Optional Retirement Plan

Dedication

For Glen Cook and

the Goddamn Parrot.

Because everyone needs

a little appreciation.

I’m speaking, of course,

of the Parrot.

Mr. Cook seems to be

doing fine on his own.

Part 1

Fischer Cuts Bait

You see that fish hanging on the wall?

If he’d have kept his mouth shut,

he wouldn’t be there at all.

Bear that in mind

when the man comes to call.

I’m a whisky priest

and it’s a blood-soaked religion.

—Dustin Welch