Terror Bone Ticklers Series

Steve Everyman and His Life in the Big City

Living with the Ultraterrestrial Goon Squad

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Meet Steve. He lives a normal life. For several hours a day he works at a bank downtown. Look at his hands — they’re soft because his work is soft. He handles the money, and the paper that comes with the money. He locks it all in a big safe. Then he stands in the bank lobby to smile at people who enter. When the people enter the bank they let in the outside. Outside is the space beyond the windows.

There are very few trees, but a lot of concrete.

The buildings are the bones of the City. The roads and sidewalks are the veins of the City. The people are the blood of the City. They carry vital currency and services to where the City needs it most. Steve has many problems with the City. They are as follows:

1. The water from the faucet doesn’t taste very good.
2. His upstairs neighbors are loud, but get angry when he is loud.
3. The taxis rarely answer his hailing hand, as though they are in league against him.
4. Walk-up apartments.
5. Street performers.
6. Exhaust fumes.
7. Eating alone in the dark.