,BOOK #b1 ,*APT] #b 
,AN ,ASMODEUS ,FLI<T 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

,A,N ,A,S,M,O,D,E,U,S ,F,L,I,<,T 

,! DEVIL C\LDN'T CALL TO M9D ! LA/ TIME HE'D 5JOY$ HIMSELF AS MU* AS ?IS4 ,?IS WAS A GREAT LAU< 9 ! GREATE/ S5SE ( ! WORD GREAT3 GREAT LIKE A W>1 A :ITE %>K OR ! ,WALL ( ,*9A4 ,OH1 MY SWEE!>TS 9 DAMNATION1 ?IS WAS PRICELESS4 

,!RE HE'D BE51 JU/ LEAN+ ON SOMEBODY'S OLD DREAM ( A BALCONY & PUFF+ ON HIS FAVORITE PIPE4 ,?IS WAS ! ONE HE'D :ITTL$ FROM ! SPICY1 MADNESS-SEASON$ SPIRIT ( AN EI<TE5?-C5TURY ,FR5* DIABOLI/4 ,HE FANCI$ ?AT IT MADE HIS BE/ TOBACCO TA/E ( ,P>IS1 SEXUAL 9T]C\RSE & MURD]1 SOME:]E BETWE5 MEAT & LICORICE4 

,ANYWAY1 !RE HE'D BE51 LOAF+ >\ND ABOVE ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA?1 CLOSE TO ! CRUX ( ,ANGLE-L&1 :5 UP HAD COME ?IS BUILD]1 ,MA/] ,BUILD] M9D Y\1 ) A SPLIT LIP & A %9] LIKE HE'D JU/ BE5 9 A FI<T4 ,I MEAN1 ! DEVIL ?\<T1 H[ (T5 DO Y\ GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ! PISS ON SU* A SEW]-DRA9+ SCALE AS ?AT8 

0,MY DE> BOY6 ,HAVE WE WALK$ 9TO A PE>LY GATE80 ,NOT TOO BAD = AN OP5+ REM>K1 ALL ?+S CONSID]$1 DRIPP+ AS IT WAS ) OBVI\SLY FALSE CONC]N1 AS IF 9QUIR+ ON ! HEAL? ( AN OBNOXI\S NEPHEW Y\ TRANSP>5TLY DESPIS$4 ,! ?+ ) BUILD]S1 ,MA/] ,BUILD]S 9 ?IS 9/ANCE1 WAS ?AT :ILE !Y W]E QUITE CAPABLE ( LEVEL+ A CITY OR A DYNA/Y1 !Y HAT$ BE+ PATRONIZ$4 

,! ,MA/] ,BUILD] - ! :ITE-HAIR$ ONE :O'D MADE SOME?+ ( A NAME = HIMSELF PLAY+ BILLI>DS2 HELD HIS CUE 9 ONE H& AT ?AT V]Y MOM5T1 = ?AT MATT] - /OPP$ & TURN$ TO SEE :O WAS ADDRESS+ HIM4 ,SC[L$ LIKE A FONDL$ *OIRBOY :5 HE F\ND \T1 NATURALLY2 ?AT ?+ ! BUILD]S DID TO MAKE !IR EYES FLA% A SPLIT SECOND BE=E !Y 9C9]AT$ Y\4 ,MY WORD1 HE WAS 9 A BAD MOOD1 WAS ,MI<TY ,:ITEY4 

,TO BE HONE/1 ?IS MADE A REFRE%+ *ANGE FROM ! UNASK$-= PITY & ! BOTTOMLESS =GIV5ESS ?AT WAS USUALLY 9 !IR GAZE4 ,BUILD]S W\LD ORD] Y\ AT SNOOK] CUE-PO9T TO 9HABIT DEP?S ?AT W]E UNSPEAKABLE1 L[] ?AN ?OSE 5DUR$ BY SYPHILITIC TYRANTS1 & !N ADD 9SULT TO 9JURY BY =GIV+ Y\4 ,IT WAS A TREAT TO COME ACROSS ONE 9 ! ?ROES ( A DEMEAN+ TEMP] TANTRUM4 ,! RI* POSSIBILITIES = SOME 9FLAMMATORY SATIRE MADE ! DEVIL'S BALL-SACK CREEP4 

,! BUILD]1 SORRY1 ,MA/] ,BUILD]1 S\ND$ 5T]TA9+LY SL[-WITT$1 ) HIS SPEE* SLURR$ BY ! SWOLL5 LIP AS HE REPLI$4 

0,MURCK NAU<T MYE %AMFALL /RATE1 ?Y\ DUNGCUR/ ?ORNG 4440 

,IT WAS ! SAME PR(\ND1 EXPLOD$ RUBBI% ALL ! BUILD]S TALK$1 ! /RANGELY RESONANT & BLAZ+ WORDS REV]B]AT+ (F TO :ISP] 9 ! EXTRA SET ( CORN]S ?AT !RE W]E UP H]E4 ,DELI<TFULLY1 H[EV]1 EV5 PHRASES ( WORLD-5D+ AWESOME FURY1 SPOK5 ?R\< A SPLIT LIP1 W]E QUITE FUNNY4 

,UNAW>E ?AT EV]Y?+ HE SAID S\ND$ HIL>I\SLY PUN*-DRUNK1 ! 9DIGNANT ,MA/] ,BUILD] HAD GONE ON TO JU/IFY HIS WOEBEGONE CONDITION BY EXPLA9+ ?AT HE'D JU/ BE5 9 A FI<T ) ONE ( HIS BE/ MATES OV] A GAME ( SNOOK]4 ,IT SEEM$ ?AT ?IS *UM HAD WILLFULLY 5DANG]$ A SPECIFIC BALL ?AT EV]YONE HAD KN[N ! :ITE-HAIR$ ,MA/] ,BUILD] HAD HIS SI<TS ON4 ,TE*NICALLY ?IS WAS P]MITT$1 BUT WAS ?\<T ( AS APPALL+ =M4 ,AS WAS 9V>IABLY ! CASE ?IS BALL HAD GOT A HUMAN NAME ATTA*$ TO IT1 BUT IT WAS SOMEBODY ! DEVIL HADN'T HE>D (4 ,NOT AT ?AT PO9T1 ANYWAY4 

,IT TURN$ \T ?AT ! BUILD]S HAD GOT 9TO AN UNSEEMLY R[ ACROSS ! BILLI>D TABLE1 & ?AT ! :ITE-HAIR$ ONE HAD EV5TUALLY CALL$ HIS COLLEAGUE SOME?+ DREADFUL & SUGGE/$ ?AT !Y /EP \TSIDE TO SETTLE IT4 ,!Y'D LEFT ! %OT UNPLAY$1 GONE \T & HAD !IR BRAWL1 & W]E N[ SKULK+ BACK T[>DS ! GAME-HALL TO CONT9UE ) !IR UNCOMPLET$ COMPETITION4 ,TALK AB\T %[+ Y\RSELF UP4 ,ALL ! SCR\NG+ ,BOR\<S <O/S HAD /OOD R\ND 9 A R+ %\T+ 5C\RAGEM5TS1 LIKE BOOT-FAC$ S*OOL-KIDS AT A PLAYGR\ND PUN*-UP4 0,GOO ON6 ,GIVE 'IM ONE RI<T UP ! 'ALO60 ,TALK AB\T RUFFL+ Y\R FEA!RS4 ,IT WAS ALL SO WOND]FULLY WRET*$ ?AT ! DEVIL HAD TO LAU<4 

0,IT'S NOT Y\R FAULT1 OLD BOY4 ,IT'S JU/ COMPETITIVE SPORTS1 9 A NEI<BORHOOD LIKE ?IS4 ,BR+S \T ! HOOLIGAN 9 EV]YBODY4 ,I'VE SE5 PEOPLE HAVE !IR ?ROATS CUT OV] GAMES ( HOPSCOT*4 ,:AT Y\ \<T TO DO IS DROP ! SNOOK] & GO BACK TO ORGANIZ+ DANCES ON ! HEADS ( P9S4 ,NOT HALF SO VIOL5T1 & Y\'D HAVE A GOOD EXCUSE = WE>+ BALL G[NS ALL ! TIME40 

,! DEVIL NUDG$ ! BUILD] 9 ! RIBS GOOD-NATUR$LY1 !N LAU<$ & CLAPP$ HIM ON HIS BACK4 ,! ONE ?+ ?AT !Y HAT$ MORE ?AN BE+ PATRONIZ$ WAS PEOPLE BE+ OV]-9TIMATE1 ESPECIALLY IF ?AT W5T AS F> AS SOMEONE T\*+ !M4 ,ALL ( ?OSE PICTURES ?AT DEPICT$ BUILD]S HOLD+ H&S ) W\ND$ GR5ADI]S OR SICKLY TOTS1 9 ! OP9ION ( ! DEVIL1 W]E JU/ MOCKUPS = ! PURPOSE ( PUBLICITY4 

,SL[ AS ! BUILD]S G5]ALLY W]E 9 UND]/&+ JOKES1 ! :ITE-HAIR$ *AP HAD F9ALLY CAU<T ON TO ! FACT ?AT HE WAS BE+ MADE FUN (1 :I* !Y HAT$ ALMO/ AS MU* AS !Y HAT$ BE+ CONDESC5D$ TO OR T\*$4 ,HE'D SP\T$ SOME BLOOD-CURDL+ HOLY GIBB]I% :I* MORE OR LESS BOIL$ D[N TO 0,LEAVE IT \T1 ,TO%1 OR ,I'LL 'AVE Y]01 BUT ) EXTRA NUANCES 9VOLV+ BE+ B\ND 9 *E/S ( BRASS & ?R[N 9TO ! L[E/ DEP?S ( A VOLCANO = A ?\S& YE>S4 ,:IPS1 SCORPIONS1 RIV]S ( FIRE1 ! USUAL RIGM>OLE4 ,! DEVIL RAIS$ HIS ?ORNY EYEBR[S 9 A LOOK ( HURT SURPRISE4 

0,OH DE>1 ,I'VE MADE Y\ CROSS AGA94 ,I %\LD HAVE KN[N ?IS WAS Y\R LADIES' SPECIAL TIME1 BUT ,I B>G$ 9 MAK+ 9S5SITIVE REM>KS4 ,& RI<T :5 Y\ W]E NO D\BT TRY+ TO CALM D[N 9 ORD] TO TAKE ?IS IMPORTANT %OT4 ,I %\LD BE 9CONSOLABLE IF JU/ AS Y\ W]E L9+ UP Y\R CUE Y\ ?\<T ( ME & RIPP$ ! BAIZE OR BROKE Y\R /ICK 9 HALF4 ,OR ANY?+40 

,! ,MA/] ,BUILD] RE>$ UP ) A SUDD5 SUNBUR/ ( ,/4 ,ELMO'S ,FIRE >\ND HIS SN[Y HEAD & BELL[$ SOME?+ MULTI-FACET$ & BIBLICAL1 ESS5TIALLY REFUT+ ?AT ?IS WAS HIS LADIES' SPECIAL TIME4 ,! SECOND P>T ( :AT ! DEVIL HAD JU/ SAID !N SEEM$ TO S9K 91 AB\T RU9+ HIS GAME BY BE+ 9 ! ?ROES ( RAGE4 ,HE *ECK$ HIMSELF & TOOK A DEEP BREA?1 !N EXHAL$4 ,!RE FOLL[$ A CELE/IAL BUR/ ( NONS5SE-POETRY :]E A GRUFF1 UNADORN$ APOLOGY W\LD HAVE SUFFIC$4 ,! DEVIL ?\<T AB\T A FUR!R GOAD+1 BUT DECID$ NOT TO PU% HIS FAM\S LUCK4 

0,?9K NO?+ ( IT1 OLD SPORT4 ,IT WAS MY FAULT1 ALWAYS TAK+ JOKES TOO F> & SPOIL+ ?+S = EV]YBODY ELSE4 ,Y\ KN[1 ,I WORRY PRIVATELY ?AT DEEP 9SIDE ,I'M NOT A T]RIBLY NICE P]SON4 ,:Y AM ,I AGGRESSIVE ALL ! :ILE1 EV5 :5 ,I'M PRET5D+ TO BE JOVIAL8 ,:Y DO ,I HAVE ALL !SE UNPLEASANT DEFECTS 9 MY P]SONALITY8 ,SOMETIMES ,I CONV9CE MYSELF IT'S WORK-RELAT$1 AS IF HAV+ BE5 CONDEMN$ TO ! UN5D+ TORM5TS ( ! S5SORY 9F]NO WAS AN ADEQUATE EXCUSE = MY REGRETTABLE BEHAVIOR4 ,GOOD LUCK ) ! SNOOK] T\RNAM5T4 ,I'VE EV]Y CONFID5CE 9 Y\4 ,I'M SURE ?AT Y\ CAN PUT ?IS UNIMPORTANT FIT ( MURD]\S RAGE BEH9D Y\1 & ?AT Y\ WON'T IRREVOCABLY MESS UP SOMEBODY'S ONLY MORTAL LIFE BY HAV+ ACT$ LIKE A PETULANT BUFFOON40 

,! FELL[ SEEM$ UNC]TA9 H[ TO TAKE ?IS1 N>R[+ HIS SOLE FUNCTION+ EYE SUSPICI\SLY4 ,EV5TUALLY HE GAVE UP TRY+ TO WORK \T :O1 PRECISELY1 WAS AT FAULT H]E & JU/ GRIMAC$ AS ?\< 9DICAT+ ?AT !IR CONV]SATION HAD BE5 SATISFACTORILY CONCLUD$4 ,) A CURT NOD TO ! DEVIL1 :O HAD GALLANTLY TILT$ HIS LEA!R HAT-BRIM 9 REPLY1 ! ,MA/] ,BUILD] C>RI$ ON ALONG ! WALKWAY1 LIFT+ UP ONE H& OCCASIONALLY TO T5D]LY EXPLORE ! PURPLE FLE% >\ND HIS PUMMEL$ BR[4 

,Y\ C\LD TELL FROM ! /IFF WAY ?AT HE HELD HIMSELF AS HE WAS FL\NC+ (F ?AT ! :ITE-ROB$ *AP WAS /ILL FUM+4 ,ANG]1 AS ) H&ICRAFTS & MA!MATICS1 WAS AMONG ! DEVIL'S FIELDS ( EXP]TIZE4 ,ALL ?REE ?+S W]E EXQUISITELY 9VOLV$ & 9TRICATE1 :I* SAT WELL ) ! DEVIL'S ADMIRATION = COMPLEXITY4 ,HE C\LD HAVE H\RS ( FUN ) ANY ( !M4 ,OH1 & IDLE H&S4 ,HE LIK$ ?OSE TOO4 ,& GOOD 9T5TIONS4 

,HE'D RELIT HIS PIPE1 /RIK+ A SP>K (F ( A ?UMBNAIL LIKE A BEETLE C>APACE1 & WAT*$ ! BUILD] AS HE /ALK$ (F GRUMPILY T[>DS ! VANI%+ PO9T ( ! L5G?Y BALCONY4 ,POOR LOVES4 ,WALK+ >\ND ALL DAY LOOK+ ,ROMANTIC1 FEEL+ LIKE ! V]Y SP9N+ CLOCKWORK ( ! F\RFOLD ,UNIV]SE ) EV]YBODY S++ SONGS AB\T !M4 ,ALL ?OSE ,*RI/MAS C>DS !Y W]E EXPECT$ TO LIVE UP TO & ! WORK ?AT IT MU/ BE TO KEEP ?OSE ROBES CLEAN ALL ! TIME4 ,H[ DID !Y COPE1 ! PRECI\S POPPETS8 

,HE'D BE5 LEAN+ ON ! PIT*-/A9$ BALU/RADE & WOND]+ :AT HE %\LD DO NEXT TO AMUSE HIMSELF :5 SUDD5LY1 AS IF 9 ANSW] TO HIS SELDOM-ANSW]$ PRAY]S1 A DOOR CREAK$ OP5 9 ! LONG WALL ( ACCUMULAT$ DREAMS ?AT WAS BEH9D HIM & A LITTLE BOY CLAD 9 PAJAMAS1 DRESS+ G[N & SLIPP]S PADD$ HESITANTLY \T ONTO ! B>E BO>DS ( ! BALCONY4 ,HE WAS ADORABLE1 & SECRETLY ! DEVIL HAD A WEAKNESS = SMALL *ILDR54 ,!Y W]E SC>$ ( ABSOLUTELY EV]Y?+4 

,) BLOND CURLS & ) EYES SONG-LYRIC BLUE1 ! LITTLE SLEEPWALK] HAD NOT AT FIR/ APPE>$ TO REALIZE ?AT HE WAS 9 ! PRES5CE ( ! DEVIL1 ) ! DOOR ?AT HE'D EM]G$ FROM BE+ SOME Y>DS (F FROM :]E ! FI5D WAS /&+4 ,LOOK+ APPREH5SIVE & ) EYEBR[S LIFT$ 9 P]PETUAL />TLEM5T1 ! Y\NG/] SLIPP]$ OV] TO ! BLACK5$ RAIL+S ( ! WALKWAY & GAZ$ \T BETWE5 !M AT ! /RET*+ ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA?4 ,HE'D KEPT ?IS UP = A FEW MOM5TS1 LOOK+ PUZZL$ & DISORI5T$1 !N HAD TURN$ HIS HEAD & GLANC$ (F D[N ! L&+ TO :]E Y\ C\LD JU/ MAKE \T ! BATT]$ BUILD] VANI%+ 9TO ! DI/ANCE1 DABB+ AT HIS EYE4 

,! KID /ILL HADN'T NOTIC$ ?AT ! DEVIL WAS BEH9D HIM1 BUT !N PEOPLE NEV] DID4 ,! DEVIL WOND]$ IF ! BOY W]E DEAD OR M]ELY SLEEP+1 DRESS$ UP 9 HIS NI<T-CLO!S AS HE WAS4 ,CONCEIVABLY1 IT MI<T NOT EV5 BE A HUMAN *ILD AT ALL4 ,IT C\LD HAVE BE5 A FIGM5T W&]$ (F FROM SOMEONE ELSE'S DREAM OR POSSIBLY A *>ACT] \T ( A B$TIME /ORYBOOK1 A FICTION GIV5 SUB/ANCE H]E BY ! BUILT-UP IMAG9+S ACCRET$ OV] MANY READ+S1 MANY READ]S4 

,9 ! DEVIL'S JUDGM5T1 ?\<1 ?IS LAD SEEM$ TO BE REAL4 ,DREAMS & ! *>ACT]S FROM /ORIES HAD A TIDY QUALITY TO !IR CON/RUCTION1 AS IF !Y'D BE5 SIMPLIFI$1 :]EAS ?IS PRES5T NIPP] HAD A POORLY-?\<T-?R\< MESS9ESS AB\T HIS P]SONALITY ?AT SMACK$ ( AU!NTICITY4 ,Y\ C\LD TELL FROM ! WAY HE /OOD !RE1 ROOT$ TO ! SPOT & GAZ+ AFT] ! RETREAT+ BUILD]1 ?AT HE DIDN'T HAVE ! FIR/ CLUE :]E HE WAS OR :AT HE %\LD DO NEXT4 ,PEOPLE 9 DREAMS OR /ORIES1 TO ! CONTR>Y1 W]E ALWAYS FULL ( PURPOSE4 ,SO1 ?IS LITTLE MAN WAS DEF9ITELY MORTAL1 AL?\< :E!R HE WAS DEAD OR DREAM+ WAS A MATT] H>D] TO DET]M9E4 ,! PAJAMAS 9DICAT$ ?AT HE WAS A DREAM]1 BUT ( C\RSE SMALL *ILDR5 G5]ALLY DI$ 9 HOSPITAL OR 9 !IR SICKB$S1 SO 9FANT MORTALITY WAS /ILL A POSSIBILITY4 ,! DEVIL ?\<T HE'D 9QUIRE FUR!R4 

0,WELL1 N[4 ,IT'S A <O/LY LITTLE FIDGET-MIDGET40 

,!RE4 ,?AT HADN'T BE5 AN OV]-T]RIFY+ OP5+ REM>K 9 HIS OP9ION4 ,:ILE HE MI<T FROM TIME TO TIME 5JOY A BIT ( FUN ) HELPLESS HUMANS1 EV5 TO ! PO9T ( DRIV+ !M 9SANE OR KILL+ !M1 ?AT DIDN'T MEAN ?AT HE WAS UNDISCRIM9AT+4 ,*ILDR51 AS HE'D NOT$1 W]E ALREADY FRI<T5$ AS A NATURAL CONSEQU5CE ( BE+ *ILDR54 ,BUR/ A CRISP-BAG & !Y'D JUMP4 ,:]E WAS ! SPORT OR ! F9ESSE 9 ?AT8 

,! SMALL BOY TURN$ >\ND TO FACE HIM1 WE>+ A RIDICUL\S EXPRESSION ON HIS ELF9 FACE1 EYES GOGGL+ & HIS M\? /RET*$ AT BO? SIDES 9TO A RUBB] LETT]BOX4 ,IT LOOK$ LIKE HE WAS TRY+ TO CONCEAL HIS REAL EXPRESSION1 :I* WAS PROBABLY PURE DREAD1 9 ORD] NOT TO GIVE (F5SE4 ,HIS MOM HAD MORE ?AN LIKELY TAU<T HIM IT WAS RUDE TO SCREAM AT ! DE=M$ OR MON/R\S4 ,QUITE FRANKLY1 ! *ILD'S BL5D ( P>ALYZ+ FE> & G5U9E CONC]N = O!R PEOPLE'S FEEL+S /RUCK ! DEVIL AS BE+ BO? COMICAL & RA!R SWEET4 ,HE ?\<T HE'D TRY ANO!R PLEASANT CONV]SATIONAL REM>K1 N[ ?AT HE HAD ! LAD'S ATT5TION1 SO TO SPEAK4 

0,Y\ LOOK LO/1 LITTLE BOY4 ,OH DE>1 OH DE>4 ,WE CAN'T HAVE ?AT1 N[1 CAN WE80 

,EV5 ?\< ! DEVIL'S TONE WAS CLE>LY ?AT ( AN AVUNCUL> *ILD-MURD]]1 ! T\SL$ MOPPET SEEM$ TO TAKE IT AT FACE VALUE1 VISIBLY RELAX+ & ASSUM+ HE WAS \T ( DANG] AT ! FIR/ S\ND ( A SYMPA!TIC VOICE4 ,?IS TRU/+ LITTLE DICK5S WAS A F9D1 & NO MI/AKE4 ,! DEVIL WOND]$ H[ HE'D LA/$ = FIVE M9UTES 9 ! UN=GIV+ ME*ANISMS ( ! LIV+ WORLD1 & !N REFLECT$ ?AT MO/ PROBABLY HE HADN'T4 ,ACTUALLY1 ! LONG] ?AT HE SP5T 9 ! TYKE'S COMPANY1 ! LIKELI] IT SEEM$ ?AT ?IS WAS SOMEONE DEAD RA!R ?AN SOMEONE DREAM+1 SOMEONE :O'D BE5 LUR$ 9TO A /RANG]'S C> OR AN AB&ON$ FRIDGE DUMP$ ON AN \T-(-E>%OT WA/EL&4 

,WAT*+ ! BOY'S FEATURES Y\ C\LD ALMO/ SEE :AT HE WAS ?9K+1 ALMO/ SEE ! COGS TURN 9 HIS AS-YET UNDEVELOP$ M9D4 ,HE LOOK$ AS ?\< HE ?\<T ?AT HE WAS TRESPASS+1 BUT ?AT IF HE KEPT UP AN ACT ! DEVIL W\LDN'T REALIZE ?IS WAS ! CASE4 ,HE LOOK$ LIKE HE WAS TRY+ TO COME UP ) AN EXCUSE = BE+ H]E1 BUT1 BE+ Y\NG1 HAD NOT YET HAD A GREAT DEAL ( EXP]I5CE 9 TELL+ LIES4 ,AS A RESULT ( TRY+ TO CON/RUCT AN ALIBI1 :5 HE EV5TUALLY PIP$ UP HE S\ND$ TREMUL\SLY GUILTY1 EV5 ?\< HIS FLIMSY /ORY WAS MO/ PROBABLY ! TRU?4 

0,?AT'S RI<T4 ,I'M LO/4 ,CAN Y\ SEE 9 ?AT W9D[ = ME SO ?AT ,I'LL KN[ :]E ,I AM80 

,! BOY WAS NODD+ TO ! GL9T+ MEMORIES ( W9D[S SET 9TO ! DREAM-WALL HE'D EM]G$ \T (4 ,HE CLE>LY C\LDN'T C>E LESS :AT WAS ON ! O!R SIDE BUT1 ONCE TOLD1 W\LD PRET5D TO HAVE HIS BE>+S & !N ?ANK ! DEVIL NICELY BE=E RUNN+ (F AS FA/ AS HIS %ORT LEGS W\LD C>RY HIM1 GETT+ AS F> AWAY AS HE C\LD MANAGE1 ! DIRECTION UNIMPORTANT4 ,HE WAS OBVI\SLY FRI<T5$ BUT WAS TRY+ NOT TO %[ HE WAS AFRAID1 AS IF ! DEVIL W]E NO MORE ?AN AN UNCOM=TABLY BIG DOG4 

,FR[N+ 9 MILD BEMUSEM5T1 ! >*-5EMY ( MANK9D %OT A CASUAL GLANCE ?R\< ! GLASS PANES ! *ILD HAD 9DICAT$4 ,NO?+ ( MU* 9T]E/ LAY BEYOND1 JU/ AN EXAGG]AT$ PHANTOM ( A LOCAL S*OOLROOM PLUCK$ FROM SOMEONE'S NI<T-?\<TS4 ,IT WAS A LOCATION ?AT ! DEVIL KNEW1 ?AT MU* W5T )\T SAY+3 !RE W]E NO LOCATIONS ?AT ! DEVIL DIDN'T KN[4 ,! WORLD ( SPACE & HI/ORY WAS BIG1 NO D\BT AB\T IT1 BUT !N SO WAS ,W> @& ,PEACE1 YET BO? W]E F9ITE4 ,GIV5 5\< TIME - OR1 IF Y\ LIK$1 GIV5 NO TIME AT ALL - !N Y\ C\LD EASILY ATTA9 A DETAIL$ GRASP ( EI!R ( !M4 ,!RE WAS NO GREAT TRICK AB\T OMNISCI5CE1 ! DEVIL ?\<T4 ,JU/ READ ! /ORY ?R\< 5\< TIMES AT Y\R NE>-9F9ITE LEISURE & Y\'LL BE AN EXP]T4 ,HE LOOK$ BACK T[>DS ! APPREH5SIVE TODDL]4 

0,LOOKS LIKE IT'S ! NE$LEWORK-ROOM ?AT'S UP/AIRS AT ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL1 ONLY A FAIR BIT BIGG]4 ,I HANG \T R\ND H]E BECAUSE ,I'M V]Y FOND ( H&ICRAFT4 ,IT'S ONE ( MY GREAT SPECIALTIES4 ,I'M ALSO RA!R GOOD AT SUMS40 

,?IS WAS ALL TRUE1 ( C\RSE4 ,ONE ( ! WAYS 9 :I* PEOPLE CONT9UALLY MISUND]/OOD ! DEVIL1 W\ND+LY SO 9 HIS [N OP9ION1 WAS ?AT !Y ?\<T HE WAS ALWAYS TELL+ LIES4 ,9 FACT1 ?\<1 NO?+ C\LD BE FUR!R FROM ! CASE4 ,HE C\LDN'T TELL A LIE IF HE WAS PAID TO1 NOT ?AT ANYBODY EV] PAID HIM TO DO ANY?+4 ,BESIDES1 ! TRU? WAS A F> SUBTL] TOOL4 ,JU/ TELL PEOPLE ! TRU? & !N LET !M MISLEAD !MSELVES1 ?AT WAS HIS MOTTO4 

,:AT ! TRU? WAS ) REG>D TO ?IS SMALL BOY1 H[EV]1 WASN'T REALLY CLE>4 ,ASSUM+ ?AT ! *ILD WAS DEAD & NOT JU/ DREAM+1 HE DID NOT APPE> TO HAVE BE5 DEAD = LONG4 ,HE LOOK$ LIKE SOMEONE :O HAD ONLY JU/ ?AT MOM5T F\ND !MSELVES H]E 9 ! ,SECOND ,BOR\<1 9 ,MANS\L1 SOMEBODY :O HAD YET TO GET !IR BE>+S4 ,IF ?AT WAS ! CASE1 :AT WAS HE DO+ SCUTTL+ R\ND H]E 9 ! DREAM-S$IM5TS8 ,:Y HADN'T HE JU/ AUTOMATICALLY DIV$ BACK 9TO HIS %ORT LIFE AT ! PO9T ( BIR?1 = ONE MORE GO-R\ND ON HIS LITTLE 9DIVIDUAL C>\SEL8 ,OR IF1 AFT] A MILLION TURNS ON ! SAME RIDE1 HE FELT HE'D F9ALLY ABSORB$ ALL ?AT IT HAD TO (F] & ELECT$ TO 9/EAD COME UP TO ! UNFOLD$ T[N1 :Y WAS HE UNACCOMPANI$8 ,:]E W]E ! BE]Y CR[DS ( CELEBRAT+ ANCE/ORS8 ,EV5 IF !RE W]E SOME UNPREC$5T$ CIRCUM/ANCE 9 PLAY H]E1 Y\'D /ILL ?9K ?AT MANAGEM5T W\LD HAVE >RANG$ AN ESCORT4 ,9 FACT1 MANAGEM5T WAS SO EFFICI5T ?AT AN OV]SI<T WAS QUITE UN?9KABLE4 ,ACTUALLY1 ! DEVIL ?\<T1 ?AT WAS A GOOD PO9T4 ,IT SUGGE/$ MORE WAS GO+ ON H]E ?AN IMM$IATELY MET ! EYE4 

,! DEVIL PUFF$ HIS PIPE & CONTEMPLAT$ ! 9TRIGU+ HALF-P9T SPECIM5 ?AT %UFFL$ N]V\SLY BE=E HIM1 :O WAS VISIBLY ATTEMPT+ TO COMPOSE AN EXIT-L9E & 5D !IR CONV]SATION4 ,?AT W\LD NEV] DO1 & SO ! DEVIL PLUCK$ ! PIPE-/EM FROM HIS SMOLD]+ MAW & MADE SURE HE GOT HIS TWO P5N'OR? 9 BE=E ! 9FANT DID4 

0,BUT Y\ DON'T QUITE ADD UP TO ANY?+ ?AT ,I'M FAMILI> )4 ,COME1 LITTLE *AP4 ,TELL ME Y\R NAME40 

,?AT WAS ! PO9T AT :I* ! F\NDL+ *ILD MADE HIS A/\ND+ REVELATION4 

0,MY NAME'S ,MI*AEL ,W>R540 

,OH1 MY DE>S1 MY C\S9S 9 ! SULFUR1 CAN Y\ POSSIBLY IMAG9E8 ,IT WAS BETT] ?AN ! TIME :5 HE TRICK$ SELF-IMPORTANT1 BROOD+ ,URIEL 9TO REVEAL+ :]E ! SECRET G>D5 WAS LOCAT$ 7IT WAS 9 A FIZZY PUDDLE 9 ,PANGEA74 ,IT SURPASS$1 9 T]MS ( COM$Y1 ! LOOK ON HIS EX-GIRLFRI5D'S P]FECT FEATURES :5 H] SEV5? HUSB& 9 A YE> DI$ ON !IR W$D+ NI<T1 ! DEVIL HAV+ /OPP$ HIS HE>T A SECOND PRIOR TO ! 9T5D$ CONSUMMATION4 ,:Y1 IT EV5 BEAT ?AT MOM5T ( HIL>ITY DUR+ ! ,FALL1 :5 ONE ( ! L[-RANK+ DEVILS1 ,SABNOCK OR SOME O!R M>QUIS1 :O'D BE5 CONSEQU5TLY PU%$ D[N FUR!R 9TO ! EXCRUCIAT+ QUAGMIRE ( MAT]IAL AW>5ESS ?AN ! O!RS1 HAD CALL$ \T 0,TRULY ?IS S5SATE WORLD IS ONE BEYOND 5DURANCE1 ?\< ,I AM DELI<T$ TO REPORT MY G5ITALS HAVE />T$ WORK+01 :]EUPON ! BUILD]S & ! DEVILS !Y W]E US+ AS A =M ( PSY*IC L&FILL ALL PUT D[N !IR FLAM+ SNOOK] CUES = A FEW M9UTES UNTIL !Y'D /OPP$ LAU<+4 ,?IS DAZ$ BABY TRUMP$ ALL ?AT ?\<1 KNOCK$ IT 9TO A COCK$ HAT3 HIS NAME WAS ,MI*AEL ,W>R54 ,HE'D JU/ SAID SO4 ,HE'D JU/ COME /RAI<T \T ) IT AS IF IT WAS ( NO SIGNIFICANCE1 ! MODE/ LITTLE BEGG>4 

,MI*AEL ,W>R5 WAS ! NAME ATTA*$ TO ! PREC>I\SLY-BALANC$ BILLI>D BALL ?AT HAD KICK$ (F ! FI<T BETWE5 ! BUILD]S4 

,& !Y HADN'T HAD A FI<T S9CE1 :AT1 ,GOMORRAH8 ,EGYPT8 

,! EV5TS ?AT W]E 9 ORBIT >\ND ?IS UNWITT+ *ILD HAD AN 9TOXICAT+ :IFF ( 9TRICACY TO !M1 COMPLEX AS A CLOCKWORK AN?ILL1 COMPLEX AS ! MA!MATICS ( A HURRICANE4 ,! POSSIBILITIES = CONVOLUT$ 5T]TA9M5T ?AT ?IS CLUELESS LITTLE S\L PRES5T$ TO ! FI5D W]E SU* AN UNEXPECT$ GIFT ?AT HE TOOK AN 9VOLUNT>Y /EP BACKW>DS4 ,ALL ! DRAGON FRILLS ?AT $G$ ! IMAGE HE WAS WE>+ RIPPL$ 9 ANTICIPATION1 FL>+ UP 9 A DISPLAY ( HIS H]ALDIC COLORS1 R$ & GRE51 BLOOD%$ & JEAL\SY4 

0,Y\'RE ,MI*AEL ,W>R58 ,Y\'RE ! ONE TO BLAME = ALL ?IS TR\BLE80 

,OH1 ! WAY HIS LITTLE JAW DROPP$1 SO ?AT Y\ C\LD TELL IT WAS ! FIR/ HE'D HE>D AB\T HIS SUDD5 NOTORIETY4 ,?IS :OLE ?+ WAS BECOM+ MORE DELICI\S BY ! MOM5T1 & ! DEVIL LAU<$ UNTIL HE ?\<T HE'D BUR/ A TE/ICLE4 ,WIP+ ! HYDRO*LORIC TE>S ( MIR? FROM HIS PECULI> EYES1 HE FOCUS$ !M ONCE MORE UPON ! BOY4 

0,WAIT TILL ,I TELL ! LADS4 ,!Y'LL BE 9 FITS4 ,OH1 ?IS IS GOOD4 ,?IS IS EXTREMELY GOOD40 

,?AT SET HIM (F AGA91 ! ?\<T ( H[ HIS FELL[ DEVILS W\LD RESPOND :5 HE 9=M$ !M ( HIS LATE/ /ROKE ( UNDES]V$ GOOD =TUNE4 ,BELIAL1 ! TOAD 9 DIAMOND1 W\LD JU/ BL9K HIS R+ ( SEV5 EYES & TRY TO MAKE \T ?AT HE HADN'T HE>D4 ,BEELZEBUB1 ?AT GL>+ WALL ( PORC9E HATR$1 W\LD MO/ LIKELY COOK 9 HIS [N RAGE4 ,& AS = ,A/>O?1 HE'D SIMPLY PURSE ! LIP/ICK-PLA/]$ M\? UPON HIS HUMAN HEAD 9TO A VICI\S P\T & W\LD BE LOOK+ DAGG]S = ! NEXT ?REE HUNDR$ YE>S4 ,! DEVIL REALLY HAD ! GIGGLES N[4 ,HE LAU<$ SO H>D HIS BROAD-BRIMM$ HAT FELL BACK >\ND HIS NECK1 AT :I* PO9T ! ALREADY N]V\S *ILD AB&ON$ ALL ! MANN]S ?AT HIS MO!R HAD 9/ILL$ 9 HIM & SCREAM$ LIKE AN ELECTROCUT$ AVI>Y4 ,! 9FANT'S EYES BEGAN TO WELL ) FRI<T5$ TE>S4 

,AH1 YES4 ,! HORNS4 ,! DEVIL HAD =GOTT5 HE HAD HORNS 9 ?IS P>TICUL> 5SEMBLE4 ,HORNS1 = SOME UNFA?OMABLE REASON1 ALWAYS MADE !M JUMP :5 ACTUALLY !Y %\LD CONSID] !MSELVES LUCKY4 ,HORNS W]E NO?+4 ,HORNS W]E JU/ HIS WORK-CLO!S4 ,!Y %\LD SEE HIM :5 HE WAS 9 FANCY DRESS1 = /ATE OCCASIONS & ! LIKE1 WE>+ ONE ( HIS MORE F9ELY-TAILOR$ ROBES ( IMAG]Y4 ,! CORUSCAT+ SPID]_/LIZ>D COMB9ATION1 = EXAMPLE1 OR ! GEM ( 9F9ITE REGRESS4 ,BY ,J+O1 !N !Y'D HAVE SOME?+ TO CRY AB\T4 

,BLUBB+ PR(USELY N[ ! LAD LOOK$ UP ) ?AT EXPRESSION ( MIX$ ACCUSATION & \TRAG$ BETRAYAL ) :I* PEOPLE G5]ALLY SEEM$ TO GREET HIM4 ,HE HAD SE5 IT ON ! FACES ( ,R5AISSANCE AL*EMI/S & ,NAZI DABBL]S ALIKE4 ,! MESSAGE IT CONVEY$1 9 ESS5CE1 WAS ',?IS ISN'T FAIR4 ,Y\'RE NOT MEANT TO BE REAL4' ,?AT WAS ! MA9 ?RU/ ( :AT ! AGGRIEV$ & WEEP+ *]UB WAS N[ SAY+ TO HIM4 

0,Y\'RE ! DEVIL40 

,*ILDR54 ,!Y'RE SO WOND]FULLY P]CEPTIVE1 >5'T !Y8 ,PROBABLY ! HORNS W]E :AT HAD GIV5 HIM AWAY4 ,HE FELT A FLICK] ( MILD IRRITATION AT ! FACT ?AT :ILE PEOPLE CONT9UALLY ID5TIFI$ HIM AS A DEVIL1 NOBODY WAS EV] SURE :I* ONE HE WAS4 ,IT W\LD BE LIKE SOMEBODY GREET+ ,*>LIE ,*APL9 9 ! /REET BY %\T+ 0,Y\'RE ?AT BLOKE \T ( ?AT FILM04 ,IT WAS 9SULT+1 BUT HE DIDN'T LET IT GET HIM D[N4 ,HE WAS 9 MU* TOO F9E A MOOD = ?AT4 ,HE'D BROK5 (F HIS LAU<+-JAG & GLANC$ D[N AT ! TOT1 GOODHUMOR$LY4 

0,WELL 444 YES4 ,YES1 ,I SUPPOSE ,I AM40 

,POOR MITE4 ,HE LOOK$ LIKE HE WAS GETT+ A /IFF NECK FROM CRAN+ UP TO KEEP HIS BRIMM+ GAZE UPON ! DEMON REG5T4 ,\T ( PURE CONSID]ATION & CONC]N1 ! DEVIL SQUATT$ D[N UPON HIS HAUN*ES & LEAN$ =W>D SO ?AT HE & ! SMALL BOY W]E EYE TO EYE1 ! *ILD'S BLUE PUDDLES />+ E>NE/LY 9TO ! DEVIL'S TRAFFIC-LI<TS4 ,HE ?\<T HE'D TEASE ! KID1 JU/ = A BIT ( MIS*IEF4 ,:AT C\LD BE ! H>M 9 ?AT8 ,HE SPOKE 9 PUZZL$ TONES ( ! MO/ 9NOC5T 9QUIRY4 

0,:Y8 ,:]E DID Y\ ?9K Y\ W]E80 

,?AT1 ?9K+ BACK1 W\LD SEEM TO HAVE BE5 ! REM>K ?AT F9ALLY UNDID ! LITTLE SCAMP4 ,HE'D %RIEK$ SOME?+ ?AT S\ND$ LIKE 0,BUT !Y W]E ONLY ANTS0 & !N HAD TAK5 (F ALONG ! 5DLESS L&+1 GO+ N9ETE5 TO ! DOZ51 HOLD+ HIS PAJAMA BOTTOMS UP ) ONE H& AS HE RAN TO /OP !M FALL+ D[N >\ND HIS ANKLES4 

,OH DE>4 ,HIM & HIS BIG M\?4 ,DESPITE ! :OLLY 9NOC5T 9T5T BEH9D ! DEVIL'S H>MLESS QU]Y1 IT APPE>$ ?AT ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 HAD 9F]R$ FROM IT ?AT HE'D BE5 S5T TO ,HELL1 POSSIBLY = A CRIME 9VOLV+ ANTS4 ,:]EV] DID !SE JUMP$-UP MONKEYS GET ALL !IR IDEAS FROM8 ,NOT ?AT HE WAS SAY+ ?AT ?IS WASN'T ,HELL1 M9D Y\4 ,MORE ?AT ! ACTUAL SITUATION WAS F> LESS SIMPLI/IC ?AN ?AT WORD IMPLI$1 & :]E ?IS DEVIL WAS CONC]N$ ONE OV]-SIMPLIFI$ AT ONE'S [N RISK4 

,SO !RE HE WAS1 WAT*+ ! FAM\S ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 RUNN+ FULL TILT D[N ! WALKWAY1 TRY+ TO HOLD HIS PANTS UP1 SQUEAK+ LIKE A FRE%-HAT*$ BAN%EE4 ,WAS IT ANY WOND] ?AT ! DEVIL C\LDN'T CALL TO M9D ! LA/ TIME ?AT HE'D HAD SU* FUN8 

,HE /RAI<T5$ UP \T ( HIS CR\* & FLEX$ HIS TWO-TONE RAGS TO /RAI<T5 !M4 ,! FLEE+ BOY WAS SOME WAY (F ALONG ! MON/R\SLY EXT5D$ BALCONY1 SLIPP]S FLAPP+ COMICALLY AGA9/ ! FLOORBO>DS UND]FOOT4 ,! DEVIL WOND]$ :]E ! *ILD ?\<T HE WAS GO+4 

,LEISURELY1 HE KNOCK$ HIS SCREAM+1 MAN-FAC$ PIPE AGA9/ ! BALU/RADE TO EMPTY IT1 & !N PUT IT AWAY 9TO A POCKET ( HIMSELF4 ,HIS SMOKE-BREAK WAS N[ EVID5TLY OV]1 & HE C\LDN'T /& R\ND H]E ALL DAY4 ,HE EY$ ! BY-N[ T9Y FIGURE ( ! *ILD AS IT CONT9U$ ITS DISORGANIZ$ RETREAT 9TO ! DI/ANCE ( ! ELEVAT$ BO>DWALK4 ,IT WAS TIME TO GET ON ) SOME WORK4 

,! DEVIL TOOK A %ORT UNHURRI$ /EP1 PUTT+ HIS BOOT D[N ON ! BO>DS1 HEEL FIR/ & !N ! BALL ( HIS FOOT 9 A S(T1 P]CUSSIVE D\BLE ?UMP A LITTLE LIKE ! BEAT+ ( A HE>T3 BUMP-BUMP4 ,HE TOOK ANO!R /EP1 ?IS TIME A LONG] ONE ?AT SWALL[$ UP MORE GR\ND1 SO ?AT IT SEEM$ LIKE A PROTRACT$ PAUSE BE=E ! D\BLE FOOTFALL CAME AGA93 BUMP-BUMP4 ,HE TOOK A FUR!R PACE4 ,?IS TIME ! PAUSE W5T ON & ON4 ,! TW9 ?UD ?AT W\LD SIGNIFY ! /EP'S 5D NEV] CAME4 

,! DEVIL FLOAT$ A FEW FEET ABOVE ! FLOOR1 /ILL C>RI$ SL[LY =W>D BY ! SLI<T MOM5TUM ( ! /EP OR TWO HE'D TAK5 :5 HE LAUN*$ HIMSELF4 ,HE N>R[$ HIS MISMAT*$ EYES1 LIKE MALEFIC #c,D SPECTACLES1 FIX$ ON ! DW9DL+ =M ( ! ESCAP+ *ILD ALONG ! BALCONY'S F> 5D4 ,HE GR9N$ & LET HIS SC>LET & VIRIDIAN P9IONS SNAP LIKE /ORMY FLAGS BEH9D AS HE BEGAN TO GA!R SPE$4 ,HE CRACKL$ & HE BURN$4 ,HE DID HIS TRADEM>K *UCKLE4 

,COMET-ASS$ & %[]+ COLOR$ EMB]S LIKE A ,ROMAN C&LE 9 HIS WAKE1 ! DEVIL SIZZL$ D[N ! WALKWAY1 SCREE*+ AFT] ! SMALL FUGITIVE1 CLOS+ ! GAP BETWE5 !M EF=TLESSLY4 ,9 A WAY1 ! BOY'S 9TUITIVE ATTEMPT TO TREAT ! FI5D AS AN UNCOM=TABLY BIG DOG HAD NOT BE5 SO F> (F ! M>K4 ,C]TA9LY1 Y\ %\LD NEV] RUN FROM DEVILS4 ,Y\R RETREAT+ BACK WILL SIMPLY L5D Y\ ! APPE>ANCE ( ABSCOND+ PREY1 :I*1 :5 IT COMES TO DOGS & DEMONS1 ONLY T5DS TO GET !M GO+4 

,HE>+ FROM BEH9D HIM ! APPROA*+ FIREWORK RU%1 MIX$ AS ! S\ND WAS ) ?AT ( ! DEVIL'S ESCALAT+ CACKLE1 ! BOY GLANC$ BACK ONCE ACROSS HIS %\LD] & !N LOOK$ AS IF HE WI%$ HE HADN'T4 

,:OO%4 ,! DEVIL REA*$ D[N ) BO? SCOR*$ & BLI/]$ H&S TO GRAB ! SQUEAL+ ESCAPEE B5EA? HIS >MPITS FROM ! RE>1 SNAT*+ HIM FA/ 9TO ! :I/L+ AIR1 ACROSS ! BALU/RADE & UP 9TO ! GLASS & IRONWORK ALTITUDES ABOVE ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA?4 ,! *ILD'S SCREAM ROSE AS !Y DID1 SPIRAL+ AL(T ) !M TO R+ AMONG ! GIANT PA9T$ GIRD]S1 />TL+ ! PIGEONS NE/$ !RE 9TO A BRIEF A%-FLURRY ( ACTIVITY4 ,) HIS SLIPP]-CLAD FEET P$AL+ FRANTICALLY1 ! KID FIR/ PLEAD$ = ! FI5D TO LET HIM GO1 !N REALIZ$ H[ HI< UP HE WAS & BEGG$ 9/EAD NOT TO BE DROPP$4 

0,WELL1 MAKE Y\R M9D UP10 SAID ! DEVIL1 & CONSID]$ DROPP+ ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 A FEW TIMES !N CAT*+ HIM BE=E HE HIT ! FLOOR1 ?\< ON REFLECTION HE ?\<T BETT] ( IT4 ,IT W\LD OV]-EGG ! LILY4 ,IT W\LD GILD ! PUDD+4 

,!Y W]E HOV]+ !RE1 TREAD+ AIR1 A ?\S& FEET OR MORE BETWE5 !M & ! VA/ *ECK$ TABLECLO? ( SQU>E HOLES SPREAD BEL[4 ,HAV+ CONSID]$ ALL ! ASPECTS & ! ANGLES ( ?IS NOVEL CIRCUM/ANCE1 ! DEVIL OPT$ = A G5TL] APPROA* 9 HIS COMMUNICATIONS ) ! BOY4 ,Y\ CAU<T MORE FLIES ) HONEY ?AN Y\ DID ) V9EG>1 & Y\ CAU<T MORE ) BULL%IT ?AN Y\ DID ) EI!R4 ,TIPP+ =W>D HIS HORN$ HEAD HE :ISP]$ 9 ! LAD'S E> TO BE HE>D ABOVE ! FLAP & FLUTT] ( HIS BANN]S1 R$ & GRE51 HOT COALS & ABS9!4 

0,SOME?+ TELLS ME ?AT WE'VE GOT (F TO A BAD />T1 HAV5'T WE8 ,I'M S5S+1 FROM ! SCREAM+ & ! RUNN+ (F1 ?AT ,I'VE SAID SOME?+ TO UPSET Y\ )\T MEAN+ TO4 ,:AT DO Y\ SAY WE PUT IT ALL BEH9D US & BEG9 AFRE%80 

,) FRI<T5$1 P9-PRICK EYES /ILL FIX$ UPON ! HIDE\S DROP B5EA? HIS KICK+ SLIPP]S1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 ANSW]$ 9 A WAV]+ FALSETTO1 MANAG+ TO S\ND SC>$ WITLESS & 9DIGNANT AT ! SAME TIME4 

0,Y\ SAID ?IS WIZ ,HELL6 ,Y\ SAID Y\ WIZ ! DEVIL60 

,HMM4 ,GOOD PO9T4 ,! DEVIL HAD AT LEA/ IMPLI$ BO? ( ?OSE ?+S1 BUT TOOK C>E TO S\ND PA9$ & WOEFULLY MISUND]/OOD 9 HIS RESPONSE TO ! BOY'S ACCUSATION4 

0,COME N[1 ?AT'S UNFAIR4 ,I DIDN'T CLAIM ?AT ?IS WAS ,HELL4 ,I M]ELY ASK$ Y\ :]E Y\ ?\<T Y\ W]E & Y\ JUMP$ TO Y\R [N CONCLUSIONS4 ,AS = ME BE+ A DEVIL1 WELL1 ,I AM4 ,!RE'S NO ESCAP+ IT4 ,I'M NOT ! ,DEVIL ?\<1 OR AT LEA/1 NOT ! ONE ?AT Y\ W]E PROBABLY EXPECT+4 ,I'M NOT ,SATAN1 & BESIDES1 HE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE ?IS4 ,Y\'D BE SURPRIS$ :AT ,SATAN LOOKS LIKE1 & ,I PROMISE Y\ Y\'D NEV] RECOGNIZE HIM 91 OOH1 :AT1 N9E BILLION YE>S80 

,BY N[ MORE CONFID5T ?AT HIS SMALL BODY W\LD NOT BE ALL[$ TO FALL1 ! DANGL+ D>L+ TRI$ TO TWI/ HIS HEAD >\ND1 TO FACE ! FI5D ACROSS HIS %\LD] AS HE SPOKE4 

0,WELL1 IF Y\'RE NOT HIM1 :O >E Y\1 !N8 ,:AT'S Y\R NAME80 

,?AT WAS A TRICKY ONE4 ,! RULES ?AT GOV]N$ :AT HE WAS - ESS5TIALLY1 A FIELD ( LIV+ 9=MATION - MEANT ?AT HE WAS MORE OR LESS COMPELL$ TO ANSW] ANY DIRECT QUE/ION & TO DO SO TRU?FULLY4 ,IT DIDN'T MEAN1 ( C\RSE1 ?AT HE WAS UND] ANY OBLIGATION TO MAKE MATT]S EASY = ! QUE/ION]4 ,GIV5 ?AT DEVILS W]E RELUCTANT TO REVEAL !IR NAMES1 :I* C\LD BE US$ TO B9D !M1 HE W\LD G5]ALLY EMPLOY SOME =M ( CODE1 OR ELSE 5GAGE HUMAN 9T]ROGATORS 9 A GUESS+ GAME4 ,) ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 HE DECID$ TO PROVIDE HIS ANSW] 9 ! MANN] ( A CROSSWORD CLUE4 

0,OH1 ,I'VE BE5 GIV5 DOZ5S ( OLD NICKNAMES1 BUT 9 TRU? ,I'M JU/ PLA91 MIX$-UP ,SAM ,O',DAY4 ,:Y DON'T Y\ CALL ME ,SAM8 ,?9K ( ME AS A ROGUI% UNCLE :O CAN FLY40 

,OBLIVI\S TO ! ANAGRAM1 ! *ILD SEEM$ TO ACCEPT ?IS1 ALBEIT GRUDG+LY4 ,Y\NG AS HE WAS1 HE WAS ALREADY OBVI\SLY ACQUA9T$ ) ! CONCEPT ( ! ROGUI% UNCLE1 & YET WAS /ILL ( AN AGE :]E HE WAS PROBABLY UNC]TA9 AS TO :E!R !Y C\LD FLY OR NOT4 ,HE CEAS$ HIS FUTILE /RUGGL+ AT ANY RATE1 & SIMPLY HUNG !RE ACQUIESC5TLY4 ,:5 ! BOY SPOKE AGA91 ! DEVIL NOTIC$ ?AT HE HAD HIS EYES %UT TO BLOCK \T ! HORRID PLUNGE B5EA? HIS T+L+ TOES4 

0,:Y DID Y\ TELL ME ?AT ,I WIZ 9 TR\BLE80 

,ALL !SE BLOODY QUE/IONS4 ,:AT HAD HAPP5$ TO ! DAYS :5 PEOPLE EI!R EXORCIZ$ Y\ OR ELSE HAGGL$ ) Y\ = A GOOD PRICE ON !IR S\LS8 ,! DEVIL SI<$ & ONCE AGA9 TOOK ON ! SAME SLI<TLY (F5D$ TONE HE'D US$ BE=E4 

0,I DIDN'T SAY Y\ W]E 9 TR\BLE4 ,I SAID ?AT Y\'D CAUS$ SOME TR\BLE4 ,QUITE UNWITT+LY1 ( C\RSE1 & NO?+ ANYBODY'S BLAM+ Y\ =4 ,I JU/ ?\<T Y\'D LIKE TO KN[1 ?AT'S ALL40 

,! KID P]SI/$4 ,?AT WAS A BIG PROBLEM !SE DAYS3 EV]YBODY KNEW !IR RI<TS4 

0,WELL1 IF ,I'M NOT 9 TR\BLE1 WIZZLE Y\ PLEASE PUT ME D[N8 ,Y\'LL MAKE MY >MS FALL (F HOLD+ ME UP LIKE ?IS40 

,! FI5D CLUCK$ REASSUR+LY4 

0,( C\RSE ,I WON'T4 ,:Y1 ,I'LL BET !Y'RE NOT EV5 A*+4 ,I DON'T KN[ H[ Y\ C\LD POSSIBLY MI/AKE ?IS PLACE = ,HELL4 ,BODILY PA9'S UNHE>D ( UP H]E40 

,AGONIZ+ TORM5TS ( ! HE>T & SPIRIT1 ?\<1 W]E WELL KN[N EV]Y:]E1 BUT NATURALLY ! DEVIL DIDN'T ?9K TO M5TION ?IS4 ,9/EAD1 ! FI5D GLOSS$ SMOO?LY ON ) HIS P]SUASIVE PATT]4 

0,AS = ME PUTT+ Y\ D[N1 >E Y\ QUITE SURE ?AT'S :AT Y\ WANT8 ,I MEAN1 Y\R >MS >5'T REALLY HURT+1 >E !Y8 ,& Y\ DIDN'T LOOK AS IF Y\ KNEW :]E Y\ W]E GO+ :5 Y\ W]E D[N ON ! GR\ND4 ,PUTT+ Y\ BACK & LEAV+ Y\ ALONE W\LD JU/ MEAN Y\ W]E LO/ AGA94 ,BESIDES1 ,I'M QUITE A FAM\S DEVIL4 ,I CAN DO ALL SORTS ( ?+S4 ,DISMISS ME1 & Y\'RE PASS+ UP A DEA?TIME'S OPPORTUNITY40 

,! LAD'S EYES OP5$1 JU/ A CRACK4 

0,:AT DO Y\ MEAN80 

,! DEVIL GLANC$ D[N IDLY AT ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? BEL[4 ,SOME ( ! W&]+ <O/S & PHANTASMS D[N !RE W]E LOOK+ UP AT ,MI*AEL & ! DEVIL1 HOV]+ JU/ B5EA? ! GRE5 GLASS CEIL+ ( ! GR& >CADE4 ,! FI5D C\LD SEE A GR\P ( UR*9S1 DEAD OR DREAM+1 :O SEEM$ TO BE PAY+ HIM P>TICUL> ATT5TION4 ,NO D\BT !Y C\LD SEE HE'D CAU<T A *ILD & WOND]$ IF !Y MI<T BE NEXT4 ,HAVE NO FE>1 LITTLE *ILDR54 ,= TODAY1 AT LEA/1 Y\'RE SAFE4 ,P]HAPS ANO!R TIME4 ,RETURN+ HIS GAZE TO ! BACK ( ! SUSP5D$ BOY'S BLOND HEAD & BREA?+ HOT UPON ! NAPE ! DEVIL ANSW]$ HIS LA/ QU]Y4 

0,I MEAN !RE >E ?+S ?AT ,I CAN TELL Y\4 ,!RE >E ?+S ?AT ,I CAN %[ Y\4 ,IT'S WELL KN[N4 ,I'M PRACTICALLY PROV]BIAL4 ,I GET A M5TION 9 ! ,BIBLE 444 WELL1 9 ! ,APOCRYPHA1 BUT ?AT'S FAIRLY IMPRESSIVE1 DON'T Y\ ?9K8 ,& ,I WAS ,ADAM'S FIR/ WIFE'S SECOND HUSB&1 ?\< ?AT GOT LEFT \T ( ,G5ESIS4 ,IT'S LIKE ) ANY ADAPTATION1 REALLY4 ,M9OR *>ACT]S OMITT$ TO SPE$ UP ! /ORY1 COMPLEX SITUATIONS SIMPLIFI$ & SO =?4 ,Y\ CAN'T BLAME !M1 ,I SUPPOSE4 ,& ,I WAS V]Y CLOSE TO ,SOLOMON AT ONE PO9T1 ?\< AGA91 Y\ W\LDN'T GUESS ?AT FROM ! ,BOOK ( ,K+S4 ,%AKESPE>E1 H[EV]1 BLESS HIM1 ,%AKESPE>E GIVES ME CR$IT :]E IT'S DUE4 ,HE TALKS AB\T A K9D ( TRIP ,I CAN TAKE PEOPLE ON4 ,IT'S CALL$ ',SAM ,O',DAY'S ,FLI<T'1 & IT'S MORE WOND]FUL & ?RILL+ ?AN ! BIGGE/ FAIRGR\ND RIDE Y\ EV] DREAM$ (4 ,DO Y\ FANCY ONE80 

,DANGL+ LIMPLY 9 ! DEVIL'S >MS1 ! ,W>R5 KID SEEM$ UN5?USIA/IC4 

0,H[ DO ,I KN[ IF ,I'D LIKE IT8 ,I MI<T NOT4 ,& IF ,I DIDN'T1 H[ DO ,I KN[ Y\'D /OP :5 ,I WANT$ TO80 

,! ,FIF? ,9F]NAL ,DUKE1 NOT+ ?AT ?IS WAS NOT QUITE A REFUSAL1 B5T HIS HEAD CLOSE TO ! LAD'S P9K E> AS HE MOV$ 9 TO MAKE ! SALE4 

0,IF ,I HE> Y\ ASK ME TO /OP1 ,I'LL /OP AT ONCE4 ,H['S ?AT8 ,& AS = PAYM5T = ! RIDE1 WELL1 ,I CAN SEE ?AT Y\'RE AN (FSPR+ ( ! ,BOR\<S1 SO ,I DON'T EXPECT ?AT Y\ GET POCKET MONEY1 DO Y\8 ,DOESN'T MATT]4 ,TELL Y\ :AT1 BECAUSE ,I'VE TAK5 QUITE A %9E TO Y\1 Y\NG MAN1 ,I'LL DO ?IS AS A FAVOR4 ,!N1 AT SOME REMOTE PO9T 9 ! FUTURE1 IF !RE'S EV] SOME?+ USEFUL Y\ CAN DO = ME1 WE'LL CALL IT QUITS4 ,DOES ?AT S\ND FAIR TO Y\80 

,! *ILD'S EYES W]E WIDE OP5 N[1 AT LEA/ 9 ! MO/ LIT]AL S5SE4 ,/ILL TRY+ NOT TO LOOK DIRECTLY D[NW>D1 HE WAS TILT+ BACK HIS CURLY HEAD TO />E UP ?R\< ! >CADE RO( AT ! UNFURL+ GEOMETEOROLOGY4 ,! DEVIL C\LD SEE AN 5*ANT+LY B>OQUE >RANGEM5T ( SOME SEV]AL DOZ5 TESS]ACTS ?AT W]E 5GAG$ 9 FOLD+ UP TO =M SOME?+ RESEMBL+ A T5- OR TW5TY-SPH]E4 ,NO WOND] ! SMALL BOY LOOK$ MESM]IZ$ & S\ND$ F> AWAY :5 HE EV5TUALLY REPLI$4 

0,WELL 444 YES4 ,YES1 ,I SUPPOSE SO40 

,?AT WAS ALL ?AT ! FI5D NE$$4 ,TRUE1 A M9OR'S SPOK5 AFFIRMATION C\LDN'T TE*NICALLY BE CALL$ A B9D+ COMPACT1 NO?+ WRITT5 D[N1 NO?+ 9 R$ & :ITE1 & YET ! DEVIL FELT ?AT IT C\LD BE 9T]PRET$ AS AN AGREEM5T TO PROCE$4 

,HE DIV$4 

,DIV$ LIKE A CRIPPL$ BOMB]1 ! DESC5D+ 5G9E DRONE1 DROPP$ LIKE A /ONE OR LIKE AN [L ?AT'S SI<T$ SUPP]1 PLUNG$ LIKE ! A/\ND+ CLEAVAGE ( HIS EX-WIFE1 FELL \T ( ! VAULT$ HEI<TS ABOVE ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? AS ONLY HE C\LD FALL1 HIS COLOR$ /REAM]S RU/L+ 9 A DEAF5+ CACOPHONY4 ,! *ILD WAS SCREAM+ SOME?+1 BUT ABOVE ! W9D ( !IR DESC5T Y\ C\LDN'T MAKE IT \T4 ,AS A RESULT ( ?IS ! DEVIL C\LD SAY1 9 ALL HONE/Y1 ?AT HE HAD NOT YET HE>D ! 9FANT ASK TO /OP4 

,AT ! LA/ MOM5T1 B>ELY FIFTY FEET ABOVE ! BO>D$ FLOOR ) ITS 5ORM\S VATS1 ! DEVIL PULL$ \T ( HIS PLUMMET 9 A %>P1 RI<T-ANGL$ SW]VE ?AT TOOK !M SO>+ (F ALONG ! L5G? ( ! IMM5SE EMPORIUM4 ,! SCRUFFY LITTLE ,H]B]TS :O'D BE5 RUBB]NECK+ AT ! DEVIL & HIS CAPTIVE ONLY A FEW MOM5TS BACK W]E N[ RUNN+ = COV]1 PROBABLY CONV9C$ ?AT HE'D BE5 SWOOP+ D[N TO GA!R !M UP 9 HIS CLAWS AS WELL4 ,HE SE>$ D[N ! GIGANTIC CORRIDOR1 A DANG]\S GOBBET ( BALL-LI<TN+ %$D+ SP>KS & KE5+ ) ! PROCESS ( ITS [N COMBU/ION1 SCATT]+ ?OSE FEW SCANT S\LS :O W]E AB\T ! ,ATTICS AT ?AT PRECISE JUNCTURE ( ! C5TURY1 ! YE>1 ! AFT]NOON1 HOLD+ A BABY 9 HIS SWELT]+ >MS4 ,! TODDL]'S H[L WAS /RET*$ 9TO ! ,DOPPL] WAIL ( AN APPROA*+ TRA9 BY ! VELOCITY ( HIS BLURR$ TRANSIT1 /REAK+ Y>DS ABOVE ! PALE P9E BO>DS :I* W]E LIT BRIEFLY BY ! DEMON'S PASSAGE1 R$ & GRE51 POPPIES & PUTREFACTION4 

,!Y W]E HEAD+ WE/ T[>DS ! BLOOD-BUR/ ( ?AT DAY'S SPECIFIC SUNSET1 :]E ! LI<T P\R$ 9 LIKE SMELT$ ORE ?R\< ! GLASS PANELS ( ! >CADE RO(4 ,! DEVIL KNEW ! NIPP]'S EYES W\LD BE WIDE OP5 DUR+ ALL ( ?IS4 ,AT SPE$S LIKE !SE1 ) ALL ! SP>E FLE% ON ONE'S FACE RIPPL+ T[>DS ! RE> SIDE ( ! SKULL1 IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO CLOSE !M4 ,SAY+ ANY?+1 EV5 A S+LE SYLLABLE LIKE '/OP'1 WAS QUITE \T ( ! QUE/ION4 

,! BOY'S HEAD WAS ANGL$ D[N1 WAT*+ ! HUGE SQU>E VATS FLA% BY B5EA? !M4 ,! EXP]I5CE1 ! DEVIL KNEW1 WAS V]Y MU* LIKE VIEW+ A SURPRIS+LY 5GROSS+ AB/RACT FILM4 ,! FILES ( AP]TURES ?AT RAN ALONG ! L5G? ( ! GREAT ATTIC EA* ALL[$ A VIEW 9TO A S+LE ROOM AT DIFF]5T /AGES ( ITS PROGRESS 9 ! F\R? DIRECTION4 ,LIV+ BE+S 9 ?OSE ROOMS APPE>$ AS /ATIC T5TACLES ( GEM/ONE1 9N] LIT & /ILL AS /ATUES AS !Y W\ND AMONG EA* O!R1 ONLY ! ELUSIVE D>T+ LI<TS ?AT W]E !IR CONSCI\SNESSES L5D+ ! ILLUSION ( MOBILITY & MOTION4 ,ZOOM+ D[N A R[ ( TANKS FROM JU/ ABOVE !M1 ?\<1 ! VATS BECAME LIKE S+LE FRAMES ON AN UNREEL+ SPOOL ( CELLULOID4 ,! W9D+1 FROZ5 %APES APPE>$ TO MOVE 9 ! UN*ANG+ CONF9ES ( ! 5DLESSLY REPEAT$ ROOM CONTA9+ !M1 SOMETIMES )DRAW+ ALTOGE!R = BRIEF /RET*ES :5 ! SPACE WAS EMPTY1 FLICK]+ 9TO VIEW AGA9 A MOM5T LAT] TO RESUME !IR /RANGE1 FLUORESC5T DANCE4 ,! FLUCTUATIONS ( ! COLOR$ =MS MAPP$ R&OM MORTAL MOVEM5T ?R\< !SE WORLDLY *AMB]S 9 A WAY ?AT WAS HYPNOTIC &1 AT TIMES1 HAUNT+LY BEAUTIFUL4 ,! LITTLE BOY1 AT LEA/1 APPE>$ TO BE ABSORB$1 9 ?AT HIS HI<-PIT*$ %RIEK HAD SUNK TO A L[ MOAN4 ,?IS PROBABLY MEANT IT WAS TIME TO /EP ON ! ACCEL]ATOR1 S9CE ! DEVIL DIDN'T WANT HIS PASS5G] TO NOD (F \T ( BOR$OM4 ,HE'D HIS REPUTATION TO CONSID]4 

,A REV]B]AT+ PEAL ( LAY]$ ?UND] M>K$ ! PO9T :]E !Y SURPASS$ ! SPE$ ( S\ND1 & !N A LITTLE AFT] ?AT !RE WAS A POCKET ( UNE>?LY /ONE-DEAF HU% :5 !Y EXCE$$ EV5 ! VELOCITY ( SIL5CE4 ,! RESPL5D5T DEVIL & ! SCAMP ?AT HE WAS BABY-SITT+ RO>$ D[N ! UN5D+ ?ROAT ( ! >CADE1 ! SKY BEYOND ! HALL'S GLASS RO( *ANG+ ITS COLORS EV]Y O!R MOM5T AS !Y DA%$ ?R\< DAYS & DAYS4 ,! SUNSET R$ BECAME FIR/ VIOLET & !N PURPLE1 DEEP5+ TO A PR(\ND BLACK 9 :I* ! CON/RUCTION L9ES ( ! UNFOLD+ HYP]-WEA!R W]E PICK$ \T 9 SILV]4 ,?IS WAS FOLL[$ BY MORE PURPLE & !N ! C]ISE & PEA* ( DAWN4 ,BLUE MORN+S & GRAY AFT]NOONS SME>$ PA/ 9 /ROBOSCOPIC WA%ES4 ,LONG & SLEEPLESS NI<TS W]E GONE 9 SECONDS1 SWALL[$ 9 ! BRIEF FL>E ( ANO!R MOLT5 SUNRISE4 ,FA/] /ILL !Y HURTL$ UNTIL NEI!R ( !M C\LD DI/+UI% ! EXACT PO9T AT :I* ONE HUE TURN$ 9TO ANO!R4 ,EV]Y?+ BECAME A TUNNEL ( PRISMATIC %IMM]4 

,SW]V+ ON A SIXP5CE & )\T R$UC+ SPE$1 ! DEVIL VE]$ ALL ( A SUDD5 SO ?AT !Y W]E LOCK$ ON A COLLISION C\RSE ) ONE ( ! 5ORM\S TREES ?AT ?RU/ UP ?R\< ITS FIFTY-FOOT-SQU>E HOLE ON ! F> SIDE ( ! EMPORIUM3 AN ELM EXP&$ TO AN ANCI5T R$WOOD BY ! V>IATION ?AT !RE WAS BETWE5 DIM5SIONS4 ,! E>-PI]C+ SCREE* ?AT CAME FROM ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 9DICAT$ TO ! DEVIL ?AT AT LEA/ HIS *>GE HAD %RUGG$ (F ! 5NUI FROM :I* HE'D E>LI] SEEM$ TO BE SUFF]+4 

,! /RET* ( CORRIDOR ?AT HAD ! GIANT ELM ]UPT+ ?R\< ITS FLOOR WAS 9 ! NI<T-MILES ?AT PROVID$ PUNCTUATION ALONG ! VA/ ,ATTICS' L5G? AT MEASUR$ 9T]VALS4 ,! FIRMAM5T SE5 ?R\< ! D>K5$ GLASS ABOVE WAS LU/R\S EBONY4 ,*ROME TRAC]IES ( SNAIL-SLIME W]E DEL9EAT+ ! EVOLV+ CONT\RS ( ! SUPRA-GEOMETRIC CUMULI \TSIDE1 ! RADIANCE FROM ?OSE HUGE BODIES L5D+ !SE B5I<T$ REA*ES ( ! NEV]-5D+ HALL A MOONLIT & CREPUSCUL> APPE>ANCE4 ,MIX$-UP ,SAM ,O',DAY1 ! ,K+ ( ,WRA?1 ! GROOM-SLAY]1 ! DEVIL1 HE SCOR*$ ?R\< ! %AD[S & ! CL\DLI<T1 HEAD+ = ! LEAFY WOOD5 T[] ?AT SWELL$ UP T]RIFY+LY \T ( ! SILV]$ MURK BE=E !M4 

,PIGEONS1 R5D]$ ALMO/ MICROSCOPIC 9 COMP>ISON ) ! HUGE B\<S ?AT %ELT]$ !M1 AWOKE FROM !IR SL[-MOTION DREAMS & FLAPP$ UP 9 AL>M AT ! L\D1 SPITT+ PYROTE*NICS ( ! FI5D'S APPROA*4 ,! DEVIL KNEW ?AT ?IS MO/ SPECIAL FAMILY ( BIRDS W]E MORE OR LESS UNIQUE 9 !IR ABILITY TO PASS BETWE5 ! ,UP/AIRS & ! ,D[N/AIRS WORLD1 & (T5 W\LD TAKE REFUGE 9 A TREE'S HI<] DIM5SIONS :]E !Y KNEW ?AT !Y'D BE FAIRLY SAFE FROM CATS4 ,CATS1 IT WAS TRUE1 C\LD SOMETIMES SCRABBLE ?R\< AN AP]TURE 9TO ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? - ! FI5D ASSUM$ !Y'D LE>N$ ?IS TRICK ORIG9ALLY BY CLIMB+ AFT] PIGEONS - BUT ! HI<] REALM WAS PETRIFY+ = A LIV+ FEL9E4 ,USUALLY1 !Y'D NOISILY EVACUATE !IR B[ELS & LEAP /RAI<T D[N ! NE>E/ W9D[ BACK 9TO ! WORLD4 ,! :OLE MANEUV] WAS SO /RESSFUL = !M ?AT !Y SEEM$ TO ONLY USE IT :5 !Y NE$$ TO MOVE /RAI<T FROM ONE ROOM TO ANO!R )\T PASS+ ?R\< ! 9T]V5+ SPACE4 ,! TAL5T WASN'T ANY USE1 ?\<1 :5 IT CAME TO HUNT+1 SO ! ROO/+ BIRDS W]E SAFE4 ,NOT FROM ! DEVIL1 OBVI\SLY1 BUT FROM PRACTICALLY EV]Y O!R PR$ATOR ?AT !Y MI<T REASONABLY EXPECT TO :IZ \T ( ! D>K T[>DS !M1 C\<+ FIRE4 ,! FLOCK HAD JU/ BE5 WOK5 UNEXPECT$LY FROM SLEEP & TAK5 BY SURPRISE4 ,!RE ISN'T MU*1 ! DEVIL ?\<T1 :I* TAKES A PIGEON BY SURPRISE4 ,?AT WAS NO D\BT ! REASON = !IR AGITATION4 

,A SPLIT SECOND BE=E HE & ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 W\LD HAVE SMA%$ 9TO ! ?IRTY-FOOT-WIDE TRUNK ! DEVIL EXECUT$ ONE ( HIS MO/ %[Y MOVES1 A SUDD5 SPIRAL SWOOP ?AT CLEV]LY COMB9$ ! ,GOLD5 ,SECTION & ! ,FIBONACCI SEQU5CE1 BLAZ+ 9 A CORKSCREW-TI<T TRAJECTORY ?AT TOOK !M D[N >\ND ! TREE1 JU/ 9*ES FROM ! ELEPHANT-HIDE ( ITS 5L>G$ B>K4 ,! ZIP & Z+ ( IT1 ! HELT]-SKELT] SWI%1 WAS WICK$LY EXHIL>AT+4 ,!Y LOOP$ FIVE TIMES R\ND ! WOOD ,GOLIA?1 & SOME:]E 9 ! HAIR-RAIS+ RIP ( !IR DESC5T ! DEVIL FELT HIS 9N] COMPASS FLIP 9TO ! NEW ORI5TATION ?AT ATT5D$ ! 9F]IOR1 ?REE-SID$ WORLD4 ,HE & HIS PASS5G] W]E N[ IMM]S$ 9 ! T5EBR\S GELAT9 ( ,TIME1 C>E5+ ON A LEFT-H& ?READ >\ND AN ELM ?AT N[ APPE>$ TO BE ( NORMAL SCALE4 ,!Y CAME \T ( !IR CIRCL+ NOS$IVE ONLY FEET ABOVE ! TUFT$ KNUCKLES ( ITS ROOTS1 !N %OT UP & AWAY 9TO ! 9T]MITT5T TW9KLE ( ! OV]CA/ NI<T SKY ABOVE4 ,SWIMM+ AS !Y N[ W]E 9 ! SEQU5TIAL S\P ( M9UTES1 H\RS & DAYS1 !Y LEFT A ,TE*NICOLOR MESS BEH9D1 AN AFT]BURN PROCESSION ( SP5T IMAGES TRAIL+ FLAMBOYANT 9 !IR WAKE4 ,PR$OM9ANTLY !SE W]E 9 ! DEVIL'S SIGNATURE >RAY ( R$S & GRE5S1 A WILD ROSE-G>D5 /RIPE BUR/+ FROM NO:]E ?AT W\ND D[N >\ND ! TREE & !N FIR$ ITSELF UP 9TO ! D>K & />LI<T 

,?IRTY FEET ABOVE ! GR\ND ! DEVIL SLAMM$ ! BRAKES ON & /OPP$ DEAD1 HANG+ !RE 9 ! BRISK NI<T BREEZE & SUMM]-SC5T$ %AD[S ) HIS RAG-FLAGS SPREAD >\ND HIM 9 A RATTL+ C>NATION CLU/]4 ,/ILL CLUT*$ 9 ! DEMON'S SOOTY GRIP1 ! BUG-EY$ LITTLE BOY SUCK$ 9 HIS FIR/ BREA? ( ! LA/ HALF-M9UTE & YELL$ 0,/OP01 RA!R UNNECESS>ILY1 AS !Y JU/ HAD4 ,ON REALIZ+ ?IS1 ! *ILD TWI/$ HIS HEAD >\ND AS F> AS IT W\LD GO1 SO ?AT HE C\LD LOOK UP ACROSS HIS %\LD] AT ! DEVIL4 ,IT WAS ONE ( ?OSE LOOKS KIDS PUT ON :5 !Y'RE PRET5D+ TO BE TRAUMATIZ$1 ! WOBBL+ L[] LIP1 ! HAUNT$ EYES & OBVI\S AFFECTATION ( A %ELL-%OCK$ TWIT*4 

0,I NEV] SAID6 ,I NEV] SAID ,I WANT$ TO GO ON Y\R ,FLI<T4 ,I ONLY WANT$ TO GO HOME40 

,! DEVIL DID HIS BE/ TO S\ND SURPRIS$4 

0,:AT1 ?AT8 ,?AT LITTLE JAUNT ?AT WE'VE JU/ BE5 ON8 ,?AT WASN'T MY ,FLI<T4 ,?AT WAS A W>M-UP LAP4 ,GIVE ME SOME CR$IT1 MY DE> FELL[4 ,?AT WAS ONLY FA/1 IT WASN'T FABUL\S4 ,! REAL RIDE IS MU* SL[] & MU* MORE MY/]I\S4 ,I PROMISE Y\ Y\'LL LIKE IT4 ,AS = WANT+ TO GO HOME1 P]HAPS Y\ \<T TO TAKE A LOOK >\ND & F9D \T :]E WE >E BE=E Y\ />T COMPLA9+40 

,!RE4 ,?AT %UT ! LITTLE BLI<T] UP4 

,!Y W]E SUSP5D$ 9 ! NI<T AIR UP ABOVE ! 9T]SECTION =M$ :]E ,SP5C] ,BRIDGE & ,CRANE ,HILL CROSS$ ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 ,B5EA? !M AS !Y HUNG !RE FAC+ R\<LY S\? !RE WAS ! MEAD[ :]E ! OLD ,VICTORIAN SLIPP]-BA?S HAD BE5 CONV]T$ TO A PUBLIC TOILET4 ,A BROAD T>MAC PA?WAY /RET*$ DIAGONALLY ACROSS ! SWA! ( GRASS BEL[1 FROM ,SP5C] ,BRIDGE TO ,WIGG9S'S COAL Y>D FUR!R UP ! ROAD4 ,AMONG ! TREES ?AT FR+$ ! PAT* ( GR\ND !RE /OOD ! 9CONSPICU\S ELM D[N :I* ! FI5D & HIS RELUCTANT C>GO HAD SWIRL$ REC5TLY FROM ! SUP]IOR TO ! L[] REALM4 ,UPON !IR LEFT A SCATT]+ ( HEADLI<TS CRAWL$ UP ,GRAFTON ,/REET1 M\NT+ ! VALLEY SLOPE BETWE5 ! FACTORIES & PUBS ON ONE SIDE & ! WA/EL& SPRAWL ( E>? & BRICKS ?AT HAD T5 YE>S BE=E BE5 PEOPLE'S HOMES UPON ! O!R4 

,UP AHEAD & TO !IR RI<T WAS ! ILLUM9AT$ COBWEB KNOT ( ,CA/LE ,/ATION1 /R+S ( LI<T RUNN+ T[>DS IT & AWAY ?R\< ! SURR\ND+ BLACKNESS4 ,?IS SITE WAS P]HAPS ! DEVIL'S FAVORITE ( ! MANY RU9$ VI/AS ?AT ! ,BOR\<S HAD TO (F]4 ,HE RECALL$ ! CA/LE ?AT ! RAILWAY /ATION HAD DEPOS$ ) AN ABID+ FONDNESS4 ,SEV]AL HUNDR$ YE>S BACK D[N ! L9E ! DEVIL HAD OBTA9$ A R+SIDE SEAT = ,K+ ,H5RY ! ,SECOND'S SPIRITUALLY RU9\S BETRAYAL ( HIS OLD *UM ,TOMMY ,BECKET1 SUMMON+ ! FL$GL+ SA9T H]E TO ,NOR?AMPTON ,CA/LE ONLY TO SURPRISE HIM ) A HANG+ JURY ( 9TEMP]ATE B>ONS BELL[+ = ! ,>*BI%OP'S HEAD 7& ALSO = HIS L&1 AL?\< ! FI5D C\LD NOT REMEMB] ANY ( !M SAY+ ?IS \T L\D UPON ! ACTUAL OCCASION74 

,SIDEWAYS ,SAM ,O',DAY - A NAME HE WAS BECOM+ GRADUALLY MORE PLEAS$ ) - ALSO HAD W>M RECOLLECTIONS ( ! CA/LE FROM ! TIME :5 HE'D /OOD UNSE5 AT ! ELB[ ( ,RI*>D ! ,LIONHE>T & TRI$ TO KEEP FROM SNIGG]+ AS ! ,K+ SET (F ON HIS CRUSADE1 ! ?IRD CRUSADE & ?US ONE ( ! ,*RI/IAN WORLD'S FIR/ MAJOR CONTACTS ) ! WORLD ( ,ISLAM1 :I* W\LD SET ! TONE = SOME SIDE-SPLITT+ HI< J9KS FUR!R UP ! ROAD4 ,OH MY WORD1 W\LDN'T IT JU/1 ?\<8 ,IT HAD BE5 AT ! CA/LE1 TOO1 :]E ! FI5D HAD ! OPPORTUNITY TO SIT 9 ON ! WE/]N WORLD'S FIR/ P>LIAM5T1 ! ,NATIONAL ,P>LIAM5T RAIS$ 9 #a#a#c#a1 & SMIRK AT H[ MU* DIFFICULTY ?AT WAS GO+ TO CAUSE4 ,& PLEASE1 DON'T EV5 GET HIM />T$ ON ! POLL TAX ?AT HAD SO UPSET ,WALT] ! ,TYL] & HIS PEASANT >MY BACK 9 #a#c#h#a4 ,! CONVOLUT$ NATURE ( ! TR\BLES ?AT HAD BLOSSOM$ H]E1 CLOSE TO ! C\NTRY'S CRUX1 MADE IT ONE ( ! DEVIL'S FAVORITE PICNIC SPOTS1 NOT JU/ 9 ,ANGLE-L& BUT 9 ! WID] #c,D WORLD4 

,CRADL$ !RE 9 ! DEVIL'S T5D] >MS ABOVE ! CROSSROADS1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 />$ D[N AT ! /REETS ?AT HE HAD KN[N 9 LIFE ) AN EXPRESSION ( A/ONI%M5T & LONG+4 ,= ! 9FANT'S B5EFIT ! DEVIL EXECUT$ A SL[ A]IAL PIR\ETTE1 ROTAT+ C\NT]-CLOCKWISE TO %[ (F ! GLITT]+ NOCTURNAL PANORAMA ?AT SURR\ND$ !M4 ,BY MOV+ SL[LY1 ! DI/RACT+ TRAIL ( AFT]-IMAGES !Y LEFT BEH9D !M WAS R$UC$4 ,!IR GAZE CRAWL$ LOV+LY ACROSS ! ,BOR\<S1 PA/ ! S\!A/ CORN] ?AT ! BUILD]S SIGNIFI$ UPON !IR GAM+-TABLE ) A CROSS ( GOLD4 ,PROGRESS+1 ,GRAFTON ,/REET CLIMB$ EA/ T[>DS ! SQU9T+ CAFET]IA- & %OP-LI<TS SET LIKE A TI>A AT ITS TOP ON ,REG5T ,SQU>E4 ,!N1 AS ! DEMON MON>* TURN$1 ! P>ALLEL T>MAC TOBOGGAN-RUNS ( ,SEMILONG CAME 9TO VIEW1 SLATE RO(TOPS ) A GRAPHITE %E5 CR[N+ ! RANK ( T]RACES AS !Y DESC5D$ TO ! VALLEY'S BOTTOM1 TO ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD & TO ! RIV] W9D+ BY ON ITS F> SIDE4 ,CONT9U+ !IR LAZY SWIVEL1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 & ! FI5D NEXT OV]LOOK$ ! D>K GRASS SPRAWL ( ,PADDY'S ,MEAD[ ) ! ,N5E A NICKEL RIBBON ?AT UNRAVEL$ ?R\< IT1 ! REFLECT$ TREES LIKE BLACK & TANGL$ SALVAGE 9 ! RIV]'S CL\DY DEP?S4 

,IT WAS ALONG H]E TO ! NOR?1 IF SCRAMBL$ ,SAM ,O',DAY REMEMB]$ RI<TLY1 ?AT ! WALL ( ! ,/4 ,&REW'S ,PRIORY HAD ONCE EXT5D$4 ,BACK UP/REAM 9 ! #a#b#fS1 ,K+ ,H5RY ! ,?IRD S5T \T A PUNITIVE PLATOON ( M\NT$ TROOPS TO QUA% UNRE/ & 9SURRECTION H]E 9 ?IS PUGNACI\S LITTLE T[N1 ! >MY LET 9 ?R\< A BREA* 9 ! OLD PRIORY WALL BY A ,FR5* ,CLUNIAC PRIOR :O SYMPA?IZ$ ) ! ,FR5* MON>*Y4 ,!Y'D PRETTY MU* DE/ROY$ ! PLACE1 RAP$ IT & ROBB$ IT & SET FIRE TO IT1 M>K+ ?IS NOR?WE/ CORN] ( ! ,BOR\<S AS ! PO9T ( P5ETRATION4 ,ON ! BUILD]'S BILLI>D TABLE - OR !IR TRILLI>D TABLE AS IT WAS MORE ACCURATELY CALL$ - ?IS SPOT WAS REPRES5T$ BY ! POCKET ) ! GOLD5 P5IS ET*$ 9TO ! WOOD BESIDE IT4 ,REG5T'S ,SQU>E 9 ! NOR!A/1 CONV]SELY1 ?AT WAS ! DEA? CORN] :]E ! SEV]$ HEADS ( TRAITORS W]E DISPLAY$ ONCE1 & ITS CORRESPOND+ SNOOK] POCKET WAS EMBLAZON$ ) A GOLD5 SKULL4 

,!Y TWIRL$ ABOVE ! TRAFFIC JUNCTION1 LOOK+ \T ACROSS ! BUS9ESS PREMISES JU/ OV] ,SP5C] ,BRIDGE1 ! NEW E/ATES ( ,SP5C] & ,K+'S ,HEA? BEYOND4 ,SP5C]4 ,ANO!R LOCAL NAME1 ! DEVIL NOT$1 ?AT HAD 9T]E/+ REP]CUSSIONS UP & D[N ! TRACK4 ,LIKE FIGURES CIRCL+ ON TOP ( A DILAPIDAT$ MUSIC-BOX1 ! DEVIL & HIS PASS5G] REVOLV$ UNHURRI$LY TO TAKE 9 ,JIMMY'S ,5D & !N ,VICTORIA ,P>K1 PRETTY & MELAN*OLY AS A JILT$ BRIDE1 >RIV+ F9ALLY AT ! F> LI<TS ( ,CA/LE ,/ATION :]E !IR ORBIT REA*$ ITS 5D4 ,CLANK+ & %UNT+ 9 ! D>K1 ! RAILWAY T]M9US WAS AT ! ,BOR\<S' S\?WE/ CORN]1 ) A GILD$ TURRET SCRAT*$ 9TO ! GRA9 ( ! APPROPRIATE POCKET ON ! BUILD]'S TABLE1 REPRES5T+ /]N AU?ORITY4 ,FIDGET+ 9 ! DEVIL'S GRIP1 ! SMALL BOY AT LA/ F\ND HIS VOICE4 

0,?AT'S IT4 ,?AT'S :]E ,I WIZ4 ,?AT'S :]E ,I LIVE40 

,ONE MIDGET H& PROTRUD$ FROM HIS DRESS+ G[N'S CAPACI\S SLEEVE TO PO9T T[>DS ! P>T-LIT T]RACE ON !IR LEFT1 A LITTLE FUR!R S\? ALONG ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 ,! DEVIL *UCKL$ & CORRECT$ HIM4 

0,NOT QUITE4 ,?AT'S :]E Y\ LIV$4 ,UNTIL Y\ DI$1 ( C\RSE40 

,! *ILD CONSID]$ ?IS1 & NODD$4 

0,OH4 ,YES4 ,I'D =GOTT5 ?AT4 ,:Y HAS IT ALL GOT D>K SO QUICK8 ,IT WIZ ALL SUNNY E>LI]1 & ,I'VE NOT BE5 AWAY = V]Y LONG4 ,IT CAN'T BE NI<T ALREADY40 

,OBVI\SLY1 ! FI5D OBS]V$1 HIS Y\NG FRI5D NE$$ SETT+ /RAI<T ON ?AT ONE1 TOO4 

0,WELL1 ACTUALLY1 IT CAN4 ,9 FACT1 ?IS ISN'T EV5 ! SAME DAY AS ?AT ( Y\R DEP>TURE4 ,:5 WE FLEW ALONG ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? JU/ N[ WE MU/ HAVE PASS$ ?REE OR F\R SUNSETS1 :I* MEANS ?AT WE'RE PRES5TLY AT SOME PO9T LAT] ON 9 ?AT SAME WEEK4 ,FROM ALL ! C>S 9 ,GRAFTON ,/REET1 ,I'D SAY IT LOOKS LIKE ,FRIDAY NI<T4 ,Y\R FAMILY >E PROBABLY RI<T 9 ! MIDDLE ( !IR TEATIME AB\T N[4 ,H[ W\LD Y\ LIKE TO SEE !M80 

,Y\ C\LD TELL FROM ! PROTRACT$ SIL5CE ?AT ! KID WAS ?9K+ AB\T ?IS BE=E HE ANSW]$4 ,NATURALLY1 HE'D WANT TO SEE HIS LOV$ ONES ONE MORE TIME1 BUT SEE+ !M 9 M\RN+ = HIM MU/ HAVE BE5 A DAUNT+ PROSPECT4 ,F9ALLY1 HE PIP$ UP4 

0,CAN Y\ %[ !M TO ME8 ,& WILL !Y BE %APES ) LI<TS 91 LIKE !Y W]E :5 WE WIZ BACK ,UP/AIRS80 

,! DEVIL ISSU$ A GOOD-NATUR$ SNORT1 SO ?AT WISPS ( BLUE SMOKE LIKE C>-EXHAU/ LEAK$ FROM HIS FL>+ NO/RILS4 

0,WELL1 ( C\RSE ,I'LL %[ !M TO Y\4 ,?AT'S ! MA9 P>T ( ,SAM ,O',DAY'S ,FLI<T1 9 FACT4 ,IT'S :AT ,I'M FAM\S =4 ,& AS = :AT !Y'LL LOOK LIKE1 IT WON'T BE ! SAME AS H[ !Y SEEM$ FROM UP ABOVE4 ,DO Y\ KN[ :AT ! WORD 'DIM5SION' MEANS80 

,! 9FANT %OOK HIS T\SL$ HEAD4 ,?IS W\LD1 ! DEVIL ?\<T1 BE A LONG NI<T4 

0,WELL1 BASICALLY1 IT'S JU/ ANO!R WORD = PLANE1 AS 9 ! DIFF]5T PLANES A SOLID OBJECT HAS4 ,IF SOME?+ HAS L5G?1 BREAD? & DEP? WE SAY ?AT IT HAS ?REE DIM5SIONS1 ?AT IT'S ?REE-DIM5SIONAL4 ,N[1 9 TRU?1 ALL ?+S 9 ?IS UNIV]SE HAVE MORE ?AN ?REE DIM5SIONS1 BUT !RE'S ONLY ?REE ?AT HUMAN BE+S SEEM TO NOTICE4 ,TO BE HONE/1 !RE >E T51 OR AT A P9* ELEV51 BUT !RE >E JU/ F\R ( !M ?AT NE$ CONC]N Y\ AT ! MOM5T4 ,!SE >E ! ?REE PLANES ?AT ,I JU/ M5TION$ PLUS A F\R? ?AT IS AS SOLID AS ! O!RS1 BUT :I* MORTAL M5 P]CEIVE AS PASS+ TIME4 ,?IS F\R? DIM5SION1 VIEW$ 9 ITS TRUE LI<T1 IS H[ WE SEE IT FROM ,MANS\L1 ! REALM ,UP/AIRS1 :I* IS A HI<]-UP DIM5SION /ILL4 ,LOOK$ D[N ON FROM UP !RE1 !RE IS NO TIME4 ,ALL *ANGE & MOVEM5T >E JU/ REPRES5T$ BY ! SNAK+ CRY/AL =MS ) LI<TS 9SIDE ?AT Y\ SAW E>LI]1 W9D+ ALONG !IR PR$ET]M9$ PA?S4 ,?AT'S :5 Y\'RE LOOK+ FROM UP !RE1 REMEMB]40 

0,AS = :]E WE >E N[1 WE'RE NOT UP !RE ANYMORE4 ,WE'RE D[N 9 ! ?REE-SID$ WORLD :]E TIME EXI/S1 BUT WE'RE /ILL SEE+ IT ) HI<] EYES4 ,?AT M9OR DETAIL1 BY & L>GE1 IS ! :OLE BASIS ( MY FABL$ ,FLI<T1 :I*1 IF Y\'LL N[ P]MIT ME1 ,I %ALL DEMON/RATE40 

,! BABE 9 >MS1 :O'D LI/5$ TO ! DEVIL'S MONOLOGUE UNCOMPREH5D+LY = ! MO/ P>T1 MADE AN AMBIGU\S :9+ S\ND ?AT HAD A SLI<T UPW>D 9FLECTION & C\LD ?US BE TAK5 AS CONDITIONAL ASS5T4 ,TAK+ HIS TIME SO AS NOT TO AL>M ! *ILD UNNECESS>ILY1 & ALSO TO RE/RICT !IR /REAM+ IMAGE-TRAIL1 ! FI5D BEGAN TO FLOAT T[>DS ! %ORT & SEMI-D>K5$ R[ ( H\SES ?AT ! BOY HAD 9DICAT$1 OPPOSITE ! COAL-Y>D FUR!R UP ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 ,!Y DRIFT$ OV] ! CONV]T$ SLIPP]-BA?S1 ! DEVIL'S EM]ALD & RUBY TATT]S CRACKL+ LIKE A RADIO ( EVIL1 & ACROSS ! UNM[$ TRIANGLE ( MEAD[1 MOV+ S\?4 ,UPON !IR LEFT AS !Y APPROA*$ ! CORN] ( ,SPR+ ,LANE !Y PASS$ ! LOOM+ TANN]Y1 ITS TALL BRICK *IMNEY & ITS GAT$ Y>DS ) DY$ SK9-%AV+S HEAP$ 9 TURQUOISE TREASURE-M\NDS1 ! BALD :ITE /UMPS ( TAILS LEFT ON ! COBBLES & DISSOLV+ 9TO SOAP & GRI/LE4 ,FROM ?IS HEI<T1 ! PUDDLES NE> ! PULL+-%$S W]E MO!R-(-PE>L FRAGM5TS1 BRI<T & FLAK+4 

,MI*AEL ,W>R5 & ! DEVIL CAME TO RE/ SUSP5D$ UP ABOVE ! Y>D ( ! COAL-M]*ANT1 FAC+ EA/ & LOOK+ D[N AT A SLI<T ANGLE ON ! /RET* ( T]RAC$ H\SES OPPOSITE ?AT RAN BETWE5 ! BOTTOM OP5+S ( ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET & ,SPR+ ,LANE4 ,DIPP+ HIS HORN$ & AUBURN HEAD1 ! DEVIL :ISP]$ 9 ! Y\NG/]'S E>4 

0,Y\ KN[1 :5EV] !Y DESCRIBE ?IS RIDE ,I CAN PROVIDE1 !Y ALWAYS GET IT WRONG4 ,!Y TELL H[ ! GREAT DEVIL SLIPP]Y ,SAM ,O',DAY1 IF ASK$1 WILL BE> Y\ UP ABOVE ! WORLD & LET Y\ SEE ITS HOMES & H\SES ) !IR RO(S GONE1 SO ?AT ALL ! FOLK 9SIDE >E VISIBLE4 ,?AT'S TRUE 5\<1 = AS F> AS IT GOES1 BUT IT MISUND]/&S :AT'S REALLY GO+ ON4 ,YES1 ,I BE> PEOPLE UP ABOVE ! WORLD1 BUT ONLY 9 ! S5SE ?AT ,I CAN LIFT !M1 IF ,I *OOSE1 9TO A HI<] MA!MATICAL DIM5SION SU* AS ?OSE WE'VE BE5 DISCUSS+4 ,AS = MY SUPPOS$ ABILITY TO VANI% ALL ! RO(TOPS SO ?AT SORC]]S CAN SPY UPON !IR NEI<BORS' WIVES AT BA?-TIME1 H[ AM ,I EXPECT$ TO DO ?AT8 ,& IF ,I C\LD1 :Y W\LD ,I BO!R TO8 ,?IS ,FLI<T IS MY MO/ LEG5D>Y ATTRIBUTE1 AP>T FROM ALL ! MURD]S4 ,DON'T !Y ?9K ,I MI<T HAVE SOME?+ TO IMP>T ?AT'S RA!R MORE IMPORTANT ?AN A GLIMPSE ( NIPPLE8 ,H]E1 Y\ LOOK D[N AT ! H\SES = Y\RSELF1 & TELL ME :AT Y\ ?9K Y\'RE LOOK+ AT4 ,HAVE ,I MADE ALL ! RO(TOPS DISAPPE>1 OR HAV5'T ,I80 

,( C\RSE1 ! DEVIL KNEW ?AT ?IS WAS F> FROM A /RAI<T=W>D QUE/ION4 ,?AT WAS L>GELY :Y HE'D ASK$ IT1 JU/ TO WAT* ! PUZZL$ & CONFLICT$ LOOK UPON ! *ILD'S FACE :5 HE TRI$ TO ANSW]4 

0,NO4 ,ALL ( ! RO(TOPS >E /ILL !RE & ,I CAN SEE !M1 BUT 4440 

,! BOY PAUS$ = A MOM5T1 AS IF 9W>DLY DEBAT+ SOME?+1 !N W5T ON4 

0444 BUT ,I CAN SEE ! PEOPLE 9 ! ROOMS 9SIDE AS WELL4 ,9 ,MRS4 ,W>D'S H\SE ON ! 5D ,I CAN SEE ,MRS4 ,W>D UP/AIRS PUTT+ A /ONE HOT-WAT] BOTTLE 9 ! B$1 & ,MR4 ,W>D'S D[N/AIRS4 ,HE'S SITT+ LI/5+ TO ! RADIO4 ,H[ CAN ,I SEE !M BO? :5 !Y'RE ON DIFF]5T FLOORS8 ,%\LDN'T !RE BE A CEIL+ 9 ! WAY8 ,& H[ CAN ,I SEE EI!R ( !M IF ! RO('S /ILL !RE80 

,! DEVIL WAS1 DESPITE HIMSELF1 IMPRESS$4 ,*ILDR5 C\LD SOMETIMES TAKE Y\ BY SURPRISE LIKE ?AT4 ,Y\ T5D$ TO =GET AMID ! *ATT] & 9ANITY ?AT !IR P]CEPTIONS & !IR M9DS W]E WORK+ MU*1 MU* H>D] ?AN ?OSE ( !IR ADULT C\NT]P>TS4 ,?IS 9FANT HAD JU/ POS$ A MORE 9CISIVE QUE/ION1 ) MORE HONE/ CURIOSITY1 ?AN MANGL$ ,SAM ,O',DAY'S LA/ FIFTE5 HELL-B\ND NECROMANC]S PUT TOGE!R4 ,?US1 HE DID HIS BE/ TO FURNI% ?IS 9TELLIG5T 9QUIRY ) A SUITABLE REPLY4 

0,OH1 ,I %\LD ?9K A BRI<T Y\NG SP>K LIKE Y\ C\LD ANSW] ?AT ONE = HIMSELF4 ,Y\ TAKE A CLOS] LOOK4 ,IT ISN'T ?AT Y\'RE LOOK+ ?R\< ! RO( & CEIL+1 IS IT80 

,MI*AEL ,W>R5 SQU9T$ DUTIFULLY4 

0,NO4 ,NO1 IT'S MORE LIKE ,I'M LOOK+ R\ND ! $GE ( !M40 

,! DEVIL HUGG$ ! BOY UNTIL HE YELP$4 

0,GOOD LAD6 ,YES1 ?AT'S EXACTLY :AT Y\'RE DO+1 PEEP+ 9TO A SEAL$ H\SE >\ND AN $GE Y\ NORMALLY CAN'T SEE4 ,IT'S LIKE IF !RE W]E PEOPLE :O W]E FLAT1 :AT !Y CALL TWO-DIM5SIONAL1 :O LIV$ ON A FLAT %EET ( PAP]4 ,IF Y\ W]E TO DRAW A BOX R\ND ONE ( !M1 !N ?AT FLAT P]SON W\LD BE SEAL$ (F FROM ! RE/ ( ! FLAT WORLD & ITS 9HABITANTS4 ,!Y W\LDN'T SEE HIM1 S9CE HE W\LD BE \T ( SI<T BEH9D ! L9E-WALLS ?AT Y\'D DRAWN >\ND HIM1 NOR W\LD HE BE ABLE TO SEE !M1 5CLOS$ 9 HIS FLAT BOX4 

0,BUT Y\'RE ! ONE :O DREW ! L9ES1 & Y\ HAVE ?REE DIM5SIONS4 ,9 COMP>ISON TO ALL ! LITTLE FLAT FOLK1 Y\ HAVE ONE MORE :OLE DIM5SION Y\ CAN WORK )1 :I* GIVES Y\ A BIG ADVANTAGE4 ,Y\ CAN LOOK D[N ?R\< ! OP5 TOP SIDE ( ! SQU>E Y\'VE DRAWN1 LOOK D[N ?R\< A DIM5SION ?AT ! FLAT FOLK CANNOT SEE & DO NOT KN[ AB\T4 ,Y\ CAN LOOK D[N UPON ! FLAT *AP 9 ! BOX BY LOOK+ AT HIM FROM AN ANGLE ?AT1 TO HIM1 DOES NOT EXI/4 ,N[ DO Y\ UND]/& H[ Y\ CAN SEE Y\R UP/AIRS & Y\R D[N/AIRS NEI<BORS BO? AT ONCE1 DESPITE ! RO( & CEIL+ 9 ! WAY8 ,IT'S JU/ A MATT] ( P]SPECTIVE4 ,DOESN'T ?AT MAKE MU* MORE S5SE ?AN ME CONSPIR+ TO HIDE ALL ! RO(TOPS 9 SOME UNIMAG9ABLE MANN]8 ,:AT AM ,I SUPPOS$ TO DO ) ALL ! SLATES80 

,! *ILD WAS />+ D[N T[>DS ! R[ ( H\SES ) A DAZ$ EXPRESSION1 BUT WAS SL[LY NODD+ AS IF HE HAD TAK5 9 AT LEA/ ! B>E BONES ( :AT HE HAD JU/ BE5 TOLD4 ,KIDS HAD A FLEXIBILITY & A RESILI5CE TO !IR IDEAS AB\T REALITY ?AT GR[N-UPS DIDN'T1 9 ! MA94 ,9 SCRAMBL$ ,SAM ,O',DAY'S OP9ION1 TRY+ TO BREAK ! SPIRIT OR ! SANITY ( *ILDR5 WAS MORE EF=T ?AN ! TASK WAS WOR?4 ,:Y BO!R ) IT8 ,!RE W]E ADULTS EV]Y:]E1 & ADULTS SNAPP$ LIKE TWIGS4 ,W>M+ RELUCTANTLY T[>DS HIS SICK5+LY LIKABLE & PICTURE-PO/C>D PRETTY PASS5G]1 ! DEVIL W5T ON ) HIS T\R-GUIDE'S MONOLOGUE4 

0,9 FACT1 IF Y\ W]E TO LOOK CLOS] AT Y\R NEI<BORS1 Y\'D DISCOV] ?AT Y\ CAN SEE !IR 9T]NAL ORGANS & !IR SKELETONS >\ND ! $GES ( !IR SK94 ,IF Y\ GOT CLOS] /ILL Y\ C\LD LOOK R\ND A HIDD5 CORN] ( !IR BONES & SEE ! M>R[1 ?\< ,I W\LDN'T RECOMM5D IT4 ,?AT'S ! MAJOR REASON :Y ,I KEEP MY FLI<T TO UP ABOVE ! H\SE-TOPS1 IF ,I'M HONE/4 ,IF WE W]E MU* CLOS]1 Y\'D BE TOO DI/RACT$ BY ! BLOOD & GUTS TO PROP]LY TAKE 9 ! MORE IMPORTANT ASPECTS ( ?IS $UCATIONAL EXP]I5CE4 ,W\LD Y\ LIKE TO LOOK AT ! H\SE ?AT Y\ ONCE LIV$ 980 

,MI*AEL ,W>R5 PE]$ BACK UP T[>DS ! FI5D ACROSS ONE T>TAN %\LD]4 ,HE LOOK$ EAG]1 APPREH5SIVE1 & QUITE SAD4 ,IT WAS1 ! DEVIL ?\<T1 A V]Y ADULT1 COMPLICAT$ LOOK = SU* A Y\?FUL FACE4 

0,YES PLEASE4 ,ONLY1 IF EV]YBODY'S CRY+1 CAN WE GO AWAY AGA98 ,?AT WIZZLE MAKE ME CRY AS WELL1 IF !Y'RE UNHAPPY40 

,%IFTY ,SAM ,O',DAY REFRA9$ FROM PO9T+ \T ?AT ,MI*AEL'S FAMILY W]E H>DLY LIKELY TO BE WE>+ P>TY HATS & BL[+ PAP] SQUEAK]S SO SOON AFT] HIS DEMISE1 BUT SIMPLY C>RI$ ! DEAD *ILD A FEW DOORS FUR!R D[N ! T]RACE1 HEAD+ S\?4 ,A BREEZE \T ( ! WE/ BR\<T ! P]FUME ( IRON & WE$S FROM (F ! RAIL-Y>DS :]E =GOTT5 T5D]S PEEL$ & RU/$1 & ! :ITE LI<TS W]E A RATION$1 SP>+ SUG> FRO/+ ON ! BLU/]Y ,BOR\<S D>K4 ,! DEVIL HALT$ OV] NUMB] #a#g4 

0,!RE1 N[4 ,LET'S SEE :AT'S GO+ ON40 

,! DEVIL GASP$ AT ! SAME MOM5T ?AT ! LITTLE BOY DID4 ,:AT !Y C\LD GLIMPSE GO+ ON 9SIDE ! H\SE WAS1 FRANKLY1 ! LA/ ?+ ?AT EI!R ( !M HAD =ESE54 ,IF ANY?+ ! FI5D WAS MORE A/ONI%$ ?AN ! KID1 BE+ MU* LESS ACCU/OM$ TO SURPRISES4 ,?IS ONE WAS A %OCK & NO MI/AKE1 LIKE :5 !Y'D DRIV5 HIM FROM ,P]SIA ALL ?OSE C5TURIES AGO BY BURN+ FI% LIV]S & 9C5SE4 ,HE'D NOT BE5 EXPECT+ ?AT1 & NEI!R HAD HE BE5 EXPECT+ ?IS4 

,! UP/AIRS FLOOR ( NUMB] #ag WAS CURR5TLY DES]T$1 AS W]E ! FRONT ROOM & PASSAGEWAY4 ,ONLY ! LIV+ ROOM & KIT*5 W]E LIT-UP & OCCUPI$1 CONTA9+ HALF A DOZ5 PEOPLE BY ! DEVIL'S E/IMATE4 ,A ?9 OLD LADY ) H] SMOKE-GRAY HAIR P9N$ UP 9TO A BUN /OOD 9 ! SMALL BACK KIT*51 WAIT+ :ILE A D5T$ KETTLE ON ! GAS /OVE REA*$ ! BOIL4 ,EV]YONE ELSE WAS LOIT]+ 9 ! ADJAC5T LIV+ ROOM >\ND A TABLE SET = TEA4 ,AT ONE 5D1 NE> ! OP5 KIT*5 DOOR1 A LITTLE GIRL ( FIVE OR SIX WAS SITT+ 9 AN 9FANT'S HI< *AIR1 :I* WAS MU* TOO SMALL = H]4 ,AN UPTURN$ PUDD+ BAS9 HAD BE5 PLAC$ ATOP H] HEAD SO ?AT ! MAN :O /OOD BEH9D H] *AIR1 A D>K-HAIR$ FELL[ 9 HIS ?IRTIES1 C\LD CUT R\ND IT AS HE TRIMM$ H] FR+E4 ,ANO!R WOMAN1 ALSO 9 H] ?IRTIES1 WAS POSITION$ 9 BETWE5 ! TABLE & ! FIREPLACE4 ,%E WAS 9 ! ACT ( MOV+ A SMALL PLATE ( BUTT] FROM ! HE>?SIDE :]E IT HAD BE5 MELT+ 9TO GOLD5 OIL & PLAC+ IT T[>DS ! C5T] ( ! SPREAD :ITE TABLECLO?4 ,AS %E DID ?IS %E WAS GLANC+ UP T[>DS ! DOOR ?AT L$ \T TO ! PASSAGE1 :I* WAS OP5+ AS SOMEONE 5T]$4 ,?IS WAS A TALL1 SOLID-LOOK+ *AP :O HAD A R$ COMPLEXION & ! LEA!R-%\LD]$ DONKEY-JACKET ( A LABOR]4 ,9 HIS >MS HE HELD 444 

0,IT'S ME10 SAID ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 9 A />TL$ TONE ( DISBELIEF4 

,IT WAS1 AS WELL4 ,!RE WAS NO GETT+ R\ND IT1 EV5 9 ! F\R? DIM5SION4 

,COM+ ?R\< ! DOOR 9TO ! LIV+ ROOM ) A BROAD GR9 ACROSS HIS ROSY FACE1 ! BURLY WORK+ MAN WAS C>RY+ A *ILD1 P]HAPS ?REE YE>S ( AGE1 A BOY ) ELF9 FEATURES & BLOND CURLS ?AT W]E QUITE UNMI/AKABLE4 ,IT WAS A SLI<TLY SMALL] V]SION ( ! LITTLE SPIRIT ?AT ! FI5D WAS CURR5TLY SUSP5D+ UP ABOVE ! RO(TOPS4 ,IT WAS ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 EVID5TLY V]Y MU* ALIVE & UNAW>E ?AT HE WAS AT ?AT MOM5T BE+ /UDI$ BY HIS [N BEWILD]$ <O/4 

0,WELL1 ,I'LL BE DAMN$10 PR$ICT$ SCREW$-UP ,SAM ,O',DAY ) CONFID5CE4 

,H[ HAD ! :ITE-HAIR$ BUILD] MANAG$ IT1 ESPECIALLY ) A BLACK EYE & MILD CONCUSSION8 ,H[ HAD HE ESCAP$ ! SNOOK] ?AT HIS COLLEAGUE & OPPON5T HAD 5SN>$ HIM 98 ,! DEVIL TRI$ IMAG9+ A TRICK %OT ?AT W\LD FURNI% ! UNPREC$5T$ \TCOME HE WAS AT ?AT MOM5T WITNESS+1 BUT F\ND TO HIS EMB>RASSM5T ?AT HE C\LD NOT4 ,! TRILLI>D BALL ?AT REPRES5T$ ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 MU/ AT SOME PO9T HAVE BE5 KNOCK$ 9TO ! POCKET ?AT WAS DECORAT$ ) A GOLD5 SKULL1 ! DEA?-HOLE AT ! TABLE'S NOR!A/ CORN]4 ,O!RWISE HIS S\L W\LD NOT HAVE BE5 C>E5+ R\ND ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? 9 ITS PAJAMAS4 ,JU/ AS OBVI\SLY1 ! BALL HAD !N SOMEH[ B\NC$ \T AGA91 OR 9 SOME O!R FA%ION BE5 RETURN$ TO PLAY1 RETURN$ TO LIFE4 ,IF NOT1 :O WAS ! RASCAL ) ! :ITE-GOLD R+LETS BE+ WELCOM$ BACK 9TO ! BOSOM ( HIS FAMILY1 D[N BEL[ 9 ! UNFOLD$ POP-UP BOOK ( NUMB] #a#g1 ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD8 ,?IS M]IT$1 ! DEVIL ?\<T1 CLOS] 9VE/IGATION4 

0,?IS IS C]TA9LY A TURN-UP = ! BOOKS4 ,UP H]E Y\'RE DEAD1 YET D[N !RE Y\'RE ALIVE AGA94 ,I WOND] :Y8 ,>E Y\ BY ANY *ANCE SOME K9D ( ZOMBIE FROM A VOODOO FILM8 ,OR1 MORE REMOTELY1 ,I SUPPOSE Y\ MI<T BE ! MESSIAH4 ,:AT DO Y\ ?9K8 ,W]E !RE ANY SIGNS OR OM5S CO9CID+ ) Y\R BIR?1 CL\DS %AP$ LIKE CR[NS1 RAYS ( UNE>?LY LI<T OR ANY?+ LIKE ?AT80 

,! Y\NG/] %OOK HIS HEAD1 /ILL GAP+ AT ! *E]Y SC5E BE+ PLAY$ \T B5EA? HIM4 

0,NO4 ,WE'RE ONLY ORD9>Y4 ,EV]YBODY'S ORD9>Y ON ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 ,:AT DOES IT MEAN1 ?AT ,I'M D[N !RE8 ,DOES IT MEAN ?AT ,I WON'T BE DEAD = V]Y LONG80 

,! DEVIL %RUGG$4 

0,IT C]TA9LY APPE>S ?AT WAY1 ?\< ,I CONFESS ?AT = ! LIFE ( ME ,I CAN'T SEE H[4 ,!RE'S SOME?+ V]Y COMPLICAT$ GO+ ON ) Y\1 Y\NG MAN1 & ,I'M A DEVIL = COMPLEXITY4 ,P]HAPS Y\R BACKGR\ND MI<T PROVIDE SOME SORT ( CLUE8 ,COME1 TELL ME :O ?OSE PEOPLE >E1 ! ONES SQUEAL+ ) JOY AT Y\R RETURN & MILL+ R\ND ! ROOM D[N !RE4 ,:O'S ?AT OLD LADY 9 ! KIT*580 

,MI*AEL ,W>R5 S\ND$ BO? CAUTI\SLY PR\D & T\*+LY PROTECTIVE AS HE V5TUR$ HIS REPLY4 

0,?AT'S ,CL>A ,SWAN1 & %E'S MY GRAN4 ,%E'S GOT ! LONGE/ HAIR ( ANYBODY 9 ! WORLD1 BUT IT'S ALL TI$ UP 9 A BUN BECAUSE :5 IT HANGS D[N IT CAT*ES FIRE4 ,%E US$ TO BE A S]VANT = SOME PEOPLE 9 A GREAT BIG H\SE40 

,! DEVIL RAIS$ ONE BRI/L+ EYEBR[ ?\<TFULLY4 ,!RE W]E A NUMB] ( BIG H\SES R\ND !SE P>TS4 ,IT WASN'T LIKELY ?AT ?IS TODDL]'S GR&MO!R HAD S]V$ ! ,SP5C]S \T AT ,AL?ORP1 BUT Y\ NEV] KNEW4 ,! BOY CONT9U$ HIS 9V5TORY4 

0,! O!R LADY IS MY MOM1 :O'S CALL$ ,DORE54 ,:5 %E WIZ JU/ A LITTLE GIRL !Y HAD A W>1 & H] & MY AUNT ,EMMA WAT*$ A BOMB] CRA% 9 ,GOLD ,/REET FROM !IR B$ROOM W9D[4 ,?AT MAN C>RY+ ME1 COM+ ?R\< ! DOOR1 ?AT'S MY DAD4 ,HE'S CALL$ ,TOMMY1 & HE ROLLS BIG HEAVY B>RELS AT ! BREW]Y4 ,EV]YBODY SAYS HE DRESSES V]Y WELL1 & ?AT HE'S GOOD AT DANC+1 BUT ,I'VE NEV] SE5 HIM DO+ IT4 ,! O!R MAN'S MY UNCLE ,ALF :O DRIVES A D\BLE-DECK] BUS & RIDES A BICYCLE :5 HE CALLS 9 TO SEE \R GRAN ON HIS WAY HOME FROM WORK4 ,HE CUTS \R HAIR = US1 ! WAY HE'S DO+ = MY SI/] ,ALMA4 ,%E'S ! BOSSY GIRL 9 ! HI< *AIR40 

,UNSE5 BY HIS SMALL PASS5G]1 ! DEVIL'S IRISES TURN$ BLACK = SEV]AL SECONDS ) SURPRISE1 !N FAD$ BACK TO !IR 9ITIAL COLORS1 R$ OR GRE51 ! /A9S ( W> OR ELSE ! /A9S ( \TDOOR LOVE4 ,HIS Y\NG *>GE HAD A SI/]1 & H] NAME WAS ,ALMA4 ,ALMA ,W>R54 ,RECON/RUCT$ ,SAM ,O',DAY HAD HE>D ( ,ALMA ,W>R54 ,%E'D GR[ UP TO BE A MOD]ATELY FAM\S >TI/1 DO+ PAP]BACK & RECORD COV]S1 :O HAD 9T]MITT5T VISION>Y SPASMS4 ,DUR+ ONE ( !SE %E W\LD1 9 ?IRTY YE>S OR SO1 ATTEMPT A PORTRAIT ( ! ,FIF? ,9F]NAL ,DUKE 9 HIS FULL DRESS REGALIA1 ! REPTILE & >A*NID IMAGE-WRAP ) ! ELECTRIC PEACOCK-FEA!R TRIM4 ,! PICTURE W\LDN'T BE MU* ( A LIK5ESS1 & %E W\LDN'T EV5 BO!R TRY+ TO DEPICT ! LIZ>D L9+ ( HIS TAILOR$ AURA1 BUT ! DEVIL W\LD FEEL VAGUELY FLATT]$ ALL ! SAME4 ,! >TI/ CLE>LY F\ND H] SUBJECT BEAUTIFUL1 & IF HE'D FELT ! SAME WAY AB\T H] IT MI<T HAVE BE5 HIS ,P]SIAN PASSION ALL OV] AGA94 ,UN=TUNATELY1 ,ALMA ,W>R5 W\LD GR[ UP 9TO A FRI<TFUL DOG1 & SWIT*BACK ,SAM ,O',DAY WAS V]Y PICKY :5 IT CAME TO WOM54 ,BACK 9 ,P]SIA1 ,RAGUEL'S DAU<T] ,S>A HAD BE5 LUSCI\S4 ,EV5 ,LIL HIS EX-WIFE1 :O HAD =NICAT$ ) ABOM9ATIONS1 HADN'T LET H]SELF GO TO ! SAME EXT5T ?AT ,ALMA ,W>R5 W\LD DO4 ,?\< ! DEVIL W\LD ADMIT ?AT HE QUITE LIK$ ! WOMAN1 HE W\LD ALSO QUICKLY PO9T \T ?AT HE DIDN'T LIKE H] 9 ?AT WAY1 JU/ 9 CASE ANYBODY GOT ! WRONG IDEA4 

,SO1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 WAS ! PRETTY BRO!R ( AL>M+-LOOK+ ,ALMA ,W>R51 :O C\LD SOMEH[ 5TICE FI5DS TO SIT = H]4 ,& !N !RE WAS ?AT /RANGE EV5T ( CRYPTIC IMPORT ?AT W\LD TAKE PLACE NE>LY FIFTY YE>S FROM N[1 9 #b#f1 ) :I* ! WOMAN >TI/ W\LD BE HEAVILY 9VOLV$4 ,)9 ! TRILLION-FRAGM5T JIGSAW ( ! DEMON-K+'S ELABORATE M9D1 ! PIECES />T$ TUMBL+ 9TO 9TRIGU+ NEW >RANGEM5TS4 ,SOME?+ POSITIVELY ,BYZANT9E WAS GO+ ON1 ! DEVIL WAS MORE C]TA9 BY ! MOM5T4 ,HE REVIEW$ :AT HE C\LD PRE-REMEMB] ( ! LABYR9?9E PATT]N ( EV5TS ?AT W\LD SURR\ND ! E>LY YE>S ( ! NEXT C5TURY1 LOOK+ = CLUES & = CONNECTIONS4 ,!RE WAS ALL ?AT BUS9ESS ( A FEMALE SA9T 9 ! TW5TY-FIVES1 ) :I* ! DEVIL HAD A P]SONAL 9VOLVEM5T4 ,?AT AFFAIR HAD T5U\S L9KS ) ! OCCURR5CES 9 #b#f1 L9KS ?AT RELAT$ TO ! ANCE/RY ( ,ALMA ,W>R5 444 

,& H] BRO!R4 

,OH1 N[1 ?IS WAS 9T]E/+4 ,!Y W]E SIBL+S1 & SO HAD !IR ANCE/RY 9 COMMON4 

,?AT MEANT ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 WAS A ,V]NALL TOO4 ,IT DIDN'T MATT] IF HE KNEW IT1 & IT MATT]$ LESS :E!R HE LIK$ IT4 ,HE WAS TI$ BY BLOOD-BONDS TO ! OLD PR(ESSION1 TO ! ANCI5T TRADE4 

,! FI5D KNEW ?AT ! GREAT] P>T ( ,MANS\L'S UNIQUE LOCAL T]M9OLOGY CAME FROM ! ,NORMAN OR ! ,SAXON1 PHRASES SU* AS ,FRI? ,BOHR1 ,POR?IMO? DI ,NORHAN & ! LIKE4 ,V]NALL WAS OLD]1 ?\<4 ,! DEVIL C\LD RECALL HE>+ ! WORD >\ND !SE P>TS S9CE1 :AT1 ! ,ROMAN OCCUPATION8 ,& HE HAD A NOTION ?AT IT MI<T D]IVE FROM E>LI] TRADITIONS /ILL1 FROM ,DRUIDS OR ! ANTL]$ ,HOB-M5 ?AT PREC$$ !M1 WEIRD FIGURES CR\*+ 9 ! SMOKE-DRIFTS ( ANTIQUITY4 ,?\< ,V]NALL WAS A JOB DESCRIPTION1 IT DESCRIB$ AN OCCUPATION ?AT WAS BAS$ 9 AN >*AIC WORLD-VIEW1 ONE :I* HAD NOT BE5 9 EVID5CE = SOME TWO ?\S& YE>S & ONE :I* DID NOT SEE REALITY 9 T]MS ! MOD]N WORLD W\LD RECOGNIZE4 

,A ,V]NALL T5D$ TO ! B\ND>IES & CORN]S1 & IT WAS 9 ! MUNDANE S5SE ( A COMMON V]G] ?AT ! T]M CAME TO BE UND]/OOD ?R\<\T ! ,BOR\<S DUR+ M$IEVAL TIMES4 ,! RAGG$ $GES ?AT COMPRIS$ A ,V]NALL'S JURISDICTION1 ?\<1 HAD NOT ORIG9ALLY BE5 LIMIT$ TO ?OSE WE$-/RANGL$ M>G9S ( ! MORTAL & MAT]IAL WORLD ALONE4 

,! CORN]S ?AT A ,V]NALL HAD TRADITIONALLY M>K$ & MEASUR$ & ATT5D$ TO W]E ?OSE ?AT B5T 9TO ! F\R? DIRECTION2 W]E ! JUNCTIONS ?AT EXI/$ BETWE5 LIFE & DEA?1 MADNESS & SANITY1 BETWE5 ! ,UP/AIRS & ! ,D[N/AIRS ( EXI/5CE4 ,V]NALLS OV]LOOK$ ! CROSSROADS ( TWO V]Y DIFF]5T PLANES1 S5T9ELS /RADDL+ A GULF ?AT NO ONE ELSE C\LD SEE4 ,AS SU* !Y W\LD BE PRONE TO C]TA9 9/ABILITIES1 YET AT ! SAME TIME (T5 W]E RECIPI5T TO MORE-?AN-NORMAL 9SI<TS1 TAL5TS OR CAPACITIES4 ,9 JU/ ! REC5T L9EAGE ( ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 & HIS SI/] ,ALMA1 %OOK-UP ,SAM ,O',DAY C\LD ?9K ( ?REE OR F\R /RIK+ EXAMPLES ( !SE ODD H]$IT>Y T5D5CIES4 ,!RE HAD BE5 ,]NE/ ,V]NALL1 WORK+ ON ! RE/ORATION ( ,/4 ,PAUL'S :5 HE FELL 9TO CONV]SATION ) A BUILD]4 ,SN[Y ,V]NALL1 ,]NE/'S FE>LESS SON1 & ,?URSA1 ,]NE/'S DAU<T]1 ) H] PRET]NATURAL GRASP ( HI<]-SPACE AC\/ICS4 ,!RE HAD BE5 F]OCI\S ,MAY1 ! DEA?MONG]1 & ! MAGNIFIC5T & TRAGIC ,AUDREY ,V]NALL1 LANGUI%+ AT PRES5T 9 A RUN-D[N M5TAL HOSPITAL ABUTT+ ,B]RY ,WOOD4 ,V]NALLS OBS]V$ ! CORN]S ( MORTALITY1 & WAT*$ ! B5D ?AT ALL TOO (T5 !Y W\LD 5D UP GO+ R\ND !MSELVES4 

,HANG+ ABOVE ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD ) ,MI*AEL ,W>R5'S T9Y ESS5CE HELD BETWE5 HIS CLAWS1 ! DEVIL C\NT$ ALL ! ACES 9 ! H& ( 9=MATION HE'D BE5 DEALT4 ,?IS CLUELESS *ILD1 CURR5TLY DEAD BUT 9 A FEW DAYS TIME APP>5TLY ALIVE1 HAD BE5 ! CAUSE ( A COLOSSAL BRAWL BETWE5 ! ,MA/] ,BUILD]S4 ,MORE ?AN ?IS HE WAS A ,V]NALL BY DESC5T1 RELAT$ TO A WOMAN >TI/ :O WAS C5TRAL TO ! CRUCIAL BUS9ESS ?AT W\LD TAKE PLACE 9 ! SPR+ ( #b#f4 ,?IS =?COM+ EV5T WAS KN[N1 9 ,MANS\L1 AS ! ,V]NALL'S ,9QUE/4 ,MU* DEP5D$ ON IT1 NOT LEA/ ! EV5TUAL DE/9Y ( C]TA9 DAMN$ S\LS ?AT ! FI5D HAD A SPECIFIC 9T]E/ 94 ,!RE MI<T BE SOME WAY SLIP%OD ,SAM ,O',DAY C\LD TWEAK ! DEW-DROPP$ /R&S ( 9T]WOV5 CIRCUM/ANCE TO HIS ADVANTAGE4 ,HE W\LD HAVE TO ?9K AB\T IT4 

,?\< EXCIT$ BY ! T+L+ WEB ( POSSIBILITIES1 ! DEVIL MANAG$ TO S\ND NON*ALANT AS HE ADDRESS$ ! CAPTIVE BOY4 

0,HMM4 ,WELL1 Y\R FAMILY ALL SEEM V]Y PLEAS$ TO HAVE Y\ BACK ) !M1 BUT IT APPE>S !RE'S BE5 A DREADFUL MIX-UP H]E4 ,AT SOME PO9T OV] ! NEXT DAY OR SO Y\ OBVI\SLY COME BACK TO LIFE1 SO PROBABLY Y\'RE NOT MEANT TO BE RUNN+ R\ND ,UP/AIRS AT ALL4 ,I'D BETT] 5D MY FLI<T & TAKE Y\ BACK UP TO ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? UNTIL ,I CAN DECIDE :AT'S TO BE DONE ) Y\40 

,! A/RAL TODDL] %IFT$ 9 ! DEVIL'S GRIP4 ,IT SEEM$ AS IF1 ONCE REASSUR$ ?AT BE+ DEAD W\LD NOT BE P]MAN5T 9 HIS CASE1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 WAS BEG9N+ TO 5JOY ?IS RIDE ! FI5D HAD PROMIS$ HIM & WAS RELUCTANT TO SEE IT CONCLUD$4 ,HE CONC$$ ) A HEAVY SI<1 AS IF DO+ ! DEVIL AN 5ORM\S FAVOR4 

0,I SUPPOSE SO1 BUT DON'T GO SO FA/ ?IS TIME4 ,Y\ SAID Y\'D ANSW] QUE/IONS = ME1 BUT ,I CAN'T ASK ANY IF MY M\?'S ALL FULL ( W9D40 

,! DEVIL GRAVELY TIPP$ HIS HORNS 9 ! DIRECTION ( ! 9FANT DANGL+ B5EA? HIM4 

0,FAIR 5\<4 ,I'LL TAKE IT NICE & EASY1 SO ?AT Y\ CAN ASK ME ANY?+ Y\ LIKE40 

,HE TURN$ 9 A GREAT SPIRAL FAN ( R$ & GRE5 & />T$ DRIFT+ NOR? ALONG ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD T[>DS ! MEAD[ %ELT]+ AT ! FOOT ( ,SP5C] ,BRIDGE4 ,!Y'D B>ELY REA*$ ! FIRESIDE-FLAVOR$ HEI<TS ABOVE ! COAL M]*ANT'S BE=E ! LAD HAD =MULAT$ HIS FIR/ IRRITAT+ QU]Y4 

0,H[ DOES IT ALL WORK1 !N1 LIFE & DEA?80 

,H[ NICE4 ,HE'D GOT A LITTLE ,WITTG5/E9 = COMPANY4 ,UNSE5 BEH9D ! KIDDY'S BACK1 ! DEVIL OP5$ WIDE HIS FANG-FILL$ JAWS & MIM$ BIT+ ! BABY'S HEAD (F1 *EW+ IT A TIME OR TWO1 !N SPITT+ IT 9TO ! BAYS ( HEAP$ UP SLACK BEL[ !M4 ,RELI%+ ?IS FLEET+ FANTASY1 HE LET HIS FEATURES SETTLE BACK 9TO !IR CU/OM>Y 9SIDI\S LE] AS HE REPLI$4 

0,!RE'S REALLY ONLY LIFE4 ,DEA?'S AN ILLUSION ( P]SPECTIVE ?AT AFFLICTS ! ?IRD DIM5SION4 ,ONLY 9 ! MORTAL & ?REE-SID$ WORLD DO Y\ SEE TIME AS SOME?+ ?AT IS PASS+1 VANI%+ AWAY BEH9D Y\ 9TO NO?+NESS4 ,Y\ ?9K ( TIME AS SOME?+ ?AT ONE DAY WILL BE US$ UP1 WILL ALL BE GONE4 ,SE5 FROM A HI<] PLANE1 ?\<1 TIME IS NO?+ BUT ANO!R DI/ANCE1 JU/ ! SAME AS HEI<T OR BREAD? OR DEP?4 ,EV]Y?+ 9 ! UNIV]SE ( SPACE & TIME IS GO+ ON AT ONCE1 OCCURR+ 9 A GLORI\S SUP]-9/ANT ) ! DAWN ( TIME ON ONE SIDE ( IT & TIME'S 5D UPON ! O!R4 ,ALL ! M9UTES 9 BETWE51 9CLUD+ ?OSE ?AT M>K ! DECADES ( Y\R LIFESPAN1 >E SUSP5D$ 9 ! GR&1 UN*ANG+ BUBBLE ( EXI/5CE = ET]NITY4 

0,?9K ( Y\R LIFE AS BE+ LIKE A BOOK1 A SOLID ?+ :]E ! LA/ L9E'S ALREADY WRITT5 :ILE Y\'RE />T+ ! FIR/ PAGE4 ,Y\R CONSCI\SNESS PROGRESSES ?R\< ! N>RATIVE FROM ITS BEG9N+ TO ITS 5D1 & Y\ BECOME CAU<T UP 9 ! ILLUSION ( EV5TS UNFOLD+ & TIME GO+ BY AS !SE ?+S >E EXP]I5C$ BY ! *>ACT]S )9 ! DRAMA4 ,9 REALITY1 H[EV]1 ALL ! WORDS ?AT %APE ! TALE >E FIX$ UPON ! PAGE1 ! PAGES B\ND 9 !IR UNV>Y+ ORD]4 ,NO?+ 9 ! BOOK IS *ANG+ OR DEVELOP+4 ,NO?+ 9 ! BOOK IS MOV+ SAVE ! READ]'S M9D AS IT MOVES ?R\< ! *APT]S4 ,:5 ! /ORY'S F9I%$ & ! BOOK IS CLOS$1 IT DOES NOT BUR/ IMM$IATELY 9TO FLAMES4 ,! PEOPLE 9 ! /ORY & !IR TWI/S ( =TUNE >E NOT DISAPPE>$ )\T A TRACE AS ?\< !Y'D NOT BE5 WRITT54 ,ALL ! S5T5CES DESCRIB+ !M >E /ILL !RE 9 ! SOLID & UN*ANG+ TOME1 & AT Y\R LEISURE Y\ MAY READ ! :OLE ( IT AGA9 AS (T5 AS Y\ LIKE4 

0,IT'S JU/ ! SAME ) LIFE4 ,:Y1 EV]Y SECOND ( IT IS A P>AGRAPH Y\ WILL REVISIT C\NTLESS TIMES & F9D NEW MEAN+S 91 AL?\< ! WORD+ IS NOT *ANG$4 ,EA* EPISODE REMA9S UNALT]$ AT ITS DESIGNAT$ PO9T )9 ! TEXT1 & EV]Y MOM5T ?US 5DURES =EV]4 ,MOM5TS ( EXQUISITE BLISS & MOM5TS ( PR(\ND DESPAIR1 SUSP5D$ 9 TIME'S 5DLESS AMB]1 ALL ! HELL OR HEAV5 ANY BRIM/ONE PREA*] C\LD CONCEIVABLY DESIRE4 ,EA* DAY & EV]Y DE$'S ET]NAL1 LITTLE BOY4 ,LIVE !M 9 SU* A WAY ?AT Y\ CAN BE> TO LIVE ) !M ET]NALLY40 

,! PAIR W]E FLOAT+ 9 AMONG ! TREETOPS ( ! D>K5$ MEAD[1 HEAD+ 9 ! R\< DIRECTION ( ! PUBLIC LAVATORIES ?AT HAD ONCE BE5 A SLIPP]-BA?S1 AT ! F> 5D4 ,A PLUME ( FAD+ SNAP%OTS SMOLD]$ 9 !IR WAKE4 ,! DANGL+ *ILD WAS SIL5T = A :ILE AS HE DIGE/$ :AT ! DEVIL HAD JU/ SAID1 BUT ONLY = A :ILE4 

0,WELL1 IF MY LIFE'S A /ORY & :5 ,I GET TO ! 5D ,I JU/ GO BACK & LIVE IT ALL AGA91 !N :]E WIZ ?AT ,UP/AIRS PLACE ?AT Y\ F\ND ME 980 

,! DEVIL GRIMAC$1 BY N[ />T+ TO GET BOR$ ) ! RESPONSIBILITIES ( P>5?OOD4 

0,UP/AIRS IS SIMPLY ON A HI<] PLANE ) MORE DIM5SIONS ?AN ! ?REE OR F\R ?AT Y\'RE FAMILI> ) D[N H]E4 ,?9K ( IT AS A SORT ( LIBR>Y OR READ+ ROOM1 A PLACE :]E ALL ( Y\ CAN /& \TSIDE ( TIME1 RE-READ+ Y\R [N M>VEL\S ADV5TURES1 OR1 IF Y\ %\LD *OOSE1 MOVE ONW>D TO EXPLORE Y\R FUR!R POSSIBILITIES 9 ?AT REM>KABLE & EV]LA/+ PLACE4 ,SPEAK+ ( :I*1 ! ELM ?AT WE'RE APPROA*+ IS ! ONE WE CAN ASC5D 9TO ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA?4 ,IF Y\'D PREF] ,I'LL GO UP SL[LY SO ?AT Y\ CAN UND]/& :AT'S HAPP5+40 

,HANG+ !RE 9 A BREEZE P]FUM$ BY COAL & *LOROPHYLL1 SUSP5D$ LIKE ! UND]C>RIAGE ( SOME GAUDY PIRATE ZEPPEL91 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 UTT]$ A MI/RU/FUL MURMUR ( ASS5T4 ,AS !Y SAIL$ CLOS] TO ! DESIGNAT$ ELM ! DEVIL SAVOR$ ! SMALL BOY'S BEWILD]M5T AT ! P]CEPTUAL *ANGES HE WAS NO D\BT GO+ ?R\<4 ,! TREE SEEM$ TO BE GETT+ L>G] AS !Y NE>$ IT1 JU/ AS ONE W\LD USUALLY EXPECT1 EXCEPT ?AT ?IS WAS NOT ACCOMPANI$ BY A S5SATION ?AT ! PAIR ( !M W]E TRULY GETT+ ANY NE>] TO !IR DE/9ATION4 ,IT FELT MORE AS IF ! FUR!R !Y PROGRESS$ T[>DS ! TREE1 ! SMALL] !Y !MSELVES W]E GETT+4 ,9 AN EF=T TO PREEMPT A FLOOD ( QUE/IONS FROM HIS PASS5G]1 ! FI5D 9/EAD ELECT$ TO EXPLA9 ! PROCESS TO ! LAD4 

0,Y\'RE PROBABLY WOND]+ :Y WE APPE> TO BE BECOM+ SMALL]1 OR ALT]NATIVELY :Y ?AT ELM !RE SEEMS TO BE BECOM+ MON/R\SLY 5L>G$ AS WE GET CLOS] TO IT4 ,IT'S ALL ON ACC\NT ( A DISCREPANCY BETWE5 ! WAY DIM5SIONS LOOK TO ONE ANO!R4 ,WE TALK$ E>LI] AB\T ! NOTION ( FLAT PEOPLE :O HAD ONLY TWO DIM5SIONS1 LIV+ HYPO!TICALLY )9 ! LIMITS ( A %EET ( PAP]4 ,WELL1 IMAG9E ?AT ! %EET ( PAP] !Y W]E LIV+ 9 HAD ACTUALLY BE5 FOLD$ UP TO =M A PAP] CUBE4 ,!Y W\LD BE LIV+ 9 A WORLD ( ?REE DIM5SIONS1 BUT ) !IR P]CEPTIONS LIMIT$ TO ONLY TWO DIM5SIONS1 !Y C\LD NEV] SEE OR UND]/& IT TO BE SO4 ,?AT'S QUITE LIKE HUMAN BE+S1 ?+S ) ?REE DIM5SIONS LIV+ 9 A UNIV]SE ( F\R DIM5SIONS ?AT !Y CANNOT PROP]LY P]CEIVE4 

0,N[1 Y\'VE BE5 TAK5 UP ONTO A L(TI] PLANE YET1 AS IF \R LITTLE FLAT *AP HAD BE5 MOV$ 9TO A SPACE :]E HE C\LD OV]LOOK NOT ONLY HIS FLAT WORLD ( TWO DIM5SIONS1 BUT C\LD ALSO SEE ! CUBE ?AT IT 9 FACT WAS P>T (4 ,H[ W\LD A %APE ) ?REE DIM5SIONS TRANSLATE 9 ! ?\<TS & ! P]CEPTIONS ( A BE+ :O HAD ONLY TWO8 ,)\T ! CONCEPT ( A CUBE1 MI<T NOT \R FLATT5$ FELL[ SEE IT AS MU* LIKE ! FLAT1 SQU>E WORLD HE WAS FAMILI> )1 BUT BIGG] SOMEH[1 9 SOME WAY ?AT HE C\LD NOT DEF9E8 ,?AT'S ! EFFECT ?AT Y\'RE EXP]I5C+ N[1 ?AT Y\ EXP]I5C$ IF Y\ LOOK$ BACK 9TO :I*EV] PORTAL Y\ CLIMB$ UP ?R\< TO ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA?4 ,DIDN'T ! ROOM 9 :I* Y\'D DI$ LOOK SO MU* VA/] ?AN IT HAD 9 LIFE8 ,9 FACT1 ,I DON'T KN[ IF Y\ EV] SUFF]$ FROM A FEV] OR DELIRIUM :5 Y\ W]E /ILL ALIVE1 9 :I* ! B$ROOM WALLS SEEM$ TO BE FRI<T5+LY F> AWAY8 ,Y\ DID8 ,?AT SOMETIMES HAPP5S :5 A HUMAN'S W&]+ 9 ! CLAMMY T]RITORIES BETWE5 LIFE & DEA?4 ,!Y GET A GLIMPSE ( !IR 5VIRONM5T'S TRUE SCALE1 AS IT WILL SEEM TO !M :5 !Y'VE MOV$ UP A PLANE OR TWO4 ,I MEAN1 LOOK AT ! ELM N[4 ,IT'S 5ORM\S40 

,& 9DE$ IT WAS1 AS WAS ! =M]LY SMALL MEAD[ ?AT SURR\ND$ IT4 ,! DEVIL TIPP$ 9TO A SPIRAL+ TRAJECTORY >\ND ! V]TICAL & CRAGGY L&SCAPE ( ! TRUNK1 REPRIS+ ! MANEUV] HE'D ADOPT$ :5 HE'D C>RI$ ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 H]E 9TO ?IS WORLD1 EXCEPT AT GREATLY R$UC$ SPE$ & HEAD+ UP 9/EAD ( D[N4 ,AS !Y DESCRIB$ !IR FIR/ SL[ CIRCLE R\ND ! TREE & D\BL$ BACK UPON !MSELVES1 ! PHANTOM RIBBON ( /OP-MOTION IMAGES ?AT !Y W]E LEAV+ 9 !IR WAKE BECAME MORE EVID5T1 PR$OM9ATELY R$ & GRE51 W9D+ ACROSS ! GRASSY PLOT TO W9D ITSELF >\ND ! N[-GIGANTIC ELM4 ,!Y SPIRAL$ UP T[>DS ! HIDD5 PO9T AT :I* %AMBOLIC ,SAM ,O',DAY KNEW !RE TO BE A CROOK-DOOR ?AT W\LD LET !M BACK 9TO ! ,ATTICS1 BUT BE=E !Y'D REA*$ IT HIS 9CREAS+LY 9FURIAT+ C>GO HAD ?\<T UP ANO!R TIRESOME QUE/ION4 

0,H[ DO TREES GR[ UP 9TO ! ,UP/AIRS PLACE1 :5 !Y'VE GOT ROOTS D[N H]E NEXT TO ! PUBLIC LAVS8 ,& :AT AB\T ! PIGEONS ?AT WIZ SITT+ 9 ! BRAN*ES HI<] UP8 ,H[ CAN !Y ALL GO BACK & =? )\T !M BE+ DEAD LIKE ME80 

,ANAGRAM ,SAM WAS GLAD ?AT HIS & ,LIL'S RELATION%IP HAD BORNE NO (FSPR+4 ,WELL1 %E'D GIV5 BIR? TO A GREAT OOZE ( MON/]S1 OBVI\SLY1 ?+S LIKE DOGS TURN$ 9SIDE \T & ?+S LIKE FLATT5$ Y>D-WIDE CRABS ?AT W]E ! LURID P9K ( BUBBLE GUM4 ,SU* HORRORS1 ?\<1 DID LITTLE MORE ?AN BABBLE S5SELESSLY OR H[L UNTIL !IR MO!R GOT F$ UP & ATE !M DUR+ H] PO/-NATAL BLUES4 ,!Y B>ELY HAD AW>5ESS ( !IR [N GROTESQUE EXI/5CE1 MU* LESS ! ABILITY TO =MULATE AN IRRITAT+ QUE/ION1 & W]E ?US PREF]ABLE TO HUMAN KIDS LIKE ?IS ONE WAS1 = ALL ?AT HE HAD TWO BLUE EYES & !Y HAD EI!R NONE AT ALL OR SEV]AL R$ ONES CLU/]$ AT ! C5T]S ( !IR FACES AS IS ! >RANGEM5T ) T>ANTULAS4 ,! DEVIL TRI$ TO KEEP A CIVIL TONE AS HE REPLI$4 

0,MY1 >5'T Y\ ! 9QUIR+ LITTLE S*OL>8 ,WELL1 ! ANSW] IS ?AT 9 ! CASE ( TREES & C]TA9 O!R =MS ( PLANT LIFE1 !Y ALREADY HAVE A /RUCTURE ?AT EXPRESSES P]FECTLY A TIMELESS LIFE 9 MORE ?AN ?REE DIM5SIONS4 ,BE+ MOTIONLESS1 ! ONLY MOVEM5T IS ?AT ( !IR GR[?1 :I* LEAVES A SOLID TRAIL ( WOOD BEH9D 9 MU* ! SAME WAY WE \RSELVES >E LEAV+ A LONG /REAM ( <O/LY IMAGES4 ,! TREE'S %APE IS ITS HI/ORY1 EA* B\< ! CURVE ( A MAGNIFIC5T TIME-/ATUE :I* ,I CAN ASSURE Y\ ?AT WE FOLK ,UP/AIRS APPRECIATE JU/ AS 5?USIA/ICALLY AS DO Y\ HUMANS4 

0,AS = PIGEONS !Y >E NOT AT ALL AS O!R BIRDS1 & DIFF]5T RULES APPLY TO !M4 ,= ONE ?+1 !IR P]CEPTIONS >E FIVE TIMES AS FA/ AS ?OSE ( PEOPLE OR MO/ O!R ANIMALS4 ,?IS MEANS !Y HAVE A V]Y DIFF]5T S5SE ( TIME1 ) ALL ?+S 9 ! WORLD SAVE !M SL[$ TO A CRAWL 9 !IR QUICKSILV] M9DS4 ,MORE 9T]E/+ /ILL !Y >E ONE ( ! ONLY BIRDS1 9 FACT ONE ( ! ONLY LIV+ CREATURES NOT A MAMMAL1 :I* CAN FE$ ITS Y\NG ) MILK4 ,I DON'T PRET5D TO KN[ EXACTLY :Y ! PIGEON %\LD BE FAVOR$ OV] ALL ! O!R BEA/S 9 ITS RELATION TO ! HI<] REALM1 BUT ,I IMAG9E ?AT ! BUS9ESS ) ! MILK HAS GOT A LOT TO DO ) IT4 ,IT PROBABLY 5HANCES !IR SYMBOLIC VALUE 9 ! EYES ( MANAGEM5T1 SO ?AT !Y HAVE A SPECIAL DISP5SATION TO BEHAVE AS PSY*OPOMPS & FLUTT] BACK & =? BETWE5 ! PA/URES ( ! LIV+ & ! DEAD1 SOME?+ LIKE ?AT4 ,I'M NOT SURE :AT !Y'RE =1 BUT M>K MY WORDS1 !RE'S MORE TO PIGEONS ?AN MO/ PEOPLE ?9K40 

,!Y CIRCL$ UPW>D AT A /ATELY PACE >\ND A TRUNK N[ SOME T5 Y>DS ACROSS & GETT+ ON A HUNDR$ FEET 9 ITS CIRCUMF]5CE4 ,AW>E N[ ?AT ! CROOK-DOOR :I* GAVE ACCESS TO ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? WAS ONLY ONE TWI/ FUR!R UP ! SPIRAL1 WELL-SPUN ,SAM ,O',DAY DECID$ ?AT HE'D BE/ 9=M HIS BO!RSOME Y\NG FELL[ TRAVEL] EXACTLY :AT ! DOORWAY WAS BE=E HE TOOK HIM ?R\< IT1 TO =E/ALL ! HI<-PIT*$ 9QUISITION ?AT 9EVITABLY W\LD ACCOMPANY SU* AN 9ITIATIVE4 

0,BE=E Y\ ASK1 JU/ UP R\ND ! NEXT B5D !RE'S SOME?+ CALL$ A CROOK-DOOR4 ,IT'S A K9D ( F\R-WAY H+E BETWE5 DIM5SIONS ?AT WILL TAKE US BACK ,UP/AIRS 9TO ,MANS\L4 ,MO/ E>?LY ROOMS HAVE GOT A CROOK DOOR 9 AT LEA/ ONE UPP] CORN]1 & MO/ OP5 SPACES HAVE AS WELL1 AL?\< ) OP5 SPACES Y\ CAN ONLY MAKE \T :]E ! CORN]S >E :5 Y\'RE ,UP/AIRS & LOOK+ D[N4 ,UNLESS1 ( C\RSE1 Y\ HAPP5 TO BE SOME?+ ?AT HAS MADE ! J\RNEY C\NTLESS TIMES1 LIKE1 SAY1 A DEMON OR A PIGEON1 & Y\ KN[ BY HE>T :]E EV]Y 5TRANCE IS LOCAT$4 ,BE PREP>$1 N[4 ,!RE'S A CROOK-DOOR JU/ AHEAD ( US1 & AS WE GO ?R\< Y\'LL FEEL SOME?+ FLIP 9SIDE Y\ AS WE SWIT* FROM ! P]SPECTIVE ( ?IS L[] WORLD TO ?AT ( ! SUP]IOR PLANE ABOVE40 

,! FI5D 9CREAS$ HIS SPE$ A LITTLE1 SO>+ UP T[>DS ! OCCULT CORN] HE C\LD S5SE1 9VISIBLE1 NOT V]Y F> ABOVE4 ,AS !Y & ! R$-GRE5 PROCESSION TRAIL+ AFT] !M SWIRL$ CLOS] TO ! UNSE5 AP]TURE1 LIKE PA9T-/A9$ WAT] CIRCL+ AN 9V]T$ SKY-DRA91 ALL ! NOISES ( ! NEI<BORHOOD W]E /RET*$ & ELONGAT$ TO ! ESCALAT+ D9 ( A /R+-HEAVY OR*E/RA4 ,! C>S ON ,SP5C] ,BRIDGE1 ! GOODS-TRA9 RATTL+ B5EA? IT & ! MURMUR ( ! NE>BY RIV]1 ALL !SE S\NDS W]E PULL$ 9TO A CAV]N\S BASS DRONE BY ! AC\/ICS ( ! ,UP/AIRS WORLD ?AT WAIT$ OV]HEAD4 

,AS ! SYLLABIC SALAD ?AT WAS ,SAM ,O',DAY HAD JU/ PR$ICT$1 :5 !Y %OT \T ?R\< ! CROOK-DOOR & TRAV]S$ ! JUNCTURE ( TWO PLANES !RE WAS A MOM5T :5 IT FELT AS IF !IR /OMA*S HAD TURN$ OV]1 BUT 9SIDE !IR HEADS4 ,!N1 9 A FLURRY ( BRI<T APPLE COLORS !Y EXPLOD$ FROM A FIFTY-FOOT SQU>E AP]TURE FRAM$ ) A TRIM ( B>K ?AT HAD BE5 GREATLY MAGNIFI$1 ZIPP$ ONE MORE TIME R\ND ! TITANIC ELM & SPLA%$ AMID A PILL[-FI<T ( PIGEONS UP 9TO ! R++ HEI<TS ABOVE ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA?4 

,BEYOND ! GLASS RO(1 SILV] L9ES ON BLACK MAPP$ \T ! FACETS ( A SPL5DIDLY UNFURL$ DODECAH$ROID ?AT WAS MOV+ SL[LY1 LIKE A BECALM$ GALLEON ( LI<TS1 ?R\< ! UNB\ND$ D>KNESS \TSIDE ! IMM5SE >CADE4 ,! DEVIL HOV]$ = A MOM5T ) ! DRESS+ G[N-CLAD *ILD CLUT*$ TI<T AGA9/ HIS BREA/1 AGA9/ ! CLANG+ ( HIS MI<TY ANVIL HE>T1 & !N COMM5C$ A LEISURELY FLI<T BACK ALONG ! VA/ EMPORIUM'S L5G? T[>DS ! PURPLE & V]MILION ( SUNSET 9 ! EA/4 ,HE'D TAKE ! BOY BACK TO ! /RET* ( ?AT COLOSSAL CORRIDOR1 ! E>LY AFT]NOON ( SOME FEW DAYS BE=E1 :]E !Y'D FIR/ HAPP5$ ON EA* O!R4 ,ONCE !RE1 HE'D DECIDE :AT %\LD BE DONE AB\T ?IS LITTLE PUZZLE1 :O WAS DEAD ONE M9UTE & ALIVE ! NEXT1 :OSE PLI<T HAD GOT ! V]Y BUILD]S WORK$ UP 9TO A /UP5D\S SLAPP+ MAT*4 

,HE HOP$ TO PASS ! J\RNEY PRIVATELY REVIEW+ ALL HIS OPTIONS1 ALL ! MOVES ?AT MI<T BE MADE 9 ! TRANS-TEMPORAL *ESS GAME ?AT WAS HIS ELABORATE EXI/5CE1 HIS B$IZ5$ WEB4 ,IDEALLY1 HE'D HAVE TIME TO C>EFULLY CONSID] EV]Y WAY 9 :I* HIS OPPORTUNE 5C\NT] ) ?IS BONNY LAD1 ?IS ,V]NALL ?AT HE'D MET UPON !IR CU/OM>Y CORN] BETWE5 H]E & ! H]EAFT]1 C\LD BE TURN$ TO %UFFL+ ,SAM ,O',DAY'S FUTURE ADVANTAGE4 ,SADLY1 HIS ANTICIPATIONS PROV$ UNDULY OPTIMI/IC & !Y'D B>ELY SAIL$ A HUNDR$ Y>DS BE=E ! P5DANT TYKE /RUCK UP ANO!R R\ND ( ,TW5TY ,QUE/IONS4 

0,SO1 !N1 :Y IS ?IS PLACE CALL$ ,MANS\L80 

,! DEVIL WAS BEG9N+ TO *EW ?R\< HIS FAM\SLY %ORT TE!R4 ,YES1 HE'D PROMIS$ ?AT HE'D ANSW] ANY QU]IES ?AT ! KID MI<T PUT TO HIM1 BUT ?IS WAS GETT+ PA/ A JOKE4 ,DIDN'T ?IS SQUEAK+ F]RET EV] TAKE A BREAK FROM HIS 9T]ROGATIONS8 ,SUSPECT ,SAM ,O',DAY WAS MODIFY+ HIS APPRAISAL ( ! MANN] 9 :I* ,MI*AEL ,W>R5'S LIFE HAD 5D$4 ,:]E HE'D E>LI] SUPPOS$ ?AT ! BOY'S TRU/+ NATURE MI<T HAVE L$ HIM 9TO MURD]\S H&S OR AN AB&ON$ FRIDGE1 HE N[ ?\<T IT MORE LIKELY ?AT ! 9FANT HAD BE5 DONE AWAY ) BY HIS RELATIVES 9 AN ATTEMPT TO %UT ! LITTLE BLI<T] UP4 ,AL?\< OBLIG$ BY ALL ! RULES ( DEMONOLOGY TO FURNI% A REPLY1 ! DEVIL C\LDN'T KEEP A BITT] $GE 5TIRELY FROM HIS TONE AS HE COMPLI$4 

0,IT'S CALL$ ,MANS\L BECAUSE ,MANS\L'S ITS NAME4 ,IT'S LIKE SOMEBODY ASK+ Y\ :Y Y\'RE CALL$ ,MI*AEL ,W>R54 ,Y\'RE CALL$ ?AT BECAUSE ?AT'S :O Y\ >E1 & ,MANS\L'S CALL$ ,MANS\L BECAUSE ?AT'S :AT IT IS4 ,I MEAN1 Y\ C\LDN'T GIVE A ?+ A PLA9] LABEL4 ,IT'S 5TIRELY SELF-EXPLANATORY & ANYONE ) ANY S5SE W\LD JU/ ACCEPT IT1 AL?\< ,I CAN SEE Y\'RE NOT 9CLUD$ 9 ?AT CATEGORY4 

0,ONE ( Y\R BETT] HUMAN POETS1 FOOTSORE ,BUNYAN1 JAILBIRD ,JOHN1 HE US$ TO W&] ?R\< ! E>?LY T[N%IP ( ,NOR?AMPTON FROM HIS HOME 9 NE>BY ,B$=D%IRE1 & AT ! SAME TIME HE WAS W&]+ 9 HIS POETIC VISION ?R\< ?IS HI<] ASPECT ( ! PLACE4 ,SOME PASS+ SPIRIT MU/ HAVE TOLD HIM ! LOCATION'S NAME1 & BY SOME HUGE FLUKE HE WAS ABLE TO REMEMB] IT :5 HE RETURN$ TO MORTAL CONSCI\SNESS1 OR AT LEA/ LONG 5\< TO JOT IT D[N & USE IT 9 HIS PAMPHLET ,HOLY ,W>40 

,!Y SO>$ D[N ! ET]NAL HALL1 :ILE UP ABOVE ! COLORS ( ! FIRMAM5T \TSIDE W\ND BACK ?R\< TIME1 FROM MIDNI<T JET TO VIOLET DUSK & SUND[N LIKE A BURN+ SLAU<T]H\SE4 ,BEL[1 ! DIZZY+ R[ ( VATS W5T FLICK]+ BY1 PUN*$ HOLES ON ! UNREEL+ MUSIC-ROLL ( AN OLD ,PIANOLA4 ,AS !Y PASS$ B5EA? ! BLUE-GRAY HEAV5S ( ! PREVI\S DAY & ON T[>DS ! GLI/5+ OY/]-%ELL ( DAWN1 ! DEVIL FELT SURE FROM ! QUALITY ( ,MI*AEL ,W>R5'S ?\<TFUL SIL5CE ?AT ! *ILD WAS =MULAT+ YET ANO!R FATU\S 9QUIRY1 & AT LEA/ 9 ?AT ONE S5SE HE WASN'T DISAPPO9T$4 

0,:Y DID Y\ SAY ?AT IT WIZ A FLUKE H[ ?AT MAN C\LD REMEMB] ANY?+8 ,& WIZZLE ,I REMEMB] ALL ( ?IS :5 ,I COME BACK TO LIFE80 

,! DEVIL SN>L$ HIS ANSW]1 SPITT+ 9ADV]T5T BEADS ( CAU/IC V5OM ON ! COLL> ( ! 9FANT'S DRESS+ G[N & BLEA*+ \T ! T>TAN FABRIC 9 A TRAIL ( SMOLD]+ :ITE-YELL[ BURNS4 

0,NO1 SONNY ,JIM1 Y\ WON'T4 ,IT'S ONE ( ! IMMUTABLE CONDITIONS ?AT ATT5DS ! WAY 9 :I* ! ?+ Y\ SEE AS TIME IS REALLY /RUCTUR$4 ,NO?+ ?AT OCCURS H]E1 9 ?IS PLACE \TSIDE ( TIME1 TRULY HAS TIME TO BE COMMITT$ UNTO MORTAL MEMORY4 ,IF Y\ PASS ?R\< ! N>RATIVE ?AT IS Y\R LIFE A ?\S& TIMES1 /ILL EV]Y ?\<T & DE$ %ALL BE EXACTLY AS IT WAS UPON ! FIR/ SU* PASSAGE4 ,Y\'LL HAVE NO RECALL ( HAV+ SAID OR DONE !SE ?+S BE=E1 SAVE = ?OSE MOM5T>Y LAPSES ( =GETFULNESS ?AT PEOPLE KN[ AS DEJA VU4 ,& SAVE SU* FRAGM5TS AS Y\ MAY RETRIEVE FROM DREAMS1 OR R>ITIES SU* AS ,JOHN ,BUNYAN'S VISION1 NO ONE EV] HAS ! FA9TE/ RECOLLECTION ( :AT HAPP5S TO !M 9 !SE ELEVAT$ CLIMES4 ,SO1 REALLY1 !RE'S NO PO9T 9 ASK+ ME !SE BLOODY /UPID QUE/IONS1 IS !RE8 ,Y\'LL =GET ! :OLE EXP]I5CE ONCE Y\'RE RETURN$ TO LIFE1 & ?AT WILL MEAN ?AT IT HAS BE5 A WA/E ( Y\R TIME1 &1 MORE WOEFULLY1 MY [N4 ,IF Y\'D GOT ANY IDEA :AT A DEVIL HAS TO GO ?R\< 9 ! NORMAL C\RSE ( ITS EXI/5CE !N Y\ W\LDN'T PLAGUE ME ) !SE ULTIMATELY USELESS TRIVIALITIES40 

,!Y W]E !N TRAVEL+ ?R\< ! PE>L & RASPB]RY ATMOSPH]E ( ,FRIDAY'S DAWN1 ONW>D & 9TO ! BLACK ?READ-LIT TUNNEL ?AT WAS ,?URSDAY NI<T4 ,CRAN+ HIS NECK TO LOOK BACK AT ! FI5D ACROSS ONE DROOL-SCOR*$ %\LD]1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5'S *]UB FACE WAS SU* ?AT Y\ MI<T ?9K HE WAS ATTEMPT+ TO BE SLY AS HE RESPOND$ TO ! DEVIL'S \TBUR/1 IF HIS SLYNESS HADN'T BE5 SO CLUMSY & TRANSP>5T4 

0,WELL1 :Y DON'T Y\ TELL ME :AT A DEVIL HAS TO GO ?R\<1 !N8 ,:AT >E Y\1 ANYWAY8 ,>E Y\ SOMEBODY :O WIZ V]Y BAD1 OR HAVE Y\ ALWAYS BE5 A DEVIL8 ,Y\ SAID ?AT Y\'D ANSW] ANY?+ ,I ASK$ Y\1 SO Y\ ANSW] ?AT40 

,! DEVIL GR\ND HIS FANGS TO GLI/]+ PUMICE1 AL?\< LOOK+ ON ! BRI<T SIDE1 IF HE ABSOLUTELY HAD TO *AT TO ?IS 9SUFF]ABLY P]KY Y\NG PAJAMA-PIGLET1 !N IT MI<T AS WELL BE AB\T SOME?+ ?AT HE NEV] %I$ FROM SPEAK+ ( AT L5G?1 NAMELY HIMSELF4 

0,WELL1 S9CE Y\ ASK1 NO4 ,NO1 ,I HAV5'T ALWAYS BE5 A DEVIL4 ,:5 ! LUM9ESC5T HALO ?AT IS SPACE-TIME RIPPL$ \T FROM NONEXI/5CE1 ALL AT ONCE1 !N ,I SAW ! 5TIRETY ( MY IMMORTAL BE+1 :I* 9CLUD$ ?IS B5I<T$ P]IOD ?AT ,I MU/ SP5D 9 S]VICE AS A L[LY FI5D4 ,BUT H[ ,I AM N[ IS NOT H[ ,I WAS BACK AT ! />T ( ?+S1 NOR IS IT H[ ,I %ALL BE :5 ,I'M FUR!R D[N MY ROAD4 ,BACK AT MY \TSET1 ,I WAS BUT A GLORI\S P>T1 ONE ( A MYRIAD COMPRIS+ A F> GREAT] 5TITY ?AT BASK$ 9 SIMPLE BE+1 !RE BE=E ! ADV5T ( BO? WORLD & TIME4 ,I WAS A BUILD] BACK !N1 IF Y\ CAN BELIEVE ?AT4 ,HAD ! :ITE FROCK & ! BILLI>D CUE & EV]Y?+4 

0,Y\ HAVE TO BE> 9 M9D ?AT ?IS WAS BACK BE=E !RE WAS TIME AS WE KN[ IT N[1 OR A MAT]IAL UNIV]SE ( ANY SORT4 ,!RE WASN'T ANY TR\BLE4 ,NATURALLY1 ?AT DIDN'T LA/4 ,IT WAS DECID$ HI<] UP ?AT P>T ( ! GREAT BE+ ( :I* ,I WAS ONE COMPON5T %\LD BE PU%$ D[N TWO OR ?REE DIM5SIONS TO CREATE A PLANE ( PHYSICAL EXI/5CE4 ,9 EFFECT1 SOME ( US W]E DEMOT$ FROM A WORLD ( NAU<T BUT LI<T & BLISS 9TO ?IS NEW CON/RUCTION1 ?IS NEW REALM ( BODILY S5SATION1 ( EMOTIONS & ! 5DLESS TORR5T ( DELI<TS & TORM5TS ?AT ?OSE ?+S 5TAIL4 ,I'LL GRUDG+LY ADMIT ?AT ?IS DISA/R\S RE%UFFLE MI<T WELL HAVE BE5 NECESS>Y1 9 SOME WAY ?AT WE :O LABOR$ 9 ! L[] RANKS W]E NOT AW>E (4 ,EV5 SO1 IT BLOODY HURT4 

0,I'M NOT COMPLA9+1 M9D Y\4 ,!RE W]E O!RS F> WORSE (F ?AN ,I4 ,Y\ MI<T RECALL ,I M5TION$ ,SATAN E>LI]1 & SAID Y\ W\LDN'T RECOGNIZE HIM IF Y\ SAW HIM4 ,?AT'S BECAUSE HE WAS ! FIR/ & GREATE/ TO BE CA/ D[N 9TO EMPT9ESS1 HIS FI]Y 5]GIES COOL$ & COND5S$ TO MATT]1 ?AT SUBLIME MAGNIFIC5CE R$UC$ TO BACKFILL4 ,TAKE A PEEK B5EA? US AT ! TANKS WE'RE FLY+ OV]1 AT ! AP]TURES ?AT LOOK D[N ON ! MORTAL PLANE4 ,9 !IR DEP?S Y\ CAN MAKE \T ! CONTORT$ CORAL /EMS ?AT >E 9 FACT ! LIV+ AS SE5 )\T TIME4 ,!IR LUM9\S & GEM-LIKE QUALITIES HAVE E>N$ !SE GR[?S1 AMONG ! SPIRIT POPULATION ( ,MANS\L1 ! NAME ( 'JEWELRY'4 ,?AT'S NOT1 H[EV]1 :AT WE DEVILS CALL !M4 ,WE REF] TO !M AS ',SATAN'S ,GUTS'4 ,?AT'S HIM1 9 EV]Y %UDD]+1 MY/]I\S P>TICLE ( ! CORPOREAL UNIV]SE4 ,?AT'S :AT BECAME ( HIM1 ( HIS IMMORTAL BLAZ+ BODY4 ,LIKE ,I SAY1 ,I GOT (F LI<T1 COMP>ATIVELY SPEAK+40 

,UN/UCK ,SAM ,O',DAY1 AN ORI5TAL FI<T+ KITE ( ?REAT5+ DEVICE1 FLUTT]$ 9 SIL5CE = A MOM5T D[N ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA?1 ALONG ! />LIT /RET* ( PASSAGE ?AT WAS ,W$NESDAY NI<T1 T[>DS ITS SUNSET 5D4 ,HE'D QUITE UPSET HIMSELF ) ALL ?AT TALK AB\T ! %9+ H]O :O'D BECOME ! SOLID WORLD1 BECOME ! ,SATAN1 ! GREAT OB/ACLE1 ! /UMBL+ BLOCK4 ,/ILL1 ! DI/RESS+ TALE HAD KEPT HIS PAY+ PASS5G] FROM KICK+ UP A FUSS 444 & ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 W\LD AT SOME PO9T PAY HIS F>E AS !Y'D AGRE$1 ! DEVIL W\LD MAKE SURE ( IT4 ,HE HADN'T MADE HIS M9D UP AS TO H[ YET1 ?AT WAS ALL4 ,M9DFUL 9 CASE TOO LONG A PAUSE %\LD LAUN* A FRE% B>RAGE ( QUE/IONS & COMPLA9TS1 ! FI5D RESUM$ HIS N>RATIVE4 

0,SO !RE WE W]E1 9 A DAWN WORLD CON/RUCT$ FROM ! LIV+ SUB/ANCE ( \R =M] GOV]NOR1 /ILL REEL+ FROM ! ONSLAU<T ( NEW FEEL+S & P]CEPTIONS1 LEFT 5TIRELY TO \R [N DEVICES1 OR AS MU* AS ANYBODY CAN BE 9 A PR$ET]M9$ UNIV]SE4 ,?OSE W]E GREAT TIMES TO BE ALIVE 91 ,I CAN TELL Y\4 ,!Y /ILL >E1 IF ,I FLY EA/W>D F> 5\< ALONG ! TEMPORAL AXIS ( MY BE+4 ,ALL ( ?OSE TREM5D\S DAYS /ILL GO+ ON1 BACK :]E WE'RE ALL /ILL Y\NG & ANGRY & 9V9CIBLE4 

0,WE SOON F\ND \T1 FROM ONE ( ! MORE EASILY-DUP$ BUILD]S1 :AT ?IS :OLE NEW E>?LY PLANE HAD BE5 CREAT$ =4 ,IT TURN$ \T IT WAS SOME?+ CALL$ ORGANIC LIFE4 ,?IS1 9 \R EYES1 WAS AN EXCEPTIONALLY TRICKY =M ( MUDDY PUDDLE1 ?\< 9 Y\R T]MS IT WAS PROBABLY Y\R TRILLION-TIMES-GREAT-GR&MO!R4 ,BUT LONG BE=E ANY?+ EV5 FA9TLY LIKE A HUMAN BE+ TURN$ UP1 WE REALIZ$ ?AT ?IS FLE%Y BUS9ESS WAS ! ONLY GAME 9 T[N4 ,H[EV]1 CR$IT :]E IT'S DUE1 IT WASN'T UNTIL PEOPLE SCRAMBL$ WET & %IV]+ FROM ! G5E-POOL ?AT WE KNEW WE'D HIT ! JACKPOT4 ,NATURALLY1 BY !N WE'D SE5 A PREVIEW ( ! :OLE ?+ PLAY$ \T ON ! SYMBOL-LEVEL1 ) ! MAN & WOMAN 9 !IR G>D5 & ALL ?AT1 BUT ACTUALLY1 IF ANY?+ ! SQUALID MESS ( ! REALITY WAS EV5 BETT]4 

0,DUE RESPECT TO ! SYMBOLIC V]SION1 ?\<4 ,IT HAD ITS HI< PO9TS4 ,! Y\NG LOVELY CA/ 9ITIALLY AS ,ADAM'S WIFE BE=E ,EVE GOT ! P>T WAS A REAL %OCK] BY ! NAME ( ,LIL4 ,I LAT] M>RI$ H] MYSELF1 AFT] %E'D WALK$ \T ON H] HUSB& 9 ! FIR/ CELEBRITY DIVORCE1 ) 9COMPATIBILITY AS ! MA9 REASON CIT$4 ,:AT HAD HAPP5$ WAS ?AT ,ADAM1 BE+ UP H]E ON ! SYMBOL PLANE1 HAD EYESI<T ?AT P]CEIV$ ! WORLD ) F\R DIM5SIONS4 ,IT WAS LIKE :5 Y\ W]E LOOK+ D[N UPON Y\R H\SE JU/ N[1 & Y\ C\LD VIEW Y\R HOME'S 9T]IOR BY PE]+ R\ND ! WALLS1 >\ND AN $GE ?AT ISN'T USUALLY !RE4 ,?AT'S H[ IT W5T ) ,LIL & ,ADAM4 ,HIS FIR/ GLIMPSE ( H] WAS A DISA/]4 ,HE C\LD SEE >\ND H] SK91 >\ND ! MUSCLES UND]NEA?1 >\ND H] B[ELS TO :]E ! SL[ *YME MOV$ )9 !M4 ,HE WAS SICK ALL UP ! ,TREE ( ,KN[L$GE4 ,LIL WAS UND]/&ABLY (F5D$1 & W5T (F TO COPULATE ) MON/]S1 ( :I*1 LUCKILY1 ,I WAS AMONG ! V]Y FIR/40 

,! ,K+ ( ,WRA? & ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 GLID$ D[N ! L5G? ( ,W$NESDAY1 ) ! SKY BEYOND ! CURV$ GLASS CANOPY AN OV]CA/ & NACRE\S GRAY1 ! L9ES & ANGLES ( ITS HYP]-CUMULI LIMN$ 9 A <O/LY P9K4 ,! T>TAN PACKAGE SLAPDA% ,SAM ,O',DAY WAS C>RY+ APPE>$ TO BE ABSORB$ 9 ! UNFOLD+ ( ! FI5D'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY &1 GRATEFUL = ! SIL5CE1 ! 9F]NAL EM95CE DECID$ TO CONT9UE ) HIS DEADTIME /ORY4 

0,BACK NE> ! BEG9N+1 !RE'S A PAT* :]E ME & ,LIL >E M>RI$1 BUT IT DOESN'T LA/4 ,%E WAS TOO CL+Y :5 %E C\LD GET SUCTION1 & ,I WAS TOO HEAD/RONG ) TOO MANY HEADS4 ,BESIDES1 ! HUMAN RACE WAS WAIT+ JU/ A LITTLE FUR!R UP ! L9E1 ) ALL ?OSE COMELY BEAUTIES4 ,HUMAN WOM5 W]E A REVELATION TO ME1 ,I CAN TELL Y\1 AFT] ,LIL4 ,ONCE Y\'VE HAD V]TEBRATE !RE'S NO RETURN1 & ONCE Y\ LOOK AT SOME?+ ) A BACKBONE1 !RE'S NO LOOK+ BACK4 ,Y\'RE ONLY Y\NG1 SO Y\ WON'T UND]/& AB\T ALL ?IS1 BUT TRU/ ME4 ,I'M ! DEVIL1 & ,I KN[ :]E( ,I SPEAK4 

0,( ALL ! FI5DS 9 ,HELL1 ,I LIKE TO ?9K ,I WAS ! MO/ ROMANTIC & ! MO/ APPRECIATIVE ( FEMALE *>MS4 ,9 ,P]SIA1 LONG AGO1 !RE'S AN OCCASION :]E ,I FALL HORNS OV] TAIL 9 LOVE ) AN EXOTIC FL[] NAM$ ,S>A1 DAU<T] ( A *AP NAM$ ,RAGUEL4 ,Y\ %\LD HAVE SE5 H[ %Y ,I WAS :5 ,I WAS C\RT+ H]4 ,I'D GIVE H] PRECI\S GIFTS & H>DLY LET H] GET A GLIMPSE ( ME1 JU/ LEAVE SOME SIGN TO TELL H] ,I'D BE5 !RE3 A NECKLACE RE/+ ON A SILK5 CU%ION1 POSSIBLY1 :ILE P>T ( ! ROOM'S C>PET WAS ON FIRE NE>BY4 ,:5 F9ALLY & BA%FULLY ,I 9TRODUC$ MYSELF TO H]1 AS ,I ?\<T 9 ! MANN] ( ! ,BEAUTY & ! ,BEA/1 H] OV]WR\<T REACTION WAS NO IDYLL FROM A FAIRY TALE1 ,I CAN ASSURE Y\4 ,B>ELY W]E ! WORDS ',I LOVE Y\' SPOK5 BY ONE ( MY M\?S ?AN MY BELOV$ SUFF]$ :AT ,I ?9K Y\ HUMANS CALL A /ROKE4 ,IT WASN'T S]I\S1 & AFT] A FEW DAYS %E C\LD SPEAK PROP]LY AGA91 AT :I* PO9T %E BEGAN DESCRIB+ H] 5C\NT] ) ME 9 ! MO/ UNFLATT]+ ( T]MS4 

0,I WAS CA/IGAT$ AS A HORROR1 A DE/ROY]1 :5 ! WOMAN H>DLY KNEW ME4 ,%E COMPLETELY OV]LOOK$ ALL ( ! ADMIRABLE ?+S !RE >E AB\T ME1 & 9/EAD PORTRAY$ ME AS SOME VIOL5T & 9HUMAN /]EOTYPE4 ,:AT'S WORSE1 %E REALLY RUBB$ IT 9 BY SUDD5LY ANN\NC+ H] =?COM+ M>RIAGE TO ANO!R SUITOR4 ,NATURALLY1 ,I *OK$ ! LIFE \T ( HIM ON !IR W$D+ NI<T1 BUT ?AT'S ONLY :AT ANYONE W\LD DO 9 SU* PROVOK+ CIRCUM/ANCES4 ,& BESIDES1 DESPITE :AT %E CLAIM$ LAT]1 ,I C\LD TELL ?AT %E WAS ONLY FLIRT+ ) !SE O!R M5 BECAUSE %E LIK$ TO SEE ME ANGRY4 ,:Y ELSE W\LD %E HAVE PROCE$$ TO ANN\NCE H] M>RIAGE TO A SECOND GROOM BE=E H] FIR/ WAS BURI$1 IF %E WASN'T TRY+ TO LEAD ME ON & MAKE ME JEAL\S8 ,SO ,I KILL$ HIM TOO4 ,I ?REW HIM (F A BALCONY4 ,TO CUT A T$I\S /ORY %ORT1 ,I DID ! SAME ) H] NEXT FIVE4 ,?AT'S SEV5 M5 9 ALL ?AT ,I DISPAT*$ BY *OK+1 FALL+1 DR[N+1 BURN+1 /RAI<T DECAPITATION1 AN 9T]NAL HEMORRHAGE1 & F9ALLY A HE>T ATTACK4 ,I ALMO/ ?\<T ( IT AS S5D+ H] B\QUETS4 ,I ?\<T %E MU/ BE 9T]E/$ 9 ME4 ,:Y ELSE W\LD %E CON/ANTLY BE TRY+ TO ATTRACT MY MURD]\S ATT5TION BY ANN\NC+ YET ANO!R M>RIAGE8 ,ANY NORMAL WOMAN1 SURELY1 AFT] NUMB] FIVE'S HEAD HAD GONE B\NC+ (F D[N ! B$*AMB] /AIRS1 W\LD HAVE JU/ GIV5 UP ON MATRIMONY & 5%R9$ H]SELF )9 A NUNN]Y4 

0,WELL1 ANYWAY1 IT TURN$ \T ,I WAS WRONG4 ,%E WASN'T PLAY+ H>D TO GET4 ,%E G5U9ELY DIDN'T LIKE ME4 ,(F %E GOES TO SEE SOME CONJUR] 444 A CLASS ( PEOPLE1 9CID5TALLY1 ?AT ,I DESPISE 444 & GETS HIM TO 5ACT :AT !SE DAYS W\LD BE KN[N AS A RE/RA9+ ORD]4 ,HE BURN$ C]TA9 SUB/ANCES UPON A BRAZI]1 PREV5T+ ME FROM GO+ NE> H]1 9 EFFECT DEPORT+ ME FROM ,P]SIA 9TO ,EGYPT4 ,! +RATITUDE6 ,:]E DID ?OSE PEOPLE ?9K !Y HAD ACQUIR$ !IR GRASP ( NUMB]S & EXQUISITE PATT]N+ IF NOT FROM ME8 ,SO1 KN[+ :]E ,I WASN'T WANT$1 ,I DECAMP$ TO ,EGYPT & TOOK ALL ! MA!MATICS ) ME4 ,?AT1 ,I ?\<T1 W\LD TEA* !M1 OR TO BE MORE ACCURATE1 IT W\LDN'T40 

,UP BEYOND ! GLASS RO(1 ,W$NESDAY'S DAWN FL>$ BRIEFLY BE=E GIV+ WAY TO ! BLACK MILES ( ,TUESDAY NI<T4 ,! HANG+ TODDL] WAS /ILL LI/5+ 9T5TLY TO ! DEVIL'S MONOLOGUE4 

0,9 ,EGYPT1 ?\<1 ,I GOT 9TO A SPOT ( BO!R4 ,EGYPT HAD A REPUTATION AS A DEMON HOTSPOT BACK AT ?AT PO9T ( ITS HI/ORY1 & !RE W]E DOZ5S ( US HANG+ \T D[N !RE4 ,Y\ TALK AB\T ASSOCIAT+ ) ! WRONG CR[D4 ,IT WAS TR\BLE WAIT+ QUITE DEMON/RABLY TO HAPP54 

0,?+S CAME TO A HEAD :5 ONE ( ! MORE L[LY DEVILS WAS TORM5T+ MORTAL BUILD]S 9 NE>BY ,J]USALEM4 ,:5 ! UNSETTL$ VICTIMS S\<T ,K+ ,SOLOMON'S PROTECTION1 HE WAS ABLE TO USE MAGIC TO 5SN>E ! DEMON ?AT HAD BE5 RESPONSIBLE4 ,N[1 ,SOLOMON1 HE WAS A CLEV] BUGG]1 NO MI/AKE4 ,?IS DEVIL ?AT HE'D CAPTUR$ WAS !N PRESSURIZ$ & ?REAT5$ UNTIL HE GAVE UP ! NAMES ( EV]YBODY 9 ! GANG1 ! :OLE SIX DOZ5 ( US1 FROM ,BEL TO ,&ROMALIUS4 ,I WAS AB\T ! ONLY ONE :O PUT UP ANY SORT ( FI<T1 BUT IT WAS ULTIMATELY PO9TLESS4 ,SOLOMON HAD GOT US DEAD TO RI<TS & SET US ALL TO WORK BUILD+ HIS TEMPLE = HIM1 9 A SORT ( COMMUNITY S]VICE S*EME4 ,WE GOT \R [N BACK ?\<4 ,!RE'S TR\BLES ?AT WE BUILT 9TO ?AT TEMPLE & ITS SITE ?AT PEOPLE W\LDN'T UND]/& ! SCALE ( = ?REE ?\S& YE>S OR MORE4 

0,S9CE !N WE'VE ROAM$ ! L[] & ! UPP] WORLDS UNSUP]VIS$1 HAV+ ADV5TURES1 DOOM+ OCCULTI/S1 PURSU+ V>I\S HOBBIES & ?AT SORT ( ?+4 ,9 MORTAL T]MS1 WE'RE PROBABLY BE/ SE5 AS LIV+ PATT]NS MADE \T ( DI/9CT & DIFF]5T URGES1 DIFF]5T 5]GIES4 ,WE'RE ALSO A DIM5SION D[N FROM ! ?REE-SID$ HUMAN REALM1 9 ?AT COMP>$ TO Y\ WE'RE FLAT LIKE P>QUET FLOOR+1 AL?\< NATURALLY \R TESSELLATIONS >E MU* MORE ELABORATE4 

0,WE'VE HAD ! TIME1 S9CE WE W]E FIR/ CA/ D[N1 TO COME TO T]MS ) \R CONDITION & TO UND]/& \R PLACE 9 ! DIV9E >RANGEM5T4 ,WE BELIEVE ?AT WE1 LIKE ALL CREAT$ ?+S1 HAVE ! CAPACITY TO *ANGE & GR[4 ,IT IS \R HOPE ?AT 9 A ?\S& OR SO MORTAL YE>S WE %ALL AGA9 ATTA9 ! LIMITLESS1 EXALT$ /ATE ?AT WE W]E BORN TO4 ,MANK9D IS ! SOLE IMP$IM5T TO \R AMBITIONS4 ,IF WE >E TO REA* ! HI<E/ REALM FROM \R CURR5T LOCATION 9 ! L[E/1 !N ! MIDDLE REALM MU/ FIR/ BE PU%$ UP FROM BEL[1 AHEAD ( US4 ,IF NOT1 \R ONE ALT]NATIVE IS CLAW+ \R WAY ?R\< Y\1 ,I'M AFRAID1 %\LD WE DESIRE TO EV] SEE ! SUN AGA940 

,\TSIDE1 ! HEAV5S *ANG$ FROM BLACK TO MAUVE TO GOLD1 FROM GOLD TO GRAY1 FROM ,TUESDAY NI<T TO ,TUESDAY MORN+4 ,AS NON/&>D ,SAM ,O',DAY FLAPP$ BACKW>DS D[N ! DAYS ) ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 9 HIS RU/L+ >MS1 HE WAS 9 ONE COMP>TM5T ( HIS ,*9ESE ,BOX 9TELLIG5CE /ILL CALCULAT+ MEANS BY :I* HE MI<T EXPLOIT HIS MEET+ ) ! BOY4 ,!RE WAS SOMEBODY 9 ! ,BOR\<S1 WAIT+ UNSUSPECT+LY SOME DECADES D[N ! L9E1 ?AT ! >*-DEMON WANT$ KILL$1 & SOMEONE ELSE HE WANT$ SAV$4 ,!RE MI<T YET BE SOME WAY HE C\LD P]SUADE ?IS TRU/+ *ILD TO HELP ) ONE OR BO? ( !SE 5DEAVORS4 

,TACK+ AGA9/ ! COLD DRAFTS ( ! UN5D+ CORRIDOR1 !Y SWOOP$ ?R\< PALE DAWN 9TO BLACK$-\T SMALL H\RS & ! MILES ( ,MONDAY MIDNI<T4 ,9 ! EA/1 ! SUNSET ( ! AFT]NOON ON :I* HIS PASS5G] HAD DI$ WAS LOOM+4 ,EVID5TLY HAV+ REALIZ$ ?AT ! DEVIL'S N>RATIVE WAS OV]1 HIS DEP5D5T ) ! BRI<T *URN$-BUTT] LOCKS HAD RAPIDLY DEVIS$ ANO!R PO9T$ QUE/ION4 

0,WELL1 :AT ,I DON'T UND]/& WIZ :AT Y\'RE DO+ 9 ! ,BOR\<S :5 Y\'RE SO IMPORTANT4 ,:Y >5'T Y\ (F SOME:]E FAM\S LIKE ,J]USALEM OR ,EGYPT80 

,! SKY ABOVE ! >CADE WAS N[ MOLT5 AS !Y CAME \T ( A GRAD$ LILAC DUSK4 ,?\< FA9TLY RIL$ BY ! Y\NG :IPP]SNAPP]'S DISBELIEV+ TONE1 ! FI5D CONC$$ ?AT ! PO9T RAIS$ WAS A FAIR ONE1 :I* DES]V$ AN ANSW]4 

0,FRANKLY1 ,I'D HAVE ?\<T IT W\LD BE FAIRLY OBVI\S1 EV5 TO Y\1 ?AT SOMEONE :O HAS ACCESS TO !SE TIMELESS HI<] REA*ES CAN QUITE EASILY BE ALMO/ EV]Y:]E AT ONCE4 ,I'M NOT JU/ 9 ! ,BOR\<S1 & ON ?IS SPECIFIC DAY 9 #aiei ,I'M UP TO MIS*IEF ALL OV] :AT PEOPLE US$ TO CALL ! ,HOLY ,L&1 & 9 A LOT ( O!R VOLATILE & SUNNY SPOTS AS WELL4 ,BUT IF ,I'M HONE/ ) Y\1 AS 9DE$ ,I'M =C$ TO BE1 ,I HAVE GR[N V]Y FOND ( ?IS HALF-A-SQU>E-MILE ( DIRT ACROSS ! C5TURIES4 

0,= ONE ?+1 WELL OV] A ?\S& YE>S AGO ! ,MA/] ,BUILD]S *OSE ?IS T[N TO SITE !IR ROOD1 !IR CROSS-/ONE1 M>K+ \T ?IS L&'S LOAD-BE>+ C5T]4 ,!RE1 D[N ON ! L[LY DI/RICT'S S\!A/ CORN]1 !RE IS ,5GL&'S CRUX4 ,\T FROM ?IS C5TRAL PO9T EXT5DS A WEB ( L9ES1 CONNECTIVE CREASES ON ! MAP ( SPACE-TIME L9K+ ONE PLACE ) ANO!R1 PA?S IMPR9T$ ON ! FABRIC ( REALITY BY MULTIPLE HUMAN TRAJECTORIES4 ,PEOPLE HAVE J\RNEY$ TO ?IS CRUCIAL JUNCTURE FROM ,AM]ICA1 FROM ,LAMBE? &1 IF WE 9CLUDE ! MONK :O FOLL[$ ! 9/RUCTIONS ( ! BUILD]S 9 DELIV]+ !IR CROSS-/ONE1 FROM ,J]USALEM ITSELF4 ,?\< ALL !SE REGIONS BE REMOTE ONE FROM ANO!R UPON ! MAT]IAL PLANE1 SE5 FROM !SE HI<] MA!MATIC REA*ES !Y >E JO9$ 9 ! MO/ GROSS & OBVI\S ( WAYS4 ,9DE$1 !Y'RE ALMO/ ! SAME PLACE4 

0,! DE/9IES ( !SE LOCATIONS >E 5TANGL$ 9 A WAY ?AT LIV+ PEOPLE CANNOT SEE4 ,!Y ACT UPON & SO AFFECT EA* O!R1 BUT REMOTELY1 AT A DI/ANCE4 ,IF ! MONK ,I M5TION$ HADN'T COME H]E FROM ,J]USALEM 9 ! EI<? C5TURY1 COME H]E FROM HALL[$ GR\ND NE> :]E ! LADS & ,I BUILT ,SOLOMON HIS TEMPLE1 !N !RE W\LD HAVE BE5 NO *ANNEL = ! 5]GIES ( ! ,CRUSADES :5 !Y W5T CRACKL+ BACK FROM ?IS SITE TO ,J]USALEM SOME ?REE HUNDR$ YE>S LAT]4 ,& ( C\RSE1 AFT] ONE ( ! E>LI] ,CRUSADES1 ONE ( Y\R ,NORMAN KNI<TS WAS GOOD 5\< TO BUILD A P]FECT REPLICA1 9 ,%EEP ,/REET1 ( ! TEMPLE ?AT ,K+ ,SOLOMON HAD MADE US PUT UP = HIM 9 ! ,HOLY ,CITY4 ,9 ! LATTICE ( EV5T & CONSEQU5CE1 Y\R MEAG] BOR\< IS A VITAL CROSSROADS :]EAT W> & WOND] MEET TO %AKE EA* O!R BY ! H&4 ,NO1 M>K MY WORDS1 ?IS NEI<BORHOOD HAS FI<TS & FIRES ?AT MAKE IT FASC9AT+ TO ?+S SU* AS ,I1 & ALSO LESS IGNOBLE PRES5CES4 

0,BEYOND ALL ?AT1 ?\<1 DO Y\ KN[1 ,I'VE RA!R COME TO LIKE ! PEOPLE H]E AS WELL4 ,LIKE IS P]HAPS TOO /RONG A WORD1 BUT LET US SAY ,I FEEL A C]TA9 SYMPA?Y & K9%IP4 ,DE/ITUTE & DIRTY1 DRUNK AS (T5 AS !Y CAN AF=D1 AVOID$ ) REVULSION & DI/A/E BY ANYONE ( BRE$+1 !Y1 LIKE ME & M9E1 KN[ :AT IT IS TO BE CA/ D[N & MADE 9TO A DEMON4 ,WELL1 GOOD LUCK TO !M4 ,GOOD LUCK TO ALL ( US DISREPUTABLE DEVILS40 

,FROM ! LODE/ONE HEI<TS ( SUND[N1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 & ! FI5D BEGAN A SL[ SYCAMORE-POD DESC5T 9TO ! LANGUID SUMM] ATMOSPH]ES ( ,MONDAY AFT]NOON4 ,OV] ! SEE-?R\< >CADE CEIL+ UP ABOVE !M1 L9ES ( POL> :ITE DESCRIB$ ! JEWEL-FAC$ CONT\RS ( AN ALGEBRAIC CIRRUS ?AT UNFOLD$ AGA9/ BREA?TAK+ C]ULEAN4 ,BEL[1 ! ,PIANOLA-MUSIC ( ! ,ATTICS' FLOOR WAS COM+ CLOS] ) ITS R[S ( GREAT SQU>E SPY-HOLES OP5+ ONTO WORLD & TIME1 ONTO ! GEM/ONE SN>L ( ,SATAN'S ,GUTS4 

,UPON ! CORRIDOR'S NOR? SIDE1 DISMEMB]$ ,SAM ,O',DAY C\LD SEE ! PIT*-SEAL$ WOODWORK ( ! BALCONY :]E HE'D FIR/ APPREH5D$ ! SMALL DRESS+ G[N-WRAPP$ PILGRIM1 &1 A LITTLE FUR!R D[N1 ! L[] /ORIES :]E ACCRET$ DREAMS HAD RIS5 UP LIKE /ALAGMITES ( PSY*IC GUANO1 =M+ A LONG T]RACE ( SURREAL H\SE- & %OP-FRONTS4 ,ONE ( !SE E/ABLI%M5TS1 A JUMBLE ( UNCONSCI\S NONS5SE CALL$ ',! ,SNAIL ,RACES1' HAD AN ALLEY-M\? NOT F> AWAY FROM IT :]E A ROTUND OLD WOMAN :O WAS EI!R DEAD1 OR DREAM+1 OR ELSE BE+ DREAM$1 HAD SET UP A NI<T-WAT*MAN'S BRAZI] ON :I* IT SEEM$ ?AT %E WAS ROA/+ *E/NUTS4 ,O!R ?AN ! CRONE1 HUN*$ OV] H] HOT COALS & UTT]LY OBLIVI\S TO ! DEVIL OR HIS Y\?FUL HO/AGE1 !RE WAS NOBODY AB\T ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA?1 AT LEA/ 9 ! VIC9ITY ( ?IS SPECIFIC MOM5T ( ! DAY4 ,MO/ GRATIFY+LY1 !RE W]E NO BLACK-EY$ BUILD]S /ALK+ BACK & =? ) TRILLI>D CUES TO SET AB\T ! *ILD-ABDUCT+ ,DUKE ( ,HELL ON HIS RETURN4 ,IT LOOK$ LIKE A SAFE PLACE TO PUT ! BOY D[N UNTIL SPIRAL ,SAM C\LD WORK \T :AT TO DO ) HIM4 

,LIKE SETTL+ VICI\S BLOSSOM ) HIS /REAM]S RIPPL+ UP ABOVE HIM 9 ,MECCANO COLORS1 GRE5 & R$1 ! DEVIL T\*$ D[N LI<TLY ON ! SPRUNG P9E FLOORBO>DS4 ,HE MADE A GREAT %[ ( SETT+ ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 SAFELY BACK ON T]RA FIRMA 9 ONE PIECE1 SO ?AT ! 9FANT W\LD FEEL BAD = EV] HAV+ D\BT$ HIS 9F]NAL B5EFACTOR'S HONORABLE 9T5TIONS4 

0,!RE6 ,WE'RE RI<T BACK :]E ,I F\ND Y\1 & )\T A BLOND CURL \T ( PLACE4 ,I'LL BET Y\'RE />T+ TO APPRECIATE JU/ :AT A DEC5T FELL[ ,I CAN BE4 ,AS WELL1 ,I'LL BET Y\'RE WORRY+ AB\T EXACTLY H[ Y\'RE GO+ TO PAY ME = ! M>VEL\S EXCURSION WE'VE JU/ BE5 ON4 ,WELL1 Y\ NE$N'T FRET4 ,I'VE GOT A T9Y ]R& Y\ C\LD DO = ME 9 M9D4 ,!N WE'D BE QUITS1 LIKE WE AGRE$4 ,Y\ DO REMEMB] \R AGREEM5T1 DON'T Y\80 

,! TOT'S EYES W]E D>T+ BACK & =? AS HE 9 TURN CONSID]$ & RUL$ \T ESCAPE R\TES4 ,Y\ C\LD ALMO/ SEE ! M9IATURE COGS TURN+ 9 HIS HEAD BE=E HE CAME TO ! DISC\RAG+ CONCLUSION ?AT !RE WASN'T ANY:]E ?AT HE MI<T RUN TO :]E ! DEVIL C\LDN'T SNAT* HIM UP BE=E HE'D GONE ?REE PACES4 ,) HIS GAZE /ILL FLUTT]+ AB\T EVASIVELY1 HE NODD$ ) RELUCTANCE 9 RESPONSE TO ! FI5D'S QUE/ION4 

0,YES4 ,Y\ SAID IF ,I DID Y\ A FAVOR SOMETIME !N Y\'D TAKE ME ON Y\R RIDE = NO?+4 ,BUT ?AT WIZ ONLY A LITTLE :ILE AGO4 ,Y\ MADE IT S\ND AS IF ,I W\LDN'T HAVE TO PAY ! FAVOR BACK UNTIL A LONG TIME HAD GONE BY40 

,! DEVIL SMIRK$ 9DULG5TLY4 

0,I ?9K Y\'LL F9D ?AT :AT ,I SAID WAS Y\ C\LD DO A FAVOR = ME FUR!R D[N ! L9E1 :I* IS TO SAY AT SOME PO9T 9 ! FUTURE4 ,AS IT HAPP5S1 ?AT'S EXACTLY :]E MY LITTLE ]R&'S GO+ TO TAKE Y\4 ,!RE'S A P]SON LIV+ =TY OR SO YE>S DUE WE/ ( H]E1 9 ! NEXT C5TURY1 :O ,I'M NOT V]Y HAPPY )4 ,:AT ,I'D BE V]Y MU* OBLIG$ IF Y\'D >RANGE = ME IS TO HAVE ?IS UNPLEASANT P]SON KILL$4 ,SPECIFICALLY1 ,I WANT !IR BREA/BONE SMA%$ TO FLAKES ( *ALK4 ,I WANT !IR HE>T & LUNGS CRU%$ 9TO AN UNDIFF]5TIAT$ PULP4 ,JU/ C>RY \T ?IS SIMPLE TASK = ME1 & ,I'LL MAGNANIM\SLY CANCEL ALL \T/&+ DEBTS BETWE5 US4 ,H['S ?AT = A H&SOME PROPOSITION80 

,MI*AEL ,W>R5'S JAW FELL OP5 & HE MUTELY %OOK HIS HEAD FROM SIDE TO SIDE AS HE BEGAN TO BACK UNC]TA9LY AWAY FROM SL9KY ,SAM ,O',DAY4 ,! DEVIL SI<$ REGRETFULLY & TOOK A /EP T[>DS ! BOY4 ,P]HAPS A LIVID & P]PETUAL SC> ACROSS HIS SPIRIT-BELLY W\LD CONV9CE HIM ?AT !RE WASN'T REALLY MU* ROOM = NEGOTIATION H]E4 

,IT WAS AT ?IS PO9T ?AT ! %>P VOICE ( ! *E/NUT LADY RANG \T FROM BEH9D ! DEMON'S BACK4 

0,NOT ?AT WAY1 DE>4 ,Y\ COME T[>DS ME4 ,DON'T LET ?AT OLD FRI<T TELL Y\ :AT'S :AT40 

,! FI5D :EEL$ R\ND 9DIGNANTLY UPON ! S\RCE ( ?IS ILL-MANN]$ 9T]RUPTION4 ,/&+ UPRI<T N[ BESIDE H] SMOK+ BRAZI]1 ! DREAM OR <O/ ( ! OLD BIDDY HAD P9K *EEKS & IRON EYES ?AT W]E FIX$ UNWAV]+LY ON ! FI5D4 ,DRESS$ 9 BLACK SKIRTS %E WORE AN APRON ?AT WAS ALSO BLACK1 ) IRIDESC5T SC>ABS & W+$ SOL> DISCS EMBROID]$ ON ITS HEM4 ,! WOMAN WAS A DEA?MONG]1 & SOME?+ TOLD ! DEVIL ?AT H] PRES5CE H]E DID NOT BODE WELL = HIS IMM$IATE 9T5TIONS ) REG>D TO ,MI*AEL ,W>R54 ,%E CALL$ \T AGA91 NOT TAK+ H] D>K1 BEADY EYE FROM ! >*-DEMON = AN 9/ANT4 

0,?AT'S A GOOD BOY4 ,Y\ GO R\ND HIM & Y\ COME TO ME4 ,DON'T WORRY1 DE>4 ,I'LL SEE HE DOESN'T HURT Y\40 

,FROM ! CORN] ( HIS R$ LEFT EYE HE SAW ! *ILD RUN SCAMP]+ PA/ 9 ! DIRECTION ( ! BRAZI]'S SULK+ GL[4 ,9C5S$1 ! DEVIL TURN$ HIS MO/ BONE-MELT+ GL>E ON ! OLD RELIC AS HE SPOKE DIRECTLY TO H]4 

0,OH4 ,Y\'LL SEE ?AT ,I DON'T HURT HIM1 WILL Y\8 ,& H[ WILL Y\ MANAGE ?AT1 EXACTLY1 FROM ! SEPTIC DEP?S ( MY DIGE/IVE SY/EM80 

,! OLD GIRL'S EYES N>R[$4 ,/EPP+ TIMIDLY \T ( ! %AD[S ( ! ALLEY-M\? BEH9D H] W]E A GANG ( DIRTY & DEL9QU5T-LOOK+ *ILDR51 POSSIBLY ! ONES HE'D DOVE-BOMB$ E>LI] :5 HIM & ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 HAD BE5 SETT+ (F UPON !IR FLI<T4 ,AS ! DEA?MONG] SPOKE AGA9 %E DID SO SL[LY1 9 A TONE ( COLD DELIB]ATION4 

0,I'M A DEA?MONG]1 MY DE>1 & WE KN[ ALL ! OLDE/ REM$IES4 ,WE'VE EV5 GOT A REM$Y = Y\40 

,TAK+ ONE SMALL H& FROM BEH9D H] BACK %E HURL$ A FI/FUL ( SOME VISC\S SUB/ANCE ON ! GRAY+ COALS4 ,%E !N TOOK FROM A POCKET ( H] APRON A SMALL BOTTLE ( *EAP SC5T :I* %E UP5D$ OV] H] NI<T-WAT*MAN'S BRAZI]4 ,/ALE P]FUME HISS$ UPON HOT EMB]S :]E ! RANCID FI%-GUTS W]E ALREADY COOK+1 & ! DEVIL SCREAM$4 ,HE C\LDN'T 444 AAH6 ,HE C\LDN'T /& IT4 ,AN ALL]GIC SPASM %UDD]$ ?R\< HIS SUB/ANCE & HIS RAGS /OOD UP /IFF AS HE RET*$4 ,IT WAS ! CURS+ CONJUR] 9 ,P]SIA1 IT WAS /9K+ ,P]SIA ALL OV] AGA9 & LIKE !N HE C\LD FEEL HIS V]Y SEMBLANCE />T+ TO UNRAVEL4 ,HE BOIL$ UP 9TO ANO!R BODY1 AN 5ORM\S BRAZ5 DRAGON ) A BELL[+ ?REE-HEAD$ MAN A/RIDE ITS BACK & SNORT+ ?R\< HIS BULL'S HEAD1 L[+ ?\< HIS HEAD LIKE A BLACK RAM & /AMP+1 /AMP+ UNTIL ALL ! TIMB]S ( ! TIMELESS ,ATTICS %OOK LIKE /RAW1 LIKE WAT]4 ,D[N BEL[ HIM HE C\LD SEE ! SCUTTL+ T>TAN =M ( ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 AS ! TODDL] RAN TO HIDE 9 ! DEA?MONG]'S SKIRTS4 

,HE WAS SWALL[+ HIS [N VOLCANIC SPIT1 ! NAUSEA & WRACK+ TORM5T ?REAT5+ TO %ATT] HIM4 ,HE C\<$1 & D[N HIS HUMAN NOSE CAME BURN+ SNOT1 BLACK BLOOD & A CONFUSION ( EXOTIC SUB-ATOMIC P>TICLES1 MESONS & ANTI-QU>KS4 ,! DEVIL KNEW HE C\LDN'T HOLD ?IS =M TOGE!R = MU* LONG] BE=E IT COLLAPS$ 9TO A PYROCLA/IC FL[ ( RAGE & RUE4 ,HE FOCUS$ ALL EI<T ( HIS /++1 SWOLL5 EYES UPON ! C[]+ 9FANT1 & HIS VOICE WAS LIKE AN ATOM BOMB 9 A CA!DRAL1 CRACK+ FIVE ( ! GLASS PANES ABOVE ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA?4 

0,W,E ,H,A,D ,A ,D,E,A,L60 

,BO? ( HIS HIDES1 ! MAN-LIKE SK9 & DRAGON SCALES ALIKE1 ]UPT$ 9TO GIANT BLI/]S ?AT HAD SURFACES LIKE DY+ BUBBLES1 SWIMM+ ) A SPECTRUM ( SLICK PETROL COLORS JU/ BE=E !Y BUR/4 ,RAPIDLY LOS+ AN 5TIRE DIM5SION1 HE LEAK$ %APE & MODEL+ 9TO ! E!R4 ,REALIZ+ ?AT HE ONLY HAD SUFFICI5T P[] LEFT = A FLAT DISPLAY1 ! DEVIL SQUIRM$ 9TO A MON/R\S BOREALIS1 %IMM]+ SPID]-LIZ>D CURTA9S MADE ( LI<T ?AT SEEM$ TO FILL ! /UPEFY+ :OLE ( ! EMPORIUM4 ,= A FEW MOM5TS IT WAS AS ?\< ALL ! BO>DS & RAFT]S W]E ON FIRE ) HIM1 & HIS BIRD-EAT+ EYES 9 HEADLAMP CLU/]S GL>$ FROM EV]Y TWI/+ FLAME1 N[ R$1 N[ GRE51 FIRE 5G9ES & GAS *AMB] DOORS4 

,!N !RE WAS NO?+ LEFT ( HIM SAVE A FEW SP>KS1 B[L+ ALONG 9 A FI%-FLAVOR$ BREEZE D[N ! ET]NAL HALLWAY4 

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

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

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