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

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALB]T ,CAMUS 

,TEXT 3 

,*APT] ,F\R 

,?,A,T ,SUNDAY AFT]NOON1 AFT] TALK+ & LAU<+ A GREAT DEAL1 ,ROL& ,ZAGREUS SAT SIL5T NE> ! FIRE 9 HIS BIG :EEL*AIR1 WRAPP$ 9 :ITE BLANKETS4 ,M]SAULT WAS LEAN+ AGA9/ A BOOK%ELF1 />+ AT ! SKY & ! L&SCAPE ?R\< ! :ITE SILK CURTA9S4 ,HE HAD COME DUR+ A LI<T RA91 & NOT WANT+ TO >RIVE TOO E>LY HAD SP5T AN H\R W&]+ >\ND ! C\NTRYSIDE4 ,! DAY WAS D>K1 & EV5 )\T HE>+ ! W9D ,M]SAULT C\LD SEE ! TREES & BRAN*ES WRI?+ SIL5TLY 9 ! LITTLE VALLEY4 ,! SIL5CE WAS BROK5 BY A MILK-FLOAT1 :I* TRUNDL$ D[N ! /REET PA/ ! VILLA 9 A TREM5D\S RACKET ( METAL CANS4 ,ALMO/ IMM$IATELY ! RA9 TURN$ 9TO A D[NP\R1 FLOOD+ ! W9D[PANES4 ,ALL ?IS WAT] LIKE SOME ?ICK OIL ON ! PANES1 ! FA9T HOLL[ NOISE ( ! HORSE'S HOOVES -- MORE AUDIBLE N[ ?AN ! C>T'S UPRO> -- ! P]SI/5T HISS ( ! RA91 ! /UMP ( A MAN BESIDE ! FIRE1 & ! SIL5CE ( ! ROOM -- EV]Y?+ SEEM$ TO HAVE HAPP5$ BE=E1 A DIM MELAN*OLY PA/ ?AT FLOOD$ ,M]SAULT'S HE>T ! WAY ! RA9 HAD SOAK$ HIS %OES & ! W9D HAD PI]C$ ! ?9 MAT]IAL ( HIS TR\S]S4 ,A FEW MOM5TS BE=E1 ! FALL+ VAPOR -- NEI!R A MI/ NOR A RA9 -- HAD WA%$ HIS FACE LIKE A LI<T H& & LAID B>E HIS D>K-CIRCL$ EYES4 ,N[ HE />$ AT ! BLACK CL\DS ?AT KEPT P\R+ \T ( ! SKY1 NO SOON] BLURR$ ?AN REPLAC$4 ,! CREASES 9 HIS TR\S]S HAD VANI%$1 & ) !M ! W>M? & CONFID5CE ( A WORLD MADE = ORD9>Y M54 ,HE MOV$ CLOS] TO ! FIRE & TO ,ZAGREUS & SAT FAC+ HIM1 9 ! %AD[ ( ! HI< MANTELPIECE & YET )9 SI<T ( ! SKY4 ,ZAGREUS GLANC$ AT ,M]SAULT1 !N LOOK$ AWAY & TOSS$ 9TO ! FIRE A BALL ( PAP] HE HAD CRUMPL$ 9 HIS LEFT H&4 ,! GE/URE1 RIDICUL\S AS ALL ! RE/1 DISCONC]T$ ,M]SAULT3 ! SI<T ( ?IS MUTILAT$ BODY MADE HIM UNEASY4 ,ZAGREUS SMIL$ BUT SAID NO?+1 !N SUDD5LY ?RU/ HIS FACE T[>DS ,M]SAULT4 ,! FLAMES GLEAM$ ON HIS LEFT *EEK ONLY1 BUT SOME?+ 9 HIS VOICE & EYES WAS FILL$ ) W>M?4 ',Y\ LOOK TIR$1' HE SAID4 

,FROM RES]VE1 ,M]SAULT M]ELY ANSW]$3 ',YES1 ,I DON'T KN[ :AT TO DO1' & AFT] A PAUSE /RAI<T5$ UP1 WALK$ TO ! W9D[ & ADD$ AS HE />$ \TSIDE3 ',I FEEL LIKE GETT+ M>RI$1 OR COMMITT+ SUICIDE1 OR ELSE SUBSCRIB+ TO ,L'ILLU/RATION4 ,SOME?+ DESP]ATE1 Y\ KN[4' 

,ZAGREUS SMIL$4 ',Y\'RE A POOR MAN1 ,M]SAULT4 ,?AT EXPLA9S HALF Y\R DISGU/4 ,& ! O!R HALF Y\ [E TO Y\R [N SUBMISSION TO POV]TY4' 

,M]SAULT KEPT HIS BACK TURN$1 />+ AT ! TREES 9 ! W9D4 ,ZAGREUS SMOO!D ! BLANKET OV] HIS LEGS4 

',Y\ KN[1 A MAN ALWAYS JUDGES HIMSELF BY ! BALANCE HE CAN /RIKE BETWE5 ! NE$S ( HIS BODY & ! DEM&S ( HIS M9D4 ,Y\'RE JUDG+ Y\RSELF N[1 ,M]SAULT1 & Y\ DON'T LIKE ! S5T5CE4 ,Y\ LIVE BADLY4 ,LIKE A B>B>IAN4' ,HE TURN$ HIS HEAD T[>DS ,PATRICE4 ',Y\ LIKE DRIV+ A C>1 DON'T Y\8' 

',YES4' 

',Y\ LIKE WOM58' 

',:5 !Y'RE BEAUTIFUL4' 

',?AT'S :AT ,I MEANT4' ,ZAGREUS TURN$ BACK TO ! FIRE4 ,AFT] A MOM5T1 HE BEGAN3 ',ALL ?OSE ?+S 444' ,M]SAULT TURN$ >\ND1 LEAN+ AGA9/ ! W9D[ :I* YIELD$ SLI<TLY TO HIS WEI<T1 & WAIT$ = ! RE/ ( ! S5T5CE4 ,ZAGREUS REMA9$ SIL5T4 ,A FLY BUZZ$ AGA9/ ! GLASS4 ,M]SAULT TURN$1 CAU<T IT UND] HIS H&1 !N LET IT GO4 ,ZAGREUS WAT*$ HIM & SAID1 HESITANTLY3 ',I DON'T LIKE TALK+ S]I\SLY4 ,BECAUSE !N !RE'S ONLY ONE ?+ TO TALK AB\T -- ! JU/IFICATION Y\ CAN GIVE = Y\R LIFE4 ,& ,I DON'T SEE H[ ,I CAN JU/IFY MY AMPUTAT$ LEGS4' 

',NEI!R DO ,I1' ,M]SAULT SAID )\T TURN+ >\ND4 

,ZAGREUS' Y\NG LAU< SUDD5LY BUR/ \T4 ',?ANKS4 ,Y\ DON'T LEAVE ME ANY ILLUSIONS4' ,HE *ANG$ HIS TONE3 ',BUT Y\'RE RI<T TO BE H>D4 ,/ILL1 !RE'S SOME?+ ,I'D LIKE TO SAY TO Y\4' ,& HE BROKE (F AGA94 ,M]SAULT CAME OV] & SAT D[N1 FAC+ HIM4 ',LI/51' ,ZAGREUS RESUM$1 '& LOOK AT ME4 ,I HAVE SOMEONE TO HELP ME1 TO SET ME ON ! TOILET1 & AFT]W>DS TO WA% ME & DRY ME4 ,WORSE1 ,I PAY SOMEONE = IT4 ,YET ,I'LL NEV] MAKE A MOVE TO CUT %ORT A LIFE ,I BELIEVE 9 SO MU* 444 ,I'D ACCEPT EV5 WORSE -- BL9D1 DUMB1 ANY?+1 AS LONG AS ,I FEEL 9 MY BELLY ?AT D>K FIRE ?AT IS ME1 ME ALIVE4 ,! ONLY ?+ ?AT W\LD OCCUR TO ME W\LD BE TO ?ANK LIFE = LETT+ ME BURN ON4' ,ZAGREUS FLUNG HIS BODY BACK 9 ! *AIR1 \T ( BREA?4 ,!RE WAS LESS ( HIM TO SEE N[1 ONLY ! :ITI% REFLECTION ! BLANKETS LEFT ON HIS *94 ,!N HE W5T ON3 ',& Y\1 ,M]SAULT1 ) A BODY LIKE Y\RS1 Y\R ONE DUTY IS TO LIVE & BE HAPPY4' 

',DON'T MAKE ME LAU<1' ,M]SAULT SAID4 ',) EI<T H\RS A DAY AT ! (FICE4 ,OH1 IT W\LD BE DIFF]5T IF ,I WAS FREE6' ,HE GREW EXCIT$ AS HE SPOKE1 & AS OCCASIONALLY HAPP5$1 HOPE FLOOD$ HIM ONCE MORE1 EV5 MORE P[]FULLY TODAY BECAUSE ( ,ZAGREUS' REASSURANCE4 ,HE BELIEV$ ?AT AT LA/ HE C\LD CONFIDE 9 SOMEONE4 ,HE RESI/$ ! IMPULSE = A MOM5T1 BEGAN TO /UB \T A CIG>ETTE1 !N CONT9U$ MORE CALMLY3 ',A FEW YE>S AGO ,I HAD EV]Y?+ BE=E ME -- PEOPLE TALK$ TO ME AB\T MY LIFE1 AB\T MY FUTURE4 ,& ,I SAID YES4 ,I EV5 DID ! ?+S Y\ HAD TO DO TO HAVE SU* ?+S4 ,BUT EV5 BACK !N1 IT WAS ALL ALI5 TO ME4 ,TO DEVOTE MYSELF TO IMP]SONALITY -- ?AT'S :AT CONC]N$ ME4 ,NOT TO BE HAPPY1 NOT TO BE 0AGA9/04 ,I CAN'T EXPLA9 IT1 BUT Y\ KN[ :AT ,I MEAN4' 

',YES1' ,ZAGREUS SAID4 

',EV5 N[1 IF ,I HAD ! TIME 444 ,I W\LD ONLY HAVE TO LET MYSELF GO4 ,EV]Y?+ ELSE ?AT W\LD HAPP5 TO ME W\LD BE LIKE RA9 ON A /ONE4 ,! /ONE COOLS (F & ?AT'S F9E4 ,ANO!R DAY1 ! SUN BAKES IT4 ,I'VE ALWAYS ?\<T ?AT'S EXACTLY :AT HAPP9ESS W\LD BE4' 

,ZAGREUS HAD FOLD$ HIS H&S4 ,9 ! SIL5CE ?AT FOLL[$1 ! RA9 SEEM$ TO COME D[N TWICE AS H>D1 & ! CL\DS SWELL$ 9 A VAGUE MI/4 ,! ROOM GREW A LITTLE D>K]1 AS IF ! SKY WAS P\R+ ITS BURD5 ( %AD[ & SIL5CE 9TO IT4 ,& ! CRIPPLE SAID 9T5SELY3 ',A BODY ALWAYS HAS ! IDEAL IT DES]VES4 ,?AT IDEAL ( A /ONE -- IF ,I MAY SAY SO1 Y\'D HAVE TO HAVE A DEMIGOD'S BODY TO SU/A9 IT4' 

',RI<T1' ,M]SAULT SAID1 A LITTLE SURPRIS$1 'BUT DON'T EXAGG]ATE -- ,I'VE PLAY$ A LOT ( SPORT1 ?AT'S ALL4 ,& ,I'M CAPABLE ( GO+ QUITE F> 9 PLEASURE4' 

,ZAGREUS REFLECT$4 ',YES -- SO MU* ! BETT] = Y\4 ,TO KN[ Y\R BODY'S LIMITS -- ?AT'S ! TRUE PSY*OLOGY4 ,BUT IT DOESN'T MATT] ANYWAY4 ,WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO BE \RSELVES4 ,WE ONLY HAVE TIME TO BE HAPPY4 ,BUT W\LD Y\ M9D DEF9+ :AT Y\ MEAN BY IMP]SONALITY8' 

',NO1' ,M]SAULT SAID1 BUT ?AT WAS ALL4 

,ZAGREUS TOOK A SIP ( TEA & SET D[N HIS FULL CUP4 ,HE DRANK V]Y LITTLE1 PREF]R+ TO UR9ATE ONLY ONCE A DAY4 ,HE WILL$ HIMSELF TO R$UCE ! BURD5 ( HUMILIATIONS EA* DAY BR\<T HIM4 ',Y\ CAN'T SAVE A LITTLE H]E1 A LITTLE !RE1' HE HAD TOLD ,M]SAULT ONE DAY4 ',IT'S A RECORD LIKE ANY O!R4' ,= ! FIR/ TIME A FEW RA9DROPS FELL D[N ! *IMNEY4 ,! FIRE HISS$4 ,! RA9 BEAT H>D] ON ! W9D[PANES4 ,SOME:]E A DOOR SLAMM$4 ,ON ! ROAD1 C>S /REAK$ BY LIKE GLEAM+ RATS4 ,ONE ( !M BLEW ITS HORN1 & ACROSS ! VALLEY ! HOLL[ LUGUBRI\S BLA/ MADE ! WET SPACE ( ! WORLD EV5 L>G]1 UNTIL ITS V]Y MEMORY BECAME = ,M]SAULT AN ELEM5T ( ! SIL5CE & ! AGONY ( ?AT SKY4 

',I'M SORRY1 ,ZAGREUS1 BUT IT'S BE5 A LONG TIME S9CE ,I TALK$ AB\T C]TA9 ?+S4 ,SO ,I DON'T KN[ ANY MORE -- OR ,I'M NOT SURE4 ,:5 ,I LOOK AT MY LIFE & ITS SECRET COLORS1 ,I FEEL LIKE BUR/+ 9TO TE>S4 ,LIKE ?AT SKY4 ,IT'S RA9 & SUN1 BO? NOON & MIDNI<T4 ,Y\ KN[1 ,ZAGREUS1 ,I ?9K ( ! LIPS ,I'VE KISS$1 & ( ! WRET*$ *ILD ,I WAS1 & ( ! MADNESS ( LIFE & ! AMBITION ?AT SOMETIMES C>RIES ME AWAY4 ,I'M ALL ?OSE ?+S AT ONCE4 ,I'M SURE !RE >E TIMES :5 Y\ W\LDN'T EV5 RECOGNIZE ME4 ,EXTREME 9 MIS]Y1 EXCESSIVE 9 HAPP9ESS -- ,I CAN'T SAY IT4' 

',Y\'RE PLAY+ SEV]AL GAMES AT ! SAME TIME8' 

',YES1 BUT NOT AS AN AMATEUR1' ,M]SAULT SAID VEHEM5TLY4 ',EA* TIME ,I ?9K ( ?AT FLOOD ( PA9 & JOY 9 MYSELF1 ,I KN[ -- ,I CAN'T TELL Y\ H[ DEEPLY ,I KN[ ?AT ! GAME ,I'M PLAY+ IS ! MO/ S]I\S & EXCIT+ ONE ( ALL4' 

,ZAGREUS SMIL$4 ',!N Y\ HAVE SOME?+ TO DO8' 

,M]SAULT SAID VEHEM5TLY3 ',I HAVE MY LIFE TO E>N4 ,MY WORK -- ?OSE EI<T H\RS A DAY O!R PEOPLE CAN /& -- MY WORK KEEPS ME FROM DO+ IT4' ,HE BROKE (F & LIT ! CIG>ETTE HE HAD HELD TILL N[ BETWE5 HIS F+]S4 ',& YET1' HE SAID1 ! MAT* /ILL BURN+1 'IF ,I WAS /RONG 5\<1 & PATI5T 5\< 444' ,HE BLEW \T ! MAT* & PRESS$ ! TIP AGA9/ ! BACK ( HIS LEFT H&4 '444 ,I KN[ :AT K9D ( LIFE ,I'D HAVE4 ,I W\LDN'T MAKE AN EXP]IM5T \T ( MY LIFE3 ,I W\LD BE ! EXP]IM5T ( MY LIFE4 ,YES1 ,I KN[ :AT PASSION W\LD FILL ME ) ALL ITS P[]4 ,BE=E1 ,I WAS TOO Y\NG4 ,I GOT 9 ! WAY4 ,N[ ,I KN[ ?AT ACT+ & LOV+ & SUFF]+ IS LIV+1 ( C\RSE1 BUT IT'S LIV+ ONLY 9S(> AS Y\ CAN BE TRANSP>5T & ACCEPT Y\R FATE1 LIKE ! UNIQUE REFLECTION ( A RA9B[ ( JOYS & PASSIONS :I* IS ! ME = EV]YONE4' 

',YES1' ,ZAGREUS SAID1 'BUT Y\ CAN'T LIVE ?AT WAY & WORK 444' 

',NO1 BECAUSE ,I'M CON/ANTLY 9 REVOLT4 ,?AT'S :AT'S WRONG4' 

,ZAGREUS SAID NO?+4 ,! RA9 HAD /OPP$1 BUT 9 ! SKY NI<T HAD REPLAC$ ! CL\DS1 & ! D>KNESS WAS N[ VIRTUALLY COMPLETE 9 ! ROOM4 ,ONLY ! FIRE ILLUM9AT$ !IR GLEAM+ FACES4 ,ZAGREUS1 SIL5T = A LONG TIME1 />$ AT ,PATRICE1 & ALL HE SAID WAS3 ',ANYONE :O LOVES Y\ IS 9 = A LOT ( PA9 444' & /OPP$1 SURPRIS$ BY ,M]SAULT'S ABRUPT GE/URE4 

',O!R PEOPLE'S FEEL+S HAVE NO HOLD OV] ME1' ,PATRICE EXCLAIM$1 ?RU/+ HIS HEAD 9TO ! %AD[S4 

',TRUE1' ,ZAGREUS SAID1 ',I WAS JU/ REM>K+ ON ! FACT4 ,Y\'LL BE ALONE SOME DAY1 ?AT'S ALL4 ,N[ SIT D[N & LI/5 TO ME4 ,:AT Y\'VE TOLD ME IS 9T]E/+4 ,ONE ?+ ESPECIALLY1 BECAUSE IT CONFIRMS EV]Y?+ MY [N EXP]I5CE ( HUMAN BE+S HAS TAU<T ME4 ,I LIKE Y\ V]Y MU*1 ,M]SAULT4 ,BECAUSE ( Y\R BODY1 MOREOV]4 ,IT'S Y\R BODY ?AT'S TAU<T Y\ ALL ?AT4 ,TODAY ,I FEEL AS IF ,I CAN TALK TO Y\ FRANKLY4' 

,M]SAULT SAT D[N AGA9 SL[LY1 & HIS FACE TURN$ BACK TO ! ALREADY DIMM] FIRELI<T ?AT WAS S9K+ CLOS] TO ! COALS4 ,SUDD5LY A K9D ( OP5+ 9 ! D>KNESS APPE>$ 9 ! SQU>E ( ! W9D[ BETWE5 ! SILK CURTA9S4 ,SOME?+ REL5T$ BEH9D ! PANES4 ,A MILKY GL[ 5T]$ ! ROOM1 & ,M]SAULT RECOGNIZ$ ON ! ,BODHISATTVA'S IRONIC LIPS & ON ! *AS$ BRASS ( ! TRAYS ! FAMILI> & FUGITIVE SIGNS ( ! NI<TS ( MOONLI<T & />LI<T HE LOV$ SO MU*4 ,IT WAS AS IF ! NI<T HAD LO/ ITS L9+ ( CL\DS & %ONE N[ 9 ITS TRANQUIL LU/]4 ,! C>S W5T BY MORE SL[LY4 ,DEEP 9 ! VALLEY1 A SUDD5 AGITATION READI$ ! BIRDS = SLEEP4 ,FOOT/EPS PASS$ 9 FRONT ( ! H\SE1 & 9 ?IS NI<T ?AT COV]$ ! WORLD LIKE MILK1 EV]Y NOISE SEEM$ L>G]1 MORE DI/9CT4 ,BETWE5 ! R$D5+ FIRE1 ! TICK+ ( ! CLOCK1 & ! SECRET LIFE ( ! FAMILI> OBJECTS :I* SURR\ND$ HIM1 A FUGITIVE POETRY WAS BE+ WOV5 :I* PREP>$ ,M]SAULT TO RECEIVE 9 A DIFF]5T MOOD1 9 CONFID5CE & LOVE1 :AT ,ZAGREUS W\LD SAY4 ,HE LEAN$ BACK 9 HIS *AIR1 & IT WAS 9 FRONT ( ! MILKY SKY ?AT HE LI/5$ TO ,ZAGREUS' /RANGE /ORY4 

',:AT ,I'M SURE (1' HE BEGAN1 'IS ?AT Y\ CAN'T BE HAPPY )\T MONEY4 ,?AT'S ALL4 ,I DON'T LIKE SUP]FICIALITY & ,I DON'T LIKE ROMANTICISM4 ,I LIKE TO BE CONSCI\S4 ,& :AT ,I'VE NOTIC$ IS ?AT !RE'S A K9D ( SPIRITUAL SNOBB]Y 9 C]TA9 0SUP]IOR BE+S0 :O ?9K ?AT MONEY ISN'T NECESS>Y = HAPP9ESS4 ,:I* IS /UPID1 :I* IS FALSE1 & TO A C]TA9 DEGREE C[>DLY4 ,Y\ SEE1 ,M]SAULT1 = A MAN :O IS WELL BORN1 BE+ HAPPY IS NEV] COMPLICAT$4 ,IT'S 5\< TO TAKE UP ! G5]AL FATE1 ONLY NOT ) ! WILL TO R5UNCIATION LIKE SO MANY FAKE GREAT M51 BUT ) ! WILL TO HAPP9ESS4 ,ONLY IT TAKES TIME TO BE HAPPY4 ,A LOT ( TIME4 ,HAPP9ESS1 TOO1 IS A LONG PATI5CE4 ,& 9 ALMO/ EV]Y CASE1 WE USE UP \R LIVES MAK+ MONEY1 :5 WE %\LD BE US+ \R MONEY TO GA9 TIME4 ,?AT'S ! ONLY PROBLEM ?AT'S EV] 9T]E/$ ME4 ,V]Y SPECIFIC4 ,V]Y CLE>4' ,ZAGREUS /OPP$ TALK+ & CLOS$ HIS EYES4 ,M]SAULT KEPT ON />+ AT ! SKY4 ,= A MOM5T ! S\NDS ( ! ROAD & ! C\NTRYSIDE BECAME DI/9CT1 & !N ,ZAGREUS W5T ON1 )\T HURRY+3 ',OH1 ,I KN[ P]FECTLY WELL ?AT MO/ RI* M5 HAVE NO S5SE ( HAPP9ESS4 ,BUT ?AT'S NOT ! QUE/ION4 ,TO HAVE MONEY IS TO HAVE TIME4 ,?AT'S MY MA9 PO9T4 ,TIME CAN BE B\<T4 ,EV]Y?+ CAN BE B\<T4 ,TO BE OR TO BECOME RI* IS TO HAVE TIME TO BE HAPPY1 IF Y\ DES]VE IT4' ,HE LOOK$ AT ,PATRICE4 ',AT TW5TY-FIVE1 ,M]SAULT1 ,I HAD ALREADY REALIZ$ ?AT ANY MAN ) ! S5SE1 ! WILL1 & ! CRAV+ = HAPP9ESS WAS 5TITL$ TO BE RI*4 ,! CRAV+ = HAPP9ESS SEEM$ TO ME ! NOBLE/ ?+ 9 MAN'S HE>T4 ,9 MY EYES1 ?AT JU/IFI$ EV]Y?+4 ,A PURE HE>T WAS 5\< 444' ,/ILL LOOK+ AT ,M]SAULT1 ,ZAGREUS SUDD5LY BEGAN TO SPEAK MORE SL[LY1 9 A COLD H>% TONE1 AS IF HE WANT$ TO R\SE ,M]SAULT FROM HIS APP>5T DI/RACTION4 ',AT TW5TY-FIVE ,I BEGAN MAK+ MY =TUNE4 ,I DIDN'T LET ! LAW GET 9 MY WAY4 ,I W\LDN'T HAVE LET ANY?+ GET 9 MY WAY4 ,9 A FEW YE>S1 ,I HAD DONE IT -- Y\ KN[ :AT ,I MEAN4 ,M]SAULT1 NE>LY TWO MILLION4 ,! WORLD WAS ALL BE=E ME4 ,& ) ! WORLD1 ! LIFE ,I HAD DREAM$ ( 9 SOLITUDE & ANTICIPATION 444' ,AFT] A PAUSE ,ZAGREUS CONT9U$ 9 A L[] VOICE3 ',! LIFE ,I W\LD HAVE HAD1 ,M]SAULT1 )\T ! ACCID5T ?AT TOOK (F MY LEGS ALMO/ IMM$IATELY AFT]W>DS4 ,I HAV5'T BE5 ABLE TO /OP LIV+ 444 ,& N[1 H]E ,I AM4 ,Y\ UND]/& -- Y\ HAVE TO UND]/& ?AT ,I DIDN'T WANT TO LIVE A LESS] LIFE1 A DIM9I%$ LIFE4 ,= TW5TY YE>S MY MONEY HAS BE5 H]E1 BESIDE ME4 ,I'VE LIV$ MODE/LY4 ,I'VE SC>CELY T\*$ ! CAPITAL4' ,HE PASS$ HIS H>D PALMS OV] HIS EYELIDS & SAID1 EV5 MORE S(TLY3 ',LIFE %\LD NEV] BE TA9T$ ) A CRIPPLE'S KISSES4' 

,AT ?IS MOM5T ,ZAGREUS HAD OP5$ ! *E/ NEXT TO ! FIREPLACE & %[$ ,M]SAULT A T>NI%$ /EEL SAFE 9SIDE1 ! KEY 9 ! LOCK4 ,ON TOP ( ! SAFE LAY A :ITE 5VELOPE & A L>GE BLACK REVOLV]4 ,ZAGREUS HAD ANSW]$ ,M]SAULT'S 9VOLUNT>ILY CURI\S />E ) A SMILE4 ,IT WAS V]Y SIMPLE4 ,ON DAYS :5 ! TRAG$Y :I* HAD ROBB$ HIM ( HIS LIFE WAS TOO MU* = HIM1 HE TOOK \T HIS LETT]1 :I* HE HAD NOT DAT$ & :I* EXPLA9$ HIS DESIRE TO DIE4 ,!N HE LAID ! GUN ON ! TABLE1 B5T D[N TO IT & PRESS$ HIS =EHEAD AGA9/ IT1 ROLL+ HIS TEMPLES OV] IT1 CALM+ ! FEV] ( HIS *EEKS AGA9/ ! COLD /EEL4 ,= A LONG TIME HE /AY$ LIKE ?AT1 LETT+ HIS F+]S C>ESS ! TRIGG]1 LIFT+ ! SAFETY-CAT*1 UNTIL ! WORLD FELL SIL5T >\ND HIM & HIS :OLE BE+1 ALREADY HALF-ASLEEP1 UNIT$ ) ! S5SATION ( ! COLD1 SALTY METAL FROM :I* DEA? C\LD EM]GE4 ,REALIZ+ !N ?AT IT W\LD BE 5\< = HIM TO DATE HIS LETT] & PULL ! TRIGG]1 DISCOV]+ ! ABSURD FEASIBILITY ( DEA?1 HIS IMAG9ATION WAS VIVID 5\< TO %[ HIM ! FULL HORROR ( :AT LIFE'S NEGATION MEANT = HIM1 & HE DR[N$ 9 HIS SOMNOL5CE ALL HIS CRAV+ TO LIVE1 TO GO ON BURN+ 9 DIGNITY & SIL5CE4 ,!N1 WAK+ COMPLETELY1 HIS M\? FULL ( ALREADY BITT] SALIVA1 HE W\LD LICK ! GUN B>REL1 /ICK+ HIS TONGUE 9TO IT & SUCK+ \T AN IMPOSSIBLE HAPP9ESS4 

',( C\RSE MY LIFE IS RU9$4 ,BUT ,I WAS RI<T 9 ?OSE DAYS3 EV]Y?+ = HAPP9ESS1 AGA9/ ! WORLD :I* SURR\NDS US ) ITS VIOL5CE & ITS /UPIDITY1' ,ZAGREUS LAU<$ !N & ADD$3 ',Y\ SEE1 ,M]SAULT1 ALL ! MIS]Y & CRUELTY ( \R CIVILIZATION CAN BE MEASUR$ BY ?IS ONE /UPID AXIOM3 HAPPY NATIONS HAVE NO HI/ORY4' 

,IT WAS V]Y LATE N[4 ,M]SAULT C\LD NOT TELL :AT TIME IT WAS -- HIS HEAD ?ROBB$ ) FEV]I% EXCITEM5T4 ,! HEAT & ! H>%NESS ( ! CIG>ETTE HE HAD SMOK$ FILL$ HIS M\?4 ,EV5 ! LI<T >\ND HIM WAS AN ACCOMPLICE /ILL4 ,= ! FIR/ TIME S9CE ,ZAGREUS HAD BEGUN HIS /ORY1 HE GLANC$ T[>DS HIM3 ',I ?9K ,I UND]/&4' 

,EXHAU/$ BY HIS LONG EF=T1 ! CRIPPLE WAS BREA?+ HO>SELY4 ,AFT] A SIL5CE HE NONE!LESS SAID1 LABORI\SLY3 ',I'D LIKE TO BE SURE4 ,DON'T ?9K ,I'M SAY+ ?AT MONEY MAKES HAPP9ESS4 ,I ONLY MEAN ?AT = A C]TA9 CLASS ( BE+S HAPP9ESS IS POSSIBLE1 PROVID$ !Y HAVE TIME1 & ?AT HAV+ MONEY IS A WAY ( BE+ FREE ( MONEY4' 

,HE HAD SLUMP$ D[N 9 HIS *AIR1 UND] HIS BLANKETS4 ,! NI<T HAD CLOS$ 9 AGA91 & ,M]SAULT C\LD SC>CELY SEE ,ZAGREUS N[4 ,A LONG SIL5CE FOLL[$ & ,M]SAULT1 WANT+ TO REE/ABLI% CONTACT1 TO ASSURE HIMSELF ( ! O!R MAN'S PRES5CE 9 ! D>KNESS /OOD UP & SAID1 AS ?\< GROP+3 ',IT'S A BEAUTIFUL RISK TO TAKE4' 

',YES1' ,ZAGREUS SAID1 ALMO/ 9 A :ISP]4 ',& IT'S BETT] TO BET ON ?IS LIFE ?AN ON ! NEXT4 ,= ME1 ( C\RSE1 IT'S ANO!R MATT]4' 

',A WRECK' ,M]SAULT ?\<T4 ',A Z]O IS ! WORLD4' 

',= TW5TY YE>S ,I'VE BE5 UNABLE TO HAVE ! EXP]I5CE ( C]TA9 HAPP9ESS4 ,?IS LIFE :I* DEV\RS ME -- ,I WON'T HAVE KN[N IT TO ! FULL1 & :AT FRI<T5S ME AB\T DEA? IS ! C]TA9TY IT WILL BR+ ME ?AT MY LIFE HAS BE5 CONSUMMAT$ )\T ME4 ,I WILL HAVE LIV$ 444 M>G9ALLY -- DO Y\ UND]/&8' ,) NO TRANSITION1 A Y\NG MAN'S LAU< EM]G$ FROM ! D>KNESS3 ',:I* MEANS1 ,M]SAULT1 ?AT UND]NEA?1 & 9 MY CONDITION1 ,I /ILL HAVE HOPE4' 

,M]SAULT TOOK A FEW /EPS T[>DS ! TABLE4 

',?9K AB\T IT1' ,ZAGREUS SAID1 '?9K AB\T IT4' 

,M]SAULT M]ELY ASK$3 ',CAN ,I TURN ON ! LI<T8' 

',PLEASE4' 

,ZAGREUS' NO/RILS & HIS R\ND EYES LOOK$ PAL] 9 ! SUDD5 GL>E4 ,HE WAS /ILL BREA?+ H>D4 ,:5 ,M]SAULT HELD \T HIS H& HE REPLI$ BY %AK+ HIS HEAD & LAU<+ TOO L\D4 ',DON'T TAKE ME TOO S]I\SLY4 ,IT ALWAYS ANNOYS ME -- ! TRAGIC LOOK ?AT COMES 9TO PEOPLE'S FACES :5 !Y SEE MY /UMPS4' 

',HE'S PLAY+ GAMES ) ME1' ,M]SAULT ?\<T4 

',DON'T TAKE ANY?+ S]I\SLY EXCEPT HAPP9ESS4 ,?9K AB\T IT1 ,M]SAULT1 Y\ HAVE A PURE HE>T4 ,?9K AB\T IT4' ,!N HE LOOK$ HIM /RAI<T 9 ! EYES & AFT] A PAUSE SAID3 ',BESIDES1 Y\ HAVE TWO LEGS1 :I* DOESN'T DO ANY H>M4' ,HE SMIL$ !N & RANG A BELL4 ',CLE> (F N[1 IT'S TIME = PEEPEE4' 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

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

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