This is stark, Starkey. Now I know there is a difference between dark and stark.

I had to look up homuncular.

I love the pragmatic ending.

The description of Vestal with his wet mouth lets me know I've passed him on the street a few times. This kind of character doesn't inspire pathos. Instead it makes you mad to be so unfortunate as to have seen it.

Now I have to find something minty for my brain to lift away the smell of rust and B.O. and what, cat vomit?

No, wait, not cat vomit.

After my late husband died I found a snake preserved in formaldehyde he had stashed in his reptile room (he was a zoologist, reptile curator, San Antonio Zoo). I didn't know what it was in the container and made the mistake of opening it. That smell.