"LADIEEEEEEES AND GENTLE - HUAAAAGHCK - HCKHHRR-HRRGH..."

The microphone SQUEEEEAAAAALED. Lucas doubled over - behind his hand, twisted a face like he wasn't friggin' well sure whether to wince or cackle. What a damn sound...!

He rasped - into a swollen half-yawn.

Gulped.

"... - Aaaaah, technical difficulties, folks...! Parrrdon! Pardon..."

The mannequins lining the walls stared. Mutely.

He stood - unclipped the mic, cleared his throat. "Now - ladies and gentlemen...!" Squeeeeaaaaal. "Time for another round oooooooof...!"

Heron-like, rocking, he crossed over to the gate.

Eyes pinched narrow over a crescent smile.

The stranger's burned.

"Dulvey Roulette," he said.

The fuses of ten small cannons popped lit.


July 15th. "Crowd".