,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #a 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALB]T ,CAMUS 

,TEXT 3 

,P,>,T ,T,W,O3 ,CONSCI\S ,DEA? 

,*APT] ,ONE 

',I',D LIKE A ROOM1' ! MAN SAID 9 ,G]MAN4 

,! CL]K WAS SITT+ 9 FRONT ( A BO>D COV]$ ) KEYS & WAS SEP>AT$ FROM ! LOBBY BY A BROAD TABLE4 ,HE />$ AT ! MAN :O HAD JU/ COME 91 A GRAY RA9COAT OV] HIS %\LD]S1 & :O SPOKE ) HIS HEAD TURN$ AWAY4 ',C]TA9LY1 SIR4 ,= ONE NI<T8' 

',NO1 ,I DON'T KN[4' 

',WE HAVE ROOMS AT EI<TE51 TW5TY-FIVE & ?IRTY CR[NS4' 

,M]SAULT LOOK$ ?R\< ! GLASS DOOR ( ! HOTEL \T 9TO ! LITTLE ,PRAGUE /REET1 HIS H&S 9 HIS POCKETS1 HIS HAIR RUMPL$4 ,NOT F> AWAY1 HE C\LD HE> ! TRAMS SCREE*+ D[N ! ,AV5UE ,W5CESLAS4 

',:I* ROOM W\LD Y\ LIKE1 SIR8' 

',IT DOESN'T MATT]1' ,M]SAULT SAID1 /ILL />+ ?R\< ! GLASS DOOR4 ,! CL]K TOOK A KEY (F ! RACK & H&$ IT TO ,M]SAULT4 

',ROOM NUMB] TWELVE1' HE SAID4 

,M]SAULT SEEM$ TO WAKE UP4 ',H[ MU* IS ?IS ROOM8' 

',?IRTY CR[NS4' 

',?AT'S TOO MU*4 ,GIVE ME A ROOM = EI<TE54' 

,)\T A WORD1 ! MAN TOOK ANO!R KEY (F ! RACK & 9DICAT$ ! BRASS /> ATTA*$ TO IT3 ',ROOM NUMB] ?IRTY-F\R4' 

,SITT+ 9 HIS ROOM ,M]SAULT TOOK (F HIS JACKET1 LOOS5$ HIS TIE1 & ME*ANICALLY ROLL$ UP HIS %IRTSLEEVES4 ,HE WALK$ OV] TO ! MIRROR ABOVE ! S9K1 MEET+ A DRAWN FACE SLI<TLY TANN$ :]E IT WAS NOT D>K5$ BY SEV]AL DAYS' GR[? ( BE>D4 ,HIS HAIR FELL 9 A TANGLE OV] HIS =EHEAD1 D[N TO ! TWO DEEP CREASES BETWE5 HIS EYEBR[S :I* GAVE HIM A GRAVE1 T5D] EXPRESSION1 HE REALIZ$4 ,ONLY !N DID HE ?9K ( LOOK+ >\ND ?IS MIS]ABLE ROOM :I* WAS ALL ! COM=T HE HAD & BEYOND :I* HE 5VISION$ NO?+ AT ALL4 ,ON A SICK5+ C>PET -- HUGE YELL[ FL[]S AGA9/ A GRAY BACKGR\ND -- A :OLE GEOGRAPHY ( FIL? SUGGE/$ A GRIMY UNIV]SE ( WRET*$NESS4 ,BEH9D ! HUGE RADIATOR1 CLOTS ( DU/3 ! REGULATOR WAS BROK51 & ! BRASS CONTACT-PO9TS EXPOS$4 ,OV] ! SAGG+ B$ DANGL$ A FLY-SPECK$ FLEX1 AT ITS 5D A /ICKY LI<T-BULB4 ,M]SAULT 9SPECT$ ! %EETS1 :I* W]E CLEAN4 ,HE TOOK HIS TOILET ?+S \T ( ! OV]NI<T BAG & >RANG$ !M ONE BY ONE ON ! S9K4 ,!N HE />T$ TO WA% HIS H&S1 BUT TURN$ (F ! TAP & WALK$ OV] TO OP5 ! UNCURTA9$ W9D[4 ,IT OV]LOOK$ A C\RTY>D ) A WA%+-TR\< & A S]IES ( T9Y W9D[S 9 ! WALLS4 ,WA%+ WAS DRY+ ON A L9E /RET*$ BETWE5 TWO ( !M4 ,M]SAULT LAY D[N ON ! B$ & FELL ASLEEP AT ONCE4 ,HE AWAK5$ ) A />T1 SWEAT+1 HIS CLO!S RUMPL$1 & WALK$ AIMLESSLY >\ND ! ROOM4 ,!N HE LIT A CIG>ETTE1 SAT D[N ON ! B$1 & />$ AT ! WR9KLES 9 HIS TR\S]S4 ,! S\R TA/E ( SLEEP M+L$ ) ! CIG>ETTE SMOKE4 ,HE />$ AT ! ROOM AGA91 SCRAT*+ HIS RIBS ?R\< HIS %IRT4 ,HE WAS FLOOD$ BY A DREADFUL PLEASURE AT ! PROSPECT ( SO MU* DESOLATION & SOLITUDE4 ,TO BE SO F> AWAY FROM EV]Y?+1 EV5 FROM HIS FEV]1 TO SUFF] SO DI/9CTLY H]E :AT WAS ABSURD & MIS]ABLE 9 EV5 ! TIDIE/ LIVES1 %[$ HIM ! %AMEFUL & SECRET C\NT5ANCE ( A K9D ( FRE$OM BORN ( ! SUSPECT1 ! DUBI\S4 ,>\ND HIM ! FLACCID H\RS LAPP$ LIKE A /AGNANT POND -- TIME HAD GONE SLACK4 

,SOMEONE KNOCK$ VIOL5TLY1 & ,M]SAULT1 />TL$1 REALIZ$ ?AT HE HAD BE5 AWAK5$ BY ! SAME KNOCK+4 ,HE OP5$ ! DOOR TO F9D A LITTLE OLD MAN ) R$ HAIR1 B5T D\BLE UND] ,M]SAULT'S TWO SUITCASES1 :I* LOOK$ 5ORM\S 9 HIS H&S4 ,HE WAS *OK+ ) RAGE1 & HIS WIDE-SPAC$ TEE? RELEAS$ A /REAM ( SALIVA AS WELL AS 9SULTS & RECRIM9ATIONS4 ,M]SAULT REMEMB]$ ! BROK5 H&LE :I* MADE ! L>G] SUITCASE SO DIFFICULT TO C>RY4 ,HE WANT$ TO APOLOGIZE1 BUT HAD NO IDEA H[ TO SAY HE HAD NEV] ?\<T ! PORT] W\LD BE SO OLD4 ,! T9Y CREATURE 9T]RUPT$ HIM3 ',?AT'S F\RTE5 CR[NS4' 

',= ONE DAY'S /ORAGE8' ,M]SAULT ASK$1 SURPRIS$4 ,!N HE UND]/OOD1 FROM ! OLD MAN'S LABORI\S EXPLANATIONS1 ?AT ! PORT] HAD TAK5 A TAXI4 ,BUT ,M]SAULT D>$ NOT SAY ?AT HE HIMSELF C\LD ALSO HAVE TAK5 A TAXI 9 ?AT CASE1 & PAID \T ( %E] RELUCTANCE TO >GUE4 ,ONCE ! DOOR WAS %UT1 ,M]SAULT FELT 9EXPLICABLE SOBS SWELL+ HIS *E/4 ,A NE>BY CLOCK *IM$ F\R TIMES4 ,HE HAD SLEPT = TWO H\RS4 ,HE REALIZ$ HE WAS SEP>AT$ FROM ! /REET ONLY BY ! H\SE OPPOSITE HIS W9D[1 & HE FELT ! DIM1 MY/]I\S CURR5T ( LIFE SO CLOSE TO HIM4 ,IT W\LD BE BETT] TO GO \TSIDE4 ,M]SAULT WA%$ HIS H&S V]Y C>EFULLY4 ,HE SAT D[N ON ! B$ AGA9 TO CLEAN HIS NAILS1 & WORK$ ! FILE ME?ODICALLY4 ,D[N 9 ! C\RTY>D TWO OR ?REE BUZZ]S RANG \T SO EMPHATICALLY ?AT ,M]SAULT W5T BACK TO ! W9D[4 ,HE NOTIC$ !N ?AT AN >*$ PASSAGEWAY L$ ?R\< ! H\SE TO ! /REET4 ,IT WAS AS IF ALL ! VOICES ( ! /REET1 ALL ! UNKN[N LIFE ON ! O!R SIDE ( ?AT H\SE1 ! S\NDS ( M5 :O HAVE AN ADDRESS1 A FAMILY1 >GUM5TS ) AN UNCLE1 PREF]5CES AT D9N]1 *RONIC DISEASES1 ! SW>M ( BE+S EA* ( :OM HAS HIS [N P]SONALITY1 =EV] DIVID$ FROM ! MON/R\S HE>T ( HUMANITY BY 9DIVIDUAL BEATS1 FILT]$ N[ ?R\< ! PASSAGEWAY & ROSE ?R\< ! C\RTY>D TO EXPLODE LIKE BUBBLES 9 ,M]SAULT'S ROOM4 ,DISCOV]+ H[ POR\S HE WAS1 H[ ATT5TIVE TO EA* SIGN ! WORLD MADE1 ,M]SAULT RECOGNIZ$ ! DEEP FLAW ?AT OP5$ HIS BE+ TO LIFE4 ,HE LIT ANO!R CIG>ETTE & HURRI$LY DRESS$4 ,AS HE BUTTON$ HIS JACKET1 ! SMOKE /UNG HIS EYES4 ,HE TURN$ BACK TO ! S9K1 PUT COLD WAT] ON HIS EYES & DECID$ TO COMB HIS HAIR4 ,BUT HIS COMB HAD VANI%$4 ,HE WAS UNABLE TO SMOO? ! SLEEP-RUMPL$ CURLS ) HIS F+]S4 ,HE W5T D[N/AIRS AS HE WAS1 HIS HAIR /ICK+ UP BEH9D & HANG+ D[N HIS =EHEAD4 ,HE FELT DIM9I%$ EV5 FUR!R4 ,ONCE \T 9 ! /REET1 HE WALK$ >\ND ! HOTEL TO REA* ! LITTLE PASSAGEWAY HE HAD NOTIC$4 ,IT OP5$ ON TO ! SQU>E 9 FRONT ( ! OLD T[N HALL1 & 9 ! HEAVY EV5+ ?AT SANK OV] ,PRAGUE1 ! GO?IC /EEPLES ( ! T[N HALL & ( ! OLD ,TYN *UR* W]E SILH\ETT$1 BLACK AGA9/ ! DIM SKY4 ,CR[DS ( PEOPLE W]E WALK+ UND] ! >CADES L9+ ! OLD /REETS4 ,EA* TIME A WOMAN PASS$ HIM1 ,M]SAULT WAIT$ = ! GLANCE ?AT W\LD P]MIT HIM TO CONSID] HIMSELF /ILL CAPABLE ( PLAY+ ! DELICATE & T5D] GAME ( LIFE4 ,BUT HEAL?Y PEOPLE HAVE A NATURAL SKILL 9 AVOID+ FEV]I% EYES4 ,UN%AV51 HIS HAIR RUMPL$1 9 HIS EYES ! EXPRESSION ( SOME RE/LESS ANIMAL1 HIS TR\S]S AS WR9KL$ AS HIS %IRT-COLL>1 ,M]SAULT HAD LO/ ?AT WOND]FUL CONFID5CE BE/[$ BY A WELL-CUT SUIT OR ! /E]+-:EEL ( A NEW C>4 ,! LI<T TURN$ COPP]Y1 & ! DAY /ILL L+]$ ON ! GOLD ( ! B>OQUE DOMES AT ! F> 5D ( ! SQU>E4 ,HE WALK$ T[>DS ONE ( !M1 W5T 9TO ! *UR*1 & OV]COME BY ! ANCI5T SMELL1 SAT D[N ON A B5*4 ,! VAULTS ABOVE HIM W]E QUITE D>K1 BUT ! GILD$ CAPITALS %$ A MY/]I\S GOLD5 LIQUID :I* FL[$ D[N ! GROOVES ( ! COLUMNS TO ! PUFFY FACES ( ANGELS & GR9N+ SA9TS4 ,PEACE1 YES1 !RE WAS PEACE H]E1 BUT SO BITT] ?AT ,M]SAULT HURRI$ TO ! ?RE%OLD & /OOD ON ! /EPS1 9HAL+ ! EV5+'S COOL] AIR1 9TO :I* HE W\LD PLUMMET4 ,9 ANO!R MOM5T1 HE SAW ! FIR/ /> APPE>1 PURE & UNADORN$1 BETWE5 ! /EEPLES ( ,TYN4 

,HE BEGAN TO LOOK = A *EAP RE/AURANT1 MAK+ HIS WAY 9TO D>K]1 LESS CR[D$ /REETS4 ,?\< IT HAD NOT RA9$ DUR+ ! DAY1 ! GR\ND WAS DAMP1 & ,M]SAULT HAD TO PICK HIS WAY AMONG BLACK PUDDLES GLIMM]+ BETWE5 ! 9FREQU5T PAV+-/ONES4 ,A LI<T RA9 />T$ TO FALL4 ,! BUSY /REETS C\LD NOT BE F> AWAY1 = HE C\LD HE> ! NEWSPAP] SELL]S HAWK+ ! ,N>ODNI ,POLITIKA4 ,M]SAULT WAS WALK+ 9 CIRCLES N[1 & SUDD5LY /OPP$4 ,A /RANGE ODOR REA*$ HIM \T ( ! D>KNESS4 ,PUNG5T1 S\R1 IT AWAK5$ ALL HIS ASSOCIATIONS ) SUFF]+4 ,HE TA/$ IT ON HIS TONGUE1 DEEP 9 HIS NOSE1 EV5 HIS EYES1 SOMEH[1 TA/$ IT4 ,IT WAS F> AWAY1 !N IT WAS AT ! NEXT /REET-CORN]1 BETWE5 ! N[-OPAQUE SKY & ! /ICKY PAVEM5T IT WAS !RE1 ! EVIL SPELL ( ! NI<TS ( ,PRAGUE4 ,HE ADVANC$ TO MEET IT1 & AS HE DID SO IT BECAME MORE REAL1 FILL+ HIM 5TIRELY1 /++ HIS EYES UNTIL ! TE>S CAME1 LEAV+ HIM HELPLESS4 ,TURN+ A CORN]1 HE UND]/OOD3 AN OLD WOMAN WAS SELL+ CUCUMB]S SOAK$ 9 V9EG>1 & IT WAS !IR FRAGRANCE :I* HAD ASSAULT$ ,M]SAULT4 ,A PASS]BY /OPP$1 B\<T A CUCUMB] :I* ! OLD WOMAN WRAPP$ 9 A PIECE ( PAP]4 ,HE TOOK A FEW /EPS1 UNWRAPP$ HIS PUR*ASE 9 FRONT ( ,M]SAULT1 & AS HE BIT 9TO ! CUCUMB]1 ITS BROK51 SOPP+ FLE% RELEAS$ ! ODOR EV5 MORE P[]FULLY4 ,NAUSEAT$1 ,M]SAULT L5T AGA9/ A PO/ & = A LONG MOM5T 9HAL$ ALL ! ALI5 SOLITUDE ! WORLD C\LD (F] HIM4 ,!N HE WALK$ AWAY & )\T EV5 ?9K+ :AT HE WAS DO+ 5T]$ A RE/AURANT :]E AN ACCORDION WAS PLAY+4 ,HE W5T D[N SEV]AL /EPS1 /OPP$ AT ! FOOT ( ! /AIRS1 & F\ND HIMSELF 9 A DIM CELL> FILL$ ) R$ LI<TS4 ,HE MU/ HAVE LOOK$ PECULI>1 = ! MUSICIAN PLAY$ MORE S(TLY1 ! CONV]SATIONS /OPP$1 & ALL ! D9]S LOOK$ 9 HIS DIRECTION4 ,9 ONE CORN]1 SOME :ORES W]E EAT+ TOGE!R1 !IR M\?S %9Y ) GREASE4 ,O!R CU/OM]S W]E DR9K+ ! BR[N1 SWEETI% ,CZE* BE]4 ,MANY W]E SMOK+ )\T HAV+ ORD]$ ANY?+ AT ALL4 ,M]SAULT W5T OV] TO A RA!R LONG TABLE AT :I* ONLY ONE MAN WAS SEAT$4 ,TALL & SL5D] ) YELL[ HAIR1 HE SPRAWL$ 9 HIS *AIR ) HIS H&S 9 HIS POCKETS & PURS$ HIS *APP$ LIPS R\ND A MAT*/ICK ALREADY SWOLL5 ) SALIVA1 SUCK+ IT NOISILY OR SLID+ IT FROM ONE CORN] ( HIS M\? TO ! O!R4 ,:5 ,M]SAULT SAT D[N1 ! MAN B>ELY MOV$1 W$G$ HIS BACK AGA9/ ! WALL1 %IFT$ ! MAT* 9 ,M]SAULT'S DIRECTION & SQU9T$ FA9TLY4 ,AT ?AT MOM5T ,M]SAULT NOTIC$ A R$ /> 9 HIS BUTTONHOLE4 

,M]SAULT ATE ! LITTLE HE HAD ORD]$ RAPIDLY4 ,HE WAS NOT HUNGRY4 ,! ACCORDIONI/ WAS PLAY+ L\D] N[1 & />+ FIX$LY AT ! NEWCOM]4 ,TWICE ,M]SAULT />$ BACK DEFIANTLY & TRI$ TO MEET ! MAN'S GAZE4 ,BUT FEV] HAD WEAK5$ HIM4 ,! MAN WAS /ILL />+4 ,SUDD5LY ONE ( ! :ORES BUR/ \T LAU<+1 ! MAN ) ! R$ /> SUCK$ NOISILY ON HIS MAT* & PRODUC$ A LITTLE BUBBLE ( SALIVA1 & ! MUSICIAN1 /ILL />+ AT ,M]SAULT1 BROKE (F ! LIVELY DANCE TUNE HE HAD BE5 PLAY+ & BEGAN A SL[ MELODY HEAVY ) ! DU/ ( C5TURIES4 ,AT ?IS MOM5T ! DOOR OP5$ & A NEW CU/OM] WALK$ 94 ,M]SAULT DID NOT SEE HIM1 BUT ?R\< ! OP5 DOOR ! SMELL ( V9EG> & CUCUMB]S PRESS$ 9 UPON HIM1 IMM$IATELY FILL+ ! D>K CELL>1 M+L+ ) ! MY/]I\S MELODY ( ! ACCORDION1 SWELL+ ! BUBBLES ( SALIVA ON ! MAN'S MAT*/ICK1 MAK+ ! CONV]SATIONS SUDD5LY MORE MEAN+FUL1 AS IF \T ( ! NI<T ?AT LAY UPON ,PRAGUE ALL ! SIGNIFICANCE ( A MIS]ABLE SUFF]+ ANCI5T WORLD HAD TAK5 REFUGE 9 ! W>M? ( ?IS ROOM1 AMONG !SE PEOPLE4 ,M]SAULT SUDD5LY FELT ! FLAW HE C>RI$ )9 HIMSELF YIELD1 EXPOS+ HIM /ILL MORE COMPLETELY TO PA9 & FEV]4 ,UNABLE TO BE> ANO!R MOM5T HE /OOD UP1 CALL$ TO ! WAIT]1 & UND]/&+ NO?+ ( HIS EXPLANATIONS OV]PAID ! BILL1 REALIZ+ ?AT ! MUSICIAN'S GAZE WAS ONCE AGA9 FIX$ UPON HIM4 ,HE WALK$ TO ! DOOR1 PASS+ ! ACCORDIONI/1 & SAW ?AT HE WAS /ILL />+ AT ! PLACE AT ! TABLE ,M]SAULT HAD JU/ LEFT4 ,!N HE REALIZ$ ?AT ! MAN WAS BL9D2 HE WALK$ UP ! /EPS &1 OP5+ ! DOOR1 WAS 5TIRELY 5GULF$ BY ! OMNIPRES5T ODOR AS HE WALK$ ?R\< ! LITTLE /REETS 9TO ! DEP?S ( ! NI<T4 

,/>S GLITT]$ OV] ! H\SES4 ,HE MU/ HAVE BE5 NE> ! RIV]2 HE C\LD DETECT ITS P[]FUL MUTT]4 ,9 FRONT ( A LITTLE GATE 9 A ?ICK WALL COV]$ ) ,HEBREW *>ACT]S1 HE REALIZ$ ?AT HE WAS 9 ! <ETTO4 ,OV] ! WALL /RET*$ ! BRAN*ES ( A SWEET-SMELL+ WILL[4 ,?R\< ! GATE HE C\LD MAKE \T BIG BR[N /ONES LY+ AMONG ! WE$S3 IT WAS ! OLD ,JEWI% CEMET]Y ( ,PRAGUE4 ,A MOM5T LAT] ,M]SAULT REALIZ$ HE HAD BE5 RUNN+ & WAS N[ 9 ! SQU>E 9 FRONT ( ! OLD T[N HALL4 ,NE> HIS HOTEL HE HAD TO LEAN AGA9/ A WALL & VOMIT1 RET*+ PA9FULLY4 ,) ALL ! LUCIDITY EXTREME WEAKNESS AF=DS1 HE MANAG$ TO REA* HIS ROOM )\T MAK+ ANY MI/AKES1 W5T TO B$1 & FELL ASLEEP AT ONCE4 

,! NEXT DAY HE WAS AWAK5$ BY ! NEWSPAP] SELL]S4 ,! DAY WAS /ILL OV]CA/1 BUT ! SUN GL[$ BEH9D ! CL\DS4 ,?\< /ILL A LITTLE WEAK1 ,M]SAULT FELT BETT]4 ,BUT HE ?\<T ( ! LONG DAY :I* LAY AHEAD ( HIM4 ,LIV+ ?IS WAY1 9 HIS [N PRES5CE1 TIME TOOK ON ITS MO/ EXTREME DIM5SIONS1 & EA* H\R SEEM$ TO CONTA9 A WORLD4 ,! IMPORTANT ?+ WAS TO AVOID CRISES LIKE ! ONE YE/]DAY4 ,IT W\LD BE BE/ TO DO HIS SI<TSEE+ ME?ODICALLY4 ,HE SAT AT ! TABLE 9 HIS PAJAMAS & WORK$ \T A SY/EMATIC S*$ULE :I* W\LD OCCUPY EA* ( HIS DAYS = A WEEK4 ,MONA/]IES & B>OQUE *UR*ES1 MUSEUMS & ! OLD P>TS ( ! CITY1 NO?+ WAS OMITT$4 ,!N HE WA%$1 REALIZ$ HE HAD =GOTT5 TO BUY A COMB1 & W5T D[N/AIRS AS HE HAD ! DAY BE=E1 UNKEMPT & TACITURN1 PA/ ! CL]K :OSE BRI/L+ HAIR1 BEWILD]$ EXPRESSION & JACKET ) ! SECOND BUTTON MISS+ HE NOTIC$ N[1 9 BROAD DAYLI<T4 ,AS HE LEFT ! HOTEL HE WAS BR\<T TO A HALT BY A *ILDI%1 S5TIM5TAL ACCORDION TUNE4 ,! BL9D MAN ( ! NI<T BE=E1 SQUATT+ ON HIS HEELS AT ! CORN] ( ! OLD SQU>E1 WAS PLAY+ ) ! SAME BLANK & SMIL+ EXPRESSION1 AS ?\< LIB]AT$ FROM HIMSELF & 5TIRELY CONTA9$ )9 ! MOTION ( A LIFE :I* EXCE$$ HIM4 ,M]SAULT TURN$ ! CORN] & AGA9 RECOGNIZ$ ! SMELL ( CUCUMB]S4 ,& ) ! SMELL1 HIS SUFF]+4 

,?AT DAY WAS ! SAME AS ?OSE :I* FOLL[$4 ,M]SAULT GOT UP LATE1 VISIT$ MONA/]IES & *UR*ES1 S\<T REFUGE 9 !IR FRAGRANCE ( CRYPTS & 9C5SE1 & !N1 BACK 9 ! DAYLI<T1 CONFRONT$ HIS SECRET FE>S AT EV]Y CORN]1 :]E A CUCUMB]-SELL] WAS 9V>IABLY PO/$4 ,IT WAS ?R\< ?IS ODOR ?AT HE SAW ! MUSEUMS & DISCOV]$ ! MY/]Y & ! PR(USION ( B>OQUE G5IUS :I* FILL$ ,PRAGUE ) ITS GOLD MAGNIFIC5CE4 ,! ALT>S :I* GL[$ S(TLY 9 ! D>KNESS SEEM$ BORR[$ FROM ! COPP]Y SKY1 ! MI/Y SUNLI<T SO FREQU5T OV] ! CITY4 ,! GLI/5+ SPIRALS & SCROLLS1 ! ELABORATE SETT+ ?AT LOOK$ AS IF IT W]E CUT \T ( GOLD PAP]1 SO T\*+ 9 ITS RESEMBLANCE TO ! CRE*ES MADE = *ILDR5 AT ,*RI/MAS1 ! GR&IOSE & GROTESQUE B>OQUE P]SPECTIVES AFFECT$ ,M]SAULT AS A K9D ( 9FANTILE1 FEV]I% & OV]BL[N ROMANTICISM BY :I* M5 PROTECT !MSELVES AGA9/ !IR [N DEMONS4 ,! GOD WOR%IP$ H]E WAS ! GOD MAN FE>S & HONORS1 NOT ! GOD :O LAU<S ) MAN BE=E ! W>M FROLIC ( SEA & SUN4 ,EM]G+ FROM ! FA9T FRAGRANCE ( DU/ & EXT9CTION :I* REIGN$ UND] ! DIM VAULTS1 ,M]SAULT FELT HE HAD NO C\NTRY4 ,EV]Y EV5+ HE VISIT$ ! CLOI/] ( ! ,CZE* MONKS1 ON ! WE/ SIDE ( ! CITY4 ,9 ! CLOI/] G>D5 ! H\RS FLUTT]$ AWAY ) ! DOVES1 ! BELLS *IM$ S(TLY OV] ! GRASS1 BUT IT WAS /ILL HIS FEV] :I* SPOKE TO ,M]SAULT4 ,NONE!LESS1 ! TIME PASS$4 ,BUT !N CAME ! H\R :5 ! *UR*ES & MONUM5TS CLOS$ & ! RE/AURANTS HAD NOT YET OP5$4 ,?AT WAS ! DANG]\S TIME4 ,M]SAULT WALK$ ALONG ! ,VLTAVA'S BANKS1 DOTT$ ) FL[]B$S & B&/&S1 AS ! DAY CAME TO AN 5D4 ,LITTLE BOATS WORK$ !IR WAY UP ! RIV] FROM LOCK TO LOCK4 ,M]SAULT KEPT PACE ) !M1 LEFT BEH9D ! DEAF5+ NOISE & RU%+ WAT] ( A SLUICE-GATE1 GRADUALLY REGA9$ ! PEACE & QUIET ( ! EV5+1 !N WALK$ ON TO MEET A MURMUR :I* SWELL$ TO A T]RIBLE RO>4 ,AT ! NEW LOCK1 HE WAT*$ ! BRI<T LITTLE BOATS VA9LY TRY+ TO PASS OV] ! DAM )\T CAPSIZ+ UNTIL ONE ( !M PASS$ ! DANG] PO9T & %\TS RANG \T ABOVE ! S\ND ( ! WAT]4 ,! RIS+ & FALL+ RIV] ) ITS BURD5 ( %\TS1 TUNES1 & ! FRAGRANCE ( G>D5S1 FULL ( ! COPP]Y GL[ ( ! SETT+ SUN & ! TWI/$1 GROTESQUE %AD[S ( ! /ATUES ON ! ,*>LES ,BRIDGE1 MADE ,M]SAULT BITT]LY CONSCI\S ( HIS DESOLATION3 A SOLITUDE 9 :I* LOVE HAD NO P>T4 ,COM+ TO A /&/ILL AS ! FRAGRANCE ( LEAVES & WAT] REA*$ HIM1 HE FELT A CAT* 9 HIS ?ROAT & IMAG9$ TE>S :I* DID NOT COME4 ,TE>S W\LD BE = A FRI5D1 OR = OP5 >MS4 ,BUT TE>S GAVE WAY TO ! WORLD )\T T5D]NESS 9 :I* HE WAS IMM]S$4 ,SOME EV5+S1 ALWAYS AT ! SAME TIMES1 HE CROSS$ ! ,*>LES ,BRIDGE & /ROLL$ ?R\< ! ,HRADCANY DI/RICT ABOVE ! RIV]1 A DES]T$ & SIL5T NEI<BORHOOD ?\< ONLY A FEW /EPS FROM ! BUSIE/ /REETS 9 ! CITY4 ,HE W&]$ AMONG !SE HUGE PALACES1 ACROSS 5ORM\S PAV$ C\RTY>DS1 PA/ IRONWORK GATES1 >\ND ! CA!DRAL4 ,HIS FOOT/EPS E*O$ 9 ! SIL5CE BETWE5 HI< WALLS4 ,A DIM NOISE FROM ! CITY REA*$ HIM H]E4 ,!RE WAS NO CUCUMB]-SELL] 9 ?IS DI/RICT1 BUT SOME?+ OPPRESSIVE 9 ! SIL5CE1 9 ! GR&EUR ( ! PLACE4 ,SO ?AT ,M]SAULT ALWAYS 5D$ BY WALK+ BACK T[>DS ! ODOR OR ! MELODY :I* H5CE=? CON/ITUT$ HIS ONLY C\NTRY4 ,HE ATE HIS MEALS 9 ! RE/AURANT HE HAD DISCOV]$1 = AT LEA/ IT REMA9$ FAMILI>4 ,HE HAD HIS PLACE BESIDE ! MAN ) ! R$ /> :O CAME ONLY 9 ! EV5+S1 DRANK A BE] & *EW$ ON HIS MAT*/ICK4 ,AT D9N]1 TOO1 ! BL9D MAN PLAY$ HIS ACCORDION1 & ,M]SAULT ATE QUICKLY1 PAID HIS BILL1 & RETURN$ TO HIS HOTEL & ! UNFAIL+ SLEEP ( A FEV]I% *ILD4 

,EV]Y DAY HE ?\<T ( LEAV+1 & EV]Y DAY1 S9K+ A LITTLE DEEP] 9TO DESOLATION1 HIS LONG+ = HAPP9ESS HAD A LITTLE LESS HOLD OV] HIM4 ,HE HAD BE5 9 ,PRAGUE F\R DAYS N[1 & HE HAD NOT YET B\<T ! COMB :OSE ABS5CE HE DISCOV]$ EA* MORN+4 ,YET HE HAD ! VAGUE S5SE ( SOME?+ MISS+1 & ?IS WAS :AT HE IRRESOLUTELY WAIT$ =4 ,ONE EV5+1 HE WALK$ T[>DS HIS RE/AURANT D[N ! LITTLE /REET :]E HE HAD FIR/ SMELL$ ! CUCUMB]S4 ,ALREADY HE ANTICIPAT$ ?AT ODOR1 :5 JU/ BE=E HE REA*$ ! RE/AURANT1 ON ! PAVEM5T OPPOSITE HIM1 SOME?+ MADE HIM /OP1 !N COME CLOS]4 ,A MAN WAS LY+ !RE1 >MS FOLD$1 HEAD FALL5 ON ! LEFT *EEK4 ,?REE OR F\R PEOPLE W]E /&+ AGA9/ ! WALL1 APP>5TLY WAIT+ = SOME?+1 ?\< V]Y CALM4 ,ONE WAS SMOK+1 ! O!RS W]E SPEAK+ 9 L[ VOICES4 ,BUT ONE MAN 9 %IRTSLEEVES1 HIS JACKET OV] HIS >M1 HAT PU%$ BACK ON HIS HEAD1 WAS P]=M+ A K9D ( WILD DANCE >\ND ! BODY1 HIS GE/URES EMPHATIC & DI/URB+4 ,OV]HEAD1 ! FA9T LI<T ( A DI/ANT /REET-LAMP M+L$ ) ! GL[ FROM ! NE>BY RE/AURANT4 ,! MAN TIRELESSLY DANC+1 ! BODY ) ITS FOLD$ >MS1 ! CALM SPECTATORS1 ! IRONIC CONTRA/ & ! 9EXPLICABLE SIL5CE -- H]E AT LA/1 COMB9+ CONTEMPLATION & 9NOC5CE1 AMONG ! RA!R IMPRESSIVE 9T]PLAY ( LI<T & %AD[1 WAS A MOM5T ( EQUILIBRIUM PA/ :I* IT SEEM$ TO ,M]SAULT ?AT EV]Y?+ W\LD COLLAPSE 9TO MADNESS4 ,HE CAME CLOS]3 ! DEAD MAN'S HEAD WAS LY+ 9 A POOL ( BLOOD4 ,! HEAD WAS TURN$ SO ?AT IT RE/$ ON ! W\ND4 ,9 ?IS REMOTE CORN] ( ,PRAGUE1 BETWE5 ! FA9T LI<T ON ! MOI/ PAVEM5T1 ! LONG WET HISS ( PASS+ C>S A FEW /EPS AWAY1 ! DI/ANT SCREE* ( OCCASIONAL TRAMS1 DEA? SEEM$ 9SIPID YET 9SI/5T TOO1 & IT WAS DEA?'S SUMMONS1 ITS DAMP BREA? ?AT ,M]SAULT S5S$ AT ! V]Y MOM5T HE BEGAN WALK+ AWAY1 V]Y FA/1 )\T TURN+ BACK4 ,SUDD5LY ! ODOR1 :I* HE HAD =GOTT51 WAS ALL >\ND HIM3 HE W5T 9TO ! RE/AURANT & SAT D[N AT HIS TABLE4 ,! MAN WAS !RE1 BUT )\T HIS MAT*/ICK4 ,IT SEEM$ TO ,M]SAULT ?AT !RE WAS SOME?+ DI/RAU<T 9 HIS EYES4 ,HE DISMISS$ ! /UPID NOTION ?AT OCCURR$ TO HIM4 ,BUT EV]Y?+ WAS :IRL+ 9 HIS M9D4 ,BE=E ORD]+ ANY?+ HE JUMP$ UP & RAN TO HIS HOTEL1 W5T TO HIS ROOM & ?REW HIMSELF ON ! B$4 ,SOME?+ %>P WAS ?ROBB+ 9 HIS TEMPLES4 ,HIS HE>T EMPTY1 HIS BELLY TI<T1 ,M]SAULT'S REBELLION EXPLOD$4 ,IMAGES ( HIS LIFE RU%$ BE=E HIS EYES4 ,SOME?+ 9SIDE HIM CLAMOR$ = ! GE/URES ( WOM51 = >MS ?AT OP5$1 & = W>M LIPS4 ,FROM ! DEP? ( ! PA9FUL NI<T ( ,PRAGUE1 AMID SMELLS ( V9EG> & S5TIM5TAL TUNES1 M\NT$ T[>DS HIM ! ANGUI%$ C\NT5ANCE ( ! OLD B>OQUE WORLD :I* HAD ACCOMPANI$ HIS FEV]4 ,BREA?+ ) DIFFICULTY1 SEE+ NO?+1 MOV+ ME*ANICALLY1 HE SAT UP ON HIS B$4 ,! DRAW] ( ! B$SIDE TABLE WAS OP51 L9$ ) AN ,5GLI% NEWSPAP] 9 :I* HE READ A :OLE >TICLE4 ,!N HE /RET*$ \T ON ! B$ AGA94 ,! MAN'S HEAD HAD BE5 LY+ ON ! W\ND1 & ?REE OR F\R F+]S W\LD HAVE FITT$ 9SIDE ?AT W\ND4 ,M]SAULT />$ AT HIS H&S & HIS F+]S1 & *ILDI% DESIRES ROSE 9 HIS HE>T4 ,AN 9T5SE & SECRET F]VOR SWELL$ )9 HIM1 & IT WAS A NO/ALGIA = CITIES FILL$ ) SUNLI<T & WOM51 ) ! GRE5 EV5+S ?AT CLOSE ALL W\NDS4 ,TE>S BUR/ FROM HIS EYES4 ,9SIDE HIM WID5$ A GREAT LAKE ( SOLITUDE & SIL5CE ABOVE :I* RAN ! SAD SONG ( HIS DELIV]ANCE4 

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

,*RONOLOGY 3 
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,JANU>Y #b#d1 #bba 3 ,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #a -- ,UPDAT$4 

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