,BOOK #a1 ,*APT] #aa 
,*OK+ ON A ,TUNE 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

,*,O,K,+ ,O,N ,A ,T,U,N,E 

,:ATEV] HIS BIG SI/] HAD IMPLI$ ACROSS ! YE>S1 OR HAD 9DE$ AT ONE PO9T WRITT5 ON HIS =EHEAD US+ MAGIC M>K] :ILE HE WAS ASLEEP1 ,MICK ,W>R5 WASN'T /UPID4 ,IF !RE'D BE5 A HAZ>D LABEL ON ! DRUM1 P]HAPS A YELL[ DEA?'S-HEAD OR A SCREAM+ /ICK-MAN ) HIS FACE BURN$ (F1 !N ,MICK W\LD ALMO/ C]TA9LY HAVE REALIZ$ ?AT HITT+ IT QUITE H>D ) AN 5ORM\S FUCK(F SL$GEHAMM] WAS NOT ! BE/ IDEA HE'D EV] HAD4 

,BUT = SOME REASON !RE'D BE5 NO FLUORESC5T /ICK]S1 NO :ITE GOV]NM5T ADVISORY1 NOT EV5 ! 9SIPID K9D ?AT W>N$ AGA9/ SK9 AG+ OR L[ BIR? WEI<T4 ,MICK HAD BLI!LY HEFT$ ! GREAT HAMM] BACK JU/ OV] HIS RI<T %\LD] & !N SWUNG IT D[N ?R\< ITS FAMILI> & EXHIL>AT+ >C4 ,! SATISFY+ CLANG :5 IT CONNECT$1 R++ (F 9TO ! W9DSWEPT CORN]S ( ,/4 ,M>T9'S ,Y>D1 WAS ONLY M>R$ BY HIS [N />TL$ BELL[ AS ! :OLE FRONT ( ,MICK'S HEAD1 :I* HE HAD ALWAYS ?\<T ( AS HIS BETT] SIDE1 WAS S&BLA/$ BY POISON DU/4 

,HIS *EEKS & BR[ HAD 9/ANTLY BE5 BLI/]$ 9TO BUBBLE-WRAP4 ,DROPP+ ! WEI<TY HAMM]1 ,MICK HAD TRI$ TO RUN (F FROM ! TOXIC CL\D HIS MY/]Y DRUM HAD JU/ EXHAL$ AS IF IT W]E A SW>M ( BEES1 SWATT+ HIS H&S >\ND HIS FACE & RO>+ ANGRILY1 NOT 0SQUEAL+ LIKE A GIRL0 AS ONE CLOSE RELATIVE HAD LAT] CLAIM$4 ,! RELATIVE 9 QUE/ION1 ANYWAY1 HAD GOT NO CAUSE TO TALK4 ,AT LEA/ HE'D ONLY LOOK$ ! WAY HE HAD = SEV]AL DAYS AS A RESULT ( AN 9DU/RIAL ACCID5T1 :]EAS %E'D LOOK$ ?AT WAY S9CE BIR? & HAD NO SU* EXCUSE4 

,BL9D$ & H[L+1 ?IS ACCORD+ TO ! SUBSEQU5T COLORFUL WITNESS /ATEM5TS ( FELL[ EMPLOYES1 ,MICK HAD *>G$ R\ND 9 A SEMICIRCLE &1 ) ALL ! SLAP/ICK TIM+ ( A RADIATION-SC>R$ PO/-NUCLE> ,H>OLD ,LLOYD1 HAD RUN HEAD FIR/ 9TO A B> ( /EEL PROTRUD+ FROM ! \TSIZE SCALES ON :I* ! FLATT5$ DRUMS W]E WEI<$4 ,HE'D KNOCK$ HIMSELF \T COLD1 & LOOK+ BACK CONGRATULAT$ HIMSELF ON ! SPE$ ) :I*1 9 TRY+ CIRCUM/ANCES1 HE HAD IMPROVIS$ A PA9KILL] ?AT WAS BO? TOTAL & IMM$IATE 9 ITS EFFECT4 ,H>DLY ! ACTIONS ( A /UPID MAN1 HE'D SMUGLY REASSUR$ HIMSELF AFT] A DAY OR TWO1 BY :I* TIME ! WOR/ BRUISES W]5'T SO BAD4 

,HE MU/ HAVE ONLY LAY SPRAWL$ ON HIS BACK !RE 9 ! DIRT UNCONSCI\S = A SECOND BE=E ,H[>D1 HIS BE/ MATE D[N AT ! RECONDITION+ Y>D1 CAU<T ON TO :AT WAS HAPP5+ & HAD RU%$ TO ,MICK'S ASSI/ANCE4 ,HE'D TURN$ ON ! TAP ?AT F$ ! BUS9ESS'S ONE HOSEPIPE1 TRA9+ ! RESULTANT JET 9TO ,MICK'S COMATOSE & UPTURN$ FACE1 SLUIC+ AWAY ! CAU/IC ORANGE P[D] COV]+ ! BLI/]$ FEATURES LIKE A M9/REL MAKE-UP MEANT ONLY = RADIO4 ,FROM :AT ,H[>D REPORT$ AFT]W>DS1 ,MICK HAD COME R\ND AT ONCE1 HIS BLOOD%OT EYES OP5+ ON A LOOK ( ABSOLUTE CONFUSION4 ,HE'D APP>5TLY BE5 MUMBL+ SOME?+ ) GREAT URG5CY AS HE RECOV]$ CONSCI\SNESS1 BUT F> TOO S(TLY = HIS CONC]N$ WORKMATE TO MAKE \T MORE ?AN A WORD OR TWO ( :AT HE'D SAID4 ,SOME?+ AB\T A *IMNEY OR P]HAPS A *IMP ?AT WAS 9 SOME WAY GETT+ BIGG]1 BUT !N ,MICK HAD SEEM$ TO SUDD5LY REMEMB] :]E HE WAS & ALSO ?AT HIS BLI/]$ & RU/-DU/$ FACE WAS N[ AN AGONIZ+ B[L ( ,COCO ,POPS4 ,HE'D />T$ HOLL]+ AGA91 & AFT] ,H[>D HAD WA%$ (F ! WOR/ ( ! CONTAM9ATION ) HIS HOSE HE'D GOT P]MISSION FROM ! ANXI\S MANAGEM5T TO DRIVE ,MICK OV] ,SP5C] ,BRIDGE1 UP ,CRANE ,HILL1 ,GRAFTON ,/REET & ,REG5T ,SQU>E1 ACROSS ! ,M\NTS1 !N TAKE A COMPLICAT$ SET ( TURNS TO ,BILL+ ,ROAD TO ,CLIFTONVILLE1 ?IS BE+ :]E ! CASUALTY DEP>TM5T ( ! HOSPITAL WAS N[4 ,DESPITE ! FACT ?AT ,MICK HAD SP5T ! :OLE DURATION ( ?IS J\RNEY SWE>+ =CEFULLY 9TO ! WET T[EL ?AT HE'D HELD PRESS$ TO HIS FACE1 SOME?+ AB\T ! R\TE !Y'D TAK5 HAD FELT QUEASILY FAMILI>4 

,HE'D BE5 LUCKY1 HAPP5+ TO HIT A QUIET PAT* AT ! HOSPITAL1 & HAD BE5 TREAT$ /RAI<T AWAY1 NOT ?AT !RE WAS A LOT ?AT !Y C\LD DO4 ,!Y'D CLEAN$ HIM UP & PUT DROPS 9 HIS EYES1 TOLD HIM HIS EYESI<T %\LD BE BACK TO NORMAL ! NEXT DAY1 HIS FACE )9 A WEEK1 !N ,H[>D RAN HIM HOME4 ,ALL ! WAY !RE ,MICK HAD GAZ$ SIL5TLY FROM ! C> W9D[ AT ! BLUR ( ,B>RACK ,ROAD & ,K+/HORPE ?R\< HIS SWOLL51 LEAK+ EYELIDS & HAD WOND]$ :Y HE FELT A S5SE ( CREEP+ & 9SIDI\S DREAD4 ,!Y'D GIV5 HIM ! ALL-CLE> D[N AT CASUALTY4 ,IT WASN'T LIKE HE HAD TO FRET AB\T ! ACCID5T'S LONG-T]M EFFECTS1 & ) ! FEW DAYS ( PAID SICK LEAVE ?AT HE'D GET (F WORK FROM ?IS Y\ C\LD SAY HE'D COME \T ON TOP4 ,:Y DID HE FEEL1 !N1 AS IF SOME GREAT CL\D ( DOOM WAS HANG+ OV] HIM8 ,IT MU/ HAVE BE5 ! %OCK1 HE'D F9ALLY CONCLUD$4 ,%OCK C\LD DO SOME FUNNY ?+S4 ,IT WAS A WELL-KN[N FACT4 

,H[>D HAD DROPP$ HIM (F 9 ! PULL-OV] SPOT D[N AT ! FOOT ( ,*ALCOMBE ,ROAD1 B>ELY A M9UTE'S WALK FROM ,MICK & ,CA?Y'S H\SE4 ,MICK SAID GOODBYE & ?ANK$ HIS COLLEAGUE = ! RIDE !N M\NT$ ! %ORT LANE ?AT L$ TO HIS BACK GATE4 ,! RE> Y>D1 ) ITS PATIO & DECK+ & ! %$ HE'D BUILT HIMSELF WAS REASSUR+ 9 ITS TID9ESS AFT] ! *AOS & CONFUSION ( HIS DAY ?US F>1 EV5 SE5 ?R\< ! BLE>Y FILT] ( HIS CURR5T PUDDLE-VISION4 ,! 9T]IOR ) ITS GLEAM+ KIT*5 & NEAT LIV+ ROOM WAS EV]Y BIT AS ORD]LY & COM=T+1 & ) ,CA? (F AT WORK & BO? ! BOYS AT S*OOL HE HAD IT TO HIMSELF4 ,MICK MADE HIMSELF A CUP ( TEA & SANK 9TO ! S(A1 LI<T+ UP A FAG1 UNEASILY AW>E ( ! PREC>I\S NORMALITY ( EV]Y?+4 

,AL?\< ,MICK DID HIS FAIR %>E ( ! WORK1 ! DRIV+ =CE BEH9D ! PRI/9E SM>TNESS ( !IR HOME WAS ,CA?Y4 ,?IS WAS NOT TO SAY ?AT ,MICK'S WIFE WAS OBSESS$ ) CLEANL9ESS & ORD]4 ,IT WAS MORE ?AT ,CA?Y HAD A DEEP AV]SION TO UNTID9ESS & GRIME & :AT !Y REPRES5T$ TO H]1 A CONDITION+ 9/ILL$ BY HAV+ GR[N UP 9 ! ,DEVL9 FAMILY D54 ,HE UND]/OOD ?AT :AT TO HIM MI<T SEEM A B>ELY-NOTICEABLE M9OR C>PET /A91 TO ,CA?Y WAS A CRACK 9 ! HI< WALL %E'D BUILT BETWE5 H] PRES5T & H] PA/1 BETWE5 !IR CURR5T COM=TABLE DOME/IC LIFE & ,CA?Y'S NOT P>TICUL>LY HAPPY *ILDHOOD4 ,*ILDR5'S TOYS LEFT SCATT]$ ON ! RUG1 IF NOT PICK$ UP AT ONCE1 C\LD MEAN ?AT ! NEXT TIME %E LOOK$ !RE'D BE H] LATE DAD & A GANG ( DRUNK5 UNCLES SPRAWL$ AB\T ! PLACE1 :AT LOOK$ LIKE A SCRAP METAL BUS9ESS OP5+ 9 ! BACK Y>D1 & MORE POLICEM5 COM+ TO ! DOOR ?AN MILKM54 ,?IS FE> WASN'T RATIONAL1 !Y BO? KNEW ?AT1 BUT ,MICK C\LD SEE H[ GR[+ UP A ,DEVL9 C\LD IMPRESS IT ON A P]SON4 

,MICK GOT ON ) ALL HIS 9-LAWS1 V]Y WELL ) SOME ( !M1 & ?\<T ?AT BY & L>GE !Y W]E A LOVELY CR[D1 AT LEA/ ! ONES HE KNEW4 ,CA?'S SI/] ,DAWN1 = 9/ANCE1 WAS A SOCIAL WORK] D[N 9 ,DEVON1 :]E ,MICK & ! FAMILY HAD TAK5 LOTS ( HOLIDAYS AS A RESULT4 ,DAWN'S Y\NGE/ DAU<T] ,H>RIET1 AT ! T5D] AGE ( F\R1 HAD SAID AB\T ! FUNNIE/ ?+ ?AT ,MICK HAD EV] HE>D FROM ANY *ILD OR ADULT :5 H] DAD HAD ASK$ H] IF %E KNEW :Y CRABS WALK$ SIDEWAYS & %E'D MOODILY REPLI$1 0,BECAUSE !Y'RE AS%OLES40 ,P]HAPS BECAUSE !RE W]E A LOT ( SIMIL>ITIES 9 BACKGR\ND ) ! ,W>R5 FAMILY1 ,MICK HAD ALWAYS FELT V]Y COM=TABLE AB\T BE+ RELAT$ TO ! ,DEVL9S4 

,M9D Y\1 !Y W]E /ILL ! ,DEVL9S4 ,BULLET9S ?R\< ,CA?Y FROM ! WILD] REA*ES ( ! MASSIVELY EXT5D$ CLAN /ILL HAD ! P[] TO />TLE OR AL>M4 ,!RE'D BE5 A FUN]AL SOME WEEKS BE=E ?AT ,MICK HAD NOT BE5 ABLE TO ATT5D ?ANKS TO HIS WORK4 ,CA?Y HAD GONE1 & IT HAD BE5 BY ALL ACC\NTS ! SPIRIT$ AFFAIR ?AT ,DEVL9 FUN]ALS USUALLY TURN$ \T TO BE4 ,AT ONE PO9T 9 ! S]VICE1 ,CA?Y'S SI/] ,DAWN HAD NUDG$ H] & SAID1 0,HAVE Y\ SE5 \R ,*RIS80 ,?IS WAS A DI/ANT C\S9 ,CA?Y HAD ALREADY SPOTT$1 /&+ 9 ! CR[D T[>DS ! *APEL'S RE>1 & SO %E SAID ?AT1 YES1 %E'D SE5 HIM4 ,DAWN1 ?\<1 HAD P]SI/$4 0,NO1 BUT HAVE Y\ SE5 HIM8 ,HAVE Y\ SE5 ! *AP ?AT HE'S GOT ) HIM80 ,CA?Y HAD GLANC$ BACK ACROSS H] %\LD] & !RE /OOD H] C\S91 NEXT TO SOMEONE JU/ AS TALL AS HE WAS :O SEEM$ TO BE /RUGGL+ TO CONTROL HIS FEEL+S AT ! SAD OCCASION4 ,IT WAS ONLY LAT]1 AT ! WAKE1 ?AT ,CA? HAD REALIZ$ :Y HE'D BE5 /&+ SO CLOSE TO ,C\S9 ,*RIS4 ,! TWO ( !M W]E H&CUFF$ TO EA* O!R4 ,! EMOTIONALLY OV]WR\<T MAN1 :O'D EMB>RASS$ EV]YBODY AT ! DO BY GO+ ON AB\T H[ WOND]FUL ! ,DEVL9 FAMILY W]E & JU/ H[ MU* HE'D BE5 MOV$ BY ! C]EMONY1 WAS ! PLA9-CLO!S PRISON (FIC] RESPONSIBLE = SUP]VIS+ ,*RIS'S DAY RELEASE4 ,>M$ ROBB]Y1 APP>5TLY4 

,MICK'S WIFE'S K9 W]E A COLORFUL & V>I\S BUN* GR[N FROM ! SAME BLACK1 SOOT-F$ ,BOR\<S E>? AS W]E ! ,W>R5S4 ,NO D\BT ?IS WAS :Y ,CA? W\LDN'T TOL]ATE ?AT SELF-SAME NATIVE SOIL IF IT GOT TRACK$ ACROSS H] FITT$ C>PETS4 ,! PA/EL WALLS & POLI%$ D9+ TABLE W]E A B>RI] AGA9/ ! MUD ?AT HUNG 9 CLUMPS R\ND ,CA?Y'S ROOTS1 BUT ,MICK 5JOY$ ! NEATNESS1 ! PR$ICTABLE S]5ITY4 ,! ONLY PROBLEM ) IT AT ! MOM5T CAME :5 ,MICK CAU<T SI<T ( HIS REFLECTION 9 ! GLASS DOORS ( ! CAB9ET4 ,SAT !RE ) HIS ]UPT+ FACE SIPP+ HIS TEA AMONG ! DECOR\S FURNI%+S HE LOOK$ LIKE SOME?+ FROM A ,GEORGE ,ROM]O FILM1 A WI/FUL ZOMBIE TRY+ TO REMEMB] H[ ! LIV+ DID ?+S4 

,?IS /RAY ?\<T BR\<T ) IT ! RETURN ( ,MICK'S UNFOCUS$1 9EXPLICABLE ANXIETIES FROM E>LI]4 ,HE /ILL DIDN'T KN[ :]E !Y W]E COM+ FROM4 ,HAD SOME?+ HAPP5$ 9 HIS HEAD :ILE HE WAS \T8 ,A /ROKE OR SOME?+1 OR P]HAPS HE'D HAD ONE ( ?OSE DREAMS ?AT Y\ CAN'T QUITE REMEMB] BUT :I* LEAVE A NA/Y ATMOSPH]E ALL DAY4 ,:AT HAD BE5 GO+ ?R\< HIS M9D 9 ?OSE FIR/ SECONDS :5 HE CAME R\ND FLAT \T 9 ,/4 ,M>T9'S ,Y>D1 BABBL+ NONS5SE ) VOLCANOES 9 HIS EYES8 ,:AT HAD HIS FIR/ ?\<T BE5 UPON AWAK5+8 

,) A LUR* HE REALIZ$ ?AT IT HAD BE51 SIMPLY1 ',MOM'4 

,HIS MO!R1 ,DORE5 ,W>R5 :O'D BE5 ,DORE5 ,SWAN1 HAD DI$ T5 YE>S BE=E 9 #aiie & ,MICK /ILL ?\<T AB\T H] FONDLY ALMO/ EV]Y DAY1 /ILL MISS$ H]4 ,BUT HE MISS$ H] AS AN ADULT MISSES PEOPLE1 & HE DIDN'T ?9K AB\T H] ) ! TONE ( M5TAL VOICE HE'D HE>D 9 HIS FIR/ ?\<T UPON RECOV]+ CONSCI\SNESS4 ,?AT HAD BE5 LIKE A LO/ *ILD CALL+ = ITS MO!R1 & HE HADN'T FELT LIKE ?AT S9CE 444 

,S9CE HE'D WOK5 UP 9 HOSPITAL :5 HE WAS ?REE4 

,OH ,GOD4 ,MICK /OOD UP FROM ! S(A1 !N SAT D[N AGA91 UNSURE ( :Y HE'D RIS5 9 ! FIR/ PLACE4 ,WAS ?AT :AT ?IS SIMM]+ UNEASE WAS ALL AB\T1 A *ANCE EV5T ( NO LA/+ IMPORTANCE ?AT HAD HAPP5$ MORE ?AN =TY YE>S AGO8 ,HE /UBB$ HIS CIG>ETTE \T 9 ! A%TRAY ?AT HE'D BR\<T ?R\< FROM ! KIT*5 !N /OOD UP AGA91 ?IS TIME TO CRACK A W9D[ OP5 & ALL[ ! SMOKE TIME TO DISP]SE BE=E ! KIDS & ,CA?Y CAME HOME FROM !IR DAYS AT S*OOL & WORK4 ,?IS TASK ACCOMPLI%$ HE SAT D[N & !N /OOD UP AGA91 & !N SAT D[N4 ,%IT4 ,:AT WAS WRONG ) HIM8 

,HE C\LD REMEMB] :AT IT HAD BE5 LIKE :5 HE WAS ?REE1 OP5+ UP HIS EYES TO GRAY W>D WALLS & ! P]VASIVE SMELL ( DIS9FECTANT1 HAV+ NO IDEA ( :]E HE WAS OR H[ HE'D GOT !RE4 ,HE'D BE5 =C$ TO PUT ! MISS+ 9CID5T TOGE!R ONE PIECE AT A TIME FROM SCRAPS ( 9=MATION ?AT HE'D WORM$ \T ( HIS MOM OV] ! NEXT FEW DAYS1 H[ !Y'D BE5 SITT+ 9 ! BACK Y>D :5 A SWEET HAD GOT ITSELF /UCK 9 ,MICK'S ?ROAT SO ?AT HE C\LDN'T BREA!1 & H[ ! MAN :O LIV$ NEXT DOOR TO !M ALONG ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD HAD DRIV5 ,MICK ALL LIMP & LIFELESS TO ! HOSPITAL1 :]E !Y'D UNBLOCK$ HIS W9DPIPE1 TAK5 \T HIS SWOLL5 TONSILS = GOOD MEASURE & RETURN$ HIM TO HIS FAMILY AS GOOD AS NEW BY ! WEEK5D4 ,HE KNEW1 !N1 :AT HAD HAPP5$ TO HIM BUT HE ONLY KNEW IT SECOND H&4 ,:5 HE'D FIR/ WOK5 UP ) A /RANGE NURSE & DOCTOR LOOM+ 9 ABOVE HIM HE'D HAD NO RECALL ( ANY?+ FROM E>LI] ?AT DAY AT ALL1 NOT SITT+ 9 ! G>D5 ON HIS MO!R'S KNEE1 NOT *OK+ & NOT BE+ RU%$ TO HOSPITAL4 ,= ALL HE'D KN[N1 ! BLEAK & PUNG5T W>D ) ALL ! ,MABEL ,LUCIE ,ATTWELL PO/]S T9-TACK$ TO ITS WALLS MI<T HAVE BE5 HIS FIR/ MOM5T ( EXI/5CE4 

,?AT1 ?\<1 HAD BE5 !N4 ,?IS TIME1 ON WAK+ FROM HIS ACCID5T AT WORK1 !RE'D BE5 A MOM5T :5 ,MICK'S M9D WAS F> FROM BLANK2 A MOM5T 9 :I* ,MICK HAD SUDD5LY REMEMB]$ QUITE A LOT4 ,! PROBLEM WAS ?AT 9 ?OSE FIR/ FEW PANICK$ SECONDS ( RECOV]$ CONSCI\SNESS1 HIS SUDD5 RU% ( MEMORIES HAD NOT BE5 ?OSE BELONG+ TO A =TY-N9E-YE>-OLD4 ,HE HADN'T EV5 KN[N ?AT WAS HIS AGE1 HAD NOT /RAI<T AWAY UND]/OOD :AT HE WAS DO+ 9 ?IS OP5 Y>D ) /EEL DRUMS EV]Y:]E4 ,HE HADN'T ?\<T IMM$IATELY ( ,CA?Y1 OR ! KIDS1 OR ( ! MANY O!R REF]5CE PO9TS TO :I*1 9 NORMAL CIRCUM/ANCES1 HE HAD AN*OR$ HIS ID5TITY4 ,IT WAS1 9 ?OSE BEFUDDL$ 9/ANTS1 JU/ AS IF ! LA/ F\R-DECADES-PLUS-*ANGE ( HIS LIFE HAD NEV] HAPP5$4 ,IT WAS AS ?\< HE W]E ONCE AGA9 A ?REE-YE>-OLD AWAK5+ 9 #aiei D[N AT ! ,G5]AL ,HOSPITAL1 EXCEPT ?IS TIME HE'D BE5 A ?REE-YE>-OLD :O C\LD REMEMB] :AT HAD HAPP5$ TO HIM4 

,ALL ! DETAILS ( ! 9CID5T 9 ! BACK G>D5 ?AT HAD BE5 WIP$ FROM HIS MEMORY AS A *ILD HAD1 AFT] MORE ?AN =TY YE>S1 BE5 GIV5 BACK4 ,GRANT$1 !Y'D BE5 RETURN$ 9 A COMPRESS$ & JUMBL$ =M ?AT MA9LY MANIFE/$ AS A VAGUE UNEASY FEEL+1 BUT IF ,MICK JU/ SAT & ?\<T IT ?R\< HE FELT CONV9C$ ?AT HE'D BE ABLE TO UNTANGLE IT1 TO PICK ?IS S5SE ( BE+ HAUNT$ ?AT HE HAD AP>T LIKE SO MU* Y>N4 ,HE CLOS$ HIS EYES1 AS MU* TO /OP !M /++ AS TO AID HIS REV]IE4 ,HE SAW ! Y>D1 SAW ! OLD /ABLE ?AT WAS VISIBLE ACROSS A FIVE-FOOT-HI< BACK WALL1 ITS RO( ) ! BLACK GAPS :]E SLATES W]E MISS+ LIKE A CROSSWORD PUZZLE BLANK4 ,! S(A'S CU%IONS UND]NEA? HIM W]E ,DORE5'S LAP1 & ITS H>D & BONY WOOD5 $GE H] KNEES4 ,HE SANK 9TO ! W>M ANCE/RAL D\< )\T ! SLI<TE/ DIFFICULTY OR RESI/ANCE AS ! SPACI\S LIV+ ROOM SURR\ND+ HIM CONTRACT$ TO A N>R[ BRICK 5CLOSURE1 ) ! BACKSIDES ( ! T]RAC$ H\SES RIS+ UP TO RI<T & LEFT1 A RAGG$ PAT* ( WA%$-\T BLUE SKY OV]HEAD4 

,! ,BOR\<S HAD BE5 AN 5TIRELY DIFF]5T PLACE BACK !N1 ?AT SMELL$ & LOOK$ & S\ND$ NO?+ LIKE ! ABATTOIR ( HOPE & JOY IT WAS TODAY4 ,ADMITT$LY1 ! ODOR ( ! NEI<BORHOOD HAD BE5 MU* WORSE 9 ?OSE DAYS1 OR AT LEA/ 9 ! MO/ LIT]AL & OBVI\S S5SE4 ,!RE'D BE5 A TANN]Y JU/ NOR? ALONG ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 ) GREAT M\NDS ( MY/]I\S TURQUOISE %AV+S PIL$ UP 9 ITS Y>D & A %>P *EMICAL >OMA LIKE C>C9OG5IC PE> DROPS4 ,?IS CAME FROM ! NOXI\S BLUE SUB/ANCE PA9T$ ON ! %EEPSK9S TO BURN \T ALL ! HAIR FOLLICLES & MAKE ! WOOL COATS ?AT MU* EASI] TO PULL1 & WASN'T HALF AS BAD AS ! SMELL COM+ FROM ! S\?1 :I* ISSU$ FROM A R5D]+ PLANT1 A GLUE FACTORY ON ,/4 ,PET]'S ,WAY4 ,! WE/ W9D BR\<T A P]FUME ( SCOR*$ 5G9E OIL BL[N FROM ! RAILWAY ) AN IRON AFT]TA/E ( AN?RACITE FROM ! COAL M]*ANTS1 ,WIGG9S1 JU/ ACROSS ! ROAD1 :ILE FROM ! OPPOSITE DIRECTION :5 ! DAWN SUN ROSE ABOVE ! /ABLE'S LEAK+ RO(TOP IT W\LD LIFT ! RI* SC5TS FROM ! ,BOR\<S' /REETS !MSELVES1 WAFT+ !M D[NHILL FROM ! EA/ 9 AN OLFACTORY AVALAN*E3 ! /EAMY HUMAN ESS5CE PIP+ FROM A HUNDR$ COPP] BOIL]S1 GOOD FOOD1 BAD FOOD1 DOG FOOD & DOG C>CASSES1 BRICK DU/ & WILD FL[]S1 RANCID DRA9S & SOMEONE'S *IMNEYPOT ON FIRE4 ,HOT T> 9 SUMM]1 ! A/R+5T SMELL ( FRO/Y GRASS 9 W9T]1 ALL ( ?IS & !N ! ,RIV] ,N5E ON TOP1 ITS COLD & GRE5 B\QUET DRIFT+ FROM ,PADDY'S ,MEAD[ JU/ ALONG ! WAY4 ,!SE DAYS ! ,BOR\<S HAD NO DI/9CT FRAGRANCE ?AT ! NOSE C\LD ASC]TA91 & YET 9 ! IMAG9$ CILIA ( ! HE>T IT REEK$4 

,AS = ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD ITSELF1 OR AT LEA/ AS F> AS !IR LITTLE /RIP ( IT HAD BE5 CONC]N$1 ?AT WAS JU/ GONE1 REPLAC$ BY A GRASS V]GE ?AT H>BOR$ A FEW TREES & ! ODD ORNAM5TAL %OPP+ TROLLEY1 /RET*$ BETWE5 ! FOOT ( ,SPR+ ,LANE & ! FOOT ( ,SC>LETWELL4 ,!RE'D BE5 TWELVE H\SES !RE1 TWO OR ?REE BUS9ESSES1 ,GOD KN[S H[ MANY PEOPLE ON A PLOT ?AT N[ SEEM$ TO BE ! SOLE PROV9CE ( ! UPTURN$ MOBILE BIRDCAGES1 ! COLD & H>D PROVID]S ( ?REE G5]ATIONS' PACKAG$ SU/5ANCE SPRAWL+ !RE 9 ! WE$S LIKE OBSOLETE WIRE MUMMIES ?AT ! LAB *IMPS HAD AT LA/ LO/ 9T]E/ 94 

,SITT+ !RE ON ! S(A 9 HIS ,K+/HORPE LIV+ ROOM HE LET HIS M9D TRICKLE AWAY D[N VANI%$ CONDUITS & LO/ LANES TO SOAK 9TO ! PA/4 ,HE SAW ! N>R[ JITTY ?AT RAN P>ALLEL ) ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 UP PA/ ! BACK Y>DS ( ! R[1 A SOLIT>Y DISUS$ GAS LAMP HALFWAY D[N ITS L5G?4 ,= SOME YE>S AFT] ALL ! H\SES W]E DEMOLI%$ Y\ C\LD /ILL MAKE \T ! COBBLES ( ! OBSOLETE BACK ALLEY AS !Y BULG$ UP ?R\< ! TURF2 ! SAWN-?R\< BASE ( ! OLD LAMP /&>D1 A RAGG$-$G$ IRON R+ 9SIDE :I* ! CROSS-SECTION BORES ( SMALL] WIRES & PIPES HAD /ILL BE5 VISIBLE1 ! NECK-/UMP ( A BURI$ & DECAPITAT$ ROBOT4 ,?IS WAS GONE N[1 SWALL[$ BY ! GRASS1 OR BY ! BULG+ F5CE ?AT RAN ALONG ! BOTTOM ( ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL'S PLAY+ FIELD1 ?IS B\ND>Y HAV+ CRAWL$ A LITTLE TO ! WE/ )9 ! ?IRTY YE>S OR SO S9CE HIS HOME /REET HAD BE5 PULL$ D[N & ITS 9HABITANTS /REWN TO ! W9D4 ,!RE WAS NOBODY LEFT :O C\LD OBJECT OR HALT ! PLAY+ FIELD'S 5CROA*M5T4 ,9 ANO!R TW5TY YE>S ,MICK ?\<T ! W&]+ *A9 L9K B>RI] MI<T HAVE GOT D[N TO ,&REW'S ,ROAD ITSELF1 :]E IT W\LD HAVE TO WAIT BESIDE ! CURB = A FEW C5TURIES BE=E IT CROSS$4 

,! ROAD1 NAM$ AFT] ! ,/4 ,&REW'S ,PRIORY ?AT HAD /OOD ALONG ITS NOR!RN1 ,SEMILONG 5D LONG BE=E1 HAD ONCE BE5 ! T[N'S WE/]N B\ND>Y4 ,?IS WAS 9 ! TWELVE-HUNDR$S1 :5 ! >EA CALL$ ! ,BOR\<S N[ WAS !N ,NOR?AMPTON1 ALL !RE WAS ( IT4 ,! LOCALS & ! ,BA*EL]IE DI ,NOR?AMPTON - ! NOTORI\SLY RADICAL & MON>*-BAIT+ /UD5T POPULATION ( ! T[N - HAD SID$ ) ,SIMON DE ,MONT=T & HIS REBEL B>ONS AGA9/ ,K+ ,H5RY ! ,?IRD & ! F\R DOZ5 WEAL?Y BURGESSES :O HAD BE5 GOV]N+ ! PLACE = FIFTY YE>S S9CE ,MAGNA ,C>TA1 CREAM+ (F ITS PR(ITS1 & W]E =]UNN]S ( ! /ILL =TY-EI<T-/RONG C\NCIL ?AT WAS RUNN+ ?+S TODAY1 9 #b#e4 ,BACK !N 9 ! #a#b#fS1 AN IRATE ,K+ ,H5RY HAD S5T \T A =CE ( SOLDI]S TO QUELL ! REVOLT ) EXTREME PREJUDICE4 ,! PRIOR ( ,/4 ,&REW'S1 BE+ ( ! ,CLUNIAC ORD] & ?US BE+ ,FR5*1 HAD SID$ ) ! ,NORMAN ROYAL FAMILY & LET ! ,K+'S M5 5T] ?R\< A GAP )9 ! PRIORY WALL1 PROBABLY MORE OR LESS ACROSS ! /REET FROM :]E ! ,W>R5S' H\SE HAD LAT] /OOD4 ,! TROOPS HAD SACK$ & BURN$ ! PREVI\SLY PROSP]\S & PLEASANT T[N1 :ILE 9 REACTION TO ! RABBLE-R\S+ /UD5TS IT HAD BE5 DECID$ ?AT IT W\LD BE ,CAMBRIDGE ?AT BECAME A SEAT ( LE>N+1 RA!R ?AN ,NOR?AMPTON4 ,AS ,MICK SAW ?+S1 ?AT WAS :]E ! PUNI%M5T & DIS5FRAN*ISEM5T ( HIS HOME TURF HAD />T$1 KICK+ (F A PROCESS ?AT CONT9U$ TO ! PRES5T DAY4 ,REFUSE JU/ ONCE TO EAT ! %IT ?AT Y\'VE BE5 S]V$ UP & ! P[]S ?AT BE WILL MAKE SURE !RE'S A D\BLE HELP+ /EAM+ ON Y\R PLATE AT EV]Y SUPP] = ! NEXT EI<T HUNDR$ YE>S4 

,?AT DAY 9 #aiei ! DI/RICT HAD BE5 SPREAD \T LIKE A MU/Y BLANKET ON ! SUMM]1 /ALKS ( BLEA*+ GRASS POK$ ?R\< ITS ?READB>E WEAVE4 ,! FACTORIES CLANG$ AT 9T]VALS OR SPRAY$ ACETYL5E SP>KS 9 BRIEF1 %E>+ >CS BEH9D SMOK$ ,P]SPEX W9D[S4 ,M>T9S *ATT]$ 9 ! BAK+ EAVES TO EI!R SIDE ( TILT+ /REETS :]E WOM5 9 *ECK$ HEADSC>VES TROTT$ /OICALLY ALONG B5EA? !IR PANNI]S ( %OPP+2 :]E OLD M5 AT T5 PA/ ?REE W]E /ILL ATTEMPT+ TO GET HOME1 DIZZY ) DOM9OES1 FROM !IR QUICK LUN*TIME HALF D[N AT ! ,SPORTSMAN'S ,>MS4 ,! S*OOL UPHILL ACROSS ! YELL[$ PLAY+ FIELD1 DES]T$ = ! HOLIDAYS1 WAS DEAF5+LY SIL5T ) ! NON-%RIEKS ( TWO HUNDR$ ABS5T *ILDR54 ,IT HAD BE5 A H>MLESS1 PLEASANT AFT]NOON4 ,! T[] BLOCKS HADN'T BE5 ]ECT$ YET4 ,! S&-BLOND FILM ( DEMOLITION DU/ COAT+ ! NEI<BORHOOD EVOK$ ONLY ! SEASON & ! BEA*4 

,! :OLE FRONT ( ! T]RAC$ H\SE HAD BE5 DES]T$1 ,MICK'S DAD ,TOMMY BE+ (F AT WORK OV] ! BREW]Y 9 ,E>L'S ,B>TON & ! O!R FAMILY MEMB]S \T 9 ! BACK Y>D TAK+ ADVANTAGE ( ! WEA!R4 ,FROM ! SMOO?-WORN PAVEM5T ( ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 ?REE /EPS L$ UP 9TO ! ALCOVE C[L+ ! TIR$ R$ ( !IR FRONT DOOR1 A BLACK IRON BOOT-SCRAPE1 :I* ,MICK HADN'T FA?OM$ ! 9T5D$ FUNCTION ( UNTIL HE WAS APPROXIMATELY T51 SET BACK 9TO ! WALL BESIDE ! BOTTOM DOOR/EP4 ,TO ! DOOR'S RI<T1 AS SE5 BY A VISITOR1 !RE WAS ! FRAM$ WIRE GRID AT PAVEM5T LEVEL V5TILAT+ ! PIT*-D>K COAL CELL>1 & ABOVE ?AT WAS ! FRONT ROOM W9D[ ) ! *9A SWAN GAZ+ DISCONSOLATELY \T AT ,WIGG9S'S Y>D1 ! RU/-&-B9DWE$ RAILWAY SID+S /RET*$ BEYOND & ! OCCASIONAL PASS+ C>4 ,LEFT ( ! FRONT DOOR WAS A MUTUAL DRA9PIPE & !N ! FRONT DOOR & W9D[S ( ,MRS4 ,MC,GE>Y'S H\SE1 :I* HAD A FRAY$ & PEEL+ WOOD5 GATE BESIDE IT GIV+ ACCESS TO ! COBBL$ Y>D & ! DILAPIDAT$ /ABLES AT ! RE>4 

,ONCE UP ! /EPS & 9SIDE NUMB] SEV5TE51 !RE WAS ! PLA9 COCONUT DOORMAT & ! PASSAGEWAY1 ) <O/LY O*] FL[]S FAD+ 9TO OBLIVION ON ITS WALLPAP] & A FLYPAP]-COLOR$ LI<T FALL+ UPON ITS WOR/$-BURD5$ COAT PEGS4 ,! FIR/ DOOR UPON ! RI<T L$ TO ! !N-EVACUAT$ FRONT ROOM ) ITS POND]\S GR&FA!R CLOCK1 ITS HORSEHAIR SETTEE & ITS EASY *AIR1 ITS P>AFF9 /OVE & ITS POLI%$ CAB9ET ( FANCY CROCK]Y ?AT NO ONE EV] US$1 ITS TABLE MAT-SIZ$ R5T$ TELEVISION ) A CAB9ET-/YLE SET ( DOORS ?AT CLOS$ ACROSS ! SCRE54 ,! SECOND (F%OOT FROM ! PASSAGE L$ 9TO ! SIMIL>LY EMPTY LIV+ ROOM1 :ILE /RAI<T 9 FRONT ( Y\ ! /AIRS ROSE TO ! UPP] FLOOR1 C>PET$ ) A WRI?+ BR[N DESIGN ?AT LOOK$ LIKE CATK9S MADE FROM ,*RI/MAS PUDD+4 ,! TOP /ORY ( ! OLD H\SE HAD GOT HIS & ,ALMA'S ROOM T[>DS ! RE> UP AT ! /AIRWAY'S TOP1 !N UP ONE SIDEWAYS /EP ONTO ! L&+ :]E !IR GRAN'S ROOM LIKEWISE OV]LOOK$ ! N>R[ ,L-%APE ( ! SEMI-TIL$ BACK Y>D1 ) ,TOM & ,DORE5'S ROOM1 ! BIGGE/ 9 ! H\SE1 BE+ ALONG ! L&+'S 5D1 ITS W9D[S OV]LOOK+ ,&REW'S ,ROAD ABOVE ! ONES D[N/AIRS ) ! RESIGN$ :ITE *9A SWAN4 ,?IS UPP] LEVEL1 BE+ MO/LY UN9HABIT$ BY DAY1 HE'D ?\<T ( AS HIS HOME'S NI<T-/ORY1 L5D+ IT A SLI<TLY S9I/] & CREEPY AIR4 ,:5EV] HE'D HAD *ILDHOOD NI<TM>ES ?AT HAD US$ HIS [N H\SE AS !IR SET1 ! SC>IE/ BITS HAD ALWAYS TAK5 PLACE UP/AIRS4 

,! GR\ND FLOOR WAS TOO COZY TO BE FRI<T5+1 DESPITE ! %AD[S 9 ! G5]ALLY SUNLESS KIT*5 & ?OSE 9 ! LIV+ ROOM1 JU/ (F ! GLOOMY HALL4 ,H]E SPACE WAS AT A PREMIUM1 OCCUPI$ BY ! DROP-W+ D9+ TABLE ) TWO MAT*+ SEATS1 A /OOL & RUGG$ WOOD *AIR MAK+ UP ! SET4 ,TWO COMFY >M*AIRS 7ONE ( :I* ,MICK'S C\S9 ,JOHN HAD FALL5 BACK \T ?R\< ! W9D[ FROM YE>S E>LI]7 FLANK$ ! METEORIC-LOOK+ IRON FIREPLACE 79TO :I* ,JOHN'S SI/] ,EILE5 HAD PLUNG$ FACE FIR/ AT >\ND ! SAME TIME71 ) ! T9Y ROOM ALSO ACCOMMODAT+ ! L>GE JUNK-S>COPHAGUS ?AT WAS ! SIDEBO>D4 ,A /EPP$ PLA/] BEAD+1 ONCE PRESUMABLY 9T5D$ TO BE DECORATIVE1 RAN R\ND ! $GES ( ! CEIL+ & CONSPIR$ TO MAKE ! RO( SEEM EV5 L[] ?AN IT DID ALREADY4 ,HANG+ FROM ! PICTURE RAIL ( ! WALL OPPOSITE ! HE>? W]E WA%$-\T PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHS 9 HEAVY FRAMES1 BEIGE & :ITE IMAGES DEPICT+ M5 ) KN[+ GR9S & BRI<T EYES GAZ+ FROM B5EA? ! ?ICKETS ( !IR BR[S3 ,MICK'S GREAT-GR&FA!R ,WILLIAM ,MALL>D1 & HIS GRAN'S LATE HUSB&1 ,MICK'S MAT]NAL GR&FA!R ,JOE ,SWAN ) ! MU/A*E ?AT APPE>$ WID] ?AN HIS %\LD]S4 ,!RE WAS A ?IRD PICTURE ALSO1 ( ANO!R MAN1 BUT ,MICK HAD NEV] BO!R$ ASK+ :O IT WAS & NOBODY HAD EV] BO!R$ TELL+ HIM4 ,9/EAD1 HE CALL$ TO M9D ! FACE ( ! ANONYM\S *AP 9 ! PICTURE AS A /&-9 IF SOMEBODY M5TION$ A DEAD RELATIVE HE HADN'T KN[N4 ,ONE WEEK ! MAN MI<T BE ,GRAN'S BRO!R1 ,UNCLE ,CECIL1 & ! NEXT HE C\LD BE ,C\S9 ,B]N>D1 DR[N$ DUR+ ! W> :IL/ TRY+ TO RESCUE O!RS FROM A S9K+ BATTLE%IP4 ,= A BEWILD]+ =TNI<T HE'D BE5 ,NEVILLE ,*AMB]LA9 BE=E ,MICK HAD WORK$ \T ?AT ! ,HITL]-APPEAS+ =M] PREMI] WASN'T A CLOSE RELATIVE4 

,CUT 9TO ! DIVID+ WALL BETWE5 ! FRONT & LIV+ ROOMS !RE WAS A RECESS :I* CONTA9$ A S+LE PANEL ( /A9$ GLASS1 A FLORAL EMBLEM 9 BRI<T YELL[1 EM]ALD GRE51 & R$ LIKE RUBY PORT4 ,SOME EV5+S >\ND TEATIME1 :5 ! SUN WAS GO+ D[N BEH9D ! RAILWAY Y>DS ACROSS ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 AN ALMO/-HORIZONTAL %AFT W\LD /RIKE 9 ?R\< ! P>LOR W9D[1 GLANCE ACROSS ! DIPP$ HEAD ( ! *9A SWAN & BLAZE ?R\< ! CONNECT+ PANE ( COLOR$ GLASS 9TO ! DIM-LIT LIV+ ROOM TO SPLA% ITS M>VEL\S & TREMBL+ PAT* ( PHANTOM PA9T UPON ! BL&-FAC$ WIRELESS1 WALL-M\NT$ BETWE5 ! BACK-Y>D W9D[ & ! KIT*5 DOOR4 

,! POKY KIT*5 ) ITS :ITE DI/EMP]$ WALLS & *ILLY BLUE & R$ SLABS MAK+ UP ITS FLOOR WAS D[N A %ORT /EP FROM ! LIV+ ROOM4 ,DESC5D+ ?IS1 Y\ HAD ! CELL> DOOR ON Y\R IMM$IATE LEFT1 A RU/$ MEAT-SAFE /OOD BEH9D IT !RE ATOP ! CELL> /AIRS4 ,UPON Y\R RI<T WAS ! BACK DOOR :I* L$ \T TO ! TOP HALF ( ! Y>D1 ) JU/ BEYOND A CO>SE /ONE S9K SPORT+ A S+LE BRASS COLD-WAT] TAP1 9LAID ) V]DIGRIS1 B5EA? A SOLIT>Y W9D[4 ,OPPOSITE HAD /OOD ! GAS-/OVE1 ! OLD WOODWORM-RIDDL$ KIT*5 TABLE & ! TREA*]\S MANGLE1 & ABOVE !M1 FROM A NAIL1 HAD HUNG ! ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL Z9C BA? ?AT ! FAMILY US$ = ITS V>I\S ABLUTIONS4 ,:5 REQUIR$ ?IS W\LD BE HALF-FILL$ ) HOT WAT] FROM ! COPP] BOIL]1 A GUNMETAL-COLOR$ CYL9D] PIMPL$ ) COND5SATION AT ! ROOM'S F> 5D1 NEXT TO ! BO>D$-UP & UNUS$ KIT*5 FIREPLACE4 ,MICK REMEMB]$ ! %ORT WOOD5 POLE ?AT W\LD BE PROPP$ BESIDE ! COPP] = ! PURPOSES ( /IRR+ UP ! SIMM]+ LAUNDRY1 ONE 5D WAT]LOGG$ & BLUNT$ BY P]PETUAL USE1 ITS GRA9 & FIB]S TURN$ TO CORPSE-PALE SLIME & GIV5 A CYANIC T+E BY ! DEPLOYM5T ( EXCESSIVE ,RECKITT'S ,BLUE1 A SMALL CLO? BAG ( SAPPHIRE DYE DROPP$ 9 AMONG ! WA%+ TO 5SURE ?AT %IRTS & %EETS LOOK$ ICEB]G-:ITE4 ,HE C\LD REMEMB] %ELVES ?AT W]5'T MU* MORE ?AN GRUBBY PLANKS ON BRACKETS1 B[+ ) ! WEI<T ( SAUCEPANS1 IRON FRY+ PANS1 ! PUDD+ BAS9 ?AT CONTA9$ A CL\DY AMB] PUDDLE ( SOLIDIFY+ DRIPP+ 9 ITS R\ND$ DEP?S ) !IR MOSAIC CRAQUELURE4 

,UPON ! DAY 9 QUE/ION1 ,MICK'S GRAN ,CL>A HAD BE5 WORK+ QUIETLY & ME?ODICALLY \T 9 ! KIT*51 JUGGL+ SEV]AL TASKS AT ONCE ! WAY ?AT %E'D BE5 TAU<T TO :5 %E WORK$ 9 S]VICE4 ,CL>A ,SWAN1 :O'D DI$ NOT F> 9TO ! #a#i#gS1 W\LD HAVE BE5 9 H] E>LY SIXTIES !N1 BUT TO H] GR&*ILDR5 HAD ALWAYS SEEM$ AS ANCI5T & AU?ORITATIVE AS A BIBLICAL PAPYRUS4 ,:AT %E LACK$ 9 HEI<T %E MADE UP = 9 BE>+1 UPRI<T TO ! PO9T :]E NO ONE NOTIC$ ?AT %E WASN'T TALL4 ,%E /OOD /RAI<T LIKE AN IVORY *ESSPIECE1 SCUFF$ BY YE>S ( T\RNAM5TS2 WAS AS IMPASSIVE & AS PATI5T & AS PURPOSEFUL4 ,ALWAYS A SP>E & SL5D] WOMAN 9 H] IRON-EY$ Y\?FUL PHOTOGRAPHS1 BY #aiei %E'D BE5 MORE /ICK-LIKE1 ! LONG SILV] HAIR ?AT HUNG BEL[ H] WAI/ B\ND UP 9 A NEAT BUN4 ,! BROOM/ICK SP9E TOPP$ ) GRAY WOOL GAVE H] ! AURA ( A MOP1 IF MOPS W]E SE5 AS ?+S ( SIMPLE DIGNITY1 AS 5DLESSLY RELIABLE 9 !IR UTILITY1 W]E AS REV]$ AS SCEPT]S & NOT TREAT$ AS A L[LY H\SEHOLD OBJECT F\ND MO/ (T5 9 ! KIT*54 

,NUMB] SEV5TE5 WAS ,CL>A'S H\SE1 ) H] NAME ON ! R5T-BOOK1 & %E RUL$ IT UNOBTRUSIVELY4 ,%E NEV] LAID ! LAW D[N & %E DIDN'T NE$ TO4 ,EV]YBODY KNEW ALREADY :]E H] L9ES W]E DRAWN1 & W\LDN'T DREAM ( CROSS+ !M4 ,H] P[] WAS A LESS OBVI\S & ULTIMATELY MORE IMPRESSIVE K9D ?AN ?AT WIELD$ BY ,MAY1 ,MICK'S NAAN1 HIS O!R GR&MO!R4 ,MAY ,W>R5 HAD BE5 AN 9TIMIDAT+ RH9O ( A WOMAN :O W\LD GET H] WAY ?R\< W>N+ GR[LS & ?REAT5$ SLAPS & :AT 9 G5]AL WAS A BULLY+ DEMEANOR4 ,:IP-?9 ,CL>A ,SWAN1 BY CONTRA/1 NEV] RAIS$ H] VOICE1 & NEV] ?REAT5$4 ,%E JU/ ACT$1 SWIFTLY & EFFICI5TLY4 ,:5 ,ALMA AT ! AGE ( TWO1 ALREADY MORE FOOLH>DY & IMPETU\S ?AN ANYBODY ELSE )9 ! H\SEHOLD1 HAD DECID$ TO TRY BIT+ ,CL>A1 ,MICK'S GR&MO!R HADN'T %\T$ OR ANN\NC$ A SMACK+4 ,%E'D JU/ BITT5 ,ALMA'S %\LD]1 H>D 5\< TO PI]CE ! SK9 & H>D 5\< TO 5SURE ?AT ,MICK'S SI/] NEV]1 EV] TRI$ AGA9 TO KILL SOMEONE BY EAT+ !M4 ,IF ONLY1 HE REFLECT$1 %E'D CUR$ ,ALMA ( ! /RANGL+ AS WELL4 ,OR ! ATTEMPTS ) POISON GAS1 AS :5 ,ALMA P]SUAD$ H] Y\NG BRO!R TO /AY ) H] 9 ! KIT*5 :ILE %E LIT A MU/>D-YELL[ %>D ( SULFUR4 ,OR H] PYGMY HEADHUNT] APPROA*1 LIKE :5 %E'D %OT HIM ) ?AT BL[PIPE D>T4 ,NO1 REALLY4 ,MICK SUPPOS$1 9 FAIRNESS1 ?AT EV5 HIS GRANNY'S ME?ODS ( BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION HAD !IR LIMITS4 ,CL>A HAD BE5 9 ! KIT*5 ON ?AT DR[SY AFT]NOON1 BE5 %R$D+ SUET1 BAK+ A BREAD PUDD+1 BOIL+ H&K]*IEFS & %UFFL+ BACK & =? FROM ONE TASK TO ANO!R UNCOMPLA9+LY1 ALONE !RE ) ! >OMATIC BOGEY BRO?4 ,! BADLY-FITT+ BACK DOOR1 HANG+ OP5 ON ?IS F9E DAY TO AIR \T ! H\SE1 ALL[$ ! *AT & BABBLE ( H] DAU<T] ,DORE5 & ! *ILDR5 TO COME FLOAT+ 9 TO ,CL>A FROM :]E !Y'D BE5 SITT+ JU/ \TSIDE1 ON ! SLIM DRAU<TBO>D /RIP ( CRACK$ P9K & BLUE TILES ?AT =M$ ! UPP] LEVEL ( ! H\SE'S CRAMP$ BACK G>D54 

,SITT+ N[ 9 HIS /ILL1 RELATIVELY SPACI\S ,K+/HORPE P>LOR1 /++ FROM HIS HONORABLY-)DRAW+-NOT-RETREAT+ HAIRL9E TO HIS DIMPL$ *91 HE TRI$ TO RECONCILE ! CLUTT]$ CONF9ES ( HIS *ILDHOOD ) ! /REAML9$ ,T,V ,C5TURY #ba SURR\ND+S ( HIS CURR5T MIDDLE-AGE4 ,MICK LOOK$ ONCE MORE AT ! REFLECTION ( HIS RAW FACE 9 ! GLASS FRONT ( ! CAB9ET1 DECID+ ON ! /R5G? ( HIS DISA/]-/RUCK COMPLEXION ?AT HE MU/ BE ,CAPTA9 ,SC>LET4 ,HE TRI$ FITT+ ! MO/LY CONT5T$ ADULT HE'D BECOME ) ! UNSPEAKABLY CONT5T$ ?REE-YE>-OLD HE'D BE5 & F\ND ?AT ! CONNECTION WAS SURPRIS+LY SMOO? & CONT9U\S1 ,MICK'S RECOLLECTION ( HIS Y\NG SELF NEI!R CL\D$ BY UNHAPP9ESS NOR TA9T$ BY ?AT SORRY WI/FULNESS HE SOMETIMES HE>D 9 O!RS' VOICES :5 !Y TALK$ AB\T !IR BOYHOOD DAYS4 ,LIFE HAD BE5 GOOD !N1 LIFE WAS GOOD N[4 ,IT WAS JU/ ?AT LIFE WAS DIFF]5T1 9 ?AT IT WAS BE+ SE5 ?R\< DIFF]5T EYES1 BE+ EXP]I5C$ BY A DIFF]5T P]SON1 ALMO/4 

,! MO/ /RIK+ ?+ AB\T ! PA/1 AT LEA/ AS ,MICK REMEMB]$ IT1 WAS NOT ! OBVI\S DIFF]5CE 9 H[ PEOPLE DRESS$1 OR :AT !Y DID1 OR ! TE*NOLOGY !Y DID IT )4 ,IT WAS SOME?+ MORE DIFFICULT TO GRASP OR PUT A NAME TO1 ?AT BY TURN DELI<TFUL & UNSETTL+ S5SE ( /RANG5ESS ?AT CAME OV] HIM ON H&L+ =GOTT5 PHOTOGRAPHS1 OR SUDD5LY RECALL+ SOME P>TICUL>LY VIVID REM9ISC5CE4 ,IT W\LD COME TO HIM AS ! WEAK FLAVOR ( A FLEET+ ATMOSPH]E1 AN UNRECOV]ABLE MOOD1 AS S+UL> & AS SPECIFIC TO ITS PLACE & TIME AS ! DAY'S WEA!R OR ! %APES ITS CL\DS MADE1 JU/ ?AT ONCE1 NEV] TO BE REPEAT$4 ,HE SUPPOS$ ?AT ! PECULI> QUALITY ?AT HE ATTEMPT$ TO DESCRIBE WAS NO MORE ?AN ! />TL+ TEXTURE ( ! PA/1 ! WAY IT MI<T FEEL %\LD Y\ BRU% Y\R MEMORY'S F+]TIPS ACROSS ITS NAP4 ,IT WAS ! GRA9 ( HIS EXP]I5CE1 COMPOS$ FROM AN UNC\NTABLE >RAY ( UNIQUE :ORLS & BUMPS1 FROM ALMO/ 9DISC]NIBLY PROTRUD+ DETAIL4 ,! /R+ NETT+ ( ! DECOMPOS+ DI%CLO? HUNG BY ! BACK DOOR1 /IFF5$ & DRI$ 9TO A P]MAN5TLY T5T$ ELB[ %APE1 P]FUM$ BY DIRTY WAT] & W>M HAM4 ,! F+]-SIZ$ HOLES 9 ! BLOCKS ?AT $G$ ,GRAN'S Y>D-WIDE FL[]B$1 BESIDE ! FAD$ R$ & BLUE *ECK ( ! PA?4 ,A SECRET ANT-NE/ GNAW$ 9TO ! CRUMBL+ CEM5T BETWE5 TWO C\RSES ( ! KIT*5 WALL1 BESIDE ! /EPS ?AT L$ D[N TO A L[] LEVEL ( !IR CLOS$-9 Y>D4 ,?AT AFT]NOON !RE'D BE5 ! SMELL ( SUN-BAK$ BRICK1 BLACK SOIL1 ! T9NY SC5T ( REC5T RA94 

,N[ ?AT HE ?\<T AB\T IT1 NOT )\T A FA9T VE/IGIAL FLICK] ( RES5TM5T1 ! 5TIRE LIFE-?REAT5+ 9CID5T ?AT HAD OCCURR$ 9 ! BACK Y>D ?AT DAY HAD BE5 AS A DIRECT RESULT ( BE+ POOR4 ,IF HE'D NOT BE5 ONE ( ! (FSPR+ ( ! ,BOR\<S !N HE W\LDN'T HAVE BE5 SITT+ ON HIS MO!R'S LAP 9 ! SUNLIT BACK Y>D SUCK+ ! NE>LY-LE?AL C\<-DROP 9 ! FIR/ PLACE4 

,MICK - OR ,MI*AEL AS HE'D BE5 !N - HAD BE5 SUFF]+ FROM AN 9FLAM$ GULLET = AB\T A WEEK BE=E ?AT PO9T4 ,:5 ,DORE5'S HOMEMADE REM$Y ( BUTT]-KNOBS ?AT HAD BE5 ROLL$ 9 CA/] SUG> FAIL$ TO WORK1 %E'D WRAPP$ HIM UP & TAK5 HIM D[N ,BROAD ,/REET1 (F ! ,MAYORHOLD1 TO ! SURG]Y ( ,DR4 ,GRAY4 ,?\< NEI!R ,MICK NOR ANY ( HIS FAMILY HAD ?\<T AB\T IT !N1 HE UND]/OOD N[ ?AT ! DOCTORS :O HAD T5D$ TO HIS NEI<BORHOOD MU/ HAVE RES5T$ EV]Y M9UTE ( !IR UNREW>D$1 UNDI/+UI%$ TOIL 9 M9I/]+ TO SU* A L[LY & B5I<T$ >EA4 ,!Y'D ALMO/ C]TA9LY BE WORK+ H>D] ?AN !IR MORE ILLU/RI\S COLLEAGUES1 JU/ BY VIRTUE ( ! ,BOR\<S BE+ :AT IT WAS & HAV+ MORE WAYS PEOPLE C\LD GET ILL4 ,!Y MU/ HAVE COME TO HATE ! SI<T ( ALL ?OSE OV]-ANXI\S MO!RS WE>+ T(FEE-COLOR$ COATS & TEA-T[EL SC>VES1 P>AD+ HALF-BAK$ SNOT-NOS$ *ILDR5 ?R\< !IR PRACTICES AT ! FIR/ SNEEZE4 ,IT MU/ HAVE BE5 ALL !Y C\LD DO TO FEIGN AN 9T]E/ 9 ! :EEZ+ BRAT = ! FIVE M9UTES ?AT IT W\LD BE 9 !IR (FICE4 ,?AT WAS CLE>LY ! APPROA* ?AT ,DR4 ,GRAY HAD TAK5 ) ,DORE5 & ,MICK ?AT TIME4 ,HE'D %ONE A TOR* D[N ,MI*AEL'S C>M9E & 9FLAT$ GULLET1 GRUNT$ ONCE & MADE HIS DIAGNOSIS4 

0,IT'S A SORE ?ROAT4 ,GIVE HIM C\<-SWEETS40 

,MICK'S MOM W\LD HAVE NO D\BT NODD$ GRAVELY & COMPLIANTLY4 ,?IS WAS A DOCTOR SPEAK+1 :O'D HAD TRA9+ & C\LD WRITE 9 ,LAT94 ,?IS WAS SOMEONE :O1 BY JU/ A GLANCE AT ! SMALL *ILD %E'D BR\<T 9 ) A POORLY ?ROAT 9 :I* IT WAS EXP]I5C+ SOR5ESS1 HAD SE5 /RAI<T AWAY ?AT ?IS WAS A NE>-TEXTBOOK CASE ( ,SORE ,?ROAT ?AT REQUIR$ IMM$IATE 9T]V5TION FROM A BAG ( ,W9T] ,MIXTURE4 ,N9ETE5-FIFTIES SOCIAL M$IC9E3 IT MU/ HAVE SEEM$ A /EP UP FROM ! DAYS :5 L>YNGITIS W\LD BE DRIV5 \T BY EXORCISM4 ,MICK & ,ALMA'S P>5TS HAD BE5 GRATEFUL = IT1 ANYWAY1 & ,DORE5 W\LD HAVE ?ANK$ ! G5]AL PRACTITION] = HIS ADVICE ) T\*+ E>NE/NESS BE=E %E'D WRE/L$ ,MICK 9TO HIS DUFFLE-COAT & C>RI$ HIM BACK D[N ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 POSSIBLY /OPP+ (F AT ! NEWSAG5T1 ,BOTT]ILL'S ON ! ,MAYORHOLD1 TO BUY ! M$IC9AL CONFECTION]Y ?AT HAD BE5 PRESCRIB$4 

,& ?AT WAS H[ HE'D COME TO BE 9 !IR BACK Y>D1 9 HIS PAJAMAS & HIS SCRAT*Y T>TAN DRESS+ G[N1 SQUIRM+ ON ,DORE5'S LAP :ILE %E P]*$ ON ! CURVE-BACK$ WOOD5 *AIR BR\<T \T 9TO ! G>D5 FROM ! LIV+ ROOM4 ,HIS MOM SAT JU/ B5EA? ! KIT*5 W9D[ ) H] BACK TO IT1 ! RE> LEGS ( H] SEAT AGA9/ ! $G+ ( ! KIT*5 DRA91 A FOOT OR SO ( GUTT] RUNN+ FROM BEL[ ! W9D[ TO A SUNK5 TRAP CLOSE BY ! ANT-NE/1 HIDD5 NE> ! G>D5'S ?REE R\< /EPS4 ,! K+DOM ( ! ANTS HAD BE5 ! PROP]TY ( ,MICK'S BIG SI/]1 &1 AS %E'D EXPLA9$ IT TO HIM AT ! TIME1 WAS H]S BY LEGAL RI<T ( BE+ ELDE/ *ILD4 ,:5 %E WAS PLAY+ ,SODOM & ,GOMORRAH ) ! 9SECTS1 ?\<1 TO GIVE ,ALMA H] DUE1 %E'D LET ,MICK BE A K9D ( WORK-EXP]I5CE AV5G+ ANGEL TO H] M]CILESS ,JEHOVAH4 ,HE'D BE5 PUT 9 *>GE ( R\ND+ UP ESCAPEES FROM ! ,CITIES ON ! ,PLA91 UNTIL ,ALMA HAD FIR$ HIM = PREV5T+ ONE ( HIS SIX-LEGG$ *>GES RUNN+ (F BY HITT+ IT ) HALF A BRICK4 ,HIS SI/]1 :O'D BE5 AT ?AT MOM5T EI!R DR[N+ OR 9C9]AT+ ANTS H]SELF1 HAD TURN$ UPON HIM ) A LOOK ( \TRAGE4 

0,:AT DID Y\ DO ?AT =80 

,LITTLE ,MICK HAD BL9K$ UP AT H] GUILELESSLY4 0,IT KEPT ESCAP+1 SO ,I /UNN$ IT40 

,ALMA1 HALF-BL9D EV5 !N1 HAD SQU9T$ AT ! ANT 9 QUE/ION1 :I* HAD LO/ A :OLE DIM5SION1 & !N SQU9T$ AT H] BRO!R 9 APPALL$ 9COMPREH5SION BE=E /AMP+ (F TO PLAY ALONE 9DOORS4 

,ALMA HAD BE5 AT HOME ?AT AFT]NOON BY VIRTUE ( IT BE+ ! S*OOL HOLIDAYS1 PROBABLY WI%+ %E C\LD BE \T 9 ! P>K OR MEAD[ RA!R ?AN /UCK !RE 9 ! BACK G>D5 ) H] MOM & USELESS CROAK+ BUNDLE ( A BABY BRO!R4 ,:ILE ,DORE5 & ,MICK HAD SAT !RE ON ! UPP] /RIP ( PA?1 ,MICK'S ELD] SI/]1 !N A TUBBY FIVE- OR SIX-YE>-OLD1 HAD BATT$ 5]GETICALLY >\ND ! Y>D'S BRICK CONF9ES LIKE A MO? TRAPP$ 9 A %OEBOX4 ,%E'D RUN UP & D[N ! G>D5'S ?REE /ONE /EPS A DOZ5 TIMES1 H] :ITE KNEES PUMP+ BACK & =? LIKE JUGGL$ DUMPL+S1 !N RAC$ 9 A CIRCLE R\ND ! N9E-FOOT-BY-N9E-FOOT 5CLOSURE1 HALF BRICK PAV+1 HALF COMPRESS$ BLACK DIRT1 ?AT WAS ! BOTTOM ( ! G>D54 ,%E'D HIDD5 FROM NOBODY 9 P>TICUL>1 TWICE 9 !IR \TSIDE TOILET & ONCE 9 ! N>R[ RECTANGLE ( DEAD-5D CONCRETE ALLEYWAY ?AT RAN ALONG ITS SIDE1 ! LEFT-H& SIDE IF Y\ W]E SITT+ ON ! B[L & FAC+ \T4 

,?AT LITTLE %$ ) ITS SLATE RO( - !IR \TDOOR LAVATORY D[N AT ! BOTTOM ( ! Y>D )\T A CI/]N OR ELECTRIC LI<T - HAD BE5 MO/ NOTABLE TO ,MICK AMONG ! ,W>R5 FAMILY'S V>I\S ANTI-/ATUS-SYMBOLS4 ,!IR BACK TOILET1 HE HAD REALIZ$ AT ! AGE ( SIX OR SO1 WAS AN EMB>RASSM5T EV5 )9 A NEI<BORHOOD NOT KN[N = ITS AM5ITIES4 ,EV5 !IR NAAN1 :O LIV$ ON ,GRE5 ,/REET 9 A GAS-LIT H\SE ?AT HAD NO ELECTRICITY AT ALL1 AT LEA/ %E HAD A CI/]N 9 H] LAV4 ,TRIPS TO ! LOO AFT] ! SUN W5T D[N DIDN'T REQUIRE A /UTT]+ ,WEE ,WILLY ,W9KIE C&LE OR A BIG T9 BUCKET FILL$ NE> TO ITS BRIM ) WAT] FROM ! KIT*5 TAP1 ! WAY !Y DID ALONG ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 

,AS A SMALL *ILD1 HE'D HAT$ !IR \TSIDE LAV AFT] D>K & W\LDN'T USE IT1 F> PREF]R+ EI!R JU/ TO HOLD IT 9 OR ELSE USE ! P9K PLA/IC *AMB] POT /UCK UND] HIS & ,ALMA'S B$4 ,= ONE ?+1 HE'D BE5 SLI<TLY BUILT BACK !N1 RA!R ?AN A GREAT HULK+ LUMMOX LIKE HIS SI/]4 ,:]EAS %E C\LD CONFID5TLY CLOMP (F D[N ! G>D5 PA? ) A HUGE SLO%+ BUCKET 9 ONE H& & FLICK]+ NI<T-LI<T 9 ! O!R1 HE C\LD B>ELY LIFT ! BUCKET US+ BO? HIS H&S2 W\LD ONLY HAVE BE5 ABLE TO AFFECT A COMIC /AGG] AS F> AS ! G>D5 /EPS BE=E HE'D SPILL$ ! ICE-COLD WAT] D[N HIS LEG &_/OR SET HIS BLOND CURLS ALI<T ) ! 9CAUTI\S FLAIL+S ( HIS C&LE4 

,ANYWAY1 EV5 IF SOMEH[ BACK !N 9 HIS L>VAL *]UB /AGE HE C\LD HAVE MANAG$ TO SUCCESSFULLY TRANSPORT ! HEAVY PAIL1 !IR Y>D BY NI<T WAS ALT]$1 UNKN[N T]RITORY1 TOO E]IE TO NEGOTIATE ALONE4 ,! GAP-TOO!D /ABLE RO( ACROSS ! BOTTOM WALL WAS A MY/]I\S SLOPE ( SILV] SLATE :]E RU/L+ NI<T-BIRDS CAME & W5T ?R\< ! BLACK AP]TURES4 ,ITS GRAY1 RAM%ACKLE 9CL9E ) ! D&ELIONS & WALLFL[]S /RUGGL+ FROM BETWE5 ITS CRACKS WAS A /EEP RAMP ?AT L$ UP 9TO NI<T4 ,! T9Y FIVE-BY-?REE-FOOT /RET* ( ALLEYWAY BETWE5 ! TOILET & ! G>D5 WALL WAS PL5TY BIG 5\< TO HOLD A <O/1 A WIT* & A GRE5 ,FRANK5/E91 ) LOTS ( ROOM LEFT OV] = ?OSE BLACK & SPIKY IMPS LIKE *>R$ HORSE-*E/NUTS ?AT !RE US$ TO BE 9 ,RUP]T4 ,MICK HAD ALWAYS HAD ! FEEL+1 DUR+ *ILDHOOD1 ?AT ! BACK Y>DS ( ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD BY NI<T W]E PROBABLY A BU/L+ ?OR\<F>E ( <\LS & PHANTOMS1 ?\< ?AT MAY HAVE JU/ BE5 SOME?+ ?AT HIS SI/] TOLD HIM4 ,C]TA9LY1 IT HAD ?AT R+ AB\T IT4 

,IT HAD BE5 ALL V]Y WELL = ,ALMA4 ,NOT ONLY HAD %E BE5 BIG 5\< TO LIFT ! BUCKET1 BUT %E'D ALWAYS BE5 MU*1 MU* TOO COM=TABLE ) ! IDEA ( SPOOK9ESS4 ,IT WAS A QUALITY1 HE ?\<T1 ?AT %E HAD ACTIVELY ASPIR$ TO4 ,NOBODY C\LD 5D UP LIKE ,MICK'S SI/] HAD UNLESS IT WAS ON PURPOSE4 ,HE REMEMB]$ :51 AG$ EI<T1 HE'D HAD A PASSION = COLLECT+ BOX$ BATTALIONS ( M9USCULE ,AIRFIX SOLDI]S3 ,BRITI% ,TOMMIES JU/ TWO C5TIMET]S TALL 9 O*] PLA/IC1 ANT-SIZ$ SNIP]S SPRAWL+ ON !IR BELLIES1 O!RS POS$ ON ONE LEG *>G+ ) FIX$ BAYONETS2 OR ,PRUSSIAN ,9FANTRY 9 BLUI%-GRAY1 FROZ5 9 MID-?R[ ) !IR FUNNY ROLL+-P9 GR5ADES4 ,Y\'D GET A DOZ5 SOLDI]S SPR\T+ FROM EA* WAXY /EM1 FIX$ BY !IR HEADS SO ?AT Y\ HAD TO TWI/ !M FREE BE=E Y\ PLAY$ ) !M1 P]HAPS FIVE /EMS 9 EV]Y W9D[-FRONT$ C>DBO>D BOX4 ,HE'D BE5 HALFWAY ?R\< AN ELABORATE CAMPAIGN - ,FR5* ,=EIGN ,LEGION V]SUS ,CIVIL ,W> ,CONF$]ATES - :5 HE'D BECOME AW>E ?AT BO? HIS >MIES W]E ABNORMALLY DEPLET$4 ,RUL+ \T DES]TION1 HE'D EV5TUALLY DISCOV]$ ?AT HIS ELD] SI/] HAD BE5 /EAL+ SOLDI]S BY ! H&FUL1 TAK+ !M D[N TO ! \TSIDE TOILET ) H] 7& H] BUCKET & H] C&LE7 :5 %E PAID IT A NOCTURNAL VISIT4 ,%E'D APP>5TLY DISCOV]$ ?AT IF Y\ %\LD LI<T ! SOLDI]S' HEADS US+ ! C&LE-FLAME1 !N M9IATURE BLUE FIREBALLS MADE ( BLAZ+ POLY!NE W\LD DRIP SPECTACUL>LY D[N 9TO ! WAIT+ BUCKET1 MAK+ AN UNE>?LY VVWIP - VVWIP - VVWIP S\ND ?AT WAS T]M9AT$ 9 A HISS AS ! HOT PLA/IC MET ) ! COLD WAT]4 ,HE IMAG9$ H]1 SAT !RE ON ! COLD WOOD5 SEAT BESIDE ! B5T NAIL 9 ! :ITEWA%$ WALL :]E SCRAPS ( ,TIT-,BITS OR ,REVEILLE W\LD BE HUNG = USE AS TOILET PAP]1 ) H] NAVY KNICK]S R\ND H] SW++ ANKLES & H] EAG] FACE LIT 9DIGO 9 <A/LY FLA%ES FROM B5EA? AS A DIM9UTIVE C5TURION WAS TURN$ 9TO A ,ROMAN C&LE4 ,WAS IT ANY WOND] ?AT ! ?\<T ( LURK+ BACK-Y>D SPECT]S HADN'T BO!R$ H]8 ,! MOM5T ?AT !Y'D HE>D H] FOOT/EPS & ! CLANK+ BUCKET1 !Y'D BE (F4 

,ON ?AT P>TICUL> OCCASION ) ,MICK1 AG$ ?REE1 CONVALESC+ ON HIS MO!R'S LAP1 ,DORE5 HAD QUICKLY WE>I$ ( H] ELDE/ *ILD'S /AMP$E >\ND ! O!RWISE AGREEABLE & PEACEFUL Y>D4 

0,OOH1 ,ALMA1 COME & SIT DAYN '=E Y] MAKE US DIZZY4 ,AYA GOT ,/4 ,VITUS' ,DANCE OR :AT80 

,LIKE ,MICK1 HIS SI/] G5]ALLY DID AS %E WAS TOLD )\T RESI/ANCE1 BUT HAD OBVI\SLY LE>N$ ?AT IF %E OV]-DID :AT %E WAS TOLD !N IT C\LD BE A LOT MORE FUN ?AN ACTUAL DISOB$I5CE1 & WAS MU* MORE DIFFICULT TO PUNI% OR TO PROVE4 ,OBLIG+LY1 HIS SI/] HAD SKIPP$ UP ! /EPS & SAT H]SELF D[N ) H] LEGS CROSS$ ON ! W>M & DU/Y TILES B5EA? ! W9D[ ( ! LIV+ ROOM4 ,%E BEAM$ UP AT H] MOM & AIL+ BABY BRO!R ) BRI<T-EY$ S9C]ITY4 

0,MOM1 :Y IS ,MI*AEL CROAK+80 

0,Y\ KN[ :Y 'E'S CROAK9'4 ,IT'S BECAUSE 'E'S GOT A SORE ?ROAT40 

0,IS HE TURN+ TO A FROG80 

0,NO4 ,I JU/ SAID1 'E'S GOT A SORE ?ROAT4 ',C\RSE 'E'S NOT TURN9' 9TO A FROG40 

0,IF ,MI*AEL TURNS 9TO A FROG1 !N CAN ,I HAVE HIM80 

0 ',E'S NOT TURN9' TO A FROG40 

0,BUT IF HE DOES1 !N CAN ,I KEEP HIM 9 A JAM-J>80 

0 ',E'S NOT 444 ,NO6 ,NO1 'C\RSE Y] CAN'T4 ,A JAM-J>80 

0,DAD C\LD USE A SCREWDRIV] & PUN* SOME AIR-HOLES 9 ! LID40 

,!RE'D COME A PO9T 9 ANY CONV]SATION BETWE5 ,ALMA & !IR MOM 9 :I* ,DORE5 W\LD MAKE A HUGE /RATEGIC BLUND] & W\LD />T TO >GUE 9 ! T]MS ( ,ALMA'S LOGIC1 :]EUPON %E W\LD IMM$IATELY BE LO/4 

0,Y\ C\LDN'T KEEP A FROG 9SIDE A JAM-J>4 ,:AT'S IT S'POS$ TO EAT80 

0,GRASS40 

0,FROGS DON'T EAT GRASS40 

0,YES !Y DO4 ,?AT'S :Y !Y'RE GRE540 

0,IS IT8 ,I DIDN'T KN[ ?AT4 ,>E Y\ SURE80 

,?IS WAS ! JUNCTURE AT :I* ,DORE5 W\LD COMP\ND H] PREVI\S TACTICAL MI/AKE BY D\BT+ H] [N 9TELLECTUAL CAPABILITIES AS AN ADULT AGA9/ ?OSE ( H] 9FANT DAU<T]4 ,MICK'S MOM DIDN'T ?9K ?AT %E WAS V]Y CLEV] OR WELL-$UCAT$1 & W\LD 5DLESSLY DEF] TO ANYONE :OM %E SUSPECT$ MI<T HAVE A MORE FIRM GRASP ( ! FACTS ?AN %E H]SELF DID4 ,RU9\SLY1 %E 9CLUD$ ,ALMA 9 ?IS CATEGORY = NO MORE REASON ?AN ?AT ,ALMA1 EV5 AT ! AGE ( FIVE1 PRET5D$ TO KN[ EV]Y?+ & MADE H] PROCLAMATIONS ) SU* R++ CONFID5CE ?AT IT WAS SIMPLY EASI] TO GO ALONG ) H] ?AN TO RESI/4 ,MICK C\LD REMEMB] H[ ON ONE OCCASION1 HIS EI<T-YE>-OLD SI/] HAD COME HOME FROM S*OOL DEM&+ BEANS ON TOA/1 A DI% %E'D HE>D H] CLASSMATES M5TION BUT :I* WAS A NEW ONE ON ,DORE54 ,%E'D ASK$ H[ ,ALMA'S S*OOL-FRI5DS' MO!RS W\LD PREP>E ! MEAL1 AT :I* ,MICK'S SI/] HAD 9SI/$ ?AT COLD BEANS W]E TIPP$ ONTO A SLICE ( BREAD1 :I* WAS !N TOA/$ ON A =K HELD TO ! FIREPLACE4 ,A/ONI%+LY1 ,DORE5 HAD ATTEMPT$ ?IS1 PURELY ON ,ALMA'S SAY-SO1 & HAD NOT ?\<T TO EMPLOY H] [N SUP]IOR JUDGM5T UNTIL !IR :OLE HE>? WAS SMO!R$ 9 BAK$ BEANS & SPLA%ES ( TOMATO SAUCE ) COAL DU/ 9 SUSP5SION4 ,?AT1 OR SOME?+ EQUALLY UNLIKELY1 WAS H[ ?+S TURN$ \T :5EV] ANYBODY TOOK ,MICK'S SI/] S]I\SLY4 ,HE C\LD HAVE TOLD HIS MOM ?AT1 BACK !RE 9 ! %ADE & SUNLI<T ( ! UPP] Y>D1 IF HE'D BE5 ABLE TO SAY ANY?+ ?R\< ! BALLOON ( S&PAP] ?AT WAS !N /EADILY 9FLAT+ 9 HIS ?ROAT4 ,9/EAD1 HE'D %IFT$ ON H] SLIPP]Y LAP & GRIZZL$ SLI<TLY1 LETT+ H] GET ON ) ! RIDICUL\S DISCUSSION ?AT %E'D /UMBL$ 9TO4 ,ALMA WAS N[ NODD+ 9 EXCITEM5T1 BACK+ UP H] LUDICR\S ASS]TION4 

0,YES6 ,ALL ( ! ANIMALS ?AT EAT GRASS >E TURN$ GRE54 ,!Y TOLD US IT AT S*OOL40 

,?IS WAS A FLAT LIE1 BUT WAS ONE :I* PLAY$ ON ,DORE5'S 9SECURITIES AB\T H] [N SUB/&>D #a#i#cS $UCATION4 ,Y\ HE>D SU* A LOT ( M>VEL\S NEW IDEAS 9 #aiei :AT ) ! ,SPUTNIKS & ALL ?AT1 & :O KNEW :AT A/\ND+ & UNPREC$5T$ FACTS W]E BE+ TAU<T 9 MOD]N CLASSROOMS8 ,DECIMALS & LONG DIVISION1 ?+S LIKE ?AT1 :I* ,DORE5'S [N S*OOL DAYS HAD B>ELY T\*$ ON4 ,:O WAS %E TO SAY8 ,P]HAPS ?IS BUS9ESS ) GRE5 ANIMALS ALL BE+ F$ ON GRASS WAS SOME?+ NEW ?AT PEOPLE HAD F\ND \T4 ,BUT /ILL %E H>BOR$ D\BTS4 ,IT HAD BE5 ,ALMA1 AFT] ALL1 :O'D TOLD H] ?AT LIME CORDIAL P\R$ 9 BOIL+ MILK W\LD MAKE A K9D ( HOT FRUIT MILK%AKE4 

0,:AT AB\T ! C[S 'N' 'ORSES1 !N8 ,:Y 5T !Y GRE51 :5 !Y EAT GRASS80 

,UNFLAPPABLE1 ,ALMA HAD WAV$ ASIDE H] MO!R'S HESITANT APPEAL TO COMMON S5SE4 

0,!Y >E GRE51 SOME ( !M4 ,! ONES ?AT 5T WILL GO GRE5 :5 !Y'VE EAT5 5\< GRASS40 

,TOO LATE1 ,MICK'S MOM HAD REALIZ$ %E WAS 5T]+ ! WORLD ( QUICKS& NONS5SE ?AT WAS ,ALMA'S C5T]-P>T$1 PIGTAIL$1 BUTT]FLY-SLIDE-DECORAT$ HEAD4 ,%E'D MADE A FEEBLE YELP ( PROTE/ AS REALITY GAVE WAY B5EA? H] FEET4 

0,I'VE NEV] SE5 A GRE5 C[6 ,ALMA1 >E Y\ MAK+ ALL ?IS UP80 

0,NO0 - ?IS 9 A HURT1 REPROA*FUL TONE ( VOICE4 ,DORE5 REMA9$ TO BE CONV9C$4 

0,WELL1 !N1 :Y 5T ,I SE5 ONE8 ,:Y 5T ,I SE5 A GRE5 C[ OR 'ORSE80 

,ALMA1 SITT+ B5EA? ! W9D[ ( ! LIV+ ROOM1 HAD LOOK$ UP AT !IR MO!R LEVELLY1 H] BIG GRAY-YELL[ EYES UNBL9K+4 

0,NOBODY CAN SEE !M4 ,IT'S BECAUSE !Y BL5D 9 ) ! FIELDS40 

,DESPITE1 OR POSSIBLY BECAUSE ( ! DEAD S]I\S TONE 9 :I* ?IS WAS DELIV]$1 ,MICK HAD BE5 UNABLE TO PREV5T HIMSELF FROM LAU<+4 ,LUCKILY1 HIS RAGG$ ?ROAT HAD DONE ?IS = HIM1 & ! LAU< CAME \T AS AN UNLUBRICAT$ SQUEAK1 EXPLOD+ HALFWAY ?R\< 9TO A JUMP+-JACK-LIKE /R+ ( C\<S4 ,DORE5 HAD GL>$ AT ,ALMA4 

0,N[ LOOK :AT Y\'VE DONE WI' Y] GRE5 C[S60 

,SURPRIS$ BY !IR MOM'S SUDD5 CONV]SATIONAL MANEUV]1 ,ALMA HAD = ONCE BE5 AT A LOSS1 UNABLE TO COME UP ) A REPLY4 ,IRRATIONALITY3 ,ALMA C\LD DI% IT \T ALL RI<T1 BUT C\LDN'T TAKE IT4 ,DORE5 HAD TURN$ H] ATT5TION TO H] Y\NGE/ *ILD1 HACK+ & MEWL+ !RE UPON H] KNEE4 

0,AHH1 BLESS 'IM4 ',AYA GOT A POORLY ?ROAT1 ME DUCK8 ,E'Y>1 Y\ 'AVE A PEP LIKE :AT ! DOCTOR SAID Y\ %\LD40 

0,PEP0 WAS ! ,BOR\<S' T]M = SWEET1 & AS ,MICK ?\<T AB\T IT N[ IT /RUCK HIM ?AT HE'D NEV] HE>D IT US$ \TSIDE ! DI/RICT1 OR \TSIDE ! HOMES ( PEOPLE :O'D GR[N UP !RE4 ,KEEP+ ,MI*AEL ON H] LAP ) ONE >M R\ND HIS WAI/1 ,DORE5 HAD FUMBL$ 9 H] POCKET = ! SQU>E-%AP$ FOIL-&-PAP] TUBE %E'D B\<T AT ,BOTT]ILL'S1 F9ALLY EM]G+ ) ! PACK ( *]RY-M5?OL ,TUNES4 ,DEFTLY & ) ONE H&1 ,DORE5 HAD C>EFULLY OP5$ ONE 5D ( ! PACKET ) H] G5]\S F+]NAILS1 SQUEEZ$ \T A S+LE C\<-DROP1 !N PROCE$$ TO UNPICK ! 5VELOPE-TUCKS ( ITS 9DIVIDUAL WAX-PAP] WRAPP+1 :]E ! T9Y WORD 0,TUNES0 WAS REPEAT$ SEV]AL TIMES 9 M$IC9E-R$4 ,) A POLITE 0 ',SCUSE F+]S0 ,DORE5 HAD HELD UP ! /ICKY CRIMSON JEWEL TO ,MI*AEL'S LIPS1 :I* HAD IMM$IATELY P>T$ LIKE A HAT*L+'S BEAK SO %E C\LD PLACE ! SQU>E-CUT CRY/AL ON HIS TONGUE4 ,HE SUCK$ IT SL[LY1 ) ITS BLUNT$ CORN]S POK+ UP AGA9/ HIS PALATE & HIS GUMS1 ESPECIALLY ! SORE :ITE-TIPP$ ONES AT ! BACK :]E TEE? W]E />T+ TO COME ?R\<4 

,DORE5 HAD SAT !RE LOOK+ D[N AT ,MI*AEL FONDLY1 H] BIG FACE OBSCUR+ MO/ ( ! BLUE ,BOR\<S' SKY ?AT HAD BE5 VISIBLE BETWE5 ! LEAN+ H\SETOPS4 ,%E MU/ HAVE BE5 9 H] E>LY ?IRTIES !N1 /ILL TRIM & PRETTY ) LONG FEATURES & D>K1 WAVY HAIR4 ,%E'D LO/ ! <O/LY & UNE>?LY SIL5T FILM-/> BEAUTY ?AT %E'D HAD 9 PICTURES ,MICK HAD SE5 ( H] :5 %E'D BE5 Y\NG]1 ) H] HUGE1 WET1 DREAMY EYES1 BUT IT HAD BE5 REPLAC$ BY SOME?+ W>M] & LESS FRAGILE1 ! APPE>ANCE ( SOMEBODY :O'D AT LA/ GR[N COM=TABLE ) BE+ :O !Y W]E1 SOMEBODY :O NO LONG] WORE ?OSE PA9FUL CLIP-ON BUTTON E>R+S4 ,HE'D GAZ$ BACK AT H]1 ! C\<-SWEET TUMBL+ & TURN+ OV] 9 HIS M\?1 LOS+ ITS $GES 9 HIS *]RY-9FUS$ SPITTLE1 GRADUALLY TRANS=M$ 9TO A ?9 ROSE W9D[PANE4 ,SMIL+1 HIS MOM HAD BRU%$ A /RAY CURL FROM ! DAMP P9K ( HIS BR[4 

,& !N HE'D C\<$4 ,HE'D C\<$ UNTIL ! AIR WAS =C$ \T ( HIS LUNGS & !N HAD DRAWN A GREAT BIG SUCK+ BREA? 9 ORD] TO REPLACE IT4 ,SOME:]E 9 AMONG ?IS SPLUTT]+ & CONFUS$ BRON*IAL ACTIVITY1 ,MICK HAD 9HAL$ ! ,TUNE4 ,LIKE A /RAY S9K-PLUG DRAGG$ 9TO ! PLU<OLE ( A DRA9+ BAS9 TO >RE/ ITS FL[1 ! SWEET FITT$ EXACTLY 9 ! SMALL GAP :I* REMA9$ 9 ,MICK'S ABSURDLY SWOLL5 W9DPIPE4 

,) HORRIFIC CL>ITY1 :I* MADE HIM GRIP ! >M ( ! SETTEE AS HE SAT 9 ! PEACEFUL ,K+/HORPE LIV+ ROOM1 ,MICK C\LD REMEMB] ! APPALL+ MOM5T :5 HE KNEW HIS BREA? HAD /OPP$1 A MEMORY HE HAD BE5 SP>$ UNTIL REVIV$ FROM HIS CONCUSSION E>LI] ?AT DAY4 ,HE C\LD RECALL HIS SUDD5 & UNCOMPREH5D+ %OCK1 HIS REALIZATION ?AT SOME?+ WAS BADLY WRONG & HIS UNC]TA9TY AS TO :AT IT MI<T BE4 ,IT WAS AS IF HE HADN'T PREVI\SLY NOTIC$ HE WAS BREA?+1 NOT UNTIL HE F\ND HE C\LDN'T DO IT ANYMORE4 

,! T]ROR ( ! MOM5T HAD BE5 OV]:ELM+1 & HE'D SOMEH[ DRAWN AWAY FROM IT1 AS IF TO A REMOTE PLACE DEEP 9SIDE HIMSELF4 ,! S\NDS & MOVEM5TS ( ! G>D5 SEEM$ F> (F1 AS DID ! DESP]ATE1 FRI<T5$ TI<TNESS 9 HIS *E/4 ,HIS EYES MU/ HAVE GLAZ$ OV]1 />+ UP 9TO HIS MO!R'S OV]HANG+ FACE1 & HE REMEMB]$ H[ H] [N EXPRESSION HAD *ANG$ 9/ANTLY TO ONE ( PUZZLEM5T & !N M\NT+ ANXIETY4 ,HE'D KN[N1 FROM HIS DISSOCIAT$ VANTAGE1 ?AT HE WAS ! CAUSE ( H] CONC]N BUT C\LDN'T = ! LIFE ( HIM REMEMB] :AT HE'D DONE ?AT HAD UPSET H] SO4 

0,OOH ,GUY1 AYR MAM6 ,COME QUICK6 ,AYR ,MI*AEL'S *OK9'60 

,! REC$+ POR?OLE ?AT WAS ,MI*AEL'S FIELD ( VISION HAD BE5 JIGGL$ FRANTICALLY1 TURN$ ON ONE SIDE & !N ! O!R1 ) HIS GR&MA'S TAUT-SK9N$ FEATURES SUDD5LY PROTRUD+ 9TO VIEW1 AL>M SUPPRESS$ B5EA? ! GLITT] ( H] BIRD-LIKE EYE4 ,%UDD]S ( IMPACT CAME FROM F> AWAY1 H>D & REPETITIVE1 LIKE SOMEONE BANG+ ON A TELEVISION SET :5 ! RECEPTION W5T4 ,?AT MU/ HAVE BE5 HIS GRAN OR ,DORE51 ?UMP+ HIM UPON ! BACK AS !Y ATTEMPT$ TO DISLODGE ! C\<-SWEET1 BUT IT HADN'T BUDG$4 ,HE C\LD REMEMB] ! S5SATION ( AN ANIMAL ) A METALLIC TA/E LIKE P5NIES ?AT HAD TRI$ TO CLIMB 9SIDE HIS M\?1 SO ?AT HE'D BITT5 D[N REFLEXIVELY ON HIS MOM'S F+]S AS %E'D /RUGGL$ TO RETRIEVE ! BLOCKAGE FROM HIS ?ROAT4 ,!RE HAD BE5 VOICES 9 ! DI/ANCE1 WOM5 %\T+ URG5TLY OR WAIL+1 ?\< HE HADN'T ?\<T ?AT ?IS HAD ANY?+ TO DO ) HIM4 

,! PICTURE ( ! G>D5 HE WAS SEE+ HAD TURN$ UPSIDE D[N AT ONE PO9T1 :I*1 FROM :AT HE'D HE>D AB\T ! 9CID5T FROM ,ALMA & HIS MOM1 MU/ HAVE BE5 :5 ,DORE5 HAD %OOK HIM BY HIS ANKLES1 HOP+ GRAVITY W\LD DO ! TRICK :]E ALL H] O!R EF=TS HAD DRAWN BLANKS4 ,MICK HAD AN IMAGE ( A R$ 9V]T$ FACE1 AN UNFAMILI> ?+ BETWE5 A DOG & A TOMATO ?AT HE'D NEV] SE5 BE=E1 A K9D ( JOKE-%OP DEVIL MASK HE DID NOT RECOGNIZE AS HIS DI/RAU<T & WEEP+ OLD] SI/]4 ,HIS %ORT LIFE & ALL ITS DETAILS1 AS !Y'D SLID AWAY FROM HIM1 HAD SEEM$ LIKE A /RANGE LITTLE PICTURE-/ORY ?AT HE'D ONLY BE5 HALF-READ+ ANYWAY1 ) ALL ! SETT+S & ! *>ACT]S =GOT EV5 BE=E ! BOOK WAS CLOS$ & PUT ASIDE4 ,! SOBB+ OBJECTS 9 ! DW9DL+ ILLU/RATION1 HE HAD DIMLY RECOLLECT$1 W]E CALL$ PEOPLE4 ,!SE W]E SOME?+ LIKE A TOY OR RABBIT1 9 ?AT !Y W]E ALWAYS DO+ FUNNY ?+S4 ,! BRICKS SURR\ND+ !M1 PIL$ UP 9 FLAT OR BULKY %APES1 W]E SOME?+ HE WAS PRETTY SURE WAS KN[N AS A BACK-Y>D5 9 ! /ORY4 ,SOME?+ LIKE ?AT1 ANYWAY1 AL?\< HE DIDN'T KN[ :AT SU* >RANGEM5TS HAD BE5 US$ = OR TO DO )4 ,ON ! BLUE %EET UP ABOVE W]E BIG & DRIFT+ %APES ( :ITE ?AT Y\ CALL$ LIONS4 ,NO1 NOT LIONS4 ,CABBAGES1 WAS ?AT ! WORD8 ,OR G5]ALS8 ,IT DIDN'T MATT]4 ,ALL !SE ?+S HAD JU/ BE5 SILLY BITS & PIECES 9 ! DREAM ?AT HE WAS WAK+ UP FROM4 ,NONE ( IT WAS REAL1 NOR HAD IT EV] BE54 

,HE HAD BE5 FLOAT+ ?R\< ! AIR1 PRESUMABLY BORNE BY HIS MO!R1 & WAS GAZ+ UP AT ! UNFOLD+ =MS ( ALL ! LIONS & G5]ALS ABOVE4 ,!RE'D BE5 A GRUFF VOICE 9 AMONG ! LADYNOISE1 :I* HE ASSUM$ N[ HAD BE5 ?AT ( ,D\G ,MC,GE>Y FROM NEXT DOOR1 ! Y>D ) ! BIG WOOD5 GATES ON ,&REW'S ,ROAD & ! RAM%ACKLE /ABLE AT ! RE>4 ,ACCORD+ TO :AT ,MICK HAD BE5 TOLD AFT]W>DS1 MO/LY BY ,ALMA1 ONCE ! SITUATION HAD BE5 HURRI$LY EXPLA9$ TO ,D\G1 ! FRUIT & VEG PURVEYOR HAD (F]$ IMM$IATELY TO DRIVE ,MICK TO ! HOSPITAL 9 HIS DELIV]Y LORRY ?AT HE KEPT P>K$ 9 ! LEAK+ /ABLE4 ,! UNBREA?+ ?REE-YE>-OLD1 EYES GLAZ$ & />+1 HAD BE5 PASS$ BY ,DORE5 OV] ! BACK WALL 9TO ! SURE H&S ( ,MRS4 ,MC,GE>Y'S ELDE/ SON1 OR SO ! /ORY W5T4 ,N[1 ?\<1 AS ! EV5T CAME BACK TO HIM1 HE SAW ?AT ,ALMA MU/ HAVE GOT IT WRONG1 AT LEA/ ?AT BIT ( IT4 ,HIS MOM HAD M]ELY HELD HIM UP TO %[ TO ,D\G1 NOT H&$ HIM ACROSS ! WALL4 ,?AT MADE A LOT MORE S5SE ?AN ,ALMA'S V]SION1 N[ HE ?\<T AB\T IT4 ,DORE5 HAD BE5 TOO UPSET TO PASS H] *OK+ BABY TO SOMEBODY ELSE1 & :AT W\LD BE ! PO9T1 9 ANY CASE8 ,D\G HAD TO />T HIS LORRY UP & GET IT \T ! B>N1 TO WRANGLE IT >\ND ! CORN]S ( !IR ,L-%AP$ Y>D1 \T ?R\< ! SPL9T]+ & DI/RESS$ FRONT GATES ONTO ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 ,HE W\LDN'T NE$ A HALF-DEAD TODDL] 9 ! CAB BESIDE HIM :ILE HE TOOK C>E ( ALL ?AT4 

,NO1 :AT HAD REALLY HAPP5$1 ,MICK DECID$ AS HE RECON/RUCT$ ! OCCURR5CE1 WAS ?AT ,D\G HAD TOLD ,DORE5 TO MEET HIM \T ! FRONT 9 HALF A M9UTE1 :5 HE'D HAD A *ANCE TO GET HIS VEHICLE 9TO JUDD]+ & C\<+ ACTION4 ,*RI/1 :AT W\LD HIS MOM & GRAN HAVE DONE IF ,D\G ,MC,GE>Y HADN'T BE5 AT HOME8 ,!RE'D BE5 NOBODY ELSE ALONG ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD OR NE>BY 9 ! ,BOR\<S :O HAD TRANSPORT1 MOTORIZ$ OR HORSE-DRAWN1 & AS F> AS CALL+ = AN AMBULANCE W5T1 WELL1 Y\ C\LD =GET IT4 ,NO ONE 9 ! DI/RICT HAD A PHONE1 !RE WAS A S+LE PUBLIC CALL BOX NE> ! OLD ,VICTORIAN PUBLIC TOILETS NE/L$ AT ! FOOT ( ,SP5C] ,BRIDGE1 & ANYWAY1 !RE W\LDN'T HAVE BE5 TIME4 ,9 ,MICK'S [N RETROSPECTIVE E/IMATE1 A GOOD TWO M9UTES MU/ HAVE PASS$ BY ?AT PO9T S9CE ! LA/ OCCASION ?AT HE'D DRAWN A BREA?4 

,HE REMEMB]$ FLOAT+ BACK UP ! /ONE /EPS 9TO ! TOP HALF ( ! Y>D1 C>RI$ ALONG 9 A S(T CL\D ( H&S1 ( R$ & TE>-/A9$ FACES HE NO LONG] KNEW1 A DRIFT ( FRI<T5$ VOICES 9DI/+UI%ABLE FROM ! BACKGR\ND TWITT] ( ! RO(TOP BIRDS1 ! BREEZE ?AT /RUMM$ ! TELEVISION A]IALS1 ! CRACKL+ ( APRONS4 ,ALL ! WORLD HE'D HAD ?REE YE>S TO GET FAMILI> ) WAS GRADUALLY UNRAVEL+1 ITS S\NDS & ITS S5SATIONS & ITS IMAGES ALL TURN+ BACK 9TO ! FLAT WORDS ( ! N>RATIVE ?AT SOMEONE HAD BE5 READ+ TO HIM1 :I* WAS COM+ TO AN 5D4 ,! P]SON 9 ! TALE ?AT HE'D LIK$ BE/1 ! LITTLE BOY1 WAS DY+ 9 A FUNNY LITTLE H\SE UPON A /REET ?AT NOBODY W\LD EV] HE> (4 ,HE REMEMB]$ FEEL+ SLI<TLY DISAPPO9T$ ?AT ! /ORY HADN'T HAD A BETT] 5D+1 BECAUSE UP TO !N HE'D BE5 5JOY+ IT4 

,A BUMPY CURR5T ?AT HAD F+]S SWIRL$ HIM FROM ! LI<T & SPACE & BLUE ( ! BACK Y>D 9TO ! SUDD5 GRAY GLOOM ( ! KIT*5 & ! LIV+ ROOM4 ,DORE51 HE REASON$ N[1 MU/ HAVE BE5 HOLD+ HIM FACE-UP S9CE HE RECALL$ A MOV+ FRIEZE ( CEIL+ SCROLL+ BY ABOVE HIM1 FIR/ ! FLAK+ & UNEV5 :IT5ESS 9 ! KIT*5 & !N ! EXPANSE ( BEIGE ) ! /EPP$ BEAD+ R\ND ITS $GE ?AT TOPP$ ! LIV+ ROOM4 ,HIS MOM HAD C>RI$ HIM BETWE5 ! UNLIT SUMM] FIREPLACE & ! D9+ TABLE1 HEAD+ = ! PASSAGE & ! FRONT DOOR & H] R5DEZV\S ) ,D\G4 ,BUT !N SOME?+ HAD HAPP5$4 ,HIS GLAZ$ EYES HAD BE5 FIX$ ON ! DECORATIVE TRIM >\ND ! HI<] REA*ES ( ! ROOM1 COM+ TO RE/ )9 ! %AD[-DR9K+ RECESS ( AN UPP] CORN]4 ,& ! CORN] HAD BE5 444 B5T8 ,REV]SIBLE1 SO ?AT IT /UCK \T :]E Y\ W\LD EXPECT IT TO GO 98 ,!RE HAD BE5 SOME?+ WRONG AB\T ! CORN]1 HE REMEMB]$ ?AT MU*1 & !RE HAD BE5 SOME?+ ELSE1 :AT WAS IT8 ,SOME?+ EV5 /RANG]4 ,!RE'D BE5 444 

,!RE HAD BE5 A LITTLE T9Y P]SON 9 ! CORN]1 %\T+ TO HIM A VOICE ?AT CAME FROM F> AWAY1 & BECKON+1 & TELL+ HIM COME UP1 Y\ COME UP H]E ) ME1 Y\'LL BE ALL RI<T4 ,COME UP4 ,COME UP4 ,COME UP4 

,HE'D DI$4 ,HE'D DI$ HALFWAY ACROSS ! LIV+ ROOM & HADN'T MADE IT EV5 TO ! PASSAGE OR ! FRONT DOOR1 LET ALONE ! CAB ( ,D\G'S DELIV]Y TRUCK1 ( :I* HE C\LD REMEMB] NO?+4 ,HE C\LD NOT RECALL ! PANICK$ J\RNEY TO ! HOSPITAL 444 ALONG ! SAME R\TE ,H[>D HAD TAK5 HIM TODAY1 HE REALIZ$ BELAT$LY 444 BECAUSE HE HADN'T BE5 !RE4 ,HE'D BE5 DEAD4 

,HE SAT !RE ON ! S(A1 LOOK+ LIKE A G>GOYLE SUFF]+ FROM SUN/ROKE1 & ATTEMPT$ TO ABSORB ?IS FACT1 TO SWALL[ IT1 BUT LIKE ! ,TUNE HE F\ND ?AT IT W\LD NOT GO D[N4 ,IF HE'D BE5 DEAD1 !N :AT W]E ALL ! O!R MEMORIES PRESS+ 9 UPON HIM N[1 !SE IMAGES & NAMES HE HALF-REMEMB]$ FROM A P]IOD ?AT WAS AFT] HIS DEMISE BETWE5 ! FIREPLACE & ! D9+ TABLE1 BUT BE=E HE'D WOK5 CLUELESS & DISORI5T$ 9 ! HOSPITAL8 ,MORE TO ! PO9T1 IF HE'D BE5 DEAD1 H[ HAD HE WOK5 AT ! HOSPITAL AT ALL8 ,MICK FELT A SORT ( HEAVY CL\D DESC5D+ ON HIS HE>T & GUT1 & NOT$ ) DETA*$ SURPRISE ?AT 9 HIS TIDY1 SUNLIT P>LOR HE WAS V]Y1 V]Y SC>$4 

,IT WAS AT ?IS PO9T ?AT ,CA? & ! KIDS CAME HOME4 ,FIR/ FROM ! KIT*5 & 9TO ! LIV+ ROOM WAS ,JACK1 ,MICK'S OLDE/ BOY1 A GL[]+ & SOLIDLY BUILT FIFTE5-YE>-OLD ASPIR+ /&UP COM$IAN :O EV]YONE HAD ALWAYS SAID1 9 WORRI$ TONES ( DEEP =EBOD+1 WAS ! SPIT ( HIS AUNT ,ALMA4 ,JACK /OPP$ 9 HIS TRACKS1 A PACE 9SIDE ! DOOR1 & />$ EXPRESSIONLESSLY AT HIS DAD'S NEW ACID FACIAL4 ,LOOK+ BACK ACROSS HIS %\LD]1 HE CALL$ TO HIS MO!R & HIS Y\NG] BRO!R ,JOE1 BO? 9 ! KIT*5 /ILL4 

0,DID ANYBODY ORD] PIZZA80 

,CA?Y HAD LEAN$ R\ND ! DOOR TO SEE :AT ,JACK WAS ON AB\T1 LOOK$ BLANKLY AT H] HUSB& = AN 9/ANT & !N %RIEK$4 

0,AAAH6 ,FUCK+ HELL1 :AT HAVE Y\ DONE80 

,%E RU%$ TO ,MICK'S SIDE1 TAK+ HIS HEAD G+]LY BETWE5 H] H&S1 TURN+ IT G5TLY ONE WAY !N ANO!R AS %E TRI$ TO SEE H[ BAD ! DAMAGE WAS4 ,!IR Y\NGE/ SON1 ,JOE1 W&]$ 9 S]5ELY FROM ! KIT*51 TAK+ (F HIS ZIP-UP JACKET4 ,SLI<TLY BUILT & BLOND & AT ELEV5 YE>S OLD EASILY MU* CUT] ?AN HIS OLD] BRO!R1 ,JOE LOOK$ QUITE A BIT LIKE ,MICK HAD AS A *ILD1 AT LEA/ ACCORD+ TO ! SAME AU?ORITIES 79CLUD+ ,MICK'S LATE MO!R ,DORE51 :O %\LD KN[7 ?AT SAID ,JACK LOOK$ LIKE ,ALMA4 ,JOE1 LIKE ! Y\NG ,MICK1 WAS QUIET] ?AN HIS ELD] SIBL+1 H>DLY DIFFICULT S9CE ,JACK'S VOICE HAD NOT JU/ REC5TLY BROK5 BUT HAD MELT$ D[N LIKE A REACTOR & WAS HEAD+ = ! C5T] ( ! ,E>?4 ,) ,JOE1 AL?\< HE DIDN'T BROADCA/ ON ! *9A-RATTL+ FREQU5CY OR AT ! VOLUME ( HIS ELD] BRO!R1 Y\ C\LD TELL ?AT EV]Y BIT AS MU* WAS GO+ ON 9SIDE1 & ?AT MO/ PROBABLY IT W\LD BE EV]Y BIT AS BONK]S1 IF LESS L\DLY ADV]TIS$4 ,HANG+ HIS JACKET ON A *AIR1 ,JOE GAZ$ ACROSS ! ROOM AT HIS DAD'S ALT]$ C\NT5ANCE1 !N SIMPLY SMIL$ & %OOK HIS HEAD AS IF 9 FOND EXASP]ATION4 

0,DID Y\ GET Y\R BL[TOR* & Y\R %AV] MUDDL$ UP AGA980 

,:ILE ,CA?Y PO9T$LY SUGGE/$ ?AT BO? ,JACK & ,JOE PISS (F UP/AIRS IF !Y W]5'T BE+ ANY HELP & ,MICK TRI$ NOT TO UND]CUT ! S]I\SNESS ( HIS WIFE'S REBUKE BY LAU<+1 HE REFLECT$ ?AT ?IS WOND]FULLY PROTECTIVE SM>T-ASS$ CALL\SNESS ) :I* HIS KIDS W\LD GREET POT5TIAL DISA/] WAS MO/ PROBABLY ! FAULT ( HIM & ,ALMA4 ,ALMA1 MO/LY4 ,HE REMEMB]$ :5 ,DORE51 !IR MOM1 WAS DIAGNOS$ ) CANC] ( ! B[EL & HAD CALL$ H] GRIEF-/UNN$ SON & DAU<T] 9TO H] W>D CUBICLE TO HAVE A S]I\S TALK AB\T H[ EV]Y?+ %\LD BE >RANG$4 ,TALL] ?AN ,MICK 9 H] /ACK HEELS1 ,ALMA HAD B5T D[N TO DELIV] A CONSPICU\S /AGE :ISP] 9 HIS E>4 0,Y\ HE> ?AT1 ,W>RY8 ,?IS IS :]E %E'S GO+ TO TELL Y\ Y\'RE ADOPT$40 ,!Y'D ALL LAU<$1 ESPECIALLY ,DORE51 :O'D SMIL$ AT ,ALMA & SAID 0,Y\ DON'T KN[4 ,IT MI<T BE Y\ :O WAS ADOPT$40 ,MICK BELIEV$ ?AT 9 LIFE !RE W]E TIMES :5 ! 5TIRELY 9APPROPRIATE WAS ! ONLY APPROPRIATE RESPONSE4 ,P]HAPS1 ?\<1 IT WAS ONLY HIM & ,ALMA :O ?\<T ?AT WAY4 ,MO/LY ,ALMA4 

,CA?Y1 ONCE %E'D BE5 ASSUR$ ,MICK'S NEW COMPLEXION WASN'T P]MAN5T OR O!RWISE LIFE-?REAT5+1 HAD SWIT*$ H] 9N] !RMO/AT UP FROM COMPASSIONATE CONC]N TO MORAL \TRAGE4 ,SO1 :Y WASN'T !RE A LABEL ON ?AT DRUM8 ,:Y HADN'T HIS EMPLOY]S EV5 CALL$ TO F9D \T H[ HE WAS S9CE ,H[>D BR\<T HIM HOME FROM CASUALTY8 ,%E'D FUM$ AB\T IT = AN H\R !N PHON$ ,MICK'S BOSS1 :O HAD AT LEA/ LE>N$ FIR/-H& FROM ! *AT :AT IT WAS LIKE TO HAVE A DRUM ( POISON GO (F 9 Y\R FACE4 ,:5 AT L5G? IT WAS \T ( ,CA?Y'S SY/EM & %E'D DROPP$ ! PROBABLY R$-HOT RECEIV] BACK 9TO ITS CRADLE1 !Y'D DECID$ TO HAVE D9N] & AS ORD9>Y AN EV5+ AS !Y C\LD MANAGE4 ,AS A PLAN ?IS WORK$ QUITE WELL1 DESPITE ! FACT ?AT ,MICK'S DE=MITY GAVE ?+S ! FEEL+ ( AN ,ELEPHANT ,MAN FAMILY VIDEO REEL4 

,D9N] WAS TA/Y & APPRECIAT$ & PASS$ BY )\T EV5T4 ,DUR+ ! MA9 C\RSE1 ,CA?Y TURN$ REPROA*FULLY TO ,JACK & SCOLD$ HIM AB\T HIS EAT+ HABITS4 

0,JACK1 ,I DO WI% ?AT Y\'D EAT Y\R VEGETABLES40 

,H] ELDE/ SON GAVE H] A LOOK ( CONDESC5D+ SYMPA?Y4 

0,MOM1 ,I WI% WOM5 W\LD FALL AT MY FEET1 BUT WE BO? KN[ IT ISN'T GO+ TO HAPP54 ,LET'S JU/ FACE IT & MOVE ON40 

,HALFWAY ?R\< PUDD+1 LITTLE ,JOE - IF ONLY !Y'D HAVE NAM$ HIS ELD] BRO!R 0,HOSS01 ,MICK SUDD5LY ?\<T1 RUEFULLY - HAD BROK5 FROM HIS CU/OM>Y 9TROV]T$ SIL5CE TO ANN\NCE ?AT HE'D DECID$ :AT HE'D LIKE TO BE :5 HE DID ,WORK ,EXP]I5CE NEXT YE>3 0,A FRIDGE40 ,MICK1 ,CA? & ,JACK HAD ALL LOOK$ AT EA* O!R WORRI$LY1 !N GONE ON EAT+ !IR DESS]TS4 ,IT WAS A FAIRLY NORMAL D9N]TIME1 AS ?OSE ?+S W5T4 

,AFT] !Y'D DONE ! WA%+ UP1 ,JACK SAID HE HAD ! SECOND S]IES ( ,PAUL ,ABBOTT'S ,%AMELESS :I* WAS \T ON ,D,V,D1 & ASK$ IF !Y C\LD WAT* IT4 ,S9CE !RE WASN'T MU* ( 9T]E/ %[+ ON T]RE/RIAL OR ,SKY1 ,MICK HAD AGRE$4 ,BESIDES1 HE DIDN'T GET TO VIEW A LOT ( TELEVISION1 :AT ) GETT+ UP SO E>LY 9 ! MORN+S1 & AL?\< HE'D HE>D ,ALMA & ,JACK DISCUSS+ ! NEW S9K-E/ATE-SET COM$Y1 HE HADN'T SE5 IT YET4 ,HE'D GOT ! RE/ ( ! WEEK (F FROM WORK1 MO/ PROBABLY AS A RESULT ( ,CA?Y'S PHONE CALL1 & SO C\LD AF=D TO SIT BACK ) A BE] & TAKE IT 94 ,IF NO?+ ELSE1 IT W\LD BE A DI/RACTION FROM ! FRI<T5+ TRA9 ( ?\<T HIS FAMILY HAD 9T]RUPT$ BY >RIV+ HOME4 ,AL?\< ! SITCOM'S S5SE ( HUMOR WAS NOTORI\SLY GRIM1 HE D\BT$ IT WAS GRIMM] ?AN A MEMORY ( DY+ 9 ! ,BOR\<S AT ! AGE ( ?REE4 

,IT WAS ! SECOND SEASON'S F9AL EPISODE !Y WAT*$1 ,JACK HAV+ SE5 ! O!RS PREVI\SLY4 ,?\< ,CA?Y %OOK H] HEAD & TUTT$1 W&]+ (F TO GET ON ) SOME *ORES >\ND ! H\SE1 ,MICK ?\<T ! %[ WAS PRETTY GOOD4 ,FROM :AT HE'D OV]HE>D ( ,JACK & ,ALMA'S FI]CE DEBATE AB\T ITS M]ITS1 ,ALMA HADN'T LIK$ IT1 OR HAD LIK$ IT ONLY GRUDG+LY1 BUT !N ,MICK'S SI/] W\LD F9D FAULT ) ALMO/ ANY?+ ?AT WASN'T H] [N WORK1 AS IF ON PR9CIPLE4 0,LIKE ,BREAD ) ,/,DS01 ?AT HAD BE5 ONE ( H] (F-H& DISMISSALS4 ,IF ,MICK UND]/OOD ! GI/ ( ,ALMA'S D\BTS AB\T ! PROGRAM1 :AT %E DIDN'T LIKE WAS ! PORTRAYAL ( ! WORK+ CLASS AS HAV+ 9EXHAU/IBLE RES]VES ( /R5G? & HUMOR 9 ADV]SITY1 ) :I* !Y C\LD LAU< (F ! GRUESOME DEPRIVATIONS ( !IR G5U9ELY DREADFUL SITUATION4 0,FAMILIES LIKE ?AT10 %E'D SAY REG>D+ ! %['S C5TRAL CLAN1 ! ,GALLA<]S1 09 REAL LIFE ! OLD MAN W\LDN'T BE SU* AN ULTIMATELY LOVABLE DISGU/+ DRUNK1 & EV]Y TRA9-WRECK ?AT HE DRAGG$ HIS FAMILY ?R\< ) HIM W\LDN'T 5D UP 9 A HE>T-W>M+ GR\P CACKLE4 ,?AT ?IRTE5-YE>-OLD GIRL ) ! SUP]NATURAL COP+ SKILLS W\LD HAVE BE5 %AGG$ BY HALF ! M>RI$ BLOKES ON ! E/ATE = ALCOPOPS4 ,! ?+ IS1 PEOPLE WAT* A %[ LIKE ?AT 444 & IT'S WELL MADE1 WELL WRITT51 FUNNY & WELL ACT$1 ,I'M NOT >GU+ ) ?AT 444 & 9 A FUNNY WAY IT REASSURES !M AB\T SOME?+ ?AT !Y %\LDN'T FEEL SO REASSUR$ AB\T4 ,IT'S NOT OKAY ?AT PEOPLE HAVE TO LIVE LIKE ?AT4 ,IT'S NOT OKAY ?AT T]MS LIKE S9K E/ATE >E EV5 9 ! LANGUAGE4 ,& ?IS PLUCKY1 MIR?FUL UND]CLASS RESILI5CE1 IT'S A MY?4 ,IT'S ONE ! UND]CLASS !MSELVES >E EAG] TO BELIEVE SO !Y DON'T HAVE TO FEEL SO BAD AB\T !IR SITUATION1 & IT'S ALSO ONE ! MIDDLE CLASS >E EAG] TO BELIEVE1 = ! EXACT SAME REASON40 ,AS ,MICK N[ RECALL$1 ON ?AT OCCASION ,ALMA'S DIATRIBE 7:I* HAD BE5 V5T$1 IT MU/ BE REMEMB]$1 AT H] FIFTE5-YE>-OLD NEPHEW7 HAD BE5 T]M9AT$ :5 ,JACK V5TUR$ HIS [N C\NT]->GUM5T3 0,JESUS1 ,AUNT ,W>RY1 LI<T5 UP4 ,!Y'RE ONLY PUPPETS40 

,MICK WAS MORE OR LESS ON ,JACK'S SIDE !RE4 ,AT LEA/ 9 ,%AMELESS !RE WAS A MORE HONE/ PICTURE ( EXI/5CE 9 ! L[] M>G9S ?AN 9 %[S LIKE ,BREAD1 ) OR )\T ! ,/,DS4 ,& H[ C\LD ,ALMA HONE/LY EXPECT A SITUATION COM$Y TO REPRODUCE H] [N BLEAK & CONSI/5TLY 5RAG$ VIEW ( SOCIETY8 ,IT W\LD BE LIKE AN EPISODE ( ,>E ,Y\ ,BE+ ,S]V$8 BY ,DO/OEVSKY4 0,MR4 ,HUMPHRIES1 >E Y\ FREE80 0,NONE ( US >E TRULY FREE1 DE> ,MRS4 ,SLOCUM1 UNLESS IT IS 9 ! ACT ( MURD]40 

,NO1 ! ONLY PROBLEM ) ! %[ = ,MICK WAS ?AT ! LONG] IT W5T ON1 ! MORE HE WAS REM9D$ ( ! /RANGE ANXIETIES ?AT HE WAS WAT*+ TELEVISION 9 AN EF=T TO =GET4 ,?AT LITTLE FIGURE HE'D REMEMB]$1 CALL+ FROM ITS UPP] CORN] ( ! LIV+ ROOM AT #a#g1 ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 :AT C\LD ?AT MEAN EXCEPT ?AT HE HAD DI$1 BE5 TAK5 UP 9TO SOME K9D ( AFT]LIFE BY SOME1 ,MICK DIDN'T KN[1 SOME SORT ( ANGEL8 

,WELL1 IT C\LD MEAN HE WAS GO+ R\ND ! CORN]4 ,GO+ B>MY4 ,!RE WAS ALWAYS ?AT TO BE CONSID]$ 9 ! ,V]NALL CLAN & (F%OOTS1 LIKE ! ,W>R5S4 ,HADN'T HIS DAD'S GR&FA!R GONE MAD1 & HIS DAD'S C\S91 ,AUDREY8 ,IT WAS 9 ! FAMILY1 EV]YBODY SAID1 & LOOK$ AT LOGICALLY WAS A MORE LIKELY CAUSE = ,MICK'S PECULI> MEMORIES & FEEL+S ?AN ?AT HE'D BE5 LIFT$ UP TO ,HEAV5 BY AN ANGEL4 ,ANYWAY1 ! MORE HE ?\<T AB\T IT1 !N ! LESS ! T9Y P]SON ?AT HAD BE5 P]*$ 9 ! CORN] SEEM$ LIKE ANY SORT ( ANGEL ?AT HE'D EV] HE>D (4 ,IT HAD BE5 TOO SMALL1 TOO PLA9LY DRESS$1 9 ITS P9K C>DIGAN1 ITS NAVY SKIRT & ANKLE-SOCKS4 ,A GIRL4 ,MICK C\LD REMEMB] N[ ?AT ! HOMUNCULUS HE'D SE5 HAD BE5 A LITTLE GIRL ) BLOND HAIR 9 A FR+E4 ,%E HADN'T LOOK$ MU* MORE ?AN T51 & DEF9ITELY HADN'T LOOK$ MU* LIKE AN ANGEL4 ,%E'D HAD NO W+S & NO HALO1 ?\< !RE HAD BE5 SOME?+ ODD1 :AT WAS IT1 DRAP$ >\ND H] NECK LIKE A LONG SC>F8 ,A FUR SC>F1 ?AT WAS IT4 ,ALL DR5*$ 9 BLOOD4 ,) LITTLE HEADS GR[N \T ( IT4 ,OH1 FUCK4 

,HE DIDN'T WANT TO BE 9SANE1 HE DIDN'T WANT HIS WIFE & KIDS & FRI5DS TO HAVE TO SEE HIM 9 ?AT /ATE1 TO FEEL BAD :5 !Y LEFT IT LONG] EA* TIME BETWE5 VISITS TO :ATEV] 9/ITUTION HE'D 5D UP 94 ,MADNESS WAS ALL V]Y WELL IF Y\ W]E ,ALMA & 9 A PR(ESSION :]E 9SANITY WAS A DESIRABLE ACCESSORY1 A K9D ( PSY*O-BL+4 ,Y\ C\LDN'T GET AWAY ) IT D[N ,M>T9'S ,Y>D1 ?\<4 ,9 ! RECONDITION+ BUS9ESS !RE WAS NO REAL CONCEPT ( DELI<TFUL ECC5TRICITY4 ,Y\'D F9D Y\RSELF AS ! RECIPI5T ( A PH>MACEUTICAL LOBOTOMY PROVID$ ON ! ,NATIONAL ,HEAL?1 AS A RESULT ( :I* Y\R WAI/B& W\LD EXP& AS Y\R ABILITIES TO ?9K1 TALK & RESPOND TO /IMULI CONTRACT$4 ,?IS WAS NOT AN IDEA ?AT ,MICK F\ND AGREEABLE1 OR EV5 BE>ABLE1 BUT AT ?AT MOM5T IT APPE>$ TO BE A S]I\S POSSIBILITY4 ,MICK C\LD FEEL ?\S&S ( UNLIKELY DETAILS AS UPSETT+ & IMPOSSIBLE AS ! GIRL'S BLOOD-SOAK$ FUR SC>F1 BULG+ FROM UND]NEA? ! FLOORBO>DS ( HIS MEMORY1 WAIT+ TO BUR/ UP FROM BEL[ & OV]:ELM HIS HAPPY1 ORD9>Y LIFE4 ,IDEAS LIKE ?AT JU/ W\LDN'T FIT 9 ,MICK'S EXI/5CE4 ,!Y W\LD B5D IT \T ( %APE1 DE/ROY IT4 ,) R5EW$ DET]M9ATION1 ,MICK FIX$ HIS ATT5TION ON ! EPISODE ( ,%AMELESS HE WAS WAT*+4 ,ANY?+ 9 ORD] TO AVOID ! /UBBORNLY P]SI/5T VISION ( ?AT LITTLE GIRL1 DRESS$ 9 H] FURRY NECKLACE MADE ( DEA?4 

,! H\R-LONG %[ WAS ALMO/ OV]1 ) ! ,GALLA<]S ALL MASS$ 9 A COMMUNAL LIV+-ROOM & TRY+ TO GET ! TWO TW9 BABIES !Y'D BE5 LEFT 9 *>GE ( (F TO SLEEP4 ,! BABIES' MO!R1 AN EMOTIONALLY-OV]WR\<T ,S]OXAT CASUALTY1 HAD LEFT 9/RUCTIONS ?AT ! TW9S C\LD BE LULL$ 9TO NODD+ (F BY S++ HYMNS TO !M1 !IR FAVORITE BE+ ,BLAKE & ,P>RY'S ALMO/ UNIV]SALLY ADMIR$ 0,J]USALEM04 ,! FAMILY >E CROAK+ !IR WAY ?R\< ANO!R REPETITION ( ! MU*-LOV$ /&>D1 ) NO OBVI\S EFFECT UPON ! H[L+ BABIES1 :5 ! MO!R ( ! TW9S AT LA/ GETS HOME4 ,DESPITE H] WELD]S' GOGGLES & H] ,O,C,D1 %E !N PROCE$S TO S5D ! TW9S TO SLEEP ) A SURPRIS+LY E!REAL R5DITION ( 0,J]USALEM0 DELIV]$ 9 AN UNEXPECT$LY WELL-TRA9$ & BEAUTIFUL SOPRANO4 0,& DID ?OSE FEET1 9 ANCI5T TIME 4440 

,! TE>S WELL$ UP FROM NO:]E 9 ,MICK'S EYES1 SO ?AT HE HAD TO BL9K !M BACK BE=E ! KIDS C\LD SEE4 ,HE'D NO IDEA :]E ?IS WAS COM+ FROM4 ,IT WAS JU/ SOME?+ 9 ?AT MELODY1 ! SIMPLE WAY ITS NOTES M>*$ UP & D[N1 ?AT BROKE HIS HE>T4 ,WORSE1 !RE WAS SOME?+ 9 ! WAY ! HYMN WAS BE+ US$ H]E 9 ?IS EPISODE ( ,%AMELESS1 LIKE A RAY ( LI<T AMONG ! BU/$ S(AS & ! ,T\RETTE'S & ! TEA-CUP R+S1 ITS PURITY & CONFID5CE MORE BRI<T & BL9D+ = ! HOPELESSNESS ( ITS SURR\ND+S4 ,?IS FI]CE1 BLAZ+ SANCTITY AMID ! SQUALOR WAS :AT DID = ,MICK4 ,IT HAD A FEEL AB\T IT ?AT *IM$ P]FECTLY ) ALL ( ! DI/URB+ MEMORIES FROM HIS *ILDHOOD HE WAS AT ?AT MOM5T TRY+ TO SUPPRESS1 A S5SE ( CRY/AL VISION ?RU/+ UP BETWE5 SATANIC MILLS ?AT FITT$ LIKE A KEY 9 ALL ( ,MICK'S 9T]NAL LOCKS4 ,! CELL> DOOR ( HIS UNCONSCI\S WAS ?R[N OP5 FROM B5EA? & A GREAT FLOOD ( BUBBL+ UNE>?L9ESS SURG$ UP1 MU* MORE ?AN HE'D IMAG9$ C\LD BE D[N !RE1 FILL+ HIM ) IMAGES & WORDS & VOICES1 ) ! LANGUAGE ( AN ALI5 EXP]I5CE4 

,DE/RUCTOR1 ,B$LAM ,J5NIES1 L5G? & BREAD? & :5? & L+]1 ,POR?IMO?' DI ,NORHAN'1 CROOK DOORS & A ,JACOB ,FLI<T4 0,IT'S AN OLD CAN ( BEANS1 BUT EV]Y BUBBLE ?AT Y\ EV] BLEW IS /ILL 9SIDE40 ,MANS\L1 ! /RANGLES & ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG4 ,DE/RUCTOR4 ,TRILLI>DS IS ! PROP] NAME = ,BUILD]S' ,M>BLES4 ,PAY ATT5TION TO ! *IMNEYS & ! MIDDLE CORN]S4 ,SOME CALL IT ! FIVE-&-TW5TY ?\S& NI<TS4 ,<O/-SEAM4 ,DE/RUCTOR4 ,SPACEM5 MEANS IT ISN'T RIPE4 ,A SA9T UP 9 ! TW5TY-FIVES :]E ALL ! WAT] LEVEL'S RIS+4 ,ANGLES FROM ! REALMS ( ,GLORY4 0,Y\ ALL FOLD UP 9TO US1 & WE ALL FOLD UP 9TO HIM40 ,A BALANCE HANGS ABOVE A W9D+ ROAD4 ,S\L ( ! ,HOLE1 Y\ SEE IT 9 !IR FURI\S EYES4 ,! B>E GIRLS DANC+ ON ! TANN9 B>RELS1 :AT A DAY ?AT IS4 0,WE CAN GO SCRUMP+ 9 ! MADH\SE10 & ,DE/RUCTOR & ,DE/RUCTOR & ,DE/RUCTOR4 ,EV]Y:]E & EV]YONE HE LOV$1 SUCK$ 9 & GONE4 ,! ROOD IS BROKE1 ?AT'S :Y ! C5T] CANNOT HOLD4 ,HE RAPES H] 9 ! C> P>K :]E ,BA? ,G>D5S US$ TO BE & WE RUN (F TO F9D ! <O/S ?AT WE'VE ANNOY$4 ,WOODWORK & PA9T$ />S UPON ! L&+S1 ,PUCK'S ,HATS SPR\T+ FROM ! CRACKS 444 

,MICK ROSE ABRUPTLY & EXCUS$ HIMSELF1 PRET5D+ ?AT HE NE$$ TO GO TO ! BA?ROOM4 ,JOE ASK$ IF HE WANT$ !M TO PAUSE ! ,D,V,D1 BUT HE SAID ?AT !Y NE$N'T BO!R1 CALL+ BACK TO !M FROM HALFWAY UP ! /AIRS4 ,LOCK+ ! BA?ROOM DOOR HE SAT !RE ON ! TOILET ) ITS LID D[N = A GOOD FIVE M9UTES UNTIL HE'D /OPP$ %UDD]+4 ,IT WAS NO GOOD4 ,HE C\LDN'T KEEP ?IS TO HIMSELF4 ,HE'D HAVE TO TELL SOMEONE4 

,HE /OOD & LIFT$ UP ! TOILET SEAT1 TAK+ A TOK5 PISS BE=E HE W5T BACK D[N AGA91 & \T ( HABIT WA%$ HIS H&S 9 ! SMALL BAS9 NE>BY :5 HE'D DONE4 ,HE GLANC$ UP AT ! MIRROR ON ! BA?ROOM CAB9ET & />T$ AT ! RAW & PEEL+ FACE CONFRONT+ HIM1 HAV+ BY !N =GOTT5 ALL AB\T HIS ACCID5T AT WORK4 ,HIS FEATURES LOOK$ SO MU* LIKE UNCONV9C+ MAKE-UP FROM A HORROR FILM1 ?AT :AT ) ALL ! SUP]NATURAL VISITATIONS CR[D+ 9 HIS HEAD RI<T !N1 ,MICK HAD TO LAU<4 ,! LAU<T] S\ND$ WRONG1 ?\<1 SO HE PACK$ IT 9 & W5T D[N/AIRS TO JO9 HIS FAMILY4 

,SOMEH[ HE MANAG$ TO LA/ \T ! EV5+1 ACT+ NORMAL1 )\T GIV+ ANY?+ AWAY1 ?\< ,JACK & ,CA?Y BO? REM>K$ ?AT HE WAS MORE ?AN USUALLY QUIET4 ,IT WASN'T UNTIL HE & ,CA?Y W]E 9 B$ ?AT IT CAME SPILL+ \T1 DISJO9T$ & SO MANGL$ 9 ! TELL+ ?AT IT MADE NO S5SE1 EV5 TO ,MICK HIMSELF4 ,CA? LI/5$ CALMLY :ILE HE TOLD H] HE WAS SC>$ ?AT HE WAS GO+ MAD1 !N S5SIBLY SUGGE/$ HE PHONE UP HIS OLD] SI/] & >RANGE TO GO \T = A DR9K ) H]1 SO ?AT HE C\LD ASK ,ALMA :AT %E ?\<T AB\T IT ALL4 ,9 ANY PRACTICAL CONC]N ?AT WAS RELAT$ TO ! REAL WORLD ,CA?Y W\LDN'T TRU/ H] SI/]-9-LAW'S JUDGM5T = A SECOND1 BUT ) MATT]S ( ! TWILI<T ZONE LIKE ?OSE AFFLICT+ ,MICK !RE WAS NO ONE %E TRU/$ MORE ?AN ,ALMA4 ,SET A ?IEF TO CAT* A ?IEF4 ,FI<T FIRE ) FIRE4 ,S5D = A NI<TM>E TO >RE/ A NI<TM>E4 

,MICK DID JU/ AS ,CA?Y SAID4 ,HE MI<T BE MAD1 HE WASN'T /UPID4 ,HE >RANG$ TO MEET HIS SI/] AT ! ,GOLD5 ,LION 9 ,CA/LE ,/REET ?AT COM+ ,SATURDAY1 ?\< HE'D NO CLE> IDEA AS TO :Y HE'D SUGGE/$ ?IS SPECIFIC V5UE1 A DECAY+ & UNPREPOSSESS+ HO/ELRY SMACK 9 ! ,BOR\<S' DEVA/AT$ HE>T4 ,IT JU/ SEEM$ LIKE ! RI<T PLACE1 ?AT WAS ALL1 ! RI<T DILAPIDAT$ WOND] ( A PLACE TO TELL HIS OLD] SI/] HIS DILAPIDAT$ WOND] ( A TALE1 AB\T ! LITTLE BOY :O'D *OK$ TO DEA?1 TO ACTUAL DEA?1 :5 HE WAS ONLY ?REE4 

,AB\T ! GIRL 9 H] P9K C>DIGAN & /9K+1 GORY NECK]*IEF :O'D REA*$ D[N FROM ! CORN] ) H] HOT & /ICKY H&S & SAID 0,COME UP4 ,COME UP40 

,& TAK5 HIM UP/AIRS4 

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

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

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