,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #a 
,9 ! ,L& ( ,HELOISE 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,NGO ,VAN ,XUYET 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,K5 ,KNABB 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,HEL5E ,FLEURY 

,TEXT 3 

,I,I4 ,9 ! ,L& ( ,HELOISE 

  
,*APT] #a3 ,WORK] 9 ! ,PROMIS$ ,L& 

  

,I HAD LEFT MY C\NTRY 9 ! SPR+ ( #a#i#d#h4 ,! HE>TR5D+ PA9 ( A LOV+ MO!R SIL5TLY 5DUR+ ! P]MAN5T DEP>TURE ( H] PRODIGAL SON6 444 ,! TE>S ( A #a#b-YE>-OLD GIRL HOLD+ H] LITTLE BRO!R 9 H] >MS6 

,! OLD TREE DRIFT+ D[N ! RIV] CAN NEV] RETURN TO ITS NATIVE L& -- ?IS IMAGE FLITT$ >\ND 9 MY HEAD AS ! ,MESSAG]IES ,M>ITIMES FREI<T] RAIS$ AN*OR 9 ! ,SAIGON H>BOR 9 ?AT SAD LATE AFT]NOON4 

,IT TOOK MORE ?AN F\R WEEKS TO LUG US FROM ,SAIGON TO ,M>SEILLES4 

,I TRAVEL$ F\R? CLASS1 9 ! HOLD ) A DOZ5 Y\NG M5 HOP+ TO /UDY 9 ,FRANCE4 ,WE SLEPT 9 BUNKS4 ,AT ONE 5D ( ! HOLD W]E C(F9S BE>+ ! REMA9S ( (FIC]S ( ! ,FR5* ,EXP$ITION>Y ,CORPS :O HAD BE5 KILL$ 9 ! AMBU% AT ,DA ,LAT4 ,! SPECT]S ( ! ,9DO*9A ,W> FOLL[$ US4 

,& SO ?AT SPR+ ( #aidh ,I SET FOOT ONCE AGA9 9 ! ANCI5T ,M$IT]RANEAN CITY ( ,M>SEILLES1 GATEWAY TO ! PROMIS$ L&4 ,F\RTE5 YE>S E>LI]1 WORK+ AS A LAUND]] ON ! ,>AMIS1 ,I HAD >RIV$ AT ! SAME PORT & ROAM$ >\ND ! CITY = ?REE WEEKS DUR+ ! DRYDOCK+ ( ! %IP1 !N RETURN$ TO ,VIETNAM4 ,I HAD 9T5D$ TO GO TO ,P>IS & /AY !RE1 BUT IT TURN$ \T ?AT ,I W\LD NOT GET MY SAILOR'S PAY UNTIL ! 5D ( ! RETURN TRIP1 SO ,I DIDN'T EV5 HAVE ! MONEY = A ,P>IS TRA9 TICKET4 

,?IS TIME ,I WAS H]E = GOOD4 ,SOME ,VIETNAMESE /UD5TS CAME TO ! DOCK TO HELP NEW >RIVALS -- A TRADITION ( SOLID>ITY DAT+ FROM ! FIR/ /UD5T EMIGRATIONS 9 ! #a#i#bS4 ,!Y ADVIS$ ME TO /AY 9 ,M>SEILLES1 PO9T+ \T ?AT1 IF NO?+ ELSE1 IT WAS W>M ALL ! TIME4 ,= ME ?IS WAS \T ( ! QUE/ION3 IT WAS ,P>IS OR BU/4 

,!Y PUT US UP 9 A *EAP HOTEL4 ,! NEXT MORN+ WE HAD \R FIR/ PRACTICAL LESSON 9 URBAN LIFE4 ,! *AMB]MAID1 COM+ TO \R ROOM TO *ANGE ! %EETS1 WAS A/ONI%$ TO SEE ?AT ! B$D+ HAD NOT BE5 DI/URB$4 ,%E ASK$ US3 

0,:]E DID Y\ SLEEP LA/ NI<T80 

0,ON ! B$S60 

0,Y\'RE SUPPOS$ TO SLEEP 9 ! B$S60 %E EXPLA9$1 DRAW+ BACK ! COV]S TO %[ US H[ IT WAS DONE4 

,9 ,VIETNAM1 :]E IT'S W>M ALL ! TIME1 WE W]E US$ TO SLEEP+ ON BUNDL$ BRAN*ES & COV]+ \RSELVES ) GRASS MATS4 ,WE HAD NEV] HE>D ! PHRASE 0GETT+ 9TO B$40 

,\R GUIDES PUT US ON ! NI<T TRA91 & ! FOLL[+ MORN+ WE >RIV$ AT ! ,G>E DE ,LYON .<TRA9 /ATION.> 9 ,P>IS4 ,! CLOCK ON ! T[] ) ITS S9I/]-LOOK+ H&S MADE A /RONG IMPRESSION ON ME1 AS IF IT WAS PROCLAIM+3 0,N[ Y\'RE 9 = IT1 MY BOY6 ,Y\'RE 9 MY P[]60 

,I SETTL$ 9TO ! ,SA9T-,SULPICE NEI<BORHOOD4 ,MY FRI5D ,LUC .<,LU ,SANH ,HANH.>1 :O HAD >RIV$ 9 ,FRANCE ! PREVI\S YE>1 HAD RES]V$ A ROOM = ME 9 ! LITTLE ,HOTEL DE LA ,PR9CIPAUTE ON ,RUE ,S]V&ONI1 RI<T >\ND ! CORN] FROM ,RUE ,VAUGIR>D :]E HE LIV$4 ,ANO!R ,SAIGON REFUGEE1 A RADICAL /UD5T NAM$ ,PHUC1 LIV$ !RE TOO4 

,?AT W9T] WAS MY FIR/ EXP]I5CE ( ICE -- 9 ! BAS9 9 FRONT ( ! ,SA9T-,SULPICE *UR*4 ,I T\*$ IT1 FASC9AT$4 

,DUR+ ! FIR/ FEW MON?S MY ,SAIGON FRI5DS & RELATIVES W\LD P]IODICALLY S5D ME TWO OR ?REE KILOS ( RICE1 :I* ,I SOLD ON ! BLACK M>KET -- PO/W> RATION+ WAS /ILL 9 EFFECT1 & RICE WAS EXTREMELY H>D TO COME BY4 ,LAT]1 ,I GOT BY ) O!R SCAMS :ILE 9 ! PROCESS ( LE>N+ A TRADE & F9D+ SOME REGUL> WORK4 ,I S5T US$ CAM]AS TO A PHOTOGRAPH] FRI5D 9 ,MY ,?O 7:O WAS %ELT]+ MY SON ,DO7 & RADIO P>TS TO AN OLD ,SAIGON RADIO-REPAIRMAN FRI5D 7:O WAS TAK+ C>E ( MY O!R SON1 ,DA74.<#f#g.> 

,9 EX*ANGE = ! RICE ,I BR\<T1 ,I WAS ABLE TO EAT FREELY AT ,LA ,BAIE D',ALONG1 A RE/AURANT ON ,RUE ,GREGOIRE-DE-,T\RS4 

,?AT WAS ALSO :]E ,I MADE MY FIR/ CONTACTS ) ! ,VIETNAMESE DIASPORA & DEVELOP$ FRI5DLY RELATIONS ) ,VIETNAMESE :O HAD BE5 =CIBLY CONSCRIPT$ TO FI<T OR WORK 9 ,FRANCE DUR+ ,WORLD ,W> ,I,I4 ,!Y HAD BE5 AMONG ! #b1 ,VIETNAMESE SOLDI]S 7( :OM #f HAD BE5 KILL$ 9 ! FI<T+7 & ! #b1 CIVILIANS DEPORT$ FROM ,VIETNAM TO ,FRANCE TO WORK 9 DANG]\S W> PRODUCTION4 ,!Y HAD BE5 P5N$ UP 9 CAMPS UND] MILIT>Y DISCIPL9E4 ,MANY DI$ 9 ! PRISONS E/ABLI%$ )9 ?OSE CAMPS TO /AMP \T REBELLION2 O!RS SUCCUMB$ TO />VATION OR DISEASE4 ,DESPITE NUM]\S REVOLTS1 !SE CAMPS CONT9U$ WELL BEYOND ! W> YE>S1 ! MAJORITY UNTIL #a#i#d#h1 A FEW AS LATE AS #a#i#e#b4 ,?IS AM\NT$ TO A D\BLE EXPLOITATION3 BY ! /ATE1 :I* ACT$ AS ! 9T]M$I>Y ) ! 5T]PRISES1 LEVY+ ITS TI!S 9 ! PROCESS1 & BY ! BOSSES 9 TEXTILE FACTORIES1 CON/RUCTION1 SALT PRODUCTION1 ETC41 TO :OM !SE CAPTIVE WORK]S HAD BE5 DELIV]$4 ,9 #aidh ,I ?US CAME TO KN[ ?OSE :O HAD DES]T$ OR HAD BE5 DEMOBILIZ$ ?\S&S ( MILES FROM !IR C\NTRY4 ,SOME1 LIKE ,DANG ,VAN ,LONG1 BECAME CLOSE FRI5DS4.<#f#h.> 

,!IR MEET+ PLACE1 :I* ALSO S]V$ AS A HAV5 = UNEMPLOY$ PEOPLE1 WAS JU/ D[N ! /REET FROM ! ,BAIE D',ALONG RE/AURANT4 ,IT ALSO FUNCTION$ AS A S*OOLROOM :]E A FEW /UD5TS GAVE FREE LESSONS TO !IR COMPATRIOTS 9 ,FR5*1 >I?METIC1 ETC4 ,I JO9$ 91 HELP+ TO TEA* ,VIETNAMESE ILLIT]ATES H[ TO READ & WRITE !IR [N LANGUAGE4 

,NANT]RE .<AN 9DU/RIAL SUBURB WE/ ( ,P>IS.>4 ,NOVEMB] #a#i#e#a4 ,IT'S /ILL D>K4 ,! ,SIMCA AUTO FACTORY RISES BE=E ME1 AN IMM5SE WALL ( ILLUM9$ DIRTY W9D[S1 ITS S9I/] GEOMETRICAL SILH\ETTE /&+ \T AGA9/ ! DAWN+ SKY4 ,AT ! WORK]S' 5TRYWAY ON ! RI<T SIDE ( ! FACTORY1 ACROSS ! /REET FROM A JAM-PACK$ CAFE-B>1 ,I M]GE ) ! D5SE CR[D WAIT+ = ! GATE TO OP5 & SWALL[ US UP4 ,I'VE JO9$ ! WORK+ CLASS4 

,TWO UNI=M$ GU>DS CONTROL ! 5TRY4 ,EA* WORK] PRES5TS HIS ID5TITY C>D4 ,I %[ !M ! NOTIFICATION 9VIT+ ME = A TE/4 ,!Y DIRECT ME TO ! HIR+ (FICE4 

,! P]SONNEL *IEF IS ,M4 ,B\YGUES4 ,I'M APPLY+ = WORK AS AN ELECTRICIAN4 0,Y\'RE #* & Y\'VE NEV] WORK$ BE=E80 ,HE GIVES ME A /RANGE LOOK1 AS IF TO SAY1 0,!SE ,ORI5TALS1 Y\ NEV] CAN TELL !IR AGE 4440 ,AFT] EXAM9+ MY DIPLOMA 9 9DU/RIAL ELECTRICITY FROM ! ,CONS]VATOIRE DES ,>TS ET ,METI]S .<,NATIONAL ,S*OOL ( ,5G9E]+ & ,TE*NOLOGY.>1 HE DIRECTS ME TO ! ELECTRICAL REPAIR & MA9T5ANCE DEP>TM5T ON ! ?IRD FLOOR1 TO TAKE A TE/4 

,AN 5]GETIC =EMAN SETS ME UP ON AN EMPTY WORK B5*1 BESIDE ANO!R ONE :]E AN OLD WORK] IS BUSY ) SOME SMALL TASK4 ,! OLD MAN GIVES ME A SIDELONG GLANCE OV] HIS GLASSES1 !N RETURNS TO HIS WORK4 

,! =EMAN SETS A BUN* ( EQUIPM5T 9 FRONT ( ME4 

0,!SE >E ! P>TS FROM ! CONTROL ME*ANISM ( A WELD+ MA*9E4 ,Y\ HAVE TO REASSEMBLE IT ACCORD+ TO ?IS BLUEPR9T40 

,!N HE SPREADS \T ! S*EMATIC DIAGRAM NEXT TO A PILE ( ELECTRICAL P>TS -- RESI/ORS1 CAPACITORS1 RECTIFI]S1 COILS1 ETC4 -- ALONG ) SOLD]1 PLI]S1 & A FEW O!R TOOLS4 

,DEAF5$ BY ! CLA%+ NOISES FROM ! ASSEMBLY L9E1 ,I PUT ! P>TS TOGE!R1 !N />T ! WIR+4 ,I BECOME SO WRAPP$ UP 9 ?IS ?AT ! NOISES BO!R ME LESS & LESS4 

,MAK+ SURE ?AT ! =EMAN IS NO LONG] PRES5T1 ! OLD WORK] BESIDE ME :ISP]S1 0,H[ >E Y\ DO+ ) ?AT80 ,HE AVOIDS LOOK+ 9 MY DIRECTION -- IF HE'S CAU<T HELP+ ME1 HE'LL BE FIR$4 ,HE CONT9UES TO WAT* ME \T ( ! CORN] ( HIS EYE :ILE PRET5D+ TO BE BUSY ) HIS [N TASK4 ,ANO!R :ISP]3 0,NO1 NOT ?AT WAY6 ,Y\'VE GOT ! RECTIFI] UPSIDE D[N60 ,HE LOOKS RELIEV$ :5 HE SEES ME R$O IT CORRECTLY4 

,AT NOON1 EV]YONE /OPS = LUN*4 ,! ASSEMBLY-L9E NOISE CEASES ALL AT ONCE1 AS IF BY MAGIC4 ,! OLD MAN1 :OSE NAME IS ,GUILLAUME1 9TRODUCES ME TO A CONG5IAL Y\NG] GUY :O HAS COME 9 FROM ! WORK%OP4 ,HE WAS HIR$ TWO WEEKS AGO1 HAV+ PASS$ ! SAME TE/ ,I'M DO+4 ,HE GOES TO WA% HIS H&S1 !N TAKES ME TO ! CAFET]IA4 

,WE HAVE #de M9UTES TO *[ D[N & HAVE A C(FEE4 ,!N HE SAYS1 0,COME ) ME10 & WE LEAVE A BIT E>LY4 ,HE LEADS ME TO ! LOCK] ROOM 9 ! BASEM5T4 ,MAK+ SURE ?AT NO ONE ELSE IS !RE1 HE TAKES A P5CIL & A PIECE ( PAP] FROM HIS POCKET & QUICKLY SKET*ES A DIAGRAM3 0,?IS IS H[ ! WIR+ ( ! HEAT RELAY GOES4 ,IT'S ! TRICK P>T ( ! TE/40 ,I SI< 9 RELIEF1 T\*$ BY ?IS SPONTANE\S HELP4 

,! FOLL[+ AFT]NOON ,I F9I%$ ! WIR+4 ,! =EMAN BR\<T 9 HIS BOSS ,GAIDO1 AN ,ITALIAN 5G9E] :O HAD LE>N$ ! ROPES AT ,FIAT DUR+ ! ,FASCI/ ]A1 TO *ECK MY WORK4 ,! REBUILT MA*9E SEEM$ SATISFACTORY TO BO? ( !M4 ,GAIDO PICK$ IT UP & PUT IT ON ! TE/+ *ASSIS4 ,MY HE>T WAS BEAT+ -- ?IS WAS ! MOM5T ( TRU?6 ,HE TURN$ ON ! SWIT* & IT WORK$6 ,BUT JU/ TO MAKE SURE1 HE RETE/$ IT BY RAPIDLY TURN+ ! MA*9E ON & (F AT IRREGUL> 9T]VALS4 ,IT /ILL PASS$ -- NO LEAK+ SOLD]1 NO BAD CONNECTIONS4 

0,OKAY1 Y\'RE HIR$40 

,! EMPLOYM5T CONTRACT 9CLUD$ ALL ! 9T]NAL FACTORY REGULATIONS1 ALL ! RULES ( 9DU/RIAL S]VITUDE4 ,!Y HAD ME GO ?R\< AN ID5TIFICATION SCRE5+ & ,I WAS PHOTOGRAPH$4 ,IT REM9D$ ME ( BE+ RUN ?R\< ! JUDICIAL ID5TITY LABORATORY ON ,RUE ,FILIPP9I 9 ,SAIGON1 ACROSS FROM ! ,C5TRAL ,PRISON1 DUR+ MY FIR/ >RE/ 9 #a#i#c#f4 ,N[ ,I HAD MY PLA/IC-COV]$ ID5TITY C>D ) AN ADM9I/RATIVE NUMB] & PHOTO -- MY PASSPORT 9TO ! FACTORY4 ,I WAS P>T ( ! IMP]SONAL FLOCK ( ,SIMCA P]SONNEL4 

,I HAD ! RI<T TO SPEAK ) LABOR UNION REPRES5TATIVES1 & WAS GIV5 A FREE *OICE AMONG ! ?REE UNIONS PRES5T 9 ! FACTORY3 ! ,C,G,T .<! ,/AL9I/ UNION.>1 ! ,C,F,T,C .<! ,*RI/IAN UNION.>1 & AN 09DEP5D5T0 UNION ORGANIZ$ BY ! COMPANY1 :I* CONSI/$ MO/LY ( ,9DO*9A VET]ANS4 ,I *OSE NOT TO JO9 ANY ( !M4 

,DUR+ MY M$ICAL EXAM1 ! OLD DOCTOR1 SEE+ ! DILAPIDAT$ /ATE ( MY LUNGS1 ORD]$ AN ADDITIONAL EXAM4 ,! SOCIAL WORK]1 S5S+ MY ANXIETY1 K9DLY TOOK ME ASIDE3 0,DON'T WORRY4 ,I'M GO+ TO DRAG ?IS \T SO ?AT Y\ WILL HAVE WORK$ LONG 5\< TO GET ,SOCIAL ,SECURITY 9 CASE Y\ HAVE TO /OP WORK+40 

,AT ! M$ICAL LABORATORY1 NE> ,RUE ,AMP]E1 A PRETTY LAB ASSI/ANT 9 :ITE HOSPITAL G>B DID AN 9TUBATION4 ,I PRACTICALLY SUFFOCAT$ AS %E =C$ ! RUBB] TUB+ D[N MY ESOPHAGUS1 ALL ! WAY TO MY /OMA*4 ,!N %E SUCK$ SOME GA/RIC JUICE 9TO ! TUBE & PUT IT 9 A CULTURE FLUID4 ,IF TUB]CUL> BACILLUS DEVELOP$ )9 ! NEXT ?REE MON?S1 ,I'D BE 9 TR\BLE4 

,MY JOB1 :I* ,I %>$ ) ONE O!R GUY1 WAS TO WAT* OV] ! ELECTRIC SWIT* BOXES ( ! WELD+ MA*9ES1 :I* W]E 9/ALL$ ON ! *ASSIS ASSEMBLY L9E ON ! SAME FLOOR :]E ,I'D DONE ! TE/4 ,9EXORABLY1 ! ASSEMBLY L9E ADVANC$ AFT] EA* PAUSE1 LEAV+ JU/ 5\< TIME = ! WORK] TO MAKE ! REQUIR$ NUMB] ( WELDS4 ,! ASSEMBLY L9E MU/ NOT BE ALL[$ TO /OP1 ! WELD+ MA*9ES MU/ NOT BE ALL[$ TO BREAK D[N4 ,9 CASE ( ANY ME*ANICAL FAILURE1 \R ROLE AS MA9T5ANCE ELECTRICIANS WAS TO IMM$IATELY REPAIR IT DUR+ ! REGUL> PAUSES ( ! L9E4 ,I SP5T MO/ ( MY TIME 9 ! MID/ ( ?IS DEAF5+ ATMOSPH]E DO+ NO?+ BUT WAT*+ ! WELD]S1 :O W]E WORK+ FRANTICALLY TO 0KEEP 9 TIME0 AT EA* PAUSE ( ! L9E4 ,FROM TIME TO TIME !Y W\LD CALL ON US TO REGULATE ! CURR5T ( ! WELD+ MA*9ES OR TO ADJU/ !IR HYDRAULIC PLI]S4 

,:AT WAS 9 ! M9DS ( !SE COMPANIONS1 SLAVES RIVET$ TO ! ASSEMBLY L9E8 ,I HAVE NO IDEA4 ,ALL ?AT CON/ANT /RIV+ TO WORK H>D] & FA/] SO AS TO MAKE A LITTLE EXTRA4 ,WE W]E EXPECT$ TO PRODUCE #ce C>S P] DAY2 ANY?+ OV] ?AT & EA* WORK] GOT A PROPORTIONATE %>E ( ! BONUS4 

,! BOSSES CONTROL \R TIME4 ,TIME EATS AWAY \R LIFE4 ,WE PROLET>IANS >E NO?+ BUT ! BOSSES' 0V>IABLE CAPITAL40 ,I'M /ILL HAUNT$ BY ! HUGE H&S ( ?AT CLOCK 9 ! ,G>E DE ,LYON -- A GIANT CROSS TO CRUCIFY ! WORLD -- :I* LOOM$ UP BE=E ME :5 ,I FIR/ >RIV$ 9 ,P>IS ?AT SPR+ MORN+ 9 #a#i#d#h4 

,HORLOGE6 DIEU S9I/RE1 EFFRAYANT1 IMPASSIBLE 444 

,LE G\FFRE A T\J\RS SOIF2 LA CLEPSYDRE SE VIDE4 

 7,BAUDELAIRE7  
  

.<,CLOCK6 ,S9I/]1 T]RIFY+1 9SCRUTABLE GOD 444 ,! ?IR/ ( ! ABYSS IS UNQU5*ABLE2 ! WAT] CLOCK RUNS DRY4.>.<#f#i.>  
  

,FROM !N ON CLOCK FACES SPIK$ ) PO9T$ H&S PURSU$ ME 5DLESSLY 9 ! CITY4 ,AS ,M>X WROTE 9 ,! ,POV]TY ( ,PHILOSOPHY3 0,TIME IS EV]Y?+1 MAN IS NO?+2 HE IS AT MO/ ! C>CASS ( TIME40.<#g.> 

,I LIV$ 9 A %ABBY HOTEL 9 ! ,*ALONS QU>T]1 NEXT TO ! ,G>E DE ,LYON4 ,A ROOM R5T$ BY ! WEEK1 ) A T9Y S9K4 ,! S+LE LI<T BULB GAVE \T A PALE1 GLOOMY LI<T ?AT WAS 9SUFFICI5T = READ+4 ,/RANGE LITTLE *EAP ,*9ESE RE/AURANTS CR[D$ BO? SIDES ( ! MEAG]LY LIT /REET4 ,PUDDLES ( H\SEHOLD WA/E WAT] GLITT]$ H]E & !RE ON ! L[] 5D ( ! ROADWAY LIKE A UR9AL ?AT NEV] DRA9$ AWAY4 ,DRUG DEAL+ & BLACK M>KET TRAFFICK+ ( EV]Y K9D TOOK PLACE LATE 9TO ! NI<T4 

,I CROSS$ ?IS DISMAL LITTLE /REET E>LY EA* MORN+ TO CAT* ! FIR/ SUBWAY AT #e3#c1 SO AS TO >RIVE ON TIME 9 ! 9DU/RIAL SUBURB WE/ ( ,P>IS4 ,IT TOOK ME MORE ?AN AN H\R & A HALF TO GET FROM ! ,G>E DE ,LYON TO ,NANT]RE4 ,DUR+ ?IS COMMUTE ,I TRI$ TO KEEP MY EYES OP5 & READ ,5GELS'S ,! ,ORIG9 ( ! ,FAMILY1 ,PRIVATE ,PROP]TY & ! ,/ATE 9 ! OLD ,CO/ES $ITION4 ,I READ & R]EAD ! SAME PAGES 9 ! SUBWAY TILL IT REA*$ ! ,PONT DE ,NEUILLY1 !N TRANSF]R$ TO A BUS4 ,!N A QUICK C(FEE 9 ! BI/ROT ACROSS FROM ! FACTORY GATE4 

,! GU>DS CLOS$ ! GATE AT ! BEG9N+ ( ! %IFT4 ,IF ,I WAS LATE1 !Y PHON$ ! *IEF =EMAN BE=E LETT+ ME 94 ,ONE DAY MY =EMAN SAID S>CA/ICALLY1 0,IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GO+ TO HAVE TO GIVE Y\ AN AL>M CLOCK40 

,I CONT9U$ MY /UDIES AT ! ,CONS]VATOIRE DES ,>TS ET ,METI]S4 ,:5 ,I OBTA9$ DIPLOMAS = ?REE YE>S ( 9DU/RIAL ELECTRICITY !ORY1 ,I QUALIFI$ = H&S-ON LAB WORK4 ,!RE W]E ONLY A DOZ5 PLACES 9 ! S*OOL'S LABORATORY1 & !Y W]E RES]V$ = ! /UD5TS ) ! BE/ EXAM SCORES4 ,LEAV+ ! FACTORY ON ! EV5+ ( ! TE/1 ,I >RIV$ A BIT LATE AT ! S*OOL4 ,BUT SOMEH[ ,I MANAG$ TO WORM MY WAY ?R\< ! PACK$ ROOM TO BE ONE ( ! FIR/ TO H& 9 MY PAP]S4 ,IT SOMETIMES HAPP5$ ?AT AMONG ?OSE :O HAD ! SAME SCORES1 :OEV] H&$ HIS 9 FIR/ WAS SELECT$4 ,) RELIEF1 ,I LE>N$ ?AT ,I WAS ADMITT$4 ,I SLIPP$ AWAY QUICKLY4 ,9 ! CR[D BEH9D ME ,I HE>D SOMEONE :ISP]3 0,?AT ,*9K PULL$ A FA/ ONE60 

,I WAS CONFUS$ & ,I WAS A%AM$4 ,= MY [N SURVIVAL1 ,I HAD SUNK TO /RUGGL+ AGA9/ MY FELL[ CREATURES4 ,BUT IF ,I GOT ?R\< ! LAB C\RSES1 ,I W\LD P]HAPS BE ABLE TO F9D A LESS PA9FUL WAY TO MAKE 5DS MEET4 

,!N ! TUB]CULOSIS BACILLI PLAY$ ME A DIRTY TRICK4 ,! FACTORY DOCTOR CALL$ ME 9 ONE DAY AFT] WORK4 0,Y\R TE/ WAS POSITIVE4 ,WE CAN'T KEEP Y\ AT WORK4 ,Y\ HAVE TO GO GET CUR$40 

,! SOCIAL WORK]1 SYMPA!TIC AS BE=E1 %[$ ME ! PROC$URES ,I NE$$ TO FOLL[ TO GET UNEMPLOYM5T & HEAL? B5EFITS4 ,IT WAS UND]/OOD ?AT ,I C\LD GET MY JOB BACK ONCE ,I WAS CUR$4 

,I TOOK ADVANTAGE ( ?IS TIME FREE FROM ! BRUTALIZ+ R\T9E ( ! FACTORY TO TRY TO CL>IFY MY IDEAS & COMMITM5TS1 PA/ & FUTURE4 ,DUR+ ! SAME P]IOD ,I CONT9U$ TO TAKE TE*NICAL CLASSES 9 ELECTRICITY AT ! ,CONS]VATOIRE DES ,>TS ET ,METI]S4 

,AFT] A C\PLE MON?S ( RE/1 IT WAS BACK TO ! DAILY GR9D4 ,?IS TIME ,I WAS ON ! NI<T %IFT4 ,A DEA?LY SIL5CE REIGN$ ON ALL ! FLOORS4 ,! MOTIONLESS ASSEMBLY L9ES1 MA*9ES1 & PRESSES SLEPT AN IRON SLEEP1 SEEM+ TO BE R5EW+ !IR 5]GY SO AS TO BE READY TO EXTRACT ! NEXT DAY'S LIV+ LABOR4 

,! FIR/ FEW NI<TS W]E ! H>DE/4 ,I F\ND IT IMPOSSIBLE TO RECUP]ATE ON DAYTIME SLEEP1 & ?IS UPSIDE-D[N LIFE LEFT ME CON/ANTLY EXHAU/$4 ,AFT] TWO WEEKS ON ! NI<T %IFT1 ,I ASK$ TO RETURN TO MY =M] DAY CREW4 

,I WAS PUT BACK ON ! ASSEMBLY L9E1 /ILL 9 *>GE ( MA9TA9+ ! ELECTRICAL CONTROLS = ! WELD+ MA*9ES1 BUT ?IS TIME = F5D]S & DOORS RA!R ?AN *ASSIS4 ,! %EET METAL P>TS1 SUSP5D$ FROM AN OV]HEAD BELT1 TWI/$ AB\T LIKE A V5OM\S CAT]PILL> ABOVE MY HEAD4 ,AS !Y ADVANC$1 ! WORK] HAD TO APPLY ! WELD AT ! PRECISE 9/ANT ?AT EA* PIECE >RIV$4 ,ONE PIECE PASSES1 ANO!R >RIVES4 ,MAN HIMSELF BECOMES A P>T ( ! MA*9]Y4 

,ONCE :5 ,I HAD TO REPLACE A PAIR ( WORN ELECTRODES ON A SUSP5D$ WELD+ MA*9E1 ,I CUT ! CURR5T & ! L9E /OPP$4 ,! REPAIR TOOK ME AB\T TW5TY M9UTES4 ,!N ,I RECONNECT$ ! CURR5T1 BUT IT TOOK ! ASSEMBLY L9E ANO!R T5 M9UTES TO />T MOV+ AGA94 ,?IS WAS EXTREMELY UPSETT+ TO ! MANAG]S1 :O W]E ALL BREA?+ D[N MY NECK4 ,AS ,I WAS CALMLY REPLAC+ MY TOOLS1 ,GAIDO %\T$3 

0,?AT 9T]RUPTION ( ! L9E CO/ ! COMPANY FIVE MILLION FRANCS6 ,DON'T Y\ UND]/&8 ,Y\ CAN'T JU/ CUT ! CURR5T LIKE ?AT60 

0,AT S*OOL ,I WAS W>N$ NEV] TO WORK ) ! P[] ON10 ,I REPLI$4 

,?IS 9CID5T DID NOT CAUSE ME ANY FUR!R TR\BLE1 BUT ! WELD]S W]E ANNOY$ BECAUSE ( ! BONUS !Y =FEIT$4 ,O!R MEMB]S ( MY TEAM1 ,FR5* WORK]S :O W]E /RONG] ?AN ,I1 C\LD HAVE DONE ! SAME REPAIR 9 FIVE OR T5 M9UTES1 & !Y W\LD NOT HAVE CUT (F ! CURR5T4 ,BUT ,I WAS FOLL[+ ! CORRECT RULE ( ! TRADE1 )\T TAK+ 9TO ACC\NT ! BOSSES' MEASURE ( TIME4 ,I HADN'T =GOTT5 ! OLD ELECTRICIAN :O WAS ELECTROCUT$ 9 ! BASEM5T :ILE *ANG+ A FUZE )\T CUTT+ (F ! ELECTRICITY4 

,FROM !N ON ,I WAS ASSIGN$ TO DO REPAIR WORK 9 ! %OP4 ,! PACE ( WORK WAS LESS FRANTIC ?AN ON ! ASSEMBLY L9E1 BUT REPAIR+ ! MA*9ES REQUIR$ CONSID]ABLE /R5G?4 ,IT /RA9$ MY BACK TO DRAG HEAVY CA/-IRON MA*9E P>TS TO ! WORK B5* OR TO SECURE !M BETWE5 ! MA/ODON JAWS ( ! VISE4 

0,IS ?AT H[ Y\ DO IT 9 Y\R C\NTRY80 ,GAIDO SN>L$ AT ME ONCE :5 HE SAW ME MAKE AN AWKW>D MOVE4 

,I FELT HIS REM>K TO BE A RACI/ SLUR1 BUT AT ! MOM5T ,I C\LDN'T ?9K ( ANY GOOD RETORT TO ! FASCI/4 ,I FUM$ OV] IT = A WEEK4 

,!N1 9 ,APRIL #a#i#e#d1 ,I RESIGN$4 

0,:]E ELSE >E Y\ GO+80 ,GAIDO ASK$4 

0,I DON'T KN[40 

0,DON'T KID ME1 Y\ MU/ HAVE ALREADY F\ND SOME?+ ELSE40 

0,NO1 NO?+40 

0,WELL1 ?9K IT OV]40 

,:5 ! P]IOD = GIV+ NOTICE HAD PASS$1 ,GAIDO & MY TEAM BOSS KEPT 9SI/+ ?AT ,I RECONSID] MY DECISION4 ,BUT ,I WAS SICK ( ! :OLE SC5E4 ,MY FELL[ WORK]S SEEM$ UN9T]E/$ 9 ANY?+ \TSIDE ! DAILY GR9D ( 0,COMMUTE1 WORK1 COMMUTE1 SLEEP 4440 ,!RE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE ANY PO9T 9 TRY+ TO MAKE !M AW>E ( !IR SLAVI% CONDITION4 

,DO :AT MU/ BE DONE1 COME :AT MAY6 ,F9ALLY 9 ,MAY #ai$ ,I RETURN$ MY TOOLS4 ,GOODBYE1 ,SIMCA6 

,! NEXT DAY ,I APPLI$ = WORK AT ,HISPANO-,SUIZA1 A WELL-KN[N BR& ( LUXURY C>S1 9 ,BOIS-,COLOMBES .<A SUBURB NOR?WE/ ( ,P>IS.>4 ,I HAD AN UNUSUAL RECEPTION3 AFT] REGI/]+ MY ID5TITY1 ! SECRET>Y TOOK MY F+]PR9TS4 

0,IT'S = ,NATIONAL ,DEF5SE10 %E EXPLA9$ BE=E LEAD+ ME TO ! EMPLOYM5T (FICE4 

,UPON LOOK+ OV] MY C]TIFICATES FROM ! ,CONS]VATOIRE DES ,>TS ET ,METI]S & NOT+ MY PA/ EXP]I5CE AS A REPAIR ELECTRICIAN1 ! 5G9E] PROPOS$ TO HIRE ME AS A TE*NICIAN4 ,! WORK CONSI/$ ( MEASUR+ AIRPLANE W+ VIBRATIONS :5 ! ATTA*$ MA*9E-GUN WAS FIR$4 ,BUT ! IDEA ( CONTRIBUT+ TO ! F9E-TUN+ ( 5G9ES ( DEA? REPELL$ ME1 & ,I TURN$ D[N !IR JOB (F]4 

,AFT] FIVE WEEKS ( BE+ UNEMPLOY$1 ,I F9ALLY F\ND A JOB AS A TE*NICIAN AT ,MORS 9 ,CLI*Y .<A WORK+-CLASS SUBURB NOR? ( ,P>IS.>4 ,! FACTORY PRODUC$ RAILROAD SIGNAL RELAYS1 BUT ALSO WORK$ = ! ,NAVY4 ,IT WAS !RE ?AT ,I MET ,PACO ,GOMEZ1 A SURVIVOR ( ! ,SPANI% ,CIVIL ,W> :O BECAME MY LIFELONG FRI5D4 

,BORN 9 #a#i#a#g1 ,PACO WAS BR\<T UP 9 ,MADRID BY HIS SEAM/RESS MO!R4 ,AFT] A P]IOD 9 ! ,COMMUNI/ ,Y\? & !N 9 ! ,TROTSKYI/ ,LEFT ,OPPOSITION1 HE JO9$ ! ,P,\,M4 ,9 ,JUNE #a#i#c#g1 :ILE A DELEGATE AT A ,P,\,M CONGRESS 9 ,B>CELONA1 HE WAS >RE/$ BY ! ,/AL9I/S1 :O HAD TAK5 OV] ! ,REPUBLICAN ,POLICE4 ,AFT] SP5D+ A YE> 9 V>I\S ,SPANI% ,REPUBLICAN PRISONS1 HE WAS RELEAS$ & F\<T ON ! ,PYR5EES FRONT 9 A TROOP COMPOS$ MA9LY ( MEMB]S ( ! ,C,N,T4 ,UPON ! VICTORY ( ,FRANCO'S =CES 9 ,JANU>Y #a#i#c#i1 HE JO9$ ! MASS EXODUS TO ,FRANCE & WAS TAK5 TO A REFUGEE CONC5TRATION CAMP AT ,>GELES-SUR-,M] 9 ,PYR5EES-,ORI5TALES4 ,FR5* ,TROTSKYI/S GOT HIM \T ( ! CAMP & BR\<T HIM TO ,P>IS1 BUT HE WAS RE9T]N$ 9 ! SAME CAMP :5 HE WAS CAU<T :ILE SE>*+ 9 ! S\? ( ,FRANCE = HIS REFUGEE COMRADES4 ,SUZANNE1 A TEA*] :OM HE HAD MET 9 ,P>IS1 RECONTACT$ HIM & M>RI$ HIM1 !REBY 5ABL+ HIM TO LEAVE ! CAMP & RETURN TO ,P>IS4 

,AT ,MORS1 ,I WAS ASSIGN$ TO ! TEAM ( 0RELAY REGULATORS10 & WORK$ SITT+ D[N4 ,! WORK WAS LESS >DU\S ?AN AT ,SIMCA1 BUT NEV]!LESS V]Y T$I\S1 DEM&+ MORE DEXT]ITY ?AN TE*NICAL KN[L$GE4 

,ONE AFT]NOON AT WORK1 ,I SUDD5LY FELT SICK4 ,AFT] AN ,X-RAY1 ! FACTORY DOCTOR EXCLAIM$1 0,Y\ MU/ GO TO ! HOSPITAL IMM$IATELY60 

,ONCE ,I WAS 9 ! HOSPITAL1 !Y W\LDN'T LET ME LEAVE4 ,A NURSE MADE ME WA% 9 A BA?TUB1 !N ,I WAS CONF9$ 9 A B$ = TUB]CUL> PLEURISY4 

,:AT W\LD BECOME ( MY SON ,DA1 :OM ,I HAD SUCCE$$ 9 BR++ OV] FROM ,SAIGON JU/ A FEW MON?S E>LI]8 ,HE HAD >RIV$ ON ,MAY #a#g1 #a#i#e#f4 ,HE WAS TWELVE YE>S OLD & DID NOT KN[ A WORD ( ,FR5*4 ,!RE ,I WAS1 0A ROO/] BR++ UP A *ICK10 AS ! ,VIETNAMESE PUT IT4 ,I HAD 5ROLL$ HIM 9 ! LOCAL S*OOL JU/ A FEW /EPS FROM \R ROOM AT #f ,RUE ,NATIONALE4 ,HE HAD A DELI<TFUL & V]Y DEVOT$ TEA*] :O CUT \T PICTURES ( OBJECTS & PA/$ !M 9 A COPY BOOK TO FACILITATE HIS LE>N+ ! NEW LANGUAGE4 ,DA & ,I ONLY SAW EA* O!R 9 ! EV5+1 BUT W]E ABLE TO SP5D ! WEEK5DS TOGE!R4 

,:ILE ,I WAS HOSPITALIZ$1 ,PACO & ,SUZANNE TOOK ,DA TO LIVE ) !M4 ,SUZANNE PLAC$ HIM 9 ! S*OOL :]E %E H]SELF TAU<T1 :]E HE =M$ A CLOSE ATTA*M5T TO ?REE O!R CLASSMATES4 ,!Y CALL$ !MSELVES 0! ,F\R ,MUSKETE]S10 & >E /ILL FRI5DS4 

,ONE TIME ,SUZANNE BR\<T ,DA TO VISIT ME 9 ! HOSPITAL1 BUT HE WAS NOT ALL[$ TO 5T] ! ROOM4 ,SITT+ ON A B5* JU/ \TSIDE1 HE TOLD ME AB\T HIS NEW LIFE4 ,! :ITE HAIRS ON HIS HEAD REFLECT$ ! T]RIFY+ NI<T HE HAD SP5T DUR+ ! PREVI\S YE> 7#a#i#e#e71 BULLETS :I/L+ OV] HIS HEAD AS HE CR\*$ UND] ! B$ DUR+ ! BATTLE BETWE5 ! ,B9H ,XUY5 PIRATES & ,NGO ,D9H ,DIEM'S M]C5>IES 9 ! /RAW HUT NEI<BORHOOD BETWE5 ,SAIGON & ,*OLON4 

,AMONG ! FRI5DS FROM ! FACTORY :O CAME TO SEE ME 9 ! HOSPITAL WAS OLD MAN ,GUYOT4 

0,DON'T WORRY6 ,I'LL TAKE C>E ( Y\R SON10 HE SAID TO ME AS HE PLAC$ SOME ORANGES ON MY B$4 0,I'LL RETURN HIM TO Y\ AS GOOD AS NEW60 

,V&5/E91 A CABLE MAK] AT ! PLANT1 MADE ! SAME W>MHE>T$ (F]4 

,AFT] TWO & A HALF MON?S AT ! HOSPITAL1 ,I WAS GRANT$ A LONG RE/ 9 ! ,PYR5EES4 ,AT ! BEG9N+ ( ,DECEMB] ,I 5T]$ A SANATORIUM 9 ,CAMBO-LES-,BA9S1 NOT F> FROM ! ,SPANI% BORD]4 ,IT WAS CALL$ 0,LES ,T]RASSES0 .<,! ,T]RACES.> & CONSI/$ ( A GR\P ( MULTI/ORI$ BUILD+S & PAVILIONS BUILT ON WOOD$ T]RACES OV]LOOK+ ! ,NIVE ,RIV]4 ,9 FRONT ( ! SANATORIUM1 BEYOND ! CURTA9 ( AUTUMN-COLOR$ TREES ?AT HID ! RIV]1 ROSE ! R\ND$ PEAKS ( ! ,L[] ,PYR5EES4 ,I WAS F9ALLY SEE+ ?AT BLUE SKY C\NTRY ( ! ,S\? ?AT ,BRASS5S'S COMPANION DREAM$ ( 9 ! FILM ,PORTE DES ,LILAS1 FULL ( ! DRIFT+ CL\DS ,I SO LOV$4 ,I />T$ TO PA9T4 

,ONE ( ! P>ADOXES ( MY LIFE3 ,9 PRISON OR 9 A HOSPITAL ,I HAVE FELT FREE1 FRE$ FROM WORRY+ AB\T H[ TO GET MY DAILY RICE4 ,AT ! ,C5TRAL ,PRISON 9 ,SAIGON WE W]E ABLE TO MEET & DISCUSS ?+S )\T WORRY+ AB\T BE+ SPI$ ON BY ! COPS1 :OSE SURVEILLANCE WAS SO PREVAL5T EV]Y:]E ELSE4 ,9 ! HOSPITAL OR ! SANATORIUM1 AP>T FROM ! P]IODS ( TREATM5T1 ,I WAS ABLE TO BREA! FREELY1 LIV+ \TSIDE ! REALM ( TIME TO GA9 & TIME TO LOSE4 

,! SMELL ( TURP5T9E & PA9T DI/URB$ MY ROOMMATE1 SO ! DOCTOR GAVE ME A ROOM ( MY [N 9 ! NEI<BOR+ PAVILION4 ,MY W9D[ OP5$ ONTO A SPL5DID VIEW ( ,MT4 ,URSUYA & ! POETIC BANKS ( ! ,NIVE4 

,9 ! FACTORY1 TIME DOM9AT$ ME1 DEV\R+ ! MOM5TS ( MY LIFE4 ,H]E1 ,I WAS 9TOXICAT$ ) SPACE1 ) ! POETRY ( ! TREES1 ! SONG ( ! RIV]1 ! MELODI\S SIL5CE ( ! M\NTA9S4 

,I DREW & PA9T$ LIKE A BIRD S+S1 LIKE ONE ( ?OSE PREHI/ORIC M5 DRAW+1 PA9T+1 C>V+1 OR LEAV+ IMPRESSIONS ( HIS H&S ON ! WALLS ( CAVES4 ,IT WAS AN 9T]NAL NECESSITY1 LIKE ! SILKWORM3 

,MEME SI1 DIT-ON1 LE FLEUVE SE DESSE*E ET LA MONTAGNE S'USE1 

,LE V] A SOIE JUSQU'A SA MORT CONT9U]A A CRA*] SA SOIE4 

 .<,EV5 IF1 AS ! SAY+ GOES1 ! RIV] DRIES UP & ! M\NTA9 WE>S AWAY1 ! SILKWORM WILL CONT9UE ALL ITS LIFE TO SPIT =? ITS SILK4.>.<#g#a.>  

,MY PREVI\S PA9T+S1 #f ,RUE ,NATIONALE & ,RUE DES ,*IFFONNI]S1 PORTRAY+ ! POOR NEI<BORHOODS 9 ! #a#c? ,>RONDISSEM5T1 HAD BE5 PA9T$ 9 ! EV5+S AFT] MY FACTORY WORK4 ,N[ H]E WAS ! MAGNIFIC5T SILH\ETTE ( ,MT4 ,URSUYA1 DISAPPE>+ & REAPPE>+ BEH9D ! :ITE PAT*ES ( FOG RIS+ FROM ! VALLEY ( ! ,NIVE ,RIV] BEYOND ! R[S ( AUTUMN-COLOR$ TREES4 ,I WAS 5?RALL$ BY ! *>M ( ?IS L&SCAPE1 & DEVOT$ A :OLE S]IES ( PA9T+S TO IT4 

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

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #h1 #bba 3 ,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #a -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #a#g1 #bbb 3 ,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #a -- ,UPDAT$4 

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