The New Head Man

THE NEW HEAD MAN by JOHN M. ARRIBAS I’m off to bed early I’ve had a really rough day Ramos, my boss is difficult that’s the least I can say He’s made a day at the office a time that I dread I think of the guillotine and cutting off his head He’s an example of what’s called schaden fruede That type of personality will cost him some day I’ll just hug my pillow and close my eyes And think of ways to hurry his demise I can’t fall asleep I keep tossing and turning My face is freezing but my body is burning I feel nails or thorns are poking me in the back Oh god there’s someone here with me in the sack I don’t move but look down at my feet Claws and a tail are sticking out from under the sheet It must be a reptile or some kind of bird I’m frightened I’m trembling was it a scream I heard I jumped out of bed, turned on the light I’m the only one here no one else is in sight The room darkened and smelled of rotten eggs I tried to run but there’s no strength in my legs I see someone in black from the corner of my eye Points his finger at me says you are my prize He’s wearing a robe with a hood covering his head When I look straight at him my vision is blurred He changes into a jester sporting a conical cap Says you are a fool caught in your own trap I turned to find the most beautiful woman I’ve seen Tall, red lips, long black hair with a greenish sheen I asked how did you get into this room We’re wed my love, I am the bride you are the groom She pulled me close, she was sweaty and scaly now Her slimy forked tongue slowly caressed my brow Head man (2) She said mate with me I’ll grant wishes, three And when they are filled you will belong to me I stepped back and looked into her eyes So gorgeous and tempting I was mesmerized Music started playing with a rhythmic beat We started dancing I was inflamed with heat Animals, mostly cats, were filling the room The odor of sulphur was the acrid perfume The dance got faster I was scared and dizzy She said my name is Lilith but never call me Lizzy I guess I fainted, I don’t remember much more The phone started ringing with me on the floor Looked at the wall clock it was quarter to two Caller said cops are here they’re waiting for you I hadn’t missed a day at work for over a year Tell me again what you said I didn’t hear They found Ramos this morning cold and dead They have his body but can’t find his head By the way: I just saw the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen Tall, red lips, long black hair with a greenish sheen She’s your new secretary came from company staff Poor ole Ramos, seems you’ll have the last laugh I had a headache, exhausted and badly battered I wished I felt better that was all that mattered I’m hoping the cops won’t treat me as a suspect No alibi will surely be an incriminating aspect I bent down to get my shoes from under the bed Something was bundled in a pillow case was it a