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

#aigfaigf 

,PEOPLE 3 

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

,TEXT 3 

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

  
  

,DE> ,SOPHIA1  
  

,Y\R HONE/ & MOV+ LETT] EMB>RASSES & %AMES ME4 ,I'M A%AM$ BECAUSE ,I HAV5'T BE5 AS OP5 9 MY LETT]S TO Y\4 ,I'M EMB>RASS$ BY Y\R DECL>ATIONS ( Y\R LOVE = ME4 ,I CAN'T HONE/LY TELL Y\ ?AT ,I FEEL OR EV] FELT A SIMIL> EMOTION T[>D Y\4 ,I FAIL$ TO MAKE ?IS CLE> TO Y\ AT ! V]Y BEG9N+ ( \R CORRESPOND5CE1 AT A TIME :5 ,I WAS NO?+ MORE TO Y\ ?AN A ONE-TIME FRI5D Y\ HADN'T SE5 9 TW5TY YE>S1 A /RANG] TO :OM Y\ HADN'T YET B>$ ! SECRETS ( Y\R LIFE4 ,MY ONLY EXCUSE IS ?AT ,I'M NOT 9 ! HABIT ( EXPRESS+ MY EMOTIONS ) WORDS2 MY LIFE'S EXP]I5CES HAV5'T BE5 F]TILE GR\ND = ! DEVELOPM5T ( SU* AN ABILITY4 ,I REALIZE ?AT BY TRY+ TO BE HONE/ & COMPLETE AT SU* A LATE H\R ,I'LL BE 9FLICT+ PA9 :I* ,I C\LD HAVE SP>$ Y\ IF ,I HAD MADE ! ATTEMPT SOON]1 BUT ,I'M AFRAID ?AT IF ,I REMA9$ SIL5T ,I W\LD ULTIMATELY 9FLICT F> GREAT] PA94 

,BY VOMIT+ UP ! REPRESS$ EXP]I5CES ( Y\R LIFE1 AS Y\ SO VIVIDLY PUT IT1 Y\ SET (F A SIMIL> PROCESS 9 ME1 9 ,JASNA & 9 ,MIRNA1 NOT ONLY BY Y\R EXAMPLE BUT EV5 MORE BY :AT Y\ BR\<T UP4 ,WE DIDN'T RESPOND TO Y\R LETT] ) \R M9DS BUT ) \R /OMA*S1 ) EV]Y?+ ?AT'S 9SIDE US4 

,AFT] READ+ Y\R PREVI\S LETT] ,MIRNA HAD EXPRESS$ ADMIRATION = Y\1 COMP>+ Y\R REBELLI\SNESS & C\RAGE TO H] BRO!R'S4 ,H] ATTITUDE T[>D Y\ HAS *ANG$ DRA/ICALLY S9CE ,I LA/ WROTE Y\1 NOT SO MU* BECAUSE ( :AT Y\'VE WRITT5 AS BECAUSE ( :AT WE'VE UND]GONE DUR+ ! PA/ TWO WEEKS4 ,AFT] ,I LA/ WROTE Y\ WE EXP]I5C$ ONE ( ! HAPPIE/ MOM5TS ( \R LIVES1 AT LEA/ ONE ( ! HAPPIE/ 9 MY MEMORY4 ,?AT HAPPY MOM5T CAME TO AN ABRUPT 5D ?REE DAYS AGO4 ,Y\R LETT] >RIV$ ! DAY BE=E YE/]DAY4 ,IF IT HAD COME TWO DAYS SOON] WE W\LD HAVE RESPOND$ TO IT V]Y DIFF]5TLY4 ,= ! PA/ ?REE DAYS ,I'VE BE5 MOV+ 9 AN ATMOSPH]E ( HO/ILITY & FE> ! LIKE ( :I* ,I HAV5'T EXP]I5C$ S9CE ! DAYS IMM$IATELY AFT] MY RELEASE FROM PRISON ?REE YE>S AGO4 ,! >RIVAL ( Y\R LETT] DIDN'T CREATE ?AT ATMOSPH]E BUT SIMPLY CO9CID$ ) IT4 ,I CAN'T ACC\NT = ?IS FE> & HO/ILITY 9 T]MS ( A S+LE EV5T4 ,AN 0EV5T0 DID TAKE PLACE2 WE HE>D IT ANN\NC$ OV] ! RADIO4 ,BUT ?IS EV5T ISN'T NEW2 IT'S ONE ( ! CON/ANTS ( ! WORLD WE LIVE 91 IT'S COMMON KN[L$GE4 ,! RADIO REM9D$ US ?AT N[ ?AT WE'RE NO LONG] WAT*$ BY ! NATIONAL POLICE WE'RE /ILL BE+ WAT*$ BY ! 9T]NATIONAL POLICE4 ,NO ONE HAD D\BT$ ?IS4 ,SU* A REM9D] C\LD IMMOBILIZE US ONLY BECAUSE IMMOBILITY IS ALREADY 5GRAV$ 9 \R BE+1 ONLY BECAUSE \R 9T]M9ABLE & CONT9U+ PA/ TAU<T US TO IMMOBILIZE \RSELVES4 ,I DON'T FULLY UND]/& :AT HAPP5$ TO US ?REE DAYS AGO BUT ,I'M CONV9C$ IT HAD LESS TO DO ) ! RADIO ANN\NCEM5T ?AN ) :AT WE'VE BECOME DUR+ ! PA/ TW5TY YE>S4 

,?REE WEEKS AGO1 A FEW DAYS AFT] ,JASNA & ,I ATT5D$ ! LECTURE GIV5 BY Y\R & \R =M] COMRADES1 ,JASNA CAME TO \R H\SE AGA94 ,Y>A 9VIT$ H]1 O/5SIBLY TO READ ! LETT] 9 :I* Y\ DESCRIB$ Y\R DISMISSAL FROM S*OOL1 Y\R EVICTION FROM ! DORMITORY & Y\R >RIVAL AT ,SAB9A'S G>AGE1 BUT ACTUALLY SO AS TO PURSUE H] SPECULATIONS AB\T ! LOVE AFFAIRS ( ,M9I/] ,V]A & ,COMMISSION] ,ADRIAN4 ,JASNA READ Y\R LETT]2 BE=E %E F9I%$ IT %E />T$ CRY+4 0,DON'T Y\ ?9K %E'S WOND]FUL80 %E ASK$4 0,?9K ( BE+ BEAT5 D[N SO (T5 & SO H>D & /ILL HAV+ ! N]VE TO REA* = MORE40 ,:5 %E F9I%$ Y\R LETT] %E SAID1 0,IT MU/ TAKE A LOT ( N]VE TO BE A PRO/ITUTE4 ,PLEASE DO LET ME KN[ :5 Y\ HE> FROM H] AGA940 ,%E LEFT \R H\SE ) TE>S 9 H] EYES4 

,:5 ,JASNA WAS GONE ,MIRNA :ISP]$1 0,Y\'RE C]TA9LY NO ,SAB9A1 TEA*]4 ',A LOT ( N]VE TO BE A PRO/ITUTE4' ,IT TAKES DO+1 NOT JU/ READ+ AB\T IT60 

,Y>A RAN TO ,MIRNA'S LAP %\T+1 0,%E'S NOT ALTOGE!R LIKE ?AT1 MOMMY4 ,I US$ TO ?9K %E WAS UNTIL ! LA/ DAY ( S*OOL4 ,REMEMB] ,I TOLD Y\ WE DANC$ 9 ! Y>D8 ,ONE ( ! TEA*]S PLAY$ AN ACCORDION4 ,JASNA JU/ SAT BY H]SELF & WAT*$ ! KIDS DANCE4 ,I C\LD TELL BY ! WAY H] EYES & H] :OLE BODY MOV$ ?AT %E WAS DY+ TO DANCE1 SO ,I BEGG$ ,SLOBODAN TO ASK H]4 ,Y\ %\LD HAVE SE5 H]6 ,%E WAS WILD] ?AN ANYONE ELSE 9 ! Y>D4 ,SLOBODAN WANT$ H] ALL TO HIMSELF BUT ,I CUT 9 & EV5 ! PR9CIPAL DANC$ ) H]4 ,! PR9CIPAL WORE \T AFT] TWO R\NDS BUT ,JASNA JU/ W5T ON DANC+4 ,MOMMY1 LET'S GIVE A DANC+ P>TY = ,JASNA40 

0,DON'T BE SILLY1 ,Y>A10 ,MIRNA SAID CROSSLY4 

0,BUT Y\ JU/ SAID1 ',IT TAKES DO+4' ,DANC+ IS DO+6 ,POOR ,JASNA IS ALWAYS SO SAD1 & %E WAS SO HAPPY :5 %E DANC$40 

0,NO ONE W\LD DANCE ) ,JASNA H]E40 

0,I'LL BR+ ,SLOBODAN2 HELL DANCE ) H]10 ,Y>A 9SI/$4 0,I'LL BR+ ,JULIA'S PHONOGRAPH & RECORDS & ,JULIA & ,I WILL BO? DANCE ) ,JASNA4 ,BESIDES1 %E CAN BR+ H] [N FRI5DS10 

0,DOES ,JASNA HAVE ANY FRI5DS8 ,>E Y\ ?9K+ ( ,COMMISSION] ,POVR%AN80 ,MIRNA ASK$ S>CA/ICALLY4 

,Y>A TURN$ TO ME4 0,Y\'LL DANCE ) H]1 WON'T Y\ FA!R80 

0,I'VE NEV] DANC$ 9 MY :OLE LIFE10 ,I TOLD H]1 AL?\< H] IDEA APPEAL$ TO ME4 

,Y>A /OMP$ H] FOOT OIL ! FLOOR 9 FRONT ( ,MIRNA & SAID ANGRILY1 0,BUT Y\ TOLD ME HE DANC$60 ,MIRNA SMIL$ ABS5TLY 7,I !N ?\<T MIS*IEV\SLY74 ,Y>A SAW ! SMILE1 REA*$ = ,MIRNA'S H&S & %\T$ EXCIT$LY1 0,Y\ REMEMB]6 ,Y\ SAID HE'D TAKE BO? MY H&S 9 HIS1 PICK ME UP 9 HIS >MS & SP9 ME R\ND & R\ND ! ROOM40 ,:ILE ,Y>A TALK$1 ,MIRNA PICK$ H] UP & BO? ( !M SPUN TOGE!R LIKE ATOP4 0,FA/] & FA/]10 ,Y>A CONT9U$1 0UNTIL WE FALL FROM DIZZ9ESS40 

,:5 ,MIRNA & ,Y>A REA*$ ! GR\ND1 ,I LAU<$ & %\T$1 0,I'D LOVE TO DANCE ) Y\1 ,Y>A1 BUT ,I SWE> TO Y\ ,I NEV] DANC$ ) Y\R MO!R OR ) ANYONE ELSE40 

,!Y DIDN'T HE> ME2 ,MIRNA & ,Y>A W]E COMPLETELY ABSORB$ BY !IR P]=MANCE4 0,& !N WE ROLL ON ! GR\ND1 /ILL SP9N+1 DIZZY1 LAU<+ & HAPPY & -- FA!R KISSES ME40 

,BE=E ! P]=MANCE 5D$ ,I NOTIC$ ?AT ,MIRNA C>RI$ \T EV]Y ONE ( ,Y>A'S 9/RUCTIONS ME*ANICALLY1 AS IF 9 A TRANCE4 ,:5 ,MIRNA RAIS$ H]SELF UP AFT] ! KISS1 H] SMILE WAS GONE2 H] FACE WAS COV]$ ) TE>S & IT HAD ! SAME ABS5T LOOK4 0,:AT HAPP5$ !N1 ,Y>A80 

,Y>A'S JOY 5D$ ABRUPTLY4 ,) AN EXPRESSION ( T]ROR ON H] FACE1 TE>S RUNN+ D[N H] *EEKS1 %E TURN$ T[>D ! DOOR & WAIL$1 0,VESNA -- %E SAW US40 

0,& !N1 ,Y>A80 ,MIRNA ASK$ ) ! SAME EXPRESSIONLESS TONE4 

,Y>A />T$ BAWL+1 BUT %E SUDD5LY SNAPP$ \T ( ! TRANCE2 %E GOT UP & RAN T[>D ! DOOR %\T+1 0,DON'T1 MOMMY6 ,I CAN'T ?9K ( ,VESNA EV]Y DAY = ! RE/ ( MY LIFE6 ,I CAN'T & ,I WON'T6 ,IT WASN'T \R FAULT6 ,%E DI$ BECAUSE ( :AT !Y DID TO H] & Y\ KN[ IT60 ,Y>A RAN TO H] ROOM SOBB+4 

,MIRNA BECAME AW>E ?AT ,I WAS />+ AT H]4 ,%E WIP$ H] FACE HURRI$LY1 /ILL KNEEL+ ON ! SPOT :]E %E'D KISS$ ,Y>A4 0,:Y DO Y\ HAVE SU* A /RANGE LOOK ON Y\R FACE80 %E ASK$ MATT]-(-FACTLY1 AS IF NO?+ HAD BE5 /RANGE EXCEPT ! LOOK ON MY FACE4 

0,MIRNA1 ,I DON'T UND]/&40 

0,:AT DON'T Y\ UND]/&1 ,Y>O/AN8 ,AB\T ! DANCE8 ,MY FA!R DANC$ ) ME :5 ,I WAS ,Y>A'S AGE40 

,MIRNA GOT UP & W5T TO ! B$ROOM1 LEAV+ ME ALONE 9 ! LIV+ ROOM1 BEWILD]$4 ,IT WAS V]Y LATE4 ,I WANT$ TO ASK H] A LOT ( QUE/IONS BUT ! ONLY ONE ,I WAS ABLE TO =MULATE WAS :Y %E HAD BE5 SO HO/ILE TO ,Y>A'S IDEA ( HAV+ A P>TY4 ,Y>A DOESN'T WANT V]Y MU*1 & ,I'VE NEV] BE=E KN[N ,MIRNA TO REFUSE ANY?+ ,Y>A WANT$4 

,I DIDN'T HAVE A *ANCE TO ASK ,MIRNA ! FOLL[+ EV5+ EI!R -- ?AT WAS ,?URSDAY -- BECAUSE WE HAD UNEXPECT$ COMPANY1 & BY ,FRIDAY ,MIRNA H]SELF BECAME ! MAM ADVOCATE = A DANC+ P>TY4 

,! UNEXPECT$ GUE/ WAS ,ZD5EK ,TOB>K94 ,HE DROPP$ BY JU/ BE=E WE SAT D[N TO EAT TO TELL US HIS PLANT HAD GONE ON /RIKE ?AT MORN+4 ,HE WAS FULL ( LIFE4 0,Y\ DIDN'T ?9K IT C\LD HAPP51 DID Y\1 ,CASS&RA80 HE ASK$ ME1 LAU<+ VIGOR\SLY4 0,A FULL-FL$G$ /RIKE4 ,\/$ ALL MANAG]S1 SUP]-VISORS & FUNCTION>IES4 ,ELECT$ WORK]S >E TO FILL ! NECESS>Y (FICES & !IR M&ATES >E REVOCABLE4 ,& ALL ( IT C>RI$ \T 9 G5]AL ASSEMBLY ( ! WORK]S !MSELVES1 )\T POLITICIANS OR ANY REPRESSIVE APP>ATUS40 

0,!N IT'S ! FIR/ TIME 9 HI/ORY10 ,I SAID4 

0,AT LEA/ 9 \R HI/ORY10 HE CORRECT$4 

,MIRNA 9VIT$ HIM TO JO9 US AT D9N]4 

0,I WAS HOP+ Y\'D ASK ME60 ,ZD5EK EXCLAIM$4 0,IT'S NOT A NI<T TO RETURN TO MY ROOM ALONE1 & ! B> DEPRESSES ME4 ,BESIDES1 ,I WANT$ TO HE> AB\T ! COM+ /RIKE 9 Y\R PLANT40 

0,M9E80 ,MIRNA ASK$4 0,!RE ISN'T EV5 TALK ( A /RIKE4 ,ONLY A FEW :ISP]S40 

0,IT'S N[ OR NEV]10 ,ZD5EK SAID1 TAUNT+ H]4 

0,!N IT'S NEV]60 ,MIRNA SNAPP$4 0,!RE WAS TALK ( A /RIKE ONCE -- TWELVE YE>S AGO4 ,& EV]YONE :O TALK$ WAS FIR$4 ,MO/ ( ! FIR$ WOM5 NEV] GOT JOBS AGA91 & TWO ( !M DISAPPE>$1 LIKE ,JAN2 !Y NEV] RETURN$40 ,MIRNA WAS REF]R+ TO ! AGITATION AT ! TIME ( ! ,MAG>NA UPRIS+4 ,%E HAD BE5 V]Y EXCIT$ :5 ,JAN1 ,TITUS & ,I HAD DISCUSS$ ! UPRIS+ AT \R H\SE A FEW DAYS BE=E ,JAN & ,I W]E >RE/$4 ,BUT APP>5TLY %E HADN'T DONE ANY 0AGITAT+0 AT H] PLANT1 S9CE %E WASN'T FIR$4 0,NONE ( ! PEOPLE WORK+ !RE N[ CAN =GET ?AT10 %E CONT9U$4 ,& !N1 LOOK+ AT ,Y>A1 %E ADD$1 0,WE'RE GO+ TO ?9K ( ?AT EV]Y DAY = ! RE/ ( \R LIVES40 

0,TIMES *ANGE1 ,MIRNA10 ,ZD5EK SAID4 0,& EV5 IF !Y DON'T1 EV5 IF ,CASS&RA IS ALWAYS RI<T1 Y\ CAN'T LOCK Y\RSELF UP TODAY BECAUSE SOMEONE ELSE IS GO+ TO LOCK Y\ UP TOMORR[40 

0,CAN'T ,I80 ,MIRNA ASK$ DEFIANTLY4 

,Y>A & ,I SET ! TABLE & ! F\R ( US />T$ EAT+1 

0,ALL RI<T1 Y\'RE DO+ IT10 ,ZD5EK SAID2 0,I KN[ Y\ CAN DO IT4 ,IT'S :AT WE'VE ALL BE5 DO+4 ,WE'VE REPRESS$ \RSELVES TO AVOID BE+ REPRESS$4 ,:AT S5SE IS !RE 9 ?AT80 

0,%REWD1 PEASANT S5SE10 ,MIRNA ANSW]$1 W9K+ AT ME1 OBVI\SLY REF]R+ TO MY *>ACT]IZATIONS ( ,MIRNA & H] FA!R 9 MY LETT]S TO Y\4 

0,9 A FEW YE>S !RE'LL BE NO PEASANTS LEFT1 SO :AT GOOD DID IT DO !M80 ,ZD5EK ASK$4 

0,?OSE :O /AY$ \T ( TR\BLE LIV$ LONG]10 ,MIRNA ANSW]$4 

0,Y\ MEAN !Y DIDN'T LIVE AT ALL60 ,ZD5EK %\T$ ANGRILY4 

,Y>A ADD$1 0,!RE >E SOME KIDS :O /AY$ \T ( ! DEMON/RATIONS 9 MY S*OOL4 ,NO ONE TALK$ TO !M AFT] ?AT & !Y W]5'T EV5 9VIT$ TO NEXT WEEK'S \T+1 SO :AT GOOD DID IT DO !M TO /AY \T ( TR\BLE80 

0,EXACTLY60 ,ZD5EK %\T$1 AL?\< IT SEEM$ TO ME ?AT ,Y>A'S EXAMPLE DID NOT 0EXACTLY0 SUPPORT ,ZD5EK'S >GUM5T1 S9CE N[ADAYS1 AT LEA/ AT ,Y>A'S S*OOL1 IT TAKES MORE N]VE TO /AY \T ( DEMON/RATIONS ?AN TO CON=M BY TAK+ P>T 9 !M4 

0,:AT'S LIFE TO Y\1 ,ZD5EK8 ,/RIKES & DEMON/RATIONS80 ,MIRNA ASK$1 %IFT+ ! CONTEXT ( ! >GUM5T4 0,!N ,I NEV] LIV$4 ,A FEW TIMES 9 MY LIFE ,I HAD ! N]VE TO AB&ON MYSELF TO MY DESIRES2 ,I FELT 9T5SELY ALIVE & PAID DE>LY -- ) ! LIVES ( ?OSE ,I LOV$4 ,BUT ?AT DOESN'T C\NT 9 Y\R PHILOSOPHY40 

0,Y\'RE WRONG1 ,MIRNA10 ,ZD5EK PLEAD$1 SEEM+ HURT BY H] COMM5T4 0,?AT'S ALL ?AT C\NTS 9 MY PHILOSOPHY4 ,! /RIKES >E ONLY ! FIR/ /EP2 IF !Y DON'T LEAD TO :AT Y\'RE DESCRIB+1 !Y'RE NO?+4 ,9 A /RIKE WE ONLY ANN\NCE ?AT WE'VE HAD 5\< ( ?IS REPRESSION ( LIFE1 ?IS NON-LIFE2 WE EXPRESS \R REFUSAL TO CONT9UE BE+ *A9$ TO MA*9ES & C[$ BY POLICE4 ,BUT IT'S OBVI\SLY NOT 5\< TO ANN\NCE ?AT WE'RE COM+ TO LIFE2 WE HAVE TO DO :AT WE'VE ANN\NC$1 WE HAVE TO F9D ! N]VE TO LIVE1 TO DANCE ON ! TOMB ( ! REPRESSIVE APP>ATUS40 

0,WE DANC$ ON ! LA/ DAY ( S*OOL60 ,Y>A EXCLAIM$4 ,ZD5EK & ,I BUR/ \T LAU<+4 ,Y>A SMIL$1 BUT PRET5D+ TO BE ANGRY %E PLANT$ H]SELF NEXT TO ,ZD5EK & ASK$ HIM1 0,:Y >E Y\ LAU<+1 SILLY8 ,WASN'T ?AT :AT Y\ MEANT80 

,ZD5EK PICK$ H] UP1 PLAC$ H] ON HIS LAP1 & /ILL LAU<+ TOLD H]1 0,BECAUSE Y\ CAN SAY :AT ,I MEAN MU* BETT] ?AN ,I CAN1 Y\ LITTLE DEVIL60 

0,>E Y\ GO+ TO DANCE ON ! LA/ DAY ( Y\R FACTORY80 ,Y>A ASK$4 

,ZD5EK RO>$4 0,I DREAM ( NO?+ ELSE6 ,I HAV5'T DANC$ = OV] TW5TY YE>S & ,I'M BUR/+ ) ! DESIRE TO DANCE60 

,Y>A TWI/$ ,ZD5EK'S MU/A*E & SAID COYLY1 0,I LIKE Y\1 ,MR4 ,TOB>K94 ,BUT ,I DON'T LIKE Y\R NAME4 ,CAN ,I CALL Y\ SOME?+ ELSE80 

0,H[ AB\T JU/ CALL+ ME ,ZD5EK80 

0,I CAN'T CALL Y\ ?AT6 ,Y\'RE TOO OLD60 

,MIRNA GR9N$1 LEAP$ \T ( H] *AIR BLU%+1 SWEPT ,Y>A (F ,ZD5EK'S LAP & C>RI$ H] TO ! KIT*51 ASK+ 9 A :ISP]1 0,TOO OLD = :AT1 Y\ LITTLE GOOSE80 

,! FOLL[+ EV5+ ,MIRNA CAME HOME FROM WORK AN H\R LAT] ?AN USUAL2 ?R[+ H] >MS >\ND ME & SP9N+ ME >\ND ! ROOM1 %E %\T$1 0,WE SP5T ! :OLE DAY TALK+ AB\T \R /RIKE60 

0,AT Y\R PLANT80 ,I ASK$4 

0,& WE'RE GO+ TO TALK AB\T IT ALL NEXT WEEK BE=E VOT+60 %E CONT9U$ EXCIT$LY4 0,WE'LL TALK & TALK UNTIL EV]Y S+LE ONE ( US IS CONV9C$40 

0,IS ! VOTE GO+ TO HAVE TO BE UNANIM\S80 ,I ASK$ ) DISMAY4 

0,IT'S ! ONLY WAY WE CAN AVOID :AT HAPP5$ TWELVE YE>S AGO4 ,BUT IT'LL BE POSSIBLE6 ,TODAY ! TALK SPREAD LIKE A DISEASE4 ,9 ! MORN+ !RE W]E ONLY A FEW :ISP]S2 BY ! 5D ( ! DAY WE W]E EMBRAC+ 9 ! AISLES1 ?R[+ SPOOLS ACROSS ! ROOM4 ,?OSE WOM5 W5T CRAZY60 

0,?AT'S NOT ! DISEASE BUT ! BEG9N+ ( ! CURE40 

0,IT'S A DISEASE1 Y\ OAF6 ,WE'RE SICK1 WE'VE GONE CRAZY60 %E %\T$1 TRIPP+ ME SO ?AT WE BO? FELL TO ! FLOOR4 0,IT'S EXACTLY :AT HAPP5$ TWELVE YE>S AGO4 ,PLEASE1 DISEASE6 ,:]E'S ?AT BEWIT*$ DAU<T] ( Y\RS8 ,Y>A60 

,Y>A CAME RUNN+ \T ( ! KIT*52 AS SOON AS %E REA*$ US1 ,MIRNA PULL$ H] D[N TO ! FLOOR BETWE5 US4',H] >MS W\ND >\ND BO? ( US1 ,MIRNA :ISP]$ TO ,Y>A1 0,NO ONE IS TOO OLD1 ,Y>A1 EV]1 = ANY?+60 

,Y>A1 ) TE>S 9 H] EYES1 ?REW H] >MS >\ND ,MIRNA'S NECK & :ISP]$1 0,I LOVE Y\ :5 Y\'RE LIKE ?IS1 MOMMY40 

0,Y\ DEVIL1 Y\'RE GO+ TO W910 ,MIRNA :ISP]$4 0,:5 >E WE GO+ TO HAVE ?AT DANC+ P>TY80 

,Y>A COV]$ ,MIRNA'S FACE ) KISSES4 0,H[ AB\T ,SUNDAY8 ,NO1 ,JULIA CAN'T COME !N4 ,A WEEK FROM TONI<T80 

0,Y\R FA!R & ,I WILL SET ! /AGE2 Y\ BR+ ! *>ACT]S4 ,FAIR80 

0,Y\'RE FAIR1 MOMMY4 ,Y\'RE ALWAYS FAIR4 ,Y\ WON'T *ANGE Y\R M9D80 

0,& IF ,I DO80 

0,WE'LL HAVE ! P>TY ANYWAY60 

,= A :OLE WEEK ,MIRNA WAS A P]SON ,I HAD NEV] KN[N4 ,%E'S ALWAYS BE5 5]GETIC1 BUT ON ?AT ,FRIDAY TWO WEEKS AGO ,MIRNA SEEM$ TO ACQUIRE ! 5]GY ( A GIRL ,Y>A'S AGE2 %E REM9D$ ME V]Y MU* ( A GIRL ,I KNEW BRIEFLY TW5TY YE>S AGO3 Y\R 5]GETIC TWELVE-YE> OLD 0SI/]40 ,MIRNA SEEM$ TO %$ TW5TY YE>S ( H] LIFE1 TO BECOME A GIRL :O HADN'T LIV$ ?R\< H] HUSB&'S IMPRISONM5T1 H] BRO!R'S MURD]1 H] FA!R'S DEA?1 H] MO!R'S 9SANITY1 H] FIR/-BORN DAU<T]'S DEA?4 

0,SETT+ ! /AGE0 MEANT TRANS=M+ \R LIV+ ROOM 9TO A BALLROOM4 ,ON ,SATURDAY ,MIRNA RAN ALL OV] ! CITY LOOK+ = APPROPRIATE DECORATIONS4 ,WE SP5T ALL DAY ,SUNDAY AS WELL AS ,MONDAY & ,TUESDAY EV5+S REMOV+ ALL ! FURNITURE AS WELL AS ! RUG1 & !N SCRUBB+ & F9I%+ A FLOOR ?AT HADN'T BE5 CLEAN$ S9CE ,MIRNA B\<T ! H\SE ?IRTE5 YE>S AGO4 ,W$NESDAY NI<T WE DECORAT$ \R BALLROOM & ,?URSDAY WE 9/ALL$ ,JULIA'S RECORD PLAY]4 ,MIRNA 9SI/$ ?AT ,Y>A BR+ ONLY RECORDS ) 0REAL0 7NAMELY TRADITIONAL PEASANT7 DANCE MUSIC1 0& NOT ?OSE NOISY ?+S40 

,MEAN:ILE ,Y>A SP5T ! WEEK COLLECT+ ! 0CA/40 ,TWO DAYS BE=E ! BIG EV5T ,I ASK$ H] :OM %E'D 9VIT$4 

,Y>A 5UM]AT$3 0,FIR/ ( ALL !RE'S ME BECAUSE ,I'M GIV+ ! P>TY4 ,!N !RE'S Y\ & MOMMY BECAUSE Y\ DID ALL ! WORK4 ,!N !RE'S ,JULIA BECAUSE ! MUSIC IS H]S & ,SLOBODAN BECAUSE HE'S \R BOYFRI5D4 ,F9ALLY !RE'S ,MR4 ,TOB>K9 BECAUSE HE WANTS TO DANCE & ,JASNA BECAUSE %E'S SO SAD4 ,I WANT$ F\R C\PLES1 BUT ,JASNA WANT$ ME TO 9VITE ,MR4 ,ZABRAN SO ,I TOLD ,JASNA ,I HAD MY REASONS = WANT+ EXACTLY ?REE & A HALF C\PLES4 ,& ,I DO4 ,I'D RA!R HAVE ?REE & A HALF C\PLES ?AN SOMEONE :O MI<T SPOIL EV]Y?+4 ,BUT ,I TOLD ,JASNA NOT TO WORRY2 ,I SAID Y\ C\LDN'T WAIT TO DANCE ) H]40 

0,DEVIL60 

0,PLEASE DON'T CALL ME ?AT1 FA!R60 %E %\T$1 RUNN+ (F TO H] ROOM4 

,! DANC+ P>TY TOOK PLACE A WEEK AGO4 ,IF \R NEI<BOR ,MR4 ,N9OVO HAD BE5 HOME HE MI<T HAVE ?\<T ! REVOLUTION HAD BROK5 \T 9 \R H\SE4 ,MUSIC BL>$ \T ( ALL \R DOORS & W9D[S1 :I* WE KEPT OP5 BECAUSE IT WAS A W>M SPR+ NI<T ) A P]FECTLY CLE> SKY & A FULL MOON4 ,SOMEONE KEPT RUNN+ 9 & \T & >\ND ! H\SE4 ,MR4 ,N9OVO W\LD HAVE BE5 SUBJECT$ TO ! EXP]I5CE ( SEE+ & HE>+ HAPPY HUMAN BE+S4 ,( C\RSE WE W\LDN'T HAVE BE5 AS HAPPY IF ,MR4 ,N9OVO HAD BE5 HOME2 HIS M]E PRES5CE W\LD HAVE DEPRESS$ US & MUFFL$ \R JOY4 ,BUT ,MR4 ,N9OVO WASN'T HOME2 HE HASN'T BE5 HOME = MON?S4 ,MAYBE HE DI$4 

,MIRNA COMPLET$ H] /AGE-SETT+ TASKS BY PLAC+ A RECORD ON ,JULIA'S PLAY]4 ,I SAW ,Y>A P9* ,SLOBODAN'S BEH9D1 & ! TWO GIRLS' BOYFRI5D DUTIFULLY WALK$ UP TO ,JASNA & ASK$ H] TO DANCE4 ,JASNA GRACI\SLY ACCEPT$ H] PUPIL'S 9VITATION1 & ! MOM5T %E PLAC$ H] LEFT H& ON H] HIP1 SNAPP$ ! F+]S ( H] RI<T H& & JUMP$1 ALL ( US W]E MAGICALLY TRANSPORT$ TO ANO!R PLANET4 ,MEEK1 SK9NY ,JASNA1 :O 9 REAL LIFE IS WELL OV] =TY & PROBABLY CLOSE TO FIFTY1 WAS TRANS=M$ ON ! DANCE FLOOR 9TO A /UNN+LY BEAUTIFUL *ILD4 ,%E \TDID H] P>TN] 9 GRACE1 AGILITY & SPE$2 %E WAS UNMI/AKABLY ! Y\NG] ( ! PAIR4 ,H] USUALLY SAD & TR\BL$ FACE WAS AN EXPRESSION ( PURE JOY COV]$ ONLY BY H] LONG HAIR1 :I* %E P]IODICALLY SWEPT BACK LIKE A FAN BY SW++ H] HEAD 9 RHY?M TO ! MUSIC4 ,I C\LD HAVE SP5T ! RE/ ( ! NI<T LEAN+ ON ! WALL1 WAT*+ ,JASNA DANCE4 

,BUT IT WAS ,Y>A'S P>TY1 & ,Y>A WASN'T AB\T TO LET ME DO AS ,I WI%$4 ,%E MU/ HAVE P9*$ ,JULIA'S BEH9D BECAUSE AS SOON AS ! FIR/ RECORD 5D$1 ,JULIA WAS /&+ 9 FRONT ( ME ) BO? H&S /RET*$ \T1 ASK+ ME TO DANCE4 

0,I'M V]Y FLATT]$10 ,I TOLD ,JULIA1 0BUT ,I'LL HAVE TO TAKE SOME LESSONS FIR/40 

0,Y\ DON'T NE$ LESSONS1 ,MR4 ,VO*EK10 ,JULIA %\T$4 0,Y>A %[$ ME H[ Y\ DANC$2 IT'S SU* FUN ?AT WE BO? TAU<T ,SLOBODAN TO DANCE ! WAY Y\ DO40 

0,OH1 %E DID1 DID %E80 ,I ASK$1 ANNOY$ BY ?IS 9=MATION4 ,LOOK+ ANGRILY AT ,MIRNA ,I %\T$1 0,WELL1 ,I'LL HAVE Y\ KN[ ?AT ,I WAS UND] A MAGICIAN'S SPELL :5 ,I %[$ ,Y>A ?AT DANCE60 

,MIRNA LAU<$1 ?REW ME A KISS1 & LOOK$ = ANO!R RECORD4 ,I FELT ,Y>A AT MY SIDE1 PULL+ MY >M2 :5 ,I B5T D[N %E BIT MY E> & :ISP]$1 0,COME ON1 FA!R1 DON'T BE SU* A C[>D40 ,! MUSIC />T$ PLAY+4 

0,ALL RI<T1 ,C9D]ELLA10 ,I SAID FIRMLY1 BRAC+ MYSELF AGA9/ ! WALL4 0,SO Y\'D LIKE TO DO ! DANCE ,I %[$ MY DAU<T]8 ,V]Y WELL60 ,I /UCK \T MY >MS & ,JULIA PULL$ ME AWAY FROM ! WALL4 ,WE W]E 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! DANCE FLOOR2 EV]YONE'S EYES W]E ON US2 ,JULIA JUMP$ UP & D[N4 ,SUDD5LY ,I GOT 9TO ! SPIRIT ( ! ?+4 ,I ACTUALLY DANC$ = ! FIR/ TIME 9 MY LIFE4 ,I B5T D[N1 PICK$ UP ,JULIA1 & />T$ TURN+ >\ND ) H]4 ,%E HOLL]$4 ,! RECORD ,MIRNA HAD PICK$ \T WAS V]Y FA/1 SO ,I SPUN FA/] & FA/]4 ,UN=TUNATELY ,I GOT DIZZY MU* FA/] ?AN ,MIRNA HAD ON ! DAY %E HAD FIR/ %[$ ME MY DANCE4 ,I HIT MY HEAD AGA9/ ! WALL & DROPP$ ,JULIA TO ! FLOOR4 

,9 DISMAY ,I RU%$ AWAY FROM ! WALL ?9K+ ,JULIA MI<T BE HURT1 BUT ,I C\LDN'T SEE H]2 OR RA!R1 ,I SAW ANY NUMB] ( ,JULIAS SP9N+ ALL OV] ! FLOOR4 ,ONE ( !M F\ND MY H&1 PULL$ IT TO H] LIPS1 & %\T$1 0,HEY1 ,MR4 ,VO*EK1 DON'T =GET ! 5D ( ! DANCE60 ,I HAD 9 FACT =GOTT54 ,AS ,I B5T D[N1 ,I FELL RI<T ON TOP ( :AT MU/ HAVE BE5 ! ONE REAL ,JULIA1 KISS$ H] T5 & A HALF YE> OLD LIPS1 RAIS$ MYSELF UP PR\DLY & /AGG]$ TO A CORN] ( ! ROOM4 ,FROM MY CORN] ,I HE>D MY APPRECIATIVE AUDI5CE FILL ! ROOM ) LAU<T]4 

,AS SOON AS MY P]=MANCE 5D$1 ,JULIA & ,SLOBODAN WALK$ \T ( ! H\SE H& 9 H&1 UND\BT$LY 9 ORD] TO DET]M9E :E!R %E OR ,I HAD WON ! B\T4 ,MIRNA BUSILY HUNT$ = ANO!R RECORD :ILE ,Y>A PLANT$ H]SELF 9 FRONT ( ,ZD5EK4 

0,OH1 ,I CAN'T DANCE ! WAY Y\R FA!R CAN10 ,ZD5EK SAID %YLY4 

,I %\T$1 0,COME ON1 ,ZD5EK1 DON'T BE SU* A C[>D60 

,Y>A PULL$ HIM TO ! C5T] ( ! DANCE FLOOR SAY+1 0,I DON'T WANT EV]YONE TO DANCE ! SAME WAY60 

,ZD5EK & ,Y>A DANC$ -- OR RA!R ,Y>A DANC$ >\ND ,ZD5EK1 :O DID NOT BECOME TRANS=M$ 9TO A BOY ON ! DANCE FLOOR2 HE RETA9$ HIS NE>LY SIXTY YE>S4 

,SUDD5LY ,MIRNA />T$ *UCKL+4 0,HEY ,ZD5EK1 Y\'RE WOND]FUL60 %E %\T$ ) GLEE4 0,Y\ DANCE JU/ LIKE A PEASANT ,I LOV$ ONCE2 Y\ EV5 LOOK LIKE HIM60 

,I WASN'T AS IMPRESS$ AS ,MIRNA4 ,ZD5EK LOOK$ LIKE HE WAS DANC+ ONLY SO LONG AS ,I KEPT MY EYES ABOVE HIS WAI/2 AS SOON AS ,I LOOK$ AT HIS FEET ,I NOTIC$ !Y B>ELY BUDG$2 ONE ( HIS KNEES B5T OCCASIONALLY4 ,AS SOON AS ,JASNA BUR/ \T LAU<+ ,I REALIZ$ ,MIRNA'S COMPLIM5T WAS A JOKE4 

,EV5 SO1 ,ZD5EK TURN$ TO ,MIRNA & B[$ MAJE/ICALLY4 0,?ANK Y\1 ,I'M V]Y FLATT]$40 

0,DON'T BE10 ,I SAID2 0%E MEANS H] FA!R40 

,AS SOON AS ,I SAID ?AT1 ,Y>A /OPP$ DANC+1 LOOK$ UP AT ,ZD5EK'S FACE & %\T$1 0,Y\ DO LOOK JU/ LIKE HIM6 ,/AY RI<T !RE6 ,DON'T MOVE60 ,Y>A RAN \T ( ! ROOM & RETURN$ ) A PHOTOGRAPH ( ,MIRNA'S FA!R4 0,LOOK60 %E %\T$ TO ,ZD5EK4 0,Y\ LOOK JU/ LIKE HIM60 

,ZD5EK SEEM$ UNCONV9C$4 0,WELL10 HE SAID1 0HE DOES HAVE A MU/A*E40 

,JASNA & ,I LAU<$2 ,MIRNA BLU%$4 

0,?AT'S :AT ,I CAN CALL Y\60 ,Y>A ANN\NC$ VICTORI\SLY4 

0,MU/A*E80 ,ZD5EK ASK$4 

0,NO1 SILLY6 ,GR&FA!R60 

0,WON'T Y\R REAL GR&FA!R BE JEAL\S80 

0,HE DI$ :5 ,I WAS A YE> OLD40 

,ALL W]E SIL5T :ILE ! RECORD COMPLET$ ITS MELODY4 ,Y>A LEFT ! ROOM ) ! PHOTOGRAPH ( H] GR&FA!R4 ,JULIA & ,SLOBODAN RETURN$4 ,MIRNA />T$ A NEW RECORD1 WALK$ T[>D ,ZD5EK & ASK$ COYLY1 0,W\LD Y\ DANCE ) ME1 GR&FA!R80 

0,DO ,I LOOK LIKE Y\R GR&FA!R TOO80 ,ZD5EK ASK$ ) DISMAY4 0,?AT'S NO LONG] SO FLATT]+40 

0,MY FA!R1 !N4 ,Y>A'S GR&FA!R1 MY FA!R40 

0,& ! PEASANT Y\ LOV$ ONCE80 HE ASK$4 

,MIRNA BLU%$1 !N B[$ AS MAJE/ICALLY TO ,ZD5EK AS HE HAD TO H] & />T$ TO DANCE >\ND HIM4 ,I WAS AGA9 TRANSPORT$ \T ( ?IS WORLD4 ,! WOMAN ON ! DANCE FLOOR WAS ! PEASANT GIRL ,I HAD FALL5 9 LOVE ) F\RTE5 YE>S AGO1 BUT %E WAS MORE1 9F9ITELY MORE4 ,I'VE LOV$ ,MIRNA = F\RTE5 YE>S1 ONLY SIX ( :I* ,I'VE SP5T ) H]4 ,BUT ! WOMAN DANC+ ) ,ZD5EK WAS SOMEONE ,I HAD NEV] KN[N1 SOMEONE :OSE EXI/5CE HAD NEV] BE5 POSSIBLE1 SOMEONE :O BUR/ 9TO LIFE FULLY GR[N AFT] MORE ?AN TWO DECADES ( REPRESS$ GR[?4 ,H] MOTIONS W]5'T AGILE OR LI<T1 LIKE ,JASNA'S1 BUT SL[1 DELIB]ATE1 ALMO/ WILLFUL4 ,9/EAD ( ,JASNA'S GRACE1 ,MIRNA'S DANCE EXPRESS$ A C]TA9 DIGNITY1 ! DIGNITY ( A /UBBORN HUMAN BE+ DET]M9$ TO REA* H] GOAL4 

,Y>A & ,JULIA PLANT$ !MSELVES NEXT TO ! DANC]S & TRI$ TO IMITATE !M4 ,JULIA DID AN EXCELL5T R5DITION ( ,MIRNA'S DELIB]ATE1 CALCULAT$1 ALMO/ ME*ANICAL MOTIONS2 ONLY H] FACIAL EXPRESSION WAS WRONG2 ,JULIA SMIL$2 ,MIRNA'S FACE WAS SOMB]1 DI/ANT4 ,Y>A C\LDN'T /OP LAU<+ :ILE %E IMITAT$ ,ZD5EK'S MOTIONLESS DANCE4 ,H] FRI5D ,SLOBODAN *ANG$ ! RECORD & REMA9$ /&+ BY ! PLAY]2 HE LOOK$ T]RIBLY BOR$4 

,MY REV]IES 5D$ :5 ,I SAW ,JASNA'S H&S REA*+ = M9E4 ,%E LOOK$ SAD1 OLD & SK9NY AGA94 0,Y\R DAU<T] PROMIS$10 %E SAID4 

0,I KN[10 ,I SAID APOLOGETICALLY4 0,BUT Y\'VE ALREADY SE5 ! ONLY DANCE ,I CAN DO40 ,A G5]\S1 BEAUTIFUL SMILE FLA%$ ACROSS ,JASNA'S FACE4 ,I SUDD5LY WANT$ TO PICK H] UP AS ,I HAD PICK$ UP ,JULIA4 0,W\LD Y\ LIKE TO BE SPUN80 

,JASNA FLU%$4 0,?AT'S NOT EXACTLY :AT ,I HAD 9 M9D40 

,MIRNA %\T$1 0,GO ON1 ,JASNA1 DON'T BE SU* A C[>D60 ,%E & ,ZD5EK DANC$ /RAI<T \T ( ! H\SE1 FOLL[$ BY ,JASNA & ,Y>A4 

,JASNA PULL$ ME TO ! C5T] ( ! FLOOR4 0,I'LL GIVE Y\ ?AT LESSON Y\ WANT$40 

0,Y\ JU/ DANCE10 ,I 9SI/$1 0& ,I'LL /& /ILL LIKE ,ZD5EK40 

0,Y\ HAVE TO HAVE KN[N H[ TO DANCE V]Y WELL TO /& /ILL ! WAY ,ZD5EK DOES4 ,PUT Y\R RI<T >M \T1 JUMP ON Y\R LEFT FOOT1 KICK ) Y\R RI<T -- DON'T BE SO /IFF1 ,Y>O/AN60 

,I WAS QUICKLY EXHAU/$4 ,ZD5EK WAS COV]$ BY SWEAT :5 HE RETURN$4 ,SLOBODAN WAS AB\T TO />T ANO!R RECORD BUT ,MIRNA /OPP$ HIM4 0,LET'S RE/ = A :ILE4 ,ISN'T ANYONE HUNGRY8 ,WE HAVE ALL ?AT FOOD & BE]60 

,Y>A HELP$ ,MIRNA COV] ! DANCE FLOOR ) FOOD4 ,WE SAT ON ! FLOOR EAT+1 DR9K+1 SMIL+ SIL5TLY4 ,WE W]E 9T5SELY HAPPY4 

,UN=TUNATELY ,SLOBODAN WAS BOR$1 ,HE LEFT \R CIRCLE & TOOK A WALK 9SIDE ! H\SE4 ,HE F\ND HIS WAY TO ,MIRNA'S & MY ROOM & TURN$ ON ! RADIO4 ,A PI]C+1 ALI5 S\ND BROKE ?R\< ! SIL5CE4 

0444,U,N,D,] ,! ,P,R,E,T,E,X,T ,?,A,T ,\,R ,P,O,P,U,L,A,T,I,O,N ,I,S ,\,T ,( ,C,O,N,T,R,O,L4 ,M,I,L,I,T,>,Y ,M,A,N,E,U,V,],S ,H,A,V,E ,B,E,5 ,O,B,S,],V,$ ,94440 

,I LEAP$ TO MY FEET & RAN TO TURN ! APP>ATUS (F4 ,BUT IT WAS TOO LATE2 ! H>M HAD ALREADY BE5 DONE4 

0,! TANKS60 ,MIRNA %RIEK$4 ,%E />T$ COLLECT+ DI%ES & EMPTY BOTTLES1 BUT ON ! WAY TO ! KIT*5 %E DROPP$ !M & RAN TO H] ROOM SOBB+4 0,JU/ LIKE TWELVE YE>S AGO60 

,SLOBODAN WALK$ T[>D ,Y>A ) A FRI<T5$ EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE2 HE DIDN'T UND]/& :AT HE HAD DONE4 ,Y>A PUT H] H& ON HIS %\LD] & TOLD HIM CONSOL+LY1 0,DON'T LOSE SLEEP OV] IT2 SOME?+ WAS B\ND TO SET ?AT (F4 ,%E'LL BE HAPPY AGA9 TOMORR[40 ,!N %E RAN TO ,MIRNA'S ROOM4 

,JULIA PULL$ ,SLOBODAN \T ( ! H\SE1 SAY+ TO ME1 0,?ANK Y\ = DANC+ ) ME1 ,MR4 ,VO*EK40 

,JASNA HELP$ ME CLE> ! RE/ ( ! FLOOR & !N W5T TO ?ANK ,MIRNA & ,Y>A = ! P>TY4 ,ON H] WAY \T %E %OOK MY H&2 ! FAMILI> SADNESS WAS BACK ON H] FACE4 

,ZD5EK WALK$ TO ! B$ROOM DOORWAY & SAID1 0,! TANKS W]E !RE ALREADY YE/]DAY1 ,MIRNA2 !Y'RE ALWAYS !RE1 & !Y'RE ALWAYS ON SOME MANEUV]S40 

0,BUT !Y C\LDN'T HAVE TAK5 HAPP9ESS AWAY FROM MIS]ABLE PEOPLE10 ,MIRNA SOBB$4 

0,!Y'RE NOT YET TAK+ ANY?+ AWAY1 ,MIRNA10 HE SAID HESITANTLY4 0,IT ISN'T C]TA940 

,ZD5EK WASN'T C]TA9 EI!R2 HE /AGG]$ SLI<TLY AS HE LEFT ! H\SE4 ,HE SEEM$ TO FEEL DEPRESS$1 ! WAY HE MU/ FEEL AFT] SP5D+ AN EV5+ AT ! B>4 

,LA/ ,SATURDAY1 AFT] HELP+ ,Y>A RETURN ,JULIA'S PHONOGRAPH & RECORDS1 ,I HELP$ ,MIRNA TURN ! BALLROOM BACK TO A LIV+ ROOM4 ,Y>A SP5T MO/ ( ! DAY PACK+4 ,! FOLL[+ MORN+ %E LEFT ! H\SE ) A PACK ON H] BACK = AN \T+ TO ! M\NTA9S4 ,Y>A & SEV]AL ( H] FRI5DS1 9CLUD+ ,JULIA & ,SLOBODAN1 HAD LOOK$ =W>D TO ?IS \T+ = SEV]AL MON?S2 !Y HAD PLANN$ IT DUR+ A DEMON/RATION CELEBRAT+ ! RETURN ( A TEA*] :O HAD BE5 >RE/$ & FIR$4 ,!Y HAD ORIG9ALLY 9T5D$ TO 9VITE ?AT TEA*] BUT NO O!R ADULT TO ACCOMPANY !M ON ! \T+4 ,BE=E ! S*OOL T]M 5D$ !Y TALK$ !MSELVES 9TO TAK+ ! TRIP UNACCOMPANI$ BY TEA*]S1 P>5TS OR ANYONE OLD] ?AN TWELVE4 

,ON ,MONDAY MORN+ ,MIRNA & ,I RETURN TO \R JOBS4 ,! AIR AT ! C>TON PLANT IS F\L4 ,EV]YONE 9 ! PLANT SEEMS TO HAVE HE>D ! SAME RADIO BROADCA/4 ,I WORK SIL5TLY1 KEEP TO MYSELF1 & REFUSE TO P>TICIPATE 9 SPECULATIONS AB\T TROOP & TANK MOVEM5TS4 ,I LEAVE ! PLANT E>LY 9 ! AFT]NOON ) A SPLITT+ HEADA*E4 ,:5 ,I GET HOME ,I F9D Y\R LETT] 9 \R BOX2 ,I F9I% READ+ IT A FEW M9UTES BE=E ,MIRNA RETURNS FROM WORK4 ,I H& H] Y\R LETT]1 BUT %E BRU%ES IT ASIDE SAY+ %E'S 0TOO TIR$ TO READ AB\T O!R PEOPLE'S PROBLEMS40 ,I SET \T ! FOOD ,I'D COOK$ :ILE READ+ Y\R LETT]1 BUT ,MIRNA DOESN'T EAT2 %E ONLY /IRS ! FOOD ANGRILY4 ,AT LA/ %E /OPS /IRR+ & SLAMS H] =K D[N ON ! TABLE4 

0,Y\ VOT$ AGA9/ /RIK+80 ,I V5TURE4 

0,?AT'S RI<T1 ,Y>O/AN4 ,I VOT$ AGA9/ /RIK+4 ,ALL LA/ WEEK ,I WAS = IT2 EV]YONE WAS2 IT W\LD HAVE BE5 UNANIM\S4 ,BUT ! VOTE WAS ?IS MORN+1 & ?IS MORN+ WE DIDN'T EMBRACE 9 ! AISLES OR ?R[ SPOOLS4 ,I WAS ! FIR/ TO VOTE AGA9/ IT4 ,:5 SOMEONE ASK$ IF ANYONE WAS OPPOS$1 ,I WAS ! FIR/ TO RAISE MY H&4 ,& JU/ AS ,I EXPECT$1 ANO!R H& W5T UP AFT] M9E1 & !N ANO!R4 ,9 A M9UTE AT LEA/ HALF ! H&S W]E RAIS$4 ,IF WE'D WAIT$ ANO!R M9UTE1 ALL ! H&S W\LD HAVE BE5 UP2 IT W\LD HAVE BE5 UNANIM\S4 ,WE TALK$ AB\T /RIK+ ONCE BE=E1 TWELVE YE>S AGO4 ,WE EMBRAC$1 WE CRI$ FROM JOY1 WE LOV$ EA* O!R & ! WORLD TWELVE YE>S AGO1 BUT ONLY = AN 9/ANT4 ,IT WAS \R JOY ITSELF ?AT BR\<T ! DE/RUCTION ( ALL WE LOV$4 ,!RE ISN'T A P]SON 9 ! WORK%OP :O CAN =GET ?AT40 

,MIRNA IS WRONG 9 PLAC+ ! BLAME ON ! VICTIMS ( ! REPRESSION4 ,BUT ,I DON'T HAVE ! N]VE TO CONFRONT OR CONSOLE H] ) ,ZD5EK'S >GUM5TS4 ,I GO TO B$ %ORTLY AFT] %E DOES4 ,BUT ,I CAN'T EASILY FALL ASLEEP4 ,I'M TOO DEPRESS$4 

,?IS IS ! MOOD WE'RE 9 :5 Y\R LETT] >RIVES4 ,! FOLL[+ AFT]NOON -- ! DAY BE=E ,I />T ?IS LETT] -- ,I LEAVE ! C>TON PLANT E>LY AGA9 & WALK TO ,JASNA'S H\SE4 ,%E HAD WANT$ SO BADLY TO BE TOLD :5 ANO!R LETT] FROM Y\ >RIV$4 ,& %E'S OV]JOY$4 ,JASNA1 APP>5TLY1 HAS NOT SP5T ! PREVI\S TWO DAYS SPECULAT+ AB\T TANK MOVEM5TS4 ,%E RUNS \T ( H] H\SE1 KISSES ME ON ! *EEK & EXCLAIMS EXCIT$LY1 0,I CAN'T WAIT TO READ IT6 ,I'VE FELT SO WOND]FUL S9CE Y\R P>TY1 ,I CAN'T TELL Y\ --0 

0,!N AT LEA/ DON'T TELL ,MIRNA2 %E'S CONV9C$ ?AT HAPP9ESS IS 9EVITABLY ! PRELUDE TO --0 

0,OH1 ,Y>O/AN1 DON'T BE SO MEAN TO H]40 ,JASNA PUTS H] >M ?R\< M9E AS WE WALK T[>D A /ORE ON \R WAY TO MY H\SE4 0,MIRNA IS FRI<T5$4 ,DON'T Y\ ?9K ,I AM80 

,JASNA READS Y\R LETT] :ILE ,I PREP>E A MEAL ) ! GROC]IES %E & ,I B\<T4 ,I AVOID TELL+ H] AB\T ,MIRNA'S /RIKE VOTE SO AS NOT TO DE/ROY ! PRETTY SMILE ?AT SO TRANS=MS H] USUALLY SAD FACE4 ,JASNA IS /ILL READ+ :5 ,MIRNA RETURNS FROM WORK4 ,)\T GREET+ EI!R ,JASNA OR ME1 ,MIRNA WALKS /RAI<T TO ! B$ROOM4 ,JASNA GIVES ME A BEWILD]$ LOOK1 BUT ,I T5D TO MY COOK+2 ,I SUPPOSE %E ?9KS ,MIRNA & ,I HAD AN >GUM5T4 ,:5 ,I F9I% ! MEAL1 ,JASNA SMILES TO ME BUT SEEMS F> AWAY2 %E SEEMS TO BE 9 ! H\SE BEH9D ! G>AGE ) Y\ & ,SAB9A1 ) ,TISSIE & ,JOSE4 ,I WAKE ,MIRNA & %E DRAGS H]SELF TO ! TABLE ) A SULL5 EXPRESSION4 0,I SUPPOSE Y\ KN[ ALL AB\T IT10 %E GRUMBLES TO ,JASNA4 

,JASNA GIGGLES & WAVES Y\R LETT] 9 ! AIR4 0,?AT'S :Y ,I CAME6 ,I ?9K IT'S M>VEL\S60 

0,MIRNA MEANS H] /RIKE10 ,I TELL H]1 REGRETT+ N[ ?AT ,I HADN'T M5TION$ IT E>LI]4 

0,!RE'S GO+ TO BE NO /RIKE10 ,MIRNA GRUMBLES4 

,! SMILE LEAVES ,JASNA'S FACE4 0,I'M AWFULLY SORRY4 ,I DIDN'T KN[40 

0,DIDN'T Y\80 ,MIRNA ASKS BITT]LY4 0,ZD5EK IS WRONG1 ALL WRONG4 ,( C\RSE WE LOCK \RSELVES UP TO /OP !M FROM DO+ IT4 ,IT'S SO MU* LESS PA9FUL :5 WE DO IT \RSELVES1 & WE 9FLICT SO MU* LESS H>M ON ?OSE WE LOVE40 ,?IS IS NOT ! SAME ,MIRNA :O1 AFT] READ+ Y\R PREVI\S LETT]1 HAD 5?USIA/ICALLY PRAIS$ Y\ = BE+ 0A BORN TR\BLEMAK] JU/ LIKE ,JAN & ,Y>A40 ,BE=E />T+ TO EAT %E REA*ES = Y\R LETT] & GRUMBLES1 0,LET ME SEE SOME?+ M>VEL\S40 

0,IT'S WORSE :5 WE DO IT TO \RSELVES1 ,MIRNA2 ,I DON'T AGREE ) Y\10 ,JASNA SAYS HESITANTLY4 

0,YES Y\ DO60 ,MIRNA SNAPS4 0,Y\'VE DONE IT ALL Y\R LIFE60 ,%E READS ! BEG9N+ ( Y\R LETT] :ILE EAT+1 TURN+ ! PAGES IMPATI5TLY1 ANGRILY4 ,SUDD5LY %E /OPS READ+1 PU%ES Y\R LETT] AWAY & />ES -- AT NO?+1 9TO SPACE4 ,H] EYES HAVE A GLASSY LOOK3 NOT SAD1 BUT REMOV$4 

,JASNA'S EYES ALREADY HAVE TE>S 9 !M4 0,DON'T JUDGE !M1 ,MIRNA1 PLEASE4 ,!Y NEV] /OPP$1 NEV] RETREAT$1 NEV] GAVE UP4 ,I KN[ !M1 BO? ( !M1 BUT ,I NEV] KNEW :AT FIRES BURN$ 9 !M4 ,I KNEW ,SAB9A WAS A DEVIL2 ALL ( US KNEW4 ,BUT ALL ! O!R DEVILS ,I'VE KN[N W]E TAM$ BE=E !Y LEFT ELEM5T>Y S*OOL4 ,%E WAS H>DLY OLD] ?AN ,Y>A !N4 ,& :O C\LD HAVE IMAG9$ :AT PASSION WAS CONC5TRAT$ 9SIDE ,SOPHIA1 ?AT PRIM1 POLITE1 EXAGG]AT$LY CORRECT Y\NG LADY8 ,I DON'T HAVE A VANTAGE PO9T FROM :I* TO JUDGE !M1 ,MIRNA4 ,I CAN ONLY GASP ) ADMIRATION = SU* UNQU5*ABLE DESIRE1 SU* BURN+ PASSION4 ,IT'S SOME?+ ,I'VE NEV] --0 

0,SOME ( US SUFF]$ ! CONSEQU5CES ( ?AT PASSION1 SOME ( US PAID ! DEVIL'S PRICE10 ,MIRNA GRUMBLES4 

,JASNA1 APP>5TLY UNABLE TO CONTROL ! FL[+ TE>S1 OBJECTS4 0,I SUFF]$ ONLY ! CONSEQU5CES1 ,MIRNA1 NEV] ! PASSION4 ,I LIV$ MY :OLE LIFE ) MY M9D ON ! CONSEQU5CES & ,I 5D$ UP PAY+ ) MY LIFE & GETT+ NO?+ 9 RETURN4 ,Y\'RE T]RIBLY WRONG1 ,MIRNA4 ,!RE'S NO?+ MORE PA9FUL ?AN TO LOOK BACK ON A LIFE :I* HAD NO SATISFI$ DESIRES1 A LIFE ?AT HADN'T EV] BE5 LIV$4 ,H[ ,I ADMIRE ,SOPHIA & ,SAB9A6 ,H[ ,I 5VY !M6 ,IF ,I HAD BE5 ONLY A LITTLE BIT LIKE !M6 ,IF ,I HAD ONLY HAD A LITTLE C\RAGE TO REA* = :AT ,I DESIR$60 

0,& ! C\RAGE TO RUN AWAY FROM ! CONSEQU5CES1 ,JASNA60 

0,LET !M BE1 ,MIRNA1 ?OSE CONSEQU5CES2 LET ! DEVIL TAKE !M40 

0,! DEVIL NEV] TAKES ! CONSEQU5CES60 

0,MIRNA1 PLEASE6 ,Y\ DON'T KN[ !M4 ,Y\ HAV5'T F9I%$ ,SOPHIA'S LETT]4 ,Y\ DON'T KN[ :AT C\RAGE --0 

,MIRNA RUDELY CUTS ,JASNA %ORT4 0,DON'T KEEP REPEAT+ ?AT ,I DON'T KN[ !M4 ,& DON'T Y\ TALK TO ME AB\T C\RAGE & PASSION6 ,Y\1 :O'VE NEV] LET Y\RSELF BE DRIV5 BY PASSION1 :O'VE NEV] 9 Y\R LIFE HAD ! C\RAGE TO REA* \T & SATISFY A DESIRE4 ,H[ SORRY ,I FELT = Y\ ! NI<T Y\ TOLD US Y\'D LET EV]Y DESIR$ BE+ SLIP BY Y\ UNT\*$4 ,YET Y\ TALK AB\T C\RAGE & PASSION4 ,H[ PITIFUL6 ,H[ MANY LOV]S HAVE Y\ EMBRAC$ ONLY 9 Y\R NOVELS1 ,JASNA8 ,TITUS1 ,Y>O/AN1 ?AT ,ADRIAN & H[ MANY O!RS80 

0,MIRNA1 ?AT'S T]RIBLY1 T]RIBLY CRUEL40 ,JASNA CRIES LIKE A *ILD4 

,I BEG ,MIRNA NOT TO GO ON1 BUT %E SEEMS NOT TO HE> ME2 H] EYES >E GLASSY2 H] EXPRESSION IS COLD & DI/ANT2 %E SEEMS TO BE TALK+ AS MU* TO H]SELF AS TO ,JASNA4 

0,MEEK ,JASNA1 SP9ELESS ,JASNA ADVIS$ ME TO LET ! DEVIL TAKE ! CONSEQU5CES4 ,ISN'T ?AT CRUEL1 T]RIBLY CRUEL8 ,:]E WAS ,JASNA :5 ! DEVIL REFUS$ TO TAKE !M8 ,I TOOK ! DEVIL 9TO MY BLOOD2 ! DEVIL'S PASSION FL[$ 9 MY VE9S4 ,I REA*$ \T1 T\*$1 GRASP$ & EMBRAC$ ?OSE ! DEVIL DROVE ME TO DESIRE4 ,BUT ! DEVIL DIDN'T TAKE ! CONSEQU5CES4 ,MY BRO!R1 MY FA!R & MY MO!R TOOK ! CONSEQU5CES4 ,VESNA TOOK ! CONSEQU5CES4 ,Y>O/AN & ,I SUFF]$ ! CONSEQU5CES4 ,! DEVIL RAN60 

,WIP+ H] FACE & TRY+ TO CONTROL H]SELF1 ,JASNA SAYS1 0,I KN[ ! HORRORS Y\'VE LIV$ ?R\< = ! PA/ TWELVE YE>S1 ,MIRNA4 ,I KN[ Y\'VE HAD F> MORE ?AN Y\R %>E4 ,I KN[ !Y'VE DE/ROY$ Y\R PA/4 ,:Y DO Y\ LET !M DE/ROY Y\R PRES5T & Y\R FUTURE8 ,Y\'RE AT LEA/ FIFTE5 YE>S Y\NG] ?AN ,I AM4 ,?AT'S A :OLE G5]ATION1 ,MIRNA1 TIME 5\< = A :OLE LIFE4 ,:Y DO Y\ MAKE Y\RSELF DO WILLFULLY :AT ,I C\LDN'T HELP DO+8 ,:Y >E Y\ /RANGL+ Y\RSELF FROM BO? DIRECTIONS8 ,BRU% ME AWAY2 RUB ME \T ) ! SOLE ( Y\R %OE6 ,I NEV] ASK$ Y\ TO TAKE ME = A MODEL4 ,BUT :Y TURN AGA9/ !M 9 ! SAME BREA?8 ,IF Y\ HAD KN[N !M1 EV5 IF ONLY = AN 9/ANT60 

,AL?\< IT IS TRIVIAL TO ! PO9T ,JASNA IS MAK+1 ,I CL>IFY A FACTUAL DETAIL TO :I* ,JASNA REF]S CON/ANTLY BUT MI/AK5LY4 0,MIRNA DID 9 FACT KN[ ,SAB9A = AN 9/ANT4 ,Y\ PROBABLY REMEMB] ?AT ,SAB9A WAS ,JAN'S COMPANION DUR+ ?OSE FEW DAYS BE=E \R >RE/4 ,ONE DAY ,JAN 9TRODUC$ ,SAB9A TO HIS P>5TS & TO ,MIRNA --0 

0,:AT DO Y\ MEAN BY '9TRODUC$1' ,Y>O/AN80 ,MIRNA ASKS4 0,JAN BR\<T Y\ TO ! H\SE TOGE!R ) ,SAB9A --0 

0,I DIDN'T 9T5D TO GIVE A FULL DESCRIPTION BECAUSE ,I DON'T SEE :AT IT HAS TO DO ) --0 

0,Y\ DIDN'T SEE !N1 Y\ DON'T SEE N[ & Y\ NEV] WILL SEE60 ,MIRNA SNAPS4 

,JASNA PURSUES H] >GUM5T A /EP FUR!R4 0,H[EV] BRIEFLY Y\ KNEW H]1 ,MIRNA1 DIDN'T %E COMMUNICATE SOME?+ TO Y\1 SOME?+ ,I C\LD NEV] ACT ON1 SOME?+ HAV+ TO DO ) ! PASSION TO LIVE1 UNH9D]$1 UN9HIBIT$1 UNB\ND$ --0 

,! GLASSY EXPRESSION RETURNS TO ,MIRNA'S EYES AS %E DRONES1 0,YES %E DID1 ,JASNA4 ,?AT DEVIL COMMUNICAT$ H] PASSION TO ME1 JU/ AS %E COMMUNICAT$ IT TO ,JAN1 TO ,Y>O/AN1 TO Y\4 ,& :]E WAS %E :5 ! ?REE ( Y\ W]E 9 JAIL80 

0,MIRNA60 ,I PLEAD4 0,?AT'S REALLY \T ( PLACE 9 ?IS DISCUSSION40 

0,:]E WAS %E :5 Y\ W]E TAK5 FROM ME8 ,:]E WAS %E :5 ,JAN DISAPPE>$1 :5 MY FA!R DI$80 

0,?AT'S SO UNFAIR60 ,JASNA EXCLAIMS4 

,MIRNA TURNS H] GLASSY EYES T[>D ,JASNA & ASKS1 )\T ANG]1 ALMO/ 9 A MONOTONE4 0,:Y HAVE ,I HAD TO SUFF] MORE ?AN MY %>E ( ! HORRORS1 ,JASNA8 ,:Y DIDN'T Y\ %>E SOME ( !M ) ME -- AT LEA/ ONE8 ,:]E W]E Y\ :5 ,VESNA WAS DY+8 ,Y\ HAD BE5 ,JAN'S FRI5D AS WELL AS ,Y>O/AN'S40 

,) TE>S RU%+ TO MY EYES1 ,I WALK BEH9D ,MIRNA & PLACE MY H&S ON H] %\LD]S1 TRY+ 9 VA9 TO MAKE H] REALIZE H[ CRUEL1 IRRATIONAL & MISPLAC$ H] ATTACK IS1 BUT ,MIRNA WON'T BE /OPP$4 0,VESNA WAS A PUPIL 9 Y\R S*OOL4 ,Y\ KNEW %E WAS ILL4 ,I NE$$ Y\R C\RAGE !N1 ,JASNA4 ,:]E WAS IT -- 9 Y\R NOVELS8 ,?AT C\RAGE MI<T HAVE SAV$ MY ,VESNA2 %E MI<T /ILL BE ALIVE TODAY4 ,! DEVIL MI<T NOT HAVE TAK5 H] FROM ME40 

,JASNA BACKS AWAY FROM ! TABLE ) A LOOK ( 9T5SE PA91 EV5 HORROR4 0,LET H] GO ON1 ,Y>O/AN10 %E SOBS4 0,IT'S ALL TRUE4 ,I'M A C[>D1 & C[>DS >E ! WOR/ ( ALL ! CRIM9ALS4 ,IT'S BECAUSE ( ALL ! C[>DS ?AT WE'VE LIV$ ?R\< SO MANY HORRORS4 ,I READ MY NOVELS & LET IT ALL HAPP54 ,ALL ( IT6 ,9CLUD+ ,VESNA'S DEA?40 

,JASNA LEAVES \R H\SE CRY+4 ,I RUN AFT] H]1 AFRAID ( :AT %E MI<T DO4 0,I'M T]RIBLY SORRY1 ,JASNA4 ,I C\LDN'T HAVE IMAG9$ %E WAS GO+ TO ?R[ ?AT 9 Y\R FACE TOO40 

0,PLEASE DON'T BE SORRY = ME10 ,JASNA SAYS1 TRY+ TO SMILE ?R\< H] TE>S4 0,%E'S SO P]FECTLY RI<T AB\T ME4 ,I'VE NEV] FAC$ CONSEQU5CES1 & ,I WON'T FACE !M N[ ANY MORE ?AN ,I EV] HAVE40 

0,?AT ALSO TAKES A C]TA9 K9D ( C\RAGE40 

0,?AT K9D IS CALL$ C[>DICE10 %E SAYS1 SMIL+4 

0,IT DOESN'T MAKE Y\ A MON/]40 

,JASNA HUGS ME & RE/S H] WET *EEK ON M9E4 0,IF ,I W]E ONLY A BIT ( A MON/]1 ,Y>O/AN6 ,IF ,I ONLY HAD ! N]VE6 ,IF ,I W]E AT LEA/ V5GEFUL6 ,BUT ,I'M NOT1 & ,I DON'T HAVE ! N]VE4 ,CAN'T Y\ GUESS :AT ,I'LL DO N[8 ,I'LL GO HOME & READ ANO!R NOVEL40 ,%E SMILES AS %E WALKS AWAY4 

,:5 ,I RETURN1 ,MIRNA SITS AT ! KIT*5 TABLE1 />+4 ,I FEEL MAD AT H]2 ,I CONSID] H] ATTACK ON ,JASNA IRRATIONAL1 UNPROVOK$ & HE>TLESS4 0,I DON'T UND]/&1 ,MIRNA4 ,Y\'RE BLAM+ ?AT POOR1 H>MLESS WOMAN = EV]Y?+ ?IS POLICE /ATE DID TO US1 TO \R LIVES1 TO ?OSE WE LOV$4 ,Y\'RE MAK+ ,JASNA A SCAPEGOAT4 ,:Y80 ,MIRNA />ES AT ME BUT DOESN'T SAY ANY?+1 SO ,I CONT9UE4 0,BECAUSE ?AT'S ! WAY Y\ SEE IT1 IS ?AT :Y8 ,HAVE Y\ EV] ?\<T Y\ MI<T BE SEE+ IT WRONG8 ,I ADMIT Y\'RE NOT 9CONSI/5T4 ,Y\ SEE Y\RSELF ! SAME WAY4 ,ACCORD+ TO Y\1 A LETT] S5T TO ME BY ,SOPHIA TWELVE YE>S AGO CAUS$ MY >RE/1 ,JAN'S DISAPPE>ANCE1 Y\R FA!R'S DEA?1 Y\R MO!R'S ILLNESS4 ,IS IT REALLY IMPOSSIBLE = Y\ TO IMAG9E ?AT !RE >E PLACES :]E PEOPLE RECEIVE LETT]S FROM ALL P>TS ( ! WORLD )\T BE+ MOLE/$ BY ! POLICE8 ,CAN'T Y\ UND]/& ?AT ! CAUSE ( ! >RE/S1 ! DEA?S1 ! SUFF]+1 IS ONE & ! SAME8 ,IT'S ?AT ABOM9ATION WE PUT UP ) = ! PA/ TW5TY YE>S4 ,VESNA DIDN'T DIE BECAUSE ( Y\ OR ,JASNA OR ,Y>A4 ,%E SUFFOCAT$ 9 ! ROT2 %E WAS TOO S5SITIVE TO IGNORE IT & TOO FRAGILE TO )/& IT4 ,DO Y\ WANT TO DRIVE ,JASNA TO SUICIDE BY ?R[+ ,VESNA'S DEA? 9 H] FACE80 

0,SUICIDE80 ,MIRNA ASKS COLDLY1 CRUELLY4 0,JASNA8 ,SUICIDE TAKES C\RAGE40 

0,MIRNA1 ,I'VE NEV] SE5 Y\ LIKE ?IS40 

0,HAVE Y\ EV] SE5 ME1 ,Y>O/AN8 ,Y\'VE SE5 A %EPH]DESS :OSE ONLY PASSION WAS TO BUY A PAIR ( CURTA9S & A BABY C>RIAGE1 A PRETTY PEASANT GIRL :OSE DESIRES W]E LIMIT$ TO DISPLAY+ H]SELF 9 ! CITY P>K WE>+ CITY CLO!S40 ,!N %E ADDS1 ) A TRACE ( CONTEMPT1 0,I'VE NEV] BE5 NE> A %EEP 9 MY :OLE LIFE40 ,:ILE SAY+ ?IS1 %E PICKS UP Y\R LETT] & GOES TO ! B$ROOM4 

,MIRNA HAD TOLD ME MORE OR LESS ! SAME ?+ OV] TWO WEEKS AGO1 BUT 9 A MU* FRI5DLI] WAY4 ,AFT] READ+ MY PREVI\S LETT] TO Y\1 %E HAD SAID1 0,IT'S A V]Y PRETTY PORTRAIT1 ?IS ,MIRNA ( Y\RS1 BUT IT'S NOT SOMEONE ,I'D RECOGNIZE IF ,I MET H] ON ! /REET40 ,I HAD RESPOND$ BY SAY+1 0,I APOLOGIZE = ! DI/ORTIONS2 Y\'VE NEV] BE5 V]Y EAG] TO TELL ME AB\T ! REAL ,MIRNA40 0,OBVI\SLY NOT60 %E'D EXCLAIM$1 ?R[+ H] >MS >\ND ME2 0Y\ MI<T NOT LIKE H] AS WELL AS Y\ LIKE Y\R %EPH]DESS40 

,MIRNA IS /ILL AWAKE :5 ,I 5T] ! B$ROOM4 ,%E HAS APP>5TLY F9I%$ Y\R LETT]4 0,ALL RI<T1 ,I'VE NEV] SE5 Y\10 ,I ADMIT1 SITT+ D[N ON ! $GE ( ! B$4 0,I SIMPLY ASSUM$ Y\ H]D$ %EEP 9 ?AT VILLAGE Y\ CAME FROM4 ,?AT'S NOT ! SAME AS HOLD+ ,JASNA RESPONSIBLE = ,VESNA'S DEA?40 

,MIRNA'S RESPONSE IS1 0,I DID ?R[ CORN TO ! *ICK5S 9 \R Y>D1 SO Y\ W]5'T SO F> (F40 

0,CALL+ SOMEONE A %EPH]DESS ISN'T ! SAME AS CALL+ SOMEONE A MURD]]40 

0,I DIDN'T CALL H] A MURD]] BUT A C[>D10 %E SAYS1 YAWN+4 ,SUDD5LY %E =CES ME TO =GET MY ANG] & DROP ! :OLE TOPIC2 %E SITS UP & ASKS1 ) EVID5T CONC]N1 0,Y>O/AN1 H[ IS IT POSSIBLE ?AT ,SOPHIA LOV$ Y\ = ALL !SE YE>S IF Y\ LOV$ H] MO!R80 

,I HAD TOLD ,MIRNA SOME?+ AB\T Y\ SEV]AL MON?S AGO1 A FEW DAYS BE=E ,I WROTE Y\ MY FIR/ LETT]4 ,Y>A HAD TAK5 P>T 9 ! FIR/ DEMON/RATION AT H] S*OOL1 ,MR4 ,N9OVO HAD REPORT$ ME TO ! POLICE1 & ! POLICE HAD COME TO \R H\SE TO W>N US AB\T ,MR4 ,N9OVO4 ,= SEV]AL DAYS ,MIRNA WAS FILL$ ) AFFECTION -- ,I %\LD LE>N TO USE ! RI<T WORD3 PASSION4 ,IT WAS ONE ( ! R>E TIMES 9 ,MIRNA'S EXP]I5CE :5 0TR\BLE0 HAD NOT BE5 FOLL[$ BY FI]CE & UNBE>ABLY PA9FUL REPRESSION4 ,AL?\< WE HAD B>ELY T\*$ EA* O!R S9CE MY RELEASE FROM PRISON TWO YE>S E>LI]1 WE N[ MADE LOVE -- PASSIONATELY -- EV]Y NI<T4 ,ON ONE ( ?OSE NI<TS %E ASK$ ME1 0,:O IS ,SOPHIA ,NA*ALO80 ,I WAS OBVI\SLY /UNN$4 ,I KNEW %E HADN'T EV] KN[N Y\ & ,I C\LDN'T IMAG9E :]E %E'D HE>D ( Y\4 0,H[ 9 ! WORLD DO Y\ KN[ AB\T H]80 0,I DON'T KN[ AB\T H]10 %E SAID2 0,SOPHIA ,NA*ALO WAS ! NAME ( ! S5D] ( ! LETT] ?AT CAME = Y\ AT ! TIME ( ! ,MAG>NA AGITATION40 ,I REMEMB]$ ,MIRNA'S HAV+ TOLD ME AB\T A LETT] :5 %E'D VISIT$ ME 9 PRISON4 0,BUT ,I DIDN'T KN[ ! LETT] HAD COME FROM ,SOPHIA10 ,I TOLD H]4 0,!N ,SOPHIA ,NA*ALO IS A REAL P]SON80 %E ASK$4 0,( C\RSE6 ,:AT MAKES Y\ ?9K %E ISN'T80 ,MIRNA SAID1 0,I C\LD B>ELY UND]/& ! MESS5G] :O BR\<T ! LETT]1 BUT ,I DID UND]/& ?AT HE'D DELIV]$ A SIMIL> LETT] = ,JAN TO MY P>5TS' H\SE & ?AT ! LETT] CAME FROM SOMEONE :O'D KN[N Y\ & ,JAN4 ,SO ,I WAS SURE ! LETT] CAME FROM SOMEONE ELSE1 SOMEONE :O KNEW :]E MY P>5TS LIV$ BECAUSE %E'D BE5 !RE1 SOMEONE :OSE NAME WASN'T ,SOPHIA BUT ,SAB9A40 ,I TOLD ,MIRNA1 0,?AT'S ,SOPHIA'S Y\NG] SI/]40 ,%E EXCLAIM$1 0,!N ,I WASN'T SO F> (F60 0,BUT :AT MAKES Y\ ?9K ( ?AT LETT] N[1 ELEV5 & A HALF YE>S LAT]80 ,I ASK$ H]4 ,MIRNA ANSW]$1 0,BECAUSE ,I'M HAPPY N[1 AS HAPPY AS ,I WAS !N1 & BECAUSE ,I KN[ ,I'LL HAVE TO PAY = ?AT HAPP9ESS1 JU/ AS ,I DID !N4 ,I KNEW ?AT LETT] FROM ,SAB9A WAS ! DEVIL'S BILL ( *>GES1 & ,I /ILL KN[ ?AT'S :AT IT WAS EV5 IF Y\R ,SOPHIA S5T IT40 ,I ASK$1 0,! DEVIL'S :AT8 ,Y\ S\ND JU/ LIKE Y\R CRAZY MO!R :5 Y\ SAY ?+S LIKE ?AT40 ,MIRNA SAID1 0,I DON'T C>E :AT ,I S\ND LIKE4 ,MY MO!R WASN'T AS CRAZY AS PEOPLE ?\<T4 ,TWO H\RS AFT] ?AT LETT] >RIV$ ! POLICE CAME LOOK+ = IT4 ,?AT SAME 9/ANT O!R POLICE W]E AT MY FA!R'S H\SE1 BEAT+ HIM BECAUSE HE REFUS$ TO GIVE !M A LETT] = ,JAN1 ,?AT NI<T ,JAN DISAPPE>$ & Y\ DIDN'T COME HOME40 ,I RESPOND$ ANGRILY1 0,BUT ?AT'S RIDICUL\S6 ,Y\'RE MAK+ ! SO-CALL$ DEVIL RESPONSIBLE = EV5TS ?AT HAVE NO CONNECTION ) EA* O!R4 ,Y\ KN[ P]FECTLY WELL ?AT ,JAN & ,I W]E >RE/$ BECAUSE ( :AT WE W]E DO+ 9 ! /EEL PLANT4 ,& Y\R FA!R C\LDN'T HAVE BE5 BEAT5 BECAUSE HE RECEIV$ A LETT] ?AT NO ONE EV] READ FROM A ,SOPHIA ,NA*ALO HE'D NEV] MET4 ,Y\R FA!R WAS PROBABLY BEAT5 BECAUSE HE WAS ,JAN ,S$LAK'S FA!R4 ,CAN'T Y\ SEE ?AT ?OSE EV5TS W]E PURE CO9CID5CES80 ,MIRNA WAS SIL5T = A :ILE2 !N %E SAID1 C>ESS+ ME G5TLY1 0,ALL RI<T1 LOV]1 ,I'LL PRET5D TO SEE !Y W]E PURE CO9CID5CES IF Y\ TELL ME H[ MU* Y\ LOV$ Y\R ,SOPHIA40 ,?AT WAS :5 6 TOLD ,MIRNA1 0,%E WASN'T MY ,SOPHIA1 & ,I NEV] LOV$ H]40 0,I'M NOT GO+ TO PRET5D Y\'RE RI<T IF Y\ DON'T TELL ME10 %E SAID4 0,BUT IT'S TRUE10 ,I 9SI/$4 0,Y\'VE NEV] REALLY KN[N ME1 ,Y>O/AN10 %E TOLD ME2 0Y\'VE NEV] KN[N ?AT JEAL\SY ISN'T SOME?+ ?AT FL[S 9 MY BLOOD2 IF Y\ BR\<T Y\R ,SOPHIA TO MY B$ ,I'D ONLY LOVE Y\ ALL ! MORE40 ,I SAID1 0,I DON'T BELIEVE Y\1 BUT ,I'M NOT HID+ ANY?+ FROM Y\4 ,ANYWAY1 IT ALL HAPP5$ :5 Y\ W]E /ILL 9 ELEM5T>Y S*OOL1 SO :Y W\LD Y\ BE JEAL\S8 ,I SLEPT ) ,SOPHIA ?REE OR F\R TIMES1 JU/ BE=E \R >RE/1 BUT ,I DIDN'T LOVE H]4 ,IF Y\ WANT TO KN[ ! TRU?1 ,I WAS MADLY 9 LOVE ) ,SOPHIA'S MO!R4 ,I DREAM$ ( ,SOPHIA'S MO!R DUR+ MY :OLE FIR/ PRISON T]M & ,I WAS /ILL 9 LOVE ) H] :5 ,I MET Y\1 :5 WE W]E M>RI$1 :5 ,I WAS >RE/$ ! SECOND TIME40 ,MIRNA PRESS$ ME TO H] & EXCLAIM$ EXCIT$LY1 0,H] MO!R6 ,?AT'S WOND]FUL6 ,I'LL PRET5D ANY?+ Y\ WANT IF Y\ TELL ME AB\T H]4 ,WAS %E ANY?+ LIKE ,SAB9A8 ,:Y DON'T Y\ WRITE H]80 0,%E WAS A DEVIL 9 H] [N WAY10 ,I TOLD H]1 0BUT ,I DON'T LOVE H] ANY MORE4 ,& H[ C\LD ,I WRITE H]8 ,DO Y\ WANT ME TO GO TO ! POLICE & ASK = ,SOPHIA'S ADDRESS8 ,I DON'T EV5 KN[ ?AT ,SOPHIA & H] MO!R >E /ILL TOGE!R40 ,!N ,MIRNA ADMITT$ SLYLY1 0,I MEMORIZ$ ! ADDRESS ON ?AT 5VELOPE40 ,SOME:AT /UPEFI$1 ,I ASK$1 0,& Y\ REMEMB]$ IT UNTIL N[8 ,:Y80 ,%E SAID1 0,BECAUSE ,I ?\<T ! LETT] CAME FROM ,SAB9A40 ,I FELL ASLEEP )\T TELL+ H] AB\T ,LUISA1 & %E DIDN'T ASK AGA9 -- UNTIL TWO NI<TS AGO1 AFT] H] >GUM5T ) ,JASNA4 

,MIRNA'S QUE/ION MAKES ME SWALL[ MY ANG] T[>D H]1 IT MAKES ME =GET MY PITY = ,JASNA4 ,H] QUE/ION BR+S BACK ! EMB>RASSM5T -- ,I %\LD SAY GUILT -- ,I'D FELT ! DAY BE=E1 :ILE READ+ Y\R LETT]4 0,I SUPPOSE ,SOPHIA NEV] KNEW H[ MU* ,I LOV$ ,LUISA1 & ,I SUPPOSE %E /ILL DOESN'T KN[40 

0,SOPHIA ?\<T Y\ LOV$ H]1 DIDN'T %E80 

0,I SUPPOSE %E DID4 ,I KN[ :AT Y\'RE GETT+ AT1 ,MIRNA1 & ,I KN[ Y\'RE RI<T4 ,I WAS A C[>D & ,I'M /ILL A C[>D4 ,I TREAT$ ,SOPHIA V]Y BADLY4 ,YES1 T]RIBLY4 ,& ,I DIDN'T HAVE ! N]VE TO TELL H]4 ,I /ILL DON'T HAVE ! N]VE40 

0,I CAN SEE :Y60 ,MIRNA EXCLAIMS1 GRASP+ Y\R LETT]4 0,:O W\LD HAVE ! N]VE TO TELL SU* A CORRECT Y\NG LADY1 ',I SLEPT ) Y\R MO!R'8 -- A Y\NG LADY SO S5SITIVE TO ! CORRECT AGE & ! CORRECT SEX ( ! CORRECT C\PLE4 ,! ?\<T ?AT ,T9A SLEPT ) ,T$ -- & %E DIDN'T CONV9CE ME ( ?AT -- DROVE H] \T ( H] M9D4 ,AFT] %E CAU<T H] MO!R ) H] BOYFRI5D1 %E DRAMATICALLY LEFT !M BO? & BURI$ H]SELF 9 A FACTORY AL?\< %E OBVI\SLY DIDN'T HAVE TO4 ,%E DOES HAVE SOME?+ 9 COMMON ) \R ,Y>A1 BUT %E ALSO HAS SOME?+ 9 COMMON ) \R ,VESNA4 ,SO Y\ LI$ TO H] TO AVOID HURT+ H]4 ,?AT'S V]Y ?\<TFUL1 ,Y>O/AN4 ,IT %[S Y\ DID LOVE H]4 ,IF ,I HAD ONLY LI$ TO ,VESNA1 & KEPT LY+ TO H]1 %E'D /ILL BE ALIVE TODAY40 

0,I DON'T UND]/&1 ,MIRNA4 ,:Y DO Y\ BR+ UP ,VESNA --0 

,%E CUTS ME %ORT4 0,TELL ME AB\T ,LUISA2 TELL ME EV]Y?+ ,SOPHIA DOESN'T KN[1 & ,I'LL PRET5D TO =GET ,VESNA -- AT LEA/ = ! TIME BE+40 

,TW5TY YE>S ( LY+ IS TW5TY YE>S TOO MANY4 ,I TELL ,MIRNA 0EV]Y?+10 & ,I'M GO+ TO TELL IT ALL TO Y\4 ,I DON'T KN[ H[ ,MIRNA C\LD HAVE HELP$ ,VESNA BY LY+ TO H]1 BUT ,I DO KN[ ?AT ,I'VE 0HELP$0 Y\ 9 JU/ ?AT WAY LONG 5\<1 F> TOO LONG4 ,I UND]/& ?AT Y\ G5U9ELY LOV$ ,JOSE & ,I'M RELIEV$ BY Y\R TELL+ ME ?AT Y\ NEV] FELT ?AT K9D ( LOVE = ME4 ,I DON'T FULLY UND]/& :Y Y\ LEFT ,JOSE & ,I'M EMB>RASS$ BY Y\R 9SI/5CE ?AT ?IS HAD SOME?+ TO DO ) ME4 ,OR RA!R ) 0,Y>O/AN40 ,I ADD ?IS BECAUSE Y\R 0,Y>O/AN0 HAS NO?+ 9 COMMON ) ME2 Y\R 0,Y>O/AN0 IS A PRODUCT ( Y\R IMAG9ATION1 A COMPOSITE ( ALL ! PEOPLE Y\ LOV$1 OR WI%$ Y\ HAD LOV$4 ,! REAL ,Y>O/AN TURN$ TO Y\ ONLY :5 HE FELT REJECT$ & BETRAY$2 HE TURN$ TO Y\ DI%ONE/LY1 HE ABUS$ Y\ & LI$ TO Y\1 HE US$ Y\ AS A SUB/ITUTE1 AS A LA/ RESORT4 ,I KN[ IT'S EXTREMELY CRUDE ( ME TA TELL Y\ ?IS AFT] READ+ Y\R MOV+ ACC\NT ( Y\R PA9FUL EXP]I5CES 9 ,SAB9A'S G>AGE4 ,I'M EXPRESS+ MYSELF AS CRUDELY AS POSSIBLE4 ,:AT W\LD HAVE HAPP5$1 ACCORD+ TO Y\R IMAG9ATION1 IF Y\ HAD COME H]E TWELVE YE>S AGO1 OR ! DAY BE=E YE/]DAY8 ,DID Y\ REALLY ?9K ,I W\LD HAVE SAID GOODBYE TO ,MIRNA & ,Y>A ! MOM5T ,I SAW Y\8 ,H[ MU* PA9 W\LD Y\ HAVE FELT IF ,I HAD TOLD Y\ ONLY !N ?AT Y\ HAD MADE A BIG MI/AKE1 ?AT ,I HAD RESPECT$ Y\ ONCE1 P]HAPS EV5 ADMIR$ Y\1 BUT ?AT ,I C\LDN'T F9D A TRACE ( MY LOVE = Y\ 9 MY MEMORY8 ,W\LD Y\ HAVE BE5 GRATEFUL TO ME !N = LY+ TO Y\ SO ?\<TFULLY = SO LONG8 ,& IS IT REALLY ALTOGE!R MY FAULT ?AT Y\ CAN /ILL SPEAK ( 0FLY+ TO ME08 ,HAVE ! CLUES ,I LEFT 9 ALL MY LETT]S BE5 ALTOGE!R UNDECIPH]ABLE TO Y\8 ,BUT ,I'M JUDG+ Y\ & ,I'VE NO RI<T TO4 ,I C>RI$ AN ILLUSORY 0,LUISA0 9 MY HE>T = MANY YE>S AFT] REALITY ITSELF HAD MADE ! REAL ,LUISA PLA9LY VISIBLE TO ME4 ,&1 9 SPITE ( MY DET]M9ATION TO BE AS CRUDELY CLE> AS POSSIBLE1 ,I W\LDN'T BE COMPLETELY OP5 ) Y\ UNLESS ,I ADMITT$ ?AT Y\R DECL>ATION ( Y\R TW5TY-YE> LONG LOVE = ME DOESN'T LEAVE ME COLD4 ,YES1 ! KN[L$GE ?AT ONE IS DESIR$ /IMULATES DESIRE4 ,BUT PLEASE UND]/& ?IS1 ,SOPHIA3 ,MY LOVE = Y\ W\LD HAVE TO BE BORN 9 ! PRES5T2 IT C\LDN'T BE BUILT ON ANY LOVE ,I FELT = Y\ 9 MY PA/4 

0,:5 DID Y\ FIR/ MEET ,SOPHIA'S MO!R80 ,MIRNA ASKS4 0,:AT WAS %E LIKE8 ,DID Y\ ?9K ( H] AS Y\R MO!R OR %E ( Y\ AS H] SON8 ,DID Y\ RUN AFT] H] OR DID %E CAT* Y\8 ,:Y DID Y\ ACCOMPANY ,JAN & ,SAB9A TO MY H\SE8 ,W]E Y\ RUNN+ FROM ,LUISA8 *AS+ ,SAB9A8 LOOK+ = FRE% AIR80 

0,IF ,I HADN'T ACCOMPANI$ !M1 Y\ & ,I W\LD NEV] HAVE MET40 

0,DON'T ,I KN[60 ,MIRNA EXCLAIMS4 0,JAN W\LD HAVE SP5T ! NI<T ) ,SAB9A2 ,I W\LD HAVE M>RI$ ?AT PEASANT ,I WAS 5GAG$ TO2 MY :OLE FAMILY W\LD BE ALIVE & WELL TODAY -- ,BUT ,I PROMIS$ TO PRET5D TO =GET4 ,WELL8 ,TELL ME6 ,UNLESS Y\'RE SLEEPY10 

,NO1 ,I'M NOT SLEEPY AT ALL2 ,I'M WIDE AWAKE & V]Y EXCIT$4 ,MIRNA IS TW5TY-N9E4 ,LUISA WAS TW5TY-EI<T :5 ,I FIR/ MET H]4 ,I WAS FIFTE54 ,! W> WAS OV] & QUICKLY =GOTT52 ONLY FAIRY TALES SURVIV$4 ,! RESI/ANCE WAS OV]1 HALF ! RESI/]S W]E DEAD1 & !Y W]E QUICKLY =GOTT52 ONLY FAIRY TALES SURVIV$ AB\T ?AT AS WELL4 ,IT WAS A TIME = FAIRY TALES AB\T ! PA/ & ! FUTURE4 ,I SUPPOSE ?AT'S :Y ,TITUS FIR/ TOOK ME TO ,LUISA'S H\SE4 ,HE ?\<T ,I \<T TO HAVE A LITTLE 0POLITICAL CONSCI\SNESS40 ,:Y NOT1 AFT] ALL8 ,I WAS ALREADY A PROV5 FI<T]2 ,I C\LD %OOT1 ,I C\LD WORK2 ALL ,I C\LDN'T DO WAS 0?9K POLITICALLY40 ,& :AT BETT] 0TEA*]0 C\LD HAVE BE5 F\ND8 ,I HAD ALREADY SE5 H] 9 ! C>TON PLANT4 ,AS SOON AS ,I /EPP$ 9TO Y\R H\SE1 :I* TO ME WAS & REMA9S ,LUISA'S H\SE1 ,I WAS 9/ANTLY 0POLITICIZ$40 ,I WAS CONV]T$4 ,EV5 BETT]3 S$UC$4 ,I WAS S$UC$ BY EV]Y /ORY %E TOLD1 BY EV]Y !ORY %E EXPRESS$1 BY ! TONE ( H] VOICE1 BY H] LIPS1 H] EYES1 H] BODY1 H] HAIR4 ,I BELIEVE Y\ W]E 9 ?AT H\SE TOO1 ,SOPHIA1 BUT ,I DON'T REMEMB] Y\R PRES5CE !RE BECAUSE ,I WASN'T AW>E ( IT4 ,ALL ?AT EXI/$ = ME WAS ,LUISA4 ,I WALL[$ 9 ,LUISA1 SWAM 9 ,LUISA4 ,I BECAME ,LUISA4 ,I MEMORIZ$ EV]Y?+ %E SAID & EV5 COPI$ H] MANN]S4 ,I TRI$ TO ?9K :AT ,I TOOK TO BE H] ?\<TS4 ,DID ,I ?9K ( H] AS MY MO!R1 MY IMAG9>Y MO!R8 ,I DON'T KN[4 ,I DID ?9K H] ! MO/ D>+1 C\RAGE\S1 9TELLIG5T1 IMAG9ATIVE & BEAUTIFUL HUMAN BE+ 9 ! WORLD & 9 A S5SE ,I WAS H] 0SON0 C]TA9LY 9TELLECTUALLY4 ,BUT ,I DIDN'T ?9K ( H] 9 P]SONAL T]MS AT ALL1 9 T]MS ( H] PHYSICAL RELATION%IP TO ME4 ,I ?\<T ( H] 9 T]MS ( B>RICADES1 9 T]MS ( ! WORK]S' [N G5U9E UNION1 9 T]MS ( ! /RUGGLE WE W]E PREP>+ \RSELVES =4 ,I ?\<T ( H] 9 T]MS ( ! REVOLUTION4 ,LUISA & REVOLUTION W]E SYNONYMS TO ME4 ,Y\ LE>N$ ,SAB9A'S \TLOOK 9 H] FRI5DS' B>2 Y\ SEEM TO HAVE LE>N$ IT !N = ! FIR/ TIME & TO HAVE BE5 SOME:AT %OCK$ BY IT4 ,YET ,SAB9A C\LDN'T HAVE *OS5 BETT] WORDS TO DESCRIBE :AT ,I EXP]I5C$ 9 ,LUISA'S H\SE3 ALL RELATION%IPS W]E OP51 NO?+ WAS LEFT UNSAID1 !RE W]E NO SECRETS1 NO TABOOS1 NO?+ WAS =BIDD54 ,DID ,I DESIRE ,LUISA ALREADY !N8 ,YES ,I DID1 DESP]ATELY1 ) ALL MY BE+4 ,BUT ,I DIDN'T 0RUN AFT] H]40 ,%E ALREADY HAD TWO LOV]S1 OR 0HUSB&S0 ,GEORGE ,ALB]TS & ,TITUS ,ZABRAN1 & ,I DIDN'T CONSID] MYSELF A LIKELY C&IDATE = A ?IRD1 NOT SO MU* BECAUSE ( MY AGE AS MY 0POLITICAL BACKW>DNESS40 ,BESIDES1 ,TITUS HAD BE5 A FRI5D TO ME S9CE ! W>1 ALMO/ A BRO!R2 HE HAD 9TRODUC$ ME TO ,LUISA & ,I DIDN'T WANT TO /AB HIM 9 ! BACK = ALL HIS K9DNESS4 ,= ALMO/ TWO YE>S ,I LOV$ ,LUISA 9 ! %APE ( ! REVOLUTION2 ,I DID EV]Y?+ TO PREP>E MYSELF = H]2 ,I READ1 CONC5TRAT$1 TALK$4 ,I RAN AFT] ! REVOLUTION4 ,IT WAS ,LUISA :O 0CAU<T0 ME4 

0,%[ ME H[ %E CAU<T Y\6 ,H[ OLD WAS %E !N80 

0,%E WAS A YE> OLD] ?AN Y\ >E1 BUT ,I CAN'T %[ Y\ 9 ! D>K1 ,MIRNA1 BECAUSE %E DID IT 9 BROAD DAYLI<T40 ,AS %E DID EV]Y?+ ELSE4 ,%E WAS ?IRTY2 ,I WAS SEV5TE54 ,I SUPPOSE RELATIONS W]5'T AS OP5 AS ,I ?\<T1 NOT EV]Y?+ WAS SAID1 & !RE W]E SECRETS1 S9CE Y\ NEV] KNEW AB\T US4 ,BUT ,I C\LDN'T HAVE KN[N AT ! TIME ?AT Y\1 :O LIV$ 9 ,LUISA'S H\SE1 DIDN'T KN[ AB\T \R LOVE2 ,I C\LDN'T HAVE KN[N ?AT 9 Y\R EYES TWO PEOPLE SEP>AT$ BY MORE ?AN A DECADE DIDN'T CON/ITUTE A 0CORRECT0 C\PLE4 ,BUT ,I ADMIT ,I W\LDN'T HAVE ACT$ DIFF]5TLY IF ,I'D KN[N4 

,IT HAPP5$ 9 ! C>TON PLANT1 DUR+ WORK H\RS4 ,LUISA WAS C>RY+ ON A HEAT$ >GUM5T ) ,CLAUDE ,TAMNI*4 ,I OBVI\SLY DON'T REMEMB] ! SUBJECT ( ! >GUM5T1 BUT ,I DO REMEMB] BO? ( !M QUITE CLE>LY & ,I CAN EASILY IMAG9E :AT !Y W]E >GU+ AB\T4 ,CLAUDE WAS PROBABLY 9SI/+ ?AT SOLID>ITY & COMRADE%IP MEANT SPY+1 LIQUIDAT+1 JAIL+1 TORTUR+1 KILL+4 ,:E!R HE ACTUALLY SAID ?AT OR SOME?+ SIMIL>1 HE 9FURIAT$ ,LUISA4 0,/UNT$ BABOON10 %E CALL$ HIM1 & 0FASCI/0 7BO? ( :I* TITLES HE UND\BT$LY DES]V$71 ,LUISA /OMP$ >\ND ! %OP MUTT]+1 0,I'LL %[ Y\ :AT WORK]S MEAN BY UNION1 BY COMRADE%IP1 BY SOLID>ITY60 ,%E CAME TO ME FIR/ & LOCK$ H] >M 9 M9E2 !N %E LOCK$ H] O!R >M 9 ,ADRIAN'S2 QUICKLY ,JAN1 ,V]A1 ,TITUS JO9$ US -- & ,JASNA LA/4 ,WE MOV$ T[>D ,CLAUDE LIKE A /ONE WALL4 0,JO9 US OR GET \T60 ,LUISA %\T$4 ,CLAUDE WAS UNDECID$ AT FIR/2 !N HE TURN$ & WALK$ \T ( ! ROOM4 ,WE RO>$ ) LAU<T] AS WE RETURN$ TO \R MA*9ES4 7,SMALL WOND] ! SAME ,CLAUDE LAT] SPREAD ! RUMOR ?AT ,LUISA WAS A =EIGN SPY47 ,LUISA RETURN$ ) ME1 H] >M /ILL LOCK$ 9 M9E4 ,SUDD5LY %E TURN$ & PRESS$ H] *E/1 H] :OLE BODY1 AGA9/ MY >M4 ,%E :ISP]$1 0,?AT'S :AT COMRADE%IP MEANS40 ,I ALMO/ FA9T$4 ,I KNEW ,TITUS HAD SE5 US4 ,I SUPPOSE EV]YONE HAD4 ,BUT ,I DIDN'T MOVE4 ,I WON'T SAY ,I C\LDN'T MOVE4 ,I DIDN'T WANT TO4 ,I HAD AT LA/ 0GRADUAT$02 ,I HAD BECOME A 0POLITICALLY CONSCI\S MILITANT40 ,MY REVOLUTION1 EV]Y?+ ,I HAD WANT$ FROM LIFE DUR+ EV]Y M9UTE ( ! PREVI\S TWO YE>S1 HAD COME4 ,I BECAME A 0REVOLUTION>Y CADRE0 ! FOLL[+ AFT]NOON1 DUR+ A BREAK1 9 ! /OCKROOM ( ! C>TON PLANT4 ,Y\R MO!R1 ,SOPHIA2 A WOMAN ALMO/ OLD 5\< TO BE M9E4 ,9 ONE ( Y\R FIR/ LETT]S TO ME Y\ MORALIZ$ = SEV]AL PAGES AB\T ! FACT ?AT ,I WAS 0M>RI$40 

,IT'S MY TURN TO 0MORALIZE40 ,I ACTUALLY D\BT ?AT Y\'D KN[ AB\T MY PASSION = ,LUISA IF Y\'D SE5 US EMBRAC+ -- Y\ W\LDN'T HAVE SE5 ! EMBRACE BECAUSE Y\ W\LDN'T HAVE BELIEV$ EI!R ( US CAPABLE ( IT4 ,:5 Y\ SAW ,LUISA LY+ ) ,ALEC ?AT NI<T Y\ LEFT !M1 :Y DID Y\ ASSUME IT WAS ,ALEC :O HAD S$UC$ ,LUISA1 & ONLY 9 ORD] TO SPITE Y\8 ,:Y DID Y\ BECOME SO 9FURIAT$ :5 ,T9A LEFT Y\ TO JO9 A MAN TWICE H] AGE8 ,I CAN'T SPEAK ( Y\R EXP]I5CE1 BUT ,I CAN TELL Y\ FROM M9E ?AT Y\R 0CORRECT0 RELATION%IPS >E NOT ! ONLY ONES POSSIBLE4 ,= A :OLE YE> ,LUISA & ,I MADE LOVE DAILY1 9 ! /OCKROOM1 9 Y\R H\SE 7,I SUPPOSE Y\ W]5'T EV] !RE AT ! TIME71 9 MY MODE/ ROOM4 ,MY LOVE = H] WAS TOTAL1 MY DESIRE = H] UNQU5*ABLE4 ,NEI!R MY LOVE NOR MY DESIRE C\LD HAVE BE5 MORE COMPLETE1 MORE P]FECT1 IF ,LUISA HAD BE5 FIFTE5 YE>S Y\NG]4 

0,:]E DID ,SOPHIA GET ! IDEA Y\ LOV$ H]8 ,>E Y\ LEAV+ SOME?+ \T80 

,NO1 ?IS TIME ,I'M NOT LEAV+ ANY?+ \T4 ,I HADN'T PAID ANY ATT5TION TO Y\ OR ,SAB9A BE=E ! /RIKE BROKE \T4 ,LUISA BR\<T BO? ( Y\ TO ! PLANT ON ! FIR/ DAY ( ! /RIKE4 ,I /ILL DIDN'T NOTICE Y\4 ,ALL ,I NOTIC$ WAS ,LUISA'S SUDD5 & 9EXPLICABLE COLDNESS T[>D ME4 ,%E SUDD5LY TREAT$ ME1 NOT AS A COMPLETE /RANG]1 BUT AS A FELL[ WORK] ) :OM %E'D NOT HAD 9TIMATE RELATIONS4 ,I TRI$ TO EXPLA9 ?IS TO MYSELF 9 T]MS ( H] DESIRE TO BE FREE & UNATTA*$ ON ! EVE ( ! GREAT EV5T4 ,I TRI$ TO EXPLA9 IT 9 T]MS ( MY 0POLITICAL BACKW>DNESS40 ,ON ! V]Y FIR/ DAY ( ! /RIKE1 ,LUISA ALREADY HAD A 0POSITION10 ,TITUS HAD ANO!R1 ,JAN HAD A ?IRD4 ,V]A A F\R?1 :ILE ,I WAS COMPLETELY AT SEA2 ALL ,I C\LD ?9K ( WAS ,LUISA'S SUDD5 9DIFF]5CE TO ME4 ,EV]Y?+ SEEM$ TO BECOME CLE> ON ! SECOND DAY :51 AFT] A GR\P MEET+1 ,TITUS TOLD ME FURI\SLY ?AT ,I W\LD HAVE DONE BETT] TO REMA9 9 ! CITY'S BASEM5TS & ALLEYS4 ,I ?\<T HE WAS F9ALLY RESPOND+ TO MY HAV+ /ABB$ HIM 9 ! BACK BY TAK+ ,LUISA FROM HIM2 ,I CONCLUD$ !Y'D HAD A SC5E1 ?AT ,TITUS HAD %AM$ ,LUISA 9TO AB&ON+ H] 0AFFAIR0 ) ! 0IRRESPONSIBLE ADV5TURI/IC HOOLIGAN40 ,I WAS A%AM$1 NOT ONLY ( MY /AB 9 ! BACK BUT ALSO ( MY P]SI/+ POLITICAL ILLIT]ACY4 ,I HAD TO PROVE MYSELF1 BO? TO ,TITUS & TO ,LUISA2 ,I HAD TO %[ !M !IR ATTEMPTS TO 0$UCATE0 ME HADN'T BE5 WA/$4 ,AT \R NEXT MEET+ -- ,I SUPPOSE ?AT WAS ! ?IRD DAY -- ,I BR\<T UP ! FACT ?AT ! 0CLASS OPPRESSOR10 ,MR4 ,ZAGAD1 WAS /ILL SITT+ 9 HIS (FICE C\NT+ HIS FUTURE PR(ITS :ILE WE M]ELY TALK$ AB\T SLOGANS ON PO/]S4 ,I WAS ONLY /AT+ :AT EV]YONE KNEW1 YET EV]YONE1 EV5 ,CLAUDE1 RESPOND$ AS IF ,I'D DISCOV]$ A NEW PLANET4 ,I GR9N$ ) PRIDE2 ,I ?\<T ?AT 9 ,LUISA'S & ,TITUS' EYES ,I HAD BECOME A 0/RATEGI/40 ,Y\ BO!R$ TO REMEMB] MY 0/RATEGY0 = TW5TY YE>S2 9 ONE ( Y\R FIR/ LETT]S Y\ TOLD ME Y\ ADMIR$ ME1 Y\ FELL 9 LOVE ) ME1 :5 ,I PROPOS$ MY 0PLAN40 ,YET ALL Y\R ADMIRATION1 AS WELL AS ALL MY PRIDE1 W]E BADLY MISPLAC$4 ,?AT 0/RATEGY0 WASN'T REALLY M9E1 NOR WAS ,I ! ONE :O IMPLEM5T$ IT4 ,I M]ELY /AT$ ! OBVI\S3 ,ZAGAD WAS /ILL 9 HIS (FICE4 ,IT WASN'T ,I BUT ,CLAUDE :O SUGGE/$ DO+ SOME?+ AB\T ?IS4 ,I M]ELY WAT]$ D[N ,CLAUDE'S SUGGE/ION BY ASK+ IF 9/EAD ( LOCK+ ,ZAGAD 9TO HIS (FICE WE C\LDN'T JU/ ASK HIM TO LEAVE4 ,& = ?IS ,I WAS GIV5 CR$IT = \R ONE CONCRETE ACCOMPLI%M5T1 \R SOLE REAL FEAT4 ,YES1 ! ONLY G5U9E 0EV5T0 ?AT WE SET (F DUR+ ?OSE TWO WEEKS4 ,EV]Y?+ WE DID AFT] ,ZAGAD WAS \/$1 ALL ?OSE 0ACTIVITIES0 Y\ REMEMB] SO VIVIDLY1 W]E NO?+2 WE M]ELY TREAD$ WAT] TO KEEP FROM DR[N+4 ,I WAS PR\D ( MYSELF AS ! 09/IGATOR0 ( ?AT EV5T1 BUT ,I WASN'T ! ONE :O 9/IGAT$ IT NOR ! ONE :O IMPLEM5T$ IT4 ,MU* AS WE ALL DISLIK$ ,CLAUDE1 IT WAS HE :O 9/IGAT$ & ALSO IMPLEM5T$ \R S+LE CONCRETE DE$4 ,IT WAS AN 0ACTION0 P]FECTLY SUIT$ TO HIS TEMP]AM5T3 IT HAD TO DO ) 0LIQUIDAT+10 ,CLAUDE HEAD$ \R LITTLE PROCESSION TO ,ZAGAD'S (FICE4 ,IT WAS HE :O ?REW ! DOOR OP54 ,IT WAS HE :O 9TRODUC$ US AS 0REPRES5TATIVES ( ! ,PLANT ,C\NCIL10 NAMELY AS EMISS>IES ( A VA/1 NEBUL\S 5TITY1 AS AG5TS ( A P[]FUL REPRESSIVE APP>ATUS4 ,IT WASN'T ,I & IT C\LDN'T HAVE BE54 ,I W\LD HAVE KNOCK$ ON ,ZAGAD'S DOOR1 5T]$ %EEPI%LY & HESITANTLY2 ,I W\LD HAVE BEGUN TO 0IMPLEM5T \R /RATEGY0 BY SAY+1 0,GOOD MORN+1 ,MR4 ,ZAGAD10 & MY ADMIRABLE PLAN W\LD HAVE VANI%$ ! MOM5T ,ZAGAD HAD SAID1 0,GOOD MORN+1 ,Y>O/AN1 :AT CAN ,I DO = Y\80 ,I'M NOT ! H]O Y\'VE BO!R$ TO REMEMB] = TWO DECADES1 ,SOPHIA4 ,MY ?\<TS W]5'T ON ,ZAGAD BUT ON ,LUISA4 ,I WAS PR\D ( \R 0ACTION0 BECAUSE ,I WAS SURE %E WAS PLEAS$4 ,I ?\<T ,I HAD R$EEM$ MYSELF 9 H] EYES & 9 ,TITUS' AS WELL4 ,& ,I WAS T]RIBLY CONFUS$4 ,HAD ,I R$EEM$ MYSELF TO ,LUISA AS A 0POLITICALLY CONSCI\S ACTIVI/0 OR AS A LOV]8 ,SU* A SEP>ATION HADN'T EXI/$ BE=E ! /RIKE2 SUDD5LY !RE WASN'T ONLY A SEP>ATION BUT IT SEEM$ UNBRIDGEABLE4 ,I W\LD BE TRU/$ BY ,TITUS & ,LUISA BUT ,I W\LD NO LONG] BE LOV$ BY ,LUISA4 ,ALL ?IS OCCURR$ TO ME ONLY AFT] ,ZAGAD LEFT HIS (FICE4 ,UNTIL !N ,I HAD BE5 C>RI$ AWAY BY EV]YONE'S 5?USIASM1 ESPECIALLY ,SAB9A'S4 ,:5 ,CLAUDE1 ,JAN & ,I HAD ELECT$ \RSELVES TO IMPLEM5T 0MY /RATEGY10 ,SAB9A HAD JUMP$ UP TO JO9 US4 ,ON ! WAY TO ,ZAGAD'S (FICE1 ,JAN & ,I HAD WALK$1 OR RA!R 0DANC$10 BEH9D ,CLAUDE1 ) ,SAB9A BETWE5 US1 H] >MS >\ND \R WAI/S1 \RS >\ND H] WAI/4 0,?IS WILL MAKE EV]Y?+ POSSIBLE60 %E'D KEPT SAY+1 FILL+ MY HEAD ) IMAGES ( A WORLD :]E EV]Y?+ W\LD BE POSSIBLE EV]Y:]E & AT ANY TIME4 ,JAN & ,I HAD LIFT$ ,SAB9A & 0FL[N0 H] UP ! /AIRS TO ,ZAGAD'S (FICE4 ,SUDD5LY ,ZAGAD WAS GONE & SO W]E MY IMAGES4 

,SAB9A'S >M LEFT MY WAI/ & ,I WAS ALONE4 ,H[ ,I 5VI$ ,JAN ?AT MOM5T4 ,SAB9A'S 5?USIASM DIDN'T DIM9I% AFT] ,ZAGAD'S DEP>TURE2 IT 9CREAS$4 ,& %E %[]$ ,JAN ) ALL ( IT4 ,CLAUDE WALK$ \T BEH9D ,ZAGAD1 ,SAB9A %\T$1 0,WE'VE DONE IT60 & WRAPP$ H]SELF >\ND ,JAN4 ,H[ ,I WI%$ ,L\ISA HAD WRAPP$ H]SELF >\ND ME %\T+1 0,WE'VE DONE IT60 ,H[ ,I WI%$ ,SAB9A HAD TURN$ TO ME6 ,I CRAWL$ \T ( ! (FICE1 LONELY1 DISORI5T$4 ,JAN RU%$ \T AFT] ME & ASK$ = ! KEY TO MY ROOM2 HE GAVE ME ! KEY TO HIS4 ,I DIDN'T !N UND]/& ! REASON = ! EX*ANGE BUT ,I DIDN'T ASK4 ,JAN & ,SAB9A LEFT TOGE!R ?R\< ! (FICE BUILD+ 5TRANCE4 ,I %UFFL$ FROM ! (FICE BACK TO ! WORK%OP BUT /OPP$ BEH9D A PO/ BE=E ANYONE SAW ME4 ,I SAW ,LUISA & ,M>C ,GLAVNI LEAV+ BY WAY ( ! WORK%OP 5TRANCE1 >M 9 >M1 GE/ICULAT+ & LAU<+4 ,TITUS & ,JASNA W]E /ILL 9 ! %OP4 ,I BACK$ AWAY FROM MY PO/ & RU%$ BACK ?R\< ! (FICE BUILD+ TO ! /REET4 ,I WALK$ AIMLESSLY & WANT$ TO DIE4 ,I HAD PROV$ MYSELF = NO?+1 TO NO ONE4 ,ALL MY EXPLANATIONS HAD BE5 WRONG4 ,LUISA HADN'T DROPP$ ME BECAUSE ( MY BACKW>DNESS NOR BECAUSE %E'D WANT$ TO BE DETA*$ BUT BECAUSE %E'D F\ND ANO!R LOV]4 ,TITUS HADN'T SCOLD$ ME BECAUSE ,I'D TAK5 ,LUISA FROM HIM4 ,ONLY !N DID IT DAWN ON ME ?AT JU/ BE=E ,TITUS' \TBUR/1 DUR+ \R MEET+1 ,I HAD LAU<$ & NODD$ VIGOR\SLY :5 ,JAN HAD PROPOS$ ?R[+ ALL ! MA*9]Y 9TO ! /REET AS \R FIR/ REVOLUTION>Y ACT4 ,H[ /UPID ,I'D BE5 TO ATTRIBUTE ,TITUS' \TBUR/ TO JEAL\SY6 ,MY SYMPA?Y = ,JAN'S 0S*EME0 DEF9$ ME AS AN \TRI<T 0C\NT]-REVOLUTION>Y0 9 ,TITUS EYES1 S9CE = ,TITUS ! MA*9]Y WAS ! REVOLUTION1 ! TWO W]E SYNONYM\S4 

0,SO ?AT'S :5 Y\ TURN$ TO ,SOPHIA10 ,MIRNA CONCLUDES PREMATURELY4 

0,NOT YET1 ,MIRNA2 ?AT'S :5 ,I MET Y\40 

0,& Y\ W]E DISAPPO9T$10 %E SAYS ALL TOO ACCURATELY2 0Y\'D HOP$ TO F9D ANO!R ,LUISA40 

0,DID Y\ KN[ ?AT ALREADY !N80 ,I ASK4 

0,IF ,I HAD1 ,I W\LDN'T HAVE C>$2 ,I HAD MY [N PASSIONS TO WORRY AB\T10 %E SAYS4 

,I SP5T ! NI<T 9 ,JAN'S ROOM4 ,BUT ,I C\LDN'T SLEEP4 ,I REMEMB] :Y BUT ,I'D RA!R SKIP OV] IT4 ,E>LY ! NEXT MORN+ ,I CRAWL$ BACK TO MY ROOM4 ,SAB9A LET ME 94 ,I WANT$ ONLY TO BE LEFT ALONE1 TO SLEEP4 ,BUT ,JAN & ,SAB9A W]E WIDE AWAKE & !Y HAD O!R PLANS = ME4 ,I HAD KN[N S9CE ,I'D FIR/ MET ,JAN ?AT HE HAT$ HIS MO!R2 ,I WAS SOON TO LE>N :Y4 ,SAB9A NE/L$ UP TO ME & TOLD ME1 0,WE'RE GO+ TO SP5D ! DAY 9 ! C\NTRY40 ,I TOLD H] TO HAVE A GOOD TIME & LET ME SLEEP4 0,Y\'RE NOT GO+ TO SLEEP TODAY10 %E ASSUR$ ME1 POK+ ME 9 ! RIBS TO KEEP ME FROM TRY+4 ,JAN & ,SAB9A LIFT$ ME \T ( B$ & =C$ /RONG C(FEE D[N MY ?ROAT4 0,WE CAN'T GO )\T Y\10 ,JAN EXPLA9$4 0,! REVOLUTION IS GO+ TO SPREAD TO ! PEASANTRY1 & Y\R CONTRIBUTION IS GO+ TO BE 9DISP5SABLE40 ,I WAS AWAKE4 0,Y\'RE NE$$ TO CEM5T ! GREAT WORK]-PEASANT ALLIANCE10 HE CONT9U$4 ,BRU%+ ASIDE MY OBJECTIONS1 HE W5T ON1 0,Y\ DON'T HAVE TO H>ANGUE ANYONE2 Y\ DON'T HAVE TO ORGANIZE ANY?+4 ,ALL Y\ HAVE TO DO IS MAKE LOVE TO ! ,QUE5 ( ! ,PEASANTS -- A WOMAN SLI<TLY OLD] ?AN ,LUISA BUT LESS EXP]I5C$4 ,?AT S+LE ACT ON Y\R P>T WILL DE/ROY RELIGION & MORALITY1 ! FAMILY & ! /ATE2 ?AT S+LE ACT WILL SET ! FIRES ( HELL TO ALL ! PEASANTRY'S PRECI\S TRADITIONS1 ALL !IR SACR$ BONDS4 ,TOMORR[ PEASANTS LEAV+ !IR BURN+ VILLAGES WILL M+LE ) WORK]S LEAV+ !IR BURN+ FACTORIES & !Y'LL ALL MIGRATE ACROSS FIELDS & OV] M\NTA9S1 FULFILL+ EV]Y WI%1 SATISFY+ EV]Y DESIRE & EV]Y :IM ON ! WAY40 

,MIRNA LAU<S4 0,DID ,JAN REALLY TELL Y\ ?AT8 ,& DID Y\ ACTUALLY COME LOOK+ = 'A WOMAN SLI<LY OLD] ?AN ,LUISA BUT LESS EXP]I5C$'80 

0,I OBVI\SLY DON'T REMEMB] HIS EXACT WORDS1 BUT ,I SWE> :AT HE SAID WAS V]Y CLOSE TO ?AT4 ,& ,I BELIEV$ HIM4 ,I ACTUALLY ?\<T HE & ,SAB9A FELT SORRY = ME & 9T5D$ TO 9TRODUCE ME TO SOMEONE LIKE ,LUISA40 

0,?AT'S M>VEL\S60 %E EXCLAIMS4 0,N[ ,I REMEMB] :Y HE HAD US ALL GO PICK+ B]RIES6 ,:Y DIDN'T Y\ GO ?R\< ) IT8 ,DON'T Y\ SEE H[ RI<T HE WAS8 ,ALL HELL W\LD HAVE BROK5 LOOSE 9 A S+LE 9/ANT1 9/EAD ( CRACK+ A LITTLE ?IS YE>1 A LITTLE ! NEXT & AGA9 ! NEXT OV] SU* AN 5DLESS EXPANSE ( TIME60 

,I DIDN'T ?9K IT WAS 0M>VEL\S0 AT ! TIME1 & ,I /ILL DON'T ?9K SO4 ,I ?9K ,JAN & ,SAB9A HAD DEVIS$ A MEAN TRICK4 ,JAN KNEW ?AT ! M]E M5TION ( ,LUISA'S NAME W\LD SET ME MOV+4 ,HE DANGL$ ,LUISA 9 FRONT ( ME DUR+ TWO TRAM RIDES4 & A SUB/ANTIAL WALK4 ,WE REA*$ HIS H\SE4 ,HE 9TRODUC$ ME TO HIS FA!R1 MO!R & SI/]4 ,I LOOK$ = ! NE>E/ *AIR2 ,I HAD A SPLITT+ HEADA*E & FELT LIKE VOMIT+2 ,I HADN'T GONE )\T SLEEP = SO LONG DUR+ ! 5TIRE W> & RESI/ANCE4 0,A HEADA*E60 ,JAN SAID2 0,WELL ISN'T ?AT TOO BAD8 ,Y\ WON'T BE ABLE TO JO9 US ON \R B]RY PICK+ EXP$ITION40 ,I GOT UP 9 SPITE ( MY HEADA*E & MY NAUSEA2 ,I DIDN'T WANT TO MISS MY PROMIS$ R5DEZV\S4 0,OH NO1 Y\ CAN'T GO 9 ?AT CONDITION10 ,JAN 9SI/$2 0Y\ /AY RI<T H]E 9 ! H\SE1 :]E MY MO!R CAN NURSE Y\40 ,!N HE :ISP]$1 0,%E'S A REAL QUE51 ,Y>O/AN2 EV]Y BIT AS REGAL AS ! QUE5 ( HEAV5 & AS PURE AS ! MO!R ( H] LORD ,JESUS ,*RI/40 ,I VOMIT$4 ,JAN & HIS FA!R HELP$ ME TO ! C\*4 ,MIRNA & H] MO!R CLEAN$ UP ! MESS4 ,!N ,JAN LEFT ) HIS FA!R1 ,SAB9A & ,MIRNA4 ,I WAS ALONE 9 ! H\SE ) ! ,QUE5 ( ! ,PEASANTS4 ,%E BR\<T ME A WET CLO? = MY HEAD & CROSS$ H]SELF :5 %E H&$ IT TO ME4 ,SOMETIME LAT] %E H&$ ME A NEWLY DAMP5$ CLO? & CROSS$ H]SELF AGA94 ,%E CROSS$ H]SELF EV]Y TIME %E 5T]$ ! FRONT ROOM TO LOOK 9 AT ME4 ,%E WAS DEA?LY AFRAID ( ME2 %E SEEM$ CONV9C$ ,I WAS EI!R A ?IEF OR A MURD]] :O HAD JU/ ESCAP$ FROM PRISON4 ,& ONE TIME %E TIPTO$ ?R\< ! ROOM ,I WAS 9 & W5T TO ANO!R ROOM :]E %E WAIL$ PRAY]S4 ,I HAT$ MYSELF = HAV+ LET MYSELF BE TRICK$ 9TO LEAV+ MY COM=TABLE ROOM & B$4 ,I WAS NE>LY UNCONSCI\S ) PA9 :5 ! B]RY PICK]S RETURN$4 ,& ,I WAS NAUSEAT$2 ,I HAD NO 9T]E/ 9 EAT+ ! MEAL ! ,QUE5 ( ! ,PEASANTS HAD SP5T ! DAY PREP>+4 ,JAN1 ,MIRNA & ,SAB9A HELP$ PUT ME TO B$ 9 ,JAN'S ROOM1 OR RA!R ! GUE/ ROOM1 S9CE ,JAN EXPLA9$1 0,!Y CALL IT MY ROOM AL?\< ,I HAV5'T SP5T A S+LE NI<T 9 IT2 Y\'RE ! FIR/ P]SON 9 ?IS B$40 

0,MY MO!R />T$ BUILD+ ?AT ROOM ONTO ! H\SE TWO YE>S E>LI]10 ,MIRNA EXPLA9S2 0UNTIL !N ,JAN & ,I HAD ALWAYS SLEPT 9 ! SAME ROOM & 9 ! SAME B$4 ,ONE DAY %E CAME 9TO \R ROOM BE=E WE W]E UP & SAW US SLEEP+ ) \R >MS >\ND EA* O!R -- %E SAW US SLEEP+ ! WAY WE'D ALWAYS SLEPT AS F> BACK AS ,I C\LD REMEMB] -- & %E YANK$ US BO? \T ( B$ & BEAT US ) A BROOM1 CALL+ US ! NAMES ( ALL ! DEVILS 9 HELL4 ,JAN LEFT4 ,I NEV] %>$ A B$ ) HIM AGA94 ,I CRI$ = WEEKS4 ,I HAT$ H] UNTIL %E DI$4 ,!N ,I UND]/OOD :Y %E BEAT US40 

,SO ?AT WAS :Y ,JAN WANT$ ME TO HELP DE/ROY RELIGION & MORALITY1 ! FAMILY & ! PEASANT COMMUNITY4 ,I SUSPECT$ ?IS AT ! TIME1 FROM MU* ?AT ,JAN HAD TOLD ME1 FROM MU* ?AT HE HAD DONE4 ,TWO YE>S E>LI] ,MIRNA HAD BE5 EI<T1 NAMELY ! SAME AGE ,T9A WAS :5 Y\ WAT*$ OV] H] 9 H] B$ROOM4 ,Y\ DESCRIB$ Y\RSELF AS ,T9A'S APPR5TICE2 Y\ CONSID]$ H] OLD 5\< TO TEA* Y\ LA!-TURN+1 MA*9+ -- ,BUT ?AT'S Y\R PROBLEM4 ,9 ANY CASE1 ,I DIDN'T ?9K AB\T IT ?AT NI<T OR ! FOLL[+ NI<T OR DUR+ ANY ( ! HECTIC DAYS BE=E \R >RE/1 & 9 TIME ,I =GOT :Y ,JAN HAD 9VIT$ ME TO MEET HIS FAMILY4 ,:ILE !Y C>RI$ ME TO B$1 ,SAB9A ANGRILY :ISP]$ 9 MY E>1 0,C[>D6 ,C\NT]REVOLUTION>Y6 ,EV]Y?+ DEP5D$ ON Y\1 & Y\ SPOIL$ IT ALL40 ,I WAS TOO SICK TO RESPOND4 ,I WOKE UP ONCE DUR+ ! NI<T2 MY HEAD WAS BUR/+4 ,JAN WAS S\ND ASLEEP NEXT TO ME4 ,! NEXT TIME ,I WOKE IT WAS MORN+4 ,JAN WAS %AK+ ME4 0,COME ON1 LET'S GET \T ( H]E40 ,:5 ,I SAT UP HE ADD$1 0,PLANN$ REVOLUTIONS 9EVITABLY FAIL2 ISN'T ?AT !IR V]Y NATURE8 ,BUT \R TRIP WASN'T A TOTAL FAILURE4 ,ANXI\S TO KEEP ! BLESS$ Y\NG VIRG9 \T ( ,BEELZEBUB'S PAWS1 ! ,MO!R ,SUP]IOR PLAC$ ! VIRG9 DIRECTLY 9TO ,SATAN'S60 ,JAN LEFT ! ROOM LAU<+ VICTORI\SLY4 ,UND]/&+ NO?+1 ,I DRESS$ HURRI$LY & RU%$ \T ( ! ROOM & !N \T TO ! /REET4 ,I C\LDN'T BELIEVE :AT ,I SAW & HE>D4 ,MIRNA'S MO!R /OOD NE> ! DOORWAY GRASP+ A BROOM :I* %E KEPT TRY+ TO RAISE1 BUT :I* ,MIRNA'S FA!R KEPT L[]+4 ,%E WAS SCREE*+ AT ,SAB9A4 0,Y\'LL ROA/ 9 HELL1 Y\ %AMELESS GUTT] SNIPE6 ,Y\'LL BURN = ALL ET]NITY60 ,SAB9A1 H] BACK >*$ LIKE A CAT'S1 /OOD RI<T 9 FRONT ( ! WOMAN & %\T$ JU/ AS L\DLY1 0,Y\'LL FREEZE :]E Y\'RE GO+1 Y\ DRI$ UP C>CASS1 Y\ VAMPIRE ?AT SUCKS LIFE \T ( ! LIV+ BECAUSE !RE'S NONE LEFT 9 Y\60 

0,:AT HAPP5$ ?AT NI<T80 ,I ASK ,MIRNA4 0,%E BR\<T MY BRO!R'S DE/RUCTION10 ,MIRNA SAYS BITT]LY1 0MY FA!R'S DEA?1 MY MO!R'S --0 

0,I MEAN ?AT NI<T1 ,MIRNA10 ,I 9T]RUPT IMPATI5TLY2 0,W\LD Y\ RA!R =GET80 

0,DOESN'T ?IS LETT] TELL Y\ :AT HAPP5$8 ,H[ C\LD ,I EV] =GET8 ,MY MO!R WAS RI<T4 ,SAB9A PUT ! DEVIL'S BLOOD 9TO MY VE9S4 ,! HYPOCRITE6 ,= TW5TY YE>S ,I'D ?\<T %E'D DONE IT = ME4 ,BUT ! FI5D HAS NO K9DNESS1 NO HE>T2 H] DE$S >E = H]SELF ALONE6 ',Y\R BRO!R LOVES Y\1' %E TOLD ME4 ',Y\'RE HIS ONLY GIRL4' %E TOLD ME4 ,& !N %E ASK$1 ',W\LD Y\ LIKE ME TO PRET5D TO BE Y\R BRO!R8' ,I BEGG$ H] TO PRET5D & ,I LO/ MYSELF PRET5D+4 ,I DR[N$ 9 HAPP9ESS PRET5D+4 ,& MY HAPP9ESS DR[N$ EV]YONE ,I LOV$1 ,JAN FIR/ ( ALL40 

0,N[ Y\'RE CONTRADICT+ Y\RSELF4 ,I ?\<T ?AT LETT] ,SOPHIA S5T WAS RESPONSIBLE = ALL ?AT HAPP5$ --0 

0,IF Y\R LOGIC C\LD BR+ ,JAN BACK ,I'D HAVE MORE FAI? 9 IT60 %E EXCLAIMS ANGRILY4 ,MIMICK+ ,JASNA %E GOES ON1 0 ',DIDN'T ,SAB9A COMMUNICATE SOME?+ AB\T ! PASSION TO LIVE8' ,& :]E WAS ,SAB9A :5 WE DR[N$ 9 ?AT PASSION8 ,:Y DID WE HAVE TO SUFF] ALL ! CONSEQU5CES8 ',Y\R BRO!R LOVES Y\4' ,I KNEW IT WAS TRUE4 ,SO DID Y\4 ,EV]YONE KNEW4 ,WE DIDN'T HIDE \R LOVE4 ,! DEVIL6 ,I ?\<T %E WAS GO+ TO HELP US ! WAY %E DID ?AT MORN+ --0 

,?AT MORN+ ,SAB9A MADE H]SELF ! OBJECT ( ! SUP]/ITI\S OLD WOMAN'S WRA?1 PROVOK+ ,MIRNA'S MO!R ) TAUNTS & 9SULTS :ILE ,MIRNA'S FA!R KEPT ! BROOM FROM LEAV+ ! GR\ND4 ,JAN & ,MIRNA W]E A FEW H\SES AWAY2 ,I WALK$ T[>D !M 9 A BEWILD]$ /UPOR4 ,MIRNA1 H] >MS >\ND ,JAN'S NECK1 CRI$ DESP]ATELY4 0,TAKE ME ) Y\1 ,JAN1 TAKE ME TO ! CITY4 ,PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME /AY H]E60 ,JAN TOLD H]1 0,IT'S NOT POSSIBLE YET1 ,MIRNA40 ,%E WAIL$ & PLEAD$4 0,BUT IT MAY SOON BE POSSIBLE10 HE TOLD H]2 0,WAIT A FEW MORE DAYS1 AT MO/ A WEEK4 ,WAIT 9 ! CLE>+40 ,YE>S LAT] ,MIRNA TOOK ME TO ?AT CLE>+ 9 ! =E/4 0,I'LL BE !RE EV]Y DAY ALL DAY LONG2 ,I'LL SLEEP !RE10 %E SAID4 ,JAN TOLD H]1 SMIL+1 0,DON'T DO ?AT1 SILLY2 Y\'LL GET SICK4 ,BE !RE 9 A WEEK4 ,A WEEK FROM YE/]DAY4 ,IF ! RE/ ( US DO BETT] ?AN ?IS SP9ELESS FRI5D ( M9E1 A LOT IS GO+ TO BE POSSIBLE1 EV]Y?+'S GO+ TO BE POSSIBLE40 ,) AN EXPRESSION :OSE PA?OS ,I /ILL REMEMB]1 ! T5-YE> OLD GIRL PLEAD$1 0,PROMISE1 ,JAN6 ,PROMISE60 ,HE SAID SADLY1 0,I PROMISE4 ,I'LL TAKE Y\ AWAY FROM H]E4 ,WE'LL LEAVE ! CLE>+ & WALK ?R\< ! =E/ TO ! NEI<BOR+ VILLAGE & WE'LL ?9K WE'RE DREAM+1 BECAUSE ! VILLAGE WON'T BE !RE ANY MORE2 WE'LL F9D ?\S&S ( PEOPLE BUILD+ A CITY LIKE NO CITY ?AT'S EV] BE5 BUILT & !Y'LL WELCOME US & ASK US TO HELP BECAUSE !Y'LL ALL BE \R FRI5DS2 !RE WON'T BE ANY POLICEM5 OR PRY+ OLD WOM5 BECAUSE !Y'LL ALL BE TOO BUSY BUILD+ OR MAK+ LOVE4 ,WE'LL /AY 9 \R FRI5DS' BEAUTIFUL CITY AS LONG AS WE WANT & NOT A M9UTE LONG]2 WE'LL BE AS FREE AS BIRDS2 WE'LL ROAM ACROSS ! 5TIRE C\NTRY2 WE'LL VISIT /REAMS & CAV]NS & O!R CITIES1 & 9 EA* CITY WE'LL F9D ONLY FRI5DS2 !Y'LL ALL BEG US TO JO9 !M 9 :AT !Y'RE DO+ & WE WON'T KN[ :]E TO TURN FIR/ BECAUSE EV]Y ACTIVITY TO :I* WE'RE 9VIT$ WILL SEEM MORE GRATIFY+ ?AN ALL ! RE/40 ,I HE>D ,MIRNA'S PA!TIC PLEA2 ,I HE>D ,JAN'S FAIRY TALE2 BUT ,I REGI/]$ NO?+4 ,I WAS ANGRY AB\T ! FACT ?AT ,JAN & ,SAB9A HAD TRICK$ ME4 ,I WANT$ TO GET BACK TO ! REAL WORLD1 ! WORLD ( ,LUISA1 ! WORLD ( MEET+S & PO/]S & DEMON/RATIONS4 ,I REMEMB] ?AT IT WAS A ,MONDAY MORN+2 ! FOLL[+ ,MONDAY ! /RIKE 5D$2 TWO DAYS LAT] WE W]E >RE/$4 ,I NUDG$ ,JAN & SAID1 0,LET'S GO BACK1 WE'LL BE LATE = ! MEET+ & IT'LL BE AN IMPORTANT MEET+2 WE'RE TO DECIDE :AT /EPS TO TAKE N[40 ,JAN FRE$ HIMSELF FROM ,MIRNA'S EMBRACE1 TURN$ TO ME & SAID BITT]LY1 0,DAMN Y\R MEET+S1 ,Y>O/AN4 ,?AT'S NOT :]E ANY /EPS >E GO+ TO BE TAK540 ,!N HE KISS$ ,MIRNA'S =EHEAD & SAID TO ME1 0,BUT Y\'RE RI<T4 ,?AT'S ALL WE'VE GOT TO GO BACK TO40 ,HE RU%$ TO ,SAB9A1 LIFT$ H] AWAY FROM 9 FRONT ( HIS MO!R & C>RI$ H] (F :ILE %E CONT9U$ %\T+4 ,AS WE WALK$ AWAY ,JAN %\T$1 0,GOODBYE1 FA!R40 ,MIRNA RAN AFT] US & %\T$1 0,DON'T =GET1 ,JAN2 Y\ PROMIS$60 ,WE W]E LATE = ! MEET+1 BUT ,JAN WAS RI<T2 NO /EPS W]E TAK54 ,WE SP5T ! WEEK DO+ ALL ?OSE EXCIT+ ?+S Y\ /ILL REMEMB] & !N WE W]E >RE/$4 

0,JAN DID KEEP P>T ( HIS PROMISE ?\<10 ,MIRNA TELLS ME2 0! ONLY P>T HE WAS ABLE TO KEEP40 

0,Y\ MEAN Y\ SAW HIM AGA9 BE=E \R >RE/80 

0,I W5T TO ! CLE>+ EV]Y DAY HOP+ HE'D BE !RE4 ,HE CAME EXACTLY :5 HE SAID3 9 A WEEK4 ,BUT HE WASN'T ! SAME4 ,SOME?+ 9SIDE HIM WAS BROK54 ,HE DIDN'T KISS ME4 ,HE DIDN'T EV5 T\* ME4 ,:5 HE TALK$1 HE DIDN'T LOOK AT ME4 ,! DEVIL HAD MADE ME BEG HIM TO DO SOME?+ HE C\LDN'T DO & HE HAD BROK5 HIMSELF TRY+4 ',I LOVE Y\ ! WAY A BRO!R LOVES HIS SI/]1 ,MIRNA -- NO LESS & NO MORE2 DO Y\ UND]/& ?AT8' HE ASK$ ME4 ,I DIDN'T UND]/& ?AT4 ,! DEVIL WAS 9 MY VE9S2 ,I WAS ANGRY2 ,I REA*$ = MORE4 ',SAB9A %[$ ME H[ MU* Y\ LOV$ ME1' ,I TOLD HIM4 ,HE TURN$ HIS BACK TO ME4 ',=GET :AT ,SAB9A %[$ Y\1' HE SAID1 & ,I KNEW HE WAS SAD :5 HE SAID IT BECAUSE ,I WANT$ HIM TO BE SAD :5 HE SAID ?AT4 ',=GET Y\ EV] HE>D ( ,SAB9A4 ,:AT %E %[$ Y\ IS IMPOSSIBLE & NOT EV5 ,SAB9A KN[S H[ TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE4 ,ONLY A REVOLUTION W\LD MAKE IT POSSIBLE & !RE >5'T 5\< ,SAB9AS = ?AT REVOLUTION2 NOT TODAY2 NOT H]E4 ,I TRI$2 BELIEVE ME :5 ,I TELL Y\ ,I TRI$4 ,BUT !RE W]5'T 5\< ( US TRY+ & WE FAIL$4 ,FAIL$6 ,PLEASE UND]/& :AT ?AT MEANS1 ,MIRNA4 ,EV]Y?+ WE DREAM$ IS GO+ TO BE IMPOSSIBLE & !RE'S NO?+ TO DO BUT =GET IT UNTIL ! NEXT TIME4 ,IF Y\ CAN'T =GET1 AT LEA/ PRET5D TO =GET2 LOCK Y\R FEEL+S 9TO Y\R HE>T & KEEP !M LOCK$ !RE EV]Y M9UTE ( EV]Y DAY4 ,IF Y\ LET !M \T ?AT OLD VAMPIRE & ALL ! VAMPIRES ( ?IS WORLD >E GO+ TO TE> Y\R HE>T TO %R$S4 ,DO Y\ UND]/& ?AT8' ,I DIDN'T UND]/& ANY?+4 ,HE S\ND$ S9C]E BUT ,I DIDN'T BELIEVE A WORD HE SAID4 ,I GOT ON MY KNEES & PRAY$ TO HIM1 ,I BEGG$ HIM TO TAKE ME TO ! CITY4 ,NO?+ W\LD BE POSSIBLE IF HE LEFT ME 9 ?AT H\SE ) ?OSE PEASANTS1 ?AT HORRID MO!R4 ,9 ! CITY ,I'D BE JU/ LIKE Y\ & ,JAN & ,SAB9A2 9 ! CITY EV]Y?+ W\LD BE POSSIBLE2 ,SAB9A W\LD BE !RE2 %E'D KN[2 %E'D %[ ME4 ,:Y DID ,I HAVE TO PRET5D NOT TO BE :AT ,I WAS1 NOT TO FEEL :AT ,I FELT1 NOT TO LOVE ?OSE ,I LOV$8 ,:O W\LD TE> MY HE>T TO %R$S8 ,I DIDN'T BELIEVE ,JAN4 ,I DIDN'T BELIEVE HIM UNTIL ! VAMPIRES TORE MY HE>T TO %R$S4 ,JAN LEFT ME 9 ! CLE>+1 ALONE1 ANGRY4 ,I RETURN$ ! FOLL[+ WEEK1 & ! WEEK AFT] ?AT1 BUT HE DIDN'T COME = ME4 ,ONE DAY MY FA!R TOLD ME ,JAN & ALL HIS FRI5DS W]E LOCK$ UP1 F> AWAY4 ,!N ,I BELIEV$ :AT HE'D TOLD ME4 ,I LE>N$ TO PRET5D4 ,I PRET5D$ = F\R YE>S & :5 HE RETURN$ ,I W5T ON PRET5D+4 ,I WAS 5GAG$ TO A PEASANT ,I KNEW 9 S*OOL2 ,I PRET5D$ ,I'D NEV] LOV$ ,JAN & HE DIDN'T EV5 REMEMB] HE'D TOLD ME TO PRET5D4 ,HE WAS UPSET AB\T ! PEASANT1 BUT = MY SAKE1 = ! SAKE ( MY FUTURE1 NOT = HIS [N SAKE4 ,:5 Y\ CAME ,I PRET5D$ Y\ W]E ,JAN4 ,& ,I'VE PRET5D$ EV] S9CE4 ,H[ DOES ?AT MAKE Y\ FEEL80 

0,:AT DIFF]5CE DOES ?AT MAKE1 ,MIRNA8 ,:AT IF ,I PRET5D$ Y\ W]E ,LUISA8 ,I /ILL LOV$ ,LUISA :5 ,I FIR/ MADE LOVE TO Y\4 ,DOES ?AT MAKE ANY DIFF]5CE TO Y\8 ,W\LD IT HAVE !N80 

0,IS ?AT :AT Y\ DID TO ,SOPHIA8 ,DID Y\ PRET5D %E WAS ,LUISA :5 Y\ MADE LOVE TO H]80 

0,NO1 ,MIRNA4 ,IF ,I PRET5D$ Y\ W]E ,LUISA IT WAS BECAUSE ,I LOV$ Y\ ! WAY ,I HAD LOV$ ,LUISA4 ,I DIDN'T PRET5D ,SOPHIA WAS ANYONE ,I HAD EV] LOV$4 ,I ONLY US$ H]4 ,?AT'S :Y ,I C\LD NEV] TELL H]40 

0,C\LDN'T %E TELL80 

,?AT'S :AT ,I'D LIKE TO KN[3 C\LDN'T Y\ TELL8 ,I HAD SE5 Y\ AT ,LUISA'S -- ,I %\LD N[ SAY Y\R H\SE1 ! H\SE 9 :I* ,LUISA & ,I HAD MADE LOVE C\NTLESS TIMES2 H[ C\LD Y\ NOT TELL8 ,I SAW Y\ AGA9 AT ?AT MEET+ AFT] ,JAN & ,I RETURN$ FROM HIS FAMILY'S H\SE4 ,I SAW Y\ EXACTLY AS ,JASNA /ILL REMEMB]S Y\3 AS ! PRIM1 WELL-MANN]$1 P]FECTLY CORRECT Y\NG LADY1 AMAZ+LY WELL-9=M$ & 9CR$IBLY NAIVE4 ,I READ Y\R DESCRIPTION ( Y\R PASSION = ,JOSE ) DISBELIEF4 ,I CAN'T IMAG9E H[ ,HU< C\LD HAVE *>ACT]IZ$ Y\ AS HE DID4 ,IT WAS ,I :O WAS WRONG1 ,I KN[ ?AT N[2 MY PICTURE ( Y\ WAS AS FALSE AS Y\R PICTURE ( ME4 ,IT WAS NEV]!LESS ?AT PICTURE ,I SAW2 IT WAS ?AT P]SON ,I 0S$UC$40 ,I DON'T WANT TO 9SULT Y\1 ,SOPHIA4 ,Y\ W]E V]Y PRETTY1 EV5 BEAUTIFUL 9 Y\R [N DELICATE WAY2 ,I'M SURE Y\ /ILL >E4 ,BUT = ME Y\R BEAUTY WASN'T ! BEAUTY ( FLE% & LIMBS1 IT WASN'T A BEAUTY ?AT /IMULAT$ PASSION4 ,IT WAS ! BEAUTY ( A PORCELA9 /ATUE -- COLD1 FRAGILE1 HOLL[4 ,Y\ W]E NO ,LUISA -- NOT !N1 NOT TO ME4 ,) :AT PASSION ,LUISA HAD EXPRESS$ H]SELF AT ?AT MEET+6 ,IT WAS ?AT PASSION ?AT HURL$ ME 9TO FR5ZI$ ACTIVITY4 ,YET Y\ REMEMB] ONLY ! WORDS4 ,:5 %E %\T$1 0,! WORK]S HAVE TO RUN ! FACTORIES BY !MSELVES6 ,WE HAVE TO MAKE ALL ( LIFE \RS & RUN ALL ( IT60 ,I DIDN'T HE> ONLY WORDS2 ,I SAW ! DESIRE 9 H] EYES & ON H] LIPS1 ,I FELT ! PASSION 9 ALL H] MOVEM5TS4 ,?AT'S :Y ,I AGRE$ ) ,LUISA :ILE SIMULTANE\SLY AGREE+ ) ,JAN4 ,!IR WORDS SEEM$ TO CONTRADICT EA* O!R BUT ,I ?\<T !IR PASSIONS W]E ID5TICAL4 ,LUISA TALK$ ( RUNN+ ! FACTORIES1 ,JAN ( BURN+ !M1 BUT BO? COMMUNICAT$ ! SAME ?\<T TO ME3 ! ?\<T ( A LIFE WE'VE D>$ ONLY TO DREAM & ONLY ?OSE ( US :O'VE D>$ TO DREAM4 ,:AT ,I FELT & HE>D HAD TO DO ) WILLFUL1 PASSIONATE HUMAN BE+S :OSE BIOGRAPHIES W]E TO CONSI/ ( REALIZ$ DESIRES & NOT ( PAID 9/RUCTIONS1 :OSE FACTORY AISLES1 IF !Y MU/ HAVE FACTORIES1 W]E TO BE C>PET$ ) ! MATTRESSES ,SAB9A DESCRIB$ TO Y\4 ,?AT'S :Y ,I WORK$ ) PASSION TO PUT ,LUISA'S SLOGANS ON PO/]S & ON WALLS & 9SIDE O!R FACTORIES4 ,?OSE SLOGANS W]E ALL ,I RETA9$ ( ,LUISA'S LOVE4 ,AFT] ! MEET+ %E KISS$ ,M>C ,GLAVNI ON HIS LIPS & WALK$ AWAY ) H] >M >\ND HIM4 ,IT WAS ONLY !N ,I TURN$ TO Y\1 ,SOPHIA4 ,?AT WAS :5 ,I ASK$ IF Y\ WANT$ TO HELP ME PR9T PO/]S4 ,?AT WAS :5 ,I GAVE Y\ A T\R ( ! PLANT & RODE ) Y\ ! FOLL[+ DAY DI/RIBUT+ ! PO/]S4 ,IT WASN'T LOVE OR PASSION OR DESIRE ?AT DROVE ME TO Y\1 ,SOPHIA1 BUT ONLY FRU/RATION & RES5TM5T4 ,Y\ TELL ME ?AT MY C>ESSES DIDN'T EQUAL ,JOSE'S -- YET Y\ LOV$ ME4 ,C\LDN'T Y\ DRAW Y\R CONCLUSIONS8 ,! ONLY DESIRE ,I FELT T[>D Y\ WAS ! DESIRE TO TAKE A PORCELA9 /ATUE 9 MY >MS & %ATT] IT 9TO SPL9T]S4 ,YET Y\ RESPOND$ TO EV]Y REQUE/ ,I MADE ) ! SAME1 POLITE1 0,YES1 ,Y>O/AN1 IT W\LD PLEASE ME V]Y MU*40 ,:5 WE RETURN$ TO ! PLANT AFT] DI/RIBUT+ \R PO/]S ,I ASK$ IF Y\'D LIKE TO SP5D ! NI<T ) ME 9 ! PLANT4 0,YES4 ,Y>O/AN1 IT W\LD PLEASE ME V]Y MU*40 ,I SLEPT4 ,I DREAM$ ( ,LUISA4 ,Y\ DIDN'T R\SE A %AD[ ( DESIRE 9 ME4 ,Y\ %YLY PLAC$ Y\R >M NEXT TO M9E1 BUT EV] SO POLITELY6 ,I C\LDN'T MAKE MYSELF PRET5D Y\ W]E ,LUISA6 ,I DID DESIRE Y\ ONCE1 ,SOPHIA1 = AN 9/ANT4 ,Y\ POLITELY CONS5T$ TO SP5D ! FOLL[+ NI<T ) ME4 ,?AT NI<T'S 0LOVE0 IS UND\BT$LY ! LOVE Y\'VE REMEMB]$ = TW5TY YE>S2 ?AT'S ! NI<T ,I'VE TRI$ TO MAKE MYSELF =GET4 ,BUT IF ,I'M GO+ TO EXPOSE ! FALS5ESS ( Y\R FEEL+S T[>D ME1 ,I CAN'T CONT9UE HID+ ! F\L ROOT FROM :I* !Y SPRANG4 ,I 9T5TIONALLY PLAC$ \R BLANKET NE> ! /REET 5TRANCE TO ! WORK%OP4 ,Y\ RESPOND$ POLITELY TO MY C>ESSES4 ,I WAS SURE Y\ SAID EV]Y?+ Y\ ?\<T Y\ %\LD SAY & Y\ TURN$ EXACTLY AS Y\ ?\<T Y\ %\LD TURN4 ,IT WAS ONLY ! FOLL[+ MORN+ ?AT MY DESIRE = Y\ GREW4 ,Y\ W]E N]V\S2 Y\ KNEW H[ LATE IT WAS4 ,BUT Y\ REMA9$ 9 MY >MS1 SMIL+ Y\R POLITE1 FRAGILE1 N]V\S SMILE4 ,SUDD5LY ! WORK%OP 5TRANCE WAS WIDE OP52 SUNLI<T /REAM$ 92 ,LUISA %\T$1 0,OH1 EXCUSE US60 AS %E & ,M>C SCURRI$ PA/ US 9TO ! %OP2 ,TITUS >RIV$ A SECOND LAT]4 ,MY SATISFACTION WAS COMPLETE :51 R$ ) %AME1 Y\ RAN TO ! /OCKROOM ) A BLANKET DRAP$ >\ND Y\4 ,I HAD BROK5 ! PORCELA9 /ATUE4 ,I DID IT \T ( RES5TM5T T[>D ,LUISA & T[>D ,TITUS1 \T ( FRU/RATION1 \T ( SPITE4 ,H[ Y\ HAT$ ,ALEC :5 Y\ SAW HIM EMBRAC+ ,LUISA = :AT Y\ TOOK TO BE SIMIL> MOTIVES6 ,I LOV$ Y\1 DESIR$ Y\1 ,SOPHIA1 DUR+ ONE 9/ANT3 ! 9/ANT :5 Y\ TURN$ R$ ) %AME1 ! 9/ANT :5 ,LUISA1 ,TITUS & ,M>C LOOK$ AT ! CORRECT Y\NG LADY HAV+ 9T]C\RSE ON ! WORK%OP FLOOR RI<T BY ! /REET 5TRANCE 9 BROAD DAYLI<T4 

0,! DEVIL PUT ?AT 9TO Y\R HEAD60 ,MIRNA EXCLAIMS4 

0,I DON'T WANT TO HIDE BEH9D ! DEVIL1 ,MIRNA4 ,:AT ,I DID TO ,SOPHIA WAS MON/R\S & ,I FEEL ,I %\LD TELL H] ?AT H] LOVE = ME IS BUILT ON ROT40 

0,Y\'LL BE BOA/+4 ,DO Y\ ?9K ANY SU* IDEA C\LD HAVE COME 9TO Y\R HEAD ON ITS [N8 ,DON'T Y\ RECOGNIZE ITS AU?OR8 ,ONLY ?REE DAYS E>LI] ,JAN HAD ASK$ Y\ TO DO EXACTLY ! SAME ?+ AT MY H\SE1 TO MY MO!R4 ,DID Y\ ?9K ?AT WAS ,JAN'S IDEA8 ,! TWO PRANKS >E ID5TICAL1 ,Y>O/AN1 & NEI!R Y\ NOR ,JAN W]E SU* +5I\S PRANK/]S4 ,IT HAS ! DEVIL'S SIGNATURE ON IT2 DON'T Y\ SEE IT EV5 N[8 ,! PRANK WAS DESIGN$ TO DRIVE MY MO!R \T ( H] WITS4 ,BY MAK+ ,SOPHIA ! ,QUE5 (4 ! ,PEASANTS Y\ M]ELY MADE ! PRANK USELESS TO ,JAN & PO/PON$ ! COMPLETION ( ! DEVIL'S PLAN UNTIL A TIME :5 ,JAN C\LD NO LONG] D]IVE ANY SATISFACTION FROM IT40 

0,?AT'S T]RIBLY G>BL$1 ,MIRNA4 ,I 9SULT$ ,SOPHIA --0 

0,%E REV5G$ H]SELF TWICE OV]6 ,%E TOLD Y\ %E LEFT JAIL 9 TWO DAYS1 AB&ON+ Y\ & ,JAN TO F\R YE>S 9 PRISON4 ,!N %E W5T ON TO TAKE EV]Y?+ Y\ HADN'T GIV5 H] & %E ?ANK$ Y\ = ALL ( IT -- FROM SPITE6 ,?AT PRANK W\LD HAVE S]V$ ,JAN'S AIMS F> BETT] ?AN IT S]V$ Y\RS4 ,DID Y\ EV] REGA9 ,LUISA'S LOVE8 ,WAS %E WAIT+ = Y\ AT ! PRISON GATE :5 Y\ W]E RELEAS$ F\R YE>S LAT]8 ,YET Y\ /ILL LOV$ ,LUISA !N4 ,IT'S Y\ ,I FEEL SORRY =1 NOT ,SOPHIA4 ,! ?REE ( !M TOOK TWELVE YE>S FROM Y\R LIFE & ! HE>T \T ( M9E1 YET Y\'RE GROVEL+1 APOLOGIZ+3 ',I'M SORRY1 ,SOPHIA1 = HAV+ PLAY$ Y\R SI/]'S PRANK ON Y\2 ,I %\LD HAVE PLAY$ IT ON ,MIRNA'S MO!R4'0 

0,?AT'S ALL CON/RUCT$ ) Y\R MO!R'S SUP]/ITI\S LOGIC1 ,MIRNA1 & IT DOESN'T REF] TO :AT ACTUALLY HAPP5$4 ,NO1 ,I DIDN'T REGA9 ,LUISA'S LOVE4 ,YES1 ,I DID LOVE H] LONG AFT] ?AT4 ,BUT ?AT HAS NO?+ TO DO ) ! FACT ?AT ! POLICE >RE/$ US & --0 

0,:Y W]E Y\ & ,JAN >RE/$8 ,TELL ME ?AT6 ,TELL ME :Y ! ?REE ( !M W]E RELEAS$ TWO DAYS LAT]6 ,DID !Y TRY TO RELEASE !IR COMRADES :5 !Y W]E \T8 ,TELL ME ?AT60 

,I CAN'T TELL ,MIRNA ?AT4 ,I DON'T KN[ :Y4 ,MIRNA'S SUP]/ITI\S 0ANALYSIS0 IS G>BL$ BUT H] QUE/IONS >E P]FECTLY CLE> & !Y RAISE MORE PROBLEMS ?AN ,I'M WILL+ TO FACE4 ,! DAY AFT] ,I PLAY$ MY 0PRANK0 ON Y\ 7OR ,SAB9A'S PRANK1 IF ,MIRNA IS RI<T71 ! RUMOR SPREAD AMONG US ?AT ,LUISA'S 0COMPANION0 ,GEORGE ,ALB]TS HAD BE5 EXPELL$ FROM HIS PLANT4 ,! FOLL[+ DAY ,CLAUDE & ,ADRIAN TOLD ME ,ALB]TS WAS A 0SPY0 :O HAD WORK$ = ! 05EMY0 DUR+ ! W>1 & ?AT ,LUISA WAS 9 SOME WAY HIS ACCOMPLICE4 ,I KNEW !SE W]E LIES MANUFACTUR$ BY ,CLAUDE'S POLICE M5TALITY & ,I ALSO KNEW ?AT ,CLAUDE HAD WAIT$ LONG = HIS REV5GE AGA9/ ,LUISA4 ,I DISMISS$ ,CLAUDE & ,ADRIAN AS REPRESSIVE MANIACS4 ,CLAUDE LAT] WORK$ ) ! POLICE & IT'S OBVI\SLY BECAUSE ( HIM ?AT ! POLICE ADD$ 0ESPIONAGE0 & 0COLLABORATION ) ! ,ALB]TS SPY R+0 TO !IR LI/ ( *>GES AGA9/ US4 ,9 PRISON ,I WAS %[N A =EIGN NEWSPAP] CLIPP+ ACCORD+ TO :I* 0,GEORGE ,ALB]TS & HIS FAMILY0 W]E SETTL+ ABROAD 9 ! COM=T PROVID$ = !M BY ! GOV]NM5T !Y HAD S]V$4 ,!SE TYPICAL POLICE MANEUV]S DIDN'T %ATT] MY TRU/ 9 OR ADMIRATION = ,LUISA4 ,NO?+ WAS ODD TO ME UNTIL Y\ TOLD ME TWO OR ?REE MON?S AGO ?AT ,LUISA'S PRISON T]M HAD ONLY LA/$ = TWO DAYS4 ,! SL&]\S RUMOR SPREAD BY ,CLAUDE1 ! ELABORATE S*EME 9V5T$ BY ! POLICE1 ! FACT ?AT ,LUISA WAS GONE :5 ,I WAS RELEAS$ -- NONE ( ?AT BO!R$ ME4 ,BUT ! KN[L$GE ?AT %E'D BE5 RELEAS$ AFT] TWO DAYS 9 JAIL W\LD HAVE BO!R$ ME4 ,I KNEW ! POLICE REGUL>LY BUNGL$ !N [N ELABORATELY CONCOCT$ S*EMES BY GIV+ %ORT] T]MS TO ?OSE !Y DESIGNAT$ 0R+LEAD]S0 ?AN TO ?OSE !Y DESIGNAT$ M]E 0ACCOMPLICES40 ,BUT ,I C\LDN'T HAVE MADE MYSELF BELIEVE !Y HAD BUNGL$ SO F> AS TO RELEASE ! 5TIRE 0C5T] ( ! R+0 AFT] ONLY TWO DAYS :ILE LEAV+ ! ACCOMPLICES LOCK$ UP = F\R YE>S4 ,I DIDN'T EV5 BELIEVE ! CLIPP+ ,I'D BE5 %[N 9 PRISON4 ,! DAY ,I WAS RELEAS$ ,I W5T DIRECTLY TO ,LUISA'S H\SE4 ,COMPLETE /RANG]S LIV$ !RE2 !Y'D LIV$ !RE = F\R YE>S & HADN'T EV] HE>D ( A ,NA*ALO OR AN ,ALB]TS FAMILY4 ,I CONCLUD$ %E WAS EI!R 9 JAIL /ILL OR ?AT ! CLIPP+ WAS AU!NTIC4 ,:5 ,I BR\<T ?IS UP TO ,JAN A WEEK OR TWO LAT]1 HE TOLD ME HE'D SE5 ! SAME CLIPP+1 HADN'T EV] D\BT$ ITS AU!NTICITY1 & HADN'T BE5 BO!R$ BY IT3 0,DID Y\ EXPECT !M TO /AY H]E80 HE ASK$4 ,OBVI\SLY NOT4 ,I NO LONG] D\BT$ ! AU!NTICITY ( ! CLIP-P+ & ,I WASN'T BO!R$ BY IT2 !RE WAS NO?+ ODD TO ME AB\T ! FACT ?AT ,LUISA HAD SETTL$ ABROAD AFT] BE+ RELEAS$ FROM PRISON 9TO AN 5VIRONM5T ?AT (F]$ NO RELEASE FROM PRISON4 ,ONCE ,I ACCEPT$ H] ABS5CE ,I EV5 FELT /IMULAT$ BY IT4 ,%E HAD LEFT ME BEH9D TO CONT9UE H] WORK4 ,I WOND]$ H[ PR\D ( ME %E'D HAVE BE5 IF %E'D HE>D ME REPEAT EV]Y ONE ( H] /ORIES & EV]Y ONE ( H] !ORIES TO ,MIRNA & H] FA!R4 

0,SO Y\ DIDN'T PRET5D ,I WAS ,LUISA60 ,MIRNA EXCLAIMS4 

0,I DIDN'T SAY ,I DID2 ,I ONLY ASK$ :AT DIFF]5CE IT W\LD HAVE MADE4 ,NO1 ,I OBVI\SLY DIDN'T PRET5D Y\ W]E ,LUISA2 Y\ HAD NO?+ AT ALL 9 COMMON ) H]40 

0,BUT Y\ HAD EV]Y?+ 9 COMMON ) H]4 ,Y\ BECAME ,LUISA & ,I BECAME Y\40 

,!RE'S A GREAT DEAL ( TRU? 9 ?AT4 ,MIRNA BECAME MY 0POLITICAL PUPIL10 JU/ AS ,I HAD ONCE BE5 ,LUISA'S4 ,EV5 ! CONT5T ( ! LESSONS WAS ! SAME3 ! WORK]S HAD DONE IT ONCE & !Y C\LD DO IT AGA92 !Y HAD DEFEAT$ A :OLE >MY1 TAK5 HOLD ( ! L& & ! FACTORIES & />T$ TO =GE !IR [N WORLD1 & WE W]E GO+ TO =GE IT AGA91 >M 9 >M4 ,BUT ,I DIDN'T COMMUNICATE MY PROJECT TO ,MIRNA AS SUCCESSFULLY AS ,LUISA HAD COMMUNICAT$ H]S TO ME4 ,:AT ,MIRNA HE>D WAS TOTALLY UNRELAT$ TO :AT ,I SAID4 ,I GRADUALLY REALIZ$ ?AT %E WANT$ LIFE :ILE ,I WAS (F]+ H] POLITICS4 ,I BECAME ,LUISA1 BUT ONLY 9 MY [N EYES4 

0,Y\ BECAME SOMEONE ELSE 9 MY EYES1 ,Y>O/AN1 SOMEONE ,I WANT$ V]Y BADLY4 ,EV]Y WORD Y\ SPOKE EXPRESS$ :AT ,I MO/ LONG$ TO HE>4 ,Y\ W]E MY BRO!R AS ,I HAD KN[N HIM BE=E HIS PRISON T]M1 Y\ FULFILL$ HIS PROMISE TO ME1 Y\ SATISFI$ ! DESIRE ,SAB9A HAD R\S$ 9 ME4 ,& 9 ! 5D Y\ W]E ! 9/RUM5T ?AT DE/ROY$ MY FAMILY BECAUSE ,SAB9A DEVIS$ A PRANK --0 

0,Y\'VE BE5 OBSESS$ ) ?AT SUP]/ITION EV] S9CE ,SOPHIA'S LETT] >RIV$1 ,MIRNA4 ,SAB9A HAD NO?+ TO DO ) MY COM+ TO Y\R H\SE AFT] MY RELEASE4 ,%E'D BE5 GONE DUR+ ALL F\R YE>S ( MY IMPRISONM5T4 ,I CAME BECAUSE ,JAN WAS MY BE/ FRI5D4 ,I KNEW :]E HIS P>5TS LIV$ & ,I HOP$ !Y'D KN[ HIS :]EAB\TS40 

0,Y\ W]5'T H] CONSCI\S 9/RUM5T2 ,I WAS10 %E CONT9UES /UBBORNLY4 0,Y\ DIDN'T KN[ :AT Y\R COM+ TO US MEANT4 ,I KNEW4 ,JAN HAD W>N$ ME4 ,MY MO!R DIDN'T LET A DAY PASS )\T TELL+ ME4 ,%E TOLD ME ! SAME ?+ OV] & OV] AGA91 LIKE A RECORD ?AT'S PLAY$ DAY AFT] DAY UNTIL Y\ F9ALLY /OP HE>+ IT4 ,H[ %E HAD S+LE-H&$LY TRI$ TO BR+ US UP 9 ! WAY ( ! LORD1 BUT ! LORD HAD S5T A SC\RGE ON ALL ( US BECAUSE MY FA!R HAD TRANSGRESS$ ! LORD'S WAY & TRAFFICK$ ) ! DEVIL4 ,TO Y\ %E WAS ALWAYS JU/ A CRAZY OLD WOMAN ) CRAZY EXPLANATIONS1 BUT %E WASN'T AS CRAZY AS Y\ ?\<T4 ,MY FA!R HAD RUN AFT] \R NEI<BOR'S WIFE 9 ! VILLAGE2 MAYBE HE'D EV5 SLEPT ) H]4 ,JAN & ,I JOK$ AB\T IT :5 WE W]E LITTLE & FA!R W9K$ AT ME1 KN[+ P]FECTLY WELL ?AT ,I KNEW4 ,EV]YONE KNEW1 9CLUD+ ! NEI<BOR4 ,:5 ! W> CAME1 ?AT NEI<BOR W5T TO ! OCCUPATION AU?ORITIES1 TOLD !M SOME TALES AB\T MY FA!R1 & 9 A S+LE DAY WE LO/ \R Y>D1 \R *ICK5S1 \R H\SE1 EV]Y?+40 

0,AN 5ORM\S >MY DIDN'T OCCUPY ?IS C\NTRY = FIVE YE>S 9 ORD] TO PUNI% Y\R FA!R'S SEXUAL AFFAIRS1 ,MIRNA60 

,MIRNA KICKS ME & %\TS1 0,Y\ KEEP Y\R EXPLANATIONS & ,I'LL KEEP M9E6 ,:AT GOOD DO Y\R EXPLANATIONS DO Y\ ANYWAY8 ,MY MO!R'S EXPLA9$ :AT HAPP5$ TO US & :Y4 ,Y\RS DON'T EXPLA9 ANY?+ AT ALL2 !Y'VE GOT NO?+ TO DO ) ME4 ,AS SOON AS WE LEFT ! LORD'S PA? WE />T$ \R J\RNEY TO P]DITION & ,JAN'S IMPRISONM5T WAS ONLY A /OP ALONG ! WAY4 ,?AT WAS :AT %E TOLD ME TW5TY YE>S AGO & NO?+ Y\ EV] SAID WAS MORE TRUE4 ,IF WE'D /AY$ 9 ! VILLAGE1 ,JAN W\LD BE ALIVE TODAY1 MY FA!R W\LD BE SIXTY-?REE & /ILL AS VIGOR\S AS A BULL1 MY MO!R W\LD ONLY BE FIFTY-EI<T & %E'D BE NO CRAZI] ?AN ANY ( \R NEI<BORS4 ,I HAT$ H] LORD AS MU* AS ,I HAT$ H] LORD'S PA?1 BUT ,ONLY AFT] WE'D MOV$ TO ! \TSKIRTS ( ! CITY -- :I* %E CALL$ A D5 ( S94 ,IF ,I'D GR[N UP 9 ! VILLAGE ,I'D HAVE BE5 JU/ LIKE H]4 ,AFT] WE MOV$ ,I LOV$ MY FA!R & ,I LOV$ :AT HE'D DONE1 EV5 ?\< ,I KNEW EV]Y?+ %E SAID WAS TRUE4 ,I BELIEV$ H]1 BUT ,I DIDN'T WANT TO BE LIKE H]4 ,I CAME TO HATE H] MORE ?AN ,JAN EV] DID1 BUT ,I /ILL BELIEV$ H]4 ',Y\'RE GO+ TO BE ! DEVIL'S BRIDE6' %E TOLD ME4 ,! DEVIL POSSESS$ Y\R FA!R FIR/2 !N HE VISIT$ Y\R BRO!R2 HE CAME TO Y\ LA/1 BUT Y\'RE GO+ TO BE ! ONE :O DRIVES ! DEVIL'S SWORD 9TO \R FLE%4' ,%E PO9T$ H] F+] AT ME ) SU* HATR$2 %E ACTUALLY SAW ! DEVIL 9 ME4 ,I SCREAM$3 ,LI>6 ,SUP]/ITI\S HAG6 ,& AFT] ,SAB9A TAU<T ME3 ,VAMPIRE6 ,BUT ,I KNEW IT WAS TRUE & ,I WANT$ IT TO BE TRUE4 ,MY >MS1 MY LIPS1 MY :OLE BODY A*$ = ! DEVIL4 ,I LONG$ TO BE ! DEVIL'S BRIDE & ,I DREAM$ ( DRIV+ ! DEVIL'S SWORD 9TO H] FLE%6 ,! DEVIL'S BRIDE1 ,JAN'S BRIDE1 MY FA!R'S BRIDE -- EV]Y?+ %E SAID ,I'D BE1 ,I WANT$ TO BE4 ,BUT ,I DIDN'T HAVE ! N]VE4 ,I ONLY HAD ! N]VE TO DO IT AS ,SAB9A HAD TAU<T ME3 BY PRET5D+4 ,& PRET5D+ WAS GOOD 5\<2 ! DEVIL DOESN'T KN[ ! DIFF]5CE4 ,I NO LONG] KN[ ! DIFF]5CE EI!R4 ,I'VE ALREADY DRIV5 ?AT BLOOD-/A9$ SWORD 9TO ALL BUT ?REE ( US1 & ,I'M /ILL HOLD+ IT --0 

0,MIRNA --0 

0,DON'T 9T]RUPT1 ,Y>O/AN1 Y\ DON'T UND]/& ANY?+6 ,I HAD MY SECOND 5C\NT] ) ! DEVIL1 AT LONG LA/1 A YE> BE=E Y\ OR ,JAN W]E RELEAS$4 ,HE CAME 9 ! %APE ( A BOY ,I KNEW 9 SEV5? GRADE2 WE W]E BO? ?IRTE54 ,IT WAS ) HIM ?AT ,I TRI$ TO COMPLETE :AT ,I'D NEV] C>RI$ ?R\< ) ,JAN1 :AT ,I'D COMPLET$ ONLY ONCE1 ! NI<T ,SAB9A PRET5D$ TO BE ,JAN4 ,I DON'T REMEMB] HIS NAME BECAUSE ,I CALL$ HIM ,JAN4 ,EV]YONE ELSE 9 CLASS ?\<T ME /RANGE2 !Y KNEW ,I HAD ! DEVIL 9 ME & !Y W]E AFRAID4 ,BUT ! PEASANT BOY ,I CALL$ ,JAN LIK$ ME BECAUSE ,I WAS /RANGE2 HE SPOKE TO ME1 T\*$ ME1 WALK$ ME HOME4 ,ONE DAY ,I DIDN'T WALK HOME AFT] S*OOL2 ,I PULL$ HIM TO ! CLE>+ 9 ! =E/ :]E ,JAN & ,I HAD PLAY$ :5 WE W]E LITTLE4 ,WE W]E ALL ALONE4 ,I REMOV$ ALL MY CLO!S & />T$ TO TE> HIS (F4 ,HE WAS FRI<T5$4 ,I BEGG$ HIM TO PRET5D TO BE ! DEVIL1 MY BRO!R1 BUT HE DIDN'T KN[ H[ TO PRET5D4 ,I WAS SO HUNGRY1 SO T]RIBLY HUNGRY4 ,I PU%$ HIS NAK$ BODY TO ! GR\ND & %\T$1 ,TAKE ME1 ,JAN1 TAKE ME6 ,I'M Y\R BRIDE2 ! DEVIL'S BRIDE6' ,:5 ,I WAS ON HIM HE SOBB$ & %OOK ) FE>4 ,HE JUMP$ AWAY FROM ME & RAN (F ) HIS CLO!S1 LEAV+ ME ALONE 9 ! CLE>+4 ,IF Y\ W]E A MON/] TO ,SOPHIA1 :AT WAS ,I TO ?AT PEASANT8 ,A FEW DAYS LAT] ,I LE>N$ ! DEVIL DOESN'T C>E IF ! DE$ IS PRET5D$ OR REAL1 NOR EV5 IF IT'S C>RI$ ?R\< TO ITS CONSUMMATION2 ALL HE C>ES AB\T IS ! DESIRE1 ! DEVIL'S PASSION4 ,! BOY'S FA!R WAS KILL$4 ,! FA!RS ( SEV]AL O!R /UD5TS 9 MY CLASS W]E >RE/$4 ,!Y HAD ALL WORK$ 9 A NEI<BOR+ T[N :]E !RE HAD BE5 A CONFRONTATION ) ! POLICE4 ,! DAY ,I HAD TAK5 ! BOY TO ! CLE>+ A /RIKE HAD BROK5 \T4 ,IT WASN'T JU/ A /RIKE4 ,IT WAS ,JAN'S /RIKE4 ,:AT ?OSE WORK]S WANT$ WAS ! REVOLUTION1 ! WORLD :]E EV]Y?+ W\LD BE POSSIBLE -- & !Y W]E ALL >RE/$1 EV]Y LA/ ONE ( !M2 SOME W]E KILL$2 MY PEASANT'S FA!R HAD ONLY WORK$ !RE = A MON? --0 

0,I HE>D AB\T ?AT RIS+ DUR+ MY FIR/ T]M4 ,! FACT ?AT IT BROKE \T :5 Y\ W]E HAV+ Y\R AFFAIR WAS A CO9CID5CE1 ,MIRNA1 A TRIVIAL CO9CID5CE4 ,?OSE WORK]S HAD TRI$ --0 

0,MY :OLE LIFE'S MEAN+ IS BUILT \T ( SU* CO9CID5CES60 ,MIRNA SNAPS1 & !N PROCE$S TO SIL5CE ME DEF9ITIVELY4 0,M>BLES EXP]I5CE CO9CID5CES1 ,Y>O/AN4 ,PEOPLE EXP]I5CE MEAN+S4 ,DON'T Y\ KN[ ! DIFF]5CE8 ,I KNEW :AT ,I HAD DONE1 & SO DID ! BOY4 ,HE WAS T]RIFI$2 DEA? ITSELF C\LDN'T HAVE FRI<T5$ HIM MORE ?AN ,I DID4 ,HE AVOID$ ME AS IF ,I C>RI$ ! PLAGUE4 ,NOT BECAUSE ( :AT ,I'D DONE TO HIM 9 ! CLE>+ BUT BECAUSE ( :AT WE HAD BO? DONE TO HIS FA!R4 ,IF HE W]E H]E N[ ,I'D MAKE Y\ ASK HIM6 ,HIS FE> MADE ME AFRAID1 AFRAID ( MYSELF1 AFRAID ( ?AT DEVIL'S SWORD MY MO!R HAD ALREADY SE5 9 MY H&4 ,= ! RE/ ( ?AT YE> ,I TRI$ H>D TO BE LIKE EV]YONE ELSE4 ,BUT ,I HAD COMMUNICAT$ TO ! PEASANT4 ,DON'T Y\ SEE %E WAS RI<T8 ,ONCE Y\ /EP EV] SO BRIEFLY 9TO ! DEVIL'S PA?1 Y\'LL NEV] EV] LEAVE IT NO MATT] H[ H>D Y\ TRY4 ,HE HAD /EPP$ 9TO IT1 ONLY = AN 9/ANT1 & BY ! 5D ( ! YE> ! SAME PASSION />T$ TO BURN 9 HIM4 ,HE SPOKE TO ME AGA91 HE WALK$ ME HOME4 ,HE HAD LE>N$ TO PRET5D2 HE PRET5D$ WE W]5'T RESPONSIBLE = :AT HAD HAPP5$ TO HIS FA!R4 ,ONE DAY HE PU%$ ME AGA9/ A WALL 9 A D>K COM] & ASK$ ME TO M>RY HIM4 ,HE WANT$ ! DEVIL -- BUT ALL TO HIMSELF1 NOT 9 BROAD DAYLI<T 9 ! CLE>+ :]E ,I C\LD PRET5D HE WAS ,JAN1 BUT AT NI<T 9 HIS [N PRIVATE B$ROOM :]E ,I W\LDN'T BE ABLE TO PRET5D TO BE ANY?+ O!R ?AN :AT ,I'D BECOME3 ! PEASANT'S WIFE4 ,I CONS5T$4 ,HE SPOKE TO MY P>5TS & >RANGEM5TS W]E MADE4 ,WE W]E TO BE M>RI$ AT ! 5D ( ! S*OOL YE>4 ,HIS OLD] SI/] WAS GO+ TO BE M>RI$ AT ! SAME TIME1 :I* MEANT HE'D TAKE *>GE ( :AT !Y CALL$ !IR F>M4 ,!Y RAIS$ A FEW *ICK5S1 SOME VEGETABLES1 & SUPPLI$ \R /REET ) MILK FROM !IR ?REE C[S4 ,?OSE C[S >E AS CLOSE AS ,I EV] GOT TO ! %EEP Y\ ?9K ,I H]D$4 ,ON ONE ( MY VISITS HIS SI/] %[$ ME H[ TO MILK !M1 TO PREP>E ME = ONE ( ! *ORES ,I'D BE DO+ UNTIL ,I DI$4 ,A MON? LAT] ,JAN RETURN$1 COMPLETELY *ANG$4 ,HE DIDN'T LOOK ! SAME OR ACT ! SAME4 ,HE WASN'T ONLY OLD]4 ,HE WAS BROK54 ,& ,I HAD BROK5 HIM4 ,I PRET5D$ ?AT ,I LOV$ MY PEASANT1 ?AT ,I'D NEV] LOV$ ,JAN1 ?AT ,I'D NEV] LE>N$ ANY?+ FROM ,SAB9A1 ?AT ! DEVIL DIDN'T FL[ 9 MY VE9S1 ?AT ,I LIK$ TO MILK C[S4 ,WE DIDN'T SPEAK TO EA* O!R 9 ! H\SE1 WE NEV] W5T \T TOGE!R & WE SLEPT 9 SEP>ATE ROOMS ) BO? \R DOORS CLOS$4 ,! OLD HAWK F\ND NO?+ AT ALL TO REPROA* 9 \R BEHAVIOR AL?\< H] EYES FOLL[$ US EV]Y M9UTE >\ND ! CLOCK4 ,BUT ! TRU? IS ?AT ! DEVIL'S PASSION /ILL BURN$ 9SIDE ME1 & IT BROKE ?R\< ) ALL ITS =CE ONE NI<T :5 ,I WAS \T ON A WALK1 ALONE2 ,I ACCID5TALLY RAN 9TO ,JAN4 ,HE ASK$ ME1 ',>E Y\ REALLY GO+ TO GO ?R\< ) ?AT M>RIAGE8' ,I TOLD HIM1 ',YES ,I AM1 & ,I CAN'T WAIT4' ,HE ASK$1 ',C\LDN'T Y\ F9D SOMEONE ) MORE LIFE 9 HIM1 SOMEONE SLI<TLY LESS %ALL[8' ,I FELT MY PASSION RIS+ BUT ,I CRU%$ IT & TOLD HIM1 ',I LOVE HIM EXACTLY AS HE IS1 ,JAN1 & ,I LOVE HIS C[S & HIS *ICK5S & -- 2 ,HE DIDN'T LET ME GO ON4 ',Y\ HATE C[S & *ICK5S1 ,MIRNA6 ,DO Y\ REALLY WANT TO DO ?IS TO Y\R LIFE8' ,?AT 9/ANT EV]Y?+ BROKE ?R\<2 ,I BURN$4 ,I ?REW MY >MS >\ND HIS NECK & BEGG$1 ',:Y >E Y\ ASK+ ME8 ,Y\ KN[ P]FECTLY WELL :AT ,I WANT6' ,HE =C$ MY >MS (F HIS NECK & SAID1 ',BUT ?AT'S IMPOSSIBLE1 ,MIRNA4' ,HE WALK$ AWAY FROM ME1 BUT ,I KNEW HE WAS CRY+4 ,! FOLL[+ DAY ,I PRET5D$ TO =GET4 ,I PRET5D$ TO LOOK =W>D TO MY LIFE MILK+ C[S & ?R[+ CORN TO *ICK5S4 ,BUT TWO WEEKS BE=E ! M>RIAGE Y\ CAME TO \R H\SE4 ,! MOM5T ,I SAW Y\ ,I KNEW ! DEVIL HAD S5T Y\ TO ME & ,I W5T WILD2 ,I GAVE MY HE>T TO ! DEVIL \T ( %E] GRATITUDE2 ,I BECAME ! DEVIL'S BRIDE2 ,I GAVE MYSELF UP :OLLY & UNRES]V$LY TO MY PASSION4 ,D5Y IT ALL Y\ WANT6 ,I KNEW EXACTLY :Y Y\ HAD COME & :O HAD S5T Y\4 ,DON'T Y\ REMEMB] ! FIR/ ?+ ! DEVIL MADE Y\ ASK8 ',>E Y\ ,JAN'S WIFE8' ,MY LIPS TOLD Y\1 ',NO1 SILLY1' BUT MY HE>T SAID1 ',YES1 YES1 ,JAN-,SAB9A-FA!R-DEVIL1 ,I'M Y\R WIFE6 ,TAKE ME1 RI<T H]E1 RI<T N[6' ,OH1 ,Y>O/AN1 ,I'M MELT+ JU/ ?9K+ AB\T IT4 ,I LOV$ Y\ ! 9/ANT ,I SET MY EYES ON Y\2 ,I ALMO/ WRAPP$ MYSELF >\ND Y\ RI<T !N4 ,I C\LDN'T SLEEP ?AT NI<T4 ,I WAS ON FIRE4 ,I LONG$ TO CRAWL 9TO Y\R >MS1 TO DR[N 9 Y\4 ,BUT ,I HAD TO FAN ! FIRE TO ITS HI<E/ HEAT1 ,I HAD TO SET ! DEVIL'S /AGE4 ,MY HE>T P\ND$ 9 MY ?ROAT ! :OLE NEXT DAY4 ,I WAS POSSESS$4 ,I TOOK Y\ \T ( ! H\SE 9 ! MORN+ & P>AD$ Y\ TO ! :OLE NEI<BORHOOD1 PRESS+ Y\R BODY TO M9E4 ,I HAD Y\ WALK BACK & =? 9 FRONT ( ! PEASANT'S H\SE1 & :5 ,I F9ALLY SAW HIM ,I ?REW MY >MS >\ND Y\ & KISS$ Y\ -- & H[ HAPPY ,I WAS :5 Y\ RESPOND$ ) SU* PASSION4 ,?AT 5D$ MY M>RIAGE TO ! C[S & ! *ICK5S4 ,I NEV] SAW MY PEASANT AGA92 ,I LAT] LE>N$ HE LEFT ! NEI<BORHOOD & W5T TO WORK 9 ! FACTORY :]E HIS FA!R HAD BE5 KILL$4 ,I C\LDN'T SLEEP ! SECOND NI<T EI!R2 ,I WAS D\BL$ UP ) DESIRE1 ,I WANT$ TO SCREAM1 ,I WAS />V$1 ,I WAS *>R$4 ,! FOLL[+ MORN+ ! /AGE WAS SET4 ,IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL SPR+ DAY1 ! MO/ BEAUTIFUL 9 MY LIFE1 CRY/AL CLE> & W>M4 ,IT WAS A BLAZE ( FIRE ?AT L$ Y\ TO ! CLE>+ 9 ! =E/4 ,! DEVIL NEV] HAD A HAPPI] BRIDE OR A MORE BEAUTIFUL C]EMONY4 ,AS ,I EMBRAC$ Y\ ,I WANT$ TO CRAWL ?R\< Y\R M\?1 TO EMB$ MYSELF 9 Y\R SK91 TO --0 

0,WE LAY D[N ON ! GRASS4 ',WAIT1' Y\ TOLD ME4 ',PRET5D TO BE ,MIRNA4 ,& ,I SAID1 ',I'LL PRET5D TO BE ANYONE 9 ! WORLD2 ,I CAN'T EXI/ )\T Y\4'0 

0,I PRET5D$ TO BE ,JAN4 ,OH YES1 AS Y\ DID !N6 ,I'M ON FIRE6 ,I LOVE Y\1 ,MIRNA6 ,Y\'RE MY ONLY GIRL6 ,OH --0 

0,Y\ SEE1 ,MIRNA8 ,PRET5D+ DIDN'T MATT]4 ,WE LOV$ EA*1 O!R NO MATT] :O WE PRET5D$ TO BE40 

0,Y\ PRET5D$ TO BE ,LUISA S$UC+ ,Y>O/AN6 ,?AT'S M>VEL\S60 

0,?AT'S RIDICUL\S4 ,I PRET5D$ TO BE :ATEV] Y\ WANT$ ME TO BE4 ,9 ACTUAL FACT ,I DIDN'T PRET5D TO BE ANYONE2 ,I LO/ MYSELF 9 Y\4 ,DON'T =GET IT WAS Y\ :O S$UC$ ME60 

0,!N Y\ W]E ,MIRNA60 

0,ALL RI<T1 ,I WAS ,MIRNA40 

0,IT DID MATT]1 ,Y>O/AN6 ,JAN P5ETRAT$ ,MIRNA4 ,I LO/ MY M9D4 ,Y\ CREAT$ A /ORM ,I'D NEV] DREAM$ (4 ,Y\ FILL$ ME ) ,VESNA4 ,VESNA WAS ! DAU<T] ( A BRO!R & A SI/]4 ,MY MO!R KNEW IT4 ,VESNA KNEW IT1 %E ALWAYS KNEW IT1 & %E HAT$ BO? ( US BECAUSE ( IT4 ,BUT IT WAS ,I :O LET ! DEVIL PU% ME TO IT & :O DROVE ! DEVIL'S SWORD ?R\< H] HE>T40 

0,MIRNA1 PLEASE DON'T SPOIL EV]Y HAPPY MOM5T --0 

0,?AT'S ! DEVIL'S PRICE6 ,I WAS SO HAPPY :5 Y\ F9ALLY TOOK ME AWAY FROM ?AT H\SE1 ! LORD'S H\SE1 MY MO!R'S H\SE2 :5 Y\ TOOK ME 9TO ! D5 ( S91 ! CITY1 :]E PEOPLE LIKE Y\ & ,JAN & ,SAB9A LIV$4 ,YES1 ,I WANT$ CURTA9S & A BABY C>RIAGE & CLO!S ?AT MADE ME LIKE EV]YONE ELSE 9 ! CITY1 ?AT MADE ME LOOK & FEEL DIFF]5T FROM MY MO!R4 ,& ,I WANT$ MORE1 MU* MORE4 ,I WANT$ TO F9D ?AT WORLD ,JAN HAD PROMIS$1 ! REAL D5 ( S91 ! DEVIL'S CITY1 :]E EV]Y?+ ,I DESIR$ W\LD BE POSSIBLE4 ,BUT ,I HADN'T PAID ! DEVIL'S PRICE = ,VESNA4 ,& ,I />T$ TO PAY :5 %E WAS B>ELY \T ( MY /OMA*4 ,Y\ & ,JAN W]E FIR$4 ,& !N ! POLICE W>N$ Y\2 !Y W]E GO+ TO DE/ROY Y\1 BO? ( Y\4 ,BUT ! REAL BL[ CAME :5 \R NEI<BORS1 ?OSE WORK]S ,I HAD SO LONG WANT$ TO JO91 TURN$ AGA9/ US & EVICT$ US4 ,I KNEW !N ,I WAS GO+ TO HAVE TO PAY A HEAVY PRICE = MY HAPP9ESS2 ,I KNEW ! DEVIL WAS GO+ TO /RIP ME ( EV]Y?+1 :E!R HE HAD GIV5 IT OR NOT4 ,I HAD BE5 FRI<T5$ ONCE BE=E1 :5 ! PEASANT'S FA!R DI$4 ,BUT :5 WE RETURN$ TO MY P>5TS' H\SE ,I GREW T]RIBLY FRI<T5$4 ',Y\ BE> ,SATAN'S M>K1' %E TOLD ME2 'Y\'RE DAMN$ = ALL ET]NITY2 EV]Y?+ Y\ T\* WILL WI!R2 EV]YONE Y\ LOVE WILL DIE4' ,H[ ,I HAT$ H]6 ',I'M ,SATAN'S BRIDE & ,I'M PR\D ( IT1' ,I %\T$ AT H]2 ',I'LL DRIVE ! DEVIL'S SWORD ?R\< Y\ FIR/ ( ALL6' ,BUT ,I WAS T]RIFI$4 ,?OSE ?+S Y\ CALL CO9CID5CES3 !RE HAD ALREADY BE5 TOO MANY4 ,I C\LDN'T BE> TO BE NE> MY MO!R4 ,BUT ,I DIDN'T WANT ANY MORE CO9CID5CES4 ,I F\ND MY JOB4 ,I B\<T \R H\SE4 ,I ?\<T ,I HAD *EAT$ ! DEVIL1 ESCAP$ HIM4 ,I WAS ON MY [N1 NO LONG] DEP5D5T EI!R ON ! LORD OR ON ! DEVIL4 ,& = A YE> ,I ?\<T ,I'D SUCCE$$4 ,I H>DLY SAW Y\ OR ,JAN2 ,I SAW ,VESNA ONLY FROM ! TIME ,I PICK$ H] UP AT ! NURS]Y UNTIL Y\ RETURN$ FROM WORK4 ,& ,I NEV] HAD TIME TO VISIT MY FA!R4 ,BUT ,I WAS HAPPY4 ,I ?\<T ! DEVIL WAS GO+ TO LET ME KEEP ALL ,I HAD2 ,I ?\<T ! DEVIL HAD =GOTT5 ME4 ,!N ! /IRR+ BEGAN 9 ,MAG>NA & MY HE>T BEAT FA/] AGA94 ,AT FIR/ ,I BECAME EV5 MORE AFRAID4 ,I REMEMB]$ ! UPRO> 9 ! T[N :]E MY PEASANT'S FA!R HAD WORK$2 ,I REMEMB]$ EV]YONE 9 ! T[N HAD BE5 >RE/$ OR KILL$4 ,I TREMBL$ :5 Y\ FIR/ DESCRIB$ :AT Y\'D LE>N$ AB\T ! EV5TS 9 ,MAG>NA4 ,!Y W]E ! SAME AS ?OSE 9 ?AT T[N6 ,IT WAS ,JAN'S REVOLUTION1 Y\RS1 & YES1 M9E4 ,I TREMBL$ BECAUSE ,I KNEW H[ HAPPY !Y W]E & H[ !Y LONG$ = :AT C\LD BE4 ,I TREMBL$ BECAUSE ,I KNEW !Y'D ALL BE KILL$4 ,& !N ! DEVIL AGA9 NUMB$ ALL MY S5SES BUT ONE4 ,IT HAPP5$ 9 MY FACTORY4 ,WOM5 :O HAD H>DLY EV] TALK$ TO EA* O!R />T$ POK+ EA* O!R1 RUNN+ !IR H&S ?R\< EA* O!R'S HAIR1 EMBRAC+1 EV5 KISS+4 ,I LONG$ = ?AT REVOLUTION2 ,I WANT$ IT = ALL ( US4 ,I C\LDN'T RE/RA9 MYSELF2 ,I WAS POSSESS$ AGA94 ,I EMBRAC$ ALL ! WOM5 9 ! FACTORY2 ,I LOV$ EV]Y ONE ( !M4 ,DO Y\ REMEMB] ?AT LA/ ,SUNDAY :5 ,JAN & ,TITUS CAME TO \R H\SE E>LY 9 ! MORN+8 ,I DIDN'T KN[ :I* ( Y\ ,I DESIR$ MO/3 ,TITUS1 ! FA!RLY /RANG]2 ,JAN1 ! BRO!R ,I HAD LOV$ S9CE *ILDHOOD2 OR Y\1 ! COMB9ATION ( BO?1 Y\1 :O HAD BE5 ,MIRNA & C\LD !RE=E BE ,SAB9A AS WELL AS ,SATAN HIMSELF2 ,I DESIR$ Y\ ! MO/4 ,Y\ W]E ! MO/ 5?USIA/IC ( ! ?REE2 Y\ WANT$ ?AT REVOLUTION AS BADLY AS ,I DID --0 

0,Y\'RE BE+ UNJU/ TO ,JAN4 ,I WAS BL9D 9 MY 5?USIASM4 ,HE SAW ?AT :AT WE W]E DO+ WAS SELF-DEFEAT+1 JU/ AS HE'D SE5 ?AT EI<T YE>S E>LI]1 & HE WAS RI<T BO? TIMES4 ,TITUS & ,I W]E /UCK ON ! QUE/ION ( A FREE PRESS2 WE KEPT 9SI/+ ?AT AN IGNORANT WORK+ CLASS CANNOT POSSIBLY *>T ITS [N C\RSE & BUILD ITS [N WORLD4 ,BUT ,JAN WAS TELL+ US -- & NO ONE HE>D HIM -- ?AT ! PRESS WAS P>T ( ?AT IGNORANCE4 ,HE KEPT PO9T+ \T ?AT ,MAG>NA WORK]S W]E ALREADY CREAT+ =MS ( HUMAN COMMUNICATION :I* FRE$ ! PEOPLE1 NOT ! PRESS --0 

0,JAN KNEW !Y W]E ALL GO+ TO BE KILL$ OR JAIL$4 ,HE KNEW ?AT EV]Y?+ WAS GO+ TO REMA9 IMPOSSIBLE4 ,JAN WASN'T ONLY HIS FA!R'S SON4 ,I KNEW TOO1 BUT ! DEVIL WAS 9 ME & ,I DIDN'T C>E4 ,TITUS SAID ! PRESS HAD BR\<T ! SPIRIT ( ,MAG>NA TO WORK]S :O HAD LO/ !IR ABILITY TO ACT1 & ,I LOV$ ! PRESS = ?AT AS ,I LOV$ ,TITUS = SAY+ IT4 ,! PRESS WAS ! DEVIL'S 9/RUM5T1 IT DID ! DEVIL'S WORK1 IT PUT LIFE 9TO %RIVEL$ C>CASSES1 IT TRANS=M$ ! FRI<T5$ WOM5 9 MY FACTORY 9TO RECKLESS MANIACS1 IT FILL$ Y\ ) LIFE1 IT FILL$ ME ) UNQU5*ABLE DESIRE40 

0,I'LL NEV] =GET1 ,MIRNA2 Y\ TOOK ME TO ?AT CLE>+ AGA92 ,I DREAM$ ( ?AT = ! NEXT EI<T YE>S40 

0,?AT TIME ,I DIDN'T PRET5D TO BE ANYONE O!R ?AN ,MIRNA BECAUSE ,I WANT$ Y\1 ALL ( Y\1 EV]Y ONE ( Y\1 EV]YONE ,I HAD EV] ?\<T Y\ TO BE3 MY BRO!R1 MY FA!R1 ,TITUS1 Y\RSELF1 ,SAB9A & ALL ! WORK]S 9 ,MAG>NA2 ,I GAVE MYSELF TO ALL ( Y\ )\T %AME1 )\T PRET5D+ --0 

0,& ,I SUPPOSE Y\ ?9K ?AT'S :Y ,Y>A --0 

0,I DON'T SUPPOSE6 ,I KN[6 ,Y>A W\LD PICK UP ! DEVIL'S SWORD ! MOM5T ,I DROPP$ IT6 ,BUT ,I'LL NEV] DROP IT4 ,I CAN'T4 ,IT'S P>T ( ME1 P>T ( MY FLE%1 IT'S 9 MY HE>T4 ,! DEVIL S5T TWO BILLS ( *>GES ONLY ?REE DAYS LAT]4 ,!Y W]5'T JU/ BILLS = ?OSE FEW DAYS ( HAPP9ESS BUT = ALL ! PREVI\S YE>S2 ! DEVIL WANT$ ALL HIS BACK PAY4 ,I HAD ?\<T ,I'D *EAT$ HIM \T ( ?AT4 ,BUT HE HAD M]ELY EXT5D$ CR$IT TO HIS FAVORITE BRIDE4 ,& N[ ! SUM WAS 5ORM\S4 ,! FIR/ BILL ( *>GES WAS 9 ! NEWSPAP] ?AT ,W$NESDAY MORN+4 ,TANKS W]E KILL+ ! ,MAG>NA WORK]S -- 9SIDE BUILD+S1 9 S*OOLS1 ON ! /REETS6 ,H[ ,I WANT$ TO DIE ) !M1 TO KILL ?AT PASSION ?AT HAD POSSESS$ ME6 ,H[ ,I WI%$ ! DEVIL ALSO HAD ! P[] TO BR+ ?OSE WORK]S BACK TO LIFE6 ,! WOM5 9 MY FACTORY MI<T AS WELL HAVE DI$ ?AT MORN+2 ALL !IR LOVE WAS GONE2 !Y W]E LIFELESS1 AS /ILL AS ! DEAD4 ,HELL IS ! SIL5CE ( ! GRAVEY>D4 ,A WEEK LAT] ?OSE :O HAD COME TO LIFE FIR/1 VANI%$4 ,WE'VE BE5 /ILL EV] S9CE1 UNTIL LA/ WEEK -- & WE'RE /ILL AGA92 WE REMEMB]$ ! TANKS4 ,H[ CAN ,JASNA SPEAK ( C\RAGE 9 ?OSE :O NEV] FAC$ ! TANKS8 ,! DEVIL S5T HIS SECOND BILL BY SPECIAL MESS5G]2 IT CAME 9 ! =M ( A LETT] FROM ,SOPHIA ,NA*ALO1 BUT ,I KNEW :O ! LETT] WAS FROM AS SOON AS HE TOLD ME HE'D LEFT AN ID5TICAL LETT] = ,JAN AT MY FA!R'S H\SE4 ,I KNEW Y\ W\LDN'T COME BACK & ,JAN W\LDN'T COME AGA94 ,I KNEW EV5 BE=E ! POLICE CAME = ! LETT] TWO H\RS LAT]4 ,I KNEW ,I HAD TO PAY -- = ,VESNA1 = MY PASSION1 = MY HAPP9ESS4 ,DON'T TELL ME ! LETT] >RIV$ ! SAME DAY ! TANKS 5T]$ ,MAG>NA 'BY CO9CID5CE4' ,DON'T TELL ME IT WAS A CO9CID5CE ?AT ! MESS5G] >RIV$ AT MY H\SE ! V]Y M9UTE :5 Y\ & ,JAN W]E BE+ >RE/$ A HUNDR$ KILOMET]S AWAY1 NOT AN H\R SOON] OR AN H\R LAT]4 ,DON'T 9T]RUPT1 ,Y>O/AN6 ,I TOOK ! TR\BLE TO F9D ?AT \T6 ,TWO YE>S AFT] Y\R >RE/ ,I GOT A DAY (F TO VISIT Y\ 9 PRISON4 ,!Y W\LDN'T LET ME 92 !Y SAID ,I HAD ! WRONG P]MIT2 ! P]MIT HAD BE5 *ANG$4 ,I TOOK ! TRA9 TO ! /EEL T[N & WAIT$ = ! WORK]S TO COME \T4 ,I RAN TO ! FIR/ GR\P & TOLD !M :O ,I WAS2 !Y ALL KNEW BO? ( Y\4 ,I TOLD !M ,I HAD F\ND Y\ & ASK$ IF !Y KNEW :]E ,JAN WAS4 ,!Y W]E SIL5T ) ?AT SIL5CE ( DEA?2 !IR FACES ANSW]$2 !Y DIDN'T KN[ BUT !Y ALL KNEW4 ,!N ,I ASK$ AB\T ! DAY :5 Y\ & ,JAN W]E >RE/$4 ,!Y TOLD ME LOTS ( WORK]S HAD BE5 >RE/$4 ',:58' ,I ASK$4 ',A WEEK LAT]'6 ,Y\ & ,JAN W]E ! ONLY ONES >RE/$ ON ?AT ,W$NESDAY1 JU/ AS Y\ LEFT ! PLANT AT ! 5D ( ! WORKDAY4 ,Y\ W]E >RE/$ ! V]Y M9UTE ! MESS5G] REA*$ MY DOOR6 ,DON'T TELL ME AB\T CO9CID5CES2 !Y DON'T EXPLA9 ANY?+6 ,I KNEW ! MOM5T ! LETT] CAME1 BUT ,I DIDN'T WANT TO BELIEVE IT4 ,I TOOK ,VESNA TO ! TRA9 /ATION & WAIT$ = ! LAT] TRA92 WE SAT & WAIT$ = ! TRA9 AFT] ?AT4 ,!N !RE W]E NO LAT] TRA9S4 ,I C>RI$ ,VESNA TO ! TRAM /OP & WE RODE TO ! TRANSF] PO9T BUT ! NEXT TRAM WAS NO LONG] RUNN+4 ,I C>RI$ ,VESNA = H\RS1 DR5*$ ) SWEAT & UNABLE TO BREA!2 ,I DIDN'T ONCE /OP TO RE/4 ,I KNOCK$ WEAKLY & HE>D MY MO!R %\T1 ',B> ! DOOR6 ,DON'T LET ! DEVIL 96' ,MY FA!R OP5$ IT & ,I FELL 9TO HIS >MS1 BAWL+4 ',DAMN$ WIT*1 ,SATAN'S :ORE1 Y\'VE BR\<T DE/RUCTION TO \R H\SE6' %E SCREAM$1 5DLESSLY CROSS+ H]SELF3 ,MY FA!R =C$ H] \T ( ! ROOM & %E SP5T ! NI<T PRAY+ TO ! WOOD5 ,JESUS 9 H] ROOM1 %\T+1 WAIL+ & BEAT+ ! FLOOR1 CONT9UALLY REPEAT+ 'P]DITION' & ',SATAN'S :ORE4' ,%E HAD />T$ TO SCREAM ! MOM5T ! LETT] HAD >RIV$2 %E'D KN[N :AT IT WAS AS WELL AS ,I HAD4 ,:5 ! POLICE CAME1 %E IMM$IATELY GAVE !M ! LETT]1 BUT MY FA!R SNAT*$ IT \T ( !IR H&S2 !Y HAD NO RI<T TO TAKE A LETT] ADDRESS$ TO HIS SON4 ,! TWO POLICE IMM$IATELY />T$ TO BEAT HIM4 ,HE HAD NO RI<TS1 !Y TOLD HIM2 HE WAS ! FA!R ( A CRIM9AL & !RE=E AN 5EMY ( ! PEOPLE2 !Y EV5 ?REAT5$ TO >RE/ HIM = 9T]F]+ ) ! PEOPLE'S POLICE & = PROTECT+ A CRIM9AL4 ,BUT HE WASN'T BROK54 ,HE SMIL$ & TRI$ TO COM=T ME4 ,HE SAID Y\ & ,JAN W]E BO? /RONG1 Y\ HAD BO? BE5 ?R\< ALL ?AT BE=E & Y\'D KN[ H[ TO TAKE C>E ( Y\RSELVES4 ,I BEGG$ HIM TO F9D A PRETEXT TO DRIVE HIS BUS TO ! REPAIR DEPOT NEXT TO ! UNION BUILD+ & TO F9D \T IF ,TITUS HAD BE5 >RE/$ TOO4 ,IF ONLY WE C\LD F9D ,TITUS HE'D SURELY KN[ :]E Y\ & ,JAN W]E4 ,I H>DLY SLEPT2 MY MO!R'S PRAY]S M+L$ ) MY [N FE>S4 ,I TOOK ! FIR/ MORN+ TRAM2 ,I C\LDN'T AF=D TO BE A M9UTE LATE = WORK4 ,I KNEW !Y'D FIRE ME4 ,?AT W\LD HAVE COMPLET$ ! DEVIL'S PLAN RI<T !N2 ,I W\LD HAVE LO/ ! H\SE2 ,I C\LDN'T HAVE F$ ,VESNA4 ,BUT ! DEVIL HAS TIME2 HE HAS ALL ET]NITY2 & HE HAD ME WAIT1 TAK+ HIS TOLL SL[LY1 ONE VICTIM AT A TIME4 ,I RETURN$ = ,VESNA ?AT EV5+1 EXHAU/$ FROM LACK ( SLEEP1 SICK FROM WORRY+1 BUT ANXI\S TO LE>N IF MY FA!R HAD F\ND ,TITUS4 ,I WALK$ 9 )\T KNOCK+ & ,I KNEW RI<T AWAY ?AT ! FI5D HAD ALREADY /RUCK AGA94 ,MY MO!R /OOD 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! ROOM CLUT*+ A BROOM ) ONE H&1 WAV+ H] O!R H& 9 MY FACE1 & S++ A HOCUS POCUS ) :I* %E DROVE DEVILS AWAY4 ,VESNA /OOD 9 A CORN] TREMBL+ ) FRI<T & BAWL+1 H] BACK TURN$ TO ME4 ,MY FA!R SAT 9 HIS *AIR & />$ AS IF HE W]E BL9D4 ,!Y HAD BROK5 HIM4 ,I %OOK HIM HY/]ICALLY & ASK$ :AT HAPP5$4 ',I WAS NEV] LATE1 NEV] SICK2 = TWELVE YE>S ,I DROVE ?AT BUS1 EV]Y DAY ( ! WEEK1 ON ,SUNDAYS IF !Y NE$$ ME4' ,I BUR/ \T CRY+ & BEGG$ HIM TO TELL ME :AT HAPP5$4 ',FA!R ( A CRIM9AL1 ACCOMPLICE ( A TRAITOR1 SABOTEUR --' ,!Y FIR$ HIM6 ,HE DIDN'T SAY ANY?+ MORE2 HE JU/ />$4 ,MY MO!R LIFT$ ! BROOM ) ONE H&1 CLUT*$ ,VESNA ) ! O!R & SCREAM$1 ',\T ( ?IS H\SE1 WIT*6 ,GET \T & TAKE ALL ! DEVILS ) Y\6' ,I RAN = ,VESNA BUT %E CLUT*$ ! *ILD & KEPT ME AWAY ) H] BROOM4 ',I'LL GO2 ONLY GIVE ME MY ,VESNA1' ,I BEGG$4 ,BUT %E HIT ME ) ?AT BROOM & SCREAM$1 ',Y\'LL NOT GIVE ?IS 9NOC5T *ILD TO ! DEVIL2 Y\'VE GIV5 Y\R MA/] 5\<6 ,! *ILD IS /ILL 9NOC5T2 ,I'LL KEEP H] 9NOC5T4 ,%AMELESS :ORE1 Y\'LL NOT TAKE ?IS *ILD TO P]DITION6 ,LIVE ALONE6 ,REP5T6 ,IT'S TOO LATE TO PRAY = Y\R [N SALVATION4 ,PRAY = ! *ILD'S4 ,BEG ! LORD TO REMOVE Y\R CURSE FROM ?IS *ILD4 ,BE H] SUPPLIANT4 ,Y\'LL NEV] BE H] MO!R4' ,I WAS ON MY KNEES1 B5T OV]1 CRY+2 %E DIDN'T HIT ME AGA94 ,MY FA!R SUDD5LY GOT \T ( HIS *AIR2 ,I LOOK$ UP2 ! /UPOR 9 HIS EYES WAS GONE4 ,HE =C$ H] H&S & H] >MS AWAY FROM ,VESNA4 ,= A MOM5T ,VESNA /OOD 9 FRONT ( ME1 TREMBL+1 T]RIFI$4 ,!N %E TURN$ & RAN BACK TO ! WOMAN1 CLUT*$ H] BLACK SKIRT & BURI$ H] FACE 9 IT4 ,MY FA!R PICK$ H] UP AS ,I RU%$ TO ! DOOR4 ,HE H&$ ,VESNA TO ME4 ,TE>S /REAM$ D[N HIS WI!R$1 WR9KL$ *EEKS4 ,I RAN TO ! TRAM /OP1 HURT+ FROM ,VESNA'S KICKS1 DEAF5$ BY H] SCREAMS4 ,%E WAS ONLY TWO & A HALF BUT %E ALREADY HAD A WILL ( H] [N4 ,I C>RI$ H] (F AGA9/ H] WILL4 ,I KNEW :AT ! CONSEQU5CE W\LD BE4 ,BUT ,I HAD TO HAVE ,VESNA2 %E WAS M9E2 %E WAS ALL ?AT WAS LEFT TO ME ( MY LOVE1 MY DESIRE1 MY PASSION40 

0,DO Y\ KN[ :AT TIME IT IS80 

0,:Y DIDN'T Y\ TELL ME SOON]60 %E EXCLAIMS ANGRILY2 0,I'LL BE LATE = WORK60 

,IT WAS ,?URSDAY MORN+4 ,?AT NI<T ,I />T$ ?IS LETT]4 ,I HADN'T KN[N ,MIRNA'S FA!R HAD BE5 FIR$ FROM HIS BUS-DRIV+ JOB4 ,:5 ,TITUS VISIT$ ME 9 PRISON ,I LE>N$ HE WAS ILL1 & :5 ,MIRNA VISIT$ ME LAT]1 ?REE YE>S AFT] MY >RE/1 ,I LE>N$ HE HAD DI$4 

,IT'S ,SATURDAY NI<T N[4 ,I'M TIR$ & ,I DON'T HAVE ANY?+ MORE TO TELL Y\4 ,Y>A IS TO RETURN FROM H] \T+ LATE NEXT WEEK4 ,I HAV5'T SE5 ,JASNA S9CE %E LEFT \R H\SE CRY+ ,W$NESDAY EV5+4 

,:5 ,I />T$ ?IS LETT] ,I WANT$ TO GET TO ! ROOT ( Y\R FEEL+S T[>D ME2 ,I WANT$ TO MAKE IT CLE> TO Y\ ?AT ,I W\LD NOT HAVE BE5 COM=TABLE 9 ?AT 0COMMUNITY0 ( J\RNALI/S 9 :I* Y\ IMAG9$ ME1 ?AT ,I FELT MORE K9%IP ) ,T$ & ,TISSIE & ?AT WORLD :I* SEEM$ SO 0EXOTIC0 TO Y\4 ,BUT ,I'M FALL+ ASLEEP4  
  

,Y>O/AN4  

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

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

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