,SOPHIA'S ,SIX? ,LETT] 

#aigfaigf 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,FR$Y ,P]LMAN 

,TEXT 3 

,SOPHIA'S SIX? LETT] 

  
  

,DE> ,Y>O/AN1  
  

,I C\LDN'T WAIT TO WRITE4 ,I HAV5'T HE>D FROM Y\ S9CE ,I LA/ WROTE Y\ BECAUSE ,I HAV5'T BE5 HOME = A WEEK1 NOT EV5 TO PICK UP MY MAIL4 

,I'VE SP5T ! PA/ WEEK 9 ! 0COMMUNE0 9SIDE ! OCCUPI$ UNIV]SITY1 & ,I LOVE IT H]E4 ,I'VE BE5 DY+ TO F9D TIME TO TELL Y\ AB\T IT & ALSO TO F9I% MY PREVI\S LETT]2 IT GOT SO LONG ?AT ,I SKIPP$ HALF ( :AT ,I WANT$ TO SAY & ,I DIDN'T DEAL ) ANY ( ! QUE/IONS Y\'D ASK$ ME4 

,I'LL TELL Y\ AB\T ! COMMUNE FIR/4 ,EV]Y?+ ,I'VE EV] WANT$ SEEMS TO BE HAPP5+ ALL >\ND ME4 ,?ANKS TO ,T9A ,I GOT 9TO ! MID/ ( IT ALL JU/ AS IT BEGAN4 ,I P9* MYSELF SEV]AL TIMES A DAY JU/ TO MAKE SURE ,I'M NOT DREAM+4 ,& ,I'M /ILL NOT COMPLETELY SURE4 ,:AT'S HAPP5+ H]E AT ?IS MOM5T IS EXACTLY :AT ,I LONG$ = BUT ,I NEV] REALLY BELIEV$ IT C\LD HAPP5 H]E4 ,I WAS 9T5SELY HAPPY = Y\1 YET ALSO GRE5 ) 5VY1 :5 Y\ DESCRIB$ :AT WAS HAPP5+ >\ND Y\3 9SIDE ! FACTORIES1 9 ! S*OOLS1 ON ! /REETS & 9 Y\R [N H\SE -- :]EV] Y\ LOOK$4 ,& N[ IT'S ALL TAK+ PLACE H]E4 ,EMPLOY$ & UNEMPLOY$ WORK]S1 BEGG>S & PRO/ITUTES1 /REET KIDS1 >E ALL SUDD5LY BUR/+ ) LIFE1 !Y SEEM TO BE ANIMAT$ BY A S+LE PURPOSE4 ,I'VE ALWAYS WOND]$ H[ ,I'D HAVE FELT DUR+ ! DAY ,LUISA LOV$ TO DESCRIBE -- DO Y\ REALIZE IT'S ALREADY ?IRTY-TWO YE>S S9CE ?AT DAY8 -- ! DAY :5 EV]YONE RAN 9TO ! /REET1 SOME ) RIFLES & PI/OLS BUT MO/ ) KIT*5 KNIVES & ROLL+ P9S1 & CONFRONT$ ! 5TIRE NATIONAL >MY4 ,N[ ,I KN[ H[ IT MU/ HAVE FELT4 ,! >MY HASN'T COME \T2 EV5 ! POLICE HAVE BE5 SUSPICI\SLY /ILL2 BUT ! FEEL+ ,I HAVE IS ?AT IF & :5 !Y DO MOVE1 EV]YONE IS GO+ TO BE 9 ! /REET1 ON RO(S1 AT W9D[S1 EV]Y:]E4 ,AT LEA/ 9 ?IS NEI<BORHOOD4 ,I NEV] KNEW SO MANY FRI5DLY PEOPLE EXI/$ H]E6 ,CR[DS GA!R AT EV]Y CORN]2 COMPLETE /RANG]S TALK TO EA* O!R AS IF !Y'D BE5 LIFELONG FRI5DS2 ALL >E 9T5SELY 9T]E/$ 9 EV]Y LEAFLET ?AT'S GIV5 \T2 EV]YONE /UDIES EV]Y 9SCRIPTION OR PO/] ON A WALL4 ,! ONLY TIME ,I'VE EXP]I5C$ ANY?+ LIKE ?IS WAS DUR+ ?AT WEEK ,I SP5T ) Y\1 TW5TY YE>S AGO4 ,! /EEL T[N 9 :I* Y\ WORK$ MU/ HAVE HAD A SIMIL> ATMOSPH]E DUR+ ! TIME ( ! ,MAG>NA UPRIS+4 

,TODAY ,I UND]/& Y\R CRITIQUE ( ! ACTIVITIES 9 :I* WE TOOK P>T TW5TY YE>S AGO4 ,& ,I'M CONV9C$ ?AT :AT'S TAK+ PLACE >\ND ME ISN'T SUBJECT TO ?AT CRITIQUE1 EV5 9 LITTLE WAYS4 ,FIR/ ( ALL !RE >5'T ANY G5]ALLY ACCEPT$ 0LEAD]S0 OR EV5 09FLU5TIAL MILITANTS40 ,! 0LEAD]S0 ?AT DO EXI/ >E MON>*S ( T9Y SECTS1 & DUR+ ! PA/ WEEK ! SECTS ,I'VE COME 9 CONTACT ) HAVE BE5 LOS+ ADH]5TS 9/EAD ( GA9+ !M4 ,SECONDLY !RE >5'T ANY 0(FICIAL SLOGANS10 ANY 0CORRECT L9ES10 OR EV5 ANY 0/RATEGIES40 ,IT ALL />T$ :5 /UD5TS OCCUPI$ A UNIV]SITY BUILD+ SIMPLY BECAUSE !Y'D HAD 5\< ( A LIFELESS PRES5T & A PROSPECT-LESS FUTURE & NOT BECAUSE !Y HAD A BLUEPR9T ( ?+S TO COME4 ,!Y DIDN'T EV5 ANN\NCE A LI/ ( DEM&S4 ,!Y SIMPLY SAT 9 & />T$ TO TALK4 ,!N O!R /UD5TS OCCUPI$ ANO!R BUILD+4 ,SOON ! :OLE UNIV]SITY WAS OCCUPI$4 ,?AT WAS :5 ,I >RIV$4 ,I'M NOT SAY+ ! POLITICIANS & REPRES5TATIVES HAVE ALL DISAPPE>$2 !Y'RE ACTUALLY ALL OV]2 !Y'RE CON/ANTLY WAV+ LI/S ( 0:AT WE ALL WANT0 & PRES5T+ !MSELVES AS 0WE /UD5TS0 OR EV5 AS 0WE PROLET>IANS40 ,BUT AT LEA/ = ! PA/ WEEK NO ONES PAID ANY ATT5TION TO !M2 !Y'VE S]V$ MA9LY AS SUBJECT MATT] = C>TOONS4 

,A WEEK AGO A FACTORY WAS OCCUPI$ BY ITS WORK]S4 ,NO 0AU?ORITY0 ORD]$ ! OCCUPATION -- NEI!R A POLITICAL P>TY NOR A UNION NOR A SECT4 ,S9CE !N O!R FACTORIES HAVE BE5 OCCUPI$4 ,ALL ! DAMS SEEM TO BE OV]FL[+ ALL AT ONCE4 ,WORK]S FROM NON-/RIK+ FACTORIES HAVE BE5 MEET+ ) WORK]S FROM ! OCCUPI$ FACTORIES4 ,I KN[ ?IS IS NO PUPPET %[1 ,Y>O/AN4 ,NO ONE IS TAK+ ANY ORD]S4 ,?\S&S ( PEOPLE >E SUDD5LY SPEAK+ & ACT+ ON !IR [N4 ,ON !IR [N & = !MSELVES2 NO ONE IS SPEAK+ OR ACT+ = O!RS4 ,I'M CONV9C$ ?AT :AT'S HAPP5+ >\ND ME IS :AT Y\ & ,I US$ TO CALL 0! REVOLUTION40 

,I'M WRIT+ ?IS LETT] FROM ! ,C\NCIL (FICE & ,I'M HAV+ A H>D TIME CONC5TRAT+ ON :AT ,I'M TELL+ Y\4 ,! 0(FICE0 IS A =M] CLASSROOM2 ! WALLS & BLACKBO>DS HAVE BE5 TURN$ 9TO A VA/ BULLET9 BO>D ) ?\S&S ( MESSAGES1 ANN\NCEM5TS AS WELL AS POEMS & C>TOONS4 ,! DESKS & SEATS CONTA9 /ACKS ( NEWLY PR9T$ LIT]ATURE4 ,! 0(FICE0 S]VES AS A MEET+ PLACE & MA9LY AS A PLACE :]E PEOPLE CAN F9D ! LATE/ 9=MATION ON ! OCCUPI$ WORKPLACES4 ,MY FUNCTION IS TO HELP PEOPLE F9D :AT !Y'RE LOOK+ =1 :E!R IT'S A PLACE1 A PAMPHLET1 A LEAFLET OR A P]SON4 ,I ?9K ,I'M BEG9N+ TO UND]/& :AT Y\ TRI$ SO H>D TO TELL ME AB\T ! ROLE ( ! J\RNALI/4 ,EV]Y P]SON :O COMES 9TO ?IS ROOM HAS AN ALTOGE!R DIFF]5T ACC\NT ( :AT'S HAPP5+2 EA* P]SON HAS DIFF]5T /ORIES TO TELL4 ,& IT'S PRECISELY ?IS ?AT MAKES EV]Y 5C\NT] SO /IMULAT+4 ,:AT Y\ CALL 0DIRECT COMMUNICATION0 IS TAK+ PLACE ALL >\ND ME4 ,& ,I KN[ ?AT A NEWSPAP]1 NO MATT] H[ 0REVOLUTION>Y10 NO MATT] H[ 0COMPLETE10 W\LD DE/ROY ?AT COMMUNICATION4 ,IT W\LD REPLACE EV]YONE'S ACC\NT ) A S+LE ACC\NT1 ! 0(FICIAL0 ACC\NT2 IT W\LD REPLACE EV]YONE'S LIV$ EXP]I5CE ) AN 0EXP]I5CE0 ?AT HADN'T BE5 LIV$ BY ANYONE4 ,WOR/ ( ALL1 PEOPLE W\LD READ AB\T EA* O!R 9/EAD ( TALK+ TO EA* O!R1 & AS Y\ PO9T$ \T1 !Y W\LDN'T F9D EA* O!R 9 ANY ( ! >TICLES NO MATT] H[ H>D !Y LOOK$4 ,BUT !RE'S NO SU* NEWSPAP]4 ,! CAPITALI/ PRESS CAN'T EV5 IMAG9E :AT'S HAPP5+ & NO ONE PAYS ANY ATT5TION TO IT4 ,& :ATEV] 0J\RNALI/S0 !RE >E H]E >E BE+ =C$1 LIKE ! POLITICIANS1 TO SPEAK ONLY = !MSELVES OR NOT AT ALL4 ,! ROOM ,I'M 9 IS FULL ( LIT]ATURE1 BUT NONE ( IT IS J\RNALISM2 MO/ ( IT CONSI/S ( ANN\NCEM5TS OR FACTUAL SUMM>IES2 ! RE/ CONSI/S ( POETRY1 COMICS1 SATIRES1 SKET*ES4 ,! WRIT+S1 LIKE ! DISCUSSIONS1 >E ATTEMPTS BY PEOPLE TO COMMUNICATE ) EA* O!R DIRECTLY4 ,:AT ,I'M EXP]I5C+ IS SOME?+ Y\ CALL$ COMMUNICATION AMONG LIKES1 COMMUNICATION BY ALL AB\T !MSELVES1 !IR LIVES & !IR POSSIBILITIES1 ! COMMUNICATION AT ! BASIS ( COMMON PROJECTS4 

,BESIDES TRY+ TO ANSW] ! V>I\S QUE/IONS PEOPLE COME 9 TO ASK1 ,I'VE ALSO CORRECT$ & TYP$ SOME ( ! FREQU5T ANN\NCEM5TS & 9=MATION BULLET9S4 ,AFT] :AT ,I TOLD Y\ 9 MY LA/ LETT]1 Y\ WON'T BELIEVE :O ,I WORK ) ON !SE BULLET9S & LEAFLETS4 ,NOT ! 0ACADEMIC REVOLUTION>IES0 ,DAMAN1 ,M9NIE1 ,HU< OR ! O!RS2 ,I HAV5'T SE5 ANY ( !M S9CE ,I'VE BE5 H]E4 ,T9A POPS 9 SEV]AL TIMES A DAY1 ALWAYS 9 ! MID/ ( A GR\P ( WORK]S OR /UD5TS OR BO?1 ALWAYS 9CR$IBLY BUSY ) ! >T WORK OR LAY\T ( A LEAFLET1 PAMPHLET OR PO/]4 ,! PR9T+ IS DONE 9 ,T$'S PR9T %OP6 ,T9A H]SELF DOES MO/ ( ! ACTUAL PR9T+1 AL?\< %E 5C\RAGES PEOPLE TO DO !IR [N PR9T+4 ,& Y\ WON'T BELIEVE :O ELSE IS H]E6 ,! 5TIRE G>AGE CREW EXCEPT ,VIC & ,SE? -- & EXCEPT ,JOSE1 :O WAS KILL$ ?REE YE>S AGO4 ,YES1 ,SAB9A IS H]E1 AS WELL AS ,TISSIE6 ,!Y'RE TOGE!R AT AN 5ORM\S RESE>* C5T]2 ! WORK]S !RE >E AB\T TO OCCUPY ! C5T] & OP5 IT UP TO ! :OLE POPULATION2 IT ALL S\NDS NEBUL\S BUT 5ORM\SLY EXCIT+4 ,T$ & ,SAB9A GOT ,TISSIE RELEAS$ FROM A PRISON 0HOSPITAL01 ,I'VE BE5 SO BUSY ?AT ,I HAV5'T SE5 ,TISSIE YET4 

,9 MY PREVI\S LETT] ,I 9SI/$ ?AT MY 0WORLD0 AS WELL AS Y\RS WAS ! WORLD ( ,HU<1 ,DAMAN1 ,M9NIE &1 YES1 ! WORLD ( ,LUISA2 %E'S NOT H]E EI!R4 ,I TOLD Y\ ?AT ,I LEFT ! G>AGE 9 ORD] TO RETURN TO ! WORLD ?AT WAS SO FAMILI> TO ME1 ! WORLD :I* ,I ID5TIFI$ ) PROJECTS ,I HAD ONCE %>$ ) Y\4 ,ISN'T IT IRONIC8 ,N[ ?AT ,I'M 5GAG$ 9 PRECISELY ?OSE PROJECTS ,I'M ) ! V]Y PEOPLE ,I'D LEFT 9 ORD] TO 5GAGE 9 !M4 ,DOES ?IS MEAN Y\ W]E RI<T :5 Y\ SAID MY 0DESC5T TO ,SAB9A'S WORLD0 WAS A DESC5T TO Y\RS8 ,I DON'T ?9K SO4 ,I RA!R ?9K ALL ! PEOPLE ,I KNEW HAVE *ANG$ 9 WAYS ?AT C\LDN'T HAVE BE5 PR$ICT$4 ,9 SEV]AL ( Y\R LETT]S Y\ >GU$ ?AT SU* 5ORM\S *ANGES W]E IMPOSSIBLE4 ,Y\ SEEM$ CONV9C$ ?AT ONCE ,V]A ,NEIS1 TO TAKE JU/ ONE EXAMPLE1 GOT ON ! BUREAUCRATIC TRA91 !RE WAS NO WAY = H] TO EV] GET (F4 ,BUT :AT'S HAPP5+ H]E RI<T N[ DISPROVES ?AT TYPE ( FATALISM IF NO?+ ELSE DOES4 ,:O'D EV] HAVE IMAG9$ ,SAB9A OR ,T$ 9 ANY WAY CONNECT$ ) A /UD5T COMMUNE1 OR ,TISSIE 9 A RESE>* C5T]8 ,I DON'T SEE :]E Y\R FATALISM COMES FROM4 ,Y\'VE TOLD ME ?AT DUR+ Y\R SECOND PRISON T]M Y\ BECAME DISILLUSION$ ) ,LUISA'S FREQU5TLY OBSESSIVE OPTIMISM4 ,I DON'T BLAME Y\ = ?AT4 ,BUT DON'T Y\ SEE ?AT Y\R FATALISM FLATLY CONTRADICTS ! V]Y POSSIBILITY ( EV5TS LIKE ?OSE ?AT TOOK PLACE 9 ,MAGAMA1 LIKE ?OSE Y\'VE BE5 EXP]I5C+ DUR+ ! PA/ TWO MON?S1 LIKE ?OSE ,I'M EXP]I5C+ N[8 ,IF PEOPLE W]E ALL LOCK$ 9TO TRA9S HEAD$ T[>D PR$ICTABLE DE/9ATIONS1 :O W\LD EV] GIVE RISE TO ?OSE UNPR$ICTABLE & UN=ESE5 EV5TS WE CALL REVOLUTIONS8 ,I DON'T ?9K ,I WAS WRONG AB\T ! PEOPLE ,I KNEW 9 ! G>AGE T5 YE>S AGO4 ,I ?9K !Y'RE DIFF]5T PEOPLE N[2 ,I ?9K !Y'VE ALL *ANG$ 9 COMPLETELY UNPR$ICTABLE WAYS4 ,I'VE SE5 SU* *ANGES BE=E4 ,JOSE1 = EXAMPLE1 BECAME TOTALLY TRANS=M$ TWO OR ?REE YE>S AFT] ,I LEFT ! G>AGE4 ,IT C\LD HAPP5 TO ,V]A TOO1 AS WELL AS ,ADRIAN & ,M>C4 ,ONE OR ALL ( !M MAY YET RESPOND TO ! ATMOSPH]E ?AT FIR/ /IMULAT$ ,Y>A1 !N Y\1 !N ,JASNA4 ,Y\ MAY YET F9D Y\RSELF /ORM+ ! PRISON WALLS ALONGSIDE Y\R =M] COMRADES4 ,9 CASE ?AT HAPP5S1 BE SURE Y\ TELL ME :AT Y\ DID ) Y\R FATALISM4 

,NO1 ,I DON'T ?9K ,I WAS WRONG AB\T ! NATURE ( ! ACTIVITY 9 ! G>AGE & ! B>4 ,:5 ,HU< DESCRIB$ IT1 HE M]ELY GAVE WORDS TO MY 9N]MO/ ?\<TS4 ,?AT WASN'T ! PROJECT ,I HAD S\<T ALL MY LIFE4 ,IT WAS A CAPITALI/ OP]ATION EXI/+ ON ! FR+ES ( SOCIETY & EXPLOIT+ ?OSE LEA/ ABLE TO DEF5D !MSELVES4 ,I HAD TO LEAVE ! G>AGE 9 ORD] TO LIVE MY [N LIFE1 9 ORD] TO LAUN* MY [N PROJECT4 ,! FUNNY ?+ IS ?AT :5 ,I F9ALLY DID F9D A PROJECT ?AT HAD SOME?+ 9 COMMON ) ! ONE ,I HAD %>$ ) Y\1 IT WAS ) ,JOSE1 ( ALL PEOPLE -- A TOTALLY TRANS=M$ ,JOSE4 

,BUT ,I'M RAMBL+4 ,A MEET+ IS TAK+ PLACE & ,I'M TRY+ TO LI/5 & WRITE AT ! SAME TIME4 ,TWO PO/AL WORK]S >E TALK+ EXCIT$LY TO A GR\P ( WORK]S FROM AN OCCUPI$ FACTORY4 ,I'M TRY+ NOT TO BE GUILTY ( ,LUISA'S UNCRITICAL OPTIMISM1 BUT ,Y>O/AN3 IF PO/AL WORK]S CAN BE AFFECT$ BY ! SPIRIT ( ! OCCUPATIONS1 EV]YONE CAN6 ,DO ,I D>E IMAG9E :]E ALL ?IS C\LD LEAD8 ,H[ ,I WI% Y\ W]E H]E6 

,IT'S RELATIVELY QUIET H]E AGA94 ,YES1 ,I WI% Y\ W]E H]E1 BUT NOT BECAUSE ,I'M MIS]ABLE )\T Y\4 ,I'VE R>ELY BE5 HAPPI]4 ,I WANT TO %>E ?AT HAPP9ESS ) Y\4 ,I ALSO LONG$ = Y\ T5 YE>S AGO1 AFT] ,I LEFT ! G>AGE1 BUT !N MY LONG+ DIDN'T COME FROM A DESIRE TO %>E HAPP9ESS ) Y\4 ,I WANT$ Y\ TO HELP ME \T ( MY MIS]Y4 ,:5 ,HU< ASK$ ME NOT TO JO9 HIM 9 HIS ACTIVITY AT ! 0,PROJECT ,H\SE10 MY HE>T BROKE4 ,H[ SIMIL> ?AT ACTIVITY MU/ HAVE BE5 TO ! ACTIVITIES ,I %>$ ) Y\ 9 ! C>TON PLANT4 ,H[ SIMIL> ?AT 0,PROJECT ,H\SE0 MU/ HAVE BE5 TO ! ,C\NCIL (FICE ,I'M 9 RI<T N[4 ,H[ ,I LONG$ TO WORK ) ,HU<1 TO BE LOV$ BY HIM1 TO BE ACCEPT$ BY ! 0/REET PEOPLE40 ,! MO/ EXPLOIT$1 ! MO/ DEHUMANIZ$ />T$ TO /& UP1 REFUS+ TO ACCEPT ! LIFE 9TO :I* !Y W]E BORN2 !Y />T$ 0BECOM+ !MSELVES1 ON !IR [N10 AS ,HU< PUT IT4 ,& TODAY MANY ( ?OSE V]Y PEOPLE >E OCCUPY+ FACTORIES4 ,I WANT$ TO BE P>T ( ?AT MOVEM5T1 P>T ( ?AT COMMUNITY1 BUT 9 ,HU<'S EYES ,I C\LD ONLY BE A LEE* ON ?AT COMMUNITY1 ,I C\LD ONLY PU% IT BACK D[N1 SUCK ITS /R5G? \T ( IT & 9CAPACITATE IT AT ! V]Y MOM5T :5 IT WAS TRY+ TO RAISE ITSELF UP ON ITS [N4 ,I C\LD ONLY BE P>T ( 0! CANC] ?AT ANNIHILATES EV]Y POSSIBILITY ( LIFE & PUTS AN 5D TO EV]Y P]IOD ( F]M5T0 7?OSE >E Y\R WORDS1 NOT ,HU<'S2 ,I COPI$ !M 9TO MY ADDRESS BOOK2 !Y W]E SO SIMIL> TO HIS74 

,I MAY BE PR(\NDLY DELUD$ AB\T :O ,I AM1 BUT ,I REALLY DON'T ?9K ,I DES]VE Y\R OR ,HU<'S DESCRIPTIONS ( ME4 ,I HAD ALREADY />T$ WORK+ 9 ! FIB]GLASS FACTORY :5 ,I F\ND ,HU<1 ,AT ! V]Y MOM5T :5 HE CALL$ ME A LEE*1 ,I WAS ALREADY DISCOV]+ :AT IT MEANT TO BE EXPLOIT$1 MALTREAT$1 9JUR$2 ,I WAS ALREADY ONE ( ! UNITS ( HUMAN FLE% ON :I* ! ,LEVIA?AN FE$S1 ,I WAS ALREADY EX*ANG+ MY LIFE = A LIFELESS SURVIVAL4 ,Y\ TOLD ME Y\ FELT A C]TA9 SATISFACTION -- ,I ?9K Y\ CALL$ IT RESIGNATION -- DUR+ ! H\RS Y\ SP5T 9 ?AT /EEL FACTORY & DUR+ ! H\RS Y\ SP5T TRAVEL+ !RE4 ,I CAME CLOS] TO FEEL+ DEFEAT$4 ,I DON'T REMEMB] EV]Y?+ Y\ SAID AB\T Y\R RESIGNATION & ,I'M NOT SURE ,I CAN REALLY P9PO9T ! DIFF]5CE BETWE5 ?AT & DEFEAT4 ,I ?9K BY RESIGNATION Y\ MEANT TO SAY ?AT Y\ DIDN'T REALLY ACCEPT Y\R CONDITION BUT ?AT Y\ PUT UP ) IT BECAUSE Y\ DIDN'T SEE ANY PROSPECTS = ABOLI%+ IT2 AS SOON AS SU* PROSPECTS APPE>$ Y\'D BE AMONG ?OSE FI<T+ TO ABOLI% ! CONDITION4 ,MANY PEOPLE MU/ FEEL ?AT WAY3 ! PRO( IS ?AT TODAY !Y'RE DE/ROY+ ! 0JOBS0 TO :I* !Y W]E RESIGN$ ONLY YE/]DAY4 ,BUT ,I DIDN'T FEEL ?AT WAY4 ,MY ATTITUDE WAS 9F9ITELY MORE C[>DLY1 EV5 SLAVI%4 ,I WAS RESIGN$1 YES1 & ,I DREAM$ ( GETT+ \T ( ?AT FACTORY -- EXACTLY AS ,I'D GONE 93 BY MYSELF4 ,! LIB]ATION ,I DREAM$ ( WAS MY LIB]ATION FROM ?AT FACTORY1 NOT \R LIB]ATION FROM ?AT CONDITION4 ,I WASN'T RESIGN$ BUT DEFEAT$4 ,= ME !RE W]E NO PROSPECTS O!R ?AN = ME TO LEAVE1 LETT+ ALL ! O!R 0ME'S0 REMA9 !RE4 

,WAS ,I 0SPOIL$10 AS Y\ SUGGE/$8 ,WAS ,I UNWILL+ TO %>E ! CONDITIONS ( MY PE]S BECAUSE ,I AIM$ = A SOCIAL POSITION LIKE ,V]A'S8 ,I REALLY DON'T ?9K SO4 ,YET ,I CAN'T REALLY JU/IFY HAV+ LEFT ?AT FACTORY ! WAY ,I DID4 ,I CAN TELL MYSELF SU* FACTORIES W\LDN'T EXI/ IF EV]YONE LEFT !M BUT ,I KN[ P]FECTLY WELL ?AT NOT ALL ! PEOPLE 9 ?AT FACTORY HAD COLLEGE $UCATIONS ON :I* TO FALL BACK OR RI* 0SI/]S0 :O'D COME TO !IR RESCUE4 ,I ?9K ! TRU? IS ?AT ,I DIDN'T HAVE ! PHYSICAL OR MORAL /R5G? TO FEEL RESIGN$4 ,I WAS DY+ ON ?AT JOB1 LIT]ALLY DY+2 ,I W\LDN'T HAVE SURVIV$ UNTIL ! DAY :5 PROSPECTS APPE>$2 MY RESIGNATION W\LDN'T HAVE BE5 AN ACCEPTANCE ( A TEMPOR>Y SET-BACK BUT AN ACCEPTANCE ( C]TA9 DEA?4 ,I WAS DEFEAT$ 9 ! FACE ( A CONDITION ,I REALLY C\LDN'T COPE )2 MY ONLY PROSPECT WAS TO ESCAPE FROM IT4 

,?AT WAS ! ONLY FACTORY JOB ,I EV] HAD4 ,I'M SURE ALL FACTORY WORK ISN'T AS HORRIBLE AS M9E WAS BUT ,I NEV] HAD ! SLI<TE/ DESIRE TO F9D \T4 ,! M]E ?\<T ( DO+ ANY?+ EV5 SLI<TLY SIMIL> TO :AT ,I DID !RE S5DS %IV]S D[N MY SP9E4 ,I WAS ONE ( F\R PEOPLE -- ?REE WOM5 & A MAN -- :O PULL$ A CONT9U\S BLANKET ( FIB]GLASS FROM ONE SET ( ROLL]S & PU%$ IT 9TO ANO!R SET4 ,AL?\< WE WORE LONG RUBB] GLOVES1 BOOTS & MASKS1 M9UTE P>TICLES ( GLASS F\ND !IR WAY 9TO EV]Y PORE ( \R SK91 9TO \R HAIR1 \R M\?S1 \R NO/RILS1 \R LUNGS4 ,IT HAD A PECULI>1 HORRIBLY (F5SIVE SMELL2 ,I /ILL GET NAUSEAT$ :5EV] ANY?+ REM9DS ME ( IT4 ,I FELT P]PETUALLY AS IF P9S W]E /ICK+ ME2 ! SMELL FOLL[$ ME :]EV] ,I W5T2 ,I LO/ MY APPETITE BECAUSE EV]Y?+ TA/$ LIKE GLASS4 ,?AT JOB DIDN'T ONLY CONSUME MY TIME1 MY 5]GY1 MY HUMAN POSSIBILITIES1 LIKE ! BUS Y\ DESCRIB$ SO VIVIDLY2 IT LIT]ALLY CONSUM$ MY V]Y LIFE4 ,ONE ( ! WOM5 ,I WORK$ ) DESCRIB$ \R SITUATION ) ! MO/ BIZ>RE S5SE ( HUMOR4 0,IT'S NOT REALLY SO BAD ONCE Y\ FIGURE \T :AT IT'S ALL AB\T10 %E'D SAY4 0,AT FIR/ Y\ HATE IT SO BAD Y\ CAN'T WAIT TO GET \T ( IT4 ,!N Y\R LUNGS GO4 ,!Y CAN FIX Y\ UP ! FIR/ TIME IF Y\'VE GOT ONE /RONG LUNG4 ,:5 Y\ COME BACK Y\ KN[ ! WAIT WON'T BE SO LONG2 ONE LUNG CAN'T TAKE AS MU* AS TWO4 ,?AT'S :5 IT BECOMES FUN3 Y\ WANT TO SEE H[ LONG Y\ CAN HOLD \T4 ,!Y ALWAYS FIRE Y\ ! SECOND TIME Y\ GO TO ! HOSPITAL4 ,!Y KN[ Y\'VE MADE IT4 ,Y\'RE \T ( IT4 ,!RE'S NO MORE WAIT+40 ,%E W5T TO ! HOSPITAL1 = ! SECOND TIME1 A FEW WEEKS BE=E ,I LEFT ?AT JOB4 ,9 ORD] TO PREP>E ONESELF = A DAY :5 !RE >E NEW PROSPECTS ON ! HORIZON1 Y\ HAVE TO ASSUME Y\'LL SURVIVE UNTIL ?AT DAY4 ,I C\LDN'T ASSUME ?AT4 ,MY ONLY PROSPECTS W]E ESCAPE OR DEA?4 

,Y\R WOR/ ?REE YE>S 9 PRISON C\LDN'T HAVE BE5 AS EMPTY OR AS PA9FUL AS ! ?REE YE>S ,I SP5T 9 ?AT FIB]GLASS FACTORY4 ,DUR+ BO? PRISON T]MS Y\ SEEM TO HAVE F\ND FREQU5T OCCASIONS TO HAVE PR(\ND DISCUSSIONS ) PEOPLE1 OCCASIONS TO ?9K MEAN+FULLY AB\T Y\RSELF1 Y\R PA/1 Y\R SURR\ND+S1 Y\R FUTURE4 ,= ME ?OSE ?REE YE>S W]E LIKE A COMA FROM :I* ,I WOKE ?REE OR F\R TIMES1 & ,I REMA9$ DR[SY EV5 DUR+ ?OSE FEW MOM5TS ( WAKEFULNESS4 ,:AT A HORROR6 ,I KN[ ALL AB\T 0H>D%IPS0 & 0CIRCUM/ANCES10 BUT ,I /ILL DON'T UND]/& H[ PEOPLE CAN PUT UP ) ?AT4 ,\T ( OV] A ?\S& DAYS1 ,I WAS AWAKE & ALIVE DUR+ ?REE DAYS -- IF ?AT LONG6 ,ON MY LA/ DAY 9 ! G>AGE1 ,M9NIE HAD BLAM$ ,SAB9A & ,JOSE = ! FACT ?AT ,I HAD BECOME A M9DLESS IDIOT1 0A GR9N+ VEGETABLE40 ,H[ WRONG %E WAS6 ,IT WASN'T ! G>AGE BUT ! 5TIRE SOCIETY \TSIDE IT ?AT TRANS=M$ HUMAN BE+S 9TO GR9N+ VEGETABLES4 

,I WAS AWAKE = AT MO/ ?REE DAYS DUR+ ?OSE ?REE YE>S1 & ALMO/ ALL ! WAK+ H\RS TOOK PLACE DUR+ ! LA/ YE>4 ,I REMEMB] ONLY ONE 0EV5T0 DUR+ ! FIR/ TWO YE>S & ?AT ONLY TOOK A FEW M9UTES4 ,I DIDN'T DREAM ( TELEPHON+ ,SAB9A OR ,JOSE2 ,I KNEW ,JOSE W\LD NEV] =GIVE ME = HAV+ RUN \T ON HIM EXACTLY AS ,I'D RUN \T ON ,RON2 ,I DIDN'T BLAME HIM4 ,& ,I C\LDN'T BE> ! ?\<T ( ,SAB9A SAY+1 0,C[>D1 Y\'RE JU/ LIKE Y\R MO!R40 ,I DID TELEPHONE ,LUISA ONCE1 SEV]AL MON?S AFT] ,I'D LEFT H]4 ,I NO LONG] KN[ :Y ,I CALL$ H]2 ,I SUPPOSE ,I WASN'T REALLY AWAKE EV5 !N4 ,I LI$ TO H]4 0,I'M CALL+ TO LET Y\ KN[ ,I'M ALIVE & HAPPY10 ,I TOLD H]4 

0,SO AM ,I10 %E SAID2 09T5SELY ALIVE & V]Y HAPPY4 ,DO Y\ WANT TO GET TOGE!R TO CELEBRATE \R HAPP9ESS1 OR JU/ TO TALK80 

0,I'D RA!R NOT1 ,LUISA4 ,I HOPE ?AT DOESN'T HURT Y\R FEEL+S40 

0,NOT AT ALL10 %E SAID4 0,9 FACT1 ,I'M RELIEV$2 ,I'D RA!R NOT FACE Y\ AFT] ?AT LA/ SC5E Y\ MADE40 

0,?AT MAKES TWO ( US40 ,BO? ( US W]E SIL5T = A :ILE4 ,!N ,I SAID1 0,GOODBYE1 ,LUISA10 & HUNG UP4 ,I DIDN'T SEE OR TALK TO ,LUISA AGA9 = SEV5 YE>S4 ,I RAN 9TO H] BY ACCID5T LA/ YE>1 AFT] ! RIOT1 9 A BIZ>RE COMMITTEE :I* WAS SUPPOS$ TO DOCUM5T OR PUBLICIZE ! POLICE REPRESSION DUR+ ! RIOT4 

,! ONLY PROSPECT ,I HAD DUR+ ?OSE FIR/ TWO YE>S WAS TO SAVE 5\< MONEY TO ESCAPE FROM ?AT HELL4 ,UNLIKE MO/ ( ! O!R PEOPLE 9 ?AT FACTORY1 ,I DIDN'T HAVE A FAMILY TO SUPPORT OR A 0HOME0 TO FURNI% & DECORATE2 ,I DIDN'T BUY ANY ( ! ?+S !Y B\<T4 ,I REMA9$ 9 ?AT *EAP HOTEL ROOM & SAV$ ?REE QU>T]S ( MY PAY*ECK4 ,I CALCULAT$ ?AT AFT] FIVE YE>S ,I'D HAVE 5\< MONEY SAV$ TO SUPPORT MYSELF = ANO!R FIVE YE>S )\T WORK+2 ,I 9T5D$ TO SP5D ! LAT] P]IOD WRIT+ AB\T ! E>LI] P]IOD2 ,I'D BE 0FREE10 IF ,I W]E /ILL ALIVE4 

,BUT MY PROSPECTS SUDD5LY *ANG$4 ,ONE EV5+ ,I RETURN$ FROM WORK & SAW TWO FAMILI> FIGURES SITT+ ON ! DOOR/EP ( MY HOTEL4 ,I IMM$IATELY RECOGNIZ$ ,SAB9A1 BUT ,T9A HAD GR[N SO MU* DUR+ ?OSE TWO YE>S4 ,I WALK$ FA/] & !N RAN -- DIRECTLY 9TO ,SAB9A'S WAIT+ >MS4 ,I WAS SO RELIEV$ :5 %E EMBRAC$ & KISS$ ME4 ,I TURN$ TO ,T9A1 %OOK H] H& & EXCLAIM$1 0,Y\'RE AS TALL AS ,I AM1 ,T9A6 ,I ALMO/ DIDN'T RECOGNIZE Y\4 ,:AT >E Y\ TWO DO+ H]E80 

,T9A HAD TE>S 9 H] EYES :5 %E SAID1 0,WE W]E ?R[N \T ?IS MORN+1 ,SOPHIA4 ,SO WE CAME TO Y\40 

,I C\LDN'T HOLD BACK MY TE>S4 0,TO ME8 ,Y\ CAME TO ME8 ,Y\ MEAN Y\ BO? =GIVE ME80 

,SAB9A ANSW]$ S>CA/ICALLY1 0,:O SAID ANY?+ AB\T =GIV+ Y\8 ,H[ S5TIM5TAL6 ,WE'VE COME = REV5GE6 ,H[ C\LD WE EV] =GIVE Y\ AFT] ALL Y\'VE DONE TO US80 

,I DROPP$ ,T9A'S H& & BACK$ AWAY FROM BO? ( !M1 FRI<T5$4 0,:AT DO Y\ MEAN -- REV5GE80 

,T9A JUMP$ T[>D ME &1 PULL+ ME TO H]1 :ISP]$1 0,Y\ >E UNBELIEVABLY DUMB1 ,SOPHIA6 ,?AT'S :Y ,I MISS$ Y\ SO MU* AFT] Y\ LEFT4 ,DON'T Y\ KN[ H[ MU* ,SAB9A LIKES Y\8 ,WE KN[ Y\ C\LDN'T HELP :AT Y\ DID40 

,BUT ,SAB9A EXCLAIM$1 0,DON'T LET Y\RSELF BE BLACKMAIL$ BY H] TE>S1 ,T9A6 ,WE'VE COME = REV5GE1 ,SOPHIA1 & WE WON'T LET Y\R S5TIM5TAL TE>S DIV]T US FROM ! PURPOSE ( \R VISIT4 ,\R FIR/ /EP WILL BE TO =CE A DEC5T MEAL D[N Y\R ?ROAT60 

,T9A1 /ILL HOLD+ ME 9 H] /RONG SK9NY >MS1 :ISP]$1 0,SMALL WOND] Y\ ?\<T ,I WAS SO TALL4 ,! HOTEL KEEP] TOLD US Y\ TOOK BREAD & *EESE TO Y\R ROOM & NEV] W5T \T40 

,UNA%AM$1 ,I LET MY TE>S RUN FREELY D[N RAY FACE4 0,I LOVE Y\1 BO? ( Y\60 

0,Y\ MAY REGRET ?AT ADMISSION AFT] WE'RE ?R\< ) Y\10 ,SAB9A SAID S>CA/ICALLY1 :ILE EA* ( !M PUT H] H& UND] ONE ( MY >MS & />T$ PULL+ ME T[>D A RE/AURANT4 0,AFT] WE FATT5 Y\ WE'RE GO+ TO AB&ON Y\ TO Y\R NEW FRI5DS40 

0,I DON'T HAVE ANY FRI5DS10 ,I SOBB$4 

0,I SAW ONE 9 Y\R ROOM60 ,T9A EXCLAIM$4 0,! HOTEL MAN LET US 92 HE WANT$ Y\R 'SI/] & Y\R 'DAU<T]' TO WAIT = Y\ 9 Y\R ROOM -- BUT ,I WAS SC>$ TO DEA?2 IT WAS SO BIG & UGLY40 

0,I SUPPOSE !RE >5'T ANY RATS :]E Y\ COME FROM1 ,PR9CESS10 ,I SAID TO ,T9A1 ANG]$ & DISMAY$ BY H] DI/9CTLY 0UPP] CLASS0 ATTITUDE T[>D MY 0PROLET>IAN0 ROOM4 

0,NO !RE >5'T60 ,T9A EXCLAIM$4 0,Y\ KN[ !RE >5'T6 ,I'VE NEV] SE5 A RAT BE=E4 ,:5 WE >RIV$ H]E ?IS MORN+ WE 9T5D$ TO R5T A ROOM NE> Y\RS4 ,BUT ,I BEGG$ ,SAB9A NOT TO2 ,I W\LDN'T HAVE SLEPT A W9K4 ,WE SP5T ! :OLE DAY LOOK+ = A PLACE -- & WE F\ND ONE1 RI<T NE> H]E1 & *EAP40 

,I =GOT MY PRIDE 9 MY LIV+ QU>T]S & />T$ SOBB+ AGA94 0,IS !RE ROOM = ME80 

,SAB9A HUGG$ ME1 SO ?IS TIME ,I KNEW %E WAS JOK+ :5 %E SAID1 0,NOT EV5 A CORN]1 ,SOPHIA2 ,I TOLD Y\ WE 9T5D$ TO FATT5 Y\ ONLY 9 ORD] TO FE$ Y\ TO Y\R NEW FRI5DS40 

0,I WON'T TAKE UP MU* ROOM10 ,I CRI$4 

0,Y\ SURE WON'T60 ,T9A EXCLAIM$ AS WE 5T]$ ! RE/AURANT4 0,WAT* ! WAIT] %[ US TO A TABLE = TWO6 ,W[1 ,SOPHIA1 Y\ SURE DON'T KN[ H[ TO TAKE C>E ( Y\RSELF6 ,:5 ONE ( ,SAB9A'S FRI5DS TOLD H] Y\'D LEFT Y\R MO!R & GOTT5 A JOB1 WE ?\<T Y\'D BE ALL RI<T4 ,WE NEV] IMAG9$ Y\'D BE />V+ Y\RSELF & %>+ A ROOM ) RATS4 ,:5 WE LEFT Y\R ROOM TO LOOK = ANO!R PLACE1 ,SAB9A SAID1 ',LOOKS LIKE WE GOT H]E JU/ 9 TIME4' ,( C\RSE WE F\ND A PLACE ) ROOM = Y\1 DUMMY4 ,WE R5T$ A :OLE H\SE4 ,SAB9A & ,I DIDN'T EV5 *OOSE \R ROOMS YET2 %E SAID %E WANT$ Y\ TO HAVE ! FIR/ *OICE -- IF Y\'D COME ) US40 

,I C\LDN'T SEE ! WORDS ON ! M5U 9 FRONT ( ME4 

,SAB9A KICK$ ME UND] ! TABLE4 0,IF Y\ DON'T /OP ACT+ LIKE A BROK5 FAUCET1 ,I'M GO+ TO -- IMITATE Y\R ACT1 ,SOPHIA6 ,:Y DON'T Y\ JU/ SMILE & EAT1 & SKIP ! MELODRAMA80 

,I TRI$ H>D TO SMILE1 & ,I TRI$ H>D TO EAT1 BUT ,I C\LDN'T DO EI!R V]Y WELL4 ,! FOOD WAS DELICI\S BUT IT W5T D[N MY ?ROAT ) P>TICLES ( GLASS4 

,SAB9A & ,T9A WAIT$ = ME \TSIDE MY HOTEL :ILE ,I /UFF$ ALL MY BELONG+S 9TO TWO GROC]Y BAGS4 ,I LOV$ ! H\SE !Y HAD R5T$4 ,! ?REE ( US HAD LIV$ 9 IT = EI<T YE>S :5 ,T9A LEFT TWO WEEKS AGO4 ,! NI<T WE >RIV$1 !RE WAS NO?+ 9 IT BUT ?REE COTS1 ,SAB9A'S & ,T9A'S BUNDLES1 & A SUITCASE CONTA9+ ! FEW BOOKS1 ! TWO MANUSCRIPTS & ! OLD CLO!S ,I'D LEFT 9 ! G>AGE4 

,:5 ,I RETURN$ FROM WORK ! FOLL[+ EV5+1 !RE WAS A REFRIG]ATOR1 A /OVE1 AS WELL AS A TABLE & *AIRS 9 ! KIT*52 !RE W]E B$S & CAB9ETS 9 ALL ! ROOMS2 !RE WAS A RUG & A S(A 9 ! LIV+ ROOM4 ,ON ! KIT*5 TABLE W]E PLATT]S CONTA9+ ALL ! FOODS ,I HAD LOV$ :5 ,SAB9A & ,I HAD BE5 SMALL1 BE=E ,I EV] MET Y\4 ,I C\LDN'T /OP MYSELF FROM CRY+ AGA94 0,SAB9A1 ,I'VE NEV] EV] DONE ANY?+ = Y\2 IT NEV] EV5 CROSS$ MY M9D1 NOT ONCE --0 

0,& ,I NEV] EV] WILL AGA91 S9CE ,I'M MAK+ Y\ SO MIS]ABLE60 

0,I'M SORRY4 ,DON'T PEOPLE SOMETIMES CRY :5 !Y'RE HAPPY8 ,ALL ?IS MU/ HAVE CO/ Y\ A =TUNE3 ! FOOD1 ! FURNITURE1 ! RUGS --0 

0,!Y W]E ALL GIFTS10 ,SAB9A SAID4 

0,I SAV$ A LOT ( MONEY DUR+ ! PA/ TWO YE>S4 ,I'M NOT P5NILESS ANY MORE4 ,I CAN PAY = ! FOOD & FURNITURE2 ,I ?9K ,I %\LD AT LEA/ PAY ! R5T40 

0,& BE \R L&LADY80 ,SAB9A ASK$ ANGRILY4 0,NOT ON Y\R LIFE6 ,EA* ( US PAYS ONE ?IRD ( ! R5T40 

0,BUT Y\'VE SP5T SO MU* ALREADY6 ,ALL ?IS FOOD & --0 

,SAB9A TURN$ TO ,T9A & ASK$1 0,H[ MU* HAVE WE SP5T80 

,T9A !N TURN$ TO ME & ASK$1 0,SOPHIA1 DO Y\ MEAN Y\ ACTUALLY GO TO ! SUP]M>KET TO BUY GROC]IES80 

0,BUT SURELY Y\ DIDN'T /UFF ! REFRIG]ATOR & B$S 9TO Y\R COATS60 

,T9A SAID1 0,WE W]E ?R[N \T ( ! G>AGE BUT ,SAB9A DIDN'T LOSE ALL H] FRI5DS40 

,I C\LDN'T BELIEVE IT4 0,EV]Y?+ MAT*ES SO WELL6 ,IT'S ALL SO TA/EFUL -- H[ C\LD IT ALL HAVE BE5 /OL5 -- & 9 A S+LE DAY80 

0,ONE ( H] FRI5DS WORKS AS A TRUCK DISPAT*] -- %E HAD ! CONT5TS ( AN 5ORM\S MANSION DELIV]$ H]E4 ,! NEI<BORS MU/ ?9K WE'RE MILLIONAIRES4 ,?REE MOV+ VANS CAME4 ,WE ONLY TOOK ! ?+S WE WANT$2 !Y PROBABLY W]5'T EV5 MISS$40 

,I ATE ! MEAL !Y HAD PREP>$ = ME BUT ,I 5JOY$ !IR ?\<TFULNESS MORE ?AN ,I 5JOY$ ! MEAL2 EV5 MY FAVORITE FOODS TA/$ LIKE GLASS4 ,SAB9A1 AS IF %E'D S5S$ MY FEEL+S1 TOLD ME HALFWAY ?R\< ! MEAL1 0,IT IS CLE> TO Y\1 ISN'T IT ,SOPHIA1 ?AT Y\ DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK TO ?AT JOB80 

,I C\LDN'T ?9K CLE>LY4 ,I SAID ?\<TLESSLY1 0,?ANK Y\1 ,SAB9A1 BUT !RE'S ONE ?+ ,I WON'T ACCEPT FROM Y\1 & ?AT'S Y\R MONEY4 ,I DON'T KN[ :]E IT COMES FROM & ,I DON'T WANT TO BE DEP5D5T ON IT40 ,NONE ( :AT ,I SAID WAS TRUE & ,I KNEW IT :5 ,I SAID IT4 ,SAB9A TURN$ H] FACE AWAY ANGRILY1 BUT ONLY = A SECOND2 !N %E WAS FRI5DLY AGA92 %E ACT$ AS IF %E HADN'T HE>D4 ,I OBVI\SLY KNEW :]E H] MONEY CAME FROM1 EV]Y P5NY ( IT3 %E HAD TOLD ME2 %E HADN'T HIDD5 ANY?+ FROM ME4 ,SNAT*ES ( :AT ,ALEC HAD TOLD ME 9 ! G>AGE1 SNAT*ES ( :AT ,HU< HAD SAID FLEW ?R\< MY M9D4 ,BUT ,HU<'S & ,ALEC'S CRITIQUES W]5'T ! REAL REASON = MY REFUSAL4 ,DUR+ ! PREVI\S TWO YE>S ,I HAD ACQUIR$ ANO!R REASON1 AN UNBELIEVABLY CRUDE ONE1 = NOT WANT+ TO BE DEP5D5T ON ,SAB9A OR ON ANYONE AT ALL4 ,I'M A%AM$ TO TELL Y\ :AT IT WAS4 ,I HAD GOTT5 9TO ! HABIT ( C\NT+ MY MONEY4 ,EV]Y WEEK ,I CALCULAT$ ! MONEY ,I HAD E>N$1 ! AM\NT ,I'D NE$ = R5T & FOOD & ! AM\NT ,I'D DEPOSIT 9 MY BANK ACC\NT4 ,I TOLD Y\ BE=E ?AT ,I 9T5D$ TO USE ?IS MONEY LAT] TO LIVE MORE COM=TABLY & TO WRITE4 ,?AT'S NOT COMPLETELY TRUE4 ,! LIFE ,I'D LIVE & ! WORKS ,I'D WRITE W]E CONTA9$ 9 MY BANK ACC\NT4 ,:OEV] IT WAS :O SAID CAPITALI/S & WORK]S HAD NO?+ 9 COMMON HADN'T EV] WORK$ = WAGES4 ,ACCUMULATE6 ,ACCUMULATE6 ,?AT'S ,MOSES & ! ,PROPHETS1 NOT ONLY 9 ! BUREAUS ( CAPITALI/S BUT 9 ! M9D ( EV]Y WORK]4 ,I LONG$ TO LEAVE ! FIB]GLASS FACTORY BUT ,I C\LDN'T AB&ON MY BANK ACC\NT3 TWO YE>S ( MY PA/ AS WELL AS MY :OLE FUTURE W]E 9 IT4 ,IF ,I HAD ACCEPT$ ,SAB9A'S (F]1 EV]Y MIS]ABLE M9UTE ( ?OSE TWO YE>S W\LD HAVE BE5 = NO?+4 ,BY TURN+ D[N ,SAB9A'S (F]1 ,I DIDN'T USE UP TWO YE>S ( MY LIFE = NO?+1 BUT ?REE4 

,SAB9A DIDN'T 9SI/1 AL?\< %E KNEW P]FECTLY WELL :AT ?AT JOB WAS DO+ TO ME4 ,AS ALWAYS1 ,I WAS 0MY [N P]SON01 %E M]ELY WANT$ ME TO BE AW>E ( ALL MY ALT]NATIVES4 ,I AB&ON$ ?AT AWKW>D TOPIC & ASK$ :Y %E & ,T9A HAD BE5 ?R[N \T ( ! G>AGE4 

,T9A %OCK$ ME BY ANSW]+1 0,FIR/ ( ALL ,JOSE WAS >RE/$40 

0,JOSE60 ,I EXCLAIM$4 0,:Y80 

0,SOMEONE SQUEAL$10 %E SAID4 

0,WAS !RE A RAID8 ,WAS IT ! POLICE ?AT *AS$ Y\ \T80 

0,WE W]E *AS$ \T ! SAME WAY Y\R FRI5DS W]E3 BY ,SE?'S GUN40 

0,BUT ?AT'S AWFUL6 ,Y\'VE BO? BE5 SO COOL6 ,:Y DIDN'T Y\ TELL ME80 

,SAB9A ASK$1 0,W\LD Y\ HAVE EAT5 MORE IF Y\ HAD KN[N8 ,W\LD Y\ HAVE SLEPT BETT]80 

,%E WAS RI<T4 ,I DIDN'T C>E :Y !Y'D BE5 ?R[N \T4 ,ALL ,I C>$ AB\T WAS ?AT !Y'D COME TO ME1 ?AT !Y'D TAK5 ME AWAY FROM ?AT HORRID HOTEL1 ?AT !Y LOV$ ME4 0,Y\ KN[ ,I W\LDN'T HAVE EAT5 MORE10 ,I ADMITT$4 0,IF ,I EV] WANT TO KN[ ! DETAILS1 ,I'LL ASK40 ,I NEV] ASK$4 

,BUT ,SAB9A WANT$ ME TO KN[ ONE MORE ?+4 ,A FEW DAYS LAT] %E TOLD ME1 0,I VISIT$ ,JOSE ?IS AFT]NOON4 ,HE WASN'T GLAD TO SEE ME4 ',POOR ,RON1' HE SAID2 'HE C\LD NEV] REALLY APPRECIATE Y\1 ,SAB9A2 Y\'RE MADE ( GOLD1 Y\ KN[ ?AT8' ',BUT Y\ W]E EXPECT+ SOMEONE ELSE1 W]5'T Y\8' ,I ASK$ HIM2 'SOMEONE :O WASN'T MADE ( METAL BUT ( FLE%4 ,HE TURN$ AWAY FROM ME & CRI$40 

0,H[ C\LD HE80 ,I SOBB$4 0,HE HAS EV]Y REASON 9 ! WORLD TO HATE ME4 ,I WALK$ \T ON HIM EXACTLY AS ,I WALK$ \T ON ,RON40 

0,:AT AB\T ! RE/ ( US80 ,T9A ASK$1 (F5D$4 0,Y\ WALK$ \T ON US TOO6 ,DON'T WE C\NT80 ,I />T$ TO CRY1 BUT ,T9A MADE ME /OP BY SQUEEZ+ MY FACE 9 H] H&S & SCOLD+ ME4 0,Y\ DUMBELL6 ,Y\'RE JU/ LIKE A BABY6 ,:ATEV] MADE ME ?9K Y\ W]E MY MO!R8 ,Y\ ALSO WALK$ \T ON ,SAB9A & ME4 ,YET H]E WE >E4 ,JOSE DOESN'T HATE Y\1 ,SOPHIA4 ,HE TOLD ME ,RON NEV] HAT$ Y\4 ,HE TOLD ME ,RON KNEW Y\ C\LDN'T EV] DO ! ?+S ,RON WANT$ Y\ TO DO4 ,NO ONE CAN HATE Y\ BECAUSE ( ?AT4 ,BESIDES1 ,JOSE TOLD ME HE ?\<T Y\ W]E RI<T -- BO? TIMES40 

,I C\LDN'T MAKE MYSELF ASK MORE QUE/IONS4 ,BUT ! FOLL[+ NI<T ,I DID ASK ,SAB9A H[ TO GO TO ! /ATE PRISON1 & :AT ,I NE$$ TO GET 94 ,%E HAD PAP]S MADE = ME PROV+ ,I WAS ,JOSE'S SI/]4 ,SAB9A HAD ALREADY VISIT$ HIM AS HIS 0WIFE40 

,! TRIP TO ! PRISON LA/$ OV] AN H\R EA* WAY2 ! VISIT WAS ONLY HALF AN H\R LONG4 ,! FIR/ TIME ,I W5T1 ,JOSE JU/ KEPT RUBB+ HIS EYES4 0,I CAN'T BELIEVE IT4 ,EI!R Y\'RE ,SAB9A TURN+ Y\RSELF 9TO ,SOPHIE BY SOME MAGIC TRICK1 OR ELSE ,I'M 9 MY CELL DREAM+40 

0,I'M ME40 

0,BUT Y\ LOOK SO DIFF]5T4 ,:AT ! HELL HAPP5$ TO Y\1 ,SOPHIE8 ,DID Y\ GO ?R\< A MA*9E80 

0,>5'T Y\ GO+ TO ASK ME :Y ,I LEFT Y\80 

0,Y\'RE A G5IUS1 KID1 ?AT'S :Y4 ,Y\ FIGUR$ ?+S \T BE=E ANY ( ! RE/ ( US DID4 ,& ?AT'S :Y Y\ \<T TO TAKE BETT] C>E ( Y\RSELF4 ,IF Y\ DON'T1 Y\ WON'T BE >\ND = ?AT TRIP WE W]E GO+ TO TAKE4 ,H[ DID HE SIZE ?+S UP SO FA/ -- :AT WAS HIS NAME1 Y\R FRI5D80 

0,HU<40 

0,HE SURE P9N$ US D[N1 RI<T :]E IT HURT4 ,:AT MADE HIM ABLE TO SEE RI<T ?R\< US8 ,WAS IT SOME?+ HE LE>N$ 9 S*OOL8 ,IS IT 9 BOOKS8 ,I'D SURE LIKE TO SEE HIM AGA94 ,CAN Y\ BR+ HIM ) Y\ SOMETIME80 

0,NO40 ,I WAS CRY+4 ,WORDS GAGG$ 9 MY ?ROAT2 ,I C\LDN'T SEE ,JOSE :5 A GU>D ACCOMPANI$ HIM \T ( ! VISIT+ ROOM4 ,= TWO MON?S ,I DID NO?+ BUT GO TO WORK & SLEEP4 ,I %\LD SAY ALMO/ NO?+4 ,A FEW DAYS AFT] MY VISIT ,I LEFT A %EET ( PAP] ON ! LIV+ ROOM DESK2 ON TOP IT SAID1 0,= ,JOSE40 ,ON IT ,I SCRIBBL$ ! TITLES ( ALL ! BOOKS ,I HAD READ & DISCUSS$ ) ! PEOPLE ON ! UNIV]SITY NEWSPAP] /AFF2 ,I KEPT ADD+ TITLES AS !Y CAME BACK TO ME4 ,:5EV] ,I ADD$ A TITLE TO ! LI/1 ! BOOK W\LD APPE> 9 ! LIV+ ROOM BOOK%ELF ! FOLL[+ DAY1 OR ELSE ,I'D SEE ,T9A READ+ IT :5 ,I CAME HOME FROM WORK2 %E MU/ HAVE READ ALL ( !M4 ,I KEPT EXPECT+ ,SAB9A TO TAKE SOME ( !M ALONG ON H] VISITS TO ,JOSE1 BUT %E ALWAYS W5T EMPTY-H&$4 ,I HAD ALWAYS BE5 AN AVID READ]1 FROM LONG BE=E Y\ KNEW ME2 EV5 DUR+ MY /AY 9 ! G>AGE ,I HAD READ AT LEA/ ?REE BOOKS A WEEK4 ,BUT ,I DIDN'T OP5 A S+LE BOOK DUR+ ! ?REE YE>S ,I WORK$ 9 ! FIB]GLASS FACTORY4 ,AFT] MY VISIT TO ,JOSE MY 9T]E/ 9 ! BOOKS ,I HAD READ BE=E REVIV$4 ,I WANT$ ,JOSE TO READ !M4 ,IT WAS ! ONLY WAY ,I KNEW TO TELL HIM :AT HAD MADE ,HU< 0ABLE TO SEE RI<T ?R\< US40 ,?AT OBVI\SLY WASN'T AN ADEQUATE RESPONSE TO ,JOSE'S QUE/ION1 BUT ,I C\LDN'T DEAL ) HIS QUE/ION2 ! CLOSE/ ,I C\LD COME WAS TO DEAL ) ! BOOKS ,I'D READ1 ! BOOKS ,HU< HAD READ4 ,TWO MON?S AFT] MY FIR/ VISIT ,I W5T TO ! PRISON ) A BAG FULL ( BOOKS4 ,!Y DIDN'T LET ME 9 ) ALL ( !M1 BUT !Y DID LET 5\< ?R\< TO TAKE UP ALL ( ,JOSE'S READ+ TIME BETWE5 MY VISITS4 ,I W5T ONCE A MON?4 ,I CAME TO LIFE DUR+ ?OSE VISITS4 ,JOSE DEV\R$ ! BOOKS2 HE C\LDN'T WAIT TO DISCUSS !M ) ME4 ,HE WAS NO LONG] ! ,JOSE ,I'D KN[N2 HE WASN'T ANYONE ,I'D EV] KN[N2 \R RELATION%IP WASN'T A CONT9UATION ( ANY RELATION%IP ?AT HAD EXI/$ BE=E4 ,\R LOVE HAD NEV] EXI/$4 ,DUR+ ?OSE VISITS ,I CAME TO LIFE AS SOME?+ Y\ UNFLATT]+LY CALL$ ME 9 Y\R LETT]S1 AS A P$AGOGUE4 ,I CAME TO LIFE AS ,JOSE'S TEA*]1 AS HIS GUIDE1 HIS M5TOR4 ,:AT CAME TO LIFE1 ,Y>O/AN1 WAS MY RELATION%IP TO Y\4 ,:AT REVIV$ WAS ! WEEK ,I'D SP5T ) Y\3 ! T\RS Y\ HAD GIV5 ME1 ! DISCUSSIONS1 ! LONG1 PATI5T EXPLANATIONS4 ,ONLY ) ,JOSE IT WAS ,I :O DID ! GUID+ & ! EXPLA9+4 ,Y\'VE ADMITT$ ?AT Y\ Y\RSELF W]E A P$AGOGUE AFT] Y\R RELEASE FROM Y\R FIR/ PRISON T]M1 :5 Y\ FIR/ MET ,MIRNA2 Y\ TAU<T H] EV]Y?+ Y\'D LE>N$ FROM ! RESI/ANCE1 FROM ,LUISA1 FROM ! PRISON]S Y\'D MET4 ,I CAME CLOSE/ TO MY RELATION%IP ) Y\ BY BECOM+ TO ,JOSE :AT Y\ HAD BE5 TO ME & TO ,MIRNA4 ,ISN'T IT IRONIC ?AT ?IS HAPP5$ ) ,JOSE ( ALL PEOPLE8 ,! ,JOSE :O DEV\R$ MY BOOKS & WAIT$ IMPATI5TLY TO DISCUSS !M ) ME WASN'T ! P]SON TO :OM ,I'D AB&ON$ MYSELF 9 ! G>AGE4 ,HE BECAME ! P]SON ,I HAD DREAM$ ( MEET+ EV] S9CE ,I LEFT Y\2 HE BECAME ! COMPANION ) :OM ,I WAS GO+ TO EXP]I5CE A NEW WORLD1 ! COMRADE ) :OM ,I WAS GO+ TO REALIZE ALL MY LIFE'S PROJECTS4 ,I DREAM$ AGA93 ( ! DAY :5 ,JOSE W\LD BE RELEAS$1 ( ! DAY :5 ,I W\LD NO LONG] HAVE MY JOB4 ,BUT ,I DIDN'T REALIZE MY DREAMS4 ,JOSE WAS RELEAS$ -- & A FEW DAYS LAT] HE WAS DEAD4 

,! DREAMS ,I DREAM$ !N >E COM+ TO LIFE ONLY N[1 9 NUM]\S FACTORIES1 9 ?IS OCCUPI$ UNIV]SITY1 9 ! ,C\NCIL (FICE :]E ,I'M WRIT+ ?IS LETT]4 ,& N[ ?AT ! ACTIVITY IS REAL ,I'M NO LONG] A P$AGOGUE4 ,Y\ W]E RI<T & ,HU< WAS RI<T4 ,I DON'T HAVE ANY?+ TO TEA*4 ,I NEV] DID4 ,I'VE LE>N$ MORE DUR+ ! PA/ WEEK ?AN ,I'D LE>N$ DUR+ ! PREVI\S TW5TY YE>S4 ,YES1 ,I'M N[ ! ONE :O IS LE>N+ ALL ! ?+S ,I'D ?\<T ,I C\LD TEA*4 

,I LE>N$ QUITE A LOT DUR+ ! PA/ ?REE WEEKS4 ,I WANT$ TO TELL Y\ AB\T SOME ( !M 9 MY PREVI\S LETT]1 BUT ,I HAD TOO MU* ELSE TO TELL1 ,I WAS TOO C>RI$ AWAY BY ! SEQU5CE ( EXP]I5CES ?AT CAME BACK TO MY MEMORY4 ,MANY ( ! ?+S ,I DIDN'T TELL Y\ ANSW] QUE/IONS Y\'VE BE5 ASK+ EV] S9CE Y\ />T$ WRIT+ ME4 ,I'M REALLY SORRY ,I DIDN'T TAKE A LITTLE MORE TIME TO TELL Y\ ALL ! ?+S ,I LE>N$ FROM ,SAB9A4 ,I'M ALREADY />T+ TO =GET SOME ( !M1 & ! EXCIT+ EV5TS TAK+ PLACE >\ND ME >5'T HELP+ ME KEEP EV]Y?+ /RAI<T4 

,I />T$ TO TELL Y\ AB\T ! DISCUSSION ,SAB9A & ,I HAD ?REE WEEKS AGO4 DUR+ \R 0\T+10 BUT ,I DIDN'T EV] RETURN TO ?AT4 ,IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY2 IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL \T RI<T N[ BUT ,I'VE H>DLY BE5 \TDOORS = A WEEK4 ,WE W]E ALL ALONE BY ! RIV]1 LI/5+ TO QUACK+ DUCKS1 WAT*+ PASS+ BOATS1 TALK+ AB\T Y\R LETT]S & ! QUE/IONS Y\ HAD RAIS$4 ,SAB9A WAS UNUSUALLY TALKATIVE4 ,Y\R QUE/IONS /IMULAT$ H] TO TRAVEL FUR!R & FUR!R BACK 9 TIME1 ALL ! WAY TO ! TIME ( H] BIR?1 ?IRTY-TWO YE>S AGO4 ,SAB9A (T5 9TIMIDATES ME1 BUT DESPITE ?AT ,I ?9K %E'S REALLY FANTA/IC & ,I WI% ,I HAD SOME ( H] QUALITIES4 ,?AT DAY1 AS WE LAY ON ! GRASS SUNN+ \RSELVES1 %E TOLD ME /ORIES ,GEORGE ,ALB]TS HAD TOLD H] OV] TW5TY YE>S AGO4 ,I'M HAV+ A H>D TIME REMEMB]+ !M ONLY ?REE WEEKS AFT] ,I HE>D !M4 

0,IT'S FUNNY ?AT ,Y>O/AN KEEPS REF]R+ TO ! TIME & PLACE ( MY BIR?10 %E SAID4 0,HE WASN'T EV5 !RE4 ,IT'S AS IF HIS MEMORY W]E AN EXT5SION ( ,LUISA'S40 

0,:AT'S SO FUNNY AB\T IT80 ,I ASK$4 0,Y\ W]5'T EXACTLY !RE EI!R4 ,Y\R MEMORY IS AN EXT5SION ( ,ALB]TS'4 ,I WAS EV]Y BIT ( TWO :5 Y\ W]E BORN BUT ,I WASN'T REALLY !RE EI!R & MY MEMORY DOESN'T HAVE ANY EXT5SIONS2 ,I CAN H>DLY REMEMB] ! FEW ?+S ,I LE>N$ FROM ,LUISA40 

0,Y\ KN[ :AT80 %E ASK$4 0,I W\LDN'T BE SURPRIS$ IF ?AT ,MANUEL *>ACT] ,Y>O/AN MET 9 PRISON ACTUALLY KNEW MY GR&FA!R0 7NAMELY ,NA*ALO1 MY FA!R74 0,EV]Y?+ HE TOLD ,Y>O/AN HAS SU* A FAMILI> R+ TO IT4 ,MANUEL MU/ AT LEA/ HAVE HE>D ( HIM4 ,TOO MANY ( ! 9CID5TS >E ID5TICAL TO 9CID5TS ,ALB]TS DESCRIB$ TO ME2 ONLY ! 9T]PRETATION IS DIFF]5T & BY N[ MY 9T]PRETATION IS CLOS] TO ,MANUEL'S ?AN TO ,ALB]TS'40 

,SAB9A PO9T$ TO ! PASSAGE :]E Y\ SAID 7,I'M P>APHRAS+2 ,I DON'T HAVE Y\R LETT] ) ME72 0,ACCORD+ TO ,SAB9A1 WORK]S F\<T A REVOLUTION 9 ORD] TO GIVE P[] TO PEOPLE LIKE ,ALB]TS -- & PEOPLE LIKE ,JAN1 ,MANUEL & ,I HAD TO BE SWEPT \T ( ! WAY40 

,SAB9A'S RESPONSE TO ?IS WAS3 0,ALB]TS TOLD ME EXACTLY ! OPPOSITE4 ,YET !Y BO? REF]R$ TO ! SAME EV5TS4 ,9 HIS [N EYES1 ,ALB]TS WAS ! ONE :O F\<T = A POPUL> REVOLUTION & HE WAS ! ONE :O WAS PU%$ ASIDE BY ?OSE OPPOS$ TO ! REVOLUTION4 ,!Y CAN'T BO? BE RI<T4 ,YET ,I ?9K NEI!R ,ALB]TS NOR ,MANUEL W]E LY+1 AL?\< ,I DO ?9K ,LUISA LI$ MO/ ( ! TIME4 ,I ?9K ,ALB]TS & ,MANUEL BO? F\<T = SOME?+ -- ON OPPOSITE SIDES ( ! SAME BATTLEGR\ND4 ,!Y BO? DESCRIB$ ?AT BATTLEGR\ND ?\< EA* ( !M SAW SOME?+ COMPLETELY DIFF]5T4 ,I KN[ :AT ,ALB]TS F\<T =1 BUT ,I /ILL DON'T FULLY UND]/& ,MANUEL2 TRY TO GET ,Y>O/AN TO Y\ /ILL MORE AB\T HIM40 

,I TOLD H] ,I'D TRY1 BUT ,I'M TRY+ ONLY N[4 ,SAB9A TOLD ME AB\T ?OSE EV5TS AS IF %E'D EXP]I5C$ !M H]SELF1 & AS IF !Y'D TAK5 PLACE ONLY YE/]DAY4 ,:5 %E WAS SMALL1 ,ALB]TS NEV] TIR$ ( TELL+ H] ?AT %E WAS BORN RI<T AFT] ! GREATE/ REVOLUTION ?AT EV] TOOK PLACE1 DUR+ ONE ( ! D>KE/ NI<TS 9 ALL HI/ORY4 ,! >MY ATTACK$ ! CITY4 ,EV]YONE WAS 9 ! /REET4 ,NA*ALO1 ,LUISA & ,M>G>ITA W]E BEH9D B>RICADES4 0,ALB]TS /AY$ 9DOORS M9D+ TWO-YE> OLD Y\4 ,HE TOLD ME H[ HE PLEAD$ ) ,M>G>ITA NOT TO GO \T2 %E WAS AB\T TO GIVE BIR?4 ,BUT ,M>G>ITA C\LDN'T BE KEPT 9DOORS2 ACCORD+ TO HIM1 %E WAS ! REVOLUTION40 ,A BULLET GRAZ$ ,M>G>ITA'S >M4 ,! 9JURY WASN'T S]I\S1 BUT %E LO/ A LOT ( BLOOD :5 %E C\LD LEA/ AF=D TO4 0,HE ALWAYS CALL$ H] ! LITTLE GYPSY4 ,%E DI$ TWO DAYS AFT] ! REVOLUTION'S VICTORY1 GIV+ BIR? TO ME4 ,%E WAS F\RTE540 ,DUR+ ?OSE TWO DAYS1 ,ALB]TS NEV] LEFT ,M>G>ITA'S B$SIDE4 ,HE TOLD H] ! REACTION>Y =CES ( ! :OLE WORLD HAD BE5 DE/ROY$ BY ALL ! ,M>G>ITAS BEH9D ! B>RICADES4 ,HE TOLD H] %E WAS GIV+ BIR? TO A NEW EPO*4 ,ALL ! M>VELS ( SCI5CE & TE*NOLOGY W]E GO+ TO MAKE ! PEOPLE FREE 9/EAD ( 5SLAV+ !M4 ,GONE WAS ! DAY :5 WORK]S HAD TO FI<T AGA9/ 9V5TIONS & LABOR-SAV+ DEVICES :I* UP TO !N HAD ONLY BE5 US$ TO 9CREASE MIS]Y4 ,GONE WAS ! DAY :5 WORK]S CURS$ SCI5CE BECAUSE IT WAS US$ MA9LY TO TORTURE & KILL !M4 ,HE TOLD H] %E WAS GIV+ BIR? TO AN AGE ( UNFETT]$ CREATIVITY1 AN EPO* ( UNPREC$5T$ SCI5TIFIC & TE*NOLOGICAL 9NOVATION C>RI$ \T BY ! PEOPLE !MSELVES & = !MSELVES4 0,M>G>ITA DI$ GIV+ BIR? TO ANO!R LITTLE GYPSY4 ,?AT WAS ! D>K NI<T4 ,%E WASN'T EV] GO+ TO 5JOY H] CREATION -- NEI!R %E NOR ANY ( ! O!R ,M>G>ITAS :O GAVE BIR? TO IT4 ,ALB]TS TOLD ME ,I WAS ALL ?AT REMA9$ ( ! REVOLUTION HE HAD TOLD H] AB\T40 ,I C\LDN'T TAKE MY EYES (F ,SAB9A AS ,I LI/5$4 ,IT DAWN$ ON ME ?AT H] :OLE LIFE HAS BE5 AN ATTEMPT TO REALIZE ,ALB]TS' HOPES 9 H]SELF1 ?AT %E HAS TRI$ TO EMBODY 9 H] [N BE+ ! REVOLUTION TO :I* ,M>G>ITA GAVE BIR?4 0,TELL ,Y>O/AN HIS FRI5D ,MANUEL WAS RI<T4 ,! BRI<TE/ ( ALL DAYS WAS FOLL[$ BY ! D>KE/ ( ALL NI<TS4 ,! 9CR$IBLE VICTORY ON ! /REETS & 9 ! FACTORIES WAS IMM$IATELY FOLL[$ BY AN 9CR$IBLE DEFEAT ON ! SAME /REETS & 9 ! SAME FACTORIES4 ,LUISA ?\<T ! DEFEAT TOOK PLACE ON ! FRONT1 9 ! BATTLEFIELD4 ,%E WAS WRONG4 ,! DEFEAT TOOK PLACE 9 ! RE>4 ,ALB]TS KNEW ?AT BY ! TIME HE TOLD ME ,I WAS ALL ?AT WAS LEFT ( ! VICTORY4 ,BUT HE NEV] FIGUR$ \T :AT ROLE HE PLAY$ 9 ?AT DEFEAT40 ,AFT] ,M>G>ITA'S DEA?1 ,NA*ALO LEFT = ! FRONT2 ,LUISA DROVE A /REETC> & NURS$ BO? BABIES2 ,ALB]TS WAS TRANS=M$4 ,HE WANT$ REV5GE4 ,HE RANT$ AB\T DE/ROY+ ! REACTION>Y =CES ?AT HAD TAK5 ,M>G>ITA'S LIFE & W]E DE/ROY+ ! WORLD %E HAD F\<T TO CREATE4 ,HE JO9$ A MILIT>Y BRIGADE CONSI/+ MA9LY ( =EIGN]S4 ,HE WAS TOLD ! AIM ( ! BRIGADE WAS TO JO9 ) ! REVOLUTION>Y POPULATION TO DE/ROY ! REACTION>Y =CES4 

0,& HE BELIEV$ ?AT4 ,HE ?\<T ?AT AFT] ! LIQUIDATION ( ! FEW REMA9+ NE/S ( REACTION>IES ! FIELD W\LD BE CLE> = ! REALIZATION ( HIS DREAM1 ,M>G>ITA'S DREAM4 ,HE NEV] ADMITT$ ?AT ?IS WAS A PACK ( LIES4 ,?AT POPUL> >MY HE 5LI/$ 9 HAD ONLY ONE AIM3 TO IMPOSE ITSELF OV] ! POPULATION4 ,9 ITS VIEW1 ! MA9 NE/ TO BE LIQUIDAT$ WAS ! REVOLUTION>Y POPULATION ITSELF2 ! CAMPAIGNS AGA9/ ! REACTION>Y >MY W]E NO?+ BUT A PRETEXT1 A JU/IFICATION = ITS EXI/5CE4 ,IT WAS ! POPUL> >MY HE JO9$ ?AT WIP$ \T EV]Y TRACE ( ,M>G>ITA'S VICTORY1 EV]Y POSSIBILITY = ! REALIZATION ( H] DREAM4 ,HE NEV] ADMITT$ ?AT4 ,HE BLAM$ ! POPULATION ITSELF = ! DEFEAT2 HIS VIEW ( ! POPULATION ALWAYS REMA9$ ID5TICAL TO ?AT >MY'S VIEW3 HOODLUMS1 ADV5TURI/S & SABOTEURS2 ACCORD+ TO HIM ALL ! REVOLUTION>IES HAD BE5 KILL$ ON ! B>RICADES OR DI$ AFT] ?AT BATTLE2 !RE W]E NO ,M>G>ITAS LEFT4 ,BUT ?AT WASN'T :AT HE ?\<T :5 HE JO9$ ! POPUL> >MY4 ,HE ?\<T HE WAS JO9+ A REVOLUTION>Y POPULATION 9 A /RUGGLE AGA9/ REACTION>IES2 HE ?\<T ?AT >MY ACTUALLY HAD ! POPULATION'S SUPPORT4 ,:5 IT F9ALLY DAWN$ ON HIM ?AT IT DIDN'T1 HE RAN4 ,HE WAS ALWAYS A DEMOCRAT FIR/ ( ALL4 ,ONCE HE CONV9C$ HIMSELF ?AT ! 5TIRE POPULATION WAS REACTION>Y1 & NOT JU/ A FEW NE/S1 HE RAN4 ,HE NEV] FIGUR$ \T ?AT IT WAS ! POPUL> >MY ITSELF ?AT WAS ! C5TRAL NE/ ( REACTION1 BUT HE DID HAVE 5\< 'PR9CIPLES' TO REFUSE TO FI<T 9 AN >MY ?AT OPPOS$ ! 5TIRE POPULATION40 

,I ASK$ ,SAB9A :5 %E FIGUR$ ALL ?IS \T4 

0,:5 ,I MET ,RON10 %E TOLD ME4 0,ACTUALLY :5 ,RON MOV$ 9 ) ME 9 ,ALB]TS' H\SE4 ,ALB]TS CALL$ HIM A HOODLUM1 AN ADV5TURI/1 A PETTY CRIM9AL4 ,?AT WAS :5 ,I />T$ TO FIGURE \T :O ?AT >MY HAD F\<T AGA9/1 :OM ,ALB]TS BLAM$ = ?AT DEFEAT4 ,! REASON ,I LIK$ ,RON WAS ?AT ,I ?\<T ,M>G>ITA MU/ HAVE BE5 A LITTLE LIKE HIM3 ! SAME MIXTURE ( FURY & HUMOR1 ! SAME VISC]AL REJECTION ( ALL MORALITY2 BO? W]E ACCOMPLI%$ PRANK/]S1 UNSELFCONSCI\S ?IEVES1 & FATALLY ROMANTIC1 EXCEPT ?AT POOR ,RON NEV] F\ND HIS B>RICADES4 ,ALB]TS WAS ! DIAMETRICAL OPPOSITE ( BO?4 ,HE /AY$ 9DOORS DUR+ ! DAY ( ! B>RICADES4 ,HE DIDN'T MOVE (F HIS ASS TO JO9 ! FI<T UNTIL ALL ! ADV5TURE & ROMANCE W]E GONE1 UNTIL AN APP>ATUS HAD REPLAC$ ! FI<T+ PEOPLE40 ,9SIDE ?AT APP>ATUS4 ,ALB]TS EXP]I5C$ ONLY ONE CAMPAIGN1 & IT WASN'T AT ALL H]OIC4 ,HIS BRIGADE UNIT REA*$ ! FRONT 9 A VILLAGE :I* WAS T]RORIZ$ BY A SMALL1 POORLY >M$ 5EMY UNIT2 A VILLAG] WAS FREQU5TLY KILL$ IF HE W&]$ (F ALONE2 OCCASIONAL %[]S ( %ELLS CAUS$ NUM]\S 9JURIES4 ,BE=E ! >RIVAL ( ,ALB]TS' BRIGADE UNIT1 ! VILLAGE HAD SUPPOS$LY BE5 DEF5D$ BY A LOOSELY DISCIPL9$ MILITIA UNIT4 ,ACCORD+ TO ,ALB]TS1 ?IS MILITIA UNIT DIDN'T PROTECT ! VILLAGE FROM ! 5EMY BUT WAS 9 FACT AN EXT5SION ( ! 5EMY BEYOND ! FRONT & WAS ITSELF RESPONSIBLE = ! T]ROR REIGN+ 9 ! VILLAGE2 ! SOLE ACTIVITY ( ?AT MILITIA WAS TO SABOTAGE WEAPONS1 %OOT AT !IR [N TROOPS1 5C\RAGE DES]TION AMONG ! SOLDI]S1 DEMORALIZE ! VILLAGE POPULATION4 ,SOME WEEKS BE=E ,ALB]TS' >RIVAL A MILIT>Y COMM&] HAD >RIV$ 9 ! VILLAGE TO COORD9ATE ! MILITIA'S MOVES ) ?OSE ( ! RE/ ( ! POPUL> >MY & ! COMM&] HAD BE5 MURD]$4 ,! FIR/ TASK ( ,ALB]TS' BRIGADE UNIT WAS TO LIQUIDATE ! 5EMY AG5TS :O HAD 9FILTRAT$ & TAK5 OV] ! MILITIA UNIT4 ,! 9FILTRATORS W]E KN[N2 !RE W]E EI<T ( !M4 ,BUT ! VILLAG]S W]E SO DEMORALIZ$ & ! MILITIA UNIT WAS SO ROTT5 ?AT ! 9FILTRATORS C>RI$ ON !IR ACTIVITIES 9 BROAD DAYLI<T4 ,P>T ( ! MILITIA EV5 TRI$ TO PREV5T ,ALB]TS' POPUL> >MY UNIT FROM >RE/+ ! 9FILTRATORS4 ,ALB]TS ACCEPT$ AN ASSIGNM5T TO ! FIR+ SQUAD :I* WAS TO LIQUIDATE ! 9FILTRATORS4 ,HE /ILL WANT$ TO REV5GE ,M>G>ITA & TO REMOVE ONE ( ! 0NE/S0 ?AT PREV5T$ ! REALIZATION ( ALL %E'D F\<T =4 ,BUT JU/ BE=E ! ORD] TO %OOT WAS GIV51 ONE ( ! EI<T CONDEMN$ M5 %\T$1 0,NEXT TIME ! PEOPLE RISE !Y'LL TURN AGA9/ ! R$ BUT*]S FIR/4 ,?AT WILL BE ! FIR/ MOM5T ( ! REAL REVOLUTION60 ,:5 ! ORD] TO %OOT WAS GIV51 ,ALB]TS %OT 9TO ! AIR4 0,?IS WAS HIS ONLY MILIT>Y CAMPAIGN10 ,SAB9A TOLD ME1 0& AT ! CRITICAL MOM5T HE REFUS$ TO TAKE P>T 9 IT4 ,! CONDEMN$ MAN HAD SPOK5 9 ! NAME ( ! PEOPLE2 ! FIR+ SQUAD WAS KILL+ HIM 9 ! NAME ( ! PEOPLE4 ,ALB]TS HAD JO9$ ! BRIGADE TO LIQUIDATE A FEW NE/S ( REACTION>IES1 NOT TO LIQUIDATE ! PEOPLE4 ,:5 HE HE>D ?AT MAN1 ,ALB]TS SUDD5LY SUSPECT$ ?AT ! PEOPLE MI<T NOT WANT ! REVOLUTION HIS POPUL> >MY WAS BR++ !M4 ,& HIS SUSPICIONS W]E CONFIRM$ 9 A MATT] ( H\RS4 ,! 5TIRE MILITIA UNIT & HALF ! VILLAG]S SURR\ND$ HIS BRIGADE UNIT4 ,%OOT+ BEGAN4 ,HIS POPUL> >MY UNIT HAD TO AB&ON ! VILLAGE ALTOGE!R & CAMP \TSIDE IT1 =TIFY+ ITSELF AGA9/ ! 5EMY UNIT AS WELL AS ! SURR\ND+ PEASANTRY4 ,IT BECAME CLE> TO HIM ?AT ! TASK ( HIS BRIGADE WAS TO =CE ,M>G>ITA'S REVOLUTION D[N PEOPLE'S ?ROATS ) WEAPONS4 ,?AT WASN'T ! PROJECT HE'D HAD 9 M9D1 & IT C\LDN'T BE DONE 9 ANY CASE4 ,:5 ?AT POORLY >M$ 5EMY UNIT ATTACK$1 IT HAD ! :OLE POPULATION'S SUPPORT4 ,ALB]TS WAS 9JUR$2 HALF HIS COMRADES W]E KILL$2 HIS POPUL> >MY UNIT WAS R\T$4 ,?AT WAS :5 HE CONCLUD$ ! 5TIRE POPULATION WAS REACTION>Y3 HOODLUMS1 ADV5TUR]S & SABOTEURS2 !Y W\LD NEV] 9DU/RIALIZE BY !MSELVES2 ,M>G>ITA'S DREAM WAS AN ILLUSION4 ,ALB]TS RAN4 ,HE'S BE5 RUNN+ EV] S9CE40 

,?9K+ ,I HAD MISS$ ONE ( ! MA9 PO9TS ( ,SAB9A'S /ORY1 ,I SAID1 0,!N ,ALB]TS DIDN'T ACTUALLY AGREE ) ! AIMS ( ?AT >MY HE JO9$1 & ,Y>O/AN IS WRONG :5 HE ACCUSES ,ALB]TS ( WANT+ TO IMPOSE HIS [N P[] OV] ?AT POPULATION40 

0,Y>O/AN MEANS SOME?+ DIFF]5T1 SOME?+ ,I DON'T ALTOGE!R UND]/&10 %E SAID4 0,Y>O/AN ?9KS ,ALB]TS' PROJECT1 HIS V]Y DREAM1 WAS REPRESSIVE 9 & ( ITSELF40 ,%E %[$ ME ! PASSAGE :]E Y\ SAID 9DU/RIALIZATION C\LD ONLY TAKE PLACE BY ROBB+ HUMAN BE+S ( !IR 5]GY1 BY /UNT+ !IR CAPACITIES4 0,ALB]TS F9ALLY CONCLUD$ ?AT 9DU/RIALIZATION C\LD NEV] BE C>RI$ \T BY ! PEOPLE !MSELVES10 %E CONT9U$4 0,! IMPLICATION BE+ ?AT ! PEOPLE W\LD ALWAYS NE$ SOMEONE LIKE ,ALB]TS AT ! HELM1 AS =EMAN1 SUP]VISOR1 BOSS4 ,BY ADOPT+ ?AT ATTITUDE ,ALB]TS BECAME AN \TRI<T REACTION>Y1 A TURNCOAT4 ,?AT BECAME P]FECTLY CLE> TO ME :5 HE HAD ,DEBBIE ,MAT!WS FIR$ = H] SUPPOS$LY RADICAL VIEWS4 ,IT WAS !N ?AT HE & ,I P>T$ WAYS4 ,HE CRAWL$ UP ! BUREAUCRACY & ,I REJO9$ ,M>G>ITA ON ! GR\ND4 ,WE W5T A LONG WAY TO PROV+ HIM WRONG -- ALL ( US3 ,RON1 ,TISSIE1 ,JOSE1 ,T$ -- ! PEOPLE !MSELVES4 ,WE 9DU/RIALIZ$1 ON \R [N4 ,Y>O/AN KN[S ?AT PEOPLE CAN DO ?AT ON !IR [N4 ,BUT HE GOES A /EP FUR!R4 ,HE SAYS IT'S NOT WOR? DO+4 ,HIS OPPOSITION TO ,ALB]TS IS DIFF]5T FROM M9E4 ,9 HIS VIEW ,ALB]TS DIDN'T ONLY WANT TO PU% PEOPLE ASIDE TO MAKE ROOM = ! SUPPOS$LY 9DISP5SABLE BOSSES4 ,?AT F> WE AGREE4 ,Y>O/AN ALSO ?9KS ?AT IF PEOPLE FREELY DEVELOP !IR POT5TIALITIES1 !RE'S NO /EEL2 IF !RE'S /EEL1 !N !RE >E NO POT5TIALITIES -- & NO PEOPLE4 ,I DON'T UND]/& ?AT4 ,MAYBE ,I'M TOO MU* ,GEORGE ,ALB]TS' DAU<T] TO UND]/& ?AT2 MAYBE ,I'M TOO MU* ! LITTLE GYPSY :O F\<T ON ! B>RICADES SO AS TO CONQU] ! SCI5CE & ! TE*NOLOGY = MYSELF & O!RS LIKE ME4 ,:AT ,ALB]TS TAU<T ME WAS ?AT ! P[] ( ! PEOPLE AS WELL AS !IR FRE$OM RESID$ 9 ! /EEL4 ,9 ! TE*NOLOGY4 ,9 PHYSICS1 *EMI/RY & 5G9E]+4 ,9 MA*9]Y4 ,?AT'S BE5 ! AXIOM ( MY LIFE & IT REMA9$ MY AXIOM AFT] ,ALB]TS TURN$ AGA9/ ! PEOPLE4 ,HE NEV] TURN$ AGA9/ ! TE*NOLOGY4 ,I'D ?\<T ?OSE :O OPPOS$ ! TE*NOLOGY W]E \TRI<T M$IEVAL OBSCURANTI/S40 

,I REM9D$ H] ?AT ,LUISA HAD 9 FACT CALL$ Y\ A 0REACTION>Y0 AFT] %E'D READ ONE ( Y\R FIR/ LETT]S4 

0,I KN[4 ,I HE>D H]4 ,%E'S WRONG4 ,:5 Y\ CALL SOMEONE A NAME1 Y\ /OP LI/5+ TO HIM4 ,LUISA HASN'T HE>D ANY?+ = ?IRTY YE>S4 ,Y>O/AN IS NO REACTION>Y4 ,HE'S TRY+ TO TELL ME SOME?+ ?AT CONFLICTS ) MY MO/ BASIC AXIOMS4 ,I ?9K HE'S WRONG BUT ,I'M NOT SURE4 ,I'D LIKE TO BE SURE BE=E ,I CALL HIM ANY NAMES40 

,IT WAS ALMO/ NI<T :5 ,SAB9A & ,I LEFT \R DESOLATE SPOT ALONG ! RIV]'S $GE & RETURN$ TO ! CITY4 ,I WAS BAFFL$ BY MU* ( :AT %E'D TOLD ME2 ,I C\LDN'T SORT IT \T 9TO CLE> & DI/9CT CATEGORIES4 ,BUT ,I WAS HAPPY AS ,I CROSS$ ! BRIDGE ) ,SAB9A4 ,I WAS HAPPY BECAUSE ,I KNEW Y\ & WAS TOGE!R ) Y\ AGA91 AT LEA/ BY MAIL4 ,I WAS HAPPY1 & EV5 SOME:AT PR\D1 TO CROSS ! BRIDGE ) MY LITTLE GYPSY 0SI/]10 HAPPY ?AT ,I TOO HAD BE5 BORN SOME:]E NE> ! UPRO> %E DESCRIB$4 ,& ,I WAS HAPPY BECAUSE ,I ?\<T ,I UND]/OOD BO? Y\ & ,SAB9A A LITTLE BETT]4 

,BUT MY SELF-SATISFI$ MOOD DIDN'T LA/ LONG4 ,MY HAPP9ESS AS WELL AS ! DETAILS ( ,SAB9A'S /ORY W]E REPLAC$ BY WORRIES AB\T ! NOTE FROM ! COLLEGE ADM9I/RATION4 ,MY >RE/1 MY FIR+ & ,T9A'S DEP>TURE W]E ALL ,I C\LD ?9K ( LA/ TIME ,I WROTE Y\4 ,IT TOOK ME SEV]AL DAYS TO GET US$ TO ! FACT ?AT ,I WAS UNEMPLOY$ AGA9 & ?AT ,DAMAN WASN'T GO+ TO HELP ME GET ANO!R JOB4 ,! ONLY TIME ,I EV] LOOK$ = A JOB ON MY [N ,I L&$ 9 ?AT HORRID FIB]GLASS FACTORY4 ,BUT ,I WAS 9 NO MOOD TO SIT HOME WORRY+ AB\T ?AT4 ,SAB9A'S N>RATIVE /IMULAT$ MY 9T]E/ 9 O!R QUE/IONS Y\ HAD ASK$4 ,ON ! DAY AFT] ,I MAIL$ MY LETT] TO Y\ -- -ON ,SUNDAY TWO WEEKS AGO -- ,I TELEPHON$ ,LUISA4 ,I REMEMB]$ %E HAD ONCE KN[N ,LEM ,ICEL & HAD 9 FACT SE5 HIM MU* MORE REC5TLY ?AN ,I HAD4 ,I LE>N$ ?IS A YE> AGO1 :5 ,I RAN 9TO H] BY *ANCE AFT] ! RIOT4 ,AT ?AT TIME ,I HAD ASK$ H] :AT %E'D BE5 DO+ BESIDES WORK+ DUR+ ! SEV5 YE>S S9CE ,I'D LA/ SE5 H]4 ,%E TOLD ME ?AT = SEV]AL YE>S %E'D GOTT5 DEEPLY 9VOLV$ 9 ! ACTIVITIES ( ! SO-CALL$ 0PEACE MOVEM5T10 & ?AT %E'D BE5 9TRODUC$ TO ?AT 0MOVEM5T0 BY NONE O!R ?AN 0A =M] FRI5D ( Y\RS1 ,SOPHIA1 A Y\NG MAN BY ! NAME ( ,LEM40 ,I TURN$ AWAY 9 DISGU/4 ,! LA/ TIME ,I'D SE5 ,LEM ,I HAD LO/ ALL DESIRE TO SEE HIM OR HE> ( HIM AGA94 ,BUT Y\R LETT]S HAVE REVIV$ MY 9T]E/ 9 ,LEM4 ,Y\ ASK$ ME SEV]AL TIMES :Y ,LEM HAD BE5 >RE/$ TWELVE YE>S AGO :ILE TRY+ TO DELIV] MY LETT] TO Y\ & ,I WASN'T ABLE TO ANSW]4 ,I DECID$ TO F9D \T ONCE & = ALL BY TRY+ TO F9D ,LEM & BY GETT+ HIS [N ACC\NT ( HIS >RE/4 

,LUISA WAS FURI\S :5 %E ANSW]$ ! PHONE4 0,:AT ! HELL DO Y\ MEAN BY ',HELLO1 ,LUISA'6 ,Y\'VE GOT SOME N]VE TO BE SO CALM6 ,Y\R FRI5D ,DAMAN CAME H]E A FEW DAYS AGO TO TELL ME Y\ W]E KIDNAPP$6 ,SAB9A WAS ) HIM2 %E OBVI\SLY DIDN'T COME 9TO ! H\SE40 

0,IT WAS REALLY ?\<TLESS ( ME NOT TO CALL SOON]4 ,I APOLOGIZE40 

0,?\<TLESS ISN'T ! WORD1 ,SOPHIA4 ,Y\'RE AS 9HUMAN AS ! MON/] Y\ LIVE )4 ,DAMAN TOLD ME TO CALL HIM IF ,I HE>D ANY?+ FROM ! KIDNAPP]S4 ,I C\LDN'T SLEEP HALF ! NI<T6 ,I WAS SO UPSET ,I KEPT CALL+ HIM4 ,F9ALLY HE F\ND \T Y\ W]E 9 JAIL = ASSAULT+ A PR(ESSOR4 ,I HAD TO CALL HIM AGA9 TO LE>N ?AT Y\ W]E \T ( JAIL4 ,DID Y\ ?9K ,I DIDN'T C>E :AT HAPP5$ TO Y\80 

0,IS !RE ANY?+ ,I CAN DO TO MAKE IT UP TO Y\1 ,LUISA80 

0,NO?+4 ,MY HE>T IS LIKE A /ONE40 

0,I'LL CRY60 

0,= ME8 ,?AT'S V]Y FLATT]+1 ,SOPHIA4 ,IT MEANS Y\ WANT SOME?+ FROM ME4 ,?AT'S FLATT]+ TOO4 ,:AT DO ,I HAVE ?AT Y\ MI<T WANT80 

0,EV]Y?+1 ,LUISA3 LOVE1 FRI5D%IP1 HELP --0 

0,GET (F IT6 ,:AT DO Y\ WANT80 

0,LUISA1 DO Y\ REMEMB] ,LEM ,ICEL8 ,DO Y\ SUPPOSE Y\ C\LD REA* HIM80 

0,( C\RSE ,I C\LD2 HE'S LIV+ ON AN E/ATE4 ,I TOOK HIM !RE MYSELF40 

0,>E Y\ JOK+80 

0,NO4 ,BUT ! ONLY WAY ,I CAN REA* HIM IS BY ACTUALLY GO+ !RE2 IT'S AN H\R \T ( ! CITY BY BUS4 ,IS IT SOME?+ URG5T80 

0,IT IS TO ME4 ,>E Y\ BUSY80 

0,:5 CAN Y\ BE AT ! BUS /ATION80 %E ASK$4 

0,9 FIFTE5 M9UTES40 

,%E BEAM$ AS SOON AS ,I WALK$ 9TO ! BUS /ATION4 0,:AT HAPP5$ TO Y\R /ONE HE>T80 ,I ASK$ :5 %E PUT H] >MS >\ND ME4 

0,DOES IT REALLY MEAN NO?+ TO Y\ ?AT ,I SP5T HALF A NI<T WORRY+ AB\T Y\80 

0,I'M SORRY TO BE SO GLIB1 ,LUISA4 ,?AT :OLE AFFAIR WAS SO TRIVIAL IT DIDN'T DES]VE A PHONE CALL4 ,I'M SORRY ,DAMAN BO!R$ Y\ AB\T IT4 ,Y\ LOOK BEAUTIFUL 9 ?AT DRESS4 ,IS IT NEW8 ,=GIVE ME80 

0,Y\'RE A RASCAL1 ,SOPHIA4 ,>E Y\ GO+ TO PROPOSE ?AT WE WALK ! /REETS TOGE!R80 

0,Y\ /ILL REMEMB] ?AT8 ,H[ AB\T DO+ IT AFT] WE VISIT ,LEM80 

,LUISA WAS REALLY W\ND UP4 ,%E ACT$ LIKE A TE5AGE GIRL :O'D JU/ FALL5 9 LOVE1 & 9 H] PRETTY SUMM] DRESS %E EV5 LOOK$ LIKE ONE -- EXCEPT = H] WR9KL$ FACE4 ,ON ! BUS %E TOLD ME1 0,I DON'T KN[ :Y Y\ HANG >\ND ,SAB9A & H] VIOL5T FRI5DS1 ,SOPHIA2 Y\R O!R FRI5DS >E SO NICE60 

0,OH NO1 ,LUISA6 ,Y\ DON'T MEAN ,DAMAN60 

0,HE'S A WOND]FUL Y\NG MAN6 ,A PR(ESSOR6 ,& HE'S CLOSE TO \R MOVEM5T TOO60 

0,SO HE DIDN'T JU/ TELL Y\ ,I WAS KIDNAPP$60 

0,C]TA9LY NOT6 ,I LET ?AT HUSSY WAIT 9 ! C> = HIM4 ,HE SEEM$ RELIEV$ :5 ,I ASK$ HIM TO COME 940 

0,I BET IT WAS LOVE AT FIR/ SI<T40 

0,:AT IF IT WAS60 %E EXCLAIM$4 0,I ASK$ HIM IF HE WAS A /UD5T4 ,NO1 HE SAID %YLY1 A PR(ESSOR4 ,I HAD =GOTT5 Y\ W]E OLD 5\< TO HAVE PR(ESSOR FRI5DS4 ,HE TOLD ME HE'D KN[N Y\ = MORE ?AN T5 YE>S1 & ?AT HE'D ALSO KN[N ,LEM & ,ALEC4 ,I ASK$ IF Y\ & HE W]E MORE ?AN JU/ FRI5DS1 & HE SAID3 NOT LATELY4 ,:5 HE LEFT ,I TOLD HIM ,I WAS SORRY Y\ HADN'T 9TRODUC$ ME TO HIM T5 YE>S SOON]4 ,I WAS LY+ :5 ,I TOLD Y\ ,I SP5T HALF ?AT NI<T WORRY+ AB\T Y\4 ,I DID WORRY AB\T Y\ ?AT NI<T -- A LITTLE40 

0,LUISA60 

0,!RE >E A FEW O!R ?+S ,I'D LIKE TO TELL Y\1 ,SOPHIA40 

0,RI<T N[8 ,TELL ME TONI<T1 :ILE WE'RE WALK+ ! /REETS4 ,H[ DOES ,LEM COME TO BE LIV+ ON AN E/ATE8 ,& :AT DID Y\ HAVE TO DO ) TAK+ HIM !RE80 

0,?AT WAS ONE ( ! ?+S ,I WANT$ TO TELL Y\ BE=E WE GOT !RE4 ,LEM DIDN'T ONLY 9TRODUCE ME TO ! PEACE MOVEM5T4 ,LEM & ,I BECAME V]Y GOOD FRI5DS F\R OR FIVE YE>S AGO4 ,HE HAD SUFF]$ A GREAT DEAL BECAUSE ( AN ]R& Y\ S5T HIM ON40 

0,IS ?AT H[ HE TOLD IT8 ,HE SUFF]$ BECAUSE ( ME80 

0,HE TOLD ME HE HAD BE5 V]Y ACTIVE POLITICALLY UNTIL HE WAS >RE/$ OV] !RE :ILE TRY+ TO DELIV] C]TA9 MESSAGES Y\'D S5T ) HIM4 ,HE SP5T TWO YE>S 9 PRISONS & CAMPS4 ,:5 ,I MET HIM HE WAS /ILL POLITICALLY CONSCI\S BUT HE WAS T]RIBLY CONFUS$4 ,HE SAID ! PRISON EXP]I5CE HAD OP5$ HIS EYES1 BUT ,I'M CONV9C$ IT FOGG$ HIS M9D4 ,I TRI$ TO KEEP HIS POLITICAL 9T]E/S ALIVE1 & = A YE> ,I ALMO/ SUCCE$$4 ,ALMO/4 ,I C\LDN'T GET HIM TO SEP>ATE HIS ACTIVITIES 9 ! PEACE MOVEM5T FROM HIS GR[+ 9T]E/ 9 MY/ICISM4 ,HE BECAME IRRATIONAL2 HE CALL$ IT CONTEMPLATIVE4 ,HE JU/ SAT1 ) ONE LEG PROPP$ ON A TABLE1 & />$ 9TO SPACE4 ,I WAS DISGU/$ & ( C\RSE HE S5S$ ?AT4 ,HE />T$ TALK+ AB\T WANT+ TO GET AWAY FROM :AT HE CALL$ ,CIVILIZATION1 AB\T WANT+ TO BE ALONE ) ,NATURE4 ,HE EV5 />T$ TO ACCUSE ME ( DEPRIV+ HIM ( :AT HE CALL$ ,FRE$OM1 ( KEEP+ HIM LOCK$ UP 9 A PRISON ( /EEL & CONCRETE1 ( SEP>AT+ HIM FROM HIS BELOV$ ,NATURE4 ,=TUNATELY A FRI5D ( HIS F\ND PRECISELY ! ?+ ,LEM WAS LOOK+ =3 ! E/ATE1 BELOV$ ,NATURE4 ,DO Y\ REMEMB] ,>T80 

0,>T ,S9I*80 ,I ASK$ ) AMAZEM5T4 ,I HAD KN[N ,>T DUR+ MY BRIEF 9VOLVEM5T ) ! 0PEACE MOVEM5T40 ,I SAW HIM AGA9 LA/ YE> 9 ?AT 0COMMITTEE AGA9/ REPRESSION0 :]E ,I ALSO BUMP$ 9TO ,LUISA1 BUT ,I DIDN'T KN[ HE'D HAD ANY PREVI\S DEAL+S ) ,LUISA & ,I C]TA9LY HADN'T ?\<T ( HIM AS 0,LEM'S FRI5D0 -- !RE >E1 AFT] ALL1 AT LEA/ TWO MILLION O!R PEOPLE 9 ?IS CITY4 0,>T WAS ,LEM'S FRI5D8 ,& HE [N$ AN E/ATE80 

0,HE DIDN'T1 BUT SOME RELATIVES ( HIS [N$ ONE4 ,IT HAD ONCE BE5 ! C\NTRY E/ATE ( A FAM\S ACTOR & HIS EQUALLY FAM\S SI/]2 !Y BO? DI$ A QU>T] ( A C5TURY AGO1 & ! H\SE & GR\NDS HAVE BE5 TOTALLY AB&ON$ S9CE !N4 ,WE$S & TREES HAVE ALL BUT HIDD5 :AT MU/ ONCE HAVE BE5 LOVELY PA?S & G>D5S4 ,!RE >E EV5 WE$S GR[+ 9SIDE ! H\SE4 ,:5 ,>T DESCRIB$ ! PLACE1 ,LEM BEGG$ US TO TAKE HIM !RE2 HE ACCUS$ US ( HAV+ KEPT HIM IGNORANT ( ! P>ADISE ! GODS HAD CREAT$ ESPECIALLY = HIM4 ,SO ?REE YE>S AGO WE TOOK HIM TO P>ADISE4 ,& GOOD RIDDANCE4 ,BUT Y\'LL SEE40 

,IT DIDN'T TAKE ME LONG TO 0SEE40 ,! C\NTRY E/ATE WAS LIT]ALLY 0AB&ON$40 ,:AT HAD ONCE BE5 ! 5TRANCE WAY FROM ! ROAD WAS A PA? ?R\< A =E/2 !RE WAS NO SIGN ?AT ANY HUMAN BE+ HAD BE5 9 ! >EA = AT LEA/ A QU>T] ( A C5TURY4 ,! PA? L$ TO ! REMA9S ( AN IMM5SE H\SE4 ,! FRONT DOOR WAS WIDE OP54 ,LUISA W5T 92 ,I C\LD H>DLY GET PA/ ! DOORWAY4 ,! 5TIRE FLOOR WAS LITT]$ ) SEV]AL LAY]S ( G>BAGE3 FOOD1 EMPTY WRAPP]S1 PAP] BAGS1 EMPTY BOXES1 TORN BOOKS1 RAGS2 AN OLD SLEEP+ BAG LAY 9 ! MID/ ( ! TRA%4 ,I COMPULSIVELY JO9 ,LUISA 9 ! IMPOSSIBLE TASK ( TRY+ TO PICK UP & SORT ! G>BAGE4 

0,!RE'S A BEAUTIFUL KIT*5 D[N ! HALL10 ,LUISA TOLD ME4 0,>T HAD ! WAT] CONNECT$1 & EV5 HAD ELECTRICITY BR\<T 94 ,BUT TO ,LEM ?AT'S ,CIVILIZATION4 ,& ?IS PIG/Y IS ,NATURE4 ,9 SUMM]1 ON CLE> DAYS1 HE SP5DS ! DAY SITT+ ON A ROCK BY ! POND1 ALWAYS ! SAME ROCK1 UNTIL D>K2 HE'S AFRAID ( ! D>K4 ,9 W9T] HE DOESN'T BUDGE FROM ?IS ROOM40 

0,H[ AWFUL6 ,PRISON CAN'T BE WORSE40 

0,I KN[4 ,I FEEL GUILTY AB\T ! :OLE ?+4 ,BUT ,I SIMPLY WON'T HAVE HIM 9 MY H\SE & HIS FA!R WANTS HIM PUT 9 AN ASYLUM4 ,I'M SURE ?AT C\LDN'T BE WORSE4 ,BUT ,LEM SAYS HE LIKES IT H]E SO :Y =CE HIM 9TO AN ASYLUM8 ,HIS FA!R IS FIL?Y RI*1 Y\ KN[4 ,>T HAD A DISAGREEABLE CORRESPOND5CE ) ,LEM'S FA!R & F9ALLY GOT HIM TO AGREE TO S5D JU/ 5\< MONEY TO COV] ! CO/ ( FOOD & ELECTRICITY PLUS ! CO/ ( HIR+ A Y\NG MAN TO DELIV] ! FOOD ONCE A WEEK4 ,! OLD BA/>D SP5DS AT LEA/ TWICE ?AT MU* ON A DETECTIVE :O MAKES SURE ,>T ACTUALLY SP5DS ALL ?AT MONEY ON ,LEM4 ,& ,LEM WILL TALK Y\R HEAD (F AB\T H[ FREE & 9DEP5D5T HE IS N[ ?AT HE'S LEFT ROTT5 ,CIVILIZATION2 HE'LL TELL Y\ ,MO!R ,NATURE TAKES C>E ( HIS NE$S4 ,BUT COME ON10 %E SAID1 DROPP+ ! ?+S %E'D GA!R$1 0LET'S AT LEA/ GET SOME FRE% AIR :ILE WE'RE \T H]E4 ,WAT* :]E Y\ /EP2 HE DOESN'T USE ! BA?ROOM IF HE CAN AVOID IT2 ,CIVILIZATION DE/ROYS ,NATURE'S CYCLES & ALL ?AT4 ,BUT HE'S AFRAID HE'LL GET LO/ IF HE LEAVES ! PA?4 ,I WALK$ HIM UP & D[N ! PA? ! FIR/ TIME WE VISIT$ HIM1 :5 ,I REALIZ$ HE HADN'T LEFT ! H\SE S9CE WE'D TAK5 HIM TO P>ADISE40 

,! H]MIT SITT+ ON A ROCK WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE TO ME4 ,HE WAS AS 0AB&ON$0 AS ! =E/ SURR\ND+ ! LAKE4 ,HAIR HUNG D[N TO HIS *E/1 HIS FACE WAS COV]$ BY A FIL?Y BE>D4 ,AS WE APPROA*$ HIM1 MY HE>T P\ND$ & MY BRA9 9CESSANTLY REPEAT$ ONE & ! SAME QUE/ION3 AM ,I RESPONSIBLE = ?IS8 

,:5 ,LEM SAW US HE EXCLAIM$1 0,LUISA60 BUT HE DIDN'T LEAVE HIS ROCK4 0,Y\'RE GO+ TO TAKE ME AWAY40 ,HE S\ND$ HOPEFUL :5 HE SAID IT1 AS IF HE WANT$ TO BE TAK5 AWAY4 

0,AWAY FROM P>ADISE1 ,LEM80 ,LUISA ASK$ S>CA/ICALLY4 0,IS ,MO!R ,NATURE MI/REAT+ Y\80 

0,IF Y\'VE COME TO TAKE ME1 ,I WON'T RESI/ BECAUSE ,I KN[ Y\'RE ONLY OBEY+ ! COSMIC WILL40 

0,I'M NOT TAK+ Y\ ANY:]E1 ,LEM2 ,I BR\<T Y\ A VISITOR4 ,CAN Y\ TRY TO REMEMB] TO CLOSE ! FRONT DOOR ( ! H\SE :5 Y\ LEAVE 9 ! MORN+8 ,?AT WAY Y\ WON'T HAVE TO %>E Y\R FOOD ) ALL ! LOVELY ANIMALS40 

0,ALL ! CREATURES ( ! =E/ >E ,H] (FSPR+1 ,LUISA4 ,Y\ DON'T UND]/& !M4 ,Y\ CAN'T40 

0,I'M GO+ = A WALK >\ND ! POND10 ,LUISA ANN\NC$4 0,Y\ \<T TO TRY IT SOMETIME1 ,LEM2 IF Y\ /AY CLOSE TO ! WAT] Y\'LL COME RI<T BACK TO Y\R /ONE1 UNH>M$40 

0,I GET SCRAT*$1 MY BE>D GETS ALL TANGL$10 HE SAID1 BUT !N HE ADD$1 LOOK+ UP AT ! SKY1 0,I GO F>1 F> AWAY FROM ?IS /ONE1 MANY PLANETS AWAY2 ,I DON'T NE$ TO WALK 9 CIRCLES >\ND A POOL ( /AGNANT WAT]40 

0,IF Y\ LOVE ,NATURE :Y >E Y\ SO AFRAID ( IT -- H]80 ,LUISA ASK$1 WALK+ RAPIDLY AWAY FROM US4 

0,REMEMB] ME80 ,I ASK$1 ALMO/ %\T+2 ,I HAD MADE MYSELF COM=TABLE ON A FALL5 TREE SOME DI/ANCE AWAY FROM ,LEM & HIS PA? ( EXCREM5T2 ,I DIDN'T WANT TO DECREASE ! DI/ANCE BECAUSE HE DISGU/$ ME4 ,NATURE IS CLEAN2 ,LEM WAS A M\ND ( UNNATURAL FIL? FROM ! TOP ( ! UNWA%$ TANGLE ( HAIR TO ! BOOTS :I* HADN'T BE5 REMOV$ = ?REE YE>S4 

0,SURE1 ,SOPHIE10 HE SAID )\T 9T]E/ OR RES5TM5T4 0,/ILL 9 ! NEWSPAP] BUS9ESS80 

0,GLASS BUS9ESS1 ,LEM4 ,I TOLD Y\ ?AT :5 Y\ W]E LIV+ AT ,DEBBIE ,MAT!WS H\SE4 ,DON'T Y\ REMEMB] MY VISIT8 ,I HAD JU/ SOLD MY NEWSPAP] BUS9ESS & GONE 9TO GLASS40 

0,I REMEMB]4 ,Y\ CAME ) Y\R HALF-SI/] & H] KID4 ,DO+ WELL 9 ! GLASS BUS9ESS80 

0,OH4 M>VEL\SLY1 ,LEM4 ,Y\ & ,I WA/$ \R TIME DUR+ ALL ?OSE YE>S 9 ! NEWSPAP] BUS9ESS4 ,WE %\LD HAVE TURN$ TO GLASS4 ,I [N MO/ ( ! GLASS FACTORIES 9 ! C\NTRY N[1 & ,I'M KN[N AS ! GLASS TYCOON4 ,BUT ,I'M NOT DO+ HALF AS WELL AS Y\ >E40 

0,?AT'S RI<T1 ,SOPHIE1 ,I'M DO+ WELL N[1 & IT DOESN'T MATT] TO ME :E!R Y\ [N$ ! GLASS FACTORY OR JU/ WORK$ 9 IT4 ,I'VE LE>N$ ?AT !RE >E MORE IMPORTANT ?+S4 ,I'VE DISCOV]$ MY [N 9N] LI<T4 ,EA* ONE ( US HAS AN 9N] --0 

,I 9T]RUPT$ HIM & ASK$1 0,DO Y\ REMEMB] ?OSE LETT]S ,I HAD Y\ DELIV] TWELVE YE>S AGO8 ,I'M SORRY AB\T ! TR\BLE !Y CAUS$ Y\40 

0,EV5 ?AT'S UNIMPORTANT N[1 ,SOPHIE40 

0,IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME1 ,LEM4 ,:Y DID ?OSE LETT]S GET Y\ 9TO TR\BLE8 ,:O DID Y\ GIVE !M TO8 ,:OM DID Y\ TALK TO AB\T !M8 ,! ONLY ADDRESS ,I'D GIV5 Y\ WAS ?AT ( ! H\SE WE HAD LIV$ 940 

0,Y\ TOLD ME TO ASK = SOMEONE AT ?AT H\SE4 ,I DID4 ,! PEOPLE LIV+ !RE HAD NEV] HE>D ( HIM4 ,!Y TOLD ME TO ASK ! POLICE40 

0,Y\ DIDN'T TAKE MY LETT]S TO ! POLICE60 

0,( C\RSE ,I DID4 ,IT WAS ! ,PEOPLE'S ,POLICE4 ,AT ?AT TIME !Y W]E ,COMRADES4 ,I HAD NO?+ TO FE> FROM !M4 ,I ID5TIFI$ ) !M4 ,I 9TRODUC$ MYSELF AS A ,COMRADE1 %[$ !M MY C>D & MY 9VITATION TO ! ,CONF]5CE4 ,!Y W]5'T AT ALL UNFRI5DLY4 ,BUT 9 (FICE AFT] (FICE !Y JU/ LEAF$ ?R\< ! 5VELOPES & TOLD ME !Y C\LDN'T F9D ANY PEOPLE ) ?OSE NAMES4 ,F9ALLY ONE ( !M RECOGNIZ$ A NAME & GAVE ME AN ADDRESS --0 

0,DO Y\ REMEMB] ! NAME80 

0,I DIDN'T KN[ IT EV5 !N1 ,SOPHIE2 ,I JU/ %[$ PEOPLE ! NAMES ON ! 5VELOPES4 ,W\LD ANY?+ HAVE BE5 DIFF]5T IF ,I'D LE>N$ ALL ?OSE NAMES80 

0,I SUPPOSE NOT4 ,GO ON1 ,LEM4 ,HE GAVE Y\ AN ADDRESS --0 

0,I TOOK A TAXI !RE4 ,IT WAS AN (FICE BUILD+4 ,! DOORMAN W\LDN'T LET ME 94 ,F9ALLY ,I SAID ! POLICE HAD S5T ME !RE & HE GOT POLITE & L$ ME TO AN (FICE4 ,I WAIT$ & WAIT$4 ,:5 SOMEONE F9ALLY CAME1 HE RECOGNIZ$ ! NAME ON ONE ( ! 5VELOPES & TOLD ME TO LEAVE ?AT LETT] 9 ?AT V]Y (FICE1 S9CE Y\R FRI5D W\LD /OP BY !RE LAT] TO PICK IT UP4 ,I ASK$ HIM H[ ,I C\LD F9D ! O!R PEOPLE4 ,HE TOOK ALL ! REMA9+ LETT]S & WALK$ \T ) !M40 

0,& Y\ W]E >RE/$60 

0,NO4 ,HE WAS GONE A LONG TIME1 BUT HE RETURN$ ) ! LETT]S4 ,HE HAD PUT ADDRESSES ON ?REE ( !M & HE EV5 TOLD ME ! ORD] 9 :I* ,I %\LD DELIV] !M SO AS NOT TO HAVE TO PAY EXTRA TAXI F>E40 

0,IT'S REALLY TOO BAD Y\ DON'T KN[ ANY ( ! NAMES4 ,CAN Y\ DESCRIBE :AT P>T ( ! CITY Y\ W5T TO80 

0,! FIR/ ADDRESS WAS NE>LY AN H\R'S RIDE AWAY FROM ?AT (FICE BUILD+2 ,I'D SAY ! H\SE WASN'T 9 ! CITY AT ALL1 BUT 9 A MU* MORE NATURAL 5VIRONM5T40 

0,DID ! PEOPLE SEEM LIKE ONE-TIME PEASANTS80 

0,!Y SEEM$ MORE NATURAL4 ,I DON'T KN[ :AT PEASANTS >E LIKE4 ,A WOMAN 9 A BLACK DRESS & A BLACK K]*IEF OP5$ ! DOOR4 ,I ?\<T %E LOOK$ AFRAID ( ME4 ,%E CROSS$ H]SELF AS %E TOOK ! LETT]2 %E DIDN'T SEEM TO UND]/& A WORD ?\< ,I SPOKE TO H] ) MY BE/ ACC5T4 ,%E CLOS$ ! DOOR ON ME :ILE ,I WAS TRY+ TO TELL H] ! LETT] WAS FROM AN OLD FRI5D ( H] HUSB&'S OR H] SON'S -- ,I CAN'T REMEMB] :I* AL?\< ,I'D BE5 TOLD 9 ! (FICE BUILD+4 ,!N ! CAB TOOK ME ALL ! WAY 9TO ! CITY TO :AT LOOK$ LIKE A CON/RUCTION >EA4 ,!RE WAS A R[ ( F9I%$ H\SES1 BUT ,I HAD TO WALK A C\PLE ( BLOCKS ?R\< MUD TO REA* !M4 ,IT WAS A WOMAN AGA91 ) A BABY GIRL40 

0,?AT WAS ,MIRNA6 ,:AT WAS %E LIKE80 

0,%E WASN'T FRI5DLY EI!R1 AL?\< %E DIDN'T CROSS H]SELF :5 %E TOOK ! LETT] & %E UND]/OOD ME & HE>D ME \T4 ,%E TOLD ME H] HUSB& RETURN$ FROM WORK V]Y LATE4 ,%E ALSO SAID %E KNEW :O ,I WAS & :AT ! LETT] CONTA9$ & %E DIDN'T SEEM V]Y HAPPY AB\T IT4 ,FIVE M9UTES LAT] ,I KNEW :Y4 ,AS SOON AS ,I GOT BACK 9 ! CAB1 TWO PLA9-CLO!SM5 GOT 9 BESIDE ME1 ONE FROM EA* SIDE4 ,:AT DID Y\ TELL !M1 ,SOPHIE8 ,:Y8 ,IT WASN'T ,I :O EXCLUD$ Y\ FROM ?AT ,OMISSIONS PAP]1 BUT ,?UR/ON4 ,I KN[ ,I %\LDN'T HAVE GONE ALONG ) ?AT4 ,I KNEW IT !N4 ,?AT'S :Y ,I WAS EAG] TO GET \T ( IT ALL & GO TO ?AT CONF]5CE --0 

0,LEM1 PLEASE BELIEVE ME1 ,I DIDN'T S5D Y\ ON ?AT ]R& 9 ORD] TO HAVE Y\ >RE/$1 ?OSE REALLY W]E LETT]S TO MY FRI5DS & ,I HONE/LY DIDN'T KN[ PEOPLE C\LD BE >RE/$ = DELIV]+ OR RECEIV+ LETT]S40 

0,I WANT$ TO BELIEVE ?AT1 ,SOPHIE4 ,IT WAS V]Y H>D = ME NOT TO BELIEVE ?AT4 ,BUT DUR+ ! :OLE 9VE/IGATION & TRIAL !Y KEPT REPEAT+ ! NAME ( MY HI< S*OOL TEA*] ,GEORGE ,ALB]TS & !Y KEPT ASK+ IF ,I'D KN[N HIM4 ,( C\RSE ,I'D KN[N MY [N HI< S*OOL TEA*]4 ,!Y SAID HE WAS A SPY & ?AT MADE S5SE TO ME2 ,I KNEW HE'D HAD ,DEBBIE ,MAT!WS FIR$ FROM H] JOB4 ,:O ELSE BUT Y\ C\LD HAVE TOLD ! POLICE ?AT ,GEORGE ,ALB]TS HAD BE5 MY HI< S*OOL TEA*]80 

0,LEM1 Y\R >RE/ & ,ALB]TS' BEHAVIOR 9 ! HI< S*OOL HAD NO?+ TO DO ) EA* O!R4 ,GEORGE ,ALB]TS & ,LUISA --0 

0,Y\'RE AS UNSCRUPUL\S AS ,I'D ?\<T1 ,SOPHIE4 ,Y\ CAN'T IMPLICATE ,LUISA -- DON'T Y\ REMEMB] ,I KN[ H]8 ,I CONFRONT$ H] ) ?AT AS SOON AS ,I MET H]60 

0,H[ DID Y\ EV5 KN[ ?AT ,LUISA & ,I HAD ANY CONNECTION ) ,ALB]TS8 ,DID ! POLICE TELL Y\ ?AT80 

0,I KNEW Y\ MU/ HAVE TOLD !M ,ALB]TS HAD BE5 MY HI< S*OOL TEA*]1 & ?AT'S ALL ,I KNEW !N4 ,IT WAS ,DEBBIE ,MAT!WS :O TOLD ME 4440 

,( C\RSE6 ,I LA/ SAW ,LEM SEV5 YE>S AGO -- 9 ,DEBBIE ,MAT!WS' H\SE4 ,I HADN'T EXPECT$ TO SEE HIM !RE & MY COMPLETE SURPRISE HAD KEPT ME FROM ABSORB+ A GREAT DEAL ( :AT HE TOLD ME4 ,WE W5T !RE ON A WEEKDAY NI<T1 IT WAS SUMM]1 ,I WAS EXHAU/$ AFT] HAV+ SWEAT$ ALL DAY 9 ! FIB]GLASS FACTORY2 ,I WASN'T ALTOGE!R RECEPTIVE TO ,LEM'S N>RATIVE OR TO HIS PRES5CE4 ,?IS HAPP5$ A FEW WEEKS AFT] ,I HAD MOV$ 9TO ! H\SE ,SAB9A & ,T9A HAD R5T$4 ,SAB9A TOLD ME ?AT ,JOSE HAD SUPPORT$ ,DEBBIE F9ANCIALLY AFT] ,TOM ,MAT!WS & ,RON BO? DI$4 ,DEBBIE HAD NEV] GOTT5 A JOB AGA9 AFT] %E'D BE5 FIR$ FROM HI< S*OOL BECAUSE ( ,ALB]TS4 ,AFT] H] SECOND VISIT TO ,JOSE 9 JAIL1 ,SAB9A BECAME CONC]N$ AB\T ! FACT ?AT ,DEBBIE WAS NO LONG] RECEIV+ ANY 9COME FROM ,JOSE4 ,:5 %E SAID %E WAS ON H] WAY TO ,DEBBIE'S H\SE1 ,I BEGG$ TO GO ALONG2 ,I HAD LIK$ ,RON'S MO!R1 & ,I HAD NEV] REALLY ?ANK$ H] = HAV+ HELP$ ME F9D ,SAB9A AFT] ,I'D BE5 EVICT$ FROM ! UNIV]SITY CO-OP4 ,T9A ALSO BEGG$ TO GO ALONG1 SO AS TO SEE H] 0GR&MO!R0 AGA94 ,TIR$ AS ,I WAS1 ,I WAS EXTREMELY CURI\S AB\T ! RELATION%IP ,SAB9A W\LD BE ABLE TO E/ABLI% ) ,DEBBIE4 ,JOSE WAS SOME?+ LIKE ,DEBBIE'S ADOPT$ SON1 SO ,I WASN'T SURPRIS$ ?AT %E ACCEPT$ HIS F9ANCIAL SUPPORT4 ,BUT ,I WOND]$ H[ WILL+ %E'D BE TO ACCEPT MONEY FROM ,GEORGE ,ALB]TS' DAU<T]4 ,AS SOON AS WE 5T]$ ! H\SE :]E ,I'D ALMO/ BE5 %OT BY ,RON'S FA!R T5 YE>S E>LI]1 ,I WAS SORRY ,I'D ASK$ TO GO ALONG4 ,DEBBIE ANSW]$ ! DOOR WE>+ NO?+ BUT PANTIES & A BRASSI]E2 %E REEK$ ( ALCOHOL4 ,%E YELL$1 0,WELL :AT DO Y\ KN[1 ,LEM1 ! ,ALB]TS GIRLS1 ALL TWO ( !M1 & ,RON'S KID4 ,SO Y\'VE COME TO F9I% US (F60 ,BEH9D ,DEBBIE1 9 HIS UND]WE>1 /OOD ,LEM ,ICEL1 ! SAME ,LEM :O HAD BE5 MY FELL[ PUPIL 9 ,DEBBIE ,MAT!WS' HI< S*OOL CLASS1 ! SAME ,LEM :O HAD BE5 9TRODUC$ TO ! WORLD ( 0T5D5CIES & ?+S0 BY ,DEBBIE ,MAT!WS4 ,SAB9A %OV$ AN 5VELOPE 9TO ,DEBBIE'S H& & SAID CURTLY1 0,JOSE IS 9 JAIL2 HE WANT$ ME TO GIVE Y\ ?IS40 ,SAB9A WAS READY TO LEAVE4 ,BUT ,DEBBIE ?REW ! 5VELOPE AT ,SAB9A'S FEET & %\T$1 0,PICK ?AT UP & TAKE IT ) Y\1 ,MISS ,ALB]TS6 ,NO ONE H]E IS = SALE4 ,ISN'T ?AT RI<T1 ,LEM80 ,!N ,DEBBIE TURN$ TO ME4 0,:AT >E Y\ />+ AT1 DE>Y8 ,! BA?+ SUITS8 ,DON'T Y\ KN[ IT'S ! SEASON = !M8 ,ISN'T ?AT RI<T1 ,LEM80 0,?AT'S RI<T1 ,DEBBIE10 ,LEM ANSW]$2 0BA?+ SUITS4 ,WE DON'T [E H] ANY EXPLANATIONS ANYWAY1 NOT AFT] :AT %E DID TO US60 0,:AT DID ,I DO80 ,I ASK$ ANGRILY4 ,DEBBIE TURN$ TO ME ) FLAM+ HATR$ 9 H] EYES4 0,Y\ UNSCRUPUL\S1 MANIPULATIVE BIT*6 ,Y\'RE T5 TIMES WORSE ?AN ?AT L\SY SI/] ( Y\RS4 ,Y\'RE ,ALB]TS' FIR/ DAU<T]4 ,Y\'RE REALLY GOOD AT IT2 Y\ SURE TOOK ME 96 ,FIR/ ,I ?\<T !RE WAS ONLY ONE ( Y\ & ?AT %E WAS A TWO-FAC$ S*IZOPHR5IC4 ,!N ,I LE>N$ !RE W]E TWO1 & ! SECOND ONE WAS AS SWEET & 9NOC5T AS A NEWBORN BABE2 %E'S EV5 %OCK$ BY BA?+ SUITS4 ,BUT Y\ CAN'T DO ?AT 9NOC5T ACT 9 FRONT ( ,LEM6 ,%[ H] Y\R W\NDS1 ,LEM60 0,:AT DID ,I EV] DO TO HIM80 ,I ASK$ ANGRILY4 ,SAB9A KICK$ ! 5VELOPE 9TO ! ROOM & />T$ LEAV+4 ,T9A PULL$ ME BY ! >M & BEGG$1 0,DON'T MAKE A SC5E1 ,SOPHIA1 PLEASE1 CAN'T Y\ SEE !Y'RE BO? DRUNK80 ,DEBBIE %\T$1 0,:AT DID Y\ DO8 ,LOOK6 ,LOOK AT ?IS GA% ACROSS HIS HEAD6 ,LOOK AT HIS BACK4 ,LOOK AT HIS >MS6 ,%[ H] ! RE/1 ,LEM6 ,%[ H] :AT %E DID TO Y\60 ,SAB9A & ,T9A W5T \T TO ! SIDEWALK4 ,I />T$ SOBB+1 0,HAVE Y\ GONE CRAZY1 ,DEBBIE8 ,I DIDN'T T\* ,LEM6 ,I C\LDN'T HAVE DONE ?AT60 0,!RE'S NO PO9T 9 Y\R ACT+ SO 9NOC5T1 ,SOPHIE10 ,LEM SAID2 0,I KN[ ALL AB\T ?OSE LETT]S4 ,?AT WAS A VICI\S TRICK TO L9K ME UP ) ,GEORGE ,ALB]TS1 ( ALL PEOPLE4 ,REALLY VICI\S4 ,IT WASN'T UNTIL ,I GOT BACK & SAW ,DEBBIE ?AT ,I F\ND \T :AT ELSE ,ALB]TS WAS3 Y\R FA!R6 ,AFT] :AT HE DID TO ,DEBBIE1 Y\ C\LDN'T HAVE TOLD ME HE WAS Y\R FA!R1 C\LD Y\8 ,SO Y\ MADE !M ?9K ,I WAS RELAT$ TO ,ALB]TS6 ,Y\ PROBABLY EXPECT$ ME TO DIE !RE4 ,:Y1 ,SOPHIE8 ,BECAUSE ( ,OMISSIONS80 ,DEBBIE SAID1 0,BECAUSE Y\'RE A WORSE PIECE ( %IT ?AN HE IS1 ?AT'S :Y4 ,AT LEA/ ,ALB]TS NEV] W5T SO F> AS TO PRET5D TO BE MY BOYFRI5D60 ,MY ANG] RETURN$ & ,I %\T$1 0,Y\'RE RAV+1 ,LEM6 ,:AT HAPP5$ TO ?OSE LETT]S ,I GAVE Y\8 ,:AT DID Y\ DO ) !M8 ,!Y MATT]$ TO ME1 ,LEM6 ,MY :OLE LIFE WAS 9 !M60 ,LEM ANSW]$1 0,!Y PUT ME ?R\< TWO YE>S ( PRISONS & CAMPS1 ,SOPHIE6 ,TWO YE>S6 ,I TOLD !M EV]Y?+ ,I KNEW1 BUT !Y BEAT ME1 BURN$ ME1 CUT ME = NOT TELL+ !M ?+S ,I C\LDN'T KN[4 ,!Y KEPT QUE/ION+ ME1 TRANSF]R+ ME & QUE/ION+ ME AGA94 ,BUT Y\ DID DO SOME?+ = ME1 ,SOPHIE4 ,?ANKS TO Y\ ,I N[ KN[ :AT IT'S REALLY LIKE OV] !RE4 ,IT'S AS ROTT5 AS IT IS H]E4 ,?ANKS TO Y\ MY EYES W]E OP5$1 ,SOPHIE4 ,N[ ,I SEE ?AT ,CIVILIZATION IS AT ! ROOT ( IT ALL4 ,S9CE ,I'VE BE5 BACK ,I'VE BE5 DISCOV]+ NEW IDEOLOGIES1 POSITIVE ONES1 TO REPLACE :AT TURN$ \T TO BE A ROTT5 IDEOLOGY4 ,I'VE BE5 /UDY+ ANCI5T ,EGYPTIAN PHILOSOPHY & ,DEBBIE 9TRODUC$ ME TO ! PEACE MOVEM5T4 ,IF Y\ HADN'T DONE ?IS TO ME1 ,SOPHIE1 ,I'D ?9K Y\'D BE ! P]FECT PEACE MOVEM5T P]SON2 ,I ALWAYS ?\<T ( Y\ AS A P]SON ) AN 9N] LI<T --0 ,I WAS NE>LY HY/]ICAL ) FURY4 ,I SCREAM$ AT HIM4 0,Y\'RE LY+1 Y\ BA/>D6 ,Y\ LO/ MY LETT]S6 ,Y\'RE MAK+ ALL ?IS UP BECAUSE Y\ DON'T WANT TO ADMIT Y\ LO/ !M60 ,I RAN \T ( ,DEBBIE'S H\SE CRY+4 ,I DIDN'T BELIEVE A WORD HE'D TOLD ME4 ,= SEV5 YE>S ,I REMA9$ CONV9C$ ?AT HE'D LO/ MY LETT]S4 ,BUT SOME P>T ( ME MU/ HAVE BELIEV$ SOME?+ ( :AT HE SAID1 BECAUSE AS WE WALK$ HOME ,I FELT 9CREAS+LY GUILTY4 ,I ASK$ ,SAB9A & ,T9A IF !Y'D HE>D ( ! PEACE MOVEM5T4 ,SAB9A WAS TOO UN9T]E/$ TO ANSW] BUT ,T9A SAID1 0,I'VE SE5 !M4 ,!Y SIT 9 FRONT ( BUILD+ 5TRANCES & WAIT = PEOPLE TO HIT !M4 ,I TALK$ TO ONE ( !M4 ,!Y ?9K ! MORE PEOPLE HIT !M ! MORE GOOD !Y'RE DO+40 ,I DIDN'T MISS ,T9A'S S>CASM1 BUT A FEW WEEKS LAT] ,I W5T TO ! ADDRESS ON A LEAFLET ,T9A BR\<T ME & ,I 0JO9$0 ! 0PEACE MOVEM5T40 ,I WANT$ TO FEEL ,I WAS 0DO+ GOOD0 :5 ,I WAS HIT2 = SEV]AL YE>S ,I HAD BE5 HIT & HIT & ,I'D FELT ONLY ! PA94 ,ONE ( ! FIR/ PEOPLE ,I MET 9 ! ,PEACE ,MOVEM5T WAS ,>T ,S9I*1 ! Y\NG MAN :O HELP$ ,LUISA TRANSPORT ,LEM TO ! E/ATE4 

,ALL ?IS CAME BACK TO ME :ILE ,I LI/5$ TO ! BE>D$ ,LEM ON ! AB&ON$ E/ATE4 0444Y\ MU/ HAVE TOLD !M ,ALB]TS HAD BE5 MY HI< S*OOL TEA*]4444 ,IT WAS ,DEBBIE ,MAT!WS :O TOLD ME ,GEORGE ,ALB]TS WAS Y\R FA!R6 ,SO Y\ W]E GO+ TO HAVE ME PUT AWAY ! WAY Y\R FA!R HAD ,DEBBIE PUT AWAY60 

0,LEM1 Y\'RE WRONG --0 

0,Y\ CAN'T IMPLICATE ,LUISA BECAUSE ,I GOT TO KN[ H] TOO1 ,SOPHIE4 ,Y\'RE NO GOOD4 ,DEBBIE SAW RI<T ?R\< Y\4 ,! FIR/ TIME ,I MET ,LUISA ,I ASK$ H] :AT CONNECTION %E'D HAD ) ,ALB]TS & ) MY >RE/4 ,I LE>N$ %E HADN'T SE5 Y\ 9 YE>S1 %E'D SEP>AT$ FROM ,ALB]TS :5 WE W]E /ILL 9 HI< S*OOL & %E DISLIK$ ,ALB]TS TO ! PO9T ( NOT WANT+ TO EV5 ANSW] QUE/IONS AB\T HIM40 

0,WILL Y\ LET ME EXPLA91 ,LEM80 

0,IT W\LDN'T DO ANY GOOD1 ,SOPHIE4 ,NOT BECAUSE Y\'RE NO GOOD4 ,MAYBE ,DEBBIE WAS WRONG4 ,BUT BECAUSE IT'S NOT IMPORTANT4 ,!SE ?+S >E PETTY & MO/ PEOPLE SP5D !IR :OLE LIVES CONC5TRAT+ ON PETTY ?+S4 ,I'VE LE>N$ TO CONC5TRATE ON --0 

0,Y\R 9N] LI<T4 ,Y\ TOLD ME E>LI]1 ,LEM40 ,I SAW ,LUISA RETURN+ FROM ! DIRECTION BEH9D ,LEM4 ,I DIDN'T HAVE ! 5]GY TO BEG9 TO EXPLA94 ,I C\LDN'T EV5 BR+ MYSELF TO APOLOGIZE TO ?AT HAIRY1 FIL?Y MY/IC4 ,I FELT DISGU/ & T]RIBLE GUILT4 ,I WAS ! ONE :O'D MADE HIM :AT HE WAS1 ?AT REVOLT+1 RAG-COV]$ GLOB4 

,LUISA WAS ALL SMILE4 0,Y\ PICK$ A GORGE\S DAY = Y\R \T+1 ,SOPHIA60 ,%E />T$ SKIPP+ ALONG ! POND & !N RAN RI<T PA/ ,LEM T[>D ME4 

,I FELL 9TO H] >MS CRY+4 0,EV]Y?+ HE TOLD Y\ AB\T ME1 ,LUISA -- IT'S ALL TRUE1 EV]Y WORD ( IT40 

,LUISA PRESS$ MY HEAD BETWE5 H] H&S & BRU%$ MY TE>S AWAY ) H] ?UMBS4 0,HEY1 ,I DON'T ?9K ,I LIKE ?IS2 ,I DIDN'T EV] 9T5D TO HOLD Y\ TO ?AT PROMISE40 

0,:AT PROMISE80 ,I SOBB$4 

0,Y\R PROMISE TO CRY = ME4 ,I WAS FLATT]$ :5 Y\ MADE ?AT PROMISE1 BUT ,I KN[ IT'S NO?+ BUT A TRICK DESIGN$ TO PROVE Y\'RE ! *ILD & ,I'M ! OLD WOMAN60 

,I TRI$ H>D TO SMILE4 0,MY VISIT IS OV]1 ,LUISA4 ,WE W]E GO+ TO GO /REET WALK+ AFT]W>DS1 REMEMB]80 

0,F9E6 ,Y\'LL BE MY M5TOR6 ,I'M ! Y\NG NOVICE40 ,REMA9+ :]E %E /OOD1 ,LUISA %\T$1 0,GOODBYE1 ,LEM4 ,TAKE GOOD C>E ( ,MO!R ,NATURE4 ,& CLOSE ! FRONT DOOR40 

0,?ANKS = COM+1 ,LUISA4 ,Y\'LL COME AGA980 

0,AS SOON AS ! 9N] LI<T TELLS ME TO1 ,LEM60 

,%E GRABB$ MY H& & WE RAN ?R\< ! =E/ TO ! /REET1 AVOID+ ,LEM'S PA?4 ,AS WE WALK$ TO ! BUS /OP1 ,I SAID1 0,LUISA1 HAVE Y\ *ANG$ OR >E Y\ ALWAYS LIKE ?IS80 

0,:5EV] ,I'M 9 LOVE4 ,I US$ TO HIDE FROM Y\ :5 ,I WAS 9 LOVE2 Y\ ALWAYS SPOIL$ IT4 ,TODAY = SOME REASON ,I 5JOY Y\R COMPANY IMM5SELY4 ,I ?9K ,I KN[ ! REASON4 ,I'M F9ALLY NOT Y\R MO!R ANY MORE1 ,SOPHIA4 ,?AT FEEL+ IS GONE1 IT'S DEAD1 NOT A TRACE ( IT REMA9S4 ,I LIKE Y\ = ! FIR/ TIME 9 MY LIFE4 ,Y\'RE LIKE A NEW FRI5D1 AN OLD] FRI5D40 

0,OLD] HELL6 ,I'LL RACE Y\ TO ! CORN]60 ,I %\T$1 />T+ TO RUN4 

0,OLD]6 ,OLD]60 %E SCREAM$1 & REA*$ ! COM] FIR/4 

0,Y\ ?9K ,I'M JEAL\S ( Y\R AFFAIR1 OR COM+ AFFAIR ) ,DAMAN80 ,I ASK$ AS WE CLIMB$ 9TO ! BUS4 0,Y\ CAN HAVE HIM4 ,I ?9K HE'S AWFUL40 

0,S\R GRAPES60 %E YELL$1 PU%+ ME 9TO A SEAT4 

,:5 WE GOT (F ! BUS1 ,LUISA HOPP$ 9 FRONT ( ME1 SPUN >\ND COQUETTI%LY1 & !N PUT H] >M ?R\< M9E & TUGG$ ME HURRI$LY D[N ! /REET1 ASK+1 0,DO ,I LOOK LIKE A HOOK]8 ,AM ,I WALK+ RI<T8 ,COME ON1 TEA*]1 />T TEA*+60 

0,LUISA1 ,I HAVE A CONFESSION TO MAKE --0 

0,AW ,SOPHIA1 DON'T TELL ME Y\'VE NEV] DONE IT EI!R6 ,:AT A SAD SACK6 ,DIDN'T ?OSE FRI5DS ( Y\RS TEA* Y\ ANY?+8 ,I SUPPOSE Y\ DIDN'T APPROVE60 

0,IF Y\2RE S]I\S AB\T IT1 ,LUISA1 :Y >E WE RU%+ D[N ! /REET80 

0,BECAUSE ,I'M />V+1 ?AT'S :Y6 ,I'VE GOT ALL ! +R$I5TS = A RICE CASS]OLE & ,I'M 9VIT+ MY NEW COMRADE TO BE MY GUE/1 UNLESS %E HAS PRIOR COMMITM5TS40 

0,NO COMMITM5TS1 ,LUISA2 ,I'D LOVE TO COME4 ,I HAV5'T BE5 !RE 9 YE>S60 

0,GOOD6 ,S9CE Y\ WON'T TELL ME ANY ( Y\R SECRETS1 ,I'LL HAVE ALL ! MORE TIME TO TELL Y\ M9E40 

,AS SOON AS WE W]E 9SIDE ! H\SE ,I />T$ TO RUN UP/AIRS TO MY ROOM1 BUT ,LUISA /OPP$ ME HALFWAY4 0,HEY1 :]E >E Y\ GO+8 ,SOMEONE LIVES !RE60 

,I CLIMB$ BACK D[N4 0,SORRY4 ,I /UPIDLY ASSUM$ IT W\LD ALWAYS BE MY ROOM4 ,IS IT SOMEONE ,I KN[80 

0,>T ,S9I*40 

0,>T LIVES 9 MY ROOM8 ,S9CE :580 

0,S9CE ! WEEK AFT] WE TOOK ,LEM TO ! C\NTRY40 

0,LUISA6 ,DID ! 5TIRE PEACE MOVEM5T /AY 9 MY ROOM80 

0,JU/ ,LEM & ,>T4 ,& IT'S NOT Y\R ROOM6 ,I'VE (T5 ?\<T ,PRUD5CE W\LD HAVE BE5 A MU* BETT] NAME = Y\4 ,Y\ W]E NAM$ = A ,SOPHIA :O WAS RECKLESS1 UN9HIBIT$1 F]OCI\SLY 9DEP5D5T40 

0,I ?\<T Y\'D /OPP$ BE+ MY MO!R60 

0,I HAVE1 S\RPUSS6 ,?AT'S :Y ,I'M HAV+ SU* A GOOD TIME TAK+ JABS AT Y\60 

0,:]E WILL Y\ PUT ,DAMAN8 ,>E Y\ COLLECT+ A MALE H>EM80 

0,Y\ ACT EXACTLY AS ,I'D ALWAYS FE>$ Y\ W\LD6 ,Y\'RE SO PR$ICTABLE6 ,BUT MY FE> IS GONE4 ,Y\'RE NOT MY CONSCI5CE ANY MORE40 

0,Y\R CONSCI5CE6 ,& :O MADE ME ?AT80 

0,I HAV5'T ! SLI<TE/ IDEA1 ,SOPHIA4 ,I DIDN'T4 ,NA*ALO DIDN'T4 ,!Y SAY ?AT :5 ! *ILDR5 ( RADICALS REBEL1 !Y DO SO BY BECOM+ CONS]VATIVE40 

0,?AT'S UNFRI5DLY1 ,LUISA4 ,I HAV5'T EXACTLY BE5 CONS]VATIVE1 & ,I ALWAYS TRI$ TO LIVE UP TO --0 

0,Y\R MORALS1 MY PRETTY --0 

0,Y\ DON'T KN[ ANY?+ AB\T MY MORALS60 

0,I DO KN[ ,I HAD TO HIDE FROM !M ) GREAT C>E --0 

0,I HOPE ?AT DIDN'T SPOIL ALL Y\R FUN60 

0,IT DIDN'T SPOIL MU*1 ,SOPHIA4 ,I WAS C>ELESS ONLY ONCE1 ) ,ALEC --0 

0,ALEC6 ,DON'T Y\ KN[ HE ONLY WANT$ --0 

0,Y\'RE AS R$ AS ?IS PEPP]6 ,H]E1 HELP ME PUT ?IS 9TO ! OV54 ,DO Y\ LIKE IT SPICY80 

0,NOT TOO40 

0,F9E1 !N IT'S READY TO BAKE4 ,I ?\<T Y\ W]E ?R\< ) ,ALEC --0 

0,I WAS6 ,I C\LDN'T /& HIM60 

0,!N :Y ALL ?IS PASSION8 ,BECAUSE ,I'M Y\R MO!R8 ,WE %\LD HAVE HAD ?IS SC5E AT LEA/ TW5TY YE>S AGO6 ,WE'D EI!R HAVE BECOME FRI5DS OR SWORN 5EMIES1 9/EAD ( ?IS WI%Y-WA%Y1 POLITE ,H[ >E Y\1 NICE TO SEE Y\ AGA94 ,NO1 ,I'M NOT COLLECT+ A H>EM1 ,SOPHIA4 ,I'M JU/ LIV+ MY LIFE1 & ,I'M NOT HID+ FROM Y\ ANY MORE2 9 FACT ,I'M HAV+ ! TIME ( MY LIFE %[+ IT TO Y\4 ,>T WAS F9E :ILE ! PEACE MOVEM5T LA/$1 BUT HE DRI$ UP :5 IT DRI$ UP4 ,:5 HE TOO />T$ TALK+ AB\T HIS 9N] LI<T1 ,I ASK$ HIM TO LEAVE2 HE'LL MOVE \T ?IS WEEK4 ,NOR DO ,I EXPECT ,DAMAN TO MOVE 9 H]E2 DOESN'T HE HAVE A NICE PLACE ( HIS [N8 ,I LIKE HIM1 ?AT'S ALL4 ,I GET EXCIT$ JU/ TALK+ TO HIM ON ! PHONE4 ,A PR(ESSOR60 

0,PR(ESSORS >E BEA/S1 ,LUISA4 ,DOESN'T ?AT CONFLICT ) Y\R PR9CIPLES3 TO LIKE SOMEONE BECAUSE HE'S AN AU?ORITY80 

0,IS ?AT :Y Y\'RE SO UPSET8 ,HELP ME SET ! TABLE40 

0,I'M NOT UPSET6 ,:]E DO Y\ KEEP ! GLASSES80 

0,ON ! TOP %ELF2 Y\'LL NE$ A *AIR4 ,BR+ D[N TWO *AMPAGNE GLASSES TOO40 

0,*AMPAGNE6 ,JU/ = ME1 Y\R CONSCI5CE80 

0,WE'RE CELEBRAT+ MY 9DEP5D5CE60 

0,I'M SORRY Y\ HAVE TO CELEBRATE ?AT40 

0,NOT Y\R FAULT1 ,SOPHIA4 ,I LOV$ ?AT MAN4 ,HE WAS MY FIR/4 ,I WAS MAD AB\T HIM & ,I WANT$ TO C>RY HIS *ILD AS WELL AS HIS NAME4 ,N[ ,I'M C>RY+ ONLY HIS NAME4 ,SALUD Y ,LIB]TAD6 ,TO MY 9DEP5D5CE60 

0,AM ,I NO?+ AT ALL LIKE ,NA*ALO80 

0,NOT A HAIR1 ,SOPHIA6 ,Y\'RE AS G5TLE AS A LAMB --0 

0,:]EAS HE WAS VIOL5T1 LIKE ,SAB9A1 LIKE ,RON --0 

0,IF Y\ 9SI/ ON ?AT COMP>ISON --0 

0,!N :Y DID Y\ LIKE HIM8 ,Y\ HAT$ ,RON6 ,Y\ HATE ,SAB9A60 

0,:Y DID Y\ LIKE !M8 ,9 HI< S*OOL Y\ LEFT ,LEM ) HIS TONGUE HANG+ \T & RAN (F ) ,RON4 ,EXPLA9 ?AT1 ,SOPHIA1 & Y\'LL EXPLA9 :Y ,I W5T CRAZY = ,NA*ALO4 ,YES1 HE WAS VIOL5T4 ,HE LIV$ ) HIS RIFLE4 ,:5 ,I MET HIM HE HADN'T EAT5 = DAYS & LIV$ 9 A RA?OLE4 ,BUT HIS RIFLE WAS CLEAN & HE HAD LOTS ( AMMUNITION4 ,:5EV] HE HE>D %OOT+ HE RAN T[>DS IT2 IF IT WAS WORK]S %OOT+ AT PRIE/S1 /ATE (FICIALS1 CAPITALI/S OR COPS1 HE'D EMPTY HIS RIFLE AS FA/ AS HE C\LD FILL IT4 ,BUT IF TWO GR\PS ( WORK]S EV] %OT AT EA* O!R HE'D RISK HIS LIFE BY /&+ BETWE5 !M & %\T+1 ',:5 WORK]S KILL EA* O!R1 !RE'S NO MORE REASON TO LIVE4 ,KILL ME FROM BO? SIDES6' ,HIS VIOL5CE WAS REVOLUTION>Y VIOL5CE4 ,IT HAD NO?+ 9 COMMON ) ,RON'S HOOLIGANISM40 

0,Y\ NEV] KNEW ,RON6 ,BESIDES1 W]5'T !RE PEOPLE 9 Y\R UNION :O ?\<T ,NA*ALO WAS A HOOLIGAN8 ,:AT DID ,GEORGE ,ALB]TS ?9K ( HIM80 

0,EV]Y ONE ( ! WORK]S ,I 9TRODUC$ HIM TO WAS AS 5?USIA/IC AB\T HIM AS ,I WAS40 

0,LUISA1 Y\'RE HID+ P>T ( ! PICTURE40 

0,( C\RSE ! CONS]VATIVE OLD UNION LEAD]S ?\<T HE WAS A HOOLIGAN4 ,!Y CONSID]$ EV]YONE :O /ILL TALK$ ( REVOLUTION A HOOLIGAN4 ,BUT !IR 9FLU5CE DISAPPE>$ ON ! DAY ( ! B>RICADES4 ,EV5 ,ALB]TS BECAME QUITE VIOL5T HIMSELF :5 ,M>G>ITA DI$2 HE JO9$ ,NA*ALO ON ! FRONT & NE>LY DI$ ALONGSIDE HIM4 ,!Y F\<T = ! WORK]S' CAUSE4 ,RON1 ,SAB9A & !IR ILK F\<T = NO?+ BUT !IR [N PRECI\S SELVES60 

0,Y\R CASS]OLE IS DELICI\S1 ,LUISA40 

0,WELL1 DIDN'T !Y80 

0,I DON'T KN[1 ,LUISA4 ,I'M CONFUS$4 ,LET'S TALK AB\T SOME?+ ELSE4 ,:5 WE W]E >RE/$ TW5TY YE>S AGO1 :Y DID ! ?REE ( US GET \T ( JAIL AFT] TWO DAYS :]EAS O!RS /AY$ LOCK$ UP = F\R YE>S80 

0,?AT'S ,Y>O/AN'S QUE/ION40 

0,:AT IF IT IS8 ,Y\'VE TOLD ME ,GEORGE ,ALB]TS >RANG$ \R RELEASE4 ,:AT P[] DID HE HAVE TO DO ?AT80 

0,:Y DO Y\ ASK ?AT8 ,GEORGE BECAME SOME?+ ( A MY?ICAL H]O DUR+ ! W>2 HE DID SOME RESE>*1 ,I SUPPOSE 9 PHYSICS ?\< HE NEV] TOLD ME AB\T ANY ( IT2 HIS WORK SUPPOS$LY CONTRIBUT$ SIGNIFICANTLY T[>D ! VICTORY4 ,IT MADE HIM A BIG MAN1 V]Y 9FLU5TIAL1 ) 9T]NATIONAL CONNECTIONS4 ,EV]YONE KNEW ?AT1 9CLUD+ ,Y>O/AN4 ,:AT DO Y\ MEAN3 :AT P[] DID HE HAVE8 ,!RE WAS NO?+ MY/]I\S OR SECRET AB\T ! P[] HE HAD4 ,IF !Y'D LEFT US 9 JAIL HE'D HAVE MADE A BIG SC5E 9 ! WORLD'S PRESS3 ,WIFE & FAMILY ( W>TIME PHYSICI/ >RE/$1 TORTUR$1 & :ATEV] ELSE !Y SPIC$ UP ?OSE /ORIES )4 ,I DESPIS$ HIM BY !N4 ,DUR+ ! W> HE'D CONV9C$ HIMSELF ?AT WORK]S W]E 9CAPABLE ( C>RY+ A REVOLUTION ?R\<2 HE'D CONV9C$ HIMSELF ALL !Y C\LD DO WAS TOPPLE A DICTATOR%IP & MAKE ROOM = ANO!R & PROBABLY WORSE DICTATOR%IP4 ,BY ! TIME WE GOT H]E HE WAS AN \TSPOK5 REACTION>Y2 HE ?\<T \R EXP]I5CE HAD ONLY PROV$ HIS REACTION>Y \TLOOK YET ANO!R TIME40 

0,!N :Y DID Y\ LEAVE ) HIM80 

0,I ?\<T WE HAD NO O!R ALT]NATIVES & ,I /ILL ?9K SO4 ,DID ,Y>O/AN TELL Y\ !RE W]E BETT] ?+S = US TO DO80 

0,HE SP5T F\R YE>S 9 PRISON60 

0,I ONLY LE>N$ ?AT :5 HIS LETT] CAME ?IS YE>6 ,AT ! TIME ,I ?\<T EV]YONE WAS BE+ RELEAS$1 EI!R A DAY BE=E US OR A FEW DAYS AFT]4 ,! POLICE TOLD US WE'D ALL BE5 >RE/$ BY MI/AKE2 IT HAD ALL BE5 A BUREAUCRATIC BLUND]40 

0,& Y\ BELIEV$ ?AT80 

0,SOPHIA1 IT'S ! EASIE/ ?+ 9 ! WORLD TO BE SO SM>T TW5TY YE>S AFT] ! EV5T6 ,( C\RSE ,I BELIEV$ !M2 ,I HAD NO REASON NOT TO4 ,& Y\'RE NOT ! ONE TO BE ASK+ QUE/IONS AB\T MY CLE>HEAD$NESS DUR+ ?OSE DAYS6 ,Y\ W]E OLD 5\< TO USE Y\R [N HEAD & DRAW Y\R [N CONCLUSIONS -- & Y\ OBVI\SLY DON'T REMEMB] JU/ H[ HELPFUL Y\ W]E6 ,A FIFTE5-YE> OLD GIRL HANG+ ON TO H] MO!R'S COAT & />+ (F 9TO SPACE LIKE AN IDIOT :O'D LO/ ALL H] BRA9S6 ,I WAS SO A%AM$ ( Y\6 ,SAB9A'S GYPSY MO!R HAD ONLY BE5 F\RTE5 :5 %E'D DI$ ON ! B>RICADES4 ,DON'T Y\ SEE Y\'RE /ILL TRY+ TO HANG ON TO ME8 ',:Y DIDN'T Y\ DO ?IS 9/EAD ( ?AT1 MO!R8' ,SAB9A WAS ONLY ?IRTE5 BUT %E KNEW P]FECTLY WELL :AT %E WANT$2 %E C\LDN'T WAIT TO LEAVE & ! %IP WASN'T FA/ 5\< = H]6 ,IF Y\'D SAID Y\ WANT$ TO /AY1 Y\'D HAVE /AY$4 ,IF Y\'D ONLY MADE A PEEP60 

0,I'M RU9+ Y\R CELEBRATION1 ,LUISA4 ,I'M SORRY ,I BR\<T ?AT UP40 

0,DAMN Y\1 ,SOPHIA1 WIPE ?OSE TE>S (F Y\R FACE6 ,:Y DIDN'T Y\ CRY !N8 ,I W\LD HAVE UND]/OOD TE>S6 ,I W\LD HAVE LEFT Y\ !RE IF ?AT WAS :AT Y\ WANT$4 ,BUT ?AT /UPID1 HELPLESS />E6 ,I C\LDN'T LEAVE Y\ 9 ?AT CONDITION2 ,I ?\<T Y\ W]E SICK6 ,DON'T Y\ D>E CRY N[6 ,IT'S TW5TY YE>S TOO LATE & ,I'M NOT A BIT MOV$4 ,I DON'T EV5 FEEL SORRY = Y\4 ,Y\'VE MADE Y\RSELF :AT Y\ >E1 ,SOPHIA1 & IF Y\ HATE Y\RSELF ?AT WAY1 DON'T />T BLAM+ ME4 ,SMILE1 WON'T Y\1 PLEASE8 ,A PRETTY1 FRI5DLY SMILE1 AS IF Y\ 5JOY$ Y\R COMRADE'S COMPANY4 ,NOT ?R\< TE>S1 Y\ N9NY6 ,?AT'S T5 TIMES WORSE6 ,!RE1 ?AT'S BETT]4 ,I DON'T SEE :Y Y\'D HATE Y\RSELF4 ,TO ME Y\'VE TURN$ \T JU/ F9E2 Y\'VE ALREADY L$ TWO DIFF]5T LIVES --0 

0,Y\'RE ! RASCAL1 Y\ KN[ ?AT ,LUISA80 

0,SEE8 ,I HAV5'T TURN$ \T SO BAD EI!R60 

0,?ANKS = ! DELICI\S D9N]1 ,LUISA1 & = TAK+ ME TO SEE ,LEM4 ,LET ME P\R ANO!R R\ND BE=E ,I LEAVE4 ,TO \R FRI5D%IP60 

0,BRAVO ,SOPHIA6 ,!RE W]E ?\S&S ( O!R ?+S ,I'D WANT$ TO TELL Y\40 

0,!N Y\'LL HAVE TO 9VITE ME ?\S&S ( TIMES60 

,IT MU/ ALL S\ND T]RIBLY G>BL$ TO Y\4 ,?AT ,SUNDAY NI<T AS ,I RODE HOME 9 A TAXI ,I WAS DET]M9$ TO />T WRIT+ Y\ ! FOLL[+ MORN+1 BE=E ,I'D =GOTT5 EV]Y?+ ,I HAD JU/ LE>N$4 ,I GOT HOME EXHAU/$ & SLI<TLY DRUNK4 ,BUT ,I C\LDN'T SLEEP4 ,:AT ,SAB9A & ,LUISA HAD TOLD ME AB\T ,NA*ALO1 ,M>G>ITA & ,GEORGE ,ALB]TS PASS$ ?R\< MY M9D ALONGSIDE IMAGES ( ?AT DIRTY1 BE>D$ H]MIT :O HAD SLEPT 9 :AT HAD ONCE BE5 MY ROOM4 ,! FOLL[+ MORN+ ,I GOT UP ) A HEADA*E4 ,I />$ AT A BLANK %EET ( PAP] BUT C\LDN'T CONC5TRATE ON ANY?+4 ,9 FACT ,I SAT & />$ ALL DAY LONG4 ,I DIDN'T EV5 ?ANK ,SAB9A :5 %E BR\<T ME A S&WI*4 ,IT WAS MY FIR/ COMPLETELY EMPTY DAY 9 YE>S4 ,IT WASN'T ONLY ! PREVI\S NI<T'S W9E1 NOR MY HEADA*E1 ?AT MADE ME />E 0LIKE AN IDIOT :O'D LO/ ALL H] BRA9S40 ,I WOND]$ IF ,I'D REALLY TURN$ \T AS F9E AS ,LUISA CLAIM$ ,I HAD1 IF ,I HAD ANY REASON TO BE SATISFI$ ) ! 0TWO LIVES0 ,I'D L$ 7,I SUPPOSE %E MEANT MY ACADEMIC LIFE & MY LIFE ) ,SAB9A1 ,RON & !IR FRI5DS74 ,I HAD LO/ MY TEA*+ JOB & DIDN'T HAVE ! PROSPECT ( F9D+ ANO!R ONE4 ,IT DAWN$ ON ME ?AT = ! PA/ TWELVE YE>S ,I HADN'T HAD ANY PROJECTS4 ,ALL MY LIFE ,I'VE WANT$ TO CREATE SOME?+ ( MY [N1 SOME?+ ?AT HAS MEAN+ TO ?OSE ,I LOVE4 ,YET = ! PA/ TWELVE YE>S ,I'VE HAD ONLY JOBS1 PSEUDO-PROJECTS1 ACTIVITIES ?AT USE UP MY PROJECT-TIME & MY CREATIVE 5]GY BUT >5'T 9 ANY S5SE MY [N3 !Y EXI/$ BE=E ME & CONT9UE AFT] ME4 ,!Y DID MORE ?AN USE UP MY 5]GY4 ,!Y W]E SUB/ITUTES = ! REAL ?+2 !Y PRET5D$ TO BE PROJECTS2 !Y FILL$ ! GAP LEFT BY ! ABS5CE ( ANY ACTIVITY ( MY [N4 ,!Y GAVE ME ! ILLUSION ?AT ,I WAS LIV+ :ILE TWELVE DEAD YE>S W5T BY4 ,IT DAWN$ ON ME ?AT ,I HADN'T DONE ANY?+ ( MY [N S9CE ,I'D WORK$ ON MY 0NOVEL0 JU/ BE=E BE+ ?R[N \T ( ! UNIV]SITY & EVICT$ FROM ! COOP]ATIVE DORMITORY4 ,I HAD AB&ON$ ?AT MANUSCRIPT 9 ! G>AGE & HADN'T EV5 SE5 IT AGA9 UNTIL ,SAB9A BR\<T IT ) H] ?+S TWO YE>S LAT]1 :5 WE MOV$ 9TO \R H\SE4 ,& ,I DIDN'T T\* ?AT MANUSCRIPT UNTIL Y\R FIR/ LETT] CAME4 ,= TWELVE YE>S ,I'D HAD EXP]I5CES1 DREAMS -- & JOBS4 ,BUT NO PROJECTS ( MY [N4 ,?AT ?\<T NAUSEAT$ ME2 ,I FELT EMPTY4 ,LUISA WAS WRONG4 ,I HAD EV]Y REASON TO HATE :AT ,I'D MADE MYSELF1 OR RA!R :AT ,I'D FAIL$ TO MAKE4 ,I MAY HAVE LOOK$ LIKE AN0IDIOT0 BUT ,I WAS LUCID = ! FIR/ TIME 9 TWELVE YE>S1 & ,I WAS FRI<T5$4 

,=TUNATELY E>LY ! NEXT MORN+ -- A WEEK AGO YE/]DAY -- ,T9A SAV$ ME FROM ! FRI<T1 & FROM ! LUCIDITY AS WELL4 ,%E CAME TO TELL ,SAB9A & ME ?AT SOME?+ V]Y MU* LIKE A REVOLUTION WAS BREAK+ \T4 

0,I ?\<T Y\'D BO? BE 9T]E/$10 %E SAID4 ,TURN+ TO ,SAB9A %E ADD$1 0,T$ ?9KS ?IS MI<T BE ! BEG9N+ ( SOME?+ BIG1 SOME?+ Y\ ALL US$ TO TALK AB\T 9 ! G>AGE40 

0,9 A UNIV]SITY BUILD+80 ,SAB9A ASK$ S>CA/ICALLY4 

0,IT'S NOT A UNIV]SITY ANY MORE1 ,SAB9A1 ,! /UD5TS >5'T /UD5TS ANY MORE1 BUT JU/ PEOPLE4 ,WORK]S HAVE BE5 COM+ FROM ALL OV] ! CITY & !Y'RE NO LONG] WORK]S2 !Y'RE JU/ PEOPLE TOO4 ,& !Y'RE ALL TALK+ TO EA* O!R4 ,I'VE NEV] SE5 SO MANY PEOPLE SO EXCIT$4 ,T$ ?9KS SOME?+ BIG IS POSSIBLE4 ,I ?9K ANY?+ AT ALL IS POSSIBLE4 ,IT'S :AT BO? ( Y\ ALWAYS LOOK$ =W>D TO40 

0,EV]Y?+ IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE :5 IT ISN'T REAL10 ,SAB9A SAID4 

0,/AY HOME1 !N4 ,IT WON'T BE MY FAULT6 ,T$ IS SO SURE IT'S REAL HE'S TRY+ TO GET ,TISSIE \T ( ! /ATE HOSPITAL ON P>OLE4 ,HE WANTS H] TO BE 9 ON IT40 

0,DAMN IT1 ,T9A1 DON'T JU/ /& !RE6 ,CALL A CAB60 

0,T$ KNEW Y\'D COME1 ,SAB9A4 ,HE WANTS Y\ TO BE AT ! HOSPITAL ) HIM :5 ,TISSIE COMES \T2 HE ?9KS %E'LL BE LESS FRI<T5$ IF Y\'RE !RE4 ,Y\ CAN BO? /AY AT ,T$'S4 ,I'M /AY+ 9 ! COMMUNE40 

0,DON'T WA/E MY TIME >GU+1 ,T9A6 ,I'VE GOT TO PACK60 

,I TOLD ,T9A1 HESITANTLY1 0,I'D RA!R NOT /AY AT ,T$'S40 

0,?AT'S REAL NEWS1 ,SOPHIA6 ,HE> ?AT1 ,SAB9A8 ,%E'D RA!R NOT /AY AT ,T$'S6 ,:Y HAVE Y\ KEPT IT FROM US ALL !SE YE>S1 ,SOPHIA8 ,WE ALL ?\<T Y\ W]E CRAZY AB\T ,T$60 

0,I'LL JU/ /AY H]E & ,I'LL GO !RE EV]Y MORN+ BY CAB40 

0,& :AT'LL Y\ DO :5 ! CAB DRIV]S GO ON /RIKE80 

0,I'LL SP5D ! DAY WALK+6 ,I CAN H>DLY /AY 9 ?AT UNIV]SITY COMMUNE S9CE ,I'M NOT A /UD5T60 

0,IF Y\'RE NOT A /UD5T :AT AM ,I8 ,OH %IT1 ,SOPHIA1 HAVE IT Y\R WAY6 ,/AY H]E & READ AB\T IT :5 ! BOOKS />T COM+ \T40 

0,Y\'RE A GEM1 ,T9A4 ,DON'T LET ! CAB LEAVE )\T ME60 

,! ?REE ( US W5T TO ! REVOLUTION BY TAXI4 ,WE GOT \T 9 FRONT ( ,T$'S PR9T %OP1 OR RA!R ! COOP]ATIVE PR9T %OP />T$ BY ,T$2 ,T9A SNAPP$ AT ME = CALL+ IT 0,T$'S40 ,SAB9A W5T 9SIDE ) ,T9A :ILE ,I WAIT$ \TSIDE4 ,Y\NG PEOPLE RU%$ 9 & RU%$ \T ) /ACKS ( PAP]S1 TALK+ EXCIT$LY4 ,:5 ,T9A CAME BACK %E TOLD ME ,T$ WAS \T1 PROBABLY >GU+ ) HOSPITAL (FICIALS TO GET ,TISSIE RELEAS$2 ,SAB9A HAD DECID$ TO /AY 9 ! PR9T %OP & WAIT = ,T$ TO RETURN4 ,I LEAN$ AGA9/ ! BUILD+ WALL4 

0,SOPHIA1 :AT'S ! MATT]8 ,Y\'RE TREMBL+60 ,T9A OBS]V$4 

0,I'M FRI<T5$40 

0,FRI<T5$ ( :AT8 ,?IS IS :AT Y\ DREAM$ AB\T = ALL ?OSE YE>S40 

0,I KN[4 ,BUT ,I NEV] DREAM$ :AT ,I'D DO IF IT ACTUALLY HAPP5$40 

0,Y\'RE SU* A BABY6 ,COME ON1 ,I'LL HOLD Y\R H&4 ,WE'VE GOT WORK TO DO40 

0,SORRY Y\ BR\<T ME80 ,I ASK$4 

0,NO1 ,I'M GLAD4 ,IF Y\ CAN DO IT1 ANYONE CAN60 

,T9A PULL$ ME T[>D ! MA9 CLASSROOM BUILD+1 ! BUILD+ 9 :I* ,I'D ATT5D$ MO/ ( MY UNIV]SITY LECTURES4 ,AS SOON AS ,I SAW ! BUILD+ ,I KNEW ?AT 0SOME?+ BIG0 HAD ALREADY TAK5 PLACE1 ?AT ?IS WAS NO M]E PICNIC LIKE ! 0G5]AL /RIKE0 :I* ,I'D ATT5D$ ) ,DAMAN4 

,! MA9 CLASSROOM BUILD+ IS TRANS=M$ 9 WAYS ,I W\LD HAVE ?\<T UNIMAG9ABLE :5 ,I TOOK CLASSES H]E4 ,BLACK FLAGS1 R$ FLAGS & EV5 A FEW 0BLACK & R$ FLAGS HANG \T ( ! W9D[S4 ,PO/]S1 BANN]S & PA9T$ SLOGANS COV] EV]Y 9* ( WALL SPACE4 ,OV] ! MA9 5TRANCE !RE'S A S+LE WORD 9 5ORM\S1 BEAUTIFUL LETT]S3 0,LIB]AT$40 

,T9A WAS MORE FAMILI> ) ! BUILD+ ?AN ,I HAD BE5 :5 ,I'D /UDI$ !RE4 ,%E TOOK ME TO :AT HAD BE5 ! MAM LECTURE HALL1 A L>GE AUDITORIUM ?AT HAD SOMETIMES BE5 US$ = P]=MANCES ( PLAYS OR MOVIES4 ,! SIGN ABOVE ! DOORWAY N[ SAYS4 0,G5]AL ,ASSEMBLY40 ,IT WAS FULL] ?AN ,I'D EV] SE5 IT4 ,ALL ! SEATS W]E TAK52 PEOPLE SAT ON ! /EPS & LEAN$ ON ! WALLS4 ,I HE>D /ATEM5TS AB\T 0FACTORY OCCUPATIONS0 & AB\T 0EXT5D+ COMMUNICATION40 ,I C\LDN'T MAKE MU* S5SE \T ( ! DISCUSSION & ,T9A DIDN'T GIVE ME A *ANCE TO CONC5TRATE4 ,A Y\NG MAN :OM ,I'VE COME TO KN[ QUITE WELL DUR+ ! PA/ WEEK1 ,PAT ,CLESEC1 WALK$ T[>D ,T9A ) A BOX FULL ( LEAFLETS4 ,T9A GRABB$ A L>GE /ACK & H&$ ME A SMALL] ONE4 0,HAVE !M PASS$ D[N ! AISLES ON ?IS SIDE1 & MAKE SURE EV]YONE GETS ONE10 %E :ISP]$4 ,I N]V\SLY C>RI$ \T MY FIR/ TASK4 ,! MEET+ 5D$ AT AB\T ! TIME ,I RAN \T ( LEAFLETS4 ,SUDD5LY ,I WAS LO/ 9 A SEA ( PEOPLE4 ,I LOOK$ FRANTICALLY = ,T9A AS ,I FOLL[$ ! CR[D \T ( ! AUDITORIUM4 ,ONE P]SON WALK$ UP TO ME &1 PO9T+ TO ! LEAFLET ,I HAD JU/ GIV5 \T1 ASK$ ME1 0,?IS IS A REAL GAS2 DO Y\ WORK !RE80 ,I %OOK MY HEAD /UPIDLY2 ,I HADN'T EV5 READ ! LEAFLET6 ,I WAS SO RELIEV$ TO SEE ,T9A & ,PAT WAIT+ \TSIDE ! AUDITORIUM ?AT ,I RAN T[>D !M4 

0,SOPHIA1 ?IS IS ,PAT ,CLESEC1 ! ONLY P]SON ,I'VE MET ( MY AGE :O KN[S AS MU* AS Y\ OR ,SAB9A40 

,PAT GR9N$ IMMODE/LY AS HE %OOK MY H&4 0,T9A TOLD ME Y\ W]E ONE ( H] BE/ FRI5DS40 

0,I ALSO TOLD HIM Y\ W]E A LITTLE NUTTY4 ,I HOPE Y\ DON'T M9D4 ,I'VE GOT TO RUN4 ,HE'LL %[ Y\ :]E ?+S >E40 

,I FELT LO/ )\T ,T9A4 ,I /UDI$ ! SPECTACL$ EI<TE5-YE> OLD BOY :O LOOK$ LIKE A PREMATURE PR(ESSOR & ,I C\LDN'T FEEL ANY CONFID5CE 9 HIM4 0,>E Y\ GO+ TO %[ ME :AT TO DO80 

0,OBVI\SLY NOT1 ,MISS ,NA*ALO4 ,>E Y\ ,T9A'S SI/] OR >E Y\ REALLY JU/ H] FRI5D80 

0,ALMO/ H] SI/] BUT CALL ME ,SOPHIA & ,I WON'T HAVE TO EXPLA94 ,:AT DO Y\ MEAN BY 'OBVI\SLY NOT'8 ,T9A JU/ SAID --0 

0,NO ONE IS GO+ TO %[ Y\ :AT TO DO1 ,SOPHIA40 

0,BUT ,I'VE JU/ GOTT5 H]E60 

0,WE'VE ALL JU/ GOTT5 H]E4 ,MO/ ( US CAME BECAUSE !RE >5'T ANY SUP]VISORS OR LEAD]S H]E TO TELL US :AT TO DO40 

,I WAS T]RIBLY EMB>RASS$4 0,I DIDN'T MEAN MY QUE/ION ! WAY IT S\ND$4 ,BUT ,I'M LY+4 ,I DID MEAN IT4 ,ALL MY LIFE ,I'VE DREAM$ ( ! DAY :5 PEOPLE W\LD MAKE !IR [N DECISIONS1 YET ,I'VE NEV] 9 MY LIFE MADE MY [N DECISIONS40 

0,OBVI\SLY NOT4 ,PEOPLE 9 A SLAVE SOCIETY REPRODUCE !IR [N SLAV]Y4 ,BUT !RE >E MOM5TS :5 !Y /OP DO+ ?AT4 ,?IS IS ONE ( ?OSE MOM5TS40 

0,I HOPE SO4 ,CAN Y\ AT LEA/ %[ ME :]E ?+S >E80 

0,BA?ROOM IS OV] !RE4 ,B$S ON ! F\R? & FIF? FLOORS4 ,FOOD 9 ! BASEM5T4 ,DISCUSSIONS1 >GUM5TS1 MEET+S1 PROJECTS EV]Y:]E ELSE40 

0,TELL ME ONE MORE ?+4 ,:AT WAS ON ! LEAFLET ,I JU/ GAVE \T1 & :AT WAS ! TOPIC ( ! G5]AL ASSEMBLY MEET+80 

0,Y\ GAVE \T ! LEAFLET )\T READ+ IT80 

0,T9A TOLD Y\ ,I WAS NUTTY40 

,HE TOLD ME ! MEET+ ,I'D JU/ ATT5D$ HAD BE5 A GA!R+ ( /UD5TS OCCUPY+ ! BUILD+ AS WELL AS WORK]S FROM OCCUPI$ FACTORIES ALL OV] ! CITY4 ,! G5]AL ASSEMBLY HAD DISCUSS$ WAYS TO EXT5D 9=MATION & 5C\RAGEM5T TO FACTORIES & O!R WORKPLACES ?AT W]E /ILL FUNCTION+ 0AS BE=E40 ,AT ! V]Y BEG9N+ ( ! MEET+ SOMEONE HAD ANN\NC$ ?AT ! WORK]S ( ! CITY'S L>GE/ ASSEMBLY PLANT HAD JU/ GONE ON A WILDCAT /RIKE1 HAD LOCK$ UP ! PLANT MANAG] & SEV]AL =EM5 & OCCUPI$ ! PLANT1 & ?AT SEV]AL ( !M W]E PRES5T AT ! MEET+ & READY TO DO :ATEV] WAS NECESS>Y TO EXT5D ! OCCUPATIONS4 ,AS A FIR/ /EP1 IT WAS DECID$ ?AT NEWS ( ! WILDCAT WAS TO BE C>RI$ TO EV]Y CORN] ( ! CITY4 ,WORK]S FROM ! ASSEMBLY PLANT1 ACCOMPANI$ BY ,T9A1 ,PAT & SEV]AL ( !IR FRI5DS :O'D LE>N$ TO PR9T1 W5T TO ! 0CO-OP0 TO PR9T ! ANN\NCEM5T4 ,T9A HAD GONE TO FET* ,SAB9A & ME :ILE ! LEAFLETS W]E BE+ PR9T$4 ,MEAN:ILE ,PAT LE>N$ ?AT A V]Y DRAMATIC EV5T HAD TAK5 PLACE AT ! G5]AL ASSEMBLY MEET+4 ,A MEMB] ( A POLITICAL SECT HAD GIV5 A SPEE* CALL+ = 0PICKET L9ES & DEMON/RATIONS TO SUPPORT ! WILDCATT+ ASSEMBLY PLANT WORK]S40 ,HE HAD BE5 APPLAUD$4 ,BUT !N ONE ( ! /RIK]S HAD GIV5 A SPEE* EXPLA9+ ?AT PICKET L9ES & DEMON/RATIONS W\LD ONLY ATTRACT ! POLICE1 :]EAS :AT WAS NE$$ WAS 0WILDCAT /RIKES & OCCUPATIONS EV]Y:]E2 WE DON'T WANT DEMON/RATIONS CALL$ BY POLITICIANS2 WE DON'T WANT PICKET L9ES MANN$ BY POLITICIANS2 WE UND]/& ?AT SU* TACTICS >E MANEUV]S ?R\< :I* POLITICIANS TIE !IR ROPES >\ND \R NECKS40 ,HE HAD GOTT5 A /&+ OVATION4 ,SOMEONE HAD %\T$1 0,HANG ! POLITICIANS ) ! GUTS ( ! CAPITALI/S60 ,AT ?AT PO9T1 ! POLITICIAN :O HAD GIV5 ! SPEE* AS WELL AS ALL ! RE/ ( HIS ORGANIZATION HAD ANGRILY WALK$ \T ( ! AUDITORIUM1 :ILE EV]YONE ELSE 9 ! ROOM APPLAUD$ & *E]$ WILDLY2 SOMEONE %\T$ AFT] !M1 0,DISB&6 ,?AT'LL BE Y\R GREATE/ POLITICAL ACT60,AFT] ! POLITICIANS HAD LEFT1 ! G5]AL ASSEMBLY HAD RESOLV$ TO CREATE ORGANS = ! DISSEM9ATION ( 9=MATION AB\T ! OCCUPATIONS2 ,T9A & ,I HAD WALK$ 9 :ILE ! F9AL DETAILS ( ?AT RESOLUTION W]E BE+ WORK$ \T4 

,:ILE LI/5+ TO ,PAT1 ,I HAD FOLL[$ HIM UP ! /AIRS TO ! ?IRD FLOOR4 ,PEOPLE RU%$ PA/ US 9 C\PLES1 9 GR\PS1 ALL LAU<+1 >GU+1 %\T+4 ,:]EV] ,I LOOK$ !RE W]E PO/]S1 ANN\NCEM5TS1 GRAFFITI4 ,ON ! DOORS ( =M] CLASSROOMS W]E ! NAMES ( FACTORIES -- ( ?OSE FACTORIES ?AT W]E ALREADY OCCUPI$4 ,PAT /OPP$ 9 FRONT ( A ROOM ) TWO SIGNS3 0,WORK]S' ,C\NCILS0 ABOVE1 & BEL[ ?AT3 0,OCCUPATIONS1 ,9=MATION40 ,IT WAS FULL ( PEOPLE4 ,HE />T$ TO GO 94 

0,DO Y\ KN[ ANYONE 9 !RE80 ,I ASK$ HIM4 

0,I DON'T ?9K SO4 ,:Y80 

0,:AT >E Y\ GO+ TO DO 9 !RE80 ,I ASK$ UNEASILY4 

0,I HAV5'T ! VAGUE/ IDEA40 

,FEEL+ REASSUR$1 ,I W5T 9 ) HIM4 ,! ATMOSPH]E WAS T5SE4 ,SOMEONE WAS SAY+1 0,WE'VE HAD ! SUPPORT ( /UD5TS BE=E4 ,TWICE4 ,& WE W]E HAD BO? TIMES4 ,I KN[ ?IS IS SOME?+ DIFF]5T4 ,BUT ! O!RS >5'T CONV9C$40 ,PAT :ISP]$ = A LONG TIME ) ! P]SON NEXT TO HIM4 ,:5 HE WAS ?R\< ,I NUDG$ HIM & HE PULL$ ME \T ( ! ROOM4 ,HE TOLD ME ?AT DUR+ ! PA/ YE> WORK]S AT A NE>BY (FICE MA*9E PLANT HAD GONE ON TWO WILDCAT /RIKES2 BO? TIMES !Y'D BE5 SUPPORT$ BY /UD5TS :O BELONG$ TO POLITICAL SECTS & BO? TIMES ! /UD5T POLITICIANS HAD BE5 ADV]TIS$ 9 ! CITY NEWSPAP]S AS 0LEAD]S0 ( ! /RIKE :ILE WILDCATT+ WORK]S HAD LO/ !IR JOBS4 ,:5 WE W5T BACK 91 ! (FICE MA*9E WORK] WAS ASK+ H[ MANY ( ! PEOPLE 9 ! ROOM W]E WILL+ TO GO TO H] PLANT ! FOLL[+ MORN+ TO TALK TO H] FELL[ WORK]S AB\T ! OCCUPATIONS4 ,MORE ?AN HALF ! PEOPLE !RE RAIS$ !IR H&S1 9CLUD+ ,PAT4 ,I DIDN'T BUDGE4 ,IT WAS AGRE$ ?AT ?OSE WILL+ TO GO W\LD MEET 9 ?AT ROOM AT FIVE ! NEXT MORN+4 

,AS EV]YONE WALK$ \T ( ! ROOM1 ,I CLUNG TO ,PAT4 0,CAN ,I GO ) Y\ 9 ! MORN+80 

0,?AT'S NOT UP TO ME1 ,SOPHIA4 ,I'LL BE H]E AT FIVE40 

0,SO WILL ,I40 

,I WALK$ UP TO ! F\R? FLOOR1 PE]$ 9TO EA* ( ! CLASSROOMS ?AT HAD BE5 CONV]T$ TO A B$ROOM1 & W5T ON TO ! FIF? FLOOR4 ,I HAD EXPECT$ ONE DORMITORY FLOOR TO BE = M51 ! O!R = WOM54 ,BUT EA* S+LE ROOM WAS MIX$4 ,I WALK$ DIZZILY FROM ONE DOOR TO ! NEXT UNTIL ,I RECOGNIZ$ A Y\NG WOMAN ,I HAD JU/ SE5 9 ! 0WORK]S' C\NCIL ROOM0 7:I* WE LAT] CALL$ ! 0C\NCIL (FICE074 ,I SAT D[N ON ! UNOCCUPI$ MATTRESS NEXT TO H]S & ASK$ IF ANYONE HAD AN AL>M CLOCK TO WAKE ME BE=E FIVE ! NEXT MORN+4 ,%E TOLD ME EV]YONE 9 ! ROOM W\LD BE UP BE=E FIVE4 

,! FOLL[+ MORN+ A L>GE CR[D ( SLEEPY PEOPLE WAS GA!R$ 9 FRONT ( ! C\NCIL (FICE1 9CLUD+ ,PAT AS WELL AS MY NEW ROOMMATE4 ,I CLUNG TO ,PAT AS WE ALL WALK$ TO ! (FICE MA*9E PLANT4 ,HE WAS MU* FRI5DLI] TO ME ?AN HE HAD BE5 ! PREVI\S DAY4 ,HE TALK$ EXCIT$LY ALL ! WAY TO ! PLANT4 ,HE TOLD ME AB\T ! BEG9N+ ( ! OCCUPATION ( ! UNIV]SITY1 ! CREATION ( ! COMMUNE1 ! FIR/ OCCUPATIONS 9 FACTORIES4 ,HE CONV9C$ ME ?AT PEOPLE ALL OV] ! CITY HAD />T$ TO ACT ON !IR [N1 )\T 9/RUCTIONS FROM 0LEAD]S10 )\T ORD]S FROM ANY APP>ATUS :ATEV]1 EV5 0!IR [N0 APP>ATUS1 ! UNION4 

,:5 WE REA*$ ! PLANT GATE1 ,PAT WALK$ UP TO A WOMAN :O SEEM$ TO BE ,LUISA'S AGE & TOLD H]1 0,WE'D LIKE TO TALK TO Y\ AB\T ! OCCUPATIONS40 

0,I'D LIKE NO?+ BETT]10 ! WOMAN SAID1 AS IF %E'D EXPECT$ ,PAT TO SAY EXACTLY :AT HE SAID2 0,I'LL BE 9 ! RE/AURANT ACROSS ! /REET AT NOON1 ) SEV]AL O!RS :O'VE GOT HUNDR$S ( QUE/IONS TO ASK4 ,& Y\'D BETT] BE !RE60 

,PAT & ,I HAD BREAKFA/ 9 ! RE/AURANT ACROSS ! /REET & /AY$ !RE DR9K+ C(FEE UNTIL NOON4 ,! WOMAN ,PAT HAD SPOK5 TO CAME 9 ) FIVE O!R WOM54 ,!Y PU%$ TWO TABLES TOGE!R & MOTION$ = US TO JO9 !M4 ,AS SOON AS WE W]E ALL SEAT$ ONE ( ! WOM5 TURN$ TO ME &1 ) A HO/ILITY ?AT IMM$IATELY ANG]$ ME1 ASK$1 0,:AT'S 9 ?IS = Y\1 DE>Y8 ,:O'RE Y\ )8 ,:O S5T Y\8 ,:O'S BEH9D ALL ?IS80 

,I SNAPP$1 0,:AT'S 9 IT = ME IS 9T5SE P]SONAL SATISFACTION2 ?IS IS PROBABLY ! BIGGE/ ?+ ?AT'S HAPP5$ TO ME 9 MY :OLE LIFE4 ,NO ONE S5T ME EXCEPT MYSELF & ,I'M NOT ) ANYONE EXCEPT MY FRI5D ,PAT4 ,IF SOMEONE W]E BEH9D ALL ?IS1 ,I'D NEV] HAVE GOTT5 UP BE=E FIVE 9 ! MORN+60 

,O!R WOM5 ASK$ QUE/IONS2 ,I ANSW]$1 & ,I CONT9U$ ANSW]+ DUR+ ! 5TIRE LUN* H\R4 ,BE=E !Y RETURN$ TO WORK1 ONE ( ! WOM5 SUGGE/$1 0,:Y DON'T Y\ TWO COME TO ! UNION HALL TOMORR[ NI<T8 ,LOTS ( PEOPLE W\LD LIKE TO HE> :AT Y\'VE GOT TO SAY40 

,I SAID1 0,IF WE GO TO ! UNION HALL1 !N ! UNION IS GO+ TO BE BEH9D ALL ?IS40 

0,AT MY H\SE1 !N60 ! WOMAN SAID1 GIV+ US H] ADDRESS4 

,WE HAD LUN* ) ! SAME WOM5 AGA9 ! NEXT DAY1 & AT NI<T WE MET ) A L>GE NUMB] ( (FICE MA*9E WORK]S AT ! H\SE ( ! WOMAN :O'D GIV5 US H] ADDRESS4 ,PEOPLE CONT9UALLY BOMB>D$ ME ) QUE/IONS1 MO/ ( !M 9SULT+ & MANY REPETITI\S1 & ,I CONT9U$ RESPOND+1 ANGRILY & ) 9JUR$ PRIDE1 ?AT NO ONE HAD S5T ME1 ?AT ,I WAS ON MY [N = ! FIR/ TIME 9 MY LIFE4 ,PAT WAS SURPRIS+LY QUIET2 HE MA9LY SUPPLI$ FACTUAL 9=MATION ( :I* ,I WAS IGNORANT4 

,AS WE WALK$ BACK TO ! =M] CLASSROOM BUILD+ ?AT SECOND NI<T1 ,PAT GR9N$ & TOLD ME1 0,Y\'RE REALLY GOOD4 ,:AT DID Y\ DO BE=E ?IS8 ,W]E Y\ 9 ANY ORGANIZATION80 

,I TOLD HIM ,I HAD NEV] BE5 9 AN ORGANIZATION BUT HAD ONCE TAK5 P>T 9 A VA/ UPRIS+1 SOME?+ LIKE A REVOLUTION4 ,TW5TY YE>S AGO4 ,) Y\4 

,WE SP5T ! FOLL[+ DAY >RANG+ A MEET+ ) A DIFF]5T GR\P ( WORK]S FROM ! SAME PLANT4 ,BETWE5 \R SESSIONS ) ! WORK]S1 ,PAT & ,I TALK$ TO EA* O!R UN9T]RUPT$LY1 AB\T EV]Y?+4 ,:5 WE W]E ALONE HE DID MO/ ( ! TALK+4 ,AT FIR/ ,I F\ND HIM ALTOGE!R 9COMPREH5SIBLE2 HE USES EXPRESSIONS LIKE 0DESUBLIMATION ( ]OS0 & 0SUP]SESSION ( ALI5AT$ BE+0 AS IF !Y W]E P>T ( EV]YDAY LANGUAGE4 ,GRADUALLY ,I REALIZ$ HE WAS M]ELY EXPRESS+ MY [N GOALS ) A LANGUAGE HE'D BORR[$ FROM A NEW] RADICAL LIT]ATURE ?AN ! ONE ,I HAD READ4 ,I %\LDN'T SAY 0MY [N GOALS0 SO MATT]-(-FACTLY1 S9CE ?AT MAKES ME SEEM T]RIBLY WISE :ILE IT MAKES HIM SEEM UNORIG9AL4 ,HE DOES EXPRESS SEV]AL ?+S ?AT >E NEW TO ME4 ,= EXAMPLE1 HE DOESN'T ONLY TALK AB\T PUTT+ AN 5D TO CO]CION1 TO EXT]NAL1 PHYSICAL REPRESSION1 BUT ALSO TO 9T]NAL CO]CION1 SELF-REPRESSION1 ! REPRESSION ( ONE'S [N DESIRES4 ,YET HIS BEHAVIOR CONFLICTS ) EV]Y?+ HE SAYS AB\T DESIRES2 HE'S A P]FECTLY PROP]1 COMPLETELY S]I\S Y\NG MAN2 ,I ACTUALLY D\BT ?AT HE'S EV] P]SONALLY EXP]I5C$ ! DESIRES HE DESCRIBES AT SU* GREAT L5G?4 ,ONCE ,I ASK$ HIM IF HE EV] ?\<T ( SEX4 ,HE ANSW]$1 0,OBVI\SLY2 ]OTIC PLAY WILL OCCUPY A C5TRAL PLACE 9 ! DISALI5AT$ GEME9S*AFT40 ,HE SAID IT )\T A TRACE ( P]SONAL 9VOLVEM5T1 ) ! DETA*M5T ( A PHILOSOPHY PR(ESSOR TALK+ AB\T ,PLATO'S CAVE4 ,BUT ,I LIKE HIM4 ,I LIK$ HIM FROM ! MOM5T HE SAID 0OBVI\SLY NOT0 TO MY REQUE/ TO %[ ME :AT TO DO4 ,= F\R DAYS WE W]E TOGE!R FROM E>LY MORN+ UNTIL LATE AT NI<T & ,I F\ND MYSELF DRAWN TO HIM LIKE A NEGATIVE MAGNET IS DRAWN TO A POSITIVE4 ,I LI/5$ TO EV]Y?+ HE TOLD ME AS ATT5TIVELY AS ,I HAD LI/5$ TO Y\ TW5TY YE>S AGO2 ,I BECAME SOME?+ LIKE HIS POLITICAL APPR5TICE4 

,YET !RE'S SOME?+ P]V]SE 9 MY FEEL+S T[>D ,PAT1 & ,I'M A%AM$ TO WRITE AB\T ?AT BECAUSE ,I'M A%AM$ TO EXP]I5CE SU* FEEL+S 9 MYSELF4 ,ALREADY ON ! FIR/ MORN+ :5 WE W5T TOGE!R TO ! (FICE MA*9E PLANT ,I FELT MY HE>T JUMP TO MY ?ROAT AS SOON AS ,I SAW HIM4 ,YES1 ,I'M DRAWN TO HIM AS ,I WAS ONCE DRAWN TO Y\3 BECAUSE HE SEEMS SO CLE>HEAD$ & DET]M9$1 BECAUSE HE SEEMS TO KN[ SO MU* AB\T :AT'S HAPP5+ >\ND US4 ,BUT ,I'M ALSO DRAWN TO HIM AS ,I WAS TO ,RON1 & TO ,JOSE :5 ,I LIV$ 9 ! G>AGE4 ,?IS IS ! FEEL+ ,I DON'T UND]/&4 ,I LOV$ Y\2 ,I LOV$ ,RON & ,JOSE4 ,BUT ,I KN[ ,I DON'T LOVE ,PAT4 ,I ADMIRE HIM -- ! WAY ONE ADMIRES ACROBATS OR C]TA9 FREAKS4 ,I DON'T RESPECT HIM4 ,ALL ,I FEEL T[>D HIM IS :AT HE TALKS AB\T SO MU*3 DESIRE4 ,I LI/5$ SO ATT5TIVELY TO EV]Y?+ HE SAID BECAUSE EV]Y WORD HE SPOKE EXCIT$ ME PHYSICALLY1 SEXUALLY4 ,! REASON ,I FELT A%AM$ WAS BECAUSE MY EXCITEM5T WASN'T ACCOMPANI$ BY LOVE OR EV5 W>M? T[>D HIM BUT BY AN IRREPRESSIBLE DESIRE TO PULL HIM D[N FROM ! HEI<TS ( HIS AB/RACTIONS4 ,I WAS EXCIT$ BY ! DESIRE TO HUMILIATE HIM2 ,I FELT LIKE TE>+ HIS CLO!S (F HIS BODY 9 ORD] TO TE> ?OSE AB/RACTIONS \T ( HIS HEAD4 ,:AT EXCIT$ ME WAS ! PROSPECT ( RAP+ ! BOY-G5IUS1 ! PROSPECT ( PHYSICALLY OV]COM+ ?AT PURE 9TELLECT :O SIMULTANE\SLY ATTRACT$1 9TIMIDAT$ & REPELL$ ME4 ,I FELT A%AM$ AS SOON AS ,I BEGAN TO SUSPECT ! NATURE ( MY DESIRE4 ,I'VE NEV] FELT ?AT WAY T[>D ANYONE3 SO CONDESC5D+1 CONTEMPTU\S1 AU?ORIT>IAN4 ,9 FACT1 ,I HAD ?\<T MYSELF 9CAPABLE ( ?AT K9D ( FEEL+1 AL?\< ,HU< ONCE ACCUS$ ME ( BEHAV+ AS IF ,I FELT ?AT WAY T[>D EV]YONE4 

,=TUNATELY ,I WAS ABLE TO GET \T ( ! SITUATION ?AT /IMULAT$ MY P]V]SE DESIRE BE=E ,I FELT COMPELL$ EI!R TO REPRESS IT OR TO ACT ON IT4 ,! (FICE MA*9E WORK]S W5T ON /RIKE ?REE DAYS AGO4 ,:5 ,I FIR/ HE>D ( ?IS ,I ?\<T ) SOME PRIDE ?AT MY 0TALKS0 MI<T HAVE CONTRIBUT$ SOME?+ TO ?IS DECISION1 BUT ,I WAS DEFLAT$ A FEW H\RS LAT] :5 TWO ( ! WOM5 ,I'D TALK$ TO TOLD ME !Y HAD OPPOS$ ! /RIKE UNTIL ! V]Y LA/ MOM5T2 !Y HAD JO9$ IT ONLY \T ( SOLID>ITY ) ! MAJORITY4 ,?AT DAY & ! :OLE NEXT DAY !RE WAS A FE/IVE ATMOSPH]E H]E1 9 ! 5TIRE BUILD+4 ,9 ! C\NCIL (FICE 7?AT WAS :5 IT ACQUIR$ ?IS NAME7 IT WAS DECID$ ?AT LEAFLETS1 ANN\NCEM5TS & ALL O!R BITS ( 9=MATION AB\T /RIKES & OCCUPATIONS EV]Y:]E 9 ! CITY W]E TO BE KEPT 9 ?AT ROOM1 & AT LEA/ ONE P]SON WAS TO REMA9 !RE DUR+ ALL H\RS ( ! DAY TO HELP PEOPLE F9D ! 9=MATION !Y W]E LOOK+ =4 ,I WAS ! FIR/ TO VOLUNTE] = ?AT 0ASSIGNM5T10 & ,I'VE BE5 9 ?IS ROOM SIXTE5 H\RS A DAY S9CE ! DAY BE=E YE/]DAY4 ,I VOLUNTE]$ = TWO REASONS3 ,I WANT$ TO F9D TIME TO WRITE Y\1 & ,I WANT$ TO GET AWAY FROM ,PAT UNTIL ,I'D HAD A *ANCE TO CL>IFY MY FEEL+S T[>D HIM4 ,I'VE SE5 HIM TWICE S9CE !N1 AT \R EV5+ MEET+S1 & ON BO? OCCASIONS ,I SAT SOME DI/ANCE AWAY FROM HIM4 

,YE/]DAY EV5+1 AFT] A MEET+ ) TWO PO/AL WORK]S :O ASK$ EAG]LY AB\T ! OCCUPATIONS1 ,I LEFT ! 0(FICE0 BRIEFLY & TELEPHON$ ,LUISA4 ,I TOLD H] EXACTLY :AT ,T9A HAD TOLD ,SAB9A & ME4 0,IT'S HAPP5+1 ,LUISA4 ,:AT Y\'VE ALWAYS LOOK$ =W>D TO40 

0,:]E >E Y\80 

0,= ! PA/ DAY & A HALF ,I'VE BE5 9 AN (FICE ?AT DISSEM9ATES 9=MATION AB\T ! OCCUPATIONS40 

0,S\NDS EXCIT+4 ,DID ,DAMAN EV] F9D Y\8 ,HE TOLD ME HE'D BE5 TRY+ TO F9D \T :AT Y\ W]E GO+ TO DO AFT] LOS+ Y\R LA/ JOB4 ,!RE WAS NO ANSW] AT Y\R H\SE = SEV]AL DAYS1 SO HE ?\<T Y\ & ,SAB9A HAD BO? BE5 KIDNAPP$40 

0,C\LDN'T HE GUESS :]E WE W]E8 ,:AT'S HE BE5 DO+80 

0,HE'S BE5 /AY+ HOME1 S9CE HIS CLASSES W]E CALL$ (F10 ,LUISA SAID1 )\T A TRACE ( IRONY4 

0,HIS CLASSES CALL$ (F6 ,HIS :OLE WORLD'S BE5 CALL$ (F6 ,! HYPOCRITICAL JACKASS60 

0,SOPHIA1 HE TRI$ TO REA* Y\ BECAUSE HE ?\<T Y\ MI<T NE$ HIS HELP F9D+ ANO!R JOB40 

0,HE'S ! ONE :O'LL NE$ HELP PRETTY SOON6 ,:AT AB\T Y\1 ,LUISA8 ,!RE >E MILLIONS ( ?+S TO DO H]E1 & !RE'S LOTS ( ROOM = Y\ TO /AY OV]NI<T40 

0,SOPHIA1 Y\ KN[ P]FECTLY WELL ,I'D LOSE MY JOB IF ,I LEFT RI<T N[60 

0,SO :AT8 ,T9A SIMPLY WALK$ (F H] JOB & TOLD US3 ,!Y'LL MISS ME 9 AB\T A WEEK & !N !Y'LL GET SOMEONE ELSE40 

0,I'M NOT ,SAB9A'S DAU<T]6 ,I'LL JO9 Y\ AS SOON AS ! UNION CALLS A /RIKE 9 MY PLANT40 

0,! UNION6 ,LUISA1 :]E HAVE Y\ BE58 ,DON'T TELL ME Y\ /ILL ?9K IT'S NOT A /RIKE UNLESS ! UNION CALLS IT60 

0,W\LD Y\ M9D CALL+ ME BACK :5 Y\'RE LESS HY/]ICAL1 ,SOPHIA80 

,I HUNG UP1 BUT ALMO/ IMM$IATELY ,I FELT BAD AB\T HAV+ DONE ?AT ,I REMEMB]$ ?AT NEI!R ,SAB9A NOR ,I HAD JUMP$ UP ) GLEE :5 ,T9A HAD FIR/ TOLD US AB\T ! COMMUNE & ! OCCUPATIONS4 ,MAYBE ,I WAS UN9T5TIONALLY GETT+ EV5 ) ,LUISA = HAV+ MADE ME FEEL SO 0OLD40 

,! TWO PO/AL WORK]S :O CAME TO ! C\NCIL (FICE YE/]DAY W]E H]E AGA9 TODAY4 ,!Y CAME TO GET A SECOND & L>G] COLLECTION ( LEAFLETS2 !Y TOLD ME ?AT MAIL C>RI]S1 DRIV]S1 CL]KS & O!R PO/AL WORK]S HAD SP5T ! DAY TALK+ AB\T /RIK+4 ,I CAN'T BELIEVE IT6 ,BUT 9 CASE IT DOES HAPP51 PLEASE S5D Y\R NEXT LETT] TO ! FOLL[+ ADDRESS ACROSS ! BORD]2 744474 ,I'LL MANAGE TO GET IT FROM !RE4 ,I HOPE ! CAB DRIV]S DON'T GO ON /RIKE BE=E ,I HAVE A *ANCE TO GO HOME TO SEE IF Y\'VE ALREADY S5T A LETT]4 

,RI<T N[ ,I'M ALONE 9 ! C\NCIL (FICE4 ,IT ALMO/ LOOKS LIKE AN EMPTY CLASSROOM2 ,I'M US+ ! 0PR(ESSOR'S DESK0 TO WRITE ?IS LETT]4 ,I'M WAIT+ = O!R WORK]S TO WALK 93 WORK]S FROM UNOCCUPI$ FACTORIES1 FROM O!R CITIES1 FROM O!R CONT95TS4 ,I'M WAIT+ = Y\ TO WALK 9TO ! C\NCIL (FICE4  
  

,I LOVE Y\1 

,SOPHIA4  

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