,AFT]LUDE 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

,A,F,T,],L,U,D,E 

,*,A,9 ,( ,(,F,I,C,E 

,) A SPLA% ( SUNLI<T TO ! *EEKS ,SPR+ ,BOR\<S BASK$1 5JOY+ ONE ( ITS MORE GLAM\R\S & LESS HUNGOV] MORN+S4 ,SATURDAY DU/$ DILAPIDAT$ BALCONIES ) CAUTI\S OPTIMISM1 ! P]SI/+ S5SE ( A RESPITE FROM S*OOL OR WORK EV5 9 ?OSE ATT5D+ NEI!R4 ,MAY BREW$ 9 ! SCRUFFY V]GES4 ,*ALK ,LANE'S ELD]LY /ONE WALL B\ND+ ! =M] PAUP]S' CEMET]Y WAS AN ABATTOIR ( POPPIES1 :ILE JU/ UP ! WAY A JUMBLE SALE ASSEMBLY CLOTT$ ON ! DAYC>E C5T]'S SLOPE4 ,! DI/RICT PRE5$2 NO OIL PA9T+ BUT FROM ! RI<T ANGLE /ILL AS PRETTY AS A PICTURE4 

,SCUFF+ D[N ACROSS ! BALD+ M\ND FROM ,CA/LE ,HILL1 ,MICK ,W>R5 TRICKL$ AS AN (F-:ITE BEAD TO M]GE 9TO ! HUMAN PIGM5T POOL$ AB\T ! NURS]Y DOOR1 QUICKLY SURR\ND$ BY A TURQUOISE SWIRL ( SI/] & ! L>GELY NEUTRAL SPATT] ( H] FRI5DS4 ,AL>M+ ,MICK ) AN UNPREC$5T$ KISS ?AT LEFT HIS RI<T *EEK P>TIALLY OBSCUR$ BY A WET CRIMSON CL[N-PR9T1 ,ALMA DRAGG$ HIM UP ONTO ! DOOR/EP & EXCORIAT$ HIM AS %E UNLOCK$4 

0,NO1 S]I\SLY1 ,W>RY1 ?ANKS = ONLY BE+ TW5TY FUCK+ M9UTES LATE4 ,Y\ MU/ GET LOADS ( EXHIBITIONS BAS$ 5TIRELY ON Y\R M5TAL PROBLEMS1 SO1 Y'KN[1 IT MEANS A LOT ?AT Y\'VE TURN$ UP AT ALL4 ,I'M REALLY T\*$4 ,Y\'RE ALMO/ LIKE A BRO!R TO ME40 

,MICK GR9N$1 ! DISQUIET+ B>EFOOT TE5AG] ON ,CRISP9 ,/REET & HIS SEV]ELY LOCALIZ$ DEPRESSION ON ! WALKWAY ( ,SA9T ,PET]'S ,H\SE LO/ 9 ! SOOTY DELTAS AT ! CORN]S ( HIS EYES4 

0,!RE'S NO NE$ TO BE N]V\S1 ,W>RY4 ,I'M H]E N[4 ,I KN[ ,I'M LIKE A SUP]/ITION ) Y\1 >5'T ,I8 ,I'M Y\R ,UNIV]SITY ,*ALL5GE LUCKY GONK4 ,:Y DIDN'T Y\ JU/ OP5 UP )\T ME80 

,ALMA CURL$ H] L[] LIP1 AS IF =MALLY ROLL+ BACK A NO-LONG]-REQUIR$ R$ C>PET4 

0,BECAUSE FUCK (F4 ,?IS IS ! WRONG DOOR = ?IS KEY4 ,CAN'T Y\ JU/ CIRCULATE AMONG !SE 4440 ,ALMA GE/UR$ 9EXACTLY AT ,B5 ,P]RIT4 0444 !SE GALL]Y-GO+ 9TELLECTUALS TILL ,I GET ?IS SORT$ \T8 ,SEE ?AT NOBODY />TS A FI<T OR P9*ES ANY?+40 

,P]=M+ A CON/RA9$ AB\T-TURN ON ! /EP1 HE OV]LOOK$ A P]FECTLY CONVIVIAL CR[D :I* NONE!LESS SEEM$ TO CONTA9 9NATE DISORD]4 ,A FI<T1 ?\< UNLIKELY1 WAS NOT UTT]LY \T ( ! QUE/ION1 BUT !RE DEF9ITELY WASN'T ANY?+ WOR? P9*+4 ,NOR DID ANY ( ?OSE PRES5T SEEM P>TICUL>LY L>C5\S1 EXCEPT P]HAPS ! TWO OLD LADIES HE'D ASSUM$ W]E ) ,B]T ,REGAN'S MOM4 ,!Y /OOD AP>T FROM ALL ! O!R ATT5DEES & LOOK$ LIKE !Y W]E %>+ RECOLLECTIONS ( ! NEI<BORHOOD1 ONE ( !M 9DICAT+ SOME?+ 9 ! G5]AL VIC9ITY ( ,M>Y'S ,/REET :ILE H] COMPANION GR9N$ & NODD$ VIGOR\SLY4 ,! MALICI\S GL9T 9 !IR CR[-TRODD5 EYES ELICIT$ A W>M PANG ( NO/ALGIA = ! MON/R\S ,BOR\<S MATRI>*S ( YE/]YE>1 & BRIEFLY MADE ,MICK MISS HIS ,NAAN4 ,MISS HIS :OLE G5EALOGY = ?AT MATT]1 ) ALMO/ EV]YBODY GONE EXCEPT HIM & HIS SI/]1 :OM HE DIDN'T REALLY SEE AS BE+ REPRES5TATIVE4 

,AGA9/ A LAY]$ BACKDROP :]E DECREPIT #a#i#fS FLATS BLOCK$ RAILWAY Y>DS & DI/ANT P>KL& FUR!R D[N ! SLOPE1 ,DAVE ,DANIELS SMIL$ BEMUS$LY 9 CONV]SATION ) ,ROME ,?OMPSON'S G>RUL\S & SL9KY BOYFRI5D4 ,MRS4 ,REGAN TOLD ,B5 ,P]RIT ?AT HE WAS A SILLY BUGG]1 A P]CEPTIVE DIAGNOSIS BAS$ ON JU/ UND] FIVE M9UTES ( ACQUA9TANCE4 ,BLACKBIRDS SKIMM$ RESURFAC$ PLAGUE-GRAVES 9 ! P>K+ >EA (F ,*ALK ,LANE & ,MICK ALL[$ HIMSELF ! ?\<T ?AT ALL ! PLACE'S PREVI\S W>M WEEK5DS W]E ALSO NOT F> (F1 L+]+ ATMOSPH]ES ( COBBL$ PUB Y>DS1 POCKET MONEY & ! TUPP5NY RU% 9FUS+ ! FRAY$ PRES5T AS A PUNG5T M>9ADE4 ,! LI<T AT ?AT PRECISE TIME1 ?AT P>TICUL> DAY ( ! MON?1 HAD FALL5 9 EXACTLY ! SAME FA%ION UPON ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR* S9CE IT WAS RAIS$4 ,SOME ( ?OSE %AD[S OV] !RE W]E HUNDR$S ( YE>S OLD1 HAD SETTL$ !IR SPECIFIC PALL ON 9SUFFICI5TLY DESPOND5T PALLBE>]S & HESITAT+ BRIDES ALIKE1 ON ,SW$5BORGIANS & REP5T+ RAKES4 ,HE'D HE>D ( LAWS PROTECT+ SOME?+ KN[N AS 0ANCI5T LI<TS01 BUT C\LDN'T REALLY PICTURE ANY PROTE/ LOBBY FI<T+ TO CONS]VE ! ANCI5T D>K1 SAVE POSSIBLY = EASILY IGNOR$ DEPRESSIVES1 ,GO?S & ,SATANI/S4 ,BEH9D HIM1 ,ALMA HAD EV5TUALLY REASON$ ?AT IT WAS 9 FACT H] ,YALE KEY RA!R ?AN ! LOCK1 ! NURS]Y OR ! RE/ ( ,5GL& :I* WAS UPSIDE-D[N1 & WAS APPROXIMATELY /AT+ ?AT ! EXHIBITION WAS N[ OP53 

0,OKAY1 EV]YBODY 94 ,IF ANYBODY HAS CON/RUCTIVE CRITICISMS ?AT !Y'D LIKE TO (F]1 ,I'LL QUITE HAPPILY 5LI<T5 !M ON !IR %IT DRESS-S5SE OR ! MESS !Y'VE MADE ( BR++ UP !IR KIDS4 ,REMEMB] ?AT Y\'RE ONLY H]E TO GASP4 ,SPILL BODY FLUIDS OV] IT1 Y\ PAY = IT4 ,AP>T FROM ?AT1 5JOY Y\RSELVES )9 RATIONAL LIMITS40 

,& ) HIM & ,ALMA AT !IR =EFRONT1 GUFFAW+ & >GU+1 !Y ALL W5T 94 

,MICK'S FIR/ IMPRESSION WAS ?AT ! *OICE TO EXHIBIT SOME ?REE DOZ5 PIECES 9 SU* A RIDICUL\SLY T9Y SPACE HAD BE5 DET]M9$ BY POOR EYESI<T1 HA%I%-9FLU5C$ DECISION-MAK+ PROCESSES1 OR ELSE ! WELL-KN[N FEMALE H&ICAP :5 IT CAME TO SPATIAL >RANGEM5TS3 ! TRAIT :I* MADE !M IMAG9E P5ISES TO BE MU* %ORT] ?AN !Y REALLY W]E4 ,HIS NEXT IMPRESSION1 AFT] ! 9ITIAL S5SE ( OV]:ELM+ OPTIC %ELL%OCK HAD A MOM5T TO SUBSIDE1 WAS ?AT ?IS /AGG]+ BAG-LADY CLUTT] ( IDEAS & IMAGES1 !SE CLOSELY-SPAC$ AIRBUR/S ( HUE & MONO*ROME ADORN+ EV]Y VISIBLE V]TICAL SURFACE MI<T WELL BE DELIB]ATE1 MI<T BE A /RATEGY = BULLY+ ! 9T5D$ AUDI5CE 9TO A DIFF]5T & POT5TIALLY F> MORE PREC>I\S /ATE ( M9D1 ASSUM+ ANYBODY O!R ?AN AN EVIL SCI5TI/ W\LD EV] WANT TO DO ?AT4 ,?IS FA9T SP>K ( 9SI<T WAS IMM$IATELY 9T]RUPT$ BY HIS & EV]YONE ELSE'S ?IRD IMPRESSION1 :I* WAS ( AN \TSIZ$ ?REE-DIM5SIONAL >RANGEM5T SETTL$ ON ITS TABLE 9 ! C5T] ( ! ALREADY RE/RICT$ SPACE4 

,) ,ALMA HAV+ DEFTLY SLIPP$ >\ND ?IS EYE-CAT*+ OB/RUCTION \T ( H>M'S WAY1 ,MICK & HIS ATT5DANT FELL[ PATRONS /ILL DECANT+ ?R\< ! NURS]Y DOOR W]E BR\<T UP %ORT AGA9/ ! NE>SIDE ( ! TRE/LE 9 A RAGG$ TIDAL /RIPE ( ANIMATE DETRITUS4 ,ROMAN ,?OMPSON'S BOYFRI5D ,DEAN W5T1 0,FUCK ME10 9 AN ALMO/ REV]5TIAL TONE1 ,B5 ,P]RIT GIGGL$ & ,B]T ,REGAN'S MOM SAID1 0,WELL1 ,I NEV]40 ,MICK HIMSELF C\LD ONLY MANAGE A /UNN$ SIL5CE1 AL?\< :E!R ONE ( ADMIRATION OR DISQUIET AT ! SURELY OBSESSIVE M5TAL PROCESSES 9VOLV$ HE C\LD NOT EASILY DECIDE4 

,BUILT OV] SEV]AL MON?S FROM C>EFULLY H&-T9T$ PAPI]-MA*E1 SPREAD BE=E !M WAS A MADD5+LY DETAIL$ SCALE REPRODUCTION ( ! MO/LY VANI%$ NEI<BORHOOD AS IT HAD ALMO/ DEF9ITELY NEV] BE54 ,JU/ OV] F\R FOOT SQU>E1 ITS TALLE/ /RUCTURES ONLY 9*ES HI<1 HIS SI/]'S DIORAMA JUXTAPOS$ ! ,BOR\<S' *OICE/ FEATURES1 IRRESPECTIVE ( *RONOLOGY4 ,! SPECKL$ EM]ALD ( ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL'S PLAY+ FIELD MADE ROOM = ! RESURG5T ,FRI5DLY ,>MS HALFWAY UP ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET1 AN E/ABLI%M5T ! EGG-&-SPOON >5A HAD 9 ACTUALITY REPLAC$4 ,SA9T ,PET]'S ,H\SE 9 ,BA? ,/REET COEXI/$ ) ! SEV5-9* TALL *IMNEY T[] ( A ,DE/RUCTOR :I* HAD BE5 DEMOLI%$ 9 ! #cS TO ALL[ ! FLATS' CON/RUCTION4 ,SPANN+ ! WAVE-WR9KL$ RIV]1 BY :AT LOOK$ FROM T9Y ,GU9NESS T\CAN ADS TO BE A #a#i#dS /ATION1 WAS A GAT$ ,CROMWELL-]A DRAWBRIDGE4 ,FLOCK+ EWES SURR\ND$ SM>T-C>S P>K$ 9 ,%EEP ,/REET1 /IPPL$ %IT ON %R$D$ PAP] FLEECES4 

,SE5 FROM OV]HEAD ! C5T] C\RT ( ,GREYFRI>S HAD :AT LOOK$ LIKE ,RIZLA %EETS HUNG FROM ITS SP9DL$ CLO!SL9ES4 ,?IS OMNISCI5T P]SPECTIVE WAS TOO REM9ISC5T ( HIS ,H>RYHAUS5 MUS+S FROM ! SLEEPLESS NI<T BE=E4 ,AWKW>DLY DIS5GAG+ FROM ! PRESS >\ND ! NANO-SLUM'S WE/ B\ND>Y HE SQUEEZ$ APOLOGETICALLY ALONG ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD T[>DS ,CRANE ,HILL UP AT ! TABLE'S CORN]4 ,PASS+ HIS [N %RUNK5 T]RACE R[ HE NOT$ ) APPROVAL ?AT ,GRAN'S ORNAM5TAL SWAN WAS N[ A M9IATURI/ /UDY 9 ! FRONT W9D[ ( NUMB] SEV5TE54 ,DESPITE ! NOVELTY1 IT FLEET+LY OCCURR$ TO HIM ?AT HE'D VIEW$ !IR OLD H\SE FROM ?IS UNUSUAL ELEVATION ONCE BE=E1 AL?\< HE C\LDN'T = ! LIFE ( HIM ?9K :54 ,TURN+ ! CORN] 9TO ,GRAFTON ,/REET ALONG ! NOR!RN BORD]1 HE RETRAC$ ! R\TE ( HIS *ILDHOOD TRUCK J\RNEY TO ! HOSPITAL SAVE = A RI<T AT ,REG5T ,SQU>E1 BUT ?IS TIME AS A CASUALLY-DRESS$ GIANT WAD+ WAI/-DEEP ?R\< ! ABS5CE :]E AN IMPLI$ ,SEMILONG %\LD BE4 ,ALMA WAS WAIT+ = HIM ON ! DISPLAY'S FUR!R1 EA/]N SIDE1 LOOM+ ABOVE ! M9I R\ND *UR* ( ! ,HOLY ,SEPUL*] & LE]+ LIKE A MON/R\S ,TEMPL> IDOL1 :I* IF ,MICK REMEMB]$ RI<TLY WAS A GOAT ) TITS4 

0,Y\ DON'T HAVE TO SAY ANY?+4 ,Y\'RE HONOR$ JU/ TO BE RELAT$ TO ME1 ,W>RY1 ,I CAN SEE IT 9 Y\R EYES4 ,DID Y\ SPOT ,GRAN'S SWAN 9 ! W9D[ D[N ,SA9T ,&REW'S ,ROAD8 ,I DID ?AT ) A TRIPLE-D\BLE-Z]O BRU%1 & !Y'RE NOT EV5 REAL4 ,TO BE QUITE HONE/1 :5 ,I ?9K AB\T MYSELF SOMETIMES1 ,I NE>LY FA9T40 

0,W>RY1 EV]YBODY NE>LY DOES ?AT :5 !Y ?9K AB\T Y\4 ,WE'RE NOT MADE ( /ONE4 ,SO1 :AT MAT]IAL DID Y\ USE = ?IS1 !N8 ,IT'S NOT WALRUS DUNG OR ANY?+1 ,I TAKE IT80 

,PIGEON DROPP+S ( EXQUISITE DELICACY CAK$ ! RIM ( A SCAL$-D[N ,DE/RUCTOR4 ,GA!R$ BY ! TABLE'S S\?WE/ CORN] ,ROMAN ,?OMPSON & ,B]T ,REGAN GR9N$ & SQU9T$ AT ! JUNCTION ( ,*ALK ,LANE & ,BLACK ,LION ,HILL1 :]E A QUE] TURRET LIKE A WIT*'S HAT HAD BE5 MA%$ UP ) ,H>RY ,ROS]DALE'S NEWSAG5T'S & ! OLD ,GORDON ,COMM]CIAL1 ! HOTEL4 ,JU/ ! H&-LETT]+ ON ! ADV]TISEM5TS & HO>D+S WAS 5\< TO BREAK Y\R HE>T & RU9 Y\R EYES4 

0,NAH4 ,IT'S ALL MADE ( ,RIZLA PAP]S4 ,*EW$ AB\T F\R HUNDR$ PACKETS UP & SPAT !M \T4 ,IT'S PROBABLY MU* /URDI] ?AN :AT !Y BUILT ! ,EA/]N ,DI/RICT \T (40 

,MICK SURVEY$ ! SLATE-HAT*$ RO(TOPS1 ! PO9TILLI/ FL[]B$S ( ,SA9T ,PET]'S ,*UR*4 

0,YEAH4 ,YEAH1 Y\'RE RI<T4 ,BUT PROBABLY IT'S ALSO LIKELI] TO GIVE Y\ G+IVITIS40 

,9 TRU?1 IT WAS TAK+ ALL ( ,MICK'S DET]M9ATION NOT TO LOOK IMPRESS$4 ,IT WAS AS IF HIS SI/] HAD REMOV$ A CLIPP+ FROM ! UND]GR[? ( BACK/REETS & !N HUSB&$ IT PATI5TLY TO G5]ATE A BONSAI LOCALE1 EV5 OR P]HAPS ESPECIALLY ?OSE FEATURES :I* HAD DISAPPE>$4 ,HIS EV]Y EYE-MOVEM5T UNCOV]$ MORE ( !M4 ,! RIS+ CURVE ( LONG-GONE ,COOP] ,/REET UP TO ,BELLB>N ELICIT$ A MUSCLE-MEMORY ( /RAGGL+ PA/ ! FAD+ ROSE GATES ( ,F]D ,BOSWOR?'S HAULAGE Y>D HALFWAY UPHILL1 ) AT ! TOP ( ! *EW$-PAP] 9CL9E A PA9/AK+ RECON/RUCTION ( ,/4 ,&REW'S ,*UR* SO P]FECT 9 ITS ,GO?IC DETAIL ?AT ! BUILD+'S #a#i#fS DEMOLITION SEEM$ FLATLY IMPOSSIBLE1 NOT M]ELY UNBELIEVABLE4 ,BY LEAN+ LIKE ONE ( ! CLE>ANCE >EA'S P]PETUAL D]RICKS OV] ,%EEP ,/REET1 ,BROAD ,/REET & ! ,LILLIPUTIAN BACK Y>DS 

( ,/4 ,&REW'S ,/REET1 ,MICK C\LD JU/ MAKE \T ! 9F9ITESIMAL FRONT W9D[ ( HIS *ILDHOOD B>B]1 ,ALB]T ,BADG]4 ,SO :Y HAD !Y ALWAYS CALL$ HIM ,BILL8 ,PA9T$ !RE ON ! TISSUE GLASS 9 SPID]Y FLUORESC5T P9K1 HE WAS OBSCURELY HE>T5$ TO F9D AN ILLUM9AT$ ,DUREX SIGN4 ,?REE DOORS D[N WAS ! ,VULCAN ,POLI% @& ,/A9 ,COMPANY1 NO L>G] ?AN A LESS] ,LEGO BRICK & :OLLY NON-EXI/5T 9 ,MICK'S MEMORY UNTIL ?AT MOM5T4 ,ANT-PROPORTION$ HOPSCOT* GRIDS 9 COLOR$ *ALK SWEETLY DEFAC$ ! VANI%$ TILT ( ,BULLHEAD ,LANE1 & MICROSCOPIC MILK BOTTLES NEXT TO SI5NA-CRU/$ LOAVES ( BREAD B$IZ5$ ! FRONT /EPS ON ,FREES*OOL ,/REET4 ,ATT5TION SEIZ$ BY EV]Y HAIR-?9 DRA9PIPE1 BY ! PETROL SPECTRA REPRODUC$ 9 EV]Y O!R PUDDLE1 IT OCCURR$ TO HIM ?AT Y\ C\LD GO MAD LOOK+ AT ?IS /UFF1 LET ALONE BUILD+ IT4 ,BESIDE HIM1 ,ALMA'S =EHEAD CORRUGAT$ P5SIVELY4 

0,Y\ DON'T ?9K ?AT !RE'S SOME ELEM5T MISS+8 ,AS IF ,I WAS US+ ALL ! OBVI\S EF=T AS A CAM\FLAGE TO HIDE ! FACT ?AT ,I'M NOT SAY+ V]Y MU*1 ! WAY ,I US$ TO PLA/] EV]Y PIECE ( ILLU/RATION WORK ) ?AT LABORI\S /IPPL+1 ALL LITTLE DOTS1 :5 ,I WAS />T+ \T8 ,Y\'D TELL ME1 W\LDN'T Y\1 IF ?IS :OLE EX]CISE HAD NO?+ TO IT BUT RIDICUL\SLY GR&IOSE NO/ALGIA80 

,MICK FR[N$ AT HIS SI/] 9 A/ONI%M5T1 NOT SO MU* AT H] VANI%+LY R>E ATTACK ( D\BT AS AT ! LACK ( SELF-AW>5ESS EVID5C$ BY H] LA/ QUE/ION4 

0,NO1 ( C\RSE ,I W\LDN'T1 ,W>RY4 ,NO ONE W\LD4 ,WE'RE SC>$ ( SAY+ ANY?+ 9 CASE Y\ TURN ON US ) A DEBATE AB\T ?+S WE DON'T UND]/&4 ,I ?9K IT'S FAIR TO SAY Y\ WON'T GET HONE/ CRITICISM \T ( ANYBODY 9 >M'S REA* ( Y\1 BECAUSE Y\'RE SU* A T\*Y BIT*40 

,%E N>R[$ ! BLA/-CRAT]S ( H] SOOT-R+$ EYES AS %E CONSID]$1 UNKEMPT HEAD COCK$ TO ONE SIDE1 H] LEVEL & UNBL9K+ GAZE FIX$ ON H] BRO!R = LONG1 ANXI\S SECONDS BE=E ,ALMA V5TUR$ H] REPLY1 SURPRIS+ HIM BY RE/+ A COMRADELY H& ON HIS LEFT %\LD]4 

0,?AT'S AN EXCELL5T PO9T1 ,W>RY1 & WELL MADE40 

,%E TOOK ! H& AWAY1 BUT NOT BE=E HE'D WORRI$ ?AT %E PLANN$ TO DROP HIM ) A ,/> ,TREK N]VE-P9*4 ,MICK1 ( C\RSE1 KNEW !RE WAS NO SU* ?+1 BUT :AT IF ,ALMA DIDN'T8 ,O!R PEOPLE W]E >RIV+ N[1 LATECOM]S POK+ TREPID HEADS >\ND ! NURS]Y DOOR ON ! F> SIDE ( ! OPPRESSIVELY METICUL\S TABLEAU4 ,HE RECOGNIZ$ HIS SI/]'S ACTOR FRI5D1 ,BOB ,GOODMAN1 AL?\< ?AT WAS H>DLY MORE ( AN ACCOMPLI%M5T ?AN SAY+ ?AT HE RECOGNIZ$ ,AY]S ,ROCK4 ,MICK C\LD AT LEA/ TELL ONE ( !SE ]OD$ L&M>KS FROM ! O!R1 PR9CIPALLY BY ! FACT ?AT ,AY]S ,ROCK NEV] WORE A LEA!R JACKET1 A BLACK B]ET OR SU* AN ABID+ LOOK ( DEEP RES5TM5T & MI/RU/4 ,MORE *E]+LY1 BEH9D ! !SPIAN ) HIS DEA?WAT* DEMEANOR ,MICK MADE NOTE ( ,ALMA'S %IPWRECK$ TRANSATLANTIC >TI/ PAL1 ,MEL9DA ,GEBBIE1 SOMEONE ) :OM HE C\LD HAVE AN 5T]TA9+ CONV]SATION IF ! EXHIBITION FLAGG$4 ,MOREOV]1 S9CE HIS OLD] SIBL+ HAD PRIVATELY C$$ ?AT ! PRETTY ,CALI=NIAN WAS BY A HEAD ! BETT] PA9T] ( ! TWO1 ,MICK FELT ?AT HE C\LD %ELT] BEH9D H] AU?ORITATIVE /ATEM5TS & OP9IONS IF HIS SI/] 5G9E]$ TO GIVE HIM AN >TI/IC DUFF+ UP4 ,ACCOMPANY+ H] WAS SOMEONE ELSE ?AT HE'D MET AT LEA/ ONCE BE=E1 ,LUCY ,LIS[IEC1 AN EXTRAMURAL MURALI/ :O ALSO WORK$ 9 ! ,BOR\<S COMMUNITY & :OM HE ?\<T ,ALMA HAD SAID WAS HELP+ TO SECURE ! DAYC>E C5T] = ?IS AFT]NOON4 ,! WOM5 LAU<$ & *ATT$1 HANG+ ON EA* O!R'S >MS1 ! Y\NG] ( ! TWO SO WOND]/RUCK BY ! >T-SMO!R$ WALLS ?AT H] LIDS APPE>$ 9SUFFICI5T TO CONTA9 H] EYES4 ,MORE PUNT]S DRIBBL$ 9 ?R\< ! PROPP$-OP5 DOOR BEH9D !M1 SOME HE ?\<T HE KNEW & SOME HE DIDN'T4 ,ALMA1 BY HIS SIDE1 SI<$ HEAVILY1 /ILL BROOD+ OV] H] RECON/ITUT$ NATAL TURF4 

0,I CAN SEE ?AT ,I'M GO+ TO HAVE TO REA* MY [N CONCLUSIONS AB\T :AT ?IS 9/ALLATION MI<T BE LACK+1 RA!R ?AN RELY+ ON Y\R VALUABLE 9SI<TS4 ,LI/51 ,I ?9K ,ROMAN ,?OMPSON SAID HE'D GOT SOME?+ TO TELL ME1 SO ,I'D BETT] GO & HAVE A WORD ) HIM4 ,IF Y\ W]E GO+ TO LOOK AT ANY ( ! O!R PIECES1 />T TO \R RI<T ( ! DOOR & WORK Y\R WAY >\ND ! ROOM FROM !RE4 ,OH1 & ,I HOPE Y\'VE GOT A LI<T] ON Y\4 ,I'VE LEFT M9E AT HOME1 SO IF ,I NE$ TO POP \TSIDE & HAVE A SMOKE ,I'LL HAVE TO BORR[ Y\RS40 

,MICK NODD$1 WAV+ H] AWAY1 /RUCK BY ! USE ( ! WORD 0IF0 9 H] LA/ S5T5CE1 AS ?\< ,ALMA POPP+ \TSIDE = A SMOKE W]E SOME REMOTE CONT+5CY RA!R ?AN ! ABID+ C]TA9TY ?AT !Y BO? KNEW IT =4 ,) ! PRET5D$ GALL]Y BEG9N+ TO FILL UP1 ITS JO/L+ HORDE SQUEEZ+ TOGE!R 9 EMB>RASS$ WALTZES BETWE5 WALL & TABLE-$GE1 HE CALL$ TO M9D :5 ?IS PLACE HAD BE5 ,M>JORIE ,PITT-,DRAFF5'S DANC+ S*OOL1 CADET ,NIJ9SKIES CLATT]+ ON OP5 P>QUET4 ,ANYBODY TEA*+ TODDL]S ! ,GAY ,GORDON !SE DAYS1 HE REFLECT$1 W\LD BE ON A LI/4 ,DECID+ ?AT HE'D BETT] MAKE A />T ON />+ BLANKLY AT HIS SI/]'S PICTURES IF HE WANT$ TO BE \T ( !RE BY NI<TFALL1 ,MICK TOOK A LA/ M>VEL+ GLANCE AT ! FAG-PAP] PREC9CT - A METALLIC SILV] PA9T$ POND BETWE5 ! TANN+-Y>DS ALONG ,MONK'S ,POND ,/REET2 SE$-SIZ$ />L+S JU/ DISC]NIBLE AGA9/ ! S*OOL'S SLATE RO(TOPS - & NEGOTIAT$ A LABORI\S C\RSE BETWE5 ! JAM ( PUNT]S1 HEAD+ = ! EXHIBITION'S RECOMM5D$ />T+-PO9T BEH9D ! NURS]Y'S W$G$-OP5 DOOR4 ,?IS TURN$ \T TO BE A L>GE CANVAS1 HUNG OR RA!R PROPP$ SO AS TO P>TLY COV] ! ADJAC5T W9D[4 ,NEV] HAV+ BE5 TO ONE BE=E1 ,MICK WASN'T ABSOLUTELY SURE :AT >T %[S W]E SUPPOS$ TO BE LIKE1 BUT ) ?AT SAID HE WAS FAIRLY C]TA9 ?AT !Y W]5'T SUPPOS$ TO BE LIKE ?IS4 ,! CLAU/ROPHOBIC K9D]G>T5 SQUA% ( IMAG]Y DIDN'T LOOK ORGANIZ$ SO MU* AS IT LOOK$ LIKE SOMEONE HAD DETONAT$ AN >T-TEA*] 9 A CONF9$ SPACE4 ,ALREADY IRRITAT$1 ,MICK TURN$ HIS BESIEG$ ATT5TIONS TO ! SUNLI<T-BLOCK+ RECTANGLE ?AT HAD BE5 SPECIFI$ AS ! EXTRAVAGANZA'S PO9T ( 5TRY4 

,FA/5$ TO ! W9D[ FRAME ABOVE ! EXHIBIT ) BLUE ADHESIVE PUTTY WAS A NOTE 9 BIRO GIV+ ! ACRYLIC PA9T+'S TITLE1 ,WORK 9 ,PROGRESS1 ) A RA!R PATRONIZ+ SCRIBBL$ >R[ ANGL$ D[N T[>DS ! FRAME BEL[1 AS IF 9T5D$ = AN AUDI5CE ( H5S4 ,! S5SE ( SLOPP9ESS SUGGE/$ BY ! HA/Y CAPTION WAS1 9 ,MICK'S OP9ION1 ALSO PRES5T 9 ! PIECE ( >T TO :I* IT WAS APP5D$4 ,! ?+ CLE>LY WASN'T F9I%$1 AS IF ,ALMA HAD LO/ 9T]E/ TWO-?IRDS ( ! WAY ?R\<4 ,:I* WAS A %AME BECAUSE ! BIT %E'D BO!R$ TO COMPLETE1 A LU/R\SLY EMBELLI%$ >EA >\ND ! UPP] C5T] ( ! WORK1 WAS ACTUALLY QUITE GOOD4 ,JUDG$ BY ITS TRAIL+ SEPIA JELLYFI% ( ,CONTE UND]-DRAW+1 ! 9T5D$ SC5E WAS A PLA9 WOOD 9T]IOR SE5 FROM A /EEPLY ANGL$ PO9T ( VIEW1 AS IF ?AT ( A CR\*+ ADULT OR P]HAPS A *ILD4 ,! VIEW] LOOK$ UP FROM ?IS DISEMP[]$ P]SPECTIVE AT A T[]+ QU>TET ( R\<HEWN & BROAD-%\LD]$ M5 ) ! PHYSIQUES & LEA!R$ H&S ( LABOR]S1 :O NONE!LESS W]E CLAD 9 :AT LOOK$ TO BE \TSIZ$ *RI/5+ G[NS ( :ITE APPLI$ 9 SU* A MANN] ?AT IT SOMEH[ %IMM]$4 ,! F\R FIGURES /OOD AB\T :AT ,MICK D$UC$ MU/ BE A SA:ORSE1 ) ! PRI/9E DRAP$ EXPANSES ( !IR BACKS PRES5T$ TO ! ONLOOK] & !IR HEADS B[$ 9 MUTT]$ CONSULTATION1 NO D\BT A DISCUSSION ( SOME TE*NICAL NECESSITY FROM :I* ALL SAVE ! HULK+ CRAFTSM5 W]E EXCLUD$4 ,ONLY ONE ( ! ASSEMBL$ CREW APPE>$ AW>E ?AT HE & HIS ?REE C[ORK]S W]E BE+ WAT*$1 TURN+ A PREMATURELY BLEA*$ HEAD TO GAZE D[N ACROSS ONE %\LD] AT ! C[]+ OBS]V]1 TANN$ FACE /]N & SAPPHIRE ?UND]BOLTS 9 HIS AFFRONT$ EYE4 

,/ILL WOND]+ H[ HIS SI/] HAD EFFECT$ ! E!REAL SP>KLE ON H] NAVVIES' DAZZL+ & 9CONGRU\S FROCKS1 ,MICK SQU9T$ CLOS] TO DISCOV] ?AT :AT HAD APPE>$ TO BE A UNI=MLY SN[Y HUE FROM FUR!R (F WAS ACTUALLY A PLA9 MATT UND]COAT TO :I* GLOSS SQU>ES & OBLONGS FILL$ ) SIMIL>LY %9Y SPIRALS1 GLYPHS OR LEOP>D SPOTS HAD BE5 FA/IDI\SLY ADD$1 :ITE ON :ITE4 ,LOOK+ UP PA/ ! RADIANT WORKM5 ) !IR FA9TLY ,SOVIET CONNOTATIONS1 DEEP 9TO ! COMPOSITION'S FUR!R GR\ND FROM ! DI/ORT+ WORM'S-EYE VANTAGE1 HE C\LD JU/ MAKE \T ! SKET*$-9 WOOD5 BEAMS & RAFT]S ( ! CEIL+'S UND]SIDE1 FROM :]E A S+LE NAK$ LI<T-BULB DANGL$ ON ITS FLEX ABOVE ! HEADS ( ! CONF]R+ >TISANS4 ,?AT VAGUE ELLIPSE ( FULLY-R5D]$ CONT5T1 9 ! HI<] MIDDLE REA*ES ( ! CANVAS1 WAS REALIZ$ SO BEAUTIFULLY ?AT ! /RAGGLY BR[N TRAC]IES SURR\ND+ IT1 ! DROPP+ FOLDS ( ! :ITE ROBES1 ! CAT]PILL> CURLS ( %AV$ WOOD AT ! HUDDL$ C>P5T]S' B>E FEET1 MADE ,MICK FEEL ACTIVELY ANNOY$ AT ,ALMA'S SLAPDA% ATTITUDE4 ,:Y C\LDN'T %E HAVE PUT MORE EF=T 9TO IT8 ,AS F> AS HE C\LD SEE1 BETWE5 ! CLUTT]$1 AMATEURI% PRES5TATION & ! HALF-DONE OP5] ! ONLY /ATEM5T %E WAS MAK+ SEEM$ TO BE 0,I CAN'T BE ASS$01 ?\< TO BE FRANK %E WASN'T EV5 MAK+ ?AT ) MU* CONVICTION4 

,SOME:]E 9 ! ?RONG BEH9D HE HE>D ,B5 ,P]RIT LAU<1 AL?\< ?AT C\LD AS EASILY HAVE BE5 AT SOME VEIL$ SUBTLETY 9 ,ALMA'S OEUVRE AS IT C\LD HAVE BE5 AT A KNOCK-KNOCK JOKE OR1 9DE$1 AN ,AL ,QA$A \TRAGE4 ,OR A ,CRUN*Y WRAPP]4 ,FROM ACROSS ! ROOM ,ROME ,?OMPSON'S CIRCL+ VULTURE RASP WAS 9T]RUPT$ BY A RAUC\S \TBUR/ ?AT HE RECOGNIZ$ AT ONCE AS ISSU+ FROM HIS DI/RESS+LY CLOSE BLOOD RELATION4 

0,ROME1 = FUCK'S SAKE4 ,>E Y\ S]I\S80 

,ELSE:]E1 9FREQU5T BUR/S ( ,CALI=NIAN CACKL+ OR ,DAVID ,DANIELS' LULL+ MURMUR W]E DI/9CT ABOVE ! RU/LE ( ! RHUB>B4 ,HOP+ ?AT ?+S MI<T PICK UP1 ,MICK %UFFL$ TO HIS RI<T TO BE/ APPRECIATE ! NEXT C\RSE 9 ?IS ODDLY FLAVOR$ TA/]-M5U1 A F> SMALL] JOB 9 OILS ) A MU* MORE ELABORATE FRAME1 ID5TIFI$ 9 BALLPO9T P5 BY AN ADJO9+ ,PO/-IT /ICK] AS ,A ,HO/ ( ,ANGLES4 

,N[1 ?IS WAS MORE LIKE IT4 ,! RE/RA9$ DIM5SIONS1 SOME?+ LIKE TWELVE 9*ES BY EI<TE5 & DW>F$ BY !IR GILD$ SURR\ND1 B>ELY CONTA9$ A CONC5TRAT$ FIELD ( LI<T & MAGNIFY+-L5S EMBELLI%M5T4 ,! PORTRAIT-ASPECT VIGNETTE1 LIKE ITS PR$ECESSOR1 ONCE AGA9 PRES5T$ AN 9T]IOR AL?\< ON ?IS OCCASION IT APPE>$ TO BE ?AT ( ,SA9T ,PAUL'S ,CA!DRAL4 ,CURDL+ YELL[ LUM9OSITY1 AS ?\< FROM AN 9CIPI5T /ORM )\T1 ALL[$ = BURNI%$ HI<LI<TS ( W>M GOLD LIKE SYRUP TO EM]GE FROM ! PREVAIL+ UMB]S ( A SC5E :I* ,MICK PRESUM$1 DESPITE ITS AIR ( AU!NTICITY1 TO BE IMAG9>Y4 ,ON ! DECORAT$ FLAGS B5EA? ! BUILD+'S ,:ISP]+ ,GALL]Y WAS ]ECT$ AN IMPOSSIBLY TALL GANTRY /RUNG ) PULLEYS & /\T HAWS]S1 ! 9NUM]ABLE /RUTS & CROSSBEAMS ( ! SCAFFOLD+'S CON/RUCTION />KLY CONTRA/+ ) ! PR$OM9ANTLY CIRCUL> DESIGNS ( ! CA!DRAL & P]HAPS EMBODY+ ! MANY ANGLES M5TION$ 9 ! PA9T+'S TITLE4 ,AT ITS L(TIE/ EXTREMITIES ! FEAT ( 5G9E]+ LOOK$ TO BE SUPPORT+ A PREC>I\S PIE-SLICE PLAT=M1 BUT IF ?AT W]E SO HE WAS UNABLE TO EXPLA9 ! PURPOSE ( ! SURELY DREAM-SCALE S&BAG ) ITS /UPEFY+ MASS HUNG ONLY A FEW 9*ES OV] ! IMMACULATELY POLI%$ FLOOR4 ,IT HAD TO BE SOME K9D ( C\NT]WEI<T1 YET = ! LIFE ( HIM ,MICK C\LDN'T FIGURE \T :AT IT WAS BALANC+ UNTIL A CLOS] SQU9T REVEAL$ LESS ?AN A FOOT ( CLE>ANCE UND] ! HUGE FRAMEWORK AT ! C5T] ( ! COMPOSITION4 ,! :OLE ?+ WAS HANG+ FROM ! 9SIDE ( ! DOME ABOVE1 CONCEIVABLY SO ?AT ! N9ETE5?- 

C5TURY LABOR]S CONV]G$ AB\T ! /RUCTURE'S BASE 9 FALL+ %AFTS ( JAUNDIC$ SUN%9E C\LD ROTATE IT4 ,MICK /OOD BACK 9 WOND]M5T1 /RANGELY CONV9C$ BY ! SPECTACUL> UNFEASIBILITY ( ! >RANGEM5T ?AT ! PICTURE *RONICL$ ACTUAL OCCURR5CES2 EV5TS & ME*ANISMS ?AT HAD REALLY 

HAPP5$ OR EXI/$1 ALL 9 BRU%/ROKES SO SMALL AS TO BE ALMO/ 9VISIBLE4 ,! S5SE ( E*O+ SPACE & ! ECCLESIA/IC HU% EVOK$ BY ! DEPICTION'S FALSE DEP?S BORD]$ ON ! TANGIBLE1 TO ! EXT5T ?AT HE C\LD ALMO/ HE> ! T5SILE CREAK ( ?I<-?ICK ROPE OR CAT* A FA9T <O/ ( ! PREVI\S ,SUNDAY'S 9C5SE4 ,IT WAS QUIETLY MAGNIFIC5T1 & ! ONE ELEM5T :I* BO!R$ HIM AB\T ! WORK WAS ITS TRANSP>5T LACK ( ANY?+ TO DO ) HIM OR HIS EXP]I5CE4 ,! SAME WAS TRUE ( ! PREC$+ PIECE AS WELL1 N[ ?AT HE ?\<T AB\T IT4 

,&1 AS IT TURN$ \T1 ! NEXT ONE1 :I* WAS PROPP$ AGA9/ ! NURS]Y WALL B5EA? ,A ,HO/ ( ,ANGLES1 ?US REQUIR+ ,MICK TO CR\* D[N ON HIS HAUN*ES IF HE WANT$ TO 9SPECT IT4 ,%IFT$ BY ?IS ACTION TO A TODDL] PLANE 9HABIT$ BY TR\S]S AS DI/9CT AS FACES1 HE ATTEMPT$ TO TAKE 9 ! (F]+ EXP$I5TLY1 PA9FULLY AW>E ?AT HE PRES5T$ AN OB/RUCTION TO ! /UDI$LY POLITE & YET 9W>DLY SEE?+ KNEES AB\T HIM 9 ! N>R[ AISLE4 ,R\<LY ! SAME 9 SCALE AS ! CA!DRAL SC5E ABOVE BUT ?IS TIME 9 A M\NT+ ( PRI/9E :ITE BO>D1 A HA/Y LABEL CL++ TO ! SKIRT+ BO>D 9=M$ HIM ( ! PICTURE'S TITLE1 ,A,S,B,OS ( ,DESIRE4 ,A %AD[$ OBLONG ) A PLATE-SIZ$ CIRCLE HALFWAY UP1 HE REALIZ$ AFT] A DISORI5T$ PAUSE ?AT HE WAS LOOK+ AT A CLOSE-UP ( A SECURITY CAM]A1 />+ DEAD 9TO ! GLASS ( ITS DILAT$ PUPIL4 ,SMALL ALREADY & MADE EV5 MORE DIM9UTIVE BY ! =E%ORT5+1 AN ISOLAT$ FEMALE FIGURE WAS REFLECT$ 9 ! L5S'S C5T]1 CAU<T 9 ITS AU?ORIT>IAN SN[GLOBE & DEF9$ 9 DELICATE :ITE TRAC]IES AGA9/ ! WORK'S PR$OM9AT+ SWA!S ( SOOTY D>KNESS1 PURPLES ?AT W]E ALMO/ BLACK & CRUMBL+ TO A F9E GRA9 AT !IR $GES4 ,?9K+ BACK TO BOYHOOD EPISODES :]E HE HAD 9ADV]T5TLY 9TRUD$ ON HIS OLD] SI/] :ILE %E WAS PREOCCUPI$ ) >T - MU* MORE UNSETTL+ ?AN B>G+ 9 :ILE %E WAS ON ! TOILET - ,MICK ?\<T ! IMAGE MI<T BE REALIZ$ 9 A C>EFULLY-MASK$ APPLICATION ( ! SURELY OBSOLESC5T SPRAY-DIFFUS]S ?AT HE'D SE5 H] USE1 H+$ TUBES Y\ BLEW ?R\< TO PRODUCE A FLECK$ MI/ 9 ! MANN] ( AN ,AMI% AIRBRU%4 ,?IS W\LD MAKE IT V]Y LIKELY ?AT ! M$IUM WAS COLOR$ 9K1 ,W9DSOR @& ,NEWTON'S /RANGELY SATISFY+ RO/] ( GLASS PYRAMIDS ) LABELS LIKE *ILDR5'S-BOOK H]ALDRY4 ,! WOMAN HELD 9 ! SURVEILLANCE GAZE HAD HI< HEELS & A %ORT SKIRT1 FI/S ?RU/ 9 ! POCKETS ( A FURRY COLL>$ JACKET & H] WEI<T ON ONE FOOT1 HEAD TURN$ TO PE] (F 9TO ! D>K AS IF WAIT+ IMPATI5TLY = SOMEONE4 ,%E SEEM$ UNAW>E ?AT %E WAS BE+ FURTIVELY OBS]V$1 :I* EMPHASIZ$ H] VULN]ABILITY & MADE ,MICK FA9TLY WORRI$ = H]4 ,! IMPASSIVE L5S TOO MU* RECALL$ A VOYEURI/IC EYE BELONG+ TO SOME MA/URBATOR 9 ! %AD[S4 ,C>EFULLY DEL9EAT$ BEADS ( COND5SATION1 JEWEL+ ITS COLD M5ISCUS1 /OOD LIKE LE*]\S SWEAT ON A MOLE/]'S BR[4 

0,W>RY1 ,I KN[ IT'S AWESOME & IT'S ONLY RI<T ?AT Y\ %\LD B[ BE=E IT1 BUT Y\R WOR%IP'S BLOCK+ EV]YBODY'S WAY4 ,IF ,I'D KN[N Y\ W]E GO+ TO %[ ME UP LIKE ?IS ,I'D NEV] HAVE 9VIT$ Y\4 ,OH1 YEAH1 & CAN ,I HAVE A BORR[ ( Y\R LI<T]80 

,) A HEAVY SI< ( RESIGNATION1 ,MICK TURN$ FROM ! DISCONC]T+ NOCTURNE TO REG>D ! ,DOCTOR ,M>T9'S BOOTS ) TWELVE HOLES BUT 9COMPET5TLY FA/5$ LACES :I* APPE>$ TO BE ADDRESS+ HIM4 ,LEV]+ CUMB]SOMELY BACK UP TO HIS FEET HE FI%$ ) SOME RES5TM5T 9 ONE TR\S] POCKET1 F9ALLY PRODUC+ ! REQUISITE ?REE-=-A-P\ND /ICK ( AME?Y/4 ,IT WASN'T ?AT HE M9D$ ,ALMA BORR[+ HIS LI<T]2 IT WAS MORE ! WAY %E /OOD !RE ) H] PALM \T1 AS ?\< HE WAS N9E & %E WAS CONFISCAT+ IT4 

0,H]E4 ,DON'T =GET TO BR+ IT BACK4 ,Y\ DO KN[1 ,W>RY1 DON'T Y\1 ?AT !SE >E JU/ DISCONNECT$ IMAGES ) NO?+ TY+ !M TOGE!R1 UNLESS Y\ C\NT ! CRU%$ C5TIP$E Y\ CALL A SIGNATURE8 ,& :AT HAS ANY ( ?IS GOT TO DO ) H[ ,I NE>LY *OK$ TO DEA?80 

,CASUALLY POCKET+ ! HALF-FILL$ PLA/IC LOZ5GE )\T COMM5T OR APP>5T GRATITUDE1 HIS SI/] SCRUT9IZ$ HIM FROM B5EA? DRUG-&-MASC>A-WEI<T$ LIDS1 RELUCTANT TO LET 9 TOO MANY PHOTONS ( HIS PHILI/9E REB\ND$ LI<T4 

0,WELL1 ,W>RY1 = ! EXHIBITION'S CLIMAX1 9 AN IMPROVIS$ P]=MANCE PIECE ,I'M GO+ TO RAM A FIVE P\ND J> ( C\<-SWEETS D[N Y\R ?ROAT1 F9I% ! JOB1 & V]Y LIKELY COP ! ,TURN]4 ,PEOPLE LIKE Y\ >E ! REASON :Y ! WORK+ CLASS CAN'T HAVE NICE ?+S40 

,HE %OOK HIS HEAD SL[LY & PITY+LY1 A PESSIMI/IC VET4 

0,& PEOPLE LIKE Y\ >E ! REASON !Y CAN'T EV5 F9D !IR %ITTY LI<T]S1 ,W>RY40 

,ALMA GAVE HIM AN ELABORATE TRIPLE ,V-SIGN ?AT 9VOLV$ TWO H&S & ALSO =E>MS CROSS+ AT AN ACUTE ANGLE FROM ! ELB[1 :I* TO ,MICK LOOK$ LIKE A RITUALIZ$ FIT1 BE=E %E FL\NC$ \T ( ! OP5 DOOR TO BO? TAKE & POLLUTE ! AIR4 ,HE WAT*$ H] ?R\< ! NURS]Y W9D[1 AN IMM5SE DU/ BUNNY MADE ( TURQUOISE FLUFF ?AT SEEM$ TO B[L 9 A CONTR>Y BREEZE ACROSS ! ?READB>E M\ND \TSIDE AS %E PAC$ BACK & =?1 SP>K+ A SPLIFF ONLY A LITTLE %ORT] ?AN H] USUAL BL9D-MAN'S CANE BUT :I* HIS SI/] NO D\BT ?\<T ( AS DISCREET & UNOBTRUSIVE4 ,BLOODY WOM5 & !IR 9BUILT 9ABILITY TO GRASP SPATIAL RELATION%IPS4 ,( C\RSE1 IT MI<T BE ?AT %E'D *OS5 SU* AN 9APPROPRIATELY T9Y V5UE SO ?AT EV5 IF ONLY TWO PEOPLE & A DOG %[$ UP %E'D /ILL BE PLAY+ TO A HEAV+ CR[D4 ,FROM \T ! SLAU<T]H\SE PRESS ( HUMANITY IMM$IATELY SURR\ND+ HIM HE HE>D ,B]T ,REGAN V5TURE A NOT-UNRELAT$ DIAGNOSIS4 

0,HUR HUR4 ,FUCK MY ASS4 ,:AT DOES %E ?9K ?IS IS1 ,AGORAPHOBICS FUCK9' ,ANONYM\S1 OR :AT8 ,%E'S NEV] BE5 ON ! SAME PAGE AS EV]YBODY ELSE1 HAS %E1 Y\R KID80 

,MICK TURN$ & GR9N$ AT ! PREPO/]\SLY /URDY-LOOK+ NE']-DO-WELL & *ANC]1 SOMEH[ /ILL GL>+LY G+] EV5 N[ ?AT HIS REMA9+ HAIR WAS GRAY4 

0,HEY UP1 ,B]T4 ,TELL ! TRU?1 ,I ?9K %E'S 9 A DIFF]5T BOOK4 ,IT MI<T EV5 BE 9 A DIFF]5T LANGUAGE1 MORE ?AN LIKELY ONE ?AT %E'S MADE UP4 ,H]E1 IS ! LADY ?AT ,I SAW Y\ /&+ NEXT TO E>LI] Y\R MOM8 ,I HE>D H] TALK+4 ,I'VE NOT HE>D A ,BOR\<S ACC5T LIKE %E'S GOT 9 YE>S40 

,! L&LOCK$ PIRATE B>$ HIS H&FUL ( SURVIV+ TEE?1 A SL$GEHAMM]$ PIANO KEYBO>D1 9 A FOND SMILE4 

0,AH1 YEAH4 ,%E DON'T LOOK A BAD OLD GAL = EI<TY-SIX OR :ATEV] ! FUCK %E IS N[1 DOES %E8 ,GREW UP >\ND ,COMPTON ,/REET JU/ (F ,SPR+ ,LANE4 ,ME & ME BRO!R & ME SI/] RECKON %E'LL \TLIVE ! LOT ( US1 JU/ FROM %E] ,BOR\<S BLOODY-M9D$NESS40 

,MICK FOLL[$ ,B]T'S EYES1 AZURE *IPS ( CA/(F *9A DIT*$ BEL[ ! OXIDIZ+ PRIVET ( HIS BR[1 & SPOTT$ ! SELF-POSSESS$ P5SION] 9 QUE/ION ON ! F> SIDE ( ! MAKE%IFT GALL]Y1 9 ANIMAT$ CONV]SATION ) A CAPTIVAT$ ,LUCY & ,MEL9DA4 ,ALL HE CAU<T WAS1 0,OOH1 YISS1 ,I REMEMB] '[ WE USE T] GIT DRESS$ UP UN' GOO DAYN TAYN01 BUT ?AT WAS ALL HE NE$$ TO SUBM]GE HIM 9 A RECOLLECT$ AURAL FLOODTIDE ( G5ETICALLY DEFECTIVE V[ELS OR MISS+-&-PRESUM$-DEAD CONSONANTS2 ( *IP-%OP QUEUE CONFESSIONS & S*OOL-GATE SOLILOQUIES4 ,TO HE> A ,BOR\<S WOMAN ( ?AT V9TAGE TALK+ WAS TO FEEL B5EA? Y\R F+]TIPS ! EMBOSS$ LETT]+ ON OVAL ,CO-OP MILK *ECKS1 P5NY-COLOR$ & QUIETLY DEP5DABLE 9 VALUE4 ,M>VEL+1 HE RETURN$ HIS ATT5TION TO ! ]/:ILE GASFITT]1 KNIFE CRIME E>LY ADAPT] & ,DODGE ,CITY PLUMB] AT HIS SIDE4 

0,Y\'RE LUCKY TO /ILL HAVE H]1 ,B]T4 ,:O W]E ?OSE WOM5 ,I SAW ) H] :5 ,I TURN$ UP E>LI]8 ,>E !Y TWO MATES ( H]S80 

,! RU/+ CAT]PILL> EYEBR[S CREPT TOGE!R = A PUZZL$ FACE-(F4 

0,Y\'RE NOT TALK9' AB\T ,MEL & ,LUCY80 

,%AK+ HIS HEAD LIKE A WET DOG1 ,MICK SURVEY$ ! CRAMP$ PREMISES PAP]$ ) HIS BIG SI/]'S HALLUC9ATIONS HOP+ HE C\LD PO9T ! PAIR \T1 BUT !Y'D EI!R LEFT ALREADY OR HAD NIPP$ \TSIDE TO GET AWAY FROM ALL ! NOISE & PEOPLE1 NOT ?AT Y\ C\LD BLAME !M4 

0,NO1 !SE W]E BO? OLD] ?AN Y\R MOM4 ,!Y LOOK$ LIKE !Y'D BE5 LIV+ R\ND H]E QUITE A :ILE1 H[ !Y W]E DRESS$40 

,B]T PU%$ HIS LIPS \T 9 AN ORAL %RUG4 

0,I NEV] NOTIC$ 'EM4 ,I KN[ ?AT ,ROME1 ,ROME ,?OMPSON1 'E WAS GO9' \T 'R\ND ALL ! FLATS & %ELT]$ H\S+ YE/]DAY TO TELL 'EM AB\T ,ALMA'S EXHIBITION1 SO MO/ LIKELY IT WAS TWO OLD DE>S FROM ?IS PAT* COME TO 'AVE A BUT*]S & SEE :AT WAS UP40 

,!Y BO? AGRE$ ?AT S\ND$ AB\T RI<T & MADE A CA/-IRON ASPIRATION TO TALK LAT] BE=E CONV]SATIONAL CONVECTION CURR5TS DRAGG$ ! G5IAL URBAN OGRE (F 9TO ! GRUNT & MUMBLE4 ,WAT*+ ,REGAN BORNE AWAY1 ,MICK MADE A M5TAL NOTE TO ASK HIS SI/] H[ ?+S W]E PROGRESS+ ) ,B]T'S HEPATITIS-,C :I*1 LA/ HE'D HE>D1 HAD FAIL$ TO BUDGE EV5 AFT] TWO BLACKLY SUICIDAL 9T]F]ON C\RSES1 LA/-*ANCE REM$IES F> UGLI] ?AN ! DISEASE4 ,RETURN+ HIS ATT5TION TO ! COPI\S VOMIT ( IDEAS & COLORS TRICK+ D[N ! WALLS ( ! E/ABLI%M5T1 HE PICK$ HIS WAY ?R\< ! NEXT SEV]AL PIECES 9 DISGRUNTL$ SE>* ( SOME T5U\S ?READ CONNECT+ ,ALMA'S PEACOCK TE*NICAL DISPLAY ) HIS [N NE>-DEA? EPISODE1 COM+ UP EMPTY-H&$4 

,) ,R\< ,SLEEP]S1 NEXT ( :AT APPE>$ TO BE A L>GELY >BITR>Y SEQU5CE1 HE F\ND HIMSELF LOOK+ AT ! RIOT\SLY HU$ G\A*E DEL9EATION ( A PUB'S FRONT B>1 CONCEIVABLY ! ,OLD ,BLACK ,LION1 :]E LURIDLY BRI<T CU/OM]S LI/$ 9 AN 9EBRIATE OV]-FAMILI>ITY OR ?REAT5$ TO UNH+E !IR L[] JAWS 9 RAUC\S LAU<T]1 BO? ! FLE%Y SPRAWL ( SOCIAL DR9K]S & !IR COLOR-SATURAT$ HABITAT DI/ORT$ & EXAGG]AT$ TILL !Y BORD]$ ON ! AB/RACT4 ,SAT UNNOTIC$ & IGNOR$ AMID ! GEM-LIKE GRE5S & PURPLES ( A BRAY+ MOD]N CLI5TELE WAS AN ANA*RONI/IC #a#i#eS TRAMP R5D]$ 5TIRELY 9 W>M /UBBLE GRAYS ) LAMP BLACK 9 HIS CREASES1 WET TITANIUM ON A RUEFUL EYEBALL4 ,ALMO/ PHOTOGRAPHICALLY REALI/IC 9 COMP>ISON TO ! OBLIVI\S ,WEIM> GROTESQUES SURR\ND+ HIM1 HIS NEWSPR9T TONES CONTRA/+ />KLY ) !IR ,TE*NICOLOR1 ! IT9]ANT CLE>LY EXI/$ ON A SEP>ATE PLANE TO ALL ! O!R C>ELESS REVEL]S REPRES5T$ & APPE>$ TO BE 9VISIBLE 9 !IR BE]-GOGGL$ SI<T4 ,! S+LE FIGURE PRES5T ) NO GLASS BE=E HIM OR 9 H&1 ALONE AMONG ! G>I% ?RONG TO MEET ! VIEW]'S EYE1 HE LOOK$ \T FROM B5EA? HIS BATT]$ HAT-BRIM & ! PICTURE'S DEP?S ) A SAD1 KN[+ SMILE1 POSSIBLY AIM$ AT ! 9S5SATE HORDE AB\T HIM1 OR ! PA9T+'S AUDI5CE1 OR BO?4 ,AN ODDLY POIGNANT SC5E ?AT WAS1 AGA91 NO?+ TO DO ) ,MICK4 

,NEXT UP1 ,X ,M>KS ! ,SPOT1 WAS REALIZ$ AS :AT HE BELIEV$ MI<T BE A L9O-PR9T1 ! SOLIT>Y PILGRIM IT PORTRAY$ MADE \T ( FRACTUR$ SLABS ( SOLID ,9DIAN R$ ON HEAVY WAT]COLOR PAP] ?AT WAS YELL[$1 FLECK$ ) AGE OR TEA4 ,! MONKI% =M WAS /OOP$ B5EA? ! BURD5 ( A HEAVY-LOOK+ & MO/ LIKELY ALLEGORICAL SACK HEFT$ ON ONE BUCKL+ %\LD]1 /RUGGL+ UP AN 9CL9E RECOGNIZABLE FROM ! 9TRUSIVE QUILT ( MOD]N BLOCK-CUT SIGNAGE 9 ! BACKGR\ND AS HALFWAY D[N ,HORSE%OE ,/REET4 ,FRANKLY1 ,MICK DIDN'T HAVE A FUCK+ CLUE1 & ITEM SIX WAS H>DLY MORE 5LI<T5+4 ,ON BO>D R\<LY TWO FEET BY ONE WAS :AT APPE>$ FROM A FEW PACES (F TO BE ! GRA9Y HEAD-&-%\LD]S PORTRAIT ( A HAT-CLAD ,*>LIE ,*APL91 BUT :I* ON APPROA* DISSOLV$ 9TO MIX$ M$IA COLLAGE4 ,A L>GE 9DU/RIAL WAT*-P>T COG1 P]HAPS CLIPP$ FROM A TE*NICAL OR SCI5TIFIC MAGAZ9E1 DESCRIB$ ! UPP] SEMI-CIRCLE ( ! SIL5T />'S ICONIC B[L]1 :ILE ITS B& & BRIM W]E A RECTANGUL> MUNITIONS FACTORY & A SILH\ETT$ B>B$-WIRE F5CE RESPECTIVELY4 ,! FACE B5EA?1 PA/$ TOGE!R FROM TORN PHOTO-SCRAPS ( C>EFULLY COMPOS$ & GRADUAT$ HALF-TONE D5SITIES1 WAS AN 9CONGRU\S C>NIVAL ( ,DIOR MODELS1 %ELL-%OCK VICTIMS1 /OCKPIL$ GASMASKS1 ,PUN* C>TOONS SKEW]+ CONTEMPOR>Y >T & :AT APPE>$ TO BE A P]IOD /REET-PLAN ( ,LAMBE?4 ,! LEFT *EEK WAS BLEA*$-\T POPPY FIELDS1 ONE EYE A FACE ?AT ,MICK ID5TIFI$ AS ! Y\NG ,ALB]T ,E9/E9 & ! O!R ONE A LIFEBELT R+ FROM ! ,TITANIC4 ,! MU/A*E1 HE ?\<T1 MI<T BE ,>*DUKE ,FRANZ ,F]D9&'S NOTORI\S ,S>AJEVO MOTOR VEHICLE4 ,HE DIDN'T EV5 BO!R LOOK+ AT ! HA/ILY SCRAWL$ BALLPO9T AFT]?\<T ?AT GAVE ! GIMMICKY ASSEMBLAGE ITS NO D\BT CLEV] TITLE4 

,ON IT W5T1 A /EEPLY ANGL$ LADD] ( E/RANGEM5T4 ,CLE>LY ONLY !RE = ITS %OCK-VALUE1 ,MICK DECID$1 ! NEXT EXHIBIT DEPICT$ ! B>E BACK ( AN ADULT BLACK MALE1 9 AN +5I\SLY-CRAFT$ FRAME PRECISELY CONT\R$ TO CONTA9 ! MUSCL$ CURVATURES ( ! RI* PURPLE & MAHOGANY EXPANSE4 ,DI/RESS+LY1 ! SK9 9 QUE/ION APPE>$ LATELY FLOGG$1 POSSIBLY BY A CAT-O'-N9E-TAILS ?AT HAD LEFT CLOSE-SPAC$ R$ HORIZONTAL L9ES ACROSS ! GLI/5+ %\LD]-BLADES4 ,IT CAME TO HIM BELAT$LY ?AT !SE M>KS W]E 9T5D$ TO SUGGE/ A T]RIBLE MUSICAL /AVE ON :I* :AT HAD SEEM$ R&OM BLOTS ( GORE REVEAL$ !MSELVES AS C>EFULLY PLAC$ NOTES 9 SOME APPALL+ COMPOSITION4 ,QUEASILY1 HE CA/ AN EYE OV] ! NE>BY MAKE%IFT LABEL4 ,BL9D ,BUT ,N[ ,I ,SEE1 APP>5TLY1 AL?\< ,MICK C\LDN'T = ! LIFE ( HIM4 ,AL?\< 5TIRELY C]TA9 ?AT HIS SI/] W\LD NOT HAVE 9T5D$ ANY SU* ?+1 HE ?\<T ?IS P>TICUL> PIECE MI<T WELL BE CON/RU$ AS RACI/1 OR AT LEA/ AS RACIALLY 9S5SITIVE4 ,HE WOND]$ :AT ,DAVE ,DANIELS W\LD MAKE ( IT1 & NEXT WOND]$ IF WOND]+ ?AT MI<T 9 ITSELF BE RACI/4 

,!N !RE WAS A P5CIL-CRAYON /UDY ( SOMEBODY :O LOOK$ LIKE ,B5 ,P]RIT AMBL+ DISCONSOLATELY AT ! BOTTOM ( AN OCEAN1 CL\DS ( S$IM5T >IS5 FROM HIS HEELS & :AT SEEM$ TO BE MURKY FRAGM5TS ( ,/4 ,PET]'S ,*UR* PROTRUD+ FROM ! SEAB$ 9 ! BACKGR\ND1 WE$ 9 RIBBONS TRAIL+ FROM ! GAP+ M\?S ( ,SAXON MON/]S 9 RELIEF BEL[ ! EAVES4 ,NEXT CAME A L>G] WORK ACCOMPLI%$ 9 A M$IUM :I* ,MICK DI/ANTLY REMEMB]$ WAS CALL$ SCRAP]BO>D1 A /EEPLY-ANGL$ VI/A LOOK+ UP T[>DS A SILH\ETT$ FIGURE /&+ /RADDL+ A RO(-RIDGE ) SOME K9D ( GLASS OR CRY/AL SPH]E HELD UP AL(T 9 EI!R H&1 & L[] ! BLACK SURFACE SCRAT*$ AWAY 9 R&OM SMUDGES TO REVEAL PRISMATIC T9FOIL UND]NEA?4 ,!RE FOLL[$ NOT A PICTORIAL WORK ( ANY K9D BUT RA!R A :ITE APRON1 H&-EMBROID]$ AT ! HEM ) UNEXPECT$LY UPLIFT+ BUTT]FLIES & BEES4 ,IT LOOK$ AS IF A LOT ( EF=T HAD GONE 9TO IT1 BUT ONCE AGA9 HE F\ND HE'D NO CLE> NOTION AS TO :AT1 IF ANY?+1 ! CRISP :ITE L95 WAS MEANT TO BE SAY+ BEYOND 0,EV]YBODY LOOK AT ME4 ,I CAN EMBROID]40 ,NOR WAS ITEM T51 ID5TIFI$ BY A DESULTORY BIRO SCRAWL AS ,H>K ! ,GLAD ,S\ND1 ANY MORE 5LI<T5+4 ,R5D]$1 CONCEIVABLY1 9 OIL PA/ELS IT DEPICT$ A Y\NG WOMAN CLAD 9 #a#i#dS CLO!S1 ALONE & SITT+ 9 A GAS-LIT P>LOR PLAY+ A PIANO4 ,ONLY AFT] SEV]AL MOM5TS DID HE REALIZE ?AT ,TITANIUM ,:ITE HI<LI<TS ON ! FIGURE'S *EEKS EVOK$ REFRACT$ TE>S4 ,IF ANY?+ IT LOOK$ A LITTLE S5TIM5TAL2 *OCOLATE-BOXY EV51 LIKE ?AT BLOKE :O DID ! PICTURE ) ! S++ WAIT]1 ,VETTRIANO4 ,ONCE AGA91 NO REF]5CE TO ,MICK HIMSELF WAS ANY:]E 9 SI<T4 ,HAD ALL ?AT BE5 JU/ ONE ( ,ALMA'S B>ELY COMPREH5SIBLE OR 9DE$ NOTICEABLE JOKES1 ONLY REMOTELY FUNNY TO A SOMEH[-S5TI5T 5CYCLOP$IA :O'D NEV] HE>D ANY GOOD GAGS8 

,IT WAS AT ?IS PO9T ?AT ! OBJECT ( HIS MUS+S ONCE AGA9 MAT]IALIZ$ AT HIS SIDE1 O/5SIBLY TO GIVE HIM BACK HIS BORR[$ LI<T]1 ?\< 9 ACTUALITY TO SEE IF %E APPROV$ ( HIS REACTIONS TO H] PA9T+S4 ,?IS MADE HIM FEEL VAGUELY APPREH5SIVE1 !N ANNOY$ ?AT ,ALMA %\LD 9V]T ! USUALLY UND]/OOD RELATION%IP BETWE5 >T & ITS AUDI5CE4 ,GRANT$1 HE HADN'T BE5 TO MANY EXHIBITIONS1 BUT HE'D COME AWAY ) ! IMPRESSION ?AT AT !SE GALL]Y OP5+S IT WAS ! >TI/ :O WAS N]V\S AB\T BE+ JUDG$1 NOT ! ATT5D+ PUBLIC4 ,ONCE HE'D >M-WRE/L$ HIS LI<T] FROM H] LACQU]$ TALONS HE RAIS$ ?IS PO9T ) HIS SI/]1 AL?\< NOT AS LUCIDLY AS HE HAD MANAG$ 9 HIS HEAD4 ,H] FLUE-BRU% EYES REG>D$ HIM ) G5U9E PUZZLEM5T4 

0,:Y1 ,W>RY1 :AT A WOND]FUL & O!RWORLDLY NOTION4 ,DO Y\ KN[1 ?AT HONE/LY NEV] OCCURR$ TO ME BE=E8 ,A PIECE ( >T IS OBVI\SLY PRON\NC+ JUDGM5T UPON EV]YONE & EV]Y?+ ?AT'S NOT ! PIECE ( >T4 ,WELL1 MY >T IS1 AT ANY RATE4 ,CAN'T SPEAK = ANYBODY ELSE40 

,/>T+ TO NOTICE HIS [N CRITICAL DEFICI5CY ( NICOT9E1 ,MICK'S COMM5T WAS P]HAPS MORE %>P 9 ITS DELIV]Y ?AN HE'D 9T5D$4 ,/ILL1 ?IS DIDN'T MATT]1 ,ALMA BE+ OBLIVI\S TO REBUKE4 

0,SO IT'S NOT >T ?AT'S JUDG+ EV]YBODY1 ,W>RY1 IS IT8 ,IT'S JU/ Y\1 BE+ JUDGM5TAL40 

,%E />$ AT HIM = A MOM5T & !N1 L[]+ H] EYES1 %E SI<$4 

0,AH1 ,W>RY4 ,:Y IS IT ALWAYS ! WISDOM ( SUBNORMAL *ILDR5 ?AT'S MO/ HUMBL+8 ,BUT ,I'M NOT 5TIRELY C]TA9 :Y Y\ RAIS$ ! ISSUE 9 ! FIR/ PLACE BY SUGGE/+ ,I'D BE CRITICAL ( ANY NEGATIVE REACTIONS4 ,:AT'S Y\R [N REACTION SO F>1 ,W>RY1 ?AT'S CAUS$ ALL !SE TR\BL+ & UNACCU/OM$ ?\<TS80 ,HEAD COCK$ TO ONE SIDE1 ,ALMA EY$ H] BRO!R BO? =5SICALLY & QUIZZICALLY1 A WAT*FUL POISON] AL]T = ! FIR/ TELLTALE SYMPTOMS ( SUCCESS4 0,IT C\LDN'T BE ?AT 444 WELL1 ?AT Y\ DON'T LIKE !SE PICTURES ?AT ,I'VE TAK5 GREAT PA9S TO CREATE ESPECIALLY = Y\80 

,IT WAS EXACTLY :AT HE'D DREAD$ & HE'D BR\<T IT ON HIMSELF4 ,H] DRUG-DILAT$ PUPILS1 NE/$ 9 ! PISS$-ON A%ES ( H] IRISES1 W]E WELD$ TO HIM & H] EYELIDS SEEM$ NO LONG] TO BE FUNCTION+4 ,HIS TONGUE HAD DRI$ ONTO HIS PALATE & ! PUN*L9E TO A ,ROMAN ,?OMPSON JOKE ACROSS ! CRAMP$ IMPROMPTU GALL]Y BECAME ! RAUC\S D9N]-ETIQUETTE ( CR[S4 ,ALMA /ILL HADN'T BL9K$4 ,!RE WAS NO WAY TO QUIT ! FIELD ) HONOR1 SO RELUCTANTLY ,MICK /RUCK :AT HE HOP$ WAS A PUGILI/IC /ANCE AS HE W5T ON ! CONV]SATIONAL (F5SIVE4 

0,BUT Y\'VE NOT1 ?\<1 HAVE Y\1 ,W>RY8 ,H[ >E !SE ESPECIALLY = ME1 P>TICUL>LY ,*>LIE ,*APL9 MADE ( ,WORLD ,W> ,ONE & WAT*-P>TS8 ,:AT L9KS ME ) ,*>LIE ,*APL980 

,H] SEEM+LY LIDLESS GAZE SWUNG TO ! CEIL+ AS IF 9 CONSID]ATION1 & !N BACK TO ,MICK4 

0,WELL1 Y\'RE BO? MU*-LOV$ SYMBOLS ( A BETRAY$ PROLET>IAT1 & Y\ BO? WALK LIKE PEOPLE ) EXPLOSIVE DI>RHEA4 ,SO !RE'S ?AT4 ,BUT ,W>RY1 REALLY1 :AT'S ALL ?IS AB\T1 ?IS TRUCUL5CE8 ,IT W\LDN'T BE ?AT Y\'VE =M$ Y\R OP9ION AFT] SEE+ ONLY ! FIR/ SIX OR SEV5 PIECES1 W\LD IT80 

,WID5+ H] MILL-:EEL EYES 5QUIR+LY1 ,ALMA AWAIT$ HIS AFFIRMATIVE REPLY SO ?AT %E C\LD KICK (F AT HIM & SOMEH[ MAKE H] R&OM1 DISCONNECT$ PA9T+S HIS FAULT4 ,=TUNATELY1 ?IS TIME ,MICK WAS READY = H]4 

0,W>RY1 Y\'VE COMPLETELY UND]E/IMAT$ ME1 AS USUAL4 ,I'VE SE5 ! FIR/ ELEV540 

,BELAT$LY1 IT /RUCK HIM ?AT ?IS S\ND$ AS ?\< HE'D WAT*$ A S*OOL CRICKET TEAM4 ,HE C\LD P]HAPS HAVE PHRAS$ IT BETT] & YET FELT ! BASIC PO9T WAS S\ND 5\<4 ,! CORN]S ( HIS SI/]'S M\?1 H[EV]1 /EADILY MIGRAT$ TO ! REGION :]E H] E>S W]E LA/ REPORT$4 

0,OH1 YEAH1 RI<T4 ,! FIR/ ELEV54 ,SO Y\'VE NOT SE5 NUMB] TWELVE80 

,?AT DREADFUL SMIRK4 ,:AT DID IT MEAN8 ,HE SAID ?AT NO1 HE HADN'T1 & ! RICTUS BECAME EV5 BROAD]1 TO ! PO9T :]E HE FE>$ ?AT ! TOP ( ,ALMA'S HEAD W\LD SEP>ATE & SLIDE (F SL[LY1 FALL+ ) A WET ?UD TO ! NURS]Y FLOOR4 ,%E AIM$ ONE BLOOD-DIPP$ F+]NAIL T[>DS A PO9T BEH9D HIM ON HIS LEFT1 & ) HE>T S9K+ HE TURN$ TO CONFRONT ! EXHIBITION'S TWELF? DISPLAY4 

,A BY-?IS-PO9T ANTICIPAT$ BALLPO9T TAG ANN\NC$ ! L>GE ACRYLIC WORK AS ,*OK+ ON A ,TUNE4 ,MICK'S [N S&BLA/$ FEATURES FOLL[+ HIS ACCID5T AT WORK FILL$ ! 5ORM\S CANVAS TOP TO BOTTOM1 $GE TO $GE1 A PO/-APOCALYPTIC L&SCAPE ) A PEEL+ NOSE & A SURPRIS$ EXPRESSION4 ,WAT]+ EYES1 WET BLUE & AGGRAVAT$ R$1 W]E A]IAL VIEWS ( TOXIC PUDDLES SUNK 9 A CORROD$ JUNKY>D FACE4 ,! VIVID ORANGE DU/ ?AT ! COLLAPS$ /EEL DRUM HAD BREA!D ALL OV] HIM SUBM]G$ ! PORTRAIT UND] SW>M+ CAY5NE P9PRICKS1 SORE & FI]Y1 C>EFULLY APPLI$ 9 PIGM5T ?AT HE LAT] LE>N$ WAS NOT ONLY ! E>LIE/ AVAILABLE S\RCE ( ! COLOR BUT WAS ALSO 9 ITSELF FATALLY POISON\S4 ,DOTS ( FIRE-OPAL TEEM$ ON A GR\ND-Z]O PHYSIOGNOMY 9 SPECKL$ RIVULETS1 9 RU/ SWIRLS $DY+ >\ND & 9 BETWE5 P9K DISCUS BLI/]S1 DOLLY-MIXTURE PU/ULES RANG+ 9 SIZE FROM FULL /OPS TO BULLET PO9TS ]UPT+ FROM ! *EMICALLY ABRAD$ EPID]MIS1 EA* BUMP BULG+ FROM ! SURFACE & ACC5TUAT$ ) A VANI%+LY M9UTE FLECK ( HI<LI<T ,*9ESE ,:ITE ON ITS M5ISCUS4 ,UND]/&ABLY1 ,MICK F\ND ! PICTURE H>D TO LOOK AT1 PA9FUL 9 ALL ITS PA9/AK+LY DEPICT$ PA9+ PA94 ,IT WAS A %OCK+ IMAGE1 C]TA9LY1 ( /RIK+ TE*NICAL PR(ICI5CY1 BUT IT SEEM$ HE>TLESS LIKE ! FLAY$ BLACK %\LD]S ( EXHIBIT SEV54 ,) A SICK PANG ( FAMILIAL DISAPPO9TM5T HE WAS ALMO/ READY TO CONSIGN HIS SI/] TO ! SAME *ILL GULAG ( DISDA9 :]E HE HAD ALMO/ EV]Y O!R S\LLESS & ATT5TION-SEEK+ MOD]N ,BRITI% >TI/ ALREADY CONF9$ & ON A DIET ( !IR [N %OES1 :5 HIS ATT5TION WAS SEIZ$ UNEXPECT$LY BY SOME?+ 9 ! CON/ELLAT$ PIMPLES FANN$ ACROSS ! DOPPELGANG]'S *EEKS & =EHEAD4 ,HE LEAN$ CLOS]4 ,IT WAS ALMO/ C]TA9LY HIS PATT]N-F9D+ FACULTIES AT WORK1 LIKE :5 Y\ GOT ?OSE SN>L+ LEP]-MONKEYS 9 MAHOGANY1 BUT !RE EXI/$ SOME?+ TANTALIZ+ 9 ! TEXTURE ( ! RAW DEPICT$ SK9 ) ITS PRECISION RE5ACT$ BURNS4 ,ANNOY$ N[1 HE LEAN$ CLOS] /ILL4 

,! PA9T+ OP5$1 FL[]+ ) NEW PLANES & P]SPECTIVES LIKE A /UPEFY+ POP-UP TO 5CLOSE HIM4 ,NOSE P]HAPS T5 9*ES FROM ! PICTURE IT BECAME APP>5T ?AT ! T9Y C]ISE BOILS & 9T]M+L$ MOTES ( CAU/IC TANG]9E HID PO9TILLI/IC ,SEURAT M9IATURES1 5TIRE SC5ES EM]G+ FROM ! 9FLAM$ D]MAL MI/4 ,BEL[ ! PORTRAIT'S HORRIFI$ RI<T EYE1 ! BACK Y>D ( HIS *ILDHOOD HOME SWAM 9TO MOTTL$ DEF9ITION1 :]E ON ! CRACK$ *ECK]+ ( ! CON/RA9$ 5CLOSURE'S UPP] LEVEL HIS MOM ,DORE5 SAT 9 PR(ILE ON H] HI<-BACK$ WOOD5 *AIR1 CAU<T 9 ! ACT ( POPP+ SOME?+ SMALL 9TO ! BABY-BIRD M\? ( ! DRESS+ G[N-WRAPP$ 9FANT BALANC$ ON H] LAP4 ,SPREAD+ ACROSS ! %AV5 >EA ABOVE ! PA9T$ FACE'S UPP] LIP1 A RUSSET-DU/$ BUBBLE WRAP ( BLI/]+ RESOLV$ 9TO A VI/A ( ALMO/ ECCLESIA/ICAL SOLEMNITY1 ) TO ! LEFT HIS TE>FUL MO!R PASS+ ! LIMP =M ( H] DEAD-LOOK+ TODDL] TO ! WORRI$ WORK] LEAN+ FROM HIS LORRY'S CAB !RE ON ! RI<T1 ONE ( ! LIFELESS BUNDLE'S B>E LEGS DANGL+ POIGNANT 9 ! C5TRAL PHILTRUM4 ,! VISAGE'S JAWL9E WAS FROM E> TO E> A NECESS>ILY DI/ORT$ OV]HEAD VIEW ( ! MAKE%IFT AMBULANCE'S R\TE FROM ,&REW'S ,ROAD TO ,GRAFTON ,/REET1 ) ,REG5T ,SQU>E N[ C5T]$ ON ! DIMPLE ( HIS *91 ACROSS ! ,M\NTS TO ,YORK ,ROAD & ! HOSPITAL1 ?IS LA/ A REPRODUCTION ON ! LEFT J[L DETAIL$ & COMPLETE D[N TO ! BIRD%IT-CR[N$ BU/ ( ,$W>D ! ,SEV5? :I* ADORN$ ! BUILD+'S NOR!A/ CORN]4 ,IT WAS = ! BR[ ) ITS REC$$ HAIRL9E1 ?\<1 ! BROADE/ UNOB/RUCT$ SPACE 9 VIEW1 ?AT ! MO/ /RIK+ VIGNETTE WAS RES]V$3 ! HOT ROSE /IPPLE & CORROSIVE G+] PEPP]+ >RANG$ 9TO CONV]G+ L9ES1 P]HAPS ! UPP] CORN] ( A ROOM :]E A FIRM-JAW$ GIRL ( APPROXIMATELY T5 WE>+ A FETID BOA ( DEAD RABBITS WAS SOMEH[ SUSP5D$1 REA*+ D[N ) ONE H& TO ! VIEW]4 ,/>TL$1 ,MICK RECOIL$1 PULL+ AWAY1 & EV]Y?+ IMM$IATELY MELT$ ONCE MORE 9TO BOIL+ ACNE4 

,HE WAS BACK1 BACK 9 ! ROOM1 BACK 9 HIS BODY & NO LONG] ) AW>5ESS P>T DISSOLV$ 9 AN IMPRESSIONI/IC RA% ( CITRUS POLYV9YL4 ,BACKLOGG$ S5SORY ANSW]PHONE MESSAGES RECEIV$ DUR+ HIS ABS5CE FLOOD$ 9 LIKE ,VIRG9 BROADB& (F]S1 ! OLFACTORY GRAPEFRUIT T+LE ( :ATEV] ,ALMA HAD US$ ON H] HAIR ?AT MORN+ & ,B]T ,REGAN'S LAU<T]1 UGLY AS AN AIRLOCK$ DRA94 ,BRI<T AFT]NOON LI<T TOPPL+ ?R\< ! WE/ W9D[ SP>K$ A FIRE ( DETAIL1 BALD SPOTS1 S+LE E>R+S TREMBL+ ON A LOBE1 OR ,T-%IRT SLOGANS FAD+ 9 ! M9D & COTTON BL5D ALIKE4 ,EYES BL9K+ AS IF TO EXPEL ! SM>T+ RESIDUE ( IMAG]Y HE TURN$ BACK TO HIS SI/]1 /&+ ) ONE HIP DROPP$ & ANGORA >MS TANGL$ TOGE!R1 CLOCK+ HIS REACTIONS ) ! LEAD EYES ( A ,NAZI LAB ASSI/ANT4 

0,SO1 !N1 ,W>RY4 ,W>TS & ALL4 ,IS ?AT :AT Y\ W]E GO+ =80 

,%E SNIGG]$1 = ONCE ) HIM & NOT AT HIM4 

0,IT'S NOT LIKE ,I HAD A LOT ( *OICE4 ,Y\ W]E A MAN MADE \T ( W>TS4 ,BUT /ILL1 ?IS C\LD BE A NEW TR5D 9 PORTRAITURE1 CAPTUR+ PEOPLE :5 !Y'VE JU/ HAD BURN+ %IT ?R[N 9 !IR FACE4 ,?\< ACTUALLY1 ?AT MI<T HAVE BE5 H[ ,FRANCIS ,BACON WORK$1 N[ ?AT ,I ?9K AB\T IT40 

,FAIRLY SURE ?AT ,FRANCIS ,BACON WAS ! P]SON SOME BELIEV$ HAD REALLY WRITT5 ALL ! WORKS ( ,%AKESPE>E1 ,MICK WAS NONE!LESS UNCLE> AB\T ! RELEVANCE ( FACIAL 9JURIES & SO SAID NO?+4 ,=TUNATELY1 BE=E ,ALMA C\LD 9T]PRET HIS 5DUR+ SIL5CE AS A SIGN ( IGNORANCE REG>D+ MOD]N >T1 %E WAS DI/RACT$ BY H] !SPIAN ASSOCIATE ,ROB]T ,GOODMAN1 %\LD]+ HIS WAY ?R\< ! SURR\ND+ PRESS ( BODIES TO PRES5T ,MICK'S SIBL+ ) A %EAF ( PAGES PR9T$ \T FROM ,WIKIP$IA & A GL[] ( G5]ALIZ$ RES5TM5T :I* ALL[$ NO CLUE AS TO ITS ORIG9S4 ,! /RANGE OLD WOMAN ?AT HIS E>LI] *ILDHOOD TORM5TOR HAD BECOME 9CL9$ H] MASSIVE RA9$-(F BONFIRE CRANIUM 9 ! DIRECTION ( ! PLA9LY DISCONT5T$ ACTOR1 H] BLA/-PATT]N EYES GR[N L>G] :ILE AT ! SAME TIME SOMEH[ RETRACT$1 PULL$ BACK 9TO CRAT] SOCKETS4 ,HE REALIZ$ ?AT HE'D BE5 SAV$ BY ! >RIVAL ( A VICTIM MORE M\?WAT]+1 MORE 9 ! WAY ( ,ALMA'S PRIM>Y PREY4 

0,:Y1 ,BOBBY4 ,WE W]E JU/ ?IS MOM5T TALK+ AB\T LIKELY 9SPIRATIONS = ! WORK ( ,FRANCIS ,BACON1 & N[ H]E Y\ >E4 ,IS ?IS R&OM H&FUL ( LITT] Y\'RE HOLD+ = ME80 

,! GORGON ,GIELGUD'S M\?1 BADLY LAGG$ PIP+ AT ! BE/ ( TIMES1 WAS BRIEFLY FI%HOOK$ SIDEWAYS AT ONE CORN] 9 CONTEMPT4 

0,?IS1 = Y\R 9=MATION1 IS ! /UFF Y\ ASK$ ME TO F9D \T AT ! LA/ M9UTE1 AB\T ,WILLIAM ,BLAKE'S CONNECTION TO ! ,BOR\<S4 ,Y\ SAID IF ,I DIDN'T ?AT Y\'D NEV] SPEAK TO ME AGA940 

,ACCEPT+ ! LOOSE PAP] BUNDLE1 ,ALMA %[$ ! HURT P]=M] ME?OD-S*OOL CONC]N4 

0,BOBBY1 ,I'M SURE ,I NEV] SAID ?AT4 ,WAS ?AT :AT Y\R VOICES TOLD Y\80 

0,I DO NOT HE> VOICES40 

0,VOICES8 ,BOBBY1 NO ONE SAID ?AT Y\ HE> VOICES40 

0,YES !Y DID6 ,Y\ DID6 ,Y\ SAID IT JU/ N[4 ,I JU/ HE>D Y\ SAY IT40 

0,OH4 ,OH1 DE>4 ,! DOCTORS W]E AFRAID ?AT ?IS MI<T HAPP5 4440 

,BY ?IS TIME ALREADY 9*+ IMP]CEPTIBLY AWAY1 ,MICK TOOK ! SEASON$ PLAY]'S SPEE*LESS 9DIGNATION AS A NATURAL BREAK 9 :I* HE C\LD ANN\NCE ?AT HE WAS POPP+ \TSIDE = A CIG>ETTE4 ,GRANT+ P]MISSION ) A NOD1 HIS SI/] ONLY PAUS$ 9 H] PSY-OPS MANEUV] TO DEM& ?AT HE NOT RUN (F ) H] LI<T]1 :I* HE PROMIS$ NOT TO DO BE=E REMEMB]+ ?AT IT WAS 9 FACT HIS4 

,HE CRABB$ T[>DS ! OP5 NURS]Y DOORWAY ) ITS BREEZE-BREA?1 SQUEEZ+ ONCE MORE PA/ ! FRONT $GE ( ! 9CONV5I5T TABLE ON :I* RE/$ ,ALMA'S %R9K-RAY$ ,BOR\<S1 PRESS$ UNCOM=TABLY AGA9/ ITS WE/]N B\ND>Y4 ,IRRITAT+ AS ?IS WAS1 IT DID PRES5T A FUR!R OPPORTUNITY TO 9SPECT DETAILS OV]LOOK$ DUR+ ?AT FIR/ JAW-DROPP+ PRES5TATION1 & HE F\ND HIMSELF EXAM9+ AFRE% ! SCAL$ D[N >EA SURR\ND+ ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*4 ,JU/ UP FROM ! ANA*RONI/IC ,*ALK ,LANE TURRET ) ITS WIT*'S HAT1 HE F\ND FIR/LY ! *UR* ITSELF & !N HIS CURR5T :]EAB\TS1 ! ]/:ILE ,M>JORIE ,PITT-,DRAFF5 DANC+ S*OOL D[N AT ! BOTTOM 5D ( ,PH5IX ,/REET4 ,9 KEEP+ ) ! MODEL L&SCAPE'S COMB9ATORY *RONOLOGY1 DESPITE ! OLD R$-LETT]$ SIGN ABOVE ! DOOR PROCLAIM+ ! S*OOL'S T]PSI*OREAN TRADITION1 ! FRONT W9D[S W]E ?OSE ( ! LAT] NURS]Y1 ?9 ,RIZLA TISSUES ) ! SC5E )9 DESCRIB$ ON !IR FAUX GLASS 9 WAT]COLOR M9IATURE4 ,9 ?IS 9/ANCE1 ,MICK REALIZ$1 Y\ C\LD ACTUALLY MAKE \T ! TABLE UPON :I* A T9I] REPRODUCTION ( ?IS T9Y RECON/RUCTION WAS JU/ VISIBLE4 ,FEEL+ A LITTLE NAUSE\S HE DRAGG$ HIMSELF AWAY FROM ! EXHIBIT1 AS HE DID SO NOTIC+ = ! FIR/ TIME ! SCRAPPY NOTE TAP$ TO ! TABLE'S =W>D $GE4 ,!RE WAS NO NUMB] BUT ! >TI/ HAD AT LEA/ MADE A HALF-HE>T$ /AB AT TITL+ ! DOLLH\SE SLUM1 EV5 IF ?AT WAS ONLY ) AN UNIMAG9ATIVE TAG :I* READ ,! ,BOR\<S4 ,%AK+ HIS HEAD RUEFULLY1 HE MADE = ! FRE% AIR4 

,\TSIDE1 9HAL+ A TOO-SWEET FIR/ QU>T] 9* ( CIG>ETTE1 IT /RUCK HIM ?AT ALL ! SURR\ND+ FLATS & MAISONETTES1 DIM9I%$ BY !IR DI/ANCE FROM HIM1 W]E ALMO/ EXACTLY ! SAME SIZE AS ?OSE 9SIDE ! GALL]Y1 ! BYGONE BUILD+S CAU<T 9 ! WRONG 5D ( ,ALMA'S TELESCOPE4 ,?OSE UNKN[N PEOPLE BRIEFLY TREAD+ ! F> BALCONIES1 BAG-BURD5$ WID[S %UFFL+ & /\T M5 9 PREMATURE /R+ VE/S1 W]E SIMIL>LY DW9DL$ TO ! SCALE ( ,AIRFIX ,ROYAL ,FUSILI]S - !Y'D NEV] MADE A BOX ) /EMS ( HUDDL+ CIVILIANS - & HE WAS SURPRIS$ TO NOTE ?AT ! DEGREE ( P]SONALITY :I* HE ATTRIBUT$ TO !SE REMOTE P$E/RIANS WAS H>DLY MORE ?AN HE'D ALL[ A PLA/IC FIGURE ( EQUIVAL5T SIZE4 ,SE5 FROM A LONG WAY (F HIS FELL[ HUMAN BE+S W]E R$UC$ 9 MEAN+ & IMPORTANCE1 NOT JU/ MAGNITUDE1 ) !IR UNGUESSABLE P]AMBULATIONS BECOME F+]-PUPPET DRAMAS1 TOY P>ADES 5ACT$ ONLY = ! 5T]TA9M5T ( A BOR$ OBS]V]4 ,IT OCCURR$ TO HIM HE'D ALWAYS HAD ?IS FEEL+1 UNEXAM9$ UNTIL N[1 ?AT F> AWAY WAS FICTIONAL4 ,P]HAPS 9 TIME1 TOO4 ,HE SUPPOS$ ?IS WAS H[ ALMO/ EV]YBODY SAW ?+S1 )\T BE+ CONSCI\SLY AW>E ( IT4 ,HE DIDN'T KN[ IF ALL ?AT O!R LIFE & ?AT O!R EXP]I5CE W\LD BE REMOTELY BE>ABLE IF PEOPLE ACTUALLY CONSID]$ IT TO BE AS REAL1 AS VALID1 AS !IR [N4 

,ABOVE1 AMID SCUDD+ VANILLA FLOSS ON ,C]ULEAN ,BLUE1 A %IFT+ & ELA/IC FLOCK ( />L+S MOM5T>ILY ASSUM$ ! \TL9E ( A S+LE BIRD4 ,IT WAS A MORE +5I\S EFFECT ?AN ANY?+ SE5 ?US F> AT ! EXHIBITION1 AL?\< HE'D ADMIT ?AT ! LA/ ITEM HAD BO? IMPRESS$ & UNN]V$ HIM4 ,GLANC+ BACK ACROSS HIS %\LD] AT ! NURS]Y'S PICTURE W9D[1 HE CON/RU$ ! RIOT\S JUMBLE ( ATT5DEES VISIBLY CONTA9$ )9 ITS BORD]+ FRAME AS AN >T /ATEM5T 9 ITSELF1 P]HAPS A LURID /UDY BY ONE ( ?OSE VICI\S ,WEIM> /YLI/S LIKE ,GEORGE ,GROSZ OR SOMEBODY LIKE ?AT4 ,HE C\LD SEE ,ALMA AS %E /OOD ATTEMPT+ TO CONSOLE OR FUR!R CONDESC5D TO AN (F5D$-LOOK+ ,ROB]T ,GOODMAN & BEYOND H] MADE \T ! MALEVOL5T OLD LADIES1 DEF9ITELY SI/]S HE DECID$1 :OM NOBODY SEEM$ TO KN[1 BO? /&+ LI/5+ & NODD+ EAG]LY AS ,ROMAN ,?OMPSON & ,MEL9DA ,GEBBIE LAU<+LY REC\NT$ SOME?+ :I* 9VOLV$ EXTRAVAGANT GE/ICULATION TO ! WEA!R$ AN>*I/'S UNCONV9C$ BOYFRI5D4 ,TAK+ A LA/ FEW FUGITIVE PUFFS ON HIS GREATLY TRUNCAT$ CIG>ETTE1 AS ?\< BE=E ! SCAFFOLD1 HE CORKSCREW$ ITS /UB 9TO ! DAMP GRASS AT HIS FEET1 DECID+ ?AT HE %\LD ONCE MORE RETIRE )9 S9CE ,ALMA'S EFFIGIES W]5'T GO+ TO CA/IGATE !MSELVES4 

,?R\< ! PROPP$-OP5 5TRANCE1 W9D[-L5S$ AIR SLAPP$ HIM ) A W>M1 E!REAL FLANNEL4 ,TACK+ ?R\< ! SCRUM ALONG ! =W>D $GE ( ! OB/RUCT+ TABLE1 ESSAY+ A PA? ( TI<T DIAGONALS ?AT TOOK HIM PA/ ,DAVE ,DANIELS1 LATE >RIVALS HE ID5TIFI$ AS ,T$ ,TRIPP & ,TRIPP'S %REWD & SAUCY LASS ,JAN ,M>T91 PLUS A HANGDOG & TRAIL-DU/$ FIGURE :O ,MICK ?\<T MI<T HAVE BE5 ,ALMA'S DEAL]1 HE >RIV$ EV5TUALLY AT ! PO9T :]E HE'D LEFT (F1 A LITTLE WAY ALONG ! NURS]Y'S NOR!RN WALL4 ,PO9T$LY TRY+ NOT TO LOOK AT ITEM TWELVE'S 9DU/RIALLY SC\R$ FACIAL L&SCAPE1 HE TURN$ HIS ATT5TIONS TO ! L>GI% L&SCAPE-RATIO P5CIL CRAYON DRAW+ ON ITS RI<T4 

,?IS TIME ! SCRAWL$1 P]FUNCTORY LABEL WAS TAP$ TO ! PLA9 FRAME'S L[] SP> & SIMPLY READ ,UP/AIRS4 ,MORE ACCURATELY IT READ ,UP/>S1 A T9Y LETT] 'I' & A DIRECTIONAL D>T ( BLUE BIRO ADD$ UND]NEA? ! MISSPELL$ TITLE AS A HA/Y & CORRECTIVE AFT]?\<T4 ,ALL ?IS UNTID9ESS1 HE REALIZ$1 WAS BEG9N+ TO UPSET HIM4 ,HAV+ PREVI\SLY HAD ONLY LIMIT$ EXP]I5CE ( ! PH5OM5ON1 HE'D HOP$ = MORE FROM S]I\S CULTURE4 ,MORE PR(ESSIONALISM4 ,?\< IT WASN'T ACTUALLY HIS >EA ( EXP]TIZE HE FELT HIS SI/] MU/ BE %[+ ,>T UP SOMEH[1 MAK+ IT LOOK MORE LIKE FLY-TIPP+ ?AN ! PRE/IGI\S SOCIAL 9/ITUTION HE'D ASSUM$ ?AT IT WAS MEANT TO BE4 ,ALREADY MIFF$ ) ITEM ?IRTE5 AFT] BRIEF P]USAL ( ITS MESSY CAPTION1 ,MICK LIFT$ HIS GAZE TO ! WIDE-ANGLE PIECE ITSELF & F\ND IT NE> 9FANTILIS+ 9 ITS WONDR\SNESS2 9 ! PROPORTIONS ( ITS M>VEL4 

,! FRANKLY CELE/IAL VIEW PRES5T$ WAS AS IF ! VIEW] GAZ$ ALONG ! L5G? ( A G>GANTUAN B\LEV>D OR HALLWAY1 BROAD & HI< 5\< TO LOSE A T[N 9 & APPE>+ TO RUN ON =EV]1 DESP]ATELY PURSU+ AN ESCAP$ VANI%+ PO9T4 ,HIS REEL+ SPATIAL EQUILIBRIUM RECOV]+1 HE REALIZ$ BELAT$LY ?AT HE WAS LOOK+ AT A MON/R\S & IMPOSSIBLY 5L>G$ ,EMPORIUM ,>CADE1 ) DI/ANT B\ND+ WALLS ?AT ROSE1 TI] UPON TI]1 T[>DS A GLASS TRA9-/ATION RO( WIDE AS ! ,AMAZON4 ,?R\< ?IS1 REPLAC+ WEA!R !RE W]E COMPLEX GEOMETRIC FIGURES1 MASSIVE & IRREGUL> 9 DOTT$ :ITE L9ES AGA9/ BLUE AS ?\< A MANUAL = ATMOSPH]IC ORIGAMI4 ,O!R ?AN ?IS V]TIGO-9DUC+ CEIL+1 ! VA/ CORRIDOR APPE>$ TO BE MADE \T ( WOOD4 ,P9E PLANK+ ( EXTRAVAGANT DIM5SIONS /RET*$ AWAY TO ! REMOTE CONV]G5CE ( ! BACKGR\ND1 ) AT 9T]VALS :AT LOOK$ LIKE \TSIZ$ HORIZONTAL PICTURE-FRAMES1 A GRID ( BEVEL-BORD]$ HOLES FILL+ ! /AGG]+ EXPANSE FROM $GE TO $GE4 ,! CLOSE/ ( !SE AP]TURES HAD ONE 5D ( ITS OBLONG VISIBLE 9 CLOSE-UP AT ! PICTURE'S BOTTOM C5T]1 ! RE/RICT$ GLIMPSE D[N 9TO IT REVEAL+ ONLY SETT+ JELLY1 /A9$ GLASS1 OR P]HAPS SOME NOVEL COMB9ATION ( ! TWO4 ,\T FROM ! ROOMI] ( !SE CONTA9+ RECTANGLES1 A HALF-MILE (F ALONG ! 9DOOR AV5UE1 ROSE TREES ?AT W]E PREPO/]\SLY MAGNIFI$1 A SILV] BIR* SCAL$ UP TO A SEQUOIA ) ! BADLY DRAWN EYES ( ITS B>K N[ ?OSE ( A LEVIA?AN4 ,! WORK A*IEV$ IMM5SITY 9 ! CONTRA/+ PLACEM5T ( ALMO/ MICROBIAL HUMAN FIGURES TO SUPPLY ! NECESS>Y AGORAPHOBIC SIZE & DI/ANCE1 SP>SELY /REWN FLEA-CIRCUS 9DIVIDUALS 9 DREAMLIKE /ANCES LIKE ! HYBRID (FSPR+ ( ,DELVAUX & ,R4,S4 ,L[RY4 ,CLOSE/ TO ! L[] =EGR\ND & ?US MO/ DISC]NIBLE1 TWO *ILDR5 /OOD ON ! RAIS$ WOOD5 F> $GE ( ! NE>E/ FLOOR-HOLE1 GAZ+ (F AWAY FROM ! OBS]V] & SURVEY+ AN 9T]IOR 9F9ITY4 ,! SMALL] ( ! PAIR HE RECOGNIZ$ FROM ! BLOND CURLS & T>TAN DRESS+ G[N AS HIS [N 9FANT LIK5ESS1 LA/ SE5 VIA ! M$IUM ( *RONIC D]MATITIS 9 ! PREVI\S IMAGE1 SEAT$ ON HIS MO!R'S KNEE 9 !IR BACK Y>D4 ,! TALL] UR*9 WAS ! LITTLE =EHEAD GIRL1 ALSO FROM ITEM TWELVE1 ID5TIFIABLE BY H] SK9N$-RABBIT SC>F4 ,A F> LI<T WET & :ITE DR5*$ ! EXTREMITIES ( ! HUGE GALL]Y 9 SLOPPY DAZZLE4 

,ALMO/ EV]Y COLOR WAS A LAY]$ GLAZE ( O!RS 9 A WORDLESS PALIMPSE/1 ) ?IS FA/IDI\S TE*NIQUE SWIP$ OP5LY FROM ! SUP]IOR CRAYON WORK ( ,ALMA'S PAL ,MEL9DA1 AS HIS SI/] HAD (T5 ATTE/$4 ,! DEPICT$ GREAT HALL1 ONCE SE51 MADE ! T9Y NURS]Y 9 :I* IT WAS EXHIBIT$ SEEM EV5 MORE CRAMP$ & OPPRESSIVE BY COMP>ISON1 ) A TYPHOON ( ELB[S & ! AURAL C>PET-FLUFF ( CONV]SATION HYPH5AT$ BY ,B5 ,P]RIT'S TAPE-LOOP$ LAU<1 AN ,ANCI5T ,M>9] ON NITR\S OXIDE4 ,TAK+ A LA/ GLANCE AT ! BRI<T L&+ & ITS LIB]AT+ 5DLESSNESS1 HE %UFFL$ TO HIS RI<T BETWE5 SOME FELL[ CONNOISSEUR S>D9ES & SCRUT9IZ$ ! NEXT TWO (F]+S1 BO? N>R[ PORTRAIT-ASPECT SLATS ( POLY*ROME HUNG ONE ABOVE ! O!R4 ,UPP]MO/ WAS EXHIBIT F\RTE51 & FR[N+ AT ! EX]CISE-BOOK TAG AFFIX$ B5EA? IT1 ?IS TIME ) ! BLUE BALLPO9T FAD+ TO NO?+ MID-WORD BE=E IT RESUM$ 9 R$1 REVEAL$ ! TITLE TO BE ,AN ,AS ODEUS ,FLI<T4 

,DE> ,GOD1 ! ?+ WAS ALL 9 COLOR$ BIRO1 ALL ONE FOOT BY ?REE ( IT1 & QUITE A DISCONC]T+ ?+ IT WAS4 ,MICK HAD AN 9KL+ HE REMEMB]$ ,ALMA TELL+ HIM AB\T ?IS PIECE :5 %E WAS WORK+ ON IT SOMETIME >\ND LA/ ,SEPTEMB]1 SAY+ ?AT %E'D MANAG$ TO TRACK D[N A S\RCE ( ! IMM5SELY SATISFY+ MULTI-COLOR$ BIROS ?AT HAD BE5 H] *OS5 M$IUM DUR+ *ILDHOOD4 ,%E'D COMPLA9$ ?AT !SE DAYS ANY?+ 9 COLOR$ BIRO W\LD MO/ LIKELY BE CONSID]$ AS ,\TSID] ,>T1 AL?\< %E ?\<T ?IS T]M A MIDDLE-CLASS EVASION TO AVOID HAV+ TO SPEAK ( ,NUTCASE ,>T :I*1 MEANT ADMIR+LY1 WAS H] PREF]R$ DESCRIPTION ( ! G5RE4 ,9 ! CASE ( ITEM F\RTE51 ,MICK ?\<T ?AT %E DEF9ITELY HAD A PO9T4 ,! P]SON :O'D LABORI\SLY T9T$ ?IS IMPOS+ IMAGE1 GRAD$ SCRIBBLE OV] GRAD$ SCRIBBLE1 BURNI%$ UNTIL EV]Y HUE BECAME A SUCK$-SWEET /ICKY GEM/ONE1 %\LDN'T BE ALL[$ TO GO \TSIDE4 ,! MO/ DI/URB+ ?+ AB\T IT WAS ?AT IT RESEMBL$ AN ACCOMPLI%$ ILLU/RATION FROM A N9ETE5?-C5TURY *ILDR5'S BOOK1 ALBEIT ONE CONCEIV$ & EXECUT$ 9 SOME MAXIMUM SECURITY 5VIRONM5T ( EI!R ,HELL OR ,B$LAM4 ,FROM ! GLASS RO( 9 ! EXQUISITELY DOODL$ UPP] BACKGR\ND TO ! PALE WOOD FLOORBO>DS 9 ! L[]1 ,MICK D$UC$ ?AT ?IS SC5E WAS APP>5TLY OCCURR+ 9 ! SAME UNLIMIT$ 9T]IOR SPACE AS ! PREC$+ PANORAMA1 AS ?\< ! :OLE NUMB]$ SEQU5CE ( SEEM+LY UNRELAT$ PIECES HAD DECID$ TO RESOLVE !MSELVES 9TO A L9E> /ORY ( A SORT1 A LUDICR\SLY GR&IOSE WORDLESS COMIC /RIP ALBEIT ONE ) PRECI\S LITTLE 9 ! WAY ( CONT9UITY BETWE5 ITS MON/] PANELS4 ,AT LEA/ ?IS ONE HAD AN ACTUAL MON/] 94 ,D[N AT ! BOTTOM A SMALL GR\P ( PEOPLE1 MO/LY *ILDR51 /OOD AB\T :AT LOOK$ TO BE ONE ( ! OLD-/YLE WORKM5'S BRAZI]S ?AT ,MICK C\LD NOT RECALL ) ANY ACCURACY :5 HE'D CEAS$ TO SEE >\ND4 ,TWO ( ! KIDS1 HE ?\<T1 W]E HIS [N TODDL] AVAT> & ! MY/]I\S GIRL ) ! NECROTIC NECKLACE FROM ! LA/ TWO PICTURES1 AL?\< !SE W]E V]Y SMALL &1 AS 9 ITEM ?IRTE51 FAC$ AWAY FROM ! P]CIPI5T4 ,F\R O!R *ILDR5 W]E 9 VIEW1 ALL UNID5TIFIABLE1 ACCOMPANI$ BY A MORE SOMB] & EV] SO SLI<TLY BIGG] FIGURE :I* APPE>$ TO BE ?AT ( A /RANGE OLD WOMAN 9 A BONNET & BLACK APRON4 ,LIKE HIM & ! RABBIT-WRAPP$ GIRL1 ALL !SE HAD !IR BACKS TURN$1 GAZ+ BO? UP & AWAY T[>DS ! UNBELIEVABLE MON/ROSITY ?AT ALL BUT FILL$ ! PICTURE'S FUR!R REA*ES4 ,M\NTA9\S 9 ITS 9COMPREH5SIBLE DIM5SIONS1 ?IS WAS A GROTESQUE ?REE-HEAD$ HORROR SAT A/RIDE A L[-SLUNG DRAGON CREATURE ONLY SLI<TLY LESS APPALL+ ?AN ITS HIDE\S RID]4 ,ONE HEAD WAS ?AT ( A PICADOR-CRAZ$ BULL1 :ILE BALANC+ IT ON ! O!R %\LD] WAS A SNORT+ RAM ) CURL$ HORNS LIKE BLACK AMMONITES1 IF AMMONITES C\LD \TGR[ :ALES4 ,! C5TRAL CRANIUM BELONG$ TO A CR[N$ MAN ( />TL+ UGL9ESS & APOPLECTIC RAGE1 ! OV]ALL PROPORTIONS ( ?IS TRIPLE-HEAD$ DRAGON-JOCKEY HAV+ SOME?+ ( ! DW>FI% TO !M4 ,NAK$1 9 ONE FI/ ! FURI\S ABOM9ATION CLUT*$ A LANCE ON :I* /REAM$ RIVULETS ( FIL?1 A %>P5$ B>B]'S POLE ( %IT & BLOOD ?AT SCRAT*$ ! CL\D-HI< CEIL+ GLASS ) ITS APPALL+ TIP4 ,MICK ?\<T ?AT !RE SEEM$ SOME?+ BIBLICAL AB\T ! TABLEAU1 ALBEIT A BIBLE :]E ! S*IZOPHR5IA WAS UNAMBIGU\S4 ,HE %UDD]$ 9W>DLY & MOV$ ON TO ! PIECE B5EA?4 

,IT WAS ANO!R ONE 9 PORTRAIT RATIO IF ! PORTRAIT'S SUBJECT W]E A LAMPPO/1 A LONG PLUNG+ SLOT ( FRUIT-GUM COLORS 9 T>T %]BET LI<T4 ,ALMO/ PR$ICTABLY BY ?IS PO9T A CLOSE VIEW REVEAL$ ! M$IUM AS CUT OR P[D]$ GLASS1 A PALETTE ?AT ,MICK RECOGNIZ$ FROM ! UPM>KET M9]AL WAT] BOTTLES 9 HIS BIG SI/]'S RECYCL+ B94 ,A SUG>+ ( T9T$ CRY/AL HAD APP>5TLY BE5 GLU$ TO :AT HE ?\<T MU/ BE SOME SORT ( PA9T-BY-NUMB]S \TL9E ON ! BO>D OR CANVAS UND]NEA?1 ) CLE> GLASS OV] PA9T$ COLORS :]E PRESUMABLY HUES W]E REQUIR$ = :I* NO READILY AVAILABLE COMM]CIAL MAT* EXI/$4 ,AFT] SOME FEW SECONDS ( ADJU/M5T TO A GRA9I] FOCUS HE BECAME AW>E ?AT HE WAS LOOK+ AT A /EEPLY-ANGL$ ,SPR+ ,LANE AS SE5 FROM ITS L[] 5D1 A WAT]FALL ( GRIMY & UNR9S$ MILK-BOTTLE GRAY ) VIVID ,P]RI] WE$S BETWE5 ITS PAV+ SLABS1 BEL[ A SC9TILLANT & FLAME-BLUE SKY ( SMA%$ ,TY ,NANT4 ,PLAC$ 9 ! MIDDLE GR\ND APPROXIMATELY HALFWAY UP ! >*]Y-SLIT COMPOSITION WAS A PRIDE1 A MURD] OR A P>LIAM5T ( *ILDR5 DRESS$ 9 GLITT]+ REAL ALE BR[NS1 TOO T9Y = ID5TIFY+ DETAIL BUT MO/ PROBABLY ! SAME GRUBBY 5SEMBLE ?AT HAD FEATUR$ 9 ! PIECE ABOVE4 ,CR\*$ N]V\S 9 ! =EGR\ND1 9 !IR NUMB] & ESS5TIAL COLORATION MAT*+ ?AT ( ! KIDS FUR!R UP ! HILL1 WAS A SEXTET ( RABBITS ) CRU%$ BICYCLE REFLECTOR LI<TS = EYES4 ,9DE$1 A GLANCE AT ! P]FUNCTORY BLOOD-BIRO SCRAWL B5EA? ! WORK CONFIRM$ ?AT ,RABBITS WAS ITS TITLE4 ,MICK QUITE LIK$ IT4 ,HE ?\<T ?AT = ONCE HE C\LD DISC]N ! PICTURE'S MEAN+ & 9T5TION3 ,ALMA HAD REMOV$ A SLICE ( !IR NEGLECT$ NEI<BORHOOD & TURN$ IT 9TO A *UR* W9D[1 A POOR MAN'S *UR* W9D[ MADE FROM FI<T-DA%$ EMPTIES & YET NO LESS A RECEPTACLE = SA9TS4 ,OR POSSIBLY %E'D JU/ MEANT ?AT ! DI/RICT HAD A LOT ( BOTTLE4 

,EXHIBITS SIXTE5 & SEV5TE5 W]E BO? 9 BLACK & :ITE1 :I* HE F\ND CAME AS A RELIEF AFT] ! BATT]+ HIS RODS & CONES HAD TAK5 FROM ! PREVI\S PIECES4 ,BO? W]E RELATIVELY SMALL1 P]HAPS ,A#d IF ?AT WAS ! SAME PAP]-SIZE HE ?\<T IT WAS1 NOT QUITE SO GANGLY AS FOOLSCAP NOR YET QUITE SO SQUAT AS QU>TO4 ,HI< UP ON ! NURS]Y WALL & SIDE BY SIDE ABOVE A L>GE & SUMPTU\S SC5E 9 OILS IMM$IATELY B5EA?1 ,MICK HAD TO GO UP ON HIS TOES TO SEE !M PROP]LY1 CONSID]ABLY MORE WORK ?AN HE FELT %\LD BE EXPECT$ ( ! PUBLIC AT AN EXHIBITION4 ,! FIR/1 ON ! LEFT SIDE1 WAS A P5 & 9K-WA% HALFTONE ILLU/RATION1 SOME?+ FROM A *ILDR5'S ANNUAL ?AT HAD BE5 HALLUC9AT$ BY A *ILD RUNN+ A TEMP]ATURE1 ITS AMATEURI% SUBTITLE DECL>+ IT TO BE ,! ,SC>LET ,WELL4 ,D[N 9 ITS L[] REA*ES1 %ELT]+ BEL[ A L[ BRICK WALL 9 :AT APPE>$ TO BE SOMEONE'S BACK Y>D1 W]E ! BY N[ FAMILI> HALF A DOZ5 RAGAMUFF9S1 CLOS] TO ! VIEW] H]E & ?US MORE EASILY DECIPH]$4 ,O!R ?AN HIS 9FANT SELF & ! KID ) ! ROADKILL G>L& !RE WAS A SMALL GIRL ) GLASSES & A S]I\S DEMEANOR1 A T\< LOOK+ OLD] BOY ) FRECKLES & A B[L] HAT1 A LITTLE R\<NECK HAV+ FEATURES NOT DISSIMIL> TO ! Y\NG LADY ) ! RABBIT SALAD1 & A TALL & DEC5T-LOOK+ KID :O HAD ! BE>+ ( ! S5SIBLE ONE FROM ! ,SECRET ,SEV5 OR ! ,FAM\S ,FIVE4 ,! 5TIRE GR\P W]E CR\*$1 ALL PE]+ UP ) UND]/&ABLE AL>M 9TO ! BL9D :ITE HEAV5S VISIBLE BEYOND !IR BRICK WALL'S CAP/ONES :]E A NI<TM>I% >RAY ( =MS SEEM$ TO BE TUMBL+ ?R\< ! SKY1 /REAM+ A VAPOR ( GRAY AFT]-IMAGES BEH9D !M4 ,AT ! TOP1 EYE-DAMAG+LY SMALL & F> AWAY1 A HORSE-DRAWN MILK-C>T SOM]SAULT$ ?R\< SOME EI<T ( N9E REIT]ATIONS1 :ILE BEL[ A HURRICANE ( MULTIPLE-EXPOSURE DOGS1 CATS1 HYMNBOOKS1 FI%WIVES1 GASMASKS1 CIG>ETTE C>DS1 T$DY BOYS1 PRESCRIPTION GLASSES1 D5TI/'S *AIRS & CUTL]Y CASCAD$ 9EXPLICABLY ?R\< EMPTY SPACE1 A WEA!R ( PO/W> EPHEM]A4 ,SOME?+ AB\T ! PRES5CE ( ! *ILDR5 MADE ! VI/A SEEM MORE WONDR\S ?AN UNN]V+1 AN EXCIT$ S5SE ?AT ?IS W\LD BE A SI<T TO SEE4 

,IMM$IATELY TO ! RI<T WAS ITEM SEV5TE51 ID5TIFI$ BY ITS TOE-TAG AS ,FLATL& & COMPRIS+ :AT ,MICK ?\<T TO BE A MEZZOT9T1 PRESS$ FROM A COPP] PLATE ) L9ES SCRAP$ ON ITS UNI=MLY TEXTUR$ SURFACE TO REVEAL A REALM ( SMOKY1 GRANULAT$ MASSES HELD 9 PLACE BY />TL+ BLANKS2 BY %ELL-BUR/S ( *ALK :ITE4 ,A TRIO ( ! JUV5ILE DEL9QU5TS FROM ! PREVI\S PICTURE /OOD NE>-SILH\ETT$ AT ! C5T] FRONT1 TWO ( !M SMALL ) ONE ( !SE MO/ LIKELY HIS [N 9FANT LIK5ESS1 & ! C5TRAL FIGURE !RE BETWE5 !M ?AT ( ! MU* L(TI] & MORE ,DICK5SIAN Y\? 9 TRAIL+ OV]COAT & B[L] HAT4 ,BEYOND !M1 SMOLD]+ MALIGNANTLY AGA9/ A BACKGR\ND ?AT HE REALIZ$ WAS A VIEW D[N ,BA? ,/REET AT ! BLOCK ( MAISONETTES ON ,CRISP9 ,/REET1 WAS A DISPIRIT+LY MASSIVE FUM+ VORTEX1 A SL[ & APPALL+ GE> 9 ! MOVEM5T ( PURGATORY :I* 9T]SECT$1 AS ?\< 9SUB/ANTIAL1 ) BO? ! D>K BUILD+S ?AT IT NE/$ 9 AMONG & !IR UNWITT+ RESID5TS REVEAL$ BY CUTAWAY )94 ,SEEM+LY CAU<T 9 ?IS NOCTURNAL MAEL/ROM W]E :AT FIR/ LOOK$ TO BE DISMAL SCRAPS ( RAG ?AT ON EXAM9ATION PROV$ TO BE 9/EAD ! HUSKS OR EMPTI$ SK9S ( HAPLESS 9DIVIDUALS1 PUNCTUR$ HUMANOID 9FLATABLES ) ALL !IR BONE & TISSUE FILL+ GONE1 =GOTT5 WA%+ LEFT !RE TO DIS9TEGRATE ON AN 9F]NAL SP9N]4 ,! ?REE *ILDR5 UND] A BLACK FIRMAM5T HAD SOME?+ ( SPECTATORS AT A BONFIRE 9 !IR MANN]1 AL?\< NONE ( ?AT EXUB]ANCE4 ,AN AIR ( DESOLATION HUNG AB\T ! IMAGE1 AS IF RA!R ?AN A GUY EV]Y?+ GOOD WAS BURN+1 GO+ UP 9 DELICATELY /IPPL$ SMOKE4 

,SEP>ATE VOICES LEAP$ & DIV$ LIKE FLY+ FI% 9 ! AC\/IC SWIM >\ND HIM1 ! ROOM'S COLORS MORE 9T5SE = A FEW MOM5TS' CONC5TRATION ON A WORLD ( MONO*ROME4 ,:ILE HE WAS /ILL ATTEMPT+ TO REORI5T HIMSELF1 ,ROME ,?OMPSON'S FELL] ,DEAN MAT]IALIZ$ BESIDE HIM AS IF P\R$ 9TO SU* EMPTY SPACE AS WAS AVAILABLE4 

0,MICK1 LOOK1 Y\ KN[ Y\R SI/]8 ,MICK1 IT'S NOT ME SAY+ ?IS1 IT'S H]1 Y\ KN[ ?AT DON'T Y\8 ,WELL1 %E SAYS Y\ BETT] NOT HAVE LO/ H] FUCK+ LI<T]1 'CAUSE %E WANTS IT BACK4 ,%E SAYS IF Y\'VE NOT GOT IT !N %E'S GO+ TO PLA/I 444 :AT'S IT CALL$1 ?AT ?+ ! ,G]MAN 9 A HAT DOES TO DEAD BODIES8 ,IT'S NOT SPA/ICATE1 IT'S 4440 

0,PLA/9ATE80 

,DEAN LOOK$ DELI<T$4 0,PLA/9ATE1 ?AT'S IT6 ,%E'S GO+ TO PLA/9ATE Y\ & MAKE Y\ EXHIBIT ?IRTY-SIX1 BUT ?AT'S JU/ IF Y\'VE LO/ H] LI<T]4 ,%E'S A C[1 Y\R SI/]1 ISN'T %E8 ,I BET ?AT IT WAS FUCK+ HORRIBLE :5 Y\ W]E GR[+ UP4 ,SO1 HAVE Y\ GOT IT1 LIKE1 H] LI<T]80 

,MICK C\LD ONLY GET AS F> AS 0,IT'S NOT 4440 BE=E GIV+ UP B5EA? ! WEI<T ( SEV]AL DECADES' PSY*OLOGICAL ABUSE & SIMPLY H&+ OV] ! REQUISITE OBJECT4 ,) A SWEET & PITY+ SMILE1 ,DEAN POCKET$ :AT WAS N[ PRETTY OBVI\SLY ,ALMA'S PROP]TY & DRA9$ HIMSELF FROM ! COORD9ATES HE'D OCCUPI$1 A CLOCKWISE BIAS TO HIS MOTION 9 ACCORDANCE ) ! ,CORIOLIS ,EFFECT4 ,UNABLE TO EV5 MANAGE A DISGRUNTL$ SI<1 ,MICK FOCUS$ HIS ATT5TIONS ON ! L>GE & LAVI%LY-FRAM$ COLOR-FIELD ( PIECE EI<TE51 DIRECTLY UND]NEA? ! BRACE ( BLACK & :ITE WORKS4 

,M5TAL ,FI<TS1 ! LABEL SAID4 

0,OH1 FUCK ME10 ,MICK SAID 9 REPLY1 B5EA? HIS BREA?4 

,9 OIL PA9T & GOLD LEAF1 ) AN ES!TIC PROBABLY ON LOAN FROM ,KLIMT1 TWO GIANTS CLAD 9 ROBES ( DAZZL+ LI<T-ON-WAT] :ITE W]E DUEL+1 9 A VA/ >5A ?AT WAS /ILL SOMEH[ ! ,MAYORHOLD1 ) TITANIC SNOOK] CUES BIG AS ! *ANNEL TUNNEL4 ,HAIR :ITE AS HIS RAIM5T1 ONE ( ! 5ORM\S FIGURES /OOD CONTORT$1 CAU<T 9 MOTION ) HIS BLUE-TIPP$ WEAPON ON ! BACKSW+ & BEH9D ONE BRAWNY %\LD]4 ,HIS COLOSSAL ADV]S>Y /UMBL$ BACK FROM ! PROJECT$ PO9T ( IMPACT1 AN >T]IAL SPRAY ( GOLD5 ORE SUSP5D$ 9 ! AIR TO TRACE ! CRUMPL+ TRAJECTORY4 ,ON TEEM+ BALCONIES ( A ,MAYORHOLD 9FLAT$ TO A /ACK ( ,COLISEUMS1 /ADIUM MULTITUDES ( T9Y C[BOYS1 R\NDHEADS1 *IMNEY SWEEPS & M$IEVAL FRI>S *E]$ ON ! IMM5SE CONTE/ANTS & LOAN$ !IR DEPICT$ B\T ITS S5SE ( CRU%+ SCALE1 ! MONUM5TAL ?UND] ( ITS VIOL5CE4 ,! BRAWL'S GR&EUR1 UND]CUT BY ITS BRUTALITY1 WAS ?AT ( A B>E KNUCKLE CONTE/ BETWE5 MONOLI?S 9 A PUB Y>D4 ,%AK+ HIS HEAD ADMIR+LY AT ! EI<T-C>AT GORE /A9+ ! G>M5TS ( ! COMBATANTS1 HE REALIZ$ BELAT$LY ?AT !SE W]E TWO ( ! PECULI> G[N$ C>P5T]S FROM ,WORK 9 ,PROGRESS1 ) :I* ,ALMA'S EXHIBITION HAD COMM5C$4 ,WAS ?IS :OLE %[1 DESPITE ! LACK ( ANY CLE> ASSOCIATION BETWE5 ITS WILLFULLY DISP>ATE COMPON5TS1 MEANT TO TELL SOME SORT ( /ORY8 ,ONE :]E *>ACT]S' APPE>ANCES W]E SPAC$ SO WIDELY 9 ! N>RATIVE ?AT ?IS MADE ANY S5SE ( CAUSE1 EFFECT1 OR CONT9UITY IMPOSSIBLE TO GRASP )\T A ROADMAP MU* TOO L>GE TO EV] BE UNFOLD$8 ,FUR!RMORE1 IF ?IS /ORY WAS HIS1 AS ,ALMA CLAIM$1 :Y DID HE RECOGNIZE JU/ 9T]MITT5T BITS ( IT8 

,HIS P]USAL ( ! EXHIBITION ?US F> HAD >RIV$ N[ AT ANO!R ( ! CONC5TRATION-GALL]Y'S CORN]S :]E CONT9U+ NECESSITAT$ A RI<T QU>T]-TURN BE=E COMM5C+ HIS TRAV]SE ( ! DAY-NURS]Y'S EA/ FACE1 A MOD]NI/IC CLIMB+ WALL ON :I* HIS SI/]'S WORKS W]E UNTRU/WOR?Y H&HOLDS /&+ BETWE5 M5TAL EQUILIBRIUM & 9TELLECTUAL FREEFALL FROM A DIZZY HEI<T4 ,T\*+ ! VOID HE LAUN*$ ON ! NEXT LEG ( HIS PREC>I\S EXP$ITION 9TO CULTURE1 ) ! FIR/ PROTRUSION BE+ ITEM N9ETE51 ,SLEEPLESS ,SWORDS4 ,RELATIVELY SIMPLE1 A L9E-DRAW+ 9 :AT MI<T WELL HAVE BE5 LI?OGRAPHIC CRAYON1 IT RECALL$ ! ,DAILY ,MIRROR $ITORIAL C>TOONS BY ,DAVID ,L[ HE JU/ AB\T REMEMB]$ FROM HIS *ILDHOOD1 ) />K MORAL PO9TS CONVEY$ 9 EASILY DECIPH]$ SYMBOLS & ! ROBU/1 UNASSUM+ /YLE ( A BOY'S PICTURE WEEKLY4 ,ALMA'S V]SION1 NEI!R TOPICAL NOR UNAMBIGU\S1 PORTRAY$ A D>K & SATURN9E MAN FA/ ASLEEP 9 HIS F\R PO/] B$ !RE AT ! HECTIC1 BLOODY C5T] ( A BATTLEFIELD4 ,FROM ! PROLIF]ATION ( PIKES & PEAK$ HELMETS 9 ! C>NAGE CIRCL+ ! SLEEP] IT APPE>$ TO BE A CONFLICT FROM ! ,CIVIL ,W>1 :I* MADE ! SLUMB]+ FIGURE - CLAD1 ON CLOSE 9SPECTION1 9 BLACK >MOR RA!R ?AN PAJAMAS - V]Y PROBABLY ,OLIV] ,CROMWELL4 ,ALL >\ND HIM FRANTIC M5 IMPAL$ EA* O!R 9 ! MUSKET SMOKE & HORSES /UMBL$ 9 !IR [N 9TE/9ES1 SKET*$ ) SOOT & LIMN$ ) GUNP[D]1 :ILE ?R\< IT ALL ! ,LORD ,PROTECTOR SNOR$ & SNUGGL$4 ,MICK WAS UNSURE IF ! SC5E IMPLI$ ?AT ,CROMWELL WAS UNCONSCI\S TO ! SUFF]+ ( :I* HE HIMSELF WAS ! EPIC5T]1 OR IF1 RA!R1 ALL ( ?IS REL5TLESS BUT*]Y & !SE BLOOD F\NTA9S W]E HIS DREAM4 

,B5EA? ?IS MODE/LY SIZ$ COMPOSITION1 BO? ! SCALE & /YL+S ( EXHIBIT TW5TY MADE IT SEEM A MANTELPIECE UPON :I* ITEM N9ETE5 M]ELY RE/$4 ,MU* MORE COMPLEX ?AN PREC$+ (F]+S1 ! C5TRAL IMAGE 9 FIX$ *>COAL ) BRI<T ORANGE ACC5TS WAS COMPLETELY OV]:ELM$ BY AN ILLU/RATIVE TRIM ( ,DELFT TILES1 AN >EA ( C>BON BLACK & SPITT+ FLAME CONTA9$ )9 AN ORNAM5TAL FIREPLACE4 ,! PICTURE AT ! HE>T ( ! >RANGEM5T WAS A L&SCAPE ( /ONE *IMNEYS & ?AT*$ RO(TOPS1 RUGG$LY EVOK$ 9 CRUMBL+ /ROKES & ALL ABLAZE ) LICK+ TONGUES ( NECT>9E1 :]EON TWO BURN+ NAK$ WOM5 DANC$ EC/ATICALLY1 LONG HAIR CURL+ ABOVE !M ON ! *OK+ UPDRAFT4 ,/RIK+ AS ?IS PYROTE*NIC VI/A WAS ) ITS RE/RICT$ PALETTE1 IT BORE NO P]CEPTIBLE RELATION TO ! SEEM+LY F> LESS 9C5DI>Y CONT9UITY DEL9EAT$ ON ITS TIL$ SURR\ND4 ,H]E1 9 DILUTIONS ( RI* COBALT1 WAS A L9E> PROGRESSION ( ILLUM9AT$ MOM5TS ?AT COMM5C$ AT ! TOP C5T] ) A SQU>E ( SOLID MIDNI<T 9K1 AS IF TO REPRES5T ! D>KNESS ( ! WOMB BE=E ! DETAIL$ *ILDBIR? ( ! SC5E !REAFT]4 ,?IS WAS FOLL[$1 CLE>LY ) AN EYE TO ITS [N CLEV]NESS1 BY A VIGNETTE ( ! N[-9FANT BOY SPRAWL$ ON HIS MO!R'S LAP BESIDE A FIREPLACE ?AT WAS ITSELF DECORAT$ ) ,DELFT TIL+1 *RONICL+ EV5TS 9 ! LIFE ( A LUDICR\SLY T9Y ,*RI/4 ,! NEXT DEPICTION %[$ A SICKLY Y\? SAT ON A *UR* PEW BETWE5 OLD] M5 9 EI<TE5?-C5TURY DRESS1 EYES FIX$ ON A LACE H&K]*IEF :I* HUNG SUSP5D$ AS IF FLUTT]+ D[N FROM HEAV54 ,TILE BY TILE ! ILLU/RAT$ LIFE PROGRESS$1 ) H]E A M\NT$ Y\NG MAN 9 A FOGGY GROVE CONFRONT$ BY A RAGG$ GIRL ) GREAT LUM9\S EYES1 !RE ! SAME MAN SOME:AT OLD] AS HE L$ HIS /E$ ACROSS R\<1 SN[Y GR\ND TO AN 9VIT+ HALL ?AT WAIT$ 9 ! W9T] D>K1 ITS \TL9E HAUNT+LY FAMILI>4 ,AFT] A FEW MOM5TS' FURR[$ BAFFLEM5T ,MICK RECOGNIZ$ ! $IFICE AS ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR* & REALIZ$ ?AT ! S]IAL DRAMA HE WAS FOLL[+ MU/ BE ! LIFE ( ,PHILIP ,DODDRIDGE4 ,HE READ ON ?R\< M>RIAGE1 *ILDR5 & B]EAVEM5T TO A F9AL VIEW1 JU/ TO ! LEFT ( ! FRAME'S UPP] MIDDLE1 ( A FRAGILE MAN & WOMAN AS !Y LAY TOGE!R 9 A ROOM ) =EIGN FURNI%+S1 BO? ILL1 ! MAN P]HAPS ALREADY DEAD AS 9DICAT$ BY ! UNRELIEV$ BLUE NI<T ( ! NEXT TILE1 ITS D>KNESS N[ ?AT ( 9T]M5T RA!R ?AN CONCEPTION4 ,ONLY :5 HE PE]$ AT ! APP5D$ LABEL 9 R$ BIRO :I* REVEAL$ ! TITLE ( ! PIECE TO BE ,MALIGNANT1 ,REFRACTORY ,SPIRITS DID HE />T TO FA?OM A CONNECTION BETWE5 ITS ACC\NT ( A DISS5T+ CL]GYMAN & ! TWO GLEEFULLY 9C5DI>Y FEMALES1 PIR\ETT+ ON P>*$ ?AT*+ & ONLY CON/RA9$ BY !IR ELABORATE BIOGRAPHIC BORD]4 

,/>T+ TO EXP]I5CE A MILD CONCEPTUAL CONCUSSION1 ,MICK MIGRAT$ A PACE FUR!R S\? ALONG ! GALL]Y'S EA/ WALL UNTIL HE REA*$ EXHIBIT TW5TY-ONE4 ,ID5TIFI$ 9 /EADILY DET]IORAT+ CRIMSON AS ,! ,TREES ,DON'T ,NE$ TO ,KN[1 TO HIS RELIEF ?IS WAS A S+LE IMAGE1 ONCE MORE 9 A SP9DLY PORTRAIT RATIO & R5D]$ 9 ACRYLICS1 BLACKS & :ITES & A GLUM RA9B[ ( M9UTELY DIFF]5TIAT$ GRAYS4 ,FLANK$ BY SOME ( ! BY N[ FAMILI> ANA*RONI/ICALLY ATTIR$ *ILDR51 ?\< HE NOTIC$ ?AT HIS [N 9FANTILE SEMBLANCE WAS NOT AMONG !M1 LOOM$ ANO!R ( HIS SI/]'S HORRORS4 ,T]RIFY+ TRAVE/IES ( NATURE PREVI\SLY 9CONCEIVABLE W]E1 HE ACKN[L$G$1 = SOME REASON SOME?+ :I* %E'D ALWAYS BE5 P>TICUL>LY GOOD AT S9CE %E'D MADE H] REPUTATION ONE T5TACLE AT A TIME1 ADORN+ ALL ?OSE ,S4,F41 FANTASY & HORROR PAP]BACKS DUR+ ! #a#i#hS4 ,?IS P>TICUL> GROTESQUE APPE>$ TO BE A REALLY HORRIBLE V>IETY ( SEA-S]P5T1 DISA/R\SLY RELEAS$ 9TO A W9D+ URBAN RIV] V]Y SIMIL> TO ! ,N5E1 :]E !RE WAS CLE>LY 9SUFFICI5T ROOM = IT4 ,RE>+ FROM SL[ & MURKY WAT]S 9TO ! NOCTURNAL BLACK1 ATOP A WAV]+ NECK ?ICK AS A WAT] MA91 AN ELONGAT$ SKULL LIKE A ,GE/APO /AFF-C> SPRANG ! BONNET ( ITS UPP] JAW TO B>E APPALL+ %IPWRECK TEE?1 SNAPP+ 9 BELLICOSE FRU/RATION AT ! JUBILANT QU9TET ( RUFFIANS :O = SOME REASON LEVITAT$ 9 ! N>R[ PICTURE'S UPP] REA*ES1 EA* ACCOMPANI$ BY SEV]AL FA9T] COPIES ( !MSELVES4 ,! CREATURE'S FACE1 ) A COIFFURE ( /9K+ WAT]WE$ & SNAIL-FLE% EYES ?AT GLEAM$ FROM SOCKETS DEEP AS WELLS1 WAS ! DI/ORT$ C\NT5ANCE ( AN EMBITT]$ & MALIGN OLD WOMAN1 BELL[+ H] HATE & RAGE & LONEL9ESS 9TO ! NI<T4 ,IT WAS ANO!R WILDLY 9APPROPRIATE ,5ID ,BLYTON ILLU/RATION1 AS WAS ITEM TW5TY-TWO JU/ TO ! RI<T ( IT4 

,TITL$ ,=BIDD5 ,WORLDS 9 SCRAWL ?AT PAL$ TO AN UNPLEASANT S]UM P9K ! FUR!R TO ! RI<T IT GOT1 ?IS1 LIKE ITS PR$ECESSOR1 WAS A /UDY 9 ACRYLICS ) A SIL5T MOVIE COLOR S*EME1 ALBEIT ?IS TIME 9 L&SCAPE PROPORTIONS4 ,IT PORTRAY$ A B>ROOM SC5E AS TOLD TO ,HOG>? OR ,DORE BY A MID-B5D] ,$G> ,ALL5 ,PE1 A WORLD ( SCREAM+ ABDABS :]E HE WAS OBSCURELY PLEAS$ TO F9D HIS TODDL] SELF HAD MADE A REAPPE>ANCE4 ,/ILL 9 HIS PLAID DRESS+ G[N HE C[]$ ) ! O!R SMALL BOY FROM ! E>LI] PA9T+S AT ! PICTURE'S FRONT1 BEH9D A MASSIVELY ROTUND & GAUDY =M :I*1 EV5 FROM ! RE>1 C\LD ONLY BE ! LATE1 LAM5T$ LOCAL TR\BAD\R ,TOM ,HALL4 ,! B> BEYOND1 TRANSP>5TLY :AT ! TWO LITTLE LADS W]E %ELT]+ FROM1 WAS POPULAT$ BY A TEMP]ANCE CAMPAIGN]'S NI<TM>E1 AN 9EBRIATE DEMONOLOGY4 ,TO ONE SIDE A DI/RAU<T & WEEP+ MAN APP>5TLY MADE \T ( BO>DS HAD DEEP RUNES G\G$ 9TO HIS >M BY ! BELLIG]5T KNIFE-WIELD+ FEMALE HOLD+ HIM1 :ILE NE>BY YET ANO!R WOOD5 MAN WRI!D HALF-EM]G$ FROM ! ROOM'S FLOOR1 TRODD5 BACK D[N BY JE]+ HOBNAIL$ DRUNKS4 ,! <A/LIE/ ( ! ASSEMBL$ B>FLIES WORE A TOO?LESS M\? ACROSS HIS =EHEAD1 MUC\S BUBBL+ UP 9 ! 9V]T$ NOSE B5EA? & DAZ$ EYES BL9K+ FROM HIS J[LS4 ,A PURGATORY ) AN EXT5D$ LIC5SE1 AN ET]NAL LOCK-9 OR AN H\R NEV] 5D+ ?AT WAS ANY?+ SAVE HAPPY3 C\LD ?IS REALLY BE ! WAY ?AT HIS TEETOTAL SI/] ?\<T ( PUBLIC H\SES1 AS M5AG]IES ( HORRID CRUELTY & IMPOSSIBLE DE=MITY8 ,AL?\< :5 HE CONSID]$ ! PUBS ,ALMA HAD FREQU5T$ HE CONC$$ ?AT %E HAD A PO9T4 ,HE TOOK ANO!R %ORT /EP TO HIS RI<T & ALMO/ TOPPL$ HEADLONG 9TO ! OBLIT]AT+ DEP?S ( ITEM TW5TY-?REE4 

,! BABBLE ( ! ROOM )DREW1 WAS DRA9$ AWAY 9 A RETREAT+ SURF4 ,MICK /OOD /OCK /ILL BE=E ! PICTURE LIKE A MAN PAUS$ AT ! M\? ( A W9D TUNNEL & AFRAID TO MOVE4 ,HE KNEW :AT ?IS WAS2 KNEW BE=E CONSULT+ ! ID5TIFY+ LABEL :]E ! P9K 9K RAN \T HALFWAY ?R\< ! SECOND WORD BE=E RESUM+ 9 GRE54 ,?IS WAS ! ,DE/RUCTOR4 ,SE5 FROM OV]HEAD1 A CURV+ >C D[N TO ! L[] LEFT WAS ALL ?AT TOLD ONLOOK]S !Y W]E WITNESS TO A M]CIFULLY 9COMPLETE VIEW ( A DREADFUL *IMNEY1 LIMITLESSLY VA/ SO ?AT NO CANVAS1 NO IMAG9ATION1 C\LD 5CLOSE IT4 ,SMOLD]+ IMPA/O /REAM]S ( SI5NA & BURNT UMB]1 SO ?ICK ?AT !Y TEET]$ ON ! BR9K ( SCULPTURE1 SPIRAL$ \T FROM ! 9DU/RIAL CRAT]'S RIM T[>DS ITS UNSE5 C5T]1 ! IMM5SE VAPOR\S MASSES TURN+ SL[LY1 AN ANNIHILAT+ NEBULA ( %IT4 ,AS DISMAL AS ! CURL+ B&S ( 5CRU/ATION W]E1 IT WAS 9 ! G\G$ *ASMS TRAPP$ BETWE5 !SE RILLS :]E DREAD RESID$4 ,H]E W]E RIBBONS ( FLAT DETAIL1 CR++ UND] T[]+ OIL-PA9T TSUNAMIS AS !Y SWIRL$ AWAY TO (F-SCRE5 IMMOLATION1 BR[N OBLIVION4 ,H]E W]E SWEET%OPS1 S*OOLY>DS & ,SALVATION ,>MY TROMBONES SLID+ 9EXORABLY 9TO A HELL ( NO?+1 HORSE-DRAWN COAL C>TS ) !IR LOAD ON FIRE & DANCEHALL C\PLES PLUNG$1 /ILL BUNNY-HOPP+1 9TO AN ASPHYXIAT+ MIDNI<T4 ,HOPSCOT*$ PAV+ SLABS & />*$ :ITE B>B]S1 MONKEYS & !IR ORGAN-GR9D]S1 DRUNKS & MONKS AMONG ! SMA%$ DEBRIS AT ! P]IMET] ( ?IS REL5TLESS JUNKY>D S+UL>ITY 9 ITS ATTEMPT TO DR9K ! WORLD1 OR AT LEA/ ?AT P>T ( ! WORLD )9 ITS ECONOMIC REA*4 ,9 ! SMOG-MAEL/ROM PEOPLE1 ANIMALS & !IR SPL9T]$ 5VIRONM5TS W]E CIRCL+ DETRITUS1 UN9TELLIGIBLE SUDS LOCK$ 9TO ! DECAY+ ORBIT ( A S9K-TRAP ABYSS4 ,PRAM >MADAS & POOLS C\PONS BLACK ) OPTIMI/IC KISSES1 FLORID UNION BANN]S1 C9EMA SEATS FL5S$ OR PISS$ ON1 SWANS & S+LETS 9 A RUBBLE WAT]FALL D[N CANCELLATION'S SMOKE/ACK ?ROAT4 ,IT WAS ! PA/2 A RES]VOIR ( FLEET+ 9CID5T1 A MODE ( LIV+ ?AT HAD BE5 MADE ABJECT & WAS N[ CREMAT$1 IRRECOV]ABLY LO/ TO A% 9 A BONFIRE ( ! HUMILIATIONS4 ,?IS1 !N1 WAS ! TOILET EV]Y?+ HAD GONE D[N4 

,IT WAS TOO BIG1 TOO UNANSW]ABLE4 ,IT W\LD REQUIRE ANO!R CIG>ETTE1 AS MU* = PUNCTUATION AS ANY?+ ELSE1 :I* W\LD MEAN PRIZ+ BACK ! LI<T] FROM HIS SI/]4 ,TURN+ R\ND TO LOOK = H] HE F\ND HIMSELF ONCE MORE CONFRONT$ BY ! SCAL$ D[N DI/RICT ON ITS TABLETOP1 AN ANT F>M SCRAP+ BY ON APHID SUBSIDIES4 ,?IS PROSPECT FROM ! EA/ YIELD$ A GAMBL]'S FAN ( M9IATURIZ$ RO(TOPS1 BREAK+ WAVES ( SLATE DESC5D+ VANI%$ ,SILV] ,/REET & ,BE>W>D ,/REET1 EMPTI$ 9TO ! PLACID TIDE-POOL ( A ,MAYORHOLD SLEEP+ (F ITS LUN*TIME ALE ?R\< ! ET]NAL PA9T$ AFT]NOON4 ,A QU>T]-9*-HI< ,VESP] SCOOT] ) ONE :EEL (F /OOD 9 ,BULLHEAD ,LANE PROPP$ BY A Y>D-BRU%1 & OLD M5 9 %IRTS & BRACES SAT ON DOOR/EPS SC[L+ LIKE DEMOT$ G>GOYLES4 ,= ALL ( ITS MANUFACTUR]'S UNC]TA9TIES1 ,MICK WAS APPROA*+ ! CONCLUSION ?AT ?IS WAS ! EXHIBITION'S MO/ COMPELL+ & /RAI<T=W>D >TIFACT1 %IP-9-A-BOTTLE /REETS :I* CAPTUR$ & PRES]V$ ! NE>-EVAPORAT$ NEI<BORHOOD MORE P]FECTLY ?AN ALL ( ! OBLIQUE SURR\ND+ CANVASES4 ,IT C]TA9LY EVOK$ ! AIR ( PSY*OLOGICAL S]5ITY1 ! SECRET1 LAZY1 GOLD5 IDYLL ?AT HAD BE5 PECULI> TO PLACES ) NO /ATUS LEFT TO LOSE4 ,IT LEFT HIM ) A FEEL+ ?AT ! WORLD HE C\LD REMEMB] WAS /ILL SAFE SOME:]E1 ! POL> OPPOSITE ( ! S5SATION 9CULCAT$ 9 HIM BY ! T]RIBLE MEPHITIC VORTEX HE N[ HAD HIS BACK TO4 ,SPOTT+ ,ALMA OV] 9 ! NURS]Y'S NOR?WE/ CORN] NE> ! CAU/IC BLI/] PA9T+ HE WAS JU/ AB\T TO SEE IF HE C\LD GET HIS LI<T] BACK1 P]HAPS BY (F]+ ONE ( HIS (FSPR+ AS SECURITY1 :5 HIS GLANCE SETTL$ ON ! /RIP ( PAP] FA/5$ TO ! DIORAMA'S $GE1 APPROXIMATELY OPPOSITE ! SIMIL> TAG ?AT HE'D NOTIC$ ON ! PLAT=M'S FUR!R1 WE/]N SIDE4 ,:]EAS ?AT HAD ,! ,BOR\<S WRITT5 ON IT1 :I* HE'D ?\<T TO BE ! MODEL'S TITLE1 ?IS SCRAP WAS M>K$ ) ! S+LE WORD ,MANS\L4 ,! ODD NAME RANG A DI/ANT BELL1 SOME:]E 9 ! NEXT DIESIS ( REMEMBRANCE1 BUT O!RWISE WAS UNFAMILI>4 ,HAD ,ALMA BE5 UNABLE TO DECIDE BETWE5 TWO DESIGNATIONS & SO H$G$ H] BETS8 ,OR HAD %E JU/ =GOTT5 %E'D ALREADY TITL$ IT8 ,HE'D HAVE TO ASK H]1 IF ONLY TO DEMON/RATE ?AT HE WAS PAY+ CLOSE ATT5TION4 

,BY ! TIME HE'D 9*$ HIS WAY BACK PA/ ! LA/ T5 OR ELEV5 EXHIBITS TO :]E %E /OOD 9 CONV]SATION ) ,DAVE ,DANIELS1 HE'D DECID$ TO COMB9E HIS M5TION ( ! RECON/RUCT$ B>RIO'S CONFLICT+ NOM5CLATURE ) HIS CRACK AT GETT+ BACK ! LI<T]1 AN UNLIKELY GAMBIT :I* TO HIS SURPRISE WORK$ LIKE A *>M4 ,F> BETT]1 EV51 GIV5 ?AT *>MS NEV] WORK$ AT ALL4 

0,LOOK1 ,W>RY1 !RE'S A SIGN ON ONE SIDE ( Y\R MODEL :]E IT SAYS ,! ,BOR\<S4 ,MAY ,I HAVE MY LI<T] BACK8 ,& ON ! O!R SIDE IT SAYS ,MANS\L4 ,P]HAPS Y\ C\LD EXPLA940 

,%E GR9N$ & SAID 0,( C\RSE ,I CAN01 !N H&$ HIM ! LI<T] & CONT9U$ TALK+ TO ,DAVE ,DANIELS4 ,MAK+ = ! DOOR BE=E %E REALIZ$ :AT %E'D DONE1 ,MICK WAS DELI<T$4 ,HE FELT ?AT HE'D REA*$ A NEW LEVEL ( UND]/&+ 9 HIS DEAL+S ) HIS SI/]3 :5 Y\ =C$ H] TO BE >SEY OV] TWO ?+S AT ! SAME TIME1 H] AGGRESSION SY/EMS C\LDN'T H&LE ! EXT5D$ LOAD & W\LD %ORT CIRCUIT4 ,IF ?R\< RADIOACTIVE ACCID5T %E %\LD EV] BECOME GIGANTIC & EMB>K ON A CIVILIZATION-?REAT5+ RAMPAGE1 HE'D BE SURE TO TELL ! GOV]NM5T & MILIT>Y SO ?AT !Y C\LD BR+ H] D[N4 ,/ILL *UCKL+ 9APPROPRIATELY AT ! ?\<T ( HIS [N SI/]1 SEV5TY FEET TALL & BLUND]+ 9TO P[] CABLES1 HE W5T \T TRIUMPHANT TO ! BRI<T BLUE AFT]NOON4 

,?UMB+ ! :EEL & SP>K+ UP HE SUCK$ HIS CIG>ETTE'S F> 5D TO SULL5 SC>LET LIFE1 TIPP+ HIS HEAD BACK TO EXPEL A ,*9ESE *IM]A ( WRI?+ GRAY T[>DS ! ,WILL[ ,PATT]N DUOTONE ABOVE4 ,AFT] CONF9EM5T ) SO MANY LAUDANUM-9FUS$ 9T]PRETATIONS ( ! LOCALE1 ITS REALITY ( PEEL+ W9D[-FRAME & UNKEMPT V]GE1 NO MATT] H[ IMPOV]I%$ 9 BRICK OR MEMORY1 SANG ) A BRUIS$ & TOO?LESS JOY4 ,HE BREA!D ! PO/CODE'S D&ELION-CLOCK ATMOSPH]E1 ! ROLL$-SLEEVE LIC5SE ( A SPOT 9 =C$ RETIREM5T FROM GEOGRAPHY1 ! CONSOLATIONS ( EXCLUSION 9 ! C]TA9 KN[L$GE Y\ W]E NO LONG] EXPECT$ TO DO OR BE ANY?+4 ,DU/ TOO WAS A MANTLE ( PRIVILEGE4 ,ACROSS ! WAY HIS GAZE ROLL$ D[N ! 9CL9E ( ! C>-P>K 5TRANCE TO :]E =TY YE>S BE=E HAD /OOD AN ALI5AT+ ,CUBI/ PLAYGR\ND &1 A DECADE E>LI] /ILL1 ! TRAFFIC-FREE PAV$ 5TRY 9TO JU/IFIABLY DEF5SIVE-S\ND+ ,=T & ,MOAT /REETS1 UND] SIEGE BY AN AGGRESSIVELY =GETFUL #a#i#fS4 ,?AT WAS :]E HIS MAD GREAT-GR&DAD & HIS *E]ILY B>B>IC ,NAAN HAD />T$ \T1 BE=E %E'D MOV$ TO ,GRE5 ,/REET AFT] LOS+ H] FIR/ BABY TO DIPH!RIA4 ,IT W\LD HAVE BE5 D[N R\<LY ! SAME PASSAGE ?AT ! FEV]-C>T HAD RUMBL$ LIKE BAD WEA!R :5 IT CALL$ TO PICK UP ITS SLI<T BURD54 ,/ICKY /R&S ( HIS G5ETIC HI/ORY W]E /ILL !RE UND] SEV]AL ]AS' T>MAC SKIMS1 P9K & BLACK LICORICE ALLSORTS /RATA4 ,?AT WAS HI/ORY1 A S]IES ( ILL-JUDG$ RESURFAC+S & R&OM SUP]IMPOSITIONS4 ,N>R[+ HIS EYES AGA9/ ! SUN HE FLATT5$ DIFF]5T LAY]S ( TIME TO AN 9CONGRU\S COMPOSITE1 9 :I* REPRIEV$ 9FANT MORTALITIES RODE A ,PICASSO CONCRETE HORSE BETWE5 ! PRE-LOV$ AUTOS SLEEP+ 9 !IR BAYS4 

,BEH9D HIM HE HE>D ! FA9T EMPHYSEMIC :EEZE ( ! DAY NURS]Y'S DOOR & TURN$ TO NOTE ,B5 ,P]RIT & ,BOB ,GOODMAN1 EVID5TLY PREVI\SLY ACQUA9T$1 SIMULTANE\SLY FLEE+ ! EXT]NALIZ$ 9T]IOR ( ,ALMA'S HEAD4 ,BO? M5 W]E LAU<+1 PROBABLY BECAUSE ! BLE>Y POET HAD MADE A COLD />T FROM NO:]E & ! CLUB-FAC$ ACTOR HAD BE5 UNABLE TO KEEP FROM JO9+ 94 ,MICK RAIS$ A H& 9 GREET+ BUT ! GE/URE FELL UNCOM=TABLY BETWE5 ! RETROSPECTIVELY RACI/ BUFFOON]Y ( ,H[6 & ,HITL]'S PROTOTYPE HI< FIVE1 SO HALFWAY ?R\< HE TURN$ IT 9TO SMOO?+ BACK A LOCK ( HAIR :I* HADN'T BE5 !RE = SOME TIME4 ,/ILL *ORTL+1 ! MO/ UPSETT+ *ILDR5'S P>TY D\BLE ACT IMAG9ABLE MADE ITS WAY ACROSS ! ALOPECIA TURF T[>DS HIM4 

0,ALRI<T1 ,B5$ICT4 ,ALRI<T1 ,BOB4 ,HAD 5\<80 

,B5 ,P]RIT'S ROLL$ EYES W]E ?OSE ( A BOLT+ HORSE4 

0,AHA6 ,IF ?AT'S ! K9D O' ?+S Y\ SEE :5 Y\ /OP DR9K9'1 ,I DON'T FANCY IT4 ,AHAHAHA60 

,HIS !SPIAN COMPANION'S C\NT5ANCE APPE>$ TO BE ATTEMPT+ TO ?R[ ITSELF TO ! GR\ND FROM (F A /UBBLY *91 TOO VEX$ BY HUMAN DISAGREEABILITY TO C>RY ON4 

0,DO Y\ KN[ :AT %E HAD ME DO1 Y\R FUCK+ SI/]8 ,%E MADE ME GO \T & DIG UP ALL ?IS /UFF ?AT %E ALREADY KNEW AB\T1 JU/ SO %E'D HAVE A REASON TO PUT AN 9SULT+ PICTURE ( ME 9 H] %[4 ,I TELL Y\1 WE'RE AS FLIES TO WANTON BOYS :]E %E'S CONC]N$40 

,NUDG$ \T ( S*OOL = TRUANCY BE=E HE'D REALLY GOT TO GRIPS ) ,%AKESPE>E1 ,MICK WAS UNSURE H[ BOYS & !IR FLIES W]E RELEVANT TO ?IS & M]ELY NODD$1 AS A SAFETY %OT4 ,! AMBI5T MANIA ( ,B5 ,P]RIT1 =TUNATELY1 FLOOD$ 9 TO FILL ANY RESULTANT VOIDS LEFT 9 ! CONV]SATION4 

0,AHAHAHA6 ,%E'S DONE ME 9 CRAYON1 AT ! BOTTOM ( ! SEA4 ,I DUNNO IF %E'S SAY+ ?AT ,I'M NOT EV5 WA%$ UP1 OR IF %E MEANS ,I'M 9 ! DR9K4 ,AHAHA6 ',]E1 ,MICK1 ,I WAS GO+ TO GIVE '] ?IS BUT NEV] GOT ! *ANCE4 ,WILL Y\ SEE AS %E GETS IT80 

,! FREQU5TLY B>R$ B>D HELD \T A %EET ( FOLD$ TYPESCRIPT1 :I* ,MICK SOLEMNLY ACCEPT$ )\T HAV+ ANY IDEA :AT IT REPRES5T$4 ,POETRY /UFF1 >T /UFF1 SOME?+ ( ?AT NATURE4 

0 ',C\RSE ,I WILL1 ,B54 ,& DON'T BE (F5D$1 H[ %E DREW Y\4 ,Y\ ASK ME1 Y\ GOT (F LI<T4 ,Y\ SAW ?AT ONE ( ME :]E ,I WAS JU/ A BAG ( PIMPLES80 

,! DISGRUNTL$ ACTOR CURL$ A LIP ?AT EV]YONE HAD ?\<T WAS CURL$ ALREADY1 %AK+ HIS ANTI-,SEMITIC C>TOON ( A HEAD 9 SYMPA!TIC DISAPPROVAL4 

0,:Y D'Y\ ?9K %E DOES ! ?+S %E DOES8 ,IS %E JU/ TRY+ TO />T A FI<T1 OR :AT8 ,%E CAN'T BE DO+ IT BECAUSE %E NE$S ! MONEY40 

,MICK CONSID]$ ?IS1 ABS5TLY />+ AT ! DAYC>E C5T]'S W9D[4 ,HE C\LD SEE ! TWO OLD LADIES ?AT HE'D NOTIC$ E>LI]1 BO? /&+ CACKL+ & NUDG+ ONE ANO!R BY ! PICTURE ) ! TILES >\ND IT4 ,DRAGG+ HIS ATT5TION BACK TO ,ALMA'S MOTIVES1 HE SAID ! FIR/ ?+ ?AT CAME 9TO HIS HEAD4 

0,P]HAPS %E'S HOP+ = A DAME-HOOD40 

,GOODMAN SC(F$ 9CR$UL\SLY4 

0,:AT1 BY DO+ PA9T+S8 ,DAME-HOODS1 !Y'RE = /AGE PR(ESSIONALS1 ,DAME ,JUDI ,D5*1 ,DAME ,HEL5 ,MIRR51 ,DAME ,DIANA ,RIGG4 ,:AT1 SO N[ ,ALMA ?9KS ?AT %E'S AN ACTRESS1 DOES %E80 

0,ACTUALLY1 ,BOB1 ,I ?9K !Y'RE = WOM5 9 ! >TS8 ,!RE'S ,NELLIE ,MELBA1 ,$I? ,SITWELL1 ,V]A ,LYNN2 !RE'S ,VIVI5NE ,WE/WOOD1 ,B>RY ,HUMPHRIES4 ,IT'S NOT JU/ = ACTRESSES40 

,! VET]AN ?UG-IMP]SONATOR1 EV] ! PR(ESSIONAL1 P]=M$ ! FIR/ REAL D\BLE-TAKE ?AT ,MICK HAD EV] SE5 & AFT] ?AT /AY$ SIL5T AS IF PROCESS+ ?IS UNEXPECT$ 9=MATION4 ,!RE FOLL[$ AN AWKW>D 9T]LUDE :]E9 ,B5 ,P]RIT ASK$ IF ,$I? ,SITWELL HAD 9V5T$ TOA/1 !N LAU<$ UPRO>I\SLY1 !N SAID ?AT HE'D MEANT ,NELLIE ,MELBA4 ,IT SEEM$ LIKE A NATURAL BREAK1 & ,MICK %OOK ! M5 BY ! H& :ILE REASSUR+ ,P]RIT ?AT HE'D NOT =GET ! FOLD$ %EET = ,ALMA4 ,! PAIR SAUNT]$ (F PA/ ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR* 9 ! DIRECTION ( ,M>EFAIR1 ! POET LAU<+ & ! ACTOR AUDIBLY REM>K+1 0,DAMES6 ,JU/ :5 Y\ ?9K Y\'VE GOT 'EM FIGUR$ \T 4440 BE=E !IR \TL9ES CAME TO BITS 9 ,*ALK ,LANE'S POPPY CAM\FLAGE4 

,EXP]I5C+ AN UPSURGE ( BAFFL$ AFFECTION1 ,MICK CONCLUD$ ?AT ! >EA'S NONS5SE WAS AS VITAL A COMPON5T AS ITS LOVE1 ITS DR9K1 ITS VIOL5CE4 ,DI/ANT TRAFFIC VI$ ) A CR[ ALT]CATION FUR!R ALONG ,CA/LE ,/REET4 ,/IFL+ A MOM5T>Y S5SE ( TRESPASS HE UNFOLD$ ! PAGE ?AT ,B5 ,P]RIT HAD 5TRU/$ TO HIM1 & BEGAN TO READ4 

,?IS IS A K+DOM BUILT FROM ABS5CES 

,! SPACES BETWE5 BUILD+S1 EMPTY AIR 

,:]E DIFF]5T BIRDS S+ N[ 

,ITS L&M>KS PROM95T IF NO?+'S !RE 

,?IS IS ! PR9CIPALITY ( GONE 

,) B\ND>IES MAPP$ 9 9K ?AT DISAPPE>S 

,A HI/ORY ( GAPS 

,& PEOPL$ BY NAMES UNPRON\NC$ = YE>S 

,?IS IS MY PAGE ?AT ! BLANK M>G9S ATE 

,TILL ONLY ! ]AS] SC>S REMA9$ 

,AN EMPTY BAG ( HOLES 

,A SIL5CE BY QUOTATION M>KS CONTA9$ 

,MICK FELT EV5 LESS QUALIFI$ 9 HAV+ AN OP9ION ) REG>D TO POETRY ?AN HE DID ) REG>D TO >T1 BUT HE QUITE LIK$ ! %APE & GAIT ( IT1 A LIMP+ BUFFALO ) ONE LEG %ORT] ?AN ! O!RS & A DIGNITY ESPECIAL TO ITS /UMBLES4 ,HE REFOLD$ ! SP>SE DOCUM5T & SLID IT 9TO A HIP POCKET :]E IT W\LDN'T CRUMPLE1 !N1 EXT+UI%+ HIS CIG>ETTE1 TURN$ ONCE MORE TO ! NURS]Y'S OP5 DOOR4 ,IT WAS A %AME4 ,HE MI<T HAVE W>M$ UP MORE TO CULTURE IF IT DIDN'T ACT QUITE SO COMPULSORY4 ,AH1 WELL4 ,!RE C\LDN'T BE A LOT MORE ( ?IS MADD5+ EXHIBITION LEFT TO SEE4 ,SI<+ RESIGN$LY HE W5T 9SIDE TO FACE ! TURP5T9E-?9N$ MUSIC4 

,?IS TIME1 RE-IMM]SION WASN'T SU* A %OCK4 ,! ATMOSPH]E APPE>$ TO BE UNW9D+ AS ! AFT]NOON W\ND ON1 ! CR[D UNCL5*+ TO BECOME MORE NAVIGABLE4 ,AS BE=E1 HE WAS RESOLV$ TO PICK UP FROM ! PO9T :]E HE'D LEFT (F1 & SO RETRAC$ HIS CLOCKWISE PA? >\ND ! MIRAGE-CLUTT]$ TODDL] CORRAL4 ,HE C\LD HAVE GONE ! O!R WAY1 GONE WIDD]%9S1 AL?\< ?AT W\LDN'T HAVE SEEM$ RI<T3 Y\ DIDN'T F9D Y\R PLACE 9 BOOKS BY FLIPP+ BACK ?R\< FROM ! 5D1 & ,MICK WAS ALREADY CONV9C$ ?AT ,ALMA'S B>RAGE ( ILLU/RATIVE NON-SEQUITURS WAS MEANT TO REPRES5T SOME SORT ( /ORY1 P]HAPS ONE SO BIG & COMPLICAT$ IT REQUIR$ AN EXTRA MA!MATICAL DIM5SION TO N>RATE IT 94 ,OR POSSIBLY H] MAGNUM OPUS HAD GONE CRITICAL & HE WAS LOOK+ H]E AT ! BALLI/IC AFT]MA?1 AT ! BLA/ DI/RIBUTION PATT]N ( HIS SI/]'S WEAPONIS$ & FISSILE HEAD4 ,9 EI!R CASE !RE WAS A TALE BE+ TOLD1 IF ONLY TO ! BOMB SQUAD ANALY/S4 ,NEGOTIAT+ SPE$-DATE SOCIAL 9T]ACTIONS ) A DOZ5 PEOPLE HE'D ALREADY GREET$1 LIKE DI/ANT ACQUA9TANCES REPEAT$LY 5C\NT]$ 9 SUCCESSIVE SUP]M>KET AISLES1 HE MADE HIS WAY >\ND ! C5TRAL TABLEAU-LAD5 TRE/LE TO A /ATION JU/ BEYOND EXHIBIT TW5TY-?REE1 AB\T ?REE-QU>T]S ( ! WAY ALONG ! PRET5D GALL]Y'S EA/ WALL4 ,) ! 9F]NAL GOB ( ! ,DE/RUCTOR DROOL+ SP>KS & TOXIC VAPOR-TRAILS AT ! P]IPH]IES ( VISION TO HIS LEFT HE DID HIS BE/ TO CONC5TRATE ON ITEM TW5TY-F\R1 ! CRYPTIC WAT]COLOR AB/RACT ?AT WAS DIRECTLY 9 FRONT ( HIM4 ,ITS CRANK-GRE5 M>QUE READ ,CL\DS ,UNFOLD4 ,P]FECTLY CIRCUL>1 !RE WAS A SAUC]-SIZ$ DISC ( ,BYZANT9E HUE & ORNAM5T PLAC$ JU/ (F C5T] 9 A L>GE QUADRANGLE ( (F-:ITE /A9$ BY P>ABOLAS ( <O/LY DOVE-GRAY1 /ROKES & BLOT*ES SO TRANSLUC5T !Y W]E H>DLY !RE AT ALL1 VISUALLY WEI<TLESS TO A PO9T :]E !Y C\LD SC>CELY BE CALL$ MASSES4 ,9 ! CORN] AT ! BOTTOM LEFT A SCALLOP$ TRIANGLE ( ?9 DI%WAT] HAD COLLECT$1 :ILE A MACK]EL FEA!R+ ( DU/Y FLOSS 9TRUD$ FROM ! UPP] C5T]4 ,JU/ B5EA? ?IS1 M\NT$ V]TICALLY1 WAS HUNG A TORN-(F [L'S W+ OR P]HAPS A WAV]+ F+]-T[] ( 9T]/ELL> GAS4 ,AT 9T]VALS1 AGA9/ ! TRACKLESS IVORY EXPANSE !RE CLU/]$ FLECKS ( D>K] NEUTRALS1 MICROSCOPIC METEOR %OALS LO/ 9 A BLEA*$ OR COLOR-REV]S$ COSMOS1 :ILE >\ND ! BALL ( BLUE-GOLD FILIGREE W]E TRAC$ SP]M-PALE ELLIPTICAL TRAJECTORIES ?AT 444 OH4 ,IT WAS AN EYE4 ,IT WASN'T AB/RACT AFT] ALL4 ,FILL+ ! >EA FROM $GE TO $GE IT WAS A ,LUIS ,BUNUEL CLOSE-UP ( AN EYE1 BUT NOT ONE SET 9 FLE%4 ,?IS WAS AN ORBIT TOOL$ FROM ,PORTL& /ONE1 ) A FA9T D[N ( GRAV5 EYEBR[ CREEP+ 9TO VIEW ABOVE & AN ABBREVIAT$ SWEEP ( *EEKBONE TO ! LEFT BEL[4 ,IT WAS ! NONFUNCTION+ OPTICAL EQUIPM5T ( A /ATUE & ! SATELLITE-ELLIPSES W]E UNBL9K+ LIDS1 ?OSE ( A WITNESS TO CATA/ROPHE :O C\LD NOT LOOK AWAY4 ,! B>ELY-VISIBLE FANN$ PLUMAGE TO ! RI<T FELL 9TO RESOLUTION AS ! %AD[-TRAP TO ONE SIDE ( ! NOSE'S BRIDGE1 A *ISEL$ BLUFF ?AT DROPP$ AWAY 9TO ! DU/B[L SOCKET4 ,>BITR>Y SPECKS REVEAL$ !MSELVES AS TEXTURE1 A /ONE EPID]MIS WEA!R$ & ]OD$ BY TWO HUNDR$ YE>S ( RA9 & AIRBORNE GRIT4 ,& AT ! PICTURE'S FOCUS1 9 ! GILD$ IRIS WAS A M$IEVAL PLANET>Y ORR]Y PICK$ \T BY AURIC ?READS AGA9/ NOCTURNAL 9DIGO1 ! FLI<T ( MOON OR COMET PLOTT$ ) SUN-COLOR$ L9ES1 PROJECT$ ?R\< FIX$ SAPPHIRE TIME4 ,IT WAS ! WAT* MOVEM5T ( A KN[N UNIV]SE1 CAU<T 9 AN OPAQUE & =EV] AWE/RUCK GAZE4 ,MICK NOTIC$ AS AN AFT]?\<T ?AT ! WORK'S BASIC COMPOSITION WAS ALMO/ ID5TICAL TO ?AT ( ! PREC$+ %OT1 ! DY+ BIRD'S EYE VIEW ( AN 9C9]ATOR'S MAW ?AT SIMM]$ ) P>TICULATES4 ,HE WOND]$ IF ?IS ELEVAT+ LATT] PIECE WAS PLAC$ 9 CLOSE PROXIMITY TO ! DI/RESS+ =M] AS A K9D ( READY ANTIDOTE1 ! WAY IT (T5 WORK$ \T ) DOCK LEAVES & /++ NETTLES4 ,FEEL+1 AT LEA/1 ?AT ! PA9T+ HAD GONE SOME WAY TO RE/OR+ HIS [N EQUILIBRIUM HE SIDL$ RI<T 9TO ! CANTON ( EXHIBITS TW5TY-FIVE & TW5TY-SIX1 HUNG ONE ABOVE ! O!R 9 ! NOR!A/ CORN]4 

,PANORAMIC L&SCAPE OV] L(TY PORTRAIT1 ! PAIR$ IMAGES W]E 9 A ,T-=MATION ?\< W]E NOT APP>5TLY CONNECT$ O!R ?AN BY NE>NESS ( LOCATION4 ,ON ! N>R[ SLICE ( WALL BETWE5 ! TWO A S+LE PIECE ( NOTEPAP] WAS TAP$4 ,IT HAD DUAL TITLES WRITT5 ON IT 9 ]RATIC EM]ALD1 ) BO? ASC5D+ & DESC5D+ DIRECTIONAL >R[S 9DICAT+ :I* WAS :I*4 ,TO SAY ?AT IT LOOK$ CASUAL WAS TO UND]/ATE ! PO9T4 ,RA!R1 IT LOOK$ LIKE AN 9SCRIPTION ON ! 9SIDE ( A PUBLIC TOILET DOOR1 & ,MICK HOP$ ,ALMA C\LD GET ?R\< ! F9AL T5 OR SO DESCRIPTIVE JOTT+S )\T ADD+ A BIG COCK & ITS OBLIGATORY ?REE CROCODILE TE>S ( LIQUID G5ETICS4 ,! SLIM LETT]BOX PROPORTIONS ( ! TOPMO/ RECTANGLE ( >T APPE>$ TO CONTA9 /ILL A FUR!R M9IMALI/ AB/RACT1 AL?\< HAV+ JU/ BE5 MISDIRECT$ BY A SCULPTURE'S EYEBALL ,MICK ELECT$ TO LOOK CLOS] BE=E HE CAME TO A V]DICT4 ,FOLL[+ ! LABEL'S RAIS$ GRE5 SPE> BACK TO ITS PO9T ( ORIG9 HE LE>N$ ?AT ?IS PIECE HAD BE5 CALL$ ,A ,COLD & ,FRO/Y ,MORN+1 ?\< ! REASON+ BEH9D ?IS *OICE WAS F> FROM OBVI\S4 ,! PICTURE WAS A ,C9EMASCOPE VIEW ( MOTTL$ FOG1 A COBWEB FIELD ?AT MI<T HAVE BE5 A*IEV$ BY TAK+ A D>K BACKGR\ND TONE COMPRIS$ ( BLACK & BR[N & D>K VIRIDIAN & !N APPLY+ OV]PR9T$ FIB]S 9 A BLEA*$ & TANGL$ FUZZ1 POSSIBLY ) A SPONGE4 ,NOSE NE>] TO ! CL\DY M>BL+ HE C\LD MAKE \T ?AT ! %ADE VISIBLE BETWE5 ! MATT$ /R&S WAS ACTUALLY A HYP]-REALI/IC /UDY 9 ACRYLICS :I* DETAIL$ AN UND]GR[? ( 9T]TW9+ /EMS & BRAN*ES1 CURL+ LEAVES R$UC$ TO NIBBL$ FRACTALS AT !IR $GES1 ALL ( ?IS FA/IDI\S WORK CONCEAL$ BY ! OBSCUR+ /EAM ( D[N4 ,IT /RUCK HIM ?AT HE MI<T BE LOOK+ AT A BU% OR %RUB HORRIFICALLY 5VELOP$ 9 ! SPUN ?READS ( SOME HUGE >A*NID1 AN ALB9O /RA9 IF ONE W5T BY ! COLOR ( ITS F9E SUSP5SION BRIDGE SECRETIONS4 ,WAS IT ONE ( ,ALMA'S MON/] PA9T+S BUT )\T ! MON/]8 ,ONLY :5 HE NOTIC$ A SMALL1 PE>LY SLUG ( PIGM5T RAIS$ UP A FEW MILLIMET]S FROM ! CANVAS & CONNECT$ TO ! BUDD+ TWIG ABOVE IT BY ! SL5D]E/ ( :ITE L9ES DID HE REALIZE ?AT ! >*ITECT ( ?IS FIBR\S 5IGMA WAS NOT SOME MUTAT$ SPID] BUT1 9/EAD1 A M9UTE TOO?PA/E-SQUEEZE ( SILKWORM4 ,HAV+ NOTIC$ ?IS UNUSUALLY 9DU/RI\S 9DIVIDUAL IT WAS /ILL ALMO/ A M9UTE BE=E ,MICK WAS MADE AW>E ?AT !RE W]E DOZ5S1 HUNDR$S ( ! DANGL+1 GL9T+ CA/S /&+ \T FROM ! SURFACE1 AN 9F9ITESIMAL & BONELESS MULTITUDE BECOME A GRA91 A PATT]N+ ( WET & GLI/5+ CORRUGATIONS4 ,IT WAS M>VEL\S &1 AT ! SAME TIME1 MADE HIS SK9 CRAWL4 ,IT 5CAPSULAT$ ONE ( ?OSE ELECTRIFY+ MOM5TS :5 NATURE REVEAL$ ITSELF 9 ALL ITS ALI5 & APPALL+ SPL5DOR1 ALL ITS BIO-%OCK4 ,REALIZ+ ?AT ! FOLIAGE B>ELY NOTICEABLE UND] ! OCCLUD+ FLUFF MU/ BE A MULB]RY BU%1 HE FELT A MODE/ PANG ( CROSSWORD-PUZZLE SATISFACTION AT DECIPH]+ AT LEA/ ! TITLE ( ! WORK1 DESPITE HAV+ NO CLUE H[ IT RELAT$ TO ! EXHIBITION'S OV]ALL DIRECTION1 OR 9DE$ TO ANY?+4 

,/OOP+ A LITTLE1 H&S ON KNEES1 HE TRANSF]R$ HIS ATT5TION TO EXHIBIT TW5TY-SIX1 IMM$IATELY B5EA?4 ,9/ANTLY RECOGNIZABLE AS FIGURATIVE ILLU/RATION ) ! /RAI<T=W>D APPEAL ( A CLASSIC *ILDR5'S BOOK DEL9EATOR1 P]HAPS ,>?UR ,RACKHAM1 ?IS WAS MORE ,MICK'S CUP ( DORM\SE TEA4 ,TRAC+ ! DROOP+ >R[ UPW>D TO ITS S\RCE HE LE>N$ ?AT ?IS ONE WAS CALL$ ,R\ND ! ,B5D4 ,9 S(T & FAD$ PA/ELS1 P9KS & PURPLES1 GRE5S & GRAYS1 AN \TDOOR SC5E WAS CONJUR$ ) A WALL ( T[]+ CONIF]S 9 ! F> BACKGR\ND1 UND]NEA? A *URN+ & RA9-BLOAT$ SKY :I* NONE!LESS SEEM$ COLOR-PREGNANT1 IMMAN5T ) SPECTRA4 ,UNKEMPT GRASS ROLL$ UNDULANT BETWE5 ! TREE L9E & A RU%-FR+$ RIV]1 SL[LY W9D+ LIKE SOME TRANQUILIZ$ CON/RICTOR ?R\< ! BOTTOM ( ! PICTURE NE>E/ TO ! VIEW]4 ,H]E1 /&+ ) GREAT COMPOSURE ON ! BANK & ALMO/ TO H] WAI/ 9 ! %>P RE$S1 WAS A BIRD-BON$ OLD LADY 9 A C]ISE C>DIGAN & NAVY SKIRT1 H] LU/R\S BRUNET TRESSES N[ AN A%-SLIDE4 ,?\< IT CLUNG MORE TI<TLY TO ! SKULL B5EA? ?AN 9 H] Y\?1 H] FACE /ILL HAD A LOVEL9ESS2 WAS WRY & CLEV]1 LUM9\S ) FE>LESS CURIOSITY4 ,MICK NOTIC$ ?AT HIS SI/] HAD MADE A MI/AKE1 A /UMBLE ) ! AQU>ELLE ?AT MADE IT SEEM AS IF ! WOMAN HAD CROSS$ EYES1 BUT ?IS DID NOT DETRACT FROM ! HU%$1 *UR*-LIKE ATMOSPH]ICS ( ! DRAW+4 ,!RE ! OLD GIRL WAIT$1 RELATIVELY SMALL D[N TO ! PICTURE'S L[] RI<T1 HEAD COCK$ POLITELY LIKE ! LI/5] 9 A DOOR/EP DISC\RSE1 A MEANS-TE/$ ,ALICE P5SION$ TO A FALL[ WOND]L&4 ,EM]G+ FROM NE> /AGNANT WAT]S TO ! LEFT & REA*+ ALMO/ TO ! PICTURE'S UPP] BORD]1 PAT5TLY ! REASON = ! TALL & V]TICAL PROPORTIONS ( ! FRAME1 WAS ! DE=M$ RIV]-LEVIA?AN FROM ITEM TW5TY-ONE4 ,! /ALK ( ITS DI/5D$ ?ROAT SURG$ UP & UP \T FROM A RIPPL$ LACE ( POND-SCUM1 ROB$ 9 SLIME1 ?ICK AS A R$WOOD ) ! RAILWAY-C>RIAGE HEAD PREC>I\SLY M\NT$ AT ITS TOP 5D1 TILT+ 9 A COMP5SATORY DRIFT LIKE A CANE BALANC+ ON SOMEONE'S PALM4 ,DEEP 9 !IR SOCKETS1 :ELKS LODG$ 9 BO? B>RELS ( A %OTGUN1 ! MON/ROSITY'S MALICI\S LITTLE EYES W]E FIX$ 5QUIR+LY UPON ITS HUMAN 9T]LOCUTOR4 ,UNNOTIC$ 9 ! E>LI] REPRES5TATION1 ,MICK C\LD N[ DET]M9E ?AT ! ?+ HAD H&S1 OR F9S1 OR SOME?+3 SPLAY$ & SPID]Y DACTYLS ) DISCOLOR$ WEBB+ /RET*$ BETWE5 !M1 PR$ATORY UMBRELLAS RAIS$ 9 FRONT ( ! FRE%WAT] BASILISK & GE/UR+ AS ?\< 9 TRIVIAL CONV]SATION4 ,TUGBOAT-GR9D+ JAWS HUNG OP5 9 MID ANECDOTE & !RE APPE>$ TO BE ! RU/$ C>CASS ( A *ILD'S P]AMBULATOR1 SNAGG$ ON A ?REE-FOOT BICUSPID BY ITS H&LE1 9 AMONG ! DRIPP+ PELT ( WAT]WE$4 ,! C>EFULLY P5CIL$ DEPICTION1 BLOTT$ H]E & !RE BY >TFULLY POSITION$ TE>DROP-DAMAGE1 FLOAT+ BUBBLE-GLOBES 9 :I* ! SOLUBLE CRAYON DETAILS BL$ LIKE SPECTROGRAPHS1 GL[$ ) AN AMBIANCE ?AT WAS HAUNT+LY FAMILI> & :I* ,MICK EV5TUALLY ID5TIFI$ FROM HIS FEW ,ALMA-9/IGAT$ JUV5ILE EXP]IM5TS ) ,L4,S4,D4 ,! T+L+ LYS]GIC APPREH5SION ( A MORN+ WORLD AB\T TO />T1 BEAD$ ) ,$51 WAS AS HE REMEMB]$4 ,SO WAS ! EXCIT+ & UNCOM=TABLE S5SATION ?AT ?IS WAS ! OPALESC5T ANT]OOM ( MADNESS1 GRANT+ ACCESS ONLY TO :ISP]+ CORRIDORS1 S$ATIVE MONOLOGUES & A CUMULATIVE E/RANGEM5T FROM ! ORD9>Y1 ! FAMILI>1 & ! DE>4 ,! /ILL1 PRISMATIC SC5E 9S9UAT$ ?AT UNE>?LY WORLDS & 9CONCEIVABLE EXP]I5CE MI<T LIE BEH9D MORE FACES 9 ! CR[D ?AN W]E SUSPECT$1 & ?AT ! AGRE$-ON FAMILY-FRI5DLY ,MILTON ,KEYNES ( MASS CONTEMPOR>Y REALITY MAY NOT BE PRIVILEG$4 ,! FROZ5 MOM5T WAS A VIOLET-T9T$ W9D[ ON ! OV]GR[N M>G9S ( BE+1 ! \TLY+ WILD]NESS ( PHANTOMS & HALLUC9ATIONS ?AT 5CROA*$1 A M9D OR TWO MORE EV]Y DAY1 ON REASON'S /REET-GRID4 

,HAV+ REA*$ ! EA/ SIDE ( ! NURS]Y'S S\!RLY EXTREME1 ,MICK F\ND ANO!R N9ETY DEGREE SWIVEL WAS REQUIR$ BE=E HE C\LD CONT9UE4 ,AT HIS BACK ! MULTITRACK SURR\ND-S\ND ( DI/9CT & DIFF]5TIAT$ VOICES MIX$ D[N TO ONE S+LE UNSE5 9DIVIDUAL POSSESS$ BY A DEMONIC LEGION1 A SLURR$ *ORUS ( PHAS$ GLOSSOLALIA SWIRL+ 9 & \T ( AUDIBILITY BEH9D HIM AS ?\< ON A %IFT+ W9D4 ,HE WAS BEG9N+ TO F9D ,ALMA'S %[ DISORI5T+1 A REL5TLESS FUSILLADE ( R>EFI$ & UNFAMILI> FEEL+S1 AN UNH++ BL[N-FUZE OPPOSITE ( S5SORY DEPRIVATION TANKS MORE LIKE A PSY*IATRIC P>TICLE COLLID]1 HIS OP9IONS & REACTIONS DECAY PRODUCTS ( ES!TIC ATOM-SMA%+4 ,BRAC+ HIMSELF1 FE>FUL ( SOME NEW /RA9 ( HI<BR[ MAL>IA1 HE EMB>K$ ON ! P5ULTIMATE WALKAB\T /RET* ( HIS BRA9 SAF>I BY EXAM9+ ! PAIR$ WORKS FUR!/ TO HIS LEFT ( ! S\? WALL4 ,L&SCAPE-PROPORTION$ PIECES BIG AS FAMILY-SIZ$ C]EAL BOXES & ONCE MORE HUNG ONE ABOVE ! O!R1 TW5TY-SEV5 OV] TW5TY-EI<T1 :ILE !SE W]E P]HAPS LESS IMPOS+ ?AN ! EF=TS ?AT HAD COME BE=E1 !Y W]E C]TA9LY NO LESS 5IGMATIC4 

,ITEM TW5TY-SEV51 LABEL$ ,BURN+ ,GOLD BY ITS GRE5 SCRIBBL$ AFT]?\<T1 WAS NOT A NEW IDEA - ,MICK ?\<T HE C\LD REMEMB] ,ALMA TELL+ HIM ( AN ,AM]ICAN NAM$ ,BOGGS ?AT %E ADMIR$ :O'D FIR/ DONE SOME?+ V]Y SIMIL> - AL?\< ! DETAILS ( ITS EXECUTION W]E M>K$LY DIFF]5T4 ,A RIDICUL\SLY 5L>G$ 7OR P]HAPS 9FLAT$7 REPRODUCTION ( A BANKNOTE1 /RADDL+ ! F9E-TO-NON-EXI/5T L9E DIVID+ >T FROM =G]Y & R5D]$ 9 AU!NTIC-LOOK+ P5 & 9K1 IT SEEM$ TO BE ACCUMULAT+ MORE ABSURDI/ DETAILS AS HE /UDI$ IT4 ,IT WAS A TW5TY1 ) A COPYRI<T L9E AT ! BOTTOM /AT+ ?IS YE>1 #b#f1 TO BE ITS DATE ( ISSUE4 ,DETAILS ( TYPOGRAPHY & S]IAL NUMB]S W]E ID5TICAL TO /&>D CURR5CY1 AS WAS ! COLORATION & ! G5]AL COMPOSITION ( ! C\NT]FEIT'S ELABORATE ILLU/RATION4 ,C]TA9 ELEM5TS ( CONT5T1 ?\<1 HAD BE5 TRANSPOS$ OR ALT]$4 ,TO ! NOTE'S LEFT1 AS ON NORMAL MONEY1 A VAGUELY AMPHIBI\S-LOOK+ ,ADAM ,SMI? FAC$ RI<T 9 PR(ILE1 WR\<T FROM MAUVE 5GRAV+ ) A FACE ( G5TIAN DU/1 A TOPCOAT & P]UKE ( ?UMBPR9T :ORLS4 ,! CAPITALI/ VISION>Y1 H[EV]1 N[ F\ND HIMSELF 9 A />+ CONTE/ ) A MAT*+ PR(ILE OV] ON ! RI<T1 :]E A COMP>ABLY METICUL\S LAV5D] BU/ ( ,ALMA'S POP-T]RORI/ ,K-,F\NDATION MATE ,BILL ,DRUMMOND HAD BE5 ADD$4 ,SIMULTANE\SLY S]I\S & SATIRICAL1 ! ,CORBY-RE>$ ,SCOT'S RESOLUTE GAZE DRILL$ 9TO ! >*ITECT ( BOOM & BU/'S BL& SALAM&] />E ( SELF-ASSURANCE4 ,!RE WAS CLE>LY NO HOPE ( NEGOTIATION4 ,9 ! C5T]-GR\ND BETWE5 ! M51 ! CU/OM>Y DIAGRAM DETAIL+ EI<TE5?-C5TURY P9 MANUFACTURE HAD BE5 SKILLFULLY REPLAC$ BY A R5DITION ( :AT ,MICK KNEW FROM HIS SI/]'S TE/IMONY TO BE ,DRUMMOND'S CELEBRAT$ BURN+ ( A MILLION QUID UP ON ! REMOTE ,HEBRIDEAN ISLE ( ,JURA1 :]E ,GEORGE ,ORWELL W5T TO F9I% #a#i#h#d4 ,AGA9/ A SPH]E ( ,SPIROGRAPH COMPLEXITY & F9ELY HAT*$ 9 TONES ?AT /RAY$ FROM SEPIA TO /RAWB]RY W]E F\R M5 9 A RU9$ COTTAGE4 ,?REE ( !M - ,DRUMMOND HIMSELF1 HIS ,K-,F\NDATION P>TN] ,JIMMY ,CAUTY & !IR WITNESS1 ! ,T,V PRODUC] ,JIM ,REID - %OVEL$ CRISP FIFTY-P\ND NOTES 9TO A C5TRAL CONFLAGRATION1 :ILE ! F\R?1 EX->MY C9EMATIC AUTEUR ,GIMPO1 CAPTUR$ ! RESULTANT CA%-TO-A%ES AL*EMY ON FILM4 ,SUP]IMPOS$ 9 PURPLE LETT]+ ABOVE :]E IT SAID 0,BANK ( ,5GL&0 WAS ! ALT]$ LEG5D3 0,! DIVISION ( OP9ION 9 SLAVE MANUFACTUR+3 7& ! GREAT DECREASE 9 ! QUANTITY ( SLAVES ?AT RESULTS740 

,MOV+ ON TO ITEM TW5TY-EI<T1 JU/ UND]NEA?1 ,MICK ?\<T ?AT ! IDEA ( SLAV]Y MI<T WELL BE :AT CONNECT$ ! TWO JUXTAPOS$ EXHIBITS TO EA* O!R4 ,) A TITLE-NOTE ?AT READ ,! ,RAFT]S & ! ,BEAMS1 ! L[] WORK WAS A BRI<TLY-EMBELLI%$ REPRODUCTION ( AN EI<TE5?-C5TURY SEA-*>T ?AT HAD ?REE-DIM5SIONAL 9CLUSIONS4 ,HANG+ SLACK ACROSS ! CANVAS1 L9K+ ! WE/ COA/ ( ,AFRICA TO ,BRITA9 & ,AM]ICA1 W]E HEAVY L5G?S ( DIRTY & 5CRU/$ IRON *A9 ATTA*$ BY RU/$ FA/5+S TO ! PICTURE'S SURFACE4 ,HE LOOK$ C>EFULLY = HIDD5 IRONIES OR MEAN+S1 P]HAPS SUBTLETIES CONCEAL$ )9 ! MAP'S ANTIQUE BACKGR\ND CALLIGRAPHY1 BUT !RE WAS NO?+4 ,! MIX$-M$IA PIECE'S /ATEM5T WAS APP>5TLY AS />K & SIMPLE AS IT SEEM$ ON FIR/ SI<T4 ,! TEA-/A9$ C>TOGRAPHY ) ITS QUA9T FLUKES ( SPELL+ & ITS GUESSWORK COA/L9ES WAS A ,WE/]N VIEW ( HI/ORY1 ! MAP & NOT ! T]RITORY1 A CON/RUCT ?AT WAS NEV] REAL EXCEPT ON PAP]1 :I* W\LD BE REVIS$1 =GOTT51 SUP]S$$1 LO/1 A M9D-SET ?AT W\LD CRUMBLE & DISP]SE MORE QUICKLY ?AN ! P>*M5T IT WAS WRITT5 ON4 ,! *A9S1 ?\<1 !Y W]E REAL4 ,*A9S ( EV5T ?AT C\LD NOT BE UNDONE1 !Y W\LD 5DURE =EV] & HAVE SOLID CONSEQU5CE LONG AFT] ALL ! PLANS & PAP]WORK & TRADE R\TES ?AT HAD =G$ !M HAD BE5 R5D]$ OBSOLETE2 LONG AFT] EV]Y O!R ELEM5T 9 ?IS SPECIFIC IMAGE HAD RETURN$ TO MUL* & DU/4 

,! NEXT 9CLUSION1 TW5TY-N9E1 WAS HUNG ALONE & MO/LY EXECUT$ AS A *OPPY SEA ( RIOT\S G\A*E4 ,IT HAD ALL ! R\<NECK JO/LE ( ! MUSIC HALLS ?AT ,MICK HAD SE51 AS RECREAT$ BY ! N9ETE5?-C5TURY ,5GLI% MOD]NS4 ,9 ! FALSE NI<T ( A MAT9EE1 ! VIEW] LOOK$ UP FROM AMONG A *EAP-SEAT AUDI5CE ( JE]+ DRUNKS T[>DS ! /AGE1 ! PA9T+'S FOCAL >EA1 CONTA9$ )9 ! SECOND FRAME ( A !ATRICAL PROSC5IUM >*4 ,AGA9/ A ?READB>E BACKCLO? ) A CRUDELY-H&L$ COPY ( ! FRONT ( ,ALL ,SA9TS ,*UR* SME>$ ON IT1 FUNNY-LOOK+ ACTORS PO/UR$ ON A PLAT=M BETWE5 BALSA PILL>S OR SAT HUDDL$ ON ! %ORT FLI<T ( BROAD WOOD5 /EPS KNOCK$ UP 9 FRONT ( ?IS1 PA9T$ TO LOOK LIKE /ONE4 ,! SEAT$ C\PLE ON ! =EGR\ND /AIRS1 AN ANGRY WOMAN & A MAN CLAD 9 A G>I% YELL[ PLAID1 POSSESS$ A SEASIDE ,PUN* & ,JUDY AIR 9 !IR EXAGG]AT$ SP\SAL ANIMOSITY1 SQUATT+ AT OPPOSITE EXTREMES ( ! SAME CONE ( SPOTLI<T4 ,ON ! RAIS$-UP BO>DS BEH9D !M1 SEEM+LY UNNOTIC$1 SEV]AL FIGURES DRESS$ 9 P]IOD CO/UMES ?AT W]E ALL A UNI=M *ALK :ITE BUT O!RWISE HI/ORICALLY MISMAT*$ /RUCK ATTITUDES ( 9DIGNATION OR SURPRISE ) OV]-EMPHASIZ$ EXPRESSIONS ON !IR FL\R$-UP FEATURES4 ,WAS ?IS MEANT TO BE A SUP]NATURAL TRAG$Y1 A ,MACBE? OR A ,HAMLET ) TOO MANY <O/S8 ,MEAN:ILE1 CLOSE TO ! ONLOOK]1 A H]D ( LEWD & CATCALL+ SPECTATORS LOOK$ ON 9 RIBALD AMUSEM5T1 RAGE1 OR LE*]Y4 ,!RE WAS A MESSY PROLET>IAN 5]GY ?AT C\LD GET \T ( H& 9 ! DAUB$ LI<T & BE]Y GLOOM4 ,! PICTURE'S HURRI$ GRE5 APP5DAGE1 ) ITS /ICKY TAPE DETA*+ AT ONE CORN] & A CONSEQU5T DIAGONAL TILT MAK+ IT EV5 MORE DIFFICULT TO FA?OM1 READ1 UNHELPFULLY1 ,! ,/EPS ( ,ALL ,SA9TS4 ,MICK WAS UNSURE :AT TO MAKE ( IT4 ,! SEAT$ PAIR1 DRESS$ = ! #a#i#dS1 DID NOT LOOK ?AT DIFF]5T FROM ! R\<-&-READY CR[D ?AT HECKL$ !M4 ,!IR ANGUI% & DISCOM=T1 !N1 SEEM$ SOMEH[ BO? CONTEMPOR>Y & MORE REAL1 RA!R ?AN M]ELY ACT$4 ,IF ?AT W]E ! CASE1 ?\<1 ! PRET5D$ SPECT]S /RUTT+ & GE/ICULAT+ FROM BEH9D !M BORD]$ ON ! 9APPROPRIATELY COMICAL4 ,! PICTURE WAS DI/URB+ 9 ITS WEIRDNESS & ITS 9CONGRUITY1 ! S5SE ( SOME?+ V]Y P]SONAL BETWE5 ! DUO ON ! /EPS ?AT HAD BECOME A MELODRAMA1 A P]=MANCE1 EXPOS$ TO ! DISAPPROVAL ( A TICKET-BUY+ PUBLIC1 SQUIRM+ 9 ! LIMELI<T & MOCK$ EV5 BY ! SPECIAL-EFFECT SPOOKS4 ,IT WAS A PRIVATE MOM5T 9 ! OP5 AIR ?AT HAD BE5 BR\<T 9SIDE1 9TO A R[DY AUDITORIUM TO 5T]TA9 AN UNDISCRIM9AT+ MOB1 DISPLACEM5T AS UNSETTL+ AS AN 9DOOR CR[4 ,MAK+ A %[ ( !MSELVES1 WAS ?AT :AT ! PIECE WAS SAY+8 

,/ILL TURN+ ! PA9T+ OV] 9 HIS =EBRA91 G+]LY LIKE A GR5ADE OR H$GEHOG1 ,MICK MOV$ ON T[>DS EXHIBIT ?IRTY4 ,AS HE DID SO IT OCCURR$ TO HIM ?AT1 FROM ABOVE1 HE & HIS FELL[ GALL]Y-GO]S MU/ RESEMBLE TOK5S AS !Y 9*$ >\ND ! OBLONG ROOM'S $GE TO AVOID ! TABLE 9 ITS C5T]1 PIECES ON AN \TSIZ$ BO>D GAME ( ! K9D ?AT HAD TIL$ HIS 9SOMNIA ( ! PREVI\S NI<T4 ,HE GLANC$ >\ND ! ROOM1 ATTEMPT+ TO DET]M9E :I* AMONG ! O!R PATRONS WAS ! ,SCOTTY DOG & :I* WAS ! TOP HAT4 ,OV] 9 ! F> CORN]1 NE> ! FRI<TFUL %OT ( ,MICK'S SC\R$ FEATURES1 ,ALMA WAS APP>5TLY RECEIV+ SOME K9D ( A TELL+-(F FROM ,LUCY & ,MEL9DA1 V]Y POSSIBLY AB\T ! CRUEL & YET +5I\S PORTRAIT !Y W]E /&+ NEXT TO4 ,GOOD4 ,IT WAS NO MORE ?AN %E DES]V$4 ,! CAPTIVE POPULATION ( ! NURS]Y HAD ?9N$ A LITTLE 9 ! H\R1 H\R-&-A-HALF S9CE ! DOORS OP5$1 AL?\< NOT 5\< TO MAKE HIS PROGRESS ON ! MADD5+ ,MONOPOLY PA? ANY EASI]4 ,BY ! W$G$-OP5 DOOR ,B]T ,REGAN LOOK$ TO BE WIP+ ! FLOOR ) BO? ,T$ ,TRIPP & ,ROMAN ,?OMPSON 9 A RAUC\S LAU<T] MAT*1 A LESS C]EBRAL V]SION ( ?RA%+ TWO *ESS OPPON5TS AT ! SAME TIME4 ,ELSE:]E ,ROME'S BOYFRI5D ,DEAN /OOD ) ,DAVE ,DANIELS1 LOOK+ AT ! BRAWL+ GIANTS AS !Y LAID AB\T !M ) !IR ORE-SPLA%$ SNOOK] CUES4 ,DOGS W]E >GU+ (F/AGE1 \T 9 ! ,SATURDAY-SLUMP$ ,BOR\<S4 ,%IFT+ HIS ATT5TIONS BACK TO ITEM ?IRTY1 HE MOV$ TO ! NEXT SQU>E ( ! CIRCUIT TO RECEIVE HIS =FEIT OR E/ABLI% A HOTEL4 ,HE DIDN'T PASS ,GO OR COLLECT TWO HUNDR$ P\NDS4 

,! ?IRTIE? WORK1 9 L&SCAPE ASPECT & 5CLOS$ BY A SLIM SILV] FRAME1 A GLASSY WAT]COLOR ON SMOO?-SURFAC$ :ITE BO>D1 WAS CALL$ ,EAT+ ,FL[]S4 ,MORE ?AN ANY O!R S+LE PIECE IT H>K5$ BACK TO ,ALMA'S E>LIE/ EMPLOYM5T AS A SCI5CE FICTION COV]-ILLU/RATOR & WAS 9 ITS WAY BREA?TAK+1 IF Y\ LIK$ ?AT K9D ( ?+4 ,! SETT+1 A COLOSSAL >CADE ?AT APPE>$ TO BE ! ONE FROM EXHIBIT ?IRTE5 AL?\< 9 AN ADVANC$ /ATE ( DILAPIDATION1 HAD TROPICAL VEGETATION GR[+ ?R\< ITS MOSSY FLOOR+1 ?IS DOME/IC JUNGLE REA*+ = A COLLAPS$ CEIL+ OP5 TO UNPREC$5T$ CON/ELLATIONS1 AT ONCE AN 9T]IOR & EXT]IOR VIEW4 ,MILE-LONG LIANAS1 TW9$ 9TO ELECTRICAL FLEX1 TRAIL$ FROM :AT CORROD$ SP>S REMA9$ ( ! REMOTE & DEVA/AT$ RO(+1 *ROM$ BY UNFAMILI> />S4 ,MO?S ( PRODIGI\S SIZE FLAPP$ DAMPLY ?R\< ! A/RAL TWILI<T1 W>P+ PLANKS CAU<T FIRE ) OR*IDS & ?IS T]M9AL ,ELYSIUM WAS ONLY BACKDROP = ! />TL+ APP>ITION ?UND]+ ACROSS ! L[] =EGR\ND4 ,HIS PHYSIQUE SP>E AS AN ANATOMIC DIAGRAM1 HIS SK9 ) ! TRANSLUC5CY ( GREASEPRO( PAP]1 AN OLD MAN )\T A /IT* ON & HAIR FOAM-:ITE LIKE A CRE/+ WAVE RAC$ D[N ! OV]GR[N P>ADE 9 P\ND+ ,MUYBRIDGE /RIDES4 ,EYES BULG+ ) ! /RA9 ( HIS VELOCITY1 HIS *EEKS DI/5D$1 BRILLIANT PETALS SPILL$ FROM HIS CRAMM$ M\? TO /REAM AWAY BEH9D HIM 9 A TULIP CONTRAIL4 ,ON ! SPRI<TLY ANCI5T'S %\LD]S1 RID+ HIM1 A LUM9\SLY P]FECT BABY GIRL WAS SADDL$1 MOLT5 BLOND CURLS SME>+ TO A COMET'S BRIDAL TRA9 AS %E & H] FEV]I% /E$ TRAV]S$ ?AT F9AL =E/4 ,!IR EXTREMES ( AGE MADE ALLEGORICAL 9T]PRETATIONS UNAVOIDABLE1 A FRE%LY BORN WORLD C>RI$ ON ! BACK ( ITS EXHAU/$ PR$ECESSOR OR ! OLD YE> & ! NEW BO? LATE = AN APPO9TM5T ) AN AS YET UN=ESE5 MILL5NIUM4 ,IT WAS SOME SORT ( RACE1 P]HAPS ! HUMAN ONE1 PROJECT$ ?R\< ! F\R? DIM5SION1 ?R\< ! CONT95T-COLLID+ & EMPIRE-]AS+ M$IUM ( TIME4 ,IT LOOK$ LIKE AN UNBE>ABLE AM\NT ( SWEAT & EF=T1 ?IS COMPULSORY & RU%$ MIGRATION = ! POR\S BORD]S ( A =EIGN FUTURE :]E NOBODY SPOKE ! LANGUAGE4 ,:ILE IT MAY WELL HAVE BE5 ,MICK'S [N >T-FATIGUE :I* COLOR$ ! P]CEPTION1 HE ?\<T ?AT ! OLD BOY & ! SPECIES ?AT HE REPRES5T$ LOOK$ LIKE !Y W]E DY+ = A GOOD SIT D[N4 ,HE WAS HIMSELF AB\T TO HA/5 ?AT EV5TUALITY BY HURRY+ TO ! NEXT PRES5TATION 9 ! SEQU5CE1 :5 A VOICE BESIDE HIM ASK$ 0 ',]E1 5T Y\ ,ALMA'S BRO!R80 

,FROM ,MICK'S RI<T1 /&+ 9 FRONT ( ITEM ?IRTY-ONE ) SOME?+ 9 ! QUIZZICAL TILT TO H] DU/-GRAY HAIRDO REM9ISC5T ( A WAD+ BIRD1 ,B]T ,REGAN'S MOM LOOK$ AT HIM SIDEWAYS4 ,HE F\ND HIMSELF LIK+ H] IMM$IATELY BAS$ SOLELY ON ! GRI/LE H>P TWANG ( H] ACC5T & ! WAY %E HELD H] H&BAG LIKE A SKAT+-JUDGE'S SCORE4 ,%E'D HAD HIM FROM ! FIR/ DROPP$ ASPIRANT4 

0,?AT'S RI<T4 ,I'M ,MICK4 ,I KN[ :O Y\ >E4 ,I WAS TALK+ TO Y\R PRIDE & JOY A LITTLE :ILE AGO1 SO ?AT'S :]E ,I GOT ALL ! DETAILS FROM40 

,%E PULL$ A FACE4 

0,ME PRIDE UN JOY8 ,?AT'S ME BE/ CROCK]Y4 ,:AT DID Y\ WANN] TALK TUH ?AT =80 

,MICK'S LAU< CAME FROM SOME:]E DEEP] 9 HIS /OMA* ?AN HIS LAU<T] G5]ALLY ISSU$1 FROM A MICROSCOPIC ,BOR\<S 9 HIS BIOME :]E ! 9TE/9AL FAUNA TRANSPOS$ V[ELS & HAD AN 9CONSI/5T POLICY ON CONSONANTS4 ,HIS 9/ANTLY FAMILI> NEW ACQUA9TANCE JO9$ 9 ) H] [N ACCORDION BUR/ ( KIPP]$ CACKLE1 %OOT+ A LONG-SUFF]+ GLANCE T[>DS H] TATTOO$ & GUFFAW+ G+] (FSPR+ AS HE BANT]$ BY ! NURS]Y DOOR ) ,TRIPP & ,?OMPSON1 A REUNION ) =M] %IPMATES FROM A PIRATE DECADE ?AT HAD GONE D[N ) ALL H&S SOME TIME BE=E4 

0,OOH1 'IM4 ,WELL1 TAKE NO NOTICE O' :AT 'E SEZ4 ,IZ >F %>P1 OR ELSE IZ UP T] SUMMAT4 ',]E1 BUT :AT ABAYT Y] SI/]1 ALL !SE PICTURES8 ,%E'S NOT RI<T1 Y\R ,ALMA1 IS %E8 ,I SEE ?AT BIG ONE %E'D DONE O' Y\1 MADE AYT O' PIMPLES4 ,& ?AT'S Y] [N SI/] :AT'S DONE ?AT1 NOT SOMEONE :AT DON'T LIKE Y]4 ,%OCK9'4 ,NO1 A LOT ( :AT %E DOES1 WELL1 IT'S A M>VEL1 5NIT8 ,JU/ NOT V]Y FLATT]9'40 

,HE WAS 5*ANT$ BY H]1 ?9 & GRAY & LOCAL LIKE ! TWI/ ( SMOKE CURL$ FROM A *IMNEY'S SUNSET BRICKWORK1 *>M$ BY H] AFFECTIONATELY RAUC\S CORVID SQUAWK SO MU* LIKE ,DORE5'S1 FULL ( COAL & COM$Y4 ,%E'D BE5 A LOOK]1 Y\ C\LD TELL1 & NOT SO MANY YE>S BE=E4 

,HE F\ND HIMSELF OBSCURELY WI%+ ?AT HE C\LD HAVE KN[N H] !N4 ,P]HAPS HE HAD1 OR HAD AT LEA/ CAU<T SI<T ( H] :5 %E WAS Y\NG]1 SOME?+ TO ACC\NT = ! EXTREME S5SE ( FAMILI>ITY ?AT HE WAS CURR5TLY EXP]I5C+1 BAS$ ON MORE ?AN H] ICONIC /ATUS AS A ,BOR\<S WOMAN1 HE FELT SURE4 

0,NO4 ,FLATT]Y IS ONE ( ! FEW ?+S Y\ CAN'T ACCUSE H] (4 ,H]E1 ?AT'S A ,BOR\<S ACC5T Y\'VE GOT1 A9'T IT8 ,DID Y\ US$ TO LIVE R\ND H]E8 ,I'M SURE ,I'VE SE5 Y\ SOME:]E40 

,%E ALL[$ H] JAW TO SAG UNTIL H] LIPS W]E PURS$ REPROA*FULLY1 REG>D+ HIM FROM UND] LIDS HALF L[]$ AS IF HE W]E 9TELLECTUALLY UNWOR?Y ( :OLE EYEBALLS4 ,IT WAS ! EXPRESSION :I* HIS MOM HAD US$ SO (T5 :5 ADDRESS+ HIM OR ,ALMA ?AT HE HAD TO =CIBLY REM9D HIMSELF %E DIDN'T ALWAYS LOOK LIKE ?AT4 ,B]T'S MO!R TUTT$1 MORE 9 PITY ?AN CONTEMPT4 

0,WELL1 'C\RSE ,I'M FRUM ! ,BURR]S4 ,DID Y] ?9K ?AT ,I WUZ FRUM ! MOON1 Y] GRET S(T AYPU?8 ,WE LIV$ UP ! TOP O' ,SPR+ ,LANE1 SO ,I NEV] GOT ! SLIPP] BE9' LATE F] S*OOL40 

,:5 WAS ! LA/ TIME HE'D BE5 CALL$ A GREAT S(T HA'P'OR?8 ,A HALFP5NY-WOR?4 ,HE BASK$ 9 ! OBSCURE ABUSE4 ,IT H>K5$ BACK TO A MORE CIVILIZ$ AGE :]E ! H>%E/ EPI!T WAS A COMP>ISON ) RECALL$ CURR5CY4 ,LAUN*$ ON A REM9ISC5T TORR5T BY ! M5TION ( H] *ILDHOOD HOME %E C>RI$ ON REG>DLESS4 

0,OOH1 IT W]E A LOVELY PLACE1 ! ,BURR]S4 ,?AT ONE O' ,SPR+ ,LANE Y\R ,ALMA DONE1 ALL AYT O' GLASS1 ,I ?9K ?AT ONE'S ME FAYVRIT4 ,AN' YUV GOT NO CAUSE = COMPLA9T1 '[ %E'S DONE Y\4 ,NOT AFT] ! WAY %E'S DONE ME4 ,NO1 A LOVELY PLACE4 ,AYR DAD LIV$ D[N !RE1 9 ,MONK'S ,POND ,/REET1 AFT] WE'D MOV$ UP TUH ,K+SLEY4 ,I REMEMB] :5 AYR ,WILLIAM WUZ ONLY JU/ WALK9'1 '[ ,I'D TAKE 'IM DAYN !RE1 SO AS 'E C\LD SEE :]E ,I'D B9 BRUNG UP40 

,MICK F\ND HIMSELF /UMBL+ 9 HIS ATTEMPT TO FOLL[ H] ACC\NT4 ,HE ?\<T %E'D SAID !RE WAS A LIK5ESS ( H] SOME:]E 9 ! EXHIBITION1 & HAD BE5 UPON ! PO9T ( ASK+ H] AB\T IT :5 %E'D ?R[N HIM ) H] M5TION ( AN UNFAMILI> NAME4 ,HIS =EHEAD CORRUGAT$4 

0,WILLIAM 44480 

,APPL+ H] *EEKS %E %OOK H] HEAD1 CORRECT+ H]SELF4 

0,DO Y\ KN[1 ,I NEV] CAN REMEMB]1 Y\ LOT1 Y] DUNT CALL 'IM ?AT4 ,B]T1 :AT Y\ CALL HIM4 ',E ONCE 'AD A TEA*] CALL 'IM ?AT AT S*OOL1 AN' 'E GOT /UCK ) IT4 ,R\ND AYRS1 'E'S ,BILL OR ,WILLIAM40 

,OH4 ,RI<T4 ,YEAH4 ,YEAH1 HE REMEMB]$ ,ALMA SAY+ SOME?+ N[1 SOME?+ TO ?AT EFFECT3 A FOOTBALL MAT* AT S*OOL2 A TEA*] ) A MOM5T>Y LAPSE ( MEMORY :O'D %\T$ ! FIR/ WORK+-CLASS NAME HE C\LD ?9K ( & DOOM$ ,WILLIAM TO A LIFE ( ,B]T4 ,& !RE WAS SOME?+ ELSE AB\T ?AT /ORY1 WASN'T !RE8 ,SOME COMPLEM5T>Y DETAIL TO ! ANECDOTE ?AT = A MOM5T N[ F\ND SCRABBL+ PUR*ASE ON ! WA/E PIPE ( ,MICK'S MEMORY4 ,SOME?+ AB\T 444 ,B]T1 ,BILL1 SOME?+ AB\T 444 NO4 ,NO1 IT WAS GONE1 DISLODG$ TO FALL AWAY 9TO ! CANCEL$ BLACK ( ! =GOTT51 IRRETRIEVABLE4 ,HE WAS AB\T TO ASK ,B]T'S MOM1 HIS NEWF\ND PO/]-GIRL = =TITUDE 9 DEPRIVATION1 IF %E C\LD RECALL HIS LO/ COMPON5T ( ! TALE1 BUT AT ?AT MOM5T !IR DELI<TFUL CONV]SATION WAS TRUNCAT$ BY ! UNSELFCONSCI\S BELL[ ( H] SON1 AC\/ICALLY EQUIVAL5T TO A WILD PIG LOOSE AT A W$D+4 

0,COME ON1 ,PHYLLIS1 'E'S A M>RI$ MAN1 & Y] NOT ON ,BOOT'S ,CORN] N[4 ,LET'S GET Y\ 'OME1 BE=E Y] %[ US UP40 ,B]T'S LUN*EON-MEAT COMPLEXION$ FEATURES SPLIT 9TO A GAP-TOO!D LAU<1 LE*]\S & SUGGE/IVE EV5 IF DISCUSS+ D\BLE GLAZ+1 A ,SID ,JAMES CASCADE ( GURGL+ 9NU5DO )\T OBJECT4 ,HIS MO!R'S HEAD :EEL$ LIKE AN ANTIQUE ,SPITFIRE1 NIPPY & SURPRIS+LY MANEUV]ABLE1 EYES LOOK+ BULLETS UP & D[N H] (FSPR+'S FUSELAGE4 

0,ME %[ Y\ UP8 ,YUH'VE B9 EMB>RASS9' ME EV] S9CE ,I 'AD Y]4 ,S9CE Y] FIR/ DREW BREA? YUH'VE SAYND$ LIKE A BU/$ LAV1 & Y] ?AT UGLY ?AT !Y 'AD A JOB TO TELL Y] FRUM ! AFT]BIR?4 ,WE'D GOT IT 'OME & *RI/5$ IT BE=E WE REALIZ$4 ,%[ US UP8 ,I'LL GI' Y\ %[ US UP1 Y] DIBBY BUGG] 4440 

,TURN+ BACK TO ,MICK %E CUT (F FIRE FROM H] MA*9E-GUMS1 (F]+ HIM A RADIANT & 5DE>+ ,NATIONAL ,HEAL? SMILE4 

0,I'M GOTT] GOO1 IT SAYNDS LIKE4 ,IT'S B9 LOVELY MEET9' Y]4 ,I 'OPE TUH SEE Y] AG5 SOMETIME40 

,& ) ?AT %E BANK$ AWAY 9TO A SP>K+1 *ATT]+ DOVE1 CLOS+ ! DI/ANCE BETWE5 H] & H] DOOM$ BUT /ILL *ORTL+ QU>RY1 RUBICUND ) GIGGLES1 A ,R$ ,B>ON4 

0,Y\ WAIT TILL ,I GET MY '&S ON Y\1 Y] USELESS LOAD O' RUBBI%4 ,DON'T ?9K Y\'RE TOO BIG = ME TO DA% Y] BRA9S 9 ) A BRICK :ILE Y] ASLEEP60 

,A :IRL+ DU/-/ORM ( F]OCI\S 5]GY & NEUTRAL TONES %E RU%$ \T ?R\< ! OP5 NURS]Y DOOR PA/ ! RESPECTFUL C[] ( ,ROMAN ,?OMPSON & ,T$ ,TRIPP1 BALL LI<TN+ FOLL[+ A DRAFT1 DRIV+ H] ]RANT SON BE=E H] \T 9TO ! DISAPPE>+ NEI<BORHOOD4 ,MICK %OOK HIS HEAD 9 WOND]+ ADMIRATION AT ?IS SI<T+ ( A G5US ?\<T EXT9CT1 ?IS SOCIAL-H\S+ COELACAN?4 ,WAT*+ H] GO1 HE F\ND HIMSELF AWA% 9 POIGNANCY FROM \T ( NO:]E1 LUDICR\SLY 9APPROPRIATE = SOMEONE ?AT HE'D ONLY MANAG$ A ?REE-M9UTE CONV]SATION )4 ,IT HAD FELT MORE LIKE MEET+ ) A CRU% FROM JUNIOR S*OOL1 ?AT MEAN+LESS VE/IGIAL FLUTT] ( ! HE>T1 ! SWEET & PO9TLESS SADNESS = ALT]NATE UNIV]SES ?AT W\LD NEV] HAPP54 

,MY/IFI$ NOT = ! FIR/ TIME BY HIS [N 9T]NAL WORK+S1 HE RETURN$ HIS COMM&E]$ ATT5TIONS TO ! TASK ( GETT+ ?R\< ! FIVE REMA9+ PICTURES 9 HIS SI/]'S GANTLET ( 5IGMAS4 ,PICK+ UP :]E HE HAD SO 5GAG+LY LEFT (F1 HE OCCUPI$ ! SPACE VACAT$ BY ,B]T ,REGAN'S MOM - ,PHYLLIS1 HE ?\<T ?AT WAS :AT ,B]T HAD CALL$ H] - JU/ 9 FRONT ( ITEM ?IRTY-ONE4 ,CORN]$1 APP>5TLY1 ACCORD+ TO ITS DANGL+ VIRIDIAN AFT]?\<T4 ,A G\A*E WORK1 IT OCCUPI$ A CANVAS R\<LY TWO FOOT SQU>E & SEEM$ 9 MANY WAYS TO BE A P>TN] TO EXHIBIT F\R1 ,R\< ,SLEEP]S1 EV5 D[N TO !IR ALMO/ SYMMETRICAL POSITIONS CLOSE TO EI!R 5D ( ! LONG SEQU5CE4 ,BO? WORKS W]E CONTEMPOR>Y PUB SC5ES & A*IEV$ !IR MAJOR VISUAL EFFECT BY JUXTAPOS+ GRIMY MONO*ROME ) COLOR1 ?\< :]EAS ! E>LI] PIECE CONTA9$ ONE >EA ( BLACK & :ITE AMID A FIELD ( RIOT\S HUE1 ! PA9T+ HE WAS GAZ+ AT EFFECT$ ! EXACT REV]SE4 ,AN OV]HEAD VIEW LOOK+ D[N UPON A CR[D$ FRONT B> ?AT ,MICK DIDN'T RECOGNIZE1 D[N 9 ! BOTTOM LEFT A SOLIT>Y FIGURE HAD BE5 R5D]$ 9 BRI<T NATURALI/IC %ADES1 A TUBBY LITTLE MAN ) CURLY :ITE HAIR SEAT$ AT A CORN] TABLE1 :ILE ! BE]Y MOB ?AT FILL$ ! SC5E >\ND HIM1 WALL TO WALL & $GE TO $GE1 W]E EXECUT$ 9 A PALETTE ( *>R$ FAG-5D & UR9AL PORCELA91 F+]NAIL GRAYS4 ,! COLORLESS 9EBRIATE JO/LE1 *E]Y EV5 9 !IR DRABNESS1 NONE!LESS SEEM$ DRA9$ ( LIFE & ( CONTEMPORANEITY AS ?\< !Y W]E ! HAPPY DEAD1 ! ,WOODB9E WRAI?S ( A P]SI/+ PA/4 ,! FIGURE AT ! BOTTOM CORN] 9 HIS MOD]N T9TS & FABRICS SEEM$ EXCLUD$ BY ! HEAV+ PRESS ( <O/S1 IF !Y W]5'T ALL 5TIRELY 9 HIS M9D2 IF ?IS W]E NOT A PICTURE ( A HAUNT$ MAN1 SAT 9 AN EMPTY B>1 SURR\ND$ BY A MAGIC LANT]N PAGEANT ( ! DISAPPE>$4 ,IF ?AT W]E SO1 !N ! :OLE ?RONG BECAME A ?ICK1 GUILTY MIASMA SOMEH[ EMANAT+ FROM ! S+LE FLE%-TON$ 9DIVIDUAL AT HIS TABLE1 CORN]$ BY A HORDE ( ZOMBIE SOCIAL ISSUES1 BY ! PA/1 BY MEMORY4 

,HE 9*$ A LITTLE FUR!R TO HIS RI<T1 PROGRESS+ WE/W>D 9 EXCRUCIAT+ 9CREM5TS1 A WAGON-TRA9 ) PALOM9O SNAILS 9 H>NESS OR A ONE MAN CONT95TAL DRIFT4 ,?IS BR\<T HIM UP AGA9/ ! NURS]Y'S WE/ WALL AT ITS MO/ S\!RLY EXTREME4 ,JU/ HALF ( ONE SIDE ( ! BUILD+ TO COMPLETE & !N HE C\LD ) HONOR MAKE GOOD HIS ESCAPE 9TO A COM=T+LY >TLESS WORLD4 ,EXHIBIT ?IRTY-TWO1 APP>5TLY 5TITL$ ,! ,ROOD 9 ! ,WALL1 WAS SIMIL> 9 ITS PROPORTIONS TO ! PREVI\S PIECE & PROV$ TO BE ! IMAGE :I* HAD PROMPT$ ! IRATE DEP>TURE ( ,BOB ,GOODMAN E>LI]1 OR AT LEA/ ?AT WAS ,MICK'S ASSUMPTION4 ,?\< ! GREAT MAJORITY ( PA9T]S M5TION$ BY HIS SI/] W]E OBSCURE TO HIM1 HE HAD AT LEA/ ACROSS ! YE>S A*IEV$ FAMILI>ITY AT SECOND H& ) ! PECULI> WORK ( ,WILLIAM ,BLAKE1 & RECOGNIZ$ ! PIECE BE=E HIM AS A K9D ( COMPOSITE1 A MODIFI$ AMALGAM ( ! ,LAMBE? VISION>Y'S CRYPTIC IMAGES4 ,PR$OM9AT+ BLACKNESS1 CONJUR+ A SUBT]RANEAN & FUN]EAL AMBIANCE1 WAS PUNCTUAT$ 9 ! WAT]COLOR'S UPP] REA*ES BY ILLUM9AT$ ALCOVES 9 :I* LABEL$ LIK5ESSES PRESID$ LIKE MEMORIAL /ATU>Y 9 A MAUSOLEUM4 ,LEAN+ CLOS]1 HE P]US$ ! NAMES ON TATT]$ PAP] SCROLLS LIKE ,GILRAY DIALOGUE-BALLOONS3 ,JAMES ,H]VEY1 ,PHILIP ,DODDRIDGE1 ,HORACE ,WALPOLE1 ,M>Y ,%ELLEY1 ,WILLIAM ,BLAKE & A FEW O!RS1 SOMB] & REFLECTIVE1 C&LELIT ) COLOR 9 ! CEMET]Y D>K4 ,!IR PI\S1 D[NCA/ GLANCES SEEM$ TO BE DIRECT$1 MORE 9 PITY ?AN CONTEMPT1 T[>DS ! CR\*+1 NAK$ GIANT AT ! BOTTOM ( ! PA9T+1 CRAWL+ WRET*$ ON HIS H&S & KNEES ALONG A /UNT$1 LI<TLESS TUNNEL1 B[$ HEAD WEI<T$ BY A HEAVY GOLD5 CR[N4 ,MICK RECOGNIZ$ ! FIGURE1 AL?\< ONLY ?R\< ! AG5CY ( AN ,ATOMIC ,ROO/] ALBUM COV] HE REMEMB]$1 AS ,BLAKE'S P5IT5T ,NEBU*ADNEZZ>4 ,! DAMNATION-%AD[$ FEATURES ( ! FALL5 ,BABYLONIAN REG5T W]E H]E9 REPLAC$1 H[EV]1 BY ! ASYMMETRIC PHYSIOGNOMY ( HIS SI/]'S MU* PUT-ON ACTOR FRI5D1 :OM ,ALMA SEEM$ TO EMPLOY AS A /RESS-RELIEV+ EXECUTIVE SQUEEZE-BALL1 A RECEPTACLE = H] 9T]M9ABLE GU%] ( ABUSE IF ,MICK HIMSELF W]E POORLY OR ON HOLIDAY4 ,! ONLY O!R ELEM5T ( ! >RANGEM5T1 SOME?+ HE DID NOT SPECIFICALLY RECALL FROM ,BLAKE1 WAS ! R\<-*ISEL$ CROSS SET 9TO CRUMBL+ /ONEWORK AT ! PA9T+'S C5T]1 JU/ ABOVE ! GROVEL+ MON/] BUT B5EA? ! SYMPA!TIC AUDI5CE ( ,GO?IC SA9TS ABOVE4 ,IT DIDN'T SEEM TO HAVE ?AT MU* TO DO ) HIS [N BRIEF 5C\NT] ) 9FANT MORTALITY1 OR EV5 ) ! ,BOR\<S1 BUT !N Y\ C\LD SAY ?AT AB\T ! MAJORITY ( ! SUPPOS$ WORKS ( >T 9CLUD$ 9 ! HEAVILY CONF9$ YET SPRAWL+ EXHIBITION4 

,FEEL+ LIKE AN A?LETE SUP]/ITI\S AB\T LOOK+ AT ! F9I%+ L9E UNTIL !Y W]E RI<T ON TOP ( IT1 HE ESSAY$ AN 9EXP]T V]SION ( ! MILIT>Y RI<T-TURN HE'D LE>N$ AT ,BOY'S ,BRIGADE & SAW TO HIS IMM5SE RELIEF ?AT !RE W]E ONLY ?REE MORE DECORATIVE HURDLES BETWE5 HIM & ! PROPP$-OP5 DOORWAY1 BETWE5 HIM & FRE$OM4 ,BETT] /ILL1 ! FIR/ ( !SE1 :I* HE WAS CURR5TLY CONFRONT$ BY1 WAS SMALL & SIMPLE4 ,ON AN 9SUB/ANTIAL %EET ( :AT LOOK$ V]Y MU* LIKE TYP+ PAP]1 T9-TACK$ TO ! NURS]Y WALL AS IF IT W]E ! WORK ( A PRECOCI\S *ILD ON P>5TS' DAY1 !RE WAS A FLUID & EXPRESSIVE P5CIL DRAW+ ) A W&]+ L9E AS NATURAL AS ,APRIL WE$S4 ,NOT EV5 BO!R+ ON ?IS OCCASION TO ATTA* A SEP>ATE LABEL1 ,ALMA HAD JU/ SCRAWL$ ,! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S AT ! TOP LEFT CORN] ( ! PIECE ITSELF1 9 *LOROPHYLL4 ,! DRAW+ WAS A SP9DLY & FRAGILE DETAIL ( ,/4 ,PET]'S ,*UR*1 ! FRONT POR* ( ! DISUS$ BUILD+ ) ITS HONEY$ /ONE & ! BLACK WOOD5 RIBCAGE ( ITS RO(1 A /R& ( :EATGRASS /RAGGL+ FROM BETWE5 ! SLABS \TSIDE ITS OP5 5TRANCE4 ,9 ! %AD[$ RECESS A RECUMB5T FIGURE SLUMB]$1 TRA9]-SOLES T[>DS ! VIEW] & ALL O!R 9DICATORS ( ! P]SON'S BODY-TYPE1 AGE1 G5D] OR E?NICITY CONCEAL$ B5EA? ! SLIPP]Y TUCKS & UNDULATIONS ( ! UNZIPP$ SLEEP+-BAG SPREAD OV] !M4 ,SILV]Y GRAPHITE TRAC]IES UNCOIL$ & TRICKL$ LOV+LY ACROSS ! QUILT$ CONT\RS1 ! IMPLI$ =M MOTIONLESS B5EA?1 DIGRESS+ TO 9VE/IGATE ! 9TRICATE TOPOGRAPHY ( EA* PLUMP FOLD4 ,! MORE ,MICK /UDI$ ! DECEPTIVELY SP>E COMPOSITION1 ! MORE HE F\ND HIMSELF QUE/ION+ HIS FIR/ ASSUMPTION ?AT ?IS WAS A /UDY ( A HOMELESS P]SON1 M]ELY SLEEP+4 ,) ! BAG PULL$ UP & COV]+ ! FACE !RE WAS A MORTU>Y ASPECT TO ! IMAG]Y :I* C\LD NOT BE IGNOR$4 ,9 ITS VEIL$ /ILLNESS1 ?AT ( DREAM OR ( DEMISE1 ! SLUMP+ %APE 9HABIT$ A HESITAT+ & AMBIGU\S BORD]L& BETWE5 ?OSE /ATES1 MU* LIKE ! ONE SUGGE/$ BY ?AT PHYSICI/ :O'D EI!R GASS$ HIS CAT OR HADN'T4 ,MICK C\LD COME TO NO CONCLUSION O!R ?AN AN OBS]VATION ?AT1 9 DISAGREEM5T ) ITS TITLE1 ! DEPICT$ SC5E WAS F> FROM JOLLY & APPE>$ TO BE NONSMOK+4 

,MOV+ NOR?W>DS ONCE MORE HE PROGRESS$ TO ! NEXT PICTURE1 :I* HE REALIZ$ ) A LEAP+ HE>T WAS ! P5ULTIMATE EXHIBIT4 ,A SQU>E WORK 9 OILS AS SPACI\S & RESPL5D5T AS ITS PR$ECESSOR HAD BE5 MEAG] & )\T ASSUMPTION1 ! ATT5DANT TAP$-ON TAG REVEAL$ ITS TITLE AS ,GO ,SEE ,N[ ,?IS ,CURS$ ,WOMAN4 ,:AT AT FIR/ APPE>$ TO BE A MADD5+LY REGUL> & EV5 GEOMETRIC AB/RACT1 ! IMAG9+ ( ,MILTON ,KEYNES BY A DESPAIR+ ,MONDRIAN1 RESOLV$ ON CLOSE 9SPECTION TO AN 9TRICATELY-REALIZ$ REPRODUCTION ( A GAME-BO>D1 A G5]IC LAY\T ON ! ,SNAKES-&-,LADD]S MODEL ( A LAVI%LY EMBELLI%$ GRID1 EA* BOX EMBLAZON$ ) A DECORAT$ NUMB] OR ICONOGRAPHIC M9IATURE4 ,HE REALIZ$ ) A M9OR />T ?AT ! GAME'S FOCUS SEEM$ TO BE ! M9K MIS=TUNES ( ,DIANA ,SP5C]1 ! FAMILI> TABLOID ,/ATIONS ( ! ,CROSS - SUN ?R\< A ?9 SKIRT %[+ (F H] LEGS2 POS$ AT ! GATE ) ,*>LES2 A COY GLANCE UP AT ,M>T9 ,BA%IR OR H] F9AL PUBLIC SMILE BE=E ! RE> DOORS ( ! ,P>IS ,RITZ - R$UC$ TO \TSIZ$ PO/AGE /AMPS4 ,! GAME-BO>D LAY\T1 ) ITS NUMB]$ SPACES1 LOAN$ !SE 9CID5TAL MOM5TS ! UNEASY S5SE ( A REL5TLESS1 HURTL+ L9E> PROGRESSION TO A PR$ET]M9$ \TCOME3 AN >RIVAL AT ?AT F9AL SQU>E1 SOON] OR LAT]1 IRRESPECTIVE ( ! FALL+ DIE1 AN \TCOME OBVI\S FROM ! COMM5CE ( PLAY OR1 9DE$1 FROM ! OP5+ ( ! CELLOPHANE-SEAL$ BOX ON ,*RI/MAS MORN+4 ,:AT HAD />TL$ ,MICK WAS ! UNLIKELY C\PL+ ( BO>D GAMES & ,DIANA ,SP5C]1 JU/ AS 9 HIS SLEEPLESS RUM9ATIONS ( ! NI<T BE=E4 ,IT WAS QUITE CLE>LY NO MORE ?AN CO9CID5CE &1 N[ HE ?\<T AB\T IT1 NOT P>TICUL>LY MEMORABLE AT ?AT4 ,! IDEA ( ! BLOND FROM ,AL?ORP'S LIFE AS A BIZ>RE & FATALI/IC =M ( ,CLU$O WAS NOT ?AT MU* ( A REA*1 ALL ?+S CONSID]$4 ,/ILL1 IT HAD HIM GO+ = A MOM5T !RE4 

,/EAL?ILY1 HE BEGAN TO MOVE T[>D ! F9AL LURID OB/ACLE ?AT /OOD BETWE5 HIM & ! GAP+ NURS]Y DOOR4 ,9T]NALLY1 HE PLAY$ A GAME :]E HE & ALL ! O!R GALL]Y-GO]S W]E A SURLY CR[D ( CULTURE-CONVICTS1 %UFFL+ >\ND ! EX]CISE Y>D1 WOND]+ IF WIVES & SWEE!>TS W\LD /ILL BE !RE WAIT+ = !M ON ! \TSIDE AFT] ALL ?IS TIME4 ,UNNOTIC$1 HOPEFULLY1 BY ! IMAG9>Y MA*9E-GUN T[]S ?AT HE'D BY !N POSITION$ AT ! CORN]S ( ! ROOM1 HE 9*$ T[>DS ! UNLOCK$ PRISON GATE & G5U9ELY GASP$ TO FEEL ! W>D]'S HEAVY H& FALL ON HIS %\LD] FROM BEH9D4 

0,H]E1 ,W>RY8 ,HAVE Y\ GOT ! LI<T]80 

,MICK TURN$ TO FACE ! DIPP$ GL>E ( HIS BIG SI/]'S HEADLI<T GAZE1 ?AT ( A SULKY & UN9T]E/$ BASILISK :O C\LDN'T BE ASS$ TURN+ PEOPLE 9TO ANY?+ EXCEPT /ONE CLADD+4 ,ALMA SEEM$ PREOCCUPI$ &1 WORRY+LY1 TOO DI/RACT$ TO 9SULT HIM4 ,EV5 9 H] M5TION ( 0!0 LI<T] %E APPE>$ TO HAVE RECLASSIFI$ IT AS !IR MUTUAL PROP]TY & NOT AN OBJECT ?AT BELONG$ TO H] ALONE1 :I* 9 ITSELF SEEM$ TO SUGGE/ A S(T5+ ( POLICY4 ,WAS ,ALMA ILL8 ,HE FI%$ 9SIDE A POCKET ( HIS JEANS = ! REQUE/$ >TIFACT4 ,H&+ IT OV]1 HE FELT DUTY-B\ND TO ASK4 

0,W>RY8 ,IS EV]Y?+ OKAY8 ,Y\ DON'T SEEM QUITE Y\R USUAL SELF4 ,Y\'RE BE+ REASONABLE40 

,TAK+ ! LI<T] FROM HIM )\T ANY K9D ( ?ANK Y\1 :I* AT LEA/ WAS MORE H] /YLE1 HIS SI/] %OOK H] HANG+-G>D5 HEAD 9 ! DIRECTION ( ! TABLE-M\NT$ MODEL ( ! ,BOR\<S1 LIKE ONE ( ! DI/RICT'S ROD5TS 9 ?AT1 FAM\SLY1 Y\ NEV] GOT MORE ?AN SIX FEET AWAY FROM IT4 

0,IT'S ?IS4 ,IT'S /ILL NOT RI<T4 ,IT ISN'T SAY+ :AT ,I WANT IT TO4 ,IT'S SAY+ ',OOH1 LOOK AT ! ,BOR\<S4 ,WASN'T IT A LOVELY PLACE1 ) ALL ?AT HI/ORY & *>ACT]8' ,ALL ( ! LOCAL PHOTO-BOOKS ,I BAS$ IT ON >E SAY+ ?AT ALREADY1 >5'T !Y8 ,?IS NE$S SOME?+ ELSE4 ,*E]S = ! LI<T]1 ANYWAY4 ,I'LL BR+ IT BACK SOON AS ,I'M DONE ) IT40 

,ONCE MORE1 !RE WAS ?AT WEIRD POLIT5ESS & CONSID]ATION4 ,ALMA DRIFT$ (F1 PRESUMABLY TO ELEVATE H] MOOD & SMOKE H] WAY T[>DS A RESOLUTION ( H] QU&>Y4 ,DRAW+ A DEEP BREA? 9 ANTICIPATION ,MICK TURN$ HIS ATT5TIONS TO EXHIBIT ?IRTY-FIVE1 ! %['S F9AL 9CLUSION1 DUBB$ BY ITS TORN-PAP] TAG AS ,*A9 ( ,(FICE4 ,PORTRAIT ASPECT1 ONCE AGA9 9 G\A*E1 A FULL-L5G? APPRAISAL ( A S+LE FIGURE ON A GR\ND ( M>VEL\S CASCAD+ GRE5 - ! PICTURE'S B>E FACTS CR[D$ 9 TO FILL ,MICK'S FIELD ( VISION & PREV5T$ HIM FROM VIEW+ ITS TOTALITY4 ,ALONE1 ! S+LE-COLOR BACKCLO? ) ITS SEE! ( NETTLE1 LIME & P]IDOT WAS OV]:ELM+1 AN EXP]I5TIAL B\ILLON TA/E ( KNEE-HI< FAIRGR\ND1 FUMBL+ ADOLESC5T MEAD[1 BONEY>D MOSS4 ,! PA9T+'S SUBJECT1 /&+ ) BO? >MS RAIS$ 9 GREET+ OR B5$ICTION1 HAD A MAYORAL AIR 9 P>T BE/[$ BY ! WORK'S TITLE & 9 P>T BY ! EPONYM\S M$ALLION HUNG AB\T !IR NECK4 ,ON CLOSE 9SPECTION ?IS GUNMETAL GONG APPE>$ TO BE A SAUCEPAN LID1 ) ITS SUPPORT+ *A9 HAV+ SE5 PREVI\S S]VICE DANGL+ FROM ! CI/]N ( A LAVATORY4 ,! MULTITUDE ( REF]5CES 9 ! PIECES ?US F>1 :IZZ+ PA/ ABOVE ,MICK'S HEAD1 HAD MADE HIM FEEL LIKE HE WAS BE+ /RAF$ BY ,MELVYN ,BRAGG BUT ?IS1 AT LA/1 WAS ONE HE CAU<T2 WAS ONE HE RECOGNIZ$4 ,! D5T$ LID1 HE KNEW1 WAS AN ALLUSION TO ! BYGONE ,BOR\<S CU/OM ( APPO9T+ SOME DISREPUTABLE 9DIVIDUAL AS ! NEI<BORHOOD'S [N MAYOR1 A PO9T$ SATIRE /AG$ !RE ON ! ,MAYORHOLD AT ! SITE ( ! ,GILHALDA1 ! ORIG9AL T[N HALL1 TO MOCK ! PROCESSES ( GOV]NM5T FROM :I* ,NOR?AMPTON'S E>LIE/ POPULATION WAS BY !N EXCLUD$4 ,! SELF-DEPRECAT+ NATURE ( ! T9-POT TALISMAN ITSELF WAS UND]CUT1 H[EV]1 BY ! SUMPTU\S ROBES 9 :I* ?AT C5TRAL =M WAS DRAP$1 MORE GLORI\SLY DECORAT$ ?AN ?OSE WORN BY ANY REAL-WORLD CIVIC DIGNIT>Y4 ,>\ND ! HEM !RE RAN A BORD] ( METICUL\SLY R5D]$ PAV+ SLABS1 GRAY+ & CRACK$ ) JADE GRASS 9 ! SEAMS1 :ILE UP >\ND ! COLL> 444 

,IT WAS HIM4 

,! P]SON 9 ! PA9T+1 IT WAS ,MICK4 ,IT HAD ,MICK'S FACE1 P]FECTLY CAPTUR$ EV5 D[N TO ! SME>$ GLAZE ( HI<LI<T UP BY HIS REC$$ HAIRL9E1 AL?\< AFT] A FEW MOM5TS' SCRUT9Y IT CAME TO HIM ?AT ?IS +5I\S V]ISIMILITUDE WAS ACTUALLY OCCASION$ BY ! PA9T /ILL BE+ WET4 ,! LIK5ESS1 EV5 SO1 WAS UNMI/AKABLE &1 TRU? BE TOLD1 ATYPICALLY FLATT]+4 ,FROM ! S9C]E BLUE EYES TO ! 5GAG+ SMILE ,ALMA HAD MADE HIM LOOK QUITE H&SOME1 AT LEA/ 9 COMP>ISON ) ALL HIS E>LI] APPE>ANCES ?R\<\T ?IS %[+1 :E!R AS A SIMP]+ TODDL] OR AS A BURNS W>D ADMISSION ) HIS FEATURES MORE ]OD$ ?AN ! SPH9X4 ,IF HE'D KN[N SOON] ?AT ! 5TIRE EXHIBITION W\LD BE LEAD+ UP TO ?IS1 HE W\LDN'T HAVE BE5 HALF SO GRUMPY OR ILL-HUMOR$ 9 HIS E>LI] APPRAISALS4 ,N[1 ?\<1 HE FELT GUILTY & UNCOM=TABLE1 :I* ALMO/ C]TA9LY WAS ! EFFECT HIS SI/] HAD BE5 HOP+ =1 IF HE KNEW ,ALMA4 ,O!RWISE %E W\LD HAVE SAID SOME?+ :5 %E WALTZ$ UP TO P9* HIS LI<T] A FEW M9UTES BACK1 ) HIM /OOD RI<T H]E BY ! PA9T+ :I* MY?OLOGIZ$ HIM1 :I* ABSOLV$ H] ( ALL H] =EGO+ CRUELTIES4 ,S9CE HE WAS /&+ FAC+ ! WE/ WALL ( ! DAY NURS]Y1 ! ONLY ONE ) W9D[S1 HE LOOK$ UP FROM ,*A9 ( ,(FICE & \T ?R\< ! SME>$ GLASS = A SI<T+ ( H]1 PAC+1 PUFF+1 WE>+ EV5 MORE TRACKS ?R\< ! PAT*Y TURF \TSIDE1 BUT %E WAS NO:]E TO BE SE54 ,HIS FIR/ ?\<T WAS ?AT %E'D BE5 SO DI/RESS$ AB\T :ATEV] %E BELIEV$ WAS WRONG ) H] M9IATURE ,BOR\<S ?AT %E'D HAD A BREAKD[N & ABSCOND$3 A FAK$ DEA?1 A *ANG$ APPE>ANCE1 A DISGUIS+ LIMP1 A TICKET TO ANO!R T[N4 ,NO ONE W\LD EV] AGA9 MEET ) ,ALMA ,W>R51 ! FAIL$ MODEL-MAK]4 ,:ILE HE WAS ALMO/ 5TIRELY C]TA9 ?IS WAS :AT HAD HAPP5$1 HE FELT ?AT HE %\LD AT LEA/ TAKE A QUICK %UFTY AT ! GALL]Y BEH9D HIS BACK BE=E HE BO!R$ TO AL]T ! M$IA4 

,HIS SI/]1 IT TURN$ \T1 HADN'T EV5 MADE IT AS F> AS ! NURS]Y DOOR BE=E BE+ WAYLAID BY H] ADOR+ OR DEPLOR+ PUBLIC4 ,%E WAS FUR!R (F FROM IT1 9 FACT1 ?AN ,MICK HIMSELF1 LEAN+ AGA9/ ! TABLE'S FUR!R1 EA/]N SIDE & GL[]+ AT H] H&IWORK LIKE A DISPLEAS$ ,JEHOVAH1 ALBEIT ONE :O'D SWAPP$ HIS BE>D = LIP/ICK1 ?\< EA* TO !IR [N1 ( C\RSE1 & NO?+ WRONG ) ?AT4 ,MORE DISCONC]T+LY1 %E WAS FLANK$ BY ! TWO ELD]LY LADIES ,MICK HAD NOTIC$ E>LI] & :O'D BE5 SLIPP+ 9 & \T ( VIEW ?R\<\T ! AFT]NOON4 ,ONE /OOD TO EI!R SIDE ( ,ALMA AS %E LOOM$ OV] ! PAPI]-MA*E DI/RICT1 HUN*+ LIKE A MON/R\S SLA<EAP ) MORE SLAG TO IT ?AN USUAL1 READY TO 5GULF ! %RUNK5 ,BOR\<S 9 A DEVA/AT+ AVALAN*E ( TURQUOISE FLUFF & BITT]NESS4 ,! OLD GIRLS1 SPID]-WEBB$ ) WR9KLES & !IR EXPOS$ FLE% ! MUD ( A DRI$ RES]VOIR1 SEEM$ TO BE TAK+ TURNS TO /OOP & MUTT] !IR OP9IONS 9TO ALT]NAT+ E>S ( ! PREOCCUPI$ & FR[N+ >TI/1 ?\< ,MICK D\BT$ ?AT ! ADVICE ( :I*EV] WOMAN WAS 5GAG+ ,ALMA'S DEAF SIDE W\LD BE IMPLEM5T$4 ,) H] WRECK]'S-LANT]N EYES FIX$ IRREMOVABLY ON ! DIM9I%$ ALLEYS ( H] RECON/RUCT$ WORLD HIS SI/] DIDN'T LOOK AT EI!R ( ! WOM5 :ILE !Y SPOKE TO H]1 5C\RAG+LY BY ! LOOK ( ?+S1 BUT W\LD ACKN[L$GE !IR REM>KS ) GRAVE NODS ( ! HEAD4 ,9CR$IBLY1 IT SEEM$ ?AT NOT ONLY WAS ,ALMA = ONCE LI/5+ TO SOMEBODY'S OP9ION ( H] WORK1 BUT ?AT %E ALSO APPE>$ TO AGREE ) !M4 ,! TWO W]E EVID5TLY LOV+ EV]Y M9UTE ( !IR AUDI5CE ) ! SUBDU$ & UN*>ACT]I/ICALLY COMPLIANT >TISAN4 ,FROM DEEP )9 !IR CREAS$ PAPYRUS SOCKETS !IR EYES GLEAM$ & SP>K$1 HOBNAILS ON COBBLES1 AS !IR WIZ5$ HEADS DIPP$ ONE AFT] ! O!R TO !IR :ISP]+1 WELL-MANN]$ VULTURES PECK+ AT ,PROME!US'S LIV]4 ,?\< :AT !Y W]E SAY+ TO HIS SIBL+ WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO HE> ABOVE ! HUBBUB ( ! GALL]Y1 ,MICK ?\<T IT LOOK$ AS ?\< !Y W]E ADM9I/]+ AN EXCIT$ PEP-TALK1 URG+ ,ALMA TO /ICK ) H] VISION & TO TAKE IT FUR!R1 C>RY+ IT ONW>DS4 ,SOME?+ LIKE ?AT1 ANYWAY4 ,! BIDDIES PO9T$ JABB+ CRAB-LEG F+]S AT ! MODEL ON ! TABLE1 ) ! ONE ON ,ALMA'S DEAF RI<T SIDE REPETITIVELY M\?+ SOME?+ ?AT LOOK$ LIKE 0KEEP ON0 OR 0GO ON01 SOME?+ ) TWO SYLLABLES LIKE ?AT4 ,& ,ALMA NODD$ AS IF %E W]E HE$+ C\NSEL ?AT WAS IRREFUTABLE1 TAK+ C>E] 9/RUCTION FROM TWO DOTTY-LOOK+ T]MAGANTS :O N9ETY M9UTES PREVI\SLY %E HADN'T KN[N EXI/$4 ,/ILL NO CLOS] TO AN UND]/&+ ( HIS SI/] ?AN HE'D BE51 AG$ SEV51 :5 %E'D %OT HIM ) ?AT BL[PIPE1 ,MICK TURN$ BACK TO ,*A9 ( ,(FICE TO CONT9UE HIS 9SPECTION4 

,HAV+ N[ RECOV]$ FROM ! %OCK ( REALIZ+ ?AT HE WAS ?IS ULTIMATE EXHIBIT'S SUBJECT1 HE WAS ABLE TO TAKE 9 ! PA9T+'S O!R CONT5T1 NOTABLY ! SPL5DID ROBE 9 :I* HIS SI/] HAD SE5 FIT TO DECK H] C5TRAL FIGURE4 ,HANG+ FOLDS ( HEAVY VELVET W]E EMBROID]$ ) EXQUISITE ?READS ( GOLD1 A GILD$ CRAZ+ ?AT RESOLV$ AT A FEW 9*ES FROM ! PICTURE'S SURFACE 9TO A ME&]+ TREASURE-MAP ( ! T]RA9 ?AT ,MICK WAS BORN FROM4 ,IT WAS ONE ( ?OSE *>TS ?AT HAD ?REE-DIM5SIONAL BITS BULG+ \T FROM IT1 ( :I* HE WAS ALWAYS UNABLE TO RECALL ! NAME4 ,HE C\LD SEE OV]HEAD DEL9EATIONS ( ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD & ,FREES*OOL ,/REET1 ,SPR+ ,LANE & ,SC>LETWELL AS PLUNG+ PLEATS 9 P>ALLEL & ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR* A DECORATION ON ! BIAS1 BURIAL GR\ND COMPRESS+ AS IT GA!R$ TO ! P9*-PO9TS4 ,IT OCCURR$ TO HIM ?AT 9 ! RAIS$-UP BUILD+S & PROJECTIONS ( A VANI%+ C>TOGRAPHY1 A BIT LIKE ,ALMA'S PROBLEMATIC ,BOR\<S DIORAMA1 %E'D CONTRIV$ ?IS LA/ PIECE TO REPRISE ALL ( ! EXHIBITION'S O!R WORKS 9 SMALL4 ,HE EY$ ! PIECE1 SQU9T$ ! GAUD1 & SAW ?AT HIS 5NOBL$ LIK5ESS SPORT$ T9Y GLU$-ON SNAIL %ELLS AS L9KS1 ONE MOTTL$ SPIRAL BADG+ EI!R CUFF4 ,HE WAS ABSORB$ 9 !SE CALCIF]\S ADORNM5TS1 TRY+ TO E/ABLI% IF !Y /ILL H\S$ MOLLUSK OCCUPANTS1 :5 HE HE>D ! DI/9CT ,PACIFIC CAD5CES ( ,ALMA'S PAL ,MEL9DA ,GEBBIE RAIS$ ABOVE ! BACKGR\ND SUSURRUS1 & EV]Y?+ KICK$ (F4 

0,ALMA1 Y\ FUCK+ AS%OLE1 DON'T Y\ FUCK+ D>E60 

,MICK TURN$1 FROM ONLY IDLE CURIOSITY1 & F\ND HIMSELF CONFRONT$ BY ! S+LE IMAGE FROM ?IS VIEW+ ?AT HE'D TAKE AWAY ) HIM1 ! SOLIT>Y TABLEAU ?AT WAS G5U9ELY UN=GETTABLE4 ,HIS SI/]1 ) A BLANKNESS ( EXPRESSION ?AT WAS EI!R 9NOC5T OR GUILTY TO A PO9T PA/ C>+1 SA9T OR S]IAL MURD]]1 LEAN$ =W>D OV] ,M>EFAIR & ,SA9T ,M>Y'S ,/REET1 REA*+ PA/ ,CA/LE ,/REET & ACROSS ,PET]'S ,H\SE TO ,BA? ,/REET4 ,! OLD LADIES HUDDL+ BEH9D H] HUGG$ EA* O!R & P]=M$ A CLUMSY1 HOPP+ LITTLE DANCE4 ,LUCY ,LIS[IEC'S 5ORM\S EYES PREP>$ TO FIRE !MSELVES ACROSS ! ROOM1 ACCOMPANY+ H] RIS+ SIR5 WAIL4 

0,ALMAAAAAAA60 

,PRESS+ A WAV]+ TONGUE ( BLUE & YELL[ FROM ! FL9T-:EEL ( ,MICK'S LI<T]1 ,ALMA LET IT TA/E ! SIMULAT$ BIRD%IT CAK$ >\ND ! RIM ( H] SCAL$-D[N ,DE/RUCTOR4 ,MORE-I%1 EVID5TLY4 ,DRIBBL+ 9C5DI>Y FRILLS ( 9DIGO P\R$ D[N ! LAMPBLACK$ *IMNEY T[] TO ITS BASE ) />TL+ RAPIDITY1 S5D+ UP ACRID & AU!NTIC BILL[S ( P>TICULATE T[>DS ! CEIL+-M\NT$ S5SORS AS !Y DID SO4 ,IT ALL BURN$ SO FA/1 BE+ CON/RUCT$ :OLLY FROM MAT]IALS DESIGN$ TO DO JU/ ?AT1 & 9 HIS SI/]'S DAWN+ LOOK ( APPREH5SION IT APPE>$ ?AT EV5 %E WAS UNPREP>$ = ! APPALL+ PACE ( ! TOY-T[N CALAMITY %E'D JU/ UNLEA%$4 

,A SPREAD+ GORSE ( CONFLAGRATION 5GULF$ ,BRI/OL ,/REET & ITS 5VIRONS1 ) ! BIJ\X FEV]-C>T & C5TIMET]-HI< M>E T[+ IT 9TO ! M\? ( ,=T ,/REET P>*$ TO CURL+ SMUTS & GONE UPON ! 9/ANT4 ,>SON REFLUX SCOR*$ ! N>R[ GULLET ( ,*ALK ,LANE & SPEW$ ANNIHILAT+ RIOT-BILE D[N ,M>EFAIR1 ! ANA*RONI/IC WIT*-HAT TURRET ON ,BLACK ,LION ,HILL %RIVEL+ UNREP5TANT AT ! /AKE & TWI/$ R\ND ) %IFT+ SC>VES ( GOLD4 ,9F]NAL TRIBUT>IES SLUIC$ FROM LONG-GONE ,BE>W>D ,/REET TO FLOOD ! ,MAYORHOLD ) COMBU/+ VAPOR1 TROMP L'OEIL SWEET%OP W9D[S DISAPPE>+ 9TO LI<T BE=E ! FLICK]+ TRANSLUC5CE CLIMB$ ! RAZOR-CUT ( ,BULLHEAD ,LANE TO ,%EEP ,/REET1 :]E IGNITION MOV$ LIKE SCRAPIE ?R\< ! PAP] FLOCK4 ,HOT ORANGE DEVILS SW>M$ ON ! CRUSAD] *UR*1 UNRAVEL+ ITS /EEPLE 9TO SP>KS & LEVEL+ ! ?ICK-WALL$ R\ND D[N TO A H[L+ M\? R$ AS A BR&+-IRON1 A BLAZ+ TORUS1 P9KIE R+ ( AN APOCALYPTIC ANGEL4 ,M]CY1 BRI<T & CAUT]IZ+1 /ROK$ ! W\ND$ NEI<BORHOOD4 ,9 ,M>EFAIR1 ,CROMWELL'S BUNK AT ,HAZELRIGG ,H\SE WAS MADE IMMOLATE AMONG ! MILL5>IAN T9D]1 %AV$ SKULLS Y\ C\LD /RIKE A MAT* ON1 CAVALI] PLUMES SMOLD]+ ON P9PRICK$ CORNICES4 ,FROM ! *>R$ /UMP ( ,BA? ,/REET'S SMOKE/ACK1 SE>+ RIPPLES SPREAD ?R\< ! FLEA-CIRCUS DI/RICT 9 DILAT+ SAPPHIRE HOOPS1 AS FROM A %OOT+ /> FALL5 9TO A PETROL POND4 ,9C9]ATION DANC$ ON ,BROAD ,/REET & ,BELLB>N1 FLA%-VANI%+ ,SALVATION ,>MY =TS & SUFF]+ NO B>B]'S POLE ?AT IT REMA9 UNLIT4 ,! ,RIZLA LAUNDRY FLAPP$ LIKE PH5IX W+S 9 ,GREYFRI>S' C5TRAL C\RTY>D1 DAMP ) DRIZZL$ FLAMES1 :ILE ALL ALONG ! CRISP+ T]RACES SIX DOZ5 PUBLIC H\SES CALL$ LA/ ORD]S & SUBMITT$ TO A H>%] TEMP]ANCE4 ,SA9T ,ELMO FLIRT$ ) ! UPP] REA*ES ( ,SA9T ,KA!R9E'S HI<-RISE1 JUMP$ BETWE5 LABORI\SLY FA%ION$ TELEVISION A]IALS ON ,M>Y'S ,/REET 9 A PEAK-TIME TRANSMISSION1 S5TIM5TALLY RETRAC+ ! TRAJECTORIES ( A ,RE/ORATION PR$ECESSOR1 & ! M>TYR+ ,NIAG>A SPILL$ D[N ,HORSEM>KET DRAGG+ A BRIDAL GAUZE ( *OK+ FUME BEH9D4 ,CREMAT+ FANCYWORK WRI!D BRIEFLY ON ,SA9T ,PET]'S >*ITRAVES4 ,Z]O-GAGE HOLOCAU/ ACCOMPLI%$ 9 M]E SECONDS AN ]ASURE OV] :I* ! ,BOR\< ,C\NCIL HAD DELIB]AT$ = JU/ %Y A C5TURY1 DELET+ COBBL$ HI/ORIES 9 ITS %EA?+ ,CA!R9E-:EEL SPRAY1 NO WE/ W9D ?IS TIME TO 5SURE ?AT ONLY ! TOR*$ GLOV]IES & MILL9]S ( ,M]C]S' ,R[ OR !REAB\TS W\LD EV] BE REG5]AT$4 ,! %ORT REA* ( H\SES ON ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD FROM ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET TO ,SPR+ ,LANE BECAME AN A%5 ,RO?KO BAD DAY1 BY SOME FLUKE ( !RMAL :IMSY SP>+ ONLY ! ,MONOPOLY-SIZ$ PREMISES AT ! L9E'S S\? EXTREMITY4 ,BOYS' CLUBS & BOOKMAK]S1 COTTAG+-FRI5DLY LAVATORIES & CORN] DIVES W]E CAU<T UP 9 A PYROCLA/IC FL[ FROM ,REG5T ,SQU>E D[N TO ! FOOT ( ,GRAFTON ,/REET1 & ,M>JORIE ,PITT-,DRAFF5'S DANCE-S*OOL ON ! CURR5T SITE ( ,ALMA'S EXHIBITION SP\T$ ROLL+ :ITE CL\DS FROM ITS OP5 DOOR 9 MICROCOSM ( ! BUILD+ IT WAS MODEL$ ON & SITUAT$ 94 ,%>P TO ! S9USES & TE>-DUCTS1 !SE AT LEA/ ELICIT$ A LA*RYMOSITY ?AT ! MORE GRADUAL DEMOLITIONS ( SOME SEV]AL DECADES HAD FAIL$ TO PROVOKE4 ,FA/-=W>D$ !RE ON ! TABLETOP A PREC9CT ( ! HE>T WAS FIRE/ORM$ TO OBLIVION 9 FACSIMILE1 ITS F9AL MUSIC ! REPEAT$ %RILL ( PANICK+ DETECTORS4 

,ALL ( ?IS HAD TAK5 ONLY MOM5TS1 A ROSE ( DISA/] BLOSSOM+ & WI!R+ 9 TIME-DELAY1 PLUNG+ ! NURS]Y 9TO SWIRL+ OPACITY ) EV]YBODY C\<+1 CURS+1 LAU<+1 /UMBL+ = ! EXIT4 ,TA/+ A S\R FL9* ( BURN+ PAP] 9 ! NO-MAN'S-L& DIVID+ NOSE FROM ?ROAT1 ,MICK BLUND]$ BL9D T[>DS FRE% AIR & FRE$OM4 ,ON HIS WAY \T HE COLLID$ ) A FOGB\ND PIT-BULL ON ITS H9D LEGS ?AT TURN$ \T TO BE ,T$ ,TRIPP1 ! ]/:ILE BURGL> U%]+ HIS GIRLFRI5D ,JAN BE=E HIM1 BO? ( !M APP>5TLY MORE 5T]TA9$ ?AN TRAUMATIZ$4 ,BESIDE ! DOORWAY TO ! RI<T ! :ITE-HAIR$ C>P5T] FROM ITEM ONE LOOK$ BACK ACROSS HIS %\LD] AT ! SPUTT]+ H]D AS IT /AMP$$ PA/1 :ILE ON ! LEFT /OOD ,MICK HIMSELF 9 MAYORAL DRAG ) HIS >MS RAIS$ 9 :AT N[ READ AS AN APOLOGETIC %RUG3 0,BLAME H]4 ,NO?+ TO DO ) ME40 ,HE /AGG]$ ONTO ! COMB-OV] TURF \TSIDE1 LANK GRE5 LOCKS PLA/]$ TO ! MUDDY SCALP1 TRAIL+ ASPHYXIAT+ RIBBONS 9 HIS WAKE4 ,PRESS+ ! HEELS ( BO? H&S TO HIS /REAM+ SOCKETS HE SME>$ /++ MOI/URE D[N ACROSS HIS *EEKBONES UNTIL HE C\LD SEE AGA94 

,! NURS]Y 5TRANCE WAS /ILL BEL*+ SMOKE & PEOPLE 9TO :AT WAS O!RWISE A PLEASANT AFT]NOON4 ,MURD]\S-LOOK+ MAUL]S REASSUR$ EA* O!R ?AT !Y W]E OKAY1 A/HMATIC AN>*I/S SAT :EEZ+ ON ! CUSP ( ,PH5IX ,/REET1 & ,ROMAN ,?OMPSON DID HIS BE/ TO LOOK COMPLIANT :5 HIS BOYFRI5D TOLD HIM ?AT1 NO1 S]I\SLY1 ?IS REALLY WASN'T FUNNY4 ,BACK+ (F 9 ! DIRECTION ( ! ,GOLD5 ,LION ON ,CA/LE ,/REET1 ,MEL9DA ,GEBBIE HELP$ A /UNN$ ,LUCY ,LIS[IEC TO GET A COV] /ORY BLAM+ EV]Y?+ ON UNID5TIFIABLE /REET-DR9K]S 9TO PLACE1 ! LATT] GAP+ ) ?AT ?UND]/ONE-/RUCK LOOK ?AT ,MICK HAD OBS]V$ (T5 ON ASSOCIATES ( HIS SI/]4 ,SOME:]E AT HIS BACK HE HE>D ,DAVE ,DANIELS SAY 0,:]E'S ,ALMA801 & WAS JU/ BEG9N+ TO CONJECTURE ?AT ! EXHIBITION MI<T HAVE BE5 9T5D$ AS A ,VIK+ FUN]AL PYRE :5 ?R\< ! SMOK+ PORTAL LIKE A ,HALL[E5 $ITION ( ,/>S 9 !IR ,EYES LUMB]$ ! REV]SE H$GE-DRAGG$ >TI/4 

,H] EYES W]E LIKE P>TICLE COLLISIONS1 BLACK MATT] DECAY TRAJECTORIES DESC5D+ TO ! *9 FROM WAT]Y CORN]S1 & 9 H] ,S>GASSO HAIR P]*$ HUGE PALE BUTT]FLIES ( SETTL$ A%4 ,S+$1 UGLY HOLES N[ P]=AT$ ! NEW TURQUOISE JUMP]1 BUT !N ,MICK SUPPOS$ IT W\LD LOOK PRETTY MU* ! SAME AFT] A WEEK ( ,ALMA'S NORMAL WE> & METEORITIC HA%I%-SPILLAGE4 ,SMUDG$ V]MILION LIPS W]E /RET*$ 9TO A <A/LY APPREH5SIVE RICTUS AS %E LIFT$ SOOTY1 BLI/]$ PALMS TO H] BEWILD]$ AUDI5CE AS ?\< ATTEMPT+ TO SURR5D]4 

0,IT'S OKAY4 ,I PUT IT ALL \T4 ,I'LL BUY !M ANO!R TABLE4 ,OR TWO TABLES IF !Y WANT1 H['S ?AT80 

,HIS SI/] WAS LIKE ,W]N] ,VON ,BRAUN TRY+ TO MOLLIFY S5IOR ,NAZIS AFT] A ,V#b HAD DETONAT$ ON ! LAUN* PAD1 SIMP]+ N]V\SLY & WIP+ BLA/ DEBRIS FROM ,GO]+'S FRIZZL$ EYEBR[S4 ,%E /OOD SLAPP+ H] [N BOSOM :]E A TURQUOISE BRU%FIRE HAD REK9DL$1 & IT SEEM$ TO ,MICK ?AT %E HAD NEV] LOOK$ MORE CATA/ROPHICALLY D]ANG$ ?AT %E DID AT ?AT MOM5T4 ,HE WAS ALMO/1 WELL1 NOT PR\D ( H]1 BUT LESS A%AM$4 ,!N HE REMEMB]$ ! OLD WOM5 :O'D BE5 /&+ BEH9D ,ALMA PRIOR TO H] ELECT+ TO EMPLOY ! NUCLE> OPTION1 & :O BO? W]E V]Y DEF9ITELY NOT AMONG ! EMPHYSEMIC HUDDLE ( SURVIVORS ON ! FRAY+ V]GE4 ,OH FUCK4 ,%E'D F9ALLY KILL$ SOMEONE1 & :5 J\RNALI/S SWOOP$ ON H] FRI5DS & FAMILY1 NOBODY W\LD AFFECT SURPRISE OR (F] TE/IMONIALS TO H] QUIETNESS & NORMALITY4 ,/RID+ T[>DS H]1 ,MICK WAS ONLY %OCK$ ?AT %E HAD SOMEH[ MANAG$ TO RE/RA9 H]SELF = AS LONG AS %E HAD4 

0,W>RY1 = FUCK'S SAKE1 :]E >E ?OSE OLD WOM51 ! TWO ?AT W]E /&+ NEXT TO Y\80 

,HIS SI/]'S HEAD REVOLV$ UNHURRI$LY 9 HIS DIRECTION1 ?AT ( A ME*ANICAL ,TURK ANXI\S TO P]SUADE SPECTATORS ?AT !RE WAS NO CRAMP$ GR&MA/] DW>F CR\*$ 9 H] RIBCAGE4 ,FOCUS+ A MILDLY %ELL-%OCK$ GAZE ON ,MICK1 H] OPTIC HAZ>D-LI<TS BL9K$ /UPIDLY AMID ! SLOBB]+ KOHL1 A BRE$+ C\PLE ( /EAL?-JELLYFI%4 ,%E LOOK$ AS ?\< %E MI<T GET R\ND TO WORK+ \T :O HE WAS ONCE %E'D ANSW]$ ! SAME QUE/ION 9 RELATION TO H]SELF4 ,! WEI<T$ LIDS W5T UP & D[N A FEW MORE TIMES TO NO APP>5T PURPOSE 9 ! LONG SPACE-%UTTLE PAUSE BE=E %E SPOKE4 

0,:AT80 

,MICK GRIPP$ H] %\LD]1 URG5TLY4 

0,! TWO OLD LADIES6 ,!Y'VE BE5 H]E ALL AFT]NOON4 ,!Y W]E BEH9D Y\ :5 Y\ MADE Y\R SACRIFICE OR :ATEV] Y\ ?\<T IT WAS ?AT Y\ W]E DO+4 ,!Y'RE NOT \T H]E1 SO IF !Y'RE /ILL 9 !RE UND]NEA? A TABLE1 OV]COME BY FUMES1 !N 4440 

,HE TAIL$ (F4 ,ALMA WAS />+ AT HIS TI<T5+ H& AS ?\< %E WASN'T C]TA9 :AT IT WAS1 MU* LESS :AT IT WAS DO+ ON H] BICEP4 ,HE )DREW IT :ILE IT /ILL HAD ALL ITS F+]S4 

0,SORRY40 

,%E FR[N$ AT HIM QUIZZICALLY1 & HE C\LD FEEL ! %IFT AS HE F\ND HIMSELF 9 ! ROLE ( BABBL+ PSY*IATRIC LIABILITY :ILE %E SOMEH[ ASSUM$ ! MANTLE ( CONC]N$ CL9ICIAN4 

0,W>RY1 ,B]T'S MOM WAS ! ONLY OLD GAL H]E O!R ?AN ME1 & IF %E HADN'T ALREADY GONE HOME !N ,I W\LDN'T HAVE LIT ! T\*-PAP]4 ,I'M NOT A PSY*OPA? :O WANTS TO CULL ! ELD]LY OR SOME?+4 ,I'M NOT ,M>T9 ,AMIS4 ,HAVE A LOOK Y\RSELF1 Y\ DON'T BELIEVE ME40 

,HIS EYES D>T$ TO ! NURS]Y DOOR1 /ILL SIMM]+4 ,HE KNEW FROM ,ALMA'S TONE1 ) ABSOLUTE CONVICTION1 ?AT IF HE %\LD PE] 9SIDE !N IT W\LD BE EXACTLY AS %E SAID4 ,!RE W\LD BE NO HALF-SUFFOCAT$ P5SION]S COLLAPS$ 9 TRAGIC BUNDLES1 NO?+ BUT ! GL[+ ,DRESD5 MESS & TWI/S ( DRIFT+ Y>N ?AT CURL$ UP FROM ITS SQUIRM+ EMB]S4 ,HE PICTUR$ PRECISELY ! TWO WOM5 :O HAD DEF9ITELY BE5 !RE & N[ DEF9ITELY W]5'T & FELT ! SAME UNEASY T+LE 9 HIS UPP] V]TEBRAE ?AT HE'D EXP]I5C$ :5 TALK+ TO ,B]T ,REGAN'S MOM1 A BREA? ( ! UNCANNY ON ! B>B]$ /UBBLE AT ! NAPE4 ,HE ?\<T IT BETT] ?AT HE NOT CONT9UE ) ! PRES5T ?RU/ ( HIS 9QUIRY1 & RETURN$ HIS GAZE TO MEET ?AT ( HIS SI/]4 

0,NO1 IT'S 444 NO1 IT'S F9E1 ,W>RY4 ,I'LL TAKE Y\R WORD = IT4 ,I MU/ HAVE GOT MIX$ UP4 ,H]E1 Y\ DO KN[ ?AT ?IS PLACE PROBABLY HAS A CONNECTION TO ! FIRE /ATION1 DON'T Y\8 ,DID Y\ WANT TO BE H]E :5 ! 5G9ES CAME8 ,OR WAS ?AT :Y Y\ DID IT1 = ! FLA%+ LI<TS & UNI=MS80 

,%E LOOK$ AT HIM 9 E>NE/ />TLEM5T4 

0,OH1 %IT4 ,I HADN'T ?\<T ( ?AT4 ,COME ON1 LET'S FUCK (F SOME:]E ELSE SO ?AT ,I CAN REFLECT ON :AT ,I'VE DONE & FEEL REMORSE40 

,SEIZ+ HIS ELB[ %E COMM5C$ TO DRAG HIM ACROSS ,PH5IX ,/REET 9 WAY ( ,*ALK ,LANE1 CALL+ BACK TO ! SMOKE-DAMAG$ REFUGEES /ILL GA!R$ ON ! NURS]Y'S MO?-EAT5 APRON V]GE4 

0,DON'T WORRY4 ,EV]YBODY GETS A REFUND40 

,ROMAN ,?OMPSON'S *AP ,DEAN S\ND$ AS ?\< HE W]E AT A PHILOSOPHIC IMPASSE4 

0,BUT NOBODY PAID40 

,T[+ H] BRO!R ALONG ! WE/ WALL ( ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*1 ,ALMA CONSID]$4 

0,OH4 ,WELL1 9 ?AT CASE NOBODY QUALIFIES4 ,I'LL GIVE Y\ ALL A CALL NEXT WEEK40 

,) ?AT ! ,W>R5S ABS5T$ !MSELVES FROM ! POT5TIAL CRIME SC5E1 SAUNT]+ CONSPICU\SLY 9 !IR EF=TS NOT TO LOOK LIKE FLEE+ P]PETRATORS4 ,SCUFF+ OV] LI/+ PAVEM5T PA/ ! LOAF-BRONZE MEET+ H\SE BO? ( !M PE]$ FIR/ AT ! /R&$ DOORWAY HALFWAY UP ! RA9-*EW$ /ONEWORK1 A MU/A*E ( FL[]S & GRASS ALONG ITS SILL1 !N AT EA* O!R1 AL?\< NEI!R SPOKE4 ,FROM ! TRUNCAT$ /RIP ( PEEL+ H\SE-FRONTS OPPOSITE CR\*$ UND] ! RAIS$ >BOR ( ! DESIGNAT$ CA/LE GR\NDS CAME MUFFL$ MUSIC ?AT WAS SUMM]Y & OLD1 PHAS$ 9 & \T ( AUDIBILITY BY ! CONT9UALLY %IFT+ WAVEB& ( ! BREEZE4 0,DON'T ,WALK ,AWAY1 ,]NE0 P]HAPS4 ,ASSAY+ BRAN*ES OV]DRESS$ 9 P9K LIKE GYPSY BRIDESMAIDS1 BLACKBIRD ,S*UB]TS HUNG !IR FLEET+ COMPOSITIONS ON ! GRAY /AVES ?AT /ILL RAVEL$ FROM ! NURS]Y1 & RATTL+ >\ND ! CURVE ( ,M>Y'S ,/REET A FLAK+ ICE-BLUE ,VOLKSWAG5 WAS = A HE>TBEAT 9 BEGUIL+ CONTRA/ ) ! T(FEE FR+ES ( ! BURIAL GR\ND4 ,R\ND+ ! CORN] 9 ! JUDD]+ VEHICLE'S WAKE1 ,ALMA & ,MICK M\NT$ ! UNDEM&+ RUN ( /EPS &1 )\T NE$ = CONF]5CE1 AGRE$ TO P>K !IR AG+ ASSES ON ! SLAB-TOPP$ WALL B\ND+ ! *APEL'S S\!RN FACE4 

,IT WAS A LULL+ BEE-DRONE ( AN AFT]NOON DESPITE P]SI/5T VIOLAT$ SQUEAL+ FROM ! SMOKE DETECTORS1 N[ (F ON ! *UR*'S O!R SIDE & !RE=E EASI] TO IGNORE4 ,MICK TAPP$ A CIG>ETTE FROM HIS DEPLET$ PACK & ,ALMA PASS$ HIS LI<T] TO HIM )\T FUSS4 ,ITS WORK WAS DONE1 APP>5TLY4 ,AFT] A MOM5T1 GOAD$ BY ! FRONT-B> P]FUME ( H] BRO!R'S EXHALATIONS1 %E ELECT$ TO SP>K UP H] LA/ REMA9+ /ICK ( DREAM-SN\T & GOT HIM TO LI<T IT = H]1 LEAN+ 9 & HOLD+ BACK H] LOCKS LIKE PETTICOATS BESIDE A HE>?4 ,!Y SIPP$ !IR NEUROTOX9S 9 COMPANIONABLE SIL5CE = SOME LITTLE TIME BE=E ! SPEE*LESS Y\NG] SIBL+ ?\<T ( ANY?+ TO SAY4 

0,Y\R PICTURES1 ,W>RY1 :AT WE JU/ SAW4 ,!RE W]E LOTS ( ?+S ,I DON'T REMEMB] TELL+ Y\4 ,Y\'D TAK5 SOME CREATIVE LIC5SE1 ,I ?\<T1 H]E & !RE40 

,HIS SI/] SMIL$1 BECOM+ BRIEFLY RADIANT 9 SOME?+ O!R ?AN A CRACK$ REACTOR S5SE1 & CR9KL$ UP H] NOSE SELF-DEPRECAT+LY4 

0,YEAH4 ,YEAH1 ,I MADE MO/ ( IT UP1 BUT !N ,I DON'T SEE ?AT IT REALLY MATT]S :O HALLUC9AT$ :AT AS LONG AS ! REAL /ORY'S 9 !RE SOME:]E4 ,ANYWAY1 NOBODY'S EV] GO+ TO KN[ IT ISN'T :AT Y\ SAID TO ME4 ,IT'S Y\R WORD AGA9/ M9E & ,I'M AN 9T]/ELL> TREASURE40 

,MICK LAU<$ D[N HIS NOSE1 9 WRI?+ FRONDS ( VAPOR\S *9OIS]IE4 

0,& :AT'S ALL ?IS FANTA/IC NONS5SE GO+ TO ACCOMPLI%1 ,W>RY8 ,HAVE Y\ SOMEH[ SAV$ ! ,BOR\<S1 LIKE Y\ SAID ?AT Y\ W]E GO+ TO DO8 ,WILL !Y REBUILD IT H[ IT WAS :5 WE W]E *ILDR5 & NOT PUT UP ANY MORE ,DE/RUCTORS80 

,/ILL SMIL+1 ALBEIT N[ MORE RUEFULLY1 %E %OOK H] TRAIL+ WILL[-CANOPY ( HAIR4 

0,I'M NOT ! FAIRIES1 ,W>RY4 ,I IMAG9E ?AT ! ,BOR\<S WILL GO ON BE+ IGNOR$ UNTIL SOMEBODY COMES UP ) A HALF-BAK$ PLAN !Y ?9K MI<T TURN A PR(IT1 !N !Y'LL PL[ IT UND]1 PAVE IT OV]1 GET RID ( ! /REETS & ONLY LEAVE ! NAMES4 ,AS = 9C9]ATORS & DE/RUCTORS1 MY GUESS IS !Y'LL ROLL !M \T ACROSS ! C\NTRY4 ,IT'S ! *EAPE/1 DIRTIE/ WAY ( DO+ ?+S1 IT DOESN'T 9CONV5I5CE ANYONE :O VOTES OR MATT]S1 & :Y 9T]F]E ) GETT+ ON A HUNDR$ YE>S ( CROSS-,WE/M9/] POLICY8 ,!Y />T$ PULL+ ?IS PLACE D[N AFT] ! ,FIR/ ,WORLD ,W>1 MO/ PROBABLY BECAUSE ! ,RUSSIAN REVOLUTION HAD MADE KEEP+ ALL ( Y\R DISGRUNTL$ WORK]S 9 ONE PLACE LOOK LIKE A BAD IDEA4 ,!Y WON'T /OP N[40 

,AS FREQU5TLY OCCURR$ :5 %E WAS (F ON ONE1 ,ALMA'S NEGLECT$ REEF] HAD GONE \T4 ,ANTICIPAT+ H] REQUIREM5TS1 ,MICK RETRIEV$ ! LI<T] FROM HIS POCKET & ALL[$ H] TO SUCK ! EXT+UI%$ 5D ( H] HA%I% ,HAVANA BACK TO ANGRY RUBY LIFE1 :]EAFT] %E RESUM$ H] DIATRIBE4 

0,& EV5 IF !Y DID REBUILD IT1 D[N TO ! LA/ DOOR/EP1 ?AT W\LD JU/ BE HORRIBLE4 ,?AT W\LD JU/ DO = BUILD+S :AT ,9VASION ( ! ,BODY ,SNAT*]S DID = PEOPLE4 ,IT W\LD BE SOME SORT ( DEPRIVATION !ME-P>K4 ,UNLESS Y\ RE/ORE IT H[ IT WAS1 ) ALL ITS LIFE & ATMOSPH]ES 9TACT1 IT'S NOT WOR? BO!R+4 ,I'VE SAV$ ! ,BOR\<S1 ,W>RY1 BUT NOT H[ Y\ SAVE ! :ALE OR SAVE ! ,NATIONAL ,HEAL? ,S]VICE4 ,I'VE SAV$ IT ! WAY ?AT Y\ SAVE %IPS 9 BOTTLES4 ,IT'S ! ONLY PLAN ?AT WORKS4 ,SOON] OR LAT] ALL ! PEOPLE & ! PLACES ?AT WE LOV$ >E F9I%$1 & ! ONLY WAY TO KEEP !M SAFE IS >T4 ,?AT'S :AT >T'S =4 ,IT RESCUES EV]Y?+ FROM TIME40 

,!RE 9 ! ,MAY SKY OV] ,M>EFAIR & ,SA9T ,PET]'S A BLANCMANGE ( CUMULUS SET TO A SNOOZ+ RABBIT1 MOLD$ = A /RATOSPH]IC *ILDR5'S P>TY4 ,:ISP]$ W9D WA%$ FROM ,F> ,COTTON & ,MICK FELT ! BREEZE'S SK9 BRU%+ AGA9/ HIS [N AS IT POLITELY SLID >\ND HIM & CONT9U$ ) ITS NOR?B\ND J\RNEY4 ,HE WAS ?9K+ AB\T :AT HIS SI/] HAD JU/ SAID CONC]N+ ! IMPOSSIBILITY ( ANY?+ SAV+ AN >TS-&-LETT]S RESCUE OR RETRIEVAL = ! NEI<BORHOOD'S LO/ CAUSES :5 HE WAS REM9D$ ( ,B5 ,P]RIT'S POEM1 CREAS+ 9 HIS POCKET4 ,LEAN+ BACK AT A PREC>I\S ANGLE SO ?AT HE C\LD GET HIS H& 9TO ! TI<T-/RET*$ L95 M\? HE FI%$ IT \T & H&$ IT TO ,ALMA1 :O P]US$ IT ) A S(T5+ ( H] BELLIG]5T BR[ & !N1 REFOLD+ IT TO FIT 9 SOME COMP>TM5T ( H] [N PIPE-CLEAN] JEANS1 LOOK$ UP AT ,MICK4 

0,BLESS ?AT POOR1 SUFF]+ 9EBRIATE BUGG]1 BUT HE DOES A LOVELY POEM4 ,TRUE1 !Y'RE ALL AB\T SOME LOSS ?AT HE CAN'T GET PA/1 AL?\< IF HE C\LD HE'D HAVE NO NE$ TO WRITE4 ,OR DR9K4 ,I SOMETIMES ?9K ?AT LOSS IS ALL HE RUNS ON2 ?AT HE NEV] LOVES A ?+ SO MU* AS :5 ! :EELS HAVE FALL5 (F4 ,I HOPE ?AT HE'S ALRI<T4 ,I HOPE ?AT EV]YONE'S ALRI<T40 

,%E LAPS$ 9TO ANO!R R\ND ( CONC5TRAT$ PUFF+ ON H] SPLIFF 9 ORD] TO PREV5T IT GO+ \T AGA94 ,! RABBIT CL\D WAS N[ TWO SEP>ATE HAM/]S OV] ,PIKE ,LANE1 & ,MICK RISK$ A SIDEWAYS GLANCE AT HIS BIG SI/]4 

0,H[ IS ,B5 NOT BE+ ABLE TO GET PA/ HIS LOSS A DIFF]5T ?+ FROM H[ Y\ H&LE Y\RS80 

,ALMA TIPP$ BACK H] HEAD & SPAT A ?9 BEIGE G5IE AT ! UPTURN$ AZURE B[L ABOVE4 

0,BECAUSE :AT ,I'VE MADE1 ,W>RY1 IS A GLORI\S MY?OLOGY ( LOSS4 ,?AT BACK !RE WAS AN OLD] TE/AM5T1 A PAN!ON ( TRAMPS & KIDS ) NITS4 ,I'VE SQUEEZ$ ! BRICKS TILL !Y BL$ MIRACLES & FILL$ ! CRACKS ) LEG5DS1 ?AT'S :AT ,I'VE DONE4 ,I 4440 

,%E BROKE (F1 & A FIREWORKS NI<T ( M>VEL & DELI<T DECL>$ ITSELF ACROSS H] FACE4 

0,H]E1 DID ,I TELL Y\1 AB\T :AT ,ROME ,?OMPSON SAID1 ! ?+ AB\T ! MILL80 

,MICK'S BLANK LOOK WAS H] ANSW] & H] PROMPT TO PRESS 5?USIA/ICALLY AHEAD4 

0,IT'S ! GAS-HOLD] D[N ON ,TANN] ,/REET1 ! BACK ( :]E ,NAAN US$ TO LIVE4 ,ACCORD+ TO :AT ,ROME SAID1 BACK 9 ! TWELF? C5TURY IT US$ TO BE A CORN-MILL CALL$ '! ,M>VEL\S ,MILL'4 ,IF Y\ GO D[N BY ! RIV]1 UND]NEA? ! BRIDGE ) ALL ! BE] CANS & SYR+ES & DISEMB[EL$ H&BAGS1 Y\ CAN SEE !RE'S ! OLD /ONES ALONG ITS SIDES :I* US$ TO BE ! RACE ?AT P[]$ ! WAT]:EEL4 ,9 ! TWELVE-HUNDR$S IT WAS CLAIM$ BY ! MONKS ( ,SA9T ,&REW'S ,PRIORY1 :O CONTROLL$ ! O!R MILL 9 T[N & FIGUR$ ?AT !Y MI<T AS WELL RUN BO? ( !M4 ,!N1 9 ! SIXTE5? C5TURY ,H5RY ! ,EI<? DISSOLV$ ! MONA/]IES & [N]%IP REV]T$ BACK TO ! T[NSPEOPLE4 ,TWO HUNDR$ YE>S SAIL BY & NEXT ?+ ANYBODY KN[S IT'S ! SEV5TE5-HUNDR$S 4440 

,%E PAUS$ TO BREA! 91 AL?\< ONLY DRUGS4 

0#a#g#d#a1 !RE'S ?IS CONSORTIUM ( BUS9ESSM54 ,ONE ( !M'S ,DR4 ,JOHNSON1 :I* SUPPORTS MY !ORY ?AT FROM ,BUNYAN TO ,LUCIA ,JOYCE ?IS :OLE ?+ IS TO DO ) ! DEVELOPM5T ( ,5GLI% AS A VISION>Y LANGUAGE4 ,ANYWAY1 !Y BUY ! PLACE & TURN IT FROM A CORNMILL TO A COTTON MILL40 

,UNC]TA9 :AT :OLE ?+ HIS SI/] WAS REF]R+ TO1 & EV5 MORE UNSURE H[ ! DISCOV]] ( BABY-P[D] FITT$ 9TO ! SC5>IO1 ,MICK PURS$ HIS LIPS & M]ELY NODD$4 

0,!RE W]E COTTON MILLS 9 ,BIRM+HAM BY ?AT TIME1 TURN$ BY DONKEYS1 BUT ! ONE D[N ,TANN] ,/REET WAS ! FIR/ P[]-DRIV5 MILL ANY:]E 9 ! WORLD4 ,SO IT'S NOT JU/ ! CRUSADES & ! ,CROMWELLS4 ,! ,9DU/RIAL ,REVOLUTION KICK$ (F UP AT ! F> 5D ( ,GRE5 ,/REET4 ,AS Y\ MI<T EXPECT ! LOCAL COTTAGE 9DU/RIES W5T D[N LIKE N9EP9S1 AS W\LD HAPP5 EV]Y:]E OV] ! COM+ C5TURY4 ,! MILL HAD ?REE BIG COTTON LOOMS1 ALL WORK+ R\ND ! CLOCK ) NO EMPLOYES O!R ?AN SOME KIDS TO SWEEP ! CORN]S & TO MANAGE ! UNTANGL+ IF ! ME*ANISM SNAGG$40 

,MICK LI/5$1 ONLY P>TIALLY DI/RACT$ BY ! PORTLY & DIM9UTIVE =M LABOR+ UP ,*ALK ,LANE T[>DS !M1 :ITE HAIR CURL$ 9TO A HEAD ( FRO? ATOP UNUSUALLY PALLID /\T1 ! P9T ( CUCKOO SPIT !Y DRAW AFT] !Y'VE *ANG$ ! B>REL4 ,?9K+ TO HAVE PREVI\SLY SE5 ! SWELT]+ 9DIVIDUAL SOME:]E1 ,MICK AT LA/ DECID$ ?AT IT WAS ?AT C\NCILOR :O HAD A COLUMN 9 ! PAP]4 ,COCKIE1 WAS IT8 ,LIV$ D[N NE> ,BLACK ,LION ,HILL1 :I* W\LD EXPLA9 HIS PRES5CE 9 ,*ALK ,LANE4 ,AS HE APPROA*$ ! MAN REG>D$ ,ALMA & H] BRO!R ?R\< HIS P]*+ SPECTACLES ) VAGUE AFFRONT4 ,OBLIVI\S TO HIS PRES5CE1 ,ALMA C>RI$ ON H] N>RATIVE REG>DLESS4 

0,!N - & LI/51 ?IS IS BRILLIANT4 ,ADAM ,SMI?1 ! BLOKE :O'S ON ! TW5TIES1 ! ECONOMI/1 HE EI!R COMES & SEES ! MILL OR HE>S AB\T IT1 ) ITS LOOMS ALL WORK+ N9ETE5 TO ! DOZ5 & ITS %UTTLES :IZZ+ BACK & =? & NO ONE !RE1 AS ?\< IT W]E A FACTORY BE+ RUN BY <O/S4 ,HE ?9KS IT'S WOND]FUL1 TELLS EV]YBODY ?AT HE KN[S H[ IT'S AS ?\< A MASSIVE UNSE5 H& W]E GUID+ ALL ?IS FURI\S ME*ANICAL ACTIVITY1 SOME MANN] ( 9DU/RIAL ,ZEUS RA!R ?AN BASIC PR9CIPLES ( 5G9E]+4 ,IT'S :AT ALWAYS HAPP5S ) NEW SCI5CE 9 A RELIGI\S AGE1 LIKE ALL ( !SE HOLI/IC FIZZY WAT] MANUFACTUR]S :O BABBLE AB\T QUANTUM PHYSICS40 

,MICK1 :O F\ND BO? QUANTUM PHYSICS & EXP5SIVE FIZZY WAT] EQUALLY UNLIKELY CONCEPTS1 WAT*$ ! FAT MAN WADDLE BY !M ON !IR RI<T1 SEEM+LY HEAD$ = ! LI<TLY SMOLD]+ DAY NURS]Y4 ,BEH9D HIS L5SES CU/OM>ILY COMPLAC5T EYES REG>D$ ! PAIR SITT+ ON ! *UR* WALL ) SUSPICION AS HE B>REL$ PA/1 P>TICUL>LY ,ALMA :OM HE MORE ?AN LIKELY RECOGNIZ$4 ,EI!R UNBO!R$ BY HIS PRES5CE OR ELSE UNAW>E %E PRESS$ ON ) H] TALE EXCIT$LY4 

0,SO ,ADAM ,SMI?1 ) HIS HALF-BAK$ IDEA AB\T A HIDD5 H& ?AT WORKS ! COTTON LOOMS1 DECIDES TO USE ?AT AS HIS C5TRAL METAPHOR = UNRE/RA9$ ,FREE ,M>KET CAPITALISM4 ,Y\ DON'T NE$ TO REGULATE ! BANKS OR ! F9ANCI]S :5 !RE'S AN 9VISIBLE FIVE-F+]$ REGULATOR :O'S A BIT LIKE ,GOD TO MAKE SURE ?AT ! MONEY-LOOMS DON'T SN>E OR TANGLE4 ,?AT'S ! MONET>I/ MY/IC IDIOT-%IT1 ! VOODOO ECONOMICS ,RONALD ,REAGAN PUT HIS FAI? 91 & ?AT MIDDLE-CLASS DUNCE ,M>G>ET ,?AT*] :5 !Y *E]ILY D]EGULAT$ MO/ ( ! F9ANCIAL 9/ITUTIONS4 ,& ?AT'S :Y ! ,BOR\<S EXI/S1 ,ADAM ,SMI?'S IDEA4 ,?AT'S :Y ! LA/ FUCK KN[S H[ MANY G5]ATIONS ( ?IS FAMILY >E A TOILET QUEUE )\T A POT TO PISS 91 & ?AT'S :Y EV]YONE ?AT WE KN[ IS BROKE4 ,IT'S ALL !RE 9 ! CURR5T UND]NEA? ?AT BRIDGE D[N ,TANN] ,/REET4 ,?AT WAS ! FIR/ ONE1 ! FIR/ D>K1 SATANIC MILL40 

,A DOG B>K$1 AWAY ON !IR LEFT 9 ! VIC9ITY ( ,M>Y'S ,/REET1 ONE B>K1 !N ?REE1 !N SIL5CE4 ,NOT = ! FIR/ TIME S9CE GETT+ UP ?AT MORN+1 ,MICK FELT AN 5CROA*+ AIR ( /RANG5ESS4 ,!RE WAS SOME?+ GO+ ON1 SOME?+ UNSETTL+LY PRECISE 9 ITS FAMILI>ITY4 ,HAD ?IS HAPP5$ BE=E8 ,NOT SOME?+ LIKE ?IS BUT ?IS EXACT SITUATION1 ) HIS BUTTOCKS GO+ DEAD FROM ! /ONE WALL'S *ILL /RIK+ ?R\< ?9 TR\S]S4 ,FIR/ ONE B>K1 !N ?REE1 !N SIL5CE4 ,WASN'T !RE SOME?+ AB\T ,PICASSO1 OR HAD ?AT NOT HAPP5$ YET8 ,FL\ND]+ 9 ! DEJA VU1 HE HAD A FEEL+ ,ALMA WAS AB\T TO M5TION A GLASS FOOTBALL4 

0,W>RY1 S]I\SLY1 EV]Y:]E'S ,J]USALEM1 EV]Y:]E TRAMPL$ OR RUN D[N4 ,IF ,E9/E9'S RI<T1 !N SPACE & TIME >E ALL ONE ?+ & IT'S1 ,I DUNNO1 IT'S A BIG GLASS FOOTBALL1 AN ,AM]ICAN ONE LIKE A ,RUGBY BALL1 ) ! BIG BANG AT ONE 5D & ! BIG CRUN* OR :ATEV] AT ! O!R4 ,& ! MOM5TS 9 BETWE51 ! MOM5TS MAK+ UP \R LIVES1 !Y'RE !RE =EV]4 ,NO?+'S MOV+4 ,NO?+'S *ANG+1 LIKE A REEL ( FILM ) ALL ! FRAMES FIX$ 9 !IR PLACE & MOTIONLESS TILL ! PROJECTOR BEAM ( \R AW>5ESS PLAYS ACROSS !M1 & !N ,*>LIE ,*APL9 D(FS HIS B[L] HAT & GETS ! GIRL4 ,& :5 \R FILMS1 \R LIVES1 :5 !Y COME TO AN 5D ,I DON'T SEE ?AT !RE'S ANY:]E = CONSCI\SNESS TO GO BUT BACK TO ! BEG9N+4 ,EV]YBODY IS ON 5DLESS REPLAY4 ,EV]Y MOM5T IS =EV]1 & IF ?AT'S TRUE EV]Y MIS]ABLE WRET* IS ONE ( ! IMMORTALS4 ,EV]Y CLE>ANCE >EA IS ! ET]NAL GOLD5 CITY4 ,Y\ KN[1 IF ,I'D ?\<T TO PUT ?AT 9 A PROGRAM OR A BOOKLET AT ! EXHIBITION1 ,I SUPPOSE ?AT PEOPLE MI<T HAVE HAD MORE *ANCE ( WORK+ \T :AT ,I WAS ON AB\T4 ,AH1 WELL4 ,IT'S TOO LATE N[4 ,:AT'S DONE IS DONE1 & DONE JU/ ONE WAY = ALL TIME1 OV] & OV]40 

,CUE ! *UBBY C\NCILOR4 ,?IS ?\<T HAD JU/ OCCURR$ TO ,MICK1 BY N[ SLACK JAW$ & REEL+ ) RECURR5CE1 :5 ! :ITE-HAIR$ & :ITE-BE>D$ ,*RI/MAS BAUBLE RUMBL$ BACK D[N ,*ALK ,LANE & ONCE MORE 9TO !IR FIELD ( VIEW4 ,FROM HIS \TRAG$ EXPRESSION & ! FA9T WISPS ( *>R$ PAPI]-MA*E SMOG :I* WAFT$ !IR MALODOR\S T5DRILS AFT] HIM1 IT WAS APP>5T ?AT HE'D WITNESS$ ! EVACUAT$ NURS]Y & HAD V]Y PROBABLY GONE 9 TO SEE ! BURN$-\T MODEL ,BOR\<S AT FIR/ H&4 ,ALL ( A SUDD51 ,MICK KNEW D[N TO ! LA/ SYLLABLE EXACTLY :AT W\LD TRANSPIRE NEXT & H[ ,PABLO ,PICASSO HAD A P>T 9 IT4 ,IT WAS ?AT ANECDOTE1 ! FUNNY /ORY HE'D HE>D ,ALMA TELL AT LEA/ A HALF A DOZ5 TIMES1 AB\T :5 ,NAZIS VISIT$ ! >TI/'S ,P>IS /UDIO DUR+ ! OCCUPATION & CAME1 ) SOME DISMAY1 ON ,GU]NICA4 ,! HUFFY C\NCILOR WAS GO+ TO SAY ! SAME ?+ ?AT ! ,G]MAN (FIC]S HAD SAID ON ?AT OCCASION1 & ,MICK'S SI/] W\LD !N %AMELESSLY APPROPRIATE ! ,CUBI/ SEX-GNOME'S SPIRIT$ & MEMORABLE REPLY4 ,& !N ! DOG W\LD B>K AGA91 F\R TIMES4 ,SCALP T+L+1 ,MICK TOOK ANO!R TURN R\ND ON ! <O/ TRA94 

,/UBB+ H] ILLICIT FAG \T ON ! SLAB :]E %E WAS SITT+1 ,ALMA RAIS$ H] LESS-?AN-9T]E/$ GRAY & YELL[ GAZE 9 TIME TO NOTICE ! ROTUND =M] (FICIAL = ! FIR/ TIME4 ,NE> TO APOPLEXY HE RAIS$ HIS LEFT >M1 A TREMBL+ F+] PO9T+ BACK T[>DS ! DAYC>E C5T] :]E ! SMOKE AL>MS /ILL S\ND$1 & UNWITT+LY DELIV]$ ! ,GE/APO DIALOGUE REG>D+ ,GU]NICA4 

0,DID Y\ DO ?AT80 

,IT WAS ! P]FECT SET UP4 ,BEAM+ BEATIFICALLY1 HIS SI/] (F]$ UP H] PLAGI>IZ$ REPLY4 

0,NO4 ,Y\ DID40 

,BL9K+ DAZ$LY & )\T AN >TICULATE RESPONSE ! ]/:ILE C\NCIL LEAD] TRUNDL$ (F 9 ! DIRECTION ( ,M>EFAIR1 A HAYWIRE SN[BALL ?AT GOT SMALL] AS IT ROLL$ D[NHILL 9/EAD ( BIGG]4 ,FROM ,/4 ,M>Y'S ,/REET CAME ! PR$ICT$ CAN9E \TBUR/3 WO(1 WO(1 WO( & !N A FA9T PAUSE4 ,WO(4 

,DESPITE ! CLOCKWORK E]9ESS1 ,MICK F\ND ?AT HE WAS *ORTL+4 ,KICK+ H] HEELS BESIDE HIM1 NEV] ONE AFRAID TO LAU< AT H] [N /OL5 JOKES1 ,ALMA JO9$ 94 ,SOME:]E UPSLOPE BEH9D & RI<T ON S*$ULE1 SIR5S W]E APPROA*+ ?R\< ! /OPP$ /REETS ( A BROK5 HEAV54 

,A,C,K,N,[,L,$,G,M,5,T,S 

,:]E TO />T1 & :]E TO F9I%8 

,FIR/LY ,I MU/ ?ANK MY WIFE1 ! >TI/ & WRIT] ,MEL9DA ,GEBBIE1 :O'S BE5 ALMO/ AS 9TIMATELY 9VOLV$ ) ?IS BOOK AS ,I HAVE S9CE ITS BEG9N+S4 ,I ?9K ,I PROPOS$ TO H] JU/ BE=E COMM5C+ ! PROJECT1 & %E'S HAD ALMO/ EV]Y *APT] S9CE READ \T AL\D TO H]1 :E!R %E WANT$ IT OR NOT4 ,IT WAS H] TE*NICAL ADVICE ?AT FLE%$ \T ! TOOLS ( ,]NE/ ,V]NALL'S TRADE 9 *APT] ONE & ,ALMA ,W>R5'S CRAFT ?R\< ! REMA9D] ( ! NOVEL1 & MO/ ( ALL IT WAS H] BELIEF ?AT ?IS WORK WAS IMPORTANT & H] ALMO/-T5-YE>S ( 5C\RAGEM5T TO ?AT EFFECT ?AT HELP$ GIVE ME ! /AM9A TO COMPLETE IT4 ,?ANK Y\ SO MU*1 D>L+4 ,)\T Y\1 ,I D\BT V]Y MU* !RE'D BE A BOOK REQUIR+ !SE ACKN[L$GM5TS4 

,ALMO/ AS IMPORTANTLY1 ,I MU/ (F] MY DEEPE/ GRATITUDE TO ,/EVE ,MOORE1 EV5 ?\< HE'S NO LONG] >\ND TO RECEIVE IT4 ,/EVE COMPLET$ HIS 9VALUABLE 9ITIAL $IT ( ,J]USALEM'S FIR/ ?IRD - MEMORABLY 9CLUD+ ! /YLI/IC CRITIQUE 0,UG<H0 9 R$ P5 9 ! M>G9S2 M]CIFULLY1 ,I =GET JU/ :]E - & BR\<T HIS DAZZL+ 9TELLECT TO ALL \R =MATIVE DISCUSSIONS ( ! VIEW ( TIME :I* WE LAT] DISCOV]$ TO BE CALL$ ,ET]NALISM1 BY :I* PO9T WE'D BO? LONG S9CE CONV]T$ TO ?AT DOCTR9E4 ,IF ?IS BOOK'S C5TRAL IDEA IS CORRECT 7& GIV5 PHYSICI/ ,FAY ,D[K]'S CURR5T RESE>*ES 9TO AN ALT]NATIVE HYPO!SIS1 IT'S AT LEA/ FALSIFIABLE & TE/ABLE7 !N ,/EVE IS CURR5TLY APPROA*+ HIS SECOND BIR?DAY 9 A LEAFY CLOSE ON ,%OOT]S ,HILL 9 #a#i#e#a4 ,?ANKS AGA9 = EV]Y?+1 MATE1 & ALL BE+ WELL ,I'LL RUN 9TO Y\ AGA9 9 R\<LY N9ETE5 YE>S1 Y\R TIME4 

,/EVE'S ABRUPT DECISION TO PUT \R !ORY TO ! TE/ 9 ,M>* #bad 7SOME PEOPLE - Y\ PAY !M AN ADVANCE TO $IT Y\R GIGANTIC NOVEL1 & !N Y\ NEV] SEE !M AGA97 MEANT ?AT ,I HAD TO F9D A SELECTION ( O!R $ITORS & PRO(READ]S :O W]5'T SC>$ ( ME4 ,FIR/ & =EMO/ AMONG !SE WAS ! POET1 AU?OR1 $ITOR & COM$IAN ,BOND1 ,DONNA ,BOND4 ,DONNA $IT$ ! :OLE BOOK1 TOOK ME TO TASK SEV]AL TIMES = MY MISUSE ( ! WORD 'C>E5' - APP>5TLY IT'S A T]M SPECIFIC TO ! PRACTICE ( OV]TURN+ A %IP 9 ORD] TO SCRAPE ! B>NACLES FROM ITS HULL1 BUT :O C\LD HAVE KN[N8 - & EV5 SOMEH[ NOTIC$ A C\PLE ( TYPOS 9 ! IMP5ETRABLY MADE-UP MESS ( *APT] TW5TY-FIVE4 ,?ANKS1 ,DONNA1 = DO+ SU* A METICUL\S JOB ( 

SOME?+ ?AT ,I DIDN'T HAVE ! N]VE1 FOCUS OR KN[L$GE ( OBSCURE NAVAL T]M9OLOGY TO FACE ON MY [N4 ,! NEXT PASS AT ! $IT+ FELL TO MY FRI5DS1 ! WRIT]S ,JOHN ,HIGGS & ,ALI ,FRUI%4 ,JOHN SPOTT$ A FEW ?+S1 BUT WAS MO/LY 9VALUABLE 9 GIV+ ME HIS TYPICALLY ILLUM9AT+ REACTION TO ! BOOK AS A :OLE1 & = WRIT+ AN APPRECIATION ?AT MADE ,J]USALEM S\ND LIKE SOME?+ ,I MI<T ACTUALLY WANT TO READ4 ,ALI1 9 BETWE5 HIS NUM]\S SPELLS 9 PRISON 7HE'S A WRIT] 9 RESID5CE1 ?\< ,I 5JOY MAK+ HIM S\ND LIKE A MURD]\S DRIFT]71 NOT ONLY GAVE ME SOME USEFUL PO9T]S ON CRACK ETIQUETTE BUT HAD1 ?R\<\T MY WRIT+ ( ! BOOK1 BE5 DIGG+ UP GEMS ( RESE>* ?AT TURN$ \T TO BE ! NOVEL'S MAK+3 HE AL]T$ ME TO ,JAMES ,H]VEY'S LOCAL PROV5ANCE1 & PROVID$ ! F9AL1 NECESS>Y REVELATIONS AB\T ! ,GAS ,/REET ORIG9S ( FREE-M>KET CAPITALISM & ! ,9DU/RIAL ,REVOLUTION4 ,TO BO? ( !SE G5TLEM51 S*OL>S & ACROBATS ,I AM GREATLY 9DEBT$4 

,LIKEWISE BE+ ( IMM5SE ASSI/ANCE 9 ! PRODUCTION ( ?IS BEHEMO?1 MY ?ANKS >E ALSO DUE TO MY COMRADE1 H5*MAN & HIR$ GOON1 ! OMNI-COMPET5T ,JOE ,BR[N4 ,JOE PUT ME 9 T\* ) ,DONNA ,BOND1 S]V$ UP %EAVES ( OBSCURE REF]5CE MAT]IAL AT MY EV]Y DELIRI\S :IM &1 MO/ ( ALL1 BURN$ D[N A MON? ( HIS LIFE 9 COLOR+ & MAK+ 9TELLIGIBLE MY SMUDG$ GRAY B$LAM ( A COV] ILLU/RATION4 ,&1 IF Y\ HOLD Y\R E> CLOSE 5\< TO ! PAGE1 HE ALSO WROTE ! MUSIC TO ! SONG AUDIBLE DUR+ ! CLOS+ SC5ES ( *APT] TW5TY-FIVE4 ,JOE1 ,I DON'T KN[ :AT ,I W\LD DO )\T Y\1 BUT ,I'M CONFID5T ,I'D BE DO+ IT MU* MORE SL[LY & DISPLAY+ A F> HI<] LEVEL ( IGNORANCE4 ,:ILE ON ! SUBJECT ( PRODUCTION1 ,I'D ALSO LIKE TO ?ANK ,TONY ,B5NETT AT ,KNOCKAB\T - = HIS SUPPORT1 HIS W>M 5?USIASM & HIS OCCASIONAL B\TS ( BE+ PRESS$ 9TO S]VICE AS W]EWOLF-WRANGL] IF ,I'VE HAD TO DEAL ) ANY?+ TOO E>LY 9 ! MORN+ - & ! F9E PEOPLE AT ,LIV]I<T ,PUBLI%+ = BR++ !IR USUAL IMPECCABLE POLI% & DISCRIM9ATION TO BE> UPON ! F9I%$ >TICLE4 ,&1 ( C\RSE1 ANYBODY ALONG ! WAY ?AT ,I'VE LEFT \T4 ,!RE HAVE BE5 A MULTITUDE ( PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE = BUILD+ ,J]USALEM1 & ,I'M GRATEFUL TO EV]Y ONE ( !M4 

,A SPECIAL %\T-\T IS DUE TO MY PAL ! SUBLIME ,JOHN ,C\L?>T = HIS MESM]IZ+ MULTI-P]IOD ISOMORPHIC MAP ( ! ,BOR\<S1 = DO+ ALL ?AT LOV+ & PA9/AK+ RESE>*1 & = BE+ ! ONLY P]SON ,I C\LD TALK TO AB\T ! M9D-&-EYE-DE/ROY+ OBSESSIVE MADNESS ?AT COMES ) DRAW+ HUNDR$S ( ECC5TRICALLY-ANGL$ RO(TOPS & *IMNEYPOTS4 ,?ANKS1 ,JOHN1 & ,I HOPE ?AT Y\'RE RECUP]AT+ 9 A WORLD ( SC9TILLANT COLOR ?AT IS WR\<T FROM NO?+ SAVE ORGANIC %APES & PSY*$ELIC >ABESQUES4 ,= ! PHOTOGRAPHS HEAD+ ! BOOK'S ?REE MOVEM5TS1 ,I HAVE ONCE AGA9 TO ?ANK ,JOE ,BR[N = HIS IMAGE MANIPULATION SKILLS 9 ! MONTAGE ( ! ,DE/RUCTOR LOOM+ OV] ,BRI/OL ,/REET 7NO CLE> AVAILABLE IMAGES EXI/$ ( ! LOCAL *IMNEY/ACK1 NECESSITAT+ ! IMPORT ( AN ID5TICAL MODEL FROM1 APPROPRIATELY 5\<1 ,BLACKBURN71 & MY COLLEAGUE ! DIAMOND-EY$ ,MIT* ,J5K9S = HIS PHOTOGRAPHS ( ! ,>*ANGEL ,MI*AEL ) SNOOK]-CUE 7SOME MOD]N ANTI-PIGEON SPIKES W]E AIRBRU%$ \T1 9 ACCORDANCE ) ! BOOK'S G5]ALLY PRO-PIGEON S5SIBILITIES71 & ( ?AT DOOR HALFWAY UP ! WALL ( ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR* ) ITS 9EXPLICABLE BOLT ON ! \TSIDE4 ,Y\R EVID5CE ?AT NOT ALL ( ?IS IS 9V5T$ WAS GRATEFULLY RECEIV$4 

,I %\LD ALSO LIKE TO ?ANK ,IA9 ,S9CLAIR & ,MI*AEL ,MOORCOCK = !IR CONT9U+ FRI5D%IP1 9SPIRATION & 5C\RAGEM5T - OR ELOQU5T NAGG+ - REG>D+ ?IS NOVEL1 & APOLOGIZE TO !M & ANYONE ELSE :O'S BE5 CALL$ UPON TO AB&ON !IR FAMILIES & READ IT1 :I* ,I KN[ 9CLUDES MY VA/LY KN[L$GEABLE BUT PHYSICALLY FRAIL PAL ,ROB9 ,9CE1 :O REPORTS ?AT HE & HIS PO/MAN >E BO? N[ DISA/R\SLY RUPTUR$4 ,I MU/ ALSO M5TION MY OLD FRI5D & ACCOMPLICE ,RI*>D ,=EMAN1 ONE ( ! COAU?ORS ( ! EXCELL5T ,NOR?AMPTON ,>TS ,DEVELOPM5T PUBLICATION ,9 ,LIV+ ,MEMORY1 :]E ,I F\ND SOME EXOTIC DETAILS ( ,BOR\<S LIFE ?AT HAD MANAG$ TO ESCAPE MY ATT5TION DUR+ MY UPBR++1 & )\T :I* ,J]USALEM W\LD BE MISS+ SOME ( ITS BE/ /ORIES & *>ACT]S4 ,A SWEEP ( ! SOMBR]O 9 Y\R DIRECTION1 G5TS4 

,) EV]YONE ACKN[L$G$ :O HAS BE5 P>T ( ! CREAT+ ( ?IS NOVEL 7,I ?9K71 ,I MU/ N[ TURN TO ?OSE PEOPLE :O HAVE HAD !IR LIVES & ID5TITIES PLUND]$ & DI/ORT$ TO PROVIDE ITS CONT5TS4 ,=EMO/ AMONG !SE1 OBVI\SLY1 IS MY Y\NG]1 SUPPOS$LY BETT] LOOK+1 BUT F>1 F> %ALL[] BRO!R ,MIKE1 SO LACK+ 9 DEP? ?AT HE SIGN$ HIS S\L AWAY TO ME1 AG$ TWELVE1 DUR+ A GAME ( ,MONOPOLY ?AT WAS GO+ BADLY = HIM4 ,I /ILL HAVE IT4 ,I ?ANK HIM = ! MEMORABLE 9DU/RIAL ACCID5TS & NE>-DEA? EXP]I5CES ?AT HAVE MADE ?IS BOOK SO MU* FUN1 & ALSO ?ANK MY SI/]-9-LAW ,C>OL & MY NEPHEWS ,JAKE & ,JOE 7ONE ( :OSE NAMES ,I *ANG$ & ONE ( :OSE ,I DIDN'T1 = NO EXPLICABLE REASON7 = !IR SUPPORT+ CAMEOS4 ,& TO ALL ! RE/ ( MY F>-FLUNG FAMILY MEMB]S1 LIV+ & DEAD1 ?ANK Y\ = PROVID+ ME ) SU* RI* SUB/ANCE1 & ALSO = ANY *ROMOSOMES Y\ MAY HAVE CONTRIBUT$4 ,P>TICUL> ?ANKS GO TO MY C\S9 ,JACQUIE ,MAH\T 7! >TY1 BOHEMIAN ONE :O M>RI$ A ,FR5* COMMUNI/7 = ALL ( ! MO/ />TL+ FRAGM5TS ( FAMILY HI/ORY 9CLUD$ H]E1 ?\< EV5 %E HAD NO IDEA :]E ,I'D GOT ,MAD ,AUNT ,?URSA FROM4 

,HUGE ACKN[L$GM5TS & P]HAPS APOLOGIES GO TO ALL ( ! NON-RELATIVES :O HAVE BE5 TRAVE/I$ H]E91 USUALLY )\T !IR P]MISSION OR KN[L$GE1 ESPECIALLY ?OSE :OM ,I'VE GROSSLY MISREPRES5T$ )\T EV5 GO+ TO ! TR\BLE ( *ANG+ !IR NAMES4 ,! ACTOR ,ROB]T ,GOODMAN1 :O 9 REAL LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL 9 M9D1 BODY & S\L1 PROBABLY TOPS ! LI/ H]E1 AL?\< ,MEL9DA ,GEBBIE & ,LUCY ,LIS[IEC MAY ALSO WI% TO CONSULT !IR LAWY]S4 ,! SAME GRATITUDE1 & ! SAME SQUIRM+ DISCLAIM]S1 GO TO MY FRI5DS ,DONALD ,DAVIES2 ,NORMAN ,ADAMS & ,NEIL2 ,DOM9IC ,ALL>D 7& HIS LATE MO!R ,AUDREY72 ! LATE1 GREAT ,TOM ,HALL & ALL :O SAIL$ 9 HIM2 ,/EPH5 0,F]D0 ,RYAN1 :O ,I HOPE HANGS ON LONG 5\< TO READ ?IS1 & HIS LATE MO!R ,PHYLLIS ,RYAN1 NEE ,D5TON1 :O S]V$ ME TEA & BISCUITS & GAVE ME ! 5TIRETY ( ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] FROM H] BOA ( DECOMPOS+ RABBITS TO ! ,COMPTON ,/REET ,GIRLS M>*+ SONG4 ,!SE >E ALL LOVELY PEOPLE1 & ANY P]CEIV$ FLAWS TO !IR *>ACT]S AS PRES5T$ H]E >E 5TIRELY ?OSE ( ! AU?OR4 

,O!RWISE UNM5TION$ 9 ,J]USALEM1 = PROVID+ A MAJOR P>T ( ?IS NOVEL'S MOTIVATION1 ,I %\LD LIKE TO ?ANK MY WOND]FUL DAU<T]S1 ,LEAH & ,AMB] 7ALONG ) !IR EQUALLY WOND]FUL P>TN]S1 ,JOHN & ,ROBO71 & P>TICUL>LY MY A/ONI%+ GR&SONS ,$DIE1 ,JAMES1 ,JOSEPH & ,R[AN4 ,Y\R NANA ,MEL9DA CALL$ ?IS BOOK 0A G5ETIC MY?OLOGY01 & = BETT] OR WORSE IT'S P>T ( Y\RS1 TOO4 ,:ILE ,I'M SURE ?AT ! FUTURE Y\'RE RUNN+ 9TO ! BREAK]S ( WILL BE AS /RANGE AS ANY?+ 9 ?IS BOOK1 REMEMB] ?AT ?IS IS ! PECULI> L&SCAPE A BIT ( Y\ CAME FROM1 & ?AT ALONG ) EV]YBODY & EV]Y?+ Y\'VE EV] C>$ AB\T1 WE'RE ALL /ILL !RE 9 ,J]USALEM4 

,I ?ANK ! DEAF1 MUTE /ONES ( :AT IS LEFT ( ! ,BOR\<S = ALL ( ! WORK ?AT !Y HAVE DONE ACROSS ! C5TURIES1 & ALL ?AT !Y HAVE BORNE4 ,:5 !Y AT LA/ SLUMP1 EXHAU/$1 9TO ! DU/Y SLEEP ( RUBBLE1 ,I HOPE ?AT ?IS MAY S]VE !M AS AN 5T]TA9+1 V9DICAT+ DREAM4 

,& LA/LY ,I ?ANK BO? ! ,MEAN+FUL ,CONCEPT ( ,DEA? & ! ,5GLI% ,NOVEL = HAV+ BE5 SU* ?OR\<LY GOOD SPORTS AB\T ALL ?IS4 ,Y\ GUYS >E ! GREATE/4 

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

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#d1 #bba 3 ,AFT]LUDE -- ,ADD$4 

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