Billy, a sculptor in the service of a chinchilla rancher named Bill, lived in a treehouse for the summer. The rancher and his wife had hired Billy to do odd jobs, such as repairing fences, roofing, and so forth. They kept many other animals on their farm, including two huskies they were inordinately fond of. The rancher and his wife also participated regularly in orgies. One day, after Billy finished repairing their roof, the rancher invited him to a party, but Billy declined. The next day he was told not to come into work; overnight in a thunderstorm one of the huskies had leaped over a fence, hanging himself on his own leash. It is stated in the classics: "Rare birds and strange beasts should not be kept in this country."

Pub. March 2000

DRC