“Our Father who art in heaven…”

The raucous cries of the crowd blended in with her frenzied muttering to herself.

“…hallowed be Thy name…”

She heaved a sudden dry sob, but continued on.

“…Thy kingdom come…”

A hooded man, all rolls of sweaty fat and hair trudged up to the mound, holding a lever.

“…Thy will be done…”

The man shouted, “What shall we do wi’ her?”

“…on earth as it is in heaven…”

Her fearful, unabated crying dropped salty tears into her mouth, giving a bitter taste of what was to come.

“…Gi – Give us this day our daily bread…”

The hooded man shook his fists. The crowd roared.

“…And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us!”

She heaved the line out, body racked with terror.

“…And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…”

The man suddenly understood what she was saying. He laughed and repeated it to the crowd.

“And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil!”

The lever was pulled, and her feet hung motionless above the ground.