,BOOK #c1 ,*APT] #b 
,A ,COLD & ,FRO/Y ,MORN+ 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,TEXT 3 

,A ,C,O,L,D ,& ,F,R,O,/,Y ,M,O,R,N,+ 

,ALMA ,W>R51 B>ELY \T ( B$ & NAK$ 9 ! MON/R\S BA?ROOM MIRROR1 />+ BLE>Y AT H] SAGG+ FIFTY-?REE-YE>-OLD FLE% & /ILL FANCY+ H]SELF SOME?+ ROTT54 ,%E F9DS H] 5DUR+ VANITY ALMO/ H]OIC 9 ! SCALE ( ITS DELUSION4 ,%E'S PREP>$ TO FACE ! FACTS1 SAFE 9 ! KN[L$GE ?AT ! FACTS WILL ONLY SCREAM & RUN AWAY4 ,ALL ?+S CONSID]$1 %E'S A FUNNY PIECE ( WORK4 

,! BIG SQU>E BA?ROOM ) ITS PLA/]-R\ND$ CORN]S IS A BLUNT$ CUBE ( GRAY /EAM RIS+ FROM ! EI<T-FOOT *ASM ( ! FILL+ TUB1 AN O/5TATI\S LIFEBOAT MADE FROM TIDE-L9$ FIB]GLASS4 ,SUBJECT$ TO ?IS SWELT]+ RA9-=E/ CLIMATE EV]Y MORN+ = AT LEA/ T5 YE>S ! *AMB]'S BLUE & GOLD-VE9$ L9+ PAP] HAS BEGUN TO DROOP D[N FROM ! CEIL+'S CURVE1 A WILT$ W9T] SUNRISE4 ,AT ! BOTTOM ( ! GIANT BA? ITSELF !RE >E ! /UDS ( AN UNUS$ ,JACUZZI FIXTURE1 GILT FLAK$ (F TO %[ ! DULL GRAY METAL UND]NEA?4 ,ALMA HAS NEV] REALLY HAD ! KNACK ( KEEP+ SOME?+ NICE4 

,%E PICKS A BA? BOMB FROM ! GRE5 GLASS FRUIT B[L ON ! C\NT]1 ,FAIRY ,JASM9E FROM ! FRAGRANT BRAN* ( ,LU% D[N 9 ! ,GROSV5OR ,C5T]1 LOBS IT CASUALLY 9TO ! DEEP HOT WAT] & TAKES *ILDI% PLEASURE FROM ! SCUM ( BLUE METALLIC GLITT] ?AT SEE!S UP \T ( ! FIZZ & FOM5T4 ,%E'LL HAVE SEQU9$ *EEKS1 H&S1 HAIR & %EETS = A FEW DAYS BUT1 ON ! PLUS SIDE1 WILL BE LIV+ 9 ! E>LY #a#i#gS4 ,ALMA CLIMBS UP ONTO ! NE> 5D ( ! BOX$-9 M9IATURE LAGOON & /RIKES A POSE LIKE A HI< DIV]1 SQU9T+ D[N 9TO ! /EAM UNTIL %E CAN IMAG9E ?AT H] BA?TUB IS A MASSIVE RES]VOIR AS SE5 FROM SEV]AL HUNDR$ FEET ABOVE4 ,%E MAKES AS IF AB\T TO EXECUTE A SWALL[ DOVE BUT !N APPE>S TO *ANGE H] M9D & /EPS D[N C>EFULLY 9TO H] BA? 9 ! CONV5TIONAL FA%ION4 ,?IS /RANGE PANTOMIME IS SOME?+ %E DOES EA* DAY )\T HAV+ ANY IDEA :Y4 ,%E ONLY HOPES ?AT NOBODY EV] F9DS \T AB\T IT4 

,) A PIG-P9K SOAP-B> R$OL5T ( ,WOOLWOR?S' ,PICK'N',MIX %E LA!RS H]SELF EV]Y:]E !N SLUICES IT ALL (F1 RELAX+ BACK 9TO ! HEAT & SUDS UNTIL ONLY H] FACE IS VISIBLE ABOVE ! SURFACE AS A FLOAT+ MASK4 ,! LONG HAIR DRIFTS AB\T H] \TSIZ$ SKULL LIKE WAT]WE$1 BECOM+ SLEEK & SATURAT$ AS %E LI/5S TO ! R++ UND]WAT] NOISES ?AT H] BA? MAKES 9ADV]T5TLY1 ! PEEL+ GOLD TAP'S RHY?MIC DRIPP+ & ! AMPLIFI$ SCRAPE ( A TO5AIL ON ! LONG TUB'S MOLD$ SIDES4 ,ALMA FEELS COM=TABLE1 R$UC$ TO NO?+ BUT A BOBB+ FACE ) ALL ! RE/ ( :AT %E IS CONCEAL$ B5EA? ! BUBBLES & ! DRIFT+ CLOTS ( IRIDESC5T BLUE4 ,?IS IS ESS5TIALLY ! /RATEGY ) :I* %E FACES LIFE1 BELIEV+ ?AT IT L5DS H] ! ADVANTAGE ( SURPRISE3 !RE MI<T BE ANY?+ B5EA? ! SUDS & SP>KLE1 MI<TN'T !RE8 

,AFT] AN AMNIOTIC M9UTE ( SUBM]SION %E SITS UP1 HAIR A LANK COMMA DRIBBL+ BETWE5 H] %\LD] BLADES1 & SCOOPS A VISC\S PALM-FULL ( H] LIME & SEA-SALT %AMPOO FROM ITS POT1 RUBB+ ! GRITTY SLIME 9TO H] SCALP4 ,! PRODUCT PROMISES ITS US] TRAFFIC-/OPP+ %9E & VOLUME1 AL?\< ,ALMA IS UNABLE TO REMEMB] ! LA/ TIME ?AT %E'D /OPP$ TRAFFIC 9 A GOOD WAY4 ,MOLD+ H] HAIR =W>D 9 A LA!R-/IFF5$ QUIFF ?AT SAGS T[>DS ITS DRIPP+ TIP A GOOD EI<T 9*ES FROM H] =EHEAD1 ,ALMA MUMBLES 0,?ANG YUH V]RAH MU*0 9TO ! HUMID FOG1 !N R9SES IT ALL (F US+ A PEEL+ GOLD5 %[] ATTA*M5T4 ,%E IS1 %E LIKES TO BELIEVE1 ! SPITT+ IMAGE ( ! ,K+ IF HE'D LIV$ TO BE AN OLD WOMAN4 

,ONCE ! /R&S >E SQUEAK+ LIKE VIOL9 /R+S1 %E TURNS (F ! NOZZLE & LIES BACK1 H] SODD5 HEAD DRA9+ 9TO ! FOLD$ T[EL ?AT %E'S =E?\<TFULLY PLAC$ ON ! LONG TUB'S PO9T$ 5D4 ,/RET*$ \T FULL L5G? & MOTIONLESS1 A DEAD ,EGYPTIAN MON>* :OSE S>COPHAGUS HAS FIR/ BE5 FLOOD$ & !N /REWN ) GLITT] = UNFA?OMABLE RITUAL PURPOSES1 ,ALMA REVIEWS H] ?\<TS1 SU* AS !Y >E AT ?IS TIME ( A ,FRIDAY MORN+4 ,NE> ! SURFACE1 A /ORM-LAY] ( NONS5SICAL RAGE & RES5TM5T IS SUBSID+ GRADUALLY 9TO ?IS FOAMY 9T]LUDE BETWE5 H] BREAKFA/ ,%R$DIES1 H] S5SIBLE DAILY ASPIR9 & H] BIO-YOGURT DR9KS1 ALREADY WOLF$ D[N1 & H] FIR/ JO9T ( ! DAY1 :I* IS /ILL YET TO COME4 ,B5EA? ?IS SCUM-L9E ( RESIDUAL ANG] IS A T$I\SLY EFFICI5T SECRET>Y-/RATA1 LI/+ EV]Y?+ ?AT ,ALMA HAS TO DO TODAY1 ,FRIDAY1 ,MAY #b#f?1 #b#f3 F9I% ! ,*A9 ( ,(FICE PICTURE1 PAY H] TREA*]\S BLOODSUCK+ C\NCIL TAX1 GO TO ! BANK1 VISIT ! LITTLE DAYC>E NURS]Y D[N NE> ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR* TO SEE IF EV]Y?+ HAS BE5 DELIV]$ SAFELY = TOMORR['S EXHIBITION4 ,OH1 & %OP = FOOD 9 T[N1 BECAUSE !RE'S NO?+ 9 ! FRIDGE EXCEPT = WEIRD1 EXOTIC RELI%ES & DIPS %E'S B\<T :ILE 9 AN ALT]$ /ATE4 ,P]HAPS %E'LL POP H] HEAD 9TO ! ,GROSV5OR ,C5T] BRAN* ( ,H,M,V TO SEE IF ! NEW SEASON ( ,! ,WIRE IS \T YET2 MAYBE TRAWL ! LOCAL-9T]E/ %ELVES AT ,WAT]/ONE'S1 LOOK+ = PHOTOGRAPHS ( SEPIA B>GES ON A BR[N-ALE RIV]2 LEMM+-WAVES ( KIDS 9 #a#i#eS SWIMM+ CO/UMES RUNN+ AT ! CAM]A1 SPLA%+ ?R\< ! %ALL[ 5D ( ! ,MIDSUMM] ,MEAD[ LIDO4 

,D[N BEL[ ?IS RELATIVELY-TIDY ORGANIZ+ LEVEL >E ! CEASELESSLY-ROTAT+ COGS & FLY:EELS ( CREATIVE PROCESS4 ,!SE >E ANXI\SLY REVIEW+ M9OR IRRITATIONS 9 COMPLET$ WORKS - ! C5TRAL :ITE-HAIR$ LABOR] 9 ,WORK 9 ,PROGRESS = EXAMPLE1 LOOK+ BACK ACROSS HIS %\LD] AT ! AUDI5CE ) EYES P]HAPS TOO /]N & FRI<T5+ - OR ELSE >E SIFT+ PATI5TLY ?R\< POSSIBILITIES = PA9T+S YET TO COME4 ,%E HAS A NEBUL\S IDEA ?AT 9VOLVES TRACK+ D[N ! SITES DEPICT$ BY GREAT1 BYGONE L&SCAPE >TI/S1 RECREAT+ ! SAME VIEW 9 ! SAME M$IUM1 ) ALL ! C>-CRAMM$ MOTORWAYS & MOD]N ALT]ATIONS R5D]$ CLASSICALLY 9 LU/R\S OILS ) PATI5T GLAZES1 FREEZ+ A DEGRAD$ PRES5T 9 ! UN=GIV+ GAZE ( A MORE ABLE PA/4 ,!RE'S SOME?+ 9 ! NOTION ?AT APPEALS TO H]1 BUT IT'S TOO GLIB & OBVI\S 9 ITS PRES5T =M4 ,BESIDES1 %E'LL HAVE HAD FIVE IDEAS AS GOOD OR BETT] BE=E %E RETIRES TONI<T4 ,ALMA'S ATT5TION SKITT]S OV] ?IS & O!R FL$GL+ PROJECTS PRETTY MU* NON/OP1 EV5 :ILE O!R >EAS ( H] AW>5ESS >E 5GAG$ 9 PRESS+ MATT]S ( !IR [N1 SU* AS PRET5D+ ?AT :OMEV] %E IS TALK+ TO HAS H] COMPLETE ATT5TION4 

,UND] ?IS PRODUCTIVE & UNTIR+ %OP-FLOOR ( ! M9D WE NEXT 5C\NT] ! VA/1 MONITOR-LIT BASEM5T COMPLEX ( A SUP]-VILLA9ESS1 :]E P>T ( ,ALMA'S TOO-ELABORATE P]SONALITY SITS 9 A SWIVEL *AIR AMONG ! %IFT+ SCRE5S & CONTEMPLATES D]ANG$ AG5DAS4 ,!SE 9CLUDE AFFECT+ ! DEVELOPM5T ( CULTURE BY ! SUBTLE 9TRODUCTION ( EXTREME IDEAS1 :I*1 IF PURSU$1 WILL ALMO/ C]TA9LY PRECIPITATE WIDESPREAD APOCALYPTIC PSY*OLOGICAL COLLAPSE4 ,?IS WILL FULFILL ,ALMA'S AMBITION1 HAV+ FIR/ GONE MAD H]SELF1 ( TAK+ EV]YONE ELSE ) H]4 ,!N1 ( C\RSE1 !RE'S ! ONGO+ S*EME TO >GUE H] WAY \T ( DEA?1 :I* IS PROGRESS+ RA!R NICELY4 ,%E SITS SWIVEL+ & *UCKL+ 9 H] IMAG9>Y LAIR1 BUT DOES NOT /ROKE A CAT1 HAV+ ANTICIPAT$ ?AT H] /ATURE AS A VILLA9ESS W\LD BE SEV]ELY UND]CUT BY ! PR$ICTABLE & OBVI\S SEXUAL PUN4 ,9/EAD1 :5 CIRCUM/ANCE REQUIRES1 %E /ROKES A RAUC\S & R$-CRE/$ COCK4 

,DESC5D+ FUR!R !RE >E ,JUNGIAN CATACOMBS ( AL*EMY1 KABBALAH1 NUM]OLOGY & T>OT1 P>ANORMAL RESIDUES RESULT+ FROM H] /ILL-CURR5T PREOCCUPATION ) ! OCCULT4 ,%E DECODES ! DAY >\ND H] 9 ACCORDANCE ) ! CORRESPOND5CE-TABLES ( ,CORNELIUS ,AGRIPPA1 ,DR4 ,DEE1 ,ALEI/] ,CR[LEY1 ALL ! O!R OCCULT HEAVYWEI<TS4 ,TODAY'S A ,FRIDAY1 ,FREITAG1 ,V5DR$I1 DAY ( ! PLANET ,V5US & ! NUMB] SEV51 A GOOD FEMALE DAY 9 ALL4 ,ITS COLORS >E ?REE %ADES ( GRE5 ) AMB] AS A COMPLEM5T4 ,ITS P]FUME IS ATT> ( ROSE1 ITS METAL COPP]4 ,?IS SPECIFIC ZONE ( ,ALMA'S CONSCI\SNESS ALL[S ITSELF TO BE PRODUCTIVELY DI/RACT$ BY ! TANG5TIAL IDEA ( ROSES1 FOLL[+ A FRAGILE ?READ ( FREE-ASSOCIATION />T+ ) ,DIANA ,SP5C]1 0,GOODBYE1 ,5GL&'S ,ROSE01 ,TAUP9 & ,JOHN'S CAMP ,MONROE EULOGY REFITT$ = ANO!R BLOND GIRL DEAD ( CAM]AS1 MISPLAC$ AMBITION1 & BETRAYAL4 ,! FUN]AL CORTEGE ?AT ,ALMA'S BRO!R ,MICK HAD WAT*$1 BR++ ! BODY HOME ALONG ! SUMM] MOTORWAY1 ?R[N BLOSSOMS WILT+ ON ! BONNET1 VIVID ON ! DULL GUNMETAL ( ! CASKET4 ,UTT] SIL5CE FROM ! CR[DS BESIDE ! ROAD4 ,NOR?AMPTON%IRE1 ,ROSE ( ! ,%IRES4 ,! ROSE ORIG9ATES 9 ,TURKEY1 ONLY R$ OR :ITE V>IETIES AVAILABLE1 & IT IS 9TRODUC$ 9 ,EUROPE BY RETURN$ CRUSAD]S1 MANY ( !SE COM+ BACK H]E TO ! T[N :]E !IR CRUSADES HAD />T$4 ,PROV+ POPUL>1 ! FL[]1 9 ITS TWO DI/9CT %ADES1 IS EV5TUALLY ADOPT$ AS A SYMBOL BY ! ,H\SES ( BO? ,LANCA/] & ,YORK1 ) !IR SUBSEQU5T CONFLICT SETTL$ AT ! ,BATTLE ( ,C[ ,MEAD[1 BETWE5 ,BECKETT'S ,P>K & ,DELAPRE ACROSS ! RIV]4 ,BLOOD & ROSES1 A REPETITIVE MOTIF ACROSS ! PR9T$ FABRIC ( ,NOR?AMPTON'S MUDDY SKIRT4 

,A LITTLE FUR!R D[N >E ,ALMA'S FEEL+S1 H] EMOTIONAL COMPON5T1 A F> SUNNI] & LESS NI<TM>I% PA/URE ?AN APPE>ANCES MI<T LEAD ONE TO SUPPOSE4 ,9 ?IS 5CLOSURE1 ALL ( ,ALMA'S FRI5DS & PETS & FAMILY1 ALIVE OR DEAD1 FROLIC AMID 5ACTM5TS ( H] TREASUR$ MOM5TS4 ,!SE MI<T REPRES5T A DREAM1 A FIR/ KISS1 OR ?AT FUNNY AFT]NOON :5 %E'D BE5 N9E1 TAK+ A LONG-CUT HOME ?R\< ,GREYFRI>S FLATS D[N ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET1 NOTIC+ ! BU%1 ! S+LE DANGL+ CAT]PILL>4 ,ALL ( ,ALMA'S POSITIVE EXP]I5CES >E R]\T$ H]E = LONG-T]M /ORAGE4 ,ALL H] NEGATIVE EXP]I5CES >E F$ TO AN APPALL+ ?+ ) TURQUOISE EYES1 KEPT 9 A P5 BEH9D ! RECREATION >EA & ONLY TAK5 \T = WALKS UPON SPECIAL OCCASIONS4 

,UND] ALL ( ?IS IS ,ALMA'S S\L1 ! ,REAL ( H] ?AT CANNOT BE EXPRESS$1 :I* IS A LOVELY & +5I\SLY FA%ION$ >TIFACT1 IF POSSIBLY A LITTLE %[Y & IMPRACTICAL4 ,ESS5TIALLY1 IT IS ?AT ( A S]I\S-M9D$ YET IMAG9ATIVE & V]Y CLEV] SEV5-YE>-OLD GIRL1 & AT ! MOM5T IS DISSOLV+ BLISSFULLY 9TO ! JASM9E-SC5T$1 SAPPHIRE-DU/$ CURR5TS ( A SCALD+ HOT BA?4 

,:5 %E />TS EXP]I5C+ PANGS ( PROLET>IAN GUILT AT H] M9OR-CELEBRITY 9DULG5CE1 :I* TAKES ONLY A FEW M9UTES 9 A TUB ( ?IS PREPO/]\S SIZE1 %E SITS UP SUDD5LY & PULLS ! PLUG \T4 ,LEAP+ FROM ! BA?1 %E TRIES TO DRY H]SELF & GET H] CLO!S ON BE=E ALL ! WAT] HAS DRA9$ GURGL+ AWAY1 A HABIT ?AT %E US$ TO ?9K ( AS SIMPLE EFFICI5CY BUT HAS S9CE REALIZ$ IS JU/ P>T ( H] QUITE ORD9>Y 9DIVIDUAL MADNESS4 ,F9ALLY1 TRIUMPHANTLY1 HAV+ COMPLET$ DRESS+ :ILE ! LA/ FEW NEBULAE ( FOAM & GLITT] >E /ILL CIRCL+ ! PLUG'S BLACK HOLE BY ! SIMPLE EXP$I5T ( NOT BO!R+ ) ANY UND]WE>1 %E SL+S H] ROBE OV] ! BANI/] & ?UND]S D[N ! /AIRS4 ,IT'S HALF-PA/ SEV5 9 ! MORN+ & TIME TO COMM5CE H] HECTIC & DEM&+ S*$ULE ( ATTEMPT+ TO 9TIMIDATE ! PLANET'S O!R OCCUPANTS4 ,IT'S NOT ?AT ,ALMA F9DS ?IS :OLLY SELF-IMPOS$ TASK DIFFICULT1 ESPECIALLY4 ,IT'S JU/ ?AT !RE'S SO MANY ( !M1 & SO LITTLE TIME4 

,D[N/AIRS1 AMID A CLUTT] ( R>E BOOK & UNCOMPLET$ CANVAS ?AT IS ONLY REASSUR+ TO ,ALMA H]SELF1 %E FILLS H] SPACE-AGE KETTLE-JUG & SWIT*ES ON ITS E]IE BLUE LI<T BE=E SETTL+ 9TO H] >M*AIR & BEG9N+ ! CON/RUCTION ( H] FIR/ JAZZ CIG>ETTE4 ,!SE O/5TATI\SLY LONG ITEMS1 ACCURATELY LABEL$ AS 0N9E-9* ,GAULOISE DICK-COMP5SATORS0 BY H] ONE-TIME VISITOR ,ALEXEI ,SAYLE1 >E A LEFTOV] FROM H] Y\NG] DAYS :5 %E /ILL W5T TO P>TIES & CONTRIV$ A REEF] LONG 5\< TO /ILL HAVE SOME?+ LEFT = H]SELF AFT] IT HAD CIRCUMNAVIGAT$ A ROOM FULL ( PEOPLE4 ,:5 H] P>TIAL DEAFNESS & 9CREAS+ WE>9ESS ) ALCOHOL L$ TO ,ALMA =EGO+ P>TIES & MO/ (T5 SMOK+ ON H] [N :ILE WORK+1 %E SIMPLY =GOT TO MODIFY ! L5G?1 ?AT'S ALL4 ,IT'S NOT ?AT %E'S A DRUG-GLUTTON OR ANY?+4 

,:5 ALL T5 ,RIZLA PAP]S HAVE BE5 GLU$ 9TO A :ITE FLAG ( SURR5D] & ! FILL+ ( TOBACCO ADD$1 ,ALMA COOKS ! BLUNT 5D ( A B> ( HA% OV] H] ,ZIPPO LI<T]4 ,?IS CURR5T V>IETY1 :I* AS A TE5AG] %E W\LD HAVE RECOGNIZ$ AS COM+ FROM ,AF<ANI/AN OR ,PAKI/AN1 HAS MORE ?AN LIKELY BE5 R5AM$ ,TALIBAN ,BLACK TO SUIT ! PRES5T SITUATION4 ,%E REFLECTS UPON ?IS AS %E CRUMBLES ! /ILL-SMOLD]+ RES9 9TO ! TOBACCO1 BURN+ H] ALMO/ 5TIRELY N]VELESS LEFT ?UMB & =EF+] 9 ! PROCESS4 ,NEXT !RE COMES A SCRABBL+ C>PET-ROLL+ MOTION & A SWIFT PASS ( ! GUMM$ $GE ACROSS ,ALMA'S TONGUE1 A TWI/ AT ONE 5D & A NEAT 9S]TION ( ROLL$ C>DBO>D AT ! O!R1 ALL BE=E H] BLUE-LIT ORGONE-KETTLE 9 ! KIT*5 HAS /OPP$ BUBBL+4 ,%E P\RS ! BOIL+ WAT]1 SPATT]+1 9TO A HORRIBLY DISCOLOR$ ,B,E,/ ,A,T ,E,V,],Y,?,+ MUG1 GUIDES ! SIZZL+ TORR5T SO ?AT IT FALLS ON ! C5T] ( ! CIRCUL> GRAY TEABAG & 9FLATES IT SATISFY+LY 9TO A PILL[ ( TRAPP$ HEAT4 ,MA%+ IT UP AGA9/ ! CUP'S SIDE ) H] SPOON TO SQUEEZE ! LA/ DROP ( ITS VITAL JUICES \T1 %E FLIPS ! SP5T & /EAM+ C>CASS 9TO H] CONV5I5TLY OP5 P$AL B94 ,=EGO+ MILK & SUG> - %E PREF]S H] BEV]AGES 0BLACK & BITT]1 H[ ,I LIKE MY M50 - ,ALMA TRANSPORTS ! BRIMM+ MUG BACK TO H] LIV+ ROOM1 H] >M*AIR & H] WAIT+ CONTRAB& *]OOT4 

,BEH9D H] *AIR !RE IS AN >*+ /A9$-GLASS PANEL :]E GOLD />S M>K ! POSITIONS ( ! KABBALI/IC SPH]ES AGA9/ A DEEP ROYAL BLUE GRAD+ 9TO AQUAM>9E4 ,! L[ SUN ?R\< ! ROOM'S RE> W9D[ FALLS ?R\< ?IS & DR5*ES ,ALMA 9 COBALT & YELL[ RADIANCE AS %E LI<TS UP ! CIG>ETTE4 ,! PA9T$ />S BREAK EGGS ONTO ! CYAN GLAZE ( H] WET HAIR4 ,%E HOLDS ! SMOKE 9 = A MOM5T & !N SITS BACK & EXHALES 9TO ! GA!R+ 9DIGO1 LUXURIAT+ 9 H] [N ID5TITY1 9 ! 9CESSANT FUN & MO/LY-PLEASANT /RA9 ( SIMPLY BE+ H]4 

,AS ! CL\D-*AMB] ( H] CONSCI\SNESS BEG9S TO W>M UP1 TURB9ES :IRR+ 9TO LIFE AS IT APPROA*ES NORMAL OP]AT+ SPE$1 %E REA*ES = ! NE>E/ PAGE ( PR9T TO GIVE H] RAPIDLY 5GAG+ M5TAL PROCESSES A PO9T ( FOCUS4 ,?IS TURNS \T TO BE ! LATE/ ISSUE ( ,NEW ,SCI5TI/1 DAT$ ,MAY #d?1 OP5 AT AN 9TRIGU+ >TICLE CONC]N+ ,ALMA'S FAVORITE SCI5CE PHILOSOPH]1 ! BEAUTIFULLY-NAM$ ,G]>D 'T ,HO(T1 :OSE CRITICISMS ( /R+ !ORY %E'D BE5 SO IMPRESS$ BY4 ,IT SEEMS ?AT 'T ,HO(T HAS =MULAT$ A HYPO!SIS :I* W\LD1 IF PROV51 F9ALLY RESOLVE ! QU&>IES ( QUANTUM 9DET]M9ACY2 W\LD RESOLVE !M RI<T \T ( EXI/5CE1 IF ,ALMA IS READ+ IT CORRECTLY4 ,! PHILOSOPH] APP>5TLY SUGGE/S ?AT !RE'S A DEEP] & MORE FUNDAM5TAL LEVEL1 AS YET UNDISCOV]$1 UND]LY+ ! MY/]I\S QUANTUM WORLD4 ',T ,HO(T PR$ICTS ?AT ONCE WE HAVE DEVELOP$ TUNNEL+ MICROSCOPES ?AT CAN REVEAL ?IS PREVI\SLY UNSUSPECT$ LAY] ( REALITY WE'LL F9D ?AT ,HEIS5B]G'S IDEA ( P>TICLES EXI/+ 9 A WIDE V>IETY ( /ATES UNTIL OBS]V$ IS AN ILLUSION BAS$ UPON MISUND]/&+4 

,READ+ ALL ?IS BETWE5 ALT]NAT+ SIPS ( TEA & SMOKE1 ,ALMA ALL[S H]SELF ! GUTTURAL *ORTLE ( AN OGRE :O'S JU/ REALIZ$ :]E ! S*OOL*ILDR5 >E HID+4 ,%E CAN SPOT A WELL-CON/RUCT$ DANG]\S IDEA :5 %E SEES ONE1 & 'T ,HO(T'S PROPOSAL /RIKES H] AS ONE ( ! MO/ +5I\S CONCEPTUAL L& M9ES ?AT %E'S EV] HE>D (4 ,! IDEA'S ATTRACTIONS >E IMM$IATELY APP>5T4 ,QUANTUM 9DET]M9ACY IS ! /UMBL+ BLOCK PREV5T+ ANY EASY RESOLUTION ( ! VA/ DISCREPANCIES BETWE5 ! QUANTUM WORLD-VIEW & ! CLASSICALLY-CON/RUCT$ UNIV]SE ( ,E9/E91 ,NEWTON & ! RE/4 ,IF T9Y SUBATOMIC P>TICLES BEHAVE ACCORD+ TO ! ,LEWIS ,C>ROLL LAWS ?AT GOV]N QUANTUM PHYSICS1 !N :Y DO 5TIRELY DIFF]5T LAWS GOV]N ! />S & PLANETS8 ,! ATTEMPTS ?US F> TO RECONCILE ! QUANTUM MICROCOSM ) ! CLASSIC MACROCOSM HAVE L$ TO SU* M9D-WR5*+ EXTRAVAGANCES AS /R+ !ORY1 NOTIONS ?AT REQUIRE EXTRA DIM5SIONS1 RANG+ BETWE5 T5 & TW5TY-SIX1 BE=E ! MA!MATICS WILL MAKE S5SE4 

,?AT'S NOT TO SAY ?AT ! /R+ !ORI/S MI<T NOT BE CORRECT1 ,ALMA OBS]VES1 BUT SIMPLY TO SUGGE/ ?AT TO H] E> IT ALL S\NDS RA!R MESSY & UNNECESS>Y4 ,IF 'T ,HO(T IS RI<T1 H[EV]1 & !RE IS NO QUANTUM 9DET]M9ACY1 !N ! PROBLEM VANI%ES TO LEAVE A UNIFI$ FIELD !ORY :I* ACC\NTS = EV]Y?+ )\T RESORT+ TO EXOTIC EXPLANATIONS ?AT CAN (T5 RAISE MORE QUE/IONS ?AN !Y ANSW]4 ,%E CAN SEE H[ MANY SCI5TI/S W\LD F9D 'T ,HO(T'S HYPO!SIS H>D TO RESI/1 BUT !N !RE IS ?AT O!R %OE TO FALL3 IF !RE'S NO QUANTUM 9DET]M9ACY1 !N !RE'S NO FREE WILL4 ,?AT1 RI<T !RE1 IS ! PROBLEM1 & 9 ,ALMA'S E/IMATION IT HAS ! POT5TIAL TO MAKE ALL ! O!R CURR5T DISPUTES BETWE5 ,*RI/IANITY & SCI5CE PALE BY COMP>ISON4 

,?AT'S :Y %E'S LAU<+ AS %E READS4 ,IT'S ALL ?IS FREE WILL BUS9ESS & ! WAY ?AT EV]YBODY GETS SO JITT]Y AB\T IT1 EV5 ?9K]S ?AT %E HAS ! GREATE/ ( RESPECT =4 ,ALMA1 HAV+ WORK$ ALL YE> UPON H] BRO!R ,W>RY'S NE>-DEA? VISION1 HAS GR[N V]Y COM=TABLE ) PR$ET]M9ATION1 ) ! IDEA ( LIFE AS A GREAT RECURR5CE ?AT WE REEEXP]I5CE1 UNV>Y+LY & ET]NALLY4 ,DUR+ ?IS TIME1 ?\<1 %E'S LE>N$ ?AT BO? ,NIETZS*E & ONE ( H] IDOLS1 ! ,BRIXTON-BAS$ >TI/ & MAGICIAN ,AU/9 ,OSMAN ,SP>E1 HAVE PREVI\SLY =MULAT$ ALMO/ ! SAME CONCEPT BUT !N %I$ AWAY FROM IT BECAUSE ( ! IMPLI$ NEGATION ( FREE WILL4 

,ALMA CAN'T SEE :AT ALL ! FUSS IS OV]4 ,%E'S CONV9C$ ?AT NO ONE REALLY NE$S FREE WILL AS LONG AS !RE IS A SU/A9ABLE ILLUSION ( ! SAME TO /OP EV]YONE GO+ MAD4 ,IT ALSO SEEMS TO H] ?AT \R P]CEPTION ( FREE WILL DEP5DS UPON ! SCALE AT :I* WE VIEW ! ISSUE4 ,LOOK+ AT A S+LE 9DIVIDUAL1 IT'S OBVI\SLY IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCURATELY =ECA/ :AT WILL HAPP5 TO ?AT P]SON DUR+1 SAY1 ! NEXT FIVE YE>S4 ,?IS W\LD SEEM TO SUPPORT ! >GUM5T = FREE WILL & A FUTURE ?AT IS NOT YET WRITT54 ,ON ! O!R H&1 IF WE CONSID] A L>GE GR\P ( PEOPLE1 SU* AS ! FEW ?\S& S\LS 9HABIT+ ! ,BOR\<S OR AN AV]AGE MOD]N S9K E/ATE1 !N \R PR$ICTIONS BECOME FRI<T5+LY EASY & PRECISE4 ,WE CAN /ATE1 NE> 5\< EXACTLY1 JU/ H[ MANY PEOPLE WILL GET SICK1 GET /ABB$1 GET PREGNANT1 LOSE !IR JOBS1 !IR HOMES1 HAVE M9OR TRIUMPHS ON ! ,LOTT]Y1 WILL BEAT !IR P>TN]S OR !IR KIDS1 WILL DIE FROM CANC] OR HE>T FAILURE OR %E] BL9D ACCID5T4 ,IT /RIKES H]1 SITT+ 9 ! RI* BLUE LI<T & F9I%+ H] SMOKE1 ?AT ?IS IS ! SAME QU&>Y FAC$ BY ! PHYSICI/S1 TRANSLAT$ 9TO A CONTEXT ( SOCIOLOGY4 ,:Y IS FREE WILL1 LIKE QUANTUM 9DET]M9ACY1 ONLY EVID5T :5 WE LOOK AT ! MICROCOSM1 AT A S+LE P]SON8 ,:]E DOES FREE WILL DISAPPE> TO :5 WE TURN \R GAZE UPON ! L>G] SOCIAL MASSES1 ON ! POPULATIONS ?AT >E ! EQUIVAL5T ( />S & PLANETS8 

,/UBB+ \T ! JO9T %E PUTS ! MAGAZ9E ASIDE & />TS TO ROLL ANO!R ONE4 ,! MUG ( IRON-BLACK TEA1 ONLY ?REE-QU>T]S F9I%$1 HAS GR[N COLD ) SMALL TAN PLATELETS =M$ UPON ITS SURFACE LIKE A SK94 ,%E'LL MAKE A FRE% CUP BE=E %E GETS D[N TO WORK 9 A FEW M9UTES1 N[ H] HAIR'S NOT DRIPP+ ANYMORE4 

,/ILL MUS+ ON ! SUBJECT ( ,G]>D 'T ,HO(T %E DRIFTS ?R\< ! NEXT SLICE ( TIME TO F9D H]SELF /OOD AT H] EASEL BY ! W9D[1 ) A NEWLY-FILL$ & /EAM+ MUG UPON ! HI< TABLE BESIDE H]1 NE> ! A%TRAY & ! AS-YET-UNLIT SECOND JO9T PROPP$ ON ITS LIP4 ,%E HOLDS A D\BLE-Z]O BRU% 9 H] RI<T H&1 DEAD /ILL & HORIZONTAL LIKE ! RAIS$ SPE> ( A PATI5T JUNGLE HUNT]1 UNBL9K+ & CONFID5T H] PREY WILL MAKE A MOVEM5T BE=E %E DOES4 ,IT WILL GIVE ITSELF AWAY1 ! IMAGE OR ! L9E ?AT %E IS LOOK+ =1 & !N H] %ORT D>T WILL /AB =W>D1 TIPP$ ) POISON COLOR4 

,ON ! EASEL IS ! F9AL PIECE TO BE COMPLET$ BE=E ,ALMA'S EXHIBITION OP5S UP ITS PLAYS*OOL DOORS TOMORR[ MORN+4 ,! LA/-M9UTE NATURE ( ! PA9T+ IS DUE TO ! FACT ?AT ,ALMA DIDN'T MAKE H] M9D UP TO 9CLUDE IT UNTIL FAIRLY REC5TLY4 ,5TITL$ ,*A9 ( ,(FICE1 IT'S AN AFT]?\<T1 A K9D ( VISUAL EPILOGUE TO ! PREC$+ WORKS4 ,IT %[S A S+LE FIGURE1 /&+ POS$ AS ?\< = AN (FICIAL MAYORAL PORTRAIT1 ON AN 9DI/9CT & DRIFT+ FIELD ( ALMO/ DR9KABLE GRE5 PO9TILLISM1 A DEEP EM]ALD SMOLD]4 ,! IMPOS+ SUBJECT1 FEATURES /ILL UNF9I%$1 /&S DRAP$ 9 A /RANGE & ORNATE C]EMONIAL ROBE ?AT HIDES ! CONT\RS ( ITS BODY1 :I* C\LD JU/ AS EASILY BE MALE OR FEMALE4 ,LACK+ A COMPLET$ FACE TO RE/ UPON1 ! EYE IS DRAWN TO ! EXOTIC & CASCAD+ FABRIC ( ! G[N1 :I*1 UPON CLOSE EXAM9ATION1 SEEMS TO BE :AT ! :OLE PICTURE IS AB\T4 ,! 9TRICATE DESIGN ( DETAIL$ SC5ES SET 9 IRREGUL>LY CONT\R$ PANELS1 L9K$ BY A GOLD FILIGREE ( BRAN*+ L9ES1 TURNS \T TO BE A LAVI%LY ILLUM9AT$ MAP ( ,ALMA'S =M] NEI<BORHOOD1 FROM ,%EEP ,/REET TO ,SA9T ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 FROM ,GRAFTON ,/REET TO ,M>EFAIR4 ,ON ! DECORAT$ HEM IS A MOTIF ( PAV+ /ONES1 EA* 9DIVIDUALLY CRACK$ & WEA!R$1 FR+$ ) SEAMS ( BRI<T VIRIDIAN MOSS4 ,! CUFF-BUTTONS >E GLU$-ON SNAIL-%ELLS4 ,ISOMORPHIC IMAGES ( ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*1 BULG+ ) RANT+ PURITANS1 SEEM TO BE PA9T$ OR EMBROID]$ ON ! G>M5T'S FOLDS1 ) ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL & ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET SLID+ FROM A HANG+ PLEAT 9TO ! CREASE'S UMB]4 

,! IMPOS+ FIGURE /&S ) BO? H&S RAIS$ 9 WELCOME OR 9 B5$ICTION1 DRAP$ 9 ITS A/\ND+ COAT ( MAPS4 ,HUNG R\ND ! NECK1 9 A DULL GRAY ?AT /&S \T /RIK+LY AGA9/ ! RIOT\S SURR\ND+ COLOR ( ! VE/M5TS1 IS ! D5T$ GONG ( AN OLD SAUCEPAN LID ATTA*$ TO :AT APPE>S TO BE A L5G? ( LAVATORY *A94 

,ALMA'S ONE PROBLEM ) ! PIECE IS ?AT %E CAN'T DECIDE :OSE FACE ?IS SPL5DID ,BOR\<S TOTEM %\LD BE WE>+4 ,PHILIP ,DODDRIDGE'S1 P]HAPS8 ,BLACK ,*>LEY'S8 ,:AT AB\T ! SWEET [L R\NDNESS ( ,ALMA'S BELOV$ & DECEAS$ ,AUNT ,L\1 LO/ 9 A LI<TN+ /ORM8 ,NO4 ,NO1 ?AT WILL LOOK WRONG1 P]*$ ON AN ALREADY-COMPLET$ BODY ?AT IS DIFF]5TLY PROPORTION$4 ,%E PUTS D[N H] HOV]+ BRU% & PICKS ! JO9T UP1 LI<T+ ! T\*-PAP] TWI/4 ,AFT] A PULL OR TWO1 %E SETS ! FUM+ COLUMN BACK D[N 9 ! A%TRAY & RETRIEVES H] BRU%1 HAV+ >RIV$ AT A DECISION4 

,= ! NEXT TWO H\RS %E WORKS UPON ! FACE UNTIL %E'S SATISFI$1 !N SP5DS A FUR!R HALF H\R GAZ+ LOVE-/RUCK AT ! F9I%$ PA9T+1 BASK+ 9 H] [N MAGNIFIC5CE4 ,F9ALLY1 H] VANITY />TS TO EXHAU/ H]4 ,ALMA FEELS %E'S E>N$ A BREAK4 

,%E /&S1 ) A !ATRICAL SCIATIC GROAN1 & SL\*ES \T 9TO ! KIT*5 :]E %E FRIES UP SLIC$ HALL\MI :ILE A BRACE ( PITTA POCKETS PUFF & FATT5 9 ! OV54 ,:5 ! ?ICK-CUT /EAKS ( *EESE HAVE TAK5 ON A LEA!RY AUTUMNAL MOTTLE %E RETRIEVES !M FROM ! PAN2 SLIPS !M 9SIDE ! P\*ES ( W>M BREAD ) AN ACCOMPANY+ SPILL ( MIX$ LEAF SALAD & SOME GUILLOT9$ TOMATOES4 ,%E CAN NEV] EAT HALL\MI )\T FEEL+ A MISGUID$ S5SE ( VEGET>IAN GUILT4 ,?IS IS BECAUSE H] FIR/ TA/E ( ! FIBR\S & SALT ,GREEK DELICACY1 DECADES E>LI]1 HAD L$ H] TO ASSUME ?AT ! HALL\MI WAS A POSSIBLY-5DANG]$ SPECIES ( ,CYPRIOT FI%4 ,EV5 ?\< %E KN[S BETT] N[1 %E /ILL CAN'T %AKE ! FRISSON ( =BIDD5 & DELICI\S FLE% ?AT COMES ) EV]Y C>EFULLY-*EW$ M\?FUL1 & 9 FACT %E RA!R LIKES IT ?AT WAY4 

,AFT] %E'S DEV\R$ :I*EV] MEAL H] HA/Y FRY-UP WAS SUPPOS$ TO REPRES5T - ELEV5SES OR BRUN* OR LUNKFA/ 7H] [N CO9AGE7 - ,ALMA GETS RID ( ! PLATE & ROLLS ANO!R SMOKE4 ,HAV+ COMPLET$ ,*A9 ( ,(FICE AN H\R E>LI] ?AN %E'D ANTICIPAT$ %E HAS TIME TO PICK OV] A C\PLE ( H] O!R PROJECTS1 MAYBE MAKE LABORI\S1 AUTI/IC-LOOK+ JOTT+S 9 BLOCK CAPITALS ACROSS :ATEV] UNM>K$ PAGES %E CAN F9D 9 ONE ( SEV]AL WORKBOOKS4 ,%E HAS NEV] MA/]$ JO9$-UP H&WRIT+4 ,ALONG ) TY+ %OELACES ! ORD9>Y WAY1 IT IS A SKILL ?AT %E EXP]I5C$ 9ITIAL PROBLEMS ) & 9/ANTLY GAVE UP ON1 /UBBORNLY RESOLV+ ?AT %E'D COME UP ) H] [N APPROA* TO ?+S & /ICK ) IT1 EV5 IF IT WAS OBVI\SLY WRONG4 ,?IS IS ! =MATIVE DECISION1 MADE :5 %E WAS SEV51 ?AT HAS %AP$ H] 5TIRE SUBSEQU5T EXI/5CE4 ,9 A REC5T 9T]VIEW1 :5 ASK$ IF ! POLITICAL UPHEAVAL ( ! #a#i#fS HAD CAUS$ ,ALMA'S FI]CELY 9DIVIDUAL APPROA* TO LIFE1 H] PUZZL+ RESPONSE (1 0,NO1 IT WAS ?OSE FUCK+ %OELACES0 APP>5TLY BECAME ! SUBJECT ( MU* SPECULATION ON ! MESSAGE BO>DS %E NEV] SAW BUT ONLY HE>D AB\T4 

,SETTL+ BACK 9TO H] *AIR1 H] NE/ ( CURL+ VAPOR RIBBONS1 %E PICKS UP ! NE>E/ BLANK-PAG$ & H>D-COV]$ EX]CISE BOOK FROM ! CLUTT]$ C(FEE TABLE ON H] LEFT1 SCOOP+ UP A BLUE BALLPO9T P5 ?AT /ILL LOOKS VIABLE :ILE DO+ SO4 ,%E MAKES A FEW NOTES ON ! POSSIBLE AUTOBIOGRAPHY ?AT %E'S CONSID]$ WRIT+1 :I* AT PRES5T ISN'T MU* MORE ?AN A P>AGRAPH OR TWO AB\T H] NAAN1 ,MAY1 & A WORK+ TITLE1 ,WE ,WAS ,POOR ,BUT ,WE ,WAS ,CANNIBALS4 ,ALMA COMPOSES A FEW DOZ5 *APT] HEAD+S1 PHRASES ?AT SEEM FUNNY1 RESONANT OR SMUGLY CLEV] TO H]1 & MAKES T9Y NOTES BESIDE EA* ONE SUGGE/+ :AT IDEAS OR EPISODES ?AT *APT] MI<T 9CLUDE4 ,! DETAILS & ! ACTUAL MEAT ( ?+S CAN ALL BE WORK$ \T LAT]1 ON ! HO(1 ON W+S & PRAY]S4 

,CONV5I5TLY SATISFI$ ) H] HALF-H\R'S WORK JU/ AS %E IS />T+ TO GET BOR$ ) IT1 %E PUTS ! WORKBOOK D[N & REA*ES = :I*EV] PAP]BACK OR MAGAZ9E OR COMIC IS CLOSE/ TO H&4 ,AS IT TRANSPIRES1 ?IS IS A POLY!NE-BAGG$ COPY ( ,=BIDD5 ,WORLDS1 SEEM+LY ISSUE #a#a1 DAT$ ,M>*-,APRIL #aifc & PUBLI%$ BY ! LONG-S9CE VANI%$ ,A,C,G1 OR ,AM]ICAN ,COMICS ,GR\P4 ,BE+ BO? SICK & TIR$ ( ! PROTRACT$ ADOLESC5CE TYPIFY+ ! CONTEMPOR>Y COMIC BUS9ESS1 PUBLICATIONS ( ?IS V9TAGE >E ALMO/ ! ONLY ONES ?AT ,ALMA WILL ALL[ 9TO ! H\SE4 

,REMOV+ ! FRAIL PAMPHLET G5TLY FROM ! ELD]LY & WILT+ PLA/IC ( ITS 5VELOPE1 ,ALMA EXAM9ES ! ADMITT$LY COMPLETELY CRAPPY COV]S1 FRONT & BACK4 ,! RE> IS AN ADV]TISEM5T1 9 BLACK & :ITE1 = AN IMPRESSIVE CATALOG ( NOVELTIES FROM ,HONOR ,H\SE ,PRODUCTIONS1 BOLDLY LABEL$ AS A 0,T,R,E,A,S,U,R,E ,*,E,/ ,( ,F,U,N04 ,! FUN SEEMS TO 9VOLVE CONFUS+ ADULTS ) V5TRILOQUISM1 FRI<T5+ !M ) A CIG>ETTE-DISP5S+ LI<T] ?AT 0LOOKS LIKE A ,BR[N+ AUTOMATIC01 OR 9CREAS+ !IR NUCLE> ANXIETY ) AN ,ATOMIC ,SMOKE ,BOMB3 0,JU/ LI<T ONE & WAT* ! COLUMN ( :ITE SMOKE RISE TO ! CEIL+1 MU%ROOM+ 9TO A D5SE CL\D LIKE AN ,A-,BOMB40 ,!SE CO/ TW5TY C5TS4 ,ALSO AVAILABLE >E SIL5T DOG-:I/LES1 ,JU-,JITSU LESSONS PROMIS+ ?AT ,Y,\1 ,T,O,O1 ,C,A,N ,B,E ,T,\,<1 A DECK ( M>K$ C>DS & ! SNAPPILY-DESCRIB$ ,S,E,E ,B,E,H,9,D ,G,L,A,S,S,E,S ?AT 05ABLE Y\ TO SEE BEH9D Y\ )\T ANYONE KN[+ Y\'RE WAT*+4 ,REALLY COMES 9 H&Y AT TIMES40 ,/RUGGL+ TO IMAG9E ON PRECISELY :I* OCCASIONS !SE W+-MIRROR$ SPECTACLES W\LD 0REALLY COME 9 H&Y01 O!R ?AN IF %E %\LD BE COMPELL$ TO BACK H] MASSIVE HEAD \T ( A CUL-DE-SAC1 %E TURNS 9/EAD TO ! FRONT COV]1 ALL 9 CITRUS COLOR ) ITS OV]SIZE SEAL ( APPROVAL FROM ! ONCE-IMPORTANT ,COMICS ,CODE ,AU?ORITY & ! BLACK 0#iD0 IMPR9T ( A ,BRITI% NEWSAG5T /AMP$ ON ! PLANET-DECORAT$ LOGO4 

,! FRONT IMAGE1 BY AN >TI/ ,ALMA DOESN'T RECOGNIZE1 IS CLE>LY A G5]IC PIECE ( COV] >TWORK PULL$ FROM ! 9V5TORY4 ,IT %[S A ?UGGI%-LOOK+ MONK CLAD 9 GRE5 ROBE & HOOD GRIMAC+ FROM )9 A =TUNETELL]'S CRY/AL BALL4 ,A BLUE-T+$ COV] BLURB APP5D$ TO ! ILLU/RATION TRIES TO JU/IFY IT BY PRET5D+ ?AT ! SULKY-LOOK+ FIGURE 9 ! SN[-GLOBE IS 0JU/ ,O,N,E0 ( V>I\S M5ACES ?AT ! AN?OLOGY'S S+LE CONT9U+ *>ACT]1 ,H]BIE1 W\LD MEET 9SIDE4 ,FLICK+ ?R\< TWO OR ?REE NONDESCRIPT TALES ( /RANGE ADV5TURE TO ! ,H]BIE /ORY AT ! BACK1 ! ONLY REASON ?AT %E'S KEPT ! TATT]$ COMIC-BOOK1 ,ALMA DISCOV]S ?AT ?IS IS ! RUSE %E HAD SUSPECT$4 ,! GRE5 MONK IS NO:]E TO BE SE5 ?R\<\T ! T5-PAGE Y>N1 A FAVORITE ( ,ALMA'S CALL$ 0,H]BIE & ! ,SN$DIG]'S ,SALAD ,OIL04 

,H]BIE HAD BE5 CREAT$ SEV]AL ISSUES PREVI\SLY 9 :AT MAY HAVE BE5 9T5D$ AS A ONE-(F TALE4 ,READ]S1 H[EV]1 W]E 9TRIGU$ BY ITS PROTAGONI/1 A SPH]ICAL & SOLEMN S*OOLBOY ) A B[L-CUT HAIRDO1 HORN-RIMM$ GLASSES1 UNEXPECT$ SUP]NATURAL P[]S & AN UNUSUAL OBSESSION ) FRUIT-FLAVOR$ LOLLIPOPS4 ,DUE TO ?IS FAVORABLE RESPONSE ! *>ACT] APPE>$ MORE FREQU5TLY FROM !N ON1 CLAD 9 HIS TRADEM>K ATTIRE ( WEIRDLY SCAL$-D[N ADULT CLO?+ ) BLUE PANTS1 :ITE %IRT & A BLACK TIE4 ,:ILE OBVI\SLY NOT A LOOK ?AT EV]YONE C\LD GET AWAY )1 ,H]BIE W\LD HAVE BAIL$ \T ( ,=BIDD5 ,WORLDS )9 A YE> ( ISSUE #aa & BE E/ABLI%$ AS ! TITLE *>ACT] 9 HIS [N COMIC1 ( :I* ,ALMA [NS A V]Y-NE> COMPLETE COLLECTION4 

,! MA9 REASON = ?IS S+UL> COMPULSION IS ,ALMA'S 9FATUATION ) ! /RIP'S DI/9CTIVELY OBSESSIVE >TI/1 ,OGD5 ,:ITNEY4 ,:ITNEY1 WORK+ 9 ! BUS9ESS S9CE ! #a#i#dS1 HAD A DRAW+ /YLE ?AT SOMEH[ MANAG$ TO TAKE SMO!R+ SUBURBAN BL&NESS TO EXTREMES :I* %\LD HAVE BE5 ! 5VY ( ! AVANT-G>DE4 ,HIS TIDILY-COIFFUR$ CA/ ( G5]IC MIDDLE-CLASS ,AM]ICANS MI<T HAVE /EPP$ FROM A MAGAZ9E AD = SOAP-P[D]1 C>S OR C(FEE W]E IT NOT = A CONSPICU\S LACK ( GR9N+ TOO?Y CONFID5CE4 ,9/EAD1 HIS *>ACT]S WE> TI<T EXPRESSIONS ( B>ELY-SUPPRESS$ ANXIETY AS !Y /& HESITAT+ 9 ! KIT*5S ( !IR UNI=M :ITE-PA9T$ HOMES OR LOIT] UPON BRI<T GRE5 LAWNS SO NEATLY-%ORN AS TO BE UTT]LY DEVOID ( TEXTURE1 M]E \TL9ES LEFT = ! COLORI/ TO FILL4 ,& !N1 AMID ?IS TWIT*Y ,COLD ,W> L&SCAPE ) ITS POPULACE ( CL5*$ NEUROTICS1 !RE IS ! /ILL1 PLANET>Y MASS ( ,H]BIE ,POPNECK]4 

,ACCORD+ TO ! LEG5D1 ,A,C,G H\SE-WRIT] ,RI*>D ,HU<ES1 WRIT+ UND] ! PSEUDONYM ( ,%ANE ,O',%EA1 HAD BECOME FASC9AT$ BY ! WAY 9 :I* ! LIT]AL-M9D$ ,:ITNEY W\LD DRAW ANY?+ ! SCRIPT REQUIR$ ( HIM 9 ! SAME BL&LY REALI/IC /YLE4 ,POSSIBLY TO AMUSE HIMSELF1 ! WRIT]'S SCRIPTS BECOME MORE COMICALLY SURREAL AS ! S]IES PROGRESSES1 TREAT+ ! ALREADY BAFFL$ READ]%IP TO /RANGE 5C\NT]S BETWE5 ! IMPASSIVE LEVITAT+ DUMPL+-*ILD & A SELECTION ( !N-CURR5T FILM-/>S & WORLD LEAD]S LIKE ! ,K5N$YS1 ,NIKITA ,KHRU%*EV1 ,FIDEL ,CA/RO1 ,QUE5 ,ELIZABE? ! ,SECOND1 OR ! ,BURTONS4 ,TYPICALLY1 FEMALE CELEBRITIES >E SMITT5 ) ! SPH]ICAL & 5IGMATIC T5-YE>-OLD4 ,LADYBIRD ,JOHNSON1 ,JACKIE ,K5N$Y1 ,LIZ ,TAYLOR & ,H] ,MAJE/Y ! ,QUE5 ALL SI< & HEAVE !IR BOSOMS AS HE WALKS AWAY 9TO ! SKY ) AN EXPRESSION ( SUPREME 9DIFF]5CE1 AN UNLIKELY FANNY-MAGNET SUCK+ JAD$LY UPON A LOLLIPOP AS R\ND AS HE IS4 

,ALL !SE REAL-LIFE LUM9>IES COEXI/ CONT5T$LY ) ?+S FROM \T] SPACE1 BROOM-RID+ WIT*ES1 TALK+ ANIMALS1 AN?ROPOMORPHIC OBJECTS & ! SUP]NATURAL D5IZ5S ( ,A,C,G'S DI/9CTIVE GRE5-T+$ AFT]LIFE4 ,?IS OCCULT REGION1 C>PET$ 9 LIMEADE-COLOR$ CL\DS1 IS A ,ROD ,S]L+ V]SION ( ,ET]NITY ?AT FEATURES 9T]MITT5TLY ACROSS ! \TFIT'S O!R BOOKS & IS REF]R$ TO AS 0,! ,UNKN[N0 ON :AT LOOKS LIKE A H&-PA9T$ SIGN 9 ITS CUMULUS-/REWN RECEPTION >EA4 ,! PLACE IS AN ABODE ( %EET-CLAD <O/S1 TROLLS1 LEPRE*AUNS & MON/]S CRIBB$ FROM ,UNIV]SAL ,/UDIOS' BACK CATALOG1 ALONG ) W+LESS1 ROB$ CU/ODIANS :O SEEM LIKE BILI\SLY-HU$ ,FRANK ,CAPRA ANGELS1 TUBBY & AVUNCUL>4 ,IT DI/ANTLY OCCURS TO ,ALMA ?AT %E MAY WELL HAVE BE5 9FLU5C$ 9 SOME WAY BY ?IS SECUL>1 FANTA/ICAL & FOLKSY VIEW ( P>ADISE :ILE REALIZ+ ,W>RY'S *ILDHOOD VISION 9 ! PA9T+S & ! ILLU/RATIONS %E'S BE5 WORK+ ON = ?IS LA/ YE>4 ,DESPITE ! LACK ( ANY SIMIL>ITY BETWE5 !IR /YLES1 ,ALMA'S ELABORATE DEPICTION ( A HI<] ,BOR\<S FILL$ ) DREAMS & FI5DS & PHANTOMS PROBABLY [ES A GREAT DEAL TO ,OGD5 ,:ITNEY'S /AID SURREALISM4 

,ON ! O!R H& %E IS AW>E ?AT ,:ITNEY'S M]ITS1 MANY ?\< !Y BE1 >E M]ELY CAM\FLAGE TO MASK ! ACTUAL NATURE ( H] 9T]E/ 9 HIS WORK4 ,?IS IS 5TIRELY BAS$ ON ,ALMA'S EXTREME ID5TIFICATION ) ! >TI/'S BE/-KN[N *>ACT]4 ,%E'D BE5 A PORTLY LITTLE LUMP H]SELF BE=E H] FRANKLY T]RIFY+ GR[?-SPURT &1 LIKE ,:ITNEY'S H]O1 HAD 5DUR$ A PUDD+-BAS9 HAIRCUT4 ,%E HAD ALSO %>$ ,H]BIE'S CONVICTION ?AT ! P[]S & =CES ( ! UNIV]SE %\LD ALL KN[ H] BY NAME & HAVE ! BASIC COMMON S5SE TO GET \T ( H] WAY4 ,9 ! ADV5TURE ?AT %E'S HOLD+ 9 H] R$-NAIL$ /RANGL]'S H&S1 0,H]BIE & ! ,SN$DIG]'S ,SALAD ,OIL01 ! OMNIPOT5T S*OOLBOY SC>ES AWAY A FULL GR[N ,FRANK5/E91 A B>RAGE ( MA*9E-GUN BULLETS ?AT HAVE WORRI$ LITTLE FACES & :I* SW]VE FROM !IR TRAJECTORY ON RECOGNIZ+ ,H]BIE1 LION-HEAD$ ALI5 D9OSAURS FROM ! BELEAGU]$ PLANET ,B]TRAM1 & EV5 SU* A/RONOMICAL PH5OM5A AS AN AGGRESSIVE COMET1 :I* VE]S FROM ITS C\RSE 9 PANIC AT ITS FIR/ SI<T ( ! LOLLIPOP-ADDICT$ HUMAN B[L+ BALL4 ,AS ,ALMA SEES IT1 ?IS IS NO MORE ?AN ! SAME POLITE RESPECT :I* %E EXPECTS RAMPAG+ ELEPHANTS1 ,CRUISE MISSILES1 W]EWOLVES1 CORPORATIONS1 BOLTS ( LI<TN+ & 9VAD+ SPACEM5 TO EXT5D TO H]4 

,ANO!R REASON = H] EMPA?Y IS ,H]BIE'S EYES1 BO? = ! HEAVY-LIDD$ BOR$ LOOK ?AT %E KN[S FROM H] [N BABY-PHOTOGRAPHS & = ! UGLY SPECTACLES ?AT HE'S APP>5TLY COMPELL$ TO WE>4 ,?AT'S H[ %E C\LD HAVE 5D$ UP1 :AT ) ! ALMO/ USELESS LEFT EYE ?AT %E HAS 9H]IT$ FROM H] MOM1 ,DORE54 ,%E HAD ONLY MANAG$ TO AVOID A PAIR ( ,NATIONAL ,HEAL? FACE-DE=M]S BY ! APPLICATION ( H] SEV5-YE>-OLD +5UITY4 ,:5 TAK5 BY H] MO!R = A M&ATORY S*OOL EYE-TE/1 ,ALMA HAD GLANC$ AT ! *>T 9 PASS+ & HAD MEMORIZ$ IT1 TOP TO BOTTOM1 UTILIZ+ ! EXTRAORD9>Y P[]S ( RECALL ?AT NEI!R H] S*OOL-FRI5DS NOR FAMILY HAD NOTIC$ YET1 & :I* %E HADN'T BE5 9 ANY HURRY TO 9=M !M (4 ,! S*OOL OPTICIAN HAD CLAMP$ ,ALMA'S \TSIZ$ HEAD 9 ,CLOCKWORK ,ORANGE GOGGLES1 !N HAD PO9T$ TO ! HOV]+ GRAY BLURS ?AT FLOAT$ 9 ! FOG :ILE %E REEL$ \T A LI/ ( LETT]S ?AT %E C\LDN'T SEE = T(FEE4 ,?IS TE*NIQUE HAD KEPT H] GLASSES-FREE UNTIL H] TE5AGE YE>S1 :5 ! EYE-TE/ PROC$URE HAD BE5 ALT]$ UNEXPECT$LY & ,ALMA HAD BE5 CAU<T \T AS A HALF-BL9D FRAUD ) AN ALMO/ VAMPIRIC S5SITIVITY TO LI<T4 ,%E'D SUBSEQU5TLY BE5 MADE TO 5DURE TWO YE>S ( ?9 FRAMES & BLUE-T9T$ L5SES ?AT HAD SOMEH[ MANAG$ TO MAKE H] LOOK EV5 MORE PRET5TI\S ?AN %E WAS ALREADY4 ,:5 ONE L5S FELL \T & %ATT]$1 ,ALMA'S COLORBL9D OPTICIAN HAD REPLAC$ IT ) P9K-T9T$ GLASS ?AT MADE H] LOOK LIKE SOMEONE FROM ! AUDI5CE ( A #c,D FILM4 ,BY !N1 %E'D MADE H] M9D UP ?AT H] VISION )\T GLASSES WAS DET]IORAT+1 & ?IS LATE/ \TRAGE HAD JU/ PIL$ 9SULT ON 9JURY4 ,%E'D ?R[N ! TWO-TONE SPECTACLES AWAY1 RESOLV+ ?AT IF %E WAS GO+ TO GO BL9D !N %E'D DO IT ON H] [N T]MS1 ?ANK Y\ V]Y MU*4 ,LAT] %E'D LE>N$ ?AT WE>+ NO L5SES AT ALL PRODUC$ :AT WAS KN[N AS A 0NEGATIVE L5S+ EFFECT0 )9 ! MUSCLES ( ! EYE ?AT ACTUALLY IMPROVES ! VISION4 ,OR IS IT A POSITIVE L5S+ EFFECT8 ,IT DOESN'T MATT]4 ,ALL ?AT MATT]S IS ?AT 9 ,ALMA'S [N E/IMATION1 %E'S BE5 PROV5 RI<T4 ,IT'S ,ALMA ONE1 OPTICIANS NIL1 AS F> AS %E'S CONC]N$4 

,RETURN+ H] ATT5TION TO ! /ORY %E IS READ+1 ,ALMA ?9KS AGA9 ( ,OGD5 ,:ITNEY1 ( HIS SAD DEMISE AS DETAIL$ 9 ,>T \T ( ,TIME1 ! LOVELY VOLUME ?AT ,MIKE ,MOORCOCK S5T H] AS A ?ANK Y\ = H] COV] ILLU/RATION ON A REC5TLY REISSU$ ,ELRIC PAP]BACK4 ,)9 ! WOND]FUL COLLECTION ( NEGLECT$ & PECULI> COMIC /RIPS FROM BYGONE TIMES1 ,ALMA HAD BE5 DELI<T$ TO SEE A *>ACT]I/ICALLY DEM5T$ ,H]BIE (F]+ 9CLUD$1 ) ACCOMPANY+ TEXT AB\T ! >TI/4 ,%E'D BE5 T\*$ IF UNSURPRIS$ TO LE>N ?AT ,H]BIE'S LOOKS & G5]AL PHYSIQUE W]E BAS$ ON ?OSE ( ,OGD5 ,:ITNEY AS A *ILD1 & HAD FILL$ UP ) TE>S TO READ H[ HE HAD DI$1 =GOTT5 & 9SANE FROM BOOZE 9 AN ASYLUM4 ,%E IMAG9ES ,H]BIE 9 HIS SIXTIES1 SITT+ 9 ! DAY ROOM AT ! HOME1 :ITE %IRT & BLUE PANTS TRAD$ 9 = A /A9$ BA?ROBE & HIS DIFF]5TLY-P[]$ LOLLIPOPS REPLAC$ BY BOTTLES4 ,! TIME-TRAVEL BOTTLE-POP W\LD BE ! ONLY ONE ?AT WORK$4 ,HIS SLEEPY EYES GAZ+ UNFOCUS$ ?R\< ?ICK BE]-GLASS L5SES & HIS PAUN* N[ DRUM-TI<T ) ! 5L>G$ LIV]4 ,GRAY+1 B[L-CUT HEAD FILL$ ) HIS FLAT1 PRECISELY-DRAWN DEM5TIA1 LION-DRAGONS & ,SN$DIG]'S ,SALAD ,OIL1 ! MANY <O/S & FEATUR$ CREATURES ( A GRE5 ,UNKN[N4 

,TAK+ A LA/ PULL ON ! SEPIA-/REAK$ /UB %E GR9DS IT \T & /&S UP ) ANO!R CREAK+ \TCRY AT ! DULL A*E 9 H] BACK4 ,%E'S B>ELY CONSCI\SLY AW>E %E MAKES !SE NOISES ANYMORE1 SO CON/ANT & REPETITIVE HAVE !Y BECOME4 ,SORT+ AMONG ! NOTEBOOKS1 COMICS1 P5S & PAP]BACKS ,ALMA LOCATES A HAIRBRU% ?AT HAS SOMEH[ MANAG$ TO SURVIVE ITS DAILY SKIRMI% ) H] HEAD4 ,?IS ONE1 A /URDY WOOD5 ITEM ?AT IS CAPABLE ( ',M,E,G,A ,TAM+' IF ONE PAYS ATT5TION TO ! PR9T$ PROMISE ON ITS H&LE1 HAS ALREADY LA/$ = OV] A YE> ) NO MORE ?AN A DOZ5 OR SO ( ITS PLA/IC TEE? WR5*$ \T4 ,ITS PR$ECESSORS1 ?AT HAVE SNAPP$ 9 TWO OR HAVE BE5 O!RWISE DISMANTL$ BY !IR FIR/ OR SECOND PA9FUL DRAG ?R\< ,ALMA'S TANGL$ LOCKS1 W]E SIMP]+ PANSIES BY COMP>ISON4 

,%E'S LE>N$ E>LY 9 LIFE ?AT IF %E DOESN'T BRU% H] MANE ONCE EV]Y DAY IT WILL DEVELOP KNOTS ?AT 9 A WEEK WILL HAVE TURN$ TO IMPACT$ RH9O HORN2 BOLLS ( MAHOGANY ?AT IT WILL TAKE TREE-SURGEONS1 *A9SAWS1 ROPES & LADD]S TO REMOVE4 ,CLOS+ H] EYES %E />TS TO PULL ! BRU% D[N FROM ! CR[N1 H] FACE IMM$IATELY CONCEAL$ BEH9D A GRAY-BR[N SAFETY CURTA9 AS ! BRI/LES RAKE EXCRUCIAT+LY ?R\< ! UNYIELD+ SN>LS4 ,! S\ND ( RIPP+ FOLLICLES & SNAPP+ V9YL PRONGS1 %E HAS DISCOV]$1 MAKE ! RITUAL F> MORE UPSETT+ = ANYONE =C$ TO LI/5 TO IT ?AN IT IS = H]4 ,H] >TI/ FRI5D ,MEL9DA ,GEBBIE1 W\LD SIT COV]+ H] E>S & :IMP]+ IF %E W]E WITNESS TO A BRU%+1 FRI<T5$ ?AT ,ALMA W\LD YANK P>T ( H] SKULL AWAY :ILE ,ALMA WAS H]SELF APP>5TLY OBLIVI\S TO ?IS SELF-SCALP+4 ,H] RELATION%IP ) PA9 HAS L>GELY BE5 ONE ( 9DIFF]5CE S9CE %E REALIZ$ ?AT ITS ACTUAL PHYSICAL COMPON5T R>ELY HURT ?AT MU*1 & ?AT IT IS ! PSY*OLOGICAL & ! EMOTIONAL ATTA*$ FILES ?AT DO ALL ! H>M4 ,AS F> AS %E IS ABLE1 !RE=E1 %E HAS DISCONNECT$ HURTFUL PHYSICAL S5SATIONS FROM ACCOMPANY+ M5TAL REFLEXES ( %OCK OR FE> OR ANG]4 ,AS A M9OR BYPRODUCT ( ?IS L>GELY SUCCESSFUL PROCESS1 ,ALMA IS NO LONG] EV5 TICKLI%4 ,%E T]RORIZES ?OSE :O >E ) ABSOLUTE IMPUNITY4 

,! WOR/ P>T ( ! ORDEAL IS N[ OV]4 ,ALMA'S GIANT HEAD IS N[ CONCEAL$ )9 A *UR* BELL MADE ( HAIR1 SO ?AT IF !Y %\LD VIEW H] FROM ! %\LD]S UPW>DS1 ONLOOK]S W\LD HAVE NO CLUE AS TO :I* WAY R\ND %E WAS /&+4 ,LIFT+ BO? H&S1 ,ALMA SCRABBLES ) H] SC>LET F+]NAILS D[N :AT FEELS LIKE ! MIDDLE ( H] ,RU%MORE CRANIUM 9 ORD] TO CREATE A C5T] P>T+1 DRAGG+ BACK ! FAD$ AUBURN CURTA9S TO EA* SIDE SO ?AT %E CAN PE] AT ! MIRROR HUNG ABOVE ! FIREPLACE & WEI< UP ! RESULT4 ,ALMA DECIDES ?AT %E P>TICUL>LY LIKES ! VAGRANT A%-&-COPP] /R& ?AT SNAKES ACROSS H] ALMO/-BL9D LEFT EYE1 :I* IS H] SC>IE/ ONE1 POSSIBLY BECAUSE IT'S GOV]N$ BY ! MAD PRE-V]BAL BASILISK ( H] RI<T BRA94 ,ALMA'S RI<T EYE IS ! HUMANE & TW9KL+ ONE :I* UND]/&S ?AT IT'S PREF]ABLE IF PEOPLE - HUMANS AS %E CALLS !M - LIKE H] & >5'T FRI<T5$ (F BY H] APPE>ANCE OR BEHAVIOR4 ,CONV]SELY1 ,ALMA'S LEFT EYE CLE>LY DOESN'T GIVE A FUCK4 ,IT GL[]S1 GRAY & YELL[ & UNFOCUS$1 FROM B5EA? AN OV]HANG+ =EHEAD ?AT SWELLS G5TLY 9TO NOTICEABLE BUMPS1 AS IF %E'S EI!R GR[+ HORNS OR A NEW FRONTAL LOBE4 

,HAIR SORT$1 ,ALMA PA9TS A FACE ON 9 ! /YLE PIONE]$ BY ,MR4 ,POTATO ,HEAD4 ,H] EYELA%ES SOON SAG B5EA? ! WEI<T ( ! MASC>A & RESEMBLE ! DELET$ GIANT SPID] SC5E FROM ! ORIG9AL ,K+ ,KONG4 ,NEXT1 P\T+ LIKE ,MICK ,JAGG] BE=E ! EMBALM]S GOT TO HIM1 %E COATS H] LIPS 9 A BLOODY IMPA/O ( R$ LIPPY4 ,%E BELIEVES ?AT ?IS W>DS (F POT5TIAL RAPI/S & ! LIKE BY MAK+ H] APPE> TO BE ! MORE VORACI\S SEXUAL PR$ATOR4 ,F9ALLY SATISFI$1 %E GR9S AT H] REFLECTION4 ,EV]Y DAY IS ,HALL[E5 = ,ALMA4 

,PULL+ ON AN ANCI5T LEA!R JACKET1 ITS LAPELS HUNG ) A FAT CROP ( \TDAT$ CAUSES ?ICK AS ,AUGU/ BLACKB]RIES1 %E'S ALMO/ READY TO CONFRONT ! YAMM]+ PLANET & />E D[N REALITY AGA91 BUT FIR/ %E HAS TO PUT H] R+S & F+]->MOR ON4 ,A SPL5DIDLY MALEVOL5T >RAY ( JO9T$ METAL TALONS1 SCULPT$ SCORPIONS & RE>+ SILV] SNAKES ALONGSIDE A SELECTION ( BIG1 COLORFUL & BRUIS+ GEM/ONES1 !SE LE?AL ADORNM5TS PROBABLY CONTRIBUTE MORE ?AN ! C>NIVOR\S LIP/ICK TO H] RAPE-PRO(+1 %E REALIZES UPON ! R>E OCCASIONS :5 %E ?9KS REALI/ICALLY4 ,ONE SLAP & AN ASSAILANT'S FEATURES W\LD BE HANG+ (F 9 /RIPS ( SOGGY WALLPAP]4 ,%E'D DO IT1 TOO4 ,%E'D ONCE 9=M$ H] BRO!R ,W>RY ?AT AL?\< %E ALMO/ ?\<T ( HIM AS FAMILY1 %E'D OP5 HIM )\T A SECOND'S HESITATION LIKE A T9 ( ,HULA ,HOOPS4 

,MAK+ SURE %E'S GOT H] *ECKBOOK & H] KEY1 %E HURLS H]SELF ALONG A CLUTT]$ HALLWAY ?AT HAS SWA!S ( GOLD />S LICK+ UP ITS WALLS1 \T ?R\< A SPECIALLY-C>V$ FRONT DOOR ) TW9 SNAKES 9 A CADUCEUS DESIGN1 D[N H] FRONT PA? ONTO ,EA/ ,P>K ,P>ADE4 ,ITS ,YORK /ONE PAV+ SLABS >E BA!D 9 CLE> BLOND SUNLI<T1 A PRES5TIM5T ( SUMM]1 ) ! LOVELY TRILOBITE ]OSIONS ( AN ANCI5T RIV]B$ PICK$ \T 9 %>P RELIEF4 ,ACROSS ! BUSY ,KETT]+ ,ROAD >E ! TALL TREES ?AT $GE ! ,RACEC\RSE1 A GRE5 FR+E >\ND ! IMM5SE P>KL&'S MILE-WIDE LAMP%ADE SKY4 ,PEOPLE WALK ON ! BROAD GRAY PA?S 9 ONES & TWOS OR CUT AN 9DEP5D5T C\RSE ACROSS ! ROLL+ SEA ( GRASS4 ,SOMEONE IS TRY+ TO FLY A KITE1 P]HAPS 9 AN ATTEMPT TO RECREATE SOME *]I%$ ILLU/RATION FROM A #a#i#eS KIDS' 5CYCLOP$IA1 ! WA%$-\T YELL[ DIAMOND FALT]+ AGA9/ A FAD$ BLUE4 ,SUSPICI\SLY 5ORM\S CR[S PATROL ! RIPPL+ TURF1 A BIGG] & MORE CONFID5T CR[D ( !M EV]Y YE>1 TOO MANY TO BE CALL$ COLLECTIVELY A MURD] !SE DAYS4 ,?IS IS MORE A ,H>OLD ,%IPMAN ( ! FUCK+ ?+S4 

,H] 9DOOR LUNGS ADJU/+ RAPIDLY TO ! COLD DRAFTS ( BREA? ?AT %E SUCKS D[N1 ,ALMA TURNS LEFT AS %E COMM5CES H] WALK 9TO T[N4 ,H] ,DR4 ,M>T5S SCUFF AGA9/ ! PAVEM5T'S FOSSIL FRONDS & H] M9D FLOODS ) R&OM IDEAS & ASSOCIATIONS1 WORDS & PICTURES SNAGG+ ON ! %OP-FRONT SC5]Y ?AT RATTLES BY ! O!R WAY AS ,ALMA HITS H] /RIDE4 ,%E ?9KS AB\T ! FLAG/ONES VANI%+ B5EA? H] TREAD1 ! ONLY VIEW AF=D$ TO ! D[NCA/1 IRRESPECTIVE ( :I* C5TURY !Y HAPP5 TO BE 94 ,! OLD /ONES1 OBVI\SLY1 REMA9 UN*ANG$ S9CE ! N9ETE5?1 BUT !RE >E NUANCES TO ! DISC]N+ EYE3 DEFICI5CIES ( DOG-%IT2 *OCOLATE WRAPP]S ?AT HAVE BE5 REBR&$ SO AS NOT TO FUR!R MY/IFY T\R+ ,AM]ICANS2 UNFA?OMABLE P>TICLE-COLLID] TAGS 9 :ORLS & SPIRALS ( :ITE SPRAY4 ,ACROSS ! ROAD A DI/ANT MAN ATTEMPTS TO /E] SOME K9D ( SAIL-P[]$ C> ACROSS ! ,RACEC\RSE BUT ! W9D HAS DROPP$ & HE'S BECALM$ AMONG ! /RUTT+ CR[S & ! ABRUPTLY PLUNG+ KITES4 ,IF !RE'S NO W9D BE=E IT GETS D>K %E SUPPOSES ?AT ! MEAD[-M>9] IS DOOM$4 ,DESPITE ! EXTRA LI<T+ ?AT ! VA/ &1 BY NI<T1 ABSOLUTELY BLACK EXPANSE HAS RELATIVELY REC5TLY ACQUIR$1 IT'S /ILL REF]R$ TO AS 0,! ,RAPEC\RSE0 BY A HEAL?Y NUMB] ( ! T[N'S 9HABITANTS4 

,%E CROSSES FROM ,EA/ ,P>K ,P>ADE OV] ,AB+TON ,AV5UE'S TAIL-5D & C>RIES ON D[N ,KETT]+ ,ROAD4 ,GEORGE ,WOODCOCK - ,ALMA'S ,>TS ,LAB CRONY FROM H] TE5AGE YE>S - HAD WRITT5 A LONG1 NEON-LI<T$ POEM ON ?IS CRUMBL+ ?OR\<F>E1 A JEWEL$ URBAN LAM5T 5TITL$ ,MA9 ,/REET1 JU/ BE=E HE'D JACK$ 9 ALL ! LIT]>Y BOLLIX & BECOME A TRUCK]4 ,%E CAN /ILL SEE L9ES & PHRASES FROM ! S9CE-LO/ EPIC1 SME>$ & TANGL$ 9 ! COBBL$ GUTT]S2 ON ! REPLAC$ PLA/IC DRA9PIPES4 ,%E CAN /ILL SEE ALL ! VANI%$ 9CID5TS & NI<TS & PEOPLE ?AT ! L9ES REF]R$ TO1 =M] SELVES FROM SEV]AL BYGONE DECADES /RID+ UP & D[N ! %ABBY AV5UE1 A NOISY N9ETE5-YE>-OLD DRUNK GIRL 9 A POSSE ( SMALL-T[N BOHEMIANS1 AN ANGRY-LOOK+ ,GAS ,BO>D (FICE WORK] /AMP+ H] WAY HOME ?R\< DRIZZLE ON ANO!R ,FRIDAY AFT]NOON1 A =TY-SOME?+ MAD WIT* 9 A BLACK CLOAK ) A HORDE ( ,ALCOPOP-EMBOLD5$ SIMPLETONS CALL+ H] 0,GROTBAGS01 0LEZ0 OR 0M+]0 FROM ! SAFETY ( !IR PASS+ VEHICLES IF %E GOES \T TO DO A BIT ( %OPP+4 ,! T[N'S /REETS >E LIKE A LIV+ PALIMPSE/ TO ,ALMA1 ALL ! LAY]S /ILL 9TACT1 EV]YONE /ILL ALIVE & EV]Y?+ /ILL GO+ ON1 ! MISGUID$ ROMANCES & ! R[S1 ! %IMM]+ ACID TRIPS1 ! HA/Y FUCKS 9 DOORWAYS4 

,?IS P]CEPTION ( A SIMULTANE\S ET]NITY1 :ILE %E'S HAD 9TIMATIONS ( IT ON & (F ?R\<\T H] LIFE1 HAS ONLY FL>$ UP 9TO VIVID ACTUALITY S9CE %E'S BE5 WORK+ ON !SE PA9T+S4 ,! IDEA1 ONCE FULLY =MULAT$1 WAS SO DAZZL+LY OBVI\S ?AT %E REMA9S AMAZ$ AT HAV+ REA*$ ! AGE ( FIFTY-SOME?+ )\T CLE>LY UND]/&+ IT3 TIME AS AN EV]LA/+ SOLID 9 :I* NO?+ *ANGES1 NO?+ DIES4 ,IT HAD BE5 RI<T BE=E H] EYES = ALL ?OSE YE>S1 & %E'D NOT KN[N :AT %E WAS LOOK+ AT UNTIL ?AT MOM5T ) H] BRO!R 9 ! ,GOLD5 ,LION :5 ! P5NY F9ALLY DROPP$4 ,! MOM5T ( APOCALYPSE & REVELATION1 ALMO/ LIKE ?AT TIME 9 ,GREYFRI>S' FLATS :5 %E'D BE5 DAWDL+ HOME FROM ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL AT D9N]TIME4 ,D[N 9 ! LITTLE PAT* ( %RUBB]Y AT ! BOTTOM ( ! WA%+-L9E 5CLOSURE !RE'D BE5 A S+LE TRANSLUC5T GRUB OR CAT]PILL> HANG+ BY A ?READ FROM ONE LEAF ( A BU% ?AT ,ALMA DIDN'T KN[ ! NAME (4 ,%E HAD /OOD !RE />+ AT IT = P]HAPS A M9UTE1 & !N SOME?+ /RANGE HAD HAPP5$ - 

,A BLACK CAB GR[LS PA/ & HONKS ITS HORN4 ,UNABLE TO SEE CLE>LY :O ! DRIV] IS1 ,ALMA LIFTS ONE METALLIC CLAW & WAVES CONVIVIALLY TO HIS RE>VIEW MIRROR4 ,%E GETS ON ) ALL ! LOCAL CABBIES & !Y SOMETIMES GIVE H] FREE RIDES 9TO T[N IF !Y %\LD SEE H] WALK+ ?AT WAY 9 9CLEM5T WEA!R4 ,TO BE HONE/ %E GETS ON ) NE>LY EV]YONE1 :I* SOME:AT UND]M9ES ! PETRIFY+ GORGON IMAGE ?AT %E'S WORK$ SO LONG & H>D TO PUT TOGE!R4 ,IF ?IS SITUATION %\LD P]SI/ %E'LL HAVE TO *OP UP SOME ,GIRL ,GUIDES 9 ORD] TO REGA9 H] REP4 

,ACROSS ! /REET1 ! MUTABLE & TRANSI5T HO>D+S FLICK] PA/4 ,*>ITY \TLETS ) BATTY PROPRIETORS & RACKS ( C>DIGANS ?AT SOMEONE'S DI$ 91 ,C>IBBEAN GROC]-%OPS ALL FAC+ NOR? ) NO SUN = ! CRAT$ YAMS ?AT LANGUI% 9 P9K %AD[4 ,ALMA SNIGG]S AT ! NAME ( ONE E/ABLI%M5T1 ,BUTT ,SAVORIES1 AL?\< AT H] AGE Y\'D HOPE %E'D BE MORE MATURE4 ,A LITTLE FUR!R D[N ! ROAD IS A KEBAB-H\SE1 ,EMB]S1 ?AT MAKES H] FEEL WI/FUL = ! DAYS :5 IT HAD BE5 ,RICK'S ,GOLD5 ,FI% ,B>4 ,NOT ?AT %E HAD EV] BE5 A CU/OM]1 BUT %E HAD (T5 5T]TA9$ ! FANTASY ( GO+ 9 & BE+ S]V$ ) MU%Y PEAS & *IPS BY ,HUMPHREY ,BOG>T1 :O W\LD EYE H] RUEFULLY & DRAWL 0,( ALL ! GOLD5 FI% B>S 9 ! WORLD1 %E HAS TO WALK 9TO M9E40 ,SOME:]E BEH9D H]1 ! RAPID /ACCATO BEEP ( ! ,PELICAN CROSS+ SLIDES SUBLIM9ALLY 9TO H] AW>5ESS1 PROMPT+ H] TO HUM ! FA/ BIT ( 0,! ,DONKEY ,S]5ADE0 )\T HAV+ ANY CLUE :Y %E IS DO+ SO4 ,!RE IS ANO!R CROSS+1 BACK ALONG ! ,KETT]+ ,ROAD 9 ,K+SLEY1 ) AN EV5 MORE UP-TEMPO RHY?M ?AT CAN LEAVE H] :I/L+ 0,! ,SAB] ,DANCE04 ,SUSCEPTIBLE AS AN EI<T-MON?-OLD BABY & 9VULN]ABLE AS A PT]ODACTYL MADE ( DIAMONDS1 %E CONT9UES 9TO T[N4 

,A SK9NY BOY 9 MOD]N HAIR & SPECTACLES /OPS 9 HIS TRACKS & GAPES AT H] 9CR$UL\SLY1 FACE CONTORT+ 9 A RUBB]Y C>TOON EXPRESSION :I*1 IF HE W]E NOT SO Y\?FUL1 MI<T BE TAK5 = A P>ALYZ+ /ROKE4 ,REMEMB]+ %E HASN'T BO!R$ PUTT+ ON H] KNICK]S1 ,ALMA GLANCES D[N TO MAKE SURE ?AT ! ZIPP] ON H] JEANS IS /ILL 9TACT !N REALIZES ?AT ! ?UND]/RUCK Y\NG MAN IS AN ADMIR]4 ,HE TELLS H] %E'S ,ALMA ,W>R51 :I* %E'S ALWAYS GRATEFUL =4 ,ONE ( !SE DAYS1 :5 %E'S GONE W&]+ FROM ! HOME1 %E'LL NE$ ?AT 9=MATION4 ,AS HE LI/S HIS FAVORITE ALBUM SLEEVES1 DU/-JACKETS & COMIC-BOOK COV]S ,ALMA SMILES1 ATTEMPT+ TO CONVEY A GIRLI% MODE/Y BUT ACTUALLY DELIV]+ ! LIP/ICK RICTUS & UNBL9K+ GAZE ( ,CONRAD ,VEIDT 9 A LO/ \TTAKE FROM ,! ,MAN ,:O ,LAU<S4 ,%E %AKES H] /AGE-DOOR ,JOHNNY'S N]VELESS MITT & ?ANKS HIM = HIS K9D WORDS BE=E C>RY+ ON D[N ! ,KETT]+ ,ROAD1 PRIVATELY NOT+ ?AT HIS H&%AKE HAD BE5 F> LESS MANLY ?AN H] [N4 ,M9D Y\1 HE MORE ?AN LIKELY HADN'T PRACTIC$ S9CE ! AGE ( T5 LIKE %E HAD1 R$-FAC$ AS %E SQUEEZ$ A SET ( BA?ROOM SCALES UNTIL %E C\LD EX]T H] [N SUB/ANTIAL WEI<T ) JU/ ! PRESSURE ( H] ?UMBS4 ,BE=E %E'D LEFT ,SPR+ ,LANE %E'D GIV5 TWO BOYS A GOOD /RANGL+ = PICK+1 ILL-ADVIS$LY1 ON H] OR LITTLE ,W>RY4 ,ONE ( !M HAD BE5 LEFT ) APPALL+ BRUISES R\ND HIS ?ROAT LIKE A JET NECKLACE & HIS MO!R HAD COME TO ! S*OOL & YELL$ AT ,ALMA4 ,?IS W\LD SEEM TO HAVE BE5 L>GELY 9EFFECTUAL 9 ?AT TO ?IS DAY %E HASN'T PROP]LY ABSORB$ ! CONCEPT ( A MEASUR$ & PROPORTIONATE RESPONSE TO ANY?+4 

,%E TROTS OV] ANO!R CROSS+1 ?IS ONE ) ! SL[ BEEP ( A FALT]+ HE>T-MONITOR ?AT DOESN'T PROVOKE ANY MUSICAL ACCOMPANIM5T ON H] P>T1 TO ! /REET'S F> SIDE4 ,AFT] A FEW MORE GROC]S' %OPS ) 5IGMATIC 9DIVIDUAL ATMOSPH]ES & AN \TLET = DEC5T-LOOK+ ,HIP ,HOP CLO?+ %E IS CROSS+ ,GROVE ,ROAD1 ) ! ONCE-MAJE/IC BULK ( ! ,ESSOLDO C9EMA JU/ UP ! WAY4 ,AS F> AS ,ALMA CAN REMEMB]1 IT WAS 9 ,GROVE ,ROAD DUR+ ! #a#i#gS ?AT PEOPLE HAD !IR W9D[S BL[N \T BY AN ,I,R,A BOMB AT ! ,R,A,F CLUB ?AT WAS SOME:]E 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD4 ,! GOV]NM5T BACK !N HAD BE5 RELUCTANT TO DESCRIBE ! MESS ?AT EV]YBODY WAS 9VOLV$ 9 AS A W> ( ANY K9D1 MU* LESS A W> ON T]ROR4 ,?IS HAD BE5 BE=E ! W> ON DRUGS1 ( C\RSE1 :5 LAUN*+ MILIT>Y CAMPAIGNS AGA9/ AB/RACT EMOTIONS OR 9ANIMATE MAT]IALS W\LD HAVE BE5 SE5 AS ! BEHAVIOR ( HI<LY-/RUNG & OV]-REA*+ ,DALEKS4 

,ON ! CORN] ) ! ,KETT]+ ,ROAD IS ,QUE5SGROVE ,ME?ODI/ ,*UR*1 AN IMPRESSIVE N9ETE5?-C5TURY R$ BRICK $IFICE ?AT IS TODAY )\T ! POSSE ( NICE-LOOK+ BLACK GUYS :O 9 SLI<TLY W>M] WEA!R DECORATE ITS /EPS4 ,LESS ?AN A DOZ5 PACES FUR!R ON ,ALMA WALKS PA/ ! OP5-PLAN CONTEMPOR>Y PHONE BOO? ?AT HAS PLAY$ HO/ TO A FATAL /ABB+ ONLY A FEW NI<TS BE=E4 ,:AT A WAY TO GO \T1 %E ?9KS1 9 A GLASS C(F9 ?AT'S BE5 %R9K-WRAPP$ ) AN AD = SEASON TWO ( ,PRISON ,BREAK4 ,IT'S GOOD TO TALK4 

,! WAY %E HE>D IT1 BO? ! VICTIM & ! P]PETRATORS HAD BE5 BLACK1 & ,ALMA DOESN'T C>E MU* = ! ,U4,S4 COP-%[ R+ ?AT HAS AB\T IT4 ,?AT ISN'T ! WAY %E LIKES TO ?9K AB\T ,NOR?AMPTON BE+ /ACK$4 ,! T[N'S RELATION%IP ) RACIAL ISSUES IS A SUBTLE & A COMPLICAT$ ?+ ?AT GOES BACK C5TURIES1 & SIMPLIFY+ IT ALL D[N 9TO A CRIM9AL PR(IL]'S CLASS-SKEW$ VISION ( SOCIETY SEEMS BO? DISA/R\S & HI<LY PROBABLE TO ,ALMA4 ,%E ?9KS AB\T ,BLACK ,*>LEY - ,H5RY ,GEORGE - ONE ( ! FIR/ BLACK FACES TO BE SE5 AB\T ! C\NTY &1 9 #a#h#i#g1 A TREM5D\S NOVELTY4 ,?AT S5SE ( NOVELTY HAD LA/$ UP UNTIL AT LEA/ ! #a#i#fS1 :5 H] MATE ,DAVE ,DANIELS HAD BE5 ! FIR/ NON:ITE PUPIL AT ! ,GRAMM> ,S*OOL ON ,BILL+ ,ROAD4 ,!Y'D RUN A FULL-PAGE >TICLE AB\T IT 9 ! ,*RONICLE @& ,E*O AT ! TIME1 9CLUD+ A L>GE PHOTOGRAPH ( ,DAVID LOOK+ APPREH5SIVE1 JU/ 9 CASE HE WASN'T FEEL+ S+L$ \T 5\< ALREADY4 

,BACK DUR+ ! #gS & #hS1 ALL ! RUDEYS & ! RA/AS HAD SET UP A CLUB 9 ! MAGNIFIC5T ,SALVATION ,>MY =T ?AT US$ TO /& ON ,%EEP ,/REET1 JU/ ACROSS ! ROAD FROM :]E ,PHIL ,DODDRIDGE F\ND$ HIS ACADEMY4 ,?REE FLOORS ( PEOPLE ) IMPECCABLY COOL NAMES LIKE ,ELVIS1 ,JUNIOR OR ,P$RO1 COM+1 GO+1 *ILDR5 PLAY+ R\ND !IR ANKLES & ALWAYS A POT ( BEAN /EW SIMM]+ SOME:]E UP/AIRS1 ?AT WAS ! OLD ,MATTA ,FANCANTA CLUB4 ,ITS ANTIQUE BO>DS HAD QUAK$ 9 TIME ) ,U-,ROY OR ,LEE ,P]RY ON ! S\ND SY/EM1 DUB BEATS %E'D BE5 CONV9C$ W]E DEEP 5\< TO MAKE H] WOMB FALL \T4 ,AS %E REMEMB]S1 IT HAD BE5 :5 VEHICLES ?AT %\LD HAVE ONLY BE5 AF=DABLE TO :ITES BEGAN TO MANIFE/ 9 ! ADJO9+ C> P>K ?AT LOCAL AU?ORITIES BEGAN TO TAKE AN ADV]SE 9T]E/ 9 ! PLACE4 ,! =T - :I* %\LD HAVE BE51 SURELY TO ,GOD1 A LI/$ PROP]TY - HAD BE5 DEMOLI%$1 AS IF IT HAD PROV5 EASI] TO PULL IT D[N ?AN %UT IT D[N4 ,!RE'S ONLY ! UBIQUIT\S B>E GRASS !RE N[ :]E IT ONCE /OOD1 JU/ D[N FROM ! ASS-BACKW>DS G>GOYLE MASS ( ,GREYFRI>S BUS /ATION1 BUILT WRONG WAY R\ND TO />T ) & MORE REC5TLY VOT$ TO RANK AMONG ! MO/ DISGU/+ BUILD+S 9 ! C\NTRY4 ,?AT HAD BE5 ?AT = ! PUBLIC FACE ( G5U9E BLACK CULTURE 9 ,NOR?AMPTON1 OR AT LEA/ UNTIL COMP>ATIVELY REC5TLY4 ,N[ !RE IS A ,NOR?AMPTON%IRE ,BLACK ,HI/ORY ,ASSOCIATION ?AT IS SETT+ ALL ! RECORDS /RAI<T1 & ,ALMA HAS BE5 HANG+ \T ) A DET]M9$1 RACIALLY-DIV]SE Y\NG BUN* ( RAPP]S FROM ! ,BOR\<S ?AT >E TRAD+ UND] ! COLLECTIVE NAME ( ,/REETLAW1 :I* %E ?9KS IS AT ! V]Y LEA/ A CUTE CO9CID5CE4 ,JU/ICE ABOVE ! /REET & ALL ?AT4 ,NO1 IT ISN'T ALL GLOOM = ! BLACK COMMUNITY BY ANY MEANS1 ASSUM+ ?AT IT CAN RESI/ ! DEAD-5D ROLE ?AT ,HOLLYWOOD'S CA/+ DEP>TM5TS & ! MAJOR RECORD LABELS >E APP>5TLY CONSID]+ IT =3 LET'S MAKE ! UND]CLASS A GLAM\R\S & $GY PLACE TO BE1 !N PEOPLE WON'T M9D BE+ /UCK !RE QUITE SO MU* & WE CAN CRAFT DRAMATICALLY-LIT & WELL-MA/]$ V]SIONS ( !IR /RUGGLE TO SELL BACK TO !M = ! FEW QUID !Y'VE NOT ALREADY SP5T ON SCRAT* C>DS4 ,EV]YBODY W9S4 

,ALMA WALKS ON1 PA/ ! >*$ 5TRANCE TO A COBBL$ Y>D1 AN UNMI/AKABLY ,VICTORIAN CON/RUCTION ?AT HAS 0,DICK5S ,BRO!RS1 ,LTD0 H&-LETT]$ UP ABOVE ! >*WAY4 ,%E SUSPECTS ?AT ELSE:]E 9 ! T[N !RE /&S A BLACK-BEAM$ ,TUDOR PREMISES CALL$ 0,%AKESPE>E'S0 & P]HAPS A 0,*AUC] @& ,SONS0 HALF-?AT*$ COTTAGE \T NE> ,H>D+/ONE4 ,NOR?AMPTON1 AFT] ALL1 IS A WELL-LABEL$ T[N4 ,ONCE1 FROM H] W9D[1 %E SAW TWO VANS PASS EA* O!R1 TRAVEL+ 9 OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS ON ,EA/ ,P>K ,P>ADE4 ,ONE1 POSSIBLY BELONG+ TO A MATTRESS COMPANY1 HAD ! WORD ,D,R,E,A,M /5CIL$ UPON ITS SIDE4 ,! O!R ONE1 P]HAPS A TELEVISION OR COMPUT] RETAIL]1 WAS BLAZON$ ) ! WORD ,R,E,A,L,I,T,Y4 ,%E'D NOT$ ?AT ,R,E,A,L,I,T,Y WAS HEAD+ = T[N C5T]1 :I* WAS UNSURPRIS+1 :ILE ,D,R,E,A,M FOLL[$ A TRAJECTORY ?AT W\LD EV5TUALLY LEAD IT TO ,KETT]+4 ,%E ?\<T ?AT IT WAS MORE ?AN LIKELY GO+ !RE TO DIE4 

,PICK+ ! PACE UP1 ON H] RI<T ! /OREFRONTS MELT 9TO H] SLIP/REAM1 9TO ONE LONG SME> ( %OP :]E Y\ CAN GET A ,*9ESE MEAL1 A DRUM-KIT1 A PEYOTE CACTUS1 A TATTOO OR A TATTOO REMOV$4 ,%E VE]S >\ND A QUORUM ( R\<-LOOK+ BLOKES ) BE]-CANS1 :O ALL NONE!LESS GR9 TOO?LESSLY & GR[L A *E]FUL 0,HELLO1 ,ALMA0 AS %E PASSES4 ,?IRTY SECONDS LAT] A Y\NG POLICEWOMAN 9 A ,DAY-,GLO LEMON WAI/COAT BEAMS & NODS 9 RECOGNITION AT ! =M] M5ACE TO SOCIETY TURN$ LOCAL 9/ITUTION4 ,%E'S ! QUE5 ( ,KETT]+ ,ROAD4 

,TACK+ DUE WE/ N[1 ,ALMA EXECUTES A SMOO? CURVE OPPOSITE A %OP-SOIL$ ,UNIT>IAN *UR* & BANKS 9TO ,AB+TON ,SQU>E1 PA/ ! UNOCCUPI$ NEW PROP]TIES :I* HAVE REPLAC$ A SCRUFFY R[ ( %OPS ?AT US$ TO /& UPON ?IS R\ND$ CORN]4 ,%E REMEMB]S H] & ,DAVID ,DANIELS HIK+ R\ND ! NEWSAG5TS & SECONDH& %OPS ON ,SATURDAY MORN+S :5 !Y W]E ?IRTE51 LOOK+ = COMICS OR SCI5CE FICTION PAP]BACKS1 (T5 PAY+ A VISIT TO ! MURKY 5T]PRISE ?AT HUNG ON H]E1 9 ! P]PETUAL UMBRA ( ! *UR* ACROSS ! /REET4 ,! [N] HAD BE5 AN OLD LADY ) A BAD C\< :O WAS ALWAYS 9 H] DRESS+ G[N & SLIPP]S1 FLECK+ RAGG$ COPIES ( ,AMAZ+ ,ADULT ,FANTASY & YELL[-JACKET$ PORNOGRAPHY ALIKE ) 9ADV]T5T SPUTUM4 

,ALMA FEELS PROTECTIVE ( !SE VANI%$ PEOPLE1 9SUFFICI5TLY NOTEWOR?Y OR ATTRACTIVE = ! SEPIA RETROSPECTIVES2 !SE ANONYM\S DU/-BUNNIES :O GOT LO/ =EV] UND]NEA? ! HUGE1 IMMOBILE W>DROBE ( ! TW5TIE? C5TURY4 ,%E WANTS TO FILL ! CR[D SC5ES 9 H] PA9T+S ) !M1 WANTS TO ?9K ( !M SUSP5D$ ) !IR H\RS & HABITATS 9 TIME'S HUGE />RY JELLY1 HANG+ !RE =EV] ) !IR FEUDS & FRAILTIES 9TACT1 NOTES ON ! /AVE ( A /UP5D\S MUSIC4 

,ON H] RI<T N[ IS ! ,JAGU> DEAL]%IP1 ,GUY ,SALMON1 A NAME ?AT HAS S9CE BECOME ,ALMA'S PET EUPHEMISM ) :I* TO REF] TO MALE EJACULATE4 ,AB+TON ,SQU>E UNFOLDS >\ND H]4 ,UP AHEAD1 ,*>LES ,BRADLAU<'S /ATUE /&S UPON ITS TRAFFIC-ISL& PL9?1 FAC+ AWAY FROM H] T[>DS ,AB+TON ,/REET4 ,NICE ASS4 ,%E'S ALWAYS RA!R FANCI$ ,BRADLAU<1 AL?\< MORE = HIS MORAL F]OCITY ?AN = HIS PHYSICAL ALLURE IF TRU? BE TOLD4 ,DI%+ \T CONTRACEPTIVE LIT]ATURE ) ,ANNIE ,BESANT1 KNOCK+ R\ND ) ,SW9BURNE1 /&+ UP = SUBJUGAT$ ,9DIA SO VOCALLY ?AT Y\?FUL DEVOTEE ,MOH&AS ,<&I TURN$ UP AT HIS FUN]AL4 ,A RIOT-PRECIPITAT+ A!I/ TEETOTAL] & *AMPION ( ! POOR1 ,BRADLAU< IS ,ALMA'S DREAM-DATE4 ,CURI\SLY1 :5EV] %E ATTEMPTS TO PICTURE ?IS %E ALWAYS SEES H]SELF >RIV+ AT ! S*OOL DANCE ) AN ANIMAT$ /ATUE1 :ITE /ONE SPL9T]S FLAK+ FROM ITS JO9TS ) EV]Y /EP4 ,DUR+ ! SL[] NUMB]S AT ! EV5+'S 5D !Y'D LEAVE A SWIRL+ *ALK-DU/ TRAIL ON ! GYMNASIUM FLOOR BEH9D !M AS !Y CLUNG TOGE!R = ,WI*ITA ,L9EMAN1 & !N AFT]W>DS HE'D CONSCI5TI\SLY DISCUSS ! NE$ = CONTRACEPTION BE=E TRY+ TO FEEL H] UP ON ! WAY HOME4 ,%E LOOKS UP AT ! *ISEL$ FIGURE ) ITS F+] PO9T+ EV] WE/W>D & CAN HE> HIM BRAGG+ TO HIS MATES AT ! PUB AFT]W>DS3 0,H]E1 ,ALG]NON1 SMELL ?IS40 

,%E'S GIGGL+ TO H]SELF AS %E /RIDES ON T[>DS ! JUNCTION ) ! ,M\NTS & ,YORK ,ROAD1 :]E ! SN>L+1 SWE>+ HORSEP[] ( ! TRUCKS & ,*ELSEA TRACTORS IS CON/RA9$ BY PRETTY LI<TS4 ,A SMALL BOY T[$ BEH9D HIS C>RI]-LAD5 MO!R />ES AT ,ALMA DISBELIEV+LY4 ,A MAN NUDGES HIS WIFE & MUTT]S 0,H]E1 ?AT'S ,ALMA ,W>R50 AS %E LOLLOPS PA/ !M1 & \TSIDE ! ,BANTAM ,COCK ?REE Y\NG LADS PRODUCE COPIES ( ! ,MOORCOCK ,ELRIC BOOK = H] TO SIGN4 ,!Y DON'T SEEM TO BE FRI<T5$ ( H]1 JOK+ AMIABLY AS %E SCRAWLS H] LAZY AUTOGRAPH1 & ,ALMA F9DS %E RA!R LIKES !M4 ,!Y 9=M H] ?AT !Y %>E A PRIVATE FANTASY AB\T H]1 9 :I* ,ALMA LIVES ON TOP ( ! ,EXPRESS ,LIFTS T[] & OV]LOOKS ,NOR?AMPTON FROM A ?RONE ( HUMAN SKULLS4 ,IT'S AN >RE/+ IMAGE1 & %E'S BEAM+ FONDLY AS %E WAVES GOODBYE TO !M4 ,BE=E %E'S REA*$ ! TRAFFIC LI<TS TWO PRETTY GIRLS :O LOOK LIKE >T /UD5TS HAVE SMIL$ & NODD$ AT H]1 %E HAS MADE ANO!R ?REE-YE>-OLD LOOK HAUNT$ & ANO!R CAB HAS *IRP$ ITS HORN AS IT PURRS BY1 PROMPT+ ANO!R CLUELESS RAIS+ ( ! SILV] TALONS & ANO!R J+L+ RATTLE ( ! F+]->MOR4 ,%E REFLECTS ?AT %E IS =TUNATE TO HAVE BE5 BLESS$ BY AN 9FLAT$ SELF-IMAGE S9CE 9FANCY4 ,ANYONE ELSE SUBJECT$ TO ?IS MU* ATT5TION W\LD MO/ PROBABLY />T ACT+ /RANGELY1 %E CONCLUDES :ILE SE>*+ = A KABBALI/IC 9SI<T 9 ! SEQU5CE ( R$-AMB]-GRE54 

,H] P]SONALITY IS A LONG-RUNN+ RADIO DRAMA ?AT IS BROADCA/ *IEFLY = H] [N AMUSEM5T1 MU* AS %E SUSPECTS IS TRUE ( MANY PEOPLE4 ,OBVI\SLY SOME PREF] P]SONAS ?AT >E TUN$ 9TO LI<T COM$Y1 :ILE JUDG$ BY !IR EXPRESSIONS ! FEW 9DIVIDUALS WAIT+ AT ! LI<TS ) H] HAVE MODEL$ !IR ESS5TIAL NATURES ON ! WEA!R =ECA/4 ,OR P]HAPS ,RELIGI\S ,AFFAIRS1 ,ALMA REASONS AFT] A CONSID]ATION ( ! ,DECO $IFICE ?AT LOOMS BEH9D H] :ILE %E /&S !RE BY ! CROSS+4 ,OP5$ 9 ! #a#i#cS AS ! ,SAVOY ,C9EMA & OP]AT+ AS ! ,A,B,C ?R\<\T H] BACK-R[ DAT+ YE>S1 HO/+ ! ,BEATLES ONCE1 ! PLACE IS N[ AMONG ! GR[+ NUMB] ( T[N PROP]TIES [N$ BY ! ,JESUS ,>MY1 AN EXP&+ HORDE ( SOMETIMES-/RID5T EVANGELICALS ?AT HAD BEGUN RECRUIT+ FROM ,NOR?AMPTON'S POOL ( D]ELICTS OR DRUNKS BACK 9 ! E>LY #a#i#gS1 :ISK+ !M FROM P>K B5*ES (F TO ,>MY HEADQU>T]S 9 NE>BY ,BUGBROOK4 ,%E RECALLS AN 9CID5T FROM A FEW YE>S AGO :5 ! GR\P HAD BE5 C5SUR$ AFT] TRAUMATIZ+ *ILDR5 ) AN UNANN\NC$ ALFRESCO RE5ACTM5T ( ! ,CRUCIFIXION1 BUT AP>T FROM ?AT !Y SEEM$ TO BE P]MITT$ TO DO :AT !Y WANT$1 PRETTY MU*4 

,ALMA IS UNSURPRIS$ BY ?IS4 ,! T[N HAS BE5 A ?RIV+ HOTB$ ( RELIGI\S NUTJOBS S9CE ! F\RTE5-HUNDR$S1 MANY ( :OM ,ALMA FEELS A C]TA9 RETROACTIVE FONDNESS =4 ,%E LIKES ! POETRY1 %E LIKES ! ATTITUDE1 ! H]ESY & AN>*Y ?AT S\<T TO BRU% ASIDE ! ,K+ & CL]GY1 S\<T TO RECREATE SOCIETY AS AN EGALIT>IAN DOMA9 ( RANT+ T9K]S1 ME*ANIC PHILOSOPH]S1 A :OLE ,NATION ( ,SA9TS ?AT ANSW]$ TO NO TEMPORAL AU?ORITY BUT ONLY TO A MORAL VISION1 TO AN 5FLAM$ /ATE ( M9D1 A LEVEL ( BO? SPIRITUAL & POLITICAL AW>5ESS ?AT W\LD BE ,J]USALEM 9 ,5GL&'S GRE5 & PLEASANT L&4 ,%E LIKES ! ,LOLL>DS & ! ,RANT]S & ! ,MUGGLETONIANS4 ,%E LIKES ! 9C5DI>Y RAV+S ( ! F\ND+ ,QUAK]S1 LIKES IMAG9+ ?AT NICE MAN ON ! OAT-BOX TE>+ (F HIS CLO!S & SCREAM+ = ! VIOL5T OV]?R[ ( MON>*Y4 ,%E'S EV5 P>TIAL TO ,MORAVIANS1 ALBEIT MA9LY = !IR FREAK-%[ VALUE ) ?AT M5TAL BUS9ESS AB\T P5ETRAT+ ! MESSIAH 9 HIS SPE>-HOLE & !IR 9FLU5CE ON H] 5DUR+ IDOL ,WILLIAM ,BLAKE1 BUT ,ALMA DOESN'T LIKE ! ,JESUS ,>MY V]Y MU*4 ,%E F9DS H]SELF SUSPICI\S ( RELIGI\S ZEAL ?AT HAS A BUS9ESS PLAN4 

,! LI<TS *ANGE & %E CROSSES TO AN 9T]M$I>Y ISL& 9 ! MIDDLE ( ,YORK ,ROAD4 ,ALMA REFLECTS ?AT %E IS /&+ ON ! SPOT ?AT ,D\G ,MC,GE>Y'S VEGETABLE TRUCK HAD RUMBL$ OV] NE>LY FIFTY YE>S BE=E1 TRANSPORT+ H] UNBREA?+ BRO!R TO ! HOSPITAL4 ,%E REALIZES ?AT TODAY ,D\G'S M]CY-DA% W\LD HAVE TO TAKE A DIFF]5T R\TE1 ) IT NO LONG] BE+ POSSIBLE TO SAIL D[N FROM ! ,M\NTS 9TO ,YORK ,ROAD4 ,HE W\LD HAVE HAD TO TURN LEFT AT ! C9EMA1 CIRCLE ! ,UNIT>IAN ,*UR* & COME BACK AT ! SQU>E ! O!R WAY1 ADD+ SOME V]Y-LIKELY FATAL M9UTES TO HIS J\RNEY4 ,M9D Y\1 BY ALL RI<TS H] BRO!R %\LD HAVE BE5 A GON] :5 ! TRUCK WAS /ILL HALFWAY UP ,GRAFTON ,/REET1 SO P]HAPS ! DIV]SION W\LDN'T HAVE MADE ?AT MU* ( A DIFF]5CE4 

,F9ALLY %E SQUEEZES PA/ ! B>RI] RAIL+S AT ! TOP ( ! P$E/RIAN PREC9CT & IS 9 ,AB+TON ,/REET1 OR AT LEA/ 9 :AT'S LEFT ( IT4 ,BACK A FEW HUNDR$ YE>S AGO ?IS WAS ! T[N'S EA/ GATE1 CALL$ ! ,/4 ,$MUND'S ,5D AFT] ! S9CE-DEMOLI%$ *UR* ACROSS ! ,WELL+BOR\< ,ROAD FROM ! CONV]T$ WORKH\SE 9 :I* ,ALMA HAD DRAWN H] FIR/ BREA?1 TO VOICE ! FIR/ ( MANY FURI\S & UNREASONABLE COMPLA9TS4 ,DANIEL ,DEFOE1 WRIT+ HIS GUIDE TO ,5GLI% T[NS1 DESCRIB$ ,NOR?AMPTON AS ESS5TIALLY A CROSSROADS1 ) ITS NOR?-S\? AXIS RUNN+ ALONG ,%EEP ,/REET1 D[N ! ,DRAP]Y & 9TO ,BRIDGE ,/REET :ILE ITS EA/-WE/ AXIS TRAC$ A L9E ?R\< ,AB+TON ,/REET1 ,GOLD ,/REET & ,M>EFAIR T[>DS ! RU9S ( ! CA/LE4 ,BY P$E/RIANIZ+ ONE 5D ( ?IS EA/-WE/ PASSAGE1 ! T[N C\NCIL HAVE EFFECTIVELY /IT*$ UP A MAJOR VE91 9VIT+ GANGR5E4 ,%E CAN SEE IT SETT+ 9 ALREADY1 READ ITS SYMPTOMS 9 ! PLA/]BO>D$ W9D[S & ! BLOOM ( E/ATE AG5T %+LES4 ,!RE'S NO PASS+ TRADE & ! %OP R5TS >E ALL RIDICUL\SLY HI<4 ,IF ?IS P]SI/S1 ,ALMA PR$ICTS1 ! T[N WILL TURN 9TO AN ECONOMIC CRAT] :]E ! MONEY ONLY CIRCULATES >\ND ! RIM1 ?R\< RETAIL P>KS & GIANT *A9-/ORES1 :ILE ! C5T] IS AB&ON$ TO ! TUMBLEWE$ ( REPOSSESSION NOTICES1 TRANS=M$ 9TO AN AFT]-D>K >5A1 TO A ,WALT] ,HILL SET ) MORE VOMIT1 MORE TE5AG]S LY+ 9 !IR [N PISS1 & MORE 9COH]5T W>-CRIES4 ,9COH]5T W>S4 ,Y\ KN[ IT'S A BAD SIGN :5 Y\ SEE BUN*ES ( COMMEMORATIVE FL[]S TAP$ TO LAMPS ON ! P9K PAV+1 ) NO ROAD 9 SI<T4 

,PIGEONS RISE FLUTT]+ >\ND H]1 BLISSFULLY OBLIVI\S TO ! MEAN-SPIRIT$ PO/] PA/$ ON A RUBBI% B9 :I* /ATES ?AT FE$+ !M IS A V>IETY ( LITT]+ & !RE=E PUNI%ABLE BY A F9E4 ,IT ISN'T ?AT %E ?9KS ?IS WILL MAKE ANY DIFF]5CE TO ! BIRDS !MSELVES1 :O AFT] ALL CAN'T READ & DON'T DEP5D ON H&\TS FROM ANIMAL-LOV]S TO SU/A9 !M 9 ! FIR/ PLACE1 BUT %E FEELS 9DIGNANT AT ! S5TIM5TS EXPRESS$4 ,:AT 9 ! NAME ( FUCK IS WRONG ) PIGEONS8 ,IF ! C\NCIL W]E ATTEMPT+ TO DISC\RAGE WASPS1 ATTACK DOGS OR ! ,JESUS ,>MY %E C\LD SEE SOME S5SE 9 ! CAMPAIGN1 BUT PIGEONS8 ,) ?AT GRE5 & VIOLET %IMM]+ ON ! RUFF2 ?AT WOBBL+ & FLUFF$-UP COO8 ,IF ! MUNICIPAL AU?ORITIES ?9K GETT+ RID ( PIGEONS IS !IR NUMB] ONE PRIORITY = ! APP>5TLY-CONDEMN$ T[N C5T]1 !N :Y DON'T !Y JU/ PLANT L&M9ES ON ALL ( ! W9D[ SILLS & GET IT OV] ) 9/EAD ( /ICK+ UP !IR PISSY LITTLE ?REAT5+ NOTICES8 

,%E C>RIES ON D[N ,AB+TON ,/REET4 ,!RE >E V]Y FEW O!R P$E/RIANS BUT %E IS WAD+ ?R\< A CR[D ( <O/S & MEMORIES1 H] KILL] ROBOT H&S DEEP 9 H] JACKET POCKETS LIKE A #a#i#eS BADBOY1 ,JIMMY ,DEAN AFT] ! M5OPAUSE4 ,%E SKIRTS >\ND ! DOPEY ,FRANCIS ,CRICK MEMORIAL ]ECT$ 9 ! C5T] ( ! ?OR\<F>E1 A PIECE ( KITS* ) SILV]Y D\BLE-HELIX TWI/S SUPPORT+ :AT APPE> TO BE A PAIR ( NUDI/ SUP]H]OES1 SEXLESS MANIK9S :OSE BALD & FEATURELESS ,B>BIE PUD5DAS CLE>LY WON'T BE PASS+ ON 9H]IT$ G5ETIC TRAITS TO ANYONE4 ,BESIDES1 ! ONLY ?+ CONNECT+ ,AB+TON ,/REET ) ! LOCAL SCI5TIFIC PIONE] IS ! CONSPICU\S ,D,N,A EVID5CE TO BE F\ND FOLL[+ AN AV]AGE ,FRIDAY NI<T4 ,( C\RSE1 ! MONUM5T MI<T BE A COMM5T ON LOCAL 9BRE$+1 ) ! FIGURES DIV+ UPW>DS 9 A DESP]ATE SPIRAL TO ESCAPE A T9Y1 /AGNANT G5E-POOL1 MORE ( A G5E-PUDDLE IF ! TRU? BE TOLD4 ,ALMA RECALLS ! RUMOR ( AN 5TIRE CYCLOPS-VILLAGE SOME:]E \T NE> ,T[CE/]1 FULL ( CYCLOPS PO/M51 CYCLOPS PUBLICANS & CYCLOPS TODDL]S1 !N REMEMB]S IT WAS H] ?AT />T$ IT4 

,BY CURV+ R\ND ! /RUCTURE TO H] LEFT %E IS N[ WALK+ D[N BESIDE ! LIBR>Y1 ! ONLY BUILD+ 9 ! /REET ?AT HASN'T *ANG$ S9CE ,ALMA WAS A LITTLE GIRL4 ,%E'D JO9$ UP AT ! AGE ( FIVE & VISIT$ ! LIBR>Y SEV]AL TIMES A =TNI<T = ! NEXT T5 YE>S1 MO/LY = <O/-/ORIES & YELL[-JACKET$ ,VICTOR ,GOLLANCZ SCI5CE-FICTION4 ,%E'D HAD HAUNT+1 MEMORABLE DREAMS AB\T ! 9/ITUTION AS A *ILD1 WALK+ ?R\< W9D+ CORRIDORS ( WOOD5 %ELV+ ) IMPOSSIBLE & FASC9AT+ TOMES PROPP$ UP TO EV]Y SIDE1 BOOKS ?AT Y\ C\LDN'T READ BECAUSE ! WORDS W\LD CRAWL >\ND UPON ! PAGE IF !Y W]E OP5$4 ,H] DREAM-LIBR>Y HAD PADD$ FLOOR+ COV]$ 9 R$ V9YL LIKE A B> /OOL OR A C>-SEAT 9TO :I* W]E SET R\ND HOLES ?AT W]E MO/ PROBABLY VAG9AL1 SO ?AT ! BOOK-BR[S+ CLI5TELE C\LD CLIMB FROM FLOOR TO FLOOR4 

,! ACTUAL WAK+ LIBR>Y HAD BE5 ALMO/ AS M>VEL\S 9 ITS 9T]IOR - ! T9Y SECTION LIKE AN OP5 W>DROBE ?AT HUMM$ ) ! AURA ( ! BOOKS ON SEANCES & MESM]ISM ?AT W]E KEPT !RE - & FROM ! \TSIDE IT WAS /ILL BEAUTIFUL1 ! BU/S ( B5EFACTORS SET 9TO ! HONEY-COLOR$ /ONE4 ,ALMA LIKES %[+ VISIT+ ,AM]ICANS ! LIBR>Y1 JU/ SO %E CAN PO9T TO ! C>V5 LIK5ESS AT ! UPP] RI<T ( ITS FACADE & ASK !M :O !Y ?9K IT IS4 ,!Y G5]ALLY ASSUME ?AT IT'S ,GEORGE ,WA%+TON1 AN ,5GLI% GE/URE ( RESPECT = !IR FIR/ PRESID5T1 SEEM+ BEWILD]$ :5 9=M$ ?AT IT IS 9 FACT ,&REW1 ,GEORGE'S OLD] RELATIVE1 BACK FROM BE=E ! ,WA%+TONS LEFT ,B>TON ,SULGRAVE = ,AM]ICA :5 ! ,NEW ,MODEL ,>MY W]E CONV]G+ ON ,NOR?AMPTON%IRE DUR+ ! SIXTE5-HUNDR$S4 ,! FAMILY1 REPUT$LY1 HAD EV5 P9*$ ! VILLAGE CRE/ ( B>S & MULLETS TO PROVIDE A BASIS = ! />RY1 /RIPY FLAG ( !IR ADOPT$ HOME4 ,TO BE QUITE FRANK1 ! ONLY ,WA%+TONS %E UNRES]V$LY RESPECTS >E ,D9AH1 ,BOOK] ,T4 & ,G5O1 :OM %E FEELS AT LEA/ GAVE SOME?+ BACK4 

,%E'S JU/ AB\T TO CROSS ! PREC9CT TO ! ,CO-OP ,BANK ON ITS F> SIDE :5 %E BECOMES AW>E ( AN UNUSUALLY SOLID-LOOK+ <O/ FROM BYGONE TIMES APPROA*+ FROM ! OPPOSITE DIRECTION1 WALK+ UP PA/ ! DILAPIDAT$ M\? ( ! =M] ,CO-OP ,>CADE4 ,DRAGG+ H] HAIR BACK FROM ! SOOT-R+$ BLA/-SITES ( H] EYES TO TAKE A CLOS] LOOK1 %E REALIZES ?AT ! ONLY ?+ :I* M>KS ! FIGURE AS A <O/ IS ! ANA*RONI/IC CLO?+ IT AFFECTS3 ! P9/RIPE %IRT1 ! NECK]*IEF & WAI/COAT4 ,) H] SPIRITS LIFT+ \T ( !IR DEFAULT DISGRUNTLEM5T1 %E RECOGNIZES ! BUCOLIC SPECT] AS P]HAPS H] OLDE/ MATE1 ,B5$ICT ,P]RIT4 ,AH1 ,NOR?AMPTON4 ,JU/ :5 Y\'VE DECID$ ?AT ! PLANN]S HAVE CLUBB$ H] 9TO 9S5SIBILITY1 %E ?R[S Y\ A B\QUET4 

,! MOM5T ,B5$ICT SEES ,ALMA1 HE GOES 9TO ONE ( HIS R\T9ES4 ,FIR/ ! APPALL$ LOOK1 !N ! TURN+ R\ND & GO+ BACK ! WAY HE'S COME AS IF PRET5D+ ?AT HE HASN'T SE5 H]1 !N ANO!R %>P REV]SE TO BR+ HIM BACK 9 H] DIRECTION1 ONLY ?IS TIME QUIV]+ ) SIL5T GIGGLES4 ,GOOD OLD ,B51 MAD AS A ,*9ESE SITUATION COM$Y1 ! ONLY ONE AMONG ,ALMA'S ASSOCIATES & =M] CLASSMATES TO CONSI/5TLY \T-/RANGE H] )\T EV5 TRY+1 & ONE ( ! FEW >TI/S OR POETS FROM H] TE5AGE YE>S :O DIDN'T JACK IT ALL 9 = A COM=TABLE LIFE :5 !Y HIT TW5TY-FIVE4 ,ANY?+ BUT4 ,B5$ICT'S FACE IS CREAS$ ) L9ES ( V]SE & LOOKS LIKE IT RESULT$ FROM AN ILL-JUDG$ ONE-NI<T /& BETWE5 ! MASKS ( COM$Y & TRAG$Y4 ,HE HAS BE5 KILL$ BY POETRY1 & AT ! SAME TIME POETRY IS ALL ?AT SAVES HIM & R$EEMS HIM4 ,GOOD OLD ,B54 

,HE /ICKS ONE PAW \T = A H&%AKE1 BUT %E'S MU* TOO PLEAS$ TO SEE HIM & %E ISN'T HAV+ IT4 ,DODG+ >\ND ! PR(F]$ H& %E PLANTS H] BLOODY LIPS UPON HIS *EEK & SCOOPS HIM UP 9TO A PY?ON HUG4 ,SOON] OR LAT] HE'LL BREA! \T1 :I* WILL ALL[ H] TO CON/RICT HIM FUR!R & !N :5 HE LOSES CONSCI\SNESS %E'LL DISLOCATE H] JAW & SWALL[ HIM4 ,BE=E %E CAN ACCOMPLI% ?IS HE FL9*ES BACK \T ( H] GRIP1 FRANTICALLY WIP+ AT ! ,GIRL-,EBOLA %E HAS LEFT SME>$ ON HIS *OPS4 

0,GET (F6 ,AH HA HA HA HA HA60 

,HIS LAU< IS ?AT ( ,TOMMY ,COOP]1 LEFT M>OON$ UPON A DES]T ISL& UNTIL IT HAS MORPH$ 9TO ! SEAGULL-SC>+ CACKLE ( ,B5 ,GUNN4 ,DELI<T$1 ,ALMA TELLS HIM HE'S A SUAVE ,LO?>IO & ASKS HIM IF HE'S WRIT+ !SE DAYS4 ,:5 HE TELLS H] HE'S /ILL SCRIBBL+1 %E REM>KS ON READ+ 0,CLE>ANCE ,>EA0 A DAY OR TWO AGO & LETS HIM KN[ :AT A GOOD POEM %E ?9KS IT IS4 ,HE LOOKS AT H] UNC]TA9LY1 UNSURE IF %E IS BE+ G5U9E4 

0,I W]5'T BAD1 WAS ,I8 ,AH HA HA40 

,! USE ( ! PA/ T5SE & SUBTLE %IFT ( SUBJECT FROM ! POEM TO ITS AU?OR REGI/]S AS A SMALL BLIP ON ,ALMA'S RAD> ( CONC]N4 ,IT DOESN'T S\ND GOOD1 LIKE A CLI*$ WE/]N GUNSL+] RETIR$ TO ! SALOON1 FONDLY REMEMB]+ HIS CORDITE-SC5T$ TRIUMPHS ?R\< A HAZE ( R$EYE4 ,:AT A LOAD ( %IT4 ,%E /]NLY REASSURES HIM ?AT HE'D BE5 CONSID]ABLY BETT] ?AN 0NOT BAD01 !N1 REALIZ+ ?AT %E TOO HAS US$ ! PA/ T5SE1 %E ATTEMPTS TO RECTIFY H] BLUND] BY JU/ COM+ \T & TELL+ HIM )\T CONDITION ?AT HE'S A GOOD WRIT]1 :]EUPON HE TAPS H] UP = A FEW QUID4 

,?IS />TLES H]1 EV5 AS %E IS FUMBL+ AUTOMATICALLY 9 H] JEANS' POCKET = A PIECE ( CRUMPL$ PAP] ?AT WON'T TURN \T TO BE AN OLD TILL RECEIPT FROM ,MORRISON'S4 ,ALMA HAS GLADLY DI%$ \T CA% TO ! T[N'S HOMELESS EV] S9CE !Y BLOSSOM$ 9 %OP DOORWAYS DUR+ ! LATE ',EI<TIES1 & ESPECIALLY S9CE IT BECAME (FICIAL POLICY ?AT ?IS WAS JU/ 05C\RAG+ ! BEGG>S04 ,HAV+ COME FROM A COMMUNITY ( BEGG>S1 ?IS ONLY SPURS ON H] BLOODY-M9D$ G5]OSITY1 MU* ! SAME WAY ?AT %E'S BE5 IDLY PLANN+ TO /REW CRUMBL$ BLUEB]RY MUFF9S UP & D[N ! PREC9CT EV] S9CE %E SPOTT$ ?AT ANNOY+ PIGEON NOTICE AT ! /REET'S TOP 5D4 ,A FRI5D1 LIKE ,B5$ICT1 IS ALWAYS WELCOME TO SOME SP>E CA% IF %E HAS IT1 BUT AS %E PRESSES A NOTE 9TO HIS PALM %E'S MORE CONC]N$ AB\T ! %IFT 9 SELF-E/EEM ?AT SEEMS TO HAVE BEFALL5 HIM S9CE ! LA/ TIME !Y MET4 ,TAK5 ALONG ) ! 0,I W]5'T BAD1 WAS ,I80 COMM5T1 ,ALMA'S FEEL+ A BIT WORRI$ = HIM4 ,MAK+ MATT]S WORSE1 HE'S LOOK+ GUILTY N[ AB\T TAK+ ! MONEY1 :I* %E BRA%LY BRU%ES OV] BY ASSUR+ HIM %E'S 0FUCK+ LOAD$01 ANXI\S TO GET ON TO SAF] GR\ND4 ,! MOM5T PASSES4 ,ALMA ASKS HIM TO TOMORR['S EXHIBITION1 NOT EXPECT+ HIM TO COME1 & :5 !Y'RE SAY+ GOODBYE SOME FEW M9UTES LAT] ,B5$ICT IS TELL+ H] ?AT HE'S A ,CYB]MAN & ,ALMA'S LAU<+ LIKE A DRA94 ,EV]Y?+'S GOOD AGA94 

,WAV+ F>EWELL :ILE /ILL SNICK]+ D[N H] NOSE AT 9T]VALS1 %E W&]S A FEW PACES FUR!R D[N ! /REET & !N REMEMB]S ?AT %E HAD ORIG9ALLY BE5 HEAD+ = ! BANK1 CORRECT+ H] TRAJECTORY ACCORD+LY4 ,%E'S ?9K+ AB\T ,B5$ICT1 AB\T H[ ONE ( ! MO/ BLAZ+ & IMPORTANT MOM5TS 9 H] LIFE HAD BE5 PROVOK$ BY ,B5'S 9SPIR+ IDIOCY4 ,!Y W]E BO? SOME?+ LIKE T5 OR ELEV5 & HAD WORK$ \T AN +5I\S WAY TO CLIMB UP TO ! RO(TOPS ( ! COPP] W>EH\SE :I* /OOD ON ! CORN] ?AT CONNECT$ ,FREES*OOL ,/REET ) ,GRE5 ,/REET4 ,?IS ASC5T1 :I* OBVI\SLY NE$$ TO BE MADE AT NI<T1 HAD FIR/ REQUIR$ A TRIP TO ,N>R[-,TOE ,LANE1 JU/ >\ND ! BLOCK1 :]E !Y C\LD WRIGGLE ON !IR BELLIES UND]NEA? ! LOCK$ GATE ( A BUILD]'S Y>D4 ,H]E !Y HAD CLAMB]$ UP A BORR[$ LADD] ONTO A RE> WALL ( ! ADJAC5T ,P]RIT PROP]TY & SCAMP]$ GIGGL+ ALONG ! RIDGE ( ,B5$ICT'S DAD'S WOODPILE 9 ! />LI<T4 ,?IS EV5TUALLY ALL[$ !M ACCESS TO ! W>EH\SE \TBUILD+S1 FROM :5CE IT WAS AN EASY SCRAMBLE UP TO ! SLATE RO(S & *IMNEYPOTS ABOVE4 

,= MON?S IT HAD BE5 !IR PREC>I\S K+DOM1 ONLY %>$ ) CATS & BIRDS4 ,DANG]\S GAMES ( *ASE EVOLV$ TO SUIT ! SLANT$ PLANES ( ! NEW L&SCAPE1 BUT !SE HAD !IR LIMITS3 DEAD-5D PRECIPICES ?AT ! TWO KIDS C\LDN'T F9D ! N]VE TO OV]COME4 ,! WOR/ ( !SE WAS AT ! F> 5D ( A GUTT]+1 A RA9 *ANNEL BETWE5 ! SLOPE ( ONE RO( & ! UPRI<T WALL ?AT WAS ! B\ND>Y ( ! NEXT4 ,!IR *ASES W\LD 5D PREMATURELY AT ?IS PO9T1 NI<T AFT] NI<T1 BECAUSE ( ! %E] DROP 9TO A N>R[ ALLEY FILL$ ) METAL SCRAP & PROBABLE IMPALEM5T ?AT PLUNG$ D[N 9TO ! D>K IMM$IATELY BEYOND4 ,! ?REAT5+ PASSAGE HAD BE5 ONLY F\R OR FIVE FEET WIDE & HAD ! ANGL$ TILES ( A ONE-/ORY /ORAGE %$ ON ITS F> SIDE4 ,IF IT HAD BE5 A JUMP BETWE5 TWO *ALK M>KS 9 A SUNNY PLAYGR\ND !Y'D HAVE MADE IT )\T HESITATION1 BUT TO TRY ! SAME ?+ ON A RO(TOP 9 PIT* D>KNESS ) AN ABYSS FULL ( TETANUS JUNK B5EA? Y\ WAS A V]Y DIFF]5T MATT]4 

,!N1 ONE MOONLIT EV5+1 ,B5$ICT HAD UPP$ HIS GAME4 ,ALMA WAS *AS+ HIM ACROSS ! BLUE-GRAY HILLS SOME ?IRTY FEET ABOVE ! /REET1 PURSU+ HIM ) AN UNSETTL+ DEGREE ( RELI% ?R\< A ,CALIG>I WORLD ( *IMNEYS1 TILTS1 & %AD[S4 ,B5$ICT1 ONLY A FEW PACES AHEAD ( H]1 WAS GIGGL+ ) T]ROR ?AT WAS :OLLY JU/IFI$ & UND]/&ABLE3 MO/ PEOPLE W\LD GET ?R\< !IR LIVES )\T BE+ PURSU$ ACROSS ! SKYL9E BY A PR$ATORY ,ALMA ,W>R5 ANY:]E SAVE 9 UNUSUALLY VIVID NI<TM>ES1 :ILE = ,B5$ICT ?IS HAD BE5 HIS UN5VIABLE REALITY4 ,UPON ! NI<T 9 QUE/ION %E HAD H]D$ HIM 9TO ! DEAD-5D FOLD BETWE5 ! RO(TOPS1 KN[+ ?AT %E HAD HIM TRAPP$ & SLAV]+ TRIUMPHANTLY AS %E MOV$ 9 UPON H] %RILL & TITT]+ QU>RY = ! KILL4 ,IT WAS AT ?IS PO9T ?AT ,B5'S FE> ( BE+ CAU<T BY ,ALMA HAD AT LA/ \TWEI<$ HIS SQUEAMI%NESS REG>D+ GETT+ SPE>$ BY %>DS ( GLASS OR RU/Y RAIL+S 9 ! ALLEYWAY BEL[4 ,B5$ICT JUMP$1 %RIEK+ ) FE> & SOMEH[ LAU<+ AT ! SAME TIME1 HURTL+ ACROSS ! LE?AL GAP TO L& UPON ! %$ RO(1 FIVE OR SIX FEET L[] D[N ON ITS F> SIDE4 

,ALMA1 /ILL RUNN+ AT FULL TILT BEH9D HIM1 HAD JU/ SECONDS TO DECIDE ?AT %E PREF]R$ ! POSSIBILITY ( GORY DEA? AT AGE ELEV5 TO ! UTT] C]TA9TY ( SOMEONE BEAT+ H] AT SOME?+4 ,HAV+ MADE H] M9D UP1 :5 %E REA*$ ! $GE %E JU/ KEPT GO+4 

,9 ! FRACTION ( A SECOND DUR+ :I* %E HUNG 9 EMPTY SPACE ABOVE ! SN>L ( RU/$ IMPLEM5TS & BROK5 W9D[S D[N BEL[1 ,ALMA HAD BE5 ILLUM9AT$4 ,AS ! 9/ANT /RET*$ ITSELF1 %E REALIZ$ ?AT %E'D ACCID5TALLY JUMP$ FREE ( ALL H] FE>S & LIMITATIONS1 FE>S ( 9JURY & DEA? & RU94 ,TRU/+ ONLY TO ! MOM5T %E'D PROPELL$ H]SELF PA/ D\BT & GRAVITY & 9 ?AT MOM5T HAD KN[N ) ABID+ C]TA9TY ?AT !RE WAS NO?+ %E WAS SC>$ (1 NO?+ ?AT %E C\LDN'T DO4 

,EV5 AS AN ELEV5-YE>-OLD GIRL %E HAD1 ( C\RSE1 BE5 BO? CONSID]ABLY BIGG] & MU* HEAVI] ?AN ,B5$ICT4 ,%E SAIL$ ACROSS ! TREA*]\S ALLEYWAY TO L& ON ! %$ RO( BESIDE HIM & IMM$IATELY W5T ?R\< IT1 %ATT]+ ITS SLATES & 5D+ UP EMB$D$ 9 ITS GRADI5T TO H] SCABBY KNEES4 ,OH1 H[ !Y'D LAU<$1 EXHIL>AT$ & HY/]ICAL1 ONCE !Y'D *ECK$ TO MAKE SURE ?AT NOBODY HAD LO/ AN EYE4 ,! 9CID5T HAD GIV5 ,ALMA AN IMPORTANT 9SI<T 9TO OV]COM+ PSY*OLOGICAL IMP$IM5TS1 :I* %E'D EXP]IM5T$ FUR!R )4 ,HAV+ A MORBID DREAD ( DR[N+1 AS A TWELVE-YE>-OLD %E'D SWUM \T TO ! /EEL P>TITION ?AT DIVID$ ONE 5D ( ,MIDSUMM] ,MEAD['S LIDO FROM ! O!R & HAD DIV$ D[N TO ONE ( ! RAIL$ V5TS ?AT W]E SOME FEET UND]WAT]4 ,%E HAD PU%$ H] >M BETWE5 ! B>S !N TURN$ IT R\ND SO ?AT %E WASN'T C]TA9 %E C\LD PULL IT \T AGA94 ,= P]HAPS ?IRTY LONG & AWESOME SECONDS %E HAD FLOAT$ AT ! /ILL HE>T ( H] :OLLY SELF-9FLICT$ T]ROR1 TRY+ TO ABSORB & UND]/& IT1 & !N %E HAD CALMLY TURN$ H] >M ! RI<T WAY R\ND TO PULL IT FROM BETWE5 ! B>S & /RIKE BACK = ! GLITT]+ SURFACE4 ,ALMA SMILES N[ AT ! MEMORY AS %E 5T]S ! BANK4 ,! CRITICS & SOMETIMES ADMIR]S :O DESCRIBE H] AS ECC5TRIC REALLY HAV5'T GOT ! FIR/ IDEA4 

,%E KN[S ALL ! BANK /AFF BY NAME1 ! ,CO-OP HAV+ BE5 H] BANK ( *OICE = ! LA/ TW5TY YE>S4 ,%E'D />T$ ) !M SOLELY ON ! BASIS ( !IR E?ICAL 9VE/M5T POLICIES1 BUT AS ! DECADES HAD TICK$ PA/ ON H] MILOMET] %E'D COME TO NOTICE ?AT :5EV] !RE WAS A F9ANCIAL MELTD[N CAUS$ BY BANK+ IMPROPRIETIES1 ! ,CO-OP'S FRANKLY BOR+ LOGO NEV] FEATUR$ 9 ! CASCADE ( %AM$ HI<-/REET BR&S ?AT P\R$ ACROSS ! TEATIME NEWS-SCRE5S4 ,9 ! DIZZY+ CAS9O SP9 ( A R\LETTE ECONOMY1 9SIDE A ?READB>E CIRCUS T5T /UFF$ ) ADR5AL9E-D]ANG$ ROGUE TRAD]S1 OLIG>*S1 & CORPORATE BOSSES LIV+ BEYOND ANYBODY'S MEANS1 ! ,CO-OP /OOD FA/4 ,DESPITE ITS REFUSAL TO 9VE/ RES\RCES ) >MS MANUFACTUR]S1 ! BANK /UCK TO ITS GUNS4 ,ALSO1 :5 ,ALMA'S MOM ,DORE5 HAD DI$ 9 #aiie !Y'D S5T A BIG B\QUET ( FL[]S ) P]SONAL MESSAGES FROM EV]YBODY AT ! BRAN*4 ,AS F> AS ,ALMA IS CONC]N$1 !Y C\LD BE CAU<T PROVID+ ORPHAN BABY SEALS = ,RIO ,T9TO ,Z9C TO USE AS SEX-SLAVES AFT] ?AT1 & %E'D MO/ PROBABLY TURN H] BL9D EYE4 

,AFT] %E'S SAID HELLO TO EV]YONE1 ,ALMA 9SPECTS H]SELF ON ! CLOS$ CIRCUIT TELEVISION :ILE %E WAITS 9 L9E4 ,! CAM]A IS OV] BY ! ,AB+TON ,/REET 5TRANCE SEV]AL Y>DS BEH9D H]1 & SO ONLY GIVES A RE>VIEW LONG-%OT ( ! LEA!R-JACKET$ OLD WOMAN ) ! HANG+-G>D5S HAIR/YLE1 A GOOD HEAD & %\LD]S TALL] ?AN ! O!R PEOPLE 9 ! QUEUE4 ,?IS IS ! NE>E/ ?AT %E EV] GETS TO AN OBJECTIVE IMAGE ( H]SELF & F9DS %E DOESN'T LIKE IT V]Y MU*4 ,IT MAKES H] FEEL OBSCURELY ISOLAT$1 & BESIDES1 %E DOESN'T SEE H]SELF LIKE ?AT4 ,%E SEES H]SELF AS BIGG] & A GREAT DEAL NE>]4 ,& NOT FROM BEH9D4 

,%E *ECKS H] BALANCE & DRAWS \T A R&OM WAD ( CA% TO /UFF 9 ! SIDE-POCKET ( H] JEANS4 ,JU/ YE/]DAY %E'D HAD A *AT ) ! 9CORRIGIBLE S]IAL-SYMPA?IZ] & UNLIKELY 9NOC5T ,MEL9DA ,GEBBIE1 H] BE/ MATE FROM ,SEMILONG4 ,! O!R WOMAN >TI/ HAD REM>K$ ON H[ %E ALWAYS LIK$ TO HAVE SOME REASSUR+ TOTEM 9 H] POCKET1 USEFUL ,KLE5EX TISSUES1 DEAD BEES OR P>TICUL>LY PRETTY LEAVES ?AT %E'D PICK$ UP4 ,ALMA HAD ?\<T AB\T IT = A :ILE & !N SAID 0,YEAH1 WELL1 SEE1 = ME ?AT W\LD BE MONEY40 ,:ILE %E'S PROBABLY LO/ SEV]AL HI<-D5OM9ATION NOTES ACROSS ! YE>S %E /ILL RESI/S ! IDEA ( A PURSE OR H&BAG1 REASON+ ?AT ?IS W\LD ONLY BE A GOOD WAY TO LOSE EV]Y?+ AT ONCE4 ,%E ?9KS IT HI<LY PROBABLE ?AT %E'D EV5TUALLY LEAVE ! H&BAG 9 A CAFE1 :]EAS IT'S UNLIKELY ?AT %E'D LEAVE H] TR\S]S4 ,NOT \T ( ! QUE/ION1 BUT UNLIKELY4 

,EXIT+ ! BANK %E NIPS NEXT DOOR 9TO ! PREMISES ( ,M>T9'S1 ! NEWSAG5TS1 SO ?AT %E CAN /OCK UP ON ESS5TIALS3 ,RIZLA PAP]S1 FAGS1 ,SWAN MAT*ES1 MAGAZ9ES4 ,%E PULLS ! LATE/ ISSUES ( ,NEW ,SCI5TI/ & ,PRIVATE ,EYE D[N FROM !IR UPP] %ELVES1 WOND]+ IF !IR PLACEM5T MI<T BE P>T ( AN 5TIRELY S5SIBLE CAMPAIGN TO MAKE SURE ?AT ONLY ! TALL RECEIVE APPROPRIATE 9TELLECTUAL /IMULATION4 ,ONE DAY SOON1 :5 %E & H] K9D HAVE GR[N SM>T 5\< TO =MULATE A FOOLPRO( PLAN1 !N ,/EPH5 ,FRY WILL GIVE ! SIGNAL & !Y'LL ALL RISE UP & MASSACRE ! %ORT-ASS NUMSKULLS 9 !IR B$S4 ,SOME?+ LIKE ?AT1 AT ANY RATE4 ,LET A GIRL HAVE H] DAYDREAMS4 

,ALMA TAKES ! TWO MAGS TO ! TILL :]E G5IAL1 BULLET-HEAD$ ,TONY ,M>T9 & LONG-SUFF]+ WIFE ,%IRLEY HAVE ALREADY GOT H] =TY ,SILK ,CUT ,SILV]1 FIVE PACKS ( GRE5 ,RIZLA PAP]S & TWO BOXES ( ,SWAN MAT*ES WAIT+ = H]4 ,TONY %AKES HIS %AV$ DOME RUEFULLY :ILE R++ UP ! ,RIZLAS4 

0,ALMA1 HONE/LY6 ,ALL O' !SE ,RIZLA PAP]S6 ,SURELY Y\ MU/ 'AVE GOT ?AT SCALE MODEL ( ! ,EIFFEL ,T[] COMPLET$ AGES AGO8 ,:AT'S ! MATT] ) Y]80 

,%IRLEY LOOKS UP FROM RE-/OCK+ %ELVES & TELLS H] HUSB& TO %UT UP & NOT TO BE SO RUDE1 BUT ,ALMA'S GR9N+4 

0,YEAH1 ,I DID1 BUT ,I GOT BOR$ ) IT & />T$ ON A MODEL ( ! ,VATICAN4 ,N[1 >E Y\ GO+ TO R+ ?OSE UP1 OR %ALL ,I GET MY MAT*/ICK ,POPE TO EXCOMMUNICATE Y\80 

,IT'S A RUNN+ JOKE BETWE5 !M4 ,YE>S AGO SOMEONE :O WORK$ BEH9D ! C\NT] HAD ASK$ ,ALMA :Y %E B\<T SO MANY ,RIZLA PAP]S1 TO :I* ,ALMA HAD REPLI$ ) A DEADPAN EXPRESSION & )\T A BEAT ?AT %E WAS BUILD+ A SCALE MODEL ( ! ,EIFFEL ,T[] \T ( ! FLIMSY1 GUM-$G$ LEAVES4 ,:ILE ?IS HAD ONLY BE5 A GAG %E'D F\ND IT AN APPEAL+ ONE1 AN IDEA %E C\LD GET A BIT ( MILEAGE \T (4 ,WELL1 MORE ?AN A BIT AS IT TURN$ \T4 ,%E SEES IDEAS MU* AS A F>M] SEES HIS PIGS1 & DOESN'T EV5 WANT TO WA/E ! SQUEAL IF %E CAN HELP IT4 

,) H] PUR*ASES 9SIDE A FLIMSY PLA/IC C>RI]-BAG1 ! NATIONAL FL[]1 %E WAVES A CLATT]+ METALLIC GOODBYE TO ! ,M>T9S & /EPS BACK \T ( ! %OP 9TO ! WIDE P9K PREC9CT4 ,%E CONT9UES H] DESC5T ( ,AB+TON ,/REET1 CALL+ 9 AT ,M>KS @& ,SP5C]'S TO PICK UP SOME BITS & PIECES = H] EV5+ MEAL3 A C\PLE ( LONG DEMON-TONGUE ,RAMIROS PEPP]S1 CRANB]RY & ORANGE /UFF+1 & SOME FETA *EESE4 ,%E NAVIGATES A DESIGNAT$ PA? BETWE5 ! OP5-PLAN DEP>TM5TS1 OV]LOOK$ BY ,MYLE5E ,KLASS & A /ILL-LOVELY ,TWIGGY4 ,ALMA NEV] FEELS 5TIRELY COM=TABLE 9 ! CONSPICU\SLY PONCEY /ORE1 BUT1 HAV+ REC5TLY BOYCOTT$ ,SA9SBURY'S1 LACKS = A CONV5I5T ALT]NATIVE4 

,! ,SA9SBURY'S EPISODE /ILL MAKES H] SMILE1 ?\< IT'S ! <A/LY SMILE ( SOME?+ ?AT ONE REALLY %\LD HAVE KILL$ BUT ONLY W\ND$4 ,%E HAD BE5 EM]G+ FROM ! ,GROSV5OR ,C5T] BRAN* ( ,SA9SBURY'S1 :]E %E KNEW MO/ ( ! LADIES AT ! TILLS BY NAME1 LAD5 D[N BY TWO BULG+ /ORE-BR& BAGS-=-LIFE FILL$ ) H] PUR*ASES4 ,A UNI=M$ SECURITY GU>D1 %REWDLY NOTIC+ ! LIZ>D-GRE5-)-WAT]MELON-P9K-9T]IOR HOODIE ?AT %E HAPP5$ TO BE WE>+1 HAD D$UC$ %E WAS !RE=E A MEMB] ( ! UND]CLASS 7:I*1 EMOTIONALLY AT LEA/1 %E WAS7 & /EPP$ TO BLOCK H] PA?1 DEM&+ TO SEE ,ALMA'S TILL RECEIPT4 ,T[]+ ABOVE ! RELATIVELY P9T-SIZ$ 9DIVIDUAL %E HAD CRAN$ H] NECK1 L[]+ H] MASSIVE HEAD TO HIS EYE-LEVEL AS IF TALK+ TO A WOEFULLY UND]A*IEV+ EI<T-YE>-OLD4 ,EXPLA9+ ?AT %E WASN'T 9 ! HABIT ( COLLECT+ TILL RECEIPTS1 ,ALMA HAD ASK$ IF ?IS WAS SOME NEW POLICY ( R&OM /OP-&-SE>*1 OR IF HE'D HAD SOME O!R REASON = SELECT+ H] AMONG ! DOZ5 OR SO MORE CONV5TIONAL-LOOK+ %OPP]S :O W]E !N EM]G+ FROM ! SUP]M>KET4 ,LOOK+ MORE & MORE UNC]TA9 BY ! MOM5T1 ! GU>D HAD !N PO9TLESSLY REQUE/$ ?AT %E %[ HIM :AT WAS 9 H] ,SA9SBURY'S %OPP+ BAGS1 P]HAPS SUSPECT+ SOMEH[ ?AT !Y'D PROVE TO CONTA9 %OPP+ ?AT HAD COME FROM ,SA9SBURY'S4 

,%E HAD REPEAT$ H] 9QUIRY1 LEAV+ AN EXAGG]AT$ GAP BETWE5 EA* WORD SO ?AT HE HAD ! TIME TO FULLY COMPREH5D ONE SYLLABLE BE=E BE+ REQUIR$ TO /RUGGLE ) ! NEXT4 0,:Y 444 DID 444 Y\ 444 /OP 444 ME 444 SPECIFICALLY80 ,BY ?IS PO9T O!R CU/OM]S W]E N]V\SLY APPROA*+ & PROTE/+ ,ALMA'S 9NOC5CE1 LOOK+ MORE WORRI$ = ! CLE>LY-NEW EMPLOYEE1 UND]/&ABLY1 ?AN !Y W]E = ! FAM\SLY BELLIG]5T GIANTESS4 ,ATTEMPT+ TO SALVAGE A S5SE ( HIS AU?ORITY 9 ?IS DET]IORAT+ SITUATION1 ! GU>D HAD SAID ?AT ,ALMA MU/ KEEP H] RECEIPTS4 ,ALMA HAD DULY NOT$ ?IS NEW ,SA9SBURY'S POLICY BUT HAD EXPLA9$ ?AT S9CE %E W\LDN'T BE RETURN+ TO ! /ORE1 IT WASN'T REALLY GO+ TO AFFECT H]4 ,SMIL+ ANXI\SLY AS %E'D BEGUN TO WALK AWAY1 HE'D CALL$ \T A REM9D] TO HANG ON TO H] RECEIPT NEXT TIME1 :I* HAD MADE ,ALMA PAUSE1 SI< HEAVILY1 & !N EXPLA9 9 H] BE/ *ILD-FRI5DLY VOICE :AT ALL ! LONG WORDS AB\T NOT RETURN+ TO ! /ORE 9 H] LA/ S5T5CE W]E 9T5D$ TO CONVEY4 ,:5 %E'D GOT HOME %E'D RUNG CU/OM] S]VICES & TOLD !M IT WAS ,ALMA ,W>R5 CALL+1 AT :I* ! Y\NG WOMAN ON ! O!R 5D HAD *IRPILY 9=M$ H] ?AT %E'D SE5 ,ALMA ON TELLY JU/ ! PREVI\S NI<T4 ,ALMA HAD TOLD H] ?AT WAS NICE & !N GONE ON TO DETAIL :AT HAD HAPP5$ E>LI]1 EXPLA9+ ?AT %E C\LD ONLY 9T]PRET ! GU>D'S SCRUT9Y AS BE+ CLASS-BAS$ & H[ ?IS HAD PROMPT$ H] DECISION TO GIVE ,SA9SBURY'S A MISS 9 FUTURE4 ,%E'D ASSUR$ ! P]FECTLY-NICE WOMAN ?AT %E WASN'T ASK+ ,SA9SBURY'S = AN APOLOGY1 ?\< ANYONE :O KNEW H] W\LD HAVE HE>D ! IMPLICATION ?AT IT WAS TOO LATE = SU* A USELESS TRIFLE TO PLACATE H]2 ?AT %E WAS BY N[ EMB>K$ UPON A GRUDGE ?AT %E W\LD C>RY TO ! GRAVE4 

,IT HADN'T BE5 ! FIR/ TIME %E'D ATTRACT$ ! ATT5TION ( SECURITY 9 ,SA9SBURY'S1 AL?\< ON ! PREVI\S OCCASION %E'D BE5 9 ! COMPANY ( H] DE> *UM1 ! ACTOR ,ROB]T ,GOODMAN1 SO %E HADN'T REALLY BLAM$ !M4 ,BOB1 BLESS$ ) :AT A DESP]ATE E/ATE AG5T W\LD CALL 0DI/9CTIVE FEATURES01 HAD DUR+ HIS V>I\S C>E] PLAY$ ! ,HAMBURGL>1 & ! CORPSE-HUMP+ RAPI/ SOLID] 9 ,LUC ,BESSON'S ,JOAN ( ,>C1 :ILE 9 A NUMB] ( ADV]TISEM5TS = C> AL>MS1 ALONGSIDE HIS APPE>ANCES UPON ,! ,BILL1 ,EA/5D]S1 & 9 ,BATMAN & ,A ,FI% ,CALL$ ,W&A1 HE HAD MADE ! ROLE ( ,SECOND ,SC>-FAC$ ,?UG HIS [N4 ,GIV5 ,BOB'S MURD]\S DEMEANOR1 %E WASN'T SURPRIS$ ?AT !Y'D BE5 FOLL[$ R\ND ! /ORE4 ,IF ,ALMA DIDN'T KN[ ,BOB P]SONALLY1 & IF HE WASN'T CURR5TLY RESE>*+ /UFF ON H] BEHALF P]TA9+ TO TOMORR['S EXHIBITION1 !N %E'D HAVE HIM TAK5 \T BY SNIP]S2 W\LD HAVE MORE ?AN LIKELY DONE SO LONG AGO4 ,?IS LATE/ 9CID5T1 H[EV]1 HAD NO SU* EXT5UAT+ CIRCUM/ANCES3 %E'D BE5 /OPP$ & QUE/ION$ BECAUSE %E LOOK$ POOR4 ,9 FUCK+ ,SA9SBURY'S1 :I* ,ALMA HADN'T REALIZ$ WAS N[ SU* AN ELITE CONC]N4 ,BY CONTRA/1 H]E 9 PONCEY ,M>KS @& ,SP5C]'S1 ! ONE GU>D :O'D EV] SPOK5 TO H] HAD JU/ SMIL$ & SAID HE WAS A FAN4 ,CLASS PREJUDICE1 APP>5TLY1 IS NOT SE5 AS A MAJOR ISSUE1 POSSIBLY BECAUSE ITS VICTIMS >E TRADITIONALLY 9>TICULATE4 ,ALMA H]SELF1 ( C\RSE1 NEV] %UTS UP1 P>TICUL>LY :5 IT COMES TO PEOPLE ( H] BACKGR\ND BE+ DEMONIZ$4 ,%E CAN DRONE ON AB\T ! SUBJECT 5DLESSLY1 MO/ USUALLY 9 ! TWO OR ?REE M$IA 9T]VIEWS %E DOES EA* WEEK1 OR SOME MORE P]MAN5T =M4 ,NO1 %E WON'T BE NE$+ AN APOLOGY4 

,BACK 9 ,AB+TON ,/REET1 BURD5$ BY TWO C>RI] BAGS N[1 %E C>RIES ON T[>DS ! C(FEE %OP D[N AT ! BOTTOM1 ,CAFFE ,N]O4 ,:Y NAME A CAFE AFT] SOMEONE LIKE ,N]O1 ,ALMA WOND]S8 ,Y\ MI<T JU/ AS WELL CALL IT ,CAFFE ,CALIGULA OR ,CAFFE ,HELIOGABALUS4 ,OR ,CAFFE ,MUSSOL9I = ?AT MATT]4 ,! CAFFE9E ( ,EUROPE4 

,! CAFE /&S R\<LY ON ! =M] SITE ( ! T[N HALL1 ! 9T]M$I>Y MODEL S]V+ AS A /EPP+ /ONE BETWE5 ! FIR/ ,GILHALDA ON ! ,MAYORHOLD & ! SPL5DID CURR5T ,GUILDHALL R\ND ! CORN] 9 ,/4 ,GILES ,/REET4 ,IT WAS H]E ON ?IS SPOT ALMO/ T5 YE>S BE=E ?AT ,ALMA HAD CROSS$ PA?S ) !N-,PRIME-,M9I/]-9-WAIT+ ,TONY ,BLAIR1 ON A PRE-L&SLIDE WALKAB\T ) SUIT$ ,RES]VOIR ,DOGS M9D]S & ! RICTUS GR9 & PA9T$ EYEBALLS ( A V5TRILOQUI/'S DUMMY :O'S DET]M9$ NOT TO GO GACK 9 ! GOX4 ,! P>TY HAD BE5 SAUNT]+ D[N ,AB+TON ,/REET JU/ AS ,ALMA HAD BE5 WALK+ UP1 SUNBA?+ 9 ! AW$ ATT5TION !Y CLE>LY IMAG9$ !Y W]E GETT+ FROM ! UTT]LY OBLIVI\S PASS]SBY4 ,Y\ C\LD TELL ?AT 9SIDE !IR M9DS !Y W]E P>AD+ D[N ! REC5TLY P$E/RIANIZ$ PREC9CT1 ALL 9 FLATT]+ SL[-MOTION ) ! FA9T BREEZE RUFFL+ !IR JET-MOLD$ HAIR ATTRACTIVELY4 

,SCANN+ ! PASS+ FACES = A SIGN ( SOME?+ O!R ?AN 9DIFF]5CE1 ,BLAIR'S EYES HAD EV5TUALLY MET ,ALMA'S GRAY & YELL[ HAZ>D LI<TS4 ,( C\RSE1 %E HADN'T KN[N AT ?AT PO9T HE WAS GO+ TO DRAG ! C\NTRY 9TO AN 9T]M9ABLE & DISA/R\S W>1 BUDDY+ UP TO ! ,AM]ICANS ) A VIEW TO HIS [N RETIREM5T PROSPECTS1 BUT %E'D BE5 AW>E ( HIM = YE>S & KNEW ?AT HE W\LD ALMO/ C]TA9LY BE DO+ SOME?+ VILE4 ,%E'D WAT*$ HIM & HIS P>TY TACITLY SUPPORT REPRESSIVE ,TORY LEGISLATION LIKE ,CLAUSE #bh OR ! ,CRIM9AL ,JU/ICE ,BILL4 ,%E'D WAT*$ HIM 'MOD]NIZE' ! ,LABOR P>TY BY EXCIS+ ! LA/ VE/IGES ( ! CORE VALUES ?AT H] P>5TS & GR&P>5TS HAD BELIEV$ 92 WAT*$ HIM SELL ! POOR1 ! DIS9H]IT$ & EV5 ! TRADE UNIONS :O'D BR\<T HIS P>TY 9TO BE+ D[N ! SAME 5DLESSLY ROLL+ OPPORTUNI/ RIV]4 ,ON ! AFT]NOON ( H] 5C\NT] ) HIM1 !N1 DESPITE ! FACT HE HADN'T BE5 ELECT$ YET1 %E'D ?\<T TO GET 9 H] RETALIATION E>LY4 ,%E HADN'T LOOK$ DAGG]S AT HIM1 %E'D LOOK$ ,DAISY-CUTT]S1 ) A GL>E ( SU* 9T5SITY ?AT %E W\LD ONLY NORMALLY EMPLOY IT IF %E W]E ATTEMPT+ TO BL[ UP ! MOON4 ,!RE HAD BE5 FIELDS ONCE ?AT HAD GIV5 ,ALMA CAUSE TO LOOK AT !M LIKE ?AT1 :]E N[ !RE W\LD BE NO?+ GR[+ = ! NEXT FEW HUNDR$ YE>S4 ,%E'D HELD ! CONTACT LONG 5\< TO MAKE SURE IT HAD REGI/]$1 WAIT+ UNTIL ,BLAIR'S GR9 HAD FROZ5 TO A RICTUS & HIS />TL$ EYES HAD UND]GONE !IR FIR/-TO-SEE-!-CREATURE MOM5T BE=E %E HAD CURL$ H] LIP & LOOK$ DISMISSIVELY AWAY1 CONT9U+ ) H] ASC5T ( ,AB+TON ,/REET4 

,5T]+ ! CAFE N[ TO GRAB A CUP ( HOT BLACK TEA & SLICE ( ,TIRAMISU1 %E TALKS ) ! ,POLI% GIRLS BEH9D ! C\NT] BE=E RELOCAT+ TO A PUN*-DRUNK LEA!R >M*AIR BY ! W9D[1 /ILL CONSID]+ H] BRIEF 5C\NT] ) ! MAN :O IS AT PRES5T HANG+ ON TO LEAD]%IP ) ! DESP]ATE T5ACITY ( A H&-*OS5 LOB/] CL++ TO ! ORNAM5TAL CA/LE 9 ! RE/AURANT TANK4 ,?IS IS ! MAN :O BY HIS [N ACC\NT HAS FELT ! H& ( HI/ORY UPON HIS %\LD] ) SU* DRE>Y FREQU5CY ACROSS ! YE>S & YET HAS NEV] REALIZ$ ?AT IT'S FA/5+ A LABEL SAY+ 0/AB ME0 TO HIS BACK ) ,SELLOTAPE4 

,LEV]+ UP A =KFUL ( H] CU/>D_/C(FEE CAKE T[>DS ! TAG TEAM ( BRI<T R$ ,MEXICAN WRE/L]S ?AT >E H] LIPS %E ?9KS AB\T ! PAIR ( LOCAL M51 BO? =M] ,LABOR ,P>TY MEMB]S1 :O >E CURR5TLY CONF9$ BY A RE/RA9+ ORD] :I* PREV5TS !M LEAV+ ,5GL& & =BIDS !M TALK+ TO EA* O!R4 ,ONE ( !M1 A CIVIL S]VANT BY ! NAME ( ,DAVID ,KEO< :O LIVES JU/ (F ! ,M\NTS1 WAS A COMMUNICATIONS (FIC] SECOND$ TO ! ,=EIGN ,(FICE DUR+ #b#e4 ,:ILE ?US EMPLOY$1 ,KEO< HAD RECEIV$ ! TRANSCRIPT ( A CONV]SATION BETWE5 ,BLAIR & ,U4,S4 ,PRESID5T ,GEORGE ,W4 ,BU% 9 :I* ! GANG/] & HIS MOLL HAD DISCUSS$ ! ADVISABILITY ( BOMB+ NONCOMBATANT ,>AB TELEVISION /ATION ,AL-,JAZE]A4 ,UND]/&+ ?AT ?IS WAS A W>-CRIME 9 ! MAK+1 ,KEO< HAD PANICK$ & PASS$ ON ! 9=MATION TO HIS FELL[ ,NOR?AMPTONIAN & ,LABOR ,P>TY *UM1 =M] POLITICAL RESE>*] ,LEO ,O',CONNOR1 !N EMPLOY$ AS AN ASSI/ANT TO ,NOR?AMPTON ,S\? ,LABOR ,M,P & ]/:ILE ,9T]-,CITY ,FIRM FOOTBALL 5?USIA/ ,TONY ,CL>KE4 ,ALMA HAS ALWAYS HAD A S(T SPOT ) REG>D TO ,CL>KE1 :O SEEMS TO H] AN HONORABLE1 DEC5T MAN4 ,TO BE FAIR1 %E SUPPOSES ?AT UNLESS HE'D WANT$ TO BE 9 ! FRAME HIMSELF AS P>T ( A CONSPIRACY ! ,M,P W\LD HAVE HAD NO *OICE BUT TO DO :AT HE DID UPON DISCOV]Y ( ! MEMO1 :I* WAS PUTT+ 9 ! CALL TO ,SPECIAL ,BRAN*4 

,?IS HAS L$ TO A M9OR QU&>Y AT ! ,=EIGN ,(FICE1 DETAIL$ 9 ! PAGES ( A REC5T ,PRIVATE ,EYE4 ,APP>5TLY1 :ILE ONE DEP>TM5T ( ?AT AUGU/ BODY HAD BE5 CLAIM+ ?AT ! ,BU%_/,BLAIR ,AL-,JAZE]A CONV]SATION NEV] HAPP5$ & WAS ! MALIGN 9V5TION ( ,KEO< & ,O',CONNOR1 A COMPLETELY SEP>ATE DEP>TM5T HAD ANN\NC$ 9 ITS RESPONSE TO AN 9QUIRY ON ! CASE ?AT AL?\< !Y POSSESS$ A TRANSCRIPT ( ! CONV]SATION1 !Y C\LD NOT RELEASE IT4 ,ALMA WOND]S H[ !Y'LL *>GE ! PAIR = BREA* ( ! ,(FICIAL ,SECRETS ,ACT )\T REM9D+ EV]YONE :AT ! (FICIAL SECRET UND] SCRUT9Y HAD BE54 ,H] GUESS IS ?AT !Y'LL LEAVE IT A FEW MON?S UNTIL SOME NEW CATA/ROPHE OR SC&AL HAS ECLIPS$ ! MATT] & ! OV]ALL AMNESIA ( ! G5]AL PUBLIC HAS HAD TIME TO KICK 94 ,!N !Y'LL RU% ! CASE ?R\< C\RT ) A ,D-,NOTICE ON ! M$IA1 PREV5T+ PRESS & TELEVISION FROM GIV+ DETAILS ( ! ORIG9AL (F5SE 9 ANY COV]AGE4 ,?AT'S :AT %E'D DO IF %E W]E SOME P9K-FAC$ ,MAGI/] ,LUDI 9 ! DEP?S ( ,:ITEHALL4 

,BLOTT+ MASC>PONE FROM ! SC>LET CRIME-SC5E ( H] LIPS1 %E FEELS 9DIGNANT ?AT ?IS ,KAFKA RE-RUN %\LD BE HAPP5+ TO PEOPLE FROM H] T[N1 ONE ( !M LIV+ ON ! ,M\NTS JU/ PA/ ! NOR!A/ CORN] ( ! ,BOR\<S1 H] BELOV$ NEI<BORHOOD4 ,MANS\L1 IT IS ! V]Y SEAT ( W>4 

,%E J+LES GOODBYE TO ! ,POLI% GIRLS & EXITS ,CAFFE ,N]O1 CROSS+ ! VE/IGIAL T>MAC /UMP ( ,AB+TON ,/REET ?AT'S /ILL HANG+ ON PA/ ! P9K PAV+1 HEAD+ = ! M>KET SQU>E4 ,ALMA REMEMB]S %E'D BE5 GO+ TO PAY H] ,C\NCIL ,TAX1 BUT REALIZES ?AT %E'S LEFT ! BILL AT HOME4 ,OH1 WELL4 ,:O C>ES8 ,%E'LL SORT IT \T ON ,MONDAY1 :5 ! PREVIEW EXHIBITION'S OV]4 ,GIV5 H[ ,NOR?AMPTON HAS RESPOND$ TO ,POLL ,TAX DEM&S ACROSS ! C5TURIES1 %E D\BTS ?AT H] LATE PAYM5T WILL PRES5T MU* ( A PROBLEM4 ,AFT] ,M>G>ET ,?AT*] OV]REA*$ H]SELF BY 9TRODUC+ IT BACK 9 ! ',EI<TIES1 BAILIFF'S WAGONS HAD BE5 *AS$ BACK TO !IR DEPOT BY 9FURIAT$ ,EA/]N ,DI/RICT T5ANTS :O'D GONE ON TO WRECK ! REPOSSESSION COMPANY'S BUS9ESS PREMISES4 ,A MOB ( PROTE/]S HAD TAK5 OV] C\NCIL (FICES1 HOLD+ /AFF PRISON] AT FI/-PO9T 9 A DAY-LONG SIEGE4 ,( C\RSE1 ALL ?AT WAS NO?+ TO ! F\RTE5? C5TURY :5 ! FIR/ ,POLL ,TAX HAD BE5 RAIS$ D[N AT ! CA/LE AT ! S\? 5D ( ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 PRECIPITAT+ UPON ?AT OCCASION ! 9C5DI>Y ORGY ?AT WAS ! ,PEASANT'S ,REVOLT4 ,NO1 !Y C\LD WAIT UNTIL AFT] ! WEEK5D & C\NT !MSELVES LUCKY ?AT %E WASN'T GO+ TO TOR* ! ,GUILDHALL4 ,PROBABLY4 

,WALK+ 9 A DIAGONAL ACROSS ! M>KET'S G5TLE GRADI5T1 /EPP+ BETWE5 ! WOOD5 PO/S ( REC5TLY-VACAT$ /ALLS OR DODG+ UND] ! P]PETUALLY WET-LOOK+ CANOPIES1 ,ALMA IS ?9K+ /ILL AB\T ,KEO< & ,O',CONNOR1 FREE WILL1 ,G]>D 'T ,HO(T1 ,B5$ICT ,P]RIT & H] RO(TOP LEAP ACROSS ! SCRAP-FILL$ *ASM :5 %E'D BE5 ELEV54 ,%E ASSUMES ?AT ALL ! O!R PEOPLE MAK+ !IR WAY BACK & =? ACROSS ! SQU>E >E SIMIL>LY OCCUPI$ ) IDIOSYNCRATIC MATT]S ( !IR [N4 ,?IS IS REALITY1 ?IS TEEM+ ( ILLUSIONS1 MEMORIES1 ANXIETIES1 IDEAS & SPECULATIONS1 CON/ANT 9 SIX BILLION M9DS4 ,! ACTUAL EV5TS & CIRCUM/ANCES ( ! WORLD >E JU/ ! SWEATY & MAT]IAL TIP ( ?IS IMM5SE & <O/LY ICEB]G1 ! 5TIRETY ( :I* NO 9DIVIDUAL BE+ CAN CONCEIVABLY EXP]I5CE4 ,= ,ALMA1 ?IS RAISES ! QUE/ION ( JU/ :OM OR :AT REALITY IS REAL TO4 ,Y\ W\LD HAVE TO PO/ULATE SOME HYPO!TIC PO9T ( ABSOLUTE OMNISCI5CE \TSIDE ! HUMAN WORLD1 SOME BE+ CON/ANTLY 5GROSS$ 9 KN[+ EV]Y?+ & !RE=E NOT HAV+ ! TIME TO ACT ITSELF1 A /ILL & 9]T PO9T ( UTT] UND]/&+1 UTT] RECEPTIVITY4 

,! NE>E/ ,ALMA CAN COME TO CONCEIV+ ?IS SOLE MOTIONLESS SPECTATOR ( AN ULTIMATE REALITY IS ! /ONE ANGEL ?AT'S ATOP ! ,GUILDHALL1 SOME:]E TO H] RE> AS %E /RIDES UP ACROSS ! M>KETPLACE T[>DS ITS NOR?WE/ CORN]4 ,! >*ANGEL ,MI*AEL1 HOPELESSLY MIX$ UP ) ,MI*AEL1 PATRON SA9T ( CORPORATIONS1 /&+ ) HIS %IELD & SNOOK] CUE ABOVE ! T[N1 HE>+ ITS EV]Y ?\<T YET NEV] OP5+ ?OSE BIRD%IT-SPATT]$ LIPS TO VOICE A W>N+ OR BETRAY A CONFID5CE4 ,AW>E ( SEV]AL DEA?S & SEV]AL HUNDR$ COPULATIONS EV]Y H\R1 KN[+ :I* ( A HUNDR$ BILLION SP]M WILL HIT ! M>K1 WILL 5D UP AS A NURSE1 A RAPI/1 A SOCIAL RE=M] OR AN ACCID5T /ATI/IC2 5D UP GO+ ?R\< DIVORCE1 A BANKRUPTCY1 A W9DSCRE54 ,FULLY COGNIZANT ( EV]Y ,/>BUR/ WRAPP]1 EV]Y DOG TURD1 EV]Y ATOM1 EV]Y QU>K2 KN[S IF ,G]>D 'T ,HO(T'S EQUATIONS ( AN UND]LY+ /ATE B5EA? ! *>M & /RANG5ESS WILL TURN \T TO BE CORRECT OR NOT2 KN[S IF ,B5$ICT ,P]RIT WILL BE COM+ TO H] OP5+ TOMORR[4 ,EV]Y FACT & FANCY1 EV]Y?+ REFLECT$ P]FECTLY1 EXQUISITELY1 UPON ! DULL /ONE BR[4 ,?IS 5TIRE UNIV]SE1 9CLUD+ ,ALMA & H] CURR5T MUS+S1 CAU<T 9 A SYNAPTIC %IMM] ( ! GELID & IMP>TIAL GRANITE M9D4 

,HALFWAY ACROSS ! EMPTY+ M>KET1 IT OCCURS TO H] ?AT %E IS WALK+ ?R\< ! BLOSSOM+ IRON PHANTOM ( ! MONUM5T1 ! EMPTY SPOT :]E ONCE IT /OOD UPON ITS /EPP$ /ONE BASE4 ,P]HAPS %E EV5 TRANSECTS AN EI<T-YE>-OLD SELF SAT RISK+ PILES ON ! COLD P$E/AL1 EXAM9+ H] KNEES :]E !Y EXT5D BEYOND ! PLEAT$ HEM ( H] ?9 NAVY SKIRT4 ,! VAGUE1 UNGA!R$ WOOL ( MEMORY ?AT FILLS ! SQU>E IS SPUN 9TO SPECIFIC /R&S ( Y>N UPON ! MONUM5T'S <O/-SP9DLE4 ,%9Y1 RA9-LICK$ COBBLES EM]GE BRIEFLY ?R\< ! P9K REPLACEM5T PAV+ & ! EMPTY WOOD5 \TL9ES ( EA* /ALL >E COLOR$ 91 FILL$ ) DEAD TRAD]S & !IR LONG-S9CE P]I%$ M]*&ISE4 ,A TRE/LE ( UNBR&$ SWEETS1 C>TOON CONFECTION]Y EV5 !N UNSE5 \TSIDE ! PAGES ( ,! ,BEANO1 ALL PRESID$ OV] BY A MAN ) HEAVY BLACK ,ITALIAN EYEBR[S & A />*$ :ITE COAT4 ,! /& ( COMICS & US$ PAP]BACKS ?AT %E /ILL SOMETIMES DREAMS AB\T1 ,SID'S1 ITS PROPRIETOR 9 CAP & GLOVES & MUFFL]1 BREA? & PIPE-SMOKE HANG+ 9 ! W9T] AIR & ALL >\ND A GAUDY FL[]B$ ( ,ADV5TURE ,COMICS & ,=BIDD5 ,WORLDS HELD D[N BY FLAT1 R\ND IRON PAP]WEI<TS1 ,MAD MAGAZ9E OR ,TRUE ,ADV5TURE ) ITS ,NAZI TEMPTRESSES & :IPP$ ,G4,I4S1 HANG+ FROM BULLDOG-CLIPS ALONG A SPR+-LIKE WIRE CONNECT$ TO ! BOOK/ALL'S UPP] REA*ES1 JU/ BEL[ ! GRE5-&-:ITE /RIPES ( ITS CANOPY4 ,9 ! PRE-,*RI/MAS D>K ! HUDDL$ PIT*ES LOOK LIKE PA9T$ PAP] LANT]NS FROM ABOVE1 ! :ITE GL>E ( ! /ORM LAMPS SIEV$ ?R\< COLOR$ CANVAS4 ,GL[+ CIG>ETTE 5DS HOV] 9 ! BLACK4 ,MAGNIFIC5T & EVANESC5T1 ! ,EMPORIUM ,>CADE FL>ES ON H] RI<T1 ALI<T ) TOYS & KNITT+ PATT]NS1 BE=E ONCE AGA9 SUBSID+ TO A BLANK & /ONE-CLAD MOD]N WALL1 ! GR& WR\<T-IRON ,VICTORIANA ( ITS 5TRANCE MELT+ TO A BRUTAL CONCRETE UND]PASS :]E TE5AG]S KICK$ AN ,ALBANIAN MAN TO DEA? A YE> OR TWO AGO4 

,AS %E IS HEAD+ FROM ! OP5 CORN] ( ! M>KETPLACE T[>DS ! 9DET]M9ATE PO9T :]E ! ,DRAP]Y MEETS ,%EEP ,/REET1 ,ALMA GLANCES D[NHILL TO H] LEFT & NOTICES ! ,HALIFAX ,BUILD+ ,SOCIETY'S CONFID5T FRONTAGE ON ! CORN] ( ,DRUM ,LANE4 ,CAU<T 9 ! FLOSS ( O!R TIMES1 ,ALMA CAN /ILL SEE ,ALFR$ ,PRE$Y'S PAP] %OP ?AT OCCUPI$ ! PREMISES =TY OR FIFTY YE>S BE=E1 ! PLACE %E'D HAD ! DREAM AB\T :5 %E WAS FIVE1 ! HOOD$ =EMAN & HIS MIDNI<T CREW ( C>P5T]S ?AT %E'D ATTEMPT$ TO DESCRIBE ) ,WORK 9 ,PROGRESS4 ,WAS ! JOB COMPLET$ TO ITS S*$ULE1 OR IS IT /ILL GO+ ON1 %E WOND]S1 SOME:]E 9 ! DREAMS ( *ILDR58 ,A FRAGM5T>Y IDEA COMES TO H]1 SOME?+ AB\T ! PLAN$ WOOD5 BO>DS ( ! NOCTURNAL WORK]S REPRES5T+ L5G?S ( TIME OR SETS ( L9K$ EV5TS1 ) EV]Y HUMAN LIFE A NAIL1 H] & H] BRO!R ,W>RY1 ,TONY ,BLAIR1 ,KEO< & ,O',CONNOR1 EV]YONE %E KN[S & EV]YONE %E DOESN'T KN[1 HAMM]$ 9TO BE+ BY !IR P>5TS' COITAL RHY?MS1 BANG1 BANG1 BANG1 IMMOVABLY EMB$D$ 9 ! H>D GRA9 ( ET]NITY1 SO ?AT - 

,H] TRA9 ( ?\<T IS 9T]RUPT$ BY A G5IAL Y\NG FELL[ 9 A BASEBALL CAP & TRA9]S ?AT >E BETT]-LOOK+ ?AN H] [N4 ,ALL ?AT HE WANTS TO DO IS %AKE H] H& & TELL H] ?AT H] WORK'S AMAZ+ :ILE APOLOGIZ+ = APPROA*+ H]1 :I* MAKES H] FEEL ALL W>M & MO!RLY4 ,JU/ AS %E'S SAY+ GOODBYE TO HIM1 ONE ( ! REMA9+ TRAD]S ON ! M>KET SQU>E BEH9D H] CALLS \T1 0,ME TOO6 ,WELL DONE1 ,ALMA60 GIV+ H] A BRIEF R\ND ( APPLAUSE4 ,%E BEAMS & WAVES4 ,SOMETIMES ?IS IS ALL LIKE A DREAM1 TOO PLEASANT1 A REALITY SUSPICI\SLY B5EVOL5T TO ,ALMA ,W>R54 ,!RE >E TIMES :5 %E SUSPECTS IT'S ALL SOME LUDICR\SLY VA9 & SELF-REG>D+ COMP5SATORY FANTASY %E'S DREAM+ 9 SOME O!R1 LESS AUSPICI\S LIFE4 ,P]HAPS %E'S REALLY SITT+1 HEAVILY S$AT$1 9 A POOL ( H] [N PISS AT AN ASYLUM SOME:]E1 OR MAYBE %E'S 9 A COMA 9 ! #a#i#gS AFT] %E DRANK SO MU* ?AT %E /OPP$ BREA?+ AT H] TW5TIE? BIR?DAY P>TY4 ,IT OCCURS TO H] ?AT H] UNUSUALLY 5JOYABLE EXI/5CE MI<T BE SOME HALLUC9ATION HAPP5+ 9 ! /RET*$-\T 9/ANT ( H] DEA?1 A VISION ( ! LIFE %E MI<T HAVE HAD4 ,:O KN[S8 ,P]HAPS %E NEV] REALLY CLE>$ ?AT ALLEY FULL ( RU/$ JUNK1 BACK :5 %E WAS ELEV54 

,%E PASSES BETWE5 ! ,ABBEY ,NATIONAL'S ,DRAP]Y ,BRAN* & ! MAJE/IC COLONNAD$ FRONT ( ! OLD ,CORN ,EX*ANGE1 ITS *ISEL$ /EPS ASC5D+ 9TO :AT HAD ONCE BE5 ! T[N'S O!R MAJOR C9EMA1 CALL$ V>I\SLY ! ,GAUMONT & ! ,ODEON4 ,H]E %E'D BE5 =C$ TO WAT* ,! ,S\ND ( ,MUSIC ?REE TIMES ) H] MOM ,DORE51 :I* %E CONSID]$ TO BE TE*NICALLY A =M ( *ILD ABUSE4 ,%E'D BE5 /OOD UP TWICE1 WAIT+ ON ! COLD /EPS = SOME ACNE-/IPPL$ TOSSRAG :O'D QUITE EVID5TLY ONLY ASK$ H] \T :5 D>$ TO BY HIS MATES4 ,%E'D ALSO COME H]E SEV]AL YE>S BE=E H] TE5AGE TRIALS1 :5 %E HAD BE5 A MEMB] ( ! ,GAUMONT ,BOYS & ,GIRLS CLUB4 ,EV]Y ,SATURDAY !Y'D BE LET 9 = SIXP5CE & W\LD !N BE L$ BY AN 5?USIA/IC ADULT1 ,UNCLE ,SOME?+1 9 ! S++ ( PECULI> OLD SONGS LIKE 0,CLEM5T9E01 0,! ,BRITI% ,GR5ADI]S0 OR 0,M5 ( ,H>LE* 9 ! ,HOLL[0 BE=E !Y W]E ALL[$ TO WAT* A %ORT C>TOON1 A ,*ILDR5'S ,FILM ,F\NDATION MA9 %[ ?AT W\LD FREQU5TLY 9VOLVE AN ISL&1 S*OOLBOYS & A =EIGN SABOTEUR1 !N F9ALLY ONE EPISODE FROM AN ONGO+ EI<T-WEEK S]IAL1 ,K+ ( ! ,ROCKET ,M5 OR AN OLD BLACK-&-:ITE ,BATMAN & ,ROB9 :]E ! C\PLE DROVE >\ND 9 A COMPLETELY ORD9>Y #a#i#dS C> & ,ROB9 PU%$ HIS C>DBO>D MASK UP ON HIS =EHEAD :ILE CONV]S+ ) HIS CO/UM$ PAL 9 PUBLIC4 ,! MA9 5T]TA9M5T HAD BE5 CRAWL+ UND] PEOPLE'S LEGS ALONG ! R[S ( SEATS1 OR DEFTLY FLICK+ AN ICE-LOLLY /ICK TO MAYBE BL9D A SEV5-YE>-OLD /RANG] SEV]AL R[S 9 FRONT4 

,!SE DAYS1 ( C\RSE1 ! BUILD+ IS ANO!R !ME PUB1 A ,H>D ,ROCK ,CAFE1 & ! T[N'S MAJOR C9EMA IS A BOG-/&>D MULTIPLEX AT ,SIXFIELDS1 \T PA/ ,JIMMY'S ,5D & A C>-RIDE AWAY4 ,!RE'S ALMO/ A CONCEPTUALI/ BRILLIANCE TO IT ALL3 TURN ALL ! C9EMAS TO PUBS1 GET EV]YBODY RU9\SLY PISS$ & !N MAKE SURE ?AT !RE'S NO \TLET = ! SPASMS ( IMAG9ATION1 FURY OR LIBIDO1 NO?+ TO DRA9 (F ! CLUMSY FANTASIES ?AT BOB UP TO ! SURFACE ( A SEV5? P9T ( ,WIFEBEAT]4 ,! SIMPLE-M9D$ PLOTL9ES1 ABS5T MOTIVATION & PO9TLESS MOM5TUM ( ! CANCEL$ CELLULOID WILL BACK UP & SPILL \T 9TO ! ,SATURDAY NI<T /REETS4 ,BE=E LONG Y\'LL HAVE FASC9AT+ PIECES ( PURE V]ITE ON EV]Y CORN]1 BUDGET ,T>ANT9O /ABB+S ) ASSAILANTS :O HOLD !IR KNIVES SIDEWAYS & DEBATE POP-CULTURE TRIVIA :ILE GIV+ Y\ A ,*ELSEA SMILE4 ,! ,OSC>S WILL BE GO+ TO A FLOCK ( SCATT]+ %AD[S ON ,C,C,T,V4 

,ALMA LOPES ACROSS ! WOOLLY1 %ITTY ASS ( ,%EEP ,/REET TO ! GAT$ 5TRANCE ( ! OLD FI%-M>KET1 :I* %E NOTICES ) SOME SURPRISE IS OP54 ,! BIG COV]$ HALL ) ITS GLASS RO( & GLI/5+ :ITE SLABS IS P>T ( ,ALMA'S *ILDHOOD L&SCAPE ?AT %E ?\<T HAD BE5 RAIL$ (F =EV]4 ,VANI%$ VOICES R++ FROM ! WET TILES ) AN E*O LIKE A SWIMM+-BA?S1 & H] NAAN ,MAY P>T+ ! CR[DS AS %E ROLL$ ?R\< !M LIKE A BLACK IRON WRECK+ BALL1 LIFT+ A LIV]-SPOTT$ H& & CALL+ \T TO ! FI%MONG]S1 ALL ( :OM %E KNEW BY NAME4 ,! ONLY ONE ?AT ,ALMA CAN REMEMB] IS ,?REE-,F+]$ ,TUNK1 PRESUMABLY SO-CALL$ 9 ORD] TO DI/+UI% HIM FROM ALL ! O!R M5 CALL$ ,TUNK :O HAD A DIFF]5T NUMB] ( REMA9+ DIGITS4 

,%E VAGUELY REMEMB]S HE>+ SOME?+ AB\T PLANS TO TURN ! ,FI% ,M>KET 9TO SOME SORT ( EXHIBITION SPACE OR GALL]Y1 BUT HAS DISMISS$ ! IDEA AS TOO FANCIFUL4 ,NOT 9 ,NOR?AMPTON2 NOT 9 ?IS WORLD4 ,IT W\LD NEV] HAPP54 ,! IDEA ?AT %E MI<T HAVE BE5 WRONG 9 H] APPRAISAL HAS1 AS USUAL1 NOT OCCURR$ TO H]1 :I* IS P]HAPS :Y SEE+ ! GRE5 METAL CONC]T9A GATES /&+ UNLOCK$ & OP5 SEEMS AT FIR/ UNREAL4 ,FEEL+ AS IF %E'S /EPP+ OV] ! TIL$ ?RE%OLD ( A PRIVATE DREAMTIME1 ,ALMA & H] C>RI]-BAGS CROSS 9TO ! :ITE EMPT9ESS ( ! 9T]IOR4 

,! DAYLI<T FALL+ ?R\< ! DU/Y L5S ( ! GLASS CEIL+ IS DIFFUS$ & MILKY1 :I* TRANSMUTES ! SPACE 9TO ?AT ( A REALI/ PA9T+4 ,!RE >E H>DLY ANY O!R FIGURES TO BE SE5 AB\T ! E*O+ EXPANSE1 AS DREAM-LIKE & DES]T$ AS ! /REETS 9 EI<TE5?-C5TURY PR9TS4 ,IT'S E>LY DAYS YET1 %E SUPPOSES1 ) NONE ( ! PROMIS$ >T & FA%ION \TLETS UP & RUNN+1 BUT ! *UR*-LIKE VOLUME ( ! PLACE IMPRESSES H]4 ,%E'S NEV] PREVI\SLY SE5 ! ,FI% ,M>KET LIKE ?IS1 D5UD$ ( ITS MUMBL+ CR[DS1 /RIPP$ ( ITS *E]Y TRAD]S CALL+ IMPRECATIONS 9TO ! SALT E*O4 

,N[ ! SLABS >E B>E & BLOODLESS4 ,! E/ABLI%M5T IS P>$ BACK TO ! BONE1 ! TRAPP+S ( ITS REC5T HI/ORY SLUIC$ AWAY4 ,LEFTOV] %R$S ( TOPAZ HADDOCK1 ! PRISMATIC GUTT]-SILT ( SCALES & />+ COLL>-BUTTON EYES1 SWEPT (F TO JO9 ! HORSE-BRASSES & TANK>DS ( ! ,R$ ,LION ,9N ?AT PREVI\SLY OCCUPI$ ?IS SPOT2 JO9 ! M5ORAHS & Y>MULKES FROM ! SYNAGOGUE ( A FEW C5TURIES BE=E4 ,ITS PA/ REMOV$1 ! M>KET IS A F]TILE VACUUM WAIT+ TO BE FILL$ ) FUTURE1 A MY/]I\S QUANTUM VOID ?AT HUMS ) IMMAN5CE & POSSIBILITY4 ,ALMA IS DISCONC]T$ BY A SUDD5 SURGE ( HOPE1 A CYNICISM OV]RIDE4 ,P>T ( H] IS GLOOMILY C]TA9 ?AT ! C\NCIL WILL F9D SOME WAY TO UNDO OR UND]M9E ! V5TURE1 PROBABLY ?R\< %E] 9DIFF]5CE RA!R ?AN HO/ILITY1 BUT ! M]E FACT ( ITS EXI/5CE IS A CAUSE = OPTIMISM4 ,IT SUGGE/S TO H] ?AT !RE >E PEOPLE 9 ,NOR?AMPTON1 PEOPLE 9 ! C\NTRY1 PEOPLE 9 ! WORLD :O HAVE ! WILL TO MAKE ?+S BE A DIFF]5T WAY4 ,IT'S ! SAME FEEL+ ?AT %E GETS :5 %E'S >\ND H] RAPP] BUDDIES ) !IR ,BOR\<S-ESOT]IC /AGE NAMES3 ,9FLU5CE1 ,/4 ,CRAZE1 ,H>-,Q1 ,ILLUZION4 ,IT'S ! S5SE ( SOCIAL TRANS=MATION ?AT %E SEES1 AT LEA/ POT5TIALLY1 9 >T & OCCULTISM1 EV5 SOMETIMES ON ! RAGG$ ,ROMAN ,?OMPSON FR+E ( POLITICS4 ,?IS PASSIONATE DESIRE TO *ANGE REALITY 9TO A DOMA9 MORE AM5ABLE TO HUMAN BE+S1 ?IS IS ! E!REAL FIRE ?AT ,ALMA CAN FEEL HANG+ 9 ! BRISK ,FI% ,M>KET AIR4 

,AS IF BR\<T 9TO BE+ BY H] LIFT$ SPIRITS1 ONE ( ! FEW BLURR$ =MS 9 ,ALMA'S MYOPIC MIDDLE-DI/ANCE SUDD5LY RESOLVES ITSELF ON H] APPROA* 9TO ! UNASSUM+ & YET 9SPIRATIONAL SEMBLANCE ( ,KNOCK] ,WOOD1 ONE ( ! GREATE/ LOCAL ANTIDOTES = CYNICISM S9CE ! PASS+ ( ! SORELY-MISS$ LYRIC B>RAGE-BALLOON ?AT WAS ! LATE ,TOM ,HALL4 ,KNOCK] - ,ALMA HAD KN[N HIM S9CE !Y W]E BO? TE5AGE HIPPIES )\T EV] LE>N+ HIS FIR/ NAME - HAD BE5 A*+LY PRETTY AS A Y\NG MAN1 ) HIS LONG BLACK HAIR & ! WILD GLITT] 9 HIS EYE ?AT LOOK$ LIKE POETRY BUT TURN$ \T TO BE H]O94 ,ONE ( ! T[N'S FIR/ JUNKIES1 ,KNOCK] HAD BE5 P>T ( ?AT MY/]I\S SLAP/ICK COT]IE :O TOOK P>T 9 !IR [N ,N>CO-,OLYMPICS EV]Y O!R ,SATURDAY1 COMPETITORS 9 ! #d-MET] DA% ) /OL5 TELEVISION SET1 H>+ ALONG ! ,DRAP]Y TO ! *E]S ( ! FL[]$-UP BOHEMIANS GA!R$ ON ! /EPS ( ,ALL ,SA9TS ,*UR*4 

,!N EV]YBODY HAD GOT OLD]4 ,! MAJORITY ( ! LONG-HAIR$ SPECTATORS ON ! /EPS HAD /RAI<T5$ UP & BAIL$ \T ( ! AIL+ FREAK-SC5E UPON TURN+ TW5TY1 GETT+ PROP] JOBS & LIV+ UP TO P>5TS' EXPECTATIONS4 ,?IS HAD LEFT ONLY ! WORK+-CLASS CONT+5T ( ! C\NT] CULTURE1 :O REMA9$ COMMITT$ L>GELY BECAUSE !Y HAD NO:]E ELSE TO GO1 & ! ADDICT$ CASUALTIES LIKE ,KNOCK] ,WOOD = :OM COMMITM5T WAS NO LONG] ! REAL ISSUE4 ,KNOCK]'S MIDDLE YE>S HAD BE5 A HORROR FILM1 WILLFULLY GO?IC 9 ! WAY ?AT ONLY JUNKIES CAN ASPIRE TO4 ,ALMA CAN REMEMB] SCABBY <\LS :O HELD UP !IR COLLAPS+ VE9S ) SAFETY-P9S1 A PRE-PUNK GE/URE1 OR :O'D RUEFULLY ANN\NCE ?AT !Y W]E 0=C$0 TO %OOT UP 9 !IR EYEBALL OR !IR COCK4 

,:ILE ,KNOCK] HADN'T BE5 AMONG ?IS SELF-CONSCI\SLY MORBID SET1 = LONG YE>S HE HAD BE5 A BABBL+ MESS ?AT ,ALMA IS A%AM$ TO SAY %E'D CROSS$ ! /REET 9 ORD] TO AVOID ON NUM]\S OCCASIONS4 ,HE'D LO/ HIS WIFE TO AN OV]DOSE1 !IR DAU<T] TO A /RA9 ( HEPATITIS1 DEVA/AT+ BL[S ?AT ME?ADONE & ,C>LSB]G ,SPECIAL ,BREW C\LD NOT COMPLETELY MUFFLE4 ,HE'D BE5 ON A HELL-B\ND TRA9 ?AT OV]%OT ITS DE/9ATION & PL[$ ON REL5TLESSLY = SOME:]E EV5 WORSE :5 BY SOME MIRACLE HE'D MANAG$ TO LEAP (F ! FOOTPLATE1 TUMBL+ HELPLESSLY D[N ! EMBANKM5T T[>DS H>D & COLD SOBRIETY4 ,NO-ONE HAD ?\<T ?AT HE C\LD DO IT4 ,NOBODY HAD SE5 IT DONE BE=E4 ,KNOCK] HAD SOMEH[ MANAG$ TO REBIR? HIMSELF AS A HILL-WALK+ RURAL RAMBL]1 A DR9K-&-DRUG-FREE B\LEV>DI]1 A VISION ( R$EMPTION ?AT !SE DAYS ,ALMA WILL HAPPILY CROSS SEV]AL BUSY MOTORWAYS TO SAY HELLO TO4 

0,KNOCK]6 ,GOOD TO SEE Y\4 ,H['S IT GO+80 

,HE'S /ILL A GOOD-LOOK+ MAN1 BEG9N+ TO BLEA* \T ATTRACTIVELY1 WORN SMOO? ) AGE1 BUT ! /ONE-WA%$ DEMEANOR SUITS HIM TO A ,T4 ,! %ORT GRAY HAIR IS 9 RETREAT1 DAILY CONC$+ T]RITORY TO ! =EHEAD1 :ILE HIS EYES >E /ILL AS BRI<T ?\< CLE> N[ & 5GAG+ FULLY ) ! DIAMOND WORLD >\ND HIM4 ,HE'S A SOO?+1 PEACEFUL SI<T1 LIKE CLEAN BLUE PEBBLES 9 A /REAM4 ,HE BEAMS & SAYS HELLO TO H]1 SUBMITT+ TO A HUG & G5U9ELY PLEAS$ TO SEE H] H]E2 PLEAS$ TO SEE EV]Y DU/-MOTE SP9N+ & ILLUM9AT$ 9 ITS ,BR[NIAN WALTZ4 

,HE TELLS H] ?AT HE'S N[ A C\NSELOR1 BR++ HIS [N EXP]I5CE TO BE> ON M5D+ O!RS1 BEAT+ \T ! WORLD'S D5TS :]E HE CAN4 ,ALMA SEES HIM AS ONE ( ,BUNYAN'S 0ME*ANICK PHILOSOPH]S01 DISP5S+ HEAL+ WORDS AMONG ! O!R T9K]S1 A ONE-MAN ,NATION ( ,SA9TS )\T ! ,*RI/IANITY & BLOODY PIKE/AFFS4 ,%E IS OV]JOY$ TO HE> AB\T HIS NEW L9E ( EMPLOYM5T1 AS PLEAS$ = H]SELF AS %E IS ?RILL$ = HIM4 ,KNOCK] IS AN IMPORTANT1 VITAL TOTEM 9 ! WAY ?AT ,ALMA SEES ! WORLD1 PRO( POSITIVE ?AT EV5 9 ! BLACKE/ & MO/ HOPELESS CIRCUM/ANCES ?+S CAN SOMETIMES TURN \T WOND]FUL4 

,%E TELLS HIM AB\T TOMORR['S EXHIBITION1 :I* HE SAYS HE'LL TRY TO GET TO1 & !N !Y DISCUSS ! TRANS=M$ ,FI% ,M>KET1 ITS TUNDRA :IT5ESS /RET*+ ALL AB\T !M4 ,KNOCK]'S EYES LI<T UP & FLA% ! WAY !Y US$ TO DO1 ?\< N[ IT'S ! ANTICIPATORY PRE-,*RI/MAS SP>KLE ( A *ILD RA!R ?AN ! MAD HYPOD]MIC GL9T ( YORE4 

0,YEAH1 !Y SAY !Y'LL BE HAV+ CO/UME BALLS H]E & EV5TS & ?+S1 AS WELL AS EXHIBITIONS4 ,I ?9K IT S\NDS GREAT4 ,NOR?AMPTON'S NEV] REALLY HAD A PLACE LIKE ?IS40 

,AB\T TO LAUN* 9TO H] USUAL EXPECTATION-L[]+ LI/ ( REASONS :Y IT ISN'T GO+ TO WORK1 ,ALMA REMEMB]S :O %E'S TALK+ TO & BR+S H]SELF UP %ORT4 ,IF ,KNOCK] ,WOOD CAN BE SO BRAVELY OPTIMI/IC AB\T ! ,FI% ,M>KET'S PROSPECTS1 !N IT'S SOMEH[ CRAV5 = H] TO 9DULGE 9 COMFY PESSIMISM4 ,%E %\LD /EP UP TO ! M>K1 & NOT BE SU* A :9+ BIT*4 

0,Y\'RE RI<T4 ,I LIKE ! LI<T H]E1 & ,I LIKE ! ATMOSPH]E4 ,IT C\LD BE REALLY1 REALLY GOOD4 ,IT'D BE NICE TO SEE ?IS PLACE FILL$ UP AGA9 ) CR[DS ( PEOPLE1 ALL 9 FANCY DRESS4 ,IT'D BE LIKE ! DREAMS Y\ HAVE :5 Y\'RE A KID40 

,!Y TALK = A FEW M9UTES LONG]1 !N !Y HUG GOODBYE & C>RY ON !IR 9DIVIDUAL TRAJECTORIES4 ,AS ,ALMA LEAVES ! M>KET1 PU%+ OP5 ! GLASS SW+ DOOR AT ITS RE> & /EPP+ \T 9TO ! MUDDL$ >EA AT ! TOP ( ,SILV] ,/REET1 %E FEELS ELAT$ BO? BY ! 5C\NT] & ! PROSPECTS = H] LITTLE >T-%[ ( ! FOLL[+ DAY4 ,P]HAPS H] PICTURES CAN DO :AT %E WANTS !M TO4 ,P]HAPS !Y CAN LIVE UP TO H] UNREASONABLE DEM&S & DO SOME?+ TO SALVE ! W\ND$ ,BOR\<S1 IF IT'S ONLY BY DRAW+ ! RI<T K9D ( ATT5TION TO ! PLACE4 ,AT V]Y LEA/ %E'LL HAVE DIS*>G$ ! OBLIGATIONS ?AT %E'D TAK5 ON AFT] H] BRO!R'S AFT]LIFE EXP]I5CE1 & LAID SOME <O/S TO RE/ = BO? ( !M1 POSSIBLY LIT]ALLY4 ,?AT ISN'T BAD = A YE>'S WORK4 

,ALMA'S DESC5T ( ! WIDE ROAD ?AT N>R[ ,SILV] ,/REET BECAME DUR+ ! #a#i#gS IS H] DESC5T 9TO ! PA/1 9TO ! ,BOR\<S1 & 9EVITABLY ! *EAP PRE-W> SC5T ( ! LOCALE'S *>ISMA WELLS UP TO SURR\ND H]1 COLOR+ H] ?\<TS & H] P]CEPTIONS4 ,?IS IS ! PAV$-OV] GR\ND %E GREW BETWE5 ! CRACKS (4 ,?IS IS :]E :ATEV] VISION %E POSSESSES CAME FROM1 !SE ?9 LANES ?AT TRICKLE D[NHILL TO ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD LIKE DIRTY BA?WAT]4 ,ACROSS ! BUSY ROAD ! ,MULTI-/ORY C> P>K SQUATS UPON TWO OR ?REE VANI%$ /REETS & A FEW HUNDR$ H\RS ( ,ALMA'S *ILDHOOD3 ! ,ELECTRIC ,LI<T ,WORK+ ,M5'S ,CLUB 9 ,BE>W>D ,/REET :]E %E'D GO ) H] P>5TS & H] BRO!R ON A ,SUNDAY NI<T1 ! ,JUDO CLUB 9 ,SILV] ,/REET :]E %E'D LE>N$ SELF-DEF5SE UNTIL %E'D REALIZ$ ?AT %E WAS TOO BIG & UNPR$ICTABLE = ANYONE TO PICK ON4 ,ALL ! MEMORIES >E CRU%$ B5EA? ! VA/ WEI<T ( ! C> P>K & COMPRESS$ TO A PRISMATIC =M ( AN?RACITE1 A FUEL ?AT %E'S BE5 RUNN+ ON = MORE ?AN FIFTY YE>S4 

,! VIEW FROM ?IS PO9T1 HI< UPON ! >EA'S EA/]N SLOPES1 HAS /AY$ ESS5TIALLY UN*ANG$ = ALL ?AT TIME1 IF BY 'ESS5TIALLY' Y\ MEAN ?AT ! FLEEC$ SKY IS 9 ! SAME PLACE & ! ANGLE ( ! SWEEP+ 9CL9E REMA9S CON/ANT4 ,NE>LY EV]Y O!R FEATURE ( ! L&SCAPE HAS BE5 ALT]$ OR REMOV$4 ,! REC5TLY REFURBI%$ ,N,E,W,L,I,F,E BUILD+S DOM9ATE ! /EPP$-ON VI/A1 ! SURR\ND+ CIRCUIT BO>D ( FLATS & MAISONETTES1 COMMUNAL CUBES ?AT HAVE REPLAC$ ! T]RACES ( 9DIVIDUAL HOMES4 ,?\< GREATLY SIMPLIFI$1 ! NEI<BORHOOD'S ORIG9AL MA9 ?OR\<F>ES >E VISIBLE 9 !IR >*AIC TANGLE1 ,BA? ,/REET1 ,SC>LETWELL1 ,SPR+ ,LANE4 ,SOME PAT*ES ( ! PANORAMA >E DISPIRIT$ & OV]CA/ :ILE O!RS BRIEFLY GLORY 9 !IR SUDD5 SPOTLI<T AS ! AFT]NOON SUN P\RS D[N ?R\< A ?READB>E %EET ( CL\D4 ,! GRADUATIONS ( ! DI/ANCE APPE> MU* ! SAME AS EV]1 OR AT LEA/ !Y DO TO ,ALMA'S BLURR+ EYESI<T4 ,%E SEES B&S ( BRICK OR CONCRETE H\S+ GIV+ WAY TO /RIPES ( RAILWAY TRACK ) OV]HEAD WIRES1 & !N F9ALLY RESOLV+ TO ! GRAY-GRE5 SMOLD] ( ,VICTORIA ,P>K 9 ! F> WE/4 ,DESPITE ! %ABBY OV]LAY ( ! LA/ HALF-A-C5TURY1 %E KN[S ! GOLD5 TEMPLATE ( ! DI/RICT IS /ILL !RE SOME:]E4 ,! BURI$ HE>T /ILL BEATS UND] ! RUBBLE4 ,=K+ (F FROM ,SILV] ,/REET 9TO ! 9CL9E ( AN UND]PASS BEL[ ! RO>+ ,MAYORHOLD1 ,ALMA DRAWS 9 A DEEP BREA? & DUCKS H] HEAD B5EA? ! MOTTL$ SURFACE ( ! PRES5T4 

,%E EM]GES FROM ! TUNNEL'S ORANGE MURK ONTO A SUNK5 WALKWAY L9$ ) ?IRTY-YE>-OLD TIL+ ?AT SUGGE/S TO ,ALMA A BULIMIC ,MONDRIAN AFT] A ,SPANI% OMELET4 ,TURN+ LEFT %E CLIMBS ! RAMP T[>DS ,HORSEM>KET 7,WE/7 & MAKES H] WAY D[N 9TO ! BOLL>D-OCCLUD$ M\? ( ,BA? ,/REET1 PA/ ! ,K+DOM ,LIFE BUILD+ ?AT WAS ]ECT$ AS A ,BOY'S ,BRIGADE ,HALL 9 ! #fS4 ,ALMA'S BRO!R HAD BELONG$ TO ?AT PECULI> ,BAPTI/ P>AMILIT>Y1 ! ,BAD5-,P[ELL ,Y\?4 ,HE HAD M>*$ ) !M & !IR CACOPHON\S P]CUSSION-HEAVY B& ON ,SUNDAY MORN+S1 AN ELEV5-YE>-OLD ) A BRASS BADGE & A LANY>D1 ) A JAUNTY CADET CAP ATOP HIS GIRLY GOLD5 CURLS1 A HAPP9ESS & 9NOC5CE 9 HIS BLUE EYES ?AT ,ALMA ?\<T LOOK$ BORD]L9E SUBNORMAL4 ,HE'D HAVE MADE A P]FECT P$IATRIC ,NAZI IF HE C\LD HAVE C>RI$ (F A DEC5T GOOSE-/EP )\T SKIPP+ LIKE A C>TOON MILKMAID4 ,ALMA'S FAIRLY C]TA9 HE ATT5D$ ! ODD TOR*LI<T RALLY AT ! PEBBLE-DA%$ PAVILION ACROSS ! WAY1 HIM & HIS MATES ALL *ANT+ 0,>BEIT ,MA*T ,FREI0 OR 0,BE ,PREP>$0 OR :ATEV] !IR MOTTO WAS4 

,%E IDLY WOND]S IF ! =M] ,BOY'S ,BRIGADE ,HEADQU>T]S IS LOCAT$ NE> :]E ,MOSELEY'S ,BLACK%IRTS HAD !IR (FICES BACK 9 ! '#cS4 ,?IS PROVOKES A TRAIL+ /R& ( ?\<T RELAT+ TO AN >TICLE BY ,ROMAN ,?OMPSON1 :I* ! GRIZZL$ LEFTY VET]AN HAD PHOTOCOPI$ = H]1 ALL AB\T ! ,B4,U4,F4'S ACTIVITIES >\ND ! ,MAYORHOLD4 ,!RE'D BE5 GRA9Y REPRODUCTIONS FROM NEWSPAP] PHOTOGRAPHS ( LEAD+ LOCAL FASCI/S POS+ ) ,SIR ,OSWALD :ILE HE T\R$ ! PROV9CES1 ) ONE NAME 9 ! CAPTIONS UND]NEA? ! PICTURES :IT$ \T1 PRESUMABLY BY SOMEBODY 9 ! >*IVE DEP>TM5T4 ,ROMAN HADN'T NOTIC$ ! DELETION & HAD NO CLUE AS TO :AT ! MISS+ NAME MI<T BE1 ?\< ,ALMA HAD HE>D UNSUB/ANTIAT$ RUMORS AB\T ,MR4 ,BASSETT-,L[KES1 ! ]/:ILE LOCAL FOOTWE> MANUFACTUR] & =M] [N] ( A H\SE 9 ,D]NGATE ) 9T]IORS BY ,R5NIE ,MACK9TO%4 ,:O KN[S8 ,IF ,WORLD ,W> ,TWO HAD GONE A DIFF]5T WAY HE MI<T HAVE LAUN*$ A L9E ( SPORTY JACK-BROGUES TO COMMEMORATE ! ,FUHR]'S VICTORY4 

,ALMA C>RIES ON D[N ,BA? ,/REET ) ! CORN$ BEEF-COLOR$ ,MOSELEY-V9TAGE FLAT-BLOCKS ON H] LEFT1 ! ,N,E,W,L,I,F,E T[]S & !IR ATT5DANT MOD]N T]RAC$ H\SES COM+ UP ON ,ALMA'S RI<T4 ,H] 9N] MUS+S /ILL HAVE A L>GE ,NATIONAL ,SOCIALI/ COMPON5T1 V]Y LIKE ! W9T] S*$UL+ ON ,*ANNEL ,FIVE4 ,%E'S HE>D1 RELATIVELY REC5TLY1 ?AT ,HITL]'S PLANN$ 9VASION ( ! ,BRITI% ,ISLES HAD 5D$ ) ! CAPTURE ( ,NOR?AMPTON1 AS IF ONCE ! C5T] ( ! C\NTRY HAD BE5 TAK5 !N ! RE/ WAS A =EGONE CONCLUSION4 ,ALMA GIGGLES TO H]SELF4 ,SAY :AT Y\ LIKE AB\T ! ,?IRD ,REI*1 AT LEA/ !Y RECOGNIZ$ PLACES ( HI/ORICAL /RATEGIC IMPORT :5 !Y SAW !M4 ,& ! >EA HAS 5D$ UP ) ALL ! BRUTAL & 9TIMIDAT+ ,NAZI >*ITECTURE ANYWAY4 ,ALB]T ,SPE] MI<T HAVE /UCK EAGLES & SWA/IKAS UP ON ! T[]-BLOCKS1 BUT W\LD ?AT NECESS>ILY HAVE MADE ! LOCALS FEEL MORE SUBJUGAT$ & DISC\RAG$ ?AN ! *EESY SIDEWAYS SILV] LETT]+ ?AT'S UP !RE CURR5TLY8 ,QUITE FRANKLY1 EI!R WAY ! MESSAGE W\LD BE MU* ! SAME3 TOMORR[1 MO/ ASSUR$LY1 DOES NOT BELONG TO Y\4 

,! FUR!R D[N ! HILL %E GOES ! MORE SUBDU$ & %AD[Y H] MOOD BECOMES1 AS ?\< ,BA? ,/REET W]E AN EMOTIONAL GRADI5T4 ,%E'S ?9K+ AB\T HI/ORY'S CELEBRAT$ VICTIMS1 ?9K+ ( ! HOLOCAU/1 ! BLI<T ( SLAV]Y1 FEMALE SUPPRESSION & ! P]SECUTION ( SEXUAL M9ORITIES4 ,%E CAN RECALL H] [N ,SP>E ,RIB DAYS 9 ! #a#i#gS & H[ %E'D BRIEFLY 5T]TA9$ ! IDEA ?AT A WOMAN LEAD] MI<T MAKE ALL ! DIFF]5CE4 ,?IS HAD OBVI\SLY BE5 BACK 9 ! E>LY SEV5TIES4 ,H] PO9T IS ?AT DESPITE ! V]Y REAL CONT9U+ ABUSES BORN ( ANTI-,SEMITISM1 BORN ( RACISM & SEXISM & HOMOPHOBIA1 !RE >E ,M,PS & LEAD]S :O >E FEMALE1 ,JEWI%1 BLACK OR GAY4 ,!RE >E NONE :O >E POOR4 ,!RE NEV] HAVE BE51 & !RE NEV] WILL BE4 ,EV]Y DECADE S9CE SOCIETY'S 9CEPTION HAS BE5 WITNESS TO A HOLOCAU/ ( PAUP]S1 SO 5ORM\S & P]PETUAL ?AT IT HAS BECOME WALLPAP]1 UNNOTIC$1 UNREPORT$4 ,! MASS GRAVES AT ,DA*AU & AT ,AUS*WITZ >E1 RI<TLY1 REMEMB]$ & REPEAT$LY DEPLOR$1 BUT :AT AB\T ! ONE 9 ,BUNHILL ,FIELDS ?AT ,WILLIAM ,BLAKE & HIS BELOV$ ,CA!R9E W]E %OVEL$ 9TO8 ,:AT AB\T ! ONE UND] ! C> P>K 9 ,*ALK ,LANE1 ACROSS ! ROAD FROM ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*8 ,:AT ( ! C\NTLESS G5]ATIONS ?AT HAVE LIV$ POOR & HAVE 9 ONE WAY OR O!R DI$ ( ?AT CONDITION1 UNCOMMEMORAT$ & ANONYM\S8 ,:]E >E !IR FUCK+ MONUM5TS & SPECIAL R+$ DATES ON ! CAL5D>8 ,:]E >E !IR ,SPIELB]G FILMS8 ,P>T ( ! PROBLEM IS1 NO D\BT1 ?AT POV]TY LACKS A DRAMATIC >C4 ,FROM RAGS TO RAGS TO RAGS TO RAGS TO DU/ HAS NEV] BE5 AN ,OSC>-W9N+ =MULA4 

,ACROSS ! /REET A DOOR OP5S 9 ,SIMONS ,WALK1 ONE ( ! MOD]N T]RACES ?AT CR\* B5EA? ! HI<-RISE BUILD+S1 & A FAT BLOKE ) A %AV5 HEAD & 9T]NET-PORN EYES EM]GES4 ,HE LOOKS FLATLY & DISMISSIVELY AT ,ALMA & QUITE BLATANTLY HITS ! ',DELETE' KEY ON HIS ,WANK ,BANK BE=E LUMB]+ (F ALONG ! WALKWAY1 PROBABLY T[>DS ! *IP %OP 9 ,/4 ,&REW'S ,/REET4 ,ALMA LETS H] ATT5TION L+] = A MOM5T ON ! TREE-WALL$ 'POCKET P>K' ?AT'S JU/ OV] ! ROAD1 ONE ( ! ONLY G5U9ELY NICE ADDITIONS TO ! NEI<BORHOOD4 ,%E'S GOT AN >TI/ FRI5D CALL$ ,CLAIRE :O LIVES D[N H]E 9 ,BA? ,/REET FLATS & MAKES A PO9T ( KEEP+ ! SMALL GRE5 5CLOSURE LITT]-FREE & WE$$4 ,CLAIRE HAD PA9T$ AN 9T5SELY-FELT C>TOON DEPICTION ( H] ?REAT5$ ACRE ) C>NIVOR\S T[] BLOCKS 5CROA*+ ON IT FROM ALL SIDES :I* %E'D 9SI/$ UPON GIV+ ,ALMA AFT] ,ALMA FELL 9 LOVE ) IT1 REFUS+ ANY MONEY & DEEPLY EMB>RASS+ ! N\VEAU-RI*E CELEBRITY1 :O IS =EV] 9 H] FELL[ >TI/'S DEBT4 ,CLAIRE'S BRAVE & LOVELY & A BIT BIPOL>4 ,%E MAKES ,ALMA SMILE JU/ ?9K+ ( H]1 ) A PSILOCYB9 MU%ROOM & ! LEG5D ',M,A,G,I,C' TATTOO$ ON ONE =E>M2 ',F,U,C,K ,(,F' ON ! O!R4 ,BO? ( !SE1 TO ,ALMA'S M9D1 >E WOR?Y CRE$S TO LIVE BY4 

,%E CONSID]S ! MADE-OV] BULKS ( ,CL>EMONT ,C\RT & ,BEAUMONT ,C\RT1 ! ,N,E,W,L,I,F,E T[]S 5GAG+ 9 !IR D\BLE P5ETRATION ( ! SKY4 ,AB\T T5 DAYS AGO1 KN[+ ! R5OVATIONS = ! PUBLICLY-LOA!D SW9DLE ?AT !Y REALLY W]E1 ! C\NCIL HAD ATTEMPT$ A /EAL? OP5+ EV5T4 ,RU? ,KELLY'S DEPUTY AS ,M9I/] = ,H\S+1 ,YVETTE ,COOP]1 HAD BE5 F]RI$ 9 TO CUT ! RIBBON E>LY ON A ,W$NESDAY MORN+ ) NO PRIOR ANN\NCEM5TS MADE1 9 ORD] TO AVOID AL]T+ ORGANIZ$ PROTE/]S4 ,ROMAN ,?OMPSON1 OBVI\SLY1 HE>D ALL AB\T ! COV]T VISIT ON ! NI<T BE=E IT HAPP5$4 ,REQUISITION+ A MEGAPHONE FROM LOCAL UNION PREMISES1 ,ROMAN HAD TURN$ UP BRI<T & E>LY ) A HA/ILY CONV5$ POSSE ( LOCAL AN>*I/S & ACTIVI/S1 BR++ ! SLEEPY T5ANTS ( ! MAISONETTES ON ,CRISP9 ,/REET \T TO !IR BALCONIES BY BELL[+ 0,G,O,O,D ,M,O,O,O,O,O,O,O,O,R,N,+1 ,S,P,R,+ ,B,O,R,\,<,S0 ?R\< HIS BORR[$ L\DHAIL]4 ,:5 ! P5CIL-NECK$ ,DEPUTY ,M9I/] & P>TN] ( ,BR[N-AIDE ,$ ,BALLS >RIV$ ) ! ATT5DANT LOCAL DIGNIT>IES1 ,ROMAN'S VA/LY-AMPLIFI$ ,OLD ,MAN ( ! ,SEA VOICE HAD GLEEFULLY REGAL$ !M ) !IR REC5T IMPROPRIETIES4 ,HE'D SYMPA!TICALLY ASK$ ,LABOR ,M,P ,SALLY ,KEEBLE H[ WELL %E WAS SLEEP+ !SE DAYS1 AFT] VOT+ = ! ,IRAQ ,W>4 ,HE'D L\DLY PAID ANO!R C\NCILOR A COMPLIM5T UPON H[ SM>T HE LOOK$ & SPECULAT$ ?AT ?IS MI<T BE DUE TO ALL ! BACKH&]S HE'D REC5TLY RECEIV$4 ,AT ?IS PO9T A POLICEMAN HAD RU%$ UP TO ,ROMAN & 9=M$ HIM ?AT HE C\LDN'T SAY ?AT1 TO :I* ,ROMAN HAD REPLI$ BY PO9T+ \T1 ) LOGIC ?AT WAS UNASSAILABLE1 ?AT HE ALREADY HAD4 ,ALMA IS GR9N+4 ,IT HAD BE5 AN 5T]TA9+ MORN+ 9 ! ,BOR\<S1 FROM ! S\ND ( IT4 

,RELUCTANTLY %E TURNS H] GAZE BACK TO ! SIDE ( ,BA? ,/REET ?AT %E'S WALK+ D[N1 ! #a#i#cS FLAT-BLOCKS ) ! 5TRANCE TO !IR C5TRAL WALKWAY ON H] LEFT & JU/ AHEAD4 ,ALMA />ES AT ! SPOT :]E %E IS FAIRLY C]TA9 ?AT ! HULK+ *IMNEY/ACK ( ! ,DE/RUCTOR HAD ONCE /OOD & 9/ANTLY H] *E]FUL M5TAL IMAGE ( ,CLAIRE'S PA9T+ %ATT]S 9TO %ELLAC FLAKES ( GRE5 & YELL[4 ,!SE IMM$IATELY SCATT] ON ! W9D TO BE REPLAC$ BY ,ALMA'S PREVI\S NOTION ( ! ,BOR\<S & ! O!R DI/RICTS LIKE IT EV]Y:]E ACROSS ! WORLD AS CONC5TRATION NEI<BORHOODS3 ZONES :]E ! POPULATION C\LD BE READILY ID5TIFI$ BY PRISON UNI=MS ( APRON OR %9Y DEMOB SUIT IF !Y /RAY$ BEYOND ! B\ND>IES1 ZONES :]E ! 9MATES C\LD BE SAFELY WORK$1 />V$ OR SIMPLY DEPRESS$ TO DEA? ) NO FE> ( A PUBLIC \TCRY4 ,H]E 9 ,BA? ,/REET !Y'D EV5 PROVID$ ! CONT9UALLY SMOK+ T[] ( AN 9C9]ATOR *IMNEY TO 5HANCE ! DEA?-CAMP AMBIANCE4 

,ALMA1 :O MAKES LITTLE DI/9CTION BETWE5 9T]NAL & EXT]NAL REALITY1 DOESN'T MU* C>E IF ! ,DE/RUCTOR 9 H] BRO!R'S VISION IS ! AWFUL SUP]NATURAL =CE ?AT HE DESCRIB$ IT AS1 OR IF IT'S SOME HALLUC9ATORY & VISION>Y METAPHOR4 ,AS ,ALMA SEES ?+S1 IT'S ! METAPHORS ?AT DO ALL ! MO/ S]I\S DAMAGE3 ,JEWS AS RATS1 OR C>-?IEVES AS HY5AS4 ,ASIAN C\NTRIES AS A L9E ( DOM9OES ?AT COMMUNI/ IDEAS C\LD TOPPLE4 ,WORK]S ?9K+ ( !MSELVES AS COGS 9 A MA*9E1 CREATIONI/S IMAG9+ EXI/5CE AS A ,SWISS WAT* ME*ANISM & !N PRESUPPOS+ A :ITE-HAIR$ & TW9KLE-EY$ OLD CLOCKMAK] BEH9D IT ALL4 ,ALMA BELIEVES ?AT ! ,DE/RUCTOR1 EV5 AS A METAPHOR1 ESPECIALLY AS A METAPHOR1 C\LD EASILY CREMATE A NEI<BORHOOD1 A CLASS1 A DI/RICT ( ! HUMAN HE>T4 ,BY ! SAME TOK5 !N1 %E MU/ BELIEVE ?AT >T1 H] >T1 ANYONE'S >T1 IS CAPABLE ( F9ALLY DEMOLI%+ ! M9D-SET & IDEAS ?AT ! ,DE/RUCTOR REPRES5TS IF EXPRESS$ ) SUFFICI5T =CE & SAVAG]Y2 SUFFICI5T BRUTAL BEAUTY4 ,ALMA HAS NO O!R *OICE ?AN TO BELIEVE ?IS4 ,IT'S :AT KEEPS H] GO+4 ,H>D5+ H] EYES TO ! ]OD$ ,BAUHAUS BALCONIES & >*ES1 BRICKS ! COLOR ( DRI$ BLOOD1 %E TURNS LEFT & BEG9S TO HEAD UP ! LONG PA? ?AT SEP>ATES ! TWO HALVES ( ! FLATS1 T[>DS ! WALL$ RAMP ?AT LEADS 9TO ,CA/LE ,/REET4 

,! SUN ABSCONDS BEH9D A CL\D & ! GRE5 LAWNS TURN GRAY4 ,! ORNAM5TAL /EPP$ $GE ( ! BRICKWORK1 GRASS-CRACK$ & DI/RESS$1 TAKES ON A DIFF]5T *>ACT]4 ,! >*ITECTURE1 NEAT & MOD]N & EFFICI5T 9 ITS TIME1 N[ LOOKS ITS AGE1 A PRE-W> CIVIL S]VANT :O'D ONCE HAD A PROMIS+ C>E] AHEAD ( HIM BUT N[ IS 9 HIS EI<TIES1 HAUNT$ & 9CONT95T1 9CAPABLE ( RECOGNIZ+ HIS SURR\ND+S4 ,PA/ ! FLATS' DRAWN CURTA9S >E ! *AMB]S ( A CRUMBL+ M9D ?R\< :I* ! T5ANTS %AMBLE LIKE UNFA?OMABLE DREAMS4 ,\TPATI5TS1 ROCK-HEADS1 MIGRANT WORK]S1 PRO/ITUTES & REFUGEES & TRANSPOS$ FL[]S LIKE ,CLAIRE SOMEH[ /ILL PA9T+ PICTURES 9 AMID IT ALL1 ! WAY ?AT ,RI*>D ,DADD HAD LABOR$ ON HIS T9Y FAIRY VISIONS 9 ! SCREAM+1 DEFECAT+ HELLS ( ,B$LAM & ( ,BROADMOOR4 

,ALMA REALIZES ?AT ! PLACE IS LIKE A GR9D/ONE ON :I* REASON1 S5SE ( SELF1 & SANITY >E MILL$ TO AN UNDIFF]5TIAT$ FL\R ( MADNESS4 ,M5TAL ILLNESS & DEPRESSION HAVE BE5 /IRR$ 9TO ! MORT> ( !SE BUILD+S1 OR HAVE SEEP$ 9TO ! PLA/] AS A TYPE ( MELAN*OLIC DAMP4 ,ATTEMPT+ TO SU/A9 EV5 ! ORD9>Y NOTION ( A PURPOSE TO EXI/5CE 9 ?IS BLEAK 5VIRONM5T W\LD SL[LY DRIVE Y\ R\ND ! B5D1 W\LD S5D Y\ CORN]Y4 ,%E REALIZES1 WAD+ ?R\< ! ?ICK AIR ( ! C5TRAL WALKWAY1 ?AT 9SANITY OCCURS MO/ (T5 :]E A HUMAN VISION MEETS ! SOCIAL BRICKWORK4 ,%E REMEMB]S ,PA/OR ,NEWTON'S OLD HYMN-WRIT+ COLLEAGUE1 MADH\SE VET]AN ,WILLIAM ,C[P]1 9 #a#h#a#i1 ADDRESS+ ,WILLIAM ,BLAKE3 0,Y\ RETA9 HEAL? & YET >E AS MAD AS ANY ( US ALL - OV] US ALL - MAD AS A REFUGE FROM ! UNBELIEF ( ,BACON1 ,NEWTON & ,LOCKE40 

,?IS WAS A DIFF]5T ,NEWTON ?AT ! FRAGILE POET WAS CONDEMN+1 OBVI\SLY1 NOT HYMN-COMPOS+ & SLAVE-TRAD+ ,JOHN BUT ,ISAAC1 >*ITECT ( A MAT]IAL SCI5TIFIC C]TA9TY ?AT W\LD SUPPLANT ! LEVEL+ MORAL APOCALYPSE ( HIS CONTEMPOR>Y ,JOHN ,BUNYAN4 ,ISAAC ,NEWTON1 F\ND+ MEMB] ( ! ,ROYAL ,SOCIETY & ( ,FREEMASONRY'S ,GR& ,LODGE1 BRUTAL COMM&] ( ! ,M9T & !RE=E 5G9E] TO A F9ANCIAL SY/EM RIFE ) ,D>I5 ,DISA/]S1 ,S\? ,SEA ,BUBBLES1 ,WALL ,/REET ,CRA%ES & ,BLACK ,W$NESDAYS4 ,9/IGATOR ( ! GOLD /&>D & ?US ( ,BRITA9'S GOLD RES]VES1 :I* ,BLAIR'S *ANCELLOR ,GORDON ,BR[N HAS QUIETLY SOLD (F JU/ ?IS LA/ YE>4 ,SIR ,ISAAC1 ! 9V5TOR ( AN UTT]LY IMAG9>Y COLOR1 9DIGO1 & ! CREATOR ( ! MOD]N WORLD'S MAT]IALI/IC RAT-TRAP ON SO MANY DIFF]5T LEVELS4 ,! GREAT TRANQUILIZ] ( ! SPIRIT1 ! 9DUC] ( :AT ,BLAKE CALL$1 ACCURATELY1 0,NEWTON'S ,SLEEP04 ,9 ,BA? ,/REET FLATS1 AMONG ! DE/ITUTE & DESP]ATE & DEPRESS$1 %E CAN SEE ALL ! DREAMS ) :I* ?AT SLEEP IS TR\BL$4 

,%E BREAKS FROM H] TRA9 ( ?\<T TO SKIRT >\ND A REC5T-LOOK+ DOG-EVACUATION ?AT IS 9 H] PA?1 A TURRET$ TURD-CA/LE ?AT'S AS YET UNBREA*$ BY TODDL]'S %OE OR TE5AGE TRA9]1 P]FECT 5D-PRODUCT ( ! MAT]IAL WORLD & ALSO ITS 9EVITABLE MONUM5T4 ,IT GIVES AT LEA/ A SEMI-SOLID =M TO ! MO/ FREQU5T WORD1 MO/ FREQU5T ?\<T UPON ! LOCAL MOD]N M9D1 REIT]ATES ! CRE$ ( ! ,DE/RUCTOR3 0,?IS IS :]E WE S5D \R %IT1 ! ?+S ?AT WE NO LONG] HAVE A USE =4 ,?IS MEANS Y\40 

,HEAD+ T[>DS ! RAMP ?AT HAS REPLAC$ ! /EPS ?AT %E REMEMB]S FROM H] *ILDHOOD ,ALMA WOND]S1 ) A LUR*1 H[ MANY 9DIVIDUALS HAVE DI$ D[N H]E1 H[ MANY LA/ BREA?S HAVE FOGG$ MIRRORS 9 UNSATISFACTORY BA?ROOMS OR ESCAP$ 9TO CRAMP$ KIT*5ETTES4 ,IT MU/ BE HUNDR$S S9CE ! FLATS W]E PUT UP 9 ! #a#i#cS2 ALL ?OSE DISAPPO9T$ S\LS1 !IR /ORIES WORK$ 9TO ! GRA9 ( ! V5E]1 5COD$ 9 ! B>-/RIPES ( ! UGLY WALLPAP]4 ,%E FEELS AS ?\< %E'S WALK+ ON ! BOTTOM ( A SEA ( <O/S1 ?R\< SUFFOCAT+ FA?OMS ( UNRULY ECTOPLASM REA*+ F> ABOVE H]4 ,B$-S& MEMORIES & VOICES RISE 9 CL\DS ( SILT AT EV]Y FOOT/EP4 ,POLT]GEI/ %ELLS1 A/RAL RUBBI%1 RU/$ <\L-CANS TUMBL+ ?R\< ! MURK ( H] P]IPH]Y4 ,GRAY LADIES DRIFT+ ON ! SLUGGI% PHANTOM CURR5T LIKE A /RA9 ( SUP]NATURAL WAT]WE$4 ,AN ALGAE ( DEAD MONKS4 ,%E WADES ) A/RONAUT DELIB]ATION UP ! RAMP1 A *ANNEL-WALK] SLOGG+ UP AN UND]WAT] RISE ?AT MI<T ) ANY LUCK TURN 9TO ,DOV] ,BEA*1 UNC]TA9 H[ MU* LONG] %E CAN HOLD H] BREA? B5EA? ?IS SEA ( MIS]Y1 ?IS BETID+ WOE4 

,UND] ! CONCRETE ( ! RAMP1 ! /EPS %E SAT ON AS A *ILD MU/ /ILL BE !RE4 ,%E CAN REMEMB] WALK+ HOME ONCE ) H] MOM & LITTLE BRO!R1 CUTT+ ?R\< FROM ,CA/LE ,/REET TO ,BA? ,/REET4 ,ALMA W\LD HAVE BE51 :AT1 N9E OR T58 ,%E'D B\<T A COMIC FROM ,SID'S BOOK/ALL ON ! M>KET & HAD RUN AHEAD ( ,DORE5 SO ?AT %E C\LD SIT H]E ON ! /EPS & READ IT = A MOM5T :ILE %E WAIT$ = H] MO!R TO CAT* UP4 ,! COMIC1 UNSURPRIS+LY1 HAD BE5 ,=BIDD5 ,WORLDS4 ,%E CAN'T REMEMB] IF !RE'D BE5 A ,H]BIE /ORY 9 ?AT ISSUE1 BUT IT W\LD HAVE C]TA9LY CONTA9$ ! WORK ( ,OGD5 ,:ITNEY 9 ONE =M OR O!R4 ,:ILE %E'D SAT H]E ON H] *ILLY GRANITE P]* & M>VEL$1 ,:ITNEY W\LD HAVE BE5 ALREADY MORE ?AN HALFWAY D[N ! BOOZY PA? ?AT L$ TO ! ASYLUM & ! GRAVE4 ,%E HAS A *ILLY PREMONITION ?AT SOME:]E 9 ! YE> #be !RE IS SOMEONE HAV+ MU* ! SAME ?\<TS AB\T H]1 AS IF ,ALMA & ,OGD5 >E ALREADY BO? TOGE!R 9 A PALLID GRE5 ,UNKN[N ) ALL ! WOLF-M5 & ! ,FRANK5/E9S2 AS IF ! :OLE WORLD & ITS FUTURE W]E ALREADY PO/HUM\S & %E WAS LOOK+ D[N ON ALL ?IS LOVELESS FOLLY FROM A PO9T \TSIDE & OV] TIME1 FROM ! =BIDD5 WORLD4 ,EV]Y?+'S DEAD ALREADY4 ,EV]YONE IS GONE4 

,%E /EPS \T ONTO ,CA/LE ,/REET & PAUSES1 NOTIC+ ! ALMO/ 9/ANTANE\S %IFT 9 MOOD & LI<T4 ,WELL1 ?AT WAS 9T]E/+4 ,%E TURNS TO GAZE BACK D[N ! RAMP1 ALONG ! C5TRAL PA? TO ,BA? ,/REET ) ! ,N,E,W,L,I,F,E TOMB/ONES RIS+ UP BEYOND1 & SMILES4 ,FE> ( DECAY & DEA?1 %E ?9KS4 ,FE> ( DEPRECIATION1 DE/ITUTION & DECL9E4 ,IS ?AT ! BE/ Y\'VE GOT8 

,) A REFRE%+ DODGEM :IFF ( NEW RESOLVE FL>+ H] NO/RILS1 ,ALMA HEADS D[N ,CA/LE ,/REET T[>DS ! PO9T :]E ,BRI/OL ,/REET BLE$S 9TO ,*ALK ,LANE4 ,CROSS+ OV] ! DES]T$ ROAD T[>DS ITS S\? SIDE1 ,ALMA EYES UP ! DILAPIDAT$ ,GOLD5 ,LION1 ! E/ABLI%M5T :]E ,W>RY HAD P\R$ \T HIS WILD PHANTASMAGORIA TO H] ONLY A YE> AGO4 ,A YE>4 ,%E CAN'T REMEMB] ANY?+ AB\T IT EXCEPT PA9T+1 DRAW+1 *EW+ ,RIZLA PAP]S UP & SPITT+ !M 9TO A B[L1 ! %IFTS ( SEASON ONLY NOTICEABLE 9 ! *ANGE ( IMAG]Y UPON H] DRAW+ BO>D OR EASEL1 A :OLE SUMM] SP5T DEL9EAT+ SNOTTY-NOS$ DEAD *ILDR5 9 S(T P5CIL4 ,& N[ H]E %E IS4 

,! JUNCTION %E'S APPROA*+ US$ TO HAVE A SWEET%OP [N$ BY SOMEONE ?AT %E & ! O!R *ILDR5 KNEW AS ',POP'1 A :ITE-HAIR$ PORTLY *AP ) GLASSES :O SOLD HOMEMADE P5NY ICE LOLLIES & P5NY DR9KS4 ,! LATT] HAD BE5 HALF-P9T MILK BOTTLES FILL$ UP ) TAP WAT] & HOMEOPA?IC DOSES ( FRUIT CORDIAL1 A WAT]-MEMORY ( HAV+ ONCE BE5 %[N A MOLECULE ( ROSEHIP SYRUP4 ,/ILL1 ON ?IR/Y AFT]NOONS1 EV5 ! IMMAT]IAL CONCEPT ( A TA/Y BEV]AGE HAD BE5 5\<4 ,!Y'D PAID !IR P5NIES & HAD GRATEFULLY GULP$ D[N A FLUID ?AT LOOK$ P9KI% IF Y\ HAPP5$ TO BE DR9K+ IT AT SUNSET4 ,LOOK+ BACK1 %E REALIZES ?AT %E %\LD HAVE AUTOMATICALLY MI/RU/$ ANYBODY :O CALL$ !MSELVES ,POP4 ,AH1 WELL4 ,Y\ LIVE & LE>N4 

,D[N AT ! BOTTOM 5D ( ,CA/LE ,/REET1 %E PASSES ON H] LEFT ! LITTLE PAT* ( GRASS1 /ILL SEEM+LY UNOCCUPI$1 :]E %E HAD ALMO/ BE5 ABDUCT$ AS A *ILD4 ,IT'S ONE ( ! FEW *ILDHOOD MEMORIES ?AT %E /ILL CAN'T PROP]LY RESOLVE1 :]E %E'S /ILL NOT SURE :AT WAS REALLY GO+ ON4 ,H] & SOME O!R EI<T-YE>-OLDS HAD F\ND ! RU/$ %ELL ( AN AB&ON$ ,MORRIS ,M9OR ON ! GRASS &1 9 AN >EA ?AT (F]$ LITTLE 9 ! WAY ( FREE ACTIVITIES & 5T]TA9M5TS1 !Y HAD TREAT$ IT AS IF IT W]E A !ME P>K OR AT LEA/ A PROTO-B\NCY CA/LE4 ,!Y'D CLIMB$ ON ITS BONNET & HAD SAT 9SIDE BEH9D ITS /E]+ :EEL4 ,ALMA HAD BE5 ON TOP ( ! WRECK$ VEHICLE1 MANICALLY JUMP+ UP & D[N ON ITS CORROD$ RO(1 US+ IT AS A HEAVY METAL TRAMPOL9E1 :5 A BLACK C> HAD GLID$ \T ( ,*ALK ,LANE 9TO ,BRI/OL ,/REET TO PULL UP SUDD5LY BESIDE ! /RET* ( TURF :]E !Y W]E PLAY+4 

,:5 ! ?9 Y\NG MAN ) ,BRYLCREEM$ HAIR & A D>K SUIT CLIMB$ FROM ! DRIV]'S SEAT & />T$ /RID+ ANGRILY T[>DS ! *ILD-9FE/$ ,MORRIS ,M9OR1 ALL ! O!R KIDS HAD BE5 POSITION$ SO !Y C\LD IMM$IATELY SC>P]1 LEAV+ ONLY ,ALMA /R&$ ON ! CREAK+ RO(4 ,! MAN - :5EV] %E TRIES TO REMEMB] :AT HE LOOK$ LIKE %E GETS ONLY A FALSE1 SUP]IMPOS$ PHOTOGRAPH ( ,IAN ,BRADY - HAD GRABB$ H] FROM ATOP ! WRECK & C>RI$ H]1 SCREAM+ & WAIL+1 BACK TO HIS [N MOTOR1 %OV+ H] 9SIDE4 ,!RE WAS A Y\NGI% WOMAN 9 ! C>1 ) M\SY BR[N HAIR1 AL?\< ONCE AGA9 ,ALMA'S MELODRAMATIC MEMORY HAS PA/$ 9 A %OT ( ,MYRA ,H9DLEY1 SLI<TLY Y\NG] & )\T ! BLEA* OR VAMPIRE P&A MAKE-UP4 ,ALMA HAD BE5 PLEAD+1 CRY+1 /RUGGL+ 9 ! BACK SEAT4 ,! Y\NG MAN HAD SAID ?AT HE WAS GO+ TO TAKE H] (F TO ! POLICE /ATION BUT !N HAD SUDD5LY REL5T$1 P]HAPS :5 HE NOTIC$ ?AT ! WOMAN ) HIM WAS BY N[ LOOK+ ALMO/ AS FRI<T5$ AS ! TUBBY1 WEEP+ LITTLE GIRL4 ,HE'D OP5$ ! RE> DOOR & LET H] \T ONTO ! PAVEM5T BE=E RO>+ (F1 LEAV+ H] /&+ SOBB+ BY ! ROADSIDE = H] PALS TO F9D :5 !Y EM]G$ FROM HID+4 ,:AT HAD ALL ?AT BE5 AB\T8 

,P>T ( H] IS ALMO/ 9CL9$ TO TAKE ! /ORY AS IT COMES4 ,%E CAN QUITE EASILY SEE H] W\LD-BE ABDUCTOR AS A S\R-FAC$ & EMOTIONALLY /RANGL$ Y\NG *UR*GO] ( ! MIDDLE CLASSES & ! E>LY #a#i#fS1 TAK+ HIS FIANCEE = A D>+ SP9 ?R\< ! POOR QU>T]1 WANT+ TO IMPRESS H] ) HIS MORAL RECTITUDE BY SC>+ /RAI<T ONE ( ! DI/RICT'S 9FANT V]M94 ,?AT SEEMS MU* MORE LIKELY ?AN ! LURID *ILD-MOLE/] N>RATIVE %E'D RETROACTIVELY IMPOS$ ON ! SC5>IO1 AL?\< IT DOESN'T MAKE H] FEEL A LOT LESS 9T]F]$-)1 OR LESS ANGRY4 ,%E RECALLS ! Y\NG MAN'S PA/Y SK9 & HIS COLD LITTLE EYES4 ,:ATEV] HE'D IMAG9$ HE WAS DO+ & :ATEV] HIS 9T5T1 HE'D BE5 NO DIFF]5T FROM ! CURR5T RA% ( CURB-CRAWL]S1 US+ ! ,BOR\<S AS !IR PRIVATE ZOO4 ,%E'D BE5 DI/URB$ TO LE>N ?AT DUR+ ! AL>M+ WEEK5D ( APP>5T RAPES ?AT HAD OCCURR$ LA/ YE>1 ONE ( ! VICTIMS HAD REPORT$ BE+ DRAGG$ 9TO A C> 9 ,*ALK ,LANE1 ALMO/ ON ! SAME SPOT :]E ,ALMA'S ATTEMPT$ KIDNAPP+ HAD HAPP5$4 ,WALK+ PA/ ! UNKEMPT SLOPE ( YELL[-GRE5 %E WOND]S IF ! PLACE HAS SOME MALIGNANT G5IUS LOCI1 SOME?+ 9 ! SOIL ?AT GIVES IT A PR$ISPOSITION T[>DS A SPECIFIC CRIME1 REPEAT$ D[N ! DECADES4 ,%E REMEMB]S HE>+ ?AT A SKELETON HAD BE5 F\ND AT ! SITE DUR+ SOME EXCAVATIONS 9 ! N9ETE5? C5TURY1 BUT DOESN'T KN[ IF IT TURN$ \T TO BE ! PRODUCT ( AN ANCI5T BURIAL OR ( A RELATIVELY REC5T MURD]1 DOESN'T KN[ IF IT WAS MALE OR FEMALE1 *ILD OR ADULT4 ,LACK+ ANY CONTRADICTORY EVID5CE1 %E CON/RUES ! REMA9S AS ?OSE ( AN ABDUCTION VICTIM1 LONELY UND]NEA? ! E>? & CALL+ \T = COMPANY4 ,:I*EV] WAY %E LOOKS AT IT1 ?IS IS A HAUNT$ PIECE ( GR\ND4 ,H[ TYPICAL1 !N1 ?AT %E'S *OS5 ?IS PLACE = H] PREVIEW4 

,%E TURNS LEFT 9TO ,*ALK ,LANE :]E %E IMM$IATELY SEES ! NURS]Y ) PEOPLE MOV+ R\ND 9SIDE IT1 G+]LY TRANSPORT+ CANVASSES FROM ONE SIDE ( ! SMALL SPACE TO ANO!R4 ,ALMA CAN'T SEE ANY OBVI\S SIGNS ( DAMAGE OR CATA/ROPHE & FEELS RELIEV$1 AL?\< TO BE QUITE HONE/ %E'S NOT 9 ! LEA/ BIT N]V\S AB\T H[ TOMORR['S GO+ TO TURN \T4 ,%E'S CONFID5T ?AT EV]Y?+ WILL BE ! WAY IT'S MEANT TO BE4 

,M\NT+ ! %ORT FLI<T ( /ONE /EPS T[>DS ! DOOR1 %E CA/S H] M9D BACK TO :5 ?IS PLACE WAS ! ,M>JORIE ,PITT-,DRAFF5 DANCE S*OOL1 AN OASIS ( REF9EM5T ?AT HAD BE5 9CONGRU\SLY SITUAT$ 9 ! ,BOR\<S1 NOT KN[N = ITS ,T]PSI*OREAN ACCOMPLI%M5TS1 A PLACE :]E !Y DISC\RAG$ HAV+ SEX :ILE /&+ UP 9 CASE IT L$ TO DANC+4 ,H] DI/+UI%$ ACTOR PAL ,BOB ,GOODMAN HAS CONFESS$ TO HAV+ (T5 VISIT$ ! DANCE S*OOL AS A *ILD1 PRESUMABLY BACK 9 ! DAYS BE=E HIS FACE HAD CAU<T FIRE & BE5 PUT \T ) A %OVEL4 ,%E IMAG9ES HIM1 A N]V\S MIDDLE-CLASS KID %UFFL+ UP !SE V]Y /EPS EA* ,SATURDAY TO TAKE HIS HAT$ LESSONS1 DRESS$ UP 9 A KILT4 ,IT'S PROBABLY ALL = ! BE/ ?AT LITTLE ,BOB & LITTLE ,ALMA NEV] MET BACK !N1 NOT ) HIM 9 A T>TAN SKIRT & TALK+ PO%4 ,%E'D HAVE WELL KICK$ HIS HEAD 94 

,PU%+ OP5 ! SW+ DOOR1 ,ALMA TAKES 9 ! SC5E4 ,O!R ?AN H] !RE >E ?REE PEOPLE PRES5T4 ,VISIT+ FROM ,WALES1 ,BURT ,REGAN IS ! ONE (FICIALLY 5TRU/$ ) GETT+ ! PIECES D[N H]E & SET UP 9 ! RI<T PLACE1 AL?\< IT SEEMS HE'S BE+ HELP$ 9 ?IS BY WIRY ,ROMAN ,?OMPSON4 ,BURT CALLS \T TO ,ALMA AS %E 5T]S4 

0 ',ELLO1 ,ALMA4 ',]E1 WAS ?AT Y] F+]->MOR ?AT ,I C\LD 'E> RATTL9' :5 Y\ W]E COM9' D[N ! /REET1 OR 'AVE Y\ 'AD Y] FANNY PI]C$80 

0,YES1 ACTUALLY1 ,I HAVE4 ,I GOT A L5G? ( AN*OR-*A9 FROM ! ,TITANIC ?AT ,I WE> AS JEWELRY4 ,?AT'S PROBABLY :AT Y\ C\LD HE>4 ,IT CO/ ME ?\S&S1 & IT W\LD HAVE BE5 TWICE ?AT IF ,I'D HAVE BO!R$ TO HAVE ALL ! RU/ SCRAP$ (F4 ,HELLO1 ,ROME40 

,SETT+ ,WORK ,9 ,PROGRESS UP AGA9/ ! MAKE%IFT GALL]Y'S 5D WALL1 ,ROME ,?OMPSON GR9S1 CRUMPL+ ! MO?-EAT5 GLOVE PUPPET ( HIS FACE1 A DI/RESS$ ,BASIL ,BRU% AFT] ! ,PYT*LEY ,HUNT HAS F9I%$ ) HIM4 ,CRAFTY WR9KLES 9 A W9DSCRE5 %ATT]-PATT]N RADIATE FROM EYES ?AT /ILL BURN LIKE GUNP[D] FUZES4 ,ALMA ?9KS ?AT ,ROMAN ,?OMPSON IS QUITE POSSIBLY ! MO/ DANG]\S 9DIVIDUAL %E HAS EV] MET1 & %E MEANS ?IS 9 AN ADMIR+ WAY4 ,:Y >E ! BE/ BLOKES ALWAYS GAY8 

0 ',[ >E Y] DO9'1 ,ALMA8 ,D'Y] LIKE '[ WE'VE SET UP Y] EXHIBITION8 ,I'VE BE5 SUP]VIS9'1 LIKE4 ,BURT NE$S A =EMAN SO ?AT 'E DON'T FUCK IT UP40 

0,Y\ LY+ CUNT6 ,I'VE BE5 ']E S9CE ELEV51 & ?IS FUCK] TURN$ UP 'ALF AN '\R BACK4 ',E'S REFUS$ TO LIFT A FUCK9' F+] EV] S9CE4 ',E SAYS 'E'S ONLY ']E 9 'IS CAPACITY AS AN >T CRITIC4 ',E'S LIKE FUCK9' ,SI/] ,W5DY1 ONLY 9T]E/$ 9 ! ONES ) COCKS40 

,LEAV+ ! TWO M5 TO !IR ROBU/ 9T]LOCUTION1 ,ALMA SIDLES OV] TO ! NURS]Y'S F\R? OCCUPANT1 A PRETTY1 GOGGLE-EY$ Y\NG WOMAN /&+ AT ! ROOM'S F> 5D & LOOK+ MOD]ATELY 9TIMIDAT$ BY ,ROMAN & ,BURT1 A PAIR ( NUTCASE OGRES FROM ANO!R C5TURY4 ,?IS IS ,LUCY ,LIS[IEC1 A REPRES5TATIVE ( ! COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ,C,A,S,P,>1 A GR\P ?AT PROVIDES ONE ( ! FEW REMA9+ NEURAL NETWORKS /ILL HOLD+ ! S5ILE NEI<BORHOOD TOGE!R4 ,ALMA MET H] ?R\< ! ,/REETLAW RAPP]S1 = :OM ,LUCY SEEMS TO BE A COMB9ATION ( /REET-CR$IBLE BUT S5SIBLE BIG SI/] & B5IGN PROBATION (FIC]4 ,IT WAS ,LUCY :O MANAG$ TO SECURE ! NURS]Y = ,ALMA'S EXHIBITION1 :I* MEANS ?AT IT'S ,LUCY'S JOB ?AT'S ON ! L9E IF ANY?+ GOES WRONG4 ,?IS IS NO D\BT ! REASON :Y %E'S LOOK+ N]V\SLY AT ,BURT & ,ROMAN1 :O GIVE ! IMPRESSION ?AT !RE'S SOME?+ GO+ BADLY WRONG SIMPLY BY TURN+ UP1 LIKE UNI=M$ ,GE/APO (FIC]S AT A PET FUN]AL4 ,ALMA ATTEMPTS TO REASSURE H]4 

0,HELLO1 ,LUCE4 ,I CAN SEE JU/ FROM ?AT LOOK Y\'VE GOT ON Y\R FACE ?AT !SE TWO - WELL1 !Y'RE LITTLE MORE ?AN HIR$ ?UGS1 REALLY - ?AT !Y'VE MANAG$ TO (F5D Y\4 ,Y\ POOR LOVE4 ,Y\'VE PROBABLY HE>D ?+S ?AT SOMEONE Y\R AGE %\LDN'T HAVE TO HE>1 ?+S ?AT WILL /AY ) Y\ =EV]4 ,ALL ,I CAN DO IS APOLOGIZE4 ,! MAN D[N AT ! P5 SAID IF ,I DIDN'T GIVE !M WORK1 !N !Y'D BE PUT TO SLEEP40 

,LUCY IS LAU<+1 %[+ (F H] W9SOME OV]BITE4 ,%E REALLY IS A LITTLE D>L+1 WORK+ ON A DOZ5 PROJECTS ) ! ,BOR\<S RESID5TS AT ONCE1 M9D+ !IR KIDS D[N AT ! ,C,A,S,P,> (FICES 9 ,/4 ,LUKE'S ,H\SE ON NI<TS :5 %E'S !RE WORK+ LATE1 %EPH]D+ ,/REETLAW TO !IR GIGS1 LIV+ ALONE ABOVE ,MAC,DONALD'S 9 ! ,DRAP]Y1 DEVELOP+ A /OMA* ULC] AT ! AGE ( TW5TY-SEV5 - ,ALMA HAS BE5 REC5TLY =CE-FE$+ H] BO? ,ACTIMEL & ,YAKULT - ALL FROM TRY+ TO COOP]ATE CREATIVELY ) WOND]FUL1 DES]V+ PEOPLE :O >E ALSO SOMETIMES UTT] FUCK+ NI<TM>ES1 ,ALMA H]SELF C]TA9LY 9CLUD$ 9 ?AT CATEGORY4 

0,AW1 NO1 !Y'RE ALL RI<T4 ,!Y'RE H\SE-TRA9$4 ,NO1 ,I WAS JU/ LOOK+ AT ! PICTURES & ! MODEL & ALL ?AT4 ,ALMA1 ?IS IS FANTA/IC4 ,?IS IS REALLY FULL-ON40 

,ALMA SMILES POLITELY1 BUT IS MU* MORE PLEAS$ ?AN %E LETS ON4 ,LUCY IS AN ACCOMPLI%$ >TI/ 9 H] [N RI<T1 MO/LY WORK+ 9 ! RISKY M$IUM ( BRICK & A]OSOL4 ,! ONLY FEMALE TAGG] 9 ! C\NTY & AS F> AS ,ALMA KN[S ONE ( ! ONLY ONES 9 ,5GL&1 ,LUCY HAD BE5 =C$ TO />T \T WORK+ SOLO AS ! #a-,/RONG ,CREW BE=E AN 9FLUX ( NEW MEMB] MEANT ?AT %E C\LD UPGRADE TO ! #b-,/RONG ,CREW4 ,UND] ! NOM-DE-GU]RE ( ,C,A,L,L,U,Z1 AN UR*9 5UNCIATION ( ! SPECTRUM OR ( /REET-WORN CALLUSES1 %E'S BEAUTIFI$ A NUMB] ( UNPREPOSSESS+ PREMISES ?R\<\T ! YE>S1 AL?\< %E N[ PROTE/S ?AT %E'S TOO OLD TO CLIMB & RUN4 ,ALMA SUSPECTS1 H[EV]1 ?AT ?IS FACADE ( RESPONSIBLE MATURITY IS LIABLE TO EVAPORATE AFT] A SECOND ,SMIRN(F ,ICE4 ,LUCY1 :ATEV] %E PRET5DS1 IS /ILL AN ACTIVE >TI/1 & SO NATURALLY H] OP9ION MEANS A LOT TO ,ALMA4 ,MORE ?AN ?IS1 ?\<1 ,LUCY'S Y\NG1 P>T ( A G5]ATION ?AT ,ALMA HAS V]Y LITTLE KN[L$GE ( & ISN'T C]TA9 ?AT H] WORK APPEALS TO4 ,IF ,LUCY AT LEA/ ADMIRES H] /UFF 5\< NOT TO SPRAY OV] IT 9 BOLD METALLIC ,FAT ,CAPS ) ,DAY-,GLO DROP-%AD[1 WELL1 !N ,ALMA MU/ BE DO+ SOME?+ RI<T4 ,%E LETS H]SELF CA/ AN APPRAIS+ EYE ACROSS ! WORKS ?AT >E ALREADY 9 POSITION1 :I* IS TO SAY MO/ ( !M4 ,%E F9DS1 POSSIBLY UNSURPRIS+LY1 ?AT %E AGREES 5TIRELY ) ,LUCY'S ASSESSM5T ( H] FULL-ON & FANTA/IC %[4 

,UP AT ! ROOM'S NOR? 5D IS ! L>GE TILE >RANGEM5T P>TLY CRIBB$ FROM ,ES*]1 M\NT$ ON ITS BACK+ BO>D & TITL$ ,MALIGNANT1 ,REFRACTORY ,SPIRITS4 ,%>+ ! SAME WALL AS ?IS >E A V>IETY ( :AT SEEM TO BE ILLU/RATIONS FROM A *ILDR5'S PICTURE-BOOK1 SOME 9 S(T P5CIL MONO*ROME & SOME 9 GLORI\SLY-REALIZ$ WAT]COLOR1 LIKE ! PSY*$ELIC /&-\T IMAGE ,AN ,ASMODEUS ,FLI<T4 ,! EA/ WALL1 ! BIGGE/ ONE1 IS DOM9AT$ BY ! OV]:ELM+ MASS ( ,! ,DE/RUCTOR1 :I* ,ALMA IS PLEAS$ TO SEE HAS BE5 LEFT MO/LY COV]$ BY A HANG+ CLO?3 IT'S TOO MU*1 TOO DI/RESS+ TO /& 9 ITS NAK$ GL>E1 JU/ AS %E WANT$ IT TO BE4 ,IT'S ,ALMA'S ,GU]NICA1 & %E D\BTS ?AT IT'S GO+ TO BE HANG+ 9 ! ,MITSUBI%I BO>DROOM ANY TIME ?IS C5TURY4 ,QUITE FRANKLY1 %E CAN'T SEE IT HANG+ ANY:]E ?AT ORD9>Y DEC5T PEOPLE :O JU/ WANT TO GET ON ) !IR LIVES MI<T /UMBLE OV] IT4 ,! PA9T+ IS SO =CEFUL ?AT ONLY ! /RONGE/ ( ! SMALL] PIECES CAN BE HUNG ON ! SAME WALL4 ,=BIDD5 ,WORLDS1 ) ITS 9F]NAL HO/ELRY1 GOES TO ! LEFT ( ,! ,DE/RUCTOR4 ,:5 %E BR+S ! F9AL PA9T+1 ,*A9 ( ,(FICE1 D[N H]E TO ! NURS]Y TOMORR[ MORN+1 %E DECIDES %E'S GO+ TO HANG IT ON ! WE/ WALL1 FAC+ ! MORE DEVA/AT+ PIECE AS SOME K9D ( ES!TIC C\NT]BALANCE4 

,9 ! MIDDLE ( ! ROOM !RE >E F\R TABLES PU%$ TOGE!R TO SUPPORT ! PAPI]-MA*E MODEL ?AT %E'D MADE ) ALL ?OSE ,RIZLA PAP]S1 *EW+ !M & SPITT+ !M 9TO A SUITABLE RECEPTACLE4 ,MEL9DA ,GEBBIE1 H] BE/ MATE1 HAD LOOK$ A BIT REVOLT$ :5 ,ALMA HAD DEMON/RAT$ H] TE*NIQUE1 :I* HAD MADE ,ALMA TRY TO JU/IFY H] PROCESSES BY REF]5C+ ! BOOK-DEV\R+ #a#i#fS VISION>Y ,JOHN ,LA?AM1 :OM %E'D MET ONCE & WAS AN ADMIR] (4 ,%E'D ALSO TRI$ EXPLA9+ ! IMPORTANCE ( US+ H] [N SALIVA1 SO ?AT 9 A LIT]AL S5SE H] ,D,N,A W\LD BE P>T ( ! COMPLICAT$ /RUCTURE %E WAS BUILD+4 ,9 ! 5D %E'D GIV5 UP & CONFESS$ ?AT %E JU/ LIK$ GOBB+4 

,IF %E IS HONE/ ) H]SELF1 ! MODEL IS ! ONLY ITEM 9 ! EXHIBITION ?AT %E ISN'T :OLLY SURE AB\T4 ,IT DOESN'T SEEM AS IF IT'S SAY+ MU*1 JU/ SITT+ !RE LIKE ?AT1 SOLID & UNAMBIGU\S4 ,MAYBE %E'LL SEE H[ IT GOES D[N TOMORR[ AT ! PREVIEW & !N LEAVE IT \T ( ! 5SU+ ,LONDON %[ IF %E'S NOT PLEAS$ ) ! RESPONSE4 ,!RE'S NO PO9T WORRY+ AB\T IT N[1 AT ANY RATE4 ,?+S T5D TO SORT !MSELVES \T1 ,ALMA ?9KS1 AL?\< %E KN[S ?AT ?IS DIRECTLY CONTRADICTS ! LAWS ( PHYSICS1 COMMON S5SE1 & H] POLITICAL EXP]I5CE ( ! LA/ =TY YE>S4 

,%E LOOKS UP FROM ! TABLETOP DISPLAY1 \T ?R\< ! NURS]Y'S FRONT PICTURE-W9D[1 :]E %E NOTICES ?AT ,*ALK ,LANE TEET]S ON ! BR9K ( DUSK4 ,A SK9NY LITTLE MIX$-RACE GIRL ) CORN-R[ HAIR & A FIRE-5G9E R$ ,P,V,C MAC IS CLACK+ ?R\< ! UMBRA1 H] >MS CROSS$ DEF5SIVELY ACROSS H] *E/ & A PREOCCUPI$ EXPRESSION ON H] FACE4 ,ALMA ?9KS 'CRACK :ORE'1 !N B]ATES H]SELF = H] DESC5T 9TO CLASS-PR(IL+ & = H] LAZY & MEAN-SPIRIT$ ASSUMPTIONS4 ,BY !N ! Y\NG WOMAN HAS DEP>T$1 TOTT]+ AWAY 9TO ! TWILI<T ?AT IS GA!R+ 9 ! EA/1 SPILL+ \T FROM ,HORSEM>KET & D[N ,CA/LE ,/REET 9 AN OBSCUR+ VIOLET AVALAN*E4 

,ALMA /&S *ATT+ 9 ! BORR[$ SPACE ) ,ROMAN1 ,BURT & ,LUCY = A LITTLE LONG]4 ,ROMAN TELLS H] ?AT HE'S BE5 \T DOOR TO DOOR1 DRUMM+ UP 9T]E/ 9 TOMORR['S EXHIBITION FROM AMONG ! LOCAL POPULACE4 ,%E ASKS HIM H[ ! C>TOON PO/] ?AT %E KNOCK$ (F = HIS ,DEF5D ,C\NCIL ,H\SES GR\P IS SELL+1 & IS TOLD ?AT IT'S /ILL MOV+ /EADILY4 ,?IS IMAGE1 :I* DEPICTS A ,GODZILLA-SIZ$ 'FAT CAT' LOOM+ FROM BEH9D ! ,N,E,W,L,I,F,E T[]S TO RAKE ?R\< ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET'S SURFACE ) ITS MON/R\S TALONS1 :ILE NOT A WELL-DRAWN PIECE BY H] USUAL /&>DS1 HAD PROVOK$ SOME SMALL CONTROV]SY4 ,) HIS KE5 EYE = FREE PUBLICITY ,ROME HAD 9VOLV$ ! LOCAL ,*RONICLE @& ,E*O1 ?US AFFILIAT+ ,ALMA PUBLICLY ) HIS EXTREMELY WOR?Y CAUSE4 ,9 ! ACCOMPANY+ >TICLE HAD BE5 SOME RA!R PIQU$1 DISMISSIVE COMM5TS FROM A ,CONS]VATIVE C\NCILOR1 ONE ,D]EK ,PALEHORSE1 :O'D 9SI/$ ?AT HE C\LDN'T SEE :AT ALL ! FUSS WAS OV] :5 SO MU* WAS BE+ DONE TO HELP ! NEI<BORHOOD ALREADY4 ,ALMA SMILES N[ AT ! MEMORY4 ,H[ NICE ( HIM TO /ICK HIS HEAD ABOVE ! P>APET4 ,%E CAN RECALL ! REC5T SC&AL :5 ?R\< ,ROMAN ,?OMPSON'S MA*9ATIONS1 ! T[N C\NCIL'S V]Y G5]\S REMUN]ATION ( A =M] COLLEAGUE HAD BE5 PUBLI%$ 9 ! LOCAL PAP]1 PROMPT+ C\NCILORS TO PROTE/ ?AT !IR DEAL+S %\LD NEV] HAVE BE5 MADE PUBLIC4 ,:5 ! NEWSPAP] HAD POLL$ ITS READ]S TO SEE :AT !IR FEEL+S W]E UPON ! ISSUE1 !Y'D BE5 />TL$ TO DISCOV] ?AT MO/ ( ! VOTES SUPPORT$ ! T[N C\NCIL'S RI<T TO SECRECY4 ,!N !Y'D F\ND ?AT ALMO/ ALL ( !SE VOTES HAD ISSU$ FROM ,C\NCILOR ,PALEHORSE 9 ONE WAY OR O!R4 ,IT WAS M5TION$ ON ! 0,ROTT5 ,BOR\<S0 PAGE ( ,PRIVATE ,EYE1 TO ! DES]V$ EMB>RASSM5T ( EV]YONE CONC]N$4 ,HONE/LY1 ,ALMA ?9KS4 ,!SE PEOPLE4 ,:AT A BUN* ( %ITCL[NS4 ,?IS IS A NEW WORD ?AT %E'S PICK$ UP FROM COLUMNI/ & SPL5DIDLY ILL-HUMOR$ TELEVISION WRIT] ,*>LIE ,BROOK]1 :OM %E WANTS TO M>RY1 & A T]M :I* %E ALREADY CAN'T IMAG9E H[ %E GOT ALONG )\T = ALL ?OSE YE>S1 = ALL ?AT 5DLESS L9E ( %ITCL[NS CLIMB+ \T ( HI/ORY'S COLLAPS+ C>4 ,DON'T BO!R1 !Y'RE H]E4 

,TAK+ A SUDD5 FANCY TO ! ?\<T ( WALK+ HOME ?R\< H] OLD NEI<BORHOOD1 %E WAVES ASIDE ! (F] ( A LIFT FROM ,BURT & KISSES EV]YONE GOODBYE4 ,ROME ,?OMPSON H9TS MY/]I\SLY ( SOME?+ ?AT HE'S GOT TO TELL H] BUT FIR/ WANTS TO *ECK HIS FACTS2 SOME?+ AB\T ! /RET* ( RIV] NEXT TO ! GAS-HOLD] D[N ON ,TANN] ,/REET4 ,HE SAYS HE'LL LET H] KN[ TOMORR[ MORN+ AT ! %[4 ,LEAV+ ! O!RS TO >RANGE ! LA/ FEW DETAILS & LOCK UP1 %E ZIPS H] JACKET TO ! NECK & EXITS BY ! SW+ DOOR1 %UFFL+ D[N ! /ONE /EPS ONTO ,PH5IX ,/REET4 ,GLANC+ T[>DS H] LEFT & D[N ,*ALK ,LANE %E CAN SEE ,DODDRIDGE ,*UR*1 ) ?AT BIZ>RE DOOR HALFWAY UP ITS WE/]N WALL4 ,ALMA IMAG9ES ! CELE/IAL FLYOV]1 ! ,ULTRADUCT1 AS %E'S DEPICT$ IT 9 ONE ( ! WORKS ?AT %E'S JU/ BE5 LOOK+ AT1 AN ELEVAT$ WALKWAY ?AT SEEMS TO BE *ISEL$ \T ( LI<T EM]G+ FROM ! BLOCK$-(F LOAD+ BAY TO CURVE AWAY T[>DS ! WE/1 ) PHOSPHORESC5T FIGURES BLURR+ BACK & =? ACROSS ITS SPAN4 

,! *UR* ITSELF SEEMS1 9 H] EYE1 TO SUM UP ! COMB9$ POLITICAL & SPIRITUAL UPHEAVALS ?AT HAVE TYPIFI$ ,NOR?AMPTON'S HI/ORY4 ,IT OCCURS TO H] ?AT MO/ ( !SE HAVE BE5 L+UI/IC 9 !IR ORIG9S4 ,JOHN ,WYCLIFFE HAD BEGUN ! PROCESS 9 ! #a#d? C5TURY ) HIS TRANSLATION ( ! ,BIBLE 9TO ,5GLI%4 ,RI<T !RE1 BY 9SI/+ ?AT ! ,5GLI% PEASANT CLASSES HAD A RI<T TO WOR%IP 9 !IR [N TONGUE1 ,WYCLIFFE & HIS ,LOLL>DS W]E E/ABLI%+ AN ELEM5T ( CLASS-W> POLITICS 9 ! RELIGI\S ALT]CATION4 ,9 ,NOR?AMPTON1 ,LOLL>DS & O!R RELIGI\S RADICALS SEEM TO HAVE F\ND A NATURAL HOME1 SO ?AT BY ,QUE5 ,ELIZABE?'S REIGN 9 ! FIFTE5-HUNDR$S !RE >E ,NOR?AMPTON%IRE CONGREGATIONS S++ HOME-MADE HYMNS 9 ,5GLI% RA!R ?AN JU/ LI/5+ TO *ANT$ PSALMS 9 ,LAT9 AS ! ,*UR* DEM&$4 ,LACK+ ANY E>LI] EXAMPLES ?AT SPR+ READILY TO M9D1 %E WOND]S IF H] T[N IS :]E ! ,5GLI% HYMN ORIG9ATES4 ,?AT W\LD EXPLA9 A LOT1 N[ ?AT %E ?9KS AB\T IT4 

,)9 FIFTY YE>S ( ,QUE5 ,ELIZABE?'S DEMISE1 ( C\RSE1 ! ,CIVIL ,W> KICK$ (F ) ,P>LIAM5T GREATLY EMBOLD5$ BY ! RADICAL SECTS ?AT SEEM$ TO BE CLU/]$ 9 ! ,5GLI% ,MIDL&S1 ALL ! ,RANT]S1 ,ANABAPTI/S1 ,ANT9OMIANS1 ,FIF? ,MON>*I/S & ,QUAK]S1 MO/ ( !M 5GAG$ 9 PUBLI%+ 9FLAMMATORY TEXTS OR FI]Y FLY+ ROLLS4 ,SOME ( ! OP5LY S$ITI\S ',M>T9 ,M>PRELATE' TRACTS HAD BE5 PUBLI%$ SECRETLY H]E 9 ! ,BOR\<S1 & 9 G5]AL IT SEEM$ ?AT ! ,PROTE/ANT REVOLUTION H+$ UPON ! WORD1 ) PA9T+ & ! VISUAL >TS P]CEIV$ AS ! PRES]VE ( ,PAPI/S & ELITI/S4 ,TO BECOME A PA9T] W\LD REQUIRE MAT]IALS & MEANS1 :ILE WRIT+1 /RICTLY SPEAK+1 REQUIR$ ONLY ! MO/ RUDIM5T>Y $UCATION4 ,OBVI\SLY1 LIT]ATURE WAS /ILL SE5 AS ! SOLE PRES]VE ( ! ELITE1 :I* IS JU/ ONE ( MANY REASONS :Y ,JOHN ,BUNYAN'S WRIT+S1 CRY/AL-CLE> ALLEGORIES CONVEY$ 9 COMMON SPEE*1 W]E SO 9C5DI>Y 9 !IR DAY4 ,HIS HYMN1 ,TO ,BE A ,PILGRIM1 WAS ! AN!M = ! DIS5*ANT$ ,PURITANS MIGRAT+ = ,AM]ICA1 :ILE ,PILGRIM'S ,PROGRESS W\LD BECOME A S\RCE ( 9SPIRATION = ! ,NEW ,WORLD SETTL]S SECOND ONLY TO ! ,BIBLE1 & !SE W]5'T ! RAKI%1 C\RTLY WITTICISMS OR ! FAWN+ TRIBUTES ( CONTEMPOR>IES SU* AS ,RO*E/] OR ,DRYD54 ,!SE W]E WRITT5 BY A MEMB] ( ?AT NEW & DANG]\S BRE$1 ! LIT]ATE COMMON]4 ,!Y W]E COMPOS$ BY SOMEONE :O 9SI/$ ?AT PLA9 ,5GLI% WAS A HOLY TONGUE1 A LANGUAGE ) :I* TO EXPRESS ! SACR$4 

,( C\RSE1 !Y'D BANG$ ,BUNYAN UP 9 ,B$=D NICK = GETT+ ON A DOZ5 YE>S1 :ILE >T & LIT]ATURE >E /ILL MO/ USUALLY A PRODUCT ( ! MIDDLE CLASS1 ( A ,RO*E/] M9D-SET ?AT SEES E>NE/NESS AS SIMPLY GAU*E & VISION>Y PASSION AS ANA!MA4 ,WILLIAM ,BLAKE W\LD FOLL[ ,BUNYAN &1 CLOS] TO HOME1 ,JOHN ,CL>E1 BUT BO? ( !SE HAD SP5T !IR DAYS IMPOV]I%$1 M>G9ALIZ$ AS LUNATICS1 COMMITT$ TO ASYLUMS OR PLAGU$ BY S$ITION HE>+S4 ,ALL ( !M >E HEIRS TO ,WYCLIFFE1 P>T ( A GREAT 9SURRECTION>Y TRADITION1 ( A BURN+ /REAM ( WORDS1 ( AN APOCALYPTIC N>RATIVE ?AT SPEAKS ! LANGUAGE ( ! POOR4 ,AT ! /ONE MEET+ H\SE 9 ,*ALK ,LANE1 ,PHILIP ,DODDRIDGE PULL$ ALL ! DIV]SE /R&S ( ?AT N>RATIVE TOGE!R4 ,HANG+ \T ) ,SW$5BORGIANS & ,BAPTI/S1 TAK+ UP HIS M9I/RY H]E 9 ! POORE/ QU>T]1 WRIT+ ,H>K6 ,! ,GLAD ,S\ND61 *AMPION+ ! DISS5T+ CAUSE1 ALL FROM ?IS SCRUFFY LITTLE M\ND 444 ,DODDRIDGE IS ,ALMA'S =EMO/ LOCAL H]O4 ,IT'LL BE AN HONOR /AG+ H] %[ 9 ! %AD[ ( HIS *UR*4 ,ALMA ELECTS TO WALK D[N ,LITTLE ,CROSS ,/REET & !N FOLL[ ,BA? ,/REET R\ND TO ,SC>LETWELL & H] BELOV$ /RIP ( B>E GRASS ON ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 

,%E LOPES D[N ?R\< ! FAIL+ LI<T ) BLOCKS ( FLATS TO EI!R SIDE ( H]1 ! ,BA? ,/REET BUILD+S' WE/ FACE ON H] RI<T & TO H] LEFT ! #a#i#fS L&+S & ! SUNK5 WALKWAYS ( ,MOAT ,PLACE1 ,=T ,PLACE1 \TLY+ FEATURES ( A LONG-DEMOLI%$ CA/LE BECOME /REETS :]E ,ALMA'S GREAT-GR&FA!R ,SN[Y ,V]NALL HAD LIV$1 GETT+ ON A HUNDR$ YE>S AGO4 ,MAD ,SN[Y1 M>RY+ ! L&LORD'S DAU<T] FROM ! LONG-S9CE DISAPPE>$ ,BLUE ,AN*OR PUB 9 ,*ALK ,LANE1 :I* HE'D VISIT$ ON ONE ( HIS IMPROBABLY LONG /ROLLS FROM ,LAMBE?4 ,ALL !SE *ANCE EV5TS1 !SE PEOPLE & !IR COMPLICAT$ LIVES1 ! TRILLION SMALL OCCURR5CES )\T :I* %E W\LD NOT BE H]2 W\LD NOT BE H]E4 

,ACROSS ! /REET1 9CONT95T LAMPS /& APOLOGETICALLY 9 PUDDLES ( !IR [N PISS-COLOR$ LI<T4 ,%E JU/ AB\T REMEMB]S :5 ,MOAT ,/REET & ,=T ,/REET W]E /ILL /&+1 & :5 ,MRS4 ,COLEMAN'S G+]BREAD-H\SE SWEET%OP WAS D[N AT ! L[] 5D ( ,BA? ,/REET1 AL?\< ,ALMA WAS NO MORE ?AN F\R OR FIVE BACK !N4 ,A MU* MORE VIVID MEMORY REMA9S FROM SLI<TLY LAT]1 :5 ! MAZE ( R$ BRICK T]RACES HAD BE5 DEMOLI%$ & !RE WAS JU/ WA/EL& H]E1 BE=E ! BLOCKS ( FLATS HAD BE5 ]ECT$4 ,%E REMEMB]S PLAY+ ) ! FIR/ ( MANY BE/ FRI5DS1 ,JANET ,COOP]1 ON VA/ FIELDS ( RUBBLE & BLACK MUD B5EA? A DIRTY FLEECE ( ,BOR\<S SKY4 ,= SOME REASON !RE HAD BE5 9DU/RIAL (F-CUTS SCATT]$ EV]Y:]E & G+]+ ! PUDDLES1 ,L-%AP$ BITS ( METAL :I* ,ALMA & ,JANET HAD DISCOV]$ C\LD BE PLAIT$ 9TO RU/Y ORANGE SWA/IKAS & SKIMM$ ACROSS ! DEMOLITION SITE LIKE ,NAZI ?R[+-/>S4 ,JU/ AS ) ! AB&ON$ ,MORRIS ,M9OR1 ! BRICK SCREE & PIL$-UP DEVA/ATION W]E REG>D$ AS CIVIC AM5ITIES1 PLAY >EAS PROVID$ = ! DI/RICT'S Y\NG1 TETANUS CRE*ES ( A K9D !N COMMON 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD4 ,M9D Y\1 ?IS HAD BE5 BACK 9 ! ,MACMILLAN YE>S1 ! LAT] #a#i#eS4 ,ALMA & H] LITTLE PALS1 FLY+ KITES 9TO P[] L9ES1 OP5+ VE9S CLIMB+ ?R\< RAGG$ GAPS 9 CORRUGAT$ T91 HAD NEV] HAD IT SO GOOD4 

,%E TURNS LEFT AT ,LITTLE ,CROSS ,/REET'S 5D1 9TO ! BOTTOM P>T ( ,BA? ,/REET4 ,N[ ! #a#i#fS H\S+ BLOCKS >E ON H] LEFT1 ! %ABBY #a#i#cS ELEGANCE ( ,GREYFRI>S ,FLATS ACROSS ! D>K5+ ROAD UPON H] RI<T4 ,AS %E DESC5DS ! FL[ ( TIME BECOMES MORE VISC\S1 ?ICK5$ BY HI/ORIC S$IM5TS ?AT HAVE COLLECT$ NE> ! BOTTOM ( ! VALLEY4 ,9 ! SETTL+ OBSCURITY >\ND H] !RE >E W9D[S LI<T+ UP1 WEAK COLOR WA%ES FILT]$ ?R\< ?9 CURTA9S1 FAD$ PO/AGE /AMPS FIX$ TO ! NI<T ) UNSE5 H+ES4 ,EV]Y:]E IS GLUEY ) MY?OLOGY4 

,! DI/RICT'S DIFF]5T BLOCKS ( FLATS1 :I* W]E ALREADY CR[D+ \T ! T]RAC$ H\SES EV5 =TY YE>S AGO1 HAD BE5 NO DIFF]5T TO ! DI/RICT'S DUMP$ C>S OR DEMOLI%$ BUILD+S FROM A *ILD'S P]SPECTIVE4 ,ALL ( IT WAS L&SCAPE1 MEANT TO BE 9HABIT$ & CLIMB$ & HIDD5 91 ITS HULKS TRANS=M$ BY JUV5ILE IMAG9ATION 9TO FRONTI] =TS1 UNHE>D-( PLANETS1 A P]PETUALLY MUTAT+ ,GORM5<A/ ( SLATES & SPL9T]S4 ,GREYFRI>S ,FLATS1 BE+ ! NE>E/ TO !IR H\SE D[N ON ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD1 HAD ALWAYS BE5 A SECOND1 MORE EXPANSIVE BACK Y>D TO H] = AS LONG AS ,ALMA CAN REMEMB]1 PRACTICALLY AN ANNEX TO H] TOMB/ONE-COLD FRONT DOOR/EP4 ,ONE ( H] TWO ALMO/-MURD]S HAD OCCURR$ H]E1 ! ATTEMPT$ /RANGL+ 9 A DU/B9 CUL-DE-SAC1 & %E'S HAD DREAMS AB\T ! PLACE ?AT W]E MORE VIVID ?AN H] MEMORIES4 ,!RE WAS ! DREAM :]E %E WAS DEAD & CONF9$ TO ! 9N] WA%+-L9E 5CLOSURE ( ! FLATS1 PURSU$ BY A M]CURY-POISON$ & MO?-EAT5 V]SION ( ,C>ROLL'S ,MAD ,HATT] R\ND ! OV]CA/ & DISMAL PURGATORY UNTIL ! 5D ( TIME4 ,!RE WAS ! DREAM ) A TALL1 FUTURI/IC T[] ( BLUE GLASS ]UPT+ FROM ! FLATS' TOP 5D ON ,L[] ,CROSS ,/REET1 :]E ,ALMA REMEMB]S BE+ %[N A QUIETLY HUMM+ OBLONG ME*ANISM ) A SMALL DISPLAY SCRE5 UPON :I* ALL ( ! UNIV]SE'S P>TICLES W]E BE+ C\NT$4 ,& ( C\RSE1 ?IS WAS :]E ,ALMA HAD BE5 VISIT$ BY H] FIR/ LIFE-TRANS=M+ VISION4 ,SMIL+ TO H]SELF 9 ! CONGEAL+ TWILI<T1 ,ALMA CROSSES ! DES]T$ ROAD TO ,GREYFRI>S' S\?WE/ CORN]1 C>RI]-BAGS SW++ FROM ONE ORNAM5T$ FI/4 

,! BOTTOM 5TRANCE TO ! 9N] RECTANGLE IS GAT$ (F ) BLACK IRON RAILS & HAS BE5 = SOME YE>S4 ,RESID5TS ONLY1 :I* %E F9DS 5TIRELY UND]/&ABLE4 ,%E CAN /ILL /& !RE AT ! GATE & PE] ALONG ! PA? TO :]E ! LITTLE PAT* ( %RUBB]Y IS P>TLY VISIBLE4 ,AS %E RECALLS1 IT HAD BE5 ON A *ILLY DAY 9 E>LY ,SPR+ :5 %E'D BE5 EI<T OR N9E1 SAUNT]+ HOME = LUN* FROM ,SPR+ ,LANE ,S*OOL UP AT ! TOP ( ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET4 ,ON A :IM1 %E'D TAK5 A DIV]SION ?R\< ! FLATS PURELY BECAUSE %E'D ?\<T IT MI<T MAKE A MORE 9T]E/+ VIEW ?AN ! PLA9 SLOPE ( ! OLD HILL1 ! EMPTY PLAY+ FIELDS ?AT BORD]$ IT1 ! RE> W9D[S ( !IR SURVIV+ T]RACE ON ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 ,IDL+ D[N ! CONCRETE PA?WAYS ( ! BLOCK'S 9T]IOR AMONG ! FLAPP+ %EETS & BABY-CLO?+1 %E HAD REA*$ ! TRIANGLE :]E ALL ! BU%ES GREW D[N AT ! BOTTOM 5D4 ,%E MI<T HAVE WALK$ PA/ & PAID ! FAMILI> VEGETATION NO ATT5TION W]E IT NOT = ! 9TRIGU+ DETAIL ?AT HAD CAU<T H] JUNIOR M9IATURI/'S EYE4 

,HUNG FROM ! ?9NE/ NE$LE ( A TWIG1 !RE ON A WAXY EV]GRE51 WAS A TRANSLUC5T :ITE GRUB ?AT APPE>$ TO LEVITATE1 SO F9E WAS ! MAT]IAL BY :I* IT WAS SUSP5D$1 ITS M9UTE HEAD BL9D & GLI/5+4 ,DANGL+ 9 ! COLD CRY/AL ( ! MORN+ AIR IT CURL$ & %IMMI$ LIKE AN ESCAPOLOGI/1 ALBEIT ONE :OSE ACT WORK$ 9 REV]SE & H+$ UPON SECRET+ HIS [N /RAITJACKET4 ,TWI/+ & CONTORT+ IT DELIB]ATELY W\ND ITSELF UP 9 ! NE>-9VISIBLE /R&S ?AT IT WAS SOMEH[ PRODUC+4 ,ALMA HAD /OOP$ CLOS] TO ! BU% 9 AWE1 H] NOSE ONLY AN 9* OR TWO FROM ! DEP5D5T CAT]PILL>4 ,%E REMEMB]S WOND]+ IF IT WAS ?9K+ ANY?+ & MAK+ UP H] M9D ?AT PROBABLY IT WAS1 IF ONLY SQUI%Y LITTLE CAT]PILL> ?\<TS4 

,%E'D NEV] WITNESS$ ?IS PRECISE =M ( ACTIVITY BE=E1 & %E HAD PUZZL$ OV] :Y ! T9Y CREATURE WAS ALONE 9 ITS PURSUIT4 ,%E'D REALIZ$ ?AT %E MU/ BE LOOK+ AT ! MANUFACTURE ( A RICE-GRA9 SIZ$ COCOON1 BUT HADN'T PREVI\SLY UND]/OOD ?AT ?IS WAS SU* A SOLIT>Y OP]ATION4 ,IT WAS !N ?AT ,ALMA HAD OBS]V$ TO H] RELIEF ?AT ! GRUB HAD AT LEA/ ONE LITTLE FRI5D1 ANO!R PALLID MAGGOT ?AT LABORI\SLY 9*$ ALONG A NE>BY %OOT1 :]E !RE W]E 444 

,ALMA HAD GASP$ NOISILY & TAK5 A /EP BACK4 ,REALITY HAD %IV]$1 RECONFIGUR+ ITSELF BE=E H] />TL$ EYES4 ,ON EV]Y BRAN*1 ON EV]Y TWIG & UND] EV]Y LEAF ( ! CONIF]\S %RUB HAD BE5 A ?\S& MORE ID5TICAL :ITE WORMS1 ALL PATI5TLY 5GAG$ 9 ! SAME TASK4 ,! BU% ITSELF WAS AN IMM5SE :ITE COBWEB1 SUDD5LY ALIVE ) WRI?+ ?READS ( ALI5 PURPOSE4 ,H[ C\LD %E HAVE /OOD !RE = FIVE M9UTES & NOT NOTIC$ ?IS SPECTACUL> & O!RWORLDLY SI<T8 ,! MOM5T HAD BE5 AN APOCALYPSE1 9 ! S5SE ?AT ! POETS ( ?AT S*OOL MI<T USE ! T]M1 PEOPLE LIKE ,H5RY ,TREECE OR ,ALMA'S FAVORITE1 ,NI*OLAS ,MOORE4 ,%E'D REALIZ$ 9 ?AT 9/ANT ?AT ! WORLD AB\T H] WAS NOT NECESS>ILY ! WAY %E SAW IT1 ?AT AMAZ+ ?+S MI<T CON/ANTLY BE HAPP5+ UND] EV]YBODY'S NOSES1 ?+S ?AT PEOPLE'S MUNDANE EXPECTATIONS /OPP$ !M FROM P]CEIV+4 ,WAT*+ :AT %E'D LAT] REALIZ$ MU/ BE SILKWORMS COLONIZE :AT %E'D BELAT$LY CON/RU$ TO BE A MULB]RY BU%1 %E'D =M$ A VISION ( ! WORLD AS GLORI\S & MUTABLE1 LIABLE TO EXPLODE 9TO UNLIKELY NEW >RANGEM5TS IF Y\ SIMPLY PAID 5\< ATT5TION2 IF Y\R EYE WAS 94 

,%E /&S !RE1 A SUSPICI\S FIGURE PE]+ ?R\< BLACK B>S & EV5+ MURK 9TO ! ,GREYFRI>S C\RTY>D1 & FEELS PHANTOMS SW>M+ EV]Y:]E >\ND H]4 ,%E IS ALWAYS H]E AT ?IS PRECISE LOCATION & ?IS MOM5T1 H] ORDA9$ POSITION 9 ! SIMULTANE\S & UN*ANG+ #d,D GEM ( SPACE-TIME4 ,LIFE IS ON AN 5DLESS LOOP1 H] CONSCI\SNESS REVISIT+ ! SAME OCCASIONS = ET]NITY & ALWAYS HAV+ ! EXP]I5CE = ! FIR/ TIME4 ,HUMAN EXI/5CE IS A GR& RECURR5CE4 ,NO?+ DIES OR DISAPPE>S & EA* DISC>D$ CONDOM1 EV]Y D5T$ BOTTLE-TOP 9 EV]Y ALLEYWAY IS AS IMMORTAL AS ,%AMBALLAH OR ,OLYMPUS4 ,%E FEELS ! UN5D+ M>VEL ( A BEAUTIFUL & DIRTY WORLD SWELL TO 9CLUDE H] 9 ITS FANF>E MUSIC4 ,L[]+ H] CAK$ LA%ES1 %E IMAG9ES EV]Y?+ >\ND H] WRIGGL+ & ALIVE1 SUDD5LY MADE \T ( A BILLION GLOSSY ORGANISMS ?AT %E HAS NOT PREVI\SLY NOTIC$1 ! :OLE L&SCAPE COV]$ 9 A SPECTRAL GAUZE1 A FRE%-SPUN SILK ( CIRCUM/ANCE4 

,AT L5G? %E TURNS AWAY FROM ! LOCK$ GATE & C>RIES ON D[N ,BA? ,/REET 9TO ,SC>LETWELL ,/REET & ON TO ,/4 ,&REW'S ,ROAD4 ,! %ORT /RIP ( ANCE/RAL GRASS IS /ILL ! SAME4 ,AS USUAL %E PUZZLES OV] ! /ILL-/&+ CORN] H\SE & TRIES )\T SUCCESS TO WORK \T :]E ! ,W>R5 RESID5CE HAD ONCE BE5 SITUAT$4 ,ACTUALLY1 %E'S PRETTY SURE IT WAS ! SPOT BETWE5 TWO Y\NG & /URDY TREES AB\T HALFWAY ALONG4 ,IT FEELS APPROPRIATELY E]IE1 BUT %E CAN'T BE C]TA94 ,F9ALLY IT /RIKES H] ?AT TO BE /OOD MOTIONLESS BESIDE ! ROAD D[N 9 ?IS QU>T] ( ! T[N MI<T POSSIBLY BE S5D+ ! WRONG SIGNALS & %E TURNS AWAY TO WALK ! LONG R\TE HOME1 UP ,GRAFTON ,/REET TO ,B>RACK ,ROAD & !N >\ND ! ,RACEC\RSE BACK ONTO ,EA/ ,P>K ,P>ADE4 

,CROSS+ ! ,KETT]+ ,ROAD UP BY ! ODDLY DECORATIVE %ELT]$ TRAM-/OP :]E ! T[N'S PR9CIPAL GALL[S AT ONE TIME RESID$ %E IS ?9K+ AB\T >T 9 ! ,*>LES ,SAAT*I ]A2 >T BECOME MONO-DIM5SIONAL COMM]CIAL GE/UR+ DIRECT$ AT AN AUDI5CE SO CULTURALLY LO/ IT FEELS IT HAS NO PLAT=M FROM :I* IT CAN V5TURE CRITICISM4 ,ONLY O!R >TI/S - & !N ONLY R5EGADES - SEEM$ CONFID5T 5\< 9 !IR OP9IONS TO EFFECTIVELY M\NT A REBUTTAL4 ,%E RECALLS ! LA/ TIME ?AT %E'D HAD ,MEL9DA ,GEBBIE OV] = A MEMORABLE MEAL DUR+ :I* ! EXPATRIATE ,AM]ICAN PROVID$ AN UNANSW]ABLE CRITIQUE ( ,TRACY ,EM9'S WORK :I* ,ALMA WI%ES ?AT %E'D SAID H]SELF3 0,MY ,GOD1 CAN Y\ IMAG9E BE+ ABLE TO FIT ALL ! NAMES ( EV]YONE Y\ EV] SLEPT ) 9 A T5T80 ,ALMA HAD GAP$ = A FEW MOM5TS & !N SOB]LY PUT =W>D H] SUGGE/IONS = CAPACI\S V5UES ?AT MI<T JU/ AB\T ACCOMMODATE ,MEL9DA'S LI/4 ,! ,P>!NON1 ,WE/M9/] ,ABBEY1 ,*9A1 ,JUPIT]4 

,MAK+ H] WAY ALONG ! GORGE\SLY ]OD$ PAVEM5T ( ,EA/ ,P>K ,P>ADE %E AT LA/ REA*ES H] [N DOOR1 FUMBL+ 9 H] TOO-TI<T TR\S] POCKETS TO RETRIEVE A TEMPOR>ILY ELUSIVE KEY BE=E EFFECT+ 5TRY4 ,9SIDE ,ALMA SWIT*ES ON ! LI<TS & W9CES RUEFULLY AT ALL ! MESS & CLUTT]4 ,:Y CAN'T %E BE TIDY LIKE A PROP] ADULT8 ,9W>DLY1 %E BLAMES IT ON ! 9FLU5CE ( ,TOP ,CAT4 ,:5 %E & H] BRO!R ,W>RY W]E BO? GR[+ UP !Y'D BO? ASPIR$ TO LIVE 9 A CONV]T$ DU/B9 LIKE !IR FEL9E H]O1 SOME:]E :]E Y\ C\LD JU/ BRU% Y\R TEE? !N SWIT* ! NE>BY /REETLAMP (F ) A CONV5I5T PULL-CORD BE=E PULL+ ON ! BATT]$ LID & BUNK+ D[N4 ,ONLY MU* LAT] HAD %E WOND]$ :]E HE SPAT ! TOO?PA/E4 

,ALMA /UFFS H] PEPP]S1 COV]S !M ) FETA *EESE & /ICKS !M 9 ! OV54 ,AS !Y ROA/ %E ROLLS A JO9T & SMOKES IT :ILE %E MAKES A />T ON LEAF+ ?R\< H] COPY ( ,NEW ,SCI5TI/4 ,AFT] SUPP] %E HAS ?REE OR F\R MORE REEF]S :ILE %E F9I%ES ! SCI5CE MAGAZ9E1 READS ,PRIVATE ,EYE & !N RE-WAT*ES TWO MORE EPISODES FROM ! LA/ SEASON ( ,! ,WIRE4 ,>\ND ELEV5 %E /UBS \T H] F9AL FATTY ( ! DAY1 GULPS D[N H] ,R$ ,RICE ,YEA/ PILL & H] 9EFFECTUAL ,KALMS & TURNS (F ALL ! LI<TS BE=E RETIR+4 

,NAK$ UND]NEA? H] DUVET1 ,ALMA RE/S ON H] RI<T SIDE & PULLS A TUCK ( QUILT BETWE5 H] BONY KNEES4 ,(F 9 ! SMA% & PUKE ( ,FRIDAY NI<T >E SIR5S1 CATCALLS1 CURSES FROM OV]-RELAX$ Y\NG M5 & WOM5 NAVIGAT+ !IR WAYS BACK & =? ALONG ,EA/ ,P>K ,P>ADE4 ,%E RUBS H] FEET TOGE!R1 SATISFI$ BY ! DRY RASP ( SOLE ON SOLE4 ,MULB]RY COBWEBS CREEP ACROSS ! 9SIDE ( H] EYELIDS4 

,ON ! $GE ( SLEEP1 H] M9D REPLAYS AN 9CID5TAL IMAGE FROM ! BEAUTIFULLY-WRITT5 TELEVISION DRAMA ?AT %E'S JU/ BE5 WAT*+3 A B&ANNA-SPORT+ CORN]-BOY SITS ON HIS /OOP AMID ! DESOLAT$ VACANT LOTS OR SYR+E-C>PET$ BACK ALLEYS ( ,WE/ ,BALTIMORE4 ,! MUDDILY-REMEMB]$ SNAP%OT BR+S H] SUDD5LY AWAKE ) A DEEP PANG ( DREAD & LOSS ?AT %E DOES NOT IMM$IATELY UND]/&4 ,SOME?+ AB\T ! ,BOR\<S1 SOME?+ AB\T ALL ! NEI<BORHOODS ?AT >E ESS5TIALLY JU/ LIKE IT1 RI<T ACROSS ! WORLD4 ,ALL ( ! M5 & WOM51 ALL ! KIDS 9HABIT+ ?IS UNIV]SAL L&SCAPE ( CRACK$ PAVEM5TS1 /EEL-JACKET$ GROC] %OPS & MEAN+LESS CORROD$ /REET-NAMES FROM ANO!R C5TURY1 LIV+ !IR :OLE LIVES AMONG !SE SORRY DEAD-5DS ) ! KN[L$GE ?AT ! CONCRETE BOLL>D & ! *A9-L9K F5CE WILL /ILL BE !RE :5 !Y >E ALL LONG GONE1 LONG GONE4 

,A BOTTLE SMA%ES1 SOME:]E (F ALONG ! ,KETT]+ ,ROAD4 ,%E PU%ES ALL ! HAUNT+ ?\<TS ( <ETTO & MORTALITY AWAY1 & TRIES 9/EAD TO LET ! REVELATORY SILKWORMS WRAP H] 9 A M]CIFUL COCOON ( ANES!SIA4 

,ALMA'S GOT A BIG DAY AHEAD ( H] TOMORR[4 

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

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#d1 #bba 3 ,BOOK #c1 ,*APT] #b -- ,ADD$4 

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