shithub: 1f300

ref: ab0d37120321cc50a82ae3a3467904c55eadaaaa
dir: /troff/0104.ms/

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.LP
.ce
.ps 16
.CW
JERK VIZIER
.R

.ps 10

.br

.ce
.ps 10
.B
1
.P

.PP

.ps 10
.DC T
he Vizier popped his collar and plopped down onto his throne.  The green of
his alligator polo merged with the fading sunlight such that his head
appeared to float above the stage.
.PP
.ps 10
"There is no safe word," he said, into his microphone.
.PP
.ps 10
Instantly, the crowd cheered.
.PP
.ps 10
He was wearing his new wig.
.PP
.ps 10
The Vizier flushed.

.ce
.ps 10
.B
2
.P

.PP
.ps 10
"I already jerked off to this footage, five, maybe six years ago.  I don't
understand why they keep rerunning these same tired political spots."
.PP
.ps 10
"For my part, I'm surprised at the variety.  Most people have short
memories.  And jerking off is everywhere now."
.PP
.ps 10
"Yeah.  I know it's not cool anymore, but still, I feel like doing it.  I
guess the rest of the world is finally ready to join me in the
twentieth century.  I just wish the programming was more varied."
.PP
.ps 10
The two men piped down as a panoply of voices boomed from the stage.
.bp
.ce
.ps 10
.B
3
.P

.PP
.ps 10
The Vizier swiveled his microphone around and listened to the crowd.
Discussion was trending towards nothing of importance.  And yet, the
people were still chatting idly, spiting the word of the law.  Now
they could hear themselves over the loudspeakers.  Their retractions
were boilerplate, inept; but still he was pleased with the
incoherence emanating from the cheap seats.
.PP
.ps 10
He clicked off his microphone.  Coughed, softly, then clicked it back
on.
.PP
.ps 10
"You people have no idea what I'm going through," he said.
.PP
.ps 10
Again, the crowd cheered.

.ce
.ps 10
.B
4
.P

.PP
.ps 10
"I know the safe word," said the Vizier.  "I just can't think of it right
now."
.PP
.ps 10
The men continued tying him to the grill.
.PP
.ps 10
The Vizier slipped out of his NIKE AIR CORTEZ\f(CW™\fR and wiggled in his
denim.  Vestments discarded, he still couldn't manage to free his
arms.  Finally, his ROLEX\f(CW™\fR slid off, sinking into the ash and charcoal
below.
.PP
.ps 10
"This is a disappointing way for a Caliphate to divest."
.PP
.ps 10
Stripped of the rest of his clothing, the group of men continued
the process of smoothing the spicy rub into the Vizier's bare
haunches.  The strong seasoning lodged in his sinuses, coaxing forth a
powerful sneeze.
.PP
.ps 10
.I
"Al'hamdo Lilah,"
.R
said one of the chefs.
.PP
.ps 10
.I
"Yarhamaka Allah,"
.R
said the Vizier.  "All things considered, I hope at
least that I taste good on a paper plate."
.PP
.ps 10
"We'll see," said one of the men, straining to work yet more of the
rub into the Vizier's taut thighs.
.PP
.ps 10
"I'm one hundred percent serious," said the Vizier.

.ce
.ps 10
.B
5
.P

.PP
.ps 10
"Wait!  I remember!  The safe word is
.I
Hundalasiliah!"
.R
.PP
.ps 10
The Vizier managed to free one of his hands.  He threw up an awkward
.I
W
.R
and
waved it around, weakly.  The stage chefs were not at all moved by his
retreat into Princebonics.
.PP
.ps 10
"You said there wasn't a safe word."
.PP
.ps 10
"Look, that was dogma.  This is
.I
dinner.
.R
And I'm the Vizier!"
.PP
.ps 10
"Doesn't matter.  We're overbooked.  Besides, you smell delicious."
.PP
.ps 10
"That's the seasoning, you imbecile!  There has been a
.I
fatwah
.R
against consuming the flesh of a Vizier!"
.PP
.ps 10
"As you said.  Dogma."

.ce
.ps 10
.B
6
.P

.PP
.ps 10
"I'm not really turned on by this cooking stuff."
.PP
.ps 10
"Me neither.  Preferred the political fare\(emeven the reruns."
.PP
.ps 10
"Yeah.  Let's get out of here.  Maybe we can still beat the post\-event
traffic."
.PP
.ps 10
Pause.
.PP
.ps 10
The look.
.PP
.ps 10
"Hey, don't get my seat all wet."
.PP
.ps 10
For once, the bike started without any trouble.