There Are Worse Things

The man was brimming with sweat, much in the manner of a jug that overflows with well-water.

He drained the flask Millie offered him, wiped his mouth on his sleeve. She noticed that there was a tiny gold crucifix on the cuff.

Her partner's attention, however, was drawn to the large metal prop strapped to his back.

"It must have been exhausting to walk with that cross," Meryl observed incredulously.

Nicholas D. Wolfwood peered back at her with just as much, if not more, astonishment.

"You think that's bad?" he asked after a moment. Then he grinned wolfishly (as per his name) and added:

"Try going without a cigarette for forty-eight hours."