,Y>O/AN'S ,SEV5? ,LETT] 

#aigfaigf 

,PEOPLE 3 

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

,TEXT 3 

,Y>O/AN'S SEV5? LETT] 

  
  

,DE> ,SOPHIA1  
  

,Y\R LETT] WAS M>VEL\S4 ,JASNA & ,ZD5EK W]E BO? H]E YE/]DAY %>+ IT ) US1 CELEBRAT+ ! EV5TS ?AT HAVE />T$ UNFOLD+ >\ND Y\4 ,= ONCE WE RECEIV$ Y\R LETT] 9 ! SPIRIT 9 :I* Y\ WROTE IT4 ,I WAS RELIEV$ ?AT Y\ HADN'T RECEIV$ MY PREVI\S LETT] BE=E Y\ SET \T ON Y\R ADV5TURE 9 ! ,COMMUNE & ! ,C\NCIL4 ,! DEPRESS$ MOOD 9 :I* ,I WROTE IT W\LDN'T HAVE CONTRIBUT$ ANY?+ POSITIVE TO Y\R EXCIT+ EXP]I5CES4 ,I REGRET MU* ( :AT ,I SAID 9 ?AT LETT]4 ,I N[ HAVE AN OPPOSITE ADMISSION TO MAKE TO Y\4 ,I WAS V]Y MOV$ :5 Y\ SAID Y\ W]E WAIT+ = ME TO WALK 9TO Y\R 0C\NCIL (FICE40 ,IF SU* AN EXP$ITION %\LD EV] BE UND]TAK51 ,I'LL BE ! FIR/ TO VOLUNTE] & ( C\RSE ,I'LL BR+ ,Y>A & ,MIRNA ALONG AS WELL AS ,JASNA & ,ZD5EK4 ,I LOVE Y\1 TOO1 ,SOPHIA2 WE ALL DO2 Y\'VE S$UC$ US ) Y\R HONE/Y & ESPECIALLY ) Y\R MODE/1 ALMO/ %Y C\RAGE4 

,! CIRCUM/ANCES 9 :I* Y\R LETT] >RIV$ W]E POLES AP>T FROM ?OSE ,I DESCRIB$ 9 MY PREVI\S LETT]4 ,:5 ,I CAME HOME FROM ! PLANT ! DAY BE=E YE/]DAY 7,?URSDAY AFT]NOON71 ,MIRNA ?REW H] >MS >\ND ME >ID />T$ TO DANCE >\ND ! LIV+ ROOM ) ME4 ,%E WAV$ Y\R LETT] 9 ! AIR4 

0,Y\'RE GLAD TO HE> FROM ,SOPHIA80 ,I ASK$4 

,Y>A %\T$1 0,%E'S ON /RIKE6 ,WE'RE ALL ON /RIKE6 ,WE'RE GO+ TO HAVE A P>TY TONI<T & ANO!R TOMORR[ NI<T60 

,IT WAS MY TURN TO SQUEEZE ,MIRNA & SP9 H] >\ND ! ROOM4 0,Y\'RE ON /RIKE8 ,& WE'RE HAV+ MORE DANC+ P>TIES80 

,MIRNA POK$ ME 9 ! /OMA*4 0,EAT+ P>TIES1 = Y\R SAKE4 ,!RE'LL BE A DANCE AT MY PLANT 9 A WEEK4 ,WANT TO COME80 

0,NOT IF Y\ DRAGG$ ME !RE4 ,TAKE ,ZD5EK4 ,HE SAYS HE LIKES TO DANCE40 

0,I'M GO+ TOO60 ,Y>A %\T$4 

,WE UND]/& Y\R EXCITEM5T & Y\R HOPES1 ,SOPHIA4 ,!RE'S GOOD NEWS FROM EV]Y:]E ALL AT ONCE4 ,I DON'T ?9K Y\'RE BE+ NAIVE OR 0OBSESSIVELY OPTIMI/IC40 ,\R HOPES C\LDN'T EV] HAVE A MORE SOLID BASIS ?AN !Y HAVE N[4 ,! WORLD HAS TO *ANGE N[2 IF IT DOESN'T1 WE'LL ALL DIE AS EXILES 9 AN 9HUMAN WORLD4 

,Y>A & ,MIRNA PREP>$ AN 5ORM\S BANQUET1 JU/ = ! ?REE ( US1 TO CELEBRATE ! /RIKE AT ,MIRNA'S PLANT4 ,MIRNA WAS DRUNK BE=E %E />T$ DR9K+4 0,:AT DID Y\R /RIKE ACCOMPLI%1 ,Y>O/AN80 

0,WE \/$ A UNION FUNCTION>Y :O DID POLICE WORK40 

0,IS ?AT ALL8 ,:AT >E Y\ WAIT+ = 9 ?AT PLANT80 

0,WE'RE ALL WAIT+ = Y\1 ,MIRNA4 ,WE NE$ ! DEVIL'S 9SPIRATION40 

0,?AT'S EXACTLY :AT IT IS6 ,! DEVIL'S WORK6 ,& :Y NOT8 ,IF WE'RE GO+ TO SUFF] = SIPP+ FROM ! DEVIL'S CUP1 WE MI<T AS WELL EMPTY ! :OLE B>REL6 ,NO MORE SIPP+6 ,:AT DID ,ZD5EK'S /RIKE ACCOMPLI%80 

0,ALL ! FUNCTION>IES W]E \/$2 ELECT$ WORK]S REPLAC$ !M 9 ALL PO/S4 ,:AT DID Y\ DEVILS ACCOMPLI%80 

0,EV]Y?+1 ALL AT ONCE1 UNANIM\SLY6 ,! SL[E/ TO COME >E ! MO/ ?OR\<GO+4 ,WE ?REW ! 5TIRE ADM9I/RATION1 UNION & POLICE CREWS \T ON ! /REET & WE DIDN'T REPLACE !M ) ANYONE2 WE VOT$ TO GO ON P]MAN5T VACATION ) PAY60 

0,BUT :]E WILL ! PAY COME FROM1 ,MIRNA80 

0,IS ?AT Y\R AFFAIR8 ,WE'LL WORRY AB\T ?AT :5 IT RUNS \T6 ,WE'RE (F UNTIL ,MONDAY1 9 ANY CASE4 ,!N WE'LL MEET AGA94 ,SOMEONE SUGGE/$ WE USE ! HAT$ WORK%OP TO DO ALL ! ?+S WE EV] DAYDREAM$ ( DO+ !RE4 ,EV]YONE LOV$ ! IDEA4 ,TO BEG91 WE'LL PU% ALL ! MA*9]Y AGA9/ ! WALLS TO PREP>E = \R DANCE4 ,WE'LL 9VITE ALL \R FRI5DS4 ,!N IT'LL BE \R TURN TO WAIT & SEE40 

0,TOMORR[ WE'LL P>TY ALL DAY LONG10 ,Y>A ANN\NC$4 0,WE'LL GO GET ,ZD5EK \T ( HIS PLANT & Y\ GO & BR+ ,JASNA40 

,YE/]DAY MORN+ ,I SET \T = ,JASNA'S H\SE AT ! SAME H\R :5 ,I USUALLY GO TO ! C>TON PLANT4 

,I FEEL LIKE ,T9A MU/ HAVE FELT :5 %E W5T TO TELL Y\ & ,SAB9A AB\T ! COMMUNE4 ,JASNA4 FRE% \T ( B$1 IS AL>M$2 %E ?9KS SOME?+ AWFUL HAPP5$4 ,DUR+ ! WEEK & A HALF ?AT PREC$$ \R NEWF\ND JOY1 WE ALL W5T ?R\< HELL4 

0,GOOD NEWS ?IS TIME1 ,JASNA4 ,! BE/4 ,MIRNA1 ,SOPHIA1 ,SAB9A -- EV]YONE IS ON /RIKE60 

0,Y\'RE JOK+6 ,TELL ME AB\T IT60 

,WE RU% TO MY H\SE AS SOON AS ,JASNA IS DRESS$2 ,Y>A & ,MIRNA HAVE ALREADY RETURN$ ) ,ZD5EK4 ,JASNA PLUNGES 9TO Y\R LETT]4 ,ZD5EK PUMPS ,MIRNA = EV]Y DETAIL AB\T H] /RIKE4 

,:ILE READ+1 ,JASNA EXCLAIMS1 0,WE'RE F9ALLY TOGE!R AGA92 WE'RE 9 ONE & ! SAME WORLD2 ONLY GEOGRAPHY SEP>ATES US N[6 ,SOPHIA'S EXP]I5CES >E ID5TICAL TO \RS6 ,I'M SO EXCIT$6 ,I HE>D EV]Y?+ Y\ SAID1 ,MIRNA4 ,Y\'RE WOND]FUL6 ,I WI% S*OOL W]E /ILL ON SO ?AT ,I C\LD GO ON /RIKE TOO60 

,I LEAVE ) ,Y>A TO BUY GROC]IES & DR9KS1 BUT ! TWO ( US C\LDN'T C>RY 5\< TO SATISFY ! APPETITES ( FIVE HAPPY PEOPLE4 ,:5 WE RETURN1 ,ZD5EK IS READ+ Y\R LETT] & COMM5T+ ON NE>LY EV]Y PASSAGE4 ,! RE/ ( US />T TO PREP>E \R 0FEA/40 

0,Y\R FRI5D TALKS ( UNIONS ! SAME WAY WE DO10 ,ZD5EK OBS]VES4 

0,:Y %\LDN'T %E80 ,I ASK4 0,!Y HAVE ! SAME FUNCTION !RE AS H]E40 

0,I KN[ ?AT 9TELLECTUALLY BUT ,I CAN'T ACCEPT IT EMOTIONALLY4 ,UNIONS OV] !RE CLAIM TO PROTECT WORK]S' 9T]E/S :]EAS !IR REAL ROLE IS TO SELL WORK]S TO CAPITALI/S4 ,H]E UNIONS HAVE ! ADDITIONAL FUNCTION ( SUP]VIS+1 ( POLIC+ WORK]S4 ,I SEE A DIFF]5CE40 

0,Y\1 ,ZD5EK8 ,Y\ :O TAU<T ME SO MU* AB\T ! REPRESSIVE FUNCTION ( ANY & EV]Y =M ( REPRES5TATION80 

0,DON'T =GET ,I SP5T HALF MY LIFE FI<T+ = ! TYPE ( UNION APP>ATUS !Y /ILL HAVE OV] !RE40 

,MIRNA %\TS1 0,DO ,I HE> ,ZD5EK BACK+ AWAY FROM EV]Y?+ HE WAS DEF5D+8 ,IS IT REALLY TRUE ?AT GRAY HAIR MAKES PEOPLE CAUTI\S8 ,READ TO ! 5D & Y\'LL SEE ?AT ,Y>O/AN'S ,LUISA IS AS GRAY-HAIR$ AS Y\60 

0,DAMN Y\ ALL6 ,( C\RSE IT'S CONS]VATISM6 ,?OSE Y\NG PEOPLE >E TURN+ AGA9/ SOME?+ ,I F\<T H>D TO BUILD40 

0,:AT Y\ BUILT WAS ROTT56 ,ADMIT IT & HELP !M DE/ROY IT60 ,MIRNA %\TS TO HIM4 ,UNTIL A WEEK AGO ,MIRNA WAS ! MO/ CAUTI\S AMONG US2 N[ %E'S ! MO/ REBELLI\S4 ,I HAD KN[N %E LOV$ H] BRO!R2 ,I HAD NEV] KN[N H[ MU* %E HAD LE>N$ FROM HIM4 

,ZD5EK P]SI/S4 0,!Y DON'T EV5 KN[ H[ REPRESSIVE UNIONS CAN BE :5 !Y BECOME APP5DAGES ( ! /ATE40 

,I OBJECT4 0,MAYBE Y\ NEV] KNEW H[ REPRESSIVE !Y W]E :5 !Y W]E ONLY APP5DAGES ( CAPITAL2 AFT] ALL1 Y\ W]E P>T ( ! BUREAUCRACY !N40 

0,I KN[ H[ REPRESSIVE !Y W]E1 ,Y>O/AN4 ,BUT ,I HAD ALWAYS ?\<T PEOPLE W\LD HAVE TO EXP]I5CE ! TRANS=MATION ( UNIONS 9TO P>TS ( ! /ATE APP>ATUS BE=E !Y F9ALLY SAW ?R\< !M4 ,I WAS OBVI\SLY WRONG4 ,LET ME SEE :AT ELSE !Y SEE ?R\<40 ,ZD5EK READS ON :ILE WE CONT9UE \R COOK+4 ,SUDD5LY HE %\TS1 0,N[ ?IS IS TOO MU*6 ,IT'S SIMPLY WRONG-HEAD$4 ,CAPITALI/S >5'T ! ONLY ONES :O USE ! MAIL6 ,WE USE IT TOO4 ,& COMMUNICATION IS NE$$ PRECISELY AT A MOM5T LIKE ?IS4 ,:AT ! PO/AL WORK]S \<T TO DO IS ?R[ AWAY ALL CAPITALI/ MAIL & DELIV] ONLY WORK]S' LETT]S4 ,BUT A PO/AL /RIKE6 ,?AT'S LIKE BL9D+ Y\RSELF60 

,MIRNA /OPS :AT %E'S DO+4 0,I DIDN'T ?9K ( ?AT :5 ,I READ ,SOPHIA'S LETT]4 ,IF ! PO/ W]E ON /RIKE1 WE W\LD /OP HE>+ FROM ,SOPHIA PRECISELY AT ! MOM5T :5 ! REVOLUTION WAS AT ITS PEAK4 ,YET WE W\LDN'T KN[ :E!R TO EXPECT ! BEG9N+ ( A NEW WORLD OR TANKS60 

,JASNA ALSO AGREES ) ,ZD5EK4 0,IT W\LD BE AWFUL NOT TO HE> FROM H] N[6 ,EV]Y NEW LETT] IS FULL ( SURPRISES4 ,KN[+ :AT !Y'RE DO+ MAKES US WANT MORE1 IT MAKES US DO MORE40 

,MIRNA ADDS PROVOCATIVELY1 0,IT GIVES US C\RAGE1 IS ?AT :AT Y\ MEAN1 ,JASNA80 

,I ?9K IT'S IRONIC ?AT !SE FEW MON?S HAVE BE5 ! ONLY TIME 9 TW5TY YE>S :5 ,I'VE BE5 ABLE TO RECEIVE MAIL FREELY :]EAS ?IS MI<T BE ! ONLY TIME :5 Y\ /OP RECEIV+ MAIL4 ,MORE ?AN GEOGRAPHY /ILL SEEMS TO SEP>ATE US4 ,I OBVI\SLY CAN'T DISSUADE PO/AL WORK]S FROM /RIK+1 NOR TALK !M 9TO *ANG+ ! NATURE ( !IR /RIKE1 BUT ,I AGREE ) ,ZD5EK4 ,A PO/AL /RIKE H>MS ONLY ! RUL+ ORD] DUR+ NORMAL TIMES1 S9CE !N COMMUNICATION S]VES MA9LY TO LUBRICATE ?AT ORD]2 BUT 9 DISRUPTIVE TIMES LIKE !SE1 UNFETT]$ COMMUNICATION S]VES MA9LY TO FUR!R DISRUPT ! RUL+ ORD]4 

0,IF WE'RE GO+ TO LE>N AB\T EA* O!R1 !N LET'S LE>N EV]Y?+10 ,MIRNA %\TS4 0,LET'S FILL \RSELVES ) EA* O!R1 ) ,SOPHIA & ,SAB9A & !IR COMMUNE4 ,FIR/ ( ALL LET'S FILL \RSELVES ) FOOD & BE]6 ,LET !RE BE SOME?+ = ! TANKS TO 9VADE1 RI<T ,ZD5EK8 ,HEY ,ZD5EK1 H[ CLOSE >E Y\ TO DONE80 

0,I'VE JU/ COME TO ,PAT ,CLESEC2 LEAVE ME ALONE60 

,Y>A1 PO9T+ TO ME1 ASKS ,JASNA1 0,WAS HE REALLY LIKE ?AT BRA9Y ,PAT ,CLESEC :5 ,SOPHIA KNEW HIM80 

,!N ,MIRNA ASKS ,JASNA1 0,DO Y\ SUPPOSE ,LUISA S$UC$ ,Y>O/AN 9 ORD] TO HUMILIATE HIM8 ,ZD5EK6 ,WE'RE />T+ )\T Y\60 

,JASNA GIGGLES4 0,Y\'RE MORE BRA9Y ?AN ,Y>O/AN EV] WAS1 ,Y>A40 ,JASNA BLU%ES AS %E TELLS ,MIRNA1 0,IF ,I HAD ?\<T ,LUISA ONLY WANT$ TO HUMILIATE ,Y>O/AN --0 

0,:AT W\LD Y\ HAVE DONE1 ,JASNA8 ,SCRAT*$ H] EYES \T80 ,MIRNA TAUNTS4 

0,IF WE'RE TELL+ EV]Y?+1 Y\ MI<T AS WELL KN[ ,I W\LD HAVE WANT$ TO10 ,JASNA ANSW]S4 

,MIRNA %\TS MOCK+LY1 0,%AME1 ,JASNA6 ,Y\ W]E A GR[N WOMAN & ,Y>O/AN WAS JU/ A BOY60 

0,I KN[2 ,I WAS AS WORRI$ AB\T ?AT AS ,SOPHIA IS40 ,JASNA SI<S1 AS IF %E W]E DREAM+4 

0,H[ AB\T Y\1 ,ZD5EK80 ,MIRNA ASKS4 0,C\LD Y\ LOVE A WOMAN HALF Y\R AGE80 

0,:Y NOT80 ,ZD5EK SAYS ABS5T-M9D$LY1 TRY+ TO CONC5TRATE ON ! 5D ( Y\R LETT]4 

0,Y\R DAU<T] = 9/ANCE80 ,MIRNA ASKS4 

,ZD5EK C\<S UNEASILY4 0,LET ME F9I% ?IS LETT]6 ,Y\'RE \T ( Y\R M9D60 

,JASNA1 /ILL 9 H] DREAM1 SEEMS OBLIVI\S TO ! CONV]SATION4 0,LUISA WAS FIVE YE>S OLD] ?AN ,I4 ,YET %E LOOK$ JU/ LIKE A GIRL :5 %E WAS ) ,Y>O/AN1 JU/ LIKE ,SOPHIA DESCRIB$ H] :5 %E SKIPP$ >\ND ?AT POND4 ,%E WAS ALWAYS SO PRETTY1 & SO Y\NG2 ,I D\BT ?AT %E HAS A S+LE GRAY HAIR EV5 N[4 ,%E HAD EV]Y?+ & EV]YONE4 ,%E HAD ,TITUS AS WELL AS ?AT MY/]I\S 5G9E] %E CAME )4 ,I FELT SO SORRY = ,TISSIE :5 ,I READ ,SOPHIA'S PREVI\S LETT]4 ',:AT'S WRONG ) ME8' %E ASK$4 ,?AT'S :AT ,I ASK$ MYSELF EV]Y DAY ( MY LIFE3 :AT'S WRONG ) ME8 ,I WAS Y\NG] ?AN ,LUISA BUT ,I FELT A HUNDR$ YE>S OLD]4 ,%E & ,Y>O/AN W]E SO BEAUTIFUL TOGE!R4 ,& EV5 ?AT WASN'T 5\< = H]4 ,AS SOON AS ,M>C ,GLAVNI CAME %E RAN AFT] HIM AS WELL4 ,M>C WAS ! BRA9Y ONE 9 ?AT LOT4 ,HE MU/ HAVE BE5 A CITY PLANN+ COMMISSION] ALREADY 9 HIS DIAP]S4 ,HE'S ! ONE ,PAT ,CLESEC REM9DS ME (4 ,MY =M] BOSS4 ,I'D LIKE TO ?9K ,LUISA W5T AFT] HIM JU/ TO HUMILIATE HIM4 ,%E %\LD SEE HIM N[60 

,Y>A LEAVES H] SEAT1 GOES UP TO ,JASNA & /ROKES H] HAIR1 :ISP]+1 0,Y\ KN[ :AT ,SLOBODAN TOLD ME A FEW DAYS AGO8 ,AFT] \R DANC+ P>TY HE /OPP$ LOV+ ,JULIA & ME4 ,HE LOVES ONLY ONE P]SON N[1 & %E'S ! BE/ DANC] 9 ! WORLD40 

0,WELL GO GET ,SLOBODAN60 ,MIRNA %\TS TO ,Y>A4 0,TELL HIM ,I'VE =GOTT5 AB\T ?AT RADIO HE TURN$ ON40 

0,PLEASE DON'T EMB>RASS ME10 ,JASNA BEGS4 

0,IF Y\'RE EMB>RASS$1 ,JASNA1 H[ DO Y\ ?9K ,I FEEL80 ,I ASK H]1 0,I DON'T KN[ :E!R TO APOLOGIZE OR TO CRY40 

,ZD5EK JO9S US AT ! TABLE ANNN\NC+1 0,?IS IS NO TIME TO CRY6 ,AN EXCELL5T LETT]2 LET'S DR9K TO IT6 ,?OSE PEOPLE HAVE SOMEH[ LE>N$ EV]Y?+ WE'VE HAD TO HAVE HAMM]$ 9TO \R HEADS BY TW5TY YE>S ( TOTAL REPRESSION4 ,FILL UP AGA96 ,TO ! ,COMMUNE6 ,:AT'S ?IS AB\T A LETT] ,SOPHIA'S H]MIT TRI$ TO DELIV] TO Y\80 

,JASNA SAYS1 0,?AT'S :AT ,I F9D SO ADMIRABLE ABUT ,SOPHIA4 ,%E LOV$ ,Y>O/AN TO ! PO9T ( TRY+ TO F9D HIM EI<T YE>S AFT] %E WAS SEP>AT$ FROM HIM1 TO ! PO9T ( S5D+ US ALL LETT]S DESCRIB+ H] LOVE = HIM & GETT+ US ALL >RE/$ 9 ! PROCESS1 9CLUD+ ! MESS5G] %E S5T !M )40 

0,H[ ADMIRABLE60 ,MIRNA SAYS S>CA/ICALLY4 0,%E HAD ! C\RAGE TO GET EV]YONE EXCEPT H]SELF S5T TO JAIL60 

0,WAIT A M9UTE60 ,ZD5EK %\TS4 0,DO Y\ MEAN TO TELL ME Y\ W]E ALL >RE/$ BECAUSE ( ?AT LETT] %E S5T Y\80 

0,! POOR GIRL DIDN'T KN[ :AT %E WAS DO+2 %E WAS ONLY LOOK+ = ,Y>O/AN10 ,JASNA TELLS ,ZD5EK4 0,:AT %E DIDN'T KN[ WAS ?AT H] /EP-FA!R1 OR :ATEV] HE WAS TO H]1 WAS A =EIGN SPY 9 ! POLICE RECORDS4 ,IT ALL MAKES S5SE TO ME N[4 ,:5 ,I WAS >RE/$ TOGE!R ) ,V]A & ,ADRIAN1 ! POLICE KEPT ASK+ ME IF ,I'D KN[N ,SOPHIA ,ALB]TS2 ,I'D KEPT 9SI/+ ?AT WASN'T H] LA/ NAME2 ,I HAD =GOTT5 H] /EP-FA!R'S NAME4 ,I DON'T ?9K ,I EV5 KNEW HIS NAME4 ,BUT TO ! POLICE ,LUISA WAS ,ALB]TS' WIFE1 & BO? ,SAB9A AS WELL AS ,SOPHIA W]E HIS DAU<T]S4 ,& S9CE WE HAD KN[N ALL ?REE ( !M1 WE W]E OBVI\SLY SPIES40 

0,BUT Y\ DIDN'T EV5 GET ! LETT]10 ,I PO9T \T4 

0,?AT P>T ,I CAN UND]/&10 ,ZD5EK SAYS4 0,IT W\LDN'T BE ! FIR/ TIME ?IS POLICE 9C>C]AT$ PEOPLE BECAUSE ( CRIMES !Y HAD NOT YET COMMITT$1 CRIMES :I* ! POLICE !MSELVES EXPECT$ ?OSE PEOPLE TO COMMIT 9 ! FUTURE4 ,BUT ! :OLE ?+ IS SO LUDICR\S60 

0,IT IS LUDICR\S1 & ,I'M /ILL NOT CLE> AB\T ! ROLE ,SOPHIA'S LETT] ACTUALLY PLAY$10 ,I TELL ,ZD5EK4 0,JAN & ,I W]E AGITAT+ 9 FAVOR ( ! ,MAG>NA UPRIS+2 ,TITUS HAD JU/ SIGN$ A /RONGLY WORD$ PROTE/ 9 FAVOR ( ! ,MAG>NA WORK]S4 ,WE W\LD HAVE BE5 >RE/$ :E!R OR NOT ?AT MESS5G] HAD COME ) ,SOPHIA'S LETT]S4 ,! LETT]S MU/ HAVE BE5 A M]E PRETEXT1 A SO-CALL$ PROVOCATION TO JU/IFY ! >RE/S40 

0,:AT AB\T ! RE/ ( US80 ,JASNA OBJECTS4 0,V]A1 ,ADRIAN & ,I W]5'T AGITAT+ AB\T ANY?+ AT ALL6 ,V]A WAS BUSY RUNN+ AFT] H] ,PR(ESSOR ,KR51 ,ADRIAN WAS AB\T TO F9I% COLLEGE1 & ,I'D JU/ GOTT5 MY FIR/ TEA*+ JOB4 ,M>C HAD JU/ BECOME HEAD ( ! P>TY ORGANIZATION AT ! C>TON PLANT & HE C]TA9LY DIDN'T SIGN ANY PROTE/ OR 5GAGE 9 ANY AGITATION4 ,& ,CLAUDE ALREADY WORK$ = ! POLICE2 !RE C\LD HAVE BE5 NO E>?LY REASON = HIS >RE/4 ,I'M CONV9C$ ! LETT]S ,SOPHIA S5T US L$ TO \R >RE/S4 ,! POLICE L9K$ ?OSE LETT]S TO ! SO-CALL$ SPY R+4 ,& !Y C\LDN'T HAVE MADE ?AT CONNECTION1 !Y C\LDN'T HAVE CONNECT$ ,SOPHIA TO ,ALB]TS1 UNLESS SOMEONE :O HAD KN[N ,SOPHIA HAD TOLD !M40 

0,NAMELY ONE ( US80 ,I ASK4 

0,LEM M5TION$ AN (FICIAL10 ,JASNA CONT9UES4 0,ONLY ?REE ( ! PEOPLE ,SOPHIA WROTE TO W]E (FICIALS ( ANY TYPE AT ! TIME %E S5T ?OSE LETT]S3 ,CLAUDE ,TAMNI*1 ,TITUS ,ZABRAN & ,M>C ,GLAVNI4 ,CLAUDE HAT$ ! :OLE BUN* ( US1 ESPECIALLY Y\ & ,LUISA1 & HE'D HAVE LIK$ NO?+ BETT] ?AN TO SLAP US ALL 9 JAIL4 ,BUT ,I SAW ,CLAUDE A FEW DAYS AFT] MY RELEASE2 HE WAS TOTALLY BAFFL$ BY ! :OLE ?+ & EV5 ACCUS$ ME ( CAUS+ HIS >RE/4 ,HE'S TOO DUMB TO HAVE P]=M$ SU* AN ACT1 & !RE WAS NO E>?LY REASON = HIM TO P]=M IT = MY B5EFIT4 ,SO ,CLAUDE IS \T4 ,TITUS WAS ALSO AN (FICIAL1 AL?\< A M9OR ONE1 A UNION (FICIAL4 ,HE ALSO KNEW ALL AB\T ,ALB]TS & ,SOPHIA4 ,BUT HE SP5T A :OLE YE> 9 JAIL1 :]EAS HALF ( US W]E ONLY 9 JAIL = A FEW DAYS40 

0,TITUS WASN'T >RE/$ UNTIL MORE ?AN A YE> LAT]10 ,MIRNA PO9TS \T4 

0,TYPICAL POLICE BUNGL+10 ,I SUGGE/4 

0,EI!R ?AT40 ,JASNA CONT9UES1 0OR !Y WANT$ TO MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PROVE !Y HAD >RE/$ EI<T PEOPLE M]ELY BECAUSE A LETT] HAD BE5 ADDRESS$ TO !M4 ,TITUS IS ABSOLUTELY \T ( ! QUE/ION4 ,HE'D HAVE BE5 OV]JOY$ TO HE> FROM ,LUISA'S DAU<T] & HE HAD NO REASON 9 ! WORLD TO HAVE US ALL >RE/$4 ,?AT ONLY LEAVES ,M>C ,GLAVNI1 MY =M] BOSS --0 

0,BUT HE'S ON ! /ATE PLANN+ COMMISSION10 ,Y>A OBJECTS4 

0,IS ?AT ! ,GLAVNI Y\'RE TALK+ AB\T80 ,ZD5EK ASKS1 AMAZ$ ?AT SU* A HI< (FICIAL WAS ONCE P>T ( \R MODE/ CIRCLE4 

0,YES1 ! ONE :O'S GO+ TO 5GAGE 9 A MAJOR POLICY DEBATE OV] ! RADIO10 ,JASNA EXCLAIMS TRIUMPHANTLY4 0,MEMB] ( ! C5TRAL COMMITTEE ( ! /ATE PLANN+ COMMISSION1 MEMB] ( ! =EIGN TRADE COMMISSION1 =M]LY G5]AL MANAG] ( ! C>TON PLANT & MY BOSS1 ,M4 ,GLAVNI4 ,HE DIDN'T HATE US1 ! WAY ,CLAUDE DID4 ,BUT HE C]TA9LY LOV$ HIS C>E] MORE ?AN HE LIK$ US4 ,LEM MU/ HAVE REA*$ ! C>TON PLANT4 ,! POLICE S5T HIM !RE4 ,GLAVNI WAS ! ONLY NAME !Y RECOGNIZ$2 IT WAS ! MO/ IMPORTANT NAME ON ANY ( ! LETT]S2 ,M>C WAS ALREADY !N A MEMB] ( ! TRADE UNION C\NCIL & HEAD ( ! PLANT'S P>TY ORGANIZATION4 ,BUT ,LEM REA*$ ONLY A SECRET>Y1 PROBABLY A K9DHE>T$ S\L LEFT OV] FROM ! OLD DAYS1 SOMEONE :O OBVI\SLY RECOGNIZ$ ALL \R NAMES1 S9CE HE GAVE ,LEM Y\R & ,JAN'S ADDRESSES4 ,AS SOON AS ,M>C RETURN$ & READ ! LETT]1 HE SAW HIS :OLE C>E] FALL+ TO PIECES4 ,HE PROBABLY ?\<T ANY ONE ( US1 & C]TA9LY ,CLAUDE1 W\LD IMM$IATELY REPORT ! LETT] TO ! POLICE1 & ,I'M SURE ?AT'S EXACTLY :AT ,CLAUDE W\LD HAVE DONE2 ,I'M C]TA9 WE W\LD HAVE BE5 >RE/$ ANYWAY4 ,SO TO PREV5T ANYONE ELSE FROM CALL+ !M FIR/1 ,M>C CALL$ ! POLICE & TOLD !M HE'D RECEIV$ A LETT] FROM ! FAM\S ,ALB]TS SPY R+40 

0,BUT Y\'VE TOLD US ,M>C WAS >RE/$ TOO10 ,I REM9D H]4 

0,%[S H[ /UPID ! POLICE >E4 ,!Y RESPOND$ TO HIS CALL BY S5D+ TWO AG5TS = HIM 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! NI<T & SLAPP+ HIM 9 JAIL4 ,BUT !Y RELEAS$ HIM RI<T AWAY1 & ! REGIONAL P>TY SECRET>Y EV5 APOLOGIZ$ TO HIM4 ,HE WASN'T ONLY RE9/AT$ 9 ALL HIS PO/S BUT WAS EV5 PROMOT$ RI<T AWAY4 ,I W\LDN'T BE SURPRIS$ IF HE [$ HIS PROMOTION TO ! FACT ?AT HE COLLABORAT$ ) ! BANK DIRECTOR1 ,PR(ESSOR ,KR51 9 CLE>+ ,V]A ( ! ESPIONAGE *>GES BY ACCUS+ ,ADRIAN & PROBABLY Y\ & ,JAN AS WELL ( HAV+ SL&]$ H] & ,DR4 ,GLAVNI4 ,I'M CONV9C+ MYSELF IT WAS BECAUSE ( HIM ?AT Y\ & ,ADRIAN S]V$ SU* LONG PRISON T]MS & ?AT ,JAN NEV] CAME \T AGA94 ,:ILE Y\1 ,JAN & ,TITUS W]E DREAM+ ( A DIFF]5T WORLD1 ,M>C WAS DREAM+ ( HIS COM+ PROMOTIONS 9 ?IS ONE40 

0,?AT PIG60 ,Y>A %\TS4 0,I'LL TELL ,JULIA & ,SLOBODAN AB\T ?AT ,COMMISSION] ,GLAVNI6 ,WE'LL FIX HIM60 

0,:AT 9 ! WORLD WILL Y\ DO TO HIM80 ,MIRNA ASKS H]4 

0,Y\'LL SEE60 

,JASNA TELLS ,Y>A1 0,?AT ALL HAPP5$ BE=E Y\ W]E EV5 BORN60 

0,DON'T Y\ WANT REV5GE80 ,Y>A ASKS4 

0,:AT ON E>? =80 ,JASNA ASKS4 0,:AT CAN ONE DO ) REV5GE80 

,MIRNA EXCLAIMS1 0,Y>A IS P]FECTLY RI<T60 

0,BUT ,M>C ONLY DID ! DEVIL'S BIDD+10 ,I REM9D ,MIRNA4 

0,HE DID ! DEVIL'S DIRTY WORK & ?AT'S SOME?+ ALTOGE!R DIFF]5T40 

,ZD5EK RE5T]S ! CONV]SATION4 0,! ?+ ,I DON'T UND]/& IS :AT K9D ( LETT] ?IS WAS4 ,! *>GE ( ESPIONAGE WAS OBVI\SLY A PRETEXT1 S9CE MO/ ( Y\ DIDN'T EV5 GET ! LETT]4 ,:Y DID ! POLICE >RE/ N9E PEOPLE BECAUSE ( A LETT]80 

,MIRNA ANSW]S1 0,BUT ?AT'S OBVI\S1 ISN'T IT8 ,TO /OP :AT WE'RE DO+ RI<T N[1 ?AT'S :Y6 ,LETT]S >E LIKE ! FIR/ :ISP]S ( A /RIKE4 ,! :ISP]S GR[ L\D]1 MORE & MORE PEOPLE />T :ISP]+1 EV5TUALLY !Y'RE ALL %\T+4 ,SOME?+ NONE ( US HAD ?\<T ( SPREADS LIKE A DISEASE4 ,! POLICE >E ! SANITATION DEP>TM5T2 !Y TRY TO /OP ! DISEASE FROM SPREAD+ & TO DO ?AT !Y HAVE TO LOCK UP PEOPLE & KILL !M BECAUSE :AT'S SPREAD+ IS LIFE ITSELF & LIFE CAN'T BE POLIC$40 

,JASNA ADDS1 0,DON'T Y\ SEE1 ,ZD5EK1 ?AT ! P]IOD DUR+ ! ,MAG>NA RIS+ WAS SIMIL> TO ! PRES5T8 ,ALL NEWS WAS GOOD NEWS & EV]Y BIT ( IT 9SPIR$ PEOPLE TO GO A /EP FUR!R1 GAVE !M C\RAGE40 

0,! POLICE >E TOO /UPID TO KN[ ?AT10 ,ZD5EK CLAIMS4 

,I DISAGREE2 9 FACT = ONCE ,I AGREE ) ,MIRNA AB\T ! LIKELIHOOD ?AT Y\R LETT] PLAY$ A ROLE 9 \R >RE/4 0,MAYBE !Y DO KN[ ?AT1 ,ZD5EK4 ,!Y MU/4 ,H[ ELSE CAN Y\ EXPLA9 ! TOTAL C5SOR%IP !Y TRY TO E/ABLI%8 ,MAYBE !Y BELIEVE 9 ! POSSIBILITY ( COMMUNICATION & SOLID>ITY MORE ?AN WE DO4 ,= ?AT V]Y REASON ,I ?9K IT'S WRONG TO BLAME ANY ( ! 9DIVIDUALS TRAPP$ 9 ! NET CREAT$ BY ! POLICE1 :E!R ,SOPHIA OR ,LEM OR ,M>C4 ,! FAULT LIES SOLELY ) ! POLICE4 ,IF ,COMRADE ,GLAVNI'S C>E] CAN BE SPOIL$ BY A LETT]1 !RE'S SOME?+ WRONG ) ! SY/EM 9 :I* HE'S SEEK+ HIS C>E]40 

0,I KNEW ! SY/EM WAS ROTT51 BUT ,I DIDN'T KN[ PEOPLE W]E >RE/$ = RECEIV+ MAIL NOT APPROV$ BY ! POLICE10 ,ZD5EK SAYS4 

0,Y\'D HAVE KN[N IF Y\'D GOTT5 ANY10 ,JASNA TELLS HIM4 

0,IT ALL S\NDS V]Y CLE> & LOGICAL10 ,MIRNA SAYS1 0BUT NONE ( Y\ HAVE EXPLA9$ ANY?+4 ,FIR/ ( ALL !RE'S ?AT POOR MESS5G]4 ,AFT] HE SP5T TWO YE>S 9 PRISON & WAS TORTUR$ BESIDES1 ,SOPHIA CALL$ HIM A LI> & ACCUS$ HIM ( LOS+ H] LETT]S4 ,HE C]TA9LY HAD MORE ?AN HIS %>E ( ! CONSEQU5CES ( ?AT LETT]4 ,:5 %E F9ALLY BELIEV$ HIM YE>S LAT]1 %E LEFT HIM BA?+ 9 FIL?4 ,MEAN:ILE ,GLAVNI SITS ON TOP ( ! WORLD & ,SOPHIA ISN'T DO+ TOO BADLY EI!R4 ,%E SPOIL$ N9E PEOPLE'S LIVES1 YET %E WASN'T ANY:]E NE> ! >RE/S2 %E DIDN'T EV5 KN[ AB\T !M = MORE ?AN A DECADE --0 

,I 9T]RUPT4 0,BUT ,MIRNA1 ! V]Y SAME C5SOR%IP PREV5T$ H] FROM LE>N+ AB\T ?OSE >RE/S4 ,Y\'RE WORK+ Y\RSELF UP AGA94 ,SOPHIA WASN'T H]E --0 

0,%E DID EXACTLY ! SAME ?+ :5 %E WAS H]E & %E KN[S IT2 %E EV5 BR+S IT UP 9 ?IS LETT]4 ,SOPHIA ASKS ,LUISA :Y !Y LEFT ALL !IR COMRADES 9 JAIL & ,LUISA ASKS ,SOPHIA :Y4 ,SOPHIA KN[S ?AT WASN'T RI<T2 ,LUISA ACTS AS IF IT W]E ! MO/ NATURAL ?+ 9 ! WORLD4 ,& MAYBE IT IS4 ,BUT Y\ & ,JASNA SEEM CONV9C$ !RE WAS SOME?+ SPECIAL AB\T ,LUISA & ,SOPHIA1 Y\ SEEM CONV9C$ !Y W\LDN'T HAVE RUN & LEFT ! SUFF]+ TO !IR COMRADES40 

,JASNA SAYS1 0,Y\'RE PUTT+ IT V]Y /RONGLY1 ,MIRNA1 BUT ,I ADMIT ,I WAS %OCK$ :5 ,I LE>N$ ONLY A FEW WEEKS AGO ?AT ,LUISA & ! TWO GIRLS HAD EMIGRAT$ AFT] TWO DAYS 9 JAIL4 ,Y\'RE RI<T3 ,I HADN'T ?\<T ANY ( !M CAPABLE ( ?AT4 ,I DON'T UND]/& IT4 ,ALL ( US EXCEPT ,CLAUDE ALWAYS ACCEPT$ EV]Y SUGGE/ION ,LUISA MADE4 ,WE W\LD HAVE FOLL[$ H] TO PRISON IF %E HAD BE5 ! ONLY ONE >RE/$40 

0,APP>5TLY SOMEONE HAD SOME?+ LIKE ?AT 9 M9D10 ,I REM9D ,JASNA4 0,SOMEONE WAS READY TO >RE/ ,LUISA ALONE & DIDN'T EXPECT ! RE/ ( US TO FOLL[ H] TO PRISON4 ,I ?9K ?AT SOMEONE WAS ,CLAUDE1 :O MU/ HAVE BE5 A POLICE AG5T ALREADY !N4 ,HE ?\<T HE C\LD TURN ! RE/ ( US AGA9/ ,LUISA BY TELL+ US ,ALB]TS WAS A SPY & ,LUISA HIS ACCOMPLICE4 ,?AT W\LD HAVE ISOLAT$ ,LUISA :ILE ! RE/ ( US FOLL[$ ,CLAUDE LIKE %EEP4 ,BUT HIS S*EME BACKFIR$4 ,DO Y\ REMEMB]8 ,F\R OR FIVE DAYS BE=E \R >RE/1 9/EAD ( TURN+ AGA9/ ,LUISA1 ALL ( US L9$ UP ALONGSIDE H] EXACTLY AS WE'D DONE 9 PLAY A YE> OR TWO E>LI]1 & ONCE AGA9 IT WAS ,CLAUDE :O WAS ISOLAT$4 ,LUISA TOLD US POLITICIANS ( ,CLAUDE'S ILK W]E US+ ! /RIKE AS A BASE FROM :I* TO 9/ALL !MSELVES 9 ! GOV]NM5T1 & EV]Y ONE ( US UND]/OOD4 ,:5 %E TOLD US ! /RUGGLE WASN'T ON ONE FRONT BUT ON TWO1 & ! GREAT] 5EMY ?REAT5$ US FROM BEH9D1 WE KNEW EXACTLY :AT %E WAS TALK+ AB\T4 ,UN=TUNATELY ! ONLY ?+ WE W]E ABLE TO DO AB\T ! GREAT] 5EMY WAS TO C>RY SIGNS AB\T HIM1 & ?AT OBVI\SLY WASN'T 5\<4 ,JAN KNEW ?AT WASN'T 5\<4 ,APP>5TLY ,TITUS ALSO KNEW2 ?REE DAYS BE=E ! >RE/ HE TOLD ,SOPHIA & ME TO BE REALI/IC1 NOT TO EXPECT ! WORK+ CLASS TO C>RY ?R\< ITS F9AL VICTORY 9 A DAY4 ,I UND]/OOD HIM TO MEAN WE %\LDN'T BE SURPRIS$ IF ,LUISA WAS >RE/$4 ,APP>5TLY ,TITUS =ESAW ! DANG] BUT ?\<T IT W\LD ONLY BE A DANG] = ,LUISA4 ,I TRI$ TO W>N ,LUISA BUT %E WAS P]PETUALLY \T ) ,M>C4 ,:5 ,I TOLD ,SOPHIA1 %E SAID ,I WAS BE+ A DEFEATI/ ON ! EVE ( ! F9AL VICTORY40 

0,IT'S FUNNY1 ,Y>O/AN1 BUT ,I REMEMB] A SOME:AT DIFF]5T SEQU5CE10 ,JASNA TELLS ME4 0,FIR/ ( ALL ! RUMOR ?AT ,LUISA WORK$ ) A SPY4 ,I HE>D ?AT TOO -- BUT FROM ,V]A40 

0,FROM ,V]A8 ,BUT ?AT'S IMPOSSIBLE4 ,V]A WAS SOME?+ LIKE ,LUISA'S DISCIPLE2 %E WOR%IP$ ,LUISA AS MU* AS ,I DID2 EV]Y ONE ( H] IDEAS CAME FROM ,LUISA4 ,I DI/9CTLY REMEMB] ?AT ,V]A WAS ! FIR/ ONE TO APPLAUD :5 ,LUISA SAID ! GREAT] 5EMY WAS BEH9D US4 ,%E /OOD ALONGSIDE ,LUISA & REMA9$ ALONGSIDE H] TO ! V]Y 5D40 

0,V]A WAS ALWAYS GOOD AT CREAT+ APPE>ANCES2 %E /ILL IS4 ,Y\ DIDN'T REALLY KN[ H]10 %E TELLS ME4 0,YES1 %E WAS ,LUISA'S DISCIPLE1 BUT %E WAS TOO VA9 TO REMA9 A DISCIPLE V]Y LONG4 ,I KNEW %E'D WANT$ H] APPR5TICE%IP TO 5D LONG BE=E ! /RIKE BROKE \T4 ,%E HAT$ ,LUISA = BE+ ! C5T] ( ATT5TION4 ,%E SAW H] *ANCE :5 ?AT RUMOR AB\T ,LUISA />T$ SPREAD+4 ,) ,LUISA GONE4 ,V]A ?\<T %E'D BECOME ! C5T] ( ATT5TION1 %E'D BECOME ! POPUL> H]O9E ( ! REVOLUTION1 & WE'D ALL L9E UP ALONGSIDE H] AS WE HAD L9$ UP ALONGSIDE ,LUISA4 ,I OBVI\SLY DIDN'T BELIEVE ! RUMOR & ,JAN SLAPP$ ,V]A'S FACE :5 %E TOLD HIM ,LUISA HAD SOME?+ TO DO ) A SPY4 ,BUT ?AT WASN'T :AT PUT AN 5D TO ,V]A'S ATTEMPT TO GET RID ( ,LUISA4 ,I KN[ %E LIK$ ,SAB9A A GREAT DEAL4 ,I ?9K %E MU/ HAVE BECOME AFRAID ?AT IF ,LUISA & ,SAB9A'S FA!R DISAPPE>$ AS SPIES1 ,SAB9A W\LD DISAPPE> AS WELL4 ,I ?9K ?AT WAS ! ONLY REASON %E L9$ UP ALONGSIDE ,LUISA & REMA9$ ALONGSIDE H] UNTIL ! >RE/40 

0,WAS ,V]A ,CLAUDE'S ACCOMPLICE :5 %E SPREAD ?AT RUMOR80 

0,OBVI\SLY NOT4 ,Y>O/AN4 ,V]A /OOD EXACTLY :]E ,LUISA DID3 AGA9/ EV]Y?+ ,CLAUDE /OOD =4 ,%E ONLY WANT$ TO REPLACE ,LUISA ON ?AT SPOT4 ,IF !Y >RE/$ US BECAUSE WE /OOD ALONGSIDE ,LUISA1 !Y W\LD HAVE >RE/$ US JU/ AS QUICKLY IF WE HAD /OOD ALONGSIDE ,V]A4 ,BUT ! FACT IS ?AT WE /OOD ALONGSIDE ,LUISA TO ! V]Y 5D1 & %E HAD NO REASON TO RUN \T ON US ! WAY %E DID40 

0,Y\ & ,MIRNA >E RI<T10 ,I ADMIT4 0,LUISA C]TA9LY DIDN'T %[ A SIMIL> SOLID>ITY ) US4 ,I CAN'T GET IT \T ( MY HEAD ?AT ! SO-CALL$ ,ALB]TS SPY R+ WAS RELEAS$ AFT] TWO DAYS :ILE ?OSE ACCUS$ ( BE+ M]E ACCOMPLICES W]E LEFT 9 PRISON40 ,SOME?+ REMA9S /RANGE AB\T Y\R SUDD5 RELEASE1 AB\T ! :OLE AFFAIR1 BUT ,I CAN'T FOCUS ON IT CLE>LY 5\< TO =MULATE A COH]5T QUE/ION4 

,BUT IF EV]Y?+ IS MORE OBSCURE TO ME ?AN IT WAS BE=E Y\R LETT] CAME1 EV]Y?+ IS N[ P]FECTLY CLE> TO ,MIRNA4 0,!Y'RE NOT ! ANGELS Y\ BO? ?\<T !Y W]E1 ?AT'S ALL4 ,!Y RAN \T ON Y\4 ,H[ C>EFULLY DID Y\ BO? READ ,SOPHIA'S LETT]8 ,SAB9A TOLD US ?AT ,ALB]TS P]SON RAN \T ON ,M>G>ITA'S COMRADES & Y\R ,LUISA RAN ) HIM :ILE H] HUSB& DI$ AT ! FRONT40 

,Y>A SAYS PR\DLY1 0,I W\LD HAVE DI$ LIKE ,M>G>ITA IF ,I'D BE5 !RE6 ,%OOT+ FROM ! B>RICADES6 ,JU/ ?9K1 %E WAS ONLY ?REE YE>S OLD] ?AN ,I AM :5 %E GAVE BIR? TO ,SAB9A60 

0,SOPHIA'S LETT]S >E FULL ( GOOD IDEAS1 >5'T !Y80 ,MIRNA ASKS S>CA/ICALLY4 

0,Y\ DES]V$ ,Y>N'S COMM5T60 ,JASNA SNAPS4 0,W\LD Y\ LIKE ,LUISA BETT] IF %E HAD DI$ ON ! B>RICADES8 ,BESIDES1 ,SAB9A LEFT A SMALL DETAIL \T ( H] /ORY4 ,TITUS TOLD ME SOME?+ AB\T ?OSE EV5TS1 & SO DID ,LUISA1 & ,I REMEMB] BO? ( !M TELL+ ME !IR >MY WAS DEFEAT$ MILIT>ILY BY ! FASCI/ >MY & !Y HAD NO *OICE BUT TO RUN40 

0,SAB9A DOESN'T CONTRADICT ?AT10 ,I PO9T \T4 0,:AT %E SAYS IS SOME?+ ,I HAD ALMO/ FIGUR$ \T ON MY [N OV] A FIFTE5-YE> P]IOD4 ,%E SAYS BO? >MIES HAD !IR GUNS TURN$ AGA9/ ! PEOPLE4 ,LUISA TOGE!R ) ! RE/ ( H] UNION & ITS 9FLU5TIAL MILITANTS LIT]ALLY AB&ON$ !MSELVES TO AN >MY ?AT WAS AS FASCI/ AS ! >MY !Y F\<T AGA9/4 ,ITS AIM1 LIKE ! O!R'S1 WAS TO TAME OR KILL WORK]S4 ,ONLY H] >MY WAS LESS EXP]I5C$ ?AN ! O!R2 ?AT'S :Y !Y HAD TO FLEE2 A DEPOS$ RUL] HAS NO O!R *OICE40 

,ZD5EK ASKS1 0,IS ,LUISA ! SAME UNION MILITANT Y\ HAD DESCRIB$ TO ME 9 PRISON80 

0,EXACTLY ! SAME10 ,I TELL HIM4 

0,BUT Y\'VE TURN$ >\ND COMPLETELY1 ,Y>O/AN4 ,AT ?AT TIME Y\ SWORE BY H]2 Y\ CONV9C$ ME ?OSE EV5TS PROV$ A REAL WORK]S' UNION C\LD EXI/ S9CE SU* A UNION HAD C>RI$ ?R\< ! GREATE/ WORK+ CLASS VICTORY 9 HI/ORY40 

0,I BELIEV$ EV]Y WORD ,I TOLD Y\ = MANY YE>S AFT] ,I MET Y\1 ,ZD5EK4 ,T[>D ! 5D ( MY FIR/ T]M ,I MET SOMEONE :O TOLD ME ALMO/ EXACTLY :AT ,SAB9A REC5TLY TOLD ,SOPHIA4 ,HIS NAME WAS ,MANUEL4 ,I LI/5$ TO HIM1 ,I WAS FASC9AT$ BY EV]Y?+ HE SAID1 BUT ,I DIDN'T CONNECT ANY ( IT TO ,LUISA40 ,I TELL ,ZD5EK & ,JASNA ! ?+S ,I'VE ALREADY TOLD Y\ AB\T ,MANUEL2 ,I ALSO TELL !M /ORIES ?AT CAME BACK TO ME :5 ,I READ :AT ,SAB9A TOLD Y\4 ,MANUEL & ,ALB]TS MU/ 9DE$ HAVE KN[N EA* O!R1 OR AT LEA/ VIEW$ ! SAME BATTLEFIELD FROM DIFF]5T VANTAGE PO9TS1 AS ,SAB9A SUGGE/S2 ! SIMIL>ITIES 9 !IR /ORIES >E /RIK+4 ,EV5 MANY ( ! DETAILS >E ! SAME4 ,! MAM DIFF]5CE IS 9 ! P]SONALITIES & /&PO9TS ( ! VIEW]S4 ,ON ! DAY ( ! RIS+ ,MANUEL1 LIKE ,M>G>ITA & ,LUISA1 F\<T ON ! B>RICADES4 ,TWO OR ?REE DAYS LAT]1 & NOT MON?S LAT] LIKE ,ALB]TS1 HE JO9$ A MILITIA UNIT :I* SET \T TO DEFEAT A SECTION ( ! FASCI/ >MY4 ,!Y REA*$ ! FRONT AT A VILLAGE1 SURELY ! SAME VILLAGE ,ALB]TS DESCRIB$ TO ,SAB9A4 ,ON >RIVAL !Y F\ND ?AT ! VILLAG]S !MSELVES HAD ALREADY RIS5 AGA9/ ! ATTACK+ FASCI/ >MY & HAD SUCCE$$ 9 PREV5T+ ?AT >MY FROM 5T]+ ! VILLAGE4 ,?IS APP>5TLY TOOK PLACE SEV]AL MON?S BE=E ,ALB]TS & HIS >MY REA*$ ! VILLAGE4 ,:5 ,MANUEL'S MILITIA UNIT >RIV$1 ! VILLAG]S W]E RES5TFUL & EV5 HO/ILE1 AL?\< ?AT UNIT CONSI/$ ( WORK]S & PEASANTS LIKE !MSELVES4 ,! VILLAG]S TOLD ,MANUEL'S COMRADES TO LIB]ATE !IR [N REGIONS & KEEP ! 5EMY BUSY ON SEV]AL FRONTS 9/EAD ( 0LIB]AT+0 !IR ALREADY LIB]AT$ VILLAGE4 ,MANUEL & SEV]AL ( HIS COMRADES W]E READY TO TAKE ! VILLAG]S' ADVICE1 BUT SOMEONE SPREAD ! RUMOR ?AT ! 5EMY UNIT1 /ILL CAMP$ \TSIDE ! VILLAGE1 WAS SOON TO BE MASSIVELY RE9=C$1 & ! MAJORITY ( ,MANUEL'S UNIT VOT$ TO REMA9 9 ! VILLAGE4 ,! RUMOR WAS FALSE4 ,! ONLY 5EMY RE9=CEM5TS ?AT >RIV$ W]E POORLY GU>D$ %IPM5TS ( AMMUNITION4 ,ALMO/ ALL ( !SE W]E /OL5 BY ,MANUEL'S MILITIA UNIT1 & ! AMMUNITION WAS DI/RIBUT$ AMONG ! VILLAG]S4 ,! MILITIA UNIT REMA9$ 9 ! VILLAGE1 BUT NOT AS A MILIT>Y =MATION2 !Y FRAT]NIZ$ ) ! VILLAG]S1 LIV$ AMONG !M & C>RI$ \T MILIT>Y EXPLOITS JO9TLY ) !M4 ,ALB]TS TOLD ,SAB9A ?AT ! 5EMY UNIT CAMP$ \TSIDE ! VILLAGE T]RORIZ$ ! VILLAG]S4 ,MANUEL TOLD ME EXACTLY ! OPPOSITE4 ,! 5EMY UNIT WAS TOTALLY IMMOBILIZ$ \TSIDE ?AT VILLAGE1 ITS SUPPLY L9ES W]E CON/ANTLY 9T]CEPT$1 5TIRE C>GOES ( AMMUNITION W]E /OL52 ITS V]Y EXI/5CE WAS A DRA9 ON ! 5TIRE FASCI/ >MY2 ITS ONLY ALT]NATIVES W]E TO CONT9UE TO BE DRA9$ OR TO RETREAT4 ,MEAN:ILE ! VILLAG]S APPROPRIAT$ L&S AB&ON$ BY !IR L&[N]S1 TURN$ ! *UR* 9TO A !AT] & DANCE HALL1 E/ABLI%$ AN EXP]IM5TAL S*OOL & BEGAN TO EXPLORE NEW WAYS ( RELAT+ TO EA* O!R & TO !IR SURR\ND+S4 ,! VILLAG]S W]5'T T]RORIZ$ FROM ! FRONT BUT FROM ! RE>4 ,SOME MON?S AFT] !Y HAD NEUTRALIZ$ ! 5EMY UNIT1 A 0MILITIA COMM&]0 & SEV]AL O!R 0PEOPLE'S (FIC]S0 >RIV$ 9 ! VILLAGE4 ,!Y CAME AS REPRES5TATIVES ( ! 0WORK+ CLASS40 ,!Y %[$ PAP]S ACCORD+ TO :I* !Y HAD BE5 EMP[]$ BY ! UNION1 ,LUISA'S 0G5U9E WORK]S' UNION40 ,! VILLAG]S M]ELY LAU<$ AT ! 0REPRES5TATIVES40 ,NEI!R ! VILLAG]S NOR ,MANUEL'S MILITIA COMRADES HAD LE>N$ ! LATE/ NEWS3 ! MO/ 9FLU5TIAL UNION MILITANTS HAD ACCEPT$ PO/S 9 ! GOV]NM5T6 ,! 0COMM&]0 & HIS 0(FIC]S0 CONFRONT$ ,MANUEL & HIS COMRADES 09 ! NAME ( Y\R [N COMRADES40 ,! COMM&] 9SI/$ ?AT ! MILITIA UNIT IMM$IATELY SEP>ATE ITSELF FROM ! VILLAG]S & H\SE ITSELF 9 MILIT>Y B>RACKS4 ,! 5TIRE UNIT REFUS$4 ,ONE ( ,MANUEL'S COMRADES SAID ! COMM&] WAS ON ! WRONG SIDE ( ! BATTLE L9E2 HE BELONG$ ) ! FASCI/ UNIT CAMP$ \TSIDE ! VILLAGE4 ,! COMM&] ORD]$ ! MAN TO BE >RE/$ BUT NONE ( ! MILITIA MOV$ 9 RESPONSE TO ! ORD]4 ,! COMM&] !N DREW HIS GUN ON ! MAN & %OT HIM4 ,IMM$IATELY ,MANUEL & SEV]AL ( HIS COMRADES AIM$ !IR RIFLES AT ! 0COMM&]10 :OSE HY/]ICAL %\TS ( 0,I COMM&60 W]E ( NO AVAIL2 ONE ( ! RIFLES KILL$ ! 0COMM&]40 ,! 0(FIC]S0 W]E TOLD1 AT ! PO9T ( RIFLES1 TO LEAVE ! VILLAGE IMM$IATELY4 ,BUT ,MANUEL'S COMRADES AS WELL AS ! VILLAG]S W]E UNEASY2 !Y KNEW SOME?+ WAS HAPP5+ 9 ! RE>1 BEH9D !IR BACKS1 SOME?+ :I* REPRES5T$ A F> GREAT] ?REAT TO !IR VICTORY ?AN ! MIS]ABLY EQUIPP$ 5EMY UNIT 9 ! FRONT4 ,A FEW WEEKS AFT] ! DEA? ( ! MILITIA FI<T] & ! 0COMM&]10 NEWS REA*$ ! VILLAGE ?AT A 0POPUL> BRIGADE0 WAS ON ITS WAY 0TO LIB]ATE ! VILLAGE FROM ! FASCI/ M5ACE40 ,EV]YONE 9 ! VILLAGE UND]/OOD :AT ?IS MEANT4 ,! MILITIA UNIT HELD A CRISIS MEET+4 ,LESS ?AN HALF ! M5 DECID$ TO REMA9 9 ! VILLAGE1 \T ( A MISGUID$ S5SE ( LOYALTY TO 0!IR UNION40 ,! MAJORITY1 9CLUD+ ,MANUEL1 DECID$ TO RETURN TO ! CITY :]E1 !Y FELT1 ! REAL FRONT WAS LOCAT$4 ,MANUEL REA*$ ! CITY & REMA9$ !RE LONG 5\< TO LE>N ?AT ALL ! =M]LY UNPAID SECRET>IES ( ! UNION'S LOCALS HAD BECOME PAID FUNCTION>IES ( ! GOV]NM5T2 =M] ORGANIZ]S HAD BECOME WORK SUP]VISORS2 ! C5TRAL FUCTION ( ! 5TIRE APP>ATUS WAS TO MAKE WORK]S PRODUCE ! GREATE/ POSSIBLE AM\NT ( >MAM5TS = ! 0POPUL> >MY40 ,HALF A DAY AFT] HIS >RIVAL 9 ! CITY HE WAS >RE/$4 ,IRONICALLY HE WAS NOT >RE/$ BECAUSE ( HIS ACTIVITIES AT ! FRONT2 HIS MILITIA UNIT'S REPUTATION HAD NOT YET REA*$ ! POLICE4 ,HE WAS >RE/$ = HAV+ BE5 A MEMB] ( A SMALL POLITICAL SECT :I* WAS BLACK-LI/$ BY ! DOM9ANT POLITICAL GR\P 9 ! RUL+ COALITION4 ,9 PRISON ,MANUEL MET ONE ( ! =M] MILITIA COMRADES :O HAD REMA9$ 9 ! VILLAGE & WAIT$ = ! >RIVAL ( ! 0POPUL> BRIGADE40 ,MANUEL LE>N$ ?AT EI<T ( ?OSE :O REMA9$ W]E MURD]$ ! DAY ! 0POPUL> BRIGADE0 >RIV$ 9 ! VILLAGE2 !Y W]E *>G$ ) BE+ 9FILTRATORS2 ! (FICIAL /ORY TOLD AB\T !M WAS ?AT !Y HAD DEFECT$ BEH9D 5EMY L9ES4 ,IMM$IATELY AFT] ?IS MASSACRE ! VILLAG]S ATTACK$ ! 0POPUL> BRIGADE0 & =C$ IT TO CAMP ON ! OPPOSITE SIDE ( ! VILLAGE FROM ! 5EMY UNIT4 ,MEAN:ILE ! 5EMY RECEIV$ SOME RE9=CEM5TS & A %IPM5T ( >MS :I* WAS NOT 9T]CEPT$1 & ! 5EMY UNIT MOV$ 9TO & ?R\< ! VILLAGE1 MASSACR+ ! 9HABITANTS & R\T+ ! 0POPUL> BRIGADE40 ,MANY ( ! REMA9+ MILITIA W]E KILL$ 9 ?AT 5C\NT]4 ,! 0POPUL> BRIGADE0 RETREAT$ FROM ! VILLAGE & CONT9U$ RETREAT+ ALL ! WAY TO !IR MILIT>Y HEADQU>T]S ON ! \TSKIRTS ( ! CITY1 & ON >RIVAL ! REMA9+ FEW MILITIA W]E >RE/$ & *>G$ ) BE+ TRAITORS4 ,! MAN :O N>RAT$ !SE EV5TS TO ,MANUEL WAS HIMSELF CONDEMN$ TO DEA?4 ,:AT ,MANUEL TOLD ME AB\T ! VILLAGE IS ALMO/ ID5TICAL TO :AT ,ALB]TS TOLD ,SAB9A EXCEPT = SOME V]Y SIGNIFICANT DETAILS4 ,! VILLAGE WAS NOT 0T]RORIZ$0 BY ! 5EMY >MY4 ,ON ! CONTR>Y1 ! VILLAG]S HELD (F ?AT >MY = MON?S & !Y FELL ONLY AFT] ! >RIVAL ( ! 0POPUL> >MY02 !Y W]E MASSACR$ BY ! COMB9$ FIRE ( BO? >MIES4 ,SECONDLY1 ! VILLAG]S DID NOT SUPPORT ! FASCI/ >MY 9 ORD] TO DEFEAT ! 0POPUL> >MY10 ,?AT'S A FACE-SAV+ RATIONALIZATION ON ,ALB]TS' P>T1 P]HAPS ON ! P>T ( HIS :OLE 0BRIGADE0 :I*1 BE+ A MILIT>I/IC ORGANIZATION1 PRIDES ITSELF = ITS MILIT>I/IC V5TURES2 DEFEAT AT ! H&S ( A SMALL1 POORLY >M$ 5EMY UNIT DID NOT REFLECT WELL ON ! BRIGADE'S 0HONOR03 ! :OLE POPULATION HAD TO BE BLAM$ = ITS DEFEAT4 ,BUT ?IS RATIONALIZATION IS A VICI\S SL&] AGA9/ VILLAG]S :O HAD BRAVELY DEF5D$ !MSELVES AGA9/ ONE & !N ! O!R >MY1 :O W]E SLAU<T]$ BY ! COMB9$ P[] ( TWO >MIES1 :O DI$ ) ! KN[L$GE ?AT NO >MY CAN BE 0POPUL>40 

,:5 ,I F9I% N>RAT+ ,MANUEL'S /ORY1 ,ZD5EK ASKS1 0,BUT :]E 9 ! WORLD DID Y\ GET ! IDEA ?AT ,LUISA'S UNION HELP$ ?OSE WORK]S C>RY \T A G5U9E REVOLUTION80 

0,FROM ,LUISA'S ILLUSIONS4 ,I TRI$ V]Y H>D TO BELIEVE !M1 ALL ( !M4 ,BUT ! FACTS HAVE BE5 CREEP+ 9TO MY CONSCI\SNESS = TW5TY YE>S1 DE/ROY+ ?OSE ILLUSIONS4 ,LUISA SEEMS TO BELIEVE /ILL TODAY EV]Y?+ %E TOLD ME OV] TW5TY YE>S AGO40 

0,SO MU* = MY S+LE EXAMPLE ( A G5U9E WORK]S' UNION10 ,ZD5EK SI<S4 0,IF ALL ! 9/RUM5TS >E ROTT51 :AT >E WE LEFT )80 

0,WE'RE LEFT ) \RSELVES & EA* O!R10 ,I SUGGE/4 

,JASNA ASKS1 0,IS ?AT BAD80 

0,( C\RSE IT'S BAD60 ,ZD5EK SAYS4 0,9 MY HEAD ,I KN[ Y\'RE BO? RI<T1 BUT MY HE>T CAN'T ACCEPT ?AT2 MY HE>T WANTS A TOOL1 AN 9/RUM5T2 MY 9/RUM5T WAS ! UNION4 ,TO ME ! UNION WAS LIKE A TRA92 WE SP5T YE>S BUILD+ ! B$1 ! TIES1 ! RAILS1 ! LOCOMOTIVE & ! C>S2 :5 ! TRA9 WAS ALL BUILT1 WE SET IT 9 MOTION & ONCE IT BEGAN TO MOVE IT CONT9U$ MOV+ UNTIL IT REA*$ ITS F9AL DE/9ATION4 ,)\T SU* AN 9/RUM5T WE FEEL NAK$1 DIS>M$1 ALONE4 ,I SUPPOSE ?IS MEANS ,I DON'T REALLY TRU/ MY FELL[ HUMAN BE+S4 ,9 ?AT RESPECT ,I DIFF] FROM ,M>G>ITA4 ,I W\LD NEV] BE ! FIR/ P]SON AT ! B>RICADES2 ,I'D ALWAYS BE AFRAID ,I'D F9D MYSELF ALONE4 ,IF !RE W]E NO ,M>G>ITAS 9 ! WORLD1 IF ALL ?OSE ,I HAD TO C\NT ON W]E LIKE ME1 !RE W\LD NEV] BE ANY REVOLUTIONS2 WE W\LD ALL BE =EV] WAIT+ = EV]YONE ELSE40 

,Y>A %\TS1 0,Y\'RE JU/ OLD6 ,MO/ ( MY FRI5DS W\LD WANT TO BE LIKE ,M>G>ITA60 

,JASNA1 ,ZD5EK & ,I LAU< AT ,Y>A'S COMM5T1 BUT ,MIRNA TAKES ALL ?REE ( US TO TASK4 0,:Y >E Y\ LAU<+8 ,\T ( ?AT :OLE CREW1 ,M>G>ITA & H] FA!R >E ! ONLY ONES :O DES]VE ADMIRATION1 NOT ONLY ,Y>A'S BUT \RS AS WELL4 ,ALL ! O!RS /AY$ ) !IR COMRADES ONLY UNTIL DANG] CAME1 & !N !Y ALL GOT ON ?AT TRA9 Y\'RE TALK+ AB\T & RODE AWAY FROM DANG] AS FA/ AS ! TRA9 W\LD TAKE !M4 ,M>G>ITA WAS !RE AT ! />T1 & %E REMA9$ UNTIL ! 5D60 

,ZD5EK RESPONDS ANGRILY1 0,Y\ W\LDN'T LIKE ,M>G>ITA AS WELL IF %E W]E ALIVE1 W\LD Y\ ,MIRNA8 ,I'VE NOTIC$ SOME?+ A LITTLE MORBID AB\T Y\4 ,I ?9K Y\ HAVE A /RANGE FASC9ATION ) SUFF]+ & DEA?4 ,WE ALL ADMIRE ,M>G>ITA4 ,ADMIR+ IS EASY2 IT TAKES NEI!R C\RAGE NOR EF=T4 ,BUT NONE ( US ADMIRE \R [N DEA?4 ,EXCEPT Y\1 ,MIRNA4 ,TO Y\ AN ACT IS WOR?LESS IF IT'S NOT FOLL[$ BY PA9 & SUFF]+1 & IT IS TRULY MEAN+FUL ONLY IF IT'S FOLL[$ BY DEA?4 ,AS IF DEA? W]E ! AIM ( LIFE4 ,IT ISN'T4 ,IT IS M]ELY LIFE'S 5D4 ,:AT Y\ ADMIRE 9 ,M>G>ITA IS H] C\RAGE TO DIE4 ,:AT ,I ADMIRE IS H] C\RAGE TO LIVE4 ,!RE'S A WORLD ( DIFF]5CE BETWE5 \R \TLOOKS4 ,TO Y\ EV]Y AFFIRMATION ( LIFE IS A /EP T[>D SUFF]+ & DEA?4 ,TO ME AN AFFIRMATION ( LIFE IS NOT A /EP2 IT IS ITSELF ! GOAL4 ,MY GOAL IS TO LIVE1 NOT TO TAKE /EPS T[>D DEA?4 ,Y\'RE F> TOO Y\NG = Y\R PHILOSOPHY1 ,MIRNA4 ,9 EV]Y MOM5T ( JOY Y\ SEE ONLY ! COM+ PA92 9 EV]Y MOM5T ( LIFE Y\ SEE ONLY ! COM+ ( DEA?2 ?AT'S A PHILOSOPHY = SOMEONE ON A DEA?B$1 NOT = A Y\NG1 BEAUTIFUL & VIGOR\S WOMAN4 ,M>G>ITA HAD ! C\RAGE TO WANT A DIFF]5T WORLD1 NOT ! C\RAGE TO WANT DEA?4 ,Y\R C\RAGE MAY BE GREAT] ?AN ,M>G>ITA'S BUT IT'S NOT A HUMAN C\RAGE & !RE'S SOME?+ REPRESSIVE AB\T IT4 ',IF Y\ CAN'T FACE DEA?1 DON'T LIVE AT ALL2 IF Y\ D>E TO LIVE1 KN[ Y\'LL DIE' -- ISN'T ?AT Y\R VIEW8 ',ONLY ! DEAD HAVE C\RAGE2 IF !Y'RE ALIVE !Y MU/ BE C[>DS1 TRAITORS1 RUNAWAYS4' ,?AT'S :Y Y\ W]E SO UPSET :5 ,Y>A --0 

0,ZD5EK1 ?AT'S MEAN10 ,JASNA 9T]RUPTS4 0,Y\'LL MAKE H] SICK AGA940 

,Y>A ADDS1 0,DON'T =GET IT'S H] P>TY & %E DID GO ON /RIKE4 ,%E DOES HAVE ! C\RAGE Y\'RE TALK+ AB\T60 

,BUT ,MIRNA IS NOT ON ! V]GE ( BECOM+ 0SICK0 AGA92 ,I'LL DESCRIBE ?AT SICKNESS LAT]4 ,%E'S FASC9AT$ BY ,ZD5EK'S DESCRIPTION ( H]4 0,KEEP QUIET1 BO? ( Y\4 ,GO AHEAD1 ,ZD5EK2 :AT UPSET ME :5 ,Y>A DID :AT80 

0,:5 ,Y>A AS WELL AS ,JASNA EXPRESS$ A DESIRE TO LIVE4 ,ALL Y\ TALK$ AB\T WAS ! DEVIL & ! CONSEQU5CES4 ,Y\ C\LDN'T TRU/ EI!R ( !M TO BE A ,M>G>ITA1 C\LD Y\8 ,Y\ W]E AFRAID !Y'D LEAVE ?OSE CONSEQU5CES TO O!RS1 NAMELY TO Y\1 & !Y'D RUN LIKE ,LUISA & ! O!RS :O >E /ILL ALIVE4 ,SO Y\ TRI$ TO /OP !M FROM LIV+40 

0,>E Y\ DONE80 ,MIRNA ASKS4 0,GOOD4 ,LET'S DR9K TO ,ZD5EK60 ,!N %E TURNS TO ,Y>A & ASKS1 0,H[ DO Y\ PLAY Y\R LOVE GAMES80 

,Y>A RUNS TO ,MIRNA'S LAP4 0,BY PRET5D+1 LIKE Y\ TAU<T ME40 

0,HAVE ,I EV] /OPP$ Y\80 

0,NEV]1 NOT ONCE1 EV]4 ,& ,I NEV] TOLD ,ZD5EK Y\ /OPP$ ME40 

0,:AT DID Y\ TELL HIM80 

0,I TOLD HIM Y\ BEAT ME1 ONCE1 ONLY ONCE 9 MY :OLE LIFE40 

0,:Y DID ,I BEAT Y\80 

,Y>A />TS TO CRY4 0,I DON'T KN[40 

0,:Y >E Y\ CRY+ N[8 ,HAVE ,I MADE Y\ UNHAPPY80 

,Y>A TRIES TO SMILE4 0,I'M NOT UNHAPPY4 ,IT FEELS GOOD TO CRY LIKE ?IS40 

,ZD5EK SAYS APOLOGETICALLY1 0,I MAY HAVE GONE TOO F>1 ,MIRNA40 

0,OH DON'T BACK AWAY SO QUICKLY1 ,ZD5EK6 ,?AT'S PRECISELY Y\R PO9T1 ISN'T IT8 ,GO TOO F> &1!N KEEP RI<T ON GO+2 LIVE & GO ON REA*+ = MORE LIFE4 ,H[ F> >E Y\ WILL+ TO REA* ,ZD5EK8 ,H[ MU* LIFE DO Y\ WANT80 

0,AS MU* AS POSSIBLE1 ,MIRNA1 BUT )\T GETT+ KILL$ OR MAIM$10 ,ZD5EK ANSW]S4 

0,!N Y\ DO EXPECT CONSEQU5CES60 

0,Y\ MISUND]/OOD ME 9T5TIONALLY60 ,ZD5EK SAYS ANGRILY4 0,SO LONG AS A POLICE OR AN >MY EXI/ ANY:]E 9 ! WORLD1 ,I EXPECT UNPLEASANT CONSEQU5CE6 ,BUT ,I DON'T PRUNE MY LIFE D[N TO NO?+ BECAUSE !Y EXI/1 ,I TRY TO DO EV]Y?+ HUMANLY POSSIBLE1 & IF IT BECOMES POSSIBLE = ME TO HELP GET RID ( ! >MY & ! POLICE1 AS ,M>G>ITA DID1 !N ,I'LL DO ?AT TOO4 ,ONCE WE DO ?AT1 >RE/ & IMPRISONM5T WILL NO LONG] BE ! CONSEQU5CES ( \R ATTEMPTS TO LIVE4 ,AM ,I BE+ CLE>80 

0,AS CLE> AS ! W9E 9 MY GLASS10 ,MIRNA SAYS4 0,& IF IT TURN$ \T ?AT :AT Y\ ?\<T WAS POSSIBLE WASN'T REALLY POSSIBLE --0 

0,IT'S ALWAYS A CALCULAT$ RISK10 ,ZD5EK SAYS4 

0,?AT'S A C[>DLY WAY TO PUT IT1 ,ZD5EK4 ,IF Y\ W]E ON ?OSE B>RICADES1 GETT+ RID ( ?AT POLICE ALONGSIDE Y\R BELOV$ OR Y\R DAU<T] OR Y\R COMRADES1 & IF IT TURN$ \T ?AT Y\R GOAL WAS IMPOSSIBLE & Y\ W]E OV]P[]$1 :AT W\LD Y\ DO1 ,ZD5EK8 ,RUN = Y\R PRECI\S LIFE80 

0,IF POSSIBLE1 ,MIRNA1 YES4 ,BUT Y\ TRICK$ ME40 

0,W\LD IT BE POSSIBLE = Y\ TO RUN \T ON Y\R BELOV$1 Y\R DAU<T]1 Y\R --0 

0,NO1 ,MIRNA1 ,I C\LD NO MORE DO ?AT ?AN NOT /IR AT ALL4 ,Y\ W960 

0,BUT ,ZD5EK1 Y\'RE EV]Y BIT AS MORBID AS ,I AM60 

,Y>A %\TS1 0,BRAVO6 ,Y\ %[$ HIM HE'S NOT ! C[>D HE SAYS HE IS60 

,JASNA ADDS1 0,?AT WAS WELL DONE4 ,:]E'S ! TRICK1 ,ZD5EK80 

0,! TRICK IS ?AT ,MIRNA CONC5TRATES ON NO?+ BUT ! CONSEQU5CES :]EAS ,I CONC5TRATE ON EV]Y?+ BUT ! CONSEQU5CES4 ,I CONC5TRATE ON LIV+4 ,LET ! POLICE CONC5TRATE ON >RE/+ ME1 JAIL+ ME & KILL+ ME4 ,:Y DO WE HAVE TO DE/ROY \R LIV+ MOM5TS ) CONSEQU5CES ?AT MAY OR MAY NOT FOLL[80 

0,:AT DOES LIV+ CONSI/ (1 ,ZD5EK80 ,MIRNA ASKS4 

0,>E Y\ PREP>+ ANO!R TRICK80 ,ZD5EK ASKS4 0,( LOVE & COMRADE%IP1 ( DANC+ & EAT+1 ( DREAM+ & BUILD+2 :AT K9D ( ANSW] DO Y\ WANT80 

0,DO Y\ LIKE ME1 ,ZD5EK80 ,MIRNA ASKS4 

0,EV5 ?\< ,I F9D Y\ MORBID8 ,( C\RSE ,I DO4 ,Y\ HAVE A DEMON'S P]SEV]ANCE1 Y\'RE P]CEPTIVE1 CLEV] --0 

0,DO Y\ LIKE DANC+ ) ME80 

0,! S+LE OPPORTUNITY ,I'VE HAD -- YES1 ,I 5JOY$ IT V]Y MU*40 

0,GO TO A DANCE ) ME1 ,ZD5EK60 

0,>E Y\ CRAZY80 ,ZD5EK ASKS4 0,I LIKE Y\1 ,MIRNA2 Y\'RE A FRI5D2 ,Y>O/AN IS ALSO MY FRI5D1 AS IS ,Y>A --0 

0,ZD5EK60 ,MIRNA SAYS ) MOCK A/ONI%M5T4 0,>E Y\ WORRY+ AB\T LIV+1 OR AB\T ! CONSEQU5CES80 

,JASNA BLU%ES4 ,Y>A & ,I BO? BUR/ \T LAU<+4 ,I %\T1 0,BRAVO1 ,SOCRATES60 

0,HAVE Y\ BO? GONE CRAZY80 ,ZD5EK ASKS4 0,DID Y\ PLAN ?IS \T BE=EH&8 ,IS IT SOME K9D ( PRANK80 

0,IT'S NO PRANK1 ,ZD5EK10 ,I TELL HIM4 0,MIRNA'S FELL[ WORK]S >E GO+ TO USE !IR =M] PLANT AS A DANCE HALL & !Y'RE 9VIT+ ALL !IR FRI5DS4 ,I TURN$ D[N H] 9VITATION40 

,Y>A TURNS TO ,ZD5EK & PLEADS4 0,IF Y\ TURN H] D[N1 %E'LL HAVE TO GO TO ! DANCE )\T ANY ( H] FRI5DS4 ,& %E WANT$ ALL H] FRI5DS TO GO40 

,JASNA1 BLU%+1 ASKS ME1 0,W\LD Y\ BE WILL+ TO GO IF ,I PROMIS$ TO GIVE Y\ ANO!R DANC+ LESSON80 

,IT'S MY TURN TO BLU%4 0,I TURN$ D[N AN 9VITATION TO A DANCE1 NOT AN 9VITATION TO A DANC+ LESSON4 ,I NE$ ANO!R SU* LESSON MORE ?AN ,I NE$ ANY?+ 9 ! WORLD40 

0,!N WE'RE ALL GO+ EXCEPT Y\1 GR&FA!R60 ,Y>A EXCLAIMS4 0,DIDN'T Y\ SAY Y\'D GO \T TO ! B>RICADES :5 ALL Y\R FRI5DS W]E ALREADY !RE80 

0,Y\ & Y\R MO!R >E TRAPP]S1 ,Y>A6 ,?AT'S RI<T1 EV]Y?+ BECOMES POSSIBLE :5 ALL MY FRI5DS >E ALREADY !RE4 ,Y\ BO? W94 ,Y\ W9 ! >GUM5T1 Y\ W9 ME1 & Y\'LL W9 ! WORLD4 ,WE %\LD CORRECT ?AT FALSE RELIGI\S SLOGAN TO SAY3 ,! MORBID %ALL 9H]IT ! E>?40 

,JASNA OBJECTS4 0,I /ILL ?9K Y\'RE MEAN1 ,ZD5EK1 EV5 IF Y\ LO/ ! >GUM5T4 ,C\LDN'T Y\ JU/ SAY3 ! LIV+80 

,Y>A TELLS ,ZD5EK1 0,CALL US ANY?+ Y\ WANT1 ONLY GO ) US4 ,WE LIKE ! WAY Y\ DANCE40 

,ZD5EK OBJECTS4 0,BUT Y\ LAU<$ :5 ,I DANC$1 ,Y>A60 

0,?AT'S :Y ,I WANT TO SEE Y\ DANCE AGA960 

,AS Y\ CAN SEE1 WE'RE ALL WELL N[2 P]HAPS WE'RE DIZZY2 WE MAY EV5 BE A LITTLE CRAZY4 ,WE'RE />T+ TO HEAL FROM A TW5TY-YE> LONG SICKNESS4 ,BUT JU/ BE=E WE />T$ TO GET WELL1 WE HAD A MAJOR RELAPSE2 ,I'M CONV9C$ IT WAS \R LA/ RELAPSE4 ,! T5SE & FE>FUL ATMOSPH]E ,I DESCRIB$ 9 MY LA/ LETT] DID NOT VANI% RI<T AFT] ,I S5T ?AT LETT]2 BE=E ! ATMOSPH]E IMPROV$ IT GOT WORSE1 MU* WORSE4 ,I D\BT IF ANY EXT]NAL =CE WILL EV] BE ABLE TO HURT US AS MU* AS WE HURT \RSELVES4 

,I S5T MY PREVI\S LETT] A FEW DAYS AFT] ,MIRNA VOT$ AGA9/ A /RIKE AT H] PLANT4 ,Y>A WAS ON AN \T+ TO ! M\NTA9S2 %E RETURN$ A WEEK AGO YE/]DAY4 ,DUR+ ,Y>A'S ABS5CE1 ,MIRNA AS WELL AS MO/ PEOPLE ,I CAME 9 CONTACT ) SEEM$ TO HAVE ONLY ONE ?\<T3 ! TANKS4 ,T[>D ! 5D ( ! WEEK1 ! WORK]S AT ! C>TON PLANT BEGAN TO DISCUSS LESS 0MORBID0 SUBJECTS AGA92 !RE HAV5'T BE5 ANY NEW BROADCA/S AB\T TANK MOVEM5TS4 ,BUT ,MIRNA REMA9$ 9 ! MOOD %E'D BE5 9 :5 %E'D 9SULT$ ,JASNA4  
  

"9 "9 "9 

,Y>A RETURNS FROM H] \T+ LATE 9 ! AFT]NOON2 ,MIRNA & ,I >E BO? BACK FROM WORK4 ,AS SOON AS ,Y>A COMES ?R\< ! DOOR1 %E ASKS1 0,:AT HAPP5$8 ,:AT DID Y\ DO TO ,JASNA80 

0,H[ DID Y\ KN[ AB\T ?AT80 ,I ASK H]4 0,H[ WAS Y\R TRIP80 

0,I /OPP$ AT ,JASNA'S ON MY WAY HOME4 ,IT WAS A WOND]FUL TRIP4 ,WE W]E ALL GLAD WE W5T )\T ANYONE OLD] ?AN US2 WE DID EV]Y?+ WE WANT$ TO DO4 ,ON ! WAY HOME ,JULIA & ,I TRI$ TO FIGURE \T SOME MORE ?+S AB\T ,M9I/] ,V]A & ,COMMISSION] ,ADRIAN1 & ,I W5T TO ,JASNA'S TO SEE IF WE'D GUESS$ RI<T4 ,%E TOLD ME A :OLE BUN* ( O!R ?+S ,JULIA & ,I DIDN'T KN[4 ,!N ,I ASK$ ,JASNA TO COME HOME ) ME & %E />T$ CRY+4 ,I ASK$ H] :AT WAS WRONG BUT ALL %E SAID WAS ?AT %E WAS TOO EMB>RASS$ EV] TO COME TO \R H\SE AGA94 ,:AT HAPP5$80 

,MIRNA ANSW]S CURTLY1 0,I 9SULT$ H]1 ?AT'S :AT HAPP5$40 

0,H[80 ,Y>A ASKS4 

0,I CALL$ H] A C[>D40 

0,:AT DID %E DO80 

0,%E PRAIS$ ! DEVIL40 

0,GOOD = H]60 ,Y>A %\TS4 0,!N :Y DID Y\ CALL H] A C[>D80 

0,BECAUSE ,JASNA IS ! LA/ P]SON 9 ! WORLD --0 ,MIRNA BEG9S1 & /OPS4 ,%E SITS D[N & PULLS ,Y>A TO H] LAP4 0,NEV] M9D ?AT N[4 ,W]E ! M\NTA9S BEAUTIFUL8 ,:AT DID Y\ DO80 

0,LOTS ( ?+S4 ,WE TOOK HIKES & WE CLIMB$ TO SEV]AL M\NTA9 TOPS4 ,! MO/ FUN WAS :5 WE PLAY$ LOVE GAMES ON A M\NTA9 TOP1 JU/ ,JULIA1 ,SLOBODAN & ,I40 

0,H[ DO Y\ PLAY LOVE GAMES ON A M\NTA9 TOP1 ,Y>A80 ,MIRNA ASKS1 ) A FASC9ATION ?AT'S MIX$ ) APPREH5SION4 

0,BY PRET5D+1 MOMMY1 ! WAY Y\ TAU<T ME40 

0,:O DID Y\ PRET5D TO BE80 

0,ONCE ,I WAS ,V]A ,KR5A & ANO!R TIME ,I WAS Y\4 ,& ONCE ,JULIA PRET5D$ TO BE ! DEVIL4 ,IT WAS BEAUTIFUL1 MOMMY2 ! ?REE ( US W]E ALONE 9 ! :OLE WIDE WORLD40 

,! GLASSY1 DI/ANT LOOK COMES 9TO ,MIRNA'S EYES4 0,LET ME TELL Y\ A /ORY1 ,Y>A40 

0,IF IT'S AB\T ,VESNA ,I'D RA!R NOT HE> IT40 

0,IT'S AB\T A TIME :5 ,I PLAY$ LOVE GAMES ON A M\NTA9 TOP40 

0,Y\ NEV] DID ?AT60 

0,& IT'S AB\T Y\1 ,Y>A40 

0,!N ,I WANT TO HE> IT60 

0,I CLIMB$ TO A M\NTA9 TOP N9E MON?S BE=E Y\ W]E BORN1 ,Y>A4 ,I TOOK EV]YONE ,I LOV$3 MY BRO!R & MY FA!R1 MY HUSB& & MY FRI5D AS WELL AS SEV]AL ( !IR COMRADES4 ,!RE W]E TWELVE ( !M2 C\NT+ ME WE W]E ?IRTE54 ,:5 WE REA*$ ! TOP IT WAS BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE1 LIKE Y\ & Y\R FRI5DS1 WE W]E ALONE 9 ! :OLE WIDE WORLD4 ,UP !RE WE C\LD DO :ATEV] WE WANT$4 ,AT ! V]Y TOP !RE WAS A L>GE FLAT ROCK1 JU/ BIG 5\< TO HOLD ME4 ,I LAY D[N ON IT & LET ! SUN BEAT D[N ON ME4 ,I REA*$ D[NW>D ) MY RI<T H& & SIX H&S FA/5$ !MSELVES TO M9E2 ,I REA*$ ) MY LEFT & ANO!R SIX H&S GRABB$ M9E4 ,) ALL ! /R5G? 9 MY >MS ,I PULL$ ALL TWELVE ( MY LOV$ ONES TO ! TOP ( ! M\NTA91 & :5 ALL TWELVE W]E ON ! ROCK !Y BECAME ONE1 ! ONE ,I LOV$ MO/ ( ALL --0 

0,! DEVIL60 ,Y>A %\TS4 

0,YES1 ,Y>A4 ,! DEVIL FA!R$ Y\ ON ?AT M\NTA9 TOP TWELVE YE>S AGO40 

0,?AT'S A BEAUTIFUL /ORY1 MOMMY40 

0,IT ISN'T OV] YET1 ,Y>A4 ,I PLAY$ LOVE GAMES ) ! DEVIL ALL DAY LONG4 ,BUT T[>D EV5+ CL\DS HID ! SUN1 A W9D />T$ BL[+ & ! ROCK GOT COLD4 ,EV]Y?+ WAS POSSIBLE ON ! M\NTA9 TOP ONLY SO LONG AS !RE WAS SUN & NO W9D4 ,I />T$ %AK+ ) COLD & WANT$ TO RETURN BACK D[N :]E !RE WAS %ELT] & W>M?4 ,I PU%$ ! DEVIL AWAY FROM ME ) BO? MY >MS1 =C$ HIM D[N (F ! ROCK1 & :5 ,I SAT UP & LOOK$ ,I SAW ?AT ,I WAS PU%+ ALL TWELVE ( MY LOV$ ONES D[N FROM ! ROCK1 SIX ON EA* SIDE4 ,! W9D BLEW FI]CELY1 ! CL\DS TURN$ BLACK & ?UND]$1 & IT />T$ TO P\R4 ,! ROCK :]E EV]Y?+ HAD BE5 POSSIBLE WAS NO LONG] BEAUTIFUL2 IT WAS B>E & COLD2 IT GAVE NO %ELT]4 ,I JUMP$ (F ! ROCK & PU%$ MY TWELVE LOV$ ONES D[NW>D2 AS SOON AS ,I LEFT ! ROCK IT WAS HIT BY LI<TN+4 ,I PU%$ AS H>D AS ,I C\LD1 BUT ! RA9 & ! LI<TN+ BL9D$ ME4 ,SUDD5LY ,I HE>D F\R %RIEKS 9 FRONT ( ME4 ,I HAD PU%$ F\R ( MY LOV$ ONES (F A PRECIPICE4 ,I BACK$ AWAY FROM ?AT $GE 9 T]ROR & TRI$ TO %ELT] MY REMA9+ EI<T UND] A TREE1 BUT !RE WAS NO %ELT] FROM ?AT /ORM4 ,LI<TN+ HIT ! TREE & KILL$ F\R ( !M BE=E MY V]Y EYES4 ,N[ !RE W]E ONLY F\R LEFT3 MY BRO!R1 MY FA!R1 MY HUSB& & MY FRI5D4 ,I PULL$ !M AWAY FROM ! BURN$ TREE & />T$ PULL+ !M D[N ! M\NTA9 SIDE4 ,! PA?S W]E ALL SLIPP]Y & RU%+ RIV]S BLOCK$ \R WAY :]EV] WE W5T4 ,I WAS FR5ZI$ & LO/ TRACK ( MY FRI5D4 ,SUDD5LY LI<TN+ /RUCK NE> US AGA94 ,I LO/ MY GRIP ON MY BRO!R & MY HUSB& & BO? SLID D[N 9TO A RIV] ?AT QUICKLY C>RI$ !M AWAY4 ,I />T$ TO RUN AFT] !M BUT MY FA!R HELD ME BACK2 HE TOLD ME !Y W]E BO? GOOD SWIMM]S & W\LD F9D !IR WAY TO L&4 ,I WAS ALL ALONE ) MY FA!R 9 ?AT T]RIBLE /ORM4 ,! TWO ( US DESC5D$1 SL[LY & C>EFULLY2 WE /AY$ CLOSE TO ! BANKS ( ! RIV] 9TO :I* MY BRO!R & MY HUSB& HAD FALL54 ,BUT LI<TN+ /RUCK AGA91 & YET AGA94 ,WE BO? FELL TO ! GR\ND1 & A TREE FELL ACROSS MY FA!R'S LEGS1 BREAK+ BO? ( !M4 ,I KNEEL$ NEXT TO HIM & CRI$4 ,MY LOVE GAMES DE/ROY$ EV]YONE ,I LOV$40 

,Y>A GETS (F ,MIRNA'S LAP & SAYS1 POLITELY1 0,I DON'T LIKE Y\R /ORY40 

,MIRNA PULLS ,Y>A HACK4 0,I'M NOT ?R\< YET1 ,Y>A4 ,! /ORY 5DS ) Y\R BIR?4 ,I C\LD SEE ?AT MY FA!R WAS 9 PA91 BUT !RE WAS NO?+ ,I C\LD DO = HIM4 ,F9ALLY ! /ORM LET UP4 ,! LI<TN+ /OPP$ & ! RU%+ RIV]S BECAME SMALL /REAMS4 ,9 ! BLACK ( NI<T ,I RAN D[N ! M\NTA9SIDE ALONE1 /RAI<T TO MY MO!R'S H\SE4 ,I TOLD H] :]E ,I'D LEFT MY FA!R4 ,%E GA!R$ SEV]AL NEI<BORS & !Y ALL W5T TO HELP HIM4 ,BUT ,I DIDN'T GO ) !M4 ,I RAN TO ! /REAM WE HAD BE5 FOLL[+1 RAN ALONG IT1 & F9ALLY CAME ACROSS SOMEONE ,I KNEW4 ,HE TOLD ME HE HAD SE5 MY HUSB& 9 ! /REAM1 ) HIS HEAD UP1 SWIMM+ VIGOR\SLY4 ,BUT HE HADN'T SE5 MY BRO!R4 ,I RAN ON D[N ! /REAM1 HESITAT$1 & !N TURN$ & RAN BACK TO ! SPOT :]E ,I'D LEFT MY 9JUR$ FA!R4 ,! CL\DS W]E GONE & ! MOON LI<T$ MY WAY4 ,:5 ,I REA*$ ! SPOT ,I SAW A CIRCLE ( PEOPLE /&+ >\ND IT4 ,!RE WAS ONLY ONE C\RAGE\S P]SON 9 ! CIRCLE2 ,I RECOGNIZ$ HIM AS MY ONE-TIME NEI<BOR & MY FA!R'S FRI5D4 ,HE PUT HIS H& ON MY >M & L$ ME ?R\< ! CIRCLE2 ! O!RS GRUMBL$ & MOV$ AWAY FROM ME AS IF ,I W]E A LEP] OR A WIT*4 ,HE TOLD ME !Y W]5'T BAD PEOPLE BUT !Y W]E ALL AFRAID4 ,& !N HE TOLD ME MY FA!R'S LEGS HADN'T BE5 BADLY BROK52 !Y C\LD HAVE BE5 CUR$2 HE MI<T EV5 HAVE WALK$ AGA94 ,:5 ! NEI<BOR HAD REA*$ MY FA!R1 HE HAD HE>D MY FA!R MOAN+ AB\T HIS DR[N$ SON1 HIS DAU<T]'S M>RIAGE TO A DR[N$ HUSB&1 & AB\T HIS [N 9ABILITY TO HELP HIS DAU<T] F9D H] BRO!R OR H] HUSB&4 ,! NEI<BOR SAID HE DI$ ( A BROK5 HE>T4 ,:5 ,I REA*$ ! C5T] ( ! CIRCLE ,I SAW MY FA!R'S LIFELESS BODY :]E ,I HAD LEFT HIM4 ,MY MO!R KNEEL$ NEXT TO HIM ACROSS FROM ME2 H] FACE LOOK$ BLUE 9 ! MOONLI<T4 ,%E PO9T$ H] F+] AT ME1 & AT Y\ AS WELL1 ,Y>A2 Y\ W]E 9 MY /OMA* !N4 ',Y\ & ! DEVIL KILL$ HIM1' %E TOLD ME4 ,I KNEW %E WAS RI<T4 ,I CRAWL$ ON ALL F\RS \T ( ?AT CIRCLE1 CRAWL$ ALL ! WAY TO MY H\SE1 & AT ?AT MOM5T ,I WAS ABLE TO LET Y\ COME 9TO ! WORLD1 BECAUSE ,I HAD PAID :AT Y\ CO/1 ,I HAD PAID = MY LOVE GAME ) ! DEVIL ON ! TOP ( ! M\NTA940 

0,I DON'T LIKE Y\ :5 Y\ TELL /ORIES LIKE ?AT10 ,Y>A SAYS1 TRY+ TO GET AWAY FROM ,MIRNA4 0,Y\ S\ND JU/ LIKE ?AT CRAZY OLD WOMAN40 

,UNLIKE ,Y>A1 ,I'M DEEPLY MOV$ BY ,MIRNA'S /ORY4 ,I REALIZE ?AT ,I HAV5'T REALLY BE5 AW>E ( ! PA9 ,MIRNA EXP]I5C$ DUR+ MY SECOND PRISON T]M4 ,MY EI<T YE>S 9 PRISON W]5'T PLEASANT1 BUT ,I DIDN'T SP5D MANY H\RS1 OR EV5 MANY M9UTES1 TRY+ TO IMAG9E :AT ,MIRNA WAS UND]GO+ DUR+ ! DAYS ,I SP5T 9 CELLS1 EX]CISE Y>DS OR PRISON WORK%OPS4 ,I DIDN'T HAVE ANY CONTACT :ATEV] ) MY FAMILY UNTIL SEV]AL MON?S AFT] ,JAN & ,I W]E >RE/$ AT ! /EEL PLANT ON ! DAY :5 ! ,MAG>NA RIS+ WAS SUPPRESS$4 ,MY FIR/ VISITOR WAS ,TITUS4 ,HE TOLD ME HE HADN'T F\ND ,JAN 0YET0 BUT WAS /ILL TRY+4 ,HE ALSO TOLD ME ,VESNA WAS WELL & ,MIRNA WAS PREGNANT4 ,HE DIDN'T TELL ME ,MIRNA'S FA!R HAD BE5 FIR$ FROM HIS BUS-DRIV+ JOB2 ,I SUPPOSE HE DIDN'T WANT TO BE ! E>N] ( BAD NEWS TO A PRISON]4 ,HE DID TELL ME ,MIRNA HAD ACQUIR$ A PASS TO VISIT ME BUT WAS HAV+ 0TR\BLE0 ) H] P>5TS2 %E C\LD B>ELY F9D TIME = !M1 = ,VESNA & = H] JOB4 ,TITUS ALSO BR\<T ME TWO BOOKS4 ,AFT] ,TITUS' VISIT1 MY CONTACT ) ! 0\TSIDE0 WAS COMPLETELY BROK5 = MORE ?AN TWO YE>S4 ,I ACQUIR$ MY [N CON/RA9$ R\T9E3 PRISON ACQUA9TANCES1 9T]E/S & PROBLEMS4 ,MIRNA & ,VESNA VISIT$ ME ?REE YE>S AFT] MY >RE/4 ,MIRNA SP5T A LONG TIME TELL+ ME %E HAD GOTT5 A PASS ) ,TITUS' HELP BUT T]RIBLE ?+S HAD HAPP5$ & BY ! TIME %E GOT A DAY (F WORK & CAME TO ! PRISON1 %E WAS TOLD ! =MS HAD *ANG$ & %E WASN'T ALL[$ TO VISIT ME4 ,!N ,TITUS WAS >RE/$ & ,MIRNA WASN'T ABLE TO F9D \T :AT %E HAD TO DO TO GET ! PASS %E NE$$4 ,?AT'S :Y %E VISIT$ ME ONLY AFT] ,TITUS WAS RELEAS$4 ,I ASK$ H] :AT T]RIBLE ?+S HAD HAPP5$ & %E LI/$ !M ME*ANICALLY1 ALMO/ COLDLY1 BUT SOME?+ 9 H] TONE GAVE ME ! IMPRESSION %E CONSID]$ H]SELF RESPONSIBLE = EV]Y?+ %E WAS TELL+ ME4 ,%E BEGAN ) ,JAN'S & MY DISAPPE>ANCE 0ON ! DAY AFT] WE DREAM$02 !N ,JAN C\LD NO LONG] BE F\ND1 H] FA!R DI$1 H] MO!R GOT SICK1 ,Y>A WAS BORN4 ,:5 ,MIRNA COMPLET$ H] LI/1 ,VESNA UTT]$ H] ONLY CONTRIBUTION DUR+ ?AT FIR/ VISIT2 IT CONSI/$ ( ?REE WORDS3 0,I HATE Y\40 ,IT BECAME CLE> TO ME ?AT IF ,MIRNA BLAM$ H]SELF1 ,VESNA BLAM$ ME = EV]Y?+ ?AT HAD HAPP5$4 ,I FELT LIKE AN EXTRA BURD5 ON ,MIRNA'S BACK1 A BURD5 %E DIDN'T NE$ TO C>RY4 ,I REM9D$ H] ?AT DUR+ \R FIR/ WALKS ,I HAD TRI$ TO W>N H] NOT TO M>RY A 0POLITICAL CRIM9AL0 BECAUSE %E MI<T F9D H]SELF B\ND TO A NON-P]SON1 A HUMAN BE+ :O W\LD SUDD5LY CEASE TO EXI/4 ,MIRNA />T$ CRY+ BUT ,I CONT9U$ 9 ! SAME VE94 ,I URG$ H] TO DIVORCE ME & TOLD H] ,I'D HE>D DIVORCES W]E EASILY PROCUR$ BY WIVES ( POLITICAL CRIM9ALS4 ,MIRNA'S EYES FILL$ ) ANG]1 BITT]NESS & RES5TM5T4 0,IS ?AT ALL Y\ HAVE TO SAY TO ME AFT] ?REE HORRIBLE YE>S80 %E ASK$ ME4 0,H[ D>E Y\ EV5 ?9K AB\T DIVORCE6 ,Y\R RETURN IS ALL ,I LIVE =1 ,Y>O/AN2 Y\'RE ALL ,I HAVE LEFT N[2 Y\'RE MY BRO!R1 MY FA!R1 MY HUSB& & MY ONLY FRI5D2 Y\'RE EV]YONE ,I LOVE 9 ! WORLD2 IF Y\ DISAPPE>1 ,I'LL DIE ( A BROK5 HE>T1 LIKE MY FA!R4 ,DON'T TALK TO ME AB\T DIVORCE1 ,Y>O/AN2 TELL ME SOME?+ ELSE60 ,BUT ,I DIDN'T HAVE ANY?+ ELSE TO SAY4 ,I TOLD H]1 0,I LOVE Y\1 ,MIRNA1 MORE ?AN ,I LOVE MYSELF2 ?AT'S :Y ,I DON'T WANT Y\ TO SACRIFICE Y\RSELF TO ME40 ,MIRNA LEFT CRY+2 ,VESNA WALK$ AWAY FROM ME ) HATR$ 9 H] EYES4 

,Y>A TRIES TO GET AWAY FROM ,MIRNA'S LAP BUT ,MIRNA HOLDS ON TO H]4 0,NEI!R Y\ NOR ,I HAVE A RI<T TO SAY ! OLD WOMAN WAS CRAZY4 ,Y\ W]E BORN RI<T AFT] MY FA!R DI$4 ,I GOT A %ORT LEAVE FROM WORK BUT ,I SP5T ALL MY TIME ) Y\4 ,I DIDN'T ONCE GO VISIT MY MO!R AL?\< ,I KNEW %E NE$$ ME4 ,I WANT$ H] TO LET ME KN[ %E NE$$ ME4 ,Y\ W]E MY EXCUSE = NOT GO+ TO H]4 ,! UNION HAD GIV5 MY FA!R A RETIREM5T P5SION AFT] HE WAS FIR$4 ,\R NEI<BOR1 ! SAME ONE :O'D TOLD ME AB\T MY FA!R'S DEA?1 F\ND \T %E /ILL HAD A RI<T TO ?AT P5SION BUT %E HAD TO GO TO ! UNION BUILD+ = IT4 ,! FIR/ TIME HE W5T ) H]4 ,BUT ! SECOND TIME %E W5T ALONE4 ,%E DIDN'T LET ! NEI<BOR COME TELL ME %E WANT$ ME TO GO ) H]3 %E WAS AFRAID ,I'D TURN H] D[N4 ,! NEI<BOR C\LDN'T GET ANO!R DAY (F HIS JOB4 ,TITUS TOLD ME :AT HAPP5$ TO H] :5 HE CAME TO TELL ME1 SEV]AL DAYS LAT]1 ?AT %E WAS 9 ! HOSPITAL2 HE LE>N$ :AT HAD HAPP5$ FROM ! DOORMAN AT ! UNION BUILD+4 ,IT WAS A COLD1 SN[Y DAY2 ! ROADS W]E SLIPP]Y4 ,! OLD WOMAN CONFRONT$ ! DOOR-MAN & DEM&$ 'H] DUE4' ,! DOORMAN ASK$ H] :OM %E WANT$ & %E RANT$ AB\T DEVILS & !IR AG5TS4 ,%E PU%$ H] WAY PA/ ! DOORMAN BUT SEV]AL GU>DS PU%$ ! 'CRAZY WOMAN' \T ( ! BUILD+4 ,%E TRI$ TO 5T] ! BUILD+ A SECOND TIME BUT ! GU>DS PU%$ H] SO VIOL5TLY %E FELL -- & REMA9$ :]E %E HAD FALL54 ,! POLICE TOOK H] TO ! HOSPITAL & A FEW DAYS LAT] EV]YONE 9 ! UNION BUILD+ KNEW %E WAS ',S$LAK'S WIFE' & HAD A RI<T TO ! P5SION %E HAD COME TO COLLECT4 ,TITUS CAME TO TELL ME %E WAS 9 ! HOSPITAL1 COMPLETELY P>ALYZ$2 !RE WAS NO?+ !Y C\LD DO = H]4 ,?AT WAS :5 ,I LET !M BR+ ! 'CRAZY WOMAN' TO ! SP>E ROOM 9 \R H\SE4 ,%E TURN$ ,VESNA'S HE>T AGA9/ ME1 AGA9/ ,Y>O/AN1 EV5TUALLY AGA9/ Y\1 ,Y>A4 ,%E KNEW H] SICKNESS WASN'T BR\<T ON BY ! GU>DS OR ! SN[1 BUT BY MY LOVE GAMES --0 

0,%E WAS CRAZY60 ,Y>A SCREAMS4 0,I HAT$ H]60 

0,Y\'RE :AT MADE H] ! WAY %E WAS60 

0,Y\'RE LY+60 ,Y>A %\TS1 TRY+ TO PULL AWAY FROM ,MIRNA4 0,I HATE Y\ :5 Y\ TALK LIKE H]4 ,Y\'RE TRY+ TO DO TO ME :AT %E DID TO ,VESNA6 ,BUT Y\ CAN'T6 ,I WON'T LET Y\60 

0,VESNA W\LD NEV] HAVE KILL$ ANYONE %E LOV$ --0 

0,NEI!R DID Y\ & NEI!R DID ,I6 ,?AT OLD WOMAN LI$ ?R\< H] TEE?2 IT WAS ALL %E WAS ABLE TO DO2 %E WAS COMPLETELY LOONEY --0 

0,SAY ?AT ONCE AGA91 ,Y>A1 & ,I'LL --0 

0,LOONEY6 ,CRAZY6 ,%E TAU<T ,VESNA WE KILL$ PEOPLE BY LOV+ !M & %E KILL$ ,VESNA BY TEA*+ H] ?AT6 ,EV]Y?+ %E SAID WAS A LIE & EV]Y?+ Y\'RE TELL+ ME IS A LIE6 ,I KN[ IT IS4 ,I PLAY$ ) ,JULIA & ,SLOBODAN & NO?+ HAPP5$ TO ANY ( US & NO?+ IS GO+ TO HAPP51 EV]1 & Y\ KN[ IT6 ,:Y CAN'T Y\ JU/ BE Y\RSELF 9/EAD ( TURN+ Y\RSELF 9TO ?AT CRAZY WOMAN8 ,Y\'RE HATEFUL :5 Y\'RE LIKE H]1 & DON'T ?9K Y\'LL EV] /OP ME FROM PLAY+ LOVE GAMES :5EV] & :]EV] ,I PLEASE BECAUSE Y\ WON'T6 ,I'M NOT ,VESNA6 ,I WAS GLAD :5 WE TOOK ! OLD WOMAN TO ! %$ \TSIDE :]E WE C\LD NEI!R SEE NOR HE> H] & ,I WAS OV]JOY$ :5 %E F9ALLY CROAK$6 ,I'M GLAD %E'S DEAD & SO >E Y\60 

,MIRNA'S FACE IS FLU%$ ) ANG] AS %E :ACKS ,Y>A ACROSS ! FACE4 ,Y>A />TS BAWL+4 ,MIRNA RU%ES TO ! KIT*5 TO PUT \R D9N] 9TO ! OV54 

0,%E WAS SO HAPPY BE=E ,I W5T ON MY \T+10 ,Y>A SOBS4 0,:AT HAPP5$ BETWE5 H] & ,JASNA8 ,:Y DID %E HIT ME8 ,%E NEV] DID ?AT TO ME BE=E60 

0,I DON'T UND]/&1 ,Y>A10 ,I TELL H]4 0,%E'S BE5 UPSET EV] S9CE %E HE>D ?AT RADIO BROADCA/ Y\R FRI5D TURN$ ON & %E'S BE5 ANGRY EV] S9CE ?IS LETT] CAME40 ,I PO9T TO ! LETT] 9 :I* Y\ DESCRIBE Y\R EXP]I5CES 9 ,SAB9A'S G>AGE4 

,Y>A />TS READ+ Y\R LETT]4 ,%E READS :ILE ,I SET ! TABLE & HELP ,MIRNA BR+ ! FOOD 94 ,%E CONT9UES READ+ DUR+ ! MEAL4 ,SUDD5LY %E ASKS ME1 0,IS ,SAB9A Y\NG] ?AN ,SOPHIA80 

0,YES1 ?REE OR F\R YE>S Y\NG]10 ,I TELL H]4 

,Y>A READS FUR!R & !N SAYS1 0,I WI% ,VESNA W]E /ILL ALIVE1 & ,I WI% ?AT OLD WOMAN HADN'T EV] COME 9TO \R H\SE40 

0,EXACTLY :AT DOES ?AT MEAN80 ,MIRNA ASKS4 

,Y>A LOOKS DEFIANTLY AT ,MIRNA2 !RE'S FIRE 9 H] EYES4 0,IT MEANS ,I'D BE ,SAB9A & ,VESNA W\LD BE ,SOPHIA4 ,IT MEANS ,VESNA W\LD BE DIFF]5T FROM ME1 %E W\LDN'T WANT :AT ,I WANT$1 BUT %E'D /ILL BE MY FRI5D & %E W\LDN'T BE DEAD1 ?AT'S :AT IT MEANS40 

,MIRNA DROPS H] =K ON H] PLATE & RUNS TO ! B$ROOM4 ,= A MOM5T ,Y>A PRET5DS 9DIFF]5CE & CONT9UES READ+1 BUT IT'S OBVI\S %E CAN'T CONC5TRATE4 ,%E WALKS HESITANTLY TO ! B$ROOM & SAYS FROM ! DOORWAY1 0,I'M SORRY4 ,I DIDN'T MEAN H[ ?AT S\ND$4 ,I KN[ Y\ C\LDN'T HELP BR++ Y\R [N MO!R 9TO \R H\SE4 ,IF Y\ EV] BECOME JU/ LIKE H] ,I'D TAKE Y\ 9TO MY H\SE TOO1 BUT ONLY BECAUSE Y\'D ONCE BE5 GOOD TO ME4 ,I'D HATE :AT Y\'D BECOME AS MU* AS Y\ ALWAYS HAT$ H]4 ,Y\ CALL$ H] A VAMPIRE60 

0,I WAS WRONG1 ,Y>A4 ,Y\'RE ! VAMPIRE40 

0,?AT'S A LIE & Y\ KN[ IT6 ,Y\'RE T5 TIMES WORSE ?AN %E WAS6 ,%E NEV] HIT ME6 ,%E DIDN'T PRET5D TO BE MY FRI5D & !N TURN AGA9/ ME4 ,Y\'RE NOT JU/ AN 5EMY1 Y\'RE A TRAITOR60 ,Y>A />TS TO WALK AWAY FROM ! B$ROOM4 

,MIRNA %\TS1 0,Y>A6 ,TELL ME H[ Y\ LIKE ME60 

,Y>A RETURNS TO ! DOORWAY4 0,:5 Y\'RE Y\RSELF40 

0,:5 AM ,I MYSELF80 

0,:5 Y\'RE NOT ! OLD WOMAN40 

0,%[ ME1 ,Y>A4 ,COME H]E NEXT TO ME4 ,COME ON1 ,Y>A4 ,?AT'S IT4 ,N[ LIE D[N4 ,PRET5D Y\'RE ON ! M\NTA9 TOP4 ,LIE /ILL4 ,PRET5D WE'RE ALONE4 ,N[ :O AM ,I80 ' 

0,I DON'T KN[ YET BUT ,I LIKE Y\ N[40 

,!RE'S A LONG SIL5CE4 ,!N ,MIRNA ASKS1 0,IS ?IS H[ Y\ LIKE ME1 ,Y>A80 

0,Y\ KN[ ,I DO1 MOMMY40 

0,:O AM ,I N[80 

0,Y\'RE ,SLOBODAN & ,SAB9A & ,JULIA & FA!R & ,I LOVE ALL ( Y\4 ,I %[$ !M --0 

0,:AT DID Y\ %[ !M80 

0,TO PRET5D40 ,!RE'S ANO!R SIL5CE4 ,!N ,Y>A PLEADS1 0,Y\'RE HURT+ ME1 MOMMY40 

0,CAN Y\ PRET5D TO =GET :AT ,I %[$ Y\80 

0,NO1 MOMMY1 NOT IF Y\ HURT ME A ?\S& TIMES WORSE40 

0,DO Y\ EV] PRET5D TO BE ,VESNA80 

0,NO1 MOMMY1 NEV]1 & ,I HATE Y\ :5 Y\ PRET5D TO BE ! OLD WOMAN40 

0,BUT ,I'M ABLE TO PRET5D ?AT6 ,& SO >E Y\60 

0,I'LL NEV] BE ,VESNA60 

0,PRET5D H>D6 ,!RE1 ,VESNA1 LIE /ILL1 ,I'M Y\R FA!R4 ,H[ DOES ?AT FEEL1 ,VESNA8 ,& ?AT8 ,IS ?IS H[ Y\ LIKE ME1 ,VESNA80 

0,NO ,I DON'T6 ,I'M NOT ,VESNA6 ,:Y >E Y\ SO AFRAID8 ,:AT HAPP5$ TO Y\80 

0,DO Y\ LIKE IT BETT] ) ,JULIA80 

0,?AT'S RI<T1 MOMMY6 ,& EV5 BETT] ) ,SLOBODAN BECAUSE !N IT'S MORE REAL60 

0,IS IT MORE REAL ?AN ,VESNA80 

,Y>A %\TS DEFIANTLY1 0,YES1 IT'S MORE REAL ?AN ,VESNA6 ,SLOBODAN IS ALIVE6 ,JULIA IS ALIVE6 ,VESNA IS DEAD6 ,:Y CAN'T Y\ UND]/& ?AT8 ,VESNA ISN'T REAL ANY MORE60 

,I HE> A L\D :ACK4 ,Y>A %RIEKS ) PA94 0,LET GO ( ME60 

,MIRNA %RIEKS1 0,WE KILL$ H]60 ,%E :ACKS ,Y>A AGA94 0,PRET5D TO UND]/& ?AT WE KILL$ H]1 ,Y>A60 ,%E :ACKS ! GIRL YET AGA9 %RIEK+1 0,Y\'LL KILL ! RE/ ( US60 

,I RUN 9 FRANTICALLY & HOLD ,MIRNA'S >MS BACK TO KEEP H] FROM HITT+ ,Y>A YET AGA94 ,! ?\<T ( ,MIRNA'S FA!R /OPP+ H] MO!R FROM SW++ ! BROOM FLA%ES ?R\< MY M9D4 ,I TAKE ,Y>A 9 MY >MS & RU% \T ( ! ROOM ) H]2 %E GOES ON %RIEK+2 H] FACE IS AN EXPRESSION ( T]ROR4 ,MY [N FACE PROBABLY EXPRESSES A SIMIL> T]ROR4 ,I LET MYSELF D[N ON ! LIV+ ROOM C\*1 PRESS+ ,Y>A TO ME4 ,%E />TS TREMBL+ & PLACES BO? H&S ON H] BURN+ *EEKS4 0,I WON'T PRET5D TO BE ,VESNA10 %E SOBS4 0,I'M NOT ,VESNA60 

,Y>A GRADUALLY /OPS TREMBL+ & SOBB+4 ,%E FALLS ASLEEP 9 MY >MS4 ,! POOR GIRL HAS HAD A FULL DAY S9CE %E RETURN$ FROM H] \T+4 ,I C>RY H] TO H] B$ & RETURN TO ! LIV+ ROOM C\*2 ,I CAN'T MAKE MYSELF JO9 ,MIRNA 9 ! B$ROOM4 ,I TRY TO SLEEP BUT ! FEW MEMORIES ,I HAVE ( ,VESNA PASS ?R\< MY M9D4 ,VESNA WAS B>ELY TWO :5 ,JAN & ,I W]E >RE/$ AT ! /EEL PLANT4 ,I DIDN'T SEE H] AGA9 UNTIL %E WAS FIVE1 :5 ,MIRNA VISIT$ ME 9 PRISON = ! FIR/ TIME4 ,MIRNA DIDN'T COME AGA9 = A LONG TIME AFT] ?AT VISIT :5 ,I URG$ H] TO DIVORCE ME2 %E S5T ,VESNA TO BR+ PACKAGES ( FOOD TO ME1 PACKAGES :I* ,I WAS NEV] ALL[$ TO KEEP4 ,EV]Y TIME ,VESNA CAME %E MADE IT P]FECTLY CLE> TO ME ?AT %E HAT$ ME & BLAM$ ME = ! MIS]ABLE LIFE !Y ALL L$4 ,FROM ,VESNA ,I LE>N$ ?AT ,MIRNA'S MO!R HAD SOMEH[ BECOME 9CAPACITAT$1 ?AT %E HAD BE5 MOV$ 9TO \R H\SE1 & ?AT %E CONT9UALLY FILL$ ,VESNA'S HEAD ) SUP]/ITIONS & FE>S4 ,BUT IT WASN'T ONLY ! OLD WOMAN :O %AP$ ,VESNA'S DEVELOPM5T2 ! :OLE 5VIRONM5T 9 :I* %E GREW UP T]RORIZ$ H]4 ,:5 %E WAS SIX1 ,VESNA DID ALL ! %OPP+ & H\SECLEAN+1 TOOK C>E ( ,Y>A & NURS$ ! HELPLESS OLD WOMAN2 ,MIRNA COOK$ SUPP] :5 %E RETURN$ FROM WORK BUT WAS TOO TIR$ TO DO ANY?+ ELSE4 ,ON ONE ( H] E>LIE/ VISITS ,VESNA GAVE ME A FAIRLY CLE> IDEA ( ! QUALITY ( H] EXP]I5CES 9 ! WORLD 0\TSIDE40 ,A FEW DAYS BE=E H] VISIT1 :5 %E WAS ON H] WAY HOME ) A BAG ( GROC]IES1 A GR\P ( S*OOL *ILDR5 WALK$ BY H]4 ,ONE ( !M %\T$1 0,?AT'S ,VO*EK'S DAU<T]40 ,O!RS />T$ *ANT+1 0,TRAITOR'S DAU<T]6 ,CAPITALI/6 ,=EIGN SPY60 ,VESNA RAN FROM !M & WAS HIT BY SEV]AL ROCKS4 ,ONE ( ! 0BRAVE Y\NG REVOLUTION>IES0 RAN AFT] H]1 PU%$ H] 9TO ! SN[1 & SPILL$ ALL ! GROC]IES4 ,NO ONE DEF5D$ H]2 SEV]AL ADULTS WALK$ BY H] 9DIFF]5TLY4 ,:5 %E GOT HOME1 ! MILK WAS HALF ICE1 !RE WAS SN[ 9 ! BREAD & VEGETABLES1 & H] H&S W]E FROZ54 ,YET %E TOLD ME AB\T ! 9CID5T )\T 9DIGNATION1 AS IF IT W]E P]FECTLY NATURAL ?AT 0,VO*EK'S DAU<T]0 DIDN'T REALLY HAVE ! RI<T TO %>E ! /REET ) 0DEC5T & NORMAL0 PEOPLE4 ,MIRNA KEPT ,VESNA \T ( S*OOL UNTIL %E WAS SEV51 P>TLY TO GET HELP ) ALL ! WORK 9 ! H\SE1 BUT MA9LY = FE> ( :AT ! S*OOL*ILDR5 MI<T DO TO H]4 ,:5 NEI<BORS REPORT$ H]1 ,VESNA WAS 5ROLL$ 9 S*OOL4 ,H] VISITS BECAME R>E & !N /OPP$ ALTOGE!R4 ,CONTR>Y TO ,MIRNA'S FE>S1 ,VESNA WASN'T PHYSICALLY ASSAULT$ 9 S*OOL4 ,FROM ,VESNA'S SP>SE DESCRIPTIONS ,I GA!R$ ?AT %E BECAME A MODEL 0REVOLUTION>Y0 PUPIL4 ,%E ABSORB$ EV]Y?+ %E WAS TOLD1 LIKE A SPONGE4 ,H] S*OOL+ DIDN'T DO AWAY ) ! SUP]/ITIONS %E'D LE>N$ FROM H] SICK GR&MO!R BUT ON ! CONTR>Y RE9=C$ !M4 ,%E M]ELY LE>N$ TO CALL ! DEVILS ?AT 9FE/$ ! UNIV]SE BY NEW NAMES3 N[ !Y W]E %IRK]S1 C\NT]-REVOLUTION>IES1 HOOLIGANS & =EIGN AG5TS2 ! RE/ ( H] \TLOOK REMA9$ UN*ANG$4 ,AB\T ! MIDDLE ( H] FIR/ S*OOL YE>1 ,VESNA'S VISITS CAME TO AN 5D2 ,I NEV] SAW H] AGA94 ,I HAD NO VISITORS = SEV]AL MON?S & ,I BEGAN TO SPECULATE ?AT ,MIRNA HAD F9ALLY DECID$ TO DIVORCE ME4 ,BUT !N ,TITUS VISIT$ ME = A SECOND TIME4 ,HE TOLD ME ?AT %ORTLY AFT] H] LA/ VISIT TO ME1 ,VESNA HAD BECOME ILL2 HE HAD RU%$ H] TO ! HOSPITAL4 ,%E REMA9$ 9 ! HOSPITAL = SEV]AL WEEKS2 ! DOCTORS SAID %E HAD A WEAK HE>T & ADVIS$ ?AT %E BE ALL[$ TO RE/ AS MU* AS POSSIBLE2 %E RECOV]$ DESPITE ! FACT ?AT %E C\LDN'T RE/ = A M9UTE AT \R H\SE4 ,TITUS BR\<T ME ,MIRNA'S USUAL PACKAGE2 ?AT WAS ! ONLY TIME ,I WAS ALL[$ TO KEEP IT & %>E ITS CONT5TS ) FELL[ PRISON]S4 ,EV] S9CE ,VESNA HAD />T$ VISIT+ ME1 ,I HAD GONE TO ! VISITORS' ROOM ) A C]TA9 APPREH5SION2 ,I WAS RELIEV$ :5 ,I SAW ,TITUS !RE 9/EAD ( ,VESNA4 ,I BEGG$ ,TITUS TO URGE ,MIRNA TO DIVORCE ME4 ,I TOLD HIM !RE WAS NO REASON = !M TO GO ?R\< A HELL WORSE ?AN PRISON BECAUSE ,I HAD BE5 CONVICT$ ( POLITICAL CRIMES4 ,I HAD ALREADY BE5 9 PRISON = F\R YE>S & ,I KNEW ,I'D BE !RE = AT LEA/ F\R MORE2 ,I DIDN'T ?9K ,I W\LD EV] SEE ! \TSIDE WORLD AGA94 ,I REM9D$ HIM ?AT HE HAD ONCE ASK$ ME TO JO9 HIM 9 C>RY+ A PROJECT2 ,I HAD NOT DONE V]Y WELL1 BUT MY EF=TS HAD CAUS$ ME TO LOSE MY ABILITY TO SURVIVE1 MY ABILITY TO GIVE ANO!R G5]ATION ! POSSIBILITY TO C>RY A PROJECT4 ,TITUS SMIL$ SADLY AT MY REQUE/2 HE TOLD ME HE W\LD TRY4 ,= SEV]AL MON?S ,I AGA9 HAD NO VISITORS4 ,I ?\<T1 )\T JOY1 ?AT ,TITUS HAD C>RI$ \T MY REQUE/4 ,!N ,MIRNA CAME2 IT WAS H] SECOND VISIT2 ,I HADN'T SE5 H] 9 YE>S4 ,%E WAS SK9NY2 H] FACE HAD WR9KLES2 %E LOOK$ TW5TY YE>S OLD] ?AN ,I REMEMB]$ H]2 9 H] SIMPLE DRESS & BLACK K]*IEF1 %E LOOK$ V]Y MU* LIKE H] MO!R4 0,TITUS ASK$ ME TO M>RY HIM10 %E TOLD ME4 0,& Y\ REFUS$80 ,I ASK$4 0,NO1 ,Y>O/AN10 %E SAID ANGRILY2 0,I ACCEPT$4 ,I KNEW IT WAS Y\ :O'D ASK$ HIM TO PROPOSE TO ME4 ,HE DID Y\R BIDD+ EV] SO MEEKLY & UNWILL+LY4 ,BUT ,I ?REW MYSELF AT HIM4 ,TAKE ME1 ,I TOLD HIM2 ,I'M Y\RS4 ,AT ?AT MOM5T HE BACK$ AWAY FROM ME4 ,HE SAW :AT ,I WAS6 ,HE SAW ! DEVIL 9 ME4 ,HE CA/ ME AWAY2 HE DIDN'T WANT ! DEVIL >\ND HIS NECK ANY MORE ?AN Y\ DO4 ,SUDD5LY ,I UND]/OOD ALL Y\R TALK AB\T DIVORCE4 ,VESNA ?9KS Y\'RE RESPONSIBLE = EV]Y?+ ?AT HAPP5$ TO US & %E'S 5D$ UP BY CONV9C+ Y\4 ,BUT ,VESNA DOESN'T KN[ :AT ,I KN[4 ,VESNA DOESN'T KN[ ?AT :ATEV] Y\ W]E >RE/$ =1 ,I %>$ 9 GREAT] MEASURE4 ,Y\ TOLD ,TITUS Y\ W]E A *A9 >\ND MY NECK1 BUT HE SAW ?AT ,I WAS A *A9 >\ND Y\RS6 ,DON'T LIE TO Y\RSELF ANY MORE2 Y\ KN[ IT TOO4 ,Y\'RE ALL ,I HAVE LEFT N[2 Y\'RE MY FA!R1 BRO!R1 HUSB& & FRI5D1 & ,I'LL DO EV]Y?+ 9 MY P[] TO HOLD ON TO Y\4 ,I'LL BE AT ! PRISON GATE :5 !Y RELEASE Y\4 ,& IF !Y DON'T RELEASE Y\ ,I'LL F9D A WAY TO CRAWL ?R\< ! PRISON B>S4 ,IF IT'S ! DEVIL !Y WANT 9 JAIL1 LET !M IMPRISON ME4 ,IT'S BECAUSE ( ME ?AT MY BRO!R DISAPPE>$ & MY FA!R DI$4 ,PLEASE1 ,Y>O/AN4 %>E ?AT BURD5 ) ME60 ,AS ,I LI/5$ TO ,MIRNA1 ,I CONCLUD$ %E'D BE5 AFFECT$ BY H] MO!R'S 9SANITY1 BUT ,I C\LDN'T KEEP MYSELF FROM CRY+4 ,I REALIZ$ ?AT = ,MIRNA MY PRISON CELL REPRES5T$ FRE$OM FROM ! LIFE %E HAD TO LIVE DAILY4 ,FROM ?AT DAY UNTIL A FEW MON?S BE=E MY RELEASE1 ,MIRNA VISIT$ ME FREQU5TLY4 ,SOMETIMES %E BR\<T ,Y>A2 %E NEV] AGA9 BR\<T ,VESNA1 ,I C\LDN'T HIDE ! FACT ?AT ,I LIK$ ,Y>A MU* MORE ?AN ,I LIK$ ,VESNA1 MA9LY1 ,I SUPPOSE1 BECAUSE ,Y>A SEEM$ TO LIKE ME4 ,ON ONE VISIT :5 ,MIRNA CAME ) ,Y>A1 ,I ASK$ AB\T ,VESNA'S HEAL?4 ,Y>A1 :O WAS SIX !N & HAD JU/ />T$ S*OOL1 ANSW]$1 0,OH1 %E'S WELL 5\<1 BUT H] SK9 TURNS TO GOOSE PIMPLES :5EV] ANYONE T\*ES H]4 ,Y\'RE NOT LIKE ?AT1 >E Y\ FA!R80 ,MIRNA SWEPT ,Y>A (F ! GR\ND & %\T$1 0,( C\RSE HE'S NOT LIKE ?AT1 ,Y>A4 ,! ?REE ( US HAVE ! DEVIL 9 US4 ,VESNA IS A SA9T1 LIKE Y\R GR&MO!R40 ,AFT] :I* ,Y>A TOLD ME1 0,I W\LDN'T LIKE Y\ IF Y\ W]E A SA9T60 ,MIRNA & ,Y>A VISIT$ ME TOGE!R = ! LA/ TIME AB\T A YE> BE=E MY RELEASE4 ,MIRNA CAME 9 H] BE/ DRESS2 %E HAD FIX$ H] HAIR2 %E SEEM$ HEAL?I] ?AN ,I'D SE5 H] S9CE MY >RE/ & %E LOOK$ H] [N AGE AGA94 ,%E WAS BEAUTIFUL4 ,Y>A WAS AS LIVELY AS AN 5]GETIC SEV5-YE> OLD4 ,MIRNA BLU%$ :5 ,I WALK$ 9TO ! ROOM4 ,%E TOLD ME %E'D LE>N$ ?AT PRISON]S W]E BE+ RELEAS$ AT ! 5D ( !IR S*$UL$ T]MS1 & !RE=E ,I W\LD BE RELEAS$ 9 #cdg DAYS4 0,MOMMY SAYS :5 Y\ GET HOME Y\'LL TEA* ME ALL ! ?+S !Y DON'T TEA* 9 S*OOL10 ,Y>A SAID EXCIT$LY4 ,MIRNA BLU%$ AGA94 ,I WAS 9FECT$ BY !IR HAPP9ESS4 ,I1 TOO1 />T$ TO C\NT ! DAYS TO MY RELEASE1 AL?\< ,I KNEW ?AT SU* ACTIVITY C\LD LEAD TO FRU/RAT$ HOPES & A BROK5 HE>T2 IF PRISON]S W]E BE+ LET \T AT ! 5D ( !IR T]MS1 ,I WAS CONV9C$ IT WAS \T ( PURE CAPRICE ON ! P>T ( ! REPRESSIVE APP>ATUS4 ,I CONT9U$ C\NT+ DAYS2 ?AT'S :Y ,I KN[ ?AT = ! NEXT #bd DAYS ,I RECEIV$ NO VISITORS4 ,I KNEW SOME?+ HAD HAPP5$2 ,I SPECULAT$ ?AT ,MIRNA HAD F\ND \T ! RUMOR DID NOT REF] TO ME & HAD SP5T H] 5]GY TRY+ TO MOVE A COG 9 ! BUREAUCRACY4 ,Y>A F9ALLY PUT AN 5D TO MY SPECULATIONS1 ,I WAS %OCK$ BY H] APPE>ANCE4 ,%E WAS DRESS$ 9 A SACK F> TOO BIG = H]1 !RE W]E TE>S 9 H] EYES1 & H] FACE HAD AN EXPRESSION ,I HAD SE5 BE=E1 ON ,VESNA'S FACE1 & ONCE OR TWICE ON ,MIRNA'S3 IT WAS HATR$4 0,!Y KILL$ ,VESNA60 %E TOLD ME1 CONC5TRAT+ ALL H] HATR$ ON ! 0!Y40 ,I ASK$ H] :AT HAD HAPP5$ BUT C\LD LE>N NO?+ FROM H] ACC\NT EXCEPT ?AT ,VESNA HAD DI$ 9 A HOSPITAL & ?AT ,I WAS 9DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE = H] DEA?4 0,VESNA WAS SO AFRAID1 FA!R1 SO T]RIBLY AFRAID40 0,AFRAID ( :AT80 ,I ASK$2 0:AT HAPP5$ TO H]80 0,! DAY WE GOT BACK FROM VISIT+ Y\1 MOMMY & ,I W]E SO HAPPY ?AT Y\'D BE ) US 9 A YE>1 BUT ,VESNA DIDN'T WANT Y\ TO COME BACK1 EV] -- & !Y TOOK H] AWAY & KILL$ H] BECAUSE ( ?AT60 0,:O TOOK H] AWAY & :Y80 ,I ASK$4 0,MOMMY & ,I TRI$ TO /OP !M BUT WE C\LDN'T2 TWO ( !M HELD ME & ! O!RS TOOK ,VESNA AWAY FROM US40 ,I ASK$ IMPATI5TLY1 0,Y\ TRI$ TO /OP :OM1 ,Y>A8 ,:AT HAPP5$ TO ,VESNA80 ,H] ANSW] WAS1 0,!Y LOCK$ H] UP 9 ?AT HOSPITAL & DIDN'T LET H] \T AGA96 ,!Y KILL$ H]6 ,Y\ W\LD HAVE /OPP$ !M IF Y\'D BE5 HOME6 ,!Y PAID NO ATT5TION TO MOMMY & ME60 ,I GREW SUSPICI\S4 0,Y>A1 H[ LONG WAS ,VESNA SICK BE=E ,MIRNA CALL$ ! DOCTOR80 ,Y>A SUDD5LY BACK$ AWAY FROM ME4 ,! HATR$ ?AT HAD E>LI] BE5 CONC5TRAT$ ON 0!M0 WAS N[ AIM$ AT ME4 ,) HORROR & 9DIGNATION %E TOLD ME1 0,FA!R1 WE DIDN'T CALL ! DOCTOR60 ,I BECAME 9DIGNANT TOO4 0,:Y1 ,Y>A8 ,MIRNA %\LD HAVE CALL$ ! DOCTOR :5 ,VESNA'S ILLNESS BEGAN6 ,:Y DIDN'T %E CALL ! DOCTOR80 ,TE>S COV]$ ,Y>A'S FACE2 %E LOOK$ AT ME 9CR$UL\SLY1 AS IF ,I W]E A MON/]4 0,Y\ DON'T UND]/& EI!R60 %E WAIL$ AS %E RAN FROM ME4 ,MY LA/ MON? & A HALF 9 PRISON WAS LIKE AN EXTRA T]M4 ,ONE PHRASE KEPT GO+ ?R\< MY M9D3 0,VESNA DIDN'T WANT Y\ TO COME BACK1 FA!R -- %E WAS SO T]RIBLY AFRAID40 ,I REMEMB]$1 ANALYZ$ & RE-ANALYZ$ ! FEW CONTACTS ,I'D HAD ) ,VESNA2 NONE ( !M HAD BE5 HAPPY 5C\NT]S2 S9CE %E WAS EXTREMELY S5SITIVE1 %E MU/ HAVE BE5 AW>E ( MY DISLIKE = H]4 ( ! RES5TM5T ,I FELT AT SEE+ H] & NOT ,MIRNA 9 ! GUE/ ROOM4 ,?AT DISLIKE & RES5TM5T W]E SOMEH[ RESPONSIBLE = H] DEA?4 ,BUT ,I DIDN'T UND]/& H[4 ,VESNA'S HE>T WAS APP>5TLY TOO WEAK TO )/& ! NUM]\S TASKS ?AT FELL ON H] & ,I DIDN'T UND]/& :Y ,MIRNA HADN'T CALL$ ! DOCTOR :5 ,VESNA HAD GOTT5 SICK AGA92 ,I REMEMB]$ ?AT IT HAD BE5 ,TITUS1 & NOT ,MIRNA1 :O HAD TAK5 ,VESNA TO ! HOSPITAL ! FIR/ TIME %E'D GOTT5 SICK4 ,BUT ,I NEV] ASK$ = AN EXPLANATION4 ,:5 ,MIRNA F9ALLY ACCOMPANI$ ME HOME AFT] EI<T YE>S ( CONF9EM5T1 ,I F\ND MYSELF 9 A WORSE PRISON ?AN ! ONE ,I HAD LEFT4 ,! JOY ,MIRNA & ,Y>A HAD COMMUNICAT$ TO ME DUR+ !IR VISIT A YE> E>LI] WAS GONE2 IT HAD DI$ ) ,VESNA4 ,Y>A WAS NO LONG] ! FRI5D & COMRADE %E HAD BE5 DUR+ H] FEW VISITS ) ,MIRNA2 %E WAS COLD & DI/ANT4 ,MIRNA WAS TW5TY YE>S OLD] AGA91 TIR$ & RESIGN$2 %E DRAGG$ H]SELF TO WORK 9 ! MORN+ & DRAGG$ H]SELF HOME 9 ! EV5+1 ATE1 CLEAN$ & F$ H] MO!R1 & FELL 9TO B$4 ,H] MO!R WAS H\S$ 9 A BRICK %$ NEXT TO ! H\SE2 %E C\LDN'T MOVE H] >MS OR H] LEGS2 ALL %E C\LD DO WAS TALK4 ,AS SOON AS ,I RETURN$ ,I RELIEV$ ,MIRNA ( ! TASK ( REMOV+ ! OLD WOMAN'S EXCREM5T2 ,I'D HAD SIMIL> TASKS 9 PRISON4 ,MIRNA 9SI/$ ON FE$+ & WA%+ ! OLD WOMAN H]SELF2 H] MO!R W\LD PROBABLY HAVE SPAT \T FOOD ?AT ,I S]V$ H]4 ,Y>A NEV] 5T]$ ! %$4 ,I WASN'T ABLE TO F9D A JOB & WASN'T T]RIBLY EAG] TO LOOK = ONE2 BETWE5 MY TASKS & \R MEALS1 ,I TOOK LONG1 LONELY WALKS4 ,:5 WE W]E TOGE!R WE DIDN'T EV] TALK AB\T ! OLD WOMAN 9 ! %$ NEXT TO ! H\SE1 & ! SUBJECT ( ,VESNA NEV] CAME UP4 

,EV5TUALLY ,I FALL ASLEEP ON ! LIV+ ROOM C\*4 ,! FOLL[+ MORN+ ,I WAKE UP A*+1 AT ! H\R :5 ,I USUALLY WAKE TO GO TO ! PLANT1 BUT IT'S ,SATURDAY4 ,I WALK T[>D ! B$ROOM & /OP 9 ! DOORWAY1 HORRIFI$4 ,MIRNA IS /ILL 9 ! POSITION :]E ,I LEFT H] :5 ,I PULL$ H] >MS AWAY FROM ,Y>A6 ,H] EYES >E WIDE OP5 & CONC5TRATE ON A SPOT ON ! CEIL+2 %E LOOKS LIKE H] MO!R DID DUR+ ! WEEKS AFT] MY RELEASE1 BE=E %E DI$2 %E LOOKS P>ALYZ$4 0,MIRNA60 ,I %\T1 & ,I />T TO TREMBLE4 ,%E DOESN'T /IR4 ,I RUN TO ,Y>N'S ROOM & %AKE H]4 

,Y>A RU%ES TO \R B$ROOM1 %RIEKS ! MOM5T %E 5T]S1 & JUMPS ON TOP ( ! B$4 0,MOMMY1 DON'T DO ?AT60 %E %\TS1 %AK+ ,MIRNA'S >MS & %\LD]S4 0,BEAT ME ALL Y\ WANT1 BUT DON'T LOOK LIKE ?AT60 ,!N ,Y>A />TS TO %RIEK HY/]ICALLY3 0,/OP IT1 MOMMY6 ,I'LL BE ,VESNA6 ,I'LL BE ANYONE Y\ WANT6 ,BUT /OP IT6 ,PLEASE6 ,I LOVE Y\1 MOMMY4 ,Y\ CAN BE ! OLD WOMAN IF Y\ WANT4 ,BUT DON'T MAKE !M TAKE Y\ AWAY4 ,PLEASE1 PLEASE /OP IT60 

,I BECOME 9FECT$ ) ,Y>A'S HY/]IA4 ,I />T PAC+ >\ND ! B$4 0,WE HAVE TO DO SOME?+1 ,Y>A4 ,MIRNA IS SICK4 ,I'LL GO \T TO LOOK = A DOCTOR40 

,Y>A'S FACE TAKES ON ! EXPRESSION ( HATR$ & HORROR ,I HAD SE5 :5 %E LA/ VISIT$ ME 9 PRISON4 ,%E %RIEKS1 0,NO60 ,!N %E LEAPS AWAY FROM ! B$ & />TS PU%+ ME \T ( ! ROOM4 0,LEAVE H] ALONE6 ,GO AWAY FROM H]E60 

0,Y>A4 :AT'S ! MATT] ) Y\80 ,I %\T4 0,Y\R MO!R IS SICK60 

,Y>A %RIEKS4 0,%E'S NOT SICK6 ,Y\ DON'T UND]/& ANY?+6 ,Y\ WANT !M TO KILL H]60 

0,?AT'S T]RIBLY MEAN1 ,Y>A4 ,I LOVE ,MIRNA V]Y MU*4 ,I WANT H] TO GET WELL40 

0,!N LEAVE H] ALONE60 %E %\TS4 0,! DOCTOR IS GO+ TO SAY %E HAS TO GO TO ! HOSPITAL & !Y'LL KILL H] ! WAY !Y KILL$ ,VESNA60 

0,PLEASE1 ,Y>A6 ,%E HAS TO SEE A DOCTOR4 ,WE WON'T LET ANYONE TAKE H] TO ! HOSPITAL40 

0,Y\'RE LY+10 %E %\TS1 PU%+ ME T[>D ! \TSIDE DOOR4 0,GO = A WALK1 VISIT SOMEONE1 BUT LEAVE H] ALONE4 ,PLEASE6 ,Y\ WON'T /OP !M FROM TAK+ H]6 ,Y\ W\LDN'T HAVE /OPP$ !M FROM TAK+ ,VESNA60 

0,VESNA WAS SICK6 ,! DOCTOR %\LD HAVE BE5 CALL$ --0 

0,VESNA WASN'T SICK60 ,Y>A %RIEKS4 ,!N %E CALMS H]SELF & PLEADS ) ME4 0,I DON'T HATE Y\1 FA!R1 BUT Y\ DON'T UND]/&4 ,Y\'RE JU/ LIKE ,MR4 ,ZABRAN & ?OSE HORRIBLE DOCTORS4 ,MOMMY ISN'T SICK4 ,I KN[4 ,I'LL GET ,JASNA2 %E'LL UND]/&4 ,MAYBE ,ZD5EK WILL TOO4 ,PLEASE GO AWAY1 WON'T Y\8 ,%E'LL GET WELL IF Y\ GO AWAY4 ,& PLEASE DON'T BR+ ANYONE2 ,I'LL GET EV]YONE ,I KN[ TO /OP !M FROM T\*+ H]60 

0,I'VE HAD 5\< ( ?IS SILL9ESS1 ,Y>A6 ,I'M GO+ TO CALL --0 

0,!N GO TO HELL60 %E %RIEKS1 PU%+ ME & BEAT+ ME ) H] FI/S4 0,GET \T ( H]E & /AY \T AT LEA/ UNTIL TONI<T6 ,MOMMY ISN'T SICK60 

0,!N :AT'S WRONG ) H]80 

0,NO?+60 %E %\TS4 0,NO?+'S WRONG ) H]6 ,%E'S PLAY+ ) Y\ & ME6 ,BUT Y\ DON'T KN[ H[ TO PLAY6 ,Y\'RE ! ONE :O'S SICK1 LIKE ALL ?OSE O!RS4 ,PLEASE1 FA!R1 DON'T HAVE H] KILL$ = PLAY+60 

,I LEAVE ! H\SE RELUCTANTLY4 ,I GO TO A C(FEE H\SE TO TRY TO ?9K CLE>LY BUT NO?+ BECOMES CLE> TO ME4 ,Y>A UND]/&S ,MIRNA1 ESPECIALLY H] 0GAMES10 MU* BETT] ?AN ,I DO4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 ,I SUSPECT ?AT ,Y>A'S OP9ION ( DOCTORS & HOSPITALS MI<T BE A BIT ( 0WISDOM0 %E PICK$ UP FROM ,MIRNA & H] MO!R4 ,I CONV9CE MYSELF ?AT NEI!R A 0GAME0 NOR ,Y>A'S OP9ION ( DOCTORS %\LD 5DANG] ,MIRNA'S HEAL?4 ,I TAKE A BUS TO ! CITY HOSPITAL4 ,MY FIR/ 5C\NT] ) ! HOSPITAL 0RECEPTION0 =CES ME TO ADMIT ?AT :ATEV] ,MIRNA & ,Y>A ?9K ( HOSPITALS1 IT IS BAS$ ON SOME?+ REAL4 ,I'VE NEV] BE5 TO A HOSPITAL BE=E2 ,I'VE ALSO NEV] VISIT$ A PRISON AS AN 0\TSID]02 ,I IMAG9E ! 0RECEPTION0 (FICES ( BO? MU/ BE V]Y SIMIL>4 0,CAN %E WALK8 ,IS IT CRITICAL8 ,A HOSPITAL DOCTOR CANNOT VISIT Y\R H\SE4 ,W\LD Y\ LIKE US TO S5D AN AMBULANCE ) A /RET*]8 ,NO8 ,9 ?AT CASE Y\'LL HAVE TO BR+ H] H]E BY TAXI40 ,I MAKE UP MY M9D TO F9D SOMEONE TO HELP ME TAKE ,MIRNA TO ! HOSPITAL1 SOMEONE ,Y>A TRU/S4 ,I WALK TO ,ZD5EK'S H\SE BUT HE'S NOT HOME4 ,I CONSID] ,TITUS BUT ! ?\<T ( ,Y>A'S HY/]IA DISSUADES ME FROM LOOK+ HIM UP4 ,I TAKE A BUS TO ,JASNA'S H\SE BUT %E'S NOT HOME EI!R4 ,I KN[ ,I CAN C>RY ,MIRNA TO ! TAXI MYSELF & ,I REALIZE ,I'M LOOK+ = SOMEONE :O WILL NOT ONLY CONV9CE ,Y>A ( ,MIRNA'S NE$ = M$ICAL ATT5TION BUT ALSO HELP ME DECIDE TO OPPOSE ,Y>A'S WILL4 ,I WALK TO ,Y>A'S S*OOL & SIT D[N ON A B5* 9 ! PLAYGR\ND4 ,I TRY TO TAKE ,Y>A S]I\SLY2 ,I TRY TO FIGURE \T ! NATURE ( ! 0GAME0 ,MIRNA IS PLAY+4 ,BUT SURELY A P]SON :O IS S]I\SLY 9JUR$ OR P>ALYZ$ 9 A GAME NE$S M$ICAL C>E6 ,IT'S ALREADY MID-AFT]NOON4 ,I LEAVE ! S*OOLY>D & HEAD HOME1 DET]M9$ TO GET ,MIRNA TO A DOCTOR1 ) OR )\T ,Y>A'S APPROVAL4 

,! MOM5T ,I 5T] ! H\SE1 ,Y>A PLANTS H]SELF 9 ! B$ROOM DOORWAY4 ,ZD5EK & ,JASNA >E BO? 9 ! LIV+ ROOM4 0,HAVE Y\ BE5 H]E ALL DAY80 ,I ASK4 0,I W5T TO BO? Y\R H\SES TO LOOK = Y\40 

0,Y>A CAME TO GET US AS SOON AS Y\ LEFT ?IS MORN+10 ,JASNA TELLS ME4 0,CALM D[N1 WON'T Y\8 ,DID Y\ CONTACT ANYONE ELSE80 

0,H[ IS %E80 ,I ASK4 

0,MIRNA IS P]FECTLY ALL RI<T10 ,JASNA SAYS ) AN 9SI/5CE ?AT MAKES ME S5SE %E'S LY+2 0IT'S Y\ :O WORRIES US1 ,Y>O/AN40 

0,ME60 ,I %\T4 0,>E Y\ 9 ON ?AT GAME TOO1 ,JASNA8 ,>E Y\ PLAY+ ) ,MIRNA'S HEAL?1 ) H] LIFE80 ,I TAKE TWO QUICK /EPS T[>D ! B$ROOM DOORWAY4 0,Y>A1 /EP \T ( MY WAY60 

,BUT IT'S ,ZD5EK :O /OPS ME2 HE PULLS ME T[>DS ! C\* & =CES ME D[N ON IT1 COMM&+1 0,/AY \T ( !RE6 ,IF Y\ HAVE ANY LOVE = H]1 ,Y>O/AN1 /AY SEAT$ & LI/5 TO US60 

0,%E NE$S A DOCTOR60 ,I %\T4 0,CAN'T Y\ SEE %E'S SICK80 

,JASNA SAYS CALMLY1 0,I'M AMAZ$ AT H[ CRUELLY Y\ DISREG>D ,Y>A4 ,%E'S NOT AN IDIOT1 Y\ KN[60 

0,IT'S NOT A QUE/ION ( 9SULT+ OR NOT 9SULT+ ,Y>A10 ,I %\T IMPATI5TLY AS ,I WRI! FRU/RAT$LY 9 ,ZD5EK'S GRIP2 0IT MAY BE A QUE/ION ( ,MIRNA'S LIFE6 ,HAVE Y\ BO? GONE CRAZY8 ,>E Y\ GO+ TO SIT H]E & HOLD ME :ILE %E DIES LIKE H] MO!R80 

0,IF Y\'RE JU/ GO+ TO %\T1 ,Y>O/AN1 IT W\LD BE BETT] IF Y\ TOOK ANO!R WALK10 ,JASNA SAYS4 0,COME BACK :5 Y\'RE 9 A MOOD TO LI/5 TO US40 

0,I %\LD HAVE HAD !M S5D ! AMBULANCE60 ,I %\T4 0,I'LL GO1 ,JASNA -- ,I'LL GO GET ! AMBULANCE40 

,ZD5EK %\TS1 0,Y\'LL /AY RI<T !RE & LI/5 TO US NO MATT] :AT MOOD Y\'RE 96 ,IT TOOK ,Y>A LESS ?AN HALF AN H\R TO EXPLA9 ! :OLE ?+ TO ME2 :Y >E Y\ SO MULE-HEAD$80 

0,BECAUSE ,I LOVE H]10 ,I MUTT] WEAKLY4 

,ZD5EK %AKES ME4 0,LI/5 TO ME4 ,MIRNA IS CONV9C$ %E'S C>RY+ A T]RIBLE BURD54 ,%E ?9KS %E'S RESPONSIBLE = ALL ! DEA?S 9 H] FAMILY1 9CLUD+ H] [N DAU<T]'S40 ,Y>A />TS TO CLOSE ! DOOR ( ! B$ROOM BUT ,ZD5EK %\TS3 0,LEAVE IT OP51 ,Y>A6 ,%E HAS TO LI/5 TOO1 & ,I DON'T WANT TO SAY IT ALL TWICE6 ,%E'S CONV9C$ ?AT DEA? /ALKS EV]Y ONE ( H] HAPPY MOM5TS4 ,?AT /UPID BROADCA/ AB\T ! TROOP MOVEM5TS CONV9C$ H] %E WAS RI<T1 & ?AT LETT] FROM Y\R FRI5D GAVE H] SOME MY/]I\S 9SI<TS 9TO ! ORIG9S ( H] GUILT4 ,%E SEEMS TO ?9K %E WAS DRIV5 TO DO EV]Y?+ %E DID1 & LA/ NI<T %E APP>5TLY CONV9C$ H]SELF ?AT ,Y>A WAS AN AG5T ( :ATEV] IT WAS ?AT DROVE H]4 ,MIRNA'S SICKNESS IS NO?+ BUT AN ATTEMPT TO DE/ROY ,Y>A'S C>EFREE LOVE ( LIFE4 ,%E'S DET]M9$ TO DRIVE GUILT 9TO ! *ILD1 & %E'S APP>5TLY WILL+ TO DIE TRY+ BECAUSE %E'S AS MULE-HEAD$ AS Y\ >E40 

,I TELL ,ZD5EK1 0,I DON'T UND]/& A S+LE WORD10 BUT ?AT'S A LIE4 ,! %$ 9 :I* ,MIRNA & ,Y>A HAD 0ISOLAT$0 ! OLD WOMAN FLA%ES ?R\< MY M9D4 ,Y>N'S VISIT AFT] ,VESNA'S DEA? & H] ADMISSION1 0,FA!R1 WE DIDN'T CALL ! DOCTOR10 FLA% ?R\< MY M9D1 AS WELL AS ,MIRNA'S %RIEK :5 %E HIT ,Y>A ! NI<T BE=E3 0,WE KILL$ H] -- Y\'LL KILL ! RE/ ( US40 ,:AT ,I DON'T UND]/& IS :Y ,MIRNA DIDN'T CALL ! DOCTOR :5 ,VESNA WAS SICK1 & :Y ,ZD5EK & ,JASNA REFUSE TO CALL ! DOCTOR N[4 

,Y>A />TS TO CRY4 0,:Y DON'T Y\ UND]/&1 FA!R8 ,MOMMY MADE ME ?9K Y\ W]E DIFF]5T1 %E MADE ME ?9K Y\'D BE A FRI5D1 & ,I BELIEV$ H]1 ,I WANT$ SO MU* TO BELIEVE H]1 BUT ,I C\LDN'T GO ON BELIEV+ H] AFT] ,I VISIT$ Y\ 9 PRISON = ! LA/ TIME1 :5 Y\ TOLD ME Y\ W\LDN'T HAVE /OPP$ !M FROM TAK+ ,VESNA AWAY40 

,I ASK ,ZD5EK 9DIGNANTLY1 0,>E Y\ TELL+ ME ,VESNA WASN'T SICK EI!R80 

,ZD5EK ANSW]S1 0,! ONLY ?+ WRONG ) ,VESNA WAS ?AT %E GREW UP 9 ?IS H\SE BETWE5 H] SI/]1 H] MO!R & H] GR&MO!R40 

0,VESNA WASN'T SICK10 ,JASNA ADDS4 0,%E'D HAD RHEUMATIC FEV] A FEW YE>S E>LI]1 BUT %E'D RECOV]$ FROM ?AT --0 

0,I'M NOT AN IDIOT EI!R60 ,I %\T TO ,JASNA4 0,Y\'RE REPEAT+ ,Y>A'S COMM5T LIKE A P>ROT4 ,IF ,VESNA WASN'T SICK1 :Y DID %E DIE80 

0,Y\ >E AN IDIOT1 ,Y>O/AN60 ,ZD5EK %\TS4 0,:Y CAN'T Y\ BELIEVE ,Y>A8 ,9 ! HOSPITAL !Y DIDN'T KN[ :AT TO MAKE ( ,VESNA4 ,!Y MISDIAGNOS$ H] --0 

0,BUT ?AT'S IMPOSSIBLE60 ,I />T TO %AKE4 

0,IMPOSSIBLE60 ,ZD5EK %\TS4 0,BUT Y\'RE AS AU?ORIT>IAN AS !Y COME6 ,DO Y\ ?9K DOCTORS >E GODS8 ,HASN'T ,Y>A TOLD Y\ :AT !Y DID TO H]80 

0,I C\LDN'T TELL HIM BECAUSE HE WAS ON !IR SIDE10 ,Y>A SAYS4 

0,TELL HIM N[1 ,Y>A2 HE HAS TO BE TOLD SOMETIME10 ,JASNA 9SI/S4 

0,!Y DIDN'T EV5 LET MOMMY & ME GO SEE H]4 ,!Y KEPT US 9 ?AT FRONT (FICE :]E :ITE-FROCK$ PEOPLE CONT9UALLY RAN 9 & \T4 ,!Y TOLD ME ,VESNA WAS ASLEEP & C\LDN'T BE DI/URB$2 WE WAIT$ ALL DAY & HALF ! NI<T1 BUT ,VESNA KEPT BE+ ASLEEP & !N ,I KNEW !Y W]E LY+2 ,VESNA DIDN'T SLEEP ALL ! TIME4 ,:5 !RE WASN'T ANYONE 9 ! (FICE1 ,I LEFT MOMMY !RE & WALK$ UP & D[N ! HALLS1 :I* >E ! SAME AS 9 S*OOL ONLY LONG]2 ,I LOOK$ 9TO EV]Y ROOM UNTIL ,I F\ND H] 9 A ROOM FULL ( SICK PEOPLE4 ,! DOCTORS HAD ALL LI$ TO US4 ,VESNA WAS WIDE AWAKE1 />+ AT ! CEIL+ JU/ LIKE MOMMY IS1 BUT ,I KNEW !Y W]E KILL+ H]2 !Y HAD ALL K9DS ( TUBES CONNECT$ TO H]3 9 H] >M1 ?R\< H] NOSE & ELSE:]E4 ,POOR ,VESNA C\LDN'T BREA!4 ,I W5T UP TO H] & TOLD H]1 ',IF Y\ DON'T /OP1 !Y WON'T LET Y\ COME \T & SEE FA!R :5 HE RETURNS4' ,%E SAID1 ',I'VE SE5 HIM & ,I HATE HIM4' ,I ASK$ H]1 ',DO Y\ WANT TO /AY H]E8' ,%E SAID1 ',NO1 ,Y>A1 ,I HATE IT H]E1 ,I HATE ALL !SE PEOPLE1 ,I WANT TO GO BACK TO GR&MO!R'S ROOM6' ,I GOT MAD AT H] & %\T$1 ',!N /OP PRET5D+6' ,VESNA SAID1 ',I CAN'T4' ,I C\LD HAVE MADE H] /OP BUT !Y DIDN'T LET ME4 ,NURSES & GU>DS HAD HE>D ME & CAME RUNN+ = ME2 ,I SCREAM$1 ',Y\'RE KILL+ H]6' :ILE !Y C>RI$ ME TO ! WAIT+ ROOM & !N !Y TOLD US BO? TO LEAVE2 !Y KNEW :AT !Y W]E DO+ TO ,VESNA10 

0,H[ AWFUL60 ,JASNA SOBS4 0,I ONLY LE>N$ AB\T ,Y>A'S VISIT TO ,VESNA ?IS MORN+4 ,ALL ,I KNEW BE=E WAS :AT ,TITUS HAD TOLD ME RI<T AFT] ,VESNA DI$4 ,HE HAD CALL$ ! HOSPITAL EV]Y HALF H\R TO F9D \T H[ %E WAS2 POOR S\L1 HE HAD TAK5 H] !RE & HE WAS SO CONC]N$4 ,BUT HE TOOK ! HOSPITAL AU?ORITIES AS S]I\SLY AS Y\ DO4 ,%E WAS 9 A P]PETUAL COMA1 HE TOLD ME4 ,!Y KEPT DIAGNOS+ & RE-DIAGNOS+ H]2 EV]Y DIAGNOSIS HAD ITS TE/S & TREATM5T2 POOR ,VESNA JU/ WASN'T /RONG 5\< TO )/& ALL ?OSE TREATM5TS4 ,& ALL ?AT TIME ,VESNA SUCCE$$ 9 FOOL+ !M60 

0,H[ C\LD %E80 ,I ASK1 ON ! V]GE ( TE>S4 

0,PLEASE DON'T BE SO /UPID1 ,Y>O/AN10 ,JASNA SOBS4 0,H[ C\LD ,Y>A'S SI/]1 ,MIRNA'S DAU<T]1 H]SELF AN ACCOMPLI%$ PRANK/]1 FOOL ALL ?OSE DOCTORS & NURSES8 ,*ILDR5 DO ?AT 9 S*OOL EV]Y DAY ( ! YE> -- NOT JU/ TO ME2 ?AT'S EASY2 SOME FOOL ! 5TIRE TEA*+ /AFF = MON?S AT A /RET*6 ,?OSE DOCTORS AU?ORITATIVELY TOLD ,TITUS %E WAS 9 CRITICAL CONDITION1 %E HAD A CLOT ON ! BRA91 & EV5 ?AT H] BRA9 WAS DAMAG$ -- & !Y TREAT$ H] = ALL ?AT60 

,I CAN'T HOLD BACK MY TE>S4 ,I REA* BO? MY H&S \T TO ,Y>A & BEG1 0,PLEASE =GIVE ME4 ,I 9SULT$ Y\ :5EV] Y\ TRI$ TO TELL ME4 ,Y\ HAVE GOOD REASON TO HATE ME4 ,I WAS T]RIBLY WRONG40 

,Y>A RUNS TO ME CRY+4 0,UNTIL TODAY IT DIDN'T MATT] H[ WRONG Y\ W]E10 %E :ISP]S4 0,Y\ C\LDN'T HAVE HELP$ US2 Y\ W]E 9 PRISON :5 !Y TOOK ,VESNA AWAY40 

0,I'M ! ONE :O C\LD HAVE HELP$ BUT ,I /AY$ AWAY & ,I CONT9U$ /AY+ AWAY10 ,JASNA SOBS4 0,VESNA HAD MISS$ S*OOL = MORE ?AN A WEEK BUT ,I DIDN'T ASK ,Y>A :AT WAS WRONG & ,I DIDN'T 9TRODUCE MYSELF TO ,MIRNA AS H] HUSB&'S & H] BRO!R'S FRI5D4 ,9/EAD ,I TOLD ,TITUS ?AT ,VESNA WAS PROBABLY ILL & IT WAS HE :O RU%$ TO Y\R H\SE2 ,I SATISFI$ MYSELF ) VISIT+ VIC>I\SLY1 ?R\< ,TITUS4 ,I KNEW ?AT SOME?+ WAS T]RIBLY WRONG :5 HE DESCRIB$ ,VESNA'S ILLNESS & ,MIRNA'S & ,Y>A'S REACTIONS TO IT1 BUT ,I /ILL DIDN'T COME4 ,TITUS WAS CONV9C$ ,VESNA NE$$ M$ICAL C>E2 BUT HE'D HAD NO EXP]I5CE ) IMAG9ATIVE *ILDR54 ,HE TOLD ME 9DIGNANTLY ?AT ,VESNA NEV] LEFT ! SICK OLD WOMAN'S B$ & :5 HE WALK$ 9TO ! ROOM ! *ILD REPEAT$ H] GR&MO!R'S HOCUS POCUS AB\T ! DEVIL & ! *>MS ) :I* TO EXORCIZE HIM4 ,I %\LD HAVE KN[N RI<T !N2 ,I W\LD HAVE KN[N IF ,I'D SE5 H]4 ,TITUS BLAM$ ,MIRNA = LEAV+ ! *ILD 9 ?AT B$ 9/EAD ( HAV+ H] TAK5 TO ! HOSPITAL4 ,HE TOLD ME ?AT :5 HE M5TION$ ! HOSPITAL1 ,MIRNA ACT$ AS 9SANE AS H] MO!R & ,Y>A BECAME HY/]ICAL4 ,SO HE TOOK IT ON HIMSELF TO HAVE ,VESNA TAK5 TO ! HOSPITAL4 ,:5 %E WAS C>RI$ TO ! AMBULANCE1 TWO ATT5DANTS HAD TO HOLD ,Y>A & KEEP H] \T ( ! WAY4 ,MIRNA HAS EV]Y REASON 9 ! WORLD TO CONSID] ME A C[>D & A HYPOCRITE4 ,:]E WAS ,I :5 ,VESNA WAS C>RI$ AWAY8 ,MIRNA & ,Y>A NE$$ ME6 ,VESNA MI<T /ILL BE ALIVE TODAY4 ,BUT ,I WAS HOME1 READ+4 ,I C\LDN'T %>E ! REAL HORRORS ) ,MIRNA1 NOT EV5 ONE ( !M40 

0,%E DIDN'T BLAME Y\1 ,JASNA2 %E BLAM$ H]SELF1 & ?AT WAS MY FAULT10 ,Y>A TELLS H]4 0,MOMMY TRI$ TO /OP !M FROM TAK+ ,VESNA AS MU* AS ,I DID4 ,%E BEGG$ !M ON H] KNEES NOT TO TAKE H] AWAY FROM US1 & %E CRI$ ALL DAY LONG4 ,WE W5T TO ! HOSPITAL EV]Y DAY1 EV5 AFT] !Y TOLD US NOT TO COME ANY MORE4 ,:5EV] ANYONE CAME \T WE BEGG$1 ',PLEASE GIVE \R ,VESNA BACK TO US4' ,TWICE WE WAIT$ ALL DAY 9 ! RA92 A NURSE KEPT RUNN+ \T & TELL+ US TO GO HOME2 %E SAID WE W]E CRAZY & CALL$ US /UPID PEASANTS4 ,F9ALLY A MAN 9 A :ITE COAT LET US 9TO ! WAIT+ ROOM1 BUT ONLY TO TELL US ,VESNA WASN'T 9 ! HOSPITAL ANY MORE4 ,WE SCREAM$ AT HIM & HE HAD ANO!R MAN 9 A :ITE COAT COME 9 & TELL US %E HAD DI$ ?AT MORN+ 9 AN AMBULANCE :ILE BE+ TRANSF]R$ TO ANO!R HOSPITAL4 ,?AT WAS :5 ,I %\T$1 ',MOMMY1 Y\ LET !M KILL \R ,VESNA6' ,IT WASN'T TRUE4 ,I KNEW IT WASN'T TRUE6 ,BUT ,I WANT$ SOMEONE TO BLAME BECAUSE ,I LOV$ ,VESNA4 ,MOMMY BELIEV$ IT2 %E BLAM$ H]SELF4 ,= TWO WEEKS %E W5T TO WORK CRY+ & %E RETURN$ CRY+4 ,I BEGG$ H] TO =GIVE ME = SAY+ ?AT1 BUT %E NEV] /OPP$ BLAM+ H]SELF4 ,ONE DAY1 WEEKS AFT] ,VESNA'S DEA?1 ,I TOLD H] ,VESNA W\LD NEV] HAVE />T$ HAT+ Y\ & MOMMY IF ?AT OLD WOMAN HADN'T BE5 LIV+ ) US1 & ?AT MADE H] /OP CRY+4 ,?AT NI<T %E W5T TO GR&MO!R'S ROOM & SCREAM$1 ',VAMPIRE6 ,Y\ WON6 ,Y\'VE ALWAYS WANT$ TO TAKE ,VESNA FROM ME6 ,Y\'VE DONE IT6 ,Y\R HOLY WORK IS DONE4 ,Y\ CAN GO N[4' ,MOMMY HAD ME /AY HOME FROM S*OOL ! NEXT DAY4 ,A HEAT+ /OVE >RIV$ & AB$1 AS WELL AS A LOAD ( BRICKS4 ,%E CAME HOME FROM WORK ) A :EELB>R[ & MORT>4 ,?AT NI<T WE />T$ BUILD+ WALLS >\ND ! /OVE & B$4 ,& EV]Y TIME %E WALK$ BY GR&MO!R'S DOOR %E MUMBL$ ?+S LIKE1 ',Y\'LL SOON HAVE A H\SE )\T DEVILS 9 IT1' & ',VESNA %\LD HAVE HELP$ ME DO ?IS FIVE YE>S AGO2 Y\ MI<T HAVE SP>$ H] Y\R SALVATION4' ,:5 WE F9I%$1 ! TWO ( US C>RI$ ! OLD WOMAN TO H] NEW H\SE2 %E WAS MA9LY BONES & LI<T] ?AN ,I4 ,I LAU<$ :5 MOMMY SANG1 ',HOLY ,M>Y ,MO!R ( ,GOD1 WE'RE TAK+ Y\ TO HEAV52 NO DEMONS WILL EV] %>E Y\R H\SE AGA9 EXCEPT TO FE$ Y\ & REMOVE Y\R EXCREM5T4' ,BUT %E DIDN'T /OP BLAM+ H]SELF = ,VESNA'S DEA? & :5 ! OLD WOMAN DI$ AFT] Y\ CAME BACK %E BLAM$ H]SELF = ?AT TOO4 ,I WI% ,I'D NEV] TOLD H] %E'D LET !M KILL ,VESNA6 ,VESNA'S DEA? WAS MY FAULT MORE ?AN ANYONE ELSE'S60 

,HUGG+ ,Y>A1 ,I BEG1 0,DON'T SAY ?AT1 PLEASE4 ,Y\ LOV$ ,VESNA2 Y\ & ,MIRNA DID ALL Y\ C\LD TO SAVE H]4 ,I DIDN'T LOVE ,VESNA6 ,I WAS AFRAID ( H]2 ,I WAS SORRY :5EV] %E CAME 9/EAD ( ,MIRNA4 ,I WAS EV5 HAPPY :5 ,TITUS CAME 9/EAD ( ,VESNA4 ,I RES5T$ ,VESNA'S HAT+ ME = BE+ 9 ,JAIL4 ,%E S5S$ MY FEEL+S T[>D H]2 ?AT MU/ HAVE HAD A T]RIBLE EFFECT ON H]4 ,DON'T EV] BLAME Y\RSELF = ?AT1 ,Y>A40 

0,Y\R FEEL+S HAD NO?+ TO DO ) IT10 ,Y>A SAYS 9SI/5TLY4 0,VESNA WAS PLAY+ A GAME ) ME & ) NO ONE ELSE1 & %E WON --0 

0,A GAME1 ,Y>A8 ,& ,VESNA WON80 

0,A GAME1 FA!R6 ,:Y DID ?OSE DOCTORS HAVE TO COME 9TO IT8 ,VESNA HAT$ ! OLD WOMAN AS MU* AS ,I DID BUT %E PRET5D$ TO LOVE H]4 ,%E LOV$ Y\ AS MU* AS ,I DID BUT %E PRET5D$ TO HATE Y\4 ,:5 WE LE>N$ Y\'D RETURN 9 A YE>1 BE=E MOMMY & ,I W5T TO SEE Y\1 ,I CAU<T H] KISS+ H]SELF 9 ! MIRROR4 ,I KNEW %E WAS KISS+ Y\ & ,I =C$ H] TO ADMIT IT2 %E MADE ME PROMISE NEV] TO TELL MOMMY & ,I NEV] TOLD4 ,BUT ,I MADE FUN ( H] UNTIL ! DAY WE W5T TO VISIT Y\2 ,I CALL$ H] A LI> = PRET5D+ TO BE LIKE ! CRAZY OLD WOMAN2 ,I TOLD H] ,I KNEW %E WANT$ Y\ TO T\* H] & KISS H] & SLEEP NEXT TO H]40 ,Y>A />TS CRY+ & CONT9UES ?R\< H] SOBS1 0,I DIDN'T TELL H] ?OSE ?+S TO BE MEAN OR TO HURT H]1 BUT BECAUSE ,I KNEW !Y W]E TRUE4 ,VESNA WAS MY SI/]1 NOT ! OLD WOMAN'S4 ,& %E WASN'T HURT :5 ,I TOLD H] ?OSE ?+S4 ,IT WAS A GAME4 ,%E MADE H] EYES REAL BIG & %E RAN TO ! OLD WOMAN'S ROOM %\T+1 ',Y\'LL ROA/ 9 HELL1 ,Y>A4' ,%E DIDN'T HURT ME ANY MORE ?AN ,I HURT H]4 ,?AT WAS \R GAME4 ,& IT WAS /ILL JU/ A GAME ! DAY MOMMY & ,I W5T TO TELL Y\ AB\T Y\R RELEASE4 ,MOMMY WAS SO HAPPY6 ,%E GOT ALL DRESS$ UP2 %E LOOK$ BEAUTIFUL4 ,VESNA WANT$ TO COME ) US2 ,I KN[ %E DID4 ,BUT :5 MOMMY ASK$ H]1 %E SAID1 ',Y\'RE ! DEVIL1 ALL ( Y\4' ,I TOLD H]1 ',SO >E Y\6' ,MOMMY & ,I W]E SO HAPPY :5 WE GOT BACK2 %E %[$ ME H[ Y\'D DANCE ) ME4 ,WE DANC$ & PLAY$ UNTIL ,VESNA CAME 9 & SAW US4 ,MOMMY TEAS$ H] ! WAY ,I HAD1 BUT ,VESNA JU/ HAD TO W91 %E HAD TO PROVE ,I WAS WRONG1 ?AT %E WASN'T ! DEVIL4 ,VESNA FROZE1 & EV5 MOMMY ?\<T %E WAS SICK4 ,VESNA MADE H]SELF CRAZY JU/ LIKE ! OLD WOMAN & %E W\LDN'T COME \T ( ! OLD WOMAN'S ROOM4 ,%E SWEAT$ & !N %IV]$1 & MOMMY GOT SC>$ UNTIL ,I %[$ H] ,I C\LD DO ?AT TOO2 ,VESNA HAD %[$ ME4 ,BUT ?AT'S :5 ,I %\LD HAVE /OPP$ TEAS+ ,VESNA1 BE=E ALL ?OSE \TSID]S CAME TO \R H\SE4 ,! MORE ,I TEAS$ H] AB\T BE+ ! DEVIL1 ! MORE %E BECAME LIKE ! OLD WOMAN1 & 9 ! 5D %E WON -- EV]YONE BELIEV$ H]1 />T+ ) ,MR4 ,ZABRAN & ?OSE AMBULANCE PEOPLE :O CAME = H]4 ,IT WAS ALL MY FAULT -- NOT Y\RS OR MOMMY'S OR ANYONE ELSE'S4 ,I WI% ,I HADN'T =C$ H] TO PLAY ! GAME SO H>D1 SO LONG60 

,ALL ( US TURN \R HEADS ABRUPTLY :5 WE HE> ,MIRNA'S SOB4 ,%E'S /&+ 9 ! B$ROOM DOORWAY LOOK+ AT ! ?REE ( US HUDDL$ >\ND ,Y>A2 %E'S CRY+4 ,%E WALKS T[>D US1 KNEELS 9 FRONT ( ,Y>A & ?R[S H] >MS >\ND H]4 0,DID Y\ REALLY SEE ,VESNA KISS H]SELF 9 ! MIRROR80 

,Y>A ?R[S H] >MS >\ND ,MIRNA'S NECK &1 KISS+ H] ON ! LIPS1 :ISP]S1 0,LIKE ?IS1 MOMMY2 IT'S ! ONLY WAY Y\ CAN KISS 9 A MIRROR4 ,& ,I KN[ %E WANT$ A BOY 9 S*OOL TO KISS H] --0 

0,Y\'RE NOT MAK+ IT UP80 

0,I SWE>1 MOMMY40 

0,PLEASE DON'T CALL ME ?AT ANY MORE40 

0,MOMMY8 ,:Y NOT80 

0,BECAUSE Y\'RE SO MU* SM>T] ?AN ,I AM40 

,ZD5EK IS ! ONLY ONE )\T TE>S ON HIS FACE4 ,HE GETS UP & EXCLAIMS1 0,?AT WAS A NA/Y TRICK1 ,MIRNA6 ,?AT :OLE ELABORATE P]=MANCE JU/ TO GET Y\R DAU<T] TO ADMIT H] %>E ( ! GUILT60 

0,Y\'RE SM>T TOO1 FA!R10 ,MIRNA :IMP]S4 0,I'M ! ONLY IDIOT H]E40 

,ZD5EK TURNS TO ,Y>A4 0,CAN ,I BORR[ ?AT LETT] N[8 ,!RE >E SOME ?+S Y\ DIDN'T MAKE V]Y CLE>40 ,Y>A H&S HIM Y\R PREVI\S LETT]4 ,HE LEAVES ! H\SE %\T+ TO ,MIRNA1 0,I WANT TO F9D \T :O TAU<T Y\ TO PLAY SU* DEVILI% GAMES40 

,MIRNA MOVES T[>D ,JASNA2 H] H& PU%ES ! HAIR AWAY FROM ,JASNA'S FACE4 ,KISS+ ,JASNA'S =EHEAD1 %E ASKS1 0,DO Y\ HATE ALL ! S*OOL*ILDR5 :O FOOL Y\ & PLAY TRICKS ON Y\80 

0,NO1 ,MIRNA1 ,I DON'T HATE !M10 ,JASNA SOBS2 0,I LOVE !M MORE ?AN ANY ( ! O!RS1 BECAUSE !Y'RE ALIVE40 

0,WILL Y\ =GIVE ME80 

0,!RE'S NO?+ TO =GIVE1 ,MIRNA2 EV]Y?+ Y\ SAID AB\T ME IS TRUE2 WILL Y\ EV] =GIVE ME80 

,MIRNA WIPES ! TE>S FROM ,JASNA'S FACE4 0,Y>O/AN SAYS Y\'RE V]Y PRETTY :5 Y\ SMILE1 ,JASNA4 ,%[ ME1 PLEASE40 ,JASNA SMILES WEAKLY4 ,MIRNA KISSES H] *EEKS4 ,JASNA HUGS ,Y>A & !N ME2 %E LEAVES ! H\SE CRY+ -- BUT SMIL+4 

,MIRNA PICKS UP ,Y>A & C>RIES H] TO ! B$ROOM1 ASK+ 9 A :ISP]1 0,:AT ELSE DID ,VESNA WANT80 

0,%E WANT$ EV]Y?+ Y\ & ,I WANT$1 MOMMY -- ,I MEAN ,MIRNA4 ,IF ! OLD WOMAN HADN'T BE5 /AY+ ) US1 ,VESNA W\LD NEV] HAVE BE5 AFRAID ( BE+ T\*$4 ,?AT CAME FROM ?9K+ H]SELF ! OLD WOMAN ) ?AT COLD1 BLUEI% WR9KL$ SK9 ?AT WAS SO DISGU/+ TO T\*4 ,IF IT HADN'T BE5 = ! OLD WOMAN1 ,VESNA W\LD HAVE LOV$ Y\ & FA!R -- CAN ,I CALL HIM ,Y>O/AN N[8 -- MAYBE NOT ! WAY ,TISSIE LOV$ ,SOPHIA2 NOT ?AT WAY AT ALL2 BUT AT LEA/ ! WAY ,SOPHIA LOV$ ,SAB9A4 ,I KN[ --0 

,A FEW DAYS LAT]1 :5 ,I RETURN FROM WORK1 ,MIRNA ?R[S H] >MS >\ND ME & />TS TO DANCE >\ND ! LIV+ ROOM ) ME4 ,%E WAVES Y\R MO/ REC5T LETT] 9 ! AIR4 ,Y>A %\TS1 0,%E'S ON /RIKE60 ,I'M OV]:ELM$ ) JOY4 ,I SP9 ,MIRNA >\ND ! ROOM4 ,\R CRISIS IS OV]4 ,ZD5EK & ,JASNA JO9 US TO CELEBRATE Y\R COMMUNE & ,MIRNA'S /RIKE4 0,WE'RE F9ALLY TOGE!R AGA960 ,JASNA EXCLAIMS :ILE READ+ Y\R LETT]4  
  

,WE LOVE Y\1  

,Y>O/AN4  

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

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #aige 3 ,Y>O/AN'S ,SEV5? ,LETT] -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,APRIL #b#f1 #bb 3 ,Y>O/AN'S ,SEV5? ,LETT] -- ,ADD$4 

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