,BOOK #a1 ,*APT] #a 
,H>K6  ,! ,GLAD ,S\ND6 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

,H,>,K6 ,! ,G,L,A,D ,S,\,N,D6 

,ASPID]Y PIANO MUSIC PICK$ ITS WAY 9 COLD MI/ FROM ! ,AB+TON ,/REET LIBR>Y TO ! WORKH\SE 9 ! ,WELL+BOR\< ,ROAD4 ,HIS FEET LIKE ICE 9SIDE HIS WORK BOOTS1 ,TOMMY ,W>R5 TOOK A LA/ PULL ON HIS ,K5SITAS !N FLICK$ ! GL[+ DOG-5D TO ! GR\ND1 A T9Y FIREBALL TUMBL+ AWAY 9 M>BL$ D>K1 SMA%$ 9TO SP>KS ON FRO/$ PAV+ /ONES4 

,! DI/ANT1 T9KL+ NOTES W]E CREEP+ FROM ,C>NEGIE ,HALL ABOVE ! LIBR>Y & \T ?R\< ?IS ,NOVEMB] NI<T1 !IR S\ND A /R+ ( ICICLES4 ,ITS S\RCE WAS ,MAD ,M>IE1 M>A?ON CONC]T PIANI/1 BOOK$ AT ! HALL ?AT EV5+1 GIV+ ONE ( H] RECITALS :I* MI<T LA/ = H\RS4 ,DAYS4 ,TOM WAS SURPRIS$ ?AT HE C\LD HE> H] RI<T UP H]E \TSIDE ,/4 ,$MUND'S ,HOSPITAL1 ! =M] WORKH\SE1 :]E HE /OOD :ILE WAIT+ = HIS WIFE ,DORE51 SOME:]E 9SIDE ! 9/ITUTION1 TO GIVE BIR? TO !IR FIR/ *ILD4 ,?\< FA9T & UNID5TIFIABLE1 ! VE]+ TUNE WAS AUDIBLE DESPITE ! DI/ANCE & ! MUFFL+ FOG4 

,!RE WASN'T MU* TRAFFIC TO SPEAK ( 9 ! ,WELL+BOR\< ,ROAD ?AT TIME ( NI<T 444 IT WAS AB\T ONE 9 ! MORN+ AS HE RECKON$ IT 444 SO IT WAS V]Y QUIET1 BUT ,TOMMY /ILL C\LDN'T MAKE \T :I* NUMB] ,MAD ,M>IE WAS AT ?AT MOM5T GR9D+ ?R\<4 ,IT MI<T HAVE BE5 0,ROLL ,\T ,! ,B>REL0 OR CONCEIVABLY 0,M5 ,( ,! ,NOR?1 ,REJOICE04 ,CONSID]+ H[ LATE IT WAS1 ,TOMMY SUPPOS$ ?AT ,MAD ,M>IE C\LD WELL BE SUFF]+ FROM LACK ( SLEEP1 SW++ FROM ONE PIECE TO ! O!R )\T ANY REAL IDEA :AT %E WAS PLAY+1 OR ( :I* T[N %E WAS 94 

,IT ALL REM9D$ HIM ( SOME?+1 /&+ H]E 9 SWIRL+ BLACKNESS LI/5+ TO AN OLD SONG COME FROM F> AWAY1 BUT HE WAS TOO PREOCCUPI$ JU/ N[ TO ?9K :AT IT MI<T BE4 ,ALL ?AT WAS ON HIS M9D WAS ,DORE51 BACK !RE 9 ! HOSPITAL BEH9D HIM1 HALFWAY ?R\< A LABOR ?AT LOOK$ SET TO C>RY ON = AGES YET1 LIKE ,MAD ,M>IE & :ATEV] ! RACKET WAS ?AT %E WAS BA%+ \T4 ,TOM D\BT$ ?AT IT HAD BE5 MUSIC SWELL+ HIS WIFE'S BELLY = !SE LA/ FEW MON?S1 ?\< FROM ! BAGPIPE SKIRL ?AT ,DORE5 HAD BE5 MAK+ :5 HE HE>D H] SOME T5 M9UTES BACK1 IT MI<T AS WELL HAVE BE54 ,! R[ ,DORE5 HAD MADE WAS PROBABLY MORE TUNEFUL ?AN ! SW]V+ JANGLE ,MAD ,M>IE WAS CURR5TLY ACCOMPLI%+1 BUT IT MADE ,TOMMY WOND] :AT K9D ( A MELODY HAD BE5 COMPOS$ 9SIDE HIS WIFE DUR+ H] PREGNANCY1 A SOPPY BALLAD OR A /IRR+ M>*3 0,WE'LL ,GA!R ,LILACS0 OR 0,! ,BRITI% ,GR5ADI]S08 ,A GIRL OR BOY8 ,HE DIDN'T M9D AS LONG AS IT W]5'T ONE ( ,MAD ,M>IE'S BIZ>RE IMPROVIZATIONS1 :]E NOBODY HAD ! FIR/ IDEA :AT IT WAS MEANT TO BE4 ,AS LONG AS IT W]5'T ! M5 ( ! NOR? ROLL+ \T B>RELS1 OR ! ,BRITI% ,GR5ADI]S GA!R+ LILACS4 ,JU/ AS LONG AS IT W]5'T A CONUNDRUM4 ,!RE'D BE5 F> TOO MANY ( !M 9 ! ,W>R5S & ! ,V]NALLS AS IT WAS1 ACROSS ! YE>S1 A GREAT DEAL MORE ?AN !IR FAIR %>E4 ,JU/ ?IS ONCE1 C\LDN'T HIM & ,DORE5 HAVE A NORMAL KID :O WASN'T MAD OR TAL5T$ OR BO?8 ,& IF !RE W]E A C]TA9 NUMB] ( SU* PROBLEM *ILDR5 TO BE DIVVI$ \T BY FATE1 C\LDN'T SOME O!R FAMILY SOME:]E TAKE !IR TURN AT %\LD]+ ! BURD58 ,PEOPLE :O HAD ORD9>Y RELATIVES JU/ W]5'T PULL+ !IR WEI<T1 AS F> AS ,TOMMY WAS CONC]N$4 

,A SOLIT>Y BIG GRAY C> %OV+ PISS-PUDDLE HEADLI<T BEAMS BE=E IT SURFAC$ BRIEFLY FROM ! BIG GRAY CL\D B5EA? :I* ALL ,NOR?AMPTON SEEM$ TO BE SUBM]G$1 & !N WAS GONE AGA94 ,TOM ?\<T IT MI<T HAVE BE5 A ,HUMB] ,HAWK1 BUT WASN'T SURE4 ,HE DIDN'T REALLY KN[ MU* AB\T MOTORS1 EXCEPT TO HIS WAY ( M9D !RE W]E TOO MANY ( ! ?+S AB\T !SE DAYS1 & HE C\LD ONLY SEE IT GETT+ WORSE4 ,! HORSE & C>T WAS ON ITS WAY \T1 & IT WASN'T COM+ BACK4 ,:]E ,TOMMY WORK$ 9 ,PHIPPS'S BREW]Y AT ,E>L'S ,B>TON !Y /ILL KEPT ! OLD DRAYS1 ALL ! GREAT BIG %IRE M>ES /EAM+1 SNORT+ - MORE LIKE SWEATY RAILWAY 5G9ES ?AN !Y W]E LIKE ANIMALS4 ,BUT !N Y\'D GOT ! BIGG] COMPANIES LIKE ,WATNEY'S1 !Y'D GOT LORRIES N[ & W]E DELIV]+ RI<T ACROSS ! C\NTRY1 :]EAS ,PHIPPS'S WAS /ILL LOCAL4 ,TOM C\LD SEE !M GETT+ SQUEEZ$ \T GIV5 T5 MORE YE>S ( IT1 IF !Y W]5'T C>EFUL4 ,!RE MI<T NOT BE MU* ( WORK OR HORSEFLE% BY !N TO BE F\ND >\ND ,E>L'S ,B>TON4 ,TOM SUPPOS$ IT WASN'T :AT Y\'D CALL ! BE/ OR MO/ SECURE ( TIMES = HIM & ,DORE5 TO HAVE BR\<T A KID 9TO ! WORLD4 

,HE SCREW$ HIS ,BRYLCREEM$ HEAD R\ND TO REG>D ! WORKH\SE =EC\RT HE WAS /&+ 9 & ?\<T ?AT1 TO BE FAIR1 IT WAS A LONG %OT FROM ! WOR/ ( TIMES AS WELL4 ,! W> WAS F9I%$1 EV5 IF !RE WAS /ILL RATION+1 & 9 ! EI<T YE>S S9CE ,V,E ,DAY !RE'D BE5 HOPEFUL SIGNS ?AT ,5GL& WAS BACK ON ! UP AGA94 ,!Y'D VOT$ ,W9NIE ,*UR*ILL \T1 ALMO/ BE=E ! BOMBS HAD F9I%$ DROPP+1 SO ,CLEM ,ATLEE C\LD GET ON ) PUTT+ EV]Y?+ TO RI<TS4 ,GRANT$1 AT PRES5T !Y'D GOT ,*UR*ILL BACK AGA91 SAY+ AS H[ HE WANT$ TO DE-NATIONALIZE ! /EELWORKS & ! RAILWAYS & ALL ?AT1 BUT 9 !M YE>S AFT] ! W> !RE'D BE5 A LOT ( GOOD WORK DONE = ONCE1 SO ?+S C\LD NEV] BE ROLL$ BACK ! WAY !Y'D BE54 ,!Y'D GOT ! ,NATIONAL ,HEAL? N[1 ,NATIONAL ,9SURANCE1 ALL ( ?AT1 & KIDS C\LD GO TO S*OOL = NO?+ UNTIL !Y W]E1 :AT1 SEV5TE5 OR EI<TE58 ,OR LONG]1 IF !Y PASS$ EXAMS4 

,IT WASN'T LIKE :5 ,TOMMY HAD WON HIS MA!MATICS S*OL>%IP & C\LD HAVE !ORETICALLY GONE TO ! ,GRAMM> ,S*OOL1 EXCEPT ?AT ,TOMMY'S MAM & DAD1 OLD ,TOM & ,MAY1 C\LD NEV] HAVE AF=D$ IT4 ,NOT ) ! BOOKS1 ! UNI=M1 ! KIT1 & MO/ ESPECIALLY ! BIG GAP 9 ! FAMILY 9COME ?AT ,TOM'S /AY+ ON AT S*OOL W\LD HAVE 5TAIL$4 ,HE'D HAD TO LEAVE AT ?IRTE51 GET A JOB1 />T BR++ A PAY PACKET HOME ) HIM ON ,FRIDAY NI<T4 ,NOT ?AT HE'D EV] = A M9UTE BE5 RES5TFUL1 OR HAD EV5 IDLY WOND]$ :AT LIFE MI<T HAVE BE5 LIKE IF HE'D TAK5 UP ! S*OL>%IP4 ,TOMMY'S FIR/ DUTY HAD BE5 TO HIS FAMILY1 SO HE'D DONE :AT HE HAD TO & GOT ON ) IT4 ,NO1 HE W]5'T BROOD+ OV] HIS LO/ *ANCES4 ,HE WAS JU/ GLAD ?AT ?+S W\LD BE BETT] = HIS LITTLE LAD4 ,OR LASS4 ,Y\ NEV] KNEW1 AL?\< IF HE W]E HONE/ ,TOM WAS HOP+ IT W\LD BE A BOY4 

,HE PAC$ A LITTLE1 UP & D[N \TSIDE ! HOSPITAL1 & /AMP$ HIS FEET TO MAKE SURE ?AT ! BLOOD WAS CIRCULAT+4 ,EV]Y BREA? BECAME AN ,9DIAN SMOKE-SIGNAL ON MEET+ ! *ILL AIR1 & JU/ ACROSS ! /REET ! BLACK BULK ( ,/4 ,$MUND'S ,*UR* ?RU/ UP LIKE A <O/ /ORY FROM ! FOG4 ,! TILT+ HEAD/ONES 9 ITS WALL$ Y>D POK$ ABOVE ! MI/1 /ONE B$-BO>DS 9 AN \TDOOR DORMITORY1 ) DAMP & SILV]Y EID]D[NS ( VAPOR SPREAD BETWE5 !M4 ,! TALL MIDNI<T YEWS W]E L9E-PO/S :]E ! WR++ GRAY %EETS ( COLD HAZE HAD BE5 HUNG \T TO DRY4 ,NO MOON1 NO />S4 ,FROM ! DIRECTION ( T[N C5T] CAME A FALT]+ REFRA9 ?AT S\ND$ LIKE A ,V>SITY ,RAG WAV$ AT AN ,OLD ,BULL & ,BU%4 

,! REASON HE'D PREF] A BOY WAS ?AT HIS BRO!RS & HIS SI/] ALL HAD BOYS ALREADY ?AT W\LD C>RY ON ! NAME4 ,HIS OLD] LITTLE SI/] ,L\1 SIX YE>S HIS S5IOR & NE>LY A FOOT HIS JUNIOR1 HAD GOT TWO GIRLS AS WELL1 BUT H] & H] *AP ,ALB]T HAD PRODUC$ A Y\NGE/ BOY1 IT MU/ BE GETT+ ON TWELVE YE> AGO4 ,!IR ,WALT1 ,TOM'S Y\NG] BRO!R & ! PRIDE ( ! BLACK M>KET1 HE'D GOT M>RI$ NOT LONG AFT] ! W>'S 5D & HAD TWO LADS ALREADY4 ,EV5 Y\NG ,FRANK1 HE'D BEAT ,TOMMY TO ! ALT> & HAD HAD A SON ONLY ! YE> BE=E4 ,IF ,TOMMY1 :O WAS AFT] ALL ! ELDE/ BRO!R1 HADN'T HAD A KID ( SOME K9D BY ! AGE ( =TY1 !N HE'D NEV] HE> ! LA/ ( IT FROM ,MAY1 HIS MAM4 ,MAY ,M9NIE ,W>R51 LEA!RY OLD SO-&-SO :O'D GOT A VOICE LIKE A DOCKWORK]'S FI/1 ) :I* %E'D NO D\BT PUMMEL ,TOM TO DEA? IF HIM & ,DORE5 DIDN'T GET A %IFT ON & EXT5D ! ,W>R5 L9E4 ,TOMMY WAS FRI<T5$ ( HIS MAM1 BUT SO WAS EV]YONE4 

,HE C\LD REMEMB]1 ON ,WALT'S W$D+ NI<T 9 #aidg OR R\ND !N1 ! WAY !IR MAM HAD CORN]$ HIM & ,FRANK \T 9 ! CORRIDOR AT ! RECEPTION1 :I* WAS AT ! DANCE HALL UP 9 ,GOLD ,/REET4 ,%E'D /OOD !RE BY ! SW+ DOOR1 ) PEOPLE GO+ 9 & \T SO ?AT %E'D HAD TO %\T OV] ! MUSIC ?AT KEPT BLA/+ =? - IT WAS ! B& ,MAY'S Y\NGE/ BRO!R MANAG$1 ,TOMMY'S UNCLE ,JOHNNY - & HIS MAM HAD READ ! RIOT ACT TO HIM & ,FRANK4 ,%E'D GOT HALF A PORK PIE HELD 9 ONE H& :AT %E'D HAD (F ! BUFFET TABLE & ! O!R HALF ( IT WAS 9 H] M\? P>T-*EW$ :ILE %E WAS TALK+1 FLAKES ( L>DY PA/RY1 GR\ND P9K PIG-BITS & YELL[Y JELLY MA%$ TOGE!R BY H] FEW REMA9+ TEE? OR 9 A MEAT SPUME1 SPRAY+ OV] ,TOM & HIS Y\NG BRO!R AS !Y /OOD !RE QUAK+ 9 !IR BOOTS BE=E ?IS /RY*N9E ,*RI/MAS PUDD+ ( A WOMAN4 

0,RI<T1 ?AT'S ,WALT] & \R ,L\ BO? M>RI$ (F & \T FROM UND]NEA? ME FEET1 SO Y\ TWO BETT] BUCK Y\R IDEAS UP & F9D Y\RSELVES A GAL :O'LL HAVE Y]1 TOOT SWEET4 ,I'LL NOT HAVE EV]YBODY ?9K+ ,I'VE BR\<T UP A PAIR ( IDIOTS :O NE$ !IR MO!R TO TAKE C>E ( 'EM4 ,Y\'RE ?IRTY1 ,TOMMY1 & Y\1 ,FRANK1 Y\'RE NE>LY TW5TY-FIVE4 ,PEOPLE >E GO+ TO ASK :AT'S UP ) Y\40 

,?AT HAD BE5 GETT+ ON SIX YE>S AGO4 ,TOMMY WAS ?IRTY-SIX N[1 & UNTIL HE'D MET ,DORE5 TWO OR ?REE YE>S BACK1 HE'D BE5 />T+ TO ASK :AT WAS UP ) HIM HIMSELF4 ,IT WASN'T LIKE HE'D NEV] HAD A GIRLFRI5D1 !RE'D BE5 ONE OR TWO1 BUT !RE'D BE5 NO?+ ?AT HAD COME TO MU*4 ,P>T ( IT WAS ?AT ,TOM WAS %Y4 ,HE WASN'T IMPI% OR ADV5TUR\S LIKE ,L\1 HIS SIS4 ,HE C\LDN'T *>M ! BIRDS D[N \T ! TREES !N SELL !M %>ES 9 CL\D-AP>TM5TS LIKE !IR ,WALT] DID1 NOR C\LD HE MANAGE ALL ! EASY1 NE>-!-KNUCKLE SAUC9ESS ?AT ,FRANK W\LD DI% \T TO ! GIRLS4 ,TOM WAS1 9 HIS [N PRIVATE E/IMATION1 ! MO/ KN[L$GEABLE ( HIS SIBL+S4 ,HE W]5'T WISE LIKE ,L\1 +5I\S LIKE ,WALT OR EV5 CRAFTY LIKE !IR ,FRANK1 BUT ,TOMMY KNEW A LOT4 ,AB\T ! ONLY ?+ HE DIDN'T KN[ WAS H[ TO SET ?AT LE>N+ TO HIS [N ADVANTAGE1 & :5 IT HAD COME TO WOM5 HE'D BE5 LO/ & C\LDN'T PUT A FOOT RI<T = ! LIFE ( HIM4 

,ANO!R C> SWAM FROM ! FOGBANK1 POSSIBLY A SNUB-NOS$ ,MORRIS ,M9OR1 ?IS ONE HEAD$ WE/ & TRAVEL+ 9 ! OPPOSITE DIRECTION FROM ! PREVI\S VEHICLE4 ,ITS WAT]Y HEADLI<TS SPLA%$ ACROSS ! R\<1 D>K LIME/ONE ( ,/4 ,$MUND'S B\ND+ WALL :5 IT W5T SPLUTT]+ PA/ HIM1 & !N !RE W]E ONLY ! BRI<T RAT-EYES ( ITS RE> REFLECTORS AS IT SEEM$ TO BACK AWAY FROM ,TOM 9TO ! %R\D$ CORN] REPRES5T$ BY ,NOR?AMPTON'S C5T]4 ,MAD ,M>IE /RUCK UP A BOLD R5DITION ( 0,O ,LITTLE ,T[N ( ,BURL+TON01 OR POSSIBLY 0,BE?LEHEM ,B]TIE01 AS IF WELCOM+ ! NEW >RIVAL4 

,TOMMY WAS /ILL ?9K+ ( HIS PREVI\S LUCK ) GIRLS1 OR LACK ( IT4 ,:5 ,TOM HAD BE5 A LAD BACK 9 ! ',?IRTIES1 NOT ?AT LONG BE=E HIS DAD DI$1 HE'D BE5 BRIEFLY SMITT5 BY ! DAU<T] ( ,RON ,BAYLISS1 :O WAS AT ! TIME ,TOM'S CAPTA9 9 ! ,BOY'S ,BRIGADE4 ,IT WAS ! #a#h? ,COMPANY1 :O'D MET UP = DRILL PRACTICE ONCE A WEEK 9 ! BIG UP/AIRS HALL ( ! OLD *UR* 9 ,COLLEGE ,/REET4 ,S9CE ,TOM HAD ALWAYS BE5 NOT JU/ ! %YE/ BUT ! MO/ QUIETLY RELIGI\S MEMB] ( HIS FAMILY1 ! REGUL> ATT5DANCE AT ! *UR* & ! B& M>*ES ONCE A MON? SUIT$ HIM F9E1 & :5 HE'D FIR/ CLAPP$ EYES UPON ,LIZ ,BAYLISS IT WAS JU/ ONE MORE 9C5TIVE4 ,%E'D BE5 V]Y PRETTY & A CUT ABOVE ,TOM SOCIALLY1 BUT HE KNEW HE WAS A GOOD-LOOK+ *AP HIMSELF1 & R\ND :]E HE CAME FROM 9 ,GRE5 ,/REET HE'D BE5 ?\<T ( AS A SNAPPY DRESS]1 TOO4 ,SO HE'D WORK$ UP ! N]VE &1 AFT] *UR* ONE ,SUNDAY MORN+1 ASK$ H] IF %E'D COME TO ! !AT] ) HIM4 

,LORD KN[S :Y HE'D SAID 0!AT]04 ,TOM HAD NEV] BE5 TO A !AT] 9 HIS LIFE1 HAD SIMPLY ?\<T IT S\ND$ CULTUR$ & IMPRESSIVE4 ,ANYWAY1 HE'D NOT EXPECT$ H] TO SAY %E'D BE DELI<T$1 & HAD ONLY /UTT]$1 0,OH1 GOOD4 ,!N ,I'LL SEE Y\ !RE ON ,?URSDAY01 )\T ANY IDEA :AT WAS ON ! BILL ?AT NI<T4 ,AS IT TURN$ \T1 IT HAD BE5 ,MAXIE ,MILL]1 & IT HADN'T BE5 HIS :ITE BOOK ! COM$IAN HAD BE5 P]=M+ FROM ON ?AT P>TICUL> OCCASION4 

,BLOODY HELL4 ,IT HAD BE5 BO? ! FUNNIE/ & MO/ EMB>RASS+ HALF-H\R ( ,TOMMY'S LIFE4 ,AS SOON AS HE'D SE5 ,MILL]'S NAME UP ON ! PO/]S1 ,TOMMY HAD BE5 HORRIFI$1 HAD KN[N ?AT ?IS WAS ! LA/ PLACE ON E>? ?AT HE %\LD TAKE A F]V5T ,BAPTI/ LIKE ,LIZ ,BAYLISS1 BUT BY !N HE'D B\<T ! TICKETS & !RE WASN'T ANY WAY HE C\LD BACK \T4 ,BESIDES1 HE'D HE>D ,MAX ,MILL] DID A CLEAN NI<T N[ & !N1 SO ?\<T !RE WAS A *ANCE HE'D GET AWAY ) IT4 ,AT LEA/1 HE'D ?\<T ?AT UNTIL ,MAX HAD COME \T ON ! /AGE 9 HIS :ITE SUIT ) BIG R$ ROSES 9 BROCADE ALL OV] IT1 HIS WICK$ *]UB FACE GR9N+ UP AT ! AUDI5CE FROM UND]NEA? ! BRIM ( HIS :ITE B[L] HAT4 

0,D'Y\ LIKE ! SEASIDE1 LADIES8 ,YES1 ,I'LL BET Y\ DO4 ,I LOVE IT1 ME4 ,I WAS D[N ,K5T ! O!R WEEK1 LADIES & G5TS1 LOVELY D[N !RE IT WAS4 ,I TOOK A /ROLL1 ,I TOOK A /ROLL ALONG ! CLIFF-TOPS IT W]E SU* A SMA%+ DAY4 ,WALK+ ALONG ?IS N>R[ LITTLE PA?1 ,I WAS1 ) A %E] DROP D[N TO ONE SIDE ( ME & OOH1 IT WAS A HEI<T1 LADIES & G5TS1 ! WAVES ALL CRA%+ R\ND ! ROCKS HUNDR$S ( FEET BEL[4 ,?IS PA?1 WELL1 IT W]5'T V]Y BROAD1 JU/ WIDE 5\< TO HAVE ONE P]SON ON IT BUT )\T ! ROOM = TWO PEOPLE TO PASS1 SO JU/ IMAG9E1 G5TS & LADIES1 JU/ IMAG9E MY AL>M :5 :O %\LD ,I SEE COM+ D[N ! PA? ! O!R WAY BUT A Y\NG LADY 9 H] SUMM] FROCK & :AT A LOVELY ?+ %E WAS1 LADIES & G5TS1 ,I DON'T M9D TELL+ Y\4 ,WELL1 N[1 Y\ CAN SEE MY DILEMMA4 ,I /OPP$ 9 ME TRACKS1 ,I LOOK$ AT H]1 ,I LOOK$ D[N AT ! ROCKS BEL[ & DIDN'T KN[ :AT ,I %\LD DO4 ,I'LL TELL Y\1 ,I W]5'T SURE IF ,I %\LD BLOCK H] PASSAGE OR JU/ TOSS MESELF (F & BE DONE ) IT40 

,9 H] SEAT NEXT TO ,TOM1 ,LIZ ,BAYLISS HAD TURN$ :ITE AS ,MILL]'S HAT4 ,AS ! !AT] ALL >\ND !M HAD ]UPT$ 9TO LAU<T]1 ,TOM HAD /RUGGL$ TO COMPOSE HIS FACE 9TO A LOOK AS MORTIFI$ AS ?AT ( HIS COMPANION :ILE PREV5T+ HIMSELF RATTL+ LIKE A BOIL] ) SUPPRESS$ HIL>ITY4 ,AFT] A FUR!R TW5TY M9UTES1 :5 ! TE>S W]E RUNN+ D[N ,TOM'S *EEKS 9TO ! CORN]S ( HIS DESP]ATE RICTUS GRIMACE1 ,LIZ HAD ASK$ HIM 9 A VOICE LIKE GRAVEY>D M>BLE IF HE W\LD ESCORT H] \T & TAKE H] HOME4 ,?AT HAD BE5 MORE OR LESS ! LA/ HE'D SE5 ( H]1 S9CE HE'D FELT F> TOO AWKW>D TO KEEP UP HIS ,BOY'S ,BRIGADE OR *UR* APPE>ANCES MU* AFT] ?AT4 

,! ,WELL+BOR\< ,ROAD /RET*$ \T TO EI!R SIDE ( HIM1 ITS WEAK ELECTRIC LAMPS SUSP5D$ 9 ! *URN+ D>K AT L5G?Y 9T]VALS1 LIKE LANT]NS HUNG FROM MA/S ON QUAYSIDE FI%+ BOATS4 ,!Y W]5'T MU* USE = LI<T+ UP A /RET* ( ROAD LIKE ?IS1 NOT ON A FOGGY NI<T1 BUT !Y W]E BETT] ?AN ! GAS LAMPS ?AT W]E /ILL 9 USE 9 SOME P>TS ( ! ,BOR\<S1 SU* AS ,GRE5 ,/REET :]E HIS MAM LIV$ ON H] [N ) NO ELECTRIC4 ,TOMMY PICTUR$ H]1 A SC[L+ B\LD] 9 H] GROAN+ >M*AIR BY ! FIRESIDE %ELL+ PEAS1 ) H] CAT ,JIM D[N AT H] /ILL-SMALL BUT C>BUNCL$ FEET1 ! HISS+ GASLI<T DYE+ ! ROOM'S %AD[S TO A DEEP DEAD-NETTLE-GRE54 ,NEXT TIME HE SAW HIS MO!R1 ,TOM WAS HOP+ HE'D BE ABLE TO HOLD UP A GR&SON LIKE A %IELD 9 FRONT ( HIM TO /AVE (F H] ATTACK4 ,OR A GR&DAU<T]1 OBVI\SLY1 AL?\< A SON W\LD PROBABLY BE BIGG] & ?US SL[ ,TOM'S MO!R D[N = LONG]4 

,FROM ACROSS AN EMPTY MA9 ROAD ! ,/4 ,$MUND'S BELL *IM$ ONCE1 AL?\< IF IT W]E = ONE OR HALF PA/ HE WASN'T SURE4 ,HE SQU9T$ AT ! *UR* T[] ?R\< ! 9T]V5+ BILL[S & REFLECT$ H[ HE WASN'T SORRY ?AT HE HADN'T BE5 TO *UR* SO MU* S9CE ! ,LIZ ,BAYLISS 9CID5T4 ,TOM /ILL BELIEV$ 9 ,GOD & 9 ! AFT]LIFE & ALL ( ?AT1 BUT 9 ! W> HE'D COME TO ! CONCLUSION ?AT IT WASN'T ! SAME ,GOD & AFT]LIFE !Y TALK$ AB\T 9 *UR*4 ,?AT S\ND$ TOO /UCK UP & FANCY 9 ! WAY ?AT EV]YBODY DRESS$1 BEHAV$ & TALK$4 ,:AT ,TOM HAD FIR/ LIK$1 AS A KID1 AB\T ! ,BIBLE WAS H[ ,JESUS WAS A C>P5T]1 :O W\LD HAVE HAD BIG CALLUS$ H&S & SMELL$ ( SAWDU/ & SAID 0BUGG]0 JU/ LIKE ANYBODY IF ! HAMM] CAU<T HIS ?UMB4 ,IF ,JESUS WAS ,GOD'S SON1 IT MADE Y\ ?9K HIS DAD HAD V]Y LIKELY ACT$ MU* ! SAME :5 HE WAS KNOCK+ UP ! PLANETS & ! />S4 ,A WORK+ BLOKE2 ! H>DE/ WORK+ BLOKE ( ALL1 :O FAVOR$ WORK+ M5 & PAUP]S ?R\<\T ALL ! BE/ LOV$ /ORIES 9 ! ,BIBLE4 ,! SAME R\< & READY ,GOD ?AT ,PHILIP ,DODDRIDGE US$ TO PREA* AB\T ON ,CA/LE ,HILL ALL ( !M YE>S BACK4 ,TOMMY DIDN'T HE> ?AT *E]Y GRUFFNESS 9 ! PI\S TONES ( VIC>S1 DIDN'T FEEL ?AT CO>SE W>M? /RIK+ FROM ! POLI%$ PEWS4 ,!SE DAYS1 ?\< ,TOM'S FAI? HADN'T BUDG$ AN 9* 9 ITS CONVICTION1 HE PREF]R$ TO WOR%IP PRIVATELY & AT A RUD] ALT>PIECE1 ALONE 9SIDE HIS ?\<TS4 ,HE DIDN'T GO TO *UR* EXCEPT = FUN]ALS1 W$D+S1 &1 IF ?IS W5T WELL TONI<T1 = *RI/5+S4 ,HE DIDN'T LET HIS LIPS MOVE :5 HE PRAY$4 

,?AT WAS ! W>1 ( C\RSE1 A LOT ( ?AT4 ,F\R BRO!RS SETT+ \T1 ?REE COM+ HOME4 ,IT /ILL UPSET HIM :5 HE ?\<T ( ,JACK1 & AT ! TIME HE HADN'T SE5 QUITE H[ ! ,W>R5 FAMILY W\LD GET OV] IT1 AL?\< Y\ DID1 ( C\RSE4 ,Y\ HAD TO4 ,IT WAS LIKE ! W> ITSELF4 ,IT HAD BE5 9CONCEIVABLE TO EV]YBODY :ILE !Y W]E /ILL GETT+ ?R\< IT ?AT !RE'D EV] BE ANO!R WAY ( LIV+1 ?AT !Y C\LD RECOV] FROM IT1 ALL ! BOMBS1 ALL ! DEAD RELATIVES4 ,NOBODY C\LD IMAG9E MU* BEYOND MORE ( :AT !Y W]E SUFF]+ ALREADY1 ONLY WORSE4 ,! FUTURE1 BACK !N1 IT HAD BE5 SOME?+ ?AT ,TOMMY C\LDN'T ?9K AB\T1 A PLACE HE'D NEV] HONE/LY EXPECT$ HE %\LD SEE4 

,YET EI<T YE>S LAT] H]E HE WAS1 A M>RI$ MAN /OOD WAIT+ = ! BIR? ( HIS FIR/ *ILD4 ,AS = ! FUTURE1 ,TOMMY ?\<T ( NO?+ BUT4 ,?+S W]5'T ! WAY !Y'D BE5 BE=E ! W>4 ,NO?+ MEANT QUITE ! SAME AS :AT Y\'D ?\<T IT DID1 & ,5GL& WAS A DIFF]5T C\NTRY N[4 ,!Y'D GOT A PRETTY Y\NG QUE5 ?AT ! PAP]S LIK5$ TO ! PREVI\S ,GOOD ,QUE5 ,BESS1 & EV5 ORD9>Y WORK+ PEOPLE HAD GOT TELEVISIONS SO AS !Y C\LD WAT* ! CORONATION4 ,IT WAS ALL LIKE SOME?+ \T ( ,J\RNEY 9TO ,SPACE1 H[ QUICK ! ONSLAU<T ( ?IS MOD]N WORLD HAD BE51 AS ?\< ! W>'S 5D HAD REMOV$ A GREAT IMP$IM5T & F9ALLY LET ! TW5TIE? C5TURY CAT* UP ) ITSELF4 ,TOM & ,DORE5'S FIR/ *ILD - & !Y'D TALK$ ALREADY ( ANO!R ONE - W\LD BE ONE ( !SE ,NEW ,ELIZABE?ANS EV]YONE WAS GO+ ON AB\T4 ,!Y MI<T GR[ UP TO LIVE A LIFE ?AT ,TOM C\LD NEV] DREAM (1 ALL ! ?+S ?AT SCI5TI/S W\LD HAVE DISCOV]$ & F\ND \T AB\T BY !N4 ,!Y MI<T HAVE ALL ! *ANCES ?AT ,TOM HADN'T HAD1 OR ELSE HAD BE5 COMPELL$ BY CIRCUM/ANCES TO =GO4 

,(F 9 ! CURDL+ GRAYNESS1 ,MAD ,M>IE /ILL S]5AD$ HIM ) 0,MY ,OLD ,MAN ,SAID ,ONW>D ,*RI/IAN ,SOLDI]S01 H] PIANO S\ND+ SMALL & F> AWAY1 A BROK5 MUSIC-BOX ?AT HAD BE5 SET (F ACCID5TALLY 9 ANO!R ROOM4 ,TOM ?\<T ( HIS MA? S*OL>%IP AGA91 ! ONE ?AT HE'D PASS$ UP TO TAKE ! BREW]Y JOB 9/EAD4 ,:ILE IT WAS TRUE HE'D NOT RES5T$ MISS+ \T ON $UCATION IF IT MEANT ?AT HE C\LD HELP HIS FAMILY1 HE /ILL MISS$ ALL ! FUN HE US$ TO HAVE ) SUMS & NUMB]S1 :5 IT WAS ALL NEW TO HIM4 

,IT WAS HIS GR&DAD1 ,SN[Y1 :O HE'D GOT ! SKILL ) FIGURES FROM4 ,AL?\< ! OLD BOY HAD PASS$ ON 9 #aibf :5 ,TOM WAS N9E 7GONE MAD & EAT+ FL[]S \T ( A VASE ACCORD+ TO ,TOM'S MAM71 ! PAIR HAD GOT ON WELL & 9 ?OSE LA/ TWO YE>S ( HIS GR&FA!R'S LIFE ,TOM HAD SP5T MO/ ,SATURDAY AFT]NOONS AT HIS GR&P>5TS' H\SE 9 ! GRIM1 N>R[ CRACK ( ,=T ,/REET4 ,:ILE ,TOM'S GRANNY ,L\ HAD FUSS$ >\ND 9 ! D>K KIT*51 ,SN[Y & Y\NG ,TOM HAD *ANT$ !IR WAY ?R\< ALL ! MULTIPLICATION TABLES1 SITT+ 9 ! LIV+ ROOM4 ,GEOMETRY1 ?AT WAS ANO!R ?+ ?AT ,TOMMY'S GR&DAD HAD 9/RUCT$ HIM UPON3 R\< CIRCLES DRAWN >\ND MILK-BOTTLE BASES ) A TIT*Y /UB ( P5CIL1 %EETS ( BUT*]'S PAP] COV]+ ! TEA-TABLE UNTIL Y\ C\LDN'T SEE ! W9E-R$ TABLECLO?4 ,SN[Y HAD TOLD HIS GR&SON ?AT MO/ ( ! KN[-H[ CAME FROM HIS [N FA!R1 ,TOM'S GREAT-GR&DAD ,]NE/ ,V]NALL1 :O HAD ONCE WORK$ T\*+ UP ! FRESCOES ( ,/4 ,PAUL'S ,CA!DRAL 9 ,VICTORIAN TIMES4 ,SN[Y SAID HIM & HIS SI/]1 ,TOMMY'S GREAT-AUNT ,?URSA1 HAD BE5 GIV5 LESSONS BY !IR DAD :ILE HE WAS AT A RE/ HOME4 ,ONLY SOME YE>S LAT]1 AFT] BADG]+ HIS MAM1 HAD ,TOMMY F\ND \T ?AT ! RE/ HOME HAD BE5 ,B$LAM1 ! ORIG9AL ASYLUM :AT !Y'D HAD 9 ,LAMBE?4 

,HE RECALL$ ! AFT]NOON1 FUMBL+ N[ 9 HIS MAC POCKET = ! PACK ( ,K5SITAS1 :5 !Y'D BE5 WORK+ ON ! EI<T- & N9E-TIMES-TABLES4 ,HIS GR&DAD HAD PO9T$ \T H[ ALL ! MULTIPLES ( N9E1 IF Y\ JU/ TOTAL$ UP !IR DIGITS1 ALWAYS ADD$ UP TO N9E3 ONE PLUS EI<T1 TWO PLUS SEV51 ?REE PLUS SIX & SO ON1 = AS HI< AS Y\ C\LD GO4 ,! MEMORY SMELL$ ( FRUITCAKE1 FROM :I* ,TOM ASSUM$ HIS GRAN HAD BE5 \T 9 ! KIT*5 BAK+1 ?AT P>TICUL> OCCASION4 ,IT HAD TICKL$ HIM1 ! ?+ AB\T ! NUMB] N9E1 & = A L>K HE'D ADD$ UP ! DIGITS 9 ! ANSW]S TO HIS EI<T-TIMES-TABLE1 TOO4 ,! FIR/ WAS JU/ EI<T1 OBVI\SLY1 :ILE ! NEXT1 SIXTE51 WAS ONE PLUS SIX & !RE=E ADD$ UP TO SEV54 ,! NEXT1 TW5TY-F\R1 WAS TWO PLUS F\R & ADD$ UP TO SIX1 :ILE ?IRTY-TWO R$UC$ 9 ! SAME WAY TO FIVE4 ,TOMMY HAD REALIZ$ ) A GR[+ S5SE ( 9TRIGUE ?AT HIS COLUMN ( ADDITIONS C\NT$ D[N FROM EI<T TO ONE 7EI<T EI<TS W]E SIXTY-F\R1 9 :I* ! SIX & F\R ?US ADD$ UP TO T51 ! ONE & NAU<T ( :I* TOTAL$ JU/ ONE71 & !N BEGAN ! C\NTD[N ALL AGA9 COMM5C+ ) ! NUMB] N9E ?IS TIME 7N9E EI<TS1 SEV5TY-TWO1 ! SEV5 & ! TWO ( :I* MADE N9E74 ,?IS RUN ( NUMB]S1 N9E TO ONE1 WAS !N REPEAT$1 ON & ON1 PRESUMABLY UNTO 9F9ITY4 ,?AT HAD BE5 :5 ,TOM'S GR&FA!R HAD PO9T$ \T ?AT ?IS WAS ! SAME SEQU5CE AS ! ONE-TIMES-TABLE1 ONLY 9 REV]SE1 & ?AT HAD SET BO? ( !M ?9K+4 

,TAK+ ONE %ORT UNTIPP$ CIG>ETTE \T ( ! PACK1 ) ITS SLEEK1 SM>MY BUTL] MASCOT 9 R$1 BLACK & :ITE1 ,TOM LIT IT ) A ,CAPTA9 ,WEBB'S & ?REW ! SP5T MAT* 9 ! VAGUE DIRECTION ( AN UNSE5 GUTT]1 LO/ SOME:]E 9 ! COLD SMOLD] D[N >\ND HIS FEET4 ,! FAG-PACK ) ITS BUTL] & ! MAT*BOX ) ITS BOLD1 MU/A*IO$ *ANNEL SWIMM] BO? W5T BACK 9TO HIS RA9COAT POCKET4 ,HE'D A ,FRY'S ,FIVE ,BOYS B> 9 !RE1 TOO1 ) A QU9TET ( LADS AT V>I\S EMOTIONAL EXTREMES UPON ITS WRAPP]4 ,ALL ?IS ADV]TIS+ & ?IS PACKAG+ ?AT Y\ GOT N[ADAYS1 IT MEANT ?AT HE WAS C>RY+ SEV5 T9Y PEOPLE 9 HIS POCKET1 JU/ SO HE C\LD HAVE A SMOKE & POSSIBLY A SQU>E ( *OCOLATE IF HE %\LD FEEL PECKI% LAT] ON4 

,UPON ?AT MEMORABLE AFT]NOON GETT+ ON ?IRTY YE>S BE=E1 ,TOM & HIS GR&FA!R HAD SWIFTLY RECKON$ UP ! DIGITS 9 ! ANSW]S TO ! RE/ ( ! MULTIPLICATION TABLES4 ,HE REMEMB]$ ! EXCITEM5T ?AT HE'D FELT1 ! GIDDY1 %E] ?RILL ( DISCOV]Y N[ COME BACK TO HIM 9 A FRUITCAKE RU% ( ALLSPICE1 C&I$ PEEL & ,SN[Y ,V]NALL'S RUBB+ L9IM5T4 ,! TWO-TIMES-TABLE1 IF Y\ ADD$ UP ! FIGURES ( ! PRODUCTS1 IT TRANSPIR$1 RESULT$ 9 A NUMB]-PATT]N ?AT FIR/ RAN ?R\< ALL ! EV5 NUMB]S1 TWO1 F\R1 SIX1 EI<T1 !N ALL ( ! ODD ONES1 ONE 7ONE PLUS NAU<T71 ?REE 7ONE PLUS TWO71 FIVE1 & SO ON UP TO N9E 7EI<TE51 OR ONE PLUS EI<T74 ,REMEMB]+ ! WAY ! ONE- & EI<T-TIMES-TABLES HAD BO? YIELD$ UP NUM]ICAL PROGRESSIONS ?AT W]E BACKW>DS MIRROR-V]SIONS ( EA* O!R1 ,SN[Y & Y\NG ,TOM HAD LOOK$ AT ! SEV5-TIMES-TABLE1 :]E !Y'D LE>N$ ?AT FIR/ ! ADD$ ANSW]S C\NT$ D[N ?R\< ! ODD NUMB]S1 SEV51 FIVE 7ONE PLUS F\R71 ?REE 7TWO PLUS ONE71 ONE 7TWO PLUS EI<T1 :I* MADE ! T51 ! DIGITS ( :I* ADD$ UP TO ONE71 & !N W5T ON TO RUN D[N ?R\< ! EV5 NUMB]S4 ,EI<T 7?REE PLUS FIVE71 SIX 7F\R PLUS TWO7 & SO ON UNTIL ! C\NTD[N ( ODD NUMB]S />T$ UP AGA94 ,! NUMB] SEV5 SEEM$ TO WORK EXACTLY LIKE ! NUMB] TWO1 BUT ) ! SEQU5CE RUNN+ BACK TO FRONT4 

,! NUMB] ?REE1 :I* JU/ W5T ?REE1 SIX1 N9E1 ?REE1 SIX1 N9E1 UN5D+LY IF Y\ MADE SUMS \T ( ITS MULTIPLES1 APPE>$ TO BE TW9N$ ) ! NUMB] SIX1 :I* W5T SIX1 ?REE1 N9E1 SIX1 ?REE1 N9E1 IF Y\ DID ! SAME ?+4 ,! NUMB] F\R PRODUC$ A PATT]N ?AT SEEM$ COMPLICAT$ AT FIR/ SI<T1 9 ?AT IT C\NT$ D[N FROM TWO NUMB]S 9 P>ALLEL1 & ALT]NAT$ 9 BETWE5 ! TWO4 ,?US1 :AT Y\ GOT WAS F\R1 !N EI<T1 !N ?REE 7OR ONE PLUS TWO71 !N SEV5 7ONE PLUS SIX71 !N TWO 7TWO PLUS NAU<T71 SIX 7TWO PLUS F\R71 ONE 7TWO PLUS EI<T1 ADD+ UP TO T51 OR ONE PLUS NAU<T71 FIVE 7?IRTY-TWO1 OR ?REE PLUS TWO71 ET CET]A1 ET CET]A4 ,! FIVE-TIMES-TABLE1 UNSURPRIS+LY BY N[1 DID JU/ ! SAME ?+ 9 REV]SE4 ,IT ALT]NAT$ 9 ! SAME WAY BETWE5 TWO PROGRESSIONS1 ?IS TIME C\NT+ UP 9/EAD ( D[N1 SO ?AT ! SEQU5CE 9 ?IS CASE WAS FIVE1 ONE1 SIX1 TWO1 SEV5 7TWO PLUS FIVE71 ?REE 7?REE PLUS NAU<T71 EI<T 7?REE PLUS FIVE7 & SO =?4 ,TOMMY & HIS GR&FA!R HAD LOOK$ AT ONE ANO!R & JU/ BUR/ \T LAU<+ SO ?AT ,TOM'S GR&MA ,L\ISA HAD COME \T ! KIT*5 TO SEE :AT WAS UP4 

,:AT HAD BE5 UP WAS ?AT !RE SEEM$ TO BE A HIDD5 PATT]N 9 ! SUMS ?AT C\LD BE G5]AT$ BY ! ANSW]S ( ! ONE- TO EI<T-TIMES-TABLES4 ,!Y W]E ALL SYMMETRICAL1 ONE MIRROR$ EI<T1 TWO MIRROR$ SEV51 ?REE WORK$ JU/ ! SAME AS SIX1 F\R WAS LIKE FIVE4 ,ONLY ! NUMB] ?AT HAD SP>K$ (F !IR 9VE/IGATIONS1 N9E1 REMA9$ ALONE \T ( ! S+LE FIGURES 9 ?AT IT DID NOT POSSESS A TW91 A NUMB] ?AT NO MATT] H[ MU* IT WAS MULTIPLI$ W\LD YIELD ! SAME UNV>Y+ RESULT4 

,TOM1 EI<T YE>S OLD1 HAD BE5 ATTEMPT+ TO EXPLA9 ALL ?IS TO HIS UNCOMPREH5D+ GRAN1 :5 \T ( NO:]E HIS GR&DAD HAD YELP$ ) GLEE1 SNAT*$ UP ! MIDGET P5CIL &1 9 FA9T L9ES ON ! ?9 & %9Y BUT*]'S PAP] LITT]+ ! TABLE1 HAD 9SCRIB$ TWO CIRCLES1 ONE 9SIDE ! O!R4 ,) ONE ,CAP/AN-YELL[$ 9DEX F+]1 ,SN[Y HAD JABB$ MEAN+FULLY AT ! DRAW+1 LOOK+ UP AT ,TOMMY FROM B5EA? ! W9T] H$G][ ( HIS BR[ TO ASC]TA9 :E!R HIS GR&SON UND]/OOD OR NOT4 ,! OLD MAN'S EYES W]E %9+ 9 A WAY ?AT HAD REM9D$ ,TOMMY1 !RE AMID ! FRUIT$ OV5-FUG & CAM>AD]IE ( ! MA? GAME :I* !Y'D BE5 WORK+ \T TOGE!R1 ?AT HIS GR&FA!R WAS SAID BY MANY TO BE MAD1 9CLUD+ ,TOMMY'S MAM4 ,& EV]YBODY ELSE1 N[ ?AT HE'D ?\<T ( IT4 ,HIS GR&DAD HAD JU/ GR9N$ & ONCE AGA9 POK$ AT HIS MY/IFY+ SCRIBBLE ) AN URG5T F+]4 ,ALL ?AT !RE HAD BE5 TO ,SN[Y'S DRAW+ WAS JU/ TWO CONC5TRIC CIRCLES1 LIKE A C> TIRE1 OR AN ANGEL'S HALO /&+ ON ITS SIDE4 ,TOMMY HAD SQU9T$ AT ! SIMPLE %APE = :AT SEEM$ M9UTES BE=E HE'D BECOME AW>E ?AT HE WAS LOOK+ AT ! FIGURE NAU<T4 

,IT HAD BE5 JU/ AS IF ! LI<TS HAD BE5 SWIT*$ ON4 ,NAU<T WAS ! ONLY NUMB]1 O!R ?AN ! NUMB] N9E1 ?AT DIDN'T *ANGE IF IT W]E MULTIPLI$4 ,ALL ( ! S+LE DIGIT FIGURES BETWE5 NAU<T & N9E MADE SEQU5CES BY ADD+ UP !IR MULTIPLES ?AT HAD A P]FECT SYMMETRY4 ,AS IF TO UND]L9E ?IS1 ,TOM'S GR&DAD HAD ONCE MORE TAK5 UP HIS P5CIL1 & HAD WRITT5 ?OSE T5 NUMB]S 91 ALL 9 A R+ BETWE5 ! Z]O'S 9N]MO/ & \T] CIRCLES1 LIKE ! NUMB]S R\ND ! $GES ( A CLOCK4 ,! NUMB] NAU<T WAS R\<LY :]E ! ONE W\LD BE UPON A NORMAL TIMEPIECE1 ) ! NUM]ALS PROCE$+ CLOCKWISE R\ND ! DIAL & LEAV+ SPACES :]E ! SIX & TWELVE W]E USUALLY POSITION$4 ,! EFFECT ( ?IS WAS ?AT EA* NUMB] WAS N[ SET AT ! SAME HORIZONTAL LEVEL AS ITS MIRROR-TW91 ! N9E UP AT ! TOP LEFT FACE N[ L9$ UP ) ! NAU<T AT ! TOP RI<T4 ,! EI<T & ONE W]E OPPOSITE EA* O!R AT BO? T5-TO & T5-PA/1 ! SEV5 & ! TWO W]E DIAMETRICALLY OPPOS$1 EA* AT ! QU>T]-H\R M>K1 ) ! SIX & ?REE BEL[ ?AT1 & ! FIVE & F\R FAC+ EA* O!R D[N ! BOTTOM1 ONE AT FIVE-&-TW5TY-TO1 ! O!R ONE AT FIVE-&-TW5TY AFT]4 ,IT WAS LOVELY4 ,9 ONE SIMPLE FLA% A HIDD5 PATT]N ?AT HAD BE5 !RE ALL ! TIME1 CONCEAL$ B5EA? ! SURFACE1 WAS REVEAL$4 

,NEI!R ,TOM NOR HIS GR&FA!R HAD HAD ! FIR/ IDEA :AT !IR DISCOV]Y MI<T MEAN1 OR C\LD CONCEIVE ( ANY USEFUL APPLICATION = IT4 ,9DE$1 IT WAS SO BL9D+LY OBVI\S ONCE Y\'D FIR/ SE5 IT ?AT !Y'D BO? ASSUM$ ?AT SOMEONE1 OR MORE LIKELY A GREAT MANY PEOPLE1 HAD /UMBL$ ACROSS ! NOTION PREVI\SLY4 ,IT DIDN'T MATT]4 ,9 ?AT MOM5T ,TOM HAD FELT A S5SE ( TRIUMPH & SULTANA-SC5T$ REVELATION ?AT HE'D NEV] KN[N BE=E OR S9CE4 ,HIS GR&FA!R HAD SMIL$ A CRACK$ SMILE ?AT LOOK$ RUEFUL RA!R ?AN ELAT$1 & HAD /ABB$ ONCE MORE ) ONE BLACK F+]NAIL AT ! BLANK SPACE 5CLOS$ BY ! BIG NUMB] NAU<T'S 9T]IOR R+4 

0,! NAU<T'S A TORUS4 ,?AT MEANS1 LIKE1 A LIFEBELT %APE :AT'S GOT A HOLE 94 ,OR IT'S LIKE A *IMNEYPOT1 LOOK$ D[N ON FROM ABOVE4 ,& AT ! MIDDLE ( ! NAU<T H]E1 D[N ! B>REL ( ! *IMNEY1 ?AT'S :]E ALL ! NO?+'S KEPT4 ,Y\'VE GOT TO KEEP Y\R EYE ON NO?+1 LAD1 OR ELSE IT GETS ALL OV] EV]Y?+4 ,!N !RE'S NO *IMNEYPOT1 !RE'S JU/ ! HOLE4 ,!N !RE'S NO LIFEBELT1 !RE'S NO TORUS4 ,!RE'S NO NO?+40 

,) ?IS1 ,SN[Y ,V]NALL HAD SEEM$ TO GET ANGRY OR UNHAPPY1 JU/ LIKE ?AT4 ,HE'D SCREW$ ! PIECE ( PAP] ) ! ALT]$ CLOCK FACE DRAWN UPON IT UP 9TO A BALL & ?R[N IT ON ! FIRE4 ,TOM HADN'T COMPREH5D$ ANY ( :AT HIS GR&DAD HAD JU/ BE5 GO+ ON AB\T1 & MU/ HAVE LOOK$ SC>$ BY ! OLD BOY'S SUDD5 *ANGE ( DISPOSITION4 ,TOMMY'S GRAN ,L\ISA1 :O LOOK$ LIKE %E'D SE5 !SE SW+S ( MOOD BE=E1 HAD SAID 0,RI<T1 ?AT'S 5\< SUMS = TODAY4 ,Y\NG ,TOMMY1 Y\ RUN (F BACK HOME BE=E Y\R MAM GETS WORRI$4 ,Y\ CAN SEE Y\R GR&DAD ,SN[Y ON ANO!R ,SAT'DAY AFT]NOON40 ,%E HADN'T EV5 %[N ,TOM \T1 P]HAPS BECAUSE %E'D KN[N ?AT !RE WAS AN EXPLOSION IMM95T4 ,TOMMY HAD B>ELY %UT ! WORN FRONT DOOR BEH9D HIM & /EPP$ \TSIDE 9TO ,=T ,/REET :5 HE HE>D ! FURI\S BELL[+ &1 %ORTLY AFT]1 BREAK+ GLASS4 ,MO/ PROBABLY IT W\LD HAVE BE5 A W9D[ OR A MIRROR1 MIRRORS BE+ SOME?+ ?AT ,TOM'S GR&FA!R WAS KN[N TO HAVE BECOME SUSPICI\S (4 ,TOMMY HAD SC>P]$ (F D[N ,=T ,/REET :I*1 AL?\< IT HAD BE5 B>ELY ! MID-AFT]NOON1 ,TOM PICTUR$ N[ AS HAV+ !N BE5 OM9\SLY D>K4 ,H[EV]1 HE RECALL$ ?AT ?IS HAD HAPP5$ 9 ! ',TW5TIES1 LONG BE=E ! ,BOR\< ,WA/E ,DE/RUCTOR HAD BE5 PULL$ D[N TO MAKE WAY = FLATS 9 ,BA? ,/REET1 SO ?AT WAS ONE MY/]Y SOLV$4 

,TOM PULL$ UPON HIS ,K5SITAS & BLEW AN UN9T5D$ SMOKE-R+1 ALMO/ 9/ANTLY MADE 9DI/+UI%ABLE FROM ! *ILLY1 WRI?+ FUMES SURR\ND+ HIM !RE 9 ! ,WELL+BOR\< ,ROAD4 ,HE WI%$ HE C\LD BL[ ONE LIKE ?AT :5 SOMEBODY WAS WAT*+4 ,:5 ,DORE5 WAS WAT*+4 

,DRIFT+ UP FROM ! T[N C5T]1 TO ! WE/ & ON ,TOM'S RI<T1 ! J+L+ & ME&]+ P]=MANCE ( ! M>A?ON CONC]T RECITALI/ WAS /ILL CONT9U+1 NOTES HUNG ON ! 9FREQU5T ?READS ( BREEZE LIKE ! GLASS LOZ5GES ?AT DRIPP$ FROM *&ELI]S4 ,IT /ILL REM9D$ HIM ( SOME?+1 ( SOME O!R NI<T LIKE ?IS1 P]HAPS1 SOME O!R MUSIC DRIFT+ FROM SOME O!R FOG8 ,! MEMORY1 MU* LIKE FOG1 WAS ELUSIVE1 & HE LET IT GO & 9/EAD WOND]$ H[ ,DORE5 WAS GETT+ ON4 ,%E PROBABLY W\LD HAVE BE5 9 NO MOOD TO HAVE APPRECIAT$ ,TOMMY'S SMOKE-R+1 EV5 IF %E'D SE5 IT4 ,%E'D MO/ LIKELY O!R ?+S UPON H] M9D RI<T N[4 

,HE'D GO BACK 94 ,ANO!R FAG OR TWO1 HE'D GO BACK 9 & SIT !RE 9 ! SMALL BEIGE WAIT+ ROOM CLOSE TO ! FRONT DOORS ( ! DECOMMISSION$ WORKH\SE1 :]E AT LEA/ IT W\LD BE W>M4 ,HE'D SIT & DRUM ONE FOOT UPON ! V>NI%$ FLOORBO>DS1 9 HIS MAC & HIS DEMOB SUIT1 JU/ LIKE BO? ! O!R BLOKES :OSE WIVES W]E HAV+ BABIES ?IS SAME NI<T1 ! SEV5TE5?1 :O W]E ALREADY SAT EXPECTANTLY 9SIDE4 ,TOMMY HAD WAIT$ 9 !RE ) !M = A :ILE1 JU/ AFT] HE'D BR\<T ,DORE5 TO ! HOSPITAL & %E'D BE5 TOOK TO ! DELIV]Y ROOM1 BUT HE'D NOT BE5 !RE V]Y LONG BE=E ! SIL5CE HAD BEGUN TO GET UPON HIS N]VES & HE'D MADE SOME EXCUSE TO QUIETLY SLIP \TSIDE4 ,NO?+ AGA9/ ! O!R *APS1 IT WAS JU/ ?AT !Y HADN'T MU* 9 COMMON PA/ ! FACT ?AT N9E MON?S E>LI] !Y'D HAD A LUCKY NI<T4 ,IT W]5'T LIKE !Y W]E GO+ TO SIT & TALK AB\T !IR HOPES & FE>S & DREAMS1 LIKE ACTORS MI<T DO 9 A FILM4 ,9 REAL LIFE1 Y\ JU/ DIDN'T4 ,9 REAL LIFE1 Y\ DIDN'T REALLY HAVE MU* 9 ! WAY ( HOPES & FE>S & DREAMS1 NOT LIKE A *>ACT] :O'S 9 A FILM OR BOOK HAD GOT4 ,?+S LIKE ?AT1 9 REAL LIFE1 !Y W]5'T IMPORTANT TO ! G5]AL /ORY 9 ! WAY !Y HAD TO BE 9 LIT]ATURE4 ,DREAMS1 HOPES1 !Y W]5'T IMPORTANT1 & IF SOMEONE W]E TO BR+ !M UP !N EV]YONE W\LD SAY HE ?\<T ?AT HE WAS ,RONALD ,COLMAN1 LOOK+ S5SITIVE ) HIS LONG EYELA%ES 9 BLACK & SILV] ?R\< ! CIG>ETTE SMOKE AT A MAT9EE4 

,! ,WELL+BOR\< ,ROAD FELT LIKE A RIV]B$1 ) GRUBBY LAMB'S-WOOL VAPOR RU%+ D[N IT 9 A FLOOD ( MURK1 EA/W>DS TO ,AB+TON1 ! P>K1 & ,WE/ON ,FAVELL4 ,! B5I<T$ %OPS & PUBS W]E VOLE-HOLES DUG 9TO ITS BANKS BEL[ ! WAT]L9E1 HID+ D>K M]*&ISE4 ,AS ,TOMMY WAT*$1 A LONE ,=D ,ANGLIA CAME D>T+ LIKE A PIKE \T FROM ! GR\ND$ CL\D !N SWAM AWAY 9 ! DIRECTION ( T[N C5T]1 BATTL+ UP/REAM AGA9/ ! CURR5T ( ! MI/ & 9 ! FACE ( ,MAD ,M>IE'S CONT9U+ RECITAL4 ,! ,=D ,ANGLIA WAS ONE C> ,TOMMY RECOGNIZ$ BY :AT HE ?\<T ( AS ITS %>P ITALIC TILT1 A T]M HE'D PICK$ UP FROM HIS P5MAN%IP AT S*OOL & :I* HAD /UCK ) HIM4 ,ITS CREAM & CORNFL[] PA9TWORK VANI%$ 9 ! OY/] DRIFTS B5EA? :I* ,AB+TON ,SQU>E & ,*>LES ,BRADLAU<'S /ATUE W]E SUBM]G$1 & ,TOMMY WAS ALONE AGA91 SCUFF+ HIS BOOTS AGA9/ ! ROLL+ TORR5T'S /ONE & T>MAC B$-S&S1 SUCK+ 9 ! FOG ?R\< ! LA/ HALF-9* ( HIS ,K5SITAS & BL[+ IT \T SUAVELY D[N HIS NOSE4 

,HE KNEW ?AT ?IRTY-SIX WAS LATE1 COMP>ATIVELY1 TO BE />T+ (F A FAMILY1 BUT IT W]5'T TOO LATE4 ,TOM HAD KN[N BLOKES A GOOD SI<T OLD] ?AN :AT HE WAS1 SIR+ A FIR/ *ILD4 ,BUT !N1 ) BO? HIS Y\NG] BRO!RS HAV+ KIDS ALREADY1 HE'D NOT FELT ?AT HE C\LD LEAVE IT ANY LAT]4 ,IF HE WASN'T A GR[N MAN & FIT TO RAISE A SON BY N[1 AFT] ! ?+S HE'D BE5 ?R\<1 !N HE'D NEV] BE ONE4 ,:ILE ! W> HAD TOOK !IR ,JACK AWAY FROM HIM1 ! :OLE AFFAIR HAD GIV5 ,TOM A SORT ( CONFID5CE HE HADN'T FELT BE=E1 A S5SE ?AT IF HE'D MANAG$ TO SURVIVE ALL ?AT !N ,TOMMY ,W>R5 WAS AS GOOD AS ANYBODY ELSE4 ,HE'D COME BACK HOME FROM ,FRANCE ) A NEW TW9KLE 9 HIS EYE1 A DIFF]5T SWAGG] !RE 9 EV]Y WELL-DRESS$ /EP4 ,NOT FLA%Y OR EXP5SIVE1 M9D Y\4 ,JU/ WELL-DRESS$4 

,HE C\LD REMEMB] HIS HOMECOM+1 PULL+ 9TO ,CA/LE ,/ATION ON A TRA9 PACK$ FULL ( *ILDR51 MATRONS1 BUS9ESS PEOPLE1 & SCORES ( RETURN+ M5 9 UNI=M LIKE HIM & ,WALT & ,FRANK4 ,/&+ ROOM ONLY1 IT HAD BE51 ALL ( ! WAY FROM ,EU/ON ,/ATION1 ,TOM & HIS TWO BRO!RS /UCK \T 9 ! CORRIDOR ) GETT+ ON TWO DOZ5 O!R PEOPLE1 SWAY+ & COMPLA9+ /RAI<T ?R\< ,LEI<TON ,BUZZ>D1 ,BLET*LEY1 ,WOLV]TON4 ,AS F> AS ,TOMMY C\LD RECALL1 HE'D BE5 /OOD TRAD+ /ORIES ) !IR ,WALT]1 :I* AS ALWAYS WAS A CONTE/ ?AT Y\ C\LDN'T HOPE TO W94 ,HE'D BE5 HALFWAY ?R\< TELL+ ,WALT AB\T ! NI<T :5 ALL ! IDIOT ,BRITI% (FIC]S GOT PISS$ & DROVE A TANK OV] ! FRONT GATE ( ! AMMO DUMP ?AT ,TOM WAS GU>D+1 SO HE C\LDN'T EV5 %OOT ! OV]PAID GUFFAW+ TWITS = FE> ( SETT+ (F ! %ELLS4 ,IT WAS AT ?AT PO9T 9 HIS /ORY1 JU/ PA/ ,WOLV]TON1 ?AT A BIG ,YANK1 A ,G,I :O'D GOT ON ! TRA9 AT ,WAT=D & WAS GO+ ON TO ,COV5TRY1 HAD JO9$ !M 9 ! CR[D$1 LUR*+ CORRIDOR4 

,SOMETIMES1 ! ,YANKS1 !Y W]E ALL RI<T1 & Y\ C\LD HAVE A LAU< ) !M1 BUT BY & L>GE !Y GOT RI<T UP ,TOM'S NOSE1 ! WAY !Y DID ) MO/ PEOPLE HE KNEW4 ,ON ! FRONT L9E !Y'D ALWAYS US$ TO SAY ?AT :5 ! ,LUFTWAFFE W5T OV]1 ALL ! ,5GLI% RAN1 & :5 ! ,R,A,F W5T OV]1 ALL ! ,G]MANS RAN4 ,:5 ! ,AM]ICANS W5T OV]1 EV]YBODY RAN4 ,! COCKY BUGG]S HAD BACK$ ,HITL] UNTIL #a#i#d#b1 !N COME 9TO ! W> LATE & TOOK ALL ! CR$IT1 EV5 AFT] !Y'D WALK$ SLAP 9TO A ,J]RY TRAP & PROBABLY DELAY$ ! W>'S 5D ) !IR ',BATTLE ( ! ,BULGE'1 OR ,OP]ATION ,AUTUMN ,MI/ AS ,FRITZ PR\DLY REF]R$ TO IT4 ,! SOLDI]S OV] H]E1 ?\<1 W]E ! WOR/1 OR ANYWAY ! :ITE ONES W]E4 ,! D>KIES W]E AS GOOD AS GOLD1 Y\ C\LDN'T MEET A NIC] BUN* ( *APS1 & ,TOMMY C\LD REMEMB] BE+ HOME ON LEAVE & SEE+ ! ,BLACK ,LION'S L&LORD SL++ \T SOME :ITE ,G,IS :5 !Y'D COMPLA9$ AB\T ! BLACK ONES !Y W]E =C$ TO %>E A 'B>ROOM' )4 0,!M NIGG]S 9 ! BACK !RE10 AS !Y'D CALL$ !M4 ,SOME ,AM]ICANS C\LD BE RI<T ,H]B]TS1 & ?IS FELL[ :O'D COME UP TO ,TOMMY & HIS BRO!RS ON ! TRA9 WAS ONE ( !M4 

,RI<T FROM ! GET GO1 HE'D BE5 M\?+ (F AB\T H[ MU* MORE PAY ! ,YANKS GOT ?AN ! ,5GLI%1 H[ !Y'D GIVE !M BIGG] RATIONS1 ALL ( ?AT4 ,WALT] HAD NODD$ SAGELY & SAID 0,WELL1 ?AT'S ONLY FAIR1 Y\'VE BIGG] M\?S TO FE$01 BUT ! ,G,I W5T ON AS ?\< HE HADN'T NOTIC$ ?AT !IR ,WALT HAD MADE A DIG4 ,HE'D />T$ TELL+ !M1 9 A L[ :ISP] ON ACC\NT ( ALL ! LADIES ?AT W]E 9 ! CORRIDOR1 AB\T H[ MANY RUBB] JOHNNIES HIS LOT HAD BE5 ISSU$ BY ! ,U,S >MY4 ,SEE+ AS ?IS *AP WAS /ATION$ OV] H]E 9 ,5GL& ?IS WAS JU/ AS GOOD AS SAY+ !Y'D BE5 GIV5 !M TO USE ) ,5GLI% GIRLS1 :I* WASN'T SOME?+ ,BRITI% *APS W]E LIKELY TO TAKE K9DLY TO4 ,TOMMY HAD SE5 ! LOOK COME 9 HIS BRO!RS' EYES1 ! SAME AS HE SUPPOS$ HAD BE5 !RE 9 HIS [N4 ,WALT] HAD SMIL$ A GREAT BIG SMILE1 EYES SP>KL+1 :I* WASN'T USUALLY A REASSUR+ SIGN1 & ,FRANK HAD JU/ GONE QUIET ) A TI<T LITTLE GR9 ON HIS LEAN FACE1 :I* MEANT ! ,YANK1 BIG AS HE WAS1 WAS LOOK+ = A SWIFT PUN* UP ! BRACKET IF HE DIDN'T WAT* HIMSELF4 ,IT WAS ! ,W>R5 BOYS ?AT HE WAS TALK+ TO1 :O'D MADE A DEC5T NAME = !MSELVES LIB]AT+ !IR SMALL PIECE ( ,FRANCE1 :O'D LO/ !IR BRO!R1 ! BE/-LOOK+ \T ! LOT ( !M1 & :O'D BE5 GIV5 9 RETURN A LOT ( M$ALS ?AT !Y DIDN'T WANT4 ,TAK+ !IR DANG]\S SIL5CE = RESPECT OR AWE1 ! ,G,I HAD ELECT$ TO BACK UP HIS BRAG BY FI%+ \T ! ,U,S >MY-ISSUE T9 HE KEPT HIS CONDOMS 91 PRIZ+ ITS LID UP TO REVEAL P]HAPS TWO DOZ5 PROPHYLACTICS4 ,TOM HAD WOND]$ IDLY IF ,AM]ICANS WROTE *IRPY SLOGANS ON ! SIDES ( RUBB]S1 LIKE !Y DID ) BOMBS4 0,H]E'S LOOK+ AT YA1 ,PR9CESS ,LIZ60 OR SOME?+ ( ?AT NATURE4 ,WALT] HAD PE]$ D[N 9TO ! OP5 T9 & SAID 0,I SEE Y\'VE A LOT LEFT1 !N40 ,FRANK HAD GR\ND HIS TEE? & BUN*$ ONE FI/ UP1 READY TO KICK (F1 & IT WAS JU/ !N ?AT ! TRA9 HAD GONE OV] A BUMP1 SO ?AT !IR C>RIAGE CLANK$ & ROCK$4 

,! JOHNNIES HAD ALL %OT 9TO ! AIR LIKE SP>KS \T ( A ,ROMAN C&LE1 FALL+ 9 A RUBB] RA9 ON BANK]S' %\LD]S1 9TO S*OOLBOYS' SAT*ELS & ON LADIES' HATS4 ,! ,YANK HAD GONE AS R$ AS ,RUSSIA1 CRAWL+ R\ND ON ALL F\RS GA!R+ !M UP1 APOLOGIZ+ TO ! WOM5 :ILE HE FI%$ ! LITTLE PACKETS FROM BETWE5 !IR HEELS & /UFF$ !M BACK 9TO HIS T94 ,WALT] HAD />T$ S++ 0,:5 JOHNNIES COME M>*+ HOME AGA91 HURRAH0 & EV]YBODY 9 ! C>RIAGE BUT ! ,YANK HAD HAD ! BE/ LAU< ?AT !Y'D HAD S9CE #a#i#c#i4 

,TOM RISK$ A BURN$ LIP ) A LA/ DRAG ON HIS FAG !N FLIPP$ ! EMB] 5D ( IT AWAY 9TO ! 9VISIBLE GUTT] ) ITS PR$ECESSOR4 ,?AT HAD BE5 A R>E OLD TIME1 BACK !N :5 !Y W]E FRE% HOME FROM ! W>4 ,\T EV]Y ,FRIDAY NI<T !Y'D BE51 ! FAM\S ,W>R5 LADS ALL 9 !IR SUITS1 BUT ONLY ELDE/ BRO!R ,TOMMY ) ! MAT*+ H&K]*IEF 9 HIS BREA/ POCKET4 ,SAUNT]+ FROM PUB TO PUB1 ! %UNT & J+LE ( ! ONE->M$ B&ITS /REW+ FRUIT & BELLS BE=E !M AS !Y W5T1 ! BU/Y L&LADIES' ADMIR+ SMIRKS1 W> H]OES1 SU* A %AME AB\T Y\R H&SOME BRO!R4 ,FREE %OTS FROM ! OPTICS1 ,WALT] TELL+ JOKES & SELL+ KNOCK$-(F NYLONS1 ONLY US$ ONCE PREVI\SLY1 MISS1 & ?AT W]E BY A NUN4 ,FRANK LE]+1 ,TOMMY GO+ R$ & TRY+ NOT TO LAU< :5 !Y W]E /EPP+ OV] BRAWL+ LEZZIES ON ! ,MAYORHOLD1 & A HEAD-(-,GU9NESS MOON CUT FREE TO SAIL ABOVE ! ,BOR\<S LIKE A PANTOMIME EFFECT4 

,?AT SN[Y ,*RI/MAS ,EVE :5 ,WALT HAD F\ND AN APPLE CRATE UP ON ! M>KET1 H>NESS$ ,FRANK & ,TOMMY TO IT ) SOME /R+ !N JAMM$ HIS TUBBY ASS 9SIDE SO !Y C\LD PULL HIM R\ND T[N C5T] LIKE TWO RE9DE] T[+ ,FA!R ,*RI/MAS4 0,HO HO HO1 Y\ BUGG]S6 ,MU%60 ,!Y'D GONE 9TO ! ,GR& ,HOTEL & B\<T A R\ND ( DR9KS1 JU/ = ! ?REE ( !M1 & !Y'D BE5 *>G$ MORE ?AN A P\ND4 ,) ,WALT DIRECT+1 ,FRANK & ,TOM HAD GONE TO EI!R SIDE ( ! BIG HOTEL L\NGE & />T$ ROLL+ UP ! HUGE EXP5SIVE C>PET1 ASK+ PEOPLE TO LIFT UP !IR *AIRS & TABLES SO ?AT !Y C\LD ROLL IT UND] !M4 ,! MANAG] OR SOMEONE HAD COME /ORM+ \T & ASK$ ,WALT :AT ! DEVIL !Y ?\<T !Y W]E PLAY+ AT1 TO :I* ,WALT HAD REPLI$ ?AT !Y W]E GO+ TO TAKE ! C>PET1 S9CE !Y'D PAID = IT4 ,!Y'D HAD TO MAKE A QUICK ESCAPE1 )\T ! RUG1 BUT LUCKILY !IR APPLE CRATE WAS /ILL ROP$ TO A LAMPPO/ \TSIDE ! HOTEL4 ,!Y'D J+L$ ALL ! WAY D[N ,GOLD ,/REET1 FACES FLU%+ BLUE & YELL[ 9 ! FAIRY LI<TS1 ALONG ,M>EFAIR1 BACK HOME TO ,GRE5 ,/REET & !IR WAIT+ MAM4 ,HITL] WAS DEAD & EV]Y?+ WAS RUDDY M>VEL\S4 

,EXCEPT = ,JACK1 ( C\RSE4 ,TOMMY RECALL$1 ) A QUE] %UDD] ( APPALL$ NO/ALGIA1 H[ ! ,W>R5 FAMILY'S ,*RI/MAS RITUAL HAD BE5 ?AT FIR/ YE> AFT] ,JACK WAS GONE4 ,! FAMILY HAD GA!R$ 9 ! FRONT ROOM1 JU/ AS !Y'D DONE = AS LONG AS ANYBODY C\LD REMEMB]4 ,TOMMY'S MAM HAD LEAD5LY RETRIEV$ ! FANCY ,*9A PISS-POT - EASILY A FOOT ACROSS1 HAV+ BE5 MANUFACTUR$ 9 A TIME ( BIGG] ASSES - FROM ITS P]* ATOP ?AT OLD GLASS-FRONT$ CAB9ET !Y US$ TO HAVE4 ,:ILE ,FRANK & ,WALT & ,L\ & ,TOMMY HAD LOOK$ ON1 !IR MAM HAD FILL$ ! GUZUND] UP TO ITS RIM ) A GROTESQUE & UNDISCRIM9AT+ MIX ( SPIRITS2 DRA9+S FROM ! /AGG]+LY V>I$ COMPLEM5T ( BOTTLES TO BE F\ND >\ND !IR HEAVY-DR9K+ H\SEHOLD4 ,BRIMM+ ) A %IMM]+ PALE-GOLD AGGREGATE ( :ISKEY1 G91 RUM1 VODKA1 BR&Y & POSSIBLY TURP5T9E = ALL ?AT ANYBODY KNEW1 ! GLAZ$ :ITE *ALICE1 HOPEFULLY UNUS$1 HAD BE5 SOLEMNLY PASS$ >\ND ! FAMILY CIRCLE1 ?IS ACCOMPLI%$ ONLY ) BO? H&S & SOME DEGREE ( DIFFICULTY4 ,IT WAS OBVI\SLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DR9K FROM A RECEPTACLE ?AT HAD QUITE CLE>LY NEV] BE5 DESIGN$ ) ?AT FUNCTION 9 M9D1 AT LEA/ )\T A C]TA9 DR5*+ ( ! %IRTFRONT1 & ?IS SPILLAGE HAD BE5 WORSE ) EV]Y CIRCUIT ( ! FRONT ROOM & ( ! 9CREAS+LY 9CAPABLE & UNCOORD9AT$ 9DIVIDUALS GA!R$ !RE4 ,ON ALL ! PREVI\S OCCASIONS :5 ?IS RITUAL HAD BE5 5ACT$ !RE HAD BE5 A K9D ( GLORY 9 ITS WRET*$NESS3 IT HAD BE5 SOMEH[ COMICAL1 & BRAVE1 & AS IF !Y W]E PR\D ( BE+ ! UPRO>I\S & FIL?Y MON/]S ?AT !IR BETT]S SAW !M AS4 ,!RE'D BE5 A K9D ( HORRID GR&EUR TO IT1 BUT NOT AFT] ,JACK WAS GONE4 ,?AT HAD BE5 PRO( ?AT !Y W]5'T MI<TY & IMMORTAL OGRES AFT] ALL1 9V9CIBLE 9 !IR 9EBRIATION4 ,!Y'D JU/ BE5 A CREW ( VOMIT+ & TE>FUL DRUNKS :O'D LO/ !IR BRO!R2 LO/ !IR SON4 ,TOM C\LDN'T N[ REMEMB] IF !Y'D BO!R$ ) ! ,*RI/MAS RITUAL AFT] ?AT UNHAPPY YE> ( VICTORY4 

,ACROSS ! ,WELL+BOR\< ,ROAD1 ,/4 ,$MUND'S CLOCK /RUCK TWICE = TWO & MU/ HAVE SC>$ A ROO/+ BIRD AWAKE & 9TO SOME /ATE ( ACTIVITY1 AT LEA/ TO JUDGE FROM ! PLUMP TE> ( PIGEON MUCK ?AT SIL5TLY DROPP$ FROM ! MI/S ABOVE HIM1 SPLATT]+ HIS MAC'S LAPEL ) LIQUID *ALK & CAVI> 9 ITS DESC5T4 ,TOM GR[L$ & SWORE & FI%$ \T HIS CLEAN HANKIE FROM ! POCKET ) NO MAT*ES1 FAGS OR *OCOLATE B>S1 WIP+ ! :ITE SME> HURRI$LY AWAY UNTIL ONLY A FA9T DAMP /A9 REMA9$4 ,MAK+ A M5TAL NOTE ?AT HE MU/ HAVE IT WA%$ BE=E HE BLEW HIS NOSE ON IT AGA91 HE %OV$ ! US$ RAG BACK 9TO HIS COAT4 

,( C\RSE1 ALL ?AT PO/W> EXHIL>ATION HADN'T LA/$4 ,NOT ?AT ?+S HAD GONE BAD1 NOT AT ALL4 ,TIMES HAD JU/ *ANG$1 ! WAY !Y ALWAYS DID4 ,FIR/ ,WALT HAD MET A LITTLE BEAUTY & GOT M>RI$1 :I* HAD PROMPT$ !IR MAM'S LAY+ D[N ! LAW TO ,TOM & ,FRANK AT ! RECEPTION1 %\T+ AT !M OV] ALL ! NOISE ?AT ,UNCLE ,JOHNNY'S B& W]E MAK+ AT ! DANCEHALL !RE 9 ,GOLD ,/REET1 TELL+ !M !Y'D BETT] F9D !MSELVES A PAIR ( GIRLS OR ELSE4 ,FRANK1 WRY & WIRY ) HIS L9E ( SAUCY BANT]1 HAD BE5 QUICK] (F ! M>K ?AN ,TOMMY 9 RESPOND+ TO !IR MO!R'S ULTIMATUM4 ,HE'D GONE \T & F\ND A G+] LASS AS NE> ! KNUCKLE AS :AT HE WAS & !Y'D W$ 9 #a#i#e1 :I* HAD JU/ LEFT ,TOM TO BE> ! BRUNT ( !IR MAM'S GRUNT$ DISAPPROVAL4 

,TOMMY C\LD REMEMB] SEEK+ REFUGE & ADVICE DUR+ ?AT P]IOD ) HIS BIG LITTLE SI/]1 POPP+ UP TO SEE ,L\ & H] HUSB& ,ALB]T & !IR *ILDR5 \T 9 ,DU/ON AT ! LEA/ EXCUSE4 ,AS ALWAYS ,L\ HAD BE5 A D>L+1 BR++ HIM A CUP ( TEA 9 H] NICE1 AIRY LITTLE FRONT ROOM1 LI/5+ TO HIS TR\BLES ) H] HEAD ON ONE SIDE LIKE A S(T TOY ( AN [L4 0,Y\R TR\BLE IS1 BRUV1 ?AT Y\'RE BACKW>D COM+ =W>D4 ,I'M NOT SAY+ AS Y\ %\LD BE A SMOO? TALK] LIKE \R ,WALT1 OR ELSE A DIRTY LITTLE BUGG] LIKE \R ,FRANK1 BUT Y\ %\LD PUT Y\RSELF AB\T1 OR ELSE ! GIRLS WON'T KN[ Y\'RE !RE4 ,IT'S NO GOOD WAIT+ = !M TO F9D Y\1 ?AT'S NOT :AT GIRLS >E LIKE4 ,I MEAN1 Y\'RE A GOOD-LOOK+ *AP1 Y\'RE ALWAYS DRESS$ A TREAT4 ,Y\'RE EV5 A GOOD DANC]4 ,I CAN'T SEE AS ANY?+'S ! MATT] ) Y\40 ,L\'S VOICE1 L[ & *UCKL+1 HAD A LOVELY CROAK TO IT1 ALMO/ A BUZZ OR HUM ?AT1 ) HIS SI/]'S COMPACT %APE1 MADE ,TOMMY ?9K ( BEEHIVES1 HONEY1 &1 CONT9U+ ) ! ASSOCIATION1 ,SUNDAY TEATIME4 ,%E C\LD ALWAYS BE RELI$ UPON TO SET Y\ /RAI<T & HAVE A LAU< :ILE %E W]E DO+ IT4 ,TOM SOMETIMES SAW 9 ,L\ A GLIMPSE ( :AT !IR MAM MU/ HAVE BE5 LIKE :5 %E W]E Y\NG1 BE=E %E LO/ H] FIR/ *ILD TO DIPH!RIA & />T$ GETT+ BITT]1 BACK BE=E %E W]E A DEA?MONG]4 

,! ONLY 9CID5T ,TOM C\LD RECALL RELAT+ TO HIS MO!R'S TRADE 9 BIR? & DEA? CONC]N$ AN ISOLAT$ MORN+ 9 HIS *ILDHOOD :I* HAD NONE!LESS LEFT AN IMPRESSION4 ,MR4 ,P>TRIDGE1 A BIG1 PORTLY *AP :O'D LIV$ ONLY A FEW DOORS FROM !IR H\SE 9 ,GRE5 ,/REET1 HAD PASS$ ON BUT WAS TOO FAT TO GET \T ?R\< ! DOOR ( ! FRONT B$ROOM :]E HE'D DI$4 ,TOMMY HAD WAT*$ FROM D[N ! ,ELEPHANT ,LANE 5D ( ,GRE5 ,/REET :ILE HIS MAM HAD /OOD !RE 9 ! ROAD DIRECT+ ! REMOVAL ( ! H\SE'S UP/AIRS W9D[ & ! L[]+ ( AN IMM5SE & ALMO/ PURPLE ,MR4 ,P>TRIDGE1 ) A W9* & TRE/LE1 D[N 9TO ! HORSE-DRAWN HE>SE ?AT WAIT$ PATI5TLY BEL[4 ,( C\RSE1 ) ALL ! ,CO-OP FUN]AL S*EMES !Y HAD !SE DAYS !RE W]5'T MU* WORK = DEA?MONG]S AB\T4 ,TOM'S MAM HAD PACK$ IT 91 ! 5D ( #a#i#d#e4 ,) ,JACK GONE1 HE SUPPOS$ %E'D HAD 5\< ( DEA? BY !N1 & ) ! ,NATIONAL ,HEAL? ON ! HORIZON1 !N P]HAPS %E'D RECKON$ ?AT ! BIR? 5D ( ! RACKET W\LD BE GONE TOO1 BE=E LONG4 

,!SE DAYS1 MO/ WOM5 HAV+ A FIR/ *ILD W\LD COME & HAVE IT H]E1 9 HOSPITAL4 ,!RE W]E /ILL MIDWIVES1 NATURALLY1 = LAT] *ILDR5 OR = PEOPLE /UCK \T 9 ! C\NTRY1 BUT !SE W]E ALL MIDWIVES WORK+ = ! ,NATIONAL ,HEAL?4 ,!Y W]5'T FREELANC]S LIKE HIS MAM1 & NO ONE CALL$ !M DEA?MONG]S !SE DAYS4 ,TOM ?\<T IT WAS A GOOD ?+1 BY & L>GE4 ,HE WAS A MOD]N BLOKE1 & HE = ONE WAS GLAD ?AT HIS WIFE WAS JU/ N[ HAV+ H] *ILD DELIV]$ 9 A MOD]N W>D1 ) PROP] DOCTORS GA!R$ R\ND1 NOT 9 A D>K BACK B$ROOM ) SOME CACKL+ OLD HORROR LIKE HIS MAM B5T OV] H]4 ,DORE5 HAD 5\< RES]VATIONS AB\T ,TOMMY'S MAM AS ?+S /OOD1 & IF ,MAY HAD /UCK H] NOSE 9TO ! BIR? ( !IR FIR/ *ILD !N ?AT W\LD HAVE PUT ! T9 HAT ON ! OCCASION GOOD & PROP]4 ,TOMMY %IV]$1 EV5 ?9K+ ( IT1 ?\< ?AT MI<T HAVE JU/ BE5 ! ,NOVEMB] NI<T4 

,IT WAS ,DORE5 :O'D RESCU$ ,TOMMY FROM HIS BA*ELOR /ATE & HIS MAM'S APPROBATION4 ,?AT HAD BE5 A BIT ( LUCK1 HIS F9D+ H]4 ,IT WAS JU/ LIKE HIS ,L\ HAD SAID1 HE WAS TOO RETIC5T ) GIRLS & C\LDN'T TURN ! *>M ON LIKE !IR ,WALT OR ,FRANK4 ,TOM'S ONLY HOPE HAD BE5 TO F9D SOMEBODY EV5 %Y] ?AN :AT HE WAS1 & 9 ,DORE5 ?AT'S JU/ :AT HE'D F\ND1 HIS P]FECT COMPLEM5T4 ,HIS O!R HALF4 ,LIKE ,TOM1 %E WASN'T %Y AS 9 ! S5SE ( C[>DLY OR WEAK4 ,!RE WAS A BACKBONE UND] H] RES]VE2 %E JU/ PREF]R$ A QUIET LIFE )\T A LOT ( FUSS1 ! SAME AS HE DID4 ,%E1 LIKE HIM & EV]Y O!R BLOKE :O'D SE5 ! 9SIDE ( A TR5*1 PREF]R$ TO KEEP H] HEAD D[N & GET ON ) ?+S1 TO NOT ATTRACT ATT5TION4 ,IT WAS SOME?+ ( A M>VEL ?AT HE'D SPOTT$ H] AT ALL1 /OOD %R9K+ BACK BEH9D H] L\D]1 GIGGLI] MATES FROM WORK1 AS IF = FE> ?AT ANYONE %\LD SEE H[ BEAUTIFUL %E WAS1 ) H] BIG WAT]Y BLUE EYES1 H] SLI<TLY LONG FACE & H] B>K-BR[N HAIR CURL$ UP 9TO A WAVE4 ,) H] !AT] GL[1 ?AT MI/9ESS %E HAD AB\T H] LIKE A LOBBY C>D4 ,HE'D TOLD H]1 SOON AFT] !Y'D MET1 ?AT %E LOOK$ LIKE A FILM />4 ,%E'D JU/ PURS$ H] LIPS 9TO A LITTLE SMILE & TUTT$1 TELL+ HIM HE %\LDN'T BE SO S(T4 

,!Y'D W$ 9 #aieb & ?\< IT W\LD HAVE MADE MORE S5SE1 9 T]MS ( ROOM1 = !M TO GO & LIVE 9 ,GRE5 ,/REET ) HIS MAM1 NO ONE HAD WANT$ ?AT4 ,NOT ,TOMMY'S MAM1 NOT ,TOMMY1 & P>TICUL>LY NOT ,DORE54 ,%E WAS ! ONLY P]SON ,TOM HAD EV] MET :O1 EV5 ?\< %E HAD A TIMID & RETIR+ NATURE1 W\LDN'T PUT UP ) ,MAY ,W>R5'S BULLY+ OR H] 9TIMIDAT+ MANN]4 ,TOM & ,DORE5 HAD 9/EAD DECID$ TO RESIDE D[N 9 ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD ) ,DORE5'S MO!R ,CL>A & ! O!R MEMB]S ( H] FAMILY ?AT LIV$ !RE1 OR AT LEA/ HAD LIV$ !RE UNTIL REC5TLY4 ,?\< ! IDEA ( HIM & ,DORE5 LIV+ ) ,TOM'S MAM HAD BE5 LIKE SOME?+ FROM A NI<TM>E1 !SE LA/ TWO YE>S LIV+ D[N ! BOTTOM ( ,SPR+ ,LANE & ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET HADN'T BE5 MU* BETT]4 

,N[1 ?IS HADN'T BE5 BECAUSE ( ,DORE5'S MAM1 ! WAY IT W\LD HAVE BE5 ) ,TOMMY'S1 R\ND 9 ,GRE5 ,/REET4 ,CL>A ,SWAN HAD WORK$ 9 S]VICE & REMA9$ A V]Y PROP] & RELIGI\S WOMAN 9 H] [N QUIET FA%ION1 & ?\< %E C\LD BE BO? /RICT & /]N IF ?+S %\LD W>RANT IT1 %E WAS 9 ALMO/ EV]Y WAY COMPLETELY DIFF]5T TO ,MAY ,W>R51 ?9 & UPRI<T :]E HIS MAM WAS %ORT & /\T4 ,NO1 ,TOMMY GOT ON F9E ) ,DORE5'S MAM1 JU/ LIKE HE DID ) BO? H] BRO!RS & H] SI/]1 !IR RESPECTIVE SP\SES & !IR *ILDR54 ,IT WAS JU/ ?AT !RE HAD BE5 SO MANY ( !M1 UNTIL REC5TLY1 & IT WAS SU* A LITTLE H\SE4 

,ADMITT$LY1 ! ELDE/ BRO!R1 ,JAMES1 HE'D M>RI$ & MOV$ \T BE=E ,TOM GOT !RE1 BUT IT HAD /ILL BE5 A TI<T FIT1 PACK+ EV]YBODY 94 ,FIR/ !RE WAS ,DORE5'S MAM H]SELF1 :OSE H\SE IT WAS1 OR AT LEA/ IT W]E H] NAME ON ! R5T BOOK4 ,NEXT WAS ,DORE5'S SI/]1 ,EMMA1 & H] HUSB& ,T$1 ) !IR TWO *ILDR51 ,JOHN & LITTLE ,EILE54 ,EMMA1 OLD] ?AN ,DORE51 WAS ! FIR/ WOMAN RAILWAY GU>D 9 ,5GL&1 & IT HAD BE5 ON ! RAILWAY ?AT %E'D MET H] DA%+ 5G9E DRIV] HUSB&1 ,T$1 :O CLEAN$ HIS TEE? ) *IMNEY SOOT4 ,!N !RE WAS ,DORE5'S Y\NG] BRO!R ,ALF1 ! BUS-DRIV]1 HIS WIFE ,QUE5 & !IR TODDL]1 BABY ,JIM4 ,) ,TOMMY & ,DORE5 AS WELL ?AT HAD MADE GETT+ ON T5 PEOPLE CRAMM$ 9 A ?REE-B$ROOM T]RAC$ H\SE4 

,DORE5 & ,TOM HAD />T$ \T ) A FEW MON?S ( SLEEP+ BE/ !Y C\LD UPON ! C\* 9 ! FRONT ROOM4 ,EMMA & ,T$ & !IR TWO KIDS HAD ! FRONT B$ROOM1 ,CL>A HAD ! SMALL] B$ROOM NEXT TO ?AT1 :I* WAS ABOVE ! LIV+ ROOM1 !N ,ALF & ,QUE5 W]E 9 ! SMALLE/ ROOM1 RI<T AT ! BACK ABOVE ! KIT*54 ,BABY ,JIM SLEPT 9 ! W>DROBE DRAW]4 ,! NI<TS1 !N1 HAD BE5 CRAMP$-UP & EMB>RASS+1 BUT E>LY EV5+S HAD BE5 WORSE1 JU/ AFT] TEA ) EV]YBODY HOME FROM WORK & GA!R$ 9 ! LIV+ ROOM TO LI/5 TO ! WIRELESS4 ,T$ & ,EMMA W\LD HAVE HO/ILE SIL5CES BETWE5 !M ?AT C\LD LA/ = DAYS1 JU/ GL>+ AT EA* O!R OV] ! T9N$ SALMON S&WI*ES & ,I,T,M,A CAT*PHRASES3 0,DIS ISS ,FUNF SPEAK+04 0,M9D MY BIKE01 &1 0,DON'T =GET ! DIV]04 ,ALF W\LD COME HOME EV]Y NI<T EXHAU/$ AFT] BE+ UP SO E>LY ) ! BUSSES1 & W\LD FLAKE \T SNOR+ ON ! MAT BE=E ! FIRE1 JU/ LIKE A CAT BIG AS A MAN & DRESS$ 9 A BUS DRIV]'S UNI=M4 ,HIS WIFE ,QUE51 :O WAS ALSO BY CO9CID5CE ! SI/] ( ,T$1 ,EMMA'S HUSB&1 W\LD1 ON MO/ NI<TS1 JU/ SIT BY ! FIRE & WEEP4 ,Y\ C\LDN'T BLAME H]4 ,UP/AIRS1 BABY ,JIM W\LD HAVE CLIMB$ FROM HIS W>DROBE DRAW] & />T$ BANG+ ON ! B$ROOM DOOR1 SOMETIMES = H\RS ON 5D4 ,Y\ C\LDN'T BLAME HIM1 EI!R1 ! POOR LITTLE SOD1 NOT LIV+ 9 A W>DROBE4 ,IF ?AT W\LDN'T S5D Y\ CORN]Y1 ,TOM DIDN'T KN[ :AT W\LD4 ,BABY ,JIM'S DIFFICULTY WAS1 HE WAS TOO CLEV]4 ,NO ONE 9 ! ,SWAN OR ,W>R5 FAMILIES WAS :AT Y\'D CALL A DIM BULB1 BUT BABY ,JIM WAS ! NEXT G5]ATION & Y\ C\LD SEE FROM ! \TSET ?AT !Y'D BE AS %>P AS KNIVES1 P>TICUL>LY BABY ,JIM4 ,BY ?REE YE>S OLD HE'D MANAG$ TO ESCAPE TWICE FROM ! H\SE & GET F\R BLOCKS AWAY BE=E ! POLICE APPREH5D$ HIM & BR\<T HIM BACK4 ,M9D Y\1 GIV5 H[ HAZ>D\S A *ILD'S LIFE C\LD BE D[N ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 HE'D PROBABLY HAVE BE5 A GOOD SI<T SAF] IF !Y'D LEFT HIM :]E HE WAS4 

,AGA91 IT WASN'T ?AT ! ADULTS 9 ! H\SE W]E NEGLIG5T1 IT WAS JU/ !RE W]E SEV5 ( !M & ?REE *ILDR51 GETT+ ON EA* O!R'S WICKS & UND]NEA? EA* O!R'S FEET1 SO ACCID5TS W]E B\ND TO HAPP54 ,T$ & ,EMMA'S ELDE/1 ,JOHN1 HAD LIK$ TO SIT UP ON ! BACK ( ! >M*AIR BE=E ! DAY HE LO/ HIS BALANCE & TIPP$ OV]1 FALL+ BACKW>DS \T ! W9D[ ( ! LIV+ ROOM 9TO ! BACK Y>D 9 A %[] ( BROK5 GLASS4 ,!N ,T$ & ,EMMA'S Y\NGE/1 PRETTY ,EILE51 HAD FELL FACE D[N 9 ! FIRE ) ALL ! R$ HOT COALS1 NECESSITAT+ AN IMM$IATE RACE UP TO ! FAMILY DOCTOR1 ,DR4 ,GRAY 9 ,BROAD ,/REET1 HIS ,DORE5 & H] BIG SI/] ,EMMA RUNN+ FRANTICALLY ACROSS A D>K5$ ,MAYORHOLD HOLD+ ! MIRACUL\SLY UNSC>R$ *ILD WRAPP$ 9 A BLANKET4 

,M]CIFULLY1 ?IS LA/ YE> ?+S HAD FALL5 RI<T4 ,FIR/ ,T$ & ,EM HAD MOV$ \T1 TO A H\SE FUR!R ALONG ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 9 ,SEMILONG4 ,!N ,ALF & ,QUE5 HAD GONE AS WELL1 UP TO ! ,BIR*FIELD ,ROAD 9 ,AB+TON4 ,!Y'D TAK5 BABY ,JIM ) !M1 ( C\RSE1 BUT = SOME REASON1 AT ! AGE ( FIVE1 HE'D BROK5 \T ( HIS NEW HOME AS WELL & MANAG$ TO NEGOTIATE AB\T TWO MILES ( BUSY ROADS1 F9D+ HIS WAY BACK TO ! ,BOR\<S & HIS GRAN'S H\SE UNESCORT$4 ,TOM SUPPOS$ IT MI<T HAVE BE5 ?AT ,JIM1 9 ! SAME WAY ?AT NEW-HAT*$ DUCKL+S SOMETIMES GOT CONFUS$1 HAD MIX$ UP HIS ATTA*M5T TO HIS MOM ) AN ATTA*M5T TO ! W>DROBE4 ,ANYWAY1 ! UP%OT ( IT WAS ?AT !RE W]E ONLY ,CL>A1 ,TOM & ,DORE5 LIV+ D[N ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD AT PRES5T4 ,TOM & ,DORE5 HAD ! BIG FRONT B$ROOM ,T$ & ,EMMA HAD VACAT$1 & ) FEW] PEOPLE MILL+ R\ND1 ?IS BABY ?AT ! TWO ( !M W]E HAV+ W\LD BE BORN 9TO A SAF] H\SE4 ,9TO A SAF] WORLD1 OR AT LEA/ ?AT'S :AT EV]YBODY HOP$4 

,TOM TUCK$ HIS BRI/LY *9 91 SQU9T+ D[N AT HIS LAPEL4 ,HE C\LD /ILL SEE ! /A9 LEFT BY ! BIRD-MUCK & GLUMLY RESIGN$ HIMSELF TO SCRUBB+ IT ) ,BORAX AFT] HE GOT HOME4 

,HE ?\<T ?AT BY & L>GE IT WAS A SAF] WORLD1 AL?\< NOT :5 IT CAME TO BIRD-MUCK1 OBVI\SLY4 ,! W> WAS F9I%$1 ?IS TIME1 & HE DIDN'T ?9K EV5 ! ,J]RIES W\LD BE KE5 TO KICK IT (F AGA91 ESPECIALLY NOT AFT] LOS+ HALF !IR C\NTRY TO ! COMMUNI/S4 ,!RE'D BE5 ,KOREA1 OBVI\SLY1 BUT HIS LAD1 IF IT WAS A LAD1 W\LDN'T BE GR[+ UP TO BE CONSCRIPT$ (F LIKE ,TOMMY1 OR TO SP5D NI<TS %IV]+ B5EA? ! TABLE 9 ! LIV+ ROOM :5 !RE W]E AIR RAIDS1 :I* WAS H[ ,DORE5 HAD SP5T ! W>1 H] BE+ T5 YE>S ,TOMMY'S JUNIOR4 ,& ANYWAY1 AFT] ! ,A-BOMB :AT ! ,YANKS HAD DROPP$ ONTO ,HIRO%IMA1 DIDN'T !Y SAY ?AT IF !RE WAS A ?IRD WORLD W>1 !N IT W\LD ALL BE OV] 9 AB\T FIVE M9UTES8 ,NOT ?AT ?IS WAS A *E]+ ?\<T1 ADMITT$LY4 ,TOM FELT ! CRAV+ = ANO!R ,K5SITAS1 BUT S9CE HE'D ONLY GOT FIVE LEFT & DIDN'T KN[ H[ LONG HE'D HAVE TO /RET* !M \T1 HE ?\<T HE'D BETT] WAIT4 

,*UR*ILL HAD SE5 TO IT ?AT ,BRITA9 LET (F ITS FIR/ BOMB LA/ YE>1 & ,FRANCE WAS KE5 TO HAVE ONE TOO4 ,! ,RUSSIANS & ! ,YANKS HAD BO? GOT HUNDR$S1 BUT ,TOM C\LDN'T SAY IT WORRI$ HIM ?AT MU*4 ,TO HIS M9D1 IT W\LD TURN \T TO BE LIKE ! GAS ?AT EV]YBODY WAS SO SC>$ ( 9 ! W>1 POOR LITTLE ,DORE5 HAV+ TO RUN BACK HOME TO ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD FROM ,SP5C] ,S*OOL :5 %E'D =GOT H] GAS MASK4 ,9 ! 5D1 NOBODY HAD BE5 MAD 5\< TO USE IT1 EV5 ,HITL]1 & !SE ATOM BOMBS W\LD TURN \T JU/ ! SAME4 ,NOBODY W\LD BE MAD 5\<4 ,AL?\<1 ( C\RSE1 ! ,YANKS ALREADY HAD1 BUT ,TOM WAS /&+ WAIT+ ON ! BIR? ( HIS FIR/ *ILD ) QUITE 5\< TO FRET AB\T ALREADY1 & SO HE DECID$ ?AT HE'D LET ?AT IDEA GO4 

,! FA9T W9D FROM ! WE/ AT ?IS PO9T MADE AN UNEXPECT$ PU% & BRIEFLY RATTL$ ,TOMMY'S MAC4 ,IT %OV$ ! FOG TO ONE SIDE = A SECOND FROM ! %UTT]$ PUB1 ! ,SPREAD ,EAGLE1 JU/ PA/ ! WORKH\SE FRONT ON ,TOMMY'S LEFT4 ,! T\CAN'S ORANGE BILL ON ! T9 ,GU9NESS ADV]T :AT W]E BOLT$ UP \TSIDE POK$ FROM ! MI/ & !N WAS GONE AGA94 ,! BREEZE BR\<T ALSO A R5EW$ BUR/ ( CASCAD+ NOTES FROM ,MAD ,M>IE D[N AT ,C>NEGIE ,HALL1 H] MONGREL MELODIES SLID+ AB\T LIKE NUTCASE FURNITURE ON CA/]S1 JUDD]+ (F ALONG ! ,WELL+BOR\< ,ROAD4 ,! MUSIC WAS ! USUAL MI%MA%2 DON'T SIT UND] ! OLD RUGG$ CROSS ) ANYBODY ELSE BUT ME1 NO NO NO1 & !N SUDD5LY %E WAS JU/ PLAY+ ONE TUNE1 CLE>LY & DI/9CTLY1 EV5 IF %E ONLY HELD IT = A FEW B>S BE=E IT COLLAPS$ 9TO ! G5]AL PIANO S\P4 

,! TUNE WAS 0,:ISP]+ ,GRASS04 

,?AT DID IT4 ,TOMMY KNEW AT ONCE :AT ! PECULI> MUSIC 9 ! SWIRL+ D>K HAD BE5 REM9D+ HIM ( ALL ALONG3 FIVE1 NE>LY SIX YE>S BACK N[1 9 ! E>LY MON?S ( #aidh NOT LONG AFT] !IR ,WALT] HAD GOT M>RI$1 ?AT TIME ,TOMMY HAD GONE DR9K+ 9 ! OLD ,BLUE ,AN*OR UP ,*ALK ,LANE4 ,IT ALL CAME BACK TO HIM 9 A GREAT SEPIA WA% ( BE]-BLURR$ SNAP%OT PICTURES1 CAPTUR$ MOM5TS FROM HIS DRUNK5 /UMBLE TO ! WILD ACCOMPANIM5T ( A FOGB\ND PIANO & ACCORDION1 & ,TOMMY M>VEL$ ?AT HE HADN'T ?\<T ( IT BE=E4 ,H[ HAD HE =GOTT5 ?AT /RANGE1 />TL+ OCCASION1 ALL ! FE>S & QUE/IONS IT HAD ?R[N UP 9 ! FACE ( ,TOMMY & HIS FAMILY8 ,HE SUPPOS$ 9 HIS DEF5SE HE'D BE5 PREOCCUPI$1 :AT ) ! ?\<T ( ,DORE5 & ! BAB1 BUT EV5 SO HE'D NOT HAVE ?\<T A NI<T LIKE ?AT W\LD SLIP SO EASY FROM HIS M9D4 

,TOM LIT ANO!R FAG BE=E REMEMB]+ HE'D PLANN$ TO /RET* !M \T1 !N TURN$ HIS COLL> UP AS IF HE WAS A CROOK OR HAUNT$ LOV] 9 A FILM1 :I* WAS ! AMBIGU\S MOOD ! MI/ & MEMORIES HAD PUT HIM 94 ,! COLL>'S /IFF $GE RUBB$ ON ! E>-LEVEL /UBBLE ( ,TOM'S ONCE-A-WEEK %ORT1 BACK @& SIDES1 ! HAIRCUT ?AT HE'D /UCK ) S9CE HIS >MY DAYS4 ,TOMMY C\LD TAKE ! SILV] PAP] FROM A FAG PACK1 WRAP IT R\ND A PLA9 BR[N P5NY & !N BURNI% IT AGA9/ ! BRI/LES !RE BEH9D HIS SKULL UNTIL IT LOOK$ JU/ LIKE FLOR91 :I* WAS SOME?+ ,WALT HAD %[$ HIM H[ TO DO4 ,UNLIKE !IR ,WALT1 ?\<1 ,TOM HAD NEV] HAD ! N]VE TO PASS (F HIS NAPE-M9T$ TWO BOB BITS AS ! REAL ?+4 ,HE'D NEV] HAD ! N]VE OR WAS TOO HONE/1 ONE OR O!R4 

,ON ?AT EV5+ SEV]AL YE>S BE=E ,TOM & HIS Y\NGE/ BRO!R ,FRANK HAD BE5 TO ! ,BLUE ,AN*OR1 :I* HAD /OOD JU/ UP PA/ ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR* !RE ON ,*ALK ,LANE1 ALMO/ 9 ,BRI/OL ,/REET4 ,! PUB WAS SOME?+ ( A FAMILY FAVORITE AS ITS PREVI\S L&LORD & L&LADY HAD BE5 ,TOMMY & ,FRANK'S GREAT-GR&P>5TS ON !IR MO!R'S SIDE4 ,!IR GRAN ,L\ISA :O'D DI$ BACK 9 ! LATE ?IRTIES1 AS A GIRL %E'D BE5 ! BU/Y L&LORD'S DAU<T] S]V+ DR9KS AT ! ,BLUE ,AN*OR 9 ! #a#h#hS :5 Y\NG ,SN[Y ,V]NALL HAD CALL$ 9 ON ONE ( HIS LONG WALKS FROM ,LAMBE?4 ,IF ,TOM'S GR&FA!R HAD BE5 LESS ?IR/Y OR HAD /ROLL$ ! EXTRA TW5TY Y>DS UP TO ! ,GOLD5 ,LION !N !RE'D HAVE BE5 NO ,MAY1 NO ,TOMMY & NO BABY /RUGGL+ T[>DS EXI/5CE RI<T N[ 9 ! HOSPITAL BEH9D HIM4 ,?IS EXPLA9$ HIS FAMILY'S FONDNESS = ! PLACE BE=E IT HAD BE5 TORN D[N A FEW YE>S AGO4 ,ANYWAY1 HIM & ,FRANK HAD BE5 9 !RE PUTT+ ! P9TS AWAY1 & :ILE IT HAD BE5 ALL RI<T IT HAD ALL FELT A BIT LIFELESS & SUBDU$1 TO ,TOM AT ANY RATE4 ,P>T ( IT1 OBVI\SLY1 WAS !Y W]E MISS+ ,WALT :O'D GONE & M>RI$ SIX MON?S E>LI]1 :I* MEANT ?AT !IR ?REE MUSKETE]S ACT HAD BE5 :ITTL$ D[N TO TWO4 ,& )\T ,WALT]'S 9EXHAU/IBLE SUPPLY ( GAGS1 !RE WAS MORE TIME TO SIT & M\RN = !IR F\R? MUSKETE]1 !IR ,JACK1 !IR DEAD ,D',>TAGNAN ) HIS GRAVE 9 ,FRANCE & ) HIS NAME D[N ON ! MONUM5T AT ,PET]'S ,*UR*4 

,:ATEV] ! REAL REASON1 ,TOMMY HAD BE5 \T ( SORTS ) ?+S ?AT NI<T 9 ! ,BLUE ,AN*OR4 ,HIM & ,FRANK HAD RUN 9TO SOME *APS ,FRANK KNEW FROM WORK BUT :O ,TOM W]5'T SO *UMMY )1 SO HE'D BEGUN TO FEEL A BIT LEFT \T & ?\<T P]HAPS HE'D TRY ANO!R PUB4 ,TOM HAD MADE HIS APOLOGIES TO ,FRANK !N LEFT HIM *ATT+ ) HIS MATES :ILE HE'D PUT ON HIS COAT & /EPP$ \T ?R\< ! PUB'S FRONT DOOR 9TO ,*ALK ,LANE4 ,IT HAD BE5 V]Y LIKE TONI<T1 ) ALL ! FOG & EV]Y?+1 BUT BE+ D[N !RE 9 ! ,BOR\<S AS OPPOS$ TO UP H]E ON ! PROSP]\S ,WELL+BOR\< ,ROAD1 IT HAD BE5 A LOT E]I]4 ,EV5 ,/4 ,$MUND'S ,*UR* ) ALL ITS LOOM+ TOMB/ONES JU/ ACROSS ! /REET DIDN'T GIVE Y\ ! %IV]S1 AT ! /ROKE ( MIDNI<T1 H[ SOME PLACES 9 ! ,BOR\<S C\LD DO EV5 BY ! LI<T ( DAY4 

,CUT LOOSE & ON HIS [N1 ,TOM HAD DECID$ TO HEAD = ! NE>E/ HO/ELRY :]E HE'D BE SURE TO KN[ SOMEONE1 :I* WAS ! ,BLACK ,LION D[N ON ,CA/LE ,HILL4 ,AL?\< ! PLACE HAD NO DIRECT FAMILIAL ASSOCIATIONS SU* AS WAS ! CASE ) ! ,BLUE ,AN*OR1 9 A WAY IT HAD BE5 A MORE CON/ANT FOCUS ( ! ,W>R5 CLAN'S ATT5TIONS D[N ! YE>S4 ,OR ANYWAY1 IT HAD S9CE ,TOMMY'S MAM & DAD HAD MOV$ TO ,GRE5 ,/REET1 ) !IR H\SE JU/ D[NHILL & ACROSS ! GRE5 FROM ! BACK GATES ( ! ,BLACK ,LION'S COBBL$ Y>D4 ,BE+ /OOD S9CE TIME IMMEMORIAL !RE BESIDE ,/4 ,PET]'S ,*UR*1 IT HAD PROVID$ A CONV5I5T V5UE TO RETIRE TO AFT] FAMILY FUN]ALS & *RI/5+S1 &1 BE+ JU/ TWO M9UTES' WALK AWAY1 WAS IDEAL = A SWIFT HALF ALMO/ ANY TIME ( DAY OR NI<T4 ,9 SUMM] ! OLD GATES W]E OP5$ TO ! BUTT]CUPS-&-GRASS SLOPE AT ! ALE-Y>D'S RE> BEH9D ,/4 ,PET]'S1 :]E ,TOM'S MAM W\LD (T5 SIT \T ON A CREAK+ B5* DU/$ ) EM]ALD MOLD TO HAVE A DR9K ) H] SURVIV+ FRI5DS3 OLD WOM5 ) BLACK BONNETS1 COATS & DISPOSITIONS LIKE H]SELF4 ,HIS MO!R'S BE/ PAL1 ,ELSIE ,%>P1 HAD DI$ BE=E ,MAY'S EYES ON ONE SU* SWEET1 LONG-%AD[$ EV5+ AFT] %E'D KNOCK$ BACK A SWIG ( /\T /RAI<T FROM ! BOTTLE & HAD 9 ! PROCESS SWALL[$ A LIVE BUMBLEBEE1 :I* WAS JU/ !N CRAWL+ AB\T )9 ! BR[N GLASS NECK4 ,/UNG FROM ! 9SIDE ,ELSIE'S ?ROAT HAD SWOLL5 UP & CLOS$1 & AFT] AN UNPLEASANT M9UTE %E'D BE5 DEAD !RE 9 ! BIRDSONG & ! LEMON CORDIAL LI<T DIFFUS+ UP ABOVE ! RAILWAY /ATION4 

,ONCE \TSIDE ( ! ,BLUE ,AN*OR1 ,TOMMY HAD TURN$ LEFT & HEAD$ D[N ,*ALK ,LANE TO ,CA/LE ,HILL4 ,!RE'D BE5 A W9D[ LIT 9 ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*1 P]HAPS SOME GR\P ?AT MET UP 9 ITS ROOMS1 & GLANC+ UP ACROSS ! HI< /ONE WALL ,TOM HAD BE5 ABLE TO MAKE \T ! SET ( LOAD+ DOORS1 POSITION$ HALFWAY UP ! *UR*'S SIDE4 ,AS WELL AS AN ABID+ LOVE ( MA!MATICS1 ONE ( ! ?+S ,TOM HAD PICK$ UP FROM HIS B>MY GR&FA!R WAS A DEEP FASC9ATION = ! FACTS ( HI/ORY1 ESPECIALLY ?AT SUBJECT'S LOCAL ASPECT4 ,EV5 SO1 HE'D NEV] HAD A PROP] ANSW] = :AT ?OSE IMPRACTICALLY HI< DOORS W]E DO+ !RE4 ,! NE>E/ HE C\LD GET WAS ?AT BE=E ! ,REV]5D ,PHILIP ,DODDRIDGE HAD >RIV$ AT ,CA/LE ,HILL & MADE ! BUILD+ !RE 9TO A ,NONCON=MI/ MEET+-H\SE1 IT HAD P]HAPS BE5 US$ = SOME?+ ELSE1 SOME BUS9ESS ?AT REQUIR$ (F-LOAD+ & DELIV]Y ( GOODS BY W9* & PULLEY UP TO ! FIR/ FLOOR4 ,SOME?+ AB\T ?AT EXPLANATION1 ?\<1 HAD NEV] RUNG QUITE TRUE TO ,TOM1 :I* LEFT ! DOORS AS AN 5DUR+ QUE/ION M>K ON HIS 9T]NAL MAP ( ! LOCATION & ITS CL\DY PA/4 

,DODDRIDGE HIMSELF1 ,TOMMY HAD ?\<T AS HE'D GONE D[N BESIDE ! *APEL & ITS BURY+ GR\ND1 HAD BE5 AS BIG A PUZZLE AS HIS *UR*4 ,NOT 9 ! S5SE ?AT ANY?+ AB\T HIM WAS UNKN[N1 BUT MORE ?AT HE'D BE5 ABLE TO A*IEVE SU* A LONG-LA/+ *ANGE 9 H[ ! C\NTRY ?\<T AB\T ITSELF RELIGI\SLY1 & ?AT HE'D DONE IT FROM ?IS T9Y PLOT ( L& DEEP 9 ! RAT-RUNS ( ! ,BOR\<S4 

,IT HAD BE5 ,QUE5 ,ANNE'S DEA? DUR+ #agad ?AT HAD PREP>$ ! GR\ND = ,PHILIP ,DODDRIDGE1 !N A LAD ( TW5TY-SEV51 TO COME H]E TO ,CA/LE ,HILL ONE ,*RI/MAS ,EVE FIFTE5 YE>S LAT] TO TAKE UP HIS M9I/RY4 ,ANNE ,/U>T HAD1 DUR+ H] REIGN1 ATTEMPT$ TO /AMP \T ! ,NONCON=MI/S4 ,:5 %E'D DI$ ! M9I/] :O HAD ANN\NC$ IT HAD SAID1 QUOT+ FROM ! ,PSALMS1 0,GO1 SEE N[ ?IS CURS$ WOMAN1 & BURY H]2 = %E IS A K+'S DAU<T]40 ,?AT WAS A SIGNAL = ALL ! ,DISS5T]S & ! ,NONCON=MI/S TO />T CELEBRAT+ AS IT MEANT ?AT ,GEORGE ! ,FIR/1 :O WAS A ,HANOV]IAN & HAD V[$ TO SUPPORT !IR CAUSE1 W\LD SOON BE ON ! ?RONE4 ,ALL ( !M LITTLE GR\PS - HANGOV]S FROM ! ,9DEP5D5TS1 ! ,MORAVIAN ,BRE?R51 ?AT TRADITION COME D[N FROM ,JOHN ,WYCLIFFE'S ,LOLL>DS 9 ! ?IRTE5-HUNDR$S - !Y MU/ HAVE BE5 POPP+ W9E CORKS AT ! ?\<T ( ALL ?AT !Y'D BE ABLE TO DO N[ TO %AKE ?+S UP1 & ,DODDRIDGE COM+ TO ,NOR?AMPTON HAD BE5 P>T ( ?AT4 ,LOOK$ BACK ON FROM ! PRES5T DAY1 Y\ C\LD SAY IT HAD BE5 ! BIGGE/ P>T4 

,SAUNT]+ PA/ ! UNKEMPT BURIAL GR\ND ?AT EV5+1 ,TOMMY HAD SUPPOS$ ! T[N W\LD HAVE BE5 AN ATTRACTIVE PROPOSITION TO A Y\NG DISS5T+ M9I/] BACK !N1 :AT ) ITS LONG TRADITION AS A HAV5 = RELIGI\S FIREBR&S1 9SURRECTIONI/S & ! PLA9 MAD4 ,OLD ,ROB]T ,BR[NE :O =M$ ! ,SEP>ATI/S 9 ! LATE SIXTE5? C5TURY WAS BURI$ 9 ,/4 ,GILES *UR*Y>D1 & ! T[N WAS FILL$ BY ,NATION ( ,SA9TS PURITANS & ,RANT]S ) !IR FI]Y FLY+ ROLLS DUR+ ! C5TURY ?AT FOLL[$4 ,!RE'D BE5 FI]CE RADICAL ,*RI/IANS %\T+ H]ESIES FROM EV]Y RO(TOP1 SAY+ !RE WAS NO LIFE O!R ?AN ?IS PRES5T ONE1 ?AT ,HELL & ,HEAV5 W]E NO:]E SAVE H]E ON E>? &1 WOR/ ( ALL1 SUGGE/+ ?AT ! ,BIBLE %[$ ,GOD AS A %EPH]D ( ! POOR & NOT ! WEAL?Y4 ,BY ! TIME ?AT ,PHILIP ,DODDRIDGE /EPP$ \T ( ! SN[ ?AT ,*RI/MAS ,EVE1 #a#g#b#i1 RUBB+ HIS H&S ) FRO/BITE & ) GLEE1 ,NOR?AMPTON'S REPUTATION AS A HOTB$ SIMM]+ ) SPIRITUAL UNRE/ W\LD HAVE BE5 WELL E/ABLI%$4 

,DODDRIDGE'S ,EVANGELISM1 N9E YE>S E>LI] ?AN ?AT ( ! MORE WIDELY-SUNG ,JOHN ,WESLEY1 WAS ! =CE ?AT BY ,VICTORIA'S REIGN HAD TRANS=M$ ALMO/ ALL ( ! ,DISS5T+ SECTS & ! :OLE RUDDY ,*UR* ( ,5GL& 9 ! B>GA94 ,HE'D ACCOMPLI%$ ?IS FROM :AT WAS EV5 !N ONE ( ! HUMBLE/ PLACES 9 ! L&1 & DONE IT 9 A LITTLE OV] TW5TY YE>S BE=E ! ,T,B TOOK HIM :5 HE HADN'T YET TURN$ FIFTY2 DONE IT ALL ) WORDS1 HIS TEA*+S & HIS WRIT+S & HIS HYMNS4 ,TO ,TOM'S M9D1 0,H>K6 ,! ,GLAD ,S\ND60 WAS AB\T ! BE/ ( !M4 0,! ,SAVIOR COMES1 ! ,SAVIOR PROMIS$ LONG40 ,TOMMY HAD ALWAYS ?\<T ( ,DODDRIDGE WRIT+ ?AT SAT LOOK+ \T FROM ,CA/LE ,HILL1 P]HAPS IMAG9+ ! LA/ TRUMP S\ND+ 9 ! HEAV5S UP ABOVE ,/4 ,PET]'S ,*UR* JU/ D[N ! WAY1 OR PICTUR+ A RAGG$1 RESURRECT$ ,JESUS WALK+ UP ,*ALK ,LANE T[>DS ! LITTLE MEET+ H\SE1 HIS BLOODI$ PALMS SPREAD WIDE 9 UNIV]SAL ABSOLUTION4 ,DUR+ ! MORE-?AN-A-?\S& YE>S ?IS DI/RICT HAD EXI/$ IT HAD SE5 ITS FAIR %>E ( EXTRAORD9>Y M51 :AT ) ,RI*>D ! ,LIONHE>T1 ,CROMWELL1 ,?OMAS ,BECKET1 ALL ( !M1 BUT 9 ,TOM ,W>R5'S E/IMATION ,PHILIP ,DODDRIDGE C\LD BE C\NT$ ) ! WOR?IE/4 ,HE WAS ! ,BOR\<S' MO/ H]OIC SON4 ,HE WAS ITS S\L4 

,/4 ,$MUND'S CLOCK /RUCK ONCE = HALF-PA/ TWO & SNAT*$ ,TOM BACK TO :]E HE WAS1 /OOD \TSIDE ! CONV]T$ WORKH\SE ) HIS ,K5SITAS BURN+ AWAY =GOTT5 !RE BETWE5 HIS NICOT9E-/A9$ F+]S4 ,?AT HAD BE5 A WA/E4 ,HE FLUNG ! SMOLD]+ 5D 9TO ! BROAD] SMOLD] ?AT SURR\ND$ HIM & LET HIS M9D RETURN TO ,FEBRU>Y #aidh & TO A NI<T JU/ AS OPAQUE & GRAY4 

,HE'D COME \T ( ,*ALK ,LANE PA/ ! NEWSAG5T'S :]E HE SOMETIMES B\<T HIS PAP] ( A ,SUNDAY MORN+2 ?AT HAD ONCE BE5 P>T ( ,PROP]T'S ,COMM]CIAL ,HOTEL1 & CROSS$ ! T>MAC-SMO!R$ COBBLES & DISUS$ IRON TRAML9ES ( ,BLACK ,LION ,HILL T[>DS ! PUB ! HILL WAS NAM$ AFT]4 ,PU%+ 9SIDE ?R\< ITS FRONT DOOR ,TOMMY HAD BE5 HIT BY A NE> SOLID WALL ( *ATT]1 SC5T & W>M?1 ! CAPTUR$ BODY HEAT ( EV]YONE :O WAS CRAMM$ 9TO ! ,BLACK ,LION ON ?AT *ILLY NI<T4 ,BE=E HE'D TOOK HIS COAT (F & /EPP$ ?R\< ! PRESS ( PEOPLE TO ! B>1 ,TOM HAD BE5 FEEL+ GLAD ALREADY ?AT HE'D *OS5 TO COME H]E TONI<T1 RA!R ?AN TO HAVE /AY$ ) ,FRANK AT ! ,BLUE ,AN*OR4 ,!RE W]E ALWAYS MORE FAMILI> FACES AT ! ,LION4 

,JEM ,P]RIT HAD BE5 !RE1 :OSE DAD ,! ,%]IFF HAD RUN A HORSE-BUT*]'S BUS9ESS 9 ,HORSEM>KET1 & :O LIV$ HIMSELF ) HIS WIFE ,EILE5 & !IR BABY DAU<T] BY ! WOOD-Y>D ?AT ,JEM KEPT 9 ,FREES*OOL ,/REET1 JU/ R\ND ! CORN] FROM ! ,BLACK ,LION & (F ,M>EFAIR4 ,AS ,TOM N[ RECALL$ ! SC5E1 ,JEM HAD BE5 PLAY+ N9EP9S AT ! SKITTLE TABLE UP ONE CORN] ) ,?REE-,F+]$ ,TUNK - :O HAD A /ALL 9 ! ,FI% ,M>KET UP ON ,BRAD%AW ,/REET - & ,FR$DY ,ALL54 ,F]D HAD BE5 A MOO*] :O Y\ SOMETIMES SAW >\ND ! ,BOR\<S /ILL1 :O SLEPT B5EA? ! RAILWAY >*ES 9 ,FOOT ,MEAD[ & :O GOT ALONG BY P9*+ P9TS ( MILK & LOAVES ( BREAD (F PEOPLE'S DOOR/EPS4 ,! TRAMP HAD BE5 N>R[+ HIS BLE>Y EYES AS HE TOOK AIM & ?REW ! WOOD5 *EESE1 BUT IT HAD LOOK$ TO ,TOM AS ?\< ,JEM ,P]RIT OR ,?REE-,F+]$ ,TUNK W\LD PROBABLY BE TR\NC+ HIM4 ,PROPP$ UP AGA9/ ! HEAV+ B> !RE HAD BE5 ,PODG] ,SOMEO1 LOCALLY FAM\S =M] ORGAN GR9D]1 N[ RETIR$1 & EV]Y:]E ?AT ,TOMMY LOOK$ !RE HAD BE5 GRIMY >EA LEG5DS NURS+ MY?IC GRUDGES1 A RUN-D[N ,OLYMPUS FULL ( SOZZL$ TITANS SPLUTT]+ FIL?Y JOKES ?R\< M\?FULS ( FOAM-TOPP$ AMBROSIA1 FI%+ CLUMSILY AS M9OTAURS 9SIDE !IR CRISP BAGS = ! BLUE WAX PAP] TWI/ ( SALT4 

,TOMMY'S [N FAMILY1 AT LEA/ ! ,V]NALL SIDE ( IT1 HAD BE5 WELL REPRES5T$ 9 ! PUB ?AT NI<T4 ,TOM'S UNCLE ,JOHNNY - HIS MAM'S Y\NG] BRO!R - HAD BE5 !RE ) ,TOM'S AUNT ,CELIA1 & SAT UP ONE CORN] BY H]SELF ) A HALF P9T ( ,D\BLE ,DIAMOND & H] BATT]$ OLD ACCORDION ACROSS H] LAP !RE HAD BE5 ,TOMMY'S GREAT-AUNT ,?URSA1 9 H] EI<TIES BY ?AT PO9T & EV5 H>D] TO GET ANY S5SE FROM ?AN %E'D PREVI\SLY BE54 ,TOMMY HAD SAID HELLO TO H] & ASK$ IF HE C\LD GET H] A FRE% DR9K1 AT :I* %E'D LOOK$ AL>M$ AS IF %E W]5'T SURE :O HE WAS1 BUT !N HAD NODD$ 9 ACCEPTANCE ANYWAY4 ,?URSA HAD ALWAYS LIK$ TO PLAY ON H] ACCORDION AL FRESCO1 TRUDG+ R\ND ! ,BOR\<S1 AL?\< SOME YE>S E>LI] DUR+ ! W> %E'D TAK5 TO P]=MANCES ?AT W]E EXCLUSIVELY NOCTURNAL4 ,MORE SPECIFICALLY1 %E'D ONLY GONE \T 9 ! /REET TO PLAY H] 9/RUM5T DUR+ ! BLACK\TS1 ) ! ,G]MAN BOMB]S DRON+ OV]HEAD & ! ,>,P W>D5S ?REAT5+ TO >RE/ H] IF %E DIDN'T /AY 9DOORS & /OP ?AT BLOODY RACKET4 ,TOM HAD NEV] HE>D1 AT FIR/ H&1 HIS GREAT-AUNT'S ,LUFTWAFFE S+-ALONGS1 HAV+ BE5 /ATION$ OV]SEAS4 ,HIS OLD] SI/] ,L\1 H[EV]1 HAD DESCRIB$ !M TO HIM ) ! TE>S ( LAU<T] RUNN+ D[N H] *EEKS4 0,!Y S5T ME \T TO FET* H] 91 & HONE/LY1 ,I SWE> ?AT %E WAS /&+ !RE 9 ,BA? ,R[1 LOOK+ UP AT ALL ! BIG D>K PLANES AGA9/ ! SKY & PLAY+ LITTLE TOOTLES & LONG DRONES ON H] ACCORDION1 AS IF ! BOMB+ RAID WAS LIKE A SIL5T FILM & %E WAS ITS ACCOMPANI/4 ,IT WAS ?AT AWFUL 5G9E NOISE1 ! WAY IT E*O$ RI<T ACROSS ! SKY1 & !RE WAS ,?URSA DO+ LITTLE BITS ?AT FITT$ 9 ) IT1 !SE LITTLE BITS ?AT S\ND$ LIKE SOMEBODY :I/L+ OR SKIPP+4 ,I CAN'T PROP]LY DESCRIBE IT1 BUT H] LITTLE TRA-LA-LAS S\ND+ ABOVE ! FRI<T5+ ?UND] ( ! AIRPLANES1 IT MADE Y\ WANT TO LAU< & CRY AT ! SAME TIME4 ,LAU<1 MO/LY40 ,TOM HAD PICTUR$ IT1 ! SK9NY OLD MADWOMAN ) H] MU%ROOM CL\D ( :ITE HAIR /&+ CAT]WAUL+ 9 ! BLACK$ \T /REET1 ! VA/ MI<T ( ! ,G]MAN AIR =CE OV]HEAD4 ,IT HAD MADE ,TOMMY LAU< TOO4 

,) ! DR9KS >RIV$ & ,TOMMY'S DOTTY GREAT-AUNT TAK5 C>E (1 HE'D SAT D[N ) HIS QUIET AUNTIE ,CELIA & HIS LIVELY UNCLE ,JOHNNY1 :O HE GOT ON WELL ) & C\LD BE RELI$ UPON TO KEEP ,TOM COMPANY TILL CLOS+ TIME4 ,TOM C\LD REMEMB]1 BACK BE=E ! W>1 BE+ ) ,WALT & ,JACK & ,FRANK ONE NI<T 9 ! ,CRIT]ION UP ,K+ ,/REET :5 !IR UNCLE ,JOHNNY ,V]NALL HAD COME 9 & HAD A DR9K ) !M4 ,HE'D KEPT !M ALL 5?RALL$ ) TALES ( :AT ! ALMO/ EMPTY PUB HAD BE5 LIKE 9 ITS HEYDAY1 ) A LOAF ( BREAD1 A HAM1 A J> ( PICKLES & A W$GE ( *EESE PROVID$ FREE ON EV]Y TABLE4 ,! 9CREASE 9 CU/OM1 ,UNCLE ,JOHNNY SAID1 HAD MORE ?AN PAID = ! COME/IBLES1 & Y\'D HAD NO ONE GETT+ DRUNK OR R[DY S9CE !Y'D ALL GOT SOME?+ 9 !IR /OMA*S TO SOAK UP ! BOOZE4 ,TO ! F\R BRO!RS IT HAD S\ND$ LIKE AN ,$51 A LO/ GOLD5 AGE4 

,SITT+ D[N ) HIS AUNT & UNCLE 9 ! ,BLACK ,LION'S SNUG1 ,TOMMY HAD ASK$ !M H[ !Y W]E & ALSO ASK$ AFT] HIS C\S9 ,AUDREY1 :O JU/ AB\T EV]YBODY 9 ! FAMILY HAD A S(T SPOT =1 & :O PLAY$ PIANO ACCORDION 9 ! DANCE B& ?AT H] FA!R1 ,UNCLE ,JOHNNY1 MANAG$4 ,?IS WAS ! SAME B& ?AT HAD P]=M$ SO WELL AT ,WALT'S W$D+ RECEPTION UP 9 ,GOLD ,/REET JU/ A FEW MON?S PREVI\SLY1 :5 ,TOM & ,FRANK HAD BO? BE5 LECTUR$ BY !IR MAM & :]E1 9 ,TOM'S OP9ION1 HIS Y\NG C\S9 ,AUDREY HADN'T EV] PLAY$ SO WELL OR LOOK$ SO LOVELY AS %E DID UPON ?AT NI<T1 BELT+ \T SW+ & /&>DS TO ! LUR*+ CELEBRANTS :O PACK$ ! DANCE-FLOOR4 ,AUDREY WAS A LITTLE SMA%]1 ALL ! FAMILY ?\<T SO1 BUT ON ?AT P>TICUL> NI<T 9 ! ,BLACK ,LION1 ,TOM'S UNCLE HAD JU/ %OOK HIS HEAD :5 ,TOM 9QUIR$ AB\T H]1 & SAID ,AUDREY WAS AT HOME & GO+ ?R\< A LOT ( Y\NG GIRL'S SULKS & MOODS AT PRES5T4 ,TOM HAD BE5 SURPRIS$1 S9CE ,AUDREY HAD ALWAYS SEEM$ SU* A SUNNY LITTLE ?+1 BUT HE'D SUPPOS$ ?AT ?IS REPORT$ TANTRUM WAS TO DO ) WOM5 & ! *ANGES ?AT !Y W5T ?R\<1 :I* AT ?AT PO9T1 M]CIFULLY1 ,TOMMY HAD KN[N ALMO/ NO?+ (4 ,HE'D NODD$ & COMMIS]AT$ ) HIS AUNT & UNCLE1 & HAD TOLD !M HE WAS SURE !IR DAU<T] W\LD GET OV] IT & BE BACK TO H] OLD SELF 9 A DAY OR TWO4 ,ON ?AT C\NT HE'D BE5 WRONG1 AS IT TURN$ \T4 

,HOBNOBB+ ) HIS RELATIVES1 ,TOM HAD REFLECT$ ON H[ MU* HE LIK$ HIS UNCLE ,JOHNNY1 :O HE ?\<T ADD$ A T\* ( COLOR TO ! FAMILY ) HIS L\D TIES & HIS JACKET'S MU/>D *ECK1 HIS %[BIZ FLAIR4 ,!RE WAS JU/ SOME?+ UP-TO-DATE AB\T ! BLOKE1 ! WAY HE RAN A B& & TALK$ ( DATES & BOOK+S1 AS IF HE W]E RIS+ TO ! *ALL5GE ( ! WORLD & FUTURE WE'D GOT N[1 AFT] ! W>1 BUR/+ ) 5]GY & EAG] TO GET ON ) A NEW LIFE4 ,ACCORD+ TO ,TOM'S MAM1 H] Y\NG] BRO!R ,JOHNNY HAD S9CE *ILDHOOD TALK$ ( NO?+ EXCEPT GO+ ON ! /AGE1 ( BE+ P>T ( ALL ?AT SEQU9$ RAZZMATAZZ1 AL?\< HE'D GOT NO TAL5T ( HIS [N TO SPEAK (4 ,?AT WAS NO D\BT :Y HE'D HIT ON MANAG+ A DANCE B& IF HE C\LDN'T PLAY OR S+ 9 ONE4 ,:5 HIS Y\NG ,AUDREY HAD TURN$ \T SO TAL5T$ ) ! ACCORDION1 A TA/E = :I* %E'D EVID5TLY PICK$ UP FROM H] GREAT-AUNT ,?URSA1 ,JOHNNY MU/ HAVE BE5 AS PLEAS$ AS ,PUN*4 ,TOMMY HAD (T5 ?\<T ?AT :5 HIS UNCLE ,JOHNNY HOV]$ 9 ! W+S & WAT*$ ADOR+LY :ILE ,AUDREY PLAY$1 IT MU/ HAVE BE5 LIKE HE WAS SEE+ HIS Y\NG SELF \T !RE1 ALL ( HIS HOPES & DREAMS AT LA/ P>AD+ 9 ! FOOTLI<TS4 ,WELL1 GOOD LUCK TO HIM4 ,P]HAPS ! BABY BOY ?AT ,TOM WAS WAIT+ ON N[ 9 ! ,WELL+BOR\< ,ROAD W\LD 5D UP GOOD AT SOME?+ ,TOM HIMSELF HAD ALWAYS HAD A HANK]+ =1 LIKE1 LET'S SAY1 FOOTBALL4 ,TOMMY C\LDN'T SWE> ?AT IF ?AT HAPP5$ HE'D NOT BE /OOD ON ! T\*L9ES *E]+1 JU/ LIKE ,UNCLE ,JOHNNY BEAM+ PR\DLY 9 ! D>K & TANGL$ WIRES (F/AGE4 

,TOM'S AUNTIE ,CELIA WAS A DIFF]5T MATT] 9 ?AT %E WAS QUIET :]E ,JOHNNY MADE A NOISE1 & DIDN'T FUSS OV] !IR ,AUDREY QUITE SO MU* AS ,JOHNNY DID4 ,AUNT ,CELIA WAS ALWAYS FRI5DLY1 EV5 *E]FUL 9 H] WAY1 BUT NEV] SEEM$ TO HAVE A LOT TO SAY = H]SELF AB\T ANY?+4 ,%E W]5'T /UCK UP OR T(FEE-NOS$1 BUT IF ,TOM'S UNCLE ,JOHNNY %\LD CRACK ONE ( HIS BLUE JOKES %E'D ONLY SMILE & LOOK AWAY 9TO H] BITT] LEMON4 ,TOMMY'S MO!R DIDN'T C>E MU* = H] SI/]-9-LAW1 & SAID ?AT %E ?\<T ,AUNT ,CELIA HAD GOT NO GUMPTION1 BUT !N ,TOMMY'S MAM DIDN'T C>E MU* = ANYONE4 

,HE'D KEPT HIS AUNT & UNCLE COMPANY1 ?AT ,FEBRU>Y NI<T FIVE OR SIX YE>S AGO1 UNTIL ! L&LORD CALL$ \T = LA/ ORD]S & !Y'D SAID ?AT !Y'D NOT HAVE ANO!R ONE4 ,!Y'D F9I%$ UP !IR DR9KS :ILE ,TOMMY WAS JU/ />T+ HIS LA/ P9T1 !N GOT !IR COATS ON READY TO GO HOME4 ,!Y HADN'T F> TO GO4 ,JOHNNY & ,CELIA LIV$ ) ,AUDREY D[N 9 ,FREES*OOL ,/REET1 JU/ UPHILL ( ,JEM ,P]RIT & HIS FAMILY1 SO IT WAS ONLY R\ND ! CORN] PA/ ! *UR*4 ,TOMMY REMEMB]$ ,UNCLE ,JOHNNY /&+ UP FROM HIS *AIR 9 ! SNUG & SETTL+ HIS TITF] ON HIS HEAD1 :AT MADE HIM LOOK AS IF HE W]E A BOOKIE4 ,HELP+ ,AUNTIE ,CELIA TO H] FEET1 ,JOHNNY HAD SI<$ & SAID1 0,AH1 WELL4 ,I 'SPECT WE'D BETT] GOO BACK 'OME & FACE ! MUSIC01 MEAN+ ,AUDREY & H] BAD MOOD1 :I* WAS NO MORE AT ! TIME ?AN JU/ AN 9NOC5T REM>K4 

,!Y'D SAID TA-TA1 & ,TOM HAD WAT*$ !IR EXIT FROM ! SMOKY PUB1 ) ITS 9T]IOR AS CL\D$ AS ! FOGGY /REET REVEAL$ \TSIDE :5 ,CELIA & ,JOHNNY HAD %OV$ OP5 ! ,BLACK ,LION'S DOOR & /EPP$ 9TO ! NI<T4 ,TOMMY HAD TAK5 HIS TIME F9I%+ ! HALF ( BITT] :AT W]E LEFT \T ( HIS P9T1 EYES ROAM+ IDLY R\ND ! B> ON ! (F *ANCE !RE MI<T BE A HALF-DEC5T-LOOK+ WOMAN 9 !RE4 ,HE WAS \T ( LUCK4 ,! ONLY FEMALE /ILL REMA9+ 9 ! ,BLACK ,LION O!R ?AN ! L&LORD'S DOG WAS ,M>Y ,JANE1 ! BRAWL] :O WAS F\ND MORE (T5 UP ! ,MAYORHOLD AT ! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S OR ,GRE5 ,DRAGON1 ONE ( !M4 ,ONE ( H] EYES WAS CLOS$ & VIOLET1 PUFF$ UP TO A SLIT1 & H] :OLE FACE LOOK$ LIKE IT HAD ONCE BE5 A V]Y DIFF]5T %APE4 ,%E SAT !RE />+ 9TO SPACE1 %AK+ H] HEAD OCCASIONALLY AS IF TO CLE> IT1 ?\< Y\ C\LDN'T TELL IF ?AT WAS BECAUSE %E W]E PUN*Y1 OR IF IT W]E FROM ! DR9K %E'D PUT AWAY4 ,EV5 ,TOM'S GREAT-AUNT ,?URSA HAD SLIPP$ \T ! PUB :ILE HE W]5'T LOOK+4 ,TOMMY WAS ALONE 9 AN 5TIRELY MASCUL9E1 PR$OM9ANTLY BROK5-NOS$ DOMA91 EV5 9CLUD+ ,M>Y ,JANE 9 ?AT APPRAISAL4 ,:ILE HE WAS US$ TO HAV+ MO/LY M5 >\ND HIM FROM HIS WORK1 & :ILE HE F\ND ?AT MU* LESS N]VE-WRACK+ ?AN AN EXT5D$ COMPANY ( WOM51 IT WAS MU* DULL] 9 ! B>GA94 ,TOMMY HAD KNOCK$ BACK ! ?9 DREGS ( HIS P9T1 SAID GOODNI<T TO ! PEOPLE ?AT HE KNEW1 & HEAD$ = ! DOOR HIMSELF :ILE FA/5+ HIS COAT4 

,\TSIDE ! ,BLACK ,LION1 ) ! COLD BURN+ HIS ?ROAT1 HE'D BE5 9 TWO M9DS AS TO :I* WAY WAS ! QUICKE/ HOME1 BACK TO HIS MAM'S 9 ,GRE5 ,/REET4 ,F9ALLY HE'D OPT$ TO WALK UP BY ,PET]'S ,*UR* & CUT ALONG ! ALLEY !RE TO ,PET]'S ,/REET1 ?AT M>K$ ! TOP $GE ( ! GRE54 ,IT WAS JU/ SLI<TLY LONG] ?AN IF HE'D GONE D[N >\ND ,ELEPHANT ,LANE1 BUT BE+ DRUNK & S5TIM5TAL ,TOM HAD ?\<T HE'D LIKE TO HEAD UP BY ! *UR*Y>D SO ?AT HE C\LD SAY GOODNI<T TO ,JACK1 OR TO ! MONUM5T AT ANY RATE4 ,:AT HAD BE5 LEFT ( ,JACK WAS /ILL \T !RE SOME:]E 9 ,FRANCE4 

,LEAV+ ! PUB BEH9D1 ,TOMMY HAD GONE UP ,BLACK ,LION ,HILL & ONTO ,M>EFAIR1 ) ! MI/ N[ SNAGG+ ON ! IRON *UR*Y>D RAIL+S TO HIS RI<T4 ,HE'D NODD$1 HALF-EMB>RASS$1 TO ! W> MEMORIAL ?AT POK$ UP FROM ! B$ ( DRIFT+ COTTON WOOL >\ND ITS BASE1 & WOND]$ :O'D /RUCK UP ! TUNE ?AT HE C\LD HE>1 COME FROM ! 9N ?AT HE'D JU/ LEFT4 ,IT HAD TOOK ,TOMMY SEV]AL MOM5TS1 BE]-BEFUDDL$ AS HE WAS1 TO WORK \T ?AT !RE WASN'T A PIANO TO BE F\ND AT ! ,BLACK ,LION1 & ANYWAY1 ! NOISE HADN'T BE5 COM+ FROM BEH9D HIM BUT 9/EAD WAS FA9T & %IMM]+1 EM]G+ FROM ! ,M>EFAIR %AD[S ?AT W]E CURDL+ UP AHEAD4 

,9TRIGU$1 ,TOM HAD WALK$ PA/ ! N>R[ ALLEY ?AT RAN D[N BETWE5 ! *UR* & ,ORME'S1 ! G5T'S \TFITT]S1 :]E HE'D BE5 9T5D+ TO CUT ?R\< TO ,PET]'S ,/REET4 ,HE'D WANT$ TO KN[ :O IT WAS1 MAK+ A R[ AT ?IS H\R ( NI<T1 & TO MAKE SURE ?AT !RE WAS NO?+ UNT[>D TRANSPIR+ 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD4 ,BESIDES1 AS HE W5T ON PA/ ,CROMWELL ,H\SE1 ,TOMMY C\LD HE> ! SLI<TLY FRANTIC-S\ND+ TUNE MORE CLE>LY1 & C\LD ALMO/ MAKE \T ?R\< HIS MIDDL+ /UPOR :AT IT WAS4 ,IT HAD APPE>$ TO BE EM]G+ FROM ! NECK ( ,FREES*OOL ,/REET JU/ UP AHEAD ( HIM1 ! TUMBL+ REFRA9 FL[+ ACROSS ! PAVEM5T ) ! FOG & TANGL+ R\ND ,TOM'S HALF-CUT FEET TO TRIP HIM UP4 

,HE'D PAUS$1 \TSIDE ! BR[N /ONE BUILD+ :]E ! ,LORD ,PROTECTOR HAD BE5 BILLET$ ! NI<T BE=E HE'D GONE TO FI<T AT ,NASEBY FIELD1 & /EADI$ HIMSELF ) ONE H& ON ! R\< WALL TO *ECK HIS WAV]+ BALANCE4 ,?AT WAS :5 HE'D SE5 HIS UNCLE ,JOHNNY & HIS AUNTIE ,CELIA COME REEL+ \T ( ,FREES*OOL ,/REET 9TO ,M>EFAIR1 CLUT*+ !IR M\?S1 HOLD+ !IR H&S ACROSS !IR FACES AS ?\< !Y W]E WEEP+1 HANG+ ON EA* O!R'S SLEEVES LIKE TWO SURVIVORS ( A TRA9 WRECK CLAMB]+ UP ! EMBANKM5T4 ,:AT ON E>? HAD HAPP5$8 

,:AT HE %\LD HAVE DONE1 HE ?\<T N[1 BL[+ 9 HIS H&S TO W>M !M UP \TSIDE ! HOSPITAL1 WAS SIMPLY TO HAVE CALL$ \T TO HIS AUNT & UNCLE1 ASK+ :AT WAS WRONG4 ,HE HADN'T DONE ?AT1 ?\<4 ,HE'D /OOD !RE HIDD5 9 ! MI/ & WAT*$ ! C\PLE1 LOOK+ LIKE !Y'D AG$ T5 YE>S )9 ! LA/ T5 M9UTES1 AS !Y'D /UMBL$ (F 9TO ! DAMP MIASMA CL++ TO EA* O!R1 L[+ LIKE MAIM$ ANIMALS4 ,!Y'D HEAD$ (F 9 ! DIRECTION ( ,HORSEM>KET1 ! WET NOISES ( !IR MIS]Y BECOM+ FA9T]4 ,TOM HAD WAT*$ !M GO FROM HIS PLACE ( CONCEALM5T & HAD BURN$ ) %AME TO ?9K ?AT HE'D SE5 FAMILY 9 DI/RESS & SIMPLY /OOD !RE DO+ BUGG] ALL1 NOT EV5 (F]+ TO HELP4 

,IT HAD JU/ SEEM$ SO PRIVATE1 ,UNCLE ,JOHNNY & ,AUNT ,CELIA'S GRIEF4 ,?AT WAS ALL ,TOM C\LD SAY N[ 9 HIS [N DEF5SE4 ,HE'D BE5 BR\<T UP TO HELP PEOPLE :5 ?+S W]E GO+ R\< = !M1 BUT !N HE'D ALSO BE5 TAU<T NOT TO POKE HIS NOSE 9 O!RS' PRIVATE BUS9ESS1 & IT SOMETIMES FELT LIKE A F9E L9E BETWE5 ! TWO4 ,?AT WAS ! WAY ?AT IT HAD BE5 ) ,UNCLE ,JOHNNY & ,AUNT ,CELIA ?AT NI<T4 ,IT LOOK$ AS ?\< !IR LIVES HAD JU/ ?AT MOM5T FELL TO BITS1 AS ?\< !Y'D FALL5 9 UPON !MSELVES1 AS ?\< :ATEV] HAD UPSET !M WAS SO P]SONAL & SO HUMILIAT+ ?AT TO HAVE SOMEONE 9TRUDE UPON IT W\LD HAVE ONLY MADE IT WORSE4 ,?9K+ AB\T IT N[1 P]HAPS :AT HE'D PICK$ UP ON WAS ?AT ,CELIA & ,JOHNNY W]5'T SEEK+ ASSI/ANCE ) :ATEV] HAD OCCURR$4 ,!Y W]5'T \T BANG+ ON ! NEI<BORS' DOORS & ASK+ SOMEBODY TO FET* A FIRE 5G9E OR AMBULANCE4 ,!Y HADN'T GONE JU/ D[N & R\ND ! CORN] TO ,TOM'S MAM'S 9 ,GRE5 ,/REET1 ,JOHNNY'S [N BIG SI/]4 ,!Y'D NOT S\<T HELP 9 ! ,BOR\<S1 BUT HAD MADE = ,GOLD ,/REET & T[N C5T]4 ,TOM HAD LAT] LE>N$ ?AT ,UNCLE ,JOHNNY & ,AUNT ,CELIA HAD SAT TILL DAWN BO? HUDDL+ DEVA/AT$ ON ! /EPS ( ,ALL ,SA9TS1 UND]NEA? ITS PORTICO4 

,UPON ! NI<T ITSELF1 HE'D WAT*$ HIS AUNT & UNCLE UNTIL !Y W]E GONE1 !N W&]$ 9TO ,FREES*OOL ,/REET TO F9D \T :AT WAS GO+ ON4 ,HE'D /UMBL$ HALT+LY D[N ! BLACK CREVICE1 :]E ! ,FREE ,S*OOL HAD BE5 SITUAT$ 9 ! FIFTE5-HUNDR$S1 WALK+ 9 ! FACE ( ALL ! M\RNFUL1 /IRR+ MUSIC ?AT RANG FROM ! HAZE MORE L\DLY ) ,TOM'S EV]Y CAUTI\S /EP4 ,ALL ! L[ NOTES HAD RESONAT$ 9 ! LI<TLESS W9D[-GLASS ( ! SOOT-DU/$ MANUFACTUR+ CONC]NS TO ,TOMMY'S RI<T & LEFT1 MAK+ ! PANES BUZZ LIKE TRAPP$ FLIES4 ,IT HAD BE5 R\ND AB\T !N ?AT HE'D FIR/ CAU<T ON :AT TUNE WAS BE+ PLAY$ OV] & OV]1 BE+ BANG$ \T ON AN OLD JOANNA SOME:]E 9 ! GLOOM T[>DS :AT US$ TO BE ,GRE5 ,LANE4 ,HE'D />T$ S++ IT1 9SIDE HIS HEAD1 FAMILI> WORDS ALL COM+ BACK TO HIM BE=E HE'D EV5 HIT UPON ITS TITLE1 ?\< HE'D RECOGNIZ$ IT AS A SONG ?AT HE KNEW WELL4 ,H[ DID IT GO8 0,:Y TELL !M ALL Y\R SECRETS 4440 

,TOMMY HAD PROGRESS$ HESITANTLY D[N ! UNLIT /REET1 AS MU* = FE> ( TRIPP+ OV] SOME?+ 9 ! FOG & KNACK]+ HIMSELF AS ( :AT HE MI<T F9D :5 HE GOT FUR!R D[N T[>DS ! BOTTOM 5D4 ,HE'D KN[N ALREADY ?AT IT W\LD BE ,UNCLE ,JOHNNY'S H\SE ! TUNE WAS COM+ FROM1 ?AT IT W\LD BE !IR ,AUDREY PLAY+ IT4 ,:O ELSE D[N ,FREES*OOL ,/REET C\LD TROT \T SU* A LOVELY PIECE AS ?AT8 0,!Y'RE BURI$ UND] ! SN[ 4440 ,EV] SO WELL HE KNEW IT1 HE JU/ HADN'T AT ?AT TIME BE5 ABLE TO REMEMB] :AT ! ?+ WAS CALL$4 ,! MISS+ TITLE NAGG+ AT HIS M9D1 ,TOMMY HAD /AGG]$ FUR!R D[N 9TO ! 9VISIBLE H>MONY4 

,9 TW5TY PACES1 BY ! TIME HE'D REA*$ ! JUNCTION ) ,/4 ,PET]'S ,/REET1 IT HAD BECOME CLE> ?AT ! OLD SONG WAS 9DE$ EM]G+ FROM HIS C\S9'S H\SE ACROSS ! ROAD1 D[N NE> ! ,GREGORY ,/REET CORN]4 ,HE HAD ALSO REALIZ$ ?AT ,FREES*OOL ,/REET WAS UTT]LY DES]T$ SAVE = HE HIMSELF & = ONE O!R3 /&+ ROOT$ 9 ! CRAWL+ VAPOR ?AT WAS BOIL+ OV] ,UNCLE ,JOHNNY'S DOOR/EP1 RIGID & /ICK-?9 ) H] WILD HEAD TIPP$ BACK TO GAZE UP AT ! LIT-BUT-CURTA9$ P>LOR W9D[ ?AT ! MUSIC CAME FROM1 HAD BE5 ,TOMMY'S GREAT-AUNT ,?URSA4 ,9 H] >MS %E'D CRADL$ ! ACCORDION LIKE A MUTE & MON/R\S *ILD1 ! WAXY & TRANSLUC5T F+]S ( ONE H& /ROK+ DI/RACT$LY ACROSS ! KEYBO>D1 BACK & =? AS IF TO CALM ! SIL5T 9/RUM5T & TO ALLAY ITS FE>S AT ?IS AL>M+ SITUATION4 ,?URSA HADN'T MAKE A S\ND H]SELF1 BUT %E'D BE5 LI/5+ SO 9T5TLY TO ! MUSIC LEAK+ FROM 9SIDE ! H\SE ?AT Y\ C\LD ALMO/ HE> H] DO+ IT4 ,IT C>RI$ ON1 ! TUNE1 /IT*+ ITS ?READ ( HALF-REMEMB]$ LYRICS ON ! BLANKET ( ! MI/4 0,:ISP]+ GRASS1 DON'T TELL ! TREES 4440 

,( C\RSE1 BY ?AT PO9T ,TOMMY HAD RECALL$ ! TITLE HE'D BE5 GRASP+ =4 0,:ISP]+ ,GRASS04 ,?AT HAD BE5 AN OLD FAVORITE = YE>S BY !N1 HAD EV5 WORK$ ITS WAY 9TO ! LANGUAGE AS ! SLANG = AN 9=M]1 OR AT LEA/ ?AT'S :]E ,TOM ?\<T ?AT ! EXPRESSION 0GRASS0 HAD COME FROM4 ,PRIOR TO ?AT PO9T IT HAD BE5 ,TOM'S OP9ION ?AT ! SONG1 ?\< HAUNT+1 WAS TOO SOPPY & TOO :IMSICAL1 ) ITS IDEA ( GRASS & BU%ES TALK+ TO EA* O!R1 JU/ LIKE SOME?+ ?AT ,WALT ,DISNEY MI<T HAVE DONE4 ,HE>+ IT FROM ! CREEP+ FOG 9 ,FREES*OOL ,/REET ?\<1 ON ?AT ,FEBRU>Y NI<T1 IT HADN'T S\ND$ :IMSICAL AT ALL4 ,TO ,TOM'S E>1 IT HAD S\ND$ T]RIBLE4 ,NOT T]RIBLE AS 9 ! S5SE ( BAD OR BADLY PLAY$1 BUT MORE AS IF IT SPOKE ( SOME?+ T]RIBLE1 ( SOME GREAT HURT TOO T]RIBLE TO M5D1 OR ( SOME T]RIBLE BETRAYAL4 ,IT HAD S\ND$ ANGRY 9 ! WAY ITS *ORDS CRA%$ \T1 NOTES ALMO/ SPL9T]+ B5EA? ! IMPACT ( ! UNSE5 F+]S4 ,IT HAD S\ND$ LIKE AN ACCUSATION &1 AS WELL1 LIKE AN UNBURD5+1 AN AGONIZ$ CONFESSION ?AT C\LD NEV] BE RETRACT$1 AFT] :I* ?+S C\LDN'T BE ! SAME AGA94 ,IT HAD BE5 MUSIC = ! 5D ( SOME?+4 

0444 'CAUSE ! TREES DON'T NE$ TO KN[40 ,A%AM$4 ,?AT HAD BE51 ,TOM ?\<T N[1 ANO!R QUALITY AP>T FROM HURT & ANG] ?AT ! TUNE HAD BR\<T TO ! DANK EV5+ AIR3 AN OV]P[]+ S5SE ( %AME4 ,EV5 ! AWFUL JOLLITY 9TO :I* ! REFRA9 W\LD SOMETIMES BREAK S\ND$ S>DONIC1 S\ND$ V5GEFUL1 S\ND$ WRONG4 ,TOMMY HAD BE5 DI/URB$1 MO/LY BECAUSE HE HADN'T = ! LIFE ( HIM BE5 ABLE TO IMAG9E SU* AN UNEXPECT$ TORR5T ( CONFUS$ EMOTIONS P\R+ FROM SO SELF-EFFAC+ & DEMURE A VESSEL AS HIS C\S9 ,AUDREY4 ,:AT CAN HAVE BE5 GO+ ?R\< H] M9D = IT TO HAVE EM]G$ 9 ! SP9E-T+L+1 FEV]I% WAY IT HAD8 ,:AT HAD %E BE5 FEEL+ ?AT PRODUC$ A REEL+1 /OMA*-DROPP+ NOISE LIKE ?AT8 

,GOD KN[S H[ MANY TIMES %E'D PLAY$ ! TUNE ALREADY BE=E ,TOM OR ANYBODY ELSE HAD V5TUR$ 9TO ,FREES*OOL ,/REET TO HE> IT1 BUT AS HE & HIS GREAT-AUNT HAD /OOD !RE SEP>ATELY LI/5+ 9 ! FOG HE'D HE>D ! SONG REPEAT$ AT LEA/ F\R MORE TIMES1 ALL ! WAY ?R\<1 BE=E IT HAD EV5TUALLY 5D$ 9 A SUDD5 YAWN+ SIL5CE ?AT HAD BE5 9 SOME WAY EV5 MORE UPSETT+ ?AN ! R[ PREC$+ IT4 

,A T5SE FEW MOM5TS HAD ELAPS$1 P]HAPS TO MAKE SURE ! RECITAL WAS COMPLETELY OV]1 & !N GREAT-AUNT ,?URSA HAD1 FROM NO:]E1 PRESS$ JU/ F\R NOTES FROM ! SQUEEZE-BOX SLUNG ON ITS WORN LEA!R /RAP >\ND H] /R+Y NECK1 F\R GRAVE & TRUDG+ TONES ?AT ,TOM HAD RECOGNIZ$ ) A MILD T+LE ( AL>M AS ! BEG9N+ ( 0,! ,FUN]AL ,M>*01 OR AT ! TIME HE'D ?\<T ?AT'S :AT IT WAS1 AT ANY RATE4 ,BUT ) ONLY ?AT M\RNFUL OP5+ COMPLET$ HIS GREAT-AUNT HAD FALL5 SIL5T & ALL[$ H] P>*M5T F+]S TO DROP FROM ! KEYS4 ,ABRUPTLY1 ,?URSA HAD TURN$ R\ND & M>*$ AWAY D[N ,FREES*OOL ,/REET AS IF1 ASIDE FROM H] [N BRIEF MUSICAL CONTRIBUTION1 !RE WAS NO MORE TO BE DONE4 ,)9 A MOM5T H] GAUNT FIGURE HAD DISSOLV$ 9TO ! COLD SEE! ( ! NI<T4 

,TOM REALIZ$ N[1 /OOD %UFFL+ 9 ! =EC\RT ( ,/4 ,$MUND'S ,HOSPITAL1 ?AT IT HAD BE5 ! LA/ TIME HE'D 5C\NT]$ GREAT-AUNT ,?URSA1 :O'D TOOK ILL ) BRON*IAL TR\BLES & HAD DI$ SOME TWO MON?S AFT]W>DS4 ,! M5TAL PICTURE ( H] WALK+ (F 9TO ! FOG1 9TO ! ROIL+ MY/]Y1 WAS ! LA/ IMAGE ( H] HE C\LD CALL TO M9D4 ,P]HAPS H] %ORT R5DITION ( 0,! ,FUN]AL ,M>*0 HAD BE5 A PROPHECY1 ?\< AS HE ?\<T AB\T IT N[ HE SAW ?AT ?OSE F\R NOTES C\LD JU/ AS WELL HAVE BE5 0,OH ,M9E ,PAPA01 OR PROBABLY A DOZ5 O!R TUNES4 

,AFT] HIS GREAT-AUNT HAD DEP>T$1 ,TOM HAD /OOD !RE = P]HAPS FIVE M9UTES MORE1 JU/ />+ AT ! N[-HU%$ H\SE ACROSS ! WAY ) ! S(T GASLI<T FILT]$ ?R\< DRAWN CURTA9S FROM ITS P>LOR W9D[4 ,!N HE'D /UMBL$ (F D[N ,FREES*OOL ,/REET1 ALONG ,GRE5 ,LANE TO HIS MAM'S H\SE 9 ,GRE5 ,/REET4 ,MAY HAD BE5 AB$ ALREADY BY ! TIME ?AT HE GOT 91 & ,FRANK HADN'T COME HOME YET FROM ! ,AN*OR4 ,TOM HAD LIT ! MANTLE1 LIT A FAG FROM ! SAME MAT*1 !N HAD A SIT 9 ! >M*AIR = A FEW M9UTES1 JU/ BE=E HE W5T TO B$4 

,ACROSS A SMALL ROOM %RUNK5 FUR!R BY ! GASLI<T1 UP AGA9/ ONE WALL HAD /OOD ! FAMILY PIANO1 BLACK & POLI%$ LIKE A C(F94 ,P]*$ ON TOP ( IT HAD BE5 AN EMPTY VASE & A BIG1 GLOSSY EI<T-BY-T5 9SIDE A PROP-UP FRAME4 ,! PHOTO HAD BE5 TAK5 = ! PURPOSE ( PUBLICITY1 CLE>LY BY A PR(ESSIONAL1 & WAS A GR\P %OT ( ! \TFIT ,UNCLE ,JOHNNY MANAG$4 ,/&+ FRONT & C5T] ( ! PICTURE1 NO D\BT ) AN EYE TO %[+ (F ! DANCE B&'S MO/ ATTRACTIVE ASSET1 !RE HAD BE5 ,TOM'S C\S9 ,AUDREY ) H] PIANO ACCORDION ALMO/ BIGG] ?AN :AT %E WAS4 ,RE/+ ON ITS KEYS H] SL5D] H&S W]E PLAC$ SO ELEGANTLY Y\ C\LD TELL ?AT IT WAS >TIFICIAL2 %E'D BE5 TOLD TO HOLD ! POSE & ! ACCORDION 9 JU/ ?AT WAY BY ! PHOTOGRAPH]4 ,TOM C\LD IMAG9E IT1 ! *AT & PATT] :ILE HE'D TOOK ! %OT1 ) ! FLIRTATI\S MANN] BLOKES LIKE ?AT SEEM$ G5]ALLY TO HAVE AB\T !M4 0,RI<T1 ?AT'S LOVELY1 LET'S HAVE A BIG SMILE N[ FROM ! RAVI%+ Y\NG LADY40 ,& !N ,AUDREY W\LD HAVE CA/ H] EYES UP1 JU/ AS %E WAS DO+ 9 ! PICTURE1 LOOK+ COMICALLY EXASP]AT$ AS %E LAU<$ AWAY ! COMPLIM5T - 0,OH1 HONE/LY60 - BUT FLATT]$1 PLEAS$ HE'D SAID IT EV5 IF HE'D DONE SO JU/ TO MAKE H] SMILE4 ,H] HEAD WAS TIPP$ BACK SLI<TLY AS IF %E W]E MAK+ AN APPEAL TO HEAV51 ASK+ = DELIV]ANCE FROM M5 & !IR SMOO?1 SILLY TALK1 & Y\ C\LD SEE ! /RONG L9E ( H] *91 ! /RAI<T SLOPE ( H] NOSE1 ! F9ELY SCULPT$ HEAD ) H] D>K HAIR CASCAD+ D[N ONTO ! %\LD]S ( H] IRON$ :ITE BL\SE4 ,HIS C\S9 AT ?AT TIME HAD BE5 >\ND EI<TE5 YE>S OLD1 & ,TOMMY HAD ?\<T ?AT ! PHOTO LOOK$ AS IF IT HAD BE5 TAK5 TWO OR ?REE YE>S E>LI]1 :5 ,AUDREY HAD BE5 FIFTE5 OR SIXTE54 ,%E'D LOOK$ SO LIVELY & SO WRY ?AT ,TOM HAD SAT !RE 9 ! GAS-LIT LIV+ ROOM A GOOD HALF H\R JU/ TRY+ TO FIT TOGE!R ! Y\NG WOMAN 9 ! PICTURE & ! FRI<T5+ P]=MANCE HE'D JU/ HE>D 9 ,FREES*OOL ,/REET4 

,( C\RSE1 OV] ! NEXT TWO OR ?REE DAYS1 ,TOM HAD LE>N$ MORE ( :AT HAD HAPP5$ ON ?AT NI<T4 ,ACCORD+ TO HIS MAM1 :O BY ?AT TIME HAD HE>D H] Y\NG] BRO!R'S FULL ACC\NT ( ?+S1 ,TOM'S UNCLE ,JOHNNY & HIS AUNTIE ,CELIA HAD GOT BACK HOME TO ,FREES*OOL ,/REET FROM ! ,BLACK ,LION TO F9D !IR ONLY *ILD HAD LOCK$ !M \T ! H\SE :ILE %E SAT !RE 9SIDE & PLAY$ ! SAME LAM5T REPEAT$LY ON ! PIANO1 PO9T$LY IGNOR+ ALL !IR P\ND+S ON ! DOOR & !IR DEM&S TO BE LET 94 ,AS ! DEM&S HAD SWIFTLY TURN$ TO WORRI$ PLEAS1 HIS C\S9 ,AUDREY HAD APP>5TLY MADE VOCAL 9T]JECTIONS ( H] [N1 %\T+ ABOVE ! AVALAN*E ( H] [N PLAY+3 0,:5 ! GRASS IS :ISP]+ OV] ME1 !N Y\'LL REMEMB]40 ,F9ALLY H] P>5TS HAD JU/ GIV5 UP & SLUNK AWAY 9TO ! MI/1 AWAY UP ,GOLD ,/REET :]E !Y'D %ELT]$ UND] ,ALL ,SA9TS' PORTICO ALL NI<T1 CRU%$ BY ! REALIZATION ( ! DREADFUL ?+ ?AT HAD JU/ HAPP5$4 ,!IR ONE DAU<T]1 !IR BRI<T1 PRETTY1 TAL5T$ Y\NG DAU<T] :O !Y'D HOP$ W\LD C>RY ALL !IR DREAMS 9TO ! FUTURE HAD GONE (F H] HEAD1 GONE R\ND ! CORN]4 ,?AT NEXT MORN+ DOCTORS HAD BE5 CALL$ & ,AUDREY ,V]NALL HAD BE5 TAK5 UP ! ,B]RY ,WOOD TURN TO ,/4 ,CRISP9'S M5TAL HOME1 /RUGGL+ & KICK+1 SCREAM+ \T ALL MANN] ( FANTA/ICAL DELUSIONS AS ,TOM'S UNCLE ,JOHNNY HAD REC\NT$ IT4 ,%E'D BE5 9 ! ASYLUM EV] S9CE1 W\LD V]Y LIKELY BE !RE ALL H] LIFE1 A %AME & A DISGRACE UPON ! FAMILY4 ,H] NAME WAS ONLY M5TION$ R>ELY N[4 

,! G5]AL CONS5SUS1 NATURALLY1 HAD BE5 ?AT ,AUDREY'S PROBLEMS W]E 9H]IT$1 P>T ( ! CURSE PASS$ D[N AMONG ! ,V]NALLS1 AS DISPLAY$ 9 BO? ,TOM'S GR&DAD ,SN[Y & HIS GREAT-AUNT ,?URSA4 

,!RE IT WAS4 ,! MADNESS 9 ! FAMILY4 ,?AT WAS A *E]Y ?+ TO ?9K AB\T :ILE Y\ W]E WAIT+ = Y\R FIR/ *ILD TO >RIVE1 BUT ,TOM SUPPOS$ !RE WAS NO HID+ FROM IT4 ,IT WAS JU/ A FACT1 P>T ( ! COMPLICAT$ LOTT]Y ( BIR? ?AT W\LD DECIDE :E!R ! BABY HAD BR[N HAIR LIKE ,DORE5 OR BLACK HAIR LIKE ,TOM1 :E!R ITS EYES W]E BLUE OR GRE51 IF IT WAS TO BE TALL OR %ORT1 WELL-BUILT OR SK9NY1 SANE OR 9SANE4 ,NOBODY HAD A SAY 9 H[ !IR *ILDR5 W\LD BE BORN1 BUT !N NOBODY HAD A SAY ) MO/ ( ! IMPORTANT ?+S 9 LIFE4 ,ALL Y\ C\LD DO WAS MAKE ! BE/ ( :AT Y\ HAD4 ,ALL Y\ C\LD DO WAS PLAY Y\R C>DS AS !Y'D BE5 DEALT4 

,HE GLANC$ >\ND AT HIS SURR\ND+S1 AT ! GAUZE FOG B&AG+ ! BLACKNESS1 AT ! CRUMBL+ *UR* ACROSS ! /REET1 ITS WEI<T & PRES5CE FELT RA!R ?AN SE54 ,ON ,TOMMY'S LEFT A NECKLACE ( DIM /REETLAMPS W\ND AWAY ?R\< ! D>K MILES TO ,WELL+BOR\<4 ,TO HIS RI<T ! MONGREL RHAPSODIES ( ,MAD ,M>IE W]E TANGL$ R\ND T[N C5T] 9 HAPHAZ>D /R&S ( FLIMSY T9SEL & BEH9D HIM LOOM$ ! REHABILITAT$ WORKH\SE1 LIKE A ?UGGI% BAILIFF :O'D BE5 GIV5 A NEW JOB & UNI=M & SWORE HE WAS A RE=M$ *>ACT]4 ,TOM REALIZ$ ) A />T ?AT !Y W]E MORE ?AN HALFWAY ?R\< ! TW5TIE? C5TURY ALREADY4 

,TOM ALSO BEGAN TO SEE ?AT IT W]5'T JU/ ! BLOOD & ! H]$ITY ?AT W\LD DET]M9E H[ A *ILD DEVELOP$4 ,IT WAS EV]Y?+4 ,IT WAS ! AGGREGATE ( ALL ! PLANET'S P>TS & ALL ITS HI/ORY1 ( EV]Y FACT & 9CID5T ?AT MADE ! WORLD1 ?AT FA%ION$ ! *ILD'S P>5TS1 ALL ( !SE COMPON5TS LEAD+ UP TO ?AT SPECIFIC BABY FLOAT+ !RE 9 ?AT SPECIFIC WOMB4 ,) HIS [N (FSPR+ BREW+ N[ 9SIDE ,DORE5'S DI/5D$ BELLY WAIT+ TO BE P\R$ \T1 ,TOMMY UND]/OOD ?AT !RE W\LD BE NO ELEM5T ( HIS OR HIS WIFE'S LIVES ?AT W\LD NOT 9FLU5CE !IR BABY1 JU/ AS EV]Y CIRCUM/ANCE ( !IR [N P>5TS' LIVES 9 TURN HAD MADE ITS M>K ON !M4 

,! JOB AS A DIRECTOR ,SN[Y ,V]NALL HAD TURN$ D[N1 = AN EXAMPLE1 PLAY$ ITS P>T AS TO :AT K9D ( FAMILY & UPBR++ !IR NEWBORN C\LD EXPECT4 ,TOM'S MO!R'S FIR/ *ILD DY+ ( DIPH!RIA HAD MEANT ?AT %E'D NOT /OPP$ ) JU/ TWO GIRLS BUT HAD GONE ON TO HAVE F\R BOYS AS WELL4 ,HAD IT BE5 O!RWISE1 !N NEI!R ,TOMMY NOR HIS [N =?COM+ *ILD W\LD HAVE EXI/$ 9 ! FIR/ PLACE4 

,!N !RE WAS ! W>1 ( C\RSE1 & ALL ! POLITICS ?AT HAD COME BO? BE=E & AFT] IT4 ,ALL ?OSE ?+S ?AT DECID$ H[ ?IS COM+ G5]ATION %\LD BE $UCAT$1 :AT ! /REETS & H\SES W\LD BE LIKE :]E !Y GREW UP & :E!R !RE'D BE ANY JOBS AB\T ONCE !Y W]E GR[N4 ,& !SE W]E JU/ ! OBVI\S ?+S ?AT ANYONE C\LD SEE W\LD HAVE EFFECTS UPON A KIDDY'S *ANCE 9 LIFE4 ,:AT AB\T ALL ! O!R ?+S1 EV5TS SO SMALL !Y W]E 9VISIBLE & YET :I* ADD$ UP TO SOMEONE *OOS+ ONE PA? RA!R ?AN ! O!R1 ADD$ UP TO SOME?+ ?AT MI<T HAVE AN IMPACT ON ! WORLD1 UPON HIS *ILD1 = BETT] OR = WORSE8 

,TOM WOND]$ AT ! :IRLPOOL ( OCCURR5CES1 ( LIVES & DEA?S & MEMORIES ?AT W]E AT PRES5T BE+ FUNNEL$ 9TO ,DORE5'S EA* CONTRACTION1 PRESS+ \T AN IMPR9T ON !IR BABY AS IT WRI!D T[>DS ! LI<T3 ! AIR RAID NI<TS1 ! DOLE QUEUE DAYS1 ! WIRELESS PROGRAMS & ! DEMOLITION SITES4 ,GLIMPSE ( A WOMAN'S LEGS ) FAKE SEAMS DRAWN 9 EYEBR[ P5CIL D[N ! CALF1 ( RUBB] JOHNNIES RA9+ ON COMMUT]'S HATS4 ,GRAVE ( A FIFTE5-YE>-OLD ,G]MAN SNIP] BY ! ROAD 9 ,FRANCE4 ,TOM'S GR&DAD CRUMPL+ UP HIS C>EFUL R+ ( NUMB]S 9 A RAGE TO ?R[ IT ON ! FIRE1 ! BLACK HOLE SPREAD+ FROM ! C5T] ( ! PAP] AS IT BURN$4 ,! PHOTOGRAPH ( ,AUDREY /&+ FRAM$ ON ! PIANO1 ) H] POS$ H&S & H] BLI! SMILE & ! GR9N+ B& MEMB]S BEH9D H] 9 !IR B[ TIES1 HOLD+ !IR GUIT>S & CL>9ETS4 ,! FOG1 ! PIGEON-%IT & ,MAD ,M>IE ALL SOMEH[ FILT]+ 9TO ! NEW >RIVAL :O'D BE DRAW+ ITS FIR/ BREA? & MAK+ ITS FIR/ WAIL )9 AN H\R OR TWO1 ALL BE+ WELL4 

,/4 ,$MUND'S CLOCK /RUCK ?REE TIMES FROM ! HI<] /ORIES ( ! MI/4 ,HIS TOES W]E SO COLD 9 HIS BOOTS HE C\LDN'T FEEL !M ANYMORE4 ,BUGG] ?IS = A GAME ( SOLDI]S4 ,) HIS H&S ?RU/ DEEP 9 HIS MAC'S POCKETS1 ,TOMMY ,W>R5 TURN$ R\ND ON HIS HEEL & />T$ WALK+ BACK ALONG ! HOSPITAL'S LONG DRIVE T[>DS ! BLURR$ & DI/ANT LI<TS ( ITS MAT]NITY W>DS1 TW9KL+ FA9TLY 9 ! GLOOM4 ,DORE5 C\LDN'T HAVE HAD IT YET1 OR SOMEONE W\LD HAVE BE5 S5T \T TO FET* HIM4 ,WALK+ UP ! PA? HE NOTIC$ ?AT ! WAV]+ PIANO WAS NO LONG] AUDIBLE1 ?\< ,TOMMY DIDN'T KN[ IF ?AT MEANT ,MAD ,M>IE HAD /OPP$ AT LA/1 OR IF IT M]ELY MEANT ! W9D HAD *ANG$ DIRECTIONS4 ,HUMM+ ABS5TLY TO FILL ! SUDD5 SIL5CE1 BREAK+ (F :5 HE BECAME AW>E ?AT HE WAS HUMM+ 0,:ISP]+ ,GRASS01 ,TOM *ANG$ HIS TUNE TO 0,H>K6 ,! ,GLAD ,S\ND60 & !N C>RI$ ON4 ,! BULB-LIT POR* \TSIDE ! WAIT+ ROOM WAS DRAW+ GRADUALLY NE>]4 ,PICK+ UP HIS PACE & P]K+ UP HIS IDEAS1 ,TOMMY W5T TO WELCOME 9 HIS FIR/-BORN BABY BOY4 

,OR GIRL4 

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

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

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