,BOOK #b1 ,*APT] #e 
,FLATL& 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

,F,L,A,T,L,& 

,REG9ALD ,JAMES ,F[L] WAS ! BEAUTIFULLY-WRITT5 NAME UPON ! ONLY TWO C]TIFICATES HE'D EV] BE5 AW>D$1 :I* W]E ! SAME TWO ?AT EV]YONE GOT1 JU/ = TURN+ UP4 

,HE'D BE5 CALL$ ,REGGIE ,B[L] EV] S9CE ,MISS ,TIBBS HAD GOT HIS NAME WRONG1 READ+ \T ! REGI/] ON HIS FIR/ DAY AT S*OOL4 ,! ACTUAL HAT HAD COME MU* LAT]1 & HE'D ONLY />T$ WE>+ IT TO FIT 9 ) ! NAME4 ,HE'D F\ND IT1 ) HIS MU*-TOO-BIG1 P]PETUALLY-DAMP OV]COAT1 AMONG ! RUBBI% ON ! BURIAL GR\ND NE> ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*1 :5 HE'D BE5 SLEEP+ !RE JU/ AFT] HIS TWELF? BIR?DAY4 ,HE'D ALREADY HAD ! DREAM BY !N1 ( ,MISS ,TIBBS HOLD+ UP A BOOK CALL$ ,! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG ) AN OV]COAT-&-B[L]-SPORT+ UR*9 9 GOLD 9LAY ON ITS FRONT1 BUT :5 HE'D COME ACROSS ?OSE >TICLES ( CLO?+ 9 REAL LIFE ?IS PREMONITION WAS =GOTT5 & WAS QUITE ! FUR!/ ?+ FROM ,REGGIE'S M9D4 ,HE'D JU/ BE5 OV]JOY$ TO F9D ! FREE APP>EL1 ! FIR/ BIT ( LUCK HE'D HAD S9CE LOS+ BO? HIS P>5TS4 

,AT ! TIME HE'D TRI$ TO JOLLY HIMSELF UP BY LOOK+ ON ! HAT & COAT AS PRES5TS1 KIDD+ HIMSELF ?AT HIS DAD HAD COME BACK & HAD LEFT !M !RE = HIM1 HUNG ON ! BRAMBLES GR[+ 9 ! CROOK ( A /ONE WALL ALREADY PEPP]$ GRE5 ) AGE4 ,IF HE WAS HONE/ ) HIMSELF HE KNEW ! G>M5TS W]E MORE LIKELY ?OSE ( AN OLD MAN NAM$ ,MALL>D1 :O'D LIV$ 9 ,LONG ,G>D5S (F ,*ALK ,LANE & :O HAD KILL$ HIMSELF 9 A DEPRESSION4 ,PROBABLY HIS SON1 :O'D V]Y SOON !REAFT] TAK5 UP EMPLOYM5T AS A SLAU<T]-MAN 9 ,LONDON1 HAD GOT SICK ( LOOK+ AT ! SUICIDE'S OLD CLO!S & ?R[N !M \T4 ,?AT W\LD HAVE BE51 BY ,REGGIE'S RECKON+1 >\ND ',SEV5TY-ONE OR TWO1 AB\T A YE> BE=E ! BAD FRO/ ?AT HAD F9ALLY SE5 ,REGGIE (F4 

,!RE'D BE5 A LOT ( PEOPLE DO AWAY ) !MSELVES 9 ! ,BOR\<S D[N ! YE>S4 ,OLD ,MALL>D ONLY /UCK 9 ,REGGIE'S MEMORY BECAUSE HE'D BE5 A MAN1 :5 NE>LY ALL ! O!RS HAD BE5 FEMALE4 ,IT WAS H>D] = ! WOM51 OR AT LEA/ ?AT'S :AT HE'D HE>D !IR HUSB&S TELL EA* O!R OV] BE] 9 A PUB G>D51 IF ! SUBJECT %\LD >ISE4 

0,IT'S SOME?+ ?AT'S 9 !M OLD H\SES10 WAS ! G5]AL OP9ION4 0,= ! *APS IT'S NOT SO BAD1 BECAUSE !Y'RE \T TO WORK4 ,! WOM51 ?\<1 !Y'RE LEFT 9DOORS ) IT & !Y CAN'T GET AWAY40 

,HE'D (T5 WOND]$1 9 HIS IDLE MOM5TS1 :AT 0IT0 WAS4 ,IF IT WAS SOME?+ SOMEH[ 090 ! H\SES1 !N IT C\LD BE DAMP OR DRY-ROT1 SOME MIASMAL PRES5CE SEEP+ FROM ! BEAMS & BRICKWORK ?AT C\LD MAKE A P]SON SO ILL ?AT !Y'D WANT TO TAKE !IR LIFE1 AL?\< HE'D NEV] HE>D ( SU* A ?+4 ,BESIDES1 ! WAY ?AT GR[N-UP FELL[S TALK$ AB\T ! MATT]1 NODD+ SOLEMNLY OV] !IR P9TS ( WAT]Y PALE ALE1 HAD GIV5 ,REGGIE ! IMPRESSION !Y'D BE5 SPEAK+ ( A LIV+ CREATURE1 SOME?+ ?AT HAD W&]$ 9 ONE DAY TO TAKE UP RESID5CE & !N REFUS$ TO LEAVE4 ,SOME?+ SO UPSETT+ & SO MIS]ABLE ?AT Y\'D BE BETT] DEAD ?AN /UCK AT HOME ) IT1 TRY+ TO DO Y\R H\SEWORK ) IT SITT+ 9 ! CORN] WRIGGL+ & CLICK+1 LOOK+ AT Y\ ) ITS KN[+ LITTLE BLACK EYES4 ,REGGIE ALWAYS PICTUR$ 0IT0 AS A GIANT E>WIG1 AL?\< P>T ( HIM KNEW FULL WELL IT WAS ONLY ORD9>Y DESPAIR4 

,?IS WAS ! NE/+ HORROR ?AT HAD DONE = ,REGGIE'S MO!R1 SO HE ?\<T AB\T IT QUITE A LOT4 ,%E'D TRI$ TO KILL H]SELF SO MANY TIMES ?AT BY H] ?IRD TRY EV5 %E C\LD SEE ! FUNNY SIDE4 ,H] FIR/ ATTEMPT HAD BE5 AT DR[N+1 9 ! ,N5E :]E IT RAN ?R\< ,FOOT ,MEAD[1 BUT ! RIV] WASN'T DEEP 5\< AT ?AT PO9T TO ACCOMMODATE H] & %E'D GIV5 UP4 ,NEXT %E'D JUMP$ FROM ! B$ROOM W9D[ ( !IR H\SE 9 ,GAS ,/REET1 :I* RESULT$ ONLY 9 A PAIR ( BROK5 ANKLES4 ,ON ! ?IRD OCCASION %E'D TRI$ KNEEL+ ) H] HEAD 9SIDE ! OV51 BUT ! GAS RAN \T BE=E %E'D F9I%$ & %E DIDN'T HAVE A P5NY = ! MET]4 ,IT WAS ?AT1 BE+ TOO POOR TO EV5 GAS H]SELF1 :I* 9 ! 5D MADE ,REGGIE'S MO!R LAU< AB\T H] TR\BLES4 ,SO SURPRIS$ W]E ,REGGIE & HIS DAD TO SEE H] *UCKL+ AGA9 ?AT !Y'D JO9$ 91 LAU<+ ALONG ) H] !RE 9 ! FREEZ+ KIT*51 ) ITS W9D[S OP5 TO DISPEL ! RUBB]Y & ACRID FUMES4 ,REGGIE HIMSELF HAD GIGGL$ MO/1 AL?\< HE HADN'T REALLY UND]/OOD ! SITUATION & WAS ONLY LAU<+ BECAUSE EV]YBODY ELSE WAS4 ,ALSO1 HE SUPPOS$ ?AT HE'D GUFFAW$ \T ( RELIEF & GRATITUDE1 CONV9C$ ?AT A D>K *APT] ( HIS FAMILY'S /ORY WAS N[ OV]4 

,9 A S5SE1 ( C\RSE1 HE'D BE5 QUITE RI<T3 SOME FEW WEEKS AFT] ! HIL>ITY 9 ! COLD1 SMELLY KIT*51 ,REGGIE'S MO!R ONCE MORE ?REW H]SELF \T ( ! UP/AIRS W9D[1 ?IS TIME MANAG+ TO HIT ! ANCI5T & 9DIFF]5T PAV+ /ONES ( ,GAS ,/REET ) H] HEAD1 :I* F9ALLY SEEM$ TO DO ! TRICK4 ,A *APT] C]TA9LY HAD BE5 CONCLUD$1 BUT ! ONES ?AT FOLL[$ IT W]E EV5 D>K]1 EV5 WORSE4 

,FOLL[+ HIS WIFE'S SUCCESSFUL F\R? & F9AL /AB AT SELF-DE/RUCTION1 ,REGGIE'S DAD HAD />T$ DR9K+ HEAVILY1 *UCK+ ! ALE BACK = DE> LIFE1 & !N HAD />T$ FI<TS4 ,NI<T AFT] NI<T HE'D C>RI$ ON LIKE ?AT1 BLOOD JETT+ FROM SMA%$ NOSES UP AGA9/ A PRIVY WALL1 TEE? SPAT 9TO ! ,GAS ,/REET DRA9S LIKE M9IATURE BONE ROCKETS ) A %[] ( R$ SP>KS BEH9D !M1 & 9EVITABLY ! CON/ABUL>Y W\LD BE CALL$4 ,HIS FIR/ (F5SE1 !Y BEAT HIM UP4 ,HIS SECOND ONE1 !Y LOCK$ HIM UP & ,REGGIE HADN'T EV5 KN[N :I* JAIL HIS DAD WAS 94 ,AB&ON$1 ,REGGIE HAD LIV$ 9 ! ,GAS ,/REET H\SE ALONE = GETT+ ON A WEEK1 EAT+ & SLEEP+ 9 HIS P>5TS' BIG B$ = ! LUXURY ( IT1 NOT ANSW]+ ! DOOR ! FIR/ TIME ?AT ! R5T-MAN CALL$4 ,ON HIS NEXT VISIT1 ?\<1 ! R5T-MAN HAD A BAILIFF ) HIM1 :O HAD SIMPLY KICK$ ! DOOR 91 BY :I* TIME ,REGGIE WAS SC>P]+ ?R\< AN UNT5D$ BACK Y>D1 HURDL+ ! BOTTOM WALL & MAK+ (F ALONG ! ALLEYWAY4 

,HIS SUBSEQU5T ADDRESS HAD BE5 ! WA/EL& ?AT !Y CALL$ ! BURIAL GR\ND1 OPPOSITE ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*4 ,HE'D BE5 PLEAS$ ) HIMSELF AB\T ! LITTLE H\SE HE'D BUILT !RE1 UP AGA9/ ! B\ND+ WALL ?AT OV]LOOK$ ,*ALK ,LANE4 ,EV5 ?\< IT HAD ONLY BE5 A PLYWOOD PACK+ CRATE1 ,REGGIE WAS PR\D ( HIS [N +5UITY 9 TURN+ IT 9TO A HOME4 ,HE'D TIPP$ IT ON ITS SIDE1 SWEPT \T ! SNAILS & TACK$ SOMEONE'S DISC>D$ CURTA9 UP ACROSS ! OP5+ AS A SORT ( DOOR4 ,HE CAM\FLAG$ IT ) DEAD BRAN*ES1 ?9K+ ?AT ?IS S\ND$ LIKE ! SORT ( ?+ AN ,9DIAN SC\T W\LD DO1 & MADE A SPE> ) :I* HE C\LD DEF5D HIMSELF BY %>P5+ A LONG /ICK ) HIS RU/Y P5KNIFE1 BE=E REALIZ+ ! KNIFE ITSELF W\LD MAKE A BETT] WEAPON4 ,HE'D BE5 A BIT DIM BACK !N1 BUT !N1 HE'D ONLY BE5 ELEV54 

,?AT SAID1 F9D+ FOOD & GETT+ BY1 :I* 9 ! CIRCUM/ANCES Y\ MI<T WELL EXPECT TO BE A H>D%IP1 !SE W]E ?+S ?AT ,REGGIE F\ND HE TOOK TO NATURALLY4 ,HE'D HAUNT ! $GES ( ! SQU>E ON M>KET NI<T & F9D SQUA%$ FRUIT & VEG ?R[N \T AMONG ! TISSUE PAP]1 /RAW & EMPTY BOXES4 ,! BACK DOORS ( BAK]'S %OPS AT CLOS+ TIME W\LD (T5 YIELD A LOAF ?AT WAS NO LONG] SALABLE ?\< NOT 5TIRELY /ALE1 & FROM ! BUT*]'S !RE W]E SOMETIMES BONES = S\P4 

,HE'D REALIZ$1 AFT] TRUDG+ ?R\< ! /REETS ) A B[$ HEAD = ONE LONG AFT]NOON1 H[ MANY SMALL CO9S PEOPLE LOSE1 ESPECIALLY 9 ! L>G] %OPS4 ,O!R ?AN :AT HE F\ND1 ,REGGIE W\LD SOMETIMES BEG A HA'P5NY OR TWO1 & HAD ONCE TOSS$ (F AN OLD TRAMP :O'D PROMIS$ HIM A ?RUP5NY BIT BUT !N R5EG$4 ,?AT HAD BE5 9 ! JUNGLE ( UNUS$ RIV]SIDE L& BETWE5 ,VICTORIA ,P>K & ,PADDY'S ,MEAD[1 9ACCESSIBLE EXCEPT BY PADDL+ UND] ,SP5C] ,BRIDGE1 A WILD]NESS :]E ! DAMP-SC5T$ VAGRANT HAD A MODE/ CAMPFIRE MADE FROM BITS ( C>DBO>D1 WOOD & CUT(F 5DS ( C>PET4 ,REGGIE /ILL REMEMB]$ ) A %UDD] H[ ! :ISK]Y *AP'S SPUNK HAD SIZZL$1 FOLL[+ A SLIPP]Y LIQUID >C 9TO ! YELL[ FLAMES1 & ALL = NO?+1 NOT A F>?+4 ,/ILL1 DESPITE SU* DISAPPO9TM5TS1 ,REGGIE MANAG$ TO SURVIVE4 ,HE WASN'T HAPLESS1 WASN'T WEAK1 NOT 9 HIS BODY OR HIS M9D4 ,IT HADN'T BE5 A LACK ( SU/5ANCE ?AT KILL$ HIM1 IT HAD BE5 AN ,5GLI% W9T]1 & H[EV] /RONG OR CLEV] OR RES\RCEFUL ,REGGIE WAS !RE'D BE5 NO GETT+ R\ND IT4 ,:5 !Y'D F\ND HIM CURL$ UP 9 HIS PACK+ CRATE AFT] A DAY OR TWO1 ONE ( HIS EYELIDS WAS /ILL FROZ5 %UT & /ICK+ TO ! BALL4 ,?AT HAD BE5 ?AT1 ! 5D ( ,REGGIE'S LIFE1 ?\< OBVI\SLY NOT ( HIS EXI/5CE4 

,TO BE HONE/1 HE'D TURN$ \T TO BE BETT] AT DEA? ?AN HE HAD EV] BE5 AT LIFE1 TAK+ TO ! NEW M$IUM LIKE A DUCK TO WAT]4 ,EV5 SO1 HE /ILL REMEMB]$ H[ SURPRIS$ & LO/ HE'D BE51 ?OSE FIR/ FEW H\RS AFT] HE'D PASS$ ON4 ,IT HAD BE5 ON A ,SUNDAY MORN+ :5 IT HAPP5$4 ,HE HAD WOK5 TO ! S\ND ( ODDLY-MUFFL$ *UR* BELLS & ! SOMEH[ WORRY+ REALIZATION ?AT HE WAS NO LONG] COLD4 ,HE'D TRI$ TO PULL ! CURTA9 REMNANT S]V+ AS HIS DOOR ASIDE1 BUT SOME?+ PUZZL+ HAD HAPP5$ & HE'D F\ND HIMSELF CR\*+ ON H&S & KNEES \TSIDE HIS MAKE%IFT CRATE-H\SE1 :]E ! RAGS TACK$ UP ABOVE ITS 5TRANCE W]E /ILL HANG+ MOTIONLESS & UNDI/URB$4 

,! FIR/ ?+ ?AT HAD /RUCK HIM1 ?9K+ BACK1 WAS ?AT ! GRASS UPON :I* HE WAS KNEEL+ WAS N[ OY/]-GRAY 9/EAD ( GRE51 AL?\< ITS RIME ( FRO/ REMA9$ A GRANULAT$ :ITE4 ,ON CLIMB+ TO HIS FEET & LOOK+ R\ND HE'D SE5 ?AT EV]Y?+ WAS BLACK & :ITE & GRAY1 9CLUD+ ! FA9T FLORAL PATT]N ON HIS TACK$-UP CURTA91 :I* HE'D KN[N %\LD ACTUALLY BE AN 9SIPID BLUE4 ,IT MADE HIM SMILE N[ TO RECALL H[1 ) ! SUBDU$ *IM+ ( ! BELLS1 ! BLACK & :ITE ( EV]Y?+ HAD L$ HIM TO ! FRI<T5+ CONCLUSION ?AT AT SOME PO9T 9 ! NI<T HE'D BE5 S5T DEAF & COLORBL9D1 AS IF ?OSE W]E ! WOR/ ?+S ?AT C\LD HAPP5 TO Y\ ON A W9T]'S EV5+4 ,IT WAS ONLY :5 HE'D NOTIC$ ALL ! PICTURES ( HIMSELF ?AT HE WAS LEAV+ EV]Y TIME HE MOV$ ?AT ,REGGIE HAD SUSPECT$ !RE WAS SOME?+ BADLY WRONG1 WRONG 9 A WAY ?AT SPECTACLES OR HE>+ TRUMPETS W\LD NOT REM$Y4 

,( C\RSE1 SOON AFT] ?AT HE'D />T$ TO EXP]IM5T ) T\*+ ?+S1 DISCOV]+ ?AT HE NO LONG] C\LD4 ,ATTEMPT+ TO DRAW BACK ! CURTA9 FROM ! M\? ( HIS CRUDE %ELT]1 HE'D F\ND ?AT HIS H& N[ PASS$ ?R\< ! MAT]IAL AS IF IT WASN'T !RE & DISAPPE>$ FROM SI<T UNTIL HE'D PULL$ IT \T AGA94 ,AT ?AT PO9T ,REGGIE HAD DECID$ ?AT TO SEE 9SIDE ! CRATE HE'D HAVE TO PU% HIS FACE 9 ?R\< ! FABRIC ( ! 5TRANCE1 9 ! SAME WAY ?AT HE'D JU/ DONE ) HIS F+]S4 

,HE'D BE5 PITIFUL1 ! LITTLE BOY 9SIDE ! BOX4 ,FROZ5 9TO ! SAME POSITION 9 :I* HE'D FALL5 ASLEEP1 BALD KNEES DRAWN UP & ONE H& WELD$ TO A FLATT5$ E>1 HIS EYEBR[S HAD BE5 FRO/$ :ITE4 ,A CRY/AL DU/+ GL9T$ (F ! F9E HAIRS ( HIS FRECKL$ *EEK & FROM ONE NO/RIL !RE DEP5D$ A GRAY ICICLE ( SNOT4 ,UNLIKE A LOT ( <O/-SEAM RESID5TS ?AT HE HAD SUBSEQU5TLY MET1 ,REGGIE HAD RECOGNIZ$ HIS [N CORPSE /RAI<T AWAY4 ,= ONE ?+1 ! DEAD *ILD WAS DRESS$ 9 A LONG COAT & B[L] HAT ID5TICAL TO ?OSE ?AT HE HIMSELF APPE>$ TO /ILL BE WE>+4 ,= ANO!R1 IT HAD ,REGGIE'S TEA-/A9 BIR?M>K1 R\<LY %AP$ LIKE ,IREL&1 ON ! LEFT CALF ABOVE ! /IFF5$ FOLDS ( ITS REFRIG]AT$ ANKLE-SOCK4 ,! LEAP+ COMMAS ?AT HE'D GLIMPS$ \T ( ! CORN] ( HIS EYE HAD TURN$ \T TO BE SOB] & PRAGMATIC FLEAS AB&ON+ !IR HO/4 ,HE'D SCREAM$1 A CURI\SLY FLAT S\ND ?AT HAD LITTLE RESONANCE1 & J]K$ HIS HEAD BACK ?R\< ! HANG+ CURTA91 :I* HAD NOT SO MU* AS TREMBL$ AS HE'D DONE SO4 

,REGGIE HAD !N SOBB$ = SOME TIME1 ! UNSALT$ GLOBS ( ECTOPLASM ROLL+ D[N HIS FACE1 MORE LIKE ! MEMORY ( TE>S ?AN TE>S !MSELVES4 ,AT LA/1 :5 IT BECAME APP>5T ?AT H[EV] MU* HE WEPT NO ONE WAS GO+ TO COME & MAKE IT BETT]1 HE'D SNIFF$ L\DLY & HAD /OOD UP /RAI<T1 RESOLV+ TO BE BRAVE4 ,HIS L[] LIP & *9 ?RU/ \T1 HE'D M>*$ DET]M9$LY ACROSS ! BURIAL GR\ND HEAD+ = ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*1 ) ! FRO/-H>D5$ SOIL FEEL+ SOMEH[ SPR+Y & GIV+ UND]NEA? HIS 9SUB/ANTIAL TREAD1 LIKE SPHAGNUM MOSS4 ,GRAY REPLICAS PEEL$ FROM HIS BACK1 PURSU+ HIM 9 S+LE FILE OV] ! ,JANU>Y WA/EL&1 H9DMO/ FIGURES FAD+ \T AS MORE W]E ADD$ TO ! FRONT 5D ( ! QUEUE4 

,IT HAV+ BE5 A ,SUNDAY1 ,REGGIE HAD SE5 A FEW 9DIVIDUALS & C\PLES MAK+ !IR WAY ?R\< ! SLANT+ ,BOR\<S /REETS T[>DS ! *UR*1 AL?\< S9CE IT WAS ALSO P]I%+LY COLD !SE W]E LESS NUM]\S ?AN !Y MI<T O!RWISE HAVE BE54 ,/RID+ ACROSS ! BURIAL GR\ND T[>DS ! OLD *UR* & ITS GA!R+ CONGREGATION1 HE'D BECOME AW>E ?AT NO ONE ELSE WAS %$D+ PICTURES ( !MSELVES BEH9D !M 9 A TRAIL ! WAY ?AT HE WAS4 ,HE'D HAD AN UNEASY 9TIMATION AS TO :AT ?IS MEANT1 BUT HAD TRI$ CALL+ \T TO ! *UR*GO]S ANYWAY1 BIDD+ !M A GOOD MORN+4 ,?IS HAD COME \T AS 0,GOD M\RN+0 BY MI/AKE1 AL?\< HE DIDN'T ?9K IT W\LD HAVE MADE A DIFF]5CE TO ! PI\S ?RONG'S RESPONSE1 H[EV] HE'D PRON\NC$ IT4 ,!Y'D IGNOR$ HIM AS !Y EX*ANG$ PLEASANTRIES ) ONE ANO!R1 BUNDL$ 9 !IR W9T] CLO!S & %UFFL+ T[>DS ! BUILD+'S WORN IRON GATES4 ,EV5 :5 HE'D DANC$ R\ND 9 FRONT ( !M & CALL$ !M NAMES - QUE] JUMBL$-UP NAMES ?AT HAD S\ND$ WRONG EV5 TO ,REGGIE - !Y JU/ LOOK$ /RAI<T ?R\< HIM4 ,ONE ( !M1 A TUBBY GIRL1 HAD EV5 WALK$ /RAI<T ?R\< HIM1 GIV+ HIM A BRIEF UNWELCOME GLIMPSE ( SQUIRT+ VE9S & BONES & FLICK]+ /UFF ?AT HE'D ?\<T MI<T BE H] BRA9S4 ,REGGIE HAD BE5 AT LA/ CONV9C$ ( HIS CONDITION BY ?IS 9CID5T1 HAD F9ALLY ACCEPT$ ?AT !SE PEOPLE NEI!R SAW NOR HE>D HIM1 BE+ /ILL AMONG ! LIV+ :]EAS HE WAS N[ APP>5TLY AMONG ! DEAD4 

,IT HAD BE5 :ILE HE'D /OOD !RE BY ! GATE ALL[+ ?IS DIRE FACT TO S9K 9 ?AT HE'D HE>D ! T9Y1 *IRP+ VOICES FROM ABOVE HIM & LOOK$ UP T[>DS ! EAVES ( ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*4 

,S9CE HE'D PASS$ OV] ,REGGIE MU/ HAVE HAD ! :OLE PH5OM5ON EXPLA9$ TO HIM A ?\S& TIMES1 H[ ALL ( IT MADE S5SE ACCORD+ TO SOME SPECIAL V]SION ( GEOMETRY1 BUT = ! LIFE ( HIM HE C\LDN'T GET TO GRIPS ) IT4 ,HE'D NEV] REALLY FA?OM$ ORD9>Y GEOMETRY1 :I* MEANT ?IS NEW V>IETY WAS B\ND TO BE BEYOND HIS GRASP4 ,HE D\BT$ HE W\LD EV] TRULY UND]/& :AT HE HAD SE5 :5 HE'D GLANC$ UPW>DS AT ! HI<] REA*ES ( ! HUMBLE /RUCTURE4 

,ALL ! BUTTRESSES & ?+S ?AT Y\'D EXPECT TO POKE \T FROM ! UPP] WALLS HAD LOOK$ 9/EAD LIKE !Y W]E POK+ 91 AS IF !Y'D ALL TURN$ 9SIDE \T4 ,9 ! APP>5T CAVITIES & 9D5TATIONS CAUS$ BY ?IS EFFECT !RE HAD BE5 LITTLE PEOPLE P]*+1 NO MORE ?AN ?REE 9*ES HI<1 ALL WAV+ FRANTICALLY AT ,REGGIE AS !Y CALL$ D[N TO HIM ) !IR TWITT]+ BAT-LIKE VOICES4 

,BACK !N1 AT ! AGE ( TWELVE1 HE W\LD HAVE PROBABLY BE5 JU/ AB\T PREP>$ TO ACCEPT ?AT !Y MI<T BE PIXIES1 IF !Y HADN'T BE5 SO DRAB & SCRUFFY 9 !IR DRESS OR HOMELY 9 !IR FEATURES4 ,9 M9UTE FLAT CAPS & BAGGY TR\S]S HOI/$ BY M9USCULE BRACES1 WE>+ APRONS & BLACK BONNETS1 !Y'D MILL$ BACK & =? ALONG M9IATURE BALCONIES =M$ FROM 9V]T$ RECESSES4 ,!Y'D BECKON$ & GE/ICULAT$1 M\!D AT HIM ?R\< LIPS ?AT W]E 9F9ITESIMAL1 !IR FACES M>K$ BY ALL ! W>TS & LAZY EYES & /RAWB]RY NOSES ?AT Y\'D F9D 9 ANY ORD9>Y PAUP] CR[D ON M>KET DAY4 ,! WOM5'S COATS HAD MICROSCOPIC BROO*ES1 *EAP & T>NI%$1 P9N$ TO ! LAPELS4 ,! FELL[S' WAI/COAT BUTTONS1 ?OSE ?AT W]5'T ALREADY MISS+1 V]G$ ON ! 9VISIBLE4 ,!SE HADN'T BE5 ! %>P-E>$ FAIRIES FROM ! PICTURE-BOOKS 9 ALL !IR GAUDY F9]Y1 BUT HAD 9/EAD BE5 NORMAL FOLK 9 ALL !IR PLA9NESS & !IR UGL9ESS1 SOMEH[ %RUNK TO ! SIZE ( HORRID1 *ITT]+ BEETLES4 

,AS HE'D /OOD & GAP$ 9 M+L$ FASC9ATION & REVULSION AT ! CAP]+ HOMUNCULI1 HE'D NOTIC$ ?AT NOBODY ELSE AMONG ! SCATT]+ ( WOR%IP]S CONV]G+ ON ! *UR* WAS DO+ SO4 ,NO ONE HAD LOOK$ UP AT ! /RANGELY CONCAVE L$GES :]E ! SLUM-IMPS GE/UR$1 TRILL$ & :I/L$1 & IT HAD OCCURR$ TO ,REGGIE ?AT LIVE PEOPLE C\LD NOT SEE !M4 ,HE'D CONCLUD$ ?AT ONLY ! DEAD C\LD DO ?AT1 DISPLAC$ S\LS LIKE HIM :O LEFT GRAY PICTURES 9 !IR WAKES RA!R ?AN ! FA9T PUFFS ( FOGG+ BREA? ?AT M>K$ ! LIV+ ON ?AT BITT] ,JANU>Y DAY4 

,HE'D NOT KN[N :AT ! CREATURES W]E &1 BACK !N1 HADN'T WANT$ TO F9D \T4 ,IT HAD BE5 SL[LY DAWN+ ON HIM1 EV] S9CE HE'D SE5 :AT WAS 9SIDE ! CRATE1 ?AT HE WAS DEAD YET DIDN'T SEEM TO BE 9 HEAV54 ,?AT1 9 ,REGGIE'S LIMIT$ GRASP ( !OLOGY1 LEFT ONLY ONE OR TWO MORE PLACES ?AT ?IS <O/LY REALM MI<T BE1 & NEI!R ( !M S\ND$ V]Y NICE4 ,9 M\NT+ PANIC HE HAD BACK$ AWAY1 PASS+ BETWE5 OR ?R\< OBLIVI\S ,BOR\<S RESID5TS >RIV+ AT !IR PLACE ( WOR%IP1 ALL ! :ILE KEEP+ HIS EYES FIX$ FIRMLY ON ! SCUTTL+ APP>ITIONS 9 ! EAVES1 9 CASE ! RAT-LIKE M5 & WOM5 SUDD5LY TEEM$ SKITT]+ D[N ! *UR* WALLS & SURG$ T[>DS HIM4 

,F9ALLY HE'D TURN$ & RUN AWAY ) HIS PURSU+ TRAIL ( AFT]-PICTURES HURRY+ TO KEEP UP1 H>+ >\ND ! LEFT SIDE ( ! *UR* & 9TO ,CA/LE ,T]RACE1 :]E AN EV5 MORE BEWILD]+ SI<T AWAIT$4 ,IT HAD BE5 ?AT OLD DOOR1 HALFWAY UP ! WE/]N FACE ( ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*4 ,9 LIFE HE'D (T5 PUZZL$ OV] ?IS & TRI$ TO GUESS ITS PURPOSE1 BUT AS HE'D DA%$ R\ND ! CORN] & /OPP$ DEAD ) ALL HIS PHANTOM D\BLES PIL+ UP BEH9D HIM1 ,REGGIE HAD AT LA/ BE5 FURNI%$ ) AN ANSW]1 EV5 IF HE HAD NO WAY ( UND]/&+ IT4 

,AL?\< HE LOOK$ BACK ) AMUSEM5T N[ AT HIS UNCOMPREH5D+ FIR/ GLIMPSE ( ! ,ULTRADUCT1 IF HE WAS HONE/ ,REGGIE WASN'T ?AT MU* CLE>] AS TO :AT IT WAS OR H[ IT FUNCTION$ EV5 AFT] ALL !SE YE>S1 :ATEV] MEAN+LESS IMMEASURABLE NUMB] ?AT MI<T BE4 ,HE JU/ RECALL$ ! BREA?LESS AWE ) :I* HE'D REEL$1 DAZ$1 ?R\< ! SPACES ( ITS M>VEL\S :ITE PILA/RADE1 HIS HEAD TIPP$ BACK TO GOGGLE AT ! GLASSY UND]SIDE ( ! IMPOSSIBLY-CON/RUCT$ PI] ABOVE HIM4 ,BEYOND ! TRANSLUC5T ALABA/] ( ITS PLANK+1 PHOSPHORESC5T PAT*ES HAD MOV$ PURPOSEFULLY BACK & =?1 OV] HIS HEAD & OV] ,CA/LE ,T]RACE1 FUGITIVE LI<T FALL+ ?R\< ! *ISEL$ /RUTS TO SETTLE ON HIS UPTURN$ FEATURES LIKE ! SN[ ?AT EV]YONE HAD SAID IT WAS TOO COLD =4 

,PASS+ UND]NEA? ! GLORI\S EYE-/RA9+ /RUCTURE 9 A DAZZL$ TRANCE HE HAD EV5TUALLY /UMBL$ \T ! O!R SIDE1 ) HIS EVAPORAT+ REPLICAS ALL /UMBL+ AFT] HIM4 ,FRE$ FROM ! ,ULTRADUCT'S TRANSFIX+ GLAM\R1 ,REGGIE HAD LET \T A GREAT MOAN ( P]PLEXITY AT ! %E] OV]:ELM+ /RANG5ESS ( HIS SITUATION4 ,)\T LOOK+ BACK HE'D RAC$ (F 9 A FUNK D[N ,BRI/OL ,/REET1 HIS <O/-HAT CLAPP$ TI<T TO HIS HEAD1 HIS SPECTRAL GREATCOAT FLAPP+ >\ND HIS B>E KNEES4 ,BL9DLY HE'D *>G$ DEEP] 9TO ! SALL[ E*O ( ! ,BOR\<S ?AT HAD SEEM$1 !N1 TO BE HIS NEW HOME = ALL ET]NITY1 ! AWFUL PLACE HE'D BE5 CONDEMN$ TO4 ,HE'D RO>$ D[N ! COLORLESS COAL-*UTE ( ,BA? ,/REET LIKE A /EAM-TRA91 T[+ LOOK-ALIKES 9/EAD ( C>RIAGES & T5D]S4 ,D[N !RE 9 ! DI/RICT'S PALLID GUTS HE'D TRICKL$ TO A HALT1 !N SAT D[N 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! ROAD & TAK5 /OCK ( ?+S4 

,( C\RSE1 IT HADN'T BE5 LONG AFT] ?AT :5 HE HAD COME ACROSS HIS FIR/ R\< SLEEP]S3 A SMALL CR[D ( :AT HAD LOOK$ & TALK$ LIKE DR9K+ M5 FROM SEV]AL DIFF]5T C5TURIES4 ,!Y'D PUT HIM /RAI<T AB\T ! NATURE ( ! <O/-SEAM OR1 AS !Y HAD CALL$ IT1 PURGATORY4 ,LIKE MANY ( ! ,BOR\<S' WRAI?S !Y'D BE5 AT HE>T A S5TIM5TAL CREW & TAK5 HIM B5EA? !IR W+1 9/RUCT+ HIM 9 A V>IETY ( USEFUL SKILLS4 ,!Y'D TAU<T HIM H[ TO SCRAPE AWAY ACCUMULAT$ CIRCUM/ANCE & DIG ?R\< TIME1 !N TOLD HIM :]E TO F9D ! SWEETE/ ,B$LAM ,J5NIES1 GR[+ 9 ! HI<] CREVICES ?AT PEOPLE ) A HE>TBEAT C\LDN'T SEE4 ,!Y'D EV5 F\ND ! <O/ ( AN OLD FOOTBALL = HIM1 AL?\< HIS FIR/ KICK->\ND HAD UND]SCOR$ ! LIMITATIONS ( ! GAME1 OR AT LEA/ ?IS PO/HUM\S V]SION ( IT3 = ONE ?+1 ! FOOTBALL DIDN'T B\NCE SO HI<1 9 MU* ! SAME WAY AS S\ND DIDN'T RESONATE SO CLE>LY4 ,= ANO!R1 BE+ 9SUB/ANTIAL1 ! <O/-BALL W\LD BE =EV] SAIL+ ?R\< ! H\SE-WALLS ( ! LIV+4 ,CON/ANTLY RETRIEV+ IT FROM UND]NEA? ! TABLE OR 9SIDE ! >M*AIR ( A FAMILY EAT+ D9N] UNAW>E HAD RAPIDLY BECOME F> TOO MU* ( A BO!R4 

,REGGIE HAD BE5 GRATEFUL = ! OLD REV5ANTS' HELP & CAM>AD]IE1 & YET ) H9DSI<T HE C\LD SEE !Y HADN'T REALLY DONE HIM ANY FAVORS4 ,:ILE !Y'D HELP$ HIM TO ADJU/ TO HIS NEW /ATE !Y'D ALSO FO/]$ 9 HIM ! BELIEF ?AT ?IS BLEAK HALF-WORLD1 ?IS UNSETTL+ 9K-WA% PURGATORY1 WAS ALL ?AT HE DES]V$4 ,HE'D TAK5 ON !IR DISAPPO9T$1 SELF-DEFEAT+ \TLOOK AS HIS [N & LOOK$ TO !M = ALL HIS CUES4 ,!Y'D TOLD HIM HE C\LD HAVE HIS LIFE OV] AGA9 IF ?AT WAS :AT HE WANT$1 AL?\< !RE WAS SOME?+ 9 ! WAY !Y'D SAID IT :I* IMPLI$ ?AT ?IS W\LD BE A V]Y BAD IDEA4 ,BACK !N1 HE'D BE5 9CL9$ TO %>E ?IS VIEW1 & 9 A S5SE WAS /ILL ( ?AT OP9ION4 ,LIV+ ?R\< HIS MO!R'S SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AGA9 WAS NO?+ HE LOOK$ =W>D TO1 & NEI!R WAS ! PROSPECT ( REPRIS+ HIS DAD'S DRUNK5 RAGES4 ,NOR DID A REPEAT ( WANK+ (F ! TRAMP OR BE+ ONCE AGA9 FROZ5 TO DEA? 9SIDE A PACK+ CRATE SEEM TO PROVIDE MU* REAL 9C5TIVE4 ,N[ HE WAS \TSIDE HIS LIFE HE C\LD AT LA/ ADMIT TO HIMSELF :AT A NI<TM>E & A TORM5T IT HAD BE54 ,! ?\<T ( GO+ ?R\< IT ALL AGA91 A ?\S& TIMES OR EV5 JU/ ! ONCE1 WAS MORE ?AN HE C\LD BE>4 

,! BROK5-HE>T$ MOB ( <O/S :O HAD BE5 ,REGGIE'S M5TORS 9 ! AFT]LIFE HAD ALSO C\NSEL$ AGA9/ GO+ 0,UP/AIRS0 TO A PLACE !Y CALL$ 0,MANS\L04 ,?AT1 !Y'D EXPLA9$1 WAS = A BETT] CLASS ( DEAD FOLK :O HAD L$ RESPECTABLE & C>EFREE LIVES1 NOT = ! SORRY LIKES ( ,REGGIE & HIS NEW-F\ND FRI5DS4 ,!IR POOR OP9ION ( !MSELVES HAD *IM$ ) HIS [N FALT]$ SELF-E/EEM1 & IT OCCURR$ TO ,REGGIE ?AT HE MI<T /ILL BE ONE ( !IR COMPANY1 TO ?IS DAY %AMBL+ ?R\< ! JOYLESS ALLEYS ( ! <O/-SEAM ) !M1 LI/5+ TO !IR COMPLA9TS & !IR REGRETS !RE 9 ?AT MUT$ L&SCAPE :]E EA* S\ND & EV]Y HOPE FELL FLAT4 ,HE'D ALMO/ C]TA9LY /ILL BE AMONG ?AT WRET*$ FELL[%IP1 HE REALIZ$ SOB]LY1 IF IT HAD NOT BE5 = ! GREAT <O/-/ORM ( #a#i#a#c4 

,?AT HAD BE5 LIKE ! ,ALMI<TY TRUMP+1 9 ?AT IT WAS DEAF5+ & UNEXPECT$4 ,IT HAD BE5 MU* WORSE ?AN ! COMP>ATIVELY M9OR SQUALL ?AT ,REGGIE & ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG HAD JU/ AFFECT$ !IR ESCAPE FROM1 D[N 9 #a#i#e#i4 ,BO? HAD BE5 CAUS$1 ?\<1 BY ! SAME PH5OM5ON3 BY ! VIOL5T ACTIVITY ( HI<] SUP]NATURAL =CES 9 ! REGION ( ,MANS\L ?AT CORRESPOND$ TO ! ,MAYORHOLD1 :]E !RE WAS A PLACE !Y CALL$ ! ,WORKS4 ,9 #aiac !SE SUP]IOR P[]S1 BE !Y ! BUILD]S OR ! =M] BUILD]S :O HAD BE5 RECLASSIFI$ AS DEVILS1 W]E 9 UPRO> OV] SOME?+ ?AT WAS SAID TO BE CONNECT$ ) ! COM+ W>4 ,!IR \TRAG$ FLAIL+S HAD PROVOK$ A W9D ( T]RIBLE F]OCITY ?AT HAD TORN ?R\< ! PHANTOM NEI<BORHOOD & HAD BL[N ALL ( ,REGGIE'S FATALI/IC *UMS AWAY TO ,DELAPRE4 ,?AT WAS ! REASON IT HAD PUT ! W9D UP ,REGGIE1 SO TO SPEAK1 :5 HIM & ALL ! O!R KIDS HAD HE>D ,BLACK ,*>LEY SAY !RE WAS A <O/-/ORM ON ITS WAY3 ,REGGIE HAD BE5 ?R\< ONE BE=E4 

,!RE'D NOT BE5 ANY W>N+1 JU/ A SUDD5 RU% ( PHANTOM DU/ & DEBRIS B[L+ D[N ! MIDDLE ( ,/4 ,M>Y'S ,/REET1 & !N A <O/LY RUBBI% B9 HAD COME C>E5+ \T ( NO:]E & HIT ,REGGIE SMACK BETWE5 ! %\LD] BLADES1 SO ?AT HE FELL FLAT ON HIS FACE4 ,?AT1 LOOK+ BACK1 HAD BE5 :AT SAV$ HIM4 ,TOPPL+ =W>D1 ) HIS B[L] SOMEH[ L&+ P9N$ & FLATT5$ UND]NEA? HIM1 HE'D 9/9CTIVELY PUT \T BO? H&S TO BREAK ! FALL & F\ND HIMSELF EMB$D$ PA/ HIS ELB[S 9 ! ANCI5T & ?US P>TIALLY SUB/ANTIAL ,BOR\<S SOIL4 ,HIS SCRABBL+ SPECTRAL F+]S1 \T ( SI<T A FOOT OR TWO B5EA? ! GR\ND1 HAPP5$ UPON A TREE ROOT ?AT WAS ALSO ( SUFFICI5T AGE TO GET A GRIP ON1 & HE'D ?US BE5 AN*OR$ MORE OR LESS SECURELY :5 ! MA9 SL$GEHAMM] BL[ ( ! <O/-GALE HAD HIT !M ONLY 9/ANTS LAT]4 

,OLD ,RALPH ,PET]S1 A BANKRUPT$ GROC] FROM #a#g#e-SOME?+ :O'D LOOK$ LIKE ,JOHN ,BULL1 HAD VOIC$ A />TL$ & DESPAIR+ CRY :5 HE'D BE5 LIFT$ UP 9TO ! AIR1 AS WEI<TLESS AS A FEA!R1 & HAD BE5 S5T SO>+ (F 9 ! DIRECTION ( ,/4 ,PET]'S ,*UR*4 ,!Y'D ALL BE5 RUMMAG+ AB\T AMONG ! TREES & OV]GR[? BETWE5 ! BURIAL GR\ND :]E ,REGGIE HAD PASS$ OV] 7& HAD SUBSEQU5TLY BE5 9T]R$71 & ,M>EFAIR4 ,AS ! FI]CE NOR?-EA/]LY HAD TORN POOR ,RALPH 9TO ! SKY HE'D CLUT*$ 9 DESP]ATION AT ! TOPMO/ BRAN*ES ( AN ELM 9 HOPE ( F9D+ PUR*ASE1 BUT ! TWIGS HAD BE5 NEW GR[? & HAD PASS$ ?R\< ! PORTLY SPIRIT'S H&S LIKE !Y W]5'T !RE4 ,RALPH HAD BE5 SNAT*$ AWAY ASS-FIR/ T[>DS ! S\? HORIZON ) ! FRI<T5+ VELOCITY & DREADFUL NOISE ( A DEFLAT+ GRAY BALLOON1 ! AFT]-PICTURES ( HIS %OCK$ FACE SPIRAL+ BEH9D HIM LIKE A HUNDR$ ,JOHN ,BULL PO/]S GU%+ FROM A PR9T+ PRESS4 

,:ILE ,REGGIE HAD SPRAWL$ !RE SCREAM+ 9AUDIBLY ABOVE ! TEMPE/1 CL++ TO ! BURI$ TREE ROOT = DE> DEA?1 HE'D WAT*$ AS ONE BY ONE ! RE/ ( ! ?READB>E ASSEMBLY - ,MAXIE ,MULL9S1 ,RON ,CASE1 ,CADG] ,PL[RI<T1 ,BURTON ,TURN] - HAD C>E5$ AWAY 9TO ! CL\DS1 PASS+ ?R\< FACTORY *IMNEYS1 F5CES MADE ( RU/Y T9 & ! BRICK WALLS ( PEOPLE'S H\SES AS !Y W5T4 ,HE'D HE>D ,RON ,CASE'S %RIEK ( AGONY AS ! /OOP$ LITTLE <O/ ) ! P]PETUAL SNIFFLE HAD COLLID$ AT HI< SPE$ ) ! N9E-HUNDR$-YE>-OLD SPIRE ( ,PET]'S ,*UR*1 A BUILD+ V5]ABLE 5\< TO HAVE ACCUMULAT$ SOLID PRES5CE EV5 9 ! <O/-SEAM4 ,FROM :AT ,REGGIE HAD BE5 TOLD A FEW YE>S LAT]1 ,RON HAD HIT ! *UR* T[] & BE5 B5T >\ND IT1 CAU<T UPON IT LIKE AN AIRBORNE RIBBON HOOK$ UPON A NAIL4 ,! RAG+ W9DS HAD PULL$ HIS 9SUB/ANTIAL BODY \T AS IF IT W]E A PAP] /REAM]1 ) ! \TCOME BE+ ?AT BY ALL ACC\NTS HE'D 5D$ UP AS SOME?+ TWICE ! HEI<T & MU* TOO ?9 TO LOOK AT )\T %UDD]+4 ,AS = ! O!RS1 ,REGGIE DIDN'T HAVE ! FIR/ IDEA :]E !Y'D EV5TUALLY BE5 SET D[N3 FROM ?AT APPALL+ DAY TO ?IS1 HE'D NEV] MET ) ANY ( ! K9DLY BUT DEJECT$ BUN* AGA94 ,= ALL ?AT HE KNEW !Y MI<T /ILL BE UP !RE1 MOAN+ & COMPLA9+ AS !Y TWIRL$ & FLAPP$1 CAU<T 9 ! PLANET'S JET-/REAMS = ET]NITY4 

,HE'D BE5 ALONE1 !N1 9 ! SPIRITUAL HURRICANE1 FACE D[N & %\LD]-DEEP 9 ,BOR\<S ROCK ) HIS FEET LIFT$ (F ! GR\ND & TRAIL+ 9 ! *URN+ AIR BEH9D HIM1 A :OLE FOOTBALL TEAM ( AFT]-IMAGE BOOTS & D>N$ SOCKS KICK+ HELPLESSLY4 ,AS HE RECALL$ HE'D BE5 DEBAT+ :E!R TO KEEP CLUT*+ AT ! ROOT UNTIL ! /ORM ABAT$1 IF IT EV] DID1 OR :E!R TO LET GO & JO9 HIS COLLEAGUES4 ,HE HAD JU/ AB\T DECID$ ON ! LATT] ( !SE OPTIONS :5 HE'D NOTIC$ ?AT SOME?+ PECULI> WAS HAPP5+ TO ! WA/EL& TURF AB\T A Y>D 9 FRONT ( HIM4 ,!RE'D BE5 CONC5TRIC B&S ( BLACK & :ITE ?AT SEEM$ TO RIPPLE \TW>DS FROM A D>K SPOT 9 ! MIDDLE1 & IT HAD BE5 FROM ?IS %IMM]+ C5TRAL PO9T ?AT ,REGGIE HAD SE5 :AT HE'D AT FIR/ TAK5 TO BE PLUMP & <A/LY WORMS BUT HAD !N UND]/OOD W]E A *ILD'S F+]S1 WRIGGL+ UP FROM UND]NEA? ! E>?4 ,AS !RE W]E AT LEA/ ?IRTY DIGITS VISIBLE AT ONE PO9T1 HE HAD REALIZ$ ?AT ! [N] ( ! H&S MU/ BE A <O/-*ILD LIKE HIMSELF1 :I* HAD PROVID$ CAUSE = CAUTI\S OPTIMISM4 

,SCRAP+ BACK ! WAV]+ ,LICORICE ,ALLSORT /RIPES TO EI!R SIDE ) MOVEM5TS LIKE ! %OVEL+ FRONT PAWS ( A MOLE1 ! MY/]Y H&S HAD V]Y QUICKLY MADE ! PORTAL WIDE 5\< = L>G] BODY-P>TS TO BE PU%$ ?R\<4 ,?US IT HAD BE5 ?AT HE HAD F\ND HIMSELF ) >MS SUNK 9 ! E>?1 *EEKS FLUTT]+ & EYES WAT]+ 9 ! FI]CE W9D AS HE'D />$ DISBELIEV+LY AT ! SMALL GIRL :OSE HEAD & %\LD]S HAD SUDD5LY POK$ UP FROM ! WA/E-GR\ND A FEW FEET 9 FRONT ( HIM4 ,>\ND H] NECK HAD BE5 A RUFF ( RABBIT SK9S ?AT MADE IT LOOK LIKE %E WAS SURFAC+ \T ( A B>REL ( DEAD ANIMALS4 ,H] B[L-CUT HAIR HAD :IPP$ AB\T ALL R\ND H] HEAD 9 ! /ILL-RAG+ TEMPE/1 EV]Y LOOSE /R& DRAGG+ AFT]-IMAGE CURTA9S ( ITSELF TO VEIL H] SC[L+ FEATURES 9 A MASK ( MATT$ /EAM4 ,?AT HAD BE5 HIS FIR/ MEET+ ) F]OCI\S1 M\?Y1 BRAVE1 9FURIAT+ ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]4 

,V]BALLY ABUS+ HIM ?R\<\T & TREAT+ HIM AS IF HE W]E AN IDIOT1 ,PHYLLIS HAD MANAG$ TO REA* \T & GRAB HIM BY ! WRI/ ONCE HE'D UNE>!D ONE ( HIS >MS4 ,) :AT HAD TURN$ \T TO BE H] KID ,BILL HOLD+ H] ANKLES FROM BEL[1 %E'D SOMEH[ HAUL$ BO? ,REGGIE & HIS SQUA%$ HAT ?R\< ! OP5+ %E'D DUG1 YANK+ HIM D[N 9TO ! GLITT]+ SEE-?R\< D>KNESS ( A TUNNEL ?AT HAD RUN FROM ,PET]'S ,*UR* UP TO ,/4 ,SEPUL*]'S1 OR AT LEA/ HAD DONE 9 ! ?IRTE5-HUNDR$S1 :I* WAS ! TIME P]IOD ?AT ,PHYLLIS HAD BE5 DIGG+ H] WAY UP FROM :5 %E'D HAPP5$ UPON ,REGGIE4 ,!Y'D ALL L&$ 9 A HEAP ON TOP ( ,BILL1 /RUGGL+ ON ! PACK$ DIRT FLOOR AMID DROPP$ ,SAXON CO9S & ,NORMAN DOG-BONES1 GIGGL+ & YELL+ AS IF ! :OLE DIRE PR$ICAM5T HAD BE5 5ORM\S FUN4 ,AFT] ! UNTOLD YE>S ( HIS ASSOCIATION ) RESIGN$ OLD M5 :O HADN'T EV5 HAD DEA? TO LOOK =W>D TO1 ,REGGIE HAD KN[N ONCE MORE ! SPIRIT-LIFT+ ?RILL ( BE+ A DAFT LITTLE LAD UNBURD5$ BY REGRET4 ,!Y'D F9ALLY /OPP$ LAU<+ & SAT UP1 !RE 9 ! F\RTE5?-C5TURY GLOOM1 TO %AKE H&S & MAKE PROP] 9TRODUCTIONS4 

,HIM & ,BILL & ,PHYLLIS HAD BE5 MORE OR LESS 9SEP>ABLE FROM !N ON1 ORGANIZ+ GAMES ( HIDE & SEEK 9 HEAV51 PLAY+ <O/-TAG1 SLID+ ON !IR BOTTOMS D[N ! DU/Y DECADES4 ,AS HE'D GOT TO KN[ !M BETT]1 ,REGGIE HAD PICK$ UP ! ODD FACT H]E & !RE1 SU* AS H[ !Y W]E BO? FROM ! SAME FAMILY & HAD BO? LIV$ & DI$ A GOOD :ILE AFT] HE HAD4 ,HE'D F\ND \T ?AT ,PHYLLIS'S LA/ NAME WAS ,PA9T]1 :I* WAS MORE ?AN ,REGGIE KNEW AB\T HIS O!R Y\NG PALS4 ,HE ASSUM$ ?AT ,BILL MU/ BE A ,PA9T] TOO1 BUT HE'D GOT NO IDEA AS TO ! SURNAMES ( ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE OR ,JOHN1 :OM ,REGGIE & ! ,PA9T]S HAD 5C\NT]$ SOME TIME AFT] ! ?REE ( !M HAD FIR/ MET1 9 M$IEVAL TIMES1 B5EA? ! BURIAL GR\ND4 ,AS ) LIV+ KIDS1 DEAD ONES PREF]R$ TO DEAL ALMO/ EXCLUSIVELY 9 ,*RI/IAN NAMES1 OR SO IT SEEM$ TO ,REGGIE4 

,BILL & ,PHYLLIS HAD BE=E LONG DISABUS$ HIM ) REG>D TO ! =LORN PHILOSOPHY HE'D PICK$ UP SECONDH& FROM ,MAXIE ,MULL9S1 ,CADG] ,PL[RI<T & ! RE/4 ,!Y'D TAK5 HIM UP TO ,MANS\L1 UP TO ! ,SECOND ,BOR\< ON ! FLOOR ABOVE ! MORTAL REALM1 :]E ! REV]B]ANT S\ND & OV]:ELM+ COLOR HAD BR\<T ,REGGIE TO HIS KNEES1 AS HAD ! SMELL ( ,PHYLLIS'S DEAD-RABBIT SC>F ONCE !Y'D CLIMB$ FROM ! ODORLESS DOM9ION ( ! <O/-SEAM4 ,HAV+ MET ! D[N-AT-HEEL BUT GLORI\S 9DIVIDUALS :O RESID$ MO/LY 9 ?AT UPP] WORLD1 PEOPLE LIKE ,MRS4 ,GIBBS1 OLD ,%]IFF ,P]RIT OR ,BLACK ,*>LEY1 ,REGGIE HAD REVIS$ HIS IDEA ( HIMSELF4 ,! AFT]LIFE - :I* WAS 9 SOME WAYS ALSO ! BE=E-&-DUR+ LIFE - HAD NOT TURN$ \T TO BE ! SNOOTY & JUDGM5TAL PLACE ?AT ,BURTON ,TURN] & ! O!RS HAD DESCRIB$4 ,IT HAD 9/EAD BE5 BO? A WOND] & A T]ROR1 ! MO/ ?RILL+ PLAYGR\ND = A *ILD ?AT ,REGGIE C\LD IMAG9E1 & HE'D UND]/OOD ?AT ALL ITS %9+ RESID5TS W]E ONLY PEOPLE :O HAD LIV$ !IR LIVES & DONE ! ?+S !Y'D HAD TO DO1 ! SAME AS ,REGGIE HAD4 ,ALL ! DI%E>T5$ SPIRITS ?AT HE'D PREVI\SLY KNOCK$ AB\T )1 HE HAD REALIZ$1 W]E NOT CONDEMN$ TO PURGATORY BY ANY?+ EXCEPT !IR [N %AME & A M]CILESSLY L[ OP9ION ( !MSELVES4 

,IT HAD BE5 AT SOME PO9T DUR+ ! E>LY DAYS ( !IR ASSOCIATION1 POSSIBLY JU/ AFT] ! ,ADV5TURE ( ! ,PHANTOM ,C[ & JU/ BE=E ! ,MY/]Y ( ,SN[ ,T[N1 ?AT ! ?REE ( !M HAD FIR/ DECID$ ?AT !Y W]E N[ AN (FICIAL GANG4 ,?IS W\LD HAVE BE5 AB\T ! TIME ?AT ,REGGIE HAD REMEMB]$ HIS OLD DREAM AB\T ,MISS ,TIBBS & HAD SUGGE/$ ?AT !Y CALL !MSELVES ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG1 :I* EV]YBODY HAD SEEM$ TICKL$ BY4 ,!Y'D /UCK TOGE!R EV] S9CE !N1 AL?\< ,REGGIE HAD GOT NO IDEA H[ LONG AGO ! F\ND+ ( !IR HAPPY ?RONG HAD BE51 NOR EV5 H[ Y\'D CALCULATE A ?+ LIKE ?AT ON ! TIME-FREE PLANE ( ,MANS\L4 

,TIME BE+ :AT IT WAS UP 9 ! ,SECOND ,BOR\<1 ,REGGIE KEPT ?+S /RAI<T BY RECKON+ EV5TS 9 ! SAME ORD] HE'D EXP]I5C$ !M1 ! WAY MO/ PEOPLE DID4 ,HE HAD A NOTION ?AT ! BUILD]S & ! DEVILS SAW ?+S DIFF]5TLY1 BUT ?AT WAS SOMEH[ TI$ UP ) ! BUS9ESS AB\T SPECIAL GEOMETRY & MA!MATICS & DIM5SIONS1 SO HE T5D$ NOT TO DWELL UPON IT V]Y MU*4 ,= ,REGGIE1 KEEP+ TRACK ( YE>S & DATES HAD ALWAYS BE5 A HEADA*E1 & ! BE/ ?AT HE C\LD MANAGE WAS TO MA9TA9 AN 9T]NAL LI/ ( BIG OCCASIONS 9 !IR PROP] SEQU5CE4 ,= EXAMPLE1 FOLL[+ ! NAM+ ( ! GANG !Y'D PRETTY SOON EMB>K$ UPON ! ,SN[ ,T[N BUS9ESS1 :5 ! ?REE ( !M HAD GONE EXPLOR+ 9 ! TW5TY-FIFTIES1 & RI<T AFT] ?AT !RE'D BE5 ! ,CASE ( ! ,FIVE ,*IMNEYS4 ,!IR NEXT EXPLOIT1 ,! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG ,V]SUS ! ,N5E ,HAG1 HAD BE5 ! ONE :]E !Y'D PICK$ UP ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE1 & EI<T OR N9E ADV5TURES LAT] !Y'D 5C\NT]$ ,JOHN1 ) HIS BOY'S-PAP] H]O LOOKS1 DUR+ ! ,SUBT]RANEAN ,AIRPLANE ,AFFAIR4 ,?\< WEEKS1 YE>S1 DECADES OR POSSIBLY C5TURIES HAD PASS$ S9CE !N1 TO ,REGGIE IT SEEM$ LIKE ONE 5DLESS AFT]NOON 9 MU* ! WAY ?AT *ILDR5 ?9K ( !IR S*OOL SUMM] HOLIDAYS1 MEASUR$ 9 GAMES PLAY$ OR BE/-FRI5D%IPS =G$4 

,?AT P]IOD1 ) ITS ,RIDDLE ( ! ,CRAWL+ ,>M & ,9CID5T ( ! ,DELIRI\S ,BLACK%IRT & ! RE/1 HAD BE5 A L>GELY CALM & HAPPY ONE = ,REGGIE4 ,N[1 ?\<1 ) !IR CURR5T OP]ATION 70,! ,5IGMA ( ! ,SOPPY ,LITTLE ,KID071 HE WOND]$ IF ?OSE C>EFREE TIMES W]E DRAW+ TO A CLOSE1 ! WAY HIS DAYS ) ! R\< SLEEP]S HAD DONE4 ,FIR/ !RE'D BE5 ?AT TR\BLE ) ! DEVIL1 ! FIR/ REALLY FAM\S FI5D ?AT ,REGGIE HAD BUMP$ 9TO 9 HIS TIME ,UP/AIRS1 & !N !RE'D BE5 ?AT /UFF AB\T ?IS NIPP] KICK+ (F A SCRAP BETWE5 ! ,MA/] ,BUILD]S4 ,?R[ 9 ! UNSETTL+ <O/-/ORM & 9 ,REGGIE'S E/IMATION ?IS :OLE LATE/ ESCAPADE WAS TURN+ 9TO A COMPLETE DISA/]4 ,HE HAD PREVI\SLY ?\<T ?AT HAV+ DI$ 9SIDE A PACK+ CRATE W\LD BE ! WOR/ ?+ ?AT C\LD EV] HAPP5 TO HIM1 & ?AT RELATIVELY SPEAK+ ! REMA9D] ( ET]NITY W\LD BE A PU%OV]4 ,?IS ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 BUS9ESS1 ?\<1 ) ALL ITS DEMONS & ITS DANG]S1 MADE ?AT NOTION LOOK TOO OPTIMI/IC4 ,PRIVATELY1 HE WAS ( ! OP9ION ?AT ! SOON] !Y DUMP$ ! NEW BLOND KID D[N ! SC>LET WELL & 9TO ! FIF? C5TURY1 ! BETT]4 

,LOOK AT ! FUSS HE'D MADE JU/ N[1 :5 HE'D TURN$ R\ND & NOTIC$ ?AT HIS H\SE & /REET HAD GONE1 ,REGGIE ?\<T SCORNFULLY4 ,! LUCKY LITTLE BEGG> HAD ALREADY F\ND \T HE'D BE COM+ BACK TO LIFE AGA91 & !N HE GOES & ?R[S A FIT AB\T SOME BUILD+S ?AT HAD BE5 DEMOLI%$4 ,HE %\LD TRY FREEZ+ TO DEA? 9SIDE A CRATE4 ,AS ,REGGIE SAW ?+S1 ALL !SE SISSY LITTLE MOD]N KIDS %\LD TRY FREEZ+ TO DEA? 9SIDE A CRATE4 ,IT'D BE GOOD = !M4 

,REGGIE /OOD ) HIS COMRADES & ! NEW BOY AT ! JUNCTION ( ,BA? ,/REET & ,SC>LETWELL1 SOMETIME 9 NO?+-FIVE OR NO?+-SIX1 UP 9 ! TW5TY-SOME?+S4 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 WAS /ILL BLUBB]+ & PO9T+ TO ! PLACE HIS HOME HAD BE5 :ILE BIG ,JOHN TRI$ CONSOL+ HIM & ,PHYLLIS TOLD HIM NOT TO BE SO DAFT4 ,CONTEMPTU\SLY1 ,REGGIE HAWK$ SOME ECTOPLASM UP & SPAT IT \T 9TO ! GUTT]4 ,TILT+ D[N HIS B[L]'S BRIM TO :AT HE ?\<T MI<T BE MORE ( A T\< *AP'S ANGLE1 HE LOOK$ (F D[NHILL T[>DS ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD & ! LONE H\SE1 !RE NE> ! CORN]1 ?AT !Y'D JU/ ESCAP$ FROM4 ,9 ALL FAIRNESS TO ! WAIL+ TODDL]1 ,REGGIE DIDN'T MU* LIKE BE+ ?IS F> UP ! LADD] ( ! DECADES EI!R4 ,HIS [N C5TURY1 ! N9ETE5?1 WAS ALL RI<T1 DESPITE IT HAV+ TREAT$ HIM SO POORLY1 & HE ?\<T ! FIR/ HALF ( ! TW5TIE? WAS REASONABLY PRES5TABLE IF Y\ IGNOR$ ! W>S4 ,TIME P]IODS MU* AFT] ?AT1 ?\<1 & IT ALL W5T FUNNY4 ,?IS ONE ?AT !Y W]E 9 N[1 ! TW5TY-FIR/1 WAS SOME:]E ?AT HE'D KEPT AWAY FROM EV] S9CE ! ,SN[ ,T[N EPISODE4 ,DESPITE ! FACT ?AT ,REGGIE WAS A <O/1 ?IS PRES5T C5TURY GAVE HIM ! WILLIES4 

,:AT WAS WOR/ W]E ALL ! H\SES !Y HAD H]E3 ! FLATS4 ,:]E ,REGGIE C\LD REMEMB] TANGL$ LANES CR[D$ ) 9DIVIDUAL HOMES N[ !RE W]E ONLY GREAT BIG UGLY BLOCKS1 A HUNDR$ RESID5CES CRU%$ 9TO A CUBE1 LIKE :5 !Y SQUA% OLD C>S 9 A MA*9E4 ,& NATURALLY1 HAV+ TO LIVE A NEW WAY HAD MADE EV]YBODY DIFF]5T4 ,!SE DAYS FAMILIES W]E ALL DIVID$ UP LIKE EGGS 9 C>TONS1 ONE TO A COMP>TM5T1 & FOLK DIDN'T HANG TOGE!R 9 ! WAY !Y'D DONE :5 !IR UNTIDY /REETS & !IR UNTIDY LIVES HAD ALL BE5 KNOTT$ UP 9 ONE BIG BALL4 ,IT WAS AS IF SOCIETY HAD F9ALLY CAU<T UP ) ,REGGIE ,B[L]1 SO ?AT N[ ! VA/ MAJORITY ( PEOPLE W]E CONT5T TO LIVE & DIE ALONE1 9SIDE A BOX4 ,AIMLESSLY GAZ+ AT ! S+LE R$-BRICK /RUCTURE JUTT+ FROM ! NI<T GRASS NE> ! JUNCTION ) ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 HE REALIZ$ ) A />T ?AT UP H]E 9 ! TW5TY-SOME?+S1 ?IS PECULI> RELIC WAS ! ONLY PROP] H\SE /ILL /&+ 9 ! ,BOR\<S4 ,ALL ! RE/ HAD BE5 REPLAC$ BY CONCRETE LUMPS4 

,BEH9D HIM1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 WAS B]AT+ ,PHYLLIS1 BETWE5 SOBS & GULPS = BREA?1 OV] ! WAY %E'D BR\<T HIM H]E TO ?IS UPSETT+ PLACE4 ,HE SAID HE DIDN'T ?9K ?AT %E WAS REALLY LOOK+ AFT] HIM AT ALL1 & ?AT %E WAS JU/ DO+ :AT %E WANT$ TO & BE+ SELFI% - :I* FROM ,REGGIE'S PO9T ( VIEW !RE MAY HAVE BE5 SOME TRU? 91 BUT HE KNEW IT WAS A BAD IDEA = ! NEW KID TO PO9T IT \T TO ,PHYLLIS LIKE ?AT4 ,SURE 5\<1 ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG'S GIRL BOSS IMM$IATELY GOT ON H] HI< HORSE1 & !N GOT ?AT TO BALANCE ON ! SADDLE ( AN EV5 HI<] HORSE AS %E TURN$ H] F]OCI\S APPROBATION ON ! SNIFFL+ LITTLE BOY1 L\DLY RECALL+ H[ %E'D HELP$ HIM 9 ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? & H[ %E'D SAV$ HIM FROM ! CLUT*ES ( ! DEVIL-K+4 ,LETT+ ! :OLE DEBATE SAIL PA/ HIM ,REGGIE SPAT AGA9 9TO ! D>K1 ! WAD ( <O/-PHLEGM LEAV+ PALE DOTS ON ! D>KNESS AS IT >C$ T[>DS ! PAVEM5T1 LIKE A P]=ATION L9E4 ,RETURN+ HIS ATT5TION TO ! FAD$ RIBBON ( ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD AS IT SPOOL$ ?R\< ! NI<T T[>DS ! NOR? & ,SEMILONG1 ,REGGIE 9SPECT$ ITS 9FREQU5T MOTOR TRAFFIC ?AT PASS$ BACK & =? B5EA? ! CRAN+ /REETLAMPS ) !IR SICKLY GRAY CORONAS4 

,C>S HAD FRI<T5$ ,REGGIE :5 HE'D FIR/ 5C\NT]$ !M :ILE PLAY+ TIGGY-?R\<-!-WALL ) ,BILL & ,PHYLLIS 9 ! #a#i#cS1 & HAD !N AMAZ$ & FASC9AT$ HIM AS HE'D BECOME 9CREAS+LY FAMILI> ) !M4 ,REGGIE FANCI$ ?AT HE HAD TURN$ 9TO SOME?+ ( A CONNOISSEUR ( MOTOR VEHICLES ACROSS ! TIMELESS TIME S9CE !N1 BE+ P>TICUL>LY FOND ( ?OSE Y\ CAME ACROSS D[N 9 ! #a#i#dS & ! #a#i#eS4 ,D\BLE-DECK] BUSSES W]E HIS FAVORITE1 ESPECIALLY AFT] ,PHYLLIS HAD 9=M$ HIM ?AT AS LIV+ PEOPLE SAW !M1 !Y W]E A BRI<T R$4 ,HE LIK$ ! TRANSPORT ( ! TW5TIE? C5TURY'S MIDDLE DECADES L>GELY = ITS PLEAS+ %APES1 ITS MUDGU>D CURVES & BUMP] BULGES4 ,ALSO1 ,REGGIE ?\<T ! C>S Y\ SAW >\ND ?OSE YE>S HAD *E]FUL FACES1 ! >RANGEM5T ( ! HEADLI<TS1 BONNET MASCOT & ! RADIATOR GRILL ?AT ,REGGIE C\LDN'T HELP BUT SEE AS EYES & NOSE & M\?4 

,! 9T]MITT5T MOD]N C>S ?AT HUMM$ & HURTL$ ?R\< ! NI<T ALONG ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD W]E1 LIKE SO MANY ( ?IS CURR5T ]A'S TRAPP+S1 LESS TO ,REGGIE'S LIK+4 ,!Y HAD EI!R ! SLEEK BODIES ( MALICI\S CATS ADVANC+ RAPIDLY ON SOME?+ ?R\< TALL GRASS1 OR !Y RESEMBL$ TRUNDL+ MILIT>Y TANKS ?AT HAD BE5 GE$-UP TO GO FA/]4 ,WOR/ ( ALL1 9 HIS OP9ION1 W]E ! COLD1 MEAN-SPIRIT$ EXPRESSIONS ( !IR FEATURES1 CR[D$ 9 B5EA? ! =EHEAD ( ! BONNET LIKE ! BLUNT & VICI\S MASKS ( FI<T+ FI%4 ,! HEADLAMPS W]E N[ LIDD$ & 9SCRUTABLE ABOVE ! RADIATOR'S SURLY OV]BITE1 ! 5TIRE F\R-:EEL$ METAL SKULL N[ ?AT ( A BELLIG]5T BULL-T]RI]4 ,HE'D ONCE REM>K$ TO ,PHYLLIS ?AT !Y LOOK$ LIKE !Y W]E \T HUNT+ = SOME?+ 9 ! D>K1 & %E'D JU/ SNIFF$ & SAID 0,R\ND ']E1 IT'S GIRLS40 

,! R[ BETWE5 ,PHYLLIS & ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 WAS /ILL GO+ ON1 BACK OV] ,REGGIE'S GREATCOAT-%R\D$ %\LD]4 ,PHYLLIS SAID1 0,I \<T] JU/ AB&ON Y]1 IF ?AT'S ! WAY Y] FEEL ABAYT IT01 & !N ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 SAID1 0,GL[ ON & SEE A FAKIR01 :I* TO ,REGGIE'S E> MADE V]Y LITTLE S5SE4 ,BUT !N1 ?AT WAS ! WAY ! NEWLY DEAD F\ND !MSELVES TALK+ BE=E !Y W]E US$ TO ! EXP&$ POSSIBILITIES ( LANGUAGE ?AT !RE W]E 9 ,MANS\L1 ALONGSIDE ! RI*] S\NDS & COLORS4 ,BE=E !Y HAD F\ND !IR 0,LUCY-LIPS01 AS ! EXPRESSION W5T4 ,REGGIE REMEMB]$ HIS [N E>LY GIBB]I% TIRADE AT ! UNWITT+ MEMB]S ( ! CONGREGATION FIL+ 9TO ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR* D[N 9 ! #a#h#gS1 & FELT A PANG ( SYMPA?Y = ! DISORI5T$ Y\NG/]1 ?\< NOT MU* ( ONE4 ,AS !RE W]E NO C>S PASS+ BY AT PRES5T1 ,REGGIE WAS AB\T TO TURN BACK TO ! O!R <O/-KIDS SQUABBL+ BEH9D HIM & RESUME HIS P>T 9 !IR DISCUSSION :5 HE NOTIC$ SOME?+ ODD EM]G+ FROM ! FEATURELESS BRICK WALL B\ND+ ! 5CLOS$ G>AGES BELONG+ TO ! FLATS1 A LITTLE FUR!R D[NHILL FROM :]E !Y W]E /&+1 NE>] TO :]E BLACK$-\T ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET JO9$ ! SODIUM-LIT RIBBON ( ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 

,IT WAS A PATT]N$ SME> EXTRUD$ FROM ! HI< WALL ( ! G>AGES1 EXT5D+ ITSELF D[N ACROSS ! D>K GRASS LIKE A L9E ( DRIBBL$ PA9T OR1 MORE EXACTLY1 LIKE A SQUIRT ( ?AT A/\ND+ TOO?PA/E ) ! /RIPES 9 ?AT ,PHYLLIS HAD %[N HIM 9 ! NOVELTY-FILL$ REA*ES ( ! #a#i#fS1 EXCEPT ?AT ! ROLL+ GLOBULE H]E WAS *ECK$ RA!R ?AN /RIP$4 ,ALSO1 TO JUDGE FROM ! SUBDU$ S\NDS ?AT AT 9T]VALS W\LD ISSUE FROM IT1 IT WAS WEEP+4 ,AFT] A FEW BAFFL$ MOM5TS1 ,REGGIE SAW ?AT IT WAS A R\< SLEEP]1 A /\T FELL[ 9 A L\D *ECK$ JACKET ?AT LEFT A PR$ICTABLY EYE-POPP+ /REAK ( AFT]-IMAGES BEH9D IT4 ,! <O/'S HAIR WAS BLACK1 AS WAS ! P5CIL MU/A*E ON HIS UPP] LIP1 ?\< ,REGGIE ?\<T ?AT BO? LOOK$ DY$1 AS IF ! SPIRIT BE/ REMEMB]$ HIMSELF AS AN OLD] MAN /ILL TRY+ TO LOOK Y\NG4 ,HE WORE A GRAY B[-TIE ) A :ITE %IRT ?AT BULG$ \T LIKE A FL\R-SACK AT HIS MIDRIFF & FROM HIS TRAJECTORY AS HE /REAM$ D[N ACROSS ! RU/L+ WE$S T[>DS ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 ,REGGIE SUSPECT$ ?AT HE MI<T HAVE JU/ EM]G$ FROM ,BA? ,R[ AT SOME JUNCTURE SEV]AL DECADES FUR!R D[N 9TO ! PA/1 :5 ! CON/RICT$ CUT-?R\< WAS /ILL /&+4 ,SETT+ HIS B[L] HAT MORE TI<TLY D[N >\ND HIS E>S BECAUSE HE PRIVATELY BELIEV$ ?IS MADE HIS ?\<TS MORE DISCIPL9$1 ,REGGIE OBS]V$ ! WEEP+ PHANTOM AS IT /UMBL$ D[N ! SLOPE & REALIZ$ BELAT$LY ?AT IT WAS HEAD$ = ! SOLE REMA9+ RESID5CE ?AT /OOD NE> ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET'S CORN]1 ! SAME HEAV5-HAUNT$ H\SE !Y'D JU/ ESCAP$ FROM4 ,HE DECID$ ?AT HE'D BE/ AL]T HIS COMRADES TO ?IS NEW DEVELOPM5T1 JU/ 9 CASE IT %\LD TURN \T TO BE ANY?+ SIGNIFICANT4 ,:5 HE SPOKE1 IT WAS 9 AN URG5T :ISP]4 

0 ',]E1 LOOK AT ?IS *AP4 ',E'S MAK9' F] ! CORN] '\SE1 & 'E LOOKS 9 A RI<T /ATE40 

,EV]YBODY TURN$ TO SEE :AT ,REGGIE WAS REF]R+ TO1 !N GAZ$ 9 SIL5CE AS !Y WAT*$ ! TE>FUL SPECT] 9 ! SNAZZY JACKET MAKE HIS WAY ACROSS ! TURF ?AT HAD REPLAC$ DOZ5S ( H\SES1 LIFT+ *UBBY H&S TO HIDE HIS FACE & BLUBB]+ MORE VOLUBLY AS HE APPROA*$ ! LONELY $IFICE ?AT LOOM$ !RE ON ! O!R SIDE ( ,SC>LETWELL4 ,PRESUMABLY ABLE TO SEE DESPITE HIS ECTOPLASMIC TE>S & PUDGY F+]S1 ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG />$ AS ! <O/ MADE A SUDD5 DET\R 9 A SEMI-CIRCLE FROM ! /RAI<T PA? ?AT HE'D PREVI\SLY BE5 FOLL[+4 

0,?AT'LL BE ! SC>LET WELL ?AT HE'S AVOID+4 ',E DON'T WANT TO FALL ?R\< A FEW 'UNDR$ YE>S ( DIRT & F9D 'IMSELF SPLA%9' AB\T 9 BLOODY-LOOK9' DYE40 

,9 GRUNTS & NODS1 ! RE/ ( ! DEAD *ILDR5 QUIETLY CONCURR$ ) ,REGGIE'S EXPLANATION4 ,ONLY BIG ,JOHN ACTUALLY SPOKE UP4 

0,Y\ KN[1 ,I ?9K ,I KN[ HIM4 ,I ?9K ?AT'S MY UNCLE4 ,I'VE NOT SE5 HIM S9CE ,I PASS$ ON1 & ,I NEV] DREAM$ ?AT HE'D 5D UP AS A R\< SLEEP]1 BUT ,I'M SURE ?AT'S HIM4 ,I WOND] :AT HE'S GOT TO FEEL SO D[N UPON HIMSELF AB\T80 

0,:Y DON'T Y] ASK 'IM80 

,?IS WAS ,PHYLLIS1 /&+ AT ,JOHN'S SIDE ) H] TRUCUL5T FEATURES PICK$ \T 9 ! D>K 9 SILV]Y NE$LEPO9T4 ,! TALL GOOD-LOOK+ BOY1 :O ,REGGIE SOMEH[ MANAG$ TO RES5T1 5VY & LIKE TREM5D\SLY AT ! SAME TIME1 PE]$ (F 9TO ! GLOOM T[>DS ! SOBB+ SNAPPY DRESS] & DECL9$1 %AK+ HIS HEAD4 

0,I WIZN'T REALLY CLOSE TO HIM BACK :5 WE W]E ALIVE4 ,NO?+ HE'D DONE1 JU/ SOME?+ 9 HIS MANN] ?AT ,I NEV] COTTON$ TO4 ,BESIDES1 HE LOOKS LIKE HE'S GOT 5\< ON HIS PLATE ALREADY4 ,:5 SOMEONE'S RO>+ !IR EYES \T LIKE ?AT1 G5]ALLY ALL !Y WANT WIZ TO BE LEFT ALONE40 

,/ILL COV]+ HIS TE>-/A9$ FACE1 ! *ECK]$ WRAI? SLID OV] ,SC>LETWELL T[>DS ! DOOR/EP ( ! /REET'S S+LE REMA9+ H\SE4 ,WIP+ ONE G>I% SLEEVE ACROSS HIS D>K-R+$ EYES ! PLUMP MAN HESITAT$ = A MOM5T ON ! ?RE%OLD1 & !N MELT$ 9TO ! CLOS$ FRONT DOOR & WAS GONE4 

,& :5 !Y LOOK$ R\ND1 SO WAS ,MI*AEL ,W>R54 

0,OH MY GIDDY AUNT1 'E'S RUN ORF6 ,QUICK1 :I* WAY'S 'E GONE80 

,REGGIE WAS MILDLY />TL$ AT H[ PANICK$ ,PHYLLIS S\ND$4 ,%E WAS TURN+ R\ND 9 ANXI\S CIRCLES1 SQU9T+ ANXI\SLY 9TO ! SILV]$ D>KNESS = SOME SIGN ( ! ABSCOND$ TODDL]4 ,SETTL+ HIS B[L] HAT TO :AT HE ?\<T WAS A MORE SYMPA!TIC ANGLE1 HE DID HIS GRUFF BE/ TO REASSURE H]4 

0,DON'T WORRY1 ,PHYLL4 ',E'LL SOON BE BACK1 & EV5 IF 'E'S NOT1 IT'S NOT \R BUS9ESS4 ,EV]YBODY SAYS 'E'S GO+ BACK TO LIFE SOON1 ANYWAY4 ,:Y NOT LET ALL ?AT TAKE C>E ( ITSELF8 ,!N WE CAN JU/ GET ON ) SCRUMP+ ,PUCK'S ,HATS FROM ! MADH\SES1 & \R ADV5TUR+ & EV]Y?+4 ,:AT AB\T ,BILL'S PLAN TO DIG A BIG 'OLE ALL ! WAY D[N TO ! ,/ONE ,AGE1 SO ?AT WE CAN CAPTURE A <O/ WOOLLY-ELEPHANT & TAME IT = A PET80 

,PHYLLIS JU/ />$ AT HIM AS IF APPALL$ BY HIS /UPIDITY4 ,REGGIE ADJU/$ HIS HAT TO A MORE DEF5SIVE SLANT AS %E REPLI$ 9 AN EXPLOSIVE %[] ( D\BLE-EXPOS$ SPIRIT-SPIT4 

0 ',AVE Y\ GONE ORF Y] 'EAD8 ,Y\ 'E>D :AT ,MRS4 ,GIBBS AN' OLD ,BLACK ,*>LEY SAID AB\T ! BUILD]S & !IR PUN*-UP6 ,& !RE'S ALL ?IS TO-DO ) ! ,V]NALLS & ! ,POR?IMO? DI ,NORHAN ?AT WE 'AV5'T SORT$ AYT YET6 ,Y\ GOO & CAT* MAMMO?S IF Y] LIKE1 BUT ,I'M NOT GUNNA BE 9 ! ,?IRD ,BOR\<'S BAD BOOKS1 NOT IF ,I CAN 'ELP IT60 

,) ?AT1 ,PHYLLIS TURN$ & RAC$ T[>DS ! GAT$ L[] ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET 5TRANCE ( ,GREYFRI>S FLATS1 :I* WAS AB\T ! ONLY PLACE ?AT ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 C\LD HAVE DISAPPE>$ 9TO :ILE !Y W]5'T LOOK+1 RABBIT-SC>F & PICTURES ( H]SELF TRAIL+ BEH9D H] 9 A /R+ ( GRIMY FLAGS4 ,! O!R MEMB]S ( ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG />$ AFT] H] = A /UNN$ 9/ANT1 %OCK$ AS MU* BY ,PHYLLIS'S BOLD REF]5CE TO ! ,?IRD ,BOR\< - ,REGGIE H>DLY D>$ TO EV5 ?9K ! NAME - AS !Y W]E BY H] DESP]ATE FLI<T4 ,GA!R+ !MSELVES UP FROM !IR GAP+ /UPOR !Y RU%$ AFT] H]1 A CLATT]+ MOB ( F\R1 TWELVE1 SIXTE51 EI<TY PHANTOM *ILDR5 P\R+ D[N ! BRIEF & N>R[ PASSAGE LEAD+ TO ! 9N] C\RTY>D ( ,GREYFRI>S1 PU%+ !IR SMOKY SUB/ANCE ?R\< ! BLACK IRON RAIL+S ( A GATE ?AT HAD BE5 !RE = ONLY A FEW YE>S & ?US PROVID$ NO IMP$IM5T4 ,HOT ON ! MULTIPLY+ HEELS ( ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] !Y BUR/ \T 9TO ! L[] LEVEL ( A L>GE TWO-TI] CONCRETE 5CLOSURE R+$ BY SIL5T #a#i#cS FLATS1 :]E EV]YBODY PAUS$ TO TAKE /OCK ( !IR SUDD5LY AL>M+ SITUATION4 

,FROM ! GILT-TRIMM$ %AD[S ( ! UPP] C\RTY>D CAME ! FRI<T5$ CRIES ( CATS & DOGS1 :O W]E NO FOOLS :5 IT CAME TO DETECT+ <O/LY PRES5CES1 & ! CROSS %\T+ ( !IR HUMAN [N]S1 :O QUITE CLE>LY W]E4 ,ALONG ) HIS DECEAS$ COMPANIONS1 ,REGGIE PE]$ 9TO ! GLOOM ( ! SPLIT-LEVEL QUADRANGLE4 ,D[N AT ! L[] 5D :]E !Y W]E1 HALF-DEAD VEGETATION RU/L$ ON A SMALL PAT* ( NEGLECT$ GR\ND ORIG9ALLY 9T5D$ AS A MODE/ >BOR4 ,UP ?REE GRANITE /EPS1 ON ! TOP DECK ( ! COMMUNAL Y>D1 A S+LE PAIR ( LADY'S TI<TS DANGL$ =GOTT5 FROM ! WA%+ L9E & BRICK DU/B9-5CLOSURES GU>D$ BLACK BAGS1 SPLIT & SPILL+ ! UNFA?OMABLE PROLAPS$ WA/E ( ! TW5TY-FIR/ C5TURY1 ! SLIMY PLA/IC TRAYS & R9DS ( UNFAMILI> FRUIT4 ,( ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 !RE WAS NOT ! SLI<TE/ TRACE4 

,SEEM+ TO SUMMON FRE% RESOLVE \T ( ADV]SITY1 A /EELY & DET]M9$ LOOK CAME 9TO ,PHYLLIS'S PALE EYES4 

0,RI<T4 ',E'LL 'AVE EI!R 'EAD$ UP ! 'ILL & OV] ,L[] ,CRORSE ,/REET TO ! MAISONETTES1 OR 'E'LL 'AVE CUT ALONG ! BOTTOM ']E & COME AYT 9TO ,BA? ,/REET4 ,WE'LL SPLIT UP 9 TWO GR\PS SO WE'VE GOT A BETT] *ANCE ( F9D9' 'IM4 ,M>JORIE1 Y\ & ,JOHN & ME WIZZLE SE>* ?R\< ! MAISONETTES4 ,& AS F] Y\ TWO 4440 

,PHYLLIS TURN$ A SOME:AT FRO/Y GAZE ON ,BILL & ,REGGIE4 

0,Y\ TWO CAN SE>* ,BA? ,/REET & ,MOAT ,PLACE & ALL R\ND !RE 444 OR Y] CAN GOO & LOOK F] WOOLLY ELEPHANTS1 F] ALL ,I C>E4 ,N[1 'URRY UP & PISS ORF1 OR !RE'S NO TELL9' '[ F> AWAY ! LITTLE NUISANCE MI<T 'AVE GOT40 

,) ?AT1 ,PHYLLIS & ,JOHN & ,M>JORIE SWIRL$ UP ! /ONE /EPS & AWAY 9TO ! T9FOIL GLITT] ( ! ,GREYFRI>S D>KNESS1 LEAV+ ,BILL & ,REGGIE ON ! MURKY PA? ?AT CUT ACROSS ! C\RTY>D'S L[] REA*ES FROM ,BA? ,/REET TO ,SC>LETWELL4 ,BILL LAU<$1 ! LAU< ( A MU* OLD] & MU* LEWD] 9DIVIDUAL1 DESPITE ! LITTLE BOY'S HI< VOICE4 

0,! DIRTY OLD T>T4 ,%E JU/ WANTS TO BE (F 9 ! D>K ) ,JOHNSKI1 & %E'S LETT+ POOR OLD ,DR[N$ ,M>GE TAG ALONG = COV]4 ,SO1 IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S JU/ Y\ & ME !N1 ,REGGIE ME OLD MUCK]4 ,:]E D'Y] FANCY LOOK9' FIR/80 

,REGGIE HAD ALWAYS GOT ON WELL ) ,BILL4 ,! LAD HAD SUB/ANCE BUT IT WAS A SUB/ANCE ) R\< $GES TO IT2 LESS 9TIMIDAT+ ?AN ! BURNI%$ AURA ( NOBILITY ?AT HUNG >\ND BIG ,JOHN 9 A H]ALDIC %E54 ,! G+] NIPP] WAS APPROA*ABLE & FUNNY1 ) A REP]TOIRE ( MORE RUDE JOKES ?AN ,REGGIE HAD IMAG9$ C\LD EXI/1 & WAS A/ONI%+LY KN[L$GEABLE = AN EI<T-YE>-OLD1 EV5 A DEAD ONE4 ,REGGIE %RUGG$4 

0,I RECKON WE'D BE BE/ TO DO AS ,PHYLLIS SAYS F] ONCE1 SO WE'RE NOT 9 WORSE TR\BLE ) ']4 ,WE CAN CAT* ?AT WOOLLY ELEPHANT ANO!R TIME4 ,LET'S 'AVE A LOOK 9 !M NEW FLATS :]E ,MOAT ,/REET WAS & SEE IF WE CAN SPOT ! LITTLE BLI<T]4 ,!N WE CAN BE %OT ( ?IS :OLE BLOODY C5TURY & GET BACK D[N :]E IT'S MORE COM=TABLE40 

,! TWO ( !M W]E WALK+ SIDE BY SIDE1 !IR H&S DEEP 9 !IR POCKETS1 FOLL[+ ! PA? ALONG ! BOTTOM $GE ( ! NI<T-/EEP$ 5CLOSURE1 W&]+ UNHURRI$LY T[>DS ANO!R GAT$ PASSAGE ?AT L$ \T TO ,BA? ,/REET4 ,BILL WAS NODD+ 9 ACKN[L$GM5T ( ,REGGIE'S LA/ REM>K1 ! AFT]-IMAGES /RET*+ HIS FACE 9TO A SORT ( C>ROT %APE TO MAT* HIS C>ROT TOP1 ALBEIT ONLY MOM5T>ILY4 

0,Y\'RE NOT WRONG1 ,REG1 MU* AS IT PA9S ME TO ADMIT IT TO A FUCK9' DEAD ,VICTORIAN BUGG] LIKE Y]SELF4 ,N[1 ME1 ,I LIV$ 9TO ?IS FUCK9' C5TURY WE'RE 9 N[1 LIV$ = A LOT LONG] ?AN ,I WAS EXPECT+1 & ,I'LL TELL Y]1 EV5 ,I ?9K IT'S A LOAD O' %IT4 ,GIVE ME ! ',FIFTIES OR ! ',SIXTIES ANY DAY4 ,I MEAN1 ,I KN[ PLACES LIKE ?IS WIZ RUN-D[N EV5 !N1 BUT LOOK AT ALL ?IS4 ,?IS WIZ JU/ TAK+ ! FUCK9' PISS40 

,BILL'S SWEEP+ MANY-H&$ GE/URE TOOK 9 ! WIDE1 LITT]-/REWN T>MAC EXPANSE UPON !IR LEFT1 ! PAT* ( DY+ H$GES TO !IR RI<T SIDE &1 BY IMPLICATION1 ! :OLE DEVA/AT$ NEI<BORHOOD SURR\ND+ !M4 ,AS !Y PASS$ ?R\< ! BLACK B>S ( ! ,BA? ,/REET GATE & LEFT ! %AD[-CRU/$ Y>D BEH9D !M1 ,REGGIE /UDI$ ,BILL APPRAIS+LY & WOND]$ IF HE C\LD CONFESS HIS IGNORANCE ( ALMO/ ! 5TIRE WORLD !Y EXI/$ 9 )\T APPE>+ /UPID OR 9VIT+ RIDICULE4 ,DESPITE ! FACT ?AT ,BILL APPE>$ A GREAT DEAL Y\NG] ?AN DID ,REGGIE1 ,REGGIE ?\<T HE'D V]Y LIKELY LIV$ TO BE MU* OLD] & MU* WIS] ?AN ,REGGIE HIMSELF HAD MANAG$1 ) HIS WRET*$ TWELVE YE>S4 ,9 A /RANGE WAY1 HE LOOK$ UP TO ! MU* %ORT] BOY AS IF ,BILL W]E AN ADULT ( CONSID]ABLE EXP]I5CE1 & ,REGGIE WAS RELUCTANT TO EXPOSE HIS [N HUMILIAT+ LACK ( KN[L$GE BY BOMB>D+ ,BILL ) ALL ! QUE/IONS ?AT HE'D DE>LY LOVE TO KN[ ! ANSW]S TO3 ! BASIC DETAILS ( !IR PUZZL+ AFT]LIFE ?AT HE HAD NEV] HAD EXPLA9$ TO HIM & HAD BE5 TOO EMB>RASS$ TO 9QUIRE AB\T4 ,HIS POLICY HAD ALWAYS BE5 TO MA9TA9 A FACADE ( KN[+1 WORLDLY SIL5CE SO ?AT NO ONE C\LD MAKE ANY SM>T REM>KS AB\T HIM BE+ AN UNS*OOL$ & BACKW>D HALF-WIT FROM A BACKW>D C5TURY1 :I* SECRETLY HE FE>$ HE WAS4 ,/ILL1 ,BILL HAD NEV] SEEM$ LIKE ! JUDGM5TAL SORT & AS !Y V5TUR$ \T ONTO ! D>K 9CL9E ( ,BA? ,/REET1 ,REGGIE ?\<T HE'D *ANCE HIS >M :ILE !Y W]E BO? ALONE TOGE!R & HE HAD ! OPPORTUNITY4 

0,WIZ Y\ EXPECT+ IT TO BE LIKE ?IS ONCE Y\ WIZ DEAD8 ,) ALL ! BUILD]S & ! BLACK & :ITE1 & ALL ! LEAV+ PICTURES ( Y\RSELF BEH9D Y]80 

,BILL JU/ GR9N$ & %OOK HIS BRIEFLY-MULTIPLY+ HEADS AS ! BOYS DRIFT$ OV] ! B5I<T$ /REET 9 ! DIRECTION ( ! ,MOAT ,PLACE FLATS4 

0,O' C\RSE ,I WASN'T4 ,I DON'T RECKON ANYBODY ?\<T ?AT IT'D BE LIKE ?IS4 ,NONE O' Y] MA9 RELIGIONS SUSS$ IT1 & ,I DON'T REMEMB] ANY ( ! ,MAH>I%IS OR :ATEV] TALK+ AB\T AFT]-IMAGES1 OR ,B$LAM ,J5NIES1 OR JU/ LIV+ ! SAME LIFE TIME AFT] TIME1 ) ALL Y] FUCK-UPS COM+ BACK TO 'AUNT Y] & FUCK ALL ?AT Y\ CAN DO TO *ANGE 'EM40 

,!Y W]E />T+ TO HEAD D[N A DRIVE ?AT DIPP$ 9TO A HOLL[1 ) ! G>AGE DOORS ( ! FLATS' BASEM5T LEVEL ON !IR LEFT & ON !IR RI<T A /RET* ( FEATURELESS GRAY BRICKWORK4 ,BILL WAS LOOK+ ?\<TFUL1 AS ?\< RECONSID]+ HIS LA/ REM>K4 

0,M9D Y\1 'AV9' SAID ?AT1 !RE WIZ ?IS BIRD ?AT ,I US$ TO KNOCK AB\T )1 & FUCK ME1 %E KNEW ALL SORTS ( /UFF1 & %E'D GO ON AB\T IT IF Y\ LET ']4 ,I REMEMB] '] TELL9' ME ONCE '[ %E ?\<T WE 'AD ! SAME LIVES OV] AGA94 ,%E SAID IT 'AD TO DO ) /UFF AB\T ! F\R? DIM5SION40 

,REGGIE GROAN$4 

0,OH1 NOT ! RUDDY F\R? DIM5SION6 ,I'VE 'AD EV]YONE TRY & EXPLA9 IT TO ME & ,I'M NONE ! WIS]4 ,PHYLLIS SAID ! F\R? DIM5SION WAS ! L5G? ( H[ LONG ?+S & PEOPLE LA/40 

,BILL WR9KL$ UP HIS NOSE 9TO AN AMIABLE SNE]4 

0,%E DON'T KN[ :AT %E'S ON AB\T4 ,I MEAN1 %E'S RI<T 9 ONE WAY1 BUT TIME'S NOT ! F\R? DIM5SION4 ,AS ?IS BIRD ,I KNEW DESCRIB$ IT TO ME1 PASS+ TIME'S JU/ '[ WE SEE ! F\R? DIM5SION :ILE WE'RE /ILL ALIVE4 

0,%E US$ TO TALK AB\T !SE BLOKES :O FIR/ W5T ON AB\T ! IDEA ( ! F\R? DIM5SION1 *APS FROM NOT LONG AFT] Y\R TIME4 ,!RE WAS ?IS BLOKE ',9TON1 :O GOT 9 ! %IT OV] A ?REESOME ) HIS MISSUS & ANO!R BIRD & 'AD TO LEAVE ! C\NTRY4 ,HE SAID :AT WE SAW AS SPACE & TIME WIZ REALLY ONE BIG FUCK-(F SOLID BLOCK ) F\R DIM5SIONS4 ,!N !RE WIZ ?IS O!R FELL]1 BY ! NAME ( ,ABBOTT4 ,HE EXPLA9$ IT ALL ) K9DA LIKE A *ILDR5'S /ORY1 9 ?IS BOOK CALL$ ,FLATL&40 

,AS !Y FLOAT$ UP ! CONCRETE /EPS TO ONE SIDE ( ! WALL ?AT BLOCK$ ! HOLL['S F> 5D1 ,REGGIE WOND]$ IF A 0?REESOME0 WAS ! RACY EPISODE ?AT HE IMAG9$ IT TO BE1 BUT !N =C$ HIS M9D BACK ) SOME RELUCTANCE TO ! SUBJECT ?AT ,BILL WAS DISCUSS+4 ,REGGIE FELT SURE ?AT IF HE WAS EV] GO+ TO UND]/& ?IS SPECIAL GEOMETRIC BUS9ESS1 !N AN EXPLANATION TOLD SO ?AT A *ILD C\LD UND]/& IT WAS1 9 EV]Y LIKELIHOOD1 HIS LA/1 BE/ HOPE4 ,HE DID HIS BE/ TO CONC5TRATE UPON :AT ,BILL WAS SAY+1 LI/5+ 9T5TLY4 

0,:AT 'E DID1 ?IS ,ABBOTT GEEZ]1 WAS 9/EAD ( GO9' ON AB\T A F\R? DIM5SION NOBODY C\LD GET !IR 'EADS R\ND1 ,ABBOTT TALK$ AB\T ! :OLE ?+ AS IF IT WAS 'APP59' TO LITTLE FLAT ?+S :AT WIZ 9 A WORLD ) TWO DIM5SIONS1 AS IF !Y WIZ LIV9' ON A %EET O' PAP]4 ,H[ HE TOLD IT1 !SE FLAT FUCK]S1 RI<T1 !Y'VE JU/ GOT L5G? & BREAD?1 & !Y CAN'T EV5 PICTURE DEP?4 ,!Y'VE GOT NO IDEA AB\T UP & D[N4 ,IT'S ALL JU/ =W>DS1 BACKW>DS1 RI<T & LEFT TO !M4 ,! ?IRD DIM5SION :AT WE LIVE 91 IT MAKES NO MORE S5SE TO !M ?AN :AT ! F\R? DIM5SION DOES TO US40 

,?IS WAS ALREADY S\ND+ PROMIS+ TO ,REGGIE4 ,HE C\LD EASILY IMAG9E TWO-DIM5SIONAL ?+S1 FLATT] ?AN ! WRIGGL]S Y\ C\LD SOMETIMES SEE IF Y\ GOT RI<T D[N NE> A POOL ( RA9 & SQU9T$ ) ! VA/LY IMPROV$ VISION ( ! DEAD4 ,HE PICTUR$ !M AS %APELESS LITTLE BLOBS GO+ AB\T !IR =W>DS-BACKW>DS-SIDEWAYS LIVES ON !IR FLAT %EET ( PAP]1 & ! IMAGE MADE HIM SMILE4 ,!Y'D BE LIKE DRAFTS MANEUV]+ >\ND A BO>D1 ?\< OBVI\SLY MU* ?9N]4 

,AT ! TOP ( ! /ONE /EPS !RE WAS A C> P>K1 OP5 TO ! NI<T SKY & HEMM$ 9 BY HI< BLACK H$GES ON ITS S\!RN SIDE1 ?\< ,REGGIE HAD A NOTION ?AT :5 HIM & ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG HAD PASS$ ?R\< H]E 9 ! #a#i#gS1 :ILE ON !IR WAY TO ,SN[ ,T[N1 IT HAD BE5 A QUE] & UGLY PLAYGR\ND = ! BAFFLEM5T ( *ILDR54 ,N[ A DOZ5 OR SO MOD]N C>S1 SNUB-NOS$ & PR$ATORY1 W]E HUNK]$ D[N 9 D>KNESS AS ?\< SNOOZ+ BETWE5 KILLS4 ,! ,W>R5 KID WAS NO:]E TO BE SE54 

,! C> P>K HAD BE5 BUILT :]E ,FITZROY ,/REET WAS SITUAT$1 HALF A C5TURY B5EA? !M 9 ! PA/4 ,REGGIE & ,BILL /REAM$ UP ITS SLOPE B5EA? ! BLACK QUILT ( A SKY PAT*$ ) GRAY CL\D & A FEW ISOLAT$ />S1 ALMO/ TOO FA9T TO SEE4 ,! SPRAWL ( SQU>E-CUT BUILD+S !Y W]E LEAV+1 ! DRAB1 PEEL+ BLOCKS ( ,=T ,PLACE & ,MOAT ,PLACE ) !IR RAIL$ BALCONIES & SUNK5 WALKWAYS1 HAD BE5 PUT UP 9 ! #a#i#fS ON ! RUBBLE ( ,=T ,/REET & ,MOAT ,/REET1 & TO ,REGGIE'S EYE LOOK$ EV5 MORE DI%E>T5+ ?AN ! NEGLECT$ #a#i#cS HULK ( ,GREYFRI>S1 :I* AT LEA/ HAD SOME CURVES TO ITS CONCRETE4 ,AS !IR LIK5ESSES W5T /UTT]+ UP ! D>K5$ C> P>K'S EXIT RAMP T[>DS ,*ALK ,LANE & ! RAIS$ HILLOCK AT ! FOOT ( ,CA/LE ,/REET1 ,REGGIE C\LD MAKE \T LUMPY *ILDR5'S DRAW+S /UCK UP 9 ! W9D[S ( ! S+LE-/ORY BUILD+ ON ! M\ND4 ,HE HAD AN IDEA ?AT ! PLACE WAS ONCE A DANC+-S*OOL ( SOME SORT1 BUT ACROSS ! FLICK]+ PASSAGE ( ! YE>S HAD BE5 TRANS=M$ 9TO A NURS]Y4 ,/ILL1 !RE W]E WORSE FATES4 ,9 ! SILV]-?READ$ MURK BESIDE HIM1 ,BILL CONT9U$ HIS DESCRIPTION ( ! LITTLE FLATT5$ PEOPLE 9 !IR SQUA%$ WORLD ?AT !Y ?\<T WAS ! :OLE UNIV]SE4 

0,SO1 IF A LITTLE FLAT BLOKE WANTS TO BE 9DOORS1 AWAY FROM EV]YBODY1 ALL 'E'S GOTTA DO WIZ DRAW A SQU>E ON 'IS FLAT %EET O' PAP]1 & !N ?AT'S 'IS '\SE1 RI<T8 ,FUCK ! O!R FLAT BLOKES4 ,IF 'E WANTS TO1 \R *AP CAN JU/ GO 9SIDE 'IS SQU>E & !N 'E'S %UT AWAY SO NONE O' !M CAN SEE 'IM4 ,N[1 'E DON'T KN[ !RE'S A ?IRD DIM5SION UP ABOVE 'IS1 :]E !RE'S US LOT LOOK+ D[N & WE CAN SEE 'IM1 SITT+ !RE ALL SAFE & S\ND 9SIDE 'IS F\R L9ES :AT 'E'S GOT AS WALLS4 ',E CAN'T EV5 IMAG9E NO?9' UP ABOVE 'IM1 'CAUSE 'E CAN'T EV5 IMAG9E UP1 JU/ =W>DS1 BACKW>DS1 RI<T & LEFT4 

0,POOR LITTLE CUNT1 'E MI<T BE SITT+ !RE & WE JU/1 LIKE1 REA* D[N & PICK 'IM UP1 !N PUT 'IM D[N AGA9 \TSIDE 'IS '\SE4 ,:AT W\LD 'E MAKE O' ?AT8 ,TO 'IM IT W\LD BE LIKE SOME FUCK9' WEIRD %APE JU/ APPE>+ \T O' NO:]E & !N DRAGG9' 'IM \T ?R\< ! WALL OR SOME?+4 ,IT'D DO 'IS 'EAD 94 ,IT'S LIKE US1 :5 WE'RE UP 9 ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? & LOOK9' D[N 9TO SOMEBODY'S GAFF4 ,WE'RE UP ABOVE 'EM 9 A WAY :AT !Y DON'T KN[ AB\T & CAN'T EV5 IMAG9E1 BECAUSE !IR WORLD'S FLAT COMP>$ TO \RS1 JU/ LIKE ! PIECE-(-PAP] WORLD IS FLAT COMP>$ TO !IRS40 

,! WRAI?-BOYS W]E EM]G+ ONTO ! DES]T$ ROADWAY AT ! JO9 ( ,LITTLE ,CROSS ,/REET & ,*ALK ,LANE JU/ OPPOSITE ! NURS]Y1 & (F 9 ! ,NOR?AMPTON NI<T !RE WAS A MUFFL$ UPRO> ( DRUNK *E]S & ANGRY BELL[S1 />TL$ SQUEALS1 ! CON/ANT :EEZE FROM A CAT>RH ( DI/ANT MOTOR TRAFFIC OR PROTRACT$ & N]VE-%R$D+ BUR/S FROM E]IE1 UNFAMILI> 9/RUM5TS ?AT ,BILL SAID W]E AL>MS OR PHONES OR SIR5S1 EV]Y S\ND DAMP$ 9TO A PECULI>LY URG5T MURMUR BY ! DEAD AC\/ICS ( ! <O/-SEAM4 ,IT /RUCK ,REGGIE ?AT 9 NO?+-FIVE OR NO?+-SIX !Y HAD A LOT MORE JANGL+ & UNN]V+ NOISES & A LOT LESS />LI<T ?AN 9 ! DECADES BEL[1 :]E ,REGGIE F\ND ! RATIO BETWE5 !SE TWO PH5OM5A MORE TO HIS LIK+4 

,AS !IR AMBL+ PA? BEGAN TO GRADUALLY VE] T[>DS ! LEFT & ,LITTLE ,CROSS ,/REET1 ,BILL CONT9U$ *ATT]+ AB\T ! F\R? DIM5SION & TO ,REGGIE'S GREAT SURPRISE HE F\ND ?AT HE WAS FOLL[+ ! DRIFT ( IT1 DESPITE ! BITS ( SLANG HE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE & C\LDN'T WORK \T = HIMSELF4 0,BIRD01 = EXAMPLE1 S\ND$ LIKE ANO!R WAY ( SAY+ 0GIRL0 OR 0WOMAN01 & ,REGGIE SUPPOS$ IT WAS A BIT LIKE 0*ICKABIDDY01 :I* HE'D HE>D M5 USE :ILE HE WAS /ILL ALIVE1 D[N 9 ! EI<TE5-HUNDR$S4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 HE'D NO IDEA :AT A 0GAFF0 WAS1 NOT UNLESS IT WAS A SORT ( /REET FAIR OR ! YELLS & \TCRIES ?AT A FAIR LIKE ?AT W\LD RAISE1 & ,REGGIE DIDN'T RECKON ,BILL MEANT ?AT BY IT AT ALL4 ,! WAY HE'D US$ IT1 IT HAD S\ND$ MORE LIKE IT MEANT 0ROOM0 OR SOME?+ LIKE ?AT4 ,REGGIE LET IT GO & CONC5TRAT$ ON :AT ,BILL WAS SAY+ AT ?AT MOM5T4 

0,ANYWAY1 ?IS BIRD SAID '[ PEOPLE LIKE ,ABBOTT & ?IS ',9TON KICK$ (F ALL ! FUSS AB\T ! F\R? DIM5SION 9 ! #a#h#hS OR >\ND !N4 ,COME ! #a#i#bS1 ?\<1 & EV]YBODY'S 9TO IT4 ,ALL ( ! >TI/S & ! CUBI/S & ,PICASSO & ALL !M1 !Y W]E JU/ TRY9' TO ?9K '[ IT W\LD LOOK IF1 SAY1 SOMEBODY TURN$ !IR 'EAD T[>DS Y] & Y] C\LD /ILL SEE 'EM SIDE-ON4 ,I MEAN1 ?AT'S '[ US LOT SEE EA* O!R ALL ! TIME40 

,TO DEMON/RATE1 ,BILL :IPP$ HIS HEAD >\ND & GR9N$ AT ,REGGIE4 ,REGGIE DIDN'T REALLY KN[ :AT CUBI/S OR ,PICASSOS W]E1 BUT HE C\LD SEE :AT ,BILL HAD MEANT3 ! AFT]-IMAGE ( ! G+] NIPP]'S PR(ILE WAS /ILL HANG+ 9 ! AIR EV5 ?\< ,BILL N[ FAC$ HIM1 A TRANSLUC5T <O/-E> SUP]IMPOS$ FLEET+LY ON ,BILL'S RI<T EYE4 ,P]HAPS ?AT WAS ! SORT ( ?+ ?AT ! ,PICUBOS PA9T$4 

0,& IT WIZN'T JU/ ! >TI/S4 ,ALL ! SPIRITUALI/S & ! DODGY SEANCE TYPES WIZ CELEBRAT9'4 ,!Y WIZ WELL *UFF$1 'CAUSE !Y ?\<T ! F\R? DIM5SION W\LD EXPLA9 ALL ( ! WEIRD ?+S <O/S WIZ S'POS$ TO DO1 LIKE SEE+ 9SIDE BOXES & ALL ?AT OLD BOLLIX4 ,= A TIME D[N 9 ! #a#i#bS1 EV5 ALL ! B(F9S & ! SCI5TI/S AN' :AT-NOT ?\<T ! TABLE-RAPP]S MI<T BE ONTO SOME?9' ) ?IS F\R? DIM5SION BUS9ESS4 ,!N ,I 'SPECT !Y 'AD A W>1 OR SUMMAT ELSE COME UP1 & EV]YBODY JU/ =GOT AB\T IT40 

,REGGIE SIL5TLY ABSORB$ ?IS4 ,?\< HE C\LDN'T SAY ?AT ANY ( IT WAS ! REVELATION HE'D BE5 HOP+ =1 IT MADE AT LEA/ A BIT MORE S5SE ( ,REGGIE'S CIRCUM/ANCES4 ,HE'D NOT REALIZ$ ?AT ! TRAILS ( PICTURES FOLL[+ ! DEAD AB\T W]E TI$ UP SOMEH[ ) ?IS F\R? DIM5SION1 HAV+ PREVI\SLY CONSID]$ ! PH5OM5ON M]ELY A R&OM NUISANCE4 ,N[ HE KNEW ?AT IT WAS SCI5TIFIC1 IT MI<T NOT BE SO MU* ( A BO!R4 

,AS HE LI/5$ TO ,BILL RAMBLE ON - SOME?+ AB\T A *AP CALL$ ,E9/E91 PROBABLY ANO!R PA9T] - ,REGGIE SCANN$ ! UNLIT NEI<BORHOOD AB\T !M1 P>T ( HIS ATT5TION /ILL FIX$ DOGG$LY UPON ! TASK ( F9D+ ! <O/-RUNAWAY4 ,GLANC+ ACROSS HIS %\LD] TO ! RI<T HE SAW ! NURS]Y ON ! M\ND &1 JU/ ACROSS ! M\? ( ,CA/LE ,HILL1 ! BLUNT AGE-R\ND$ CORN]S ON ! S&/ONE MASS ( ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*4 ,FROM :]E HE /OOD ) ,BILL HE C\LDN'T QUITE SEE ! QUE] DOORWAY /R&$ HALFWAY UP ! *UR*'S WALL1 NOR ! APPALL+1 VISION-/RA9+ SPL5DOR ( ! ,ULTRADUCT ?AT SPR\T$ FROM IT1 CURV+ (F UNFA?OMABLY TO ! S\?1 T[>DS ! MADH\SES ON ,MANS\L'S \TSKIRTS & BEYOND ?AT ,LONDON1 ,DOV]1 ,FRANCE1 ,J]USALEM4 ,AL?\< ! /RUCTURE WAS ITSELF 9VISIBLE FROM ,REGGIE'S CURR5T ANGLE1 HE C\LD SEE ! FALL+ *ALK-DU/ LI<T IT SCATT]$ AS IT SETTL$ ON ! RAGG$ 5D ( ,LITTLE ,CROSS ,/REET4 

,JU/ ACROSS ! ROAD1 9 FRONT ( ! TWO PHANTOM BOYS & TO !IR LEFT1 !RE LOOM$ ! GAUNT WE/ FACE ( ,BA? ,/REET FLATS1 !IR BRUISE-D>K #a#i#cS BRICKWORK GLI/5+ LIKE SNAIL SLIME 9 ! 9T]MITT5T LAMPLI<T4 ,AL?\< ,REGGIE D\BT$ ?AT !RE HAD BE5 MORE ?AN A FEW YE>S BETWE5 ! RAIS+ ( !IR ,GREYFRI>S C\NT]P>TS & !SE SOMEH[ =BIDD+ RESID5CES1 !RE WAS AN IMM5SE DISSIMIL>ITY 9 !IR RESPECTIVE ATMOSPH]ES4 ,GREYFRI>S HAD SEEM$ NO MORE ?AN MIS]ABLY DISAPPO9T$1 BUT ! S\LLESS & DIS9T]E/$ W9D[S ( ! ,BA? ,/REET BUILD+S WORE A G5U9ELY DREADFUL LOOK1 AS ?\< !Y'D SE5 ! WOR/ & W]E JU/ WAIT+ N[ TO DIE4 

,?\< 9 ! <O/-SEAM'S MONO*ROME ! FLATS' BRICKS W]E A *>R$ GRAY1 ALMO/ BLACK1 ,REGGIE HAD HE>D !Y W]E ! BR[NI%-R$ ( DRI$ BLOOD1 EA* ONE LIKE A BLOCK ( CORN$ BEEF SLI!R$ FROM ITS T91 ) YELL[$ L>D = MORT>4 ,AT A PO9T HALFWAY ALONG ! WE/ WALL1 D\BLE DOORS MORE SUIT$ TO A CLOS$-D[N SWIMM+-BA?S />$ M5AC+LY FROM B5EA? ! SAGG+ HAT BRIM ( !IR PORTICO4 ,! ONLY GLASS PANE ?AT REMA9$ 9TACT WAS CRACK$1 ! O!R ?REE REPLAC$ BY SPECKL$ PLA/]BO>D4 ,TWO L[ BRICK WALLS1 ON ONE ( :I* :ITE MOSS WAS CRAWL+1 BORD]$ A ?9 CONCRETE PASSAGE1 RUNN+ FROM ! HOOD$ DOORWAY & ACROSS A GRASS V]GE TO ! PAV+ SLABS ( ,LITTLE ,CROSS ,/REET4 ,UNREADABLE WORDS W]E SCRAWL$ 9 PALE PA9T ON ! /\T BRICK 5D-PO/S1 & ACCUMULAT$ 9 ! ANGLE BETWE5 WALL & TURF WAS A DISMAY+ SILT ( RUBB] JOHNNIES1 DEAD BIRDS & DEAD FAG-5DS1 H+$ & GAP+ SQU>E-CUT OY/]S MADE ( PLA/IC FOAM ?AT HEMORRHAG$ COLD *IPS1 A S+LE *ILD-SIZ$ BUCKLE %OE1 SIX FLIMSY BE]-T9S CRU%$ 9 RAGE OR BOR$OM1 SEV]AL 444 ,REGGIE BR\<T HIMSELF UP %ORT4 ,MOSS DIDN'T CRAWL4 ,HE LOOK$ BACK AT ! CLUMP ( A%5 TUFTS :I* EV5 N[ APPE>$ TO BE PROGRESS+ SL[LY1 LIKE A GREAT ALB9O CAT]PILL>1 AS IT CRAWL$ ALONG ! FLAT TOP SURFACE ( ! NE>SIDE WALL4 ,EXCEPT IT WASN'T REALLY SOME?+ FLUFFY BALANC+ UPON ! WALL1 BUT WAS 9/EAD ! BLOND HAIR ( SOMEBODY CR\*+ D[N & %UFFL+ ALONG BEH9D IT4 

0,BILL6 ,I SEE 'IM6 ,LOOK1 'E'S OV] !RE60 

,NO SOON] HAD ! WORDS LEFT ,REGGIE'S M\? ?AN HE REGRETT$ !M & WI%$ HE'D ?\<T TO TRY A SUBTL] APPROA*4 ,OV] UPON ! O!R SIDE ( ,LITTLE ,CROSS ,/REET1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 /OOD UP FROM BEH9D ! WALL :]E HE'D BE5 HID+ & GAP$1 HORRIFI$1 AT ,BILL & ,REGGIE AS !IR MULTIPLY+ IMAGES BEGAN TO BLUR ACROSS ! ROAD T[>DS HIM4 ,V5T+ A BRIEF YELP ( PANIC1 ! PAJAMA-CLAD *ILD :IRL$ >\ND & PLUNG$ 9TO ! PLA/]BO>D & GLASS ( ! CLOS$ DOORS1 )\T ! LEA/ TRACE ( HIS E>LI] HESITATION ) REG>D TO PASS+ ?R\< SUB/ANTIAL OBJECTS4 ,REGGIE DA%$ OV] ! EMPTY ROADWAY 9 PURSUIT ) ,BILL SWE>+ BESIDE HIM1 BO? ( !M AW>E ?AT ! NEW KID HAD ONLY RUN AWAY BECAUSE !IR R\<NESS FRI<T5$ HIM4 ,IF ,JOHN OR EV5 ,PHYLLIS HAD BE5 PRES5T1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 W\LD HAVE PROBABLY JU/ GIV5 UP ! *ASE & GONE ALONG ) !M1 GRATEFUL TO BE NO LONG] LO/ 9 ?IS UNFRI5DLY C5TURY4 ,BY %\T+ \T ! ODDS ! WAY ?AT HE JU/ HAD1 ,REGGIE HAD POSSIBLY SC>$ (F ! LITTLE BOY = GOOD4 ,IF HE %\LD DIG 9TO ANO!R TIME1 EV5 A HALF-H\R BACK OR =W>D1 !Y W\LD V]Y LIKELY NEV] F9D HIM & !N ALL ! DIRE CONSEQU5CES EV]YONE HAD PROMIS$ IF !Y LO/ ! HAPLESS TOT W\LD COME TO PASS4 

,9 ?IS EV5TUALITY1 HE C\LDN'T BE> ! ?\<T ( FAC+ ,PHYLLIS & EXPLA9+ TO H] H[ HE'D MESS$ ?+S UP4 ,FRANTIC LE/ ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 %\LD ESCAPE AGA91 ! BOYS & !IR ATT5DANT IMAGES *>G$ 9 A CONGA-L9E ( HOOLIGANS1 DIAGONALLY ACROSS ! GRASS & /RAI<T 9 ?R\< ! WE/]N WALL ( ,BA? ,/REET FLATS1 NOT BO!R+ TO 5T] BY ! D\BLE DOORS AS ! BLOND FUGITIVE HAD DONE4 ,REGGIE & ,BILL DIV$ RECKLESSLY ?R\< ! BLOOD-PUDD+ BRICKS 9TO ! />TL+1 UNEXPECT$ REALM BEYOND4 

,! FIR/ AP>TM5T ?AT !Y RU%$ ?R\< WAS UNLIT SAVE = ! HISS+ RADIANCE ( A TELEVISION SET TUN$ TO AN EMPTY *ANNEL4 ,SITT+ 9 ! ROOM'S SOLE *AIR1 A MIDDLE-AG$ MAN />$ 9TO ! 9COH]5T /ATIC1 WEEP+ :ILE HE CLUT*$ A WOMAN'S /RAW HAT TO HIS FACE4 ,! TWO <O/-BOYS SME>$ PA/ HIM1 PASS+ ?R\< ! RE> WALL & ! EMPTY KIT*5ETTE BEYOND 9TO ANO!R FLAT1 ?IS ONE BLACK$ \T SAVE = ! SPID]Y *ROME L9ES ( !IR NOCTURNAL VISION4 ,PICK$ \T AS IF BY METALLIC ?READ1 ,REGGIE C\LD SEE A FIL?Y BABY SLEEP+ FITFULLY 9 ITS DILAPIDAT$ CRADLE1 ! PLACE O!RWISE UNOCCUPI$ SAVE = FIVE UND]F$ CATS & !IR DROPP+S4 ,HIM & ,BILL MOV$ ON1 A RUFFIAN W9D ?AT B[L$ D[N PASSAGEWAYS & UND] DOORS1 ?R\< HOVEL AFT] HOVEL3 ?REE EXCIT$ BLACK M5 PLAY+ C>DS :ILE 9 ONE CORN] LAY A F\R?1 BLOODY & :IMP]+2 A PLUMP & VACANT-EY$ OLD WOMAN 9 H] UND]WE>1 PATI5TLY C\NT+ & >RANG+ T9S ( DOG-FOOD 9 A PYRAMID )\T ! LEA/ TRACE ( A DOG 9 SI<T2 A SK9NY Y\NG D>K-SK9N$ GIRL ) H] HAIR 9 PLAIT$ /RIPES1 :O ALT]NAT$ BETWE5 SUCK+ SMOKE \T ( A D5T$ T9 & PA/+ CUT\T PHOTOGRAPHS ( A BLOND WOMAN 9TO AN ALREADY-BULG+ BOOK4 

,AT LA/ ! PAIR ( JUNIOR APP>ITIONS FL[$ ?R\< AN EXT]IOR WALL1 EM]G+ GRATEFULLY 9TO :AT1 IF !Y'D /ILL BE5 CAPABLE ( BREA?+1 W\LD HAVE BE5 FRE% AIR4 ,!Y W]E N[ 9 ! C5TRAL AV5UE ?AT SPLIT ! FLATS1 EFFECTIVELY1 9TO TWO HALVES4 ,A /RAI<T PA? ) A /RIP ( LAWN TO EI!R SIDE1 B\ND$ BY WALLS ) /RANGE HALF-CRESC5T >*ES1 ,REGGIE KNEW ?AT GETT+ ON = N9ETY YE>S B5EA? !M ?IS WAS ! BLEAK RECREATION GR\ND KN[N AS ! ,OR*>D4 ,! :OLE PLACE WAS GREATLY *ANG$ S9CE !N1 ( C\RSE4 ,9 FACT ! PLACE WAS GREATLY *ANG$1 AT LEA/ BY NI<T1 S9CE ,REGGIE LA/ REMEMB]$ PASS+ ?IS WAY1 ON A %ORT-CUT ?R\< ! #a#i#gS4 ,AL?\< ! BASIC /RUCTURE ( ! BUILD+S HAD NOT ALT]$1 ,REGGIE WAS AMAZ$ TO SEE ?AT EV]Y GRIMY BALCONY OR /AIRWAY VISIBLE ?R\< ! BRICK >*ES BORD]+ ! PA? WAS LIT UP FROM B5EA?1 SO ?AT !SE FEATURES FLOAT$ 9 ! D>K & MADE ! FLATS SEEM LIKE SOME FABUL\S AB&ON$ CITY ( ! FUTURE1 FULL ( BLAZ+ LANT]NS BUT DEVOID ( PEOPLE4 ,AT ! C5TRAL PA?'S S\? 5D1 BE=E IT GOT TO ,CA/LE ,/REET1 IT TURN$ 9TO A BROAD & BRICK-WALL$ CONCRETE /AIRWAY4 ,ON ! BOTTOM /EP T[>DS ITS MIDDLE SAT ! <O/ ( ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 N>R[ T>TAN %\LD]S %AK+ AS HE WEPT 9TO HIS LIFT$ H&S4 

,?IS TIME1 ,REGGIE & ,BILL APPROA*$ ! CLE>LY FRI<T5$ KID MORE C>EFULLY1 MOV+ SO SL[LY ?AT !Y H>DLY LEFT A S+LE DUPLICATE BEH9D !M4 ,NOT WANT+ ! *ILD TO GLANCE UP SUDD5LY & ?9K ?AT !Y W]E CREEP+ UP ON HIM1 ,REGGIE CALL$ \T 9 ! MO/ S(T & REASSUR+ TONE ?AT HE C\LD MANAGE4 

0,DON'T BE SC>$1 MATE4 ,IT'S JU/ US4 ,Y] NOT 9 ANY TR\BLE40 

,MI*AEL ,W>R5 LOOK$ UP1 />TL$1 & = JU/ A MOM5T Y\ C\LD SEE HE WAS DEBAT+ :E!R TO RUN (F AGA9 OR NOT4 ,EVID5TLY HE F9ALLY DECID$ 'NOT'1 L[]+ HIS HEAD AGA9 AS HE RESUM$ HIS SOBB+4 ,BILL & ,REGGIE WALK$ UP & SAT D[N ON ! /ONE /EP TO EI!R SIDE ( HIM1 ) ,REGGIE DRAP+ ONE LONG COAT-CLAD >M >\ND ! SPECTRAL 9FANT'S HEAV+ %\LD]S4 

0,COME ON4 ,BL[ Y\R NOSE & PULL Y]SELF TOGE!R1 AYE8 ,IT'S NOT SO BAD40 

,! LITTLE BOY LOOK$ UP AT ,REGGIE1 ECTOPLASM GLI/5+ ON HIS *EEKS4 

0,I JU/ WANT TO GL[ HOME4 ,?IS WIZZN'T ! PLACE ,I LEAV$ 940 

,REGGIE C\LDN'T REALLY >GUE !RE4 ,! ANGUL> BLACK MASSES ) !IR HOV]+ ISL&S ( ILLUM9ATION LOOM+ UP >\ND !M W]5'T ! PLACE ?AT HE HAD LIV$ 9 EI!R1 OR ! PLACE HE'D LEFT4 ,& :AT WAS MORE1 9 ,REGGIE'S CASE ! GL[ ( HOME WAS SOME HUNDR$ & FIFTY YE>S B5EA? !M1 D[N !RE 9 ! ,BOR\<S DIRT4 ,HE GAVE ! TR\BL$ <O/-*ILD'S >M A BRIEF SQUEEZE ?R\< ! T>TAN FABRIC ( HIS <O/LY DRESS+ G[N4 

0,I KN[4 ,TELL Y] ! TRU?1 ME & ,BILL DON'T MU* LIKE IT UP H]E 9 ! NO?+S EI!R1 DO WE1 ,BILL80 

,ON ,MI*AEL'S O!R SIDE ,BILL %OOK HIS HEAD 9TO A SCRUFFY1 MOM5T>Y HYDRA4 0,NAH4 ,IT'S PANTS1 MATE1 & ! FUR!R UP Y] GO1 ! WORSE IT GETS4 ,I MEAN1 !RE'S CAM]AS /UCK UP EV]Y:]E >\ND ']E AS IT IS - ?AT'S :Y !RE'S ALL !SE LI<TS - BUT IF Y\ GO UP 9TO NO?+-SEV5 OR R\ND !RE1 ! FUCK9' ?+S />T TALK9' TO Y]4 ',PICK ?AT FUCK9' LITT] UP'4 ,I'M S]I\S4 ,OLD ,PHYLLIS ONLY DUG '] WAY UP ']E BY ACCID5T1 TO GET US \T ?AT /ORM4 ,I BET :5 WE MEET UP ) ']1 %E'LL WANT TO TUNNEL BACK D[N TO SOMETIME A BIT MORE CIVILIZ$4 ,SO DON'T GO RUNN9' (F AGA91 AYE8 ,WE'RE Y] MATES4 ,WE WANT TO GET Y\ \T ( ']E AS MU* AS Y\ DO40 

,MI*AEL ,W>R5 SNIFF$ & WIP$ A MOLLUSK-TRAIL ( ECTOPLASM ON ONE T>TAN SLEEVE4 

0,:]E HAG \R H['S GONE80 

,FROM ! NOTE ( PIP+ QU]Y 9 ! TODDL]'S VOICE1 IT S\ND$ AS ?\< HE WAS CAUTI\SLY PREP>$ TO BE CONSOL$4 ,REGGIE ATTEMPT$ TO ADDRESS ! 9FANT'S QUE/ION SYMPA!TICALLY1 PUTT+ ASIDE HIS E>LI] OP9ION ?AT ! ,W>R5 KID %\LD SIMPLY GR[ UP & GET OV] IT4 ,EV]YONE HAD !IR CROSS TO BE>1 ,REGGIE SUPPOS$1 & ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 HAD BE5 V]Y Y\NG :5 ALL ?IS HAPP5$ TO HIM4 ,HE DES]V$ A *ANCE4 

0,LOOK1 ,PHYLLIS DUG UP NE>LY FIFTY YE>S1 & NO?9' LA/S =EV]1 DOES IT8 ,NE>LY ALL ! '\SES :AT US LOT GREW UP 9 >E PULL$ D[N BE=E ! TW5TY-SOME?+S1 BUT !Y'RE ALL /ILL /&+ SOME:]E UND]NEA? US 9 ! BYGONE1 SO DON'T WORRY4 ,WE CAN DIG Y\ BACK TO #aiei AGA9 BE=E Y\ CAN SAY KNIFE40 

,?IS DID NOT APPE> TO REASSURE ! LAD AS MU* AS ,REGGIE MI<T HAVE HOP$4 ,HE %OOK HIS BLOND LOCKS RUEFULLY4 

0,BLUB ,I DON'T WANT ALL ?IS TO BE H]E4 ,EBONY?+'S ALL NA/Y1 & ,I US$ TO LIKE IT :5 MY MOM CUT ?R\< !SE FLATS TO TAKE US HOME4 ,I REMUMBLE ONCE :5 ,I WIZ 9 MY PLU%*AIR1 & %E BUMP$ ME D[N !SE /AIRPS4 ,IT TOOK A LONG TIME & MY HIS/] SAT ON ?AT WALL !RE & READ H] COMET-BOOK4 ,%E SAID IT WAS AB\T =BIDD5 WORLDS1 & !RE W]E PLANETS ON ! LETT]S 4440 

,AS IF REALIZ+ ?AT HIS RAMBL+S W]E NOT CONVEY+ HIS GREAT S5SE ( LOSS1 ! <O/-BOY LET HIS REM9ISC5CES TRAIL (F & SIMPLY GE/UR$ TO ! D>K AISLE !Y W]E SITT+ 91 ITS UND]-LIT V]&AS FL>+ AS !Y HUNG SUSP5D$ 9 ! NI<T TO EI!R SIDE4 

0,I JU/ DON'T LIKE :AT'S MAGICK$ ALL ?AT 9TO ?IS40 

,) A DEEP SI< & A PI/OL-LIKE REPORT FROM ! <O/S ( HIS KNEE-JO9TS1 ,REGGIE /OOD UP FROM ! /EP & SIGNAL$ ,BILL TO DO ! SAME4 ,REALIZ+ ?AT ! O!R LADS HAD RIS5 TO !IR FEET PROVOK$ ! ,W>R5 KID TO FOLL[ !M4 ,:5 !Y W]E ALL /&+1 ,BILL & ,REGGIE EA* TOOK ,MI*AEL BY ONE ( HIS H&S1 BO? HOP+ ?AT !Y DIDN'T LOOK LIKE SISSIES1 & PROCE$$ TO WALK ) HIM D[N ! GRASS-FR+$ AV5UE BETWE5 ! TWO HALVES ( ! FLATS1 HEAD+ = ,BA? ,/REET 9 A ?REE-/RONG COLUMN ( PURSU+ PICTURES LIKE A M>*+ B&4 ,REGGIE LOOK$ D[N T[>DS ! LITTLE BOY4 

0,NONE ( US LIKE IT1 MATE1 ! ?+ :AT'S MADE ?IS PLACE ! WAY IT IS4 ,S\L ( ! 'OLE1 ?AT'S :AT WE CALL IT4 ,IF WE WALK D[N FUR!R ?IS WAY1 Y\'LL SEE :Y40 

,HAV+ REA*$ ! NOR?-MO/ 5D ( ! LONG WALKWAY1 !Y /EPP$ 9TO ,BA? ,/REET4 ,! TWO OLD] *ILDR5 PAUS$ H]E1 & :5 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 LOOK$ UP QUE/ION+LY ,REGGIE NODD$ GRIMLY TO A SPOT A LITTLE FUR!R D[N ! LAMP-LIT HILL4 

,IT WAS SU* AN UNPREC$5T$ SI<T1 A LITTLE LIKE ONE'S FIR/ GLIMPSE ( ! ,ULTRADUCT1 ?AT ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 W\LDN'T KN[ AT FIR/ :AT HE WAS LOOK+ AT1 ,REGGIE FELT C]TA9 FROM HIS [N EXP]I5CE4 ,UNLIKE ! ,ULTRADUCT1 H[EV]1 ! PH5OM5ON ?AT HUNG !RE SWIRL+ 9 ! NI<T AIR D[N BY ,LITTLE ,CROSS ,/REET DID NOT 9SPIRE OV]:ELM+ AWE SO MU* AS CRU%+ DREAD4 

,IT WAS A SCOR*$ & BLACK5$ HOLE BURN$ 9 ! SUP]NATURAL FABRIC ( ! <O/-SEAM4 ,R\<LY TW5TY Y>DS 9 ITS DIAMET] IT HUNG !RE A FEW FEET ABOVE ! LI/+ & SUBSID$ ,BA? ,/REET PAV+ SLABS1 SP9N+ UNHURRI$LY4 ,QUITE CLE>LY NOT A ?+ ( ! MAT]IAL WORLD1 ITS FUR!/ $GES PASS$ /RAI<T ?R\< ! BACON-COLOR$ BRICKWORK ( ! FLATS' NOR? SIDE1 SEEM+ TO MAKE ! WALLS TRANSP>5T AS IT DID SO4 ,REGGIE C\LD SEE ?R\< 9TO ! 9N] *AMB]S1 :]E ! C9D]$ $GES ( ! GRADUALLY REVOLV+ DISCUS REA*$ 9TO ONE ( ! ROOMS ?AT HE & ,BILL HAD PASS$ ?R\< A FEW MOM5TS BACK1 9 :I* ! D>K-SK9N$ WOMAN ) H] HAIR 9 /RIPES SAT SUCK+ SMOK+ MELT$ GRA9S ( GLASS \T ( H] T9 & PA/+ PICTURES 9 H] SCRAPBOOK4 ,! HOLE'S TURN+ RIM CUT ?R\< ! GIRL'S TRANSLUC5T BODY LIKE A BLACK CIRCUL> SAW1 ! *>R$ FLAKES ( ITS MILL/ONE PASSAGE FLUTT]+ D[N TO SETTLE 9 H] EXPOS$ 9N] WORK+S1 ALL )\T H] KN[L$GE4 ,ON ! O!R SIDE ( ,BA? ,/REET ! GYRAT+ AP]TURE'S F> $GE WAS DO+ MU* ! SAME ?+ TO AN UPP] CORN] ( ! MAISONETTES 9 ,CRISP9 ,/REET4 ,A SEE-?R\< FAT MAN SAT UPON A SEE-?R\< TOILET1 GR\ND UNWITT+LY ON ! MON/ROSITY'S SOOTY P]IMET] AS IT ROTAT$ ?R\< HIS BA?ROOM4 ,A T]RIBLE SE>$ COG ?AT HAD OBLIVI\S ANATOMIC SPECIM5S CAU<T ON ITS TEE?1 ! HORROR :EEL$ ) A DIRE 9EVITABILITY !RE AT ! NI<T-HE>T ( ! UNSUSPECT+ NEI<BORHOOD1 AS ?\< IT W]E ! WORKS & MOVEM5T ( SOME HUGE & DEVA/AT+ TIMEPIECE4 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 GAP$ AT ! 9F]NAL SPECTACLE = SOME FEW MOM5TS & !N HE GLANC$ UP1 APPALL$ & LO/1 LOOK+ TO ,BILL & ,REGGIE = SOME EXPLANATION4 

0,:AT WIZ IT8 ,IT SMELLS CACKRID1 LIKE OLD GUTT]CATS40 

,! KID WAS RI<T4 ,EV5 H]E 9 ! <O/-SEAM :]E ,PHYLL ,PA9T]'S ROTT5 RABBITS HAD NO ODOR1 Y\ C\LD SMELL ! CREMATORIUM P]FUME ( ! SL[LY-:IRL+ ABYSS1 BIT+ & UNPLEASANT ON ! MEMBRANE ( Y\R PHANTOM ?ROAT1 BEH9D ! CR++ SPECTRAL NO/RILS4 ,TI<T5+ !IR GRIPS ON ,MI*AEL'S H&S1 ,REGGIE & ,BILL PROPELL$ HIM SWIFTLY OV] ,BA? ,/REET1 PA/ ! YAWN+ MAW ( ! BLACK NEBULA LANGUIDLY SPIRAL+ ONLY A DOZ5 PACES D[N ! /REET4 ,!Y DIDN'T WANT HIM GETT+ SC>$ AGA9 & RUNN+ /RAI<T 9TO ! BLOODY ?+4 

0,IT'S LIKE ! WRAI? ( A BIG *IMNEY :AT !Y 'AD D[N ']E = BURN9' ALL ,NOR?AMPTON'S MUCK4 ,9 ! ?REE-SID$ WORLD1 ! SMOKE/ACK WIZ PULL$ D[N SEV5TY YE>S AGO1 BUT NOBODY C\LD PUT ITS FIRES \T D[N ']E 9 ! <O/-WORLD4 ,IT'S BE5 BURN9' EV] S9CE1 & GETT9' BIGG]4 ,IF Y\ ?9K IT LOOKS & SMELLS BAD ']E1 Y\ \<T TO SEE IT FROM ,UP/AIRS4 ,WE CALL IT ! ,DE/RUCTOR40 

,SIMPLY TO PRON\NCE ! WORD1 = ,REGGIE1 FELT LIKE SMA%+ BO? FI/S D[N UPON ! KEYS TO ! LEFT SIDE ( A PIANO1 & APPE>$ TO HAVE ! SAME EFFECT UPON ! TRIO'S SPIRITS AS !Y SOLDI]$ ON 9 SIL5CE OV] ,BA? ,/REET TO ! SQU>E ( >MY HAIRCUT-M[N GRASS ON ITS FUR!R SIDE4 ,MI*AEL KEPT LOOK+ BACK ACROSS HIS DRESS+ G[N-CLAD %\LD] AT ! LEVITAT+ MAEL/ROM4 ,REGGIE KNEW ! NIPP] W\LD BE ASK+ HIMSELF ! SAME QUE/ION EV]YBODY DID ! FIR/ TIME !Y SET EYES ON ! ,DE/RUCTOR3 :AT AB\T ! MORTAL SPACES & ! LIV+ PEOPLE ?AT IT 9T]SECT$ )8 ,:AT WAS IT DO+ TO !M :5 !Y DIDN'T EV5 KN[ ?AT IT WAS !RE8 ,! SIMPLE TRU? WAS ?AT NOBODY KNEW1 AL?\< Y\ DIDN'T HAVE TO BE A BRA9-BOX TO CONCLUDE ?AT 9 ALL PROBABILITY IT WASN'T DO+ ANYBODY ANY GOOD4 ,N[1 <O/S :O ACCID5TALLY GOT TOO CLOSE TO IT1 ?IS WAS ANO!R MATT]4 ,EV]YBODY KNEW :AT HAPP5$ !N3 !Y W]E 9C9]AT$ & NEXT PULL$ TO PIECES1 PULV]IZ$ TO ATOMS BY ITS VORTEX CURR5TS ) !IR RESIDUE DRAGG$ 9TO ! REMORSELESS ONYX SWIRL4 ,= ALL ?AT ANYBODY KNEW1 ! ESS5CES ( !SE UN=TUNATES MI<T /ILL BE LIV+ & AW>E )9 ?AT FRI<TFUL1 5DLESS TURN+4 ,REGGIE DIDN'T WANT TO ?9K AB\T IT & URG$ ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 ON ACROSS ! LI<TLESS SWA! ( LAWN4 

,JU/ :5 ! OLD] BOYS W]E />T+ TO BELIEVE ?AT !IR Y\NG *>GE W\LD NEV] AGA9 TE> HIS EYES AWAY FROM ! ,DE/RUCTOR1 !N1 AS IS (T5 ! WAY ) SMALL] *ILDR51 HIS ATT5TION WAS SEIZ$ SUDD5LY BY SOME?+ ?AT HE EVID5TLY F\ND /ILL MORE REM>KABLE1 ! S\L-DE/ROY+ :IRLPOOL HOV]+ 9 ,BA? ,/REET !RE BEH9D !M 9/ANTLY =GOTT54 

,IT WAS ! TWO T[] BLOCKS1 ,CL>EMONT ,C\RT & ,BEAUMONT ,C\RT1 ?AT HAD 5TRANC$ ! KID4 ,! TWELVE FLOORS ( EA* MONOLI? SO>$ UP T[>DS ! TORN CL\D & ! MO/LY-ABS5T />S ABOVE1 PO/AGE-/AMP RECTANGLES ( CURTA9-FILT]$ LI<T GUMM$ H]E & !RE UPON ! BUILD+S' TALL BLACK PAGES4 ,AL?\< ,REGGIE SMIRK$ A LITTLE AT H[ EASILY IMPRESS$ ! 9FANT WAS1 9 FAIRNESS HE'D HAD LONG] TO GR[ BLASE ) REG>D TO ! COLOSSAL HEAD/ONES4 ,! FIR/ TIME HE'D *ANC$ UPON !M HE'D BE5 EV]Y BIT AS DUMB/RUCK AS WAS ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 N[4 ,!Y'D BE5 ! TALLE/ H\SES ?AT HE'D EV] SE51 TRULY GIGANTIC PACK+ CRATES DUMP$ ON A TRULY VA/ EXPANSE ( SCRUBL&4 ,! BIG METAL LETT]S UP T[>DS ! TOP ( EA* HUGE BLOCK1 REC5T ADDITIONS SPELL+ ,N,E,W,L,I,F,E1 HAD BE5 PUT UP SIDEWAYS = SOME CLEV] MOD]N REASON1 MAK+ ! TWO T[]S SEEM TO ,REGGIE EV5 MORE LIKE PACKAG+ ?AT HAD BE5 TURN$ ONTO ITS SIDE4 ,>\ND ! CONCRETE BASE ( ! DUAL $IFICES1 SCATT]$ SCRAPS ( LITT] %ONE LIKE FUN]AL LILIES 9 ! SILV]-?READ$ D>KNESS4 ,MI*AEL WAS AS MU* P]PLEX$ AS AW$4 

0,I ?\<T IT WIZ ALL PAW$-D[N H\SES H]E4 ,:]E DID !SE ?+]S COME FROM80 

,REGGIE LAU<$1 NOT 9 D]ISION4 ,IT WAS TRUE4 ,HE'D NEV] ?\<T ( IT BE=E1 BUT ! T[]S DID LOOK LIKE TWO GREAT BIG F+]S RAIS$ 9 A TITANIC ,V-SIGN TO ! ,BOR\<S4 ,LETT+ GO ( ,MI*AEL'S H& HE RUFFL$ ! BOY'S MILKY HAIR 9/EAD4 

0,?AT'S A GOOD QUE/ION1 LITTLE 'UN4 ,:5 WIZ IT1 ,BILL1 !SE UGLY BA/>DS WIZ PUT UP80 

,BILL SCREW$ HIS FACE UP P5SIVELY4 

0,D[N SOMETIME 9 ! E>LY ',SIXTIES1 ,I'D 'AVE ?\<T4 ,:5 Y] TOOK BACK TO LIFE 9 #a#i#e#i1 Y]'LL PROBABLY BE SEE+ !SE ?+S GO UP 9 A YE> OR TWO4 ,SO :AT Y] GETT+ N['S A PREVIEW1 BUT Y] WON'T REMEMB] IT :5 Y] ALIVE AGA940 

,REGGIE 9CL9$ HIS B[L]1 NODD+ 9 SOLEMN AGREEM5T4 ,?AT WAS WELL KN[N4 ,Y\ C\LD NO MORE TAKE A MEMORY BACK FROM ! <O/-SEAM OR ,MANS\L ?AN Y\ C\LD BR+ A TREASURE-*E/ BACK FROM AN AV>ICI\S DREAM TO WAK+ LIFE4 ,RETURN$ TO ! ?REE-SID$ MORTAL DOMA91 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 W\LD BE UTT]LY UNABLE TO RECALL ! SLI<TE/ DETAIL ( HIS EXPLOITS ,UP/AIRS ) ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG EXCEPT P]HAPS AS FLEET+ 9/ANCES ( DEJA VU1 QUICKLY =GOTT54 ,REGGIE WAS /ILL POND]+ ?IS VAGUELY DISAPPO9T+ FACT :5 ,PHYLLIS1 ,JOHN & PLUCKY LITTLE ,M>JORIE BUR/ FROM ! PEBBLE-DA%$ WALL ( ! MAISONETTES 9 ,CRISP9 ,/REET & /REAM$ ACROSS ! ROAD T[>DS ! WIDE GRASS V]GE :]E ,REGGIE & ! O!R TWO W]E /&+1 LI<TN+ SKET*ES ( ! NEWCOM]S PEEL+ AS ?\< \T ( AN >TI/'S SKET*PAD 9 !IR WAKES4 

0,Y] F\ND 'IM1 !N4 ,Y] SLIPP]Y LITTLE BEGG>4 ,:AT D'Y] ?9K Y] DO9'1 RUNN9' ORF LIKE ?AT80 

,PHYLLIS LOOK$ V]Y CROSS AS %E /OOD T[]+ OV] ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 ALBEIT ONLY BY AB\T F\R 9*ES1 BUCKL$ %OES PLANT$ AP>T & BUN*$ FI/S RE/+ ON H] SK9NY HIPS4 ,EV5 ! GLASSY BLACK EYES ( H] RABBIT /OLE SEEM$ TO BE GL>+ DISAPPROV+LY AT ! POOR KID4 ,HAV+ SOME:AT REVIS$ HIS [N OP9ION ( ! LITTLE <O/-LAD1 ,REGGIE DIDN'T ?9K ?AT ,PHYLL WAS BE+ FAIR4 ,HE WAS AB\T TO 9T]V5E1 AL?\< RELUCTANT AT ! ?\<T ( FAC+ UP TO ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG'S SELF-APPO9T$ LEAD]1 :5 BIG ,JOHN /EPP$ 9 & SAV$ ,REGGIE ! TR\BLE4 

0,TAKE NO NOTICE ( H]1 TIT*4 ,%E'S JU/ RELIEV$ WE'VE F\ND Y\ & ?AT Y\'RE ALL RI<T4 ,Y\ %\LD HAVE HE>D H] A FEW M9UTES BACK :5 %E ?\<T ?AT Y\'D BE5 DONE 9 BY ! R\< SLEEP]S & Y\R REMNANTS FLUNG 9 ! ,DE/RUCTOR4 ,%E WIZ GETT+ SO UPSET1 H] LIP WAS WOBBL+40 

,PHYLLIS TURN$ & SC[L$ AT ,JOHN4 ,%E TRI$ TO /AMP H>D ON ! TALL1 GOOD-LOOK+ <O/'S TOES1 BUT HE LAU<$ & :IPP$ HIS FOOT BACK JU/ 9 TIME4 ,PHYLLIS ATTEMPT$ TO SU/A9 H] 9DIGNATION 9 ! FACE ( ,JOHN'S HIL>ITY AS IT BEGAN TO SPREAD AMONG ! O!R SPECTRAL *ILDR54 ,EV5 ,REGGIE SNIGG]$ AT H[ VEX$ %E LOOK$1 BUT TURN$ IT TO A C\< 9 CASE %E HE>D HIM4 

0,I WIZ NOT6 ,I WIZ JU/ WORRI$ ?AT 'E'D 'AVE AN ACCID5T OR GET GRABB$ BY ANO!R DEVIL1 & !N WE %\LD BE 9 TR\BLE6 ,AS IF ,I GIVE TUPP5CE IF 'E FALLS BASE OV] APEX DAYN ! SC>LET WELL1 OR GETS ET UP BY ,MALONE'S T]RI]S SO ALL WE F9D IS DOG%IT ) 'IS BLOND CURLS /ICK9' \T ( IT60 

,DISA/R\SLY = H] COMPOSURE1 ?IS LA/ BIT EV5 MADE ,PHYLLIS GIGGLE4 ,!Y ALL /OOD !RE LAU<+ ON ! NI<T LAWNS1 & SOON EV]YONE WAS PALS AGA94 

,:ILE ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 & ! O!RS MADE UP & SWAPP$ TALES ( !IR ADV5TURES S9CE !Y'D SPLIT UP AT ! BOTTOM 5D ( ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET E>LI]1 ,REGGIE & ,BILL AMUS$ !MSELVES BY PLAY+ IDLY 9 ! %AD[S ON ! CROPP$ GRASS4 ,BILL SUGGE/$ !Y PLAY KNUCKLES1 BUT :5 BO? ( !M 9SPECT$ !IR [N H&S !Y F\ND ! F+]-JO9TS /ILL WEAKLY PULS$ ) DULL GRAY BRUISE-LI<TS FROM !IR PREVI\S SESSION1 & DECID$ TO DO SOME?+ ELSE 9/EAD4 ,AT LA/ !Y SETTL$ D[N TO RUNN+ 9 TI<T CIRCLES R\ND A PIECE ( *IP-WRAP ?AT WAS CRUMPL$ ON ! TURF1 TO SEE IF !Y C\LD MAKE IT FLUTT]4 ,SOMETIMES Y\ C\LD DO ?AT1 IF !RE W]E 5\< ( Y\4 ,Y\ JU/ RAN R\ND & R\ND AN OBJECT LIKE A TOY TRA9 CIRCL+ A LITTLE TRACK1 FA/ AS Y\ C\LD1 & IF Y\ C\LD GET UP 5\< SPE$ IT W\LD WE> A TEMPOR>Y GROOVE 9TO :AT ,REGGIE HAD HE>D O!RS CALL ! TIME-SPACE OR ! SPACE-TIME ( ! MORTAL PLANE4 ,$DIES ( W9D W\LD FUNNEL D[N TO FILL !SE SMALL DEPRESSIONS1 & IF Y\ RAN QUICK 5\< = LONG 5\< Y\ C\LD />T M9IATURE TORNADOS 9 ! LITTLE C> P>K BETWE5 ,SILV] ,/REET & ,BE>W>D ,/REET D[N 9 ! #a#i#fS1 OR MAKE T9Y :IRLW9DS BLOSSOM FROM ! /RAW & ORANGE-PEEL+S AT ! CORN]S ( ! M>KET SQU>E4 ,ON ?IS OCCASION ?\<1 ) ONLY HIM & ,BILL CONTRIBUT+ TO ! EFFECT1 !Y C\LDN'T DO MU* MORE ?AN MAKE ! LITT] %IFT A HALF 9*4 ,:5 ,PHYLL TOLD !M TO /OP PLAY+ SILLY BUGG]S & GET READY TO MOVE ON1 !Y GAVE ! DIZZY+ PA/IME UP ) QUIET SI<S ( CONCEAL$ RELIEF1 GRATEFUL = ! EXCUSE TO QUIT !IR UNPRODUCTIVE EF=TS4 

,! SIX <O/LY *ILDR5 & !IR MOB ( TRAIL+ LOOK-ALIKES MADE !IR WAY UP ! G5TLE GRASSY 9CL9E BORD]+ ! T[] BLOCKS & P>ALLEL ) ,BA? ,/REET1 HEAD+ = ! R[ ( HOMES ?AT RAN ALONG ! LAWN'S TOP $GE BESIDE A PA? ?AT ,REGGIE ?\<T WAS POSSIBLY CALL$ ,SIMONS ,WAY4 ,IT LOOK$ LIKE ,PHYLLIS HAD DECID$ !Y %\LD CUT BEH9D ! HULK+ ,N,E,W,L,I,F,E FLATS TO ,T[] ,/REET1 :I* WAS :AT ! =M] TOP 5D ( ,SC>LETWELL HAD BE5 R5AM$4 ,MO/ LIKELY %E WAS MAK+ = ! ,WORKS1 ?\< ,REGGIE HOP$ %E DIDN'T PLAN ON VISIT+ IT H]E 9 NO?+-FIVE OR NO?+-SIX1 OR :]EV] ! RUDDY HECK !Y W]E4 

,AL?\< ,REGGIE JUDG$ IT TO BE 9 ! MORN+'S E>LY H\RS1 ONE OR TWO LIV+ PEOPLE W]E AB\T !IR BUS9ESS1 UN5CUMB]$ BY ! /R+S ( REPLICAS ?AT ,REGGIE & HIS PO/HUM\S 5SEMBLE DRAGG$ BEH9D !M4 ,A SMALL-EY$ & PORKY FELL[ ) A SMOO?-%AV$ HEAD EM]G$ FROM A FRONT DOOR 9 ,SIMONS ,WALK TO LEAVE A PAIR ( FILMY MILK-BOTTLES ON HIS FRONT /EP BE=E RETIR+ BACK 9SIDE AGA94 ,AL?\< ! *ILDR5 ALL SLAPP$ !IR GRAY1 9SUB/ANTIAL H&S ?R\< HIS BALD CRANIUM AS HE /OOP$ TO PUT ! BOTTLES D[N1 HE DIDN'T %[ ! LEA/ AW>5ESS ( !IR PRES5CE1 :I* WAS AS IT %\LD BE4 ,?IS WAS NOT ! CASE ) ! NOCTURNAL /ROLL] ?AT !Y NEXT 5C\NT]$ AS !Y TURN$ RI<T 9TO ,T[] ,/REET1 ) ! LOOM+ CONCRETE MONUM5TS N[ AT !IR BACK4 

,IT WAS A TALL SK9NY FELL] ) BLACK CURLY HAIR1 :O LOOK$ TO BE SOME:]E >\ND HIS =TIES OR HIS FIFTIES1 & :O'D OBVI\SLY HAD MORE ?AN A FEW TOO MANY4 ,HE WAS VE]+ SL[LY D[N ! L5G? ( ,T[] ,/REET T[>DS ! PHANTOM KIDS1 HAV+ PRESUMABLY DESC5D$ TO ?IS LEVEL VIA ONE ( ! FLI<TS ( /EPS AT ITS TOP 5D4 ,HE WAS RECIT+ SOME?+ 9 A SLURR$ VOICE TO HIMSELF ?AT S\ND$ LIKE A POEM1 SOME?+ AB\T PEOPLE BE+ 0/RANGE1 NAY1 RA!R /RANG] ?AN ! RE/04 ,REGGIE & ,BILL BO? HAD A LAU< AT ?AT1 & W]E />T+ TO TAKE ! MICKEY \T ( ! HALF-CUT *AP :5 HE /OPP$ DEAD 9 HIS TRACKS & LOOK$ /RAI<T AT !M4 

0,I CAN SEE Y]6 ,AH HA HA HA6 ,I KN[ :]E Y\'RE HID+1 R\ND ! B5D & UP ! FLUE4 ,AH HA HA HA6 ,I SEE Y]1 ALL RI<T4 ,I'M A PUBLI%$ POET40 

,! DEAD KIDS /OOD ROOT$ TO ! SPOT1 GAP+ 9 DISBELIEF4 ,!RE WAS ALWAYS A *ANCE1 ( C\RSE1 ?AT SOMEONE LIV+ MI<T OCCASIONALLY GLIMPSE Y\1 BUT !Y'D ALMO/ ALWAYS LOOK AWAY1 CONCLUD+ ?AT !Y HADN'T REALLY SE5 :AT !Y HAD ?\<T !Y'D SE54 ,= !M TO TRY & SPEAK ) Y\ WAS PRACTICALLY UNHE>D (1 & AS = A LIV+ S\L :O GREET$ Y\R APPE>ANCE ) AMUSEM5T1 WELL1 IT NEV] HAPP5$4 ,EV5 ,PHYLLIS & BIG ,JOHN W]E LOOK+ AT ! SOZZL$ BLOKE GONE \T1 AS IF !Y'D NO IDEA :AT TO DO NEXT4 

,=TUNATELY1 ! S]I\S PR$ICAM5T ?IS C\LD HAVE L$ TO WAS AV]T$ BY ! TIMELY OP5+ ( A B$ROOM W9D[ ON ! TOP FLOOR ( ! FIR/ H\SE 9 ! R[1 BEH9D ! <O/ GANG & UP TO !IR LEFT4 ,AN ANCI5T BUT 9CR$IBLY RESILI5T-LOOK+ LITTLE WOMAN 9 A DRESS+ G[N LEAN$ \T & HISS$ D[N %>PLY AT ! DRUNK *AP SWAY+ 9 ! LAMP-LIT /REET4 

0,Y] SILLY 'APE'OR?6 ,>E Y] CRACK]S8 ,COME 9 ']E BE=E ,I CLOCK Y]1 /&9' TALK9' TO Y]SELF :5 IT'S ! MIDDLE ( ! NI<T60 

,! CLAIRVOYANT LU%+TON LOOK$ UP T[>DS ! W9D[ ) HIS G5]\S EYEBR[S RIS+ 9 SURPRISE4 ,HE CALL$ \T TO ! WOMAN ) ! SAME DI/9CTIVE CACKLE ?AT HE'D JU/ GREET$ ! *ILDR5 )4 

0,MO!R1 BEHAVE6 ,AH HA HA HA6 ,I WAS JU/ *ATT+ ) !SE 444 OH4 ,!Y'VE GONE4 ,AH HA HA HA60 

,! MAN HAD DROPP$ HIS GAZE ONCE MORE TO ,T[] ,/REET & />$ DIRECTLY AT ! <O/-KIDS1 BUT HE BL9K$ & LOOK$ UNC]TA9 N[1 SQU9T+ HIS EYES AS IF HE C\LD NO LONG] SEE !M4 ,FUR!R ADMONITIONS FROM ! WOMAN1 :O APPE>$ TO BE HIS MO!R1 PROMPT$ HIM TO /UMBLE =W>D1 LAU<+ TO HIMSELF & FUMBL+ = HIS H\SE-KEYS AS HE PASS$ UNHE$+LY ?R\< ! HALF-DOZ5 JUNIOR APP>ITIONS /&+ 9 HIS PA?4 ,! DEAD GANG TURN$ TO WAT* HIM /RUGGL+ ) ! ,YALE LOCK ON ! DOOR ( ! 5D H\SE1 ALL ! :ILE GIGGL+ TO HIMSELF1 ! MUTT]+ OLD WOMAN HAV+ L\DLY PULL$ H] B$ROOM W9D[ %UT BY N[1 LEAV+ H] DRUNK5 (FSPR+ TO HIS [N DEVICES4 

,PHYLLIS %OOK H] HEAD AS ! GANG TURN$ AWAY FROM ! SLO%$ FELL] TRY+ TO OP5 HIS FRONT DOOR1 RESUM+ !IR ASC5T ( ,T[] ,/REET4 

0,FLIPP9' ,NORA4 ,:AT ! DEVIL WIZ 'E1 :5 'E WIZ AT 'OME8 ,& TO ?9K LIV9' FOLK >E FRIT ( US60 

,%E MADE H] %\LD]S RIPPLE 9 A COMICALLY EXAGG]AT$ %UDD] TO IMPLY ?AT LIV+ BE+S W]E MU* /RANG] & A GREAT DEAL SPOOKI] ?AN <O/S4 ,REGGIE AGRE$4 ,9 HIS EXP]I5CE1 DEAD PEOPLE W]E A LOT MORE D[N TO E>?4 

,! GANG CAME TO A HALT \TSIDE SOME SORT ( MOD]N UND]TAK+ [N$ BY ! ,SALVATION ,>MY ?AT WAS CLOS$ UP = ! NI<T4 ,!SE PREMISES W]E ON ! *ILDR5'S LEFT1 :ILE UP AHEAD ( !M !RE LOOM$ ! UGLY GRAY-ON-GRAY MOSAIC ( ! WALL B\ND+ ! TRAFFIC JUNCTION ?AT ! ,MAYORHOLD HAD BECOME4 ,SNEAK+ A GLANCE AT ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 ,REGGIE REALIZ$ ?AT ! Y\NG/] C\LDN'T GET HIS BE>+S AMONG ALL ?IS UNFAMILI> >*ITECTURE1 & ?US HAD NO IDEA :]E HE WAS4 ,CONSID]+ :AT HAD HAPP5$ TO ! ,MAYORHOLD1 ?IS WAS PROBABLY AS WELL4 ,LOOK H[ ! KID HAD TAK5 IT :5 IT WAS JU/ ONE R[ ( H\SES ?AT HAD DISAPPE>$4 

,! RAIS$-UP 9T]SECTION BLAZ$ ) SODIUM LAMPS ?AT ,REGGIE HAD BE5 9=M$ W]E ! YELL[ ( /ALE PISS :5 SE5 BY MORTAL EYES4 ,?IS WAS :AT L5T ! <O/-SEAM'S MONO*ROME SU* AN UNHEAL?Y T+E1 ! SICK LI<T SPILL+ FROM ! ELEVAT$ MOTOR-C>\SEL TO SPLA% UPON ! /REETS & UND]PASSES D[N BEL[1 :]E ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG GA!R$ 9 A R+ AB\T !IR LEAD]4 ,PHYLLIS WAS EXPLA9+ :AT %E ?\<T W\LD BE ! BE/ ?+ TO DO NEXT1 MO/LY = ,MI*AEL ,W>R5'S B5EFIT SO ?AT ! TODDL] DIDN'T SUFF] ANY MORE <A/LY SURPRISES4 

0,RI<T4 ,I'VE 'AD A ?9K ABAYT ALL ?IS4 ,WE KN[ ?AT TIT* ']E IS A ,V]NALL1 :O >E PEOPLE ) GREAT WORKS TO DO1 :AT V]Y ORFT5 !Y DON'T KN[ NO?9' ABAYT4 ,WE KN[ 'E'S GOO9' BACK TO LIFE AGA91 & ?AT IT'S ALL SUMMAT TO DO WI' ?IS BIG JOB ! BUILD]S 'AVE GOT ON1 ! ,POR?IMO? DI ,NORHAN4 ,N[1 'E'S SO IMPORTANT TO ?IS CONTRACT ?AT ! BUILD]S 'AVE 'AD A BIG DU/-UP OV] 'IM1 BACK DAYN 9 #a#i#e#i4 ,I RECKON WE %\LD GOO BACK ,UP/AIRS TO ,MANS\L & WAT* ! FI<T4 ,WE MI<T F9D AYT A BIT MORE ABAYT '[ 'IS NIBS ']E WIZ 9VOLV$ 9 IT40 

,%IFT+ UNCOM=TABLY 9SIDE HIS \TSIZ$ OV]COAT1 ,REGGIE PROTE/$4 

0,DON'T GO ,UP/AIRS ']E1 ,PHYLL4 ,NOT ']E 9 ! NO?+S4 ',E'S ALREADY SE5 '[ ! ,DE/RUCTOR LOOKS1 JU/ 'ANG9' !RE 9 ,BA? ,/REET 4440 

,PHYLLIS BRI/L$4 

0,DO ,I LOOK 'ALF %>P8 ',C\RSE ,I'M NOT GUNNA GOO ,UP/AIRS FROM ']E6 ,F] ONE ?+1 WE'D BE TRAIPS+ MILES ALONG ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? TO GET TO :]E ! BUILD]S 'AD !IR SCRAP4 ,WE'RE GUNNA DIG D[N 9T] #aiei FIR/1 !N WE'LL MAKE AYR WAY ,UP/AIRS FROM !RE40 

,BILL1 /&+ ON ! \TSKIRTS ( !IR CIRCLE1 KICK+ PO9TLESSLY AT D&ELIONS & PEBBLES ?AT HE C\LD NOT T\*1 FR[N$ 9 CONC]N4 

0,?AT'LL JU/ DROP US /RAI<T BACK 9 ?AT <O/-/ORM1 WON'T IT80 

,FL++ H] LONG /OLE >\ND H] NECK 9 :AT W\LD HAVE BE5 A DRAMATIC FILM-/> GE/URE HAD IT NOT BE5 = ! PUTREFY+ RABBITS & !IR AFT]-PICTURES1 ,PHYLLIS FIX$ H] Y\NG] RELATIVE ) AN UNN]V+ GL>E4 

0,OH1 USE Y] LOAF F] ONCE1 AYR ,BILL4 ,NOT IF WE DIG BACK TO AN '\R OR TWO BE=E ALL ?AT KICK$ ORF IT WON'T6 ,IF WE GOO C>EFUL1 WE'LL KN[ :5 WE'VE REA*$ ! /RIPE :]E ALL ! W9D WIZ1 SO IT'S JU/ A LAY] OR TWO D[N PA/ !RE4 ,N[1 ANYONE 'OO WANTS TO 'ELP ME CAN1 & ANYONE 'OO DON'T CAN CLE> ORF AYT ! WAY40 

,) ?AT1 %E M>*$ ACROSS T[>DS ! FABRICAT$ WALL ( ! ,SALVATION ,>MY BUILD+ 9 A S+LE FILE ( GL[]+ S*OOLGIRLS & BEGAN TO SCRAPE AT ITS ACCUMULAT$ TIME ) BO? H&S4 ,%IMM]+ B&S ( BLACK & :ITE ?AT ,REGGIE KNEW W]E DAYS & NI<TTIMES 9T]LEAV$ BEGAN TO GA!R 9 A LOOSE :ORL R\ND H] PAW+ F+]TIPS1 AS1 GRUDG+LY1 ! O!R MEMB]S ( ! GANG WALK$ OV] TO ASSI/ H]4 ,ONLY ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 & ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE W]E EXCUS$ TUNNEL DUTY1 ,MI*AEL ON ! GR\NDS ( PROBABLE 9EPTITUDE & ,M>JORIE BECAUSE !Y W]E ALL FRI<T5$ ?AT ! SMALL BOY W\LD RUN (F AGA9 IF HE HAD NOBODY TO SIT & KEEP HIM COMPANY4 

,AFT] A M9UTE OR TWO'S D$ICAT$ SCRABBL+ AT ! WALL1 ,PHYLLIS ANN\NC$ ?AT %E C\LD FEEL ! <O/-/ORM SLIC+ 9TO W9DY RIBBONS ON H] F+]NAILS4 ,PROGRESS+ ) MORE CAUTION1 %E ROLL$ BACK ! TISSUE $GES REPRES5T+ ! DURATION ( ! SQUALL1 DRAGG+ !M \T 9TO ! WAV]+ ,BELI%A-BEACON /RIPES >\ND H] TUNNEL'S WID5+ M\?4 ,A MOM5T MORE & %E REPORT$ ?AT %E C\LD FEEL ?R\< 9TO A PLACE )\T A BREEZE1 9VIT+ H] CONF$]ATES TO HELP 5L>GE ! AP]TURE1 N[ ?AT %E'D DONE ALL ( ! H>D WORK = !M4 

,PIT*+ 9 ) EV]YBODY ELSE TO HAUL ! HOLE'S RIM FUR!R \T & MAKE IT BIGG]1 ,REGGIE WAS SURPRIS$ TO SEE ?AT !RE WAS JU/ MORE BLACKNESS ON ! PORTAL'S O!R SIDE1 & NOT ! #a#i#eS DAYLI<T ?AT HE'D BE5 EXPECT+4 ,:5 ! OP5+ WAS SUFFICI5TLY DI/5D$ = ! GANG TO CLIMB ?R\<1 ?\<1 HE F\ND ?AT !Y W]E 9 A CELL>1 :I* ACC\NT$ = ! D>K4 ,BOXES ?AT TURN$ \T TO BE FILL$ ) RACY MAGAZ9ES & PAP]BACKS W]E /ACK$ UP BY ONE WALL & A GREAT HEAP ( COAL & SLACK RECL9$ AGA9/ ANO!R1 ! :OLE SC5E DEL9EAT$ 9 ! SILV]PO9T ( ! DEAD *ILDR5'S NI<T-SI<T4 ,ONE BY ONE ! KIDS CLIMB$ ?R\< ! 5TRANCE 9TO #a#i#e#i1 ) ,PHYLLIS H]SELF BR++ UP ! RE> :ILE U%]+ ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE & ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 ?R\< 9 FRONT ( H]4 ,ONCE EV]YONE WAS 9 ! D>K5$ BASEM5T ,PHYLLIS GOT !M TO SEAL UP ! HOLE BEH9D !M1 ?AT L$ \T TO NO?+-FIVE OR NO?+-SIX4 ,DILIG5TLY !Y COMB$ ! SMOKY FIB]S ( ! PRES5T DAY ACROSS ! GAP+ V5T UNTIL NO SIGN ( ,T[] ,/REET OR ITS BLOCKS ( FLATS AGA9/ A />-DES]T$ SKY REMA9$4 ,HAV+ OBS]V$ ! <O/-SEAM PROTOCOL AB\T %UTT+ ! GATE BEH9D Y\1 ,PHYLLIS NEXT TURN$ TO ADDRESS ! GANG4 ,%E WASN'T :ISP]+1 SO EVID5TLY !RE W]E NO WAT*M5 H]E ) SECOND SI<T1 ! WAY !RE'D BE5 9 ?AT LONE H\SE D[N AT ! BOTTOM 5D ( ,SC>LETWELL4 

0,9 CASE Y] WOND]9' :]E WE >E1 IT'S ',>RY ,TRASL]'S PAP]-%OP1 JU/ ORF ! ,M]RULD '=E Y] GET TO ,AL?ORP ,/REET4 ,WE'RE 9 'IS CELL>4 ,ALL WE'VE GOTT] DO IS GOO UP/AIRS & WE'LL BE JU/ >AYND ! CORN] FROM ! 5TRANCE TO ! ,WORKS40 

,!Y F\ND ! CELL> /AIRS BEYOND A /R+-B\ND /ACK ( ,TRUE ,ADV5TURE MAGAZ9ES1 :I* LOOK$ ,AM]ICAN & HAD ALMO/-B>E LADIES ON !IR COV]S1 NUDE SAVE = !IR UND]WE> & ,NAZI >MB&S1 :O W]E M5AC+ MANACL$ M5 ) UNI=MLY GRITT$ TEE? BY BR&I%+ HOT IRONS & BULL:IPS4 ,GO+ UP ! /EPS ONE AT A TIME ! *ILDR5 PASS$ \T ?R\< A CLOS$ & BOLT$ CELL> DOOR 9TO A DAYLI<T PASSAGEWAY ?AT L$ TO ! NEWSAG5T'S %OP ITSELF3 A =M] FRONT ROOM ?AT HAD COMICS1 PAP]BACKS & MAGAZ9ES HANG+ FROM GREAT IRON BULLDOG CLIPS 9 A BAY W9D[ GIV5 OV] TO DISPLAY4 ,H]E1 BEH9D AN OLD & BLACK-GROOV$ WOOD5 C\NT] ?AT DIVID$ ! SMALL ROOM 9 TWO ALONG ITS L5G?1 A BALD+ & POT-BELLI$ MAN ) SALL[ SK9 & D>K-R+$ EYES /OOD CALCULAT+ ! RETURNS UPON ! MORN+ PAP]S DUR+ A BRIEF 9T]MISSION BETWE5 CU/OM]S4 ,REGGIE PRESUM$ ?AT ?IS MU/ BE ! ,H>RY ,TRASL] ?AT ,PHYLLIS HAD M5TION$ AS ! %OP'S PROPRIETOR4 ,MOROSE & SEEM+LY PREOCCUPI$1 HE DIDN'T EV5 LOOK UP FROM HIS JOTT$ COLUMN ( ADDITIONS AS ! <O/-KIDS MELT$ ?R\< HIS C\NT]TOP1 :I* WAS APP>5TLY NOT OLD 5\< TO /OP !M DO+ SO DESPITE APPE>ANCES1 & DRIFT$ \T 9TO ! ,JULY SUN%9E ?AT WAS JU/ !N PA9T+ ! S]5E 5CLOSURE ( ! ,MAYORHOLD4 

,IT DID ,REGGIE'S PHANTOM HE>T GOOD TO SEE ONCE AGA9 ?AT PASSABLY RECTANGUL> EXPANSE :]E EI<T /REETS RAN TOGE!R1 HEMM$ 9 BY V>I\S TRADESM5'S Y>DS1 FIVE PUBLIC H\SES1 GETT+ ON A DOZ5 COZY-LOOK+ LITTLE %OPS & ! IMPOS+ PILL>-DECORAT$ FACADE ( ! ,NOR?AMPTON ,COOP]ATIVE ,SOCIETY4 ,?IS \TFIT HAD FIR/ />T$ \T D[N ,HORSEM>KET 9 ,REGGIE'S DAY AS ! ,WE/ ,5D ,9DU/RIAL ,COOP]ATIVE ,SOCIETY1 & HE WAS PLEAS$ TO SEE ! WOR?Y V5TURE WAS /ILL DO+ NICELY MORE ?AN SEV5TY YE>S LAT]4 ,FLANK$ ON ONE SIDE BY A BUT*]'S %OP & ON ! O!R BY ! OLD ,VICTORIAN PUBLIC TOILETS CURV+ R\ND & 9TO ,SILV] ,/REET1 ! ,CO-OP SEEM$ TO BE ! BUSIE/ >EA ( ! ,MAYORHOLD ON ?IS SUMM] MORN+4 ,WOM5 LAD5 D[N ) RAFFIA %OPP+ BAGS & WE>+ HEADSC>VES *ATT$ 9 ! RECESS ( ! %OP'S FRONT DOORWAY1 /EPP+ BACK OCCASIONALLY TO LET SOME O!R CU/OM] PASS 9 OR \T ( ! E/ABLI%M5T4 

,PLEAS+LY DU/Y LI<T WAS SPR9KL$ ON ! H>D-FAC$ WOM5 :O W]E GO+ AT ?AT MOM5T 9TO ! ,GRE5 ,DRAGON BY ! M\? ( ,BE>W>D ,/REET1 & ON ! MOTOR-COA*ES SLEEP+ NE> ! ,CURRI]'S ,>MS H]E ON ! WE/]N SIDE ( ! =GOTT5 =M] T[N SQU>E4 ,JU/ EM]G+ FROM ! SWEET%OP ?AT WAS NEXT TO ,TRASL]'S1 ?REE Y\NG LADS 9 KNEE-L5G? GRAY S]GE TR\S]S HELD UP BY ELA/ICAT$ BELTS ) ,S-%AP$ BUCKLES %>$ :AT SEEM$ TO BE A BAG ( ACID-DROPS AS !Y B>G$ ?R\< ! <O/-GANG )\T NOTIC+ ?AT !Y W]E !RE4 

,REGGIE & COMPANY CONT9U$ ON PA/ ! ,OLD ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S ON !IR RI<T1 M9DFUL ?AT 9 ! A/RAL UPP] REA*ES ( ! PUB :]E ! R\< SLEEP]S CONGREGAT$1 ,MICK ,MALONE ! RATT] W\LD BE KNOCK+ BACK HIS ,PUCK'S ,HAT ,PUN* & ?9K+ AB\T HEAD+ HOME ACROSS ! SKY TO ,LITTLE ,CROSS ,/REET ) HIS F]RETS 9 HIS POCKETS1 AS !Y'D SE5 HIM DO+ E>LI]4 ,! <O/-KIDS ALMO/ TIPTO$ PA/ ! SALOON B>'S SW+ DOOR1 CROSS+ ! TOP ( ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET :]E IT RAN 9TO ! ,MAYORHOLD4 

,OPPOSITE ! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S ON ! O!R CORN] ( ! RUN-D[N ?OR\<F>E WAS A ?REE-/ORY BUILD+1 OLD & D]ELICT1 ITS TIMB]S & ITS /ONEWORK SO D>K !Y LOOK$ ALMO/ SMOK$4 ,! W9D[S ( ! PLACE W]E BO>D$ UP )9 !IR WEA!R$1 SPL9T]+ FRAMES & UP ABOVE ! SIMIL>LY-BO>D$ DOOR W]E REMNANTS ( :AT SEEM$ TO BE A %OP-SIGN1 TOO FEW PA9T$ LETT]S /ILL REMA9+ TO MAKE \T ! =M] [N]'S NAME1 OR :AT IT HAD ONCE SOLD4 ,AL?\< ,REGGIE REMEMB]$ ! PLACE BE+ OP5 ONCE1 BACK 9 ! E>LY N9ETE5-SOME?+S1 HE /ILL C\LDN'T = ! DEA? ( HIM RECALL :AT K9D ( %OP IT WAS4 ,HE ONLY KNEW ?AT A GOOD :ILE BE=E ?AT1 RI<T BACK 9 ! #a#eS BE=E ,REGGIE HAD BE5 BORN1 ?IS RU9 HAD ONCE BE5 ! ,T[N ,HALL ( ,NOR?AMPTON4 

,! KIDS 5T]$ ?R\< ! FRONT WALL1 F9D+ !MSELVES 9 A /RIPP$ & %AD[Y 9T]IOR :]E W&S ( SUNLI<T FELL ?R\< *9KS BETWE5 ! NAIL$-UP L5G?S ( WOOD ACROSS ! W9D[4 ,WALLPAP] ?AT WAS F\R G5]ATIONS ?ICK 9 PLACES SAGG$ & SEP>AT$ FROM DAMP PLA/]1 HANG+ LIKE LOOSE SK91 :ILE A F> CORN] HAD BE5 DECORAT$ BY SOME EMPTY ,D\BLE ,DIAMOND BOTTLES & :AT LOOK$ TO BE A HUMAN B[EL MOVEM5T4 ,!Y ASC5D$ A COLLAPS+ /AIRCASE TO ! FIR/ FLOOR1 FLOAT+ OV] MILDEW$ VOIDS :]E /EPS W]E ROTT$ ?R\<1 & !N CONT9U$ ON TO ! TOP /ORY4 ,H]E1 A DOZ5 OR SO MISS+ SLATES HAD MADE ! BUILD+ OP5 TO BO? BIRDS & RA91 TRANS=M+ IT 9TO A MAZE ( DISMAL *AMB]S C>PET$ ) /ALAGMITES ( PIGEON %IT & CL\D$ PUDDLES4 

,! CROOK-DOOR & ITS ATT5DANT ,JACOB ,FLI<T W]E 9 ! 5D ROOM1 COLOR$ LI<T FALL+ 9 P>TY /REAM]S ?R\< ! RADIANT PORTAL1 SETTL+ ON ! *ILDR5'S UPTURN$ FACES1 ON ! SODD5 PLANKS & RUGS & PAP]S ?AT HAD FUZ$ 9TO ONE SUB/ANCE1 ON ! PITIFULLY N>R[ TREADS ( ! CELE/IAL LADD]4 

,REGGIE FELT A TI<TNESS 9 ! MEMORY ( HIS ?ROAT1 & ! SPOOK-FLUIDS WELL$ UP 9 HIS EYES4 ,?IS WAS ! PLACE ,PHYLLIS & ,BILL HAD BR\<T HIM TO ?AT FIR/ TIME1 NOT LONG AFT] !Y'D ALL MET 9 F\RTE5?-C5TURY CATACOMBS :ILE %ELT]+ FROM ! ,GREAT ,<O/-,/ORM ( #a#i#a#c4 ,?IS WAS :]E !Y'D F9ALLY CONV9C$ HIM HE WAS JU/ AS GOOD AS ANYBODY ELSE1 ) AS MU* RI<T TO ,HELL OR ,HEAV54 ,HE HAD NO IDEA :Y ALL !SE FEEL+S %\LD WELL UP 9SIDE HIM EV]Y TIME HE SAW !SE /AIRS TO ,MANS\L4 ,!Y JU/ DID4 ,HE WIP$ HIS BRIMM+ EYES UPON ONE CO>SE SLEEVE ( HIS GREATCOAT FURTIVELY1 SO NO ONE ELSE %\LD SEE4 

,PHYLLIS WAS FIR/ TO CLIMB ! ,JACOB ,FLI<T1 H] RABBIT NECKLACE SWAY+ & H] AFT]-PICTURES BURNT AWAY LIKE MORN+ FOG AS %E W5T UP 9TO ! COLORS & ! BRILLIANCE4 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 FOLL[$ H]1 ) LANKY ,JOHN BEH9D HIM & !N ,BILL & ,M>JORIE4 

,TAK+ A LA/ LOOK R\ND AT ! SMUDG$ P5CIL-DRAW+ ( ! <O/-SEAM1 ,REGGIE FOLL[$ SUIT4 ,HE WAS A BIT SC>$1 HE SUPPOS$1 AT ! IDEA ( BE+ AUDI5CE TO A BRAWL BETWE5 ! BUILD]S4 ,HAV+ WITNESS$ ! RESULTANT H[L+ GALE HE WASN'T SURE ?AT HE WAS READY = ! FI<T ITSELF1 BUT ?AT WAS ONLY N]VES & COMMON S5SE4 ,?AT WASN'T ! :OLE REASON = ! TE>Y-EY$ RELUCTANCE ?AT DESC5D$ ON HIM EV]Y TIME HE CLIMB$ !SE RUNGS & V5TUR$ UP ! WOOD5 HILL TO ,DEAD=D%IRE4 

,HE /ILL DIDN'T BELIEVE IT1 ?AT WAS :AT IT F9ALLY CAME D[N TO4 ,EV5 AFT] ALL ( !SE 9CALCULABLE YE>S1 HE /ILL C\LDN'T ACCEPT ?AT !RE WAS SOME:]E WOND]FUL :]E HE WAS WANT$1 :]E !RE WAS A PLACE = HIM ?AT WASN'T JU/ AN UNM>K$ PLOT ON ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*'S BURIAL GR\ND4 ,HE BL9K$ AWAY ! <O/LY MOI/URE 9 HIS EYES & SNIFF$ BACK A ?ICK GOB ( ECTOPLASM AS HE MANFULLY COMPOS$ HIMSELF BE=E RESUM+ HIS ASC5T1 \T ( ! GRAY 9TO ! GOLD & BLUE & ROSE & VIOLET4 

,HAT TIPP$ AT A JAUNTY ANGLE TO DISGUISE ! FACT ?AT HE'D BE5 WEEP+1 ,REG9ALD ,JAMES ,F[L] CLAMB]$ ?R\< ! CROOK-DOOR UP 9TO ! ,WORKS1 :]E SUDD5LY AB\T HIM W]E UNFURL+ S\NDS & RI* PA9T]LY TONES1 ! HOLY SMELL ( PLAN$ WOOD & ! HONE/ SWEAT ( BUILD]S4 ,HE'D PULL$ BACK ! TACK$-UP CURTA91 SO TO SPEAK4 

,REGGIE WAS HOME4 

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

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

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/