,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #b 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALB]T ,CAMUS 

,TEXT 3 

,*APT] ,TWO 

,S,U,M,M,] CRAMM$ ! H>BOR ) NOISE & SUNLI<T4 ,IT WAS ELEV5-?IRTY4 ,! DAY SPLIT OP5 D[N ! MIDDLE1 CRU%+ ! DOCKS UND] ! BURD5 ( ITS HEAT4 ,MOOR$ AT ! %$S ( ! ,ALGI]S ,MUNICIPAL ,DEPOT1 BLACK-HULL$1 R$-FUNNEL$ FREI<T]S W]E LOAD+ SACKS ( :EAT4 ,!IR DU/Y FRAGRANCE M+L$ ) ! P[]FUL SMELL ( T> MELT+ UND] A HOT SUN4 ,M5 W]E DR9K+ AT A LITTLE /ALL ?AT REEK$ ( CREOSOTE & ANISETTE1 :ILE SOME ,>AB ACROBATS 9 R$ %IRTS SOM]SAULT$ ON ! SCOR*+ FLAG/ONES 9 FRONT ( ! SEA 9 ! LEAP+ LI<T4 ,)\T SO MU* AS A GLANCE AT !M1 ! /EV$ORES C>RY+ SACKS WALK$ UP ! TWO SAGG+ PLANKS ?AT SLANT$ FROM ! DOCK TO ! FREI<T] DECKS4 ,:5 !Y REA*$ ! TOP1 !IR SILH\ETTES W]E SUDD5LY DIVID$ BETWE5 ! SEA & ! SKY AMONG ! W9*ES & MA/S4 ,!Y /OPP$ = AN 9/ANT1 DAZZL$ BY ! LI<T1 EYES GLEAM+ 9 ! :ITI% CRU/ ( DU/ & SWEAT ?AT COV]$ !IR FACES1 BE=E !Y PLUNG$ BL9DLY 9TO ! HOLD /9K+ ( HOT BLOOD4 ,9 ! FI]Y AIR1 A SIR5 NEV] /OPP$ BL[+4 

,SUDD5LY ! M5 ON ! PLANK /OPP$ 9 CONFUSION4 ,ONE ( !M HAD FALL51 L&+ ON ! PLANK BEL[4 ,BUT HIS >M WAS P9N$ UND] HIS BODY1 CRU%$ UND] ! TREM5D\S WEI<T ( ! SACK1 & HE SCREAM$ ) PA94 ,JU/ AT ?IS MOM5T1 ,PATRICE ,M]SAULT EM]G$ FROM HIS (FICE1 & ON ! DOOR/EP ! SUMM] HEAT TOOK HIS BREA? AWAY4 ,HE OP5$ HIS M\?1 9HAL$ ! T> VAPORS1 :I* /UNG HIS ?ROAT1 & !N HE W5T OV] TO ! /EV$ORES4 ,!Y HAD MOV$ ! MAN :O HAD BE5 HURT1 & HE WAS LY+ 9 ! DU/1 HIS LIPS :ITE ) PA91 HIS >M DANGL+1 BROK5 ABOVE ! ELB[4 ,A SLIV] ( BONE HAD PI]C$ ! FLE%1 MAK+ AN UGLY W\ND \T ( :I* BLOOD WAS DRIPP+4 ,! DROPS ROLL$ D[N HIS >M & FELL1 ONE BY ONE1 ON TO ! SCOR*+ /ONES ) A T9Y HISS1 & TURN$ TO /EAM4 ,M]SAULT WAS />+1 MOTIONLESS1 AT ! BLOOD :5 SOMEONE TOOK HIS >M4 ,IT WAS ,EMMANUEL1 ONE ( ! CL]KS4 ,HE PO9T$ TO A LORRY HEAD+ T[>DS !M ) A SALVO ( BACKFIRES4 ',?AT ONE8' ,PATRICE BEGAN TO RUN AS ! LORRY DROVE PA/ !M1 *A9S RATTL+4 ,!Y DA%$ AFT] IT1 SWALL[$ UP BY DU/ & NOISE1 PANT+ & BL9D1 JU/ CONSCI\S 5\< TO FEEL !MSELVES SWEPT ON BY ! FR5ZI$ EF=T ( RUNN+1 9 A WILD RHY?M ( W9*ES & MA*9ES1 ACCOMPANI$ BY ! DANC+ MA/S ON ! HORIZON & ! PIT*+ ( ! LEPR\S HULLS !Y PASS$4 ,M]SAULT WAS ! FIR/ TO GRAB HOLD1 CONFID5T ( HIS /R5G? & SKILL1 & JUMP$ ON TO ! MOV+ LORRY4 ,HE HELP$ ,EMMANUEL UP1 & ! TWO M5 SAT ) !IR LEGS DANGL+ 9 ! *ALK-:ITE DU/1 :ILE A LUM9\S SUFFOCATION P\R$ \T ( ! SKY OV] ! CIRCLE ( ! H>BOR CR[D$ ) MA/S & BLACK CRANES1 ! UNEV5 COBBLES ( ! DOCK J>R+ ,EMMANUEL & ,M]SAULT AS ! LORRY GA9$ SPE$1 MAK+ !M LAU< UNTIL !Y W]E BREA?LESS1 DIZZI$ BY ! JOLT+ MOVEM5T1 ! SE>+ SKY1 !IR [N BOIL+ BLOOD4 

,:5 !Y REA*$ ,BELC\RT1 ,M]SAULT SLID (F ) ,EMMANUEL1 :O WAS S++ N[1 L\D & \T ( TUNE4 ',Y\ KN[1' HE TOLD ,M]SAULT1 'IT COMES UP 9 Y\R *E/4 ,IT COMES :5 Y\ FEEL GOOD4 ,:5 Y\'RE 9 ! WAT]4' ,IT WAS TRUE3 ,EMMANUEL SUNG :5 HE SWAM1 & HIS VOICE1 HO>SE FROM %\T+1 9AUDIBLE AGA9/ ! SEA1 M>K$ TIME = ! GE/URES ( HIS %ORT1 MUSCUL> >MS4 ,!Y W]E WALK+ D[N ! RUE DE ,LYON1 ,M]SAULT TALL BESIDE ,EMMANUEL1 HIS BROAD %\LD]S ROLL+4 ,9 ! WAY HE /EPP$ ON TO ! CURB1 ! WAY HE TWI/$ HIS HIPS TO AVOID ! CR[D ?AT OCCASIONALLY CLOS$ 9 ON HIM1 HIS BODY SEEM$ CURI\SLY Y\NG & VIGOR\S1 CAPABLE ( BE>+ HIM TO ANY EXTREME ( PHYSICAL JOY4 ,RELAX$1 HE RE/$ HIS WEI<T ON ONE HIP ) A SELF-CONSCI\S LI!NESS1 LIKE A MAN :OSE BODY HAS ACQUIR$ ITS /YLE FROM SPORT4 ,HIS EYES SP>KL$ UND] ! HEAVY BR[S1 & AS HE TALK$ TO ,EMMANUEL HE W\LD TUG AT HIS COLL> ) A ME*ANICAL GE/URE TO FREE HIS NECK MUSCLES1 T5S+ HIS CURV$ MOBILE LIPS AT ! SAME TIME4 ,!Y WALK$ 9TO !IR RE/AURANT1 SAT D[N AT A TABLE1 & ATE 9 SIL5CE4 ,IT WAS COOL 9SIDE1 AMONG ! FLIES1 ! CLATT] ( PLATES1 ! HUM ( CONV]SATION4 ,! [N]1 ,CELE/E1 A TALL MAN ) HUGE MU/A*ES1 WALK$ OV] TO GREET !M1 SCRAT*+ HIS BELLY UND] HIS APRON4 ',PRETTY WELL1' ,CELE/E ANSW]$1 '= AN OLD MAN4' ,CELE/E & ,EMMANUEL EX*ANG$ EXCLAMATIONS & ?UMP$ EA* O!R ON ! %\LD]4 ',OLD M51' ,CELE/E SAID1 'Y\ KN[ :AT OLD M5 >E1 !Y'RE ALL ! SAME4 ,%I!ADS4 ,!Y TELL Y\ A REAL MAN'S GOT TO BE FIFTY4 ,BUT ?AT'S BECAUSE !Y'RE FIFTY4 ,I KNEW ?IS ONE FELL[ :O C\LD HAVE HIS GOOD TIMES JU/ ) HIS SON4 ,!Y'D GO \T TOGE!R4 ,ON ! T[N4 ,!Y'D GO TO ! ,CAS9O1 & ?IS FELL[ W\LD SAY3 0,:Y %\LD ,I HANG >\ND ) A LOT ( OLD M56 ,EV]Y DAY !Y TELL ME !Y'VE TAK5 SOME M$IC9E1 !RE'S ALWAYS SOME?+ WRONG ) !IR LIV]4 ,I HAVE A BETT] TIME ) MY SON4 ,SOMETIMES HE PICKS UP A :ORE1 ,I LOOK ! O!R WAY1 ,I TAKE ! TRAM4 ,SO LONG & ?ANKS4 ,F9E ) ME40' ,EMMANUEL LAU<$4 ',( C\RSE1' ,CELE/E SAID1 '! FELL[ WAS NO AU?ORITY1 BUT ,I LIK$ HIM ALL RI<T4' ,HE TURN$ TO ,M]SAULT4 ',ANYWAY1 IT'S BETT] ?AN ?IS O!R FELL[ ,I KNEW4 ,:5 HE MADE HIS MONEY1 HE W\LD TALK ) HIS HEAD UP & MAKE GE/URES ALL ! TIME4 ,N[ HE'S NOT SO PR\D ( HIMSELF -- HE'S LO/ IT ALL4' 

',S]VES HIM RI<T1' ,M]SAULT SAID4 

',OH1 Y\ CAN'T BE A BA/>D ) IT4 ,?IS FELL[ TOOK IT :ILE HE HAD IT1 & HE WAS RI<T4 ,ALMO/ A MILLION FRANCS HE HAD 444 ,N[ IF IT HAD BE5 ME6' 

',:AT W\LD Y\ DO8' ,EMMANUEL ASK$4 

',I'D BUY MYSELF A HUT \T 9 ! C\NTRY1 ,I'D PUT SOME GLUE 9 MY NAVEL & ,I'D /ICK A FLAG 9 !RE4 ,!N ,I'D WAIT TO SEE :I* WAY ! W9D WAS BL[+4' 

,M]SAULT ATE QUIETLY UNTIL ,EMMANUEL />T$ TO TELL ,CELE/E H[ HE HAD F\<T ! BATTLE ( ! ,M>NE4 ',SEE1 !Y S5T US Z\AVES \T 9 FRONT 444' 

',LESS ( ! BULL%IT1' ,M]SAULT SAID CALMLY4 

',! MAJOR SAID 0,*>GE60 & WE RAN D[N 9TO A K9D ( GULLY1 ONLY ) TREES 9 IT4 ,HE TOLD US TO *>GE1 BUT NO-ONE WAS !RE4 ,SO WE JU/ M>*$ RI<T ON1 KEPT ON WALK+4 ,& !N ALL ( A SUDD5 !SE MA*9E-GUNS >E FIR+ RI<T 9TO US4 ,WE ALL FALL ON TOP ( EA* O!R4 ,!RE W]E SO MANY DEAD & W\ND$ ?AT Y\ C\LD HAVE R[$ A BOAT ACROSS ! BLOOD 9 ?AT GULLY4 ,SOME ( !M KEPT SCREAM+ 0,MAMA60 ,*RI/1 IT WAS AWFUL4' 

,M]SAULT /OOD UP & TI$ A KNOT 9 HIS NAPK94 ,! [N] WALK$ OV] TO ! KIT*5 DOOR & *ALK$ ! PRICE ( HIS D9N] ON IT4 ,:5 ONE ( HIS CU/OM]S HADN'T PAID UP1 ,CELE/E W\LD TAKE ! DOOR (F ITS H+ES & BR+ ! EVID5CE ON HIS BACK4 ,]NE1 HIS SON1 WAS EAT+ A BOIL$ EGG OV] 9 A CORN]4 ',POOR LAD1' ,EMMANUEL SAID1 ?UMP+ HIS [N *E/1 'HE'S HAD IT4' ,IT WAS TRUE4 ,]NE WAS USUALLY QUIET & S]I\S4 ,?\< HE WAS NOT P>TICUL>LY ?91 HIS EYES GLITT]$4 ,JU/ N[ ANO!R CU/OM] WAS EXPLA9+ TO HIM ?AT ') TIME & PATI5CE1 ,T,B CAN BE CUR$'4 ,]NE NODD$ & ANSW]$ SOLEMNLY BETWE5 BITES4 ,M]SAULT WALK$ OV] TO ! C\NT] & ORD]$ C(FEE1 LEAN+ ON HIS ELB[S4 ,! O!R CU/OM] W5T ON3 ',DID Y\ EV] KN[ ,JEAN ,P]EZ8 ,HE WORK$ = ! GAS COMPANY4 ,HE'S DEAD N[4 ,HE HAD ?IS ONE BAD LUNG4 ,BUT HE WANT$ TO GET \T ( ! HOSPITAL & GO HOME4 ,HIS WIFE WAS !RE1 SEE4 ,%E WAS NO?+ BUT HIS HORSE4 ,Y\ KN[1 HIS ILLNESS MADE HIM LIKE ?AT -- HE WAS ALWAYS ON TOP ( H]4 ,%E W\LDN'T WANT IT1 BUT HE HAD TO4 ,SO TWO1 ?REE TIMES1 EV]Y DAY ( ! WEEK -- IT 5DS UP KILL+ A SICK MAN4' ,]NE /OPP$ EAT+1 A PIECE ( BREAD BETWE5 HIS TEE?1 & />$ AT ! MAN4 ',YES1' HE SAID F9ALLY1 '! ?+ COMES ON FA/1 BUT IT TAKES TIME TO GET RID ( IT4' ,M]SAULT WROTE HIS NAME ) ONE F+] ON ! /EAM$-UP P]COLATOR4 ,HE BL9K$ HIS EYES4 ,EV]Y DAY1 HIS LIFE ALT]NAT$1 FROM ?IS CALM CONSUMPTIVE TO ,EMMANUEL BUR/+ 9TO SONG1 FROM ! SMELL ( C(FEE TO ! SMELL ( T>1 ALI5AT$ FROM HIMSELF1 & HIS 9T]E/S1 SO F> FROM HIS HE>T1 HIS TRU?4 ,?+S ?AT 9 O!R CIRCUM/ANCES W\LD HAVE EXCIT$ HIM LEFT HIM UNMOV$ N[1 = !Y W]E SIMPLY P>T ( HIS LIFE1 UNTIL ! MOM5T HE WAS BACK 9 HIS ROOM US+ ALL HIS /R5G? & C>E TO SMO!R ! FLAME ( LIFE ?AT BURN$ )9 HIM4 

',:AT DO Y\ ?9K1 ,M]SAULT8 ,Y\'VE BE5 TO S*OOL1' ,CELE/E SAID4 

',OH1 CUT IT \T1' ,PATRICE SAID1 'Y\'LL GET OV] IT4' 

',Y\'RE PRETTY T\*Y ?IS MORN+4' 

,M]SAULT SMIL$ &1 LEAV+ ! RE/AURANT1 CROSS$ ! /REET & W5T UP/AIRS TO HIS ROOM4 ,! FLAT WAS OV] A HORSE-BUT*]'S4 ,LEAN+ OV] HIS BALCONY1 HE C\LD SMELL BLOOD AS HE READ ! SIGN3 ',TO ,MAN'S ,NOBLE/ ,CONQUE/'4 ,HE /RET*$ \T ON HIS B$1 SMOK$ A CIG>ETTE1 & FELL ASLEEP4 

,HE SLEPT 9 :AT US$ TO BE HIS MO!R'S ROOM4 ,!Y HAD HAD ?IS LITTLE ?REE-ROOM FLAT A LONG TIME4 ,N[ ?AT HE WAS ALONE1 ,M]SAULT LET TWO ROOMS TO A MAN HE KNEW1 A B>REL-MAK] :O LIV$ ) HIS SI/]1 & HE KEPT ! BE/ ROOM = HIMSELF4 ,HIS MO!R HAD BE5 FIFTY-SIX :5 %E DI$4 ,A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN1 %E HAD 5JOY$ -- & EXPECT$ TO 5JOY -- A LIFE ( DIV]SION1 A LIFE ( PLEASURE4 ,AT =TY1 %E HAD BE5 /RICK5 BY A T]RIBLE DISEASE4 ,%E HAD HAD TO GIVE UP H] CLO!S1 H] COSMETICS1 & WAS R$UC$ TO HOSPITAL G[NS1 H] FACE DE=M$ BY T]RIBLE SWELL+S2 H] SWOLL5 LEGS & H] WEAKNESS KEPT H] ALMO/ IMMOBILIZ$1 & %E W\LD GROPE FRANTICALLY >\ND ! COLORLESS FLAT %E C\LD NO LONG] TAKE C>E (1 = %E WAS HALF-BL9D AS WELL4 ,! DIABETES %E HAD NEGLECT$ HAD BE5 FUR!R AGGRAVAT$ BY H] C>ELESS LIFE4 ,M]SAULT HAD HAD TO AB&ON HIS /UDIES & TAKE A JOB4 ,UNTIL HIS MO!R'S DEA? HE HAD CONT9U$ TO READ1 TO REFLECT4 ,& = T5 YE>S ! SICK WOMAN CLUNG TO ?AT LIFE4 ,! SUFF]+ HAD LA/$ SO LONG ?AT ?OSE >\ND H] GREW ACCU/OM$ TO H] DISEASE & =GOT ?AT %E WAS DEA?LY ILL1 ?AT %E W\LD DIE4 ,ONE DAY %E DI$4 ,PEOPLE 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD FELT SORRY = ,M]SAULT4 ,!Y EXPECT$ A LOT FROM ! FUN]AL4 ,!Y RECALL$ ! SON'S DEEP FEEL+ = HIS MO!R4 ,!Y W>N$ DI/ANT RELATIVES NOT TO M\RN TOO MU*1 SO ?AT ,PATRICE W\LD NOT FEEL HIS [N GRIEF TOO 9T5SELY4 ,!Y W]E ASK$ TO PROTECT HIM1 TO TAKE C>E ( HIM4 ,BUT ,PATRICE1 DRESS$ 9 HIS BE/ & ) HIS HAT 9 HIS H&1 WAT*$ ! >RANGEM5TS4 ,HE WALK$ 9 ! LITTLE PROCESSION1 LI/5$ TO ! S]VICE1 TOSS$ HIS H&FUL ( E>?1 & FOLD$ HIS H&S4 ,ONLY ONCE DID HE LOOK SURPRIS$1 EXPRESS+ HIS REGRET ?AT !RE W]E SO FEW C>S = ?OSE :O HAD ATT5D$ ! S]VICE4 ,?AT WAS ALL4 ,! NEXT DAY A SIGN APPE>$ 9 ONE ( ! FLAT'S W9D[S3 ',TO LET'4 ,N[ HE LIV$ 9 HIS MO!R'S ROOM4 ,9 ! PA/1 ! POV]TY !Y %>$ HAD A C]TA9 SWEETNESS AB\T IT3 :5 ! 5D ( ! DAY CAME & !Y W\LD EAT !IR D9N] 9 SIL5CE ) ! OIL-LAMP BETWE5 !M1 !RE WAS A SECRET JOY 9 SU* SIMPLICITY1 SU* RETR5*M5T4 ,! NEI<BORHOOD WAS A QUIET ONE4 ,M]SAULT W\LD />E AT HIS MO!R'S SLACK M\? & SMILE4 ,%E W\LD SMILE BACK4 ,HE W\LD />T EAT+ AGA94 ,! LAMP W\LD SMOKE A LITTLE4 ,HIS MO!R T5D$ IT ) ! SAME EXHAU/$ GE/URE1 EXT5D+ ONLY H] RI<T >M1 H] BODY SLUMP$ D[N 9 H] *AIR4 ',Y\'VE HAD 5\<8' %E W\LD ASK1 A MOM5T LAT]4 ',NO'4 ,HE W\LD SMOKE OR READ4 ,IF HE SMOK$1 %E ALWAYS SAID3 ',AGA96' ,IF HE READ3 ',SIT CLOS] TO ! LAMP1 Y\'LL RU9 Y\R EYES4' ,BUT N[ ! POV]TY 9 SOLITUDE WAS MIS]Y4 ,& :5 ,M]SAULT ?\<T SADLY ( ! DEAD WOMAN1 HIS PITY WAS ACTUALLY = HIMSELF4 ,HE C\LD HAVE F\ND A MORE COM=TABLE WAY ( LIFE1 BUT HE CLUNG TO ?IS FLAT & ITS SMELL ( POV]TY4 ,H]E1 AT LEA/1 HE MA9TA9$ CONTACT ) :AT HE HAD BE51 & 9 A LIFE :]E HE DELIB]ATELY TRI$ TO EXPUNGE HIMSELF1 ?IS PATI5T1 SORDID CONFRONTATION HELP$ HIM TO SURVIVE HIS H\RS ( MELAN*OLY & REGRET4 ,HE HAD LEFT ON ! DOOR ! FRAY$ GRAY C>D ON :I* HIS MO!R HAD WRITT5 H] NAME 9 BLUE P5CIL4 ,HE HAD KEPT ! OLD BRASS B$ ) ITS SATE5 SPREAD1 & ! PORTRAIT ( HIS GR&FA!R ) HIS T9Y BE>D & PALE1 MOTIONLESS EYES4 ,ON ! MANTELPIECE1 %EPH]DS & %EPH]DESSES FRAM$ AN OLD CLOCK ?AT HAD /OPP$ & AN OIL LAMP HE ALMO/ NEV] LIT4 ,! DRE>Y FURNI%+S -- SOME RICKETY RATTAN *AIRS1 ! W>DROBE ) ITS YELL[$ MIRROR1 A DRESS+-TABLE MISS+ ONE CORN] -- DID NOT EXI/ = HIM3 HABIT HAD BLURR$ EV]Y?+4 ,HE MOV$ ?R\< ! <O/ ( A FLAT1 :I* REQUIR$ NO EF=T ( HIM4 ,9 ANO!R ROOM HE W\LD HAVE TO GR[ ACCU/OM$ TO NOVELTY1 TO /RUGGLE ONCE AGA94 ,HE WANT$ TO DIM9I% ! SURFACE HE (F]$ ! WORLD1 TO SLEEP UNTIL EV]Y?+ WAS CONSUM$4 ,= ?IS PURPOSE1 ! OLD ROOM S]V$ HIM WELL4 ,ONE W9D[ OV]LOOK$ ! /REET1 ! O!R A Y>D ALWAYS FULL ( WA%+ &1 BEYOND IT1 A FEW CLUMPS ( ORANGE-TREES SQUEEZ$ BETWE5 HI< WALLS4 ,SOMETIMES1 ON SUMM] NI<TS1 HE LEFT ! ROOM D>K & OP5$ ! W9D[ OV]LOOK+ ! Y>D & ! DIM TREES4 ,\T ( ! D>KNESS ! FRAGRANCE ( ORANGE-BLOSSOMS ROSE 9TO ! D>KNESS1 /RONG & SWEET1 SURR\ND+ HIM ) ITS DELICATE %AWLS4 ,ALL NI<T DUR+ ! SUMM]1 HE & HIS ROOM W]E 5CLOS$ 9 ?AT D5SE YET SUBTLE P]FUME1 & IT WAS AS IF1 DEAD = DAYS AT A TIME1 HE HAD OP5$ ! W9D[ TO LIFE = ! FIR/ TIME4 

,HE AWOKE1 HIS M\? FULL ( SLEEP1 HIS BODY COV]$ ) SWEAT4 ,IT WAS V]Y LATE4 ,HE COMB$ HIS HAIR1 RAN D[N/AIRS & JUMP$ ON TO A TRAM4 ,BY FIVE PA/ TWO HE WAS 9 HIS (FICE4 ,HE WORK$ 9 A BIG ROOM :]E ! WALLS W]E COV]$ ) #dad PIGEONHOLES1 9TO :I* FOLD]S W]E PIL$4 ,! ROOM WAS NEI!R DIRTY NOR SORDID1 BUT IT SUGGE/$1 AT ANY H\R ( ! DAY1 A CATACOMB 9 :I* DEAD H\RS HAD PUTREFI$4 ,M]SAULT *ECK$ %IPP+-BILLS1 TRANSLAT$ PROVISION-LI/S FROM ,5GLI% %IPS1 & BETWE5 ?REE & F\R DEALT ) CLI5TS :O WANT$ CRATES ( LUGGAGE %IPP$4 ,HE HAD ASK$ = ?IS TASK1 :I* WAS NOT REALLY P>T ( HIS JOB4 ,BUT AT ! />T1 HE HAD F\ND IT A WAY ( ESCAP+ 9TO LIFE4 ,!RE W]E HUMAN FACES1 REPEAT$ 5C\NT]S & A PRESS+ BREA? ( LIFE1 :]E9 AT LA/ HE FELT HIS [N HE>T BEAT+4 ,& IT ALL[$ HIM TO ESCAPE ! FACES ( ! ?REE SECRET>IES & ! SUP]VISOR1 ,MONSIEUR ,LANGLOIS4 ,ONE ( ! SECRET>IES WAS QUITE PRETTY & HAD BE5 REC5TLY M>RI$4 ,ANO!R LIV$ ) H] MO!R1 & ! ?IRD WAS A DIGNIFI$ & 5]GETIC OLD LADY :OM ,M]SAULT LIK$ = H] FLORID WAY ( TALK+ & H] RETIC5CE AB\T :AT ,LANGLOIS CALL$ H] 'MIS=TUNES'4 ,! SUP]VISOR W\LD 5GAGE 9 P]EMPTORY >GUM5TS ) OLD ,MADAME ,H]BILLON1 :O ALWAYS EM]G$ VICTORI\S4 ,%E DESPIS$ ,LANGLOIS = ! SWEAT ?AT PA/$ HIS TR\S]S TO HIS BUTTOCKS :5 HE /OOD UP & = ! PANIC :I* SEIZ$ HIM 9 ! PRES5CE ( ! HEAD ( ! FIRM & OCCASIONALLY ON ! PHONE :5 HE HE>D ! NAME ( SOME LAWY] OR EV5 ( SOME IDIOT ) A DE 9 FRONT ( HIS NAME4 ,! POOR MAN WAS QUITE UNABLE TO S(T5 ! OLD LADY'S HE>T OR TO W9 HIS WAY 9TO H] GOOD GRACES4 ,?IS AFT]NOON HE WAS /RUTT+ >\ND ! MIDDLE ( ! (FICE4 ',WE REALLY GET ON V]Y WELL TOGE!R1 DON'T WE1 ,MADAME ,H]BILLON8' ,M]SAULT WAS TRANSLAT+ 'VEGETABLES'1 />+ OV] HIS HEAD AT ! LI<T-BULB 9 ITS CORRUGAT$ GRE5 C>DBO>D %ADE4 ,ACROSS FROM HIM WAS A BRI<T-COLOR$ CAL5D> %[+ A RELIGI\S PROCESSION 9 ,NEWF\NDL&4 ,SPONGE1 BLOTT]1 9KWELL & RUL] W]E L9$ UP ON HIS DESK4 ,! W9D[S NE> HIM LOOK$ \T OV] HUGE PILES ( WOOD BR\<T FROM ,NORWAY BY YELL[ & :ITE FREI<T]S4 ,M]SAULT LI/5$4 ,ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! WALL1 LIFE HAD ITS [N DEEP1 MUFFL$ RHY?M1 A RESPIRATION ?AT FILL$ ! H>BOR & ! SEA4 ,SO REMOTE1 & YET SO CLOSE TO HIM4444 ,! SIX O'CLOCK BELL RELEAS$ HIM4 ,IT WAS A ,SATURDAY4 

,ONCE HOME1 HE LAY D[N ON HIS B$ & SLEPT TILL D9N]-TIME4 ,HE COOK$ HIMSELF SOME EGGS & ATE !M \T ( ! PAN 7) NO BREAD2 HE HAD =GOTT5 TO BUY ANY71 !N /RET*$ \T AGA9 & FELL ASLEEP ONCE MORE4 ,HE AWOKE ! NEXT MORN+ JU/ BE=E LUN*TIME1 WA%$ & W5T D[N/AIRS TO EAT4 ,BACK 9 HIS ROOM HE DID TWO CROSSWORD PUZZLES1 C>EFULLY CUT \T AN ADV]TISEM5T = ,KRUS*5 ,SALTS :I* HE PA/$ 9TO A BOOKLET ALREADY FILL$ ) JOVIAL GR&FA!RS SLID+ D[N BANI/]S4 ,!N HE WA%$ HIS H&S & W5T \T ON TO HIS BALCONY4 ,IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL AFT]NOON4 ,YET ! PAVEM5TS W]E DAMP1 ! OCCASIONAL PASS]BY 9 A HURRY4 ,M]SAULT />$ AFT] EA* ONE UNTIL HE WAS \T ( SI<T1 ATTA*+ HIS GAZE TO A NEW >RIVAL )9 HIS FIELD ( VISION4 ,FIR/ CAME FAMILIES WALK+ TOGE!R1 TWO LITTLE BOYS 9 SAILOR-SUITS1 UNCOM=TABLE 9 !IR />*$ BL\SES1 & A GIRL ) A HUGE P9K B[ & BLACK PAT5T-LEA!R %OES4 ,BEH9D !M A MO!R 9 A BR[N SILK DRESS1 A MON/R\S CREATURE SWA!D 9 A BOA1 ! MORE ELEGANT FA!R C>RY+ A CANE4 ,9 A LITTLE :ILE IT WAS ! TURN ( ! Y\NG M5 ( HIS NEI<BORHOOD1 HAIR SLICK$ BACK & R$ NECKTIES1 CLOSE-FITT+ JACKETS ) EMBROID]$ POCKET-H&K]*IEFS & SQU>E-TO$ %OES4 ,!Y W]E ON !IR WAY TO ! C9EMA 9 ! C5T] ( T[N1 & HURRI$ T[>DS ! TRAM1 LAU<+ V]Y L\DLY4 ,!N ! /REET GREW /ILL AGA94 ,! EV5+ DIV]SIONS HAD BEGUN4 ,! NEI<BORHOOD BELONG$ TO CATS & %OPKEEP]S4 ,! SKY1 ?\< CLE>1 WAS LU/]LESS OV] ! FICUS TREES L9+ ! ROAD4 ,ACROSS FROM ,M]SAULT1 ! TOBACCONI/ BR\<T A *AIR \T 9 FRONT ( HIS DOOR & /RADDL$ IT1 LEAN+ HIS >MS ON ! BACK4 ,! TRAMS ?AT HAD BE5 CR[D$ A LITTLE :ILE AGO W]E ALMO/ EMPTY4 ,9 ! LITTLE CAFE ,*EZ ,PI]ROT ! WAIT] WAS SWEEP+ SAWDU/ 9 ! EMPTY FRONT ROOM4 ,M]SAULT TURN$ HIS *AIR >\ND1 PLAC$ IT LIKE ! TOBACCONI/'S & SMOK$ TWO CIG>ETTES ONE AFT] ! O!R4 ,HE W5T BACK 9TO HIS ROOM1 BROKE (F A PIECE ( *OCOLATE1 & RETURN$ TO HIS BALCONY TO EAT IT4 ,SOON ! SKY D>K5$1 !N PAL$ AGA94 ,BUT ! PASS+ CL\DS HAD LEFT A PROMISE ( RA9 OV] ! /REET !Y DIMM$4 ,AT FIVE1 TRAMS GROAN$ PA/1 JAMM$ ) SOCC]-FANS FROM ! \TLY+ /ADIUMS P]*$ ON ! RUNN+-BO>DS & ! H&RAILS4 ,ON ! NEXT TRAM HE C\LD ID5TIFY ! PLAY]S !MSELVES BY !IR CANVAS BAGS4 ,!Y %\T$ & SANG AT ! TOP ( !IR LUNGS ?AT !IR TEAMS W\LD NEV] DIE4 ,SEV]AL WAV$ TO ,M]SAULT4 ,ONE %\T$3 ',WE DID IT ?IS TIME6' ',YES1' WAS ALL ,M]SAULT ANSW]$1 NODD+4 ,!N !RE W]E MORE C>S4 ,SOME HAD FL[]S WREA!D 9 !IR BUMP]S & LOOP$ >\ND !IR F9S4 ,!N ! LI<T FAD$ A LITTLE MORE4 ,OV] ! RO(S ! SKY R$D5$1 & ) EV5+ ! /REETS GREW LIVELY AGA94 ,! /ROLL]S RETURN$1 ! TIR$ *ILDR5 :9+ AS !Y LET !MSELVES BE DRAGG$ HOME4 ,! NEI<BORHOOD C9EMAS DISGORG$ A CR[D 9TO ! /REET4 ,M]SAULT C\LD TELL1 FROM ! VIOL5T GE/URES ( ! Y\NG M51 ?AT !Y HAD SE5 SOME SORT ( ADV5TURE FILM4 ,?OSE :O HAD BE5 TO FILMS 9 ! C5T] ( T[N APPE>$ A LITTLE LAT]4 ,!Y W]E MORE S]I\S3 = ALL !IR LAU<T] & TEAS+ GE/URES1 !IR EYES & !IR MOVEM5TS BETRAY$ A K9D ( NO/ALGIA = ! MAGICAL LIVES !Y HAD JU/ %>$4 ,! L+]$ 9 ! /REET1 COM+ & GO+4 ,& ON ! PAVEM5T ACROSS FROM ,M]SAULT1 TWO /REAMS F9ALLY =M$4 ,ONE CONSI/$ ( NEI<BORHOOD GIRLS1 WALK+ >M 9 >M1 B>E-HEAD$4 ,! Y\NG M5 9 ! O!R CRACK$ JOKES :I* MADE ! GIRLS LAU< & LOOK AWAY4 ,OLD] PEOPLE W5T 9TO ! CAFES OR =M$ GR\PS ON ! PAVEM5T :I* ! HUMAN RIV] FL[$ >\ND AS IF !Y W]E ISL&S4 ,! /REET LAMPS W]E ON N[1 & ! ELECTRIC LI<T MADE ! FIR/ />S LOOK PALE 9 ! NI<T SKY4 ,AN AUDI5CE ( ONE1 ,M]SAULT WAT*$ ! PROCESSION ( PEOPLE UND] ! LI<TS4 ,! /REET LAMPS MADE ! DAMP PAVEM5TS GLEAM1 & AT REGUL> 9T]VALS ! TRAMS W\LD ?R[ REFLECTIONS ON %9Y HAIR1 WET LIPS1 A SMILE OR A SILV] BRACELET4 ,GRADUALLY ! TRAMS BECAME MORE 9FREQU5T1 & ! NI<T WAS ALREADY BLACK ABOVE ! TREES & ! LAMPS AS ! NEI<BORHOOD GRADUALLY EMPTI$ & ! FIR/ CAT CREPT ACROSS ! /REET AS SOON AS IT WAS DES]T$ AGA94 ,M]SAULT ?\<T AB\T D9N]4 ,HIS NECK A*$ A LITTLE FROM LEAN+ SO LONG ON ! BACK ( HIS *AIR4 ,HE W5T D[N/AIRS TO BUY BREAD & MAC>ONI1 MADE HIS D9N] & ATE IT4 ,!N HE RETURN$ TO HIS BALCONY4 ,PEOPLE W]E COM+ \T AGA91 ! AIR HAD COOL$4 ,HE %IV]$1 CLOS$ HIS W9D[S & WALK$ OV] TO ! MIRROR ABOVE ! FIREPLACE4 ,EXCEPT = C]TA9 EV5+S :5 ,M>! CAME OR :5 HE W5T \T ) H]1 & EXCEPT = HIS CORRESPOND5CE ) ! GIRLS 9 ,TUNIS1 HIS 5TIRE LIFE LAY 9 ! YELL[$ IMAGE ! MIRROR (F]$ ( A ROOM :]E ! FIL?Y OIL-LAMP /OOD AMONG ! BREADCRU/S4 

',ONE MORE ,SUNDAY GOT ?R\<1' ,M]SAULT SAID4 

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