Rope

'I'm at the end of my rope'she saysand I'm inclinedto believe her.I can't help but bring to mindimages of noosesand career criminalsof bygone eras,their pasts at last caughtup with them,all that running over,the crowd that's gatheredto witness their executionsurprisedby their calm demeanour,surprised by theircomplete lackof agitation.But is it reallysuch a shock,that these characterslook upon their deathas they'd look uponany other incident,any other inevitabilityof life.

'I'm at the end of my rope,'she says,and I nod.