The Assassin
Published August 3rd, 2001 | 
His name was Marcus
six-feet-four over four-
hundred pounds of
lumbering bulk hired,
I’m sure, to replace me.
He can lift whole pallets,
they said with one hand
have you seen anyone
that strong before.
Every year it happened — they’d
find someone they thought was
more dependable than me who
they were willing to pay more
to keep on the payroll instead
of giving me that raise.
Marcus showed-up early, did
the work of three men… at least
for the first two weeks. After that
nothing could move that mountain
as he’d sit unshaven blood-shot eyes
all day testing the resolve
of the office furniture.
He’s gone now.
