[ WP ] He chuckled , his coal black eyes glinting under the harsh lighting of the flickering bulbs . `` Killing is a game and the world is my playing field ... ''

And with that opening verse the band kicked in. Jesus Christ, I thought, I'm getting old. Dragging myself to these same damn rock shows with the same dumb kids wearing leather and working on a snarl. 
 
 `` He asked why I look blue. Told him, I see the blood in you....'' 
 
 I needed a cigarette or a prayer. Out on the patio Marlon was talking to Marla. I took out my pack of Marlboro Ultralights and approached. 
 
 `` I avoid all mainstream news entirely. I'm actually writing my thesis on the death of informational media in the 21st century,'' Marlon was saying. Marla was nodding in that way that slightly overweight women would when they were drunk and wanted attention. She was casting her big brown eyes and folding her arms to push the twins up. I did n't blame her. It was getting late, and we were all a little drunk. 
 
 I went to light my smoke and the Bic died. `` Marlon, hit me for a light.'' 
 
 `` S'up, Peoples.'' 
 
 `` Same old and then some. How is Mario? Have n't seen him in a minute.'' Mario was Marlon's older brother. My age. We shared classes in community college. Even were in the same band a decade ago. 
 
 `` Got his CDL and drives out of Boise. He was just through here yesterday.'' He turned to Marla to explain, `` We grab lunch when he passes through.'' 
 
 `` He's a truck driver?'' I asked. `` I thought he was managing some video game store....
