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

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALB]T ,CAMUS 

,TEXT 3 

,*APT] ,?REE 

,:,5 ,M,],S,A,U,L,T WALK$ ?R\< ! /REETS 9 ! EV5+1 PR\D TO WAT* ! LI<TS & %AD[S FLICK] ACROSS ,M>!'S FACE1 EV]Y?+ SEEM$ WOND]FULLY SIMPLE1 EV5 HIS [N /R5G? & HIS C\RAGE4 ,HE WAS GRATEFUL TO H] = DISPLAY+ 9 PUBLIC1 AT HIS SIDE1 ! BEAUTY %E (F]$ HIM DAY AFT] DAY1 LIKE SOME DELICATE 9TOXICATION4 ,AN UNNOTICEABLE ,M>! W\LD HAVE MADE HIM SUFF] AS MU* AS ,M>! HAPPY 9 ! DESIRE ( O!R M54 ,HE WAS GLAD TO WALK 9TO ! C9EMA ) H] TONI<T1 A LITTLE BE=E ! FILM BEGAN1 :5 ! AUDITORIUM WAS NE>LY FULL4 ,%E W5T 9 AHEAD ( HIM1 DRAW+ GLANCES ( ADMIRATION1 H] FL[]-LIKE FACE SMIL+1 H] BEAUTY VIOL5T4 ,M]SAULT1 HOLD+ HIS HAT 9 HIS H&1 WAS OV]COME BY A WOND]FUL S5SE ( EASE1 A K9D ( 9N] AW>5ESS ( HIS [N ELEGANCE4 ,HIS EXPRESSION GREW REMOTE & S]I\S4 ,HE EXAGG]AT$ HIS C]EMONI\S MANN]1 /EPP$ BACK TO LET ! U%]ETTE PASS1 L[]$ ,M>!'S SEAT = H]4 ,& HE DID ALL ?IS LESS FROM CONCEIT1 FROM O/5TATION1 ?AN BECAUSE ( ! GRATITUDE ?AT SUDD5LY SWELL$ HIS HE>T & FILL$ IT ) LOVE = ALL !SE PEOPLE >\ND HIM4 ,IF HE GAVE ! U%]ETTE TOO BIG A TIP1 IT WAS BECAUSE HE DID NOT KN[ H[ ELSE TO PAY = HIS JOY1 & BECAUSE HE WOR%IP$1 BY MAK+ ?IS EV]YDAY GE/URE1 A DIV9ITY :OSE BRILLIANT SMILE GLI/5$ LIKE OIL 9 HIS GAZE4 ,DUR+ ! BREAK BETWE5 FILMS1 /ROLL+ 9 ! FOY] L9$ ) MIRRORS1 HE SAW ! FACE ( HIS [N HAPP9ESS REFLECT$ !RE1 POPULAT+ ! PLACE ) ELEGANT & VIBRANT IMAGES -- HIS [N TALL1 D>K FIGURE & ,M>! SMIL+ 9 H] BRI<T DRESS4 ,YES1 HE LIK$ HIS FACE AS HE SAW IT !RE1 HIS M\? QUIV]+ >\ND ! CIG>ETTE BETWE5 HIS LIPS & ! APP>5T >DOR ( HIS DEEP-SET EYES4 ,BUT A MAN'S BEAUTY REPRES5TS 9N]1 FUNCTIONAL TRU?S3 HIS FACE %[S :AT HE CAN DO4 ,& :AT IS ?AT COMP>$ TO ! MAGNIFIC5T USELESSNESS ( A WOMAN'S FACE8 ,M]SAULT WAS AW>E ( ?IS N[1 DELI<T+ 9 HIS VANITY & SMIL+ AT HIS SECRET DEMONS4 

,BACK 9 ! C9EMA1 HE REMEMB]$ ?AT :5 HE WAS ALONE HE NEV] LEFT HIS SEAT BETWE5 FILMS1 PREF]R+ TO SMOKE & TO LI/5 TO ! RECORDS PLAY$ :ILE ! LI<TS W]E /ILL ON4 ,BUT TONI<T ! EXCITEM5T CONT9U$1 & HE FELT ?AT EV]Y *ANCE ( EXT5D+ & R5EW+ IT WAS WOR? TAK+4 ,JU/ AS %E WAS SITT+ D[N1 H[EV]1 ,M>! RETURN$ ! GREET+ ( A MAN A FEW R[S BEH9D !M4 ,& ,M]SAULT1 NODD+ 9 HIS TURN1 ?\<T HE NOTIC$ A FA9T SMILE ON ! MAN'S LIPS4 ,HE SAT D[N )\T NOTIC+ ! H& ,M>! LAID ON HIS %\LD] TO CAT* HIS ATT5TION2 A MOM5T E>LI] HE W\LD HAVE RESPOND$ TO IT ) DELI<T1 AS ANO!R PRO( ( ?AT P[] %E ACKN[L$G$ 9 HIM4 

',:O'S ?AT8' HE ASK$1 WAIT+ = ! P]FECTLY NATURAL ',:O8' :I* 9 FACT FOLL[$ AT ONCE4 

',Y\ KN[4 ,?AT MAN 444' 

',OH1' ,M>! SAID4 ,& ?AT WAS ALL4 

',WELL8' 

',DO Y\ HAVE TO KN[8' 

',NO1' ,M]SAULT SAID4 

,HE GLANC$ BEH9D HIM3 ! MAN WAS />+ AT ! BACK ( ,M>!'S NECK )\T MOV+ A MUSCLE ( HIS FACE4 ,HE WAS RA!R GOOD-LOOK+1 HIS LIPS V]Y R$ & WELL-%AP$1 BUT HIS EYES1 :I* W]E SET %ALL[LY 9 HIS FACE1 HAD NO EXPRESSION 9 !M4 ,M]SAULT FELT ! BLOOD P\ND+ 9 HIS TEMPLES4 ,9 HIS SUDD5LY D>K5$ VISION1 ! BRILLIANT HUES ( ?AT IDEAL WORLD :]E HE HAD BE5 LIV+ ! LA/ FEW H\RS W]E SUDD5LY SOIL$4 ,HE DIDN'T NE$ TO HE> :AT %E W\LD SAY4 ,HE KNEW3 ! MAN HAD SLEPT ) ,M>!4 ,& :AT RACK$ ,M]SAULT LIKE PANIC WAS ! ?\<T ( :AT ?IS MAN MI<T BE ?9K+4 ,HE KNEW :AT IT WAS1 HE HAD (T5 ?\<T ! SAME ?+3 ',%[ (F AS MU* AS Y\ WANT 444' ,REALIZ+ ?AT ?IS MAN WAS N[ IMAG9+ ,M>!'S EV]Y GE/URE1 EV5 H] WAY ( PUTT+ H] >M OV] H] EYES AT ! MOM5T ( PLEASURE1 REALIZ+ ?AT ?IS MAN TOO HAD ONCE TRI$ TO PULL H] >M AWAY 9 ORD] TO WAT* ! TUMULTU\S SURGE ( ! D>K GODS 9 H] EYES1 ,M]SAULT FELT EV]Y?+ 9SIDE HIMSELF COLLAPSE1 & TE>S ( RAGE WELL$ UP UND] HIS CLOS$ EYELIDS :ILE ! C9EMA BELL ANN\NC$ ?AT ! FILM WAS AB\T TO BEG94 ,HE =GOT ,M>!1 :O HAD BE5 M]ELY ! PRETEXT ( HIS JOY & WAS N[ ! LIV+ BODY ( HIS RAGE4 ,M]SAULT KEPT HIS EYES CLOS$ A LONG TIME1 & :5 HE OP5$ !M AGA91 A C> WAS TURN+ OV] ON ! SCRE51 ONE ( ITS :EELS /ILL SP9N+ 9 COMPLETE SIL5CE1 SL[] & SL[]1 DRAGG+ 9TO ITS P]SI/5T CIRCLE ALL ! %AME & HUMILIATION ?AT HAD BE5 AWAK5$ 9 ,M]SAULT'S ANGRY HE>T4 ,BUT A CRAV+ = C]TA9TY MADE HIM =GET HIS DIGNITY3 ',M>!1 WAS HE EV] Y\R LOV]8' 

',YES1' %E SAID4 ',BUT ,I WANT TO WAT* ! PICTURE4' 

,?AT WAS ! DAY ,M]SAULT BEGAN TO BE ATTA*$ TO ,M>!4 ,HE HAD MET H] SEV]AL MON?S BE=E1 & HE HAD BE5 A/ONI%$ BY H] BEAUTY1 H] ELEGANCE4 ,H] GOLD5 EYES & C>EFULLY MADE-UP LIPS 9 ?AT RA!R BROAD1 REGUL> FACE MADE H] LOOK LIKE SOME PA9T$ GODDESS4 ,! NATURAL /UPIDITY :I* GL[$ 9 H] EYES EMPHASIZ$ H] REMOTE1 IMPASSIVE EXPRESSION4 ,9 ! PA/1 :5EV] ,M]SAULT HAD SP5T ANY TIME ) ONE WOMAN1 HAD MADE ! FIR/ GE/URES ( COMMITM5T1 HE WAS CONSCI\S ( ! DISA/R\S FACT ?AT LOVE & DESIRE MU/ BE EXPRESS$ 9 ! SAME WAY1 & HE W\LD ?9K AB\T ! 5D ( ! AFFAIR BE=E EV5 TAK+ H] 9 HIS >MS4 ,BUT ,M>! HAD APPE>$ AT A MOM5T :5 ,M]SAULT WAS RIDD+ HIMSELF ( EV]Y?+1 ( HIMSELF AS WELL4 ,A CRAV+ = FRE$OM & 9DEP5D5CE IS G5]AT$ ONLY 9 A MAN /ILL LIV+ ON HOPE4 ,= ,M]SAULT1 NO?+ MATT]$ 9 ?OSE DAYS4 ,& ! FIR/ TIME ,M>! W5T LIMP 9 HIS >MS & H] FEATURES BLURR$ AS !Y CAME CLOS]1 ! LIPS ?AT HAD BE5 AS MOTIONLESS AS PA9T$ FL[]S N[ QUIV]+ & EXT5D$1 ,M]SAULT SAW 9 H] NOT ! FUTURE BUT ALL ! =CE ( HIS DESIRE FOCUS$ UPON H] & SATISFI$ BY ?IS APPE>ANCE1 ?IS IMAGE4 ,! LIPS %E (F]$ HIM SEEM$ A MESSAGE FROM A WORLD )\T PASSION & SWOLL5 ) DESIRE1 :]E HIS HE>T W\LD F9D SATISFACTION4 ,& ?IS SEEM$ A MIRACLE TO HIM4 ,HIS HE>T P\ND$ ) AN EMOTION HE ALMO/ TOOK = LOVE4 ,& :5 HE FELT ! RIPE & RESILI5T FLE% UND] HIS M\?1 IT WAS AS ?\< HE BIT 9TO A K9D ( FI]CE LIB]TY1 AFT] C>ESS+ H] A LONG TIME ) HIS [N LIPS4 ,%E BECAME HIS MI/RESS ?AT SAME DAY4 ,AFT] SOME TIME1 !IR H>MONY 9 LOVE-MAK+ BECAME P]FECT4 ,BUT AS HE KNEW H] BETT]1 %E GRADUALLY LO/ ! S5SE ( /RANG5ESS :I* HE W\LD TRY TO REVIVE AS HE PRESS$ UPON H] M\?4 ,SO ?AT ,M>!1 ACCU/OM$ TO ,M]SAULT'S RES]VE & EV5 COLDNESS1 HAD NEV] UND]/OOD :Y1 9 A CR[D$ TRAM1 HE HAD ONE DAY ASK$ = H] LIPS4 ,BEWILD]$1 %E HAD HELD UP H] FACE4 ,& HE HAD KISS$ H] ! WAY HE LIK$ TO1 FIR/ C>ESS+ H] LIPS ) HIS [N & !N SL[LY BIT+ !M4 ',:AT'S COME OV] Y\8' %E ASK$ HIM LAT]4 ,HE HAD GIV5 H] ! SMILE %E LOV$1 ! BRIEF SMILE :I* ANSW]S1 & HE HAD SAID3 ',I FEEL LIKE MISBEHAV+1' & LAPS$ BACK 9TO SIL5CE4 ,%E DID NOT UND]/& ,PATRICE'S VOCABUL>Y EI!R4 ,AFT] MAK+ LOVE1 AT ?AT MOM5T :5 ! HE>T DR[SES 9 ! RELEAS$ BODY1 FILL$ ONLY ) ! T5D] AFFECTION HE MI<T HAVE FELT = A W9SOME PUPPY1 ,M]SAULT W\LD SMILE AT H] & SAID1 ',HELLO1 IMAGE4' 

,M>! WAS A SECRET>Y4 ,%E DID NOT LOVE ,M]SAULT1 BUT %E WAS ATTRACT$ TO HIM 9S(> AS HE 9TRIGU$ H] & FLATT]$ H]4 ,S9CE ! DAY :5 ,EMMANUEL1 :OM ,M]SAULT HAD 9TRODUC$ TO H]1 HAD TOLD H]3 ',M]SAULT'S A GOOD FELL[1 Y\ KN[4 ,HE'S GOT GUTS4 ,BUT HE DOESN'T TALK -- SO PEOPLE DON'T ALWAYS REALIZE :AT HE'S LIKE1' %E REG>D$ HIM ) CURIOSITY4 ,& S9CE HIS LOVEMAK+ SATISFI$ H]1 %E ASK$ NO?+ MORE1 ADAPT+ H]SELF AS BE/ %E C\LD TO A SIL5T LOV] :O MADE NO DEM&S & TOOK H] :5 %E WANT$ TO COME4 ,%E WAS ONLY A LITTLE UNEASY AB\T ?IS MAN :OSE WEAK PO9TS %E C\LD NOT DISCOV]4 

,BUT ?AT NI<T1 AS !Y LEFT ! C9EMA1 %E REALIZ$ ?AT SOME?+ C\LD HURT ,M]SAULT4 ,%E SAID NO?+ AB\T IT ! RE/ ( ! EV5+1 & SLEPT 9 ,M]SAULT'S B$4 ,HE DID NOT T\* H] DUR+ ! NI<T4 ,BUT FROM N[ ON %E US$ H] ADVANTAGE4 ,%E HAD ALREADY TOLD HIM %E HAD HAD O!R LOV]S2 N[ %E MANAG$ TO F9D ! NECESS>Y PRO(S4 

,! NEXT DAY1 DEP>T+ FROM H] USUAL PRACTICE1 %E CAME TO HIS ROOM AFT] %E HAD LEFT H] (FICE4 ,%E F\ND ,M]SAULT ASLEEP & SAT D[N AT ! FOOT ( ! BRASS B$ )\T WAK+ HIM4 ,HE WAS 9 HIS %IRT-SLEEVES1 :I* EXPOS$ ! :ITE UND]SIDE ( HIS MUSCUL> BR[N =E>MS4 ,HE WAS BREA?+ REGUL>LY1 *E/ & BELLY RIS+ TOGE!R4 ,TWO CREASES BETWE5 HIS EYEBR[S GAVE HIM A LOOK ( /R5G? & /UBBORNNESS %E KNEW V]Y WELL4 ,HIS HAIR CURL$ >\ND HIS TANN$ =EHEAD1 9 :I* A VE9 ?ROBB$4 ,EXPOS$ ?IS WAY1 HIS >MS LY+ CLOSE TO HIS SIDES1 ONE LEG B5T1 HE LOOK$ LIKE A SOLIT>Y & OB/9ATE GOD1 FLUNG SLEEP+ 9TO AN ALI5 WORLD4 ,/>+ AT HIS SLEEP-SWOLL5 LIPS1 %E DESIR$ HIM1 & JU/ !N ,M]SAULT HALF-OP5$ HIS EYES & CLOS$ !M AGA91 SAY+ )\T ANG]3 ',I DON'T LIKE BE+ WAT*$ :5 ,I'M SLEEP+4' 

,M>! ?REW H] >MS >\ND HIS NECK & KISS$ HIM4 ,HE DIDN'T MOVE4 ',OH1 D>L+1 ANO!R ONE ( Y\R MOODS 444' 

',DON'T CALL ME 0D>L+01 PLEASE4 ,I'VE ALREADY ASK$ Y\ NOT TO4' 

,%E /RET*$ \T BESIDE HIM & />$ AT HIS PR(ILE4 ',Y\ REM9D ME ( SOMEONE :5 Y\'RE LIKE ?AT1 ,I WOND] :O IT IS4' 

,HE PULL$ UP HIS TR\S]S & TURN$ HIS BACK TO H]4 ,M>! FREQU5TLY NOTIC$ ,M]SAULT'S GE/URES 9 /RANG]S1 9 FILM-ACTORS2 HE TOOK IT AS A SIGN ( HIS 9FLU5CE OV] H]1 BUT N[ ?IS HABIT :I* HAD (T5 FLATT]$ HIM WAS AN IRRITATION4 ,%E SQUEEZ$ H]SELF AGA9/ HIS BACK & TOOK ALL ! W>M? ( HIS SLEEP AGA9/ H] BODY4 ,D>KNESS WAS FALL+ FA/1 & %AD[S SOON FILL$ ! ROOM4 ,SOME:]E 9 ! BUILD+ !RE W]E *ILDR5 CRY+1 A CAT ME[+1 ! S\ND ( A DOOR SLAMM+4 ,! /REET LAMPS CAME ON1 FLOOD+ ! BALCONY4 ,TRAMS W5T BY ONLY OCCASIONALLY4 ,& !N ! NEI<BORHOOD SMELL ( ANISETTE & ROA/+ MEAT ROSE 9 HEAVY GU/S FROM ! /REET 9TO ! ROOM4 

,M>! FELT SLEEPY4 ',Y\'RE ANGRY ) ME1 >5'T Y\8 ,IT />T$ YE/]DAY 444 ?AT'S :Y ,I CAME4 ,>5'T Y\ GO+ TO TALK TO ME8' ,%E %OOK HIM4 ,M]SAULT DIDN'T MOVE1 HIS EYES TRAC+ ! CURVE ( LI<T ON A %[ UND] ! DRESS+-TABLE3 IT WAS ALREADY D>K 9 ! ROOM4 ',Y\ KN[ ?AT MAN YE/]DAY8 ,WELL1 ,I WAS JOK+4 ,HE WAS NEV] MY LOV]4' 

',NO8' 

',WELL1 NOT REALLY4' 

,M]SAULT SAID NO?+4 ,HE C\LD SEE ! GE/URES SO CLE>LY1 ! SMILES 444 ,HE CL5*$ HIS TEE?4 ,!N HE GOT UP1 OP5$ ! W9D[S1 & SAT D[N AGA9 ON ! B$4 ,M>! PRESS$ AGA9/ HIM1 ?RU/ H] H& BETWE5 TWO BUTTONS ( HIS %IRT & C>ESS$ HIS NIPPLES4 ',H[ MANY LOV]S HAVE Y\ HAD8' HE SAID F9ALLY4 

',DON'T BE LIKE ?AT4' 

,M]SAULT SAID NO?+4 

',P]HAPS T51' %E SAID4 

,) ,M]SAULT1 SLEEP9ESS ALWAYS CALL$ = A CIG>ETTE4 ',DO ,I KN[ !M8' HE ASK$ AS HE TOOK ONE \T4 ,ALL HE C\LD SEE N[ WAS A :ITE PAT* :]E ,M>!'S FACE WAS4 ',IT'S ! SAME AS :5 WE MAKE LOVE1' HE REALIZ$4 

',SOME ( !M4 ,>\ND H]E4' ,%E RUBB$ H] FACE AGA9/ HIS %\LD] & SPOKE 9 ?AT LITTLE GIRL'S VOICE %E US$ TO MAKE ,M]SAULT TREAT H] G5TLY4 

',N[ LI/5 TO ME1' HE SAID1 LI<T+ A CIG>ETTE4 ',TRY TO UND]/& :AT ,I'M SAY+4 ,PROMISE TO TELL ME !IR NAMES4 ,& ,I WANT Y\ TO PROMISE TO PO9T \T ! O!RS -- ! ONES ,I DON'T KN[ -- IF WE PASS !M 9 ! /REET4' 

,M>! PULL$ AWAY4 ',OH NO6' 

,A C> S\ND$ ITS HORN RI<T UND] ! W9D[S1 !N AGA91 !N TWICE MORE -- LONG1 FI]CE BLA/S4 ,A TRAM SCREE*$ SOME:]E 9 ! NI<T4 ,ON ! M>BLE TOP ( ! DRESS+-TABLE1 ! AL>M-CLOCK TICK$ COLDLY4 ,M]SAULT SPOKE ) DELIB]ATION3 ',I'M ASK+ Y\ TO TELL ME BECAUSE ,I KN[ MYSELF4 ,IF ,I DON'T F9D \T EXACTLY :O !Y >E1 EA* MAN ,I MEET WILL MAKE ! SAME ?+ HAPP5 -- ,I'LL WOND]1 ,I'LL IMAG9E4 ,?AT'S :AT IT IS1 ,I'LL IMAG9E TOO MU*4 ,I DON'T KN[ IF Y\ UND]/& 444' 

,%E UND]/OOD1 AMAZ+LY4 ,%E TOLD HIM ! NAMES4 ,!RE WAS ONLY ONE HE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE4 ,! LA/ %E NAM$ WAS A MAN HE KNEW1 & ?IS WAS ! ONE HE ?\<T AB\T1 BECAUSE HE WAS H&SOME & ! WOM5 RAN AFT] HIM4 ,:AT A/ONI%$ HIM AB\T LOVEMAK+ WAS -- ! FIR/ TIME1 AT LEA/ -- ! T]RIBLE 9TIMACY ! WOMAN ACCEPT$ & ! FACT ?AT %E C\LD RECEIVE A P>T ( A /RANG]'S BODY 9SIDE H] [N4 ,9 SU* 9TOXICATION & AB&ONM5T1 9 SU* SURR5D] HE RECOGNIZ$ ! EXALT+ & SORDID P[] ( LOVE4 ,& IT WAS ?IS 9TIMACY ?AT WAS ! FIR/ ?+ HE IMAG9$ BETWE5 ,M>! & H] LOV]4 ,JU/ !N %E SAT UP ON ! $GE ( HIS B$ &1 PUTT+ H] LEFT FOOT ON H] RI<T ?I<1 TOOK (F H] %OES1 DROPP+ !M NEXT TO ! B$ SO ?AT ONE WAS LY+ ON ITS SIDE1 ! O!R /&+ ON ITS HI< HEEL4 ,M]SAULT FELT HIS ?ROAT TI<T54 ,SOME?+ WAS GNAW+ AT HIS /OMA*4 

',IS ?IS ! WAY Y\ DO IT ) ,]NE8' HE SAID1 SMIL+4 

,M>! LOOK$ UP4 ',DON'T GET ANY /RANGE IDEAS1' %E SAID4 ',WE ONLY DID IT ONCE4' 

',OH4' 

',BESIDES1 ,I DIDN'T EV5 TAKE MY %OES (F4' 

,M]SAULT /OOD UP4 ,HE SAW H] LY+ BACK1 ALL H] CLO!S ON1 ON A B$ LIKE ?IS ONE1 & SURR5D]+ EV]Y?+1 UNRES]V$LY4 ,HE %\T$ ',%UT UP6' & WALK$ OV] TO ! BALCONY4 

',OH D>L+6' ,M>! SAID1 SITT+ ON ! B$1 H] /OCK+$ FEET ON ! FLOOR4 

,M]SAULT CONTROLL$ HIMSELF BY WAT*+ ! /REET-LAMPS GLITT] ON ! TRAM-RAILS4 ,HE HAD NEV] FELT SO CLOSE TO ,M>!4 ,& REALIZ+ ?AT AT ! SAME TIME HE WAS LETT+ H] COME A LITTLE CLOS] TO HIM1 HIS PRIDE MADE HIS EYES /+4 ,HE WALK$ BACK TO H] & P9*$ ! W>M SK9 ( H] NECK UND] ONE E>4 ,HE SMIL$4 ',& ?AT ,ZAGREUS -- :O'S HE8 ,HE'S ! ONLY ONE ,I DON'T KN[4' 

',OH HIM1' ,M>! SAID ) A LAU<4 ',I /ILL SEE HIM4' ,M]SAULT P9*$ H>D]4 ',HE WAS ! FIR/ ONE1 Y\ HAVE TO UND]/& ?AT4 ,I WAS JU/ A KID4 ,HE WAS OLD]4 ,N[ HE'S HAD BO? LEGS AMPUTAT$4 ,HE LIVES ALL ALONE4 ,SO ,I GO TO SEE HIM SOMETIMES4 ,HE'S A NICE MAN1 & $UCAT$4 ,HE /ILL READS ALL ! TIME -- 9 ?OSE DAYS HE WAS A /UD5T4 ,HE'S ALWAYS MAK+ JOKES4 ,A *>ACT]4 ,BESIDES1 HE SAYS ! SAME ?+ AS Y\ DO4 ,HE TELLS ME3 0,COME H]E1 IMAGE04' 

,M]SAULT WAS ?9K+4 ,HE LET GO ( ,M>!1 & %E FELL BACK ON ! B$1 CLOS+ H] EYES4 ,AFT] A MOM5T HE SAT D[N BESIDE H] & B5T OV] H] P>T$ LIPS1 SEEK+ ! SIGNS ( H] ANIMAL DIV9ITY & ! WAY TO =GET A SUFF]+ HE CONSID]$ UNWOR?Y4 ,BUT HE DID NO?+ MORE ?AN KISS H]4 

,AS HE WALK$ ,M>! HOME1 %E TALK$ AB\T ,ZAGREUS3 ',I'VE TOLD HIM AB\T Y\4 ,I TOLD HIM MY D>L+ WAS V]Y H&SOME & V]Y /RONG4 ,!N HE SAID HE'D LIKE TO MEET Y\4 ,BECAUSE -- ?IS IS :AT HE SAID3 0! SI<T ( A GOOD BODY HELPS ME BREA!04' 

',S\NDS PRETTY CRAZY4' 

,M>! WANT$ TO PLEASE HIM1 & MADE UP H] M9D ?IS WAS ! MOM5T TO /AGE ! LITTLE SC5E ( JEAL\SY %E HAD BE5 PLANN+1 HAV+ DECID$ %E [$ IT TO HIM SOMEH[4 ',OH1 NOT SO CRAZY AS SOME ( Y\R FRI5DS4' 

',:AT FRI5DS8' ,M]SAULT ASK$1 G5U9ELY />TL$4 

',?OSE LITTLE IDIOTS 444' 

,! LITTLE IDIOTS W]E ,ROSE & ,CLAIRE1 /UD5TS 9 ,TUNIS :OM ,M]SAULT US$ TO KN[ & ) :OM HE MA9TA9$ ! ONLY CORRESPOND5CE 9 HIS LIFE4 ,HE SMIL$ & LAID HIS H& ON ! NAPE ( ,M>!'S NECK4 ,!Y WALK$ A LONG TIME4 ,M>! LIV$ NE> ! P>ADE GR\NDS4 ,LI<TS %ONE 9 ALL ! UPP] W9D[S ( ! LONG /REET1 ?\< ! D>K1 %UTT]$ %OP W9D[S HAD A =BIDD+ LOOK4 

',LI/51 D>L+1 Y\ DON'T HAPP5 TO BE 9 LOVE ) ?OSE LITTLE IDIOTS BY ANY *ANCE1 DO Y\8' 

',NO4' 

,!Y WALK$ ON1 ,M]SAULT'S H& ON ,M>!'S NECK COV]$ BY ! W>M? ( H] HAIR4 

',DO Y\ LOVE ME8' ,M>! ASK$ SUDD5LY4 

,M]SAULT BUR/ \T LAU<+4 ',N[ ?AT'S A S]I\S QUE/ION4' 

',ANSW] ME6' 

',PEOPLE DON'T LOVE EA* O!R AT \R AGE1 ,M>! -- !Y PLEASE EA* O!R1 ?AT'S ALL4 ,LAT] ON1 :5 Y\'RE OLD & IMPOT5T1 Y\ CAN LOVE SOMEONE4 ,AT \R AGE1 Y\ JU/ ?9K Y\ DO4 ,?AT'S ALL IT IS4' 

,M>! SEEM$ SAD1 BUT HE KISS$ H]3 ',GOODNI<T1 D>L+1' %E SAID4 ,M]SAULT WALK$ HOME ?R\< ! D>K /REETS4 ,HE WALK$ QUICKLY1 AW>E ( H[ ! MUSCLES 9 HIS ?I< PLAY$ AGA9/ ! SMOO? MAT]IAL ( HIS TR\S]S1 & HE ?\<T ( ,ZAGREUS & HIS AMPUTAT$ LEGS4 ,HE WANT$ TO MEET HIM1 & DECID$ TO ASK ,M>! TO 9TRODUCE !M4 

,! FIR/ TIME ,M]SAULT SAW ,ZAGREUS1 HE WAS ANNOY$4 ,YET ,ZAGREUS HAD TRI$ TO AVOID ANY?+ ?AT MI<T BE EMB>RASS+ AB\T TWO LOV]S ( ! SAME WOMAN MEET+ 9 H] PRES5CE4 ,TO DO SO1 HE HAD ATTEMPT$ TO MAKE ,M]SAULT HIS ACCOMPLICE 9 TREAT+ ,M>! AS A 'GOOD GIRL' & LAU<+ V]Y L\D4 ,M]SAULT HAD REMA9$ IMPASSIVE4 ,HE TOLD ,M>!1 AS SOON AS !Y W]E ALONE1 H[ MU* HE HAD DISLIK$ ! 5C\NT]4 

',I DON'T LIKE HALF-PORTIONS4 ,IT BO!RS ME4 ,IT KEEPS ME FROM ?9K+4 ,& ESPECIALLY HALF-PORTIONS :O BRAG4' 

',OH1 Y\ & Y\R ?9K+1' ,M>! ANSW]$1 NOT UND]/&+1 'IF ,I PAID ANY ATT5TION TO Y\ 444' 

,BUT LAT]1 ?AT BOYI% LAU< ( ,ZAGREUS' :I* HAD AT FIR/ ANNOY$ HIM CAU<T ,M]SAULT'S ATT5TION & 9T]E/4 ,MOREOV] ! OBVI\S JEAL\SY :I* HAD PROVOK$ ,M]SAULT'S FIR/ JUDGM5T HAD DISAPPE>$ AS SOON AS HE SAW ,ZAGREUS4 ,ONCE :5 ,M>! QUITE 9NOC5TLY REF]R$ TO ! TIME %E HAD KN[N ,ZAGREUS1 HE ADVIS$ H]3 ',DON'T BO!R4 ,I CAN'T BE JEAL\S ( A MAN :O DOESN'T HAVE HIS LEGS ANY MORE4 ,IF ,I EV] DO ?9K AB\T ! TWO ( Y\1 ,I SEE HIM LIKE SOME K9D ( BIG WORM ON TOP ( Y\4 ,& IT JU/ MAKES ME LAU<4 ,SO DON'T BO!R1 ANGEL4' 

,& AFT] ?AT HE W5T BACK TO VISIT ,ZAGREUS BY HIMSELF4 ,ZAGREUS TALK$ A GREAT DEAL & V]Y FA/1 LAU<$1 !N FELL SIL5T4 ,M]SAULT FELT COM=TABLE 9 ! BIG ROOM :]E ,ZAGREUS LIV$ SURR\ND$ BY BOOKS & ,MOROCCAN BRASS TRAYS1 ! FIRE CA/+ REFLECTIONS ON ! )DRAWN FACE ( ! ,KHM] ,BUDDHA ON ! DESK4 ,HE LI/5$ TO ,ZAGREUS4 ,:AT HE NOTIC$ AB\T ! CRIPPLE WAS ?AT HE ?\<T BE=E HE SPOKE4 ,BESIDES1 ! P5T-UP PASSION1 ! 9T5SE LIFE ANIMAT+ ?IS ABSURD /UMP ( A MAN WAS 5\< TO ATTRACT ,M]SAULT1 TO PRODUCE 9 HIM SOME?+ :I*1 IF HE HAD BE5 A LITTLE LESS GU>D$1 HE MI<T HAVE TAK5 = FRI5D%IP4 

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,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#d1 #bba 3 ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #c -- ,ADD$4 

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