The Butcher & The Breather is a collection of short stories revolving around the often hilarious and usually tragic Irving Schmuckowitz; a grocery store clerk, neurotic hypochondriac, and sometime conspiracy theorist. With an array of bizarre characters and circumstances only Irving could ever find himself in, The Butcher & The Breather begs the question:

"Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"

Allan Shapiro's work has appeared in such publications as GUD, Pank, Eclectica, The Ne’er-Do-Well, The Ampersand Review, Cantaraville, and a variety of others. Allan has four stories nominated for the Pushcart Prize this year, including three which appear in this volume.