,BOOK #b1 ,*APT] #g 
,SLEEPLESS ,SWORDS 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

,S,L,E,E,P,L,E,S,S ,S,W,O,R,D,S 

,?AT BL[+-UP BLOKE ON ! BALCONY HAD RATTL$ ,JOHN4 ,HE LIK$ TO ?9K ?AT G5]ALLY HE KEPT AN EV5 KEEL BUT ! TWO-LEGG$ FIREBALL HAD UPSET HIM1 !RE WAS NO D5Y+4 

,= A KICK(F1 ,JOHN HAD NEV] SE5 BE=E :AT AN EXPLOD+ P]SON LOOK$ LIKE1 NOT 9 ALL ?AT FROZ5 DETAIL & NOT FROM \TSIDE4 ,:5 ,JOHN HIMSELF HAD COPP$ HIS LOT OV] 9 ,FRANCE HE HADN'T EV5 REALIZ$ IT HAD HAPP5$ = A GOOD FEW M9UTES4 ,HE'D JU/ TAK5 IT = A NE> MISS & HAD GONE RUNN+ UP ! ROAD ) ALL ! O!R LADS4 ,HE'D NOTIC$ ?AT ! %ELL-FIRE WAS N[ MUFFL$ & ?AT HE WAS SEE+ EV]Y?+ 9 BLACK & :ITE1 BUT JU/ ASSUM$ ! BANG HAD MADE HIS EYES & E>S GO FUNNY4 ,ONLY :5 HE'D REALIZ$ HE WAS LEAV+ PICTURES 9 HIS WAKE1 UNLIKE HIS /RANGELY UNRESPONSIVE SQUADRON-MATES1 HAD ,JOHN BEGUN TO TAKE 9 :AT HAD HAPP5$4 

,ONCE HE'D UND]/OOD HIS CIRCUM/ANCES HE'D BE5 OV]COME BY HORROR1 :I* WAS ONLY NORMAL3 IT HAD BE5 A GRUESOME WAY TO P]I%4 ,SO TO SEE ?AT FELL[ ON ! L&+S AT ! ,WORKS1 9SIDE HIS LE?AL HALO ) ?AT =C$ SMILE & ! TE>S TURN+ TO /EAM UPON HIS *EEK1 REMA9+ 9 ?AT AWFUL SECOND = ET]NITY BECAUSE ?AT WAS ! WAY ?AT HE REMEMB]$ HIMSELF BE/ 444 ,JOHN C\LDN'T MAKE IT \T4 ,:5 ,BILL HAD TOLD !M ?AT !SE HUMAN BOMBS W]E DO+ IT AS P>T ( !IR RELIGION1 WAG+ HOLY W> AS Y\ MI<T SAY1 ?AT HAD JU/ MADE ,JOHN EV5 MORE BEWILD]$4 

,JOHN HAD BE5 A ,*RI/IAN :ILE HE WAS ALIVE4 ,NEV] A GOOD ONE1 M9D Y\1 NO:]E NE> AS S]I\S AB\T RELIGION AS HIS ELDE/ BRO!R HAD BE51 BUT MORE S]I\S ?AN HIS SI/]1 MAM1 OR EI!R ( HIS O!R BRO!RS W]E4 ,HE'D GONE TO *UR* UP ,COLLEGE ,/REET MO/ ,SUNDAYS1 :]E HE'D BE5 A MEMB] ( ! ,BOY'S ,BRIGADE4 ,?AT WAS :]E ,JOHN HAD PRAY$1 SUNG HYMNS1 BE5 TAU<T TO M>*1 & LE>N$ TO SEE ?IS COMB9ATION AS 5TIRELY NATURAL4 ,ONW>D ,*RI/IAN SOLDI]S & ALL ?AT4 

,!RE HAD BE5 NO RELIGI\S BOOKS TO SPEAK ( 9 ! FAMILY HOME :]E HE'D GR[N UP EXCEPT ! ,BIBLE1 :I* ,JOHN WAS A%AM$ TO SAY HE'D F\ND AS DRY AS DU/1 & AN OLD COPY ( ,! ,PILGRIM'S ,PROGRESS1 :I* HE'D F>$ A LITTLE BETT] )4 ,HE'D NOT HAD MU* IDEA1 BACK !N1 :AT ,BUNYAN'S ALLEGORICALLY-NAM$ *>ACT]S W]E MEANT TO REPRES5T1 BUT F\ND ?AT HE 5JOY$ ! TALES & FANCI$ ?AT HE'D CAU<T !IR BASIC MORAL GI/4 ,HE'D EV5 GOT HALFWAY ?R\< ,BUNYAN'S ,HOLY ,W>1 ! FIR/ PLACE ?AT HE'D COME ACROSS ! NAME 0,MANS\L01 BE=E HE'D GIV5 UP 9 BAFFLEM5T & BOR$OM4 ,ALL ( ?IS HAD ONLY UND]L9$ ! NOTION ?AT HAD BE5 9/ILL$ 9 HIM BY ,BOY'S ,BRIGADE - T5 M9UTES' PRAY] AFT] AN H\R'S DRILL PRACTICE 9 ! UPP] *UR* HALL1 BLUE-BLACK MILIT>Y CAPS ON B[$ Y\NG HEADS - ! S5SE ?AT ,*RI/IANITY & M>*+ W]E B\ND UP TOGE!R 9EXTRICABLY4 ,HE WAS NO /RANG]1 !N1 TO ! ASSOCIATION BETWE5 W>F>E & RELIGION1 BUT ?AT1 SURELY1 WAS A ?+ = PROP] W>S1 ) SOLDI]S :O HAD PROP] UNI=MS4 ,! FELL[ ON ! L&+1 A CIVILIAN BL[+ HIMSELF UP & TAK+ O!RS ) HIM 9 ! NAME ( ,GOD1 ?AT WAS A DIFF]5T MATT]4 ,?AT WAS NEI!R W>F>E NOR RELIGION AS ,JOHN COMPREH5D$ !M4 

,ALSO1 :ATEV] ,BOR\<S-(-TOMORR[ ! P]PETUALLY EXPLOD+ MAN HAD W&]$ BACK TO #aiei FROM1 ?AT WAS NOT A FUTURE ?AT ,JOHN COMPREH5D$ EI!R4 ,H[ C\LD HIS SCUFF$1 PEACEFUL NEI<BORHOOD PRODUCE SOME?+ LIKE ?AT 9 ONLY SIXTY YE>S OR SO8 ,?\< ,JOHN HAD BE5 ON V>I\S SORTIES 9TO ! TW5TY-FIR/ C5TURY ) ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG S9CE FIR/ HOOK+ UP ) !M1 HE REALIZ$ ?AT HE'D NO MORE ?AN ! B>E/ UND]/&+ ( H[ PEOPLE FELT & ?\<T & LIV$ DUR+ ?OSE FUTURE DECADES1 ANYMORE ?AN HE C\LD CLAIM TO KN[ MU* AB\T ,FRANCE SIMPLY BECAUSE HE'D DI$ !RE4 ,ALL HE KNEW WAS ?AT ! SI<T ( ?AT HALF-MAN1 HALF-,ROMAN C&LE MADE HIM FE>FUL = ! ,BOR\<S1 & ! ,5GL&1 & ! :OLE WORLD ?AT WAS YET TO COME4 ,?R\<\T ! FI<T BETWE5 ! BUILD]S & ! DRAMA 9 ! BILLI>D HALL1 ,JOHN HAD F\ND ?AT HE C\LDN'T TAKE HIS M9D (F ?AT ILLUM9AT$ & FRAGM5T+ FIGURE1 %UFFL+ ON ! WOOD5 WALKWAYS ( A ,HEAV5 ?AT IT C\LDN'T HAVE CONCEIV$ ( OR ANTICIPAT$1 WRAPP$ =EV] 9 ! FLAMES ( ITS [N SAVAGE M>TYRDOM4 

,9DE$1 NOT UNTIL ,JOHN HAD REALIZ$ :]E ,PHYLL ,PA9T] MEANT TO TAKE ! GANG AFT] ESCAP+ FROM ! SNOOK] P>LOR HAD HE />T$ TO PAY MU* ATT5TION TO !IR PRES5T UND]TAK+1 UNABLE TO BANI% ! COMPELL+ VISION ( ! MAN-EXPLOSION FROM HIS ?\<TS4 ,! ,5GLI% ,CIVIL ,W>1 ?\<1 WAS ,JOHN'S HOBBY 9 ! AFT]LIFE1 MU* 9 ! SAME WAY ,REGGIE ,B[L] HAD A CRAZE = C>S OR ,M>JORIE LIK$ BOOKS4 ,IF ANY?+ C\LD /OP ! IMAGE ( ! WALK+ DETONATION FROM PREOCCUPY+ HIM1 IT WAS ! ?\<T ( TUNNEL+ 9TO ! EV5+ ( ,JUNE #a#c?1 #a#f#d#e1 H]E 9 ,M>EFAIR AT ,HAZELRIGG ,H\SE1 OR1 AS LOCALS CALL$ IT1 ,CROMWELL ,H\SE4 

,9 ! BRIEF 9T]LUDE BETWE5 HIS DEA? & HIS 5C\NT] ) ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG1 A FEW SUBJECTIVE YE>S AT MO/1 ,JOHN HAD PURSU$ HIS 9T]E/ 9DEP5D5TLY4 ,HE'D TWICE BE5 \T TO ,NASEBY1 ONCE AN H\R OR TWO BE=E ! BATTLE & ONCE DUR+1 & HE'D TRAVEL$ UP ! ,WELL+BOR\< ,ROAD TO ,ECTON = A LOOK AT H[ ! ,ROYALI/ PRISON]S W]E TREAT$ AFT]W>DS4 ,HE'D NEV] PREVI\SLY PAID A VISIT1 ?\<1 TO ! OCCASION HE WAS CURR5TLY OBS]V+3 FRE% FROM HIS PROMOTION TO LIEUT5ANT-G5]AL1 RIS+ ,P>LIAM5T>Y /> ,OLIV] ,WILLIAMS-ALIAS-,CROMWELL1 BIV\ACK$ 9 ,M>EFAIR ON ! NI<T PREC$+ ! DECISIVE BATTLE ( ! ,5GLI% ,CIVIL ,W>4 

,JOHN C\LD REMEMB] H[ ALONE HE'D FELT 9 ?OSE YE>S FOLL[+ HIS DEA?1 BE=E 5C\NT]+ ,PHYLL & ! GANG4 ,HIS J\RNEY BACK FROM ,FRANCE HAD BE5 ACCOMPLI%$ ) SURPRIS+ SPE$4 ,ONE MOM5T HE'D BE5 /&+ 9 ! %ELL-POCK$ MUD1 />+ APPALL$ AT HIS [N (FAL1 GLI/5+ AS IT SPILL$ FROM ! BUR/ BODY AT HIS FEET1 DESP]ATELY WI%+ ?AT HE'D LIV$ TO SEE HIS HOME AGA94 ,! NEXT1 HE'D F\ND HIMSELF /OOD 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! GRE5 BEH9D ,/4 ,PET]'S ,*UR*1 N[ GRAY & SILV]Y 9 ! COLORLESS EXPANSES ( ! <O/-SEAM4 ,SPILL$-MILK CL\DS DRIFT$ AT AN*OR 9 A SKY ( BLAZ+ SUMM] PLAT9UM1 & ,JOHN HAD B\ND$ D[N ! GRASSY SLOPE T[>DS ! T]RACE AT ! BOTTOM1 LEAV+ A P>ADE ( MUDDY SOLDI]S 9 ! AIR BEH9D HIM4 

,YES1 HE'D SE5 HIS MAM & EV5 SE5 HIS SI/] :O WAS VISIT+ ) H] TWO LITTLE GIRLS1 BUT S9CE !Y'D NOT BE5 ABLE TO SEE ,JOHN HE'D F\ND ! :OLE 5C\NT] BO? FRU/RAT+ & DEPRESS+4 ,:AT HAD MADE IT WORSE WAS ?AT HIS MAM & SI/]1 OBVI\SLY1 DIDN'T KN[ ?AT HE WAS DEAD YET4 ,:5 HIS SIS HAD />T$ READ+ \T A LETT] ,JOHN HAD S5T HOME TO H] DAU<T] ,JACKIE1 TALK+ AB\T ALL ! FUN HE'D HAVE ! NEXT TIME HE WAS HOME ON LEAVE1 ) ALL ( !M SAT R\ND ! FAMILY D9N] TABLE1 TUCK+ 9TO MAM'S BAKE PUDD51 ,JOHN HAD BROK5 D[N4 ,HIS MAM1 SAT 9 H] >M*AIR UP ! CORN]1 HAD SMIL$ FONDLY AS H] ONLY DAU<T] READ ! LETT]1 SCRAWL$ 9 P5CIL ON ! T9Y PAGES ( A JOTT]1 CLE>LY LOOK+ =W>D TO BAKE PUDD5 ) H] SONS AS MU* AS ,JOHN HAD BE5 ! NI<T HE'D WRITT5 TO HIS NIECE4 ,%E DIDN'T KN[ ?AT ! REUNION FEA/ W\LD NEV] COME4 ,%E DIDN'T KN[ ?AT H] SON'S <O/ WAS SITT+ ON ! LUMPY HORSEHAIR S(A NEXT TO H]1 WEEP+ ) HELPLESSNESS = H] & = HIMSELF & = ! 5TIRE ROTT5 BUS9ESS ( ?AT BLOODY W>4 ,UNABLE TO TAKE ANY MORE1 ,JOHN HAD /REAM$ ?R\< ! CLOS$ FRONT DOOR1 AWAY ALONG ,ELEPHANT ,LANE T[>DS ,BLACK ,LION ,HILL1 COMM5C+ HIS %ORT-LIV$ C>E] AS A R\< SLEEP]4 

,NOT ?AT ,JOHN HAD BE5 AS R\< AS MO/ ( ?AT SORT W]E1 BY ANY MEANS4 ,HE'D ALWAYS KEPT HIMSELF PRES5TABLE :ILE HE WAS /ILL ALIVE1 & ?US APPROA*$ ! AFT]LIFE ) A ,BOY'S ,WEEKLY S5SE ( MILIT>Y DISCIPL9E4 ,HE'D MADE HIMSELF A D5 9 ! UNUS$ R\ND T[] JUTT+ 9CONGRU\SLY FROM CONDEMN$ ,VICTORIAN BUS9ESS PREMISES UPON ! F> SIDE ( ,BLACK ,LION ,HILL4 ,HE'D *OS5 ! LOCATION P>TLY FROM A S5SE ?AT PROP] <O/S %\LD HAUNT SOME:]E ?AT LOOK$ APPROPRIATELY CREEPY LIKE A TURRET1 & P>TLY BECAUSE HIS PREVI\S *OICE1 ,/4 ,PET]'S ,*UR*1 SEEM$ TO BE OV]RUN BY <O/S ALREADY4 ,JOHN HAD MET AT LEA/ FIFTE5 ON HIS FIR/ T5TATIVE EXCURSION TO ! ,NORMAN-R5OVAT$ ,SAXON BUILD+4 ,BY ! GATE 9 ,M>EFAIR !RE HAD BE5 ! SPECT] ( A CRIPPL$ BEGG>-WOMAN1 TALK+ 9 A =M ( ,5GLI% SO >*AIC & SO ?ICKLY ACC5T$ ?AT ,JOHN C\LD B>ELY UND]/& A WORD ( IT4 ,>\ND ! *UR* ITSELF ,JOHN HAD MET PHANTOM PA/ORS & P>I%ION]S FROM SEV]AL DIFF]5T ]AS1 & 5C\NT]$ A GEOLOGI/ NAM$ ,SMI? :O CLAIM$ TO HAVE ID5TIFI$ ! LIME/ONE RIDGE ?AT /RET*$ FROM ,BA? TO ,L9COLN%IRE1 CALL$ ! ,JURASSIC ,WAY4 ,ACCORD+ TO ! AFFABLE & *ATTY S\L1 IT WAS ! WAY ?AT ?IS PRIMORDIAL CROSS-C\NTRY FOOTPA? MET ! RIV] ,N5E :I* HAD DET]M9$ :]E ,NOR?AMPTON W\LD BE MO/ CONV5I5TLY SITUAT$4 ,SMI? HIMSELF1 CO9CID5TALLY1 HAD DI$ H]E 9 ,M>EFAIR :ILE PASS+ ?R\< ! T[N & WAS COMMEMORAT$ BY A PLAQUE FIX$ TO ! *UR* WALL1 :I* HE'D PR\DLY PO9T$ \T TO ,JOHN4 

,AFT] ?AT LIMIT$ EXPOSURE TO ! <O/-SEAM'S O!R OCCUPANTS1 ,JOHN HAD DECID$ ON A POLICY ( KEEP+ = ! MO/ P>T TO HIMSELF4 ,HE'D WAT*$ ! WRAI?S COM+ & GO+ FROM ! W9D[ ( HIS T[]-ROOM1 BUT !Y'D SEEM$ TO HIM PECULI> ?+S1 SOME ( !M MON/R\S1 SO ?AT HE'D NOT FELT 9CL9$ TO SEEK !IR COMPANY4 ,= 9/ANCE1 ,JOHN HAD ONE DAY SPOTT$ ! GIANT WAD+-BIRD MADE \T ( /ILTS & RU%ES ?AT HE'D SE5 AGA9 JU/ REC5TLY1 UP ON ! BALCONIES \TSIDE ! ,WORKS4 ,UPON ?AT FIR/ OCCASION HE HAD WAT*$ IT /RID+ R\ND ,/4 ,PET]'S ,*UR* 9 A FULL CIRCUIT BE=E /RUGGL+ ?R\< A WALL ( ?\S&-YE>-OLD /ONES & \T ( SI<T4 ,BACK !N HE HADN'T HAD A CLUE :AT IT MI<T BE1 & WAS NO WIS] N[4 ,! WOOD-BEAK$ CREATURE ?AT LEFT PUDDLES ( <O/-WAT] EV]Y:]E IT SET ITS SP9DLY LEGS S]V$ ONLY AS AN ILLU/RATION ( ! HALF-WORLD'S ODDNESS1 :I* HAD PROMPT$ ,JOHN TO TAKE AN ISOLAT$1 SELF-SUFFICI5T PA? 9 ALL HIS DEAL+S ) ! AFT]LIFE4 

,HE'D F\ND ?AT HE LIK$ HIS [N COMPANY1 LIK$ PLANN+ EXP$ITIONS SU* AS ?OSE HE'D MADE TO ,NASEBY1 EV5 ?\< HIS SECOND VISIT HALFWAY ?R\< ! ACTUAL BATTLE HAD BE5 HORRIBLE & MADE HIM GLAD ?AT HE'D BE5 DONE 9 BY A %ELL & NOT A PIKE4 ,9 G5]AL1 HE'D FELT LIVELY & ADV5TUR\S DUR+ ?OSE E>LY MON?S ( BE+ DEAD1 & IT HAD BE5 >\ND !N ,JOHN HAD REALIZ$ ?AT HE WAS NO LONG] WE>+ HIS >MY UNI=M4 ,HE'D JU/ LOOK$ D[N ONE DAY & F\ND ?AT HE WAS 9 BLACK KNEE-L5G? %ORTS1 A JUMP] ?AT HIS MAM HAD KNITT$ & ! %OES & SOCKS HE'D WORN :5 HE'D BE5 TWELVE4 ,HE REALIZ$ N[1 ( C\RSE1 ?AT HIS <O/-BODY HAD BE5 SL[LY GRAVITAT+ TO ! =M ?AT IT HAD BE5 ! HAPPIE/ ) 9 LIFE1 BUT AT ! TIME HE'D SIMPLY BE5 DELI<T$ TO DISCOV] ?AT HE WAS A LAD AGA91 & DIDN'T C>E TO SPECULATE H[ ?IS HAD COME AB\T4 

,HE'D ?R[N HIMSELF 9TO HIS SOLIT>Y ESCAPADES ) R5EW$ VIGOR1 ALWAYS *OOS+ ! MO/ D>+ SITUATIONS TO 9VE/IGATE1 FANCY+ HIMSELF AS A DEAD ,D\GLAS ,FAIRBANKS ,JUNIOR4 ,:5 ?AT ,BRITI% BOMB] HAD CRA%$ AT ! TOP ( ,GOLD ,/REET1 ,JOHN HAD WAT*$ IT PASS+ OV]HEAD FROM HIS T[]'S W9D[ AT ! FOOT ( ,M>EFAIR & HAD /RAI<T AWAY GONE RAC+ ?R\< ! SP>KL+ D>K ALONG ! EA/-WE/ AV5UE1 *AS$ BY A SCRUM ( AFT]-IMAGE S*OOLBOYS AS HE'D RU%$ TO SEE IF ANYONE WAS DEAD1 IF !RE W]E ANY NEW <O/S /UMBL+ AB\T CONFUS$1 NE$+ ADVICE4 

,AS IT HAD TURN$ \T1 NOBODY WAS KILL$ BY ! HUGE AIRPLANE'S A/ONI%+ DESC5T1 ! CREW & PILOT HAV+ ALREADY BAIL$ \T & ! SOLE CASUALTY BE+ A LATE-NI<T ,GOLD ,/REET CYCLI/ :O'D SU/A9$ A BROK5 >M4 ,! ONLY <O/ O!R ?AN ,JOHN UPON ! SC5E ?AT EV5+ WAS ?AT ( ! PLANE ITSELF4 ,AMAZ+LY1 AL?\< ITS SUB/ANCE HAD BE5 ALMO/ TOTALLY DE/ROY$ ON IMPACT1 ! E!REAL FRAMEWORK ( ! AIRCRAFT HAD BE5 DRIV5 D[N 9TO ! MI/Y TOPSOIL ( ! <O/-SEAM1 SO ?AT UND]NEA? ! SURFACE ( ! /REET A PHANTOM BOMB] WAS AT RE/ & P]FECTLY 9TACT4 ,IT HAD BE5 :ILE ,JOHN SAT !RE 9 ITS COCKPIT1 %\T+ \T COMM&S TO HIS IMAG9>Y CREWM5 & PRET5D+ HE WAS ON A BOMB+-MISSION ?AT1 EMB>RASS+LY1 HE HAD F\ND HIMSELF SURR\ND$ BY F\R SNICK]+ <O/-*ILDR5 :O HAD 9TRODUC$ !MSELVES AS ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG4 

,/&+ N[ 9 ,HAZELRIGG ,H\SE1 WAT*+ ,CROMWELL WRIT+ 9 HIS J\RNAL AS ! LONG1 LA/ RAYS ( ! DAY'S SUN W]E SP5T \TSIDE1 ,JOHN SMIL$ AS HE RECALL$ ?AT FIR/ ADV5TURE ) ! O!R <O/-KIDS1 OR 0,! ,SUBT]RANEAN ,AIRPLANE ,AFFAIR0 AS ,PHYLLIS HAD 9SI/$ ?AT !Y AFT]W>DS REF] TO IT4 ,L>K+ AB\T !RE AT ! CONTROLS ( ! IMMAT]IAL CRAFT1 ! SPECTRAL UR*9S HAD DISCOV]$ ?AT !Y C\LD MAKE IT MOVE SL[LY =W>D BY M]ELY PRET5D+ !Y W]E FLY+ IT1 PROVID$ !Y PRET5D$ H>D 5\<4 ,AL?\< !Y C\LDN'T GET UP 5\< SPE$ TO BREAK ! SURFACE T5SION ( ! /REETS & TAKE ! PLANE BACK UP 9TO ! AIR1 !Y F\ND ?AT !Y C\LD GLIDE R\ND UND]GR\ND AT A S]5E & /ATELY PACE1 & EV5 EXECUTE A DOVE 9TO ! GEOLOGIC /RATA UND]NEA? ! T[N BY LEAN+ ON ! JOY/ICK4 ,TRAVEL+ ?R\< CLAY & ROCK1 ?\<1 HADN'T BE5 MU* FUN1 & SO !Y'D MO/LY KEPT TO A FLI<T CORRIDOR ?AT WAS A FEW FEET D[N B5EA? ! SURFACE4 ,H]E !Y'D DRON$ ?R\< TUNNELS1 CRYPTS & CELL>S & 5DUR$ A COMICALLY DISGU/+ EPISODE :ILE TAXI+ ALONG A V9TAGE IRON SEW]-BORE4 ,AT LA/1 LAU<+ AT !IR [N +5UITY1 !Y'D /E]$ !IR PHANTOM AIRCRAFT C>EFULLY 9TO ! SPACE PRES5T$ BY A SUBT]RANEAN SPEAKEASY1 ON ! CORN] ( ,GEORGE ,R[ & ,WOOD ,HILL1 :I*1 BIZ>RELY1 HAD BE5 BUILT TO REPLICATE ! FUSELAGE & SEAT+ ( A PASS5G] PLANE & SO MADE A P]FECT P>K+-PLACE = !IR <O/-VESSEL4 

,JOHN HAD GIV5 UP HIS 9DEP5D5T WAYS UPON ! SPOT1 ?R[+ HIS LOT 9 ) !SE HOOLIGANS :O'D MANAG$ TO MAKE DEA? 9TO !IR FUNFAIR4 ,HE'D NOT BE5 BACK TO HIS LONELY TURRET-ROOM S9CE ?AT HIL>I\S NI<T1 PREF]R+ ! NOMADIC LIFE ( ! <O/-*ILDR5 AS !Y CAP]$ ?R\< ! DECADES & DIM5SIONS1 MOV+ BETWE5 PURGATORY & P>ADISE1 FROM HIDD5 D5 TO HIDD5 D54 ,HE LIK$ ! CREW HE'D FALL5 9 ) A GREAT DEAL1 EV5 IF ,REGGIE ,B[L] SOMETIMES SEEM$ TO SQU9T RES5TFULLY FROM UND]NEA? HIS HAT-BRIM & Y\ SELDOM HE>D MORE ?AN A WORD OR TWO \T ( ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE4 

,HE GOT ON BE/ ) ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]4 ,9 A FUNNY SORT ( WAY HE ?\<T ?AT !Y MI<T EV5 BE 9 LOVE4 ,HE SAW ! ADMIRATION 9 H] BRI<T EYES EV]Y TIME %E LOOK$ AT HIM & HOP$ ?AT %E C\LD SEE ! SAME 9 HIS1 AL?\< HE KNEW ?AT :AT !RE WAS BETWE5 ! PAIR ( !M C\LD GO NO FUR!R1 NOT )\T ! :OLE ?+ BE+ RU9$4 ,AS ,JOHN SAW IT1 :AT HE HAD ) ,PHYLLIS WAS P]HAPS ! V]Y BE/ ( LOVE 9 ?AT IT WAS A *ILD'S GAME ( LOVE1 AN 9FANTS' S*OOL IDEA ( :AT IT MEANT TO BE SOMEBODY'S BOY OR GIRLFRI5D4 ,IT WAS HE>TFELT & UNSULLI$ BY ! SMALLE/ CL\D ( PRACTICAL EXP]I5CE4 ,BE=E HE'D DI$ AG$ B>ELY TW5TY1 ,JOHN HAD SEV]AL GIRLFRI5DS & HAD EV5 HAD IT (F ) ONE ( !M4 ,LIKEWISE1 AL?\< HE'D NEV] ASK$ H] \TRI<T1 HE GOT ! IMPRESSION ?AT ,PHYLL ,PA9T] HAD LIV$ TO A RIPE OLD AGE & HAD AT ONE PO9T EV5 POSSIBLY BE5 M>RI$4 ,SO TO SOME EXT5T !Y'D BO? BE5 ?R\< ! GR[N-UP P>T ( LOVE1 ! ANIMAL DELI<T ( SEX1 ! TR\<S & TORM5TS ( A PASSION (F ! BOIL4 

,!Y'D BO? KN[N ADULT LOVE & YET HAD OPT$ = ! JUNIOR V]SION1 = ! ?RILL ( AN ET]NAL PLAYGR\ND CRU%1 ROMANCE ?AT HADN'T EV5 PROGRESS$ TO BEH9D ! BIKE-%$S YET4 ,!Y HAD ELECT$ TO TA/E NO?+ BUT ! DEW UPON LOVE'S POLI%$ SK91 & LEAVE ! ACTUAL FRUIT UNBITT54 ,?AT WAS H[ ,JOHN FELT AB\T IT1 ANYWAY1 & HE SUSPECT$ IT WAS PROBABLY ! SAME ) ,PHYLL4 ,AT ANY RATE1 :ATEV] ! SUCCESS ( !IR RELATION%IP WAS DUE TO1 !Y'D LOV$ 9 !IR FA%ION = SOME SEV]AL TIMELESS DECADES1 & ,JOHN HOP$ !Y MI<T KEEP ON LIKE ?AT UNTIL ! V]Y DOOR/EP ( 9F9ITY4 

,ALL ?+S CONSID]$1 ,JOHN'S DEA? SUIT$ HIM AS WELL OR BETT] ?AN HIS LIFE HAD4 ,! WAYW>D AG5DAS ( ! <O/-GANG1 SCAMP]+ FROM ONE ABSURD ADV5TURE TO ANO!R1 MEANT ?AT ,JOHN WAS NEV] BOR$4 ,) ! GRAY BLU% ( EV]Y PHANTOM MORN+ !RE WAS ALWAYS SOME?+ NEW4 ,OR1 9 ! CASE ( ,BILL & ,REGGIE'S PLAN TO TAME A SPECTRAL MAMMO?1 SOME?+ V]Y OLD4 

,TAKE ALL ( ?IS TO-DO OV] ! <O/-GANG'S LATE/ MEMB]1 = EXAMPLE4 ,:ILE ,JOHN FELT1 AS ,PHYLLIS DID1 ?AT BE+ 9 *>GE ( ! TEMPOR>ILY-DEAD 9FANT WAS A GRAVE RESPONSIBILITY1 HE ALSO FELT ?AT ?IS WAS TURN+ \T TO BE !IR GR&E/ EPISODE TO DATE4 ,9 FACT1 ,JOHN HAD GOOD REASON TO TAKE ,MI*AEL ,W>R5'S PLI<T EV5 MORE S]I\SLY ?AN ,PHYLLIS DID1 & TO BE EV5 MORE CONC]N$ AB\T ! TODDL]'S SAFETY4 ,HE WAS BUGG]$1 ?\<1 IF HE'D LET ?AT /OP HIM 5JOY+ AN EXTRAORD9>Y \T+3 DEMON-K+S LIKE PLUNG+ ,MESS]S*MITTS6 ,<O/-/ORMS & DEA?MONG]S6 ,?IS WAS ! K9D ( DA%+ SPREE HE'D FONDLY HOP$ A W> MI<T BE1 BE=E HE'D F\ND \T O!RWISE4 ,?IS WAS MORE :AT HE'D HAD 9 M9D1 ! V]Y PICTURE-PAP] ESS5CE ( ADV5TURE ) NO SCATT]$ 5TRAILS & NO GRIEV+ MOMS TO TURN A RADIO-S]IAL ROMP 9TO A TRAG$Y4 ,?IS WAS ! BE/ BITS1 ALL ! SPILLS & SPECTACLE )\T ! MORTAL CONSEQU5CE4 ,JOHN M>VEL$ AS HE ?\<T ( ! COLOSSAL BUILD]S1 BLE$+ GOLD & LA%+ AT EA* O!R ) !IR BILLI>D CUES ON ! UNFOLD$ ACRES ( ! ,MAYORHOLD1 !N BROKE (F ?AT TRA9 ( ?\<T ON REALIZ+ ?AT IT L$ HIM BACK TO ! EXPLOD+ MAN1 ! /UMBL+ PHOSPHORESC5CE ON ! BALCONY ) HIS SUSP5D$ NAILS & RIVETS1 HIS SOIL$ TR\S]S1 HIS EVAPORAT+ TE>S4 

,TO RID HIMSELF ( ! RECURR+ APP>ITION1 ,JOHN SWIT*$ HIS ATT5TION TO !IR CURR5T :]EAB\TS1 ! D[N/AIRS P>LOR ( ,HAZELRIGG ,H\SE1 AN OM9\S ,JUNE EV5+ 9 ! MID-SEV5TE5? C5TURY4 ,HAV+ EM]G$ FROM UND]NEA? A GLEAM+ ROSEWOOD TABLE1 ! GR\P /OOD ASSEMBL$ AT ! SPACI\S *AMB]'S EA/]N 5D1 ALL TAK+ 9 ! MONUM5TAL PRES5CE SITT+ AT ! TABLE'S FUR!R $GE1 ONE SIDE ( HIS GREAT GRIFF9 SN\T LIT BY ! SUNSET FALL+ ?R\< ! LEAD$ W9D[S FROM \TSIDE1 HIS W>TS 9 %AD[4 

,JOHN1 ( C\RSE1 HAD RECOGNIZ$ OLD ,IRONSIDES FROM ! PREVI\S OCCASIONS :5 ! PLUCKY Y\? HAD VISIT$ ! D>K DAYS ( ! ,CIVIL ,W>4 ,HE'D WITNESS$ ,CROMWELL1 RID+ \T ) ,G5]AL ,FAIRFAX & HIS MAJOR-G5]AL ( FOOT-SOLDI]S1 ,PHILIP ,SKIPPON1 ON ! SLOPES ( ,NASEBY ,RIDGE AT FIR/ LI<T ON ,JUNE #a#d? - OR TOMORR[ MORN+ FROM ,JOHN'S CURR5T PO9T ( VIEW4 ,CROMWELL ON ?AT OCCASION HAD SEEM$ GIDDY ) DELI<T AS HE 9SPECT$ ! T]RA9 BETWE5 ! RIDGE & ,DU/ ,HILL1 GETT+ ON A MILE (F TO ! NOR?4 ,CANT]+ BACK & =? 9 HIS BLACK >MOR1 HE HAD BUR/ \T LAU<+ 9T]MITT5TLY1 AS IF BY LOOK+ AT ! L& HE SAW ! BATTLE 9 ADVANCE & *UCKL$ OV] ! =ESE5 MIS=TUNES ( HIS 5EMIES4 ,JOHN HAD SE5 ,CROMWELL ) ANO!R FACE AS WELL1 A SEMBLANCE CA/ FROM FL9T1 UNBL9K+ 9 ! SCREAM+ HE>T ( BATTLE AS HIS CAVALRY PURSU$ ! ,ROYALI/ HORSE ALMO/ TO ,LEICE/]1 CUTT+ D[N ! H9DMO/ BY ! SCORE4 ,:ATEV] MOOD !Y W]E EXPRESS+1 HE'D HAVE KN[N ?OSE FEATURES ANY:]E4 

,PHYLLIS & ,BILL QUITE CLE>LY ALSO KNEW :O !Y W]E LOOK+ AT1 & SO DID ,REGGIE ,B[L]1 :O WAS NODD+ KN[+LY ) A WIDE GR9 ACROSS HIS FRECKL$ FACE4 ,AL?\< ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE REMA9$ IMPASSIVE1 />+ FLATLY ?R\< H] ,NATIONAL ,HEAL? SPECTACLES1 ,JOHN HAD AN 9KL+ ?AT SOMEBODY AS SURPRIS+LY WELL-READ AS H] MI<T WELL KN[ MORE AB\T ! LANK-HAIR$ MAN ?AN ALL ! RE/ ( ! GANG PUT TOGE!R4 ,?AT LEFT ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 - ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 SON ( ,TOMMY ,W>R51 ,JOHN REFLECT$ TO HIMSELF ) AN AMAZ$ %AKE ( ! HEAD - AS ! ONE P]SON 9 ! SL[LY D>K5+ ROOM )\T A CLUE REG>D+ :AT WAS GO+ ON4 ,JOHN WAS AB\T TO V5TURE HIS [N EXPLANATION = ! NIPP]'S B5EFIT :5 ,PHYLLIS 9T]V5$ & BEAT HIM TO ! PUN*4 

0,!RE4 ,SEE 'IM8 ,?AT'S ! ,LORD ,PROTECTOR1 ?AT WIZ4 ,?AT'S ,OLIV] ,CROMWELL40 

,IT WAS PA9FULLY APP>5T ?AT ! NAME MEANT NO?+ TO ! LITTLE BOY1 ?US GIV+ ,JOHN A *ANCE TO /ICK HIS O> 9 AFT] ALL & GIVE HIS EXP]TIZE AN AIR+4 

0,:]E WE >E N[1 IT'S ! #a#f#dS4 ,*>LES ! ,FIR/ WIZ ON ! ?RONE1 & H>DLY ANYBODY ?9KS HE'S MAK+ A GOOD JOB ( IT4 ,= ONE ?+ HE'S BR\<T 9 ?IS TAX1 ,%IP ,MONEY1 :I* WIZ PAID DIRECT TO HIM & MAKES HIM LESS DEP5D5T ON ! ,5GLI% ,P>LIAM5T4 ,NOBODY LIKES ! S\ND ( ?AT1 ESPECIALLY S9CE !Y KN[ ,*>LES WIZ MATEY ) ! ,CA?OLIC ,*UR* & MAY BE PLOTT+ TO SNEAK 9 ,CA?OLICISM BY ! BACK DOOR4 ,BE> 9 M9D ?AT ALL ( ?IS WIZ HAPP5+ 9 AN ,5GL& :]E ! RI* & POOR HAVE GR[N AP>T S9CE ! BEG9N+ ( ! #a#fS1 :5 ! G5TRY HAD BEGUN 5CLOS+ COMMON L& & TAK+ PEOPLE'S LIVELIHOODS AWAY4 ,Y\ CAN IMAG9E H[ CROSS & SUSPICI\S EV]YBODY WIZ4 ,5GL& WIZ LIKE A P[D] KEG1 JU/ WAIT+ TO GO (F40 

,JOHN PAUS$ H]E AS AN IMAGE ( ! DETONAT+ MAN-BOMB %UFFL$ WEEP+ & UNBIDD5 ?R\< HIS M9D1 !N C>RI$ ON4 

0,9 ! LA/ MON?S ( #a#f#d#a1 ! :OLE ( ,IREL& WIZ 9 FLAMES ) A REBELLION AGA9/ ,5GLI% RULE4 ,! REBELS W]E DE/ROY+ OR ELSE SEIZ+ BACK ! L& ?AT HAD BE5 GIV5 TO ,PROTE/ANT SETTL]S1 KILL+ MANY ( !SE SETTL]S 9 ! B>GA94 ,BACK 9 ,5GL&1 ?IS WIZ LOOK$ ON AS A ,POPI% PLOT ?AT ,*>LES ! ,FIR/ WIZ 9 COLLUSION )4 ,REBELS 9 ,P>LIAM5T PUBLI%$ A ,GR& ,REMON/RANCE AIR+ ALL !IR GRIEVANCES ) ,*>LES1 :I* ONLY S]V$ TO PU% BO? CAMPS FUR!R AP>T4 ,9 ,JANU>Y1 #a#f#d#b1 ! ,K+ LEFT ,LONDON TO ! REBELS & BEGAN TO GA!R >MIES = A CIVIL W> ?AT BY !N EV]YBODY KNEW WIZ COM+4 ,GOD1 ?AT MU/ HAVE BE5 A T]ROR4 ,FROM ONE 5D ( ,5GL& TO ! O!R1 FAMILIES MU/ HAVE BE5 ON !IR KNEES & PRAY+ ?AT !Y'D GET ?R\< ! NEXT YE>S )\T TOO MANY MEMB]S DY+40 

,?AT WAS C]TA9LY H[ IT HAD BE5 = ,JOHN'S CLAN DUR+ #a#i#c#i4 ,HE WAT*$ ! FIGURE AT ! ROOM'S F> 5D >RE/ ITS WRIT+S = A MOM5T ) QUILL POIS$ A FRACTION ( AN 9* ABOVE ! PAGE1 P]HAPS DELIB]AT+ OV] WORD-*OICE1 BE=E DIPP+ ONCE MORE TO ! VELLUM & CONT9U+ ITS R[ ( ,GO?IC CURLS & SLANT+1 M>*+ UPRI<TS4 ,JOHN SUPPOS$ ?AT HIS [N FAMILY'S PRAY]S UPON ! EVE ( W> MU/ HAVE BE5 HE$$1 = ! MO/ P>T4 ,EV]YONE LIV$ ?R\< IT1 AFT] ALL1 ) PRES5T COMPANY EXCEPT$4 

,LOOK+ R\ND1 ,JOHN REALIZ$ ?AT ! O!R MEMB]S ( ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG W]E WAIT+ PATI5TLY = HIM TO C>RY ON4 ,EV5 ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE1 BEH9D H] JAM-J> L5SES1 APPE>$ 9T]E/$4 

0,ANYWAY1 ?AT FELL[ OV] !RE1 ,OLIV] ,CROMWELL1 WIZ BORN TO A FAIRLY WELL-(F FAMILY 9 ,HUNT+DON4 ,!IR NAME WIZ ,WILLIAMS1 BUT !Y W]E DESC5D$ FROM ,H5RY ! ,EI<?'S ADVIS] ,?OMAS ,CROMWELL & HAD TAK5 ON HIS NAME1 GRATEFUL = ALL ! GOOD HE'D DONE ! FAMILY AS ! BLOKE :O'D MANAG$ ,H5RY'S GREAT ,PROTE/ANT ,RE=MATION1 & DEFIANT AT ! WAY HE'D LAT] BE5 BEHEAD$ = HIS TR\BLES4 ,OLLIE OV] !RE CALLS HIMSELF ',WILLIAMS1 ALIAS ,CROMWELL' ALL ! WAY ?R\< LIFE1 BUT ,I SUPPOSE ?AT ,CROMWELL HAS MORE ( A R+ TO IT ?AN ,WILLIAMS4 

0,HE HAS A WIFE1 A FAMILY & A COM=TABLE LIFE1 BUT ,I SUSPECT HE'D ALWAYS WANT$ MORE ?AN ?AT4 ,9 #a#f#b#h1 AG$ TW5TY-N9E1 HE 5T]$ POLITICS AS ! ,M,P = ,HUNT+DON1 & BY ! TIME ! ,CIVIL ,W> WIZ BREW+ SOME F\RTE5 YE>S LAT] HE WIZ ONE ( ! ,K+'S /]NE/ CRITICS 9 :AT !Y CALL$ ! ,LONG ,P>LIAM5T4 ,:5 ,*>LES REQUE/$ HELP FROM ,CAMBRIDGE1 ,CROMWELL /ORM$ /RAI<T D[N !RE ) TWO HUNDR$ >M$ M51 BULLI$ HIS WAY 9TO ,CAMBRIDGE ,CA/LE & GRABB$ ALL !IR >MAM5TS4 ,NOT ONLY ?AT1 HE ALSO /OPP$ !M FROM TRANSF]R+ ANY SILV] TO HELP \T ! ,ROYALI/S - & ?IS WAS AT A TIME :5 ALMO/ EV]YBODY ELSE WAS DI!R+ AB\T :AT %\LD BE DONE4 ,BY SEIZ+ ! 9ITIATIVE1 ,CROMWELL BEGAN TO LOOK LIKE GOOD MAT]IAL = ! ,P>LIAM5T>Y CAUSE1 & WAS PROMOT$ FROM A CAPTA9 TO A COLONEL4 

0,HE WAS BUSY1 9 !M NEXT FEW YE>S1 DEAL+ ) ,ROYALI/S 9 ,K+'S ,LYNN & ,L[E/(T & !N SECUR+ ALL ! BRIDGES ON ! ,RIV] ,\SE4 ,) ?AT DONE1 HE W5T ON TO =TIFY ! ,N5E - WE CAN GO \TSIDE 9 A M9UTE1 & ,I'LL %[ Y\ :AT ,I MEAN4 ,ANYWAY1 ,CROMWELL PROV$ HIMSELF 9 SCRAPS LIKE ,GA9SBOR\< 9 ,L9COLN%IRE1 & BATTLES LIKE ! ONE ON ,M>/ON ,MOOR NE> ,MAN*E/] 9 #a#f#d#d1 :]E ,CROMWELL L$ ! CAVALRY4 ,B\TS LIKE ?AT L$ TO ,P>LIAM5T>Y ,G5]AL ,SIR ,?OMAS ,FAIRFAX MAK+ ,CROMWELL ! LIEUT5ANT-G5]AL ( HORSE AT A W>-C\NCIL ?AT TOOK PLACE 4440 

,H]E ,JOHN PAUS$ & PRET5D$1 = EFFECT1 TO SE>* HIS MEMORY = SOME V5]ABLE DATE BE=E CONT9U+ )1 0444 OOH1 IT MU/ HAVE BE5 AN H\R OR TWO AGO4 ,TODAY1 ,JUNE #a#c?1 #a#f#d#e4 ,= ,MI/] ,CROMWELL OV] !RE1 TODAY'S ! TURN+ PO9T ( HIS :OLE LIFE4 ,HE'S F9ALLY BE5 GIV5 P[] 5\< TO C>RY \T ! TASK HE'S GOT 9 M9D1 & /RAI<T AWAY HE'S BE5 S5T TO ,NOR?AMPTON%IRE TO DEAL ) ,ROYALI/ ,=CES UND] ,K+ ,*>LES'S SON1 ,PR9CE ,RUP]T4 ,RUP]T HAS JU/ TAK5 ,LEICE/] BY SIEGE FROM ! ,P>LIAM5T>Y =CES1 & :5 ,CROMWELL TURN$ UP AT ! ,R\NDHEAD CAMP NE> ,KISL+BURY ?IS MORN+1 JU/ A MILE OR TWO S\?WE/ ( H]E1 !Y GREET$ HIM ) *E]S4 ,LA/ NI<T A ,P>LIAM5T>Y ADVANCE GU>D SURPRIS$ SOME ,ROYALI/S CLOSE TO ,NASEBY VILLAGE1 FIVE MILES S\? ( ,M>KET ,H>BOR\< ON ! $GE ( ,LEICE/]%IRE4 ,BE=E ?AT HAPP5$ NEI!R SIDE HAD REALIZ$ QUITE H[ CLOSE !IR >MIES WIZ TO ONE ANO!R1 BUT N[ EV]YBODY'S WORK$ \T ?AT !Y'RE 9 = AN ALMI<TY BATTLE COME TOMORR[ MORN+4 ,?AT'S :Y ALL ! ,R\NDHEAD TROOPS WIZ OV]JOY$ :5 ,CROMWELL TURN$ UP3 HE'S ! ONLY BUGG] )9 HUNDR$ MILE ( H]E ?AT'S LOOK+ =W>D TO IT40 

,ON AN IMPULSE1 ,JOHN DETA*$ HIMSELF FROM ! GRAY CLU/] ( ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG & CROSS$ ! V>NI%$ FLOORBO>DS TO ! ROOM'S F> SIDE1 SO ?AT HE /OOD BEH9D ! SEAT$ FIGURE1 RAV5-HUN*$ OV] ITS WRIT+S4 ,! UNUSUALLY %>P SI<T ?AT BE+ DEAD AF=D$ ,JOHN DETECT$ ?REE OR F\R FAT LICE ?AT =AG$ 9 ! GREASY UND]GR[? ( ! LIEUT5ANT-G5]AL'S ?9N+ SCALP4 ,HE'D NEV] BE5 AS CLOSE AS ?IS TO ,CROMWELL1 HAV+ ONLY SE5 HIM GALLOP PA/ DUR+ HIS PREVI\S VISITS TO ! ACTUAL FIELD ( BATTLE4 ,HE C\LD ALMO/ FEEL ! ?RUMM+ DYNAMO-VIBRATIONS ( ! FUTURE ,LORD ,PROTECTOR'S P]SONALITY FILL+ ! AIR BETWE5 !M1 & WI%$ HE C\LD BREA! 9 ,CROMWELL'S SC5T )\T ! ODORLESS 5CUMBRANCE ( ! <O/-SEAM BE+ 9 ! WAY1 JU/ TO DET]M9E :AT V>IETY ( ANIMAL ! MAN MI<T TRULY BE4 ,BILL 9T]RUPT$ ,JOHN'S CLOSE-UP 9SPECTION H]E BY CALL+ FROM ! *AMB]'S F> SIDE1 :]E HE /OOD ) ,PHYLLIS & ! O!RS4 

0,:AT'S 'E WRIT9'80 

,IT WAS A GOOD QUE/ION1 & ,JOHN TRANSF]R$ HIS ATT5TION FROM ! ESCAPADES ( ,CROMWELL'S HEAD-LICE TO ! PAGE ACROSS :I* ! MAN'S CR[-QUILL MOV$4 ,IT TOOK ,JOHN SEV]AL MOM5TS' SCRUT9Y BE=E HE HAD ! HANG ( ! PECULI> CURSIVE SCRIPT1 !N HE GLANC$ UP AS HE ADDRESS$ ! GANG4 

0,IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S ! FIR/ DRAFT ( A LETT] TO HIS WIFE4 ,I'LL READ Y\ :AT ,I CAN ( IT40 

,PLAC+ HIS H&S ON HIS B>E KNEES ,JOHN ANGL$ HIMSELF =W>D1 LEAN+ OV] ,CROMWELL'S %\LD] TO P]USE ! MISSIVE'S CONT5TS4 

0 ',MY MO/ DE> ,ELIZABE? - ,I WRITE ) :AT ,I TRU/ IS WELCOME NEWS4 ,Y\R FOND & CON/ANT HUSB& IS ?IS DAY APPO9T$ TO LIEUT5ANT-G5]AL ( HORSE BY ,SIR ,TOM ,FAIRFAX1 & AT ONCE DISPAT*$ TO ATT5D SOME SMALL MATT] 9 ,NOR?AMPTON%IRE1 FROM :]EAB\TS ,I P5 !SE L9ES4 ,I AM1 Y\ MAY BE SURE1 ( A GOOD HUMOR & FEEL C]TA9 WE %ALL HAVE A FAIR RESULT UPON ! MORR[1 BUT PLEASE DO NOT ?9K ?AT ?IS PROMOTION TEMPTS ME TO VA+LORY4 ,ANY VICTORY IS SURELY ?AT ( ,GOD ALONE1 NOR IS MY ELEVATION ( IMPORTANCE1 SAVE 9 ?AT ,I AM 5ABL$ TO MORE VIGOR\SLY WORK ,HIS WILL4 

0 ',N[1 LET US HAVE NO MORE ( Y\R UNWOR?Y HUSB&'S BRAGG+1 & 9/EAD HE> TID+S ( MORE E/IMABLE ?+S4 ,H[ F>ES \R HUMBLE ,HUNT+DON%IRE COT1 ?AT IS =EV] 9 MY ?\<TS ) Y\ & ALL \R LITTLE ONES AB\T Y\R SKIRTS1 /OOD AT ITS DOOR8 ,BRIDGET1 ,I KN[1 WILL SC(F AT BE+ CALL$ A LITTLE ONE1 & SO WILL ,DICK1 BUT !Y >E AS SU* 9 MY ?\<TS & EV] %ALL BE4 ,OH1 ,ELIZABE?1 ?AT ,I MI<T HAVE Y\ BY ME N[1 = Y\R SWEET PRES5CE LIFTS MY S\L MORE ?AN ALL LAURELS & HI< (FICE EV] C\LD4 ,ALL ?AT ,I DO1 ,I DO = ,GOD & 9 ! SAME K9D DO = Y\1 MY PRETTY ,BE?1 ?AT Y\ & \R DE> *ILDR5 MI<T LIVE 9 A GODLY L&1 SAFE FROM ! TYRANNIES ( ,ANTI*RI/4 ,I KN[ ?AT \R Y\NG ,OLIV] W\LD SAY ! SAME1 W]E IT NOT = ! CRUEL CAMP-FEV] ?IS LA/ YE>4 ,PLEASE ,GOD ?AT BY MY EF=TS %ALL HIS SACRIFICE1 ) ?OSE ( MANY MORE ,P>LIAM5T>IAN LADS1 BE MADE WOR?:ILE4 

0 ',I %\LD BE PLEAS$ TO HE> ( H[ ! G>D5 COMES ALONG1 = IT IS A F9E ?+ AB\T ?IS TIME ( YE>1 & ) ! PRES5T TUMULT ,I AM FE>$ ,I %ALL MISS ALL ( IT IF Y\ WILL NOT DESCRIBE IT = ME4 ,9 A LIKE VE91 TELL ME ( Y\R LEA/ AFFAIRS1 Y\R TRAVELS TO & FRO AB\T ! T[N & Y\R MO/ M9OR 9CONV5I5CES1 ?AT ,I MAY PRET5D ,I HE> AGA9 Y\R VOICE & ITS FAMILI> TURNS ( PHRASE4 ,TELL LITTLE ,FRANCES ?AT H] FA!R PROMISES TO BR+ H] A F9E PAIR ( %OES BACK FROM ,NOR?AMPTON1 & TELL ,H5RY ,I AM CONFID5T ?AT HE WILL DO HIS DUTY & MAKE SURE ! DOGS >E EX]CIS$4 ,N[ ?AT ,I ?9K ON IT1 ,I WI% ?AT Y\ W\LD S5D ME A GOOD WOOD5 PIPE1 = ALL ! CLAY ONES TO BE HAD AB\T !SE P>TS >E EASY BROK5 & 444' ,?AT'S MORE OR LESS H[ F> HE'S GOT1 & IT SEEMS HE'S JU/ GO+ ON AB\T HIS HOME & FAMILY4 ,TO BE HONE/1 HE DON'T /RIKE ME AS A BAD BLOKE1 NOT FROM READ+ ?IS40 

,JOHN /RAI<T5$ UP1 BEG9N+ TO VIEW ,CROMWELL ) A DIFF]5T ATTITUDE4 ,ACROSS ! ROOM ) ITS PIT*-PA9T$ BEAMS & COPP] ORNAM5TS1 ,M>JORIE %OOK H] HEAD4 

0,WELL1 ,I DON'T KN[4 ,HE DON'T S\ND AS IF HE'S ALL !RE TO ME4 ,I MEAN1 HE KN[S H[ R\< ?IS BATTLE'S GUNNA BE TOMORR[1 & JU/ LOOK AT HIM3 AS CALM AS ANY?+1 ASK+ H] H[ ! G>D5'S GETT+ ON4 ,IT'S LIKE HE DON'T ?9K ANY ( IT'S REAL1 LIKE IT'S A PLAY HE'S WAT*+ ?R\< TO SEE ! 5D4 ,Y\ ASK ME1 HE'S GOT SUMMAT MISS9'40 

,EV]YBODY GAP$ AT ,M>JORIE1 A/ONI%$ LESS BY ! P]CEPTIVE PO9T %E'D MADE ?AN BY ! %E] AM\NT ( WORDS %E'D US$ 9 MAK+ IT4 ,NO ONE HAD EV] HE>D H] SAY SO MU* BE=E1 & NOR HAD !Y SUSPECT$ H] ( H>BOR+ SU* /RONGLY HELD OP9IONS4 ,JOHN CONSID]$ :AT %E'D SAID = A FEW MOM5TS & CONCLUD$ ?AT ! TUBBY LITTLE GIRL WAS MORE ?AN LIKELY RI<T4 ,9 HIS [N LETT]S HOME1 ,JOHN HAD SOMETIMES MADE LI<T ( HIS GRIM CIRCUM/ANCES1 IT WAS TRUE1 BUT NOT TO ! EXT5T ?AT ,CROMWELL WAS 5GAG$ 9 DO+4 ,JOHN HAD NEV] WRITT5 TO HIS MAM AB\T ATT5D+ 'SOME SMALL MATT]' (F 9 ,NORM&Y1 OR RATTL$ ON AB\T BAKE-PUDD5 TO ! PO9T :]E Y\ =GOT !RE WAS A W> ON4 ,CROMWELL'S WRIT+S W]E ?OSE ( A NORMAL MAN 9 NORMAL TIMES1 & ON BO? C\NTS Y\ C\LDN'T HELP BUT FEEL ?AT ?IS WAS KN[+ MISREPRES5TATION4 ,GAZ+ AT ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE ACROSS ! *AMB] ?R\< ! FAIL+ LI<T1 ,JOHN NODD$ SOB]LY4 

0,I ?9K Y\ MI<T HAVE SOME?+ !RE1 ,M>GE4 ,ANYWAY1 IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE HE'LL BE DO+ MU* 9 ! NEXT LITTLE :ILE4 ,:Y DON'T WE GO \TSIDE :ILE IT'S /ILL LI<T & SEE :AT'S HAPP5+80 

,!RE WAS A MUTT] ( ASS5T4 ,LEAV+ ! /ATUE-/ILL LIEUT5ANT-G5]AL TO HIS WRIT+S1 A D>K %APE LOS+ ITS DEF9ITION 9 A D>K5+ ROOM1 ! *ILDR5 FLOCK$ \T ?R\< ,HAZELRIGG ,H\SE'S ?ICK WALLS ( C\RS$ RUBBLE TO ! /REET BEYOND1 :]E !RE WAS MU* ACTIVITY4 ,M>EFAIR1 ) L[ BUT WELL-APPO9T$ BUILD+S TO EA* SIDE ( IT1 BU/L$ ) LIFE 9 A T9 SUNSET4 ,! LA/ DRIP ( DAYLI<T GL9T$ FROM ! PO9TS ATOP IRON HELMETS1 FROM ! BUNDL$ BLADES ( ! LONG PIKES ?AT AN OLD MAN WAS JU/ !N C>RY+ 9TO ,PIKE ,LANE = %>P5+4 ,IT FLA%$ UPON ! BRIDLES ( FATIGU$ & /EAM+ HORSES1 SP>K$ FROM ! TALL MULLION$ W9D[S ( ,HAZELRIGG ,H\SE1 DOTT+ ! <O/-SEAM'S MURK ) PO9TS ( BRI<TNESS1 DABS ( :ITE RELIEV+ ?ICK UMB] IMPA/O ON ! DAY'S COMPLET$ CANVAS4 ,DELICATELY BEAUTIFUL & SUBTLY DI/URB+2 IT WAS ! FRAGILE ILLUM9ATION JU/ BE=E A SUMM] /ORM1 OR DUR+ AN ECLIPSE4 ,TIR$ ,R\NDHEAD SOLDI]S SLOGG$ ?R\< ! WELL-TRODD5 MUD ( ! MA9 CONC\RSE1 LOOK+ = A TAV]N OR ELSE /ABL+ !IR BONY M\NTS1 :ILE SU* FEW LOCAL M5 & WOM5 AS !RE W]E AB\T ,M>EFAIR DID ALL !Y C\LD TO KEEP \T ( ! TROOP]S' WAY4 ,JOHN SAW A DOG KICK$ ) A ,P>LIAM5T>Y BOOT2 A POCK-M>K$ Y\? CUFF$ TO ONE SIDE BY A /\T LEA!R GLOVE4 

,ON EV]Y C\NT5ANCE1 BO? MILIT>Y & CIVILIAN1 WAS ! SAME LOOK ( PR(\ND & P>ALYZ+ DREAD4 ,IT ONLY UND]L9$ ,M>JORIE'S PO9T AB\T ! CALMNESS ( ! MAN :O /ILL SAT WRIT+ 9 ! ROOM !Y'D JU/ VACAT$1 ) HIS FACE LIKE A H]ALDIC BEA/ & HIS DETA*M5T 9 />K CONTRA/ TO ! FE>FULNESS AFFLICT+ EV]YBODY ELSE UPON ?IS O!RWISE S]5E ,JUNE EV5+4 ,!SE W]E MON/R\S TIMES1 9 :I* ONLY A MON/] MI<T FEEL COM=TABLE4 ,SOME:]E BEH9D ,JOHN1 ,BILL BEGAN TO S+ :AT S\ND$ LIKE A FRAGM5T FROM A CAT*Y SONG1 AL?\< IT WASN'T ONE ?AT ,JOHN HAD EV] HE>D BE=E4 

0444 & ,I W\LD RA!R BE ANY:]E ELSE ?AN H]E TODAY40 

,BILL BROKE (F ) A RUEFUL1 KN[+ *UCKLE4 ,HE & ,REGGIE ,B[L] W&]$ OV] TO ! /REET'S F> SIDE :]E !Y DI/RACT$ !MSELVES ) ! MANUFACTURE ( SMALL DU/ DEVILS BY RAC+ R\ND 9 CIRCLES4 ,!Y W]5'T DO+ V]Y WELL UNTIL ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE W5T OV] TO ASSI/ !M1 AT :I* PO9T !Y RAIS$ A :IRLW9D BIG 5\< TO MAKE AT LEA/ ONE BURLY ,R\NDHEAD /EP BACK 9 SURPRISE & CROSS HIMSELF4 ,MEAN:ILE1 ,PHYLLIS & ,JOHN W]E LEFT 9 *>GE ( ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 /&+ ON ! FUNNY WOOD5 DUCKBO>DS \TSIDE ,CROMWELL ,H\SE4 ,! 9FANT TURN$ HIS CURLY BLOND HEAD BACK & =?1 TRY+ TO WORK \T :]E HE WAS4 ,F9ALLY HE LOOK$ UP AT ,JOHN & ,PHYLLIS4 

0,WIZ ?IS ,M>EFAIR8 ,I CAN'T TELL :AT BIT ( IT ,I'M LOOK+ AT40 

,PHYLLIS TOOK ,MI*AEL'S H& - %E HAD A WAY ) KIDS1 ,JOHN ?\<T1 AS IF %E MI<T HAVE HAD A C\PLE ( H] [N - & CR\*$ BESIDE ! 9FANT AS %E TURN$ HIM R\ND UNTIL HE FAC$ DUE WE/4 

0,DON'T BE SO DAFT4 ,O' C\RSE Y] CAN4 ,LOOK1 ?AT DAYN ON ! LEFT WIZ ,PET]'S ,*UR*4 ,Y] KN[ ?AT1 DON'T Y]8 ,& NEXT DOOR1 EV5 ?IS LONG AGOO1 !RE'S ! ,BLACK ,LION40 

,JOHN PE]$ 9 ! SAME DIRECTION ?AT ! TODDL] WAS BE+ PO9T$ TO4 ,A LITTLE FUR!R D[N ,M>EFAIR ON !IR SIDE ( ! /REET1 ,/4 ,PET]'S ,*UR* SEEM$ MU* ! WAY IT HAD DUR+ ,JOHN'S LIFE1 SOMB]LY OV]LOOK+ ,P>LIAM5T>Y BATTLE PREP>ATIONS ) ! SAME IMP>TIALITY ?AT IT W\LD %[ ?REE C5TURIES LAT] AS IT WAT*$ ! UNMANN$ BOMB] PLUNG+ T[>DS ,GOLD ,/REET4 ,NEXT DOOR TO ! *UR* ON ! SAME SIDE1 AS ,PHYLLIS HAD JU/ PO9T$ \T1 /OOD A TWO-/ORY WOOD5 HO/ELRY FROM :I* !RE HUNG A SIGNBO>D ?AT DECL>$ ! PLACE TO BE ! ,BLACK ,LYON ,9NE1 AL?\< ! ANIMAL DEPICT$ ON ! BO>D LOOK$ MORE LIKE A *>R$ DOG4 

,ONLY :5 ,JOHN ALL[$ HIS EYES TO W&] PA/ ! TAV]N1 D[N ! SLOPE ON :I* IT /OOD & ON T[>DS ! T[N'S WE/ BRIDGE1 WAS HE PRES5T$ ) A VIEW M>K$LY DIFF]5T FROM ! SAME SC5E 9 ! TW5TIE? C5TURY4 ,! BRIDGE ITSELF1 A WOOD5 /RUCTURE AS OPPOS$ TO ! /ONE HUMP ?AT W\LD COME LAT]1 HAD BE5 PULL$ D[N & REBUILT A YE> OR TWO AGO ON ,CROMWELL'S ORD]S4 ,IT WAS N[ A MASSIVE DRAWBRIDGE ?AT HAD IRON *A9S & W9D+ ME*ANISMS SO ?AT IT C\LD BE PULL$ UP IF ,ROYALI/S %\LD ATTEMPT TO CROSS ! ,N5E4 ,AS ! ?REE Y\NG SPOOKS /OOD & WAT*$1 A HEAVY-LAD5 WAGON CREAK$ ACROSS ITS TIMB]S & ROLL$ ON T[>DS :AT LOOK$ TO BE A MILL 9 ! S\?WE/ :ILE ALL ! DAY BL$ FROM ! SKY ABOVE4 ,AS ODD AS ?IS =TIFICATION SEEM$ TO MOD]N EYES1 H[EV]1 IT WAS 9/ANTLY =GOTT5 AS ! <O/-KIDS' GAZE CREPT FUR!R RI<T1 UNTIL !Y OV]LOOK$ ! SITE ON :I* ! RAILWAY /ATION W\LD ONE DAY BE RAIS$4 ,BO? ,JOHN & ,PHYLLIS W]E FAMILI> ) ! SPECTACLE1 BUT ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 GASP$ AL\D4 

0,:AT WIZ IT8 ,IT BLACK-BLOCKS ! SKY \T SO ,I CAN'T SEE ! ,VICTORI\S ,P>K40 

,PHYLL LAU<$ & %OOK H] HEAD1 SO ?AT ! AFT]-IMAGE ( H] SW++ BANGS TRANS=M$ IT BRIEFLY TO ?AT ( A WILT$ D&ELION4 

0,VICTORIA ,P>K WON'T BE !RE = ABAYT TWO 'UNDR$ YE>S1 & NEI!R WILL ! RAILWAY /ATION4 ,?AT'S ,NOR?AMPTON ,CA/LE1 :AT !Y NAM$ ! /ATION AFT]4 ,GET A GOOD LOOK AT IT :ILE Y] CAN4 ,IT'S BE5 ']E S9CE ELEV5-'UNDR$1 BY ?IS BRIDGE = 'ALF A ?\S& YE>S1 & 9 ANO!R SIXTE5 IT'LL BE KNOCK$ D[N40 

,JOHN NODD$ GRAVELY AS HE TOOK 9 ! 5ORMITY ( ! D>K PILE BE=E HIM1 ! OPPRESSIVE BULK ( ITS SQU>E T[]S1 ! CORRUGAT$ & JUDGM5TAL BR[ ( ITS LONG1 FR[N+ BATTLEM5TS AGA9/ ! SILV]-LODE ( ! HORIZON4 ,SPRAWL+ & IMM5SE1 ! BROOD+ /RUCTURE WAS 5CIRCL$ BY ! BLACK SC> ( A MOAT1 & ON ! PLUNG+ TR5*'S F> $GE SPUTT]+ FIREBR&S ?AT APPE>$ TO BE AS TALL AS ,JOHN HIMSELF W]E SET TO EI!R SIDE ( ! GREAT GATEWAY1 A /ONE M\? ) ITS PORTCULLIS TEE? B>$1 CL5*$ 9 AGONY OR RAGE4 ,A CURDL+ MIX ( LI<T & SMOKE DRIBBL$ UP FROM ! TOR*ES ACROSS HI<1 R\< WALLS :]E >*]Y-SLITS SQU9T$ \T UNTRU/+LY 9TO A GA!R+ DUSK4 

,UPON ! OP5 L& >\ND ! $IFICE'S S\? SIDE1 AT ! M>G9S ( ! DIRT ROAD ?AT CONT9U$ ,GOLD ,/REET & ,M>EFAIR'S L9E WE/ PA/ ! CONV]T$ BRIDGE1 A HUNDR$ OR SO M5 ( ! ,NEW ,MODEL ,>MY W]E ]ECT+ RAGG$ T5TS ON ! P>*$ SUMM] GRASS4 ,RETRIEV+ DEADWOOD & DRY BRACK5 FROM ! COPSES 9 ,FOOT ,MEAD[ JU/ ACROSS ! RIV]1 ! B$RAGGL$ TROOPS W]E LI<T+ CAMPFIRES1 *ALK-:ITE SMUDGES FL>+ H]E & !RE AB\T ! CA/LE'S TWILI<T FLANK1 ISL&S ( FA9T *E] FLOAT$ ON AN OCEAN ( APPROA*+ NI<T4 ,DESPITE ! MUFFLE ( ! <O/-SEAM1 ON A FRAIL WE/]LY BREEZE ,JOHN HE>D GUFFAWS & CURSES1 A LONE FIDDLE TUN+ UP1 ! FIREWOOD'S DAMP SPIT OR ! CRACK ( AN EXPLOD+ KNOT4 ,HORSES W]E :9NY+ !IR ANXI\S LULLABIES1 SIL5C$ & HIDD5 BY ! CAMPFIRES' DRIFT+ SMOLD] :5 ! W9D *ANG$1 JU/ AS IT WAS *ANG+ ?R\< ! L5G? & BREAD? ( ,5GL& ON ?IS FRAU<T & DANG]\S NI<T4 

,:ISP]+ AS ?\< AWE-/RUCK BY ! VI/A1 OR AS ?\< HE ?\<T ?AT ! FOOT SOLDI]S %AMBL+ PA/ ALONG ,M>EFAIR C\LD HE> HIM1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 LOOK$ FROM ,JOHN TO ,PHYLLIS AS HE SPOKE4 

0,:Y DIG !Y KNOCK IT DR[N80 

,JOHN GRIMAC$4 

0,WELL1 Y\ SEE1 ! BATTLE \T AT ,NASEBY ?AT !Y'RE GO+ TO FI<T TOMORR[ MORN+1 ,CROMWELL & ! ,P>LIAM5T>Y >MY W9 ! DAY4 ,! ,CIVIL ,W> LIMPS ON = SEV]AL MON?S1 BUT AFT] ,NASEBY !RE WIZ NO *ANCE ( ! ,ROYALI/S COM+ \T ON TOP4 ,ONCE ,P>LIAM5T HAS WON1 ,CROMWELL />TS CALL+ ALL ! %OTS4 ,)9 F\R YE>S1 9 #a#f#d#i1 HE'LL HAVE ,K+ ,*>LES ! ,FIR/ BEHEAD$ & TURN ,5GL& 9TO A ,REPUBLIC ?AT WILL LA/ UNTIL HIS DEA? 9 #a#f#e#h4 ,HIS SON ,RI*>D SUCCE$S HIM1 BUT HE ABDICATES )9 ! YE>4 ,BY #a#f#f1 Y\'LL HAVE ,*>LES ! ,SECOND MADE K+ & ! MON>*Y RE/OR$4 ,?IS NEW ,K+ ,*>LES WILL HATE ,NOR?AMPTON1 SO AS SOON AS HE'S HAD EV]YBODY :O CONSPIR$ 9 HIS DAD'S D[NFALL EXECUT$1 HE'LL DEM& ,NOR?AMPTON ,CA/LE BE DEMOLI%$40 

,MI*AEL LOOK$ P]PLEX$4 

0,:Y WIZZLE HE DO ?AT80 

,H]E ,PHYLLIS *IM$ 9 FROM :]E %E WAS CR\*+ ON ! TODDL]'S O!R SIDE4 

0,JU/ TAKE A G&] AT ?AT BLOODY DRAWBRIDGE !RE1 Y]'LL 'AVE Y] ANSW]4 ,?IS PLACE WIZ A ,P>LIAM5T>Y /RONG'OLD 9 ! ,CIVIL ,W>1 & WE BACK$ ,CROMWELL ALL ! WAY4 ,I 'SPECT ?AT ,*>LES ! ,SECOND BLAM$ US = ! WAY ?AT WE'D 'ELP$ GET 'IS FA!R'S 'EAD *OPP$ ORF1 ESPECIALLY WI' ,NASEBY BE9' 9 ?IS C\NTY4 ,COME ! RE/ORATION O' ! MON>*Y & WE WIZ ON ! AYTS ) ,5GL&1 GOOD AN' PROP]40 

,JOHN CONSID]$ ?IS1 GLANC+ BEH9D !M BACK UP ,M>EFAIR4 ,REGGIE1 ,BILL & ,M>JORIE W]E /ILL CREAT+ PYGMY DU/-/ORMS1 TO ! CON/]NATION ( ! PASS]SBY 9 !SE TIMES :]E EA* NATURAL PH5OM5ON WAS LOOK$ ON AS AN OM5 ( UNRE/1 AS IF OM5S W]E NE$$4 ,SATISFI$ ?AT !IR GANG-MATES W]5'T CAUS+ TOO MU* MIS*IEF1 ,JOHN TURN$ HIS ATT5TION BACK TO ,PHYLLIS & ! 9FANT4 

0,TO BE FAIR1 ,PHYLL1 WE W]E 9 ?IS C\NTRY'S BAD BOOKS LONG BE=E ! ,RE/ORATION4 ,WE'VE BE5 SE5 AS TR\BLEMAK]S H]E = C5TURIES1 AT LEA/ S9CE ALL ! REBEL /UD5TS DUR+ ! TWELVE-HUNDR$S :O PROVOK$ ,H5RY ! ,?IRD TO SACK ! PLACE4 ,!N FROM ! ?IRTE5-HUNDR$S WE HAD ,LOLL>DS H]E1 MORE OR LESS PREA*+ ?AT IDEAS ( S9 W]E ALL MADE UP BY CL]GYM5 = KEEP+ D[N ! POOR4 ,DUR+ ! ,CIVIL ,W> ?IS WIZ A HOTB$ ( EXTREMI/S1 ,MUGGLETONIANS1 ,MORAVIANS1 ,FIF? ,MON>*I/S1 ,RANT]S & ,QUAK]S - & !SE W]5'T ! ,QUAK]S :O >E PACIFI/S & [N ALL ( ! *OCOLATE COMPANIES4 ,!SE W]E FANATICS CALL+ = ! OV]?R[ ( WORLDLY K+DOMS 9 ,GOD'S NAME4 

0,& ALL !SE SECTS1 AL?\< !Y HAD BIG DIFF]5CES1 !Y ALL MADE MU* ( H[ ,JESUS HAD BE5 A C>P5T] & ALL ( HIS APO/LES L[LY WORK+ M54 ,! WAY !Y SAW IT1 ,*RI/IANITY WIZ A RELIGION ( ! POOR & ! D[NTRODD51 & IT PROMIS$ ?AT ONE DAY ! RI* & GODLESS W\LD BE DONE AWAY )4 ,EV] S9CE ! E>LY SIXTE5-HUNDR$S1 :5 ! G5TRY W]E P]MITT$ TO 5CLOSE :AT HAD BE5 COMMON L&1 ! RI* FOLK HAD BE5 DO+ WELL1 ! 'MIDDL+ SORT' LIKE ,CROMWELL HAD BE5 /RUGGL+ TO KEEP AFLOAT1 & ! POOR PEOPLE HAD BE5 />V+4 ,IT WIZ DUR+ !SE TIMES ?AT Y\ FIR/ HE>D EV]YBODY SAY+ H[ ! RI* GOT RI*] & ! POOR GOT POOR]1 & !RE WIZ MORE PEOPLE BE+ TURN$ TO BEGG>S EV]Y DAY4 ,>\ND ! C5TURY'S MID-YE>S1 LIKE WE'RE 9 N[1 !RE W\LD BE T5S ( ?\S&S ( :AT !Y CALL$ MA/]LESS M5 ROAM+ R\ND ! C\NTRY1 VAGABONDS & T9K]S ANSW]+ TO NO ONE4 ,ALL IT TOOK WIZ A BRI<T SP>K LIKE ,CROMWELL TO WORK \T H[ ALL !SE ANGRY PAUP]S C\LD BE PUT TO USE40 

,JOHN GE/UR$ TO ! SCORES ( ,R\NDHEAD SOLDI]S :O W]E TRUDG+ ALONG ,M>EFAIR1 OR SAT BAK+ SPUDS >\ND !IR CAMPFIRES ON ! GR\NDS BESIDE ! HULK+ CA/LE4 

0,I SUPPOSE ONE ( ! REASONS :Y ,NOR?AMPTON TOOK TO ,CROMWELL WIZ ?AT ! POOR PEOPLE H]E WIZ AS REBELLI\S AS Y\ C\LD F9D JU/ AB\T ANY:]E 9 ,5GL&4 ,?IS HAD BE5 ! FIR/ PLACE TO PROTE/ ! L& 5CLOSURES1 ) AN UPRIS+ L$ BY A *AP CALL$ ,CAPTA9 ,P\*4 ,! UPRIS+ WIZ QUA%$1 ( C\RSE1 & ,P\* WIZ *OPP$ TO BITS1 BUT ! RES5TM5TS ?AT W\LD LEAD TO CIVIL W> 9 FIFTY YE>S WIZ NO:]E /RONG] ?AN H]E 9 ! ,MIDL&S4 ,N[1 ,I D>E SAY A GOOD MANY R\ND H]E PLAY$ ALONG ) ,CROMWELL BECAUSE !Y W]E FRI<T5$ ( HIM1 BUT ,I BET !RE W]E A LOT MORE :O'D BE5 PRAY+ = SOMEONE LIKE HIM TO COME ALONG4 ,9 #afdc !RE WAS A FELL] FROM ,NOR?AMPTON%IRE :O'D SAID ',I HOPE )9 ?IS YE> TO SEE NEV] A G5TLEMAN 9 ,5GL&'4 ,>\ND H]E WE ?\<T ( ,CROMWELL AS1 QUITE LIT]ALLY1 A ,GODS5D4 ,IT'S NO WOND] ?AT WE GOT ! JOB ( KITT+ \T HIS >MY ) ?\S&S ( PAIRS ( BOOTS40 

,H]E ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 PUT 9 HIS TWO-P5N'OR?1 JU/ TO %[ ?AT HE'D BE5 FOLL[+ ! CONV]SATION4 

0,:Y WIZ WE SO POOR1 !N1 IF ! PEOPLE :O MADE %OES HAD ALL ?AT WORK80 

,JOHN WAS AB\T TO ANSW] ?IS SURPRIS+LY %>P QUE/ION :5 A CACKL+ ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] BEAT HIM TO IT4 

0,HA6 ,?AT'S BECAUSE BLOODY ,CROMWELL NEV] PAID US = ! BLOODY BOOTS6 ,ONCE WE'D 'ELP$ GET 'IM 9TO P[] 'E TURN$ ON US SAME AS 'E TURN$ ON EV]YBODY ELSE :O'D BE5 'IS MATE :5 TIMES W]E R\<1 ! MIS]ABLE OLD BUGG]4 ,:ILE WE'RE ON ! SUBJECT1 D'Y] RECKON 'E'LL 'AVE F9I%$ WRIT9' TO 'IS MISSUS YET8 ,IT DON'T LOOK LIKE !RE'LL BE A LOT MORE GOO9' ON AYT ']E1 O!R ?AN SOLDI]S GETT+' SLO%$ & *AS9' AFT] 'ORES4 ,WE %\LD LOOK 9 UPON OLD ,IRONSIDES BE=E WE MOVE ON40 

,JOHN NODD$1 GLANC+ BACK ALONG ,M>EFAIR ?R\< A DESC5D$ GLOAM+ ?AT /ILL CL9K$ ) RE9S & SCABB>DS1 ! GLOOM PUNCTUAT$ H]E & !RE BY A DULL PEWT] GLEAM FROM PEAK$ R\ND HELMET OR IRON MUSKET-B>REL4 ,ON ! DU/Y BO>DS \TSIDE ,HAZELRIGG ,H\SE1 ,BILL HAD 5LI/$ ,M>JORIE & ,REGGIE'S HELP 9 MANUFACTUR+ AN EV5 BIGG] :IRLW9D ?AN !IR PREVI\S ATTEMPTS4 ,! ?REE ( !M W]E RAC+ FURI\SLY 9 A SOLID R+ ( AFT]-IMAGES >\ND ! KNEES ( AN UNLUCKY & A/ONI%$ BROAD%EET-SELL]4 ,WAIL+ 9 CONFUSION & RELIGI\S T]ROR1 ! POOR FELL[ C\LDN'T SEE ! *ILDR5 & WAS ONLY CONSCI\S ( ! SUDD5 W9D FROM NO:]E1 TE>+ PAMPHLETS FROM HIS GRASP & SP9N+ !M 9TO ! D>K ABOVE HIM LIKE \TSIZ$ CONFETTI4 ,JOHN WAS *UCKL+ DESPITE HIMSELF AS HE REPLI$ TO ,PHYLLIS4 

0,YEAH1 ,I RECKON ?AT Y\'RE RI<T4 ,WE CAN LEAVE Y\R ,BILL & ! O!RS TO !IR MONKEY BUS9ESS1 S9CE !Y LOOK AS IF !Y'RE HAV+ FUN40 

,EA* TAK+ ONE ( ,MI*AEL ,W>R5'S H&S1 ,PHYLL & ,JOHN L$ ! F\NDL+ BACK T[>DS ,HAZELRIGG ,H\SE AMID A FLUTT]+ RA9 ( ! DISMAY$ /REET-V5DOR'S TUMBL+ TRACTS4 ,SCANN+ A FOLD$ %EET ALREADY FALL5 TO ! FLOOR1 ,JOHN NOT$ ?AT IT WAS 5TITL$ ,PROPHECY ( ! ,:ITE ,K+ & SEEM+LY =ETOLD A VIOL5T 5D = ,*>LES ! ,FIR/1 BAS$ ON A/ROLOGY & V>I\S PROPHECIES ATTRIBUT$ TO ,M]L94 ,GIV5 ?AT ! LEAFLET BORE TOMORR['S DATE & WAS APP>5TLY FRE% (F ! PR9T+ PRESS1 ,JOHN SMIL$ & GAVE ! PUBLI%] T5 \T ( T5 = TIM+1 EV5 IF ! S\RCE ( HIS PR$ICTIONS SEEM$ A LITTLE FLIMSY4 ,\T ( HABIT1 ,JOHN MADE AN ATTEMPT TO KICK ! PAMPHLET TO ONE SIDE1 FEEL+ LIKE A BUFFOON AS HIS FOOT PASS$ /RAI<T ?R\< IT 9EFFECTUALLY & HE REMEMB]$ HE WAS DEAD4 ,HE ONLY HOP$ ?AT ,PHYLLIS HADN'T NOTIC$4 

,AS LUCK HAD IT1 ,PHYLLIS WAS AT ?AT MOM5T DI/RACT$ BY A RA!R PRETTY LIV+ MAN :O WAS APPROA*+ ! FRONT DOOR ( ,HAZELRIGG ,H\SE JU/ AHEAD ( !M4 ,HIS LONG HAIR1 GIRLI% TO ,JOHN'S WAY ( ?9K+1 FELL 9 CURL+ WAVES >\ND ! HI< :ITE COLL> ?AT HE WORE ABOVE BLACK >MOR1 PLAT$ ON ! >MS & %\LD]S SO ?AT IT RESEMBL$ A FANTA/IC BEETLE C>APACE4 ,A %EA!D SWORD SWUNG AT HIS LEFT HIP4 ,! GALLANT'S FACE1 ITS PLUMPNESS (FSET BY A WELL-TRIMM$ BE>D & A MU/A*E1 WAS ONE ?AT ,JOHN FELT HE HAD SE5 BE=E1 P]HAPS 9 COMBAT \T AT ,NASEBY1 ?\< A NAME REFUS$ TO COME TO HIM4 

,JOHN WAT*$ AS ! *AP RAPP$ ON ! /\T WOOD DOOR & WAS IMM$IATELY BIDD5 5T]4 ,NOT WI%+ TO MISS ! 9TRODUCTIONS1 ,JOHN YANK$ ,PHYLL & ,MI*AEL ?R\< ! ?ICK /ONE WALL 9TO ! 9N] *AMB]1 :]E HE NOTIC$ ?AT ?REE TALL[ C&LES 9 A BRAN*+ HOLD] HAD BE5 LIT DUR+ !IR ABS5CE4 ,!RE WAS SOME?+ FEV]I% AB\T ! TILT+ %AD[S AS !Y LUR*$ ACROSS ! B>E :ITE PLA/] WALLS & LUNG$ AT ! COMPLA9+ BLACK BEAMS ?AT HELD UP ! CEIL+4 ,CROMWELL WAS /ILL SEAT$ :]E !Y'D LEFT HIM ON ! F> SIDE ( ! TABLE1 CLOS+ ! FRONT COV] ( HIS J\RNAL N[ & LOOK+ UP )\T EXPRESSION AS ! Y\NG MAN 5T]$4 

,AN APPROXIMATION ( A SMILE TWIT*$ BRIEFLY 9TO BE+ UPON ,CROMWELL'S LIPS & !N WAS GONE4 ,NOT RIS+ TO HIS FEET TO MEET ! NEWCOM] AS ,JOHN MI<T HAVE EXPECT$1 ! NEW ,P>LIAM5T>Y LIEUT5ANT-G5]AL SPOKE ONLY ! MAN'S NAME BY WAY ( GREET+4 

0,H5RY4 ,IT DOES MY HE>T GOOD TO SEE !E40 

,H5RY ,IRETON4 ,) ONLY A LITTLE PROMPT+ ,JOHN HAD PLAC$ ! LONG-HAIR$ *AP1 :OM HE REMEMB]$ ?AT HE HAD 9DE$ SE5 PREVI\SLY1 OR TO BE MORE EXACT W\LD SEE TOMORR[ MORN+1 GETT+ W\ND$ & !N CAPTUR$ AS HE L$ HIS REGIM5T UP ! LEFT FLANK AT ,NASEBY ,FIELD4 ,! Y\NG MAN NODD$ C\RTE\SLY TO ! /ILL-SEAT$ ,CROMWELL4 

0,AS IT DOES M9E [N TO SEE !E1 ,MA/] ,CROMWELL4 ,MY CONGRATULATIONS UPON Y\R APPO9TM5T AS LIEUT5ANT-G5]AL ( HORSE4 ,I WAS MYSELF PROMOT$ AS A COMMISS>Y-G5]AL NOT A WEEK S9CE4 ,IT SEEMS ?AT A MAN MAY ( A SUDD5 RISE OR FALL AMID ! BOIL+ WAT]S ( \R PRES5T CONFLICT40 

,IRETON'S VOICE WAS LI<T1 AT LEA/ CONTRA/$ ) ?AT ( ! OLD] MAN1 :O CLASP$ HIS H&S TOGE!R ON ! TABLE & SAT BACK A LITTLE 9 HIS *AIR AS HE RESPOND$4 

0,BY ,GOD'S GRACE1 LAD4 ,ONLY BY ,HIS GRACE >E WE RAIS$ UP1 AS BY ,HIS GRACE %ALL \R OPPON5T BE CA/ D[N UPON ! MORR[4 ,PRAISE BE1 ,H5RY4 ,PRAISE BE UNTO ,GOD40 

,9 ,JOHN'S OP9ION ,IRETON LOOK$ A BIT UNEASY H]E1 EV5 AS HE WAS NODD+ 9 AGREEM5T ) ! SEAT$ G5]AL'S >D5T PROCLAMATION4 

0,YES4 ,YES1 ( C\RSE4 ,PRAISE BE TO ,GOD4 ,DO Y\ BELIEVE ?AT WE %ALL HAVE ! DAY8 ,! PR9CE MAY BE SPURR$ ON BY HIS LATE VICTORY 9 ,LEICE/] 4440 

,CROMWELL WAV$ ONE FLE%Y H& DISMISSIVELY1 !N LAC$ ITS F+]S ) ! O!R1 RE/+ ON ! POLI%$ TABLETOP BE=E HIM4 

0,I DO NOT BELIEVE ?AT WE %ALL HAVE ! DAY1 BUT RA!R KN[ IT 9 MY BONES4 ,IT IS MY DE/9Y ?AT ,I %\LD W91 JU/ AS IT IS ,K+ ,*>LIE'S DE/9Y ?AT HE %\LD FAIL4 ,I KN[ IT JU/ AS SURELY AS ,I KN[ ?AT ,*RI/ HA? PROMIS$ \R SALVATION1 AS ,HE HA? SO DONE ) ALL ( ,HIS ELECT4 ,I MU/ ASK !E H[ ?\ DO/ D\BT ,GOD'S PROVID5CE1 ?AT LEVELLE? ! CITIES ( ! PLA91 & BR+E? PLAGUE UPON ! H\SE ( ,PH>AOH80 

,LOOK+ OV]-W>M 9SIDE HIS >MOR ON ?IS SUMM] EV5+1 ,IRETON TUGG$ AT HIS />*$ COLL> AS ?\< 9 A VA9 ATTEMPT TO MAKE IT LOOS]4 ,EV5 ?\< ! Y\NG] MAN RANK$ ONLY SLI<TLY B5EA? ,CROMWELL1 ,JOHN C\LD SEE ! DEF]5CE & N]V\SNESS 9 ,IRETON'S MANN] AS HE /RUGGL$ = A SUITABLE REJO9D]4 ,PHYLLIS1 ,JOHN & ,MI*AEL W5T & SQUATT$ ON ! L[] /EPS ( A CONTORT$ SPIRAL /AIRCASE OV] 9 ONE CORN] ( ! ROOM1 ! BETT] TO OBS]VE ?IS SOMEH[ ?REAT5+ & YET COMPELL+ 9T]VIEW4 ,AT LA/1 ! BE>D$ MAN RISK$ A REPLY4 

0,?9K NOT ?AT ,I DO D\BT ! ,LORD1 BUT ONLY ?AT M9E CONFID5CE 9 SU* PR$E/9ATIONS BE LESS /URDY ?AN ?9E [N4 ,IS !RE NOT RISK ?AT WE MAY BE COMPLAC5T 9 ASSURANCES ( \R SALVATION1 & 9 ?IS WAY BE MADE NEGLIG5T 9 \R PURSUIT ( FAI?80 

,N[1 = ! FIR/ TIME1 ,CROMWELL CURL$ HIS MEATY LIPS 9TO A SMILE ?AT %[$ HIS GRAY TEE? & WAS G5U9ELY DREADFUL TO BEHOLD4 ,! MIDNI<T M>BLES ( HIS EYES GLITT]$ B5EA? HALF-L[]$ LIDS4 

0,DO/ ?\ ?9K ME SOME ,ANT9OMIAN H]ETIC1 ?AT S9S1 & LAZES 9 ! SUN1 SECURE 9 HIS BELIEF ?AT HE BE SAV$1 NO MATT] :ATSOE'] ?AT HE BE WICK$8 ,?\< ,I BE CONV9C$ ?AT ALL ! TIMES TO COME >E SURELY WRIT ALREADY1 NOR DO ,I %IRK FROM MY P>T 9 BR++ !M TO BE4 ,OH1 TRU/ 9 ,GOD BY ALL MEANS1 ,H5RY4 ,TRU/ 9 ,GOD1 BUT DO NOT FAIL TO KEEP ?Y P[D] DRY40 

,H]E ,CROMWELL LAU<$1 A />TL+ B>K ?AT RUMBL$ GRADUALLY (F TO NO?+1 LIKE A ?UND]CLAP4 ,IRETON1 :O'D />T$ VISIBLY AT ! LAU<'S ONSET1 SEEM$ N[ TO BE REASSUR$ BY HIS SUP]IOR'S GOOD HUMOR4 ,SMIL+ =C$LY AT ,CROMWELL'S (T-REPEAT$ JOKE1 ,IRETON APP>5TLY ?\<T IT APPROPRIATE TO V5TURE A RE/RA9$ JIBE ( HIS [N4 

0,GOOD ,MA/] ,CROMWELL1 TRULY DO ,I KN[ ?\ TO BE NEI!R ,ANT9OMIAN NOR H]ETIC ( ANY /RIPE4 ',TIS BUT ! ,RANT]S1 ?AT CRY \T ?Y PRAISES 9 ! M>KETPLACE1 :O W\LD MAKE !IR =ETOLD SALVATION TO A LIC5SE = DEBAU*40 

,AS QUICKLY AS !Y'D BE5 DISPELL$1 ! D>K CL\DS ROLL$ BACK 9 ACROSS ,CROMWELL'S BROAD FEATURES4 ,OV] ON ! LA/ /EP ( ! SPIRAL /AIRCASE1 LOOK+ 9 UNSE5 ON ! EX*ANGE1 BO? ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 & ,PHYLL ,PA9T] %IV]$ 9 SPONTANE\S UNISON4 

0,DO NOT CONC]N ?YSELF ) ,RANT]S1 ,H5RY4 ,:5 \R W> IS WON1 !N :]E WILL BE ! NE$ = ,RANT]S OR !IR FI]Y1 FLY+ ROLLS80 

,IRETON LOOK$ UNCONV9C$4 

0,>E Y\ SO C]TA9 ( TOMORR['S VICTORY80 

,! OLD] MAN'S FACE WAS AS /ILL AS A C>V$ SPH9X4 

0,OH1 YES4 ,\R M5 HAVE NOT BE5 PAID = SOME FEW WEEKS4 ,!IR BELLIES GRUMBLE1 BUT ,I HAVE ASSUR$ !M ?AT A W9 TOMORR[ WILL PROVIDE A SIZABLE EX*EQU] FROM :I* WE MAY SWIFTLY MAKE REMUN]ATIONS4 ,I HAVE FA%ION$ ( MYSELF A SWORD = ,GOD TO WIELD4 ,HE %ALL NOT BE GA9SAID4 ,NASEBY %ALL DO ! TRICK1 ?\ MAY BE C]TA91 & !N AFT]W>DS ,I %ALL1 ?AT IS1 WE %ALL DET]M9E :AT IS TO BE DONE AB\T SU* DROSS AS ,RANT]S1 ,LEVEL]S OR ,DIGG]S40 

,FR[N+ DISCONC]T$LY & N>R[+ HIS EYES1 ,IRETON APPE>$ MILDLY AL>M$4 

0,SURELY Y\ W\LD NOT SEE SU* M5 SUPPRESS$1 ?AT HAVE F\<T BRAVELY = \R CAUSE8 ,W\LD IT NOT %AME US TO TAKE RI<TS FROM ?OSE :O CAMPAIGN ONLY ?AT ! RI<TS BE/[$ BY ,MAGNA ,C>TA BE UPHELD80 

,H]E ,CROMWELL LAU<$ AGA91 ?IS TIME A ?ROATY *UCKLE ?AT WAS LESS L\D & LESS DISCONC]T+ ?AN HIS PREVI\S \TBUR/4 

0,MAGNA ,F>TA1 IT MI<T ) MORE TRU? BE CALL$4 ,:Y1 OLD ,K+ ,JOHN WAS UND] SIEGE SOME SIX WEEKS AT ! CA/LE D[N ! WAY BE=E HE C\LD BE MADE TO SIGN IT4 ,SU* CONV5TIONS >E BY =CE ( >MS ALONE BR\<T 9TO BE+1 & BY =CE ( >MS MAY BE REVOK$1 & WE %ALL SEE :AT WE %ALL SEE40 

,! S5IOR G5]AL'S HEAD1 A TRUNDL+ CANNONBALL1 ROLL$ R\ND UPON HIS NECK UNTIL HIS LEAD5 EYES W]E FIX$ DIRECTLY UPON ,JOHN4 ,! LANKY <O/-BOY %RANK AGA9/ ! CURV+ /AIRCASE WALL1 CONV9C$ = JU/ A SECOND ?AT ,CROMWELL WAS LOOK+ AT HIM BE=E REALIZ+ ?AT ! SEAT$ MAN WAS M]ELY />+ 9TO EMPTY SPACE AS HE REFLECT$4 

0,WE >E COME UPON A FATEFUL PLACE1 :I* HA? (T-TIMES S]V$ AS A PIVOT = ! SWIVELL+S ( HI/ORY4 ,! =TRESS /OOD AT ?IS HILL'S FOOT WAS :]E ! SA9T$ ,?OMAS ,BECKET WAS MO/ TREA*]\SLY BR\<T TO TRIAL = DO+ ,GOD'S WILL RA!R ?AN A K+'S4 ,HOLY CRUSADES W]E RAIS$ UP !REAB\TS1 AS LIKEWISE W]E \R E>LIE/ ,P>LIAM5TS4 ,NOT HALF A MILE (F TO ! S\? IS ! C[-MEAD[ :]E ,H5RY ! ,SIX? WAS BEAT5 BY ! ,E>L ( ,M>* 9 AN AFFRAY ?AT 5D$ ! ,W> ( ! ,ROSES4 ,BE ASSUR$ ?IS T[N1 ?IS SOIL1 IT HA? ! MATT]'S HE>T )9 IT1 & IT LOOKS NOT K9DLY UPON K+S & TYRANTS4 ,IF ,I LI/51 ,IRETON1 UP ABOVE ! HOLL[ S\ND ?AT ! W9D MAKE? 9 ! *IMNEY-TOPS1 ,I FANCY ME TO HE> ! GR9D+ & ANNIHILAT+ MILLS ( ,GOD40 

,FROM HIS POSITION HALFWAY UP ! SPIRAL /AIRS ,JOHN ?\<T ?AT HE C\LD HE> !M TOO1 BUT !N DECID$ ?AT ! S\ND WAS MORE PROBABLY ?AT ( A BIG CANNON BE+ :EEL$ ALONG 9 D>KNESS ?R\< ! QUAGMIRE ( ,M>EFAIR \TSIDE4 ,CONSID]+ :AT ,CROMWELL HAD JU/ SAID1 ,JOHN F\ND HIMSELF REM9D$ ( ! ONLY L9E FROM ,JOHN ,BUNYAN'S ,! ,HOLY ,W> ?AT HAD LODG$ 9 HIS MEMORY3 0,MANS\L IT WAS ! V]Y SEAT ( W>40 ,! WORDS RANG TRUE1 :ATEV] S5SE Y\ TOOK !M 94 ,NOR?AMPTON1 9 ALL ITS OBSCURITY1 WAS BIR?PLACE TO AN 9EXPLICABLE AM\NT ( CONFLICT & ! PO9T ( CULM9ATION = A GREAT DEAL MORE4 ,CRUSADES1 ,PEASANT'S ,REVOLT1 ,W> ( ! ,ROSES & ! ,CIVIL ,W>1 ALL ( !M HAD BEGUN OR 5D$ H]E4 ,IF1 ON ! O!R H&1 Y\ TOOK ! WORD ',MANS\L' TO MEAN JU/ :AT IT SAID1 TO BE ! S\L ( MAN1 !N ?AT TOO WAS A S\RCE ( W>F>E1 BE IT ,CROMWELL'S FI]CE ,PROTE/ANT ZEAL OR ! RELIGION TO :I* ! EXPLOD+ M>TYR ON ! ,MAYORHOLD'S HI<] L&+S HAD BELONG$4 ,MANS\L IT WAS ! V]Y SEAT ( W>1 NO D\BT AB\T IT4 ,?AT HAD BE5 ! MESSAGE BEH9D EV]Y QUICK M>* & AB\T TURN 9 ?AT *ILLY UPP] HALL AT ,COLLEGE ,/REET1 :5 ,JOHN WAS 9 ! ,BOY'S ,BRIGADE4 

,! MEMORABLE QUOTE CAUS$ HIM TO SP>E A ?\<T N[ = ! O!R ,JOHN1 ,JOHN ,BUNYAN1 & TO IDLY WOND] :AT ! SEV5TE5-YE>-OLD AU?OR-TO-BE WAS DO+ UPON ?AT MOM5T\S NI<T4 ,AS A Y\NG ,R\NDHEAD SOLDI] HE MI<T BE COMM5C+ A FIR/ WAT* !RE 9 ! G>RISON AT ,NEWPORT ,PAGNELL1 :]E ,BUNYAN WAS /ATION$ DUR+ #a#f#d#e4 ,P]HAPS HE SMOK$ A PIPE !RE 9 HIS WAT*-PO/ & GAZ$ UP AT ! ABUNDANT />S1 TRY+ TO READ 9 !M SOME SIGN ?AT ,*RI/ W\LD BE RETURN+ SOON TO OV]TURN ,K+ ,*>LES & ALL HIS K9D1 !N TO ANN\NCE A NEW ,J]USALEM H]E 9 ! ,5GLI% HE>TL&S4 ,TO DECL>E A NATION ( ELECT$ SA9TS AMONG :I* BO? ,JOHN ,BUNYAN & ! FIGURE SITT+ N[ ACROSS ! C&LELIT EXPANSE BELIEV$ !MSELVES TO BE 9CLUD$4 

,BREAK+ (F FROM HIS GRIM REV]IE1 ,CROMWELL LOOK$ UP AT ,IRETON4 

0,TELL ME1 ,H5RY1 DO Y\R M5 F9D !MSELVES BILLETS NE> !SE P>TS8 ,AT FIR/ LI<T ,I MU/ HURRY TO 9SPECT ! GR\ND AT ,NASEBY1 & W\LD/ SOON BE 9 MY B$40 ,REALIZ+ ?AT HE'D BE5 DISMISS$1 ,IRETON APPE>$ ALMO/ RELIEV$4 

0,MY REGIM5T & ,I HAVE QU>T]S BUT A %ORT WAY (F1 & WILL BE READY ) ! DAWN4 ,I W\LD NOT KEEP Y\ FROM Y\R RE/1 YET ONLY ASK1 ,SIR1 ?AT Y\ %\LD CONVEY MY MO/ S9C]E 5DE>M5TS TO Y\R DAU<T]40 

,JOHN BELAT$LY RECALL$ ?AT ,IRETON HAD EV5TUALLY BECOME SON-9-LAW TO ! O!R MAN BY M>RY+ HIS ELDE/ DAU<T]1 ,BRIDGET4 ,CROMWELL *UCKL$ ALMO/ W>MLY1 SCRAP+ BACK HIS *AIR AS HE /OOD UP4 

0,PRAY DO NOT ,SIR ME1 ,H5RY4 ,SOON] W\LD ,I HAVE !E CALL ME FA!R1 = SO IT %ALL BE 9 TIME4 ,I HAVE JU/ N[ BE5 AT A WRIT+ ( A LETT] TO MY HOME1 & :5 ,I COPY IT 9 FAIR ,I %ALL BE GLAD TO PASS TO ,BRIDGET Y\R AFFECTIONS4 ,BUT 5\< ( SU* ?+S4 ,GET !E TO ?Y REGIM5T & TO ?Y B$1 & 9 ! MORN MAY ,GOD BE ) !E40 

,/EPP+ FROM BEH9D ! TABLE1 ,CROMWELL CROSS$ TO ,IRETON1 REA*+ \T TO %AKE ! Y\NG MAN /IFFLY BY ! H&4 ,IRETON BL9K$ RAPIDLY & SWALL[$ AS HE ANSW]$4 

0,& ) !E1 GOOD ,MA/] ,CROMWELL4 ,I %ALL BID !E A GOOD NI<T40 

,) ?AT ! 9T]VIEW APPE>$ TO BE CONCLUD$4 ,CROMWELL OP5$ ! FRONT DOOR = ,IRETON1 :O /EPP$ BACK 9TO ! D>KNESS ( ,M>EFAIR & WAS IMM$IATELY GONE FROM SI<T4 ,HIS GUE/ HAV+ DEP>T$1 ! LIEUT5ANT-G5]AL SI<$ & WALK$ T[>DS ! SPIRAL /AIRCASE 9 ! CORN]1 PICK+ UP ! FLICK]+ C&ELABRA ON HIS WAY4 ,KICK+ UNWITT+LY ?R\< ! ?REE <O/-KIDS ?AT W]E SITT+ !RE1 HE M\NT$ ! /EPS WE>ILY1 PRESUMABLY T[>DS HIS B$ROOM ON ! BUILD+'S UPP] FLOOR4 ,EX*ANG+ GLANCES1 ,PHYLL & ,JOHN DRIFT$ LIKE VAPOR UP ! /AIRWAY AFT] HIM1 T[+ ! T9Y %ADE ( ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 9 BETWE5 !M4 ,CLE>LY1 BO? ( !M W]E EAG] TO LE>N H[ ! FUTURE REGICIDE & ,LORD ,PROTECTOR SLEPT UPON ! EVE ( HIS MO/ FAM\S BATTLE4 

,JOHN1 ?\<1 WAS /ILL ?9K+ AB\T ,H5RY ,IRETON4 ,AL?\< HE WAS FAT$ TO RECEIVE A PIKE-W\ND & BE CAPTUR$ BY ! ,ROYALI/S TOMORR[ MORN+1 ,IRETON'S CAPTORS W\LD RELEASE HIM 9 ! LAT] /AGES ( ! BATTLE1 FE>+ = !IR [N LIVES AS ! ,P>LIAM5T>Y =CES MOV$ 9 = ! KILL4 ,HE W\LD GO ON TO M>RY ,BRIDGET ,WILLIAMS-ALIAS-,CROMWELL1 %ACKL+ HIMSELF 9SEP>ABLY TO ! ,CROMWELL FAMILY & !IR =TUNES = ! RE/ ( HIS %ORT LIFE4 ,BY #afea ,IRETON W\LD BE /ATION$ 9 ,IREL& TRY+ TO 5D ! ,CA?OLIC REBELLION BY LAY+ SIEGE TO ,LIM]ICK1 A REBEL /RON<OLD1 :]E HE W\LD SUCCUMB TO PLAGUE4 ,HIS DEA?1 H[EV]1 W\LD NOT SP>E HIM ,ROYAL RETRIBUTION N9E YE>S LAT] :5 ,K+ ,*>LES ! ,SECOND WAS RE/OR$ AS MON>*4 ,%ORTLY BE=E PULL+ D[N ,NOR?AMPTON ,CA/LE ! NEW K+ W\LD HAVE ! BODIES ( BO? ,IRETON & HIS FA!R-9-LAW DUG FROM !IR ,WE/M9/] ,ABBEY TOMBS & DRAGG$ ?R\< ,LONDON'S /REETS TO ,TYBURN1 :]E ! PAIR W\LD BE SOME:AT UNNECESS>ILY HUNG1 DRAWN & QU>T]$4 ,AS ) MANY W>S1 HOLY OR O!RWISE1 9 ,JOHN'S OP9ION NEI!R SIDE HAD MU* TO RECOMM5D !M :5 IT CAME TO MANN]S4 

,PHYLLIS1 ,JOHN & ,MI*AEL W]E N[ ON ! UP/AIRS L&+ AT ,HAZELRIGG ,H\SE1 PURSU+ ,CROMWELL AS HE SL\*$ ) C&ELABRA 9 ONE H& T[>DS HIS B$*AMB]4 ,! HULK+ HUN*BACK$ %AD[ ?AT CREPT AFT] HIM REM9D$ ,JOHN ( ! FRONTISPIECE ILLU/RATION 9 HIS *ILDHOOD COPY ( ,! ,PILGRIM'S ,PROGRESS4 ,IT HAD BE5 A FUNNY-LOOK+ PICTURE1 NOT AT ALL REALI/IC 9 ! /YLE ?AT ,JOHN PREF]R$ AL?\< IF HE REMEMB]$ RI<TLY IT HAD BE5 A PA9T+ DONE BY ,WILLIAM ,BLAKE1 :O WAS QUITE FAM\S & RESPECT$ EV5 ?\< TO ,JOHN'S EYE HE DREW LIKE A BABY4 ,! WA% REPRODUCTION HAD %[N ,BUNYAN'S ,*RI/IAN ) HIS WEI<TY MORAL BURD5 /RAPP$ ONTO HIS BACK1 B5T D\BLE OV] ! BELOV$ BOOK ?AT HE WAS READ+ AS HE TRUDG$ ALONG4 ,?IS WAS ! %APE ?AT SIDL$ AFT] ,CROMWELL N[ ALONG ! L&+1 A DEV\T GIANT TRAIL+ 9 ! FUTURE ,LORD ,PROTECTOR'S WAKE MU* AS ! MASS$ HORDE ( POOR1 GODLY ,5GLI% PEOPLE DID4 ,OR1 IT OCCURR$ TO ,JOHN1 WAS ?AT PI\S & D[N-AT-HEEL %AD[-COLOSSUS DRIV+ ,CROMWELL ON BE=E IT & NOT FOLL[+ HIM AFT] ALL8 ,:OSE WILL WAS TRULY BE+ DONE 9 ,5GL& DUR+ ?IS TUMULTU\S & BLOODY DECADE8 ,:O WAS US+ :O8 

,CROMWELL TURN$ FROM ! PASSAGEWAY & ?R\< ! OP5 DOOR ( A ROOM ON ! *ILDR5'S RI<T1 CLOS+ IT AFT] HIM4 ,FOLL[+ HIS EXAMPLE ,JOHN & ,PHYLLIS P\R$ 9TO ! PORTAL'S TIMB]S 9 PURSUIT1 ) ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 DRAGG$ BETWE5 ! DUO & GRAY *ORUS-L9ES ( AFT]-PICTURES %IMM]+ BEH9D !M4 

,! B$*AMB] TURN$ \T TO BE OV]LOOK+ ,M>EFAIR ?R\< ! DIAMOND GRID ( ! TALL W9D[S ON ! ROOM'S F> SIDE4 ,\T ?R\< ! CRISS-CROSS$ PANES ,JOHN C\LD SEE PALE =MS FLUTT]+ ?R\< ! NI<T1 /RANGE NI<T+ALES ACCOMPANI$ BY /REAMS ( /OP-MOTION PHOTOGRAPHY & R++ PEALS ( MIR?4 ,ONLY :5 HE'D OBS]V$ ?AT ONE ( ! UNUSUALLY A]OBATIC CREATURES WORE A PAIR ( ,NATIONAL ,HEAL? GLASSES DID ,JOHN REALIZE ?AT ,REGGIE1 ,M>JORIE & ,BILL HAD GOT F$ UP ( RAIS+ DU/-/ORMS & HAD TAK5 TO ! AIR1 SWOOP+ ABOVE ! /REET & %RIEK+ AS !Y PLAY$ AT BE+ PROP] SPECT]S ( ! SORT Y\ F\ND 9 HORROR-/ORIES4 ,JOHN ?\<T ?AT !Y %[$ A %OCK+ LACK ( DISCIPL9E BUT PROBABLY W]5'T DO+ ANY H>M1 & SO TURN$ HIS ATT5TIONS TO ! HEFTY WOOD5 B$1 LIKE SOME?+ FROM ,HANS ,*RI/IAN ,&]S51 :I* WAS ! *AMB]'S C5T]PIECE4 

,CROMWELL SAT ON ITS $GE1 WE>ILY PULL+ (F HIS BOOTS4 ,BESIDE ! CLOS$ DOOR1 SET \T ON OR NE> A WOOD5 TRUNK1 ,JOHN NOTIC$ ! BLACK-PA9T$ >MOR1 PRETTY MU* ID5TICAL TO ,IRETON'S1 :I* ,CROMWELL W\LD WE> TOMORR[ MORN+4 ,CROMWELL'S SUIT W\LD DO A BETT] JOB PROTECT+ HIM ?AN ,IRETON'S W\LD1 ?\<1 ,JOHN REFLECT$4 ,UNLIKE ,IRETON ) AN UGLY PIKE-W\ND TO HIS %\LD]1 HIS FA!R-9-LAW TO BE W\LD COME ?R\< ,NASEBY & EM]GE UNSCA!D1 NO MORE ?AN W9D$ :ILE DEFEAT$ CAVALI]S W]E BE+ R\ND$ UP1 OR :ILE ,FAIRFAX'S M5 W]E RAP+ & DISFIGUR+ ! WOM5 9 A CAPTUR$ ,ROYALI/ WAGON-TRA94 ,JOHN HAD SE51 OR W\LD SEE1 SOME ( ?AT = HIMSELF AFT] TOMORR['S BATTLE4 ,HE REMEMB]$ ?AT IT HAD BE5 ?IS CLIMACTIC SC5E ( CRUELTY1 E>S CUT (F & NOSES SLIT1 ?AT HAD =C$ HIM TO TUNNEL BACK TO HIS [N TIME ON ?AT FIR/ VISIT TO ! BATTLE1 SOME :ILE PRIOR TO MEET+ ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG4 ,( ! HORRORS ,JOHN HAD WITNESS$1 BO? 9 #a#f#dS ,NASEBY & 9 #a#i#dS ,FRANCE1 ! MUTILATION ( ! ,ROYALI/ WOM51 WIVES & SWEE!>TS LABEL$ 0:ORES & CAMP-SLUTS0 ( 0?AT WICK$ >MY01 HAD BE5 EASILY ! MO/ UNBE>ABLE4 ,= ,GOD'S SAKE1 !Y W]E WOM54 

,CROMWELL HAD BY N[ REMOV$ ALL ( HIS CLO!S1 BRIEFLY EXHIBIT+ A SADDLE-CALLUS$ ASS BE=E HE PULL$ ON ! LONG NI<TG[N ?AT HAD BE5 LEFT FOLD$ UP ON HIS TOP BLANKET4 ,KNEEL+1 ! LIEUT5ANT-G5]AL ( HORSE PULL$ A /ONE *AMB]-POT FROM UND]NEA? ! B$ & PIDDL$ 9TO IT1 AT ! SAME MOM5T LETT+ (F A L5G?Y TROMBONE-TUN] ( A F>T ?AT R$UC$ ,MI*AEL1 ,PHYLLIS & EV5TUALLY EV5 ,JOHN TO HELPLESS LAU<T]4 ,:5 HE'D F9I%$ UR9AT+ & RETURN$ ! HEAVY ,J]EMIAH TO ITS HID+ PLACE 9 ! BEL[-B$ %AD[S1 ,CROMWELL REMA9$ KNEEL+ ) H&S PRESS$ TOGE!R & EYES CLOS$ AS HE RECIT$ ! ,LORD'S ,PRAY]4 ,) ?IS COMPLET$1 HE /OOD UP & P9*$ (F ! ?REE FLAMES ?AT FLICK]$ FROM HIS C&ELABRA :]E IT RE/$ UPON A PLA9 *E/-(-DRAW]S BESIDE ! W9D[4 ,9 ! D>KNESS \TSIDE ! ?REE CORRESPOND+ />BUR/S ( REFLECT$ BRI<TNESS W9K$ \T ONE BY ONE1 LEAV+ ! NI<T TO ,REGGIE1 ,BILL & ,M>JORIE :OM ,JOHN C\LD /ILL HE> GIGGL+ AS !Y SAIL$ ?R\< ! BLACK HEAV5S OV] ,M>EFAIR4 ,GRUNT+ AS ?\< ) DISCOM=T FROM /IFF JO9TS1 ,CROMWELL WALK$ BACK ACROSS ! ROOM & CLIMB$ B5EA? ! B$CLO!S4 ,AFT] A SURPRIS+LY FEW MOM5TS' GRUMBL+ & TURN+ HE APPE>$ TO FALL ASLEEP1 APP>5TLY NOT TR\BL$ 9 ! LEA/ BY ALL ! SLAU<T] ?AT AWAIT$ HIM COME DAYBREAK4 

0,WELL4 ,I 'SPECT ?AT'S ?AT1 !N40 

,PHYLLIS S\ND$ DISAPPO9T$1 & ,JOHN WAS =C$ TO ADMIT ?AT HE FELT ! SAME WAY4 ,HE FELT LET D[N1 AL?\< HE DIDN'T KN[ :AT HE HAD BE5 EXPECT+4 ,D\BTS & TE>S1 P]HAPS1 OR EVIL GLOAT+ LIKE A FI5D FROM ! ,SATURDAY MORN+ PICTURES D[N ! ,GAUMONT2 MANIC CACKL+ TO SC>E ! NIPP]S AT ! FLICKS1 ! TUPP5NY RU%8 

,AS ,CROMWELL SNOR$ CONT5T$LY1 ,JOHN DRIFT$ OV] TO ! W9D[ SO ?AT HE C\LD SEE :AT CAP]S !IR ?REE GANG-MATES HAD BE5 GETT+ UP TO4 ,SQU9T+ UPW>DS ?R\< ! LEAD-/RIP$ GLASS HE SAW !M SW++ BACK & =? ON ! NI<T BREEZES HI< ABOVE ! /REET4 ,!Y'D EVID5TLY />TL$ PIGEONS FROM !IR ROO/S 9 ,M>EFAIR'S EAVES & W]E N[ *AS+ ! BEWILD]$ F[L AGA9/ A CREAM ?REE-QU>T] MOON & ITS CORONA1 CA/ UPON ! SUMM] HAZE4 ,JOHN CALL$ ,PHYLLIS & ,MI*AEL OV] FROM :]E !Y W]E /&+ BY ! B$1 AMUS+ !MSELVES BY 9S]T+ <O/LY F+]S 9TO ! BLACK1 GAP+ NO/RILS ( ITS SLEEP+ OCCUPANT4 

0,H]E1 LEAVE HIS NOSE ALONE & COME & SEE :AT Y\R KID & ! O!R SILLY BEGG>S HAVE BE5 DO+ :ILE WE'VE BE5 9 H]E40 

,! <O/-GANG'S LEAD] & H] LITTLE *>GE DID AS ,JOHN HAD SUGGE/$4 ,SOON !Y /OOD BESIDE HIM1 PO9T+ UPW>DS ?R\< ! PATT]N$ PANES & MAK+ COMM5TS 9 ALT]NATE GLEE & DISAPPROVAL AS !IR WAYW>D COLLEAGUES H]D$ BAFFL$ BIRDS AMONG ! MOONBEAMS1 F> ABOVE ,NOR?AMPTON4 ,5T]TA9+ !MSELVES 9 ?IS FA%ION1 ! ?REE *ILDR5 W]E 5GROSS$ TO ! EXT5T ?AT = A MOM5T !Y =GOT COMPLETELY :]E !Y W]E4 ,! DEEP VOICE S\ND+ FROM ! D>K BEH9D !M1 !N1 CAME AS ?AT MU* MORE ( A %OCK4 

0,:O >E Y\1 & :AT IS Y\R BUS9ESS80 

,MI*AEL SCREAM$ & GRABB$ ,JOHN'S H&4 ,! PHANTOM *ILDR5 :EEL$ AB\T 9 />TLEM5T TO F9D A S\R-FAC$ BOY ( SOME?+ LIKE ELEV5 YE>S ( AGE /&+ !RE NUDE BESIDE ! B$1 9 :I* ,CROMWELL /ILL SNOR$1 & GL[]+ AT !M ?R\< ! %AD[S4 ,! LAD WAS AFFLICT$ BY ! MO/ T]RIBLE HAIRCUT ,JOHN HAD EV] SE51 %AV$ TO GRAY /UBBLE HI< UP AT ! BACK1 ! BRI/LES 5D+ :]E A BAS9 CUT BEGAN4 ,! BOY'S D>K HAIR LOOK$ LIKE A TOAD/OOL ) HIS SPOTTY1 LUM9\SLY PALLID FACE & NECK PROVID+ ! BLACK DEA?CAP ) ITS SOAPY & TRANSLUC5T /EM4 ,JOHN'S M9D RAC$ AS HE TRI$ TO WORK \T JU/ :AT !Y W]E SEE+1 & A SIDELONG GLANCE AT ,PHYLL CONFIRM$ ?AT %E WAS 9 ! SAME BOAT4 ,MI*AEL SIMPLY /OOD !RE1 LIDS PEEL$ BACK AS IF ATTEMPT+ TO EXPEL BO? EYEBALLS FROM !IR SOCKETS BY %E] =CE ( WILL4 

0,I ASK AGA9 Y\R BUS9ESS 9 MY F>M]'S H\SE4 ,BE QUICK TO TELL ME1 & NOT 9 A FRI<TFUL WAY60 

,IT WAS A MAN'S VOICE1 ,JOHN ?\<T1 COM+ FROM A BOY B>ELY 9 PUB]TY TO JUDGE FROM ! ONE ISOLAT$ HAIR ON A PUD5DA O!RWISE 5TIRELY B>E4 ,SOME?+ AB\T ! WAY ! FIGURE FRAM$ ITS S5T5CES1 ! WAY ?AT IT SAID 0F>M]'S H\SE0 BUT S\ND$ AS IF IT MEANT 0FA!R'S H\SE01 SUGGE/$ SOMEONE NEWLY DEAD :O HADN'T F\ND !IR ,LUCY-LIPS YET4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 ! N]V\S MOVEM5TS ?AT ! LAD MADE W]5'T ATT5D$ BY ! USUAL VISUAL E*OES1 :I* SUGGE/$ ?AT HE WAS ALIVE4 ,ON YET A ?IRD H&1 HE C\LD SEE !M1 :5 9 NORMAL CIRCUM/ANCES HE W\LD NOT BE ABLE TO UNLESS HE WAS DECEAS$4 

,OR DREAM+4 

,EV]Y?+ FELL 9TO PLACE4 ,JOHN PLAC$ ! ADULT TONES AT ! SAME MOM5T ?AT HE NOTIC$ ! BEG9N+S ( A W>T BETWE5 ! BOY'S *9 & HIS L[] LIP4 ,TURN+ T[>DS ! /ILL-BEWILD]$ ,PHYLLIS1 ,JOHN P]MITT$ HIMSELF A SMUG *UCKLE4 

0,IT'S ALL RI<T4 ,I'VE WORK$ \T :O IT WIZ40 

,HE LOOK$ BACK AT ! NAK$ WAIF /&+ BESIDE ! B$4 

0,IT'S ALL RI<T1 ,OLIV]4 ,IT'S ONLY US4 ,Y\ RECOGNIZE US1 DON'T Y\80 

,N[ IT WAS ! Y\?'S TURN TO SEEM PUZZL$4 ,BL9K+ RAPIDLY HE LOOK$ FROM ,JOHN1 TO ,MI*AEL1 !N TO ,PHYLLIS1 TRY+ TO REMEMB] :]E HE KNEW !M FROM1 IF ANY:]E4 

,CROMWELL WAS DREAM+4 ,HE WAS DREAM+ HIMSELF 9 ! =M HE'D HAD :5 HE WAS SMALL & VULN]ABLE YET KEPT ! DEEP VOICE ( AN OLD] & MORE >MOR$ SELF1 P]HAPS BECAUSE IT HAD BECOME LIKE SECOND NATURE & WAS ?US NOT EASILY AB&ON$4 ,JOHN HAD NO IDEA :]E ! LIEUT5ANT-G5]AL BELIEV$ HIMSELF TO BE1 OR :AT HIS DREAM+ M9D ?\<T IT WAS SEE+4 ,HE JU/ KNEW ?AT DREAM]S W]E SUGGE/IBLE1 & IF Y\ TOLD !M SOME?+ !Y'D ACCEPT IT & W\LD WORK IT 9 AMONG ! FABRIC ( !IR DREAM AS BE/ !Y C\LD4 ,! Y\NG] ,CROMWELL SQU9T$ AT !M N[1 AS IF HE'D MADE HIS M9D UP4 

0,YES4 ,I SEE Y\ N[4 ,Y\ >E MY LITTLE ONES1 ,RI*>D & ,H5RY & DE>1 PRETTY ,FRANCES4 ,Y\ MU/ NOT ANNOY Y\R FA!R N[1 :5 HE HAS MU* TO DO UPON ! MORR[4 ,BE AB\T Y\R CAT*Y S*ISMS60 

,JOHN DECID$ ?AT ! LA/ BIT WAS MO/ PROBABLY 9T5D$ TO BE 0CATE*ISMS04 ,EVID5TLY1 ,CROMWELL N[ BELIEV$ !Y W]E HIS *ILDR51 EV5 ?\< HE DREAM$ HIMSELF AS TOO Y\NG TO HAVE FA!R$ !M4 ,SU* WAS ! LOGIC ?AT SUFFIC$ 9 DREAMS4 ,JOHN WAS 9TRIGU$ BY ! B>E Y\NG/]'S COMM5T AB\T HAV+ MU* TO DO TOMORR[1 ?\<4 ,WAS ?IS SOME DIM AW>5ESS ( ! COM+ BATTLE ?AT HAD L+]$ 9 ! G5]AL'S SLEEP+ M9D8 ,HE ?\<T ?AT HE'D 9VE/IGATE A LITTLE FUR!R4 

0,FA!R1 WE'VE ALREADY SAID \R PRAY]S1 DON'T Y\ REMEMB]8 ,TELL US :AT Y\'RE GO+ TO DO TOMORR[ MORN+40 

,! BOY NODD$ GRAVELY1 AGITAT+ ! BLACK MU%ROOM ( HIS BRUTAL HAIRCUT4 

0,I'M GO+ TO FI<T ,POPE ,*>LES ! ,FIR/1 & IF ,I W9 !N ,I %ALL MAKE !M TAKE HIS HAT (F4 ,I %ALL BR+ IT TO Y\R MO!R1 ) BLOOD ON ITS FEA!RS1 SO ?AT %E MAY SET IT ON \R MANTELPIECE ABOVE ! FIRE40 

,PHYLLIS WAS SNICK]+4 ,WOND]+ :Y1 ,JOHN GLANC$ D[N AT ! FL$GL+ ,CROMWELL'S GRO9 & REALIZ$ ?AT ! BOY'S KNOB HAD GONE ON ! BONE1 WAS PO9T+ TO ! TIMB]S ( ! B$ROOM CEIL+ ) ITS [N] UNAW>E4 ,IT MADE ,JOHN FEEL UNCOM=TABLE1 ESPECIALLY ) ,PHYLLIS BE+ !RE4 ,! UNFULFILL$ FIR/ BLU% ( LOVE ?AT EXI/$ BETWE5 ,PHYLL & HIM WAS H>D] TO BELIEVE 9 ) EV5 A CRAYON-SIZ$ ]ECTION 9 ! ROOM4 ,HE MADE AN EF=T TO DIV]T Y\NG ,CROMWELL'S DREAM+ M9D TO T]RITORY ?AT W\LD HOPEFULLY PROVE LESS >\S+4 

0,FA!R1 :AT AB\T :5 Y\ HAVE WON Y\R FI<T8 ,:AT !N80 

,9ITIALLY1 ?IS L9E ( QUE/ION+ DID NOT APPE> TO HAVE DEFLAT$ ! Y\?'S ]RANT MEMB]1 & 9DE$ SEEM$ TO HAVE MADE ?+S RA!R WORSE4 ,GRAY EYES ALI<T ) VISIONS ( HIS FUTURE GLORY1 ,CROMWELL WAS APP>5TLY BECOM+ MORE EXCIT$ BY ! MOM5T4 ,HIS GAZE GLITT]+ ) FIREBR&S1 FIX$ ON SOME UNGUESSABLE HORIZON1 ! BOY SMIL$1 VOICE S(T ) AWE AT HIS [N MAJE/Y AS HE REPLI$4 

0,:Y1 !N ,I %ALL BE ,POPE 9/EAD40 

,! /RIPL+'S WOND]/RUCK EXPRESSION ( SELF-SATISFACTION LA/$ ONLY A %ORT :ILE BE=E ! *ILLY %AD[ FROM A CL\D ( D\BT WAS CA/ ACROSS IT4 ,! Y\NG ,LORD ,PROTECTOR SUDD5LY LOOK$ FRI<T5$1 & ,JOHN WAS RELIEV$ TO SEE ?AT HIS TUMESC5CE WAS SUBSID+4 ,:5 ! NAK$ *ILD BEGAN TO SPEAK AGA9 ! ADULT VOICE WAS GONE1 ) 9 ITS PLACE ! TREMUL\S & RE$Y PIP+ ( A SC>$ ELEV5-YE>-OLD BOY4 

0,BUT IF ,I AM BECOME A ,POPE1 %ALL NOT ,GOD HATE ME8 ,& ! PAUPLE1 ! POOR PEOPLE ?AT HAVE FOLL[$ ME %ALL HATE ME ALSO IF ,I DRESS 9 PURPLE4 ,!Y WILL F9D ME \T & HATE ME4 ,!Y WILL TAKE AWAY MY HAT FROM (F MY %\LD]S4 ,Y\ MU/ HELP ME6 ,Y\ MU/ TELL !M ?AT Y\R FA!R WAS A *ILD1 A *ILD LIKE Y\ :O DID NOT KN[ :AT HE WAS DO+4 ,Y\ MU/ 4440 

,H]E ! BOY TRAIL$ (F1 & SOME?+ ( HIS OLD] SELF'S GRAY /EEL ONCE MORE 5T]$ HIS EYES4 ,! VOICE WAS N[ AGA9 ! R\< GR[L ( A GR[N-UP4 

0,Y\ >E NOT MY *ILDR540 

,PIMPLY FACE CONTORT+ TO A MASK ( RANCOR1 ! B>E BODY />T$ FAD+ 9 & \T ( VIEW LIKE SOME?+ ON A TELEVISION SET ) FALT]+ RECEPTION4 ,BO? ! PICTURE & ! S\ND SEEM$ TO BE GO+ AT ! SAME TIME1 SO ?AT ANY?+ ! BOY SAID WAS N[ PUNCTUAT$ BY TRANSMISSION GAPS4 ,MEAN:ILE ! SLUMB]+ =M UPON ! B$1 A D>K MASS ONLY VISIBLE TO ! ?REE *ILDR5'S T9SEL-TRIMM$ NI<T VISION1 />T$ MUMBL+ 9 AN E]IE C\NT]PO9T TO ! DREAM-,CROMWELL'S FLICK]+ & 9T]RUPT$ SPEE*4 

0444 FA!RLESS BA/>DS ( A L[ K9D1 SKULK+ 444 HALF ! :ORES 9 ,NEWPORT ,PAGNELL SAY IT WAS ! ,HOLY ,<O/ :O PUT IT 9 !M6 ,GET !E 444 OR MU/ ,I BE P9N'D LIKE A SOOT-COLOR$ MO? TO HI/ORY & EV] 444 ,FA!R8 ,LEAVE ME BE6 ,I HAVE NOT 444 FA]IES4 ,!Y >E DEVILS1 <O/S OR FA]IES & !Y LOOK UPON MY 4440 

,PHYLLIS NUDG$ ,JOHN1 LEAN+ OV] ,MI*AEL AS HE /OOD BETWE5 !M4 

0 ',E LOOKS LIKE 'E'S WAK9' UP4 ,COME ON1 LET'S GOO AYTSIDE & SEE :AT !M DAFT SODS >E GETT9' UP TO1 '=E AYR ,BILL DOES SUMMAT AS 'E %\LDN'T40 

,/ILL ) ,MI*AEL DANGL+ BETWE5 !M1 ,JOHN & ,PHYLL TURN$ FROM ! 9T]MITT5T SPECT] ( ! DREAM-Y\? & JUMP$ ?R\< ! FRONT WALL ( ,HAZELRIGG ,H\SE1 PASS+ ?R\< /ONEWORK :I*1 9 #a#f#d#e1 HAD BE5 9 PLACE LESS ?AN A DECADE4 ,%[]+ D[N UPON ! BOGGY /REET 9 A GRAY SNAP%OT WAT]FALL1 ! *ILDR5 DU/$ !MSELVES (F !N PE]$ 9TO ! D>K = SOME SIGN ( ! GANG'S REMA9+ MEMB]S4 

,JOHN SPOTT$ !M FIR/1 /ILL SC>+ PIGEONS 9 ! UPP] REA*ES ( A NI<T SKY LIKE BLACKCURRANT CORDIAL1 D>KNESS ?ICK & SETTL$ AT ! BOTTOM BUT DILUT+ 9 ! MOONLI<T HI<] UP4 ,HE C\LD SEE TRAILS ( AFT]-IMAGES DRAGG$ BACK & =? ACROSS ! MILKY FIRMAM5T LIKE GRUBBY WOOL5 FOOTBALL SC>VES1 & C\LD D$UCE !IR PIGEON-WORRY+ FROM ! ABRUPT & UNEXPECT$ RA9 ( BIRD-%IT1 SPATT]+ 9 ,M>EFAIR'S MUD FROM HI< ABOVE4 ,9 ,JOHN'S OP9ION1 HAV+ A BIRD DO ITS BUS9ESS ON Y\R HEAD WAS EV5 WORSE = <O/S ?AN IT WAS = ! LIV+4 ,GRANT$1 Y\ W]E SP>$ ! FUSS ( HAV+ TO WA% ! REPULSIVE /UFF \T ( Y\R HAIR & CLO!S1 BUT ON ! O!R H& ! DROPP+S FELL /RAI<T ?R\< Y\ & Y\ SORT-( FELT !M1 PLUNG+ ?R\< Y\R SKULL 9TO Y\R NECK1 SPLA%+ ON D[N TO EXIT ?R\< Y\R %OE-SOLES AS A RADIAT+ SPLAT ( BLACK & :ITE4 ,IT CAME TO ,JOHN ?AT PIGEON-%IT LOOK$ NO WORSE 9 ! <O/-SEAM'S HALF-TONES ?AN IT DID 9 MORTAL LIFE'S FULL ,TE*NICOLOR4 ,IT WAS ONE ( ?OSE ?+S LIKE REMORSE OR UNFULFILLM5T ?AT W\LD /ILL GET ON Y\R N]VES :5 Y\ W]E DEAD4 

,PHYLLIS1 :O'D SUFF]$ FROM ! A]IAL BOMB>DM5T JU/ AS MU* AS ,JOHN HAD1 LO/ H] TEMP] & ANN\NC$ ?AT %E WAS 0GUNNA ADDA GOO UP !RE & SORT 'EM AYT04 ,MAK+ A LITTLE HOP TO GET H] />T$1 %E COMM5C$ TO SWIM LABORI\SLY UP ?R\< ! SEAM'S ?ICK] & MORE BUOYANT AIR1 DO+ A V>IATION ( ! BREA/-/ROKE4 ,ONLY AFT] HALF A M9UTE1 :5 %E WAS P]HAPS T5 FEET ABOVE !M1 DID ,JOHN REALIZE ?AT BO? HE & ,MI*AEL W]E 9T5TLY />+ UP H] FROCK4 ,HE ?\<T ?AT HE'D /RIKE UP A CONV]SATION 9 AN EF=T TO DIV]T !M BO? 9TO SOME?+ MORE SUITABLE4 

0,H[ DO Y\ LIKE ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG1 !N1 NIPP]1 N[ Y\'VE HAD A *ANCE TO GET TO KN[ US8 ,I'LL TELL Y\ = NO?+1 IT'S A LOT MORE FUN ?AN BE+ 9 ! >MY40 

,ALL >\ND !M1 ,M>EFAIR WAS SURR5D]+ TO BLACKNESS4 ,A FEW C\PLES W&]$ TO & FRO BETWE5 ! ALLEY-M\?S ( ,PIKE OR ,*ALK ,LANE & ! /ILL-LIT DOORS ( ! ,BLACK ,LION1 SOLDI]S /UMBL+ >M 9 >M ) *ORTL+1 :ISP]+ WOM51 PRESS$ SO CLOSE TOGE!R ?AT !Y LOOK$ LIKE PAIRS 9 A LIC5TI\S1 DRUNK ?REE-LEGG$ RACE4 ,/REWN ON ! CA/LE'S FLANK D[NHILL ! CAMPFIRES HAD ALL BURN$ D[N TO A SULL5 GL[1 & O!R ?AN ! LU/FUL MUMBL+S ( ! /RAGGL]S ! ONLY O!R S\ND WAS ?AT ( BATS1 NE$LE-%>P VOICES ?READ$ R\ND ! /EEPLE ( ,/4 ,PET]'S ,*UR*4 ,MI*AEL LOOK$ UP AT ,JOHN FROM :]E HE /OOD BESIDE HIM1 HIS BLOND R+LETS MULTIPLY+ ) ! MOTION SO ?AT HE LOOK$ = A MOM5T LIKE A TIDI] ,/RUWWELPET] OR A BLEA*$-\T GOLLYWOG4 

0,I LIKE IT EV] SU* A LOT4 ,I LIKE ! CLAMB]+ AB\T 9 DIFF]5T DAYS1 & ,I ?9K EV]YBODY'S NICE1 ESPECIALLY ,PHYLLIS4 ,BUT ,I MISS MY MOM & DAD & GRAN & SI/] & ,I'D LIKE IT IF ,I WIZ BACK ) !M SOON40 

,JOHN NODD$4 

0,WELL1 ?AT'S UND]/&ABLE4 ,I BET Y\R FAMILY >E REAL GOOD SORTS1 OR AT LEA/ IF Y\R DAD WIZ ANY?+ TO GO BY4 ,:AT Y\ %\LD REMEMB]1 ?\<1 WIZ ?AT ALL !SE ADV5TURES :AT Y\'RE HAV+ H]E >E HAPP5+ 9 NO TIME AT ALL4 ,UP 9 ! LIV+ WORLD Y\'RE ONLY DEAD = A FEW M9UTES1 IF :AT EV]YBODY'S SAY+ WIZ TO BE BELIEV$4 ,LOOK$ AT LIKE ?AT1 BE=E Y\ KN[ IT Y\'LL BE ) Y\R P>5TS & ?IS WIZZLE BE =GOTT51 JU/ AS IF IT HADN'T HAPP5$4 ,I'D 5JOY IT :ILE Y\ CAN1 IF ,I WIZ Y\4 ,BESIDES1 ,I'VE GOT AN 9T]E/ 9 Y\R FAMILY & ,I'M GETT+ QUITE ATTA*$ TO HAV+ Y\ AB\T40 

,MI*AEL LOOK$ ?\<TFUL1 N>R[+ HIS EYES AS HE GAZ$ AT ! OLD] BOY4 

0,WIZ IT BECAUSE Y\ KNEW MY DAD & US$ TO PLAY ) HIM80 

,JOHN *UCKL$1 REA*+ \T ) F\R OR FIVE LEFT >MS TO SCUFF UP ,MI*AEL'S HAIR4 

0,YES1 ,I SUPPOSE IT'S SOME?+ LIKE ?AT4 ,I KNEW ALL Y\R DAD'S SIDE ( FAMILY1 BACK :5 ,I WIZ ALIVE4 ,H['S OLD ,MAY GETT+ ON1 Y\R DAD'S MOM8 ,WIZ %E /ILL A T]ROR8 ,:AT AB\T Y\R AUNT ,L\80 

,HE /ILL WASN'T SURE :Y HE WAS KEEP+ ! FULL /ORY BACK FROM ,MI*AEL1 :5 IT WASN'T REALLY 9 ,JOHN'S NATURE TO BE SECRETIVE4 ,HE'D WOND]$1 :5 HE'D FIR/ HE>D ,MI*AEL'S SURNAME1 IF IT MI<T BE ! SAME ,W>R5 FAMILY ?AT HE KNEW1 BUT !RE'D BE5 NO PO9T 9 M5TION+ ?AT AT ! TIME 9 CASE HE WAS MI/AK54 ,!N1 :5 IT HAD BE5 CONFIRM$1 HE'D QUITE 5JOY$ HAV+ A PIECE ( SECRET 9=MATION = HIMSELF1 SOME?+ ?AN EV5 ,PHYLLIS DIDN'T KN[ AB\T - AL?\< ?AT WASN'T ! :OLE PICTURE1 IF HE WAS COMPLETELY HONE/4 ,:AT IT WAS1 HE DIDN'T WANT TO BURD5 ,MI*AEL ) ! TRU? ( :O HE WAS OR !IR RELATION%IP4 ,HE DIDN'T WANT ! BOY OR ANY ( HIS FAMILY TO HE> FIR/-H& ! FACTS AB\T H[ ,JOHN HAD DI$ 9 ,FRANCE1 H[ SC>$ HE'D BE51 H[ HE'D BE5 TRY+ TO WORK UP ! C\RAGE TO DES]T :5 !Y'D COME UND] FIRE UPON ?AT C\NTRY ROAD4 ,?AT WAS ! REAL REASON HE'D SP5T ALL ?OSE YE>S HAUNT+ A DISUS$ TURRET AFT] HE WAS DEAD1 RA!R ?AN GO+ /RAI<T UP TO ,MANS\L4 ,HE'D HAD A GUILTY CONSCI5CE1 JU/ AS MU* AS ,MICK ,MALONE OR ,M>Y ,JANE OR ANY ( ! >EA'S R\< SLEEP]S DID1 BECAUSE BO? ,JOHN & ,GOD KNEW ?AT ,JOHN WAS AT HE>T A C[>D4 ,BETT]1 SURELY1 TO LET ALL ?AT RE/4 ,BETT] TO KEEP UP HIS :ITE LIE1 BE/ TO ALL[ ! TOT :O N[ /OOD POND]+ BESIDE HIM TO RETA9 HIS BLISSFUL IGNORANCE ( H[ ! WORLD C\LD SOMETIMES BE1 EV5 9 H[ IT TREAT$ LITTLE BOYS :O CAME FROM DEC5T1 WORK+ FAMILIES4 ,MI*AEL WAS /ILL CONSID]+ ,JOHN'S QUE/IONS BE=E V5TUR+ HIS ANSW]S4 

0,WELL1 ,I LIKE MY NAAN1 BUT SOMETIMES %E GETS A BIT FRI<T5+ & ,I HAVE DREAMS AB\T H] :]E %E'S TRY+ TO CAT* ME4 ,AUNT ,L\'S LIKE A LOVELY [L1 & :5 %E US$ TO PICK ME UP %E'D *ORTLE TO ME & ,I'D FEEL IT RUNN+ ?R\< H] :5 %E HELD ME4 ,NAAN WIZ NICE1 ?\<4 ,IF WE GO R\ND H] H\SE %E GIVES ME & ,ALMA EA* AN APPLE & A SWEETIE FROM H] J> ?AT'S ON ! SIDEBO>D40 

,9 ! MOONLIT REA*ES F> ABOVE !M ,JOHN C\LD MAKE \T A GRAY COMET ) A TAIL ( FAD+ PHOTOGRAPHS ?AT HE ?\<T WAS MO/ LIKELY ,PHYLLIS1 H]D+ A DISGRAC$ TRIUMVIRATE ( SIMIL>LY PLUM+ SPECT]S BACK T[>DS ! ,E>?4 ,IT LOOK$ AS IF ! <O/LY KIDS W]E PLAY+ JO9-!-DOTS BETWE5 ! />S4 ,HE SMIL$ AT ,MI*AEL4 

0,NO1 %E'S NOT A BAD SORT1 ,MAY4 ,I KN[ !RE'S TIMES :5 %E CAN PUT ! FE> ( ,GOD 9 Y\1 BUT %E'S HAD A H>D LIFE ?AT'S MADE H] ?AT WAY1 EV] S9CE %E FIR/ POPP$ \T 9TO ! GUTT] D[N ON ,LAMBE? ,WALK4 ,Y\ %\LDN'T JUDGE H] H>%LY40 

,! F\R O!R MEMB]S ( ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG HAD BY ?IS TIME FLOAT$ D[N F> 5\< TO BE 9 HAIL+ DI/ANCE4 ,JOHN C\LD HE> ,PHYLLIS REGAL+ ,BILL AS !Y DESC5D$4 

0444 & IF Y\ *ASE PIGEONS1 ! ,?IRD ,BOR\< KN[S ABAYT IT6 ,Y\'LL BE LUCKY IF 'E DON'T TURN Y\ 9TO A PIGEON & !N MAKE A PIGEON PIE \T ( Y]60 

,BILL1 DO+ AN O/5TATI\S BUTT]FLY /ROKE ?R\< ! AIR ) AFT]-IMAGE >MS LIKE SP9N+ WAGON-:EELS GR[N FROM HIS %\LD]S1 CLE>LY WASN'T TAK+ ANY NOTICE4 ,A BROAD SMIRK KEPT ?REAT5+ TO BREAK \T & SPOIL ! USUALLY-G+] TR\BLEMAK]'S P5IT5T EXPRESSION4 ,BE=E LONG ,PHYLLIS HAD GUID$ ! ?REE TRUANTS 9 TO L& & !N HAD SETTL$ D[N UPON ,M>EFAIR H]SELF1 AN A%5 D&ELION CLOCK OR MAN-9-!-MOON AS ,JOHN HAD ALWAYS CALL$ !M1 SPILL+ PICTURE-P>ASOLS UP 9TO ! NI<T SKY BEH9D H]4 

,AFT] ,PHYLLIS HAD CONDUCT$ A BRIEF %[-TRIAL = ! TRIO ( MISCREANTS & ISSU$ :AT %E MU/ HAVE FELT W]E NECESS>Y RECRIM9ATIONS1 ! GANG HAD A VOTE ON :AT R\TE !Y %\LD TAKE BACK TO ! N9ETE5-HUNDR$S4 ,! RESULTANT %[ ( H&S - SOME?+ LIKE FIFTY IF Y\ C\NT$ ALL ! AFT]-IMAGES - APPE>$ TO BE UNANIM\S 9 FAVOR+ A SOME:AT 9DIRECT APPROA* COMM5C+ AT ! ,BLACK ,LYON ,9NE A LITTLE FUR!R D[N ! WAY4 ,! SOLE AB/5TION 9 ! CR[D WAS ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 :O1 AS REGIM5TAL MASCOT1 DIDN'T REALLY GET A BALLOT ANYWAY4 ,JOHN SYMPA?IZ$ ) ,MI*AEL 9 HIS SIMPLY WANT+ TO GO HOME1 BUT IT WAS TRUE 5\< :AT HE'D SAID E>LI] AB\T !SE EXPLOITS TAK+ UP NO TIME AT ALL1 BACK 9 ! MORTAL WORLD ?AT ,MI*AEL ALL TOO SOON W\LD BE RETURN$ TO4 ,JOHN HAD ALSO MEANT :AT HE'D SAID AB\T HAV+ BECOME QUITE FOND ( ! NIPP]1 & HE DIDN'T WANT HIM GO+ BACK TO LIFE & ?US =GETT+ ALL ( ?IS JU/ YET4 

,! GANG MOV$ D[N ,M>EFAIR T[>DS ! CA/LE1 ON ! SLOPES ( :I* ! SOLDI]S' CAMPFIRES W]E ALL N[ EXT+UI%$4 ,ON !IR LEFT !Y PASS$ BY ! BAT-SANCTU>Y ( ,/4 ,PET]'S ,*UR*1 :]E ! DOG-:I/LE SQUEALS PI]C$ EV5 ! S\NDPRO(+ ( ! <O/-SEAM4 ,9 ! %AD[S ( ! GATEWAY ,JOHN C\LD MAKE \T ! SLUMP$ %APE ( ! LAME BEGG>-WOMAN'S <O/ ?AT HE'D MET ON HIS FIR/ PO/HUM\S VISIT TO ! *UR*1 BUT DIDN'T CALL ! O!R KIDS' ATT5TION TO H]4 ,MOTIONLESS & SIL5T %E WAT*$ !M PASS BY1 H] LUM9\S EYES HANG+ 9 ! D>K1 DIS9T]E/$4 

,! ,BLACK ,LION1 :5 ! *ILDR5 REA*$ IT1 /ILL SEEM$ TO BE S]V+ EV5 ?\< ITS FRONT DOOR HAD BE5 CLOS$ UP4 ,PASS+ ?R\< ?IS1 ,JOHN F\ND HIMSELF 9 A PUB ?AT WAS DI/URB+LY FAMILI> 9 ITS BASIC LAY\T :ILE ! PEOPLE & ! PA/IMES IT CONTA9$ W]E WILDLY DIFF]5T4 ,BLE>Y ,R\NDHEADS SAT & DRANK A TREACLY-LOOK+ BE] AS !Y ATTEMPT$ TO =GET ?AT ?IS MI<T V]Y WELL BE !IR LA/ NI<T ON ,E>?1 :ILE O!RS :O HAD WOM5 ON !IR LAPS W]E WORK+ !IR SC>R$ F+]S BACK & =? B5EA? FL\NC$ LAY]S ( UND]SKIRT4 ,! ROOM1 SPLIT LEVEL AS 9 ,JOHN'S DAY ) ?REE /AIRS CONNECT+ ! TWO TI]S1 WAS MADE ALMO/ 5TIRELY \T ( WOOD4 ,! ONLY METAL SEEM$ TO BE ?AT ( ! BURNI%$ OIL-LAMPS OR ! HEAVY TANK>DS1 IF Y\ DIDN'T C\NT ! SWORDS & HELMETS ?AT W]E 9 ! PLACE AT PRES5T1 & SAVE = ! W9D[S !RE WAS NO GLASS TO BE SE54 ,! LONE QU>TET ( BOTTLES ?AT PRESUMABLY HAD SPIRITS 91 /&+ UPON AN O!RWISE UNOCCUPI$ %ELF AT ! B>'S RE>1 W]E ALL MADE ( /ONE4 ,JOHN WAS SURPRIS$ H[ MU* ! LACK ( GL9T+ HI<LI<TS 9 A HANG+ BLUR ALT]$ ! FEEL+ ( ! PUB1 & !RE W]E O!R ?+S ?AT MADE AN UNEXPECT$ DIFF]5CE1 TOO4 

,ONE ( ! TABLES HAD BE5 SET ASIDE = FOOD1 A B[L ( P]I%$ FRUIT1 W$GES ( *EESE & A HALF-EAT5 LOAF1 ONIONS & MU/>D & A HAM ?AT HAD BE5 SLIC$ D[N TO ITS /UMP-5D1 HOV]$ OV] BY A TR\PE ( PE>LY-BELLI$ MEAT-FLIES4 ,TWO OR ?REE DOGS SNUFFL$ R\ND ! LEGS ( *AIRS & ! :OLE S\ND ( ! 9N SEEM$ SUBDU$ TO ,JOHN1 EV5 ALL[+ = ! WAY ! <O/-SEAM MUFFL$ ?+S4 ,SU* *ATT] AS !RE WAS1 9CLUD+ ?AT BETWE5 ! TROOP]S & !IR GIRLFRI5DS1 S\ND$ HU%$ & REV]5T TO MOD]N E>S4 ,AP>T FROM AN OCCASIONAL L\D CLUMP ( BOOTS ACROSS ! FLOORBO>DS AS SOMEBODY W5T TO USE ! PRIVY 9 ! PUB Y>D1 OR A FA9T SNORT FROM ONE ( ! HORSES /ABL$ !RE1 !N LACK+ ! FAMILI> *9K ( GLASS ON GLASS !RE WAS NO NOISE AT ALL4 ,IT WASN'T EV5 MOD]N SIL5CE1 HAV+ NO ?UD ( A TICK+ CLOCK TO UND]L9E IT4 

,BILL & ,REGGIE SEEM$ 9TRIGU$ BY ALL ! UNSELFCONSCI\S GROP+ ?AT WAS TAK+ PLACE UP 9 ! TAV]N'S D>K5$ CORN]S1 BUT ,JOHN DIDN'T LIKE IT & WAS PLEAS$ TO SEE ?AT ,PHYLLIS DIDN'T EI!R4 ,) A MILIT>Y BRISKNESS ?AT CONCEAL$ !IR MUTUAL EMB>RASSM5T !Y ORGANIZ$ ! GANG 9TO ANO!R HUMAN T[]1 ?IS TIME ) ,REGGIE ON ! BOTTOM & ,BILL /&+ ON HIS %\LD]S1 SCRAP+ ) BO? H&S 9 ! ACCUMULAT$ TIME ( ! 9N'S CEIL+4 ,BE+ UPW>DS ( ?REE HUNDR$ YE>S1 ! EXCAVATION WAS QUITE CLE>LY GO+ TO TAKE A :ILE1 LEAV+ ,JOHN1 ,MI*AEL & ! TWO GIRLS ) NO O!R OPTION ?AN TO /& !RE AWKW>DLY AMID ! ALMO/-MUTE DEBAU*]Y1 TRY+ TO F9D SOME?+ ?AT WASN'T SEXUAL TO />E AT4 

,AS HIS GAZE %IFT$ UNEASILY >\ND ! HALF-LIT ROOM1 ,JOHN REALIZ$ ) SURPRISE ?AT HE & HIS FIVE COMRADES W]5'T ! ONLY PHANTOMS FREQU5T+ ! ,BLACK ,LYON ,9NE ON ?AT SPECIFIC EV5+4 ,ON A LONG & PEW-LIKE WOOD5 SEAT AGA9/ ONE WALL !RE SAT ONE ( ! ,R\NDHEAD TROOPS1 A FRECKL$ N9ETE5-YE>-OLD BOY :O HAD NO *9 TO SPEAK (1 ) A H>D-FAC$ WOMAN 9 H] ?IRTIES GRUNT+ S(TLY AS %E SAT A/RIDE HIS LAP1 H] BACK AGA9/ HIS BELLY4 ,H] LONG SKIRTS HAD BE5 >RANG$ 9 A DESULTORY ATTEMPT TO HIDE ! OBVI\S FACT ?AT ! LAD HAD HIS IMPLEM5T 9SIDE H] AS %E SURREPTITI\SLY MOV$ UP & D[N1 TRY+ TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE RHY?MIC FIDGET+4 

,TO EA* SIDE ( ?IS NOT-SO-FURTIVE COPULAT+ C\PLE SAT A PAIR ( MIDDLE-AG$ M5 9 LONG ROBES1 ONE *UBBY & ONE ?91 :OM ,JOHN AT FIR/ ASSUM$ TO BE ! LOV]S' FRI5DS4 ,GRANT$1 HE'D ?\<T ! FRI5D%IP SEEM$ UNUSUALLY CLOSE IF IT P]MITT$ !IR ACQUA9TANCES TO BE SPECTATORS ON SU* 9TIMATE OCCASIONS1 BUT !N :AT DID HE KN[ ( ! ACTUAL MORAL CLIMATE ( ! SIXTE5-HUNDR$S1 :]E IT WAS APP>5TLY ACCEPTABLE TO HAVE SEX 9 A PUBLIC B>8 ,ONLY :5 ONE ( ! TWO M5 LIFT$ A FAN ( SEV]AL >MS TO SCRAT* HIS EYEBR[ DID ,JOHN REALIZE ?AT !Y W]E BO? <O/S1 PEEP+-TOM SPIRITS ?AT ! :ORE & SOLDI] DIDN'T KN[ W]E !RE4 ,LOOK+ A LITTLE CLOS]1 ,JOHN C\LD MAKE \T ?AT ! VOYEURI/IC DUO W]E SOME TYPE ( MONKS1 P]HAPS ! ,CLUNIACS :O'D HAD !IR MONA/]Y A LITTLE NOR? ( H]E1 ?REE OR F\R HUNDR$ YE>S AGO4 ,EA* ONE SAT ) H&S FOLD$ PI\SLY & RE/+ 9 HIS LAP1 NOT HID+ ! T5T-POLES ?AT !Y W]E PUTT+ UP UND] !IR HABITS AS !Y WAT*$ ! PANT+ TROOP] & HIS WANTON ) WIDE-EY$ ATT5TION4 ,SO ABSORB$ W]E ! TWO FRI>S ?AT !Y EVID5TLY HADN'T NOTIC$ !RE W]E O!R <O/S1 *ILDR5 AT ?AT1 JU/ FEET AWAY ACROSS ! ROOM1 ,JOHN ?\<T 9DIGNANTLY4 

,ALL ( A SUDD51 ?\<1 ! TABLEAU %IFT$ FROM M]ELY UNPLEASANT TO UNSPEAKABLY GROTESQUE4 ,ONE ( ! SPECTRAL MONKS - ! TUBBY ONE :O SAT UPON ,JOHN'S F> SIDE ( ! PAIR - REMOV$ A PLUMP H& FROM HIS [N LAP &1 BE=E ,JOHN C\LD WORK \T :AT HE WAS UP TO1 SWEPT IT 9 A /REAM ( AFT]-IMAGES TO PLUNGE IT ?R\< ! APRON ( ! M\NT$ WOMAN1 ?RU/+ HIS >M TO ! ELB[ 9 H] LABOR+ BODY1 ALL :ILE %E REMA9$ COMPLETELY UNAW>E4 ,FROM ! LEWD GR9 ?AT BULG$ ! FRI>'S AMPLE *EEKS & FROM ! SUDD5 9CREASE 9 BO? GASPS & AGITAT$ ?RU/S BETWE5 ! LOVEBIRDS1 IT APPE>$ AS IF ! MONK HAD HIS :OLE FLE%Y H& 9SIDE ! WOMAN'S L[] ABDOM51 GRASP+ ! SOLDI]'S 444 ,JOHN FELT A BIT SICK & LOOK$ AWAY4 ,HE'D NEV] SE5 A DEAD MAN DO A ?+ LIKE ?AT BE=E1 HAD NOT EV5 IMAG9$ IT4 ,AH1 WELL4 ,Y\ DI$ & LE>N$4 

,LUCKILY1 NO ONE ELSE SEEM$ TO HAVE NOTIC$ ! REPULSIVE SPECTACLE1 & IT WAS JU/ !N ?AT ,BILL GLEEFULLY DECL>$ HIS TUNNEL UP 9TO ! TW5TIE? C5TURY TO BE COMPLET$4 ,PHYLLIS WAS ! FIR/ TO SCRAMBLE UP ! LADD] =M$ BY ,BILL & ,REGGIE1 DISAPPE>+ 9TO ! PALE GAP ) TW9KL+ $GES DUG 9TO ! PLA/] CEIL+1 9 BETWE5 ! KIPP]$ BEAMS4 ,NEXT ,MI*AEL MADE ! CLIMB1 MULTIPLE PHOTOGRAPHS EXT5D+ HIS %ORT DRESS+ G[N 9TO A T>TAN BRIDAL TRA9 AS HE ASC5D$4 ,M>JORIE W5T AFT] ,MI*AEL1 FOLL[$ RAPIDLY BY ,BILL1 LEAV+ FIR/ ,REGGIE & !N ,JOHN TO LEAP UP ?R\< ! TIME-HOLE FROM A /&+ JUMP1 BUOY$ BY ! <O/-SEAM'S VISC\S ATMOSPH]E4 

,ONLY :5 ,JOHN HAD ROCKET$ UP ?R\< ! AP]TURE TO F9D HIMSELF 9 A SYN!TIC HABITAT :]E EV]Y?+ HAD R\ND$ $GES1 9 :I* ,PHYLLIS WAS H>ANGU+ ,BILL ) MORE ?AN USUAL VIGOR1 DID HE REALIZE !RE WAS SOME?+ WRONG4 ,?IS WASN'T #a#i#e#i4 ,! ROOM ?AT !Y W]E 9 LOOK$ SP>SE & /]ILE1 LIKE A KIT*5 9 A SUP]-MOD]N HOSPITAL ) A /EEL S9K1 SOME K9D ( SLEEK & COMPLICAT$ COOK] & TWO OR ?REE O!R HEFTY METAL BOXES ?AT HAD DIALS1 ! FUNCTIONS ( :I* ,JOHN WAS UNFAMILI> )4 ,NEXT TO ! DOORWAY /OOD A DOZ5 PLA/IC CANI/]S ( BLEA*1 DESIGN$ TO LOOK LIKE BA?-TOY BUZZ-BOMBS ) UNSCREW+ NOSE-CONES1 HELD TOGE!R 9 A CUBE =MATION BY A SK9 ( LADD]$ POLY!NE ?AT SEEM$ TO HAVE BE5 SPRAY$ ON4 ,9 A C>DBO>D BOX B5EA? ! *AMB]'S SOLIT>Y RA9-/REAK$ W9D[ W]E :AT LOOK$ LIKE ,TOYL& HYPOD]MIC NE$LES1 FLIMSY LITTLE ITEMS EA* 9 ITS [N 9DIVIDUAL SEE-?R\< BAG4 ,LOOK+ MORE CLOSELY1 ,JOHN SAW ?AT !RE W]E NUM]\S C>TONS PACK$ ) BOTTL$ PILLS /ACK$ UP HAPHAZ>DLY :]EV] !RE WAS SPACE1 ALONG ) SACKS ( BULK-B\<T OATS & RICE1 MULTIPLY-PACKAG$ T9S ( BABY-FOOD & AN 9CONGRU\S ASSORTM5T ( O!R MASS-PUR*AS$ M$ICAL OR CUL9>Y SUPPLIES4 ,PO/]S TACK$ TO A %EET ( PA/EBO>D ON ONE WALL BORE NAMES & SLOGANS ?AT W]E UTT]LY 9COMPREH5SIBLE TO ,JOHN3 ,/4 ,P,E,T,]',S ,A,N,N,E,X2 ,N,O ,G,R,A,Z,+1 ,N,O ,S,L,I,M2 ,N,O,I,S,E ,K,I,L,L,S2 ,B,L,9,D,] ,& ,T,A,S,] ,A,M,N,E,/,Y2 ,D,O,N',T ,L,E,T ,C-,D,I,F ,B,E,C,O,M,E ,C-,I,M,P2 ,S,E,X ,T,R,A,U,M,A ,9,D,I,C,A,T,O,R,S2 ,C,O,N,F,L,I,C,T ,T,R,A,U,M,A ,9,D,I,C,A,T,O,R,S2 ,S,P,O,T ,A ,S,P,>,R,[2 ,T,5,A,N,T,S ,A,G,A,9,/ ,T,R,E,A,*,],Y 444 :]E ON E>? W]E !Y8 ,JOHN WAS GO+ TO ASK ,PHYLLIS BUT BE=E HE C\LD %E TURN$ TO HIM ) AN EXASP]AT$ LOOK & ANSW]$ ANYWAY4 

0 ',E'S DUG US UP TOO 'I<1 ! LITTLE SOD4 ,WE'RE 9 ! TW5TY-FIVES1 UP 9 ,/4 ,PET]'S ,ANNEX4 ,LOOK AT ALL ?AT BLOODY RA960 

,JOHN GLANC$ \T ( ! W9D[ ONTO :AT HE ?\<T MU/ BE ,BLACK ,LION ,HILL1 AL?\< ! VIEW WAS UNFAMILI>4 ,M>EFAIR WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE1 PAV$ ) A P>QUET ( PALE TIL+ :]E ! COBBL$ & !N T>MAC-COV]$ ROAD HAD BE54 ,?R\< ! TORR5TIAL %EETS ( D[NP\R HE C\LD SEE A GLASS-WALL$ OV]PASS ?AT >C$ ABOVE ! M\? ( A MU*-*ANG$ ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 CONNECT+ ! EXT5D$ SPRAWL ( ,CA/LE ,/ATION ) ! RAIS$ GR\ND NE> ! BOTTOM ( ,*ALK ,LANE1 RI<T :]E ,JOHN'S LONG-DEMOLI%$ TURRET HAD ONCE BE54 ,H]E !RE W]E BULG+ ,M>MITE-POT CON/RUCTIONS ) DESIGNS ?AT SEEM$ TO HAVE RESULT$ FROM A JOKE OR D>E1 ACROSS ! LANE FROM OLD]1 PLA9] /RUCTURES ) :I* !Y CONTRA/$ J>R+LY4 ,! SELF-CONSCI\SLY FUTURI/IC BRIDGE1 A L5G? ( TRANSP>5T 9TE/9E RAVEL+ ACROSS ! SC5E FROM WE/ TO EA/1 LOOK$ LIKE A TAWDRY1 WORLDLY APPREH5SION ( ! ,ULTRADUCT TO ,JOHN1 AN E>?LY COPY ( ! SWEEP+ IMMAT]IAL SPAN ?AT REA*$ FROM ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*4 ,B5EA? ! BRIDGE PECULI> TRAFFIC HISS$ AMID ! DELUGE1 BACK & =? ALONG ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 NONE ( IT V5TUR+ UP 9TO ,M>EFAIR :I* APPE>$ N[ TO BE ONLY = P$E/RIANS4 ,MO/ ( ! FL[ ( VEHICLES WAS MADE UP ( ! BRICK-%AP$ C>S ?AT ,JOHN HAD SE5 DUR+ ! <O/-GANG'S REC5T =AY 9TO NO?+-FIVE OR NO?+-SIX1 BUT !RE W]E ALSO A GREAT MANY /RANG] VEHICLES1 NE>-FLAT CONTRIVANCES LIKE >MOR$ SKATE ?AT W]E COMPLETELY SIL5T & A UNI=M JET-BLACK 9 COLOR4 ,EV5 ,REGGIE ,B[L]1 ! GANG'S C>-FANATIC1 /OOD BESIDE ! W9D[ ) HIS HAT (F1 SCRAT*+ HIS D>K CURLS P]PLEX$LY4 ,PHYLLIS WAS FUM+1 :I*1 IF ANY?+1 MADE H] LOOK PRETTI]4 

0,IF WE W]E ANY BLOODY FUR!R UP WE'D BE 9 BLOODY ,SN[ ,TAYN6 ',E'S DONE ?IS ON PURPOSE1 ALL BECAUSE ,I W\LDN'T LET 'IM GAWP AT ALL !M OLD PROS GETT9' 9T]F]$ ) D[N !RE 9 ! SIXTE5-'UNDR$S60 

,BILL PROTE/$4 

0,OH1 & :5 Y\ DUG US UP TOO 'I< D[N ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET ?AT WIZ DIFF]5T1 WIZ IT8 ,Y\'RE A BOSSY OLD BAT1 WANT+ EV]Y?+ Y\R [N WAY4 ,:O'S TO SAY WE %\LDN'T HAVE A NOSE R\ND :ILE WE'RE UP ']E1 ANYWAY8 ,IT MI<T BE $UCATIONAL1 :I* ,I REMEMB] Y\ BE9' 9 FAVOR ( :5 ,I WIZ ONLY A DAFT KID40 

,PHYLLIS SNIFF$ HAU<TILY4 

0,Y] /ILL A DAFT KID1 & Y] /ILL A BLOODY NUISANCE4 ,ALL RI<T1 ,I SUPPOSE WE MI<T AS WELL SEE 'OO'S ABAYT1 N[ ?AT Y]'VE DRAGG$ US UP ']E4 ,ONLY F] A M9UTE OR TWO1 M9D1 & !N WE'RE GOO9' /RAI<T BACK DAYN ?AT 'OLE TO ,CROMWELL'S TIME1 SO WE CAN TAKE ANO!R R\TE TO ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*40 

,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE1 /&+ BESIDE A LITTLE WOOD5 BOOK-RACK /UFF$ ) DOG-E>$ PAP]BACKS & NO D\BT TRY+ TO EXT5D H] KN[L$GE ( TW5TY-FIR/-C5TURY LIT]ATURE1 PE]$ AT ! O!RS ?R\< H] SPECTACLES' MILK-BOTTLE-BOTTOM L5SES4 

0,\T ?R\< ?AT DOOR ,I ?9K !RE'S A PASSAGEWAY TO AN EXT5SION ?AT POKES 9TO ,PET]'S ,*UR*Y>D4 ,I REMEMB] IT FROM ,! ,RETURN TO ,SN[ ,T[N1 JU/ AFT] ,! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG ,V]SUS ! ,N5E ,HAG & BE=E ,! ,9CID5T ( ! ,REV]SE ,TRA940 

,M>JORIE WAS TURN+ 9TO QUITE ! LITTLE *ATT]BOX4 ,JOHN WAS IMPRESS$1 ?\<1 BY H] CATALOG+ ( ! GANG'S ADV5TURES 9 SU* C>EFUL ORD]1 EV5 IF !Y W]E MORE KID'S GAMES ?AN H]OIC EXPLOITS1 TRU? BE TOLD4 ,! SIX <O/-*ILDR5 FIL$ \T ?R\< ! DOOR ( ! DES]T$ DOCTOR'S SURG]Y OR KIT*5 ?AT !Y'D TUNNEL$ 9TO1 LEAV+ ! TIME-HOLE UNCOV]$ 9 ANTICIPATION ( !IR EXIT BACK TO ! SEV5TE5? C5TURY4 

,BEYOND ! DOOR1 AS ,M>JORIE HAD ALREADY PR$ICT$1 WAS A CORRIDOR4 ,?IS HAD AN >EA ?AT SEEM$ TO BE A *ILDR5'S PLAYROOM RUNN+ (F ONE SIDE1 9 :I* P]HAPS A DOZ5 9FANTS ( V>I\S NATIONALITIES W]E MAK+ AN UNGODLY MESS ) P[D] PA9TS UND] ! SUP]VISION ( A PATI5T-LOOK+ BALD MAN 9 HIS MIDDLE FIFTIES4 ,EV5 ?\< ! LI<T )9 ! ROOM WAS POOR1 ,JOHN ?\<T ?AT ?IS WAS DUE MORE TO ! WEA!R ?AN ! TIME ( DAY1 :I* HE SUPPOS$ TO BE MID AFT]NOON4 ,A CAL5D> ?AT ,JOHN HAD NOTIC$ 9 ! SURG]Y-CUM-KIT*5 - ONE ?AT HAD A /\T ,SALVATION ,>MY LADY POS+ ON IT1 ,JOHN REMEMB]$ SUDD5LY1 NAK$ EXCEPT H] BONNET & TROMBONE - HAD SAID ?AT ?IS WAS ,JULY #b#b#e1 AL?\< IT LOOK$ TOO COLD & WET \TSIDE TO BE MID SUMM]4 

,AN 5TRANCE AT ! PASSAGE'S F> EA/]N 5D GAVE ACCESS TO A C\PLE ( PREFABRICAT$ DORMITORIES1 EA* SUBDIVID$ 9TO HALF A DOZ5 MODE/ CUBICLES BY CURTA9S HUNG ON MOBILE RAIL+S4 ,! FIR/ SU* 5CLOSURE ?AT !Y CAME TO SEEM$ TO HAVE BE5 SET ASIDE = FEMALES ONLY1 ) A FEW WOM5 ( DIFF]5T AGES SITT+ WAT*+ AN 5ORM\S TELEVISION ON :I* NUDE Y\NG M5 SAT 9 SOME SPECIES ( COMMUNAL BA? OR PADDL+ POOL & TOLD EA* O!R !Y W]E 0\T ( ORD]04 ,! BOR$-LOOK+ WOM5 :O W]E VIEW+ ?IS UN$IFY+ SPECTACLE V5TUR$ DISDA9FUL COMM5TS ON ! PROGRAM 9 :AT MI<T HAVE BE5 A ,NORFOLK ACC5T4 ,JOHN PRESUM$ ?AT A MALE DORMITORY MU/ LIE BEYOND ! CLOS$ DOORS AT ! ROOM'S F> 5D1 & W5T TO /& ) ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 :O WAS JUMP+ UP & D[N AS HE TRI$ TO SEE \T ( ! RE> W9D[4 

,?IS LOOK$ S\? T[>DS ! >EA BEH9D ,/4 ,PET]'S ,*UR* & OV] :ATEV] WAS LEFT BY ?IS DATE ( ! GRE5 ?AT ,JOHN HAD PLAY$ UPON ) ,MI*AEL ,W>R5'S DAD :5 !Y W]E BOYS4 ,JOHN HELPFULLY PICK$ UP ! HOPP+ 9FANT SO ?AT HE C\LD SEE1 NOT ?AT A LOT WAS VISIBLE ?R\< ! 9CESSANT RA94 

0,NOT MU* TO LOOK AT1 WIZ !RE8 ,H[ D'Y\ FANCY JUMP+ ?R\< ! WALL & GO+ = A POKE-AB\T \TSIDE8 ,WE WON'T GET WET BECAUSE ! RA9 PASSES RI<T ?R\< US40 

,MI*AEL FR[N$ UP DUBI\SLY AT ,JOHN4 

0,WILL IT FEEL HORRIBLE :5 IT FALLS ?R\< MY TUMMY LIKE ?AT BIRD-POO DID80 

,GR9N+1 ,JOHN %OOK HIS NOBLE1 *ISEL$ HEAD SO ?AT IT D\BLE-EXPOS$ 9TO AN >RAY ( FILM /> EI<T-BY-T5S4 

0,NO4 ,RA9 FEELS CLEAN :5 IT GOES ?R\< Y\4 ,COME ON4 ,PHYLLIS & ! O!RS WIZZLE BE MOO*+ >\ND H]E = A GOOD :ILE YET1 SO WE'VE GOT LOTS ( TIME4 ,REMEMB] :AT ,I SAID AB\T H[ ALL ( ?IS WIZ FLA%+ PA/ LIKE LI<TN+ 9 ! LIV+ WORLD1 & TAKE ! OPPORTUNITY TO GO EXPLOR+ :ILE Y\ CAN40 

,MI*AEL CONSID]$ ?IS = A FEW MOM5TS & !N NODD$ 9 CONS5T4 ,/ILL HOLD+ ! T>TAN-WRAPP$ TODDL] 9 HIS >MS1 ,JOHN /EPP$ \T ?R\< ! %ELL ( GLASS & PLA/]BO>D 9TO A %[] ( SILV]1 FALL+ ) ! RA9 & HIS ATT5DANT AFT]-PICTURES TO ! *UR*Y>D'S BEAD$ TURF A FLOOR BEL[4 ,ONCE !Y HAD L&$ ,JOHN SET ,MI*AEL D[N UPON ! SODD5 GR\ND BESIDE HIM & !N1 H& 9 H&1 ! TWO ( !M DRIFT$ >\ND ! WE/ FACE ( ! *UR* T[>DS ITS RE>4 ,JOHN WAS AGREEABLY SURPRIS$ TO NOTE ?AT ALL ! FUNNY OR HORRIFIC ,SAXON C>V+S HI< ON ! /ONE WALL W]E /ILL 9TACT1 AL?\< :5 HE & ,MI*AEL W]E BEH9D ! *UR* & LOOK+ BETWE5 ITS BACK RAIL+S AT ! D]ELICT GRE5 HIS SURPRISE WAS LESS AGREEABLE4 

,GRE5 ,/REET WAS GONE4 ,ELEPHANT ,LANE1 ,N>R[-,TOE ,LANE1 BO? GONE4 ,FREES*OOL ,/REET WAS TRANS=M$ 9TO BL& =TS COMPRIS$ ( (FICES OR FLATS ?AT LOOK$ SUSPICI\SLY UNUS$4 ,ACROSS ! ALT]$ L&SCAPE 9 A CURV+ SCALPEL-SWIPE WAS ! DISFIGUR+ SURGICAL SC> ( A BROAD TWO-LANE MOTORWAY ?AT RAN FROM ,BLACK ,LION ,HILL1 AWAY S\? ?R\< GRAY VEILS ( 9UNDATION T[>DS ,BECKETT'S ,P>K & ,DELAPRE1 A DI/ANT SKYL9E :]E ! BREAK BETWE5 TALL CONCRETE & DESC5D+ /ORM CL\DS C\LD NO LONG] BE DISC]N$4 ,! GRE5 ITSELF1 NEGLECT$ & UNKEMPT1 HAD LO/ ITS $GES & ITS DEF9ITION1 ITS ID5TITY4 ,IT WAS PURPOSELESS GRASS N[1 MELT+ 9 ! RA9 AS IT AWAIT$ ! SURVEYORS1 ! DEVELOP]S4 ,/&+ !RE NEXT TO ,JOHN ) HIS LIP TREMBL+1 ,MI*AEL ,W>R5 MADE A DISAPPO9T$1 :9+ S\ND4 

0,! /REET ?AT WIZ D[N AT ! BOTTOM ( ! GRE5 WIZ GONE1 JU/ LIKE MY /REET ON ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 ,MY NAAN US$ TO LIVE !RE60 

,KEEP+ UP HIS PRET5SE1 ,JOHN DIDN'T LOOK AT ,MI*AEL AS HE ANSW]$4 

0,YES1 ,I KN[4 ,?AT'S :]E Y\R DAD GREW UP1 AS WELL1 ) ALL HIS BRO!RS & HIS SI/]4 ,?AT :]E Y\R GREAT-GR&DAD DI$1 SITT+ BETWE5 TWO MIRRORS ) HIS M\? /UFF$ FULL ( FL[]S4 ,ALL ( ! ?+S ?AT HAPP5$ 9 ?AT LITTLE H\SE1 & N[ 4440 

,JOHN TRAIL$ (F4 ,!RE WAS NO?+ ELSE ?AT HE C\LD SAY )\T REVEAL+ MATT]S BE/ KEPT TO HIMSELF4 ,) COPIES ( ! BOYS TRAIL+ BEH9D !M ?R\< ! GRAVEY>D LIKE A FUN]AL PROCESSION = ! NEI<BORHOOD1 ,MI*AEL & ,JOHN W5T BACK ! WAY !Y'D COME1 T[>DS ! TWO-/ORY PREFABRICATION JUTT+ 9TO CONSECRAT$ GR\ND \T FROM ! MODIFI$ ,BLACK ,LION NEXT DOOR4 ,?IS MEANT ?AT !Y WALK$ PA/ ! BLACK /ONE OBELISK ?AT /OOD SOME FEET WE/ ( ! ANCI5T *UR* & :I* ,JOHN HAD PAID NO ATT5TION TO :5 !Y PASS$ BY ! O!R WAY JU/ MOM5TS E>LI]4 

,GLI/5+ WET LIKE :ALE-HIDE 9 ! DRIZZLE1 ! D>K MONUM5T APPE>$ TO BE A W> MEMORIAL4 ,IT HADN'T BE5 9 EVID5CE :5 ,JOHN HAD PAID HIS ONE & ONLY VISIT TO ! PLACE JU/ FOLL[+ HIS DISEMBODI$ HOMECOM+ FROM ,FRANCE1 :5 ALL ! <O/S HAD PUT HIM (F FROM COM+ BACK AGA94 ,HE PAUS$ TO LOOK AT IT MORE CLOSELY1 BR++ ,MI*AEL SIMIL>LY TO A HALT4 ,HE WAS JU/ READ+ ! 9SCRIPTIONS :5 ! TODDL] YELP$ D[N AT HIS SIDE & PO9T$ TO ! NE$LE'S BASE4 

0,LOOK6 ,?AT MAN !RE HAS GOT ! SAME LA/ NAME AS ME60 

,JOHN LOOK$4 ,MI*AEL WAS RI<T4 ,NOBODY SPOKE = A FEW SECONDS4 

0,SO HE DOES4 ,AH WELL1 ,I S'POSE WE %\LD BE %\LD BE GETT+ BACK TO ,PHYLLIS & ! RE/1 SEE :AT !Y'RE UP TO4 ,COME ON1 BE=E !Y GO BACK TO #afde )\T US40 

,H& 9 H& ! TWO WRAI?S SLID AMID ! TIPPL+ PRECIPITATION1 PASS+ ?R\< ! 9SULAT$ LAY]S ( ! PUB EXT5SION'S L[] WALLS 9TO AN (FICE :]E A PRETTY1 BURLY1 COLOR$ WOMAN ) A DREADFUL SC> ABOVE ONE EYE WAS TALK+ TO :AT LOOK$ LIKE A /AMP$-ON S>D9E T9 HELD AGA9/ H] E>4 

0,DON'T GIVE ME ?AT4 ,! GOV]NM5T AW>D$ ALL ?IS MONEY WEEKS AGO1 :5 ,Y>M\? HAD ! FLOODS4 ,I'VE GOT TWO DOZ5 PEOPLE H]E1 & SOME ( !M >E ILL1 & SOME NE$ DRUGS4 ,DON'T TELL ME ?AT ! PAYM5TS HAVE TO GO ?R\< *ANNELS :5 ! FUCK+ *ECK IS SITT+ !RE 9 Y\R ACC\NT & E>N+ 9T]E/ = ! C\NCIL40 

,!RE WAS A BRIEF PAUSE & !N ! ,AMAZON RESUM$ H] FI]CE TIRADE4 

0,NO4 ,NO1 Y\ LI/54 ,IF ?AT CA% IS NOT WIR$ 9TO ! ,/4 ,PET]'S ,ANNEX ACC\NT BY NEXT ,TUESDAY AT ! LATE/1 ,I'LL BE AT ! ,GUILDHALL = ! MEET+ ON ! ,FRIDAY AFT] ) A LI/ ( EV]Y DODGY DEAL BETWE5 Y\ LOT & ! ,DISA/] ,MANAGEM5T ,AU?ORITY4 ,I'LL /RAP ONE ON & GIVE Y\R MATES A PUBLIC FUCK+ SO R\< ?AT !Y WON'T BE SITT+ D[N 9 C\NCIL OR ANY:]E ELSE = MON?S4 ,N[1 GET IT SORT$40 

,) A SNE] ?AT CURL$ H] LUSCI\S GLI/5+ LIPS TO =M A SWIMM+-POOL 9FLATABLE ! WOMAN SNAPP$ A LID ACROSS ! S>D9E T91 CONTEMPTU\SLY TOSS+ IT 9TO ! 9N>DS ( A C>TOON DOG ?AT SPRAWL$ !RE GUTT$ ON A WORK-SURFACE & :I* ,JOHN F9ALLY ID5TIFI$ AS SOME V>IETY ( H&BAG4 ,TIPP+ BACK H] (FICE *AIR & FLIPP+ ?R\< A FILE %E'D TAK5 FROM A %ALL[ WIRE TRAY ON H] DESK1 %E WAS MAGNIFIC5T1 QUITE UNLIKE ANY FEMALE ,JOHN HAD SE5 BE=E4 ,AL?\< HE DIDN'T HOLD ) WOM5 SWE>+ & AL?\< HE'D NEV] REALLY BE5 ATTRACT$ TO :AT HE ?\<T ( AS HALF-CA/E GIRLS1 ?IS ONE POSSESS$ A K9D ( ATMOSPH]E OR AURA ?AT WAS ABSOLUTELY RIVET+4 ,%E HAD AS MU* 9T5SITY AB\T H] AS ,OLIV] ,CROMWELL HAD1 A %ORT WALK D[N ,M>EFAIR & GETT+ ON F\R HUNDR$ YE>S AGO1 EXCEPT ?AT ! =CE BURN+ 9 H] WAS LESS BLACK & HEAVY ?AN ! 5]GY ?AT *URN$ 9SIDE ! ,LORD ,PROTECTOR4 

,%E WAS ALSO A MU* HEAL?I] & MORE ATTRACTIVE SPECIM54 ,H] LUDICR\SLY SPL5DID MANE ( CATK9 HAIR FELL TO H] %\LD]S :I* W]E NAK$ :]E H] ?ICK1 MASCUL9E >MS1 ?OSE ( A LADY WEI<TLIFT]1 EM]G$ FROM ! *OPP$-(F SLEEVES ( H] ,T-%IRT4 ,?IS HAD A MAN'S FACE PR9T$ UPON IT1 HIS HAIR/YLE ALMO/ ID5TICAL TO ?AT AFFECT$ BY ! G>M5T'S WE>]1 ) ABOVE IT ! WORD ,E,X,O,D,U,S & !N BEL[ IT ! PHRASE ,M,O,V,E,M,5,T ,( ,J,A,H ,P,E,O,P,L,E4 ,! GIRL LOOK$ TO BE 9 H] LATE ?IRTIES1 BUT ! RADIANCE ( Y\? WAS UND]CUT BY ! GR[N-UP & V]Y S]I\S-LOOK+ RAGG$ SEAM ( FLE% JU/ OV] H] LEFT EYEBR[4 ,?IS DID NOT DEFACE H] BEAUTY SO MU* AS IT LOAN$ A /R5G? & GRAVITY TO H] Y\NG C\NT5ANCE4 ,JOHN WAS JU/ ?9K+ ?AT H] P[]FUL1 MANNI% >MS & AIR ( RESOLUTE NOBILITY GAVE ! IMPRESSION ( A ,C>IBBEAN ,JOAN ( ,>C :5 HE PUT TWO & TWO TOGE!R & REMEMB]$ :]E HE'D HE>D AB\T ?IS GIRL BE=E1 BLURT+ ! ANSW] \T TO ,MI*AEL ,W>R54 

0,IT'S ! SA9T4 ,IT'S ?AT ONE ?AT ,I'VE HE>D AB\T :O LOOKS AFT] ! REFUGEES H]E 9 ! TW5TY-FIVES4 ,I ?9K ?AT ,I'VE HE>D PEOPLE CALL H] ',KAFF'1 SO ,I SUPPOSE ?AT'S %ORT = ,KA!R9E4 ,%E PIONE]S SOME TREATM5T H]E ?AT WIZZLE SAVE LIVES RI<T ACROSS ! WORLD1 FOLK :O >E ON ! RUN FROM W>S & FLOODS & ?AT4 ,!Y SAY ?AT 9 ! NO?+-=TIES PEOPLE TALK AB\T H] LIKE A SA9T4 ,%E'S ! MO/ FAM\S P]SON ?AT COMES FROM ! ,BOR\<S 9 ?IS C5TURY1 & H]E WE >E GETT+ A LOOK AT H]40 

,MI*AEL REG>D$ ! OBLIVI\S WOMAN QUIZZICALLY4 

0,:]E DID %E GET ?AT NA/Y CUT ?AT'S NE> H] EYE80 

,JOHN %RUGG$1 ) BRIEFLY MULTIPLY+ %\LD]S4 

0,I DON'T KN[4 ,I DON'T KN[ MU* AB\T H]1 TO BE HONE/1 O!R ?AN ! SA9T ?+4 ,ANYWAY1 WE CAN'T /& NATT]+ H]E4 ,LET'S F9D \R WAY BACK TO ! FIR/ FLOOR & CAT* UP ) ,PHYLLIS & ! RE/40 

,WALK+ >\ND ! SEAT$ GODDESS AS %E F9I%$ ) H] SCRUT9Y ( ! PLA9 FOLD] & REPLAC$ IT ) ANO!R FROM ! SAME WIRE TRAY1 ,MI*AEL & ,JOHN /EPP$ ?R\< ! (FICE WALL & F\ND !MSELVES 9 A %ORT CORRIDOR ?AT HAD ! L[] REA*ES ( A /AIRWAY LEAD+ UP FROM IT4 ,AS ! PAIR FLOAT$ UP ?IS ON !IR WAY TO R5DEZV\S ) ! REMA9D] ( ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG1 ,JOHN F\ND HIMSELF CONSID]+ :AT IT W\LD TAKE TO GET Y\ LABEL$ AS A SA9T4 

,IT ALL DEP5D$1 V]Y PROBABLY1 UPON ! TIMES ?AT Y\ W]E 91 ! BACKGR\ND ?AT Y\ CAME FROM4 ,9 ! MIDDLE AGES IT REQUIR$ A MIRACLE1 LIKE ! ONE ?AT WAS SAID TO HAVE OCCURR$ H]E 9 ,/4 ,PET]'S ,*UR* D[N 9 #a#e-SOME?+1 :]E AN ANGEL HAD APP>5TLY HELP$ F9D ! BODY ( ! MAN :O W\LD BECOME ,SA9T ,RAG5]1 ! BRO!R ( ,SA9T ,$MUND4 ,!N 9 ,CROMWELL'S DAY1 A HUNDR$ YE>S AFT] ,H5RY ! ,EI<? HAD SEV]$ ,5GL&'S TIES ) ,ROME1 ! SA9TS W]E LIV+ PEOPLE1 M5 LIKE ,BUNYAN :O BELIEV$ ?AT !Y W]E DE/9$ TO BE C\NT$ ) ?AT RANK :5 S9FUL WORLDLY K+DOMS HAD BE5 SWEPT AWAY & W]E REPLAC$ BY AN EGALIT>IAN SOCIETY UNIT$ UND] ,GOD1 AN 5TIRE NATION ( ! SA9TLY ?AT W\LD NOT BE NE$+ EI!R PRIE/S OR GOV]NM5TS4 

,JU/ :5 HE ?\<T HE'D F9ALLY =GOTT5 ALL AB\T IT1 ,JOHN F\ND ?AT HE WAS REM9D$ ( ! BL[+-UP MAN !RE ON ,MANS\L'S L&+S4 ,W\LDN'T HE BE ?\<T ( AS A SA9T1 A M>TYR1 BY ! PEOPLE :O BELIEV$ :AT HE DID8 ,JOHN SUPPOS$ ?AT ONE ?+ ?AT UNIT$ ,BUNYAN1 ,CROMWELL1 ,RAG5]1 ! HUMAN BOMB - & FROM ! LOOK ( ?AT SC> NE> H] EYE ! GIRL D[N/AIRS AS WELL - WAS ?AT !Y'D ALL PASS$ ?R\< SOME SORT ( FIRE4 ,?AT WAS A FACTOR1 CLE>LY1 AL?\< NOT ! ONLY ONE1 O!RWISE ,JOHN W\LD BE A SA9T AS WELL AFT] HIS [N DISMEMB]M5T 9 ,FRANCE4 ,JOHN ?\<T ?AT IT MU/ BE ! ATTITUDE ) :I* ONE W5T 9TO ! FLAMES ?AT MADE ! DIFF]5CE4 ,IT MU/ BE ONE'S C\RAGE1 OR ! LACK ( IT1 ?AT SA9?OOD RE/$ ON4 ,!RE WAS MU* MORE TO BE+ CANONIZ$ ?AN GETT+ %OT AT BY A CANNON4 

,JU/ :5 ,JOHN & ,MI*AEL REA*$ ! FIR/ FLOOR1 P&EMONIUM ]UPT$4 ,AT ITS TOP 5D1 ! /AIRCASE EM]G$ 9TO A CORRIDOR ) TWO DOORS LEAD+ (F ON ! RI<T SIDE1 :I* ,JOHN ASSUM$ MU/ BE ! DORMITORIES !Y'D CAU<T A GLIMPSE ( E>LI]4 ,HE WAS AB\T TO POKE HIS HEAD 9TO ! WALL LOOK+ = ,PHYLLIS :5 A SMALL & SICKLY FLY+ SAUC] SAIL$ \T ?R\< ! NE>E/ ( ! %UT-FA/ DOORS ) 9SUB/ANTIAL D\BLES ( ITSELF BEH9D IT1 M>K+ ITS TRAJECTORY4 ,BE=E IT HIT ! FLOOR1 A :IRL+ TUMBLEWE$ ( /REAM+ MOTION LIKE TWO ,SIAMESE CATS FI<T+ FOLL[$ ! DISC ?R\< ! SOLID DOOR & CAU<T IT 9 MID-HOV]4 ,/ILL = JU/ A SECOND1 ?IS GRAY BLUR RESOLV$ 9TO ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE & !N DUCK$ BACK 9TO ! PRESUM$ DORMITORY TAK+ ! CAPTUR$ OBJECT ) H]4 ,JOHN & ,MI*AEL LOOK$ AT ONE ANO!R 9 A/ONI%M5T !N RAC$ ACROSS ! PASSAGEWAY TO FOLL[ ,M>JORIE 9 ?R\< ! *AMB]'S FLIMSY MOD]N WALL4 

,AS ,JOHN HAD GUESS$1 ON ! WALL'S F> SIDE WAS A DORMITORY1 A MORE OR LESS ID5TICAL MALE C\NT]P>T TO ! GIRL'S QU>T]S ?AT !Y'D PASS$ ?R\< A %ORT :ILE AGO4 ,AS = ! FRANTIC ACTION TAK+ PLACE 9SIDE1 H[EV]1 ,JOHN HAD NOT PR$ICT$ ?AT AT ALL4 

,F\R LIV+ M5 SAT PLAY+ C>DS1 !IR AGES RANG+ FROM AB\T EI<TE5 TO =TY1 ALL COMPLETELY UNAW>E ( ! SPECTRAL COMMOTION GO+ ON >\ND !M4 ,9 ! RIOT ( PROLIF]AT+ <O/-=MS HURTL+ >\ND ! ROOM IT WAS ALMO/ IMPOSSIBLE AT FIR/ TO MAKE \T :AT WAS HAPP5+1 BUT AFT] A FEW MOM5TS ,JOHN BELIEV$ ?AT HE HAD GRASP$ ! SITUATION3 C\NT+ ,JOHN & ,MI*AEL !RE W]E SEV5 <O/S 9SIDE ! DORMITORY1 SIX BE+ ! ASSEMBL$ ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG4 ,! SEV5? WAS AN ADULT PHANTOM1 A R\< SLEEP] ?AT BO? ,JOHN & ,PHYLL HAD KN[N ( :ILE !Y W]E ALIVE1 NAM$ ,FR$DY ,ALL54 ,9 HIS MORTAL DAY ,FR$DY HAD BE5 A WELL-KN[N ,BOR\<S VAGRANT1 SLEEP+ UND] RAILWAY >*ES 9 ,FOOT ,MEAD[ & KEEP+ ALIVE BY P9*+ LOAVES ( BREAD & P9TS ( MILK FROM PEOPLE'S DOOR/EPS1 SL9K+ (F 9 ! DES]T$ & CONSPIRATORIAL HU% ( E>LY MORN+4 ,S9CE HIS DEA?1 HE'D BE5 ONE ( ! MO/ ANONYM\S & H>MLESS SPIRITS TO FREQU5T ! SORRY T]RITORIES ( ! <O/-SEAM1 MU* LESS ( A T]ROR ?AN ,MALONE1 OR ,M>Y ,JANE1 OR OLD ,MANGLE-!-,CAT4 ,UN=TUNATELY1 ?IS MADE ,FR$DY A CONV5I5T & RELATIVELY RISK-FREE T>GET = ,PHYLL ,PA9T]'S ONGO+ V5DETTA AGA9/ GR[N-UP <O/S4 

,:AT MU/ HAVE HAPP5$ WAS ?AT ,FR$DY HAD BE5 UP H]E 9 ! TW5TY-FIVES & M9D+ HIS [N BUS9ESS1 SITT+ 9 UPON A MORTAL H& ( ?REE-C>D ,BRAG1 :5 ,PHYLLIS1 ,REGGIE1 ,BILL & ,M>JORIE HAD BUR/ 9 ?R\< ! WALL & />T$ MUCK+ HIM AB\T4 ,! 'FLY+ SAUC]' ?AT ,JOHN HAD SE5 ,M>JORIE RETRIEV+ FROM ! CORRIDOR A MOM5T OR TWO BACK WAS ,FR$DY'S HAT1 PLUCK$ FROM HIS BALD+ CR[N BY ONE ( ! <O/-*ILDR51 :O W]E N[ 5GAG$ 9 RUNN+ R\ND ! DORMITORY & ?R[+ ,FR$DY'S BATT]$ TRILBY BACK & =? TO ONE ANO!R :ILE ! PAUN*Y & \T-(-CONDITION REV5ANT FLAIL$ HELPLESSLY !RE AT !IR C5T]1 TRY+ TO CAT* HIS HEADGE> AS IT :I/L$ PA/4 ,AS ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG TOSS$ ! <O/LY HAT FROM H& TO H&1 ITS AFT]-IMAGES P]SI/$ LONG 5\< TO LEAVE A LOOP+ *A9 ( WAN & *E]LESS ,*RI/MAS DECORATIONS /RUNG >\ND ! UPP] REA*ES ( ! ROOM4 

,FR$DY WAS SPLUTT]+ & FURI\S4 

0,Y\ GIVE ?AT ']E6 ,Y\ GIVE ?AT ']E1 Y\ LITTLE TE>AWAYS60 

,! ITEM ( APP>EL HE WAS AFT] SPUN 9 A HI< >C ABOVE HIS B>E GRAY PATE1 \T ( HIS REA*1 TO BE PLUCK$ FROM ! AIR BY ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]1 :O WAS DANC+ UP & D[N NEXT TO ! DORMITORY'S W9D[S4 ,WAV+ ! OLD TRILBY BACK & =? ABOVE H] HEAD UNTIL IT MULTIPLI$ 9TO A SOLID /RIPE ( HATS1 %E GR9N$ AT ,FR$DY4 

0,COME & GET IT1 Y\ OLD BUGG]6 ,S]VES Y] RI<T = 'AV9' ALL !M LOAVES ORF PEOPLE'S DOOR/EPS60 

,) ?AT1 ,PHYLLIS HURL$ ! IMMAT]IAL TROPHY ?R\< ! H>D GLASS ( ! W9D[PANE 9TO ! OP5 AIR \TSIDE1 :]E IT W5T SAIL+ D[N 9TO ! RA9-LA%$ *UR*Y>D4 ,! <O/-TRAMP H[L$ 9 DISMAY &1 ) A F9AL ANGRY GL>E 9 ,PHYLLIS'S DIRECTION1 DIV$ \T ?R\< ! W9D[ AFT] IT4 

,PHYLLIS1 ALREADY />T+ TO /EP ?R\< ! WALL 9TO ! WOM5'S DORMITORY NEXT DOOR1 CALL$ = ! GANG TO FOLL[ H]4 

0,COME ON1 LET'S GET BACK DAYN TO ! ,BLACK ,LION 9 ,CROMWELL'S TIMES1 BE=E ! OLD GIT F9DS 'IS 'AT & COMES TO LOOK F] US40 

,! A/RAL-PLANE ADV5TUR]S FOLL[$ !IR LEAD] BACK ?R\< ! ADJO9+ GIRLS' COMMUNAL B$ROOM4 ,ON ! HUGE1 SIDEBO>D-SIZ$ TELEVISION ONE ( ! *APS :O'D BE5 BA?+ E>LI] WAS 9 A FUTURI/IC KIT*5 HAV+ A F\L-M\!D EX*ANGE ) A Y\NG WOMAN WE>+ :AT ,JOHN C\LD ONLY ASSUME W]E >TIFICIAL JOKE-%OP BREA/S4 ,! MAN1 APP>5TLY1 WAS 'FUCK9' MA%9'' ! GIRL'S 'FUCK9' SW$E'1 :ATEV] ?AT 5TAIL$4 ,! WOM5 SITT+ ON !IR B$S & WAT*+ ! 5ORM\S TELLY TUTT$ & REM>K$ UPON ! ON-SCRE5 H>RIDAN'S AUGM5T$ BOSOMS 9 !IR FLAT EA/-C\NTRY TONES AS ! <O/-*ILDR5 PASS$ UNSE5 AMONG !M4 

,GLID+ D[N ! CORRIDOR BEYOND ! F> WALL ( ! DORMITORY ! GANG CAME TO ! ROOM ) ALL ! BLEA*1 SYR+ES & T9N$ BABY-FOOD1 :]E !Y HAD UN9T5TIONALLY EM]G$ 9TO ?IS /RANGE1 OV]CA/ C5TURY4 ,! HOLE ?AT ,BILL HAD MADE /ILL GAP$ !RE 9 ! ANTISEPTIC L9O-TIL+ ( ! FLOOR1 BUT IT LOOK$ D[N N[ 9TO UNRELIEV$ & SIL5T BLACKNESS1 RA!R ?AN ! LAMPLI<T & ! AMOR\S RU/L+S ?AT !Y'D CLIMB$ UP \T (4 ,REGGIE ,B[L] L[]$ HIMSELF 9TO ! TIME-TUNNEL FIR/1 VANI%+ D[N 9TO SEV5TE5?-C5TURY D>K SO ?AT HE C\LD HELP ! GANG'S SMALL] MEMB]S CLAMB] AFT] HIM4 ,PHYLLIS DESC5D$ NEXT1 !N ,MI*AEL1 ,BILL & ,M>JORIE4 

,TAK+ A F9AL1 MY/IFI$ LOOK R\ND AT ALL ! M$IC9ES & ! UNFA?OMABLE PO/]S - ,?,A,N,K ,Y,\ ,= ,N,O,T ,S,C,R,E,A,M,+2 ,T,A,L,K,+ ,A,B,\,T ,T,Y,P,H,O,I,D - ,JOHN LET HIMSELF D[N 9TO ! BLACK WELL AFT] HIS COMPANIONS4 

,BEL[1 9 #a#f#d#e1 ! TAV]N WAS DES]T$ & HAD EVID5TLY BE5 CLOS$ = ! NI<T1 ITS F9AL PATRONS *UCK$ \T 9TO MUD & />LI<T4 ,PHYLLIS /OOD ON ,REGGIE'S %\LD]S & PATI5TLY WOVE ! FABRIC ( ! MOM5T BACK ACROSS ! AP]TURE ?AT ,BILL HAD MADE1 OBS]V+ AN AFT]LIFE V]SION ( ! C\NTRY CODE1 :I* ,JOHN APPROV$ (4 ,AL?\< LIV+ PEOPLE C\LDN'T PHYSICALLY PASS ?R\< A TIME HOLE 9 ! WAY A SPIRIT DID1 ONE ?AT HAD BE5 LEFT OP5 C\LD /ILL POSE A ?REAT TO !M4 ,A MORTAL P]SON'S M9D MI<T FALL ?R\< SU* AN OP5+ AL?\< !IR BODIES W]E NOT ABLE TO1 PRODUC+ ! POT5TIALLY N]VE-%ATT]+ EXP]I5CE ( BE+ 9 ANO!R TIME4 ,JOHN HADN'T EV] HE>D FIR/-H& ( ?IS OCCURR+1 BUT HE'D BE5 ASSUR$ BY OLD]1 MORE EXP]I5C$ WRAI?S ?AT SU* ?+S W]E A HORRIFY+ POSSIBILITY4 ,BETT] TO CLOSE Y\R BURR[S (F BEH9D Y\1 JU/ 9 CASE4 

,:5 ,PHYLL WAS DONE ) COV]+ !IR TRACKS1 ! *ILDR5 LEAK$ \T ?R\< ! OLD 9N'S BOLT$ DOOR ONTO A ,M>EFAIR QUITE DEVOID ( LIFE OR AFT]LIFE4 ,! GANG ME&]$ 9 ! G5]AL DIRECTION ( ,PIKE ,LANE1 A LI<TLESS CRACK ?AT RAN NOR? FROM ! MA9 /REET1 & ,JOHN TURN$ IT OV] 9 HIS ?\<TS1 ?IS BUS9ESS AB\T W>RIOR SA9TS1 ?IS DEA? & GLORY L>K4 

,9 ,JOHN'S OP9ION IT WAS ALL A FRAUD1 ! /UFF HE'D HAD DRUMM$ 9TO HIM :5 HE WAS 9 ! ,BOY'S ,BRIGADE1 S++ 0,TO ,BE ,A ,PILGRIM0 :ILE ASSOCIAT+ BE+ GOOD ) *UR* & *UR* ) M>*+2 DILIG5TLY PA9T+ ,BLANCO ON Y\R LANY>D2 TAK+ ORD]S4 ,ALL !SE ?+S HAD BE5 MIX$ UP TOGE!R = ,JOHN'S G5]ATION4 ,RITUALLY BLACK5+ ! COLD BRASS BUCKLE ( A ,B4,B4 BELT ABOVE A C&LE FLAME BE=E Y\ POLI%$ IT L$ SEAMLESSLY 9TO ! S5SE ( ,*RI/IAN DUTY ?AT Y\ FELT :5 Y\ FIR/ GOT Y\R CALL UP PAP]S4 0,HOBGOBL9 NOR F\L FI5D %ALL DAUNT HIS SPIRIT4 ,HE KN[S HE AT ! 5D %ALL LIFE 9H]IT40 ,! NEXT ?+ Y\ KNEW Y\ W]E 9 ,NASEBY GETT+ RUN ?R\< BY A PIKE1 Y\ W]E EXPLOD+ 9 A %[] ( NAILS & BRILLIANCE1 Y\ W]E BE+ BL[N \T ( Y\R FLE% BY AN >TILL]Y %ELL 9 ,FRANCE4 ,IT WASN'T LIFE ?AT Y\ 9H]IT$4 ,?AT WAS JU/ :AT !Y TOLD Y\ SO ?AT Y\'D DIE 9 !IR MILIT>Y CAMPAIGN )\T A FUSS4 ,ALL W>S W]E HOLY W>S1 :I* WAS TO SAY !Y W]E ALL ORD9>Y BLOODY W>S ?AT SOMEONE HAD DECID$ TO CALL HOLY :5 IT SUIT$ !M1 SOME K+1 SOME POPE1 SOME ,CROMWELL :O BELIEV$ HE KNEW :AT ,HEAV5 WANT$4 ,AS ,JOHN SAW IT1 IF Y\ W]E 5GAG$ 9 KILL+ PEOPLE !N Y\ V]Y PROBABLY W]E NOT A SA9T4 ,P]HAPS ?AT COLOR$ GIRL ) ! APPALL+ SC> WAS ! BE/ C&IDATE = ! POSITION AFT] ALL1 UNLIKELY AS %E LOOK$4 ,H] ONLY WEAPON HAD BE5 A S>D9E T94 

,UP AHEAD ( !M ,PIKE ,LANE SLOP$ G5TLY FROM ,M>EFAIR TO ,M>Y'S ,/REET1 :I* L$ TO ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*1 !IR DE/9ATION4 ,JOHN WAS IDLY MUS+ AB\T ,M>Y'S ,/REET & :AT HAD HAPP5$ !RE :5 ,BILL SEEM$ ALMO/ TO PICK UP !SE ?\<TS1 L\DLY PROCLAIM+ HIS NEW IDEA = PROCRA/9ATION AS HE HOPP$ FROM ONE FOOT TO ! O!R 9 ! N>R[ & B5I<T$ SIDE-/REET1 G5]AT+ EXTRA LEGS ) EV]Y B\NCE4 ,:ATEV] HE'D GOT ON HIS M9D1 HE SEEM$ EXCIT$4 

0,I KN[6 ,I KN[6 ,WE C\LD GO & SEE ! FIRE6 ,IT'S ONLY ?IRTY YE>S UP ?AT WAY60 

,EV]YONE AGRE$4 ,IT W\LD BE A TREM5D\S WA/E TO BE 9 ,M>Y'S ,/REET DUR+ ! SIXTE5-HUNDR$S & NOT GO TO VISIT ! ,GREAT ,FIRE4 

,PHYLLIS BEGAN TO DIG 9TO ! MIDNI<T AIR4 ,%E SAID %E'D /OP :5 %E HIT SP>KS4 

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

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

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