,BOOK #a1 ,*APT] #e 
,MOD]N ,TIMES 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

,M,O,D,],N ,T,I,M,E,S 

,SIR ,FRANCIS ,DRAKE LEAN$ UP AGA9/ A WALL ( PR9T$ BILLS \TSIDE ! ,PALACE ( ,V>IETIES & LET HIS OIL$ BONCE SETTLE BACK AGA9/ ! GIANT NAMES 9 BLACK & R$4 ,ACCORD+ TO HIS POCKET WAT* !RE WAS A GOOD HALF-H\R BE=E HE HAD TO DRAW HIS FACE ON ) BURNT CORK = ! ,9EBRIATE4 ,HE C\LD AF=D TO KICK HIS BOOTS H]E ON ! CORN] UNTIL !N & WAT* ! HORSE-C>TS & ! BICYCLES & ALL ! PRETTY GIRLS GO BY1 ) POSSIBLY ANO!R ,WOODB9E = A BIT ( COMPANY4 

,HE'D BE5 A SIX-YE>-OLD AT S*OOL 9 ,LAMBE? :5 ! O!R BOYS CALL$ HIM ,SIR ,FRANCIS ,DRAKE4 ,?AT HAD BE5 AT ! \TSET ( HIS MO!R'S SLIDE TO POV]TY1 :5 HE'D BE5 =C$ TO WE> A PAIR ( H] R$ /AGE-TI<TS ?AT HAD BE5 CUT D[N TO LOOK LIKE /OCK+S1 AL?\< BE+ PLEAT$ & BRI<T CRIMSON HADN'T LOOK$ LIKE ?AT AT ALL1 ACC\NT+ = ! NAME4 ,9 MANY WAYS1 HE ?\<T1 HE'D GOT (F LI<TLY4 ,SYDNEY1 HIS BIG BRO!R 444 OR HIS 'Y\NG 'UN' AS !Y'D CALL$ BIG BRO!RS AT ! ,HANWELL ,S*OOL = ,DE/ITUTES 444 HAD BE5 OBLIG$ TO WE> A BLAZ]1 PREVI\SLY A VELVET JACKET ( !IR MO!R'S1 :I* HAD R$ & BLACK /RIP$ SLEEVES4 ,AG$ T5 & !RE=E MORE SELF-CONSCI\S ?AN HIS Y\NG] SIBL+1 ,SYDNEY HAD BE5 KN[N AS ',JOSEPH & HIS COAT ( MANY COLORS'4 

,/&+ AT ! JUNCTION ( ! HI<-/REET N[ HE F\ND ?AT HE WAS SNIGG]+ AT ! NICKNAMES1 OR AT LEA/ AT ,SYDNEY'S1 ?\< !Y HADN'T SEEM$ SO FUNNY AT ! TIME4 ,/ILL GR9N+1 HE CONSOL$ HIMSELF ?AT ,FRANCIS ,DRAKE HAD CUT A FAM\SLY GOOD-LOOK+ & H]OIC DA%1 :ILE ,JOSEPH HAD BE5 DROPP$ D[N A DEEP HOLE & LEFT TO DIE BY BRO!RS \TRAG$ AT HIS DRESS-S5SE4 ,ANYWAY1 ,SIR ,FRANCIS ,DRAKE WAS BETT] ?AN ! O!R NAMES HE'D HAD ACROSS ! YE>S1 :I* HAD 5DUR$ F> LONG]4 ,OATSIE1 ?AT WAS ONE ( !M1 JU/ RHYM+ SLANG FROM OATS & B>LEY4 ,HE PUT UP ) IT1 BUT DIDN'T LIKE IT MU*4 ,HE ALWAYS ?\<T IT MADE HIM S\ND AS ?\< HE WAS A YOKEL1 & ?AT WASN'T QUITE ! PICTURE ( HIMSELF ?AT HE WAS TRY+ TO PRES5T TO PEOPLE4 

,UP ! HILL T[>DS HIS CORN] CAME A BREW]'S DRAY 9 ! ,PHIPPS LIV]Y1 A SNORT+ DAPPL$ %IRE HORSE ) ITS MOP-HEAD HOOVES AS BIG AS D9N] PLATES1 DRAGG+ ITS CL9K+1 RATTL+ C>TLOAD TO A HALT 9 FRONT ( HIM :5 IT CAME TO ! CROSS+ :]E HE WAS4 ,A WEA!R$1 *A9$-(F TAILBO>D KEPT ITS LOAD 9 PLACE3 OLD ALE-CRATES ?AT HAD BE5 /ACK$ EMPTY \TSIDE PUBS COME RA9 OR %9E1 !IR DAMP WOOD DU/$ LIME ) MOLD1 N[ FILL$ AGA9 BY BR[N & GL9T+ C>GO HEAD$ = SOME O!R HO/ELRY1 SOME O!R W9DSWEPT CORN] ( A BE]Y COBBL$ Y>D4 ,! C>T WAS PULL$ UP AT ! CROSSROADS1 WAIT+ = A MOV+ VAN & Y\NG LAD ON A BIKE TO GO ACROSS ! O!R WAY1 BE=E IT C>RI$ ON UPHILL4 ,HE /OOD !RE LEAN+ UP AGA9/ ! PO/]S1 />+ AT IT :ILE IT IDL$1 & JU/ = A LAU< HE ?\<T HE'D SLIP 9TO HIS *>ACT] AS ! ,9EBRIATE4 

,HE SCREW$ HIS EYES UP1 L[]+ ! LIDS SO HE LOOK$ HALF ASLEEP1 & MADE HIS CAKE-HOLE 9TO A LOPSID$ SMIRK4 ,EV5 )\T ! CORK ?IS CREAS$ HIS FACE SO HE APPE>$ SOME T5 YE>S OLD] ?AN HIS REAL AGE1 :I* WAS TW5TY4 ,GURGL+ DEEP D[N 9 HIS ?ROAT ) 9COH]5T LU/1 HE FIX$ HIS BLE>Y GAZE UPON ! BREW]'S WAGON & BEGAN A VE]+ BUT DET]M9$ DRUNK>D'S WALK 9 ITS DIRECTION1 AS ?\< HE W]E TRY+ DESP]ATELY TO AFFECT A NORMAL SWAGG] BUT ) LEGS ?AT B>ELY FUNCTION$4 ,HE MADE ?REE /EPS SIDEWAYS (F D[NHILL BUT !N RECOV]$ & TOOK SQU9T+ AIM AGA9 T[>D HIS PRIZE1 /AGG]+ (F ! CURB & \T 9TO ! MO/LY EMPTY COBBL$ ROAD AS HE APPROA*$ ! BOOZE-TRUCK /&+ ON ITS F> SIDE4 ,REA*+ \T HIS H&S AS IF = ALL ! *IM+ BOTTLES1 HE SLURR$ 0,I MU/ BE 9 ,HEAV501 :]EUPON ! />TL$ DRIV] LOOK$ R\ND AT HIM ONCE !N GE$ ! HORSE ON1 SW]V+ H] >\ND ! RE> 5D ( ! MOV+ VAN ?AT HADN'T YET GOT QUITE ACROSS ! /REET1 & W5T ON J+L+ UP ! HILL AS QUICKLY AS ! VEHICLE C\LD MANAGE4 ,WALK+ CASUALLY BACK ACROSS ! HI<WAY TO RESUME HIS PLACE PROPP$ UP AGA9/ ITS CORN] WALL HE WAT*$ ! C>T GO & FELT HALF PR\D AT HIS ACT'S SUCCESS & HALF A%AM$ = ! EXACT SAME REASON4 ,HE WAS F> TOO GOOD AT DO+ DRUNKS4 

,( C\RSE1 ! DRUNKS W]E ALL HIS FA!R1 ,*>LES1 :O HE'D BE5 NAM$ AFT] & :O HAD DI$ FROM DROPSY JU/ A DECADE E>LI]1 9 #a#h#i#i4 ,F\R GALLONS4 ,?AT WAS H[ MU* LIQUID HAD BE5 DRA9$ \T ( HIS FA!R'S KNEE1 & ?AT WAS :Y ! BETT] ! ,9EBRIATE W5T D[N1 ! GUILTI] HE FELT4 ,HE WAT*$ AS ! ,SEPTEMB] SUN FELL SLANT+ ON ! DIRTY OLD ,NOR?AMPTON BUILD+S HUN*$ >\ND ! CROSSROAD'S CORN]S1 TURN+ BRICKWORK FLOCK$ ) SOOT TO ORANGE FIRE1 & ?\<T AB\T ! LA/ TIME ?AT HE'D SPOK5 TO HIS DAD4 ,IT HAD BE5 9 A PUB1 HE NOT$ )\T MU* SURPRISE4 ,! ,?REE ,/AGS1 HADN'T IT BE51 D[N ,K5N+TON ,ROAD8 ,! ,/AGS1 ! ,HORNS1 ! ,TANK>D1 ONE ( ?OSE AT ANY RATE4 ,IT HAD BE5 R\ND AB\T ?IS TIME ( DAY1 LATE AFT]NOON OR E>LY EV5+1 ON HIS WAY BACK HOME TO :]E HE LIV$ ) ,SYDNEY & HIS MO!R ALONG ,P[NALL ,T]RACE4 ,PASS+ BY ! PUB HE'D HAD ! /RANGE/ IMPULSE HE %\LD PU% ! SW+-DOOR OP5 & LOOK 94 

,HIS FA!R HAD BE5 SITT+ UP ONE CORN] ON HIS [N1 & ?R\< ! TWO-9* CRACK BY :I* HE'D OP5$ UP ! B>ROOM DOOR HE'D HAD A R>E *ANCE TO OBS]VE ! MAN :O'D SIR$ HIM )\T BE+ SE5 9 TURN4 ,IT WAS AN AWFUL SI<T4 ,*>LES ,S5IOR SAT !RE 9 HIS DRAB UPHOL/]$ NOOK & NURS$ A %ORT GLASS ( PORT W9E4 ,HE'D ONE H& RE/+ 9 HIS WAI/COAT AS IF TO CONTROL HIS RAGG$ BREA?+1 SO HE'D /ILL LOOK$ LIKE ,NAPOLEON AS MO!R ALWAYS SAID1 BUT BLOAT$ AS ?\< PUFF$ UP ) A CYCLE-PUMP4 ,HE'D PREVI\SLY HAD A RA!R SLEEK1 WELL-F$ LOOK1 BUT HAD TURN$ TO AN 5ORM\S1 SLO%+ BAG ( WAT] ) HIS =M] H&SOM5ESS SUBM]G$ & LO/ SOME:]E )9 IT4 ,! APPE>ANCE HE'D HAD ONCE WAS SMOO?LY OVAL-FAC$ LIKE ,SYDNEY'S1 AL?\< ,SYDNEY'S FA!R HAD BE5 SOMEONE ELSE 5TIRELY1 SOME DISPLAC$ ,LORD \T 9 ,AFRICA1 AT LEA/ ACCORD+ TO !IR MO!R4 ,EV5 SO1 HIS BRO!R /ILL LOOK$ LIKE ,*>LES ,S5IOR MU* MORE ?AN ,*>LES ,JUNIOR EV] HAD1 ! LATT] FAVOR+ !IR MO!R MORE1 ) H] D>K CURLS & BEAUTIFUL EXPRESSIVE EYES4 ,HIS FA!R'S EYES HAD BE5 SUNK 9 ! RIS5 D\< ?AT WAS HIS FACE ?AT AFT]NOON 9 ! ,?REE ,/AGS1 BUT !Y'D LIT UP ) :AT HE'D REALIZ$ ) A />T WAS JOY :5 !Y'D ALI<T$ ON ! SMALL BOY PE]+ 9 T[>DS HIM ?R\< ! P>TLY OP5 DOORWAY & ! LAPP+ TIDES ( SMOKE ?AT HUNG SUSP5D$ 9 ! AIR BETWE5 !M4 

,EV5 N[1 /OOD AT ! BOTTOM 5D ( :AT WAS IT CALL$1 ,GOLD ,/REET1 9 ! DEAD-5D V5UE ( ,NOR?AMPTON1 HALFWAY ?R\< ANO!R DISAPPO9T+ T\R ) ,K>NO'S ,MUMM+ ,BIRDS1 EV5 TODAY HE C\LDN'T QUITE GET OV] JU/ H[ PLEAS$ HIS DAD HAD BE5 TO SEE HIM ON ?AT LA/ OCCASION4 ,LORD ALONE KNEW HE'D NOT %[N MU* 9T]E/ 9 HIS SON BE=E !N1 & ,*>LES ,JUNIOR HAD BE5 F\R YE>S OLD ALREADY :5 HE'D REALIZ$ = ! FIR/ TIME ?AT HE HAD A FA!R4 ,9 ! ,/AGS ?AT EV5+1 ?\<1 ! ONCE->RE/+ VAUDEVILLIAN HAD BE5 ALL SMILES & FOND WORDS1 ASK+ AB\T ,SYDNEY & !IR MO!R1 EV5 TAK+ HIS T5-YE>-OLD (FSPR+ 9 HIS >MS &1 = ! FIR/ & LA/ TIME1 KISS+ HIM4 ,)9 A FEW WEEKS HIS OLD MAN WAS DY+ 9 ! HOSPITAL1 ,/4 ,?OMAS'S1 :]E ?AT BLOODY ,EVANGELI/ ,MC,NEIL HAD (F]$ ONLY 0AS YE S[1 SO %ALL YE ALSO REAP0 AS CONSOLATION1 HE>TLESS DOG-FAC$ BA/>D ?AT HE WAS4 ',OLD MAN'4 ,*>LES ,JUNIOR *UCKL$ RUEFULLY & %OOK HIS HEAD4 ,HIS FA!R HAD BE5 ?IRTY-SEV51 \T AT ,TOOT+ ,CEMET]Y 9 ?AT :ITE SAT9 BOX1 PALE FACE FRAM$ BY ! DAISIES ?AT ,L\ISE1 HIS FANCY WOMAN1 HAD >RANG$ >\ND ! C(F9'S $GE4 

,P]HAPS HIS FA!R KNEW1 !RE 9 ! FUG & MUMBLE ( ! ,?REE ,/AGS1 ?AT HE HELD HIS SON = ! LA/ TIME4 ,P]HAPS 9 SOME WAY EV]YBODY HAD A S5SE BE=E IT CAME1 AS IF IT W]E ALREADY ALL SET \T1 ( H[ !IR 5D WAS GO+ TO BE4 ,HE GLANC$ UP AT A SPECKL$ CL\D ( BIRDS ?AT DIPP$ & SWUNG & FLATT5$ \T LIKE A GRAY FLAME AGA9/ ! SUNSET1 AS !Y FLOCK$ ABOVE ! LOCAL 9NS & H>DW>E %OPS BE=E RETURN+ HOME TO ROO/1 & ?\<T IT WAS A PITY ?AT Y\ C\LDN'T TELL BE=EH& H[ Y\R LIFE WAS GO+ TO BE1 & NEV] M9D AB\T Y\R DEA?4 ,?+S C\LD GO EI!R WAY = HIM AT PRES5T1 & IT WAS AS UNPR$ICTABLE & R&OM AS ! MOVEM5TS ( ?OSE ROO/+ PIGEONS1 H[ EV5TS W\LD F9ALLY FALL \T4 ,)\T A BREAK ( SOME SORT HE'D BE SPIRAL+ >\ND !SE NOR!RN T[NS UNTIL HIS DREAMS HAD ALL LEAK$ \T ( HIM1 HAD PROV5 TO BE NO?+ BUT HOT AIR FROM ! BEG9N+4 ,!N !RE W\LD BE NO?+ = IT BUT TO LIVE UP TO HIS MO!R'S BLEAK PR$ICTION1 EV]Y TIME HE'D COME HOME ) A :IFF ( DR9K UPON HIS BREA?3 0,Y\'LL 5D UP 9 ! GUTT] LIKE Y\R FA!R40 ,HE KNEW HE WAS /&+ AT A CROSSROADS 9 A LOT MORE WAYS ?AN ONE1 PUT IT LIKE ?AT4 

,!RE W]E MORE C>TS & VANS AB\T N[ & A FEW MORE PEOPLE CROSS+ BACK & =? OV] ! 9T]SECTION AS ! T[N MADE ITS WAY HOME FROM WORK TO HAVE ITS TEA4 ,WOM5 ) PRAMS & M5 ) KNAPSACKS1 L\D BOYS PLAY+ VICI\S1 AGONIZ+ GAMES ( KNUCKLES ) EA* O!R :ILE !Y WAIT$ = ! CONK] SEASON TO COMM5CE1 ALL JO/L+ ALONG ! /REETS ?AT L$ TO ! F\R COMPASS PO9TS & CROSS+ OV] :]E !Y JO9$1 DO+ A HURRI$ TROT BETWE5 ! COAL TRUCKS & ! ATOLLS MADE ( HORSE MUCK &1 JU/ AT ?AT MOM5T1 A R$ TRAM ) AN ADV]TISEM5T = ,ADNITT'S GLOVES ACROSS ITS FRONT4 ,?IS CAME UP FROM ! WE/1 ALONG ! ROAD ?AT HE /OOD FAC+ D[N ) ! 9FLAT$1 SAGG+ SUN BEH9D IT1 & CONT9U$ ON ITS IRON RAIL PA/ HIM ON HIS RI<T TO HUM AWAY UP ,GOLD ,/REET4 ,HE WAS LIV+ 9 A MOD]N WORLD ALL RI<T1 BUT DIDN'T ALWAYS FEEL LIKE HE BELONG$ H]E1 9 ! FIR/ YE>S ( ?IS NEW & DAUNT+ C5TURY4 ,HE ?\<T MO/ PEOPLE FELT AS JITT]Y & \T ( PLACE AS HE DID1 & ?AT ALL ! OPTIMI/IC NEW ,$W>DIANS Y\ HE>D AB\T W]E ONLY 9 ! PAP]S4 ,LOOK+ R\ND HIM AT ! PASS+ PEOPLE1 FROM !IR FACES & ! WAY !Y DRESS$ Y\ W\LDN'T KN[ ! ,QUE5 WAS DEAD EI<T YE>S1 BUT !N :5 EV]YONE WAS POOR !Y T5D$ TO LOOK MU* ! SAME FROM ONE REIGN OR ONE ]A TO ANO!R4 ,POV]TY WAS TIMELESS & Y\ C\LD DEP5D UPON IT4 ,IT WAS NEV] \T ( FA%ION4 

,& IT NEV] W\LD BE1 NOT 9 ,5GL&4 ,LOOK AT ALL ! BUS9ESS ) ! ,PEOPLE'S ,BUDGET AS !Y CALL$ IT1 :]E !Y'D MADE PROVISIONS = SOME MONEY TO BE TAK5 FROM ! 9COME TAX & SP5T UPON IMPROVEM5TS 9 SOCIETY1 BUT !N ! ,H\SE ( ,LORDS HAD ?R[N IT \T4 ,SOMEBODY \<T TO ?R[ !M \T1 HE ?\<T1 & FUMBL$ 9 HIS JACKET = HIS PACK ( SN\TS4 ,5GL& WAS GO+ D[N ! PLU<OLE & HE DIDN'T RECKON ?AT ?IS TW5TIE? C5TURY WAS GO+ TO BE AS K9DLY TO ! C\NTRY AS ! N9ETE5? HAD BE54 ,!RE W]E ALL ! ,G]MANS1 = A />T1 MAK+ !IR UGLY NOISES & !IR UGLY %IPS4 ,LA/ YE> !Y'D BRAGG$ AB\T H[ MU* AMMONIA !Y'D MANAG$ TO PRODUCE1 :ILE N[ !Y BRAGG$ AB\T H[ MANY BOMBS4 ,!N !RE WAS ,9DIA KICK+ UP A FUSS & WANT+ !IR RE=MS4 ,NOT ?AT HE BLAM$ !M1 BUT HE ?\<T IT WAS A SIGN !RE MI<T NOT BE SO MANY P9K BITS TO S*OOL ATLASES 9 YE>S TO COME4 ,! ,BRITI% ,EMPIRE LOOK$ AS IF IT WAS DECAY+1 9CONCEIVABLE AS ?AT MI<T SEEM4 ,IT HAD MO/ LIKELY DI$1 TO HIS M9D1 ) ,VICTORIA1 & N[ WAS 9 ! LONG SL[ PROCESS ( ACCEPT+ ITS DEMISE & FALL+ QUIETLY TO BITS4 

,?9K+ AB\T ! OLD DAYS1 WAT*+ :ILE A JUNKMAN CURS$ A GROC]'S LAD :OSE BIKE HAD %OT ACROSS BE=E HIS HORSE & C>T1 HE WAS REM9D$ ( ! FIR/ TIME ?AT HE'D COME H]E TO ,NOR?AMPTON4 ,HE'D BE5 N9E1 SO IT HAD BE51 :AT1 #a#h#i#h8 ,TAK+ ! BOX ( T5 ,WILLS'S ,WOODB9ES FROM HIS POCKET1 HE EXTRACT$ ONE ( ! REMA9+ SIX & BALANC$ IT UPON HIS L[] LIP :ILE HE RETURN$ ! N>R[ PACKET TO HIS COAT4 ,IT WAS ?IS V]Y SAME !AT] ?AT HE'D BE5 APPE>+ AT1 ?AT FIR/ TIME MORE ?AN T5 YE>S BACK1 ) ,MR4 ,JACKSON'S TR\PE ( *ILD CLOG DANC]S1 ! ,EI<T ,LANCA%IRE ,LADS4 ,HE'D /OOD ON ?IS CORN] ) HIS BE/ FRI5D FROM ! \TFIT1 ,BOYSIE ,BRI/OL1 & !Y'D TALK$ AB\T ! D\BLE ACT ?AT !Y W]E GO+ TO MAKE IT BIG )1 AS ! ,MILLIONAIRE ,TRAMPS1 DECK$ \T 9 FAKE :ISK]S & BIG DIAMOND R+S4 ,?IS PLACE HAD BE5 ! ,GR& ,V>IETY ,HALL BACK !N1 & ,GUS ,LEVA9E HAD /ILL BE5 RUNN+ IT1 BUT O!RWISE IT DIDN'T SEEM SO DIFF]5T4 ,!RE !Y'D BE51 ,BOYSIE & ,OATSIE1 CUTT+ (F FROM !IR REHE>SALS TO WA/E TIME H]E ON ?IS SPOT & ?9K AB\T ! FAME & =TUNE !Y C\LD SEE /RET*$ \T BE=E !M1 MU* ! SAME AS HE WAS DO+ /ILL TODAY1 ALL !SE YE>S LAT]4 ,CONTR>Y TO :AT HE'D ?\<T AB\T HIS FA!R KN[+ HE WAS SOON TO DIE1 IT SEEM$ MORE LIKELY TO HIM N[ ?AT PEOPLE JU/ MADE MO/LY HOPELESS GUESSES AT H[ ?+S W\LD WORK \T4 ,:ILE HE C\LDN'T SPEAK = ,BOYSIE ,BRI/OL1 :O HE'D NOT SE5 9 FIVE YE>S1 = HIS P>T HE WAS FAIRLY C]TA9 ?AT :ATEV] ROLES ! FUTURE HELD 9 /ORE = HIM1 ,MILLIONAIRE ,TRAMP W\LD NOT BE ONE ( !M4 ,HE TOOK A BOX ( MAT*ES FROM HIS O!R POCKET1 TURN+ TO ONE SIDE & PULL+ HIS LAPEL UP AS A W9D-%IELD :ILE HE LIT HIS FAG4 

,EXHAL+ A BLUE PLUME1 ! WE/ W9D HE WAS FAC+ CAU<T ! SMOKE & DRAGG$ IT BACK ACROSS HIS %\LD]1 (F UP ,GOLD ,/REET4 ,HE WAS LOOK+ AT A LITTLE PAT* ( WA/EL& HALFWAY D[N ! HILL ACROSS ! ROAD FROM HIM & ?9K+ VAGUELY ( ! ,EI<T ,LANCA%IRE ,LADS - F\R ( !M W]E FROM \TSIDE ,LANCA%IRE & ONE ( !M HAD BE5 A %ORT-HAIR$ GIRL1 BUT IT WAS TRUE ?AT !RE W]E EI<T ( !M - :5 \T ( NO:]E HE REMEMB]$4 ,?IS WAS :]E !Y'D MET ! BLACK MAN1 ! FIR/ ONE HE'D EV] REALLY SE5 EXCEPT = PICTURES 9 5CYCLOP$IAS4 

,HIM & ,BOYSIE HAD BE5 SKULK+ H]E1 DEBAT+ ! LOGI/ICS ( !IR D\BLE ACT1 DECID+ ?AT !IR DIAMOND R+S %\LD BE MADE \T ( PA/E UNTIL !IR TURN HAD MADE !M 9TO ACTUAL MILLIONAIRES1 :5 D[N ! HILL HE'D COME UPON HIS FUNNY BIKE1 OV] ! CROSSROADS & T[>DS !M4 ,! *AP'S SK9 WAS BLACK AS COAL & NOT A %ADE ( BR[N1 ) SALT-&-PEPP] %[+ UP ALREADY 9 HIS HAIR & BE>D SO ?AT ! BOYS HAD ?\<T HE MU/ BE GETT+ ON = FIFTY4 ,HE WAS RID+ A PECULI> CONTRAPTION ( A SORT ?AT NEI!R LAD HAD PREVI\SLY COME ACROSS4 ,IT WAS A BICYCLE ?AT HAD A TWO-:EEL$ C>T FIX$ ON ! BACK1 BUT :AT MADE IT AN ODDM5T W]E ITS TIRES1 ! TWO ON ! MA*9E ITSELF & ?OSE UPON ! TROLLEY ?AT WAS DRAGG$ BEH9D IT4 ,!Y'D BE5 MADE ( ROPE4 ,FITT$ >\ND ! B>E IRON RIMS W]E L5G?S ( ! SAME =M]LY-:ITE HAWS] ?AT HAD BE5 EMPLOY$ TO TIE ! TRAIL] TO ! BIKE1 N[ RIDD5 ?R\< SO MANY SOOTY PUDDLES ?AT !IR COLOR WASN'T NOTICEABLY LI<T] ?AN ?AT ( ! CYCLI/ HIMSELF4 

,! ,NEGRO1 SEE+ ?AT ! BOYS W]E GAP+ AT HIM AS HE CAME OV] ! CROSSROADS1 SMIL$ & PULL$ HIS BICYCLE-&-C>T UP TO ! CURB A LITTLE PA/ !M D[N ! HILL4 ,HE DID ?IS ) SMALL WOOD5 BLOCKS ?AT HE HAD /RAPP$ B5EA? HIS %OES = BRAKES1 TAK+ HIS FEET FROM (F ! P$ALS SO ?AT !Y HUNG D[N & SCRAP$ OV] ! COBBLES ( ! ROAD UNTIL ! WAGON WAS BR\<T 9 ?IS MANN] TO A HALT4 ,ITS RID] HAD LOOK$ BACK ACROSS HIS %\LD]1 GR9N+ AT ! TWO BOYS :O HAD BE5 REG>D+ HIM SO RUDELY1 & CALL$ \T A FRI5DLY GREET+ TO !M4 

0,AH HOPE Y\ TWO Y\NG/]S A9'T B9 GITT9' UP TUH ANY TR\BLE1 N[40 

,! MAN'S VOICE HAD BE5 M>VEL\S1 LIKE NO?+ ?AT !Y'D EV] HE>D BE=E4 ,!Y'D TROTT$ D[N ! HILL TO :]E HE WAS & TOLD HIM !Y W]E WAIT+ !IR TURN TO P]=M AS CLOG DANC]S1 :I* ALMO/ WAS ! TRU?1 !N ASK$ HIM :]E HE'D COME FROM4 ,HE'D BE TOO SELF-CONSCI\S N[1 HE ?\<T1 TO JU/ COME \T & SAY ?AT TO A BLACK MAN1 BUT :5 Y\'RE A KIDDY Y\ JU/ SPEAK :AT'S ON Y\R M9D4 ,! FELL[ HAD BLACK SK9 & HAD A =EIGN ACC5T4 ,IT WAS ONLY NATURAL ?AT !Y %\LD ASK :]E HE WAS FROM1 & NATURALLY WAS H[ HE'D TAK5 IT1 )\T (F5SE OR ANY?+4 ,HE'D TOLD !M HE WAS FROM ,AM]ICA4 

,( C\RSE1 ?AT HAD SET BO? BOYS (F ON A GREAT /REAM ( QUE/IONS AB\T ,9DIANS & C[BOYS1 & IF ALL ! BUILD+S 9 ! CITIES W]E AS TALL AS !Y'D BE5 TOLD4 ,HE'D LAU<$ & SAID ,NEW ,YORK WAS 0PURTY BIG01 ?\< LOOK+ BACK HE HADN'T SEEM$ HALF SO IMPRESS$ AB\T HIS ORIG9S AS ! TWO BOYS HAD BE54 ,HE'D TOLD !M H[ HE'D LIV$ H]E 9 ,NOR?AMPTON = AB\T A YE> N[1 0D[N ON ,SC>LUT ,WELL01 :]EV] ?AT WAS1 & !N AFT] SOME MORE *AT HAD SAID HE \<T TO BE AB\T HIS WORK4 ,HE'D W9K$ AT !M & TOLD !M TO KEEP \T ( TR\BLE1 !N HE'D LIFT$ UP HIS WOOD-BLOCKS & C>E]$ AWAY D[NHILL1 T[>DS :]E ! ORNATE GRAY DRUM ( A GAS-HOLD] RE>$ AGA9/ ! SKY4 ,AFT] ! MAN HAD GONE1 ! TWO ( !M HAD 5?US$ = A TIME AB\T ,AM]ICA1 & !N HAD IMITAT$ H[ ! BLACK BLOKE TALK$1 HIS [N IMPRESSION KNOCK+ ,BOYSIE'S 9TO A COCK$ HAT4 ,!N !Y'D GONE BACK TO ALL !IR ,MILLIONAIRE ,TRAMP PIP$REAMS1 & HE'D NEV] ?\<T AB\T ! CURI\S 5C\NT] FROM ?AT DAY TO ?IS4 

,HE TOOK A DRAG ?AT WAS MORE LIKE A SIP (F ( HIS ,WOODY & !N BLEW ! SMOKE \T D[N HIS NOSE1 ! WAY ?AT HE'D SE5 O!RS DO & ?\<T IT LOOK$ QUITE /YLI%4 ,!RE WAS N[ A FAIR OLD BUN* ( PEOPLE HEAD+ BACK & =? OV] ! CROSSROADS1 EI!R RID+ OR ON FOOT1 & HE /OOD WOND]+ :AT ELSE !RE MI<T HAVE BE5 FROM ?OSE TIMES ?AT HE'D JU/ =GOT AB\T4 ,NOT SKULL-FAC$ ,MRS4 ,JACKSON1 WIFE ( ! ,LANCA/RIAN =M] TEA*] :O'D SET UP ! COMPANY1 SAT SUCKL+ H] BABY SON :ILE OV]SEE+ ! CLOG DANC+ TR\PE'S REHE>SALS4 ,HE'D REMEMB] ?AT SI<T IF HE LIV$ TO BE A HUNDR$4 ,N[ HE ?\<T AB\T IT1 !RE W]E MORE ?AN LIKELY V]Y FEW ?+S LIKE ?AT ,NEGRO *AP1 ?+S HE'D =GOT AB\T BY ACCID5T1 AL?\< HE KNEW !RE W]E A MULTITUDE ( ?+S ?AT HE'D =GOT AB\T ON PURPOSE1 AS IT W]E4 

,IT WASN'T ?AT HE WAS A%AM$ ( :]E HE'D COME FROM1 BUT A LOT ( :AT ?IS BUS9ESS WAS AB\T WAS H[ ?+S LOOK$4 ,HE HAD AN EYE TO H[ HE WANT$ ?+S TO BE REPORT$ IF HE EV] MANAG$ TO MAKE SOME?+ ( HIMSELF4 ,IT DIDN'T HURT TO COME FROM A POOR BACKGR\ND3 'RAGS TO RI*ES' WAS A /ORY EV]YBODY LOV$4 ,! RAGS P>T ( IT1 ?\<1 ?AT HAD TO BE DEPICT$ 9 A C]TA9 WAY1 T\*$ UP & MADE MORE PICTURESQUE ) ALL ! NA/Y LITTLE DETAILS PA9T$ \T4 ,NOBODY W\LD HAVE %$ A TE> = ,LITTLE ,NELL IF %E'D EXPIR$ 9 *ILDBIR? OR FROM SYPHILIS4 ,! PUBLIC HAD AN APPETITE = SADNESS & = S5TIM5T1 & :AT !Y SAW AS ALL ! COLOR ( ! WORSE-(F CLASSES1 BUT NOBODY LIK$ ! TA/E ( SQUALOR4 ,! ,9EBRIATE W5T D[N A TREAT = JU/ SO LONG AS HE WAS HANG+ R\ND A LAMPPO/1 TALK+ TO IT LIKE A PAL4 ,! SKIT WAS CUT (F LONG BE=E HE %IT HIS TR\S]S OR W5T HOME & PUT HIS WIFE 9 ! 9FIRM>Y BY BELT+ H] UNTIL %E C\LDN'T WALK4 

,?AT WAS ANO!R ELEM5T ?AT NE$$ GETT+ RID ( IF Y\ WANT$ TO PRES5T Y\R TALE ( POV]TY 9 ! RI<T LI<T1 ALL ( ! FI<TS & BEAT+S4 ,IF AT SOME UNC]TA9 PO9T 9 ! UNC]TA9 FUTURE HE WAS ASK$ TO REM9ISCE1 SAY = SOME LITTLE MAGAZ9E ON ! !AT]1 :Y1 !N HE'D TALK AB\T ,MUMM+ ,BIRDS1 HE'D TALK AB\T ,! ,FOOTBALL ,MAT* :]E HE'D APPE>$ ) ,H>RY ,WELDON1 & HE'D EV5 TALK AB\T ! ,EI<T ,LANCA%IRE ,LADS4 ,! YE>S ?AT HIM & ,SYDNEY SP5T AS ! P]=M+ MASCOTS ( ! ,ELEPHANT ,BOYS1 ?\<1 !Y W\LDN'T GET A M5TION4 ,NOT A DICKEY BIRD4 

,A SUDD5 GU/ ALONG ! WE/ >M ( ! CROSSROADS BLEW ! CIG>ETTE SMOKE BACK 9TO HIS EYES SO ?AT !Y WAT]$ = A SECOND & HE C\LDN'T SEE4 ,HE WAIT$ = A BIT !N WIP$ !M ) HIS CUFF1 HOP+ ?AT ALL ! PEOPLE PASS+ W\LDN'T ?9K ?AT HE WAS CRY+2 ?AT A GIRL HAD /OOD HIM UP OR ANY?+ LIKE ?AT4 

,!RE HAD BE5 NO?+ ELSE BUT GANGS ALL OV] ,LONDON BACK :5 HE WAS GR[+ UP4 ,Y\ DIDN'T /RICTLY HAVE TO BE 9 ONE ( !M1 & IF Y\ WANT$ TO /AY \T ( TR\BLE IT WAS BETT] IF Y\ W]5'T1 BUT !RE WAS SOME?+ TO BE SAID = BE+ FRI5DLY ) A GANG & SORT ( ON ITS $GES4 ,IF Y\ PICK$ A MOB TO HANG >\ND :O'D GOT A REPUTATION ?AT WAS T]RIBLE 5\<1 !N ) A BIT ( LUCK ! O!R GANGS W\LD SEE ?AT Y\ W]E LEFT ALONE4 ,!RE HADN'T BE5 A CREW 9 ALL ! CITY OR ITS BOR\<S HALF AS FRI<T5+ AS ! BOYS FROM ,ELEPHANT & ,CA/LE1 :I* WAS H[ COME HIM & ,SYDNEY PALLI$ UP TO !M4 

,HIM & HIS ELD] BRO!R C\LD BO? S+ & DANCE BY ?AT AGE & HAD (T5 DONE TURNS ON ! /REET TO E>N A P5NY :5 !IR MO!R'S LUCK WAS GO+ BADLY1 AS IT (T5 WAS4 ,! ,ELEPHANT ,BOYS1 :O'D ?9K NO?+ ( DISFIGUR+ OR ROBB+ ADULT M51 HAD BE5 IMPRESS$ BY HIM & ,SYDNEY1 %REWDLY NOTIC+ ! BRO!RS' OBVI\S 5T]TA9M5T VALUE4 ,!Y'D BE CALL$ ON AS ! GANG'S P]=M+ MONKEYS1 EI!R AS A MEANS ( BR++ 9 SOME COPP]S :5 ! FUNDS W]E L[ OR ELSE TO LIFT MORALE BE=E & AFT] SOME HAIR-RAIS+ PUN*-UP ) A RIVAL BUN* ( LADS1 P]HAPS ! ,BRICKLAY]'S ,BOYS FROM ,WALWOR?1 SOMEBODY LIKE ?AT4 ,HIS SPECIALTY HAD BE5 TO JAM HIS DA9TY FEET 9TO ! H&LES ON A PAIR ( DU/B9 LIDS1 !N TAP-DANCE ON A METAL GRAT+ JU/ = ALL ! DEAF5+ RACKET IT W\LD MAKE4 ,!Y'D CALL$ IT ,OATSIE'S ,/AMP4 ,9 FACT1 ! ,ELEPHANT ,BOYS W]E ! FIR/ TO CALL HIM ,OATSIE1 N[ HE ?\<T AB\T IT4 

,IT HAD BE5 A HORROR4 ,HE'D BE DO+ ,OATSIE'S ,/AMP ) ,SYDNEY JO9+ 9 ON SPOONS OR COMB & PAP]1 JU/ :ATEV] WAS AB\T1 & !RE ! BIGGE/ ?UGS FROM \T ! GANG W\LD BE1 SAT BY ! ROADSIDE1 /UDI\SLY %>P5+ !IR M>KET-WORK]'S HOOKS UP ON ! CURB-/ONES1 SOMETIMES LOOK+ UP & :I/L+ OR CLAPP+ IF !Y ?\<T ?AT HIM & ,/AKEY W]E P]=M+ WELL4 ,/AKEY WAS :AT !Y'D CALL$ HIS BRO!R 9 ?OSE DAYS1 FROM /EAK & KIDNEY4 ,!RE !Y W]E1 ,/AKEY & ,OATSIE1 HID+ R\ND ! CORN]1 WAT*+ :ILE ! SCRAP OR MASSACRE WAS TAK+ PLACE1 !N AFT]W>DS !Y'D BO? BE CALL$ BACK ON SO HE C\LD DO ! VICTORY DANCE ) A :ITE FACE AT ALL ! BUS9ESS HE'D JU/ SE5 - BOYS RUNN+ HOME ) ONE E> HANG+ FROM !IR HEAD1 A LAD ( F\RTE5 SCREAM+ ) ! BLOOD ALL D[N HIS LEGS FROM :]E A HOOK HAD CAU<T HIM UP ! ASS - & HE'D BE ?9K+ AB\T ALL ( ?IS :ILE HE WAS /AMP+ ON AN IRON GRID1 ! DU/B9 TOPS W$G$ ON HIS PLATES ( MEAT MAK+ A NOISE LIKE ,JUDGM5T ,DAY1 ) HOT SP>KS %E>+ FROM ! CLATT]+ METAL UP R\ND HIS B>E KNEES4 ,HE'D BE5 :AT1 SEV51 EI<T YE>S OLD8 

,IF HE'D LE>N$ ANY?+ FROM ALL ( ?AT IT HAD BE5 ?AT HE C\LDN'T BE> ! ?\<T ( BE+ HURT1 ( HAV+ SOME?+ P]MAN5T DONE TO HIS BODY OR ESPECIALLY HIS FACE4 ,!Y W]E ! ?+S HE HOP$ W\LD LIFT HIM \T ( ALL ?IS GRUBB+ R\ND TO MAKE A CRU/4 ,IF ANY?+ %\LD HAPP5 TO !M1 ?AT %\LD BE ! 5D ( IT4 ,( HIM4 ,HE'D /OOD & WAT*$ ONCE1 SICK ) %AME1 :ILE ,SYDNEY GOT A ?UMP+ FROM AN OLD] MEMB] ( ! GANG :O'D TAK5 UMBRAGE OV] SOME?+ ,SYD HAD SAID4 ,HE'D KN[N1 & ,SYDNEY HAD ASSUR$ HIM LAT]1 ?AT !RE WASN'T ANY?+ HE C\LD HAVE DONE TO HELP1 BUT ALL ! SAME HE'D FELT A C[>D OV] ! AFFAIR4 ,HE C\LD HAVE SAID SOME?+1 AT LEA/1 BUT !N ?AT MI<T HAVE MEANT ?AT HE WAS NEXT1 SO HE'D JU/ /OOD !RE & WAT*$ ,/AKEY HAVE HIS *EEK SPLIT OP54 ,IF1 UNLIKELY AS IT SEEM$1 HE EV] WROTE A MEMOIR1 NONE ( ?IS W\LD BE 9CLUD$4 

,>GUM5TS OR %\T+ MAT*ES1 ?OSE HE WAS ALL RI<T )1 BUT A FI<T WAS SOME?+ HE'D TRY ANY?+ HE C\LD DO TO AVOID4 ,SOME ( ! OLD] 5T]TA9]S ?AT HE KNOCK$ AB\T ) ON ! CIRCUIT RECKON$ ?+S W]E LOOK+ BAD BETWE5 ,5GL& & ,G]MANY & ?\<T SOON] OR LAT] !RE MI<T BE A W>4 ,HE'D BE JU/ TW5TY-ONE NEXT ,APRIL & !N HE'D HAVE ! KEY ( ! DOOR1 NEV] BE5 TW5TY-ONE BE=E & ALL ( ?AT1 BUT HE'D /ILL BE ( >MY AGE IF ANY?+ %\LD />T4 ,HE DIDN'T FANCY ?AT IDEA AT ALL1 & /ILL HOP$ !RE WAS SOME WAY HE C\LD BE SAFE 9 ANO!R C\NTRY1 IF & :5 IT HAPP5$4 ,HE'D BE5 BOOK$ 9 = A MON? TO PLAY AT ! ,FOLIES ,B]G]E = ,K>NO E>LI] ?AT YE> & HE'D 5JOY$ IT SO MU* ?AT HE HADN'T WANT$ TO COME HOME4 ,HE'D SE5 MORE LOVELY WOM5 ?AN HE'D EV] DREAM$ (1 :I* WAS SAY+ SOME?+ ) HIS DREAMS4 ,HE'D MET ,MR4 ,DEBUSSY1 ! COMPOS]1 & HE'D HAD ! ONLY REAL BRAWL ( HIS LIFE ) ! PRIZE-FI<T] ,]NIE ,/ONE 9 ,/ONE'S HOTEL ROOM AFT] TOO MU* ABS9!4 ,/ONE HAD WON1 ( C\RSE1 BUT HE'D NOT DONE TOO BAD CONSID]+ & HAD SURR5D]$ ONLY :5 ! LI<TWEI<T BOX] HIT HIM 9 ! M\? SO ?AT HE'D ?\<T ?AT HE MI<T LOSE HIS TEE?4 ,RETURN+ TO ! OLD R\T9ES ( ,MUMM+ ,BIRDS & T\R+ GLOOMY NOR!RN T[NS AFT] ALL ?AT HAD BE5 A DISAPPO9TM5T1 & HE HOP$ IT W\LDN'T BE TOO LONG BE=E HE GOT TO GO ABROAD AGA91 PREF]ABLY NOT 9 A T9 HAT AS A CONSCRIPT ( ! >MY4 ,K>NO HAD BE5 GO+ ON AB\T ,AM]ICA1 BUT !N ,F]D ,K>NO TALK$ AB\T A LOT ( ?+S & ONLY SOME ( !M W\LD EV] COME TO FRUIT4 ,HE'D KEEP HIS F+]S CROSS$ & SEE :AT HAPP5$4 

,OATSIE TOOK A FEW MORE QUICK PUFFS ON HIS FAG1 !N DROPP$ IT ON ! FLOOR & GR\ND IT \T B5EA? A SWIVEL+ BOOT BE=E HE KICK$ IT (F ! CURB4 ,! CROSSROADS' GUTT]S BRIMM$ ) EMPTY CIG>ETTE PACKS1 ,WOODB9ES1 ,PASS+ ,CL\DS1 & AN UNAPPETIZ+ SALAD ( DEAD LEAVES4 ,HE HAD TO SQU9T AB\T A BIT BE=E HE CAU<T SI<T ( ! TREES ?AT !SE HAD EVID5TLY FALL5 FROM1 SOME WAY ALONG ! CROSSROADS' WE/W>D R\TE SO ?AT HE ONLY SAW ! TOPS ( !M1 GOLD 9 ! SETT+ SUN4 ,N[ ?AT HE LOOK$ HE SAW ?AT !RE W]E ALSO SAPL+S SPR\T+ FROM A C\PLE ( ! *IMNEYS CLOS] TO HIM1 ROOT$ 9 ! DIRTY BRICKWORK1 LIKE ! ONE HE C\LD SEE GR[+ UP ABOVE ! RO(L9E ( ! PUBLIC H\SE ACROSS ! /REET1 ! ,CR[ & ,HORSE%OE4 ,NOTIC+ A /REET-SIGN BOLT$ UP ON ! F> CORN] & MADE NE> UNREADABLE BY SOOT & RU/1 HE SAW ! SLOPE HE /OOD ON WAS CALL$ ,HORSE%OE ,/REET1 :I* HELP$ EXPLA9 AT LEA/ ! SECOND P>T ( ! PUB'S NAME4 ,& IF ?OSE FUR!R TREES :OSE TOPS HE C\LD JU/ GLIMPSE W]E /&+ 9 A GRAVEY>D !N ?AT MI<T EXPLA9 ! FIR/ P>T1 HE SUPPOS$4 ,HE PICTUR$ *UBBY C>RION BIRDS ALL P]*$ !RE SCREE*+ ON !IR TOMB/ONES :]E ! NAMES HAD BE5 ]AS$ BY MOSS1 & !N HE WI%$ HE HADN'T4 

,HE WAS ONLY TW5TY AFT] ALL4 ,HE DIDN'T NE$ TO ?9K ( ALL ?AT MORBID BUS9ESS = A LONG TIME YET1 AL?\< !RE'D BE5 LADS KILL$ 9 ! ,BO] ,W> A GOOD SI<T Y\NG] ?AN :AT HE WAS N[4 ,= ?AT MATT]1 !RE HAD BE5 KIDS 9 ,LAMBE? :O'D NOT GOT TO !IR T5? BIR?DAYS4 ,HE WI%$ HE C\LD /ILL BELIEVE 9 ,GOD ! WAY HE HAD ?AT NI<T 9 ,OAKLEY ,/REET1 D[N 9 ! BASEM5T :]E HE WAS RECOV]+ FROM FEV]1 :5 HIS MO!R HAD P]=M$ ! MO/ DRAMATIC SC5ES FROM ! ,NEW ,TE/AM5T TO KEEP HIM OCCUPI$4 ,%E'D PUT ALL ( ! TAL5TS FROM A /AGE C>E] %E'D ONLY REC5TLY AB&ON$ 9TO ! P]=MANCE & HAD ALMO/ DONE TOO GOOD A JOB1 ) HIM LEFT HOP+ ?AT HE'D HAVE A RELAPSE 9 HIS FEV] SO ?AT HE C\LD DIE ?AT NI<T & MEET ?IS ,JESUS :O HE'D HE>D SO MU* AB\T4 ,%E'D BE5 ?AT PASSIONATE1 HE'D NEV] D\BT$ ANY ( ! /ORIES = AN 9/ANT4 ,M9D Y\1 ?AT HAD BE5 BE=E HIM & HIS BRO!R W]E DRAGG$ ?R\< ! WORKH\SE ) H]1 & BE=E %E HAD BE5 PUT 9 ! ASYLUM = A SPELL4 ,HE WASN'T QUITE SO SURE TODAY AB\T ! HEAV5 ?AT HE'D HE>D DESCRIB$ ?AT NI<T1 SO VIVIDLY HE C\LDN'T WAIT TO T\* IT4 

,!SE DAYS1 ?\<1 HE'D L[]$ HIS SI<TS & IF HE ?\<T AB\T :AT MI<T BE AFT] DEA? AT ALL IT WAS 9 T]MS ( H[ HE'D BE REMEMB]$1 OR ELSE H[ HE'D BE =GOTT54 ,:AT HE WANT$ WAS HIS NAME TO LIVE ON AFT] HIM1 & NOT JU/ AS A *>ACT] FROM PUBS >\ND ,WALWOR? & ,LAMBE?1 H[ HIS FA!R HAD BE5 PO/HUM\SLY LABEL$4 ,:AT HE WANT$ WAS TO BE WELL ?\<T ( & WELL SPOK5 ( :5 HE WAS DEAD1 ! WAY ?AT SOMEONE LIKE ,F]D ,K>NO W\LD BE4 ,WELL1 P]HAPS ?AT WAS A BIT AMBITI\S1 GIV5 ,K>NO'S /ATURE 9 ! BUS9ESS1 BUT AT LEA/ HE'D LIKE TO BE RECALL$ AS SOMEONE 9 ! SAME DIVISION1 EV5 IF HE WAS A FAIR SI<T L[] D[N 9 PEOPLE'S E/IMATION ?AN :AT ,F]D W\LD BE4 ,CONSID]+ ! FUTURE1 :5 !RE'D BE MORE PEOPLE EV]Y:]E1 HE C\LD SEE H[ ! ,MUSIC ,HALL W\LD BE MU* BIGG] & MU* MORE IMPORTANT ?AN IT WAS TODAY1 & ,OATSIE ?\<T !RE WAS A *ANCE ?AT HE'D GET WRITT5 UP SOME:]E AS A CONTRIBUTOR TO ! TRADITION'S E>LY DAYS1 AT LEA/ IF HE C\LD MANAGE NOT TO GET KILL$ 9 A W> BE=E HE'D GOT HIS BREAK4 

,! IDEAS HE WAS 5T]TA9+ HAD BEGUN TO GET HIM D[N4 ,HE SWEPT HIS LONG-LA%$ GIRLI% EYES ACROSS ! PASS+ ?RONG 9 HOPE ( SPOTT+ A BIG BU/ OR PRETTY FACE ?AT MI<T DI/RACT HIM FROM HIS [N MORTALITY1 BUT HE WAS \T ( LUCK4 ,!RE W]E SOME WOM5 :O LOOK$ NICE 5\<1 BUT NOT :AT Y\'D CALL NOTABLE4 ,AS = !IR BOSOMS IT WAS MU* ! SAME TALE4 ,!RE WAS NO?+ ?AT /OOD \T1 & SO HE DRIFT$ BACK TO HIS UNEASY CONTEMPLATIONS4 

,:AT IT WAS ) DEA? ?AT WORRI$ HIM WAS ?AT IT MADE HIM FEEL LIKE HE WAS TRAPP$ UPON A TRAML9E ?AT WAS ONLY GO+ TO ONE PLACE1 ?AT ! IRON RAIL WAS SET ALREADY 9 ! ROAD 9 FRONT ( HIM1 ?AT IT WAS ALL 9EVITABLE1 AL?\< ACTUALLY ?AT WAS ! ?+ ?AT WORRI$ HIM ) LIFE AS WELL1 UPON CONSID]ATION4 ,IT WAS H[ LIFE SEEM$ SOMETIMES LIKE A SKIT ?AT HAD BE5 WRITT5 \T BE=EH&1 ) A PUN* L9E ?AT WAS SET UP 9 ADVANCE4 ,ALL Y\ C\LD DO WAS TRY & KEEP UP ) ITS TWI/S & TURNS :ILE ! MOM5TUM ( ! /ORY DRAGG$ Y\ ?R\< IT1 ONE SC5E FOLL[+ ANO!R4 ,Y\ W]E BORN1 Y\R FA!R RAN AWAY1 Y\ SANG & DANC$ ON /AGE TO KEEP Y\R FAMILY \T ! WORKH\SE BUT !Y W5T !RE ANYWAY1 Y\R BRO!R GOT Y\ A POSITION ) ,F]D ,K>NO1 Y\ W5T (F TO ,P>IS1 CAME BACK HOME1 MISS$ \T ON ,H>RY ,WELDON'S =M] /> ROLE 9 ,! ,FOOTBALL ,MAT* BECAUSE ( L>YNGITIS1 Y\ GOT /UCK ) ,MUMM+ ,BIRDS 9/EAD & 5D$ UP BACK 9 ,NOR?AMPTON1 & !N SOME TIME AFT] ?AT1 A LONG TIME HOPEFULLY1 Y\ DI$4 

,IT WAS ALL ! 0& !N & !N & !N0 ( IT ?AT SC>$ HIM1 ONE SC5E FOLL[+ ANO!R1 ITS EV5TS DET]M9+ H[ ALL ! ACTS !REAFT] W\LD UNFOLD1 JU/ LIKE A GREAT LONG L9E ( DOM9OES ALL FALL+1 & IT DIDN'T SEEM Y\ C\LD DO ANY?+ TO *ANGE ! WAY !Y FELL1 ! PRE>RANG$ PRECISION ( IT1 REGUL> AS CLOCKWORK4 ,IT WAS AS IF LIFE W]E SOME GREAT BIG IMP]SONAL PIECE ( MA*9]Y1 LIKE ALL ! ?+S !Y HAD 9 FACTORIES ?AT W\LD KEEP ROLL+ ON :ATEV] HAPP5$4 ,GETT+ BORN WAS JU/ ! SAME AS GETT+ Y\R COAT L9+ CAU<T UP 9 ITS :EELS4 ,LIFE PULL$ Y\ 9 & ?AT WAS ?AT1 Y\ W]E 5ME%$ 9 ALL ITS CIRCUM/ANCES1 ALL ITS GE>S1 UNTIL Y\ REA*$ ! O!R 5D & GOT SPAT \T1 9TO A FANCY BOX IF Y\ W]E LUCKY4 ,!RE SEEM$ V]Y LITTLE *OICE 9 ANY ( IT4 ,HALF HIS LIFE HAD BE5 DICTAT$ BY HIS FAMILY'S F9ANCIAL SITUATION1 & ! O!R HALF DICTAT$ BY HIS [N COMPULSIONS1 BY HIS NE$ TO BE ADOR$ ! WAY HIS MO!R HAD ADOR$ HIM1 BY HIS FRANTIC SCRABBLE TO GET SOME:]E & TO BE SOMEBODY4 

,BUT ?AT WASN'T ! :OLE /ORY1 WAS IT8 ,OATSIE KNEW ?AT WAS :AT EV]YBODY ?\<T AB\T HIM PRIVATELY1 ALL ( HIS SO-CALL$ PALS FROM 9 ! BUS9ESS1 H[ !Y SAW HIM AS A CLIMB]1 ALWAYS *AS+ SOME?+ - *AS+ WOM51 *AS+ ANY SCRAP ( WORK HE HAD A SNIFF AT1 *AS+ FAME & =TUNE - BUT HE KNEW !Y'D GOT HIM WRONG4 ,( C\RSE HE WANT$ ALL ?OSE ?+S1 WANT$ !M DESP]ATELY1 BUT SO DID EV]YBODY ELSE1 & IT WAS NEV] REALLY ! PURSUIT ( RECOGNITION ?AT PROPELL$ HIM ?R\< HIS LIFE SO MU* AS ! GREAT BLACK EXPLOSION ( HIS BACKGR\ND RUMBL+ BEH9D HIM4 ,MO!R />V+ H] WAY 9TO MADNESS1 FA!R SWELL+ UP 9TO A /9K+1 SLO%+ WAT]-BOMB1 ALL ( ! PICTURES FLICK]+ PA/ TO A P]CUSSION MADE BY FI/S ON FLE% & DU/B9 LIDS ON GRAT+S1 HAMM]+ & CLANG+ 9 ! RIS+ SP>KS4 ,:AT KEPT HIM ON ! MOVE1 HE KNEW1 WAS NOT ! DE/9Y ?AT HE WAS *AS+ BUT ! FATE ?AT HE WAS RUNN+ FROM4 ,:AT PEOPLE SAW AS CLIMB+ WAS NO MORE ?AN HIM ATTEMPT+ TO >RE/ HIS FALL4 

,! FL[ ( VEHICLES & PEOPLE AT ! CROSSROADS MOV$ LIKE %UTTLES ON A LOOM1 FIR/ %UNT+ BACK & =? FROM NOR? TO S\?1 UP & D[NHILL 9 FRONT ( HIM1 !N RATTL+ FROM WE/ TO EA/ ALONG ! ROAD ?AT HAD ! ,CR[ & ,HORSE%OE 9 & ,GOLD ,/REET4 ,ALL ! DAY'S SMELLS M+L$ !RE UPON HIS CORN]1 COOK$ BY ! UNSEASONABLY SUNNY AFT]NOON & N[ COND5S$ ) SUNSET TO A DOG-BLANKET ?AT HUNG ABOVE ! JUNCTION4 ,HORSE MANURE WAS ! MO/ PREVAL5T AMONG ! MIX$ >OMAS1 GIV+ ! P]FUME ITS BASE1 BUT !RE W]E O!R ESS5CES /IRR$ 9TO ! B\QUET3 COAL DU/ ?AT FA9TLY SMELL$ ( ELECTRICITY & PEPP]1 /ALE BE] WAFT$ FROM ! ALE-Y>DS & ANO!R SWEET YET NOXI\S FRAGRANCE SOME:]E BETWE5 DEA? & PE> DROPS ?AT AT FIR/ HE C\LDN'T PLACE BUT F9ALLY DECID$ ?AT ,NOR?AMPTON'S MANY TANN]IES1 MO/ PROBABLY1 W]E :]E ! ODOR CAME FROM4 ,ANYWAY1 HE PUT ALL ?IS \T ( HIS M9D BECAUSE JU/ !N1 ASC5D+ ,HORSE%OE ,/REET ON HIS SIDE1 !RE WAS SOME?+ ?AT HE DEF9ITELY W\LDN'T TURN HIS NOSE UP AT4 

,%E'D NEV] BE MI/AK5 = A CLASSIC BEAUTY1 NOT ! TYPE HE'D WITNESS$ ON ! ,*AMPS-,ELYSEES1 HE C\LD SEE ?AT EV5 AT ?IS DI/ANCE1 YET !RE SEEM$ TO BE A RADIANCE %E C>RI$ ) H]4 ,/ROLL+ UP ! SLOPE T[>DS HIM FROM D[N NE> ITS BOTTOM HE C\LD NOTE A PLUMPNESS 9 ! GIRL ?AT MI<T BE MORE PRON\NC$ :5 %E GREW OLD]1 BUT :I* AT ?AT MOM5T MANIFE/$ 9 AN IRRESI/IBLE >RANGEM5T ( WELL-BALANC$ & VOLUPTU\S CURVES4 ,H] CONT\RS W]E AS G5]\S & AS 9VIT+ TO ! EYE AS A LU% G>D51 ) A LITTLE ( ! G>D5 OR ! OR*>D ALSO 9 ! SWAY H] WALK HAD UND]NEA? ! *EAP1 ?9 FABRIC ( A FLAPP+ SUMM] SKIRT1 H] ?ICK ?I<S TAP]+ TO /URDY CALVES & T9Y *9A FEET1 :I* LAZILY SWUNG BACK & =? BEL[ ! FLUTT]+ HEM AS 9 H] [N GOOD TIME %E CLIMB$ ! HILL4 

,H] CLO!S W]E DRAB & MA9LY BR[N BUT COMPLEM5T>Y TO ! PALETTE ( ! L&SCAPE %E WAS SAUNT]+ ?R\<3 ! LEAVES ?AT *OK$ ! GUTT]S ) A FIRE & *OCOLATE M$LEY & ! FAD$ SEPIA H&BILLS PEEL+ TORN FROM ! FACADE ( AN ANTIQUE RIVAL !AT]1 D[N !RE AT ! FOOT ( ,HORSE%OE ,/REET4 ,SETT+ ! COMPOSITION (F1 ?\<1 WAS ! WOMAN'S HAIR4 ,DEEP AUBURN AS A B[L ( POLI%$ *E/NUTS & LIKE LAVA :]E !Y CAU<T ! E>LY EV5+ LI<T H] CURLS FELL R\ND H] ROSE *EEKS 9 A JIGGL+ SPILL ( BR&Y SNAPS4 ,A LITTLE MORE ?AN FIVE FEET TALL1 A POCKET GODDESS1 %E BURN$ LIKE A LAMP FLAME ?AT WAS L[ YET /ILL ILLUM9AT$ ! SMOKE-CUR$ 5CLOSURES ?AT IT PASS$ AMONG4 

,AS ?IS Y\NG BIT ( /UFF CAME CLOS]1 HE C\LD MAKE \T ?AT %E C>RI$ SOME?+ UP NE> H] LEFT %\LD]1 ONE H& UND]NEA? IT AS %E LEAN$ :ATEV] IT WAS ON ! SLOPE ( H] FULL BREA/1 ! O!R WRAPP$ >\ND ! LUMP TO HOLD IT TO H]1 AS Y\ W\LD A %OPP+ BAG IF BO? ! H&LES HAD COME (F4 ,/ILL ONLY HALFWAY UP ! /EEP CLIMB TO :]E ,OATSIE /OOD1 %E /OPP$ N[ TO ADJU/ H] GRIP UPON ! BUNDLE1 %IFT+ IT UP HI<] 9 H] >MS BE=E %E C>RI$ ON4 ,A FLUFFY \TCROP ON ! TOP 5D ( ! ITEM SEEM$ TO SUDD5LY COME LOOSE & SWIVEL R\ND TO PO9T /RAI<T AT HIM1 :]EUPON HE REALIZ$ ?AT IT WAS A BABY GIRL4 

,TO BE MORE ACCURATE1 DESPITE ITS SIZE & AGE IT WAS P]HAPS 444 NO1 NOT P]HAPS 444 IT WAS MO/ C]TA9LY ! LOVELIE/ HUMAN CREATURE HE HAD EV] SE54 ,%E SEEM$ TO BE NOT MU* MORE ?AN A YE> OLD1 ) H] :ITE-GOLD LOCKS ?AT DROPP$ D[N 9 A %[] ( W$D+ R+S & H] 5ORM\S EYES ! REASSUR+ BLUE ( POLICE LANT]NS ON A RISKY NI<T4 ,! 9FANT GIRL WAS LIKE A CYGNET ANGEL AS %E MET HIS GAZE UNBL9K+LY1 P]*$ !RE 9 ! EMBRACE ( ! APPROA*+ WOMAN4 ,IF HE'D EV] ?\<T ?AT HIS [N BEAUTY MI<T ONE DAY LIFT HIM ABOVE ! QUAGMIRE ( HIS ORIG9S1 H]E WAS A GLORY ?AT !Y'D SURELY COME TO TALK AB\T ! WAY !Y SPOKE ( ,HEL54 ,NO?+ W\LD PREV5T ?IS *ILD FROM GR[+ TO A DIAMOND ( H] AGE1 A FACE ?AT />$ \T ( A PO/] AT Y\ ONCE & HAUNT$ Y\ =EV]4 ,%E W\LD NEV] 9 H] LIFE GO UNAPPRECIAT$ OR UNLOV$ & Y\ C\LD SEE IT 9 ! LEVEL1 UNASSUM+ LOOK ?AT %E ALREADY HAD1 ! 9VIOLABLE CONFID5CE ( A CELE/IAL OR*ID GR[N AMID ! CLOV]S & ! WE$S4 ,IF HE KNEW ANY?+1 HE KNEW ! TOT W\LD 5D UP AS A BIGG] NAME ?AN HIM & ,K>NO PUT TOGE!R4 ,IT WAS UNAVOIDABLE4 

,! FACT ?AT ! SMALL GIRL WAS BE+ C>RI$ BY ! %APELY LITTLE WOMAN DIDN'T NECESS>ILY MEAN !Y W]E *ILD & MO!R1 HE REFLECT$1 LOOK+ ON ! BRI<T SIDE1 AL?\< EV5 FROM ?IS F> AWAY Y\ C\LDN'T HELP BUT NOTICE A RESEMBLANCE4 ,/ILL1 !RE WAS A *ANCE ?IS *ICKABIDDY WAS ! T9Y VISION'S AUNT1 M9D+ ! BABY :ILE ITS P>5TS W]E AT WORK1 & ?AT !RE=E %E MI<T BE UNATTA*$1 DESPITE APPE>ANCES4 ,IT DIDN'T REALLY MATT] 9 ! LONG RUN 9 ?AT ALL HE WANT$ WAS TO :ILE AWAY T5 M9UTES ) SOME PLEASANT & FLIRTATI\S TALK1 NOT SC>P] (F TO ,GRETNA ) H]1 BUT IT SOMEH[ ALWAYS MADE HIM FEEL UNCOM=TABLE IF HE WAS *ATT+ UP A M>RI$ GIRL4 

,CLIMB+ ! HILL1 ! WOMAN GAZ$ T[>DS ITS F> SIDE & ! PAT* ( WA/EL& ?AT HE'D NOTIC$ E>LI]1 DREAMILY CONTEMPLAT+ ! GONE-OV] BUDDLEIA ]UPT+ FROM BETWE5 ITS TUMBLES ( COLLAPS$ OLD BRICK1 SEEM+LY UNAW>E ( HIS EXI/5CE4 ,HE ALREADY HAD ! BABY'S EYE1 H[EV]1 SO HE ?\<T HE'D WORK ) ?AT & SEE H[ F> HE GOT4 ,HE DIPP$ HIS *9 UNTIL IT T\*$ HIS COLL> & ! FAT KNOT ( HIS TIE1 !N LOOK$ UP AT ! TODDL] FROM B5EA? HIS CURL+ O/RI* LA%ES & ! JET-BLACK HYPH5S ( HIS BR[S4 ,HE GAVE ! GRAVELY />+ LITTLE BEAUTY :AT HE KNEW WAS HIS MO/ IMPI% GR91 ACCOMPANI$ BY A BRIEF1 BA%FUL FLUTT] ( HIS EYELIDS4 ,SUDD5LY HE BROKE \T ) A CLATT]+ BUR/ ( EXP]T TAP DANCE ON ! WORN BUFF FLAG/ONES1 LA/+ NO MORE ?AN ?REE SECONDS BE=E IT WAS OV]1 AT :I* JUNCTURE HE /OPP$ DEAD & LOOK$ AWAY UPHILL1 PRET5D+ TO DIS[N HIS T]PSI*OREAN 9T]LUDE AS IF IT HADN'T HAPP5$4 

,NEXT1 AT 9T]VALS1 HE D>T$ %Y & FURTIVE GLANCES BACK ACROSS HIS %\LD] AS ?\< TO E/ABLI% :E!R ! *]UBIC *ILD WAS LOOK+ AT HIM1 ?\< HE KNEW %E W\LD BE4 ,EV]Y TIME HE MET H] LOOK1 :I* N[ SEEM$ SLI<TLY MORE DELI<T$ & AMUS$1 HE DUCK$ HIS FACE AWAY AS ?\< EMB>RASS$ & />$ PO9T$LY T[>DS ! OPPOSITE DIRECTION = A MOM5T BE=E LETT+ HIS GAZE CREEP1 AS ?\< RELUCTANTLY1 BACK R\ND ACROSS HIS %\LD] = ANO!R GLIMPSE ( H]1 LIKE 9 A GAME ( PEEK-A-BOO4 ,ON ! ?IRD TIME HE DID ?IS1 HE SAW ?AT ! PRETTY WOMAN C>RY+ ! WAIF HAD BE5 AL]T$ BY H] *>GE'S GURGL+S & WAS LOOK+ AT HIM TOO1 WE>+ A KN[+ SMILE ?AT SEEM$ ONE ( APPRAISAL YET WAS AT ! SAME TIME SOMEH[ *ALL5G+1 AS IF %E WEI<$ HIM UP ACCORD+ TO A MEASURE HE WAS UNFAMILI> )4 ,! BREEZE WAS LIFT+ MORE N[ AS ! DAY COOL$ (F1 SMA%+ ! D&ELION CLOCKS ?AT GREW UPON ! SCRAP-GR\ND & !N SCATT]+ !IR DRIFT+ COGS ALONG ! /REET4 ,IT %OOK ! WOMAN'S CURLS LIKE BURNI%$ CATK9S AS %E /UDI$ HIM1 DECID+ :E!R %E APPROV$ ( :AT %E SAW4 

,IT SEEM$ %E DID1 AL?\< P]HAPS NOT )\T RES]VATIONS4 ,ONLY SEV]AL PACES FROM HIM N[ %E CALL$ \T *E]FULLY TO ,OATSIE OV] ! REMA9+ DI/ANCE4 

0,Y\'VE GOT AN ADMIR]40 ,OBVI\SLY1 %E MEANT ! BABY4 

,9 A FUNNY WAY H] VOICE WAS LIKE BLACKCURRANT JAM1 :I* HE WAS PASS+ ?R\< A FAD = AT ! TIME4 ,BO? HE>T5+LY COMMONPLACE & FRUITY ) SUGGE/IVE UND]TONES1 ITS SWEETNESS HAD A QUALITY ( D>KLY DRIPP+ PL5TY &1 AS WELL1 ! H9T ( A %>P BITE4 ,H] ACC5T1 ?\<1 WAS NOT ! /RANGE ,NOR?AMPTON 9TONATION HE'D EXPECT$4 ,IF HE'D NOT KN[N BETT]1 HE'D HAVE SWORN ?AT %E WAS FROM ,S\? ,LONDON4 

,BY !N1 %E'D GOT TO ! CORN] :]E %E /OPP$1 A FOOT OR SO AWAY FROM HIM4 ,UP CLOS]1 N[ ?AT HE C\LD SEE ! WOMAN & H] BABY 9 MORE DETAIL1 !Y W]E C]TA9LY NO LET-D[N4 ,IF ! *ILD HAD BE5 MORE BEAUTIFUL OR P]FECT HE'D HAVE WEPT1 :ILE ! ADULT COMPANION1 :O HE'D GOT HIS EYE ON1 HAD A GL[ & W>M? AB\T H] ?AT IF ANY?+ 5HANC$ ! FIR/ IMPRESSION ?AT %E'D MADE ON HIM FROM FUR!R D[N ! HILL4 ,%E LOOK$ TO BE AB\T HIS AGE1 & ! HOT SUMM] ?AT WAS DRAW+ TO ITS CLOSE HAD RAIS$ A CROP ( FRECKLES ON H] FACE & >MS ?AT W]E LIKE SMALL] V]SIONS ( ! SPECKS ON LILIES4 ,HE BECAME AW>E ?AT HE WAS />+ AT H] & DECID$ ?AT HE'D BETT] SAY SOME?+4 

0,WELL1 JU/ AS LONG AS MY ADMIR] KN[S ?AT ,I WAS /&+ H]E ADMIR+ H] BE=E %E WAS ADMIR+ ME40 ,?IS WASN'T QUITE SO OBVI\SLY AB\T ! BABY1 NECESS>ILY1 BUT HE WAS HAPPY ) ! AMBIGUITY4 ,! WOMAN LAU<$ & IT WAS MUSIC1 MORE ?AT ( A PUB PIANO ON A ,FRIDAY NI<T ?AN ( ,DEBUSSY1 BUT /ILL MUSIC JU/ ! SAME4 ,! WE/]N SKY WAS BE+ DAUB$ 9 O!R COLORS N[1 9 MELAN*OLY PILES ( GOLD LIKE LO/ EX*EQU]S OV] ! GAS-HOLD]1 PA/EL SMUDGES ( PALE VIOLET & BRUISE MAUVE ON ITS P]IPH]IES AS %E REPLI$4 

0,OOH1 GET AWAY ) Y]4 ,Y\'LL GIVE '] A BIG '$1 !N %E'LL BE SPOIL$ & NO ONE'LL WANT ANY?+ TO DO ) ']40 ,%E *ANG$ H] HOLD UPON ! 9FANT H]E1 SWIT*+ ITS WEI<T ONTO H] O!R >M SO ?AT HE N[ SAW H] LEFT H& & ! PLA9 R+ ON ITS ?IRD F+]4 ,OH WELL4 ,HE F\ND ?AT HE QUITE 5JOY$ ! BIT ( COMPANY1 & DIDN'T M9D MU* ?AT IT W\LDN'T LEAD TO ANY?+4 ,HE *ANG$ HIS L9E ( COMPLIM5T>Y SPIEL SO IT WAS N[ DIRECT$ SOLELY AT ! BABY &1 FRE$ FROM ! NE$ TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION ON ! WOMAN1 ,OATSIE WAS SURPRIS$ TO F9D ?AT HE MEANT EV]Y WORD ( IT = ONCE4 

0,I DON'T BELIEVE IT4 ,%E LOOKS LIKE IT'D TAKE MORE ?AN FLATT]Y TO SPOIL H]1 & ,I'D BET FIVE BOB ?AT %E'LL HAVE PEOPLE FLOCK+ R\ND H] EV]Y:]E %E GOES4 ,:AT DO Y\ CALL H]80 

,H]E ! BRUNET TURN$ H] FACE T[>DS ?AT ( ! SMALL GIRL 9 H] >MS1 TO SMILE FONDLY & PR\DLY AS %E LET !IR =EHEADS G5TLY T\* TOGE!R4 ,!RE W]E GEESE ABOVE ! GASWORKS4 

0 ',] NAME'S ,MAY1 LIKE M9E4 ,MAY ,W>R54 ,:AT'S Y\RS1 ANYWAY1 /OOD \T ']E ON ,V9T'S ,PALACE CORN] ) Y] PIMPY EYES80 

,OATSIE WAS SO %OCK$ ?AT HIS M\? FELL OP54 ,NO ONE HAD DESCRIB$ :AT HE /ILL ?\<T ( AS HIS SMOLD]+ GAZE 9 QUITE ?AT WAY BE=E4 ,AFT] AN 9/ANT ( /UNN$ SIL5CE1 ?\<1 HE LAU<$ ) G5U9E ADMIRATION AT ! WOMAN'S 9SI<T & H] BRUTAL HONE/Y4 ,:AT S]V$ TO MAKE ! SLUR MU* FUNNI] WAS ?AT AT JU/ ! MOM5T IT WAS SAID1 ! WOMAN'S BABY TURN$ H] HEAD & GAZ$ /RAI<T AT HIM ) A PUZZL$1 SYMPA!TIC LOOK1 AS IF ! *ILD E*O$ H] MO!R'S QU]Y1 ALSO WOND]+ :AT HE WAS DO+ \T H]E ON ! CORN] ) HIS PIMPY EYES4 ,?IS MADE HIM LAU< LONG] & H>D]1 ) ! WOMAN *UCKL+ DELICI\SLY ALONG & F9ALLY H] T9Y DAU<T] JO9+ 9 AS WELL1 NOT WI%+ TO APPE> AS IF %E DIDN'T UND]/&4 

,:5 !Y'D EV5TUALLY /OPP$1 HE REALIZ$ ) A C]TA9 WOND]M5T H[ GOOD IT FELT AFT] ! MON?S & YE>S ( SCRIPT$ COM$Y TO HAVE A REAL1 SPONTANE\S LAU<1 P>TICUL>LY AT A JOKE AGA9/ HIMSELF4 ,A JOKE ?AT TOLD HIM HE WAS GETT+ TOO BIG = HIS BOOTS1 & ?AT ! S]I\S C>E] CONC]NS ?AT W]E UPSETT+ HIM NOT FIVE M9UTES BE=E W]E LIKELY TO BE JU/ AS PUFF$ UP & 9FLAT$4 ,IT HAD PUT ?+S 9 P]SPECTIVE4 ,HE SUPPOS$ ?AT WAS :AT LAU<S W]E =4 

,HE NODD$1 ) AS LITTLE SMUGNESS AS HE C\LD1 T[>DS HIS NAME UP ON ! PO/] HE WAS LEAN+ ON1 BUT TOLD H] %E %\LD CALL HIM ,OATSIE4 ,ALL HIS FRI5DS DID1 ANYWAY1 & HE ?\<T ,*>LES W\LD S\ND TOO /UCK-UP TO A GIRL LIKE ?IS4 ,:5 HIM & ,SYDNEY HAD BE5 SMALL !IR MO!R HAD BE5 DO+ WELL AT FIR/1 & W\LD P>ADE H] BOYS ALONG ,K5N+TON ,ROAD 9 \TFITS ?AT %E KNEW NOBODY ELSE >\ND !RE C\LD HAVE POSSIBLY AF=D$ 9 !IR WILDE/ DREAMS4 ,?AT HAD MADE ! COLLAPSE TO POV]TY & PLEAT$ CRIMSON TI<TS = /OCK+S MORE UNBE>ABLE1 ( C\RSE1 & EV] S9CE HE'D HAD A FE> ( PEOPLE ?9K+ ?AT HE WAS ABOVE HIMSELF1 SO ?AT !Y'D BE LESS CRUEL IF HE %\LD FALL4 ,OATSIE W\LD DO1 HE ?\<T4 ,!IR TWO NAMES EV5 HAD A SORT ( H>VE/ SUPP] R+ TO !M4 ,OATSIE & ,MAY4 

,! WOMAN LOOK$ AT HIM1 EYES N>R[$ QUIZZICALLY1 M9IATURE FANS ( DECORATIVE WR9KLES OP5+ & CLOS+ AT !IR CORN]S4 

0,OATSIE4 ,OATS & B>LEY4 ,Y] A ,LONDON]40 

,%E COCK$ H] HEAD A LITTLE BACK & TO ONE SIDE1 REG>D+ HIM ) :AT SEEM$ LIKE A FR[N ( DEEP SUSPICION1 SO ?AT = A M9UTE HE WAS WORRI$4 ,HAD ! GIRL GOT SOME?+ AGA9/ ,LONDON8 ,!N H] FACE RELAX$ 9TO A SMILE AGA91 EXCEPT ?AT N[ ! GR9 HAD SOME?+ ( A KN[+1 CAT-LIKE QUALITY4 

0,FROM ,LAMBE?4 ,WE/ ,SQU>E1 (F ,/4 ,GEORGE'S ,ROAD 9 ,LAMBE?4 ,AM ,I RI<T80 

,! BABY HAD LO/ 9T]E/ 9 ,OATSIE N[1 & 5T]TA9$ H]SELF BY BUN*+ H] SMALL FI/S1 PA9FULLY FROM ! LOOK ( IT1 )9 ! COPP] TANGLES ( H] MO!R'S HAIR4 ,HE FELT HIS JAW DROP OP5 = ! SECOND TIME 9 JU/ AB\T AS MANY M9UTES1 AL?\< ?IS TIME WAS NO PRELUDE TO HIL>ITY4 ,FRANKLY1 IT RA!R PUT ! W9D UP HIM4 ,:O WAS ?IS WOMAN1 :O KNEW ?+S %E C\LDN'T KN[8 ,WAS %E A ,GYPSY8 ,WAS ALL ?IS A DREAM ?AT HE WAS HAV+ AT ! AGE ( SIX1 AB\T ! FUNNY WORLD !RE'D BE :5 HE WAS OLD]1 SLEEP+ FITFULLY1 HIS %AV$ HEAD RASP+ ON ! R\< CLO? ( A WORKH\SE PILL[8 ,!RE & !N HE FELT AS IF HE'D LET HIS HOLD ON :AT WAS REAL SLIP FROM HIS F+]S1 & A MOM5T>Y V]TIGO CAME OV] HIM SO ?AT ! CROSSROADS' >MS SEEM$ ALMO/ TO BE SP9N+ LIKE ! NE$LE ( A BROK5 COMPASS1 *IMNEY SMOKE & GILD$ CL\DS :IRL$ 9TO /REAM+ MILE-WIDE HOOPS1 CAU<T BY ! C5TRIFUGAL TUG ( ! HORIZON4 ,HE DID NOT KN[1 ANY LONG]1 :]E HE WAS OR :AT WAS GO+ ON BETWE5 HIM & ?IS />TL+ Y\NG MO!R4 ,EV5 AT A DI/ANCE HE'D KN[N ?AT %E'D TURN \T TO BE LIVELY1 BUT ! ACTUALITY ( H] W5T F> BEYOND :AT HE'D =ESE54 ,%E WAS A %OCK]1 H] & H] UNE>?LY DAU<T] BO?4 

,SEE+ ! PANIC & CONFUSION 9 HIS EYES %E LAU<$ AGA91 A ?ROATY BUBBL+ ?AT WAS %REWD & FA9TLY LEWD AS WELL4 ,HE HAD A S5SE ?AT %E 5JOY$ PUTT+ A SC>E 9 PEOPLE N[ & !N1 BO? = H] [N AMUSEM5T & TO %[ H] P[]4 ,:ILE HIS RESPECT = H] WAS M\NT+ BY ! SECOND1 ! DESIRE HE'D FELT :5 HE FIR/ SAW H] WAS EVAPORAT+ 9 DIRECT PROPORTION4 ,?IS WAS SOMEONE :O DESPITE H] MODE/ /ATURE WAS A BIGG] P]SON ?AN HE KNEW HIMSELF TO BE4 ,?IS GIRL1 HE ?\<T1 C\LD EAT HIM1 !N BURP RAUC\SLY & BE UPON H] WAY )\T A SECOND ?\<T4 

,AT LA/1 ?\<1 %E TOOK PITY ON HIM4 ,DIS5TANGL+ H] R+LETS FROM ! BABY'S F+]S :ILE ! Y\NG] ,MAY WAS SUITABLY DI/RACT$ BY ANO!R GLID+1 J+L+ TRAM1 %E PROV$ ?AT %E WAS NO PR(ESSIONAL MAGICIAN BY EXPLA9+ JU/ H[ H] M9D-READ+ TURN HAD BE5 ACCOMPLI%$4 

0,I'M FROM ,LAMBE?1 JU/ (F ,LAMBE? ,WALK 9 ,REG5T ,/REET1 ?AT LITTLE T]RACE4 ,V]NALL4 ,?AT'S ME MAID5 NAME4 ,I CAN REMEMB] '[ \R MAM & DAD W\LD TAKE ME \T >\ND !RE :5 ,I WAS A LITTLE GIRL4 ,!RE WAS A PUB !Y W5T TO1 UP ! ,LONDON ,ROAD1 & :5 WE COME 'OME WE'D CUT BACK ACROSS ,WE/ ,SQU>E4 ,I SEE Y] !RE A TIME OR TWO4 ,Y\ HAD A BRO!R :AT W]E OLD]1 DIDN'T Y]80 

,HE WAS RELIEV$1 ?\< H>DLY LESS AMAZ$4 ,! WOMAN'S FEAT ( MEMORY1 AL?\< F> PA/ HIS [N CAPACITY1 WAS NOT UNTYPICAL AMONG ?OSE :O'D GR[N UP 9 CR[D$ LITTLE NEI<BORHOODS1 :]E EV]YONE APPE>$ TO KN[ ! NAMES ( EV]YBODY ELSE )9 A TWO-MILE RADIUS1 ALONG ) ALL !IR *ILDR5'S & !IR P>5TS' NAMES & ALL ! MY/IFY+ QUIRKS & ?READS ( HAPP5/ANCE ?AT L9K$ ! G5]ATIONS4 ,HAV+ NEV] LE>N$ ! TRICK ( IT HIMSELF1 P]HAPS BECAUSE HE'D ALWAYS HOP$ HE W\LDN'T BE /UCK 9 ?OSE PLACES V]Y LONG1 HE'D BE5 ?R[N (F HIS GU>D :5 IT WAS PLAY$ UPON HIM1 H]E 9 ?IS IMPROBABLE LOCATION1 9 ?IS F>-FLUNG T[N4 ,UNLIKE ! WOMAN1 HE C\LD NOT REMEMB] ANY *ILDHOOD MEET+S = ! LIFE ( HIM4 

0,YES4 ,Y\'RE RI<T1 ,I HAD A BRO!R ,SYDNEY4 ,/ILL HAVE1 = ?AT MATT]4 ,:5 W]E Y\ >\ND !RE1 !N8 ,H[ OLD >E Y\80 

,%E RAIS$1 AT ?IS PO9T1 A REPROA*FUL EYEBR[ AT HIS LACK ( MANN]S1 ASK+ H] AB\T H] AGE1 BUT F9ALLY REPLI$4 

0,OLD AS ME TONGUE BUT OLD] ?AN ME TEE?4 ,I'M TW5TY1 IF Y\ MU/ KN[4 ,I WAS BORN ! T5? ( ,M>* 9 #a#h#h#i40 

,! MORE %E REASSUR$ HIM ?AT !RE WAS A NATURAL EXPLANATION = H] KN[+ HIS *ILDHOOD ADDRESS1 ! E]I] ! 9CID5T ( !IR *ANCE MEET+ /RUCK HIM4 ,?IS SURPRIS+LY IMPOS+ WOMAN HAD BE5 BORN )9 A MON? ( HIM & LIV$ P]HAPS TWO HUNDR$ Y>DS FROM HIM :ILE HE WAS GR[+ UP4 ,N[ H]E !Y BO? W]E1 SIXTY MILES & TW5TY YE>S AWAY FROM :]E !Y'D />T$ \T1 /OOD AT ONE ( A HUNDR$ CORN]S 9 ONE ( A HUNDR$ T[NS4 ,IT MADE HIM ?9K AGA9 AB\T HIS PREVI\SLY HELD OP9IONS AS REG>DS PR$E/9ATION1 & IF PEOPLE EV] REALLY HAD AN 9KL+ ( ! PA? AHEAD ( !M4 ,HE C\LD SEE N[ ?AT IT WAS ACTUALLY TWO SEP>ATE QUE/IONS ?AT REQUIR$ TWO DIFF]5T ANSW]S4 ,YES1 HE ?\<T ?AT PROBABLY !RE WAS A PATT]N 9 H[ ?+S OCCURR$ ?AT HAD BE5 DRAFT$ \T BE=EH&1 OR AT LEA/ IT SOMETIMES SEEM$ !RE WAS1 BUT !N AGA9 HE ALSO ?\<T ?AT IF !RE W]E SU* A DESIGN IT W\LD BE F> TOO BIG & TOO \TL&I% TO BE READ OR UND]/OOD1 SO NO ONE C\LD PR$ICT H[ ALL ITS CURLICUES W]E GO+ TO BE RESOLV$1 EXCEPT BY ACCID5T4 ,Y\ MI<T AS WELL ATTEMPT TO =ECA/ ALL ! %APES A PURPLE SUNSET-CL\D W\LD MAKE BE=E IT BURN$ AWAY1 OR :I* C>T W\LD GIVE WAY TO :I* :5 !Y MET AT ! CROSSROADS' CORN]S4 ,IT WAS ALL TOO COMPLICAT$ TO MAKE S5SE ( IT1 :ATEV] ALL ! PROPHETS & ! TEA-LEAF READ]S MI<T PRET5D4 ,HE %OOK HIS HEAD1 REPLY+ TO H]1 MUTT]+ SOME?+ 9ADEQUATE AB\T IT BE+ A SMALL WORLD4 

,! LOVELY BABY WAS N[ SQUIRM+ RE/LESSLY1 & ,OATSIE WAS AFRAID H] MO!R W\LD USE ?IS EXCUSE TO TAKE H] HOME & 5D !IR CONV]SATION1 BUT %E ASK$ 9/EAD :AT HE WAS HE WAS DO+ AT ! ,PALACE ( ,V>IETIES1 OR ! ,V9T ,PALACE AS %E SEEM+LY 9SI/$ UPON CALL+ IT4 ,HE TOLD H] H[ HE G5]ALLY DID A BIT ( ?IS1 A BIT ( ?AT1 BUT H[ TONI<T HE WAS APPE>+ ) ,F]D ,K>NO'S ,MUMM+ ,BIRDS AS ! ,9EBRIATE4 ,%E SAID IT S\ND$ PROP] FUNNY1 & SAID H[ %E'D ALWAYS ?\<T IT W\LD BE NICE TO BE SOMEONE :O WORK$ 9 5T]TA9M5T4 

0,M9D Y\1 IT'S \R KID1 \R ,JOHNNY4 ',E'S ! ONE :O'S ALWAYS GO+ ON AB\T ! /AGE4 ,?IS IS ME Y\NGE/ BRO!R4 ,RECKONS ?AT 'E'S GUNNA 5D UP 9 !AT] OR ELSE PLAY9' MUSIC 9 A B&1 BUT 'E'S ALL TALK4 ',E WUNT 'AVE LESSONS1 W\LDN'T EV5 IF WE C\LD AF=D 'EM4 ,TOO MU* LIKE '>D WORK40 

,HE NODD$ 9 RESPONSE1 WAT*+ A MILK C>T HEAD$ BACK T[>DS ITS DEPOT AT ! BOTTOM ( ! /REET1 D[NHILL BEH9D H]4 ,FROM :]E HE WAS /&+ IT APPE>$ AB\T AN 9* HI<1 DRAGG$ BY ITS DISCONSOLATE & %RUNK5 M>E ALONG ! GIRL'S RI<T %\LD]1 LOS+ ITSELF 9 ! AUTUMN =E/ ( H] HAIR = QUITE SOME TIME BE=E IT REEM]G$ UPON H] LEFT & !N SLUNK WE>ILY FROM SI<T4 

0,WELL1 IF Y\R BRO!R DOESN'T WANT TO PUT ! H\RS 91 HE WON'T GET TOO F> AS A P]=M]4 ,M9D Y\1 HE C\LD /ILL MAKE MONEY AS A MANAG] OR IMPRES>IO1 & !N HE C\LD BE AS BONE IDLE AS HE LIK$40 

,%E LAU<$ AT ?IS1 & SAID %E'D PASS ON ! ADVICE4 ,HE TOOK ADVANTAGE ( ! PAUSE TO ASK H] :Y %E'D CALL$ ! V5UE ! ,V9T ,PALACE4 

0,OH1 IT'S 'AD LOTS ( NAMES OV] ! YE>S4 ,\R DAD'S 'AD FAMILY 9 ,NOR?AMPTON EV] S9CE ,I CAN REMEMB]1 ALWAYS GO+ BACK & =? FROM H]E TO ,LAMBE?1 SO 'E'S KEPT UP ) ! *ANGES4 ,IT BEGAN AS ! ,ALHAMBRA ,MUSIC ,HALL1 FROM :AT 'E SAID1 & !N !Y *ANG$ IT TO ! ,GR& ,V>IETY >\ND ! TIME :AT ,I WAS BORN4 ,ACCORD9' TO \R DAD !RE WAS A BAD PAT* SOMETIME AFT] !N1 :5 IT W]5'T EV5 A !AT] = A :ILE4 ,= GETT+ ON FIVE YE>S IT W]5'T ! SAME PLACE ONE MON? TO ! NEXT4 ,IT WAS A GRE5GROC]'S & !N IT WAS A PLACE :]E !Y SOLD BIKES4 ,IT WAS A PUB !Y CALL$ ! ,CR[ BE=E ?AT MOV$ ACROSS ! /REET TO BE ! ,CR[ & ,HORSE%OE1 & ,I CAN REMEMB] :5 ,I WAS A LITTLE GIRL T5 YE>S BACK & IT WAS A C(FEE H\SE4 ,ALL ! FREE-?9K]S AS !Y CALL$ 'EM US$ TO GO 9 !RE1 & !Y W]E SOME RI<T ',]B]TS1 ,I CAN TELL Y]4 ,ANYWAY1 ! YE> ! ,QUE5 DI$1 ?AT WAS :5 !Y DONE IT UP & *RI/5$ IT ! ,PALACE ( ,V>IETIES4 ,OLD ,MR4 ,V9T1 HE B\<T ! PLACE A YE> AGO1 BUT /ILL A9'T 'AD ! SIGN *ANG$40 

,OATSIE NODD$1 LOOK+ AT ! OLD E/ABLI%M5T 9 A NEW LI<T4 ,BECAUSE HE'D COME H]E AS A ,LANCA%IRE ,LAD ALL ?OSE YE>S AGO & IT WAS A V>IETY HALL !N1 HE HAD ASSUM$ ?AT IT HAD BE5 ONE EV] S9CE1 ?AT IT HAD ALWAYS BE5 ONE &1 9 EV]Y LIKELIHOOD1 IT ALWAYS W\LD BE4 ,! Y\NG WOMAN'S CASUAL LI/+ ( ! PURPOSES TO :I* ! PREMISES HAD BE5 PUT 9 ! MEANTIME MADE HIM FEEL UNCOM=TABLE1 AL?\< HE C\LDN'T PUT HIS F+] ON ! REASON :Y4 ,OATSIE SUPPOS$ IT WAS BECAUSE ! WORLD HE'D BE5 BR\<T UP 91 HORRIBLE & SUFFOCAT+ AS HE'D RECKON$ IT1 AT LEA/ /AY$ :]E IT WAS FROM ONE YE>1 (T5 FROM ONE C5TURY1 UNTO ! NEXT4 ,EV5 ?IS %ABBY CORN] ( ,NOR?AMPTON H]E1 A PLACE AB\T AS RUN D[N AS ! ,LAMBE? HE'D BE5 BORN TO1 Y\ C\LD SEE MO/ ( ! BUILD+S /&+ R\ND Y\ W]E /ILL H\S+ ! SAME BUS9ESSES !Y'D H\S$ A HUNDR$ YE>S BE=E1 EV5 IF NAMES & MANAGEM5T W]E DIFF]5T N[4 ,?AT'S :Y ! GIRL'S ACC\NT ( ! HALL'S *ANG+ =TUNES HAD UNSETTL$ HIM1 BECAUSE ! /ORY WAS A RELATIVELY R>E ONE /ILL1 AL?\< Y\ HE>D MORE LIKE IT EV]Y WEEK4 ,:AT %\LD IT ALL BE LIKE1 HE WOND]$1 IF !SE H]E-TODAY-&-GONE-TOMORR[ FLEAPITS CAME TO BE ! RULE1 NOT ! EXCEPTION8 ,IF HE W]E TO COME BACK H]E 91 SAY1 =TY YE>S TIME & F\ND IT WAS A PLACE ?AT SOLD1 HE DIDN'T KN[1 ELECTRIC GUNS OR SOME?+ LIKE ?AT1 & NO LONG] A V>IETY HALL8 ,P]HAPS BY !N !RE W\LDN'T EV5 BE V>IETY HALLS4 ,WELL1 ?AT WAS AN EXAGG]ATION1 OBVI\SLY1 BUT IT WAS H[ ,MAY'S (F-H& N>RATIVE HAD MADE HIM FEEL1 UNEASY ) ! WAY ?AT ?+S W]E GO+ !SE DAYS1 9 ! MOD]N WORLD4 ,HE *ANG$ ! SUBJECT1 ASK+ H] AB\T H]SELF 9/EAD4 

0,Y\ S\ND AS IF Y\ KN[ ! PLACE1 GAL1 ANYWAY4 ,H[ LONG IS IT Y\'VE LIV$ H]E N[80 

,%E CA/ H] EYES UP ?\<TFULLY AT SCRAPS ( LILAC CIRRUS ON A FIELD ( DEEP5+ BLUE1 :ILE H] A/ONI%+LY WELL-BEHAV$ & PATI5T (FSPR+ SUCK$ A GLEAM+ ?UMB & />$1 IT SEEM$ 9DIFF]5TLY1 AT ,OATSIE4 

0,N9ETY-FIVE1 ,I ?9K IT WAS1 :5 ,I WAS SIX WE COME UP ']E1 AL?\< \R DAD1 'E'S ALWAYS GO9' BACK & =?1 TO GET ! WORK4 ',E WALKS IT1 ! OLD BUGG]1 ALL ! WAY TO ,LONDON & !N BACK4 ,MANY'S ! TIME :5 WE'VE NOT SE5 'IM = SIX WEEKS1 NOT 'IDE NOR 'AIR1 !N 'E COMES WALTZ+ 9 'ALF-CUT ) PRES5TS1 LITTLE BITS & BOBS = EV]YBODY4 ,NO1 IT'S NOT A BAD OLD PLACE4 ,?IS BIT R\ND ']E'S A LOT LIKE ,LAMBE?1 '[ ! PEOPLE >E4 ,SOMETIMES ,I '>DLY FEEL AS IF WE'VE MOV$40 

,SOME ( ! N>R[ %OPS ACROSS ! O!R SIDE ( ,HORSE%OE ,/REET W]E PUTT+ LI<TS ON N[1 A DIM GL[ T+$ ) GRE5 >\ND ITS $GES ?AT CREPT \T BETWE5 ! SP>SE & %AD[Y DISPLAYS 9 !IR FRONT W9D[S4 ,L[]+ H] GAZE FROM UP AMONG ! *IMNEYBREA/S1 ! ELD] ,MAY LOOK$ PR\DLY D[N N[ AT ! Y\NG]1 CRADL$ 9 H] /URDY1 TIG]-LILY >MS4 

0,I ?9K ,I'M ']E = GOOD4 ,I 'OPE ,I AM1 AT ANY RATE1 & 'OPE ! LITTLE 'UN %ALL BE1 TOO4 ,!Y'RE A /RAI<T=W>D LOT R\ND !SE P>TS1 9 ! MA91 & !RE'S SOME REAL OLD *>ACT]S4 ,IT'S :]E ,I MET ME *AP1 MY ,TOM1 & WE GOT W$ UP AT ! ,GUILDHALL4 ,ALL 'IS PEOPLE1 !Y'RE ALL LOCAL1 ALL ! ,W>R5S1 & WE'VE LOTS ( FAMILY UP ']E ON ! ,V]NALL SIDE AS WELL4 ,NO1 IT'S ALL RI<T1 ,NOR?AMPTON IS4 ,!Y DO A GOOD PORK PIE1 & !RE'S SOME LOVELY P>KS1 ,VICTORIA1 ,AB+TON1 & ,BECKETT'S4 ,?AT'S :]E ,I'VE JU/ TOOK ?IS ONE1 D[N BY ! RIV] !RE4 ,WE SAW ! SWANS & W5T \T ON ! ISL&1 DIDN'T WE1 ME DUCK80 

,?IS WAS DIRECT$ AT ! BABY1 :O WAS F9ALLY BEG9N+ TO %[ SIGNS ( RE/LESSNESS4 ,H] MO!R /UCK \T H] [N L[] LIP & TURN$ H] BR[S UP AT A TRAGIC ANGLE1 MIMICK+ H] DAU<T]'S GLUM EXPRESSION4 

0,I EXPECT %E'S 'UNGRY4 ,GO9' D[N ! P>K ,I /OPP$ AT ,GOT*] ,JOHNSON'S = TWO \NCE O' RA9B[ DROPS1 BUT ,I 'AD ONE OR TWO AS WELL1 SO !Y W]E F9I%$ UP SOME TIME AGO4 ,I'D BETT] GET '] 'OME UP ,=T ,/REET = '] TEA4 ,IT'S POTT$ MEAT1 '] FAVORITE4 ,IT'S BE5 NICE TO MEET Y]1 ,OATSIE4 ',OPE Y] SKIT GOES WELL40 

,AT ?AT1 HE BADE GOODBYE TO BO? ! ,MAYS1 & SAID IT HAD BE5 SIMIL>LY NICE TO MEET ! PAIR ( !M4 ,HE %OOK ! BABY'S DAMP1 M9USCULE H& & TOLD H] ?AT HE HOP$ TO SEE H] NAME ON A BIG HO>D+ ONE DAY4 ,TO H] MO!R HE JU/ SAID 0,TAKE C>E ( H]01 !N AS ! WOMAN *UCKL$ & ASSUR$ HIM ?AT %E W\LD1 HE WOND]$ :Y HE'D COME \T ) IT4 ,:AT A /UPID ?+ TO SAY1 AS IF SUGGE/+ ?AT %E W\LDN'T LOOK AFT] A *ILD LIKE ?AT4 ,! BABE & P>5T WAIT$ UNTIL !RE WAS NO?+ COM+1 !N !Y CROSS$ ! FOOT ( ,GOLD ,/REET & W5T UP ! HILL T[>DS ! NOR?4 ,HE /OOD !RE ON HIS CORN] & ADMIR$ ! WOMAN'S BUM1 MOV+ B5EA? H] SW++ SKIRT AS %E M\NT$ ! SLOPE1 ) H] IMAG9$ BUTTOCKS LIKE TWO FACES PRESS$ TOGE!R AS !IR [N]S ACT$ \T A VIGOR\S TWO-/EP4 ,OR P]HAPS TWO WRE/L]S FULL ( MUSCLES 9 A CRU%1 EA* ONE 9 TURN GA9+ AN 9* ON !IR OPPON5T :O IMM$IATELY TAKES IT BACK1 DEADLOCK$ SO ?AT !Y M]ELY SEEM TO HEAVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE4 ,HE NOTIC$ AT ?IS PO9T ! BABY1 />+ SOB]LY ACROSS ! WOMAN'S %\LD] AT HIM AS %E WAS BORNE (F 9TO ! DI/ANCE4 ,FEEL+ ODDLY MORTIFI$ TO ?9K ! *ILD HAD CAU<T HIM LOOK+ AT H] MO!R'S BOTTOM HE GLANC$ RAPIDLY AWAY T[>DS ! PLOT ( SCRUBL& HALFWAY D[N ! HILL1 & :5 HE LOOK$ BACK JU/ A M9UTE LAT] !Y W]E GONE4 

,HE LOOK$ TO SEE :AT TIME IT WAS1 !N FI%$ ANO!R ,WOODY FROM HIS DW9DL+ PACK & LIT IT4 ,?AT HAD BE5 A FUNNY CONV]SATION1 N[ HE ?\<T AB\T IT4 ,IT HAD MADE AN IMPACT ON HIM ?AT WAS ONLY JU/ N[ />T+ TO S9K 94 ,?AT WOMAN1 ,MAY1 BORN JU/ A FEW WEEKS AFT] HE WAS1 RAIS$ NOT HALF A DOZ5 /REETS AWAY1 & SOMEH[ !Y'D BO? MET UP ON A CORN] 9 ANO!R T[N TW5TY YE>S LAT]4 ,:O'D BELIEVE IT8 ,IT WAS ONE ( ?OSE OCCURR5CES ?AT HE SUPPOS$ W]E B\ND TO HAPP5 N[ & !N1 DESPITE ! ODDS1 YET :5 !Y DID IT ALWAYS FELT UNCANNY4 ,!RE WAS ALWAYS ! SUGGE/ION ( A PATT]N 9 ! WAY ?+S WORK$ ?AT Y\ C\LD ALMO/ UND]/&1 BUT :5 Y\ TRI$ TO P9 D[N :AT ! MEAN+ OR SIGNIFICANCE MI<T BE IT ALL JU/ FIZZL$ \T & Y\ W]E LEFT NO CLE>] ?AN Y\ W]E BE=E4 

,P]HAPS ! ONLY MEAN+ ?AT EV5TS HAD WAS ! MEAN+ ?AT WE BR\<T TO !M1 BUT EV5 KN[+ ?IS WAS PROBABLY ! CASE1 IT FRANKLY WASN'T ?AT MU* HELP4 ,IT DIDN'T /OP US *AS+ AFT] MEAN+1 SCRABBL+ LIKE F]RETS = IT ?R\< A MAZE ( BURR[S 9 \R ?\<TS & SOMETIMES GETT+ LO/ D[N 9 ! D>K4 ,HE C\LDN'T HELP BUT ?9K AB\T ! WOMAN HE'D JU/ MET1 H[ ! 5C\NT] HAD /IRR$ TW5TY-YE>-OLD S$IM5TS UP FROM ! B$ ( HIM1 & H[ ?AT MADE HIM FEEL4 ,! ROOT ( IT1 HE ?\<T1 WAS H[ ! SIMIL>ITIES BETWE5 HIS BACKGR\ND & ! WOMAN'S HAD MADE ALL !IR DIFF]5CES /& \T 9 JU/ AS %>P RELIEF4 

,= ONE ?+ HE WAS ON ! V]GE1 OR SO HE HOP$1 ( AN ESCAPE FROM ! SOOT-SMO!R$ PRISON ( HIS & ! WOMAN'S COMMON ORIG9S1 FROM POV]TY1 OBSCURITY & /REETS LIKE ?IS1 :]E N[ ! SKY WAS CUT TO RI* BLUE DIAMONDS BY ! IRON /RUTS ( ! GAS-HOLD]4 ,ESCAPE FROM ,5GL&1 EV51 IF HE C\LD4 ,9 ! EV5T ( A =?COM+ SCRAP ) ,G]MANY1 ,SIR ,FRANCIS ,DRAKE HOP$ TO BE 9 HIS HAMMOCK & A ?\S& MILES AWAY4 ,AS = ! SPIRIT$ Y\NG MO!R1 ,MAY1 %E DIDN'T HAVE ?OSE OPPORTUNITIES4 ,)\T ! TAL5TS HE'D 9H]IT$ OR LE>N$ FROM BO? HIS 5T]TA9] P>5TS1 %E HAD LIV$ A LIFE MORE LIMIT$ 9 T]MS ( BO? ITS EXPECTATIONS & ITS POSSIBILITIES1 & ITS HORIZONS1 :I* %E DID NOT FEEL COMPELL$ TO CROSS1 W]E ?AT MU* CLOS] ?AN ! B\ND>IES >\ND HIS [N4 ,%E'D SAID H]SELF %E ?\<T %E'D LIVE H]E 9 ?IS DI/RICT ALL H] LIFE1 & ?AT H] GORGE\S LITTLE DAU<T] W\LD AS WELL4 ,!RE W]E NO HOPES OR DREAMS ?AT %E WAS *AS+1 ,OATSIE KNEW4 ,9 NEI<BORHOODS LIKE ?IS1 SU* ?+S W]5'T PRACTICAL1 W]E ONLY EV] BURD5SOME & PA9FUL LIABILITIES4 ,?AT LIVELY Y\NG GIRL WAS RESIGN$ TO LIVE & DIE1 IT W\LD APPE>1 )9 ! SMALL CAGE ( H] CIRCUM/ANCES2 DIDN'T EV5 SEEM TO KN[ IT WAS A CAGE OR SEE ITS GRIMY B>S4 ,HE ?ANK$ :ATEV] GU>DIAN ANGEL HE MI<T HAVE = GIV+ HIM AT LEA/ ! SLIM *ANCE TO AVOID A LIFELONG P5AL S5T5CE LIKE ! ONE ?AT %E EXI/$ UND]4 ,EV]Y WOMAN1 MAN OR BABY PASS+ BY HIM ?R\< ! TANN]Y-9FUS$ SLUM TWILI<T WAS TO ALL 9T5TS & PURPOSES A CONVICT1 S]V+ \T !IR TIME 9 H>% CONDITIONS )\T ANY LIKELY PROSPECT ( REPRIEVE OR P>DON4 ,EV]YONE WAS SAFE 9 LAV5D]4 

,BUT ,MAY HAD SEEM$ CONT5T1 & NOT RESIGN$ AT ALL4 ,MAY HAD SEEM$ MORE CONT5T ?AN ,OATSIE FELT HIMSELF4 

,HE ?\<T AB\T IT1 BL[+ \T A WAV]+ SLATE-&-SEPIA F]N ( SMOKE ?R\< PRETTY1 PUCK]$ LIPS4 ,SOME ( ! C>RIAGES ?AT MOV$ ACROSS ! JUNCTION HAD BY N[ FIR$ UP !IR LANT]NS1 AS ! LAPIS ( ! SKIES ABOVE GREW GRADUALLY MORE PR(\ND4 ,*&ELI] SNAILS1 !Y CRAWL$ UPHILL & SP>KL$ 9 ! DEAD-5D DUSK4 

,HE SAW !RE W]E TWO SIDES TO BE+ POOR1 TO HAV+ NO?+1 NOT EV5 AMBITIONS4 ,IT WAS TRUE ?AT ,MAY & ALL ! O!RS LIKE H] DIDN'T HAVE HIS DRIVE1 HIS TAL5TS OR HIS OPPORTUNITIES = BETT]M5T1 BUT !N !Y DIDN'T HAVE HIS D\BTS1 HIS FE>S ( FAIL+ OR HIS NAGG+ GUILT TO DEAL )1 EI!R4 ,!SE W]E PEOPLE1 HEADS D[N1 CRUN*+ ?R\< ! PAVEM5T'S AUTUMN G>NI%1 :O W]5'T ON ! RUN FROM ANY?+1 ESPECIALLY ! /REETS !Y'D COME FROM1 SO !Y DIDN'T HAVE TO FEEL AS IF !Y W]E DES]T]S ALL ! TIME4 ,!Y KNEW !IR PLACE1 ! WOR/-(F1 9 MORE WAYS ?AN ONE4 ,!Y KNEW EXACTLY :]E !Y W]E 9 SO F> AS SOCIETY %\LD BE CONC]N$1 BUT MORE ?AN ?AT !Y KNEW !IR PLACE2 !Y KNEW ! BRICKS & MORT> ?AT SURR\ND$ !M SO 9TIMATELY ?AT IT WAS LIKE LOVE4 ,MO/ ( ! POOR S\LS SLUIC+ ?R\< ?IS CROSSROAD'S FLOODGATES HAIL$ FROM FAMILIES1 HE KNEW1 ?AT W\LD HAVE LIV$ >\ND !SE P>TS = G5]ATIONS1 JU/ BECAUSE ! DI/ANCE Y\ C\LD TRAVEL WAS MORE LIMIT$ BE=E !RE HAD BE5 RAILWAY TRA9S4 ,!Y TRUDG$ !SE BYWAYS 9 ! KN[L$GE ?AT !IR GR&P>5TS & GREAT-GR&P>5TS HAD DONE JU/ ! SAME A HUNDR$ YE>S BE=E1 HAD LET !IR TR\BLES SOAK 9 ! SAME PUBS1 !N P\R$ !M \T 9 ! SAME *UR*ES4 ,EV]Y MEAN & L[LY DETAIL ( ! NEI<BORHOOD WAS 9 !IR BLOOD4 ,!SE KNOTT$ LANES & LI/+ PIE-%OPS W]E ! SPRAWL+ BODY !Y'D EM]G$ FROM4 ,!Y KNEW ALL ! MILDEW$ ALLEYS1 ALL ! RA9-BUTTS :]E T9 WAT]SP\TS HAD RU/$ PAP]-?94 ,ALL ( ! >EA'S SMELLS & BLEMI%ES W]E AS FAMILI> TO !M AS !IR MO!RS' MOLES1 & EV5 IF H] FACE W]E L9$ & DIRTY !Y C\LD NEV] GO AWAY & LEAVE H]4 ,EV5 IF %E LO/ H] M9D1 !Y 444 

,TE>S W]E /&+ 9 HIS EYES4 ,HE BL9K$ !M BACK & !N TOOK ?REE QUICK PUFFS UPON HIS CIG>ETTE BE=E HE WIP$ AWAY ! EXCESS MOI/URE ) HIS F+]TIPS1 PRET5D+ ?AT ! SMOKE HAD BL9D$ HIM4 ,NONE ( ! PASS]SBY W]E LOOK+ AT HIM1 ANYWAY4 ,HE FELT ABRUPTLY ANGRY ) HIMSELF = ALL ! SLOPPY S5TIM5T ?AT HE /ILL H>BOR$ & = JU/ H[ EASILY ! WAT]WORKS CAME WELL+ UP4 ,HE WAS A MAN N[1 HE WAS TW5TY ?\< HE FELT LIKE ?IRTY SOMETIMES1 & HE %\LDN'T /ILL BE BLUBB+ LIKE A LITTLE KID4 ,HE WASN'T SIX4 ,HE WASN'T WEEP+ OV] HIS CROPP$ CURLS 9 ,LAMBE? ,WORKH\SE & IT WASN'T #a#h#i#e4 ,AL?\< HE KNEW HE HADN'T YET COMPLETELY TAK5 9 ! FACT1 ?IS WAS ! TW5TIE? C5TURY4 ,IT NE$$ PEOPLE :O W]E BRI<T & UP-TO-DATE & =W>D-LOOK+ 9 ! WAY !Y ?\<T1 NOT PEOPLE :O GOT TE>FUL DWELL+ ON ! PA/4 ,IF HE W]E TO MAKE ANY?+ \T ( HIS LIFE HE'D BETT] PULL HIMSELF TOGE!R1 %>PI%4 ,DRAW+ DEEP UPON HIS FAG HE HELD IT 9 & LOOK$ >\ND HIM AT ! SL[LY D>K5+ 9T]SECTION1 TRY+ TO REG>D IT FROM A MOD]N1 REALI/IC VIEWPO9T RA!R ?AN A MAUDL9 & NO/ALGIC ONE4 

,YES1 Y\ C\LD COME TO LOOK UPON ?IS HAPHAZ>D >RAY ( WEA!R-BEAT5 HULKS AS LIKE A MO!R1 HE C\LD SEE ?AT4 ,AT ! SAME TIME1 LIKE A MO!R1 IT WAS NOT A ?+ ?AT W\LD ET]NALLY 5DURE4 ,OLD AGE HAD RAVAG$ IT ) *ANGE1 & WASN'T DONE YET BY A LONG *ALK4 ,JU/ AS HE'D BE5 ?9K+ A FEW MOM5TS BACK AB\T H[ PREVI\S G5]ATIONS W]E RE/RICT$ 9 !IR *ANCES TO GO TRAVEL+1 HE UND]/OOD ?AT ?+S %\LD BE MU* DIFF]5T 9 ?IS NEW1 5LI<T5$ AGE4 ,! /EAM 5G9E HAD ALT]$ EV]Y?+1 & ON ! /REETS ( ,LONDON N[ Y\ C\LD SEE MOTOR-C>RIAGES1 ( :I* HE ?\<T !RE %\LD BE MORE 9 TIME TO COME4 ,COMMUNITIES ( C\NTLESS DECADES' /&+ LIKE ! ONE >\ND HIM W\LD P]HAPS NOT SEEM AS WELL-KNIT IF ! 9MATES /OOD A *ANCE ( EASILY & *EAPLY GETT+ \T1 ( GO+ :]E ! WORK WAS BETT] )\T WALK+ SIXTY MILES LIKE ?AT GIRL'S DAD HAD DONE4 ,EV5 )\T A W> TO DECIMATE ITS Y\NG1 HE D\BT$ ?AT ! BONDS CONNECT+ PEOPLE TO A PLACE LIKE ?IS W\LD LA/ ANO!R HUNDR$ YE>S4 ,DI/RICTS LIKE ?IS W]E DY+4 ,IT WAS NO BETRAYAL1 WANT+ TO LEAP \T ( !M TO SOME:]E SAFE BE=E !Y F9ALLY W5T UND]4 ,ANYONE :O'D SE5 ! WORLD1 :O FELT ?AT !Y W]E FREE TO COME & GO JU/ AS !Y PLEAS$1 :Y W\LD !Y WANT TO BE /UCK 9 A DUMP1 A T[N1 A C\NTRY EV51 ?AT WAS LIKE ?IS8 ,ANYONE ) ANY S5SE :O HAD ! MEANS W\LD BE (F LIKE A %OT1 SOON AS !Y C\LD4 ,!RE WASN'T ANY?+ TO KEEP !M H]E1 & 444 

,COM+ ?R\< ! SETTL$ GLOAM+ UP ! HILL WAS AN OLD BLACK MAN1 ON A BICYCLE ?AT HAD ROPES FA/5$ TO ITS RIMS 9/EAD ( TIRES1 PULL+ A C>T ) ! SAME K9D ( :EELS BEH9D IT1 JUDD]+ LIKE A <O/-TALE SKELETON ACROSS ! COBBLES4 

,OATSIE WOND]$1 = ! SECOND TIME )9 A HALF AN H\R1 IF HE W]E DREAM+4 ,IT WAS ! SAME MAN1 RID+ ! SAME \TL&I% BONE%AK]1 AS ON ! AFT]NOON TWELVE YE>S BE=E :5 HE'D /OOD H]E ) ,BOYSIE ,BRI/OL1 H]E ON ?IS SAME CORN]1 SAY+ 0,YES1 BUT IF !Y'RE MILLIONAIRES :Y DO !Y ACT LIKE TRAMPS80 

,! ,NEGRO PAUS$ HIS /RANGE CONTRAPTION AT ! TOP ( ,HORSE%OE ,/REET1 !RE ON ! CORN] OPPOSITE TO ,OATSIE'S1 WAIT+ = A HORSE-BUS TO GO BY ! O!R WAY4 ,( C\RSE1 HE'D AG$ ACROSS ! 9T]V5+ YE>S SO ?AT HIS HAIR & BE>D W]E N[ A %OCK ( :ITE1 BUT IT WAS )\T QUE/ION ! SAME MAN4 ,HE DIDN'T1 UPON ?IS OCCASION1 NOTICE ,OATSIE BUT SAT !RE A/RIDE HIS SADDLE WAIT+ = ! BUS TO PASS SO ?AT HE C\LD CONT9UE UP ! HILL4 ,HE HAD A F>AWAY & FA9TLY TR\BL$ LOOK UPON HIS /RONG1 BROAD FEATURES & DID NOT SEEM 9 ! SAME EXPANSIVE MOOD AS :5 !Y'D LA/ MET1 BACK :5 ! OLD QUE5 WAS /ILL ALIVE & IT HAD BE5 A DIFF]5T WORLD4 ,EV5 IF ,OATSIE HAD /ILL BE5 AN EAG]1 GAWP+ LAD ( EI<T HE D\BT$ ?AT ! BLACK MAN W\LD HAVE NOTIC$ HIM1 AS P5SIVE & DI/RACT$ AS HE N[ APPE>$ TO BE4 

,! OMNIBUS HAV+ BY ?IS TIME RUMBL$ PA/1 ! MAN LIFT$ HIS FEET1 :I* /ILL HAD WOOD BLOCKS /RAPP$ B5EA? ! %OES4 ,HE SET !M ON ! P$ALS1 /&+ UP & LEAN+ =W>D AS HE PU%$ D[N /R5U\SLY1 GRADUALLY ACQUIR+ ! MOM5TUM ?AT W\LD TAKE HIM & HIS TRAIL] PA/ ! CROSSROADS & AWAY UPHILL ?R\< ! DESC5D+ GLOOM1 9 :I* HE WAS SOON LO/ FROM SI<T4 

,WAT*+ ! BLACK *AP DISAPPE>1 HE SUCK$ UPON HIS CIG>ETTE )\T ACC\NT ( H[ L[ IT HAD BURN$1 SO ?AT IT SCOR*$ HIS F+]TIPS & MADE HIM YELP AS HE ?REW ! (F5D+ EMB] TO ! GR\ND1 /AMP+ IT \T 9 ANGRY RETRIBUTION4 ,EV5 AS HE /OOD !RE CURS+1 WAGGL+ HIS F+]S SO ! BREEZE W\LD SOO! ! BURN1 HE HAD A S5SE ( WOND]M5T AT :AT HAD JU/ OCCURR$1 AT ! :OLE ATMOSPH]E ( ?IS PECULI> PLACE :]E IT W\LD SEEM ?AT SU* ?+S HAPP5$ ALL ! TIME4 ,TO ?9K ?AT 9 ! DOZ5 YE>S S9CE HE'D LA/ BE5 H]E1 :ILE HE'D ROAM$ ! L5G? & BREAD? ( ,5GL& & HAD HIS ,P>ISIAN ADV5TURE1 ALL ?OSE DIFF]5T NI<TS HE'D SP5T 9 ALL ?OSE T[NS & CITIES1 ALL ?AT TIME ! BLACK MAN HAD BE5 /ILL H]E1 GO+ BACK & =? ALONG ! SAME R\TE EV]Y DAY4 ,HE DIDN'T KN[ :Y HE F\ND ?IS SO M>VEL\S4 ,:AT1 HAD HE ?\<T ?AT PEOPLE DISAPPE>$ BECAUSE HE DIDN'T HAPP5 TO BE LOOK+ AT !M8 

,!N AGA91 A FELL[ SU* AS ?AT1 :O'D ALREADY SE5 ! ,AM]ICA ?AT ,OATSIE LONG$ = & DESPITE ?AT HAD DECID$ TO /AY H]E 444 IT MI<T NOT BE A M>VEL1 BUT IT WAS A PUZZLE1 C]TA9LY4 ,RAIS+ HIS EYEBR[S & HIS %\LD]S AT ! SAME TIME 9 A !ATRICAL %RUG ( OV]EMPHASIZ$ BEWILD]M5T AIM$ AT NOBODY 9 P>TICUL>1 HE TOOK A LA/ GLANCE AT ! CROSSROADS AS IT DR[N$ 9 9DIGO !N WALK$ ! FEW /EPS TO ! ,PALACE ( ,V>IETIES' DIM9UTIVE FRONT DOOR4 ,HE PU%$ IT OP5 & W5T 91 :]E IT WAS SLI<TLY W>M]1 WALK+ PA/ ! TICKET (FICE ) A NOD & GRUNT TO ! UN9T]E/$ PORTLY TYPE 9SIDE4 ,HE WOND]$ IF IT W\LD GET BUSY1 IF !Y'D GET MU* ( A CR[D TONI<T1 BUT Y\ C\LD NEV] TELL4 ,?+S DIDN'T RE/ SO MU* 9 ! GODS' LAPS AS 9 H[ MANY LAPS !Y C\LD 5TICE 9TO ! ,GODS4 

,! :ITEWA%$ /ORAGE %$ ?AT WAS HIS DRESS+ ROOM WAS D[N A %ORT BUT COMPLICAT$ S]IES ( B>E-BO>D$ CORRIDORS & !N ACROSS A CRAMP$ & ANCI5T-LOOK+ Y>D ?AT HAD A WAT] CLOSET RUNN+ (F FROM IT & /AGNANT PUDDLES1 :I* HAD TAK5 UP A P]MAN5T POSITION 9 ! S9KS ( ! SUBSID+ FLAG/ONES4 ,HE'D POPP$ 9 ! *ANG+ ROOM A LITTLE E>LI] TO /[ SOME ( HIS PROPS & GE>1 BUT HADN'T REALLY HAD A GOOD LOOK R\ND YET4 ,MU* TO HIS SURPRISE ! UN9HABITABLE-LOOK+ QU>T]S HAD A GAS MANTLE SET HALFWAY D[N ONE FLAK+ WALL1 :I* HE WAS QUICK TO PUT A MAT* TO SO ?AT HE C\LD %$ SOME LI<T UPON ! SUBJECT4 

,HE'D SE5 WORSE4 ,!RE WAS A YELL[ /ONE S9K 9 ! CORN]1 ) ITS BRASS TAP B5T TO ONE SIDE ALL SKEW-:IFF1 & DRIBBL+ SP9A*-COLOR$ V]DIGRIS 9 VE9S %OT ?R\< ! METAL SO IT LOOK$ LIKE PUTRID *EESE4 ,HE F\ND A CRACK$ & BOOK-SIZ$ MIRROR 9 A WOOD5 FRAME HUNG BY A B5T NAIL FROM ! 9SIDE ( ! DOOR & /OOD HIMSELF BE=E IT :ILE HE GROP$ 9 ! 9SIDE BREA/ POCKET ( HIS JACKET = A PIECE ( CORK4 ,) ?IS PRODUC$ HE /RUCK ANO!R MAT* & HELD ! /OPP]'S 5D ?AT WAS ALREADY BLACK5$ 9 ! FLAME SO ?AT IT W\LD BE FRE%LY *>R$ & NOT TOO FA9T TO SEE FROM ! BACK R[4 ,WAV+ AWAY ! SMOKE & WAIT+ JU/ A MO = HIS IMPROMPTU /ICK ( MAKEUP TO COOL D[N1 HE GAZ$ 9TO ! BROK5 LOOK+ GLASS4 ,IGNOR+ ! BLACK FISSURE ?AT RAN 9 A /EEP DIAGONAL ACROSS ! FACE ( HIS REFLECTION1 HE ALL[$ HIS FEATURES TO RELAX 9TO ! BLE>Y BLOODH\ND SAG ( ! ,9EBRIATE1 HIS SOZZL$ & LOPSID$ GR91 ) RHEUMY EYES ?AT HE C\LD JU/ AB\T KEEP OP54 

,FIR/ HE CRU%$ SOME ( ! GREASY CORK-A% TO A DU/ BETWE5 HIS F+]S & BEGAN APPLY+ IT B5EA? HIS JAW-L9E1 WORK+ ! BLACK P[D] 9 >\ND HIS TI<TLY COMPRESS$ M\? & UP ACROSS HIS J[LS TO JU/ BEL[ ! *EEKBONES1 :]E IT WAS ! %AD[Y GRAY /UBBLE ( A *AP \T ON A B+E :O'D BE5 )\T A WA% & %AVE = SOME FEW DAYS4 ,US+ ! /UB ( CORK ITSELF HE EMPHASIZ$ ! CREASES UND]NEA? HIS TUCK$-9 JAW UNTIL HE HAD ! ONSET ( A D\BLE *91 !N W5T TO WORK >\ND ! SOCKETS ( HIS EYES TO GET ! WA/REL'S HAGG>D LOOK BE=E PROGRESS+ TO ! HEAVY1 RAKI%LY->*$ BR[S4 ,HE DAUB$ A DROOP+ & FATIGU$ MU/A*E ON HIS TOP LIP :]E !RE WAS NONE1 LETT+ ! 5DS TRAIL D[N BESIDE ! CORN]S ( HIS M\? 9 /RAGGL+ L9ES4 ,JU/ AB\T SATISFI$ ) H[ HE HAD ! FACE HE WIP$ ! *>COAL FROM HIS F+]S /RAI<T 9TO HIS GREASY HAIR1 MESS+ IT ALL >\ND ON PURPOSE SO ?AT BITS ( IT /UCK UP & CURLS W5T EV]Y:]E LIKE OILY BREAK]S ON A *OPPY SEA4 

,HE *ECK$ HIS IMAGE 9 ! FRACTUR$ MIRROR1 HOLD+ HIS [N GAZE4 ,HE ?\<T ?AT IT WAS ALMO/ !RE4 ,HE />T$ 9 ON ! F9E DETAIL1 DEEP5+ ! WR9KLES AT ! CORN]S ( HIS M\? & EYES1 HIS :OLE FACE />T+ TO TAKE ON A GRAYI% PALLOR FROM ! LIB]AL APPLICATION ( ! CORK4 ,IT C\LD BE E]IE SOMETIMES1 SITT+ 9 A SIL5T1 EMPTY1 UNFAMILI> ROOM & />+ 9TO Y\R [N EYES :ILE Y\ *ANG$ 9TO SOMEONE ELSE4 ,IT MADE Y\ REALIZE ?AT :AT Y\ ?\<T ( AS Y\RSELF1 Y\R P]SONALITY1 ! BIGGE/ P>T ( ?AT WAS ONLY 9 Y\R FACE4 

,HE WAT*$ AS ! P]SONA ?AT HE'D C>EFULLY CON/RUCT$ = HIMSELF SANK \T ( SI<T4 ,! ANIMAT$ GAZE ?AT HE US$ TO GET WOM5'S SYMPA?Y OR TO COMMUNICATE HIS EAG]NESS & HIS 9TELLIG5CE1 ALL ?AT WAS GONE 9TO ! DRUNK'S BEFUDDL$ SQU9T4 ,! C>EFUL WAY HE HELD HIS FEATURES TO CONVEY ! BREEZY CONFID5CE ( A Y\NG FELL[ ( TODAY1 9 A Y\NG C5TURY1 ?IS WAS RUBB$ \T1 SMUDG$ BY A SOOTY ?UMB 9TO ! SLACK LE] ( ,VICTORIAN ,LAMBE?4 ,ALL ! HALLM>KS ( HIS CULTIVATION & ! PROGRESS HE HAD MADE 9 BETT]+ HIMSELF1 9 /RUGGL+ UP FROM ! ANCE/RAL MIRE1 W]E WIP$ AWAY4 ,9 ! DIVID$ C\NT5ANCE ?AT />$ BACK AT HIM FROM ! SPLIT GLASS1 HIS RE/RICT$ PRES5T & BIG FUTURE HAD SUBSID$ TO ! SUCK+1 CLUT*+ SLUDGE ?AT WAS HIS PA/4 ,HIS FA!R & ! ?\S& B>ROOM-DOORS HE'D POPP$ HIS HEAD R\ND AS A *ILD :5 S5T TO F9D HIM4 ,SMALL BLOOD VESSELS RUPTUR$ 9 ! *EEKS ( LU%+TONS1 PRESS$ ON ! *ILLY PILL[ ( A CURB4 ,GORE R9S$ FROM HOOKS 9 HORSE-TR\<S4 ,ALL ( IT1 /ILL WAIT+ !RE IF HE W]E TO RELAX ?AT *EEKY1 *E]Y SMILE = JU/ AN 9/ANT1 JU/ A FRACTION ( AN 9*4 

,!RE WAS A SC5T ( DAMP & D]ELICTION DRAP$ AB\T ! ROOM4 ,B5EA? ! SME>$ & GR\ND-9 A% HE HAD NO COLOR TO HIS FACE AT ALL N[ 9 ! WAN1 UNEV5 LI<T4 ,BLACK HAIR & EYES /OOD \T FROM A COMPLEXION ?AT WAS SILV]-GRAY4 ,CONTA9$ )9 ! MIRROR FRAME1 IT WAS ! FAD+ PHOTOGRAPH ( SOMEONE TRAPP$ =EV] 9 A C]TA9 TIME1 A C]TA9 PLACE1 9 AN ID5TITY ?AT C\LD NOT BE ESCAP$4 ,! PORTRAIT ( A RELATIVE OR A !AT] IDOL FROM A LO/ TIME :5 Y\R P>5TS HAD BE5 Y\NG1 FROZ5 ET]NALLY )9 ! PALE EMULSIONS4 

,HE PUT ON ! \TSIZ$1 WR9KL$ JACKET ?AT HE WORE AS ! ,9EBRIATE1 & FILL$ HIS GRE5 GLASS ',SAN ,DIEGO' BOTTLE FROM ! TAP4 ,SOME:]E NOT F> AWAY1 HE HOP$1 AN AUDI5CE WAS WAIT+4 ,! GAS MANTLE HISS$ A DISMAL PREMONITION4 

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

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

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