,BOOK #b1 ,*APT] #a 
,=BIDD5 ,WORLDS 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

,=,B,I,D,D,5 ,W,O,R,L,D,S 

,9 ,BILL'S EXP]I5CE1 BE+ BO? 9TELLIG5T & WORK+ CLASS WAS USUALLY A RECIPE = TR\BLE4 ,9 ! L[] ORD]S - LACK+ ACADEMIC ASPIRATIONS - G5U9E 9TELLIG5CE MO/ (T5 MANIFE/$ ITSELF AS A K9D ( CUNN+1 & IF ,BILL WAS HONE/ ) HIMSELF HE'D ALWAYS BE5 TOO CUNN+ = HIS [N GOOD4 ,JU/ LOOK AT ! FRANKLY AWFUL CURR5T CIRCUM/ANCE ?AT HIS LATE/ S*EME HAD L$ TO1 C[]+ BEH9D ! PORTLY %ADE ( ,TOM ,HALL :ILE A GANG ( NI<TM>I% & DRUNK5 SPECT]S TORTUR$ A BALD1 WEEP+ MAN :O SEEM$ TO BE MADE \T ( WOOD4 ,H>DLY AN IDEAL \TCOME1 EV5 = A S]IAL OPTIMI/ LIKE ,BILL :O G5]ALLY TRI$ TO MAKE ! BE/ ( ?+S4 

,HE C\LD REMEMB] ! FIR/ 9TIMATIONS ?AT HAD L$ TO HIS DISA/R\S PLAN4 ,?AT HAD BE5 QUITE A :ILE AGO1 JU/ AFT] !Y'D ESCAP$ ! <O/-/ORM BY ASC5D+ TO ! ISOLAT$ CORN]-H\SE ON ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET1 SOMETIME DUR+ NO?+-FIVE OR NO?+-SIX4 ,ON ?AT OCCASION1 UPSET TO DISCOV] ?AT HIS T]RAC$ /REET HAD BE5 LONG S9CE DEMOLI%$1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 HAD RUN (F 9TO ! HAUNT$ NI<T & IT HAD BE5 ,REGGIE & ,BILL :O'D F\ND HIM1 SITT+ ON ! C5TRAL /EPS ( ,BA? ,/REET FLATS & :+E+ AB\T H[ HE MISS$ HIS SI/] & ! COMICS ?AT %E US$ TO READ4 ,=BIDD5 ,WORLDS1 ?AT HAD BE5 ! SPECIFIC TITLE ?AT ! LITTLE BOY HAD M5TION$1 :I* HAD S\ND$ VAGUE AL>M BELLS 9 ! CL\DY REA*ES ( ,BILL'S LESS-?AN-P]FECT MEMORY4 

,IT HADN'T BE5 UNTIL ! GANG'S 5C\NT] ) ,PHIL ,DODDRIDGE1 ?\<1 :5 ! GREAT MAN HAD CASUALLY LET SLIP ! ,*RI/IAN NAME ( ,MI*AEL ,W>R5'S SI/]1 ?AT ,BILL HAD F\ND ALL ! PUZZLE-PIECES />T+ TO SLIDE NEATLY 9TO PLACE4 ,! COMIC-READ+ SI/]'S NAME WAS ,ALMA1 ,ALMA ,W>R54 ,WELL1 ( C\RSE4 ,) ORIG9S D[N 9 ! ,BOR\<S & ) AN 5?USIASM = WEIRD FANTASY & HORROR /ORIES FROM AN E>LY AGE1 :O ELSE C\LD IT HAVE BE58 ,BILL HAD KN[N ,ALMA :ILE HE'D BE5 ALIVE1 KN[N H] QUITE WELL4 ,C]TA9LY WELL 5\< TO BE AW>E ?AT :AT ! MOD]ATELY-FAM\S >TI/ ?\<T ( AS H] MO/ IMPORTANT WORK WAS AN >RE/+ & 9SCRUTABLE S]IES ( PA9T+S :I* %E CLAIM$ W]E BAS$ UPON A VISION>Y NE>-DEA? EXP]I5CE REPORT$ TO H] BY H] Y\NG] BRO!R4 ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 CLE>LY1 WAS ! BRO!R ?AT %E'D BE5 REF]R+ TO1 :ILE ALL ! LITTLE BOY'S EXCURSIONS ) ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG1 PRESUMABLY1 MU/ BE ! VISION>Y NE>-DEA? EXP]I5CE ?AT HE AT SOME PO9T HAD RELAT$ TO H]4 ,BILL1 IF HIS LEGS HAD BE5 SLI<TLY LONG] 9 HIS CURR5T *ILD-=M1 C\LD HAVE KICK$ HIMSELF = HAV+ FAIL$ TO MAKE ! OBVI\S CONNECTION BETWE5 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 & ! ,ALMA ,W>R5 ?AT HE'D BE5 FAMILI> ) 9 LIFE4 

,( C\RSE1 ONCE ,BILL HAD WORK$ \T :AT WAS GO+ ON HE'D TALK$ IT ?R\< ) ,PHYLL1 ! ONLY O!R MEMB] ( ! GANG :O'D HAVE ! FIR/ IDEA :AT HE WAS ON AB\T4 ,PHYLL HAD KN[N ,ALMA TOO1 ALBEIT NOT AS WELL AS ,BILL HAD4 ,HIM & ,PHYLLIS HAD AGRE$ BETWE5 !M ?AT ?IS PIECE ( 9=MATION PRETTY MU* *ANG$ EV]Y?+4 ,= ONE ?+1 !Y'D ALREADY LE>N$ ?AT ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 WAS A ,V]NALL ON HIS FA!R'S SIDE1 ONE ( ?AT ODD1 T9K]-LIKE BRE$ :O1 9 ,MANS\L1 W]E TRU/$ ) ! MA9T5ANCE ( B\ND>IES & CORN]S4 ,& IF ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 WAS A ,V]NALL1 !N SO WAS HIS SI/]1 ,ALMA4 ,?IS BR\<T O!R FACTORS 9TO ! EQUATION1 MANY ( !M MU* MORE L>GE & OM9\S ?AN EV5 ,ALMA H]SELF HAD BE51 AS ,PHYLLIS & ,BILL REMEMB]$ H]4 

,MO/ WORRY+LY1 !RE WAS ALL ?IS /UFF AB\T ! ,V]NALL'S ,9QUE/ TO CONSID]4 ,AS F> AS ,BILL UND]/OOD IT1 0,V]NALL'S ,9QUE/0 WAS A T]M - LIKE 0,POR?IMO? DI ,NORHAN0 & EXPRESSIONS SU* AS 0DEA?MONG]0 - ?AT WAS HI/ORICALLY UNKN[N \TSIDE ! ,BOR\<S ( ,NOR?AMPTON4 ,BILL ?\<T ?IS WAS PROBABLY BECAUSE ! PHRASES ALL ORIG9AT$ ,UP/AIRS 9 ,MANS\L1 ! ,SECOND ,BOR\<1 & HAD SOMEH[ FILT]$ D[N TO 5T] USAGE 9 ! L[] T]RITORY1 ! ,FIR/ ,BOR\<1 ?IS SPECIFIC MORTAL DI/RICT ?AT APPE>$ TO BE ( SU* IMPORTANCE TO ! HI<] S*EME ( ?+S4 ,! C5T] ( ! L&1 APP>5TLY1 :]E ANGLES HAD 9/RUCT$ ?AT EI<?-C5TURY MONK TO PUT D[N HIS /ONE CROSS FROM F>AWAY ,J]USALEM1 RI<T OPPOSITE ! BILLI>D HALL4 ,! RUMOR CIRCULAT+ AMONG WELL-9=M$ <O/S & DEP>T$ S\LS WAS ?AT ! TOP MAN1 ! ,?IRD ,BOR\< 7:I* TITLE OR (FICE WAS ITSELF F\ND NO:]E SAVE ,NOR?AMPTON7 HAD SOME?+ IMPORTANT PLANN$ = ?IS UNPREPOSSESS+ NEI<BORHOOD4 

,! FRI5DLI] & MORE COMMUNICATIVE BUILD]S EV5 HAD A NAME & T>GET DATE = ! COMPLETION ( ?IS SEEM+LY MOM5T\S PROJECT1 ?IS EV5T3 IT W\LD BE CALL$ ! ,POR?IMO? DI ,NORHAN1 A TRIBUNAL AT :I* B\ND>IES & LIMITS W\LD BE F9ALLY DECID$1 :]E A JUDGM5T W\LD BE H&$ D[N ONCE & = ALL1 & ?IS W\LD ALL TAKE PLACE DUR+ ! E>LY YE>S ( ! TW5TY-FIR/ C5TURY4 ,BILL HAD NO CLE> IDEA ( :AT ?AT MEANT1 ( C\RSE1 IT WAS JU/ GOSSIP ?AT HE'D HE>D4 ,GIV5 ?AT ! DECISION W\LD BE MADE UPON ! HI<E/ LEVEL1 SOME:]E ABOVE LIFE & TIME1 ,BILL ?\<T IT LIKELY ?AT ! B\ND>IES & LIMITS UND] SCRUT9Y W\LD BE ACCORD+LY SIGNIFICANT1 RA!R ?AN H$GE DISPUTES BR\<T UP BY FEUD+ NEI<BORS4 ,:O C\LD SAY8 ,P]HAPS ! BORD]S 9 BETWE5 DIM5SIONS W]E AB\T TO BE REVIS$4 ,P]HAPS ! B\ND>Y L9E ( DEA? W\LD BE R$RAWN4 ,SOME?+ ( ?AT SCALE1 ANYWAY1 :I* S\ND$ DISCONC]T+LY LIKE SOME V>IETY ( JUDGM5T DAY TO ,BILL4 ,?AT WAS ! ,POR?IMO? DI ,NORHAN4 ,BE=E ANY JUDGM5T C\LD BE MADE1 H[EV]1 !RE MU/ FIR/ TAKE PLACE A FULL & RIGOR\S 9QUIRY1 ALSO 9/IGAT$ BY ,MANS\L'S MY/]I\S MANAGEM5T1 & ?IS PRELIM9>Y 9VE/IGATION WAS KN[N AS A ,V]NALL'S ,9QUE/4 

,N[1 ACCORD+ TO ! WORD ON HEAV5'S /REETS1 ! ,POR?IMO? DI ,NORHAN W\LD BE HELD DUR+ ! FIR/ DECADES ( ! TW5TY-FIR/ C5TURY1 BE=E HALF TIME1 & ) ! NECESS>Y ,V]NALL'S ,9QUE/ TAK+ PLACE SOMETIME BE=E ?AT1 ,BILL PRESUM$1 P]HAPS DUR+ ! C5TURY'S FIR/ T5 OR FIFTE5 YE>S4 

,HE C\LD REMEMB] SEE+ ,ALMA'S PA9T+S1 A GOOD :ILE BE=E HE'D POPP$ HIS CLOGS FROM ! EFFECTS ( HEPATITIS ,C1 & C\LD REMEMB] ! IMPRESSION1 ALBEIT FLEET+1 ?AT !Y'D MADE UPON HIM4 ,?OSE A/ONI%+ SURREALI/ L&SCAPES POPULAT$ BY PECULI> 5TITIES & FULL ( DAZZL+ COLOR2 ! S(T *>COAL /UDIES ( ! ,BOR\<S' /REETS & ALLEYS1 TRODD5 BY GRAY FIGURES ?AT LEFT FAD+ AFT]-IMAGES BEH9D !M - NOT UNTIL ,BILL HAD PASS$ ON HIMSELF DID HE FULLY APPRECIATE H[ CLOSELY ,ALMA'S PICTURES HAD RESEMBL$ ! REALITIES ( ,MANS\L OR ! <O/-SEAM4 ,HE RECALL$ H] TELL+ HIM ( H[ %E'D BE5 9SPIR$ BY SOME?+ ?AT H] BRO!R ,MI*AEL HAD RELAT$ TO H]1 H[ AFT] SOME ACCID5T AT WORK HE'D F\ND ?AT HE WAS ABLE TO REMEMB] DETAILS FROM AN E>LI] 9CID5T1 ! A=ESAID NE>-DEA? EXP]I5CE 9 9FANCY4 ,! ACCID5T HAD HAPP5$1 IF ,BILL'S RECOLLECTION WAS CORRECT1 DUR+ ! SPR+ ( #b#e4 ,ALMA HAD SOMEH[ MANAG$ TO GET ALL ! WORK COMPLET$ 9 A S+LE YE>1 & ,BILL HAD FIR/ SE5 ! HALLUC9ATORY RESULT 9 #b#f4 ,?IS DATE WAS WELL )9 ! P]IOD ALLOTT$ = ! ,9QUE/1 = ! VITAL PREAMBLE TO ! =?COM+ ,POR?IMO? DI ,NORHAN1 & AS !Y'D ALL REC5TLY DISCOV]$1 ,ALMA ,W>R5 WAS A ,V]NALL4 

,IF - & ,BILL WAS SPECULAT+ - ,ALMA'S PA9T+S W]E 9 ANY WAY ESS5TIAL TO ! ,V]NALL'S ,9QUE/1 & IF !Y HAD BE5 9SPIR$ BY ! ADV5TURES ( H] Y\NG] BRO!R DUR+ HIS BRIEF VISIT TO ! AFT]LIFE1 !N ?AT W\LD EXPLA9 EV]Y?+4 ,IT W\LD EXPLA9 :Y ! TWO ,MA/] ,BUILD]S HAD CONSID]$ ONE *ILD'S LIFE OR DEA? SUFFICI5TLY IMPORTANT TO PROVOKE A PUBLIC BRAWL UP ON ! ,MAYORHOLD4 ,IT MI<T EV5 EXPLA9 :Y ?AT DEMON :O'D ABDUCT$ ! POOR KID HAD TAK5 SU* AN 9T]E/ 9 HIM4 ,IT WAS AN ILLUM9AT+ NOTION ?AT CLE>$ UP A LOT ( ?+S1 AL?\< AS F> AS ,BILL C\LD SEE IT LEFT HIM & ! RE/ ( ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG SQU>ELY 9 ! %IT4 

,! WOR/ ?+1 NATURALLY1 WAS ! RESPONSIBILITY4 ,RESPONSIBILITY1 :ILE ,BILL HAD NEV] %UNN$ IT1 WASN'T SOME?+ ?AT HE'D EV] ACTIVELY S\<T \T4 ,:5 ,PHILIP ,DODDRIDGE & ?AT QUIETLY SC>Y & =MIDABLE DEA?MONG]1 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS1 HAD TOLD !M ?AT ,MANS\L'S AU?ORITIES W]E LEAV+ ! :OLE ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 BUS9ESS UP TO !M1 ,BILL'S L>GELY METAPHORICAL BLOOD HAD RUN COLD4 ,IT S\ND$1 ON ! FACE ( IT1 LIKE ADULTS TAK+ AN 9DULG5T & RELAX$ VIEW 9 REG>D TO ! 9CONSEQU5TIAL GAMES ( *ILDR51 BUT ?AT WASN'T IT1 ,BILL KNEW4 ,?AT WASN'T :AT WAS GO+ ON4 ,! ,REV]5D ,DR4 ,DODDRIDGE & ! DEA?MONG] W]5'T REALLY ADULTS1 = A />T-(F1 ANYMORE ?AN ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG W]E REAL *ILDR54 ,!Y W]E ALL JU/ AGELESS1 TIMELESS S\LS SUSP5D$ 9 ! PYROTE*NIC L+] ( ,ET]NITY1 ALL DRESS+ !MSELVES 9 ! =MS & P]SONALITIES ?AT !Y ?\<T !Y LOOK$ BE/ 94 ,& ! DOCTOR ( DIV9ITY'S 9/RUCTIONS TO ! GANG AM\NT$ TO SOME?+ A LOT MORE S]I\S ?AN 0RUN ALONG & PLAY40 

,IF ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 WAS AS CRUCIAL TO ! P5D+ ,V]NALL'S ,9QUE/ & ! ,POR?IMO? DI ,NORHAN ?AT W\LD FOLL[ IT AS ,BILL WAS />T+ TO BELIEVE HE WAS1 !N ! SUCCESS OR O!RWISE ( A DIV9E PLAN HAD BE5 LEFT TO AN UNRULY MOB ( PHANTOM RUFFIANS4 ,IT WAS ,MISSION3 ,IMPOSSIBLE OV] AGA91 ONLY )\T ! H&Y GET-\T CLAUSE ( 0,Y\R MISSION1 %\LD Y\ *OOSE TO ACCEPT IT 44404 ,! GANG DIDN'T REALLY HAVE A *OICE AB\T ACCEPT+ IT1 CONSID]+ ! S\RCE ! ORD]S CAME FROM4 ,BILL HOP$1 NOT )\T A S5SE ( IRONY1 ?AT ! ,?IRD ,BOR\< KNEW :AT HE OR %E OR IT WAS DO+1 AL?\< GIV5 ,BILL'S LIFELONG MI/RU/ ( MANAGEM5T1 HE FRANKLY RA!R D\BT$ IT4 ,! C5TRAL FLAW 9 ! PROPOSAL1 AS ,BILL SAW IT1 WAS ?AT !Y'D BE5 MORE OR LESS 9/RUCT$ TO MAKE SURE ?AT ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 WAS RETURN$ TO LIFE ) AT LEA/ SOME RECALL ( :]E HE'D BE51 SO ?AT HE C\LD 9SPIRE HIS SI/]'S APP>5TLY NECESS>Y PA9T+S4 ,& YET ALL ! REGULATIONS ( ,MANS\L1 :I* W]E LIKE LAWS ( PHYSICS & C\LD NOT BE BROK51 /AT$ ?AT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO RETA9 MEMORY ( Y\R EXPLOITS 9 ! HI<] WORLD ONCE Y\'D RETURN$ 9TO Y\R LIFE AGA94 ,O!RWISE EV]YBODY W\LD REMEMB] FROM ! MOM5T ( !IR BIR? ?AT ?IS HAD ALL OCCURR$ A BILLION TIMES BE=E4 ,S9CE ?IS WAS NOT :AT EV]YBODY HAD EXP]I5C$ DUR+ !IR [N NATIVITY1 !N = !M SUDD5LY TO REALIZE IT W\LD BE TO *ANGE :AT HAD HAPP5$1 :AT WAS HAPP5+1 :AT W\LD =EV] HAPP54 ,IT W\LD ALT] TIME1 TIME AS A PHYSICAL DIM5SION1 TIME AS A SOLID COMPON5T ( A SOLID & *ANGELESS ET]NITY4 ,Y\ SIMPLY C\LDN'T DO IT4 ,EV5 ! ,?IRD ,BOR\< C\LDN'T DO IT1 & AS A RESULT :AT HAPP5$ 9 ,MANS\L /AY$ 9 ,MANS\L4 

,?IS WAS ! PROBLEM HIM & ,PHYLLIS HAD BE5 WRE/L+ ) = A GOOD DEAL ( !IR LONG WALK ALONG ! ,ULTRADUCT TO ! COLLAPS$ & M]G$ ASYLUMS4 ,!Y'D DEBAT$ H[ TO GO AB\T RETURN+ ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 TO ! MORTAL WORLD )\T HIM JU/ =GETT+ EV]Y?+1 !IR S5SE ( HOPELESSNESS ONLY ALLAY$ BY ! ASSURANCE ( EV5TUAL SUCCESS ?AT !IR [N MEMORIES ALL[$ !M4 ,AFT] ALL1 !Y'D BO? SE5 ,ALMA'S F9I%$ PA9T+S DUR+ !IR [N MORTAL LIFETIMES1 :I* IMPLI$ ?AT !Y W]E GO+ TO F9D SOME WAY TO SORT ?IS MESS \T1 SO ?AT ,ALMA'S PICTURES C\LD REFLECT H] BRO!R'S VISION ( ?IS COMICAL & FRI<T5+ BE=E-&-AFT]LIFE4 

,! PROBLEM WAS1 ,BILL HADN'T REALLY PAID ?AT MU* ATT5TION TO ! >TWORKS :5 HE'D SE5 !M1 & C\LD NOT REMEMB] H[ SPECIFIC !Y'D BE5 9 DEPICT+ ,UP/AIRS OR ! <O/-SEAM4 ,HE RECALL$ A WALL-SIZ$ BO>D ( TILES ?AT LOOK$ AS IF IT HAD BE5 SWIP$ FROM ,M4,C4 ,ES*]1 & ANO!R T]RIFY+ L>GE PIECE ?AT HAD BE5 LIKE LOOK+ D[N 9TO A MILE-WIDE G>BAGE GR9D] ?AT WAS 9 ! PROCESS ( DEV\R+ EV]Y?+ NOBLE OR DE> 9 HUMAN HI/ORY4 ,!RE HAD BE5 ALL ! *>COAL DRAW+S ) !IR D\BLE-EXPOS$ FIGURES REM9ISC5T ( ! HALF-WORLD'S DESOLATE R\< SLEEP]S1 & ?OSE JEWEL$ ACRYLIC /UDIES ( IMM5SE 9T]IORS ?AT MAY HAVE REPRES5T$ ,MANS\L1 AL?\< ,BILL C\LDN'T REMEMB] ANY?+ CONCLUSIVE4 ,! PIECE ?AT ,PHYLLIS & ,BILL HAD F\ND ! MO/ IMPRESSIVE HAD BE5 ?AT SCAL$ D[N PAPI]-MA*E MODEL ( ! ,BURR\<S1 :I* HAD NOT HAD ANY OBVI\SLY SUP]NATURAL ELEM5TS & :I* HAD NOT EV5TUALLY BE5 9CLUD$ 9 ! F9AL ,LONDON EXHIBITION ( H] WORK ?AT ,ALMA HAD PUT ON4 ,UNSETTL+LY1 IT HAD OCCURR$ TO ,BILL ?AT JU/ BECAUSE ,ALMA HAD DONE SOME PICTURES ( AN AFT]LIFE1 IT DIDN'T MEAN !Y W]E ! RI<T ONES4 ,:AT IF ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG DIDN'T MANAGE TO RETURN ,MI*AEL TO LIFE ) 5\< MEMORY ( HIS VISION TO MAKE ,ALMA'S PA9T+S MEAN+FUL1 MAKE !M SUFFICI5T TO ! TASK REQUIR$ ( !M8 ,:AT IF ! ,V]NALL'S ,9QUE/ WAS A FAILURE1 & ! ,POR?IMO? DI ,NORHAN C\LD NOT !N BE HELD8 ,IT /RUCK ,BILL ?AT ?IS CURR5T CAP]1 F> FROM BE+ ! GANG'S GREATE/ TRIUMPH1 C\LD TURN \T TO BE A DAMN+ FAILURE ?AT W\LD REV]B]ATE UN5D+LY ?R\<\T ! LONG /REETS ( =EV]4 ,HIM & ,PHYLLIS W]E /ILL *EW+ ALL ?IS OV] :5 !Y'D F9ALLY REA*$ ! ASYLUMS & !IR CONF]5CE HAD BE5 9T]RUPT$ BY ANO!R ,REGGIE ,B[L] & ANO!R ,BILL1 BEWILD]+ 9VAD]S FROM ! FUTURE1 HAV+ ALL ! MAD-APPLES AWAY WRAPP$ 9 A FASCI/ BANN]4 

,HE'D GOT NO IDEA :AT ALL ?AT WAS AB\T4 ,IT MU/ BE SOME?+ HIM & ,REG W]E GO+ TO DO AT SOME PO9T1 BUT ) ALL ! O!R PROBLEMS HE WAS WRE/L+ ) HE HADN'T REALLY HAD ! TIME OR 9CL9ATION TO CONSID] IT4 ,! ?+ ) ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 ?AT WAS ! MA9 BUS9ESS1 & S9CE ,PHYLL HAD GONE ALL HUFFY ) HIM AFT] ! APPE>ANCE ( HIS ?IEV+ FUTURE SELF HE'D HAD TO ?9K IT ALL ?R\< ON HIS [N4 ,! BE/ ?AT HE'D BE5 ABLE TO COME UP ) WAS ?AT !Y'D BE BETT] (F 9 NO?+-FIVE OR NO?+-SIX1 UP CLOS] TO ! TIME :5 !SE EV5TS W]E MEANT TO COME AB\T1 SO ?AT !Y'D HAVE A BETT] S5SE ( :AT WAS GO+ ON4 ,HE'D M5TION$ ?IS TO ,PHYLLIS ON !IR WAY BACK FROM ! MADH\SES1 ONCE %E'D RECOV]$ FROM H] /ROP & HAD DECID$ ?AT %E WAS /ILL SPEAK+ TO HIM1 & %E'D GRUDG+LY AGRE$ ?AT IT WAS PROBABLY A GOOD IDEA4 ,%E HADN'T GOT A BETT] ONE1 ?AT MU* WAS OBVI\S4 ,9 FACT1 ,PHYLLIS HAD SEEM$ A BIT DI/RACT$ & UPSET AFT] H]1 ,MI*AEL1 ,M>JORIE & ,JOHN HAD RE-JO9$ ,BILL & ,REGGIE UP AT ! ASYLUMS4 ,BILL WASN'T C]TA9 :AT HAD HAPP5$ 9 ! HALF-AN-H\R OR SO ?AT !Y'D BE5 SEP>AT$1 AL?\< IT HAD LOOK$ TO HIM LIKE ,PHYLLIS N[ HAD WORSE ?+S ON H] M9D ?AN HIS & ,REGGIE'S FUTURE !FT ( A FEW MAD-APPLES4 

,! SIX ( !M HAD WALK$ ALONG ! ,ULTRADUCT1 /UFF+ !MSELVES ) ,PUCK'S ,HATS & ATTEMPT+ TO S+ ,PHYLLIS'S 0,WE >E ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG0 SONG ?R\< A M\?FUL ( *EW$ FAIRIES1 SPRAY+ BITS ( W+ OR FACE OR F+] :5 !Y LAU<$4 ,!IR R[DY AFT]-IMAGES PURSU$ EA* ( !M LIKE A *E]I]1 P$IATRIC V]SION ( ,! ,DANCE ( ,DEA?1 ! JIGG+ FIGURES /REAM+ BACK ALONG ! ALABA/] BO>DWALK 9 !IR WAKES4 

,ABOVE !M1 SUNSETS BORR[$ FROM T5 ?\S& YE>S ( DAYS & NI<TS COMPET$ = ATT5TION 9 ! %IFT+1 MELT+ HEAV5S4 ,BILL HAD M>*$ & SUNG ALONG ) ALL ! O!RS1 HAD ALL[$ ! /IMULAT+ & 9VIGORAT+ TONIC ( ! ,B$LAM ,J5NIES TO SPREAD ?R\< HIS <O/LY SY/EM1 HOPEFULLY 9SPIR+ HIM ) SOME SOLUTION TO HIS BAFFL+ PR$ICAM5T4 ,AS ! FAMILI> DREAMY & CREATIVE GLIMM] ( ! META-FUNGI GRADUALLY 5WRAPP$ HIS ?\<TS1 ,BILL HAD GAZ$ D[N ACROSS ! BLAZ+ CAUSEWAY'S H&RAIL AT ! BUBBL+ SUBURBAN TREES & H\SES !Y W]E !N PASS+ ABOVE1 ! CR(TS & COTTAGES & ,B>RATT ,HOMES CON/RUCT+ !MSELVES \T ( DU/ & !N AS QUICKLY DISASSEMBL+ !MSELVES BACK D[N TO ?AT SAME SUB/ANCE4 ,D\BT+ ?AT HIS CUNN+ W\LD BE ADEQUATE TO ! HUGE METAPHYSICAL CONUNDRUM FAC+ HIM1 ,BILL HAD REVIEW$ ! ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 MATT] 9W>DLY1 TURN+ IT OV] 9 HIS M9D :ILE HE & HIS COMPANIONS HEAD$ BACK ALONG ! GL[+ OV]PASS TO ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*4 

,AS HE'D RECALL$1 IT WAS ?IS ACCID5T AT WORK SOMETIME 9 #be ?AT HAD RE/OR$ ! ADULT ,MI*AEL'S MEMORY ( :AT HAD HAPP5$ FOLL[+ ! *OK+ 9CID5T :5 HE'D BE5 ?REE OR SO4 ,BILL C\LD REMEMB] ,ALMA TELL+ HIM1 ) SN>L+ 9DIGNATION1 H[ H] BRO!R HAD BE5 AT WORK RECONDITION+ /EEL DRUMS 9 ,M>T9'S ,Y>D1 P\ND+ !M FLAT ) A SL$GEHAMM] AS HE WAS EMPLOY$ TO DO4 ,APP>5TLY1 ,MI*AEL HAD FLATT5$ AN UNLABEL$ DRUM ?AT HAD TURN$ \T TO HOLD CORROSIVE *EMICALS4 ,!SE HAD EXPLOD$ \T 9TO HIS FACE1 BURN+ & BL9D+ HIM1 ?US CAUS+ ,MI*AEL TO RUN 9TO A CONV5I5TLY-PLAC$ /EEL B>1 KNOCK+ HIMSELF UNCONSCI\S 9 ! PROCESS4 ,IT WAS :5 HE'D WOK5 UP FROM ?AT1 ,ALMA HAD TOLD ,BILL1 ?AT H] BRO!R HAD BE5 SUDD5LY BESET BY MEMORIES ( ?OSE FEW *ILDHOOD M9UTES :5 HE'D BE5 TE*NICALLY DEAD4 

,IT HAD OCCURR$ TO ,BILL1 /ROLL+ ALONG ! ,ULTRADUCT :ILE MUN*+ UPON A P>TICUL>LY FLAVORFUL & FRAGRANT ,PUCK'S ,HAT1 ?AT IF ?AT WAS :AT HE C\LD REMEMB] ,ALMA TELL+ HIM1 !N ?AT WAS ALMO/ C]TA9LY :AT HAPP5$4 ,IT HAD HAPP5$1 !RE=E IT W\LD HAPP51 WAS CON/ANTLY HAPP5+ 9 !IR F\RFOLD ET]NAL UNIV]SE :]E ,TIME WAS A DIRECTION4 ,IT W\LD HAPP51 HAD ALREADY HAPP5$1 :E!R ,BILL CAME UP ) A SOLUTION TO ! ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 MESS OR NOT4 ,:I* LET HIM NEATLY (F ! HOOK = P]HAPS ?IRTY SECONDS1 AT :I* PO9T HE'D REALIZ$ ?AT ! 0ACCID5T0 AT WORK MI<T WELL HAVE ONLY COME AB\T BECAUSE ( SOME AS YET UNDREAM$ ( CUNN+ /UNT ?AT ,BILL HIMSELF WAS GO+ TO PULL1 :I* ( C\RSE PLAC$ HIM BACK UPON ! SAME UNCOM=TABLE B>B4 ,IT HAD ALL CALL$ TO M9D ! SNAT* ( CONV]SATION ?AT !Y'D OV]HE>D BETWE5 ?AT ,AZIEL BLOKE & ,MR4 ,DODDRIDGE1 :]E ! M9I/] HAD ASK$ IF ANYONE HAD EV] REALLY HAD FREE WILL1 AL?\< ,BILL C\LDN'T HAVE EXPLA9$ EXACTLY :Y ?IS BRIEF EX*ANGE SEEM$ TO BE RELEVANT TO HIS PRES5T DILEMMA4 ,HE'D JU/ KN[N HE'D BETT] COME UP ) AN ANSW] TO ! PROBLEM & HE'D BETT] DO IT QUICK4 

,SO1 HE HAD REASON$1 IF HE ?\<T !RE WAS A *ANCE ?AT HE MI<T 9 SOME WAY 5D UP CONTRIBUT+ TO ,MI*AEL ,W>R5'S ACCID5T P]HAPS ?AT WAS ! >EA ( /RATEGY ?AT HE %\LD FOCUS ON4 ,H[ C\LD HE MANAGE SU* A ?+1 HE'D ASK$ HIMSELF8 ,WAS IT EV5 A POSSIBILITY8 ,) HIS IMAG9ATION P]K$ UP BY ! ,PUCK'S ,HATS1 HE'D WOND]$ AT FIR/ IF !RE WAS SOME WAY ?AT HE C\LD BE 9/RUM5TAL 9 POSITION+ ! IRON B> ?AT W\LD KNOCK ,MI*AEL \T1 BUT AS ) ALL ! PR(IT MAK+ S*EMES HE'D ONCE COME UP ) AFT] A FEW JO9TS1 ! OBVI\S DEAD-5DS 9 HIS BLUE SKY ?9K+ HAD SWIFTLY REVEAL$ !MSELVES4 

,=EMO/ AMONG !SE WAS ! ISSUE ( H[ ,BILL1 5CUMB]$ BY HIS <O/LY /ATE1 WAS GO+ TO MOVE AN IRON B> OR1 WORSE1 ! MORE ?AN LIKELY HEAVY ME*ANISM ?AT ! IRON B> WAS ATTA*$ TO4 ,H[ WAS HE GO+ TO DO ?AT1 :5 ! ONLY WAY ?AT PHANTOMS C\LD AFFECT ! PHYSICAL WORLD WAS BY RUNN+ !MSELVES DIZZY 9 SOME CORN] ( A C> P>K1 TRY+ TO %IFT A FUCK+ CRISP BAG8 ,EV5 !N1 IT W\LD TAKE TWO ( Y\ TO G5]ATE A T9Y DU/ /ORM4 ,Y\'D NE$ A :OLE CONT95T ( <O/S1 ALL RUNN+ 9 A CIRCLE1 BE=E Y\ C\LD %IFT AN IRON B> 444 

,IT HAD BE5 !N1 JU/ AS ! GANG W]E COM+ TO ! ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR* 5D ( ! ,ULTRADUCT ?AT ,BILL HAD FIR/ BEGUN TO =MULATE ! IDEA ?AT HAD L$ HIM TO HIS CURR5T DIFFICULTY1 CR\*+ ) A CLE>LY-DI/RAU<T ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 BEH9D ! VOLUM9\S =M ( ! LATE ,TOM ,HALL1 UP/AIRS AT ! WRAI?-PUB1 ! SPECTRAL ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S1 WAT*+ ! HORRIFIC FLOOR%[4 

,BILL HAD BE5 /RUCK SUDD5LY BY 9SPIRATION JU/ AS ,PHYLLIS CALL$ A HALT1 SOME Y>DS %ORT ( ! LITTLE DOOR HALFWAY UP ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*'S WE/]N WALL :I* M>K$ ! 5D ( ?AT /RET* ( ! ,ULTRADUCT4 ,:AT IF !RE WAS SOME OBJECT ?AT WAS MU*1 MU* LI<T] ?AN ! IRON B>1 & YET :I* MI<T HAVE JU/ AS GREAT A P>T TO PLAY 9 ,MI*AEL KNOCK+ HIMSELF \T8 ,BILL HAD BE5 ?9K+ AB\T ?IS :5 ,PHYLLIS TOLD !M ?AT IF !Y ALL JUMP$ D[N FROM ! %9+ OV]PASS AT ?IS PO9T1 !Y C\LD GO & PLAY 9 ! COLLAPS$ E>?WORKS-LAGOON !Y'D NOTIC$ E>LI]1 AS %E'D PROMIS$ ,MI*AEL4 

,! PECULI> LITTLE ACRE ( UNFOLD$ WA/EL&1 !RE BETWE5 ,*ALK ,LANE & ! BRICK WALL ?AT WAS ! B\ND>Y ( ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 HAD ALWAYS BE5 ONE ( ,BILL'S FAVORITE PLACES 9 ! <O/-SEAM4 ,LIKE ! M]G$ ASYLUMS1 ?IS R\< PAT* HAD BE5 SUBJECT$ TO A/RAL SUBSID5CE & COLLAPSE1 AL?\< UNLIKE ! SITUATION ) ! MADH\SES1 NOBODY SEEM$ TO BE SURE :Y ?IS %\LD HAVE HAPP5$4 ,AT ! 9/ITUTIONS1 AFT] ALL1 W]E LUNATICS :OSE CONFUS$ ?\<TS & DREAMS HAD L$ TO FAULTS 9 ! F\NDATIONS ( ! HI<] WORLD ABOVE4 ,H]E1 AS F> AS ANYONE KNEW1 ! >EA HAD ALWAYS BE5 A WA/EL& EXCEPT = FIVE HUNDR$ YE>S OR SO :5 IT HAD BE5 AN OBSCURE & UNPOPULAT$ \TSKIRT ( ! CA/LE GR\NDS4 ,:Y %\LD ! GAUDY FLOORBO>DS ( ,MANS\L *OOSE ?IS PO9T TO FALL 91 :5 NO?+ MU* HAD EV] HAPP5$ H]E & :]E !RE W]E NO 9MATE NI<TM>ES OR DELUSIONS UND]M9+ ! CELE/IAL T]RITORIES ?AT W]E OV]HEAD8 ,P]HAPS1 ,BILL HAD SURMIS$1 ?IS REGION WAS ! WAY IT WAS BECAUSE ( ITS PROXIMITY TO ! 5D ( ! ,ULTRADUCT1 OR POSSIBLY IT HAD JU/ FALL5 9 BECAUSE ( OLD AGE & NEGLECT1 ! WAY ?AT MO/ ?+S T5D$ TO4 

,! *ILDR5 HAD JUMP$ D[N FROM ! :ITE WALKWAY ABOVE HI/ORY1 GRAY AFT]-PICTURES 9 A RUBB]-/AMP TRAIL FOLL[+ BEH9D !M1 & HAD L&$ 9 ! ,*ALK ,LANE C> P>K ON AN EV5+ 9 ! SPR+ ( NO?+-SIX4 ,JU/ OV] ! DES]T$ LANE !Y C\LD SEE ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*1 ) ITS L[ \TL9E CR\*+ AGA9/ ! IMP5D+ DUSK & MULTI-/ORY FLATS ?AT LOOM$ >\ND IT M5AC+LY4 ,NE>LY ALL ( ! SURR\ND+ DI/RICT WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE FROM :5 ! GANG HAD SE5 IT 9 ! #a#fS1 OR EV5 ! #a#i#eS4 ,PHYLLIS1 /ILL SEEM+ A BIT DI/RACT$ BY :ATEV] %E HAD OV]HE>D OR WITNESS$ UP AT ! ASYLUMS1 %EPH]D$ ! GANG ACROSS ! HU%$ 5CLOSURE TO ITS NOR?WE/ CORN]1 :]E Y\ C\LD CLIMB UP ONTO ! PIECE ( L& ?AT ! COLLAPS$ LAGOON WAS COEXI/5T )4 ,UPON ! MORTAL PLANE1 ! /RET* ( WA/EL& HAD BE5 DESIGNAT$ AS A REMNANT ( ,NOR?AMPTON ,CA/LE1 PURELY = ! B5EFIT ( HOP$-= T\RI/S :O HAD NEV] ACTUALLY TURN$ UP1 BUT EV]YBODY LOCAL KNEW ?AT ?IS WAS PANTS4 ,LOGS HAD BE5 PLAC$ AS IF TO REPLICATE SOME VANI%$ SET ( CA/LE /EPS1 :5 ALL !RE'D EV] REALLY BE5 9 ?IS LOCATION WAS A LOT ( MUD & GRASS1 ! SAME AS !RE WAS N[4 

,! *ILDR5 CLAMB]$ UP TO ! RAIS$ GR\ND1 ) ,PHYLLIS HURRY+ !M FROM ! RE>4 ,BILL WAS ! LA/ BUT ONE TO MAKE ! CLIMB1 & HAV+ DONE SO HE TURN$ R\ND TO REA* D[N & GIVE ,PHYLLIS A H& UP4 ,?AT WAS :5 HE HAD NOTIC$ ! Y\NG LIV+ WOMAN MAK+ H] WAY UP ,*ALK ,LANE1 ACROSS ! C> P>K'S F> SIDE1 & HAD PAUS$ TO WOND] :]E HE RECOGNIZ$ H] FROM4 

,%E'D LOOK$ LIKE %E WAS ON ! GAME ) ! %ORT SKIRT & HEELS1 ! ,P,V,C MAC1 BUT ,BILL HADN'T ?\<T ?IS WAS ! CONTEXT ?AT HE'D SE5 H] 9 :5 HE HAD NOTIC$ H] BE=E4 ,9 ONE ( ?OSE BIZ>RE & T5U\S *A9S ( ASSOCIATION1 HE'D F\ND ?AT %E CALL$ TO M9D ! PHRASE ,=BIDD5 ,WORLDS1 :I* WAS ! COMIC-BOOK ! ,W>R5 KID HAD M5TION$ AFT] ,BILL & ,REGGIE ,B[L] F\ND HIM SITT+ ON ! C5TRAL /EPS AT 444 

,BA? ,/REET FLATS4 ,?AT WAS :]E ,BILL HAD SE5 ! GIRL BE=E4 ,IT HAD BE5 :ILE ,REGGIE & HIM W]E %[+ ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 ! ,DE/RUCTOR1 ! VA/1 SMOLD]+ A/RAL :IRLPOOL EMANAT+ FROM ! PO9T 9 ,BA? ,/REET :]E ! WA/E-9C9]ATOR *IMNEY/ACK HAD /OOD UNTIL ! #a#i#cS4 ,ITS SL[LY-ROTAT+ RADIUS ( OBLIT]ATION HAD APPE>$ TO 9T]SECT ) V>I\S ROOMS 9SIDE ! BLOCKS ( FLATS1 9CLUD+ ONE :]E ?IS SAME GIRL1 H] HAIR >RANG$ 9 CORN-R[S1 HAD SAT DO+ CRACK & GLU+ PICTURES 9 A SCRAPBOOK1 UNAW>E ?AT A GREAT :IRL+ PHANTOM BUZZ-SAW SCRAP$ AT H] 9SIDES1 H] SPIRIT4 

,IT HAD BE5 JU/ AS ,BILL MANAG$ TO HAUL ,PHYLLIS UP BESIDE HIM ?AT ! WOMAN1 A MIX$-RACE GIRL FROM ! LOOK ( H]1 HAD TURN$ H] HEAD T[>DS !M1 SQU9T+ AT !M ?R\< ! %AD[S ( ! C> P>K AS IF NOT 5TIRELY C]TA9 :E!R !Y W]E REALLY !RE OR NOT4 ,HE'D PO9T$ ! GIRL \T TO ,PHYLLIS4 

0 ',]E1 ,PHYLL1 LOOK AT ?AT1 H] OV] !RE4 ,I RECKON %E CAN SEE US40 

,PHYLLIS1 ) H] RABBIT NECKLACE DANGL+ >\ND H] NECK1 HAD GLANC$ ACROSS H] %\LD] AT ! PUZZL$-LOOK+ PRO/ITUTE BE=E %E'D /RUGGL$ TO H] FEET & C>RI$ ON 9TO ! WA/E-GR\ND4 

0,WELL1 ,I'M NOT SURPRIS$ IF %E C\LD SEE US4 ,%E LOOK$ LIKE A T>T1 & ALL O' !M RAYND ']E >E ON ! /UFF1 ! CRACK4 ,I %\LDN'T BE SURPRIS$ IF %E'D NOT SE5 ?+S A LOT WORSE ?AN US4 ,Y] %\LDN'T 'AVE BE5 LOOK+ AT ']1 ANYWAY1 Y] DIRTY-M9D$ LITTLE BUGG]40 

,EV5 BUOY$ UP BY ! ,PUCK'S ,HATS ?AT HE'D EAT51 ,BILL HAD NOT BE5 ABLE TO MU/] ! 5]GY REQUIR$ = >GU+ ) ,PHYLL4 ,HE C\LD HAVE PO9T$ \T ?AT HE'D BE5 LOOK+ AT ! GIRL BECAUSE HE ?\<T HE'D RECOGNIZ$ H]1 BUT IT W\LD HAVE BE5 A WA/E ( BREA?4 ,WELL1 NOT EXACTLY BREA? BECAUSE HE'D NOT HAD ANY ( ?AT 9 A LONG TIME1 BUT IT W\LD HAVE BE5 A WA/E ( SOME?+4 

,AS ! PAIR ( !M HAD /EPP$ OV] ! GRASSY CRE/ = !IR FIR/ SI<T ( ! LAGOON-CUM-E>?WORKS1 AN IMPRESSIVE SUNSET HAD BE5 GO+ ON 9 RADIANT GRAY & :ITE ABOVE ! UGLY SPRAWL ( ,CA/LE ,/ATION4 ,SOMEH[ GLORI\S & E!REAL DESPITE ! LACK ( COLOR1 ?IS DISPLAY WAS BEAUTIFULLY REFLECT$ 9 ! DREAM-LAKES B\ND$ BY ! %E] SOIL WALLS ( ! UNFOLD$ E>?WORKS4 ,D[N ! HUN*BACK$ ROLL]-COA/] PA? AHEAD ( ,BILL & ,PHYLLIS1 LEAD+ TO ! $GE ( ! /ILL WAT]S1 ! F\R O!R MEMB]S ( ! <O/ GANG W]E ALREADY PLAY+ ON ! BANKS & ROCKY L$GES ( ! VA/ ANOMALY4 ,GREAT GRANITE TABLETS1 BIBLICAL 9 !IR PROPORTIONS1 JUTT$ AT /EEP ANGLES FROM ! T>-&-*ROMIUM DAPPLE ( ! SURFACE1 FUZ$ ) ! 9V]T$ MIRROR-IMAGES B5EA? !M 9TO WEA!R$ #c,D ,RORS*A* BLOTS1 & ALL >\ND ! SQU>E-CUT E>!N WALLS & CORN]S ( ! QU>RI$ L&SCAPE ROSE T[>DS ! GRAY BLAZE ( ! SKY4 

,IT HAD BE5 ! %E] SCALE ( ! 5VIRONM5T1 AT LEA/ AS LOOK$ AT FROM ! <O/-SEAM1 :I* MADE ! A/RAL COLLAPSE APP>5T4 ,! E>?WORKS1 AS SE5 FROM H]E1 APPE>$ TO BE AT LEA/ A QU>T]-MILE ACROSS1 :ILE :5 OBS]V$ FROM ! P]SPECTIVE ( ! MORTAL REALM1 ! CORRESPOND+ PAT* ( WA/EL& - OR CA/LE REMA9S IF Y\ PREF]R$ IT ?AT WAY - MEASUR$ B>ELY FIFTY FEET4 ,:AT W]E UNNOTIC$ SUMPS & PUDDLES 9 ! PHYSICAL ?REE-SID$ WORLD HAD H]E UNPACK$ !MSELVES 9TO OPAQUE LAKES LIKE BLACK LOOK+-GLASSES1 :]E DREAM-LEE*ES & IMAG9>Y NEWTS WRIGGL$ 9VISIBLE ?R\< UNSE5 DEP?S4 

,HE'D KN[N ?AT LIV+ PEOPLE SOMETIMES DREAM$ AB\T ?AT PLACE4 ,HE'D SE5 !M W&]+ ITS %OREL9ES 9 !IR UND]PANTS OR !IR PAJAMAS1 GAZ+ MY/IFI$ AT ITS BLACK CLIFFS1 P]TURB$ BY ITS BEGUIL+ MIX ( ! PRIMORDIAL UNKN[N & ! A*+LY FAMILI>4 ,:ILE HE'D BE5 ALIVE1 HE'D ?\<T HE C\LD REMEMB] VISIT+ IT ONCE HIMSELF DUR+ SOME NOCTURNAL SUBCONSCI\S RAMBLE4 ,BO? 9 HIS ALMO/-=GOTT5 DREAM & AS ! PLACE HAD SEEM$ !N1 :5 HE'D W&]$ D[N T[>DS ! WAT]SIDE ) ,PHYLLIS1 IT HAD HAD ! SAME HAUNT+ & FA9TLY MELAN*OLY ATMOSPH]E4 ,! LOCALE'S R\<HEWN CONT\RS SPOKE ( SOME?+ TIMELESS & 5DUR+1 SOME?+ BESIDE :I* ! HUMAN LIFESPAN B>ELY REGI/]$4 0,WE HAVE BE5 H]E =EV]01 ! GREAT SIL5T BULW>KS SEEM$ TO SAY1 0& WE DON'T KN[ Y\1 & Y\'LL SOON BE GONE40 ,! SKY ABOVE ITS D>K CLIFF $GES HAD A WAT]Y CL>ITY1 A GRAD$ & NO/ALGIC LOOK TO IT AS IT HAD DEPUTIZ$ = ! REC$+ SUNSET4 

,BILL HAD MESS$ AB\T ) ALL ! O!RS1 PLAY+ *ASE AT ! LAGOON'S $GE1 LEAP+ FROM ONE SLANT$ ROCK P]* TO ! NEXT1 BUT ALL ! TIME HE HAD BE5 RUNN+ ?R\< ! F9] DETAILS ( HIS COALESC+ PLAN4 ,IF :]E !Y W]E AT ?AT PO9T WAS ! SPR+ ( #b#f1 !N ! ADULT ,MICK ,W>R5'S ACCID5T AT ,M>T9'S ,Y>D MU/ HAVE PRESUMABLY OCCURR$ R\<LY A YE> BE=E4 ,P]HAPS A SPOT ( BURR[+ BACK TO ! E>LI] P]IOD WAS CALL$ =1 ?\< ,BILL HADN'T FELT 9CL9$ TO GO ?R\< PROP] *ANNELS & CONSULT ) ,PHYLLIS4 ,EV5 ?\< %E'D SORT-( MADE UP ) HIM AFT] ALL ?AT BUS9ESS ) ! SCRUMP+ DOPPELGANG]S FROM ! FUTURE1 IT /ILL HADN'T FELT TO ,BILL LIKE %E COMPLETELY TRU/$ HIM4 ,IF HE W]E TO SUGGE/ HIS PLAN TO H] :ILE %E WAS /ILL ANNOY$ ) HIM1 HE'D ?\<T !RE WAS A GOOD *ANCE ?AT %E'D VETO IT1 JU/ TO BE AWKW>D4 ,! BE/ C\RSE ( ACTION1 HE'D DECID$1 W\LD BE TO JU/ BYPASS ,PHYLLIS ALTOGE!R1 ?\< ?AT 9 ITSELF W\LD TAKE SOME PLANN+4 

,SQUATT+ ON A FL9TY \TCROP OV]LOOK+ ! HU%$ ROCK-B\ND POOLS BEL[1 HE'D SPOTT$ LANKY ,JOHN & ,PHYLLIS SITT+ TALK+ E>NE/LY UPON A %ELT]$ PAT* ( GRASS D[N NE> ! WAT]4 ,HE'D ?\<T AT ! TIME ?AT !Y MI<T BE DISCUSS+ :ATEV] IT WAS ?AT HAD UPSET !M \T AT ! COMPOSITE NU?\SES1 NOT ?AT IT HAD MU* MATT]$ TO HIS /RATEGY4 ,AFT] ,BILL HAD CONF]R$ DISCREETLY ) ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE & ,REGGIE1 JU/ TO MAKE SURE !Y W]E UP = AN EXCURSION IF ! OPPORTUNITY >OSE1 HE'D GONE & PLONK$ HIMSELF D[N NEXT TO ,JOHN & ,PHYLLIS :O'D BO? LOOK$ A LITTLE IRRITAT$ BY ?IS 9T]RUPTION TO !IR CONV]SATION4 

0 ',]E1 ,PHYLL1 WIZ IT ALL RI<T IF WE DIG AB\T 9TO SOME ( ! O!R TIMES R\ND ']E8 ,REG SAYS ?AT BACK 9 HIS DAY HE ?\<T !RE WIZ '\SES :]E WE >E N[1 BUT ,I DON'T SEE AS ?AT CAN BE RI<T4 ,WE C\LD TAKE ,M>JORIE & ,MI*AEL ) US1 'AVE A POKE AB\T1 F9D \T :AT'S :AT1 & ALL BE BACK ']E BE=E Y\ KNEW WE WIZ GONE4 ,I MEAN1 Y\ TWO C\LD COME AS WELL1 BUT ,I ?\<T ?AT IT LOOK$ LIKE Y\ WIZ TALK+40 

,PHYLLIS HAD DRAWN 9 A BREA? AS %E'D PREP>$ TO TELL HIM ?AT IF HE ?\<T %E'D TRU/ ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 TO A LAYAB\T LIKE HIM HE MU/ BE CRACK]S1 OR AT LEA/ ,BILL HAD ASSUM$ ?AT ?IS WAS GO+ ?R\< H] M9D1 BUT !N %E'D /OPP$ H]SELF & JU/ LOOK$ P5SIVE = A MOM5T4 ,TO ,BILL1 IT HAD LOOK$ AS IF %E WAS CONSID]+ :O IT W\LD LEAVE ALONE UP H]E IF HIM & ,REGGIE ,B[L] & ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE & ,MI*AEL W]E TO TUNNEL (F 9TO ! PA/ = HALF AN H\R4 ,! ANSW]1 OBVI\SLY1 HAD BE5 H] & TALL1 GOOD-LOOK+ ,JOHN4 ,ONCE ,PHYLLIS HAD P]=M$ ! NECESS>Y CALCULATIONS1 %E'D APPE>$ TO *ANGE H] /ANCE4 

0,ALL RI<T 444 AS LONG AS Y] NOT DIGG+ BACK TO JO9 ! ,BLACK%IRTS & P9* ALL AYR ,PUCK'S ',ATS40 

,BILL HAD /RUCK AN ATTITUDE ( 9JUR$ PROTE/4 

0 ',C\RSE WE'RE NOT4 ,?AT'S :Y WE'RE TAK+ ,MI*AEL & ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE ALONG1 SO !Y CAN KEEP AN EYE ON US1 & BECAUSE Y\ KN[ ?AT !Y WIZN'T ) US :5 WE SAW \RSELVES \T AT ! MADH\SES 444 BUT1 LOOK1 IF Y\ DON'T TRU/ US WE CAN ALL /AY ']E ) Y\4 ,IT MAKES NO ODDS TO ME40 

,PROBABLY FE>FUL AT ! ?\<T ( LOS+ H] IDYLLIC TWILIT LAGOON 9T]LUDE ALONE ) ,JOHN1 ,PHYLLIS HAD QUICKLY DONE H] BE/ TO SMOO? :AT %E ?\<T W]E ,BILL'S RUFFL$ FEA!RS4 

0,NO1 NO1 Y\ GOO ON & PLAY4 ,JU/ DON'T GET ,MI*AEL 9TO ANY MIS*IEF40 

,BILL HAD SWORN HE W\LDN'T1 & !N B\ND$ (F FROM /ONE TO /ONE ALONG ! WAT]'S $GE TO TELL ! O!RS ?AT HE'D GOT P]MISSION = A JAUNT 9TO ! E>?WORKS' PA/4 ,FROM !IR BEMUS$ EXPRESSIONS1 ,BILL HAD RECEIV$ ! IMPRESSION ?AT NOBODY ?\<T ?IS S\ND$ LIKE MU* ( AN \T+1 BUT ONCE ,REG HAD LOYALLY AGRE$ TO GO ) ,BILL1 ! O!R TWO AB&ON$ !IR RESI/ANCE4 

,SCRABBL+ ) !IR F+]TIPS 9 EMPTY AIR1 !Y'D SWIFTLY PULL$ AWAY ! CRACKL+ BLACK & :ITE TIME FIB]S REPRES5T+ NI<TS & DAYS TO MAKE A HULA-HOOP-SIZ$ HOLE APPROXIMATELY TWELVE MON?S DEEP4 ,AS HE'D FOLL[$ HIS ?REE COMPANIONS ?R\< ! AP]TURE 9TO LA/ YE>1 HE'D EV5 RISK$ A *E]Y WAVE TO ,JOHN & ,PHYLLIS BE=E CLIMB+ ?R\< ! GAP 9 TIME & SEAL+ IT BEH9D HIM4 

,ON ! PORTAL'S F> SIDE HE'D F\ND ,REGGIE1 ,M>GE & ,MI*AEL ALL /&+ AB\T MOROSELY 9 A FLOOD$ EXCAVATION ?AT WAS ! DEAD SPIT ( :]E !Y'D BE5 T5 SECONDS E>LI]1 ONLY A LITTLE D>K]4 ,REG HAD FIDDL$ ) HIS B[L]'S ANGLE = A M9UTE & !N SPAT A GOB ( ECTOPLASM 9TO ! LAGOON1 A SURE SIGN ?AT ! GANGLY ,VICTORIAN WAIF WAS CROSS AB\T SOME?+ OR O!R4 

0,WELL1 ?IS DON'T LOOK LIKE MU* FUN TO ME4 ,I ?\<T AS Y\'D 'AVE SOME?+ A SI<T LIVELI] ?AN ?IS PLACE UP Y] SLEEVE :5 Y\ SAID WE C\LD 'AVE AN EXP$ITION40 

,BILL HAD GIV5 ,REGGIE AN APPRAIS+ LOOK1 & !N HAD ASK$ HIM :AT HE'D ?\<T ( ,ODDJOB 9 ,GOLDF+]4 ,REGGIE1 :O WAS GOOD ) NAM+ C>S BUT :O HAD B>ELY HE>D ( MOV+ PICTURES1 HAD JU/ FR[N$ UNCOMPREH5D+LY4 

0,I DON'T KN[ :AT ODD JOB Y\'RE ON AB\T1 OR :AT IT'S DO+ 9 A F+]4 ,Y\'RE NOT MAK+ S5SE4 ',AVE Y\ GONE (F Y\R 'EAD1 LAD80 

,9 REPLY1 ,BILL HAD JU/ GR9N$ & DEFTLY PLUCK$ ! HAT FROM ,REGGIE'S CURLY LOCKS BE=E FL++ IT LIKE A ,FRISBEE1 UP ?R\< ! DESC5D+ D>KNESS & ACROSS ! G\G$-\T CLIFF-TOP LOOM+ TO ! NOR?1 :]E IT COMPLETELY DISAPPE>$ FROM VIEW1 RAPIDLY FOLL[$ BY ITS GRACEFUL TRAIL ( AFT]-IMAGES4 

0,NO1 BUT !RE'S SOME?+ GONE (F Y\RS40 

,) ,REGGIE SLACK-JAW$ AT ! %E] EFFRONT]Y ( :AT ,BILL HAD JU/ DONE & ,M>JORIE & ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 BO? />T+ TO GIGGLE1 ,BILL HAD SCAMP]$ (F 9 ! DIRECTION ?AT HE'D ?R[N ! B[L]1 PAUS+ HALFWAY UP ! E>?WORKS' NOR!RN WALL TO %\T BACK D[N TO ,REGGIE4 

0,& IF ,I GET TO IT FIR/1 ,I'M GUNNA PISS 9 IT60 

,AS HE'D CONT9U$ UP ! SLOPE1 ,BILL HAD HE>D ! ?REE O!R <O/-KIDS :OOP+ AS !Y *AS$ HIM1 ,M>JORIE & ,MI*AEL BO? %RIEK+ ) MIR? :ILE ,REGGIE WAS JU/ %RIEK+ ?AT ,BILL BETT] NOT PISS 9 HIS HAT4 ,BILL HADN'T REALLY BE5 9T5D+ TO1 ( C\RSE1 & IF ,REG HAD JU/ ?\<T AB\T IT = A SECOND HE'D HAVE REALIZ$ ?AT <O/S C\LDN'T PISS4 ,WELL1 !Y C\LD SQUEEZE A DROP OR TWO \T IF !Y WANT$ TO1 JU/ LIKE ,REGGIE C\LD SPIT1 BUT IT WAS H>DLY LIKE <O/S HAD A LOT ( EXTRA MOI/URE ?AT !Y NE$$ TO UNLOAD4 ,MADE MO/LY \T ( 5]GY1 WRAI?S W]E NOT SUCCUL5T OR SWEATY OR 9CONT95T4 ,!Y W]E AS DRY AS BR[N ,OCTOB] LEAVES SAVE = ! ECTOPLASM1 :I* T5D$ TO MAKE !M A BIT *E/Y4 

,REA*+ ! CLIFF'S TOP1 :]E ! UNFOLD$ & 5L>G$ ZONE ( ! A/RAL E>?WORKS 5D$1 ,BILL HAD SAT HIMSELF D[N ON ! EXPANSE ( GRAY GRASS ?AT RAN ALONGSIDE ! ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD D[N TO ! FOOT ( ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET :ILE HE'D WAIT$ = ! O!RS TO CAT* UP4 ,IT HAD BE5 WELL & TRULY D>K BY !N1 & O!R ?AN ! ODD C> PURR+ UP OR D[N ! MA9 ROAD ON ITS WAY TO ,SIXFIELDS OR TO ,SEMILONG IT HAD BE5 PRETTY MU* DES]T$4 ,REGGIE'S PHANTOM B[L] HAD BE5 LY+ !RE UPTURN$1 ! FRECKL$ BOY HAD NOTIC$1 SOME Y>DS FROM ,BILL'S SPRAWL+ BOOTS1 BUT IT HAD BE5 TOO F> AWAY TO PIDDLE 9TO4 

,GAZ+ OV] ! R$UNDANT /RET* ( EMPTY LAWN1 AN UNUS$ PLAY+ FIELD :]E !RE HAD ONCE BE5 TW5TY OR MORE H\SES1 ,BILL'S ATT5TION HAD EV5TUALLY SETTL$ ON ! SOLIT>Y BUILD+ RE>+ AT ! BOTTOM 5D ( ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET1 ! LONE T]RAC$ H\SE AB&ON$ BY ITS T]RACE4 ,EV5 BACK :ILE ,BILL HAD BE5 ALIVE1 HE'D ?\<T ! PLACE AN ODDITY1 & ?AT HAD BE5 BE=E HE'D F\ND \T AB\T ITS L(T-LADD] TO ,MANS\L OR ITS CURR5T <O/-S5SITIVE 9HABITANT1 ! SO-CALL$ ,V]NALL ?AT !Y'D FL$ FROM E>LI]4 ,AS IT HAD BE5 RELAT$ TO HIM1 ! SPACE OCCUPI$ BY ! PECULI> REMA9+ H\SE HAD BE5 [N$ BY AN ADMIRABLY BLOODY-M9D$ 9DIVIDUAL1 AN ,EA/]N ,EUROPEAN BLOKE IF ,BILL HAD HE>D IT RI<T1 :O HAD REFUS$ TO SELL HIS PROP]TY TO ! T[N C\NCIL JU/ SO !Y C\LD KNOCK IT D[N4 ,ITS HI/ORY S9CE ?AT PO9T HAD BE5 CL\DY1 AL?\< ,BILL SUPPOS$ ?AT ! ORIG9AL UNBUDG+ [N] MU/ BE LONG S9CE DEAD1 ! PROP]TY PASS$ 9TO O!R H&S4 ,HE'D HE>D ?AT AT ONE PO9T ! C\NCIL HAD BE5 US+ IT AS A HALFWAY H\SE1 SOME:]E TO /ICK M5TAL PATI5TS :O'D BE5 TURF$ \T ( !IR 9/ITUTIONS & PLAC$ 9 ! L>GELY NON-EXI/5T C>E ( ! COMMUNITY1 BUT ?AT HAD BE5 SOME TIME BACK & HE DIDN'T ?9K ?AT IT WAS /ILL ! CASE4 ,!SE HAD BE5 MORE OR LESS ! LIMITS ( ! 9=MATION ?AT ,BILL HAD CONC]N+ ! (FICIAL /ORY ( ! CORN] H\SE1 & ( ITS SUP]NATURAL SITUATION HE'D KN[N EV5 LESS4 

,AS F> AS HE'D BE5 ABLE TO MAKE \T1 ! LONELY $IFICE POSSESS$ ITS GATEWAY TO ! REALM ,UP/AIRS & CURR5T E]IE RESID5T ?ANKS TO ITS GEOMETRICAL RELATION%IP ) :AT HAD ONCE BE5 ! ORIG9AL T[N HALL1 UP AT ! TOP CORN] ( ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET & UPON ! /REET'S F> SIDE1 ! /RUCTURE ?AT PROVID$ A F\NDATION = ! HUGE BUILD]S' HEADQU>T]S CALL$ ! ,WORKS FROM :I* ,MANS\L WAS GOV]N$4 ,?AT WAS ALL ?AT ,BILL HAD KN[N AB\T ! PLACE'S MORE E!REAL ASPECTS1 &1 TO BE QUITE HONE/1 EV5 ?AT HE DIDN'T REALLY UND]/&4 

,BESIDES1 JU/ AT ?AT MOM5T1 ,BILL HAD BE5 LESS BO!R$ BY ! H\SE'S HI/ORY1 MAT]IAL OR O!RWISE1 ?AN HE'D BE5 BY ITS PROBABLE EFFECTS ON ,MI*AEL ,W>R54 ,AFT] ALL1 ?AT HAD BE5 ! EXACT PO9T :I* ! DRESS$-=-B$TIME *ILD HAD DONE A RUNN] FROM ! YAWN+ /RIP ( VACANT TURF :]E ,MI*AEL'S HOME & /REET & FAMILY HAD ONCE BE5 SITUAT$4 ,S9CE ,BILL C\LD BY !N HE> HIS ?REE PURSU]S AS !Y CLIMB$ OV] ! CLIFF-$GE & ONTO ! G5TLE SLOPE BEH9D HIS BACK1 HE'D SWIFTLY MADE HIS M9D UP TO AVOID ! CREEPY1 ISOLAT$ CORN] H\SE & TAKE A DIFF]5T R\TE TO ,M>T9'S ,Y>D1 :I* WAS ! PLACE ?AT HE HAD BE5 9T5T ON REA*+ ALL ALONG4 

,REGGIE HAD RUN UP BEH9D ,BILL & HURDL$ HIM1 P\NC+ UPON HIS FALL5 B[L] & 9SPECT+ IT AT L5G? BE=E HE'D CRAMM$ IT ON HIS HEAD4 ,HE TOLD ,BILL ?AT ,BILL BETT] NOT HAVE PISS$ 9 IT1 BUT HE'D BE5 LAU<+ AS HE SAID IT1 AS W]E ,M>JORIE & ,MI*AEL :5 !Y'D F9ALLY CAU<T UP ) ! TWO JO/L+ BOYS4 ,?AT WAS :5 ,BILL HAD COME CLEAN AS TO ! TRUE PURPOSE ( !IR \T+1 OR AT LEA/ AS CLEAN AS HE C\LD COM=TABLY MANAGE4 

0,LI/51 :AT IT WIZ1 ,I'VE HAD ?IS IDEA :AT ,I RECKON C\LD SORT \T A LOT ( EV]YBODY'S PROBLEMS1 BUT IF ,I TOLD ,PHYLLIS IT1 ,I'M PRETTY C]TA9 %E'D REFUSE JU/ \T ( SPITE4 ,:AT IT 9VOLVES WIZ US TAK9' A TRIP TO ,M>T9'S ,Y>D - ?AT'D BE ,M>T9'S ,FIELDS TO Y\ ?REE - & ATTEMPT+ AN EXP]IM5T :AT ,I'VE COME UP )4 ,I KN[ IT DON'T S\ND LIKE MU*1 BUT ,I ?\<T IF WE FLEW !RE RA!R ?AN JU/ WALK+ IT1 IT MI<T LIV5 ?+S UP A BIT40 

,?IS LA/ BIT1 ! FLY+1 HAD BE5 AN IMPROVIZATION ?AT WAS ACTUALLY 9T5D$ TO GET EV]YONE TO ,M>T9'S ,Y>D )\T ! ADD$ OB/ACLE ( WALK+ ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 PA/ ! OLD H\SE AT ! FOOT ( ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET1 BUT ! PROSPECT ( AN A]IAL MANEUV] HAD SEEM$ TO GO D[N WELL ) ! O!R ?REE1 SO ,BILL WAS GLAD HE'D ?\<T ( IT4 

,! QU>TET HAD LABORI\SLY TAK5 TO ! AIR US+ ! ME?OD ( AN ESCALAT+ S]IES ( HI< LUN>-L&+ LEAPS & B\NCES4 ,?IS HAD L>GELY BE5 BECAUSE IT WAS ! EASIE/ MEANS ( GETT+ NOVICE FLI]S SU* AS ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 UP 9TO ! SKY4 ,:5 ! BEG9N] HAD B\NC$ HI< 5\< Y\ JU/ 5C\RAG$ !M TO EI!R DOG-PADDLE OR SWIM 9 ORD] TO MA9TA9 OR POSSIBLY 9CREASE !IR ALTITUDE1 HELP+ !M ) A T[ IF NECESS>Y1 AS IT HAD BE5 9 ! CASE ( ,MI*AEL ,W>R54 ,ONCE !Y'D ALL ASC5D$ TO A FAIR WAY UP ABOVE ! RAILWAY Y>DS ON ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 ,BILL HAD GRABB$ ,MI*AEL'S H& SO ?AT ! BRI<T-EY$ & CLE>LY DELI<T$ Y\NG/] C\LD REMA9 AL(T4 ,HE'D NOTIC$1 PE]+ ?R\< ! D>KNESS ) HIS SPECTRAL NI<T-SI<T1 ?AT ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE HAD BE5 PRET5D+ ?AT %E C\LDN'T SWIM OR DOGGY-PADDLE EI!R1 PROMPT+ ,REGGIE TO ASSI/ H] BY TAK+ H] H&4 ,M>JORIE'S 9ABILITY HAD BE5 A CON1 ,BILL WAS CONV9C$4 ,%E MAY HAVE NOT YET LE>N$ TO SWIM :5 ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG HAD FIR/ HAUL$ H] SPIRIT-BODY FROM ! ,N5E ALL ( ?OSE YE>S AGO1 BUT %E'D BE5 MANAG+ A COMPET5T BREA/-/ROKE :5 !Y'D BE5 *AS+ PIGEONS OV] ,M>EFAIR BACK 9 #a#f#d#e4 ,WAS ,M>JORIE GETT+ A CRU% ON ,REGGIE1 ,BILL HAD WOND]$ AS HE'D CLIMB$ ) ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 ?R\< ! ,BOR\<S NI<T T[>DS A LEMON-W$GE HALF-MOON8 

,!IR AS-!-CR[-FLIES J\RNEY ACROSS RAILWAY Y>DS & P>K$ OV]NI<T LORRIES T[>DS ,SP5C] ,BRIDGE & ,M>T9'S ,Y>D BEYOND HAD BE5 EXHIL>AT+1 EV5 = A FREQU5T FLI] LIKE ,BILL4 ,P]HAPS BECAUSE HE'D BE5 ACCOMPANI$ BY ! WIDE EY$ & RELATIVELY SPEE*LESS ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 ,BILL HAD F\ND ?AT HE WAS ABLE TO REMEMB] :AT HIS [N FIR/ PO/-DEA? FLI<T HAD BE5 LIKE1 PROMPT$ BY ! M>VEL+ EXPRESSION ON ! TODDL]'S FACE4 

,B5EA? !M1 EV5 9 !SE ,/YGIAN \T] REA*ES ( ! T[N1 HAD BLAZ$ A GALAXY ( LI<TS1 ALL ( !M R5D]$ :ITE OR (F-:ITE BY ! <O/-SEAM'S LACK ( COLOR4 ,9T]RUPT+ !SE ILLUM9AT$ CLU/]S W]E D>K MASSES REPRES5T+ :I/LE-EMPTI$ FACTORIES & UNLIT MEAD[S1 ) A HUNDR$ /REET-LAMP SEQU9S CRU/+ ON ! $GES ( !SE BLACK & CRYPTIC %APES LIKE PHOSPHORESC5T B>NACLES4 ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 UNROLL$ B5EA? !M1 NOR? TO S\?1 WAS A *ROME-/UDD$ LEA!R BELT ?AT HAD PROVOK$ A COMM5T FROM ! 9FANT /RUGGL+ ?R\< ! AIR BESIDE ,BILL1 EV5 ?\< HE'D HAD TO %\T ABOVE ! BLU/] ( ! W9D4 

0,?IS WIZ NE> :]E ?AT DEVIL TOOK ME ON HIS FLI<T1 BIT IT WIZ ALL 9 COLOR !N40 

,BILL HAD CALL$ BACK ACROSS ! FEW FEET SEP>AT+ !M1 A DI/ANCE EQUAL TO !IR CLASP$-TOGE!R H&S & \T/RET*$ >MS4 

0,?AT WIZ BECAUSE ! PAIR ( Y\ HAD COME /RAI<T D[N TO ! ,FIR/ ,BOR\< FROM ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA?1 TRAVEL+ 9 A SPECIAL WAY :AT ONLY BUILD]S1 DEVILS & ! LIKES ( ?AT CAN DO4 ,EV5 MESELF1 ,I'VE NEV] SE5 IT FROM UP ']E 9 COLOR4 ,I BET IT WIZ QUITE A SI<T40 

,IT HAD BE5 AB\T !N ?AT !Y'D BE5 PASS+ OV] ,SP5C] ,BRIDGE :I* DREW A BELL[$ COMM5T FROM ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE1 SO>+ !RE H& 9 H& ) ,REGGIE ,B[L] ON ,BILL'S />BO>D SIDE4 

0,LOOK AT ?AT BLOODY BRIDGE D[N !RE BEL[ US4 ,?AT'S ! ONE !Y F\ND ME UND]4 ,I CAN TELL Y\ ONE ?+1 ,I'M GLAD WE'RE UP H]E & NOT D[N !RE WALK+ ACROSS IT4 ,IT GIVES ME ! WILLIES /ILL1 ! ?\<T ( ?AT OLD EEL-WOMAN1 D[N !RE 9 ! D>K & DAMP40 

,BILL HADN'T HAD AN >GUM5T ) ?AT4 ,HE C\LD REMEMB] ! HAIR-RAIS+ NI<T !Y'D RESCU$ ,M>JORIE FROM ! ,N5E ,HAG1 & ( ALL ! A/\ND+ SI<TS ?AT ,BILL HAD SE5 BO? 9 HIS LIFE & \T ( IT1 ?AT GLIMPSE ( ! SEEM+LY 5DLESS CREATURE AS IT HAD RE>$ UP \T ( ! MIDNI<T RIV]1 RAK+ AT ! AIR ) ITS LONG FOLDAWAY CLAWS & ! LEPR\S MEMBRANE /RET*$ BETWE5 !M1 H[L+ ITS FRU/RATION & ITS MURD]\S HATR$ AT ! />S1 HAD BE5 ! MO/ SPECTACUL> 444 AT LEA/ UNTIL ?AT GIANT SNORT+1 /AMP+ DEMON HAD TURN$ UP4 ,OR ! TWO ,MA/] ,BUILD]S FI<T+4 ,?OSE HAD BE5 PRETTY AMAZ+ TOO1 :5 HE HAD /OPP$ TO ?9K AB\T IT4 ,OH1 & ?OSE TWO ,SALAM&] GIRLS SPREAD+ ! ,GREAT ,FIRE4 ,?OSE ASIDE1 ,BILL HAD ?\<T ! ,N5E ,HAG WAS ABSOLUTELY BL9D+4 

,) !IR TRAIL+ SMOKE ( AFT]-IMAGES1 ! *ILDR5 HAD DESC5D$ G5TLY 9TO ! DRUM-RECONDITION+ PREMISES 9 ,/4 ,M>T9'S ,Y>D LIKE SL[1 SP5T SKYROCKETS4 ,AS HE'D LET GO ( ,MI*AEL ,W>R5'S H& ! TODDL] HAD RETI$ ! DANGL+ T>TAN SA% BELT ( HIS DRESS+ G[N & HAD /OOD = A MOM5T TAK+ /OCK ( HIS SURR\ND+S BE=E LOOK+ QUE/ION+LY UP AT ,BILL4 

0,:]E'S ?IS PLACE1 !N80 HE'D ASK$4 

,?IS IS ! PLACE Y\'RE GO+ TO WORK :5 Y\'RE A MAN4 ,?IS IS :AT ALL ?OSE BOR+ H\RS AT S*OOL W]E TO PREP>E Y\ =4 ,ALL ( ! HOPES & DREAMS Y\'RE GO+ TO HAVE :ILE GR[+ UP WILL ALL 5D UP H]E BE+ BEAT5 FLAT ) HAMM]S2 BE+ RECONDITION$4 ,ALL !SE ANSW]S1 HONE/ BUT TOO CRUEL & PA9FUL = A *ILD TO BE> OR EV5 UND]/&1 REMA9$ UNSPOK5 AT ! SORE TIP ( ,BILL'S BITT5 TONGUE4 ,HE'D FELT A SUDD5 SURGE ( EMPA?Y = ! POOR KID1 /&+ !RE BLISSFULLY OBLIVI\S TO ! BLEAK1 DI%E>T5+ PROSPECTS ?AT W]E ALL >\ND HIM1 />+ HIM RI<T 9 ! FACE4 ,BILL1 :ILE HE'D BE5 ALIVE1 HAD WORK$ 9 PLACES JU/ AS JOYLESS & S\L-DEAD5+1 BUT NEV] = MORE ?AN SIX MON?S OR SO4 ,FROM :AT HE C\LD REMEMB] ,ALMA TELL+ HIM AB\T H] BRO!R1 ,MI*AEL W\LD BE LABOR+ 9 ?IS GRAY1 UN9SPIR+ PLACE = F> TOO MANY YE>S4 ,IF HE'D HAVE MURD]$ HIS EMPLOY]S 9 ! WAY ?AT !Y SO PAT5TLY DES]V$1 HE W\LD HAVE BE5 RELEAS$ FROM HIS CONF9EM5T SOON]1 ! POOR LITTLE BLE$]4 ,TRY+ TO CONCEAL !SE SOMB] ?\<TS BEH9D HIS MO/ IMP]MEABLE *EEKY GR91 ,BILL HAD LOOK$ D[N AT ,MI*AEL AS HE'D TRI$ TO =MULATE AN ANSW] TO ! 9FANT'S QUE/ION ?AT HE ?\<T ! KID C\LD LIVE )4 ,WELL1 NOT LIVE EXACTLY1 BUT ,BILL HAD KN[N :AT HE MEANT4 

0,IT'S A BAD PLACE1 TIT*4 ,SPOTS LIKE ?IS1 ,S\L ( ! ,HOLE WIZ :AT WE CALL 'EM1 & !Y WON'T DO Y\ OR ANYBODY ELSE NO FAVORS4 ,NEV] 'AVE DONE1 NEV] WILL DO4 ,SO1 IF WE W]E TO DO SOME?+ A BIT NAU<TY1 !N WE'D NOT BE HURT+ ANYBODY :O DIDN'T DES]VE IT40 

,?IS LA/ BIT HAD BE5 AN ABJECT LIE4 ,! P]SON :O'D BE MO/ HURT BY ! 0NAU<T9ESS0 ?AT ,BILL PROPOS$ W\LD BE ,MI*AEL HIMSELF1 GIV5 AN ACID FACIAL & !N KNOCK$ \T BY AN IRON B>1 & ,MI*AEL C]TA9LY DID NOT DES]VE TO UND]GO SU* TRIBULATIONS4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 ( C\RSE1 HIS P]SONAL MIS=TUNE W\LD BE 9 ! S]VICE ( A GREAT] GOOD1 OR AT LEA/ !ORETICALLY1 BUT ,BILL HAD ! UNEASY FEEL+ ?AT !Y'D PROBABLY SAID ?AT TO ALL ! :IPPETS !Y'D HAD SMOK+ EI<TY FAGS A DAY AT ! LABORATORIES4 

,BY ?IS TIME ,M>JORIE & ,REGGIE HAD ALI<T$ TOO1 LOOK+ SELF-CONSCI\S AS !Y'D LET GO ( EA* O!R'S H&S1 & HAD WANT$ TO KN[ :AT ?IS WILD JAUNT TO ! ASS-5D ( NO:]E WAS 9 AID (4 ,HE'D EXPLA9$ AS BE/ HE C\LD1 ) ,MI*AEL BE+ PRES5T4 

0,LOOK1 Y\ KN[ ?AT /UFF ?AT ,FI]Y ,PHIL WIZ TELL+ US AT ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*1 :5 HE SAID ?AT US LOT HAD GOT A *ALL5GE ON \R PLATES1 BUT ?AT ! P[]S ?AT BE W]E CONFID5T AS WE C\LD '&LE IT8 ,WELL1 'E WIZ TALK9' AB\T ,WILLY ,W9KIE ']E4 ,APP>5TLY1 :5 'E'S BR\<T BACK TO LIFE1 WE 'AVE TO MAKE SURE 'E REMEMB]S AT LEA/ SOME ( ?IS :AT'S HAPP5$ TO HIM1 EV5 ?\< ?AT'S S'POS$ TO BE IMPOSSIBLE4 ,N[1 ,I ?9K ,I'VE WORK$ \T A WAY IT CAN BE DONE1 BUT ,I CAN'T GO 9TO ! 9S & \TS ( IT 9 PRES5T COMPANY4 ,LITTLE PIT*]S1 IF Y\ CAT* ME DRIFT40 

,H]E ,BILL HAD BE5 />+ AT ,M>JORIE & ,REGGIE1 :O'D BO? NODD$ ALMO/ IMP]CEPTIBLY TO SIGNAL ?AT !Y'D UND]/OOD & W]E PREP>$ TO GO ALONG ) ,BILL1 DESPITE ! FACT HE C\LDN'T REALLY EXPLA9 ANY?+ ) ,MI*AEL PRES5T4 ,AS = ! TODDL] HIMSELF1 HE'D NODD$ WISELY TOO1 :ILE OBVI\SLY HAV+ NO IDEA :AT ,BILL WAS ON AB\T4 ,5C\NT]+ NO OBJECTIONS1 ,BILL HAD PRESS$ ON ) HIS S*EME4 

,HE HAD ORIG9ALLY BE5 9T5D+ TO HAVE A POKE R\ND 9 ! SURR\ND+ DAYS & NI<TS1 TO MAKE SURE ?AT !Y'D GOT ! RI<T DATE & ! RI<T OCCASION1 BUT HE'D *ANG$ HIS M9D4 ,IT HAD BE5 :AT ,PHIL ,DODDRIDGE SAID TO !M1 AB\T H[ !Y %\LD FEEL FREE TO TAKE ,MI*AEL :]E !Y PLEAS$ & RE/ ASSUR$ ?AT ANY?+ ?AT HAPP5$ W\LD BE :AT WAS MEANT TO HAPP54 ,?IS PR$E/9ATION & FREE WILL L>K CUT BO? WAYS1 AS F> AS ,BILL HAD BE5 ABLE TO SEE4 ,IF HE'D BR\<T ,MI*AEL & ! O!RS TO ! Y>D ON ?IS PRECISE NI<T1 ?AT WAS DIV9E DE/9Y AT WORK & IT W\LD HAVE BE5 ALMO/ RUDE TO D\BLE-*ECK4 ,BILL HAD BEGUN TO REALIZE ?AT ACCEPT+ ! IDEA ( ,FATE C\LD ACTUALLY REMOVE SOME ( ! BURD5 ( RESPONSIBILITY4 ,Y\ C\LD DELEGATE UPW>DS4 

,HAV+ ?US DECID$ ?AT !Y W]E 9DE$ 9 ! RI<T PLACE AT ! RI<T TIME1 ,BILL HAD NEXT L$ ! F\RSOME ON A W&] R\ND ! RECONDITION+ Y>D1 9SPECT+ /OCK & SE>*+ \T LIKELY MAT]IAL = :AT HE'D HAD 9 M9D4 

,IT REALLY HAD BE5 A DEPRESS+ PLACE1 ?AT Y>D4 ,BILL HAD REMEMB]$ /ORIES ?AT HIS MOM HAD TOLD HIM1 AB\T :5 %E'D BE5 A LITTLE GIRL & W\LD COME R\ND TO ,M>T9'S ,FIELDS1 AS ?IS PLACE HAD !N BE51 :5 %E WAS \T ',MAY ,G>L+'4 ,?IS HAD BE5 SOME?+ H] & H] MATES DID ON ! FIR/ ( ,MAY4 ,!Y'D GO R\ND DOOR TO DOOR DISPLAY+ A SMALL BASKET FULL ( WILD FL[]S ) A KIDDY'S DOLL SAT 9 !IR MID/1 & = A HALFP5NY A TURN !Y'D S+ !IR LITTLE ,MAYDAY SONG ?AT !Y'D ALL LE>N$3 0,ON ,FIR/ ( ,MAY1 MY DE>1 ,I SAY1 BE=E Y\R DOOR ,I /&4 ,IT'S NO?+ BUT A SPR\T1 BUT IT'S WELL BUDD$ \T BY ! WORK ( ,\R ,LORD'S H&40 ,LOOK+ >\ND HIM AT ! HEAPS ( D5T$ CYL9D]S1 ,BILL HAD REFLECT$ ?AT ! Y>D1 OR FIELDS1 HAD S\ND$ A MU* NIC] & MORE PICTURESQUE LOCATION 9 HIS MO!R'S DAY4 

,FROM ,BILL'S [N LIFETIME1 HIS MO/ /RIK+ ANECDOTE AB\T ! PLACE HAD BE5 ONE ?AT HE DIDN'T EV5 FEATURE 9 HIMSELF4 ,IT HAD BE5 !RE 9 ,M>T9'S ,Y>D1 AS HE RECALL$1 ?AT ! POLICE HAD PLAC$ SURVEILLANCE (FIC]S :5 !Y W]E KEEP+ AN EYE ON ! L& ALONG ! F> 5D ( ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD BELONG+ TO ,PAUL ,BAK]1 A NOTORI\S VILLA9 ,BILL HAD KN[N BACK 9 ! DAY4 ,! COPP]S HAD ?\<T ,BAK] MI<T BE HID+ LOOT FROM SOME BANK JOB OR O!R ON ! PROP]TY1 & HAD !IR SUSPICIONS RAIS$ :5 !Y'D SPOTT$ TWO %ADY TYPES :O'D APPE>$ TO BE TUNNEL+ 9TO ! FIFTY-YE>-OLD PILES ( A%ES & COMPO/$ WA/E ?AT HULK$ FROM ,BAK]'S T]RITORY4 

,9 ACTUALITY1 !SE TWO SUPPOS$ ACCOMPLICES HAD BE5 ,BILL'S OLD MATES ,ROMAN ,?OMPSON & ,T$ ,TRIPP4 ,T$ HAD BE5 AN ACCOMPLI%$ & DISC]N+ BURGL> :O ONLY BURGL$ /ATELY HOMES1 :ILE ,ROME HAD BE5 A FE>LESS UNION FI<T] & A CELEBRAT$ ALL-R\ND NUT JOB4 ,!Y'D BE5 ON ,PAUL ,BAK]'S PAT* ( GR\ND ) HIS P]MISSION1 DIGG+ 9 ! M\NDS ( COMPRESS$ MUD & C9D]S DUMP$ !RE DECADES E>LI] AS WA/E FROM ! ,DE/RUCTOR UP 9 ,BA? ,/REET4 ,T$ & ,ROMAN HAD BE5 ON A HUNT = OLD ,VICTORIAN /ONE BOTTLES1 ! K9D ) ! LITTLE M>BLE = A /OPP]1 = :I* !Y C\LD LIKELY GET A FEW BOB UP AT ! ANTIQUE %OPS4 ,ROME1 :O'D ALWAYS TAK5 RECKLESS C\RAGE TO ! PO9T ( DEA?-WI%1 HAD BE5 TUNNEL+ 9TO ! HEAP'S SIDE1 TEMPT$ FUR!R 9 & FUR!R /ILL BY AN 5TIC+ P>TIAL GLIMPSE ( ! WORDS 'G+] BE]' UPON A CURV+ SURFACE4 ,9 ! 5D1 !RE'D ONLY BE5 HIS ANKLES /ICK+ \T1 :I* HAD BE5 :5 ! 5TIRE HILLOCK HAD DECID$ TO COLLAPSE ON TOP ( ,ROMAN ,?OMPSON4 

,T$1 A /URDY *AP CONSID]+ HIS SIZE1 HAD TAK5 HOLD ( ,ROMAN'S FEET & HAUL$ HIM FROM ! SUFFOCAT+ DIRT & CL9K] 9 A GREAT SURGE ( ADR5AL9E4 ,IT WAS AT ?IS PO9T ?AT SOME TWO OR ?REE C>S FULL ( COPP]S1 :O'D BE5 WAT*+ ! :OLE EPISODE FROM UP ,/4 ,M>T9'S ,Y>D1 HAD RO>$ ONTO ,PAUL ,BAK]'S PREMISES & HAD COME SCREE*+ TO A HALT BESIDE ! ?OR\<LY DISORI5T$ PAIR4 ,BILL HADN'T KN[N :AT ! POLICE W]E HOP+ TO A*IEVE BY !IR MANEUV]1 BUT HE'D BET !Y W]5'T EXPECT+ ! APPALL+ SI<T ( ,ROMAN ,?OMPSON1 COV]$ HEAD TO TOE 9 BLACK FIL?1 HAIR & BE>D PLA/]$ TO MUDDY SPIKES & HIS CRAZ$1 FURI\S EYES BLAZ+ AMID ! SOOT & MIRE4 ,IT HAD OCCURR$ TO ,BILL1 AS HE'D ?\<T BACK UPON ! 9CID5T FROM !RE 9 ,M>T9'S ,Y>D1 NOS+ >\ND ) ,REGGIE1 ,M>JORIE & ,MI*AEL1 ?AT IF NOT = ,T$ ,TRIPP'S TIMELY ACTIONS1 ! ,DE/RUCTOR W\LD HAVE KILL$ ,ROME ,?OMPSON EV5 AFT] IT HAD BE5 DEMOLI%$ = ! BETT] P>T ( =TY YE>S4 ,IF ,BILL HAD BE5 ! SUP]/ITI\S TYPE1 ! SORT :O READILY BELIEV$ 9 DEMONS1 <O/S & ?\S&-Y>D-LONG RIV] MON/]S1 HE MI<T EV5 HAVE CONCLUD$ ?AT ?IS HAD BE5 ! ,DE/RUCTOR'S MURD]\S 9T5T4 

,AS !Y'D CONT9U$ W&]+ >\ND ! RECONDITION+ Y>D - ,BILL HADN'T KN[N :AT TIME IT WAS1 EXCEPT ?AT IT WAS CLE>LY \TSIDE WORK+ H\RS - !Y'D COME AT LA/ UPON AB\T A DOZ5 DRUMS ?AT HAD BE5 SET AP>T FROM ALL ! RE/1 P]HAPS TO BEG9 WORK UPON FIR/ ?+ ! MORN+ FOLL[+4 ,ONE ( ! BATT]$ METAL CYL9D]S1 :I* /OOD A Y>D OR TWO AWAY FROM ITS COMPANIONS1 HAD A /RIP ( TAPE DANGL+ FROM IT2 ITS FI]CE W>N+-NOTICE TRAIL+ 9TO GRIT & OILY PUDDLES :]E IT HAD BECOME DETA*$ AT ONE 5D4 

,DE/9Y4 ,FATE4 ,KISMET4 ,B+O4 

,BILL1 DELI<T$ ?AT = ONCE 9 HIS PREC>I\S EXI/5CE ?+S SEEM$ TO BE WORK+ \T AS PLANN$1 HAD ORGANIZ$ ! O!R ?REE <O/-*ILDR5 AS IF = A GAME ( TRA9S4 ,S9CE ,REGGIE WAS ! TALLE/1 ,BILL HAD LET HIM BE ! LOCOMOTIVE AT ! FRONT ( !IR IMPROMPTU CONGA L9E1 ) ,MI*AEL1 ,M>JORIE & ,BILL HIMSELF PLAY+ ! COAL T5D] & COA*ES4 ,) ,REG ,B[L] TRY+ H>D TO MAKE APPROPRIATE TRA9-:I/LE S\NDS & PUFF+ NOISES1 !Y'D SET (F 9 A RE/RICT$ CIRCLE R\ND ! ISOLAT$ DRUM1 *UGG+ >\ND !IR M9IATURE LOOP ( IMAG9>Y TRACK AS IF !Y W]E PRET5D+ TO BE A TOY TRA9 RA!R ?AN A FULL-SIZ$ ONE4 

,EV5 9 ! SLUGGI% ATMOSPH]ICS ( ! <O/-SEAM !Y HAD QUICKLY GA!R$ SPE$1 AS ,BILL HAD LE>N$ W\LD HAPP5 IF !RE W]E 5\< ( Y\ ALL PU%+4 ,CIRCL+ FA/] & /ILL FA/]1 !IR PURSU+ AFT]-IMAGES HAD FUZ$ 9TO :AT MU/ HAVE LOOK$ FROM \TSIDE LIKE A GRAY & SP9N+ GIANT D\<NUT MADE ( BLUR3 A TORUS1 AS ,BILL HAD HE>D ?IS APP>5TLY IMPORTANT %APE DESCRIB$ BY ,MANS\L'S BRA9I] 9HABITANTS4 ,AB\T ! BOTTOM ( ! DRUM1 ! DU/ & FAG-5DS HAD BEGUN TO GET CAU<T UP 9 ! ROTAT+ CURR5TS ( ! M9I-:IRLW9D ?AT ! PHANTOM KIDS HAD BE5 CREAT+4 ,GLITT]+ METALLIC T(FEE-WRAPP]S & SP5T MAT*ES SPIRAL$ UP 9TO ! NI<T1 & ,BILL HAD %\T$ ABOVE ,REGGIE ,B[L]'S DOPEY S\ND EFFECTS = ! ,VICTORIAN UR*9 TO RUN FA/]4 ,! DETA*$ 5D ( ! W>N+ TAPE HAD />T$ LIFT+ ITSELF FROM ! POOL ( WAT]1 OIL1 & 9DET]M9ATE HAZ>D\S *EMICALS ?AT IT WAS DRAP$ 91 FLAPP+ DOLEFULLY1 ) TOXIC DROPLETS FLUNG \T FROM ITS SNAPP+1 FLUTT]+ EXTREMITIES4 ,BILL HAD CALL$ \T TO ,REG AGA91 TO TELL HIM HE WAS RUNN+ LIKE A GIRL1 :I* HAD RESULT$ 9 ! ANG]-FUEL$ ACCEL]ATION ,BILL HAD HOP$ =4 ,SOON ! DRUM HAD BE5 WRAPP$ TI<T 9 A TORNADO ( REVOLV+ LOLLY-/ICKS & SP9N+ GRIT1 ! L5G? ( TAPE /&+ /RAI<T UP 9TO ! D>KNESS OV] ! CONTA9]1 RATTL+ AGA9/ ! CYCLONE LIKE A TE!R$ KITE4 

,EV5TUALLY ! O!R 5D HAD COME UN/UCK AS WELL1 AT :I* PO9T ,BILL HAD YELL$ = ,REG TO /OP & !Y'D ALL RUN 9TO EA* O!R1 FALL+ OV] 9 A BREA?LESS1 LAU<+ HEAP4 ,! R\<NECK SPECT]S HAD SAT 9 ,/4 ,M>T9'S ,Y>D & WAT*$ :ILE ! SOIL$ /REAM] SAIL$ AWAY1 B[L+ ACROSS ! PROP]TY'S 5CLOS+ F5CE & (F 9TO ! SODIUM-LAMP SP>KLE ( ! NI<T4 ,MISSION ACCOMPLI%$1 EV5 IF NOBODY EXCEPT ,BILL HAD KN[N PRECISELY :AT ! MISSION WAS4 

,!Y HADN'T HUNG AB\T LONG AFT] ?AT4 ,!Y'D B\NC$ & SWUM & DOGGY-PADDL$ UP 9TO ! W9DSWEPT FIRMAM5T AS !Y'D RETURN$ TO ! UNFOLD$ E>?WORKS1 BACK ! WAY !Y'D COME1 TREAD+ ! MOONLI<T OV] ,SP5C] ,BRIDGE & ! :ORE-MAGNET ( ! OV]NI<T LONG-DI/ANCE LORRY P>K4 ,?IS WAS TUCK$ 9 ! CORN] :]E ! BRIDGE MET ) ,CRANE ,HILL & ! ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 ! TRANSPORT CAFE ?AT HAD PREVI\SLY BE5 A PUBLIC LAVATORY &1 PRIOR TO ?AT1 A SLIPP]-BA?S4 ,?IS HAD BECOME A MAJOR PO9T ( TRADE ?AT HAD SUPPLI$ ! CU/OM]S :O DREW ! GIRLS1 :O BR\<T ! PIMPS1 :O DEALT ! DRUGS1 :I* BR$ ! GUNS ?AT %OT ! KIDS :O LIV$ 9 ! H\SE ?AT CRACK BUILT4 ,EV5 ?\< ,BILL HAD LIV$ A FAIR WAY 9TO ?AT CURR5T C5TURY1 ! TW5TY-FIR/ - MU* LONG] ?AN HE'D BE5 EXPECT+ TO1 AT ANY RATE - HE'D F\ND ?AT VISIT+ ! P]IOD MADE HIM JU/ AS UNCOM=TABLE AS IT MADE ,REGGIE ,B[L] OR1 TO JUDGE FROM H] EXPRESSION1 ,M>JORIE4 

,IT HAD BE5 SOME?+ 9 ! WAY ! /REETS & FACTORIES & H\SES LOOK$ FROM UP ABOVE1 SOME?+ ?AT MADE Y\ ?9K ( ALL ! SACRIFICES & ! /RUGGLES1 ! AMBITIONS & ! *ILDBIR?S & ! DEA?S & DISAPPO9TM5TS ?AT ?OSE DOLL-SIZ$ LITTLE HOMES HAD SE5 ACROSS ! YE>S1 ALL ( IT LEAD+ UP TO :AT1 EXACTLY8 ,BILL HAD BE5 UNABLE TO SUPPRESS ! MELAN*OLY FEEL+S ?AT ?+S HAD BE5 MEANT TO TURN \T A LOT BETT] ?AN ! WAY !Y HAD4 ,! WORLD ?AT EV]YBODY HAD BE5 GIV5 HADN'T BE5 ! ONE ?AT !Y'D BE5 PROMIS$1 ?AT !Y'D BE5 EXPECT+1 ?AT !Y'D BE5 SUPPOS$ TO GET4 ,AL?\< :5 ,BILL HAD ?\<T AB\T ! /ATE ,MANS\L WAS 9 DUR+ !SE E>LY REA*ES ( ! NEW MILL5NIUM1 ! DAMAGE DONE BY ! ,DE/RUCTOR & ITS WID5+ >C ( 9FLU5CE1 HE C\LDN'T SAY HE WAS SURPRIS$4 ,! MOD]N /REETS ( HEAV5 W]E 9 T]RIBLE CONDITION1 RI<T H]E AT ! DIV9ELY APPO9T$ C5T] ( ! C\NTRY'S FABRIC4 ,WAS IT ANY WOND]1 ,BILL HAD MUS$1 ?AT PRES5T-DAY ,5GLI% SOCIETY %\LD />T TO FALL TO BITS1 />T TO UNRAVEL1 AS ! BURN-HOLE 9 ! MIDDLE ( ITS PA9/AK+LY-WOV5 FIB]S HAD BEGUN TO SPREAD1 TO GRADUALLY UNPICK ! :OLE ( ! MAT]IAL8 

,:ILE ,BILL HAD BE5 CONSID]+ !SE NOTIONS1 UP !RE 9 ! HAUNT$ SKY ABOVE ! RAILWAY Y>DS ) ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 & ) ,REGGIE & ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE RID+ ! NI<T BREEZE H&-9-H& BESIDE !M1 HE'D BE5 /RUCK BY HIS SECOND &1 ) H9DSI<T1 MORE DISA/R\S IDEA4 ,P]HAPS HE'D BE5 5C\RAG$ BY ! SEEM+ UNANTICIPAT$ SUCCESS ( HIS FIR/ S*EME1 OR P]HAPS IT HAD /ILL BE5 ! ,PUCK'S ,HATS ?AT HE'D EAT5 HAV+ !IR 5LIV5+ EFFECT UPON ,BILL'S CONSCI\SNESS1 BUT HE'D ALL ( A SUDD5 MADE A />TL+ CONNECTION4 ,HE'D BE5 ?9K+ AB\T ! ,DE/RUCTOR & ! MIS]ABLE TW5TY-FIR/ C5TURY VIEW FROM !RE ABOVE ! ,BOR\<S :5 HE'D MADE A LAT]AL LEAP TO ,ALMA ,W>R5'S PA9T+S1 MO/ ESPECIALLY ! HUGE & T]RIFY+ ONE ?AT HAD LOOK$ D[N 9TO SOME SORT ( MILE-WIDE RUBBI%-GR9D] OR 9C9]ATOR4 

,?AT WAS ! ,DE/RUCTOR1 HE HAD REALIZ$ ) A JOLT4 ,?AT WAS ! WAY IT LOOK$ :5 SE5 FROM ! P]SPECTIVE ( A SEMI-DEVA/AT$ ,MANS\L AT ?IS SORDID JUNCTURE ( ! C5TURY4 ,S9CE ,ALMA HAD RECEIV$ ALL ( H] IMAGES AT SECONDH& FROM ,MI*AEL1 ,BILL HAD UND]/OOD ?AT AT SOME PO9T !Y MU/ BE GO+ TO TAKE ! TODDL] UP !RE1 EV5 ?\< IT WAS A DREADFUL PLACE & TIME1 MO/ USUALLY AVOID$ BY ALL BUT ! ,MA/] ,BUILD]S & ?OSE S\LS :O W]E ALREADY DAMN$4 ,C]TA9LY NOT ! PLACE ?AT ANYONE 9 !IR RI<T M9D W\LD DREAM ( TAK+ AN EASILY-FRI<T5$ *ILD1 ?\< CLE>LY !Y W]E GO+ TO HAVE TO4 ,HE W\LD SEE TO IT4 ,HE HAD DECID$ TO TELL ,PHYLLIS ALL AB\T ?IS LATE/ SIDE-TRIP ?AT HE'D SLOTT$ 9TO !IR IT9]>Y BE=E !Y TOOK ! TODDL] BACK TO #aiei & HIS RESUSCITAT$ 9FANT BODY4 ,!RE WAS NO WAY ( AVOID+ ,PHYLLIS'S 9VOLVEM5T 9 AN EXP$ITION FRAU<T ) SU* DISMAY & DANG] & BESIDES1 HE'D REASON$1 %E'D SE5 ,ALMA'S ALL-DEV\R+ VISION ( APOCALYPSE AS WELL4 ,%E'D UND]/& :Y IT WAS NECESS>Y1 :AT ,BILL WAS SUGGE/+4 

,! F\R ( !M HAD ALI<T$ G5TLY ON ! SAME DES]T$ /RET* ( TURF ?AT !Y'D SET \T FROM1 UP T[>DS ! RAILWAY /ATION 5D ( ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 ,UNHURRI$LY - !Y'D HAD A :OLE YE> BE=E !Y W]E DUE TO R5DEZV\S ) ,JOHN & ,PHYLLIS1 AFT] ALL - !Y'D W&]$ UP :AT SEEM$ TO BE A GRASSY 9CL9E LEAD+ TO ! MODE/ PAT* ( L& ON :I* ! 'CA/LE REMA9S' W]E EXHIBIT$4 ,AT LEA/1 ! SLOPE HAD SEEM$ ?AT WAY1 ! WAY A LIV+ P]SON W\LD EXP]I5CE IT1 UNTIL !Y HAD REA*$ ITS TOP1 :5 !Y'D F\ND !MSELVES LOOK+ D[N ! A/RAL E>?WORKS' PLUNG+ WALLS 9TO ! D>K COLLAPS$ LAGOON1 RA!R ?AN />+ 9 DIS9T]E/ AT A FEW HALF-HE>T$ PLAQUES & *EAPLY-RECREAT$ CA/LE /EPS4 

,LIKE GRUBBY M\NTA9 GOATS !Y'D MADE !IR WAY D[N A ME&]+ & N>R[ CLIFF TRACK1 S+LE FILE1 9TO ! L[] DEP?S ( ! PHANTASMAL EXCAVATION4 ,H]E ! %AD[S HAD APPE>$ TO LAY >\ND 9 SOLID SLABS1 PROPP$ UP AT E]ILY SUGGE/IVE ANGLES ON EA* O!R1 :ILE (F 9 ! DRIPP+ BLACKNESS !RE W]E SMALL & SUDD5 S\NDS4 ,HE'D HE>D A T9KL+ SPLA% ( AURAL *ROMIUM AS ?\< SOME DREAM-?+1 P]HAPS PLAT$ ALL 9 IRIDESC5T SCALES & )\T EYES1 HAD SURFAC$ BRIEFLY TO DEV\R ANO!R DREAM-?+ ?AT HAD ! MIS=TUNE TO BE HOV]+ TOO CLOSE TO ! MIDNI<T M5ISCUS ON ITS LACY T9SEL W+S4 ,! NI<T WAS LIVELY ) C>NIVOR\S IMAG9+S4 

,:5 !Y'D DESC5D$ TO ! WAT]SIDE PO9T :]E ,BILL HAD GRABB$ ,REGGIE'S HAT & S5T IT SKIMM+ (F 9TO ADV5TURE1 ,BILL HAD />T$ SCRAP+ ! NOCTURNAL AIR AS HE'D BEGUN ! TIME-HOLE ?AT W\LD TAKE !M UP TWELVE MON?S 9TO ! SPR+ ( #b#f4 ,DRAGG+ ! ALT]NAT+ BLACK & :ITE ONIONSK9 LAY]S REPRES5T+ NI<T & DAY TO ONE SIDE1 HE'D SOON OP5$ UP A Y>D-WIDE AP]TURE ) A MIGRA9E-LIKE FLICK]+ ON ITS P]IMET]4 ,)\T A SECOND ?\<T1 HE'D CLAMB]$ ?R\< ! CRACKL+ GAP & CALL$ A RAUC\S GREET+ 9TO ! SURR\ND+ GLOOM4 

0,ALL RI<T8 ,IT'S US4 ,WE'RE BACK40 

,! FIR/ ?+ ,BILL HAD SE5 ?AT 9DICAT$ !RE WAS SOME?+ FUNNY GO+ ON HAD BE5 ! /R+ ( RANCID RABBIT PELTS JU/ LY+ !RE DISC>D$ ON A JUTT+ GRANITE \TCROP SEV]AL FEET AWAY4 ,HIS <O/LY NI<T-SI<T1 :I* EMBROID]$ EV]Y HIDD5 ?+ ) SILV] /IT*+ R\ND ITS $GES1 HAD LEAP$ 9/ANTLY UPON ! FALL5 C>NAL G>L& & HIS PHANTOM HE>T HAD DROPP$4 ,PHYLLIS HAD GOT SO MANY 5EMIES ?R\<\T ! MEZZAN9E-REALM ( ! <O/-SEAM1 HE'D CONCLUD$ GRIMLY1 ?AT SOME?+ LIKE ?IS HAD BE5 B\ND TO OCCUR SOON] OR LAT]4 

,BILL HAD JU/ BE5 9 ! ACT ( SUMMON+ :ATEV] LA/ RES]VES ( CUNN+ HE'D HAD 9 HIM TO COPE ) ?IS NEW & DESP]ATE SITUATION :5 TWO FIGURES HAD /OOD UP FROM AN 9VIT+ MOSSY HOLL[ 9 ! ROCKS NE>BY3 A MAN & WOMAN :O BO? LOOK$ TO BE 9 !IR MID-TW5TIES4 ,! Y\NG FELL[ WAS A SQUADDIE1 HURRI$LY REFA/5+ ! GLEAM+ BUTTONS ON HIS >MY JACKET1 GL>+ ANGRILY AT ,BILL ?R\<\T ) DEEP & D>K MAT9EE-IDOL EYES4 ,! WOMAN SMOO?+ D[N H] KNEE-L5G? #a#i#eS SKIRT AS %E'D /OOD !RE BESIDE HIM HAD BE5 A REAL SMA%]3 A PALE BLOND ) GLI/5+ LIP/ICK & /RONG1 F9ELY-*ISEL$ FEATURES ?AT HAD JU/ !N BE5 >RANG$ 9 AN EXPRESSION ( DISMAY1 APPALL$ & />TL$4 ,!RE HAD BE5 SOME?+ SO FAMILI> AB\T BO? ( ?IS /RIK+LY H&SOME PAIR ?AT ,BILL HAD BRIEFLY WOND]$ IF !Y MI<T BE FAM\S FILM />S1 ACTORS ?AT HE'D PREVI\SLY SE5 9 SOME ,EAL+ PRODUCTION1 A REPEAT %[N ON A ,SUNDAY AFT]NOON DUR+ HIS BOYHOOD4 ,C]TA9LY ! GRAY TONES ( ! SPECTRAL HALF-WORLD1 ) !IR :IFF ( ,BRIEF ,5C\NT]1 HAD DONE NO?+ TO R$UCE ! PO/W> C9EMATIC QUALITY ?AT HAD P]HAPS CREAT$ ?IS IMPRESSION4 

,IT WAS !N ?AT ,BILL HAD F9ALLY REALIZ$ :O ! C\PLE W]E4 ,MORE UNACC\NTABLY EMB>RASS$ ?AN HE'D EV] BE5 DUR+ HIS E>?Y & ROBU/ EXI/5CE1 HE'D DUCK$ /RAI<T BACK ?R\< ! TIME-V5T 9TO #b#e1 COLLID+ ) ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE1 ,REGGIE & ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 :O'D BE5 JU/ AB\T TO /EP ?R\< ! HOLE AFT] HIM4 ,IT HAD REQUIR$ SOME RAPID ?9K+4 

0,SORRY1 *APS4 ,DON'T MEAN TO HOLD Y\ UP OR ANY?+1 BUT ,I'D GOT A NICE JUICY ,PUCK'S ',AT 9 ME POCKET :AT ,I'D KEPT = LAT]1 & IT'S NOT !RE N[4 ,I RECKON AS ,I MU/ 'AVE DROPP$ IT1 /EPP+ ?R\< ?IS BLOODY 'OLE4 ,:Y DON'T Y\ BE GOOD EGGS & HELP US LOOK = IT80 

,! F\R ( !M HAD PLODD$ R\ND 9 CIRCLES = A GOOD FEW M9UTES1 SCRUT9IZ+ ! SURR\ND+ >EA ) !IR 5HANC$ AFT]LIFE VISION UNTIL ,BILL HAD SI<$ DRAMATICALLY & HAD ANN\NC$ 9 WOEFUL1 DISAPPO9T$ TONES ?AT HE MU/ HAVE MISPLAC$ HIS *]I%$ ,PUCK'S ,HAT ELSE:]E1 & ?AT !Y C\LD GIVE UP ON !IR SE>* & AT LA/ FOLL[ HIM BACK ?R\< ! GLITT]+ W9D[ 9TO A YE> LAT]4 

,?IS TIME1 :5 ,BILL HAD /EPP$ BACK 9TO ! ALMO/ ID5TICAL PLACE ON ! HOLE'S F> SIDE1 HE'D BE5 RELIEV$ TO F9D ?AT EV]Y?+ WAS BACK TO NORMAL4 ,TALL ,JOHN WAS SAT P]*$ UPON A BRICK-%AP$ B\LD] SOME WAY (F1 *EW+ A /EM ( <O/-GRASS AS HE IDLY SCRAT*$ ONE KNEE B5EA? ! HEM ( HIS %ORT TR\S]S4 ,HE'D NOT BO!R$ TO LOOK R\ND AS ,BILL & ! ?REE O!RS HAD CLIMB$ ?R\< ! TIME-GAP TO RE-JO9 ,PHYLLIS & HIM4 ,PHYLLIS H]SELF HAD BE5 /&+ NOT F> FROM ! R5T 9 TIME'S FABRIC :5 ! F\R ADV5TUR]S RETURN$1 DRESS$ 9 H] D>K GRAY SKIRT & LI<T GRAY C>DIGAN1 H] BLUNT-TO$ BUCKLE %OES4 ,%E'D /OOD !RE PRIMLY RE>RANG+ H] DISGU/+ RABBIT NECKLACE1 DRAP+ IT >\ND H] %\LD]S BE=E LOOK+ UP AT ,BILL IMPASSIVELY1 SE>*+ HIS GR9N+ FEATURES = SOME 9DICATION AS TO :AT HE'D SE5 OR :AT HE KNEW BE=E1 AT L5G?1 %E SPOKE TO HIM4 

0,SO '[ DID Y] GET ON1 !N8 ,TOOK Y] LONG 5\<1 :ATEV] Y\ WIZ DO9'4 ,UP TO NO GOOD1 ,I'LL BE BAYND1 Y] %IFTY LITTLE BEGG>40 

,PHYLLIS HAD BE5 SMIL+ FA9TLY AS %E SPOKE1 & ,BILL'S [N GR9 HAD WID5$ 9 REPLY4 

0,OH1 Y\ KN[4 ,WE DID ALL RI<T4 ,& BY ! WAY1 Y\ NE$N'T WORRY AB\T '[ WE'RE GUNNA MAKE SURE ! BOY WOND] ']E GETS BACK TO LIFE ) ALL HIS MEMORIES & :AT-NOT4 ,I'VE TOOK C>E ( IT40 

,%E'D LOOK$ SURPRIS$ & SLI<TLY ANGRY4 

0,Y\'VE DONE :AT8 ,Y\ LITTLE SOD4 ,:Y DIDN'T Y\ TELL ME80 

,/ILL GR9N+1 ,BILL HAD PUT ONE >M >\ND H] WAI/ & GIV5 H] A LITTLE SQUEEZE4 

0,I CAN REMEMB] MY DE> MO!R SAY+ AS '[ EV]YBODY WIZ ALL[$ !IR LITTLE SECRETS1 GAL4 ,%E ALSO US$ TO SAY ?AT IF Y\ ASK$ NO QUE/IONS1 Y\'D BE TOLD NO LIES40 

,PHYLLIS HAD LAU<$ !N & AFFECTIONATELY PUN*$ HIM 9 ! GUT4 ,= JU/ A MOM5T IT HAD ALMO/ BE5 LIKE H[ !Y'D US$ TO BE TOGE!R1 !IR RELATION%IP :5 !Y'D BO? BE5 ALIVE4 ,%E'D ALWAYS HAD AN EYE = A WELL TURN$-\T G5TLEMAN BACK !N AS WELL1 ,BILL HAD REFLECT$ ) AMUSEM5T1 EV5 :5 %E'D BE5 A WOMAN 9 H] SEV5TIES4 

,SEE+ AS %E'D APPE>$ TO BE 9 A GOOD MOOD1 ,BILL HAD TAK5 ! OPPORTUNITY TO TELL H] AB\T :]E HE ?\<T !Y %\LD NEXT ESCORT ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 TAK+ A CIRCUIT\S R\TE BE=E GETT+ TO ! MATT]'S HE>T1 SO ?AT HE DIDN'T PUT H] (F4 

0 ',]E1 ,PHYLL1 DO Y\ REMEMB] ?AT BIG PA9T+ ,ALMA DID8 ,! ONE :]E Y\'RE ABOVE SOME SORT ( HORRIBLE GREAT WA/E-DISPOSAL UNIT1 LOOK+ D[N1 & !RE'S ALL LITTLE T]RAC$ /REETS & LITTLE PEOPLE SLID+ 9TO A BIG SMOK+ HOLE80 

,PHYLLIS HAD NODD$1 RATTL+ H] RABBITS4 

0,:AT ABAYT IT80 

0,WELL1 ,I RECKON ?AT ,I'VE WORK$ \T :AT IT WIZ4 ,IT'S ! ,DE/RUCTOR1 ,PHYLL4 ,IT'S ! ,DE/RUCTOR :5 Y\ LOOK D[N ON IT FROM ,UP/AIRS1 ,UP/AIRS AS IT IS N[1 9 !SE FIR/ YE>S O' ! NEW C5TURY40 

,! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG'S GIRL LEAD] HAD TURN$ PALE4 ,TO CALL IT DEA?LY PALE1 HE'D REALIZ$1 W\LD BE A R$UNDANCY GIV5 !IR PO/HUM\S CONDITION4 

0,OH BLOODY 'ELL4 ,Y] RI<T4 ,I CAN REMEMB] :5 WE SAW IT1 :AT A FUNNY TURN IT GIVE ME1 '[ IT LOOK$ AS ?\< ! WORLD WIZ COM9' TO AN 5D4 ,I 'ADN'T ?\<T ABAYT IT S9CE ,I GOT UP ']E1 ?\<1 SO ,I 'ADN'T ?\<T ABAYT '[ MU* IT LOOK$ LIKE ! ,DE/RUCTOR4 ,BLOODY 'ELL4 ,DOES ?AT MEAN AS WE'VE GOTTA TAKE 'IM UP !RE SO ?AT 'E CAN SEE IT AN' DESCRIBE IT TO 'IS SI/]80 

,BILL HAD NODD$ GLUMLY4 ,EV5 ?\< IT HAD BE5 HIS IDEA1 A TRIP TO ,MANS\L 9 ITS CURR5T /ATE WAS NO?+ ?AT HE'D BE5 P>TICUL>LY LOOK+ =W>D TO4 ,N[ BLAN*+ TO A %ADE ( :AT ,BILL HAD ?\<T MU/ BE 9FRA-:ITE1 ,PHYLLIS HAD FRETFULLY CONT9U$4 

0,BUT Y\ KN[ '[ BAD IT'S GOT UP !RE4 ,IT'S ONLY ! FIRE-FI<T]S :AT'LL GO ANY:]E NE> IT6 ,!RE'S BE5 S\LS FALL 91 AS WELL1 & NOT COME AYT AGA94 ,:AT IF WE TAKE ! NIPP] UP !RE1 BE=E WE CAN TAKE 'IM BACK TO #aiei & 'IS [N BODY1 AN' IT ALL GUZ WRONG8 ,:AT IF 'E'S DAMAG$ & WE 5D UP SPOIL9' EV]Y?9'8 ,IF ! 'OLE ,V]NALL'S ,9QUE/ & ! ,POR?IMO? DI ,NOR'AN COME TO NO?9' & ITS ALL AYR FAULT8 ,I'LL TELL Y] N[1 IT'LL BE Y\ EXPLA99' IT T] ! ,?IRD ,BURR] & NOT ME1 IF ANY?+ %\LD 'APP540 

,GOOD OLD ,PHYLL1 AS SWIFT AS ,BILL HIMSELF :5 IT CAME TO %IRK+ RESPONSIBILITY4 ,N[ ?AT HE'D ?\<T AB\T IT1 ?AT WAS MORE ?AN LIKELY :]E HE'D GOT IT FROM4 

0,YEAH1 BUT Y\ 'E>D :AT ,DODDRIDGE SAID1 AB\T '[ WE %\LD TAKE 'IM :]E WE WANT$ TO & RE/ ASSUR$ ?AT IT'D BE :]E WE W]E MEANT TO TAKE 'IM4 ,I'VE GOT AN IDEA ?AT ?IS DECISION :AT WE'RE FAC$ ) N[ MI<T BE EXACTLY :AT 'E MEANT4 ,P]HAPS 'E TOLD US ?AT SO WE'D 'AVE CONFID5CE 5\< TO MAKE ! RI<T *OICE4 ,?IS MI<T BE REALLY IMPORTANT1 ,PHYLL4 ,?IS MI<T MAKE ALL ! DIFF]5CE AS TO :E!R WE SUCCE$ 9 DO9' :AT WE'VE BE5 TOLD WE %\LD DO1 OR NOT40 

,?AT HAD SEEM$ TO P]SUADE H]4 ,PHYLLIS HAD M>%AL$ H] SOLDI]S ) COMPET+ T]ROR & DET]M9ATION 9 H] VOICE & H] EXPRESSION4 ,%E'D TOLD !M ?AT !Y'D GOT ONE LA/ /OP TO MAKE BE=E RETURN+ !IR NEW REGIM5TAL MASCOT & MO/ REC5T MEMB] TO HIS [N TIME & HIS [N RESUSCITAT$ BODY4 ,%E'D EXPLA9$ ?AT ?IS W\LD MEAN ANO!R %ORT TRIP TO ! ,MAYORHOLD1 UP TO ,T[] ,/REET :]E !Y'D BE5 ! LA/ TIME !Y W]E 9 ?IS C5TURY1 BE=E !Y'D DUG BACK D[N TO #aiei SO !Y C\LD GO UP/AIRS & WAT* ! ,MA/] ,BUILD]S HAVE !IR FI<T4 ,%E HADN'T SPELL$ IT \T MU* MORE ?AN ?AT1 PRESUMABLY = FE> ( SC>+ ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 BUT Y\ C\LD SEE 9 ! EYES ( ,REGGIE1 ,JOHN & ,M>JORIE ?AT !Y'D KN[N SOME?+ S]I\S WAS UP1 JU/ BY ! /RA9 9 ,PHYLLIS'S TI<T VOICE4 

,%E'D L$ ! <O/ GANG & !IR TRAIL+ DUPLICATES UP ! SAME NOR!RN E>?WORKS' WALL FROM ! COLLAPS$ LAGOON ?AT ,BILL & HIS ACCOMPLICES HAD CLIMB$ UP ON !IR BRIEF TRIP BACK TO #b#e4 ,?IS BR\<T !M \T ONTO ! SAME LONG SLOPE ( GRASS ?AT RAN D[N ALONGSIDE ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD TO ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET & ! SOLIT>Y H\SE ?AT LOOM$ !RE NE> ITS CORN]4 ,BILL HAD BE5 JU/ AB\T TO PO9T \T TO ,PHYLLIS ?AT ?IS WAS ! SPOT ?AT HAD SC>$ ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 9TO RUNN+ AWAY E>LI] - :I* WAS :Y ,BILL HAD *OS5 FLY+ OV] WALK+1 AFT] ALL - :5 ,MI*AEL HIMSELF HAD PIP$ UP & PUT HIS [N TWO P5N'OR? 94 

0,IS ?AT \R /REET D[N !RE1 ?AT'S GOT ! HAUNT-HEAD H\SE /OOD ALL ,MALONE UPON ITS CORN]8 ,I %$ LIKE TO GO & HAVE A LURK AT IT1 IF ?AT'S ALL RIPE4 ,I PREMISE ,I WON'T RU9 AWAY AGA91 LIKE ,I DEAD LO/ TIME40 

,AL?\< Y\ C\LD TELL FROM H[ HE'D MIX$ HIS WORDS UP ?AT ! SMALL BOY HAD BE5 N]V\S1 Y\ C\LD ALSO TELL ?AT HE'D BE5 S]I\S4 ,HE SEEM$ TO HAVE MATUR$ QUITE RAPIDLY S9CE HE'D ABSCOND$ E>LI]1 P]HAPS />T+ TO GR[ 9TO HIS TIMELESS & ET]NAL S\L ! WAY ?AT PEOPLE DID :5 !Y W]E DEAD1 REG>DLESS ( :AT AGE !Y'D DI$ AT4 ,ANYWAY1 HE'D SEEM$ QUITE KE5 TO GO & HAVE A LOOK AT ! B>E TURF & Y\NG TREES ?AT W]E N[ PRESID+ :]E HIS FAMILY HOME HAD PREVI\SLY BE51 & SO ! GANG HAD ALL TRAIPS$ D[N ! SLOPE ) HIM T[>DS ,SC>LETWELL CORN]4 ,:5 HE'D ?\<T ( ALL ! PA9S HE'D TAK5 TO AVOID ! PLACE = ,MI*AEL'S B5EFIT1 ,BILL HAD BE5 MOD]ATELY ANNOY$ TO ?9K ?AT !Y'D ALL BE5 = NO?+4 ,( C\RSE1 IF ! F\R <O/-*ILDR5 HAD WALK$ OV] ,SP5C] ,BRIDGE !N ?AT W\LD HAVE UPSET ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE1 & ANYWAY1 ! FLI<TS !Y'D TAK5 !RE & BACK HAD BO? BE5 LOVELY4 ,PLUS1 ! A]IAL VIEW HAD TIPP$ HIM (F AS TO :AT ,ALMA'S WALL-SIZ$ ,>MAG$DON PA9T+ HAD BE5 ALL AB\T1 SO HE'D COME \T ON TOP1 :I*EV] WAY Y\ LOOK$ AT IT4 ,HE'D DECID$ TO QUIT ALL HIS 9T]NAL MOAN+ & JU/ GET ON ) ! JOB 9 H&4 

,! GANG & !IR PURSU+ AFT]-IMAGES HAD TRICKL$ TO A HALT HALFWAY ALONG ! UNATT5D$ PAT* ( LAWN !RE JU/ PA/ ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET CORN] & ITS LONELY S+LE H\SE4 ,!Y'D ALL /OOD SIL5TLY AS AN UNUSUALLY SOMB] ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 HAD PAC$ 9 HIS SLIPP]S UP & D[N BETWE5 ! ?IRTY-YE>-OLD SILV] BIR*ES ?AT HAD FIR/ BE5 PLANT$ SOMETIME AFT] HIS HOME /REET HAD BE5 DEMOLI%$4 ,:5 ! <O/-*ILD HAD AT LA/ ID5TIFI$ A SPOT :]E HE SEEM$ SATISFI$ HIS H\SE HAD /OOD HE'D SIMPLY SAT D[N ON ! TURF & HAD A PRIVATE WEEP1 BO? DIGNIFI$ & BRIEF1 BE=E HE'D WIP$ ! TE>S ( ECTOPLASM FROM HIS EYES ) ONE SLEEVE ( HIS T>TAN DRESS+ G[N & !N /OOD UP AGA91 RE-JO9+ HIS DEAD FRI5DS :O'D ALL BE5 /&+ A FEW FEET (F1 KEEP+ A RESPECTFUL DI/ANCE4 

0,?AT WIZ ALL ,I WANT$1 JU/ TO F9D \T H[ IT FELT ) NO?+ !RE1 BUT IT WIZ PEACEFUL1 LIKE IT ALWAYS WIZ4 ,WE CAN ALL GO UP TO ! ,MAYORHOLD N[1 IF ?AT WIZ :AT Y\ ?\<T WE \<T TO DO BE=E Y\ TAKE ME HOME40 

,!Y'D ALL BE5 JU/ AB\T TO DO AS ,MI*AEL HAD SUGGE/$ :5 ! Y\NG GIRL 9 ! M9I-SKIRT & ,P,V,C MAC ?AT !Y'D SPOTT$ E>LI] 9 ,*ALK ,LANE HAD COME CLICK+ ON H] HI< HEELS D[N ! HILL & />T$ WALK+ BACK & =? ALONG ! /RIP ( PAVEM5T BETWE5 ,SC>LETWELL & ,SPR+ ,LANE :ILE ! GANG HAD /OOD !RE ON ! GRASS V]GE1 WAT*+ H]4 

,REGGIE & ,M>JORIE HAD BO? BEGUN TO GIGGLE :5 !Y'D REALIZ$ ?AT ! MIX$-RACE WOMAN ) H] HAIR DONE UP 9 FRIZZL$ CORN-R[S WAS A PRO/ITUTE1 :ILE ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 HAD SNIGG]$ ALONG ) !M )\T HAV+ ! FIR/ IDEA :AT HE WAS LAU<+ AT4 ,AT ?IS PO9T ! Y\NG WOMAN HAD /OPP$ 9 H] TRACKS & TURN$ H] HEAD 9 !IR DIRECTION1 PE]+ PUZZL$ & UNC]TA9 ?R\< ! GLOOM T[>DS !M = A MOM5T BE=E %E'D RESUM$ H] PAC+ TO & FRO ALONG ! EMPTY =M] T]RACE4 

,PHYLLIS HAD HISS$ 9 REPROA* AT ,REG & ,M>JORIE = LAU<+4 

0,CUT IT AYT1 Y\ TWO4 ,ME & ME LITTLE 'UN SAW H] E>LI] 9 ,*ALK ,LANE1 & WE RECKON %E CAN SEE US1 ) :ATEV] DRUGS %E'S ON OR COM9' ORF (40 

,REGGIE1 PE]+ AT ! Y\NG PRO AS %E GOT TO ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET & TURN$ R\ND AGA9 TO FACE !M1 WALK+ BACK ALONG ) H] >MS FOLD$ TO SUPPRESS A %IV]1 HAD REMOV$ HIS HAT TO SCRAT* HIS CURLY HEAD & !N HAD /OOP$ TO SPEAK TO ,PHYLL 9 A /AGE :ISP]4 

0,I RECKON AS ,I'VE SE5 '] BE=E AS WELL1 AL?\< ,I CAN'T ?9K :]E IT WIZ40 

,BILL HAD *IM$ 91 PUTT+ HIS LESS QUICK-WITT$ *UM \T ( HIS MIS]Y4 

0,WE SAW '] UP 9 ,BA? ,/REET1 Y\ BIG B[L]-HATT$ B]K4 ,%E WIZ SAT 9 '] FLAT & WE C\LD SEE '] ?R\< ! WALLS1 ) ! ,DE/RUCTOR GR9D9' AT H] 9N>DS :ILE %E DID '] SCRAPBOOK4 ,Y\ REMEMB]4 ,IT WIZ JU/ :5 WE W]E BR+9' TIT* ']E \T ! FLATS1 AFT] WE'D F\ND 'IM ON ! /EPS !RE1 TALK9' AB\T 'IS ,=BIDD5 ,WORLDS & ?AT40 

,REG HAD GR9N$ AMIABLY4 

0,OH1 YEAH1 ?AT'S RI<T4 ,I CAN'T REMEMB] NO?9' AB\T NO =BIDD5 WORLDS1 BUT ,I REMEMB] SEE9' '] ) ?AT BIG SMOK+ :EEL WORK9' AWAY AT ']1 & H] ) NO IDEA AS IT WIZ 'APP59'40 

,IT HAD !N BE5 ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE'S TURN TO RAISE OBJECTIONS4 

0,WELL1 :AT AB\T ME1 !N8 ,I W]5'T ) Y\ :5 Y\ F\ND HIM UP BY ! ,DE/RUCTOR4 ,I WIZ ) ,PHYLLIS & ,JOHN1 & YET ,I ?9K ,I KN[ H] FROM SOME:]E AS WELL4 ,HAV5'T WE SE5 H] WORK+ SOME:]E1 NOT ! WORK %E'S DO+ N[1 BUT 9 A %OP OR SOME?+8 ,OH1 ,I CAN'T REMEMB]4 ,P'RAPS ,I'M MAK9' A MI/AKE40 

,:ILE ! <O/-*ILDR5 HAD /OOD TALK+ ON ! GRASS1 A NUMB] ( ! ]A'S /]N & S]I\S C>S HAD HURTL$ PA/1 N>R[-EY$ & SUSPICI\S1 HEAD+ = ! /ATION OR = ,SP5C] ,BRIDGE & ! ATT5DANT LORRY-P>K4 ,BILL HAD MUS$ IDLY & P]HAPS MEAN-SPIRIT$LY ?AT :5 !Y'D BR\<T ,PR9CESS ,DI BACK TO ,NOR?AMPTON%IRE = BURIAL1 !Y %\LD HAVE BR\<T H] ?R\< ,SP5C] ,E/ATE & OV] ,SP5C] ,BRIDGE1 SO ?AT %E C\LD HAVE PASS$ AT LEA/ ONCE OV] ! DILAPIDAT$ BYWAYS ?AT H] FAMILY HAD LOAN$ ITS NAME TO4 ,HE'D GONE ON FROM ?IS TO WOND] :Y ! GIRL WAS PLY+ H] TRADE H]E1 :5 NOT TWO HUNDR$ Y>DS AWAY !RE WAS ! ,SUP] ,SAUSAGE CAFE & ! LORRY P>K ) ITS POT5TIAL CU/OM]S1 ! LONELY M5 AWAY FROM HOME NURS+ !IR URG5T SUP] SAUSAGES4 ,HE'D WAT*$ H] %IV]+ & %AK+ AS %E'D PAC$ ! MEAG] LIMITS ( H] T]RITORY1 MO/ PROBABLY QUAK+ FROM DRUG )DRAWAL RA!R ?AN ! COLD ON SU* A MILD SPR+ NI<T1 & IT HAD COME TO HIM ?AT UNLIKE 9 ! >EA NE> ,SP5C] ,BRIDGE1 !RE W]E NO CAM]AS H]E4 ,?AT WAS ! LIKELY REASON ?AT %E'D PICK$ ?IS SPOT1 EV5 ?\< !RE WAS MU* LESS *ANCE ( PASS+ TRADE4 

,AS IF TO PROVE ,BILL WRONG1 IT HAD BE5 !N ?AT ! D>K-%ELL$ ,=D ,ESCORT HAD COME PURR+ D[N ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 PROCE$+ NOR?W>DS FROM ! /ATION 5D T[>DS !M1 SL[+ D[N & COM+ TO HALT BESIDE ! CURB ACROSS ! O!R SIDE ( ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET1 NE> ! BURI$ SITE ( ! OLD SC>LET WELL ITSELF4 ,! BY-N[ %UDD]+ & CLE>LY DESP]ATE GIRL HAD GAZ$ 9 ! DIRECTION ( ! IDL+ VEHICLE = A MOM5T1 HESITAT+ AS %E TRI$ TO WEI< ! SITUATION UP1 BE=E %E'D CLICK$ & CLACK$ ALONG ! VANI%$ T]RACE1 MAK+ = ! CREEPY S+LE BUILD+ AT ! PA?'S F> 5D1 = ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET & ! WAIT+ C> BEYOND4 

,! C>1 A NONDESCRIPT AFFAIR ONLY A FEW YE>S OLD1 HAD BE5 WRAPP$ 9 AN AURA ( BAD NEWS ?AT ! <O/-*ILDR5 C\LD PICK UP FROM GETT+ ON A HUNDR$ Y>DS AWAY4 0,S\L ( ! HOLE10 ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE HAD SAID 9 A HU%$ VOICE1 & ALL ( !M HAD KN[N ?AT %E WAS RI<T4 ,!Y HADN'T1 FROM ?AT DI/ANCE1 BE5 ABLE TO SEE H[ MANY M5 !RE W]E 9SIDE ! ,ESCORT1 EV5 ) !IR 5HANC$ VISION4 ,NONE!LESS1 !Y'D ALL SUCK$ 9 A N]V\S BREA? AS ! Y\NG WOMAN B5T D[N FROM ! WAI/ TO EX*ANGE WORDS ?R\< ! SIDE-W9D[ ) ! DRIV] & !N TOTT]$ R\ND ! C>'S FRONT1 BRIEFLY SILH\ETT$ 9 ! HEADLI<TS1 BE=E CLAMB]+ 9TO ! PASS5G] SEAT BY ! (FSIDE DOOR4 ,! 5G9E HAD RO>$ 9TO LIFE & ! ALMO/-BLACK C> HAD TAK5 (F1 TURN+ A %>P RI<T AS IF IT 9T5D$ TO HEAD (F UP ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET BUT !N TURN+ RI<T AGA9 TO DISAPPE> 9TO ! L[] ELB[-5D ( ,BA? ,/REET1 AFT] :I* ! MOTOR NOISE HAD SUDD5LY CUT (F COMPLETELY4 

,IT HAD OBVI\SLY BE5 NONE ( !IR BUS9ESS1 & ! SIX <O/-TYKES HAD ALL BEGUN TO WALK ALONG ! HIDD5 REMNANT ( ! OLD BACK ALLEY1 UP AGA9/ ! WIRE F5CE & H$GES BORD]+ ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL'S L[] PLAY+ FIELDS4 ,R$UC$ TO A FEW COBBLES1 ?IS VE/IGIAL JITTY L$ !M ONTO ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET RI<T BESIDE ! LONELY $IFICE1 APP>5TLY )\T DI/URB+ ITS CLAIRVOYANT RESID5T4 ,MAK+ A LEFT1 ! SIX ( !M HAD />T$ HEAD+ UP ! BATT]$ GRADI5T T[>DS ! ,MAYORHOLD4 ,!Y'D B>ELY BEGUN TO DO ?IS1 TRUDG+ UPHILL BY ! S*OOL FIELDS ON ! F> SIDE FROM ! FLATS1 :5 !Y'D HE>D ! FA9T CRIES1 DULL$ BY ! <O/-SEAM'S DEAD AC\/ICS1 :I* HAD ISSU$ FROM ! BLACK & GAP+ M\? ( ,BA? ,/REET1 JU/ ACROSS ! ROAD4 

,IT HADN'T BE5 !IR BUS9ESS4 ,IT HAD BE5 A MATT] ( ! MORTAL WORLD1 ALREADY PRE-ORDA9$1 & HAD NO?+ TO DO ) !M4 ,IT HADN'T BE5 AS IF !Y REALLY KNEW ! GIRL &1 ANYWAY1 !Y'D BE5 ON AN IMPORTANT MISSION4 ,BESIDES1 IF IT HAD BE5 S]I\S ! SCREAMS W\LDN'T HAVE BROK5 (F ALMO/ AS SOON AS !Y'D BEGUN1 N[1 W\LD !Y8 ,EV5 IF IT HAD BE5 SOME?+ S]I\S1 :AT W]E !Y GO+ TO DO AB\T IT8 ,!Y W]E JU/ A BUN* ( KIDS1 DEAD KIDS AT ?AT1 :O C\LDN'T T\* OR ALT] ?+S 9 ! MAT]IAL WORLD1 UNLESS IT WAS A CRISP BAG OR A L5G? ( HAZ>D TAPE4 ,EV5 IF1 = ! SAKE ( >GUM5T1 ?AT GIRL HAD BE5 9 AWFUL1 DREADFUL TR\BLE1 !N :AT 444 W]E 444 ,%IT4 

,PHYLLIS & ,BILL HAD BO? SPONTANE\SLY BEGUN TO RUN T[>DS ! ,BA? ,/REET OP5+ AT ! SAME TIME1 ) ! F\R O!RS FOLL[+ A FRACTION ( A SECOND LAT]4 ,SP\T+ MI/Y AFT]-PICTURES LIKE A BOIL+ KETTLE1 ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG HAD /REAM$ 9TO ! B5T1 CROOK$ LANE ONLY TO F9D IT EMPTY1 SIMM]+ 9 D>K & SIL5CE4 ,AFT] A FEW MOM5TS' BAFFLEM5T1 AS ONE !Y'D />$ T[>DS ! GAP 9 ! CURV$ L9E ( ,BA? ,/REET'S FUR!R SIDE1 ! 5TRANCE 9TO A SECLUD$ WALL$ SPACE ?AT PROVID$ G>AGES & P>K+ = ! ,MOAT ,PLACE & ,=T ,PLACE DEVELOPM5TS4 ,IF ,BILL REMEMB]$ RI<T1 ! DRAFTY T>MAC /RIP DESC5D+ 9TO ! 5CLOSURE HAD ONCE BE5 A LITTLE T]RAC$ /REET KN[N AS ,BA? ,PASSAGE4 ,! <O/-KIDS HAD DRIFT$ D[N IT1 CAUTI\SLY1 9TO ! ABSOLUTE NI<T ( ! P>K+ >EA4 

,! /ATION>Y ,ESCORT HAD BE5 SITT+ 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! SURFAC$ RECTANGLE ?AT ! R[ ( GUNMETAL G>AGE DOORS FAC$ ONTO1 ) ITS SN\T PO9T+ AWAY FROM ! <O/LY 5SEMBLE4 ,MUFFL$ YELPS1 ALONG ) BUMPS & GR[LS1 HAD BE5 ESCAP+ FROM ! CR\*$1 UNMOV+ VEHICLE1 S\ND+ AS IF TWO BOI/]\S ,ALSATIANS HAD BE5 NEGLIG5TLY LEFT LOCK$ UP 9SIDE4 ,! *ILDR5 HAD APPROA*$ ! C>4 ,IF !Y'D HAD HE>TS1 !IR HE>TS W\LD HAVE BE5 9 !IR M\?S4 

,!Y'D PE]$ 9TO ! D>K ( ! PO/]IOR W9DSCRE54 ,9 ! C>'S RE> SEAT ! WOMAN HAD BE5 ON H] BACK1 H] SKIRT EI!R TORN (F OR ELSE SCRUN*$ UP 9TO 9VISIBILITY4 ,KNEEL+ BETWE5 H] PITIFULLY ?9 LEGS1 RAP+ H] AT ! SAME TIME AS HE WAS PUN*+ H] AB\T ! HEAD1 HAD BE5 A /\T & ALMO/ BABYI%-LOOK+ MAN 9 HIS LATE ?IRTIES1 %ORT BLACK CURLY HAIR ALREADY GRAY+ AT ! TEMPLES4 ,FLU%$ &1 IF IT W]E NOT = ! <O/-SEAM1 FULL ( COLOR1 HIS PLUMP *EEKS HAD WOBBL$ FA9TLY ) EA* ?RU/ ?AT HE MADE 9TO H]1 EA* BL[ HE L&$ ON H] FACE OR %\LD]S4 ,DESPITE ! F]OCITY ) :I* HE'D HIT H] & DESPITE ! SN>L$ 9/RUCTIONS TO JU/ %UT UP & DO AS HE'D TOLD H]1 JUDG+ FROM ! MAN'S EXPRESSION1 HE'D NOT EV5 SEEM$ TO BE POSSESS$ BY UNCONTROLLABLE RAGE1 OR1 9DE$1 BY ANY?+4 ,HIS FEATURES HAD BE5 BLANK & DEAD1 ALMO/ DIS9T]E/$1 AS IF ! :OLE SORDID NI<TM>E WAS SOME?+ ON TELEVISION2 WAS A PORN-LOOP HE'D ALREADY SE5 TOO MANY TIMES TO MU/] ANY REAL 5?USIASM4 ,AS ! HORROR-/RICK5 *ILDR5 WAT*$1 ! MAN HAD SMA%$ ONE R+-DECK$ FI/ 9TO ! WOMAN'S =EHEAD JU/ ABOVE H] EYE4 ,EV5 9 BLACK & :ITE1 ! BLOOD ]UPT+ FROM ! W\ND HAD LOOK$ APPALL+4 ,IT HAD RUN ACROSS H] FACE1 ACROSS H] SPLIT LIPS ?AT W]E OP5+ & CLOS+ >\ND NOISES %E WAS TOO AFRAID TO MAKE4 

,!RE'D BE5 ?REE FIGURES 9 ! C>4 ,!RE'D BE5 A SECOND MAN1 WE>+ A BROAD-BRIMM$ HAT1 :O HAD BE5 SITT+ 9 ! RI<T FRONT SEAT BEH9D ! /E]+ :EEL1 FAC+ AWAY FROM EV]YBODY & APP>5TLY 5TIRELY UNCONC]N$ BY :AT WAS HAPP5+ BEH9D HIM4 

,POSSIBLY 5C\RAG$ BY ! H&-9-H& FLI<T UP TO ,M>T9'S ,Y>D !Y'D %>$ TOGE!R1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 HAD REA*$ \T & CLUT*$ ,BILL'S MITT1 LOOK+ = REASSURANCE4 ,/&+ ROOT$ TO ! SPOT BY ! VILE MOM5T HE WAS WITNESS+1 ,BILL HAD UNTIL !N UTT]LY =GOTT5 ,MI*AEL'S PRES5CE & HAD CURS$ HIMSELF = LETT+ A SMALL *ILD SEE ?IS ABOM9ATION4 ,HE'D TAK5 A /EP OR TWO AWAY1 /ILL HOLD+ ,MI*AEL'S H&1 & !Y HAD 5D$ UP A FEW FEET TO ! C>'S RI<T1 FUR!R D[N ! G5TLE T>MAC SLANT ( ! 5CLOSURE4 ,9ADV]T5TLY1 ?IS HAD MEANT !Y C\LD SEE ! HAT-CLAD FIGURE SITT+ 9 ! FRONT SEAT BO? MORE CLE>LY & 9 PR(ILE 444 OR AT LEA/1 HE'D BE5 9 PR(ILE UNTIL HE HAD TURN$ & SMIL$ AT ,BILL & ,MI*AEL4 

,AL?\< EV]Y O!R OBJECT 9 ,BILL'S FIELD ( VISION WAS A DIFF]5T TONE ( GRAY1 HE'D REALIZ$ ?AT ! MAN'S EYES W]E 9 COLOR4 ,ONE WAS GRE54 ,! O!R ONE WAS R$4 ,SO ?AT WAS :AT HIS FUTURE SELF HAD MEANT1 AB\T ! DEVIL BE+ 9 ! DRIV+ SEAT4 

,! ?IRTY-SECOND SPIRIT1 :O'D BE5 HUNDR$S ( FEET HI<1 SPORT+ ?REE HEADS & SAT A/RIDE A DRAGON ON ! LA/ OCCASION ,BILL HAD SE5 HIM1 HAD LEAN$ CASUALLY ?R\< ! SIDE-W9D[ ( ! ,ESCORT TO ADDRESS ! BOYS4 ,HE HADN'T W\ND ! W9D[ D[N OR BROK5 IT 9 ANY WAY4 ,HE'D JU/ LEAN$ ?R\< IT4 ,BY N[1 ! REMA9D] ( ! GANG HAD GA!R$ BEH9D ,BILL & ,MI*AEL TO SEE :AT WAS HAPP5+1 BUT :5 ! FI5D SPOKE IT HAD BE5 QUITE CLE> ?AT HIS WORDS W]E MEANT ONLY = Y\NG ,MI*AEL ,W>R54 

0,AH1 MY LITTLE FRI5D4 ,I KNEW Y\ W\LDN'T HAVE =GOTT5 \R AGREEM5T4 ,I HAD FAI? 9 Y\1 Y\ SEE8 ,I KNEW ?AT Y\'D REMEMB] ,I'D >RANG$ A JOB = Y\1 UP 9 ?IS BRA% NEW C5TURY1 AS PAYM5T = ?AT LOVELY TRIP ,I TOOK Y\ ON4 ,SPECIFICALLY1 IF Y\ RECALL1 ,I WANT$ SOMEONE KILL$1 !IR BREA/BONE SMA%$ TO FLAKES ( *ALK1 !IR HE>T & LUNGS CRU%$ 9TO AN UNDIFF]5TIAT$ PULP4 ,DO Y\ ?9K Y\ C\LD DO ?AT = ME1 OR HAVE Y\ P]HAPS A HANK]+ TO SEE AGA9 :AT HAPP5S :5 Y\ MAKE ME CROSS8 ,HMM8 ,WIZ ?AT IT8 ,ALL ( MY DIFF]5T HEADS AS BIG AS T[]-BLOCKS & ALL SCREAM+ AT Y\1 :5 Y\R LITTLE DEA?MONG]1 Y\R LITTLE HAG :O /9KS ( AFT]BIR? WIZN'T >\ND TO SAVE Y\8 ,WIZ ?AT :AT Y\ WANT80 

,! TRAFFIC-LI<T EYES GLITT]$4 ,SMALL BLUE FLAMES HAD DROOL$ 9CONT95TLY FROM ! CORN]S ( ! FI5D'S LIPS AS IT SPOKE4 ,!RE 9 ! RE> ( ! UNMOV+ C>1 ! FAT MAN 9 ! :ITE %IRT & GRAY W9D*EAT] HAD TURN$ ! BY-N[ BLOODY GIRL ONTO H] H&S & KNEES1 HE & HIS VICTIM :OLLY UNAW>E ?AT SOME?+ M5TION$ 9 ! ,BIBLE SAT !RE 9 ! FRONT SEAT WAT*+ !M1 APPRECIATIVELY1 & ) SOME AMUSEM5T4 

,LOOK+ BACK1 ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG'S REACTION HAD RESEMBL$ SOME PO/HUM\S SEQUEL TO ,! ,GOONIES OR AN EPISODE ( ,SCOOBY-,DO3 !Y'D SCREAM$ 9 P]FECT UNISON & !N !Y'D RUN AWAY1 ) ,BILL /ILL HOLD+ ,MI*AEL ,W>R5'S H&1 BO? ( !M %RIEK+ AS HE'D DRAGG$ ! 9FANT \T ( ! G>AGE 5CLOSURE 9TO L[] ,BA? ,/REET4 ,! :OLE MOB ( !M HAD BE5 HALFWAY UP ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET BE=E !Y'D CEAS$ H[L+ & HAD /OPP$ TO DRAW A BREA?1 OR AT LEA/ FIGURATIVELY SPEAK+4 ,EV]YONE HAD BE5 A<A/1 & NO ONE HAD KN[N :AT TO DO4 ,PHYLLIS HAD LOOK$ MORE WORRI$ & UPSET ?AN ,BILL HAD EV] SE5 H]1 9 AN EV5 WORSE /ATE ?AN ?AT TIME %E'D COME TO VISIT ,BILL D[N 9 ! CELLS1 :5 HE WAS 9 !RE = ?AT /ABB+4 

0,:AT >E WE ALL GUNNA DO8 ,WE CAN'T JU/ LET ?AT POOR GIRL 'AVE ?AT DONE TO '] & NOT DO NO?9'4 ,AYR ,BILL1 CAN'T Y\ ?9K O' SUMMAT80 

,BILL1 /ILL TREMBL+ FROM ! RUN-9 ) ! DEMON1 HAD BE5 ABSOLUTELY BLANK1 UNABLE TO COME UP ) ANY?+1 AS IF HE'D US$ ALL ( HIS CUNN+ ON ! BUS9ESS \T AT ,M>T9'S ,Y>D4 

0,WELL1 ,I DON'T KN[6 ,WE C\LD GO & F9D SOME ( ! BIGG] & UGLI] R\< SLEEP]S :AT >E R\ND ']E1 SEE IF !Y KNEW :AT TO DO1 EXCEPT ?AT !Y ALL WANT TO KILL US BECAUSE Y\ KEEP PISS+ 'EM AB\T60 

,PHYLLIS HAD GONE QUIET & HAD />$ 9TO EMPTY SPACE = A FEW MOM5TS BE=E %E'D REPLI$4 

0,:AT ABAYT ,FR$DY ,ALL58 ,WE'VE NOT 'URT 'IM1 WE'VE JU/ MESS$ ABAYT ) 'IM1 & 'E'S A GOOD SORT UND]NEA?4 ',E'D 'ELP US IF WE ASK$ 'IM40 

,BILL HAD %OOK HIS HEAD 9 VIOL5T DISAGREEM5T1 BRIEFLY GR[+ EXTRA NOGG9S LIKE A HYDRA AS HE DID SO4 

0,:AT GOOD C\LD 'E DO8 ',E'S NO MORE USE ?AN WE >E4 ,ANYWAY1 :]E >E WE GUNNA F9D 'IM1 EV5 IF 'E 'AS =GIV5 US = NICK9' 'IS 'AT E>LI]1 :5 WE WIZ UP !RE 9 ! TW5TY-FIVES80 

,PHYLLIS HAD ?\<T AB\T IT = A MOM5T4 

0,:AT ABAYT ! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S8 ,MO/ O' ! R\< SLEEP]S GOO !RE ( AN EV59'1 & IF ,FR$DY WIZN'T !RE1 !RE'D BE SOMEBODY 'OO KNEW :]E 'E WIZ40 

,BILL HAD GOGGL$ AT H] 9 DISBELIEF1 ! O!R *ILDR5 LOOK+ ON 9 ANXI\S SIL5CE4 

0,>E Y\ FUCK9' MAD8 ,! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S1 ?AT'S :]E ,MICK ,MALONE ! RATT] & ALL !M GO6 ,TOMMY ,MANGLE-!-,CAT & ,*RI/ KN[S :O ELSE6 ,IF US LOT SET FOOT 9 !RE1 !Y'LL PULL \R HEADS (F & !N /ICK 'EM ON ! BE] PUMPS60 

,PHYLLIS HAD JU/ LOOK$ AT HIM1 A QUE] & ?\<TFUL LOOK /EAL+ ACROSS H] PO9TY LITTLE FACE4 

0,YISS4 ,YISS1 ,I CAN SEE ?AT1 :AT Y] SAY9'4 ,IF ,I WIZ TO GO UP !RE1 ?AT'S :AT !Y'D DO TO ME1 Y] CAN BE SURE4 ,BUT :AT IF JU/ Y\ WIZ TO GO UP !RE & ASK = ,FR$DY ,ALL58 ,AFT] ALL1 IT WIZ Y\ :AT REM9D$ ME ABAYT :AT ,MR4 ,DODDRIDGE SAID1 '[ WE %\LD JU/ GO :]E WE PLEASE1 & RE/ ASSUR$ AS ?AT WAS ! PLACE WE W]E MEANT TO GO40 

,9 RETROSPECT1 ,BILL SAW N[ ?AT ?IS HAD BE5 :5 HIS BIG IDEAS HAD TAK5 A QUITE DEF9ITE TURN = ! WORSE4 ,DISA/R\SLY1 HE'D MADE A FEEBLE EF=T TO USE LOGIC AS A MEANS ( EXTRICAT+ HIMSELF FROM ! BE>-PIT ( RESPONSIBILITY HE'D ACCID5TALLY DUG4 

0,NO4 ,NO1 :AT ,DODDRIDGE SAID1 ?AT WAS JU/ ,MI*AEL ']E :O 'E MEANT1 '[ WE %\LD FEEL FREE TO TAKE 'IM ANY:]E BECAUSE IT W\LD JU/ BE P>T ( 'IS $UCATION4 ,IF WE'RE TAK9' ,MI*AEL SOME:]E1 ?AT MEANS ?AT IT'S ALL BE5 PLANN$ BY MANAGEM5T1 & ?AT WE'LL ALL MO/ PROBABLY COME \T ALL RI<T4 ,IF IT'S JU/ ME1 ALL ON ME [N1 !N IT'S QUITE LIKELY ?AT ,I C\LD GET SLAU<T]$ )\T IT AFFECT+ ANY 'I<] PLAN4 ,NO WAY4 ,NO1 ,I'M NOT DO9' ?AT40 

,PHYLLIS HAD COCK$ H] HEAD4 ,%E'D LOOK$ LIKE %E WAS MAK+ QUITE A BIG DECISION4 

0,ALL RI<T4 ,TAKE 'IM ) Y]40 

,BILL HADN'T BE5 SURE HE'D HE>D H] RI<T4 ,QUITE FRANKLY1 HE'D NOT BE5 EXPECT+ ?AT4 

0,:AT8 ,TAKE :O ) ME80 

,PHYLLIS HAD REMA9$ EXPRESSIONLESS4 

0,TAKE ,MI*AEL ) Y]4 ,IF Y\ TAKE 'IM1 !N IT WIZZLE BE P>T ( 'IS $UCATION1 LIKE Y] SAID1 & BO? ( Y] WIZZLE BE OKAY4 ,IF Y\ EXPECT ME TO TAKE 'IM ,UP/AIRS1 9 ! /ATE IT'S 9 AT PRES5T1 JU/ UPON Y\R SAY-SO1 !N Y\ \<T TO BE PREP>$ TO PUT Y] MONEY :]E Y] MAY? IS40 

,BILL HAD FL\ND]$1 POSSIBLY KN[+ ALREADY ?AT HIS >GUM5T WAS DOOM$ EV5 BE=E HE HAD ATTEMPT$ TO EXPRESS IT4 

0,W-,WELL1 :Y CAN'T WE ALL GO UP1 9 ?AT CASE8 ,OR :Y CAN'T JU/ Y\ & ,MI*AEL GO80 

,PHYLLIS HAD GIV5 HIM AN ALMO/ PITY+ SMILE4 

0,WELL1 IF WE ALL W5T UP !RE1 IT'D LOOK PROVOCATIVE4 ,& IF ,I WIZ TO GO UP !RE1 ?AT'D BE EV5 WORSE4 ,ALL ?+S CONSID]$1 Y] ! BE/ ONE = ! JOB1 'CAUSE Y]'VE 'AD MORE EXP]I5CE ) R\< PUBS !N ! RE/ ( US LOT PUT TOGE!R40 

,WELL1 !RE'D BE5 NO >GU+ ) ?AT4 ,%E'D HAD HIM !RE1 GAME1 SET & MAT*4 ,! GANG HAD C>RI$ ON UPHILL AS QUICKLY AS !Y C\LD1 ) ,BILL /ILL HOLD+ ,MI*AEL'S FA9TLY /ICKY H&4 ,!Y'D SWIRL$ >\ND ! BASES ( ! IRONICALLY-TITL$ ,N,E,W,L,I,F,E FLATS & 9TO ,T[] ,/REET1 ! %ORT T]RACE1 LEAD+ TO ! RAIS$ WALL ( ! CURR5T ,MAYORHOLD1 :I* HAD ONCE BE5 ! TOP P>T ( ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET4 

,!Y WALK$ TO ! /REET'S 5D1 PA/ ! H\SE :]E !Y'D SE5 ! PISS$-UP BLOKE E>LI]1 ! ONE :O'D HAD ! FUNNY LAU< & :O HAD SEEM$ TO SEE !M1 TOO4 ,) !IR GRAY MULTIPLE-EXPOSURES SMOLD]+ BEH9D !M !Y'D MOV$ ?R\< ! SICKLY SODIUM-LI<T :I* SPILL$ D[N FROM ! ELEVAT$ TRAFFIC JUNCTION ?AT ! ,MAYORHOLD HAD BECOME 9TO ! UND]PASSES & WALKWAYS BEL[4 ,!Y'D TURN$ LEFT \T ( ,T[] ,/REET & !RE1 ALMO/ UPON ! CORN]1 HAD BE5 ! CONCEAL$ FRONT DOORWAY ( ! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S4 

,IT HAD LOOK$ LIKE A ?9 %EET ( VAPOR1 DOOR-SIZ$ & JU/ HANG+ 9 ! LAMP-ACC5TUAT$ GLOOM NE> ! ,SALVATION ,>MY HALL1 ACROSS FROM ! UGLY MOSAIC RAMP>TS ( ! ,MAYORHOLD4 ,ABSOLUTELY TWO-DIM5SIONAL 9 ITS APPE>ANCE1 IT HAD BE5 TOO FLAT TO SEE AT ALL :5 LOOK$ AT FROM ! SIDE &1 UNLESS Y\ W]E DEAD1 NOR WAS IT ANY MORE DISC]NIBLE :5 LOOK$ AT FROM ! FRONT4 ,) WRAI?-SI<T Y\ C\LD SEE ! DOORWAY IF Y\ /OOD BE=E IT1 ?\< :Y ANYONE W\LD WANT TO SEE SU* A DI%E>T5+LY UGLY ?+ HAD BE5 BEYOND ,BILL'S COMPREH5SION4 ,EV5 BY ! MIS]ABLE /&>DS ( ! HALF-REALM1 ! PUB 5TRANCE HAD BE5 DRAB & UN9VIT+4 ,ITS <O/ PA9T HAD PEEL$1 HANG+ AWAY FROM ! WORM-EAT5 PHANTOM WOOD B5EA? 9 LITTLE CURLS RESEMBL+ DEAD CAT]PILL>S4 ,SCRAT*$ UPON ITS UPP] TIMB]S AS IF BY A P5-KNIFE 9 A *ILDI% & UNEV5 H& HAD BE5 ! LEG5D ,JOLY ,SMOAK]'S1 & :5 ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG LI/5$ PA/ ! MEZZAN9E-WORLD'S SONIC COTTON-WOOL !Y'D MADE \T DRUNK5 %\TS & BUR/S ( NA/Y-S\ND+ LAU<T]1 SEEM+LY ORIG9AT+ FROM ! EMPTY1 SODIUM-T+$ NI<T AIR ABOVE ! SUNK5 WALKWAY4 

,BILL1 QUITE FRANKLY1 HAD BE5 BRICK+ IT4 ,! LA/ PLACE 9 ! UNIV]SE ?AT HE'D WANT$ TO VISIT WAS ! MO/ NOTORI\S <O/-PUB 9 ! ,BOR\<S1 ! <O/ ( A LONG-DEMOLI%$ PUB1 :]E ALL ! OLD-S*OOL HORRORS ( ! NEI<BORHOOD HAD CONGREGAT$4 ,AL?\< ,BILL HAD ALWAYS BE5 AN AN>*I/ AT HE>T & G5]ALLY APPLAUD$ ! L>GELY UNSUP]VIS$ CONDITIONS ( ! AFT]LIFE1 HE'D LONG ACCEPT$ ?AT RULE-FREE UTOPIAS W\LD 5D UP H>BOR+ SOME COMPLETE FUCK+ NI<TM>ES1 LIKE ! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S4 ,*RI/IANA1 \T 9 ,D5M>K1 ! SPRAWL+ & WELL-E/ABLI%$ HIPPIE FREE-/ATE ?AT HE'D VISIT$ :ILE ON HIS MORTAL TRAVELS WAS A GOOD EXAMPLE1 />T+ \T ) M>VEL\S & VISION>Y HOMES1 DOMES MADE FROM EMPTY BE]-CANS ?AT W\LD OP5 TO ! />S1 & 5D+ UP AT ONE PO9T1 SO HE'D HE>D1 9 GAMES ( FOOTBALL PLAY$ ) HUMAN HEADS4 ,NO1 IT WAS FAIR TO SAY1 = ONCE1 ?AT ,BILL HAD NOT BE5 LOOK+ =W>D TO ! PROSPECT ( A SESSION 9 ! PUB4 

,?AT HAD BE5 RI<T :5 ! MO/ WELCOME SI<T ?AT ,BILL HAD EV] SE5 CAME BILL[+ \T ( ! UND]PASS'S M\? :I* OP5$ FROM ! ,MAYORHOLD'S B\ND+ WALL SOME DI/ANCE TO !IR LEFT4 ,! MASSIVE FIGURE - IT HAD BE5 A MAN - HAD CLE>LY BE5 DECEAS$ LIKE !Y W]E1 JUDG+ FROM ! BURLY M$IC9E-BALL AFT]-IMAGES ?AT HAD ROLL$ AFT] IT \T ( ! TUNNEL 5TRANCE & ONTO ! LAMP-LIT WALKWAY4 

,EV5 ?\< ! L>GE <O/ WAS 9 MONO*ROME LIKE HIS SURR\ND+S1 !RE'D BE5 NO D5Y+ ?AT HE LOOK$ 9NATELY COLORFUL4 ,A FLOPPY & VAGUELY ,P>ISIAN B]ET SLEPT LIKE A M9IMALI/ C>TOON CAT ATOP HIS %\LD]-BRU%+ MULLET1 OR 0! HAIR/YLE ( ! GODS0 AS ,BILL REMEMB]$ ! VOLUM9\S SPOOK ONCE DESCRIB+ IT1 BACK :5 HE'D BE5 ALIVE4 ,! HAIR1 9 ITS !N-CURR5T CIRCUM/ANCES1 HAD BE5 SMOKY GRAY LIKE ! NEATLY ,MEPHI/OPHELEAN BE>D1 OR ! MU/A*E ) ITS 5DS CURL+ UP 9 TWO WAX$ PO9TS4 ,R\ND AS ! MOON1 ! SPIRIT'S AWE-9SPIR+ GIR? WAS DRAP$ 9 CLO?+ ?AT C\LD ONLY HAVE BE5 MANUFACTUR$ = ?AT V]Y PURPOSE4 ,SEWN-ON T$DY BE>S GAILY >RANG$ A TABLECLO? TO HAVE !IR PICNIC ON ! SLOPES ( ! IMPRESSIVE /OMA*1 UND] ! :ITE FLUFFY CL\DS & *E]FUL SUN ?AT HAD BE5 C>EFULLY /IT*$ ACROSS ! NOBLE BOSOM ( HIS DUNG>EES4 ,WORN OV] !SE WAS A CAPACI\S SUMM] JACKET SPORT+ BOLD V]TICAL /RIPES1 GIV+ ! WE>] ! APPE>ANCE ( AN AMBULATORY DECK*AIR1 OR AT LEA/ ( SOME?+ ?AT SUGGE/$ SUMM] & ! SEASIDE4 ,9 ONE H&1 ! WELCOME APP>ITION HAD BE5 C>RY+ A /URDY WALK+ /ICK1 :ILE 9 ! O!R H& HE'D HELD A LEA!R 9/RUM5T CASE LIKE A GIANT BLACK TE>DROP1 ! UNUSUAL %APE SUGGE/+ ?AT IT CONTA9$ A POT-BELLI$ M&OL94 

,TOM ,HALL4 ,! GLORI\S SPECT] RUMBL+ T[>DS !M HAD BE5 ,TOM ,HALL 7#a#i#d#d TO #b#c73 ,NOR?AMPTON'S M9/REL1 B>D & ONE-MAN ,BICYCLE ,P>ADE - A MEMORABLE %[ EA* TIME HE'D SET FOOT \TSIDE HIS FRONT DOOR4 ,HE'D BE5 ! WILDLY ,DIONYSIAN & TIRELESS F\ND] ( NUM]\S BRILLIANT GR\PS FROM ! MID-'#fS ONW>DS1 LIKE ! ,DUBI\S ,BLUES ,B&1 ,FLY+ ,G>RICK1 ,RATLIFFE ,/\T ,B&1 ,PHIPPSVILLE ,COMETS & A DOZ5 MORE ?AT ,BILL REMEMB]$ SEE+ PLAY 9 ! BACK ROOM ( ! ,BLACK ,LION4 ,?IS HAD BE5 ! ,BLACK ,LION 9 ,/4 ,GILES ,/REET1 & NOT ! OLD] PUB ( ! SAME NAME D[N !RE BY ,CA/LE ,/ATION4 ,! ,/4 ,GILES ,/REET ,BLACK ,LION1 HAIL$ AS ! MO/ HAUNT$ SPOT 9 ,5GL& BY <O/-HUNT]S SU* AS ,ELIOT ,O',DONNELL1 HAD BE5 SANCTU>Y TO ! T[N'S DRUGG$-UP BOHEMIANS & DRUNK5 >TI/S FROM ! #a#i#bS TO ITS SORRY 5D DUR+ ! #a#i#iS :5 IT HAD BE5 RU9\SLY IMPROV$1 CONV]T$ TO A TAV]N MEANT = AN EXPECT$ PASS+ TRADE ( LAWY]S & R5AM$ ! ,WIG @& ,P54 ,= ALL ?OSE DECADES1 ?\<1 ! ,BLACK ,LION HAD PROVID$ A FIX$ PO9T AB\T :I* A GREAT DEAL ( ! T[N'S LUNACY C\LD ORBIT1 & ( ALL ! MANY LEG5D>Y TITANS ?AT HAD AT ONE TIME PRESID$ OV] ! CACOPHONY ( ITS FRONT B>1 ,TOM ,HALL WAS )\T D\BT ! V]Y GREATE/4 

,! RESPECT$ REV5ANT1 9 S&ALS & C>EFULLY CLA%+ SOCKS1 HAD SLO%$ & SAUNT]$ D[N ! WALKWAY ) A GAIT ?AT ,BILL F\ND REM9ISC5T ( A B]?+ TUGBOAT1 /OPP+ 9 HIS TRACKS ON SI<T+ ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG1 AT :I* PO9T HIS TRAIL+ LOOK-ALIKES HAD PIL$ 9TO ! BACK ( HIM & MELT$4 ,HIS CALM GAZE1 CONT9UALLY UNSURPRIS$ & UN%AKABLY CONFID5T1 HAD FALL5 ON ! HUDDLE ( <O/-*ILDR5 /&+ !RE \TSIDE ! 5TRANCE TO ! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S1 HANG+ 9 ! AIR BE=E !M4 ,BRI/L+ BR[S HAD KNITT$ TO A FR[N & = A MOM5T ! B5IGN BUT V]Y T\< MUSICIAN HAD LOOK$ /]N & FRI<T5+1 A BIT LIKE ,ZEUS OR ONE ( !M4 ,& !N ,TOM ,HALL HAD LAU<$1 LIKE A DEL9QU5T CAVALI]4 

0,HAH>R4 ,:AT'S ?IS1 !N8 ,HAVE !Y F9ALLY F\ND \T :]E ALL ! ,BI/O ,KIDS W]E BURI$80 

,BILL HAD EAG]LY /EPP$ =W>D1 DRAGG+ ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 ) HIM4 ,HE'D KN[N ?AT ,TOM W\LDN'T RECOGNIZE HIM 9 HIS CURR5T =M1 NOR BY HIS CURR5T NAME4 ,WILLIAM OR ,BILL1 AL?\< IT WAS :AT HE'D BE5 *RI/5$1 WAS A NAME ONLY HIS FAMILY HAD CALL$ HIM DUR+ LIFE4 ,HE'D ?\<T HE BETT] 9TRODUC$ HIMSELF TO ,TOM US+ ! NICKNAME ?AT HAD BE5 BE/[$ UPON HIM 9 HIS Y\? BY A =GETFUL ,P4,E4 TEA*] 9 ! C\RSE ( A P>TICUL>LY 5]GETIC GAME ( FOOTBALL3 0,COME ON6 ,PASS ! BALL TO 444 ,B]T40 

,MI*AEL & ,BILL HAD /OOD !RE LOOK+ UP AT ,TOM FROM :AT W\LD HAVE BE5 ! SITE ( A FULL ECLIPSE IF ! 5ORM\S POET1 SONGWRIT] & MULTI-9/RUM5TALI/ HAD /ILL POSSESS$ A %AD[4 ,BILL HAD GR9N$4 

0 ',ELLO1 ,TOM4 ',[ Y] GETT9' ON1 MATE8 ,IT'S ME1 ,B]T1 FROM ,L9DSAY ,AV5UE40 

,! BR[S HAD RIS5 9 A QU]Y+ EXPRESSION1 ) A SLI<TLY MOCK+ UND]TONE TO IT ?AT ,BILL REMEMB]$ FROM !IR E>?LY CONV]SATIONS4 

0,MY DE> BOY6 ,NOT ,B]T ! ,/AB80 

,?IS W9N+ SOBRIQUET1 BE/[$ AFT] ! UN=TUNATE TE5AGE 9CID5T ?AT NI<T 9 ! BACK ROOM ( ! ,BLACK ,LION - !RE'D BE5 EXT5UAT+ CIRCUM/ANCES1 ,BILL WAS REASONABLY C]TA9 - HAD BE5 ,TOM'S AT ONCE AFFECTIONATE & RIDICUL+ NICKNAME = ! Y\NG & ALMO/ BE>DLESS ,BILL4 ,ACKN[L$G+ ?AT HE WAS 9DE$ ,B]T ! ,/AB1 ,BILL HAD EXPLA9$ TO ! DECEAS$ P]=M] H[ ?IS P>T ( HIM1 ! P>T ?AT HAD LOV$ BE+ EI<T & PLAY+ 9 ! /REETS1 WAS CURR5TLY 9VOLV$ 9 QUITE A S]I\S ADV5TURE ) HIS MATES1 ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG4 ,! IMM5SE APP>ITION HAD ?R[N BACK HIS HEAD1 SOMEH[ )\T DISLODG+ ! B]ET1 & HAD LET LAU<T] LIKE AN E>?QUAKE RIPPLE ?R\< HIS ECTOPLASMIC BULK SO ?AT ! /IT*$-ON T$DIES %IMMI$ ON HIS PAUN*4 

0,HA,H,A,A,>6 ,H> ,H,A H>6 ,! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG4 ,I LIKE IT40 

,! COMPULSIVE V]SIFI] HAD BEGUN EXTEMPORIZ+ ON ! SPOT4 

0,! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG1 ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG1 SO BAD !Y KILL$ !M TWICE6 ,! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG W]E BORN TO HANG = P$IATRIC VICE6 ,HA,H,A,A,>6 ,H[ AB\T ?AT8 ,?AT C\LD BE Y\R !ME TUNE1 C\LDN'T IT8 ,:ADDAYA ?9K8 ,HA ,H,A,>,R60 

,PHYLLIS HAD SC[L$ AT ! LYRIC LEVIA?AN ) G5U9E M5ACE1 TOY+ MEAN+FULLY ) H] RIBBON ( DEAD RABBITS4 

0,WE'VE ALREADY GOT A !ME TUNE40 

,/EPP+ 91 ,BILL HAD ATTEMPT$ TO /OP ,PHYLLIS ALI5AT+ YET ANO!R O!RWISE-ACCOMMODAT+ SPIRIT BY /E]+ ! CONV]SATION BACK FROM !ME TUNES ONTO ! MORE PRESS+ MATT]S ?AT W]E CURR5TLY AT H&4 

0,TOM1 :AT IT WIZ1 ,I'VE GOT TO PAY A VISIT TO ?IS PLACE ']E1 TO ! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S4 ,!RE'S SOMEBODY :AT ,I'M SE>*9' = :O MI<T BE UP !RE1 BUT QUITE FRANKLY ,I'M NOT LOOK9' =W>D TO IT1 NOT AT ?IS SIZE1 & NOT ) ! NUTT]S ?AT Y\ GET UP !RE4 ,Y\ C\LDN'T *AP]ON US1 C\LD Y\1 MATE8 ,ME & ! NIPP] ']E80 

,! G5IAL COLOSSUS HAD BEAM$ RADIANTLY4 

0,Y\R WANT TO GO UP TO ! ,SMOK]S8 ,WELL1 Y\ %\LD HAVE SAID4 ,?AT'S :]E ,I'M (F TO N[4 ,I'VE GOT A GIG UP !RE ) ME NEW B&1 ,HOLES ,9 ,BLACK ,T-,%IRTS4 ,IT WIZ ,TOM ,HALL'S ,DEADTIME ,%[/OPP]S = A FEW YE>S1 BUT !N ,I GOT F$ UP & *ANG$ IT4 ',C\RSE ,I'LL TAKE Y\ UP !RE1 LITTLE ,B]T ! ,/AB4 ,HA,H,>,R,R6 ,I W\LDN'T LEAVE Y\ SITT+ \T H]E ON ! FRONT /EP ) A BOTTLE ( ,CORONA & A BAG ( CRISPS :ILE ,I W5T 9 LIKE A NEGLECTFUL DAD & HAD A DR9K1 N[1 W\LD ,I8 ,H> H> H>4 ,COME ON40 

,) ?AT1 ,TOM HAD PLAC$ ONE PALM FLAT AGA9/ ! HANG+ #b,D TISSUE ( ! DOOR1 & PU%$4 ,! PORTAL HAD SWUNG 9W>DS & AWAY FROM !M1 SEEM+ TO GA9 A ?IRD DIM5SION AS IT DID SO4 ,IT HAD OP5$ ONTO A DRAB1 N>R[ HALLWAY ) DEPRESS+LY D>K WALLPAP]1 A SPACE APP>5TLY C>V$ 9TO EMPTY AIR :I*1 :5 ,BILL HAD LEAN$ \T R\ND ! DOOR'S $GE TO *ECK1 HAD TURN$ \T TO BE UTT]LY 9VISIBLE IF LOOK$ AT FROM ! SIDE4 ,TOM HAD ALREADY 5T]$ & WAS RUMBL+ AWAY D[N ! GRIM CORRIDOR ?AT WASN'T !RE4 ,) A LA/ ANXI\S GLANCE AT ,PHYLLIS1 & /ILL DRAGG+ ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 BY ONE H&1 ,BILL HAD /EPP$ ?R\< ! DOOR1 PU%+ IT %UT BEH9D HIM4 ,HIM & HIS BEWILD]$ 9FANT *>GE HAD FOLL[$ ! BELOV$ 5T]TA9] 9TO ! NOTORI\S WRAI?-PUB1 LI/5+ TO ! P&EMONIUM ABOVE 9CREASE 9 VOLUME AS !Y NE>$ ! ROTT+ /AIRCASE AT ! HALL'S F> 5D4 

,)\T BREAK+ HIS LEISURELY1 UNHURRI$ PACE1 ,TOM HAD LOOK$ BACK & D[N ACROSS ! %\LD] ( HIS /RIPY HUMBUG JACKET1 /UDY+ ! PAIR ( PHANTOM *ILDR51 :O W]E DUTIFULLY SCAMP]+ AFT] HIM1 !IR TRAIL+ AFT]-IMAGES COMPLETELY SWALL[$ )9 ! MU* L>G] ONES ?AT HE HIMSELF WAS LEAV+ 9 HIS WAKE4 

0,SO :O'S ! LITTLE *]UB ) Y\1 !N8 ,WE'VE NOT BE5 9TRODUC$4 ,WIZ IT SOMEBODY ELSE ,I %\LD REMEMB]8 ,*RI/1 IT'S NOT ,JOHN ,WE/ON1 WIZ IT8 ,HA ,H,>,R60 

,BILL1 BY N[ LAU<+ HIMSELF AT ! V]Y ?\<T ?AT ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 MI<T GR[ UP 9TO ! MUTUALLY-ACQUA9T$ *EMICAL & HUMAN TRA9 WRECK ?AT ! TR\BAD\R HAD NAM$1 HAD %AK5 HIS HEAD 9 D5IAL1 BRIEFLY GR[+ NEW ONES AS HE DID SO4 

0,NO4 ,NO1 ?IS WIZ ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 & 'E'S ! SAME AGE AS :AT 'E' LOOKS4 ',E'S TE*NICALLY DEAD AT PRES5T1 LIKE1 BUT BACK 9 #aiei HE'S 9 A COMA OR :AT-HAVE-Y\ = T5 M9UTES1 & !N 'E'LL BE GO9 BACK ,D[N/AIRS & BACK TO LIFE4 ',E'S ,ALMA ,W>R5'S LITTLE BRO!R4 ,Y\ REMEMB] ,ALMA40 

,TOM HAD /OPP$ 9 HIS POND]\S TRACKS1 CLOSE TO ! FOOT ( ! DILAPIDAT$ /AIRS4 

0,WELL ( C\RSE ,I CAN REMEMB] ,ALMA4 ,I'M CREMAT$1 ,I'M NOT S5ILE4 ,%E READ ?AT /UFF AT MY FUN]AL AB\T ME BE+ 444 MANLY 444 9 MY /ATURE1 & AB\T H[ ,I'D BU/ ?REE ( H] SETTEES1 ! DISRESPECTFUL C[4 ,SO ?IS IS ,ALMA'S BRO!R4 ,MI*AEL4 ,MI*AEL4 ,DO Y\ KN[1 ,I ?9K ,I MET Y\ :5 ,I TURN$ UP TO PLAY AT ?AT BIR?DAY P>TY Y\ W]E HOLD+ = Y\R AUNT1 :O'D DI$ ! DAY BE=E & C\LDN'T MAKE IT4 ,O' C\RSE1 Y\ WIZ SO MU* OLD] !N4 ,Y\'RE Y\NG] ?AN ?AT N[4 ,HA,H,A,A,A,>6 ,I'M PLEAS$ TO MEET Y\1 ,ALMA'S BRO!R40 

,TUCK+ HIS IMPRESSIVE WALK+-/ICK B5EA? HIS >M1 ,TOM HAD B5T OV] & ELABORATELY %AK5 H&S ) ,MI*AEL1 ! *ILD'S T9Y PAW 5GULF$ 9 ! MUSICIAN'S FI/ UP TO ! =E>M4 

0,Y\ KN[1 ?IS LOT ?AT ,I'M PLAY+ ) TONI<T1 ,HOLES ,9 ,BLACK,T-,%IRTS - ITS ,JACK ,LANSBURY1 ,TONY ,M>RIOT1 ! ,DUKE & ALL ?AT LOT - ,I GOT ! NAME \T ( A DREAM ,I HAD AB\T Y\R SI/]4 ,%E'D GOT MY ?REE KIDS ALL LY+ ON A RAILWAY TRACK & SAID ?AT IF A TRA9 RAN OV] !M1 !N !Y'D BECOME 9VISIBLE4 ,H] IDEA WAS ?AT :5 !Y W]E 9VISIBLE1 WE'D DRESS !M UP 9 H] OLD %IRTS & PUT A %[ ON CALL$ 0,HOLES ,9 ,BLACK ,T-,%IRTS04 ,HA,H,A,>6 ,GOOD OLD ,ALMA4 ,EV5 9 Y\R DREAMS %E WAS VALUE = MONEY60 

,AFT] ?AT R++ 5DORSEM5T1 !Y'D BEGUN TO M\NT ! CREAK+ SPECTRAL /AIRCASE TO ! MA9 B> ( ! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S4 ,:I* WAS :]E !Y W]E N[1 CR++ 9 ! %ELT] ( ! M\NTA9\S P]=M]1 PE]+ N]V\SLY BETWE5 HIS T$DY-DECORAT$ LEGS AT ! DEM5T$ HORROR ( ! SC5E BEYOND4 

,IT WASN'T ,TEXAS ,*A9SAW HORROR1 LACK+ BO? ! COLOR & ! BLOOD4 ,?IS WAS A ,DR4 ,CALIG>I HORROR %OT ON HAZ>D\S & DECOMPOS+ FILM /OCK1 E]IE BLACK & :ITE SC5>IOS MELT+ 9TO A RA% ( SUP]NOVAS FROM ! HEAT ( ! PROJECTOR4 ,WRI?+ HI]OGLYPHIC FILIGREES ( MURD]\S GRAFFITI W]E G\G$ 9TO ALL ! SC>R$ & ANCI5T TABLES1 SCRAWL$ ON EA* AVAILABLE B>E >EA ( WALL 9 HUNDR$-YE>-OLD PALIMPSE/S ( BILE & BITT]NESS4 ,!RE WAS A LI<T LIKE ROTT5 SILV] TRICKL+ OV] EV]Y P9-%>P DETAIL ( ! RESURRECT$ ALEH\SE1 DRIPP+ FROM PUMP-H&LES FA%ION$ \T ( HORSE SKULLS1 GL9T+ ON ! CRACK$ <O/-MIRROR1 HUNG BEH9D ! OPTICS1 9 :I* NO?+ WAS REFLECT$ BUT AN EMPTY1 FIRE-DAMAG$ ROOM4 ,9 ACTUALITY1 ! FRONT B> ( ! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S DID NOT APPE> FIRE-DAMAG$1 BUT !N NEI!R WAS IT EMPTY4 

,EV]Y BADLY-V>NI%$ B>/OOL1 EV]Y CORN] ALCOVE ) ITS ?READB>E1 /A9$ UPHOL/]Y WAS FULLY OCCUPI$ BY ! DEG5]ATE SPECT]S ( A NEI<BORHOOD ?AT HAD BE5 RUNN+ D[N = C5TURIES4 ,! PLACE HEAV$ ) BELLIG]5T ECTOPLASM & P]SPIR$ A MORBID JOCUL>ITY ?AT W\LD HAVE MADE FLE% CREEP IF !RE'D BE5 ANY FLE% >\ND4 ,UPON A MOTTL$ C>PET ?AT ON CLOSE 9SPECTION TURN$ \T TO BE DIFF]5T /RA9S ( MOLD ON B>E WOOD BO>DS2 B5EA? A NICOT9E-GLAZ$ & OPPRESSIVELY L[ CEIL+ ?AT WAS HUNG ) RU/$ TANK>DS1 V]DIGRIS HORSE BRASSES & A MUMMIFI$ CAT SWAY+ UP ONE CORN]2 9 AN ATMOSPH]E ?AT SEEM$ SMOKE-SATURAT$ ON ACC\NT ( ALL !IR OV]LAPP+ AFT]-IMAGES1 ! UGLY SPIRITS ( ! ,BOR\<S JO/L$ & CAVORT$4 

,9 ONE CORN] WAS ,GEORGE ,BLACKWOOD1 GANG/] & PROCUR]1 SPR\T+ EXTRA >MS AS HE DEALT C>DS1 PROP]LY <O/LY N[ & NOT A LIV+ MAN LIKE :5 ,BILL & ! GANG HAD SE5 HIM E>LI]1 D[N 9 ! #a#i#eS4 ,BLACKWOOD SAT ACROSS A TILT$ TABLE FROM ! T]RIFY+ RATT]1 ,MICK ,MALONE1 :OSE MANY-HEAD$ F]RETS BUBBL$ FROM HIS JACKET POCKETS1 SNIFF+ ! RANK B>ROOM AIR1 & :OSE BLACK & :ITE T]RI]S SNAPP$ & SN>L$ >\ND HIS POLI%$ WORK-BOOTS4 ,HAV+ BE5 P>T ( ! OP]ATION :5 ,PHYLLIS HAD SLIPP$ A <O/-RAT UND] ,MALONE'S B[L]1 ,BILL %RANK BACK BEH9D ! AMPLE COV] ?AT ,TOM ,HALL AF=D$ BE=E ! RAT-CAT*] SAW HIM4 

,GA!R$ R\ND ! B> W]E O!R REV5ANTS ,BILL RECOGNIZ$1 AT LEA/ ! ONES :O /ILL HAD NORMAL FACES4 ,OLD ,JEM ,P]RIT /OOD NURS+ A %OT-GLASS ?AT CONTA9$ A D\BLE MEASURE ( ! TAV]N'S HOME-MADE ,PUCK'S ,HAT PUN*1 DI/ILL$ FROM ! F]M5T$ FAIRY-BLOSSOMS4 ,HE WAS CACKL+ UPRO>I\SLY1 %>+ SOME D>K JOKE ) HIS COMPANION AT ! B>4 ,?IS WAS ,TOMMY ,MANGLE-!-CAT1 ! LOCAL WRAI? :O WAS A CASUALTY TO ! F]OCI\S BREW1 MAD-APPLE CID] AS ,BILL USUALLY REF]R$ TO IT4 ,REPEAT$ & PROLONG$ EXPOSURE TO ! POT5T MOON%9E HAD AFFECT$ ,TOMMY'S M9D1 :I* HAD ( C\RSE BE5 ALL ?AT KEPT HIS 9SUB/ANTIAL =M TOGE!R1 ) ITS V>I\S COMPON5TS 9 !IR PROP] ORD]4 ,AS ,BILL WAT*$1 ! DISSOLUTE <O/'S BLE>Y EYES W]E BO? COMM5C+ A SL[1 SLI!R+ TRIP UP ONE UN%AV5 *EEK T[>DS ! MO/LY-TOO?LESS M\? ?AT GURN$ & GRIMAC$ DISCONC]T+LY SLAP 9 ! C5T] ( ! DEAD MAN'S =EHEAD1 SPRAY+ PHANTOM SPITTLE :5 IT LAU<$4 ,! AWFUL CONVOLUTIONS ( A CAULIFL[] E>1 UPSIDE D[N1 PROVID$ AN APPROPRIATE C5T]PIECE 9 ! POSITION :]E Y\ MI<T EXPECT ! NOSE TO BE4 ,PRESUMABLY1 ! O!R E> & ,TOMMY'S ACTUAL NOSE W]E (F UPON SOME EXP$ITION TO ! BACK ( ! GROTESQUELY SCRAMBL$ HEAD & W\LD BO? BE RETURN+ PRES5TLY4 

,AL?\< ,MANGLE-!-CAT'S VISAGE WAS PRETTY MU* UNBE>ABLE TO LOOK AT1 IT WAS NOT ! MO/ DI/URB+ FEATURE ( ! SC5E 5ACT$ !RE BESIDE ! B>4 ,ALONG ) OLD ,JEM ,P]RIT & HIS C>RION LAU<1 ! LESBIAN BRUIS] ,M>Y ,JANE & V>I\S ASSORT$ ,CLUNIAC OR ,AUGU/AN MONKS1 ,TOMMY WAS HAV+ FUN WAT*+ :AT WAS1 QUITE LIT]ALLY1 A FLOOR %[3 SOMEH[ /RUGGL+ 9 ! FLOORBO>DS AT !IR SCUFFL+ FEET WAS AN APP>5TLY ALIVE & CONSCI\S RELIEF-SCULPTURE ( A MAN1 MADE \T ( LIV+1 MOV+ WOOD4 ,FROM :AT ,BILL C\LD MAKE \T ?R\< ALL ! :ORLS ( GRA9 & D\BLE NAIL-HEADS ?AT =M$ ! HALF-SUBM]G$ FIGURE'S SCREAM+ & CONTORT+ C\NT5ANCE1 IT LOOK$ TO BE A Y\NG LAD1 NO MORE ?AN N9ETE5 AT MO/4 ,HIS SCRAWNY WOOD5 >MS FLAIL$ 9 ! AIR1 P9E F+]S ) EXQUISITELY-C>V$ BITT5 F+]NAILS FLEX+ & CLAW+ AS ?\< SEEK+ PUR*ASE4 ,HIS PUPPET LEGS ?RA%$1 A B5T KNEE MADE FROM SEEM+LY SUPPLE PLANK+ RIS+ BRIEFLY FROM ! SURFACE BE=E /RAI<T5+ & S9K+ BACK 9TO ! FIL?Y1 MILDEW$ TIMB]S4 ,BRUTALLY1 ,JEM ,P]RIT GR\ND ONE HEEL UPON ! TRAPP$ =M'S NOSE1 PU%+ ITS SCULPT$ FACE BACK D[N B5EA? ! >ABESQUES ( MOLD ?AT C>PET$ ! NAK$ BO>DS1 GUFFAW+ RAUC\SLY ?R\<\T1 MOCK+ ! ANIMAT$ FIGUR9E :ILE =C+ ITS HEAD UND] SO ?AT IT C\LD DR[N 9 UNSWEPT FLOOR4 

0,GOO ON1 Y] USELESS LITTLE BUGG]4 ,GET BACK DAYN :]E Y] BELONG4 ,WE DUN'T WANT Y] UP ']E60 

,! SAME DID NOT HOLD TRUE1 IT SEEM$1 :5 IT CAME TO ANO!R APP>ITION MADE \T ( UNUSUALLY LIMB] BITS ( PLANK1 ?IS ONE FULLY EM]G$ & /&+ SOBB+ BY ! B>4 ,?IS SECOND HUMAN M>IONETTE APPE>$ TO ,BILL TO BE A SLI<TLY OLD] SPECIM5 ?AN HIS FLOOR-B\ND & /RUGGL+ TE5AGE COMPANION1 MAYBE SOME:]E 9 HIS E>LY ?IRTIES4 ,BADLY OV]WEI<T & ) ! LOOPS & KNO?OLES ( HIS C>P5TRY CLE>LY DEL9EAT$ ON A %AV5 SKULL1 ! PORTLY DOLL-?+ MOAN$ & WAIL$1 P]FECTLY :ITTL$ TE>S ( LIQUID BALSA ROLL+ D[N HIS WOBBL+ WOOD5 J[LS4 ,?IS WAS NO D\BT BECAUSE ! HAIRY-ASS$ BUT* MAUL]1 ,M>Y ,JANE1 HAD GOT HIM BY ONE LA!-TURN$ =E>M & WAS C>V+ H] 9ITIALS 9 HIS SPL9T]Y & SYRUP-WEEP+ FLE% ) A <O/-SCREWDRIV]4 ,:]EV] ! DOOM$ WOOD5TOP HAD COME FROM1 ,BILL OBS]V$1 HE %\LD HAVE KN[N ?AT )9 A GRAFFITI-SMO!R$ DOVE LIKE ?IS HE SIMPLY REPRES5T$ A FRE% CANVAS4 

,ALL >\ND ! YAMM]+ & 9F]NAL HO/ELRY1 WALK-ONS FROM NI<TM>ES SLAPP$ EA* O!R ON ! BACK OR ELSE HAWK$ BRON*IAL ECTOPLASM UP 9TO EA* O!R'S DR9KS4 ,9 A CLE>$ >EA AGA9/ ! ROOM'S WE/ WALL A CASUALLY-DRESS$ COLLECTION ( DECEAS$ LOCAL MUSICIANS ?AT ,BILL RECOGNIZ$ W]E SETT+ UP !IR CRACKL+ PHANTOM AMPLIFI]S4 ,!RE WAS ,TONY ,M>RIOT1 ! DRUMM] ) ! PHYSIQUE ( A F>M] & ! HAIR/YLE ( A F>M]'S SC>ECR[1 GRAY /RAW TICKL+ HIS %\LD]S AT ! BACK ?\< IT REC$$ %>PLY AT ! FRONT ABOVE A /OLID1 FA9TLY PUN*-DRUNK FIZZOG ?AT LOOK$ BRAC$ = DISAPPO9TM5T4 ,NEXT TO ,M>RIOT1 ,PETE ,WATK91 :O !Y'D CALL$ ! ,DUKE1 /OOD TUN+ UP HIS BASS & GR9N+ QUIETLY AT ! SUP]NATURAL MAYHEM ?AT SURR\ND$ HIM1 %AK+ HIS MOP ( ,J]RY ,G>CIA CURLS 9TO A D\BLE-EXPOS$ PUSSY-WILL[ BU% ) AMAZ$ DISBELIEF4 ,MEAN:ILE ,JACK ,LANSBURY EMPTI$ <O/-SPIT FROM ! M\?PIECE ( HIS SPECTRAL TRUMPET & LOOK$ DISAPPROV+LY AT ! >RAY ( TOMB-WI<TS1 RELICS & R\< SLEEP]S ?AT COMPRIS$ HIS AUDI5CE4 ,HE LOOK$ AS ?\< HE'D PLAY$ TO EI!R A DEAD CR[D OR ELSE A R[DY AUDI5CE 9 ! PA/1 BUT NEV] BO? AT ! SAME TIME4 

,BILL SCANN$ ! ROOM BETWE5 ,TOM'S TREE-TRUNK ?I<S4 ,! SCR\NG+ %ADE ( ,FR$DY ,ALL51 :O ,BILL HAD BE5 S5T UP H]E SPECIFICALLY TO F9D1 WAS NO:]E TO BE SE54 ,?\< HE SUPPOS$ ?AT ,FR$DY MI<T BE SKULK+ SOME:]E AT ! RE> ( ! TI<TLY-PACK$ SUP]NATURAL 9EBRIATES :O FILL$ ! B>1 ,BILL DIDN'T FANCY W&]+ AMONG !M SO ?AT HE C\LD TAKE A LOOK4 ,NOT ) ,MANGLE-!-CAT & ,MICK ,MALONE & ALL ! RE/ ( ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG'S NOT-SO-MORTAL 5EMIES AB\T4 ,9 ?IS R>E IF NOT :OLLY UNIQUE 9/ANCE1 ,BILL F\ND ?AT HE DIDN'T HAVE ! N]VE4 

,HE LOOK$ UP AT ,TOM ,HALL1 :O HAD ! N]VE TO DRESS UP 9 T$DY BE>S' PICNIC PANTALOONS1 & IF HE'D GOT ! N]VE = ?AT HE'D GOT ! N]VE = ANY?+4 ,BILL C\LD RECALL AN 9CID5T 9 ! FRONT ROOM ( ! ,BLACK ,LION1 ! >EA :]E ALL ! OLD] & MORE S]I\S (F5D]S CONGREGAT$4 ,TOM HAD BE51 AS WAS HIS CU/OM1 CUTT+LY S>CA/IC 9 HIS TREATM5T ( A DRUG-ADDICT$1 TRULY HOMICIDAL PATRON ( ! OLD ,BOHEMIAN PUB1 A T[]+ LEA!R-PADD$ SKELETON CALL$ ,ROBBIE ,WISE4 ,! EASILY-(F5D$ JUNKIE1 BRIDL+ AT ,HALL'S REM>K1 HAD :IPP$ AN OP5 /RAI<T-$GE RAZOR FROM HIS RA9COAT POCKET & HAD HELD IT UP TO ! MUSICIAN'S FACE4 ,TOM HAD JU/ TIPP$ HIS HEAD BACK & DRAWN A /RAI<T L9E ACROSS HIS [N ?ROAT ) ONE *UBBY 9DEX F+]1 JU/ BEL[ ! BE>D-L9E4 0,MY DE> BOY1 JU/ CUT IT H]E4 ,HAHAHA,H,>,R,R,R,R60 ,ROBBIE ,WISE HAD LOOK$ ALMO/ T]RIFI$ = SOME TAUT SECONDS BE=E POCKET+ HIS BLADE & RU%+ FROM ! ,BLACK ,LION'S FRONT B> 9 A PANIC1 \T 9TO ! D>K & W9D ( ! ,/4 ,GILES ,/REET NI<T4 ,NO1 ,TOM ,HALL WAS COMPLETELY FE>LESS1 9 HIS LIFE & NO D\BT 9 HIS DEA?4 ,HE WAS ! ONE ,BILL %\LD CONSULT AB\T ! ,FR$DY ,ALL5 SITUATION4 

0,TOM8 ,LOOK1 WE WIZ S5T UP ']E TO LOOK = AN OLD TRAMP CALL$ ,FR$DY ,ALL54 ,C\LD Y\ ASK IF ANYBODY'S SE5 'IM ANY:]E80 

,! CORN]S ( ! MAE/RO'S EYES CR9KL$ ) MIR?4 ,BILL ?\<T ?AT ,TOM'S ADMIR]S HAD BE5 WRONG :5 !Y'D SAID ?AT HE WAS LIKE ,FAL/AFF4 ,RA!R1 HE WAS MORE ! MAN ?AT ,FAL/AFF WI%$ HE WAS4 ,HIS VOICE1 :5 HE CALL$ D[N TO ,BILL OV] ! HUBBUB1 POSSESS$ ! 5DE>+ CREAK ( HONEY CASKS OR KEGS ( MEAD4 

0,HAHA>6 ,AS IF ,I C\LD SAY NO TO LITTLE ,B]T ! ,/AB6 ,I'LL SEE TO IT IMM$IATELY40 

,TURN+ HIS P]SONAL VOLUME TO ELEV51 ! SEASON$ P]=M] NEXT ADDRESS$ ! BU/L+ ROOM4 ,ALL CONV]SATION /OPP$ AS ! ATT5DANT PHANTOMS PAID ATT5TION TO ?IS NOISY S\L :O SEEM$ TO BE DRESS$ AS A MON/R\S BAG ( SWEETS4 ,EV5 ! WOOD5 TORTURE-VICTIM AT ! B> & HIS BULL-DYKE TORM5TOR /OPP$ :AT !Y W]E DO+ SO ?AT !Y C\LD LI/54 

0,HAHA,H,A,A,>6 ,LAMIAS & G5TLEM51 BOYS & <\LS1 CAN ,I HAVE Y\R ATT5TION = A MOM5T ,P,L,E,A,S,E6 ,?ANK Y\4 ,Y\'RE V]Y K9D4 ,Y\'RE V]Y G5]\S = A CR[D ( UNSUCCESSFUL C(F9-DODG]S4 ,N[1 DOES ANYBODY KN[ ! :]EAB\TS ( SOMEBODY CALL$ 444 ,FR$DY ,ALL5 WAS IT8 ,FR$DY ,ALL54 ,IS HE 9 HEAV5 OR IS HE 9 HELL1 ?AT DAMN$ ELUSIVE PIMP]NEL8 ,HAHAAA>60 

,JEM ,P]RIT1 PAUS+ = A MOM5T 9 HIS TRAMPL+ ( ! BULG+ MASK-FACE BACK 9TO ! FLOORBO>DS1 RAIS$ HIS BLACK & FLAPP+ CR[-VOICE 9 ! SUDD5 SIL5CE4 

0,F]D ,ALL5'S DAYN ! PLACE ALONG ! 5D O' ,%EEP ,/REET1 ,BIRD 9 ',& OR ,$GE ,O' ,TAYN OR :ATEV] !Y CALLS IT N[4 ,! BREA!R PUB4 ',E'S DAYN !RE ) ?AT 'ALF-%>P LAD O' M9E4 ,:5 >E WE GUNNA 'A' SOME MUSIC1 !N80 

,?AT WAS ! LONG & %ORT ( IT4 ,BIDD+ A FOND F>EWELL TO ,BILL & ,MI*AEL1 ,HALL HAD DRIFT$ LIKE SOME PLAYS*OOL SEA-M9E ?R\< A LAPP+ SCUM-TIDE ( ! PLACE'S PATRONS1 MAK+ = ! SPOT :]E HIS ACCOMPANI/S W]E TUN+ UP4 ,! TWO <O/-*ILDR51 !IR CORPUL5T COV] GONE1 RU%$ = ! B> DOOR & W5T D[N ! /AIRCASE 9 ONE LONG1 SL[ JUMP1 ) ,BILL /ILL HOLD+ ,MI*AEL'S H& AS HE HAD BE5 ?R\<\T4 ,! 9FANT HADN'T SAID A WORD DUR+ !IR VISIT TO ! PHANTOM WAT]+-HOLE4 ,HE'D SIMPLY /OOD !RE1 ROOT$ TO ! SPOT ) T]ROR1 />+ TRANSFIX$ AT ,MANGLE-!-CAT & ALL ! O!R MON/]S1 ! POOR LITTLE BUGG]4 ,BILL WI%$ ?AT HE HADN'T HAD TO TAKE ! TODDL] UP !RE ) HIM1 BUT IT HAD HELP$ 5SURE ,BILL'S [N SAFETY & BESIDES1 :]EV] !Y TOOK ,MI*AEL W\LD TURN \T TO BE :]E HE WAS MEANT TO GO4 ,?AT WAS :AT ,PHILL ,DODDRIDGE HAD SAID4 

,!Y REA*$ ! /REET DOOR1 BUR/+ \T ONTO ! LAMP-LIT WALKWAY :]E !IR FRI5DS W]E WAIT+ = !M4 ,SLAMM+ ! AIR-DOOR BACK TO ITS #b,D /ATE BEH9D HIM1 ,BILL 9=M$ ,PHYLL AS TO ! SUSPECT$ :]EAB\TS ( ,FR$DY ,ALL51 UPON :I* ! GANG TOOK (F = ,%EEP ,/REET4 ,SWIMM+ ?R\< ! AIR OR B\NC+ UPW>DS FROM A /&+ />T1 ! GANG ASC5D$ FROM ! UND]PASS & SME>$ !MSELVES ACROSS ! BUSY TRAFFIC JUNCTION ( ! ,MAYORHOLD1 AFT]-PICTURES M+L+ ) ! EXHAU/ FUMES AS !Y P\R$ 9TO ! M\? ( ,BROAD ,/REET4 

,! <O/-KIDS RAC$ D[N ! GRIMLY FUNCTIONAL DUAL C>RIAGEWAY ALONG ! ?REE-FOOT HI< RAIS$ CONCRETE WALL ?AT WAS ITS C5TRAL RES]VATION1 RIV]S ( BRI<T LI<T & METAL FL[+ 9 OPPOS$ DIRECTIONS TO EA* SIDE ( !M4 ,!Y W]E APPROA*+ ,REG5T ,SQU>E1 :]E ,%EEP ,/REET & ,BROAD ,/REET CONV]G$1 NOR?-EA/]N LIMIT ( ! ,BOR\<S ?AT WAS M>K$ UPON ! ANGLE'S TRILLI>D TABLE ) A CRUDELY-R5D]$ SKULL1 ! CORN]-POCKET ( DEMISE1 DEA?'S QUADRANT4 ,?IS WAS :]E !Y'D BURN$ ! WIT*ES & ! H]ETICS1 :]E !Y'D /UCK HEADS ON SPIKES1 ) A/RAL REMNANTS ( !SE DREADFUL MOM5TS SOMETIMES VISIBLE ON A CLE> DAY1 DESPITE ! 9T]V5+ C5TURIES4 ,IT /RUCK ,BILL =CEFULLY1 NOT = ! FIR/ TIME1 :AT AN UNBELIEVABLY /RANGE PLACE ! ,BOR\<S WAS & ALWAYS HAD BE54 

,BILL HAD NOT BE5 BORN D[N 9 ! >EA1 NOR HAD HE LIV$ !RE1 BUT IT WAS ! PLACE HIS MOM'S SIDE ( ! FAMILY HAD COME FROM4 ,BILL1 LIKE /ATELY-HOME-9VAD] ,T$ ,TRIPP1 HAD BE5 RAIS$ A ,K+SLEY BOY1 BUT FROM AN E>LY AGE HE'D KN[N AB\T ! ,BOR\<S & ITS ALT]NATELY WONDR\S OR DI/URB+ AURA4 ,! DI/RICT'S SPLIT P]SONALITY WAS NICELY ILLU/RAT$ BY ?AT TIME :5 ,BILL HAD BE5 COMP>+ *ILDHOOD ANECDOTES ) ,ALMA1 ! UNN]V+ ELD] SI/] ( ! WEE <O/ HE WAS JU/ !N *AP]ON+ ALONG ,BROAD ,/REET4 ,ALMA HAD DESCRIB$ AN 9CID5T :5 %E'D BE5 VISIT+ H] FE>SOME-S\ND+ GR&MA1 ,MAY1 :O'D LIV$ D[N ,GRE5 ,/REET4 ,MAY HAD *ICK5-COOPS 9 H] BACK Y>D1 APP>5TLY1 AS DID A LOT ( PEOPLE DUR+ ?OSE DAYS ( PO/W> AU/]ITY4 ,ALMA HAD DREAMILY RECALL$ ! MAGICAL OCCASION :5 %E'D BE5 CALL$ BY H] DAD TO HAVE A LOOK AT :AT WAS HAPP5+ 9 H] NAAN'S KIT*54 ,SITT+ ON ! TOP /ONE /EP1 %E'D GAZ$ D[N AT ! SUNK5 FLOOR1 :I* WAS COMPLETELY C>PET$ ) FLUFFY YELL[ *ICKS1 *IRP+ & /UMBL+ AGA9/ EA* O!R ON !IR NEW LEGS4 ,?AT WAS ! IDYLLIC ASPECT ( ! ,BOR\<S1 :ILE ! ANECDOTE ?AT ,BILL HAD C\NT]$ )1 ?\< SIMIL> 9 MANY WAYS1 REFLECT$ ! OLD NEI<BORHOOD'S MORE />TL+ FACE4 

,BILL1 TOO1 HAD BE5 \T VISIT+ A GR&P>5T :O LIV$ D[N 9 ! ,BOR\<S1 ?\< 9 ,BILL'S CASE IT HAD BE5 HIS GR&DAD'S H\SE 9 ,COMPTON ,/REET4 ,HE'D BE5 ACCOMPANI$ BY A P>5T1 JU/ LIKE ,ALMA HAD1 ALBEIT BY HIS MO!R RA!R ?AN HIS DAD1 & !RE HAD BE5 A MIRACLE ( NATURE 9 ! KIT*51 AL?\< NO:]E NE> AS *>M+ AS ! ,EA/] VISION ,ALMA HAD REMEMB]$4 ,:AT IT WAS1 ,BILL'S GR&DAD US$ TO CAT* & JELLY HIS [N EEL4 ,ON ! OCCASION :5 FIVE-YE>-OLD ,BILL & HIS MOM HAD BE5 VISIT+1 ! OLD MAN HAD JU/ BR\<T HOME A FRE% LOAD ( ELV]S1 BABY EEL HE'D NETT$ FROM ! WRIGGL+ HORDES ?AT W]E !N CURR5TLY MIGRAT+ UP ! ,RIV] ,N5E4 ,HE'D GOT !M 9 A BIG IRON POT1 ITS LID HELD D[N SECURELY1 & WAS TAK+ !M 9TO ! KIT*5 SO ?AT HE C\LD KILL & SK9 !M4 ,BILL HAD ONLY WANT$ TO SEE ALL ! LITTLE EEL1 & EV5 ?\< HIS MOM & GR&DAD HAD DONE !IR BE/ TO DISSUADE HIM1 AL?\< !Y'D EXPLA9$ ?AT ! EEL W\LD BE RELEAS$ 9 A SEAL$ KIT*5 :I* W\LD NOT BE OP5$ UP UNTIL ! JOB WAS DONE1 HE'D /ILL 9SI/$4 ,EV5 AT ?AT AGE1 HE'D USUALLY HAD HIS [N WAY1 & EV5 AT ?AT AGE IT HAD ALL USUALLY 5D$ UP AS SOME?+ DREADFUL4 ,?IS OCCASION HAD BE5 NO EXCEPTION4 ,HE'D FOLL[$ HIS GR&FA!R 9TO ! LITTLE KIT*5 & HIS MOM HAD %UT ! DOOR BEH9D HIM1 FROM ! O!R SIDE4 ,%E WASN'T /UPID1 & KNEW :AT WAS COM+ NEXT4 ,BILL'S GR&DAD HAD !N CAUTI\SLY REMOV$ ! IRON COV] FROM ! POT4 

,! SLIPP]Y BLACK QUE/ION-M>KS HAD BOIL$ UP 9 A HORRIFY+ RU% FROM ! RECEPTACLE1 DESP]ATE = LIB]TY1 & HAD GONE EV]Y:]E4 ,!RE MU/ HAVE BE5 AT LEA/ TWO HUNDR$ ( ! FUCK+ ?+S1 SLIV]S ( 9N]-TUBE ) T9Y />+ EYES1 RIPPL+ ACROSS ! WORN TILES ( ! KIT*5 FLOOR & SOMEH[ P\R+ !MSELVES UP ! WALLS1 ! DOOR1 ! TABLE-LEGS1 ! SCREAM+ FIVE-YE>-OLD4 ,!Y'D BE5 ALL OV] HIM1 9SIDE HIS CLO!S & 9 HIS G+] HAIR1 & HE HAD REALIZ$ TOO LATE :Y NO ONE W\LD BE OP5+ ! KIT*5 DOOR TO LET HIM \T UNTIL ALL ?IS WAS OV]4 ,GRIM-FAC$ &1 ) TIME1 COMPLETELY DR5*$ 9 EEL-BLOOD1 ,BILL'S GR&FA!R HAD BEHEAD$ & !N SK9N$ ! SLI!R+ ABOM9ATIONS BY ! H&FUL4 ,IT /ILL TOOK A GOOD HALF-H\R1 BY :I* TIME Y\NG ,BILL HAD BE5 ABSOLUTELY TRAUMATIZ$1 /&+ !RE ) ! %AKES1 />+ & MUMBL+1 NO:]E NE> AS PLEAS$ ) ! EXP]I5CE AS ,ALMA HAD BE5 BY H] LOVELY LITTLE *ICK5S4 ,BUT !N ?AT WAS :AT ! ,BOR\<S HAD BE5 LIKE1 HE ?\<T N[3 FLUFFY S5TIM5T NEXT DOOR TO WRIGGL+ FE> & MADNESS4 

,! <O/-GANG HAD BY N[ REA*$ ! 5D ( ,BROAD ,/REET & W]E FLURRY+ 9 A SMUDG$ >C AB\T ! R\ND$ BUILD+ ON ! 5D4 ,?IS PLACE HAD ONCE BELONG$ TO ,MONTY ,%9E1 ! BOOKMAK]1 BE=E IT HAD BECOME A NI<T-SPOT & HAD UND]GONE SO MANY *ANGES 9 ID5TITY ?AT ,BILL ?\<T IT MI<T BE 9 SOME WITNESS-PROTECTION PROGRAM1 = ITS [N GOOD4 ,IT HAD BE5 AT ONE PO9T A ,GO? HANG\T CALL$ ,MAC,BE?'S1 & ,BILL KNEW ?AT ITS CURV+ FRONT WALL HAD BE5 PA9T$ A VAMPIRIC LILAC1 AL?\< 9 ! <O/-SEAM ?IS APPE>$ AS A COOL GRAY1 :I* LOOK$ MU* BETT]4 ,BILL HAD (T5 ?\<T ?AT GIV+ ?IS PLACE A ,GO? MAKEOV] WAS OV]-EGG+ ! BLOOD-PUDD+ OR GILD+ ! FUN]AL LILY4 ,HEADS ON SPIKES1 WIT* BURN+S 444 JU/ H[ ,GO?IC DID !SE PEOPLE WANT IT8 

,CROSS+ ,%EEP ,/REET1 WALK+ /RAI<T ?R\< ! UNWITT+ MORTAL PUNT]S :O W]E \T ?AT EV5+1 ! GANG SLIPP$ 9 ?R\< ! FRONT WALL ( ! ,BIRD 9 ,H&4 ,! PLACE WAS FULL ( R[DIES BUT1 BE+ ! LIV+1 BREA?+ SORT1 !Y W]E NO PROBLEM :5 COMP>$ ) !IR PO/HUM\S C\NT]P>TS UP AT ! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S4 ,%IMM]+ ?R\< ! CIG>ETTE SMOKE 9 ! B> - ,BILL ?\<T ?AT 9DOOR SMOK+ HAD BE5 BANN$ LAT] ?AT YE> - ! P9T-SIZ$ POLT]GEI/S LOCAT$ ,FR$DY ,ALL5 )\T DIFFICULTY4 ,HE WAS P]*$ UPON AN EMPTY /OOL BESIDE A TABLE AT :I* TWO /ILL-LIV+ M5 SAT TALK+1 :I* WAS UNSURPRIS+ 9 ITSELF3 A LOT ( ! R\< SLEEP]S LIK$ TO KNOCK AB\T 9 PUBS1 :]E !RE WAS MORE *ANCE ( A HEAVY DR9K] GLIMPS+ !M & :]E !Y C\LD EAVESDROP ON MORTAL CONV]SATIONS = OLD TIMES' SAKE4 ,:AT TOOK ,BILL & HIS COLLEAGUES ABACK1 H[EV]1 WAS ?AT ,FR$DY WASN'T M]ELY LI/5+ TO ! *ATT] ( ! LIV+4 ,HE WAS JO9+ 94 

,:5 ,BILL EXAM9$ ! TWO M5 ?AT ! <O/-TRAMP SEEM$ TO BE TALK+ TO1 HE RECOGNIZ$ ! PAIR ( !M & HAD A P>TIAL ANSW] TO ! QUE/ION ( H[ ,FR$DY C\LD BE 9 DEBATE ) ANYONE :O WASN'T AMONG ! DEP>T$4 ,! MAN ,FR$DY WAS ADDRESS+ WAS ! SAME PECULI> 9DIVIDUAL ?AT ! KIDS HAD SE5 >RIV+ HOME 9 ,T[] ,/REET SUBLIMELY PISS$1 BE=E !Y'D GONE UP TO ,MANS\L TO WAT* ! ANGLE-SCRAP4 ,HE'D BE5 ABLE TO SEE ! PHANTOM *ILDR5 !N1 & SO PRESUMABLY C\LD SEE & TALK TO ,FR$DY N[4 ,! O!R *AP1 SITT+ ACROSS ! TABLE FROM ! SPECTRAL MOO*] ) HIS ANXI\S EYES FIX$ FIRMLY UPON ! W>MBLOOD$ DRUNK BESIDE HIM1 WAS A LITTLE FAT MAN ) CURLY :ITE HAIR & GLASSES :O ,BILL RECOGNIZ$ AS ,LABOR C\NCILOR ,JIM ,COCKIE4 ,HE LOOK$ QUIETLY T]RIFI$1 AL?\< ,BILL QUICKLY REALIZ$ ?AT ?IS WASN'T DUE TO ,FR$DY'S PRES5CE4 ,COCKIE C\LDN'T SEE ! SPECT] HE WAS SEAT$ OPPOSITE TO1 & WAS 9/EAD FRI<T5$ BY HIS TABLE-MATE1 ! *AP ) ! REPEAT$ & DEM5T$ LAU< :O WAS1 AS F> AS ! PLUMP C\NCILOR C\LD TELL1 CONV]S+ ) AN EMPTY /OOL4 

,PHYLLIS HAD TAK5 A DEEP BREA?1 IF ONLY = ! WAY IT S\ND$1 & M>*$ BOLDLY UP TO ! ?REE SEAT$ M51 TWO LIV+ & ONE DEAD4 ,! MOM5T ,FR$DY SPOTT$ H] HE LEAP$ UP FROM HIS SEAT & CLUT*$ HIS WEA!R-BEAT5 HAT CLOSE TO HIS BALD+ SCALP4 

0,Y\ KEEP AWAY FROM ME Y\ LITTLE BUGG]S6 ,I'VE HAD QUITE 5\< O' Y\ LOT = ONE DAY1 ) ALL ?AT MESS9' ME AB\T :5 Y\ W]E UP !RE 9 ! TW5TY-FIVES40 

,PHYLLIS HAD RAIS$ H] PALMS T[>DS ! ANGRY SPIRIT 9 A CALM+ & PLACAT+ GE/URE4 

0,MR4 ,ALL51 ,I KN[ WE'VE BE5 ROTT5 TO Y]1 AN' ,I'M SORRY4 ,WE WUN'T DO IT ANYMORE4 ,I'D NOT 'AVE BO!R$ Y]1 EXCEPT BY ALL ACCAYNTS Y] ?\<T TO BE A DEC5T SORT1 & !RE'S ?IS Y\NG GIRL :AT'S 9 TR\BLE40 

,FROM ! MOM5T ,FR$DY HAD /OOD UP1 ! PISS$-UP & APP>5TLY CLAIRVOYANT *AP BESIDE HIM HAD BEGUN TO LAU< UPRO>I\SLY1 TRANSF]R+ HIS 9EBRIATE ATT5TIONS TO ! CLE>LY N]V\S C\NCILOR 9/EAD4 

0,AHAHAHA6 ,DID Y\ SEE ?AT8 ,HE JU/ /OOD UP LIKE HE'D GOT PILES4 ,HE'S CROSS BECAUSE A LOAD ( LITTLE BLI<T]S JU/ COME 940 ,! PSY*IC DRUNK HAD TURN$ HIS HEAD TO LOOK DIRECTLY AT ,BILL & HIS DEAD CONF$]ATES H]E4 0,Y\ CAN'T COME 96 ,Y\'RE UND]AGE6 ,:AT IF ! L&LORD ASKS TO SEE Y\R DEA?-C]TIFICATES8 ,AHAHAHA60 

,! RATTL$ C\NCILOR GLANC$ BRIEFLY 9 ! SAME DIRECTION ?AT ! O!R MAN WAS LOOK+1 BUT APPE>$ UNABLE TO SEE ANY?+4 ,COCKIE LOOK$ BACK T[>DS ! *UCKL+ BOOZ] SEAT$ NEXT TO HIM1 BADLY UNN]V$ N[4 

0,I DON'T UND]/& ?IS4 ,I DON'T UND]/& Y\ PEOPLE40 

,FR$DY1 MEAN:ILE1 HAD BECOME LESS FURI\S & MORE PUZZL$ AT ,PHYLL'S M5TION ( A Y\NG WOMAN 9 TR\BLE4 

0,:AT Y\NG GIRL8 ,& ANYWAY1 :AT'S IT TO ME80 

,! DRUNK51 GIGGL+ BLOKE WAS TURN+ TO ! C\NCILOR N[1 SAY+ 0,I CAN'T HE> 'EM4 ,EV5 :5 !Y'RE RI<T UP NEXT TO Y\ !Y S\ND FA9T1 HAVE Y\ NOTIC$8 ,AHAHA40 

,PHYLLIS P]SI/$4 

0,I DON'T KN[ IF Y\'LL 'AVE SE5 ']1 JU/ >\ND & ?AT1 BUT %E'S AN 'ALF-CA/E GIRL AB\T N9ETE51 :O'S GOT '] 'AIR ALL DONE 9 PLAITS1 LIKE /RIPES4 ,%E WE>S ONE O' !M %9Y COATS1 AN' IT LOOKS LIKE %E'S ON ! GAME40 

,A GL9T ( RECOGNITION CAME 9TO ! ?READB>E APP>ITION'S SAD EYES4 

0,I 444 ,I ?9K ,I KN[ ! ONE Y\'RE ON AB\T4 ,%E LIVES D[N ,BA? ,/REET FLATS1 9 :AT US$ TO BE ,PATSY ,CL>KE'S OLD PLACE40 

,! <O/ GANG'S LEAD] NODD$ ONCE1 D\BL+ ! NUMB] ( H] HEADS & S5D+ A BRIEF TREMOR ?R\< H] HANG+ RABBIT PELTS4 

0,?AT'S ']4 ,!RE'S SOME BLOKE GOT '] 9 ?AT LITTLE G>AGE PLACE D[N :]E ,BA? ,PASSAGE US$ TO BE4 ',E'S GOT 'IS C> P>K$ D[N !RE AN' 'E'S DO9' Y\-KN[-:AT TO ']4 ,NOT AS A CU/OM]1 LIKE1 BUT AGA9/ '] WILL40 

,FROM ! EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE1 IT LOOK$ LIKE AN 9VIOLABLE L9E HAD BE5 CROSS$ ON ,F]D ,ALL5'S PRIVATE MORAL PLAY+-FIELD4 

0,BA? ,PASSAGE4 ,I PASS$ BY !RE E>LI]1 VISIT+ ME MATE4 ,I C\LD FEEL SOME?+ BAD WIZ GO+ TO 'APP54 ,OH MY ,GOD4 ,I BETT] GET D[N !RE4 ,I BETT] SEE :AT ,I CAN DO40 

,) ?AT1 ! RAGG$ S\L ( ! NOTORI\S DOOR/EP-ROBB] /REAK$ /RAI<T ?R\< FIVE OR SIX CU/OM]S1 A TABLE1 & ! FRONT WALL ( ! ,BIRD ,9 ,H&1 GU%+ 9TO ! NI<T \TSIDE LIKE ANGRY /EAM4 ,BILL DIDN'T KN[ IF ! <O/-VAGRANT W\LD BE ABLE TO HELP ?AT Y\NG GIRL OR NOT1 NOR IF ! DEMON W\LD /ILL BE 9 ! FRONT SEAT :5 ,FR$DY GOT !RE1 BUT IT DIDN'T MATT]4 ,!Y'D DONE ALL !Y C\LD & N[ IT WAS \T ( !IR H&S4 ,P]HAPS IT ALWAYS HAD BE54 

,) ! HOOK$-NOS$ DRUNK /ILL GIGGL+ AS HE PO9T$ AT ! <O/LY *ILDR5 ONLY HE C\LD SEE1 ! DEAD GANG FOLL[$ ,FR$DY \T 9TO ! D>K GULLET ( ,%EEP ,/REET1 BUT ! DIS9C>NATE DOSS] HAD ALREADY VANI%$1 (F AB\T HIS URG5T BUS9ESS4 ,PHYLLIS ?REW H] PUTRID /OLE ACROSS H] %\LD] LIKE A ZOMBIE *ILD-/> & ANN\NC$ ?AT !Y'D HEAD BACK UP ,BROAD ,/REET TO ! ,MAYORHOLD1 :]E !Y W\LD RETURN TO ,T[] ,/REET & NEXT ASC5D UP TO ! ,WORKS1 OR :AT WAS LEFT ( ?AT SUBLIME E/ABLI%M5T 9 #b#f4 ,!N !Y'D TAKE ,MI*AEL BACK TO #a#i#e#i1 HIS BODY1 & HIS LIFE4 

,?IS HAD ( C\RSE BE5 ,BILL'S IDEA1 BUT 9 ! PIT ( HIS LONG-VANI%$ /OMA* HE WAS DREAD+ IT1 ! SPOIL$ ,MANS\L & ! ,DE/RUCTOR1 MO/ ESPECIALLY ! LATT]4 ,IT WAS :AT IT REPRES5T$1 ! ANNIHILAT+ ?+ 9 EV]YBODY'S LIVES1 REG>DLESS ( :AT =M IT TOOK4 ,= ,BILL1 HE'D FIR/ FELT ITS REMORSELESS TURN+ CURR5TS :5 HE'D BE5 ALIVE1 A SEV5TE5-YE>-OLD FRE%LY EXPELL$ FROM S*OOL & TRY+ HIS FIR/ %OT ( SMACK 9 A C&LE-LIT P>TY ROOM1 ONE ,FRIDAY NI<T AFT] ! PUB4 ,!Y'D ALL BE5 !RE1 ALL ( HIS MATES1 OR AT LEA/ A GOOD NUMB] ( !M4 ,KEV9 ,P>TRIDGE1 ,BIG ,JOHN ,WE/ON1 PRETTY ,JANICE ,HE>/1 ,TUBBS ,MONDAY & AB\T F\R O!RS ?AT ,BILL C\LD REMEMB]4 ,TUBBS HAD BE5 ! G5]\S SUPPLI] ( ! GOODS 9 QUE/ION1 & IT HAD BE5 HIS WORKS ?AT ! RE/ ( !M W]E PASS+ R\ND4 ,& :ILE IT HAD TURN$ \T HE WAS HIMSELF IMMUNE TO ! DISEASE1 ,TUBBS WAS ! C>RI] :O'D PASS$ ON ,HEPATITIS ,B & ,C TO EV]YBODY ELSE4 

,BILL C\LD REMEMB] EV]Y DAFT WORD ( !IR UNIMPORTANT *ATT] AS !Y'D SAT H&+ ! SPIKE >\ND1 EV5 REMEMB]$ ! *ILL 9/ANT :5 HE'D BRIEFLY ?\<T TO HIMSELF ,I %\LDN'T BE DO+ ?IS1 ALMO/ AS IF HE'D KN[N ?IS WAS ! ACTION ?AT W\LD KILL HIM1 =TY YE>S OR SO ALONG ! L+] ( HIS LIFE4 ,?AT WAS ! MOM5T :51 9 RETROSPECT1 HE'D FELT ! BRU% ( ! ,DE/RUCTOR1 FELT ITS SOB]+ BREEZE BL[N FROM ! FUTURE4 ,& YET ,BILL HAD DONE IT ANYWAY1 AS IF HE'D HAD NO *OICE AB\T IT1 AS IF IT WAS DE/9Y1 :I* HE SUPPOS$ IT HAD BE54 0,YEAH1 *E]S01 ,BILL HAD SAID1 & PU%$ ! NE$LE 94 

,HE ?\<T AB\T ! *AT HE'D OV]HE>D1 BETWE5 ! FRI5DLY BUILD] ,MR4 ,AZIEL & ,PHIL ,DODDRIDGE1 :5 ,DODDRIDGE HAD ASK$ ! ANGLE IF MANK9D HAD EV] TRULY HAD FREE WILL1 TO :I* ! LONG-FAC$ ,MR4 ,AZIEL HAD RESPOND$ GLUMLY 9 ! NEGATIVE1 !N ADD$ 0,DID Y\ MISS IT801 FOLL[$ BY UNFA?OMABLE LAU<T]4 ,UNFA?OMABLE AT ! TIME1 AT LEA/1 AL?\< ,BILL UND]/OOD IT N[4 ,HE GOT ! GAG4 ,9 SOME WAYS1 IT WAS ALMO/ COM=T+1 ! NOTION ?AT :ATEV] Y\ DID OR ACCOMPLI%$1 Y\ W]E 9 ! 5D ONLY AN ACTOR RUNN+ ?R\< A MA/]FULLY SCRIPT$ DRAMA4 ,Y\ JU/ DIDN'T KN[ IT AT ! TIME1 & ?\<T Y\ W]E EXTEMPORIZ+4 ,IT WAS SORT ( COMICAL1 ,BILL SAW ?AT N[1 BUT HE /ILL F\ND SOME SOLACE 9 ! ?\<T ?AT 9 A PR$ET]M9$ WORLD1 !RE WAS NO PO9T AT ALL 9 FRETT+ OV] ANY?+1 NOR ANY PURPOSE TO REGRET4 

,HE WAS /ILL TRY+ TO DRAW REASSURANCE FROM ?AT :5 ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG >RIV$ 9 ,T[] ,/REET & BEGAN !IR CLIMB UP TO ! SOOTY WRECK ( ,HEAV54 

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

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#d1 #bba 3 ,BOOK #b1 ,*APT] #a -- ,ADD$4 

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