,BOOK #c1 ,*APT] #aa 
,GO ,SEE ,N[ ,?IS ,CURS$ ,WOMAN 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

,G,O ,S,E,E ,N,[ ,?,I,S ,C,U,R,S,$ ,W,O,M,A,N 

,VIEW$ FROM B5EA? ! /ONE >*ANGEL SP9S SC9TILLATE D>KNESS ON HIS BILLI>D CUE1 UNHURRI$ CON/ELLATIONS TURN+ AT ! TIP JU/ AS ! L& BEL[ ROTATES AB\T ITS BU/$ HUB4 ,A UNIV]SE ( P>TICLES & >*IVES ( !IR MOTION BRUISE ! LI?IC EYE 9 ITS TOOL$ ORBIT1 OV]WRIT+ DATA ON A C5TURY-OLD SMUT :I* S]VES AS PUPIL1 ! 9CESSANT BULLET9 ( ,FRIDAY1 ,MAY ! #b#f?1 #b#f4 ,(F 9 ! /&+ %AD[S1 BABIES1 DOGS & CONVICTS ) !IR DREAMS4 

,VIEW$ FROM ABOVE1 ! ISOMORPHIC URBAN TEXTURE FLATT5S TO A BLACK\T MAP :I* SW>MS ) PLANKTON PHOSPHOR\S1 A ,BR[NIAN NOCTURNAL *URN ( LONG-HAUL TRUCK]S & UNW9D+ WEEK5D C\PLES1 M>A?ON COMMUT]S1 FLA%+ VESSELS ( EM]G5CY4 ,>T]IAL LI<T MOVES ?R\< ! CIRCULATORY DIAGRAM 9 SPURTS1 TRACK+ ! PROGRESS ( CA% VECTORS & PLAGUE OPPORTUNITIES4 ,PULL FOCUS FUR!R & ! ACTIONS ( ! WORLD COMPRESS TO AN IMPA/O SKIM4 

,W> & COLLAPSE >E *AS+ DISPLAC$ POPULATIONS ALL >\ND ! PLANET 9 ! WAY ?AT JUMP+ JACKS APPE> TO FOLL[ FLEE+ *ILDR54 ,! CONT9UALLY ADJU/$ N[ - A HAIRL9E CRACK BETWE5 ! /UPEFY+ MASSES ( ! FUTURE & ! PA/1 FRICTION- & PRESSURE-COOK$ - IS A HOT 9T]FACE :I* %IMM]S ) /R+ !ORY & ! +RA9$ GRIEVANCES ( ,HAMMURABI1 SEE!S ) SLAV]+ NEW F9ANCIAL ME*ANISMS & FRE% EPI!TS DESCRIB+ PAUP]S4 ,FROM DAYLI<T ,AM]ICA ! %OCK ( =M] ,5RON BOSSES AT !IR GUILTY V]DICT IS ANN\NC$ & 9 ! DEAF5+ CRA% ( !IR DROPP$ JAWS CASCADES ( RU9 >E COMM5C$4 ,CUT TO 9T]IOR1 NI<T4 

,MICK ,W>R5 TOSSES 9 SL[ MOTION1 M9DFUL ( HIS SLEEP+ WIFE & TRY+ TO M9IMIZE ! MATTRESS-CREAK4 ,! ROLL ONTO HIS LEFT SIDE IS A CAMPAIGN /AG$ 9 9CREM5TS ) ITS OBJECTIVE1 ONCE ACCOMPLI%$1 YIELD+ NO?+ SAVE A DIFF]5TLY-ALIGN$ DISCOM=T4 ,M>9AT+ 9 HIS [N BR9E ON !SE SULTRY SLOPES ( LATE ,MAY1 %\LD]S PUMMEL$ BY ! WORK+ WEEK JU/ GONE1 9SOMNIA R$UCES HIS WELL-TRODD5 CONSCI\SNESS TO ! S*EMATIC MANSION ( A ,CLU$O BO>D1 ?\<TS FOLL[+ EA* O!R 9TO M9IMAL CRIME-SC5E CONS]VATORIES ATTEMPT+ TO E/ABLI% :]EAB\TS & MEANS & MOTIVE4 ,9 ASSOCIATIVE FREEFALL HE IS SOON ADRIFT 9 BO>D GAMES1 BOR$ GAMES1 SLEEPLESS M9D ADVANC+ SQU>E BY SQU>E ACCORD+ TO DELIRI\S & SELF-9FLICT$ RULES ( PLAY1 A ,*9ESE *ECK] *OREOGRAPHY ( HALF-IDEAS ?AT LEAPFROG & ELIM9ATE EA* O!R 9 !IR /RUGGLE TO ATTA9 ?\<TLESS OBLIVION1 ! PEGBO>D'S EMPTYC5TRAL HOLE4 ,CLU$O SLIDES LEXICALLY 9TO ,LUDO1 ,POIROT P>LORS RECONFIGUR$ AS ! /YLIZ$ PA?S ( PALACE G>D5S :]E9 V>ICOLOR$ BUTTON DYNA/IES CONDUCT !IR PATI5T C\RTLY 9TRIGUES4 ,LUDO 444 ,MICK ?9KS HE CAN DI/ANTLY REMEMB] HIS BIG SI/] TELL+ HIM ! T]M HAD SOME K9D ( SIGNIFICANCE1 BUT = ! MOM5T IT ELUDES HIM4 ,WORDS & WORDPLAY >5'T HIS SPECIALTY & HE IS ?US AV]SE TO ,SCRABBLE1 NAME ALONE TOO REM9ISC5T ( HIS FRANTIC1 RAT-LIKE M5TAL PROCESSES :5 TRY+ TO EXTRACT COH]5T LANGUAGE FROM AN ANGUL> FURNITURE-SALE ( CONSONANTS OR FROM AN ULULAT+ FUN]AL LAM5T ( V[ELS4 ,IT'S NOT A PROP] GAME LIKE FOOTBALL1 ?IS MESS+ AB\T ) SPELL+1 WORDS & ALL ?AT BUS9ESS4 ,:]E'S ! FUN 9 ?AT8 ,IT /RIKES HIM ?AT ?OSE :O PR(ESS A FONDNESS = L+UI/IC TORM5TS ( ?IS NATURE >E MO/ PROBABLY JU/ TRY+ TO LOOK CLEV]4 ,HE RECALLS ! ODD TIMES HE'S HE>D SOMEBODY EXTOLL+ ! DELI<TS ( ',DIRTY ,SCRABBLE'1 BUT NOBODY CAN HAVE EV] REALLY PLAY$ ?AT1 CAN !Y8 ,?AT CAN'T POSSIBLY EXI/ :5 = A />T !RE'S ONLY ONE ,K 9 ! BOX4 ,ATTEMPT+ TO DISPLACE SOME ( ! DUVET-CAPTUR$ HEAT HE'S BROIL+ 9 HE KICKS ONE LEG FREE ( ! COV]S & LUXURIATES 9 ! RESULT+ CALORIFIC BLE$4 ,HIS B$B\ND BRA9 DIV]TS ITSELF ANNOY+LY 9 ! CONSID]ATION ( ANNOY+ GAMES4 ,NEW ANGLE4 

,LEV]+ BY /EAL? ONTO HIS BACK HE FANCIES ?AT FROM OV]HEAD HE MU/ RESEMBLE ONE ( ?OSE /ONE M$IEVAL KNI<TS1 ASLEEP ON COLD S>COPHAGI ) PETRIFI$ RETRIEV]S AT !IR FEET4 ,!RE MU/ HAVE BE5 A ,MIDDLE ,AGES BATTLE GAME AT ONE PO9T1 HE SUPPOSES1 KEEPS & CA/LES1 J\/+ & ! RE/1 AL?\< HE CAN'T CALL ONE TO M9D4 ,AMONG ! V>I\S ,JOHN ,WADHAM'S PA/IMES ( HIS Y\NG] DAYS1 HI/ORICALLY-!M$ 5T]TA9M5TS HAD BE5 ?9 UPON ! GR\ND1 ! FOCUS MO/LY ON A MOD]N WORLD !N TRY+ TO COMPOSE ITSELF FROM \T ! BOMBSITE RUBBLE ( ! #a#i#dS4 ,HE REMEMB]S ONE CALL$ ,SPY ,R+1 PLA/IC HEAD & %\LD]S BU/S ( M5 9 TR5*-COATS & F$ORAS 9*+ BETWE5 =EIGN EMBASSIES1 AN ACCURATE EMBODIM5T ( ,COLD ,W> MA*9ATIONS 9 ?AT RULES ( PLAY W]E BY & L>GE IMP5ETRABLE & MADE NO APP>5T S5SE4 ,ALMA & ,MICK HAD GIV5 UP ON IT ALMO/ IMM$IATELY & CONSIGN$ ! :OLE ?+ TO AN \BLIETTE B5EA? ! W>DROBE1 AN EFFECTIVE & A*IEVABLE DET5TE4 ,MONOPOLY1 HE ?9KS1 HAS ALWAYS BE5 PREOCCUPI$ ) A H>D-NOS$ MOD]NITY1 A COMP5SATORY RITUAL TO SUIT ?OSE LONG YE>S ( PO/W> AU/]ITY1 IMAG9>Y ,WEIM> :EELB>R[S PIL$ ) CONFETTI-COLOR$ CURR5CY 9 :I* TO LOSE Y\R RATION BOOK1 IF ONLY BRIEFLY4 ,9 HIS *ILDHOOD PLAY1 HE REALIZES1 HE'D BE5 L>GELY QU>ANT9$ )9 ! PRES5T DAY4 ,HE ?9KS HE CAN RECALL ,NAPOLEONIC /YL+S TO ! PACKAG+ ( ,RISK1 ! GAME ( GLOBAL /RATEGY ?AT MADE WORLD DOM9ATION BY ,AU/RALIA SEEM UNAVOIDABLE1 BUT !N MEGALOMANIA1 HE DECIDES1 HAS ALWAYS BE5 MORE TIMELESS ?AN HI/ORICAL4 ,IT'S LIKE A LEA!R JACKET1 NEV] \T ( DATE4 ,TI<T CLOSE-UP4 

,BL9K+ LIDS DESC5D LIKE LONG EXPOSURE %UTT]S ON ! SLATE-BLUE IRISES1 SILICATE DEBRIS SWEPT DISCRETELY TO ! CORN]S4 ,PUPILS EXP&1 SATURAT$1 BLOTT+ UP ! MIDNI<T 9K4 ,IT COMES TO HIM ?AT ALL HUMAN 5DEAVOR IS A GAME ( SOME SORT OR1 MORE PROP]LY1 A GREAT COMP5DIUM ( GAMES ?AT >E OBSCURELY 9T]WOV5 & CONNECT$1 A CONF\ND+ COMPLEX ( PURSUITS ) PRE-SET DIFFICULTY LEVELS :]E ! ODDS >E ALWAYS ) ! H\SE4 ,A GAME1 HE ?9KS1 IS SURELY ANY SY/EM ) AN >BITR>Y SET ( IMPOS$ RULES1 EI!R A CONTE/ :I* RESULTS 9 MANY LOS]S & A S+LE W9N] OR SOME NONCOMPETITIVE >RANGEM5T :]E ! PLEASURE ( P>TICIPATION IS ITS [N REW>D4 ,& OBVI\SLY1 UNLESS ! RULES >E ?OSE ( PHYSICS !Y >E >BITR>Y 9 ONE S5SE OR O!R1 MADE UP BY SOMEBODY1 SOME:]E1 SOMETIME4 ,CAPITAL & F9ANCE >E QUITE CLE>LY GAMES1 PROBABLY POK] OR R\LETTE1 AT LEA/ TO JUDGE BY ?OSE ,5RON EXECUTIVES :O'D FEATUR$ ON ! EV5+ NEWS BE=E ,MICK W5T TO B$1 TRAD+ 9 FUTURE M>KETS !Y'D 9V5T$ \T ( ?9 AIR & W]E TRY+1 UNSUCCESSFULLY1 TO WILL 9TO EXI/5CE4 ,ACTUALLY1 ?AT K9D ( PLAY1 ROGUE TRAD]S & ALL ?AT1 IT'S NOT LIKE POK] OR R\LETTE SO MU* AS IT'S LIKE ,BUCK>OO1 SEE+ H[ MANY GOLD-PROSPECT+ PICKAXES & %OVELS Y\ CAN HANG ON ! SPR+-LOAD$ DONKEY ( M>KET CR$ULITY BE=E1 9EVITABLY1 IT EXPLODES & />TLES EV]YBODY4 

,/ATUS1 REPRODUCTION & ROMANCE1 POLITICAL MANEUV]+ OR ! COPS-&-ROBB]S 9T]PLAY ( CRIME & LEGISLATION1 ALL ( IT A GAME4 ,HIS SI/]'S EXHIBITION 9 ! MORN+ :I* HE'S P>TLY DREAD+1 P>TLY LOOK+ =W>D TO2 ALL ( ! PA9T+S1 ALL ! >T1 IT'S JU/ A DIFF]5T SORT ( GAME ?AT'S PLAY$ ) REF]5CES1 NODS & W9KS TO ?IS OR ?AT1 ! HI<BR[ CLEV]-DICK]Y ?AT IT ALLUDES TO4 ,B$-%EET CREASES PR9T A RIV] DELTA ON ,MICK'S BACK & 9 HIS RE/LESSNESS IT /RIKES HIM ?AT CIVILIZATION & ITS HI/ORY >E SIMIL>LY BAGATELLES1 DELUD$ 9TO ?9K+ ?AT !IR PROGRESS HAS ! ORD]$ LOGIC ( A *ESS MAT* :5 IT'S MORE ! R&OM P+ ( ,TIDDL$YW9KS4 ,IT'S LUDICR\S1 AS IF ! SPECIES HAD DEVELOP$ HI<] CONSCI\SNESS 9 ORD] TO 9V5T A MORE ELABORATE =M ( NAU<TS & CROSSES4 ,:5 IS EV]YBODY GO+ TO GET S]I\S8 ,EV5 :5 PEOPLE >E 5GAG$ 9 SLAU<T]+ ONE ANO!R LIKE 9 ,IRAQ OR ,AF<ANI/AN1 IT'S JU/ ,C[BOYS & ,9DIANS RUN DISA/R\SLY \T ( H&4 ,! LA/ TIME ,BRITA9 HAD BE5 TWAT 5\< TO 9T]F]E 9 ,AF<AN MATT]S1 ) ! ,BRITI% & ! ,RUSSIAN ,EMPIRES /AG+ !IR ALMI<TY PISS+ CONTE/ 9 ! HUNDR$ YE>S PREC$+ ,WORLD ,W> ,ONE1 !Y'D COME RI<T \T & CALL$ IT ! ,GREAT ,GAME4 ,P]HAPS ! TOPPL$ PAWNS BACK 9 !IR FLAG-DRAP$ BOXES = A F9AL TOYT[N T\R ( ,WOOTON ,BASSETT C\LD BE VIEW$ AS =FEIT TOK5S 9 A GAME1 AL?\< HE CAN'T SEE :AT'S SO GREAT AB\T IT4 ,WE>Y+ ( ?IS 9T]NAL %UTTLECOCK1 ?IS BACK-&-=?1 HE OPTS TO TAKE ANO!R RUN = GOAL1 ! GOAL BE+ 9S5SIBILITY4 ,CLOS+ HIS EYES IS PURELY ASPIRATIONAL AS HE COMM5CES ! COMM&O ROLL ONTO HIS RI<T SIDE4 ,PULL BACK TO A /REAM+1 H[L+ /RATOSPH]E4 

,BEL[1 9VASIVE SPECIES MOVE FROM CONT95T TO CONT95T1 FROM *AIR TO *AIR1 ACCORD+ TO ! MUSIC ( AN ALT]$ CLIMATE4 ,AVOCADOS ?RIVE 9 TROPIC ,LONDON4 ,! P]CUSSIVE CLA% ( P>TICLES IS REGI/]$ 9 DELICATE QUANTUM C>TOGRAPHIES1 F]NS ( EXPLOSION & DECAY1 BEAUTIFUL SPIRALS TO ANNIHILATION MAPP$ ?R\< CONCRETE TIME4 ,EV]Y:]E 9=MATION1 SEE?+ AS IT NE>S ! BOIL4 ,! ,U4,S4 PRESID5T ,GEORGE ,W4 ,BU% & PRIME M9I/] ,BLAIR DISCUSS !IR DEEP FRAT]NAL BOND1 ADMITT+ ]RORS 9 !IR H&L+ ( ,GULF ,W> ,I,I4 ,! DISAGREEM5T ( ,MEGIDDO P]COLATES ?R\< EV]Y CULTURE & 9 ,PALE/9E ! C> BELONG+ TO ,ISLAMIC ,JIHAD LEAD] ,MAHMUD AL-,MAJZ\D ]UPTS 9 LE?AL TRAC]IES ( HURRI$ METAL & PROJECTILE MORTAL SPL9T]S1 DISASSEMBL+ ! 9SURG5T ALONG ) HIS BRO!R ,NIDAL4 ,BLACK & R$1 SU* >E ?IS SPR+'S PREVAIL+ BLOSSOMS1 VIVID SC>LET HE>TS 9 PETALS ( OIL-COLOR$ SMOKE OR BRUISES (FSET BY AN OP5 CUT4 ,CROSS-FADE TO VEHICLE 9T]IOR4 

,! %AD[Y ,=D ,ESCORT ROCKS & SQUEAKS 9 HATEFUL P>ODY ( ,M>LA1 KNEEL+ 9 ITS BACK SEAT ) H] R$ MAC & H] HALT] TOP PU%$ UP TO %[ MALN\RI%M5T-HON$ %\LD] BLADES1 ! MICRO-SKIRT ?AT'S RUCK$ AB\T H] WAI/ WORN AS ! BLACK BELT ( AN 9V]T$ K>ATE1 AN EXACT+ M>TIAL DISCIPL9E ( VICTIMHOOD4 ,H] SELF1 ! KICK$-9 & FRAGM5T$ P]SONALITY %E'D ?\<T %E WAS1 IS FROZ5 9 PROXIMITY TO H] APPROA*+ 5D1 FRO/-WELD$ TO ?IS UNREL5T+ MOM5T1 H] LA/ WRET*$ /RET* ( H]E-&-N[ BE=E A T]RIBLE BIG BABY /AVES H] SKULL 9 & 5DS ALL ( H]1 /OPS ! :OLE WORLD =EV] BY ELIM9AT+ ?AT PA!TIC & PA9$ LITTLE RAG-5D ( IT :I* %E'D /UPIDLY ASSUM$ WAS H]S4 ,H] FUTURE HAS ALWAYS BE5 SU* A MIS]ABLE & /UNT$ ?+ ?AT %E'D ?\<T NOBODY W\LD BO!R TAK+ IT AWAY FROM H] BUT N[ IT'S HAPP5$1 N[ IT'S HAPP5+3 HIS PUDGY COCK-/UB PUN*ES UP 9SIDE H] DRY HOLE FROM BEH9D 9 A RIDICUL\SLY HA/Y SIL5T FILM /ACCATO SO ?AT %E'S AFRAID %E'S GO+ TO />T A K9D ( HIDE\S & OP5-5D$ LAU<T]4 ,M>LA'S SE5 HIS DEAD-EY$ *]UB FACE4 ,%E'S SE5 HIS LIC5SE PLATES & KN[S ?IS IS H] F9I%1 ) H] BLOODY =EHEAD BUMP$ AGA9/ ! ,ESCORT'S RI<T-SIDE RE> DOOR BY EA* ANGRY ?RU/1 EV]Y RES5TFUL BAYONET+4 ,?IS IS ! WORSE-?AN-NO?+ ?AT H] LIFE'S AM\NT$ TO1 ! ?+ %E'S ALWAYS DREAD$1 ALWAYS KN[N W\LD HAPP5 & %E ONLY V5TUR$ \T TONI<T TO PAY = ROCK4 ,%E'LL NEV] HAVE ANO!R HIT N[ & %E DOESN'T C>E4 ,IT'S NOT IMPORTANT1 NEV] WAS IMPORTANT & %E'D GIVE IT UP )\T A SECOND ?\<T1 %E'D GO & LIVE BACK ) H] MOM IF ONLY ?AT MEANT ?AT %E'D LIVE & NOT BE KILL$ 9 ?IS G>AGE 5CLOSURE1 :IMP]+ & P>ALYZ$ ON H] >RIVAL AT ! UNIV]SAL T]M9US4 ,NO?+ %E EV] WANT$ AS A *ILD WILL N[ BE H]S2 NO ONE WILL EV] SAY %E'S SPECIAL1 JU/ ANO!R %ITTY /ORY 9 ! LOCAL PAP]1 ONE MORE USELESS SCRUBB] NOBODY WILL MISS1 RAP$ &1 :AT1 /RANGL$8 ,OH1 NO1 PLEASE NOT ?AT4 ,JU/ ONE BL[4 ,ONE BL[ TO ! HEAD & ?IS IS OV]4 ,NO LA/ DR9K BE=E ! GALL[S1 NO LA/ CIG>ETTE BE=E ! SQUAD />T FIR+4 ,BLOOD & SNOT1 %E UND]/&S1 WILL BE H] ONLY BALM4 ,NEW PO9T ( VIEW4 

,DEZ ,W>N] />ES1 HIS EYES ?OSE ( A HOT & SNORT+ HORSE1 AT TONI<T'S CAT* ) HIS MAGNIFIC5T ]ECTION GO+ 9 & \T ( ITS MUD-COLOR$ CUNT4 ,HE'S SIZZL+ LIKE A GOD OR AN UN/OPPABLE MA*9E & ! ALL-P[]FUL *EMI/RY ?AT'S 9 HIS HEAD R$UCES EV]Y?+ TO ?IS1 ! BACK SEAT ( HIS MOTOR1 TO ?IS SITUATION HE'S CREAT$4 ,:5 HE'D DRIV5 9TO ?IS 5CLOSURE IT GOT WORRI$1 DIDN'T IT1 & />T$ ALL ?AT /UFF TRY+ TO MAKE HIM SEE IT AS A P]SON4 ,TELL+ HIM ITS NAME WAS :AT HAD GOT HIM />T$ ) ! SMACK+ & ! PUN*+1 ALL ( ?AT4 ,IF Y\ DON'T KN[ ! NAME IT C\LD BE ANYBODY1 C\LDN'T IT1 ! ONE (F ,C\NTD[N1 ANYONE AT ALL4 ,IT C\LD BE ,IR5E4 ,EV5 ON ! W$D+ NI<T :5 BO? ( !M W]E PISS$ %E W\LDN'T LET HIM FUCK H] TITS1 %E W\LDN'T SUCK HIM1 NO?+ LIKE ! /UFF Y\ GET 9 MAGS OR ,D,V,DS1 NO?+ LIKE ?AT4 ,NO?+ LIKE ?IS4 ,ALL HIS AW>5ESS C5T]S ON ?AT T+L+ LA/ 9* ( HIS MI<TY RAMROD1 SQUEEZ+ UP 9SIDE A FRI<T5$ FANNY1 FEEL+ SO ELECTRIC ?AT IT MU/ BE GL[+ LIKE ! /ICKS !Y HAVE AT FE/IVALS OR LIKE A R$ HOT POK] :5 ! 5D BIT LOOKS TRANSLUC5T4 ,HE CAN SMELL ! SEX1 ! FE>1 ! TANGY & EXHIL>AT+ S\P ( IT1 OH YEAH1 OH YEAH4 ,HE'S CROSS$ ! L9E ) ?IS & CAN'T GO BACK1 HE KN[S ?AT1 BUT ?IS NEW ?+1 ?IS IS EV]Y?+ ?AT HE WAS ALWAYS MEANT TO BE1 NOT M>*+ 9TO BANKS ) A CRA% HELMET ON & /RONGBOX H&CUFF$ TO HIM1 TRY+ TO LOOK LIKE ,T]M9ATOR = ! GIRLS BEH9D ! C\NT]1 ?AT'S NOT HIM4 ,?IS1 ?IS IS HIM1 ! K+ ( NI<T1 ! K+ ( FUCK & IT'S SO EASY1 :Y DON'T PEOPLE DO IT ALL ! TIME8 ,:ITE NOISE BEH9D ! EYEBALLS1 !RE'S A SORT ( FAULTY /RIP-LI<T FLICK] & HE'S /ILL GOT POP-UP PHANTOMS AT ! CORN]S ( HIS VISION BUT HE DOESN'T C>E4 ,HE [NS ?IS CREATURE'S LIFE4 ,HE CAN DO :AT HE WANTS4 ,IT'S LIKE A DOLL1 IT'S LIKE A FLY Y\'VE CAU<T BUT BETT] = ! CRY+1 BETT] = H[ SC>$ IT IS4 ,HE'S /IFF] ?AN A BOLT1 NEV] AS BIG AS ?IS BE=E & PUMP+ UP & D[N LIKE MAD4 ,HE CAN'T REMEMB] ! EXACT PO9T :5 HE'D MADE HIS M9D UP TO PUT IT \T ( ITS MIS]Y :5 HE WAS DONE1 OR EV5 IF !RE WAS AN EXACT PO9T4 ,IT'S MORE ( A CONT9UUM1 TO BE FAIR2 A SLID+ SCALE :]E HE'S NOT COME TO A DECISION AS SU* BUT HE KN[S IT'S GO+ TO HAPP51 DEF9ITELY4 ,JU/ ! ?\<T ( IT EXCITES HIM & HE'S BANG+ H>D] BUT HIS N]VES >E KICK+ (F LIKE POPCORN & HE'S TRY+ TO %AKE ! FEEL+ ?AT !RE'S SOMEONE ELSE !RE 9 ! C> ) !M4 ,! W9D[-GLASS IS GRAY ) SCALD+ BREA?4 ,DISSOLVE TO SATELLITE P]SPECTIVE4 

,UND]NEA? ITS %R$D$ W$D+ DRESS ( CL\D ! NAK$ GLOBE SWEATS ELECTRICITY1 /ALE BEADS ( LI<T MO/ CONC5TRAT$ 9 ! >MPIT CITIES1 TRICKL+ ?9 9 BREA/BONE VALLEYS4 ,LIMN$ ) GLITT] ! BLACK MAP BEL[ P]SI/S 9 ITS UNHURRI$ PROCESS ( EVAPORATION1 BORD]S ?AT W]E ONLY EV] TOPOGRAPHICAL CONV5I5CES MADE IRRELEVANT BY NEW COMMUNICATIONS M$IA1 AN ONGO+ NEGATION ( GEOGRAPHY ) ?REAT5$ & BELLIG]5T NATIONALISM *URN+ 9 ITS BACKWA%4 ,GYM-FIT VIRUSES TAKE LONG] RUN-UPS TO ! SPECIES B>RI]4 ,UNKEMPT TAXONOMIES ( NOVEL & MORE F9ELY GRAD$ MADNESSES >E DIAGNOS$1 :ILE 9 ,B]L91 ,*ANCELLOR ,M]KEL'S WRAPP+ UP ! OP5+ C]EMONY ( ! ,HAUPTBAHNH( AS ,EUROPE'S BIGGE/ RAILWAY /ATION :5 A /ABB+ RAMPAGE IS COMM5C$ 9 ! ATT5DANT CR[D1 MORE ?AN TWO DOZ5 P]SONS W\ND$ & SIX ( ?OSE CRITICALLY SO4 ,IT'S DISCOV]$ ?AT ONE ( ! E>LIE/ KNIFE-VICTIMS IS ,H,I,V POSITIVE1 TO FUR!R COMPLICATE ! TALLY ( PO/PON$ FATALITIES4 ,NEWLY ACCRET$ ISL&S ( VOLCANIC MATT] RISE UNNOTIC$4 ,9S]T FOOTAGE1 BLACK & :ITE4 

,AN ANGRY SMUDGE ( *ALK & *>COAL1 ,FR$DY ,ALL5 DRAWS A L9E ACROSS ! /REET PLAN ) HIS PASSAGE4 ,/REAM+ 9 A DI%WAT] /OP-MOTION QUEUE ( DOPPELGANG]S ! 9DIGNANT SPECTRAL TRAMP SPLA%ES UNNOTIC$ ?R\< BRICK B>RICADES & BOLL>DS1 ?R\< ! GASE\S BLUR ( FLEET+ AUTOMOBILES & ! GR\ND-FLOOR FLATS ( ! DISABL$1 A FOG BULLET1 DIE-/RAI<T 9 ITS MURD]\S TRAJECTORY4 ,EVICT$ 9 HIS FLICK]+ WAKE ! DISLODG$ <O/S ( FLEAS SEEK NEW ACCOMMODATION1 VAMPIRE JUMP+ BEANS 9 SE>* ( O!R UNHYGI5IC APP>ITIONS1 PL5TIFUL 9 !SE P>TS4 ,RAG+ ?UND]\S & SPL5ETIC AS HE /UMBLES1 EV5 9 ! MUFFLE ( ! <O/-SEAM HIS UNBROK5 H[L ( <A/LY EPI!TS & CURSES IS ! UNREL5T+ RUMBLE ( A D]AIL$ FREI<T TRA9 HURTL+ DIRTY ?R\< ! SLEEP+ DI/RICT1 DRAGG+ A FUN]EAL SC>F ( SMOKE & SPITT+ HOT SP>KS ( PEJORATIVE4 ,) PANT+ LOCOMOTIVE RHY?M ,FR$DY DAMNS ! LOT ( !M1 RAPI/S & R5T-COLLECTORS1 C\NCILORS & CURB-CRAWL]S ALIKE1 ALL VICI\S FI%ES CIRCL+ ! DEPLET$ BAIT-BALL ( ! NEI<BORHOOD4 ,! AN?RACITE :I* KEEPS HIS FURY /OK$1 HE KN[S1 IS M9$ FROM BILE DIRECT$ AT HIMSELF & ! APPALL+ ?+ ?AT HE ONCE NE>LY DID1 ! GUILTY WEI<T ?AT KEEPS HIM MIR$ 9 ?IS MONO*ROMATIC WRAI?-SUMP & ET]NALLY UNWOR?Y ( ! COLOR-DR5*$ EMPORIA ,UP/AIRS4 ,HE FUMES & FULM9ATES 9 AN EXPLETIVE /ORM-FRONT1 RATTL+ AMONG ! SULK+ RESID5TIAL SLABS NAM$ AFT] SA9TS & OV] ATROPHY+ /REETS SEAL$ (F FROM TRAFFIC TO DET] ! SEX TRADE4 ,AS A RAGG$ *A9 ( PAP] DOLLS CUT \T FROM FOLD$ NEWSPR9T ,FR$DY IS REIT]AT$ 9 S*OOL CLASSROOMS1 9 CONSPICU\SLY %RIEK-FREE MOONLI<T CORRIDORS1 EXPLOD+ FROM PREFABRICAT$ WALLS ADORN$ ) G5IAL CRAYON$ GROTESQUES TO SURGE D[N ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET 9 AN AVALAN*E ( C\NTLESS FLAIL+ LIMBS & SPITE-CONTORT$ FACES4 

,CUTT+ (F ! BLUNT$ BOTTOM CORN] ( ,GREYFRI>S ,H\SE HE'S LIKE ANO!R L9E ( GRUBBY WA%+ /RUNG ACROSS ! EMPTY C\RT )91 FLAPP+ & DAMP1 & 9 HIS BILLI>D PROJECTILE RU% HE AT LA/ UND]/&S ! FULL WEI<T ( ! ,MA/] ,BUILD]'S LOAD$ GAZE1 E>LI] ON AT ! E!REAL SNOOK] P>LOR3 IT'S HIM1 ,FR$DY4 ,HE'S ! TRICK %OT1 ! >*ANGEL'S CANNONADE1 SKITT]+ ON ! ,BOR\<S' DOG-F\L$ BAIZE1 ! FULL =CE ( ?AT MI<TY CIRCUM/ANTIAL CUE PROPELL+ HIM1 & ALL TO SAVE ?IS SK9NY LITTLE GIRL8 ,%E MU/ BE SO IMPORTANT TO ! PLAY1 A BLACK OR MI/ILY-REMEMB]$ P9K AT LEA/1 BUT :Y W\LD HE1 W\LD ANYONE SUPPOSE %E WIZN'T8 ,?AT'S NOT RI<T OR FAIR1 DISMISS+ H] BECAUSE ( :AT %E DOES1 BECAUSE %E'S NOT A DOCTOR'S DAU<T]4 ,EV]YBODY WIZ A BABY ONCE & 9NOC5T ( ALL !IR FUTURE4 ,TREMBL+ ECTOPLASM BORN ( WRA? & T5D]NESS WELLS UP 9 SOOT-CREAS$ SOCKETS AS ! LONG-CREMAT$ 9DIG5T SWIRLS 9TO ,L[] ,BA? ,/REET1 RIPPL+ LIKE EYE/RA9 ?R\< PIT* D>K A FOOT ABOVE ! SAGG+ T>MAC &1 AS EV]1 ) NO VISIBLE MEANS ( SUPPORT4 ,/RET*$ SILV] BEADS PASS ?R\< HIM LIKE NEUTR9OS AS IT />TS TO RA94 ,RESUME FULL COLOR & CUE MONTAGE4 

,FROM ?IS VANTAGE1 FEATURES ( ! NATURAL L&SCAPE HAVE BE5 SUP]S$$ BY AB/RACTION1 :]E ! SPOOL+ RIBBON RIV]S >E REPLAC$ BY FI]Y CANALS ( R\T$ 9=MATION1 SLUIC+ FROM ONE LOCK-GATE S]V] TO ANO!R & OBLIVI\S TO M\NTA91 IGNORANT ( SEA4 ,DATA ?AT PREVI\SLY DRIZZL$ ESCALATES TO AN EXTREME WEA!R EV5T4 ,! FA?OM$ KN[L$GE RISES PA/ ITS HA/ILY-DRAWN PLIMSOLL L9E & POPULATIONS F9D !MSELVES \T ( !IR DEP?1 CLUT*+ = /RAWS ( DOGMA OR DIV]T+ NOVELTY AS !Y COMM5CE !IR SURFACE /RUGGLE AT ! RIM ( AN E-MAEL/ROM4 ,SE5 9 OV]VIEW ,W>SAW'S ,PILSUDSKI ,SQU>E IS AN OLD-FA%ION$ COLOR BL9DNESS TE/ C>D1 SWIMM+ ) PALE T9T$ DOTS DESPITE ! P\ND+ RA94 ,FL$GL+ ,POPE ,B5$ICT ! SIXTE5? MAKES HIS FIR/ MAJOR APPE>ANCE 9 ! HOMEL& ( HIS PR$ECESSOR1 TANNOY MUTT] SPUTT]+ AGA9/ ! D[NP\R AS HE REF]5CES ,POPE ,JOHN ,PAUL'S PRAY] ( SOME TW5TY-SEV5 YE>S !RET(ORE1 ASK+ ?AT ! ,HOLY ,<O/ DESC5D & *ANGE ! FACE ( ,POL&1 ?IS PLEA WIDELY HELD TO BE MORE 9/RUM5TAL 9 DISMANTL+ ! ,SOVIET ,UNION ?AN ! ACT$ P]MUTATIONS ( ! WORLD'S IMPLACABLE EQUATION4 ,SPECIES DISAPPE> & NEW DISCOV]IES >E 9TRODUC$ ) ! BREAKNECK TURNOV] ( SOAP-OP]A *>ACT]S4 ,NEWF\NDL& CR[S DEVELOP SECOND>Y TOOL USE1 IMPLEM5TS = MODIFY+ IMPLEM5TS1 & ON ,KILIMANJ>O'S SLOPES UNC\NT$ LI<TN+ BOLTS S[ PRECI\S TANZANITE1 FULGURANT E*OES 9 A COBALT GLASS4 ,CONFLICTS MOVE ON FROM PLACE TO PLACE LIKE HOMICIDAL DRIFT]S1 *ANG+ NAMES & ALT]+ APPE>ANCES :ILE YET RETA9+ SIGNATURE BRUTALITIES4 ,!ORIES PROLIF]ATE4 ,REPEAT 9T]IOR1 NI<T4 

,ROTAT$ SL[LY ON A SPIT ( WAKEFULNESS & P]SPIRATION-GLAZ$1 ,MICK ,W>R5 IS A HOM9ID KEBAB ?AT SLUMB] HAS REGURGITAT$ 9 ! DREAMLESS GUTT]-TR\<S ( AN UN5D+ ,FRIDAY EV5+4 ,GAME-PLAGU$ AS HE FLIPS HIS PILL[ 9 A VA9 SE>* = ITS FABL$ COOL SIDE HE HAS N[ PROGRESS$ TO A CONSID]ATION ( ! PLAY+ C>D4 ,BE=E ! BO>D GAMES ) ! SATISFY+ CREAK ( !IR UNFOLD+ OR ! MY/IQUE ( !IR TOP-HAT TOK5S1 C>DS HAD BE5 ! /APLE RECREATION ( HIS *ILDHOOD 9 ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 ,AT SOME MY/]I\S ADULT SIGNAL1 PASS$ BETWE5 HIS GRAN1 HIS P>5TS & SU* AUNTS OR UNCLES AS W]E PRES5T1 IT W\LD BE DECID$ ?AT A R\ND ( C>DS WAS CALL$ =4 ,! :ITE TEA-TIME TABLECLO? W\LD BE REPLAC$ BY ! F> COZI] DEEP ROSE ONE :I* WAS ,MICK & ,ALMA'S FAVORITE1 & !N FROM ! SIDEBO>D DRAW] ?AT WAS ITS RITUAL RE/+ PLACE ! BATT]$ & REV]$ FAMILIAL DECK WAS NEXT PRODUC$4 ,HE REALIGNS HIS PROBLEMATIC KNEES & TRIES TO CONJURE UP A TACTILE MEMORY ( ! TALISMANIC PACK1 ! WAXY BOX WORN BY ! H&L+ ( AT LEA/ F\R G5]ATIONS & DECL9+ LIKE ! !N-TRADITIONAL EXT5D$ FAMILY UNIT 9EXORABLY T[>DS DIS9TEGRATION1 FOLDS BECOM+ P]=ATIONS4 ,LIKE ! CONV]SE ( ! WEA!R$ PA/EBO>D TILES 9SIDE1 ?IS FRAGILE PACKAG+ HAD BE5 PR$OM9ANTLY PURPLE ON A GR\ND ( TWILI<T LILAC1 :]E A SILH\ETT$ S*OOLGIRL 9 A LONG ,VICTORIAN P9A=E-DRESS B[L$ H] WOOD5 HOOP AMONG MIDSUMM] POPPIES ?R\< ! GA!R+ VIOLET DUSK4 ,B5EA? ! *ILD'S CAP]+ %OES ?IS IMAGE WAS 9V]T$ SO ?AT = SOME YE>S ,MICK HAD BE5 UND] ! IMPRESSION ?AT IT WAS ! +5UE'S REFLECTION 9 A PUDDLE AT H] FEET1 BE=E HE'D NOTIC$ ?AT ! L[] GIRL WAS RUNN+ 9 ! OPPOSITE DIRECTION4 ,EV5 AS A M>OON \TL9E %E'D LOOK$ PRETTY1 & ) H9DSI<T ,MICK SUPPOSES ?AT %E MI<T HAVE BE5 HIS FIR/ CRU%4 ,HE'D BE5 FA9TLY ANXI\S = H] SAFETY1 HE RECALLS4 ,:AT WAS %E DO+ \T SO LATE TO MAKE H] RACE HOME UND] D>K5+ SKIES1 ACROSS ! OV]GR[+ SUMM] MEAD[8 ,HE KN[S ?AT IF %E'D GOT 9TO ANY TR\BLE1 IF !RE'D BE5 SOMEBODY WAIT+ 9 ! TALL MAUVE GRASS = H] OR = H] B\NC+1 TREMBL+ CIRCLET HE'D HAVE WANT$ AT ! AGE ( FIVE TO RESCUE H]1 ?IS BE+ !N ! LIMIT ( HIS AMOR\S IMAG9ATION4 ,N9JA-QUIET 9 HIS DET]M9ATION NOT TO PUNCTURE ,CA?Y'S WELL-E>N$ RE/ HE %IFTS ONCE MORE ONTO HIS BACK1 FACE UP & FRE%LY DEALT4 ,NEW ANGLE4 

,SUP9E1 ! *ALK-\TL9$ PO/URE ( A ,CLU$O VICTIM1 HE REMEMB]S ,ALMA TELL+ HIM AB\T ,VIV ,/AN%ALL FROM ! ,BONZO ,DOG ,B&1 /RET*$ \T FLAT ON /AGE BE=E AN AUDI5CE & TALK+ TO ! RAFT]S3 0,HELLO1 ,GOD4 ,H]E'S :AT ,I LOOK LIKE /&+ UP40 ,IT /RIKES ,MICK ?AT IMAG9+ \RSELVES AS SE5 FROM SOME SUP]IOR ELEVATION1 SOME PROJECT$ & OMNISCI5T PO9T ( VIEW1 IS PROBABLY AS OLD AS LIT]ATURE1 OLD AS CIVILIZATION2 ,H>RYHAUS5'S ,GREEK GODS AT !IR FATALI/IC *ESSBO>D PE]+ D[N ?R\< TATT]$ CIRRUS4 ,P]HAPS MOD]N SKEPTICISM & ! CONSEQU5T DIEBACK ( DEITIES IS :AT HAS MADE SURVEILLANCE CAM]AS NECESS>Y1 TO PRES]VE A S5SE ?AT \R P]=MANCES HAVE ! ATT5TION ( 9VISIBLE SPECTATORS N[ ?AT ,GOD'S GONE1 TO SU/A9 ! NOTION ?AT \R >BITR>Y ACTS >E VALIDAT$ BY UNSE5 AU?ORITIES SAT AT !IR SCRE5S OR AT UNE>?LY GAM+-TABLES1 LOOK+ D[N UPON ! PLAY4 ,MICK RE/S A BLOND-FUZZ$ =E>M ON HIS BR[ & %IMM]+ AMONG ! %OAL ( SLIPP]Y NI<T-SPAWN+ RUM9ATIONS 9 HIS CAT* !RE IS A FUGITIVE IMPRESSION ( H[ EV]Y?+ IS FLATT5$ :5 P]CEIV$ FROM OV]HEAD1 FROM ! P]SPECTIVE ( ! PLAY]4 ,FLEET+LY HE WOND]S IF !SE HYPO!TICAL CELE/IAL GAMBL]S W\LD SEE EV]YONE AS BE+ TWO-DIM5SIONAL1 AS HI]OGLYPHS ) NO MORE DEP? OR SUB/ANCE ?AN ! 9V]SELY REFLECT$ ROYALTY COMPRESS$ ONTO ! C\RT-C>DS1 BUT ! ?\<T MELTS TO ! SLAP ( TRUMPS ON A R$ TABLECLO?4 ,! ?+S !Y'D PLAY$ D[N ,&REW'S ,ROAD W]E EX]CISES 9 PRECISELY REGULAT$ T$IUM - ,:I/1 ,SEV5S1 ,DRAW-!-,WELL-,DRY - ?\< HE'D F\ND !M ALL SUFFICI5TLY 5GAG+ AT ! TIME4 ,JU/ AS EA* WIRELESS1 MOTORC> OR SOCKET SEEM$ TO HAVE A FACE1 SO TOO HAD EV]Y C>D POSSESS$ ITS [N DI/9CT *>ISMA1 FROM ! ALMO/ MILIT>Y =MATION ( ! FIVES TO ! PREC>I\SLY /ACK$ CRATES ( ! N9ES4 ,! ACES1 9 !IR AB/RACT GR&EUR1 HAD BE5 ! F\R >*ANGELS OR MAYBE ! QU>TET ( FUNDAM5TAL =CES CON/ITUT+ SPACETIME1 SPADES BEWILD]+LY S+L$ \T BY AN IMPRESSIVE ,GO?IC FILIGREE4 ,?IS ATTRIBUTION ( A P]SONALITY TO EA* DESIGN REM9DS HIM ( ! T>OT IMAGES HIS SI/] MA9TA9S BO? PREC$E & S]VE AS BASIS = ! ORD9>Y DECK1 ! /ACK ( >*ETYPAL BUBBLEGUM COLLECTIBLES ?AT ,ALMA DRAGS TO ,MICK'S H\SE EV]Y YE> AT ,*RI/MAS D9N]TIME SO ?AT %E CAN READ ,CA?Y'S =TUNE OR AT LEA/ PRET5D TO2 ,HANG$ ,MAN1 ,*>IOT & ALL ! RE/ ( ! UNSETTL+ CREW1 AS IF ?AT'S ANY SORT ( PROP] SEASONAL TRADITION4 ,TO HE> HIS CR[-SC>+ ELD] SIBL+ TELL IT1 ,DRAW-!-,WELL-,DRY IS D]IV$ FROM DIV9ATION :ILE ALL BO>D-BAS$ PA/IMES >E DESC5D$ FROM ?OSE TRICKY MAGIC SQU>ES :]E ALL ! R[S & COLUMNS ADD TO ! SAME NUMB]1 AS ?\< EV]Y 9NOC5T & COMMONPLACE PURSUIT W]E ONLY A DEG5]AT$ =M ( SORC]Y4 ,%E HAS A WILLFULLY ,C>PA?IAN WORLDVIEW1 ,ALMA1 AL?\< N[ HE ?9KS AB\T IT GAMES MI<T WELL HAVE HAD SOME METAPHYSICAL OR MORE IMPORTANT HUMAN FUNCTION BACK AT !IR 9CEPTION1 JUDG+ FROM ! T]M9OLOGY F\ND EV]Y:]E 9 LANGUAGE4 ,HUNT+ SOME ANIMAL D[N & KILL+ IT1 ?AT MAKES IT GAME4 ,BE+ PREP>$ TO C>RY \T SOME ACT IS TO BE GAME4 ,SOME?+ ?AT (F]S EASY OPPORTUNITIES = EXPLOITATION IS REG>D$ AS FAIR GAME & !N ( C\RSE !RE'S PRO/ITUTION1 GO+ ON ! GAME4 ,GAME FACE1 GAME ON1 GAME OV]1 PLAYS ( LI<T & SPORTS ( NATURE1 ,E9/E9 MAK+ \T ,GOD DOES NOT DICE ) MATT]4 ,MICK'S NOT SURE AB\T ! LA/ ( !SE1 SUSPECT+ ?AT NOT ONLY DO ! P[]S ?AT RUN ! UNIV]SE DO A FAIR BIT ( %AK+1 RATTL+ & ?R[+1 BUT ?AT G5]ALLY !Y DO ?IS SO ! DIE 5D UP BEH9D ! SETTEE & Y\ HAVE TO TAKE !IR WORD AB\T ! D\BLE SIX4 ,) A DISMISSIVE GRUNT DIRECT$ AT ! C]TA9TIES ( PHYSICS & RELIGION HE ELECTS TO TAKE ANO!R PUNT ON SLUMB] & BEG9S TO GRADUALLY ROLL ! BONES ONTO HIS LEFT SIDE1 FAC+ ,CA?Y'S CURL$ BACK4 ,COME ON1 COME ON1 JU/ ?IS ONCE BE LUCKY4 ,9S]T JUMP-CUT SEQU5CE4 

,SPREAD BEL[1 AN ORI5TAL C>PET REALIZ$ 9 FIB] OPTICS1 !RE >E CAUSAL CURLICUES2 !RE >E AFFRAY MOTIFS4 ,9 ,SCOTL& A HUMANIT>IAN AW>D COMMEMORAT+ ,ROB]T ,BURNS IS GIV5 TO A Y\?FUL RELIEF WORK] 9 ,BA<DAD1 ALBEIT PO/HUM\SLY4 ,9 ,P]U A CLA% ( ADV]S>IAL SUPPORT]S AT ! RUN-UP TO ELECTIONS 5DS ) 9JURY & GUNFIRE1 & 9 ,H]E=D ,WE/ ,M]CIA ,POLICE APPEAL = WITNESSES AFT] A MAN IS VIOL5TLY ASSAULT$ BY A GR\P ( TE5AG]S4 ,) ,M&ELBROT SELF-SIMIL>ITY1 /RUCTURES REPEAT AT DIFF]5T SCALES ?R\<\T ! SY/EM & !RE REMA9S AMBIGUITY REG>D+ :E!R H>M IS P]COLAT$ UP OR ELSE DECANT$ D[N4 ,WRA? BOILS & /EAMS1 :]E SOON !REAFT] COLD & RU?LESS COND5SATION IS PRECIPITAT$ AS A TRICKL$ LEGISLATION4 ,! RESULTANT CULTURE1 9T]NAL COMBU/ION DRIV51 IS A CL[N C> ONLY JOLT$ =W>D BY A S]IES ( EXPLOSIONS1 )\T ANY L9E> PROGRESSION & NO 5T]TA9M5T VALUE SAVE 9 ! ANTICIPATION ( ! VEHICLE'S 9EVITABLE KNOCKAB\T COLLAPSE4 ,A P9-MOLD CREEP ( NEON M$IA ADORNS ! PLANET'S C>CASS IDEOLOGIES1 METABOLIZ+ 9COH]5T *AOS 9TO PALATABLE N>RATIVE1 AN $IT$ AW>5ESS ( EXP]I5TIAL DELUGE4 ,9 NE>-EXT9CT NEWSROOMS /ILL P]FUM$ BY CIG>ETTE SMOKE1 TELEPHONE CALLS ( ! NEWSWOR?Y >E 9T]CEPT$1 VICTIM'S FAMILY OR ADULT]\S CELEBRITY ALIKE1 :ILE 9 ! ,CONGO BRUTAL T]RITORIAL DISPUTES >E WAG$ OV] ! M9+ ( ! NECESS>Y TANTALUM REQUIR$ BY EV]Y TRILL+ MOBILE &1 LIKE ,TANTALUS1 ! WORLD DISCOV]S ITS ANTICIPAT$ BANQUET FUTURE DISAPPE>$4 ,PR$ATORS MORE ACCU/OM$ TO ! HI<] REA*ES ( ! FOOD *A9 >E COMPELL$ TO %9 D[N SEV]AL BLOOD-OIL$ L9KS 9 SE>* ( ALLEY-SCRAPS4 ,ZOOM 9 ?R\< ICY FLI<T-PA?S & COP-COPT] ALTITUDES ON ,L[] ,BA? ,/REET4 

,:5 HE COMES1 %E GOES1 OR AT LEA/ ?AT IS ,M>LA'S NUMB APPRAISAL ( H] LIKELY S*$ULE4 ,! ABRASIVE & CONT9UAL P5ETRATION GO+ ON BEH9D H] IS REMOTE1 JU/ AS P]SI/5T HAMM]+ 9 ANO!R ROOM BECOMES IGNORABLE1 9AUDIBLE ) ! MONOTONY ( REPETITION4 ,DRI$ PEAS RATTLE ON ! VEHICLE RO( ABOVE & %E IS DI/ANTLY AW>E ?AT IT HAS />T$ RA9+4 ,R>E EV5 AMONG ! RANKS ( H] IMP]SONAL CLI5TELE !RE IS NO 9TIMACY OR 9VOLVEM5T 9 ?IS FR5ZI$ PUMMEL+1 ?IS PUNI%M5T CLE>LY DIRECT$ AT SOMEBODY O!R ?AN H]SELF1 A PRIVATE RITUAL FROM :I* %E IS EXCLUD$4 ,HANG+ D[N >\ND H] DAMAG$ FACE ! BRAIDS SW+ BACK & =?1 A F9AL CURTA91 JOLT$ BY EA* 9COM+ P]CUSSIVE IMPACT4 ,!RE IS SOME?+ 9 ! SITUATION ?AT IS HORRIBLY 9VOLUNT>Y1 AS IF NEI!R %E NOR H] ROSY ASSAILANT >E P>TICIPAT+ ( !IR [N FREE WILL1 BO? ( !M CLATT]+ & J]K+ 9 AN UGLY PUPPET DRAMA :I* IS SIMPLY HAPP5+ BECAUSE IT IS4 ,%E HAS NO *OICE EXCEPT TO SIT ?R\< ?IS LACKLU/] RECITATION TO ITS UNAMBIGU\SLY BITT] 5D1 A CAPTIVE AUDI5CE TO ?IS MAN'S MUTE SOLILOQUY1 ?IS /ATEM5T ?R\< ! M$IUM ( RAPE4 ,DETA*$1 )\T A SPEAK+ P>T1 %E AF=DS ! PRODUCTION H] ATT5TIONS ONLY 9T]MITT5TLY4 ,%E ALMO/ RECOGNIZES ! P]=M] ON H] KNEES 9 ! SUPPORT+ ROLE1 ! CONCAVE *EEKS TRACK$ ) MASC>A & ! DISAPPO9T$ LITTLE FACE1 EYES />+ FIX$LY 9TO ! D>K ( ! ,ESCORT'S 9T]IOR & FILL$ ) FLAT ACCEPTANCE ( ?IS MIS]ABLE D5\EM5T1 ?IS ABRUPT & MEAN+LESS CONCLUSION1 EXCEPT :O IS ?IS ?AT MAKES !SE OBS]VATIONS1 & FROM :]E8 ,SOMEONE :O ISN'T ,M>LA1 EVID5TLY4 ,SOMEONE ) A DIFF]5T NAME1 ) CLE> ?\<TS UN5CUMB]$ BY ! CLAMORS ( ANXIETY & NE$1 SOMEBODY LOOK+ ON ) ONLY DULL REGRET1 AS ?\< REFLECTIVELY1 AT AN EV5T TRANSPIR$ ALREADY4 ,?IS UNPREC$5T$ NI<T1 HAS IT OCCURR$ BE=E OR IS IT 9 SOME FA%ION ALWAYS HAPP5+1 !SE GIANT F9AL MOM5TS ?AT SEEM SO MU* BIGG] & MORE ABSOLUTE ?AN !Y APPE>$ FROM FUR!R (F8 ,! LEA!RETTE B5EA? H] /ICKY PALMS1 ! G>I% & S5SATIONAL PULP COLORS ( C> DIALS & 9/RUM5TS DEL9EAT+ ! SC5>IO1 EA* VIVID ELEM5T AS RESONANT & HAUNT+LY FAMILI> AS ,MISS ,HAV]%AM 9 FLAMES1 AS ! BIG ,9DIAN PATI5T SMA%+ ! ASYLUM W9D[ ) A WAT]-COOL]1 AS ?OSE IMAGES FROM LIT]ATURE OR FILM ?AT BLAZE 9 /A9$-GLASS HUES \TSIDE ( MUNDANE TIME4 ,) ANIMAL OBEISANCE %E ADVANCES ON H] DISMAL 5D+1 DOGGY-/YLE1 ON SORE KNEES FRICTION-BURN$ BY ! SEAT-COV]+ T[>DS ! PRECIPICE1 ! $GE ( DEA?4 ,!RE IS NO TUNNEL SAVE ! FOCUS$ CL>ITY ( H] P]CEPTION1 NO :ITE LI<T EXCEPT = AN OCCASIONALLY WAKEFUL MOTION-S5SOR FITT$ TO ONE ( ! G>AGES4 ,LIFE FAILS TO FLA% BE=E H] EYES & YET %E F9DS H]SELF PREOCCUPI$ ) ! MO/ 9SIGNIFICANT ( DETAILS FROM H] E>?LY DRAMA1 ! ,DIANA SCRAPBOOK & ! MORBID LIBR>Y ( ,RIPP] MEMORABILIA4 ,H] PREVI\S FIXATION ON !SE SUBJECTS1 ) SU* SPECIFICITY1 IS N[ 9COMPREH5SIBLE & SITS MORE LIKE UNCONSCI\S OM5 ?AN ! R&OM HOBBY %E'D PRESUM$3 %E IS AB\T TO JO9 ! SORRY FILE ( DOXIES 9 !IR PETTICOATS & BONNETS1 VICTIMS ( ESS5TIALLY ! SAME MAN D[N ACROSS ! AGES1 ALWAYS ,JACK1 & FUR!RMORE %E IS TO SUFF] H] PROTRACT$1 PA9FUL T]M9ATION 9 ! RE> SEAT ( A C>4 ,?IS MEAN 5CLOSURE ) ITS /AMM]+ ILLUM9ATION ISN'T A ,PONT DE L',ALMA1 IS NO BRIDGE ( S\LS1 AL?\< 9 ! CONF9+ BRICKWORK & HAPHAZ>D PAP>AZZI BUR/S ( BRILLIANCE ! DI/9CTION ALL BUT VANI%ES4 ,ALL PLACES >E DI/ILL$ TO ?IS PLACE JU/ AS ALL ( HI/ORY R$UCES TO !SE LA/ FEW PRECI\S & EXCRUCIAT+ M9UTES4 ,EV]Y HUMAN /ORY1 ?\< IT BE BIOGRAPHY OR WILD ROMANCE OR PRIMAL N>RATIVE ( OLD1 BOILS D[N TO H] & ?IS1 H] PRES5T SITUATION4 ,WELL AW>E ?AT EA* BREA? REPRES5TS A C\NTD[N %E SUCKS 9 ! BACKSEAT ATMOSPH]E ( S\R+ %OCK & COPULATION GRATEFULLY1 EXULT+ 9 ! SOON-CURTAIL$ DELI<T ( 9HALATION4 ,WAT]+1 H] EYES REFUSE TO BL9K1 TO MISS A S+LE PHOTON 9 ?IS LA/ P>ADE ( LI<T & EYESI<T1 />+ AT ! 9SIDE H&LE ( ! C> DOOR ONLY 9*ES FROM H] /REAM+ NOSE BUT1 9 ! PROCESS ( H] DIS5GAGEM5T FROM ! WORLD1 UNABLE TO REMEMB] :AT IT IS %E'S LOOK+ AT4 ,NEW PO9T ( VIEW4 

,ME*ANICALLY HE PULLS HALF \T & PU%ES 91 ! ACTION LOOP$1 BUT SOME?+ ( ! MAGIC PAT9A IS GONE1 AS SUBTLE AS A *ANGE ( FILM-/OCK OR A %IFT FROM DIGITAL ,T,V BACK TO PLA9 ANALOG4 ,\TSIDE ! LUR*+ C> IT'S PISS+ D[N1 AL?\< HE CAN'T RECALL ! ONSET ( ! %[]4 ,HE'S />T+ TO FEEL MOODY \T ( NO:]E1 ?\<TS & ?AT1 MO/ PROBABLY CONNECT$ ) ! P[D]S ?AT HE'S ON4 ,?\<TS LIKE ',Y\'LL BE CUT (F FROM O!R PEOPLE AFT] ?IS'1 NOT IF HE'S CAU<T BECAUSE ?AT ISN'T GO+ TO HAPP51 BUT BECAUSE ( :AT HE WILL HAVE DONE ?AT MAKES HIM SEP>ATE FROM EV]YBODY4 ,?\<TS LIKE ',AFT] ?IS Y\ MU/N'T BE Y\RSELF ) ANYONE' BECAUSE AFT] TONI<T HE'LL BE A DIFF]5T P]SON 9 A DIFF]5T WORLD & NOBODY MU/ EV] KN[ HIM1 :O HE REALLY IS4 ,! REAL ,D]EK ,JAMES ,W>N]1 #d#b1 WILL BE EXCLUD$ FROM ALL NORMAL 9T]ACTIONS ) HIS MATES1 HIS KIDS1 ) ,IR5E1 & WILL ONLY PROP]LY EXI/ ON NI<TS LIKE ?IS4 ,?IS IS ! 5D ( :O HE WAS1 BUT HE CAN'T /OP4 ,! ?+ HE'S DO+ N[1 ! ?+ HE PLANS ON DO+ AFT]W>DS1 SOON] OR LAT] ?IS WAS ALWAYS GO+ TO HAPP51 EV] S9CE HE FIR/ LE>N$ ( ! CONCEPT AS A S*OOLBOY4 ,DEZ IS 9 A FOAM+1 *>G+ CURR5T ( EV5TS ) NO?+ HE CAN DO EXCEPT SURR5D]1 B[ TO ! 9EVITABLE4 ,ALL HIS LIFE ?US F> WAS LEAD+ TO ?IS MOM5T JU/ AS ALL HIS FUTURE WILL PROCE$ FROM ?IS SAME PO9T1 9DELIBLE 9 MEMORY SO ?AT TO ALL 9T5TS & PURPOSES HE'S ALWAYS GO+ TO BE H]E1 H]E & N[1 AT LEA/ 9SIDE HIS HEAD & ?IS IS ALWAYS GO+ TO BE HAPP5+4 ,HE'S LIKE A FLY 9 AMB]1 EYELIDS SQUEEZ+ TO A CRAYON SCRIBBLE1 NOSE COMPRESS+ 9TO RIDGES LIKE A COLLAPS$ PAP] LANT]N & ! AWN+ ( ! L[] LIP ROLL$ D[N4 ,HE %OVES HIS COCK 9 & HE %OVES HIS COCK 9 & AT ! P]IPH]IES ( VISION CAT*ES SI<T ( DA%BO>D GL9TS 9 GRE5 & R$4 ,HE KN[S ?AT ONLY *EMICALS >E CAUS+ ! ILLUSION ( MISMAT*$ EYES WAT*+ HIM DISPASSIONATELY ?R\< ! AMBI5T BLUR1 YET CANNOT %AKE ! S5SE ( A ?IRD P>TY BE>+ WITNESS FROM ! DRIV]'S SEAT1 AN UN9T5D$ & UNWANT$ PASS5G] HE CAN'T REMEMB] PICK+ UP4 ,HE'S NEV] BE5 A DRUGS MAN1 ,D]EK4 ,HE'S NOT US$ TO ALL ?IS1 ) ?+S %IFT+ EV]Y:]E & H[ HE FEELS AB\T /UFF %IFT+ ALONG ) !M1 LIKE A LION ONE M9UTE & ! NEXT HE'S GOT ! HORRORS1 ! UNBE>ABLE S5SATION SOME?+ T]RIBLE IS JU/ AB\T TO HAPP5 OR1 WORSE1 IS ALREADY HAPP5+4 ,HE HOLDS ! BUBBL+ 9CIPI5T PANIC D[N1 CONC5TRATES ON ! JOB 9 H&4 ,L[]+ HIS GAZE HE LOOKS AT :AT HE'S DO+1 AT ! HAIRY DAGG] PLUNG+ 9 ! SLIMY W\ND1 HIS ?UMBS HOLD+ ! NEGLIGIBLE ASS-*EEKS OP5 & AP>T4 ,!RE'S A M9USCULE PUNCTUATION-PO9T ( %IT CL++ TO ! EXT]IOR ( ! CL5*+ SPH9CT] :]E IT'S NOT WIP$ ITSELF PROP]LY1 ! DIRTY FUCK+ ANIMAL4 ,HE HATES IT1 HATES IT = JU/ HAV+ /OOD !RE ON ! CORN] 9 ITS ,P,V,C COAT WAIT+ = HIM2 = P>TICIPAT+ & = LETT+ HIM GO ?R\< ) ?IS4 ,! HATR$ MAKES HIM H>D]1 GIVES HIM FOCUS1 & HE'S JU/ BEG9N+ TO CONSID] H[ HE'S GO+ TO KILL IT AFT] HE'S DONE FUCK+ IT :5 \T ?R\< ! FRONT W9DSCRE5'S BEAD$ GLASS HE NOTICES ?AT !RE APPE>S TO BE A FIRE OR SOME?+ 9 ONE ( ! NE>BY G>AGES1 ) SMOKE ESCAP+ \T FROM UND] ! CLOS$ 444 NO4 ,NO1 ?AT'S NOT QUITE :AT'S HAPP5+4 ,HE SQU9TS & FR[NS1 BEWILD]$1 PAUS+ HIS CONVULSIVE PELVIC BACK-&-=? :ILE /RUGGL+ TO MAKE S5SE ( :AT HE'S SEE+4 ,! GRAY SMOKE - NOT SMOKE EXACTLY1 BE+ SL[ & VISC\S - SEEMS TO BLE$ \T ?R\< ! CORRUGAT$ METAL ( ! G>AGE DOOR & ITS SURR\ND+ BRICKWORK LIKE AN EXHALATION1 AN EXPRESSION ( ! DAMP & MIS]Y ?AT SOAKS ! WALLS 9 NEI<BORHOODS LIKE ?IS4 ,CURDL$ & SEE?+ 9 ! OIL-/A9 GLOOM ! SLUGGI% VAPOR LOOKS TO BE COLLECT+ 9 ONE SPOT1 ROTAT+ LANGUIDLY AN 9* ABOVE ! T>MAC & MU* LIKE ONE ( ?OSE LITT]-:IRLW9DS ?AT HE'S SOMETIMES SE5 9 C> P>KS1 CYCLONES ( DISC>D$ RUBBI%4 ,:AT ! FUCK IS GO+ ON8 ,PUT (F HIS /ROKE HE S(T5S & SLIDES \T1 SLIPS (F ! NE/ ALMO/ UNNOTIC$ AS HE GAZES ?R\< ! TRICKL+ GLASS 9TO ! GRADUALLY REVOLV+ & RESOLV+ FRONT ( UGLY WEA!R1 SO UNNATURALLY LOCALIZ$4 ,! %IFT+ CR5ULATIONS >BITR>ILY TAKE ON A HO/ ( MOM5T>Y SEMBLANCES LIKE ! :ITE1 ,P]SIL-LAUND]$ CL\DS HE ?9KS HE CAN RECALL FROM *ILDHOOD ONLY GRUBBI]1 MORE HURRI$LY1 & ) LESS ROOM = :IMSY OR 9T]PRETATION4 ,!RE'S A CONE ( FIL?Y FOG BY N[ & UP T[>DS ! TOP - 0,FUCK6 ,FUCK1 :AT'S ?AT80 - T[>DS ! TOP SLIM A%5 ?READS & T5DRILS WRI! LIKE BILE 9 TOILET-WAT]1 ACCID5TALLY CURL+ TO ! CONT\RS ( AN AGITAT$ OLD MAN'S FACE4 ,!N SUDD5LY !RE'S LOTS ( FACES1 ALL ! SAME & SCREAM+ )\T MAK+ ANY NOISE1 EYES MULTIPLY+ TO A /R+ ( HO/ILE1 GLI/5+ JELLIES4 ,SEV]AL M\?S ID5TICALLY DECAY$ & TOO?LESS OP5 9 ! PLE?ORA ( SMOLD]+ HEADS1 & FLOCKS ( UNWA%$ H&S RISE FLUTT]+ LIKE OV]SIZE FACTORY BUTT]FLIES4 ,HE F9DS HE'S MAK+ AN 9VOLUNT>Y PLA9TIVE NOISE HI< 9 HIS S9USES & AT ! SAME TIME NOTICES ! NI<T AIR SPLA%$ ON HIS P]PETUALLY BLU%+ *EEK 9 A COLD WAT] GU/4 ,:AT'S 444 FUCK1 IT'S GOT ! DOOR OP51 IT'S GETT+ \T4 ,IT HAD BE5 FRI<T5$ AT ! />T1 DID :AT HE TOLD IT & HE HADN'T BO!R$ ) ! LOCK4 ,FUCK4 ,FUCK6 ,IT SLI!RS ON ITS BELLY LIKE A SEAL TAK+ TO WAT]1 TUMBL+ FACE-FIR/ FROM ! C> 9TO ! T>MAC BLACK \TSIDE & ?\< HE LUNGES = A /ICK-?9 ANKLE ALL HE COMES AWAY ) IS A ,C9D]ELLA %OE4 

0,Y\ COME BACK H]E6 ,Y\ COME BACK H]E1 Y\ CUNT60 

,=GETT+ 9 ! FUGUE & FURY ( ! 9/ANT ! HALLUC9ATION ?AT HAD SO DI/RACT$ HIM1 HE SCRAMBLES AWKW>DLY \T ( ! VEHICLE 9TO ! RA9 AFT] HIS BOLT+ PREY ) FLIES UNDONE & MURD] 9 HIS BOOTS4 ,CUT TO NEW PO9T ( VIEW & 9S]T FOOTAGE1 BLACK & :ITE4 

,?R\< BRICK & METAL ONLY FIFTY YE>S ?ICK AT ! V]Y \TSIDE BOILS ! 9CORPOREAL MOO*] ) HIS KETTLE SCREAM ( ANG] RIS+ EV5 ?R\< ! CORPSE AC\/IC ( ! <O/-SEAM4 ,!RE IS HIS FA9T1 SUDD5 SC5T ( DAMP & MILDEW EV]Y:]E AS ) GRAY CEMET]Y EYES HE DR9KS ! D>K ( ! 5CLOSURE ) ITS SPITT+ PUDDLES & MAKES \T ! FUCK-SPRUNG VEHICLE /OOD ROCK+ AT ITS C5T]4 ,$GE /IT*$ ) PALE PHOSPHORESC5CE 9 HIS WRAI?-SI<T HE CAN SEE A /\T MAN1 P]SPIRATION /REAM+ ON HIS *OIRBOY *EEKS AS HE KNEELS UPRI<T 9 ! RE> SEATS %UNT+ BACK & =? REPETITIVELY1 A /UCK DODGEM4 ,FR$DY DOESN'T NE$ TO SEE ! FRI<T5$ GIRL CR\*$ LIKE A DOG 9 FRONT ( HIM TO KN[ EXACTLY :AT HE'S DO+1 OH ! C[>DLY LITTLE SPECK ( %IT1 ! DIRTY BUGG] & ! WOR/ ?+ IS !RE'S TWO ( !M1 TWO ( !M TO ONE SK9NY LITTLE LASS4 ,HE'S GOT HIS MATE !RE ) HIM1 SITT+ 9 ! DRIV]'S SEAT ) A BIG TITF] ON & />+ /RAI<T \T ?R\< ! W9DSCRE5 SO ?AT IF Y\ KNEW NO BETT] Y\ MI<T ?9K ?AT HE WAS GL>+ RI<T AT ,FR$DY ) HIS DIFF]5T-LOOK+ PEEP]S1 ONE D>K & ! O!R 444 OH4 ,OH1 BLOODY HELL4 ,IT'S NOT ANO!R MAN AT ALL4 ,IT'S SOME?+ A SI<T WORSE & ,FR$DY'S B[ELS W\LD TURN TO WAT] IF !Y W]5'T ALREADY /EAM4 ,! MOTOR HAS A FI5D 9 ITS FRONT SEAT1 ONE ( ! GR&] & MORE FRI<T5+ ONES1 ! K9D MU* TALK$ AB\T YET R>ELY SE5 & GAZ+ FIX$LY AT ,FR$DY ) MISMAT*$ EYES & A KN[+ SMILE ?AT'S ALL BUT LO/ AMONG ! CURLS ( HIS B9DWE$ MU/A*E & BE>D4 ,IT'S ! SAME LOOK ! ,MA/] ,BUILD] GAVE HIM E>LI] UP AT ! SNOOK] HALL3 AN EX*ANG$ GLANCE1 A MUTUAL ACKN[L$GM5T ?AT ?IS IS IT1 ?IS IS ! CRUCIAL 9CID5T ?AT ,FR$DY'S :OLE EXI/5CE1 BO? 9 FLE% & FOG1 HAS BE5 9 AID (4 ,HE HAS A PR(\ND CONVICTION ?AT ! SMIRK+ DEVIL ISN'T H]E = HIM TONI<T1 UNLESS 9 ! CAPACITY ( AN AMUS$ SPECTATOR4 ,IT WON'T H>M HIM IF HE TRIES TO 9T]RUPT ! %AMEFUL BUS9ESS GO+ ON 9 ! BACK SEAT1 HE KN[S ?AT4 ,IT'S ALMO/ AS IF IT'S GRANT+ HIM A SPECIAL DISP5SATION TO DO ALL ! ?+S :I* SPECT]S %\LDN'T REALLY DO1 )\T FE> ( REPRISAL4 ,HE'S ALL[$ TO HAUNT1 TO BE A *>NEL T]ROR ( ! MO/ EXTRAVAGANT V>IETY1 & IF ?IS %\LD 9DE$ BE ,FR$DY ,ALL5'S MOM5T !N HE ISN'T GO+ TO FLUFF IT4 ,PE]+ PA/ ! 9F]NAL CELEBRITY 9TO ! BLACK ,=D ,ESCORT'S RE> HE IS 5C\RAG$ TO OBS]VE ?AT ! P]PETUALLY-BLU%+ P]PETRATOR HAS ABRUPTLY CEAS$ 9 HIS COMPULSIVE ?RU/+1 KNEEL+ MOTIONLESS & SQU9T+ 9 BELLIG]5T BEWILD]M5T \T ?R\< ! MI/$ GLASS1 APP>5TLY AT ,FR$DY4 ,IS IT POSSIBLE ! MAN CAN SEE HIM SOMEH[1 ?R\< ! AG5CY ( DR9K OR DRUGS OR PSY*IATRIC AILM5T8 ,BY WAY ( EXP]IM5T ! SMOLD]+ VAGRANT %AKES HIS HEAD & WAVES HIS >MS >\ND SO ?AT HIS FOLIAGE ( P]SI/+ AFT]-IMAGES BLOSSOMS 9TO A FAG-A% HYDRA1 PALE H&S A FA/-BRE$+ NE/ ( BL9D :ITE SPID]S & A RHEUMY FROGSPAWN CLOT ( EYES1 REW>D$ BY A DEEP5+ ( ! RAPI/'S PUZZL$ FR[N1 A FUR!R SLACK5+ ( HIS BLANCMANGE JAW4 ,OH1 YES4 ,OH1 HE'S ON SOME?+1 RI<T 5\<4 ,HE'S GOT ! SI<T1 ! DEADEYE1 & IT'S PUT HIM (F HIS /ROKE1 ?IS GRAY GROTESQUE1 ?IS 9ABILITY TO MAKE \T :AT HE'S LOOK+ AT4 ,IT'S LIKE HE'S SE5 A <O/4 ,FLEX+ HIS ECTOPLASM ,FR$DY FEELS ! BILI\S ?RILL ( UNACCU/OM$ POT5CY DIFFUS+ ?R\< HIS DISMAL VAPORS1 AN ACCEPTANCE ( ! T]RIFY+1 RAGG$ ?+ HE IS REFLECT$ 9 ! PLUMP MAN'S %RIVEL+ PUPILS4 ,AS HE GA!RS UP ! DIRE CUMULONIMBUS ( HIS C\NT5ANCE = AN ASSAULT HE REALIZES SOME?+ IS OCCURR+ 9 ! C>1 EV5TS TO :I* HIS PRES5CE MAY OR MAY NOT BE CONNECT$4 ,!RE'S A CLICK1 FA9T 9 ! AUDITORY MUFFLE1 :I* ! SCRUFFY PHANTOM RETROACTIVELY ID5TIFIES AS A RE> SIDE DOOR OP5$ FROM )94 ,! DAZ$ ASSAILANT BREAKS FROM HIS FIX$ SCRUT9Y ( ,FR$DY TO SURVEY HIS VICTIM & IMM$IATELY GIVES A B>K ( ?W>T$ RAGE4 

0,Y\ COME BACK H]E6 ,Y\ COME BACK H]E1 Y\ CUNT60 

,?AT ISN'T RI<T4 ,?AT'S NOT A WORD Y\ USE AB\T A WOMAN4 ,FR$DY ROLLS 9 CR9KL+ CREMATORIUM BILL[S1 *URN+ =W>D = A BETT] VANTAGE BUT IMM$IATELY BR\<T UP %ORT BY :AT HE SEES4 ,! GIRL1 !RE'S NOT TWO P5N'O? ( MEAT ON H]1 SLI!RS FROM ! P>TLY-OP5$ CRACK 9 H] CONDEMN$ CELL ) H] FACE A /ICKY MASK ( BLOOD1 NEWBORN 9TO ! NI<T4 ,AT ,FR$DY'S BACK1 ]RATIC FLA%ES FROM AN 9EXPLICABLY DISABL$ G>AGE LI<T PICK \T H] DESP]ATE ESCAPE-ATTEMPT 9 A DI/RESS+ S]IES ( ,BOX ,BR[NIE SNAP%OTS1 SCRABBL+ ON H] /OMA*1 TRY+ PA9FULLY TO CLIMB ONTO H] H&S & LADD]$ KNEES ) SC>LET SCABB+ ON H] C>EFUL PLAITS1 CRAWL+ T[>DS ! DI/ANT M\? ( ! OIL-/A9$ CORRAL :I* %E MU/ KN[ %E DOESN'T HAVE A HOPE 9 HELL ( REA*+4 ,FROM ! C> ! BLU/]+ VILLA9 LUNGES1 NAVIGAT+ ! HAPHAZ>D BRI<T & PIT* D>K ) A LADIES' %OE 9 ONE H& LIKE A TOMAHAWK & HIS OLD FELL] HANG+ \T1 AN OV]HEAT$ DOG-TONGUE1 FROM HIS GAP+ TR\S]S4 ,SURG+ 9 A SOOTY1 VISC\S /REAM] ?R\< ! DEMI-WORLD'S NE> SIL5CE1 ,FR$DY ,ALL5 & HIS TRAIL+ SCRUM ( LOOKALIKES FLOOD 9 TO OCCUPY ! DW9DL+ SPACE BETWE5 ! CRAWL+1 KE5+ WOMAN & H] P]SECUTOR1 BABY-FAC$ ) D>K HAIR PLA/]$ TO HIS =EHEAD BY ! D[NP\R'S BRILLIANT9E1 A SPUTT]+ & 9DIGNANT OLD-/YLE BULLY4 ,?R\< A HU%$ & FLICK]+ REALM ( SCRAT*Y BLACK & :ITE1 ! LITTLE TRAMP RU%ES TO SAVE ! H]O9E4 ,PULL BACK TO DOCUM5T>Y MAT]IAL1 RE9TRODUC+ COLOR4 

,ON A TURNTABLE ( GRAVITY ! PLANET SP9S1 JU/ OV] HALFWAY ?R\< ! EAG]LY-AWAIT$ NEW MILL5NIAL LONG-PLAY]'S OP5+ T5 YE> TRACK1 ! CRITICAL RESPONSE AS YET DIVID$ ON ! M]ITS ( ITS NOISY PLANE-CRA% 9TRODUCTION OR ! /RID5T NATURE ( ! VOCALS2 !I/S & COSMOGRAPH]S 9 BICK]+ C\NT]PO9T4 ,JEHOVAH IS ]OD$ BY ! TREE ( KN[L$GE'S AL>M+ EXPON5TIAL GR[?1 BY PALEONTOLOGIC SCRUT9Y1 RESORT+ TO A =TIFI$ ,CREATIONI/ D5IAL 9 RESULT3 VISITORS' C5T]S S]V+ ! ,GR& ,CANYON >E REPORT$ TO HAVE CONCEAL$ REF]5CES TO ! *ASM'S GEOLOGIC AGE OR ORIG9S 9 FAVOR ( A BIBLICAL SC5>IO EVOK+ ! DELUGE ( ,NOAH4 ,C>OL9A LEGISLATORS >GUE ?AT AU!NTIC RAPE CANNOT RESULT 9 PREGNANCY BAS$ ON ! TWO-SE$ !ORY ( CONCEPTION POPUL> TWO ?\S& YE>S BE=E4 ,CONCEPTUAL C5TURIES COLLIDE & 9 ! DEAF5+ IMPACT >E BELLIG]5T ,ZIONI/ ASS]TIONS1 FUNDAM5TALI/ CRUSADES & DETONAT+ M>TYR VE/S4 

,BESIEG$1 ! SECUL> RESPONSE IS MILITANT1 AN A!ISM VOLUBLY AFFIRM$ ?AT 9 ITS DOGMAS & ITS C]TA9TIES APPROA*ES ! RELIGI\S1 AL?\< >M$ ) NO?+ MORE SUB/ANTIAL ?AN E/ABLI%$ SCI5TIFIC FACT1 ITSELF A *ANG$ CON/ITU5CY ( %IFT+ GR\ND4 ,! CLASSICAL & QUANTUM MODELS >E P]SI/5T 9 REJECT+ ALL ATTEMPTS AT RECONCILIATION1 ) ! /R+ BY :I* !Y MI<T BE B\ND PROV+ ?US F> ELUSIVE4 ,9SUFFICI5TLY GRASP$ GRAVITY 5G5D]S MULTIPLY+ 5TITIES 9 ITS SUPPORT1 EXOTIC /ATES & SUB/ANCES1 D>K 5]GY1 D>K MATT]1 NECESS>Y BEA/S >IS5 FROM MA!MATICS YET ESCAP+ OBS]VATION4 ,FAI? & POLITICS F]M5T1 AID$ BY A FA/-PROPAGAT+ YEA/ ( !ORY & DEVICE1 & ALL ! >*ITECTURE ( ! WORLD'S TRADITIONS SEEMS ]ECT$ ON AN 9=MATION FLOODPLA91 VULN]ABLE TO EV]Y FRE% D[NP\R ( DATA OR ! BUR/+ BANKS ( IDEOLOGIES TOO N>R[ & SL[-MOV+ TO ACCOMMODATE ! SURGE1 ! 9UNDATION ( COMPLEXITY4 ,DESPITE ITS EVID5T FATIGUE1 AFRAID ( MISS+ SOME VITAL DEVELOPM5T 9 ?IS 9CESSANT & 9C5DI>Y PAGEANT1 CULTURE D>E NOT CLOSE ITS EYES4 ,RESUME 9T]IOR1 NI<T4 

,UNABLE TO BE RID1 N[1 ( HIS SI/]'S ODDLY MEMORABLE T>OT IMAGES1 ,MICK F9DS !M /REWN ALL OV] HIS C]EBRAL C>PET+ AS ! SURCEASE ( ?\<T CONT9UES TO AVOID HIM4 ,CIRCUMSPECTLY LEV]+ ONTO HIS BACK HE HOOKS HIS LEFT FOOT OV] HIS RI<T KNEE 9 :AT HE REALIZES BELAT$LY IS AN UNCONSCI\S IMITATION ( ! DECK'S MY/]I\S ,HANG$ ,MAN1 A FIGURE SIGNIFY+ AN UNCOM=TABLE 9ITIATION IF ,MICK'S MEMORY S]VES CORRECT4 ,HE DOESN'T UND]/& ! ,HANG$ ,MAN OR ! O!R TW5TY-SOME?+ 'TRUMP' C>DS EV5 SLI<TLY1 NOT ! ,*>IOT OR ,LU/ OR ! ,HI< ,PRIE/ESS1 NONE ( ?AT LOT2 CAN'T IMAG9E ANY GAME ELABORATE 5\< OR ( SUFFICI5T SCALE TO UTILIZE !M ALL & SO DISC>DS !M FROM CONSID]ATION4 ,NE>LY ALL ! O!R PA/EBO>D PICTURES1 ?\< PECULI>1 >E :AT HE ?9KS ( AS ! ORD9>Y ONES1 ! ONES ?AT HAVE AN OBVI\S CORRESPOND5CE TO ! PACK ) :I* HE'S MO/ FAMILI>4 ,!RE >E F\R SUITS ) T5 NUMB]$ C>DS 9 EA*1 ! SUITS R\<LY ANALOG\S TO ! EXI/+ QU>TET BUT CALL$ DIFF]5T NAMES ) DIAMONDS BECOME DISCS & SPADES N[ SWORDS1 HE>TS TURN$ TO CUPS & CLUBS MADE W&S1 HIS SI/] /UBBORNLY 9SI/+ ?AT ! T>OT SUITS CAME FIR/4 ,! C\RT C>DS1 SIMIL>LY1 >E ALMO/ ID5TICAL TO ! MORE REGUL> MON>*ICAL >RANGEM5T ) ! QUE5S UN*ANG$ BUT KNI<TS & PR9CES SUB/ITUT$ = ! K+S & JACKS RESPECTIVELY1 !SE ?REE JO9$ 9EXPLICABLY BY A F\R? FLAT >I/OCRAT1 A PR9CESS HAV+ NO EQUIVAL5T AMONG ! H>D-EY$ & MI/RU/FUL-LOOK+ ROYALS ( CONV5TION4 ,MICK IS UNSURE H[ ?IS LA/-NAM$ P]SONAGE IS MEANT TO FIT 9TO ! PLAY1 NO WAY ( KN[+ IF %E BEATS A PR9CE OR :AT4 ,LIKE ! ,HANG$ ,MAN & HIS UNFA?OMABLE PALS1 ,MICK F9DS %E FUNCTIONS ONLY AS AN IRRITANT 9 AN ALREADY IRRITAT+ SET-UP4 ,T>OT1 TO BE BLUNT1 GETS ON HIS N]VES4 ,) DIFF]5T OCCULT ICONOGRAPHY ON EV]Y C>D IT W\LD BE NE> IMPOSSIBLE TO EV5 MANAGE A QUICK H& ( SNAP1 & SO = ANY GR[N-UP PURPOSES ! CONCEPT IS COMPLETELY USELESS4 ,FEEL+ SUDD5LY ANNOY$ AT ,ALMA1 ALBEIT OBSCURELY1 HE NEGOTIATES ! MOVE ONTO HIS RI<T SIDE )\T AUDITORY 9CID5T4 ,NEW ANGLE4 

,! :OLE PROBLEM ) HIS SIBL+1 HE DECIDES1 IS ?AT %E JUDGES H] SUCCESSES BY SU* BAFFL+ CRIT]IA ?AT %E CAN EV5 CLAIM UNUTT]ABLE DISA/] AS SOME K9D ( VICTORY1 ) EV]YBODY TOO UNC]TA9 AS TO :AT %E'S GO+ ON AB\T TO *ALL5GE H] PREPO/]\S & YET AU?ORITATIVE-S\ND+ PROCLAMATIONS4 ,! MO/ REASONABLE OBJECTIONS WILL BE FLATT5$ BY AN 9SURM\NTABLE >TILL]Y B>RAGE ( QUOTES FROM S\RCES NO ONE ELSE HAS READ & :I* >E V]Y POSSIBLY 9V5T$ ON ! SPOT4 ,ANY DEBATE IS A RIGG$ CONTE/ HELD ACCORD+ TO A MANUAL MU* LIKE ! ,BOOK ( ,MORMON1 TO :I* ,ALMA EVID5TLY HOLDS SOLE ACCESS4 ,RULES ( PLAY *ANGE SEEM+LY AT R&OM AS ?\< ONE W]E >GU+ ) ! ,R$ ,QUE5 FROM ,ALICE ,?R\< ! ,LOOK+-,GLASS OR POSSIBLY ,ALICE 9 ,WOND]L&4 ,MICK ALWAYS GETS ! TWO ( !M MIX$ UP4 ,9 FACT1 N[ ?AT HE ?9KS AB\T IT1 ,LEWIS ,C>ROLL IS ALMO/ AS AGGRAVAT+ AS HIS OLD] SI/] 9 ! AU?OR'S PAT5TLY DELIB]ATE ATTEMPTS TO PUZZLE & CONF\ND ! PUNT]S4 ,:Y ELSE HAVE A ,R$ ,QUE5 9 BO? BOOKS1 BO? ) ! SAME ABRASIVE P]SONALITY1 :5 !Y >E PLA9LY DIFF]5T *>ACT]S ) ONE D]IV$ FROM PLAY+ C>DS & ONE FROM *ESS8 ,9 FACT1 ) AN 9T5D$ AUDI5CE ( *ILDR51 :Y 9VOLVE *ESS 9 ! FIR/ PLACE IF NOT AS A WAY TO 9TELLECTUALLY 9TIMIDATE ! SPITEFUL LITTLE BUGG]S8 ,IT'S A TACTIC :I* W\LD DEF9ITELY WORK ) ,MICK1 :O'S ALWAYS F\ND ! V]Y M5TION ( ! SUBJECT PETRIFY+4 ,*ESS - !RE'S SOME?+ ELSE ?AT S]I\SLY GETS ON HIS TITS4 ,ALL ( ! FANCY & 5TITL$ PIECES ) !IR FUSSY1 IDIOSYNCRATIC WAYS ( MOV+ >E NO MORE ?AN OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DRAFTS :5 IT COMES D[N TO IT1 ! BI%OPS /ICK+ SUP]/ITI\SLY TO EI!R :ITE OR BLACK SQU>ES & ! KNI<TS CONT9UALLY TURN+ CORN]S ?AT >5'T !RE4 ,!N !RE'S ! GAME'S NEUROTIC >I/OCRACY1 APP>5TLY DYSFUNCTIONAL ROYAL C\PLES :O >E USUALLY ! C5T] ( ATT5TION2 K+S RE/RICT$ 9 !IR ACTIONS TO ! PO9T ( CON/IPAT$ IMMOBILITY ) QUE5S FREE TO GO :]E !Y *OOSE & PRETTY MU* DO ANY?+ !Y WANT1 DESPITE ! FACT ?AT IT'S !IR P[]FUL HUSB&S AB\T :I* ! :EELS ( 9TRIGUE TURN4 ,MICK'S CLASS-BAS$ SUPPOSITION ?AT ! *ESSM5'S QUIRKY MOVEM5TS HAVE !IR ROOT 9 M5TAL FEEBL5ESS RESULTANT FROM 9BRE$+ NOT)/&+1 HE'LL ADMIT ?AT ! DI/9CTIVE FIGURES HAVE !IR [N MY/IQUE1 !IR [N M9IMALI/ *>ISMA4 ,!RE'S A S5SE AB\T !M ?AT !Y /& = SOME?+ MORE SIGNIFICANT ?AN JU/ A KNI<T1 A HORSE'S HEAD OR A GAME TOK5 ) A /RANGE WALTZ-/EP TRAJECTORY4 ,IT'S MORE AS IF !Y SYMBOLIZE BIG AB/RACT QUALITIES ?AT SKIRMI% & MANEUV] ON A HI<] BO>D1 A FIELD ( PLAY ?AT'S F> 9TO ! ULTRA-VIOLET ( ,MICK'S COMPREH5SION4 ,K+S1 QUE5S1 PR9CES & PR9CESSES1 :E!R Y\'RE DISCUSS+ PLAY+ C>DS OR *ESSM5 OR REAL FLE% & BLOOD HEIRS TO ! ?RONE1 IT ISN'T :O !Y >E OR :AT !Y DO ?AT MAKES !M SEEM IMPORTANT1 BUT ! HUGE & =MLESS ?+ IT FEELS AS IF !Y REPRES5T4 ,IT'S :AT !Y SIGNIFY4 ,IT'S :AT !Y MEAN4 

,DECID+ ?AT A SUP9E /RATEGY MI<T BE ! ANSW] AFT] ALL1 HE'S HALFWAY ?R\< ! NECESS>Y REPOSITION+ :5 IT OCCURS TO HIM ?AT ?AT'S :Y EV]YBODY MADE SU* AN EXTRAORD9>Y FUSS AB\T ,PR9CESS ,DIANA ) ,K5S+TON ,PALACE WRAPP$ 9 CELLOPHANE1 SWADDL$ BY T$DY BE>S4 ,IT WASN'T H]4 ,IT WAS :AT PEOPLE UND]/OOD BY H]4 ,AGA9/ ! B$ROOM W9D[ A S(T FUSILLADE ANN\NCES SCATT]$ %[]S4 ,CUT TO PANOPTICAL P]SPECTIVE4 

,*UR* & ,/ATE1 9 B$1 %>E A PO/-COITAL CIG>ETTE & N[ ! QUILT ( NATIONS SMOLD]S4 ,! 9TELLIG5CE COMMUNITY'S P]PETUAL %RILL AL]TS BEG9 TO SEEM ?OSE ( A BROK5 SMOKE-DETECTOR1 G5]ALLY IGNOR$ BUT NOT )\T A GRADUALLY ACCRET+ RESIDUE ( JITT]S4 ,T]ROR-/RICK5 9 A W> AGA9/ !IR [N EMOTIONAL CONDITION1 SNAPP+ FRETFULLY AT %AD[S !Y !MSELVES >E CA/+1 WE/]N P[]S ATTEMPT TO COLOR-CODE A NI<TM>E4 ,! :ITE RUCKSACK-FLA% IS PRISM-SPLIT 9TO A SPECTRUM ( DIURNALLY ADJU/$ DREAD1 A HEAT MAP ( ANXIETY ?AT NEV] COOLS BEL[ ,GUANTANAMO ,BAY ORANGE ) ! ICY BLUE ( SAFETY A =GOTT5 HUE ?AT'S \T ( VOGUE & ISN'T COM+ BACK4 

,FRIDAY1 ,MAY #b#f?1 #b#f4 ,9 ,WA%+TON ,D4,C4 ! GOV]NM5TAL BUILD+S :I* COMPRISE ! ,CAPITOL >E LOCK$ D[N :ILE ! ,U4,S4 ,S5ATE IS 9 SESSION1 VOT+ TO CONFIRM ,MI*AEL ,V4 ,HAYD5 AS ! NEW DIRECTOR ( ! ,C,I,A1 AFT] AU?ORITIES RECEIVE ACC\NTS ( GUN%OTS HE>D 9 ! VIC9ITY & ( AN >M$ MAN SI<T$ 9SIDE AN ADJAC5T (FICE GYM4 ,POLICE ID5TIFY ! %>P REPORTS AS PROBABLY ?OSE ( PNEUMATIC HAMM]S & ! PUTATIVE GYMNASIUM GUNMAN AS ONE ( !IR PLA9CLO!S OP]ATIVES4 ,ACROSS ! PLANET FRE% SECURITY 9ITIATIVES FAIL TO KEEP \T ! RESOLUTE 9SURG5TS ( ! M9D4 ,) EA* EXPLOSION ! WRAI? POPULATION ALSO BOOMS1 NEW %EET$ =MS >IS5 WAIL+ \T ( IDLE *AT & PROPAG&A1 TRICKS ( M$IA LI<T & HULK+ ,BROCK5 SPECT]S FLUNG ON POOLS ( FOG BETWE5 />K SUMMIT HEADL9ES4 ,PEPP]'S <O/S ) HEADSC>VES & B&ANNAS LOOM 9 POPUL> IMAG9ATION'S /EEPLY ANGL$ GLASS TO /AGE S*OOLBOY COMM&O-ROLLS ?R\< GRA9Y TRA9+ FOOTAGE1 MY?ICALLY DISFIGUR$ CL]ICS WAGG+ A REMA9+ F+] HEAVY ) GRIM EMPHASIS4 ,CONCEPTS ( NATION FIR/ SPUN AS RELIGI\S P>ABLES OR ELSE DIME-NOVEL DAYDREAMS 9 LESS NUANC$ C5TURIES PLAY \T ON MULTIPLY+ MOD]N PLAT=MS AS 5SANGU9$ PANTOMIME2 FOND RE-5ACTM5TS ALREADY NO/ALGIC = ! SLAU<T]S ( A SIMPL] WORLD4 ,CUE RAPID 9T]CUTS4 

,ACROSS ! SOAK$ 5CLOSURE'S PITT]+ SURFACE SKIM ( WET %E SLI!RS1 LEGS CONJO9$ BY ! 5TANGL+ TI<TS & KNICK]S DRAGG$ >\ND H] ?I<S1 A L&$ M]MAID FLOPP+ 9 ! %ALL[S4 ,BL9D ) BLOOD %E HE>S H] *EAT$ CAPTOR BELL[+ AS HE EXPLODES FROM \T ! MOBILE DUNGEON AT H] BACK4 

0,Y\ COME BACK H]E6 ,Y\ COME BACK H]E1 Y\ CUNT60 

,SOME:]E AMID ! PANICK$ RAT-RUN ( H] CONSCI\SNESS ! PREVI\SLY UNSUSPECT$ P>T ( H] PRIORITIZES3 IF %E CAN REGA9 H] FEET %E CAN PULL UP H] UND]WE> & FLEE1 A DIFFICULT MANEUV] BE/ ACCOMPLI%$ )\T ?9K+4 ,MANAG+ TO LIFT BO? KNEES AT ONCE %E F9DS ?AT %E IS MOV+ =W>D1 P>TLY TOPPL+ & P>TLY RUNN+ 9 CON/RA9$ & T9Y GEI%A /EPS :ILE TRY+ TO CLAW ! FI%NET WAI/B& BACK ABOVE H] HIPS4 ,) BO? H] HI<-HEEL %OES N[ GONE %E HURTLES SPLA%+ ?R\< ! POOLS COLLECT$ 9 DEPRESSIONS1 VISUAL CONT9UITY R$UC$ TO BLACK\T SKITS BY NE>BY MOTION-S5SOR LI<TS 9 SPASM1 TOO CONC]N$ ) GULP+ BACK GREAT SOBB+ DRAFTS ( AIR TO ?9K ( SCREAM+ & UNABLE TO BELIEVE HE HASN'T GRABB$ H] YET4 ,NEW PO9T ( VIEW4 

,HE'S HAD 5\<4 ,HE'S HAD 5\< ( DRUGS1 !Y'RE FUCK+ WEIRD4 ,HE WADES ?R\< SEIZURE LI<T ACROSS ! WALL$-9 Y>D & TRIES TO CAT* IT1 TRIES TO GET IT BACK 9TO ! MOTOR SO ?AT HE CAN F9I% BUT ! /UFF HE TOOK IS GIV+ HIM ! HORRORS1 ?+S HE HADN'T BE5 EXPECT+4 ,IT'S !RE RI<T 9 FRONT ( HIM1 JU/ A FEW PACES (F & /RUGGL+ TO GET ON ITS FEET BUT :5 HE TAKES A /EP T[>DS IT !RE'S ?IS W9D1 WELL1 NOT A W9D BUT A /ALE GU/ ( SOME?+ ?AT SLAMS 9TO HIM & KNOCKS HIM BACK4 ,! SMELL IS ALL LIKE DOS%\SES1 ALL ALKY SWEATS & ME?S-BREA? & DAMP PANTS1 D]ELICT BUILD+S ) %IT UP ! CORN] & ALL ?AT1 AN >OMATIC FOGBANK HE CAN NE>LY SEE4 ,F+]S ( SLUM-GRAY VAPOR CURL >\ND HIS ANKLES1 TRICKL+ LIKE ALBUM5 ALONG HIS >MS & RUNN+ D[N HIS BACK & EV5 ?\< HE KN[S ALL ?IS IS 9 HIS HEAD & ONLY HAPP5+ BECAUSE HE'S ON ONE1 HE CAN'T HELP RECOIL+4 ,! HALLUC9ATION SQUEEZES 9 UNTIL HE'S /RUGGL+ ) A CL\D ( PHLEGM1 BUT 9 ! SLI!R+ MUC\S T5DRILS !RE >E BITS ( FACE1 *9-SW>MS & ORNATE FRILLS ( GLI/5+ LIP4 ,WORSE1 !RE'S ?IS FA9T S\ND ?AT HE CAT*ES FLEET+ SNAT*ES (1 LIKE A TRANSI/OR RADIO TUN$ BETWE5 WAVEB&S1 AN 5RAG$ TIRADE ?AT'S UN9TELLIGIBLE AS IF COM+ FROM A LONG WAY (F OR A LONG TIME AGO4 ,SOME ( ! SQUIRM+1 9SUB/ANTIAL /UFF IS 9 HIS M\? & TA/ES LIKE SICK1 OR IS ?AT HIM8 ,= ALL HE KN[S ?IS MI<T BE A BRA9 HEMORRHAGE1 AN OV]DOSE4 ,HE MI<T BE 9 REAL TR\BLE H]E4 ,NEW PO9T ( VIEW1 RE9TRODUC+ BLACK & :ITE /OCK4 

,FURI\S 9 HIS RES5T1 ! ?READB>E DEAD MAN PRESSES HIS ADVANTAGE ) A FLURRY ( ATTACK :I* UTILIZES EV]Y <\L-DISPLAY ?AT'S 9 HIS CLAMMY REP]TOIRE4 ,HE TRIES ! FRI<T5+ /ILT-WALK] ELONGATION ?AT RESULTS FROM LEVITAT+ UPW>DS ) A /R+ ( DOPPELGANG]S DRAGG$ UP AFT] HIM1 & EXECUTES A MIS]ABLE SPID]-DANCE ( MULTIPLY+ LIMBS4 ,HE %OVES HIS H&S 9SIDE HIS [N HEAD SO ?AT WRIGGL+ F+]S POKE LIKE CRAB'S LEGS FROM HIS GURN+ FACE1 GOB WID5+ IMPOSSIBLY 9TO A SCREAM ( FIL?Y POLYPS4 ,HE DOES HIS 9FLAT+ EYEBALL TRICK OR ) AN AWFUL KISS P]=MS DISGU/+ SLEI<TS ( TONGUE2 REA*ES TO CUP ! REEL+ SEXUAL PR$ATOR'S EXPOS$ & DANGL+ TE/ES 9 ONE MORTU>Y PALM2 EXTRUDES A F+] ( COLD ECTOPLASM PA/ ! CL5*+ SPH9CT] & 9TO ! B[EL4 ,HUMAN IDEAS ( FI<T+ DIRTY1 WELL2 !Y'RE NO?+ TO A <O/4 ,) EYES SCREW$ %UT & BABY FACE 9 A TOMATO CRUMPLE HIS OPPON5T SWATS ! NI<T1 AS IF AT BEES1 & TAKES A SOLIT>Y BACKW>D /EP T[>DS ! MOTOR4 ,!RE IS N[ NOBODY SITT+ 9 ! DRIV]'S SEAT1 ! <ETTO-WI<T OBS]VES ) SOME RELIEF1 ITS SULFUR\S =M] OCCUPANT HAV+ APP>5TLY MOV$ ON TO O!R MATT]S1 DEMON BUS9ESS BE+ SURELY PL5TIFUL 9 SU* A MORALLY UNC\PL$ WORLD4 ,SWIRL+ HIS HEAD AB\T & MOM5T>ILY ACCOMPLI%+ A ,SATURN'S R+ ( E>S1 HE REASSURES HIMSELF ?AT ! Y\NG WOMAN IS N[ UP & /AGG]+ = ! 5CLOSURE'S M\? BE=E RESUM+ HIS ASSAULT ON H] TORM5TOR4 ,B>K+ 9>TICULATE PR(ANITIES ! BESIEG$ RAPI/ YIELDS ANO!R Y>D 9 HIS RETREAT1 A SPOOK-PUN* L&$ 9 ! FRONTAL LOBE & F+]+ = ! AMYGDALA4 ,NEW PO9T ( VIEW1 REV]T+ TO FULL COLOR4 

,AT ! EXIT ( ! KILL+ Y>D %E RISKS A GLANCE ACROSS H] %\LD] JU/ TO SEE H[ CLOSE HE IS BEH9D H] BUT HE'S /ILL /OOD BY ! C>1 H&S FLAPP+ AT ! AIR1 HAV+ A FIT OR SOME?+ ?\< HE C\LD BE ON H] 9 A M9UTE4 ,EV]Y /EP A BURN+ A*E BETWE5 H] ?I<S %E PLUNGES \T ?R\< ,L[] ,BA? ,/REET'S BLACK1 PROPELL$ BY BAD ADR5AL9E & M9DFUL ( ! COM+ CRA% 9TO P>ALYZES & %OCK4 ,BECAUSE IT'S EASI] /UMBL+ D[NHILL ?AN UP %E SW]VES LEFT & 9TO ! BOTTOM 5D ( ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET1 GRASS !AT] ( H] LATE ABDUCTION1 /EEP$ 9 PISS-POT SODIUM LI<T4 ,AN ONLY SIGN ( LIFE IS ! DILUT$ LEMON FILT]$ ?R\< DRAWN CURTA9S FROM ! SOLIT>Y H\SE D[N NE> ! CORN] & %E LIMPS ACROSS ! ROAD 9 ITS DIRECTION1 GRAVEL G\G+ AT H] T5D] SOLES1 BREA? BUBBL+ 9 H] ?ROAT4 ,PLEASE1 PLEASE LET !RE BE SOMEONE HOME1 SOMEBODY CAPABLE & UNAFRAID TO COME TO !IR FRONT DOOR ON A WILD ,FRIDAY NI<T1 AL?\< %E'S CRU%+LY AW>E ( ! UNLIKELIHOOD4 ,(F TO H] RI<T ! ISOLAT$ HOME ABUTS UPON ! YAWN+ M\? ( A S9CE-VANI%$ ALLEYWAY1 ! MEMORY ( ITS COBBL$ RIBBON SPOOL+ D[N 9TO ! D>K BESIDE ! *A9-L9K F5CE ?AT B\NDS ! L[E/ $GE ( ! S*OOL PLAY+ FIELDS4 ,AHEAD1 ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD IS B>E ( ANY TRAFFIC :ATSOEV]1 LET ALONE POLICE C>S1 & ! MURD]] ( H] IMAG9ATION IS N[ PANT+ LIKE A BEA/ & CLOSE 5\< TO SCALD H] NECK4 ,H] LEGS SEEM DISCONNECT$ FROM VOLITION SUDD5LY1 N]VELESS & UNRESPONSIVE AS IF MADE ( CAKE1 & !N ! N9ETY-YE>-OLD SLABS >E HURTL+ UP TO PUN* H] KNEES & SLAP H] /++ H&S4 ,%E'S D[N1 %E'S D[N & DRIPP+ BLOOD 9TO A GUTT] :]E RA9 GURGLES ?R\< ! /ONE ESOPHAGUS4 ,ABJECT & CRAWL+1 A ?RA%$ DOG1 %E SCRABBLES :IMP]+ OV] 9UNDAT$ PAVEM5T1 LEV]+ H]SELF HALF-UPRI<T AT ! DOOR/EP TO ?UMP H] EXHAU/$ FI/S ON ! WET PANEL+1 SURELY TOO LIMP & 9EFFECTUAL = ANYONE TO HE>4 ,! SECONDS /RET* EXCRUCIAT+LY1 B>B$ ) ! PREMONITION ( HIS ANY-MOM5T GRIP DESC5D+ ON H] %\LD]1 ( FUCK-SC5T$ F+]S BUN*+ 9 H] BRAID$1 BLOODI$ HAIR4 ,PLEASE1 PLEASE1 PLEASE4 ,FROM SOME:]E 9DOORS SL[1 SLIPP]-MUFFL$ /EPS APPROA* ALONG AN UNSE5 PASSAGEWAY4 ,NEW PO9T ( VIEW4 

,HE ISN'T SC>$ AS SU*1 HE'S NOT ?AT SORT ( BLOKE1 BUT HE CAN FEEL SOME?+ ATTACK+ HIM1 SOME BIG JUNKY>D ,ALSATIAN :5 !RE'S NO?+ !RE = HIM TO SEE1 = HIM TO SW+ AT4 ,WORSE ?AN AN ,ALSATIAN4 ,YANK !IR BACK LEGS OP5 & !Y'RE DEAD1 HE'S HE>D ?AT1 BUT ?IS IS LIKE FI<T+ CONGEAL$ CU/>D & ! MESS GOES EV]Y:]E1 9SIDE HIS CLO?+1 UP HIS NO/RILS1 UP HIS ASS4 ,HE CAN'T TAKE ANY MORE4 ,HE DOESN'T KN[ IF ?IS IS JU/ :AT ME? DOES NORMALLY OR IF HE'S GONE MAD OR BE5 GRABB$ BY ALI5S OR :AT4 ,SLIC+ ?R\< AN OCCASIONAL ILLUM9ATION1 RA9DROPS FALL AS RAZOR CUTS4 ,9SIDE A :9Y VOICE HE DOESN'T KN[1 MORE LIKE A WOMAN OR A PANICK$ KID'S1 IS PLEAD+ ) HIM TO GET \T ( H]E1 GET 9 ! C>1 JU/ GO4 ,! LOOSE SK9 ON HIS BALLS IS CR++1 ,JESUS ,*RI/ HIS FLIES >E /ILL UNDONE1 & !RE'S A DISMAL AVALAN*E ( HATS1 A DOZ5 VACUUM-CLEAN] ORIFICES R+$ ) ROTT5 TEE? ?AT HE CAN ALMO/ SEE4 ,UNFA?OMABLE IMAGES P]SI/ 9 ! UNEV5 D>K1 ELECTRIC FILAM5TS BURN$ SIZZL+ ONTO HIS RET9A1 !SE VISION>Y FLOAT]S CORUSCAT+ AT !IR $GES :]E ! RADIANCE HAS A GRA9 ( TEEM+ MAGGOTS4 ,EV]Y?+ IS WRONG4 ,FUMBL+ BEH9D HE %OVES ! RE> DOOR ( ! ,ESCORT %UT :ILE TRY+ TO F9D ! H&LE ON ! FRONT ONE1 SWIP+ ) HIS FREE PAW AT ! FLOCK ( UGLY FLY+ HEADS ASSAIL+ HIM4 ,) FLAPP+ H&S AS BONY P9IONS SPR\T$ FROM ! TEMPLES1 SNAPP+ !IR DECAY+ JAWS & GRIMAC+1 LIKE MON/R\S *>NEL HUMM+BIRDS !Y COME1 PREPO/]\S & T]RIBLE4 ,HIS FRANTIC F+]S F9ALLY LOCATE :AT !Y W]E SEEK+1 ! COLD METAL BUTTON UND]NEA? HIS ?UMB1 & MAK+ NOISES MEANT TO BE A SN>L HE FL+S HIMSELF 9TO ! DRIV]'S SEAT1 SLAMM+ ! DOOR CLOS$ AFT] HIM4 ,A SURF ( DIRTY LAUNDRY SUDS IS LAUN*$ AGA9/ ! W\ND-UP W9D[1 LEAV+ A GRAY RESIDUE ( VISC\S FACIAL FEATURES SLID+ D[N ! GLASS \TSIDE4 ,TWI/+ ! KEY 9 ! IGNITION1 = SOME REASON HE METICUL\SLY *ECKS ! DA%BO>D CLOCK & NOTES ! TIME AS ALMO/ TW5TY TO ELEV54 ,\T BEYOND ! RA9-/REAK$ W9DSCRE5 SOME?+ PUTRID ?AT HE DOESN'T UND]/& TRIES TO GET 94 ,NEW PO9T ( VIEW REPRIS+ MONO*ROME4 

,9 HEADL9E BLACK & :ITE ?R\< /AMM]+1 CONVULSIVE LI<T ! SKIRL+ DEADBEAT *URNS >\ND ! VEHICLE1 A RANCID CYCLONE4 ,C> WALLS BE+ NO?+ BUT A FLIMSY TISSUE ?REE OR F\R YE>S ?ICK AT MO/1 ! VAGRANT VAPOR-TRAIL C\LD EASILY REA* ?R\< !M TO CONT9UE ! ASSAULT BUT IT'S DET]R5CE & NOT PUNI%M5T ON ! AG5DA H]E1 MU* AS HE WI%ES IT W]E O!RWISE4 ,JU/ SC>E ?IS TUBBY LITTLE BUGG] (F & !N MAKE SURE ! WOMAN'S SAFE1 ?OSE >E ! ?+S HE NE$S TO KEEP HIS PETRIFY+ EYE ON4 ,NEV] M9D :AT SOMEBODY :O'D DO ?AT TO A Y\NG GIRL MI<T DES]VE3 ?AT'S A DECISION BETT] LEFT 9 L>G] H&S ?AN HIS1 AL?\< ) HALF A *ANCE :AT DEVA/ATION W\LDN'T HE BR+ D[N UPON ?IS ANIMAL1 ?IS WRET*$ FAILURE ( MASCUL9ITY ?AT HE SO NE>LY C\LD HAVE BE58 ,HE'D DO A ,BANQUO1 DO A ,HAMLET'S DAD1 A ,TAM ,O' ,%ANT] ) HIS <A/LY OPPOES FROM ! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S DRAFT$ 9 TO HELP1 A RAGG$ LOCOMOTIVE SMOKE ( PITILESS & VIOL5T DEAD M5 %AD[+ ?IS MUCKY FUCK] ?R\< HIS EV]Y WAK+ MOM5T & HIS EV]Y DREAM1 = ! REMA9D] ( HIS WOR?LESS LIFE & !N !Y'LL JU/ BE GETT+ />T$4 ,!RE'S NO ,HELL1 NO M]CILESS RETRIBUTIVE ,9F]NO SAVE = ! ,DE/RUCTOR1 BUT ! BILI\S SPIRIT IS CONV9C$ ?AT ) ! 9SPIRATION ( A LIFE & DEA? TRANSACT$ 9 ! ,BOR\<S ONE C\LD BE >RANG$1 TO BEGG> ,DANTE & TO MAKE BL9D ,MILTON LOOK AWAY4 

,PULL+ A TRA9 ( *ALK & *>COAL SKET*ES 9 A FALL+ DOM9O PROGRESSION HE 5CIRCLES ! ?ROAT-CLE>+ AUTOMOBILE AS IT />TS1 HIS E]IE ,DOPPL] H[L PURSU+ HIM ?R\< ! FLA%-PUNCTUAT$ & TORR5TIAL NI<T1 HIS FLOAT+ COAT A RIPPL+ FUN]AL BANN] 9 HIS WAKE4 ,AN AGGREGATE ( DU/ & RETRIBUTION1 9 ! GAB]D9E SIEVES ( HIS POCKETS ALL ! GRIEVANCE ( ! \TRAG$ NEI<BORHOOD IS C>RI$1 ! DEF]R$ AFFRONT VICI\SLY V5T$ AS A /EAM+ HORSE-PISS /REAM ON ! 9TRUD]1 A MALIGN DELUGE TO SLUICE HIM FROM !SE W\ND$ /REETS UNTIL HIM & ! O!R KNICK]-RIPP]S LE>N TO KEEP AWAY4 ,NEW PO9T ( VIEW1 REV]T+ TO FULL COLOR4 

,SME>$ ACROSS A /RANG]'S DOOR/EP 9 ! P\ND+ TORR5T %E'S A BROK5 TOY1 DISC>D$ ) TORN SEAMS & EV]Y BIT ( PSY*IC /UFF+ GONE1 ONE BUTTON EYE OBSCUR$ BY /ICKY CORDIAL4 ,ALL ( H] HURTS4 ,%E DOESN'T C>E IF ! DULL FOOTFALLS 9 ! HALLWAY ?AT %E'D HE>D W]E ONLY WI%FUL ?9K+1 DOESN'T MU* M9D IF H] P]SECUTOR CAT*ES UP & F9I%ES ! JOB4 ,%E JU/ WANTS ?IS TO 5D & IS LESS FUSS$ AB\T ! MANN] ( ?AT 5D+ BY ! MOM5T4 ,TREA*]\SLY COZY LASSITUDE DESC5DS1 EV]Y LA/ VE/IGE ( 9T5T OR MOTION DRA9$ \T ) ! CONT5TS ( H] EMPTY+ BLADD]4 ,SELF & P]SONALITY >E A RETREAT+ TIDE /RA9$ RATTL+ ON SYNAPTIC %+LE & %E B>ELY COMPREH5DS ! LI<T ?AT /RIKES P9K ?R\< H] L[]$ EYELIDS2 CAN'T REMEMB] ! PH5OM5ON OR :AT IT MEANS4 ,AT L5G? ! LA%ES UNRE/RA9$ BY BLOOD-GLUE FLUTT] OP5 & %E SQU9TS UP 9TO PUZZLE-COLORS1 CLOTS ( %9E & %ADE RESOLV$ AS BURNI%$ ICON1 SURELY A FAMILI> ,R5AISSANCE MA/]PIECE %E KN[S FROM SOME:]E1 FRAM$ BY ! N[-OP5 DOOR4 ,AGA9/ A GR\ND ( PATT]N$ WALLPAP] & MISMAT*$ C>PET1 LIMN$ 9 SIXTY WATTS ( ,P5TECO/AL FIRE /&S AN OLD WOMAN BUILT FROM LONG & KNOBBLY BONES & CR[N$ ) :ITE HAIR LIKE IGNIT$ PHOSPHOR\S1 ONE ?9 H& PRESS+ ON ! L9TEL4 ,VEIL$ 9 GLOOM BY 9C&ESC5T BLAZE BEYOND1 ! TALL[ CONT\RS ( AN ,EA/] ,ISL& FACE HANG HEAVY ON ! BONE & OH1 H] SCREE*-[L EYES4 ,PALE GRAY ) GOLD5 IRISES !Y />E D[N1 RES]VOIRS ( DEP?LESS FURY & COMPASSION1 ON ! SMA%$ *ILD AT H] ?RE%OLD4 ,GAUNT *EEK TRACK$ BY ANGRY BR9E ! OCCUPANT /OOPS1 CREAK+1 CR\*$ ON LEA!R HAUN*ES TO CUP ,M>LA'S *9 :ILE A FREE H& T5D]LY SMOO?S ! BLOODI$ BRAIDS4 

0,ALL HAIL ,KAPHOOZELUM1 ! H>LOT ( ,J]USALEM10 PRON\NCES ,AUDREY ,V]NALL1 & H] VOICE *OKES ) AN ALL-R$EEM+ PRIDE4 ,PULL BACK TO PLANET>Y MOSAIC1 ABRUPTLY $IT$4 

,BULBS POP & DATA EFF]VESCE4 ,WIGAN POLICE RELEASE FOOTAGE ( C> 9VOLV$ 9 FATAL HIT-&-RUN ) CYCLI/4 ,REEFS QUIETLY DIS9TEGRATE4 ,CONVICT$ ,5RON FRAUD/] ,K5NE? ,LAY SAYS HE BELIEVES GOOD WILL COME \T ( HIS PR$ICAM5T4 ,! />S ( SUP]M>KET MAGAZ9ES *ANGE %APE1 *ANGE P>TN]S4 ,>CTIC ICE REC$ES4 ,A P>ALYZ$ ,WEL% RUGBY PLAY] CALLS TO BAN CONTE/$ SCRUMS & />TL+LY T5ACI\S TUBEWORMS (F] HOPE ( LIFE ON O!R WORLDS4 ,QUANTUM OR NATION1 /ATES COLLAPSE :5 LOOK$ AT4 ,OIL *ESS1 FISCAL FIGURE SKAT+ & ! T5D5CY ( ,HOMO SAPI5S TO FUZE ) ITS TE*NOLOGIES4 ,AU/RALIAN M\NTA9 CLIMB] ,L9COLN ,HALL IS BRIEFLY BELIEV$ DEAD4 ,A BADG] H>ASSES SPORTS C5T] /AFF 9 ,DEVON4 ,MICE GL[ & GR[ JOKE-%OP E>S4 ,RACISM FE>S DOG ,WORLD ,CUP BUILDUP4 ,BUDGETS %RIVEL & REALITY %[S RELOCATE !IR T>GET AUDI5CE 9SIDE ! TELEVISION1 CLOS+ ! \ROBOROS4 ,NEW =MS ( C>BON & NEW SCALES ( MANUFACTURE4 ,AN E!REAL SCRAPY>D ORBIT+ ! WORLD4 ,POPUL> CULTURE1 =M]LY DISPOSABLE1 DRAGG$ TO ! CURBSIDE = RECYCL+ & >T RESID+ SOLELY 9 ! PIT*4 ,9T]NAL 9T]REGNUM4 ,D\BLE HELIX TURNS 9=MANT4 ,T\*-SCRE5 9TIMACY4 ,ALGORI?MS ( DESIRE4 ,BESPOKE NE$1 & TEXT MESSAG+ A C>RI] PIDG94 ,NEW1 NEW1 EV]Y SECOND BIGG] ?AN ! LA/4 ,! POPULACE RECL9E OBESE ) NOVELTY YET CONSUME EV] MORE 5?USIA/ICALLY1 AS IF TO MA/] ! ONRU%+ FUTURE BY DEV\R+ IT2 TO DR9K ! TIDAL WAVE4 ,CUT TO 9T]IOR1 NI<T4 

,FLAT ON HIS BACK1 ,MICK LI/5S TO ! RA9 AGA9/ ! GLASS & ?9KS AB\T ,DIANA ,SP5C]4 ,IT'S A NATURAL EXT5SION ( HIS RE/LESS ?\<TS ON *ESS OR *ASE-!-ACE OR TIDDL$YW9KS1 ) ! :OLE ,PR9CESS ,DI PH5OM5ON A GAME - OR A COMP5DIUM ( GAMES - ?AT HAD APP>5TLY GOT BADLY \T ( H&4 ,?AT ALMO/ LIT]AL UNVEIL+ 9 ! NEWSPAP]S1 A FIR/ GLIMPSE ( ! NURS]Y ASSI/ANT /&+ 9 A *EESECLO? SKIRT ) P\R+ BACKLI<T1 PRURI5T ,X-,RAY SPECKS ILLUSION ( GRAY SILH\ETT$ LIMBS CAU<T BY AN OPPORTUNI/ SNAPP] TO BE SURE1 BUT :O WAS PLAY+ :O8 ,= ALL H] %Y FAWN GLANCES FROM B5EA? ! FR+E1 A /RATEGY E/ABLI%$ EV5 AT ?AT E>LY /AGE1 ?IS WAS A SCION ( ! ,R$ ,E>L :OSE NAME WAS WRIT 9 ROAD1 E/ATE & PUBLIC H\SE ACROSS ! FACE ( WORK+-CLASS ,NOR?AMPTON4 ,DODGY DYNA/IES HAD BE5 R$UC$ TO B\ILLON 9 H] BLOOD1 FROM FIFTE5?-C5TURY LIVE/OCK F>M]S PASS+ !MSELVES (F AS RELATIVES TO ! ,H\SE ,LE ,DESP5C]1 ?R\< TO FIVE OR SIX AU!NTIC BA/>DS SIR$ BY ,/U>TS & ?US A G5ETIC CONDUIT TO ! L9ES ( ,HAPSBURG1 ,B\RBON1 ,WITTELSBA* & ,HANOV]2 ( ,S=ZA & ,M$ICI4 ,*ROMOSOMES NOT TO BE TRIFL$ )1 & ?IS BE=E AN ADMIXTURE ( ,*UR*ILLS >E 9FUS$ 9TO ! ,NOR?AMPTON%IRE FAMILY'S ALREADY-POT5T G5EALOGICAL CONCOCTION4 ,POISON]S1 TACTICIANS1 BLOODY-M9D$ W>RIOR K+S4 

,BORN ,AL?ORP 9 #a#g#c-SOME?+ & ONE 9 A L5G?Y L9E ( ,JOHNS1 ! FIR/ ,E>L ,SP5C] PROP] FA!R$ ,LADY ,GEORGIANA1 LAT] TO BE MADE ,DU*ESS ( ,DEVON%IRE & FAM\SLY ALLUR+ DOPPELGANG] ( H] LAT] TABLOID-TEAS+ RELATIVE4 ,! FIF? ,E>L ,SP5C]1 BORN >\ND A C5TURY !REAFT]1 WAS ! R$ ONE IF ,MICK HAS HIS LOCAL HI/ORY /RAI<T1 A MATE ( ,GLAD/ONE'S NAM$ AFT] ! COLOR ( HIS O/5TATI\S BE>D4 ,AS ,LORD ,LIEUT5ANT \T 9 ,IREL& IT APPE>S HE'D DONE HIS BIT TO PLAY FAIR ) ! ,F5IANS & EV5 CAME \T = ,HOME ,RULE1 :I* SAW HIM O/RACIZ$ BY EV]YBODY FROM ,VICTORIA D[N4 ,H[EV]1 E>LI] 9 ! #a#h#hS HE'D HAD PEOPLE HUNG = MURD]+ HIS SECRET>Y & ,GLAD/ONE'S NEPHEW1 SO ! NATIONALI/S ALL HAT$ HIM AS WELL4 ,MICK GLANCES TO HIS LEFT1 AT ,CA?Y'S S(T TOPOGRAPHY B5EA? ITS TURF ( DUVET1 & OBS]VES NOT = ! FIR/ TIME ?AT !RE'S NO PLEAS+ ! ,IRI%4 ,DULL DISCOM=TS />T TO MUTT] 9 HIS HIPS & %\LD]S - NONE ( US >E GETT+ ANY Y\NG] - & HE ESSAYS ! MANEUV] TO HIS PORT SIDE1 CURLS HIMSELF AB\T HIS SLEEP+ WIFE'S TURN$ SP9E LIKE F+]S R\ND A H&-W>M]4 ,NEW ANGLE4 

,BY ! C5TURY JU/ GONE1 ,MICK'S C5TURY1 ! ,SP5C] FAMILY'S G5ETIC CREEP HAD MOV$ LIKE ,BURNHAM ,WOOD1 UNNOTIC$1 EV] CLOS] TO ! HUBS ( P[] & HI/ORY4 ,! ,SP5C]-,*UR*ILLS HAD SLIPP$ 9TO ,D[N+ ,/REET ) ,W9/ON & !N1 %ORTLY AFT] ?AT1 RETURN$ ) ,W9/ON'S NIECE ,CL>ISSA AS ,AN?ONY ,$5'S MISSUS2 ! ,SUEZ CRISIS PRIME M9I/]'S TR\BLE & /RIFE1 AL?\< BY NO MEANS ALL ( IT4 ,MEAN:ILE 9 #aibd BACK HOME AT ,AL?ORP1 ,EI<? ,E>L ,JOHNNY HAD >RIV$1 & YET ,MICK'S ONLY M5TAL IMAGE ( ! MAN IS AS A RUBICUND & SEEM+LY CONCUSS$ ATT5DEE ( (FICIAL OP5+S1 SOMEONE ) A PRIZE-FI<T] MUMBLE1 TO BE SEAT$ FUR!/ FROM ! MICROPHONE4 ,?\< TO BE FAIR HE'D PULL$ A DEC5T-LOOK+ WOMAN 9 ?AT FIR/ ,VISC\NTESS ,AL?ORP1 ,FRANCES1 EV5 IF H] DYNA/Y-DISP5S] SEEM$ OBDURATELY TO ONLY TURN \T HEAL?Y BABIES ( AN 9CONV5I5T G5D]4 ,FIR/ CAME ,S>AH1 !N CAME ,JANE & !N AT LA/ ! HOP$ = ,N9? ,E>L1 YET ANO!R ,JOHN1 :O DI$ 9 9FANCY A YE> BE=E ! ADV5T ( A FUR!R DISAPPO9T+ DAU<T]1 ?IS ONE NAM$ AFT] A WEEK'S PROCRA/9ATION AS ,DIANA ,FRANCES4 ,DUR+ HIS OCCASIONAL LUCID MOM5TS ,JOHNNY ,SP5C] />TS TO SEE HIS WIFE AS CULPRIT 9 ! 9ABILITY TO SIRE AN HEIR & ! HUMILIAT$ ,LADY ,AL?ORP IS DISPAT*$ TO ,H>LEY ,/REET 9 ORD] TO DET]M9E JU/ EXACTLY :AT H] PROBLEM IS1 ! DIFFICULTY CLE>LY BE+ H]S ALONE4 ,MICK CAN IMAG9E H[ ?AT MI<T HAVE PUT A /RA9 UPON ! M>RIAGE1 EV5 AFT] ! >RIVAL ( ,DIANA'S Y\NG] BRO!R ,*AMPAGNE ,*>LIE ,SP5C] JU/ A C\PLE ( YE>S LAT]4 ,:5 ! FUTURE PEOPLE'S PR9CESS WAS JU/ EI<T YE>S OLD 9 #aifi H] P>5TS W]E DIVORC$ AMID SOME ACRIMONY FOLL[+ H] MO!R'S EXTRA-M>ITAL AFFAIR ) ,PET] ,%& ,KYDD1 :OM %E'D SOON !REAFT] W$4 ,DESPITE ! UNRELIABILITY ( H9DSI<T1 ,MICK SUPPOSES ?AT SOME ( ! FATEFUL >*ITECTURE ( ! Y\NGE/ ,SP5C] DAU<T]'S LIFE MI<T HAVE BE5 LOOSELY SKET*$ 9 BY EV5TS >\ND ?IS TIME1 AL?\< HE CAN'T HELP ?9K+ ?AT BY SUBSEQU5TLY M>RY+ ,B>B>A ,C>TL&'S DAU<T] ,RA9E H] FA!R HAD RECKLESSLY 9TRODUC$ AN ELEM5T ( OV]HEAT$ GO?IC ROMANCE TO ! MIX ?AT W\LD EV5TUALLY DO MO/ DAMAGE4 ,FAIRY /ORY EXPECTATIONS )\T DUE ACKN[L$GM5T ( ALL ! ?+S ?AT FAIRY /ORIES BR+3 ! POISON$ APPLE & ! CRADLE CURSE1 ! GLASS %OE FULL ( BLOOD4 ,HE FEELS UNCOM=TABLE4 ,IF ,CA?Y IS A ROA/+ H$GEHOG1 ,MICK IS WRAPP$ >\ND H] LIKE BAK$ ,GYPSY CLAY4 ,EVAD+ H] 9F]NO HE ONCE MORE ESSAYS ! %IFT ONTO HIS BACK4 ,NEW ANGLE4 

,HE'S NOT REALLY C]TA9 H[ IT HAD ALL WORK$1 ! C\RT%IP & ! M>RIAGE 9TO ROYALTY4 ,PRESUMABLY ,DIANA HAD BE5 DRAFT$ 9TO S]VICE AS A BROOD-M>E1 LIKE H] MO!R1 TO PRODUCE ! NECESS>Y MALE SUCCESSOR :ILE ALL[+ H] NEW HUSB& TO CONT9UE A LONG/&+ DALLIANCE ) HIS M>RI$ MI/RESS4 ,DID %E KN[ ?AT ON H] WAY 91 OR F9D \T AB\T IT LAT]8 ,MICK SUPPOSES IT DEP5DS ON H[ 9=M$ AB\T EA* O!R'S LIVES ! >I/OCRACY1 AS A COMMUNITY1 MI<T BE4 ,EV5 IF %E'D 5T]$ 9TO M>RIAGE 9 A /ATE ( BLISSFUL IGNORANCE1 %E MU/ HAVE TUMBL$ TO IT E>LY ON4 ,?AT FIR/ PRESS CONF]5CE ) ! TWO ( !M /OOD BY ?AT GATE1 ! DI/ANT & LACONIC TONE ?AT HE AFFECT$ :5 HE SAID 0,:UTEV] LOVE EEZ0 & Y\ SAW H] LOOK UNCOM=TABLE AT ?IS OBVI\S DISCLAIM]4 ,BUT :I*EV] WAY IT W5T1 ONCE ALL ! C>DS W]E ON ! TABLE IT WAS GU>ANTE$ ?AT !RE W\LD BE A MESSY 5D-GAME4 

,:5 ! FAULT-L9ES />T$ %[+ IT WAS 9 ! =M 9ITIALLY ( A S*OOLGIRL REBELLION1 TURN+ UP ) ,F]GIE AT SOME FA%IONABLE & EXCLUSIVE CLUB DISGUIS$ AS ,W,P,C /RIPPAGRAMS1 BUT BY ! TIME IT GOT TO ,M>T9 ,BA%IR Y\ C\LD SEE ?AT %E WAS :EEL+ \T ! BIG GUNS & ?AT H] CAMPAIGN DIDN'T APPE> TO HAVE RETREAT AMONG ITS OPTIONS4 ,IT WAS CLE>LY GO+ TO BE H>D-CORE ATTRITION ALL ! WAY4 ,! TACTICAL COMPON5T BECAME1 LIT]ALLY1 MORE NAK$4 ,! O/5SIBLY 9TRUSIVE BUT SURPRIS+LY COMPOS$ GYMNASIUM R[+-MA*9E PICTURE4 ,! ABBREVIAT$ SWIMSUIT ON ,DODI ,AL ,FAY$'S BOAT1 DELIB]ATELY TEAS+ ! LONG L5SES TO ]ECTION1 ON ! SAME DAY ?AT H] =M] HUSB& & ,CAMILLA ,P>K]-,B[LES W]E DUE TO MEET ! PRESS & PUBLIC4 ,%E'D GOT GAME1 Y\ HAD TO GIVE H] ?AT4 ,& !N1 & !N 444 ?AT WEEK OR TWO BE=E ! BRIDGE1 BE=E H] CROSS+1 ! QUE] ,BRITI% ADMIXTURE ( CLAMMY LU/ & LIP-CURL+ CONTEMPT HAD HUMP$ ITS WAY TO A VITUP]ATIVE CLIMAX3 !Y DESPIS$ H]4 ,!Y DESPIS$ ! FUTURE-K+-HUMILIAT+ ,>AB-%AGG]1 & ! ,A,I,D,S PATI5TS & L&M9ES CAME TO SEEM AN UNCONV9C+ CAM\FLAGE = A NEW ,CA!R9E DE ,M$ICIS1 A NEW ,CA!R9E ,S=ZA2 SOME ,R5AISSANCE VAMP ) NO ELA/IC 9 H] KNICK]S & A CYANIDE R+4 ,LOA!D H] ALL ! MORE = HAV+ WANT$ SO TO LOVE H]1 BUT %E'D LET !M D[N ) ALL H] GALLIVANT+ & H] DIET DISORD]S1 HADN'T BE5 ! P]SON ?AT !Y'D WANT$1 ?AT !Y'D NE$$4 ,IT'S SO H>D TO LOVE SOME?+ ?AT'S MOV+1 *ANG+2 SOME?+ ?AT'S ALIVE4 ,! M>BLE MEMORY IS MORE DEP5DABLE4 ,MICK WOND]S1 HIS ?\<TS />T+ TO FUZZ UP AT LA/1 IF IT WAS ?AT GREAT WEI<T ( DISAPPO9T$ EXPECTATION ?AT HAD SUDD5LY DESC5D$ ON H] LIKE A PREHI/ORIC MUDSLIDE1 FOSSILIZ+ H] =EV] AS ! P]FECT TRAGIC ,HIT*COCK BLOND1 LEE*+ ! HUMAN COLOR \T & FREEZ+ H] 9TO ! BLACK-&-:ITE MONITOR IMAGE AT ! ,RITZ1 ! HALF-SMILE DUCK+ \T ?R\< ! REVOLV+ DOOR 9TO ET]NITY & \TSIDE *AUFFEUR ,H5RI ,PAUL CALL$ BACK ON DUTY AT %ORT NOTICE1 MAYBE CATA/ROPHICALLY ATTEMPT+ TO (FSET HIS AFT]-H\RS IMBIB+ ) A FEW REVIVIFY+ BLA/S ( :ITE L9E FEV]4 ,ROLL+ HI<LI<TS1 GL9TS1 REFRACTIONS4 ,OBSCURE SC9TILLATIONS 9 ! ,P>IS D>K BEYOND ! GLASS4 ,PULL FOCUS TO KALEIDOSCOPIC TORR5T ( F\ND FOOTAGE1 9T]SP]S+ FULL HI<-DEF9ITION COLOR ) UN/ABLE SIL5T FILM /OCK4 

,RURAL ROADS CAN BE MO/ DEADLY1 A REPORT SUGGE/S4 ,AB&ON$ TURTLE SANCTU>Y TO OP5 AT A SEA-LIFE P>K 9 ,DORSET4 ,RUSSIA JOCKEYS = CONTROL ( ?REE ,SIB]IAN OIL PIPEL9ES CURR5TLY 9 ,WE/]N H&S1 & ,NUR-,PA%I ,KULAYEV1 ! SURVIV+ P]PETRATOR ( #b#d'S ,BESLAN S*OOL SIEGE IS F\ND GUILTY ON SPECIFIC C\NTS ( T]RORISM1 HO/AGE TAK+1 MURD]1 BUT /E]S CLE> ( ! DEA? P5ALTY BY VIRTUE ( A CURR5T ,KREML9 MORATORIUM ON EXECUTIONS4 ,LUCKY BREAKS & R&OM TRAG$IES1 ! ACT$ P]MUTATIONS ( ,NEWTONIAN PHYSICS ) ITS 5DLESS KNOCK-ONS & ITS CIRCUM/ANTIAL CANNONADES2 /O*A/IC POPCORN = TOMORR['S PAP]S4 ,9 ! ,9DIAN ,OCEAN SOME SIXTE5 MILES S\?-S\?WE/ ( ,YOGYAK>TA ON ! S\!RN COA/ ( ,JAVA & MORE ?AN SIX MILES B5EA? ! SEAB$ ! ,AU/RALIAN & ,EURASIAN PLATES1 TECTONIC SUMO WRE/L]S1 SLAP P[D] ON !IR PALMS & CLOSE TOGE!R = !IR SEV5? OR EI<? B\T ?IS YE>4 ,IT'S F\RTE5 M9UTES TO ELEV51 ,GRE5WI* ,MEAN ,TIME4 

,%E CAN B>ELY FEEL ! BONY H&S ?AT HELP H] TO H] FEET1 & BRIEFLY HAS ! ?\<T ?AT %E MI<T BE ASC5D+4 ,DI/ANT FROM ! 9/ANT1 9 A SN[GLOBE GLAZE ( SETTL+ %OCK ) ALL ! PA9FUL P>TS ( H] A MILE AWAY1 %E REGI/]S ! TISSUE-PAP] :ISP] ( ! FRAGILE WOMAN GA!R+ H] UP 9TO ! DOOR/EP'S LI<T ONLY REMOTELY4 ,SOME?+ AB\T SA9TS1 %E ?9KS1 & CALMLY WOND]S IF %E'S DEAD1 IF %E'S NOT REALLY MANAG$ TO ESCAPE ! C> OR VEHICLE 5CLOSURE AFT] ALL4 ,NE>BY 9 ! TORR5TIAL NI<T AN 5G9E />TS TO ANGRY LIFE BE=E ITS GR[L MOVES (F UPHILL AWAY FROM H]1 A DISAPPO9T$ & REC$+ SN>L :I*1 LIKE ! SPATT]+ DELUGE OR MURMURS ( H] ELD]LY DELIV]]1 SEEMS TO POSSESS A NEW DIM5SION2 A CA!DRAL ( UNPREC$5T$ RESONANCES R++ 9 H] BLOOD-CAK$ E>S4 ,?R\< ?IS CELE/IAL T9NITUS H] RESCU] IS SPEAK+ N[ ) A FRE% =CE & %>PNESS ?AT %E GRADUALLY COMES TO UND]/& IS NOT ADDRESS$ TO H] = ALL ?AT ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET1 O!R ?AN ! TWO ( !M1 IS B>E4 

0,SEE 'IM (F1 ,FR$DY4 ,SEE 'IM ALL ! WAY (F40 

,!RE'S AN EYE/RA9 %IMM] 9 ! RA9 & !N !RE'S SOME?+ ?AT'S ! OPPOSITE ( W9D1 A H[L+ GU/ ?AT'S SUCK$ AWAY FROM !M 9TO ! ,BOR\<S D>K 9 AN 9DEC5T HURRY1 AS IF LATE = AN APPO9TM5T4 

,D]EK SWEATS & SKIDS & SWE>S & CAN'T GET \T4 ,! NEI<BORHOOD'S A LABYR9? & HE'S LIKE A BULL AT A GATE1 HIS *EMICALLY ASSI/$ C\RAGE BURN+ AWAY ) ! RUBB] TO LEAVE A BLACK RESIDUE ( ACRID PANIC4 ,\T ( ! 5CLOSURE ) ?AT FLAPP+ & HORRIFICALLY PROLIF]ATIVE ?+ BEH9D HIM HE SW+S RI<T & 9TO ,L[] ,BA? ,/REET1 BUT HE DOESN'T KN[ ! LAY\T ( ! PLACE & HALFWAY UP !RE'S CONCRETE BOLL>DS BLOCK+ (F ! ROAD1 ! DI/RICT'S BLUNT & JUTT+ TEE?1 :]E ! COMPULSORY LEFT TURN PA/ A DESPAIR+ LOCAL PUB1 ! ,%OEMAK]S1 DELIV]S HIM ONCE MORE TO ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET4 ,FUCK1 FUCK1 FUCK4 ,A RI<T1 ANO!R RI<T & ! CORROD+ WALL-FIX$ SIGN 9=MS HIM HE'S 9 ,UPP] ,CROSS ,/REET ) ?OSE UGLY T[]-BLOCKS LOOM+ OV] HIM LIKE OVIP>\S DOORM54 ,AT ! 5D1 :AT'S HE TO DO8 ,HE CAN'T TURN UPHILL H[ HE WANTS TO1 HE CAN SEE MORE BOLL>DS UP ! TOP !RE1 BUT :5 HE LOOKS D[NHILL TO HIS RI<T HE REALIZES HIS HALLUC9ATIONS >E /ILL ) HIM3 ON ! CORN] !RE'S A - HE CAN'T EV5 F9D ! WORDS - A MON/R\S COG ( FOG ROTAT+ 9 ! M>G9 ( HIS EYE BUT IF HE LOOKS AT IT DEAD ON1 IT'S GONE4 ,HE SCREE*ES 9TO ,BA? ,/REET1 TRY+ NOT TO SEE ! GR9D+ PHANTOM GE>1 & !N ALMO/ IMM$IATELY LEFT TO ,LITTLE ,CROSS ,/REET4 ,:AT IS IT ) ALL !SE ,CROSS ,/REETS8 ,:AT'S ! BIG DEAL AB\T CROSSES >\ND H]E8 ,C>E]+ ?R\< A BLACK$-\T W>R5 ! BLACK ,ESCORT HURTLES /RAI<T ACROSS ! R\NDAB\T & 9TO ,*ALK ,LANE4 ,VE]+ LEFT >\ND ! FUNNY *APEL ) ! DOORWAY HALFWAY UP ONE WALL HE F9DS HE'S 9 ,/4 ,M>Y'S ,/REET1 ) AT ITS 5D ! LI<TS ( ,HORSEM>KET 9 JOY\S CONFLAGRATION1 ! ILLUM9AT$ EXIT TO ?IS HAUNT$ MAZE4 ,HE'S MADE IT4 ,HE'S GOT \T4 ,HE'S GOT AWAY ) IT4 ,HE DRIVES ON 9TO GL[]+ TAILLI<T FIRE4 

,IT'S BLACK & :ITE AS ,FR$DY SEES IT1 SIZZL+ 9 A PALE FUZE OV] ! S*OOL PLAY+ FIELD1 ?R\< /ILL MA*9ES & EMPTY B5*ES AT ! FACTORY & ACROSS ,SPR+ ,LANE4 

0,SEE HIM (F1 ,FR$DY4 ,SEE HIM ALL ! WAY (F01 ?AT'S :AT ,AUDREY ,V]NALL HAD 9/RUCT$ HIM TO DO4 ,ORD]S >E ORD]S4 ,! *A9 ( COMM& IS SIMPLE & /RAI<T=W>D3 BUILD]S1 FI5DS1 SA9TS1 ,V]NALLS1 DEA?MONG]S1 !N ! R\< SLEEP]S4 ,EV]YBODY'S GOT !IR JOB & ?IS1 AT LA/1 IS ,FR$DY'S4 ,FRILL$ ) FIFTY REPETITIONS ( ! SAME OLD COAT & LEAD+ A GREAT FLEET ( HATS HE SME>S ?R\< ! DES]T$ BUS9ESS COMPLEX ?AT WAS ,CLEAV]'S ,GLASS ONCE & BE=E ?AT ,COMPTON ,/REET1 HEAD+ BY MOO*] 9/9CT = ! RAGG$ >EA'S NOR!A/ CORN]1 ! SKULL POCKET NE> ! P9NACLE ( ,GRAFTON ,/REET4 ,?AT WILL BE :]E :ATEV]'S GO+ TO HAPP5 HAPP5S1 HE KN[S ?IS 9 HIS REMEMB]$ WAT]1 9 HIS ABS5T BONES4 ,?AT'S :]E !Y IMMOLAT$ ! 5*ANTRESSES & H]ETICS4 ,?AT'S :]E !Y SPIK$ ! HEADS1 LIKE SETTL$ BILLS4 ,A FATAL GAMBL]'S SPRAY ( PLAY+ C>DS1 ALL VIOL5T CLUBS & SPADES1 HIS C5TIP$E ( SELVES P\RS OV] :AT REMA9S ( ,L[] ,H>D+ ,/REET & SKITT]S AT UNN]V+ SPE$ 9TO ! MONOLI?IC CROSSWORD BLANK ( EMPTY C\RTS & BLAZ+ W9D[S ON ! O!R SIDE4 ,SA9T ,/EPH5'S ,H\SE1 ,SA9T ,B>NABAS'1 BUILD+S ) LI<TLESS L&+S1 SEV]AL DOZ5 FRONT DOORS & ONE RO( ?AT /& :]E :OLE /REETS US$ TO BE YET /ILL CALL !MSELVES H\SES1 CANONIZ$ HI<-RISES 9 A DIS5FRAN*IZ$ LITANY1 AN AIR ( NOM9ATIVE SANCTITY TO MASK ! SC5T ( UR9E4 ,DIRTY+ ! TELEVISUAL /UPOR 9 ! GR\ND-FLOOR FLATS ) ANGRY-\T-(-NO:]E ?\<TS ON HOMICIDE1 ! SEPIA /AMP$E ( ,FR$DY ,ALL5 FUMES ?R\< O!R PEOPLE'S ,FRIDAY NI<TS TRAIL+ A CL\D ( BASELESS >GUM5T1 LAPS$ CONV]SATION & /ALL$ ,D,V,D 9 ITS 9FURIAT$ WAKE4 

,AT SEV5 M9UTES TO ELEV5 ,MICK ESSAYS A /EAL?-TURN ONTO HIS RI<T SIDE & 9TO A POSITION ?AT SEEMS PROMIS+LY SOPORIFIC1 ?9K+ ( ?AT F9AL ,AUGU/ NI<T N9E YE>S AGO4 ,! BLACK ,M]C$ES SCREAMS ?R\< HIS 9CREAS+ S]OTON9 LEVELS D[N ! ,RUE ,CAMBON T[>DS ITS DATE ) TW5TY-?REE PA/ MIDNI<T4 ,9 ! BACK1 NO SEATBELTS ON3 !Y'RE Y\NG1 HORMONAL1 UNAW>E ?AT ALCOHOL & !IR *AUFFEUR'S ANTI-PSY*OTIC M$IC9E >E CONTRA9DICAT$4 ,VAMPIRE FIREFLIES 9 ! RE>VIEW BUT ! HEAVY ,GALLIC LIDS SAG & HE KN[S HE'S CRA%+4 ,T\*+ SEV5TY HE SLIPS D[N ,C\RS LA ,RE9E ALONG ! RI<T BANK ( ! RIV]1 9TO ! ,PONT DE L',ALMA UND]PASS4 

,& EV5 ON ITS SEISMOLOGIC ,R+ ( ,FIRE1 ,JAVA %IV]S4 ,9 ,GALUR1 %R9E-ORNAM5TS BEG9 TO J+LE1 SMALL & DELICATE P]CUSSIONS AS AN OV]TURE TO CATACLYSM4 ,NE>LY SEV5 ?\S& PEOPLE >E AWAK5$ BY ! S\ND ) SLI<TLY QUIZZICAL EXPRESSIONS ON !IR FACES = ! LA/ TIME1 & ! BIRDS DON'T KN[ :I* WAY TO FLY 9 ?IS GRAY WOLF'S TAIL1 JU/ BE=E ! DAWN4 ,AT #g4#i#f#b8 ,S\? BY #a#a4#d#e#h8 ,EA/ ONE ( ! TWO DIA/ROPHIC COMBATANTS YIELDS BUT AN 9* & ALL FIVE MILLION S\LS )9 !IR SIXTY MILE-WIDE SUMO CIRCLE >E SPONTANE\SLY & SUDD5LY AT PRAY]4 

,SUSP5D$ 9 AN AURA ( AV]T$ 5D+1 %E F9DS H]SELF 9 ! KIT*5 ( ! WOMAN ) MAGNESIUM-FL>E HAIR4 ,A BLESS$LY W>M FLANNEL DABS AWAY COAGULAT$ BURGUNDY FROM H] CLOS$ EYE1 AT 9T]VALS SQUEEZ$ 9TO A HALF-FULL 5AMEL B[L ) FUGITIVE P9K CL\DS DIFFUS+ 9 HOT WAT]4 ,P]FECTLY SWEET TEA IS SET BESIDE H] ON A BEAUTIFULLY FRAY$ TABLECLO?1 & AT H] E> ! ANCI5TLY ACC5T$ VOICE CONT9UES ITS ACC\NT ( SA9TS1 & CORN]S TURN$1 & ! IMPOSSIBILITY ( DEA?4 

,HE'S FLY+ UP ,HORSEM>KET & ACROSS ! ,MAYORHOLD 9TO ,BROAD ,/REET1 HORRORS VANI%+ BEH9D HIM1 FACE FIR/1 WA%$ ) GOLD 9 ! ONCOM+ LI<TS4 ,HE BUZZES ) ADR5AL9E & LUCK PA/ ! ,GALA ,CAS9O ON HIS LEFT2 KEEPS LAU<+ TO HIMSELF ) ! EXHIL>ATION ( IT ALL4 ,JU/ BE=E ,REG5T ,SQU>E1 & )\T SL[+1 HE TAKES ! ABBREVIAT$ TURN = ,GRAFTON ,/REET4 

,9 *ESSBO>D *I>OSCURO ,FR$DY /REAMS ?R\< EMPTY PREMISES1 DRAGG+ A P5NANT SMOKE ( FACES OV] ,CROMWELL ,/REET & ,FITZROY ,T]RACE1 BUR/+ ?R\< ! BRICKWORK & 9TO ! PA? ( ! APPROA*+ TRAFFIC4 ,ONLY 9 ! HEADLI<T GL>E DOES HE APPRECIATE ?AT IT'S /OPP$ RA9+4 

,MICK =GETS EXACTLY :]E HIS LIMBS >E4 ,9 HIS FALT]+ M9D A HYPNAGOGIC LIMO DISAPPE>S 9TO ! TUNNEL M\?1 ABRUPTLY LUR*+ TO ! LEFT ( ! DUAL C>RIAGEWAY AS ,H5RI ,PAUL LOSES CONTROL4 

,MEASUR+ #f4#b UPON ! ,RI*T] SCALE ! E>?QUAKE RIPPLES ACROSS ,JAVA4 

,?R\< AN UNGLU$ EYE %E NOTES ! WOMAN'S KIT*5 CLOCK3 SIX M9UTES TO ELEV54 

,SOME?+ DREADFUL SCUTTLES OV] ,GRAFTON ,/REET 9 FRONT ( HIM4 ,HE SCREAMS 9TO ! SW]VE4 

,FROM ,FR$DY'S MONO*ROME P]SPECTIVE ! BLACK ,ESCORT M\NTS ! CURB ALMO/ 9 SIL5CE4 

,MICK IMAG9ES ! ,M]C$ES AS IT SMACKS 9TO ! ?IRTE5? PILL> UND] ! ,PONT DE L',ALMA4 

,H\SES FALL1 MORE ?AN A HUNDR$ ?\S&1 & SOME ONE & A HALF MILLION HOMELESS /UMBLE \T 9TO ]AS$ /REETS WE>+ BLOODI$ NI<TCLO!S1 />+1 CALL+ PEOPLE'S NAMES4 

,9 ITS 5AMEL B[L ! WAT] IS N[ C>M9E1 %E OBS]VES1 CONC5TRIC R+S DILAT+ FROM ITS EPIC5T]4 ,! OLD LADY'S RUNG ! AMBULANCE & ! POLICE2 ASKS IF !RE'S ANYBODY ELSE ?AT %\LD BE CONTACT$1 & 9 A VOICE %E DOESN'T RECOGNIZE %E SOB]LY RECITES H] MO!R'S NUMB]4 

,UP ONTO ! PAVEM5T & /RAI<T AT ! LAMPPO/ 9 A S]IES ( BEJEWEL$ SACCADES1 HE IMPACTS ON ! /E]+ COLUMN ) HIS BREA/BONE SMA%$ TO FLAKES ( *ALK1 HIS HE>T & LUNGS CRU%$ 9TO AN UNDIFF]5TIAT$ PULP4 ,HEAD PUN*+ ?R\< ! W9DSCRE51 = AN 9/ANT HE BELIEVES ?AT HE'S BE5 FLUNG MIRACUL\SLY CLE> UNTIL HE NOTICES ?AT HE'S N[ DEAF & COLORBL9D4 

,IDL+ T[>DS ! WRECKAGE ( ! C>1 UNHURRI$ N[1 HE GLANCES FROM ! DRIV]'S BODY HALF EM]G$ ACROSS ! CRUMPL$ BONNET TO ! DUPLICATE ?AT /&S AMID A PAVEM5T SPRAY ( %ATT]$ GLASS & />ES AT ! BLACK BLOOD/A9S SOAK+ ITS :ITE %IRTFRONT 9 9COMPREH5SION4 ,SOMEONE ELSE LURKS AT ! 5D ( ,FITZROY ,T]RACE1 LOOK+ ON1 :O ,FR$DY TAKES AT FIR/ TO BE A MORTAL PASS]BY UNTIL HE SPOTS ! MISMAT*$ EYES4 

0,IT LOOKS LIKE HE C\LD USE A DR9K01 SAYS SYMPA!TIC ,SAM ,O',DAY4 

,AGA9/ HIS TWIT*+ EYELIDS ,MICK SCRE5S A MONTAGE1 COMM5C+ ) ! BUCKL$ VEHICLE AT RE/ AGA9/ ! TUNNEL WALL1 ALMO/ IMM$IATELY LO/ 9 A DISSOLVE ( SW>M+ FLA%BULBS :I* RESOLVES TO SNAP%OT IMAGES HI<LI<T+ ! EV5TS ( ! NEXT 444 HAD IT REALLY ONLY BE5 A WEEK8 ,K5S+TON ,PALACE BLE$+ FL[]S & CELLOPHANE1 ,NEW ,LABOR'S RU% TO SP9 ! %R\D1 NEWSPAP] $ITORS DEM&+ A RESPONSE FROM ?OSE !Y'D HELP$ B]EAVE1 ! :OLE FA/-=W>D FLICK] ( ACTIVITY CONCLUD+ ) A /ILL %OT ( ,WE/M9/] ,ABBEY1 HU%$ 9 DULL ,SEPTEMB] LI<T4 

,AT ! APPROA* TO SUNRISE ?\S&S CLOG ! ,SOLO-,YOGYA HI<WAY1 FE>+ A REPRISE ( ! TSUNAMI TWO YE>S PREVI\SLY & FLEE+ 9L&1 LEAV+ RUPTUR$ HOMES TO OPPORTUNI/ BURGL>S :O1 9 DI/RICTS HI< ABOVE SEA LEVEL1 NONE!LESS SPREAD TALES ( AN IMP5D+ TIDAL WAVE ?AT NEV] COMES4 ,ALMO/ SIX ?\S& DEAD1 SIX TIMES ?AT MANY 9JUR$ & ALONG ! HI<WAY'S TEEM+ M>G9 9 ,PRAMBANAN A COLLAPS+ ANCI5T ,H9DU TEMPLE COMPLEX SPILLS ITS GOD-5CRU/$ P9NACLES 9TO ! DU/ BEL[1 CRACK$ DEITIES BECOME UNMOV+ OB/ACLES = ! 9COM+ SURF ( REFUGEES TO FL[ BETWE5 9 CURL+ $DIES1 ) SO MANY 9 PAJAMAS ?AT IT ALL SEEMS A BEWILD]+ MASS DREAM4 

,AS ?\< TIME ISN'T REALLY PASS+1 %E SITS MOTIONLESS BESIDE ! TABLE :ILE GRE5 SWIRLS ( P>AM$IC & FLUORESC5T YELL[ SURGES ( POLICE ORBIT H] 9 A GAUDY PALETTE ( CONC]N1 BRI<T TWI/S ( COLOR >TFULLY EMB$D$ 9 ! GREAT GLASS M>BLE ( ! MOM5T4 ,AUDREY - ?AT'S ! WOMAN'S NAME - ,AUDREY IS TELL+ ! ATT5D+ (FIC] ?AT %E'S A =M] PATI5T ( ,/4 ,CRISP9'S ,HOSPITAL UP ,B]RY ,WOOD TURN1 RELOCAT$ TO ?IS HALFWAY H\SE DUR+ ! C>E-9-!-COMMUNITY 9ITIATIVE4 ,M>LA'S NOT REALLY LI/5+2 NOT EV5 REALLY ,M>LA ANYMORE4 ,! CAPABLE & UNAFRAID P]SPECTIVE FROM :I* %E'D VIEW$ H] BACKSEAT ORDEAL HAS NOT REC$$ ALONGSIDE ! ?REAT ( IMM95T ANNIHILATION1 & :OEV] %E IS N[ IT'S SOMEBODY CONSID]ABLY OLD] ?AN EI<TE54 ,!RE 9 ! VA/NESS ( ! T9Y KIT*5 OBJECTS >E ILLUM9AT$ 9 *UR* W9D[ HUES3 ! MUT$ TURQUOISE LABEL ON A T9 ( BEANS1 H] =E>MS BRUIS$ TO PLU% C9EMA-SEAT M>OON & ,AUDREY'S SLIPP]S1 P9K AS SUG>-IC$ FLAM+OS4 ,EV]Y DETAIL1 EV]Y S\ND1 EA* ?\<T ?AT PASSES ?R\< H] M9D IS \TL9$ ) ! GLORI\S BLOOD & GOLD ( M>TYR-FIRE4 ,%E HE>S H] [N VOICE ANSW]+ ! POLICEWOMAN'S QUE/IONS & IT'S /RONG1 IT ISN'T WEAK4 ,IT ISN'T UGLY4 

0,NO1 HE HAD A *UBBY BUILD1 ) ROSY *EEKS & D>K HAIR GRAY+ AT ! SIDES4 ,I DIDN'T SEE HIS EYES40 

,& ALL ! TIME !RE'S P>T ( H] ?AT'S /ILL !RE 9 ! JUDD]+ ,ESCORT2 /ILL !RE ON ! DOOR/EP LOOK+ UP AT ,AUDREY ) H] HEAD ALL FILAM5T-GL>E & COMBU/ION1 SPEAK+ ?AT PECULI> NAME FROM ,J4,K4 ,/EPH5'S DOGG]EL & A DOZ5 SP9E-L9$ RIPP]BACKS1 AS IF %E'D KN[N IT W\LD BE RECOGNIZ$4 ,A BR&I$ SLUR ( SYLLABLES OR AN ELABORATE SNEEZE1 A NAME ?AT NOBODY WAS EV] CALL$ JU/ LY+ >\ND EMPTY1 WAIT+ = ! 9DIVIDUAL S+UL> 5\< TO PUT IT ON3 ,KAPHOOZELUM4 ,NEW PO9T ( VIEW1 RESUM+ BLACK & :ITE4 

,WET T>MAC GL9TS 9 AN ABRUPT !AT] %U%1 AS ?\< SOME DRAMA W]E AB\T TO />T4 ,! BOOT'S BE5 SPRUNG BY ! COLLISION - FUCK1 :AT WILL HE SAY TO ,IR5E1 SAY TO ! 9SUR]S - & ! *ILDR5'S BEA* TOYS & 9FLATABLES >E SCATT]$ 9 ! ROAD AS PALE & GRAY AS UNCOOK$ CRABS4 ,EXASP]AT$ & CONFUS$ HE TRIES TO KICK A PUNCTUR$ >MB& TO ! CURBSIDE1 BUT HE'S EI!R SEE+ D\BLE & HE MISSES OR HIS FOOT GOES ?R\< IT LIKE IT ISN'T !RE4 ,GIV5 HIS PROBABLE CONCUSSION HE DECIDES ! FIR/ ( !SE ALT]NATIVES IS ! MO/ LIKELY1 AL?\< ?IS /ILL LEAVES HIM ) ! PROBLEM ( ?AT MANGL$ BODY SPRAWL+ ?R\< ! ABS5T W9D%IELD4 ,DID HE HIT SOMEBODY8 ,OH1 %IT1 HE'S 9 TR\BLE N[1 BUT !N H[ DID !Y MANAGE TO GO ?R\< ! SCRE5 FEET FIR/1 ?AT ISN'T POSSIBLE1 & F9ALLY HE GLIMPSES ! GLASS-FRECKL$ RU9 ( ! FACE BUT /ILL CAN'T QUITE DET]M9E :]E HE KN[S IT FROM4 ,?AT'S :5 HE NOTICES ! TWO OLD BOYS /OOD WAT*+ HIM FROM FUR!R D[N ! /REET1 BO? ( !M WE>+ HATS1 :I* ISN'T SOME?+ ?AT Y\ V]Y (T5 SEE !SE DAYS4 ,! NE>] ( ! TWO COMES UP TO HIM1 ASKS HIM IF HE C\LD USE A DR9K & ,D]EK SAYS YES JU/ LIKE ?AT1 GRATEFUL = ANYBODY :O MI<T LET HIM 9 ON :AT'S JU/ HAPP5$4 ,! OLD DOSS] TELLS HIM !RE'S A PLACE NE>BY1 ! ,JOLLY ,SOME?+1 :]E HE'LL HAVE A *ANCE TO GET HIS BE>+S N[ ! SAT-NAV'S FUCK$4 ,!Y />T TO WALK TOGE!R BACK UP T[>DS ,REG5T'S ,SQU>E &1 ACTUALLY1 ?IS C\LD ALL /ILL TURN \T OKAY4 ,REMEMB]+ ! TRAMP'S COMPANION HE ASKS 0,:AT AB\T Y\R MATE80 ,!Y BO? PAUSE & LOOK BACK4 ,! O!R MAN - ONE EYE LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOT A CAT>ACT OR SOME?+ - SMILES & LIFTS HIS HAT1 AT :I* PO9T ,D]EK UND]/&S EXACTLY :]E HE IS4 ,HE />TS TO WEEP4 ,! VAGRANT NE> HIM QUIETLY TAKES HIS >M & LEADS HIM1 UNRESI/+1 (F 9TO A SOOT & SILV] ,FRIDAY NI<T4 ,NEW PO9T ( VIEW4 

,AS ,FR$DY SEES IT1 ONCE HE'S L$ ! SNIVEL+ NEW /ATI/IC D[N ,DAGU]REOTYPE WALKWAYS TO ! ,JOLLY ,SMOK]S1 ?AT'S HIM DONE1 HIS DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES DIS*>G$4 ,PUZZL+LY1 AT ! <O/-PUB !RE >E TWO M5 MADE ( WOOD ?AT SEEM TO HAVE >RIV$ FROM SOME:]E1 ONE ( !M EMB$D$ FACE-UP 9 ! WORM-DRILL$ FLOORBO>DS :ILE ! O!R ONE1 MORE CORPUL5T BUT SIMIL>LY NAK$1 /&S BESIDE ! B> ) TE>S ( V>NI% ROLL+ D[N HIS GRA9-:ORL$ *EEKS & ,M>Y ,JANE'S 9ITIALS G\G$ 9TO HIS >M4 ,AS ,FR$DY MAKES EXCUSES & SLIPS \T ! BACK DOOR1 HE LOOKS R\ND & SEES ! DI/RAU<T NEW >RIVAL BE+ 9TRODUC$ TO ! LIKEWISE DISCONSOLATE FAT MANIK9 BY ,TOMMY ,MANGLE-!-,CAT1 FRAGM5TS ( A BRUTAL SMILE SLID+ ACROSS HIS JUGGL$ PHYSIOGNOMY4 ,!RE'S NO NE$ TO SEE ANY MORE2 NO NE$ TO KN[ ! PRECISE NATURE ( ! JU/ICE ?AT'S ADM9I/]$ ABOVE ! /REETS4 ,HE SMOLD]S \T 9TO ! SODIUM-/A9$ D>KNESS AT ! TOP ( ,T[] ,/REET1 :]E ABOVE A FA/-DIS9TEGRAT+ OV]COAT ( CL\D >E />S ?AT LOOK ! SAME TO DEAD & LIV+4 ,HE FEELS DIFF]5TLY AB\T ?+S N[1 NOT LEA/ AB\T HIMSELF4 ,SOME ( ! /A9S HAVE GONE FROM HIS ESCUT*EON1 BLOTS EVAPORAT$ FROM HIS COPYBOOK4 ,:5 IT CAME D[N TO IT1 HE'D DONE ! RI<T ?+4 ,HE'S BE5 BETT] ?AN ! MAN HE ?\<T HE WAS1 ! MAN :O WAS RESIGN$ TO AN 9K-WA% ET]NITY1 TOO GUILTY & IMPOV]I%$ 9 HIS *>ACT] TO EV] GO ,UP/AIRS4 ,HE'S PAID ! DI/RICT BACK = ALL ITS P9TS ( MILK1 ITS LOAVES ( BREAD1 ITS DISAPPO9T$ DOOR/EPS4 ,MU* TO HIS SURPRISE HE F9DS HIS WORN-\T %OES >E LEAD+ HIM D[N ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET TO HIS FRI5D'S H\SE1 ,AUDREY'S H\SE !RE AT ! BOTTOM ) ITS CROOK-DOOR1 ) ITS ,JACOB ,FLI<T4 ,HE'S HURRY+ N[1 PA/ ! DES]T$ PLAY+ FIELDS4 ,HE ?9KS HE CAN REMEMB] YELL[1 ?9KS HE CAN REMEMB] GRE54 ,CUT TO 9T]IOR1 NI<T4 

,HIS BREA? SO REGUL> ?AT HE'S =GOTT5 IT1 ,MICK FALT]S AT ! BR9K ( DREAM1 ?AT OV]CA/ ,SEPTEMB] AFT]NOON N9E YE>S AGO REPLAY+ 9 AN EMPTI$ CRANIAL C9EMA4 ,!Y'D WAT*$ ON TELEVISION1 HIM & ,CA?Y & ! LADS1 & IT HAD ALL SEEM$ /AGE-MANAG$ & /RANGE1 MORE LIKE A ,ROYAL ,V>IETY ,P]=MANCE ?AN A FUN]AL B5EA? ITS ,COOL ,BRITANNIA BR&+4 ,NE$+ SOME?+ ?REE-DIM5SIONAL & MORE AU!NTIC ?AN A SCRE5 C\LD (F] !Y'D ALL CLIMB$ 9TO ! C> & ,CA?Y DROVE !M \T TO ,WE$ON ,ROAD1 :]E !Y C\LD WAT* ! CORTEGE ON ITS WAY TO ,AL?ORP4 ,ALL ! PEOPLE ?AT W]E GA!R$ AT ! ROADSIDE !RE1 AS QUIET AS <O/S1 NOBODY REALLY C]TA9 :Y !Y'D COME EXCEPT ! S5SE ?AT SOME?+ OLD WAS HAPP5+ AGA9 & ?AT !IR PRES5CE WAS REQUIR$4 ,ALMO/ ASLEEP ,MICK />TS TO MISPLACE ! DIVID+ L9E BETWE5 EV5T & MEMORY4 ,NO LONG] HORIZONTAL & 9 B$ HE'S HELP+ ,CA?Y %EPH]D ,JACK & ,JOE BETWE5 SPECTATORS ON ! V]GE1 SOMNAMBULI/S ) TONGUES /ILL$ BY MY?OLOGY4 ,F9D+ A CLE> SPOT 9 ! ?READB>E GRASS BESIDE ! CURB IT SEEMS TO HIM ?AT !SE EXACT SAME PEOPLE MU/ HAVE TURN$ UP TO REMOVE !IR HATS = ,BOADICEA1 ,ELEANOR ( ,CA/ILE1 ,M>Y1 ,QUE5 ( ,SCOTS & ANY DEAD QUE5S :O HAVE SLIPP$ HIS SLIPP+ M9D4 ,AN 5G9E IS APPROA*+ 9 ! DI/ANCE1 L\D = WANT ( ANY O!R S\ND1 EV5 ! BIRDS REMA9+ MUTE = ! DURATION4 ,IT GLIDES PA/ !M LIKE A %IP1 IMAG9$ B[-WAVE RIPPL+ ! ASPHALT1 FLORAL WREA!S LIKE LIFEBELTS ON ! BONNET1 B\ND = ITS PRET5D$ ISL& GRAVE4 ,HAV+ ATT5D$ TO H] HOMECOM+ ! CR[D & VISION BO? BEG9 TO BREAK UP LIKE COMMEMORATIVE CROCK]Y1 MELT+ 9TO ! ?RONG AT ,ALMA'S EXHIBITION ?AT'S TOMORR[ MORN+4 ,LETT+ GO ( EV]Y?+1 ,MICK S9KS 9TO ANO!R ( HIS FIVE-&-TW5TY ?\S& NI<TS4 ,HE FADES TO BLACK4 

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