As the teen opened his mouth
to ask what mechanical service
their franchise could provide,

filaments of saliva stretched
through the air close under his lips
to link the upper and lower ranks

of his braced teeth, a working
spider in the maw on the hunt
for flies would be only a bit worse,

so I questioned his proficiency
with my vehicle necessary for routes
of the day and any exigency,

for oil is the blood of machines,
and in minutes he would open
the steel vein and drain

that vital fluid from my ride.
I waited in some suspense
while my engine ran dry

then received my renewed
wheels after paying the fee,
found relief in the life restored

made a point to discount in future
need the evidence of opened mouths
and the deception they may weave.