Savage Tales

similar.

    Back in the money bin, Charlie the fisherman had accidentally locked himself in. His death was warmer, clutching sand and ice cream to his sweaty skull, but it was death all the same.
    The emperor and his double never returned to their respective roles in this world.

SEE HOW NORMAL I LOOK

    After I strangled my wife I saw him. He was making no attempt to hide his interest. His bushy mustache and stupid suspenders and ignorant hole on his face, that mouth, and that squeegee in his hand. There is no privacy left in the world.
    I went for my gun but forgot that I had moved it so my wife wouldn't use it.
    I looked again to the window but he was gone. I looked down, nothing. I looked out and up and he was already several stories up. Going for the roof, no doubt. I grabbed a knife and went to the elevator, took it to the top with two stops on the way for the passengers (I had the knife concealed). Took the stairs up to the top and through the door. Sun blazed all around – high noon – and I took out the knife. My eyes adjusted to the bright light but he was nowhere. I looked over the edge at his platform. It was there and it was empty.
    Damn, he was fast. Already out.
    I ran back inside to the inner stairs and listened. Nothing. He may have ran down all twenty floors already, but more likely he had taken the other elevator and we'd crossed paths. The game was up. He had no doubt reached the lobby and called the cops. They'd be at my apartment in minutes, if not seconds. I hesitated to go back, but needed my wallet and cards or I'd be going nowhere.
    Inside again I looked down at my wife. She looked completely different dead.
    To get to the ground… stairs or elevator? I took my chance in the elevator and tried to act casual, calm. I had donned a hat in case that window cleaner was in the lobby. I didn't make eye contact and nobody stopped me.
    But outside it was different. The cops trained on me and shouted. I raised my arms, one came and frisked me, removed my gun and knife. Cuffed me and into the car.

    Three years later I was out on parole. I had no great desire for revenge. It was chance that the guy had seen me and been able to identify me so quickly. I didn't blame him, really. But when I saw him at the supermarket it felt like the universe (or "God") was giving me a chance to take out the garbage. I took it.
    He walked from the store to a bus stop and waited. I had grown a beard and mustache in prison and doubted he would recognize me, so I simply got on the bus with him. I certainly wasn't going to shell out for a cab. I barely had twenty dollars in my pocket.
    The bus went to the Upper West Side, where he departed. I didn't wait till the next stop or do anything sneaky. He seemed oblivious, and went to an apartment building off Broadway and 98th.
    From there I had no idea what to do. What was I intending? I didn’t know. But I found myself passing his home many times over the next few weeks, my plans vague. I didn't see him, however long I waited, until one day early in the morning when I felt sure I was wasting my time, unsure that it had even been him, that I was fooled into seeing something I wanted to see. Had it been possible in a city this size to run across the one man who had ruined my life, so quickly after my release?
    Apparently. There he was one cold morning, and I automatically put my hand out and asked for spare change. He barely looked at me but stopped and fished out some coins.
    "Thanks," I said. "Nice day."
    "Yes." He looked up and that's when it happened, when he looked at me.
    "You!" he said.
    "Yes, but calm down. I'm not here to hurt you. I only found you by chance."
    He didn't look like he believed it and I thought he might bolt. This was a parole violation and if he did run I would probably be on him. But for now he paused.
    "What do you want?" he said. "I had to testify. What I saw."
    "I know," I said. "It doesn't matter now. I'm out. I forgive you. I was actually wondering if you'd have coffee with me."
    "Coffee…"
    "Yes, just a few words. I'm sure you have things to do. Windows to wash."
    "Today's my day off. I – I can. I'll… there's place around the corner."
    We found it. He relaxed a little with others around us as a cushion.
    "How have you been?" I said.
    "Fine," he said. "Yes, fine."
    "Not a very talkative fellow, are you?"
    "What do you expect? I saw you…"
    "Yes. You did. But I'm just a man. Just like you. You just happened to be on the other side of the