They met in a bar downtown. Her high heels and a killer smile, his weary wrinkled face, and tuxedo. In the night they checked into this hotel down the street. The manager gave them their key and said goodnight. They stumbled into the dim lit room and fell down the bed, smoked some pot, drank their drinks and watched TV. The clock stroke 4. He took out his gun, shot her point blank and aimed at his own head. They never checked out again.

Fortune cookie at the scene: Life is short and it ain't going to be better.

Hey, I am your average green leather tobacco case. My purpose is to contain the bag of tobacco and hide the horrible death pictures that are put on tobacco bags and cigarette packages nowadays.

Because of me, my owner would not be troubled with nasty pictures of ruined longs, dying people and babies that are on IV's. I hid nasty lines like smoking is bad for your sperm and smoking is ruining your family life.

Because of me, my owner can just smoke and fondle me every hour round the clock. I am one lucky tobacco case. Smoking is bad for your health, everybody knows that but I am so glad to be the focus of a happy life. I am thrilled to see my owner react jubilantly to my existence every time she lays eyes on me. She caresses me, plays with me and takes out the paper and tobacco every time to roll her own cigarettes.

Inside me, there is a place for the lighter and a place for extra paper. Every week I got a new bag put inside me. Within days I lose weight, but in the end, just as you can almost see my flat belly I got filled up again with a new friendly bag of tobacco.

Sometimes I make new friends. When my owner is sitting at a bus stop, for example, she just might share me with another addict. Because of my appearance, people spot immediately my owner is a smoker. That creates a bond easily with other smokers. So, yeah, I am one happy camper.

Come closer. I smell nice, that is if you like freshly made tobacco.

One day I got lost in the supermarket. When I was found by somebody they thought for a minute I was a wallet and checked me for money. But they brought me to customer service where I was found a half hour later by my owner. She was so relieved to find me again, I could tell. Tears were in her eyes at the time. It's always nice to be appreciated.

But, hey, have to go...she needs me again. I will be in her hands for a few minutes. Love that feeling!