The Paper-cutter By: Thomas Bess jr. waiting in the blackness for my alarm clock to go off, the screaming banshee opens my eyes to pierce the blackness of my four walls. i see the ghost that is my work clothes resting lazily on my chair; starched white shirt, black pants, black tie. out of the apartment. i wait for the bus. i waited and cursed my local transit system. late again i was late yesterday i left thirty minutes earlier than yesterday and i was still late later than the day before i felt a cold numbness i imagined the look on my boss’ face when i tell him the bus was late again i smile an insane smile to myself i held my gas station coffee -- sweating palm the humid air clings to my business casual gravel and dust make my dress shoes look lousy i stand congregated with the other losers waiting for the bus it comes. no smiling faces sleepy zombies the bus stops i'm here quontavious, i don't think we’re in kirkwood anymore store-brand coffee brewing in employee lounge a...