How can I relate the wretched, macabre, and tragic scene I stumbled upon in San Antonio?  How to describe the monstrous images burned into my memory?  I suppose the best place to start is the notice ubiquitously plastered throughout the town… the Decree:

“We, the duly-elected Board of Council, recognizing that our town has depleted all possible sources of beast and radiosaur, on this day, March 23, 2075, decree that all men and women residents, and visitors of more than one week, above the age of sixteen will be entered into a lottery.

“The lottery will be held on the Friday of every week, at 8:00 in the evening.

“Everyone must be present for the lottery.  Those not in attendance at roll-call will be stricken from the lottery, and their lives will be immediately forfeit, property of the Board of Council.

“During the lottery, a name will be chosen.  The individual whose name is chosen will furnish a limb of their choice to the Board of Council.  If the individual does not provide a choice, the Board of Council will decide on a limb.

“The individual has the choice of preparing the limb themselves, or request the assistance of the Board of Council.

“The individual’s name will be removed from the lottery until the depletion of all names in the lottery.

“Pregnancy does not preclude the inclusion of an individual’s name in the lottery.  Upon birth, the product becomes the property of the Board of Council, and a lottery will not be held that week.

“Death does preclude the inclusion of an individual’s name in the lottery.  Upon death, the individual becomes the property of the Board of Council, and a lottery will not be held that week.

“The distribution of all lottery proceeds equitably and in a timely manner will be the sole responsibility and prerogative of the Board of Council.”