edburmila:

"THE LINE IS PLEASED WITH THE TALK OF SACRIFICE" INTONES THE SHAMAN, AS MEDICINE MEN CHANT THE NAMES OF MUTUAL FUNDS AROUND THE CHART. "NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO DISPLEASE IT! WITHOUT BLOOD THE LINE WILL FORSAKE US" HE WARNS, AS THE FIRST ELDER IS FED SINGING INTO THE WOOD CHIPPER.

"LO! THE LINE HAS SEEN YOUR LACK OF FAITH!" THE SHAMAN SAYS WITH A SCOWL, ACCOMPANIED BY ALAN GREENSPAN PLAYING "LOSING MY RELIGION" ON SATAN'S PAN FLUTE. "LET HE WHO DOES NOT BELIEVE LEAVE THIS LAND! LO, THE PEOPLE MUST BELIEVE WITH ALL THEIR HEARTS!" A PORTAL OPENS.

IN THE DISTANCE, A PEASANT POUNDS A RHYTHM ON HIS OWN SKELETAL, TUBERCULAR CHEST. "LINE....LINE...LINE..."

OTHERS JOIN IN, WHEEZING: THE LINE. THE LINE. THE LINE.

SOON, AS IF HYPNOTIZED, THE MASSES SHOUT AS ONE:

THE LINE
THE LINE
THE LINE

WE GIVE OURSELVES OVER TO THE LINE

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.