It's a Hard World by Andrew Vachss

Originally published 1987 (could not identify initial publication), and Born Bad (1994); this edition 1995

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Collected in: Hard-Boiled: An Anthology of American Crime Stories (ed. Bill Pronzini & Jack Adrian)

PG

(D, L)

Drug Use {PG} {Tobacco}

Coarse Language {G}

Themes {M} {Crime}

Representations

Gender:

Mostly internal to male protagonist's head, significant characters male, except woman operating desk at airport boarding.

Sex:

A non-event is noted in the implicit context that women might desire to attract the gaze of men. Otherwise irrelevant.

Race & Ethnicity:

Unmentioned; assuming characters white US citizens.

Disability, Physical Diversity and Health:

Appearance-altering plastic surgery off-screen, otherwise unmentioned.

Awards

None found

Notes

Very short, sharp piece featuring the sacrifice of apparently innocent if obnoxious bystander by the anonymous protagonist.