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Eddie, a Drifter, stepped Out of the Shadows of the Gangland, Running Free to 22 Acacia Avenue, where he asked for Sanctuary from Charlotte the Harlot. “Please,” he begged. “It’s 2 Minutes to Midnight and I feel like a Stranger in a Strange Land.”
“Come in,” said Charlotte. “I’ll help break those Chains of Misery and overcome The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner. I know it’s a Strange World out there, with Killers saying Only the Good Die Young, but I can teach you to stop Wasting Love and fulfill your Wildest Dreams.”
“Oh, Mother of Mercy, I’m Coming Home to The Isle of Avalon,” said The Nomad, making the Sign of the Cross. “You’ve saved this Innocent Exile from becoming The Prisoner, and I’m yours From Here to Eternity.” Falling to his knees, he added, “Hallowed Be Thy Name, Charlotte.”
Charlotte laughed. “Know this, you Weekend Warrior, I Live My Way, and I will get my Hooks in You. When the Wild Wind Blows and When the River Runs Deep, you’ll see the Flash of the Blade, Brighter Than a Thousand Suns, and you’ll find yourself Caught Somewhere in Time with The Angel and the Gambler. It may be a Brave New World, or it may be Hell on Earth, for I am The Fallen Angel.”
“I am but a Journeyman, Lost in a Lost World, and I can see The Writing on the Wall,” The Pilgrim said with a sigh. “I’ll Look for the Truth, tell No More Lies, and pass through the Gates of Tomorrow in hope that Heaven Can Wait.”
“Perhaps you have learned from your Wasted Years,” Charlotte said. “If you’ll accept this Mission from ‘Arry, sign The Parchment with The Number of the Beast. By 2 A.M., you’ll have a Fear of the Dark, but if you survive the Purgatory of the Twilight Zone and Run to the Hills, you might pass the Judgement of Heaven. Heed Fate’s Warning and evade The Assassin to go Where Eagles Dare and pass through The Great Unknown into The Empire of the Clouds.”
“I’m at a Losfer Words,” the Prodigal Son stated. “I see my choice is to Be Quick or Be Dead. Well, Death or Glory, I’ll sail this Sea of Madness to reach a New Frontier and when I pass through the Shadows of the Valley, I’ll emerge in El Dorado and proclaim I did it all For the Greater Good of God.”
“Go forth, then, Lord of Light, resist The Evil That Men Do and find Another Life with your Blood Brothers,” said Charlotte. “The Legacy you leave, along with your Revelations, will dry the Tears of a Clown and heal the spirit of The Man of Sorrows. And in The Aftermath of your Quest for Fire, The Clairvoyant can peacefully Dream of Mirrors, while Back in the Village, the Justice of the Peace and The Man Who Would Be King will proclaim the new Age of Innocence.” She gave him a kiss and he departed at the Speed of Light.