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 ._. 

