The|DT Cable|NNP Spool|NNP Fort|NNP by|IN Bill|NNP Glover|NNP 
"|'' Hey|NNP ,|, Roy|NNP ?|. 
"|'' 
"|'' What|WP ?|. 
"|'' 
"|'' You|PRP suck|NN .|. "|'' Chad|NNP said|VBD .|. 
He|PRP wished|VBD Roy|NNP would|MD n't|RB fall|VB for|IN that|DT gag|NN every|DT time|NN ,|, "|'' get|VB me|PRP a|DT big|JJ rock|NN ,|, Roy|NNP .|. "|'' 
Roy|NNP stooped|JJ to|TO pick|VB up|RP a|DT big|JJ ,|, white|JJ caliche|NN rock|NN that|WDT looked|VBD like|IN a|DT dirty|JJ lump|NN of|IN chalk|NN and|CC handed|VBD it|PRP to|TO Chad|NNP .|. 
Chad|NNP took|VBD the|DT rock|NN with|IN disgust|NN as|IN Roy|NNP returned|VBD to|TO staring|VBG at|IN his|PRP$ shoes|NNS .|. 
Chad|NNP was|VBD six|CD ,|, and|CC at|IN eight|CD Roy|NNP should|MD have|VB been|VBN teasing|VBG or|CC ordering|VBG Chad|NNP around|IN or|CC something|NN .|. 
But|CC since|IN his|PRP$ fall|NN the|DT year|NN before|RB ,|, Roy|NNP had|VBD been|VBN shuffling|VBG and|CC doing|VBG what|WP he|PRP was|VBD told|VBN .|. 
Chad|NNP strained|VBN and|CC pounded|VBN the|DT rock|NN into|IN the|DT iron|NN hole|NN until|IN he|PRP could|MD smell|NN the|DT dust|NN .|. 
It|PRP smelled|VBD like|IN first|JJ grade|NN .|. 
He|PRP wished|VBD he|PRP were|VBD there|EX now|RB ,|, even|RB if|IN he|PRP did|VBD have|VB to|TO sit|VB next|JJ to|TO Roy|NNP .|. 
The|DT rock|NN was|VBD too|RB big|JJ to|TO fit|VB into|IN the|DT iron|NN hub|NN of|IN the|DT big|JJ cable|NN spool|NN ,|, so|RB Chad|NNP leaned|VBD it|PRP against|IN the|DT tumbleweed|JJ and|CC slid|VBD down|RB off|IN the|DT splintery|NN wood|NN on|IN his|PRP$ belly|NN to|TO admire|NN his|PRP$ handiwork|NN .|. 

The|DT fort|NN was|VBD a|DT lone|JJ ,|, wooden|JJ cable|NN spool|NN like|IN a|DT tall|JJ barrel|NN with|IN thick|JJ disks|NNS on|IN its|PRP$ ends|NNS ,|, each|DT the|DT size|NN of|IN a|DT dinner|NN table|NN .|. 
Several|JJ boards|NNS were|VBD missing|VBG ,|, making|VBG a|DT door|NN to|TO the|DT small|JJ room|NN inside|IN .|. 
The|DT tall|JJ tumbleweed|JJ flag|NN marked|VBD it|PRP as|IN Chad|NNP 's|POS to|TO defend|VB now|RB .|. 
He|PRP looked|VBD around|IN ,|, trying|VBG not|RB to|TO seem|VB nervous|JJ .|. 

The|DT sky|NN met|VBD the|DT flat|JJ ground|NN in|IN all|DT directions|NNS on|IN the|DT other|JJ side|NN of|IN the|DT chain|NN link|NN fence|NN .|. 
Chad|NNP checked|VBD the|DT other|JJ fort|NN out|IN of|IN the|DT corner|NN of|IN his|PRP$ eye|NN .|. 
Two|CD forts|NNS stood|VBD on|IN the|DT playground|NN ,|, and|CC a|DT hot|JJ ,|, bare|JJ battlefield|NN separated|JJ them|PRP .|. 
A|DT massive|JJ ,|, rusted|VBN A-frame|NN swing|NN marked|VBD the|DT border|NN though|IN nobody|NN was|VBD swinging|VBG in|IN the|DT hot|JJ sun|NN .|. 
The|DT larger|JJR of|IN the|DT two|CD forts|NNS was|VBD a|DT squat|JJ black|JJ bunker|NN made|VBN of|IN tires|NNS ,|, two|CD big|JJ tractor|NN tires|NNS capped|VBD with|IN one|CD from|IN a|DT truck|NN and|CC two|CD smaller|JJR ones|NNS from|IN cars|NNS .|. 
The|DT older|JJR boys|NNS lay|VBP around|IN in|IN shade|NN and|CC napped|JJ inside|IN the|DT walls|NNS .|. 
They|PRP were|VBD watching|VBG now|RB from|IN well|RB defended|VBD spy|NN holes|NNS ,|, or|CC maybe|RB they|PRP were|VBD performing|VBG secret|JJ experiments|NNS and|CC swearing|NN bloody|JJ oaths|NNS .|. 
Chad|NNP wished|VBD he|PRP were|VBD old|JJ enough|RB to|TO be|VB one|CD of|IN them|PRP .|. 
Maybe|RB Tucker|NNP would|MD let|VB him|PRP in|IN after|IN he|PRP saw|VBD Chad|NNP was|VBD n't|RB chicken|NN .|. 

"|'' You|PRP wanna|VBP play|VB robots|NNS ?|. "|'' Roy|NNP asked|VBD .|. 
Chad|NNP felt|VBD his|PRP$ heart|NN beat|VBP a|DT little|JJ faster|RBR and|CC his|PRP$ cheeks|NNS burned|VBN .|. 
He|PRP had|VBD invented|VBN the|DT "|'' robots|NNS "|'' game|NN to|TO make|VB fun|NN of|IN Roy|NNP ,|, but|CC Roy|NNP had|VBD never|RB figured|VBN that|IN out|IN either|RB .|. 
It|PRP was|VBD Roy|NNP 's|POS favorite|JJ game|NN .|. 

"|'' No|DT ,|, go|NN get|VB some|DT stickers|NNS .|. 
"|'' Roy|NNP shuffled|VBD off|IN without|IN argument|NN ,|, his|PRP$ baseball|NN cap|NN pulled|VBD low|JJ to|TO cover|VB his|PRP$ bald|JJ head|NN and|CC brain|NN plug|NN and|CC his|PRP$ shoe|NN laces|NNS untied|JJ .|. 
Roy|NNP had|VBD taught|VBN him|PRP to|TO tie|VB his|PRP$ shoes|NNS when|WRB Chad|NNP was|VBD five|CD .|. 
He|PRP thought|VBD about|IN gathering|NN stickers|NNS himself|PRP .|. 
Roy|NNP was|VBD too|RB slow|JJ ,|, but|CC he|PRP did|VBD n't|RB dare|VB step|NN away|RB from|IN his|PRP$ fort|NN .|. 
He|PRP took|VBD another|DT careful|JJ look|NN over|IN his|PRP$ shoulder|NN and|CC bent|NN to|TO pluck|VB a|DT yucca|NN spear|NN as|IN if|IN that|DT were|VBD what|WP drew|VBD his|PRP$ interest|NN .|. 
The|DT long|JJ blade|NN of|IN the|DT yucca|NN had|VBD a|DT sharp|JJ tip|NN ,|, but|CC the|DT only|JJ weapons|NNS allowed|VBD according|VBG to|TO Humpty|NNP Dumpty|NNP Nursery|NNP rules|NNS of|IN engagement|NN were|VBD smelly|JJ thistles|NNS or|CC cocklebur|NN stems|VBZ covered|VBN with|IN spiked|JJ yellow|JJ stickers|NNS .|. 
The|DT tiny|JJ barbs|NNS hurt|VBN ,|, but|CC nobody|NN was|VBD allowed|VBN to|TO beat|VB you|PRP up|RP if|IN you|PRP just|RB used|VBD stickers|NNS .|. 
The|DT hot|JJ August|NNP sun|NN was|VBD settling|VBG toward|IN the|DT time|NN that|IN Mrs.|NN Rayburn|NNP would|MD bring|VB the|DT milk|NN tray|NN out|IN of|IN the|DT cinder|NN block|NN building|NN where|WRB the|DT toddlers|NNS and|CC babies|NNS were|VBD kept|VBN .|. 
The|DT older|JJR boys|NNS would|MD n't|RB wait|VB much|JJ longer|RBR before|IN attacking|VBG .|. 

Meanwhile|RB Roy|NNP stalked|VBN around|IN the|DT fence|NN edge|NN bending|VBG to|TO pick|VB cockleburs|NNS as|IN he|PRP went|VBD .|. 
Every|DT move|NN Roy|NNP made|VBD since|IN the|DT accident|NN was|VBD smooth|JJ and|CC sudden|JJ and|CC strange|JJ --|: like|IN a|DT remote|JJ control|NN boy|NN .|. 
When|WRB he|PRP saw|VBD Roy|NNP in|IN the|DT hospital|NN with|IN a|DT shaved|JJ head|NN and|CC the|DT small|JJ silver|NN plug|NN at|IN the|DT back|NN of|IN his|PRP$ noggin|NN like|IN a|DT bottle|NN cap|NN ,|, Chad|NNP had|VBD called|VBN him|PRP ,|, "|'' Remote|NNP Control|NNP Boy|NNP .|. "|'' 
Momma|NNP had|VBD smacked|JJ Chad|NNP for|IN saying|VBG it|PRP which|WDT hurt|VBD ,|, and|CC then|RB she|PRP had|VBD cried|JJ ,|, which|WDT was|VBD worse|JJR .|. 
Pop|NNP had|VBD given|VBN Chad|NNP the|DT sideways|JJ glance|NN that|WDT promised|VBD hard|JJ labor|NN when|WRB they|PRP made|VBD it|PRP home|NN .|. 
Chad|NNP just|RB hung|VBD his|PRP$ head|NN .|. 
He|PRP knew|VBD it|PRP was|VBD too|RB late|JJ to|TO explain|VB that|IN he|PRP was|VBD trying|VBG to|TO get|VB a|DT smile|NN out|IN of|IN Roy|NNP .|. 

Pop|NNP said|VBD ,|, "|'' The|DT doctors|NNS have|VBP put|VBN something|NN very|RB special|JJ in|IN Roy|NNP 's|POS brain|NN .|. 
It|PRP 's|VBZ something|NN they|PRP made|VBD for|IN soldiers|NNS and|CC astronauts|NNS and|CC it|PRP 's|VBZ going|VBG to|TO help|VB Roy|NNP walk|VB and|CC talk|VB to|TO us|PRP again|RB .|. 
"|'' Pop|NNP put|VBD a|DT hand|NN on|IN Roy|NNP 's|POS shoulder|NN .|. 
"|'' How|WRB are|VBP you|PRP feeling|VBG ,|, Roy|NNP ?|. 
"|'' Pop|NNP spoke|VBD slowly|RB and|CC Chad|NNP knew|VBD that|IN he|PRP must|MD have|VB been|VBN practicing|VBG this|DT with|IN Roy|NNP .|. 
They|PRP all|DT stood|VBD around|IN while|IN the|DT doctor|NN made|VBD Roy|NNP shake|VB and|CC jerk|NN and|CC moan|VB with|IN a|DT sick|JJ sound|NN .|. 
But|CC the|DT thing|NN in|IN his|PRP$ head|NN had|VBD n't|RB worked|VBN yet|RB because|IN of|IN something|NN having|VBG to|TO do|VB with|IN the|DT ,|, "|'' electric|JJ toads|NNS ,|, "|'' which|WDT would|MD n't|RB ,|, "|'' sit|VB up|RB .|. "|'' 
Roy|NNP did|VBD n't|RB really|RB start|VB talking|VBG for|IN days|NNS and|CC did|VBD n't|RB walk|VB until|IN a|DT long|JJ time|NN after|IN that|DT .|. 
Now|RB ,|, this|DT year|NN ,|, Roy|NNP was|VBD in|IN the|DT same|JJ grade|NN as|IN Chad|NNP ,|, and|CC it|PRP was|VBD embarrassing|JJ .|. 

Roy|NNP stepped|VBD around|IN the|DT edge|NN of|IN the|DT building|NN and|CC out|IN of|IN sight|NN .|. 
Just|RB then|RB Tucker|NNP Williams|NNP came|VBD climbing|VBG out|IN of|IN the|DT top|NN of|IN the|DT black|JJ fort|NN like|IN a|DT gold|NN headed|VBD monster|NN .|. 
Tucker|NNP was|VBD big|JJ ,|, even|RB for|IN a|DT third|JJ grader|NN ,|, and|CC he|PRP was|VBD not|RB quite|RB right|NN in|IN a|DT different|JJ way|NN than|IN Roy|NNP .|. 
Tucker|NNP was|VBD the|DT oldest|JJS boy|NN in|IN the|DT playground|NN ,|, and|CC the|DT one|CD who|WP decided|VBD the|DT rules|NNS of|IN the|DT game|NN .|. 

"|'' Time|NNP out|RP !|. "|'' Chad|NNP called|VBD ,|, "|'' We|PRP 're|VBP not|RB ready|JJ yet|RB .|. 
"|'' 
"|'' No|DT time|NN outs|NNS !|. "|'' Tucker|NNP shouted|VBD and|CC continued|VBD to|TO climb|VB down|RP the|DT tires|NNS .|. 
Several|JJ more|JJR boys|NNS spewed|VBD out|IN after|IN him|PRP .|. 

"|'' Roy|NNP !|. "|'' Chad|NNP called|VBD ,|, but|CC his|PRP$ voice|NN would|MD only|RB whisper|NN 
.|. He|PRP did|VBD n't|RB want|VB to|TO be|VB a|DT crybaby|NN ,|, Tucker|NNP hated|VBN crybabies|NNS .|. 
The|DT rules|NNS of|IN the|DT game|NN were|VBD that|IN Chad|NNP had|VBD to|TO keep|VB everyone|NN away|RB from|IN his|PRP$ fort|NN and|CC away|RB from|IN his|PRP$ tumbleweed|JJ flag|NN .|. 
From|IN painful|JJ experience|NN ,|, he|PRP knew|VBD it|PRP was|VBD n't|RB going|VBG to|TO be|VB as|RB easy|JJ as|IN just|RB pretending|VBG he|PRP was|VBD too|RB slow|JJ or|CC too|RB weak|JJ to|TO do|VB anything|NN .|. 
Tucker|NNP liked|VBD to|TO hit|VB and|CC he|PRP liked|VBD to|TO see|VB blood|NN .|. 
Going|VBG down|RB too|RB easy|JJ would|MD only|RB make|VB him|PRP mad|JJ ,|, so|RB Chad|NNP reached|VBD behind|IN him|PRP to|TO grab|VB the|DT five|CD stickers|NNS he|PRP had|VBD managed|VBN to|TO collect|VB before|IN the|DT start|NN of|IN the|DT game|NN and|CC readied|VBD himself|PRP .|. 

The|DT boys|NNS came|VBD in|IN quick|JJ from|IN all|DT sides|NNS ,|, knocking|VBG Chad|NNP down|RB ,|, but|CC he|PRP managed|VBD to|TO roll|VB to|TO his|PRP$ feet|NNS and|CC get|VB one|CD sticker|NN off|RP into|IN a|DT boy|NN 's|POS arm|NN before|IN being|VBG knocked|VBN down|RB again|RB .|. 

"|'' Baby|NNP !|. 
"|'' Tucker|NNP was|VBD standing|VBG over|IN him|PRP with|IN the|DT huge|JJ tumbleweed|JJ held|VBN high|JJ in|IN the|DT sun|NN .|. 
"|'' Penis|NNP !|. 
You|PRP did|VBD n't|RB fight|VB !|. 
"|'' 
Chad|NNP tried|VBD to|TO tell|VB his|PRP$ arms|NNS to|TO lift|VB him|PRP and|CC let|VB him|PRP reach|VB for|IN the|DT tumbleweed|JJ to|TO prove|VB he|PRP was|VBD n't|RB a|DT baby|NN to|TO Tucker|NNP .|. 
But|CC as|RB much|JJ as|IN he|PRP wanted|VBD to|TO appease|VB the|DT scary|JJ ,|, staring|VBG ,|, angry|JJ boy|NN ,|, he|PRP could|MD n't|RB move|VB for|IN fear|NN of|IN what|WP was|VBD coming|VBG next|JJ .|. 

"|'' I|PRP 'll|MD make|VB you|PRP fight|VBP .|. 
"|'' Tucker|NNP leaned|VBD in|IN low|JJ and|CC his|PRP$ breath|NN was|VBD sour|JJ as|IN it|PRP blew|VBD in|IN Chad|NNP 's|POS face|NN .|. 
"|'' I|PRP 'm|VBP gonna|VBG take|NN the|DT plug|NN out|RP .|. 
"|'' Then|RB Tucker|NNP 's|POS face|NN became|VBD serious|JJ .|. 
The|DT awesomeness|NNS of|IN what|WP he|PRP intended|VBD pulling|VBG his|PRP$ eyes|NNS wider|RBR still|RB .|. 
From|IN his|PRP$ pocket|NN he|PRP pulled|VBD a|DT small|JJ screwdriver|NN ,|, perfect|JJ for|IN prying|JJ plugs|NNS from|IN boy|NN 's|POS heads|NNS .|. 

Now|RB Chad|NNP 's|POS legs|NNS and|CC arms|NNS and|CC mouth|NN worked|VBD ,|, and|CC he|PRP was|VBD up|RB and|CC running|VBG and|CC screaming|VBG ,|, "|'' Roy|NNP ,|, go|VB inside|IN !|. Roy|NNP !|. "|'' 
He|PRP sprinted|JJ for|IN the|DT corner|NN of|IN the|DT building|NN around|IN which|WDT Roy|NNP had|VBD disappeared|VBN .|. 
The|DT door|NN was|VBD on|IN that|DT side|NN and|CC Mrs.|NN Rayburn|NNP .|. 
Just|RB then|RB a|DT horrible|JJ pain|NN stung|VBN Chad|NNP 's|POS cheek|NN and|CC neck|NN and|CC ear|NN .|. 
The|DT tumbleweed|JJ 's|POS yellow|JJ thorned|JJ branches|NNS scratched|VBN around|IN him|PRP as|IN it|PRP dug|VBD into|IN his|PRP$ face|NN .|. 
Tucker|NNP made|VBD a|DT grab|NN for|IN him|PRP but|CC missed|VBD it|PRP ,|, and|CC Chad|NNP heard|VBD his|PRP$ shirt|NN rip|NN a|DT little|JJ .|. 
He|PRP ran|VBD like|IN only|RB a|DT small|JJ boy|NN can|MD run|VB ,|, but|CC he|PRP was|VBD losing|VBG and|CC he|PRP wished|VBD hard|RB that|IN he|PRP could|MD fly|VB .|. 

"|'' Roy|NNP !|. 
"|'' Chad|NNP rounded|VBD the|DT corner|NN grabbing|VBG the|DT cinder|NN block|NN to|TO help|VB him|PRP turn|VB faster|RBR just|RB as|IN Tucker|NNP came|VBD down|RB again|RB with|IN the|DT tumbleweed|JJ from|IN behind|IN ,|, and|CC the|DT world|NN slowed|VBD almost|RB to|TO a|DT stop|NN .|. 

Roy|NNP stood|VBD with|IN the|DT bill|NN of|IN his|PRP$ cap|NN down|RB .|. 
His|PRP$ head|NN rose|VBD and|CC his|PRP$ eyes|NNS focused|VBN over|IN Chad|NNP 's|POS shoulder|NN .|. 
Roy|NNP held|VBD stickers|NNS in|IN his|PRP$ hand|NN like|IN flowers|NNS ,|, but|CC he|PRP bent|NN looking|VBG down|RB and|CC snatched|VBN something|NN from|IN the|DT ground|NN .|. 
His|PRP$ hand|NN blurred|VBD and|CC snapped|VBD out|IN as|IN he|PRP stood|VBD back|RB up|RB .|. 
Something|NN whined|JJ as|IN it|PRP spun|VBD past|JJ Chad|NNP 's|POS ear|NN ,|, and|CC he|PRP heard|VBD a|DT sharp|JJ ,|, meaty|NN thunk|NN just|RB behind|IN him|PRP .|. 

Roy|NNP stood|VBD expressionless|JJ as|IN ever|RB as|IN Chad|NNP turned|VBD to|TO look|VB .|. 
Tucker|NNP towered|JJ there|RB with|IN a|DT surprised|JJ expression|NN and|CC crossed|VBN eyes|NNS ,|, the|DT tumbleweed|JJ in|IN one|CD hand|NN and|CC the|DT screwdriver|NN held|VBN up|RP high|JJ in|IN the|DT other|JJ ready|JJ to|TO stab|NN down|RB into|IN Chad|NNP 's|POS back|RB .|. 
A|DT sharp|JJ ,|, flat|JJ ,|, flint|NN rock|NN split|NN Tucker|NNP 's|POS forehead|NN and|CC was|VBD buried|VBN deep|JJ and|CC solid|JJ like|IN a|DT part|NN of|IN a|DT Halloween|NNP costume|JJ complete|JJ with|IN a|DT drop|NN of|IN blood|NN just|RB starting|VBG down|RB toward|IN his|PRP$ nose|NN .|. 

Tucker|NNP dropped|VBD down|RB like|IN a|DT jacket|NN from|IN a|DT hook|NN .|. 
He|PRP lay|VBP folded|VBN over|IN his|PRP$ own|JJ lap|NN in|IN a|DT way|NN that|WDT made|VBD Chad|NNP think|VBP of|IN broken|VBN things|NNS .|. 

"|'' You|PRP ok|JJ ?|. 
"|'' It|PRP was|VBD Roy|NNP ,|, and|CC when|WRB Chad|NNP looked|VBD up|RB there|EX was|VBD something|NN like|IN his|PRP$ brother|NN there|RB around|IN the|DT eyes|NNS .|. 

"|'' Yeah|UH .|. 
"|'' Chad|NNP stepped|VBD back|RB away|RB from|IN Tucker|NNP 's|POS open-eyed|JJ face|NN .|. 
"|'' He|PRP was|VBD gonna|VBG take|NN off|IN your|PRP$ head|NN plug|NN .|. 
"|'' 
"|'' I|PRP thought|VBD he|PRP might|MD stab|NN you|PRP .|. "|'' Roy|NNP said|VBD and|CC craned|JJ his|PRP$ neck|NN forward|RB to|TO look|VB at|IN Tucker|NNP 's|POS face|NN as|IN the|DT other|JJ boys|NNS began|VBD to|TO crowd|NN around|IN at|IN a|DT respectful|JJ distance|NN .|. 
"|'' Do|VBP you|PRP think|VB he|PRP 's|VBZ dead|NN ?|. 
"|'' 
Just|RB then|RB Tucker|NNP blinked|VBD and|CC began|VBD to|TO sob|VB .|. 
"|'' Nah|NNP .|. "|'' Chad|NNP said|VBD ,|, "|'' We|PRP 're|VBP gonna|VBG be|VB in|IN trouble|NN .|. "|'' 

"|'' Yeah|UH .|. "|'' Roy|NNP said|VBD .|. 
Then|RB he|PRP shrugged|VBD .|. 
Suddenly|RB his|PRP$ blank|JJ face|NN seemed|VBD like|IN the|DT face|NN of|IN a|DT Play|NNP Force|NNP Soldier|NNP or|CC a|DT GI|NN Joe|NNP .|. 

"|'' Hey|NNP ,|, Roy|NNP ?|. 
"|'' 
"|'' What|WP ?|. 
"|'' 
"|'' You|PRP suck|NN .|. 
"|'' Chad|NNP finished|VBD the|DT formula|NN ,|, but|CC this|DT time|NN ,|, he|PRP did|VBD n't|RB mind|VB that|IN Roy|NNP fell|VBD for|IN it|PRP .|. 
It|PRP was|VBD all|DT right|JJ .|. 

