That chasm sinks so deep that we could not sight Its bottom anywhere until we had climbed Along the rock arch to its greatest height. Once there, I peered down; and I saw long lines Of people in a river of excrement That seemed the overflow of the world’s latrines. Sylvia said, “Immoderate Flatterers ahead. That sin was pretty common when kings ruled the world, don’t you think, Allen?” Phyllis laughed hysterically. “Sylvia, you’re a scream!” Sammy looked wildly back at me, but I didn’t pay any attention. “You’re in for a shock,” I told Sylvia. My foot jammed against the brake. Harder. We were sliding. Oscar said, “Dammit, Al, ease up! We’re skidding!” I lifted my foot. That gave him some control, but at a price: we were accelerating. “Just let me drive,” Oscar said, and he let gravity have its way. He was just able to keep the hood pointed forward, and now the stench hit me. We were dropping toward a sewer bigger than the world.
