,BOOK #b1 ,*APT] #h 
,MALIGNANT1 ,REFRACTORY ,SPIRITS 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

,M,A,L,I,G,N,A,N,T1 ,R,E,F,R,A,C,T,O,R,Y ,S,P,I,R,I,T,S 

,Y\ SEE MORE NAK$ PEOPLE :5 Y\'RE DEAD1 OR AT LEA/ ?IS WAS ! CONCLUSION ,MI*AEL WAS FA/ COM+ TO4 ,!RE HAD BE5 NUDES & SEMI-NUDES AMONG ! CR[D ON ,MANS\L'S BALCONIES1 SLEEPWALK+ DREAM]S 9 !IR UND]PANTS1 & !RE HAD BE5 ! ,CROMWELL BOY ONLY A LITTLE :ILE AGO 9 ,M>EFAIR4 ,9 ! AFT]LIFE1 NOBODY SEEM$ TO M9D IF Y\'D NOT GOT Y\R CLO!S ON4 ,?IS APPROA* APPEAL$ TO ,MI*AEL1 :O HAD NEV] UND]/OOD :AT ALL ! FUSS WAS OV] 9 ! FIR/ PLACE4 

,!N !RE W]E ! TWO Y\NG WOM5 ,MI*AEL WAS N[ LOOK+ AT1 CAP]+ B>E ALONG ! DRAB ,SEPTEMB] L5G? ( ,M>Y'S ,/REET 9 ! MID-#a#f#gS4 ,SO BEAUTIFUL EV5 A ?REE-YE>-OLD C\LD SEE IT2 !Y W]E H>DLY REAL WOM5 AT ALL & MORE LIKE SOME?+ MADE-UP FROM A FILM OR MAGAZ9E AS !Y SKIPP$ GAILY ?R\< ! COOK+ /EAM & REFUSE 9 ! N>R[ LANE AT ?AT TIME ( ! BYGONE MORN+4 ,!SE1 HE DIMLY COMPREH5D$1 MI<T JU/ BE :AT ! COMMOTION OV] NUDITY WAS ALL AB\T4 

,! PRANC+ FEMALES W]E1 HE ?\<T1 A LOVELY %APE1 EV5 ?\< ONE WAS SK9NY & ! O!R PLUMP4 ,HE LIK$ ! EXTRA BITS !Y HAD UPON !IR *E/S1 & H[ !Y DIDN'T HAVE ! CORN]S GR[N-UP M5 HAD1 BE+ R\ND$ LIKE ! C\NTRY WAS RA!R ?AN SQU>E-CUT LIKE A T[N4 ,AS USUAL1 HE WOND]$ VAGUELY :AT HAD HAPP5$ TO !IR WILLIES BUT WAS CONFID5T ?AT ?IS W\LD ALL MAKE S5SE EV5TUALLY1 LIKE JOKES OR FRO/-PATT]NS4 

,( C\RSE1 ! REALLY /RIK+ ?+ AB\T ! TWO NYMPHS WAS ! COLOR ( !IR HAIR3 IT HAD A COLOR1 EV5 9 ! <O/-SEAM'S UNREL5T+ BLACK-&-:ITE4 ,TOSS$ UP ABOVE !IR HEADS AS IF BY ! /RONG BREEZES FROM ! WE/1 BILL[+ \T & TANGL+ 9 ! W9D1 !IR MANES W]E VIVID ORANGE ON ! HALF-WORLD'S PHOTO-ALBUM GRAY4 

,! DEAD GIRL ?AT HE WAS />T+ TO ?9K ( AS HIS SECRET SWEE!>T1 ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] 9 H] ROTT5 RABBIT RUFF1 HAD DUG A TUNNEL UP FROM MIDNI<T ,M>EFAIR ON ! EVE ( BATTLE 9 ! #a#f#dS 9TO DAYLI<T ,PIKE ,LANE ONLY ?IRTY YE>S !REAFT]4 ,MI*AEL & ! GANG HAD CLAMB]$ ?R\< ! OP5+ 9TO A SIDE /REET :]E TWO M5 W]E >GU+ AB\T ! TALLI$ *ALK-M>KS ON A BLACKBO>D HANG+ BY ! DOORWAY ( !IR IRONMONG]'S %OP1 & :]E OLD WOM5 WE>+ ?READB>E P9A=ES EMPTI$ ! CONT5TS ( CRACK$ *AMB] POTS 9TO ALREADY-BRIMM+ GUTT]S4 ,S9CE !RE W]E NO O!R <O/S >\ND1 NO ONE C\LD SEE ! *ILDR5 AS !Y CONSCI5TI\SLY REPAIR$ ! HOLE !Y'D MADE >RIV+ H]E1 \T ( A NI<T ?REE DECADES GONE4 

,! PHANTOM RUFFIANS HAD /REAM$ UP TO ,/4 ,M>Y'S ,/REET1 :]E !RE W]E JUMBL$ Y>DS & COTTAGES PIL$ UP HIGGL$Y-PIGGL$Y1 ALIVE ) *ICK5S1 DOGS & *ILDR52 NOT AT ALL LIKE ! NEAT MOD]N FLATS ( ,MI*AEL'S DAY4 ,FROM :]E ! SIX ( !M W]E AT ! UPP] 5TRANCE TO ,PIKE ,LANE !Y C\LD SEE ONLY NONDESCRIPT WOOD BUILD+S ON ! M\ND T[>DS ! WE/ :]E ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR* W\LD LAT] /&4 ,LOOK+ T[>DS ! EA/ & ,HORSEM>KET1 H[EV]1 !Y HAD SPI$ ! BEAUTIFUL B>E LADIES ) !IR HAIR 9 COLOR1 TWIRL+ BLISSFULLY ALONG ! BUSY MORN+ /REET1 APP>5TLY UNNOTIC$ BY ! D[NCA/ WAGON-DRIV]S & PREOCCUPI$ P$E/RIANS GO+ AB\T !IR BUS9ESS4 ,PHYLLIS HAD SEEM$ PLEAS$ TO SEE ! PAIR4 

0,?AT'S GOOD4 ,WE'RE ']E BE=E !Y'VE PROP]LY GOT />T$4 ,WE CAN WAT* ! 'OLE ?+ N[1 FROM />T T] F9I%40 

,MI*AEL HAD BE5 PUZZL$4 

0,:O >E ?OSE TWO LADIES8 ,I ?\<T WE WIZ COM+ H]E TO SEE ! ,GREAT ,FIRE ( ,NOR?AMPTON40 

,PHYLLIS LOOK$ AT ,MI*AEL PATI5TLY1 PATT+ HIS T>TAN SLEEVE AS %E EXPLA9$4 

0,!Y >E ! ,GRET ,FIRE O' ,NOR?AMPTON40 

,TALL ,JOHN BUTT$ 94 

0,PHYLLIS WIZ RI<T4 ,?AT'S :Y NOBODY ELSE CAN SEE 'EM1 & ?AT'S :Y !IR HAIR WIZ COLOR$ :5 ! RE/ ( US >E ALL 9 BLACK & :ITE4 ,IF Y\ LOOK CLOS]1 IT'S NOT HAIR AT ALL4 ,IT'S FLAMES4 ,!Y'RE ,SALAM&]S40 

,! FIRE-HEAD$ WOM5 TRIPP$ & LAU<$ AMONG ! DROSS ( ,M>Y'S ,/REET4 ,!Y LOOK$ 5\< ALIKE = ,MI*AEL TO BE SURE ?AT !Y W]E SI/]S1 ) ! PLUMP] ( ! PAIR BE+ P]HAPS N9ETE5 OR TW5TY & ! LEAN] ONE SOME FIVE YE>S Y\NG]1 B>ELY 9 H] TE5S4 ,HE NOTIC$ ?AT RI<T AT ! BOTTOMS ( !IR TUMMIES1 :]E !IR WILLIES %\LD HAVE BE51 ! LITTLE PAT* ( HAIR !Y HAD WAS MADE ( ORANGE FIRE AS WELL1 ) /RAY SP>KS DRIFT+ UP >\ND !IR BELLY-BUTTONS4 ,!Y SWUNG LAZILY >\ND ! WOOD5 PO/S SUPPORT+ MU/Y B>NS & TI<TROPE-WALK$ ALONG ! DUCKBO>DS4 ,NEI!R ( !M SPOKE A WORD - ,MI*AEL WAS SOMEH[ SURE !Y C\LDN'T - BUT COMMUNICAT$ ONLY 9 %RILL LAU<S & GIGGLES ?AT W]E REM9ISC5T ( ! WAY ?AT E>LY-MORN+ SONGBIRDS TALK$ TOGE!R4 ,! TWO DIDN'T SEEM TO HAVE A S+LE ?\<T BETWE5 !M ?AT WAS NOT AB\T !IR LAU<T] OR !IR R&OM1 SKITT]+ DANCE4 ,!Y W]E SO HAPPY & C>EFREE ?AT !Y LOOK$ ALMO/ IDIOTIC4 

,SEEM+ TO GUESS :AT ! LITTLE BOY WAS ?9K+1 ,PHYLLIS G5TLY PUT HIM /RAI<T4 

0,I KN[ !Y LOOK 'ALF %>P1 BUT ?AT'S JU/ '[ !Y >E4 ,!Y DON'T 'AVE PROP] ?\<TS OR FEEL+S LIKE WE 'AVE 'EM4 ,!Y'RE ALL SPIRIT4 ,!Y'RE ALL URGE1 ALL FIRE4 ,ME & ,BILL SAW 'EM FIR/1 BE=E WE />T$ UP ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG4 ,WE'D BO? BE5 DAYN TO ,BECKETT'S ,P>K1 ,C[ ,M$D]1 9 ! F\RTE5-'UNDR$S AT ! OLD ,W> O' ! ,ROSES1 & WE WIZ JU/ DIGG9' AYR WAY BACK UP ?R\< ! SIXTE5? C5TURY4 ,ABAYT #aeaf WE BROKE ?R\< 9TO ?IS ONE DAY :]E EV]Y?+ WIZ LIKE A BLOODY GRET 9F]NO ) ! ,BOR\<S BURN+ DAYN >AYND US1 & ?IS WIZ :5 !RE W]5'T MU* MORE TO ,NOR?AMPTON ?AN ! ,BOR\<S1 M9D Y\4 

0,! TWO ,SALAM&]S1 ! TWO SI/]S1 !Y WIZ PIR\ETT9' ?R\< ! BLAZE & SETT9' FIRE TO EV]Y?9' !Y T\*$4 ,O' C\RSE1 !Y WIZ BO? Y\NG] BY A C5TURY OR TWO 9 !M DAYS4 ,! PLUMP GIRL1 ! ELDE/ ONE1 %E LOOK$ ABAYT ELEV5 & ! Y\NGE/ ONE WIZ ONLY FIVE OR SOME?9'4 ,!Y WIZ TROTT9' BACK & =? BETWE5 ! BURN9' '\SES1 C>RY+ ! FIRE ) 'EM 9 !IR CUPP$ '&S & !N SPLA%9' IT ALL OV] EV]Y:]E LIKE TWO KIDS PLAY9' ) A TUB O' WAT]4 ,ONLY IT W]5'T WAT]4 

0,I'VE MET <O/S :O'VE TOLD ME ABAYT :5 ! TWO ( 'EM W]E FIR/ SE5 >AYND ']E4 ,?AT WIZ TWELVE-SIXTY-SOME?9'1 :5 ',5RY ! ,?IRD ORD]$ ! T[N BURN$ DAYN & RANSACK$ AS A PUNI%M5T = SID9' ) DE ,MONT=T & ! REBEL /UD5TS4 ,FROM :AT !SE OLD-TIM]S TOLD ME1 :5 ,K+ ',5RY'S M5 W]E LET 9TO ! ,BOR\<S ?R\< A BIG 'OLE 9 ! PRIORY WALL DAYN ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 ! SI/]S CAME 9 ?R\< IT ) !M1 WALK9' NAK$ & 9VISIBLE BESIDE ! 'ORSES4 ,! BIG GIRL LOOK$ TO BE SIX !N1 & WAS C>RY9' '] BABY SI/] 9 '] >MS4 ,NOBODY'S EV] 'E>D 'EM SAY A WORD4 ,!Y ONLY GIGGLE & SET LI<T TO ?+S40 

,! <O/ GANG WAT*$ ! TRILL+1 TITT]+ DUO AS !Y FL\NC$ FROM H\SE TO H\SE ALONG SEV5TE5? C5TURY ,/4 ,M>Y'S ,/REET1 SLIPP+ BETWE5 ! TRAD]S & ! SC[L+1 PUT-ON H\SEWIVES )\T ANYBODY KN[+ !Y W]E !RE4 ,!IR HAIR BILL[$ BEH9D !M ON ! WE/]LY 9 TRAIL+ ORANGE P5NANTS1 FLICK]+ & HAZ>D\S4 ,SEE+ !M1 ,MI*AEL NOTIC$ = ! FIR/ TIME JU/ H[ WELL GRAY & BRI<T ORANGE W5T TOGE!R1 LIKE A BLOAT$ MORN+ SUN SE5 ?R\< ! FOG ABOVE ,VICTORIA ,P>K4 ,9 !IR ME&]+ ! WOM5 SEEM$ TO GRAVITATE T[>DS A S+LE DWELL+1 A ?AT*$ H\SE ON ! ,PIKE ,LANE SIDE ( ! /REET1 A LITTLE CLOS] TO ,HORSEM>KET ?AN ! *ILDR5 W]E4 

0,COME ON4 ,IT LOOKS LIKE ?AT'S ! '\SE4 ,LET'S GOO & 'AVE A BUT*]S AT 'EM :5 !Y SET IT ORF40 

,FOLL[+ ,PHYLLIS'S SUGGE/ION ! DEAD UR*9S DOPPELGANG$ T[>DS ! ORD9>Y-LOOK+ DWELL+1 JU/ 9 TIME TO PURSUE ! TWO SI/]S 9 ?R\< ITS FRONT DOOR1 A POORLY-FITT+ ?+ PROPP$ OP5 BY A BRICK4 ,9SIDE1 ! D[N/AIRS ( ! COTTAGE WAS A S+LE ROOM1 GLOOMY & CLUTT]$1 EVID5TLY S]V+ AS A FRONT ROOM1 LIV+ ROOM1 KIT*5 & BA?ROOM ALL ROLL$ 9TO ONE4 ,AN 9FANT ) A DIRTY NOSE CRAWL$ ON ! CO>SE RUGS ?AT W]E SPREAD AB\T A COLD BRICK FLOOR1 :ILE BY ! OP5 HE>? A WOMAN :O APPE>$ TOO OLD TO BE ! BABY'S MOM /OOD FRY+ SCRAPS ( MEAT 9 MELT$ DRIPP+1 %AK+ ! R\ND-BOTTOM$ IRON PAN %E HELD ABOVE ! FIREPLACE 9 ONE H&4 ,AT ! SAME TIME1 US+ H] O!R H&1 %E /IRR$ A CLAY JUG ( :AT TURN$ \T TO BE BATT] ) A WOOD5 SPOON4 ,! WAY ?AT ! OLD LADY C\LD DO BO? ?+S AT ! SAME TIME IMPRESS$ ,MI*AEL4 ,:5 HE'D WAT*$ HIS MOM & GRAN COOK 9 !IR KIT*5 D[N ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 !Y'D ALWAYS SPLIT ! *ORES SO ?AT EA* ( !M ONLY HAD TO DO ONE ?+ AT ONCE4 ,! O!R MEMB]S ( ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG W]E NODD+ KN[+LY1 ALL EXCEPT ,BILL :O WAS TOO BUSY OGL+ ! NAK$ FIRE-NYMPHS AS !Y POK$ 9QUISITIVELY R\ND ! CR[D$1 COZY LIV+ SPACE4 

0,%E'S MAK9' A ,BAKE ,PUDD54 ,:5 %E'S /IRR$ ! BATT] UP1 %E'LL TIP IT 9 ATOP ! MEAT1 !N PUT ! 'OLE LOT 9 ! OV5 - ?AT'S ! LITTLE BLACK IRON DOOR BESIDE ! FIREPLACE - UNTIL IT'S DONE4 ,A LOT O' PEOPLE SAY AS ,YORK%IRE ,PUDD9' IS A RECIPE !M NOR!RN BUGG]S P9*$ FROM US1 BUT W]E TOO TI<T TO PUT ! BITS O' MEAT 94 ,IT WAS JU/ A WAY ( MAK9' UP A PROP] MEAL FROM LEFTOV]S & ODDS & 5DS40 

,AS ,PHYLLIS W&]$ 9TO ! SPECIFICS ( ,BAKE ,PUDD5-MAK+ & ITS HI/ORY1 ,MI*AEL WAS WAT*+ ! TWO SI/]S 9 !IR PROGRESS R\ND ! MURKY1 FIRE-LIT ROOM4 ,SURPRIS+LY1 !Y SEEM$ UN9T]E/$ 9 ! FIREPLACE ITSELF & W]E CONV]G+ ON A PAT* ( C>PET TO ! F> SIDE ( ! C5TRAL WOOD5 TABLE1 :]E ! CRAWL+ 9FANT WAS 9VE/IGAT+ A FAT G>D5 SPID] ?AT HAD PROBABLY RETREAT$ 9DOORS AT ! FIR/ H9T ( A *ILL TO ! ,SEPTEMB] AIR4 ,! ,SALAM&]S MADE A GREAT FUSS ( ! BABY1 /OOP+ D[N & *UCKL+ 9 !IR MUSICAL BRASS W9D-*IME VOICES TO IT :ILE !Y PULL$ A LOT ( SILLY1 GR9N+ FACES4 

,MI*AEL REALIZ$ ) A />T ?AT ! SMALL *ILD1 B>ELY A YE> OLD FROM ! LOOK ( HIM1 C\LD SEE ! SNICK]+1 FLICK]+ Y\NG WOM54 ,! TOT'S GAZE WAS %IFT+ BACK & =?1 TRACK+ ! MOVEM5T ( !IR BONFIRE BEEHIVE HAIRDOS AS !Y WAV]$ 9 ! DRAFTS BL[N FROM ! OP5 DOOR4 ,! ,SALAM&]S W9K$ & SMIRK$ & PLAY$ GAMES1 WALK+ !IR SLIM F+]S BACK & =? ALONG ! TABLE'S $GE LIKE T9Y PAIRS ( LEGS TO CAT* ! BABE'S ATT5TION AS IT CRAWL$ !RE ON ! FLOOR BEL[4 ,!Y M>*$ !IR DIGITS OV] ! PIL$ APPLES 9 A WOOD5 FRUIT B[L RE/+ ON ! TABLETOP1 COO+ & BEAM+ AT !IR FASC9AT$ AUDI5CE ( ONE4 ,! BABY GURGL$ HAPPILY AS IT WAT*$ ! TWO FLAME-HAIR$ WOM5 FROM ITS SPOT D[N NE> ! DANGL+ HEM ( A SLIPP$ TABLECLO? ?AT LOOK$ LIKE IT HAD PREVI\SLY SE5 S]VICE AS A LADY'S %AWL4 ,ONLY :5 ! *ILD'S *UBBY1 GRUBBY H& REA*$ = ! CLO?'S FR+$ $GE DID ,MI*AEL REALIZE :AT ! FIRE-SPRITES W]E UP TO4 ,HE CALL$ \T A G>BL$ W>N+ TO ! O!RS - 0,LOOK6 ,! FI]IES WANT TO BAKE ! MAYBE />T AN APPLEAN*60 - BUT BY ! TIME !Y'D WORK$ \T :AT HE MEANT1 IT WAS TOO LATE4 

,?+S CAME TOGE!R LIKE ! COMICALLY ELABORATE MA*9]Y 9 A C>TOON3 ! BABY GRABB$ ! HANG+ MAKE%IFT TABLECLO?1 ?US DRAGG+ ! HEAP$ FRUIT-B[L TO ! TABLE'S $GE1 !N OV] IT4 ,MISS+ ! *ILD ! WOOD5 B[L FELL CLATT]+ TO ! RUG1 AL?\< ONE ( ITS B\NC+ APPLES /RUCK ! />TL$ MITE ABOVE HIS EYE & MADE HIM WAIL4 ,AL>M$1 ! /OOP$ OLD WOMAN :O WAS POSSIBLY ! BABY'S GR&MO!R TURN$ FROM H] COOK+ TO SEE :AT WAS UP1 AT :I* PO9T ! R\ND-BOTTOM$ IRON PAN ?AT %E WAS US+ TIPP$ UP SLI<TLY1 SPILL+ MELT$ FAT 9TO ! BLAZ+ HE>? & SETT+ FIRE TO ! PAN'S CONT5TS SIMULTANE\SLY4 ,! HISS+ G\T ( FLAME RESULT+ FROM ?IS MOM5T>Y C>ELESSNESS SURG$ UPW>D TO IGNITE ! DU/]S HANG+ ) ! POTS & SAUCEPANS FROM ! MANTELPIECE1 CAUS+ ! BY-N[ FRI<T5$ & CONFUS$ OLD DE> TO REA* \T ) H] LADLE1 BATT+ ! (F5D+ BLAZ+ RAGS D[N FROM ! HE>?SIDE TO ! BRICK FLOOR &1 DISA/R\SLY1 ONE ( ! DU/Y RUGS4 ,)9 AB\T FIVE SECONDS NE>LY EV]Y?+ ?AT C\LD BE ON FIRE WAS4 ,! WOMAN /OOD !RE />+ 9 /UNN$ DISBELIEF AT :AT %E'D DONE = A FEW 9/ANTS1 !N RAN R\ND ! TABLE TO SCOOP UP ! H[L+ TOT BE=E %E HAUL$ IT ?R\< ! FRONT DOOR1 %RIEK+ 0,FIRE60 AS !Y FELL /UMBL+ \T 9TO ,/4 ,M>Y'S ,/REET4 

,! SI/]S CLAPP$ !IR H&S TOGE!R 9 EXCITEM5T1 JUMP+ UP & D[N & SQUEAL+ AS ! CONFLAGRATION SPREAD >\ND ! ROOM4 ,ONLY ! TANG]9E TONGUES LICK+ FROM ! ,SALAM&]S' HEADS HAD ANY COLOR1 ,MI*AEL NOT$4 ,ALL ! O!R FLAMES N[ RO>+ 9 ! CLUTT]$ COTTAGE W]E BRI<T :ITE >\ND ! \TSIDE ) PR(\ND GRAY HE>TS AS !Y ASC5D$ LIKE A L9E ( ANTS T[>DS ! CEIL+'S TIMB] BEAMS4 ,PHYLLIS GRABB$ ,MI*AEL BY ! SCOR*$1 DISCOLOR$ COLL> ( HIS DRESS+ G[N4 

0,COME ON1 WE'RE GETT9' AYT ( ']E4 ,WE DON'T WANNA BE ALL /UCK JO/L9' 9 A BURN9' DOORWAY ) ! TWO O' !M40 

,! ELD] ( ! CRACKL+1 SPITT+ FEMALES HAD N[ HOPP$ ONTO ! TABLE & WAS EXECUT+ A V>IETY ( CANCAN1 :ILE H] Y\NG] SI/] LAU<$ & POS$ COQUETTI%LY AMONG ! SMOLD]+ CURTA9S4 ,! WRAI? *ILDR5 BUR/ \T ?R\< ! DOORWAY LIKE A SPRAY ( PLAY+ C>DS1 ALL ,JACKS & ,QUE5S1 ALL SPADES & CLUBS )\T A SPLA% ( R$ BETWE5 ! SIX ( !M4 

,/4 ,M>Y'S ,/REET WAS 9 ! GRIP ( AN 9CR$IBLE COMMOTION4 ,DOGS & PEOPLE RAN ?IS WAY & ?AT1 !IR B>KS & %\TS & PANICK$ SCREAMS UPRO>I\S DESPITE ! <O/-SEAM'S DAMP5+ EFFECT4 ,TWO OR ?REE M5 W]E RAC+ FRANTICALLY TO ! AFFLICT$ HOME ) SLOPP+ PAILS ( WAT] 9 !IR H&S1 BUT ONLY GOT TO )9 T5 FEET ( ITS DOOR BE=E :AT ,PHYLLIS HAD PR$ICT$ CAME SPECTACUL>LY TRUE3 ! ,SALAM&]S LEAP$ TOGE!R FROM ! H\SE 9TO ! /REET1 ACCOMPANI$ BY L\D PEALS ( HIL>ITY & A GREAT FURNACE BLA/ ( :ITE FLAME ?AT DROVE BACK ! W\LD-BE FIREM5 & !IR USELESS LITTLE BUCKETS4 ,IT WAS ALMO/ T5 O'CLOCK UPON ! MORN+ ( ,SEPTEMB] #b?1 #a#f#g#e4 

,MI*AEL WAS ASK+ ,JOHN :Y ! TWO EASILY-AMUS$ FIRE-FAIRIES W]E CALL$ ,SALAM&]S :5 ! Y\NG]1 ?9N] ONE BEGAN TO CLAMB] EF=TLESSLY UP ! FRONT WALL ( ! BURN+ COTTAGE1 REA*+ ITS ?AT*$ RO( 9 SECONDS ) H] FLE%I] & MORE =MIDABLE BIG SI/] SCUTTL+ IMM$IATELY BEH9D H]4 ,NEI!R ( ! Y\NG GIRLS MOV$ LIKE PEOPLE1 ,MI*AEL ?\<T4 ,!Y MOV$ LIKE 9SECTS1 OR P]HAPS LIKE 444 

0,LIZ>DS40 ,?IS WAS ,JOHN4 

0,A SALAM&]1 ) A LITTLE 'S'1 ?AT'S LIKE A LIZ>D OR A NEWT4 ,BUT PEOPLE ONCE BELIEV$ ?AT SALAM&]S LIV$ 9 FLAMES1 SO :5 WE TALK AB\T A ,SALAM&] ) A BIG ',S' !N WE'RE TALK+ AB\T :AT'S CALL$ ELEM5TALS1 SPIRITS ( ! FIRE40 

,M>JORIE 9T]JECT$ H]E1 REFLECT$ FIRELI<T FL>+ FROM H] SPECTACLES4 

0,! ONES ?AT GOV]N WAT] >E CALL$ ,UND9ES4 ,! ,N5E ,HAG1 :O ALMO/ GOT ME :5 ,I HAD ME ACCID5T D[N ,PADDY'S ,MEAD[1 %E WIZ ONE ( !M4 ,SNAIL-%ELLS = EYES1 %E'D GOT4 ,!N !RE'S ! ONES :AT RULE ! W9D1 !Y CALL !M ,SYLPHS AL?\< ! ONLY ONES ,I'VE EV] HE>D ( HAVE BE5 HORRIBLE OLD M5 :O /& A MILE HI<4 ,SPIRITS ( ! E>?1 !Y'RE :AT'S CALL$ ,GNOMES (FICIALLY1 AL?\< R\ND H]E WE CALL 'EM ,URKS OR ,UR*9S4 ,Y\ DON'T SEE 'EM MU* ABOVE GR\ND1 BUT !Y RIDE R\ND ! TUNNELS UND]NEA? UPON !SE BIG BLACK DOG-?+S :AT >E KN[N AS 444 OH1 HANG ON4 ,LOOKS LIKE !Y'RE (F & RUNN+40 

,! DR[N$ GIRL WAS PO9T+ UP T[>DS ! RO(TOPS1 :]E ! BRACE ( ,SALAM&]S W]E COMM5C+ AN \TL&I% WALTZ ALONG ! RIDGE ( ! ?AT*$ BUILD+S4 ,! 9C5DI>Y BEAUTIES CLUNG TOGE!R TI<T1 HELPLESS ) MIR?1 :IRL+ EA* O!R R\ND ) AN ACCOMPANY+ FLAME-TORNADO RIS+ FROM ! P>*$ /RAW AT !IR HEELS AS !Y PROGRESS$ FROM RO( TO RO(4 ,! DOZ5S MILL+ 9 ! LANE BEL[ WAT*$ HELPLESSLY AS COTTAGE AFT] COTTAGE WAS CONSUM$ BY ! FIRE-SPIRITS' UNSE5 *OREOGRAPHY4 ,UNWITT+LY1 ! MOB W]E FOLL[+ ! SI/]S' DAZZL+ P]=MANCE AS !Y MOV$ ) ! WE/ W9D ALONG ,/4 ,M>Y'S ,/REET T[>DS ,HORSEM>KET1 KICK+ UP A L\D D9 AS !Y DID SO4 ,!RE W]E CURSES1 GROANS1 DESPAIR+ CRIES & SEV]AL DIFF]5T SORTS ( WEEP+4 ,AN OLD MAN ) CAT>ACTS WAS CALL+ UP ABOVE ! CLAMOR 9 A HI< & RE$Y VOICE1 DECL>+ ?AT ! FIRE WAS PUNI%M5T FROM ,GOD AS A RESULT ( PAPI/S 9 ! ,P>LIAM5T )DRAW+ ,*>LES ! ,SECOND'S ,DECL>ATION ( ,9DULG5CE = DISS5T+ CONGREGATIONS4 ,A CROSS-LOOK+ Y\? :O /OOD BESIDE ! RAV+ ANCI5T PU%$ HIM OV] 9 ! MUD & WAS IMM$IATELY SET ON BY TWO BURLI] & CROSS]-LOOK+ FELL[S :O'D SE5 :AT ! BOY HAD DONE4 ,A FI<T BROKE \T 9 ! ALREADY-DI/RAU<T BYWAY :ILE1 ABOVE1 ! ,SALAM&]S DANC$ AMONG ! *IMNEYPOTS ) %EETS ( FLAME ROLL+ & BILL[+ AB\T !IR B>E LEGS LIKE FLAMBOYANT BALL-G[NS4 ,AS ! PAIR APPROA*$ ,HORSEM>KET1 PEOPLE AT ?AT EA/]N 5D ( ,M>Y'S ,/REET W]E ALREADY EVACUAT+ !IR DOOM$ DWELL+S1 MOV+ :AT !Y C\LD ( !IR MEAG] POSSESSIONS \T 9TO ! FRANTIC & /AMP$+ AV5UE4 

,MI*AEL RAN H& 9 H& ) ,PHYLLIS ?R\< ! CR[D1 LIT]ALLY 9 SOME 9/ANCES1 AS ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG KEPT UP ) ! DEVA/AT+ ,SALAM&] BALLET4 ,BY ! TIME ! 9C&ESC5T NUDES HAD REA*$ ! WIDE DIRT TRACK ( ,HORSEM>KET ?AT SLOP$ NOR?-S\? ACROSS ! ?OR\<F>E'S F> 5D1 BO? SIDES ( ,M>Y'S ,/REET W]E ANGRY WALLS ( FIRE ) BURN+ /RAWS FROM ! DIS9TEGRAT$ ?AT*+ C>RI$ ON ! W9D ACROSS ! ROAD4 ,*A9S ( COMBU/ION SNAK$ (F D[N ! 9CL9E T[>DS ,GOLD ,/REET :ILE AT ! SAME TIME ! BRILLIANT RIVULETS TRICKL$ UPHILL 9TO ! ,MAYORHOLD4 ,PAUS+ ONLY TO SQUAT D[N 9 TURN OV] ! *IMNEY ( ! LA/ H\SE 9 ! R[ & PIDDLE /REAMS ( GOLD5 SP>KS 9TO ITS D>KNESS1 ! TWO SI/]S SW>M$ FACE FIR/ D[N ! 5D WALL1 BO? SNICK]+ LIKE CRACK+ HE>?-LOGS4 

,HOPP+ FROM ONE BURN+1 BOLT+ WAGON TO ANO!R !Y CROSS$ ,HORSEM>KET & SCAMP]$ GAILY EA/W>DS UP ,/4 ,KA!R9E'S ,/REET1 ) T[NSFOLK SCATT]+ BE=E !M1 ! <O/-RUFFIANS & !IR AFT]-PICTURES HURRY+ BEH9D1 NOT WANT+ TO MISS ANY?+4 ,:5 !Y W]E NE>+ ,COLLEGE ,/REET ! R$HEADS /OPP$ BE=E ! GAT$ 5TRANCE ( :AT SEEM$ TO BE A FAMILY-BUS9ESS TANN]Y4 ,! GORGE\S MON/]S GAZ$ T[>DS ! PREMISES1 !N AT EA* O!R1 /RUGGL+ TO KEEP A /RAI<T FACE AS !Y DID SO4 ,EA* ONE ) AN >M DRAP$ *UMMILY >\ND ! O!R'S NAK$ %\LD]1 ! TWO GIGGL+ SI/]S /EPP$ ?R\< ! N[-BLAZ+ GATEWAY1 VANI%+ FROM SI<T 9TO ! WALL$ Y>D4 ,BE=E ,MI*AEL1 ,PHYLLIS & ! GANG C\LD FOLL[ !M1 ! :OLE E/ABLI%M5T BLEW UP4 ,IT DIDN'T JU/ IGNITE 9 A GREAT RU% LIKE ALL ! O!R BUILD+S HAD DONE2 IT EXPLOD$1 ) A T[] ( FIRE ]UPT+ UP T[>DS ! OV]CA/ ,SEPTEMB] SKY & NE$LE-%>DS ( DEBRIS TRAIL+ ?READS ( SMOKE BEH9D !M RA9+ = A HUNDR$ Y>DS 9 EA* DIRECTION1 FALL+ ?R\< ! SPECTRAL *ILDR5 :ILE !Y /OOD !RE GAP+ 9 A/ONI%M5T4 

,MI*AEL SPOKE FIR/4 

0,:OP WIZ ALL ?AT BIG CLANG]BANG80 

,JOHN %OOK HIS HEAD1 />+ 9 DISBELIEF AS ! TWO ,SALAM&]S /EPP$ FROM ! 9F]NO ( ! FLATT5$ WORKPLACE ) VOLCANIC LAVA-COLOR$ TE>S ( MIR? N[ /REAM+ D[N !IR SILV]Y *EEKS1 HOLD+ EA* O!R UP TO /OP !MSELVES COLLAPS+ 9 A QUAK+1 SNIGG]+ HEAP4 

0,I'VE NO IDEA4 ,?AT WIZ LIKE AN >TILL]Y %ELL4 ,I'D ALWAYS WOND]$ H[ ! ,GREAT ,FIRE SPREAD FROM ,M>Y'S ,/REET TO ,D]NGATE 9 JU/ UND] TW5TY M9UTES1 BUT IF !RE W]E BLA/S LIKE ?AT TO HELP IT ON1 ,I'M NOT SURPRIS$40 

,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE'S MOON FACE WAS CRUMPL$ BY A FR[N1 AS IF %E WAS CONSID]+ SOME PROBLEM1 TURN+ ! ALT]NATIVES ?IS WAY & ?AT 9SIDE H] M9D4 ,:ATEV] %E WAS ?9K+1 ! BESPECTACL$ *ILD DIDN'T SEEM TO COME TO A CONCLUSION ?AT %E ?\<T WOR? M5TION+4 ,M>JORIE KEPT H] RUM9ATIONS TO H]SELF AS ,PHYLLIS L$ ! GANG ALONG ! RO>+ CORRIDOR AFT] ! FIRE-GIRLS1 :O W]E BY ?AT TIME ADVANC+ M]RILY 9TO ! T9D]BOX ( ,COLLEGE ,/REET1 OR ,COLLEGE ,LANE AS ! 9CL9E WAS CURR5TLY REF]R$ TO1 ,MI*AEL NOTIC$ FROM A SIGNBO>D ?AT HE READ )\T ! LEA/ SURPRISE ?AT HE C\LD DO SO4 ,PYROTE*NIC TRAILS UNRAVEL$ FROM ! SI/]S1 B[L+ ?R\< ! SLANT+ LANE 9 BO? DIRECTIONS1 TURN+ EV]Y?+ ) :I* !Y CAME 9 CONTACT TO ANO!R GL>+ TOR*4 ,APPE>+ TO PICK UP !IR PACE1 ! CLE>LY-TICKL$ CREATURES SAUNT]$ ?R\< A *>R+ GATE ON ,COLLEGE ,/REET'S F> SIDE & DISAPPE>$ 9TO ! LONG D>K PASSAGEWAY ?AT ,MI*AEL KNEW W\LD LAT] ON BE CALL$ ,JEYES'S ,JITTY & :I* CUT ?R\< TO ! ,DRAP]Y4 ,*IRP+ & TWITT]+ !IR HAPPY NONS5SE1 ! TWO PRETTY 5G9ES ( DE/RUCTION W&]$ (F 9TO ! ALLEY'S BLACKNESS ) !IR FI]Y TRESSES SPUTT]+ BEH9D !M & ! GRAY <O/-*ILDR5 9 PURSUIT4 

,IT WASN'T UNTIL !Y /EPP$ \T 9TO ! ,DRAP]Y ?AT ,MI*AEL REALIZ$ ! FULL SCALE ( ! DISA/]4 ,PEOPLE 9 !IR HUNDR$S WEPT & BELL[$ AS !Y FL$ 9 MORTAL DREAD OR ELSE *>G$ IMPOT5TLY UP & D[N ! BUSY HI< /REET DRAGG+ PO9TLESS1 SLOPP+ BUCKETS AS !Y TRI$ TO SAVE !IR BUS9ESSES4 ,VA/ FLOCKS ( />TL$ BIRDS FL[$ FROM ONE AB/RACT %APE 9TO ANO!R UND] PALLS ( SMOKE ?AT TURN$ BRI<T MORN+ 9TO TWILI<T4 ,JU/ S\? ( ! ALLEY 5TRANCE1 ! TOP 5D ( ,GOLD ,/REET WAS ABLAZE & A SL[ RIV] ( 9C9]AT+ LI<T WAS />T+ TO ROLL 9EXORABLY AWAY D[N ,BRIDGE ,/REET1 DRIV+ SOLDI]S1 %EEP & %OPKEEP]S BE=E IT4 ,HALF ! T[N WAS BURN+ D[N1 & IT HAD ONLY BE5 T5 M9UTES S9CE ! BABY PULL$ ! FRUIT B[L FROM ! TABLETOP4 

,ACROSS ! WAY1 ! TIMB] PILL>S HOLD+ UP A WOOD5 V]SION ( ,ALL ,SA9TS ,*UR* W]E ON FIRE4 ,! SI/]S WAT*$ = A FEW MOM5TS UNTIL !Y W]E C]TA9 ?AT ! BUILD+ HAD CAU<T PROP]LY & !N PROCE$$ UP ! ,DRAP]Y1 TRIPP+ AMONG ! MILL9]S' & COBBL]S' /ALLS & PAUS+ TO 9SPECT SOME ITEM EV]Y N[ & !N1 LIKE FUSSY LADIES ON A %OPP+ JAUNT1 LOOK+ = SOME?+ 9 P>TICUL>4 ,ON ! R\< COBBLES JU/ \TSIDE A PIT* DISPLAY+ BOOTS & %OES1 !Y EVID5TLY F\ND :AT !Y W]E AFT]4 ,/OPP+ DEAD !Y GAZ$ T[>DS SOME B>RELS /&+ 9 A R[ AGA9/ ! AV5UE'S EA/ WALL1 !N BO? ?REW UP !IR H&S & %RILL$ ) GLEE4 ,HOLD+ !IR SIDES !Y /AGG]$ R\ND 9 FI]Y R+S1 B5T D\BLE ) AMUSEM5T & CONVULS+ AT SOME PRIVATE JOKE APP>5T ONLY TO ! TWO ( !M4 

,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE GAVE A TI<T LITTLE SMILE ( SATISFACTION4 ,CLE>LY1 %E'D WORK$ SOME?+ \T4 

0,SO ?AT'S IT4 ,?AT'S :Y ! :OLE T[N BURN$ D[N 9 UND] HALF AN H\R40 

,! Y\NG] ( ! ,SALAM&]S1 ! SLIM ?IRTE5-YE>-OLD ) ! FLAT *E/ & LONE CURL ( PUBIC FLAME :]E H] PLUMP OLD] SI/] HAD A BRU%-FIRE1 SUDD5LY SPRANG 9TO ACTION4 ,FROM A /&+ JUMP %E MADE A BALLET DANC]'S LEAP ?R\< ! CASCAD+ SMOKE1 H] HAIR 9 A LONG ORANGE SME> BEH9D H] %$D+ SP>KS LIKE D&RUFF1 TO ALI<T ON TOP ( ! 5D B>REL1 /&+ ON H] PO9T$ TOES ) SK9NY >MS CURL$ UP TO EI!R SIDE = BALANCE4 

,%E'D JU/ HOPP$ TO ! NEXT B>REL :5 ! FIR/ ONE 9 ! L9E BLEW UP1 SMA%$ FROM )9 BY A HUGE FI/ ( LIQUID FIRE ?AT S5T ITS WOOD5 /AVES SAIL+ 9TO ! SKY & SPRAY$ A BURN+ DEW OV] ! AS YET UNT\*$ PROP]TIES TO EI!R SIDE4 ,! SL5D] LITTLE GIRL DANC$ NIMBLY ONTO ! LID ( ! ?IRD CONTA9] AS ?AT ( ! SECOND TOOK (F LIKE A ROCKET3 A BLACK1 FLAM+ DISC ?AT DISAPPE>$ OV] ! RO( 9TO ! ,M>KET ,SQU>E BEYOND4 ,A LAKE ( BLAZ+ FLUID BEGAN CRAWL+ D[N ! ,DRAP]Y4 ,! SPRITE SKIPP$ FROM ONE B>REL TO ! NEXT & !Y EXPLOD$ LIKE A DEAF5+ /R+ ( JUMP+ JACKS :ILE ! P]=M]'S OLD] SI/] LOOK$ ON & APPLAUD$1 JIGG+ ON ! SPOT 9 H] 5?USIASM4 ,EV]Y?+ 9 SI<T WAS N[ ON FIRE4 ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE GAVE ! ASSEMBL$ PHANTOM KIDS ! B5EFIT ( H] CONSID]$ V]DICT4 

0,TANN94 ,IT WIZN'T A /RONG WE/ W9D ALL ON ITS [N :AT MADE ! T[N BURN D[N SO QUICK4 ,IT WAS ! TANN94 ,AS LONG AS !RE'S BE5 A T[N H]E1 IT'S BE5 KN[N = GLOVES & BOOTS1 & ?AT'S BECAUSE WE HAD ALL ! RI<T ?+S H]E TO MAKE LEA!R4 ,WE HAD LOTS ( C[S1 & LOTS ( OAK TREES4 ,Y\ NE$ OAK TREES = ! TANN91 FROM ! B>K4 ,! ?+ IS1 TANN9 WIZ LIKE AIRPLANE FUEL4 ,IT SPE$S UP A FIRE & MAKES IT WORSE4 ,?AT'S :Y ! TANN]Y 9 ,KA!R9E ,/REET BLEW UP1 & ?AT'S :AT'S 9 !M B>RELS ?AT %E'S DANC+ ON4 ,I MEAN1 Y\ ?9K ( ALL ! TANN9 ?AT WIZ 9 ! ,DRAP]Y1 & !N OV] ! BACK !RE ON ! ,M>KET ,SQU>E1 ?AT WAS ! ,GLOV]Y - 0 

,! LITTLE GIRL BROKE (F AS ! :OLE TOP 5D ( ! /REET W5T UP ) AN 5ORM\S BOOM4 ,FROM ! DIRECTION ( ! M>KET CAME :AT S\ND$ LIKE ! RACKET ( A BIG JET AIRCRAFT TAK+ (F UNTIL ,MI*AEL REMEMB]$ ?AT ?IS WAS ! SIXTE5-HUNDR$S1 REALIZ+ ?AT ! NOISE WAS ACTUALLY ?AT ( A LOT ( PEOPLE SCREAM+ ALL AT ONCE4 ,SQU9T+ BETWE5 F\NTA9S ( FLAME & ?R\< A L[]+ CURTA9 ( BLACK1 FUM+ FRAGM5TS HE C\LD SEE ! ELEM5TALS AS !Y CLIMB$ ONCE MORE T[>DS ! RO(TOPS1 /ICK+ TO ! BLAZ+ WALLS1 A GIGGL+ PAIR ( ORANGE-CRE/$ REPTILES4 

,JU/ UPHILL ! L[] 5D ( ,%EEP ,/REET WAS N[ ALSO CAT*+ FIRE4 ,A RID]LESS & BURN+ HORSE WAS SPAT \T ( ! ANCI5T BYWAY'S M\? TO GALLOP T]RIFI$ 9 ! DIRECTION ( ,ALL ,SA9TS1 ROLL+ ITS EYES4 ,NO?+ WAS SAFE & ALMO/ EV]Y?+ WAS FLAMMABLE4 ,BY MUTUAL ASS5T ! *ILDR5 RAC$ >\ND ! TOP EA/ CORN] ( ! ,DRAP]Y 9TO ! CAT]WAUL+ NI<TM>E ( ! M>KETPLACE1 9TO ! BRI<T CORE ( ! CATACLYSM1 :I* MADE ALL !Y'D SE5 SO F> A PREAMBLE4 

,! ,SALAM&] SI/]S1 HAV+ SKITT]$ UP TO ! ?AT*$ RIDGES1 HAD AB&ON$ !IR PRET5SE AT DANC+ & COMM5C$ TO RACE >\ND ! UPP] REA*ES ( ! SQU>E LIKE TWO COMPET+ SPR9T]S4 ,?AT1 H[EV]1 WAS :]E ALL HUMAN COMP>ISONS W]E SWEPT AWAY3 ! PACE AT :I* ! WOM5 RAN ALONG ! RO(S WAS SO UNNATURAL AS TO BE G5U9ELY HORRID1 LIKE ! UNEXPECT$ SPE$ ( SPID]S4 ,! SI<T W\LD HAVE BE5 UPSETT+ EV5 IF IT HADN'T BE5 ATT5D$ BY ! REALIZATION ?AT ! PEOPLE 9 ! SQU>E1 & !RE W]E SCORES ( !M1 W]E N[ CONTA9$ 9 A SEAL$ BOX ( FIRE4 

,! TRADESM5 9 ! PREMISES ?AT R+$ ! M>KETPLACE RAN BACK & =?1 >MS LAD5 ) :ATEV] ITEMS !Y C\LD C>RY FROM !IR ?REAT5$ %OPS AS !Y DEPOSIT$ ! RESCU$ W>ES 9 AT LEA/ TEMPOR>Y SAFETY ON ! COBBLES ( ! SQU>E4 ,AS ! EXT5T ( !IR PR$ICAM5T BEGAN TO DAWN ON !M1 H[EV]1 ! TRAPP$ T[NSFOLK = ! MO/ P>T BECAME LESS CONC]N$ ) SAV+ !IR POSSESSIONS ?AN ) GETT+ \T ALIVE4 ,NOT ALL ( !M1 ?\<4 ,SOME W]E PLUND]+ ! BURN+ /ORES1 & !RE W]E DREADFUL SC5ES T[>DS ! BOTTOM ( ! M>KET :]E AN OV]-GRE$Y LOOT] :O'D CAU<T FIRE WAS BE+ DRIV5 BACK 9SIDE ! BLAZ+ BUILD+ HE'D BE5 TRY+ TO ROB BY ANGRY M>KET TRAD]S >M$ ) POLES & MEAT-HOOKS4 ,9DIVIDUAL SQUEALS & BELL[S W]E 9AUDIBLE1 SUBSUM$ )9 ONE DEAF5+ COMMON %RIEK AS PEOPLE /ORM$ ?R\< ! FAMILI> 5CLOSURE ?AT HAD TURN$ 9TO A CREMATORIUM1 DESP]ATELY LOOK+ = AN EXIT4 

,NOT ONLY W]E LIV+ T[NSPEOPLE ATTEMPT+ TO ESCAPE4 ,AMONG ! V>I\S E/ABLI%M5TS ?AT R+$ ! M>KETPLACE W]E SEV]AL TAV]NS1 NOTABLY ! COA*+ 9N !RE ON ! SQU>E'S F> SIDE1 & !SE VOMIT$ SPECT]S4 ,GU%+ FROM ! DOORS & W9D[S1 LEAK+ ?R\< ! WOOD5 WALLS 9 =MS 9SEP>ABLE FROM ! SURR\ND+ SMOKE1 F\R OR FIVE HUNDR$ YE>S' WOR? ( ACCUMULAT$ G5TLEMAN SPOOKS1 M$IEVAL <\LS & %APELESS ANCI5T APP>ITIONS JO9$ ! PANIC-/RICK5 LIV+ HORDES :O W]E UN=TUNATE 5\< TO BE AT M>KET ON ?AT FATEFUL DAY4 ,DEAD DOGS /REAK$ PA/ ) PHOTO-F9I% IMAGES /RUNG \T BEH9D !M LIKE A GREYH\ND RACE1 & UP ABOVE IT ALL ! LOVELY HUMAN FIREWORKS CR[$ & LEAP$ & SOM]SAULT$ AS !Y OV]LOOK$ !IR H&IWORK4 

,\T FROM ! FLAM+1 OV]FL[+ CAULDRON ( ! T[N SQU>E1 TRIBUT>IES RO>$ UP ,NEWL& & ?R\< ,AB+TON ,/REET1 ,%EEP ,/REET1 ,BRIDGE ,/REET1 ,D]NGATE1 ! :OLE T[N TURN$ TO A BURN+ COBWEB ) ! M>KET CR[D /UCK /RUGGL+ AT ITS C5T]4 ,MI*AEL />T$ CRY+ AT ! AWFULNESS ( ALL ! PEOPLE :O W]E GO+ TO DIE1 BUT ,PHYLLIS GAVE HIS H& A SQUEEZE & TOLD HIM NOT TO WORRY4 

0,NE>LY EV]YONE WIZZLE GET \T ( ']E ALL RI<T1 Y\'LL SEE4 ,9 ! 'OLE T[N ONLY ELEV5 PEOPLE DI$1 & ?AT MO/ LIKELY WIZN'T MANY MORE ?AN Y]'D GET ON AN ORD9>Y DAY4 ,AH6 ,!RE1 Y] SEE8 ,OV] ! M>KET'S O!R SIDE1 !RE AT ! BOTTOM 5D ( ,NEWL&1 :]E ! CR[D >E MAK9' = 4440 

,%E PO9T$ TO ! NOR!A/ CORN] ( ! SQU>E1 T[>DS :I* ! MAJORITY ( ! GREAT PANICK$ H]D SEEM$ TO BE HEAD+4 ,M5 W]E WAV+1 %\T+ SOME?+ AS !Y URG$ !IR FELL[ ESCAPEES TO FOLL[ !M4 ,! PHANTOM *ILDR5 DRIFT$ 9 ! SAME DIRECTION AS ! FLEE+ MOB1 & AS !Y NE>$ ! F> SIDE ( ! M>KET'S UPP] REA*ES ,MI*AEL SAW ?AT EV]YBODY WAS CONV]G+ ON A S+LE BUILD+ AT ! FOOT ( ,NEWL&1 A PLACE :I* BY HIS DAY W\LD HAVE BE5 TRANS=M$ 9TO A FUNNY LITTLE SWEET%OP ?AT HAD COATS-(->MS & ?+S LIKE ?AT C>V$ 9 ! PLA/]WORK ABOVE ITS DOOR4 ,!SE DECORATIONS1 HE SAW N[1 HAD BE5 A FEATURE ( ! H\SE AS F> BACK AS ! SIXTE5-HUNDR$S4 ,! TRAPP$ PEOPLE 9 ! SQU>E W]E FIL+ UND]NEA? ! PLA/] H]ALDRY AS !Y ALL TRI$ TO CRAM !MSELVES 9TO ! H\SE1 LIKE CIRCUS CL[NS ATTEMPT+ TO GET BACK 9SIDE !IR TOO-SMALL C>4 ,AS ! GANG /OOD & WAT*$ ?IS ALMO/-COMIC EXODUS1 ,PHYLLIS EXPLA9$ TO ,MI*AEL4 

0,?AT'S ! ,WEL% ,H\SE4 ,I D>E SAY IT WIZ A SWEET%OP :5 Y\ WIZ ALIVE1 SAME AS IT WIZ F] ME4 ,BE=E ?AT1 ?\<1 IT WIZ LIKE ! PAYMA/]'S (FICE F] ! DROV]S :AT 'AD BR\<T ! %EEP FROM ,WALES4 ,! ']DS W\LD ALL >RIVE 9 ,%EEP ,/REET1 & ! *APS :O'D ']D$ 'EM ACROSS ! C\NTRY W\LD ALL COME DAYN ']E TO PICK !IR MONEY UP4 ,AS Y] CAN SEE1 IT'S MO/LY /ONE & IT'S GOT SLATES UP ON ITS RO( 9/EAD O' ?AT*9'1 SO IT DOESN'T BURN AS QUICKLY AS ! '\SES ALL >AYND IT4 ,EV]YBODY'S GOO9' 9 ITS FRONT & COM9' AYT ! BACK 9TO ! ALLEYS1 :]E !Y CAN ALL GET TO SAFETY40 

,IT TOOK V]Y LITTLE TIME = ! HUMANITY-FILL$ BLADD] ( ! BURN+ M>KETPLACE TO EMPTY ITSELF ?R\< ! P9*$ URE?RA ( ! ,WEL% ,H\SE1 FLOOD+ ) A GREAT S5SE ( RELIEF 9TO ! BACK/REETS FUR!R EA/4 ,MO/ ( ! SQU>E'S <O/S ALSO *OSE ?IS ME?OD ( ESCAPE FROM !IR PR$ICAM5T1 TRAIPS+ 9VISIBLE ALONG ! H\SE'S PASSAGEWAYS AMONG ! LIV+4 ,!Y APPE>$ RELUCTANT TO JU/ WALK \T ?R\< ! M>KET'S FLAM+ WALLS1 P]HAPS BECAUSE ! WAY !Y'D LE>N$ TO TREAT FIRE :5 !Y W]E ALIVE /ILL HAD A HOLD ON !M N[ !Y W]E DEAD4 ,MI*AEL SAW ONE SU* PHANTOM LOOK+ MORE CONFUS$ & FRI<T5$ ?AN ! RE/1 CON/ANTLY GLANC+ BACK OV] HIS %\LD] 9 AL>M AT HIS [N TAIL ( FAD+ IMAGES AS HE FELL 9 ) ! LONG1 %UFFL+ QUEUE ( SPOOKS & CITIZ5S :O W]E EVACUAT+ ! CONDEMN$ GR\ND4 ,AFT] A BRIEF /9T ( PUZZL$ PE]+1 ,MI*AEL RECOGNIZ$ HIM AS ! LOOT] :O'D BE5 DRIV5 BACK 9TO ! BLAZ+ BUILD+ BY ! V5GEFUL TRADESM5 ONLY M9UTES E>LI]4 ,! TODDL] WAT*$ ! HUNT$-LOOK+ SPIRIT1 /UMBL+ ?R\< ! CR[D-CRAMM$ DOORWAY ) ! O!R FUGITIVES1 UNTIL HE WAS DI/RACT$ BY A YELL FROM ,REGGIE ,B[L]4 

0,WELL1 BL[ ME6 ,:]E 'AVE ! ,SALLY-,M&IES GONE8 ,I TOOK ME EYE (F 'EM = JU/ A M9UTE & !Y'VE BLOODY DISAPPE>$60 

,!Y HAD AS WELL4 ,! POSSE ( <O/-*ILDR5 ALL LOOK$ UP & SCANN$ ! M>KET'S FIRE-FR+$ SKYL9E1 SE>*+ = SOME SMUDGE ( ORANGE1 SOME SIGN ( ! SI/]S1 BUT ! TWO TOR*-HEAD$ GIRLS W]E NO:]E TO BE SE54 ,AL?\< ! KIDS W]E ALL PRIVATELY DISAPPO9T$ TO HAVE LO/ SI<T ( ! ?RILL+ ELEM5TAL >SONI/S1 ,PHYLLIS MADE AN ATTEMPT TO TREAT ! MATT] PHILOSOPHICALLY4 

0,I 'SPECT !Y'VE BO? GOT BOR$ & GONE ORF TO :]EV] !Y CALL 'OME1 N[ ?AT !Y'VE SE5 ! BE/ ( IT4 ,I MEAN1 ?IS'LL BE BURN9' = ANO!R FIVE1 SIX '\RS OR MORE1 BUT ALL ! BIGGE/ SPECTACLES >E OV]1 PRETTY MU*4 ,WE MI<T AS WELL WALK BACK ! WAY WE COME1 DAYN TO ,/4 ,M>Y'S ,/REET4 ,WE CAN MAKE \R WAY UP FROM !RE TO ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR* 9 #a#i#e#i1 :]E ,MRS4 ,GIBBS IS WAIT9' = US4 ,!N WE'LL F9D AYT :AT %E'S LE>N$ ABAYT AYR MASCOT ']E40 

,SEV5TE5?-C5TURY ,NOR?AMPTON SPEW$ FIRE FROM ITS W9D[S1 ITS SCOR*$ TIMB]S CRACK+ & COLLAPS+ 9TO C9D]S EV]Y:]E AB\T !M4 ,! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG FLICK]$ BACK LIKE NEWSREEL REFUGEES ACROSS ! N[-DES]T$ SQU>E1 T[>DS ITS NOR?WE/ CORN] & ! PASSAGE ?R\< 9TO ! ,DRAP]Y4 ,JU/ LIKE ! M>KETPLACE ?IS WAS AB&ON$ TO ! RADIANT CATA/ROPHE1 EV5 ! NEI<BORHOOD <O/S HAV+ GIV5 UP ! <O/4 ,AS !Y ME&]$ ON ! SPUTT]+1 FL>+ 9CL9E ( ! DEVA/AT$ HI< /REET1 ! SIX WRAI?-WAIFS F\ND !MSELVES LOOK+ 9TO ! SMOLD]+ M\? ( ,BRIDGE ,/REET FUR!R D[N4 ,! T[N APPE>$ TO BE ALI<T AS F> AS ,S\? ,BRIDGE & ! RIV]1 & ! *ILLY GLASS B[L ( ! E>LY AUTUMN SKY >C$ OV]HEAD WAS SOOT-BLACK1 LIKE AN OIL-LAMP'S MANTLE4 ,O!R ?AN ?OSE DI/ANT UPRO>S C>RI$ ON ! W9D1 ! ONLY S\NDS W]E ?OSE ( ! 9F]NO3 ITS DEEP SI<S & C\<S ?AT SPRAY$ A SPUTUM ( BRI<T SP>KS ACROSS ! /REET2 ITS IRRITAT$ MUTT] 9 ! SPLITT+ DOORFRAMES4 

,WALK+ BACK ALONG ! SP9DLY FISSURE 9TO ,COLLEGE ,/REET WAS A PECULI> EXP]I5CE1 S9CE ?IS =]UNN] ( ,JEYES' ,JITTY WAS BY N[ :OLLY CONSUM$ & FILL$ ) A BLA/-FURNACE BLAZE FROM ONE 5D TO ! O!R4 ,BE+ MADE = ! MO/ P>T FROM ECTOPLASM1 :I* IS NATURALLY A DAMP & L>GELY FIREPRO( SUB/ANCE1 ! <O/-*ILDR5 W]5'T 9 ANY DANG] AS !Y TROOP$ ALONG ! N>R[ PASS BUT1 AS ,MI*AEL DISCOV]$1 !Y C\LD FEEL ! FIRE 9SIDE ( !M AS !Y PASS$ ?R\< IT1 JU/ AS !Y HAD FELT ! BIRD-POO & ! RA94 ,DEEP 9 HIS PHANTOM MEMORY ( A TUMMY HE C\LD FEEL ! TICKLE ( ! FLAMES1 DEVELOP+ TO AN UNBE>ABLY DELI<TFUL & 9SI/5T IT* ?AT FELT1 IF ANY?+1 MU*1 MU* TOO GOOD4 ,IT SORT ( MADE HIM WANT TO DO ?+S JU/ ON IMPULSE )\T ANY ?\<T = :E!R !Y W]E RI<T OR NOT1 & HE WAS GLAD :5 !Y W]E \T ( ! 9F]NAL ALLEYWAY & CROSS+ OV] :AT WAS LEFT ( ,COLLEGE ,/REET4 ,! OLD SIGN ?AT ID5TIFI$ ! PLACE AS ,COLLEGE ,LANE HAD BE5 R$UC$ TO A%ES & ! A%ES BL[N AWAY4 ,!RE W]E SOME LOOT]S AT ! TOP 5D ( ! SIDE-/REET LOAD+ GOODS FROM AN AB&ON$ %OP ONTO A TWO-:EEL$ C>T1 BUT O!RWISE ! LANE WAS B>E4 

,/4 ,KA!R9E ,/REET1 LIKE ALL ! SURR\ND+ BYWAYS1 LOOK$ LIKE ,HELL1 OR AT LEA/ LOOK$ ! WAY ?AT ,MI*AEL HAD IMAG9$ ,HELL TO BE BE=E HE'D HAD HIS RUN-9 ) S>DONIC ,SAM ,O',DAY & F\ND \T ?AT IT WAS A FLAT PLACE MADE 5TIRELY ( SQUA%$ BUILD]S1 OR SOME?+ LIKE ?AT AT ANY RATE4 ,9 ! EXPLOD$ RU9S ( ! TANN]Y UP NE> ! TOP1 A TW5TY-FOOT WIDE SCOR*-M>K BRI/L+ ) SP>S ( BLACK5$ RUBBLE LIKE A GIANT BIRD'S NE/ /RUCK BY LI<TN+1 !Y F\ND :AT HAD HAPP5$ TO ! ,SALAM&]S4 

,IT WAS ,BILL & ,REGGIE1 RUNN+ 9TO EMPTY DWELL+S ON !IR R\TE SIMPLY TO NOSE AB\T1 :O MADE ! BIG DISCOV]Y & CALL$ EXCIT$LY = ,MI*AEL1 ,PHYLLIS1 ,JOHN & ,M>JORIE TO COME & HAVE A LOOK4 ,PHYLLIS'S LITTLE BRO!R & ! FRECKLE-FAC$ ,VICTORIAN W]E /&+ 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! FLATT5$ Y>D1 NEXT TO A POCKM>K 9 ! D>K SOIL & ! SMOK+ WRECKAGE1 A SMALL CRAT] ?AT WAS NO MORE ?AN A FOOT OR SO ACROSS4 ,!Y BO? SEEM$ V]Y PLEAS$ ) :AT !Y'D F\ND4 

0,I'LL EAT MY HAT6 ,?IS WIZ A BLESS$ QUE] ?+4 ,COME & HAVE A LOOK AT ?IS1 Y\ LOT40 

,AT ,REGGIE'S 9VITATION1 ! BE/ DEAD GANG 9 ! F\R? DIM5SION GA!R$ R\ND ! %ALL[ 9D5TATION 9 A :ISP]+ & EXCIT$ HUDDLE1 EV5 ?\< IT TOOK !M A FEW MOM5TS BE=E !Y WORK$ \T :AT !Y W]E LOOK+ AT4 

,! CIRCUL> DEPRESSION WAS A HOLL[ ( GRAY1 COOL+ A%ES & CURL$ UP )9 IT1 SILV]Y SK9 ALMO/ 9DI/+UI%ABLE FROM ! P[D]Y B$ ?AT !Y W]E RE/+ ON1 W]E ! TWO SI/]S4 ,BO? ( !M W]E SLEEP+1 HAV+ BE5 NO D\BT WORN \T BY !IR CAPRICE1 APPE>+ V]Y DIFF]5T 9 REPOSE TO H[ !Y'D LOOK$ :5 !Y W]E JIGG+ ON ! RO(TOPS ( ! ,M>KET ,SQU>E ONLY A LITTLE :ILE AGO4 ,= ONE ?+1 ALL ! TANGL$ FLAMES SPRUNG FROM !IR SCALPS HAD BE5 EXT+UI%$ SO ?AT BO? ( !M W]E HAIRLESS4 ,= ANO!R1 NEI!R ( !M WAS N[ TALL] ?AN ELEV5 9*ES4 

,!Y HAD %RUNK5 9TO BALD GRAY DOLLS1 HALF-BURI$ & ASLEEP !RE 9 ! FIRE'S W>M TALCUM RESIDUE1 RECL9+ HEAD-TO-TOE SO ?AT !Y LOOK$ LIKE ! TWO FI%ES ON ! HOROSCOPE PAGE ( ! DAILY PAP]4 ,Y\ C\LD TELL !Y W]E ALIVE BECAUSE !IR SIDES W]E GO+ UP & D[N1 & ) ! BETT] VISION ?AT ! DEAD HAVE Y\ C\LD SEE !IR T9Y EYELIDS TWIT*+ AS !Y DREAM$ ( ,LORD KN[S :AT4 ,EXHAU/$ BY !IR GREAT ANNIHILAT+ SPREE1 ! NYMPHS W]E EVID5TLY DORMANT4 ,!Y HAD EAT5 A :OLE T[N & W\LD N[ DR[SE AWAY ! DECADES UNTIL NEXT TIME1 %RIVEL+ TO C9D]S ( !IR =M] SELVES AS ALL ! HEAT W5T \T !M1 & SLUMB]+ B5EA? ! ,BOR\<S 9 !IR B$ ( DU/ & EMB]S4 

,AFT] A BRIEF CONF]5CE ON ! M]ITS ( ATTEMPT+ TO WAKE UP ! PAIR BY PRODD+ !M1 :I* ,BILL SUGGE/$1 ! *ILDR5 9/EAD ELECT$ TO CONT9UE ) !IR SAUNT] ?R\< ! BURN+ LANES T[>DS ,/4 ,M>Y'S ,/REET &1 ULTIMATELY1 ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*4 ,!Y LEFT ! ,SALAM&]S SNOOZ+ 9 ! RU9$ TANN]'S Y>D ) POISON FUMES = B$-%EETS1 C>RY+ ON D[N ,/4 ,KA!R9E'S ,/REET AS !Y HEAD$ = ! BLACK5$ REMNANTS ( ,HORSEM>KET AT ! BOTTOM4 ,MI*AEL SCUFF$ ALONG 9 HIS LOOSE SLIPP]S BETWE5 ,JOHN & ,PHYLLIS :ILE ! O!R ?REE RAN ON AHEAD1 !IR GRAY REPEAT$ %APES SOON DISAPPE>+ 9 ! DRIFTS ( SMOKE ?AT CRAWL$ AN 9* ABOVE ! COBBLES4 

0,WIZ ! ,BOR\<S ALL B>N$ D[N1 !N80 

,PHYLLIS %OOK H] HEAD 9 A BRIEFLY-5DUR+ SME> ( FEATURES1 MU* LIKE :5 Y\ DREW A FACE 9 BALLPO9T P5 ON A BALLOON !N /RET*$ ! RUBB] \T4 

0,NAH4 ,!RE WIZ A WE/ W9D1 SO ALL ! FIRE GOT BLEW T[>DS ! EA/ & BURN$ ! ,DRAP]Y & ! ,M>KET & ALL ?AT4 ,O!R ?AN ,M>Y'S ,/REET1 ,HORSEM>KET & A BIT ( ,M>EFAIR AT ! ,GOLD ,/REET 5D1 ! ,BOR\<S CAME AYT ( ! EPISODE UNM>K$40 

,MI*AEL WAS *E]$ TO HE> ?IS REASSUR+ NEWS4 

0,WELL1 ?AT WIZ LUCKY1 WIZN'T IT80 

,JOHN1 WAD+ KNEE-DEEP 9 A BLAZ+ FALL5 TREE ON ,MI*AEL'S RI<T1 DIDN'T AGREE4 

0,NOT REALLY1 NIPP]1 NO4 ,Y\ SEE1 ! EA/ P>T ( ! T[N WIZ LEVEL$ BY ! FLAMES1 SO ?AT ALL GOT REBUILT ) NEW /ONE BUILD+S1 SOME ( :I* >E /ILL /&+ >\ND ! ,M>KET ,SQU>E 9 Y\R TIME4 ,EV]Y:]E ELSE 9 ,NOR?AMPTON GOT IMPROV$1 EXCEPT ! ,BOR\<S4 ,?AT WIZ PRETTY MU* LEFT AS IT HAD BE5 :5 ! FIRE BROKE \T !RE 9 ! FIR/ PLACE4 ,%\LD Y\ DATE EXACTLY :5 ! ,BOR\<S FIR/ BEGAN TO BE SE5 AS A SLUM1 Y\'D HAVE TO SAY ?AT IT WIZ AFT] ! ,GREAT ,FIRE1 H]E 9 ! SIXTE5 SEV5TIES4 ,IF !RE'D BE5 AN EA/ W9D TODAY1 !N ALL ( US MI<T WELL HAVE GR[N UP SOME:]E PO%1 & ALL HAD DIFF]5T LIVES40 

,PHYLLIS WAS SKEPTICAL4 ,MI*AEL C\LD TELL ?IS BY ! WR9KLES SUDD5LY APPE>+ ON ! TOP BIT ( H] NOSE4 

0,BUT ?AT'S NOT '[ IT 'APP5$1 WIZ IT8 ,?+S ONLY WORK \T ONE WAY1 & ?AT'S ! WAY !Y 'AVE TO WORK \T4 ,IF WE'D GR[N UP 9 PO% '\SES !N WE W\LDN'T BE US1 W\LD WE8 ,I'M QUITE 'APPY BE9' 'OO ,I AM4 ,I ?9K ?IS WIZ 'OO ,I WIZ MEANT TO BE1 & ,I ?9K ?AT ! ,BOR\<S WIZ MEANT TO BE '[ IT WIZ1 AS WELL40 

,!Y'D REA*$ ! BOTTOM ( ! /REET & W]E CONFRONT$ BY ,HORSEM>KET1 A *>R$ RIBBON ?AT UNREEL$ D[NHILL & :]E PEOPLE W]E DILIG5TLY WORK+1 ) SOME SMALL SUCCESS1 TO BR+ ! BLAZE UND] CONTROL4 ,! SPECTRAL *ILDR5 FOGG$ ACROSS ! ROAD1 SWIRL+ BETWE5 ! *A9S ( BUCKET-PASS+ M5 ON :OM ! SWEAT & SOOT HAD MIX$ TO A BLACK PA/E1 AN ANGRY TRIBAL W>-PA9T4 

,!Y UNW\ND 9TO ! LITTLE ?AT WAS LEFT ( ,M>Y'S ,/REET LIKE SPOOLS ( FILM1 ONLY TO F9D ! FIRE WAS ALMO/ \T1 H]E 9 ! LANE :]E IT HAD />T$4 ,PEOPLE PICK$ DISCONSOLATELY ?R\< A CL++ SCUM ( SODD5 A% OR /ROK$ !IR WEEP+ SP\SES' HAIR LIKE DOLEFUL MONKEYS ?AT HAD BE5 DRESS$ 9 OLD-FA%ION$ CLO!S = AN ADV]TISEM5T4 ,UNNOTIC$1 ! DEAD NE']-DO-WELLS FLOAT$ AMID ! DESOLATION1 PA/ ! BLACK & CAUT]IZ$ GA% ?AT WAS ,PIKE ,/REET AS !Y MADE !IR WAY TO ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*1 :I* W\LDN'T BE !RE = ANO!R TW5TY YE>S4 ,MOP+ ALONG A LITTLE WAY BEH9D ! O!RS1 ,REGGIE ,B[L] WAS BEG9N+ TO LOOK A BIT SAD & LONELY = SOME REASON1 PULL+ HIS HAT FUR!R D[N ONTO HIS HEAD & %OOT+ MELAN*OLY GLANCES FROM B5EA? ITS BRIM T[>DS ! WA/EL&S SPILL+ D[NHILL FROM ! AS-YET NON-EXI/5T *UR*4 ,P]HAPS SOME?+ AB\T ! PLACE AWOKE UNHAPPY MEMORIES = ! UNGA9LY PHANTOM GUTT]SNIPE4 

,MI*AEL1 :O'D BE5 EXPECT+ SOMEBODY TO DIG ANO!R MOLE-HOLE UP 9TO ! FUTURE1 WAS SURPRIS$ :5 ,PHYLLIS TOLD HIM ?IS W\LDN'T BE NECESS>Y4 

0,WE DON'T NE$ TO DO ?AT1 NOT DAYN ']E4 ,!RE'S SUMMAT NE> ! *UR* :AT WE CAN USE 9/EAD4 ,?9K ( IT LIKE A MOV+ /AIRCASE OR A LIFT OR SUMMAT4 ,!Y CALL IT ! ,ULTRADUCT40 

,!Y W]E N[ ON ! L[ SLOPES ( ! M\ND CALL$ ,CA/LE ,HILL1 :]E ,MI*AEL HAD ?\<T !RE W]E ONLY B>NS & %$S :5 HE'D LOOK$ E>LI]4 ,H[EV]1 AS !Y NE>$ ,*ALK ,LANE - OR ,QU>T-,POT ,LANE AS SIGNS PROCLAIM$ IT TO BE CALL$ AT PRES5T - HE C\LD SEE >\ND ! WE/ SIDE ( ! FLIMSY1 MAKE%IFT BUILD+S1 TO :AT HE ASSUM$ MU/ BE ! /RUCTURE ,PHYLLIS HAD JU/ M5TION$4 

,:ATEV] IT WAS1 IT /ILL APPE>$ TO BE UND] CON/RUCTION4 ,HALF A DOZ5 ( ! L[]-RANK+ BUILD]S ?AT HE'D SE5 GO+ AB\T !IR BUS9ESS AT ! ,WORKS W]E LABOR+ UPON ! PILL>S ( SOME SORT ( P>TLY-F9I%$ BRIDGE1 !IR GRAY ROBES %IMM]+ AT ! HEM ) :AT W]E ALMO/ COLORS1 BUT NOT QUITE4 ,AS ,MI*AEL LOOK$ ON ?REE OLD WOM51 :O W]E OBVI\SLY ALIVE1 BEETL$ >\ND ! M\ND'S FLANK FROM ! NOR?1 WE>+ EXPRESSIONS ( CONC]N TO MASK !IR NATURAL MORBID CURIOSITY AS !Y CAME TO OBS]VE ! FIRE'S AFT]MA?4 ,!Y WALK$ /RAI<T ?R\< ! BUILD]S & ! PO/S !Y W]E ]ECT+1 UTT]LY OBLIVI\S TO !IR PRES5CE1 :ILE = !IR P>T ! CELE/IAL WORK-GANG DIDN'T LET ! ?REE DI/RACT !M = A MOM5T FROM !IR V>I\S TASKS4 ,TO JUDGE BY ! 9T5T LOOK ON !IR FACES1 !Y W]E TRY+ TO MEET A DEM&+ S*$ULE4 

,! MAT]IAL ?AT !Y W]E WORK+ ) WAS BRI<T :ITE & TRANSLUC5T1 PRECUT PLANKS & COLUMNS ( ! /UFF SWUNG 9TO PLACE ) ROPES & PULLEYS4 ,! IMM5SE SPAN ( A BRIDGE ?AT LOOK$ LIKE IT WAS MORE OR LESS COMPLET$ /RET*$ ACROSS ! ,BOR\<S FROM ! WE/1 ONLY TO F9I% 9 MID-AIR SOME FEW FEET FROM ! 5D B>N ?AT /OOD !RE ON ,*ALK OR ,QU>T-,POT ,LANE4 ,! ELEVAT$ WALKWAY1 :I* APPE>$ TO CURVE (F TO ! S\?1 AWAY 9TO ! GRAY & MI/$ DI/ANCE1 WAS SUPPORT$ ALL ALONG ITS DREAM-LIKE L5G? BY ! SAME ALABA/] PILL>S ?AT ! BUILD]S W]E ATTEMPT+ TO MANEUV] 9TO PLACE !RE ON ! G5TLE1 GRASSY SLOPES ( ,CA/LE ,HILL4 ,SOME?+ AB\T ! WAY ! COLUMNS W]E POSITION$ /RUCK ,MI*AEL AS BE+ V]Y WRONG4 

,! BRIDGE WAS HELD UP BY TWO R[S ( ! SEMI-TRANSP>5T PO/S1 ONE ON EA* SIDE4 ,! PROBLEM WAS ?AT IF Y\ TRA9$ Y\R EYES ON :AT Y\ ?\<T TO BE ! BOTTOM ( A NE>SIDE /RUT & TRAC$ IT UPW>DS1 IT TURN$ \T TO BE SUPPORT+ ! F> SIDE ( ! CON/RUCTION4 ,SIMIL>LY1 IF Y\ FOCUS$ ON ! UPP] REA*ES ( A PILL> ?AT WAS HOLD+ UP ! WALKWAY'S CLOSE/ $GE & FOLL[$ IT /RAI<T D[N T[>DS ITS BASE1 IT W\LD 9V>IABLY 5D UP BE+ 9 ! FUR!R R[ ( COLUMNS4 ,:5 Y\ TOOK 9 ! :OLE ?+ AT ONCE1 IT LOOK$ RI<T4 ,IT WAS ONLY :5 Y\ TRI$ TO MAKE SOME S5SE ( H[ IT ALL FITT$ TOGE!R ?AT Y\ REALIZ$ ! IMPOSSIBILITY ( ! >RANGEM5T Y\ W]E />+ AT4 ,AS HE APPROA*$ IT ) ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG1 ,MI*AEL DISCOV]$ ?AT JU/ SEE+ IT GAVE HIM ! <O/ ( A TREM5D\S HEADA*E4 ,SCREW+ %UT HIS EYES HE RUBB$ HIS =EHEAD4 ,PHYLLIS GAVE HIS H& A SYMPA!TIC SQUEEZE4 

0,I KN[4 ,IT MAKES Y] BRA9S 'URT1 DUNNIT8 ,IT GUZ ALL ! WAY TO ,LAMBE?1 !N TO ,DOV]1 !N ACROSS ! *ANNEL & ?R\< ,FRANCE & ,ITALY & ?AT1 TO 5D UP 9 ,J]USALEM4 ,FROM :AT ,I 'E>1 IT'S MU* ! SAME AS :5 ! C\NCIL PUT A PROP] /REET :]E PREVI\SLY !RE'D ONLY BE5 A FOOTPA? WORN 9TO ! GRASS4 ,! ,ULTRADUCT BEGAN LIKE ?AT1 AS JU/ A CREASE ?AT HAD BE5 TRODD5 9TO BE9' BY ! M5 & WOM5 GOO9' TO AN' FRO1 EXCEPT ! ,ULTRADUCT WIZ A PA? WORN ?R\< TIME & NOT JU/ GRASS4 ,IT 'AD BE5 !RE S9CE LONG BE=E ! ,ROMANS1 BUT !Y W]E ! ONES 'OO PROP]LY E/ABLI%$ IT1 AS Y\ MI<T SAY4 ,!N PEOPLE LIKE ?AT MONK :O COME ']E FRUM ,J]USALEM & BR\<T ! CROSS TO SET 9TO ! C5T]1 !Y TROD IT 9 DEEP]4 ,!N1 O' C\RSE1 !RE WIZ ALL ! ,CRUSAD]S1 BACK & =? BETWE5 ']E & ! ',OLY ,L&4 ,>\ND ',5RY ! ,EI<?'S TIME 9 ! FIFTE5-'UNDR$S1 :5 'E BROKE UP ALL ! MONA/]IES & =C$ ! SPLIT ) ,ROME SO 'E C\LD GET DIVORC$1 ?AT WIZZLE BE AB\T ! TIME ! BUILD]S />T$ PUTT9' UP ! ,ULTRADUCT4 ,:AT WE'RE LOOK9' AT ']E WIZ :5 IT'S NE>LY F9I%$1 :I*'LL BE 9 ABAYT TW5TY YE>S FRUM N[40 

,9 A CONC]T$ EF=T TO /OP />+ AT ! EYE-DECEIV+ PILL>S1 ,MI*AEL GAZ$ 9/EAD T[>DS ! ,ULTRADUCT ITSELF1 ! ALABA/] WALKWAY SWEEP+ (F ACROSS ,NOR?AMPTON TO ! F> HORIZON4 ,ALL ALONG ! RAIL$ BRIDGE !RE APPE>$ TO BE SOME SORT ( BLURR$ ACTIVITY1 A S5SE ( CON/ANT MOTION EV5 ?\< Y\ C\LDN'T REALLY SEE ANY?+ MOV+4 ,WAVES ( :AT SEEM$ TO BE HEAT-HAZE PULS$ BO? WAYS ALONG ! OV]PASS & RIPPL$ 9TO 9TRICATE & LIQUID PATT]NS :]E !Y CROSS$ EA* O!R4 ,EV5 ?\< ! /RUCTURE WAS UNF9I%$1 IT WAS CLE>LY ALREADY 9 USE BY SOME P]SON OR P]SONS :O W]E TRAVEL+ TOO FA/ TO SEE4 ,OR1 ,MI*AEL ?\<T1 !Y MI<T BE TRAVEL+ TOO SL[ TO SEE1 AL?\< HE HAD NO IDEA :AT HE MEANT BY ?AT4 

,! GANG HAD BY N[ REA*$ ! SPOT ON ,*ALK ,LANE :]E ! GRAY-ROB$ BUILD]S W]E AT WORK4 ,BE+ ! \TFIT'S SELF-APPO9T$ SPOKESMAN1 ,PHYLLIS ELB[$ H] WAY PA/ H] COLLEAGUES1 DRAGG+ ,MI*AEL 9 H] WAKE AS %E APPROA*$ ! NE>E/ ( ! LABOR]S1 ONE SK9NI] & TALL] ?AN ! O!RS ) A %AV$ HEAD & A LONG & M\RNFUL FACE4 ,PHYLLIS ADDRESS$ HIM1 SPEAK+ SL[LY & DELIB]ATELY 9 ! WAY Y\ W\LD IF Y\ W]E TALK+ TO SOMEBODY :O WAS DEAF OR A BIT DIM4 

0,?IS ,MI*AEL ,W>R54 ,WE ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG4 ,CAN WE GO ON ! ,ULTRADUCT & TALK TO ,FI]Y ,PHIL80 

,! BUILD] PE]$ D[N AT ! <O/ GIRL 9 H] GRISLY SC>F1 & AT ! DRESS+ G[N-CLAD LITTLE BOY BESIDE H]4 ,HIS GRAY EYES W]E TW9KL+ & HE PURS$ HIS LIPS AS ?\< TO KEEP HIMSELF FROM LAU<+4 

0,DJE BANGL[ FIM? SCURPVYK860 

,MI*AEL WAS BEG9N+ TO GET US$ TO H[ ! BUILD]S TALK$4 ,FIR/ !Y W\LD SPEAK ! GIBB]I% ?AT WAS !IR V]SION ( A WORD OR S5T5CE1 !N ?AT NONS5SE W\LD UNROLL ITSELF 9SIDE ! LI/5]'S HEAD 9TO A LONG SPEE* FULL ( ?UND]\S & R++ PHRASES4 ,9 ! CURR5T 9/ANCE1 ?IS EXP&$ MONOLOGUE BEGAN ) ,9 ! ,BIG ,BANG'S GL[ WE /&1 ,I & !E1 *ILD ( :IM 444 & !N SEEM$ TO CONT9UE 9 ?AT VE9 = AGES4 ,F9ALLY1 AS ,MI*AEL UND]/OOD IT1 ONCE Y\'D LI/5$ TO !M TALK+ & ABSORB$ IT ALL AS BE/ Y\ C\LD1 Y\ SORT ( CAME UP ) Y\R [N TRANSLATION4 ,IF HE'D HE>D ! BUILD] RI<T1 ! TICKL$-LOOK+ *AP HAD JU/ SAID1 0,! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG8 ,:Y1 ,I'VE READ Y\R BOOK6 ,SO ,I'M ! ANGLE ?AT Y\ MET :5 Y\ W]E AT ! ,ULTRADUCT 9 *APT] TWELVE1 0,! ,RIDDLE ( ! ,*OK+ ,*ILD01 & !N AGA9 AT ! 5D ( ! *APT]4 ,:AT AN HONOR4 ,N[1 LET'S SEE1 Y\ MU/ BE ,PHYLLIS1 ) Y\R RABBIT SC>F1 & ?IS IS ,ALMA'S BRO!R ,MI*AEL4 ,I SUPPOSE ?AT MU/ BE ,MISS ,DRISCOLL H]SELF BEH9D Y\4 ,YES1 ( C\RSE Y\ CAN SEE ,MR4 ,DODDRIDGE4 ,I'LL TAKE Y\ MYSELF4 ,GOODNESS1 JU/ WAIT UNTIL ,I TELL ! O!RS60 

,LOOK+ PUFF$ UP FIT TO BUR/ ! BUILD] G5TLY H]D$ !M T[>DS A LADD] ?AT WAS PROPP$ AGA9/ ! ELEVAT$ WALKWAY1 ?\< AS !Y GOT CLOS] ,MI*AEL SAW ?AT IT HAD C>PET+ & WAS 9 FACT A N>R[ SECTION ( :AT HE'D HE>D CALL$ A ',JACOB ,FLI<T'4 ,! CLU/] ( <O/-*ILDR5 ALL %UFFL$ OB$I5TLY =W>D AS !Y'D BE5 DIRECT$1 ) NOBODY KICK+ UP ! USUAL RUCKUS4 ,EV]YONE1 9 FACT1 LOOK$ TOO A/ONI%$ BY :AT ! GRAY-ROB$ BEANPOLE HAD JU/ SAID TO MAKE A S\ND4 ,AL?\< ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG LIK$ TO PRET5D TO BE+ FAM\S1 Y\ C\LD TELL ?AT !Y W]E FLUMMOX$ BY ! ?\<T ?AT EV5 BUILD]S HAD APP>5TLY READ !IR ADV5TURES4 ,:]E1 ?\<1 HAD !Y READ !M8 ,!RE W]E NO REAL BOOKS AB\T ! GANG EXCEPT ! ONE 9 ,REGGIE ,B[L]'S DREAM1 :I* CLE>LY DIDN'T C\NT4 ,& :O WAS ?IS ,MISS ,DRISCOLL8 ,AS HE REA*$ ! BOTTOM ( ! /AIRCASE-LADD]1 ,MI*AEL C\LD HE> ,BILL & ,PHYLLIS :ISP]+ EXCIT$LY1 SOME:]E BEH9D HIM4 

0 ',E SAID AB\T ,=BIDD5 ,WORLDS :5 ME AN' ,REGGIE F\ND 'IM UP 9 ,BA? ,/REET FLATS1 BUT /ILL ,I DIDN'T CAT* ON40 

0,WELL1 ,I KNEW AS ,I'D SE5 'IM BE=E :5 ,I FIR/ FAYND 'IM 9 ! ,ATTICS O' ! ,BREA?4 ,I JU/ C\LDN'T ?9K :]E1 BUT N[ ,I KN[4 ,IT WIZ ! %[1 JU/ UP ! /REET !RE4 ,WELL4 ,?IS *ANGES EV]Y?+40 

,IT S\ND$ AS IF !Y W]E TALK+ AB\T HIM1 BUT ,MI*AEL C\LDN'T REALLY MAKE MU* S5SE ( IT4 ,BESIDES1 HE'D REA*$ ! BOTTOM ( ! ,JACOB ,FLI<T ) EV]YBODY ELSE QUEU$ UP BEH9D HIM1 SO HE HAD TO CONC5TRATE UPON ! CLIMB4 ,AS USUAL1 ?IS WAS AWKW>D1 ) ! T9Y TREADS TOO SMALL = EV5 ,MI*AEL'S FEET1 BUT HIS ASC5T WAS MU* ASSI/$ BY ! <O/-SEAM'S G5]AL WEI<TLESSNESS4 ,9 MOM5TS HE WAS CLAMB]+ UP ONTO ! %9+1 MILKY BO>DWALK ( ! ,ULTRADUCT4 

,HE /OOD !RE ROOT$ TO ! SPOT & LIT FROM UND]NEA? BY ! :ITE CRY/AL PLANKS ( ! UNF9I%$ BRIDGE1 HIS SMALL =M ALMO/ BLEA*$ \T ( EXI/5CE LIKE A FIGURE 9 A PHOTO ?AT ! LI<T HAD SPOIL$4 ,AS HIS FIVE COMRADES & ! HELPFUL BUILD] CLIMB$ ONTO ! BO>DS BEH9D HIM1 ,MI*AEL />$ TRANSFIX$ AT ! *ANG$ L&SCAPE ?AT WAS VISIBLE FROM ?IS NEW VANTAGE PO9T1 ?IS OV]PASS ?AT ,PHYLLIS SAID WAS BUILT UPON A PA? WORN 9TO TIME ITSELF4 

,>\ND !M1 FROM HORIZON TO HORIZON1 SEV]AL DIFF]5T ]AS W]E ALL HAPP5+ AT ONCE4 ,TRANSP>5T TREES & BUILD+S OV]LAPP$ 9 A DELIRI\S RU% ( IMAGES ?AT *ANG$ & GREW & BL$ 9TO EA* O!R1 SEE-?R\< /RUCTURES CRUMBL+ AWAY & VANI%+ ONLY TO REAPPE> & RUN ?R\< !IR ACCEL]AT$ LIVES OV] AGA91 A BOIL+ BLUR ( BLACK & :ITE AS IF A MAD PROJECTIONI/ W]E RUNN+ MANY DIFF]5T LOOPS ( OLD FILM ?R\< HIS :IRR+1 FLICK]+ CONTRAPTION AT ! SAME TIME1 AT ! WRONG SPE$4 ,LOOK+ WE/ D[N ! RAIS$ HI<WAY1 ,MI*AEL SAW ,NOR?AMPTON ,CA/LE BE+ BUILT BY ,NORMANS & !IR LABOR]S1 :ILE BE+ PULL$ D[N 9 ACCORDANCE ) ! WILL ( ,*>LES ! ,SECOND FIFTE5 HUNDR$ YE>S !REAFT]4 ,A FEW C5TURIES ( GRASS & RU9S COEXI/$ ) ! BUBBL+ GR[? & FLUCTUATIONS ( ! RAILWAY /ATION4 #a#i#bS PORT]S1 SPE$$ UP 9TO A SIL5T COM$Y1 PU%$ LUGGAGE-LAD5 TROLLEYS ?R\< A ,SAXON HUNT+ P>TY4 ,WOM5 9 RIDICUL\SLY T9Y SKIRTS SUP]IMPOS$ !MSELVES UNWITT+LY ON ,R\NDHEAD PURITANS1 BRIEFLY BECOM+ COMPOSITES ) FI%NET TI<TS & PIKE/AFFS4 ,HORSES' HEADS GREW FROM ! RO(S ( C>S & ALL ! :ILE ! CA/LE WAS CON/RUCT$ & DEMOLI%$1 RIS+1 FALL+1 RIS+1 FALL+1 LIKE A GREAT GRAY LUNG ( HI/ORY ?AT BREA!D CRUSADES1 SA9TS1 REVOLUTIONS & ELECTRIC TRA9S4 

,! CA/LE1 OBVI\SLY1 WAS NOT ALONE 9 ! TRANS=M+ FLOOD ( SIMULTANE\S TIME4 ,ABOVE1 ! SKY WAS M>BL$ ) ! LI<T & WEA!R ( A ?\S& YE>S1 :ILE !RE BESIDE ! %IMM]+ $IFICE ! T[N'S WE/ BRIDGE %IFT$ FROM BEAV] DAMS TO WOOD5 PO/S1 FROM ,CROMWELL'S DRAWBRIDGE TO ! BRICK & CONCRETE HUMP ?AT ,MI*AEL KNEW4 ,N[ /&+ NEXT TO HIM1 ,PHYLLIS GAVE HIM A SLI<TLY FUNNY LOOK1 AS IF REG>D+ HIM 9 A NEW LI<T4 ,AT LA/ %E SMIL$4 

0,:AT D'Y] ?9K1 !N8 ,H['S ?AT = A VIEW8 ,I TELL Y] :AT1 IF Y]'VE GOT ANY BUS9ESS Y\ WANT ANSW]$1 Y\ JU/ ASK AWAY4 ,I KN[ ,I MI<T 'AVE TOLD Y] TO %UT UP & NOT ASK QUE/IONS ALL ! TIME1 BUT LET'S JU/ SAY ,I'VE 'AD A *ANGE ( 'E>T4 ,Y\ ASK ME ANY?+ Y] WANT1 ME DUCK40 

,MI*AEL JU/ BL9K$ AT H]4 ,?IS WAS A TURN-UP = ! BOOKS1 & HE'D NO IDEA :AT HAD BR\<T IT ON SO SUDD5LY4 ,?AT SAID1 HE ?\<T HE'D TAKE ADVANTAGE ( ?IS NEW SPIRIT ( OP5NESS 9 ,PHYLLIS :ILE IT LA/$4 

0,ALL RI<T1 !N4 ,WIZZLE Y\ BE MY GIRLFRI5D80 

,IT WAS ,PHYLLIS'S TURN N[ TO />E AT ,MI*AEL BLANKLY4 ,F9ALLY %E DRAP$ A SORT ( CONSOLATION->M >\ND HIS %\LD] AS %E ANSW]$4 

0,NO4 ,I'M SORRY4 ,I'M A BIT TOO OLD = Y\4 ,& ANYWAY1 :5 ,I SAID AB\T QUE/IONS1 IT W]5'T QUE/IONS LIKE ?AT :AT ,I MEANT4 ,I MEANT AB\T ! ,ULTRADUCT & ?+S LIKE ?AT40 

,MI*AEL LOOK$ UP AT H] & ?\<T AB\T IT = A MOM5T4 

0,OH4 ,WELL1 !N1 :Y CAN WE SEE ALL DIFF]5T TIMES FROM H]E80 

,! :OLE GANG & ! BUILD] :O HAD VOLUNTE]$ TO BE !IR GUIDE W]E BY N[ HEAD+ SL[LY = ! WALKWAY'S RAGG$1 UNCOMPLET$ 5D4 ,PHYLLIS1 :O LOOK$ IMM5SELY GRATEFUL = ! *ANGE ( TOPIC1 ANSW]$ ,MI*AEL'S QU]Y ) 5?USIASM AS !Y WALK$ ALONG TOGE!R4 

0,?IS WIZ :AT TIME LOOKS LIKE :5 Y] UP ABOVE IT1 LOOK+ DAYN4 ,IT'S A BIT LIKE IF Y\ W]E 9 A GRET BIG CITY1 WALK+ 9 ITS /REETS SO Y] C\LD ONLY SEE ! LITTLE BIT :AT Y\ W]E 9 AT PRES5T1 & !N Y] GOT TAK5 UP 9T] ! SKY1 SO Y\ C\LD LOOK DAYN & SEE ! 'OLE PLACE ) ALL ITS BUILD+S1 ALL AT ONCE4 ,! ,ULTRADUCT IS MO/LY US$ BY BUILD]S1 DEVILS1 SA9TS & ?AT LOT1 :5 !Y'RE MOV+ ?R\< ! L+] :AT'S BETWE5 ']E & ,J]USALEM4 ,!Y'RE US$ TO SEE9' TIME LIKE ?IS1 SO !Y ?9K NO?9' ( IT1 BUT TO ORD9>Y <O/S IT /ILL LOOKS FUNNY4 ',AVE A DECKO AT ! *UR* ALONG ! 5D ']E IF Y] DON'T BELIEVE ME40 

,MI*AEL GLANC$ AWAY FROM ,PHYLLIS & T[>DS ! JUTT+ & UNF9I%$ PI]-5D ?AT !Y W]E APPROA*+4 ,JU/ BEYOND ! PO9T :]E ! BRIDGE T]M9AT$ 9 MID-AIR WAS A TREM5D\S VISUAL COMMOTION1 *URN+ IMAG]Y SOME:]E BETWE5 A SPE$$-UP FILM ADV]TIS+ ! CON/RUCTION 9DU/RY & A SPECTACUL> ,GUY ,FAWKES ,NI<T FIREWORK %[4 ,HE SAW ! NAK$ PREHI/ORIC SLOPE ?AT W\LD BE ,CA/LE ,HILL & OV] ?IS1 SUP]IMPOS$1 HE SAW \TBUILD+S ( ! ,NORMAN CA/LE AS !Y ROSE & FELL1 A S+LE /ONE RETREAT 5CIRCL$ BY A LITTLE MOAT1 ! LONELY TURRET CRUMBL+ D[N TO RUBBLE1 ! SURR\ND+ DIT* DRA9$ & FILL$ 9 TO =M A R+ ( H>D DIRT LANES >\ND ! M\ND4 ,A WOOD5 *APEL BLOOM$ & CRUMPL$ 9TO EMPTY GRASS1 ) BURD5$ PLAGUE-C>TS BLURR+ BACK & =? AS !Y DELIV]$ HUMAN BACKFILL TO A BRIEFLY-MANIFE/$ BURIAL PIT4 ,! B>NS & %$S ?AT HE'D SE5 ON ! SITE :5 HE'D BE5 BACK D[N 9 ! #a#f#gS A LITTLE :ILE AGO W]E FLICK]+ 9 & \T ( BE+ & AMONG IT ALL AN OBLONG /RUCTURE MADE FROM W>M GRAY /ONE WAS />T+ TO TAKE %APE4 

,AT FIR/ ! BUILD+ WAS JU/ WALLS ?AT KNITT$ !MSELVES 9TO BE+ FROM ! BOTTOM UPW>D1 LEAV+ GAPS = ?REE HI< W9D[S ON ! S\!RN FACE & TWO LONG DOORWAYS :]E ! BRICKS SWIRL$ \T 9 AN EXT5SION TO ! WE/1 :I* LOOK$ AS IF !Y MI<T BE LOAD+ BAYS ( SOME SORT4 ,MI*AEL NOTIC$ ?AT ! LUM9\S :ITE WALKWAY HE WAS /&+ ON SEEM$ TO BE LEAD+ /RAI<T 9TO ! TOP HALF ( ! LEFTMO/ DOOR1 BUT WAS DI/RACT$ BY A SLATE RO( RATTL+ 9TO EXI/5CE AS IT UNROLL$ FROM ! EAVES1 JU/ AS A SIMIL>LY SLATE-TOPP$ POR* ?AT HAD ITS [N BRICK *IMNEY />T$ TO SQUEEZE ITSELF =W>D FROM ! BLOCK'S S\? SIDE1 RI<T UND] ! ?REE W9D[S4 ,B\ND>IES SPRANG UP A FEW Y>DS FROM ! PROP]TY1 5CLOS+ IT 9 LIME/ONE WALLS ?AT ROSE TO CURI\S R\ND$ HUMPS :]E ! F\R CORN]S %\LD HAVE BE51 ONLY = !SE TO MELT 9TO ! L[] & MORE %>P-$G$ =MS ?AT ,MI*AEL WAS FAMILI> )4 ,AT ! SAME TIME - & ALL ( ?IS WAS AT ! SAME TIME1 FROM ! ANCI5T GRASSY HILLOCK TO ! ,NORMAN TURRET & ! TEET]+1 RAM%ACKLE B>NS ?AT FOLL[$ IT - HE SAW ! POR* ) ITS LONE *IMNEY & ITS /EEP SLATE RO( COLLAPSE 9TO A BROAD]1 GR&] *UR*-FRONT3 A ,VICTORIAN VE/IBULE ?AT HAD A FLAGG$ & IRON-GAT$ C\RTY>D SPREAD BE=E IT4 ,LOOK+ BACK T[>DS ! NE>E/1 WE/]N SIDE HE SAW ?AT ! TWO L5G?Y DOORFRAMES HAD BE5 MO/LY FILL$ 91 LEAV+ ONE SMALL 5TRANCE HALFWAY UP ! WALL ( ! EXT5SION1 CORRESPOND+ NEATLY ) ! 5D-PO9T ( ! ,ULTRADUCT4 ,?IS PREVI\SLY UNCOMPLET$ JUNCTURE ( ! WALKWAY HAD APP>5TLY BE5 F9I%$ 9 ! LA/ FEW SECONDS & N[ FITT$ P]FECTLY AGA9/ ! *APEL1 LEAD+ SMOO?LY 9TO ! SUSP5D$ DOORWAY4 ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*1 N[ :OLLY RECOGNIZABLE1 EXPLOD$ 9TO SPACE & TIME AS MOD]N FLATS & H\SES LICK$ ! SKYL9E TO ITS RE> ) TONGUES ( BRICK4 

,MEAN:ILE1 ABOVE ! =M+ CONT\RS ( ! BUILD+1 SOME?+ ELSE WAS GO+ ON4 ,/ROKES ( PALE LI<T W]E SKET*+ 9 A T[]+ DIAGRAM ( SCAFFOLD+ & GIRD]S1 AN 5ORM\S1 COMPLICAT$ LATTICEWORK ( LUM9ESC5T TRAC+S ?AT SO>$ 9 A SQU>E-$G$ COLUMN TO ! CURDL+ HEAV5S1 ) ITS UPP] LIMITS \T ( SI<T BEYOND EV5 ! RANGE ( ,MI*AEL'S <O/-EYES4 ,MAT*/ICK L9ES ( FLEET+ BRILLIANCE SC9TILLAT$ 9 & \T ( VIEW1 ELABORATE GRIDS ( :ITE AGA9/ ! SWIRL+ C5TURIES ( SKY ?AT FOGG$ & CL>IFI$ ABOVE1 SUGGE/+ SOME?+ VA/ ( :I* ! E>?LY *UR* WAS M]ELY A F\NDATION /ONE4 ,HE LOOK$ UP QUIZZICALLY AT ,PHYLLIS1 :O SMIL$ PR\DLY 9 RETURN4 

0,& Y\ ?\<T ?AT !M T[] BLOCKS UP 9 NO?+-FIVE OR SIX WIZ BIG1 AYE8 ,WELL1 !Y'RE NOT A PAT* ON ,FI]Y ,PHIL'S PLACE4 ,IT GOES /RAI<T UP TO ,MANS\L & EV5 'I<]1 UP TO ! ,?IRD ,BOR\<'S (FICE IF ! RUMORS >E TO BE BELIEV$40 

,MI*AEL WAS PUZZL$ BY ! NAME :I*1 EV5 ?\< HE ?\<T HE MI<T HAVE HE>D IT E>LI]1 HAD YET TO BE EXPLA9$4 

0,:O'S ! ,?IRD ,BOR\<80 

0,WELL1 IT'S LIKE ! NORMAL LIV9' NEI<BOR'OOD1 ?AT'S ! ,FIR/ ,BOR\<1 LIKE ,I TOLD Y]4 ,!N ABOVE ?AT !RE'S ! ,SECOND ,BOR\<1 :AT WE CALL ,UP/AIRS4 ,& UP ABOVE ?AT 444 WELL1 !RE'S ! ,?IRD ,BOR\<4 ,HE'S A SORT ( R5T-COLLECTOR & HE'S SORT ( A POLICEMAN AT ! SAME TIME4 ,HE RUNS ALL ! ,BOR\<S4 ,HE MAKES SURE ?AT !RE'S JU/ICE ABOVE ! /REET & EV]Y?9' LIKE ?AT4 ,Y\ NEV] SEE 'IM1 NOT 'LESS Y] A BUILD]4 ',]E1 COME ON1 LET'S GOO 9 ?R\< ! CROOK DOOR & MEET ,MRS4 ,GIBBS1 SEE IF %E'S FAYND AYT ANY?9' ABAYT ?IS BIG ADV5TURE :AT Y] ON40 

,! GR\P HAD REA*$ ! PO9T AT :I* ! %9+ WALKWAY 5D$ ) ! WOOD5 DOORFRAME HALFWAY UP ! *UR*'S WE/]N WALL4 ,TAK+ HIS H& 9 H]S1 ,PHYLLIS PULL$ ,MI*AEL ?R\< ! DOOR'S BLACK-PA9T$ BO>DS 9TO RI*1 SUDD5 COLOR & E>-POPP+ S\ND4 ,AS BAD AS OR ELSE WORSE ?AN HE REMEMB]$ IT1 ! REEK ( ,PHYLLIS'S PELT-NECKLACE CURL$ 9TO HIS NO/RILS BE=E HE C\LD CL5* !M %UT & MADE HIM WANT TO RET*4 ,! AFT]-IMAGES ?AT HAD BE5 TRAIL+ !M ON !IR EXCURSION ?R\< ! ,GREAT ,FIRE ( ,NOR?AMPTON ALL ABRUPTLY VANI%$1 9DICAT+ ?AT !Y W]E N[ UP ABOVE ! <O/-SEAM4 ,!Y W]E ,UP/AIRS4 ,!Y W]E 9 ,MANS\L4 

,?AT SAID1 ! ROOM 9 :I* !Y F\ND !MSELVES APPE>$ TO BE ( NORMAL SIZE & HADN'T BE5 EXP&$ 9TO ONE ( ,MANS\L'S 5DLESS1 GAUDY AIRDROMES4 ,ITS FURNI%+S - ITS TABLES1 *AIRS & C>PETS - W]E ALL ( AN EI<TE5? C5TURY DESIGN1 & ?\< !Y GL[$ ) DE>NESS & ) PRES5CE !Y DID NOT SEEM TO BE ?OSE ( A RI* MAN1 NOR ONE :O WAS EXTRAVAGANT OR %[Y4 

,AS ! *ILDR5 & !IR GRAY-ROB$ ESCORT P]COLAT$ 9TO ! GOLD-LIT ROOM ?R\< ITS HALF-SIZ$ WOOD5 DOOR !Y F\ND ?AT ,MRS4 ,GIBBS WAS !RE ALREADY1 WAIT+ = !M4 ,! ROTUND & P9K-*EEK$ DEA?MONG] /OOD AT ! F> 5D ( ! *AMB]1 WE>+ A :ITE APRON ?AT HAD BRI<TLY COLOR$ BEES & BUTT]FLIES EMBROID]$ R\ND ITS $GES4 ,!RE BESIDE H] WAS A MAN ( MOD]ATE HEI<T :O LOOK$ TO BE 9 E>LY MIDDLE AGE4 ,HIS *ISEL$ FEATURES1 ) ! SMOO? BR[ & ! CURV$ BLADE ( ! NOSE1 W]E NONE!LESS 9CL9$ TO PLUMPNESS1 A SLI<T BULGE ( FAT BETWE5 ! RECTANGLE ( HIS ANTIQUE />*$ P>SON'S COLL> & ! FIRM1 CLEFT *94 ,HIS EYES1 H[EV]1 HAD A SOME:AT SUNK5 QUALITY1 ! K9DLY SLATE-BLUE GAZE RETREAT$ 9TO WIDE1 R\ND SOCKETS ?AT APPE>$ TO CAT* REFLECT$ LI<T >\ND !IR RIMS1 A FEV]-BRI<T %9E SME>$ ON ! HI< *EEKBONES4 ,! CASCAD+ GOLD5 CURLS ( :AT ,MI*AEL REALIZ$ BELAT$LY MU/ BE A WIG FELL TO ! %\LD]S ( ! PA/OR'S LONG BLACK SMOCK1 5CLOS+ ! K9D1 NOBLE FEATURES 9 A FANCY GILD$ FRAME1 LIKE AN OLD PA9T+4 ,A FOND SMILE HAUNT$ ! CORN]S ( ! ?9 LIPS' LONGB[ L9E4 ,?IS1 ,MI*AEL ?\<T1 MU/ BE ! MAN ?AT ,PHYLLIS HAD CALL$ ,FI]Y ,PHIL1 AL?\< HE DIDN'T SEEM TO HAVE ! SLI<TE/ ?+ AB\T HIS MANN] ?AT WAS FI]Y4 ,FIRE1 AS ,MI*AEL HAD EXP]I5C$ IT REC5TLY 9 ! CAVORT+ ( ! ,SALAM&] GIRLS1 WAS NO:]E NE> AS REASONABLE OR CONSID]ATE 9 ITS APPE>ANCE4 

,BO? ,MRS4 ,GIBBS & ! SOMEH[ IMPOS+ CL]GYMAN SEEM$ PLEAS$ TO SEE ! SCRUFFY PHANTOM *ILDR5 & ! BUILD] ?AT ACCOMPANI$ !M4 ,! DEA?MONG] BU/L$ =W>D1 BEAM+4 

0,!RE Y\ >E1 MY DE>S4 ,& ,MR4 ,AZIEL1 H[ NICE TO MEET Y\4 ,N[ !N1 ?IS WIZ ,MR4 ,DODDRIDGE :O ,I SAID ,I'D HAVE A WORD )4 ,MR4 ,DODDRIDGE1 ?IS WIZ ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG1 :O ,I D>E SAY Y\'LL HAVE HE>D (40 

,DODDRIDGE SMIL$1 AL?\< ! RADIANT EYES LOOK$ A BIT SAD TO ,MI*AEL4 

0,SO !SE >E ! V]Y T]RORS ( ,MANS\L6 ,MY WORD1 BUT WE >E HONOR$4 ,MY WIFE ,M]CY (T5 READS Y\R EXPLOITS TO \R ELDE/ DAU<T]1 ,TETSY4 ,I MU/ 9TRODUCE Y\ TO !M PRES5TLY1 BUT = ! MOM5T !RE WIZ ONE AMONG Y\ ?AT ,I AM MO/ EAG] TO 5C\NT]40 

,MI*AEL ?\<T ?AT ?IS W\LD MORE ?AN LIKELY TURN \T TO BE HIM1 S9CE EV]YBODY 9 ! AFT]LIFE SEEM$ TO BE TAK5 ) HIM4 ,AT ! SAME TIME1 UNBEKN[N/ TO ,MI*AEL1 ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] WAS ASSUM+ ?AT ! CL]GYMAN MEANT H]1 AS ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG'S LEAD]4 ,EV5 ,M>JORIE1 = H] [N REASONS1 PUFF$ UP JU/ A LITTLE 9 ANTICIPATION BE=E ALL ?REE W]E LET D[N :5 ,DODDRIDGE /RODE ACROSS ! DIAMOND-PATT]N$ C>PET1 WALK+ 9 BETWE5 !M TO CLASP ,REGGIE ,B[L] BY ! %\LD]S4 ,NONE ( !M HAD BE5 EXPECT+ ?AT1 LEA/ ( ALL ,REGGIE4 

0,BY Y\R RAIM5T ,I CAN SURELY TELL ?AT Y\ >E ,MA/] ,F[L]4 ,:5 ,I READ ?AT Y\ HAD MET Y\R FROZ5 5D 9 PLA9 SI<T ( \R LITTLE *UR* IT MADE ME WEEP1 & ,M]CY WEPT AS WELL4 ,Y\ MU/ TAKE TIME AWAY FROM Y\R ADV5TURES TO ATT5D ! <O/ ACADEMY ,I AM ATTEMPT+ TO E/ABLI%1 :]E ?OSE SPIRITS ?AT >E LESS ADVANTAG$ MAY P>TAKE ( LE>N+ EV5 :5 !IR MORTAL T]M HAS BE5 CONCLUD$4 ,TELL ME ?AT Y\'LL VISIT US1 = ?AT %\LD MAKE MY HE>T MO/ GLAD40 

,DUMBF\ND$1 ,REGGIE NODD$ & %OOK ! MAN'S PR(F]$ H&4 ,! CL]GYMAN BEAM$ ) DELI<T & !N TURN$ HIS ATT5TION TO ! O!R *ILDR54 

0,SO1 !N1 LET US SEE4 ,?IS MU/ BE ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T] 9 H] FAM\SLY (F5SIVE SC>F1 :I* MEANS ?AT OV] H]E WE HAVE \R LITTLE AU?OR4 ,! TALL FELL[ AT ! BACK MU/ BE \R DA%+ SOLID]-BOY1 & FROM Y\R FAMILY RESEMBLANCE TO Y\NG ,MISS ,PA9T] ,I ASSUME Y\ MU/ BE ,BILL4 ,BE SURE ?AT ,I %ALL KEEP MY EYE ON Y\40 

,F9ALLY ,DODDRIDGE TURN$ TO SMILE AT ,MI*AEL1 CR\*+ D[N UPON HIS HAUN*ES SO ?AT HIS GAZE W\LD BE LEVEL ) ?AT ( ! DRESS+ G[N-CLAD *ILD4 

0,BY PROCESS ( ELIM9ATION1 !N1 ?IS BONNY LITTLE FELL[ MU/ BE ,MI*AEL ,W>R54 ,POOR LAD4 ,I IMAG9E ?AT ALL ?IS BEWILD]S Y\1 ! 9S & \TS ( \R EXI/5CE 9 ,MANS\L :ILE ALL ! TIME Y\R E>?LY BODY SPE$S T[>DS ! HOSPITAL ,I F\ND$ ) MY GOOD FRI5DS ,MR4 ,/ONH\SE & ! ,REV]5D ,H]VEY4 ,& IF ?AT WIZ NOT 5\<1 DE> ,MRS4 ,GIBBS 9=MS ME ?AT ONE ( ! HI<] DEVILS HAS DECEITFULLY 5SN>$ Y\ 9 SOME WICK$ B>GA940 

,MI*AEL'S LIPS BEGAN TO TREMBLE AT ! MEMORY4 

0,HE SAID ,I'D GOT TO HELP HIM DO A MURD]4 ,I WON'T HAVE TO1 WIZZLE ,I80 

,DODDRIDGE GLANC$ D[N T[>DS ! CREAM-&-*OCOLATE DECORATIONS ( ! C>PET = A MOM5T & !N ONCE MORE RAIS$ HIS GAZE TO LOOK AT ,MI*AEL1 HIS EYES N[ GRAVE & CONC]N$ )9 ! BRI<T-RIMM$ SOCKETS4 

0,NOT UNLESS IT BE ! WILL ( ,HE :O BUILDE? ALL ?+S1 ?\< IT MAY BE SO4 ,BE BRAVE1 MY BOY1 & KN[ ?AT NO?+ CAN OCCUR SAVE BY NECESSITY4 ,EA* ( US HAS HIS P>T TO PLAY 9 ! IMMACULATE CON/RUCTION1 9 ! RAIS+ ( ! ,POR?IMO? DI ,NORHAN1 & NONE MORE SO ?AN Y\RSELF4 ,Y\R P>T 5TAILS NO MORE ?AN ?AT Y\ C>RY ON ) Y\R ADV5TURE4 ,SEE ALL ?AT Y\ CAN ( ?IS ET]NAL T[N%IP :]E WE >E CONT9U$1 EV5 IF ?OSE SI<TS >E ON OCCASION DREADFUL4 ,SEE ! ANGLES & ! DEVILS BO?1 FAIR LAD1 & TRY H>D TO REMEMB] ALL ?AT Y\ EXP]I5CE4 ,Y\R TIME H]E %ALL PROVIDE ! 9SPIRATION = EV5TS ?AT1 BE !Y MODE/1 >E ESS5TIAL TO ! ,POR?IMO?'S COMPLETION40 

,PHYLLIS H]E JABB$ ,BILL H>D 9 ! RIBS ) ONE %>P ELB[1 HISS+ 0,SEE8 ,I TOLD Y]60 

,MI*AEL /ILL HAD NO IDEA :AT !Y W]E GO+ ON AB\T1 & ANYWAY WAS MORE CONC]N$ AB\T SOME?+ ?AT ,MR4 ,DODDRIDGE HAD JU/ SAID4 

0,?AT ,SAM ,O',DAY SAID ?AT ,I WIZZN'T GO+ TO REMEMB] ANY?+ :5 ,I W5T BACK TO LIFE AGA94 ,HE SAID ?AT WIZ ! RULES ( ,UP/AIRS40 

,! PREA*] NODD$1 TREMBL+ ! GOLD5 R+LETS ( HIS WIG4 ,HE SMIL$ AT ,MI*AEL REASSUR+LY !N LOOK$ UP AT ! O!R *ILDR51 FIX+ !M ) HIS CALM GAZE4 

0,IT NEV] CEASES TO SURPRISE ME1 BUT ! PLA9 FACTS >E ?AT DEVILS CANNOT LIE4 ,WE ALL KN[ :AT \R Y\NG FRI5D HAS JU/ SAID TO BE ! TRU?1 ?AT ALL EV5TS 9 ,MANS\L >E =GOTT5 9 ! MORTAL REALM4 ,I FANCY1 ALSO1 ?AT A C\PLE ( Y\ KN[ ALREADY :Y ?IS MU/ NOT BE ! CASE ) ,MI*AEL4 ,Y\ MU/ DO ALL ?AT Y\ CAN TO SEE ?AT HE RECALLS HIS TIME ) US4 ,?\< ?IS W\LD SEEM IMPOSSIBLE1 A WAY EXI/S BY :I* SU* ?+S MAY BE ACCOMPLI%$4 ,FROM :AT ,I HAVE READ ( Y\R MO/ 5T]TA9+ NOVEL1 Y\ %\LD SIMPLY PUT Y\R TRU/ 9 Y\R [N REASON+ & BE ASSUR$ ?AT1 9 ! LA/ ANALYSIS1 ALL %ALL BE WELL40 

,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE PIP$ UP H]E1 S\ND+ PEEV$ AS %E ADDRESS$ ! M9I/]4 

0,IF Y\ ALREADY KN[ ! WAY WE'RE GO+ TO SORT ?+S \T1 !N :Y DON'T Y\ JU/ TELL US & SAVE US ! BO!R80 

,RIS+ TO HIS FEET1 ! CL]IC LAU<$ & RAN ONE H& ?R\< ! /\T LITTLE GIRL'S BR[N HAIR1 RUFFL+ IT UP AFFECTIONATELY1 AL?\< ,M>JORIE GL[]$ ?R\< H] ,NATIONAL ,HEAL? SPECTACLES & LOOK$ AFFRONT$4 

0,BECAUSE ?AT'S NOT H[ ! TALE GOES4 ,AT NO PO9T )9 ! N>RATIVE ?AT ,M]CY READ ME DID IT SAY ?AT POOR OLD ,MR4 ,DODDRIDGE 9T]V5$ & TOLD Y\ H[ ! /ORY 5D$1 SO ?AT Y\ C\LD SKIP AHEAD & SP>E Y\RSELVES ! BO!R4 ,NO1 Y\'LL HAVE TO WORK IT ALL \T ON Y\R [N4 ,= ALL Y\ KN[1 ! BO!R ?AT Y\'RE SO KE5 TO AVOID MI<T BE Y\R Y>N'S MO/ VITAL ELEM5T40 

,MRS4 ,GIBBS G5TLY BUTT$ 94 

0,N[ !N1 MY DE>S1 ,I'M SURE ?AT ,MR4 ,AZIEL & ,MR4 ,DODDRIDGE HAVE GOT MATT]S :AT !Y'D LIKE TO TALK AB\T4 ,:Y DON'T ,I TAKE Y\ ?R\< TO MEET ) ,MRS4 ,DODDRIDGE & ,MISS ,TETSY8 ,I ?9K ,MRS4 ,DODDRIDGE SAID AS %E'D BE MAK+ TEA & CAKES = EV]YBODY40 

,! :OLE <O/-GANG SEEM$ TO BE 9ORD9ATELY *E]$ BY ?IS ANN\NCEM5T1 FLOCK+ R\ND ! DEA?MONG] AS %E BEGAN TO %EPH]D !M \T ?R\< ! BRI<T ROOM'S FUR!R DOOR 9TO ! PASSAGEWAY BEYOND4 ,! M5TION ( REFRE%M5TS CAME AS SOME?+ ( A %OCK TO ,MI*AEL1 :O UNTIL ?AT MOM5T HAD ASSUM$ ?AT <O/S C\LD NEI!R EAT NOR DR9K4 ,HE REALIZ$ ?AT ! LA/ ?+ PA/ HIS LIPS HAD BE5 ! *]RY-M5?OL ,TUNE HIS MOM HAD GIV5 HIM !RE 9 !IR SUNLIT BACK Y>D D[N ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 AT LEA/ A WEEK AGO BY ,MI*AEL'S RECKON+4 ,S9CE !N HE HADN'T FELT ! NE$ = FOOD1 BUT N[ ! MEMORY ( H[ GOOD IT HAD BE5 TO *EW & SWALL[ SOME?+ NICE WAS MAK+ HIM FEEL HUNGRY & NO/ALGIC AT ! SAME TIME1 SO ?AT BO? S5SATIONS W]E MIX$ UP TOGE!R & C\LD NOT BE TOLD AP>T4 ,HE WAS BECOM+ RAV5\SLY REM9ISC5T4 

,MI*AEL & ! O!R *ILDR5 FOLL[$ ,MRS4 ,GIBBS 9TO ! COZY1 CREAK+ PASSAGEWAY1 LEAV+ ! REV]5D & ! TALL1 BONY BUILD] TO !IR CONV]SATION4 ,MR4 ,DODDRIDGE & ! MAN ?AT ,MRS4 ,GIBBS CALL$ ,MR4 ,AZIEL W]E SETTL+ !MSELVES 9TO TWO FAC+ >M*AIRS AS ! P>LOR DOOR SWUNG %UT BEH9D ! *ILDR5 & ! DEA?MONG]4 ,! CORRIDOR 9 :I* ! PHANTOM KIDS N[ F\ND !MSELVES WAS %ORT BUT PLEASANTLY >RANG$1 ) P9K & YELL[ FL[]S 9 A VASE UPON ! S+LE W9D[SILL1 CAU<T 9 A SLANT+ COLUMN ( FRE% MORN+ LI<T ?AT FELL AS A :ITE PUDDLE ON ! V>NI%$ FLOORBO>DS4 ,A FRAM$ PANEL ( EMBROID]Y HUNG FROM ! M9T-GRE5 P9/RIPE ( ! WALLPAP] ON ,MI*AEL'S LEFT1 ) ! R\<%OD DESIGN ?AT HE HAD SE5 ALREADY 9 ,MANS\L1 ! RIBBON ( A /REET OR ROAD UNW\ND B5EA? A CRUDELY R5D]$ SET ( SCALES1 PICK$ \T 9 GOLD5 ?READ ON PLUMP ROSE SILK4 ,!RE WAS ! MO/ DELICI\S SMELL ( BAK+ LEAK+ \T 9TO ! PASSAGE FROM ! F> 5D1 SWEET & FRAGRANT EV5 9 ITS COMPETITION ) ! NIFF ( ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]'S DECOMPOS+ RABBITS4 

,BU/L+ LIKE A BLACK H51 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS L$ ! DEL9QU5T SPECT]S ?R\< ! PLA9 OAK DOORWAY AT ! L&+'S 5D 9TO ! ,H>VE/ ,FE/IVAL GL[ ( A *E]Y & OLD-FA%ION$ KIT*54 ,?IS1 ,MI*AEL DET]M9$ 9/ANTLY1 WAS :]E ! FRUIT-PIE P]FUME HE'D DETECT$ 9 ! PASSAGE HAD ORIG9AT$ FROM4 ,TWO V]Y PRETTY & NICE-LOOK+ LADIES ) !IR RAV5 HAIR P9N$ UP 9 BUNS W]E /&+ TALK+ BY ! BLACK IRON /OVE1 BUT TURN$ DELI<T$LY TO ! DEA?MONG] & H] FLOCK ( PHANTOM R\<NECKS AS !Y 5T]$4 

0,MRS4 ,GIBBS - & !SE MU/ BE \R LITTLE H]OES6 ,DO COME 9 & F9D Y\RSELVES A *AIR4 ,TETSY & ,I C\NT \RSELVES AMONG Y\R MO/ >D5T ADMIR]S1 & N[ H]E WE >E1 RI<T 9 ! MIDDLE ( Y\R ',*OK+ ,*ILD' *APT]1 SAY+ ALL ! P>TS ( DIALOGUE ?AT WE'VE ALREADY POR$ OV] A DOZ5 TIMES4 ,IT REALLY WIZ ! /RANGE/ FEEL+1 & TREM5D\SLY EXCIT+4 ,Y\ MU/ ALL SIT D[N :ILE ,I MAKE US SOME TEA40 

,IT WAS :AT ,MI*AEL TOOK TO BE ! OLD] ( ! WOM5 :O HAD SPOK54 ,%E WAS SLI<TLY BUILT1 HAV+ A HE>T-%AP$ FACE & K9DLY EYES1 CLAD 9 A DRESS ( :ITE DAMASK EMBROID]$ ) SILK BLOOMS & SPECKL$ ORANGE BUTT]FLIES LIKE ?OSE >\ND ! $GE ( ,MRS4 ,GIBBS'S APRON4 ,ON H] RA!R SMALL FEET %E WORE %OES ( S(T1 PALE O*] LEA!R1 :I* HAD /IT*ES ( BLACK ?READ TO LOOK LIKE LEOP>D SPOTS & HEELS ?AT W]E P]HAPS TWO 9*ES HI<4 ,MO!RL9ESS HUNG EV]Y:]E >\ND H] 9 A W>M1 TOA/-SC5T$ BLANKET SO ?AT ,MI*AEL WANT$ TO ATTA* HIMSELF TO H] & NOT LET GO4 ,AS ! NICE LADY L$ HIM TO ONE ( ! WOOD5 *AIRS >\ND ! KIT*5 TABLE1 OV] BY ! BEAUTIFULLY-TIL$ FIREPLACE1 HE MISS$ HIS MOM ,DORE5 MORE ?AN EV]4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS WAS MAK+ 9TRODUCTIONS4 

0,N[ !N1 MY DE>S1 PAY ATT5TION4 ,?IS WIZ ,MRS4 ,M]CY ,DODDRIDGE1 ,MR4 ,DODDRIDGE'S GOOD LADY WIFE1 :ILE ?IS Y\NG LADY /&+ BY ME WIZ !IR ELDE/ DAU<T]1 ,MISS ,ELIZABE?4 ,Y\ W\LDN'T ?9K TO LOOK AT H]1 BUT ,MISS ,ELIZABE? WIZ Y\NG] ?AN A LOT ( Y\ >E4 ,Y\ WIZ SIX1 DE>1 WIZN'T Y\1 BACK :5 Y\ TURN$ ! CORN] 9TO ,MANS\L80 

,MISS ,ELIZABE?1 A Y\NG] & MORE ANIMAT$ V]SION ( H] MO!R1 WORE A FROCK ?AT WAS ! DELICATELY-T9T$ PRIMROSE ( ! EA/ HORIZON 9 ! M9UTES BE=E DAWN1 EMBELLI%$ H]E & !RE ) T9Y ROSEBUDS4 ,%E HAD A MIS*IEV\S LAU< AS %E RESPOND$ TO ! DEA?MONG]'S 9QUIRY1 %AK+ H] BLACK CURLS4 ,TO JUDGE FROM !IR EXPRESSIONS ,REGGIE1 ,JOHN & ,BILL W]E ALREADY 9FATUAT$ ) ! REV]5D'S DAU<T]1 HANG+ ON H] EV]Y WORD4 

0,OH NO4 ,I WIZN'T EV5 FIVE BE=E ,I CAME TO GRIEF ) LOTS ( BO!R & CONSUMPTION4 ,I REMEMB] ?AT ,I DI$ ! WEEK BE=E ! P>TY CELEBRAT+ MY FIF? BIR?DAY1 SO ,I NEV] GOT TO GO TO IT1 :I* MADE ME AWFULLY CROSS4 ,I ?9K ?AT ,I'M /ILL BURI$ UND] ! COMMUNION TABLE D[N/AIRS1 >5'T ,I1 ,MAMA80 

,MRS4 ,DODDRIDGE GAVE H] DAU<T] AN 9DULG5T1 FOND LOOK4 

0,YES1 Y\'RE /ILL !RE1 ,TETSY1 AL?\< ! COMMUNION TABLE'S GONE4 ,N[1 BE A PET & TAKE \R FAIRY-CAKES FROM \T ! OV5 :ILE ,I MAKE ! TEA4 ,! OV]-WAT] SURELY MU/ BE BOIL$ BY N[40 

,SITT+ BESIDE ! FANCY FIREPLACE ) HIS SLIPP]S KICK+ IDLY BACK & =?1 ,MI*AEL LOOK$ UP T[>DS ! /OVE4 ,A BIG IRON SAUCEPAN /EAM$ UPON ! HOB1 SEEM+LY FILL$ ) ! SAME BALLS ( LIQUID FILIGREE ?AT HE'D SE5 RA9+ ON ,MANS\L DUR+ ! FI<T BETWE5 ! GIANT BUILD]S4 ,?IS1 TO JUDGE FROM ! SMALL 9TRICATE BEADS SPAT ABOVE ! PAN'S RIM1 MU/ BE OV]-WAT]4 ,MRS4 ,DODDRIDGE CROSS$ ! SPACI\S KIT*5 TO A WOOD5 C\NT]-TOP ON :I* A LU/R\S EM]ALD TEAPOT ( GLAZ$ E>!NW>E WAS RE/+4 ,) HIS <O/-SI<T HE C\LD SEE A BULB\S M9IATURE ( ! :OLE ROOM REFLECT$ 9 ! OCEAN-GRE5 BULGE ( ITS SIDES BE=E ! REV]5D'S WIFE /EPP$ UP TO ! C\NT] & OBSCUR$ HIS VIEW4 ,TAK+ ! LID FROM (F ! TEAPOT1 %E REA*$ UP T[>DS ! HI<] REA*ES ( ! W9D[ OV]LOOK+ H] WOOD WORKTOP1 PULL+ D[N ONE ( ! ODDLY %AP$ ?+S ?AT W]E HANG+ FROM ! W9D[-FRAME ON /R+S AS IF TO DRY \T4 ,MI*AEL HADN'T NOTIC$ !SE BE=E1 BUT ONCE HE HAD !Y GAVE HIM QUITE A />T4 

,!Y RANG$ 9 SIZE FROM ?AT ( JAM-J> LIDS TO ?AT ( A MAN'S H&1 RESEMBL+ DESICCAT$ />FI% OR ! DRI$-UP HUSKS ( MASSIVE SPID]S1 ALBEIT SPID]S ) A PLEASANT ICE-CREAM COLORATION4 ,?IS IDEA WAS 9 ITSELF UNSETTL+ 5\<1 BUT PE]+ CLOS] ,MI*AEL F\ND ?AT ! TRUE NATURE ( ! DANGL+ %APES WAS EV5 MORE DI/URB+3 EA* ONE WAS A CLU/] ( DEAD FAIRIES1 ) !IR LITTLE HEADS & BODIES JO9$ TOGE!R 9 A R+ SO ?AT !Y =M$ A RADIAT+ WEB ?AT LOOK$ LIKE AN ELABORATE LACE DOILY1 ONLY PLUMP]4 ,!Y REM9D$ ,MI*AEL ( ! /RANGE GRAY GR[? ?AT ,BILL HAD F\ND :5 !Y'D BE5 DIGG+ !IR WAY UP \T ( ! H[L+ <O/-/ORM1 FROM ! BACK Y>D NE> ! BOTTOM 5D ( ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET4 ,?OSE1 ?\<1 HAD BE5 HORRID ?+S ) %RUNK5 BODIES1 SWOLL5 HEADS & HUGE BLACK EYES ?AT SEEM$ TO />E AT Y\1 :]EAS !SE SPECIM5S W]E GRACEFULLY PROPORTION$ & DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE ANY EYES AT ALL1 ) ONLY SMALL :ITE SOCKETS LIKE ! *AMB]S 9 AN APPLE CORE :5 SOMEONE HAD DUG \T ! PIPS4 ,!Y HUNG D[N ON F\R KNOTT$ L5G?S ( CORD1 ) TWO OR ?REE ( ! DRI$ FAIRY-CLU/]S TO A /R+1 MAK+ A HOLL[ CLATT] AS !Y KNOCK$ TOGE!R LIKE A SET ( WOOD5 W9D *IMES4 

,MRS4 ,DODDRIDGE YANK$ ONE ( ! L>G] BLOSSOMS FREE1 BREAK+ A C\PLE ( ! BRITTLE FAIRIES' L[] LEGS (F ACCID5TALLY AS %E DID SO4 ,BRISKLY & UNS5TIM5TALLY ! REV]5D'S WIFE BEGAN TO CRUMBLE ! CONJO9$ NYMPHS 9TO PIECES ?AT W]E SMALL 5\< TO FIT 9 ! RECEPTACLE1 :]EON %E HURRI$ TO ! /OVE & LIFT$ UP ! PAN ( BUBBL+ SUP]-WAT] BY ITS H&LE SO ?AT %E C\LD P\R ! CONT5TS \T 9TO H] TEAPOT1 OV] ! CRU%$ FAIRIES4 ,A M\?-WAT]+ >OMA ROSE FROM ! 9FUSION1 V]Y MU* LIKE TANG]9ES1 IF TANG]9ES W]E SOMEH[ PEA*ES & P]HAPS A BAG ( ANISE$ BALLS AT ! SAME TIME4 

,MEAN:ILE1 ! 5*ANT+ ,MISS ,ELIZABE? WAS TAK+ A BLACK BAK+ TRAY \T ( ! OV54 ,LAD5 ) A DOZ5 OR MORE SMALL P9K CAKES IT SMELL$1 IF ANY?+1 MORE TEMPT+ ?AN ! P]FUM$ TEA4 ,SETT+ IT ON ! SIDE TO COOL1 ! Y\NG] ( ! ,DODDRIDGE WOM5 FET*$ A SMALL PLA9 BAS9 FROM ! MANTELPIECE ( ! TIL$ FIREPLACE CLOSE TO :]E ,MI*AEL WAS SEAT$4 ,AS %E PASS$ HIM1 HE C\LD NOT CONTA9 HIS CURIOSITY4 

0,:Y >E Y\ CALL$ ,TETSY IF Y\R NAME'S ,ELIZABE? & :Y >E Y\ SO GR[N UP IF Y\'RE ONLY F\R8 ,:AT'S 9 ?AT BAS98 ,MY NAME'S ,MI*AEL40 

,MISS ,ELIZABE? /OOP$ D[N TO BEAM AT HIM4 

0,OH1 ,I KN[ :O Y\ >E1 Y\NG ,MA/] ,W>R54 ,Y\'RE ! ,*OK+ ,*ILD FROM *APT] TWELVE1 & ,I'M CALL$ ,TETSY BECAUSE ?AT'S H[ ,I SAID ,BETSY :5 ,I WIZ A LITTLE GIRL4 ,! REASON ,I'VE DECID$ TO GR[ UP S9CE ,I'VE BE5 DEAD WIZ ?AT ,I NEV] REALLY GOT A *ANCE TO SEE :AT GR[+ UP WIZ LIKE :ILE ,I WIZ /ILL ALIVE4 ,AS = ! BAS91 WELL1 SEE = Y\RSELF40 

,%E HELD ! B[L D[N1 TILT+ IT SO HE C\LD SEE 9SIDE4 ,HEAP$ AT ! BOTTOM ( IT WAS A MIDGET DUNE ( P[D]$ CRY/AL1 QUITE LIKE GRANULAT$ SUG> EXCEPT ?AT ?IS SUB/ANCE WAS ! BLUE & :ITE HUE ( A P]FECT SUMM] SKY4 ,ELIZABE? 9VIT$ HIM TO TAKE A DAB ( ! C]ULEAN DU/ UPON ONE F+]TIP & TA/E IT1 :I* HE DID4 ,IT WAS A BIT LIKE NORMAL SUG> ?\< IT ALSO HAD A %>P & FIZZY TA/E1 LIKE %]BET4 ,BE+ TAK5 ) ! NOVEL FLAVOR1 ,MI*AEL ASK$ H] :AT IT WAS4 

0,IT'S ALL ! LITTLE BLUE PIPS ?AT WE PICK \T ( ! ,B$LAM ,J5NIES4 ,ONCE WE'VE GOT 5\< ( !M WE GR9D !M D[N 9TO ,PUCK-SUG> ) A PE/LE SO ?AT WE CAN SPR9KLE IT UPON \R FAIRY-CAKES40 

,BELAT$LY1 HE REALIZ$ :AT HAD HAPP5$ TO ! MISS+ EYES FROM ! SUSP5D$ CLU/]S ( DEAD FAIRIES4 ,/ICK+ \T HIS TONGUE AS IF HE DIDN'T WANT IT 9 HIS M\? AFT] ITS DALLIANCE ) ! EYEBALL FRO/+1 ,MI*AEL PULL$ A FACE ?AT MADE ! REV]5D'S DAU<T] LAU<4 

0,OH1 DON'T BE SILLY4 ,!Y'RE NOT REALLY FAIRIES4 ,!Y'RE JU/ P>TS OR PETALS ( A L>G] & MORE COMPLICAT$ FRUITY-MU%ROOM SORT ( ?+ ?AT'S CALL$ A ,PUCK'S ,HAT OR A ,B$LAM ,J5NY4 ,WE ONCE HAD ! SPIRIT ( A ,ROMAN SOLDI] VISIT+ US FROM ,J]USALEM1 & HE CALL$ !M ,M9]VA'S ,TRUFFLES4 ,!Y GR[ 9 ! <O/-SEAM OR ! ,SECOND ,BOR\<1 ROOT+ ANY:]E !RE'S SU/5ANCE4 ,:5 !Y'RE /ILL SMALL !Y LOOK LIKE R+S ( ELVES OR GOBL9S & Y\ MU/N'T EAT !M4 ,Y\ MU/ WAIT UNTIL !Y'VE RIP5$ 9TO FAIRIES4 ,PEOPLE 9 ! LIV+ WORLD CAN'T SEE ! BLOSSOMS4 ,!Y CAN ONLY SOMETIMES SEE ! %OOTS ?AT ! ,PUCK'S ,HAT S5DS D[N 9TO ! L[] REALM1 :]E :AT WIZ ACTUALLY A S+LE GR[? LOOKS LIKE A R+ ( SEP>ATE1 DANC+ FAIRIES - OR A PACK ( HORRIBLE GRAY GOBL9S ) BLACK EYES IF !Y'RE NOT RIPE4 ,!Y'RE REALLY ALL WE HAVE TO EAT UP H]E1 AL?\< !RE WIZ A SORT ( ECTOPLASM-BUTT] Y\ CAN GET FROM <O/-C[S4 ,ON ITS [N IT DOESN'T TA/E ( ANY?+1 BUT IF Y\ GR9D ! BLOOMS D[N 9TO FL\R Y\ CAN RUB 9 ! PHANTOM FAT TO =M A SWEET1 P9K D\<4 ,?AT'S :AT WE USE TO MAKE \R FAIRY CAKES1 & N[ IF Y\'LL EXCUSE ME ,I BELIEVE !Y MU/ BE COOL 5\< = ME TO SPOON ! ,PUCK-DU/ ON & S]VE !M UP40 

,! Y\NG] ,DODDRIDGE MOV$ ON R\ND ! KIT*5 TABLE1 LETT+ ALL ! O!R *ILDR5 HAVE A LICK ( ! SWEET P[D]1 EV5-H&$LY DI/RIBUT+ ! TREAT4 ,MEAN:ILE H] MO!R HAD PRODUC$ AN ABSOLUTE FLOTILLA ( SMALL CUPS & SAUC]S FROM A PREVI\SLY UNNOTIC$ CUPBO>D & WAS P\R+ EV]YONE A MEASURE ( ! ROSY1 /EAM+ BREW \T ( ! DEEP GRE5 TEAPOT ?AT GLEAM$ LIKE A FAT C]AMIC APPLE4 ,MRS4 ,DODDRIDGE FUSS$ BETWE5 ! WOOD5 WORKTOP & H] SEAT$ GUE/S1 DISP5S+ TEA TO EV]YONE & TELL+ ALL ! Y\NG] *ILDR5 TO BE C>EFUL ?AT !Y DIDN'T SPILL IT4 

0,& BE C>EFUL NOT TO SCALD Y\R TONGUES4 ,BL[ ON Y\R TEA TO MAKE IT COOL BE=E Y\ DR9K IT D[N4 ,WE HAVE A JUG ( <O/LY MILK IF ANYONE REQUIRES IT1 AL?\< WE F9D ?AT IT RA!R SPOILS ! TA/E & GIVES ! TEA A *ALKY FLAVOR40 

,MEAN:ILE1 ,TETSY F9I%$ SPR9KL+ P[D]$ FAIRY-EYES ONTO ! W>M CAKES1 DU/+ EA* P9K FANCY ) A TW9KL+ FRO/ ( COBALT4 ,MRS4 ,GIBBS & ! SIX *ILDR5 W]E ALL[$ TO TAKE ONE EA* FROM ! L>GE PLATE ON :I* ! FRE%LY-BAK$ CONFECTIONS /OOD1 A FLOCK ( SUNSET CL\DS AGA9/ A W9TRY *9A SKY4 ,P\R+ REFRE%M5TS = !MSELVES1 ! ,DODDRIDGE WOM5 PULL$ UP WOOD5 /OOLS BESIDE ! TABLE1 BO? SELECT+ ONE ( ! REMA9+ TREATS TO NIBBLE AT & JO9+ 9 ) ! S(T SUSURRUS ( TEATIME CONV]SATION4 

,MRS4 ,DODDRIDGE1 :O HAD SEAT$ H]SELF NEXT TO ,MRS4 ,GIBBS1 WAS QUE/ION+ ! DEA?MONG] REG>D+ AN OLD BYLAW ?AT CONC]N$ ! GATES ( ,MANS\L1 ( :I* !RE W]E FIVE1 APP>5TLY4 ,FROM :]E HE SAT BESIDE ! FIREPLACE ,MI*AEL C\LDN'T REALLY FOLL[ ! DISCUSSION1 :I* APPE>$ TO DRAW COMP>ISONS BETWE5 ! V>I\S 5TRANCES & ! FIVE HUMAN S5SES4 ,D]NGATE1 FROM ! S\ND ( IT1 WAS T\*1 :ATEV] ?AT MEANT4 ,MY/IFI$1 ! LITTLE BOY SWIT*$ HIS ATT5TION TO VIVACI\S ,TETSY1 :O HAD SAT D[N NEXT TO ,M>JORIE & WAS N[ EAG]LY 9T]ROGAT+ ! DR[N$ S*OOLGIRL ON SOME SUBJECT EV5 MORE UNFA?OMABLE ?AN ! TALK ( TA/E BUDS & T[N GATES4 

0,MY FAVORITE *APT] WIZ ! ONE ) ?AT HATEFUL BLACK-%IRT$ FELL[ BLUND]+ >\ND ,UP/AIRS :IL/ SUFF]+ FROM DELIRIUM 9 HIS MORTAL BODY4 ,IT MADE ,MAMA & ,I LAU< SO MU* ?AT ,I C\LD H>DLY READ IT TO H]4 ,& ! PASSAGE :]E ! PHANTOM BE> FROM ,BE>W>D ,/REET TURNS \T TO BE PRO-,JEWI% & PURSUES HIM ?R\< ! <O/-SEAM 9TO ! ,V4,E4 ,DAY CELEBRATIONS WIZ A M>VEL40 

,M>JORIE SEEM$ V]Y PLEAS$ TO HE> ALL ?IS1 ?\< NONE ( IT MADE S5SE TO ,MI*AEL4 ,FUR!R R\ND ! TABLE1 ,JOHN & ,PHYLLIS SAT & TALK$ TOGE!R AS !Y SLURP$ !IR TEA4 ,!Y LOOK$ AS IF !Y LIK$ EA* O!R1 & AL?\< HE WAS /ILL FA9TLY DISAPPO9T$ AB\T ,PHYLLIS SAY+ ?AT %E DIDN'T WANT TO BE HIS GIRLFRI5D1 ,MI*AEL ?\<T !Y MADE A LOVELY C\PLE4 ,SEAT$ OPPOSITE HIM1 ,BILL & ,REGGIE W]E /ILL MAK+ PLANS TO CAPTURE A <O/-MAMMO?1 SPRAY+ VIOLET CRUMBS UPON EA* O!R'S FACES AS !Y BO? TALK$ ?R\< UNSI<TLY M\?FULS ( P>TLY-*EW$ FAIRY-CAKE4 

,HAV+ NO ONE TO *AT ) AT ?AT MOM5T1 ,MI*AEL ?\<T ?AT HE MI<T TAKE ! OPPORTUNITY TO TRY ! DA9TY P9K-&-BLUE CREATIONS = HIMSELF4 ,HE LIFT$ UP ! TEMPT+ MORSEL HE'D BE5 GIV51 HOLD+ IT B5EA? HIS NOSE & SNIFF+ ITS W>M P]FUME4 ,LIKE ! TEA1 ! CAKE HAD A DELI<TFUL YET AMBIGU\S >OMA4 ,MI*AEL C\LD TELL ?AT IT WASN'T ANISE$1 EXACTLY1 ?AT WAS MIX$ 9 ) ! H9TS ( PEA* & TANG]9E1 BUT IT WAS SOME?+ AS DI/9CTIVE & UNUSUAL4 ,HE BIT 9TO ! SAPPHIRE-SUG>$ TOPSIDE & ALMO/ IMM$IATELY HIS M\? EXPLOD$ ) S5SATIONS SO IMM5SE & 9TRICATE HE FELT HIS TONGUE HAD F9ALLY >RIV$ 9 ,HEAV5 ) ! RE/ ( HIM4 ,! CAKE TA/$ AS RI* & COMPLICAT$ AS1 SAY1 A CA!DRAL LOOK$ OR S\ND$4 ,! ELUSIVE TANG ( UNKN[N FRUITS FROM HALF-IMAG9>Y ISL&S RANG >\ND HIS *EEKS LIKE ORGAN MUSIC & ! AIRY1 CRUMBL+ TEXTURE WAS LIKE ,SUNDAY LI<T ?R\< /A9$ GLASS4 ,AS HE SWALL[$ HE C\LD FEEL A T+LE />T+ 9 ! C5T] ( HIM :]E HIS TUMMY US$ TO BE & SPREAD+ TO HIS TOES1 HIS F+]S & ! TIPS ( HIS BLOND CURLS4 ,FEEL+ AS IF HIS SPIRIT HAD BE5 DIPP$ 9 ! ROSE SC5T ?AT PEOPLE SOMETIMES PUT ON BIR?DAY C>DS1 ,MI*AEL LUXURIAT$ 9 AN AFT]TA/E ?AT E*O$ ?R\< ! TODDL] LIKE A HYMN4 ,IT FILL$ HIM ) A FRE% VITALITY & AT ! SAME TIME WAS SO SATISFY+ ?AT IT BR\<T A DREAMY & DELICI\S DR[S9ESS4 ,IT WAS A V]Y CONTRADICTORY EXP]I5CE4 

,HE BLEW UPON HIS TEA AS ,MRS4 ,DODDRIDGE HAD SUGGE/$1 & !N TOOK A CAUTI\S SIP4 ,! TA/E WAS LIKE ! CAKES BUT CLE>] & MORE PLEAS+LY A/R+5T1 LIKE A HOT BREEZE BL[+ ?R\< HIS PHANTOM M9D & BODY RA!R ?AN LIKE ANY?+ SUB/ANTIAL4 ,MI*AEL ?\<T ?AT HE WAS AS CONT5T$ & RELAX$ AS HE HAD EV] BE51 SITT+ ) FRI5DS 9 ?IS SOMEH[ FAMILI> KIT*5 ?AT HE'D NEV] SE5 BE=E4 ,! *ATT] ( ! O!R PEOPLE AT ! TABLE WAS REC$+ TO A DI/ANT MURMUR - ,REGGIE ASK+ ,BILL :AT ! BE/ BAIT W\LD BE TO LURE A <O/LY MAMMO?1 ,TETSY ,DODDRIDGE WOND]+ AL\D TO ,M>JORIE IF HAV+ TWO GANG-MEMB]S ) ! SURNAME ,W>R5 MI<T NOT BE CONFUS+ = ! READ]%IP - BUT ,MI*AEL WAS NO LONG] BO!R+ TO KEEP UP ) ! V>I\S CONV]SATIONS4 ,HE MUN*$ ON HIS FAIRY CAKE & DRANK HIS FAIRY TEA1 DISCOV]+ ?AT !SE W]E REAWAK5+ 9 HIM ! ?RILL+ S5SE ( M>VEL ?AT HE'D FELT :5 ,PHYLLIS HAD FIR/ PULL$ HIM UP 9TO ,MANS\L4 

,BACK !N1 :5 IT HAD ALL BE5 NEW TO HIM1 HE'D BE5 COMPLETELY MESM]IZ$ BY EV]Y SURFACE & EA* TEXTURE1 GETT+ LO/ 9 WOODGRA9 OR ! WORN P9K ?READS ( ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]'S JUMP]4 ,?\< HE HADN'T NOTIC$ IT OCCURR+1 S9CE !N HIS APPRECIATION ( ! WOND]FUL DISPLAYS SURR\ND+ HIM HAD GR[N MORE DULL & BLUNT$1 AS IF HE W]E COM+ TO TAKE ?IS EXTRAORD9>Y AFT]LIFE & ALL ITS F9]Y = GRANT$4 ,NOT UNTIL HIS FACULTIES HAD BE5 5LIV5$ BY ?IS VIC>AGE TEA-P>TY HAD ,MI*AEL REALIZ$ H[ COMPLAC5T HE'D BECOME1 OR H[ MU* HE WAS MISS+4 ,N[ HE LOOK$ >\ND HIM AT ! KIT*5 ) ITS MILKY MORN+ LI<T & ! DE> SCUFFS OR M>KS ( WE> ON ITS UT5SILS1 GLORY+ 9 ALL ! HUMBLE WOND]S & ! PR(\ND S5SE ( HOME ?AT !Y 5TAIL$4 

,HIS GAZE ALI<T$ ON ! DECORATIVE TIL+ ( ! FIREPLACE BESIDE HIM & HE SAW = ! FIR/ TIME ITS /UPEFY+ DETAIL4 ,EA* TILE HAD A DIFF]5T SC5E DEL9EAT$ ON IT 9 ! GRAD$ BLUE TONES ( A WILL[ PATT]N SAUC]1 F9E L9ES ( RI* NAVY ON A BACKGR\ND ( AN ICI] & PAL] %ADE4 ,AFT] A MOM5T OR TWO1 ,MI*AEL UND]/OOD ?AT ! SQU>E PANELS W]E >RANG$ 9 ORD] SO ?AT ALL ! SEP>ATE PICTURES TOLD A /ORY1 LIKE !Y DID 9 ,ALMA'S COMICS4 ,IF ?AT WAS ! CASE1 IT SEEM$ TO HIM ?AT ! MO/ S5SIBLE PLACE TO COMM5CE ! TALE W\LD BE ! BOTTOM LEFT SIDE ( ! FIRE'S SURR\ND1 NEXT TO :]E HE WAS SITT+4 

,LOOK+ D[N1 HE WAS IMM$IATELY ABSORB$ 9 ! DEPICT$ EPISODE1 HIS 5HANC$ VISION SWIMM+ 9 ITS DEEP BLUE 9TRICACIES UNTIL ) A />T HE COMPREH5D$ ?AT IT WAS ALMO/ AN IMAGE ( HIMSELF1 A SMALL BOY />+ AT A /ORY TOLD 9 PA9T$ TILES >\ND A FIREPLACE1 PICTURES 9 A PICTURE 9 A PICTURE4 ,MI*AEL WAS MORE FASC9AT$ BY ?IS 5DLESS REGRESS ?AN HE'D BE5 BY ALL ! SPECTACLE & SP>KLE :5 HE'D GLIMPS$ ! ,ATTICS ( ! ,BREA? = ! FIR/ TIME4 ,AL?\< ! 9FANT 9 ! M9IATURE DIDN'T RESEMBLE HIM1 HAV+ D>K HAIR /YL$ 9 A PUDD+-BAS9 CUT & WE>+ BUCKL$ %OES ) KNEE-L5G? BRIT*ES1 ,MI*AEL FELT HIMSELF BE+ SUCK$ 9TO ! EXQUISITE ILLU/RATION4 ,HE WAS NOT SURE ANYMORE IF HE WAS ,MI*AEL ,W>R51 SITT+ 9 A KIT*5 EAT+ CAKE & />+ AT A TILE1 OR IF HE WAS ! PA9T$ Y\NG/] LEAN+ ON HIS MO!R'S LAP AS %E P]*$ BY ! FIRE & PO9T$ TO ! BIBLE /ORIES ON ! PA9T$ TILES >\ND IT4 ,! W>M ROOM AB\T HIM & ITS CR[D$ TABLE MELT$ TO A WET C]AMIC GLOSS1 BECAME A P>LOR 9 ANO!R C5TURY & DO+ SO ACQUIR$ A LU/R\S ,PRUSSIAN T9T4 ,HIS [N H&S W]E N[ CYAN \TL9ES ON A WA% ( FA9T ULTRAM>9E & HE WAS 444 

,HE WAS ,PHILIP ,DODDRIDGE1 SIX YE>S OLD & LE>N+ SCRIPTURE FROM HIS MO!R ,MONICA1 H] BLUE-LIMN$ RI<T >M R\ND HIS %\LD]S AS %E READ FROM ! WORN ,BIBLE RE/+ ON H] SLIPP]Y SKIRT$ ?I<S4 ,%E GE/UR$ ) H] O!R H& T[>DS ! ,DELFT TILES R\ND ! FIRE BY :I* %E SAT1 EA* ONE EMBLAZON$ ) A SC5E FROM ! ,NEW ,TE/AM5T1 A CRUCIFIXION OR ANNUNCIATION TO ILLUM9ATE ! PASSAGE %E WAS READ+ TO H] SON4 ,IT WAS A RA9Y AFT]NOON DUR+ ! AUTUMN MON?S ( #a< & BY ! FIRESIDE ( ! DRAW+-ROOM 9 ,K+/ON-UPON-,?AMES ALL ?+S SEEM$ HOLY4 ,ON ! MANTELPIECE A PAIR ( PAP] FANS FLANK$ AN ORNATE BRASS CLOCK 5CLOS$ )9 A GIANT BULLET ( CLE> GLASS1 & ROYAL BLUE FIRELI<T GLI/]$ ON A LACQU] SCRE5 TO ONE SIDE ( ! HE>?4 ,MONICA ,DODDRIDGE'S S(T VOICE CONT9U$ ITS 9/RUCTION :ILE H] SON'S GLANCE D>T$ BACK & =? OV] ! BEAUTIFUL ,DUT* TIL+4 ,H]E AN 5ORM\S ,JONAH WAS REGURGITAT$ BY A :ALE NO BIGG] ?AN A *UBBY PIKE1 :ILE NOT F> (F A PRODIGAL SON 9 A P]IWIG WAS WELCOM$ BACK 9TO ! FOLD4 ,SO 5TRANC$ WAS ! BOY 9 ! BEGUIL+ TABLEAUX ?AT HE ALMO/ FELT A P>T ( !M1 A NE>LY-TURQUOISE FIGURE UND]NEA? ! GLAZE1 P]HAPS AN 9FANT ,JESUS LECTUR+ HIS DUMB/RUCK ELD]S ON ! TEMPLE /EPS4 ,BECOM+ LO/ AMONG ! 9DIGO EMBELLI%M5TS1 ,PHILIP COMPOS$ HIMSELF & PULL$ BACK FROM ! BIBLICAL SC5>IOS BE=E HE WAS IMM]S$ COMPLETELY4 ,HE WAS 444 

,HE WAS ,MI*AEL ,W>R54 ,HE WAS SITT+ 9 A SUNLIT KIT*5 9 ,MANS\L1 GA!R$ >\ND A TABLE ) FIVE O!R *ILDR5 & ?REE GR[NUPS1 ALL ( :OM W]E *ATT]+ CONVIVIALLY & PAY+ ,MI*AEL NO ATT5TION :ATSOEV]4 ,WOND]+ :AT HAD JU/ HAPP5$ TO HIM1 HE LET HIS ATT5TION CREEP BACK TO ! TILE-WORK1 ?IS TIME PE]+ CAUTI\SLY T[>DS ! SECOND TILE UP FROM ! BOTTOM ON ! LEFT4 ,IT DIDN'T LOOK 444 

,IT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE MU* ( AN OCCASION1 ON ?AT ,AUGU/ MORN+ 9 ! ,CONGREGATIONAL ,*UR* !RE AT ,FETT] ,LANE 9 #a#g#a#d4 ,PHILLY WAS TWELVE1 A SICKLY SKET* 9 BLUE F\NTA9-P5 9K1 SITT+ BETWE5 HIS FA!R & BELOV$ ,UNCLE ,PHILIP 9 ! FRONT PEW1 LI/5+ TO ,MR4 ,BRADBURY ! M9I/] DELIV]+ HIS MORN+ S]MON4 ,PHILLY'S MO!R HAD DI$ SUDD5LY ?REE YE>S BE=E1 & ! FRAIL1 UNCOMPLA9+ *ILD DID NOT BELIEVE HIS FA!R OR HIS UNCLE W\LD BE ) HIM = MU* LONG]4 ,IT WAS NOT A FAMILY ?AT KNEW RUDE HEAL?1 ) ,PHILLY & HIS ELD] SIS ,ELIZABE? ! ONLY TWO SURVIVORS \T ( TW5TY *ILDR5 & ! O!R EI<TE5 ALL DEAD BE=E HE WAS EV5 BORN4 ,A MOVEM5T 9 ! UPP] GALL]Y R\S$ ,PHILLY FROM HIS REV]IE & LOOK+ UP HE SAW A FALL+ H&K]*IEF1 A LACY ?+ ) CORNFL[] /IPPL+1 CAU<T 9 ITS LEISURELY DESC5T T[>DS ! FLAGG$ *UR* FLOOR4 ,EV]YONE GASP$ EXCEPT = ! BOY'S FA!R1 ,DANIEL ,DODDRIDGE1 :O BEGAN TO C\<4 ,! K]*IEF WAS A SIGNAL1 DROPP$ DELIB]ATELY BY A MESS5G] FROM ,BI%OP ,BURNET TO ANN\NCE ! PASS+ ( ,QUE5 ,ANNE1 ! ,/U>T MON>* :O HAD DONE SO MU* TO H>M !IR ,NONCON=MI/ CAUSE4 ,9DE$1 H] LATE/ EF=T TO DISCOMFIT !M1 H] ,S*ISM ,ACT1 WAS DUE TO BE MADE LAW ?AT V]Y DAY4 ,IT WAS A CLE> ATTEMPT TO UND]M9E ! GR& TRADITION ( RELIGI\S DISCONT5T ?AT REA*$ BACK TO ,JOHN ,WYCLIFFE'S ,LOLL>DS 9 ! F\RTE5? C5TURY OR ! GREAT RADICAL DISS5T] ,ROB]T ,BR[NE TWO HUNDR$ YE>S !REAFT]4 ,IT ATTACK$ ! FAI? ( ,BUNYAN & HIS REVOLUTION>Y AFFILIATES ! ,MUGGLETONIANS1 ,MORAVIANS & ,RANT]S1 BUT ! ,S*ISM ,ACT W\LD ALMO/ C]TA9LY N[ BE AB&ON$ ) ! PASS+ ( ,QUE5 ,ANNE1 ITS 9/IGATOR4 ,%UFFL+ ON ! H>D PEW ,PHILLY FELT EXTREMELY N]V\S BUT WAS NOT SURE :Y4 ,AL]T$ BY ! SIGNAL FROM ! GALL]Y1 ! M9I/] CURTAIL$ HIS S]MON HURRI$LY & (F]$ UP A PRAY] = !IR NEW ,K+1 ! ,HANOV]IAN ,GEORGE ! ,FIR/ :O HAD ALREADY SWORN SUPPORT = ,NONCON=MITY4 ,BY N[ ! *UR* WAS RU/L+ ) EXCIT$ :ISP]S & ! ?RILL+ REALIZATION ?AT ! HAT$ ,ANNE WAS DEAD AT LA/4 ,SMIL+ ) PRIVATE SATISFACTION1 ,MR4 ,BRADBURY L$ ! S++ ( ! #h#i? ,PSALM BE=E ONCE MORE READ+ /]NLY FROM ! TEXT4 0,GO1 SEE N[ ?IS CURS$ WOMAN1 & BURY H]2 = %E IS A K+'S DAU<T]40 ,PHILLY'S E>S W]E R++ AS HE REALIZ$ HE WAS PRES5T AT ! DAWN ( A NEW AGE1 AN ]A ( RELIGI\S FRE$OM ?AT ! BOY C\LD SC>CELY VISUALIZE4 ,HE FELT 444 

,HE FELT ! H>D $GE ( ! KIT*5 *AIR PRESS+ AGA9/ HIS ?I<S1 ! SWEET & SLIMY GOBBET ( UNSWALL[$ FAIRY CAKE AT RE/ UPON HIS TONGUE4 ,HE GULP$ IT D[N & TOOK A HA/Y SWIG ( TEA BE=E 9SPECT+ ! NEXT TILE4 ,HE F\ND ?AT HE 444 

,HE F\ND ?AT HE WAS DRESS$ UP 9 A NI<TG[N & A BORR[$ PETTICOAT1 WE>+ A PUDD+-T9 ATOP HIS D>K HAIR AS A HELMET4 ,HE WAS TW5TY-ONE YE>S OLD1 P]=M+ ,R[E'S PLAY ,TAM]LANE ) FRI5DS & FELL[ /UD5TS FROM ! ,DISS5T+ ACADEMY 9 ,KIBWOR?1 ,LEICE/]%IRE1 ACT+ ! P>T ( ! ILLU/RI\S ,SULTAN ,BAZAJET4 ,ALL ! IMPROMPTU CA/ W]E LAU<+ UNTIL TE>S ROLL$ D[N !IR *EEKS1 9CLUD+ GOOD OLD ,OBADIAH ,HU<ES1 :OM !Y CALL$ ,ATTICUS1 & LITTLE ,J5NY ,J5N+S :OM !Y NICKNAM$ ,!ODOSIA1 ! DAU<T] ( ! REV]5D CONDUCT+ ! ACADEMY4 ,HIS [N COGNOM5 WAS ,HORT5SIUS & AS HE FL\NC$ HIS LAV5D]-BLUE SKIRTS HE WI%$ ?AT ?IS HIL>ITY C\LD LA/ =EV]1 ?AT HE C\LD SOMEH[ /OP TIME & ?US PRES]VE ! MOM5T = ET]NITY1 A GIGGL+ & JOY\S FLY 9 AMB]4 ,! ,LORD KNEW ?AT !RE'D BE5 PRECI\S LITTLE LAU<T] 9 ,HORT5SIUS'S LIFE ?US F>4 ,AN ORPHAN AT ! T5D] AGE ( ?IRTE51 HE'D BE5 MADE W>D TO A G5TLEMAN NAM$ ,D[NES :O W\LD LOSE ALL ! LAD'S 9H]ITANCE TO RU9\S F9ANCIAL SPECULATIONS 9 ! ,CITY4 ,FOLL[+ A %IFTLESS & UNSETTL$ P]IOD LIV+ ) HIS BIG SI/] ,ELIZABE? & H] HUSB& ! ,REV]5D ,JOHN ,NETTLETON1 ,HORT5SIUS HAD F\ND A PLACE 9 ! ,KIBWOR? E/ABLI%M5T1 :]E BY ,GOD'S GRACE HAD BE5 9/ILL$ 9 HIM ! DISCIPL9E & ! HUMILITY ?AT W\LD1 HE HOP$1 SU/A9 HIM ALL HIS DAYS4 ,! ,REV]5D ,JOHN ,J5N+S & HIS WIFE HAD BE5 ALMO/ A SECOND SET ( P>5TS TO ! BOY1 SO DE> W]E !Y & SO CONC]N$ ) HIS DEVELOPM5T4 ,IT HAD A/ONI%$ HIM TO LE>N ?AT ,MRS4 ,J5N+S' FA!R HAD BE5 ONE ,SIR ,FRANCIS ,W+ATE FROM ,H>L+TON ,GRANGE 9 ,B$=D1 :O'D COMMITT$ POOR ,JOHN ,BUNYAN UNTO ,B$=D JAIL4 ,N[1 D\BL$ OV] 9 HIS MIR? ) HIS MAKE%IFT T9 HELMET CLATT]+ D[N UPON ! FLOOR & ALL HIS FRI5DS AB\T HIM1 HE WAS /RICK5 BY ! CONTRA/ BETWE5 ?IS FRIVOLITY & ! ABID+ LONEL9ESS HE FELT ?R\<\T MO/ O!R >EAS ( HIS LIFE4 ,!RE WAS ! PASSION ?AT HE FELT = ,KITTY ,FREEMAN1 HIS ,CL>9DA AS HE CALL$ H]1 ?\< HE FE>$ ?AT HIS AFFECTIONS BY & L>GE W5T UNREQUIT$4 ,TRIPP+ ON ! LAPIS L9E ?AT WAS HIS NI<TG[N'S $GE1 !REBY PROVOK+ R5EW$ SQUEALS ( M]RIM5T1 HE WOND]$ IF SOME P]FECT P>TN] WAIT$ 9 ! FUTURE = HIM4 ,WAS ?AT 9 ,GOD'S PLAN1 IF ,GOD'S PLAN %\LD 9DE$ 9CLUDE ,HORT5SIUS8 ,DID A WIFE & SUITABLE VOCATION FIGURE 9 ?AT GREAT1 9EFFABLE DESIGN8 ,:AT WAS HIS DE/9Y8 ,:AT WAS 4448 

,:AT WAS ALL ?IS8 ,MI*AEL HAD ! S5SATION HE'D BE5 CUT ADRIFT SOME:]E BETWE5 ?IS HOMELY KIT*5 & ! F9E 5GRAV$ WORLD ( ! TILES1 A GLEAM+ *9A L&SCAPE R5D]$ 9 ! HUES ( BILLI>D *ALK ) ALL ( TIME R$UC$ TO ?9 BLUE /ROKES ON :ITE 5AMEL4 ,?\< HE KNEW ?AT HE WAS BE+ HELPLESSLY PULL$ 9TO EA* NEW IMAGE ?AT HE GAZ$ UPON1 HE F\ND HE C\LDN'T /OP HIMSELF FROM LOOK+4 ,! EUPHORIA ?AT HAD ACCOMPANI$ ! TEA & CAKE SURR\ND$ ,MI*AEL LIKE A DEEP & FLUFFY BLANKET1 DULL+ ! ANXIETY ?AT HE W\LD 5D UP TRAPP$ AMONG ! PA9T$ CURLICUES4 ,HE LET HIS SCRUT9Y SLIDE UPW>DS TO ! NEXT REPRES5TATION 9 ! SEQU5CE4 ,IT LOOK$ 444 

,IT LOOK$ E]IE1 ! DIFFUS+ MORN+ MI/1 :ITE ON ! SAPPHIRE BRAMBLES ( ! C\NTRY LANE2 ! TRAVEL+ M9I/] :O'D PAUS$ TO TALK ) A Y\NG WOMAN CLAD 9 CROSS-HAT*$ TATT]S1 H] EYES WIDE & BRI<T AGA9/ AN ALMO/ IMP]CEPTIBLE SLATE WA% 9 ! BUCOLIC BYWAY4 ,REV]5D ,DODDRIDGE1 PASS+ ?R\< ! VILLAGES AB\T ,NOR?AMPTON%IRE & SPEAK+ TO ?OSE CONGREGATIONS :]E HE WAS 9VIT$1 SAT A/RIDE HIS PATI5T M>E & M>VEL$ AT ! SALL[ & UNE>?LY-LOOK+ GIRL :O BLOCK$ HIS PA?4 ,H] NAME WAS ,M>Y ,WILLS1 & %E WAS A RESPECT$ PROPHETESS FROM NE>BY ,PITS=D1 A H$GE-SE] & A MY/IC :O HAD CALL$ \T TO ! PALE1 MU*-9-DEM& Y\NG PREA*] AS HE W5T UPON HIS WAY4 ,%E SEEM$ A ?+ ASSEMBL$ FROM ! FOG ?AT TRICKL$ 9 ! DIT*ES1 BUILT ) WE$S OR SODD5 DEADFALL1 & %E CLAIM$ ?AT 9 H] SI<T ! FUTURE WAS A BOOK ALREADY WRIT1 A SCULPT$ =M 5CAS$ )9 ! IRON MOLD ( TIME4 0 ',& :5 HE W\LD NOT BE P]SUAD$1 !Y CEAS$1 SAY+1 ,! WILL ( ! ,LORD BE DONE4' ,?OSE >E ! WORDS ( ! FIR/ S]MON Y\ %ALL PREA* 9 ! POOR BOR\<S ( ,NOR?AMPTON1 :]E IT IS ?AT Y\ %ALL BE A PA/OR40 ,HE W\LD MEET ! RAGG$ ORACLE AGA9 ACROSS ! YE>S & W\LD COME NOT TO D\BT H] VISIONS1 YET UPON ?IS FIR/ OCCASION HE WAS TW5TY-SIX YE>S OLD & ?\<T H] PROPHECIES A %AM1 ?\< HE WAS NOT UNK9DLY OR (FH& TO H] 9 HIS BEHAVIOR4 ,IT WAS ! BUS9ESS ( A M9I/RY H]E 9 ,NOR?AMPTON1 ,DODDRIDGE ?\<T1 ?AT GAVE ! LIE TO H] PR$ICTIONS4 ,HE HAD ONLY JU/ AGRE$ TO ! 5TREATIES ( HIS COLLEAGUES )9 ! ,DISS5T+ CONGREGATION1 ,DR4 ,WATTS & ,DAVID ,SOME & ALL ! RE/1 :O'D BEGG$ HIM TO TAKE UP ! RUNN+ ( ! ,DISS5T+ ACADEMY AT ,M>KET ,H>BOR\<1 A PO/ MADE VACANT BY ! PASS+ ( ITS =M] M9I/]1 ! MU*-MISS$ ,REV]5D ,JOHN ,J5N+S4 ,WAGONS HAD ALREADY TAK5 ,DODDRIDGE'S BELONG+S TO ! ,H>BOR\< RESID5CE :]E ,MRS4 ,J5N+S W\LD CONT9UE MANAG+ H\SEHOLD AFFAIRS1 & ,DODDRIDGE FUR!R 5T]TA9$ ! HOPE ( AN AFFECTIONATE RELATION%IP ) ,J5N+S'S DELI<TFUL DAU<T]1 ,J5NY4 ,! IDEA ?AT HE MI<T BE PREVAIL$ UPON TO SACRIFICE SU* AN ILLU/RI\S POSITION = SOME DRAFTY %ACK 9 ! B5I<T$ DI/RICTS ( ,NOR?AMPTON WAS !RE=E A S5SELESS FANCY ?AT1 HE WAS ASSUR$1 %\LD NEV] COME TO BE4 ,HE ?ANK$ ! WEIRD *ILD = H] W>N+S & CONT9U$ ) HIS J\RNEY4 ,!RE WAS 444 

,!RE WAS NO ESCAP+ ! IMPLACABLE PROGRESSION ( ! TILES ONCE ,MI*AEL HAD SURR5D]$ TO ! TALE'S COMPELL+ UND]T[4 ,DR[N+ AMONG ! GLASSY BLUE-:ITE BREAK]S HE GAVE UP HIS FEEBLE ?RA%+ & W5T UND]1 TUMBL+ 9 ! CURR5T ( ! N>RATIVE FROM ONE SC5E TO ! NEXT4 ,HE DIDN'T REALLY KN[ 444 

,HE DIDN'T REALLY KN[ :Y HE WAS DO+ ?IS1 LEAD+ HIS HORSE ?R\< DELICATE LACE CURTA9S ( DESC5D+ SN[ ON ,*RI/MAS ,EVE1 T[>DS ! W>M LI<TS ( ! MEET+-H\SE ON ,CA/LE ,HILL4 ,HE CRUN*$ ?R\< ! CRISP DRIFTS OV] ! BURIAL GR\ND1 A /EW ( PAUP]S' RIBS & PLAGUE-SKULLS SOME:]E UND]NEA? ! ICE CRU/ & ! FRIGID1 P[D]Y DEP?S ?AT IT CONCEAL$4 ,HE HAD BE5 SETTL$ 9TO HIS ACADEMY AT ,M>KET ,H>BOR\< BUT A MON? OR TWO :5 HE'D RECEIV$ ! E>NE/ IMPRECATIONS (F]$ BY ! PEOPLE ( ,NOR?AMPTON1 ?AT HE %\LD TAKE UP 9/EAD ! M9I/RY AT ,CA/LE ,HILL H]E 9 ! L[LIE/1 WE/]N QU>T] ( ! T[N4 ,! DI/RICT WAS A CRUMBL+ EYESORE ?AT HAD BE5 D5I$ ! PRETTY R5OVATIONS UND]GONE BY ! REMA9D] ( ! T[N%IP AFT] ! GREAT FIRE1 & HE WAS ANYWAY COMMITT$ TO HIS WORK AT ,H>BOR\<4 ,HE'D GRACEFULLY DECL9$ ! (F]1 BUT ! HUMBLE CONGREGATION W]E P]SI/5T4 ,F9ALLY ! POPUL> Y\NG REV]5D HAD *OS5 TO DELIV] HIS REFUSAL P]SONALLY1 G5TLY CONVEY+ TO HIS W\LD-BE FLOCK ?AT !Y %\LD CEASE FROM !IR 5TREATIES1 BY MEANS ( A S]MON4 ,?IS BEGAN 0,& :5 HE W\LD NOT BE P]SUAD$1 !Y CEAS$1 SAY+1 ,! WILL ( ! ,LORD BE DONE01 & YET HE HAD NOT ?\<T ( ,M>Y ,WILLS OR H] PR$ICTION UNTIL HALFWAY ?R\< HIS S]MON1 :]E HE F\ND HIMSELF FULFILL+ IT4 ,! FOLK ( ,CA/LE ,HILL1 MOREOV]1 HAD SEEM$ FILL$ ) SU* GOOD WILL T[>DS HIM ?AT HIS ?\<TS W]E ALL 9 TURMOIL AS HE'D WALK$ BACK TO HIS LODG+S AT ! FOOT ( NE>BY ,GOLD ,/REET4 ,PASS+ BY AN OP5 DOOR HE'D HE>D A BOY READ+ AL\D FROM SCRIPTURE TO HIS MO!R1 AS ! TR\BL$ REV]5D HIMSELF HAD DONE SO MANY TIMES1 DECL>+1 0,AS ?Y DAYS1 SO %ALL ?Y /R5G? BE01 9 A CLE>1 TRUE VOICE4 ,! S5TIM5T HAD BE5 IMPRESS$ UPON HIM 9 ?AT 9/ANT ) GREAT =CE1 SO ?AT IT SEEM$ A REVELATION3 ALL HIS DAYS W]E P>T ( ,DODDRIDGE1 P>T ( HIS ET]NAL SUB/ANCE1 & HE WAS COMPRIS$ ( NO?+ SAVE ?OSE DAYS1 !IR ?\<TS & WORDS & DE$S4 ,!Y W]E HIS /R5G?4 ,!Y W]E HIS ALL4 ,HE HAD DECID$ !RE & !N TO GIVE UP HIS ACADEMY 9 ,H>BOR\< & TO ACCEPT 9/EAD ! LESS PROMIS+ PO/ H]E 9 ,NOR?AMPTON4 ,HIS FELL[S1 ,MR4 ,SOME & ,SAMUEL ,CL>K1 HAD BE5 \TRAG$ AT FIR/ & BEGG$ ?AT HE %\LD RECONSID] BUT HAD BO? RELUCTANTLY DECID$ ?AT1 SO /RANGE W]E ! EV5TS1 A HI<] CAUSE ?AN !IRS MAY HAVE DECRE$ ! \TCOME 9 ACCORDANCE ) ITS [N 9SCRUTABLE AG5DAS4 ,& SO H]E HE WAS ON ,*RI/MAS ,EVE1 TRUDG+ T[>DS HIS DE/9Y ?R\< BLUE-BLACK %AD[S FLECK$ ) FALL+ :ITE4 ,ONLY ) DIFFICULTY C\LD 444 

,ONLY ) DIFFICULTY C\LD ,MI*AEL REMEMB] ANY?+ AB\T ! KIT*5 OR ! CAKE4 ,! BLUE-ET*$ EPISODES W]E COM+ ?ICK & FA/ N[4 ,HE KNEW HE WAS 444 

,HE KNEW HE WAS MEANT = ,MI/RESS ,M]CY ,M>IS FROM ! MOM5T HE SET EYES ON H]1 !RE 9 ! ,WORCE/] P>LOR ( H] GREAT-AUNT1 ,MRS4 ,[54 ,SIX YE>S Y\NG] ?AN HIMSELF AT TW5TY-TWO1 ) A GOOD HUMOR & A FRE% COMPLEXION1 %E HAD BE5 ! BRI<T JEWEL ?AT HE'D FE>$ HE WAS )\T ! MEANS TO PUR*ASE4 ,HE'D BUT REC5TLY PROPOS$ TO SIXTE5-YE>-OLD ,J5NY ,J5N+S1 YET UPON BE+ REBUFF$ HAD RAIS$ HIS SIEGE & HAD CONSID]$ HIMSELF PLEAS$ 9 H] CONT9U+ FRI5D%IP4 ,! IMPULSE ?AT HAD POSSESS$ HIM1 ?\<1 ON ?AT REC5T OCCASION1 WAS AS NO?+ TO ! PASSION ?AT HE FELT T[>DS ,MISS ,M>IS1 :I* HAD /RUCK HIM LIKE A V]Y ?UND]BOLT4 ,HE HAD P]SI/$ 9 HIS SUIT1 UNABLE TO DO O!RWISE1 & F\ND TO HIS DELI<T ?AT HIS AFFECTIONS W]E RECIPROCAT$4 ,!Y'D BE5 W$ UPON ! #b#i? DAY ( ,NOVEMB] 9 #agc AT ,UPTON-ON-,SEV]N1 & HIS NEW WIFE HAD >RIV$ TO LIVE ) HIM H]E AT ,NOR?AMPTON1 JO9+ 9 5?USIA/ICALLY ) ALL HIS WORKS DESPITE ! MEANNESS ( ! NEI<BORHOOD4 ,! LOCAL PEOPLE HAD BE5 MODELS ( GOOD *E] & HELPFULNESS1 = ALL ! SQUABBL+ ?AT W\LD BREAK \T BETWE5 :AT MAY HAVE BE5 A DOZ5 DIFF]5T ,NONCON=MI/ CRE$S4 ,9DE$1 BO? HE & ,MRS4 ,DODDRIDGE F\ND !IR CONGREGATION MO/ AGREEABLE DESPITE ! REPUTATION IT HAD E>N$ = 9SURRECTION & UNRE/1 ?IS QUIET NOOK :]E ! MO/ S$ITI\S ( ! ',M>T9 ,M>PRELATE' BROADSIDES HAD BE5 PSEUDONYM\SLY WRIT & PUBLI%$ 9 ! PREVI\S C5TURY4 ,HAD NOT ,SIR ,HUMPHREY ,RAMSD5 /AT$ ?AT ,NOR?AMPTON WAS 0A NE/ ( PURITANS0 9 CORRESPOND5CE ) ,JOHN ,LAMBE1 DESCRIB+ ! T[NSPEOPLE AS 0MALIGNANT1 REFRACTORY SPIRITS :O DI/URB ! PEACE ( ! *UR*408 ,& YET IT WAS 9 ?IS %IRE ?AT *UR*GO]S FIR/ 9SI/$1 9 ! REIGN ( ,QUE5 ,ELIZABE?1 UPON HYMN-S++ AT !IR C]EMONIES1 :]E BE=E W]E ONLY *ANT$ PSALMS4 ,IT WAS A GOOD PLACE1 9 ITS WAY A PLACE HOLY AS ANY O!R1 & HIS WIFE & HE W]E WELL TO BE H]E1 AL?\< ,M>Y ,WILLS ! PROPHETESS HAD TOLD HIM ?AT !IR FIR/ ATTEMPT TO BE> A *ILD W\LD 5D 9 SADNESS4 ,/ILL1 P]HAPS ON ?IS OCCASION %E %\LD BE PROV$ WRONG4 ,AFT] ALL1 REG>D+ HIS POSITION ON DET]M9ISM1 HE /OOD 444 

,HE /OOD 9 ! D>K5+ *UR* AT ,CA/LE ,HILL & WEPT2 GAZ$ ?R\< A QUIV]+ SALT L5S AT ! SMALL GRAVE/ONE SET AMONG ! FLOOR TILES UND] ! COMMUNION TABLE4 ,HE'D BELIEV$ ! CRY+ TO BE DONE )1 & ?IS SUDD5 B\T SURPRIS$ HIM4 ,IT HAD NO D\BT BE5 OCCASION$ BY ! PAMPHLETS1 REC5TLY DELIV]$ FROM !IR PR9T+ COMPANY1 ONE ( :I* HE HELD N[ 9 BETWE5 HIS TREMBL+ H&S4 0,SUBMISSION TO ,DIV9E ,PROVID5CE 9 ! ,DEA? ( ,*ILDR5 RECOMM5D$ & 9=C$1 9 A ,S,],M,O,N PREA*$ AT ,N,O,R,?,A,M,P,T,O,N ON ! ,D,E,A,? ,( A V]Y AMIABLE & HOPEFUL ,*,I,L,D AB\T ,FIVE ,YE>S OLD4 ,PUBLI%$ \T ( COMPASSION TO M\RN+ ,P,>,5,T,S ,BY ,P4 ,D,O,D,D,R,I,D,G,E1 ,D4,D4 ,NEVE ,LITUR>UM PUDEAT 3 QUI VID]IT ILLAS4 ,DE ,LA*RYMIS FACTAS S5TIAT ESSE MEIS4 ,O,V,I,D4 ,L,O,N,D,O,N3 ,PR9T$ = ,R4 ,H,E,T,T1 AT ! ,BIBLE & ,CR[N1 9 ! ,P\LTRY4 ,M,D,C,C ,X,X,X,V,I,I4 .<,PRICE ,SIX-,P5CE4.>0 ,IT HAD BE5 WRIT MORE 9 TE>S ?AN 9K & N[ ! =M] SPLA%$ D[N1 FUR!R TO DILUTE & BLOT* ! LATT]4 ,IT WAS 444 

,IT WAS NOT1 P]HAPS1 SO SPL5DIDLY APPO9T$ AS WAS ! ACADEMY AT ,H>BOR\<1 /&+ H]E 9 ,%EEP ,/REET ) ! M\? ( ,SILV] ,/REET JU/ OPPOSITE1 BUT ,DODDRIDGE ?\<T ?AT 9 ITS PRACTICE IT WAS QUITE ! BE/ 9 ,5GL&4 ,HE & ,M]CY & !IR F\R SURVIV+ *ILDR5 HAD RESID$ COM=TABLY 5\< D[N AT HIS PREVI\S E/ABLI%M5T UPON ! CORN] ( ,PIKE ,LANE & ,M>EFAIR1 BUT ) FRE% /UD5TS >RIV+ EV]Y WEEK TO /UDY SCRIPTURE1 MA!MATICS1 ,LAT91 ,GREEK OR ,HEBREW IT WAS EVID5T ?AT ! ,DISS5T+ 9/ITUTION'S NEW] & CONSID]ABLY L>G] PREMISES W\LD BE REQUIR$ TO HOLD !M ALL4 ,HE HOP$ 444 

,HE HOP$ IT WAS HIS TOL]ANCE ?AT HAD ACQUIR$ = HIM SO MANY WOR?Y FRI5DS4 ,HIS *UR* 5JOY$ AN AMIABLE ACQUA9TANCE ) ! ,BAPTI/ M9I/RY 9 ,COLLEGE ,LANE1 & 9 HIS PRIVATE LIFE HE C\NT$ ,CALV9I/S1 ,MORAVIANS & ,SW$5BORGIANS ALIKE AMONG HIS FELL[S4 ,HE /OOD N[ 9 ,GEORGE ,R[ ON A ,M>* MORN 9 #a#g#d#d1 ) HIS MO/ VALU$ & UNLIKELIE/ COMPANION BY HIS SIDE4 ,MR4 ,JOHN ,/ONH\SE HAD L$ AN EV5TFUL1 RECKLESS LIFE & HAD AT ONE PO9T EV5 P5N$ A TRACT ATTACK+ ,*RI/IANITY4 ,ONE EV5+1 ON HIS WAY TO R5DEZV\S ) A LOOSE WOMAN1 HE HAD /OPP$ TO HE> ! FAM\S ,PHILIP ,DODDRIDGE SPEAK+ & UPON ! SPOT R5\NC$ HIS =M] WAYS1 BECOM+ A MO/ /EADFA/ ALLY ( ! DOCTOR'S CAUSE & HELP+ HIM 9AUGURATE A T[N 9FIRM>Y1 ! FIR/ \TSIDE ( ,LONDON1 :I* WAS ! OCCASION ?AT HAD CALL$ !M TO ,GEORGE ,R[ UPON ?IS BLU/]Y MORN+4 ,FROM ! 444 

,FROM ! D>K ,NOVEMB] SKY ABOVE HIM FIREWORK FL[]S %$ BURN+ CREAM-&-COBALT PETALS 9 A RA9 ON ! ,%EEP ,/REET ACADEMY1 BRI<TLY ILLUM9AT$ BY A HORDE ( C&LES ?AT HAD BE5 >RANG$ TO SPELL \T 0,K,+ ,G,E,O,R,G,E1 ,N,O ,P,R,E,T,5,D,]04 ,DODDRIDGE HAD BE5 LONG AW>E H[ LUCKY ! ,DISS5T]S W]E UND] ?IS ,HANOV]IAN MON>*1 & HAD W>N$ HIS CONGREGATION TO BE W>Y ( A ,/U>T RESURG5CE ?AT MI<T REE/ABLI% ,CA?OLIC OPPRESSION4 ,N[1 ?\<1 9 #a#g#d#e1 ! ?REAT WAS MORE ?AN HYPO!TICAL1 ) ,PR9CE ,*>LES ,$W>D ,/U>T1 ! PRET5D] TO ! ,BRITI% ,?RONE1 RAIS+ HIS /&>D AT ,GL5F9NAN & !N M>*+ S\? & 9TO ,5GL&4 ,DODDRIDGE1 W>N$ SIX YE>S BE=E ( ?IS EV5TUALITY BY ,M>Y ,WILLS ( ,PITS=D1 WAS PREP>$4 ,5LI/+ HIS GOOD FRI5D ! ,E>L ( ,HALIFAX1 HE'D GALVANIZ$ A P>LIAM5T APP>5TLY 9DIFF]5T TO ! ,Y\NG ,PRET5D]'S ?REAT & RAIS$ A =CE MORE ?AN A ?\S& /RONG ?AT HAD TWO HUNDR$ CAVALRY1 MO/ ( !M G>RISON$ H]E AT ,NOR?AMPTON4 ,! ,PRET5D]1 :O HAD C\NT$ ON /RONG ,JACOBITE SUPPORT ?AT HAD NOT BE5 =?COM+1 WAS REPUT$LY FUR!R DISC\RAG$ BY ! NEWS ( >M$ M5 WAIT+ JU/ A LITTLE FUR!R S\?4 ,HE HAD ALREADY />T$ HIS RETREAT BACK T[>DS ,SCOTL& &1 PRESUMABLY1 EV5TUAL RU91 H5CE !SE SPL5DID BONFIRE CELEBRATIONS4 ,HE REJOIC$ 9 444 

,HE REJOIC$ 9 ,GOD'S GREAT PROVID5CE AS HE LAY DY+ 9 ! LITTLE C\NTRY H\SE A FEW MILES \TSIDE ,LISBON4 ,HE & ,M]CY1 AID$ BY DONATIONS FROM ! K9DLY FOLK ( ,CA/LE ,HILL1 HAD BE5 S5T =? ON A RECUP]ATIVE VOYAGE TO ,PORTUGAL :5 HIS HEAL?1 NEV] /URDY1 HAD AT LA/ BEGUN TO COMPREH5SIVELY DECL9E4 ,?AT SUNLIT C\NTRY1 9 #a#g#e#a1 WAS FAM$ = ITS GOOD WEA!R & = ! RE/ORATIVE EFFECTS ( ITS 5VIRONM5T1 ?\< !IR ADVIS]S 9 ,NOR?AMPTON CLE>LY HAD NOT KN[N ?AT LATE ,OCTOB] M>K$1 TRADITIONALLY1 ! COMM5CEM5T ( ! ANNUAL RA9Y SEASON4 ,N[ IT WAS APPROA*+ ?REE O'CLOCK ON ! BLACK MORN+ ( ! TW5TY-SIX?4 ,HE LI/5$ TO ! D[NP\R DRUMM+ ON ! RO( & FANCI$ ?AT ! 5D W\LD NOT BE LONG4 ,M]CY H]SELF WAS ILL1 A VICTIM ( ! CLIMATE1 & HE KNEW ?AT %E C\LD NOT ASSI/ HIM ?\< %E WANT$ TO ) ALL H] HE>T4 ,HE ?ANK$ ,GOD = ?AT LOYAL & BELOV$ WOMAN :O HAD SO 5RI*$ A GOODLY NUMB] ( ! =TY-N9E YE>S HE HAD SP5T ON ,E>?4 ,HE ?ANK$ ,GOD = HIS LIFE1 ITS EV]Y TRIUMPH & REV]SAL1 = ALL[+ HIM TO FUR!R ! ,DISS5T+ CAUSE TO ! REM>KABLE EXT5T HE HAD1 =C+ ! *UR* TO RECOGNIZE ITS ,NONCON=MI/ BRE?R51 & ALL ?IS ACCOMPLI%$ FROM ! L[LY M\ND :]E /OOD HIS HUMBLE MEET+-H\SE4 ,M]CY WAS SLEEP+ NEXT TO HIM4 ,HE HE>D ! RA91 & FELT H] BREA? UPON HIS *EEK4 ,HE CLOS$ 444 

,HE CLOS$ HIS EYES4 ,MI*AEL WAS UND] ! IMPRESSION ?AT <O/S DIDN'T SLEEP1 BUT !N HE'D ?\<T ?AT AB\T EAT+ UNTIL HE'D BE5 S]V$ ! TEA & FAIRY-CAKE4 ,S9K+ 9TO A P9KI% DR[SE HE IDLY SUPPOS$ ?AT :ILE DEAD PEOPLE DIDN'T REALLY NE$ A MEAL OR NAP1 !Y PROBABLY 9DULG$ 9 BO? ?+S N[ & !N1 JU/ = ! SIMPLE PLEASURE ( IT4 ,HE C\LD /ILL HE> ALL ! O!R VOICES 9 ! SUNNY KIT*51 BUT !Y S\ND$ F> AWAY & NO?+ MU* TO DO ) HIM4 ,HE FELT SOMEBODY - PROBABLY ONE ( ! ,DODDRIDGE LADIES - TAKE ! CUP & SAUC] FROM HIS SLACK5+ GRIP BE=E HE SPILL$ IT ON ! FLOOR4 ,HE'D EI!R EAT5 HIS CAKE OR ALREADY DROPP$ IT1 BUT HE DIDN'T KN[ :I* & IT DIDN'T MATT]4 

,BILL & ,PHYLLIS MURMUR$ TO EA* O!R SOME:]E NE>BY4 ,BILL WAS SAY+ 0,WELL1 WE MU/ BE GUNNA WORK \T SOME WAY 'E CAN KEEP 'IS MEMORIES1 'CAUSE WE'VE SE5 ! PICTURES40 ,:AT DID ?AT MEAN8 ,W]E !Y TALK+ AB\T ALL ! PICTURES ON ! TILES ?AT ,MI*AEL /ILL FELT HALF-SUBM]G$ 98 ,ELSE:]E1 ,TETSY ,DODDRIDGE WAS 9SI/+ ?AT ,DR[N$ ,M>JORIE %\LD SIGN H] NAME ON SOME?+4 0,WON'T Y\ BE A SPORT8 ,IT %ALL TAKE BUT A MOM5T40 ,HE C\LD HE> A FA9T & RHY?MIC BEAT ?AT HE AT FIR/ TOOK = HIS PULSE BE=E REMEMB]+ HE DIDN'T HAVE ONE ANYMORE & REALIZ+ IT MU/ BE ! TICK+ ( A KIT*5 CLOCK1 C\NT+ ! MOM5TS ( ?AT TIMELESS WORLD4 

,AT SOME PO9T LAT] ON HE WAS PICK$ UP BY SOMEONE1 ONE ( ! TWO OLD] BOYS TO JUDGE FROM H[ IT FELT1 &1 JUDG+ FROM ! CLEAN & DRY SMELL1 PROBABLY NOT ,REGGIE ,B[L]4 ,?AT MEANT IT WAS ,JOHN :O C>RI$ HIM1 LIKE A LIMP SACK ( FL\R AGA9/ ! TALL] Y\NG/]'S *E/ & %\LD]1 FROM ! KIT*5 9TO ! %ORT PASSAGEWAY & ON T[>DS ! P>LOR4 ,MI*AEL HE>D ! O!R MEMB]S ( ! GANG CLUMP+ & CLATT]+ >\ND !M & PRESUM$ !Y W]E ALL LEAV+ N[ ?AT TEATIME WAS CONCLUD$4 ,HE WAS SURE ?AT IF HIS MOM ,DORE5 W]E H]E %E'D TELL HIM TO WAKE UP1 TO ?ANK ! ,DODDRIDGE FAMILY = HAV+ !M & SAY GOODBYE TO EV]YBODY PROP]LY4 ,HE DID HIS BE/ TO R\SE HIMSELF & TRI$ TO =CE HIS EYELIDS TO CREAK OP51 BUT !Y W\LDN'T BUDGE & ANYWAY HE WAS TOO SNUG & COM=TABLE 9 ,JOHN'S >MS = ! MOM5T4 ,HE REMA9$ CONT5T TO LET IT ALL SLIP BY HIM 9 A LUM9\S & ROSY FOG4 

,!Y W]E N[ 9 ! P>LOR & AHEAD ( !M HE C\LD HE> ,MR4 ,DODDRIDGE BR++ TO AN 5D HIS CONV]SATION ) ! GRAY-ROB$ BUILD] *AP1 :O ,MRS4 ,GIBBS HAD SAID WAS ,MR4 ,AZIEL4 ,MI*AEL DISCOV]$ ?AT IT WAS MU* EASI] TO UND]/& ! /RANGE1 SPIRAL+ RUBBI% ?AT ! ANGLES SPOKE IF Y\ W]E HALF ASLEEP4 ,FROM :AT HE C\LD MAKE \T1 ! GOLD-WIGG$ DOCTOR ( DIV9ITY WAS /ILL 9T]ROGAT+ ,MR4 ,AZIEL UPON ! SUBJECT ( SUSPICI\S ,SAM ,O',DAY1 ASK+ ! WORK] H[ ! DIFF]5T 5TITIES RELAT$ TO EA* O!R1 ALL ! DEVILS & ! ORD9>Y PEOPLE & ! BUILD]S1 & H[ ALL ( !SE CONNECT$ UP TO ! MY/]I\S 0,?IRD ,BOR\<04 ,DODDRIDGE'S GUE/ *UCKL$ & SAID 0,TE WY% FOLM UPD9T01 :I* 9/ANTLY UNRAVEL$ )9 ,MI*AEL'S SLUMB]+ AW>5ESS 9TO SOME?+ ?AT WAS ONLY M>G9ALLY MORE COMPREH5SIBLE3 

0,!Y FOLD UP 9TO Y\4 ,Y\ FOLD UP 9TO US4 ,WE FOLD UP 9TO ,HIM40 

,?IS SEEM$ TO BO? 9TRIGUE & SATISFY ! P>SON1 :O HUMM$ ?\<TFULLY BE=E HE V5TUR$ ONE LA/ QUE/ION TO ! AMIABLE >TISAN4 

0,I SEE4 ,& MI<T ,I ASK IF1 ANY:]E 9 ?IS +5I\S >RANGEM5T1 ANY ( US EV] TRULY HAD ,FREE ,WILL80 

,! LANKY ANGLE S\ND$ SOMEH[ M\RNFUL & APOLOGETIC AS HE ANSW]$ ) A SYLLABLE ?AT WAS APP>5TLY ! SAME 9 ,5GLI% AS 9 HIS [N TONGUE4 

0,NO40 

,AFT] A WELL-TIM$ PAUSE AS IF BE=E ! PUN* L9E ( A JOKE1 HE W5T ON TO PRON\NCE ANO!R ANGLE-WORD ?AT ,MI*AEL UND]/OOD ALMO/ IMM$IATELY4 

0,DYIM\/80 

,:AT ?IS MEANT WAS 0,DID Y\ MISS IT80 

,!RE WAS A %OCK$ SIL5CE1 & !N BO? ! REV]5D DOCTOR & HIS GUE/ BEGAN TO LAU< UPRO>I\SLY AL?\< ,MI*AEL DIDN'T SEE :AT WAS SO FUNNY4 ,AS ) ! MAJORITY ( GR[N-UP JOKES1 HE EVID5TLY DIDN'T GET IT4 ,LIKE ! ONE ?AT 5D$ ',IF ,I PUT A P5NY 9 ! SLOT & PRESS ! BUTTON1 WILL ! BELLS R+8' ,HE'D HAD NO IDEA :AT ?AT ONE WAS TO DO ) EI!R1 EID]1 DUCK-D[N DRIFT+ (F 9TO ! C&YFLOSS ( HIS SNUG ?\<TS4 

,:5 ! AMUSEM5T %>$ BY ,MR4 ,DODDRIDGE & HIS VISITOR HAD DI$ AWAY1 ! DOCTOR SAID HIS F>EWELLS TO ! *ILDR51 AS DID ,MRS4 ,GIBBS1 ,MISS ,TETSY & H] MO!R4 ,( !SE GOODBYES1 ,MR4 ,DODDRIDGE'S WAS ! MO/ L5G?Y & EFFUSIVE4 

0,?ANK Y\1 *ILDR51 = Y\R VISIT4 ,I HOPE ,I %ALL SEE Y\ ALL AGA91 & NOT JU/ ,MA/] ,REGGIE :5 HE COMES TO /UDY AT MY AFT]LIFE ACADEMY4 ,& AS = Y\1 Y\NG ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]1 Y\ %\LD KN[ ?AT Y\ & Y\R ASSOCIATES >E BE+ TRU/$ ) ?IS *ILD BECAUSE SU* WIZ ! WILL ( ! ,MO/ ,HI<4 ,ALL ! EXP]I5CES Y\ %>E ) HIM1 EV5 Y\R TRUANT CAP]S & TRANSGRESSIONS1 >E ! LESSONS HE MU/ LE>N4 ,?AT HE RECALL ?OSE LESSONS %ALL BE Y\R CONUNDRUM TO UNPICK1 ?\< BE ASSUR$ ?AT WE :O S]VE ,MANS\L HAVE EV]Y FAI? 9 Y\4 ,AS = ! FI5D WE SPOKE ( E>LI]1 IT SEEMS APP>5T HE %ALL HAVE HIS WAY AT SOME PO9T1 & :5 ?AT TIME COMES !N MY BE/ C\NSEL W\LD BE TO REM9D Y\ ?AT EV5 ! L[E/ CREATURES >E BUT ! UNFOLD$ LEAVES ( ! ,?IRD ,BOR\< & >E 9 ! 5D SUBS]VI5T TO ,HIS DESIGN4 ,N[1 BE UPON Y\R WAY ) \R FRI5D ,MR4 ,AZIEL4 ,HAVE FAI?1 & DO NOT FE>40 

,AS IF FROM F> AWAY1 ,MI*AEL HE>D ,PHYLLIS ASK ! REV]5D IF :AT HE'D SAID REG>D+ TRUANT CAP]S & TRANSGRESSIONS MEANT ?AT ! ,DEAD ,DEAD ,GANG C\LD TAKE ,MI*AEL SCRUMP+ = MAD APPLES \T AT ! ASYLUMS1 )\T GETT+ 9TO ANY TR\BLE8 ,DODDRIDGE LAU<$ AGA91 & SAID ?AT HE SUPPOS$ IT DID4 ,!RE FOLL[$ MORE GOODBYES & ,MI*AEL FELT AT LEA/ TWO SMALL1 DAMP KISSES ON HIS ALMO/-SLEEP+ *EEK1 MO/ LIKELY FROM ! DOCTOR'S WIFE & DAU<T]4 

,!N !RE WAS ! BRIEF S5SATION ( ELABORATE WOOD-GRA9 AS !Y PASS$ ?R\< ! DOOR HALFWAY UP ! *UR*'S WE/]N WALL4 ,IT WASN'T AS IF ,MI*AEL SUDD5LY FELT COLD1 SIMPLY ?AT HE NO LONG] FELT ! SLI<TE/ TRACE ( ANY TEMP]ATURE AT ALL4 ,! SMELL ( ,PHYLLIS ,PA9T]'S V]M9 /OLE WAS %UT (F LIKE A TAP & HE C\LD ALMO/ HE> ! CR9KL+ ( ! <O/-SEAM'S COTTON WOOL1 /UFF+ ITSELF 9TO HIS E>S4 ,HE OP5$ EYES GLUEY ) ECTOPLASM TO A WORLD ( BLACK & :ITE1 JU/ AS ,JOHN G5TLY L[]$ HIM ONTO ! PHOSPHORESC5T PLANK+ ( ! ,ULTRADUCT1 :]E TIME BOIL$ UP LIKE SCALD+ MILK ALL R\ND !M4 

,PHYLLIS ASK$ IF ANYBODY WAS /ILL HUNGRY4 

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

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

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