Michael's Texas Embrace

“As I was explaining, Lou wants an informative commercial.”

The Director spat once more into the nearly-brimming dish.

I continued, “Something that sort of illustrates our processes, but makes people feel good about choosing us to kill their loved ones.”

The Director cocked an eyebrow. It hovered, twitching slightly, for the briefest of moments before falling. “Kill? Sir, we do no killing here. Physical Abatement is the term I prefer.”

I nodded. “Perhaps we’ll use that term in the comm—“

The Director interrupted me by noisily clearing his throat. He tapped the glistening dish of saliva. “I must warn you: when this is full our conversation ends.”

Overhead the air conditioner kicked on, ticked steadily for a moment, and hissed.