We the People Are Good to Eat
1. "More Meat to Eat"

TheIsland City of Manhattan was a single building, 12 miles long, 3 miles wide,and 2,000 Levels high. At 7:37 AM, on Level1378, thousands of people moved along the West 55th Street Corridor, going eastfrom the 9th Avenueto the 8th Avenuecorridor. Many teenage students walked among them, heading toward their local Public High School; HS L-1378-55, which stood between 8th and7th.

Asthe crowd moved along, they went past an enormous advertising billboard,displaying a photographed line of full figured Warrior Women dressed inbikinis, while armed with swords and spears. Shrunken human heads were tied on their belts. Superimposed above them, across the top ofthe photo, was the slogan, “Paradise Meats. Healthy Tasty Treats”

17year old Karen Bennet moved with the crowd. She was dressed in a lightweight,dark green jacket, with the words "HS L-1378-55", printed inyellow on the back. She wore a light blue skirt hanging to her knees. Like allthe other students in the crowd, the hungry, blonde Karen carried heredu-computer, and like many of them, she also had a pair of shrunken humanheads tied on her belt.

Shewas about halfway down the block, when her steady boyfriend David Krendell cameup beside her.

"HeyKaren!" He was irritated.

Likemost of the people in the City of Manhattan Building, he was a little thin andhis energy level was low. She was also thin and not very energetic. A daily ration of sausages and meat pattieswas allocated for each citizen, but the portions were small.

Karenwas annoyed. "Hi Dave."

"Ihear” he accused “you're planning to try out for cheerleader?"

Shesnapped at him. "Since I alreadyfought on the Warrior Girls Squad last year, I’m now qualified to join thecheerleaders. All cheerleaders and theirfamilies receive triple rations for the entire season, just like the warriorgirls. Why not?"

"Youmight be the cheerleader who gets hanged, after we lose a game."

"Theextra rations, will improve the health of me and my whole family, for theentire season. Isn't that worth the risk?"

“Iwish you didn’t have to take that risk at all.”

Shesighed, “And I wish you weren’t such a wimp, Dave.”

"I’mnot being a wimp.” He told her, “Theextra rations are intended to make the cheerleaders fill out, so they'll looksexy, instead of unhealthy."

Shelaughed, "You've got a complaint about that?"

"Thegirls on the cheerleading squad are expected to do it with every guy on theWarrior Team. I'm the Team's equipment handler, so I know everything that goeson. I want you to be my girlfriend alone. Not the entire Team's."

"Iknow what'll be expected of me, and I don't see the point of me being a wellfed, sexy cheerleader, if I'm not a team girlfriend. They're the girls who haveall the fun."

"Whatabout me?"

Shegroaned. "You're too much of awimp, and not all that much fun."

Karenstepped away from Dave.

Halfa block behind them, Louise Torelli, a dark haired senior who wore glasses,walked beside tall, blonde, Alyce Vanderland. Like all their classmates, bothgirls carried their personal edu-computers. They also wore the lightweightschool jackets, and knee length skirts, along with a pair of shrunken heads oneach of their belts.

As they walkedalong beside the poster of the women warriors, Alyce began to sing.

“We are the Warrior Girls!

We‘re brave and deadly pearls!”

Louise joined in the song.

“Angels of Death at play,

When in Combat Games we slay!

We kill with sword and spear!

When we’re killed we show no fear,

While we help supply the meat,

For everyone to cook and eat!”

Louisetold Alyce, "I'm not sure if I want to join the Warrior Girls Squad thisyear. Now that I've got that college scholarship, I've got something more tolook forward to than being packaged meat."

Alyceasked, "Then why don't you try out for cheerleader with me?"

"Me?"Louise laughed. "A cheerleader?"

"Muchless risk of getting killed. They only hang one cheerleader a game, and that'sonly from the losing team. Besides, it's a great way to meet guys."

"Forgetit Alyce. I had enough of being a team's girlfriend, when I was a warrior girl.The next time for me'll be with a guy who thinks I'm special."

"Butif you're not on either the warrior squad, or the cheerleaders, you and yourfamily won't get those extra rations."

"Meand my family have decided that my getting into college is worth the sacrifice.I won't look as sexy, or get as many dates, but no one in my family willstarve."

Twomonths later, a population trimming and meat harvest combat game was being heldin the gymnasium of Public High School L-1378-55. The warrior guys and girls onthe H.S. L-1378-55 team, fought to the death, against the guys and girls on theWarrior Team from the L-879-27 Parochial Academy. Both teams were armed withswords or spears, and circular shields. Blood dripped from their blades andfrom their shields.

Onthe sidelines, the H.S. L-1378-55 Band played the ancient melody of the NotreDame fight song, while members of the alumni tried to remember the words totheir Alma Mater's version.

"Fight! Fight-for Fifty-five

High!

Thirteen-seven-eight,

Fifty-Five-High!

Uhm...? Uhm...?"

KarenBennett was among the H. S. L-1378-55 cheerleaders, who wore tight, green andyellow tee shirts, and very short skirts. They leapt high while whirling about,waving their green and yellow pompoms, and chanting.

"Jimmy Haskins--He's our man!

If he can't do it--Landis can!

Larry Landis--He's our man!

If he can't do it--Patterson can!

Mike Patterson--He's our man!

If he can't do it--Denski can!

Sarah Denski--She's our gal!

If she can't do..."

Theseats were filled with cheering students and faculty from both schools.Whenever an H.S. L-1378-55 team blade cut deep, through a Parochial AcademyWarrior, the fans in the home team bleachers cheered. The Parochial fanscheered, whenever one of their blades impaled an H.S. L-1378-55 guy or girl.

Whenevera Warrior Guy or Girl was killed, the one who killed him or her shouted,

"Welcometo Paradise!”

Warriorguys and girls from both teams lay dead or wounded on the gym floor.

DaveKrendell sat in the gymnasium's home team seats, with Louise Torelli besidehim. Dave would be taking her to the Homecoming Dance that night. Thisafternoon, Dave's attention was not on the home team in their dark green andyellow uniforms, or the visitors in the red and blue. Dave Krendell's attentionwas on Karen Bennett.

Louisesat beside him thinking. He still wants to do it with his ex-girlfriend. Hedoesn't look at me that way; so you can keep it in your pants tonight Davey.

TheScoreboard displayed:

KILLS WOUNDS GOALS

VISITORS:__17__|_______28______|______3______| HOME:_____12__|_______31______|______3______|

Wheneverany team member fell dead or wounded, the number on the scoreboard, under'Kills" or "Wounds", increased by 1.

Onthe opposite side of the gym, the Parochial Academy Cheerleaders waved theirblack and red pompoms and chanted.

"Seventeen Killed!

More meat to eat!

But we're not thrilled!

More meat to eat!

See that score!

More meat to eat!

We want more!

More meat to eat!"

Eachgoal consisted of a pair of fifteen-foot high vertical posts, standing fivefeet apart, connected by a horizontal bar across the top.

MikePatterson and Sarah Denski stood together, blocking the H.S. L-1378-55 goalpost. They both were armed with swords and shields. Mike fought a warrior guy,who was equally armed. Sarah fought a warrior girl, who also fought with asword and shield.

Sarahgot her sword around the girl's shield, plunging it deep through her leftbreast.

Thegirl cried out.

Thenshe laughed. "You're sacrificing me to the Lord!"

Sarahtold her, "Welcome to Paradise!”

TheParochial Academy girl fell dead and the hometeam's kill score rose to 13.

Inthe seats, the home team fans cheered.

Alongthe H.S. L-1378-55 sideline, Cheerleaders, Alyce Vanderland and Karen Bennet stoodbeside each other. Alyce waved her handout toward the fighting.

Sheasked, “Did you see how Francine just got herself killed? She kept her shield down. That was so careless.”

“Francinewasn’t being careless.” Karen told her,“She deliberately got herself killed ‘cause she was pregnant. That’s the right way to handle it. That’s how I’d handle it.”

Alyceasked. “So what happened? Did her implant break? That does happen every now and then.”

“No. You see, she was a Catholic girl. They have the freedom to choose not toreceive the implant, on Religious grounds.”

“Thengood for her. She made sure she reallywould be welcomed into Paradise. On the other hand, if she was pregnant andCatholic she might have a problem.”

“WellI attend a Presbyterian Church.” Karensaid, “I’ve accepted Christ as Savior. That’sall anyone really needs to enter Paradise.”

Bothgirls returned their attention to the action out on the Gym floor.

MikePatterson's opponent stabbed his sword through Mike's ribs; and shouted,"Welcome to Paradise!”

ThenMike Patterson fell dead, and his opponent ran through the home team's goalpost.

Onthe scoreboard, the visitors' Kill number rose to 18. The Goal score was now,

VISITORS:..4

HOME:........3

Aloud groan rose from the home team's fans.

Inthe cheerleading squad, Alyce Vanderland said, "Oh crap! Mike Patterson'sjust been killed. Now I don't have a date for tonight. I can't show upalone."

Therewas less than one minute left to play and the coach had decided to let theclock run out.

Onthe opposite side of the gym, a loud victorious cheer rose from the fans in theParochial Team's seats.

Thevisiting cheerleaders' voices echoed the victory chant.

"Now we've won the game!

More meat to eat!

Bet they're sorry we came!

More meat to eat!

Now they'll hang their bitch!

More meat to eat!

'til the whore can't twitch!

More meat to eat!"

KarenBennett called out to the other cheerleaders. "Forget the Game! One ofus'll still be crowned as Homecoming Queen tonight!"

Alycetold her, "That's easy for you to say Karen. Your date hasn't just had akill scored off him, just six hours before the Dance. Now I'm not gonna haveanyone to bring me to the Dance, or do it with me afterward."

"It'sall part of being a cheerleader Alyce."

Nowthe time had come for one of the losing team's cheerleaders to be hanged. Mrs.Ramierez, the cheerleaders' faculty advisor, now approached the squad. The firmlybuilt, full figured woman, wore a tight tee shirt and shorts. She carried aclosed carton box, with strings hanging over the edge. The girls quieted down,and began trembling.

Thenthe girls gathered around Mrs. Ramierez. One at a time, each girl took hold ofone string, and drew it out of the box. Each string had an empty noose tied onthe opposite end.

Karentook hold of one string, and drew out a cheerleader doll with the noose aroundits neck.

Karenbegan to tremble. The other girls all looked relieved.

Shethought; I’m going to die now. Bebrave. Die brave. I’ve accepted Christ as Savior. I’m going to Paradise.

TheH.S. L-1378.55 warrior team had come to the sideline. They now approached Karen, with blooddripping from their swords, spears and shields. She stood still, fearlessly waiting for them with her hands at her side.

Shetold them. "I'm ready."

Karenthen walked across the gym floor between two warriors, Jimmy Haskins and LarryLandis, stepping around the bodies of dead warrior guys and girls from bothteams. They escorted her to the home team goal post,where a rope with a noose had been tossed over the horizontal bar, and wasdangling at shoulder height.

Shethought; I’m going to be killed, cooked and eaten. It’s the right thing to do. I’m going to Paradise.

Larryand Jimmy stood beside Karen inside the goal post. She faced out across the gymfloor, while every warrior on the H.S. L-1378-55 team, every visiting teammember, both cheerleading squads, faculty advisors, and officials from bothschools, all gathered around the goal post.

Thisis part of being a warrior girl. She thought, I’ve killed other warriors. They died brave, and are now in Paradise. I’ll diejust as brave. I’ll be in Paradise.

JimmyHaskins stood behind her.

Shefelt Jimmy's hands grab her wrists, and pull them behind her back. Then shefelt the cold metal handcuffs, snap shut around her wrists.

Theshivering Karen said, "You'd better hang me quick. I don't want to be latefor the Homecoming Dance tonight."

Jimmy,Larry, and the others who heard her laughed. Karen also laughed, as Jimmy putthe noose around her neck.

Shefelt the noose tighten, and she was yanked straight up off the floor.

Shethought; Die brave! Die brave! Our Father Who art in Heaven…

Shebegan gagging and squirming, as she was lifted above the heads of everyone surroundingher. Some of them had to duck away from her thrashing legs. She was liftedhigher, so her kicking feet passed safely above everybody's head. She could seeteam members and the cheerleaders below her and everyone in the seats. Theywere all cheering her moment of glory.

Inthe stands, Louise also cheered heartily at the death of Dave's ex-girlfriend.

Daveprayed silently. "Lord Jesus. Please keep Karen alive. I love her."

Karenhung there, feeling her throat being crushed, while everyone standing aroundher and in the stands shouted.

"Welcometo Paradise!”

Karen'sthroat was crushed shut. She could get no more breath. She continued squirming.Her awareness of everything was quickly vanishing. She was barely aware of thegym, the guys and the girls on the team, the cheerleading squad, and the peoplein the seats.

Sheno longer heard or saw anything. The pain was gone. She no longer felt cold.She was aware of nothing.

Karen'sghost came out of her body.

Thegym was dark and empty, except for the bodies of the slain members of bothteams, who'd remain where they'd fallen, until they were collected by the menfrom the Paradise Meat Company.

Shesaw herself dangling ten feet above the gym floor, with her neck crushed tightat the end of a stiff rope, her wrists handcuffed behind her back, her breaststhrust forward inside her tight tee shirt, and her bare legs had no more kickleft in them.

Iwas a good hang, she thought. Didn't whimper, hold back, struggle, cringe, oract pathetic. Good looking hang too.

Insideher mind, Karen heard the voice of David Krendell.

"LordJesus. Please keep Karen alive. I love her."

ThenKaren was back inside her body hanging by her neck, at the end of the rope, tenfeet above the gym floor. Her throat was no longer crushed. The noose was notighter than it had been when Jimmy first put the loop around her neck.

Thelights were back on in the gym. Men from the Paradise Meat Company were collectingthe bodies; tossing them onto wheeled skids, which they pushed around the floorwith jacks. None of them looked up at her. She was shivering in the cold, andnobody paid her any attention.

Sheheard one man say, "Hey. The hanged girl."

Hewas told, "We'll take her down last."

"No.I just saw her move."

"Justmuscular contractions. Dead people do that all the time."

Themen continued their work, methodically collecting every member of both teams,who'd been killed in that afternoon's game.

Theyall look very comfortably dead, Karen thought, as she hung there gagging, cold andshivering, unnoticed by the workmen for more than a half-hour. It felt like ahundred years.

Thensomeone finally came over to the goal post and undid the knot, where the otherend of the rope was tied around the post.

Karencame down fast. When she hit the floor, she made a loud groan.

Theworkmen came running over to Karen, and removed the noose.

"Look.Her neck's undamaged."

"Thenshe can attend her Homecoming Dance tonight."