the dead body lay in the morning sun on a sidewalk where it had laid quietly overnight, disturbing nobody as it lay silently on the pavement. a bus drove by and a woman sitting in a seat by the window drew in a sharp painful breath like a knife in her stomach when she saw the dead body, which resembled vaguely someone she knew.

a dog out on its morning walk broke free from its owner's leash and ran ahead down the block, stopping to sniff the toes of the dead body as it lay very still in the sun which day by day got a little closer to earth unbeknownst to almost everyone. the dog copulated to satisfaction first with one leg, then the other, of the dead body. aghast, the dog's owner raced to the scene and secured the dog once more to the clasp on the end of the leash. the dog looked longingly over its shoulder as the pair of them resumed their stroll.

what a disgrace, thought the dead body. it sat up, got its bearings, then headed straight for a diner, where it ordered a cup of coffee, a glass of juice, and french toast with a side of sausage. the waitress whispered something to the cook, who in turn told the assistant cook to double the side of sausage.

the dead body got some of its color back and asked for a refill on the coffee. the french toast was good, and the portion of sausage was generous. how did they make any money giving food away like this? someone had left the morning paper lying on the table in the next booth, and the dead body went to retrieve it. no major headlines today, just a story about a man who locked himself out of his car with the engine running, and another one about a woman who claimed she had magical powers and that she could prove it. the waitress did not bring a check for the dead body, but just said 'thank you', and 'come back and see us again now'.