,BOOK #a1 ,*APT] #h 
,DO AS ,Y\ ,D>N ,WELL ,PLEASEY 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

,D,O ,A,S ,Y,\ ,D,>,N ,W,E,L,L ,P,L,E,A,S,E,Y 

,9SIDE HIM1 UND]NEA? ! :ITE CAKE-IC+ ( HIS HAIR1 !RE W]E BORDELLO *UR*ES :]E ?R\< ONE DOOR SURG$ ! WIDE ,ATLANTIC & 9 ?R\< ANO!R CAME A TUMBL+ CIRCUS FUNFAIR BUR/ ( CL[NS & TIG]S1 GIRLS ) PLUMES & LOVELY LETT]+ ON ! RIDES1 A %IMM]+ FLOOD ( S\NDS & IMAGES1 ( LI<TN+ *ALK IMPRESSIONS DA%$ (F BY A FEV]I% SALOON C>ICATURI/1 MELODRAMA VIGNETTES FI]CE ) MEAN+ ACT$ \T BEYOND HIS EYELIDS' PLU% P9K SAFETY CURTA91 ALL ! WORLD ) ALL ITS %9+ M>BLE H\RS1 ITS LI*5 C5TURIES & FANNY-SUCK+ MOM5TS ALL AT ONCE1 HIS EV]Y WAK+ SECOND CON/ANTLY EXPLOD$ TO A ?\S& YE>S ( 9CID5T & FANF>E1 AN ET]NAL CONFLAGRATION ( ! S5SES :]E /OOD ,SN[Y ,V]NALL1 WIDE-EY$ & UNFL9*+ AT ! BRI<T C>NIVAL HE>T ( HIS [N 5DLESS FIRE4 

,)9 ! MU* POR$-OV]1 FONDLY REEXAM9$ PICTURE BOOK ?AT WAS HIS LIFE1 ! N>RATIVE HAD REA*$ A PAGE1 AN 9/ANT1 AN ABSORB+ 9CID5T :I*1 EV5 AS HE WAS EXP]I5C+ IT1 HE KNEW HE HAD EXP]I5C$ BE=E4 ,:5 O!R PEOPLE SPOKE AB\T !IR R>E1 UNSETTL+ SPELLS ( DEJA VU HE'D FR[N & FEEL ?AT HE WAS MISS+ SOME?+1 NOT BECAUSE HE'D NEV] KN[N SU* FEEL+S1 BUT BECAUSE HE'D NEV] KN[N ANY?+ ELSE4 ,HE'D NOT CRI$ OV] CUT KNEES AS A *ILD BECAUSE HE'D BE5 ALMO/ EXPECT+ !M4 ,HE HADN'T WEPT ! DAY HIS FA!R ,]NE/ WAS BR\<T HOME FROM :]E HE WORK$ ) ALL HIS HAIR TURN$ :ITE4 ,?\< IT HAD BE5 A %OCK+ SC5E1 IT HAD BE5 ONE \T ( A FAVORITE /ORY1 HE>D SO MANY TIMES ?AT ITS P[] TO SURPRISE WAS GONE4 ,EXI/5CE WAS = ,SN[Y AN >CADE C>V$ FROM A S+LE FROZ5 JEWEL1 A ?RILL+ <O/-TRA9 W&] PA/ BELOV$ DIORAMAS & FAMILI> SIDE%[ FRI<TS1 ! GLITT] ( ! DI/ANT EXIT DOOR'S LAMPS CLE>LY VISIBLE FROM HIS FIR/ /EP ACROSS ! ?RE%OLD4 

,! SPECIFIC EPISODE ?AT HE WAS N[ 9VOLV$ 9 WAS ! FAM\S SEQU5CE ?AT F\ND ,SN[Y /&+ ON A RO( HI< OV] ,LAMBE? ,WALK ON A L\D1 RADIANT MORN+ 9 ! ,M>* ( #ahhi :ILE HIS ,L\ISA GAVE BIR? TO !IR FIR/ *ILD 9 ! GUTT]S F> BEL[4 ,!Y'D BE5 \T WALK+ 9 ,/4 ,JAMES'S ,P>K 9 AN ATTEMPT TO HURRY UP ! BIG EV5T ) EX]CISE1 ! BABY BE+ SOME DAYS LATE & HIS WIFE TE>FUL & EXHAU/$ FROM ! WEI<T ?AT %E'D BE5 C>RY+ SO LONG4 ,! PLOY HAD WORK$ TOO WELL1 ,L\ISA'S WAT]S BREAK+ BY ! LAKESIDE ) ! SUDD5 SPATT] />TL+ ! DUCKS 9TO A MOM5T>Y SCULPTURE1 A FANN$ BLUR ( BR[N & GRAY & :ITE ?AT SPIRAL$ UP TO MAKE A %APE HALF HELT]-SKELT]1 HALF PAGODA1 BEAD$ DIAMOND DROPLETS PAUS$ AB\T IT 9 A FLEET+ CON/ELLATION4 ,!Y'D ATTEMPT$ TO GET BACK TO ,EA/ ,/REET ) A HURRI$ HOBBLE D[N ! L5G? ( ,MILLBANK1 OV] ,LAMBE? ,BRIDGE & 9TO ,P>ADISE ,/REET1 BUT !Y'D ONLY GOT AS F> AS ,LAMBE? ,WALK BE=E !RE W]E CONTRACTIONS EV]Y O!R /EP & IT BECAME CLE> ?AT !Y W\LDN'T MAKE IT4 ,WELL1 ( C\RSE !Y W\LDN'T MAKE IT4 ,! *AOTIC *ILDBIR? ONTO ! ,S\? ,LONDON COBBLES C\LDN'T BE AVOID$2 WAS EMB$D$ 9 ! FUTURE4 ,GETT+ HOME TO ,EA/ ,/REET )\T 9CID5T WAS NOT A V]SE 9 HIS ALREADY-C>V5 LEG5D4 ,%9N+ UP ! NE>E/ %E] WALL :5 ! BABY'S CR[N 5GAG$1 LEAV+ ,L\ISA SCREAM+ AT ! C5T] ( A GA!R+ CLOT ( GAWP]S1 ON ! O!R H&1 ?AT WAS AMONG ! SAGA'S MANY MEMORABLE HI<LI<TS & WAS B\ND TO HAPP54 ,SN[Y C\LD NO MORE PREV5T HIMSELF FROM CLIMB+ UP AN UNSE5 LADD] MADE ( CRACKS & T9Y L$GES TO ! BLUE SLATE RO(TOPS ?AN HE C\LD PREV5T ! SUN FROM RIS+ 9 ! EA/ TOMORR[ MORN+4 

,HE /OOD /RADDL+ ! RIDGE N[ LIKE A *ISEL$ ,ATLAS ) ! D\BLE *IMNEY BREA/ BEH9D HIM1 BALANC+ ! HUGE GLASS GLOBE ( LUM9\S & MILKY SKY UPON HIS %\LD]S4 ,HIS BLACK JACKET ) ITS WORN %E5 HUNG PLUMB-/RAI<T >\ND HIM EV5 9 ! ,M>* BREEZE1 WEI<T$ BY ! HEAVY CRY/AL DOORKNOBS ?AT HE HAD 9 EI!R POCKET1 PICK$ UP E>LI] ?AT MORN+ AS REQUIREM5TS = A DECORAT+ JOB ! ,TUESDAY FOLL[+4 ,D[N 9 ! /REET BEL[ ! D>K-CLAD PASS]SBY CLU/]$ 9TO AN ANXI\S1 BU/L+ CIRCLE R\ND HIS SPLAY$ & H[L+ WIFE1 MOV+ 9 SUDD5 & ]RATIC BUR/S1 LIKE H\SEFLIES4 ,%E SPRAWL$ !RE UPON ! *ILLY PAVEM5T ) H] CRIMSON FACE TIPP$ BACK1 />+ UP ANGRY & 9CR$UL\S 9TO H] HUSB&'S EYES AS HE LOOK$ D[N AT H] FROM ?REE /ORIES ABOVE1 9DIFF]5T AS A ROO/+ EAGLE4 

,EV5 ) ,L\ISA'S FEATURES %RUNK5 BY ! DI/ANCE TO A FLAKE ( P9K CONFETTI1 ,SN[Y ?\<T ?AT HE C\LD /ILL READ ALL ! V>I\S CONFLICT+ FEEL+S WRITT5 !RE1 ) ONE IMPASSION$ \TBUR/ SCRIBBL$ OV] QUICKLY & ]ADICAT$ BY ! NEXT4 ,!RE WAS 9COMPREH5SION1 WRA?1 BETRAYAL1 LOA?+1 DISBELIEF1 & UND]LY+ !SE !RE WAS A LOVE ?AT /OOD & %IV]$ AT ! BR9K ( AWE4 ,%E'D NEV] LEAVE HIM1 NOT ?R\< ALL ! RU9\S :IMS1 ! T]RIFY+ RAGES1 ! UNFA?OMABLE /UNTS & O!R WOM5 ?AT HE KNEW W]E WAIT+ D[N ! WAY4 ,HE KNEW ?AT HE W\LD FRI<T5 H]1 BEWILD] H] & HURT H] FEEL+S MANY1 MANY TIMES ACROSS ! DECADES /ILL TO COME1 AL?\< HE DIDN'T WANT TO4 ,IT WAS JU/ ?AT C]TA9 ?+S W]E GO+ TO HAPP5 & !RE WAS NO GETT+ \T ( !M1 NOT = ,L\ISA1 NOT = ,SN[Y1 NOT = ANYONE4 ,L\ISA DIDN'T KN[ EXACTLY :AT H] HUSB& WAS1 ?\< NOR DID HE HIMSELF1 BUT %E HAD SE5 5\< TO KN[ :ATEV] HE MI<T BE1 HE WAS A CURIOSITY ?AT DIDN'T HAPP5 V]Y (T5 9 ! NORMAL HUMAN RUN ( ?+S1 & ?AT %E'D NEV] 9 H] LIFETIME SEE ANO!R LIKE HIM4 ,%E HAD M>RI$ A H]ALDIC BEA/1 A *IM]A DRAWN FROM NO RECOGNIZABLE MY?OLOGY1 A CREATURE )\T LIMITS ?AT C\LD RUN UP WALLS1 C\LD DRAW & PA9T & WAS REG>D$ AS ONE ( ! F9E/ CRAFTSM5 9 HIS TRADE4 ,DESPITE ! FACT ?AT !RE'D BE TIMES :5 ,SN[Y'S MON/R\S ASPECT MADE IT SO ?AT %E C\LD NOT BE> TO SET EYES ON HIM1 %E'D NEV] BREAK ! SPELL & LOOK AWAY4 

,JOHN ,V]NALL LIFT$ UP HIS HEAD1 ! MILK LOCKS ?AT HAD GIV5 HIM HIS NICKNAME /IRR+ 9 ! ?IRD FLOOR W9DS1 & />$ ) PALE GRAY EYES \T OV] ,LAMBE?1 OV] ,LONDON4 ,SN[Y'S DAD HAD ONCE EXPLA9$ TO HIM & HIS Y\NG SI/] ,?URSA H[ BY ALT]+ ONE'S ALTITUDE1 ONE'S LEVEL ON ! UPRI<T AXIS ( ?IS SEEM+LY ?REE-PLAN$ EXI/5CE1 IT WAS POSSIBLE TO CAT* A GLIMPSE ( ! ELUSIVE F\R? PLANE1 ! F\R? AXIS1 :I* WAS TIME4 ,OR WAS AT ANY RATE1 AT LEA/ 9 ,SN[Y'S UND]/&+ ( !IR FA!R'S ,B$LAM LECTURES1 :AT MO/ PEOPLE SAW AS TIME FROM ! P]SPECTIVE ( A WORLD IMP]MAN5T & FRAGILE1 VANI%$ 9TO NO?+NESS & MADE ANEW FROM NO?+ ) EA* PASS+ 9/ANT1 ALL ITS SUB/ANCE DISAPPE>$ 9TO A PA/ ?AT WAS 9VISIBLE FROM !IR NEW ANGLE & :I* ?US APPE>$ NO LONG] TO BE !RE4 ,= ! MAJORITY ( PEOPLE1 ,SN[Y REALIZ$1 ! PREVI\S H\R WAS GONE =EV] & ! NEXT DID NOT EXI/ YET4 ,!Y W]E TRAPP$ 9 !IR ?91 MOV+ PANE ( ,N[3 A FILMY MEMBRANE ?AT MI<T FATALLY DIS9TEGRATE AT ANY MOM5T1 /RET*$ BETWE5 TWO DREADFUL ABS5CES4 ,?IS VIEW ( LIFE & BE+ AS FRAIL1 FLIMSY ?+S ?AT W]E SOON 5D$ DID NOT MAT* 9 ANY WAY ) ,SN[Y ,V]NALL'S [N1 ESPECIALLY NOT FROM A GLORI\S VANTAGE LIKE HIS CURR5T ONE1 MUCKY NATIVITY BEL[ & ONLY REEFS ( HURTL+ CL\D ABOVE4 

,HIS 9CREAS$ ELEVATION HAD PROPORTIONATELY %RUNK5 & R$UC$ ! L&SCAPE1 SQUA%+ D[N ! BUILD+S SO ?AT IF HE W]E BY SOME MEANS TO RISE HI<] /ILL1 HE KNEW ?AT ALL ! H\SES1 *UR*ES & HOTELS W\LD BE EV5TUALLY COMPRESS$ 9 ONLY TWO DIM5SIONS1 FLATT5$ TO A /REET MAP OR A PLAN1 A SMOLD]+ MOSAIC :]E ! ROADS & LANES W]E COBBL$ SILV] L9ES B9D+ FACTORY-BLACK C]AMIC *IPS 9 A ,MILTONIC TABLEAU4 ,FROM ! RO(-RIDGE :]E HE P]*$1 SOLES ANGL$ 9W>DS GRIPP+ ! DAMP TILES1 ! ROLL+ ,?AMES WAS MOTIONLESS1 A SEAM ( IRON AMONG ! CITY'S DU/Y /RATA4 ,HE C\LD SEE FROM H]E A RIV]1 NOT JU/ %IFT+ LIQUID 9 A /UPEFY+ VOLUME4 ,HE C\LD SEE ! WAT]C\RSE'S HI/ORY B\ND 9 ITS =M1 ITS SNAK+ PA? ( LEA/ RESI/ANCE ?R\< A VALLEY MADE BY ! COLLAPSE ( A GREAT *ALK FAULT SOME:]E TO ! S\? BEH9D HIM1 :ITE SC>PS CRA%+ 9 :ITE BILL[S A FEW HUNDR$ FEET UPHILL & A FEW MILLION YE>S AGO4 ,! BULGE ( ,WAT]LOO1 (F TO HIS NOR?1 WAS SIMPLY :]E ! SLIDE ( ROCK & MUD HAD /OPP$ & H>D5$1 MAMMO?-TRODD5 TO A PA/URE :]E A ?\S& *IMNEYS HAD EV5TUALLY BLOSSOM$1 T>RY-?ROAT$ TUBEWORMS GA!R+ >\ND ! W>M MIASMA ( ! RAILWAY /ATION4 ,SN[Y SAW ! ?UMBPR9T ( A GIANT MA!MATIC P[]1 UNTOLD G5]ATIONS CAU<T UP 9 ! MAGNET-PATT]N ( ITS LOOPS & :ORLS4 

,ON ! LOOSE-%OELACE /REAM'S F> SIDE WAS BANK$ ! SCOR*$ METROPOLIS1 ITS $IFICES RIS+ FLOOR BY FLOOR 9TO A DIFF]5T K9D ( TIME1 ! MORE 5DUR+ CONT9UITY ( >*ITECTURE1 M>K$LY DI/9CT FROM ! CLOCK-GOV]N$ SCURRY ( HUMANITY OCCURR+ ON ! GR\ND4 ,9 ,LONDON'S V>I\SLY /YL$ & WEA!R$ SPIRES OR BRIDGES !RE W]E 9T]RUPT$ CONV]SATIONS ) ! DEAD1 ) ,TR9OVANTES1 ,ROMANS1 ,SAXONS1 ,NORMANS1 !IR =GOTT5 & OBSCURE AG5DAS TOLD 9 /ONE4 ,9 CELEBRAT$ L&M>KS ,SN[Y HE>D ! LONELY1 SELF-9FATUAT$ MONOLOGUES ( K+S & QUE5S1 FRAU<T ) ANXIETIES CONC]N+ !IR SIGNIFICANCE1 LIVES SQU&]$ 9 PURSUIT ( LEGACY1 AN OPTICAL ILLUSION ( ! TEMPOR>Y WORLD :I* !Y 9HABIT$4 ,! AV5UES & MONUM5TS HE OV]LOOK$ W]E B>RICADES AGA9/ OBLIVION1 ORNATE BREA/WORK FLUNG UP TO DEF] A FUTURE 9 :I* BO? ! GLORI\S /RUCTURES & ! MEMORIES ( ?OSE :O'D F\ND$ !M DID NOT EXI/4 

,IT MADE HIM LAU<1 AL?\< NOT LIT]ALLY4 ,:]E DID !Y ?9K ?AT EV]Y?+1 9CLUD+ !M1 WAS GO+ TO GO8 ,SN[Y WAS ONLY TW5TY-SIX AT ?IS PO9T 9 ! SPAN ( HIM1 & HE SUPPOS$ ?AT !RE W]E ?OSE :O'D SAY HE HADN'T YET SE5 MU* ( LIFE1 BUT EV5 SO HE KNEW ?AT LIFE WAS A SPECTACUL> CON/RUCTION1 MORE SECURE ?AN PEOPLE G5]ALLY ?\<T1 & ?AT IT W\LD BE H>D] GETT+ \T ( !IR EXI/5CE ?AN !Y PROBABLY IMAG9$4 ,HUMAN BE+S 5D$ UP >RANG+ !IR PRIORITIES )\T BE+ AW>E ( ! :OLE /ORY1 ! :OLE PICTURE4 ,C5OTAPHS W\LD TURN \T TO BE LESS IMPORTANT ?AN ! SUNNY DAYS MISS$ 9 !IR MAK+4 ,?+S ( BEAUTY1 ,SN[Y KNEW1 %\LD BE WR\<T PURELY = !IR [N SAKE & NOT MADE 9TO ELABORATE HEAD/ONES /AT+ ONLY ?AT SOMEBODY WAS ONCE H]E4 ,NOT :5 NO ONE WAS GO+ ANY:]E4 

,ACROSS A TUGBOAT-HOOT]'S REA* ( RIV] ! UNBL9K+ BIRDMAN SMIL$ AT HIS MIRACUL\S DOMA91 :ILE FROM BEL[ ,L\ISA'S %RIEKS W]E PUNCTUAT$ 9T]MITT5TLY ) SNAT*$-BREA? CRIES ( 0,SN[Y ,V]NALL1 Y\'RE A CUNT1 A LITTLE FUCK+ CUNT60 ,HE LOOK$ \T OV] ,WE/M9/]1 ,VICTORIA & ,KNI<TSBRIDGE TO ! SPRAWL ( BLURR+ BURR-GRE5 ?AT HE KNEW TO BE ,HYDE ,P>K1 :]E !RE WAS REPRES5T$ /ILL ANO!R ASPECT ( UNFOLD+ TIME1 EMBODI$ 9 ! %APES ( TREES4 ,! PLANES & POPL>S B>ELY MOV$ AT ALL 9 !IR RELATION%IP TO ?OSE ?REE AXES ( ! WORLD ?AT W]E IMM$IATELY APP>5T1 BUT ! RECORD ( !IR PROGRESS 9 RELATION TO ! HIDD5 F\R? WAS FROZ5 9 !IR =M4 ,! HEI<T & ?ICKNESS ( !IR B\<S W]E TO BE MEASUR$ NOT 9 9*ES BUT 9 YE>S4 ,MOSS-/IPPL$ =KS W]E MOM5TS ( UNREA*$ DECISION ?AT HAD BE5 MADE SOLID1 TWIGS W]E BUT PROTRACT$ :IMS1 & DEEP )9 SOME ( ! ?ICK TRUNKS ,SN[Y KNEW ?AT !RE W]E >RO:EADS & MUSKET-BALLS CONCEAL$1 FIR$ ?R\< ! B>K 9TO ! PA/1 LODG$ 9 AN E>LI] P]IOD1 AN E>LI] R+1 5TOMB$ =EV] 9 ! WOOD-GRA9 ( ET]NITY AS ALL ?+S ULTIMATELY W]E4 

,IF ,MR4 ,D>W9 W]E TO BE BELIEV$1 !N IT WAS FROM ! TIMELESS DAPPLE ( ! =E/'S CANOPY ?AT M5 HAD FIR/ DESC5D$1 & IT WAS ! =E/'S ROOTS ?AT DRANK M5'S BODIES :5 !Y DI$1 RETURN$ !IR VITAL SALTS BACK TO ! PREHI/ORIC TREETOPS 9 GOLD ELEVATOR CAGES MADE ( SAP4 ,! P>KS1 !IR ,$5 SWA!S ( OLIVE DRAB AMONG ! TWE$Y TOO? ( RESID5TIAL R[S1 W]E \TPO/S ( AN EM]ALD EON1 POOLS ( WILD]NESS LEFT /R&$ BY A SWAY+ OCEAN N[ REC$$ ?AT W\LD ONE DAY FOAM AGA9 ACROSS ! URBAN BEA*HEAD1 SIL5C+ ITS TRAMS & B>REL-ORGANS UND] RU/L+ HU%4 ,HE FL>$ HIS NO/RILS1 TRY+ TO CAT* ! SC5T ( HALF A MILLION YE>S FROM N[ ABOVE ! PRES5T'S F\NDRY REEK4 ,) ALL ( ,LONDON'S PEOPLE GONE1 ]AS$ BY SOME AS-YET-UNBORN ,NAPOLEON1 ,SN[Y IMAG9$ ?AT ! BUDDLEIA W\LD SWIFTLY PROVE ITSELF TO BE ! CITY'S MO/ 5DUR+ CONQU]OR4 ,FROM :ISP]+ M>BLE BANKS & RUPTUR$ MIDD5S P]FUM$ BU%ES W\LD BUR/ =? ) FRIABLE :ITE TONGUES ( FL[]1 :]E ,JULIUS ,AGRICOLA HAD RAIS$ BUT A FEW FLUTT]+ /&>DS1 & ,QUE5 ,BOADICEA NAU<T BUT FLAMES4 

,! HEAVY BRO!L SWEETNESS W\LD LURE BUTT]FLIES 9 WAT]COLOR BLIZZ>DS1 P>AKEETS ESCAP$ FROM ZOOS TO EAT ! BUTT]FLIES & JAGU>S TO EAT ! P>AKEETS4 ,! R>ITIES & GORGE\S MON/]S ( ,KEW ,G>D5S W\LD BREAK LOOSE & OV]RUN ! ABDICAT$ T[N TO ITS HORIZONS1 EUCALYPTUS PILL>S RAIL+ (F ! %ATT]$ B\LEV>DS & PALACES SURR5D]$ TO COLOSSAL F]NS4 ,! WORLD W\LD 5D AS IT BEGAN1 AS BEATIFIC >BOR1 & IF ANY FAMILY CRE/S OR LUM9>Y BU/S OR GRAV5 NAMES ( 9/ITUTIONS W]E YET VISIBLE BETWE5 ! DRON+ HIVES & HONEYSUCKLE1 !Y W\LD BE BY !N WIP$ CLEAN ( ANY MEAN+4 ,MEAN+ WAS A C&LELI<T 9 EV]Y?+ ?AT LUR*$ & %IFT$ 9 ! CIRCUM/ANTIAL BREEZES ( EA* 9/ANT1 NEV] TWICE ! SAME4 ,SIGNIFICANCE WAS A PH5OM5ON ( ,N[ ?AT C\LD NOT BE CONTA9$ 9SIDE AN URN OR MONOLI?4 ,IT WAS A HURRICANE 5TIRELY ( ! PRES5T1 AN UN5D+ SWIRL ( BOIL+ *ANGE1 & AS HE /OOD !RE GAZ+ \T T[>DS ! CITY'S RIM1 ACROSS ! GRANITE FIELDS ( TIME T[>DS ! CAL5D>'S F> TATT]$ $GES1 ,SN[Y ,V]NALL WAS A /ORM-ROD1 CRACKL+ & EXULTANT1 AT ! CYCLONE'S DANG]\S & BRILLIANT EYE4 

,FROM FIFTY FEET B5EA?1 ,L\ISA'S GU% ( ALT]NAT+ ANGUI%$ BELL[S & 9C5S$ TIRADE CAME FLOAT+ UP TO HIM1 A COMMONPLACE BUT AWESOME HUMAN MUSIC1 :]E ! FULL BRASS NOTES ( TORM5T SEEM$ N[ MORE 9SI/5T & MORE FREQU5T1 DOM9AT+ ! >RANGEM5T1 DR[N+ \T ! PICCOLO ABUSE1 ! EFF+ & ! BL9D+4 ,LOOK+ D[N HE NOTIC$ AN IMPROMPTU B& CONV5$ AB\T HIS WIFE1 PROVID+ AN ACCOMPANIM5T ( S(T & SYMPA!TIC /R+S = H]1 A RUMBL+ KETTLE DRUM ( DISAPPROVAL = H] HUSB& /RADDL+ ! RO( ABOVE !M AS !Y COO$ & BOO$ ! PAIR 9 /RICT ROTATION4 ,NONE ( !M APPE>$ TO BE ( ANY MORE PRACTICAL USE TO ! DI/RESS$ & LABOR+ WOMAN ?AN ,SN[Y HIMSELF W\LD BE1 EV5 IF HE W]E /ILL D[N !RE ON ! PAVEM5T AT H] SIDE4 ,! MILL+ BY/&]S W]E AN UNPRACTIC$ OR*E/RA 9 A CONT9UAL /ATE ( TUN+ UP1 !IR MUTT]$ SCORN & SOO?+ ULULATIONS /RIV+ PA9FULLY TO REA* SOME SORT ( H>MONY1 !IR :EEZ+ DISCORDS DRIFT+ (F D[N ,P>ADISE ,/REET1 (F D[N ,UNION ,/REET TO JO9 ! BACKGR\ND CYMBAL-ROLL ( ,LAMBE?1 BUILD+ GRADUALLY ACROSS ! AGES AS IF TO SOME CL>ION ANN\NCEM5T1 RATTL+ HOOVES & DRUNK>DS' SONGS & RAG-&-BONE M5'S LILT+ CALLS COMB9$ 9TO A SWELL ( EV]LA/+ PRELUDE4 

,LIKE A HURRI$ /AGE-ASSI/ANT1 ! BRISK W9D W\ND ON ! PA9T$ CUMULUS ABOVE1 & FROM ! ANGLE ( ! DAYLI<T'S SUDD5 D[NP\R ,SN[Y JUDG$ IT TO BE NOT F> (F MIDDAY1 ! SUN HI< OV]HEAD & CLIMB+ ) 9CREAS+ CONFID5CE UP ! LA/ FEW BLUE /EPS TO NOON4 ,HE LET HIS LEISURELY CR['S-NE/ ATT5TIONS W&] FROM ! WELL-ATT5D$ BIR? ?ROES ( HIS *ILD BEL[ & \T 9TO ! 9TE/9AL TANGLE ( SURR\ND+ ALLEYWAYS1 :]E DOGS & PEOPLE WRAPP$ UP 9 !IR [N EXP]I5CE W5T BACK & =?1 ?READS ( EV5T ?AT %UTTL$ ON ! DI/RICT'S LOOM1 EI!R UNRAVEL+ FROM ONE KNOT ( POT5TIAL CIRCUM/ANCE OR ELSE UNWITT+LY CONV]G+ ON ! NEXT4 ,ACROSS ! ,LAMBE? ,ROAD1 JU/ VISIBLE ABOVE SOME L[-RO($ BUILD+S TO HIS RI<T1 A PRETTY1 WELL-DRESS$ PREGNANT WOMAN WAS EM]G+ FROM ,H]CULES ,ROAD TO CROSS ! /REET BETWE5 ! PLODD+ DRAYS & WEAV+ BICYCLES4 ,A LITTLE NE>] TO HIM SEV]AL BOYS ( TWELVE OR SO W]E BATT+ AT EA* O!R ) !IR CAPS1 PLAY-FI<T+ AS !Y MADE !IR WAY UNHURRI$LY ALONG ! GRIMY SEAM ( A RE>-5TRY PASSAGE1 CUTT+ ?R\< BETWE5 ! SMOK+ H\SETOPS & ! NAPPY-FLAGG$ BACK Y>DS FROM ,NEWPORT ,/REET4 ,SN[Y'S EYES N>R[$1 & HE NODD$4 ,ALL ! CLOCKWORK ( ! M9UTE WAS 9 ORD]4 

,JUDG+ FROM ! LI<T & FROM ,L\ISA'S ESCALAT+ UPRO> HE APPE>$ TO HAVE ANO!R ?IRTY M9UTES ( JU/ /&+ H]E1 & SO ALL[$ HIS S5SES TO RESUME ONCE MORE !IR PHOSPHOR\S EVALUATION ( ! CITY4 ,LONDON SPUN AB\T HIM LIKE A FAIRGR\ND NOVELTY ) ,SN[Y AS ! RIDE'S ATT5DANT1 /&+ BALANC$ !RE AMONG ! PA9T$ ?UND]BOLTS & COMETS ( ITS C5TRAL PIVOT4 ,TURN+ HIS HEAD TO ! NOR!A/1 ,SN[Y LOOK$ \T OV] ,LAMBE?1 ,S\?W>K & ! RIV] TO ,/4 ,PAUL'S1 ITS BALD :ITE DOME ?AT ( A SLUMB]+ DIV9ITY PR(ESSOR1 ALL UNM9DFUL ( ITS MISBEHAV+ *>GES1 S9N+ EV]Y:]E AB\T IT AS IT DR[S$ & NODD$4 ,IT WAS :ILE EMPLOY$ RE/OR+ FRESCOES ON ! DOME'S 9T]IOR ?AT ,SN[Y'S FA!R ,]NE/ ,V]NALL HAD BE5 BLEA*$ BY MADNESS1 NE> TWO DOZ5 YE>S BE=E4 

,SN[Y & SI/] ,?URSA W5T TO ,BE?LEHEM ,ASYLUM :5 !Y VISIT$ !IR DAD1 :I* WASN'T (T54 ,SN[Y DIDN'T LIKE TO ?9K ( IT AS ,B$LAM4 ,SOMETIMES !Y'D TAKE ,]NE/'S O!R *ILDR5 ) !M1 ,APPEL9A & Y\NG ,MESS1 BUT ) !IR FA!R BE+ PUT AWAY :5 ?OSE TWO W]E /ILL SMALL1 !Y'D NEV] REALLY GOT TO KN[ HIM4 ,NOT ?AT ANYONE1 EV5 !IR MO!R ,ANNE1 HAD EV] KN[N ,]N ,V]NALL ?R\< & ?R\<1 BUT ,JOHN & ,?URSA W]E /ILL SOMEH[ CLOSE TO HIM1 P>TICUL>LY AFT] HE'D BECOME 9SANE4 ,) LITTLE ,MESS5G] & ,APPEL9A !RE WAS NEV] ?AT COMMUNICATION1 & !IR VISITS TO ! /RANG] 9 ! MADH\SE ONLY FRI<T5$ !M4 ,:5 !Y'D GR[N OLD] & W]E MORE ROBU/ SOMETIMES !Y W\LD ACCOMPANY ,SN[Y & ,?URSA1 AL?\< ONLY FROM A S5SE ( DUTY4 ,SN[Y DIDN'T BLAME HIS BRO!R OR HIS Y\NGE/ SI/]4 ,! ASYLUM WAS A HORROR1 FULL ( PISS & %IT & SCREAMS & LAU<T]2 M5 :O'D BE5 DISFIGUR$ ) A SPOON DUR+ !IR D9N]S BY ! P]SON SITT+ NEXT TO !M4 ,IF HE & ,?URSA HADN'T BE5 SO CAU<T UP 9 ! RAMBL+ LECTURES ?AT !IR FA!R SAV$ EXCLUSIVELY = !M1 !Y'D NEV] HAVE GONE NE> ! PLACE !MSELVES4 

,!IR DAD HAD TALK$ TO !M AB\T RELIGION & GEOMETRY1 AC\/ICS & ! TRUE %APE ( ! UNIV]SE1 AB\T ! MULTITUDE ( ?+S ?AT HE HAD LE>N$ :ILE T\*+ UP ! FRESCOES ( ,/4 ,PAUL'S DUR+ A ?UND]/ORM1 ONE MORN+ LONG AGO 9 #a#h#f#e4 ,HE TOLD !M :AT HAD HAPP5$ TO HIM ON ?AT DAY1 AS WELL AS HE WAS ABLE1 ) ADMONI%M5TS ?AT !Y %\LD NEV] TELL !IR MO!R OR ANO!R LIV+ S\L AB\T ,]N ,V]NALL'S HOLY VISION1 ?AT HAD CO/ HIS M9D & ALL ! HOT BRONZE COLOR 9 HIS HAIR4 ,HE TOLD !M HE'D BE5 BY HIMSELF UP ON HIS PLAT=M A GREAT DI/ANCE OV] ! CA!DRAL FLOOR1 MIX+ HIS TEMP]A & GETT+ READY TO BEG9 HIS WORK :5 HE'D BECOME AW>E ?AT !RE WAS N[ AN ANGLE 9 ! WALL4 ,?AT WAS ! WAY HE'D SAID IT1 & HIS *ILDR5 HAD EV5TUALLY COME TO UND]/& ?AT ! EXPRESSION HAD AT LEA/ TWO MEAN+S1 AN EXAMPLE ( ! WORD GAMES & 9V5T$ T]MS ?AT PEPP]$ ,]NE/'S CONV]SATION S9CE HIS M5TAL BREAKD[N4 ,FIR/LY IT MEANT JU/ :AT IT APPE>$ TO MEAN1 ?AT ,]NE/ HAD DISCOV]$ A NEW ANGLE ?AT WAS SOMEH[ 9 ! WALL & NOT 9 ! RELATION%IP BETWE5 ITS SURFACES4 ,A SECOND1 MORE OBSCURE 9T]PRETATION ( ! T]M RELAT$ IT SPECIFICALLY TO ,5GL& & ITS ANCI5T PA/1 :5 0,ANGLES0 W]E ! PEOPLE ( A TRIBE ?AT HAD 9VAD$ ,5GL&1 GIV+ IT ITS NAME1 AFT] ! ,ROMANS LEFT4 ,?IS SECOND MEAN+ HAD CONNECT$ TO IT BY ASSOCIATION A QUOTE FROM ,POPE ,GREGORY 444 0,NON ,ANGLI1 S$ ,ANGELI0 444 UTT]$ :ILE 9SPECT+ ,5GLI% PRISON]S 9 ,ROME1 A PUNN+ PLAY ON WORDS ?AT L$ ,]N'S ELDE/ *ILDR5 TO A GRADUAL REALIZATION ( JU/ :AT !IR FA!R HAD 5C\NT]$ 9 ! UPP] REA*ES ( ,/4 ,PAUL'S ON ?AT EV5TFUL DAY4 

,HIS FA!R'S LUNATIC ACC\NT1 EV5 ! MEMORY ( IT N[ AS ,SN[Y /OOD !RE OV] ,LAMBE? ,WALK & HIS POOR WAIL+ WIFE1 CONJUR$ ! SMELL ( COLD CA!DRAL /ONE1 ( P[D] PA9T1 ( P9ION FEA!RS S+$ BY LI<TN+ & ,SA9T ,ELMO'S ,FIRE4 ,! M>VEL\S ?+ HAD SLIPP$ & SLID >\ND ! DOME'S 9T]IOR1 AS ,]NE/ TOLD ! /ORY TO HIS (FSPR+ 9 ! B[ELS ( ,LAMBE?'S 9FAM\S ASYLUM4 ,IT HAD SPOK5 TO !IR DAD 9 PHRASES MORE A/ONI%+ ?AN EV5 ! EXTRAORD9>Y C\NT5ANCE ?AT WAS 9TON+ !M1 ITS VOICE REV]B]AT+ 5DLESSLY1 RES\ND+ 9 A TYPE ( SPACE OR AT A K9D ( DI/ANCE ?AT !IR FA!R WAS NOT ABLE TO DESCRIBE4 ,?IS1 ,SN[Y ?\<T1 HAD BE5 ! DETAIL ?AT HAD MO/ IMPRESS$ HIS SI/] ,?URSA1 :O WAS MUSICALLY 9CL9$ & :OSE IMAG9ATION HAD SEIZ$ 9/ANTLY ON ! IDEA ( RESONANCE & E*O ) AN EXTRA FOLD1 ) NEW HEI<TS & UNFA?OMABLE DEP?S4 ,JOHN ,V]NALL1 ) HIS [N R$ HAIR ALREADY TURN+ :ITE BY HIS T5? BIR?DAY1 HAD BE5 MORE 9TRIGU$ BY ,]NE/'S NEW CONCEPTION ( MA!MATICS1 ) ITS WOND]FUL & T]RIFY+ IMPLICATIONS4 

,9 ! /REET BEL[ ! CLUT* ( BOYS HAD N[ EM]G$ \T ( !IR ALLEY 9 A %UNT+1 %\T+ %OVE & FLOOD$ ONTO ,LAMBE? ,WALK4 ,ATTRACT$ BY ! FURI\SLY 9ACTIVE CR[D >\ND ,L\ISA !Y HAD W&]$ OV] TO /& GOGGL+ & JE]+ AT ITS M>G9S1 CLE>LY DESP]ATE = A GLIMPSE ( QUIM & NEV] M9D ! BLOODY GRAY CORPSE-FOOTBALL ?AT WAS ?REAT5+ TO BUR/ \T ( IT4 ,! TWELVE-YE>-OLDS CATCALL$ EXCIT$LY & TRI$ TO GET A BETT] VIEW BY CAP]+ ?IS WAY & ?AT BEH9D ! ADULT BY/&]S1 :O W]E ALL /UDI\SLY PRET5D+ ?AT !Y C\LDN'T HE> ! IGNORANT & VULG> BANT]4 

0,GOR1 LOOK AT ! SPLIT ON ?AT6 ,IT LOOKS LIKE ,JACK ! ,RIPP]'S DONE ANO!R ONE40 

0,GOR1 SO 'E 'AS6 ,RI<T 9 ! CUNT6 ,IT MU/ 'AVE BE5 A LUCKY BL[60 

0,Y\ DIRTY1 WOR?LESS LITTLE BEGG>S4 ,:Y1 :AT SORT ( P>5TS MU/ Y\ HAVE1 TO BR+ Y\ UP LIKE ?IS8 ,W\LD !Y ?9K IT WAS BRAVE ( Y\ TO BRAY & SWE> LIKE SONS ( :ORES1 >\ND A WOMAN 9 MORE PA9 ?AN Y\ HAVE EV] KN[N OR EV] WILL DO8 ,ANSW] ME60 

,?IS LA/ REM>K1 DELIV]$ 9 AU?ORITATIVE CUT-GLASS TONES1 CAME FROM ! WELL TURN$-\T & HEAVILY EXPECTANT WOMAN ,SN[Y HAD SE5 COM+ FROM ,H]CULES ,ROAD1 CROSS+ ! ,LAMBE? ,ROAD &1 BY AN 9DIRECT R\TE ALONG ALLEYS1 5T]+ ,LAMBE? ,WALK ONLY A PACE OR TWO BEH9D ! GR\P ( R[DY LADS4 ,/RIK+LY PRETTY1 ) A B\ND-UP BUNDLE ( BLACK HAIR & A D>K1 FLA%+ GAZE1 EV]Y?+ FROM H] CO/LY-LOOK+ CLO?+ TO H] BE>+ & 5UNCIATION M>K$ H] AS A GAL FROM ! !ATRICAL PR(ESSIONS1 H] >RE/+ MANN] ?AT ( ONE :O BROOK$ NO HECKL]S 9 ! AUDI5CE4 ,%UFFL+ R\ND TO FACE H] BO? BEWILD]$ & SURPRIS$1 ! BOYS SEEM$ DAUNT$1 LOOK+ SIDELONG AT EA* O!R AS IF TRY+ TO E/ABLI% )\T SPEAK+ :AT GANG POLICY MI<T BE 9 NOVEL SITUATIONS SU* AS ?IS4 ,!IR /ICKLEBACK EYES D>T$ BACK & =? >\ND ! NIBBL$ $GES ( ! MOM5T )\T LI<T+ ON A RESOLUTION4 ,FROM HIS HI< P]SPECTIVE1 ,SN[Y ?\<T !Y MI<T BE ,ELEPHANT ,BOYS FROM UP ,ELEPHANT & ,CA/LE1 :O1 BETWE5 !M1 W]E QUITE CAPABLE ( MET+ \T A ?UMP+ OR A KNIF+1 EV5 TO A CON/ABLE OR SAILOR4 

,?IS DIM9UTIVE & !RE=E EV5 MORE CONSPICU\SLY PREGNANT WOMAN1 ?\<1 APPE>$ TO REPRES5T A *ALL5GE AGA9/ :I* ! L\TS C\LD MU/] NO DEF5SE1 OR AT LEA/ NOT )\T AN UNRECOV]ABLE LOSS ( FACE4 ,!Y LOOK$ ASIDE1 DIS[N$ !MSELVES & !IR [N PRES5CE !RE ON ,LAMBE? ,WALK1 BEG9N+ TO DRIFT SIL5TLY AWAY D[N V>I\S SIDE-/REETS1 SEP>ATE /R&S ( A DISP]S+ FOG4 ,L\ISA'S SAVIOR1 ACTRESS OR V>IETY P]=M] OR :OMEV] %E MI<T BE1 /OOD WAT*+ !M DEP>T ) DEADPAN SATISFACTION1 HEAD COCK$ TO ONE SIDE & SLIM >MS FOLD$ ON ! 9SURM\NTABLE DEF5SIVE B>RICADE ( H] DI/5D$ BELLY1 ?RU/+ \T BE=E H] LIKE A BACKW>DS BU/LE4 ,REASSUR$ ?AT ! Y\NG MISCREANTS W\LD NOT BE COM+ BACK1 %E NEXT TURN$ H] ATT5TIONS ON ! LOOSE ASSORTM5T ( SPECTATORS GA!R$ R\ND ! PAVEM5T BIR?1 :O'D WITNESS$ ALL ( ! =EGO+ :IL/ /OOD 9 A %AM$ & 9EFFECTUAL SIL5CE4 

0,AS = Y\ LOT1 :Y ON ,E>? >E Y\ ALL /&+ R\ND ?AT POOR GIRL IF !RE'S NONE ( Y\ PREP>$ TO HELP H]8 ,HASN'T ANYBODY KNOCK$ UPON A DOOR TO ASK = BLANKETS & HOT WAT]8 ,H]E1 COME ON & LET ME ?R\<40 

,ABA%$1 ! GA!R+ P>T$ & ALL[$ H] TO APPROA* ,L\ISA1 GASP+ & SPREAD-EAGL$ !RE AMONG ! CIG>ETTE-5DS & ! SWEEP+S4 ,ONE ( ! ADMONI%$ ONLOOK]S ELECT$ TO TAKE UP ! NEWCOM]'S SUGGE/ION ( APPEAL+ = HOT WAT]1 T[ELS & O!R BIR? ACC\T]M5TS AT DOOR/EPS UP & D[N ! /REET1 :ILE %E H]SELF /OOP$ BY ,L\ISA'S SIDE AS BE/ AS %E WAS ABLE GIV5 H] [N CUMB]SOME CONDITION4 ,W9C+ ) DISCOM=T1 %E REA*$ \T & BRU%$ SWEAT-V>NI%$ /R&S ( LANK HAIR FROM ! PANT+ WOMAN'S =EHEAD AS %E SPOKE TO H]4 

0,LET'S HOPE ?IS DOESN'T SET ME (F AS WELL1 OR WE %ALL HAVE A RI<T TO-DO4 ,N[1 :AT'S Y\R NAME1 DE>1 & H[EV] HAVE Y\ COME TO BE 9 ?IS PR$ICAM5T80 

,BETWE5 GASPS1 ,SN[Y'S WIFE RESPOND$ ?AT %E WAS ,L\ISA ,V]NALL & HAD BE5 ATTEMPT+ TO GET HOME TO ,LOLL>D ,/REET :5 ! BIR? PROCESS HAD BEGUN4 ,! RESCU] MADE TWO OR ?REE TI<T LITTLE NODS AS A RESPONSE1 H] F9E-BON$ FEATURES ?\<TFUL4 

0,& :]E IS Y\R HUSB&80 

,S9CE ?IS QUE/ION CO9CID$ ) H] NEXT CONTRACTION1 POOR ,L\ISA WAS UNABLE TO REPLY EXCEPT BY LIFT+ ONE DAMP1 TREMBL+ H& TO PO9T ACCUS+LY T[>DS ! SKY DIRECTLY OV]HEAD4 ,AT FIR/ 9T]PRET+ ! GE/URE AS A SIGNAL ?AT ,L\ISA WAS A WID[ ) A HUSB& N[ 9 HEAV51 ! EXPECTANT ,GOOD ,SAM>ITAN EV5TUALLY COTTON$ ON & RAIS$ H] [N D>K1 LONG-LA%$ EYES 9 ! DIRECTION ?AT ! MOAN+ GIRL WAS 9DICAT+4 ,/&+ /RADDL+ ! RO(-RIDGE1 /ATUE-/ILL ABOVE ! SC5E SAVE = ! BLIZZ>D FLURRY ( HIS HAIR1 EV5 HIS JACKET HANG+ ODDLY MOTIONLESS 9 A /IFF BREEZE1 ,JOHN ,V]NALL MI<T HAVE BE5 A :ITEWA%$ WEA!RVANE TO JUDGE FROM ! EXPRESSION ?AT WAS 9 HIS FACE AS HE RETURN$ ! WOMAN'S />TL$ GAZE ) ONE ?AT WAS UNFL9*+ & 9CURI\S4 ,%E />$ HIM \T = ONLY A FEW MOM5TS BE=E GIV+ UP & TURN+ BACK TO SPEAK TO HIS DI/RESS$ Y\NG WIFE1 ?RA%+ & BREA?+ LIKE A L&$ FI% !RE ON ! PAV+ /ONES BESIDE ! CR\*+ W\LD-BE MIDWIFE4 

0,I SEE4 ,IS HE MAD80 

,?IS WAS DELIV]$ AS A /RAI<T=W>D 9QUIRY1 )\T CONDEMNATION4 ,SN[Y'S WIFE1 !N RE/+ 9 A TOO-BRIEF TR\< BETWE5 ! WAVES ( PA91 NODD$ DESPAIR+LY :ILE MUMBL+ H] AFFIRMATION4 

0,YES1 MA'AM4 ,I FE> V]Y MU* HE IS40 

,! WOMAN SNIFF$4 

0,POOR MAN4 ,! SAME C\LD HAPP51 ,I SUPPOSE1 TO ANY ONE ( US4 ,H[EV]1 ,I PROPOSE ?AT = ! MOM5T WE =GET HIM & ATT5D TO Y\ 9/EAD4 ,N[1 LET'S SEE H[ WE'RE GETT+ ON40 

,) ?IS %E %IFT$ TO A KNEEL+ PO/URE SO ?AT %E MI<T M9I/] ) GREAT] COM=T TO H] MORE IMM$IATELY NE$Y SI/] 9 MAT]NITY4 ,BY N[ ! FELL[ :O'D GONE DOOR-TO-DOOR 9 SE>* ( BLANKETS & W>M WAT] HAD RETURN$ BE>+ BETWE5 BO? H&S A /EAM+ WIDE 5AMEL B[L1 T[ELS DRAP$ ACROSS ONE >M AS IF HE W]E A WAIT] AT A PO% HOTEL4 ,DESPITE ! GREAT] FREQU5CY ( POOR ,L\ISA'S SCREAMS ! SITUATION SEEM$ TO BE UND] CONTROL1 AL?\< ( C\RSE 9 ACTUALITY IT NEV] HAD BE5 ANY O!R4 ,JU/ AS ,JOHN HAD KN[N IT W\LD DO1 EV]Y?+ WAS HAPP5+ 9 TIME4 ,SMIL+ AT HIS [N UN9T5D$ WORDPLAY1 NO D\BT PICK$ UP FROM HIS FA!R1 ,SN[Y TILT$ BACK HIS HEAD & REAPPRAIS$ ! SKY4 ,MORE ?READB>E B$-%EET CL\DS HAD BE5 SNAT*$ UP 9 HA/E & DRAGG$ HALFWAY ACROSS ! NAK$ SUN1 :I*1 JUDG+ FROM SU* FL9*+ & CONTRACT$ %AD[S AS REMA9$1 WAS N[ PRECISELY AT ITS Z5I?4 ,!RE WAS A GOOD TW5TY M9UTES LEFT BE=E HIS DAU<T] W\LD BE BORN4 ,!Y'D NAME H] ,MAY1 AFT] ,L\ISA'S MOM4 

,HE WAS ! SN[-CAPP$ POLE ( ,LAMBE? & ! BOR\< :IRL$ B5EA? HIS FEET4 ,UP TO ! NOR?1 BEYOND ! *IMNEYPOTS1 WAS SOOTY ,WAT]LOO4 ,D[N ON HIS LEFT & TO ! S\?1 HE ?\<T1 WAS ,M>Y'S ,*UR*1 OR ,/4 ,M>Y'S-9-,LAMBE? AS IT WAS MORE PROP]LY CALL$1 :]E ,CAPTA9 ,WILLIAM ,BLI< & BO? ! FLORA-CATALOG+ ,TRADESCANTS W]E BURI$1 :ILE DUE WE/ 9 FRONT ( HIM /OOD ,LAMBE? ,PALACE4 ,NOT F> TO ! EA/1 ( C\RSE1 NOT F> 5\< = HIM AT ANY RATE1 WAS ,B$LAM4 

,HE'D NOT SE5 ! PLACE 9 SEV5 YE>S1 NOT S9CE HE WAS A LAD ( N9ETE5 ) !IR ,?URSA TWO YE>S Y\NG]1 :I* WAS :5 HIS FA!R ,]N HAD F9ALLY PASS$ AWAY4 ,!RE'D BE5 A NOTIFY+ LETT] COME FROM ! ASYLUM1 AT :I* HE & ,?URSA HAD MADE ! %ORT J\RNEY UP ! ROAD TO SEE !IR P>5T PRIOR TO BURIAL4 ,A TRIP ( AT ! MO/ T5 M9UTES' WALK1 IT HAD BECOME APP>5TLY MORE L5G?Y & MORE DIFFICULT TO MAKE ) EV]Y PASS+ YE>1 DW9DL+ FROM A MON?LY TO AN ANNUAL OCCURR5CE1 USUALLY AT ,*RI/MAS1 :I* = ,SN[Y EV] S9CE HAD SEEM$ A DREADFUL SEASON4 

,?AT WET AFT]NOON 9 ! ,JULY ( #ahhb HAD BE5 ! FIR/ TIME ,SN[Y OR HIS SI/] HAD SE5 SOMEONE DEAD1 ?IS BE+ SOME FEW YE>S BE=E !IR FA!R'S MOM1 !IR GR&MO!R1 HAD GONE AS WELL4 ,! TWO UNUSUALLY QUIET & DRY-EY$ Y\NG/]S HAD BE5 %[N ?R\< TO A RE> %$ :]E ! CORPSES W]E LAID \T1 A COLD & OV]CA/ PLACE 9 :I* ,]NIE ,V]NALL'S ALABA/] BODY SEEM$ ALMO/ ! ONLY S\RCE ( LI<T4 ,FACE UPW>D ON A SLAB ( PALE FI%MONG]'S M>BLE ) HIS EYES /ILL OP51 ,JOHN & ,?URSA'S DAD HAD ! EXPRESSION ( A MILIT>Y RECRUIT /OOD TO ATT5TION ON SOME ULTIMATE P>ADE GR\ND3 C>EFULLY NEUTRAL1 FOCUS$ RESOLUTELY ON ! DI/ANCE1 TRY+ H>D NOT TO ATTRACT ! SCRUT9Y ( AN 9SPECT+ (FIC]4 ,HIS BLAN*$ SK91 N[ A H>D & *ILL V5E] B5EA? ,JOHN'S CAUTI\SLY EXPLOR+ F+]TIPS1 HAD TURN$ ! COLOR ( HIS HAIR1 HAD TURN$ ! COLOR ( ! %EET ) SCULPT$1 DROPP+ FOLDS ?AT COV]$ ! NUDE =M TO JU/ ABOVE ITS NAVEL4 ,!Y C\LD NO LONG] DET]M9E1 QUITE1 ! PO9T AT :I* !IR FA!R'S :IT5ESS F9I%$ & ?AT ( ! MORTU>Y PL9? SUPPORT+ HIM BEGAN4 ,HIS DEA? HAD *ISEL$1 S&$ D[N & POLI%$ HIM1 TRANS=M$ HIM TO A />K & BEAUTIFUL RELIEF4 

,?IS WAS !IR FA!R'S 5D4 ,BO? ( !M UND]/OOD ?AT1 ?\< NOT 9 ! SAME S5SE ?AT MO/ O!R PEOPLE W\LD HAVE DONE1 ) '5D' AS A M]E SYNONYM = DEA?4 ,TO ,JOHN & ,?URSA1 TUTOR$ BY ! LATE ,]N ,V]NALL1 IT WAS NO MORE ?AN A GEOMETRIC T]M1 AS :5 ONE TALK$ AB\T ! 5DS ( L9ES OR /REETS OR TABLES4 ,SIDE BY SIDE !Y'D LOOK$ 9 AWE ON HIS >RE/+ /ILLNESS1 KN[+ ?AT1 = ! FIR/ TIME1 !Y SAW ! /RUCTURE ( A HUMAN LIFE 5D-ON4 ,IT HAD BE5 :OLLY DIFF]5T FROM ! SIDE-ON VIEW ONE USUALLY HAD ( PEOPLE :ILE !Y W]E ALIVE1 :ILE !Y W]E /ILL CAU<T UP 9 ! EXT5SION & APP>5T MOVEM5T ( !IR SELVES ?R\< TIME1 ALONG ,CREATION'S HIDD5 AXIS4 ,SN[Y & HIS SI/] /OOD REG>D+ !IR DEAD FA!R1 BO? AW>E ?AT !Y W]E GAZ+ D[N ! M>VEL\S & FE>FUL BORE ( ! ET]NAL4 ,?URSA HAD BEGUN TO HUM1 A FRAGILE LITTLE AIR ( H] [N SLAPDA% & IMPROMPTU COMPOSITION1 RIS+ /R+S ( NOTES LEFT HANG+ ) UNNATURALLY LONG 9T]VALS1 DUR+ :I* ,SN[Y KNEW HIS SI/] HE>D AN 9TRICATE CASCADE ( SUBDIVID$ E*O FILL+ 9 ! GAPS4 ,HE'D COCK$ HIS HEAD & CONC5TRAT$ UNTIL HE C\LD HE> ! SAME ?+ %E DID & !N TAK5 ,?URSA'S W>M1 DAMP H&1 ! TWO ( !M TOGE!R 9 ! MORGUE-HUT'S :ISP]Y PALL & ?RILL+ TO AN IMPLI$ MUSIC ?AT WAS BO? MAGNIFIC5T & BOTTOMLESS4 

,AS ,SN[Y ?\<T AB\T IT N[1 HI< 9 ! EAVES ( ,LAMBE?1 HE & ,?URSA ALWAYS HAD BE5 DIFF]5TLY DISPOS$ T[>DS ! WORLDVIEW ?AT !IR FA!R HAD IMPRESS$ UPON !M4 ,= HIS [N P>T1 ,SN[Y HAD ELECT$ TO IMM]SE HIMSELF 5TIRELY 9 ! /ORM ( ! EXP]I5CE1 TO PLUNGE 9TO ?IS NEW EXPLOD$ LIFE ! WAY ?AT1 AS A *ILD1 HE'D PLUNG$ UNHESITAT+LY 9TO ! IRON-GRE5 WALL ( EA* ONCOM+ WAVE UPON ! YELL[ %ORE AT ,M>GATE4 ,EV]Y MOM5T ( HIM WAS A RO>+ GOLD 9F9ITY ) ,SN[Y SP9N+ GIDDY & RESPL5D5T AT ITS :IRLPOOL HE>T1 BEYOND DEA? & PA/ REASON4 

,?URSA ON ! O!R H&1 AS %E'D CONFESS$ TO HIM NOT LONG AFT] !IR DAD'S DEMISE1 SAW 9 H] BRO!R'S GLORI\S TEMPE/ A DEV\R+ =CE ?AT C\LD MEAN ONLY ! DIS9TEGRATION ( H] MORE FRAIL P]SONALITY4 ,9/EAD %E'D *OS5 TO BLOCK \T ! BROAD] IMPLICATIONS ( ,]N ,V]NALL'S MADH\SE LESSONS & TO FIX ALL H] ATT5TION ON ONE N>R[ /R&1 ?IS BE+ H[ H] FA!R'S NEW CONCEPTION ( GEOMETRY APPLI$ TO S\ND & ITS TRANSMISSION4 ,%E HAD TRA9$ H]SELF TO HE> A S+LE VOICE 9 ! >RANGEM5T RA!R ?AN RISK BE+ SWALL[$ BY ! FUGUE ( BE+ 9 :I* ,SN[Y WAS CONSUM$4 ,%E HUNG ON TO H]SELF = DE> LIFE1 CL++ TI<TLY TO ! MOOR+ ( H] PIANO ACCORDION1 A SCUFF-M>K$ VET]AN BEA/ ( FAWN & TAN :I* ,?URSA C>RI$ ) H] EV]Y:]E4 ,AT PRES5T BO? %E & H] SKIRL+ 9/RUM5T W]E LODG$ ) RELATIVES AT ,=T ,/REET 9 ,NOR?AMPTON1 :ILE H] ELDE/ BRO!R WORE A P5DULUM TRACK BETWE5 !RE & ,LAMBE?1 HIK+ ?REE SCORE MILES & BACK FROM ONE LOCATION TO ! O!R4 

,D[N BEL[ ! WOMAN ) ! /AGY ACC5T URG$ ,L\ISA TO PU% H>D]4 ,SN[Y'S WIFE1 H] ?ICK LIMBS & BROAD FEATURES GLI/5+ ) P]SPIRATION1 ONLY BELL[$4 

0,I AM FUCK+ PU%+1 DON'T TELL ME TO FUCK+ PU%6 ,OH NO1 ,I'M SORRY4 ,PLEASE1 ,I'M SORRY4 ,I DON'T MEAN IT4 ,I DON'T MEAN IT40 

,HE ADOR$ ,L\ISA1 LOV$ H] ) HIS EV]Y FIB]1 ) EA* /RANGE & CONVOLUT$ ?\<T ?AT PASS$1 LIKE P>TY /REAM]S 9 A GALE1 ?R\< ,SN[Y'S FRO/-CR[N$ HEAD4 ,HE LOV$ H] K9DNESS1 LOV$ ! ?ICK-SET LOOK ( H]1 AT ONCE AS PLA9 & PLEAS+ TO ! EYE AS FRE%-BAK$ BREAD4 ,H] MASS ( P]SONALITY 5SUR$ ?AT HIS WIFE WAS A CREATURE ( ! E>?1 ONE GR\ND$ 9 ! SOLID WORLD ( /REETS & BILLS & *ILDBIR?1 ( H] BODY & BIOLOGY4 ,%E DID NOT C>E AT ALL = SPIRES OR SKY OR ! PREC>I\S1 PREF]R+ HE>? & WALLS & CEIL+ TO H] HUSB&'S ALTITUDES1 ! /EEPLEJACK OBSESSIONS HE'D 9H]IT$ FROM HIS LATE FA!R4 ,%E CLEAV$ TO ! GRAVITY ?AT ,SN[Y KNEW HE'D SP5D ! :OLE ( HIS UNUSUAL EXI/5CE TRY+ TO OV]COME1 & DO+ SO BECAME HIS C\NT]WEI<T1 A VITAL AN*OR ?AT PREV5T$ HIM FROM B[L+ (F 9TO ! HEAV5S LIKE A LO/ KITE4 

,9 RETURN1 ,L\ISA C\LD 5JOY ! MORE REMOTE & SOME:AT SAF] ?RILLS ( ! KITE-H&L]1 WAT*+ HE>T 9 M\? OR *E]+ ) DELI<T AS HE NEGOTIAT$ EA* FRE% UPDRAFT1 %IV]+ & SQU9T+ SYMPA!TICALLY 9 ! IMAG9$ GU/ & GL>E4 ,HE KNEW ?AT FIFTY YE>S FROM N[1 AFT] HIS DEA?1 %E'D H>DLY V5TURE \T ( DOORS AGA91 %UNN+ A FIRMAM5T 9TO :I*1 BY ?AT TIME1 H] PA9T$ PAP] DRAGON W\LD HAVE LONG S9CE BL[N AWAY & LEFT H] ONLY ) A MEMORY ( ! W9D ?AT TUGG$ ) SU* 9SI/5CE ON HIS /R+1 AN ELEM5TAL =CE ?AT W\LD AT LA/ HAVE WON ITS BATTLE & PULL$ ,SN[Y ,V]NALL FROM H] EMPTY1 REA*+ F+]S4 

,?AT1 ( C\RSE1 WAS ALL 9 ! N[-!N1 :ILE D[N B5EA? HIM 9 ! N[-N[ HE C\LD HE>1 BEH9D ,L\ISA'S SCREAMS & ! BY/&]S' MUFFL$ MUTT]1 ! L[ /ORM-FRONT RUMBLE ( HIS DAU<T]'S COM+ LIFE AS IT APPROA*$ ?IS WORLDLY /ATION4 ,SN[Y ?\<T AB\T ! CROSS ( :ISP]$ RUMORS ?AT HIS *ILD W\LD ALWAYS C>RY ) H]1 ALL ! TALK ( MADNESS 9 ! FAMILY LIKE SOME?+ FROM A GO?IC NOVEL4 ,FIR/ H] GREAT-GR&FA!R ,JOHN1 :O ,SN[Y HAD BE5 NAM$ =1 !N POOR ,]N1 ! GR&FA!R ?AT %E W\LD NEV] KN[1 BO? LOCK$ AWAY 9 ,B$LAM4 ,SN[Y KNEW ?AT SU* WAS NOT TO BE HIS FATE1 BUT ?AT HIS REPUTATION AS A MADMAN W\LD BE NONE ! LESS = ?IS1 & NEI!R W\LD ! HEAVY LEGACY HIS SOON-BORN DAU<T] %\LD BE MADE TO C>RY4 ,LOOK+ D[N T[>DS ! SQU>E ( PAV+ :]E HIS & ,L\ISA'S BABY W\LD BE %ORTLY MAK+ H] APPE>ANCE1 HE RECALL$ ! E]IE SPL5DOR ?AT HAD SPOK5 TO HIS FA!R 9 ,/4 ,PAUL'S ,CA!DRAL ALL ?OSE YE>S AGO2 ! WORDS ) :I*1 ACCORD+ TO ,]N ,V]NALL1 ?AT EXTRAORD9>Y CONV]SATION HAD COMM5C$4 ,SN[Y WAS SMIL+ ) AMUSEM5T & YET FELT ! HOT TE>S PRICK+ 9 HIS EYES AS HE REPEAT$ ! PHRASE S(TLY TO HIMSELF1 :ILE OV]LOOK+ ALL ! FURI\S ACTIVITY 9 ,LAMBE? ,WALK BEL[4 

0,?IS WILL BE V]Y H>D = Y\40 

,HE MEANT HIS *ILD1 HIS WIFE1 HIMSELF1 MEANT EV]YONE :O'D EV] /RUGGL$ FROM ! WOMB TO SOME:]E ?AT WAS BRI<T]1 COLD]1 DIRTI] & NOT SO LOV+ 9 ITS WAYS4 ,?IS1 ,?,I,S1 ?IS PLACE1 ?IS $DY 9 ! S\P ( HI/ORY1 ?IS W\LD BE V]Y H>D = ALL ( !M4 ,Y\ DIDN'T NE$ AN ANGEL TO COME D[N & TELL Y\ ?AT4 ,IT W\LD BE H>D = EV]YBODY ELSE BECAUSE !Y LIV$ )9 A MOV+ WORLD ( DEA?1 B]EAVEM5T & IMP]MAN5CE1 A WORLD ( CON/ANT SEEM+ *ANGE ?AT BUBBL$ ) MA*9E-GUNS1 ) ! MOTOR-DRIV5 C>RIAGES ?AT HE'D HE>D TALK (1 ) SMUDG$ PA9T+S1 SMUTTY BOOKS1 NEW ?+S ( ALL K9DS ALL ! TIME4 ,IT W\LD BE H>D = ,SN[Y BECAUSE HE LIV$ 9 A WORLD :]E EV]Y?+ WAS !RE =EV]1 NEV] 5D$1 NEV] ALT]$4 ,HE LIV$ 9 ! WORLD AS ! WORLD TRULY WAS1 AS HIS LATE FA!R HAD EXPLA9$ IT TO HIM4 ,AS A CONSEQU5CE ( ?IS HE HAD BECOME1 DESPITE HIS V>I\S ACKN[L$G$ SKILLS1 BO? LUNATIC & UNEMPLOYABLE4 ,HE HAD BECOME ! K9D ( MAN :O /&S AB\T ON RO(TOPS ) GLASS DOORKNOBS 9 HIS POCKETS4 

,EV5 GIV5 ?IS1 ON BALANCE ,SN[Y FELT ?AT HE WAS BLESS$ RA!R ?AN BLI<T$4 ,!RE WAS NO PO9T FEEL+ DIFF]5TLY1 NOT 9 A WORLD :]E EV]Y 9/ANT1 EV]Y FEEL+ C>RI$ ON =EV]4 ,HE W\LD SOON] LIVE A LIFE ( 5DLESS BLESS+ ?AN ONE ( UNDY+ CURSE1 & AFT] ALL1 IT WAS 9 H[ Y\ *OSE TO SEE ?+S ?AT ! N>R[ BORD] BETWE5 ,HELL & ,P>ADISE WAS TRAC$4 ,?\< HIS CONDITION1 P>T 9H]IT$ & P>T ACQUIR$1 HAD MANY DRAWBACKS 9 MAT]IAL T]MS !SE W]E \TNUMB]$ BY ! ALMO/ UNIMAG9ABLE B5EFITS4 ,HE WAS 5TIRELY )\T FE>1 ABLE TO SCALE %E] WALLS )\T REG>D = LIFE OR LIMB1 SIMPLY BECAUSE HE KNEW ?AT HE WAS NOT DE/9$ TO P]I% 9 A FALL4 ,HIS DEA? W\LD COME 9 A LONG CORRIDOR ( ROOMS1 LIKE ! COMP>TM5TS ON A RAILWAY TRA91 & ,SN[Y'S M\? W\LD BE CRAMM$ FULL ( COLORS4 ,HE HAD NO IDEA YET :Y ?IS W\LD BE SO1 BUT ONLY ?AT IT W\LD BE4 ,UNTIL !N1 HE C\LD TAKE RISKS )\T ANXIETY4 ,HE C\LD DO ANY?+ HE PLEAS$4 

,?IS FRE$OM WAS AT ONCE ! ASPECT ( HIS /ATE ?AT HE VALU$ MO/ HI<LY1 & ITS GREATE/ CONTRADICTION4 ,HE WAS FREE TO DO ! MO/ \TRAGE\S ?+S ONLY BECAUSE !SE ACTIONS W]E ALREADY FIX$ 9 :AT TO O!RS WAS ! FUTURE1 & BECAUSE HE HAD TO4 ,:5 HE LOOK$ AT IT OBJECTIVELY1 HE SAW ?AT ! REAL MEASURE ( HIS FRE$OM WAS ?AT HE WAS FREE ( ! ILLUSION ( FREE WILL4 ,HE WAS UNBURD5$ BY ! COM=T+ MIRAGE ?AT O!R M5 TOOK FAI? 91 ! DELUSION ?AT ALL[$ !M TO TAKE WALKS OR BEAT !IR WIVES OR TIE !IR %OES1 APP>5TLY :5EV] !Y %\LD WI%1 AS IF !Y HAD A *OICE4 ,AS IF !Y & !IR LIVES W]E NOT ! SMALLE/ & MO/ AB/RACT BRU%/ROKE1 A PO9TILLI/ DAB FIX$ & UNMOV+ 9 TIME'S V>NI%1 !RE ET]NALLY ON AN IMMEASURABLE CANVAS1 P>T ( A DESIGN TOO VA/ = ITS COMPON5T M>KS TO EV] GLIMPSE OR COMPREH5D4 ,! T]ROR & ! GLORY ( ,JOHN ,V]NALL'S SITUATION WAS ?AT ( A PIGM5T SME> MADE SUDD5LY AW>E ( ITS POSITION AT ! CORN] ( A MA/]PIECE1 A DOT ?AT KN[S ?AT IT IS HELD 9 PLACE =EV] ON ! PA9T$ SURFACE1 ?AT IT'S NEV] GO+ ANY:]E1 & YET EXULTS3 0,H[ DREADFUL & H[ FABUL\S60 ,HE KNEW HIMSELF1 KNEW :AT HE WAS & KNEW ?AT ?IS ADVANTAG$ HIM 9 C]TA9 WAYS ABOVE HIS FELL[ SQUIGGLES 9 ! PICTURE1 :O W]E NOT SO CONSCI\S ( !IR TRUE PR$ICAM5T1 ITS MAJE/Y1 NOR ( ITS MANY POSSIBILITIES4 

,MAGICAL P[]S W]E HIS1 BESIDES ! FE>LESSNESS ?AT LIFT$ HIM AMONG ! SLATE SLOPES ( ! SKYL9E4 ,HE C\LD EASILY ACCOMPLI% AN UNBE>ABLY LONG WALK1 OR ANY O!R L5G?Y UND]TAK+ = ?AT MATT]1 BY ! APPLICATION ( TE*NIQUES LE>N$ FROM HIS FA!R4 ,]NE/ HAD EXPLA9$ TO HIM & ,?URSA H[ !RE WAS A WAY ( FOLD+ \R EXP]I5CE ( SPACE AS EASILY AS WE MI<T FOLD A MAP TO JO9 TWO DI/ANT PO9TS TOGE!R1 SAY ! ,BOR\<S ( ,NOR?AMPTON & ! /REETS ( ,LAMBE?4 ,!SE TWO PLACES W]E 9 FACT UNUSUALLY EASY TO BR+ 9TO CLOSE PROXIMITY1 DUE TO ! NUM]\S O!RS :O HAD MADE ! TRIP BE=E &1 DO+ SO1 HAD WORK$ ! FOLD 9TO A WORN & :IT5$ CREASE4 ,SN[Y EXPLOIT$ IT :5EV] HE WAS CALL$ UPON TO TRAVEL BETWE5 ,?URSA 9 ! ,BOR\<S & HIS MOM'S 9 ,LAMBE? ) Y\NG ,MESS5G] & ,APPEL9A4 ,ALL HE HAD TO DO WAS SET (F ON HIS J\RNEY & !N1 AS HIS DAD HAD TAU<T HIM1 LIFT 9TO A DIFF]5T SORT ( ?9K+ ?AT MOV$ LIKE ! PASSAGE ( EV5TS 9 DREAMS1 \TSIDE ! REALM ( M9UTES1 H\RS & DAYS4 ,TIME !N W\LD SETTLE EASILY 9TO ?IS OLD1 FAMILI> WR9KLE & ! NEXT ?+ ,SN[Y KNEW HE'D BE >RIV+ AT HIS DE/9ATION1 HAV+ SORE FEET BUT )\T FATIGUE1 )\T ! MEMORY ( A MOM5T'S BOR$OM &1 9DE$1 )\T A MEMORY ( ANY K9D AT ALL4 ,AS ,]NE/ HAD EXPRESS$ IT TO HIS *ILDR51 IT WAS EASI] :5 TRAVEL+ TO MOVE ONE'S CONSCI\SNESS ALONG ! AXIS ( DURATION RA!R ?AN ! ONE ( DI/ANCE1 ?\< Y\R BOOT-HEELS W\LD WE> D[N AS QUICKLY EI!R WAY4 

,NOR WAS ?IS ALL ( ,SN[Y'S LE>N$ ABILITIES4 ,HE KNEW ! FUTURE1 CL\DILY1 NOT 9 A S5SE ( PROPHECY BUT MORE 9 ?AT HE RECOGNIZ$ ! FUTURE :5 HE SAW IT1 KNEW H[ ?+S W\LD WORK \T 9 ! 9/ANT ?AT HE CAME UPON !M1 AS ) SC5ES F\ND WRITT5 9 A BOOK EMB>K$ UPON )\T RECALL+ ?AT IT HAS BE5 READ BE=E1 9 SOME =GOTT5 SUMM]1 :]E !RE COMES A TANTALIZ+ PREMONITION ( :AT WAITS BEYOND ! NEXT TURN$ PAGE4 

,HE ALSO HAD ! TRICK ( SEE+ <O/S4 ,HE SAW ! ORD9>Y SORT ?AT W]E ! SPIRITS ( PA/ BUILD+S & EV5TS EMB$D$ 9 ! UNSE5 TEMPORAL AXIS1 SPECTRAL /RUCTURES & SC5>IOS :I* O!R PEOPLE ?\<T ( AS !IR MEMORIES4 ,HE FUR!RMORE HAD BE5 A WITNESS TO ! R>] BUT MORE FAM\S K9D ( WRAI?S ?AT W]E ! RE/LESS DEAD3 PA9$ S\LS :O %IRK$ ! REPETITION ( !IR PA9FUL LIVES & YET :O FELT UNREADY OR UNWILL+ TO MOVE ON TO ANY FUR!R /ATE ( BE+4 ,HE W\LD SOMETIMES APPREH5D !M 9 ! CORN] ( HIS EYE1 SMOKE-COLOR$ %APES 5DLESSLY CIRCL+ !IR OLD NEI<BORHOODS 9 SE>* ( <O/LY CONV]SATIONS1 <O/LY RUTS1 9 SE>* ( <O/-FOOD4 ,JU/ A YE> AGO HE'D SE5 ! %ADE ( ,MR4 ,DADD1 ! FAIRY-PA9T] :O'D GONE MAD & MURD]$ HIS [N FA!R4 ,DADD HAD DI$ HIMSELF E>LY 9 #ahhf AT ,BROADMOOR ,HOSPITAL1 AN 9/ITUTION = ! CRIM9ALLY 9SANE4 ,ON ! OCCASION ,SN[Y SAW ! >TI/'S PHANTOM =M IT /OOD1 LOOK+ REGRETFUL1 AT ! GATES ( ,B$LAM :]E9 ,DADD HAD PREVI\SLY BE5 9C>C]AT$4 ,SN[Y HAD OBS]V$ ! FA9T P]IPH]AL BLUR :ILE IT PLUCK$ SOME?+ SIMIL>LY 9DI/9CT FROM ! ASYLUM'S WORN /ONE GATEPO/ & PROCE$$1 SEEM+LY1 TO EAT IT4 ,! DEAD PA9T]1 FROM ! VAGUE SUGGE/ION ( HIS PO/URE & DEMEANOR1 HAD APPE>$ TO BE NOT SO POSSESS$ NOR SO MANIACAL AS :5 9 LIFE1 BUT RA!R N[ CLE>-SI<T$ & SUFFUS$ BY A PR(\ND REMORSE4 ,! DOLEFUL APP>ITION HAD P]SI/$ = SOME SEV]AL SECONDS1 GLUMLY *EW+ ITS MY/]I\S F9D+S :ILE IT />$ AT ! BLEAK $IFICE1 !N MELT$ TO A PAT* ( DAMP DISCOLOR$ BRICKWORK ON ! MADH\SE WALL4 

,! >TI/ ,WILLIAM ,BLAKE1 :O'D LIV$ UP ,H]CULES ,ROAD GETT+ ON A C5TURY AGO1 HAD ALSO SE5 & SPOK5 ) ! CREATURES ( ! O!R WORLD1 ) ! DECEAS$1 ) ANGELS1 DEVILS1 ) ! POET ,MILTON :O HAD 5T]$ LIKE A CURR5T ?R\< ! SOLE ( ,BLAKE'S LEFT FOOT4 ,! ,LAMBE? VISION>Y'S NOTIONS ( A F\RFOLD & ET]NAL CITY SEEM$ AT TIMES SO CLOSE TO ,SN[Y'S [N VIEW1 RI<T D[N TO ! EXACT NUMB] ( ITS FOLDS1 ?AT HE HAD WOND]$ IF !RE W]E SOME QUALITY 9 ,LAMBE? ?AT 5C\RAG$ SU* P]CEPTIONS4 ,!RE MAY BE1 HE'D (T5 ?\<T1 SOME ASPECT ( ! DI/RICT'S %APE OR PLACEM5T :5 CONSID]$ ON MORE PLANES ?AN ?REE ?AT MADE IT MO/ ESPECIALLY CONDUCIVE TO A C]TA9 ATTITUDE1 TO A UNIQUE P]SPECTIVE1 ?\< HE KNEW ?AT 9 HIS [N CASE !RE HAD ALSO BE5 H]$ITY AS A PREVAIL+ 9FLU5CE4 ,HE WAS A ,V]NALL1 & HIS FA!R ,]N HAD TAK5 PA9S ?AT ,SN[Y & HIS ELDE/ SI/] %\LD BO? KN[ PRECISELY :AT ?AT MEANT4 

0,NOM5 E/ OM501 ?AT WAS H[ !IR DAD HAD PUT IT1 AN ILLIT]ATE SOMEH[ QUOT+ ,LAT9 PROV]BS4 ,?IS HAD BE5 ! /AT$ RATIONALE1 IF SU* IT MI<T BE CALL$1 BEH9D ! NAM+ ( HIS Y\NGE/ *ILDR5 ,MESS5G] & ,APPEL9A1 ) ONE MONIK] SUGGE/IVE ( A H]ALD ANGEL & ! O!R ( \R FALL5 MO!R ,EVE4 ,NOM5 E/ OM54 ,! NAME IS A SIGN4 ,]N HAD EXPLA9$ TO ,JOHN & ,?URSA ?AT !RE WAS A PLACE 0UP/AIRS0 :]E :AT WE ?\<T ( D[N H]E AS \R NAMES TURN$ \T 9 MANY 9/ANCES TO BE \R JOB DESCRIPTIONS4 ,V]NALLS1 AS !IR FA!R HAD DEF9$ ! T]M1 W]E ?OSE RESPONSIBLE = T5D+ TO ! B\ND>IES & CORN]S1 TO ! $GES & ! GUTT]S4 ,?\< A L[LY PO/ 9 ! E!REAL HI]>*IES IT WAS A NECESS>Y ONE ?AT C>RI$ ITS [N NUM9\S AU?ORITY4 ,9 ,SN[Y'S UND]/&+1 BY ! ODD L+UI/IC LAWS ( ! SUP]IOR PLANE ?AT ,]NE/ HAD REF]R$ TO1 ,V]NALL WAS A WORD ) CONNOTATIONS SIMIL> TO 0V]G]01 BO? 9 ! OLD S5SE ( ONE :O T5D$ V]GES & ( ONE :O BORE ! V]GE1 OR ROD ( (FICE1 AS 9 ! ECCLESIA/ICAL TRADITION4 ,BUT ! LANGUAGE ( 0UP/AIRS01 ACCORD+ TO ,]N ,V]NALL1 WAS A =M ( SPEE* ?AT W]E AS ?\< EXPLOD$1 EV]Y PHRASE UNCRUMPL+ ITSELF 9TO A BEAUTIFUL & COMPLICAT$ LACEWORK ( ASSOCIATIONS4 ,RODS W]E W&S ( GOV]NM5T & YET W]E ALSO RUL]S MADE = MEASUREM5T1 :I* WAS PRESUMABLY H[ RODS ( L& BESIDE A PROP]TY W]E FIR/ CALL$ V]GES3 GRASSY /RIPS ]UPT+ 9TO LIFE ) ,SPR+1 ! V]NAL EQU9OX1 :I* ALSO L$ BACK TO ! FAMILY NAME4 ,?IS ASPECT ( F]TILITY WAS E*O$ 9 ,OLD ,5GLI%1 :]E9 ! EXPRESSION 0V]GE0 OR 0ROD0 WAS SLANG = :AT M5 KEPT 9SIDE !IR TR\S]S1 OR AT LEA/ ?US WAS ! ETYMOLOGY AS PASS$ ON BY !IR FA!R1 :O C\LD NEI!R READ NOR WRITE4 ,9 SUM1 A ,V]NALL M9I/]$ TO BORD]L9ES & LIMITS1 TO ! M>G9S ( ! WORLD & ! UNM[$ P]IPH]IES ( WORLDLY REASON4 ,?IS1 ,]N HAD 9SI/$1 WAS :Y ,V]NALLS T5D$ TO BE RAV+ MAD & P5NILESS4 

,AS HE LOOK$ D[N ON ! >RIVAL ( ! LATE/ BABY TO BE ?US AFFLICT$1 HE ALL[$ HIS CONSCI\SNESS ( TIME TO CRY/ALLIZE >\ND ! QU>T]-9* ( ! DURATION AXIS ?AT ! MOM5T REPRES5T$ SO ?AT ?+S SL[$ TO A CRAWL1 ! PROGRESS ( EV5TS B>ELY P]CEPTIBLE4 ,IT WAS ANO!R TAL5T OR DISEASE ?AT HE & ,?URSA HAD 9H]IT$1 ! MEANS TO *>M ! UNIV]SE UNTO A /&/ILL4 0,PIGEON EYES01 !IR DAD HAD CALL$ ?IS GIFT1 )\T EXPLA9+ :Y4 ,! CL\DS W]E /OPP$ & CURDL$ 9 ! SKY'S BLUE JUICE1 MASK+ A SUN ?AT HAD MOV$ ON A LITTLE PA/ ITS PEAK & WAS JU/ FRACTIONALLY BEH9D HIM1 ITS SCANT W>M? UPON HIS %\LD]S & ! RE> TOP ( HIS HEAD4 

,BEL[ HIS P>APET 9 ,LAMBE? ,WALK ! ?OR\<F>E WAS N[ BECOME A SCULPTURE G>D51 ALL ITS MID-DAY RU% & BU/LE R5D]$ MOTIONLESS4 ,LITT] & DU/ SNAT*$ UP BY ! ,M>* BREEZE WAS FROZ5 9 ITS BLU/]+ ASC5T1 SUSP5D$ 9 ! AIR AT DI/9CT 9T]VALS1 SO ?AT ! UNSE5 CURR5TS ( ! W9D W]E SPECKL$ ) DEBRIS & ?US MADE VISIBLE1 A GR& GLASS /AIRCASE SWEEP+ UP ABOVE ! /REET4 ,A PISS+ HORSE PRODUC$ A NECKLACE-/R+ ( WEI<TLESS TOPAZ1 T9Y GOLD5 CR[NS =M$ :]E ! DROPLETS W]E CAU<T 9 ! PROCESS ( DIS9TEGRAT+ ON ! SLIMY COBBLES4 ,! P$E/RIANS :O HAD BE5 CAPTUR$ HALFWAY ?R\< AN ACTION W]E N[ POS$ LIKE DANC]S 9 \TL&I% BALLETS1 BALANC+ IMPOSSIBLY ON ONE FOOT ) !IR WEI<T ?R[N =W>D 9 AN UNCOMPLET$ /RIDE4 ,IMPATI5T *ILDR5 FLOAT$ 9*ES OV] HOPSCOT* SQU>ES & WAIT$ = !IR 9T]RUPT$ JUMPS TO F9I%4 ,Y\NG M5'S NECK]*IEFS & WOM5'S UNP9N$ HAIR FLEW SIDEWAYS 9 A SUDD5 GU/ & /AY$ !RE1 /ICK+ \T AS /IFF AS WOOD5 FLAGS FROM RAILWAY SIGNAL-BOXES4 

,NOISE WAS ALSO SL[$1 ! *ORUS-VOICE ( ,LAMBE? ,WALK N[ BORN BY SLUGGI% WAVES AS ?\< ?R\< A MORE VISC\S M$IUM1 BECOME A D>K BASS SLUR1 AN AURAL BOG4 ,! SEAMLESS CLATT]+ ( HOOVES WAS TURN$ TO 5DLESSLY REV]B]AT+ S+LE ANVIL BEATS S\ND$ AT L5G?Y 9T]VALS BY A FATIGU$ & UN5?USIA/IC BLACKSMI?1 :ILE ! RAPID TRILLS ( 9DECIPH]ABLE BIRDSONG HAD A CAD5CE REM9ISC5T N[ ( TRIVIAL & PLEASANT CONV]SATION BETWE5 OLD BOYS PLAY+ DOM9OES4 ,/REET V5DORS' CRIES FROM D[N ON ,PR9CE'S ,ROAD CREAK$ LIKE <O/ /ORY DOORS ?AT OP5$ ) EXCRUCIAT+ LANGUOR ON SOME FETT]$ HORROR4 ,TWO DOGS FI<T+ D[N 9 ,UNION ,/REET MIMICK$ A BACKGR\ND RUMBLE ( 9DU/RIAL MA*9]Y1 !IR B>KS EXT5D$ TO ! SN>L ( BURI$ 5G9ES1 TO A HUMM+ UND]TONE ( VIOL5CE1 A CONT9U\S VIBRATION 9 ! PAVEM5TS ?AT WAS SELDOM NOTIC$1 ALWAYS !RE4 ,AMID IT ALL !RE SWELL$ ! WAV]+ SOPRANO C\NT]PO9T ( POOR ,L\ISA'S LATE/ SCREAM1 DRAWN \T 9TO AN >IA4 ,! PREGNANT MIDWIFE KNEEL+ ON ! FIL?Y /REET BESIDE H] HAD BE5 HALT$ HALFWAY ?R\< A FUR!R EXHORTATION = HIS WIFE TO PU%1 & WAS EMITT+ A PROTRACT$ M9OTAUR-LIKE BELL[+ ?AT ,SN[Y TOOK TO BE A V[EL 9FLAT$ TO ! PO9T ( BUR/+4 

,SN[Y'S WIFE SEEM$ SIMIL>LY PUFF$ UP & UPON ! BR9K ( AN EXPLOSION4 ,ALMO/ HALF ! BABY'S HEAD WAS \T1 A BLUI% RUPTURE GREAS$ ) BLOOD EM]G+ FROM ! /RET*$ LIPS ( ,L\ISA'S PRIVATES1 N[ IMPOSSIBLY DI/5D$ TO A PA9FUL CIRCLE1 A PULLOV] NECK4 ,A TORUS4 

,9 ! DREADFUL HALLS ( ,B$LAM1 ,]NE/ ,V]NALL HAD LEAN$ 9 T[>DS HIS *ILDR51 HIS REMA9+ CLUMPS ( HAIR UNKEMPT & :ITE AS H$G][S ON A DROV]S' PA?4 ,HIS VOICE DESC5D+ 9TO A DRAMATIC :ISP] BO? CONSPIRATORIAL & URG5T1 HE'D IMPRESS$ UPON !M ! SUPREME IMPORTANCE ( ?IS PREVI\SLY UNHE>D WORD1 A T]M MO/ USUALLY EMPLOY$ 9 EI!R >*ITECTURE OR SOLID GEOMETRY4 ,A TORUS1 AS !IR FA!R HAD EXPLA9$ IT TO !M1 WAS ! RUBB]-TIRE %APE G5]AT$ BY ! REVOLUTION ( A CONIC DISC >\ND A CIRCLE DRAWN ON AN ADJAC5T PLANE1 OR ELSE ! VOLUME ?AT W\LD BE CONTA9$ BY SU* A SPATIAL MOVEM5T4 ,TORI1 AT LEA/ AS !IR DAD DEF9$ !M1 W]E ! S+LE MO/ IMPORTANT =MS 9 ALL ! COSMOS4 ,ALL ,E>?'S LIV+ CREATURES ?AT HAD MORE ?AN ONE CELL TO !IR NAMES ESS5TIALLY W]E TORI1 OR AT LEA/ !Y W]E :5 LOOK$ AT FROM A TOPOGRAPHICAL P]SPECTIVE2 IRREGUL> TORI ) !IR MASS >RANG$ >\ND ! C5TRAL HOLES PROVID$ BY !IR ALIM5T>Y CANALS4 ,9 ITS FIX$ ORBIT R\ND ! SUN1 IF ?IS %\LD BE CONSID]$ )\T ! ILLUSION ( PROGRESS+ TIME1 !IR WORLD DESCRIB$ A TORUS4 ,SO DID ALL ! O!R PLANETS & !IR MOONS4 ,! />S !MSELVES1 ROTAT+ ) ! SWIRL+ VORTEX ( ! GALAXY1 W]E TORI ( /UP5D\S MAGNITUDE ?AT HAD DIAMET]S ONE HUNDR$ MILLION YE>S ACROSS FROM SIDE TO SIDE4 ,]NE/ HAD 9TIMAT$ ?AT ! GLITT]+ UNIV]SE 9 ITS 5TIRETY REVOLV$ AB\T A PO9T 9 UNCREAT$ NO?+NESS 7AL?\< !RE W]E NO MEANS BY :I* WE MI<T DETECT ?IS MOTION1 BE+ RELATIVE TO LIT]ALLY NO?+71 & ?AT %\LD BO? SPACE & TIME BE SE5 AS ONE UNDIFF]5TIAT$ SUB/ANCE !N ! :OLE ( ,GOD'S CREATION MI<T BE HELD TO BE TOROIDAL4 

,?IS1 APP>5TLY1 WAS :Y ! HUMBLE *IMNEYPOT WAS SU* A POT5T & UNSETTL+ CONFIGURATION4 ,?IS WAS AT LEA/ P>TLY :Y ,]N ,V]NALL'S ELDE/ SON SP5T SO MU* ( HIS TIME ON RO(TOPS1 9 AMONG ! REEK+ /ACKS3 Y\ HAD TO KEEP Y\R EYE ON !M4 

,! *IMNEYPOT 444 ESS5TIALLY A /RET*$-\T TORUS :5 CONSID]$ TOPOGRAPHICALLY 444 WAS A MAT]IALIZATION ( ! =M 9 ITS MO/ DREADFUL & DE/RUCTIVE ASPECT1 WAS ! GREAT ANNIHILAT+ VOID ?AT IT CONTA9$ MADE MANIFE/1 ITS C5TRAL HOLE BECOME A CREMATORIUM PIPE UP :I* ?+S DEEM$ NO LONG] NECESS>Y TO REQUIREM5TS MI<T BE EASILY DISPOS$ (2 CORPSES1 BROK5 B$/EADS & \TDAT$ NEWSPAP]S BEL*$ AS A F\L MIASMA FROM !SE /ONE OR T]RACOTTA DEA?-M\?S 9TO AN 9SULT$ SKY4 ,! BLACK5$ SMOKE/ACKS ?US S]V$ ALSO AS A SOCIAL \BLIETTE1 AS V5TS ?AT :OLE SWA!S ( ! L[] CLASSES HAD BE5 /UFF$ UP1 *ILDR5 FIR/4 ,!Y SMOLD]$ ) ! AWFUL BREA? ( NO?+4 ,! BANK$ *IMNEYPOTS ?AT ,SN[Y KNEW /OOD F\R ABREA/ BEH9D HIM ON ! RIDGE W]E FRAGILE %ELLS SURR\ND+ EMPTY PITS ( ?AT SAME NONEXI/5CE M5 CAME \T ( & EV5TUALLY W5T 9TO1 W]E A GRIM 9V]SION ( ?AT O!R TORUS GAP+ CURR5TLY BETWE5 ,L\ISA'S ?I<S ?AT SPILL$ \T LIFE :]E !Y SPILL$ \T ITS OPPOSITE4 

,BEL[1 AL?\< ! WOMAN HELP+ TO DELIV] ,SN[Y'S *ILD HAD NOT YET REA*$ ! 5D ( H] COMM& TO PU%1 BE+ AT PRES5T CAU<T UP 9 A W9DY RU% ( SIBILANTS1 ! BABY'S HEAD WAS N[ EM]G$ COMPLETELY4 ,SN[Y'S WIFE HAD ! APPE>ANCE ( ?OSE PEG DOLLS Y\ C\LD BUY ?AT W]E REV]SIBLE & HAD A HEAD ON EA* 5D AT ! JUNCTION ( ! LIMBS4 ,AS HE />$ D[N ?R\< ! RESPL5D5T TREACLE ( ! MOM5T AT ! HALF-BORN 9FANT'S GORY SCALP1 HE UND]/OOD ?AT ?IS P]SPECTIVE WAS A CONV]SE TO ! 5D-ON VIEW ( !IR DEAD FA!R ?AT HE & HIS SI/] HAD ONCE %>$ 9 AN ASYLUM MORTU>Y4 ,?IS WAS LIFE SE51 = ! FIR/ TIME 9 HIS [N EXP]I5CE1 FROM ITS O!R T]M9US4 ,IT WAS1 IF ANY?+1 AN EV5 LOVELI] & MORE T]RIBLE ?+ :5 LOOK$ AT ?R\< ?IS 5D ( ITS BREA?TAK+ TELESCOPE4 

,HE GAZ$ ALONG ! LONG JEWEL$ TUBE ?AT WAS HIS DAU<T]'S 5VIABLE MORTAL SPAN1 & SAW H[ BRI<T & BEAUTIFUL ! NE> ROOTS ( ! CORAL /RUCTURE W]E COMP>$ TO ! GN>L$ D>KNESS AT ITS DI/ANT FUR!R TIP4 ,HE SAW ! FURL+ SUB-GR[?S ?AT W]E H] [N *ILDR51 HALF A DOZ5 ( !M BUDD+ =? & BRAN*+ FROM H] MO!R-/EM AB\T A QU>T] ( ! WAY ALONG ITS L5G?4 ,ALL SIX ( ! GEM-CRU/$ (F%OOTS HAD A H&SOME LU/] ?AT W\LD MAKE H] PR\D ( !M1 BUT :5 HE SAW ! CLOSE/ & ?US FIR/-BORN SPR\T1 BO? ITS EXQUISITE BURNI% & ITS BREVITY1 HE FELT ! HE>TBREAK A*+ 9 HIS ?ROAT1 SALTWAT] BURN+ 9 HIS EYES4 ,SO PRECI\S & SO SMALL4 ,N[ ,SN[Y NOTIC$ ?AT A LAT] BRAN*1 ! NEXT TO LA/1 WAS ALSO CUT %ORT SOME FEW DECADES SOON] ?AN HIS GIRL-*ILD'S [N DEMISE1 & WOND]$ IF !SE LOSSES MI<T ACC\NT = ! DEEP MELAN*OLIC COLORATION HE C\LD MAKE \T AT ! HUMAN TUNNEL'S FUR!/ 5D4 

,HIS DAU<T]'S LIFE REA*$ MORE ?AN EI<TY YE>S 9TO :AT MO/ W\LD CALL ! FUTURE1 BUT :I* HE ?\<T ( AS 'OV] !RE'4 ,! MURKY & DISCOLOR$ F> EXTREMITY ( H] LAY 9 AN ,5GL& ?AT TO ,SN[Y WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE1 A PLACE ( BLOCKS & CUBES & GL>+ LI<TS4 ,%E'D DIE ALONE UPON ! \TSKIRTS ( ,NOR?AMPTON 9 A MON/R\S H\SE ?AT SEEM$ TO BE ! :OLE /REET PRESS$ 9TO ONE BUILD+4 ,HE C\LD SEE H] FACE D[N 9 A TOO-BRI<T HALLWAY1 J[LY1 LIV] SPOTT$1 FEATURES BLACK5+ ) SETTL$ BLOOD4 ,%E W\LD BE /RUGGL+ TO GET TO ! FRONT DOOR & ! FRE% AIR1 BUT ! DET]M9$ HE>T ATTACK W\LD GET !RE BE=E %E DID & W\LD HAVE H] LEGS AWAY FROM UND] H]4 ,HIS & ,L\ISA'S GORGE\S LITTLE GIRL4 ,A BUNDLE ( OLD RAGS1 ?AT'S :AT %E'D LOOK LIKE1 DUMP$ !RE 9 ! PASSAGE 9*ES FROM A DOORMAT ?AT WAS B>E ( LETT]S1 UNDISCOV]$ = TWO DAYS4 

,HE C\LDN'T BE> ?IS4 ,?IS WAS TOO MU*4 ,SN[Y HAD ASSUM$ ?AT BY SURR5D]+ TO ! MAD SPL5DOR ( HIS FA!R'S !ORIES HE W\LD BE 9 SOME WAY MADE DIV9E1 MADE WISE & /RONG 5\< TO COPE ) HIS P]CEPTIONS1 W\LD BECOME IMMUNE TO ! ASSAULTS ( ORD9>Y FEEL+4 ,IT APPE>$ ?AT ?IS WAS NOT ! CASE4 ,HE N[ SEEM$ TO REMEMB]1 AS IF FROM BE=E1 ?AT ?IS EXP]I5CE1 /&+ ON A RO( & WITNESS+ ,MAY'S GUTT] BIR?-?ROES ) H] LONELY DEA? ALREADY !RE1 EMB$D$1 W\LD TURN \T TO BE ! FIR/ OCCASION :]E HE'D TRULY UND]/& ! WEI<TY RIGORS ( A ,V]NALL'S OCCUPATION4 ,?IS APPALL+ VI/A ( A LIFE =E%ORT5$ WAS SIMPLY ! VIEWPO9T FROM ! CORN]1 & HE'D BE/ BECOME ACCU/OM$ TO IT4 ,AFT] ALL1 HE WAS NOT 9 REALITY MORE GIFT$ NOR MORE CURS$ ?AN ANY O!R MAN4 ,DID PEOPLE NOT SPEAK (T5 ( H[ TIME W\LD SEEM TO SL[ = !M :5 9 A DANG]\S SITUATION8 ,W]E !RE NOT ACC\NTS ( PREMONITIONS1 LUCKY GUESSES1 ! UNCANNY S5SE ?AT ?+S HAVE HAPP5$ JU/ ?IS WAY BE=E8 ,WASN'T IT TRUE ?AT EV]YBODY HAD !SE FEEL+S BUT ELECT$ = ! MO/ P>T TO IGNORE !M1 P]HAPS S5S+ :]E SU* NOTIONS MI<T EV5TUALLY LEAD8 ,EV]YONE KN[S ! WAY !RE1 HEY !RE1 HEY !RE6 ,SURELY ALL P>5TS KNEW ?AT 9 !IR *ILD'S BIR? WAS ITS DEA? ALSO CONTA9$1 BUT MADE 9SIDE !MSELVES1 P]HAPS UNWITT+1 A DECISION NOT TO LOOK TOO DEEP 9TO ! M>VEL\S & TRAGIC WELL ?AT ,SN[Y WAS N[ GAZ+ D[N4 

,HE DIDN'T BLAME !M4 ,FROM ! CU/OM>Y /&PO9T1 BIR? MU/ SEEM A CAPITAL (F5SE ) AN UNV>I$ S5T5CE4 ,IT WAS ONLY NATURAL ?AT PEOPLE %\LD ATTEMPT TO DULL !IR COMPREH5SION ( SO T]RIBLE A CIRCUM/ANCE1 IF NOT ) DR9K !N ) A COM=T+LY W>M & WOOL5 VAGU5ESS4 ,ONLY 5FLAM$ S\LS LIKE ,SN[Y ,V]NALL C\LD BE REASONABLY EXPECT$ TO 5DURE ! BLIZZ>D ( EXI/5CE )\T %IELD+ WRAPS & )\T M]ELY PEEP+ AT ITS BRILLIANCE ?R\< SMOK$ GLASS1 /OOD NAK$ 9 ! />K IMMORTAL RO> ( EV]Y?+4 ,HE !RE & !N RESOLV$ HE %\LD NOT PASS ! ,V]NALLS' R>EFI$ AW>5ESS TO HIS DAU<T] 9 ! WAY ?AT !IR [N DAD HAD H&$ IT TO HIM & ,?URSA ONCE4 ,! ALMO/-BORN *ILD HAD SOME TWO DECADES ( HAPP9ESS & C>EFREE BEAUTY BE=E LIFE W\LD />T TO LOAD H] ) ITS BURD5S4 ,HE W\LD LET H] HAVE ! GOOD YE>S ?AT W]E DUE TO H] )\T ! =E-CA/ %AD[ ( !IR ULTIMATE RESULT4 ,?\< HIS CONDITION CAME ) LIMITATIONS & CON/RA9TS SO ?AT HE C\LD NOT *ANGE :AT WAS 9 /ORE = EI!R ( !M1 HE AT LEA/ C\LD GIVE HIS FIR/-BORN ?IS1 ! BLESS$ BALM ( IGNORANCE4 

,HE N[ ALL[$ HIS [N UNFL9*+ FOCUS TO RELAX1 LOOS5+ HIS GRIP ON ! LAPELS ( TIME SO ?AT ! 9/ANT MI<T MOVE ON1 ! HORSE CONCLUDE ITS PISS1 ! BOYS CONT9UE ) !IR HOPSCOT*4 ,ALL ! FROZ5 CLAMOR ( ! 9/ANT WAS N[ ( A SUDD5 ?AW$ SO ?AT ! VULG> BAWL ( ,LAMBE? ,WALK ACCEL]AT$ FROM ITS DRON+ TORPOR MU* LIKE A WAX CYL9D] RECORD+ ?AT HAS SL[$ & /OPP$ !N BE5 REW\ND1 ITS D9 SPIRAL+ DRUNK5LY BACK TO ITS USUAL TUMULT & CRESC5DO4 

0444 %60 ! MIDWIFE CRI$4 0,PU% H>D6 ,IT'S COM+ N[60 

,L\ISA'S F9AL WAIL CLIMB$ TO A JAGG$ P9NACLE !N SWOON$ EXHAU/$ 9TO ITS RELIEV$ FALL4 ,SLIPP]Y & SILV] AS A FI%1 ! BABY GIRL WAS EF=TLESSLY P\R$ 9TO ! WORLD1 ! MAKE%IFT MIDWIFE'S >MS1 ! WAIT+ T[ELS & BLANKETS4 ,A W>M MURMUR ( APPRECIATION MOV$ ACROSS ! BY/&]S LIKE RIPPL+ BREEZE ON A /ILL RES]VOIR1 & !N HIS *ILD ANN\NC$ H] [N >RIVAL ) A RIS+1 HICC\<+ LAM5T4 ,L\ISA WEPT 9 SYMPA?Y & ASK$ ! WOMAN KNEEL+ BY H] WAS IT ALL RI<T1 WAS IT NORMAL1 REASSUR$ 9 S(T TONES ?AT IT WAS A LOVELY LITTLE GIRL1 ?AT %E HAD ALL H] F+]S & H] TOES4 ,! SUN P>T$ ITS CURTA9 CL\D-BANK & WAS ON HIS NECK N[1 SOME DEGREES BEH9D HIM1 ) A WIDE /RIPE ( COOL %AD[ ?R[N D[N ON ! SLABS ( ,LAMBE? ,WALK BEL[1 A FLATT5$ TRIANGLE ) ! BLACK CUT\T %APE ( A P]SPECTIVE-/UNT$ ,SN[Y ,V]NALL AT ITS APEX4 ,CASUALLY1 AS IF ! ACTION W]E NOT TIM$ TO ITS LA/ FRACTION ( A SECOND1 ,SN[Y REA*$ 9TO BO? WEI<T$1 HANG+ POCKETS ( HIS JACKET & TOOK \T ! HEAVY CUT-GLASS DOORKNOBS1 ONE HELD BY A *ILL BRASS /ALK 9 EI!R FI/4 

,HE RAIS$ HIS >MS ON EA* SIDE1 9 ! WAY HIS DAD HAD TOLD HIM ?AT ! ANGELS DID :5 !Y WI%$ TO AFFIRM OR ELSE REJOICE1 A MOTION LIKE A PIGEON LIFT+ UP ITS W+S TO TAKE (F ON ! D[NBEAT4 ,SUNBEAMS PLUMMET$ FROM OV]HEAD & W]E CUT 9TO RIBBONS ON ! $GES ( ! CRY/AL GLOBES4 ,%AV+S ( V>ICOLOR$ BRILLIANCE1 RAYS SLIC$ ?9 5\< TO SEE !IR T9SEL /RATA1 BLUE & BLOOD & EM]ALD1 FELL 9 PA9T-BOX DRIPS ON ,LAMBE? ,WALK1 FEA!RS ( DYE-DIPP$ LI<T ?AT TREMBL$ ON ITS CURBS & COBBLES1 BRI<TE/ 9 ! B& ( %ADE N[ COV]+ HIS WIFE & *ILD4 ,PASS+ ! WIP$ & SWADDL$ NEWBORN TO H] ANXI\S MO!R1 ! /ILL-CR\*+ WOMAN :O'D ASSI/$ ) ! BIR? FR[N$ ) BEWILD]M5T AT ONE SU* IRIDESC5T JAGU>-BLOT* ?AT WAS !N GLID+ D[N OV] ! BABY'S WRAPP+S & ACROSS ! MIDWIFE'S DA9TY F+]S4 ,/A9$ ) JEWEL %E TIPP$ H] HEAD BACK1 PE]+ TO ID5TIFY ! S\RCE ( ! PH5OM5ON & GASP+ ) AMAZEM5T ONCE %E HAD1 :]EON ,L\ISA & ?OSE GA!R$ R\ND ! BIR?-SLABS FOLL[$ H] EXAMPLE1 TURN+ UP !IR FACES 9 ! PEACOCK RA94 

,JOHN ,V]NALL1 MAD ,JOHN ,V]NALL WAS A FACELESS SILH\ETTE /OOD ON ! RO(-RIDGE ) ! SUN BEH9D HIS HEAD & :ITE HAIR LIKE ,/4 ,ELMO'S ,FIRE OR PHOSPHORUS1 HIS >MS FLUNG UP TO HEAV51 A GAUNT /ORM-BIRD COME AFT] ! FLOOD ) RA9B[S %R$D$ 9 ITS LIFT$ CLAWS1 RADIANT /REAM]S LEAK+ FROM ! CRACKS BETWE5 CL5*$ FIREBALL TALONS4 ,SPECTRA SPLA%$ OV] ! SIL5C$ ?RONG 9 LUM9\S & VIVID MO?-W+S1 %$ & YET /ILL FLUTT]+ ON DRA9PIPES1 DOOR/EPS1 PEOPLE'S *EEKS & DROOP+ *9S4 ,! FRE%-DELIV]$ *ILD /OPP$ CRY+1 SQU9T+ MY/IFI$ UP 9TO H] FIR/ GLIMPSE ( BE+1 & HIS WIFE1 RELEAS$ FROM H] ORDEAL & GIDDY ) REPRIEVE1 BEGAN TO LAU<4 ,O!RS AMONG ! GA!R$ CR[D JO9$ 91 ONE MAN EV5 BEG9N+ TO APPLAUD BUT TRAIL+ (F EMB>RASS$ & ALONE 9TO ! G5]AL HIL>ITY4 

,AT L5G? HE LET HIS >MS S9K TO HIS SIDES1 RETURN+ ! GLASS DOORKNOBS TO HIS JACKET POCKETS4 ,FROM ! /REET BEL[ HE HE>D ,L\ISA TELL HIM TO /OP BUGG]+ AB\T1 TO COME & SEE !IR DAU<T]4 ,FI%+ FROM BEH9D ONE JUTT+ E> A /UB ( YELL[$ *ALK SECRET$ !RE1 HE TURN$ HIS BACK UPON ! RO(TOP'S $GE & TOOK ?REE C>EFUL /EPS ALONG ITS RIDGE T[>DS ! TALL BRICK *IMNEY BREA/ ?AT N[ LOOM$ UP BE=E HIM4 ,9 A G5]\S & LOOP+ H& HE SCRIBBL$ 0,SN[Y ,V]NALL SPR+S ET]NAL0 ON ! BRICKWORK1 /&+ BACK A MOM5T TO ADMIRE HIS WORK4 ,IT W\LD NOT BE WA%$ (F BY ! NEXT RA91 :I* W\LD COME FROM ! EA/1 BUT BY ! %[] IMM$IATELY !REAFT]4 

,SN[Y SI<$1 & SMIL$1 & %OOK HIS HEAD1 & !N W5T D[N TO FACE ! 5DLESS MUSIC4 

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

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

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