,BOOK #a1 ,*APT] #a 
,A ,HO/ ( ,ANGLES 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

,BOOK ,ONE3 ,! ,B,O,R,\,<,S 

,HE .<,LUDWIG ,WITTG5/E9.> ONCE GREET$ ME ) ! QUE/ION3 0,:Y DO PEOPLE SAY ?AT IT WAS NATURAL TO ?9K ?AT ! SUN W5T R\ND ! E>? RA!R ?AN ?AT ! E>? TURN$ ON ITS AXIS80 ,I REPLI$3 0,I SUPPOSE1 BECAUSE IT LOOK$ AS IF ! SUN W5T R\ND ! E>?40 0,WELL10 HE ASK$1 0:AT W\LD IT HAVE LOOK$ LIKE IF IT HAD LOOK$ AS IF ! E>? TURN$ ON ITS AXIS80 

--,ELIZABE? ,ANSCOMBE1 
,AN ,9TRODUCTION TO ,WITTG5/E9'S ,TRACTATUS 

,A ,H,O,/ ,( ,A,N,G,L,E,S 

,IT WAS ! MORN+ ( ,OCTOB] #g?1 #a#h#f#e4 ,! RA9 & ITS ACCOMPANY+ LI<T W]E F\L AGA9/ ! SQU9TY ATTIC W9D[ AS ,]N ,V]NALL WOKE TO HIS LA/ DAY ( SANITY4 

,D[N/AIRS ! LATE/ BABY WAIL$ & HE HE>D HIS WIFE ,ANNE ALREADY UP & %\T+ AT !IR ,JOHN1 ! TWO-YE>-OLD4 ,! BLANKETS & ! BOL/]1 BO? 9H]IT$ FROM ,ANNE'S DEAD P>5TS1 W]E A RANK 5TANGLEM5T ) ,]NE/'S FOOT SNAGG$ 9 A HOLE ?R\< ! TOP %EET4 ,! B$D+ SMELL$ ( SWEAT1 9FREQU5T SP5D+S1 F>TS1 ( HIM & ( HIS LIFE !RE 9 ! %ACKS ( ,LAMBE?1 & ITS ODOR ROSE AB\T HIM LIKE RESIGN$ & DISMAL MUSIC AS HE KNUCKL$ GUM FROM B>ELY-OP5 EYES & R\S$ HIMSELF1 ALREADY BRAC+ TO RECEIVE ! B\LD] ( ! WORLD4 

,FEEL+ A PANG B5EA? HIS LEFT BREA/ ?AT HE HOP$ WAS HIS DIGE/ION1 HE SAT UP &1 AFT] EXTRICAT+ ONE FROM ! TORN B$CLO!S1 PLAC$ BO? NAK$ FEET UPON ! HOMEMADE RUG BESIDE HIS COT4 ,= JU/ A MOM5T ,]N LUXURIAT$ 9 ! TUFT$ SCRAPS ( KNITT+ WOOL BETWE5 HIS TOES !N /OOD UP1 ) A GROAN ( PROTE/ FROM ! B$/EAD4 ,BLE>ILY HE TURN$ HIMSELF AB\T TO FACE ! MESS ( *>COAL >MY BLANKET & SLIPP$ C\NT]PANE BEL[ :I* HE HAD UNTIL REC5TLY BE5 SNOR+1 & !N KNEEL$ UPON ! V>IEGAT$ B$SIDE MAT AS IF TO SAY HIS PRAY]S1 ! WAY HE'D LA/ DONE AS A SEV5-YE>-OLD *ILD A QU>T]-C5TURY AGO4 

,HE REA*$ BO? H&S 9TO ! D>KNESS UND]NEA? ! B$ & C>EFULLY SLID \T A SLOPP+ J]RY OV] ! B>E FLOORBO>DS1 SETT+ IT BE=E HIM LIKE A PAUP]'S FONT4 ,HE FUMBL$ = HIS OLD MAN 9 ! IT*Y V5T ( ! GRAY FLANNEL LONG JOHNS1 />+ DULLY 9TO ! SI5NA & BLOOD-ORANGE POOL ALREADY /EW+ 9 ITS *IP-TOO!D *9A POT1 & MADE AN EF=T TO RECALL IF HE'D HAD ANY DREAMS4 ,AS HE UNLEA%$ A /AIR-ROD RIGID JET ( PISS AT ! HALF-FULL RECEPTACLE HE ?\<T ?AT HE REMEMB]$ SOME?+ AB\T WORK+ AS AN ACTOR1 LURK+ BACK/AGE AT A MELODRAMA OR A <O/-TALE ( SOME K9D4 ,! DRAMA1 AS IT N[ CAME BACK TO HIM1 HAD BE5 AB\T A HAUNT$ *APEL1 & ! ROGUE ?AT HE WAS PLAY+ HAD TO HIDE BEH9D ONE ( ?OSE PORTRAITS ) ! EYES CUT \T1 SU* AS Y\ (T5 F\ND 9 ?AT SORT ( AFFAIR4 ,HE WASN'T SPY+1 ?\<1 BUT RA!R TALK+ ?R\< ! PICTURE 9 A JOKEY FRI<T5+ VOICE1 TO SC>E ! FELL[ ON ! O!R SIDE ?AT HE WAS LOOK+ AT1 & MAKE HIM ?9K IT WAS A MAGIC PA9T+4 ,?IS *AP ?AT HE'D PLAY$ ! TRICK ON 9 ! DREAM HAD BE5 SO RATTL$ ?AT ,]N F\ND HIMSELF /ILL *UCKL+ AT IT 9 MID-/REAM AS HE KNELT BY ! B$4 

,N[ HE'D ?\<T MORE ON IT1 HE WASN'T SURE IF IT WAS A !ATRICAL P]=MANCE ?AT HE'D DREAM$ AB\T OR A REAL PRANK PLAY$ ON A REAL MAN4 ,HE HAD ! S5SE1 /ILL1 ?AT HE'D BE5 BEH9D ! SC5]Y ( A PANTOMIME1 DELIV]+ L9ES AS ! EMPLOYEE ( A REP]TORY COMPANY ( SORTS1 BUT DIDN'T ?9K N[ ?AT ! VICTIM ( ! GAG HAD ALSO BE5 AN ACTOR4 ,A :ITE-HAIR$ OLD P5SION] BUT /ILL Y\NG-LOOK+ 9 HIS FACE1 HE'D SEEM$ SO TRULY T]RIFI$ BY ! 5*ANT$ DAUB+ ?AT ,]N HAD FELT SORRY = HIM & HAD :ISP]$ AN ASIDE FROM !RE BEH9D ! CANVAS1 TELL+ ! POOR BEGG> ?AT HE SYMPA?IZ$1 & ?AT ,]N KNEW ?IS W\LD BE V]Y H>D = HIM4 ,]N HAD !N GONE ON TO RECITE ! L9ES \T ( ! PLAY ?AT HE APP>5TLY HAD LE>N$ BY HE>T1 BLOODCURDL+ /UFF HE HADN'T REALLY UND]/OOD & WAS UNABLE N[ TO BR+ TO M9D1 EXCEPT ?AT P>T ( IT1 HE ?\<T1 WAS AB\T LI<TN+1 & !RE WAS ANO!R BIT CONC]N+ SUMS & MASONRY4 ,HE'D EI!R WOK5 AT ?IS PO9T1 OR ELSE C\LD NOT N[ RECOLLECT ! /ORY'S 5D4 ,IT WASN'T LIKE HE PLAC$ A LOT ( /OCK 9 DREAMS AS O!RS DID1 AS HIS DAD ,JOHN HAD DONE1 BUT MORE ?AT !Y W]E (T5 SMA%+ 5T]TA9M5T ?AT CO/ NO?+ & !RE WASN'T MU* Y\ C\LD SAY ?AT AB\T4 

,%AK+ ! LA/ FEW DROPS FROM (F ! 5D HE LOOK$ D[N 9 SURPRISE AT ! GREAT HEAD ( /EAM ?AT BRIMM$ ABOVE ! PO1 BELAT$LY APPRIZ$ ( JU/ H[ ICY ! ,OCTOB] G>RET WAS4 

,PU%+ ! N[-W>M$ VESSEL BACK UND] ! B$-BO>DS HE ROSE TO HIS FEET & MADE HIS CREAK+ WAY ACROSS ! ATTIC TO AN HEIRLOOM WA%/& BY ! F> WALL OPPOSITE ! W9D[4 ,B5D+ TO ACCOMMODATE ! %>P DECL9E 9 HEADROOM AT ! L(T-ROOM'S $GES1 ,]N P\R$ SOME COLD WAT] FROM HIS MAM'S JUG ) ! PICTURE ( A MILKMAID ON 9TO ! RU/Y-RIMM$ 5AMEL WA%B[L1 SPLA%+ IT ) CUPP$ H&S ON HIS FACE1 RUFFL+ HIS LIPS & BL[+ LIKE A HORSE AT ! A/R+5T BITE ( IT4 ,! BRISK R9SE TURN$ HIS MUTTON-*OPS FROM >ID1 FI]Y SCRUB TO FRE%LY-WAT]$ R+LET FRONDS1 DRIPP+ BEL[ HIS JUTT+ E>S4 ,HE RUBB$ HIS FACE DRY ) A L95 T[EL1 !N = A :ILE LOOK$ ON ITS FA9T REFLECTION ?AT GAZ$ FROM ! %ALL[ PUDDLE 9 ! B[L4 ,CRAGGY & LEAN ) /RAGGL+ WISPS ( PEPP] AT ! BR[1 HE C\LD SEE 9 ITS E>LY COMIC L9ES ! DOLEFUL CRACKS & SEAMS ( H[ ,]N ?\<T HE MI<T APPE> 9 LAT] LIFE1 A SCRAWNY TABBY 9 A ?UND]/ORM4 

,HE DRESS$1 ! FRAY+ CLO!S *ILL$ SO ?AT !Y FELT DAMP :5 FIR/ HE PUT !M ON1 & !N CLIMB$ FROM ! ATTIC TO ! L[] REA*ES ( HIS MO!R'S H\SE1 CLAMB]+ BACKW>D D[N P9*$ /EPS ?AT W]E SO /EEP ?AT !Y REQUIR$ ONE'S H&S TO M\NT OR TO DESC5D1 AS ) A LADD] OR A QU>RY FACE4 ,HE TRI$ TO CREEP ACROSS ! L&+ PA/ ! DOORWAY ( HIS MOM'S ROOM & D[N/AIRS BE=E %E HE>D HIM1 BUT HIS LUCK WAS \T4 ,A C[]+1 CURTA9-TWIT*+ T5ANT :5 ! R5T-MAN CALL$1 HIS LUCK WAS ALWAYS \T4 

0,]NE/80 

,HIS MOM'S VOICE1 LIKE A GR& 9DU/RIAL 5G9E ?AT HAD FALL5 9TO DISREPAIR /OPP$ ,]N DEAD ) ONE H& ON ! R\ND KNOB ( ! TOP BANI/]4 ,HE TURN$ TO FACE HIS MO!R ?R\< ! OP5 DOOR ?AT L$ 9TO H] B$ROOM ) ITS SMELL ( %IT & ROSEWAT] MORE SICKLY ?AN ! SMELL ( %IT ALONE4 ,/ILL 9 A NI<TG[N ) H] ?9N+ HAIR 9 P9S1 ,MOM /OOP$ BESIDE H] NI<T/& EMPTY+ H] [N ROOM'S *AMB] POT 9 A Z9C BUCKET1 AFT] :I* %E W\LD GO ON TO MAKE ! R\NDS ( BO? ! NIPP]S' ROOM & HIS & ,ANNIE'S QU>T]S1 EMPTY+ !IRS AS WELL & !N LAT] DEPOSIT+ ! :OLE LOT 9 ! PRIVY AT ! BOTTOM ( !IR Y>D4 ,]NE/ ,JOHN ,V]NALL WAS A MAN ( ?IRTY-TWO1 A WIRY MAN ) A FI]CE TEMP] :OM Y\ W\LDN'T SEEK AS AN OPPON5T 9 A FI<T1 ) WIFE & *ILDR51 ) A TRADE :]E HE WAS QUIETLY RESPECT$1 BUT HE SCUFF$ HIS BOOTS AGA9/ ! V>NI%$ SKIRT+ LIKE A BOY B5EA? HIS MO!R'S SCORNFUL1 DISAPPO9T$ FR[N4 

0,>E Y\ 9 WORK TODAY1 'CAUSE ,I %ALL 'AVE TO BE ALONG ! PAWN %OP IF Y\'RE NOT4 ,?AT LITTLE GIRL WON'T FE$ ']SELF & Y\R ,ANNE'S LIKE A SLEEVE-BO>D4 ,%E CAN'T FE$ 'EM1 BABY ,?URSA OR Y\R ,JOHN40 

,]N BOBB$ HIS HEAD & GLANC$ AWAY1 D[N TO ! WORN1 FLYPAP]-COLOR$ C>PET COV]+ ! L&+ FROM ITS /AIR-HEAD TO HIS ATTIC DOOR4 

0,I'VE GOT WORK ALL ?IS WEEK UP AT ,/4 ,PAUL'S BUT %AN'T BE PAID 'TIL ,FRIDAY4 ,IF !RE'S ANY?+ Y\'VE HOCK$ ,I'LL GET IT BACK !N1 :5 ,I'VE 'AD ME E>N+S40 

,%E LOOK$ TO ONE SIDE & %OOK H] HEAD DISMISSIVELY1 !N W5T BACK TO DECANT+ ! /ALE GOLD5 LIQUID NOISILY 9TO H] BUCKET4 ,FEEL+ SCOLD$1 ,]N HUN*$ D[N ! /AIRS 9TO ! PEEL+ UMB] ( ! PASSAGEWAY1 !N LEFT & ?R\< A DOOR 9TO ! CRAMP$ FUG ( ! LIV+ ROOM1 :]E ,ANNIE HAD A FIRE LIT 9 ! GRATE4 ,CR\*+ BESIDE ! BABY'S *AIR & TRY+ TO GET H] TO TAKE W>M$-UP C['S MILK FROM A BOTTLE MEANT = G+] ALE ?AT !Y'D ADAPT$1 ,ANNIE B>ELY RAIS$ H] HEAD AS ,]N 5T]$ ! ROOM BEH9D H]4 ,ONLY !IR LAD ,JOHN LOOK$ UP FROM :]E HE SAT MAK+ A PIG'S E> ( HIS PORRIDGE BY ! HE>?1 ACKN[L$G+ HIS FA!R'S PRES5CE )\T SMIL+4 

0,!RE'S SOME FRI$ BREAD DO+ 9 ! KIT*5 Y\ CAN 'AVE = BREAKFA/1 BUT ,I DON'T KN[ :AT !RE'LL BE :5 Y\ GET 'OME4 ,COME ON1 JU/ TAKE A SPOT O' MILK TO PLEASE Y\R MAM40 

,?IS LA/ REM>K ,ANNE HAD DIRECT$ AT !IR DAU<T]1 ,?URSA1 :O WAS /ILL R$-FAC$ & RO>+1 TURN+ ) DET]M9ATION FROM ! WEA!R$ RUBB] TEAT AS ,]N'S WIFE TRI$ TO /E] IT 9 BETWE5 ! BABY'S Y[L+ LIPS4 ,IT WAS A LITTLE AFT] SEV5 9 ! MORN+1 SO ?AT ! D>K-PAP]$ CUDDLE ( ! ROOM WAS MO/LY /ILL 9 %AD[1 ) ! BURNI%$ BRONZE GL[ FROM ITS FIREPLACE TURN+ Y\NG ,JOHN'S HAIR TO SMELT$ METAL1 GLEAM+ ON ! BABY'S TE>-TRACK$ *EEK & PA9T+ HALF HIS WIFE'S DRAWN FACE ) LI<T LIKE DRIPP+4 

,]N W5T ?R\< & D[N TWO /EPS 9TO ! N>R[-%\LD]$ KIT*51 ITS UNEV5 :ITEWA%$ WALLS CR[D+ & SPECTRAL 9 ! DAYBREAK GLOOM1 A MEMORY ( ONIONS & BOIL$ H&K]*IEFS /ILL HANG+ 9 ! BLUI% AIR1 CL\DY AS ?\< ) SOAP SCUM4 ,! WOOD-BURN+ /OVE WAS GO+1 ) TWO 5D-CUTS ( A LOAF FRY+ UPON ITS HOB4 ,CL>IFI$ FAT WAS SIZZL+ 9 A PAN BLACK AS A METEOR ?AT FELL \T ( ! />S1 & SPAT ON ,]NIE'S F+]S AS HE C>EFULLY RETRIEV$ ! NOGG9S ) A =K4 ,9 ! NEXT ROOM HIS BABY DAU<T] WE>ILY ALL[$ H] FURI\S WEEP+ TO TRAIL (F 9TO ACCUS+ HICCUP-BREA?S AT SULK+ 9T]VALS4 ,F9D+ A CRACK-GLAZ$ SAUC] ?AT HAD LO/ ITS CUP TO ACCID5T HE US$ IT AS A PLATE1 !N P]*$ UPON A /OOL BESIDE ! KNIFE-SC>R$ KIT*5 TABLE :ILE HE ATE1 *EW+ UPON HIS M\?'S RI<T SIDE TO SP>E ! BAD TEE? ON ITS LEFT4 ,! TA/E ( S+$ GREASE FLOOD$ FROM ! SPONGE-PORES ( A BRITTLE CRU/ AS HE BIT D[N1 SCALD+ & SAVORY ACROSS HIS TONGUE1 BR++ ! PHANTOM FLAVORS ( !IR LA/ WEEK'S FRY-UPS 9 ITS WAKE3 ! BUBBLE 'N' SQUEAK'S CABBAGE TANG1 ! PIG *EEK'S SUBTLE SWEETNESS1 A CRISP$ EPITAPH = ,TUESDAY'S MEMORABLE BEEF SAUSAGE4 ,:5 HE'D SWALL[$ ! LA/ MORSEL ,]N WAS PLEAS$ TO F9D HIS SPITTLE ?ICK5$ TO A SALTY ASPIC :]E ! RESURRECT$ ZE/ ( EA* MEAL /ILL 5JOY$ ITS CUL9>Y AFT]LIFE4 

,RE-CROSS+ ! N[ SUBDU$ LIV+ ROOM HE SAID GOODBYE TO EV]YONE & TOLD ,ANNE HE'D BE BACK BY EI<T ?AT NI<T4 ,HE KNEW ?AT SOME BLOKES KISS$ !IR WIVES GOODBYE :5 !Y W5T (F TO WORK1 BUT LIKE ! GREAT MAJORITY HE ?\<T ?AT K9D ( ?+ WAS SOPPY & SO DID HIS ,ANNE4 ,FA/IDI\SLY SCRAP+ A LA/ SME> ( PORRIDGE FROM ! B[L !IR TWO-YE>-OLD SON ,JOHN1 !IR LITTLE C>ROT-TOP1 WAT*$ /OICALLY AS ,]N DUCK$ FROM ! FIRE-LIT ROOM 9TO ! D+Y PASSAGEWAY BEYOND1 TO FI% HIS HAT & JACKET D[N FROM (F ! WOOD5 COAT-HOOKS & !N BE AB\T HIS BUS9ESS 9 ! CITY1 SOME:]E ,JOHN HAD DIMLY HE>D ( BUT HAD ?US F> NEV] BE54 ,!RE WAS ! S\ND ( ,]NIE'S %\T$ F>EWELL TO HIS MOM1 /ILL ON H] NI<T-SOIL R\NDS UP/AIRS1 FOLL[$ BY ! EXPECTANT PAUSE ?AT WAS HIS MO!R'S FAILURE TO REPLY4 ,A %ORT :ILE AFT] ?AT ,ANNE & ! *ILDR5 HE>D ! FRONT DOOR CLOSE1 ITS JUDD]+ RESI/ANCE :5 %OV$ 9TO ITS ILL-FITT+ JAMB1 & ?AT TURN$ \T TO BE ! LA/ TIME ?AT HIS FAMILY C\LD HONE/LY SAY !Y'D SE5 ,G+] ,V]NALL4 

,]N WALK$ \T ?R\< ,LAMBE? TO ! NOR?1 ! SKY ABOVE A /YGIAN =E/ CANOPY SWAY+ UPON ! MILLION T>-BLACK SAPL+ /EMS ( FUME ?AT SPRANG FROM EV]Y *IMNEY1 ) ! SOOTY BLACKNESS ( ! HEAV5S ONLY />T+ TO DILUTE !RE AT ITS EA/]N $GE1 ABOVE ! DIVES ( ,WALWOR?4 ,EXIT+ HIS MO!R'S H\SE 9 ,EA/ ,/REET HE TURN$ RI<T D[N AT ! T]RACE 5D & 9TO ,LAMBE? ,WALK1 ONTO ! ,LAMBE? ,ROAD & UP T[>DS ,/4 ,GEORGE'S ,CIRCUS4 ,ON HIS LEFT HE PASS$ ,H]CULES ,ROAD :]E HE HAD HE>D ! POET ,BLAKE LIV$ ONCE1 A FUNNY SORT BY ALL ACC\NTS1 ?\< OBVI\SLY ,]N HAD NEV] READ HIS WORK OR = ?AT MATT] ANYBODY ELSE'S1 HAV+ FAIL$ TO REALLY GET ! TRICK ( BOOKS4 ,! RA9 WAS HAMM]+ 9 ! BUCKL$ GUTT]S ( ! /REET \TSIDE AN UN*>ACT]I/ICALLY QUIET ,B$LAM1 :]E ! FAIRY-PA9T] ,MR4 ,DADD HAD BE5 UNTIL A YE> OR SO BE=E1 & :]E !Y'D BE5 AFRAID ,]N'S FA!R ,JOHN W\LD HAVE TO GO1 AL?\< ! OLD MAN DI$ BE=E IT HAD BE5 NECESS>Y4 ,?AT WAS GETT+ ON T5 YE>S AGO1 :5 HE'D YET TO MEET ,ANNE & WASN'T LONG BACK FROM ,CRIMEA4 ,DAD HAD GRADUALLY /OPP$ TALK+1 SAY+ ?AT !IR CONV]SATIONS W]E ALL BE+ OV]HE>D BY 0!M UP 9 ! EAVES04 ,]N HAD 9QUIR$ IF ,DAD MEANT ALL ! PIGEONS1 OR DID HE /ILL ?9K !RE MI<T BE ,RUSSIAN SPIES1 BUT ,JOHN HAD SNORT$ & ASK$ ,]N JU/ :]E HE ?\<T ?AT ! EXPRESSION 'EAVESDROPP+' HAD COME FROM1 AFT] :I* HE'D SAY NO MORE4 

,]N PASS$ BY ! RA9SWEPT ASYLUM ON ! F> SIDE ( ! /REET1 & SPECULAT$ DI/ANTLY IF !RE MI<T BE SOME ANTIC SPIRIT BR$ 9 ,B$LAM1 SQUATT$ OV] ,LAMBE? ) EYES ROLL+1 ?AT 9FUS$ ! DI/RICT'S ATMOSPH]E ) ITS [N CRACKPOT VAPORS & S5T PEOPLE MAD1 LIKE ,]NE/'S DAD OR ,MR4 ,BLAKE1 ?\< HE SUPPOS$ ?AT !RE WAS NOT1 & ?AT 9 G5]AL PEOPLE'S LIVES W\LD BE SUFFICI5T TO EXPLA9 !M GO+ SILLY4 ,D[N ,/4 ,GEORGE'S ,ROAD HEAD+ = ,ELEPHANT & ,CA/LE SW>M$1 ALREADY1 A GREAT NUMB] ( HORSE BUSSES1 PU%C>TS1 COAL WAGONS & BAK$ POTATO SELL]S DRAGG+ /OVES LIKE HOT T9 *E/S-(-DRAW]S PIL$ ON !IR TROLLEYS1 A VA/ MULTITUDE ( FIGURES 9 BLACK HATS & COATS LIKE ,]N1 M>*+ ) D[NCA/ EYES B5EA? A MURD]\S SKY4 ,TURN+ HIS COLL> UP HE JO9$ ! %UFFL+ ?RONG ( MADH\SE-FODD] & W5T ON T[>DS ,/4 ,GEORGE'S ,CIRCUS :]E HE W\LD BEG9 HIS LONG HIKE UP ! ,BLACKFRI>S ,ROAD4 ,HE'D HE>D ?AT !Y HAD TRA9-L9ES RUNN+ UND]GR\ND N[1 \T FROM ,PADD+TON1 & IDLY SPECULAT$ ?AT A ?+ LIKE ?AT MI<T GET HIM TO ,/4 ,PAUL'S MU* QUICK]1 BUT HE HADN'T GOT ! MONEY & BESIDES1 ! ?\<T GAVE HIM ! WILLIES4 ,BE+ UND]GR\ND LIKE ?AT1 H[ W\LD IT EV] BE A ?+ ?AT Y\ GOT US$ TO8 ,]N WAS WELL-KN[N AS A /EEPLEJACK :O'D WORK ON RO(TOPS )\T ?9K+ TWICE1 SURE-FOOT$ & QUITE UNCONC]N$1 BUT BE+ UND]NEA? ! GR\ND1 ?AT WAS A DIFF]5T MATT]4 ,?AT WAS ONLY NATURAL = ! DEAD1 & ANYWAY1 :AT IF SOME?+ %\LD HAPP5 D[N !RE1 LIKE A FIRE OR SOME?+8 ,]NE/ DIDN'T LIKE TO ?9K AB\T IT & DECID$ ?AT HE'D /OP ! WAY HE WAS1 AS A P$E/RIAN4 

,PEOPLE & VEHICLES $DI$ !RE AT ! CONV]G5CE ( A HALF-A-DOZ5 /REETS LIKE SUDS AB\T A DRA94 ,MAK+ HIS WAY >\ND ! CIRCUS CLOCKWISE1 DODG+ 9 BETWE5 ! RUMBL+ :EELS & GLI/5+ HORSEFLE% AS HE CROSS$ ,WAT]LOO ,ROAD1 ,]N GAVE A WIDE B]? TO A BROAD%EET V5DOR & ! GAWP+1 :ISP]+ GAGGLE HE'D ATTRACT$4 ,FROM ! BURRS ( *AT ?AT ,]N PICK$ UP PASS+ ?IS PIPE-SMOKE %R\D$ MOB ON ITS P]IPH]Y HE GA!R$ IT WAS OLD NEWS FROM ,AM]ICA AB\T ! BLACKIES HAV+ BE5 SET FREE1 & ALL AB\T H[ ! ,AM]ICAN ,PRIME ,M9I/] HAD BE5 %OT DEAD1 JU/ LIKE !Y'D DONE TO POOR OLD ,SP5C] ,P]CEVAL1 BACK :5 ,]N'S DAD HAD BE5 A BOY4 ,AS ,]N RECALL$ IT1 ,P]CEVAL WAS FROM ! LITTLE BOOT & %OE T[N ( ,NOR?AMPTON1 SIXTY MILES FROM ,LONDON TO ! NOR?1 :]E ,]N HAD FAMILY UPON HIS FA!R'S SIDE /ILL LIV+1 C\S9S & ! LIKE4 ,HIS C\S9 ,ROB]T ,V]NALL HAD PASS$ ?R\< LA/ ,JUNE ON HIS WAY D[N TO ,K5T = PICK+ HOPS1 & HAD TOLD ,]NE/ ?AT MU* ( ! COBBL+ WORK ?AT HE'D RELI$ ON 9 ! ,MIDL&S HAD DRI$ UP BECAUSE ! GREYCOATS 9 ,AM]ICA1 = :OM ,NOR?AMPTON HAD SUPPLI$ ! >MY BOOTS1 HAD LO/ !IR CIVIL W>4 ,]NE/ C\LD SEE IT WAS A %AME = ,BOB1 BUT AS HE UND]/OOD ?+S1 IT WAS ALL ! GREYCOATS AS :AT KEPT ! SLAVES1 ! BLACKIES1 :I* ,]N DIDN'T HOLD )4 ,?AT WAS WRONG4 ,!Y W]E POOR PEOPLE JU/ LIKE ANYBODY ELSE4 ,HE WALK$ ACROSS ! AWKW>D CORN] ) ITS LITTLE SPIKE ( WA/E-GR\ND :]E ! ANGLE WAS TOO %>P TO FIT ANO!R H\SE1 !N TURN$ LEFT & UP ,BLACKFRI>S ,ROAD1 MAK+ ACROSS ! SMOLD]+ R[S ( ,S\?W>K = ! RIV] & ! BRIDGE4 

,IT TOOK ,]N SOME ?REE-QU>T]S ( AN H\R1 B[L+ ALONG AT A FAIR PACE1 BE=E HE CAME ON ,LUDGATE ,/REET OV] ! ,?AMES' F> SIDE & ! APPROA* TO ! ,WE/ ,FRONT ( ! CA!DRAL4 ,9 ?IS TIME HE'D ?\<T AB\T ALL SORTS ( ?+S1 AB\T ! SLAVES SET FREE \T 9 ,AM]ICA1 SOME ( !M BR&$ BY !IR MA/]S AS ?\< CATTLE1 HE'D BE5 TOLD1 & ( BLACK M5 & POOR PEOPLE 9 G5]AL4 ,M>X ! SOCIALI/ & HIS ,FIR/ ,9T]NATIONAL HAD BE5 AB\T MORE ?AN A YE> ALREADY1 BUT ! WORK]S /ILL W]5'T ANY BETT] (F AS F> AS ANYONE C\LD TELL4 ,P]HAPS ?+S W\LD BE BETT] N[ ?AT ,PALM]/ON WAS DY+1 AS IT WAS ,LORD ,PALM]/ON :O'D HELD BACK ! RE=MS1 BUT TO BE FRANK ,]N WASN'T HOLD+ \T MU* HOPE ON ?AT ONE4 ,= A :ILE HE'D *E]$ HIMSELF ) ?\<TS ( ,ANNE & H[ %E'D LET HIM HAVE H] ON ! BLADE-GROOV$ KIT*5 TABLE :ILE HIS MAM WAS \T1 SAT ON ITS $GE )\T H] DRAW]S ON & H] FEET >\ND HIS BACK1 SO ?AT ! MEMORY PUT HIM ON ! BONE UND] HIS TR\S]S & HIS FLANNELS1 HURRY+ ?R\< ! D[NP\R OV] ,BLACKFRI>S ,BRIDGE4 ,HE'D ?\<T AB\T ,CRIMEA & HIS LUCK AT COM+ HOME )\T A SCRAT*1 & !N ( ,MO!R ,SEACOLE :O HE'D HE>D AB\T :5 HE WAS \T !RE1 :I* RETURN$ HIM TO ! MATT] ( ! BLACKS4 

,IT WAS ! *ILDR5 ?AT CONC]N$ HIM1 BORN AS SLAVES ON A PLANTATION & NOT BR\<T !RE AS GR[N M5 OR WOM51 SOME ( !M BE+ SET FREE JU/ N[ ACROSS ! SEA1 Y\NG LADS ( T5 OR TWELVE :O'D NEV] KN[N ANO!R LIFE & W\LD BE FLUMMOX$ AS = :AT TO DO4 ,DID !Y BR& KIDS AS WELL1 ,]N WOND]$1 & AT :AT AGE IF !Y DID8 ,WI%+ HE HADN'T ?\<T ( ?IS & BANI%+ ! AWFUL & UNWANT$ PICTURE ( Y\NG ,JOHN OR ,?URSA BR\<T B5EA? ! GL[+ IRON HE M\NT$ ,LUDGATE ,/REET ) ! MAJE/IC HYMN-MADE-SOLID ( ,/4 ,PAUL'S 9FLAT+ AS HE NE>$ IT1 SWELL+ UP BEYOND ! SLOPE'S L[ BR[4 

,AS (T5 AS HE'D SE5 IT1 ,]N HAD NEV] CEAS$ TO BE AMAZ$ ?AT SU* A BEAUTIFUL & P]FECT ?+ C\LD EV] COME TO BE AMONG ! SPRAWL ( DIRTY CLOSES1 9NS & TAP]+ CORRIDORS1 AMONG ! PRO/ITUTES & ! PORNOGRAPH]S4 ,ACROSS ! PUDDLE-SILV]$ SLABS IT ROSE ) ITS TWO T[]S LIKE H&S FLUNG UP 9 A ,HOSANNA TO ! *URN+ HEAV5S1 GRIMM] ?AN :5 ,]N HAD LEFT = WORK DESPITE ! WAY ! DAY HAD LI<T5$ NATURALLY AS IT WORE ON S9CE !N4 ,! BROAD CA!DRAL /EPS ) RA9DROPS DANC+ ON !M SWEPT D[N 9 TWO FLI<TS CALL+ TO M9D ! TUCKS >\ND A TRAIL+ SURPLICE HEM1 :]E OV] ?AT ! SIX PAIRS ( :ITE ,DORIC COLUMNS HOLD+ UP ! PORTICO DROPP$ D[N 9 BILL[$ FOLDS1 UNLAUND]$ 9 ! CITY'S BONFIRE PALL4 ,! SPIRES ?AT FLANK$ ! WIDE FACADE TO EI!R SIDE1 TWO HUNDR$ FEET OR MORE 9 HEI<T1 HAD :AT SEEM$ ALL ( ,LONDON'S PIGEONS CR[D$ ON !IR L$GES UND] DRIPP+ OV]HANGS ( /ONEWORK1 %ELT]+ AGA9/ ! WEA!R4 

,HUDDL+ AMONG ! BIRDS AS IF !Y HAD !MSELVES JU/ FL[N D[N FROM UNFRI5DLY SKIES TO ROO/ 9 ! CA!DRAL EAVES W]E /ONE APO/LES1 ) ,/4 ,PAUL HIMSELF P]*$ ON ! PORTICO'S HI< RIDGE & GA!R+ HIS SCULPT$ ROBES UP R\ND HIM TO PREV5T !M TRAIL+ 9 ! GRIME & WET4 ,AT ! F> RI<T ( ! MO/ S\!RN T[] SAT A DISCIPLE1 ,]N HAD NO IDEA :I* ONE1 :O HAD HIS HEAD TIPP$ BACK & SEEM$ TO WAT* ! T[]'S CLOCK 9T5TLY1 WAIT+ = HIS %IFT TO F9I% SO ?AT HE C\LD FLAP (F HOME D[N ,*EAPSIDE ?R\< ! DRIZZLE1 BACK TO ,ALDGATE & ! ,EA/4 ,CLIMB+ ! SOAK$ & SLIPP]Y /EPS ) FRE% SPOTS DRUMM+ ON HIS HAT-BRIM1 ,]NE/ HAD TO *UCKLE AT ! IRRELIGI\S NOTION ( ! /ATUES 9T]MITT5TLY PRODUC+ LIQUID M>BLE /OOLS1 ,SA9TS'-DROPP+S ?AT EMBITT]$ P>I% WORK]S W\LD BE PAID TO SCRAPE AWAY4 ,TAK+ A LA/ PE] AT ! BOIL+ MASS ( BRUIS$ CL\D OV]HEAD BE=E HE SLIPP$ BETWE5 ! LEFTMO/ PILL>S & T[>DS ! NOR? AISLE 5TRANCE1 HE CONCLUD$ ?AT ! RA9 WAS GETT+ WORSE IF ANY?+1 & ?AT TODAY HE W\LD UND\BT$LY BE BETT] (F 9DOORS4 ,/AMP+ HIS BOOTS & %AK+ (F HIS SODD5 JACKET AS HE CROSS$ ! ?RE%OLD 9TO ! CA!DRAL HE HE>D ! FIR/ MUFFL$ DRUM-ROLL ( APPROA*+ ?UND] (F AT ! HORIZON'S RIM1 CONFIRM+ HIS SUSPICION4 

,9 COMP>ISON TO ! ,OCTOB] TORR5T P\R+ D[N \TSIDE1 ,/4 ,PAUL'S WAS W>M & ,]N FELT BRIEFLY GUILTY AT ! ?\<T ( ,ANNE & !IR TWO *ILDR5 DRAWN UP %IV]+ TO ! DEFICI5T FIRE BACK HOME 9 ,EA/ ,/REET4 ,]NE/ WALK$ ALONG ! ,NOR? ,AISLE UND] ! SUSPICI\S FR[NS ( PASS+ CL]GY T[>DS ! CON/RUCTION & ACTIVITY AT ITS F> 5D1 ONLY REMEMB]+ TO SNAT* HIS SOPP+ BONNET (F AT ! LA/ M9UTE & TO C>RY IT BE=E HIM HUMBLY 9 BO? H&S4 ,) EV]Y R++ /EP HE FELT ! VI/AS & ! HIDD5 VOLUMES ( ! /UPEFY+ $IFICE UNFOLD+ UP ABOVE HIM & UPON ALL SIDES1 AS HE VE]$ FROM ! NOR? AISLE'S CURV$ RECESSES ON HIS LEFT & PASS$ BETWE5 ! BUILD+'S GREAT SUPPORT+ COLUMNS TO ! NAVE4 

,FRAM$ BY ,/4 ,PAUL'S HUGE PI]S !RE 9 ! C5TRAL TRANSEPT SPACE B5EA? ! DOME MILL$ LABOR]S LIKE ,]N HIMSELF1 !IR SCRUFFY COATS & BRIT*ES A DULL AUTUMN PALETTE ( DU/ GRAYS & BR[NS1 %ABBY AGA9/ ! RI*NESS ( ! PA9T+S HUNG >\ND !M1 ! COMPOSURE ( ! MONUM5TS & /ATUES4 ,SOME ( !M W]E LADS ,]N KNEW ( OLD1 :I* WAS ! WAY HE'D COME BY ?IS APPRECIAT$ /9T ( PAID WORK 9 ! FIR/ PLACE1 ) A WORD PUT 9 TO !M AS W]E CONTRACT$ = ! CLEAN+ & RE/OR+4 ,M5 W]E SCRUBB+ ) S(T CLO?S AT LAVI%LY-C>V$ *OIR-/ALLS BOSS$ ) GRAPES & ROSES AT ! F> 5D ( ! QUIRE1 :ILE 9 ! SP&RELS BETWE5 >*ES UND]NEA? ! RAIL$ HOOP ( ! ,:ISP]+ ,GALL]Y ABOVE W]E O!R FELL[S1 GIV+ ! MOSAIC PROPHETS & F\R ,GOSPEL-MAK]S SOME?+ ( A WA% & BRU%-UP4 ,MO/ ( ! 5DEAVOR ?\<1 IT SEEM$ TO ,]N1 WAS C5T]$ ON ! ME*ANISM OV]%AD[+ ! NE>LY HUNDR$-FOOT-WIDE >EA IMM$IATELY BEL[ ! YAWN+ DOME4 ,IT WAS P]HAPS ! MO/ +5I\S ?+ ?AT ,]N HAD EV] SE54 

,HANG+ FROM ! TOP C5T] ( ! DOME1 FIX$ TO ! CR[N+ LANT]N'S UND]SIDE AT :AT ,]N GUESS$ MU/ BE ! /RONGE/ PO9T ( ! VA/ /RUCTURE1 ITSELF ) A TONNAGE 9 ! T5S ( ?\S&S1 WAS A PLUMB-/RAI<T C5TRAL SP9DLE MORE !N TW5TY /ORIES HI< ?AT HAD ON ONE SIDE AN ASSEMBLAGE NE>LY AS TALL MADE ( POLES & PLANKS1 :ILE ON ! O!R SIDE :AT HAD TO HAVE BE5 ,LONDON'S L>GE/ S&BAG HUNG FROM A GIGANTIC CROSSBEAM AS A C\NT]WEI<T4 ,! SACK SAGG$ FROM A HAWS] ON ! LEFT1 :ILE TO ,]N'S RI<T ! HEAVY ROPE-HUNG FRAMEWORK ?AT IT BALANC$ \T WAS %AP$ LIKE AN 5ORM\S PIE-SLICE ) ITS N>R[ 5D T[>DS ! C5T] :]E IT JO9$ SECURELY ) ! UPRI<T C5TRAL AXIS4 ,?IS IMPRESSIVE SCAFFOLD+ CONTA9$ A R\<LY QU>T]-CIRCLE W$GE ( FLOOR+ ?AT C\LD BE W9*$ UP & D[N BY PULLEYS AT ITS CORN]S1 SO AS TO REA* SURFACES ?AT NE$$ WORK AT ANY LEVEL ( ! DOME4 ,! MA/-LIKE C5TRAL PIVOT WAS HUNG ALMO/ TO ! DECORATIVE SOL> COMPASS 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! TRANSEPT FLOOR1 ) :AT LOOK$ LIKE A SMALL] V]SION ( A HORIZONTAL MILL-:EEL AT ITS BOTTOM BY :I* MEANS ! :OLE CREAK+ >RANGEM5T C\LD BE MANUALLY ROTAT$ TO ATT5D EA* VAULT$ QUADRANT 9 ITS TURN4 ,! PULLEY-HOI/$ PLAT=M 9 ! MID/ ( ITS SUPPORT+ /RUTS & GIRD]S WAS :]E ,]N W\LD BE EMPLOY$ = ! REMA9D] ( ! DAY1 ALL BE+ WELL4 

,A FAT PE>L CYL9D] ( FAIL+ DAYLI<T COLOR$ BY ! WORS5+ /ORM \TSIDE DROPP$ FROM ! W9D[S ( ! ,:ISP]+ ,GALL]Y TO ! CA!DRAL'S FLOOR+ D[N BEL[1 DU/ LIFT$ BY ! BU/L+ 9DU/RY CAU<T UP AS A SUSP5SION 9 ITS FILMY %AFT4 ,! S(T ILLUM9ATION FILT]+ FROM OV]HEAD R5D]$ ! WORKM5 ) A ,CONTE CRAYON W>M? & GRA9 AS !Y B5T DILIG5TLY TO !IR V>I\S 5T]PRISES4 ,]N /OOD ALMO/ MESM]IZ$ ADMIR+ ?IS EFFECT :5 TO ! RI<T AHEAD ( HIM1 \T ( ! S\? AISLE & ITS /AIRS FROM ! TRI=IUM GALL]Y ABOVE !RE CAME A /RID+1 ROTUND FIGURE ?AT HE RECOGNIZ$1 :O CALL$ TO HIM BY NAME4 

0,OI1 ,G+]4 ,G+] ,V]NALL4 ,OV] H]E1 Y\ SILLY BEGG>40 

,IT WAS ,BILLY ,MABBUTT1 :O ,]N KNEW FROM DIFF]5T PUBS 9 ,K5N+TON & ,LAMBE? & :O'D L&$ HIM ?IS OPPORTUNITY TO E>N A BIT ( MONEY1 LIKE A GOOD 'UN4 ,HIS COMPLEXION FLORID TO ! PO9T ( LOOK+ LATELY COOK$1 ,BILL ,MABBUTT WAS A HE>T5+ SI<T ) HIS REMA9+ S&Y HAIR A HALF-MA/ CURTA9 DRAP$ BEH9D HIS E>S >\ND ! RE> ( ?AT BALD *]RY PATE1 ! BRACES ( HIS TR\S]S /RET*$ ACROSS A BUTTON-COLL>$ %IRT ) SLEEVES ROLL$ BOLDLY BACK TO %[ HIS HAM-HOCK =E>MS4 ,!SE W]E PUMP+ 5]GETICALLY BESIDE HIM LIKE ! PI/ONS ( A LOCOMOTIVE AS HE B>REL$ T[>DS ,]N1 WEAV+ BETWE5 ! O!R LABOR]S :O DRIFT$ BACK & =? ?R\< RU/L+1 E*O+ AC\/ICS ON !IR DISP>ATE ]R&S4 ,SMIL+ AT ! PLEASURE ?AT HE ALWAYS FELT ON MEET+ ,BILLY M+L$ ) RELIEF ?AT ?IS MU*-NE$$ JOB HAD NOT TURN$ \T TO BE A FALSE AL>M1 ,]NE/ BEGAN TO WALK 9 ! DIRECTION ( HIS OLD ACQUA9TANCE1 MEET+ HIM HALFWAY4 ,! HI< LILT ( ,BILL'S VOICE ALWAYS SURPRIS$ ,]N1 COM+ AS IT DID FROM ?OSE BOIL$ BACON FEATURES1 L9$ ) SIXTY YE>S & TWO CAMPAIGNS - 9 ,BURMA & ,CRIMEA - ) ?IS LA/ BE+ ! PLACE ! TWO HAD MET4 ,! OLD] MAN1 :O'D BE5 A QU>T]MA/]1 HAD ADOPT$ :AT APPE>$ TO BE ! %OT-&-%ELL REPELL5T ,]NIE AS HIS R$-HAIR$ LUCKY *>M4 

0,GOR1 BL[ ME1 ,G+]1 Y\'RE A SI<T = SORE EYES4 ,I WAS UP/AIRS 9 ! ,:ISP]+ ,GALL]Y JU/ N[1 LOOK+ AT ALL ! WORK !RE IS TO DO & GETT+ 9 A RI<T COMMOTION 'CAUSE ,I SWORE BL9D AS Y\'D NOT %[ UP1 BUT N[ Y\'VE COME & MADE ME \T A LI>40 

0,HELLO1 ,BILL4 ,I'VE NOT GOT ']E TOO LATE1 !N80 

,MABBUTT %OOK HIS HEAD & GE/UR$ 9 BETWE5 ! HULK+ PI]S TO :]E A GANG ( M5 W]E /RUGGL+ AS !Y ADJU/$ ! IMM5SE CONTRAPTION !RE AT ! CA!DRAL'S HE>T1 DEP5D5T FROM ITS DOME4 

0,NO1 Y\'RE ALL RI<T1 BOY4 ,IT'S ! MOBILE GANTRY :AT'S BE5 MESS+ US AB\T4 ,ALL OV] EV]Y:]E1 %E WAS1 SO IF Y\'D GOT ']E SOON] Y\'D HAVE ONLY BE5 SAT ON Y\R '&S4 ,I RECKON AS WE'VE GOT '] SETTL$ N[1 ?\<1 BY ! LOOKS ( ?+S1 SO IF Y\ WANT TO COME ACROSS WE'LL GET Y\ />T$40 

,ONE FAT & ! O!R ?91 ONE ) A PALE COMPLEXION & R$ HAIR1 ! O!R ) ITS OPPOSITE1 ! TWO M5 SAUNT]$ D[N ! NAVE1 OV] ! RESONANT & GLEAM+ TILES1 & PASS$ BETWE5 ITS F9AL COLUMNS TO :]E ALL ! WORK WAS GO+ ON4 ,AS !Y DREW NE>] TO ! DANGL+ MON/] ?AT ,BILL HAD REF]R$ TO AS ! MOBILE GANTRY1 ,]N REVIS$ ) EA* FRE% PACE HIS E/IMATE REG>D+ ! ?+'S SIZE4 ,CLOSE TO1 ?AT TW5TY FLOORS ( SCAFFOLD+ WAS MORE LIKE ?IRTY1 FROM :I* HE 9F]R$ ?AT HE'D BE AT HIS JOB TWO OR ?REE HUNDR$ FEET ABOVE ! GR\ND1 A DISCONC]T+ PROSPECT EV5 GIV5 ,]NE/'S CELEBRAT$ HEAD = HEI<TS4 

,TWO LABOR]S1 ONE ( :OM ,]NE/ KNEW WAS BRAWL+ ,ALB]T ,PICKLES FROM UP ,C5TAUR ,/REET1 W]E /RIPP$ D[N TO !IR S+LETS AS !Y PU%$ ! COG-LIKE MILL :EEL 9 ! MIDDLE R\ND A F9AL NOT* OR TWO1 ROTAT+ ! :OLE FEAT ( 5G9E]+ ON ITS AXIS :ILE !Y TRUDG$ !IR ORBIT-PA? R\ND ! MOSAIC SUN AT ! DEAD C5T] ( ! TRANSEPT1 ITS RAYS FL>+ TO ! C>D9AL DIRECTIONS4 ,) !IR EF=TS1 ! M5 BR\<T AB\T ! GROAN+ FRAMEWORK ON ! SP9DLE'S RI<T UNTIL IT WAS ALIGN$ EXACTLY ) ONE ( ! EI<T GREAT ORANGE-SEGM5T SECTIONS 9TO :I* ! OV]>*+ B[L HAD BE5 DIVID$ UP4 ,AS ! HUGE SCAFFOLD MOV$1 SO TOO DID ITS 5ORM\S S&BAG C\NT]WEI<T (F TO ! LEFT SIDE ( ! AXIAL POLE1 SUSP5D$ FROM ! CROSSBEAM F> ABOVE4 ,F\R OR FIVE NAVVIES /OOD AB\T IT1 WALK+ R\ND BESIDE ! HANG+ SACKCLO? B\LD]1 /EADY+ IT AS IT WOBBL$ ) A FOOT OR TWO ( CLE>ANCE OV] ! *UR* FLOOR4 

,]N NOTIC$ ?AT ! BAG HAD SPRUNG A LEAK1 A SMALL HOLE 9 ! FABRIC ( ITS UND]SIDE ) AN APPR5TICE ( F\RTE5 OR SO SCUFF+ AB\T !RE ON HIS KNEES BESIDE ! SACK1 SWEAT+ & SWE>+ AS HE TRI$ TO D>N ! R5D ) ?READ & NE$LE4 ,! BOY WAS DISFIGUR$ BY :AT PEOPLE CALL$ A /RAWB]RY M>K /A9+ HIS SK9 ACROSS ONE EYE FROM *EEK TO =EHEAD 9 A MONGREL PUPPY PAT*1 :E!R FROM BIR? OR FROM A SCALD ,]N C\LDN'T SAY4 ,! MILKY1 /ORMCL\D-FILT]$ RADIANCE DROPP$ D[N UPON ! Y\? FROM OV]HEAD LIKE 9 ,GREEK DRAMAS AS HE GROVEL$ AT HIS M5D+1 ) ! H\RGLASS GRA9S SPILL+ ACROSS HIS D>T+ F+]S1 FALL+ 9 A ?9 /REAM ON ! LU/R\S SLABS BEL[4 ,AS ,]N GAZ$ IDLY ON ?IS SC5E1 ?9K+ 9EVITABLY ( ! S&S ( TIME1 ! PICTURE'S LI<T+ JUMP$ & LUR*$1 FOLL[$ NOT SEV]AL SECONDS LAT] BY A CANNON FUSILLADE ( ?UND]4 ,! SQUALL'S EYE WAS EVID5TLY DRAW+ NE>]4 

,BILLY ,MABBUTT L$ ,]N PA/ :]E M5 W]E FA/5+ ! GANTRY'S TRAIL+ GUY-ROPES D[N TO AN*OR IT N[ IT HAD BE5 POSITION$ PROP]LY1 OV] TO A TRE/LE ?AT HAD BE5 SET UP BETWE5 ! /ATUES ( ,LORD ,NELSON & ! LATE ,VIC]OY ( ,IREL& ,LORD ,CORNWALLIS1 :O'D SURR5D]$ 9 ! ,YANKEE 9DEP5D5CE W> TO ,G5]AL ,WA%+TON IF ,]N REMEMB]$ ALL HIS HI/ORY RI<T4 ,LORD KN[S :Y !Y %\LD WANT TO GIVE HIM SU* A GR& MEMORIAL4 ,! KIT ?AT ,]N W\LD NE$ TO MAKE HIS RE/ORATIONS WAS SET \T UPON ! MAKE%IFT TABLE :]E ANO!R Y\NG APPR5TICE1 ?IS ONE SLI<TLY OLD]1 WAS ALREADY SEP>AT+ EGGS BY P\R+ !M FROM ONE CRACK$ *9A TEACUP TO ANO!R4 ,WORKM5 /OOD AB\T ! TRE/LE WAIT+ TO BEG9 !IR TASKS & ,BILLY L\DLY 9TRODUC$ ,]N AS ! PAIR ROLL$ UP TO JO9 ! CREW4 

0,IT'S ALL RI<T1 *APS1 ! DECORATOR'S COME4 ,?IS ']E IS ME OLD 'OPPO ,G+] ,V]NALL4 ,A RI<T ,REMBR&T ON ! QUIET1 IS ,G+]40 

,]N %OOK H&S ) ALL ! M5 & HOP$ !Y DIDN'T GRUDGE ! FACT ?AT HE WAS ! SKILL$ LABOR ON ?IS JOB & W\LD BE GETT+ MORE ?AN !Y DID4 ,PROBABLY !Y UND]/OOD ?AT HE MI<T NOT HAVE ANY WORK LIKE ?IS AGA9 = MON?S1 :ILE BRAWNY LABOR]S W]E ALWAYS NE$$1 & AT ANY RATE ! MONEY WAS SO POOR ?AT NEI!R P>TY HAD A CAUSE = 5VY4 ,HIM & ,BILLY ,MABBUTT CONF]R$ BRIEFLY ON ! 9S & \TS ( :AT HE WAS TO DO1 & !N ,]N W5T AB\T TRANSF]R+ HIS REQUIR$ MAT]IALS & TOOLS FROM (F ! TABLETOP ONTO ! QU>T]-*EESE %AP$ WOOD5 FLOOR+ SLUNG 9SIDE ! FRAMEWORK ( ! MOVABLE >RANGEM5T4 

,HE SELECT$ AN >RAY ( SQUIRREL BRU%ES FROM ! T9-FULL ?AT ! ,/4 ,PAUL'S CL]GY HAD PROVID$ &1 AS WELL1 ! C>DBO>D LID (F AN OLD %OEBOX S]V+ AS A TRAY = ALL ! CLEAN$-\T V>NI% TUBS CONTA9+ ! CA!DRAL'S RANGE ( P[D]-PA9TS4 ,( !SE1 ! PURPLE & ! EM]ALD GRE5 HAD CAU<T ! DAMP & CLOTT$ 9TO CRUMBLY GEMS1 BUT ,]N DIDN'T EXPECT ?AT HE W\LD NE$ !SE COLORS & ! O!R PIGM5TS SEEM$ TO HAVE BE5 KEPT 9 A MU* BETT] /ATE4 ,! SURLY Y\NG/] :O'D BE5 PUT 9 *>GE ( SEP>AT+ \T ! EGGS WAS F9I%+ ! LA/ ( HALF A DOZ5 :5 ,]N ASK$ IF HE C\LD HAVE HIS YOLKS4 ,!SE W]E UNBROK5 9 ONE BAS9 :ILE ANO!R POT HELD ! UNWANT$ :ITES1 A VISC\S SLOP ?AT LOOK$ OBSC5ELY LIKE COLLECT$ DROOL :I* W\LD NO D\BT BE PUT TO O!R USE & NOT GO WA/$4 ,C>EFULLY TRANSPORT+ HIS RECEPTACLE ) ! SIX YELL[ GLOBS SLID+ >\ND EA* O!R AT ITS BOTTOM1 ,]N SET IT UPON ! PULLEY-M\NT$ PLAT=M ) ! BRU%ES & ! COLORS !N FET*$ MIX+ B[LS1 A TWO-P\ND SACK ( GYPSUM & HALF-GALLON CID] FLAGON WA%$ & FILL$ ) WAT]4 ,ADD+ GLASS PAP] & ?REE OR F\R CLEAN CLO?S1 ,]N CLIMB$ ONTO ! SWAY+ W$GE ( DECK BESIDE ! TRAPP+S ( HIS CRAFT & ) A TI<T GRIP ON ONE ( ITS CORN]-ROPES1 HE GAVE ! SIGNAL = ,BILL ,MABBUTT'S M5 TO W9* HIM UP4 

,! FIR/ JOLT ( HIS FOOT+ :5 IT LIFT$ HAD ANO!R MOM5T>Y SPLA% ( SILV] FROM \TSIDE = ITS ACCOMPANIM5T1 ! SUBSEQU5T PROTRACT$ BOOM COM+ JU/ 9/ANTS LAT] AS ! /ORM-HEAD NE>$4 ,ONE ( ! BURLY FELL[S HAUL+ D[N UPON HIS ROPE ) A BELL-R+]'S GRIP MADE SOME CRACK AB\T ,GOD MOV+ HIS FURNITURE >\ND UP/AIRS AT :I* ANO!R ( ! GANG PROTE/$1 SAY+ ! REM>K WAS DISRESPECTFUL 9 ?AT GREAT ,MO!R ( ,*UR*ES1 AL?\< ,]N HAD HE>D ! SAY+ S9CE HIS BOYHOOD & SAW NO?+ WRONG ) IT4 ,!RE WAS A PRACTICALITY BEH9D ! PHRASE ?AT TICKL$ HIM1 = :ILE )9 HIS HE>T ( HE>TS ,]N WASN'T ALTOGE!R SURE IF HE BELIEV$ 9 ,GOD1 HE LIK$ ! NOTION ( ! ,LORD AS SOMEONE D[N-TO-E>? :O MI<T OCCASIONALLY1 AS DID WE ALL1 HAVE CALL TO RE>RANGE ?+S SO ?AT !Y W]E BETT] SUIT$ TO ,HIS PURPOSES4 ,! PULLEYS %RIEK$ AS ,]N MADE HIS ASC5T 9 MEASUR$ /AGES1 EI<TE5 9*ES AT A TIME1 & :5 ! LI<TN+ FLA%$ AGA9 TO \TL9E EV]Y?+ 9 SUDD5 *ALK ! DEAF5+ EXPLOSION 9 ITS WAKE WAS NE> IMM$IATE4 

,! BROAD CURVE ( HIS PLAT=M'S \TMO/ $GE ECLIPS$ MORE ( ! GR\ND BEL[ ) EV]Y SQUEAL+ HALF-Y>D ?AT IT GA9$ 9 HEI<T4 ,! GREAT] P>T ( ,]NE/'S GANG ( WORKMATES WAS ALREADY GONE FROM SI<T B5EA? ! SWAY+ RAFT ( PLANKS HE /OOD UPON1 ) ,BILLY ,MABBUTT AT ! GR\P'S RE> LIFT+ UP ONE RUDDY PALM 9 A F>EWELL BE=E HE TOO WAS \T ( VIEW4 ,N[ ,]N TOOK /OCK ( ! WOOD FLOOR B5EA? HIS FEET HE REALIZ$ ?AT IT WAS MU* L>G] ?AN HE'D FIR/ SUPPOS$1 ALMO/ AS BIG AS A !AT] /AGE ) HIS SMALL HEAP ( JUGS & POTS & BRU%ES LOOK+ LONELY & 9ADEQUATE !RE AT ITS C5T]4 ,FULLY RAIS$1 HE ?\<T1 & A FULL QUADRANT ( ! TRANSEPT W\LD BE MADE 9VISIBLE TO ,]N1 & HE TO IT4 ,! HEADS ( FIR/ ,CORNWALLIS !N ,LORD ,NELSON VANI%$1 SWALL[$ BY ! ELEVAT+ PODIUM'S P]IMET]1 & ,]NE/ WAS ALONE4 ,TILT+ HIS HEAD HE GAZ$ AT ,SIR ,JAMES ,?ORNHILL'S EI<T VA/ FRESCOES ON ! DOME'S 9T]IOR AS HE ROSE BY 9/ALLM5TS UP 9TO !IR COMPANY4 

,BACK :5 HE'D BE5 A SMALL BOY 9 ! E>LY #a#h#dS ,]N HAD LE>N$ TO DRAW A BIT :5 HE'D RISK$ PILES BY SITT+ ON A COLD /ONE /EP & WAT*+ ,JACKIE ,?IMBLES RECREATE 9 *ALK ! DEA? ( ,NELSON AT ,TRAFALG> ON ! FLAG/ONES BY ! CORN] ( ! ,K5N+TON & ,LAMBE? ,ROADS1 DAY AFT] FASC9AT$ DAY4 ,JACKIE WAS 9 HIS SIXTIES !N1 A VET]AN ( ! ,NAPOLEONIC ,W>S :O'D LO/ TWO F+]TIPS ON HIS LEFT H& TO GANGR5E & CONCEAL$ ! /UMPS B5EA? A PAIR ( SILV] ?IMBLES4 ,MAK+ N[ A ?READB>E LIV+ AS A PAVEM5T >TI/1 ! OLD MAN HAD SEEM$ QUITE GLAD ( Y\NG ,]N'S DAILY COMPANY1 & WAS A M9E ( 9=MATION AB\T PA9T+4 ,HE'D REGALE ! BOY ) LONG ACC\NTS1 %OT ?R\< ) YE>N+1 ( ! M>VEL\S NEW OIL PA9TS ?AT W]E !N AVAILABLE TO !M AS HAD ! MONEY1 BRI<T LABURNUM YELL[S & RI* MAUVES OR VIOLETS LIKE A COPSE AT DUSK4 ,JACKIE HAD TAU<T ,]N H[ TO MIX A REALI/IC FLE% TONE FROM A RANGE ( HUES Y\'D NEV] ?9K W]E 9 P9K SK91 & H[ ! F+]S C\LD BE USEFUL :5 IT CAME TO BL5D+1 SMOO?LY SMUDG+ A :ITE HI<LI<T CA/ BY BURN+ W>%IPS D[N ! DY+ ADMIRAL'S *EEK OR ON ! POLI%$ TIMB]S ( ! ,VICTORY4 ,]NE/ HAD ?\<T HIS M5TOR ! MO/ TAL5T$ ( M51 BUT LOOK+ UP AT ,?ORNHILL'S MA/]PIECES N[ HE UND]/OOD !M TO BE FROM A REALM AS F> ABOVE ! BLOOD & FIRE WA%$ DECKS ( ,JACKIE ,?IMBLES AS ! HALLS ( ,HEAV5 SURELY W]E ABOVE ! /REETS ( ,LAMBE?4 

,EPISODES FROM ,SA9T ,PAUL'S LIFE SURR\ND$ ,]N AS HE RODE HIS RAM%ACKLE ELEVATOR UP AMONG !M1 FROM ! ,DAMASC5E CONV]SION TO A VIVIDLY DEPICT$ %IPWRECK1 ) ! V>I\S DISCIPLES UND]-LI<T$ AS ?\< BY A =GE OR OP5$ TREASURE *E/ :ILE RAY-PI]C$ CL\DSCAPES ROIL$ BEH9D4 ,! FRESCO ?AT ,]N PLANN$ TO CLEAN UP & RET\* TODAY1 OV] UPON ! E*O+ CONCAVITY'S S\?WE/]N SIDE1 WAS ONE ?AT HE WAS NOT FAMILI> ) FROM S]MONS4 ,9 ITS BACKGR\ND WAS A PLACE ( W>M1 R\< /ONES ?AT MI<T HAVE BE5 A JAIL1 ) /OOD BE=E ?IS A WIDE-EY$ & WRET*$ MAN :OSE AWE SEEM$ TO BE AT ! V]Y BR9K ( T]ROR1 GAZ+ AT ! HALO$ SA9TS OR ANGELS :O LOOK$ BACK ) L[]$ EYES & SMALL1 SECRETIVE SMILES4 

,]N'S WOOD5 DAIS CLIMB$ N[ PA/ ! ,:ISP]+ ,GALL]Y :]E ONE C\LD FANCY ?AT ! WALLS /ILL CREPT ) C5TURY-OLD PRAY]S & :]E ! W9D[S ALL[$ ,]N HIS F9AL GLIMPSE \T OV] A DR5*$ ,LONDON TO ,S\?W>K ,CA!DRAL'S T[] 9 ! S\?-EA/ BE=E HE WAS MOV$ HI<]1 UP 9TO ! DOME ITSELF4 ,>\ND ! L[E/ RIM ( ?IS1 ON ! 5CIRCL+ TAMB\R JU/ ABOVE ! GALL]Y1 HE WAS DISMAY$ TO NOTE ?AT A :OLE SWA! ( BORD] DETAIL AT ! BOTTOM ( EA* FRESCO HAD BE5 COV]$ OV] 9 /ONE-COLOR$ PA9T1 NO D\BT TO EASILY & 9EXP5SIVELY MASK WAT]-DAMAGE ?AT HAD BE5 DISCOV]$ DUR+ E>LI] R5OVATIONS4 ,]N WAS MUTT]+ B5EA? HIS BREA? AB\T ! %AMEFUL LACK ( PRIDE 9 ONE'S 5DEAVORS %[+ 9 ?IS %ODDY WORKMAN%IP :5 BL9D+ BRILLIANCE & TUMULTU\S D9 SO CLOSE !Y W]E A S+LE ?+ EXPLOD$ ALL AB\T HIM & HIS PLAT=M DROPP$ A SICK5+ 9* OR TWO AS />TL$ BRUIS]S F> BEL[ LO/ !N REGA9$ !IR GRIPS UPON ! PULLEY-ROPES4 ,]N'S HE>T WAS ?UDD+ :ILE HIS SUDD5LY PREC>I\S /& RESUM$ ITS SCREE*+ PROGRESS UPW>DS & HE CAUTI\SLY APPROA*$ ITS RI<T RE> CROOK ?9K+ HE'D RISK A PEEK D[N JU/ TO SEE IF ALL WAS WELL4 

,AS HE WRAPP$ ONE TI<T R\ND ! ROPE1 ,]N F\ND HIS H&S W]E WR++ WET ) P]SPIRATION1 SO ?AT HE SUPPOS$ HE MU/ BE FRI<T5$ ( HEI<TS AFT] ALL1 DESPITE :AT EV]YONE HAD ALWAYS SAID4 ,HE PE]$ D[N PA/ ! PLANK+'S R\<-CUT 5DS &1 ?\< HE C\LD NOT SEE HIS FELL[ WORK]S1 WAS A/\ND$ TO F9D H[ F> UP HE WAS4 ,! ,/4 ,PAUL'S CL]GY LOOK$ LIKE E>WIGS 9*+ OV] ! :ITE1 DI/ANT FLOOR & ,]NE/ WAT*$ ) SOME AMUSEM5T AS TWO ( ! CL]ICS WADDL$ UNAW>E T[>DS EA* O!R ALONG ! ADJAC5T SIDES ( A GIANT PI]1 COLLID+ AT ! CORN] 9 A FLURRY ( BLACK SKIRTS4 ,IT WASN'T ! M]E SI<T ( A D[N$ CL]GYMAN ?AT MADE ,]N *UCKLE1 BUT HIS REALIZATION ?AT HE'D KN[N ! TWO PRIE/S W\LD BUMP 9TO ONE ANO!R BE=E !Y !MSELVES DID1 JU/ BY VIRTUE ( HIS L(TY VANTAGE PO9T4 ,TO AN EXT5T HE HAD BE5 ABLE TO P]CEIVE ! DE/9IES ( L&-B\ND PEOPLE MOV+ BACK & =? ON !IR FLAT PLANE FROM ! SUP]IOR P]SPECTIVE ( A ?IRD DIM5SION UP ABOVE !IRS ?AT !Y SELDOM ?\<T AB\T OR PAID ATT5TION TO4 ,]NE/ IMAG9$ ?IS WAS :Y ! ,ROMANS HAD GOT ON SO WELL1 SEIZ+ ! TALLE/ PEAKS AS LOOK\T PO/S & WAT*T[]S 9 !IR CONQUE/S1 !IR P]CEPTIONS & !IR /RATEGIES BO? WOND]FULLY ADVANTAG$ BY ! HI<] GR\ND4 

,HIS P]* HAD BY N[ REA*$ ! LEVEL HE'D AGRE$ ) ,BILLY ,MABBUTT1 :]E IT CAME TO RE/ & WAS TI$ (F1 SECURELY ,]NE/ HOP$1 MORE ?AN TWO HUNDR$ FEET BEL[4 ,HE WAS >\ND ! UPP] REA*ES ( HIS FIR/ APPO9T$ FRESCO ) ! CL\DBUR/'S FLICK]+1 P]CUSSIVE HE>T AN ALMO/ CON/ANT PRES5CE RI<T ABOVE HIM N[4 ,ONCE HIS EXPANSE ( FLOOR SPACE HAD /OPP$ MOV+1 ,]N DECID$ TO BEG9 HIS RE/ORATIONS ) A HALO-SPORT+ FIGURE 9 ! PICTURE'S UPP] LEFT1 ANGEL OR SA9T HE C\LDN'T TELL1 ! FACE ( :I* HAD BE5 SOME:AT DISCOLOR$ BY DECADES ( C5S]-FUME & C&LE SMOKE4 ,HE />T$ G5TLY ) HIS CLO?S1 /OOD !RE UPON ! PLAT=M'S BRIM WIP+ ! SMUTS & LAY]$ DU/ FROM A VISAGE HE WAS SURPRIS$ TO F9D MEASUR$ AT LEA/ F\R FEET FROM CR[N TO *9 :5 SE5 FROM RI<T UP NEXT TO IT1 ! ALMO/ GIRLI% FEATURES TURN$ HALFWAY T[>DS ! RI<T & LOOK+ D[N DEMURELY ) ! SMALL LIPS PURS$ 9 ?AT SAME SMUGLY KN[+ SMILE4 ,AN ANGEL1 ,]N DECID$1 ON ! BASIS ?AT ?OSE SA9TS HE C\LD REMEMB] ALL HAD BE>DS4 

,]N WAS ALL ON HIS [N 9 :AT SEEM$ ! B>E-BO>D$ ATTIC ( ! WORLD1 MU* MORE ELABORATELY DECORAT$ & MORE SPACI\S ?AN ! ONE AT HIS MOM'S H\SE 9 ,EA/ ,/REET4 ,ONCE HE'D CLEAN$ (F AS MU* SUP]FICIAL GRIME AS HE C\LD MANAGE FROM A QU>T]-PR(ILE NE> AS LONG AS HE WAS1 ,]NE/ SETTL$ TO ! S]I\S AFFAIR ( MIX+ UP A %ADE ?AT W\LD EXACTLY MAT* ! HOLY BE+'S WEA!R$ PEA* COMPLEXION4 ,US+ ! LEA/ MUCKY-LOOK+ H&LE ( A BRU% ?AT HE C\LD F9D HE :IPP$ ! SIX YOLKS 9 !IR BAS91 !N ALL[$ A MIS]LY AM\NT ( ! RESULT+ COPP] CREAM TO P\R 9TO ONE ( HIS MIX+ B[LS4 ,ANO!R BRU%-H&LE S]V$ AS A SL5D] SPOON ) :I* ,]N MEASUR$ M9UTE S]V+S ( :AT HE BELIEV$ TO BE ! NECESS>Y COLORS FROM !IR V>NI%-TUBS1 WIP+ ! BRU%-/EM AFT] EV]Y MEASURE ) A RAG & /IRR+ DIFF]5T QUANTITIES ( LURID P[D] 9 HIS MIX+ B[L AMONG ! BEAT5 EGG4 

,HE />T$ ) AN E>?Y1 RI* ,BURNT ,O*]1 ADD+ ,NAPLES ,YELL[ = ITS T\* ( SUMM] AFT]NOON !N FOLL[$ ?IS ) A RE/RA9$ P9* ( ,ROSE ,MADD]4 ,NEXT ! BLOODY & TRANSLUC5T DRIZZLE ( RI* CRIMSON WAS MIX$ VIGOR\SLY ) ! COMB9ATION1 T9Y BEADS ( YOLK FRO/$ ) COLOR CRU%$ 9TO EA* O!R BY ! /IRR+ SQUIRREL HAIRS4 ,HE SUPPLEM5T$ ! ALREADY-SATISFY+ MIXTURE ) HIS SECRET T\*1 ! TRICK HE'D LE>N$ FROM ,JACKIE ,?IMBLES1 :I* WAS TO EMPLOY A SPR9KL+ ( ,COBALT ,BLUE1 ?IS SIMULAT+ ! DEPLET$ VE9AL BLOOD ?AT CIRCULAT$ JU/ BEL[ ! HUMAN EPID]MIS4 ,IF ! BLUE & R$S %\LD PROVE TOO MU* ,]N W\LD (FSET !M ) A DROP ( :ITE1 BUT = ! MOM5T HE WAS PLEAS$ ) H[ ! BL5D+ HAD TURN$ \T & SET AB\T PREP>+ HIS LI<T SKIM ( GESSO1 %AK+ ! BLAN*$ GYPSUM FROM ITS BAG 9TO A LITTLE WAT] & !N P\R+ HIS FLE% TEMP]A TO COLOR ! ?9 PLA/] ONCE IT HAD BE5 MIX$4 ,TAK+ A USEFUL RANGE ( BRU%ES 9 HIS TR\S] POCKET ,]NE/ WALK$ ACROSS ! A]IAL !AT]'S BO>DS1 HOLD+ HIS B[L CONTA9+ ! PA9/AK+LY ASSEMBL$ M$IUM BETWE5 BO? H&S1 BACK TO ! PLAT=M'S S\?WE/ PO9T :]E HE COMM5C$ TO WORK ON ! GIGANTIC C\NT5ANCE1 HIS HEAD TIPP$ BACK AS HE REA*$ UPW>D SLI<TLY TO ! IMAGE ON ! CONCAVE WALL DIRECTLY OV] HIM4 

,APPLY+ FIR/ A %ALL[ COAT+ ( ! FLE%Y-COLOR$ GESSO D[N ! LONG SWEEP ( ! ANGEL'S SIDE-LIT JAW L9E1 ,]NE/ WAIT$ UNTIL IT WAS DRY BE=E HE RUBB$ IT D[N TO A F9E F9I% ) HIS GLASS PAP] & !N GOT READY TO LAY ON A SECOND COAT4 ,HE'D B>ELY />T$ SLAPP+ ?IS ) HURRI$1 PRACTIC$ MOTIONS ON ! Y>D-WIDE FACE BE=E HE NOTIC$ TO HIS CON/]NATION ?AT ! T9TS UPON ITS F> SIDE1 :I* HE HADN'T T\*$ YET1 HAD BEGUN TO RUN4 ,! /ORM \TSIDE HAD M\NT$ TO ITS Z5I? ) A /AGG]+ B>RAGE ( ?UND]S AS ,]N SQU9T$ UP1 BEWILD]$ & AL>M$ ?R\< AN 9CESSANT LANT]N-,MORSE ( LI<TN+1 AT ! DRIBBL+ COLORS MOV+ ON ! ANGEL'S FLAT & SLI<TLY 9-B[$ HEAD & %\LD]S4 

,SQUIRM+ DROPLETS1 EA* A DIFF]5T %ADE1 W]E RUNN+ UP & D[N & SIDEWAYS ON ! 9N] SURFACE ( ! DOME R\ND ! ANGELIC FACE1 ) !IR TRAJECTORIES 9 %OCK+ CONTRAV5TION ( ALL REASON'S LAWS4 ,MOREOV]1 ! FA/-SW>M+ RIVULETS DID NOT APPE> TO ,]N TO HAVE ! GLI/5 ?AT !Y W\LD IF !Y'D BE5 WET4 ,IT WAS 9/EAD AS IF DRY /REAMS ( GRA9S1 9F9ITESIMAL & RU%+1 P\R$ ACROSS ! BRU%WORK FEATURES FOLL[+ !IR 9W>D CURVE LIKE BRI<T-DY$ FIL+S SWIMM+ OV] A WEAK MAGNET4 ,?IS WAS AN IMPOSSIBILITY &1 WORSE1 W\LD ALMO/ C]TA9LY BE /OPP$ \T ( HIS WAGES4 ,HE TOOK AN 9VOLUNT>Y1 FALT]+ /EP BACK1 & AS HE DID SO WID5$ HIS APPRECIATION IF NOT COMPREH5SION ( ! FRANTIC1 TRICKL+ ACTIVITY & MOTION GO+ ON BE=E HIM4 

,NEUTRAL GRAYS & UMB]S FROM ! %AD[S ON ! F> RI<T ( ! GIANT FACE :]E IT WAS TURN$ AWAY W]E CRAWL+ ON A /EEP DIAGONAL T[>DS ITS UPP] LEFT1 :]E !Y POOL$ TO A BLOT ( %AD+ SU* AS Y\ MI<T GET TO ONE SIDE ( A NOSE IF :OMEV] IT MI<T BELONG TO LOOK$ /RAI<T AT Y\4 ,RADIANT ,*ROME ,YELL[ & ,LEAD ,:ITE BL$ FROM ! HALO1 =M+ AN IRREGUL> BRI<T PAT* ) CONT\RS R\<LY LIKE ! ANGEL'S RI<TMO/ *EEK IF IT W]E SLI<TLY MOV$ SO ?AT IT WAS ILLUM9AT$4 ,) A BLEAK1 NUMB HORROR MOV+ UP HIS SP9E ,]N REALIZ$ ?AT )\T ITS MODEL+ DI/URB+ ! ALMO/-FLAT PLANE ON :I* IT WAS DESCRIB$ OR BREAK+ FROM ! CONF9ES ( ITS TWO-DIM5SIONAL DOMA91 ! ANGEL'S MASSIVE FACE WAS TURN+ SL[LY1 /ILL )9 ! SURFACE ( ! FRESCO1 TO REG>D HIM ) A GAZE ?AT WAS HEAD-ON4 ,NEW CREASES ( ,PAYNE'S ,GRAY COAGULAT$ AT ! CORN]S ( ITS EYES AS LOAF-SIZ$ LIDS1 =M]LY D[NCA/ %YLY1 FLUTT]$ OP5 ) SMALL FLAKES ( PA9T FALL+ FROM FRE%-CREAT$ WR9KLES 9TO ,]NE/'S M\? AS HE /OOD !RE B5EA? ! SPECTACLE ) JAW HUNG WIDE4 ,HIS CIRCUM/ANCES W]E SO :OLLY UNBELIEVABLE HE DIDN'T EV5 HAVE ! WITS TO SCREAM BUT TOOK ANO!R /EP BACK ) ONE H& CLAPP$ TI<T ACROSS HIS GAP+ MAW4 ,AT ! F> $GES ( ! FIGURE'S EPIC M\?1 ALSO MIGRAT$ UP & TO ! LEFT N[1 DIMPL$ CRACKS ( M+L$ ,IVORY ,BLACK & CRIMSON CR9KL$ 9TO BE+ AS ! PALE1 FOOT-LONG LIPS P>T$ & ! PA9T$ ANGEL SPOKE4 

0,!IS :ILLE BEYE VE]Y HA]DT F\RE YEW0 IT SAID1 S\ND+ CONC]N$4 

,! 'IS' OR ! ESS5TIAL BE+ ( ?IS COM+ :ILE AS1 FROM Y\R VIEWPO9T1 IT APP>5TLY GOES BY WILL BE A SUDD5 & EXTREME VE] 9 ! PA?WAY ( Y\R HE>T ) ?+S ?AT Y\ HAVE HE>D CONC]N+ A F\R? ANGLE ( EXI/5CE CAUS+ DIFFICULTIES TO >ISE )9 Y\R MORTAL LIFE1 ?AT IS CONCLUD$ 9 A GRAVEY>D :]E ! YEW TREES FL\RI%1 & ?IS WILL BE V]Y H>D = Y\4 ,]N UND]/OOD ?IS COMPLICAT$ MESSAGE1 UND]/OOD ?AT IT WAS SOMEH[ ALL SQUEEZ$ D[N 9TO JU/ SEV5 MO/LY UNFAMILI> WORDS ?AT HAD UNFOLD$ & UNPACK$ !MSELVES 9SIDE HIS ?\<TS1 LIKE ! UNWRAPP+ ( A *ILDR5'S PAP] PUZZLE OR A ,*9ESE POEM4 ,EV5 AS HE /RUGGL$ TO ABSORB ! CONT5T B\ND 9 ?IS EXPLOD$ S5T5CE1 ! M]E NOISE ( IT UNRAVEL$ HIM4 ,IT HAD A FULLNESS & DIM5SION TO ITS S\ND1 COMP>$ TO A :OLE OR*E/RA P]=M+ 9 A CONC]T HALL1 SU* AS ! LATT] MI<T HAVE 9 COMP>ISON ) A T9 :I/LE BL[N 9SIDE AN 9SULAT$ CUPBO>D4 ,EV]Y NOTE ( IT SEEM$ TO BE SPIRAL+ AWAY 9 C\NTLESS FA9T] & MORE DI/ANT REPETITIONS1 ! SAME TONES AT AN 9CREAS+LY DIM9I%$ SCALE UNTIL !SE SPLIT 9TO A MYRIAD /ILL SMALL] E*OES1 $DY+ M9USCULE :IRLW9DS MADE ( S\ND ?AT SPUN (F 9TO ! P]SI/5T BACKGR\ND ?UND]CLAPS & DISAPPE>$4 

,N[ ?AT IT HAD COMPLET$ ?AT FIR/ />TL+ QU>T] TURN ! TABLE-SIZ$ FACE SEEM$ ALMO/ TO SETTLE D[N 9TO ITS NEW CONFIGURATION4 ,ONLY AT ITS $GES & >\ND ! MOBILE M\? & EYES W]E P>TICLES /ILL CREEP+1 DOTS ( PIGM5T SKITT]+ 9 LITTLE S&-SLIDES R\ND ! FRESCO'S CURVATURE & MAK+ SMALL ADJU/M5TS TO ACCOMMODATE ! SLI<T & NATURAL MOVEM5TS ( ! FIGURE'S HEAD1 ! %IFT ( GLEAM & %AD[ ON ITS OP5+ & CLOS+ LIPS4 

,9 ! FEW MOM5TS ?AT HAD ACTUALLY ELAPS$ S9CE ! COMM5CEM5T ( ! EPISODE ,]NE/ HAD CLUT*$ AT & AS SOON DISC>D$ SEV]AL DESP]ATE RATIONALIZATIONS ( HIS SITUATION4 ,IT WAS ALL A DREAM1 HE ?\<T1 BUT !N KNEW 9/ANTLY ?AT IT WAS NOT1 ?AT HE WAS WIDE AWAKE1 ?AT ?OSE TEE? ON ! LEFT SIDE ( HIS M\? /ILL A*$1 ) ?OSE UPON ! RI<T RETA9+ FRAGM5TS ( FRI$ BREAD FROM BREAKFA/4 ,HE DECID$ ?AT IT WAS A PRANK1 P]HAPS ACCOMPLI%$ ) A ,MAGIC ,LANT]N1 BUT WAS 9/ANTLY REM9D$ ?AT ! PICTURES CA/ BY SU* DEVICES DO NOT MOVE4 ,A ,PEPP]'S ,<O/1 !N1 LIKE !Y HAD AT ,HI<BURY ,B>N SO ?AT ! %ADE ( ,HAMLET'S FA!R SEEM$ TO WALK UPON ! /AGE1 BUT NO1 NO1 ! EFFECT REQUIR$ A %EET ( ANGL$ GLASS & !RE WAS NO?+ 9 ,]N'S WORK+-SPACE SAVE ,]N HIMSELF & HIS MAT]IALS4 

,AS EA* FRE% EXPLANATION TURN$ TO %R$S ( FLIMSY TISSUE 9 HIS H&S HE FELT ! PANIC T]ROR WELL+ 9 HIM UNTIL HE C\LD TAKE NO MORE ( IT4 ,HIS TI<T5+ ?ROAT *OK$ \T A SOB ?AT S\ND$ WOMANLY 9 HIS [N E>S & TURN+ FROM ! APP>ITION HE BEGAN TO RUN1 BUT AS ! FOOT+ %UDD]$ UND] HIS FIR/ /EP ! DREADFUL FACT ( :]E HE WAS1 ALONE & AT GREAT ALTITUDE1 RETURN$ TO HIM ) OV]:ELM+ =CE4 ,ABOVE1 ! ?UND]/ORM HAD CLAMB]$ TO ITS FLA%+1 CRA%+ PEAK & EV5 IF ,]N C\LD HAVE OV]COME ! CL5*$ P>ALYZES ?AT GRIPP$ HIS VOCAL CORDS = LONG 5\< TO SCREAM1 NOBODY D[N BEL[ W\LD EV] HE> HIM4 

,HE'D JU/ JUMP1 !N1 GET ! :OLE ?+ OV] ) & BETT] ?AT1 ! FLAIL+ FALL1 ! PULV]IZ+ IMPACT1 BETT] ?AT ?AN ?IS1 ?IS ?+1 BUT HE HAD HESITAT$ F> TOO LONG ALREADY1 KNEW HE C\LDN'T REALLY DO IT1 KNEW HE WAS & ALWAYS HAD BE5 9 ! LA/ ANALYSIS A C[>D :5 IT CAME TO DEA? & PA94 ,HE %UFFL$ BACK >\ND TO FACE ! ANGEL1 HOP+ AGA9/ HOPE ?AT :5 HE DID ! TRICK ( LI<T OR HE>+ W\LD HAVE BE5 CORRECT$1 BUT ! MAMMO? PHYSIOGNOMY WAS LOOK+ /RAI<T T[>DS HIM1 ITS P]IPH]AL L9ES /ILL SQUIRM+ FA9TLY & ! HI<LI<TS ON ITS LIDS SLI!R+ QUICKLY TO *ANGE PLACES ) ! EYE-:ITES AS IT BL9K$1 !N BL9K$ AGA94 ,! ROSEATE TONES 9 :I* ITS LIPS HAD BE5 DEPICT$ SWIRL$ & CURDL$ AS IT TRI$ :AT SEEM$ 9T5D$ AS A REASSUR+ SMILE4 ,AT ?IS1 ,]N />T$ QUIETLY WEEP+ 9 ! WAY HE'D WEPT :5 HE HAD BE5 A BOY & !RE WAS SIMPLY NO?+ ELSE SAVE CRY+ TO BE DONE4 ,HE SAT D[N ON ! PLANKS & SANK HIS FACE 9TO HIS H&S AS ?AT TRANSFIX+ VOICE AGA9 BEGAN TO SPEAK1 ) ITS UNW9D+ DEP?S & CURLICU$ REV]B]ATIONS SCURRY+ AWAY TO %IMM]+ NO?+4 

0,JU/IIYES ABDOVE] ?I] /RAEEL!40 

,JU/ ,I1 YES1 ,I1 JU/ MY AFFIRM+ PRES5CE & MY JU/ EYES WAT*+ FROM ABOVE1 >\ND A VE] OR CORN] 9 ! HEAV5S :]E ! DOVES & PIGEONS FLY1 AMONG ! HI]>*IES & ! HI]OPHANTS ( ?IS HI<] ,HI]USALEM1 OV] ! /RAI<T & HONE/ /RAIT5$ TRAILS :I* >E ! E!R ( ! POOR ?AT ,I HAVE MADE MY GREAT TRIBUNAL :]EBY DO ,I N[ ANN\NCE ?AT ,JU/ICE BE ABOVE ! ,/REET4 

,]N HAD HIS /++ EYES CLOS$ & HIS PALMS PRESS$ TO HIS FACE1 BUT F\ND HE C\LD /ILL SEE ! ANGEL ANYWAY1 NOT ?R\< HIS F+]-CRACKS OR EYELIDS AS ) A BRI<T LI<T BUT MORE AS IF ! RAYS HAD SW]V$ >\ND !SE OB/ACLES BY SOME R\TE ,]N C\LD NOT DET]M9E4 ,HIS ATTEMPTS TO BLOCK ! SI<T \T PROV+ USELESS HE NEXT CLASP$ HIS H&S ACROSS HIS E>S 9/EAD1 BUT HAD NO MORE SUCCESS4 ,RA!R ?AN BE+ MUFFL$ BY ! 9T]V5+ PADS ( GRI/LE1 BONE & FAT1 ! 5TITY'S CASCAD+ VOICE SEEM$ TO BE CIRCUMV5T+ !SE IMP$IM5TS TO S\ND ) CRY/AL CL>ITY1 ALMO/ AS IF ITS S\RCE W]E 9SIDE ,]NE/'S SKULL4 ,REMEMB]+ HIS FA!R'S MADNESS1 ,]N WAS COM+ RAPIDLY TO ! CONCLUSION ?AT 9 FACT ?IS MI<T WELL BE ! CASE4 ,! TALK+ FRESCO WAS JU/ A DELUSION & ,]N HAD GONE R\ND ! B5D LIKE HIS OLD MAN4 ,OR1 ON ! O!R H&1 HE WAS /ILL SANE & ?IS UNCANNY 9T]V5TION WAS A REAL EV5T1 WAS G5U9ELY TAK+ PLACE !RE 9 ! DANGL+ L(T ABOVE ,/4 ,PAUL'S1 !RE 9 ,]N'S WORLD1 !RE 9 HIS LIFE4 ,NEI!R ( !SE ALT]NATIVES WAS BE>ABLE4 

,! SP>KL+ MUSIC ( EA* ANGEL-WORD1 ITS %IV]+ H>MONIC FRONDS & ITS DIS9TEGRAT+ >ABESQUES1 WAS CRAFT$ SO ! S\NDS W]E SUBDIVID$ 5DLESSLY 9 EV]-SMALL] COPIES ( !MSELVES1 JU/ AS EA* BRAN* IS LIKE ITS TREE 9 M9IATURE1 EA* 9DIVIDUAL TWIG A SCAL$-D[N REPRODUCTION ( ITS BRAN*4 ,A RIV] ?AT FRAGM5T$ 9TO /REAMS & AT LA/ RIVULETS UPON ITS DELTA1 EV]Y SYLLABLE W\LD TRICKLE ?R\< A ?\S& FISSURES & CAPILL>IES 9TO ,]N'S CORE1 9TO ! V]Y FABRIC ( HIM1 ALL ITS MEAN+ SATURAT+ HIM 9 SU* A WAY ?AT ITS LEA/ NUANCE C\LD NOT BE MI%E>D1 MISUND]/OOD OR MISS$4 

0,JU/ICE ABOVE ! ,/REET01 ! VA/1 FLAT FACE HAD SAID1 OR ?AT AT LEA/ HAD BE5 A P>T ( IT1 & 9 HIS ?\<TS HE F\ND A /RONG & SUDD5 VISUAL IMAGE TO ACCOMPANY ! PHRASE4 ,9 HIS M9D'S EYE HE SAW :AT WAS1 9 %ORT1 A SET ( SCALES HUNG UP ABOVE A W9D+ B& ( ROAD1 BUT ! />K CRUD5ESS ( ! IMAG]Y BEWILD]$ ,]N1 :O'D ALWAYS ?\<T HE HAD A FAIR IMAG9ATION = SU* ?+S4 ,!SE W]E NO GLEAM+ BALANCES SUSP5D$ 9 ! GLORI\S /REAM+ SKY ABOVE A RU/IC LANE AS 9 SOME ,BIBLE ILLU/RATION1 BUT ! R\< M>KS ( A *ILD OR IMBECILE4 ,! HANG+ PANS & !IR SUPPORT+ *A9S W]E NO MORE ?AN UNEV5 TRIANGLES1 JO9$ NE> & NOT EXACTLY AT !IR APEX BY AN OBLONG DRAWN 9 AN UNPRACTIC$ H&4 ,BEL[ ?IS WAS A WAV]+ & ELONGAT$ RECTANGLE ?AT MAY HAVE BE5 A /REET OR MAY AS WELL HAVE BE5 A /RIP ( CURL+ RIBBON4 

,) AS FEW L9ES TO ITS MAK+ AS ! ANGEL'S UTT]ANCE HAD WORDS1 ! SIMPLE SKET* UNLOAD$ ALL ITS DIV]SE IMPLICATIONS 9TO ,]N BY MU* ! SAME MEANS ?AT ! BE+'S VOICE HAD UTILIZ$1 IMPLANT+ MODE/ P>CELS ( AW>5ESS ?AT UNWRAPP$ !MSELVES 9TO A ?+ MU* BIGG] & MORE COMPLICAT$4 ,/UDY+ ! SLIP%OD M5TAL PICTURE1 ,]NE/ COMPREH5D$ ?AT IT WAS RELAT$ 9 A MY/IFY+ WAY TO EV]Y IDLE ?\<T HE'D HAD :ILE ON HIS WALK TO WORK ?AT DAY1 AS ?\< ?OSE NOTIONS HAD BE5 FOGGY & 9V]T$ MEMORIES ( ?IS IMM$IATE REVELATION1 MEMORIES ?AT 9 SOME PUZZL+ FA%ION ONE MI<T HAVE BE=E !IR SUBJECT HAD OCCURR$4 ,! IMAGE 9 HIS HEAD1 HE UND]/OOD1 HAD A CONNECTION TO HIS E>LI] MUS+S ON ! DIFFICULTIES ( ! POOR1 TO HIS CONSID]ATION ( ! %OE-TRADE 9 ,NOR?AMPTON & SEEM$ EV5 RELEVANT TO ! RUDE1 LOV+ ?\<TS HE'D HAD AB\T HIS WIFE4 ,IT ALSO CALL$ TO M9D HIS POND]+S UPON HIS (FSPR+1 ,JOHN & LITTLE ,?URSA1 & :AT W\LD BECOME ( !M1 AS WELL AS HIS BRIEF CONJUR+ ( ,HEAV5 AS LOCAT$ AT GREAT HEI<T ABOVE ! /REETS ( ,LAMBE?4 ,*IEFLY1 ?\<1 ,]N WAS REM9D$ ( ! BLACK M5 ?AT HE'D ?\<T ( 9 ,AM]ICA1 ! FRE$ SLAVES & HIS HORRID VISUALIZATION ( ! BR&$ *ILDR54 ,HE /ILL WEPT1 SAT HELPLESS !RE UPON ! FIL?Y FLOORBO>DS1 BUT HIS TE>S W]E NOT N[ :OLLY = HIMSELF4 

,HAV+ SUCCE$$ 9 ATTRACT+ ,]N'S ATT5TION1 ! BIG PA9T+ ( A FACE PROCE$$ TO IMP>T ITS LESSON1 !RE AMID ! CRACKL+ WRA? & RAGE ?AT SEEM$ LOCK$ 9 A C\RSE :I* CIRCL$ ! CA!DRAL'S SPIRE4 ,FROM ! CONT9UAL & SUBTLE %IFTS ( ITS DEMEANOR1 IT SEEM$ ANXI\S TO CONVEY 9/RUCTION ( PR(\ND IMPORTANCE ON A /AGG]+ RANGE ( TOPICS1 MANY ( !M SEEM+ TO BE MATT]S ( MA!MATICS & GEOMETRY = :I* ,]N1 ?\< ILLIT]ATE1 HAD ALWAYS HAD A FLAIR4 ,! KN[L$GE1 ANYWAY1 DECANT$ 9TO HIM SO ?AT HE HAD NO *OICE AS TO :E!R HE TOOK IT 9 OR NOT4 

,! VISION FIR/ EXPLA9$1 US+ ITS MANGL$ & COMPACT$ B\ILLON-WORDS1 ?AT ! SURR\ND+ /ORM WAS A RESULT ( SOME?+1 9 ?IS 9/ANCE ! ANGEL ITSELF1 MOV+ FROM ONE WORLD TO ANO!R4 ,9 ) ?IS ,]N HE>D AN 9F]5CE ?AT /ORMS !MSELVES HAD A GEOMETRY ?AT WAS TO HUMAN S5SES UNP]CEIVABLE1 ?AT BOLTS ( LI<TN+ ?AT MI<T /RIKE 9 DIFF]5T PLACES & ON DIFF]5T DAYS W]E YET ! SELFSAME DIS*>GE1 ?\< REFRACT$1 ) REFLECTIONS EV5 SCATT]+ ?R\< TIME1 9TO ! PA/ & FUTURE4 ,! PHRASE BY :I* IT EXPRESS$ ?IS WISDOM WAS 0,F\RE L]LAYTO]N+S MA>CKE IYU\R 5TREANXSI/S 4440 ,= LI<TN+S M>K \R TRANSITS 444 

,]NE/ LIFT$ UP HIS %9+ FLA%-LIT *EEKS TO />E DESPAIR+LY AT ! QU>TET ( >*ANGELS PICK$ \T 9 BLUE & GOLD UPON ! SKULLCAP ( ! DOME ABOVE ! FRESCOES4 ,TRANQUIL & EXPRESSIONLESS !Y (F]$ NO ASSI/ANCE1 W]E NO CONSOLATION1 BUT AT LEA/ W]5'T MOV+4 ,AS HE LET HIS GAZE S9K BACK TO ! EXPANSE ( SL[LY WRI?+ SPECKS ?AT WAS ! FACE ( HIS 9T]LOCUTOR1 ,]N DI/ANTLY REALIZ$ ?AT ?IS WAS ! ONLY >EA ( ! FRESCO1 OR ( ANY ( ! FRESCOES1 :I* WAS ?US AFFLICT$4 ,9 A S5SE1 ?IS MADE ?+S WORSE BECAUSE IF HE W]E MAD !N W\LDN'T HE BE SEE+ VISIONS BUBBL+ EV]Y:]E & NOT JU/ 9 ONE PLACE8 ,HE WI%$ HE C\LD PASS \T OR EV5 HAVE HIS HE>T PACK 9 & DIE1 SO ?IS 9SUFF]ABLE HORROR W\LD BE OV]1 DONE )1 BUT 9/EAD IT JU/ W5T ON & ON & ON4 ,LOOK+ T[>DS HIM PATI5TLY ACROSS ! BO>DS ?AT CUT IT (F AT *E/-HEI<T1 ! HUGE HEAD APPE>$ TO %RUG ITS ROBE-DRAP$ %\LD]S SYMPA!TICALLY1 AN 5]GETIC RIPPLE ( DISPLAC$ MAUVES & BURNT UMB]S MOV+ ?R\< ! G>M5T'S FOLDS & !N RESETTL+ AS ! GLIMM]+ IMPOSSIBILITY RESUM$ ,]N ,V]NALL'S $UCATION1 MU* ( IT RELAT$ TO ! FIELD ( >*ITECTURE4 

0 444 AEOND ?I] CFH\RVNEGRES ORFFLIDT ,HE]TURN[/RY AWRE HAOP5D$40 

,& !RE AT ! HI<] CONV]G5CE ( ! EONS ?AT IS F\RFOLD ON ! DIM B5I<T$ V]GES ( \R ,HEAV51 AT ! 'OR' ( ?+S1 ! GOLD5-LI<T$ H+E ( POSSIBILITY ?AT 9 ?IS H\R :5 >E BLACK PEOPLE FRE$ HOVE (F ! LID ( AN ET]NAL H]E & N[ ( HI/ORY ?AT IS ALREADY HAPP5$1 HAS TURN$ \T1 HAS 5D$ HAPPILY ) HOPE & AWE OR IS 9 Y\R AW>5ESS UNRESOLV$ & OP5-5D$1 YET REJOICE ?AT ,JU/ICE BE ABOVE ! ,/REET1 = LI<TN+S M>K \R TRANSIT & ! CORN]S ( ,ET]NITY >E OP5$4 

,?IS CONT9U$ = TWO & ?REE-QU>T] H\RS4 

,! LECTURE WAS EXPANSIVE1 9TRODUC+ ,]N TO PO9TS ( VIEW HE'D NEV] REALLY ?\<T AB\T BE=E4 ,HE WAS 9VIT$ TO CONSID] TIME ) EV]Y MOM5T ( ITS PASS+ 9 ! T]MS ( PLANE GEOMETRY1 & HAD IT PO9T$ \T ?AT HUMAN BE+S' GRASP ( SPACE WAS 9COMPLETE4 ,AN EMPHASIS WAS PLAC$ ON CORN]S HAV+ UNSE5 /RUCTURAL SIGNIFICANCE1 BE+ LOCAT$ AT ! SAME PO9TS ON AN OBJECT :E!R REALIZ$ 9 PLAN OR ELEVATION1 CON/ANT ?\< !Y BE EXPRESS$ 9 TWO OR ?REE OR MORE DIM5SIONS4 ,NEXT !RE WAS A DISC\RSE ON TOPOGRAPHY1 ALBEIT ONE 9 :I* ?AT SUBJECT WAS PROJECT$ TO A METAPHYSICAL EXTREME4 ,IT WAS MADE CLE> TO HIM ?AT ,LAMBE? WAS ADJAC5T TO F>-(F ,NOR?AMPTON IF BO? W]E UPON A MAP ?AT %\LD BE FOLD$ 9 A C]TA9 WAY1 ?AT ! LOCATIONS AL?\< DI/ANT C\LD BE 9 A S5SE CONCEIV$ AS BE+ 9 ! SAME PLACE4 

,/ILL ON MATT]S TOPOGRAPHIC1 ,]N WAS 9TRODUC$ TO A NEW UND]/&+ ( ! TORUS1 OR '! LIFE-BELT %APE' AS HE 9W>DLY CALL$ IT1 AN 9FLAT$ R\ND PI]C$ BY A HOLE4 ,IT WAS REM>K$ UPON ?AT BO? ! HUMAN BODY ) ITS ALIM5T>Y CANAL & HUMBLE *IMNEY ) ITS C5TRAL BORE W]E V>IATIONS ON ?IS BASIC =M1 & ?AT A P]SON MI<T BE SE5 AS AN 9V]T$ SMOKE/ACK1 %OVEL+ FUEL 9TO ITS TOP 5D ) BR[N CL\DS ( SOLID SMOKE ]UPT+ FROM ! O!R TO DISP]SE 9 EI!R E>? OR SEA1 9 ANY?+ SAVE SKY4 ,IT WAS ?IS PO9T1 DESPITE ! TE>S /ILL C\RS+ D[N HIS *EEKS1 DESPITE ! FACT ?AT HE FELT HE WAS DR[N+1 AT :I* ,]N BEGAN TO LAU<4 ,! IDEA ( A MAN OR WOMAN AS A *IMNEYPOT TURN$ UPSIDE D[N WAS JU/ SO COMICAL HE C\LDN'T HELP IT1 ) ! PICTURE ?AT IT CALL$ UP ( LONG /REAM+ TURDS UNFURL+ OV] ,LONDON FROM ! CITY'S F\NDRY T[]S4 

,]N LAU<$1 & AS HE DID SO DID ! ANGEL1 & ITS EV]Y SC9TILLAT+ 9TONATION WAS BRIM-FULL ) ,JOY1 ) ,JOY1 ) ,JOY1 ) ,JOY1 ) ,JOY4 

,BILL ,MABBUTT NOTIC$ ?AT ! /ORM HAD F9I%$ :5 ! NE>BY *UR*ES *IM$ = NOON & HE FIR/ REALIZ$ ?AT HE C\LD HE> !M4 ,SETT+ D[N HIS MORT>BO>D ) ! LA/ SCRAPES ( GR\T ?AT HE'D BE5 US+ TO FILL 9 BETWE5 SOME PROBLEMATIC TILES1 HE TURN$ & CLAPP$ HIS RAW-BEEF H&S SO ?AT ! M5 W\LD HE$ HIM4 ,HIS LI<T T5OR VOICE REV]B]AT$ 9 ! GALL]IES1 C>E5+ 9 ! AISLES LIKE A LO/ GULL AS HE ANN\NC$ A /OPPAGE = SOME TEA & BREAD4 

0,ALL RI<T1 LADS1 ?AT'S Y\R LOT = 'ALF AN '\R4 ,LET'S 'AVE \R BIT O' BUP & GET ! KETTLE ON40 

,REMEMB]+ ! DECORATOR1 ,MABBUTT NODD$ HIS P9K1 GLI/5+ HEAD T[>DS ! SCAFFOLD+4 

0,WE'D BETT] W9D OLD ,G+] D[N1 & ALL4 ,I'VE SE5 'IM LOSE HIS RAG & Y\ CAN TRU/ ME ?AT IT'S NOT A PRETTY SI<T40 

,BIG ,ALB]T ,PICKLES1 LUMB]+ ACROSS ! POLI%$ *ECK]S ) HIS FILMY1 9COMPLETE REFLECTION SWIMM+ 9 ! %E5 B5EA? HIS BOOTS1 LOOK$ UP AT ,BILL & GR9N$ AS HE TOOK HIS POSITION BY ONE ( ! CAGE'S CORN] W9*ES4 

0,AYE4 ',E'S G+] & 'E'S B>MY & 'IS DAD'S /ILL 9 ! >MY40 

,SEV]AL ( ! O!R FELL[S SMIRK$ AT ?IS OLD RAGAMUFF9 TAUNT AS !Y PREP>$ TO MAN ! SCAFFOLD+'S REMA9+ ROPES1 BUT ,BILL WAS HAV+ NONE ( IT4 ,A TUBBY BLOKE :O HAD A PIP+ VOICE HE MAY HAVE BE51 BUT ,BILL HAD WON A M$AL FI<T+ ! ,BURMESE & ALL ! M51 9CLUD+ ,ALB]T ,PICKLES1 KNEW !Y'D BE/ NOT GO UPSETT+ HIM4 

0 ',IS DAD'S PASS$ ON1 ,B]T1 SO WE'LL 'AVE NO MORE ( ?AT1 EH8 ',E'S A DEC5T *AP :O'S 'AD '>D LUCK & JU/ GOT A NEW BABY4 ,N[1 LET'S 'AUL 'IM D[N1 !N ALL ( Y\ CAN 'AVE Y\R BREAK40 

,! M5 ACCEPT$ ! REPRO( GOOD-NATUR$LY1 !N TOOK ! /RA9 UPON !IR CABLES AS ,BILL V5TUR$ A %\T UP 9TO ! GLORI\S WELL ABOVE !M1 TELL+ ,G+] TO BE READY SO HE %\LDN'T SPILL HIS POTS OR KNOCK !M OV] :5 ! PLAT=M />T$ TO DESC5D4 ,!RE WAS NO ANSW]1 BUT ) ! SUSP5D$ PLANK+ UP AT SU* AN ALTITUDE ,MABBUTT HAD NOT REALLY EXPECT$ HIS ANN\NCEM5T TO BE HE>D4 ,HE BOBB$ HIS RUDDY *9 9 ! DIRECTION ( ! LABOR]S1 :5CE !Y BEGAN TO LET S9K ! BROAD >C ( WOOD D[N FROM ! MURMUR+1 GILD$ FIRMAM5T ( ! CA!DRAL TO ! BRAWNY BACK-OR-=? & SUBDU$ HUBBUB ( ITS ?RONG+ FLOOR4 

,! PULLEYS OV]HEAD /RUCK UP !IR MEASUR$1 9T]MITT5T SQUEAL+ LIKE A HORDE ( WOM5 L[]+ !MSELVES BY 9*ES 9TO ! COLD WAT]S ( A PUBLIC BA?4 ,PULL+ A HANKIE FROM HIS TR\S] POCKET1 ,BILLY ,MABBUTT MOPP$ ! LIQUID GLAZE ( P]SPIRATION FROM HIS ROSY CR[N & ?\<T ( ,G+] ,V]NALL AS HE'D BE5 \T 9 ,CRIMEA1 BATT]+ ONE ( HIS FELL[ SQUADD]S BLOODY 9 !IR B>RACKS :5 ?IS O!R *AP MADE SOME REM>K AB\T ! SORT ( BACKGR\ND ,G+] CAME FROM4 ,BILL FELT SORRY = ! MAN1 ?AT WAS ! TRU? ( IT1 TO SEE H[ PR\D HE'D BE5 BACK 9 ! W> & SEE HIM N[ BR\<T L[ BY EV]Y?+4 ,NO SOON] WAS HE BACK FROM FI<T+ ,RUSSIANS :5 OLD ,JOHN1 HIS DAD1 W5T POTTY & !N DI$ NOT MANY YE>S !REAFT]4 ,/ILL %OOK UP FROM ALL ( ?AT1 ,BILL %\LDN'T WOND]1 ,G+] HAD TOOK UP ) HIS Y\NG GIRL !N M>RI$ H]1 & RI<T AWAY %E'D HAD FIR/ ONE KID !N ANO!R4 ,BILLY NEV] HAD A LOT ( TRUCK ) WOM51 BE+ MORE AT EASE ) O!R M51 BUT HE'D SE5 SU* A LOT ( FELL[S GET ?R\< MUCK & MUSKET BALLS ONLY TO HAVE !IR LEGS CUT \T FROM UND] !M BY WIFE & FAMILY4 ,G+] WAS /UCK ) HUNGRY M\?S TO FE$ & NO PLACE ( HIS [N :]E !Y C\LD LIVE1 /ILL AT HIS MAM'S \T ,LAMBE? & A MIS]ABLE OLD BIDDY %E WAS TOO1 FROM ,MABBUTT'S ONE 5C\NT] ) H]4 

,N9ETY OR A HUNDR$ FEET ABOVE1 ! UND]SIDE ( ,G+]'S PODIUM CAME CLOS] TO A RHY?MICAL ACCOMPANIM5T ( GROAN+ HAWS]S1 GRUNT+ WORK]S & %RILL PULLEY-:EELS4 ,/UFF+ ! H&K]*IEF BACK :]E IT CAME FROM ,BILL TURN$ R\ND TO FACE ! TRE/LE TABLE :]E HE'D PUT HIS MORT>BO>D SO HE C\LD GIVE IT A WIPE D[N BE=E HE HAD A CUP ( TEA4 ,! CL]GY ( ,/4 ,PAUL'S HAD BE5 P]SUAD$ AFT] AN UNSEEMLY B\T ( HAGGL+ TO BOIL UP A BIG TUB ( WAT] OV] ! CA!DRAL'S /OVE SO ?AT ! TWO CAPACI\S TEAPOTS MADE ( E>!NW>E & BR\<T ALONG BY ! CONTRACT$ LABOR C\LD BE FILL$4 ,!SE /EAM$ !RE AT ! TABLE'S F> 5D N[1 ALONGSIDE A COLLECTION ( ! DIRTIE/ T9 MUGS ?AT ,BILL HAD EV] SE51 ANO!R LOAN FROM ! BEGRUDG+ CL]ICS4 ,D5T$ & DILAPIDAT$1 !SE HAD BLOT*I] COMPLEXIONS ?AN POOR ,/RAWB]RY ,SAM1 ,BILL'S Y\NG APPR5TICE AT ,/4 ,PAUL'S4 ,%IT-COLOR$ RU/ WAS CRU/$ AT !IR RIMS1 & ONE WAS GNAW$ ?R\< BY A BUM-WIPE ( CORROSION SO Y\ C\LD SEE DAYLI<T4 ,RUBB+ ! LA/ SCABS ( GR\T FROM (F HIS BO>D1 ,BILL MADE A M5TAL NOTE TO SEE AS NEI!R HIM NOR ,G+] GOT ! CUP ?AT HAD A HOLE1 UNLESS !Y WANT$ HOT TEA PISS+ 9 !IR LAPS4 

,HE WAS MADE GRADUALLY AW>E ( A COMM5C+ RUCTION SOME:]E TO HIS RE> & SO LOOK$ BACK T[>DS ! SCAFFOLD JU/ 9 TIME TO SEE ! PLAT=M W9*$ D[N BEL[ HEAD-HEI<T1 N[ A Y>D OR TWO AT MO/ ABOVE ! GR\ND4 ,OLD ,DANNY ,RILEY ) HIS BE>D LIKE ,MR4 ,D>W9'S & ?AT SAME G5T'S MONKEY M\? WAS SAY+ 0,:O'S ?AT8 ,BLESS$ ,M>Y1 N[1 :O'S ?AT80 OV] & OV] LIKE ! VILLAGE FOOL1 SO ?AT ,BILL GLANC$ AB\T TO SEE IF SOME ,>*BI%OP OR IMPORTANT MAN LIKE ?AT HAD /EPP$ \T FROM BEH9D A PO/ & COME AMONG !M4 ,F9D+ NO ONE HE LOOK$ BACK T[>DS ! W$GE ( BO>DS ?AT SKIMM$ N[ ONLY 9*ES FROM ! TIL+ & :I* ) ANO!R SCREAM FROM ITS F\R PULLEYS W\LD BE L&$4 

,COM+ FROM ! FIGURE SQUATT+ !RE AT ! CON/RUCTION'S C5T] WAS A /AMM]+ 0HOO-HOO-HOO0 NOISE1 ONLY AUDIBLE ONCE ALL ! W9*ES W]E AT RE/1 & EV5 !N Y\ C\LDN'T TELL IF IT W]E LAU<T] OR ! S\ND ( WEEP+ Y\ W]E HE>+4 ,TE>S ROLL$1 C]TA9LY1 ACROSS ! FIGURE'S GRUBBY *EEKS1 BUT RAN 9TO ! CREVICES ( :AT MI<T HAVE APPE>$ A BLISSFUL SMILE W]E NOT ! EYES FILL$ ) CONFUSION & ) PA94 ,UPON ! BO>DS 9 FRONT ( IT1 WRIT BY A F+]TIP DIPP$ 9 ,V5ETIAN ,YELL[ & ) WOBBL+ *>ACT]S SU* AS A Y\NG *ILD MI<T ATTEMPT WAS ! WORD ,T,O,R,U,S1 ?AT ,BILL KNEW TO BE A T]M COME FROM A/ROLOGY BY VIRTUE ( ! FACT ?AT HE HIMSELF WAS BORN 9 ,MAY4 ,:AT ,MABBUTT C\LDN'T FA?OM1 ?\<1 WAS H[ ! WORD CAME TO BE WRITT5 ON ! PLANKS AT ALL1 :5 HE KNEW FULL WELL AS ! MAN ?AT HE'D S5T UP !RE TO RET\* ! FRESCOES C\LDN'T WRITE HIS NAME1 P]HAPS MI<T COPY \T A LETT]'S %APE IF HE W]E SO 9/RUCT$1 AL?\< OBVI\SLY ?AT HAD NOT BE5 ! CASE ALONE !RE 9 ! UPP] DOME4 

,BILLY WALK$ LEAD5LY AS 9 ?OSE NI<TM>ES ( PURSUIT T[>DS ! HEAP+ CAGE ( SCAFFOLD+1 PU%+ ASIDE ! NAVVIES /OOD /OCK /ILL & GAWP+ 9 HIS WAY4 ,AMID ! SUSURRUS ( GASPS SURR\ND+ HIM HE HE>D ,B]T ,PICKLES SAY+1 0,FUCK ME6 ,FUCK MY ASS60 & HE>D ! CLATT]+ FOOTFALLS ( ! PRIE/S COME RUNN+ TO SEE :AT ! NOISE WAS ALL AB\T4 ,SOMEONE BESIDE ! FIGURE %IPWRECK$ !RE UPON HIS RAFT HAD />T$ CRY+4 ,FROM ! S\ND1 ,BILL ?\<T IT WAS Y\NG ,SAM4 

,LOOK+ UP FROM ! SCATT]$ POTS & BRU%ES ?AT HE SAT AMONG & FROM ! 9EXPLICABLE BRI<T SCRAWL1 ! P]SON :O'D COME D[N FROM ! HI< GANTRY'S P9NACLE />$ BACK AT ,MABBUTT & HIS O!R WORKMATES1 & !N GIGGL$ 9 A SOBB+ SORT ( FA%ION4 ,IT WAS NOT AS ?\< !RE WAS NO RECOGNITION !RE 9 HIS EXPRESSION1 BUT MORE AS IF HE HAD BE5 AWAY SO LONG ?AT HE HAD COME TO ?9K HIS =M] OCCUPATION & COMPANIONS ALL A DREAM1 & WAS SURPRIS$ TO F9D !Y W]E /ILL !RE4 ,BILLY C\LD FEEL HOT TE>S WELL 9 HIS [N EYES N[1 RETURN+ ?AT DE/ROY$1 UNCOMPREH5D+ GAZE4 ,HIS VOICE TWI/$ AN OCTAVE HI<] ?AN IT'S NORMAL PIT* :5 ,BILLY TRI$ TO SPEAK4 ,HE C\LDN'T HELP IT4 

0,OH1 Y\ POOR LAD4 ,OH1 MY POOR OLD MATE1 :ATEV] 'AS BECOME ( Y\80 

,ONE ?+ WAS SURE4 ,= ! REMA9D] ( HIS LIFE NO ONE W\LD EV]1 :5 !Y SPOKE ( ,]NE/ ,V]NALL1 CALL HIM ,G+]4 

,BILLY WALK$ HIS BROK5 FRI5D HOME OV] ,BLACKFRI>S ,BRIDGE & /AY$ A :ILE ) ,]NIE'S WAIL+ FAMILY ONCE !Y'D RECOGNIZ$ ! /RANG] BR\<T HOME E>LY FROM HIS WORK4 ,EV5 ,]N'S MAM WAS WEEP+1 :I* ,BILL WAS SURPRIS$ BY1 HAV+ NEV] ?\<T %E HAD AN \NCE ( PITY 9 H]1 ?\< H] SON'S CONDITION W\LD HAVE MADE A /ONE CRY4 ,NOT SO MU* ! WAY ,]N LOOK$ N[ AS ! ?+S HE TALK$ AB\T - TREES1 PIGEONS1 LI<TN+1 CORN]S1 *IMNEYPOTS - A TUMULT ( PLA91 ORD9>Y ?+S ?AT HE W\LD M5TION 9 ! SAME HU%$ TONES ) :I* ONE MI<T DISCUSS A M]MAID4 ,! ONE P]SON NOT 9 TE>S AMONG ! H\SEHOLD WAS ! TWO-YE>-OLD1 Y\NG ,JOHN1 :O SAT !RE />+ AT HIS TRANS=M$ FA!R ) ?OSE BIG D>K EYES :IL/ MO!R1 GR&MO!R & BABY SI/] WEPT1 & ALL ?AT TIME HE NEV] MADE A S\ND4 

,]NE/ REFUS$ TO SPEAK AB\T :AT HAD OCCURR$ UP 9 ! /ORM CL\DS OV] ,LONDON1 SAVE TO ,JOHN & ,?URSA SOME YE>S LAT]1 :5 HIS SON WAS T5 YE>S OLD & ,?URSA ONLY EI<T4 ,= !IR P>T1 ,]NE/'S *ILDR5 NEV] W\LD REVEAL :AT !Y'D BE5 TOLD1 NOT EV5 TO !IR MO!R OR TO ,JOHN'S [N (FSPR+ :5 HE M>RI$ & HAD KIDS A DECADE LAT]1 AT ! TAIL 5D ( ! #a#h#hS4 

,ON ! MORN+ AFT] & 9 FACT ON EV]Y DAY ?AT WEEK ,]N ,V]NALL1 HAV+ BY ?AT PO9T REGA9$ AT LEA/ SOME ( HIS S5SES1 MADE A BRAVE ATTEMPT TO TAKE UP HIS EMPLOYM5T 9 ,/4 ,PAUL'S AGA91 9SI/+ !RE WAS NO?+ WRONG ) HIM4 ,EA* MORN+ HE W\LD REA* ! FOOT ( ,LUDGATE ,/REET & /& !RE = A TIME1 UNABLE TO GO ANY FUR!R1 BE=E TURN+ R\ND 9 HIS DESPOND5T TRACKS & MAK+ BACK = ,LAMBE?4 ,HE HAD SOME WORK = A :ILE1 JU/ ON & (F1 ?\< NOT 9 *UR*ES ANYMORE & NOT AT ANY HEI<T4 ,ANNE HAD TWO FUR!R *ILDR5 BY HIM1 FIR/ A GIRL NAM$ ,APPEL9A1 !N A BOY ?AT ,]NE/ WAS 9SI/5T %\LD BE *RI/5$ ,MESS5G]4 ,9 #ahfh ,]N'S WIFE & MO!R = ! FIR/ TIME 9 !IR LIVES AGRE$ ON SOME?+ & ALL[$ HIM TO BE PLAC$ 9 ,B$LAM1 :]E ,?URSA & ,JOHN & SOMETIMES ! TWO Y\NG] KIDS W\LD MAKE FIR/ MON?LY & !N YE>LY VISITS UNTIL ! ,JULY ( #ahhb :51 9 HIS SLEEP & AG$ JU/ =TY-N9E1 ,]N P]I%$ FROM A HE>T ATTACK4 ,EXCEPT HIS ELDE/ *ILDR51 NO ONE EV] F\ND \T :AT HE'D MEANT BY ! WORD ,T,O,R,U,S4 

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

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#d1 #bba 3 ,BOOK #a1 ,*APT] #a -- ,ADD$4 

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