,BOOK #a1 ,*APT] #c 
,R\< ,SLEEP]S 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

,R,\,< ,S,L,E,E,P,],S 

,IT HAD BE5 9 ONE S5SE =TY YE>S S9CE ,FR$DY ,ALL5 LEFT ! LIFE4 ,ONE DAY HE MI<T GO BACK TO IT1 !RE WAS ALWAYS ?AT POSSIBILITY4 ,?AT DOOR WAS ALWAYS OP51 AS IT HAD TURN$ \T1 BUT = ! MOM5T HE WAS COM=TABLE ! WAY HE WAS4 ,NOT HAPPY1 BUT AMONG FAMILI> FACES & FAMILI> CIRCUM/ANCES 9 A PLACE ?AT HE WAS US$ TO4 ,COM=TABLE4 ,SOME:]E ?AT Y\ C\LD ALWAYS GET A BITE TO EAT IF Y\ KNEW :]E TO LOOK1 :]E Y\ C\LD SORT ( HAVE A DR9K & SORT ( HAVE SOME ( ! O!R1 N[ & !N1 AL?\< ! N[ & !N ( IT C\LD BE A PA94 ,BUT !RE WAS ALWAYS BILLI>DS1 UP ! BILLI>D HALL1 & !RE WAS NO?+ ,FR$DY LOV$ MORE ?AN HE LOV$ TO WAT* A CRACK+ GAME ( BILLI>DS4 

,HE C\LD REMEMB] H[ HE'D GOT \T ( ! LIFE1 ! BUS9ESS1 ! PROV]BIAL ',TW5TY-FIVE ,?\S& ,NI<TS'1 AS HE'D HE>D IT REF]R$ TO4 ,F> AS ,FR$DY WAS CONC]N$1 IT MI<T HAVE HAPP5$ YE/]DAY4 ,HE'D BE5 UND] ! >*ES D[N ,FOOT ,MEAD[1 SLEEP+ \T ! WAY HE DID BACK !N1 :5 HE'D BE5 WOKE UP SUDD54 ,IT WAS LIKE HE'D HE>D A BANG ?AT WOKE HIM UP1 OR LIKE HE'D JU/ REMEMB]$ !RE WAS SOME?+ ?AT WAS HAPP5+ ?AT MORN+ ?AT HE'D BETT] BE AL]T =4 ,HE'D JU/ COME AWAKE ) SU* A />T ?AT HE'D GOT TO HIS FEET & HE WAS WALK+ \T FROM UND]NEA? ! RAILWAY >*ES & ACROSS ! GRASS T[>DS ! RIV]SIDE BE=E HE KNEW :AT HE WAS DO+4 ,HALFWAY TO ! RIV] IT WAS LIKE HE'D WOK5 PROP]LY 5\< TO ?9K1 HANG ON1 :AT AM ,I JUMP+ UP LIKE ?IS =8 ,HE'D /OPP$ 9 HIS TRACKS & TURN$ >\ND TO LOOK BACK AT ! >*ES :]E HE SAW ANO!R TRAMP1 AN OLD BOY1 HAD ALREADY NICK$ HIS PLACE :]E HE'D BE5 KIPP+1 ON ! E>? BEL[ ! CURVE ( BRICKWORK UP AGA9/ ONE WALL1 HAD EV5 NICK$ ! PLA/IC C>RI] BAG ( GRASS ?AT HAD BE5 ,FR$DY'S PILL[4 ,IT WAS BLOODY TYPICAL4 ,HE'D WALK$ BACK A FEW /EPS T[>DS ! >*WAY SO ?AT HE C\LD SEE JU/ :O ! BUGG] WAS1 SO ?AT HE'D KN[ HIM LAT]4 ,IT HAD TAK5 ,F]D A M9UTE BE=E HE C\LD RECOGNIZE ! NA/Y-LOOK+ PIECE ( WORK1 BUT ONCE HE HAD HE KNEW HE'D NEV] GET HIS SPOT BACK N[4 ,!RE WAS NO PO9T 9 EV5 TRY+4 ,HE'D BE5 MOV$ ON1 & HE'D HAVE TO JU/ GET US$ TO IT4 

,& ,FR$DY HAD GOT US$ TO IT1 AFT] A TIME OR 9 NO TIME AT ALL1 DEP5D+ H[ Y\ SAW IT4 ,H[ ?+S W]E N[1 IT W]5'T SU* A BAD EXI/5CE1 :ATEV] HIS FRI5D MI<T TRY & TELL HIM :O LIV$ 9 ! BOTTOM CORN] H\SE ON ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET4 ,!Y MEANT WELL1 HE KNEW ?AT1 TELL+ HIM HE %\LD MOVE UP TO SOME:]E BETT]1 BUT !Y DIDN'T UND]/& ?AT HE WAS COM=TABLE ! WAY HE WAS4 ,HE HADN'T GOT ! WORRIES ?AT HE'D HAD :5 HE WAS 9 ! LIFE1 BUT ,FR$DY DIDN'T ?9K !Y'D UND]/& ?AT1 GIV5 :AT !IR SITUATION WAS AT PRES5T4 ,Y\ DIDN'T HAVE ! SAME P]SPECTIVE1 LIV+ D[N !RE1 AS :AT ,FR$DY HAD GOT N[4 

,N[ WAS A ,FRIDAY1 ,MAY ! #b#f?1 #b#f1 ACCORD+ TO ! CAL5D> BEH9D ! B> 9 ! ,BLACK ,LION :]E HE'D CALL$ 9 JU/ TO SEE IF !RE WAS ANYONE AB\T4 ,HE'D JU/ BE5 UP A BIT 9 ! TW5TY-FIVES OR TW5TY-SIXES1 UP R\ND !RE1 9 ! ,/4 ,PET]'S ,ANNEX :]E ?AT COLOR$ WOMAN ) ! BAD SC> :O WAS FAM\S UP ! WAY WORK$ ) ! PRO/ITUTES & !M ON DRUGS1 & ALL ! REFUGEES COME FROM ! EA/4 ,HE LIK$ IT UP ?AT WAY1 ! PEOPLE ALL SEEM$ MORE CON/RUCTIVE & JU/ GETT+ ON ) ?+S1 BUT !RE WAS NEV] ANYBODY !RE ?AT ,FR$DY KNEW & SO HE'D COME D[N TO ?IS BIT :]E HE WAS SITT+ N[1 ) ,M>Y ,JANE ACROSS ! TABLE FROM HIM4 ,BO? ( !M W]E SAT !RE ) !IR *9S PROPP$ 9 !IR H&S & LOOK+ D[N1 A BIT GLUM1 AT ! EMPTY GLASSES ON ! LAM9AT$ TABLETOP BETWE5 !M1 WI%+ !RE WAS SOME WAY !Y C\LD HAVE A PROP] DR9K BUT KN[+ AS !Y C\LDN'T1 KN[+ ?AT 9/EAD !Y'D HAVE TO HAVE A PROP] CONV]SATION4 ,M>Y ,JANE LIFT$ H] ALWAYS-N>R[$ & SUSPICI\S EYES TO LOOK AT HIM ACROSS ! EMPTY GLASSES4 

0,SO Y\ W]E SAY+ Y\'D BE5 UP !RE 9 ! TW5TY-FIVES1 !N8 ,I'VE NOT BE5 UP !RE MESELF1 N[1 'CAUSE ,I'VE HE>D AS !RE'S NO PUB UP !RE4 ,IS ?AT RI<T80 

,M>Y ,JANE HAD GOT A GRUFF VOICE LIKE A MAN1 ?\< ,F]D HAD KN[N H] LONG 5\< TO TELL IT WAS PUT ON4 ,%E'D QUITE A LI<T VOICE UND]NEA? BUT MADE IT DEEP] SO NO ONE W\LD ?9K %E WAS A PU%-OV]1 ?\< :Y %E ?\<T !Y'D ?9K ?AT1 ,FR$DY HADN'T GOT A CLUE4 ,ONE LOOK AT ,M>Y ,JANE ) ?AT FACE & !M SCABS ALL ON H] KNUCKLES1 MO/ FOLK W\LD KN[ WELL 5\< TO KEEP AWAY4 ,BESIDES1 H] OPPORTUNITIES TO GET 9TO A SCRAP HAD ALL BE5 OV] AGES BACK4 ,!RE WASN'T ANY NE$ = H] TO KEEP ON SC>+ PEOPLE (F4 ,FR$DY SUPPOS$ IT WAS ! HABIT ( A LIFETIME & ?AT ,M>Y ,JANE WAS NEV] GO+ TO *ANGE IF %E'D NOT *ANG$ BY ?AT PO9T4 

0,NO1 NO PUB4 ,JU/ ! ,/4 ,PET]'S ,ANNEX :AT !Y CALL IT1 :]E !Y'RE LOOK+ AFT] PEOPLE4 ,TELL ! TRU?1 ,I %\LDN'T ?9K Y\'D LIKE IT MU*4 ,Y\ KN[ H[ !RE'S SOME >EAS :]E ! WEA!R'S ALWAYS BAD8 ,IT'S ONE ( !M4 ,! PEOPLE UP !RE >E ALL NICE 5\<1 SOME REAL GOOD SORTS LIKE 9 ! OLD TIMES1 BUT !RE'S NEV] ANYBODY ?AT Y\ KN[ GOES UP !RE4 ,WELL1 EXCEPT ! GANGS ( KIDS & ?AT1 BUT !Y GET EV]Y:]E1 ! LITTLE BUGG]S4 ,I EXPECT ?AT EV]YONE'S LIKE US1 /ICK 9 ! MUDS :AT NEV] LEAVE !IR [N BIT ( ! ,BOR\<S & DON'T GO MU* HI<] ?AN ! F\RTE5S OR FIFTE5S40 

,%E LI/5$ TO :AT ,FR$DY HAD TO SAY & !N %E SCREW$ UP H] EXPRESSION1 LIKE A FACE A KID HAD DRAWN UPON A BOX+ GLOVE1 & GL>$ AT HIM4 ,?AT WAS JU/ H[ %E WAS ) EV]YONE4 ,Y\ C\LDN'T TAKE IT P]SONAL ) ,M>Y ,JANE4 

0,FIFTE5S BE FUCK$4 ,I'M NOT EV5 ?AT FOND ( H[ !Y'VE GOT IT H]E40 

,%E WAV$ ONE SCABBY-KNUCKL$ H& >\ND TO 9DICATE ! PLEASANT LITTLE B>-ROOM ) ITS O!R BIT D[N A %ORT FLI<T ( /EPS FROM :]E !Y SAT4 ,!RE W]E TWO M5 /OOD TALK+ TO ! GIRL BEH9D ! B>1 JU/ :ILE %E S]V$ !M1 & A C\PLE 9 !IR TW5TIES SITT+ *OPS+ 9 ONE CORN]1 BUT NOBODY ,M>Y ,JANE OR ,FR$DY KNEW4 ,! ,BLACK ,LION1 ?IS BIT ( IT1 WAS A DEC5T LITTLE PLACE /ILL1 BUT !RE WAS NO >GU+ ) ,M>Y ,JANE :5 %E WAS 9 A MOOD LIKE ?IS1 & %E WAS ALWAYS 9 A MOOD LIKE ?IS SO !RE WAS NEV] ANY >GU+4 

0,IF Y\ WANT MY OP9ION1 !SE NEW PLACES >E A WA/E ( FUCK+ TIME4 ,Y\'RE BETT] (F D[N 9 ! =TY-EI<TS & =TY-N9ES :]E !RE'S A BETT] CLASS ( 9DIVIDUAL1 ) MORE GO 9 !M4 ,OR IF ?AT'S NOT :AT'S TO Y\R LIK+1 :Y DON'T Y\ COME UP ! ,SMOK]S ( A NI<T1 ABOVE ! ,MAYORHOLD8 ,!RE'S ! OLD CR[D 9 !RE /ILL1 !M AS W\LD KN[ Y\1 SO Y\'D NOT GO %ORT ( COMPANY40 

,FR$DY JU/ %OOK HIS HEAD4 

0,IT'S NOT MY K9D ( PLACE ?AT1 ,M>Y ,JANE4 ,!Y'RE A BIT R\< = ME1 ! CR[D UP !RE ) ,MICK ,MALONE & ?AT LOT4 ,I'M NOT BE+ FUNNY1 BUT ,I'M JU/ MORE US$ TO KEEP+ TO MESELF4 ,SOMETIMES ,I GO D[N ,SC>LETWELL TO SEE A *UM ,I'VE GOT D[N !RE1 BUT ,I KEEP (F ! ,MAYORHOLD1 MO/LY1 AS IT IS N[40 

0,I'M NOT TALK+ AB\T N[1 ,I'M SAY+ 9 ! NI<TTIME4 ,WE HAVE A GOOD LAU<1 UP 9 ! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S4 ',C\RSE1 ,I'VE ALWAYS GOT ! ,DRAGON JU/ ACROSS ! WAY !RE1 IF ,I'M FEEL+ 9 ! MOOD40 

,A DIRTY & LASCIVI\S GR9 BROKE \T ACROSS ,M>Y ,JANE'S FACE :ILE %E WAS SAY+ ?IS1 & ,FR$DY FELT RELIEV$ TO HAVE ! WOMAN FROM BEH9D ! B> COME \T & 9T]RUPT BY CLE>+ (F ! DIRTY GLASSES1 SO !Y W\LDN'T HAVE TO FOLL[ UP ?AT L9E ( ?\<T4 ,! B>MAID MOV$ ?AT FA/ ?AT %E WAS LIKE A BLUR1 JU/ :IPP$ ! GLASSES FROM !IR TABLE !N %OT BACK BEH9D ! B>1 NOT PAY+ !M ! LEA/ BIT ( ATT5TION4 ,?AT WAS H[ IT WAS = ONES LIKE HIM & ,M>Y ,JANE1 = ! R\< SLEEP]S4 ,PEOPLE H>DLY KNEW ?AT Y\ W]E !RE4 ,!Y JU/ LOOK$ ?R\< Y\4 

,M>Y ,JANE1 :5 %E PICK$ UP ! ?READ ( TALK AGA91 HAD MOV$ ON FROM ! SUBJECT ( ! ,DRAGON & H] LOVE LIFE1 :I* WAS JU/ AS WELL1 BUT 9 ! ABS5CE ( A DR9K TO %UT H] UP WAS REM9ISC+1 /ILL )9 ! G5]AL SUBJECT ( ! ,MAYORHOLD1 ON ! FI<TS %E'D HAD !RE4 

0,GOD1 DO Y\ REMEMB] ,LIZZIE ,FAWKES1 H[ ME & H] W5T AT IT \TSIDE ! ,GRE5 ,DRAGON 9 ! /REET1 RI<T ON ! ,MAYORHOLD !RE8 ,WE HAD A SET-TO OV] ,JEAN ,DOVE :AT WAS SO BAD ?AT ! COPP]S D>$N'T BU/ US UP4 ,I'LL SAY ?IS = OLD ,LIZZIE1 %E WAS T\< ALL RI<T4 ,%E'D GOT ONE EYELID HANG+ (F & C\LDN'T TALK = :]E ,I'D KNOCK$ H] JAW \T1 BUT %E W\LDN'T LET IT LIE4 ,MESELF1 ,I W]5'T MU* BETT]1 GOT ME HEAD SPLIT OP5 & IT TURN$ \T LAT] ?AT ,I'D BROKE A ?UMB BUT IT WAS SU* A GREAT FI<T NEI!R ( US WANT$ IT TO 5D4 ,WE W5T UP TO ! ,MAYORHOLD ! NEXT MORN+ & WE C>RI$ ON ) IT A :ILE1 BUT !N %E'D GOT A BOLT HID 9 H] H& SO :5 %E CL\T$ ME >\ND ! HEAD ,I W5T \T LIKE A LI<T4 ,?AT WAS A FUCK+ BEAUTY1 ALL RI<T4 ,MAKES ME WANT TO GO BACK D[N !RE SO ,I CAN RELIVE IT4 ,%\LD Y\ LIKE TO COME ALONG N[1 ,FR$DY8 ,I CAN PROMISE Y\1 IT WAS A FUCK+ TREAT40 

,!RE'D BE5 A TIME :5 ,FR$DY W\LD HAVE GONE ALONG ) ,M>Y ,JANE = FE> ( H[ %E'D TAKE IT IF HE %\LD REFUSE1 BUT ?OSE DAYS W]E LONG GONE4 ,%E WAS ALL B>K N[ & NO BITE1 NO H>M TO ANYONE4 ,NONE ( !M W]E1 NOT !SE DAYS4 ,IT HAD BE5 A LONG TIME S9CE ! COPP]S TOOK AN 9T]E/ 9 ANY ( !M1 ,FR$DY1 ,M>Y ,JANE1 OLD ,GEORGIE ,BUMBLE1 ANY ( ?AT LOT4 ,M9D Y\1 ! COPP]S HAD NO JURISDICTION 9 ! >EAS :]E ,F]D & ,M>Y ,JANE SP5T ALL !IR TIME !SE DAYS1 & IT WAS V]Y1 V]Y R>E Y\'D SEE A BOBBY R\ND !RE1 NOT ONE :O'D GOT ANY 9T]E/ 9 ! LIKES ( !M4 ,! ONLY ONE :O ,FR$DY KNEW TO SAY HELLO TO WAS ,JOE ,BALL1 ,SUP]9T5D5T ,BALL1 & HE WAS ALL RI<T4 ,AN OLD-FA%ION$ COPP] \T ! OLD5 DAYS :AT HAD LONG S9CE RETIR$1 ?\< :5 Y\ SAW HIM HE /ILL HAD HIS UNI=M4 ,HE'D SP5D A LOT ( TIME TALK+ TO VILLA9S ( ! SORT HE'D ONCE HAVE LOCK$ UP 9 ! JAIL1 9CLUD+ ,FR$DY1 :O'D ONCE ASK$ ,JOE :Y HE WASN'T SP5D+ HIS RETIREM5T SOME:]E NIC]1 SOME:]E LIKE :]E ,FR$DY'S PAL D[N ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET SAID ?AT ,FR$DY %\LD HAVE GONE4 ,! OLD ,SUP]9T5D5T HAD JU/ SMIL$ & SAID HE'D ALWAYS LIK$ ! ,BOR\<S4 ,IT W\LD DO HIM1 & Y\ SOMETIMES GOT ! *ANCE TO DO A BIT ( GOOD4 ,?AT WAS 5\< = OLD ,JOE ,BALL4 ,HE WASN'T AFT] ANYONE1 NOT ,FR$DY & NOT EV5 ,M>Y ,JANE4 ,%E'D BE5 A HOLY T]ROR BUT %E'D HAD ! FI<T GO \T ( H] :5 H] OLD WAY ( LIFE 5D$ ABRUPTLY AFT] %E'D BE5 /RUCK D[N BY A HE>T ATTACK4 ,%E'D HAD TO REASSESS ?+S AFT] ?AT & *ANGE H] WAYS1 SO ,FR$DY WASN'T WORRI$ N[ AS HE DECL9$1 POLITELY1 H] K9D 9VITATION TO REVISIT SC5ES ( =M] GLORIES4 

0,I'D AS SOON NOT1 ,M>Y ,JANE1 IF IT'S ! SAME TO Y\4 ,?AT'S MORE Y\R CUP ( TEA ?AN M9E1 & ,I'VE GOT OLD AFFAIRS MESELF ,I %\LD BE GETT+ BACK TO4 ,TELL Y\ :AT1 IF Y\'LL KEEP OLD ,MALONE & ALL HIS BLOODY ANIMALS AWAY FROM ME1 ,I'LL BREAK ! HABIT ( A 444 WELL1 ( A LONG :ILE IT SEEMS TO ME 444 & ,I'LL P]HAPS COME BY ! ,SMOK]S :5 ,I'VE BE5 TO WAT* ME BILLI>DS TONI<T1 H['S ?AT80 

,?IS SEEM$ TO PLEASE H]4 ,%E /OOD UP & /UCK ONE CALLUS$ H& \T SO ?AT ,F]D C\LD %AKE IT4 

0,?AT'LL DO ME4 ,Y\ M9D H[ Y\ GO N[1 ,FR$DY1 ?\< ,I S'POSE ! WOR/ HAS ALL ALREADY HAPP5$ = ! LIKES ( US4 ,I'LL TELL Y\ H[ ,I GOT ON 9 ! FI<T IF ,I %\LD SEE Y\ UP ! ,SMOK]S4 ,Y\ MAKE SURE Y\'RE !RE1 N[40 

,%E RELEAS$ HIS H&1 !N %E WAS GONE4 ,HE SAT !RE ON HIS [N A :ILE EYE+ ! B>MAID4 ,IT WAS HOPELESS1 ,FR$DY KNEW ?AT4 ,HE WAS OLD] ) HIS HAIR GONE N[1 & ?\< HE /ILL HAD :AT HE C\LD RETA9 ( ! GOOD LOOKS HE'D HAD :5 HE WAS Y\NG1 AS F> AS ! BLOND B>MAID WAS CONC]N$ HE MI<T AS WELL NOT BE !RE4 ,HE PICK$ UP HIS HAT FROM :]E IT RE/$ ON ! SEAT BESIDE HIM1 CRAMM$ IT ON HIS BALD SPOT & GOT UP TO LEAVE HIMSELF4 ,AS HE W5T ?R\< ! DOOR & ONTO ,BLACK ,LION ,HILL1 JU/ FROM POLIT5ESS & FROM HABIT HE CALL$ TO ! B>MAID1 WI%+ H] A GOOD DAY1 BUT %E TOOK NO NOTICE1 AS HE'D KN[N %E W\LDN'T4 ,%E JU/ KEPT ON DRY+ GLASSES ) H] BACK TO HIM1 ACT+ AS IF %E HADN'T HE>D4 ,HE /EPP$ \T ( ! PUB & TURN$ RI<T1 UP TO ,PET]'S ,*UR*1 :]E ALL ! CL\DS W]E MOV+ BY SO FA/ ABOVE ?AT LI<T WAS FLICK]+ ON ! OLD /ONEWORK AS ?\< FROM A MON/] C&LE4 

,AS HE PASS$ ! *UR* HE GLANC$ 9 AT ITS DOORWAY1 JU/ TO SEE IF ANY Y\NG *AP OR Y\NG WOMAN 444 !Y W]E ALWAYS Y\NG ONES !SE DAYS1 ) AS MANY GIRLS AS !RE W]E BOYS 444 WAS SLEEP+ UND]NEA? ! PORTICO1 BUT !RE WAS NO ONE !RE4 ,SOMETIMES1 IF HE FELT LONELY OR JU/ NE$$ HUMAN COMPANY HE'D SNEAK 9 ) !M :ILE !Y SLEPT1 :I* DIDN'T DO NO H>M1 JU/ LY+ !RE BESIDE !M FACE TO FACE & LI/5+ TO !M BREA!1 PRET5D+ HE C\LD FEEL !IR W>M?4 ,!Y W]E ALL DRUNK OR TOO PIE-EY$ TO KN[ ?AT !RE WAS ANYBODY !RE1 & HE'D BE UP & GONE BE=E !Y W]E AWAKE 9 ANY CASE1 JU/ ON ! (F *ANCE ONE MI<T OP5 UP !IR EYES & SEE HIM4 ,! LA/ ?+ HE'D WANT TO DO WAS FRI<T5 !M4 ,HE WASN'T DO+ ANY H>M1 & HE W\LD NEV] T\* !M OR P9* NO?+ FROM !M1 NOT A ONE ( !M4 ,HE C\LDN'T4 ,HE W]5'T LIKE ?AT ANYMORE4 

,FROM ,M>EFAIR1 ,FR$DY DRIFT$ UP ,HORSEM>KET4 ,AS HE CROSS$ ,/4 ,M>Y'S ,/REET ?AT RAN (F TO HIS LEFT HE GLANC$ ALONG IT4 ,Y\ C\LD SOMETIMES SEE ! SI/]S /ILL UP !RE1 A PROP] PAIR ( DRAGONS :O'D BE5 WIDELY-KN[N & TALK$ AB\T :5 9 !IR PRIME3 WILD1 %OCK+ & EXCIT+4 ,FAM\SLY1 !Y'D ONCE RAC$ NAK$ ?R\< ! T[N1 LEAP+ & TWIRL+1 SPITT+1 RUNN+ ALONG RO(TOPS1 ALL ! WAY FROM H]E TO ,D]NGATE 9 AB\T T5 M9UTES1 BO? SO DANG]\S & BEAUTIFUL ?AT PEOPLE WEPT TO SEE !M4 ,FR$DY SOMETIMES SPOTT$ !M 9 ,M>Y'S ,/REET1 JU/ MOP+ WI/FULLY >\ND ! PILES ( DRI$-\T LEAVES & LITT] DRIFT$ UP AGA9/ ! SUNK5 C> P>K'S WALL1 DRAWN BACK H]E TO ! PLACE :]E !Y HAD ONCE COMM5C$ !IR MEMORABLE DANCE4 ,! GLITT] 9 !IR EYES1 Y\ KNEW ?AT IF !Y HAD ! *ANCE1 EV5 AT !IR AGE1 !Y'D /ILL DO IT ALL AGA94 ,!Y'D DO IT 9 A M9UTE4 ,BLIMEY1 ?AT W\LD BE A SI<T4 

,TODAY1 ,/4 ,M>Y'S ,/REET WAS EMPTY SAVE A SCR\NGEY-LOOK+ DOG4 ,FR$DY PASS$ ON1 NOT = ! FIR/ TIME HE REFLECT$1 TO ! TOP ( ,CA/LE ,/REET :]E HE TURN$ LEFT & HEAD$ D[N TO :]E ! FLATS W]E N[4 

,IT WAS :5 ,M>Y ,JANE MADE ?AT REM>K AB\T :AT %E GOT UP TO AT ! ,DRAGON - ! ,GRE5 ,DRAGON ON ! ,MAYORHOLD - :I* WAS :]E ! LESBIANS GA!R$4 ,AS UNWELCOME AS ! ?\<T ( IT HAD BE51 IT HAD SET ,FR$DY (F1 SET HIM (F ?9K+ AB\T SEX AGA94 ,?AT'S :Y HE'D EY$ ! B>MAID D[N AT ! ,BLACK ,LION4 ,TO BE QUITE HONE/ SEX WAS A FRU/RATION & A NUISANCE N[ AS MU* AS ANY?+1 BUT ONCE IT CAME 9TO HIS HEAD IT RATTL$ R\ND UNTIL HE'D SATISFI$ ITS NAGG+ VOICE & ALL ITS WE>Y+ DEM&S4 ,N[ ?AT HE ?\<T AB\T IT1 ?\<1 IT HAD BE5 MU* ! SAME = HIM :ILE HE WAS 9 ! LIFE4 ,IT WASN'T FAIR ( HIM TO BLAME HIS CIRCUM/ANCES N[ = ALL ! ?+S ?AT MADE HIM FEEL F$ UP4 ,HE'D HAD A FAIR %AKE1 ,FR$DY ?\<T1 ALL ?+S CONSID]$4 ,NO ONE WAS TO BLAME BUT HIM = H[ HE'D H&L$ HIS AFFAIRS1 & HE C\LD SEE ?AT !RE WAS JU/ICE 9 ! WAY HE'D 5D$ UP4 ,JU/ICE ABOVE ! /REETS4 

,HE WAS JU/ ?9K+ ?AT HE'D NOT SE5 ANY ( ?AT >EA'S CL]GYM5 >\ND AS YET TODAY1 ! BRO!RS OR :ATEV] !Y PREF]R$ TO CALL !MSELVES1 :5 :O %\LD !RE BE /RUGGL+ UP ! /REET T[>DS HIM ?AN ONE ( ?AT V]Y LOT3 A /\T *AP LOOK+ HOT UND] HIS ROBES & ALL ( ?AT L>K1 MAK+ H>D WORK ( AN OLD SACK :AT HE'D GOT ACROSS HIS %\LD]4 ,FR$DY HAD A LITTLE *UCKLE TO HIMSELF1 ?9K+ ?AT IT WAS MORE ?AN LIKELY NICK$ *UR* C&LE-/ICKS OR ! COLLECTION PLATES OR ELSE ! LEAD FROM (F ! RO( 9SIDE ! SACK1 IT LOOK$ ?AT HEAVY4 

,AS !Y NE>$ EA* O!R1 ! OLD PRIE/ *AP LIFT$ HIS FLU%$1 SWEAT+ FACE & NOTIC$ ,FR$DY1 GIV+ HIM A BIG W>M SMILE ( GREET+ SO ?AT FROM ! (FSET ,FR$DY LIK$ ! MAN4 ,HE LOOK$ LIKE ?AT Y\NG ACTOR (F ! TELLY :O PLAY$ ,FANCY ,SMI? 9 ,Z-,C>S1 ONLY OLD]1 H[ HE'D LOOK IF HE W]E 9 HIS FIFTIES OR HIS SIXTIES1 ) A BE>D & ALL GRAY HAIR4 ,!IR PA?S MET HALFWAY D[N ! BIT BETWE5 ,HORSEM>KET & ! PA? OR RAMP OR /AIRS1 :ATEV] IT WAS CALL$1 ?AT L$ 9TO ! H\SES !RE1 ! FLATS4 ,BO? ( !M /OPP$ & SAID HELLO POLITELY TO EA* O!R1 ) ?IS RUDDY-FAC$ OLD ,FRI> ,TUCK *AP HAV+ A GREAT RUMBL+ VOICE & SOME?+ ( AN ACC5T ,FR$DY C\LDN'T PLACE4 ,IT S\ND$ A BIT BACKW>DS1 LIKE A C\NTRY ACC5T C\LD IF Y\ W]5'T US$ TO !M1 & ,FR$DY ?\<T ! BLOKE MI<T BE FROM ,T[CE/] OR \T ?AT WAY1 ) HIS !ES & ?YS4 

0,IT IS A HOT DAY TO BE \T1 ,I WAS ?IS MOM5T SAY+ TO MYSELF4 ,H[ GOES ! WORLD ) !E N[1 MY F9E1 HONE/ FELL[80 

,FR$DY WOND]$ IF ?IS *AP HAD HE>D ( HIM1 HIS NICK+ ALL ! LOAVES & P9TS ( MILK BACK 9 ! OLD TIMES1 & IF ALL ?IS 'HONE/ FELL[' /UFF WAS JU/ A P>SON'S MANN] :5 HE TOOK ! MICKEY \T ( SOMEONE4 ,BY & L>GE1 ?\<1 HE SEEM$ A /RAI<T=W>D SORT & ,FR$DY ?\<T ?AT HE %\LD TAKE HIM AT FACE VALUE4 

0,OH1 IT LOOKS LIKE A HOT DAY1 ALL RI<T1 & ,I SUPPOSE ! WORLD GOES WELL 5\<4 ,:AT ( Y\RSELF8 ,?AT BAG ( Y\RS LOOKS LIKE A BURD540 

,SETT+ HIS R\< SACK D[N ON ! GR\ND ) A SMALL GROAN ( GRATITUDE AT ! RELIEF1 ! P>SON %OOK HIS WOOLLY HEAD & GR9N$4 

0,GOD BLESS !E1 NO 444 OR IF IT IS IT'S NOT A BURD5 ,I BEGRUDGE4 ,I HAVE BE5 TOLD ,I AM TO BR+ IT TO ! C5T]4 ,DO/ ?\ KN[ :]E ?AT MI<T BE80 

,FR$DY WAS /UMP$ JU/ = A MOM5T1 ?9K+ ?AT ONE ?R\<4 ,! ONLY C5T] ?AT HE KNEW ( WAS ! SPORTS & RECREATION C5T]1 :]E !Y PLAY$ ! BILLI>DS !RE HALFWAY D[N ,HORSE%OE ,/REET1 :]E ,FR$DY W\LD BE GO+ LAT] ON IF ALL W]E WELL4 ,DECID+ ?AT MU/ BE ! PLACE ?AT ! OLD FELL] MEANT1 ,FR$DY PROCE$$ TO GIVE HIM ! RI<T DIRECTIONS4 

0,IF IT'S :]E ,I'M ?9K+ (1 !N Y\ MU/ TURN RI<T BY ?AT TREE ALONG ! 5D !RE40 ,FR$DY GE/UR$ TO ! 5D ( ,CA/LE ,/REET4 0,GO D[N ?AT WAY UNTIL Y\ REA* ! CROSSROADS AT ! BOTTOM4 ,IF Y\ GO /RAI<T OV] & Y\ C>RY ON D[NHILL1 IT'S ON Y\R LEFT ACROSS ! ROAD1 JU/ HALFWAY D[N40 

,! OLD BOY'S FACE1 ALREADY BRI<T ) SWEAT1 LIT UP TO HE> ?IS NEWS4 ,HE MU/ HAVE WALK$ A LONG WAY1 ,FR$DY ?\<T1 DRAGG+ ?AT SACK4 ,! ,HOLY ,JOE ?ANK$ ,FR$DY ?OR\<LY1 HE WAS ?AT GRATEFUL TO HE> ?AT ! BILLI>D HALL WAS ONLY D[N ! /REET1 !N ASK$ :]E ,F]D HIMSELF WAS B\ND4 0,I TRU/ ?AT Y\R [N J\RNEY IS T[>DS SOME PURE & GODLY 5D+0 WAS ! WAY HE PUT IT4 ,FR$DY HAD BE5 ?9K+ ?AT HE'D GO D[N 9 ! DWELL+S JU/ (F ,BA? ,/REET & GIVE ,PATSY ,CL>KE A POKE = OLD TIMES' SAKE1 BUT IT W]5'T RI<T TO SAY ?AT TO A MAN ( ,GOD4 ,9/EAD1 ,FR$DY MADE \T ?AT HE'D BE5 (F TO SEE AN OLD MATE1 AN OLD P5SION] :O'D NOT GOT ANY FAMILY1 D[N AT ! BOTTOM 5D ( ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET4 ,?IS WAS TRUE 5\<1 ?\< ,FR$DY HAD ORIG9ALLY 9T5D$ TO GO D[N !RE AFT] HIS REGUL> R5DEZV\S ) ,PATSY ,CL>KE4 ,AH1 WELL4 ,IT W\LDN'T HURT TO HAVE A *ANGE FROM ! R\T9E4 ,HE WI%$ ! /\T PRIE/ WELL1 !N SET (F AT A JAUNTY PACE1 /RAI<T PA/ ! OP5+ ( ,BA? ,/REET FLATS & D[N TO ,LITTLE ,CROSS ,/REET4 ,ON ! WAY D[N1 ,FR$DY PAUS$ & LOOK$ BACK AT ! CL]GYMAN4 ,HE'D LIFT$ UP HIS SACK AGA9 & HAD IT BACK ACROSS ONE %\LD]1 /AGG]+ (F UP ,CA/LE ,/REET T[>DS ,HORSEM>KET1 LEAV+ QUITE A TRAIL BEH9D HIM4 ,EV]YBODY LEFT A TRAIL1 ,FR$DY SUPPOS$4 ,:5 HE'D BE5 9 ! LIFE1 ?AT'S :AT ! ROZZ]S ALWAYS TOLD HIM :5 !Y CAU<T HIM1 ANYWAY4 

,HE C\LD HAVE D\BL$ BACK TO ,BA? ,/REET FLATS ONCE ! OLD *AP WAS GONE FROM SI<T1 BUT ?AT W\LD MAKE HIM FEEL DI%ONE/ AFT] :AT HE'D SAID4 ,NO1 HE'D GO ON D[N ,SC>LETWELL1 :]E !Y'D BE GLAD TO SEE HIM4 ,TRU? BE TOLD1 !Y W]E ! ONLY ONES /ILL LIV+ D[N !RE1 :5 IT CAME TO SEE+ ,FR$DY1 :O W\LD MAKE ! EF=T4 ,REALIZ+ ?AT Y\ C\LDN'T GET D[N ,BRI/OL ,/REET )\T A LOT ( DIFFICULTY !SE DAYS1 ,FR$DY W5T 9/EAD UP ,LITTLE ,CROSS ,/REET TO :]E IT JO9$ ,BA? ,/REET ON ! FLATS' F> SIDE1 !N TURN$ LEFT & W5T ON D[N ,BA? ,/REET TO ITS BOTTOM AS IT VE]$ R\ND TO ! RI<T & 9TO ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET4 

,HE WAS 9 A SORT ( FOG AS HE ROLL$ R\ND ! CORN] TO HIS RI<T1 & PASS$ ! PLACE :]E ,BA? ,R[ HAD RUN D[N TO ,&REW'S ,ROAD ONCE1 YE>S BACK4 ,!RE WAS JU/ ! OP5+ TO ! G>AGES1 NE> :]E ,=T ,/REET & ,MOAT ,/REET HAD ONCE BE54 ,AS HE PASS$ BY IT1 ,F]D PE]$ D[N ! T>MAC SLOPE ?AT L$ TO ! 5CLOSURE1 A R\< OBLONG ?AT ONLY ! CLOS$ GRAY G>AGE DOORS LOOK$ ONTO4 ,SOME?+ ( AN ODDITY = BLOKES ( HIS SORT1 ,FR$DY DIDN'T HOLD ) PREMONITIONS & ! LIKES ( ?AT1 BUT !RE WAS SOME?+ D[N !RE1 D[N !M G>AGES :]E ,BA? ,R['S T]RACES ONCE W]E4 ,EI!R !RE HAD BE5 SOME?+ HAPP5 !RE A LONG TIME BACK1 OR !RE WAS SOME?+ GO+ TO HAPP5 !RE4 ,SUPPRESS+ ! FIR/ FA9T <O/ ( A %IV] HE'D FELT 9 A LONG TIME1 ,FR$DY C>RI$ ON TO ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET1 CROSS+ TO ITS O!R SIDE !RE AT ! BOTTOM1 D[N BEL[ ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL'S PLAY+ FIELDS4 ,Y\ C\LD /ILL SEE SOME ( ! COBBLES ( ! JITTY M\?1 :]E IT HAD RUN BEH9D ! T]RACE D[N ON ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 BUT IT WAS PRETTY MU* ALL GONE4 ,IT LOOK$ TO ,FR$DY AS IF ! ?ICK %RUBS D[N AT ! BOTTOM BORD] ( ! FIELD HAD PU%$ 9TO ! SPACE :]E ONCE ! JITTY WAS1 ) !IR BLACK FOLIAGE COV]+ ITS SMOO? GRAY /ONES4 ,AT LEA/1 ,F]D ?\<T !Y W]E /ILL GRAY1 BUT ALMO/ EV]Y?+ D[N H]E WAS GRAY OR BLACK OR :ITE TO ,F]D1 LIKE AN OLD PHOTO :]E ITS ALL CLE> & ! LI<T'S JU/ RI<T BUT !RE'S NO COLORS4 ,FR$DY HADN'T SE5 A NORMAL WORLDLY COLOR N[ 9 =TY-SOME?+ YE>S1 AS PEOPLE :O /ILL MADE A LIV+ JUDG$ SU* ?+S4 ,! COLOR-BL9DNESS WAS JU/ P>T ( HIS CONDITION4 ,FR$DY DIDN'T M9D IT MU*1 EXCEPT ) FL[]S4 

,HE WALK$ D[N A FEW /EPS TO :]E ! H\SE WAS1 /&+ ALL ALONE !RE ON ! CORN] BY ! MA9 ROAD1 NO?+ BUT A PAT* ( GRASS BEH9D IT RUNN+ (F T[>DS ,SPR+ ,LANE1 :]E ONCE HAD /OOD ! T]RACE :]E A LOT ( !M ?AT ,FR$DY KNEW HAD LIV$1 ,JOE ,SWAN & !M4 ,HE /EPP$ UP ON ! DOOR/EP & W5T 94 ,! DOORS W]E NEV] CLOS$ D[N !RE TO ,FR$DY1 & HE KNEW HE'D ALWAYS GOT AN OP5 9VITATION1 SO HE JU/ W5T ?R\< & D[N ! PASSAGE TO ! DOOR :AT L$ 9TO ! LIV+ ROOM1 9 :I* ! CORN] H\SE'S T5ANT WAS SAT AT ! TABLE BY ONE WALL & BR[S+ ?R\< A PICTURE-ALBUM1 FULL ( SEASIDE SNAPS & EV]Y?+1 LOOK+ UP ) SURPRISE AS ,FR$DY CAME 9 UNANN\NC$1 BUT !N RELAX+ UPON REALIZ+ IT WAS ONLY HIM4 

0,HELLO1 ,F]D4 ,BLIMEY1 Y\ GIVE ME A TURN4 ,A RI<T OLD JUMP+ ,JACK ,I'M TURN+ 9TO1 NO MI/AKE4 ,I ?\<T IT WAS ! OLD MAN4 ,NOT ?AT HE'S A TR\BLE TO ME1 JU/ A BLOODY NUISANCE4 ,EV]Y WEEK HE'S R\ND H]E SAY+ SORRY ?IS & SORRY ?AT4 ,IT'S GETT+ ON ME N]VES4 ,H]E1 LET ME PUT ! KETTLE ON40 

,F]D OCCUPI$ ! EMPTY *AIR ACROSS ! TABLE FROM ! PHOTO ALBUM1 & CALL$ TO ! KIT*5 :ILE HIS PAL W5T \T TO MAKE A CUP ( TEA4 

0,WELL1 HE'S A ROGUE1 OLD ,JOHNNY4 ,I EXPECT HE FEELS HE NE$S =GIV+40 

,HIS FRI5D'S VOICE CAME FROM ! KIT*51 TALK+ L\D ABOVE ! BOIL+ ( ! KETTLE1 ONE ( ! ELECTRIC ONES ?AT'S BUBBL+ 9 A M9UTE4 

0,WELL1 ,I'VE TOLD HIM1 LIKE ,I'VE TOLD Y\ OV] O!R MATT]S1 IT'S HIMSELF HE %\LD BE ASK+ ! =GIV5ESS (4 ,IT'S NO GOOD COM+ R\ND TO ME4 ,I BE> HIM NO H>D FEEL+S & ,I'VE TOLD HIM ?AT4 ,= ME IT WAS ALL A LONG TIME AGO1 AL?\< ,I KN[ = HIM IT MU/ SEEM LIKE JU/ YE/]DAY4 ,AH WELL40 

,! /EELY-EY$ SEPTUAG5>IAN CAME BACK \T ( ! KIT*5 ) A /EAM+ MUG ( TEA 9 ONE BONY-BUT-/EADY H&1 & SAT D[N OPPOSITE TO ,FR$DY BY ! OP5 PHOTO-ALBUM1 SETT+ D[N ! TEACUP ON ! FAD$ TABLECLO?4 

0,I'M SORRY ,I CAN'T (F] Y\ ONE1 ,FR$DY1 BUT ,I KN[ IT'S NO GOOD EV5 ASK+40 

,FR$DY %RUGG$ DISCONSOLATELY 9 AGREEM5T4 

0,WELL1 MY 9N>DS 9 ! /ATE !Y >E !SE DAYS1 IT GOES RI<T ?R\< ME4 ,BUT ,I'M V]Y GRATEFUL = ! (F]4 ,H[ >E ?+S ) Y\1 MATE1 ANYWAY8 ,HAVE Y\ HAD ANYBODY CALL BY O!R ?AN OLD ,JOHNNY S9CE ,I SAW Y\ LA/80 

,! ANSW] WAS PREC$$ BY A NOISY SLURP ( TEA4 

0,WELL1 LET ME SEE4 ,I HAD !M BLOODY KIDS BREAK 9 H]E1 OOH1 SOME MON?S AGO IT MU/ HAVE BE54 ,!Y W]E MO/ LIKELY TRY+ TO CUT ?R\< 9TO ,SPR+ ,LANE ,T]RACE AS WAS UP ! BACK !RE YE>S AGO4 ,! LITTLE BEGG>S4 ,IT'S LIKE ALL ! KIDS !SE DAYS1 !Y ?9K ?AT !Y CAN GET AWAY ) ANY?+ BECAUSE !Y KN[ ?AT Y\ CAN'T T\* !M40 

,FR$DY ?\<T AB\T ! LA/ TEA HE'D 5JOY$1 NOT TOO MU* MILK1 TWO SUG>S1 WAIT UNTIL ! FIR/ FLU% ( ! BOIL+ HEAT HAS GONE (F ( IT1 !N IT'S RI<T = GULP+4 ,NOT A DR9K = SIPP+1 TEA4 ,JU/ GULP IT D[N & FEEL ! W>M? SPREAD ?R\< Y\R BELLY4 ,AH1 ?OSE W]E ! DAYS4 ,HE SI<$ AS HE REPLI$4 

0,I SAW 'EM E>LI]1 :5 ,I WAS UP ! TW5TY-FIVES 9 ,PET]'S ,ANNEX1 :]E !Y'VE GOT ?IS D>KY WOMAN ) A SC> OV] H] EYE :O'S TREAT+ ALL ! PRO/ITUTES & !M1 AMONG ! REFUGEES4 ,IT WAS ?AT GANG ( LITTLE DEVILS ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]'S GOT4 ,!Y'D BROKE 9 ?R\< ! OLD ,BLACK ,LION :5 IT WAS OPPOSITE ! *]RY OR*>DS1 BACK R\ND !RE 9 ,DODDRIDGE'S R\< >EA1 !N CLIMB$ UP TO ! TW5TY-FIVES JU/ LIKE A PACK ( LITTLE MONKEYS4 ,HONE/LY1 Y\ %\LD HAVE HE>D !IR LANGUAGE4 ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] CALL$ ME AN OLD BUGG] & H] LITTLE PALS ALL LAU<$40 

0,WELL1 ,I EXPECT Y\'VE BE5 CALL$ WORSE4 ,:AT'S ALL ?IS AB\T REFUGEES1 !N1 9 ! TW5TY-FIVES8 ,HAVE !Y COME FROM SOME W>8 ,?AT'S A BIT CLOSE = COM=T1 ?AT IS4 ,?AT'S JU/ UP ! ROAD40 

,FR$DY AGRE$1 !N SAID H[ IT W]5'T W> BUT FLOOD+1 & H[ FROM !IR ACC5TS ALL ! REFUGEES CAME FROM ! EA/4 ,HIS OLD FRI5D NODD$1 UND]/&+4 

0,WELL1 WE CAN'T MAKE \T WE W]5'T EXPECT+ IT1 ?\< LIKE ,I SAY1 WE ALL ?\<T AS IT W\LD BE FUR!R (F4 ,! TW5TY-FIVES1 EH8 ,WELL1 N[4 ,!RE'S A ?+40 

,!RE WAS A PAUSE TO TAKE ANO!R SWIG ( TEA BE=E ! SUBJECT *ANG$4 

0,SO TELL ME1 ,FR$DY1 HAVE Y\ SE5 OLD ,GEORGIE ,BUMBLE LATELY8 ,HE US$ TO CALL 9 H]E = A *AT SO ,I C\LD TELL HIM ?AT HE %\LD MOVE SOME:]E BETT] (F1 & SO ?AT HE C\LD TAKE NO NOTICE1 LIKE ALL Y\ OLD RUFFIANS DO FROM TIME TO TIME4 ,IT'S JU/ ,I HAV5'T SE5 HIM = A YE> OR MORE4 ,IS HE /ILL 9 HIS (FICE ON ! ,MAYORHOLD80 

,FR$DY HAD TO ?9K AB\T IT4 ,C\LD IT REALLY BE A YE>1 OR EV5 YE>S1 S9CE HE'D SE5 ,GEORGIE8 ,FR$DY T5D$ TO LOSE TRACK ( TIME1 HE KNEW1 BUT SURELY IT W]5'T ?AT LONG S9CE HE'D LOOK$ 9 ON ! POOR OLD BLI<T]8 

0,DO Y\ KN[1 ,I REALLY C\LDN'T TELL Y\4 ,I SUPPOSE HE'S /ILL !RE1 ?\< ,I DON'T GO UP ?AT WAY MU*4 ,TO BE HONE/1 IT'S A DIRTY HOLE UP !RE N[1 BUT ,I'LL TELL Y\ :AT1 ,I'LL LOOK 9 ON OLD ,GEORGIE :5 ,I LEAVE H]E & SEE H[ HE'S GETT+ ON40 

,F]D C\LD HAVE KICK$ HIMSELF1 AL?\< NOT LIT]ALLY4 ,N[ AS HE'D SAID HE'D DO IT1 HE W\LD FEEL OBLIG$ TO SEE IT ?R\<1 :I* MEANT HE'D NOT BE GETT+ R\ND TO ,PATSY ,CL>KE'S UNTIL MU* LAT] ?AN HE'D PLANN$1 SOMETIME >\ND ! MIDDLE ( ! AFT]NOON4 ,OH WELL4 ,%E'D WAIT4 ,IT W]5'T LIKE %E WAS GO+ TO RUN (F ANY:]E4 

,!IR CONV]SATION TURN$1 AS ,FR$DY KNEW IT W\LD1 TO HIS [N /UBBORNNESS 9 /AY+ D[N H]E 9 ! L[] REA*ES ( ! ,BOR\<S4 

0,FR$DY1 IF Y\ LOT ONLY ?\<T BETT] ( Y\RSELVES Y\ C\LD MOVE UP A BIT4 ,OR IF Y\ DID :AT MY GREAT-GR&-DAD DID Y\ C\LD MOVE UP A LOT4 ,! SKY'S ! LIMIT40 

0,WE'VE BE5 ?R\< ALL ?IS BE=E1 PAL1 & ,I KN[ MY PLACE4 ,!Y DON'T WANT ME UP !RE4 ,I'D ONLY HAVE ! MILK & BREAD AWAY FROM (F ! DOOR/EPS OR BE GETT+ UP TO TR\BLE ) ! WOM54 ,& BESIDES1 ! LIKES ( ME1 ,I C\LDN'T /& ) H& ON HE>T & SAY ,I'D E>N$ IT1 C\LD ,I8 ,NEV] E>N$ A ?+ 9 ALL ME LIFE4 ,:AT HAVE ,I EV] DONE TO PROVE ME WOR?1 OR :]E ,I C\LD AT LEA/ SAY AS ,I'D MADE A DIFF]5CE8 ,NO?+4 ,IF ,I HAD1 IF ,I C\LD HOLD ME HEAD UP ) ! BETT] FOLK1 P]HAPS ,I'D ?9K AGA91 BUT ,I DON'T RECKON AS ?AT'S V]Y LIKELY N[4 ,I %\LD HAVE HAD A GO AT ACT+ DEC5T BACK :5 ,I /ILL HAD A *ANCE1 BECAUSE IT'S H>D TO SEE H[ ,I %ALL HAVE ! OPPORTUNITY AGA940 

,HIS HO/ W5T TO ! KIT*5 = MORE TEA1 CONT9U+ !IR CONV]SATION 9 A L\D VOICE SO ?AT ,F]D C\LD HE>1 :I* WASN'T REALLY NECESS>Y4 ,FR$DY NOTIC$ ?AT NO TRAIL WAS LEFT BEH9D BETWE5 ! LIV+ ROOM & KIT*51 CONTR>Y TO :AT ! COPP]S HAD ONCE TOLD HIM4 ,OBVI\SLY1 = PEOPLE LIKE ,F]D'S MATE ?AT'S :AT ONE W\LD EXPECT1 BUT ,FR$DY SOMETIMES F\ND HIMSELF SO CAU<T UP 9 !IR CONV]SATIONS ?AT HE W\LD =GET ! ONE BIG DIFF]5CE ?AT !RE WAS BETWE5 !M3 ,FR$DY WAS NO LONG] LIV+ !RE 9 ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET4 ,?AT'S :Y HE'D LEAVE SCRUFFY TRACES 9 HIS WAKE1 & :Y !Y W\LDN'T4 ,SEV]AL MOM5TS PASS$1 & !N ,F]D'S *UM CAME BACK \T ( ! KIT*5 TO SIT D[N AGA91 ACROSS ! TABLE FROM HIM4 

0,FR$DY1 Y\ CAN NEV] TELL :AT TWI/S & TURNS AFFAIRS WILL TAKE1 ONE M9UTE TO ANO!R1 ONE DAY TO ! NEXT4 ,IT'S LIKE ! H\SES ?AT !RE US$ TO BE D[N H]E1 ) UNEXPECT$ B5DS & DOORS ?AT L$ (F ,LORD KN[S :]E4 ,BUT ALL ! POKEY LITTLE NOOKS & /AIRWAYS HAD !IR PURPOSE 9 ! BUILD]S' PLAN4 ,I S\ND LIKE ,FI]Y ,PHIL GIV+ A S]MON1 DON'T ,I8 ,:AT ,I'M SAY+ IS1 Y\ NEV] KNEW :AT'S GO+ TO TURN UP4 ,!RE'S ONLY ONE *AP KN[S ALL ?AT4 ,IF EV] Y\ GET TIR$ ( Y\R R\< SLEEP+1 ,FR$DY1 Y\ KN[ Y\ CAN ALWAYS COME R\ND H]E & JU/ GO /RAI<T UP/AIRS4 ,9 ! MEANTIME1 TRY NOT TO BE SO H>D UPON Y\RSELF4 ,!RE W]E F> WORSE ?AN Y\1 ,F]D4 ,! OLD MAN1 = ONE4 ,! ?+S ?AT Y\ DID1 9 ! F9AL RECKON+1 NONE ( !M LOOK SO BAD4 ,EV]YONE PLAY$ !IR P>TS ! WAY !Y HAD TO1 ,FR$DY4 ,EV5 IF !Y W]E A CROOK$ /AIR-RAIL1 IT MI<T BE ?AT !Y W]E LEAD+ SOME:]E4 ,OH4 ,I'VE JU/ ?\<T60 ,?IS WAS SAID SPR++ UP FROM ! *AIR AS ?\< 9 />TLEM5T4 0,I CAN'T MAKE Y\ A TEA1 BUT WE CAN GO \T BACK & Y\ CAN LOOK TO SEE IF !RE'S NEW SPR\TS S9CE LA/ TIME1 SO ?AT Y\ C\LD HAVE A BITE TO EAT40 

,?IS WAS MORE LIKE IT4 ,TALK+ AB\T PA/ CRIMES ALWAYS GOT HIM D[N1 BUT ?AT WAS NO?+ ?AT A BIT ( GRUB W\LDN'T PUT RI<T4 ,HE FOLL[$ HIS LONG-TIME COMPANION ?R\< ! KIT*5 & 9TO ! SMALL BRICK$-9 BACK Y>D \TSIDE1 :]E HE WAS PO9T$ TO ! JUNCTURE ( ! NOR? & WE/ WALLS4 

0,I CAU<T SOME?+ MOV+ FROM ! CORN] ( MY EYE :5 ,I WAS \T H]E PUTT+ RUBBI% 9 ! A%BOX JU/ ! O!R NI<T4 ,I KN[ :AT ?AT'S A SIGN (1 & SO Y\ MI<T WANT TO TAKE A G&] 9 BETWE5 ! BRICKS1 SEE IF !RE'S ANY ROOTS !RE40 

,FR$DY TOOK A CLOSE LOOK AT ! SPOT TO :I* HE'D BE5 DIRECT$4 ,IT WAS V]Y PROMIS+4 ,POK+ UP ONTO ,FR$DY'S LEVEL FROM A CREVICE 9 ! MORT> WAS A /IFF & SPID]Y PROTUB]ANCE HE KNEW TO BE ! ROOT BULB ( A ,PUCK'S ,HAT1 ?\< ( :AT V>IETY HE C\LDN'T TELL AS YET4 ,IT WASN'T ONE ( ! D>K GRAY K9DS1 HE AT LEA/ KNEW ?AT MU*4 ,FROM BEH9D HIM CAME HIS MATE'S VOICE1 HI< & QUIV]Y ) AGE BUT /ILL ) BACKBONE TO IT4 

0,CAN Y\ SEE ONE8 ,Y\'VE GOT BETT] EYES = IT ?AN ME40 

0,AYE1 !RE'S ONE H]E4 ,IT WAS ITS BLOSSOMS :AT Y\ SAW ! O!R NI<T4 ,HANG ON A M9UTE & ,I'LL PRIZE IT \T40 

,F]D REA*$ 9TO ! CRACK ) GRUBBY F+]TIPS & P9*$ ! BULB (F AT ITS ?ICK :ITE /EM1 :]E IT L$ D[N 9TO ! BRICKWORK4 ,ONE ( A ,PUCK'S ,HAT'S PECULI>ITIES WAS ?AT IT HAD ! ROOT BULB UP ABOVE1 & !N ! 9DIVIDUAL %OOTS GREW D[N 9TO :ATEV] SPACES !Y C\LD F9D4 ,!RE WAS ?AT FA9T SQUEAL AS HE PLUCK$ IT1 MORE A T9NY HUM ?AT SWELL$ UP = A MOM5T !N WAS GONE4 ,HE FI%$ IT \T SO HE C\LD TAKE A CLOS] LOOK AT IT4 

,BIG AS A P]SON'S H&1 IT WAS A MO/LY :ITE V>IETY1 ) ! /IFF RADIAT+ \TGR[?S1 EA* A DIFF]5T L5G?1 ALL SPRUNG LIKE SPOKES \T FROM ! C5T]4 ,CUPP+ IT B5EA? HIS NOSE HE WAS DELI<T$ TO DISCOV] ?AT IT WAS A TYPE ?AT HAD A SC5T1 BO? DELICATE & SWEET1 ONE ( ! ONLY ?+S ?AT HE C\LD REALLY SMELL !SE DAYS4 ,UP CLOSE LIKE ?AT1 HE EV5 SAW ITS COLORS4 

,:AT IT LOOK$ LIKE FROM ABOVE WAS AB\T ?IRTE5 NAK$ WOM51 ALL TWO 9*ES TALL ) ALL !IR CR[NS JO9$ UP TOGE!R 9 ! VEGETABLE'S C5T]1 :]E !RE WAS A TUFT ( ORANGE HAIR1 A SMALL BRI<T SPOT TO M>K ! MIDDLE ) ! T9Y HEADS GR[N \T ( IT LIKE PETALS4 ,! SMALL FEMALES SORT ( OV]LAPP$1 SO ?AT !RE W]E ?REE EYES1 TWO NOSES & TWO LITTLE M\?S = EV]Y PAIR ( FACES4 ,H[ IT WORK$1 >\ND ! C5T] ORANGE SPOT !RE WAS A R+ ( M9USCULE BLUE EYES1 LIKE FLECKS ( GLASS4 ,SPAC$ \T BEYOND !SE W]E ! GOOSEFLE% BUMPS ?AT W]E ! R+S ( NOSES1 !N ! D>K P9K SLITS1 ALMO/ TOO SMALL TO SEE1 ?AT W]E ! M\?S4 ,! 9DIVIDUAL NECKS BRAN*$ \T1 !N GREW 9TO ! %\LD]S ( ! NEXT GIRL-%APE 9 L9E1 LEAV+ A LITTLE HOLE BETWE5 !IR FUZ$-TOGE!R %\LD]S & !IR FUZ$-TOGE!R E>S4 ,AGA91 !RE W]E ?REE >MS = EA* TWO BODIES1 !SE AGA9 >RANG$ TO =M AN \TLY+ CONC5TRIC R+1 EA* SL5D] LIMB DIVID+ 9TO T9Y F+]S AT ITS TIP4 ,! WOM5'S BODIES FROM ! NECK D[N W]E ! LONGE/ SECTIONS ( ! PLANT1 ) ONE P] HEAD1 =M+ ! \TMO/ B& ( PETALS1 EA* ONE BIFURCAT$ 9TO T9Y WAV]+ LEGS1 SMALL DOTS ( R$ FLUFF AT !IR JUNCTIONS =M+ YET ANO!R DECORATIVE CIRCLE 9 ! EXQUISITE SYMMETRICAL DESIGN4 

,HE TURN$ IT OV] SO ?AT HE C\LD SEE ! R+ ( BUTTOCKS & ! CLU/] ( TRANSP>5T PETALS LIKE ! W+S ( DRAGONFLIES >RANG$ >\ND ! P9*$-(F /ALK !RE 9 ! C5T]4 ,FROM BEH9D1 HIS FRI5D 9QUIR$ AGA94 

0,I KN[ ?AT Y\ CAN'T %[ IT TO ME1 BUT IF Y\ C\LD LET ME KN[ :AT SORT ( ,PUCK'S ,HAT ?AT IT WAS ,I'D BE OBLIG$4 ,IS IT A SPACEMAN ONE1 A FAIRY ONE OR SOME?+ ELSE80 

0,IT'S FAIRIES1 ?IS ONE4 ,IT'S A BEAUTY1 TOO1 A GOOD EI<T 9*]1 ONE SIDE TO ! O!R4 ,?IS WILL KEEP ME GO+ = A :ILE1 & Y\ WON'T HAVE TO WORRY AB\T BOIL+ A F\R-M9UTE EGG !N F9D+ HALF A DAY HAS GONE4 ,Y\ KN[ :AT !SE CAN BE LIKE :5 IT COMES TO MISS+ \T A LUMP ( TIME4 ,IT'S ALL BECAUSE ( H[ !Y GR[40 

,HE TOOK A BITE4 ,IT HAD ! TEXTURE HE REMEMB]$ PE>S AS HAV+1 BUT ITS TA/E WAS WOND]FUL1 A P]FUM$ FLAVOR MU* LIKE ROSEHIPS BUT ) MORE DIM5SION TO IT1 WAK+ TA/E BUDS ?AT HE HADN'T KN[N W]E !RE BE=E4 ,HE FELT ! 5]GY1 ! SORT ( UPLIFT ?AT !Y GAVE Y\1 RUNN+ 9TO HIM ) ! DELICI\S JUICE4 ,?ANK HEAV5S IT HAD BE5 A FAIRY ,PUCK'S ,HAT1 NICE & RIPE1 & NOT ! A%Y-COLOR$ SPACEMAN ONES ?AT W]E ALL H>D & BITT]1 & ?AT %\LD BE LEFT TO SWEET5 9TO FAIRIES1 :I* W]E MORE MATURE4 ,IT WAS A LOVELY MEAL1 ASSUM+ ?AT Y\ DIDN'T M9D SPITT+ A C\PLE DOZ5 ( ! H>D & TA/ELESS LITTLE EYE-PIPS \T4 ,GIV5 A BIT ( LUCK & IF ! PIPS %\LD LODGE 9 ! RI<T PLACE Y\ C\LD HAVE A :OLE R+ ( ,PUCK'S ,HATS H]E 9 SIX MON?S' TIME1 AL?\< HE ?\<T HE'D BE/ NOT TELL HIS FRI5D ?AT4 

,!Y W5T BACK 9SIDE TOGE!R1 ONE TO MAKE ANO!R CUP ( TEA1 ! O!R ONE TO F9I% WOLF+ D[N HIS ,PUCK'S ,HAT4 ,!Y W5T ON ) *ATT+ AB\T ?IS & ?AT1 & ,F]D WAS %[N ! PHOTO ALBUM4 ,SOME ( ! OLD SNAP%OTS ) !IR SMALL BLACK CORN] H+ES W]E 9 COLOR1 BUT ,F]D C\LDN'T TELL :I* ONES4 ,!RE WAS A NICE ONE ( A Y\NG GIRL 9 H] TW5TIES /&+ ON A LAWN LOOK+ A BIT DEPRESS$ ) BUILD+S 9 ! BACKGR\ND LIKE A HOSPITAL OR S*OOL4 ,!Y TALK$ UNTIL ! WALL-CLOCK 9 ! HALLWAY /RUCK ! H\R = TWO1 :5 ,FR$DY ?ANK$ HIS HO/ = SP>+ HIM ! TIME & = ! BITE TO EAT1 !N W5T ?R\< ! FRONT DOOR AGA91 BACK 9TO ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET4 

,FEEL+ MU* ! BETT] = A BIT ( LUN*1 ,F]D FAIRLY %OT UP ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET1 PA/ ! UNBELIEVABLY TALL FLATS UP AT ! TOP !RE & T[>DS ! ,MAYORHOLD4 ,A ,PUCK'S ,HAT ! SIZE ?AT ONE HAD BE5 W\LD KEEP ,F]D FEEL+ P]KY & 9VIGORAT$ = A =TNI<T4 ,) A C]TA9 SWAGG] HE IGNOR$ ! CROSS+ B>RI] SURR\ND+ ! WIDE TRAFFIC JUNCTION & /RODE \T ACROSS IT1 ?R\< ! HURTL+ C>S4 ,MOTORS BE BL[$1 HE ?\<T4 ,HE WAS TOO OLD TO /& !RE HESITAT+ AT ! CURBSIDE LIKE A LITTLE KID1 AL?\< HE /EPP$ BACK :5 ,JEM ,P]RIT'S HORSE & C>T W5T BY T[>DS ,HORSEM>KET1 BECAUSE ?AT WAS LEAV+ TRAILS BEH9D LIKE ,F]D HIMSELF WAS1 FAD+ PICTURES ( ITSELF 9 DIFF]5T /AGES ( ITS MOTION AS IT TROTT$ HE$LESSLY AMONG ! TRUCKS & F\R-:EEL DRIVES4 ,! HORSE & C>T WAS P>T ( ,FR$DY'S WORLD1 & ?\< COLLISION ) IT C\LD NOT POSSIBLY CAUSE A FATALITY1 !RE MI<T BE O!R COMPLICATIONS ?AT W]E BE/ AVOID$4 ,FR$DY /OOD !RE 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! VEHICLE-FL[ & WAT*$ ! C>?ORSE SAUNT] (F D[NHILL T[>DS ,M>EFAIR1 ,JEM ,P]RIT DRUNK & FA/ ASLEEP !RE AT ITS RE9S1 TRU/+ HIS HORSE TO GET HIM HOME TO ,FREES*OOL ,/REET BE=E HE WOKE4 ,%AK+ HIS HEAD 9 ADMIRATION & AMUSEM5T AT H[ LONG ,JEM ,P]RIT'S HORSE HAD BE5 P]=M+ ?AT TRICK N[1 ,F]D C>RI$ ON T[>DS ! CORN] :]E ! WID5$ SWEEP ( ,SILV] ,/REET RAN D[N TO =M P>T ( ! JUNCTION4 

,:]E ! ,MAYORHOLD'S MAJOR %OPS & /ORES HAD BE51 ! ,CO-OP & ! BUT*]'S1 ,BOTT]ILL'S NEWSAG5T'S & ALL ( ?OSE1 WAS ONE ( ?OSE NEW C> P>KS ?AT HAD ALL ! LAY]S1 ) ITS CONCRETE PA9T$ UGLY YELL[1 OR SO ,F]D HAD HE>D4 ,>\ND ! PLACE'S BOTTOM D[N ! ,MAYORHOLD SIDE WAS A GREAT BANK ( ?ORN-H$GE1 JU/ !RE ON ! CORN] :]E POOR ,GEORGIE ,BUMBLE'S (FICE WAS ONCE VISIBLE4 ,!RE WAS A LOT ( OV]GR[? BUILT UP S9CE ,GEORGIE'S TIME1 & ,F]D W\LD HAVE TO ROLL HIS SLEEVES UP IF HE WANT$ TO GET /UCK 9 & DIG BACK TO IT4 ,/EPP+ \T ( ! BUSY ROAD 9TO ! ?ICKET ) ! W$D+-CAKE TI]S ( ! C> P>K LOOM+ UP ABOVE HIM ,FR$DY />T$ PU%+ ALL ! PRES5T /UFF TO ONE SIDE SO HE C\LD GET ?R\<4 ,FIR/ !RE WAS H$G][ :I* Y\ C\LD JU/ %OVE AWAY LIKE SMOKE1 & !N MA*9]Y1 COMPRESSORS & CEM5T MIX]S & DIGG]S Y\ C\LD SQUA% & B5D TO ONE SIDE AS ?\< MADE ( COLOR$ MODEL+ CLAY4 ,AT LA/1 AFT] HE'D DUG ?R\< ALL ( ?IS ,FR$DY UNCOV]$ ! BIG OP5 GRANITE DOORWAY LEAD+ 9TO ,GEORGIE'S (FICE1 ) ! NAME ( ! E/ABLI%M5T C>V$ ELEGANTLY 9 ! /ONE ABOVE ! 5TRANCE3 ,G,5,T,L,E,M,54 ,BRU%+ AWAY ! SME>S ( /ALE TIME FROM HIS COAT-SLEEVES ?AT HE'D PICK$ UP UNAVOIDABLY :ILE ROOT+ ?R\< ! /UFF1 ,F]D W&]$ 9 OV] ! *ESSBO>D ( ! CRACK$ WET FLOOR TILES1 CALL+ \T 9TO ! SMELLY E*O4 

0,GEORGIE8 ,ANYBODY HOME8 ,Y\'VE GOT A VISITOR40 

,!RE W]E TWO CUBICLES ?AT RAN (F FROM ! MA9 UR9AL >EA ) ITS TRICKL+ WALLS & PEEL+ ,V4,D4 W>N+ PO/] ?AT PORTRAY$ A MAN1 A WOMAN & ?OSE FE>$ 9ITIALS 9 BLACK SILH\ETTE AGA9/ :AT ,F]D REMEMB]$ WAS A SORE R$ BACKGR\ND4 ,ONE ( ! TWO CUBICLES HAD ITS DOOR CLOS$1 ! O!R OP5 TO REVEAL AN OV]FL[+ B[L ) TURDS & TOILET PAP] ON ! FLOOR4 ,?AT WAS ! WAY ?AT PEOPLE DREAM$ !SE SORTS ( PLACES1 ,FR$DY KNEW4 ,HE'D DREAM$ ( AWFUL BRIMM+ LAVATORIES LIKE ?IS HIMSELF :5 HE'D BE5 BACK !RE 9 ! LIFE1 ON ONE ( HIS ,TW5TY-FIVE ,?\S& ,NI<TS1 LOOK+ = SOME:]E HE C\LD HAVE A WEE & F9D+ ONLY HORROR-HOLES LIKE ?IS4 ,IT WAS ! WAY ?AT PEOPLE'S DREAM-IDEAS BUILT UP LIKE S$IM5T ACROSS ! YE>S ?AT MADE ! PLACE ! MESS IT WAS1 AS F> AS ,FR$DY WAS CONC]N$4 ,IT WASN'T ,GEORGIE'S FAULT4 ,FROM BEH9D ! CLOS$ DOOR !RE CAME ! S\ND ( SOMEONE SPITT+1 !N ?AT ( ! TOILET FLU%+1 !N ! RATTL+ ( ! SLID+ LOCK ON ! Z9C DOOR AS IT WAS OP5$ FROM 9SIDE4 

,A MONK EM]G$1 GAUNT1 M\RNFUL & CLEAN-%AV5 ) ! BALD PAT* ON ! TOP1 ! TONSURE4 ,FROM :]E ,F]D WAS /&+ HE LOOK$ LIKE ONE ( ! ,CLOONEYS OR :ATEV] !Y W]E CALL$ FROM UP ,/4 ,&REW'S4 ,HE M>*$ /RAI<T PA/ ,F]D )\T ACKN[L$G+ HIS PRES5CE & \T ?R\< ! PUBLIC TOILET'S 5TRANCE 9TO ALL ! TANGL$ YE>S & 9/ANTS BLOCK+ (F ! OP5+ LIKE BRI]S4 ,! MONK HAD GONE1 LEAV+ /ILL PICTURES ( HIMSELF 9 BLACK & :ITE BEH9D ?AT FAD$ 9TO NO?+ )9 MOM5TS4 ,F]D GLANC$ BACK AT ! N[-OP5 CUBICLE ! MAN HAD JU/ VACAT$1 TO SEE ,GEORGIE ,BUMBLE %UFFL+ \T 9 ! MONK'S WAKE ) AN APOLOGETIC HALF-A-SMILE1 TRAIL+ HIS [N PLUME ( SELF-PORTRAITS4 

0,HELLO1 ,FR$DY4 ,LONG TIME NO SEE4 ,SORRY AB\T ALL ?AT1 BY ! WAY4 ,Y\ CAU<T ME JU/ :5 ,I WAS DO+ BUS9ESS4 ,WELL1 IF Y\ CAN CALL IT BUS9ESS4 ,HAVE Y\ SE5 ?IS1 :AT HE GIVE ME8 ,TI<T-FI/$ OLD BUGG]40 

,GEORGIE HELD HIS H& \T1 OP5+ ! /UBBY F+]S ) !IR *EW$-D[N NAILS TO %[ ,F]D A SMALL ,PUCK'S ,HAT1 ?REE 9*ES ACROSS AT MO/4 ,IT WAS NO:]E NE> RIPE YET1 ) ! CIRCLE MADE FROM BLUE-GRAY FETUS %APES ?AT FOLK SAID LOOK$ LIKE SPACEM5 FROM ANO!R PLANET B>ELY =M$4 ,! L>GE BLACK BEADS ?AT W]E ! EYES W]E AN 9$IBLE & GLITT]+ R+ >\ND ! C5TRAL DIMPLE1 :]E NO TUFT ( COLOR$ HAIR AS YET HAD GR[N1 A BAD SIGN :5 IT CAME TO JUDG+ HI<] PLANTS ( ?IS TYPE4 ,IT WAS H[ Y\ KNEW IF !Y W]E READY TO BE EAT5 YET4 ,IF ,GEORGIE HAD DONE ?AT OLD MONK A FAVOR = A MORSEL ?IS SIZE1 HE'D BE5 HAD MORE WAYS ?AN ONE4 

0,Y\'RE DEAD RI<T1 ,GEORGIE4 ,IT'S A TIT*Y LITTLE ?+4 ,/ILL1 !Y'RE ALL ,FR5*IES1 ?AT ,/4 ,&REW'S CR[D1 SO :AT CAN Y\ EXPECT8 ,IF !Y W]E HALF AS GODLY AS !Y MADE \T !N !Y W\LDN'T /ILL BE D[N H]E ) ALL US LOT1 W\LD !Y80 

,GEORGIE LOOK$ D[N M\RNFULLY ) HIS BIG WAT]Y EYES AT ! UNAPPETIZ+ DELICACY 9 HIS PALM4 ,!RE WAS ! PLA9TIVE DRIPP+ ( A CI/]N1 AMPLIFI$ BY ! UNUSUAL AC\/ICS ) ! E*O RAC+ (F 9 MORE DIRECTIONS OR ELSE B\NC+ BACK FROM GREAT] DI/ANCES ?AN W]E APP>5T 9 ! DANK1 RE/RICT$ SPACE4 

0,YES4 ,?AT'S A GOOD PO9T1 ,FR$DY4 ,?AT'S A V]Y GOOD PO9T4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 !Y'RE ALL ! TRADE ,I GET !SE DAYS1 ! MONKS40 

,DRESS$ 9 HIS %9Y SUIT ) ROPE RUN ?R\< ITS LOOPS TO MAKE A BELT1 ! %ABBY LITTLE MOO*] BIT A /R+Y GOBBET FROM ! S\R GRAY HI<] VEGETABLE & MADE A FACE4 ,HE *EW$ = A FEW MOM5TS1 ) HIS RUBB]Y & DOLEFUL FEATURES WORK+ COMICALLY >\ND ! BITT] M\?FUL1 !N SPAT \T A H>D BLACK GLASSY EYE BIG AS AN APPLE SE$ 9TO ! TR\< ( ! UR9AL4 ,LAZILY1 IT DRIFT$ D[N ! FOAM+ *ANNEL TO BR+ UP AGA9/ ! R\ND :ITE CAKES ( DIS9FECTANT NE/L+ BESIDE ! DRA91 :]E IT GAZ$ UP 9DIFF]5TLY AT ,F]D & ,GEORGIE4 

0,BUT Y\'RE RI<T1 ?\<4 ,BLE$+ HYPOCRITES1 !Y >E4 ,?IS IS ! VILE/ ,HAG'S ,TIT AS ,I'VE EV] TA/$40 ,GEORGIE TOOK ANO!R BITE & *EW$ IT1 MADE ANO!R FACE & SPAT ANO!R BEAD ( JET 9TO ! GLAZ$ :ITE GUTT]4 ,HAG'S ,TIT WAS A DIFF]5T NAME BY :I* ,PUCK'S ,HATS W]E SOMETIMES KN[N1 ALONG ) ,B$LAM ,J5NY1 ,:ISP]S-9-!-,WOOD OR ,DEVIL ,F+]S4 ,!Y W]E ALL ! SAME ?+1 & H[EV] BAD IT TA/$ ,FR$DY KNEW ?AT ,GEORGIE ,BUMBLE W\LD MAKE SURE TO EAT ! :OLE AFFAIR & NOT WA/E ANY1 JU/ BECAUSE ! ?+S W]E SU* A PICK-ME-UP4 ,:Y ?AT %\LD BE1 ,F]D DIDN'T KN[4 ,HE HAD A NOTION ?AT IT WAS CONNECT$ TO ! WAY ! BULB'S %OOTS SEEM$ TO 9T]F]E ) TIME1 SO PEOPLE W\LD MISS \T :OLE H\RS OR DAYS :ILE !Y W]E DANC+ ) ! FAIRIES OR :ATEV] !Y IMAG9$ !Y W]E DO+4 ,JU/ AS L[] VEGETABLES SUCK$ UP GOODNESS FROM ! SUB/ANCE ( :ATEV] !Y W]E GR[+ 91 P]HAPS ! ,PUCK'S ,HAT ALSO SUCK$ UP TIME1 OR AT LEA/ TIME AS PEOPLE KNEW IT8 ,& IF ?AT W]E TRUE1 P]HAPS ?AT WAS :AT GAVE R\< SLEEP]S LIKE ,FR$DY HIMSELF OR ,GEORGIE SU* A BOO/4 ,P]HAPS TO !IR SORT1 HUMAN TIME WAS LIKE A VITAM9 !Y DIDN'T GET 5\< ( !SE DAYS1 S9CE !Y LEFT ! LIFE4 ,P]HAPS ?AT WAS :Y !Y W]E ALL SO BLOODY PALE4 ,F]D ?\<T AB\T !SE ?+S DUR+ SP>E1 IDLE MOM5TS1 ( :I* HE HAD CLE>LY KN[N MORE ?AN A FEW4 

,GEORGIE HAD *EW$ & SWALL[$ HIS LA/ BITE1 EXPECTORAT$ HIS LA/ SPACEMAN'S EYEBALL & WAS N[ WIP+ HIS ROSEBUD LIPS1 ALREADY LOOK+ LIVELI]4 ,FR$DY WAS />T+ TO FEEL COOP$ UP 9 ! TWILI<T LAVATORIES1 & C\LD SEE FA9T BLURR$ IMAGES ( MOD]N C>S 9 R[S B5EA? TUBE-LI<T+ ?R\< ! ,V4,D4 PO/]4 ,HE DECID$ TO BR+ UP ! REASON :Y HE'D CALL$ AT ,GEORGIE'S (FICE1 SO HE C\LD DIS*>GE HIS DUTIES & GET \T ( !RE ! SOON]4 

0,:Y ,I DROPP$ BY1 ,GEORGIE1 WAS ,I'D JU/ BE5 R\ND TO VISIT !M ON ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET CORN]1 & !Y M5TION$ !Y'D NOT SE5 Y\ 9 A :ILE & W]E CONC]N$1 SO ,I SAID ,I'D POP 9 & MAKE SURE EV]Y?+ WAS HUNKY-DORY40 

,GEORGIE PURS$ HIS LIPS 9TO A LITTLE SMILE1 A TW9KLE 9 HIS LIQUID EYES AS HE BEGAN TO FEEL ! MILD EFFECT ( ! UNRIPE ,PUCK'S ,HAT ?AT HE'D +E/$4 

0,WELL N[1 BLESS ! BO? ( Y\ = ?9K+ AFT] ME1 BUT ,I'M ALL RI<T1 SAME AS ,I EV] WAS4 ,I DON'T GET \T MU* ANYMORE1 BECAUSE ( ALL ! TRAFFIC ON ! ,MAYORHOLD !SE DAYS4 ,IT'S A NI<TM>E TO ME N[1 \T !RE1 BUT ) A BIT ( LUCK 9 A FEW HUNDR$ YE>S OR SO ! LOT ( IT WILL BE A WA/EL& OR A BOMBSITE4 ,Y\'LL GET ,ROSE ,BAY ,WILL[ ,H]B & ?AT COME UP :]E IT'S ALL BOLL>DS & KEEP-LEFT SIGNS N[1 & !N P]HAPS ,I'LL GET \T A BIT MORE4 ,IT'S GOOD ( Y\ TO LOOK 91 ,FR$DY1 & S5D MY REG>DS TO !M :AT KEEPS ! CORN]1 BUT ,I'M F9E4 ,/ILL SUCK+ (F ME MONKS1 BUT O!R ?AN ?AT ,I'VE GOT NO COMPLA9TS40 

,!RE DIDN'T SEEM MU* ,F]D C\LD SAY TO ?AT1 SO HE TOLD ,GEORGIE ?AT HE'D NOT LEAVE IT SO LONG NEXT TIME BE=E HE PAID A VISIT1 & !Y BO? %OOK H&S AS BE/ !Y C\LD4 ,F]D PU%$ HIS WAY \T ( ! TOILET'S 5TRANCE ?R\< ! PLIABLE MA*9ES & DUMP-TRUCKS1 ?R\< ! BRAMBLE MON?S & YE>S ) ?ORNS MADE \T ( PA9FUL MOM5TS1 \T 9TO ! FUM+ ?UND] ( ! ,MAYORHOLD & ! %AD[ ( ! MULTI-/ORY C> P>K AT HIS BACK4 ,) ! REMEMB]$ REEK ( ,GEORGIE'S (FICE /ILL AB\T HIM1 & DESPITE ! FUG ( VEHICLE EXHAU/ ?AT HUNG ABOVE ! JUNCTION1 ,FR$DY WI%$ ?AT HE C\LD DRAW A GOOD DEEP BREA?4 ,IT GOT Y\ D[N1 SEE+ ! WAY SOME ( !M MUDDL$ ?R\< !SE DAYS1 JU/ /ICK+ 9 !IR LITTLE D5S OR 9 ! %AD[-PLACES :]E !IR D5S ONCE W]E4 ,/ILL1 ?AT WAS ,FR$DY'S DUTIES F9I%$ )1 SO N[ HE C\LD KEEP HIS APPO9TM5T D[N 9 ,BA? ,/REET4 ,HE'D SEE ,PATSY1 & PUT ,GEORGIE ,BUMBLE & ! DAY AS IT HAD ?US F> BE5 BEH9D HIM4 ,BUT Y\ C\LDN'T1 HE REFLECT$1 C\LD Y\8 ,NO ONE C\LD PUT ANY?+ BEH9D !M1 DRAW A L9E B5EA? IT & PRET5D ?AT IT HAD GONE AWAY4 ,NO DE$1 NO WORD1 NO ?\<T4 ,IT WAS /ILL !RE BACK D[N ! WAY1 /ILL !RE =EV]4 ,F]D CONSID]$ ?IS AS HE /RODE \T 9TO ! /REAM ( MOTORC>S1 DRAGG+ GRAY SNAP%OTS ( HIS PREVI\S SEV]AL SECONDS LIKE A TAIL BEH9D HIM1 (F TO GET HIS H['S-Y\R-FA!R4 

,ON ! ,MAYORHOLD'S F> SIDE1 AT ITS S\?WE/ CORN]1 HE W5T ?R\< ! B>RI] & /RAI<T D[N ,BA? ,/REET1 FEEL+ /IRR+S 9 ! PHANTOM REMNANTS ( HIS TR\S]S ?AT W]E BR\<T ON EI!R BY ! ,PUCK'S ,HAT OR ! ?\<T ( ,PATSY4 ,AS HE REA*$ ! 5TRANCE TO ! G>D5S HE SL[$ D[N1 KN[+ ?AT IF HE W]E TO GET BACK TO ! PLACE :]E %E WAS WAIT+ = HIM1 FUR!R DIGG+ WAS REQUIR$4 ,HE GLANC$ UP ! DES]T$ AV5UE BETWE5 ! TWO HALVES ( ! FLATS1 ) ITS GRASS V]GES & BRICK WALLS ) HALF-MOON OP5+S TO EI!R SIDE1 T[>DS ! PA? OR /EPS OR RAMP OR :ATEV] IT WAS AT PRES5T1 UP !RE AT ! TOP4 ,! SCR\NGEY-LOOK+ /RAY ?AT HE'D SE5 9 ,/4 ,M>Y'S ,/REET A LITTLE E>LI] ?AT DAY WAS /ILL >\ND1 SNIFF+ ! CURB+ BORD]+ ! GRASS4 ,F]D /EEL$ HIMSELF 9 PREP>ATION1 !N BEGAN TO %\LD] HIS WAY 9TO ALL ! RUBBI% PIL$ UP RI<T BACK TO ! FIFTIES4 ,HE PU%$ ?R\< ! GLORY DAYS ( ,M>Y ,JANE & FUR!R /ILL1 BACK ?R\< ! BLACK\T & ! SIR5S1 FOLD+ PRE-W> WA%+ L9ES & COCKLE-SELL]S TO ONE SIDE LIKE RE$S UNTIL ! SUDD5 /5* & LACK ( VISIBILITY TOLD ,FR$DY ?AT HE'D REA*$ HIS DE/9ATION1 BACK 9 ! HI< TW5TIES :]E SOMEBODY ELSE'S WIFE WAS WAIT+ = HIM4 

,:AT ! SMELL WAS1 JU/ AS ) ! VEIL ( SMOKE SO Y\ C\LD B>ELY SEE Y\R H& BE=E Y\R FACE1 ALL ?AT WAS ! ,DE/RUCTOR1 JU/ D[NHILL TO ,FR$DY'S RI<T & T[]+ UP ABOVE HIM SO HE C\LDN'T BE> TO LOOK AT IT4 ,KEEP+ HIS EYES FIX$ /RAI<T AHEAD1 ,FR$DY BEGAN TO WALK ACROSS ! PAT* ( DESIGNAT$ RECREATION >EA ) ITS SW+S1 ITS SLIDE & MAYPOLE1 ?AT EXT5D$ :]E ! C5TRAL AV5UE ( ,BA? ,/REET FLATS HAD BE5 MOM5TS BE=E1 OR :]E IT W\LD BE NE>LY EI<TY YE>S FROM N[1 DEP5D+ H[ Y\ SAW ?+S4 ,?IS GRIM PLAYGR\ND HAD BE5 CALL$ ',! ,OR*>D'1 ,FR$DY KNEW1 BUT ALWAYS ) A C]TA9 IRONY & BITT]NESS4 ,(F TO EA* SIDE ( HIM ! BLOCKS ( FLATS 9 D>K R$ BRICK HAD DISAPPE>$1 & :]E ! BORD] WALLS ) HALF-MOON HOLES HAD BE5 W]E N[ TWO SCATT]+S ( T]RAC$ H\SES FAC+ ONE ANO!R FROM ACROSS ! 9T]V5+ SCRUB-GR\ND ) ITS *OK+ PALL ( SMOKE4 

,APPROA*+ HIM ?R\< ?IS1 ALONG ! BEAT5 PA? ?AT RAN ACROSS ! MIDDLE ( ! H>D1 B>E GR\ND FROM ,CA/LE ,/REET TO ,BA? ,/REET WAS ! VAGUE %APE ( A FIGURE WALK+1 PU%+ A P]AMBULATOR4 ,FR$DY KNEW ?AT :5 ?IS HAD COME CLOS] TO HIM ?R\< ! SOOTY AIR IT W\LD TURN \T TO BE Y\NG ,CL>A1 ,JOE ,SWAN'S MISSUS1 LUCKY BUGG]4 ,F]D KNEW ?AT IT W\LD BE ,CL>A BECAUSE %E WAS ALWAYS H]E1 PU%+ H] BABY C>RIAGE D[N BETWE5 ! SW+S & WOOD5 R\NDAB\T1 :5 HE CAME TO SEE ,PATSY4 ,%E WAS ALWAYS H]E BECAUSE %E'D BE5 H]E ON ?AT AFT]NOON ! FIR/ TIME :5 ?IS HAPP5$ BETWE5 HIM & ,PATSY ,CL>KE4 ,! ONLY TIME IT HAPP5$1 COME TO ?9K ( IT4 ,AS %E /EPP$ FROM ! ACRID FOGBANK ) H] BABY C>RIAGE1 PU%+ IT ALONG ! PACK$ DIRT PA? T[>DS HIM1 ,CL>A ,SWAN & ,CL>A'S BABY DAU<T] 9 ! PU%*AIR LEFT NO IMAGES BEH9D !M4 ,NO ONE DID D[N H]E4 ,?IS WAS :]E EV]YONE WAS /ILL ALIVE4 

,CL>A WAS BEAUTIFUL1 A LOVELY WOMAN 9 H] ?IRTIES1 SL5D] AS A RAKE & ) LONG AUBURN HAIR ?AT ,JOE ,SWAN HAD ONCE SAID HIS WIFE C\LD SIT ON :5 IT WASN'T W\ND UP 9 A BUN AS IT WAS N[1 TOPP$ ) A SMALL BLACK BONNET ?AT HAD >TIFICIAL FL[]S ON ! B&4 ,%E BR\<T ! C>RIAGE TO A HALT :5 %E SAW ,F]D & RECOGNIZ$ H] HUSB&'S PAL1 DROPP+ H] *9 & LOOK+ UP AT HIM FROM UND]NEA? H] L[]$ BR[1 EYES DISAPPROV+ & YET /ILL COMPASSIONATE4 ,F]D KNEW ?AT ?IS WAS ONLY P>TLY SOME?+ %E PUT ON = HIS & H] AMUSEM5T4 ,CL>A WAS A V]Y UPRI<T WOMAN & W\LD HAVE NO NONS5SE OR TOMFOOL]Y4 ,BE=E %E'D M>RI$ ,JOE %E'D WORK$ 9 S]VICE1 LIKE A LOT ( !M LIV$ D[N ! ,BOR\<S HAD BE=E !Y W]E LET GO1 AT ,AL?ORP ,H\SE = ! ,R$ ,E>L OR SOME:]E ( ?AT SORT1 & %E'D PICK$ UP ! MANN]S & ! BE>+ ?AT ! BETT]-(F EXPECT$ ( H]4 ,NOT ?AT %E WAS SNOOTY1 BUT ?AT %E WAS FAIR & HONE/ & SOMETIMES LOOK$ D[N A BIT ON ?OSE :O W]5'T1 ?\< NOT UNK9DLY4 ,%E KNEW ?AT MO/ PEOPLE HAD A REASON = ! WAY !Y W]E1 & :5 IT CAME TO IT %E DIDN'T JUDGE4 

0,:Y1 ,FR$DY ,ALL51 Y\ Y\NG ROGUE4 ,:AT >E Y\ UP TO R\ND H]E8 ,NO GOOD1 ,I'LL BE B\ND40 

,?IS WAS :AT ,CL>A ALWAYS SAID :5 !Y MET H]E1 T[>DS ! ,BA? ,/REET 5D ( ! DIRT PA? FROM ,CA/LE ,/REET1 UPON ?IS SMOKY AFT]NOON4 

0,OOH1 Y\ KN[ ME4 ,TRY+ ME LUCK AS ALWAYS4 ,:O'S ?AT 9 ! PRAM Y\'VE GOT !RE8 ,IS ?AT Y\NG ,DORE580 

,CL>A WAS SMIL+ N[ DESPITE H]SELF4 ,%E LIK$ ,F]D REALLY & HE KNEW %E DID B5EA? ALL ?AT ,VICTORIAN DISAPPROVAL4 ,) A BIRD-LIKE NOD ( H] HEAD TO ONE SIDE %E SUMMON$ ,FR$DY OV] TO ! PRAM SO HE C\LD TAKE A LOOK )91 :]E ,DORE51 ,JOE & ,CL>A'S YE>-OLD DAU<T]1 LAY ASLEEP1 H] M\? PLUGG$ BY H] ?UMB4 ,%E WAS A LOVELY LITTLE ?+1 & Y\ C\LD TELL ,CL>A WAS PR\D ( H]1 ! WAY %E'D CALL$ HIM OV] = A LOOK4 ,HE COMPLIM5T$ H] UPON ! BABY1 AS HE ALWAYS DID1 & !N !Y *ATT$ = A :ILE1 AS EV]4 ,F9ALLY !Y REA*$ ! P>T :]E ,CL>A SAID ?AT SOME FOLK HAD GOT JOBS AT HOME ?AT NE$$ TO BE DONE1 & ?AT %E'D WI% HIM A GOOD AFT]NOON & LET HIM GET ON ) :ATEV] %ADY BUS9ESS HE WAS UP TO4 

,FR$DY WAT*$ H] PU% ! PRAM AWAY FROM HIM 9TO ! SMOKE ?AT1 NATURALLY1 WAS ?ICKE/ OV] ,BA? ,/REET :]E ! T[] ( ! ,DE/RUCTOR /OOD1 & !N HE TURN$ & C>RI$ ON ALONG ! PA? TO ,CA/LE ,/REET1 WAIT+ = ,PATSY TO CALL \T TO HIM ! WAY %E HAD ?AT FIR/ TIME1 H[ %E CALL$ \T TO HIM EV]Y TIME4 

0,F]D6 ,FR$DY ,ALL56 ,OV] H]E60 

,PATSY /OOD AT ! 5TRANCE TO ! LITTLE ALLEY ?AT RAN D[N BY ONE SIDE ( ! RI<T-H& H\SES NE> ! ,BA? ,/REET 5D1 & L$ ?R\< TO ! BACK Y>DS ( ! BUILD+S1 ALL 9 A BIG SQU>E !RE TO ! RE> ( ! ,DE/RUCTOR4 ,9 SO F> AS ,F]D C\LD SEE H] ?R\< ! ROLL+ BILL[S1 ,PATSY LOOK$ A TREAT1 A CURVY LITTLE BLOND LASS ) A BIT ( MEAT ON H]1 ! WAY ,F]D LIK$ !M4 ,%E WAS OLD] ?AN :AT ,FR$DY WAS1 NOT ?AT IT PUT HIM (F AT ALL1 & HAD A SORT ( KN[+ LOOK AS %E /OOD SMIL+ 9 ! ALLEY M\?4 ,P]HAPS BECAUSE IT WAS SO SMOKY OR BECAUSE ! FUR!R BACK Y\ W5T ! H>D] IT WAS KEEP+ IT ALL /RAI<T1 BUT ,FR$DY C\LD SEE A FA9T FLICK] >\ND ,PATSY1 :]E ! ALLEY W\LD *ANGE = A SECOND TO A RAIL$ BRICK >*WAY1 ITS BLACK IRON RAIL+S PASS+ D[N ?R\< ,PATSY'S HEAD & TORSO1 !N *ANGE BACK AGA9 TO ! RE> G>D5 WALLS ( H\SES1 ) !IR BRICKS A BRI<T] ORANGE YET F> DIRTI] ?AN ?OSE COMPRIS+ ,BA? ,/REET FLATS HAD BE54 ,HE WAIT$ = HIS VIEW ( H] TO PROP]LY SOLIDIFY1 !N WALK$ T[>DS H] JAUNTILY1 HIS H&S DEEP 9 HIS RAGG$Y-ASS$ TR\S] POCKETS & HIS HAT JAMM$ ON HIS HEAD TO HIDE HIS BALD PAT*4 ,H]E 9 #aibh SOME ( HIS O!R FLAWS HAD BE5 ALLEVIAT$ 444 HE'D NO BE] BELLY D[N H]E = 9/ANCE 444 BUT HIS HAIR HAD />T$ GO+ DUR+ ,F]D'S MID-TW5TIES1 :I* IS :Y HE'D WORN ! HAT S9CE !N4 

,:5 HE GOT NE> 5\< TO ,PATSY SO ?AT !Y C\LD SEE EA* O!R PROP]LY HE /OPP$ & GR9N$ AT H]1 ! WAY HE HAD ?AT FIR/ TIME1 ONLY N[ IT HAD MORE MEAN+S TO IT4 ,?AT FIR/ TIME1 IT HAD JU/ MEANT 0,I KN[ Y\ FANCY ME01 :]EAS IT N[ MEANT SOME?+ LIKE 0,I KN[ Y\ FANCY ME BECAUSE ,I'VE LIV$ ?IS ?R\< A ?\S& TIMES & WE'RE BO? DEAD N[1 & IT'S ACTUALLY QUITE FUNNY H[ ! PAIR ( US KEEP+ COM+ BACK D[N H]E1 H]E TO ?IS MOM5T40 ,?AT WAS H[ IT WAS ) EV]Y P>T ( ! EX*ANGE BETWE5 !M1 ALWAYS JU/ ! SAME & WORD = WORD1 YET ) NEW IRONIES BEH9D ! PHRASES & ! GE/URES ?AT HAD COME ) !IR NEW SITUATION4 ,TAKE :AT HE WAS JU/ AB\T TO SAY1 = ONE EXAMPLE3 

0,HELLO1 ,PATSY4 ,WE'LL HAVE TO /OP MEET+ LIKE ?IS40 

,?AT HAD BE5 A BIT ( FUN1 FIR/ TIME HE'D SAID IT4 ,TRU?FULLY1 !Y'D SE5 EA* O!R ONCE OR TWICE ACROSS A PUB L\NGE OR A M>KET /ALL1 BUT PUTT+ IT LIKE ?AT & SAY+ ?AT !Y MU/ /OP MEET+1 AS IF !Y W]E HAV+ AN AFFAIR ALREADY1 ?AT HAD BE5 A WAY ( JOK+ ) ! SUBJECT :ILE AT LEA/ BR++ ! IDEA UP 9TO !IR CONV]SATION4 ,N[1 ?\<1 ! REM>K HAD O!R CONNOTATIONS4 ,PATSY BEAM$ AT HIM & PLAY$ ) ONE DI%WAT] LOCK AS %E REPLI$4 

0,WELL1 SUIT Y\RSELF4 ,I'LL TELL Y\ ?IS MU* ?\<1 IF Y\ SAIL PA/ ME ONE MORE TIME !N Y\'LL HAVE MISS$ Y\R *ANCE4 ,I %AN'T BE WAIT+ H]E =EV]40 

,!RE IT WAS AGA91 ANO!R D\BLE MEAN+ ?AT !Y'D BO? BE5 UNAW>E ( ! FIR/ TIME !Y'D SAID !SE WORDS4 ,F]D GR9N$ AT ,PATSY ?R\< ! SMOKE4 

0,:Y1 ,PATSY ,CL>KE1 Y\ \<T TO BE A%AM$4 ,& Y\ A M>RI$ WOMAN1 ) Y\R 'TIL DEA? DO US P>T & ALL ( ?AT40 

,%E DIDN'T DROP H] SMILE OR TAKE H] EYES FROM HIS4 

0,OH1 HIM4 ,HE'S \T ( T[N1 WORK+ AWAY4 ,IT'S GETT+ SO ,I CAN'T REMEMB] ! LA/ TIME ,I SAW HIM40 

,?IS HAD BE5 EXAGG]ATION :5 %E'D TOLD ,F]D ?AT ORIG9ALLY1 BUT IT WASN'T ANYMORE4 ,FRANK ,CL>KE1 H] HUSB&1 WAS NO LONG] DRIFT+ R\ND ! L[] LEVELS ( ! ,BOR\<S 9 ! WAY BO? ,F]D & ,PATSY W]E4 ,HE'D MOV$ ON TO A BETT] LIFE1 HAD ,FRANK4 ,CLIMB$ UP ! LADD]1 SO TO SPEAK4 ,IT WAS ALL RI<T = HIM4 ,HE'D NO?+ TR\BL+ HIS CONSCI5CE ?AT WAS KEEP+ HIM D[N H]E1 :]EAS ,F]D HAD ALL SORTS ( ?+S HOLD+ HIM BACK1 AS HE'D EXPLA9$ D[N ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET4 ,AS = ,PATSY1 %E HAD ,F]D1 ALONG ) SEV]AL O!RS FROM ?OSE P>TS4 ,%E'D BE5 A G5]\S WOMAN ) ?AT G5]\S BODY1 & H] C\NTLESS /ICKY AFT]NOONS ) ALL !IR GUILTY PLEASURES W]E LIKE MILL/ONES ?AT HAD WEI<$ H] D[N1 PREV5T+ H] DEP>TURE4 ,LOOK+ UP AT ,FR$DY N[ %E WIP$ H] SMILE AWAY1 REPLAC+ IT ) A MORE S]I\S EXPRESSION ?AT WAS ALMO/ *ALL5G+4 

0,I'VE NOT BE5 EAT+ RI<T1 ) HIM NOT H]E4 ,I'VE NOT HAD A HOT MEAL = AGES40 

,?IS1 ) ITS UNWITT+ IRONY1 WAS POSSIBLY A REF]5CE TO ! ,PUCK'S ,HATS1 /APLE DIET = L[] ,BOR\<S RESID5TS LIKE ,F]D & ,PATSY4 ,%E W5T ON4 

0,I WAS JU/ ?9K+ H[ LONG IT HAD BE5 S9CE ,I'D HAD SOME?+ W>M 9SIDE ME4 ,KN[+ Y\1 Y\'RE PROBABLY FEEL+ PECKI% >\ND N[ Y\RSELF4 ,:Y DON'T Y\ COME ?R\< TO ME KIT*51 JU/ UP H]E8 ,WE'LL SEE IF WE F9D ANY?+ TO SATISFY \R CRAV+S40 

,F]D WAS ON ! BONE N[1 GOOD & PROP]4 ,HE>+ /EPS ON ! DIRT PA? BEH9D HIM HE CRAN$ R\ND HIS HEAD 9 TIME TO SEE Y\NG ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]1 ALL ( EI<T YE>S OLD1 SKIP PA/ ACROSS ! RECREATION GR\ND T[>DS ITS ,BA? ,/REET 5D4 ,%E GLANC$ AT HIM & ,PATSY & SMIRK$ KN[+LY !N C>RI$ ON ALONG ! PA?WAY & WAS GONE 9TO ! ROLL+ SEPIA CL\DS1 (F TO H] H\SE D[N ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET1 JU/ BESIDE ! S*OOL4 ,F]D C\LDN'T TELL IF ! GIRL'S SMILE HAD BE5 BECAUSE %E KNEW :AT HIM & ,PATSY W\LD BE GETT+ UP TO1 OR IF LITTLE ,PHYLLIS WAS A REV5ANT REVISIT+ ! SC5E LIKE HE WAS1 & WAS SMIL+ BECAUSE %E KNEW H[ ?IS WAS A LOOP ?AT ,F]D & ,PATSY ,CL>KE W]E TRAPP$ )91 H[EV] WILL+LY4 ,PHYLL ,PA9T] & H] GANG RAN WILD ACROSS ! ,BOR\<S' L5G? & BREAD? & DEP? & :5?4 ,!Y SCAMP]$ R\ND ! TW5TY-FIVES :]E ?AT BLACK WOMAN ) ! GOLLY HAIRDO & ! NA/Y SC> ABOVE H] EYE DID ALL H] WORK1 ! ONE !Y CALL$ A SA9T1 OR ELSE H] & H] HOOLIGANS CUT ?R\< HIS MATE'S H\SE UP TO ,SPR+ ,LANE ,T]RACE 9 ! DEAD ( NI<T ON !IR ADV5TURES4 ,!Y MI<T WELL BE SCRUMP+ ,PUCK'S ,HATS ALL ! WAY D[N H]E >\ND ! TW5TY-EI<TS1 BUT ON ! O!R H& ,PHYLL ,PA9T] W\LD BE EI<T YE>S OLD 9 NORMAL LIV+ TIME >\ND ?IS YE> & HADN'T HAD H] GANG ) H] :5 %E W5T SKIPP+ PA/ JU/ !N4 ,IT WAS MO/ LIKELY ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] AS A LIV+ *ILD1 OR AT LEA/ AS HIS MEMORY ( H] UPON ?AT BYGONE AFT]NOON1 RA!R ?AN AS ! LITTLE TR\BLEMAK] %E'D TURN$ 9TO S9CE %E GOT \T ( ! LIFE4 

,HE TURN$ BACK T[>DS ,PATSY1 HIS FACE PO9T+ N[ ! SAME WAY AS HIS COCK WAS4 ,HE DELIV]$ HIS LA/ UN9T5TIONALLY SLANT$ L9E 444 0,I NEV] SAY NO1 Y\ KN[ ME0 444 BE=E %E DRAGG$ HIM UP ! ALLEYWAY1 BO? LAU<+ N[1 & ?R\< 9TO ! BACK Y>D ( ! ?IRD H\SE TO !IR RI<T1 ) NEXT TO IT ! SLAU<T]-Y>D BEH9D ! BUT*]'S1 ,MR4 ,BULLOCK1 HIS %OP SITUAT$ D[N BY ! ,DE/RUCTOR4 ,FROM ! S\ND ( IT1 SOME PIGS W]E BE+ HUNG & BL$ NEXT DOOR :I* W\LD1 AS EV]1 COV] UP ! NOISES HE & ,PATSY MADE4 ,%E FLUNG ! BACK DOOR OP5 & PULL$ ,F]D 9TO ! KIT*51 REA*+ D[N & TUGG+ HIM ALONG BY HIS /IFF PRICK ?R\< HIS R\< PANTS & TR\S]S ONCE !Y'D GOT 9SIDE1 AWAY FROM PRY+ EYES4 ,!Y W5T ?R\< LIKE ?IS TO ! CRAMP$-UP1 LI<TLESS LIV+ ROOM1 :]E ,PATSY HAD A COAL FIRE BURN+ 9 ! FIREPLACE4 ,IT HAD BE5 A BRISK ,M>* DAY AS ,F]D REMEMB]$ IT4 

,HE W5T TO KISS H]1 KN[+ ?AT %E'D SAY HIS BAD BREA? SMELL$ LIKE SOME?+ DI$4 ,IT WASN'T JU/ ?AT SOME ?+S ?AT !Y'D SAID ?AT AFT]NOON TURN$ \T TO HAVE ANO!R MEAN+4 ,IT WAS ALL ( !M4 ,AT ANY RATE1 ,PATSY WAS FIRM AB\T ! KISS+1 AS %E HAD BE5 ALL ! O!R TIMES4 

0,DON'T TAKE IT P]SONAL4 ,I NEV] CAN BE DO+ ) A LOT ( SOPPY /UFF LIKE ?AT4 ,JU/ GET IT \T & /ICK IT 91 ?AT'S :AT ,I ALWAYS SAY40 

,!Y W]E BO? BREA?+ H>D]1 OR AT LEA/ APPE>+ TO BE DO+ SO4 ,F]D HAD KN[N ,PATSY S9CE !Y'D BO? BE5 GRAY-KNE$ KIDS AT ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL TOGE!R4 ,LIFT+ H] SKIRTS UP >\ND H] WAI/ %E TURN$ TO FACE ! FIREPLACE1 LOOK+ BACK AT ,F]D ACROSS H] %\LD]1 H] FACE FLU%$4 ,%E WASN'T WE>+ ANY KNICK]S UND]NEA? ! SKIRT4 

0,GO ON1 ,F]D4 ,BE A DEVIL40 

,F]D SUPPOS$ HE MU/ BE4 ,LOOK AT :]E HE WAS4 ,%E TURN$ H] FACE AWAY FROM HIM AGA9 & PLAC$ H] H&S FLAT ON ! WALL TO EA* SIDE ( ! MIRROR ?AT WAS HUNG ABOVE ! MANTELPIECE4 ,HE C\LD SEE BO? H] FACE & HIS1 BO? 9 ! GLASS & BO? ( !M EXCIT$4 ,FR$DY FUMBL$ ) HIS FLY-BUTTONS A MOM5T1 !N RELEAS$ HIS /RA9+ MEMB]4 ,SPITT+ A GRAY SUB/ANCE \T 9TO HIS GRUBBY PALM HE RUBB$ IT ON ! GLEAM+1 BULB\S TIP !N PU%$ ! L5G? ( IT UP ,PATSY'S P\T+ FANNY1 DR5*$ ALREADY ) <O/-FLUIDS ( ITS [N4 ,HE CLUT*$ H] R\<LY BY H] WAI/ = LEV]AGE !N />T$ SLAMM+ HIMSELF 9TO H]1 AS =CEFULLY AS HE C\LD MANAGE4 ,?IS WAS JU/ AS WOND]FUL AS ,F]D REMEMB]$ IT4 ,NO MORE1 NO LESS4 ,IT'S JU/ ?AT ! EXP]I5CE HAD FAD$ ) EA* REPETITION UNTIL ALMO/ ALL ! JOY WAS GONE FROM IT1 LIKE AN OLD TEA T[EL ?AT HAD BE5 WRUNG \T TIME AFT] TIME UNTIL ! PATT]N ON IT DISAPPE>$4 ,IT WAS BETT] ?AN NO?+1 JU/4 ,AT ! SAME MOM5T ?AT HE ALWAYS DID HE TOOK HIS RI<T H& (F ( ,PATSY'S HIP & SUCK$ ! ?UMB TO MAKE IT WET BE=E HE %OV$ IT UP H] BUMHOLE TO ! KNUCKLE4 ,%E WAS %\T+ N[1 ABOVE ! SQUEAL+ FROM ! Y>D NEXT DOOR4 

0,OH1 ,GOD4 ,OH1 FUCK ME1 ,I'M 9 HEAV54 ,FUCK ME1 ,FR$DY4 ,FUCK ! LIFE \T ( ME4 ,OH4 ,OH1 FUCK40 

,FR$DY GLANC$ D[N FROM ,PATSY'S /RA9+1 LABOR+ FACE CAU<T 9 ! MIRROR TO :]E HIS ?ICK BRI/L+ ORGAN 444 !SE HAD BE5 ! DAYS 444 WAS GLI/5+ GRAY LIKE WET S& 9 A SEASIDE PHOTO1 ?RU/+ 9 & \T ( ,PATSY'S SLURP+1 FUR-FR+$ HOLE4 ,HE DIDN'T KN[ :I* SI<T HE LIK$ ! BE/1 NOT EV5 AFT] ALL !SE YE>S1 & SO KEPT LOOK+ BACK & =? BETWE5 !M4 ,HE WAS GLAD ?AT FROM ?IS ANGLE HE C\LD NEV] SEE HIS [N FACE 9 ! MIRROR1 S9CE HE KNEW ?AT HE'D LOOK DAFFY ) HIS HAT /ILL ON1 & ?AT HE'D LAU< & ?AT W\LD PUT HIM (F HIS /ROKE4 

,IT WAS JU/ !N ?AT ,FR$DY NOTIC$ SOME?+ FROM ! CORN] ( HIS EYE4 ,HE C\LDN'T TURN HIS HEAD TO LOOK /RAI<T ON BECAUSE HE HADN'T DONE SO ON ?AT FIR/ OCCASION4 ,:ATEV] ?IS WAS1 IT HADN'T HAPP5$ !N4 ,?IS WAS SOME NOVELTY ?AT MI<T SPICE UP ! OLD R\T9E4 

,HE SOON DET]M9$ ?AT IT WAS ! FLICK]+ EFFECT HE'D NOTIC$ BACK :5 ,PATSY HAD FIR/ GREET$ HIM1 /OOD 9 ! ALLEY ?AT KEPT TURN+ TO AN >* ) RAIL+S4 ,IT WAS SOME?+ ?AT W\LD HAPP5 SOMETIMES :5 Y\'D DUG Y\R WAY BACK TO ! PA/4 ,IT WAS AS IF ! PRES5T HAD Y\ ON ELA/IC & KEPT TRY+ TO PULL Y\ BACK1 SO ?AT Y\'D SEE BITS ( IT BREAK+ 9 TO 9T]RUPT :I*EV] TIME IT WAS Y\'D BURR[$ BACK TO4 ,9 ?IS 9/ANCE1 \T ! CORN] ( HIS EYE1 ,FR$DY C\LD SEE A PRETTY1 SK9NY LITTLE BR[N GIRL SITT+ 9 AN >M*AIR :]E ! /RAPS HAD BU/$ UND]NEA?4 ,%E HAD H] HAIR 9 RIDGES ?AT HAD BALD /RIPES 9 BETWE51 & HAD A %9Y SORT ( RA9COAT ON AL?\< %E WAS 9DOORS4 ,:AT WAS ! /RANGE/ ?+ WAS ?AT %E SAT !RE />+ /RAI<T AT HIM & ,PATSY ) A LITTLE SMILE & ONE H& RE/+ CASUALLY D[N 9 H] LAP1 TURN$ 9W>DS1 SO IT LOOK$ AS IF %E C\LD NOT ONLY SEE !M1 BUT AS IF %E WAS 5JOY+ IT4 ,! ?\<T ?AT !Y W]E BE+ WAT*$ BY A Y\NG GIRL GAVE ,FR$DY A MILD EXTRA ?RILL1 AL?\< HE KNEW IT W\LDN'T BR+ HIM (F TOO SOON1 BE=E !Y'D GOT TO ! APPO9T$ TIME4 ,BESIDES1 A GUILTY FEEL+ ?AT RELAT$ TO H] AGE (FSET ! SLI<T JOLT ( EXCITEM5T ?AT ! COLOR$ LASS HAD GIV5 HIM4 ,%E LOOK$ AB\T SIXTE5 OR SEV5TE51 DESPITE H] R\< CONDITION1 & WAS B>ELY YET \T ( H] *ILDHOOD4 ,LUCKILY1 ! NEXT TIME ,F]D HAD ROCK$ BACK F> 5\< 9 FUCK+ ,PATSY SO ?AT HE C\LD CAT* A GLIMPSE \T ( ! CORN] ( HIS EYE1 ! GIRL HAD GONE & HE C\LD CONC5TRATE ON DO+ ! JOB PROP]LY4 

,:]E HAD HE SE5 H] REC5TLY1 ?AT GIRL8 ,HE'D KN[N H] FACE FROM SOME:]E1 HE WAS SURE4 ,HAD HE BUMP$ 9TO H] E>LI] TODAY8 ,NO4 ,NO1 HE KNEW N[ :]E IT WAS4 ,IT HAD BE5 YE/]DAY1 R\ND D9N]TIME4 ,HE'D BE5 UND] ! PORTICO AT ,PET]'S ,*UR*4 ,!RE'D BE5 A BOY 9 !RE1 A LIV+ ONE1 ASLEEP & DRUNK1 SO ,FR$DY HAD CREPT 9 & GOT D[N NEXT TO HIM4 ,IT WAS A Y\NG LAD1 M\SY-HAIR$1 ) A BIG BAGGY WOOL5 JUMP] & ?OSE %OES :AT !Y CALL$ BUMP]S ON HIS FEET1 & ,FR$DY ?\<T ! SLEEP] W\LDN'T M9D IF HE LAY D[N BESIDE HIM JU/ TO LI/5 TO HIM BREA!1 A S\ND ,F]D MISS$4 ,HE'D BE5 !RE = AN H\R OR TWO :5 HE HE>D ! HI< HEELS APPROA*+ D[N ,M>EFAIR & PA/ ! *UR*-FRONT1 GETT+ CLOS]4 ,HE'D SAT UP & SE5 H] WALK+ PA/1 ! GIRL HE'D JU/ SE5 SITT+ 9 H] PHANTOM >M*AIR1 WAT*+ HIM & ,PATSY4 ,%E W]5'T LOOK+ AT HIM AS %E WALK$ ALONG1 H] B>E BR[N LEGS JU/ SW++ BACK & =?1 BUT SOME?+ TOLD HIM ?AT %E MI<T HAVE BE51 & HE DECID$ HE'D BE/ LEAVE BE=E %E LOOK$ AGA94 ,?AT'S :]E HE'D SE5 H]4 ,YE/]DAY1 & NOT TODAY4 

,HIS MOM5T WAS APPROA*+4 ,PATSY />T$ SCREAM+ AS %E HAD H] CLIMAX4 

0,YES6 ,OH YES6 ,OH1 FUCK1 ,I'M DY+6 ,FUCK1 ,I'M GO+ TO DIE6 ,OH ,GOD60 

,FR$DY WAS ?9K+ ( ! BR[N GIRL ) H] LONG LEGS & H] SC&AL\SLY T9Y SKIRT AS HE %OT ?REE OR F\R COLD JETS ( ECTOPLASM 9TO ,PATSY4 ,= ! LIFE ( HIM1 OR AT LEA/ SO TO SPEAK1 HE WAS UNABLE TO REMEMB] :AT HE HAD BE5 ?9K+ AB\T :5 HE'D %OT HIS LOAD ?AT FIR/ TIME1 :5 HIS JUICE HAD /ILL BE5 W>M4 ,HE TOOK HIS ?UMB \T ( H] ASS & SLID HIS DRIPP+ & DEFLAT+ P5IS \T ( H]1 REFLECT+ AS HE DID SO ?AT :ILE :AT HE SQUIRT$ FROM HIS COCK !SE DAYS WAS A MU* COOL] LIQUID ?AN HIS SE$ HAD BE51 IT LOOK$ AB\T ! SAME4 ,HE TUCK$ ! GLEAM+1 SAGG+ WEAPON BACK 9SIDE HIS PANTS & TR\S]S1 BUTTON+ ! FLY1 :ILE ,PATSY PULL$ H] SKIRTS D[N & COMPOS$ H]SELF4 ,%E TURN$ T[>DS HIM FROM ! MANTELPIECE & MIRROR4 ,!RE W]E ONLY ONE OR TWO MORE L9ES ( DIALOGUE TO BE SAID4 

0,GOD1 ?AT WAS NICE 444 AL?\< Y\ NE$N'T ?9K ?AT Y\ CAN COME R\ND EV]Y AFT]NOON4 ,?AT WAS A ONE-(F OPPORTUNITY4 ,N[1 COME ALONG1 Y\'D BE/ BE GETT+ (F BE=E ! NEI<BORS />T !IR NOS+ EV]Y:]E4 ,MO/ LIKELY ,I'LL BE SEE+ Y\ R\ND & AB\T40 

0,SEE Y\ >\ND1 !N1 ,PATSY40 

,?AT WAS ?AT4 ,F]D W5T \T ?R\< ! KIT*5 & ! BACK Y>D1 :]E ! NOISE ( ALL ! SLAU<T] FROM ACROSS ! HI< BRICK WALL HAD 5D$4 ,OP5+ ! BACK Y>D'S GATE HE /EPP$ 9TO ! ALLEYWAY1 !N WALK$ ALONG IT TO ! SMOKE-SCRE5$ RECREATION >EA1 ! ,OR*>D4 ,?IS WAS :]E HE ALWAYS /EPP$ \T ( HIS MEMORIES & 9TO HIS EXI/5CE 9 ! PRES5T1 /&+ H]E \TSIDE ! ALLEY-M\? & LOOK+ AT ! HAZY *ILDR5'S PLAYGR\ND ) ITS SLIDE & MAYPOLE LOOM+ DIMLY ?R\< ! *URN+ SMOG4 ,FR$DY'S [N MAYPOLE WASN'T AS IMPRESSIVE N[ AS IT HAD BE5 JU/ A FEW M9UTES BACK1 :5 HE'D BE5 \T H]E LA/4 ,:5 HE LOOK$ D[N HE NOTIC$ ?AT HIS BE] BELLY WAS COM+ BACK4 ,) A RESIGN$ TUT1 ,FR$DY LET ! SC5]Y >\ND HIM SNAP BACK TO ! WAY IT WAS UPON ,MAY #b#f?1 #b#f4 ,!RE WAS A GIDDY RU% ( MELT+ WALLS & SW+S1 ( SOOTY BRICK ?AT FOAM$ UP \T ( NO?+ TO CON/RUCT ! FLATS1 !N ,FR$DY /OOD ONCE MORE BESIDE ! GAT$ >*WAY1 LOOK+ \T ACROSS ! GRASS & EMPTY C5TRAL AV5UE TO :]E ! SCRUFFY DOG ?AT HE'D SE5 E>LI] WAS /ILL AB\T4 ,TO ,FR$DY IT LOOK$ AGITAT$1 TROTT+ BACK & =?1 AS IF IT HADN'T MOV$ ITS B[ELS 9 QUITE A TIME4 

,F]D SYMPA?IZ$4 ,?AT WAS1 SURPRIS+LY1 ONE ( ! ?+S HE MISS$ ! MO/1 ?AT BLESS$ FEEL+ ( RELIEF :5 ALL ! SMELLY POISONS & ! BADNESS 9 A P]SON JU/ FELL \T 9 A GREAT RU% & C\LD BE FLU%$ AWAY4 ,:AT ,F]D HAD1 HE SUPPOS$1 WAS LIKE A CON/IPATION ( ! SPIRIT4 ,?AT'S :AT KEPT HIM D[N H]E & PREV5T$ HIM FROM MOV+ ON1 ! FACT HE C\LDN'T LET IT GO LIKE ?AT & JU/ BE RID ( ! :OLE /9K+ LOT ( IT4 ,! FACT ?AT ,FR$DY C>RI$ IT >\ND 9SIDE HIM1 ALL HIS %IT1 & ) EA* DECADE ?AT W5T BY IT MADE HIM FEEL MORE SLUGGI% & MORE IRRITABLE4 ,9 ANO!R C5TURY1 HE D\BT$ HE'D FEEL LIKE HIMSELF AT ALL4 

,HE MOV$ ACROSS ! GRASS & FLOAT$ UP ! AV5UE T[>DS ! RAMP1 PASS+ ! SCABBY DOG1 :I* JUMP$ BACK & B>K$ TWICE AT HIM BE=E DECID+ ?AT HE WAS NO DANG] & RESUM+ ITS UNEASY TROTT+ BACK & =?4 ,5T]+ ,CA/LE ,/REET UP AT ! RAMP'S TOP1 ,FR$DY W5T ALONG T[>DS :]E ! NO-5TRY JO9$ IT ) ,HORSEM>KET1 !N TURN$ RI<T4 ,HE MI<T HAVE PROMIS$ ,M>Y ,JANE HE'D CALL BY AT ! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S LAT] ON1 BUT ?AT C\LD WAIT4 ,HE'D GO & WAT* HIS BILLI>DS FIR/1 ALONG ! C5T] D[N 9 ,HORSE%OE ,/REET :]E HE'D S5T ?AT OLD *APLA9 E>LI]4 

,HE GLID$ D[N ,HORSEM>KET & REMEMB]$1 ) A PANG ( %AME1 H[ ONCE BE=E ! PRES5T DUAL C>RIAGEWAY WAS H]E IT HAD BE5 FANCY H\SES1 [N$ BY DOCTORS & SOLICITORS & ALL ! LIKE4 ,! %AME HE FELT N[ WAS OCCASION$ BY ! LOVELY DAU<T]S ?AT SOME ( ! G5TLEM5 :O LIV$ D[N !RE HAD RAIS$4 ,ONE 9 P>TICUL>1 A DOCTOR'S GIRL CALL$ ,JULIA ?AT ,FR$DY HAD DEVELOP$ QUITE A ?+ =1 NEV] TALK+ TO H]1 ONLY WAT*+ FROM A DI/ANCE4 ,HE'D KN[N ?AT %E'D NEV] TALK TO HIM1 NOT 9 A MILLION YE>S4 ,?AT'S :Y HE'D ?\<T ( RAP+ H]4 

,HE BURN$1 TO ?9K AB\T IT N[1 AL?\< HE'D NEV] SE5 IT ?R\<4 ,JU/ ! IDEA ?AT HE'D CONSID]$ IT1 HAD GONE AS F> AS PLANN+ H[ HE'D WAIT UNTIL %E'D CROSS$ ,HORSEM>KET ON H] WAY TO H] JOB 9 ! ,DRAP]Y ONE MORN+1 !N W\LD GRAB H] AS %E TOOK H] CU/OM>Y R\TE UP BY ,/4 ,KA!R9E'S ,G>D5S4 ,HE HAD EV5 RIS5 AT ! CRACK ( DAWN ONE DAY & GONE UP !RE TO WAIT1 BUT :5 HE SAW H] HE'D COME TO HIS S5SES & HAD RUN (F1 CRY+ TO HIMSELF4 ,HE'D BE5 EI<TE54 ,?AT WAS ONE ( ! H>D & HEAVY /OOLS HE KEPT 9SIDE HIM ?AT HE C\LDN'T PASS1 ! HEAVIE/ & H>DE/4 

,HE CROSS$ OV] ,M>EFAIR AT ! BOTTOM1 WAIT+ = ! LI<TS TO *ANGE FROM GRAY TO GRAY SO HE C\LD WALK ACROSS ) ALL ! O!R PEOPLE1 ?\< HE DIDN'T NE$ TO4 ,HE W5T OV] ,HORSE%OE ,/REET'S CONT9UATION ( ! GR[L+ METAL WAT]FALL ?AT RAN D[N FROM ,HORSEM>KET1 !N TURN$ RI<T & HEAD$ = ! C5T] & ITS BILLI>D HALL4 ,AS ,FR$DY DID SO HE PASS$ BY & P>TLY ?R\< A TUBBY *AP ) CURLY :ITE HAIR & A LITTLE BE>D1 ) EYES ?AT SEEM$ TO %IFT CONT9UALLY FROM >ROGANCE TO FURTIV5ESS & BACK BEH9D HIS SPECTACLES4 ,?IS WAS ANO!R ONE ?AT ,FR$DY RECOGNIZ$ & HAD CALL TO REMEMB]4 ,IT HAD BE5 SOME NI<TS AGO1 AB\T F\R 9 ! MORN+4 ,FR$DY HAD BE5 SWIRL+ LAZILY ALONG A PRE-DAWN ,M>EFAIR1 JU/ 5JOY+ ! DES]TION :5 HE'D HE>D A MAN'S VOICE CALL+ \T TO HIM1 AFRAID & TREMBL+4 

0,HELLO8 ,HELLO !RE8 ,CAN Y\ HE> ME8 ,AM ,I DEAD80 

,FR$DY HAD TURN$ TO F9D \T :O WAS 9T]RUPT+ HIS NI<T'S W&]+S & SE5 ! LITTLE FAT MAN1 ! SAME ONE HE'D JU/ ?IS MOM5T BRU%$ ?R\< 9 BROAD DAYLI<T UP ON ,GOLD ,/REET CORN]4 ,! BESPECTACL$ & BE>D$ FIFTY-SOME?+ HAD BE5 /&+1 9 ! SMALL H\RS1 ON ! TRAFFIC-FREE DES]T$ HUMP ( ,BLACK ,LION ,HILL1 DRESS$ ONLY 9 HIS VE/1 HIS WRI/WAT* & HIS UND]PANTS4 ,HE'D /OOD !RE />+ ANXI\SLY AT ,FR$DY1 LOOK+ LO/ & FRI<T5$4 ,F]D HAD ?\<T1 JU/ = A MOM5T1 ?AT ! MAN HAD ONLY LATELY GOT \T ( ! LIFE & ?AT'S :Y HE SEEM$ SO CONFUS$1 /OOD !RE AMONG ! LAMPLI<T & ! %AD[S ) ! /REET & BUILD+S CURDL+ 9 & \T ( DIFF]5T C5TURIES >\ND HIM4 ,!N1 :5 HE'D TOOK NOTE ( H[ ! LITTLE B]K WAS DRESS$1 9 JU/ HIS UND]-?+S1 ,F]D KNEW ?AT ?IS WAS SOMEONE DREAM+4 ,! R\< SLEEP]S ?AT Y\ GOT D[N H]E W]E ALL DRESS$ H[ !Y BE/ REMEMB]$ !MSELVES DRESS+1 & EV5 ! ONES :O'D NOT BE5 DEAD T5 M9UTES W\LDN'T WADDLE R\ND 9 OLD /A9$ UND]PANTS4 ,IF !Y W]E 9 ! NUDE OR 9 !IR PANTS OR !IR PAJAMAS !N IT WAS A SAFE BET !Y W]E FOLK /ILL 9 ! LIFE1 :O'D /UMBL$ ACCID5TALLY ON !SE P>TS 9 !IR DREAMS4 

,F]D1 AT ! TIME1 HAD TOOK A DISLIKE TO ! BLOKE :O'D 9T]RUPT$ HIS NICE SOLIT>Y /ROLL1 & ?\<T HE'D PUT ! W9D UP HIM4 ,Y\ DIDN'T (T5 GET ! *ANCE TO MAKE A REAL IMPRESSION ON ! ONES /ILL D[N !RE 9 ! /RANGLES ( EXI/5CE &1 BESIDES1 ! SELF-IMPORTANT LITTLE PISSPOT HAD BE5 ASK+ = IT4 ,GIV+ ?IS CONSID]ATION AS HE TRICKL$ D[N ! SLOPE ( ,HORSE%OE ,/REET T[>DS ! BILLI>D HALL1 HE KNEW IT HAD BE5 MEAN1 ! PRANK HE'D PULL$ UPON ! DREAM+ MAN ?AT NI<T1 RU%+ T[>DS ! FELL[ 9 A FLAIL+1 T]RIFY+ CL\D ( AFT]-IMAGES1 ?\< IT /ILL MADE HIM *UCKLE :5 HE ?\<T AB\T IT4 ,?AT WAS LIFE1 HE F9ALLY CONCLUD$4 ,PEOPLE %\LDN'T JU/ GO LAUN*+ 9TO IT IF !Y CAN'T TAKE A JOKE4 

,HE SLIPP$ 9TO ! BILLI>D HALL UNNOTIC$ & !N F\ND HIS WAY \T BACK & W5T UP/AIRS TO ! TOP FLOOR4 ,FROM H]E HE W5T UP/AIRS AGA91 W5T PROP]LY UP/AIRS1 US+ :AT TYPES LIKE HIM REF]R$ TO AS A CROOK-DOOR :I* 9 ?IS CASE1 UNBEKN[N/ TO ! E/ABLI%M5T'S LIV+ PROPRIETORS1 WAS HIDD5 9 ! CORN] ( AN UP/AIRS LUMB] ROOM4 ,JU/ PA/ ! CROOK-DOOR'S F\R-WAY H+E !RE WAS A ,JACOB ,FLI<T ) TIR$ OLD WOOD5 /EPS ?AT ,F]D KNEW1 ULTIMATELY1 L$ UP TO ! L&+S4 ,HE BEGAN TO M\NT IT ANYWAY1 KN[+ ! PLACE HE WANT$ W\LD BE ONLY HALFWAY UP4 ,HE W\LDN'T HAVE TO V5TURE )9 %\T+ DI/ANCE ( ! HI<] BALCONIES1 ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA?4 ,HE W\LDN'T HAVE TO FEEL HE'D GOT ABOVE HIMSELF4 

,! ,JACOB ,FLI<T1 A SEEM+LY DELIB]ATELY 9CONV5I5T CON/RUCTION SOME:]E 9 BETWE5 A BOX$-9 /AIRCASE & A RO(]'S LADD]1 WAS AS AWKW>D & EXHAU/+ TO ASC5D AS EV]4 ,ALL ! TREADS W]E NO MORE ?AN ?REE 9*ES DEEP :ILE ALL ! RIS]S W]E A GOOD FOOT-&-A-HALF4 ,?IS MEANT Y\ HAD TO CLIMB ! /AIRS JU/ AS Y\ W\LD A LADD]1 SORT ( UPRI<T ON ALL F\RS1 US+ Y\R H&S & FEET4 ,BUT ON ! O!R H& Y\ W]E 5CLOS$ BY R\< :ITE PLA/] WALLS TO EI!R SIDE1 ! /AIRWAY BE+ NO MORE ?AN F\R FEET ACROSS1 ) JU/ ABOVE Y\R HEAD A /EEPLY SLOP+ CEIL+1 ALSO 9 :ITE PLA/]4 ,! RIDICUL\S IMPRACTICALITY ( SU* AN ANGLE TO ! /AIRWAY MADE IT SEEM LIKE SOME?+ FROM A DREAM1 :I* ,F]D SUPPOS$ IT WAS4 ,SOMEONE'S DREAM1 SOME:]E1 SOMETIME4 ,ON ! L$GE-?9 WOOD5 /EPS B5EA? HIS TOES & F+]TIPS1 AGA9 A DREAM-LIKE DETAIL1 AN OLD /AIR-C>PET WAS FITT$1 BR[N ) ! D>K WRI?+ ( ITS FLORAL PATT]NS FAD$ NE>LY TO 9VISIBILITY & HELD 9 PLACE BY WORN BRASS /AIR-RODS4 ,PUFF+ FROM :AT HE ASSUM$ WAS SPIRITUAL EX]TION1 ,F]D CLIMB$ UP & ON4 

,AT LA/ HE REA*$ ! 5T]PRISE'S TRUE TOP DECK1 ! UPP] BILLI>D HALL1 & CLAMB]$ ?R\< A TRAPDOOR UP 9TO ! CLUTT]$1 DU/Y LITTLE (FICE ROOM ?AT WAS TO ONE SIDE ( ! MA9 FLOOR ) ITS S+LE GIANT SNOOK] TABLE1 EXTRA WIDE & EXTRA LONG4 ,FROM ALL ! FOOTPR9TS ?R\< ! FA9TLY PHOSPHORESC5T MOON-DU/ ON ! DIRTY FLOORBO>DS1 & ! HUBBUB ?AT HE HE>D BEYOND 9 ! MA9 HALL :ILE OP5+ ! CREAKY (FICE DOOR1 IT S\ND$ AS ?\< HE WAS LATE4 ,TONI<T'S GAME HAD ALREADY />T$4 ,FR$DY TIPTO$ R\ND ! $GES ( ! HUGE D>K GAMES ROOM1 TRY+ TO PUT NO ONE (F !IR %OT1 & JO9$ ! SMALL CR[D ( SPECTATORS /&+ AT ! ROOM'S TOP 5D 9 !IR ALLOTT$ >EA1 WAT*+ ! PR(ESSIONALS AT PLAY4 

,?AT WAS ! WAY IT WORK$4 ,?OSE W]E ! H\SE RULES4 ,! R\< SLEEP]S SU* AS ,FR$DY W]E QUITE WELCOME TO COME !RE & BE SUPPORT]S1 BUT NOT PLAY4 ,QUITE FRANKLY1 NONE ( !M W\LD WANT TO1 NOT ) /AKES LIKE ?AT4 ,IT WAS SUFFICI5TLY N]VE-WRACK+ JU/ TO GAZE BETWE5 Y\R F+]S AT ! CONTE/ GO+ ON AT ! VA/ TABLE OV] !RE1 9 ! BRI<T PILL> ( :ITE LI<T ?AT FELL FROM OV]HEAD4 ,>\ND ! BAIZE1 ! BUILD]S :O W]E TAK+ P>T /RODE BACK & =? ) CONFID5CE1 *ALK+ !IR ALABA/] CUES & W>ILY 9SPECT+ TRICKY ANGLES1 PAC+ UP & D[N ALONG ! BORD]S ( ! TABLE1 TW5TY-FIVE FEET LONG & TWELVE FEET WIDE4 ,ONLY ! BUILD]S W]E ALL[$ !IR GAME ( SNOOK]1 OR :ATEV] ! QUE] V]SION ?AT !Y PLAY$ WAS CALL$4 ,RIFF-RAFF LIKE ,FR$DY SIMPLY /OOD !RE 9 A QUIETLY %UFFL+ MOB AT ! F> 5D & MADE AN EF=T NOT TO GASP OR GROAN TOO L\DLY4 

,!RE W]E SEV]AL 9 ! CR[D ( ONLOOK]S TONI<T ?AT ,FR$DY RECOGNIZ$4 ,?REE-F+]$ ,TUNK :O'D HAD HIS /ALL UP 9 ! ,FI% ,M>KET = ONE1 & ,NOBBY ,CL>K1 ALL GOT UP 9 ! ',DIRTY ,DICK' GE> ?AT HE'D WORN :5 HE WAS 9 ! BICYCLE P>ADE1 & HOLD+ HIS OLD PLAC>D ) ! ,PE>S ,SOAP ADV]T ON3 0,T5 YE>S AGO ,I US$ Y\R SOAP1 & S9CE !N ,I HAVE US$ NO O!R04 ,H[ HAD ,NOBBY EV] GOT ?AT UP ! ,JACOB ,FLI<T1 ,F]D WOND]$8 ,HE C\LD SEE ,JEM ,P]RIT /&+ AT ! CR[D'S P]IMET] & LOOK+ ON ) RELI% AT ! SNOOK]4 ,FR$DY ?\<T HE'D SLIDE ACROSS & JO9 HIM4 

0,HELLO1 ,JEM4 ,I SAW Y\ ON ! ,MAYORHOLD JU/ ?IS D9N]TIME4 ,Y\R ,BESSIE WAS JU/ TAK+ Y\ (F HOME1 & Y\ W]E SNOR+40 ,BESSIE WAS ,JEM'S SPECTRAL HORSE4 

0,AA4 ,I'D B9 UP ! ,SMOK]S = ME ,PUCK'S ',AT ,PUN*4 ,I 'SPECT IT WAS ! WORK AS ,I'D B9 DO9' AS 'AD WORE ME AYT4 ,?AT'S :5 YUH SE5 ME ON ! ,M]RULD40 

,JEM SPOKE ) ! REAL ,NOR?AMPTON TWANG1 ! PROP] ,BOR\<S ACC5T ?AT Y\ DIDN'T REALLY HE> NO MORE4 ,WOOD-M]*ANT HAD BE5 H[ ,JEM MADE HIS LIV+ BACK :5 HE /ILL HAD A LIV+ TO BE MADE1 A WIRY T9K]-LOOK+ *AP ) A HOOK NOSE1 HIS D>K & DOLEFUL %APE P]*$ UP !RE ON HIS HORSE & C>T BEH9D ! RE9S4 ,!SE DAYS1 ,JEM'S L9E ( WORK1 IF NOT HIS LIV+1 WAS AS AN UNUSUALLY 5T]PRIS+ & PHANTASMAL JUNKMAN4 ,HIM & ,BESSIE W\LD ROAM R\ND ! C\NTY'S LESS SUB/ANTIAL T]RITORIES1 ) ,JEM PICK+ UP SU* APP>ITION->TIFACTS AS HE %\LD F9D ALONG HIS WAY4 ,!SE MI<T BE OLD DISC>D$ WRAI?-CLO!S1 OR A VIVID MEMORY ( A TEA-*E/ \T ( SOMEONE'S *ILDHOOD1 OR !Y MI<T BE ?+S ?AT MADE NO S5SE AT ALL & W]E LEFT OV] FROM A DREAM SOMEBODY HAD4 ,FR$DY REMEMB]$ ONCE :5 ,JEM HAD F\ND A SORT ( CURL+ ALP9E HORN FA%ION$ TO LOOK LIKE AN ELONGAT$ & 9TRICATELY DETAIL$ FI%1 BUT ) A TRUNK MU* LIKE AN ELEPHANT'S & ?+S ?AT LOOK$ LIKE GLASS EYES 9 A /RIPE D[N EI!R SIDE4 ,!Y'D TRI$ TO PLAY IT1 BUT ITS BORE WAS /UFF$ ) TI<T-PACK$ SAWDU/ ?AT HAD FUNNY PLA/IC TR9KETS BURI$ 9 IT4 ,IT HAD NO D\BT JO9$ ! O!R CURIOS !RE 9 ! FRONT ROOM ( ! <O/ ( ,JEM'S H\SE1 HALFWAY D[N ! <O/ ( ,FREES*OOL ,/REET4 ,RI<T N[1 :5EV] ?AT MI<T BE1 BECAUSE Y\ NEV] REALLY KNEW UP H]E1 ! FI%-HORN WAS MO/ PROBABLY DISPLAY$ 9 ,JEM'S FRONT W9D[ ) ! PHANTOM ,GR5ADI]'S DRESS JACKET & ! REM9ISC5CES ( *AIRS4 

,! ,PUCK'S ,HAT ,PUN* ?AT ,JEM HAD M5TION$ WAS JU/ :AT IT S\ND$ LIKE3 A K9D ( MOON%9E ?AT C\LD BE DI/ILL$ \T ( ! HI<] VEGETABLES & +E/$4 ,F]D HAD NEV] FANCI$ IT & HAD HE>D TALES ( H[ IT HAD S5T SOME EX-LIF]S B>MY1 SO HE LEFT IT WELL ALONE4 ,! ?\<T ( BE+ ALL 9 BITS & B>ELY ABLE TO HOLD ANY REAL ID5TITY TOGE!R = ! RE/ ( Y\R NE>-9F9ITE EXI/5CE S5T A %UDD] UP ! SP9E ?AT ,F]D NO LONG] HAD4 ,JEM SEEM$ ALL RI<T1 ?\<4 ,POSSIBLY1 IF ,F]D WAS 9 ! MOOD1 !N LAT] ON :5 HE W5T UP ! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S AS HE'D PROMIS$ ,M>Y ,JANE HE W\LD :5 LEAV+ H]E1 HE'D GIVE ! PUN* A SNIFF1 SEE :AT HE ?\<T4 ,ONE GLASS W\LD DO NO H>M1 & UNTIL !N HE C\LD RELAX & WAT* ! GAME4 

,HE /OOD !RE 9 ! %AD[S NEXT TO ,JEM & ALL ! O!RS1 %>+ 9 ! RAGG$ CONGREGATION'S REV]5T SIL5CE4 ,FR$DY SQU9T$ AT ! H\SE-WIDE TABLE 9 ITS %AFT ( BRILLIANCE & C\LD SEE IMM$IATELY :Y ! SPECTATORS SEEM$ UNUSUALLY RAPT ?IS EV5+4 ,! F\R PLAY]S GA!R$ R\ND ! TABLE W]5'T JU/ ORD9>Y BUILD]S1 AS IF !RE C\LD BE SU* ?+S AS BUILD]S ?AT W]E ORD9>Y4 ,!SE LADS W]E ! F\R TOP M51 ! ,MA/] ,BUILD]S1 & ?AT MEANT TONI<T'S MAT* WAS IMPORTANT4 ,?IS WAS *AMPION%IP /UFF4 

,AS !Y PROGRESS$ >\ND ! MASSIVE BILLI>D TALE 9 !IR B>E FEET & !IR LONG :ITE SMOCKS1 ! S5IOR BUILD]S ALL LEFT TRAILS BEH9D1 ?\< NOT AS ,FR$DY & HIS FRI5DS DID4 ,F]D & !M HAD FA9T GRAY PHOTOS ( !MSELVES 9 AN EVAPORAT+ /R+ !Y DRAGG$ BEH9D !M1 :ILE ! BUILD]S LEFT !SE BURN$-?R\< :ITE BITS 9 ! AIR :]E !Y'D BE5 /&+1 BLAZ+ AFT]-%APES LIKE :5 Y\ GLIMPSE ! SUN OR />E UP AT A LI<T-BULB FILAM5T1 !N CLOSE Y\R EYES4 ,?AT WAS ! WAY ?AT 'ORD9>Y' BUILD]S W]E1 BUT ?IS QU>TET TONI<T W]E T5 TIMES WORSE1 ESPECIALLY >\ND !IR HEADS :]E ! EFFECT WAS MORE PRON\NC$4 ,TO TELL ! TRU? IT HURT TO LOOK AT !M4 

,! \TSIZ$ TABLE !Y W]E PLAY+ ON HAD JU/ F\R POCKETS1 ONE UP 9 EA* CORN]4 ,S9CE ! TABLE WAS ALIGN$ SO IT WAS P>ALLEL ) ! CLUB'S WALLS1 ,F]D KNEW ! CORN]S L9$ UP ) :AT MI<T BE SE51 APPROXIMATELY1 AS ! CORN]S ( ! ,BOR\<S4 ,SET 9TO ! HEAVY V>NI%$ WOODWORK ( ! TABLE JU/ ABOVE EA* POCKET WAS A SEP>ATE SYMBOL4 ,!SE W]E R\<LY C>V$ 9TO ! C5T] ( ! WOOD5 DISCS ?AT DECORAT$ ! F\R CORN]S ( ! TABLE1 G\G$ 9 A CRUDE /YLE ?AT LOOK$ LIKE TRAMP-M>KS1 YET 9LAID ) GOLD AS ?\< IT W]E ! MO/ ADOR$ & *]I%$ HOLY MANUSCRIPT4 ,! SYMBOL AT ! S\?WE/ CORN] WAS ! *ILDI% \TL9E ( A CA/LE-TURRET1 :ILE !RE WAS A BIG PRICK SU* AS Y\ MI<T F9D DRAWN ON A TOILET WALL UP TO ! NOR?WE/ 5D4 ,A LOOSE DEPICTION ( A SKULL M>K$ ! NOR!A/1 & ,F]D C\LD SEE A WONKY CROSS 9SCRIB$ AT ! S\!A/1 ! CORN] NE>E/ TO :]E HE & ,JEM W]E /&+4 ,S9CE IT WAS A BIGG] TABLE1 !RE W]E LOTS MORE BALLS 9 PLAY1 & IT WAS LUCKY ?AT ! BUILD]S W\LD CALL \T ! COLOR ( ! BALL ?AT !Y W]E GO+ =1 S9CE ALL ( !M W]E GRAY OR BLACK OR :ITE TO ,FR$DY & HIS FRI5DS4 

,IF HE W]E HONE/1 ,F]D HAD NEV] REALLY UND]/OOD ! GAME ! BUILD]S PLAY$1 NOT 9TELLECTUALLY SO ?AT HE C\LD EXPLA9 ! RULES OR ANY?+1 AL?\< HE KNEW EMOTIONALLY1 D[N 9 HIS /OMA* SO TO SPEAK1 :AT IT 5TAIL$4 ,Y\ HAD F\R PLAY]S TAK+ P>T AT ONCE1 & EA* HAD !IR [N CORN] POCKET1 ) ! IDEA BE+ TO KNOCK ALL ! BALLS Y\ C\LD 9 Y\R [N HOLE :ILE TRY+ TO MAKE IT DIFFICULT = Y\R OPPON5TS TO POT ALL ! ONES !Y WANT$ TO4 ,P>T ( ! ?RILL ( WAT*+ IT WAS ALL ! TRAILS ! BALLS W\LD LEAVE BEH9D !M AS !Y ROLL$ ACROSS ! BAIZE OR ELSE COLLID$ ) EA* O!R1 RICO*ET+ FROM ! TABLE $GE 9 %>PLY PO9T$ P5TAGRAMS ( OV]LAPP$ TRAJECTORY4 ,! O!R1 MORE ANXIETY-PROVOK+ P>T ( ! 5JOYM5T WAS ! WAY EA* BALL HAD ITS [N AURA1 SO Y\ KNEW IT /OOD = SOMEONE1 OR SOME?+4 ,IT W\LD JU/ COME TO Y\ 9SIDE Y\R ?\<TS1 :AT EA* BALL MEANT1 :ILE Y\ /OOD WAT*+ AS !Y B\NC$ & SKITT]$ R\ND ! TABLE4 ,FR$DY FOCUS$ ON ! GAME 9 H&4 

,MO/ ( ! ACTION SEEM$ TO BE D[N TO ! EA/ SIDE ( ! TABLE :I*1 AS LUCK W\LD HAVE IT1 WAS ! SIDE ?AT ,FR$DY & HIS FELL[ AUDI5CE MEMB]S W]E ALL /&+ ON4 ,! WE/]N BUILD]S1 /&+ NE> ! COCK & CA/LE POCKETS DIDN'T SEEM LIKE !Y HAD MU* TO DO JU/ AT ! MOM5T & W]E LEAN+ ON !IR CUES WAT*+ 9T5TLY AS !IR COLLEAGUES AT ! EA/]N CORN]S F\<T IT \T BETWE5 !M4 ,AS ,F]D WAT*$ ) P]MAN5TLY BAT$ BREA?1 ! BUILD] PLAY+ TO ! S\!A/ POCKET1 ) ! CROSS ON1 WAS AB\T TO TAKE HIS %OT4 ,( ! F\R ,MA/] ,BUILD]S ?AT W]E PLAY+ !RE TONI<T 7& 9 SO F> AS ,FR$DY KNEW !RE W]E JU/ F\R 9 ?AT LEAGUE ANY:]E71 ?IS ONE TO ! S\!A/ WAS ! MO/ POPUL> ) ALL ! LOCALS1 S9CE ! O!R ?REE APP>5TLY CAME MORE FROM \T ( T[N & USUALLY W]5'T SE5 MU* H]EAB\TS4 ,! LOCAL FAVORITE WAS A SOLID1 P[]FUL-LOOK+ *AP :O HAD :ITE HAIR1 AL?\< HIS FACE WAS Y\NG4 ,HIS NAME WAS ,MI<TY ,MIKE1 OR SO ,F]D ?\<T HE'D HE>D ! FELL[ CALL$4 ,HE WAS SO FAM\S = ! WAY HE PLAY$ A GAME ( SNOOK] ?AT EV5 ! LADS BEL[ D[N 9 ! LIFE HAD HE>D ( HIM1 HAD EV5 PUT A /ATUE ( HIM ON !IR ,GUILDHALL'S GABLE RO(4 

,HE LEAN$ ACROSS ! BAIZE N[1 L[ ABOVE HIS CUE & SQU9T+ D[N ITS L5G? T[>DS :AT EV5 ,F]D C\LD SEE WAS A :ITE BALL4 ,?IS :ITE BALL REPRES5T$1 ,FR$DY UND]/OOD1 SOMEBODY :ITE1 SOMEBODY ?AT ,F]D DIDN'T KN[ :O MORE ?AN LIKELY WASN'T FROM R\ND H]E4 ,! :ITE-HAIR$ BUILD] KN[N AS ,MI<TY ,MIKE N[ CALL$ \T 0,BLACK 9TO CROSS CORN]01 & !N PUN*$ HIS CUE ONCE1 H>D1 9TO ! :ITE BALL1 S5D+ IT AT HI< VELOCITY ACROSS ! BREAD? ( ! TREM5D\S TABLE ) ITS TRAIL BEH9D IT LIKE A TI<T-PACK$ /R+ ( BRI<T :ITE PE>LS4 ,IT HIT ! WE/ SIDE ( ! TABLE 444 ,FR$DY ?\<T ?AT IT MI<T REPRES5T ALL !M :AT LEFT H]E = ,AM]ICA AFT] ! ,CIVIL ,W> ) ,CROMWELL 444 !N REB\ND$ 9TO A COLLISION ) ! BLACK BALL ?AT ! :ITE-HAIR$ >TISAN HAD ACTUALLY BE5 AIM+ =1 A %>P SMACK R++ R\ND ! DIMLY-LIT HALL AS !Y HIT4 ,! BLACK BALL1 ,FR$DY UND]/OOD ) SUDD5 CL>ITY1 WAS ,*>LEY ,GEORGE1 ,BLACK ,*>LEY1 & HE FELT A GREAT RELIEF ?AT HE C\LD NOT EXPLA9 :5 IT %OT NEATLY TO DROP 9TO ! S\?-EA/]N POCKET1 :]E ! SLOPPY1 GOLD-ET*$ CROSS WAS C>V$ 9TO ! R\ND BOSS ON ! TABLE'S $GE4 

,! LOCAL H]O ) ! *ALK-:ITE HAIR DID ?AT ?+ ALL ! BUILD]S DID :5EV] ANY ( !M PULL$ (F A SUCCESSFUL %OT1 ?R[+ BO? FI/S UP 9 ! AIR ABOVE HIS HEAD1 ! CUE /ILL CLUT*$ 9 ONE ( !M1 & %\T+ AN EXULTANT 0,YES60 BE=E HE LET !M DROP ONCE MORE D[N TO HIS SIDES4 ,S9CE BO? >MS LEFT !IR HOT :ITE TRAILS AS !Y ASC5D$ & DESC5D$ ?R\< ! SPACE TO EI!R SIDE ( HIM1 ! 5D EFFECT WAS ?AT ( BURN+ P9IONS FANN+ UP TO =M ! %APES ( BRILLIANT FULL-SPREAD W+S4 ,! ODD ?+ WAS ?AT ALL ! BUILD]S DID ?IS EV]Y TIME ONE ( !M PULL$ (F A SUCCESSFUL %OT1 AS ?\< ! NATURE ( !IR GAME DID NOT 9VOLVE !M BE+ 9 A COMPETITION ) EA* O!R4 ,ALL ( !M1 AT ALL F\R CORN]S ( ! TABLE1 ?REW !IR H&S UP & CRI$ 0,YES60 9 JUBILATION AS ! BLACK BALL DROPP$ 9TO ! S\!A/ CORN] POCKET4 ,N[ IT WAS APP>5TLY ! BUILD] AT ! NOR!A/ POCKET'S TURN TO TAKE HIS %OT1 9TO ! CORN] DECORAT$ ) A SKULL4 

,?IS BUILD] WAS A =EIGN]1 & NO:]E NE> SO WELL LIK$ BY ! HOME CR[D AS :AT ,MI<TY ,MIKE HAD BE54 ,HIS NAME WAS ,YURI-SOME?+1 ,F]D HAD HE>D1 & 9 HIS FACE !RE WAS A H>DNESS & DET]M9ATION ?AT ,F]D ?\<T MI<T V]Y WELL BE ,RUSSIAN4 ,HE WAS D>K1 ) %ORT] HAIR ?AN ! HOME FAVORITE AS HE TOOK ! LONG WALK R\ND ! TABLE'S $GE TO ! MO/ FAVORABLE POSITION1 B5T ABOVE HIS CUE & SI<T$ D[N IT AT ! :ITE BALL4 ,AS ) ALL ! BUILD]S' VOICES1 :5 HE SPOKE IT HAD ?AT FUNNY E*O ON IT ?AT BROKE 9TO LITTLE BITS & %IV]$ 9TO R++ NO?+4 

0,GRAY 9TO SKULL CORN]0 WAS A FAIR APPROXIMATION ( :AT HE'D SAID4 

,?IS WAS GETT+ 9T]E/+4 ,FR$DY DIDN'T KN[ QUITE :O ! GRAY BALL MADE HIM ?9K (4 ,IT WAS SOMEONE BALD1 BALD] ?AN ,FR$DY1 EV51 & WAS ALSO SOMEONE GRAY1 GRAY 9 A MORAL S5SE1 P]HAPS EV5 MORE GRAY ?AN ,FR$DY WAS AS WELL4 ,! GRIM-FAC$ ,RUSSIAN-LOOK+ BUILD] TOOK HIS %OT4 ,! :ITE BALL /REAK$ ) ITS PALE COMET-TAIL ACROSS ! TABLE TO CLAP L\DLY UP AGA9/ ANO!R BALL ?AT ,FR$DY C\LDN'T TELL ! COLOR (4 ,WAS IT ! GRAY ONE ,YURI-SOME?+ MEANT TO HIT1 OR SOME?+ ELSE8 ,:ATEV] COLOR IT MI<T BE1 ?IS SECOND BALL %OT (F T[>DS ! SKULL-M>K$ CORN]4 

,OH NO1 ,F]D ?\<T SUDD5LY4 ,IT CAME 9TO HIS HEAD JU/ :O ! HURTL+ BALL WAS MEANT TO REPRES5T4 ,IT WAS ! LITTLE BR[N GIRL ) ! LOVELY LEGS & ! H>D FACE :O HE'D SE5 BY ,/4 ,PET]'S ,*UR* ! O!R AFT]NOON & !N AGA9 TODAY1 SAT WAT*+ HIM & ,PATSY AT !IR ,BA? ,/REET ASSIGNATION4 ,%E WAS GO+ 9TO ! SKULL POCKET1 & ,F]D KNEW ?AT ?IS MEANT NO?+ GOOD = ! POOR *ILD4 

,A H&'S BREAD? FROM ! DEA?'S-HEAD DROP1 ! HURTL+ BALL IMPACT$ ) ANO!R4 ,?IS ONE1 ,FR$DY ?\<T1 MU/ BE ! GRAY BALL ?AT ! ,RUSSIAN-LOOK+ PLAY] HAD DECL>$ TO BE HIS T>GET4 ,IT WAS KNOCK$ 9TO ! POCKET ,YURI-SOME?+ HAD 9T5D$1 :]EUPON HE & ! O!R ,MA/] ,BUILD]S ALL ?REW UP !IR >MS 9TO A DAZZL+ SPREAD ( FEA!R$ RAYS & %\T$ \T 9 UNISON !IR 0,YES60 ) ALL ITS SPL9T]+1 DIM9I%+ REV]B]ATIONS4 ,JU/ AS SUDD5LY1 H[EV]1 ALL ! UPRO> DI$ AWAY :5 EV]YBODY NOTIC$ ?AT ! BALL ,YURI HAD US$ TO KNOCK ! GRAY 9TO ! HOLE WAS N[ ITSELF P]*$ AT ! NOR!A/ POCKET'S RIM4 ,?IS WAS ! BALL ?AT ,FR$DY HAD ASSOCIAT$ ) ! BR[N GIRL HE'D SE5 E>LI]4 ,?IS WASN'T LOOK+ GOOD4 ,! GRIM-FAC$ PLAY] :O'D JU/ MADE ! %OT LOOK$ D[N T[>DS ! BALL N[ TEET]+ UPON ! BR9K ( ! SKULL-POCKET ?AT HE'D *OS5 AS HIS [N1 !N LOOK$ ACROSS ! TABLE & AT ,MI<TY ,MIKE1 ! :ITE-HAIR$ LOCAL *AMPION4 ,! ,RUSSIAN-LOOK+ FELL[ FLA%$ A *ILLY LITTLE SMILE & !N BEGAN TO PO9T$LY *ALK UP HIS CUE4 ,F]D HAT$ HIM4 ,SO DID ! CR[D4 ,HE WAS LIKE ,MICK ,MC,MANUS OR A WRE/L+ VILLA9 ( ?AT NATURE1 SOMEONE :O ! CR[D W\LD HISS1 EXCEPT ( C\RSE !Y W\LDN'T 9 ?IS CASE1 H[EV] !Y MI<T FEEL4 ,NOBODY HISS$ AT BUILD]S4 

,IT WAS N[ ! /URDY :ITE-HAIR$ FAVORITE'S TURN TO TAKE HIS %OT1 BUT HE LOOK$ WORRI$4 ,HIS OPPON5T CLE>LY PLANN$ TO KNOCK ! ?REAT5$ BALL 9TO HIS [N SKULL CORN] POCKET ) HIS NEXT GO1 UNLESS ,MI<TY ,MIKE C\LD SOMEH[ MOVE IT \T ( DANG]4 ,IT WAS SO CLOSE TO ! HOLE1 ?\<1 ?AT ! SLI<TE/ T\* MI<T S5D IT TUMBL+ 94 ,IT WAS A BUGG]4 ,F]D WAS SO W\ND UP HE ALMO/ FANCI$ HE C\LD FEEL HIS HE>T P\ND 9 HIS *E/4 ,! LOCAL H]O SL[LY & DELIB]ATELY WALK$ R\ND ! MON/R\S SNOOK] TABLE TO A SPOT ON ITS F> SIDE1 :]E HE CR\*$ D[N TO MAKE HIS FRAU<T & CRUCIAL PLAY4 ,JU/ AS HE DID SO HE LOOK$ /RAI<T ACROSS ! BAIZE & 9TO ,FR$DY'S EYES1 SO ?AT IT MADE HIM JUMP4 ,! LOOK WAS SOB]1 H>D & OBVI\SLY 9T5TIONAL1 SO ?AT EV5 ,JEM ,P]RIT1 /OOD BESIDE ,F]D1 TURN$ & :ISP]$ TO HIM4 

0,WAT* AYT1 ,F]D4 ,! BIG MAN'S LOOK9' AT YUH4 ,:AT >E YUH DONE N[80 

,F]D NUMBLY %OOK HIS HEAD & SAID ?AT HE'D DONE NO?+1 AT :I* ,JEM HAD COCK$ HIS HEAD BACK & REG>D$ ,F]D SUSPICI\SLY & CANNILY4 

0,WELL1 !N1 :AT >E Y] GUNN] DO80 

,:5 ,F]D DID NOT KN[ H[ TO ANSW] ?IS1 BO? M5 TURN$ BACK TO WAT* ! BUILD] TAKE HIS %OT4 ,HE WASN'T LOOK+ N[ AT ,FR$DY1 ) HIS EYES 9/EAD FIX$ FIRMLY ON ! :ITE BALL HE WAS L9+ UP4 ,AMONG ! CR[D ( ONLOOK]S Y\ C\LD HAVE HE>D A P9 DROP4 ,?IS IS ALL TO DO ) ME1 ,F]D ?\<T4 ,! WAY HE LOOK$ AT ME JU/ N[4 ,?IS IS TO DO ) ME4 

0,BR[N 9 CROSS POCKET10 SAID ! :ITE-HAIR$ ,MA/] ,BUILD]1 AL?\< :AT HE REALLY SAID WAS A FAIR BIT MORE COMPLICAT$4 

,/RAI<T AWAY HIS CUE %OT \T - A BOX]'S JAB - & S5T ! :ITE BALL SLAMM+ UP ! TABLE ) ITS AFT]-IMAGES A /REAM ( BUR/+ BUBBLES 9 ITS WAKE4 ,IT :ACK$ EXPLOSIVELY 9TO A BALL :OSE GRAY SEEM$ SLI<TLY W>M SO ,FR$DY ?\<T IT MI<T BE R$1 & S5T IT LIKE A ROCKET SO IT /RUCK BETWE5 ! BR[N BALL & ! DEA?TRAP POCKET ) A NOISE ?AT S\ND$ LIKE IT HURT1 SO ALL ! R\<-%OD AUDI5CE W9C$ AT ! SAME TIME4 ,! BR[N BALL %OT 9TO ! S\!A/ POCKET AT ! CROSS-M>K$ CORN] ( ! TABLE LIKE A ?UND]BOLT1 & EV]YBODY 9 ! ROOM1 NOT JU/ ! ROBE-DRAP$ F\RSOME ?AT W]E PLAY+1 ?REW !IR >MS ABOVE !IR HEADS & %\T$ 0,YES60 ALL ) ONE VOICE4 ,! ONLY DIFF]5CE ?AT !RE WAS BETWE5 ! PLAY]S & SPECTATORS WAS ?AT ! FANN$ %APES ! =M] MADE :5 !Y ?REW UP !IR >MS W]E BL9D+ :ITE1 :ILE ?OSE ! AUDI5CE MADE W]E GRAY & LOOK$ MORE LIKE ! W+S ( PIGEONS4 ,HAV+ PULL$ (F ?IS SPECTACUL> ACCOMPLI%M5T1 ! :ITE-HAIR$ BUILD] LOOK$ ONCE MORE ACROSS ! TABLE & DIRECTLY 9TO ,FR$DY'S EYES4 ,?IS TIME HE SMIL$ BE=E HE LOOK$ AWAY1 & AN EXHIL>AT+ %IV] RAN ?R\< ,F]D FROM ONE 5D TO ! O!R4 

,) ! POSSIBILITIES = PLAY APP>5TLY EXHAU/$ ON ! EA/ SIDE ( ! TABLE1 IT WAS N[ ! TURN ( ! TWO ,MA/] ,BUILD]S ON ! WE/ SIDE TO PICK UP ! GAME4 ,FR$DY HAD NO IDEA :AT HAD JU/ PASS$ BETWE5 HIM & ! FRO/-HAIR$ PLAY]1 BUT HE FELT EXCIT$ ANYWAY4 ,HE'D WAT* TO SEE H[ ! REMA9D] ( ?IS *AMPION%IP EV5T TURN$ \T & !N HEAD UP ! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S ON ! ,MAYORHOLD SO ?AT HE C\LD KEEP HIS WORD TO ,M>Y ,JANE4 ,F]D GR9N$ & LOOK$ >\ND HIM AT ! O!R D[N-AT-HEEL DEP>T$1 :O W]E GR9N+ TOO & NUDG+ ONE ANO!R AS !Y :ISP]$ !IR AMAZEM5T AT ! /UNN+ TRICK %OT !Y'D JU/ SE5 P]=M$4 

,?IS LOOK$ LIKE IT WAS GO+ TO TURN \T TO BE QUITE A NI<T4 

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

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

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