,BOOK #b1 ,*APT] #c 
,RABBITS 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

,R,A,B,B,I,T,S 

,OH1 & W]5'T !Y ALL ! TALK ,UP/AIRS1 ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG1 !IR MUCKAB\T & MIS*IEF R\ND ! EV]LA/+ DRA9PIPES1 FAM\S EXPLOITS ?AT HAD DI%$ \T SCABS = M$ALS8 ,!Y W]E MU* LOV$ 9 ! %ITTY GUTT]S ( ,ELYSIUM1 WANT$ = QUE/ION+ 9 F\R OR FIVE DIM5SIONS & ADMIR$ BY BOYS & GIRLS ?R\<\T ! :5? & L+] ( ?IS %9Y1 WELL-WORN C5TURY4 ,!Y W]E A PACK ( QUICK & DIRTY LITTLE ANIMALS & !RE W]E F> TOO MANY ( !M1 RUNN+ UP & D[N ! WORLD ALL DAY4 

,!Y TRESPASS$ UPON BABIES' DREAMS & TOOK %ORT CUTS ACROSS ! ?\<TS ( WRIT]S1 W]E ! 9SPIRATION & IDEAL = EV]Y SECRET CLUB & ,*ILDR5'S ,FILM ,F\NDATION MY/]Y1 = ALL ! BOOKS1 = EV]Y ,/EAL?Y ,SEV51 EV]Y ,FE>LESS ,FIVE4 ,!Y W]E ! MOLD2 !Y W]E ! MODEL ) !IR SPIT OA?S & !IR TRAMP M>KS1 !IR PREC>I\S D5S & !IR 9ITIATION TE/S1 :I* W]E NOTORI\SLY T\<3 Y\ HAD TO HAVE BE5 BURI$ OR CREMAT$ BE=E Y\ C\LD JO9 ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG4 

,!IR BOSS WAS ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]1 P>TIALLY BECAUSE %E SAID SO BUT1 AS WELL1 BECAUSE ! GANG %E'D BE5 9 :ILE ALIVE HAD GOT A BETT] P$IGREE & REPUTATION ?AN ! MOBS ?AT ALL ! O!RS HAD TO BRAG AB\T4 ,AL?\< %E'D LIV$ ON ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET1 ,PHYLLIS HAD BE5 9 ! ,COMPTON ,/REET ,GIRLS1 :O'D BE5 SEV]AL CUTS ABOVE ! ,GRE5 ,GANG OR ! ,BOR\<S ,BOYS OR ANY ( ?AT SCRUFFY LOT4 ,IT W]5'T ?AT !Y W]E BETT] SCRAPP]S1 OBVI\SLY4 ,MORE ?AT !Y ?\<T AB\T ?+S = A BIT BE=E !Y DID !M1 :I* WAS MORE ?AN C\LD BE SAID = ALL ! LADS4 ,WE >E ! ,COMPTON GIRLS1 ,WE >E ! ,COMPTON GIRLS1 ,WE M9D \R MANN]S1 ,WE SP5D \R TANN]S1 ,WE >E RESPECT$ :]EV] WE GO1 ,WE CAN DANCE1 ,WE CAN S+1 ,WE CAN DO ANY?+1 ',CAUSE WE >E ! ,COMPTON GIRLS6 ,( C\RSE1 ALL ?AT HAD BE5 SOME TIME AGO1 BUT ,PHYLLIS C\LD /ILL BE RELI$ UPON TO TAKE COMM& IF !RE WAS TR\BLE4 

,!RE=E1 AS %E /OOD N[ A SAFE DI/ANCE BACK BEH9D ! /]N DEA?MONG] & H] BRAZI]1 WAT*+ AN IMPORTANT DEMON COME TO PIECES BRILLIANTLY LIKE A ,GUY ,FAWKES ,NI<T ACCID5T1 !RE WAS A MEASURE ( GRIM SATISFACTION 9 H] PURS$ LIPS & H] N>R[$ EYES4 ,IT WAS A PITY1 ,PHYLLIS ?\<T1 ?AT ?IS HI<-RANK+ DEVIL W\LD SOON SPUTT] \T ( VISIBLE EXI/5CE ALTOGE!R4 ,IF HE ONLY LEFT A SMOK+ L5G? ( HIS B>B$ TAIL1 OR1 BETT] /ILL1 A SKULL ) HORNS1 ,PHYLLIS C\LD NAIL IT TO ! <O/ ( ! OLD T[N'S NOR? GATE4 ,!N ALL SIX DOZ5 DEMONS1 :I* %E ?\<T ( AS A R\<] & MORE GR[N-UP RIVAL CREW1 W\LD KN[ TO LEAVE ?IS DI/RICT ( ,MANS\L ALONE1 W\LD KN[ IT WAS ! HALL[$1 YELL[$ TURF ( ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG4 ,& !N ALL ! DEVILS R\ND H]E W\LD BE LITTLE ONES LIKE H]1 H] Y\NG 'UN ,BILL1 & ,H&SOME ,JOHN2 LIKE ,REGGIE ,B[L] & ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE4 ,!N !Y'D HAVE NO?+ ELSE TO DO EXCEPT PLAY \T UNTIL A B$TIME ?AT W\LD NEV] COME1 ABOVE ! DR[SY DAYS 9 !IR DECREPIT1 SWEET =EV]4 

,PHYLLIS HAD BE5 \T ( ! LONG DREAM-JITTY'S F> 5D & HALFWAY UP ,SPR+ ,LANE BE=E %E'D REALIZ$ ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 WASN'T FOLL[+ BEH9D H] ANYMORE4 ,%E'D POND]$ = A MOM5T OV] :E!R IT WAS REALLY WOR? ! EF=T :I* W\LD BE 5TAIL$ 9 GO+ BACK & F9D+ HIM1 EV5TUALLY DECID+ ?AT1 MO/ PROBABLY1 %E BETT] HAD4 ,?AT BUS9ESS ) !RE BE+ NO ONE 9 ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? TO GREET HIM :5 HE DI$ SMACK$ ( SUSPICI\S CIRCUM/ANCES IF NOT \TRI<T FUNNY BUS9ESS4 ,Y\ C\LD NEV] TELL4 ,?IS PIPSQUEAK 9 PAJAMAS MI<T TURN \T TO BE IMPORTANT OR1 IF NOT1 HE'D BE AT LEA/ AN 5T]TA9+ NOVELTY & A POT5TIAL NEW RECRUIT4 ,) ?IS 9 M9D %E'D :I/L$ UP ! O!R MEMB]S ( H] CR[D1 & !Y'D SET \T TO SC\T ! %IFT+ NEI<BORHOOD = ! PO/MORTEM TODDL]4 ,H] & ,BILL HAD SE>*$ ! MEMORY ( %OPS4 ,! O!R ?REE HAD SC\R$ ! ,ATTICS 9 CASE HE WAS ACT+ UP & HID+4 

,F9ALLY ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE HAD SPOTT$ ! LO/ *ILD UP NE> ! CURV$1 TRANSP>5T RO( ( ! >CADE1 APP>5TLY A PRISON] TO ONE ( ! MORE SPITEFUL FI5DS ?AT W]E UPON OCCASION TO BE F\ND AB\T ! >EA4 ,:5 ! FLAM+ HORROR HAD APPE>$ TO SEE !M & HAD DIV$1 !Y'D RUN LIKE ,BILLY-OH UNTIL !Y C\LD BE SURE HE WASN'T FOLL[+ & !N REGR\P$ AT ,! ,SNAIL ,RACES TO DISCUSS :AT !Y %\LD DO4 ,PHYLLIS H]SELF HAD FAVOR$ VISIT+ ! ,WORKS TO NOTIFY ! BUILD]S1 AS %E'D PLANN$ ORIG9ALLY1 BUT !N H] ,BILL PO9T$ \T ?AT BE+ BUILD]S !Y'D ALREADY KN[4 ,TAK+ HIS HAT (F SO ?AT HE C\LD SCRAT* HIS BLACK CURLS 9 ! SE>* = 9SPIRATION1 ,REGGIE ,B[L] HAD SUGGE/$ ?AT !Y WAIT 9 AMBU% = ! DEMON-K+4 ,H[EV]1 :5 ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE HAD S5SIBLY 9QUIR$ AS TO ! NEXT P>T ( ! PLAN1 ASK+ :AT !Y W\LD DO IF ! >*-DEVIL ACTUALLY %[$ UP1 ,REGGIE HAD PUT HIS HAT BACK ON & TURN$ MOODILY SIL5T4 

,AT LA/ ,H&SOME ,JOHN1 :O ,PHYLLIS SECRETLY ADMIR$1 HAD SAID ?AT !Y %\LD F9D A DEA?MONG]4 ,IF BUILD]S W]5'T AVAILABLE TO DEAL ) ?IS OR W]E TOO BUSY ELSE:]E1 & IF !RE W]5'T ANY SA9TS >\ND !N A DEA?MONG] W\LD BE ! NEXT-HI<E/ FIGURE ( AU?ORITY4 ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE HAD TIMIDLY SUGGE/$ ,MRS4 ,GIBBS :O HAD1 9 LIFE1 MADE SU* A LOVELY JOB ( ,M>JORIE H]SELF :5 ! BESPECTACL$ & TUBBY SIX-YE>-OLD HAD BE5 PULL$ FROM ! COLD BR[N RIV] UND] ,SP5C] ,BRIDGE4 ,BO? ,H&SOME ,JOHN & ,PHYLLIS HAD SAID ?AT !Y'D ALSO HE>D ( ,MRS4 ,GIBBS DUR+ !IR MORTAL DAYS D[N 9 ! ,BOR\<S1 :I* MADE ! DECISION MORE OR LESS UNANIM\S4 ,! FIVE ( !M HAD !N SPREAD \T TO COMB ! NE>] REA*ES ( ,MANS\L = ! RESPECT$ S5IOR DEA?MONG]1 EV5TUALLY LOCAT+ H] 9SIDE A FU/Y DREAM ( ! ,GRE5 ,DRAGON'S L\NGE B>1 NE> ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? ABOVE ! ,MAYORHOLD 9 ! E>LY ',?IRTIES4 ,MRS ,GIBBS HAD LOOK$ UP FROM H] <O/LY HALF ( /\T & NOT-EXACTLY-SMIL$ AT !M4 

0,WELL N[1 MY DE>S1 :AT CAN ,I DO = Y\80 

,!Y'D TOLD H] AB\T ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 & ! FI5D1 OR MORE PRECISELY ,PHYLLIS HAD1 BE+ ! ONLY ONE 9VOLV$ 9 ?IS ADV5TURE S9CE ITS \TSET4 ,H&SOME ,JOHN & ,MRS4 ,GIBBS ALIKE HAD BO? LOOK$ />TL$ :5 !Y HE>D ! *ILD'S FULL NAME1 ) ! DEA?MONG] SUDD5LY BECOM+ V]Y GRAVE & S]I\S AS %E ASK$ ,PHYLLIS = ! DETAILS ( ! DEVIL ?AT !Y'D SE5 ABDUCT+ ! SMALL BOY4 ,:AT WAS HIS COLORATION LIKE8 ,:AT DID HE SMELL (8 ,:AT C\LD !Y REMEMB] ( HIS G5]AL DISPOSITION8 ,HAV+ NEXT RECEIV$1 RESPECTIVELY1 ! ANSW]S 'R$ & GRE5'1 'TOBACCO' & 'EXTREMELY CROSS'1 ! DEA?MONG] HAD SWIFTLY REA*$ A DIAGNOSIS4 

0,?AT S\NDS LIKE ! ?IRTY-SECOND SPIRIT1 DE>4 ,HE'S ONE ( ! IMPORTANT & F]OCI\S ONES1 :O'LL GIVE Y\ MORE ?AN JU/ A NA/Y BITE4 ,HE'S WICK$1 & IT'S JU/ AS WELL Y\'VE COME TO ME4 ,TAKE ME TO :]E Y\ SAW HIM ) ?IS LITTLE LAD & ,I'LL GIVE HIM A TALK+ TO1 TELL HIM TO PICK ON SOMEBODY HIS [N SIZE4 ,I %ALL NE$ A BRAZI] OR SOME SORT ( /OVE1 & O!R ?+S ?AT ,I CAN PICK UP ON ! WAY4 ,COME ON4 ,LOOK LIVELY1 N[40 

,9 ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]'S E/IMATION !RE W]E FEW ?+S MORE IMPRESSIVE ?AN A DEA?MONG]1 ALIVE OR O!RWISE4 ,( ALL ! PEOPLE 9 ! WORLD1 !SE FE>LESS WOM5 W]E ! ONLY ONES ATT5D+ TO ! GATES AT EI!R 5D ( LIFE1 W]E 9 EFFECT DO+ ! TIMELESS BUS9ESS ( ,MANS\L :ILE !Y W]E /ILL AMONG ! LIV+4 ,NO O!R PR(ESSION HAD A L9K SO SEAMLESS BETWE5 :AT FOLK DID :5 !Y W]E D[N 9 ! TW5TY-FIVE ?\S& NI<TS & :AT !IR JOBS W]E AFT]W>DS1 :5 ALL ( ?AT WAS DONE4 ,DEA?MONG]S1 LIV+1 ALWAYS HAD AN AIR AB\T !M ?AT SUGGE/$ !Y W]E HALF-AW>E ( SIMULTANE\SLY HAV+ AN EXI/5CE ON A HI<] FLOOR4 ,SOME ( !M1 PO/HUM\SLY1 W\LD RETURN TO FUN]ALS !Y'D >RANG$ DUR+ !IR LIFETIMES SO ?AT !Y C\LD BE ! ONE TO WELCOME ! DECEAS$ ON !IR DISORI5T$ >RIVAL 9 ! ,UP/AIRS WORLD1 A CONT9UITY ( S]VICE & A D$ICATION TO ONE'S JOB ?AT ,PHYLLIS ?\<T WAS AWESOME4 ,TAK+ C>E ( PEOPLE FROM !IR CRADLES TO !IR GRAVES WAS ONE ?+1 BUT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY = H[ !Y F>$ BEYOND ?AT PO9T WAS QUITE ANO!R4 

,!Y'D F\ND ,MRS4 ,GIBBS A SMOLD]+ BRAZI] LEFT OV] FROM A M>KET-TRAD]'S NI<TM>E1 :I* BO? ,H&SOME ,JOHN & ,REGGIE ,B[L] C>RI$ C>EFULLY BETWE5 !M1 OLD RAGS WRAPP$ >\ND !IR H&S4 ,! DEA?MONG] HAD CALL$ 9 AT ! <O/ ( ! FI%MONG]'S1 ,P]RIT'S 9 ,HORSEM>KET1 & HAD OBTA9$ FI%-GUTS FROM A MAN ?AT %E REF]R$ TO AS 0! ,%]IFF04 ,H&+ ! MALODOR\S P>CEL1 WRAPP$ 9 NEWSPAP]1 TO ,MRS4 ,GIBBS ACROSS HIS C\NT]1 ! FI%MONG] ) ! HOOK NOSE & ! HUGE MU/A*E HAD SIMPLY GRUNT$ 0,DEVILS1 WIZ IT801 TO :I* ,MRS4 ,GIBBS RESPOND$ ) A NOD & ) A FA9TLY WE>Y 0,>R0 ( AFFIRMATION4 

,:5 ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG & ,MRS4 ,GIBBS HAD MADE !IR WAY BACK TO ! SECTION ( ! ,ATTICS ?AT WAS ! SPECIFIC AFT]NOON 9 #aiei :]E ,PHYLLIS HAD FIR/ *ANC$ ON ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 !RE WAS H>DLY ANYONE AB\T4 ,!Y SAW ! DREAM-SELF ( A H>D-FAC$ WOMAN 9 H] =TIES1 /&+ />+ \T 9 PUZZLEM5T ACROSS ! 5DLESS SEA ( WOOD-FRAM$ AP]TURES BE=E %E %OOK H] HEAD & W&]$ (F D[N ! >CADE4 ,%E HAD R$ H&S ?AT LOOK$ LIKE BOIL$ BACON1 SO ?AT ,PHYLLIS ?\<T %E MI<T BE SOMEBODY :O DID A LOT ( LAUNDRY4 ,ALSO1 %E WAS 9 ! NUDE4 ,H] ,BILL & ,REGGIE ,B[L] />T$ SMIRK+ AB\T ?IS LA/ DETAIL UNTIL ,PHYLLIS TOLD !M TO GR[ UP1 KN[+ FULL WELL !Y NEV] W\LD4 

,MEAN:ILE1 ! DEA?MONG] 9/RUCT$ ! TWO BIGG] LADS TO SET !IR POT ( HOT COALS D[N )9 ! 5TRANCE ( ! COBBL$ ALLEY ?AT L$ FROM ! ,ATTICS (F 9TO ! LANES ( JUMBL$ MEMORY BEYOND1 ?AT ,PHYLLIS & H] PALS CALL$ ! ,OLD ,BUILD+S4 

0,Y\ CAN PUT IT !RE1 MY DE>S4 ,IF ?IS IS :]E ?AT AWFUL CREATURE /OLE ! *ILD FROM1 Y\ CAN BET ?AT ?IS IS :]E HE'LL BR+ HIM BACK TO :5 HE'S DONE ) HIM4 ,I'VE GOT ME FI%'S 9N>DS FROM (F ! ,%]IFF1 & ,I ?9K ,I'VE GOT A DROP ( SC5T TUCK$ 9 A POCKET ( MY APRON1 SO ?AT WE'LL BE READY = HIM :5 HE COMES40 

,MRS4 ,GIBBS'S APRONS W]E ALMO/ AS FAM\S 9 ,MANS\L AS WAS ! DEA?MONG] H]SELF4 ,%E [N$ A PAIR ( !M1 JU/ AS %E HAD :5 %E WAS /ILL ,D[N/AIRS3 ! :ITE ONE ) EMBROID]$ BUTT]FLIES >\ND ! HEM1 = HAT*ES1 & ! BLACK ONE1 = DISPAT*ES4 ,9 ?IS UPP] REALM %E WORE H] BL9D+ P9A=E ADORN$ ) BUTT]FLIES IF %E W]E WELCOM+ SOME JU/-DEP>T$ S\L UP GASP+ ?R\< A FLOOR-W9D[ 9TO ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA?1 9TO A BIGG] LIFE \TSIDE ( TIME4 ,H] BLACK APRON1 9 LIFE1 HAD BE5 A PLA9 ONE )\T ANY DECORATION1 ?\< FROM H[ IT LOOK$ AT PRES5T IT W\LD SEEM ?AT ,MRS4 ,GIBBS HAD ALWAYS ?\<T ( IT AS SOME?+ MORE ELABORATE4 ,>\ND ITS $GE W]E SC>AB BEETLES PICK$ \T 9 GRE5 IRIDESC5T ?READ1 ,EGYPTIAN /YLI & ,KOHL-CORN]$ EYES /IT*$ 9 METALLIC GOLD4 ,%E ONLY WORE ?IS ONE :5 SOMEONE NE$$ SEE+ (F1 & ,PHYLLIS WOND]$ H[ ! DEA?MONG] HAD KN[N TO PUT IT ON TODAY4 ,MO/ PROBABLY IT WAS JU/ SOME?+ %E'D FELT 9 H] WAT]1 9 H] DU/1 H] ATOMS4 ,Y\ C\LD ALWAYS SORT ( TELL :5 DEVILS W]E AB\T4 ,!RE WAS ?AT SMELL1 & EV]YONE FELT QU>RELSOME & F$ UP ) !MSELVES4 

,! SIX ( !M HAD WAIT$ !RE A :ILE1 LURK+ >\ND ! ALLEY-M\?4 ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE & LITTLE ,BILL HAD BURGL$ A FEW LUMPS ( SLACK \T ( ! NE>BY DREAM ( ,WIGG9S'S COAL-Y>D SO ?AT ,MRS4 ,GIBBS C\LD KEEP H] BRAZI] GO+ UNTIL ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 & ! FI5D %[$ UP1 IF !Y W]E EV] GO+ TO4 ,PHYLLIS & ,H&SOME ,JOHN /OOD LEAN+ UP AGA9/ ! W9D[ ( ,! ,SNAIL ,RACES1 />+ UP AT ! UNFOLD+ DIAGRAMS ( WEA!R OV] ! EMPORIUM1 \T ?R\< ! GLASS PANES ( ! >CADE RO(4 ,FACET$ CL\DS CRUMPL$ IMPOSSIBLY1 TRAC$ 9 :ITE L9ES UPON A P]FECT1 %IMM]+ BLUE4 ,NEI!R ( ! TWO Y\NG/]S SPOKE1 & ,PHYLLIS WOND]$ = A MOM5T IF ,JOHN MI<T NOT TAKE H] CLAMMY H&4 ,9/EAD HE TURN$ AWAY & PE]$ ?R\< ! %OP W9D[ AT ONE ( ! DECORAT$ MODEL SNAILS1 A :ITE ONE ) A R$ CROSS PA9T$ ON ITS METAL %ELL TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE A TOY AMBULANCE4 ,%E TRI$ TO KEEP ! DISAPPO9TM5T FROM H] VOICE :5 ,JOHN ASK$ :AT %E ?\<T ( IT1 & SAID %E ?\<T IT WIZ ALL RI<T4 ,SOMETIMES %E WOND]$ IF IT WAS H] SC>F ( RABBITS :AT PUT PEOPLE (F4 

,!Y'D NOT BE5 /&+ !RE = V]Y LONG :5 ,REGGIE ,B[L]1 :O'D GONE W&]+ ON HIS [N ALONG ! HALLWAY TO ! WE/1 CAME H>+ BACK D[N ! >CADE EXCIT$LY1 DODG+ BETWE5 ! FIFTY-FOOT-SQU>E AP]TURES ) ONE H& RAIS$ TO HOLD HIS D5T$ HAT ON & HIS LONG ,SALVATION ,>MY OV]COAT FLAPP+ AB\T HIS ANKLES AS HE RAN4 

0,!Y'RE COM9' \T ! SUNSET6 ,I JU/ SE5 'EM6 ,BUGG] ME1 ?AT DEVIL'S BIG40 

,PHYLLIS WAS SQU9T+ D[N ! L5G? ( ! GREAT HALL 9 ! DIRECTION ,REGGIE'S FLAIL+ SLEEVE HAD 9DICAT$1 AT ! TANG]9E & BRONZE ]UPTION ( ?AT EV5+'S SUNSET GO+ ON ABOVE ! GLASS RO( 9 ! WE/4 ,%E C\LD MAKE \T A FLICK]+ DOT 9 SILH\ETTE AGA9/ ! RIOT ( BLOODY LI<T1 A BLACK5$ PAP] SCRAP HI< 9 ! UPP] REA*ES ( ! ,ATTICS ?AT APPE>$ TO BE BECOM+ L>G] AS IT FLEW T[>DS !M FROM ! FUTURE4 ,REGGIE HAD BE5 RI<T4 ,%E'D BE5 TOO BUSY RUNN+ :5 IT DIV$ T[>DS !M E>LI] TO GET A PROP] LOOK AT IT1 BUT ?IS WAS C]TA9LY NO M9OR IMP4 

,REASON+ ?AT ! DEVIL MI<T HAVE HAD MORE TIME TO /UDY ,PHYLLIS & H] FRI5DS ?AN !Y'D HAD TIME TO /UDY IT1 %E ORD]$ EV]YONE 9TO ! JITTY SO ?AT !Y %\LD NOT BE RECOGNIZ$ & GIVE ! GAME AWAY4 

0,COME ON4 ,GET 9 ! ALLEYWAY & BEH9D ,MRS4 ,GIBBS1 SO 'E DON'T SEE US4 ,JU/ LEAVE EV]Y?+ TO ']40 

,NOBODY SEEM$ 9CL9$ TO >GUE ) ?IS EM95TLY S5SIBLE IDEA4 ,BY N[ ! FI5D HAD DRIFT$ CLOS] SO ?AT ITS AL>M+ SIZE WAS MORE APP>5T & LIKEWISE ITS COLOR+ ( FLA%+ R$ & GRE51 AS IF A CUP ( SALT HAD BE5 ?R[N ON A BONFIRE4 ,EV5 ,REGGIE ,B[L] MADE NO PROTE/ :5 9/RUCT$ TO TAKE %ELT] BEH9D ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 ,HE'D EVID5TLY RECONSID]$ HIS ORIG9AL IDEA1 :I* HAD BE5 TO SOMEH[ LEAP UPON ! DEMON'S BACK FROM HID+4 

,H&SOME ,JOHN1 SURPRIS+LY & GRATIFY+LY1 TOOK ,PHYLLIS BY ONE SK9NY >M & /E]$ H] TO ! SAFETY ( ! JITTY4 ,HE WAS LOOK+ BACK1 ! P9K GL[ FROM ! WE/ UPON HIS LEAN FACE & HIS WAVE ( S&Y HAIR4 ,HE FR[N$ & CREAS$ ! SOOTY & POETIC SMUDGE ( %AD[ R\ND HIS PALE EYES1 LUM9\SLY GRAY LIKE TOR*-BEAMS PLAY+ OV] WAT]4 

0,BLOODY HELL1 ,PHYLL4 ,IT LOOKS LIKE A ,J]RY BIPLANE COM+ D[N TO BUZZ ! TR5*ES4 ,LET'S GET 9 ! ALLEY :]E IT'S SAFE40 

,!Y %ELT]$ BREA?LESS 9 ! JITTY 5TRANCE ) !IR BACKS SO FLAT AGA9/ ! R$ BRICK WALL ?AT ,PHYLLIS ?\<T !Y MI<T LEAVE ALL !IR COLORS & !IR L9ES BEH9D LIKE TATTOO TRANSF]S :5 !Y PEEL$ !MSELVES AWAY4 ,H] ,BILL WAS NE>E/ TO ! CORN]1 CIRCUMSPECTLY POK+ \T HIS G+] HEAD & !N RETRACT+ IT1 KEEP+ AN EYE ON ! APPROA*+ DEMON'S PROGRESS4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS1 POSITION$ AT ! C5T] ( ! ALLEY M\? & 9 FULL VIEW ( ! 5ORM\S CORRIDOR1 CALMLY CONT9U$ T5D+ TO H] FIRE ) A B5T POK]1 :I* HAD BE5 9SIDE ! BRAZI] :5 !Y'D F\ND IT4 ,AS %E LET ! AIR BETWE5 ! SULL5 COALS A BLACKSMI? GL[ FL>$ UP TO UND]-LI<T H] FACE1 IMPASSIVE1 ) ITS SK9 LIKE AUTUMN FRUIT4 ,BILL CALL$ \T FROM ! R[ ( *ILDR5'S F> 5D1 TRY+ TO KEEP ! N]V\SNESS \T ( HIS VOICE4 

0,HE'S CIRCL+ 9 TO L&1 & HE LOOKS HORRIBLE4 ,HE'S GOT HORNS1 & HIS EYES >E DIFF]5T COLORS40 

,PHYLLIS LIFT$ ONE SMALL H& & MADE ! RABBIT SIGN1 H] MIDDLE- & R+-F+]S T\*$ AGA9/ H] ?UMB TO =M ! NOSE1 H] FIR/ & LITTLE F+]S RAIS$ LIKE E>S4 ,AS QUIET AS RABBITS 9 ! GRASS ! :OLE GANG TIPTO$ =W>D /EAL?ILY TO JO9 ,BILL NE> ! CORN]1 FROM :I* VANTAGE !Y C\LD SEE MORE ( ! MILE-WIDE ,ATTICS' FLOOR4 ,DESPITE !IR ADVANCE W>N+1 ALL ( !M EXCEPT = ,MRS4 ,GIBBS JUMP$ VISIBLY :5 ! 9F]NAL BE+ F9ALLY CAME 9TO VIEW1 DRIFT+ D[N SL[LY FROM ABOVE LIKE AN IMM5SE & LURID P>ROT-COLOR$ BLOSSOM1 ! PAJAMA-CLAD *ILD HELD FA/ 9 ITS SUNBURN$ >MS4 

,ONE ( ! CREATURE'S LEGS UNCURL$ B5EA? IT ) ! LEA!R BOOT'S TOE PO9T$ DANC]-FA%ION1 NIMBLY ALI<T+ ON ! P9E BO>DS 9 BETWE5 ! R[S ( SUNK5 VATS4 ,= ALL ( ITS APP>5T MASS ! MON/] L&$ ALMO/ SIL5TLY1 FAC+ AWAY FROM !M ) ITS BRI<T TATT]S FLUTT]+ UPW>D FROM ! DRAFT ( ! DESC5T1 9 COCKSCOMB R$ & POISON APPLE GRE54 

,! GLAM\R ?AT IT WORE WAS V]Y LIKE A MAN1 ALBEIT ONE SOME EI<T OR N9E FEET TALL4 ,A LEA!R PRIE/'S HAT HUNG BETWE5 ITS %\LD]S FROM A CORD TI$ UND]NEA? ITS BE>D$ *91 REVEAL+ A LONG MANE ( CURL+ RUSSET HAIR FROM :I* PROTRUD$ TWO HORNS1 LIKE A GOAT'S4 ,FROM :]E %E /OOD BESIDE ,JOHN1 ,PHYLLIS C\LDN'T SEE ITS FACE1 = :I* %E WAS IMM5SELY GRATEFUL4 ,%E HAD NEV] SE5 A DEVIL ?IS CLOSE TO BE=E1 & FRANKLY %E WAS HAV+ 5\< TR\BLE TRY+ TO COPE ) ITS UPSETT+ ATMOSPH]E1 )\T ! ADD$ /RESS ( ?9K+ :AT %E'D DO IF IT %\LD TURN & LOOK AT H]4 

,) A SURPRIS+ G5TL5ESS1 ! RAGG$ FIREBALL ( COAGULAT$ ILL 9T5TIONS SET D[N ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 ON ! ,ATTICS' FLOOR BE=E IT4 ,! POOR LITTLE BUGG] /OOD !RE QUAK+ 9 HIS /RIP$ PAJAMAS & HIS DRESS+ G[N1 :I* LOOK$ ! WORSE = WE> S9CE ,PHYLLIS HAD LA/ SE5 IT4 ,!RE W]E SMALL TE>S 9 ! T>TAN FABRIC :]E ! MON/]'S CLAWS HAD EVID5TLY SNAGG$1 & ON ! COLL> & ! %\LD]S W]E DISCOLOR$ PAT*ES :]E IT LOOK$ AS IF SOMEBODY HAD DRIPP$ BATT]Y ACID4 ,ONE SPOT WAS /ILL SMOK+ FA9TLY4 ,POOR KID1 HE LOOK$ SC>$ TO DEA? & !N SC>$ BACK TO LIFE AGA94 ,AL?\< HE /OOD SO HE WAS FAC+ T[>DS ,PHYLLIS & ! JITTY-M\? HE CLE>LY C\LDN'T TAKE HIS EYES (F ( ! DEVIL LOOM+ OV] HIM1 & SO WAS YET TO NOTICE H]4 

,! ?+ SEEM$ TO BE TALK+ TO ! LITTLE BOY1 /OOP+ T[>DS ! TREMBL+ 9FANT ) AN AIR ?AT LOOK$ AS M5AC+ AS IT WAS CONDESC5D+4 ,IT WAS SPEAK+ 9 A VOICE TOO L[ TO HE> FROM :]E %E /OOD1 ! GAS-JET RO>+ ( A =E/ FIRE T5 MILES AWAY1 BUT ITS 9T5TIONS W]E TRANSP>5T4 ,PHYLLIS RECOGNIZ$ ! HUN*$1 9TIMIDAT+ BULLY PO/URE FROM A DOZ5 ,BOR\<S BRUIS]S1 AL?\< UNLIKE !M & CONTR>Y TO EV]Y?+ H] MO!R HAD ONCE SAID TO H]1 ?IS BULLY DIDN'T LOOK AS IF HE'D TURN \T TO BE SECRETLY A C[>D4 ,PHYLLIS D\BT$ ?AT !RE C\LD BE ANY?+ MU* WORSE ?AN HIM = HIM TO BE AFRAID (1 & %E WOND]$ = ! FIR/ TIME :E!R ,MRS4 ,GIBBS W\LD BE 5\< TO DEAL ) ?IS4 

,IT HAD APPE>$ TO ,PHYLLIS1 AT ?AT PO9T1 AS ?\< ! RU/L+ HORROR HAD SUGGE/$ SOME?+ AWFUL TO ! TODDL]1 :O'D BEGUN TO BACK AWAY1 %AK+ HIS FLAX5 HEAD4 ,:ATEV] ! PROPOSAL HAD 9VOLV$1 IT DIDN'T LOOK AS ?\< ! FI5D WAS 9 A MOOD TO TOL]ATE REFUSAL4 ,) ITS V>IEGAT$ FOLIAGE %IV]+ ?REAT5+LY IT TOOK ONE CR\*+ /EP =W>D PURSU+ ! RETREAT+ *ILD1 ONE CALLUS$ H& RAIS$ TO %[ (F ! %>P5$ IVORY ( ITS F+]NAILS AS IF IT MEANT TO OP5 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 LIKE A PEA-POD MADE ( FLANNELETTE1 & ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] CLOS$ H] EYES4 ,%E HAD EXPECT$ ! NEXT ?+ %E HE>D TO BE A BUBBL+ SCREAM1 LIKE A C\RS$ H>E4 ,9/EAD1 IT WAS ! REASSUR+ CRADLE-CREAK ( ,MRS4 ,GIBBS'S VOICE4 

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

,CAUTI\SLY1 ,PHYLLIS LET H] EYELIDS P>T TO FEA!R$1 BLURRY *9KS4 

,%E'D BE5 SURPRIS$ TO F9D ?AT ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 WAS NOT DEAD1 OR1 ANYWAY1 NO DEAD] ?AN HE HAD BE5 A FEW MOM5TS BACK4 ,! LITTLE BOY HAD BY N[ NOTIC$ ,PHYLLIS & ! GANG1 AL]T$ BY ! 9T]JECTION ( ! DEA?MONG]4 ,HE'D CEAS$ TO BACK T[>DS ! F> WALL ( ! VA/ >CADE & WAS N[ $G+ TO ONE SIDE 9 AN ATTEMPT TO COME T[>DS !M & ! ALLEYWAY1 :ILE /ILL GIV+ ! FI5D AS WIDE A B]? AS POSSIBLE4 

,! DEVIL /OOD /OCK-/ILL = AN EXAGG]AT$ 9/ANT1 !N TURN$ SL[LY UNTIL IT WAS FAC+ ,MRS4 ,GIBBS & ! FIVE C[]+ *ILDR54 ,EV]Y ONE ( !M EXCEPT ! DEA?MONG] HAD DRAWN A %>P BREA? AT ?IS FIR/ GLIMPSE ( ITS >*ETYPAL FEATURES1 9 :I* UTT] EVIL WAS EXPRESS$ SO P]FECTLY ?AT IT BECAME A HORRIBLE C>TOON1 GROTESQUE & T]RIFY+ TO ! PO9T :]E IT WAS ALMO/ COMICAL1 AL?\< NOT QUITE4 ,ITS FACE WAS A BOIL$ MASK ON :I* ! R$-BR[N BR[S & :ISK]S DRIFT$ 9 A ?ICK *EMICAL /EAM4 ,ITS E>S ROSE UP TO CURL+ PO9TS BUT1 UNLIKE ?OSE ( ELVES 9 PICTURE-/ORY BOOKS1 9 REAL LIFE ?IS LOOK$ SICK5+ & DE=M$4 ,! HORNS W]E DIRTY :ITE ) RU/Y SME>S >\ND ! BASE ?AT MI<T HAVE BE5 DRI$ BLOOD1 &1 AS H] ,BILL HAD PO9T$ \T1 ITS EYES W]E DIFF]5T COLORS4 ,!Y HAD DIFF]5T /ORIES 9 !M1 ALMO/ DIFF]5T P]SONALITIES4 ,! R$ ONE RADIAT$ TORTURE-*AMB] 9T]LUDES1 ?\S&-YE> GRUDGES & CAMPAIGNS ( M]CILESS ATTRITION1 :ILE ! GRE5 ONE TOLD ( DOOM$ AFFAIRS1 BRUIS$ *ILDHOODS & ( PASSIONS FI]C]1 MORE EXHAU/+1 ?AN MAL>IA4 ,TOGE!R !Y W]E LIKE A PAIR ( PA9T$ BULL'S-EYES & W]E FIX$1 UNWAV]+LY1 ON ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 

,! DEA?MONG] DID NOT APPE> TO BE IMPRESS$4 ,%E HELD ! CREATURE'S GAZE :ILE SPEAK+ ALMO/ CASUALLY TO ,MI*AEL ,W>R54 

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 

,CLE>LY V]Y MU* AFRAID DESPITE ! DEA?MONG]'S 5C\RAGEM5TS1 ! LITTLE SQUIRT 7:O1 ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] HAD ALREADY MADE H] M9D UP1 WAS A BIT S(T7 NONE!LESS HE$$ H] CUE TO MAKE A BREAK = IT4 ,HE SCAMP]$ 9 A WIDE >C TO ! DEVIL'S LEFT & EV]YBODY ELSE'S RI<T1 SO SC>$ ( GETT+ CLOSE TO HIS TORM5TOR ?AT HIS R\TE W\LD TAKE HIM UP AS F> AS ,! ,SNAIL ,RACES BE=E HE CAME D\BL+ BACK T[>DS ! ALLEY & HIS RESCU]S4 ,PHYLLIS & H] F\R COHORTS HAD UNPEEL$ !MSELVES (F ( ! JITTY'S R$ BRICK WALL & %UFFL$ TIMIDLY TO =M A RAGG$ SEMI-CIRCLE1 SOME FEET SAFELY BACK FROM ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 ,FIDDL+ 9 N]V\S AGITATION ) H] RABBIT NECKLACE1 ,PHYLLIS'S ATT5TION D>T$ BETWE5 ,MI*AEL & ! DEMON1 SO %E'D CAU<T ! MOM5T :5 ! FI5D'S APPALL+ GL>E SWEPT SIDEWAYS TO TAKE NOTE ( ! ESCAP+ TODDL] & !N RETURN$ ) A R5EW$ V9DICTIV5ESS TO SETTLE ONCE AGA9 ON ! OLD WOMAN 9 ! SC>AB APRON1 /&+ PRODD+ AT H] BRAZI]4 ,! ?+S ! CREATURE'S GAZE HAD PROMIS$ ,MRS4 ,GIBBS W]E ?+S ?AT ,PHYLLIS DIDN'T WANT TO NAME OR ?9K AB\T4 ,ITS VISC\S VOICE WAS LIKE A BURN+ SULFUR TREACLE :5 IT SPOKE1 PURPLE & TOXIC4 

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 

,PHYLLIS1 IF %E'D /ILL BE5 ABLE TO1 W\LD ALMO/ C]TA9LY HAVE WET H]SELF4 ,IT HAD SAID IT WAS GO+ TO EAT !M1 ?\< NOT 9 AS MANY WORDS4 ,NOT ONLY EAT !M BUT DIGE/ !M1 !IR IMMORTAL ESS5CES /ILL CONSCI\S 9 ! SCALD+ D>KNESS ( A MON/]'S B[EL4 ,AT JU/ ?AT MOM5T ,PHYLLIS HAD BE5 ON ! V]GE ( TELL+ ! >*-DEVIL ?AT IT C\LD HAVE ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 & DO :AT IT WANT$ ) HIM1 IF IT DIDN'T WOLF !M D[N & TURN !M 9TO DEMON-POO4 ,! DEA?MONG] WAS MADE ( /]N] /UFF1 H[EV]4 ,%E HAD />$ 9TO :ATEV] ABATTOIR-CUM-JUNGLE *AOS SEE!D BEH9D ! NI<TM>E'S MISMAT*$ IRISES1 & AS YET HAD NOT EV5 BL9K$4 ,H] VOICE WAS LEVEL1 UNAFFECT$ AS %E ANSW]$4 

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 

,:AT HAPP5$ NEXT WAS ONE ( ?OSE ?+S :I* OCCURR$ SO FA/ ?AT NOBODY C\LD TELL ! PRECISE ORD] ( EV5TS UNTIL MU* LAT]1 :5 !Y'D ALL GONE OV] IT A DOZ5 TIMES4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS HAD BE5 HOLD+ A S(T H&FUL ( FI%-(FAL \T ( SI<T BEH9D H] BACK1 & N[ %E BR\<T IT =? TO FL+ ON ! HOT COALS 9 A DRAMATIC1 SPRAY+ >C4 ,! RANCID HE>TS & LI<TS & LIV]S HISS$ & SIZZL$ AS !Y MELT$1 BUT ! DEA?MONG] WAS ALREADY AT WORK RETRIEV+ FROM H] APRON A SMALL TE>-%AP$ BOTTLE ( :AT LOOK$ LIKE *EAP SC5T B\<T FROM BOTTOM ,WOOLWOR?'S1 OR ! WI/FUL DREAM ( SOME4 ,REMOV+ FIR/ ITS CAP ) PRACTIC$ EASE1 ! DEA?MONG] 9V]T$ ?IS ABOVE H] BRAZI] SO ?AT ITS CONT5TS RA9$ D[N ON ! GL[+ /ONES4 ,/EAM BILL[$ UP 9 AN EXP&+ COLUMN ?AT SMELL$ ABSOLUTELY VILE1 LIKE WILD FL[]S GR[+ 9 A FIL?Y TOILET B[L4 ,EV5 = ,PHYLLIS1 :O HAD LONG S9CE CEAS$ TO NOTICE ! P]FUME ( H] [N RABBIT-G>L&1 ?IS WAS AN EYE-WAT]+ EXP]I5CE4 ,! FI5D'S REACTION TO ! RI* & S+UL> B\QUET1 ?\<1 WAS MU* WORSE4 

,IT >*$1 SP9E RIPPL+ LIKE A NAUSE\S CAT1 & ALL ITS COLOR$ RAGS /OOD UP ON 5D 9 FLATT5$ TRIANGLES1 AS ?\< !Y W]E ! SP9ES ( A TOY H$GEHOG4 ,! 9F]NAL REG5T SPAT & %UDD]$1 & ! $GES ( ITS IMAGE />T$ CURDL+ BILI\SLY1 BLOT*$ MOLT5 :ITE AS ) A RU9$ PHOTOGRAPH1 AFFLICT$ BY AN ACNE ( BURN+ MAGNESIUM4 ,ON CONTACT ) ! NOXI\S FUMES FROM ! DEA?MONG]'S BRAZI]1 ! DEVIL'S SUB/ANCE SEEM$ TO BECOME VAPOR\S ITSELF1 CRUMPL+ TO A D5SE & HEAVY GAS 9 WRI?+ BILL[S ?AT RETA9$ ! CREATURE'S BASIC %APE YET HAD AB\T !IR TEXTURE SOME?+ ( ! 9TRICATE & CRAGGY LOOK Y\ F\ND 9 CAULIFL[]4 ,AS IF A GAS-MA9 HAD BE5 BUR/1 ?IS N9E-FOOT CL\D ( POISON FOG ]UPT$ UPW>DS SUDD5LY1 BECAME A R$-GRE5 PILL> ( SMOKE HUNDR$S ( Y>DS HI<4 ,PHYLLIS HAD WAT*$ ) <A/LY FASC9ATION AS ! T[]+ CUMULUS HAD SEEM$ TO KNIT ITSELF TOGE!R 9 A NEW CONFIGURATION1 SO 5ORM\S & SO COMPLICAT$ ?AT %E C\LDN'T TELL AT FIR/ :AT %E WAS LOOK+ AT4 

,OH BLIMEY4 ,FLIPP9' HECK1 IT HAD BE5 T]RIBLE4 

,IT HAD BE5 A GIGANTIC DRAGON1 GAUDY R$ & GRE5 GL9TS FLA%+ FROM A MILLION SCALES AS BIG AS HI<-HAT CYMBALS4 ,SITT+ LEWDLY NAK$ !RE A/RIDE ! BROAD BACK ( ! RO>+1 /AMP+ JUGG]NAUT !RE WAS A BE+ :I*1 DESPITE ITS HORRIFY+ SIZE1 HAD ! PROPORTIONS ( A BABY OR A DW>F4 ,A SNAKE-TAIL ?RA%$ BEH9D IT1 AL?\< ,PHYLLIS C\LDN'T TELL IF ?IS BELONG$ TO ! 9FURIAT$ M\NT OR TO ITS RID]4 ,%E SUPPOS$ ?AT !Y W]E BO? ! SAME ?+ 9 ! 5D4 ,ITS HEADS1 = IT HAD ?REE ( !M1 W]E LEFT TO RI<T ?OSE ( A MADD5$ BULL1 A RAG+ HOMICIDAL TYRANT 9 A RUBY CR[N1 & A BLACK RAM ) ROLL+ EYES AS IF 9 RUT4 ,IT HELD 9 ONE FI/ AN IRON LANCE1 HI< AS ! ,EIFFEL ,T[] & CAK$ ?ICK ) DRI$ BLOOD & EXCREM5T1 AS IF IT HAD RUN SOME?+ ?R\< FROM BUM TO BRA94 ,A BANN] FLEW FROM ?IS1 GRE5 ) A R$ DEVICE ?AT WAS ALL >R[S1 CURLS & CROSSES1 & ! AGONIZ$ & FURI\S FI5D P\ND$ ! LANCE'S HILT AGA9/ ! ,ATTICS' FLOOR 9 SCREE*+1 BELL[+ EXASP]ATION4 ,WOR/ ( ALL1 9 ,PHYLLIS'S OP9ION1 HAD BE5 ! ?+'S FEET AS IT CR\*$ !RE ON ITS PRISMATIC1 SMOLD]+ /E$4 ,! HELL-K+'S CALVES & ANKLES TAP]$ GRUESOMELY TO P9K & BRI/L+ /ALKS1 FROM :I* SPR\T$ ! WEBB$ FEET ( SOME MON/R\S DUCK4 ,! WEBB+1 /RET*$ BETWE5 ! YELL[$ DIGITS1 WAS AN UNAPPEAL+ GRAY ) :ITE DISCOLOR$ PAT*ES AS ?\< FROM SOME WAT]F[L-DISEASE1 & IT MADE ,PHYLLIS QUEASY JU/ TO LOOK AT IT4 

,! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? W]E %AK+ FROM ! DRAGON'S FOOTFALLS & ! UNREL5T+ ?UND] MADE BY ?AT APPALL+ LANCE1 CRA%+ REPEAT$LY AGA9/ ! WOOD5 FLOORBO>DS UNTIL ,PHYLLIS HAD ?\<T ?AT ! :OLE ,UP/AIRS WAS GO+ TO COLLAPSE1 ALL ( ITS DREAMS & <O/S & >*ITECTURE TUMBL+ ?R\< A GREAT HOLE 9 ! SKY UPON ! />TL$ MORTAL WORLD BEL[4 ,FROM :]E %E'D /OOD1 HUDDL$ NE> ,H&SOME ,JOHN & PEEK+ \T BETWE5 H] P>T$ F+]S1 ,PHYLLIS HAD DI/ANTLY TAK5 9 ! T>TAN BLUR ( ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 HURTL+ 9TO VIEW FROM SOME:]E TO H] RI<T1 HIS T]RIFI$ WAIL RIS+ LIKE ! HORN ( AN APPROA*+ TRA9 AS HE CAME /UMBL+ 9TO ! ALLEY-M\? & HID BEH9D ! BLACK1 CAPACI\S SKIRTS ( ! DEA?MONG]4 ,PHYLLIS B>ELY NOTIC$ HIM1 ALL H] ATT5TION FIX$ ON ! JAW-DROPP+ SPECTACLE ?AT LOOM$ ABOVE !M ) ITS ?REE HEADS ALMO/ BRU%+ ! GLASS CANOPY :I* COV]$ ! IMM5SE >CADE4 

,ITS ANG] & DI/RESS W]E HIDE\S TO BEHOLD4 ,A GREAT CONVULSION SEIZ$ IT & IT SEEM$ TO C\< OR VOMIT ?R\< ITS C5TRAL1 NE>LY-HUMAN M\?1 A BLAZ+ SPEW ( FIRE & BLOOD & T> ALONG ) O!R MORE UNFA?OMABLE DEBRIS ?AT TRAIL$ SCRIBBL$ L9ES ( LI<T BEH9D ITS FRAGM5TS AS !Y SPIRAL$ 9TO NO?+NESS4 ,! DEVIL LOOK$ AS ?\< IT W]E AB\T TO FALL AP>T &1 :AT'S MORE1 LOOK$ AS IF IT KNEW IT4 ,SUMMON+ :AT ,PHYLLIS HOP$ MI<T BE ITS LA/ RES]VES ( /R5G? & CONC5TRATION IT HAD FOCUS$ ALL ITS BLE>Y EYES 444 ?OSE ( ! BULL1 ! RAM1 ! H[L+ TYRANT & ! DRAGON ?AT !Y RODE 444 UPON ! SMALL BOY 9 PAJAMAS PE]+ CURR5TLY 9 DREAD >\ND ! BLACK-DRAP$ BULGE ( ! DEA?MONG]'S HIP4 ,! DEMON PO9T$ D[N AT ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 ) ! CLAW-TIPP$ 9DEX F+] ( ITS LANCE-FREE H&1 & :5 IT SCREAM$ ITS F>EWELL CURSE IT WAS ! WOR/ NOISE ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] EV] HE>D1 ALIVE OR DEAD4 ,IT S\ND$ LIKE A LOT ( BIG JET AIRCRAFT TAK+ (F AT ONCE1 OR LIKE ! :OLE WORLD'S ELEPHANTS 9 ONE B]S]K /AMP$E4 ,A MI<TY :UFF ( BLUE FLAME BEL*$ \T FROM ! C5TRAL CR[N$ HEAD AS IT OP5$ ITS VA/ M\? TO SPEAK1 & AS ONE ,PHYLLIS & ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG ALL TOOK !IR H&S (F ( !IR EYES :]E !Y'D BE5 US+ !M AS BL9DFOLDS1 CLAPP+ !M ACROSS !IR E>S 9/EAD4 ,IT DIDN'T DO MU* GOOD1 & EV]YBODY C\LD /ILL HE> EXACTLY :AT ! DEVIL %\T$ AT ! 9FANT AS HE QUAK$ !RE BEH9D ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 

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

,?IS WAS AB\T :AT ,PHYLLIS W\LD EXPECT FROM ,MI*AEL ,W>R54 ,ALL %E'D HAD TO DO WAS TAKE H] EYES (F HIM = HALF A SECOND & HE'D EVID5TLY GONE & SIGN$ A COMPACT ) A ?+ FROM ! UNDY+ FURNACE4 ,WAS ! KID HALF-%>P1 OR :AT8 ,EV5 H] LITTLE ,BILL1 :O C\LD BE SILLY AS A BAG ( AS%OLES1 EV5 ,BILL W\LD NEV] DO A /UPID ?+ LIKE ?AT4 ,%E'D HAD TO =CIBLY REM9D H]SELF ?AT ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 HAD BE5 ONLY ?REE OR F\R :5 HE'D EXPIR$ & EV5 Y\NG] ?AN HE LOOK$ AT PRES5T1 :]EAS H] & ,BILL HAD BO? BE5 A BIT OLD]4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 Y\ C\LDN'T JU/ EXCUSE ! BOY BECAUSE ( Y\?FUL 9EXP]I5CE3 ! FACT ?AT ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 WASN'T FIVE YE>S OLD & YET HAD SOMEH[ MANAG$ TO NOT ONLY DIE BUT ALSO TO 5RAGE ONE ( ! GREAT BIBLICAL =CES )9 M9UTES ( HIS DEA? SUGGE/$ ?AT ! *ILD WAS NOT JU/ CLUMSY BUT WAS BORD]+ ON ! CATA/ROPHIC4 ,H[ C\LD SOMEONE :O LOOK$ SO MU* LIKE AN ,OVALTE5Y HAVE UPSET A HORROR FROM ! PIT SO BADLY1 9 SO %ORT A TIME8 ,%E %\LD1 %E ?\<T1 HAVE HE$$ H] FIR/ 9/9CTS & JU/ LEFT ! DOZY LITTLE BUGG] W&]+ R\ND ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? 9 HIS PAJAMAS4 

,BUT %E HADN'T4 ,%E HAD ALWAYS HAD A S(T SPOT = ! G5U9ELY PA!TIC1 ?AT WAS ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]'S TR\BLE4 ,IT WAS ONE ( H] WOR/ FAIL+S4 ,%E REMEMB]$ :5 %E'D BE5 ALIVE1 PLAY+ D[N ,VICKY ,P>K ) ,VAL]IE & ,V]A ,PICKLES & !IR Y\NG] BRO!R ,SIDNEY4 ,ALL ?REE KIDS CAME FROM A FAMILY ( F\RTE5 AT ! BOTTOM 5D ( ,SPR+ ,LANE1 JU/ D[N PA/ ,SPR+ ,G>D5S1 BUT ?REE-YE>-OLD ,SIDNEY ,PICKLES WAS ! UGLIE/ ( ! FAMILY BY F>4 ,HE WAS ! UGLIE/ KID ?AT %E HAD EV] SE51 POOR LITTLE BEGG>4 ,NO1 %E %\LDN'T LAU<1 BUT1 HONE/LY1 ,SID ,PICKLES4 ,HE'D A FACE ) H>DLY ANY FEATURES ON IT1 LIKE HE'D DRAWN IT ON HIMSELF ) A WAX CRAYON4 ,HE'D GOT B[ LEGS & A LISP1 %ORT-TONGU$ WAS :AT !Y CALL$ IT !N1 & :5 HE'D WADDL$ UP TO :]E H] & HIS ELD] SI/]S W]E CON/RUCT+ T5TS FROM BITS ( SACK+ BY ! /REAM !RE 9 ,VICTORIA ,P>K1 !Y'D REALIZ$ FROM ! SMELL EXACTLY :AT HIS PROBLEM WAS1 EV5 BE=E HE'D PR\DLY TOLD !M ALL4 

0,I'M ?YIT ME!LF40 

,V]A & ,VAL]IE HAD BO? REFUS$ PO9T BLANK TO GO ) ,SIDNEY ON ! LONG WALK OV] ,SP5C] ,BRIDGE BACK TO ,SPR+ ,LANE1 :I* MEANT ?AT ,PHYLLIS FELT %E'D GOT NO OPTION BUT TO TAKE ! BOY H]SELF1 AL?\< HE /ANK4 ,/ANK TO HI< HEAV54 ,:AT MADE MATT]S WORSE WAS ?AT HE'D CAT* ! EYE ( EV]Y PASS]BY BETWE5 ! P>K & ,SPR+ ,LANE TO TRIUMPHANTLY ANN\NCE 0,I'M ?YIT ME!LF01 EV5 ?\< ,PHYLLIS BEGG$ HIM NOT TO & DESPITE ?AT FACT ?AT HIS CONFESSION1 FROM ! LOOKS ON PEOPLE'S FACES1 CLE>LY TOLD !M NO?+ ?AT !Y HADN'T BY !N WORK$ \T = !MSELVES4 ,%E'D ONLY VOLUNTE]$ TO WALK HIM HOME :5 IT BECAME APP>5T NO ONE ELSE WAS GO+ TO DO IT1 :I* WAS MORE OR LESS ! REASON %E'D HELP$ ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 UP \T ( HIS LIFE ONTO ! BO>DWALKS ( ,MANS\L4 ,?AT1 & ! FACT ?AT HE'D SEEM$ TR\BL+LY FAMILI>4 ,EV5 IF S9CE !N HE'D SOMEH[ 9CURR$ A DEMON'S UNREL5T+ WRA?1 AT LEA/ HE DIDN'T HAVE A SQU9T+ TURNIP = A HEAD LIKE ,SIDNEY ,PICKLES & AT LEA/ HE HADN'T %IT HIMSELF1 AS F> AS ,PHYLLIS KNEW4 

,%E TRI$ N[ TO DRAW SOME SLIM CONSOLATION FROM !SE DUBI\S B5EFITS :ILE />+ UP TRANSFIX$ AT ! 5ORM\S DEMON1 :I* HAD BOILS & WELTS AS BIG AS TRACTOR :EELS ]UPT+ FROM ITS HIDE1 /&+ !RE WRI?+ 9 ! NOXI\S FUG FROM ! DEA?MONG]'S BRAZI]4 ,!SE BLI/]S POPP$ & SPRAY$ !IR HOT GOLD PUS 9 A F9E A]OSOL1 LIKE BUR/S ( BURN+ POLL5 OR LIKE PUFFBALL DETONATIONS4 ,LOOK+ CLOS] ) ! DEEP] VISION ( ! AFT]LIFE1 %E SAW ?AT ! 9F9ITESIMALLY T9Y DROPLETS W]E 9 ACTUALITY A SPRAY ( BLAZ+ NUMB]S1 MA!MATIC SYMBOLS & ILLUM9AT$ LETT]S FROM A WRIGGLY =EIGN ALPHABET ?AT ,PHYLLIS ?\<T WAS ,>ABIC4 ,?IS *URN+ TUMBLE ( NOTATIONS FL>$ LIKE SP>KS = JU/ AN 9/ANT1 !N W]E GONE4 ,IT WAS AS IF ALL ( ! DEVIL'S FACTS & SUMS W]E LEAK+ \T ( IT4 ,IT ALMO/ SEEM$ AS ?\< ! DEMON W]E DEFLAT+1 AL?\< ,PHYLLIS KNEW ?AT DIDN'T QUITE DESCRIBE :AT %E WAS SEE+4 

,MORE PRECISELY1 AS ! NEON *>ACT]S & NUM]ALS ESCAP$1 ! FI5D APPE>$ NOT SO MU* TO BE GO+ D[N LIKE A FLAT TIRE AS IT DID TO BE SOME?+ ?AT HAD 9 REALITY ALWAYS BE5 FLAT4 ,P]HAPS BECAUSE IT HAD A BULL'S HEAD & A RAM'S1 %E F\ND H]SELF REM9D$ ( ! TOY F>M ANIMALS %E'D PLAY$ ) AS A LITTLE GIRL4 ,!SE HAD BE5 LOVELY PA9T$ ILLU/RATIONS ( FAT ROO/]S1 PIGS & C[S1 PR9T$ ON %9Y PAP] & !N GLU$ TO %EETS ( WOOD CUT TO ! RI<T %APE ) A JIGSAW4 ,/&+ ON !IR SLOTT$ WOOD5 BASES1 !Y'D BE5 ABSOLUTELY REALI/IC IF Y\ ONLY LOOK$ AT !M SIDE-ON4 ,Y\ B>ELY HAD TO *ANGE ! ANGLE ( Y\R VIEW1 ?\<1 & !Y'D />T TO FLATT5 \T & LOOK ALL WRONG4 ,SE5 FROM BEH9D !IR P]MAN5TLY RAIS$ & SWI%+ TAILS1 ! SOLID-LOOK+ BEA/S W]E H>DLY !RE4 ,?IS WAS ! SAME ?+ ?AT WAS HAPP5+ N[ TO ! COLOSSAL1 MANY-HEAD$ MON/] AS IT SPEW$ \T PHOSPHORESC5T ALGEBRA FROM Y>D-WIDE PIMPLES & COLLAPS$ 9TO A DETAIL$ & PA9/AK+LY EMBELLI%$ DRAW+ ( ITSELF4 

,FROM ! EXPRESSIONS ON ITS F\R VA/ FACES1 EV5 ?IS R$UC$ CONDITION WAS A /RUGGLE TO MA9TA94 ,V5T+ A F9AL BOOM+ SN>L ( LOA?+ & FRU/RATION1 ! HUGE APP>ITION %ATT]$ 9TO C\NTLESS TONGUES ( ,*RI/MAS-COLOR$ RADIANCE ?AT SEEM$ TO LICK FROM EV]Y BO>D & RAFT] 9 ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA?1 AS ?\< ! :OLE EMPORIUM W]E ON FIRE ) ! UNRAVEL$ FI5D'S DISP]S+ IMAG]Y4 ,9 EV]Y FL>E !RE WAS ! SAME REPEAT$ PATT]N1 9TRICATE & SQUIRM+ 9 A FILIGREE ( :AT LOOK$ N[ LIKE LIME-GRE5 NEWTS1 N[ LIKE A SC>LET LACE ( MURD]\S T>ANTULAS4 ,MULTIPLE LIZ>D OR ELSE SPID] %APES AT DIFF]5T SCALES KNITT$ !MSELVES 9TO ! MO/ D]ANG+ WALLPAP] DESIGN ?AT ,PHYLLIS C\LD CONCEIVE (1 ALL ( ?IS REIT]AT$ 9 EA* TWI/ ( FLAME ?R\<\T ! E*O+ >CADE4 

,!N IT WAS OV] & ALL ( ! FI5D'S SP5T FIREWORKS FIZZL$ 9TO NO?+1 LEAV+ ONLY ! P]VASIVE /5* ( P]FUM$ FI%-GUTS & AN ATMOSPH]E ( SLAPP$ %OCK 9 ?AT MONUM5TAL CORRIDOR4 ,! DEVIL-K+ WAS GONE4 

,MRS4 ,GIBBS M]ELY BOBB$ H] *9 ONCE 9 A QUIET & WORKMANLIKE DISPLAY ( SATISFACTION1 !N PRODUC$ A H&K]*IEF ?AT HAD A BEE EMBROID]$ ON ONE $GE TO WIPE ! HADDOCK %E5 FROM H] P9K F+]TIPS4 ,POLITELY1 %E 9/RUCT$ ,H&SOME ,JOHN & ,REGGIE ,B[L] TO LIFT ! NO-LONG]-SMOLD]+ BUT /ILL (F5SIVE BRAZI] & LUG IT TO SOME F> REMOVE ALONG ! JITTY :]E1 IF NO ONE DREAM$ AB\T IT = A WEEK OR TWO1 IT W\LD BREAK D[N 9TO ! HOMOG5E\S M9D-RESIDUE FROM :I* ! AV5UES & ALLEYS ( ,MANS\L1 ! ,SECOND ,BOR\<1 W]E CON/RUCT$4 ,AS ! BIGG] BOYS WRAPP$ RAGS >\ND !IR PALMS AGA9 & GRUDG+LY B5T TO !IR TASK1 ! DEA?MONG] FA/IDI\SLY FOLD$ H] N[-FI%Y HANKIE1 TUCK+ IT AWAY 9TO :ATEV] OBSCURE CORN] ( H] FUN]AL P9A=E IT HAD EM]G$ FROM4 ,HAV+ CLEAN$ & TIDI$ H]SELF ?US1 %E TURN$ H] HEAD & PE]$ AS BE/ %E C\LD AT ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 :O1 9 SPITE ( ! >*-DEMON'S DISAPPE>ANCE1 WAS /ILL %ELT]+ BEH9D ! BLACK ,NIAG>A ( H] SKIRTS4 

,PHYLLIS WAS /ILL RECOV]+ FROM ! EV5TS ( ! PA/ SEV]AL M9UTES4 ,IT OCCURR$ TO H] ?AT1 FRI<T5+ AS ! VISITOR FROM ,HELL HAD BE51 ?IS ROSY-*EEK$ OLD LADY WAS ! T]ROR EV]YBODY %\LD WAT* \T =4 ,DEA?MONG]S ALIVE W]E NO?+ ELSE IF NOT =MIDABLE1 BUT DEAD !Y W]E A GOOD SI<T MORE IMPRESSIVE4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS WAS A ROTUND BLACK SKITTLE %APE SPORT+ A BONNET1 ALMO/ SE5 9 SILH\ETTE AGA9/ ! DAZZL+ BLU5ESS OV] ! >CADE AS ,PHYLLIS1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 & ! O!R TIT*ES 9 ! GANG LOOK$ UP AT H]4 ,%E SEEM$ TO BE CONSID]+ ! LITTLE BLOND BOY AS HE /OOD !RE & REG>D$ H] UNC]TA9LY 9 HIS PAJAMAS1 SLIPP]S & PLUM T>TAN DRESS+ G[N1 :I* HAD BE5 /A9$ BY SOME?+ YELL[ & SULFURIC1 MORE ?AN LIKELY DEMON-SLOBB]4 

0,SO1 N[1 Y\'RE ?IS ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 ?AT ,I'VE HE>D SO MU* AB\T4 ,DON'T %UFFLE R\ND BEH9D ME :5 ,I TRY TO TALK TO Y\1 MY DE>4 ,COME \T :]E ,I CAN SEE Y\ PROP]40 

,N]V\SLY1 ! TODDL] SIDL$ FROM BEH9D ! DEA?MONG] & /OOD 9 FRONT ( H]1 AS HE'D BE5 BIDD54 ,HIS BLUE DOLL-EYES D>T$ EV]Y:]E1 FROM ,MRS4 ,GIBBS TO ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]1 !N TO H] ,BILL & ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE4 ,HE LOOK$ AT EV]YONE AS IF !Y W]E HIS FIR+ SQUAD1 ) NOT A WORD ( ?ANKS = SAV+ HIM FROM HELLFIRE & DAMNATION JU/ A MOM5T BACK4 ,AS HE RETURN$ HIS APPREH5SIVE GAZE TO ,MRS4 ,GIBBS HE TRI$ TO GIVE H] AN 5GAG+ SMILE1 BUT IT CAME \T LIKE A PECULI> W9CE4 ,! DEA?MONG] LOOK$ PA9$4 

0,!RE'S NO NE$ TO BE FRIT ( ME1 MY DE>4 ,N[1 DID ?AT BRUTE DO ANY?+ TO HURT Y\ :5 HE HAD Y\ 9 HIS CLAWS8 ,:AT WAS ?AT BUS9ESS ?AT HE M5TION$ AB\T H[ Y\ HAD A DEAL ) HIM8 ,I HOPE Y\'VE NOT MADE ANY PROMISES TO A R\< *AP LIKE ?AT40 

,! FRE%LY DEAD *ILD MOV$ HIS WEI<T FROM ONE PLAID SLIPP] TO ! O!R1 FIDDL+ ) ! SA% CORD ( HIS DRESS+ G[N UNEASILY4 

0,HE TOLL$ ME HE WIZ GL[+ TO SNAKE ME F\R A RAID1 & %$ ?AT ,I C\LD PREY HIM BACK BY DOOM+ HIM A FEV]40 

,H] ,BILL GUFFAW$ RUDELY AT ! BOY'S D]AIL$ PRONUNCIATION1 :I* REVEAL$ HIM AS A NEW >RIVAL 9 ,MANS\L AS SURELY AS A C\NTRY TWANG W\LD HAVE BETRAY$ HIM 9 A CITY4 ,PHYLLIS NOTIC$ ?AT ! ,W>R5 KID'S ABILITY TO MAKE S5SE :5 HE TALK$ HAD TAK5 A /EP BACKW>DS S9CE %E'D SE5 HIM LA/4 ,:5 %E'D ESCORT$ HIM ACROSS ! ,ATTICS TO ! JITTY :]E !Y W]E N[ /&+1 HE'D APPE>$ TO BE F9D+ HIS ,LUCY-LIPS & WAS BEG9N+ TO SPEAK CLE>LY )\T MANGL+ EV]Y PHRASE AS IT WAS BORN4 ,FROM HIS P]=MANCE N[1 H[EV]1 IT SEEM$ AS ?\< WITNESS+ ! GIANT FI5D'S EXTRAORD9>Y FIT ( PIQUE HAD SET HIM BACK A BIT4 ,HIS S5T5CES W5T EV]Y:]E1 LIKE MAT*/ICKS FROM A BOX ?AT HAD BE5 OP5$ UPSIDE-D[N4 ,LUCKILY1 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS1 BY VIRTUE ( H] WORK ON EI!R SIDE ( DEA?'S %>P CORN]1 WAS CONV]SANT ) ! DICTION ( ! REC5TLY DECEAS$ & C\LD TAKE ,MI*AEL ,W>R5'S GIBB]I% 9 H] /RIDE4 

0,I SEE4 ,& DID HE TAKE Y\ = ?IS \T+ ?AT HE'D PROMIS$ Y\1 MY DE>8 ,:]E DID HE FLY Y\ TO1 IF ,I MI<T ASK80 

,AT ?IS ! NIPP]'S FACE LIT UP1 AS ?\< A GR[N-UP HAD JU/ ASK$ HIM TO DESCRIBE :I* RIDE HE'D LIK$ BE/ AT A FUNFAIR ?AT HE'D VISIT$4 

0,HE %OOK ME D[N 9TO NIX$ ,FRAIDY NI<T1 TO :]E MY H\RS WIZ 9/ANT ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 ,EYESORE MYSELF1 & ,I WIZ BACK TRUE LIFE AGA960 

,N[ EV]YONE WAS />+ 9 BEWILD]M5T AT ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 & NOT ON ACC\NT ( HIS EXPLOD+ ELOCUTION4 ,EV]YBODY WAS TOO />TL$ BY :AT HE'D JU/ SAID TO TAKE MU* NOTICE ( ! WAY HE'D SAID IT4 ,C\LD IT POSSIBLY BE TRUE8 ,C\LD ! >*-DEVIL HAVE TRANSPORT$ ! BOY 9TO ! IMM$IATE FUTURE1 :]E HE'D GLIMPS$ HIMSELF RE/OR$ TO LIFE8 ,B>R+ A MIRACLE ?IS MADE NO S5SE AT ALL1 & ,PHYLLIS TRI$ TO F9D A MORE FEASIBLE EXPLANATION = ! *ILD'S UNLIKELY /ORY4 ,POSSIBLY ! FI5D HAD C>RI$ HIM 9TO ! PA/ & NOT 9TO NEXT ,FRIDAY NI<T1 AS ! LAD OBVI\SLY BELIEV$4 ,! DEVIL HAD COLD-BLOOD$LY DECEIV$ ! KID BY GIV+ HIM A GLIMPSE ( HIMSELF BACK )9 ! BOSOM ( HIS FAMILY1 !N HAD TOLD HIM ?IS WAS SOME?+ ?AT W\LD HAPP5 9 A FEW DAYS TIME1 RA!R ?AN SOME?+ :I* HAD ALREADY OCCURR$1 A WEEK OR TWO BE=E ! TODDL] HAD *OK$ TO DEA?4 ,IT WAS A CRUEL & SPITEFUL HOAX1 9T5D$ TO CRU% ,MI*AEL ,W>R5'S 9FANT S\L BY (F]+ FALSE HOPE4 ,:ILE ,PHYLLIS MU* PREF]R$ H] CYNICAL 9T]PRETATION TO ! MORE MIRACUL\S ALT]NATIVE1 SOME?+ AB\T IT DIDN'T R+ 5TIRELY TRUE4 

,= ONE ?+1 ,PHYLLIS & H] GANG HAD SE5 ! DEMON /REAK+ (F ) ,MI*AEL 9TO ! R$ WE/ ) !IR [N EYES1 ! SAME DIRECTION ?AT !Y'D JU/ SE5 HIM RETURN$ FROM4 ,WE/ IS FUTURE1 ,EA/ IS PA/1 ALL ?+S L+]1 ALL ?+S LA/4 ,NOT ONLY ?AT1 BUT IT WAS WELL KN[N ?AT A DEVIL HAD NO MORE CAPACITY TO LIE ?AN DID A PAGE ( H>D /ATI/ICS4 ,LIKE /ATI/ICS1 !Y C\LD ONLY S]I\SLY MISLEAD4 ,MOREOV]1 AL?\< ,PHYLLIS HAT$ DEMONS G5]ALLY1 %E HAD TO GRUDG+LY ADMIT ?AT !Y W]E SELDOM PETTY4 ,PLAY+ HE>TLESS TRICKS ON ?REE-YE>-OLDS WAS PROBABLY B5EA? !M1 OR AT LEA/ B5EA? ! MORE HI<-RANK+ FI5DS1 SU* AS ! ONE :O'D /OL5 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 HAD APPE>$ TO BE4 ,( C\RSE1 ?IS L9E ( REASON+ L$ TO ! PLA9LY UNACCEPTABLE CONCLUSION ?AT ! BOY WAS RI<T1 & ?AT )9 A DAY OR TWO HE'D BE ALIVE AGA91 BACK ) HIS FAMILY 9 ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 ,PHYLLIS REG>D$ ,MRS4 ,GIBBS & SAW FROM ! DEA?MONG]'S MANN] AS %E SCRUT9IZ$ ! LITTLE *AP ?AT ! OLD GIRL HAD 9DEP5D5TLY >RIV$ AT ! SAME IMPASSE 9 H] ?9K+4 

0,WELL1 N[1 !RE'S A F9E KETTLE ( FI%4 ,& :Y1 ,I WOND]1 DID ?AT OLD SNAKE TAKE AN 9T]E/ 9 Y\ 9 ! FIR/ PLACE8 ,Y\ ?9K H>D1 MY DE>1 & TELL ME IF !RE'S ANY?+ HE SAID AS MI<T GIVE ME A CLUE40 

,! *ILD 9 NI<TCLO!S1 :O WAS EVID5TLY UNAW>E ( ! TREM5D\S IMPORT ( :AT HE WAS BLI!R+ AB\T1 TRI$ TO LOOK ?\<TFUL = A MOM5T & !N BEAM$ UP HELPFULLY AT ,MRS4 ,GIBBS4 

0,HE TOLL$ ME ?AT HIDE CLAUS$ SUM TR\BLE H]E ,UPSC>ES40 

,! DEA?MONG] LOOK$ BLANK AT FIR/1 !N SL[LY CORRUGAT$ H] AGE-SPOTT$ BR[ AS IF ) DAWN+ COMPREH5SION4 

0,OH1 MY DE>4 ,Y\'RE NOT ! LITTLE BOY :O'S CAUS$ ! FALL+-\T BETWE5 ! BUILD]S8 ,SOMEONE TOLD ME E>LI] AS !Y WAS HAV+ A BIG SCRAP UP AT ! ,MAYORHOLD1 ON ACC\NT ( ONE ( 'EM HAD *EAT$ 9 !IR TRILLI>D GAME1 BUT ,I'D NOT DREAM$ AS IT WAS Y\ WAS AT ! BOTTOM ( IT40 

,:AT WAS ?IS8 ,A FI<T BETWE5 ! BUILD]S8 ,PHYLLIS GAP$ 9CR$UL\SLY1 & TO JUDGE BY ! %>P GASPS ?AT CAME FROM H] ,BILL & ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE1 IT WAS ! FIR/ !Y'D HE>D ( IT AS WELL4 ,W\LDN'T A FI<T BETWE5 ! BUILD]S MEAN ?AT ! :OLE WORLD W\LD FALL 9 HALF1 OR SOME?+ T]RIBLE LIKE ?AT8 ,S\ND+ EXCIT$ BY ! PROSPECT1 ,BILL RELAY$ HIS OBVI\S 5?USIASM TO ! DEA?MONG]4 

0,COR6 ,:5AB\TS >E !Y HAV+ IT1 ! ANGLES' PUN*-UP8 ,I'D LIKE TO BE !RE = ?AT40 

,NOT = ! FIR/ TIME1 ,PHYLLIS FELT EMB>RASS$ ?AT H] KID WAS SU* AN UNAPOLOGETIC LITTLE RUFFIAN4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS CLUCK$ AT Y\NG ,BILL DISAPPROV+LY4 

0,IT'S NOT A GAME1 MY DE>1 & IF ! BUILD]S >E AT ODDS IT W\LD SEEM DISRESPECTFUL TO BE /OOD !RE GOGGL+ AT !M4 ,& ( C\RSE IT W\LD BE V]Y DANG]\S1 & NOT A PLACE = LITTLE *ILDR51 SO Y\ PUT ?AT IDEA RI<T \T ( Y\R HEAD40 

,?\< ,PHYLLIS KNEW HE HADN'T PUT ! IDEA FROM HIS ?\<TS AT ALL1 ,BILL PULL$ HIS GLUM & REPRIM&$ FACE TO MAKE ! DEA?MONG] ?9K ?AT HE HAD4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS TURN$ AWAY FROM HIM & C>RI$ ON ) H] APPRAISAL ( ! HAPLESS ,MI*AEL ,W>R54 

0,WELL1 MY DE>1 IT S\NDS TO ME AS IF Y\'RE AT ! MIDDLE ( SOME FUNNY GO+S-ON4 ,I'M NOT SURPRIS$1 GIV5 ! ?+S ,I KN[ AB\T Y\R PEOPLE & ! FAMILY Y\ COME FROM4 ,EV5 SO1 ,I'VE NEV] HE>D ! LIKE ( ?IS4 ,Y\'VE DRAWN ATT5TION FROM A FI5D 444 ! ?IRTY-SECOND DEVIL1 :O'S A BAD UN 444 & DONE SOME?+ ?AT HAS MADE ! BUILD]S HAVE A FALL+-\T4 ,ON TOP ( ?AT1 Y\'RE DEAD ONE M9UTE & ALIVE ! NEXT1 IF Y\'RE TO BE BELIEV$4 

0,N[1 AS REG>DS ?AT DEVIL1 :5 IT SAID IT WANT$ Y\ TO DO A FAVOR = IT 9 RETURN = GIV+ Y\ A RIDE1 DID IT SAY :AT ! FAVOR WIZ1 AT ALL80 

,! LITTLE BOY /OPP$ BEAM+ & TURN$ PALE 5\< TO /& \T 9 ! PRES5T COMPANY ( <O/S4 

0,HE SAID ,I'D GOT TO HELP HIM KILL SOMEBODY40 

,PHYLLIS ?\<T IT WAS A MEASURE ( H[ %AK5-UP ! ?\<T MADE ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 ?AT HE'D MANAG$ TO GET ?R\< A S5T5CE )\T G>BL+ ANY WORDS4 ,M9D Y\1 IT WAS A DREADFUL ?\<T1 ONE FRI<T5+ 5\< TO CURE A /UTT]4 ,BILL SAID 0FUCK+ HELL0 & ,PHYLLIS SLAPP$ HIM H>D ON HIS B>E L[] LEG :]E IT /UCK FROM UND] HIS %ORT TR\S]S1 BE=E ,MRS4 ,GIBBS DID4 ,) A WI!R+ SIDEWAYS GLANCE AT ,BILL1 ! DEA?MONG] TURN$ H] ATT5TION BACK TO ! SUDD5LY WORRI$-LOOK+ Y\NG] LAD4 

0,!N ?AT WAS V]Y WRONG ( IT1 MY DE>4 ,IF IT WANTS SOMEONE KILL$1 !N IT CAN DO IT BY ITSELF4 ,FROM :AT ,I HE> AB\T IT1 IT'S HAD MORE ?AN 5\< PRACTICE4 ,FRANKLY1 ,I'M SURPRIS$ IT WAS ALL[$ TO SNAT* Y\ UP & SAY SU* AWFUL ?+S TO Y\ 4440 

,! DEA?MONG] BROKE (F1 & COCK$ H] HEAD UPON ONE SIDE4 ,IT LOOK$ TO ,PHYLLIS AS ?\< ,MRS4 ,GIBBS HAD JU/ BE5 /RUCK BY ! FULL IMPLICATIONS ( ! WORDS ?AT %E HAD SAID1 :I* PROMPT$ ,PHYLLIS TO CONSID] !M H]SELF4 ,ALL[$3 ?AT WAS ! WORD ON :I* ! MATT] RE/$4 ,:Y HAD ALL ( !SE \TL&I% BREA*ES ( ! NORMAL REGULATIONS1 9 ! FIR/ PLACE1 BE5 ALL[$8 ,AS ,PHYLLIS HAD OBS]V$ :5 %E WAS HELP+ ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 UP 9TO ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA?1 NO?+ 9 ,MANS\L WAS BY ACCID5T1 NEI!R ! ISSUE ( !RE BE+ NO ONE !RE TO GREET ! *ILD1 NOR ,PHYLLIS HAPP5+ UPON ! SC5E :ILE %E WAS SKIPP+ HOMEW>D FROM A SCRUMP+ EXP$ITION4 ,PHYLLIS FELT ! S(T T\* ( A L>G] H& 9 !SE AFFAIRS1 SO ?AT ! MEMORY ( H] FLE% CRAWL$ BRIEFLY 9 RESPONSE4 ,FROM ,MRS4 ,GIBBS'S FACE1 IT LOOK$ AS ?\< ! DEA?MONG] W]E HAV+ MANY ( ! SAME CONSID]ATIONS4 ,F9ALLY1 %E SPOKE AGA94 

0,TO BE QUITE HONE/1 DE>1 ,I DON'T KN[ :AT TO MAKE ( Y\4 ,I HAVE A FEEL+ !RE'S A LOT MORE TO ALL ?IS ?AN MEETS ! EYE1 BUT IF ! BUILD]S >E 9VOLV$ !N IT'S TOO MU* = ME TO PUZZLE \T ALL ON MY [N40 

,AT ?IS PO9T ,H&SOME ,JOHN & ,REGGIE ,B[L] SAUNT]$ BACK ALONG ! JITTY1 BRU%+ (F !IR H&S AS !Y RE-JO9$ ! GANG1 HAV+ RESPONSIBLY DISPOS$ ( ! DREAM-BRAZI] SOME:]E 9 ! ALLEY'S DEP?S4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS NOT$ !IR RETURN ) A CURT NOD1 !N C>RI$ ON ) :AT %E HAD BE5 SAY+4 

0,AS ,I SAY1 MY DE>1 ,I'M \T MY DEP?4 ,:AT ,I SUGGE/ IS ?AT Y\ DON'T GO RUNN+ (F ALL BY Y\RSELF AGA91 OR :O KN[S :AT C\LD HAPP58 ,Y\ /ICK ) !SE OLD] *ILDR51 & ,I'M SURE !Y'LL SEE Y\ DON'T GET 9TO ANY MIS*IEF4 ,9 ! MEANTIME1 ,I 9T5D TO HAVE A WORD ) SOMEONE HI<] UP ?AN ME1 :O KN[S :AT'S GO+ ON4 ,I ?9K ,I'LL CALL ON ,MR4 ,DODDRIDGE1 & SEE :AT HE'S GOT TO SAY4 ,Y\ DO AS Y\'VE BE5 TOLD1 & KEEP SAFE ) !SE BOYS & GIRLS4 ,I'LL SEE Y\ LAT] ON1 :5 ,I'VE F\ND \T :AT'S :AT1 SO Y\ BE GOOD UNTIL ,I DO40 

,) ?AT1 ! DEA?MONG] TURN$ ON H] HEEL & GLID$ (F ALONG ! GREAT EMPORIUM1 HEAD+ EA/1 DAWNW>DS OV] ! /RIP ( FLAG/ONES BORD]+ ! ,ATTICS' MILE-WIDE SEA ( WOOD & W9D[S4 ,/&+ MUTELY 9 ! JITTY-M\? ! *ILDR5 WAT*$ H] GO1 A BIG BLACK PILL[ DW9DL+ TO A P9-CU%ION AS %E REC$$ 9TO ! >CADE'S F> REA*ES1 9TO YE/]DAY & \T ( SI<T4 

,SURPRIS$ BY ! ABRUPTNESS ( ! DEA?MONG]'S DEP>TURE1 ,PHYLLIS WASN'T SURE :AT %E %\LD ?9K4 ,ON ONE H&1 ,PHYLLIS UND]/OOD ?AT ,MRS4 ,GIBBS WAS SIMPLY GETT+ ON ) ?+S ?AT NE$$ DO+ 9 H] USUAL BRISK1 EFFICI5T WAY1 BUT ON ! O!R H& %E C\LDN'T HELP BUT FEEL A BIT AB&ON$4 ,O!R ?AN KEEP ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 \T ( TR\BLE1 :AT W]E H] & ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG GO+ TO DO ) HIM8 ,FROM :AT ! DEA?MONG] HAD SAID1 IT S\ND$ LIKE ?IS MOPPET 9 A DRESS+ G[N WAS TURN+ \T TO BE A MU* ?ORNI] PROBLEM ?AN HE'D FIR/ APPE>$4 ,IF ,MRS4 ,GIBBS1 :O'D JU/ />$ D[N ! WOR/ ?AT ,HELL HAD GOT TO ?R[ AT H] )\T SO MU* AS BL9K+1 IF %E'D SAID ?AT ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 WAS TOO BIG A QU&>Y = H] ALONE1 !N H[ W]E ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] & H] GANG EXPECT$ TO LOOK AFT] HIM8 ,%E FIDDL$ AGITAT$LY ) ONE FRAY$ 5D ( ! TWO-/R&$ SISAL :]E H] RABBIT PELTS W]E HUNG1 DELIB]AT+ OV] IT4 

,AFT] A MOM5T'S ?\<T1 ?\<1 ,PHYLLIS SAW MORE S5SE 9 :AT ! DEA?MONG] HAD DONE BY MAK+ ! BOY ,PHYLLIS'S RESPONSIBILITY4 ,!RE WAS ?AT FEEL+ ( A HI<] H& 9 ALL ( ?IS1 & ,PHYLLIS KNEW ?AT ,MRS4 ,GIBBS HAD FELT IT TOO4 ,9 ,MANS\L1 NO?+ WAS BY ACCID5T1 & GIV5 ?AT %E'D BE5 ! FIR/ TO GREET ! *ILD ON HIS >RIVAL1 ?IS MEANT %E WAS ALREADY 9VOLV$ 9 ! UNFOLD+ ( EV5TS4 ,?IS CL+Y1 HELPLESS LITTLE LAD WAS EVID5TLY MEANT TO BE ) ,PHYLLIS1 NOT BECAUSE HE'D ?YIT HIM!LF & NOT JU/ BECAUSE ,MRS4 ,GIBBS HAD SAID SO4 ,?IS WAS MORE LIKE SOME?+ DESIGNAT$ HI<] UP1 BY MANAGEM5T1 & ,PHYLLIS KNEW ?AT H] & H] F\R CRONIES W\LD JU/ HAVE TO MAKE ! BE/ ( IT4 ,LOOK$ AT 9 ONE WAY IT WAS QUITE AN HONOR1 & %E !RE & !N RESOLV$ ?AT ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG W\LD PROVE WOR?Y ( ! TASK ?AT !Y'D BE5 SET4 ,%E W\LDN'T HAVE IT SAID >\ND ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? H[ !Y W]5'T UP TO IT1 H[ !Y'D TURN$ \T TO BE NO BETT] ?AN ! LITTLE HOOLIGANS ?AT EV]YONE ALREADY ?\<T !Y W]E4 ,BETWE5 !M1 !Y'D PULL (F ?IS BABYSITT+ JOB A TREAT1 & !Y'D %[ EV]YBODY4 ,ALL !IR V>I$ TAL5TS W\LD BE BR\<T TO BE> UPON ! MATT]1 & ?OSE W]E CONSID]ABLE4 

,! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG C\LD BE :ATEV] !Y DESIR$ 9 ! GREAT LIB]TY ?AT WAIT$ BEYOND LIFE & SUB/ANCE4 ,!Y C\LD SCURRY 9 ! BU%ES & ! ALLEYS ( ,ET]NITY & BE ! SC\RGE ( <O/S & DEVILS1 OR !Y C\LD BE VALIANT MYRMIDONS1 OR /EAL?Y SAVAGES1 OR MA/] CRIM9ALS4 ,9 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5'S CASE1 ) ALL ! MY/]IES SURR\ND+ HIM1 %E ?\<T ?AT !Y C\LD BE SECRET DETECTIVE SPIES AS EASILY4 ,!Y'D F9D \T :O HE WAS1 & F9D \T :AT ?IS BO!R WAS AB\T1 & 444 WELL1 !Y'D MAKE SURE EV]Y?+ TURN$ \T ALL RI<T BY SOME MEANS ,PHYLLIS HADN'T HAD A *ANCE TO ?9K ( YET4 ,%E KNEW ?AT ?IS WAS GO+ SEV]AL /EPS PA/ ! /RICT \TL9E ( ! BABYSITT] ROLE ?AT ,MRS4 ,GIBBS HAD HAD 9 M9D = H]1 BUT FELT ?AT %E WAS ACT+ 9 ACCORDANCE ) ! SPIRIT ( ! DEA?MONG]'S 9/RUCTIONS1 RA!R ?AN ! LETT] ( !M4 ,IF ! P[]S ?AT BE HADN'T 9T5D$ ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 TO GET MIX$ UP ) A CR[D ( SCRUFFY KIDS1 !N ,PHYLLIS W\LDN'T HAVE BE5 SKIPP+ BACK ACROSS ! ,ATTICS :5 HE'D CRAWL$ UP ?R\< ! AFT]LIFE TRAPDOOR4 ,?AT SO UNLIKELY AN EV5T HAD HAPP5$ WAS AS GOOD AS SAY+ ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] HAD BE5 PLAC$ 9 *>GE ( ! PAJAMA-CLAD BOY & ! GR& ADV5TURE ?AT APP>5TLY SURR\ND$ HIM4 ,! P>T+ COMM5TS ,MRS4 ,GIBBS HAD MADE ONLY CONFIRM$ IT4 ,PHYLLIS WAS /ILL BOSS ( ! ,BEYOND1 & KNEW ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG W]E ALL DEP5D+ ON H] TO COME UP ) SOME SORT ( A PLAN1 AS %E'D BE CALL$ UPON TO DO 9 ALL !IR O!R DEAD1 DEAD GAMES4 

,BY N[ ! FIGURE ( ! DEA?MONG] WAS LO/ FROM VIEW 9 ! WET SALMON LI<T ?AT BA!D ! DAWN-5D ( ! EV]LA/+ CORRIDOR4 ,PHYLLIS TURN$ R\ND TO LOOK AT ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 WOND]+ NOT = ! FIR/ TIME :O %E'D BE5 REM9D$ ( :5 %E'D FIR/ SE5 HIM & HE'D SEEM$ SO TANTALIZ+LY FAMILI>4 ,%E'D ?\<T AT FIR/ ?AT !RE MI<T BE A FA9T RESEMBLANCE TO ,H&SOME ,JOHN DESPITE ! FIVE-YE> DIFF]5CE ?AT !RE WAS 9 !IR APP>5T AGES1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 BE+ AN APP>5T SEV5 & ,JOHN BE+ AN APP>5T TWELVE1 BUT LOOK+ AT !M N[ %E C\LDN'T REALLY SEE IT4 ,! BLOND TODDL] LACK$ ! SCULPT$ & H]OIC GAUNTNESS ?AT !RE WAS AB\T ,JOHN'S FACE1 & DIDN'T HAVE ! DEEP-SET EYES ) %AD[ R\ND !M 9 A SAD1 ROMANTIC SOOT LIKE ,JOHN DID4 ,NO1 %E WAS CONV9C$ ?AT %E RECALL$ ! LITTLE BOY FROM SOME:]E ELSE1 BUT C\LDN'T = ! DEA? ( H] ?9K :]E4 ,POSSIBLY IT W\LD COME TO H]1 BUT = ! MOM5T %E HAD MORE IMPORTANT MATT]S TO ATT5D TO4 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 WAS N[ LOOK+ BACK AT ,PHYLLIS1 />+ UP AT H] =LORNLY 9 HIS DEMON-DI/RESS$ DRESS+ G[N ) ITS DROOL-BLEMI%$ COLL>4 ,%E RETURN$ HIS GAZE ) A NO-NONS5SE LOOK1 !N S(T5$4 

0,WELL8 ,H[ >E Y] DIDDL+8 ,I'LL BET ?AT PUT ! W9D UP Y]1 ?AT DEVIL C>RY+ Y] ORF LIKE ?AT40 

,! 9FANT NODD$1 GRAVELY4 

0,YES4 ,HE WIZZN'T V]Y NICE1 AL?\< HE WANT$ ME TO ?9K HE WIZ4 ,?ANK Y\ = COM+ BACK TO F9D ME & RESCAPE ME40 

,PHYLLIS SNIFF$ & DUCK$ H] HEAD ONCE1 MODE/LY1 DISMISSIVELY4 ,H] ROTT5 RABBITS RATTL$ ) ! MOVEM5T4 ,%E WAS PLEAS$ TO NOTE ?AT ,MI*AEL'S CAPABILITIES ) LANGUAGE W]E ONCE MORE PROGRESS+ /EADILY AFT] ! RELAPSE HIS 5C\NT] ) ! DEMON HAD BR\<T ON4 ,P]HAPS HE'D F9D HIS ,LUCY-LIPS YET1 AFT] ALL4 

0,Y] WELCOME4 ,N[1 :AT >E WE GO+ TO DO ) Y]8 ,:AT DO Y] SAY WE TAKE Y] TO AYR 'IDE\T UNTIL WE CAN ALL DECIDE ON :AT COMES NEXT80 

,! *ILD GAVE A DELI<T$ BEAM4 

0,WIZZLE ?AT MEAN ,I'M 9 Y\R GANG80 

,OH1 N[ HE WANT$ TO BE MADE A MEMB]1 DID HE8 ,WELL1 HE'D *ANG$ HIS TUNE S9CE E>LI]1 !N4 ,DESPITE ! FACT ?AT ,PHYLLIS WAS AT LA/ BEG9N+ TO DEVELOP A DEGREE ( SYMPA?Y = H] PAJAMA-SPORT+ /RAY1 %E HAD TO TAKE A FIRM L9E ) HIM4 ,%E WAS LEAD]1 & IF ,PHYLLIS W]E TO B5D ! RULES = EV]YBODY ?AT %E'D FELT A PANG ( PITY =1 :]E W\LD !Y BE8 ,%E PULL$ A S]I\S FACE & %OOK H] /RAWB]RY BLOND FR+E DECISIVELY1 ?\< NOT UNK9DLY4 

0,NO4 ,I'M SORRY1 BUT Y] CAN'T JO9 N[4 ,NOT ) :AT Y] JU/ SAID AB\T '[ Y]'LL BE BACK TO LIFE AGA9 BY ,FRIDAY4 ,9 ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG WE'VE GOT 9ITIATION C]EMONIES & ALL ?+S LIKE ?AT4 ,!RE'S TE/S :AT Y] JU/ W\LDN'T PASS40 

,HURT & A BIT 9DIGNANT1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 LOOK$ AS ?\< HE ?\<T ?AT ,PHYLLIS WAS JU/ BE+ NA/Y4 

0,H[L DO Y\ KN[8 ,I MI<T BE ! BE/E/ 9 ! TE/4 ,I MI<TY BE A *AMP]NAUT40 

,AT ?IS PO9T1 MU* TO ,PHYLLIS'S SURPRISE1 ,H&SOME ,JOHN 9T]V5$ ON H] BEHALF1 PLAC+ A *UMMY & CONSOL+ H& UPON ! 9FANT'S T>TAN %\LD]1 :I* WAS FLECK$ BY FI5D-FOAM4 

0,COME ON1 KID4 ,DON'T TAKE IT P]SONAL4 ,%E'S ONLY TELL+ Y\ ! WAY ?+S >E UP H]E4 ,TO BE 9 ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG1 9 ! RULES IT SAYS Y\'VE GOT TO BE CREMAT$ OR ELSE BURI$4 ,V]Y NE>LY BO? 9 MY CASE AS IT TURN$ \T1 BUT ! PO9T IS1 IF Y\'RE GO+ TO BE ALIVE AGA9 ON ,FRIDAY1 !N Y\'RE NEI!R4 ,H]E1 ,I'LL TELL Y\ :AT1 WE'LL LET Y\ BE AN HONOR>Y MEMB] = ! TIME Y\'RE UP H]E1 LIKE A SORT ( MASCOT OR A REGIM5TAL GOAT4 ,!N1 IF ONE DAY Y\ MANAGE TO DIE PROP]LY1 WE'LL TAKE Y\ ON FULL TIME4 ,H['S ?AT80 

,! TODDL] TILT$ BACK HIS HEAD TO SCRUT9IZE ,JOHN C>EFULLY & SEEM$ P>TIALLY MOLLIFI$1 PREP>$ TO TRU/ ! /]L+ LOOK ,JOHN HAD AB\T HIM & HIS REASONABLE TONE ( VOICE4 ,ONLY A FA9T TRACE ( UNC]TA9TY REMA9$1 MO/ PROBABLY BECAUSE ! NEW BOY DIDN'T KN[ :O ,JOHN WAS & HAD NOT BE5 9TRODUC$ TO HIM4 ,PHYLLIS DECID$ TO TAKE C>E ( ?IS LA/ OV]SI<T4 

0,I WIZ =GETT+ ?AT Y] DON'T KN[ ANYBODY 9 ! GANG4 ,?IS ']E IS ,JOHN1 & OV] !RE ?AT'S ,REGGIE1 9 ! 'AT4 ,REGGIE'S BE5 9 ! GANG LONG] ?AN ANYBODY1 AYTSIDE ME & AYR ,BILL1 BECAUSE 'E'S BE5 COLD ! LONGE/4 ,?IS IS ,M>JORIE1 :O DRAYN$ DAYN ,PADDY'S ,MEAD[1 & ?IS IS AYR ,BILL4 ,WE'RE ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG1 SO WE PLAY AYT AFT] D>K & AFT] DEA?1 & WON'T GOO 'OME UNTIL WE'RE CALL$4 ,N[1 %\LD Y\ LIKE TO SEE AYR D58 ,IT'S ONLY DAYN ! JITTY ']E & UP ,SPR+ ,LANE A BIT40 

,)\T AGREE+ VOCALLY TO ANY?+ ?AT HAD JU/ BE5 PROPOS$ ! LITTLE BOY FELL 9TO /EP ) ! LOOSE GAGGLE ( DEAD *ILDR5 AS !Y />T$ TO ME&] D[N ! ALLEYWAY & LEFT ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? BEH9D !M4 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 TROTT$ DUTIFULLY ALONG OV] ! DAMP1 FOG-COLOR$ COBBLES1 9 BETWE5 ,PHYLLIS H]SELF & ,H&SOME ,JOHN4 ,! KID W\LD FIR/ PE] UP AT ONE ( !M & !N ! O!R1 FR[N+ SLI<TLY & /ILL ) A LOT ( QUE/IONS CLE>LY ON HIS M9D4 

0,:Y DID Y\ SCRAWL Y\RSELVES ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG8 ,IT'S FUNNY :5 Y\ SAY IT TWICE LIKE ?AT40 

,JOHN *UCKL$1 ) A LOVELY TOA/Y S\ND ?AT ,PHYLLIS W\LD HAVE ATE = BREAKFA/ IF %E C\LD4 

0,WELL1 :5 WE WIZ ALIVE WE WIZ 9 DIFF]5T GANGS4 ,ME & MY BRO!RS US$ TO HANG \T 9 ! ,GRE5 ,GANG1 ,PHYLLIS H]E WIZZLE BE 9 ! ,COMPTON ,/REET ,GIRLS1 :ILE OLD ,REGGIE WIZ A MEMB] ( ! ,GAS ,/REET ,MOB & !N ! ,BOR\<S ,BOYS4 ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE1 ,I ?9K1 WIZ 9 A SECRET CLUB FROM ,BELLB>N4 ,JU/ AB\T ! ONLY ONE ( US :O DIDN'T GR[ UP 9 ! ,BOR\<S WAS ,PHYLL'S LITTLE ,BILL1 & HE WAS 9 A BUN* ( KIDS UP 444 ,K+/HORPE1 WAS IT1 ,PHYLL80 

,CA/+ AN EYE TO :]E ,BILL WALK$ AHEAD ( !M ALONG ! JITTY'S GLOOMY URBAN CRACK ) ,M>JORIE & ,REGGIE ,B[L]1 ,PHYLLIS PIP$ UP BRIEFLY 9 CORRECTION4 

0,K+SLEY4 ',E WIZ 9 ! ,K+SLEY ,LADS40 

0,K+SLEY1 ?AT'S RI<T4 ,SO1 ANYWAY1 RA!R ?AN >GUE OV] :OSE OLD CR[D WE'D TAKE \R NAME FROM1 ,REGGIE SAID WE \<T TO CALL \RSELVES ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG4 ,FROM :AT ,I CAN REMEMB]1 IT WIZ FROM A DREAM HE'D HAD :ILE HE WAS /ILL ALIVE4 ,HE'D DREAM$ HE WIZ 9 S*OOL1 HAV+ HIS LESSONS1 & ! TEA*] HELD A BOOK UP :AT HE SAID ?AT !Y WIZ GO+ TO READ FROM4 ,IT HAD GOT A GRE5 CLO? COV] ) A L9E DRAW+ EMBOSS$ 9 GOLD :AT %[$ A LOAD ( KIDS1 & ONE ( !M HAD GOT A B[L] HAT ON & AN OV]COAT D[N TO HIS ANKLES LIKE :AT ,REGGIE WORE4 ,! BOOK WAS CALL$ ,! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG4 ,REGGIE SUGGE/$ ?AT WAS :AT WE CALL$ \RSELVES1 & WE ALL ?\<T IT S\ND$ SNAPPY SO WE W5T ALONG ) HIM40 

,W&]+ D[N ! N>R[ ALLEY ) BRICK WALLS ON ONE SIDE1 BACK GATES ON ! O!R & A MEMORY ( LEAD5 SKY ABOVE1 ,JOHN GR9N$ AT ,MI*AEL4 

0,AS = :AT IT MEANS1 ,I C\LDN'T TELL Y\4 ,ALL ?AT ,I C\LD ?9K ( WAS1 SOME PEOPLE >E DEAD LUCKY & SOME PEOPLE >E DEAD CLEV]1 BUT NOT US LOT4 ,WE'RE DEAD DEAD40 

,A LITTLE FUR!R D[N ! ALLEYWAY1 Y\NG ,BILL HAD EVID5TLY MADE SOME SM>T REM>K ?AT HAD UPSET ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE4 ,A PU%+ MAT* HAD !N 5SU$1 & ,PHYLLIS WAS AL>M$ TO NOTE ?AT ,M>JORIE1 :O'D SET H] M\? 9 A DET]M9$ L9E1 HAD TAK5 (F H] SPECTACLES & H&$ !M TO ,REGGIE ,B[L] = SAFEKEEP+4 ,?IS WAS NEV] A GOOD SIGN ) ,M>JORIE1 & ,PHYLLIS ?\<T SOMEONE HAD BETT] 9T]V5E BE=E AFFAIRS GOT \T ( H&4 

0,JOHN1 GO & SEE TO !M4 ,TELL ,M>JORIE TO PUT '] SPECS BACK ON & TELL AYR ,BILL ?AT IF HE DUN'T BEHAVE ,I'LL SMACK HIS ASS SO '>D 'E'LL 5D UP 9 ANO!R CEMET]Y40 

,JOHN SMIL$ & NODD$1 AMBL+ AHEAD ( ,PHYLLIS & ! TODDL] ON HIS LONG LEGS ) ! GRAY SOCKS PULL$ UP SM>TLY4 ,REA*+ ,BILL & ,M>JORIE HE DRAP$ A FRI5DLY >M >\ND EA* ( !IR %\LD]S1 WALK+ 9 BETWE5 !M SO ?AT NEI!R ONE C\LD TAKE A WILD SW+ AT ! O!R1 /E]+ !M ALONG ! COBBL$ JITTY AS HE /E]$ !IR CONV]SATION 9TO CALM] WAT]S4 ,H&SOME ,JOHN C\LD ALWAYS BE RELI$ UPON TO SORT ?+S \T SO ?AT NOBODY WAS LEFT FEEL+ 9 ! WRONG1 ,PHYLLIS OBS]V$ ) A FA9T GL[ ( SECONDH& PRIDE1 JU/ FROM BE+ 9 ! SAME GANG AS :AT HE WAS4 ,HE WAS SU* A NATURAL PEACEMAK] ?AT ,PHYLLIS F\ND %E C\LDN'T PICTURE HIM AT W>1 = ALL %E KNEW H[ FE>LESS HE C\LD BE4 

,WALK+ BESIDE H]1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 PO9T$ SUDD5LY T[>DS ! RECESS$ 5TRANCE ( A /AIRCASE1 D>K BEH9D AN IRON GATE SET 9 ! ALLEY WALL UPON !IR RI<T4 

0,?AT'S :]E ,I ?\<T Y\'D GONE TO :5 ,I LO/ Y\1 UP !M /AIRS4 ,! /EPS WIZ D>K & !RE WIZ CRUN*Y ?+S ON !M ,I ?\<T WIZ E>WIGS1 BUT !Y TURN$ \T TO BE WRAPP]S (F ( ,TUNES4 ,!RE WAS A HORRIDOR UP AT ! TOP ?AT HAD A RADIGATOR :AT PLAY$ ',TW9KLE1 ,TW9KLE1 ,LITTLE ,/>'1 !N AFT] ?AT ! DEVIL CAU<T ME40 

,PHYLLIS NODD$ AS !Y PASS$ ! GAT$ ALCOVE4 ,AS ! LEAD] ( ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG %E KNEW ALL ( ! SECRET PASSAGES & ! H]EAFT] %ORTCUTS4 

0,YES4 ,IT LEADS UP 9TO SOMEONE'S DREAM ( ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL1 IF ,I REMEMB] RI<T4 ,SPR+ ,LANE'S A LOVELY S*OOL IF Y] /ILL D[N 9 ! ,TW5TY-FIVE ,?\S& ,NI<TS1 BUT IF Y] F9D Y]SELF !RE 9 Y] DREAMS IT'S A BIT FRI<T5+1 & FRI<T5+ ?+S CAN 'APP54 ,SPECIALLY AT NI<T1 BUT EV5 9 ! DAY IT'S NEV] V]Y BRI<T 9SIDE4 ,I'M NOT SURPRIS$ ?AT BOGEY F\ND Y\ !RE40 

,!Y W]E JU/ SCUFFL+ PA/ ! BEAUTIFUL IMAG9>Y GAS-LAMP /&>D ?AT 9 ,PHYLLIS'S OP9ION WAS ! NICE/ ?+ AB\T ! JITTY4 ,:AT1 D[N 9 ! SOLID WORLD1 WAS ONLY A PLA9 CYL9D] & /EM HAD BE5 TRANS=M$1 UP H]E1 TO SCULPT$ BRONZE4 ,AN ORI5TAL-LOOK+ DRAGON ?AT HAD T>NI%$ TO A PALE SEA-GRE5 ) GL9T+ GOLD5 FLECKS ( METAL %[+ ?R\< FROM UND]NEA? W\ND D[N ! TALL PO/ TO COIL SLEEPILY 9 L[ RELIEF AB\T ! BASE1 :]E A NO/ALGIA = GRASS ?RU/ UP 9 TUFTS \T ( ! SUMM] GRIT & PUDDLE GRAVY4 ,UP ATOP ! S]P5T-CIRCL$ %AFT1 ! LAMP ITSELF HAD /A9$-GLASS PANES 9 ITS F\R TAP]+ W9D[S4 ,( !SE ONLY ?REE W]E VISIBLE1 ! PANEL AT ! RE> BE+ CONT9UALLY \T ( SI<T1 & S9CE ! LAMP WAS NOT ALI<T AT PRES5T EV5 !SE ?REE W]5'T ?AT EASY TO MAKE \T4 

,! LEFTMO/ ONE1 AS LOOK$ AT FROM ! FRONT1 WAS DECORAT$ BY ! PORTRAIT ( AN EI<TE5?-C5TURY G5TLEMAN :O HAD A BLUNT & ?UGGI% FACE YET WORE A PA/OR'S WIG & ROBES & COLL>4 ,OV] ON ! RI<T-SIDE PANE WAS ! TRANSLUC5T IMAGE ( A COLOR$ *AP ) :ITE HAIR1 SAT A/RIDE A BICYCLE CONTRAPTION ?AT HAD ROPE1 NOT RUBB]1 FA/5$ R\ND ITS :EEL-RIMS4 ,PHYLLIS KNEW ?AT ?IS WAS MEANT TO BE ,BLACK ,*>LEY1 :O HAD LIV$ 9 ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET :ILE HE WAS ALIVE & :O Y\ SOMETIMES SAW /ILL1 P$AL+ >\ND ,UP/AIRS4 ,! C5TRAL PANE BETWE5 !SE TWO WAS )\T COLOR & HAD ONLY BLACK LEAD L9ES ON ITS CLE> GLASS4 ,IT %[$ A POORLY-R5D]$ SYMBOL RA!R ?AN A PROP] PICTURE3 ! LOOSE RIBBON ( A ROAD OR PA?WAY & ABOVE IT A CRUDE BALANCE1 LITTLE MORE ?AN TWO TRIANGLES JO9$ BY TWO /RAI<T L9ES4 ,?IS1 ,PHYLLIS KNEW1 WAS ! T[N CRE/ ( ,MANS\L & Y\ SAW IT EV]Y:]E1 AL?\< %E WASN'T SURE :AT IT WAS MEANT TO REPRES5T4 

,BESIDE H]1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 WASN'T TAK+ ANY NOTICE ( H] FAVORITE LAMPPO/1 BUT FROM HIS EXPRESSION WAS 5GAG$ 9 BREW+ UP ANO!R SILLY QUE/ION4 

0,:AT'S ?AT :AT Y\ SAID1 ,TW5TY-FIVE ,?\S& ,NI<TS8 ,IT S\NDS LIKE /ORIES AB\T SKY+ C>PETS OR A TURBAN G5IE-BOTTLE40 

,PHYLLIS LOOK$ AT ! DI%WAT] SKY ABOVE ! ALLEYWAY & PU%$ H] LIPS \T :ILE %E ?\<T AB\T IT = A MOM5T4 

0,WELL1 ,I S'POSE IT WIZ A LOT ( /ORIES ABAYT WONDR\S ?+S ?AT 'APP5$ ONCE & !N NEV] AGA91 BUT IT'S AYR /ORIES ?AT FOLK MEAN :5 !Y SAY ?AT1 ,TW5TY-FIVE ,?\S& ,NI<TS4 ,IT'S JU/ ! NUMB] ( NI<TS1 R\<LY SPEAK+1 ?AT MO/ PEOPLE GET1 SEV5TY YE>S OR SO4 ,( C\RSE1 !RE'S SOME GET MORE1 & !N !RE'S SOME 444 ESPECIALLY RAYND ']E 444 :O GOT A GOOD SI<T LESS4 ,POOR ,REGGIE ,B[L] FROZE TO DEA? :5 'E WIZ SLEEP+ R\< ON ! OLD BURIAL GR\ND BY ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*1 ?AT WIZ SOME WAY BACK 9 ! EI<TE5-SIXTIES OR ! SEV5TIES1 & 'E WIZ NO MORE ?AN ?IRTE54 ,F\R ?\S& NI<TS1 GIVE OR TAKE A FEW 'UNDR$4 ,OR !RE'S ,M>JORIE1 :O W5T 9TO ! RIV] DAYN AT ,PADDY'S ,MEAD[ :5 %E WIZ N9E1 TRY+ TO GET '] DOG AYT1 SILLY LITTLE SOD4 ',E GOT AYT RI<T AS RA91 BUT ,M>JORIE DIDN'T4 ,%E WA%$ UP :]E IT GETS %ALL[ UND] ,SP5C] ,BRIDGE4 ,!Y DIDN'T F9D '] TILL NEXT DAY4 ,?REE ?\S& NI<TS OR !REAB\TS1 ?AT'S ALL %E 'AD4 ,:5 !Y SAY TW5TY-FIVE1 ?AT'S JU/ ! AV]AGE40 

,! LITTLE BOY APPE>$ TO ?9K AB\T ?IS = A :ILE1 P]HAPS ATTEMPT+ TO WORK \T H[ MANY NI<TS HE'D P]SONALLY HAD4 ,AS ,PHYLLIS CALCULAT$ IT1 IT WAS A BIT MORE ?AN A S+LE ?\S&1 :I* WAS 9 ITSELF NO REASON HE %\LD FEEL H>D DONE BY4 ,!RE W]E ?OSE :O'D DI$ :5 !Y W]E T9Y BABIES & HAD ONLY A FEW DOZ5 OR FEW HUNDR$ DAYS 444 &1 UNLIKE ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 !Y W\LD NOT BE COM+ BACK TO LIFE AGA9 TO NOT* UP :O KNEW H[ MANY MORE ?\S& NI<TS BE=E !Y F9ALLY & P]MAN5TLY PASS$ AWAY4 ,HE DIDN'T KN[ JU/ H[ WELL (F HE WAS4 ,! <O/-KIDS !SE DAYS1 ,PHYLLIS ?\<T NOT = ! FIR/ TIME1 !Y DON'T KN[ !Y'RE DI$4 

,OV] AGA9/ ! JITTY'S LEFT-H& WALL AHEAD ( H] & ,MI*AEL1 ,PHYLLIS NOTIC$ ,MRS4 ,GIBBS'S BRAZI]1 ?AT %E'D GOT ,JOHN & ,REGGIE TO DISPOSE (4 ,IT WAS ALREADY BEG9N+ TO BREAK D[N 9TO ! DREAM-MUL* ?AT COLLECT$ AT ! CURBS & CORN]S ( ,MANS\L1 />T+ TO LOSE ITS =M & FUNCTION AS ! RU/+ FIRE-BASKET CURL$ BACK 9 CORROD$ PETALS FROM ! SP5T COALS RE/+ AT ! BLACK5$ C5T]4 ,ITS ?REE TRIPOD LEGS W]E BUCKL+ TOGE!R1 FUS+ TO A S+LE /ALK SO ?AT ! :OLE ?+ LOOK$ LIKE IT WAS TURN+ TO A METAL SUNFL[]1 *>R$ FROM HAV+ GR[N TOO NE> ! SUN4 ,IT DIDN'T PAY TO SIT /ILL = TOO LONG H]E 9 ! ,SECOND ,BOR\<1 :]E ?+S SLID & %IFT$ & Y\ NEV] KNEW :AT Y\'D 5D UP AS4 

,/UMBL+ ALONG BESIDE H]1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 GAVE H] :AT WAS PROBABLY AS CLOSE AS HE C\LD GET TO AN APPRAIS+ LOOK4 

0,H[ OLD WIZ Y\1 !N1 BEF\R YEW WIZ DREAD8 ,DID Y\ GET MANY NI<TS80 

,PHYLLIS GAVE HIM A LOOK ?AT C\LD HAVE FRI$ AN EGG4 

0,DON'T BE SO *EEKY4 ,Y] %\LD NEV] ASK A LADY :5 IT WIZ %E DI$4 ,OLD AS ME TONGUE & A BIT OLD] ?AN ME TEE?1 ,I WIZ1 & ?AT'S AS MU* AS Y]'LL GET AYT ( ME40 

,! *ILD LOOK$ MORTIFI$ & SLI<TLY SC>$4 ,PHYLLIS DECID$ ?AT %E'D LET HIM (F ! HOOK4 

0,N[1 IF Y]'D ASK$ :5 ,I WIZ BORN1 ?AT'D BE DIFF]5T4 ,I WIZ BORN 9 #a#i#b40 

,OBVI\SLY RELIEV$ TO F9D HE HADN'T IRRECOV]ABLY OV]/EPP$ ! M>K1 ! LITTLE BOY MOV$ ONTO SAF] GR\ND AS HE RESUM$ HIS QUE/ION+4 

0,WIZ ?AT R\ND H]E1 D[N 9 ! ,BOR\<S80 

,PHYLLIS GAVE A LITTLE HUM ( AFFIRMATION4 

0,I WIZ BORN 9 ,SPR+ ,LANE1 UP ! TOP4 ,:5 ,I WIZ LATE = S*OOL ,I C\LD CLIMB OV] AYR BACK WALL 9TO ! PLAYGR\ND4 ,DAYN AYR CELL>1 Y] C\LD PULL A BO>D AWAY & LOOK DAYN 9 ! D>K UPON ! SPR+ ITSELF1 :AT ,SPR+ ,LANE WIZ NAM$ AFT]4 ,!RE WIZ NEV] ANY MONEY1 BUT MY *ILDHOOD UP !RE WIZ ! HAPPIE/ TIME ,I EV] 'AD4 ,?AT'S :Y ,I'M LIKE ,I AM N[4 ,?IS IS ME '[ ,I REMEMB] ME :5 ,I WIZ AT ME BE/40 

,AHEAD ( !M1 ! O!R F\R HAD REA*$ ! ALLEYWAY'S F> 5D1 :]E IT EM]G$ 9TO ,SPR+ ,LANE4 ,H] ,BILL & ,REGGIE ,B[L] W]E ALREADY \T ( SI<T1 HAV+ APP>5TLY TURN$ RI<T & />T$ TRUDG+ UP ! HILL1 BUT ,H&SOME ,JOHN & ,M>JORIE W]E HANG+ BACK TO MAKE SURE ,PHYLLIS & H] SMALL COMPANION KNEW :]E !Y W]E GO+4 ,JOHN WAV$ TO H] FROM ! JITTY'S M\? & PO9T$ UP ,SPR+ ,LANE TO 9DICATE ?AT WAS :]E HIM & ,M>JORIE W]E HEAD+ NEXT & ,PHYLLIS GR9N$1 RAIS+ ONE ?9 >M 9 REPLY4 ,! 9FANT %UFFL+ BESIDE H] 9 HIS SLIPP]S WAS /ILL SEEM+LY PREOCCUPI$ BY H] LA/ /ATEM5T1 AB\T H[ %E LOOK$ N[ BE+ :AT %E ?\<T ( AS H] BE/4 

0,WELL1 IF ?IS WIZ Y\R BE/1 :Y WIZ !M NIFFY RAGGIT-?9S ALL R\ND Y\R NECK80 

,IF %E'D HAVE WANT$1 ,PHYLLIS C\LD HAVE TOOK (F5SE AT HAV+ ! RANK ODOR ( H] G>L& RAIS$ 9 CONV]SATION1 :5 TO H] IT WAS A SMELL %E H>DLY NOTIC$ ANYMORE4 ,H[EV]1 %E WAS />T+ TO F9D ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 AT LEA/ TOL]ABLE COMPANY & DIDN'T WANT TO BU/ ?+S UP :5 !Y W]E GO+ WELL4 ,%E KEPT ! FA9T AFFRONT \T ( H] VOICE AS %E REPLI$ TO HIM4 

0,!RE'S LOTS ( REASONS4 ,RABBITS >E ! 'OLY MAGIC ANIMAL RAYND ']E1 ALONG ) PIGEONS4 ,!RE >E SOME :O SAY ?AT'S :Y !Y CALL ?IS PLACE ! ,BOR\<S1 ?AT IT %\LD BE ',BURR[S' 'CAUSE ( '[ ! /REETS >E TANGL$ 9 A MAZE & '[ FOLK DAYN !RE BRE$ LIKE RABBITS4 ,?AT'S NOT REALLY :Y IT'S CALL$ ! ,BOR\<S1 NATURALLY1 BUT IT JU/ %[S Y] '[ SOME PEOPLE ?9K4 ,ONE ( ! REASONS :Y ,I WE> !M IS BECAUSE1 UP ']E1 ! RABBIT /&S = GIRLS JU/ LIKE ! PIGEON /&S = BOYS4 ,AB+TON ,/REET UP T[N WIZ :AT !Y US$ TO CALL ! ,BUNNY ,RUN BECAUSE ( ALL ! FACTORY GIRLS W5T UP & DAYN IT & Y]'D HAVE ! *APS /OOD AT ! $GES1 :I/L+ & W9K+4 ,I WIZ TOLD ?AT ,BUNNY WIZ AN OLD ,BOR\<S EXPRESSION = A GIRL1 BY REASON ( ANO!R NAME = RABBIT BE+ CONY1 :AT WIZ ALSO CALL$ A CUNNY1 & 444 WELL1 IT 9VOLVES BAD LANGUAGE :AT ,I %\LDN'T SAY1 SO Y]'LL JU/ 'AVE TO TAKE MY WORD = IT4 ,& !N1 ( C\RSE1 !Y SAY ?AT ,*9AM5 CAN SEE A LADY 9 ! MOON :]E WE CAN SEE A MAN1 & ?AT %E'S GOT A RABBIT ) ']1 SO !RE'S ONE MORE REASON RABBITS >E TO DO ) GIRLS4 

0,AS = ! ,BOR\<S1 RABBITS SUM IT UP1 ! LIFE D[N ']E4 ,!RE WIZ SO MANY ( !M ON ! WA/EL&S & ! BITS ( MEAD[ :AT WE 'AD AB\T1 WE ?\<T ( 'EM AS V]M91 JU/ LIKE ALL ! PEOPLE AS LIV$ AT ! BETT] 5D ( T[N W\LD ?9K ( US3 ALL 'OPP+ RAYND BETWE5 ! WE$S & LOOK+ = A SCRAP TO EAT1 ALL 9 AYR GRAY & BR[N & BLACK & :ITE1 ALL 'AV+ LOTS ( *ILDR5 BECAUSE WE KNEW NATURE W\LD TAKE SOME ( !M AWAY4 ,WE ?\<T ( !M AS V]M91 RABBITS1 OR WE ?\<T ( !M AS SUPP]1 & AYR DAD W\LD GO AYT 'UNT+ !M1 !N BR+ 'EM 'OME & SK9 'EM BY ! FIRE4 ,WE'D EAT ! MEAT & 'ANG ! SK9S UP ON A /R+1 & :5 WE'D GOT 5\<1 AYR MAM W\LD S5D ME UP ! RAG-&-BONE Y>D :]E ! MAN W\LD GIVE ME A FEW COPP]S = !M4 ,!Y'D BE 9 A GREAT LONG NECKLACE1 JU/ LIKE !Y >E N[4 

0,ONE TIME ,I 'ADN'T GONE /RAI<T TO ! JUNKY>D ) !M1 BECAUSE ,I WIZ 'AV+ FUN PRET5D+ ?AT ,I WIZ A DU*ESS ) ME FUR COAT RAYND ME %\LD]S4 ,I WIZ PLAY+ ) ! O!R ,COMPTON ,/REET ,GIRLS1 UP ,BELLB>N & ,&REW'S ,/REET & ALL RAYND !RE1 & 9 ,/4 ,&REW'S ,*UR* !RE WIZ A W$D+ GOO9' ON4 ,( C\RSE1 WE ?\<T ALL ?AT WIZ V]Y GLAM\R\S & SO WE SLIPP$ 9TO ! *APEL & WE TOOK A PEW TOGE!R AT ! BACK1 SO WE C\LD WAT*4 

0,! SMELL FROM (F MY RABBIT SK9S WIZ SO BAD ?AT !Y 'AD TO /OP ! W$D+ :ILE ! U%]S *UCK$ US AYT4 ,I DIDN'T C>E4 ,I LIK$ 'EM1 & ,I /ILL DO4 ,AFT] ALL ?IS TIME ,I'VE GOT SO ,I CAN'T SMELL 'EM ANYMORE4 ,GIVE IT A :ILE & Y] WON'T NOTICE !M Y]SELF40 

,!Y W]E N[ ALMO/ AT ! ALLEY'S 5D1 :]E IT MET ,SPR+ ,LANE'S SLOPE 9 A ,T-JUNCTION4 ,PHYLLIS NOTIC$ ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 PE]+ UP AT ! OLD METAL /REET-SIGN BOLT$ TO ! JITTY WALL1 BLACK PA9T$ LETT]S ON A :ITE GR\ND SPECK$ ) FECAL ORANGE1 ! PLAQUE'S $GES OXIDIZ$ TO FRIABLE IRON WAF]4 ,NEI!R ( ! TWO WORDS ON ! SIGN WAS :OLLY VISIBLE1 OBLIT]AT$ BY ! RU/ SO ?AT ONLY ! CRYPTIC MESSAGE ,S,C,> ,W,E,L,L ,R,A,C,E REMA9$4 ,PHYLLIS TRANSLAT$1 = ! TODDL]'S B5EFIT4 

0,SC>LETWELL ,T]RACE4 ,IT WIZ :AT ! JITTY WIZ BE=E IT WIZ A JITTY4 ,?AT'S :AT ALL !SE BACK GATES >E ?AT WE'VE BE5 PASS+ ON AYR RI<T4 ,DAYN/AIRS 9 ! ?REE-SID$ WORLD1 ALL ?IS 'AS BE5 PULL$ DAYN BY Y\R TIME & !RE'S JU/ ! BOTTOM PLAY+-FIELD ( ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL1 BUT UP ']E 9 ! DREAM-CRU/ IT'S /ILL /&+40 

,MI*AEL DIDN'T COMM5T ON :AT ,PHYLLIS HAD JU/ SAID1 BUT SEEM$ TO UND]/&4 ,!Y TRAIPS$ >\ND ! CORN]1 TURN+ RI<T 9TO ,SPR+ ,LANE & FAC+ UP ! HILL4 ,! VIEW /OPP$ ,PHYLLIS'S DIM9UTIVE COMPANION 9 HIS SLIPP]-SLAPP+ TRACKS & MADE HIM GASP1 SO ?AT %E HAD TO =CIBLY REM9D H]SELF ?AT ALL ( ?IS WAS NEW TO HIM4 ,BEYOND ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? & ! BACK ALLEY !Y'D JU/ LEFT1 ! TODDL] HAD SE5 NO?+ ( ,MANS\L ITSELF4 ,WAT*+ ! FEEL+S & REACTIONS WA% ACROSS HIS UPTURN$ FACE AS HE GAZ$ UP ! SLOP+ LANE1 %E TRI$ TO PUT H]SELF BACK TO :5 %E WAS FRE% >RIV$ H]E 9 ! ,SECOND ,BOR\<1 TRI$ TO SEE ! DREAM-HILL AS ! *ILD WAS SEE+ IT4 

,IT CLE>LY WASN'T AN ABUNDANCE ( ! CU/OM>Y PHANTASMAGORIA Y\ F\ND >\ND ,MANS\L ?AT HAD SO TAK5 ! SMALL BOY ABACK3 ,SPR+ ,LANE WAS V]Y MU* AS IT HAD BE5 9 LIFE :5 ,PHYLLIS HAD BE5 LIV+ D[N H]E1 ONLY MORE SO4 ,!RE W]E H>DLY ANY DREAMLIKE T\*ES ( ! K9D ?AT TYPIFI$ ! UPP] WORLD1 NO CELL> GRIDS ) BLACK5$ TEE? 9/EAD ( B>S1 NO FUR UPON ! PAV+ SLABS4 ,9/EAD !RE WAS NO MORE ?AN ! FAMILI> 9CL9E1 BUT ON FIRE ) ITSELF & %IMM]+ ) ID5TITY1 ) ITS [N FOOT-WORN HI/ORY1 ) ALL ! LI<TS IT HAD BE5 SATURAT$ BY ACROSS ! ?\S& YE>S ( ITS EXI/5CE4 

,SPR+ ,LANE BURN$ ) A MY?OLOGY ( *IPP$ SLATES1 PALE WA%-WAT] BLUE & FLAK+ AT ! SEAM4 ,! SUMM] YELL[ GL[ ( AN IMP5D+ DAWN DIFFUS$1 DILUT$ 9 ! MILLION-GALLON SKY ABOVE ! TANN]Y ?AT OCCUPI$ ?IS L[ 5D ( ! ANCI5T GRADI5T1 ACROSS ! N>R[ /REET FROM :]E ,PHYLLIS & ,MI*AEL /OOD \TSIDE ! ALLEY-M\?4 ,! TANN]Y'S HI< WALLS ( BR[N+ BRICK ) RU/$ WIRE ME% OV] ITS HI< W9D[S DIDN'T HAVE ! BRUTAL AURA ?AT ! BUILD+ HAD D[N 9 ! DOMA9 ( ! LIV+4 ,RA!R IT WAS S(TLY IRIDESC5T ) A %E5 ( FOND REMEMBRANCE - ! CLOI/]S ( SOME M$IEVAL CRAFT S9CE DISAPPE>$ - & HAD ! HOMELY P]FUME ( MANURE & BOIL$ SWEETS4 ,PA/ ! PEEL+ WOOD5 GATES ?AT LOLL$ SKEW-:IFF W]E Y>DS :]E PUDDLES /A9$ A VIVID TANG]9E H>BOR$ REFLECT$ *IMNEY /ACKS1 LAMP BLACK & WAV]+4 ,HEAP$ LEA!R %AV+S T9T$ ) CORROSIVE SAPPHIRE /OOD BETWE5 ! FIRE-OPAL POOLS1 AN AZURE D[N M\ND$ 9TO FANTA/IC NE/S BY ?UND]BIRDS TO HAT* !IR LEG5D>Y FL$GL+S4 ,RA9SP\TS EAT5 ?R\< BY TIME HAD DIAMOND DRIBBLE BEAD+ ON !IR *APP$ T9 LIPS1 & EV]Y SPL9T] & SUBSID$ COBBLE SANG ) 5DLESS BE+4 

,MI*AEL ,W>R5 /OOD 5TRANC$ & ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] /OOD BESIDE HIM1 %>+ HIS 5*ANTM5T1 LOOK+ AT ! HE>T-C>ESS+ VI/A ?R\< HIS EYES4 ,! DI/RICT'S SUMM] S\NDS W]E1 9 H] E>S1 R$UC$ TO A RI* /OCK4 ,! L5G?Y 9T]VALS BETWE5 ! BUMBL+ DRONES ( DI/ANT MOTORC>S1 ! TWITT]+ FILIGREE ( BIRDSONG /RUNG ALONG ! GUTT]$ EAVES1 ! SILV] GURGLE ( A BURI$ TORR5T E*O+ DEEP 9 ! NI<T-?ROAT ( A DRA91 ALL !SE W]E BOIL$ D[N TO A S+LE SUSURRUS1 ! HISS+1 T+L+ REV]B]ATION ( A CYMBAL /RUCK BY A S(T BRU%4 ,! 9/ANT J+L$ 9 ! BREEZE4 

,UPHILL1 ! O!R F\R (FICIAL MEMB]S ( ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG W]E CLIMB+ ?R\< A T5TATIVE PRISMATIC HAZE ?AT SEEM$ TO FOG - DELICI\SLY - EA* W9D[SILL & CURB/ONE 9 ! SLANT$ LANE4 ,MAK+ H>D WORK ( IT1 !IR SLOGG+ =MS LOOK$ EV]Y BIT AS M>VEL\SLY TYPICAL AS ! SCRUBB$ DOOR/EPS !Y W]E TRUDG+ PA/1 LOOK$ JU/ AS 9DISP5SABLE TO ! BEGUIL+ COMPOSITION ( ! SC5E4 ,PHYLLIS'S ,BILL & ,REGGIE ,B[L] W]E ! CLOSE/ TO ! TOP1 ) ,H&SOME ,JOHN & ,M>JORIE %>+ A JOKE AS !Y ASC5D$ PA/ ! 5TRANCE TO ,MONK'S ,POND ,/REET1 OP5+ TO !IR LEFT ON ,SPR+ ,LANE'S O!R SIDE4 ,TRAD+ A GLANCE 9 :I* !Y BO? ACKN[L$G$ :AT A M>VEL ?IS ALL WAS1 ,PHYLLIS & ,MI*AEL />T$ DAWDL+ UP ! P]FECT /REET AFT] !IR COMRADES4 

,FA/5+ ! W9E-R$ DRESS+ G[N MORE TI<TLY R\ND HIS WAI/ ! LITTLE BOY TOOK BIG /EPS TO KEEP UP ) ,PHYLLIS1 />+ ALL ! TIME 9 WOND]M5T AT ! LONG T]RACE REA*+ FROM ! HILL'S FOOT TO ITS CR[N1 ! R[ ( PA9T$ WOOD5 DOORS ALMO/ UN9T]RUPT$ ON !IR RI<T AS !Y W5T UP4 ,AT LA/ HE C\LD CONTA9 HIS CURIOSITY NO LONG]4 

0,:AT >E ALL !SE H\SES8 ,SPR+ ,LANE WIZZN'T LIKE ?IS :5 ,I WIZ ALIVE /ILL40 

,PLAC+ ONE BLUE %OE BE=E ! O!R ON ! P9K & WEA!R$ PAVEM5T AS %E /RUGGL$ UP ! HILLSIDE1 ,PHYLLIS GLANC$ T[>DS ! HOMES ?AT !Y W]E PASS+ ) A WI/FUL LOOK UPON H] FAIR-SK9N$ FACE4 

0,Y] RI<T1 IT WIZZN'T1 BUT IT WIZ :5 ,I WIZ LITTLE4 ,MO/ ( !SE GOT KNOCK$ DAYN RI<T BE=E ! W>1 & !N IT WIZ JU/ WA/EL& = ! KIDS TO PLAY ON UNTIL IT GOT TURN$ TO ! S*OOL PLAY+ FIELD4 ,?AT LITTLE R[ ( '\SES :]E Y\R H\SE WIZ1 ON ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 ?AT'S ALL ?AT'S LEFT ( A BIG BLOCK ( '\SES4 ,!Y WIZ ALL UP ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET & ,SPR+ ,LANE1 ALL ALONG ,CRISP9 ,/REET UP AT ! TOP1 & !RE WIZ :OLE /REETS 9 BETWE5 :AT A9'T !RE N[4 ,SC>LETWELL ,T]RACE1 :AT WE'VE JU/ COME AYT (1 ?AT WIZ ONE1 & A BIT FUR!R UP ON ?IS SIDE ( ! LANE !RE'S ,SPR+ ,LANE ,T]RACE40 

,MI*AEL ,W>R5 WAS /ILL LI/5+1 BUT HE WAS LETT+ HIS GAZE W&] TO ! ROAD'S F> SIDE :]E N[ ! 5TRANCE TO ,MONK'S ,POND ,/REET OP5$ UP1 RUNN+ (F NOR? FROM ,SPR+ ,LANE'S EA/-WE/ L9E4 ,PHYLLIS REFLECT$ ?AT ?IS SIDE-/REET W\LD LOOK VA/LY ALT]$1 TOO1 FROM ! SMALL BOY'S P]SPECTIVE4 ,CLOSE/ TO !M1 ON ! LEFT-H& SIDE AS !Y LOOK$ D[N ,MONK'S ,POND ,/REET1 /OOD ! EA/ WALL ( ! TANN]Y1 :I* W\LD BE RECOGNIZABLE FROM ,MI*AEL'S LIFETIME4 ,OPPOSITE & ON ! RI<T1 H[EV]1 SOME TWO DOZ5 WELL-KEPT DOOR/EPS /RET*$ AWAY NOR? TO CONNECT ) ,CRANE ,HILL & ! BOTTOM 5D ( ,GRAFTON ,/REET4 ,TWO DOZ5 SPRAWL+ FAMILIES1 P]HAPS TWO HUNDR$ PEOPLE 9 !IR PR\DLY-MA9TA9$ R[1 :I* W\LD1 BY ,MI*AEL ,W>R5'S DAY1 BECOME A PAT* ( RUBBLE ?AT ! LOCAL *ILDR5 CALL$ ',! ,BRICKS' OR ELSE BE FACTORY PROP]TY F5C$ (F BY WALLS ( CORRUGAT$ T94 ,ONLY UP H]E1 9 ! MAGNETIC FIELDS ( DREAM & MEMORY1 W]E ! OLD HOME/EADS MANIFE/4 

,ALONG ! ?OR\<F>E'S F> 5D UPON ITS LEFTMO/1 WE/]N SIDE !RE WAS ! FEATURE ?AT HAD EVID5TLY CAPTUR$ ! Y\NG/]'S ATT5TION4 ,! EXPANSIVE POND FROM :I* ! /REET D]IV$ ITS NAME1 DRI$ UP D[N 9 ! TIMELY WORLD S9CE ! LATE SIXTE5-HUNDR$S1 GLITT]$ 9 ! S\RCELESS SUNLI<T4 ,TWO OR ?REE UNHURRI$ FIGURES 9 DUN-COLOR$ HABITS /OOD CONV]S+ BY ! WAT]SIDE1 ONE ( !M C>RY+ A FI%+ POLE4 

0,!Y'RE MONKS10 ,PHYLLIS EXPLA9$ TO ,MI*AEL4 0,!Y'RE MONKS :O LIV$ A LONG :ILE BACK AT ,&REW'S ,PRIORY1 :I* WIZ UP NE> :]E ,/4 ,&REW'S ,*UR* WIZ N[1 ?AT ,I GOT BOOT$ AYT ( :5 ME RABBIT SK9S WIZ CAUS+ SU* A /9K4 ,!Y'RE ,FR5*IES MO/ ( !M1 ,I ?9K1 & IT WIZ ONE ( !M :O LET ! ,K+'S TROOPS 9 TO RANSACK EV]Y?+1 EI<T 'UNDR$ YE> AGO4 ,UP ']E ?AT'S ALL =GIV51 BY & L>GE1 BUT MO/LY !Y DON'T M+LE WI' ! LOCAL <O/S & /ILL KEEP TO !MSELVES4 ,OR SOMETIMES ! MORE BOOZY ONES WILL 'AUNT A PUB1 JU/ = ! COMPANY4 ,!RE'S SEV]AL ( ! 9NS R\ND ']E 'AVE GOT A <O/LY MONK 9 ! BACK CELL> OR ! SNUG1 ?\< ,I CAN ONLY ?9K ( ONE BY NAME & ?AT'S ,OLD ,JOE :O FLOATS >AYND ! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S ON ! ,MAYORHOLD4 ,OLD ,JOE'S NOT HIS REAL NAME1 'CAUSE ?AT W\LD BE SOME?+ ,FR5*1 BUT IT'S JU/ :AT ! PEOPLE ,DAYN/AIRS CALL HIM40 

,MI*AEL ,W>R5 LOOK$ AT H]1 P]PLEX$4 

0,CAN PEOPLE :O >E /ILL ALIVEABLE SEE <O/S1 !N80 

,PHYLLIS %RUGG$4 

0,SOME ( !M CAN1 BUT ONLY IF !Y'RE A BIT FUNNY 9 ! 'EAD1 LIKE MY/IC PEOPLE >E1 OR PEOPLE :O'VE GONE MAD4 ,PEOPLE :O DR9K A LOT OR :O SMOKE OPIUM OR ?+S LIKE ?AT1 !Y CAN SEE <O/S AS WELL4 ,?AT'S :Y Y] GET MORE 'AUNT$ PUBS ?AN ANY O!R SORT ( BUILD+1 BECAUSE DEAD FOLK LIKE A PLACE :]E !RE'S A *ANCE SOMEONE WIZZLE BE DRUNK 5\< TO NOTICE !M4 ,BUT EV5 ! FEW PEOPLE :AT >E ABLE TO SEE <O/S CAN ONLY SEE !M :5 !Y'RE W&]+ ABAYT DAYN 9 ! <O/-SEAM40 

,MONK'S ,POND ,/REET WAS VANI%+ BEH9D !M ON !IR LEFT AS !Y CONT9U$ UP ! FOND & SP>KL+ DAYDREAM ( ! HILL4 ,! T>TAN-%R\D$ TODDL]'S ATT5TION WAS N[ :OLLY FIX$ ON ,PHYLLIS4 

0,:AT'S A <O/-SEAM80 

,PHYLLIS C\LDN'T HELP H]SELF FROM SAY+ 0,FUNNY1 TILL Y] GET TO KN[ 'IM10 :I* WAS AN OLD JOKE UP 9 ,MANS\L & :I* ! BAFFL$ 9FANT CLE>LY DIDN'T GET4 ,%E ANSW]$ HIM AGA91 MORE S]I\SLY4 

0,! <O/-SEAM'S :AT IT SAYNDS LIKE4 ,IT'S A RAGG$ SEAM :AT JO9S ! ,UP/AIRS TO ! ,DAYN-BEL[1 & IT'S :]E ALL ! REAL <O/S 'ANG AYT1 ALL ! ONES :AT DON'T FEEL COM=TABLE UP ']E4 ,IT'S LIKE ! ,SECOND ,BOR\<'S ON ! TOP ) ! ,FIR/ ,BOR\< UND]NEA?1 & 9 BETWE5 !M !RE'S ! <O/-SEAM1 LIKE :5 Y] GO 9 A PUB & ALL ! FAG-SMOKE'S 'ANG+ 9 ! AIR LIKE A GRAY BLANKET1 WOBBL9' ABAYT :5 PEOPLE MOVE & CAUSE A DRAFT4 ,?AT'S :AT ! <O/-SEAM'S LIKE4 ',]E1 LOOK ']E ON ! RI<T4 ,IT'S ,SPR+ ,LANE ,T]RACE1 :AT ,I SAID ABAYT1 ONE ( ! /REETS :AT GOT PULL$ DAYN TO MAKE ! PLAY+ FIELD40 

,!Y W]E JU/ WALK+ PA/ ! CORN] :]E ! T]RACE TRICKL$ (F DUE S\?1 T[>DS !IR RI<T1 ) H\SE-FRONTS 9 A L9E TO EI!R SIDE ( DU/Y FLAG/ONES ?AT W]E SME>$ ) A ?9 M>G>9E ( MORN+ LI<T4 ,RA!R ?AN PE]+ D[N ! TRIBUT>Y /REET1 H[EV]1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 WAS MORE 9T]E/$ 9 ! CORN] ( IT ?AT WAS OPPOSITE ! ONE :I* HE & ,PHYLLIS HAD JU/ PASS$1 ! CORN] !Y W]E N[ APPROA*+ AS !Y WALK$ ACROSS ! M\? ( ,SPR+ ,LANE ,T]RACE4 ,9 ! /EAD ( DOORWAYS & NET-CURTA9$ D[N/AIRS W9D[S LIKE ! ONES ?AT />T$ FUR!R D[N ! SIDE /REET1 UP ?IS 5D WAS ONLY PLA9 BRICK WALL SUPPORT+ L[ SLATE RO(S1 :I* ,PHYLLIS KNEW TO BE ! BACKSIDE ( A R[ ( /ABLES4 ,AS ! PAIR ( !M CONT9U$ UP ,SPR+ ,LANE1 LEAV+ ! (F%OOT T]RACE 9 !IR WAKE1 !Y PASS$ ! GAT$ Y>D UPON !IR RI<T \T ONTO :I* ! /ABLES OP5$4 ,!RE WAS ! W>M1 HAIRY ,BOVRIL SC5T ( HORSES & ! /RONG] SMELL ( DIS9FECTANT1 :I*1 ?\< ,PHYLLIS DIDN'T LIKE IT1 ALWAYS MADE H] NOSE EXCIT$4 

,! SMALL BOY GAZ$ P5SIVELY AT ! CLOS$ GATE AS !Y WALK$ BY IT1 C>RY+ ON UPHILL4 ,! DEEP FIRE-5G9E R$ ?AT ITS GNAW$ WOODWORK HAD ONCE BE5 WAS FAD$ BY =GOTT5 DECADES TO ! COLOR ( A KISS4 ,PHYLLIS EXPLA9$1 BE=E ! KID C\LD ASK4 

0,I ?9K ?IS Y>D'S /ILL ']E :ILE Y] ALIVE1 BUT IT'S P>T ( A FACTORY BY Y\R TIME4 ,BACK :5 ,I WAS LIV+ DAYN ']E1 ?\<1 IT WIZ ! PLACE !Y KEPT ! FEV] C>T40 

,IT MADE H] <O/LY SUB/ANCE %IV]1 EV5 TO PRON\NCE ! WORDS4 ,! FEV] C>T1 TO ,PHYLLIS1 HAD S9CE %E WAS SMALL SEEM$ TO BE FROM ! NI<T-SIDE ( ! ,BOR\<S4 ,RATTL+ D[N ! HUDDL$ BYWAYS IT HAD BE5 ONE ( ?OSE S9I/] PH5OM5A1 LIKE DEA?MONG]S OR PHANTOM MONKS1 :I* %E'D BELIEV$ TO BE PECULI> TO ! >EA4 ,SU* ?+S SPOKE ( ! NEI<BORHOOD'S RELATION%IP ) DEA?1 A TIG]-TRODD5 =EIGN L& TO LITTLE GIRLS 5JOY+ A RELATION%IP ) LICORICE-:IP & D&ELION-CLOCK LIFE4 

,! BABY 9 HIS NI<T-?+S1 TROTT+ !RE BESIDE H]1 JU/ />$ AT H] BLANKLY4 

0,:AT'S A FEV] C>T80 

,%E SI<$ !ATRICALLY & ROLL$ ! MEMORY ( H] *ILDHOOD EYES4 ,%E'D OBVI\SLY BE5 RI<T 9 H] ASSUMPTION ?AT ?IS NIPP] HAD BE5 BR\<T UP S(T4 ,PHYLLIS SUPPOS$ ?AT MO/ ( ?OSE BORN 9 ! ',FIFTIES HAD ?+S CU%Y1 :AT ) ALL ! SCI5CE & M$IC9E !Y HAD BY !N1 AT LEA/ COMP>$ ) H[ ?+S W]E :5 %E WAS Y\NG4 

0,Y] DON'T KN[ NO?+1 DO Y]8 ,:AT ! FEV] C>T WIZ1 IT WIZ A BIG WAGON :AT !Y PUT ! KIDS 9 :5 !Y 'AD ! SMALLPOX & DIPH!RIA & ?AT4 ,IT TOOK 'EM TO A CAMP NE> ! /ONE CROSS :AT'S AYT NE> ',>D+/ONE1 ?AT'S !RE TO M>K ! SPOT :]E ,QUE5 ,ELEANOR'S BODY WIZ PUT D[N :5 %E WIZ BE+ TAK5 BACK TO ,LONDON4 ,9 ! FEV] CAMP1 AYT 9 ! OP5 AIR ) ALL ! O!R *ILDR5 :AT W]E ILL1 !Y'D EI!R DIE OR !Y'D GET BETT]4 ,USUALLY !Y'D DIE40 

,! *ILD WAS GAZ+ AT H] N[ ) A NEW LOOK 9 HIS BLUE1 LONG-LA%$ EYES4 ,ABOVE !M1 ! REMEMB]$ ,BOR\<S SKY GRAD$ FROM ,EA/] YELL[ 9TO WAT]Y ROSE4 

0,WIZ !RE A LOT ( ?+S :AT MADE Y\ POORLY1 :5 Y\ WIZ D[N H]E8 ,WIZ ?AT :AT MADE Y\ DEAD80 

,%AK+ H] HEAD1 %E PUT HIM /RAI<T4 

0,NO4 ,!RE WIZ A LOT ( BAD DISEASES1 RI<T 5\<1 BUT NONE ( 'EM PUT PAID TO ME40 

,%E ROLL$ ONE P9K SLEEVE ( H] JUMP] UP1 WE>+ A GRUFF & BUS9ESSLIKE EXPRESSION AS ?\< ,PHYLLIS W]E A P9T-SIZ$ /EV$ORE4 ,?RU/+ H] BONY >M \T UND] ,MI*AEL ,W>R5'S NOSE %E %[$ HIM TWO BLAN*$ >EAS ! SIZE & %APE ( SIXP5CES1 CLOSE TO EA* O!R ON H] PALE1 S(T BICEP4 

0,I REMEMB] ,I WIZ PLAY+ RAYND ! ,BOR\<S ) AYR SI/]4 ,EI<T1 ,I MU/ HAVE BE51 SO ?IS WIZ /ILL BACK 9 ! ',TW5TIES4 ,WE SAW ?IS BIG QUEUE ( PEOPLE LEAD+ AYT ! DOOR ( ,SPR+ ,LANE ,MISSION OV] !RE1 :]E WE'D GO = AYR ,SUNDAY ,S*OOL40 

,%E GE/UR$ TO ! F> SIDE ( ! LANE ?AT !Y W]E CLIMB+1 :]E ! TAN /ONES ( ! MISSION'S PLA9 FACADE WORE !IR HUMILITY & L[L9ESS ) A PRIDE ?AT WAS ALMO/ LUM9\S4 

0,SEE+ ! QUEUE ,I ?\<T AS !Y WIZ GIV+ SOME?+ AYT1 SO ,I GOT ON ! 5D ( IT & MADE AYR SI/] DO ! SAME4 ,I ?\<T IT MI<T BE TOYS OR SOME?+ GOOD TO EAT1 'CAUSE BACK 9 !M DAYS SOMETIMES Y]'D GET P>CELS GIVE BY BETT]-(F FOLK1 :AT !Y'D DI/RIBUTE >\ND ! ,BOR\<S4 ,ANYWAY1 IT TURN$ \T IT WIZ VACC9ATIONS !Y WIZ L9+ UP =1 AGA9/ SMALLPOX & DIPH!RIA1 SO WE GOT GIV5 'EM AS WELL40 

,%E ROLL$ H] JUMP] SLEEVE BACK D[N AGA91 CONCEAL+ ONCE MORE ! 9OCULATION SC>S4 ,H] Y\NG COMPANION GLANC$ BEH9D HIM AT ! Y>D ?AT !Y'D JU/ PASS$1 & !N RETURN$ HIS GAZE TO ,PHYLLIS4 

0,DID ! O!R PLACES 9 ,NOR?AM/RUNG ALL HAVE !IR [N FEV] C>TS AS WELL80 

,ON ?IS OCCASION ,PHYLLIS DIDN'T SNORT OR ROLE H] EYES AT HIS NAIVETY1 BUT M]ELY LOOK$ A LITTLE SAD4 ,IT WASN'T ?AT ! BOY WAS /UPID1 %E DECID$4 ,JU/ ?AT HE WAS 9NOC5T4 

0,NO1 ME OLD DUCK4 ,ONLY ! ,BOR\<S 'AD A FEV] C>T4 ,ONLY ! ,BOR\<S NE$$ ONE40 

,!Y W5T ON UP ! HILL 9 SIL5CE4 ,ON !IR LEFT ACROSS ! LANE !Y PASS$ ! M\? ( ,COMPTON ,/REET1 :I* RAN (F NOR? T[>DS A RECOLLECT$ ,GRAFTON ,/REET ) HAZY ,SEMILONG BEYOND4 ,! BURNI%$ LU/] ( ,MANS\L HUNG OV] EV]Y?+1 LOVELY & SLI<TLY WRONG1 AS ) H&-T9T$ PO/C>D PHOTOGRAPHS3 ! DOORS ?AT /RET*$ AWAY TO EA* SIDE ( ! /REET LOOK$ LIKE !Y'D JU/ BE5 PA9T$1 APPLE R$ OR P[D] BLUE1 & FAC$ EA* O!R 9 TWO RANKS LIKE GU>DSM5 ) !IR *E/S PUFF$ \T1 /OOD WAIT+ = 9SPECTION4 ,DOORKNOBS SEEM$ MORE GOLD ?AN BRASS1 & 9 ! DU/Y FAWN M5ISCUS ( ! SUMM] ROADWAY FLECKS ( MICA W9K$ ! PROMISE ( A JEWEL M9E4 ,WE >E ! ,COMPTON GIRLS1 ,WE >E ! ,COMPTON GIRLS 444 

,PHYLLIS REMEMB]$ EV]Y ONE ( !M4 ,CA? ,HU<ES4 ,DOLL ,NEWBROOK4 ,ELSIE ,GRIFF94 ,! TWO SI/]S1 ,EVELYN & ,BETTY ,H5NEL1 & ,DOLL ,T[EL4 ,PHYLLIS C\LD SEE !IR FACES %>P AS ANY?+1 RECALL$ !M F> MORE CLE>LY ?AN ! PEOPLE ?AT %E'D SAT ) 9 *UR* CONGREGATIONS & S*OOL CLASSROOMS :ILE %E WAS ALIVE4 ,?AT WAS ! ?+ ) GANG ALLEGIANCES4 ,Y\ MADE !M :5 Y\R S\L WAS PURE & SO !Y C\NT$ = MU* MORE ?AN Y\R RELIGION1 OR ! P>TY :AT Y\ VOT$ = :5 Y\ WIZ OLD 5\<1 OR IF Y\ JO9$ ! ,FREEMASONS OR SOME?+4 ,%E SUPPRESS$ ! URGE TO RUN (F UP ! <O/ ( ,COMPTON ,/REET TO NUMB] #ab & CALL ON ,ELSIE ,GRIFF91 & 9/EAD TURN$ H] ATT5TIONS BACK TO ,MI*AEL ,W>R54 ,HE WAS1 AFT] ALL1 ! JOB %E HAD 9 H&4 

,! O!R F\R1 AHEAD ( !M1 HAD BY N[ REA*$ ! SUMMIT :]E ! NOR?-S\? L9E ( ,CRISP9 ,/REET & ,L[] ,H>D+ ,/REET RAN /RAI<T ACROSS ! TOP 5D ( ,SPR+ ,LANE4 ,REGGIE & ,BILL W]E HALFWAY R\ND ! FACTORY CORN] ON ! TOP LEFT1 DISAPPE>+ 9TO ,L[] ,H>D+ ,/REET1 ) ,M>JORIE & ,H&SOME ,JOHN SOME WAY BEH9D !M4 ,PHYLLIS KNEW ?AT ,JOHN WAS HANG+ BACK TO KEEP ! DR[N$ GIRL COMPANY1 S9CE %E'D GOT %ORT] LEGS ?AN HIM & C\LDN'T CLIMB ! SLOPE AS FA/ AS HE C\LD4 ,PHYLLIS ?\<T ?AT ,H&SOME ,JOHN WAS WOND]FUL4 

,A LITTLE FUR!R UP ! HILL & ON !IR RI<T ! SACR$ SLAB ( ,PHYLLIS'S [N BOTTOM DOOR/EP JUTT$ \T AN 9* OR TWO 9TO ! /REET4 ,:5 !Y DREW LEVEL ) IT1 ,PHYLLIS PUT H] H& ON ,MI*AEL'S T>TAN-COV]$ >M & /OPP$ HIM SO ?AT !Y C\LD LOOK AT IT4 ,%E C\LDN'T PASS ! PLACE UNLESS %E PAUS$ TO (F] H] HOMAGE1 SIL5T OR O!RWISE4 ,IT WAS A HABIT ) H]1 OR A W>MLY-H>BOR$ SUP]/ITION4 

0,?IS WIZ :]E ,I US$ TO LIVE1 BACK :5 ,I US$ TO LIVE40 

,UP F\R /ONE /EPS ! DOOR ( NUMB] #c ,SPR+ ,LANE WAS OLIVE GRE5 BLEA*+ TO GRAY1 LIKE /ALE SAGE1 9 ! SUN4 ,! H\SE WAS N>R[ & HAD CLE>LY ONCE BE5 ONE HALF ( A SOME:AT L>G] PLACE ALONG ) NUMB] #e1 NEXT DOOR & D[NHILL ON ! RI<T4 ,/ILL FUR!R D[N 9 ?AT DIRECTION W]E ! RE> WALL & BACK GATE ( ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL1 SO ?AT ON MORN+S :5 %E'D WOK5 UP TOO LATE1 ,PHYLLIS C\LD PULL H] TRICK ( POPP+ \T ( ! BACK DOOR1 D[N TO ! BOTTOM ( ! BACK Y>D ?AT !Y %>$ ) NUMB] #e & CLIMB OV] ! WALL TO DROP /RAI<T 9TO ! S*OOL PLAYGR\ND4 ,?IS HAD MEANT ?AT ,PHYLLIS'S REPORT C>D ALWAYS HAD HI< M>KS = PUNCTUALITY1 AL?\< BO? ,PHYLLIS & H] P>5TS W]E AW>E ?AT %E DIDN'T DES]VE !M1 /RICTLY SPEAK+4 

,PHYLLIS KNEW ?AT PA/ ! WEA!R$ DOOR1 :]E BRITTLE PA9T PEEL$ BACK FROM BLI/]S TO REVEAL IMAG9>Y CONT95TS ( PLA9 WOOD UND]NEA?1 BEYOND ! DOOR !RE WAS NO PASSAGEWAY OR HALL4 ,Y\ JU/ /EPP$ )\T PREAMBLE 9TO ! ,PA9T] FAMILY LIV+ ROOM1 :I* WAS ! H\SE'S ONLY ROOM D[N/AIRS4 ,A TWI/+ FLI<T ( /AIRS RAN FROM IT TO ! S+LE *AMB] UP ABOVE1 H] P>5TS' B$ROOM1 ) ! ATTIC 9 :I* ,PHYLLIS & H] SI/]S SLEPT DIRECTLY OV] ?AT4 ,ON ,FRIDAY NI<TS :5 IT WAS W>M !Y'D SIT \T ON !IR W9D[-L$GE & WAT* ! FI<TS \TSIDE ! PUB ACROSS ! /REET AT *UCK+-\T TIME4 ,%\TS & %ATT]+S W\LD WAFT UP TO !M ?R\< W>M AIR ?AT SMELL$ ( HOPS & COPP]1 BLOOD & BE]4 ,IT WAS ! #a#i#bS1 & !Y'D NOT HAD TELEVISION !N4 

,) ONLY ! ONE SPACE D[N/AIRS !RE'D OBVI\SLY BE5 NO ROOM = A KIT*51 & ! NE>E/ ?AT !Y'D HAD WAS ! COLD WAT] TAP & OLD T9 BUCKET1 /&+ ON A GLI/5+-WET CONCRETE BLOCK ATOP ! FLI<T ( BLUE BRICK /EPS ?AT L$ D[N TO !IR CELL>4 ,?IS WAS %>$1 LIKE ! BACK Y>D1 ) NUMB] #e NEXT DOOR & CONSEQU5TLY IT WAS CAV]N\S ) LOTS ( TWI/S & TURNS & ALCOVES ?AT Y\ C\LD GET LO/ 94 ,UP ONE CORN] ( ! CELL>1 UND] NUMB] #e & !RE=E TE*NICALLY A P>T ( NEXT DOOR'S H\SE RA!R ?AN ,PHYLLIS'S1 !RE WAS A /ONE SLAB 9 ! GR\ND :AT Y\ C\LD MOVE IF !RE W]E TWO ( Y\4 ,LY+ !RE ) Y\R BELLY PRESS$ 9TO ! *ILL & COAL-DU/ ( ! CELL> FLOOR Y\ C\LD PE] D[N A %ORT BLACK *IMNEY-WELL1 ) PALLID SILV] R+S & RIPPLES DANC+ ON ITS SIDES1 TO :]E ! SPR+ ?AT GAVE ! LANE ITS NAME RO>$ D[NHILL ?R\< ! D>K BEL[4 ,AL?\< ! SECRET TORR5T HAD FOAM$ :ITE AS SPIT1 ,PHYLLIS HAD ALWAYS FELT AS IF %E W]E A DOCTOR1 GAZ+ SPELLB\ND D[N AN AP]TURE 9TO A RU%+ OP5 VE91 P>T ( ! ,BOR\<S' CIRCULATION SY/EM ?AT W\LD L9K UP ) ! ,MONK'S ,POND & ! ,SC>LET ,WELL4 ,!RE WAS A LOT ( WAT] HIDD5 UND]NEA? ! NEI<BORHOOD1 & IT WAS ,PHYLLIS'S CONVICTION ?AT ! WAT] WAS :]E ALL ( ! EMOTIONS & ! MEMORIES COLLECT$ AS TRACE ELEM5TS ?AT GAVE ! /REAM ITS BIT+1 REM9ISC5T TANG2 ! COLD1 FRE% SPRAY :I* DAMP$ ! CELL> AIR4 

,PHYLLIS GLANC$ D[N & TO ONE SIDE AT ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 /&+ NEXT TO H]4 

0,DO Y] KN[1 :5 ,I WIZ ALIVE1 IF ,I WIZ V]Y ILL OR V]Y TR\BL$ = SOME REASON1 IT W\LD ALWAYS BE ! SAME DREAM :AT ,I 'AD4 ,I'D BE /OOD 9 ! /REET ']E1 9 ,SPR+ ,LANE :]E WE >E N[1 & IT W\LD JU/ BE GETT+ DUSK4 ,I'D BE ! AGE :AT ,I AM N[1 A LITTLE GIRL1 & '/EAD ( GO+ 9 ! '\SE ,I'D JU/ BE /OOD ']E1 MOON+ UP AT '[ ! GASLI<T 9 ! LIV+ ROOM WIZ MADE ALL GRE5 & P9K AS IT FELL ?R\< ! COLOR$ CURTA9S :AT W]E DRAWN ACROSS ! DAYN/AIRS W9D[1 AYT 9TO ! TWILI<T4 ,9 ! DREAM1 ,I'D ALWAYS 'AD ! FEEL+ ?AT NO MATT] :]E ,I'D BE51 NO MATT] '[ LONG OR '[ R\< ! J\RNEY WIZ1 :5 ,I WIZ /&+ ']E & LOOK+ AT ! LI<T %9E ?R\< ! ROSES ON ?OSE CURTA9S1 ,I'D COME 'OME AT LA/4 ,I ALWAYS FELT SURE ?AT :5 ,I WIZ DEAD1 ?IS PLACE W\LD /ILL BE WAIT+ ']E = ME1 & EV]Y?+ W\LD ALL BE 'UNKY-DORY4 ,AS IT TURN$ AYT1 ,I WIZ RI<T1 AS USUAL4 ,!RE'S NOT A M9UTE ( AYR LIVES IS EV] LO/1 & ALL ! PULL$-DAYN '\SES :AT WE MISS >E ']E =EV]1 9 ,MANS\L4 ,I DON'T KN[ :Y ,I EV] GOT SO WORRI$ 9 ! FIR/ PLACE40 

,PHYLLIS SNIFF$ & TOOK A LA/ LOOK AT H] =M] RESID5CE = N[1 !N !Y CONT9U$ UP ! HILL4 ,! NEXT DOOR ON !IR RI<T & TO ! LEFT ( NUMB] #c WAS ?AT ( ,WRI<T'S1 ! SWEET%OP1 ) ! /\T BAY W9D[ ?AT DISPLAY$ ITS W>ES BEH9D SMALL1 ?ICK PANES ( MYOPIC GLASS JU/ PA/ ! BELL-RIGG$ DOOR AS Y\ W5T UP4 ,BECAUSE ?IS HI<] L&SCAPE WAS ACCRET$ FROM ! HUSKS ( DREAMS1 ! R[ ( GL9T+ *&ELI]-GLASS J>S ?AT ! %OP WORE LIKE A BE/ NECKLACE 9 ITS W9D[ W]E NOT FILL$ ) ACTUAL SWEETS1 BUT ) ! DREAMS ( SWEETS4 ,!RE W]E SMALL ,SCOTTY DOGS MADE \T ( AMB] B>LEY-SUG> ?AT HAD TWI/$ MIDDLES1 MANY ( !M FUZ$ TO N9E-DOG LUMPS BY ! W>M DAY1 & 9 ! J> ( RA9B[ %]BET 7:I* Y\ C\LD MAKE KALI WAT] \T (7 !RE W]E EXTRA /RATA ( ! DIFF]5T-COLOR$ P[D]S :I*1 UNLIKE ! ORD9>Y ONES1 FLUORESC$4 ,!RE WAS A PURPLI% LAY] ?AT Y\ C\LDN'T REALLY SEE UP AT ! TOP1 & AT ! BOTTOM ( ! J> A P9KI% LAY] ?AT WAS SIMIL>LY DIFFICULT TO LOOK AT1 BUT :I* MADE Y\R TONGUE FEEL COOK$ IF Y\ ATE ANY ( IT4 ,ONLY *OCOLATE RA9B[ DROPS SEEM$ ANY?+ LIKE NORMAL1 OR AT LEA/ UNTIL %E NOTIC$ TWO OR ?REE ( !M W]E CLIMB+ UP ! 9SIDE ( !IR J> & REALIZ$ !Y W]E \TSIZ$ LADYBIRDS ?AT HAD %ELLS COAT$ ) HUNDR$S-&-?\S&S1 P9K & :ITE & BLUE4 ,?\< !IR MOBILITY PUT ,PHYLLIS (F1 ! PRETTY BEADS ( SUG> ON !IR BACKS MEANT ?AT !Y /ILL LOOK$ AS ?\< !Y'D BE NICE TO EAT4 ,%E DIDN'T BLAME ! TODDL] %E WAS ESCORT+ = ! WAY HE L+]$ BY ! SWEET%OP1 />+ LONG+LY 9 ?R\< ITS PANEL$ W9D[ UNTIL ,PHYLLIS TUGG$ ! CUFF ( HIS PAJAMA TOP & MADE HIM HURRY UP4 

,BE=E !Y KNEW IT1 !Y W]E AT ! PEAK & GAZ+ BACK D[N ! LONG /REET ?AT !Y'D JU/ CLIMB$4 ,%E KNEW ?AT 9 ! LIV+ WORLD ,SPR+ ,LANE WAS NO:]E NE> AS LONG1 NOR YET AS /EEP1 BUT KNEW ?AT ?IS WAS H[ SMALL *ILDR5 W\LD REMEMB] IT1 HANG+ ANNOY+LY ONTO !IR MO!R'S COAT-TAILS AS !Y TRI$ TO TRICK H] 9TO T[+ !M UP ! DEM&+ SLOPE4 ,PHYLLIS & ,MI*AEL1 /&+ AT ! TOP 5D ( ,SPR+ ,LANE1 LOOK$ WE/ ACROSS ! BOTTOM ( ! VALLEY OV] MEMORIES ( ! COAL Y>D ON ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 /RIP$ AS ?\< BY ! RAYS ( A L[ SUN4 ,BEYOND W]E RAILWAY Y>DS :]E SPECTRAL DRIFTS ( /EAM LIKE SPIRITS ( DEP>T$ TRA9S FOLL[$ ! LO/1 DEAD TRACKS ON 9TO NETTLE-B$S1 & PA/ !SE ! GRE5 DAYBREAK ( ,VICTORIA ,P>K SUFFUS$ ! WIDE SKY'S F> $GE ) A LIME BLU% ?AT LOOK$ DR9KABLE4 ,AFT] ADMIR+ ! S(T RADIANCE ( ! DEADWORLD PANORAMA = A MOM5T1 BO? ( !M TURN$ LEFT & FOLL[$ ,H&SOME ,JOHN1 ,BILL1 ,M>JORIE & ,REGGIE 9TO ,L[] ,H>D+ ,/REET4 

,RUNN+ ALONG TO ,GRAFTON ,SQU>E :]E ONCE ! ,E>L ( ,GRAFTON HAD SOME PROP]TY1 ! RESURRECT$ ,L[] ,H>D+ ,/REET WAS DIFF]5T 9 ITS ATMOSPH]E TO ! SURR\ND+ ?OR\<F>ES ( ! DREAM NEI<BORHOOD4 ,IT HAD NOT BE5 REMEMB]$ 9 ITS PRI/9E /ATE1 ) ALL ! BRICKWORK & ! PO9T+ GOOD AS NEW 9 BRILLIANT ORANGE ?AT APPE>$ TO HAVE BE5 PA9T$ ON4 ,9/EAD1 IT HAD BE5 FONDLY RECOLLECT$ FROM SOME LAT] PO9T1 DUR+ ! /REET'S DECL9E4 ,:]E ONCE TWO R[S ( T]RAC$ H\SES FAC$ EA* O!R )\T 9T]RUPTION SAVE ! OP5+ TO ,COOP] ,/REET :I* SLOP$ (F ON ! RI<T1 H]E !RE W]E BREAKS ALONG ! LEFT-SIDE R[ :]E DWELL+S HAD BE5 EMPTI$ PRIOR TO DEMOLITION4 ,SOME ( ! AB&ON$ BUILD+S W]E ALREADY HALF KNOCK$-D[N1 ) RO(S & WAT] S]VICES & UP/AIRS FLOORS CONSPICU\SLY GONE4 ,HALFWAY UP ONE %E] WALL1 :I* HAD BECOME A PALIMPSE/ ( SEV]AL G5]ATIONS' WALLPAP]1 A =M] B$ROOM DOOR HUNG ON ITS H+ES1 OP5+ NO LONG] TO ! PROMISE ( A GOOD NI<T'S SLEEP BUT ON A SUDD5 PLUMMET 9TO RUBBLE4 ,SOME HALF-DOZ5 H\SES OPPOSITE ! L[] 5D ( ,COOP] ,/REET W]E B>ELY !RE AT ALL1 !IR L9ES M]ELY SUGGE/$ BY A FEW REMA9+ \TCROPP+S ( BRICK %AP$ LIKE /RAY JIGSAW PIECES1 POK+ FROM ! GRASS & WE$S ?AT HAD SUPPLANT$ A BELOV$ FRONT-ROOM C>PET4 

,) ! ELEGIAC GL[ ( ,MANS\L OV] EV]Y?+1 ! D]ELICTION DID NOT SEEM =LORN OR UGLY BUT WAS MORE LIKE SAD & /IRR+ POETRY4 ,TO ,PHYLLIS1 ! EFFECT WAS /RANGELY COM=T+4 ,IT SEEM$ TO SAY ?AT1 9 SOMEBODY'S DREAMS OR MEMORIES1 EV5 ! MOSS-B\ND /AGES ( ?IS SL[ DET]IORATION W]E HELD DE>4 ,! SI<T ( ,L[] ,H>D+ ,/REET CONFIRM$ H] FEEL+ ?AT ! ,BOR\<S HAD /ILL BE5 A ?+ ( BEAUTY ?R\<\T ITS UNDIGNIFI$ & GRADUAL SURR5D]4 ,?\< BY #aiei & ,MI*AEL ,W>R5'S TIME ?IS >EA'S D[N/AIRS C\NT]P>T W\LD BE A WILD]NESS1 ,PHYLLIS WAS CONFID5T ?AT IT W\LD /ILL RETA9 ITS PLACE 9 LOCAL HE>TS1 OR AT LEA/ 9 ! Y\NG] ONES4 

,BESIDE H]1 ,MI*AEL'S BLOND HEAD WAS TIPP$ BACK TO />E UP AT ! P>TIALLY DEMOLI%$ H\SE-FRONTS ?AT !Y W]E APPROA*+ AS !Y FOLL[$ !IR F\R DEAD CONF$]ATES ALONG ! REV5ANT T]RACES4 ,! BOY SEEM$ TAK5 BY ! EXPOS$ $GE ( A DIVID+ WALL1 OR ) AN ORNATE FIREPLACE /R&$ 9 AN UPP] ROOM ?AT HAD NO FLOOR4 ,HE TURN$ & (F]$ ,PHYLLIS A CONFID+ LOOK1 SO ?AT %E /OOP$ T[>DS HIM ) ONE H& CUPP$ AT H] E> TO F9D \T :AT HE HAD TO SAY4 

0,!SE H\SES LOOK A BIT LIKE H[ MY H\SE D[N ,&REW'S ,ROAD DID :5 ?AT D]VLI% %[$ ME IT1 & ,I C\LD LOOK R\ND ALL ITS WALLS TO SEE :AT WIZ ON ! 9SIDE40 

,PHYLLIS H]SELF HAD NEV] UND]GONE A RIDE LIKE ?AT ON :I* ! FI5D HAD TAK5 ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 & %E'D ONLY HE>D T5?-H& ACC\NTS FROM ?OSE R>E 9DIVIDUALS :O HAD4 ,AS A RESULT %E ONLY HAD ! SKET*IE/ IDEA ( :AT ! KID WAS GO+ ON AB\T1 & SO RESPOND$ ) AN 9DET]M9ATE-YET-KN[+ GRUNT4 ,DET]R+ FUR!R COMM5T1 ,PHYLLIS TURN$ AWAY FROM ,MI*AEL & T[>DS ! RE/ ( H] ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG1 :O W]E GA!R$ ON ! SUN-BAK$ SLABS \TSIDE ! BROK5 H\SES OPPOSITE ! M\? ( ,COOP] ,/REET & OBVI\SLY WAIT+ = ! PAIR ( /RAGGL]S TO CAT* UP4 ,REGGIE & ,BILL W]E PLAY+ A PR(\NDLY PA9FUL-LOOK+ GAME ( KNUCKLE-RAPP+ ) EA* O!R AS !Y PASS$ ! TIME1 :ILE ,H&SOME ,JOHN /OOD !RE ) FOLD$ >MS & GR9N$ AS HE LOOK$ BACK ALONG ! ROAD AT H] & H] PAJAMA-BOY4 ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE SAT BY H]SELF UPON ! PAVEM5T'S $GE & GAZ$ UP ! 9CL9E ( ,COOP] ,/REET T[>DS ,BELLB>N :]E %E'D RESID$1 BE=E1 UNABLE TO SWIM1 %E'D PLUNG$ 9TO ! ,N5E TO SAVE A DOG :O EVID5TLY C\LD4 

,) ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 PUTT]+ ALONG BEH9D H]1 ,PHYLLIS M>*$ UP TO ! O!RS & ASS]T$ H] AU?ORITY4 

0,ALL RI<T1 COME ON1 !N4 ',['S ?IS GO+ TO BE AYR SECRET 'IDE\T IF WE'RE ALWAYS /OOD RAYND 9 ! /REET AYTSIDE & LETT+ ON TO EV]YBODY :]E IT WIZ8 ,GO ?R\< TO ! BACK Y>DS :]E NOBODY CAN OV]LOOK US1 & !N IF IT'S SAFE WE'LL LET ! LAD ']E SEE ! D54 ,BILL1 Y\ & ,REGGIE PACK ?AT UP & DO AS Y]'VE BE5 TOLD BE=E ,I GIVE Y] A GOOD 'ID+4 ,& ,M>JORIE1 BUCK Y] IDEAS UP4 ,Y]'LL GET PILES FROM SITT+ ON ! CURB LIKE ?AT40 

,) V>Y+ DEGREES ( MUTT]$ 9SUBORD9ATION1 ! DEAD *ILDR5 /EPP$ ?R\< A M]E ABS5CE 9 ! BRICKWORK :]E ! DOOR ( NUMB] #ai ,L[] ,H>D+ ,/REET HAD PREVI\SLY BE5 & CREAK$ 9 S+LE FILE ACROSS ! DEBRIS - COLONIZ$ BY SNAILS - ?AT HAD AT SOME PO9T S]V$ AS ! HOME'S P>LOR1 LIV+ ROOM & KIT*54 ,! RE> KIT*5 WALL WAS GONE 5TIRELY1 SO ?AT IT WAS H>D TO TELL :]E :AT WAS =M]LY 9DOORS CAME TO AN 5D & ! BACK Y>D BEGAN4 ,! ONLY DEM>CATION WAS A TIDE-L9E ( DOME/IC RUBBI%1 :I* HAD DRIFT$ UP AGA9/ ! S+LE C\RSE ( BRICKS ?AT /ILL REMA9$1 A B& ( REFUSE ?AT WAS T\*+LY FAMILI> & 9TIMATE4 ,!RE WAS A DOLL'S HEAD MADE ( H>D1 OLD-FA%ION$ PLA/IC1 BR[N & BRITTLE1 ONE EYE DEAD & CLOS$1 ! O!R OP5 WIDE AS ?\< ! UND]TAK]'S P5NY HAD SLIPP$ (F4 ,!RE WAS A BROK5 BE]-CRATE & ! UND]C>RIAGE ( A PRAM1 ALONG ) SOLIT>Y %OES1 ! DEADLY ?ROAT ( A MILK-BOTTLE & ONE SODD5 & DIS9TEGRAT+ COPY ( ! ,DAILY ,MIRROR ) A HEADL9E ?AT REF]R$ TO ,ZEUS AL?\< ! /ORY UND]NEA? WAS ALL AB\T ! CRISIS 9 ,SUEZ4 

,HAV+ NEGOTIAT$ ! PREC>I\S OB/ACLE-C\RSE ( ! RO(LESS HOME'S 9T]IOR1 ! GANG COLLECT$ 9 :AT !RE WAS LEFT ( ! COMMUNAL BACK Y>D ?AT HAD ONCE BE5 %>$ BY NUMB]S #ag TO #b#g1 ,L[] ,H>D+ ,/REET4 ,IT WAS AN >EA SOME N9ETY FEET 9 WID?1 :I* SLANT$ 9 AN AVALAN*E ( TALL1 P>*$ GRASS T[>DS A CRUMBL+ BOTTOM WALL1 A LITTLE UND] SIXTY FEET D[NHILL4 ,! REMNANTS ( TWO D\BLE-PRIVIES /OOD AGA9/ ?IS L[] B\ND>Y1 :I* WAS AT 9T]VALS COLLAPS$ 9TO A SCREE ( SALMON-COLOR$ BRICK1 & H]E & !RE ACROSS ! OV]GR[N 5CLOSURE !RE W]E PILES ( JUNK COMPO/+ D[N TO DREAM-DROSS 9 AMONG ! YELL[$ %OOTS4 ,PHYLLIS ALL[$ H]SELF A TI<T SMILE ( SELF-SATISFACTION4 ,IF Y\ DIDN'T KN[ ALREADY IT WAS !RE1 !N ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG'S HIDD5 D5 C\LD NOT BE SE54 

,%E L$ ! GANG & ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 D[N ! SLOPE1 PA/ A HAPHAZ>D PILE ( CORRUGAT$ IRON %EETS1 DISC>D$ CUPBO>D DOORS & FLATT5$ C>DBO>D BOXES4 ,AT A PO9T APPROXIMATELY HALFWAY D[N %E /OOP$ & GE/UR$ PR\DLY TO ! BU%Y GRADI5T ITSELF1 = ,MI*AEL'S B5EFIT4 

0,:AT D'Y] ?9K80 

,BEWILD]$1 ,MI*AEL SQU9T$ AT ! SCRE5 ( WILT$ /ALKS1 & !N AT ,PHYLLIS4 

0,:AT8 ,:AT DO ,I ?9K AB\T :AT80 

0,WELL1 ABAYT \R D54 ,COME ON4 ,GET CLOS] UP & HAVE A PROP] BUT*]'S AT IT40 

,HIT*+ HIS PAJAMA-BOTTOMS UP SELF-CONSCI\SLY1 ! LITTLE BOY LEAN$ FUR!R 91 AS HE'D BE5 TOLD4 ,AFT] A :ILE HE GAVE A FA9TLY DISAPPO9T$ YELP AS HE DISCOV]$ SOME?+1 AL?\< FROM ! S\ND ( IT1 IT WASN'T ANY?+ MU* GOOD4 

0,OH4 ,WIZ ?IS :AT Y\ MEANT1 ?IS GRABBIT-HOLE80 

,HE PO9T$ TO A M9OR BURR[1 ONLY A FEW 9*ES WIDE1 & ,PHYLLIS LAU<$4 

0,NOT ?AT6 ',[ W\LD WE GET DAYN ?AT8 ,NO1 LOOK A BIT MORE TO Y] RI<T40 

,%E LET HIM ROOT R\ND 9 ! EMPTY REGION ON ! LEFT SIDE ( ! BURR[ = A MOM5T & !N TOLD HIM :I* HIS RI<T WAS4 ,HE RESUM$ HIS SE>* & F\ND :AT HE WAS MEANT TO F9D ALMO/ IMM$IATELY1 AL?\< HE S\ND$ NONE ! WIS] AS TO :AT IT WAS4 

0,IS IT A CLOCKPIT FROM AN AIRPLANE :AT'S GONE D[N UND]GR\ND80 

,IT WASN'T1 OBVI\SLY1 BUT Y\ C\LD SEE :]E HE'D GOT ?AT IMPRESSION4 ,9 FACT1 :AT ! BOY WAS LOOK+ AT WAS ! GRE5-T9T$ ,P]SPEX W9DSCRE5 ( A MOTORCYCLE SIDEC> ?AT HAD BE5 EMB$D$ 9 ! SLOPE1 !N SME>$ ) O*] MUD TO CUT D[N ANY TELLTALE GL9TS4 ,?AT HAD BE5 ,H&SOME ,JOHN'S IDEA1 ?AT CLEV] MILIT>Y T\*4 

0,NO4 ,IT'S ! W9D[ ( AYR D54 ,:5 WE WIZ PLAY+ ']E ONE DAY WE F\ND ! 'OLES & ?\<T !Y MI<T ALL LEAD TO A BIG BURR[ FUR!R BACK4 ,! BOYS FET*$ %OVELS1 & WE DUG DAYN UND] :]E !M %EETS ( METAL >E1 BACK UP ! 'ILL4 ,IT TOOK SOME TIME1 BUT WE BROKE ?R\< 9TO :AT 'AD BE5 AN OLD RABBIT-W>R5 BUT WAS EMPTY N[4 ,WE KICK$ ALL ! OLD TUNNEL WALLS DAYN & WE DUG IT AYT SOME MORE UNTIL WE'D GOT A MASSIVE PIT1 LOOK$ LIKE A %ELL 'AD 'IT IT4 ,!N WE WID5$ AYT ! BIGGE/ RABBIT 'OLE SO WE C\LD 'AVE A W9D[1 :]E WE PUT ?IS W9DSCRE5 (F A SIDEC> :AT WE'D FAYND4 ,WE DRAGG$ OLD DOORS & ?AT FROM ']E-ABAYTS & FITT$ !M ACROSS AYR PIT TO MAKE A RO(1 BUT SO ?AT IT W\LD LOOK LIKE RUBBI% SOMEBODY HAD DUMP$40 

,%E GAVE A NOD & ,REGGIE ,B[L] SCRAMBL$ BACK A FEW FEET ?R\< ! TALL GRASS1 UP ! SLANT$ Y>D TO :]E ! SEEM+ PILE ( REFUSE WAS LOCAT$4 ,B5D+ =W>D F> 5\< SO ?AT HIS BATT]$ HAT FELL (F1 HE GRUBB$ >\ND AMONG ! SCRAP UNTIL HIS F+]S F\ND ! $GE ( A DILAPIDAT$ PLYWOOD SCRE54 ,GRUNT+ ) EF=T - ,PHYLLIS ?\<T ?AT HE WAS OV]DO+ IT A BIT IF TRU? BE TOLD - HE DRAGG$ ! MUD-/A9$ WOOD5 %EET BACK1 SCRAP+ OV] CORRUGAT$ IRON1 UNTIL HE'D REVEAL$ ! PIT*-BLACK 5TRANCE ( A TUNNEL4 ,/OOP+ TO RETRIEVE HIS FALL5 B[L]1 ,REGGIE SAT D[N ON ! HOLE'S RIM ) HIS PALE LEGS DANGL+ AWAY 9TO ! D>KNESS & !N1 ) A SLI!R+ MOTION V]Y LIKE A /OAT1 HE DISAPPE>$ FROM SI<T4 

,GIV+ ,REGGIE TIME TO F9D & LI<T ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG'S SOLE C&LE1 ,PHYLLIS NEXT S5T H] ,BILL & ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE 9TO ! SUBT]RANEAN LAIR1 ) H] & ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 FOLL[+ :ILE ,H&SOME ,JOHN BR\<T UP ! RE>1 S9CE HE WAS TALL 5\< TO REA* & SLIDE ! PLYWOOD %EET BACK 9TO PLACE ABOVE !M ONCE !Y W]E ALL 94 

,! PIT WAS R\<LY CIRCUL>1 P]HAPS EI<T FEET ACROSS & FIVE FEET DEEP ) A FLAT FLOOR & SIDES ( H>D-PACK$ SOIL4 ,! CURV$ WALL HAD BE5 DUG TO =M A L$GE JU/ UND] HALFWAY UP SO EV]YBODY HAD SOME:]E TO SIT1 AL?\< NOT COM=TABLY4 ,! SAME %ELF1 RUNN+ ALL >\ND ! D5'S P]IMET]1 ALSO PROVID$ ALCOVE SPACE1 :I* HAD BE5 HOLL[$ FROM ! S\!RN SECTION ( ITS >C4 ,H]E ALL ! GANG'S POSSESSIONS W]E KEPT SAFE1 NOT ?AT !RE W]E A LOT ( !M3 TWO WAT]-DAMAG$ COPIES ( ,HEAL? & ,EFFICI5CY1 BLACK-&-:ITE BLONDS ) BEA*-BALLS ON !IR COCKL$ COV]S1 :I* BO? ,BILL & ,REGGIE ,B[L] HAD 9SI/$ BE 9CLUD$ 9 ! TREASURY2 A PACK ( T5 ,K5SITAS CIG>ETTES ?AT /ILL HAD ?REE FAGS LEFT 9SIDE1 AL?\< ! PICTURE ON ! BOX HAD BE5 REMEMB]$ WRONG SO ?AT ! POMP\S BUTL] MASCOT HAD ONE GLOV$ H& RAIS$ TO HOLD HIS NOSE & IT SAID ',SEA ,/9K' :]E ! ,K5SITAS NAME %\LD HAVE BE52 A BOX ( MAT*ES ?AT HAD ,CAPTA9 ,WEBB ! *ANNEL-SWIMM] ON ! FRONT1 &1 F9ALLY1 !IR C&LE4 ,?IS /OOD FUZ$ BY WAX TO A CRACK$ SAUC] & SUPPLI$ ! UND]GR\ND D5'S ONE S\RCE ( ILLUM9ATION1 IF Y\ DIDN'T C\NT ! GRE5I% UND]WAT] RADIANCE ?AT FILT]$ 9 ?R\< ! MUD-PLA/]$ W9DSCRE5 SET 9TO ! WE/]N WALL4 

,!Y SAT R\ND 9 A R+ !RE ON ! N>R[ & 5CIRCL+ L$GE1 ! C&LE-GLIMM] FLUTT]+ ACROSS !IR GR9N+ MUGS1 ) ONLY ,MI*AEL ,W>R5'S LEGS TOO %ORT TO REA* ! GR\ND4 ,HIS SLIPP]$ TOES SWUNG BACK & =? SCANT 9*ES FROM ! MOLDY C>PET-REMNANT ?AT CONCEAL$ MO/ ( A TRODD5 BLACK-DIRT FLOOR4 ,HE LOOK$ SO LITTLE ,PHYLLIS ALMO/ FELT A TW+E ( FONDNESS = HIM1 SMIL+ REASSUR+LY AS %E ADDRESS$ HIM4 

0,WELL1 !N8 ,:AT D'Y] ?9K80 

,%E DIDN'T WAIT = HIM TO ANSW]1 S9CE !RE WAS NO D\BT :AT HE W\LD ?9K1 :AT ANYONE W\LD ?9K4 ,?IS WAS ! BE/ D5 9 ,MANS\L1 & ,PHYLLIS KNEW IT4 ,:Y1 !Y HADN'T EV5 %[$ HIM ! MO/ ?RILL+ ?+ AB\T ! PLACE YET1 & ALREADY HE LOOK$ MESM]IZ$4 ,%E C>RI$ ON ) H] 5?USIA/IC1 BUBBL+ TIRADE4 

0,IT'S NOT BAD1 WIZ IT1 = A GANG ( KIDS8 ,= SAY+ IT WIZ US :O MADE IT1 LIKE8 ,N[ !N1 ,I'D BETT] CALL ?IS MEET+ ( ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG TO ORD] SO WE CAN DECIDE :AT'S TO BE DONE ) Y]4 ,I RECKON Y] A MY/]Y :AT NE$S SOLV+1 :AT ) ALL ?IS GETT+ C>RI$ (F BY DEVILS1 />T+ FI<TS BETWE5 ! BUILD]S & !N BE+ BACK TO LIFE AGA9 BY ,FRIDAY NONS5SE4 ,SO Y] LUCKY Y]'VE FELL 9 ) US1 S9CE WE'RE ! BE/ DETECTIVES 9 ! ,BOR\<S1 'I< OR L[40 

,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE SAID 0,>E WE80 9 A />TL$ TONE :I* ,PHYLLIS JU/ IGNOR$4 

0,N[1 :AT WE'VE GOT TO F9D AYT FIR/ WIZ :O Y\ >E4 ,NOT :AT Y] NAME WIZ1 Y]'VE ALREADY TOLD US ?AT1 BUT :O Y] PEOPLE >E1 & :]E Y] COME FROM4 ,& ,I'M NOT JU/ TALK+ AB\T COM+ FROM ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 BUT :]E ! /UFF :AT MADE Y] COME FROM BE=E ?AT4 ,EV]Y?+ 9 ! WORLD :AT HAPP5S1 EV]YBODY :O WIZ EV] BORN1 IT'S ALL P>T ( A PATT]N1 & ! PATT]N /RET*ES BACK A LONG WAY BE=E WE WIZ ']E1 & IT GUZ ON A LONG WAY AFT] WE'RE ALL GONE4 ,IF Y\ WANT TO F9D \T :AT LIFE'S ABAYT Y\ HAVE TO SEE ! PATT]N CLE>LY1 & ?AT MEANS Y]'VE GOT TO LOOK AT ALL ! TWI/S & TURNS BACK 9 ! PA/ ?AT MADE Y] PATT]N :AT IT WIZ4 ,Y]'VE GOT TO FOLL[ ALL ! L9ES BACK1 DO Y] SEE8 ,YE>S BACK1 OR C5TURIES 9 SOME CASES4 ,WE MI<T HAVE TO GOO QUITE A LONG WAY BE=E WE F9D \T :AT Y] AB\T40 

,! LITTLE BOY ALREADY LOOK$ DI%E>T5$4 

0,HAVE WE GOT TO WALK ALL BACK ALONG ?AT BIG >CADE = YE>S8 ,IT'S LOTS ( MILES = EV5 JU/ A DAY40 

,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE1 :O SAT ! O!R SIDE ( ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 ON ! PACK$ DIRT %ELF1 TURN$ R\ND TO REASSURE HIM ) ! LEAP+ C&LELI<T SME>$ OV] EA* L5S ( ! GIRL'S UNFLATT]+ ,NATIONAL ,HEAL? SPECTACLES4 ,H] BOGGL+1 E>NE/ EYES W]E LO/ 9 PUDDLES ( REFLECT$ FLAME4 

0,?AT W\LDN'T BE NO GOOD4 ,UP 9 ! ,SECOND ,BOR\< H]E1 IT'S NOT LIKE H[ IT WIZ BACK D[N BEL[4 ,IT'S JU/ A SORT ( DREAM ( H[ ?+S US$ TO BE1 SO WE C\LD WALK BACK D[N ! ,ATTICS = AS F> AS !Y W5T ON & NEV] F9D \T ANY?+ WOR? KN[+4 ,IT W\LD ALL BE ?\<TS & FANCIES1 )\T MU* TO DO ) ANYONE'S REAL LIFE40 

,Y\ C\LD ALMO/ HE> ! CLOCKWORK TURN+ 9 ! 9FANT'S HEAD AS HE CONSID]$ ?IS4 

0,BUT C\LDN'T WE LOOK D[N ?R\< ALL !M BIG SQU>E HOLES & SEE ALL :AT WIZ REALLY GO+ ON BEL[80 

,H]E ,H&SOME ,JOHN LEAN$ =W>D1 ?RU/+ HIS H]OIC FACE 9TO ! HALO ( ! C&LE AS HE BUTT$ 94 

0,ALL ?AT WE'D SEE IS JEWELRY1 ! SOLID %APES :AT PEOPLE LEAVE BEH9D !M :5 !Y MOVE ?R\< TIME4 ,I'LL GRANT Y\1 IF Y\ /UDY !M A LONG :ILE Y\ CAN MORE OR LESS MAKE \T :AT'S HAPP5+1 BUT IT TAKES AGES & Y\'RE (T5 NONE ! WIS] AT ! 5D ( IT40 

,! LITTLE BOY WAS CLE>LY ?9K+ SO H>D N[ ?AT ,PHYLLIS FE>$ HIS BLOND HEAD MI<T 9FLATE & BL[ TO BITS4 

0,BUT :AT IF WE W5T D[N ! ATTIC-HOLES LIKE ,I DID ) ?AT DEVIL8 ,WE C\LD SEE ?+S NORMAL !N40 

,PHYLLIS1 AT ?IS PO9T1 SNORT$ ) D]ISION4 

0,OH1 & SEE+ PEOPLE ) !IR GUTS & BONES ON ! AYTSIDE WIZ NORMAL1 WIZ IT8 ,ANYWAY1 IT'S NOT JU/ ANYBODY :O CAN TAKE Y\ = A RIDE ABOVE ! DAYN/AIRS WORLD LIKE ?AT4 ,!RE'S MAGIC P[]S :AT ONLY FI5DS & BUILD]S 'AVE4 ,NO1 IF WE WANT TO F9D AYT ALL ! CLUES & BITS ( EVID5CE ?AT >E TO DO ) Y]1 !RE'S ONLY ONE ?+ = IT4 ,WE %ALL 'AVE TO USE ONE ( AYR SPECIAL SECRET PASSAGES1 ?AT RUNS BETWE5 ,MANS\L & :AT'S BEL[4 ,Y\ DO ! 'ON\RS1 ,REGGIE40 

,CLIMB+ TO HIS FEET 9 A HALF-CR\* BUT ) HIS B[L] SCRAP+ ON ! HIDE\T'S CORRUGAT$ T9 RO( ANYWAY1 ! GANGLY ,VICTORIAN UR*9 CUT A WEIRD1 FANTA/IC FIGURE 9 ! C&LELI<T ) HIS ,SALVATION ,>MY OV]COAT SW++ AB\T HIS :ITE & BONY KNEES4 ,HE SQUATT$ ON HIS HAUN*ES 9 A PO/URE V]Y LIKE ?AT ( A JUMP+ SPID] & BEGAN TO ROLL ! MOLD]+ PAT* ( C>PET UP FROM ONE 5D4 ,IT HAD HAD A PATT]N ONCE1 SOME?+ ) DIAMONDS 9 TWO %ADES ( BR[N1 BUT ?R\< ! GLOOM & ROT ONLY ! B>E/ RUMOR ( DESIGN WAS VISIBLE AS ,REGGIE ,B[L] ROLL$ IT BACK4 ,:ILE HE WAS ?US 5GAG$1 ,PHYLLIS BECAME AW>E ?AT ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 & ! O!R MEMB]S ( H] GANG W]E $G+ GRADUALLY AWAY FROM H] ALONG ! H>D BLACK L$GE :]E !Y W]E SEAT$4 ,REALIZ+ AFT] A FEW MOM5TS ?AT IT WAS ! ODOR ( H] RABBIT PELTS 9 ?IS CONF9$ SPACE ?AT WAS DRIV+ !M AWAY %E TOSS$ H] HEAD DISMISSIVELY & ?REW ONE 5D ( ! FUR NECKLACE BACK ACROSS H] %\LD] LIKE AN ACTRESS ) A /OLE4 ,LET !M PUT UP ) IT A M9UTE OR TWO LONG]4 ,SOON 5\< !Y'D ALL BE 9 A PLACE :]E NO ONE C\LD SMELL ANY?+4 

,! C>PET REMNANT WAS N[ ROLL$ 9TO A DAMP CIG> AT ONE 5D ( ! R\ND$ PIT1 EXPOS+ ! DI/RESS$ MAHOGANY ( AN OLD W>DROBE DOOR APP>5TLY PRESS$ D[N 9TO ! DIRT B5EA? & :I* HAD BE5 PREVI\SLY HIDD5 BY ! MILDEW$ RUG4 

0,GIVE US A H&1 ,JOHN40 ,?IS WAS ,REGGIE SPEAK+ AS HE WORK$ HIS FIL?Y F+]NAILS D[N 9TO ! LOOSE SOIL UP AT ONE 5D ( ! EMB$D$ DOOR1 FUMBL+ = PUR*ASE4 ,H&SOME ,JOHN /OOD UP AS BE/ HE C\LD ) ! L[ CEIL+ & !N GOT D[N ON ONE KNEE AT ! F> 5D ( ! SCUFF$ WOOD5 RECTANGLE1 PU%+ HIS F+]S D[N 9TO ! CRACK BETWE5 ! DOOR & ITS SURR\ND+ DIRT LIKE ,REGGIE HAD4 ,UPON ! C\NT ( ?REE & ) A MUTUAL GRUNT ( EF=T1 ,JOHN & ,REGGIE ,B[L] LIFT$ ! DOOR CLE> & TO ONE SIDE4 

,IT WAS AS IF SOMEONE HAD SWIT*$ A TELEVISION ON 9 A D>K ROOM4 ,A FLOOD ( NACRE\S GRAY LI<T BUR/ 9 TO FILL ! CRAMP$ D51 %9+ 9 A FANN+ H>D-$G$ RAY UP ?R\< ! RAGG$ HOLE ?AT HAD BE5 UND]NEA? ! W>DROBE DOOR1 :I* HAD ITSELF BE5 HIDD5 BY ! SODD5 C>PET4 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 GASP$1 BEG9N] ?AT HE WAS4 ,ALL ! DEAD *ILDR5'S FACES W]E N[ UND]-LIT AS IF BY BURI$ />LI<T & ! C&LE WAS NO LONG] NECESS>Y4 ,PHYLLIS P9*$ IT \T1 SO'S NOT TO WA/E IT1 & RECEIV$ A SECOND SK9 ( HOT WAX ON H] ?UMB & 9DEX F+] = H] PA9S4 ,! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG & !IR PAJAMA-SPORT+ HONOR>Y MEMB] CLIMB$ D[N FROM !IR PACK$ DIRT P]*ES1 KNEEL+ 9 A R+ >\ND ! PE>L BLAZE ( ! AP]TURE AS !Y />$ MUTELY D[N4 

,! VOID1 AB\T ?REE FEET ACROSS1 WAS LIKE A PEEPHOLE ?AT SPI$ D[N UPON A LUM9ESC5T FAIRY K+DOM UND]NEA? ! GR\ND1 A DETAIL$ L&SCAPE KEPT SAFE 9 A MAGIC MUSIC BOX ON :I* ! LID HAD JU/ BE5 LIFT$4 ,NO?+ WAS 9 COLOR4 ,EV]Y?+ WAS BLACK OR :ITE OR ONE ( SEV]AL DOZ5 F9ELY-GRAD$ NEUTRALS4 

,!Y W]E LOOK+ AT A SILV]Y PAT* ( WA/E GR\ND FROM ABOVE1 ) G\G$ CLAY SOIL FROM :I* GREW BUTT]CUPS & ROSEBAY WILLO:]B 9 VIBRANT MONO*ROME4 ,T9 GRASS %OV$ UP ITS SPE>S BETWE5 A FALL5 SPRAWL ( WET GRAY BRICKS1 & ! RA9WAT] GA!R$ 9 AN UPTURN$ HUBCAP WAS REFLECT+ ONLY B&S ( QUIV]+ SMOKY %AD[ & ! LEAD5 CL\DS ABOVE4 ,IT WAS EXACTLY AS IF SOMEBODY UNPRACTIC$ ) A CAM]A HAD ACCID5TALLY CLICK$ ! %UTT] :ILE ! BOX WAS PO9T$ AT ! GR\ND B5EA? !IR FEET1 HAD TAK5 A =TUIT\SLY-LIT & DETAIL$ PHOTOGRAPH ( NO?+ MU* AT ALL4 ,! SNAP%OT WORLD ?AT !Y C\LD SEE1 ?\< ?REE-DIM5SIONAL1 HAD EV5 GOT :ITE CREASES RUNN+ BACK & =? ACROSS IT LIKE A W$D+ PICTURE LEFT =GOTT5 9 A CLUTT]$ SIDEBO>D DRAW]1 AL?\< ON CLOSE 9SPECTION ,PHYLLIS KNEW ?AT !SE W\LD PROVE TO BE TRAJECTORIES LEFT 9 ! WAKE ( <O/LY 9SECTS1 :I* W\LD FADE FROM SI<T 9 MOM5TS4 

,MI*AEL ,W>R5 GLANC$ UP FROM ! L&SCAPE ( BURN$ PLAT9UM1 ITS PHOTO-ALBUM GL[ LI<T+ HIS UPTURN$ *9 FROM UND]NEA? AS HE GAZ$ QUE/ION+LY AT ,PHYLLIS4 ,HE LOOK$ FROM H] TO ! SIL5T FILM VIEW ?R\< ! BLOT-%AP$ HOLE1 & BACK AGA94 

0,:AT WIZ IT80 

,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] HUNG H] BLOODY B&OLE] ( RABBIT HIDES MORE COM=TABLY >\ND H] SK9NY %\LD]S & WAS UNABLE TO KEEP FROM GR9N+ SMUGLY AS %E ANSW]$4 ,WAS !RE ANY O!R BUN* ( *EEKY MONKEYS 9 ! :OLE ( ,HEAV5 HAD A BOLT HOLE HALF AS GOOD AS ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG8 

0,IT'S ! <O/-SEAM40 

,!RE BEL[ ! GRAY BREEZE BLEW A %EET ( BLANK1 GREASE-SPOTT$ *IP-WRAP 9TO VIEW ACROSS ONE CORN] ( ! SC5E4 ,OV]EXPOS$ AT ITS F> $GE ! GRA9Y & NO/ALGIC IMAGE BL$ \T TO A FL>+ :ITE1 & ONE AFT] ANO!R ALL ! BOYS & GIRLS W5T D[N 9TO ! ZEBRA-&-,DALMATIAN DAPPLE ( ! <O/-SEAM1 D[N 9TO ! BLEA*$ ,DAGU]REOTYPE ( A REMEMB]$ WORLD ?AT WAS DEA?'S MEZZAN9E4 

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

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

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
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