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

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALB]T ,CAMUS 

,TEXT 3 

,*APT] ,F\R 

,E,>,L,Y 9 ! MORN+1 ! FOG-LAMPS ( ,M]SAULT'S C> W]E GLEAM+ ALONG ! COA/ ROAD4 ,LEAV+ ,ALGI]S1 HE PASS$ MILK C>TS1 & ! W>M SMELL ( ! HORSES MADE HIM EV5 MORE AW>E ( ! MORN+'S FRE%NESS4 ,IT WAS /ILL D>K4 ,A LA/ /> DISSOLV$ SL[LY 9 ! SKY1 & ON ! PALE ROAD HE C\LD HE> ONLY ! MOTOR'S CONT5T$ PURR & OCCASIONALLY1 9 ! DI/ANCE1 ! S\ND ( HOOVES1 ! CLATT] ( MILK-CANS1 UNTIL \T ( ! D>K HIS LI<TS GLITT]$ ON ! HORSE%OES4 ,!N EV]Y?+ VANI%$ 9 ! S\ND ( SPE$4 ,HE WAS DRIV+ FA/] N[1 & ! NI<T SWIFTLY VE]$ TO DAY4 

,\T ( ! D>KNESS /ILL RETA9$ BETWE5 ! HILLS1 ! C> CLIMB$ AN EMPTY ROAD OV]LOOK+ ! SEA1 :]E ! MORN+ DECL>$ ITSELF4 ,M]SAULT ACCEL]AT$4 ,! T9Y SUCK+ S\ND ( ! :EELS GREW L\D] ON ! DEWY T>MAC4 ,AT EA* ( ! MANY TURNS1 ,M]SAULT'S BRAK+ MADE ! TIRES SQUEAL1 & AS ! ROAD /RAI<T5$1 ! S\ND ( ! MOTOR GA9+ SPE$ MOM5T>ILY DR[N$ \T ! S(T VOICES ( ! SEA RIS+ FROM ! BEA*ES BEL[4 ,ONLY AN AIRPLANE P]MITS MAN A MORE APP>5T SOLITUDE ?AN ! K9D HE DISCOV]S 9 A C>4 ,UTT]LY CONFID5T ( HIS [N PRES5CE1 SATISFI$ ) ! PRECISION ( HIS GE/URES1 ,M]SAULT C\LD AT ! SAME TIME RETURN TO HIMSELF & TO :AT CONC]N$ HIM4 ,! DAY LAY OP51 N[1 AT ! 5D ( ! ROAD4 ,! SUN ROSE OV] ! SEA1 AWAK5+ ! FIELDS ON EI!R SIDE ( ! ROAD1 /ILL DES]T$ A MOM5T BE=E1 FILL+ !M ) ! R$ FLUTT]+ ( BIRDS & 9SECTS4 ,SOMETIMES A F>M] W\LD CROSS ONE ( !SE FIELDS1 & ,M]SAULT1 RU%+ PA/1 RETA9$ NO MORE ?AN ! IMAGE ( A FIGURE ) A SACK B5D+ OV] ! MOI/1 CL++ SOIL4 ,AGA9 & AGA9 ! C> BR\<T HIM TO ! $GE ( SLOPES OV]LOOK+ ! SEA2 !Y GREW /EEP] & !IR \TL9E1 B>ELY SUGGE/$ 9 ! LI<T ( DAWN1 GREW MORE DI/9CT N[1 SUDD5LY REVEAL+ PROSPECTS ( OLIVE-TREES1 P9ES1 & :ITEWA%$ COTTAGES4 ,!N ANO!R TURN HURL$ ! C> T[>DS ! SEA :I* TIPP$ UP T[>DS ,M]SAULT LIKE AN (F]+ GL[+ ) SALT & SLEEP4 ,!N ! C> HISS$ ON ! T>MAC & TURN$ BACK T[>DS O!R HILLSIDES & ! UN*ANG+ SEA4 

,A MON? BE=E1 ,M]SAULT HAD ANN\NC$ HIS DEP>TURE TO ! ,H\SE ABOVE ! ,WORLD4 ,HE W\LD TRAVEL AGA91 !N SETTLE D[N SOME:]E NE> ,ALGI]S4 ,SEV]AL WEEKS LAT] HE WAS BACK1 CONV9C$ ?AT TRAVEL N[ MEANT AN ALI5 WAY ( LIFE TO HIM3 W&]+ SEEM$ NO MORE ?AN ! HAPP9ESS ( AN ANXI\S MAN4 ,& DEEP 9SIDE HIMSELF HE FELT A DIM EXHAU/ION4 ,HE WAS EAG] TO C>RY \T HIS PLAN ( BUY+ A LITTLE H\SE SOME:]E 9 ! ,*5\A1 BETWE5 ! SEA & ! M\NTA9S1 A FEW KILOMET]S FROM ! RU9S ( ,TIPASA4 ,:5 HE >RIV$ 9 ,ALGI]S1 HE HAD 5VISION$ ! SETT+ ( HIS LIFE4 ,HE HAD MADE A L>GE 9VE/M5T 9 ,G]MAN PH>MACEUTICALS1 PAID A BROK] TO MANAGE HIS HOLD+S = HIM1 & !REBY JU/IFI$ HIS ABS5CES FROM ,ALGI]S & ! 9DEP5D5T LIFE HE WAS LEAD+4 ,! 9VE/M5T1 MOREOV]1 WAS MORE OR LESS PR(ITABLE1 & HE MADE UP = HIS OCCASIONAL LOSSES1 (F]+ )\T REMORSE ?IS TRIBUTE TO HIS PR(\ND FRE$OM4 ,! WORLD IS ALWAYS SATISFI$1 IT TURNS \T1 ) A C\NT5ANCE IT CAN UND]/&4 ,9DOL5CE & C[>DICE DO ! RE/4 ,9DEP5D5CE IS E>N$ BY A FEW WORDS ( *EAP CONFID5CE4 ,M]SAULT !N CONC]N$ HIMSELF ) ,LUCI5NE'S FATE4 

,%E HAD NO FAMILY1 LIV$ ALONE1 WORK$ AS A SECRET>Y = A COAL COMPANY1 ATE LITTLE BUT FRUIT & DID ,SW$I% EX]CISES4 ,M]SAULT L5T H] BOOKS :I* %E RETURN$ )\T A WORD4 ,TO HIS QUE/IONS1 %E REPLI$3 ',YES1 ,I LIK$ IT1' OR ELSE3 ',IT WAS A LITTLE SAD4' ,! DAY HE DECID$ TO LEAVE ,ALGI]S1 HE SUGGE/$ ?AT %E LIVE ) HIM BUT CONT9U$ TO KEEP H] AP>TM5T 9 ,ALGI]S )\T WORK+1 JO9+ HIM :5 HE S5T = H]4 ,HE PROMIS$ ?IS ) 5\< CONVICTION = ,LUCI5NE TO F9D NO?+ HUMILIAT+ 9 ! (F]1 & 9 FACT !RE WAS NO?+ HUMILIAT+ 9 IT4 ,LUCI5NE (T5 REALIZ$ ?R\< H] BODY :AT H] M9D C\LD NOT UND]/&2 %E AGRE$4 ,M]SAULT ADD$3 ',IF Y\ WANT1 ,I CAN M>RY Y\4 ,BUT ,I DON'T SEE ! PO9T4' 

',:ATEV] Y\ PREF]1' ,LUCI5NE SAID4 ,A WEEK LAT] HE M>RI$ H] & MADE READY TO LEAVE ! CITY4 

,MEAN:ILE ,LUCI5NE B\<T AN ORANGE CANOE TO SK9 OV] ! BLUE SEA4 

,M]SAULT TWI/$ ! :EEL TO AVOID A V5TURESOME H54 ,HE WAS ?9K+ ( ! CONV]SATION HE HAD HAD ) ,CA!R9E1 ! DAY HE HAD LEFT ! ,H\SE ABOVE ! ,WORLD -- HE HAD SP5T ! NI<T ALONE 9 A HOTEL4 

,IT WAS E>LY 9 ! AFT]NOON1 & BECAUSE IT HAD RA9$ ?AT MORN+1 ! :OLE BAY WAS LIKE A WET PANE ( GLASS1 ! SKY UTT]LY BLANK ABOVE IT4 ,! CAPE AT ! OPPOSITE 5D ( ! BAY /OOD \T WOND]FULLY CLE>1 & LAY1 GILD$ BY A SUNBEAM1 LIKE A HUGE SUMM] SNAKE UPON ! SEA4 ,PATRICE HAD F9I%$ PACK+ & N[1 HIS >MS LEAN+ ON ! SILL1 />$ GRE$ILY AT ?IS NEW BIR? ( ! WORLD4 

',BUT IF Y\'RE HAPPY H]E1 :Y >E Y\ LEAV+8' ,CA!R9E HAD ASK$4 

',!RE'S A RISK ( BE+ LOV$1 LITTLE ,CA!R9E1 & ?AT W\LD KEEP ME FROM BE+ HAPPY4' ,COIL$ ON ! C\*1 H] HEAD D[N1 ,CA!R9E />$ AT ,PATRICE4 ,)\T TURN+ >\ND HE SAID3 ',A LOT ( M5 COMPLICATE !IR LIVES & 9V5T PROBLEMS = !MSELVES4 ,9 MY CASE1 IT'S QUITE SIMPLE4 ,LOOK 444' ,HE SPOKE FAC+ ! WORLD1 & ,CA!R9E FELT =GOTT54 ,%E LOOK$ AT ,PATRICE'S LONG F+]S ON ! SILL1 /UDI$ HIS WAY ( RE/+ HIS WEI<T ON ONE HIP1 & )\T EV5 SEE+ HIS EYES %E KNEW H[ ABSORB$ HIS GAZE W\LD BE4 

',:AT ,I 444' BUT %E BROKE (F1 /ILL />+ AT ,PATRICE4 

,LITTLE SAILS BEGAN RID+ \T TO SEA1 TAK+ ADVANTAGE ( ! CALM4 ,!Y APPROA*$ ! *ANNEL1 FILL$ IT ) FLUTT]+ W+S1 & SUDD5LY SP$ \TW>DS1 LEAV+ A WAKE ( AIR & WAT] ?AT WID5$ 9 LONG FOAMY TRAILS4 ,CA!R9E WAT*$ !M MAKE !IR WAY \T TO SEA FROM :]E %E SAT1 RIS+ >\ND ,PATRICE LIKE A FLI<T ( :ITE BIRDS4 ,HE SEEM$ TO FEEL ! WEI<T ( H] SIL5CE & H] />E1 TURN$ >\ND1 TOOK H] H&S & BR\<T !M CLOSE TO HIS [N BODY4 ',NEV] GIVE UP1 ,CA!R9E4 ,Y\ HAVE SO MU* 9SIDE Y\1 & ! NOBLE/ S5SE ( HAPP9ESS ( ALL4 ,DON'T JU/ WAIT = A MAN TO COME ALONG4 ,?AT'S ! MI/AKE SO MANY WOM5 MAKE4 ,F9D Y\R HAPP9ESS 9 Y\RSELF4' 

',I'M NOT COMPLA9+1 ,M]SAULT1' ,CA!R9E SAID S(TLY1 PUTT+ ONE H& ON ,PATRICE'S %\LD]4 ',! ONLY ?+ ?AT MATT]S N[ IS ?AT Y\ TAKE GOOD C>E ( Y\RSELF4' ,HE REALIZ$ !N H[ EASILY HIS C]TA9TY C\LD BE %AK54 ,HIS HE>T WAS /RANGELY H>D4 

',Y\ %\LDN'T HAVE SAID ?AT JU/ N[4' ,HE PICK$ UP HIS SUITCASE & W5T D[N ! /EEP /AIRS1 !N D[N ! PA? FROM ! OLIVE-TREES TO ! OLIVE-TREES4 ,!RE WAS NO?+ AHEAD ( HIM N[ EXCEPT ! ,*5\A1 A =E/ ( RU9S & WORMWOOD1 A LOVE )\T HOPE OR DESPAIR1 & ! MEMORY ( A LIFE ( V9EG> & FL[]S4 ,HE TURN$ >\ND4 ,UP ABOVE1 ,CA!R9E WAS WAT*+ HIM LEAVE1 MOTIONLESS4 

,9 A LITTLE LESS ?AN TWO H\RS1 ,M]SAULT WAS 9 SI<T ( ! ,*5\A4 ,! NI<T'S LA/ VIOL5T %AD[S /ILL L+]$ ON ! SLOPES ?AT PLUNG$ 9TO ! SEA1 :ILE ! PEAK GL[$ 9 ! R$ & YELL[ SUNLI<T4 ,!RE WAS A K9D ( VIGOR\S & MASSIVE ASS]TION ( ! E>? H]E1 ?RU/+ UP FROM ! ,SAHEL & SILH\ETT$ ON ! HORIZON1 5D+ 9 ?IS 5ORM\S BE/IAL BACK :I* PLUMMET$ /RAI<T D[N 9TO ! SEA4 ,! H\SE ,M]SAULT HAD B\<T /OOD ON ! LA/ SLOPES1 A HUNDR$ Y>DS FROM ! WAT] ALREADY TURN+ GOLD5 9 ! HEAT4 ,!RE WAS ONLY ONE /ORY ABOVE ! GR\ND FLOOR1 & ONLY ONE ROOM 9 IT1 BUT ?IS ROOM WAS 5ORM\S & OV]LOOK$ ! FRONT G>D5 & ! SEA ?R\< A SPL5DID BAY-W9D[ OP5+ ON TO A T]RACE AS WELL4 ,M]SAULT HURRI$ UP TO IT3 ! SEA WAS ALREADY =M+ SC>VES ( MI/1 & ITS BLUE D>K5$ :ILE ! W>M R$ ( ! T]RACE TILES GLI/5$ 9 ! MORN+ DEW4 ,! :ITEWA%$ P>APET HAD ALREADY BE5 CONQU]$ BY ! FIR/ T5DRILS ( A TRIUMPHANT RAMBL]-ROSE4 ,! FIRM :ITE FLE% ( ! OP5 PETALS1 %>P AGA9/ ! SEA1 WAS BO? VOLUPTU\S & SATIAT+4 ,D[N/AIRS1 ONE ROOM FAC$ ! FOO?ILLS ( ! ,*5\A1 COV]$ ) FRUIT-TREES1 ! O!R TWO OP5$ ON TO ! G>D5 & ! SEA BEYOND4 ,9 ! G>D51 TWO P9ES ?RU/ !IR B>E TRUNKS HI< 9TO ! SKY1 ! TIPS ALONE COV]$ ) A GRE5 & YELL[ PELT4 ,FROM ! H\SE HE C\LD SEE ONLY ! SPACE BRACKET$ B5EA? ! TRUNKS4 ,A LITTLE /EAM%IP WAS MOV+ \T TO SEA N[1 & ,M]SAULT WAT*$ ITS 5TIRE TRAJECTORY FROM ONE P9E TO ! O!R4 

,H]E WAS :]E HE W\LD LIVE4 ,D\BTLESS BECAUSE ! BEAUTY ( ! PLACE T\*$ HIS HE>T -- :Y ELSE HAD HE B\<T ?IS H\SE8 ,BUT ! RELEASE HE HOP$ TO F9D H]E DISMAY$ HIM1 ?IS SOLITUDE HE HAD S\<T SO DELIB]ATELY SEEM$ EV5 MORE DI/URB+1 N[ ?AT HE KNEW ITS SETT+4 ,! VILLAGE WAS NOT F> AWAY1 A FEW HUNDR$ Y>DS4 ,HE WALK$ \T ( ! H\SE4 ,A LITTLE PA? SLOP$ D[N FROM ! ROAD T[>DS ! SEA4 ,FOLL[+ IT1 HE NOTIC$ = ! FIR/ TIME ?AT HE C\LD GLIMPSE1 ACROSS ! BAY1 ! SL5D] P59SULA ( ,TIPASA4 ,AT ITS V]Y 5D W]E SILH\ETT$ ! GOLD5 COLUMNS ( ! TEMPLE & >\ND !M ! FALL5 RU9S AMONG ! WORMWOOD BU%ES =M+1 AT ?IS DI/ANCE1 A BLUE-GRAY PLUMAGE4 ,ON ,JUNE EV5+S1 ,M]SAULT REFLECT$1 ! W9D W\LD BR+ ! FRAGRANCE ( ?OSE SUN-GORG$ %RUBS ACROSS ! WAT] T[>DS ! ,*5\A4 

,HE HAD TO SET UP HIS H\SE1 ORGANIZE HIS LIFE4 ,! FIR/ DAYS PASS$ QUICKLY4 ,HE :ITEWA%$ ! WALLS1 B\<T HANG+S 9 ,ALGI]S1 BEGAN TO 9/ALL ELECTRICITY1 & AS HE W5T AB\T HIS WORK1 9T]RUPT$ BY ! MEALS HE TOOK AT ! VILLAGE CAFE & BY HIS DIPS 9 ! SEA1 HE =GOT :Y HE HAD COME H]E & LO/ HIMSELF 9 HIS BODY'S FATIGUE1 LO9S A*+ & LEGS /IFF1 FRETT+ OV] ! %ORTAGE ( PA9T OR ! DEFECTIVE 9/ALLATION ( A LI<T-SWIT* 9 ! HALLWAY4 ,HE SLEPT AT ! CAFE & GRADUALLY BECAME ACQUA9T$ ) ! VILLAGE3 ! BOYS :O CAME TO PLAY POOL & P+-PONG ON ,SUNDAY AFT]NOONS 7!Y W\LD USE ! TABLE ALL AFT]NOON1 ON ! BASIS ( ONE DR9K1 TO ! [N]'S GREAT ANNOYANCE72 ! GIRLS :O /ROLL$ 9 ! EV5+ ALONG ! ROAD OV]LOOK+ ! SEA 7!Y WALK$ >M 9 >M1 & !RE WAS A C>ESS+1 S+-SONG NOTE 9 !IR VOICES72 ,P]EZ ! FI%]MAN :O SUPPLI$ ! HOTEL ) FI% & HAD ONLY ONE >M4 ,H]E1 TOO1 HE MET ! VILLAGE DOCTOR1 ,B]N>D4 ,BUT ! DAY ! H\SE WAS 5TIRELY READY1 ,M]SAULT MOV$ ALL HIS ?+S 9TO IT & GRADUALLY RECOV]$ HIMSELF4 ,IT WAS EV5+4 ,HE WAS 9 ! BIG ROOM UP/AIRS1 & BEH9D ! W9D[ TWO WORLDS F\<T = ! SPACE BETWE5 ! TWO P9ES4 ,9 ONE1 ALMO/ TRANSP>5T1 ! />S MULTIPLI$4 ,9 ! O!R1 D5S] & D>K]1 A SECRET PALPITATION ( ! WAT] BETRAY$ ! SEA4 

,SO F>1 HE HAD LIV$ SOCIABLY 5\<1 *ATT+ ) ! WORKM5 :O HELP$ HIM 9 ! H\SE OR ) ! [N] ( ! CAFE4 ,BUT N[ HE REALIZ$ ?AT HE HAD NO-ONE TO MEET TONI<T1 NOR TOMORR[1 NOR EV]1 & ?AT HE WAS FAC+ HIS LONG$-= SOLITUDE AT LA/4 ,FROM ! MOM5T HE NO LONG] HAD TO SEE ANYONE1 ! NEXT DAY SEEM$ T]RIBLY IMM95T4 ,YET HE CONV9C$ HIMSELF ?AT ?IS WAS :AT HE HAD WANT$3 NO?+ BE=E HIM BUT HIMSELF = A LONG TIME -- UNTIL ! 5D4 ,HE DECID$ TO /AY :]E HE WAS1 SMOK+ & ?9K+ LATE 9TO ! NI<T1 BUT BY T5 HE WAS SLEEPY & W5T TO B$4 ,! NEXT DAY HE WAK5$ V]Y LATE1 >\ND T51 MADE HIS BREAKFA/ & ATE IT BE=E WA%+ OR %AV+4 ,HE FELT A LITTLE TIR$4 ,HE HAD NOT %AV$1 & HIS HAIR WAS UNCOMB$4 ,BUT AFT] HE HAD EAT51 9/EAD ( GO+ 9TO ! BA?ROOM HE W&]$ FROM ROOM TO ROOM1 LEAF$ ?R\< A MAGAZ9E1 & F9ALLY1 WAS DELI<T$ TO F9D A LI<T-SWIT* ?AT HAD NOT BE5 ATTA*$1 & SET TO WORK4 ,SOMEONE KNOCK$3 ! BOY FROM ! CAFE BR++ HIS LUN*1 AS HE HAD >RANG$ ! DAY BE=E4 ,HE SAT D[N AT HIS TABLE JU/ AS HE WAS1 ATE )\T APPETITE BE=E ! FOOD HAD A *ANCE TO COOL1 & BEGAN TO SMOKE1 LY+ ON ! C\* 9 ! D[N/AIRS ROOM4 ,:5 HE WAK5$1 ANNOY$ AT HAV+ FALL5 ASLEEP1 IT WAS F\R O'CLOCK4 ,HE BA!D !N1 %AV$ C>EFULLY1 DRESS$ & WROTE TWO LETT]S1 ONE TO ,LUCI5NE1 ! O!R TO ! ?REE GIRLS4 ,IT WAS ALREADY V]Y LATE1 & GR[+ D>K4 ,NONE!LESS HE WALK$ TO ! VILLAGE TO PO/ HIS LETT]S & RETURN$ )\T HAV+ MET ANYONE4 ,HE W5T UP/AIRS & \T ON TO ! T]RACE3 ! SEA & ! NI<T W]E CONV]S+ ON ! BEA* & ABOVE ! RU9S4 ,M]SAULT REFLECT$4 ,! MEMORY ( ?IS WA/$ DAY EMBITT]$ HIM4 ,TONI<T1 AT LEA/1 HE W\LD WORK1 DO SOME?+1 READ OR GO \T & WALK ?R\< ! NI<T4 ,! G>D5 GATE CREAK$3 HIS D9N] WAS COM+4 ,HE WAS HUNGRY1 ATE HAPPILY1 !N FELT UNABLE TO LEAVE ! H\SE4 ,HE DECID$ TO READ LATE 9 B$4 ,BUT AFT] ! FIR/ PAGES HIS EYES CLOS$1 & ! NEXT MORN+ HE WOKE UP LATE4 

,! FOLL[+ DAYS1 ,M]SAULT TRI$ TO /RUGGLE AGA9/ ?IS 5CROA*M5T4 ,AS ! DAYS PASS$1 FILL$ BY ! CREAK ( ! GATE & C\NTLESS CIG>ETTES1 HE WAS DISCONC]T$ BY ! V>IANCE BETWE5 ! GE/URE :I* HAD BR\<T HIM TO ?IS LIFE & ?IS LIFE ITSELF4 ,ONE EV5+ HE WROTE TO ,LUCI5NE TO COME1 DECID+ TO BREAK ?IS SOLITUDE FROM :I* HE HAD EXPECT$ SO MU*4 ,AFT] ! LETT] WAS S5T1 HE WAS FILL$ ) A SECRET %AME1 BUT ONCE ,LUCI5NE >RIV$ ! %AME DISSOLV$ 9 A K9D ( M9DLESS EAG] JOY TO R$ISCOV] A FAMILI> BE+ & ! EASY LIFE H] PRES5CE SIGNIFI$4 ,HE MADE A FUSS OV] H]1 & ,LUCI5NE SEEM$ ALMO/ SURPRIS$ BY HIS SOLICITUDE1 :5 %E C\LD TE> H]SELF AWAY FROM H] C>EFULLY PRESS$ :ITE L95 DRESS4 

,HE TOOK WALKS N[1 BUT ) ,LUCI5NE4 ,HE RECOV]$ HIS COMPLICITY ) ! WORLD1 BUT BY RE/+ HIS H& ON ,LUCI5NE'S %\LD]4 ,TAK+ REFUGE 9 HUMANITY1 HE ESCAP$ HIS SECRET DREAD4 ,)9 TWO DAYS1 H[EV]1 ,LUCI5NE BOR$ HIM4 ,& ?IS WAS ! MOM5T %E *OSE TO ASK HIM TO LET H] LIVE !RE4 ,!Y W]E AT D9N]1 & ,M]SAULT HAD SIMPLY REFUS$1 NOT RAIS+ HIS EYES FROM HIS PLATE4 

,AFT] A PAUSE1 ,LUCI5NE HAD ADD$ 9 A NEUTRAL TONE ( VOICE3 ',Y\ DON'T LOVE ME4' 

,M]SAULT LOOK$ UP4 ,H] EYES W]E FULL ( TE>S4 ,HE REL5T$3 ',BUT ,I NEV] SAID ,I DID1 MY *ILD4' 

',I KN[1' ,LUCI5NE SAID1 '& ?AT'S :Y4' 

,M]SAULT /OOD UP & WALK$ TO ! W9D[4 ,BETWE5 ! P9ES1 ! />S ?ROBB$ 9 ! NI<T SKY4 ,& NEV] HAD ,PATRICE FELT1 ALONG ) HIS DREAD1 SO MU* DISGU/ AS AT ?IS MOM5T = ! DAYS !Y HAD JU/ PASS$ TOGE!R4 ',Y\'RE A LOVELY GIRL1 ,LUCI5NE4 ,I CAN'T SEE ANY FUR!R ?AN ?AT4 ,IT'S ALL ,I ASK ( Y\4 ,IT HAS TO BE 5\< = ! TWO ( US4' 

',I KN[1' ,LUCI5NE SAID4 ,%E WAS SITT+ ) H] BACK TO ,PATRICE1 SCOR+ ! TABLECLO? ) ! TIP ( H] KNIFE4 ,HE WALK$ OV] TO H] & RE/$ A H& ON ! NAPE ( H] NECK4 

',BELIEVE ME1 !RE IS NO SU* ?+ AS GREAT SUFF]+1 GREAT REGRET1 GREAT MEMORY 444 ,EV]Y?+ IS =GOTT51 EV5 A GREAT LOVE4 ,?AT'S :AT'S SAD AB\T LIFE1 & ALSO :AT'S WOND]FUL AB\T IT4 ,!RE'S ONLY A WAY ( LOOK+ AT ?+S1 A WAY ?AT COMES TO Y\ EV]Y ONCE 9 A :ILE4 ,?AT'S :Y IT'S GOOD TO HAVE HAD LOVE 9 Y\R LIFE AFT] ALL1 TO HAVE HAD AN UNHAPPY PASSION -- IT GIVES Y\ AN ALIBI = ! VAGUE DESPAIRS WE ALL SUFF] FROM4' ,AFT] A PAUSE1 HE ADD$3 ',I DON'T KN[ IF Y\ UND]/& :AT ,I MEAN4' 

',I ?9K ,I UND]/&4' ,%E SUDD5LY TURN$ H] HEAD T[>DS ,M]SAULT4 ',Y\'RE NOT HAPPY8' 

',I WILL BE1' ,M]SAULT SAID VIOL5TLY4 ',I HAVE TO BE4 ,) ?IS NI<T1 ?IS SEA1 & ?IS FLE% UND] MY F+]S8' ,HE HAD TURN$ BACK T[>DS ! W9D[ & WAS TI<T5+ HIS H& ON ,LUCI5NE'S NECK4 ,%E SAID NO?+4 

,!N1 )\T LOOK+ AT HIM1 ',AT LEA/ Y\ FEEL FRI5DLY T[>DS ME1 DON'T Y\8' 

,PATRICE KNELT BESIDE H] & BIT H] %\LD]4 ',FRI5DLY1 YES1 ! WAY ,I FEEL FRI5DLY T[>DS ! NI<T4 ,Y\ >E ! PLEASURE ( MY EYES1 & Y\ DON'T KN[ :AT A PLACE SU* JOY HAS 9 MY HE>T4' 

,%E LEFT ! NEXT DAY4 ,& ! DAY AFT] ?AT ,M]SAULT WAS UNABLE TO /& HIMSELF1 & DROVE TO ,ALGI]S4 ,HE W5T FIR/ TO ! ,H\SE ABOVE ! ,WORLD4 ,HIS FRI5DS PROMIS$ TO VISIT HIM AT ! 5D ( ! MON?4 

,!N HE DECID$ TO VISIT HIS OLD NEI<BORHOOD4 

,HIS FLAT HAD BE5 R5T$ TO A MAN :O RAN A CAFE4 ,HE 9QUIR$ AFT] ! B>REL-MAK]1 BUT NO-ONE KNEW ANY?+ -- SOMEONE ?\<T HE HAD GONE TO ,P>IS TO LOOK = WORK4 ,M]SAULT WALK$ ?R\< ! /REETS4 ,AT ! RE/AURANT1 ,CELE/E HAD AG$ -- BUT NOT MU*2 ,]NE WAS /ILL !RE1 ) HIS TUB]CULOSIS & HIS SOLEMN EXPRESSION4 ,!Y W]E ALL GLAD TO SEE ,PATRICE AGA91 & HE FELT MOV$ BY ?IS 5C\NT]4 

',HEY1 ,M]SAULT1' ,CELE/E TOLD HIM1 'Y\ HAV5'T *ANG$4 ,/ILL ! SAME6' 

',YES1' ,M]SAULT SAID4 ,HE M>VEL$ AT ! /RANGE BL9DNESS BY :I* M51 ?\< !Y >E SO AW>E ( :AT *ANGES 9 !MSELVES1 IMPOSE ON !IR FRI5DS AN IMAGE *OS5 = !M ONCE & = ALL4 ,HE WAS BE+ JUDG$ BY :AT HE HAD BE54 ,JU/ AS DOGS DON'T *ANGE *>ACT]1 M5 >E DOGS = EA* O!R4 ,& PRECISELY TO ! DEGREE ?AT ,CELE/E1 ,]NE & ! O!RS HAD KN[N HIM1 HE HAD BECOME AS ALI5 & REMOTE TO !M AS AN UN9HABIT$ PLANET4 ,YET HE LEFT !M ) AFFECTIONATE F>EWELLS4 ,& JU/ \TSIDE ! RE/AURANT HE RAN 9TO ,M>!4 ,AS SOON AS HE SAW H] HE REALIZ$ ?AT HE HAD ALMO/ =GOTT5 H] & ?AT AT ! SAME TIME HE HAD WANT$ TO MEET H]4 ,%E /ILL HAD H] PA9T$ GODDESS' FACE4 ,HE DESIR$ H] VAGUELY BUT )\T CONVICTION4 ,!Y WALK$ TOGE!R4 

',OH1 ,PATRICE1' %E SAID1 ',I'M SO GLAD6 ,:AT'S BECOME ( Y\8' 

',NO?+1 AS Y\ CAN SEE4 ,I'M LIV+ 9 ! C\NTRY4' 

',WOND]FUL4 ,I'VE ALWAYS DREAM$ ( LIV+ 9 ! C\NTRY4' ,& AFT] A SIL5CE3 ',Y\ KN[1 ,I'M NOT ANGRY ) Y\ OR ANY?+4' 

',YES1' ,M]SAULT SAID1 LAU<+1 'Y\'VE MANAG$ TO CONSOLE Y\RSELF4' 

,!N ,M>! SPOKE 9 A TONE ( VOICE HE DID NOT RECOGNIZE4 ',DON'T BE NA/Y1 ,PATRICE4 ,I KNEW IT W\LD 5D LIKE ?IS SOME DAY4 ,Y\ W]E A /RANGE FELL[4 ,& ,I WAS NO?+ BUT A LITTLE GIRL4 ,?AT'S :AT Y\ ALWAYS US$ TO SAY 444 ,( C\RSE :5 IT HAPP5$ ,I WAS FURI\S4 ,BUT F9ALLY ,I TOLD MYSELF1 0,HE'S UNHAPPY40 ,& Y\ KN[1 IT'S FUNNY4 ,I DON'T KN[ H[ TO SAY IT1 BUT ?AT WAS ! FIR/ TIME ?AT :AT WE 444 ?AT :AT HAPP5$ BETWE5 US MADE ME FEEL SAD & HAPPY AT ! SAME TIME4' 

,SURPRIS$1 ,M]SAULT />$ AT H]4 ,HE SUDD5LY REALIZ$ ?AT ,M>! HAD ALWAYS BE5 V]Y DEC5T ) HIM4 ,%E HAD ACCEPT$ HIM AS HE WAS & HAD SP>$ HIM A GREAT DEAL ( LONEL9ESS4 ,HE HAD BE5 UNFAIR3 :ILE HIS IMAG9ATION & VANITY HAD GIV5 H] TOO MU* IMPORTANCE1 HIS PRIDE HAD GIV5 H] TOO LITTLE4 ,HE DISCOV]$ ! CRUEL P>ADOX BY :I* WE ALWAYS DECEIVE \RSELVES TWICE AB\T ! PEOPLE WE LOVE -- FIR/ TO !IR ADVANTAGE1 !N TO !IR DISADVANTAGE4 ,TODAY HE UND]/OOD ?AT ,M>! HAD BE5 G5U9E ) HIM -- ?AT %E HAD BE5 :AT %E WAS1 & ?AT HE [$ H] A GOOD DEAL4 ,IT WAS BEG9N+ TO RA9 -- JU/ 5\< TO REFLECT ! LI<TS ( ! /REET2 ?R\< ! %9+ DROPS HE SAW ,M>!'S SUDD5LY S]I\S FACE & FELT OV]COME BY A BUR/ ( GRATITUDE HE C\LD NOT EXPRESS -- 9 ! OLD DAYS HE MI<T HAVE TAK5 IT = A K9D ( LOVE4 ,BUT HE C\LD F9D ONLY /IFF WORDS3 ',Y\ KN[1 ,M>!1 ,I'M V]Y FOND ( Y\4 ,EV5 N[1 IF !RE'S ANY?+ ,I C\LD DO 444' 

,%E SMIL$3 ',NO4 ,I'M Y\NG /ILL4 ,& ,I DON'T DO )\T 444' 

,HE NODD$4 ,:AT A DI/ANCE !RE WAS BETWE5 !M1 & YET :AT COMPLICITY6 ,HE LEFT H] 9 FRONT ( H] [N H\SE4 ,%E HAD OP5$ H] UMBRELLA1 SAY+ ',I HOPE WE'LL SEE EA* O!R AGA94' 

',YES1' ,M]SAULT SAID4 ,%E GAVE HIM A SAD LITTLE SMILE4 ',OH1 ?AT'S Y\R LITTLE GIRL'S FACE4' ,%E HAD /EPP$ 9TO ! DOORWAY & CLOS$ H] UMBRELLA4 ,PATRICE HELD \T HIS H& & SMIL$ 9 HIS TURN4 ',TILL NEXT TIME1 IMAGE4' ,%E HUGG$ HIM QUICKLY1 KISS$ HIM ON BO? *EEKS & RAN UP/AIRS4 ,M]SAULT1 /&+ 9 ! RA91 /ILL FELT ,M>!'S COLD NOSE & W>M LIPS ON HIS *EEKS4 ,& ?AT SUDD51 DIS9T]E/$ KISS HAD ALL ! PURITY ( ! ONE GIV5 HIM BY ! FRECKL$ LITTLE :ORE 9 ,VI5NA4 

,!N HE W5T TO F9D ,LUCI5NE1 SLEPT AT H] FLAT1 & ASK$ H] TO WALK ) HIM ON ! B\LEV>DS4 ,IT WAS ALMO/ NOON :5 !Y CAME D[N/AIRS4 ,ORANGE BOATS W]E DRY+ 9 ! SUN LIKE FRUIT CUT 9 QU>T]S4 ,! D\BLE FLOCK ( PIGEONS & !IR %AD[S SWOOP$ D[N TO ! DOCKS & UP AGA9 9 A LONG1 SL[ CURVE4 ,! SUN WAS BRILLIANT & ! AIR GREW /IFL+4 ,M]SAULT WAT*$ ! R$-&-BLACK /EAM] SL[LY GA9 ! *ANNEL1 PUT ON SPE$ & GRADUALLY VE] T[>DS ! /REAK ( LI<T GLI/5+ :]E ! SKY MET ! SEA4 ,= ! ONLOOK]S1 !RE IS A BITT] SWEETNESS 9 EV]Y DEP>TM5T4 ',!Y'RE LUCKY1' ,LUCI5NE SAID4 

',YES4' ,HE WAS ?9K+ ',NO' -- OR AT LEA/ ?AT HE DIDN'T 5VY !M !IR LUCK4 ,= HIM1 TOO1 />T+ OV]1 DEP>TURES1 A NEW LIFE HAD A C]TA9 LU/]1 BUT HE KNEW ?AT ONLY ! IMPOT5T & ! LAZY ATTA* HAPP9ESS TO SU* ?+S4 ,HAPP9ESS IMPLI$ A *OICE1 & )9 ?AT *OICE A CONC]T$ WILL1 A LUCID DESIRE4 ,HE C\LD HE> ,ZAGREUS3 ',NOT ! WILL ! R5\NCE1 BUT ! WILL TO HAPP9ESS4' ,HE HAD HIS >M >\ND ,LUCI5NE1 & H] W>M BREA/ LAY )9 HIS H&4 

,?AT SAME EV5+1 AS HE DROVE BACK TO ! ,*5\A1 ,M]SAULT FELT A HUGE SIL5CE 9 HIMSELF AS HE FAC$ ! SWELL+ WAVES & ! /EEP HILLSIDES4 ,BY MAK+ ! GE/URE ( A FRE% />T1 BY BECOM+ AW>E ( HIS PA/1 HE HAD DEF9$ :AT HE WANT$ & :AT HE DID NOT WANT TO BE4 ,?OSE WA/$ DAYS HE HAD BE5 A%AM$ ( SEEM$ DANG]\S BUT NECESS>Y N[4 ,HE MI<T HAVE F\ND]$ !N & MISS$ HIS ONE *ANCE1 HIS ONE JU/IFICATION4 ,BUT AFT] ALL1 HE HAD TO ADAPT HIMSELF TO EV]Y?+4 

,R\ND+ ONE CURVE AFT] ! NEXT1 ,M]SAULT /EEP$ HIMSELF 9 ?IS HUMILIAT+ YET PRICELESS TRU?3 ! CONDITIONS ( ! S+UL> HAPP9ESS HE S\<T W]E GETT+ UP E>LY EV]Y MORN+1 TAK+ A REGUL> SWIM -- A CONSCI\S HYGI5E4 ,HE DROVE V]Y FA/1 RESOLV$ TO TAKE ADVANTAGE ( HIS DISCOV]Y 9 ORD] TO E/ABLI% HIMSELF 9 A R\T9E :I* W\LD H5CE=? REQUIRE NO FUR!R EF=T1 TO H>MONIZE HIS [N BREA?+ ) ! DEEPE/ RHY?M ( TIME1 ( LIFE ITSELF4 

,! NEXT MORN+ HE GOT UP E>LY & WALK$ D[N TO ! SEA4 ,! SKY WAS ALREADY BRILLIANT1 & ! MORN+ FULL ( RU/L+ W+S & CRY+ BIRDS4 ,BUT ! SUN WAS ONLY T\*+ ! HORIZON'S CURVE1 & :5 ,M]SAULT /EPP$ 9TO ! /ILL LU/]LESS WAT]1 HE SEEM$ TO BE SWIMM+ 9 AN 9DET]M9ATE D>KNESS UNTIL1 AS ! SUN CLIMB$ HI<]1 HE ?RU/ HIS >MS 9TO /REAKS ( ICY R$ & GOLD4 ,!N HE SWAM BACK TO L& & WALK$ UP TO HIS H\SE4 ,HIS BODY FELT AL]T & READY = :ATEV] ! DAY MI<T BR+4 ,EV]Y MORN+1 N[1 HE CAME D[N/AIRS JU/ BE=E SUNRISE1 & ?IS FIR/ ACTION CONTROLL$ ! RE/ ( HIS DAY4 ,MOREOV]1 !SE SWIMS EXHAU/$ HIM1 BUT AT ! SAME TIME1 BECAUSE ( ! FATIGUE & ! 5]GY !Y AF=D$1 !Y GAVE HIS 5TIRE DAY A FLAVOR ( AB&ONM5T & HAPPY LASSITUDE4 ,YET ! H\RS /ILL SEEM$ LONG TO HIM -- HE HAD NOT YET DETA*$ TIME FROM A C>CASS ( HABITS :I* W]E /ILL SO MANY GUIDE-M>KS TO HIM4 ,HE HAD NO?+ TO DO1 & HIS TIME /RET*$ \T1 MEASURELESS1 BE=E HIM4 ,EA* M9UTE RECOV]$ ITS MIRACUL\S VALUE1 BUT HE DID NOT YET RECOGNIZE IT = :AT IT WAS4 ,JU/ AS ! DAYS ( A J\RNEY SEEM 9T]M9ABLE :]EAS 9 AN (FICE ! TRAJECTORY FROM ,MONDAY TO ,MONDAY OCCURS 9 A FLA%1 SO ,M]SAULT1 /RIPP$ ( ALL HIS PROPS1 /ILL TRI$ TO LOCATE !M 9 A LIFE :I* HAD NO?+ BUT ITSELF TO CONSID]4 ,SOMETIMES HE PICK$ UP HIS WAT* & />$ AS ! M9UTE-H& %IFT$ FROM ONE NUMB] TO ! NEXT1 M>VEL+ ?AT FIVE M9UTES %\LD SEEM SO 9T]M9ABLE4 ,D\BTLESS ?AT WAT* OP5$ ! WAY -- A PA9FUL & TORM5T+ WAY -- :I* LEADS TO ! SUPREME >T ( DO+ NO?+4 ,HE LE>N$ TO WALK2 SOMETIMES 9 ! AFT]NOON HE W\LD WALK ALONG ! BEA* AS F> AS ! RU9S ( ,TIPASA2 !N HE W\LD LIE D[N AMONG ! WORMWOOD BU%ES1 & ) HIS H&S ON ! W>M /ONE W\LD OP5 HIS EYES & HIS HE>T TO ! 9TOL]ABLE GR&EUR ( ?AT SEE?+ SKY4 ,HE MAT*$ ! P\ND+ ( HIS BLOOD ) ! VIOL5T PULSATION ( ! SUN AT TWO O'CLOCK1 & DEEP 9 ! FI]CE FRAGRANCE1 DEAF5$ BY ! 9VISIBLE 9SECTS1 HE WAT*$ ! SKY TURN FROM :ITE TO DEEP-BLUE1 !N PALE TO GRE51 P\R+ D[N ITS SWEETNESS UPON ! /ILL-W>M RU9S4 ,HE W\LD WALK HOME E>LY !N1 TO GO TO B$4 ,9 ?IS PASSAGE FROM SUN TO SUN1 HIS DAYS W]E ORGANIZ$ ACCORD+ TO A RHY?M :OSE DELIB]ATION & /RANG5ESS BECAME AS NECESS>Y TO HIM AS ?AT ( HIS (FICE1 HIS RE/AURANT1 & HIS SLEEP 9 HIS MO!R'S ROOM4 ,9 BO? CASES1 HE WAS VIRTUALLY UNCONSCI\S ( IT4 ,BUT N[1 9 HIS H\RS ( LUCIDITY1 HE FELT ?AT TIME WAS HIS [N1 ?AT 9 ! BRIEF 9T]VAL :I* F9DS ! SEA R$ & LEAVE IT GRE51 SOME?+ ET]NAL WAS REPRES5T$ = HIM 9 EA* SECOND4 ,BEYOND ! CURVE ( ! DAYS HE GLIMPS$ NEI!R SUP]HUMAN HAPP9ESS NOR ET]NITY -- HAPP9ESS WAS HUMAN1 ET]NITY ORD9>Y4 ,:AT MATT]$ WAS TO HUMBLE HIMSELF1 TO ORGANIZE HIS HE>T TO MAT* ! RHY?M ( ! DAYS 9/EAD ( SUBMITT+ !IR RHY?M TO ! CURVE ( HUMAN HOPES4 

,JU/ AS !RE IS A MOM5T :5 ! >TI/ MU/ /OP1 :5 ! SCULPTURE MU/ BE LEFT AS IT IS1 ! PA9T+ UNT\*$ -- JU/ AS A DET]M9ATION NOT TO KN[ S]VES ! MAK] MORE ?AN ALL ! RES\RCES ( CLAIRVOYANCE -- SO !RE MU/ BE A M9IMUM ( IGNORANCE 9 ORD] TO P]FECT A LIFE ( HAPP9ESS4 ,?OSE :O LACK SU* A ?+ MU/ SET AB\T ACQUIR+ IT3 UN9TELLIG5CE MU/ BE E>N$4 

,ON ,SUNDAYS1 ,M]SAULT PLAY$ POOL ) ,P]EZ4 ,! OLD FI%]MAN1 ONE >M A /UMP CUT (F ABOVE ! ELB[1 PLAY$ POOL 9 A PECULI> FA%ION1 PUFF+ \T HIS *E/ & LEAN+ HIS /UMP ON ! CUE4 ,:5 !Y W5T \T FI%+ 9 ! MORN+1 ,P]EZ R[$ ) ! SAME SKILL1 & ,M]SAULT ADMIR$ ! WAY HE W\LD /& 9 ! BOAT1 PU%+ ONE O> ) HIS *E/1 ! O!R ) HIS GOOD H&4 ,! TWO M5 GOT ALONG WELL4 ,AFT] ! MORN+'S FI%+1 ,P]EZ COOK$ CUTTLEFI% 9 A HOT SAUCE1 /EW+ !M 9 !IR [N 9K1 & SOAK+ UP ! BLACK JUICE LEFT 9 ! PAN ) PIECES ( BREAD4 ,AS !Y SAT 9 ! FI%]MAN'S KIT*5 OV] ! SOOTY /OVE1 ,P]EZ NEV] SPOKE1 & ,M]SAULT WAS GRATEFUL TO HIM = ?IS GIFT ( SIL5CE4 ,SOMETIMES1 AFT] HIS MORN+ SWIM1 HE W\LD SEE ! OLD MAN PUTT+ HIS BOAT 9 ! SEA1 & HE W\LD JO9 HIM4 ',%ALL ,I COME ) Y\1 ,P]EZ8' 

',GET 94' 

,!Y PUT ! O>S 9 ! R[LOCKS & R[$ TOGE!R1 ,M]SAULT BE+ C>EFUL NOT TO CAT* HIS FEET 9 ! TRAWL+-HOOKS4 ,!N !Y W\LD FI%1 & ,M]SAULT W\LD WAT* ! L9ES1 GLEAM+ TO ! WAT]'S SURFACE1 BLACK & WAV]+ UND]NEA?4 ,! SUN BROKE 9TO A ?\S& FRAGM5TS ON ! SEA1 & ,M]SAULT BREA!D ! HEAVY /IFL+ SMELL ?AT ROSE FROM IT LIKE FUMES4 ,SOMETIMES ,P]EZ PULL$ 9 A LITTLE FI% HE W\LD ?R[ BACK1 SAY+ ',GO HOME TO Y\R MO!R4' ,AT ELEV5 !Y R[$ HOME & ,M]SAULT1 HIS H&S GLI/5+ ) SCALES & HIS FACE SWOLL5 ) SUN1 WAIT$ 9 HIS COOL D>K H\SE :ILE ,P]EZ PREP>$ A PAN ( FI% !Y W\LD EAT TOGE!R 9 ! EV5+4 ,DAY AFT] DAY1 ,M]SAULT LET HIMSELF S9K 9TO HIS LIFE AS IF HE W]E SLID+ 9TO WAT]4 ,& JU/ AS ! SWIMM] ADVANCES BY ! COMPLICITY ( HIS >MS & ! WAT] :I* BE>S HIM UP1 HELPS HIM ON1 IT WAS 5\< TO MAKE A FEW ESS5TIAL GE/URES -- TO RE/ ONE H& ON A TREE TRUNK1 TO TAKE A RUN ON ! BEA* -- 9 ORD] TO KEEP HIMSELF 9TACT & CONSCI\S4 ,?US HE BECAME ONE ) A LIFE 9 ITS PURE /ATE1 HE R$ISCOV]$ A P>ADISE GIV5 ONLY TO ANIMALS ( ! LEA/ OR ! GREATE/ 9TELLIG5CE4 ,AT ! PO9T :]E ! M9D D5IES ! M9D1 HE T\*$ HIS TRU? & ) IT HIS EXTREME GLORY1 HIS EXTREME LOVE4 

,?ANKS TO ,B]N>D1 HE ALSO M+L$ ) ! LIFE ( ! VILLAGE4 ,HE HAD BE5 OBLIG$ TO S5D = ,B]N>D TO TREAT SOME M9OR 9DISPOSITION1 & S9CE !N !Y HAD SE5 EA* O!R REPEAT$LY1 ) PLEASURE4 ,B]N>D WAS A SIL5T MAN1 BUT HE HAD A K9D ( BITT] WIT ?AT CA/ A GLEAM 9 HIS HORN-RIMM$ SPECTACLES4 ,HE HAD PRACTIC$ M$IC9E = A LONG TIME 9 ,9DO*9A1 & AT =TY HAD RETIR$ TO ?IS CORN] ( ,ALG]IA1 :]E = SEV]AL YE>S HE HAD L$ A TRANQUIL LIFE ) HIS WIFE1 AN ALMO/ MUTE ,9DO*9ESE :O WORE WE/]N SUITS & >RANG$ H] HAIR 9 A BUN4 ,B]N>D'S CAPACITY = 9DULG5CE 5ABL$ HIM TO ADAPT HIMSELF TO ANY MILIEU4 ,HE LIK$ ! :OLE VILLAGE1 & WAS LIK$ 9 RETURN4 ,HE TOOK ,M]SAULT ON HIS R\NDS4 ,M]SAULT ALREADY KNEW ! [N] ( ! CAFE1 A =M] T5OR :O W\LD S+ BEH9D HIS B> & BETWE5 TWO BLEATS ( ,TOSCA ?REAT5 HIS WIFE ) A BEAT+4 ,PATRICE WAS ASK$ TO S]VE ) ,B]N>D ON ! HOLIDAY COMMITTEE1 & ON #a#d? ,JULY !Y WALK$ ?R\< ! /REETS 9 TRICOLOR >MB&S OR >GU$ ) ! O!R COMMITTEE-MEMB]S SITT+ >\ND A Z9C TABLE /ICKY ) AP]ITIFS AS TO :E!R ! B&/& %\LD BE DECORAT$ ) F]NS OR PALMS4 ,!RE WAS EV5 AN ATTEMPT TO LURE HIM 9TO AN ELECTORAL CONTE/1 BUT ,M]SAULT HAD HAD TIME TO KN[ ! MAYOR1 :O HAD 'PRESID$ OV] ! DE/9Y ( HIS COMMUNE' 7AS HE SAID7 = ! LA/ DECADE1 & ?IS SEMI-P]MAN5T POSITION 9CL9$ HIM TO REG>D HIMSELF AS ,NAPOLEON ,BONAP>TE4 ,A WEAL?Y GRAPE-GR[]1 HE HAD HAD A ,GREEK-/YLE H\SE BUILT = HIMSELF1 & PR\DLY %[$ IT TO ,M]SAULT4 ,IT CONSI/$ ( A GR\ND FLOOR & SECOND FLOOR >\ND A C\RTY>D1 BUT ! MAYOR HAD SP>$ NO EXP5SE & 9/ALL$ A LIFT1 :I* HE 9SI/$ ?AT ,M]SAULT & ,B]N>D RIDE 94 ,& ,B]N>D COMM5T$ PLACIDLY3 ',V]Y SMOO?4' ,! VISIT HAD 9SPIR$ ,M]SAULT ) A PR(\ND ADMIRATION = ! MAYOR1 & HE & ,B]N>D WIELD$ ALL !IR 9FLU5CE TO KEEP HIM 9 ! (FICE HE DES]V$ ON SO MANY C\NTS4 

,9 SPR+TIME1 ! LITTLE VILLAGE ) ITS CLOSE-SET R$ RO(S BETWE5 ! M\NTA9S & ! SEA OV]FL[$ ) FL[]S -- ROSES1 HYAC9?S1 B\GA9VILLEAS -- & HUMM$ ) 9SECTS4 ,9 ! AFT]NOONS1 ,M]SAULT W\LD WALK \T ON TO HIS T]RACE & WAT* ! VILLAGE DOZ+ UND] ! TORR5T ( LI<T4 ,LOCAL HI/ORY CONSI/$ ( A CONTE/ BETWE5 ,MORALES & ,B+UES1 TWO RI* ,SPANI% L&[N]S :OM A S]IES ( SPECULATIONS HAD TRANS=M$ 9TO MILLIONAIRES1 9 ! GRIP ( A T]RIBLE RIVALRY4 ,:5 ONE B\<T A C>1 HE *OSE ! MO/ EXP5SIVE MAKE2 BUT ! O!R1 :O W\LD BUY ! SAME MAKE1 W\LD ADD SILV] DOOR-H&LES4 ,MORALES WAS A G5IUS AT SU* TACTICS4 ,HE WAS KN[N 9 ! VILLAGE AS ! ,K+ ( ,SPA91 = ON EA* OCCASION HE TRIUMPH$ OV] ,B+UES1 :O LACK$ IMAG9ATION4 ,DUR+ ! W>1 :5 ,B+UES SUBSCRIB$ SEV]AL HUNDR$ ?\S& FRANCS = A NATIONAL BOND DRIVE1 ,MORALES HAD DECL>$3 ',I'LL DO BETT] ?AN ?AT1 ,I'LL GIVE Y\ MY SON4' ,& HE HAD MADE HIS SON1 :O WAS TOO Y\NG TO BE MOBILIZ$1 VOLUNTE]4 ,9 #a#i#b#e1 ,B+UES HAD DRIV5 \T FROM ,ALGI]S 9 A MAGNIFIC5T RAC+ ,BUGATTI2 TWO WEEKS LAT]1 ,MORALES HAD BUILT HIMSELF A HANG>1 & B\<T A PLANE4 ,! PLANE WAS /ILL SLEEP+ 9 ITS HANG>1 & WAS %[N TO VISITORS ON ,SUNDAYS4 ,B+UES CALL$ ,MORALES '?AT B>EFOOT BEGG>'1 & ,MORALES REF]R$ TO ,B+UES AS '?AT LIME-KILN'4 

,B]N>D TOOK ,M]SAULT TO VISIT ,MORALES1 :O WELCOM$ !M W>MLY TO HIS HUGE F>M1 HUMM+ ) WASPS & FRAGRANT ) GRAPES4 ,WE>+ ESPADRILLES & %IRTSLEEVES BECAUSE HE C\LD NOT 5DURE A JACKET & %OES1 ,MORALES %[$ !M ! AIRPLANE1 ! SON'S M$AL FRAM$ 9 ! LIV+-ROOM1 & EXPLA9$ ! NECESSITY ( KEEP+ =EIGN]S \T ( ,ALG]IA 7HE WAS NATURALIZ$1 'BUT ?AT ,B+UES1 = 9/ANCE 444'71 !N L$ !M TO 9SPECT HIS LATE/ ACQUISITION4 ,!Y WALK$ ?R\< AN 5ORM\S V9EY>D 9 ! MIDDLE ( :I* WAS CLE>$ SPACE :]E A K9D ( ,L\IS ,X,V SALON HAD BE5 SET UP1 EA* PIECE MADE ( ! MO/ PRECI\S WOODS & FABRICS4 ,?US ,MORALES C\LD RECEIVE VISITORS TO HIS GR\NDS4 ,:5 ,M]SAULT C\RTE\SLY ASK$ :AT HAPP5$ :5 IT RA9$1 ,MORALES %IFT$ HIS CIG> &1 )\T EV5 BL9K+1 ANSW]$3 ',I REPLACE IT4' ,ON HIS WAY HOME1 ,M]SAULT SP5T ! TIME >GU+ ) ,B]N>D OV] ! DIFF]5CE BETWE5 ! N\VEAU-RI*E & ! POET4 ,MORALES1 ACCORD+ TO ,B]N>D1 WAS A POET4 ,M]SAULT DECL>$ HE W\LD HAVE MADE A SPL5DID ,ROMAN EMP]OR DUR+ ! DECL9E4 

,SOME TIME LAT]1 ,LUCI5NE CAME TO ! ,*5\A = A FEW DAYS1 !N LEFT4 ,ONE ,SUNDAY MORN+1 ,CLAIRE1 ,ROSE & ,CA!R9E PAID ,M]SAULT A VISIT1 AS !Y HAD PROMIS$4 ,BUT ,PATRICE WAS ALREADY V]Y F> FROM ! /ATE ( M9D :I* HAD DRIV5 HIM TO ,ALGI]S DUR+ ! FIR/ DAYS ( HIS RETREAT4 ,HE WAS GLAD TO SEE !M AGA91 EV5 SO1 & BR\<T ,B]N>D TO MEET !M AT ! /OP :]E ! BIG YELL[ BUS DROPP$ !M (F4 ,IT WAS A MAGNIFIC5T DAY1 ! VILLAGE FULL ( ! F9E R$ C>TS ( IT9]ANT BUT*]S1 FL[]S EV]Y:]E1 & ! VILLAG]S DRESS$ 9 BRI<T COLORS4 ,AT ,CA!R9E'S REQUE/ !Y TOOK A TABLE AT ! CAFE1 & ! GIRLS M>VEL$ AT ALL ?IS BRILLIANT LIFE1 DIV9+ ! SEA'S PRES5CE BEH9D ! WALL !Y LEAN$ AGA9/4 ,AS !Y W]E LEAV+1 AN A/ONI%+ BUR/ ( MUSIC EXPLOD$ 9 A NE>BY /REET3 ,! ,TOREADOR ,SONG FROM ,C>M51 BUT P]=M$ ) AN EXUB]ANCE :I* PREV5T$ ! 9/RUM5TS FROM KEEP+ 9 TUNE OR TIME4 ',! GYMNA/IC SOCIETY1' ,B]N>D EXPLA9$4 ,!N SOME TW5TY /RANGE MUSICIANS APPE>$1 EA* PUFF+ ON A DIFF]5T K9D ( W9D-9/RUM5T4 ,!Y M>*$ T[>DS ! CAFE1 & BEH9D !M1 HIS HAT WORN OV] A H&K]*IEF ON ! BACK ( HIS HEAD1 COOL+ HIMSELF ) A *EAP FAN1 APPE>$ ,MORALES4 ,HE HAD HIR$ !SE MUSICIANS 9 ! CITY BECAUSE1 AS HE EXPLA9$1 ') ?IS DEPRESSION1 LIFE >\ND H]E IS TOO SAD'4 ,HE SAT D[N AT A TABLE & GR\P$ ! MUSICIANS >\ND HIM4 ,!N ,MORALES /OOD UP & ANN\NC$ ) TREM5D\S DIGNITY1 MAK+ A SWEEP+ MOVEM5T T[>DS ! AUDI5CE3 ',AT MY REQUE/1 ! OR*E/RA WILL PLAY 0,TOREADOR' AGA94' 

,AS !Y LEFT1 ! GIRLS W]E *OK+ ) LAU<T]1 BUT ONCE !Y REA*$ ,M]SAULT'S H\SE & ! COOL %ADE ( ! ROOMS :I* EMPHASIZ$ ! DAZZL+ :IT5ESS ( ! SUN-DR5*$ G>D5 WALLS1 !Y DISCOV]$ A SIL5T H>MONY :I* ,CA!R9E EXPRESS$ BY ! DESIRE TO TAKE A SUNBA? ON ! T]RACE4 ,M]SAULT WALK$ ,B]N>D HOME4 ,?IS WAS ! SECOND TIME ! DOCTOR HAD GLIMPS$ SOME?+ ( ,PATRICE'S LIFE2 !Y HAD NEV] CONFID$ 9 EA* O!R1 ,M]SAULT CONSCI\S ?AT ,B]N>D WAS NOT A HAPPY MAN1 & ,B]N>D RA!R BAFFL$ BY ,M]SAULT'S WAY ( LIFE4 ,!Y P>T$ )\T A WORD4 ,M]SAULT & ! GIRLS DECID$ TO MAKE AN EXCURSION ! FOLL[+ DAY1 />T+ V]Y E>LY4 ,! ,*5\A WAS HI< & DIFFICULT TO CLIMB -- AHEAD ( !M LAY A SPL5DID DAY ( SUNLI<T & FATIGUE4 

,AT DAWN !Y CLIMB$ ! FIR/ /EEP SLOPE4 ,ROSE & ,CLAIRE WALK$ AHEAD1 ,PATRICE & ,CA!R9E FOLL[+4 ,NO-ONE SPOKE4 ,GRADUALLY !Y ROSE ABOVE ! SEA1 /ILL PALE 9 ! MORN+ MI/4 ,PATRICE FELT HE BELONG$ TO ! M\NTA91 ITS %ORT TURF P[D]$ ) SAFFRON BLOSSOMS1 HIS EAG] BUT WEAK5+ BODY A P>T ( ! ICY SPR+S1 ! %AD[S & ! SUNLI<T4 ,!Y 5T]$ 9TO ! CONC5TRAT$ EF=T ( CLIMB+1 ! MORN+ AIR %>P 9 !IR LUNGS1 DET]M9$ TO CONQU] ! SLOPE4 ,ROSE & ,CLAIRE1 EXHAU/$1 BEGAN TO SL[ D[N4 ,CA!R9E & ,PATRICE WALK$ ON1 & SOON LO/ SI<T ( ! O!R TWO4 

',>E Y\ ALL RI<T8' ,PATRICE ASK$4 

',YES1 IT'S BEAUTIFUL4' 

,! SUN ROSE 9 ! SKY1 & ) IT A HUM ( 9SECTS SWELL$ 9 ! GR[+ W>M?4 ,SOON ,PATRICE TOOK (F HIS %IRT & WALK$ ON B>E-*E/$4 ,SWEAT RAN D[N HIS %\LD]S :]E ! SK9 HAD PEEL$ ) SUNBURN4 ,!Y TOOK A LITTLE PA? ?AT SEEM$ TO FOLL[ ! M\NTA9SIDE4 ,! GRASS WAS WETT] H]E2 SOON A S\ND ( SPR+S GREET$ !M1 & 9 A HOLL[ !Y ALMO/ /UMBL$ OV] ! SUDD5 GU% ( COOLNESS & %ADE4 ,!Y SPR9KL$ EA* O!R1 DRANK A LITTLE1 & ,CA!R9E /RET*$ \T ON ! GRASS :ILE ,PATRICE1 HIS HAIR BLACK ) WAT] & CURL+ OV] HIS =EHEAD1 />$ BL9K+ OV] ! L&SCAPE ?AT WAS COV]$ ) RU9S1 GLEAM+ ROADS1 & SPL9T]S ( SUNLI<T4 ,!N HE SAT D[N BESIDE ,CA!R9E4 

',:ILE Y\'RE ALONE1 ,M]SAULT1 TELL ME -- >E Y\ HAPPY N[8' 

',LOOK1' ,M]SAULT SAID4 ,! ROAD TREMBL$ 9 ! SUN1 & ! AIR WAS FILL$ ) A ?\S& COLOR$ SPECKS4 ,HE SMIL$ & RUBB$ HIS >MS4 

',YES1 BUT 444 ,WELL1 ,I WANT$ TO ASK Y\ -- ( C\RSE Y\ DON'T HAVE TO ANSW] IF Y\ DON'T WANT TO -- ' ,%E HESITAT$3 ',DO Y\ LOVE Y\R WIFE8' 

,M]SAULT SMIL$3 ',?AT'S NOT ESS5TIAL4' ,HE GRIPP$ ,CA!R9E'S %\LD] & %OOK HIS HEAD1 SPR9KL+ WAT] 9TO H] FACE4 ',Y\ MAKE ! MI/AKE ( ?9K+ Y\ HAVE TO *OOSE1 ?AT Y\ HAVE TO DO :AT Y\ WANT1 ?AT !RE >E CONDITIONS = HAPP9ESS4 ,:AT MATT]S -- ALL ?AT MATT]S1 REALLY -- IS ! WILL TO HAPP9ESS1 A K9D ( 5ORM\S1 EV]-PRES5T CONSCI\SNESS4 ,! RE/ -- WOM51 >T1 SUCCESS -- IS NO?+ BUT EXCUSES4 ,A CANVAS WAIT+ = \R EMBROID]IES4' 

',YES1' ,CA!R9E SAID1 H] EYES FILL$ ) SUNLI<T4 

',:AT MATT]S TO ME IS A C]TA9 QUALITY ( HAPP9ESS4 ,I CAN ONLY F9D IT 9 A C]TA9 /RUGGLE ) ITS OPPOSITE -- A /UBBORN & VIOL5T /RUGGLE4 ,AM ,I HAPPY8 ,CA!R9E6 ,Y\ KN[ ! FAM\S =MULA -- 0IF ,I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OV] AGA90 -- WELL1 ,I W\LD LIVE IT OV] AGA9 JU/ ! WAY IT HAS BE54 ,( C\RSE Y\ CAN'T KN[ :AT ?AT MEANS4' 

',NO4' 

',& ,I DON'T KN[ H[ TO TELL Y\4 ,IF ,I'M HAPPY1 IT'S BECAUSE ( MY BAD CONSCI5CE4 ,I HAD TO GET AWAY & REA* ?IS SOLITUDE :]E ,I C\LD FACE -- 9 MYSELF1 ,I MEAN -- :AT HAD TO BE FAC$1 :AT WAS SUN & :AT WAS TE>S 444 ,YES1 ,I'M HAPPY1 9 HUMAN T]MS4' 

,ROSE & ,CLAIRE >RIV$4 ,!Y %\LD]$ !IR KNAPSACKS4 ,! PA? /ILL FOLL[$ ! M\NTA9SIDE1 KEEP+ !M 9 A ZONE ( D5SE VEGETATION1 PRICKLY PE>S1 OLIVE-TREES & JUJUBES4 ,!Y PASS$ ,>ABS ON DONKEYS4 ,!N !Y CLIMB$ AGA94 ,! SUN P\R$ N[ ON EA* /ONE 9 ! PA?4 ,AT NOON1 CRU%$ BY ! HEAT1 DRUNK ON FRAGRANCE & FATIGUE1 !Y FLUNG D[N !IR KNAPSACKS & GAVE UP REA*+ ! TOP4 ,! SLOPES W]E %E] & FULL ( %>P FL9TS4 ,A WIZ5$ OAK %ELT]$ !M 9 ITS CIRCLE ( %ADE4 ,!Y TOOK FOOD \T ( ! KNAPSACKS & ATE4 ,! :OLE M\NTA9 QUIV]$ UND] ! LI<T4 ,! CICADAS W]E DEAF5+ AS ! HEAT ASSAIL$ !M UND] !IR OAK4 ,PATRICE ?REW HIMSELF ON ! GR\ND & PRESS$ HIS *E/ AGA9/ ! /ONES1 9HAL+ ! SCOR*$ >OMA4 ,UND] HIS BELLY HE C\LD FEEL ! FA9T ?ROBS ( ! M\NTA9 ?AT SEEM$ TO BE 9 LABOR4 ,?IS REGUL> PULSE & ! UNREMITT+ SONG ( ! 9SECTS BETWE5 ! HOT /ONES F9ALLY PUT HIM TO SLEEP4 

,:5 HE AWOKE HE WAS COV]$ ) SWEAT1 & EV]Y MUSCLE A*$4 ,IT MU/ HAVE BE5 ?REE 9 ! AFT]NOON4 ,! GIRLS HAD VANI%$1 BUT SOON HE HE>D !IR LAU<T] & %\TS4 ,IT WAS COOL] N[1 TIME TO GO BACK D[N4 ,AT ?IS MOM5T1 AS !Y W]E AB\T TO />T1 ,M]SAULT FA9T$ = ! FIR/ TIME4 ,:5 HE CAME TO1 HE SAW ! COBALT SEA BETWE5 ?REE ANXI\S FACES4 ,!Y WALK$ ON MORE SL[LY4 ,ON ! LA/ SLOPES1 ,M]SAULT ASK$ = A RE/4 ,! SEA WAS TURN+ GRE5 ALONG ) ! SKY1 & ! HORIZON BEGAN TO BLUR4 ,ON ! FOO?ILLS ?AT /RET*$ FROM ! ,*5\A >\ND ! LITTLE BAY1 ! CYPRESSES BLACK5$ SL[LY4 ,NO-ONE SPOKE1 UNTIL ,CLAIRE SAID3 ',Y\ LOOK TIR$4' 

',I'M NOT SURPRIS$4 ,>E Y\8' 

',IT'S NONE ( MY BUS9ESS1 BUT ,I DON'T ?9K ?IS PLACE IS GOOD = Y\4 ,IT'S TOO NE> ! SEA -- TOO DAMP4 ,:Y DON'T Y\ GO & LIVE 9 ,FRANCE -- 9 ! M\NTA9S8' 

',?IS PLACE ISN'T GOOD = ME1 ,CLAIRE1 BUT ,I'M HAPPY H]E4 ,I FEEL 9 H>MONY ) IT4' 

',WELL1 !N Y\ C\LD BE 9 H>MONY -- LONG]4' 

',NO-ONE IS HAPPY RELATIVELY -- = A LONG] OR %ORT] TIME4 ,Y\'RE HAPPY OR Y\'RE NOT4 ,?AT'S ALL4 ,& DEA? HAS NO?+ TO DO ) IT -- DEA? IS AN ACCID5T ( HAPP9ESS1 9 ?AT CASE4' ,NO-ONE SPOKE4 

,AFT] A LONG PAUSE1 ,ROSE SAID3 ',I'M NOT CONV9C$4' ,!Y RETURN$ SL[LY1 AS NI<T WAS FALL+4 

,CA!R9E DECID$ TO S5D = ,B]N>D4 ,M]SAULT WAS 9 HIS ROOM2 BEYOND ! %IFT+ %AD[ ( ! W9D[PANES HE C\LD SEE ! :ITE PAT* ( ! P>APET1 ! SEA LIKE A /RIP ( D>K L95 UNDULAT+ 9 ! TRANSP>5T AIR1 & BEYOND IT ! NI<T SKY1 PAL] BUT />LESS4 ,HE FELT WEAK1 & HIS WEAKNESS MADE HIM MY/]I\SLY LI<T]1 GAY]1 & HIS M9D GREW MORE LUCID4 ,:5 ,B]N>D KNOCK$1 ,M]SAULT S5S$ HE W\LD TELL HIM EV]Y?+4 ,NOT ?AT HIS SECRET WAS A BURD52 IT WAS NOT ?AT K9D ( SECRET4 ,IF HE HAD KEPT IT TILL N[1 IT WAS BECAUSE 9 C]TA9 CIRCLES A MAN KEEPS HIS ?\<TS TO HIMSELF1 KN[+ !Y WILL (F5D ! PREJUDICES & /UPIDITY ( O!RS4 ,BUT TODAY1 AFT] HIS EXHAU/ION1 !RE WAS A SUDD5 LONG+ 9 HIS BODY TO CONFIDE4 ,IT WAS ! WAY AN >TI/1 AFT] C>EFULLY MOLD+ & C>ESS+ HIS WORK1 AT LA/ FEELS ! NE$ TO %[ IT1 TO COMMUNICATE ) M5 -- ,M]SAULT HAD ! FEEL+ HE WAS GO+ TO SPEAK N[4 ,& )\T BE+ C]TA9 HE W\LD DO SO1 HE WAIT$ IMPATI5TLY = ,B]N>D4 

,FROM D[N/AIRS1 TWO BUR/S ( LAU<T] MADE HIM SMILE4 ,& AT ?AT MOM5T ,B]N>D CAME 9TO ! ROOM4 ',WELL8' 

',WELL1 H]E ,I AM1' ,M]SAULT SAID4 ,B]N>D LI/5$ TO HIS *E/1 BUT HE C\LD TELL NO?+ -- HE WANT$ TO HAVE AN ,X-RAY TAK51 IF ,M]SAULT C\LD MANAGE TO GET TO ,ALGI]S4 ',LAT]1' ,M]SAULT REPLI$4 

,B]N>D SAID NO?+ & SAT D[N ON ! W9D[ SILL4 ',I DON'T LIKE BE+ ILL MYSELF1' HE SAID4 ',I KN[ :AT IT IS4 ,NO?+ IS UGLI] OR MORE DEGRAD+ ?AN ILLNESS4' 

,M]SAULT WAS UNCONC]N$4 ,HE GOT UP FROM HIS *AIR1 (F]$ ,B]N>D A CIG>ETTE1 LIT HIS [N1 & SAID ) A LAU<3 ',CAN ,I ASK Y\ A QUE/ION1 ,B]N>D8' 

',( C\RSE4' 

',Y\ NEV] SWIM1 Y\'RE NEV] ON ! BEA* -- :Y DID Y\ PICK ?IS PLACE TO LIVE 98' 

',OH1 ,I DON'T KN[ EXACTLY4 ,IT WAS A LONG TIME AGO4' ,AFT] A PAUSE HE ADD$3 ',BESIDES1 ,I'VE ALWAYS ACT$ ON ! REB\ND4 ,IT'S BETT] N[4 ,BE=E1 ,I WANT$ TO BE HAPPY1 TO DO :AT HAD TO BE DONE1 TO SETTLE D[N SOME:]E ,I REALLY WANT$ TO BE1 = 9/ANCE4 ,BUT S5TIM5TAL ANTICIPATION IS ALWAYS WRONG4 ,WE HAVE TO LIVE ! WAY IT'S EASIE/ = US TO LIVE -- NOT =C+ \RSELVES4 ,I SUPPOSE IT S\NDS A LITTLE CYNICAL1 BUT IT'S ALSO ! PO9T ( VIEW Y\ HAVE TO TAKE TO SURVIVE4 ,9 ,9DO*9A ,I RAN ALL OV] ! PLACE4 ,H]E -- H]E ,I JU/ RUM9ATE4 ,?AT'S ALL4' 

',YES1' ,M]SAULT SAID1 /ILL SMOK+1 DEEP 9 HIS >M*AIR & />+ AT ! CEIL+4 ',BUT ,I'M NOT SURE ?AT ALL S5TIM5TAL ANTICIPATION1 AS Y\ CALL IT1 IS WRONG4 ,ONLY UNREASONABLE SOMETIMES4 ,9 ANY CASE1 ! ONLY EXP]I5CES ?AT 9T]E/ ME >E PRECISELY ! ONES :]E EV]Y?+ TURNS \T TO BE ! WAY Y\ HOP$ IT W\LD4' 

,B]N>D SMIL$4 ',YES1 A READY-MADE DE/9Y4' 

',A MAN'S DE/9Y1' ,M]SAULT SAID )\T MOV+1 'IS ALWAYS PASSIONATELY 9T]E/+1 IF HE A*IEVES IT PASSIONATELY4 ,& = SOME M51 A PASSIONATE DE/9Y IS ALWAYS A READY-MADE DE/9Y4' 

',YES1' ,B]N>D SAID4 ,& HE /OOD UP DELIB]ATELY & />$ \T AT ! NI<T = A MOM5T1 HIS BACK TO ,M]SAULT4 ,HE W5T ON )\T LOOK+ AT HIM3 ',Y\'RE ! ONLY MAN BESIDES MYSELF >\ND H]E :O LIVES ALONE4 ,I DON'T MEAN Y\R WIFE & Y\R FRI5DS D[N/AIRS4 ,I KN[ ?OSE >E EPISODES4 ,/ILL1 EV5 SO1 Y\ SEEM TO LOVE LIFE MORE ?AN ,I DO4' ,HE TURN$ >\ND4 ',BECAUSE = ME1 LOV+ LIFE IS NOT GO+ = A SWIM4 ,IT'S LIV+ 9 9TOXICATION1 9T5SITY4 ,WOM51 ADV5TURES1 O!R C\NTRIES 444 ,IT'S ACTION1 MAK+ SOME?+ HAPP54 ,A BURN+1 M>VEL\S LIFE4 ,:AT ,I MEAN IS -- ,I WANT Y\ TO UND]/& ME -- ' ,HE SEEM$ A%AM$ ( HIS EXCITEM5T1 ',I LOVE LIFE TOO MU* TO BE SATISFI$ ) NATURE4' ,B]N>D PUT AWAY HIS /E?OSCOPE & CLOS$ HIS BAG4 

,M]SAULT SAID3 ',ACTUALLY1 Y\'RE AN IDEALI/4' ,& HE HAD ! S5SE ?AT EV]Y?+ WAS 5CLOS$ 9 ?AT MOM5T :I* %IFTS FROM BIR? TO DEA?1 ?AT EV]Y?+ WAS JUDG$ & CONSECRAT$ !N4 

',?AT'S BECAUSE1 Y\ SEE1' ,B]N>D SAID ) A K9D ( SADNESS1 '! OPPOSITE ( AN IDEALI/ IS TOO (T5 A MAN )\T LOVE4' 

',DON'T BELIEVE IT1' ,M]SAULT SAID1 HOLD+ \T HIS H&4 ,B]N>D HELD HIS H& A LONG TIME4 ',TO ?9K ! WAY Y\ DO1' HE SAID1 SMIL+1 'Y\ HAVE TO BE EI!R A MAN :O LIVES ON TREM5D\S DESPAIR1 OR ON A TREM5D\S HOPE4' 

',ON BO?1 P]HAPS4' 

',OH1 ,I WASN'T ASK+6' 

',I KN[1' ,M]SAULT SAID S]I\SLY4 ,BUT :5 ,B]N>D WAS AT ! DOOR1 ,M]SAULT1 IMPELL$ BY A SUDD5 NE$1 CALL$ HIM BACK4 

',YES8' ! DOCTOR SAID1 TURN+ >\ND4 

',>E Y\ CAPABLE ( FEEL+ CONTEMPT = A MAN8' 

',I ?9K SO4' 

',ON :AT CONDITIONS8' 

,! DOCTOR REFLECT$4 ',IT'S QUITE SIMPLE1 ,I ?9K4 ,9 CASES :5 HE WAS MOTIVAT$ BY EXP$I5CE OR A DESIRE = MONEY4' 

',?AT IS SIMPLE1' ,M]SAULT SAID4 ',GOOD NI<T1 ,B]N>D4' 

',GOOD NI<T4' 

,ALONE1 ,M]SAULT REFLECT$4 ,AT ! PO9T HE HAD N[ REA*$1 ANO!R MAN'S CONTEMPT LEFT HIM 9DIFF]5T4 ,BUT HE RECOGNIZ$ 9 ,B]N>D PR(\ND RESONANCES :I* BR\<T ! TWO ( !M TOGE!R4 ,IT SEEM$ 9TOL]ABLE ?AT A P>T ( HIMSELF %\LD CONDEMN ! RE/4 ,HAD HE ACT$ \T ( EXP$I5CY8 ,HE HAD BECOME AW>E ( ! ESS5TIAL & IMMORAL TRU? ?AT MONEY IS ONE ( ! SURE/ & SWIFTE/ MEANS ( ACQUIR+ ONE'S DIGNITY4 ,HE HAD MANAG$ TO DISPEL ! BITT]NESS :I* BESETS ANY DEC5T S\L AW>E ( ! VILE 9IQUITIES ( ! BIR? & GR[? ( A SPL5DID FATE4 ,?IS SORDID & REVOLT+ CURSE1 :]EBY ! POOR 5D 9 POV]TY ! LIFE !Y HAVE BEGUN 9 POV]TY1 HE HAD REJECT$ BY US+ MONEY AS A WEAPON1 OPPOS+ HATR$ ) HATR$4 ,& \T ( ?IS BEA/-TO-BEA/ COMBAT1 ! ANGEL SOMETIMES EM]G$1 9TACT1 W+S & HALO & ALL1 9 ! W>M BREA? ( ! SEA4 ,IT W\LD BE AS IT HAD BE53 HE HAD SAID NO?+ TO ,B]N>D1 & HIS CREATION W\LD H5CE=? REMA9 SECRET4 

,! GIRLS LEFT >\ND FIVE O'CLOCK 9 ! AFT]NOON ( ! NEXT DAY4 ,AS !Y GOT 9TO ! BUS1 ,CA!R9E TURN$ BACK3 ',GOODBYE1 SEA1' %E SAID4 

,A MOM5T LAT]1 ?REE LAU<+ FACES W]E />+ AT ,M]SAULT \T ( ! RE> W9D[1 & ! YELL[ BUS VANI%$ LIKE A HUGE GOLD5 9SECT 9TO ! SUN4 ,?\< CLE>1 ! SKY WAS A LITTLE HEAVY4 ,M]SAULT1 /&+ ALONE 9 ! ROAD1 FELT A DEEP S5SE ( DELIV]ANCE T+$ ) MELAN*OLY4 ,ONLY TODAY DID HIS SOLITUDE BECOME REAL1 = ONLY TODAY DID HE FEEL B\ND TO IT4 ,& TO HAVE ACCEPT$ ?AT SOLITUDE1 TO KN[ ?AT H5CE=? HE WAS ! MA/] ( ALL HIS DAYS TO COME1 FILL$ HIM ) ! MELAN*OLY ?AT IS ATTA*$ TO ALL GREATNESS4 

,9/EAD ( TAK+ ! ROAD1 HE RETURN$ ?R\< ! C>OB-TREES & ! OLIVES1 FOLL[+ A LITTLE PA? :I* W\ND >\ND ! FOO?ILLS & CAME \T BEH9D HIS H\SE4 ,HE SQUA%$ SEV]AL OLIVES1 & NOTIC$ ?AT ! PA? WAS SPECKL$ ) !SE BLACK OVALS4 ,AT ! SUMM]'S 5D1 ! C>OBS DR5* ALL ,ALG]IA ) ! SMELL ( LOVE1 & 9 ! EV5+ OR AFT] ! RA91 IT IS AS IF ! 5TIRE E>? W]E RE/+1 AFT] GIV+ ITSELF TO ! SUN1 ITS WOMB DR5*$ ) A SP]M SMELL+ ( BITT] ALMONDS4 ,ALL DAY1 !IR ODOR HAD P\R$ D[N FROM ! HUGE TREES1 HEAVY & OPPRESSIVE4 ,ON ?IS LITTLE PA? AT TWILI<T1 SC>CELY APP>5T TO ,PATRICE'S NO/RILS -- LIKE A MI/RESS Y\ WALK ) 9 ! /REET AFT] A LONG /IFL+ AFT]NOON1 & :O LOOKS AT Y\1 %\LD] TO %\LD]1 AMONG ! LI<TS & ! CR[D4 

,AMID ?AT SMELL ( LOVE & SQUA%$1 FRAGRANT FRUIT1 ,M]SAULT REALIZ$ !N ?AT ! SEASON WAS 5D+4 ,A LONG W9T] W\LD BEG94 ,BUT HE WAS READY = IT1 HE W\LD WAIT4 ,FROM ?IS PA? HE C\LD NOT SEE ! SEA1 BUT HE C\LD GLIMPSE ON ! M\NTA9-TOP C]TA9 R$DI% MI/S :I* H]ALD$ ! D>K4 ,ON ! GR\ND1 PAT*ES ( SUN%9E PAL$ AMONG ! %AD[S ( ! FOLIAGE4 ,M]SAULT SNIFF$ ! BITT] FRAGRANCE :I* CONSECRAT$ HIS W$D+ TO ! E>? ?IS AFT]NOON4 ,! EV5+ FALL+ ON ! WORLD1 ON ! PA? BETWE5 ! OLIVES & ! GUM-TREES1 ON ! V9ES & ! R$ SOIL1 NE> ! SEA :I* :ISP]$ S(TLY1 ?IS EV5+ FL[$ 9TO HIM LIKE A TIDE4 ,SO MANY EV5+S HAD PROMIS$ HIM HAPP9ESS ?AT TO EXP]I5CE ?IS ONE AS HAPP9ESS ITSELF MADE HIM REALIZE H[ F> HE HAD COME1 FROM HOPE TO CONQUE/4 ,9 ! 9NOC5CE ( HIS HE>T ,M]SAULT ACCEPT$ ?IS GRE5 SKY & ?IS LOVE-SOAK$ E>? ) ! SAME ?RILL ( PASSION & DESIRE AS :5 HE HAD KILL$ ,ZAGREUS 9 ! 9NOC5CE ( HIS HE>T4 

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

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

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/