John was the most admired person in Eblisville. On his way to church now and of course nightly he fantasizes about groping, licking, and diving into the bosom of every taken woman in town. Today, like clockwork the church bells toll as he walks into the local soup kitchen for breakfast before mass. He finds it exhilarating to take things from those who need it most.

"Hi John," Jennine twists her wedding band." You want extra everything, right?"

"Yes, I didn't run here to be first in line for leftovers."

"No sir. Hey, was I your lucky girl last night?" She grins at him.

"Yes, but not the first. Sorry."

Jennine pouts.

"A girl can dream. On a different note. I will never understand how you manage to make yourself breakfast every morning at home and still come here to eat again every day. Must be why you are so Big." She licks her lips.

"You know it. I eat a 4 egg, 4 cheese omelet with hash browns, sausage, and coffee. Never leave home without it in my stomach."

Five minutes later he finishes the scrambled eggs, bacon and muffin Jennine served him, gets up and walks out quietly with his head high and without busing his tray.

Upon exiting the soup kitchen, John looks up at the Cathedral across the street. Two flies buzz past him.

"Would any of you beggars be desperate enough to carry me to church? Again, I am too stuffed to walk,” he says.

"Of course, John," says Pascal who gets off the soup kitchen line to bend over on all fours and then stand to piggyback John to his destination.

Pascal walks around a group of ladies chatting and giggling among themselves on the sidewalk. A gust of wind brings their fragrances of lavender and sandalwood right to John and Pascal's noses.

"Next time, walk through them," John yells.

"But..."

"You are becoming dirtier and slower each year, Pascal. I can't breathe up here without inhaling your dandruff," John coughs and kicks him like one would a pony in stride. "Wash up next time, if you want to carry me again!"

"Yes of course. Sorry John, I'll make sure to beg for shampoo the next time I am offered a donation. Anything else sir? We are here," he crouches. "Can you find it in your heart to ..."

John pulls out his wallet and counts five, hundred-dollar bills and eight singles.

"No Pascal, not today, not yesterday, not ever!"

"Hope to see you tomorrow,'' says Pascal.

Walking through the church doors late as always John is angered to see smiles across the faces of gorgeously dressed people in adulation of the priest and the service. Being Black Friday, the incense is thicker, and the mass is fuller than usual. John can't find a bench where he can sit alone.

"Please come join us up here. It would be an honor," says the deacon and offers him his chair.

The priest nods. “Even among us, few followers are as faithful as you. Come, come."

"No," says John, and spits at the floor.

The congregation laughs and returns to silence. John is angry that it wasn't the priest who offered him his own chair. Shortly after John finds a bench and sits. In a melodic deep tone, the priest says,

"Please kneel and bow. Let us pray with confidence to our Liege.

“Our Liege who art in hell hollow be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in hell.

Give me today my daily bread.

And revel in our trespasses,

As we celebrate those who cleanse us from the weak,

lead us not into the doubt of self-reflection, and free us from the guilt of compassion.

Amen”