Mortimer Deignsfree stalked a path through the starving souls left in the skids, his vantablack cape sucking the last light out of the neighborhood. He wielded a campfire spade, wrought iron sharpened to a fleur-de-lis. It swayed in front of him, violence threatened to the weary eyes watching. Mortimer listened …

I was tired, but couldn’t sleep. Sweating under my sheets in the foetal position, I opened my eyes and saw the time on my bedside clock: just after ten. Cruising hour I realised, and just like that I was horny. Exhaustion be damned, I got my phone off the side …

The city’s dairy carts had begun their rounds by the time the President lumbered up City Tavern’s back steps. He entered the upper room warmed by a blazing fire and conversation. “Gentlemen.” He greeted the statesmen, including James Madison and George Mason. “Well done, James and George. A glass with …