Stumpy and the Decision Tree        by Thorold May
                   page thirty-four

I've gotta' admit, the gunner blinked, it's neat -
That tear-down screen, the instant con of command ...
Meg grabbed his ear and he flinched.
You tinfoil hoon, she hissed, you wouldn't know
A sacred sign from the flash of an arcade strip.
Now hit back a signal wrapped in respect
Before we get zapped to a crisp.

It was Stumpy's turn to smile a wan smile,
For the girl's simple faith in a greater power
Gave her strength to follow her heart,
But the wayward paths of an outside mind
Are set with a thousand traps, and a broken twig
Or the mark of a knife say more than the painted signs.
Prawn, probe the bugger and check the deal, he nodded with a sigh.

.. to be continued

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"Stumpy and the Decision Tree" copyrighted to Thorold May 2002; all rights reserved