Pauly and the Fatman

(Hum to Johnny Cash’s rendition of
Nine Inch Nails Hurt)

I retired myself today.
To see if I still earn.
I focus on the gain.
The only thing that’s real.
The paycheck is the whole.
The old familiar friend.
Try to spend it all today.
But it was spent yesterday.

What have I become?
My sweetest RAM.
Everyone I know
Receives a pension in the end
But you could have it all
My empire of shirts
I will ignore your needs
I will make you blurt

I wear this rayon shirt
Upon my hackers chair
Full of stupid code
I cannot repair
Beneath the stained white shirt
The feelings are so clear
I should be somewhere else
And you should be right here.

What have I become?
A minister of flesh
Everyone I know
Becomes one in the end
You could have it all
My empire of sweat
Cash will let you down
Greed might lead to hurt

If I could start again
A thousand miles from here
I’d be a bartender
And sell watered down beer