Jti/IcVlE8RwmU4+ao81LsFuBklFEA5HcB1f8pxfgYTvV+I/hQr/rW+JY9tOJIF/Qop2gQT/pyDXFiA+Ypl2OuMl/yb8CYSXY/+aamrPqSRFPosNZ1hqlUK7o/bejoDre3Bjh5vNGa5Odn2z53B68MtQ+3unjZ9f7t6KK6e6rNe79Xf7NX9NW6916++1S19OKh42Cf5s0fwTx//yZD07wHZwz7Zi0nTk1Hdg27pv4PqJxOGxHXL46va2628FxPmF9ftfw1r/75qfDRqfThkGutQdET5kRDD6yN7fdRIiBVvYA7FxQMRTpeTNBkT3mmTD7hJz4ZM1yOMXiviRojZqYcOOFADDtSwB99jQzRqq+KGuokIvc+Ja7fCuuqRgz7CtSizxQR28HKt3NxmM7TBAG5z4lsduHYnsdfLaDKiowZUj4fe7iFHreioFR13EWIuQsiGarBh/UaUSVItpRexCFkcYr6QXS7m1EoFYKuRwhUCqdwcEG4flr2vCLHyQtGnUObPSM5vebDVYkdaDWXLmYJPUoFfoCRbgKx1F8o/zELOKyYvSAXPTqr6XxroU7btIMO0Mwv6VTn5Z7r+chnxJE6eBxGfSwGtPVG2rJyxh6RLTgOteYmC1grqGBR7o0gc6xCIuqEC/w2UswTCmV9B+aiE8BGIvZio3MA2bquhLgAyP6lmzM5AARCKT/DaT3CqhWTVVrL8gDWa5WzLuAR8A8xfVEKcnwb8rBS3mm855erIig7lXb1Te/U6lIjfrhJm2NTVPY0in44w2u6YHGxqiVqjQUW9kRKwsZpcwp6wYaLL3RmVtASYcQ+lL8zpi7D6G1i3exS3u+TXW7i3WvnXm1lTzey7Xdz/RlRPRrR/dkufjOoS1y2Ph7WPBtUPe5VPrhqnJ+sf9qqfjlr+GtT9d8P5YNxyfVB7fUDf1y4JuEkOJ84fJEejtNYorb+R2R+gTjRwr4W5//Rp77ZJb8eEN6P8iSCzXQ8ZceM79HVDdmi7pqpZWd5vQ7TrQW26ujEfaaAe3WOBD9SjR73EISc2LC7RoM83KCuaDXVNxrqoCRy3IpstqCYzqrUe3+OhDzXw2j3kiBXV7CBGHYR6FThowTpUYDWzkItJpkPPMVAX6ag0Pr1ALqwVC+rEIjCFXcBV5NXiNsMZP3O0B2uJK84XvlWMWlxL3KxyZefUrkwq+qKE+ANa/msBdtGJvDez4PMLcUvSQJ/mIL88V/ZGDXMp3bitgrISKd5TRt5xsWajugGSj916puybi6AfoZKjZENSOuzlfQUC57TJWxWIw8n8YxJjMoi4Fi1YhxKuBLMW19IWwjjLqepfKIo1IPpCpOA7rGRlDuoDIPcromkxXruMZ/+DrT0js6d1TeArCN/V0laUk3+oY/1C1R5T+i+b45eQghV8y2alYx9feUSrz2kMovvjIqsM2h5U3BiJRwM6kxpnVaFa3LzRZtNwzNTmFTU6SEEL3CUrb7Wje/zkbg9xJMK6GmGNNtLHGmjjEfqNGPtOG/9hp/ifXsmDDv6dNv5f/fJHg+q77cI/exT3uxQvJuyPBk0P+/V3etX3rpqvDWgGO2TdLcLGIMNuQ1kd8IZGWluc2REijTXRR32E2zH2rSh71E+ZivEmI5x2M/J2i7DXjh7x4Aas0DZ1eUyaH5MVdZlqh93obhukxw6NqsoalaUt+uqxICEsK/IKcqz0y60mUFhR1mKDRHQ1zRZEkwkZ1kFb64ltLlqLgxLSozxKSMCEDFmwTh0iZCWZxFViYjobdYEKOUWFnWOgLrOouTx2GYddxeRW0Ph5BP5ZMGUtmrdGaD4EZ65JK591sXgWhLRZZcuCk3dmVi+roq2ByTZmwOddqHoPwtsAZm9Iq/0qFzr/QsWsDOiHeNXvOPleqHBPLmpjPvo3Sys0G73mdMmCbMQ6mu4S25BZSzn8EoUK6Aa1Na+tjw1GHZVqC2CEvWjOVoL4Z4JkNZTxPZC0gij8hSz7EcNfhmCvxMt+KcR+i1X9Yh04wnFvJmn3YYWnELSTw1N6nbuOp8sjK5OJyjNU03Ge47TAfbKMtIppOoEW7mNqzjClZxzu0s5mileH6gko+xvNCiZISMpXMot1zIqAEt9s5Yb0FK8e1mBHedSVMSus3YWJWWE9PkJfgNQfwA/68ddizDtt/Jtx7rUG+qNe6Ysh9f1W7p/twulRw8NuxeMRw2iE+6BX+9eA8U6X/MGgfrRTMdqrHeySR0NMpx1ntWHsAXxjO7uthdUVId1p4/8Z51zzEh/EuP9XIY6HWVMx0WSENR6kTUWYk15imJfdJMzrNgDt1LR+B6rLDu80Q0KS4piqskVbE5WVG/EprZoqBex4TFXqZKVFNRU+cWGTrrZRU+eRVbXXk7pc1LiNGDLAfDpwyIJurCf6zFiHGiEkZ7EQSQz4GWLNETLkFBd/hUvNYVLzuNxKuRrGkRQW1W0sxSxGCZcjOauLoPNK0e9dKZ/FFB2WqDKIjGPZlSsu1c4vY32fR/wyFfRhFXVdHeW3zOrvckFL02rfvVgzGy3dRlYfy4L8kAn6ESc+qfYXV5C3nC9ZWIjcylRmshWFBGbWSxRKYCsqsKsg3HVg/gqs5rsyyrxa8g9M5SGqchdC8GM5a26N4GO0dnEl47NK0lIodTOK/ocrUmEKnkAyPyfLvoFQv65Bb7r1l6N/zGjzopW2HJpyP8P8m9C7Mx/9BV6+XebIEBqypfo8nuQKk5vS0EAMepntcePkeMxhF0m5MKMMYZbWONXAqIPUYCWbJXC7BBZSgeJ6aEwPCcurm3WwHiuuy4YacBP6nITRIONum/h2m+B2l/Bun+h+n/TvfuW1JtZfPeo7XfLEDW/ilv9aq3yqW3O9S3ut2zDUqW6Isk1OuNEJtTkgwXrwrR7xkBt3J8bv9xD+GdBMhKhdJuiYl/hi0HAzyn/Uq+2yocaDlIcdIhs1xc9Ni4qzPLRzLtLpdllWj6ZowFLrpCcbiCcjiiw37zynZqtPlOET5hppaWE1qNEAC2rAPg3EJqp2aaABI9Zvwjd7WDEXK2KnhWwUv5no0CDF1DyjpEJMSuXhzjFgxxmoUwz0eSohlU7NUShgGh0SQTgHQm6HYZcTGavAyNVAzFas+OTZioVnat7Kx3+EpC3H0n/Krvk4s+4LvOxAau2i46UzUyCzztTOOFf7TgFpZQrwmxr2r1DhnoNXPqqgbIAIVxcQP88nLThWNLuC8QvfdamUsq6ase4lCnXkxXD29+mg2UlVM+CyJdWMxXDWL2zVCbpiTzVpWT52TgXzE6BgXhn1k3Li1wjGVoEmJ9bBbYgjxKqzEOKGctgKJH3XjX+UnhiIKT+JF+0gq37Ba1aQ9CvLKV+RZL9LzClKU64/AA/5kWEfYmJQ2RUTtzcqRvvdIbfIKEXz8Hk8bIqGmRPUQzs8DIcSqqLlK0mpZkZ6SFHeoKoMSstDsopWEzhuqOtzoW+1cG+0cXu8mDs9kmtxzmQz+58Bza1W4eMR0z9DppEI52an8vF1z70h81S/sSsmbggyXV682YUyO2F+Py7eQJzsEA77qPfi4kEP9a8e7XiQ9meH9Foje8RPaTfDh33ksLRk1EfottR5WakRcXYDL81FOVVPOOZhnmtT57toyRLgPr/wioV+zkA5psT8YWalWFjpAVllux3nU9TWi8q9arBHBXJrYT49OmgiNLtYMQ8rbKe4dBiXDuO14rwmlFVRI2dkCwkpbNR5dM0fBMhZFjWXyyqVSKFscUUl8VAJflMJYjFJuImv2kOX7KkirDuR+34+bmEG5OPUyg/R3HW58E/yUF/hZAfS65adLJ6VDPxfJvbDi5D3yxk/pAA/z8UvOpw36yLwG6RsXxZmQSpsXiZySUrNMozktDkKzgavrya93EEgBV8yjD9mweccL3ilTvAdhLsOzdmHYx4l8g7UEdbA2D+hBKuRklUV1IVI4UqmbjeUvE1lzZ+4p+gapRN4R8pgG3Cc/W1XkXjerzD6SijzG5xkMUz8EYj/QQ3tM5Z2m9x0UavPC/owbWFafzPt1oBsuInXGxbc6HO2+aQWMVxKzBOhL7BAR8XY80F1XVADdojK9JTLGsJ5lzAnqqts0lc1G2vabdAWMyhqrG13wMdjjDvdoj8HlTfa+VcjjIcD2tudssRN7z9XrXf6DYPNohu9pqsdut5WZSjAMFkRJges3o2yWEANPnx7mNLuIgwGGH926u62qxM3An1O0o0m/nCA1OvCtNugnTZYRFU27EZbaUkhUZaTcUaH2W8lHvMwzwW4yXFFjhi4RwU/HJHnWOlneJDdKuIpKy/DK69sMqOazDgDq1BByrQIKusltRYJ0G/ARZ30uIfT4uc1uVleI9Gpxdo0iGYvW8kukVLzqYjzOOApeOURHCQJCjxNwGYw2SUpeZvziFurpdtAgk1A2qpyzNeFoHmliIUX8t8hq3cX4b47nPM6TLwmFfFeNnoeiPtLBnjJ2fLZF+veh/DX5qK+LqV/m4787Gzdu9uuAKDS36q5PyfXzSmiLE5HfpODWsMyZsoc5Un53zGVKS9RQHO/pqvWFuMXHs9/6zLki1rGZgz7eGMHpa2fSmT/UY5YwzOcVXuzcOJdROVGln59es2MCtz73s6D0aEzDPX6Gtx3BP6+QHstkLACzlyGES+oob9ZyXytnPp6GXEOW7NNa0nVaPKc1pqoFz3SSh1vpQ2GSR1OwnBc0eLmaTiVTGiKHJ+sxJ9X4ZMcvHwbv9jIzFYTz4vgh5SEk0ZaspOf4ZcUBFRlXR50f5DQ5UEPhoi3O0UPB5QPB7RjTdypdtl4TDh9M3BvyPzoRnC0S9vXouxskXd1qOr9RKURZLJBvG6M0wRu8ZMHmnmtHtL1NsX9XtPdTuO/Q/VtduJ4TNDrIw+HaU3GurCirNVc0+8AqzHHmpR5WtQhKXiHm3XOx0nREY6GxdlazHET7nRYnO1gXRTCDmppKTZ+cUiLiFopAR1Wzy5TUHLNwmq7tM6lRYUs5KCZFDRTvGayx0Ry6Ah2DcYoB0c8NAWvwqpGKHiVZGRqTfkRHDqFSkllsrOU+lqSICUJtCgJ/nkB+dtMxJenC17NrptTCPnsRNrrDM3+WvqGPwrfKmF9fwH09kXI+8XEb9PBX56veDsN9ClevrOSvDod9lk66qNj5YBs8mcEy44TVW8lQV+v4H95qurNPNz3mlA+kLrr8KU5HMPL00ambBOSsaoIsfhC2Qdnyt4qJS1BC7d0TcAb2vMYot9q4N9z5Yf1/gK+KbmGtKqGuBjFX1qEeq2GBuDZP0LL/leMmYnm/lwfyQdiV1FFG9D8RfnIVypoM8ppb9bS59GUWwX6s2xJsspQ5Kiv7Yyi+8LIXh8yrKmJOxiN9WwDH8zHZImwKXLCJTU5TUfNckurHMJiPfWSkZZsZqbqGakWXpZHWRrSVjXogd0e4mCIORJlT7QIJpr5Dwd14zHBRLOow0u53W9KPGqdHLKND9uGBsweD93uJutscJUBaDOBQxZk3IIb8rEGQryeEP9Gn22iyzbWYRlu1veFZROt2t4QeyDIdEvKYtq6XjuiWVVqo17o0JVYSWed9OSYKl+HO0Yv3+wXpPn4qcKaXV5+qhRxyCXKsApzlZwCkwIatDAtUoSUWigl5yqZxSpOuVOLCtjJDfW0sJ3uMhDsGpzTSPJYqHY92mHEyjlVck4Vg5QDqzuDwyZTqRe1prIayLaswpV8+ekq1I9nst/Iw34KEX93vm72obzXThe8tz/lNQRvE4y3KRP9LVD0az5p2ZnKd3IJX2Uj554umZEJmkuW7UNyfjtT8u7Roln7ct8gWo+ko1ZuugC4CP9fMmLWb1cAuaSfjF1VJ8oW/JbySirs5QhPrmILiLQkBzI3G/XxBfhrF5GAPOwrqsBqEOV1EO51EOZdJHmh2LafoT1QDF9VhdrIkl8AEzdA6J/IvUvxindKcQCyfL0rlokgr+Epttdi5uaDXq1lzComzUQrVzIs+0nKU2DaUar0Ekd6ScQ/6dZndrugbRbkYEjSE1a5NSQNt0aIT1NS0o3sAhnuipKcZeEW6ckX5cgTauJ5PfWSQ5gfVFUENNU9fvK1FuFAiNXfyJnq0fYH6He7VJNx8Z0ubaePfjWuuDlsG+u3DA2YwxFhvZcl18PUdrjFhXDbYEE9pNWE7raR2uzE/qjkzrh3rK9+rM850Gwca7eNtZmnui2DEbFTUNlpxfp4+SFefpCX1aGuCLLSG0U5Pk6qCLTbK0jx8C/aaOckkL0W2mkucFuDplBBSTZJqhucHL+FpRfCRfhcPjZdRitSssvqVdCQlRR1MVoDfL+dZlFj7Dq8XUc0yeEmOdysRcuF1UppLYuZjcaeQWCP4JlHc0q+u5T9eWnZUgFzb1XZF6Wo2dW8eZnk+cnoJQfyPj+W/3ktazWY9WMxbjVBeayO9+vRwrfziF8W4OdeqAQUID+hKLcXr6mkAAAgAElEQVQh2FvOlX685SzgSN7ndGvmjovzN55+Oxv39YmqN/fmvVHJ3y6NVf+e9sW+onlHq18O4MEJ15Sh51+u+pAg35gCnHkJOCMf88nIPyAgYz6KuyQX+E4Fcj7PcoisOghm/VaCXCe1peJ4O/DCVSL7eoJ6fiHmbYLyV1dXcSnhW6xiXTn54wwYoIz6Ri3nPZruR5JyDUawsgq3lMDfw5ael0rTBcyLJlmRVVUdDHK6e2wOK0NErxRgs9XEHLewxC0skhOTRJgzenq6kZYuwyUZmdlxK7LJhDCyC/yqug4vZbiJf61TdW/QdKNDdrNDcadHc71D0x+VTA3ae9rUI0PW5haZ3obVONAqG0xvAgc8uKAVbeZX9Hk4nXbWcKOiL6K6fz16/Wq4r9020e+7NuibGnBPdhk7XLSYBhaT17ZrqloVpXFZqZeVYaQle8R5Fm66hpQcVpX6hLkGUpIAeNBEvmSipnvl1Q1mvE4MbW/S1hvpSgFYwS4nQ1Mk1CKzBO7UEz0mmt/EiLlFLhPZqEA6DESrBh/zSsL1IrucLmVAeZRyCiEDDj8Cx+2tw27IBy7Ih311qfTto5cBZzIBmRWv4bhLCcINSObaPy4Dkktm46VbSwk/5cDWk7Tna/mbjpf871LdB/noLy9UzKoirZDVZ5VjdxxI+3DVAQBIdDwHv3VfxptH8l4/X/G/pKqPUmqXoxRJQl/ppjOzDxR+fP7/F+xbR110sfTNjOoPKfJNuYg5l2veTC6b2XmznKZeC2EuAlEX4EVreZY/0KJdINpmIGWzIZiFYm+uwH2F4n2NlS8sRL/PMh0N9AOL8QvB/EWF5Lez0IBC0kyE8CuMeAVGsIosX1tHWQqlrOFIj7p9VdEQOmgDmRWVQT/r+rVIe7PVpqYqKOV0YBIbfE5DzTTwcgycDCsr20BOU5Eu+eSVbfW4JhMyZIA11+OGm4S3enX3hsz3Bk13B3QjMcFEh2yyWzvSoZ4acbTGJA0hjtfPtDiIcgPY5MBGY2ybHhyy4vwaZESLC8gxPX7xRIf91khocsB/fSQyNRLuaTYMNOsGYwqHuKZRBWpV1zWKim2kFA87MyQp7nOhnfw8Ce6cU1RQL8jzS4qdvBwx5LiZke6RVNqFFR4txqEjeO1cr53LJpZJGWVsTLaKU6sXwrwmhlNH8VlZISfXaSQ5DHh/PdlfT44EuX4302GiOUw0qx6tkJTSGKdw1F0l0G9SSt8pRH1ZRV6SDZmbUvreifQZ5YhlKsd5inDnhfx3LpV9ipXuB/H2VDG3g8S7MtDzj5fOvAB8NxM+91ThTBBjrdKVD6QcXH/k1cvQH0nWy7uzP96R/koS8P2j+a/9kfW/MvI2tjUHIT12MO/TnZlvHK18/yUK1YTPk4teyQJ9BGEth3C+Ta6YcaoYgJItZ1vXApmfgZlfsPWbuJZ9dbR1ZZjVeOFeUzgPx/+9ErcQRPsCLpgPZn2j8KW5OqoqSPMh/M+KSa+WUWdUUt8hqX5Ec9eBKWu5pv1owYYy1DdQ0lqR6kRXO7YtgveZkY0B/rWxht42t03H1AlgKmalklmqZhbK6FlqVo5LUuZXVFl5BR5ZVZsT3+un94SZg1HBRLviWqdmtF050iq/2afpi7AHW8SjXer+NkV/lzYek5jNWKMNZ3ORVSakyY4LBxgNDmJXiO8QgTwSmE+KiTm4N/q914eCo33+a8ONU8ORoTb7QJN+KK6OWohhDazFgPDzC0LCQjcns9+JCCnL7IIcKz8npK0ysTL8ijKPqFiGTrLzC4MqiE0CrFdiPDaW3ykJe1RCJkzKhSl4UIMEp+DAHHpavY4aD8kC9UynheR30vxuWjwqijcJGgJsbz3DbaMZtBAW6woCdwhK3A4krM8BLSjCLi1ELy9ArssE/Xi5+ouzxe8yjPsE9ScPXHn3aO58nPISUZ8GlR8qpP14onL24YJXTlW8cQn47tmyWTD+BpEjuYL465rDALz+bDlnz08nX/klGZAG+/JS3Uc7U16pou8QuAtKKb+dKPtq62XA4bLZL1Eox76XXfdmFnB2CWoeUbkxpeLNDPisS7UAhnkFQvQFiP05z7qVrNlWhl1RhFhJU/yhcl/h6v6gyDfC2Qtr6J/QdT/bWor1oSwIdzFKOreS/no1Y1Yday5DtwXD34Hh7RPbzqL5mwoRXxUjvgLjfpQpz/pcVWEHOuhgdDUZOmP2qEftMtJMcqROWKtkl6h5RRp2nl1QFNGBbMIiM68wbIS1e8hxF6HTzxhoko62aSe69Td6Tdd7teOdysk+/Vifrq9N0d2m9AeYRjNGrYVZ7SSnm+52MJwmXGdI1BcSqSnF7TZ23MJp9UpuDAZH+jyTo5HRgdBgp+fWSEN3RNPfpOoJChsNuFYTNqKuaVRXtRnqBjy4Xi+uQQ/U0NKiJrBNkB/Rg12SMgUpPaCDOVUwixTm0JHCbmk0oIuFDFYNW0SDUeAlJGgBj1TV4BKEHLz2RkWDm+tx0BpDggYfv7VRFfDyGwIyn0PsMHO1GoJIUssVF6KopyCU/WDqbrzsJE56LB/9UxH+B6Ju68nymcfKXq8S/LQ9bdZlyFpxCEg05hQxtqahlxytmH2o4JXDRYAL1f9Lg36ElGykaPadK5mXAvwWZzh9pOKrtecBm1IA2cQl6cjPd14EQIT7ea7MK8gfD+S9/3sG4FjVuy9RyKoCFNS9lVn9bhnya6b2QBluWSrojTQ4oIb7QTl1NkqymKJdX0H+rgS3ogy/hmM4JbSeF1qP07Qb4NyvCrBvkjU/WZoy1P5kun4NmPd+DX1GFXUmXLAAL9mI5e9Vu/JElvOV+B8KUQuB9JVw9s+VqDU82RmDsdSmB8cD4qEOW2uj1mogyUUgOb9Sxig2C6u9ijqPrNojqwpqQc1WTIuT0O6hDkZFI83Sq+3qsU7tjX7zrSHbSJtqrFs30qPrbJM1hFjeAE2mAar0MJkabLGQYo2K9oi6P6ZtMNJ8KrxXhhkOKvsCysG48eZ4Yzyim5qI//tgIB7W3xpp7AprJzodIROtw8sdbZJ4FNWtdvR4M2c4Qo/owa12dIMO0mxBuZU1USvaLq22Suua3WyDFKmToA0qSnPMareJWptsEjaGjCqXMBBKDtJr4oQ94pBbEA1Im4KycEDU3KhqjxlaoqagX90cq4+E7T6PwemQG0wsMrMYR8/iqIpZ6iKiLLua9seJws+PFLyFUK9LRX+yIQnwe/rMLZdev4xYQTImZ2N+uVD9dT5xxXnIB3+Uvra/EHC68s18/Bdg/g8l5MUHsmfyXGmlzO07897bkffW9szXi+gr9+S8fjD3bYEnk11/ZW/2u0dL3z1e/eax6tdeonC5CJBeOqMMMQ/L3cjVnCJI96TUzMjFz8xEAUDcuRWUTxGCH7JgX5eT1oGYvyqcqXzTKaJ4ayn6vVraewXYVwsws5nmXZrQGV795irK2yDWzFrqTIx4QTlmPoS2TectpilPXqlanAf9BszeCOZuKiOuxQj28lWXXU5Id1zaHBR7bEyFDKhRAl0mpFsFckurGtWQoLourIe0OPE9YWZ/hDfQKBxr11zrNkz1ma91Gya6jdf7LOPdpu6YvDnCi0a4bh9FZYBI1LVyDdhsJXic7EhAPNbtnOxwDPhVTj7KL8GHlbTxZttIq6Or2eKxC/u7PIknk0Nd3msDDcMt9beGAmEzvTss6vKxmizwW10Sp7i020PudBF7vFQLtzBqhNvEZU5ljUFY4TcTwi6OXoExaikWPTsY0NhtouaoXaugaiTEoF1skhN9Vo5OiYkEJLGQvLfV3tKojwZ07U22sE8dCslDEaXbLXG5xCY7U6SAVEFPF9buL4QdvFK9PRt6pBh9FkS7SBTni50wqRdaxztztHjRlouv7c19LYfwVVLtW1noD8sZC04D3zhRO+NY5SsnKl7NQH9cSltwGfS/QsJCjuPy/pwv9hS9d6D8nQOl72bgvl1/GpAKXaqOliBlRzeeBmRivk4nzPuj4uXcRiLnl9yKz4qg83iGPUzNIbJidxbi0wtVM5OBsxj23wpJn9Xxvi3ALChCfosX77M0FovsZ8GMDRl1n2Ika/OxHyZVvYYQ/ODpTSLqFlbQXqukzSrHf0CX7Q201GEZ++iSYxjerhzw0nzU4irKT2XEzTDOYbL4tMZa1N7KbomwnAZMvQGjkgANKpjfTHRr0F4VPKRFBNSQJjMqZsfG7PieIGs4JumNiIZb1ZO95qnB+skh27Xh+slR52CvOd4iDTewbW6cXFsr09QYzejGRnF7s7Y1rBxsttzs9Q9FjA1GhkOK9esYN3oCk32B9gajSUMb6Q0lErcHuv29rY7J/mB7WBOysjx6UpOD0e7ntDgofQHGZFzcZEEGtSCvvDqoAbsUNUZRpUePCtZTXVaqSUsI+uVWM8dk4dXbxfFmu83IU/Gxah5aLcZYtGSTntDZZmhtM3R21ne226MRfcCnslt5TqfA55H4vVKvU2jQEKWiOom8gsFPBxEPFCG2Jpd9u3oPYHfSe8czv0yt/KEQsR0tuIxX5AK554iGDKLxPEx0AME/CKTvPFXx1a+XZ+y4BNif9urF8g+h7HWniz/G6o4Uc37/NeuDLVfePFW34Hjl54eLPl53BlBIW69qqsxAblh3GpBPW5yG+vgc8OXkd18zuKELwtEfyYHMLyF+CxWsKyF9faLw9VTwRyj5BopxYw1zEYz3fSlmMYKxReW5xDUfBLHX5iGXY6R7cuALcqDzaLqt3t7ztfx3ikiAauZ7teRFrcP4W/+YrhQtxLC3EiS/11JXlVOWlZNXVBB+oStSxPpspx/S2kYzayvlgiKPBeu1Ed0mvFOPd2nQbg0qbMI0O4gdfmqXn9bqInd76SNNkpFm+Vi7bmrQPjXivHHVOT7iHJ/09gxYGptEtnqC0gjiS0v1VrjNjo8GBb0xw1CbfbLT2+pR9jUY+5r0bX5lm08x1Ruc6PK3BgxBu/TORMezfybaG22dMXtfvL5eR21w8KMefndE2VBP6wwLJ9pVEQPco6iMGqEeRbVbWRe24lxaRMRBs2mQehlcLUH4XCKPSyaTEjxuhVpBl/IwVgVdxUXJ2FCXldvWarh2PTIy7I80KH0+qd3ON+pZNrPA61F43XJXvdRu4BpUJLMGr1GB4cgTlYjfc0GrzhbOPZ43uxC7MKV8dnL5rAvF7yWXLtp3ecHB3B/O1vxayj5cwzkqqS83hKFI6RkQf28lbc2BS4BzuW8XQL9LKl1GMV9Owq44Clmw5cpbBws/P1n+7S/nZm9OBlRwt0hC1SfLVq4/DchAz78I+qyY+N1LFAZvK/tuSob/VEC5u3+/ACgkL4JL15wqeyULM/sS+FVldHcVbR5BtbKC+EUO8DOKchvD8BtcuLoIu/QK8Ms82EIwY7Wh4bzUsQfI/riC9k4WdObAA2DXNVhG5VcXi94GURbhZCvQ4mVwwdIqyqJS4vcs4wmJOcXiLfYGaqjk0wTsaYsB3BBkehxkqxbW4CA3OglBMypsQnX6GaMt0rFWxViraqLTMNFtnOw13xxz357wXh93j486+oZsDc1SkwMv14Dl2lq1ri4QZMRj4oFuy82rob9vtSYeDj4Yb2x2iWxygoBY0RJQ3xltGusJeEy84e7AteGm5rBpcrCpp8UZccnjQWVvzNAWlvU0qvqbFFdbtTEno8lObq7HKaiZHhXQIa/zGZBeAzbqpDu12EA906ojqeU4tYwglxHdLpnNLFCICXoJSUSH6uWUjnh9LGq0WDhWKzcaNYSCWquZ5/cqm5sskQaDP6hxOaVup9TrFgf8IrOdRGBmFMN3H0ydvy/90yrmTn79JbRoVxnxu1LiNxj5pgLCio0X3vhyG2DlEcDOK7O3n5t1KPXDLPDq5PKvza1pfQ9h9a0ZJ/PmQLm7wfw9Z4DzrxCWH6ucu/Y04HDRovWn3zlavAiuOMWw5R0vWLo3/d0U4JcpdZ8Vkl6mQNNe1oSqu+6qfQP4bWmvnKt9h2D69VjJK+frXrsABCAVS2CCBWDeF4Xo9zPrPiLKNpN1mzHytbmwz45nzoQw1sEZ6w2BM1T5hmrCnCr8+4WwOY0D2Qj2j2dyZhTAPqqlfFXL+LSGPhfMWVSK/6KCtIim3kER71IYkxzuYjz+MB53UsjPVagq6+1on5sYchOiHkLUhY848C0+xmBcPtSiGGpRTXQbbwzYpgbrb417bk74J0fdfX3mSIvY5CJINSCxolZjRLg91IYQd3LE9fe95gc3mqaG/df6vfeuNv45Hu+P2+rVjN4m282h6FC7l42v7W/zXh9uafBqBtp93XF7e4Mx4hQNtlr6Y/pWv7izQdxYT4+56V49ImLHSahZOn5ZtJ7mM+LcWlzYwXQbyWEXz6TGa2Q4uQgTDGjEQoxaQWWSgCoR1mHkNQUNQbfGbOKGQ7qAXyMR48UCrF7DdDulLofE7pB4fCqPW+Fxy10uscFM4clqCbzstMqtpwpWFJB2wGWnqbpsrOgcmPVbKnBeGvjzdNRX2zIAu/NmbEwBpEKXFCLXKh157lbI+v2AHRdeK8R+m4dZfKroA7Y9KQO26mzNFxnYZZcQi9aeAvyW+u6O9E8uw9agtSfQ2oNnqz49XfleCuiD09WzTlXNfInCjtT3gfzDNHNeyx0pRHH4VPU8hPr3Y6UzT1cD0lFvZKHeZFpWA5mfFGM/qKEsZRt242RrYbzvsyFzLhS8wTfuJwl+Eel/RzMW1pHeqyG+r/HtFVp2ncp9NaXsbbZpD0O/vYL4eR58DoixrAy3sAK7gCzZBKeuFij+qHfnYrH7CYTTdGYGg19scRBjUb7PTvCZkS0+RjzEaovw+5rF/XHZUKv6er/tzlX31KBz6qrn2lVvb68pGpebPGSxDsKTV4nkNTodIhRgN4YEE8Puu5PhyX73eK9ztMvRFTddG25oazTY9ayOJsut8daeFicdV+0w8Lub3ZNDrU1+42CLO2IXufT0vmZjd0RtU2DDdnrUxe4ICh1qhFkK1PDKDaJav5HkNZM9Jko8IPVZGGoJQi1ByXhwk4qqVVAUYjwBWSpkIcJupa9eplcylXKGWsPii/AUKlgowKlVNKOOLeaheUyY2cyut/GNeobVyLDbGDo9lsYuKAEdSirakAXfVic4jdNmlBFPluOOoEVHgfTNWfClqZCFu7Nmnqqetz//k2U7ACWo7fcfOzpHGCcufXQ8Y9bB9JkrDwBOVyymms5fqPwmC/5NJnJxFmbJ5uRXlh8FHClfWEjfitEdKucvvYR461ztG2drZp6sef1k7asvUdiS9vr6C6/uyZ5HteU7+oRMe3mtaFsyeE4qclYSEJCLAqBEH0N4H1dT52FFm4XW40jBT7X0xTnwOUmlMyjyTXL7Hq52VR1xdgUWQFcs+juBz6udezJ7Jpixsb6lxhqrzoZ8eybvA5xwF4K5GUhcAqV+C8J9L1Ufq3fnQeG78ORkqarO6CD5I6JIRBT2s6NeVrOP2RSkdcVF/W2Knmb51Q7dnauuO5O+yUHH2GD9cJ89FlNYXVSRHkyTlYoNIJ0V6fJQezo0Y/2W4Q5jd0Q53Gq8Mxa8NuDpa7fFgurRvuD1kdjzf8Zvjrb6bHK3WWLXCj1m+a3RHodWGA/odSJMR4O6wcmzKvF6CeJqu3kgrnFoUFc79FpBtYxZ2uRmKTlVoXpWwMaK+cQRp0AhhCuFKJUIrRRiyNhSlQQnF6INSppCRuSxUSo112CSag1Sh9sYi/u6OyMuh0qvZBtVDLue43VwvA62SY2z6vFOO8ViQotl5UD40XLE/jrasVLinnLq3nTI5jz0plLCT5dqPj1X9eEfxe+uOg7YlDTzCnr5ukOA7MqtiUS7NwQ8mfJ2Uun/LsPe35kNSEMvycevSalYWEVdB+X/UkBYcbRk7pKDgD/Kl1bwjqM0J8+C306BvXmsZEYO7usU+EfHq998icL6dMDP6a9tSn/7YMkSornE2c9iOi6dq/4MKFh9vBiQjpiVh32Xol1fgpsPZq2QuA5CuStRoh+zIB8nl76FZC9XObaxNN9A6TMgTABZPoehW5oJfCML8X4N88fgANrcVJdatex49kdY8WGMYC+Ms76G8H0VfJlYfVJvzSRQTvDFeTojzBtiNTVLQgF2LCxobxS0hbgtIX53TNbTLG9rEHXHFeP99hvjgbEh19CQvbvX6A5zZWYEXV5GlZZIdXV2N6WpSdrRqh3qd3R3mIb6nL0dlp52c1NQEfZLXXae2ylujhjuTnVdv9ps1rBUQkLYpQrXK1oCRg0f7zcLLFKSz8wO2fkOLbnBwY+HJO0Ncr+ZHPfwpIxiraA6YCG5dLjWBonXygg5uW4T3agiSDhQk4amEOJFbCSdCJaIyCw2lkpH2etVsbDFbuA1eFStjdbOFmdnm3ewJ9DX4fKZuQ0OoUmBd5voZgXGokTadHC5pJRGu1SHPFSNPVhHP15A2HMJvO4iZHktdyNItDoV8uGl2g+Tqz/dcAaw9SIgA/P5H7kzlu8AYLgH5cYzQOT3hy8CThe/DZFvKaSvW7obcAm4Og+7AS7el4dZcwn0/epjgD8KF8JkpxHSw4cKXj9f/ebR3Nfhoo1l1GWH819/icL+qre3ZAA2Xgb8kjpzV9acKt4uni+vjL6T67qMUe/fk/5KUu1ca1uZMpiaDnuvkDCHqFmHFq1Pr/4yFzgfxVlBkH5DUHwIF7wOYgFQwv8VYV7NQ7+VCvsfVPqzqxNiCFSXw3+uQm1kqpOB1F148T4Yc0tBzVIKdx9NdJIjv2z1QJxejD9Ibo5ymyO8piCjyU9tCzE7GvidYWFHUNgTkQ+1WyYHvGMj7sEhR1ufzhPjS21IsqSUIS2X62EOF60hKB7q8fR3uq8ON3Z1ehojpu4Ob6zB2NXqdNYLdTqaXk8PBjR/3hscHoiOD0fjDaZ4WG+RU8Q0cINFFDBwXEqqQYixqSg6Cbq3zeqr5zQHZGEH2ygC2+Uwo7C2oZ5mVsMjfp7LRouFJWYN3m6i8pl1Uh6aTYWzGBgeny6QC6hsulwldlvVcmKVnlypIhZWZx1KT9m1dePiLT8v+nIOYMt376GKzlIRxTY102/heA1kgwLMpmcwmZeJzKRy7IFM6LYU2NbzwJ8uAJdUsdZX0JddAX2UD11UAP3+l5OvbDkLSAPNzkTNOV49Z+0ZQBVxKZq+ZtMeQFLeYr49vZZ75JNNgN053+VQ9pbQ9uRjNuYi1mxPfvti3TKe91wxZfmx/FcvV//vXBGgljwfyFh6Kv/lEVM58vMi6BcnMt/a8Adgd9rs9adf2507F2U8WSPeVj9csTPt1R1JM0SOzAcJezVlA0a8sZbxNU66CkxbfqFgJl7yNVIwB859C0ibwdQtZmp/KoB9jeBvL8WvAzF3x4fZwRYyS5CkNRWo9MUFZesRtF+Jgt9Lkd8QhNvpsiNsRZKvGdvaJ4q1C+It4pZmUbxJEA0x42FuT5O4t0nW0yzvbVUNdGhH+qwDPYb2dpXLz1CZkGxZJV1UoTTgbDZWZ9zSE7VebXOPdwSiHnnUr+xsNPc22WJOsY4Ht2nIsZDSoicN97of3Gy16egqCU4uwBqUdA4FziJBI26DU8czSSlSBrShXhr3K/qajW4zzaEjtIUlVgWiwUY1CIHdjXIlrybkZIZdnJaw1KzA6KUoFr5cIyHS8SC9hisV05RylpiLN8ooAnx13rkD+37+fuHcdw7t3b5l60bAK4BP5n4wEwAoTjnMQxQKqHXxsLG31RVxyQ1KPINczOeWkFlpRfCdeaitacg1my/MOlP+NVS0Kw+/NLVuLoi5qhy/fONpwJqjgEt1n9SyVjMcSTsvvrPrHIAo+u3X44Ac2A8MW1Iefsvvl+d9sQUAlv2RT1pXQvkpH7P8fNWiEtqvho6ygznvna54Nx368ZmSGUeyAcnV7+5Je3nEVFX+TmHR21DsN2ey3/o9+ZX15wArTgDymBtLBJtI9kOVnJ92Jc84fuXLR4mwwpr3V0KHkfyYA3sHwlp+oRCAFn2Ml7+Pl71XS5mlCfzG1PxaDF8lsKZCudtLsKsNwRxboIDFP6hUXjDr88DgzUDkCqJoUy1tBVm9V+nLkDtyHU2o5h5B24C8d9jQ06trj8uao/xGHyPioXU08Hua5QNt6qEe40CPofP/4equv9petPzhf+ru7m7UjZa2OBR3dycQAiGEhIR4QlwhrkSJkYSEJLi7VSjV056e02P3njtzvzN3npmvPHKfnzv/w2vtvfbae+33K+vMrKbb06btQqnNcJMDb3dQuy3U+ZHOV2OG1QnzyrD+xZh+ddo8P6KeH1H/8s77P/9c/P3L+F9+nPLZO94ueb6u9fd3d3SKW5UCrM+pshllZoOi32vXSbluk3S0V/fDq8FJv2bELZ0fVC+NaN/Omkec/Ll+ucfQ9mLKND2gnOiX+x2CmUGN3ybw2vgaEWbArVGK2jzdWrWUbdYKZOxWZktJ7MOLezYBGwEAADY+fhoRk5y598DRvdu337t4zixg6Lhkm6nj64/Lf/z8emnKP9CjsxkEckkLmZHfRI1u4oaUUwKeFKyvYdynG1KgnHswdgBeeANGPx9Wsi4wE2jm30EJHku8YCg3MigDgFCvpNRsR4seUTpji3ABNcwnF6KApMaDTR23y8lHyojHmgSBWGVC5zjsXjqQCN5cTjiUCd0cVwnkNO2IrfhvFMgHy8EAnnUSxTyTDtn2rAC4FAeUMW7z+zKhkhv17Rfy0fsiigDfEnruB+Hqb8LWjrNl6HUNlNNozjlx99l26wGe8QCat8k4EIhrP93KveuYAPNt4RD6YRTnmML+lCO6K5aFz0/jet0gCvcGWxVIUz5jaRO0PrC5D+kapUwsSVc/2L79MvTTZ/+bFevqoml5UjM7Inkzp/vwyv7DG+f7N47XLy2zCxr/MM/Q1aLSNvOWtIIAACAASURBVKhMDUZ7i9GAGPCyViaU037h8pB6ZcTgdbS7rHwKuZrLbABXJ5TkhVYXx1QXx7ThypYnzS8nuri4Chm7TsWDe61St1ndY9ZODfs9Vr3PrnObxC8mnC/GbEsjBr+F+27evjConPJKl0d1fgv3xbjp5UTXeJ/EoW+b7JP7zFyHjq4StPptCpOSb+4UKTroJiUf31iRHfngyGZgMwAcOXzyzPkru/Ye2bn3wDoAOLZvdwcFP2zVdyuFM9Oef/uPn/7Hv3xZezE6M9o97Nfo9XgCNasBH1rScj0LfqoIc6GBE0hUxpNUCSpvKUF8twZ/LKF2y4MMAC8JwQrDGV2FLdKE4JKtT4uAhPqdUN6d6rYbqfXHYNyg5Nqj50MBpCgku3lvQt3mhvZHVEs2TpMUmL0urGRdbvPu9IYtKXUbs+B7wkq/pwBib4FwdhWg1qGE50XOcDDlVEgekAjaSuuKhIluPSkB0lt2x9UAFdjT3/6nbfYjg6m7W4PfQxIEm31F3VPhBOkmRucBqvyg2HoZwThIkT6WOjO49iC0/GQ5AZA7HzJlt2m8x+Mz5KFJPEP6jCC4I7XmsBQZ0q4qez+xb4K/8Krrw0f3L18Hf/no+7BoejmhWBmVLo1J3ywaPr62vV+zLy3rx6dkvX6m0YySKmsVnbVGc4Pd3tJtJyzNGFbnrH2WdpuKT8MgTMZONA4LQ2MrILDw+LSrtx8eOXp8HQDExwSOD+rfLTmoyBwOrpiDKRu2y6c8ll6jemGo32nSdBsUP67N//5psUfHmfGpZv3ipSHFhwXb0pBuql/Va+auLTiWJ0zTfrlTS5lwS906ut/C0wvxVg3Ha9PoNR1deqleJUiJDdkEAJs3bjpz+sKmzTvWAZu2bNq8CQAunzooYqCm/F29esX8qO/v//bbH//6deXV2Nyse3HBMTdn6OlltFKSy2D3qzGBVaRHVeR7UM49jDiEIE/pmcWxNNEQ0uWo0h3XngNIbjBFFcfvyQPz7+SSTz4qBUKrgEL82Sz4iZjSPQ3Uh0hu8N14IKPxcEr9rsjyjY0dT3nukgzEueCSrRGVG7IQe8sIp6LK18fU7rif/T2Feu2RHDqQiQVo5nsd3eF6f4Z1MD8DtJmifsy0Rj0oAu4XAdXsY4m1gNSVw+9KxIjOUOQ3xKbid7+o6coAEBaYep/fM/W8gbQBwdhP7Lhdiz+DbD/LsdysoW3km6+jmOfq0ZfMDph/lNrlqcGygs1+mN4BMziR/eP8yTnN58/9334c+vZ+4OdV98cF8/KwbMbPnxsSvpxVv3thXnttmZ1W9noZah20Q1IhlJR16ut7erDDA5zxQcXL6Z4X473jvQ6tRBoXlVAPxUvVvTh2F5bdfS+8/Pil8ItX72/evLHL0PH+9YBTz3h6Yw+uPlGAK+rR0vymdpOItTjgmR3onfI7V2f7e7vEfnPHt9UBqwz7dtryasI441OtzTun+7UDDuHavHNhSOPtYjo62/wW3liv3Kqma4Vkn1VpVPDsejmLgr53/dLh3TvvB9y8cv7ymWOnIoKfFGYkdnaQ3ky7Foe6+GTY8vTAl0+vZ5Ymhie9gyO2+VnHzIzO00O3Wlt0xnqWOA/HTcYJUvGiBJT4KUocVI2/J7SWdnSlwVn3osq2PEgHmjmP8ZIQsj48FbETJr9WwT0TVA5ktR5PgBwIzttU3xbYpkgrbrl/8jEQW7UjFboPKQunWbMe5W0IzAOSGndmNu8hap+GF697DtoZmPM9BaT0YnXb/sym9S38m+2GHMcw2jAAKkGdgvKuIGQPnjccPR4BJCJ2ZGK20m0PTNOJYPbmWvIusSHz7//b0co+hmYdWf2J0d4Zz1bfRnP3N7N2gokbKdLLPP3dWtI2gvREDXFjafM6vjKop6/W5IBxRBVGB97qoRrthL6B9pEx6edP3j9+Gf39x8Fvn/xf3rhWZ7ULI8LpYd7MqGB+RjEzJ3P24pTGqnZlJleULFeUWrqQw37J+xXvX77M/X//+Pz3X5dmBo0+h0QhJD2PfIDBwINCg89eu3Xs6u2bQdFnz989e/rc4Ij+46fBPq9u8zogIfoSh1KoE4G7VZhRh3yhzz7da5juNYy7NTN+w7RPM9QtHnNL12a7f1jpXRkzLY90LQwaFke7Pr/yD3nEy1Ndcj5y2K1W8DGTfab+bpVT32HTdajbKVQ4CF+dr6OiewQUt6ht3CSa69HMeQ39dqVN12HRi6YnPF+/vFqYGxwbdsyNOxfGjItDqkmPoFeH8xqJbhNOLq5icTPxzKgy6EUk4xleFFFLulZOPMt1xJKMYWEV267FAw3c22RVJEURj+bHILnRMi84vvbE4/zNjwrWZaPPNAueVuFuE+QpF0KBkJK9cMlzpDoRq8t4Vrz/ejzwvGprIni7dqgws+FAaNGGwMzvKTTKjzRKj+YRN2Q2b6rAnu3oSjMPl1Hkj/LhOxDtAZWki+Gl6x/lAwW4PZlIgGMPgPI3ozoOQYlnv/27BEk7NrScLzIFkzpuyB0haO7xurbdpZjNKPE5gupyFWkzRnwURNqcCwWQ9FMyU5zSWkhgJ9j6CL1jXLOb4BsWTM9qPr53//JT3+8/9v3xqe/HV/aFEeHsEG9+UjA6yBodZvv6qFpTvUBWyO5I4QkzjMaGoX72+9XuP3+b++Xn+f/3//79n//f3xan3AN2zYtxn4JLTYgMAwAA2LJt/9kLgZFxAbcfPnkaODFj++XXaYOGtWMD8ODmXigoQi6oVQsbfXbB/JBtadQx6uyc6jWsTvUMO2TzA/php3Dar1yb7Z72q97Pu396Pfxy3L461dPXLVlb8HXruCMerV5C83RJesyyQbfeounQS1g6IU1OR7s0PJ++3SRqsylYvV0So4xhVHPfvxr/l79++vhu7tWLiaX5gfFR68SQYdDdMejiDznZXhttxNdus5A6ZGC+CtRuqqbI8zrsYL4FxDTkN7KfNfIeNAsDn1dse5gMNHOfwOmhPE3J2AtxEyNe5kEUYCO3BgDPa06UEe80MEIK4TfpqpwM8OUzIUAVMxJnKq7kRD4s3h+QBjwu2ZiDPWVZaUyAHrqaDMQ0fB9EjNSdhCmO5hCBLNT6PNS+2HKgGneIqrwFIuxB8S/QOp+InEnZ8G1Z8A0VlM21tM0Cx20E9wCYtKtnOkvdGzP1AVqO2kFT3W7mnM6DbYAwjheitqNEl/DKKxDWbprpIpS3JwcBFLQACP55hjYCL3yutEF7x/ieIY5vsP3lWvfXr0O/fxv727eJv/w49Ot775s53dKkfG5K5PNRrN0Ilb6aL86hcRIZ7ekyTXm/n/J6RfuXn4b+8T9e/dt/ff7255t//vPP//yXH97M+nt14uV+13SvHVVfuwEAgHXA7gO7Dh7ZGxEVaHUKZhdsZaWJmwHg9vX9qfEB8IYoBiWvnQsaH1IvTzjGPPrl4e6lIfuYUzHpVn9Y8CwMGlaGLV+WB397N7U27Xs55nk7Pdhrki0MOX1W+VivYbrf1muWG8Qsn1ml7aCK6a2s1rp2EkzCRLqMgrEBw+iAae316JdPczPTnolx5+CQVdvJ1ajoVgPb3c1xW9tseoyrC+dxUHu6aQYTkcmvJQmqCMJyjKSEYQRjZUVERUETLzIoZ11Y+boG/uUi3P4i9H6+JZ5vymgkPFv9yUSW5JGVeS2S2MiqPemIIwn1e0rQ5zPAR6sJtxpZYSeeAAmQS+Kh6gToodDyjeGl6x9lA9XEK/qhmrDcnSE5B7CSrO8o1HD2YzovgFg7M+FAE/8SUx+cCgZKUZubeEfQonNt6ofUzidY5f0C7L6clu3PKwAw9SBWfLaGtA1KP+SaKTWPFMg8MVWEfU3ck1WEfZXY3YXNm/HiCzWEHej2Yx22e1jR8UrcpkL0+lr6EQT/Bln2vE2Upe9udQ+yXV726zfOn38c+fXr2B8/jv3+eeC3D753K8aladn4OM/Rg1YYKnnSTFp7IqM9Waou6+nBvpxXfHvn/Mtn/6+f+n7/ffHPf1n7X//18//+x0//619+/Pxi6uWod9hpeLcwbjfIMlLDnzy+tms3EBF1iy+A6XQERFMGvqXIYerwmNt1ikYOLZtBy/K66C9nbMtj3TN+ndckGHbIPq/0z/ZpJ3s1v7+f/O3d1KfFwbcz/q+rkx+XRsd6zQsj7il/10iPdm7QOubRGUVtbl17r17Q08kVkBqUPIxS0KrowLmtkpVZr7dX5+nVuXtU7h5Vj1Pqc8tG+5ReO8ffzexz0u3GVrMWadKiNIpmPr+WSC/Kqrj3NPXo4/R9AdFAZt2FgqaLlfhLjZyrJN29GubBPNS6HPh6EOkwRxeRUraDKIyiKFPQkud52LNx0J2hVUBM3boSwsFq0vEk0Oaatps3k4ErcQBBl3QzDgjOBjJBOxJKgCbitXZlel7ZpabWBIYA9B0FMOUEUXGTorqcWQ9UEY/5X4PJmptVlG11rB317H1ExW2C4j5aciOnZXt2y+b0RqCl/aLS87wYtT2hEmiiX/XMQdo0wdbJ/AbmYbTgpL4/LqsGqMVurUCub9ffUzsi6IrbOMGVVv5VvOgOpuMRUfycJspWmmDWnja3n7e4ZP/4tv/rp+Fffxj+9sH305rz1ZxqZlQwMEy3OOAdmmyWJJ4rTxFp8nTWhpFhzoeXXX/54P/9fc+XFfufX0b+n3+8//tfXrxfHf7bX97+1398e/921tWtdhpl7xdGP7+YeDnpHvIqPA6+v0fQ7xL0O7hzA51jLu38QJfPSqETktsIsTYDYrJf/Xq6d9qnXxg0//R6+OOib7JX8+XF0N8+L6xOen5YGv6yMrow4nq3OLw45X4x43056xvxaEfdmkG7pEtKVHOR7SRQB7mWgSyWUGED3SqvRWVSC4Z81h6nzmySWMxiX4/CbmT0mOhTA5JhF3ekhzvhbXdbCFZti07doFFB1KoGCj2TJc5jKbOIkiiGJgHHD6YKo6rRAYFxQGrtbhg7AEQ6iWwPyIBsKUUdFnUnV+GugAh3IYynedjzEaAtsbAdjwqB0BIgvX5nVBFQQbxYRLgaV3+Y7cppEj7BSoLRgsBc6KHUin0J+Yco7dk0SVVlc8x3FHidkXDqeZbuNoR8ICIfqKOca+QfB9G3V9I3VTN2wYUX8eqHddwzRbi9UM7ZiEJA5Y8zj6U00HaXozeVog8yOqOzGw9Zp0oVvSF1xC0i/f1CENBE3JdXDUj1QWJdMFlwu038iK9/zjPE4kWheEGU2gE1ONBGB3FsWrWwaHn3xvv10/DvX0b//DL006pjYVzq7aHorQi+ohjPi25hPCYLIvmKrE5zw0A/6/W87pc3rr++7fm2ZP1lyfVu0rY4bpqdtq99mHj1Yerr396+/3F5wG8ecOhGLcoho8hvYvfo2pxair4D5dAQ7HKKRcQe69aMe9idomJk4wMGMWXEJVoa6n4x4fy0Mvhx0ffr2/Gf1kZ/eTf1bXXy9YR3edi1OOD69GLy5Wzf8kzvwqTr9YJ3esAwN2QYsLePuSVdYgylKZuDKulWkHUCvISKUfJoRrlQLeHptSKVgisVkWxGjstIc3biPXq8WQTvFMDMMrS2A9oprNMrIDplnVxaicVFghsDGtFXa1HHsso30wXhVhdIZ68sb7gcnbU9NHPbjSggq/ECmP7wYQbQxHsksOezuyqKUUEQTtjzmoN5xCtXE4Ckui1kVRC3K0HiKlQPN/B7alnuRlo3VNyP103RZf0tVEMFvD2tuSOzsi3yccGx7ygYDRkNTScacQco8oCMhk2pkK0N9GsZddvqKPvymoE85FaC4n4r+yaGcUtqjM2oWJffuPH9Pwh1jH1V9J0ZrUA+ZUcICChnnKN3P63jHEusB8oIu8pwOzNqALo40GjN4rYHM7hBBN5dtjaca35O08R29tSiyXFkanZfL3duUvV5zfXTR/tfv3l/+9mzsqj29TNtvXhhZxGOHUbmPWtjPG3nxHu7ECtD0tcD6o+Thm+Lxt9X1T8vi9eGOW8H2t+Oin9dsf/ywv1i1DTh1669HPryef7z1+WVj1NDcy7/tKHb3640NHc7qO8WPXNeQ7+J/mZM41K2YuvC2qkJuKZ7JlHhx2nxrFfwYdr6y5vhtRnPr+/n/vHrx0/zo5NO89f58b+tLv3j4+qvC5MrfbYf54eWBm3LQ9a1KdeAme/V0hVUcHtrga0D2aMiWeXELg2zU05R8NEqAVIpaFLyGozSli4pSsarU3Dr1IJ6Fb9Cyc+ScZPayXESWrqmo1gvq1KIi8iUmFLwpbSywxm1h0GE6yngExhJXA3lXmbjyXz0yazmw1GgDeEVG4NLN19LBCIqNzTwLxN0d/Mx29OhmzIadpUTAzqclZ2jGKkfw3O38LwYqqVJ4G1p90FZrnK8IaOK8zSLeKeyPQSujW5Sh8fCDtz8bxOEUJTc1HKlqH670BpcRTwWUQRUYA/mNq7HSc465jMa2KcgjHNIfkAd6RRFGdTIuPwkG2CZg+tYh7DKC6kwIAu5Kb15cyJkXR3jNE52EyO+2tJ+oYq4J6ceQLMu2n1Zdm8etu1Wc9sNMP5Kq/AR15TE1iSiqGF6K6KvXzA3qf/4pve3z0Nf33tW5rVz01K3j6zpqmNKUnGspxT+Uwr7sUiU6LZDpwc4ryfUn+aNXxb1PyxI3820f12S//JC92mu89WIanFIM9XXOehSzk+4FqbdvR6t26NdeTX069+WHb18pQ4xNNAxP271dQldnbTpXqlTieMTCuSCPCz8iZyRvzIkfjmqfTNl+7ri+7oy8Pv76Y8LA6sT7t/Wpv/+ef6npcHfX4+/H/d8Xhj88/38izHbqwnbp0X3yrDeLEGJCOVqZo1XjRuxMLVcqF1NHHaLx9wibxdTJ2rWtMO65GizotUiRznUWKOoUU4v62jLYWFTGJg0MbNCJYSIBTV0RiGGkoqgxqSCLgRlbnlWuC20csuzyg3h4PXPoZsiIEAcfEtc46bQaiC2EUhGbE1F7rmXAzzIAcpINwid8Wj5c7q5QOirY9mraV0VeEMx0VTa7odTzGWl1EdhFQce520PytsdVHSgWZZcxXkaAd6f3no8pPr7dRQOH83gJhRDDjYzLyLaLyTWAKlgAEw6FJUH+JZAnqUKovo+UnyzjnUht3k3jH05p3l7CXZ3FXknQXWpnLQ9owkA046kQTZkN+wGky4Lu1Mh1CuFiD0g/MFG8mE45ahzMFNlS4BSbohsOXDuPaw4iCQPqidc19mhUzPqlYXud6/6V+bty/OmFy9Nw+NcrQXCkaZjGI/R1LsMbhCLHayR5/Q7WpbHhD8smX9+4fiyZPq0oPwwK/o4I1zuY8x6afN+3ngPx9lJnB/TTw7r3d2SyXH7p/fTU5OOwRGtpZtpsOI0GpSIg+ju5PfZhb0mtlHUapGjnF0IKuY5E5syaG9bHet8OaRfm7J+Wer9ebnvt1dDf30z+nXB+8ui9/eVvk8Tjl8W/e8mul8Pm99NWv940//Hh4GfX/cM2Zk6LriTXe2QNvo1KKcM5jdghm1t407WnFc462mf7uGPd7N7VBizGGoS1hsFdZ2cShmzmE/M4pPylfxahaSRx69qIablVt+tbH1W2xZay3qahT6XQzxb2Haumn+lmn2+mn2ugn6ikLQ3q3VbIX5XPnYnTHgJJrqD64wjG3OhwjicLo9mr6rhxtRwYwjGYqQ2t16aAlNk3i88vv0OcPTpuqDc/fXsyEZ+QrMwNaz86I0UIBd/pIh66DsKHHYRv6OAKoxt4dxuFV0pRm2PyAWqEKfklqz4vI34jttgygm0/BZKfieqcl1oCRBdBWQhtlOM95uFp0naqxmNQCl2RyXmAAh7Cka52Uh7wNAkYiVPc5v2FSN2kMXXZLYQmSWa0BEk6c6XOHOp6mik4DaaGyjTVzl6qNMzhukp08vX3SPj4i5Hi8OHFukK8KwQEusRpz1UKI6XdKQ7DA2zA5y3s50/vrC9n9G9GJYsD3YsD/DeTUteDrJfjvDfTcnWpmRLw+LXU5pBB3vaL5/0Kszqtq5Oqr4Tr1Q1C/hlLHqxVk7o7uT0GFlmGUbOhA7ZWTN+tpSZS0PEWGWQpQHh+yn9b697/vPLxL++Hfo/Py386+rIxxHLC6/y64zzTZ/u1/neXxf8P814/ng98Ptr/7eX7s8L1q/L9ikXp0tY5+tEDhlbJ+2keR9rqZ+3OiZdG1eO2OkuNdqrxQ2YyL06jF5QI6PlisipfGIcn5zAoiRxWVmc9jwyJ7UYciuu6HB43o5UyJFCzOls+DGaPrmGcDe3/vzDaCCpcBueHZRauD06fX1Z4wks74nIlkVRJdTSg5HSVJgktYYXXUJ9UsF8hlAl5RHvPijYnku4VcUPvpe39WwMEJi3LQt5qVkYAxPEP87ZdydlQ2TlrlT4riLS9xSUyioWL4Mnz3KM1dM0zxpoF8PSAUMP+MUHFa0jc/UXYXThOgjjPNsWgRTdCy0EbqcCkeUb67hn0uFAk+gYtP1oRvO6FMj6+Mp1InsaQRzRSH9EUcVhJcEgwqlG2nGu7g4IvaOVd50qD+OaUjS+iib6Y7WjWmuHqQ3w4UnJ2nubxYURq8tNbqjSUo5mh7ZQH5M4IWJZmkyWr5KU95pxcwOixUHJ6wn1q1HZq1HZ6zHpypBwsY/7crjj1UjHjIc+7aa9HhctDAsm/RxvF6lbg7FrsBpRo0YCtRgRSnGZkFvks7GGnaIRZ/u4g+/X0VaHVO/GxKM2lIiSJGNkzvqpv7zq+vsH1z//mPrH+4HfFl3v+rV/Lvk/T9r/WPL/OuP+Ou78Mt6z4tEteVSTto6PM7YFv2x1VD1mZ9gksD4jdsRMHLWQJnqoM73shb725QHZWDfH00nokjQrOVXtbTm01lgOMVFATWEQYpnkRDYtRcDP44uKKZwMBCkSggksQ16pxl6JK95QBDvepkxIqzqdUn72yiPgVjBQAr0MRl1vYTwmy2OauM/qGIGlpDvVzId5hIAU+Ik83KUK1u2nZdsvJQARoCP5+MtZ6HN5mCvhlQdPRwMpyCu1gvBC0oOsluvXE4C7qUBw3vrnleuzm3Z8R6EO/ITJzS8G37COINmGlFZ+BKQleG7Z2D+kXXxhnXrdVgDdndmwjah6LPFm1tICCLqwLNT+CBCQg9ucBAdI5ptJSCCfuC+kEMiEHEbxnrXyo1Adsa3iqDbVsxbuWVDrRhB6Qx5kA5J5U9yd32Etq8E90/WiOQpQVw++d5DeLimWdRY6+hr0PRVI5uOGtnsEQQRXHK/Xl1vMMKcZtzAo/7ro+LJg+Xmp68d53U+Lhh8XTW/GVFPdnH4dwafDujVIswTcJa5V8UokjDw5t0jCLOSTMqXMQqcR7uqCWrTlvZamD4vmT7OORb/y3ajxdZ/mx3Hj+yHh+xGOipPGxoZPeXG/vO78tqD9r0++/1jr+483g3+b9/7Lgv/blOs/16ZW3fpfx71fBhyfB51/fz32qs/wYdL2YdI27ero17b5tCRvJ7FH3tKvI7wYln1esHyYMS31K0ac/KFuts9E0ovrVOIyATuT1RbPZ6QL2vJp2FwmsUzIa+Ry6wikQhKjuKLuCYGe4OpH1DZf5aiT8lsuBeVvC8rdejseKEJfauIFgRi3MzFnY9DH70N2XQZtO5oDXCledyMPSMccysYcfFgAxNbvTUOcupYABOaua24PhtAfR5YcvBAPJKMDwPKE8Loz97O2RhQfeJSy4WEikALalgz6/raxBrcZx7+AY96vqDuNIFwjce7A8IcMngQw+qRztEpkimGrn+TDNtWR9nM0V9uEJ51DMXzVnahcIKF8exJ4V3PHLRD9aHbz+lra8Wd5QCZsA6Ljai3rfHzNbhg3gqhK4XUnlhIPxVYBGQ1bEKzrGNZDIiucxo7j8pOF4kwKJ07rAFlGmmSOUkJHOIxwp5X+mCNMkquqXA6c14nvsbR6HZQBL2dsRLK83PX2jePta+fLGd24l9PXjR/rJQ260G5dvVVWbhWX+zobu8UQDa3SJcYu+TSjlvZxJ+vdtOrliHjMQV0ZFLybkr+blvy83Pm396a1Yc6bYdbXeZFbV8HBB3fJ8j7Mc395qX7Vx3/lF/8+7/zfP0yt+bQ/zzl/mnV9m/P/NN0/16P/Oj/46+vxF8OWLyv+tWn7jFcy42m3ihsn7G0jZvKwhf5uyvRixDDplU565ZP96mGP3KlnqflNIkaxiJ7BIz+ntjwhNT2lt0ZTWsNlopx2SWZR9YWQuE13Q4DI7I2lzaeqUKersOdCy4EUxN4KzsVK/uV49J7AauB2ERBYsuF2KhBdtCm7encj/nZk9uFD14ES9PkC9LHAXCC+fg9WHZWDvnQ+CrgUDyTC9tfy7l6KBYpwT5JgDzYGABeSNkU1nA8qOnQpCkgFX2j4byEAJYitJc27Wui3a1vOZ1dvpIlvIOlHENSjTOVD32w1QXiHpX0GZ1+razsNpR2sxqyvwgJi153nICALszuwCEhH78Sob6bUAzXUPWDq/phyILtpRxJkYynxRDJkP4RxHyMN0w+Wi53pYPLFWvLlvMajKNZjjiyVwIihslLtPnTvKFnvhrDVGfC2B82Uex3KRL2p2GpuGHCT++0Etx7TY8QO9DCX5nTv3zhWFowLE+pXs/ofViwvJkRzA6zhbrRX3+jV1vu1UJuoQs8uGTC0TnbTXUqUuxOzOqVYnZFP+1gTHub7mc6Pc4avy8bfX1l/XtT9MKn4YUr6YbJ90tMiIEczMSGvxph/vjN+nJR/mTR+Gu36+6v+zyOW35a8P4zbPwybP446Poy6VwedS17jglc32aOY86tcGrLfQLGKm6d7uCt9gleD4neT6tVR5fs50w/Ljo8vPB9f+penHX09IqOylUsrRMGCW2CPsMgnLbCHDFoch5OKb4ttIUVll10KS96XUX0ZTnuOb0/BC5NzkJcTG44HWpg0sgAAIABJREFUlewMSAMuJAHXszbcyAYe5G8IK9tegrlS3/aAo8/X92HPPwEepW8qbr10Nx2IqtoeVr4jE3Gxiv40surE+RggruF0AuxkJes+RBJ2Ixu4lAY8LtmZCDl7NQTIqjjYQrz9HYX0+s0lqAONjAAY9XJGNYDmHKMrT6M4eypQ63S+KAT3TBVxV1P7fjBzC5SzE845nAQCBteg+eiTgXlAJftsIXVPHX9fFW1DFhJAdJwMzQNCcoBc+P5y/NFcxI7spt0JVbtB+Fv8ruyuYRBVF0xUPETw7tDkMQo7SNMN6x4i693Idn0BhhMCRl1A4ALEshiXrXrCS1gZ5M97mFMO2ng3c8rXsTytnZlQLU5r117Y1pbNs4Oifiu5z9jq6Wy2S0BqZo6gNdbAyzPxi7yaep+myS6r79W3rM5KXs1IZ4e4M/28Dwv6v771/PnO97fV3o/jum9z1h+nDSt+7uooU9+R3dYcNGpDfJwWf57W/PVFz6fRro8jljd+4/uhrveDljd+44chx1q/ba2/e75bO6wXjprF/UaOW0kx8psUdNCLQemCn/d+QvZmRDTvYb4cFS4Oiab6ZROD2n6PymERqZVkNquuFZXeBIuGw0JaWiJJlDQqJ6+NU0DiFpD4xRXNYRWoUGhbHAjzLL/x9rUY4G7a1vCyo5mIW/mEeyXUx1BhHIT7vIz8tIIYUtoaVEuKlrlRLAN4/y0gF3mniHjjaiIQVrEpsfFwJTOomh19KmzzzjvAvbytKaiTNeLAGsmDdOLpJ2Vbn+XuuvIAqKo50Ya/8x2FyBogrXlnLe1kI+vK0zTgQSwAJR+pwW5LqgY6HM+y4OtKcDtyWtdnt6yvJB1o4lxPBh0e/ySsZ8VcT1gPFT6DiR8G5QFY2YPHKcDzvC3JJXvuhANR+VvQgofI9ss58E3x1evz4PuzG3dUEw9AWHux8gsY0e0OU2ZnD4SrLOVoSlmaPJw4tI54oaL5IIp0WWdKG/bBlkZZb8cky37+opc/1ysYsDF9Dub0uHpmTD3mF494heO97XMDEr+ZaJXVG9orjIJiLSvXIansFlU6FTUedeOgFTM3wJmb4Pd5SQO9lMVJ0c+r9j/f9f77l+H/+jL6x7Lrr0uu1QFFv7b1zRhnwtnMaH0qIEYP21pfD4kWPB2fJ62rfca1PvNbn+V9n+2N2/TabVx26d4OOJYc+pFO0ZxdPdjJ65GSZGSwkgFe7JNMuNjzHvakg+zTIvrN2B49rruLNjNmnp/xTE94hoa7XT0anYGrVFMtFo7TKTIYmGIZjslrILMqVDZ0TWtYZO6BsNydiTUHSzEBGGk8mBpSRXxaQQzOQz1Mqr8RWnQqofZ6GuxeFvxRMTYsriogvOB0Izv2fvrGYsJViODOs1LgQT6Q3nK0qO1KNvZSVN3xhwV7j4YBFxLWh0GORMOO5lFvwaQRBfBLqfn7mmG3ynOOfEchBbcvqALIQG9v5F8pRZ+oJwXMfSIWQHfnNwG9rwqfVwOZTfvL8BdZ+uRmzuN6yq2Eyq2G0TIw9/7NNOBaIsDsquBowP/1z7WVd+qeAdTqj5K2jui7MYDcXUCQP04CrU+u3xxdDuShgWbhwSrS1jryYSTrvkCb1+lo5GlKSNLEZt79csrR9EYgqRqA4s8ZbPnDQ63LM+2rM8rFoY7lQcncgGTMIxgZkAz2iYb6OqZG5NMD8iEnr8/B7LNT3SaMTd1olIA0gpJ2UjKrNU7FLbcq4Eo+yGnC9rgIKhXY5cT/8Yv/n/+58n/+Mv3vn/r/vtb7r2+c//bO/ceq+ZcXnf/2WffnO6mhPYMMfeQ3Ni/6200C2IpP/WbA8tNk30+j3k8+xyu7/p3b8nGge81rfu02vnTp52yKARVHz0TQGvOkNPCERzjm4s33S+e8wl4DydtF8ZjpLhtnoE/b32eyd2uMZolMycBTIE2oQjgqH9FaSGNC2uhgGh3EbweDoCG5FVdi8/YnlO3OgOyrxF/IRZ4OLdn5KGNzeNGB5IZLxbigWkZUGTG4jBycibhTTHiSj3mQCDlX2fYYRHtcTrpfQr5V1nanjHqrlhtYxrwbCz15IRG4nrb1YixwIQq4GAc8rz8ZVLEnpuEUiPaYJE7GtIVHPd/yHYV42s5HEOAZCMhuPq5zN06vyF59NEJbH4dmA1NfUZHVQBx4PZh6XN+XjOffhhKupFTsljhLJb7ac+HA3bTNKF5q71DHzz9N/PWP8ZevpEtrFGt/UXAaACHfVngK85uPJdRuiq0B0PLTLaJT1YTjrdynTFGqTAsyulo0DginKwXCvZhH3p7SAqQ2ACDsKY4sUW0AdffgBvo5vh7aqL99vF/kc3H7e4V+d7vfLRzvU4z2Cl0mslHbau3CdBmQWnmdUliuFpbrxBVeC2qgm+i3UAYd7PE+id7QojU0z86K/vab76+fe74u6/+yav80pfg0Jf8yJ/t9Tf9//Wz96wfhv/8on3ZDGfAnnayiARPR2A4b7OIu9xnfDrp+HO//Mtz3sd/1ytU1qpeu9FgWbGaXgOeW8O0Cul/FheZFNZdGvxoz9Fs5/RZ+n5mnE6IdetrMWOfkmHZxwfHyZd/khKN/UN/VxcLi88CQYDj2KRR5P7f4fE1dII2RI5KADCakwdxscMA6nXUUcRyU9iAHdjgTdii94UhizcHYyiN5iOuhJQfvpG5JbwlIawmIqDuZig4owN9CyVIYpqo6WgpOXgNl5yOEJZW0+ApGdJ0w8XnD1cD8g0cfA8l1x8LKtgYVr7uaBYTU7X1ctiGl/gCCHZhV+f0Dnsy6E6mQI6Ggjc/qgAz6jmTC+ohqoFkQEF4EDL5FBuYDwWXrUhG76ZawHMS+KtKpAsRe7WCO3J0WVQikQ7bFVgD87kC2JYCgOlmFB+pIGxDMw5G5QFL5BrLkYSFsZx3pUBPzCKRtZwN1bw1+P6EjqK0jU6it0XjqOfrUetrVIuReMOVEOWpnCWwdnHhEZ80YHGwedCP9XYheQ9OgFddnwZmVMLMRPTzEn56U+3tZDhO+W4/32RndeoJeAdfJmwzK5k45Qi1HGrQkt5PvdXdMTqqWV3ReL9lmaVmYlX961b04KJ928FZ8/OUexkpP2ysX+VUP6duE5Kcp5bcl/YyXQURGYhBB1s6Gcadk2tz5xmn50mselbYOtiNemcRrJuWcgu4h19lQJaraRHF5pKA8vE8Ay3l8orEodLZfaVLhjMpWt7VtzNcxMagZ8eknBx0Tgx6DRum0WScnRgb6e7V6KY5YV1MfXVEdVF0ZbDLgRkYloPrQ3KqbXHUJRpCk7YXLLLVSS6XcWaLyFrbbU3GKYBDrcnbr+aNPgf0PgEeFe7IQAefCgNNPAKoBCqKmRVZez0Y9QyryqdY6khFMs8LhwnK4sBItqcFKK7NqA0obr8QXbWykXg4tB4KrNobW7DybACS2nMghX/6OwtQqv9Nbm4M6E1wBxCKAUuaedARQ3Lojr3mHZ6U6vBQoIp58mAeAWDfSYLsTwBvq6GfJ6sAG5vnk6o2FLUcfZQDNwhME7Skwa0MNfVNSDVCA2JIDXVdLPByUBrSpnsFZ55G8s0ju0Srs1iLEFlzHfVJHAkdVwOhMQXIelbeerMWdJooeohiX63D7GnEH5Z0xg/0NU17MiAU9ZEKO2QiDZpzPgh/2sfu87F4no8fS5jThbepWjbjZpMLoNSiZGCLk1/JYIJORZtCxZDKixSJ4/2nkzdueTj1cp21cnO/8stY7P6iecHTMu9tn7Iw+DWLMiF7rY38el73wC14NS5fHhCJWTn3NVSkn88us+YPX6GXgFKBsXmGQoipSXBgrL0kTF8bxs0JNdRkmSJqkLIJXEt6aEZhwcx8XWz7Rp9HKCV1ahsvCmxw0vFzonRq1u7qVOi2Py29lcZp54mYyq6oSEl1eG9pKTmOyC81GTI+dQsSlxyWdQJKiWYqCpNLTSUWn0wrPcqQFCQXHC6BXm1jP6NokkSfXMFklcKXltZzKbDxRTw0qR9+FEJ9CsHdLoFdvhq8/8xC4m7ThdtKGoJwjYHY63tTQ1o2CyatYLixJB2UYGqD0pLiS02EFu9Prz16JBvDKXJK+6GzY9+sonjqXr8spRp7ObNofUgYkN20G0Y9mNq6rox/TDial169v0wZFgdZFVW8JKdl8LwWooV1sZF0hSB+VtxwHt52LKgFggmNtxitVjM35OCAVCoCoh1KgQAXlcDnhQIvoalHrznLCPpTkYj5qa1I90Mi5SlREtqliYaxbpaijZehjaM4daVeaWB9P5AfAcceZ/IfO7rJRV/OEvXXM3DJjJY12EQdM5MFuusfS1tNF9lloXnNbj4FoN5O1GhSPX0VnlHI41QJ+o1RBkCtpA8PW1beTb96Pz8zbdV04Vw/t/Xv3Lz+O/vDS9+va0OqEwa8njZjJn6c1n2dUc27WtIf3dk7//oVJJamsqbhQU3iWAX2uQ5f4CeD+1oqexqR+ZKarJr2rOEVbHGuvzfAii4x1qaTkuw0Rl4qfnMVXJtgURLdN4HGK+/26Ab/B36s36oVKOcvpVo1M2AbGTKMzRpufx5LWQlrjCmruF1ffjE86DIM+o1Mzy8tvwFEhws4SSkdKdOa+4LhtqVknBseYWeU3wlOPRWYcCozfFJG7qwh5iayMoWsTzeMQ/4tWhbuELI68HwaUQ4+AEAfzwNursOdvPAfWnQD2XNuIUdYiRAX56GB4Rx5aUcdzUoUeZiU+Lb32fjUqBEoIb6HG43g5GE72dxQg2LtUSSyS+xAveRxfDaRAgHzM1hzUpirGQbQ8IL4KgNDOwSV3slDHI6v2nA0D0mEHyrCnaLqopOrtcZUbnlcASNlZouFSGXVLFhooJm/NxWzKxWzBqG/DRDceFwChlUA6YldDx9Uy8pF05NZi8mGk5G6rLLAcfzy7YXcl+jRNHGV0ga3uGrk+Bt92kUy/bjZmjbgaZ1y4KStqqgs7YcL7VRiHsqXXRO7tavNZaD4L1WUiGbUYqaxRLKvX6JCKzha+sEmiInbZxf5B68rr8W9/vh2f7VbqMM5e9uqb3rdr/e9fDv72YeYfvy7++qbvzZT+5bDSqyN1CeHDDt6b2a65CbVeA0MiHjZUXaRBg5kVz/iFod3QjG7Icx80wQ9N89Wl28rj3HXposyg1rCreQG7UamB0MygTnaTWd2mkVNkEpLFLFZruUIxXSJjdepE8s52q0vncBv8w06lUYhjItqVZDyjqh4RlZJ5Or/oKhweWlxxncpNk3aVtdDDcqrPpRWcDIvczuLkpxcGnL257njApq3HgVMPgZSaKzefr78eDcSV7ynHXuqwZY5/IPe+bKV0JjzK3HgzDjj5FLidsC8y9/b6/UA9OqYO/rik8lx08o5KbAS+E0wwwPkufAU2sgrxyD3cGpG4BdoaSP5vmdRZjdtqyadwwrtcfWR8+cbwIiC4Aiii7i/nHahkH46uBmKrNza0Xy+hnMtAnbiWCBQTz5cTLpVirwZEAAExwNN8AKO6hpSfKCZvzGgB4iAAXHwxF7MpD7MjCbr7ShzwtAgopZypbDsH4V+r5V1KQe4sIp8oJp1Kh20vaD4MbwtsVxZ29+D6+gnO3gq24B6RfkWji/c7wOMuzJAJPqCDD2vRfZ2YPgvJ382w6fFWA8llpdtNFJ0G021rMxla2/nVHG6VRIrAESvw5LpOA8c3oPf0aww2No0HMjkY8yuuyWnnsL/L79CY1KzZQePXN0NfX/f9689zf/k8uTJl6++RL8x0v3njZvMzi4tOcsgxImwyszKGVRgNDb7cGnFNWxahLnjKjb0uynhUe+8gNOxiS2YgtiyKDs9vp9bD6jJIBDCdCRd04CTyNrWWa7KIHS5dl0Uh6KDjSUgiBavuVKg0cjyplcpEGbupahOyBZ8ObYmtaQlha4o7rGUZtaej8/aVQgJyis5xOwqTCi5fDlr/LO3wtVAgKHNXBvTSvfRt50KBu6kbb8QCN+LXX41eDxcku1/wRn9UWhbaqtkht5K2hOae23AAOH8TaMWE8hlRibHrwlK3XQgB7qbvQEjSIKyIHOil8NytedBTzeyga/+tQcSB18VVAVDGWX7XsyLMtlzctid1QCR6XS53Rx5jaxpyU1XbqSLSqWflQAxkUxxkcw3rWiH6VErdwbD8DYl1u4OLAWznlYaOg7n4TUmNwPNagGK8X0rcFw8GnoOAjOadkRVAI/dOMvhAceulOu6tNMSBJMT++MYdydAtdW2XabJkmQ5sc9F9fpZ/ACKUBpEZF9XaaJe9fMAB92gbPEqoX40YNBImejkDbo7dTHY72f5egUlPMHRi1fJmpRSmVsDEQjCbWd7amo1G5TUjsri8hr4hmbaLKJDB3EOy1++H5pf8U2O9A73mUb+136Uxd7I85vZeu8hjbveYhZ4uyfiIc3rWqbe1NLWGQGofsLBZMkKtEFmDyouhlcerGpMw0Wdgj/YwU66V3d5ZH30eVxyKqY5jYcsomEo4NFspbxNLaHwBWasTWm0qhZwuFhF1BrbexECi82sgCbX1sQUlT1gCcIcCAYInwQgFRE41Qwpha0AkRR5ekxFefuBR5sao/H23Q4DU4rMN1PAnWbvjak/dTd8QBT6SBD97M2fT2Xggsu7A/bz115OBoIxtN4OBtKIDUMKVZu7VDk9051RWmz28hBSw9TJwK3pXQsHJeuyj54UHAqKAW4kbz4QAZ0KBLPj9ZwWHwop2RZSshzAufkfhGQQIrwHgrLNw0hkM7SqO+yC+dsfNbCAFszURAVS07SMqHyQ1HDodBgQXb4ip3Y5RPg4pBhJr9zyv2FaMPlmI2o9XXwZzDqQ3b4hrAPLw2zNRAExyKBsFxIOAHPjOQvQOUNvhNNjmTMSuXNzhHNzRmIaN4RUbsxrPEQXpUjVUrWx2WLEj/SSvFyxVRNI4V+WqcJ8LNtFHHvHCNcI0j6HGroA4O4kjTumQRzjoFXWbWSppq07d6rK1KWV1GmWDgAciEcuIxBqRmCJVUJ0eqaNfYHRRO81ko50zMmmfmfdNTvkmx3uHByxWY7taQnGaRF2dXCap2aAUyARUbEslDl1Ip+XSGYmgmvNkUgibkslEZvPhxSp4mag0tiXkAuj6PmTYVUhEACInmFSfTseWsqg1THoDg9EgFhGYDLhKzsK0IjrauTaLSqlgtDHqKYwah0dEpJUHR++/E7Tx5qNNldCYVnotiY+gieCNpByyopSuLwIzg4Myt4Rl7krIOhYTfehZyC5Q6+PwgoOx+SdP3Qbiq86XE54FFx69E78tLHXP9SDgzH3gbvTW25EbA54AifknI1L3n7oDhOVswaoD5MMhbaY7cVXrbgQDCHJidPrlc3c2JRTd3B8A3E/ZWEF+8Cj3wKlg4EAgkNly/zsKwU1ARP26Ju6NZwmApqtAZSmsIZ+LgawPhwCR9UAt+zhecT+sdNfRR0AO+kRC3fbytkv3s4BsxNHk+r0ZsH3lpGMo6dla9t5M5KbU5u2JTTvu5wIVzL0NgiNFmG058I1VtAO56I3FpF3FlH1F1EOZ+P1htRueFm0ugN7hSSFGA9XrEPS5ST4X3GqpkiviqZxLTNYNg7Jw2sf6sGDpt/BmvZqBLvG0xzjl0Tj12C51U5cW67KxbF0UhQTWzq9u51dzubUWM7vbKTcYJSJpW4cEM7mg9o1wWOJ6o50zteCam/f7+6w9Tp2v19jvM44NWL3dnUoh4+u7l4Num9uqUQqxaiminVnOZ2WA68/iCfcF7DQ6Ko1anUbJjW0KuZp6GMg5u6Mp4gapIIrVmMUjlBNQBVWV0UWFIfWQVExLcUNtNh4DZnGQREoDntTAFRA6tR10ZnNWXmCHBGZ2co+fW7/tAPAs5kx8/s3SxsjSxjgcv5ahRjK1SIa2MQ8Ssvs0cDtwe2L8sYiInc30mMTSCw9Ctp26AmSCbyTXXLkdt/1aMJBTeo7JSza6IcT2hOC0bfkN1wohNzPKLhdU34rPPR6UCKSAtsH5ZzX+56a+DCT5VnzG/qLKW42Y8NvBQDb40o1wIDL7cFrFlVuR229GfP+hLSAHeFi4Ia3+cGj6Bpm52uRvJOsiq/mXHlYCwfVAKm5rNfdoPf9MPBiA86/ltRwJKQIeZAHZiKMg+uVM9N4yxqF68dFSxo4E+LpI0JbQkoP77wB3koBG3o2M5nUN3EMQ7tFM5KZszLYM9NaU1i3xsI3PyoH4mv34jgzPkMDj7vDYeQM+xugA2eGoF8tiiMyzdN5lDvOZy9T8fr533GWZ6LHM+q1+q8TWSbLp4T4Hts/DMusIHTxYpxKvVWONOqLHI1DIMVhseUtLEbghyT8smHspMrubyZxcqR41OGNQm7h6s9DYJetxd/b3mSZGHS6r0mVWsclorVQg5pKF3BarnqaRNYvby2rrzkNhl2mkOFpLKqexgFOZi0sNDt4D1IVeZlbG0cGJlIYUJOh5S318VUlwWUFQc0MyjVBOxBTB6lM5HDCTBRbwG9GoQlhzjkJNbGNUPXh8qAwU2TsghLZEZRZfux+16+BloBITQ1U1QmgVxS35bUqStleM4VY8iT8WlnbixA0A1pZUhYy4H7Tj4nUgoeRobMXhG7FAUOrWopqLWQUnwMjHRbVXQpMBEvdRUdXeGuj5FmIoV1Za3RRW2hieD3929C5QhDjimCwgi+4EJwJX7gOw1oQbj/YEPNgXnXT1zBXg2t31gSHf3ytcSgSeFu8Myt1aQwxE8ZI6rGX1/LtpqN2R8A0RzRseVgGp2B1Y3c1yyv5s+LbUuu0P0oGnuRsjKnZW0a/lYvdDRWdrhUdyyZuTkRtS4HtAbQ8Sq89ciQBKsGdBjANVjO2ltJ2piHVZuO0pLVviEJuflgNRoHVZ9cfArc8kSvhQn+rFnGN8gO+0NJsMNVJ5Mop4Cok/Rmfd9/VWT07ALJZ0qfyx05k9MUb2uuiDPeKhHlWvXaQSEeQivEZBspkZShlCJUe1kcoZ9LpODdFqxgtFBQpdpkSTBiNEFNY+tfWLhmZsvlF7/7DT4dJZuqQSIXnY39XjUMnENCalBQktoRHBXBoEWpOAQyW3tD6sh15EIZ8SmmJZjTmMqnR48oPI0+uaUu5Sq2Oai56iQZEN5c/qyp9CwRFN9dHgqqc1lY+a6oIbwMHIpiQyoZhJL2MzK2DNcTXgaDoThiNWxaddqW4IVWhb22Ut525s33wEwMoKiJ0FFZSIp7mnj9wCEosD2eoWz6QSy6tMKL4LJWamFt09dw0Ii9ubBjoTkr/rfDgQmrc/u+p8wAMgIAi4E7r18Gkgu+BCQ+OV6trjuSX7IpM2xuUfSCg5ezF059YLwPoTwNG7AEkdyLE9RklC9gYAwEHg5J1d5x5tvRm1MyRr39P076tCDvZkMfl8PGR3ZMl2BD9a6Kh8XrHnbiaQTTiUhNl9sxiIQ28rY+8poe5Ib94cD952Nw24Hg/cSAZS4cdiYJsaJBdAgsOZ2PUZrVsiQUBK/YFf/ukpQN+/FAUQ9Q+KiZuKyRszMUAeeXtiy8boxo1PSoHwSiAdfLi25QmbW6VWYKxaituG9TlRdmuDSJSIIpyHIg4IxI8GJ/Kp7Qfo8m0C01aKaKtMHdrnJSxPuMY9rkGnZrS3c9gjdxgY3RaqobNVJUO0EYukUjiVVghtfiLXZdNE9wm8u+H/f3vv3ZwIuqV5HryR9yAD8h6BAIEQ3khIeCNAIEDCGwECgUDIe+8yU2mU3lZWZVZVZpa5ZW6Za7q7rpt7e6a7b5vpnu6JmOnY7piN6djeiZ3diZ7cP2b/yf0M/XyGX7znfZ5z4hxj6eya6f6HBxtH6ecf3//uZ589fHr96vXtD1/dvnqxdvtyZynv39oMHmyHluft24tTs2HN+sp4bo0TSlJTc33ZGDcfUARHGSNtWDEFLIPV7pFmq4QcstCCk32J4GAszAv7BwJeetjPjkd48ymp39eTnRenU9Kjg+k79xZiSbVUWbe65Xj4fEeu6hrRtoZmRxY2XbPr5uCOVJ1sdG51i9zlvSIivhzK60BpYF082bz+3ubRvfS1J9nVXXNqWSGylPWqkA0iGDAUqCarhGM4phLLkGEHh0unwqx4lisaQ6vtxXQZyJwI1zKVYQK6HtunLCrtBudK+/hC5ewtxq2fevj+akI/kCQwNF016Cyv//85iMAuOn+rMXpM6VKCb63z6oeW8UTBWACmt0n6fBEnCrxZEM2B/aDMf9poWaxTzzTW84E9TvBs0aV+iJ42R4/rzPNoTQrG4qCOg2OpnOsAzWxB6KDOf1jhPcFbdxCGDbQ4AYIgUhUvkXvAHq8+uml5+dHqozu5zQXLtSPHJx/Offomc/eBaW2vObtZnt8kf/yFZv96y9pp0clj3I33q09v97340PdHP7v23WfnD29FLvYnHp9HP3+0evt46uaha3/D7Pewv/zq5PTq1JW7jtVj7tLVxsRO3cKx8uLpCroc0quJz777dO9s+/Ri99VnD+882H78bHdta/rwOHR0FFhftnlcQ/k5y3zSlF9Q+WcaQsmqmWRjYKppcqzJPFir6cFraThVL9bMq9Rxi61y8riKrButNhvIDnvTtL8jGKUHo/RsThQNMZbmpafHk0sL6q3N8fMzXzo3rFDVW5zM81uzOktPSzfINU1rZ+7tpx7jwkDzcAnUgELVGQ2ODTDKW1qggwOjbkrm1LhwZo/nxxZ2bMmjcfe6gjZe1a0tYGowxgiVNY7h2jH62dpRX7kz1RtYGDQEGrk6LF0PQg/OvFxtmK9m6FFNXODrK2MrSmQlSC3VV1/q06f0LgXUsqFXiexXv7uLae+RJHtOC2ySdFGUwoPOXQxmrzAiO9TpzfLxhcLRBEEWxfGDoFssGF8tta6RLfnmZgWMhhtmz8X8KZg5awmf1pjmQTkD8iCwJkCfrtDG8cYk3r5U4D+smFhHWTZRY1kGVNZkAAAgAElEQVQYTiElUaxmtswYLbEEq5d3lVdv+N98tPfFJ4d3bgW2t+RHp9KHz1U7V1rmN8r8iYJHz7Vffhe8entg9ZTw8E3byZ3G44v+N59G/+D7vS9e5x9c8z26Fnt5J//4euTarv1w03iyZ3n2NJZbHkostezeYmbOKLHdlpXrNiIVuBpav7wnuhRZOVi6eHS+d75ycX/n4vZqZsmxtx9Mzyk8kz3x4GAiIDCNtjrMHa7pukiiPjBT5Zgo0soKHUqqW9ESUPW6R5o92k6nttWha/U7aY7xVr+XPpsYTKQGI3FmINgdi7PzOUVqVryxojvYsS4tqq6c+69di4skZOFwuWWqO7uuCczyp2fo8zvKyZzAszo65uPUtKGLCmGQ0WDR97CYyF4usMfwYzNN6tk2VaSFN1HZYyCKgo3SSMvITJsjz8pcqIcjTazxIo4BR5chucOlbGkFlQ5cTcXAOF47S3ZsNvOn8O0KdFkbdLFga9cuEDdii2FgDJm9xlt9JO/VQS0XehWl76Bw82Xy3iepxA7Lv9oxZIXRYPHBexr/ZuPESqEmAcGNxsRRH38KpFGkaZHo2q4xLVV0aYGmw+kTndxJiF9r9R6WaOdBPgOmfPHAJFgXSaooZjxDiJ/Wxc+qLctg38BJZ2A4gRWFEGIPamyq0OanHF93r25Yz45nPni2+fxp7smTwN4hL5Wvzu9UrR7XLu02HF5hv/ee8/vvEo8/4O1fFN54Wb55Hf/gueL7Hy+9ebby9PrCTz+98d6dpSe30/euh66d2i6u2vKrItEYRFYK47vFizc6Vy5llCHQR4XtMjLX2Lt2mR0Yo8XWA6sn2ePb62eX65lF981bC6tLBvdEeyLECk/THbr2aVvftJsWmekOxEnzi+3pOWY6Kg5aBTHncGBi0D3OsI/3GtRNAT8nNsOPhAdnokOpWVFqVhSbGZhNDM5nBNl58UpedbDtONqfWsoZz05C09NDbH6J0tDEEOL8cwPLJ2MTMz204bK+4bqRSbYjKBsSkem9KDYTKRUXmqwtGlvDoL5AMFHcqwFdoqV1FFkvBhIXKHyEdKpJE+hp4aLb+glSWbNEQG1rR/PEZFQF2JNDM7vSrlEYC5NU4cYGDlAGEIRaCMwJMyu6UhIMqan1THAsVB6/VAx7anCN7xYIuZOwemP0J39+tnxNHdykCRzg3ayZXCr07VTJfDA4CVvP5c4dKs0K+mzB5EalIUdUzZY0iKBZBprZiuT1HsdakWoWRqMwtVFmXcCZMijzPEafgvh5rXe/xLiA0GXRQz7g+5CiIHZoCsmzIpWuqpVjc37VsrXleXh78dnDxc8+Xv3w/cjB3lBsrnQ2R8yuF20f9Dy+n/jDb+68fpXbOujfuFFw+rTi4hH953+w8OLR4h9++uDF5crjq6mHl/Ef/Wj74Jo1vS1ROMr5Fli53b58q2H+nKoJEI1xJs/aXcPGL92INPEIpjB3UFPHHiad3sss7fmyG57LxzuHV5InV5I7e9581jKfNK8vuecXjcs7mslIvT1Yk14YDAc5LjsrFlSEQ/xwiJeck/qDA4mkeC4jj8cE0fBgNDyQjA9lEkPzs/ylBfliTpGfU2wsm86OfZtbkyIJObWgmwrz+4aIrWwMhQH6QNvihcUQHSpoBWQVVDSBwdZ39SKwvWdQayoWVuQ//HDt2y9Pv//i6v7u1Nc/uXj6er1fWlrfC9RuEA/XmPTN/Z0gZhWY1FRGH6gNtSwhwhSkLl9VDaiJbUPQISHU9SNL26COCWwTnjeBt8519IjA6Gjp6gQKGeTikuUtoTNc/Q4KfBfWuUSL74y9/+32nc9nuGaQuCG0S7EtlWmTeP406NLEg1cyy2Jpnw0UcZx+sdi0XEs3E8hDML3TnrreY1smquMwHADncol/p9KUhuh5jX0N79wqtK8XaedRI3EkzwcDbuD7QBEhCt0YpgoM3vbMsnZrferRzeUXjzaf3s598Cj91af56zdU8TmSP4bxhIoW0oI7VxKffbj/+uP5s1s9F487Ng/bPvsi/Nmr+RcP5t6/l3z1PP/iRebueyFTmCqaJEi8heZchX0FlTwvi+6UBlabx5MDqEbYehjtURYKTJXmQEc3D4Sq8tTS2FRUnF6zW7yK4xsr9987u7izvHcY3z/MnJ4v5lfdx9fD0UXeyETx3IYguzEcSYsDcVEoyY8kBenFkUicP5sSR6OD4eBA2MuM+OizYXYyylnMSBYXhjNz0lx6ZG3RtLE2sbo6EZkZGXewz27PWgKcXkkBbbhANElmako0PvrU7GifqLZ7oKamGepawORq8cZ7ZhcHbtx1//Tbk1fvrx4cuhfW9bdeZlSeLhIdlI6WcJpnsjT2tgGPgRvi4BgMGFaXZFbFOxdmvqqELi0TattrOlC1XUiluWlouCiSEVC7Qa7HbZ2OheYHqT1QQYGqVmCpkDN77w60Dc/gLblGW4a59yBw+Uli9/44bRRk09j4lQ51EttrBu4kInWTefixShzCMh2gXyrU5AoF/uIGOUzvt0XOmicWCcYEqELgmC8OrZN0UQgelPkOSkx5pC6LHp5FCYIgieI5U8DzIjmTMLncNDnXqJ+un83KNjYd7z/efP5w6/Hl4qNbuffu595/nrq4GE/Md+iMYNSjU5HOm+fOj9/PPnkWPL+hyyzRHjw1/eKXS8vLzNefpPKbUqEGxzdiRzzlw4Hy9jHgucG7X7JwpyFzTtWGCgldsPYg4VqQk2iQ2xyVKYskw0XBCNvlYxkneqeiku7BysNbq9tX81fvrR1fzZ7fWL5xeyO9PHV0K75wpFY4SgKLtIUDWSQzGJ7lRZJDvmC/P8SctLe7nO3eqe6wty8eYiVn2KnYwNwMN5+S5DLS7Jx8Oafd33ZvbTiyC+aDs0gspx+z9/oXlCOuDvpoCd9W2yXBk9ugrbdgSNawsGWfjAx28EBoLvDme8JrNEu0Ln8k3b80r1zVBtaFqmhXST9ALWhCjJn9YY2vbmgMbXI28mVkTAH4EvKFHXt5C7QMFPWKKlmyJsAAIKC+sRyFBHI5LCXll1cMiWQHQ4KoYwFUQyWL0KhE0x3vmkmxHzOepS7eMjz9Zl04Xn/9xdz3f3HBMsD4QrEpXygIEHrMwJ6E6DktfKVDMgO8COhXK8fXqT1m8B7X+w6rTDmMIYkyRYmTyYqNm0zfSqk5A9O7RbosSh4HUQQ406BbqBQEkTwP8FwwkSmNrjW7Y9TQLGt5Sfv80drta7nLs+yju2tP7q8/erz4wcvltbUxo758dqY5GWpemuPevQj+5JvL7749O78cSeTJ1x7qHLHGFjmoU+0jcUqbCmgGoOuAbQFVGJ27bJy7WjO9UjJogewtxfQar4EDIm2lJ8C0mVuNqnq5oDwRkU7amTY3c2y8e9jSP2JlprcdC1v2rYPQ2dV0ft1z82l+8URtDJPGZyoiS13+2e5InBGLsybtjfbxequ22mWmhCY7EtP0bJibiw9lY7x0bHA+MbQwJ1nMKNay2sNN18GeZ3vXY7SxvDEltb+gsgsMYY7K19slwbdzMK3d+LJSaGqGXhahlQdTK9yZq2Jtttaz2xG/yrJvNOnma5XxauNcky7RLJ2q6VcTNcEO2RS1XY5qESPbRBhCE8gn6Kvn4SIKVLQVQDm0SiF5zk+e033rrdZYSzMN5lLD//yP34/rKvUqvM6EtU6TuwfBm5F1yqqwTe/+FaZ2GsVe9OZ94+WbdF0fglAH//T210+/mfPvNQk8wJ8urReBbpY0FsG7tqoDJw3COAhjSO1ytSyGDV6hBE9I5nm0Pga2ON6RKHjwuWH+vM2QBtd2yWgaZDOIoRCy3wXjq7XCIAi8oAwXsdQImgikOqwv2hGJ9u9uTVxeZB5crj25v/Hq5f6jJ3NPns4s5MViITKfYn35KvPBk8j6imp7zzEdpu9dGfLEiu88sv/wJ1eyN1TNKjDk6v17NMV0ocxeoA9UJDa7Evt1uWut7sWK6EGvLdfcPQI0GSRyItdkj1pMNkgok+ruSU2PXtk85WFKVQ1VrVDWBOqJ7nEnbdrDXV40T04PTngZKledNd6gCxTopokyFcJur3NNNI6rqgwjZePKCq+FMuNsm/X3zUcGUiFmKsSei/Lm44LFjCI/p5hPjq4tWbfWXeGIclTX3dAJEnN7q6CQxAKps0Pham2gQXMrNDaAUEhe3Bof1JVasz3uA4b3pH9yu30kXi4MEtkOnDbVUcWGIXNJdFXsSLCkZipXXVveBSW9UMkAY7Tr+gdRV0ZS0Q2NgoI6Pni22zfeG9h52Z+60nz81PCf/s/Pf/nv7mzvmT59k/3oSeCTR85XtywbkZ4Za4OQBUPcd83kaBLM2dKtS8XysVykL+gVgznUKZsgiSfLjDPNag+5fxjaBmHIgJmYJ2cuGco5rCQJQzEYyaEntkp9hzWWLMYUh8AiypeFO5+JrRm0aZFoWCoZCoF0hiAJEfutoM0WW1ZJA27gOQvl0w2NTECXgdrQ4fH07G9pbp77b5/Hn1+u3r8y+/zxzIO79myuSzYMDk9lcpkxOdfMn8B2qYBnRf/yrw6X1ljn+8pXz6YfP1RvbHelVxtTa91L+/LNU93Np+6lfU5muyl3SPWtVllTlT1yoMkQbBlmblGqHSPz6Ri7ut2l7bGqms0qqtPRLZSW8Mcq29kI7lCRQlylEVYGrD3SIezoWIlcXyKzFuuDleOhaoUaM26qmjTWO3T1E3qS01w/Zad6Jptivt5UuD/up8V9fXOxobmYIDc/vLSgXV+2bW94I2GNSNrOkzfJTD2C8VbRZEuPtqxWAKxx6kR6tLAW8OXQyyvWuJtd2ZbplSZdsty12O6YZ0zl+Lpgd7MAuNYK/iTJmGGOBLoKOkHjZ7viI1AKL35+bIlx8ruOqajMOyun9iMwDSByNOw+tiV2h3Zvm52B3jv35j/7dC822z0xSXS5cPm55vUU42pe8mxXu2ir2QvWXKTePTnKDWIFEbRnv86zUd8qhkE9wbvSe/qBgzQAHGPx7j31k6+n164JDKGiwFp95LDJulosSyHYPuBHkab1CucuSZ1GaRLgzuPjO1U7D/ptOaJhAT+SwnA9IA7hRuKVtSLguWFivVEeJxMYoApVyCcqyijQxSizTvTn5jUvX6w+urfw0bPT3/zRx3/552+ePk9s7DLVJhjWgy9Vv3MpufqR4fIL28s/Cn37b+affejc3eN//Goqt0HJ7tduP+jdfdy/fLM3ddQY369JHpRlrxTOnhaasyCcAulEpS3M7uHhDTaaydCtFDXMRUesmk6Lljo90WHS14rFBOt074C0rJYKcmmd3dhrHKWKhUVqQ+2IsapHDCpvsS1Osk6TTeaaCXO9Vddg05KcpoZpW6PbQgm7u2YDjIS/PxkcSM8MzcUE+ax8cWF0ZVG/umz1+sVqI21svJclq2kXFPDN1CFbQ5ukCFUPvYImuZ4PeOgeKlB7mpzLXfo0WZOpHI6ViTxlLCOhUwodQtAEO+SuRr6VSu6HilbQODhQAJfPTv772/88kzNKNBS+ssrs7xOb6iq7wL8iuPHGn9hjnb6nyx9xb9w3vvfGGz9o06WJAy4QThc3chHldaAaq9hflh0uDN3ZfXfrCita2GwFzWJx9Eq7PIRShouM6Xr/Dtu1xiIPAkNT0sQFlgIu37flT1mBtfrIITV81soPwoAXFBmcYbVMvYjXZJDmeXT6StPURqlxHqdIgCgE3GkYjRENmXJ1orSaB6aFtuTFEE0PA+Yirb+PSiMCFrrYRJdP+PDB0ZdfPPv+Z88ev8yaAgWhJWL2iJg9xM1uYffvdj36se7+1+NXXqm37ouXr3B+/ENqJlV3465idq0hf96euVY3uYKc3MQkL0ieHcTMCSZxjgkdoSa3sPaVstB2d3yD184DnqJQZazTGajOSbqQV2HSdE6aWG47T6+n2dxsua6F3AoDwmr7JFutabVMdBknWnmygq5B0AfKdd4CV4RqstVYTA0WPXXC0OQcb3PZOryOnqiPngqxE35W3MeM+5jpyOB8Yig3K8rPj6ws6uNppdHO6GQVVLdBr7CUpazuGy5jyEhdnHrAALocBsfaIuujk4tsYaBEt9SoX2wcmMRKPdVMNZHKhU4BTjxBFVqpXHNjaQfUdhGRBaBQd/8f/8+fiVStHZwSTBnIdO3tXBRPVUFhw/yhcvma/Ojh8MrVnsPbtIWdisV9snupTBHGsqcwQ/5SVYwqnaqR2Kt8C1ydu1HjePdVGEoQO20gn6liWiB22pi7xSDzgSKF9KVMHirp0gBLj7HNtGR3+f0joPEXxo86XBtVttUKaQxEMRjLEwxrBfpFrD6LyNxoM8yjdWkCPwg8Hwg8CFWsQB8vePPbuVImyIL1lqV2WaCqoBuGpxiaaXpqU717aXvx48xH3+U2r1u6pQUVNJhaIbtWkBt3a1JHaPcCJPbKD55x956Ir742XHlpuPeZ87OfxfV25ME1wfxOb3SzMXHUkLpKzVxvjR2SoodFybOixCkusItybBDta8XWPCa0X+PMF3mWSKZI2Xiw3uxt6mKBUFGrHO3Uavt12v4JF9vuYQ5ISxr7gM4voA8WKPUUg621nwOSMezUXJNmqsg902J2Nlgs1HFDo83c6rJ2um1dHntP0M2IedgJ38Csn5MKDqbDQ/OzwsXsyHJek0wpzRN0pb5z2NA5IK3rGCxsYuIr2qC2B8cYaS6iAOBAoGqP743oUk2qFGUsSWVbC3tHMCJDfX0vUFnA1VUL7VSWvqpntLieDe2DxcW18P2v733w+d5kVFpQC9QeSCyM1HdAcx/U0+DKU+/WpfLGS03utDl/UhteROb3m1S28upm4IzU2Gf4HGN9GQNwnaBPc4x51uTW0DsoyKKVTBuhgQ+tIpDYMP7VjuktVhEb5u4O8n0otr2gnA70YVxoSfTxH260iODkQ51jpSZxrde0VDaSwgxnwLiGMa2ijIsQPCGNJmE0hWNNgyCIHokRJhaqTAl85spAjxpIQtBlK4y58qe/SP3oT4+ffL959r5/5bZw6yHz8AO2PoGDOkieGu7/PKjLoNaetuQvK4O7iNAOYeM+Y++54vgj0/Jd5c3XzidfTOudsHbQlVxtyB20pE+o0X3S4s2eg6e8zJW6xZvk1BViYA+cW+iJdaxjq2A4AWMp0M6jzPlCZQwzFi1hGYBvxPPVRImuQmkgW1zNE55Oqamulg5UFtAlhSOm5hFN/eAg2mipdcVb9Z4qi586Gei0OVqslja7tctpo01a+1zjtGlbX8BOj7j7Z/2cdJC3OCubj4tnggLvFNtg7BoUVmlMffNrDkdQVteNInUieoeqm/oL5RZaWQeQGODMMU2pJnWcbMp1DYyXdgjQbHFNe2cpAgNl7cAdp3Am6gcdDTRtYYsYXdgMr74//+O/fS+zpREaG/Fk6B3AunwDlFZgDxFpPDi4oTu+P/rwM3PmtGUqX2DPoGbW21oYSMAArggi80ZjsK9JCBUcEPhaRxJ0prP+HRRGvAUjU8UMOUqiJ8WXh82RJvtimWOLYD8oUS+U9JmIAntLp6SQRIfZPXUdBzTxyoW7Q969xsBho2GxcCyD0ObBuIK0rmHMy1jxDMgTKLYPlKkC+0qdc7F5zFePoUL+pvij3yU8u+3cKXDt1js2Sw0LkLgoil/FhvYx7vVyeQDXpYUv/ma33QTmtdLgaYV/n2jOgTmDyt7uO//EePbGdffLmUdfR55/5TN5kJn12tRWxd7djmuvmZsP2zfv01Zudq3fbVm5VZM4Qc8cQ+YOMf+4Knm3yr2PD9+s0i2DZQtr3sDJ4mBbrfBsNwpsYIoW6qdwWgfR6KoSm0pbeVDLAIa8WmXpEcprlCPVOiNJY68Ys5fKTUXucI9rusdqbnc5aK4JhsNCc9tZbnu/20bz2HvCk32xKVZsaiAVFi6k1bm0dnKSyx6qrm2CTlaZVNNL6Soob4CO/pK+oco6OoisJHu6y55tFk2hh0OlAxZCtwInGG1Ua7nVhUgCGujycvEUpc9ULg529JpqCmgw6qP86j9ezh9JmKMgdRBCC/368dqAj6lV1w0rKivrYHV/7ONvo8cPxZYEXhdBTqTL7XOURjYMqqpbBiC9P2zJtApchS1KYJkrFd6+Bh7hHRSk0UJ1glLJADINdFPkscmSZiHoEnXh4055BNupBYG9euFIXdcNJBYQu6FsCFK31b7j9tBxbXCXMLWJtq6iNHmkah2vXCZyZ4DrB0UEOZmv8a9QI+ttUgtsXBe8/iG2fim056uVUaQyAqH9GmsKYtvViW1qYLUxsN3RPw7zt1mRs2ahF2ZOqxfukTeeNSUvqsez4FsnnL03dPWZ+umbqaWd3kcvjC5/5cIKX2NulCrrXEHa0HBRbTdQ+sEx2+pbbJzdaZlMVEoMODofBBqUyol350p8q0WONGT26qbiBcvb/f/z7c//7G8ebV1oZQ60I18+nsVaFrHauYLuUWjiYoXadpGyU63vG1Y22tzdlmmK2lmodhfZwy2jxlrvFHvSTJ92cKYnBzwuhs/Z55vsDTlosy5a2tOfCbGyM8LFjCmXtlonhTR2VSkZ2EMUUj2mvBRRXkJEIqGUAuNhlivHkTqrRqZrBvWEfgmmsRdq22DESC9txFZ2ENqEBWw9qU9DGvWzu/kl1R3w7Lt46KhnbIXcpAIkHmYco8+PgjFLD5NBbOnBEmvgmx9OfvP7Nc8c3rmC188ivcm6kWE0nwk+Z6d+vNYa7LQm6dNrfGmgQRIgDYerFaGKd1AQhXCjMzXVTGgdxAyqKyj9UMuCWh6YcqSJdaooUF3HB0OgetRR3KdAkTkgDzXsf2yb3KgNn9T5jwodG0jjEmjzWE2+XBQt4HsJfBfOOFcX2enzLjeNJ4rSJ81/+He5IRcIpkGXK9IvFDOcMDJLcG0W25fAv00wZ8CUwfIc8MlvQmofQmwBZ7IstdN6dG9o9YJuS2A9C6VnT4fNPhJDCBItXD7RzOZbgnHq7MKAK0gLJaUyTTegAEEAw3RzeK1j7qjdHC3tEeGgEAAJgARqD5XaVwdEqG8vovOqqZ3w3idz3/529eiZbNgL9hSENwjJkyLfJmpyuUDkgCEzCHRo4WgpbaB4QNiuGheY/YPKieYRY824vWVYVqMbaXKY+lwWhtve73MyAi56xEmfcfWFHT2zPlZuVrq1ZN3dnMou2lw+cReb2MMpbulBd/QV1TcSCqtBaqt25Xu5tgLpVA1Dh+8QgkRPYglKyE1gdgwqdD0SXQ+aCkxTS52EqE/ycU2wdNXx0R/Nh3f7OA6UZLK6qR3GJFTvRIdjvJknJCGIwBI0/MvbPw2nKN4U3pwC/069Pkiq7YRBGZYjQsVXRKPuBqW/SZegjae4NWxol+GcC/x3HcQUSEOV6CYIr5i4o3WJNXN4xYpsAEOmYSxV5lyjNUuhjglkOqKyG4VvhgYB5C6HQ4etnt1K1w5+fBX0S6BfxiizSFEUxBEYi6Mml4qn8xWefI0tVvbi5+Hbn06TWMCzF/N9KEUKL5rFDoZAk8aOzxOdyzWTebI9Tbrzxvnf337y/R8tpLLtH7+Jfvft9k++P3jv5Yw/1qKy4ZJrfad39beeTuidaHe45PyWbEQHWge4o9XhDDs0O4LCAeBgxE2cO6dkLmpMSZBOYGtp0EhHF1OAQi/ql7YTarBARAICAAH4ApCrW5WuqjF3RSsdZKoSV5Q0lSw3+BETCYJvpdQcQ2uCGI4eGqXQZ0BJvAXccRhxVojGSkLBod11t1nVZRrrtOk77YY253i7z9odcdBTXt5SQrGSUS9lDQtZQyqtmUmO9rAJHQxUv7CgZxDVxACJpTy4RVdGynsMyPYRFEtTRe4GjpQslDf0DRROTLGGjU10SWGbFKsMdldyYchRI3SWPvg6kj4bsiWp7XyYinGHOBVUMohlRerxOpWtqaEd/ufbv7p5GR6UwNx6pyVBGPHh6CpUuxjTKkL0jxX4VnlKL1U7Q/Msj4nM3fgaACyU1bxbIEaSRGW0GkpBpOumMPDXP1zde5Ik88C60kcSgyFT7lisyl3t9y81+hc7/uQ/XwpMBLmzIH7a7j2otO8RdWtgXMOoc2hhGIb8wHGDLl2pjhaxdTCdq3/21fSNj8yJnYHafhiZpgpdZdJA8ehsOd8DwxEwzaFMCfAul2ROe3ZuqrePpn7x89e//PGPf/3lN9+//uDLj26+/mhzY2fU6qmweMvX9of/5e1PXnw2GUqUHJz3jzvQvmj94ubITFoTn58uLi0ANDCVxdEdtn+jjWNEMuRVVe1oUh9QOdCpwPUoiLUMZCurnNpZUViBQOGhoQM5qC/QBsre/9y3fS7QuzDeTKNqslJurezkA0eFNPrLXfM11lyxPo3xHFRLAwiuqaiyFR4+yl87jIwI60eFDWopRT9CHddQfBM9Cc9AOihYSY2t5/X/qxe1tmEPxZW1TVDTAtQ+TE0X8HQFrvkevqOwVQFcS5Vxht8nowIRisqB0ohnC6okGkoLF10/AExDpWS6qXoAmCbcre+DwQNa4qhfYgJfkCwcBCwKWKw6saq5oRNKyfAXf/v5P//fv+5mgTte650nq5zY8QC1nonG1AGiARZvuuJHakeOmzq22GfkqALo6KytqsCWFr4bPA94MaJwNb4DGgWF9Vy0b10V3NdUDYF1ta1bD+715ol5cvyoSx3EOZM1pw81ybU+gQEUPpjcKnMcl6hWkcoFlCSOZboxLGdxlxEvDzVJ3KQOEUxnW2+9GF86Yk6l6pgK4KpRnRKQ2ouUrqq6PjBNN7/3Jv/449Wnr7ZvP1+KL+hOr87+/GdPv/384afPb3710aPX71978XLj8Nq4xV+iciFmVtvO74/sXzDS+aqf/IFv76j7znuSG88k+7c4u5cS9XRFtxxsOeLcraaJ1TLGOAyMY3sVeKailkIvoGUtQVUAABV8SURBVAwQaIrqNmFBO68QWwlsIaWhE3qHMJU0GAuU3v96bO0uxb0CsUOSe6lJOlFZT4NudkkXo4zSiu8dqKbQkbpooyXb0TOGamTBg2d5rbJNyKwWMaokA1UqYa1ppN5v65n1DmbCkuW0aiNv2lg2ba3bllYsoZkRGru8rg1VSAEKG6ULtegjjUJrZRMPmCpSbMPRyKhAFEAtFd/QjGaJqntFxfWD0CbH8e0NQms9kCB9rj39fCJxs18TKRybwIR89ToFoaMRHDY2k0NFoOHhveT/+L9+tb4aACyIrET3AtXsI+ksTYACQIM2wNq4747ujoXX1OltRwejCoGEhurilvryrqZ3m9TimUpRiIzsAr67tV6ENM0PeHdF7RoYz5M5DlCFiEpfIUUKkwutgaWuARnYpks2z3mGRLEkAuaDEvkikh8HfhTN8EHfNLTbge3DDUeL2AYILvXefxl4+cW8XFsWTnK/+snh1z8//PH3x7//04+6m9ACGun3P3z2x7/8cGZmeG5t7OJJ9Ke/vvz089OnDw4eXD/44MnNN28uP/5y6/Jjj2eJpIsg9SGcNVrgjOLtPtjY7TZZYX2fFZitzmyT0zs1E7M4qROMKWzkkGpdKpP4MDIvuUta1tBTDhiAKuiWkNuEBZ38oqo2KK6Dpu4qfCkC0ADFwBgrkfmLnRukqe267A3pgK6wohW4QnJ3d3lJAdSSqwANDWwwxTvZBpQp0HJw5iOXQw8VI+2vUQrqrZrO4GRfLiZeS48tJ1XrC8bdVdv+9vj+rjWXN8bmDBOuEbaoraQJRqd6xlP0djmqiUcobASDXzw9a6B2leGLoKmVUEuF1gFCs5DYqiml2+r6VDX9w6VVHfDJL/PxW3T7Xi3XCQI9LM51u3XlrY0wPSVFIqGng/L2X/637IzF7dABDowZhm25V+Ugk+oAg4GaOvSN97PZM4szJ9m4FdM5ZYACIgpqiGhyIbYa9+5aLvVsiTPXjSwAobiDyanrE1YGdsXdE6DZaqNYQJpooChg0FHMMKBV0RrRFJ5lA80sYet9jjWP0abRmjSBH0Yx3DAUxEijxTwPoUMF5vmmbjlsnA2eXx9+/7k/7Oc+uLX/p7/+41/8+Dc//uSLb769n9zQFnNg9pFj/n2XLNScPTB98GL/tz988YtvXn/++upPv711+3rudz+8fvnk/P0nW3tXtTofdmqt3LtEzSyNTtv6rm8KF6MNWm3RhK8rkOEl1kdscXqvEuauN7k2UFMbpaNBLE0FXTJ8r7SW0AAF7dCvKqXygDlSQe4m1jRXAgIQgCSVl799+497pyprEDWzQ8zfrIsc1JsTDWgKUBgkhrAXkIAvLAAsAAGsaWG3Dj+zp2rpLSLioL+rmt5WqBtutWh6El5N3DOWmVEsp0cX02PbyxOHW6Hj3djOpm97d2ppU8/gIyTGIpO3qV+M5ArL2hqwRIBxm8zkHsGRAV+PKKVgegdIXFEVjYEZ4BQ2NYN4pLyLCw++S4aPB+JXB5TTRXQ2RL2sXELO7EaJpJU8cZlKU/f27V/HZ9xFpWCJlAc3SoMrZcMTBGIFABoBJXDj1d7MoXH7/pQ3M7SxP85kYy6vz7H6atEIqK4G7tC7aaM4grPmu3AUqGiB1JrOmey35XrbDTCaI/c5kYPuitJ+mF5mvvpVXmAF33q7xI3l2iF4SPHu12hzhKEwDPiBG8RyfPgOE3C9eJYTGDYQe7HuFeriVcGH36QM9uZXH5+9ev/WB7ev3T3d+PDJ5vG5u0MIHGuRLtYcWhHceZZ+9erg8d3l62ezj+4t/sPf//zxg/U3L6/cv7X+7Y+vb50oHIkSWwY/na/0JlrHxlDXj5iZWE1HL0jUFdFFfnpLJrGUCq3IzI02735x4qx1LFzANaHoI8DWIGW2SsYwsXkAV0IFSh+RLi+nMGHYVnD9qfmT72fnN+iRbP38LiW0gY0fFga2yqzJGioH8GTo6CcBBtA4ABQAHoZMzYLJqok5FqoIykuwfZ21vL5a+WCtU09P+JQxj3wprZlPKNYWTQdbnpO9+P5WfHcncnQc3z3x6yd6hGNkia6hjYElN0INGUUoBL1DoHYKiluQhVSoaUNyROSuXgStD5nLqnpoMCBGTqe6v/urXe9Wtz1H7VeCVAk+d/tcVE5EARoFZBLq7/72zTffnQAWBodrDMEK30qtOVoyYqsoqwfAgMzSuX3HlzgaC6wK9287Y1lpP5uQnhsf5HSjEVBSBA31716fHQoWMW24LjnaFOib21aNTVHcqz0CH14RL2LYgKFHiK2lwvFCU5jKNYDchXYu15gzBEMWZ1kuUaTwLB8wA8AKYDst0KKDRjUMBcuGZkp6J0GSLJq7I05dGamlwaMnq2db8Qf72ZsrsWub4Y8/2IgtCowh6tyudPea64svb73/+DCbNLx4uv327d//l//yp3/97795cHvl849u/MW/+2TrQB3INBljGP8aaSpVJ1bC9na3QQ/FVWDxsLavTcysiGPr8mYBmNIFoaOm8WQLog4oPPSYp98zryDWQRkVShsQ3/zmuW2GoZiC1JXq44+aV+5XeDaQ4a3y8Er14lHT3GHp/GlJ+qxyOl8msxY3M6CThe9jlxpNrJa2IsAAqYswOt06HulrZ1cAEpoby0ScFskAOWDlzkc1+YRhKWvYXLEd73q3V6aPd5Nnh7mjg8z5+cLhSdIfGmXzyZQ2NLUFX0lClFRCKRnUzkGptaeaAVQOUqipYg4V4HDw6O7+3/3lt309oDAU79wZW7ulmN1nKyYJAzKIxRhCFnIhKFPxqDgE/Nvfffndd3dlw6TaTkjtSJgqcM13iM3FNCEEM7wWFsztSpeuqlZvGVeumTavmjmSYkozDoGEr796Tm0oRiChtZ30DgqDwUKBr9wU7xxUlbKkhUwF3pZr5U2jhCGMJFTcMQy0EUxkTURTQGCDZsuStUmiLk1QzxMkMyCYQTG9wPSjaJMIqgq6DRiqHHoMKJYLR3MCbQpUS1TDMh3fDkIFKZ80Xm7PXqwm93Kh3/369f5FML4+tn0R+PJnD27fOjo/2Prs9dO3b//rX/3dH3z+ze3dfc/jB8tfv7p8fHPj+o3Y2e0JfQRvz+Knlyp1Xtg87R7Rg85SdnjNkVpT7N1wrV6xa/0U/yZFlyC4l3oKWwDKQKLhtNIphTU4KITCBvjgZ6Fbn4tmr+BCxzC1h5pYxcSutin8KIUDNzFTljslZ04Kkqf4wAbRFCqU6In0ISRXWBSJCQMBaVkFABbGJpu42sLouh5RCjXkAm5/2zCHOm1kp/yKdHTM7xZF/YrlrPVgM3jlOHtyvHB0snD3wWF63kVtIlRWQ1NjYUd7OaWhoLoOQ24n6v3CQVMzZQjaBOh+aSWxHFgc8tu3/5CMOlBo2L5t2nky5lqkWOI1Ai1oTOX6UUo1EbAABUj43//DD//0n35FqS8CAkyle42RCqGF4J0XVlJQgIF+Pm7tRH/j/VhqV5s7tx49Sbcwy1AF0NtTXVeNnLTK93cyCATUU96NmFgOnGS6cvf2ZL+IgKsBvpYc3uNzHMheG4gClS0ybGEHVNKhXY5g2zCaVKU2VzaaJkpnUbJZPMsHfZNAdyBo46hWLaJBBh0KYnkPdMrAu0bvNgDTjRuea6AqYFBV+vBRPhXVWrScB4+37r/YHjTUr156hcbGK/fmX7w4vXE1/7s/fv0P//TDvY+Wu/mYxy/yNgv9+YP9y5OVB5dbB2e+iThl2AfGJH4iTdy83h3KkE4vbcu7xq1zx9qpTTpez1DC+FyxZ7Nm5a6oewRQdcBQUHF10CUsFFuxnuWKzLXy6CEisIsK7hS7Vkju1S6WhSCYJFV2gcpdPXtQl7koiR6jY6dVhngZZQBaOdDFAZ4cZ3O29jOxTA56KtnL1oBzub93uBBRDK3NVWJWnUXRGZ0c8loG5mKq471QNmXe3fCvr4ZOTubvP96bSRrE8uaWFkRnG7qzBdvWgGf11VEaiaQmrDUkH9Q2U3jYTlFJD68aMLCyZnv79vdD7PKmVnjx62VptFCbqOLqwDhN5fAxHBbWZelntBd98t7p3//5j+SDpOJiqGiA2Q3uiJPAUWOF2kYEHgAFXHnV1lV75sgcXFVdeb5g8goBDcz+BkZviVRAxSHh+dNrre1llTXvfhul7uK+Edg40b/+YqO9D3ijRc58F9sFAwEkL1TUPAKVTGgQQrcarUzUjabJzGkYzZXJUrihEJI+CRw3hu3AdOsRvcaCbm1RlwRf1w2HV9QXDwxqT+GgHcQhrDRQpLDVhJPSGhK4/bLPfn2d7651n4jn709AFaisjD/5/fO5lHTS3a+1Nu3ft6xdV/3jf/vx4ZHv4iD38Mrhy0e37j7Yns71812gjGL1CaxzvsjgxzgjLfEFkVBTZg33cdTlDBXi8GNZ+LTBvlRPFQKKAl3DRIkX5d4gzF4rSZ4XhPewnmWcb6V0/ZI/Md9C02BZ1koSFzrECJ4BaZlD5+/W+g6Q0fPqwHYHfRRLoEBNB/TxUVZ3i1BcanO06adLxxM1rAm8JkIHIjTWl4r6Kq3y5kxQ7jazvvzk9p/89stYSJWfnzg+STx6uhOf18lVjem81mTuonWh2huA1UIwK+h1ZHRhGYx75Oyx5gYuvlNcQeogAhb+8Jc3v/5qg0GHrTP9ygcGug/Bm8aNuMuFo4UNzYDDQlkJ/OoXr96+/Vunris8SV9fG5tbGnQkyIxRkE6UjgfogIXe/oordyLZfVXyVJc4Ma3diUIZABpqKnAD9Boek1SAgUjQMu3RA+rdXIHpwdAs0DsGX/xmY36fx9GAc6Wd48TQ7RhlrJ06hCrvgj4t6JNVxnS5wANjSYx2oYgdAoYX0eUA2gSwLTDsKeoYBrauhCYpL2uD6x8bPBvl5nw5zQGsIHCDREmoldABUAZf/fZJ9kw3mehdOTT97i9eNjIKyrth7QMbYwpF0UGbEeQR5Hd/ubC0I1pZ1ty/vfbZm/u3H24/fbkWS9Om4lVyD2jnCvy7baNTNYAGLBY6+yq1NubSwcTrn+3mjuSWaJ3BVyY0QIcIzImy9I3K+AUmckqc2iR6dsiRo+78PeHJq8mOEVRpD9RzsHU0TA+vuqYNxuOYzLXywC4itI+JnBBi+834eigkA1NYIRqp0tso/jinsQ+EJjJLj/EschppUFEBQlqDe1SY9Y2nvPLM3MCT93y7+/bcwsSjB7vrqxE+v+XGjeXTs3gypR8YrCspAWZ/uVhA7u5F9zDxpim2QNXV0lvHZPXUFGN49Oq/+9v3NGaMzAIf/hDmuhF0B0IarafKYdTXSBcS0Sj4zU9ev/1vf2NW0vlcyuSUwJ1kHz5wCNXF3RwIpbsWdvkUFqSP1eF9cfJsbPdJ5NGPjmRGNuCgtgXPk3VUUAltfQ1IPNTUVmh1I4B4F4Uhf2mXDqqYkNxXOWbZZd2gCFRLQ5V1ChB6G5ok6LpBUCdqhV6UJADjS2XDcwSmF+geYHgwnXboNgHfjsid8WL7/TwzsU2AJ1Jh+SbHuVxkzlV0GIAdQnICOFmopn0YsfPIf/3jjNhGDuXFLz/b+eLbm7aAtKwDDNmeJi0wp9BsF1iXyv0rzX0cuHc7/+ju/sv3b966u3XrwfzSuiiW7xA6QRJETa02qqfr/tdcb1kVfPSjo9/+9YPZba7ChdRGkJYUeNexwR10+qIsdEywrSKcW8XRk7bZK0x1pCy80xPb49BHcZWdUNEGXdzq+g5CTQtYEoTFm+TIId6/gwweYrPX2rgaXHkjdLAQNA5iSIGfijLqaNAqRHNthepIC2e0GksAVkfNhII/pZdMjbODoZa1Le72gf7kLLR/EB0bZb366P7zZ7duXOycHK0qR4ewWGhsqOzppbR0FDbRMIPayjYBurwVyK1oDB6OjkLf/OSkvh12buiXrin7TSi2lUgaBIamjDNW1twLf/kXH/6Pf/5tVz3IOBQUAgorobQVrAmGwFjKUkBsre/4gW7+SOZZYiePFPlrplsfLq0chQELlQ3ETgapjVaNQAMgobmlAZAwbpG3d5a/gwJJCHx37YCptFUMQ5ZimgYGHWiRv6hRCVx3CcdOEHlKJOES9jQMzxK0C0WyJJrrB4YL6JPIXivQDMA1wMIx9+CxUuUpIfUDU4NZus0yz+Mm16hNo6DKlPc7QBYpFnlKrr6ZkU1RYxtjV+4nP/z08N6j5dPbsWFHk8hX1TuBoNsxkhDJmKTh6oDLJ339+aMPn17evX706uO7Dx6uLi/JcmtMVQAv9oJtodQcJdU2QW0tvP7i9OVna4H5vtBSsykB0+so3w4kzjHpC4x3GwxZ8O1T4mcMbYTSxMQDHggNYA7Tt284GaKCYjI0dZUXVyNKakFmQc0dUyIHxd4txPQOInmlPrzR3jUE7Szo5SBl2rJxX2cdCygCkAbqBK5qS5SJKQJaR8m4kjuh5U/ZB/LL3B9+u352zbq2YbJNDN68sfHi5Z27d89v3z29uLlrnVRWklFkCr6lt6RzgNg/TDTNUl1LLd61tuwRY+865ze/z9r9eN9c0/Y9u3l2gMJDV/YCXV5c3w1CRem/+dW9f/vLx90NwOhECAdLReIaraV5yIRXestoozA2Xbp9VyEYh5lNwcy2fP+Ra/Omc+s8oNT1sgU1A3yyQNqNwkNLb5lSM4DAQG19cWU1wmaXvoNCAwdE9maepRVBhT5zcZsKpIEiiQ+njBXy3MDzIKRRInMKtIsV5vUang+4PgTThWg1Qq8N120EugHRIwNLuDqy0aIPF7WIoX0Y/AeNvn2K1EvoHAVrvoFpA1mUyHIC31NsTPZu3/C/+OTk+Hz2ytXk8v4ET1dBkYAoRCoXgSzSKXf3IEpg/zBzvJ378MntG6dbbz68FQ2NbCwpl9eGTLEKoQcMGbwpQUwu0d78KDusLhErCw+uW47u6oKb9d6tYt8W3reFd6/gJxaKZk/7I/sCjomErAWDv+M//NcPXv9kftiMv3LH6Y3yUQWAQEMVqYRQDE194F1oie3XeLcQU9sQ2Ceu3u5ROhG9fOjjwfQMfWistLAD6gS4AVd1t57gnBdgK6C+DoaF7foxlsc1uLotuP9swu3t8HgHb95YePhwf2sveX5z4fhW9Noj/+kT68HD0esfGx58ZX38ne3eN5abX02cvXKcP/dcPA1+8Dp+55FNbUdu3RJac40MI7JTDq5Zli/GGhzE/vs/e3blYHKQjhZzCiKBAaW8ctrdNyjEDU+WC+2FNWzgmkoy5yONQzB/ro7tKNJH2v3LgDs8XE2G0bEOHq9Ko+0ZUXZoTH3Xby8SioA50IxAgt8/8Q4K/6p/1b+i8K/6//T/AkF7SxidP/w0AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC" /><br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CHAPTER
1 – A Cold Morning in the Barn</span></h2>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tiny
Ginger was very hungry. She was always hungry. Her bigger brothers and sisters
pushed ahead whenever Mommy said it was time to eat. So Ginger never got enough.
Ginger was always very cold, too. Because she was so small, she always got
pushed to the edge of the pile when her brothers and sisters curled up together
to keep warm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger
lived in the barn with her Mommy and her brothers and sisters in a box filled
with straw. Ginger and her Mommy, and her brothers and sisters, were barn cats.
She was the tiny baby in the family. Her mommy called her “Ginger” was because
her fur was yellow with brown highlights.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Today, she
was too cold and hungry to try to sleep at the edge of the group, and she
couldn’t push her way into the center. So Ginger decided that she would go see
if there was milk somewhere else. She peered around the door of the box.
Everything she saw was bigger than she was.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She saw
Tony the horse, and Sally the cow. They were <u>so</u> big! She was smaller
than Tony’s foot. She was smaller than Sally’s foot. She saw piles of hay, a
bucket, and a pitchfork. She didn’t see anything she could eat. She shivered
because she was a little afraid of all those big things. But then she
remembered how hungry she was.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">slowly</i> stepped out of the box.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger was
ready to run back into the box at the slightest noise. She was only three weeks
old, and everything scared her. But she had to find more to eat. So Ginger slowly
crept away from the box. As she got farther and farther away, she began to
notice that it was very cold – even colder than in her box. She started to
shiver again. She looked back at the box. It seemed very far away. What if she
got lost? Maybe she should go back. But she knew there was nothing to eat
there. And Ginger was very hungry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger
went over to Tony the horse. “Meow,” she said. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tony, I’m so hungry</i>. Meow<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.
What can I do</i>?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tony
lowered his head and looked at Ginger out of one eye. “Neigh-gh-gh,” he said. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You may have some of my hay</i>.” He pushed
some hay toward Ginger with his nose.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger bit
into a dried, brown grass stem. But it was hard and dry, and it had no taste.
And the sharp hard piece she bit off hurt her mouth when she tried to chew it.
Ginger knew she could never swallow it. “Meow,” she said. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thank you, Tony, but I can’t eat this</i>.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger
left Tony and went over to Sally the cow. “Meow<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">,</i>” she said. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sally, I’m so
hungry</i>. Meow<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. What can I do</i>?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sally
lowered her head and looked at Ginger out of one eye. “Moo-o-o,” she said. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You can have some of my feed</i>.” She
pushed some out of her feed box and down to Ginger with her nose.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger
picked up some of the dry flaky feed with her tongue, and tried to chew it. But
it was dry and it had no taste either. Ginger knew she could never swallow it,
and so she tried to spit it out. But it stuck to her tongue, and she had to
clean it off with her front paws. “Meow,” she said. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thank you, Sally, but I can’t eat this</i>.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sadly, she
turned away. Maybe there would be food somewhere else. She looked around,
wondering if she should just go back to the box. But as she looked around the
barn, Ginger saw light coming through a space in the wall. She went over to the
space and looked out. A cold wind blew through the hole, and it made Ginger
shiver even harder. But it smelled very different from the barn. Maybe the new
smell was food.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The space
was very small, hardly big enough for her head to go through… but it did, and
Ginger’s whole body followed. Cats are like that, you know. A cat’s whole body
can go through anything its head can.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There was
a very narrow ledge outside the wall, and as Ginger forced herself through the
space, she slipped off the ledge and fell.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The fall
was very short, and before she could even be afraid, Ginger landed all sprawled
out in something soft, and fluffy, and white – and very, very cold. It covered
all of her, even her head.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger
scrambled to her feet and stretched her head up as far as she could. She shook
her head and sneezed. The white stuff flew everywhere, and Ginger could see.
But everywhere she looked, Ginger saw only white. And it was falling through
the air!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The white
stuff fell in big soft flakes that tickled her nose and then melted. She licked
her nose and looked around again. There! Right behind her was the barn wall!
Everywhere else there was only white stuff – in the air and on the ground. And
it was cold! So very cold!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CHAPTER 2
– The Farm Lady</span>
</h2>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger was
very frightened now. She forgot how hungry she was. She wanted to be back in
the box with the bed of straw with her Mommy and her brothers and her sisters.
Maybe Mommy would have more milk. Even if she didn’t, Ginger would at least be
warmer than she was out here in the white stuff.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger
tried to climb back up to the hole through the barn wall. But the stone ledge
below the wall was too tall, and her claws wouldn’t dig in. She couldn’t climb
up.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Meow! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mommy!</i> Meow! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Help!</i>” Ginger cried. She called over and over. “Meow<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">! I’m cold!</i> Meow! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Help me, Mommy!</i>”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Suddenly,
she heard Mommy’s answer from inside the barn. “M-r-r-reow! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Where are you?</i>” Mommy called.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Meow-ow-ow!
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m here!</i>” Ginger called back. “Meow!
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m cold!</i>”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mommy
looked out through the hole. “Meow. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I see
you,</i>” she called to Ginger. “Meow. Meow. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don’t move. I’ll come for you</i>.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Soon Mommy
was there. “Meow. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Follow me,</i>” she
said. Mommy began walking away from Ginger through the snow. Ginger tried, but
she couldn’t keep up. The snow was too deep, even where Mommy walked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Meow! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mommy!</i>” she called. “Meow! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I can’t keep up!</i>”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mommy came
back. “Meow. Meow. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’ll have to carry
you,</i>” she said. She reached past Ginger’s head, and took the skin at the
back of Ginger’s neck in her mouth. Mommy was very gentle, and it didn’t hurt
at all when she picked Ginger up. Turning back, she trotted around the barn to
the door in the front, Ginger swinging below her chin. The door had been closed
when Ginger had gone through the hole in the barn wall, but now it stood open a
few inches.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As Mommy
carried Ginger inside, a voice said, “What’s this?” Ginger didn’t understand
the words, but she looked up when Mommy stopped. Ginger saw her first human
lady. The lady was big, but not as big as Tony the horse or Sally the cow. The
lady had long yellow hair, and was all covered in pretty colors. She bent down
and picked up Mommy and Ginger. She cradled them in her arms with one hand
under Ginger.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Maggie,”
she said to Mommy, “where have you been with this little one? You’re all
covered with snow.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Meow!” “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mommy, I’m scared</i>!” Ginger cried.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Mr-r-row.
Meow. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This is the human lady who feeds
me</i>,” Mommy said, letting go of the skin of Ginger’s neck. “Meow. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She won’t hurt us.</i>”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger
settled into the person’s hand. She hardly filled it. “Meow. Meow. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Would the human lady feed me</i>?
Meor-r-row. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m <u>so</u> hungry!</i>”
Ginger said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Maggie,”
the lady said, “this little one is so <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tiny</i>,
and I can feel her ribs.” She lifted Ginger up to her face. “Such a tiny baby,”
she said. She touched Ginger’s fur to her face, “and so soft.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The lady
bent down and placed Ginger’s Mommy gently on the barn floor, but she still
held Ginger when she stood up. “Maggie,” she said, “I’m going to take this
little one into the house with me. She’s wet. She’s cold. And she’s hungry.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Mrowr-r-r,”
Mommy said, winding around the lady’s ankles, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I think she’s going to feed you, Ginger.</i>”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It’s OK,
Maggie,” the lady said, completely misunderstanding Mommy, “I’m not going to
hurt her. She’ll be fine.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger
found herself tucked inside the coat of the lady. Only her nose poked out above
the zipper. Ginger was still hungry, but she wasn’t cold any more. In fact, she
was suddenly almost too warm. She wriggled around until she was comfortable,
and she began to purr. The sound startled her. Ginger had never purred before.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger
peeked out of the front of the lady’s coat. They were moving toward the door of
the barn. When the lady opened the barn door a blast of cold air and snow blew
the fur on Ginger’s face back flat against her skull, and almost froze her
nose. Ginger sneezed and ducked back behind the coat where it was warm and the
wind couldn’t get at her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger
heard the barn door close and latch. Then she felt a rocking motion as the lady
carried her. She almost went to sleep, but when she heard another door open and
close, she just had to look out again. Ginger was ready to sneeze again, but
when she poked her head out of the front of the lady’s coat, there was no more
snow. And it wasn’t cold anymore.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CHAPTER 3
– Ginger in the House</span>
</h2>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The lady
reached inside her coat and lifted Ginger out. Holding Ginger up in front of
her face, the lady smiled. “My,” she said, “but you are little, aren’t you? And
you’re so-o-o skinny. We’ll have to feed you.” The lady carried Ginger over to
a big white box and opened the door. Ginger squirmed in the cold air coming
from the box. The lady took something out and closed the door.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“All
right,” the lady said, “we need a pan,” and she bent down and pulled open a
drawer, and took out a pan. “And,” she said “we need a little bowl,” and she
opened another door and took out a bowl. She sat the pan and the bowl on a
counter, and picked up the thing she had gotten from the white box. From it she
poured a white liquid into the pan. It smelled a little like milk, but Ginger
wasn’t sure. She sure hoped so, though!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The lady
sat the pan down and carried Ginger over to it. Ginger watched as the lady put
her finger into the pan. The lady took her finger back out, and touched it to
her tongue. She smiled down at Ginger. “Not quite yet,” she said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She stood
there, holding Ginger, for a little time, and then put her finger into the pan
again. “Ah-h-h,” she said, “just right, I think.” And she picked up the pan and
poured the liquid into the little bowl. This time, Ginger was sure. It <u>was</u>
milk! “Meow,” she said, in a very small, hopeful voice. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">May I have some</i>?” Ginger was always polite.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The lady
sat her down by the little bowl. Ginger looked into the bowl. The smell of warm
milk was wonderful. But Ginger had no idea how to get it from the bowl into her
tummy. She just looked at it, and then at the lady.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Oh my,”
said the lady, “you don’t know how to drink from a bowl do you? Well, we’ll
just have to teach you.” With that, she dipped her finger into the bowl and
touched it to Ginger’s mouth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger
licked her mouth. It was milk! She looked up at the lady. “Meow<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">,</i>” she said. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">May I have some more</i>?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The lady
put her finger back into the bowl, but this time she did not quite touch
Ginger’s mouth. Ginger reached out and sniffed the lady’s finger. Then she
licked it. Her stomach made a small noise. The lady laughed and brought more
milk out on her finger, but Ginger had to stretch farther to lick it off. After
a few times, the lady barely brought her finger to the surface of the milk.
Ginger found herself with her face almost in the milk. As she tried to lick the
lady’s finger, it disappeared under the milk!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger
chased the lady’s finger into the milk. Milk went up her nose, and onto her
whiskers. Ginger yanked her head back and sneezed. Then she licked around her
mouth. There was a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">lot</i> of milk. She
looked back into the bowl. The lady’s finger was still there, just above the
surface of the milk.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger
stretched toward the finger, but more carefully. She touched the lady’s finger
with her tongue.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It disappeared under the milk again. But this time, only
Ginger’s tongue followed it into the milk. When she pulled her tongue back, it
was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">full</i> of milk. Ginger sat by the
bowl for a minute, thinking about what had just happened. Then she put her head
down, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">slo-o-o-wly</i> put her tongue
into the milk. It happened again! Her tongue came back into her mouth full of
milk! She tried it again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wonderful!
Every time she put her tongue into the milk, it came back into her mouth full
of milk. She lapped faster. There was all the milk here she could possibly
want!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But then,
an awful thing began to happen. There was lots of milk left, but she couldn’t
put any more in her tummy. She looked sorrowfully at the bowl. She tried to
drink more, but she just couldn’t. But she had been <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">so</i> hungry. She <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">had</i> to
eat!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Suddenly,
Ginger realized that she wasn’t hungry any more. In fact, she was so full her
tummy hurt a little. She stopped worrying about the milk and began washing her
face. She was purring again. She decided she liked it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Well,”
said the lady, “looks like you’ve had enough to keep you a while. I think we’d
better take you back home before your mommy begins to worry too much.” She
picked up Ginger and tucked her back into her coat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger was
feeling much better, so when she peeked out of the coat again, she kept her
face outside the coat, even when they went outside. She was warm, and the snow
tickled her nose. She sneezed again, but she wasn’t afraid anymore, so she
didn’t hide again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When the
lady took her out of the coat and put her down beside the box, she could hear
her brothers and sisters inside. She licked the lady’s finger one last time and
went inside.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CHAPTER 4
– Back to the Barn</span>
</h2>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mommy was
feeding her brothers and sisters. Ginger wasn’t hungry, so she curled up and
went to sleep. When she woke up later, she found herself at the edge of the
pile again, but with her tummy full, she wasn’t so cold, and so she didn’t mind
so much.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The next
day, while she and one of her sisters were playing with a piece of the straw
they slept in, the top of their box was lifted up. Ginger was hungry again,
because her bigger brothers had pushed her away from Mommy while they were all
eating. The cold air came in and made Ginger shiver. She looked up, and she saw
the lady who had given her milk yesterday. “Meow,” Ginger said. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m hungry</i>.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The lady didn’t
understand Ginger, of course, but she reached in and picked Ginger up. “How
would you like some more milk?” she asked. “I’ll bet you’re hungry again.” She
tucked Ginger into her coat again. “You’re still awfully skinny,” she said.
“We’ll have to do something about that.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Back in
the house, the lady put a saucer down in front of Ginger again. This time,
Ginger knew what to do. Reaching her head daintily toward the milk, she lapped
rapidly. Soon, she wasn’t hungry anymore. She couldn’t put another drop in her
round little tummy. She began to wash her face again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Well,”
laughed the lady, looking at Ginger’s tummy, “you look like you ate a tennis
ball.” She picked up Ginger again. “Time to go home,” she said, tucking Ginger
back into her coat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They went back
to the barn. Ginger went into the box, but everybody was asleep. Ginger curled
up against one of her brothers, and went to sleep, too. When she woke up later,
everybody was moving around the box. Ginger felt crowded, so she went out into
the barn.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Meow.” “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hello, Tony</i>,” she said to Tony the
horse.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Neigh-gh-gh.”
“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hello, Ginger</i>,” he said. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Are you hungry? You can have some more of my
hay</i>.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Meow.” “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No thank you</i>,” she said. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m not hungry right now</i>.” She looked
around, shivering. It was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very</i> cold
outside her box. Sally the cow was lying down in her bed of straw. Tony was
standing up. White steam blew from his nose. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aren’t you cold</i>?” she asked them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Moo…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No</i>,” said Sally the cow, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m lying in this warm bed of straw</i>.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Mr-row… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Why don’t you lie down in your straw bed</i>?”
she asked Tony the horse.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Neigh… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Horses don’t lie down</i>,” said Tony. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We always stand up</i>.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Even when you sleep</i>?” Ginger asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Even when we sleep</i>,” Tony said. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It’s just the way we are</i>.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But aren’t you cold</i>?” Ginger asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Not really</i>,” Tony said. “I kind of like
it. It makes me feel awake and strong.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oh</i>,” said Ginger. She really didn’t know
what else to say. Finally, she said, “Meo-ow… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Well, I’m cold. I think I’ll go back in our box</i>.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Whicker… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Good-bye</i>,” said Tony.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Moo-o… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Good-bye</i>,” said Sally.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger
looked back at her door. “Mer-row… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Good-bye</i>,”
she said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’ll see you tomorrow</i>.”
She went into her box.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger was
unhappy, but she wasn’t sure why. The barn seemed cold and cheerless. She
burrowed into the straw and went to sleep.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The next
day, Ginger waited outside her box for the lady to come. It was very cold, and
Ginger was shivering very hard. But she wanted to make sure she was ready when
the lady got there. She was looking forward to cuddling up inside the lady’s
coat for the trip into the place where the lady kept that nice, warm milk. But
this time the lady didn’t pick Ginger up. Instead she sat the little bowl of
milk down in front of Ginger.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At first,
Ginger didn’t understand. She looked up at the lady and waited to be picked up.
But the wonderful smell of the warm milk was too much. Ginger bent her head to
the bowl and began to lap the milk. Every few laps, she looked up at the lady,
but the lady just watched her eat. Finally, Ginger was full.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The lady
reached down for the bowl, and Ginger rubbed her face against the lady’s hand.
“No, dear,” the lady said, “you’re a barn cat. I can’t keep bringing you
inside, or you’ll never learn to be happy living in the barn and hunting mice.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger, of
course, did not understand people talk. She just looked up, waiting for the
lady to pick her up. But the lady didn’t. “See you tomorrow, dear,” she said,
and she turned and carried the bowl away.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger sat
by where the bowl had been, cold and miserable. Didn’t the lady like her any
more? She watched the barn door close behind the lady. After awhile, she turned
to go back into the box.</span></div>
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CHAPTER 5
– The Stranger</span>
</h2>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Neigh. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ginger</i>,” called Tony softly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Meowr<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. Yes, Tony</i>?” Ginger answered, turning
to face him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Neigh.
Whicker. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don’t be sad, Ginger</i>,” Tony
Said<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. “We all have to live here in the
barn</i>. Whinny<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. It’s where we’re
supposed to be</i>.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Meow.
Mrowr<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. But it’s so cold and dark here</i>,”
Ginger said. “Meow. Mrowrer<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And where she took me was so warm. And it
was bright, too. I could see everything</i>. Mrow<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Good-bye Tony</i>.” Ginger
turned again, and went into the box.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger
played every day with her brothers and sisters. It was warmer some days, and
some days were cold, but while they were playing it didn’t seem so bad. As time
went on, there were more and more cold days. It was sort of dark, too. But
there were shafts of light from cracks in the wall, and from a small window. It
was fun to bat a piece of straw into the air in the light, and see how long she
could keep it there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Days
passed, then weeks, although Ginger didn’t know about weeks. Ginger became
resigned to living in the barn. She wasn’t really happy, but she wasn’t really
sad either. She still played with her brothers and sisters, although she
couldn’t always keep up with them, and they could climb higher than she could,
so she was often alone. Tony and Sally tried to cheer her up when she was
alone. Tony offered her some of his hay almost every day. Then he would whinny
with laughter when she politely turned it down. Tony thought he was very funny.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And that’s
the way it was. Every day the lady brought milk for Ginger. And as her brothers
and sisters began to come out of the box, the lady brought two bowls of milk.
One, she kept for Ginger. She would sometimes pet Ginger softly while Ginger
drank, and once in awhile she picked Ginger up when Ginger was done. She never
let the bigger, stronger kittens steal Ginger’s food. Sometimes she even picked
Ginger up, but she never took Ginger back in the house, until….</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger was
about two months old. She had even started eating some of the meaty food the
lady brought for Mommy. One day the lady came as she always did, and she picked
Ginger up when she was done eating, as she sometimes did. “Oh-h, you’re <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">still</i> so <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tiny</i>,” she said. It was true – Ginger was barely half as big as her
smallest sister. “You can’t be a barn cat; you’re <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">way</i> too little,” the lady said. “But I think I have just the place
for you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This time,
instead of putting Ginger back down the lady tucked her into her coat, just as
she had done so many, many days ago.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger was
too excited to keep her head inside the coat. She poked her head out above the
top button. As before, snow swirled around them, landing on her nose, tickling
it and making her sneeze. Ginger purred contentedly all the way to the house,
pausing only long enough to sneeze three times. But she didn’t care! The lady
was taking here to the wonderful place she remembered!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Inside the
house, there were a hundred different smells – all of them wonderful! And the
lights! There were bright little lights everywhere! Hundreds of them! This was
so different from what Ginger remembered. The lady put Ginger on the counter
while she took off her coat. Ginger looked around. The place she remembered had
been bright, but quiet; and the smells had been soft to her sensitive nose.
Now, there were sounds and lights everywhere, and too many smells to sort out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Before she
could even begin, the lady scooped her up again. They went through another
door, and Ginger saw even more light. There was a tree full of lights at one
side of the room, with a pile of packages under it. Ginger didn’t understand at
all. There was another lady there, too. Ginger’s lady walked over to the other
lady, and held Ginger out to her. “What do you think?” she asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The other
lady held out her hands, and took Ginger carefully into them. She held Ginger
up to her cheek. “So-o-o tiny,” she said, “and so <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">soft</i>! She’ll do wonderfully!” Ginger found herself tucked into the
front of another coat. This time, she was a little frightened, so she stayed
inside the coat.</span></div>
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CHAPTER 6
– Christmas Kitten</span>
</h2>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger
heard the door close, the sound muffled by the coat, then more sounds, and
another door closed. After even more sounds, Ginger felt like she was moving.
She stayed hidden in the coat, afraid to look out. It was warm, and she could
feel the lady’s heartbeat. Soon she began to purr softly. It didn’t seem she
was going back to the barn.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When the
movement stopped, Ginger felt the lady stand up. She peeked out, but it was
still snowing, and she could see nothing. Besides, it was getting dark. She
ducked back into the coat. Soon, she heard another door close, and the lady
carefully unbuttoned the coat and took Ginger out. She held Ginger up to her
face again. “So soft,” she said, “so tiny, and so pretty. Yes, you’ll do just
fine.” With that she put Ginger into a small box lined with soft cloths, and
with slits cut into it for air and light. She closed the box, and Ginger
watched through a slit as she walked away and closed the door behind her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger was
a little frightened, but the box was warm and the cloths were so-o-o soft. Soon
she curled up and slept. Later, she woke to the sounds of paper rustling and
people talking. She peeked out of the box. Two people were sitting in front of
her, wrapping boxes in pretty, brightly colored paper and ribbons. The ribbons
looked like they would be fun to play with.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Meow.
Meow<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">May I come out</i>?” Ginger asked politely.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The lady
lifted the top of the box and lifted Ginger out. “We’ll have to keep her
quiet,” she said with a little laugh. “You’ll have to play with her.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The other
person reached for Ginger and placed her on the floor. He pulled a short piece
of ribbon across in front of her. Ginger pounced! She caught the end of the
ribbon, and rolled over and over, biting it. The people laughed. After awhile,
the lady left the room. She came back with a small bowl of milk, and put it in
Ginger’s box. Lifting Ginger gently, she placed her in the box, saying, “You’ll
have to stay in here, or we’ll never get done.” With that she closed the lid.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger
drank the milk. Then she fell asleep again. Cats sleep very lightly, and Ginger
heard them leave the room and return several times, but she was too warm and
full to investigate. Eventually the lights went out, and Ginger fell into a
deeper sleep. But she awoke when the lights came back on.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The top of
the box went up, and the lady lifted Ginger from the box. “Come on, little
one,” she said, “I think you’d better sleep with me.” She lifted Ginger to a
soft warm surface, and lay down beside her. Ginger cuddled against the lady,
curled into a ball, put her tail over her nose, and promptly went back to
sleep. She didn’t know where she was, but she was warm and full, and the people
were kind. She could worry about it tomorrow. At least she hadn’t been taken
back to the cold, dark barn. Ginger slept.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She was so
comfortable that she almost didn’t wake up when the big hands picked her up in
the morning. The person carried her down the stairs, into a brightly lighted
room. There was another tree full of lights and sparkles, and it too had a
mound of bright packages under it. But they went past the tree and into another
room. Ginger was lifted, and carefully slipped into a tube hanging on the wall.
The tube held her firmly but softly, but she was able to hold her head above
the edge and look around the room.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Come
down!” called the person who had put her in the tube. “It’s Christmas! Come on
down!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There was
laughter, and rapid thudding, followed by two smaller persons appearing in the
room, along with the lady and the other person. Suddenly, inches from her face,
appeared the face of one of them. “A kitten,” she squealed! “Oh, how neat! A
kitten in my stocking! What a wonderful Christmas present!” She reached into
the stocking and carefully lifted Ginger out. “She’s so <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tiny</i>,” she said, “and such a pretty color. I think I’ll call her
Ginger.” She held Ginger against her cheek. “She’s so soft,” she said. Then,
“And listen, she’s purring!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ginger
batted softly at a strand of hair falling on the little girl’s cheek. The
little girl laughed. “This,” she declared, “is the best Christmas I’ve ever
had!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Well,”
said the lady, “let me tell you a story.” And she told the little girl Ginger’s
story – this story, just as I’ve told it to you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“…and so,
you see,” the lady finished, “you got a kitten for Christmas, and that’s
wonderful, but Ginger got a whole family for Christmas, and a warm house to
live in. Who do <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> think had the
better Christmas?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">THE END</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5814520785425356044.post-87962604778552687392016-11-24T06:50:00.000-05:002016-11-24T06:50:30.379-05:00Thanksgiving Cat (Ch. 24 - The Old Man and Me)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Hattie Larlham was the best doggone cook West
Virginia ever produced. Her Thanksgiving meals were celebrations of the
joys of her kitchen and affirmations of life. Ours was the spread of
thousands, the quintessential Norman Rockwell "Saturday Evening Post"
cover.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
From the range came twenty pounds of turkey, golden
in its glazed glory, fragrant of celery and giblet stuffing. Hours had
been spent drying bread, white, wheat, rye, French... every sort we could find
in the 'day-old' bins, in the oven at low heat to make this perfect stuffing.
The bird itself had been basted in soup stock and slathered with butter, then
placed in a deep roaster and covered. Four hours of low-heat cooking,
followed by an hour at much higher heat, with constant re-basting, created a
masterpiece of edibility.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
The bird was placed on a giant carving plate in the
throne of the king of birds - the center of the table. Flour gravy was
made from the bastings in the pan. The bird was surrounded by bowls
containing potatoes whipped with milk and butter, green-bean casserole,
stuffing, yams with a brown sugar sauce reduction and tiny marshmallows.
Farther out in a secondary orbit were plates of rolls and butter, jellied cranberry
and whole cranberry sauces, a sectional plate of olives, both black and green,
celery, carrots, tiny tomatoes and a dip.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
We all bowed our heads as the Old Man said Grace,
in the tone of a Baptist minister praising the Lord for the wonders of
life. When he had finished, we all raised our heads and gazed upon the
feast before us, and its crowning glory; old Tom Turkey - from inside of which,
through the great space from which the stuffing had been extracted emerged...
the head of <u><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">our gray farm cat!</span></u></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Pandemonium! The Old Man grabbed at the cat,
which erupted from the turkey beneath his arm and streaked the length of the
table, leapt over my mother, and turned left. The cat was betrayed by the
grease on its feet and the linoleum floor. Sliding and scrabbling she
bounced off the bottom of the stove, dug in with her claws... and ran in place
on the greasy linoleum long enough for the Old Man to reach her.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
With one huge swoop he had her by the scruff of the
neck, unable to reach him with her claws and yowling. Continuing forward,
he flung open the rear door and flung the cat... spang into the screen
door! From which she rebounded over his shoulder and into the sink-full
of dirty dishes. I grabbed her as she abandoned ship, the Old Man Opened
the screen door and I heaved her out. Silence.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
We looked at the turkey. We looked at each
other. We looked at the grease and soapy water on the floor. We
looked again at each other. Mother began to laugh, and it was
contagious. Even the Old Man laughed.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
When the laughter died down, we all sat
again. "Well," said the Old Man, "we don't eat anything
from the inside anyway." And he began to carve.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5814520785425356044.post-73196035374823088482016-11-09T12:33:00.001-05:002016-11-09T12:37:58.281-05:00Veterans Day - 11/11/1962<br />
Fifty-four years ago when 11/11 came around I wasn’t a veteran, but I was becoming one at<span class="text_exposed_show">
the US Army's Medical Training Command, Fort Sam Houston in San
Antonio, Texas. I was three or four days short of three months into a
three-year enlistment, and I had not considered when I got up that
morning exactly what “Veteran’s Day” meant to a military command. Turned
out, it meant a lot, and it also turned out that there was no better
place to celebrate our predecessors than San Antonio.</span><br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
There were five military reservations in and around San Antonio, with
thousands of soldiers and airmen assigned to them. In addition, there
were tens of thousands of retirees from all branches of service, and the
children of those retirees had their choice of dozens of military
academies. Military bases, retirees, retiree organizations (American
Legion, GAR, VFW, AmVets and at least a dozen I’d never before heard
of), military schools and a city filled with broad, straight streets...
it was Parade Day, and no foolin’ around.<br />
<br />
Each service
contributed a company-sized contingent to the City’s official parade
past the Alamo and down Houston Street through downtown San Antonio. In
addition, there was equipment on display from all the services, and each
contributed a marching band. And then there were the military
academies. Each had a marching corps and a marching band, and some had a
dance corps. It was a long parade, even without floats. We trainees did
not get to attend that parade. We had our own celebration on base. I returned to Ft. Sam in 1964 as cadre in the Medical Training Command, and finally got to see the parade.<br />
<br />
Training classes were held in the morning, but there were huge
formations (of which we were all a part) on base in the early afternoon.
The formations were reviewed by ranking officers and local dignitaries.
The ambient temperature on any November 11 in San Antonio was about
equivalent to midsummer in Ohio. The parade ground was packed dirt, and
it was dusty. We marched in the heat and dust past the review stands in
Class A uniforms (sturdy khaki pants and long-sleeved khaki shirts with
ties and saucer hats) and then stood in the south Texas afternoon heat
for an hour listening to the denizens of the reviewing stand tell us how
important we were to America’s freedom and future. We were assured that
as veterans we would be honored by America for our service (there was,
as yet, no Vietnam War), and proud to have served, which I already was
and still am.<br />
<br />
San Antonio was filled with uniformed military
personnel on Veterans Day, and it was a party late into the night. I
doubt it’s nearly as much today, but on Veterans Day in 1962 it was good
to be a soldier... or a veteran.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5814520785425356044.post-83076660517358148662016-10-30T19:19:00.000-04:002016-10-30T19:24:37.850-04:00I’ve Had a Thought or Two on the Election – Thought I’d Share<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Y’know,
some things have been bothering me about this election campaign, our
legislative people, both federal and state and our utterly self-absorbed press.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Let’s
talk about the campaign. For starters, both major parties allowed people who
were not party members to become members and hijack (or, in the case of the
Democratic Party almost hijack) their nomination process. Hillary Clinton
defeated Bernie Sanders by nearly a four to three margin (15.8 million to 12
million) in one of the bitterest, nastiest primary campaigns since Mayor Daley
backseat-drove the party into the 1967 disaster in Chicago. The upshot was that
it took weeks to get the party untracked and moving as a unified whole. Truth
to tell, it has operated mostly like a V-8 engine with a dead cylinder for much
of the presidential campaign.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Once
she had the Democratic Party’s nomination, Hillary Clinton began running for
president against a thirty-year compilation of attacks, accusations and
innuendo created by Republicans out of whole cloth, rather than run for the
office based on her real, substantial, substantive and successful record of
public service and initiating change for the better. Old canards were dredged
up (did you know f’rinstance, that there are no fewer than six, a dozen,
perhaps twenty, you pick a number of bodies associated with the Clintons?) And
now the e-mails, with the Director of the FBI writing an ambiguous letter to
Congress and the Press jumping on a tweet from a TEA Twit and reporting that
the e-mails are in play again, which they apparently aren’t really. Really!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">However,
compared to the Republican primary, the Democratic primary was a model of Party
efficiency and brotherhood. The Republican Party had so devolved by this summer
that a rump party calling itself the TEA Party (for Taxed Enough Already Party,
although most of the people in the party were just taking Republicans up on
their decades-long campaign to convince them that government should be free)
was able to field or control most of the candidates. Once again we were
subjected to the maunderings and absurdities of the painted occupants of the
Republican Primary Election Clown Car. Each and every of these worthies, with
one totally orange exception, were religious nuts who thought America should be
a “Christian” nation, and should be governed under “Christian” principles and
values—in short, America would become, if they could arrange it, a theocracy.
Apparently no one learns from the mistakes of others any longer. These are the
same people who are appalled at the excesses of Sharia (Islamic religious) Law.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
one candidate who did not preach this twisted gospel was Donald Trump, known
familiarly as “The Donald,” who ran on a “Take America Back” – “Make America
Great Again” platform, soon reduced to only its second half. Promising to “tell
it like it is” and “speak only truth” he stood in front of adoring crowds and
preached the evils of immigrants (especially from Mexico) and a general “them
vs us” message. Unfortunately for Donald and his “speak only the truth”
promise, according to all fact-check organizations (and anyone with a memory
more than 12 hours long) his promised truths... weren’t. He lied all the time,
about everything, to everybody. He lied so much that some of the most effective
ads against him were clips of statements with the dates he made them, followed
by a clip of him saying the complete and exact opposite. His solution to the
“illegal immigration problem” is to re-establish President Dwight D.
Eisenhower’s “Operation Wetback,” a “round ‘em up, pick ‘em up, pack ‘em on the
bus (or train or ship) and drop ‘em off in Mexico“ plan that Eisenhower had to
abandon because so many US Citizens were being hauled into Mexico and dumped. The
Donald also suggested he would use nuclear weapons as tactical devices, and he
invited Russia to inject itself into an American election. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">So
it comes down to this, of our two major candidates, one is so deeply flawed as
to be disqualified as a candidate (if we had a disqualification process—which we
don’t), and the other is bearing the gross burden of thirty years of accusation and innuendo
offered without evidence or witnesses. And yet, the press, the talking head
pundits as well as news and talk radio all act as if Hillary’s guilt by accusation
were somehow equivalent to Donald Trump’s self-described venality, racism, misogynistic
beliefs and remarks and downright stupid responses to questions of national
security and international relations. And of course there are the charges of pedophilic
rape and sexually assaulting women. This is just stupid. Any kind of public
vetting by experienced journalists, especially editorial writers and Sunday
Morning show hosts would have killed Donald Trump’s candidacy when it started.
Any amount of investigative journalism would have discovered his habit of
stiffing small contractors and workers, contracts be damned, would have turned
up his assaults on women and would have reported it, I say this because I have
no doubt the information has all been known or developed from the earliest days
of his candidacy, but reporting it would have cut short the great controversies
he created. And those controversies sold advertising in the news industry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
press is neither liberal nor conservative. The press is venal. It doesn’t serve
you and me. It serves the stockholders only. And the best way to make money for
the stockholders during this election was to not do anything that would knock
Donald Trump out of the race. And once that happened anyway, they caught a
break. The Director of the FBI wrote and sent to the House committee that has
been dealing with Hillary’s e-mails, whence it was condensed to a 140 character
tweet. The entire body of America’s press moved on that inaccurate tweet and
the result was a rapid reduction in the vote gap between Hillary and The
Donald. They have their controversy again, and their behavior is right in the
middle of it.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5814520785425356044.post-66561732507387389592016-03-27T08:40:00.000-04:002016-03-27T08:42:02.672-04:00A Note to My Relatives and Friends Who are Republicans<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Why I’m Not and Never
Could Be a Republican <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Republican Party is
NOT your friend. It, as an organization cares not a whit for or about you, your
family, your health, the environment you live in or your ability to survive.
The Republican Party has given us voter suppression, gerrymandering to the
point that less than 40% of the voting age population controls both houses of
Congress and states where they should have no hope. Republicans support the
idea of taking your mortgage, food and clothing, healthcare and transportation
money, shipping your job to Borneo or Sri Lanka (or any of a hundred places)
and pocketing the difference. And to add insult to injury, WE pay for it with
our taxes, because they get a huge tax break to cover the "cost" of
putting us and ours on the street so they and their shareholders can share the
money that used to be our salaries and benefits. What? You thought all that
savings would go to create more jobs? Aren’t these people the champions of the
“job creators?” Don’t be daft. There are no “job creators” in that scenario. Republicans
also think it's a fine idea that CEOs of publicly held companies, who made
about thirty-five times the average of employees wages in the seventies, now make ten
times that much, while employees' wages have barely matched inflation, if
they’ve done that. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Republicans want to
"rebuild" a military that already spends as much per year as, and with the exception of Saudi Arabia, more per capita than the next
dozen countries COMBINED! Don’t believe it? Take a look:</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>NOTE: </b><i>These numbers are all
in equivalent US Dollars - Annual budgets are in billions</i></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<span class="uficommentbody"></span></span></i></div>
<i><span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></i><br />
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<b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Rank</span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.45pt;" valign="bottom" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Country</span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 43.35pt;" valign="bottom" width="72"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Annual </span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 54.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="91"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Per Capita</span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.65pt;" valign="bottom" width="56"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">1</span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.45pt;" valign="bottom" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">USA</span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 43.35pt;" valign="bottom" width="72"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$598</span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 54.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="91"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$1,859</span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.65pt;" valign="bottom" width="56"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.45pt;" valign="bottom" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">China</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 43.35pt;" valign="bottom" width="72"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$146</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 54.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="91"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$106</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.65pt;" valign="bottom" width="56"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">3</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.45pt;" valign="bottom" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Saudi Arabia</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 43.35pt;" valign="bottom" width="72"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$82</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 54.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="91"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$2,949</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.65pt;" valign="bottom" width="56"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">4</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.45pt;" valign="bottom" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Untd Kngdm</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 43.35pt;" valign="bottom" width="72"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$56</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 54.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="91"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$878</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.65pt;" valign="bottom" width="56"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">5</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.45pt;" valign="bottom" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Russia</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 43.35pt;" valign="bottom" width="72"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$52</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 54.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="91"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$362</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.65pt;" valign="bottom" width="56"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">6</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.45pt;" valign="bottom" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">India</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 43.35pt;" valign="bottom" width="72"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$48</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 54.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="91"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$35</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.65pt;" valign="bottom" width="56"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">7</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.45pt;" valign="bottom" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Japan</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 43.35pt;" valign="bottom" width="72"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$42</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 54.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="91"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$323</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.65pt;" valign="bottom" width="56"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">8</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.45pt;" valign="bottom" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Germany</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 43.35pt;" valign="bottom" width="72"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$37</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 54.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="91"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$454</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.65pt;" valign="bottom" width="56"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">9</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.45pt;" valign="bottom" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">South Korea</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 43.35pt;" valign="bottom" width="72"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$33</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 54.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="91"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$681</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.65pt;" valign="bottom" width="56"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">10</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.45pt;" valign="bottom" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">France</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 43.35pt;" valign="bottom" width="72"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$32</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 54.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="91"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$702</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.65pt;" valign="bottom" width="56"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">11</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.45pt;" valign="bottom" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Brazil</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 43.35pt;" valign="bottom" width="72"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$24</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 54.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="91"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$119</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.65pt;" valign="bottom" width="56"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">12</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.45pt;" valign="bottom" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Australia</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 43.35pt;" valign="bottom" width="72"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$23</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 54.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="91"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$1,000</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.65pt;" valign="bottom" width="56"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">13</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.45pt;" valign="bottom" width="117"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Italy</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 43.35pt;" valign="bottom" width="72"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$22</span></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 54.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="91"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$348</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.65pt;" valign="bottom" width="56"><br /></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.45pt;" valign="bottom" width="117"><br /></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 43.35pt;" valign="bottom" width="72"><br /></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 15.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 54.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="91"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.4pt; mso-yfti-irow: 16;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: 29.4pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.65pt;" valign="bottom" width="56"><br /></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 29.4pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.45pt;" valign="bottom" width="117"><br /></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-right: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.4pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 43.35pt;" valign="bottom" width="72"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">TOTAL</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.4pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 54.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="91"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Avg per Capita</span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 17;">
<td colspan="2" nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 104.1pt;" valign="bottom" width="174"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
<b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2 thru 13</span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 43.35pt;" valign="bottom" width="72"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$597</span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 54.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="91"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$663</span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .2in; mso-yfti-irow: 18; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 33.65pt;" valign="bottom" width="56"><br /></td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 70.45pt;" valign="bottom" width="117"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">USA</span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 43.35pt;" valign="bottom" width="72"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$598</span></b></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: .2in; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 54.55pt;" valign="bottom" width="91"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 3.65pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: right;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">$1,859</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Source:</span><br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures"><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures</span></a><span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span>
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<span class="uficommentbody">Peace through strength? The point
of this is, all that money spent, and we don't get peace out of it. That's not
what this is. This is excess spending through hubris and stupidity. If strength
bought peace, how much more "strength" d'you reckon we need than A THIRD OF THE WORLD'S ENTIRE MILITARY BUDGET?</span><span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But that’s for war
and making money off our blood. When it comes to caring for veterans when they
come home wounded or damaged by PTSD, or making sure they have jobs to come home to, Republicans think that they’re a
"fiscal drain," and get way too much of the budget. These
self-righteous, useless wastes of skin have denied or drastically reduced the
last five Veterans’ Administration funding bills, and they’ve just done it
again. It has been ever thus with these nimrods. No money and then blame the
Administration when things go south, like the treatment scandal of last year. I
will die believing that my brother died because he never could get a consistent
long-term care approach from the VA, and he never could afford what he really
needed from the private sector. <br />
<br />
Republicans also believe it is better that tens of millions of Americans and
their children go without healthcare and die ten years earlier on average than
people with healthcare, because it costs too much to help them, and will hurt
the bottom lines of too many pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies and doctors. Not saying we should’
make them unprofitable, just less obscenely profitable off our misfortune.</span></span><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
<span class="uficommentbody">Republicans believe that letting the rich keep more
of their income and having you and me pay their share of the cost of government
will result in more investment in jobs creation. It never has and there is no
indication it ever will. Ronald Reagan nearly drove the country broke trying to
prove it would, failed miserably and insisted his efforts had been a success.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="uficommentbody">Republicans promise limited government, but they bloat
it and outspend Democrats when they get control of one, and insert themselves
into every citizen's bedroom and daily life whenever possible. Republicans
insist America was originally a “Christian” nation (a patently nonsensical
assertion), and they believe it should be “again,” much as every Middle Eastern
country is an Islamic country . . . . because it’s working out so well for those
countries, I suppose.</span></span></div>
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<span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On the environment .
. . only Nixon had any record to be proud of environmentally. The Republican
cry of “States’ Rights” led to the EPA being throttled by rules that they prove
they’re not stepping on State administrations’ toes before they do anything.
Can we spell “F-l-i-n-t,” as in the Michigan city, not the stone? EPA was WEEKS
later than they could have been had they been permitted BY LAW to just show up in an emergency. However, when she explained
that to the Congressional<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>committee
investigating the Flint Crisis (because, having passed that law they had somehow forgotten all about it), the EPA Director got screamed at (NOT hyperbole) by a
Republican CongressTwit that (and I quote): “Nobody cares about the law up here.” Well
that’s always been true. But if she had followed his direction and gone in
anyway, he’d have been demanding her head. The irony? Although he was screaming at her, it’s a Republican legislature
for twelve years and a Republican governor for the past eight that has created
this mess, NOT the EPA. Still, there is a proposal in the House, and I'm betting it WILL be
voted up to the Senate, to eliminate the EPA and create all environmental
regulations by legislative fiat, because . . . stupid.</span></span><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
<span class="uficommentbody">A note on Republican presidents since Johnson: </span></span></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nixon:
a flat out criminal; </span></span></li>
<li><span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ford:
a nice guy but basically out of his depth; </span></span></li>
<li><span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Reagan:
led us into the wilderness of no government income and great expenses, thereby
running the deficit AND the national debt way up without a war to blame it on –
dramatically lowered taxes, primarily on the one percent, then raised them
EIGHT TIMES, but mostly on us – Dunno about you, but I think that when a small
group of people has a majority of the nation’s wealth, they should pat an
equivalent percentage of the cost of government; </span></span></li>
<li><span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bush
the Elder: started a war to help one Middle Eastern Robber Baron get his
country back from another Middle Eastern Robber Baron – in short, basically for
no American security or other reason at all; </span></span></li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span class="uficommentbody"><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bush the Younger: started two wars under false pretense,
but didn't do the ONE thing that would have justified the Afghan war (i.e., keep bin Laden and Mullah Omar when he had 'em. Instead, he handed them off to locals who released them. Bush never again went
after them effectively), in the process giving us over a hundred thousand
bodies and two ruined nations to show for it. And since he fought those wars
off-budget, the new (Obama) Administration got the bill and had to make it a
part of the National Debt the first month in office, where it should have been
from the first troop carrier take-off.</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span class="uficommentbody">S So I ask you, Republican voters and enablers . . .
howinell did you EVER let them fool you this badly?</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="uficommentbody"> Future blog topics:</span></span></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="uficommentbody">The GOP's evangelical Christian-driven attempt to turn America into a "Christian" nation modeled on their version of the religion</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="uficommentbody">The GOP's Clown Car approach (clowns included) to selecting a nominee for president</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="uficommentbody"> The GOP's War On Women insistence that the health needs of women aren't important enough to ensure readily available health care (</span></span><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="uficommentbody">see Planned Parenthood defunding) </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="uficommentbody">The GOP's War On Science, wherein belief, dogma and political theory tops evidence every time.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "palatino linotype" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="uficommentbody">The GOP's War On Elections - Election by trickery, extreme gerrymandering, disenfranchisement, barriers to voting, all justified by false claims of massive voter fraud (ironically, proven ONLY to have been accomplished by the GOP).</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5814520785425356044.post-78656047656583923012015-09-20T15:03:00.000-04:002015-09-20T20:06:32.441-04:00Space Trucker Pilot {The Story I Kept for Myself (and You)}<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->A Space Truck driver is actually a spaceship pilot, but he doesn't get to drive the truck. Drowning his sorrows on Luna attracts unsavory characters, and unhilarity ensues, leading to one space truck pilot being sent away early and the would-be robbers obtaining new residences at the government's expense.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Giles Folsom, Captain of the LunAstero Mining Company’s space-going
ore transport vessel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">LAM Big Rock
Mountain</i>, sat at a small table against the front wall of a bar called
Jack’s Place on Earth’s Moon. He was slowly, steadily, sipping expensive
whiskey over ice ... drinking himself drunk. His AI had taken the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Big Rock</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mountain</i> into parking orbit on the far side of Luna while Jack
shuttled himself and a zero G grown watermelon to the Moon’s surface. There he
delivered it to the professor who had commissioned the zero-G experiment. The reward
for a few weeks of space gardening was sitting comfortably in his account. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“A truck driver,” he muttered. “However
it’s dressed up, I’m just a truck driver. I used to be a combat pilot. We
didn’t have any effin’ AIs. Hell, now I don’t even get to drive the damn
truck.” Again, Giles rewarded himself with the finest blended Bourbon for not
shooting his space truck. He took another sip, remembering the engagement that
had sent him home to years of surgery, partial reconstruction, drug resistant
bacteria, unremitting pain and no future. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then LunAstero had advertised for
pilots. Their ships had AIs, and the pilots were supercargo, but AIs had a habit
of occasionally going insane, leaving the ship in the middle of nowhere, so
pilots rode the ships. No one wanted the job. Giles wanted any job. They gave
him a ship and a lot of money. Now, every time he made it back to Luna he spent
his first night drinking.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Two hours later he swallowed the
last of his final drink, and paid in cash. As he stood and shrugged into his
uniform jacket he saw the waiter nod to two men standing at the bar, not
watching him. “Uh-oh,” he muttered, “th’ game’s afoot. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Big Rock,</i> pay attention.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And do what, Captain Folsom?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Call th’ cops. Tell ‘em where to
find me. Activate the emancipation clause. Hire a lawyer ... I don’t know. Just
keep track for now.” He moved toward the door. The men at the bar didn’t move
at all. But as he reached the door, the men moved away from the bar. Giles stepped
through the door.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As he exited he turned right, and
immediately right again down a side street. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Big Rock</i>, where am I,” he asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Not in a very good part of town,” the
AI responded. “You should try to return to your hotel immediately. Your hotel
is three blocks ahead and two to the left.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Can’t,” he responded. “Got two
thugs right behind me. Tell the cops to come here.” The exchange with his AI
caused him to miss hearing them until he was right on top of them. As he approached
the alley that ran behind the bar, they stepped out in front of him. They
hadn’t followed him out after all. Giles tried to run and leapt straight over
them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh Hell, Earth legs,” said one. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Nah,” Giles told them, “I spend a
lot of time in zero G, so I’m absolutely religious about the exercises we have
to use. You guys walk as if you live here.” But Giles had a problem. “I can’t
outrun these guys,” he told the AI. “Every running step throws me six or eight
feet straight up. They can just wait for me to drop. And I’m half drunk.” He
back-pedaled down the alley. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Just empty your pockets,” said one
man. “We’ll let you go.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t believe you.” Giles’ smile had
turned dangerous. “I won’t let you go.” As he passed the bar’s rear door, he
saw the waiter peering out. Giles yanked him into the alley and leapt into the
tavern, shuffling rapidly to the bar.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The bartender showed a long gun. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re an idiot. The cops are coming.” Giles
kept his voice low. “Bodies are harder to explain than broken bones.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You break up my bar I might be
willin’ to give it a try.” This was not a high profit bar. Breaking the
furniture would not likely improve profits. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Giles stopped and raised his left
arm, showing terrible scars on the forearm. “I’m willing to hold truce.” He
pointed to the scars. “I’m nearly fighting one handed anyway.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Something hit him behind the right
ear and he landed on his knees. Something long and round sped toward his face.
He reached for it and stood up with it, slamming the heel of his hand upward into
the point of someone’s nose. Giles recognized the AI’s augmentation of
synapses.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He looked to the front door. Two
cops were moving very slowly toward the bar. He looked around. The bartender
lay on the floor, dead, but still clutching a broken long gun. He turned in
time to see the two thieves and the waiter head for the rear door. In two
strides, he tossed them back to the cops.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One cop wearing Sergeant’s stripes took
in the Ship’s Captain Uniform, the bad arm and the general appearance. “Captain
Folsom?” he asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Tell me what happened.” Giles
recounted the events of the past few minutes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“They tried to rob you? You’re
wearing a gun.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Still, they accosted me, demanded
money and threatened me.” Maybe this had been a mistake. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The only dead person is the
bartender. What happened there?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You probably had a better view
than I did. He swung that rifle at me and I killed him.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yeah that’s what I saw. Why...?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Damifino Sergeant.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yeah. How long ‘til you dump?”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Eight or nine days.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“If we can get you out of here
tomorrow, will you go?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’d shuttle up tonight.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You should do that.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What about...?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You should do that now.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Captain Folsom?” It was the AI. “The
shuttle will be at your hotel in thirty minutes. There’s transport at the bar
entrance for you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Captain Giles Folsom watched the
Earth-Luna system recede in his viewers. There had been no further
communication with the Company or the Luna City Government.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">###</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I woke up
dead . . . again. It happens. I reanimate a body and move it far from home. I
create a life. Eventually, something happens and the host quits on me. The
cycle repeats, but usually not so soon. I looked down. There was no getting
away from it . . . I was a ghost again. I don’t, by-the-by, believe in ghosts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I was
sitting up, nude, in the body I’d been using for the past few months. My first
glance told me I wouldn’t be using that body again. Reanimation requires a
continuity of the neural net; one no longer likely following a blow to the head
that resulted in that much blood. Someone had killed “me” and I wanted to know
why. I stepped out of the host of my recent perambulations and looked around
the semi-dark room. I could make out wires in bundles and tangles, the back
panels of what appeared to be computers as well as scattered dim lights and
LEDs. I was in the maintenance space behind a familiar but unrecognized
electronics layout.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Memories of
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puny watts of whatever you asked for (87.3 on your FM dial). We’d play music
from whatever genre, whatever century and talk about whatever you brought to
the table. I also played David, the geek everybody tried to stump. I was there
when I was there. Listeners waited for the announcement, “David is in th’
house!” then flooded the switchboard with arcane knowledge and astounding
ignorance. I’d lived through much of it back when things were made to happen by
swinging something heavy or sharp from a strong right arm. It wasn’t hard to
set them straight or confirm their knowledge. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">David
wouldn’t be in th’ house ever again. The clock read 2307. The midnight shift
had just started and the afternoon shift was still in the house. I dived into
the system and depowered the electric locks. The deadbolts slammed home
simultaneously </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I waded
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told me I was in a radio station broadcast studio. Sandra, the night DJ was
there, and through a window to the side I could see Paul, her
call-screener/producer. I showed a flickering upon occasion as I traversed the
studio. Neither seemed to notice. Someone had offed "me." Time to
find out who.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
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the Conference Room, except Paul and Sandra! Now people!” Sandra toggled her
microphone to the producer only and asked, “What’s up?” Paul responded that the
station couldn’t afford dead air, so they’d have to wait to find out what was
up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Let’s go,
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the conference room, and do it now!” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
went into the conference room and watched with the night manager as they all
straggled in. They each looked nervous and scared and some looked confused. The
night manager looked pissed. He was looking at a list of names, checking them
off as people entered. Finally, “Sit down everyone,” he said. “Has anyone seen
Alice?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“She
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when we came in tonight. He’s not here.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“He
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meeting to begin with. And I didn’t throw those doorlocks. I tried an outside
door before I came in here – it wouldn’t budge. Go find David, somebody. He
knows those computers as if he could go inside them, and I want to know who
pulled this stunt. Find him and bring him here! Teams of two.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
trailed a team out. At the door to Studio Two the woman halted. “George and Tim
were already here!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“C’mon,
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“OK,
but I don’t really want to either.” She was more than reluctant.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
man pulled a small black flash from his pocket. “A thousand watts. That’ll
blind anybody.” We headed into the maintenance space. A quick sweep of the
flash showed no body in that space, and no sign of a struggle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In the main
broadcast room, James and Kim were having the same discussion. I didn’t wait
for them. Neither of them wanted to go into the maintenance space behind the
computers. I slid through walls and electronics into the back space. Then I
groaned...loudly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one came to
investigate. No one was in the main room when I came back out. I left for
Studio One. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Sandra, the
night shift DJ and Paul, her producer were there. Paul was insistent, “I saw
what I saw. Just before the doors locked, I saw a guy moving around the room.
Just in flickers, but he was there!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Sandra was
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narrow opening into the maintenance space... and screamed. Paul charged into
the space, knocking miscellaneous equipment out of the stack and nearly tripping
over “my” body. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Well,
David wo... hello? What’s this?” He bent over and picked something up. He
checked my pulse, then played his light over cabinets. “Ah-ha!” He pointed to
the object in his hand. “An ice cream scooper!” He motioned at a shelf hard by.
“David laid it down when he’d finished it,” – he lighted up a blob of melted
ice cream –“but it rolled off. He tried to pick it up and it rolled underfoot.
He fell and hit his head on the corner of a steel cabinet. Go get the night
manager.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I left
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5814520785425356044.post-87342386320194905222015-03-11T11:33:00.002-04:002015-03-11T11:34:24.568-04:00Open Letter to Republican Senators<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">March 11, 2015</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">R
C Larlham, Citizen</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">State of Michigan, USA</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">An Open Letter to my Republican and TEA Party
antagonists in the United States Senate Who Signed an Open Letter to Iran:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It has come to my attention that you believe you
are qualified to give crash courses in the United States Constitution to all
and sundry in general and to the leaders and negotiators of Iran (a sovereign
country, in case you missed that) in particular. It has been noticed that you
chose to do so in the guise of an absurdly condescending “open letter” to Iran
that warned them you could blow up any agreement they made with President Obama
(and the five other nations you forgot about) regarding Iran’s nuclear
capability any time you chose. It has also been noticed that you wrote and published that letter at nearly
the end of negotiations regarding militarizing Iran’s said nuclear capability.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">First, let me assure you that this particular
stunt was the most asinine thing the Republicans in Congress have done since
the 2008 election, and your entire six years since then has been one long run
of obstructive asininity. But this one takes the cake... takes it, eats it,
buries the knife, fork and plate and denies it’s them on the security cam. You
have outdone yourselves, so there’s that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, let me address the blowback. First, Iran
dismissed your missive as a propaganda publicity stunt, after which they
pointed out your error in describing your role in negotiating treaties, arms
limits and such. How embarrassing was <b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i></b>?
Second, the senators who didn’t sign began explaining why. There were a lot of
words, but they all came down to one thing... they thought the letter was a
stupid idea, and that your approach was dangerous now and in the future.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then some of the signers weighed in. The first
explanation was, “We’re just tryna help, ‘cause they might not know how our
government is set up.” No you weren’t. </span><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>No
one</b></i></span><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">, including you, thinks Iran doesn’t know enough about the US government’s
structure to be able to negotiate a weapons limit without your “help.” So OK,
that one landed with a thud. Your next explanation was that it “...wasn’t
technically interference in the negotiations because it was an open letter.”
Please point to the person we should slap for giving voice to that bit of nitwittery.
Next came the “We were just trying to be a bit cheeky,” defense. There were
only two things wrong with that: 1) <b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We’re
not British</i></b>! We don’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do</i> “cheeky.”
And b) “cheeky” is not found in any dictionary or thesaurus as a synonym for “stupid,”
which would have been the correct word. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A-a-and most recently you served up the blivit
that it’s the President’s fault you wrote and signed that letter. Say <b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">what</i></b>? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What’s a blivit? Three pounds of an obnoxious
substance in a two-pound bag.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As long as we're here, let’s take this opportunity to do a little
teaching, shall we? Diplomacy is the art of talking to your enemies and coming
to an agreement that keeps your children alive. War is the admission that diplomacy
has failed. I used to be the sharp end of that stick (I’m pretty sure no more
than two or three of you were, and that none of your children served in
dangerous places), and watching you demand that we issue ultimatums (you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">must</i> be willing to carry out the threat,
you know) is more than a little sickening. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, I have some advice for you... <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">shut
up</i></b>! Don’t apologize, don’t explain, in fact, don’t say <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">another freakin’ word</i>. There is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">nothing</i> you can say that won’t make this
worse.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thanx for reading:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">/s/R C Larlham</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5814520785425356044.post-46631202881198082092015-02-01T23:35:00.001-05:002015-02-01T23:35:35.370-05:00Hard Ground, Hard Work, Horses and Big Hats<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"></span></b><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Hng-oof!”
Body relaxed, a half-smile on his face, he hit the ground on his back, driving
the air from his lungs and the Stetson back into the air. He tried to suck a
breath back into nearly collapsed lungs without success. He pursed his lips and
sipped at the air while a high-pitched laugh echoed in his ears. Funny -- there
hadn’t been any girls ar… his eyes fetched up at the coal-black horse, head
thrown back, trotting in a circle and whinnying -- at him.</span>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Concentrating
on sipping air (getting thrown by a horse ridden in by another hand was
embarrassing enough -- sucking air and heaving like a drunk wasn’t going to
improve matters) Gordon rolled onto his stomach and pushed himself to his
knees.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Here
y’go, cowboy!” The Stetson was dropped on his head with a chuckle by one of the
ranch hands who’d been standing around or prepping for the day as he mounted
the black.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gordon
pulled his left leg under himself and sipped another slow breath. Standing was
harder than he expected, but he got there, resettling the Stetson as he rose to
cover the difficulty. He looked at the black, then at the men gathered around
him. “Billy?” He indicated one of the young men. “Why’d he do that?” He paused
for a half-breath. “You put sumthin’ under the saddle?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Nah…
he just tries to dump every rider who climbs on his back. Doesn’t try very hard
though. All you have to do is stand up in the stirrups.” There was a round of
laughter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gordon
stared off across the meager grass and clots of spiny vegetation. Farther than
he could see lay mountains to the west, he knew… and to the east two days ride
lay lowlands and salt marshes. Two days through the marshes brought the eastern
ocean into view. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Here be monsters,” he thought, turning his eyes again to the
black.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Saying
no more, he strode toward the horse, hiding the unsteadiness that wanted to
creep into his gait. Thirty men had tried for this job, and some had been
friends with some of the men he was now working with, and these men weren’t
happy about his being here instead. Still, it galled him to have been thrown
just because he was too distracted to pay attention to a strange horse as he
mounted it. He should’ve been much more aware. After all, Billy had brought him
the horse, saddled and bridled with his own tack, before anybody else had even
begun saddling up.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
black stood rock-still as he approached and gathered the reins. Taking the
right rein in his left hand, he reached under the horse’s neck and flipped the
thin leather strap up and over it, catching it in his right hand and then
swapping both lines into his left. Keeping the reins in his left hand, he
stepped from the horse’s head toward and past its shoulder, grasped the
saddle-horn with his left hand, flexed his knees and jumped. As he jumped, he
began a turn toward the horse’s body and slid the toe of his left boot into the
stirrup, shoving it down and slinging his right leg over the pommel
simultaneously.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
his weight evened on the stirrups he took the trailing ends of the reins in his
right hand and, leaning forward toward the black’s head he slashed at its rear,
dropping fully into the saddle and digging his heels into the animal’s ribs as
he did so. “Run, you sunuvvabitch… run until I tell you to stop,” he muttered
into the horse’s mane, as the horse leapt forward. Before the animal could
gather itself he dug his heels, and the blunted stirrups thereon, in again, neck-reining the horse hard right to
the dirt track that ran north to the ranch house and buildings, another two-day
ride away. They thundered down the road for a half-mile before Gordon reined
the black left and then right in almost a full circle, swinging south as they
reached the road. The watching men saw horse and rider framed by a backlit
cloud of dust, pounding toward them at a racing pace.</span></div>
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sat back and hauled on the reins as they came up to the men, stopping the black
in less than ten feet. He swung down and stepped off as the horse stopped.
Approaching Billy he glowered at him without speaking for several seconds,
then, “Setting me up to get thrown almost made that horse believe he could do
it again… to anybody. I don’t like to run a horse like that, but you left me no
options. Don’t ever pull a stunt like that again. You may have noticed… I’m a
poor sport when it comes to practical jokes.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He went back and began to rub
down the horse. Someone stripped the saddle and dropped a fresh blanket over
it. When
he was done, he resaddled the black and looked around. There were fifteen men
in the work party, plus the cook and cook’s helper and the hay-wagon driver.
The cook and helper rode a chuck-wagon. All fourteen other cowboys were
standing or leaning against something, and every one of them had a horse fully
saddled and ready to ride.</span></div>
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stepped into the stirrup and swung into the saddle. “Yup, let’s go find ‘em.”
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they neared the first clot of spiny shrubs the locals called False Mesquite,
limbs began to writhe and lengthen. Each limb was actually a vine, doubled and
redoubled to resemble a limb or branch of a small tree. They were well covered
in barbed spines ranging in length from half an inch to two inches, and needle
sharp. But sensors in the roots told the plant the prey was too large and too
many to attack without severe loss, so the vines moved slowly, not fully
extended and coursing through the rough vegetation that covered the high
desert. Still, they moved constantly while the horses and chuck-wagon filed
past, seeking the smaller animals such a parade might startle into flight
toward them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
the distance an oddly elongated animal flowed with an unusual gait parallel to
their own path. “’Cat’ on the hunt,” said one of the men, pointing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Well,
we’re not on the hunt for it.” The foreman’s voice left no room for argument.
“You guys let it be. It’s not looking for you and it’s not looking for cattle.”
Nobody else spoke.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">An
hour’s slow ride in the heat later, they came upon the first small group of
cattle. There were about two-dozen cows and steers, with three unbranded calves.
The six-legged vegetarians were genetically modified to increase their size and
reduce their tendency to want to hammer humans into the sides of large
structures. They retained their ability to thrive on the woody grasses and
thorny bushes of their home planet, but were converted by their genetic mods to
be edible meat for humans and other earth creatures. The hexapedal “Cats” of
the exoplanet on which Terra had launched its first non-solar colony could
still eat them, but were incapable of attacking the modified animals, now
nearly three times the size of their ancestors.</span><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">"We're
not in Kansas any more, Toto," he muttered to the black. "I wonder if
there <b><i>is</i></b> a Kansas any more." He pondered the sixty thousand
years the original colony had slept on their flight to a planet from which they
could never again even see the star of the planet of their birth, as he swung
in to help capture the first of the calves for branding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif";">Copyright R C Larlham 2010, All rights to author </span><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5814520785425356044.post-51378790406655235032015-02-01T22:27:00.000-05:002015-02-01T22:30:41.503-05:00Desert's End<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Head down and heaving with every breath, the
nearly fleshless paint horse he led still showed the </span>beauty that had been. Taller by a
hand or more than the ponies most western cowhands rode, his spine ridged up,
more from lack of water than of food, although there’d been no food for nearly
a week.</div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The man himself, blistered, clothes
ragged and boots worn through, staggered just a little, like a man who’d had
one whiskey too many. He too walked head down, watching for the tiny stone or
ridge that would take his legs and send him to the ground.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The big horse whickered, and the man
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thumb of the other hand. “I see it.” He patted the cheek of the head now
resting on his shoulder. “And I’m thinkin’ you smell water.” He looked at the
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they rounded the vertical end of an eroded hill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hitching the holster up (more a
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walked forward. He watched the town as they walked toward it, the ragged man
and sun-beaten horse. The desert behind him had taken the others in a
three-cornered firing squad, when the promised spring had turned out to be dry,
seven days earlier. Their horses hadn’t lasted much longer. He’d taken their
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They staggered on, the thought of
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horse with a warning hand and quiet word, he pumped into the bucket, poured
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Smart,” the voice was behind him.
He straightened, casually dropping the ladle into the bucket, “drew enough t’
cut th’ dust, but not enough to founder th’ horse.” Gravel crunched.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The ragged man turned toward it…
slowly. “Who do I pay for th’ water?” The horse whickered again.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Water’s free.” The man was tall,
skinny as a rail, bald and bareheaded. His scalp shone red-brown in the rising
sun. “Two cents apiece rental for th’ bucket, ladle and trough.” He chuckled
easily at his own wit. “Nickel for th’ three… volume discount.” He grinned,
wide… showing teeth and gaps. The single action revolver on his left hip rode
low in a well-worn holster. The hand next to it twitched.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“OK.” The ragged man reached into
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the man’s left shoulder.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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upward like a snake, snaring the coin. The ragged man’s .45 appeared in his
hand. The bald man’s left eyebrow rose. “Last time I seen you, I was ridin’
hard and lookin’ back, and you fell off’n y’r horse.” He showed the grin again.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Might’ve been th’ bullet you put in
my ribs made thet happ’n.” The ragged man smiled back. “Have t’ admit… never
thought ya c’d hit me at that distance shootin’ backwards off a horse.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Me e’ther.” The bald man was still
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Got any law here?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Naw. I kilt him two weeks ago. He
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Without the’ mop of flamin’ hair
and th’ beard? Hard to believe.”</span></div>
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me comin’ outa a bank in San Antonio.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Where’s ever-body else?” The ragged
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Poster sez, 'Dead or alive.’” The
pre-cocked .45 spat flame and a small, bluntly rounded piece of lead into the
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The ragged man looked down at his
brother’s body. "The Old Man says, “Hello.”"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">R C Larlham - March 20, 2010 </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Copyright R C Larlham, 2010, all rights to author. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5814520785425356044.post-86436034714787837872015-01-31T21:30:00.000-05:002015-01-31T21:34:05.452-05:00Fighting The Banshee – A Fantasy in Free Verse<!--[if !mso]>
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At six o'clock in the morning on an early day in October, 2012, I
strapped on a rented Cruze and began a 560-mile journey to spend some time
with Holly, th' Luvly Laura's friend since childhood. I would say, in fact, that
they defined the term "BFF." Holly could not, for various
unavoidable reasons, attend either Laura's Memorial Service, <b>or</b> the military
service during which her cremains were placed in my niche in a National Cemetery
(no, Laura isn't a veteran, but I am... and so was Laura's Dad). In any
case, when Holly announced they were going to place her parents' cremains at
Arlington National Cemetery (her father was a WWII pilot ferrying unarmed planes into combat zones, I decided to be there representing both of us.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The idea was a good one, and Holly
and her family welcomed me to their family as a sort of adjunct
member. The "How It's Done," part, however, could have used
some work on my part. First, the Cruze is not designed for long trips on roads
undergoing random intermittent repairs. She's a short-coupled little
beast, and bounces and rocks unmercifully over any series of unevenness.
She's also a snappy little car and fun to drive, but that means her suspension
is stiff and every hole and bump is immediately and intimately transmitted to
your back.</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Second, I had just spent nine hours in a
car alone, headed for a reunion with the best friend of my wife who's been dead
less than a year. About halfway into the trip, I began to ponder all
these things. It turns out it's possible that such a combination of
realities may not be a good idea after all... despite all it has going for it
at first glance. The "good" news is that from all that pain
comes the what follows.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Copyright: R C Larlham October 10,
2012 - All Rights Reserved to Author</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span>
<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For two long years I fought the
bitch,</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Th’ Luvly Laura’s own family
Banshee.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The day she came, November First,
Two</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thousand and oh-nine, I walked into</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A darkened house just after six at
night.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The silence and the darkness raised
the hackles</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On my neck. I called her name,
and yet again, but</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">From the Luvly Laura came not the
smallest sound.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My heart flat quit, then stammered
once… then</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hammered hard in my unbreathing
chest.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was a-sprint before I knew, and in
the nose of memory</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I smell the gagging burning sulfur scent.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Short corners tried their vicious
best</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To dump me on the floor, my wind and
heart</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Knocked flat, no more to drive me
on.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But I fetched up at the foot of the
stairs</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Luvly Laura at my feet. Above
her, standing</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On the air, in a Gilly Suit of
ragged black for</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Midnight work, with snakeskin gloves
black as</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The rags, made of Mamba skin… was
The Banshee.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Beneath the cowl a tic of white…
bleached bone…</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A flash of skull, told me that here
stood death above</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My Luvly Laura. And in that black
beneath the cowl</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A deeper black -- its open maw, from
which come forth</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A scream that shook my deepest soul
to vengeance rage.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Not her!” I bent and kissed my
bride, my love of</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Forty years and four. “Not her. Not
today.”</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Chuck?” She smiled, “I fell, I
think. I’m sorry…</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ve made such a mess. It’s been
since eight o’clock.”</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My heart broke like a child's.
It hasn't healed since.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I dared not touch or move her, so I
just made the call.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When they heard she’d been there ten
hours or more</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I swear they were at the door before
I hung up the phone.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I looked up for The Banshee, but she
was gone.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It was but a fantasy</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>my mind had played to ease the fear.</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Banshee is an evil bitch, and
comes and goes</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At her own will. For two long years
I fought that</span></b><br />
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<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Awful witch, a fantasy that gave to
me a way to see</span></b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">An enemy to face in epic battle, in
a war I knew I’d lose.</span></b><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But a few fights I'd win, and keep
her with me for a bit.</span></b><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Luvly Laura knew nothing of the
pistol and</span></b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Imaginary sword I used to fight a
Gilly Suit of black</span></b><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Upon the battlefields in my mind's
eye. An enemy</span></b><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I could see in a place that I could
be, and the courage</span></b><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That I garnered there, with my
beloved I could share.</span></b><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Together we rode daily ever deeper
into The</span></b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Banshee’s lair. I drew strength from
my few wins</span></b><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And she drew hers from me. But only
I, of the two</span></b><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Of us, saw what lay in The Banshee’s
home…</span></b><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The end of hope... the end of
her, the end of half of me.</span></b><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And when it came, she was already
gone.</span></b><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'd done all I could do... to fight,
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<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Until the end. And as her mind
diminished</span></b><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In her disease, I was at peace. She
never knew</span></b><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'd holstered the gun and scabbarded
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It was time for silent, peaceful
death to vanquish...</span></b><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Crawfords' bitch Banshee.</span></b><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And when it had and all was done, my
beloved</span></b><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gone and gone, I went to do my daily
work</span></b><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<b><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And there I found... my company
punished ME</span></b><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5814520785425356044.post-65543492219872136102015-01-09T17:46:00.000-05:002015-01-09T17:46:24.191-05:00The Answer to 30,000 Annual American Gun Deaths Is...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A “Gun Rights” organization new to
me, (well, relatively new in any case - it began in 2001) called </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nagrfb">National Organization for Gun Rights
(NAGR)</a> </span> that bills itself as being well to the “gun
right” of the NRA, has created a new fear-mongering ad for gun
and ammunition manufacturers. The add shows bullets in several calibers, with the tagline, "ALL FASTER THAN DIALING 911" (emphasis theirs), on its Facebook Home Page where it also offers the ad for sharing on FB. Unfortunately, all I can do here is link it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This whole ad is several violations
of logic in a box. To begin with, its basic premise, that most people reading
it are likely to be faced with a home invasion or gunpoint robbery, is wrong. In
72 years, counting the home invasion that did not occur at my house last night,
I have had exactly zero occasions to worry about that difference in time... and
the same is true for the vast majority of Americans. In the second place, it’s
a logical fallacy called a false dichotomy. That’s not an either/or question. I’d
be calling 911 whether I had a gun or not. Finally, the way that ad
is written, it presumes that you should be shooting anyone who comes into your
house, and that’s not necessarily so.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is not guns <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">per se</i> that are a problem for me, I have my own, nor have I any
qualms about shooting a home invader if that’s what I’m faced with. It's the
assumption that the American public in general needs one, and is somehow
lacking in either sense or patriotism (or both) if there isn't a gun in the
house with a person ready to cowboy up, that I find problematic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
The NRA is nothing but a fear-mongering gun and ammunition manufacturers shill.
The organization, more precisely its leaders, couldn't care less about whether
the gun you fire is pointed at a home invader, or at one of your children
coming into your room with a bad case of the night terrors... so long as you
buy another gun and plenty of ammunition. The NAGR proudly proclaims itself to
be more of the same, with none of the NRA’s softness on enemies of guns and
willingness to fund the campaigns of Democrats (who are apparently all enemies
of guns). No matter the rhetoric, it’s all a propaganda ploy to get you to keep
those production lines rolling, and it’s nothing more. <span style="text-transform: uppercase;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Why do you think they both tout the
Obama/federal/international/United Nations gun grab that never happens... and
home invasions that are extremely unlikely to happen to you or anyone you know?
The answer to more than 30,000 gun deaths a year is NOT, "more guns."
Specifically, it is not, "More guns in the pockets, purses and waistbands
of anyone capable of pulling a credit card out of a wallet." Why correcting
that is a problem for the gun worshipers, I don’t know (well, I suppose I
do... too many of them could never pass a screening). The reality is, that of
the 30,000 people a year who die by gunshot, fewer than a third are the victims
of crimes like home invasions, robberies, drive-by shootings and so forth. Oh,
many of them are victims of crimes, but the crimes aren’t the crimes these
organizations keep touting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the Detroit, Michigan, area
(essentially southeast Michigan) the crimes I read about are drive-by shootings
and other gun-related murders, women shot by their boyfriends, husbands, exes,
etc. (women, for instance, are as much as eleven times more likely to die in an
abusive relationship if there’s a gun handy), unarmed people shot in road rage
situations, suicides, accidental shootings (a mother was recently killed by her
two-year old who reached into her purse and pulled the trigger of her gun) and
especially children killing children because they’re doing what children do...
playing with things they’ve been told not to touch.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As for the, “I’ll be there when you
don’t have your gun and save you from the bad guy,” crowd... you probably won’t.
You’ll be in your local Kroger parading around with your AR-15 Backwoods
Breaching Carbine strapped over your too-large belly. Or you’ll keep your had
away from the gun for concern that he’ll shoot when he catches the motion, or
for fear that you “might” hit somebody. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To repeat, the answer to too many
gun deaths is NOT more guns in the hands of anybody who wants one and can pull
money out of a wallet. Gun crime may have reduced, but you can’t extrapolate
that forever. We already have more guns than people in this country, so what’s
the magic number? Two per person? Three?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Five per family? How about, “None of the foregoing.”? We need to get
some control over who gets to have a gun. Folks who think a noise in the house
is best answered by a gun in the hand aren’t necessarily the folks who ought to
have one. </span></div>
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