,*APT] #f 
,! ,EMPIRE ( ,HUNG] 

#ahiaahia 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,JOHN ,H5RY ,MACKAY 

,TEXT 3 

,*APT] #f3 ,! ,EMPIRE ( ,HUNG] 

  

,! ,EA/ ,5D ( ,LONDON IS ! HELL ( POV]TY4 ,LIKE AN 5ORM\S1 BLACK1 MOTIONLESS1 GIANT KRAK51 ! POV]TY ( ,LONDON LIES !RE 9 LURK+ SIL5CE & 5CIRCLES ) ITS MI<TY T5TACLES ! LIFE & ! WEAL? ( ! CITY & ( ! ,WE/ ,5D3 ?OSE ON ! LEFT SIDE EXT5D+ OV] ! ,?AMES & EMBRAC+ ! 5TIRE ,EMBANKM5T ON ! O!R SIDE -- ,RO!RHI!1 ,DEPT=D1 ,PECKHAM1 ,CAMB]WELL1 ,LAMBE?1 ! O!R ,LONDON1 ! ,S\? SEP>AT$ BY ! ,?AMES2 ?OSE ON ! RI<T SIDE /EAL+ R\ND ! NOR!RN LIMITS ( ! CITY 9 ?9N] ?READS4 ,!Y JO9 EA* O!R :]E ,BATT]SEA RUNS 9TO ,*ELSEA & ,BROMPTON ACROSS ! ,?AMES444 

,! ,EA/ ,5D IS A WORLD 9 ITSELF1 SEP>AT$ FROM ! ,WE/ AS ! S]VANT IS SEP>AT$ FROM HIS MA/]4 ,N[ & !N ONE HE>S AB\T IT1 BUT ONLY AS ( SOME?+ F> (F1 SOME:AT AS ONE HE>S AB\T A =EIGN L& 9HABIT$ BY O!R PEOPLE ) O!R MANN]S & CU/OMS444 

,IT WAS ! FIR/ ,SATURDAY 9 ,NOVEMB] ON :I* ,AUBAN HAD PROMIS$ TO VISIT HIS FRI5D ,TRUPP4 ,HE 9T5D$ TO GO ) ! LATT] ?R\< ! ,EA/ ,5D & !N TO ! CLUB ( ,RUSSIAN REVOLUTIONI/S4 ,!Y HAD *OS5 ,SATURDAY1 BECAUSE !RE IS NO WORK 9 ,LONDON DUR+ ! AFT]NOON ( ?AT DAY2 BECAUSE ,AUBAN'S BUS9ESS & ,TRUPP'S FACTORY W]E CLOS$ = ?IRTY-SIX H\RS4 

,AUBAN LEFT HIS BUS9ESS AB\T ONE O'CLOCK 9 ONE ( ! SIDE-/REETS ( ,FLEET ,/REET4 ,! HURRY & SCURRY ( BUS9ESS LIFE SEEM$1 TO HAVE 9CREAS$ T5FOLD4 ,HE C\LD H>DLY MAKE HIS WAY TO ,FLEET ,/REET ?R\< ! ?RONG ( C>TS1 HEAVILY LAD5 ) FRE%-PR9T$ PAP] ROLLS :I* EMITT$ A /RANGE ODOR ( DAMPNESS2 ( TRUCK-WAGONS :OSE CURS+ DRIV]S C\LD NOT GET FROM ! SPOT2 ( HURRY+1 EXCIT$1 JO/L+ CR[DS ( CL]KS1 WORK+M51 MESS5G]-BOYS1 & M]*ANTS4 ,TO SAVE TIME HE DECID$ NOT TO GO HOME4 ,HE ATE 9 ONE ( ! NE>E/ OV]CR[D$ RE/AURANTS1 & RAN ?R\< ! LATE/ PAP]S4 ,EV]Y:]E ! UNEMPLOY$444 ,TRAFALG> ,SQU>E3 POLICE ATTACKS2 ! ASSEMBL$ DISP]S$ BY =CE2 NEW >RE/S ON ACC\NT ( 9C5DI>Y LANGUAGE444 ,%ELT]LESS WOM5 9 ,HYDE ,P>K3 SIXTE5 NI<TS 9 ! OP5 AIR2 />V$ & FROZ52 SOME S5T TO ! HOSPITAL1 SOME TO ! WORKH\SE1 O!RS DIE444 ,PREP>ATIONS = ! MURD] ( ! ,*ICAGO ,AN>*I/S3 AS !RE >E NOT 5\< GALL[S1 IT HAS BE5 DECID$ TO HANG !M 9 TWO DIVISIONS1 FIR/ F\R1 !N ?REE2 EXTRAORD9>Y MEASURES TO PRES]VE ORD]2 PETITIONS = P>DON BY ! CONDEMN$1 SIGN$ BY F\R ( !M2 ! GOV]NOR REL5TLESS444 ,AUBAN LET ! PAP]S DROP4 

,H]E IT WAS1 DAILY & H\RLY3 ! 5ORM\S DEBASEM5T ( LIFE :I* MAKES ( ONE A BUT*]1 ( ANO!R A VICTIM6 ,! ONE LIKE ! O!R OV]COME BY ILLUSION444 ,& NO:]E AN ESCAPE = EI!R6 ,BO? OBEY+ ! IDOL ( DUTY CREAT$ BY M54 ,& BO? DOM9AT$ BY IT1 9 LIFE & 9 DEA?6 444 

,AUBAN TOOK ! NEXT OMNIBUS GO+ TO ,LIV]POOL ,/REET ,/ATION4 ,HE SAT ON ! TOP4 ,AS HE PASS$ ! /ATUE ( ! ,QUE5 & ! ,PR9CE ( ,WALES1 :I* HAS BE5 ]ECT$ 9 ! PLACE ( ! OB/RUCTIVE GATE ( ,TEMPLE ,B>1 :]E 9 =M]1 D>K] AGES1 ! BLOODY HEADS ( EXECUT$ CRIM9ALS W]E EXHIBIT$ BE=E ! PEOPLE1 HE ?\<T ( ! SL[ ASC5T ( /RUGGL+ & CLIMB+ HUMANITY FROM SLAV]Y4 ,H[ GR&LY IT W\LD SOME DAY DEVELOP 9 LIB]TY6 -- ,H[ LONG MI<T IT BE YET1 BE=E ?OSE SCULPTUR$ IDOLS W\LD BE OV]?R[N1 ! CR[NS & PURPLE ROBES DE/ROY$1 ! SCEPT]S BROK51 ! LA/ REMA9S ( M$IAEVALISM EFFAC$6 444 

,!N MU/ BE F\<T ?AT O!R TYRANT1 MORE BL9D3 0! SOV]EIGN PEOPLE40 ,IT W\LD BE ! AGE ( DULLNESS1 ! AGE ( M$IOCRITY1 ( DEAD-LEVELISM 9 ! /RAIT-JACKET ( EQUALITY1 ! AGE ( MUTUAL CONTROL1 ( PETTY QU>RELS 9 ! PLACE ( ! GREAT /RUGGLES1 ( P]PETUAL ANNOYANCES 444 !N ! F\R? E/ATE W\LD HAVE BECOME ! ?IRD1 ! CLASS ( ! WORK+M5 0PROMOT$0 TO ! CLASS ( ! B\RGEOIS1 & ! =M] W\LD !N EXHIBIT ! *>ACT]I/ICS ( ! LATT]2 COMMONPLAC5ESS ( ?\<T1 PH>ISAICAL COMPLAC5CY ( 9FALLIBILITY1 WELL-F$ VIRTUE6 ,& !N W\LD AGA9 APPE> ! G5U9E 9SURG5TS1 GREAT & /RONG1 HO/S ( !M1 ! *AMPIONS ( ! EGO ?REAT5$ 9 EV]Y MOVEM5T444 

,! OMNIBUS MOV$ SL[LY BUT SURELY D[N ,FLEET ,/REET4 ,AT ,LUDGATE ,HILL !RE WAS AN 5ORM\S ?RONG ( PEOPLE4 ,9 ! DIRECTION ( ,HOLBORN ,VIADUCT1 ?AT WOND] ( MOD]N /REET-5G9E]+1 FOGS W]E RIS+2 ! IRON BRIDGE ( ,F>R+DON ,/REET WAS ALREADY 5VELOP$ BY !M4 ,9 ! OPPOSITE DIRECTION1 :]E ! ,?AMES RU%ES ALONG B5EA? ,BLACKFRI>S ,BRIDGE1 IT WAS CLE>4 ,AS ! HORSES1 /AMP+ ON ! WET WOOD5 PAVEM5T1 W]E DRAW+ ! PACK$ OMNIBUS UND] ! RAILROAD BRIDGE ( ! ,LONDON1 ,*A?AM & ,DOV] ,ROAD1 T[>DS ,/4 ,PAUL'S1 ! ?RONG SEEM$ IMP5ETRABLE4 

,BUT ,/4 ,PAUL'S ROSE 9 ! AIR ) ITS D>K MASSES1 FROM :OSE BLACK BACKGR\ND ! :ITE M>BLE FIGURE ( ,QUE5 ,ANNE /OOD \T 9 RELIEF444 ,! HE>T ( ! CITY1 H]E IT WAS BEAT+444 

,F>!R4 ,PA/ ! GIGANTIC MASSES :I* 9 !IR FIX$ CALM SEEM$ TO BELONG TO A =GOTT5 PA/4 

,A BLACK /REAM ( HUMANITY WAS FL[+ D[N ,*EAPSIDE4 ,F9ALLY ! GREAT /RONG-BOX1 ! W9D[LESS1 L[1 LAZY BUILD+ ( ! ,BANK CAME 9 VIEW4 ,IT WAS ALREADY CLOS$4 ,N[ IT LAY !RE AS IF DEAD4 

,AUBAN WAS AGA9 SEIZ$ BY ! MON/R\S LIFE ?AT SURR\ND$ HIM4 

,! C\NTLESS BANKS1 GR\P$ >\ND ! ,BANK ( ,5GL& LIKE *ILDR5 AB\T !IR FO/]-MO!R1 W]E CLOS$4 ,EV]YBODY WAS HA/5+ TO GET D9N]1 REA* HOME1 5JOY RE/444 ,?\S&S & ?\S&S ( PEOPLE1 EXHAU/$ BY ! WEEK'S TOIL1 W]E RU%+ ALONG 9 WILD CONFUSION1 EA* IMPELL$ BY ! WI% TO =GET = A FEW H\RS ! COLUMNS ( FIGURES :I* CON/ITUT$ HIS LIFE1 :I* FILL$ HIS BRA9 TO ! LA/ NOOK & CORN]4 

,Y\NG CL]KS1 SMALL MESS5G]-BOYS 9 ! MO/ V>I\S UNI=MS1 C>EWORN BOOK-KEEP]S1 S]I\S TRADES-PEOPLE1 0SOLID0 BUS9ESS M51 SPECULATORS1 USUR]S1 GREAT MONEY-K+S AT :OSE FEET ! WORLD WOR%IPS1 -- :O W\LD D>E OPPOSE !M8 -- ALL M+L+ H]E 9 WILD *ASE1 9 MAD CONFUSION1 APP>5TLY A *AOS ( DISORD]1 BUT REALLY ISSU+ 9 ! MO/ ADMIRABLE ORD]4 

,! OMNIBUS /OPP$ H]E = SOME TIME4 ,PEOPLE GOT (F & ON4 ,CR[DS ?RONG$ AFT]1 BUT HAD TO REMA9 BEH9D4 ,BUT ALL F\ND ! PLACE !Y W]E LOOK+ = 9 ! ALMO/ 5DLESS L9E ( OMNIBUSES1 ONE CLOSE UPON ! O!R444 

,FROM HIS SEAT ,AUBAN SURVEY$ ! SEA ( HUMANITY4 ,HE FOLL[$ AN 9DIVIDUAL H]E & !RE ) HIS EYES2 H]E1 A Y\NG M]*ANT1 EVID5TLY A /RANG]1 :O SEEM$ LIKE ONE LO/ 9 ! SW>M1 NOT KN[+ :I* WAY TO TURN2 !RE1 AN ELD]LY G5TLEMAN 9 A TALL HAT1 A FAULTLESS1 SIMPLE BLACK COAT1 ) A :ITE BE>D1 & AN EXPRESSION MADE UP ( HAU<T9ESS & PRUD5CE :I* SEEM$ TO SAY3 0,I AM ! WORLD4 ,I B\<T IT4 ,IT IS M9E4 -- ,:AT DO Y\ WANT8 ,I KEEP Y\ ALL 9 PAY3 ! ,K+ & HIS C\RT1 ! G5]AL & HIS >MY1 ! SAVANT & HIS IDEAS1 & ALL MY PEOPLE :O WORK 9 ORD] ?AT ,I MAY BE4 ,= M5 >E /UPID4 ,BUT ,I AM WISE1 & ,I UND]/& !M4440 

,AUBAN TURN$ TO LOOK AT ! ,BANK AGA91 ,!RE WAS ! HID+-PLACE ( ?AT GREAT MY/]Y :I* HELD ALL HAPP9ESS & ALL UNHAPP9ESS4 ,9SCRUTABLE TO ! MAJORITY1 IT WAS TO !M ! HI<] P[] :I* DET]M9ES !IR FATE4 ,) AWE1 ) ADMIRATION1 ) SPEE*LESS A/ONI%M5T1 !Y HE>D AB\T ! IMM5SE WEAL? 9 :I* !Y HAD NO %>E4 ,:5CE CAME IT8 ,!Y DID NOT KN[4 ,:]E DID IT GO8 ,9TO ! POCKETS ( ! RI*2 ?AT !Y SAW4 ,BUT :AT BR\<T IT TOGE!R H]E8 ,:AT GAVE IT ! MI<TY P[] TO %APE ! WORLD AS ITS POSSESSORS SAW FIT8 ,NO2 !Y W\LD NEV] SOLVE IT1 ?AT FRI<TFUL RIDDLE ( !IR [N WRET*$NESS & ! HAPP9ESS ( O!RS4 ,!RE LAY ! VAMPIRE ?AT SUCK$ !IR LA/ DROP ( BLOOD1 ! MON/] ?AT DROVE !IR WIVES TO DI%ONOR1 & SL[LY *OK$ !IR *ILDR54 ,& !Y PASS$ MORE RAPIDLY BY ! D>K WALLS BEH9D :I* LAY ! GOLD ?AT HAD BE5 !IR [N BLOOD4 

,:5 !Y W]E TOLD ?AT ! C\NTRY 9 :I* !Y LIV$ WAS BURD5$ ) A NATIONAL DEBT ( SO & SO MANY MILLIONS1 & ?AT EA* ( !M WAS 9 P>T RESPONSIBLE = ?IS DEBT1 ! NONS5SE ( IT LEFT !M COMPLETELY 9DIFF]5T2 :AT A MILLION WAS !Y DID NOT KN[1 BUT ! LA/ UNPAID ROOM-R5T & ! FIVE %ILL+S' DEBT 9 ! MEAT-%OP WEI<$ HEAVILY UPON !M1 & FILL$ !M ) FE> & TREMBL+ = ! FOLL[+ DAY4 

,SOCIALISM BEGAN TO TALK TO MANY ( !M4 ,:5 IT TOLD !M ?AT NO?+ 9 ! WORLD HAD ANY VALUE EXCEPT LABOR1 & :5 !Y SAW ?AT ?OSE :O DID NOT WORK W]E 9 ! POSSESSION ( ALL VALUES1 IT WAS NO LONG] DIFFICULT = !M TO DRAW ! SIMPLE CONCLUSION ?AT IT MU/ HAVE BE5 !IR LABOR :I* CREAT$ ! POSSESSIONS ( ! =M]2 9 O!R WORDS1 ?AT ! =M] LIV$ BY !IR LABOR1 ROBB$ !M ( !IR LABOR2 :AT IT WAS ?AT 5ABL$ !M TO DO ?IS WAS AGA9 AN IMP5ETRABLE MY/]Y TO MO/ ( !M2 = !Y W]E 9 ! MAJORITY1 & ! O!RS ONLY A FEW AGA9/ !IR MASSES6 ,! MORE 9TELLIG5T ONES SUSPECT$ ?AT PROBABLY NO?+ W\LD PROMISE HELP EXCEPT TO PLACE 9 OPPOSITION TO ! PROTECTIVE & DEF5SIVE UNION ( ! ROBB]S A SIMIL> UNION ( ! ROBB$4 ,SO !Y BECAME ,SOCIALI/S4 

,= ,AUBAN ! MY/]Y HAD LONG LO/ ITS T]RORS1 ! SPH9X FACE ( P[] ITS AWFULNESS4 ,HIS /UDIES HAD TORN VEIL AFT] VEIL FROM ! HIDD5 PICTURE1 & HE N[ /OOD EYE TO EYE ) ! DOLL ( ! ,/ATE DEPRIV$ ( ! T9SEL TRAPP+S ( IDEALISM4 ,! GOD BE=E :OM ALL WOR%IP$1 :AT WAS HE BUT A WOOD5 DOLL1 EMPTY & HOLL[1 AN 5ORM\S HUMBUG1 A BUGBE>8 ,W\ND UP BY A FEW SKILL$ H&S1 AUTOMATIC MOVEM5TS W]E TO MAKE A %[ ( REAL LIFE6 

,! IGNORANCE ( ! DELUD$ MASSES PUT 9TO ! /IFF FIGURES ( ?AT SKELETON ! T]RIBLE WEAPONS ( PRIVILEGE4 ,?IS BANK1 ! GREATE/ 9 ,5GL&1 WAS 9VE/$ BY ! ,/ATE ) ! MONOPOLY ( ISSU+ PAP] MONEY4 ,?US 5ORM\S =TUNES >OSE :I* GAVE A FALSE PICTURE ( ! TRUE CONDITION ( ! C\NTRY4 ,BEYOND ! REA* ( COMPETITION AS IT WAS1 ?IS ONE PR9CIPLE ALONE 5=C$ BY P[]1 SUPPRESS$ FREE 9T]C\RSE1 UND]M9$ CONFID5CE 9 ONE'S [N & O!RS' P[]S1 ROSE DE/RUCTIVELY BETWE5 SUPPLY & DEM&1 & CREAT$ ?OSE FRI<TFUL DIFF]5CES 9 POSSESSION :I* ELEVAT$ SOME 9TO MA/]S & DEGRAD$ O!RS 9TO SLAVES4 

,! MONOPOLY ( MONEY1 ! AU?ORITY ( ! PRIVILEGE TO CREATE ! ONLY LEGAL M$IUM ( EX*ANGE1 -- IF IT FELL1 ! ,/ATE FELL1 & ! TRACK WAS CLE>$ = ! FREE 9T]C\RSE ( M54 

,BUT ,AUBAN'S ?\<TS W]E 9T]RUPT$4 

,! OMNIBUS F9ALLY />T$1 AGA91 LEAV+ ! IMM5SE BUILD+S ( F9ANCIAL TRAFFIC BEH9D IT1 ! ,BANK & ! /OCK EX*ANGE1 ON :I* AS 9 BLOODY SCORN %ONE ! WORDS ( ! ,BIBLE3 0,! E>? IS ! ,LORD'S & ! FULLNESS !RE(40 

,AS HE W\ND HIS WAY ?R\< ! N>R[ /REETS TO ,LIV]POOL ,/ATION1 TURN+ ASIDE FROM ! RO> & BU/LE ( ,BROAD ,/REET TO REA* HIS DE/9ATION BY A LONG] BUT QUIET] R\TE1 ,AUBAN1 WALL$ 9 BY ?OSE HI<1 SIL5T1 =BIDD+ H\SES :I* SEEM$ NEV] TO HAVE BE5 *E]$ BY A RAY ( ! SUN1 FELT AS IF HE W]E RID+ ?R\< ! COOL1 D>K PASSES ( A N>R[ VALLEY4 

,! OMNIBUS /OPP$ AT ! GIANT BUILD+S ( ! /ATIONS ( ,LIV]POOL ,/REET4 ,AUBAN 5T]$ ! L>GE B>-ROOM ON ! CORN] ( ! /REET4 ,ITS AP>TM5TS W]E OV]CR[D$4 ,PEOPLE JO/L$ EA* O!R1 /&+1 HOLD+ 9 !IR H&S GLASSES & PEWT] MUGS1 SPEAK+ 9 A LIVELY MANN]1 DISCUSS+1 DR[N+ EA* O!R'S VOICES4 ,9 P]PETUAL MOTION ! DOORS OP5$ & %UT2 ! MONEY J+L$ ON ! C\NT]4 

,AUBAN SAT 9 ! CORN] = A :ILE1 DR9K+ HIS HALF-&-HALF 9 SMALL DRAFTS4 ,!N HE PU%$ ?R\< ! SW>MS ( PEOPLE TO ! /ATION4 ,LEAN+ AGA9/ ! GRAT+ ( ! 5TRANCE1 9 ! MID/ ( A CR[D ( SCREAM+ NEWSBOYS1 BOOTBLACKS1 FL[] GIRLS1 V5DORS ( ALL SORTS1 OLD & Y\NG1 /OOD A SMALL DE=M$ BOY1 NOTIC$ BY NO ONE1 />+ BE=E HIM ) GLOOMY SULL5NESS1 HIS H&S BURI$ 9 HIS DIRTY TR\S]S1 RAGG$1 DEBAS$1 ! FACE ( AN OLD MAN ON ! ?9 BODY ( A *ILD4 ,AUBAN SAW HIM1 & HIS PRACTIC$ EYE AT ONCE RECOGNIZ$ HUNG] 9 ?OSE LOOKS4 ,HE B\<T A FEW ORANGES AT ! NE>E/ C>T4 ,) SPEE*LESS GRE$ ! LITTLE FELL[ ATE ! FRUIT1 )\T LOOK+ UP1 LIKE A />V+ DOG ?AT P\NCES UPON A BONE4 ,H[ LONG WAS IT S9CE HE HAD EAT5 ANY?+8 ,H[ LONG ALREADY HAD HE BE5 /&+ H]E1 HIS LITTLE HE>T FILL$ ) SCORN1 BITT]NESS1 & DESPAIR1 APA!TICALLY />+ BE=E HIM AT HIS B>E FEET GR[+ /IFF ON ! COLD /ONES8 

,A COLD %UDD] RAN ?R\< ,AUBAN4 ,IT WAS ! BEG9N+ ( ! HORROR :I* HAD ALWAYS TURN$ HIM 9TO ICE :5 HE RETURN$ FROM ! HOME ( ! 0DIS9H]IT$10 ! SIL5T DESOLATION ( ! ,EA/ ,5D ( ,LONDON444 

,AS ! TRA9 BORE HIM ! %ORT DI/ANCE TO ,%OR$IT*1 !RE ROSE BE=E HIM 9 GIGANTIC \TL9ES FROM A HUNDR$ SEP>ATE RECOLLECTIONS ! %AD[Y PICTURE ( ?AT MON/R\S LIFE3 GLOOMY1 ?REAT5+1 SIL5T1 %APELESS1 9TANGIBLE4 

,HE ?\<T ( MANY ANO!R WALK DUR+ :I* HE HAD = LONG H\RS J\RNEY$ ?R\< ! EMPIRE ( HUNG]3 ( ?AT 9T]E/+ AFT]NOON 9 ! PRES5T SUMM] :5 HE HAD CROSS$ ! ,ISLE ( ,DOGS FROM 5D TO 5D ON FOOT1 /UPEFI$ BY ! MAGNIFIC5CE ( ITS IMPROVEM5TS MADE )9 LESS ?AN TW5TY YE>S1 HORRIFI$ BY ! WRET*$NESS ( ?OSE AB&ON$ /REETS 9 :OSE RICKETY H\SES & MIS]ABLE HUTS A TIR$ RACE SEEM$ TO HAVE HID ITS BURD5S ( C>E4 ,!N ( ?AT EV5+ 9 ,POPL> :I* BR\<T ! AFT]NOON TO A CLOSE1 :5 HE HAD WAT*$ ! 5JOYM5TS ( ! POOR 9 A SONG & DANCE HALL ( ! L[E/ ORD]1 AMONG HALF-GR[N BOYS 9 %IRT-SLEEVES1 & GIRLS 9 F9E HATS ) FEA!RS1 A PEWT] MUG ( ALE BE=E HIM1 HIS PIPE 9 HIS M\?1 9 ! ?REE-P5NY SEAT1 ! BE/ & ALSO ! LA/1 LI/5+ TO ! SCREAM+ VOICES ( SOME HO>SE FEMALE S+]S & NEGRO IMITATORS1 & 9 ! MID/ ( ! NOISY ACCOMPANIM5T ( A HUNDR$ VOICES4 ,!N ( ?AT O!R AFT]NOON 9 ,WAPP+1 ?R\< :I* HE HAD LOAF$ ) ! OLD SAILOR :O %[$ HIM ! 5ORM\S ,LONDON DOCKS1 :O TOOK HIM 9 ! EV5+ TO ,/4 ,GEORGE ,/REET1 ?AT NOTORI\S SAILORS' RESORT2 TO ! DANCE HALL :]E TALL ,MALAYANS1 SIL5T ,NORSEM51 NEGROES1 & ,*9AM51 ! 5TIRE /RANGE & HET]OG5E\S SOCIETY ?R[N TOGE!R H]E BY ! %IPS FROM ALL L&S1 M+L$ 9 DANCE & DISSIPATION2 & TO ! OPIUM D5 AT ! ,M9T1 ?AT D>K HOLE :]E ! HAUNT+ SIL5CE ( DEA? SEEM$ TO RE/ OV] DEA?LIKE =MS LO/ 9 !IR VISE4 ,& ,AUBAN ?\<T ( HIS SOLIT>Y EV5+ WALKS 9 ! T]RIBLE MIS]Y ( ! DI/RICTS ( ,:ITE*APEL & ,B[1 :]E !RE WAS H>DLY A /REET ?R\< :I* HE HAD NOT WALK$ 9 AMAZEM5T AT ! FRI<TFUL ?+S HE SAW1 & 9 HORROR ( ! /ILL MORE FRI<TFUL ?+S HE SUSPECT$ BEH9D ! DIRTY WALLS & ! BROK5 W9D[-PANES4 

,AUBAN HAD NEI!R CO/LY HABITS1 NOR ANY SPECIAL CLAIMS ON DAILY LIFE ?AT TOOK MU* ( HIS TIME4 ,HIS DAYS W]E MO/LY GIV5 TO HIS CALL+1 :I*1 H[EV]1 DID NOT SLAVI%LY B9D HIM TO ! H\R2 HIS EV5+ H\RS MO/LY TO HIS /UDIES 9 POLITICAL ECONOMY & WAT*+ ! C\RSE ( ! MOVEM5T4 ,!N ! ,SUNDAY AFT]NOONS TO HIS FRI5DS4 ,:AT LEISURE WAS LEFT HE DEVOT$ TO WALKS ?R\< ! IMM5SE CITY4 ,!SE WALKS CON/ITUT$ HIS ONLY G5U9E PLEASURE1 HIS GREATE/ 5JOYM5T4 ,HE WAS HAPPY IF HE C\LD GET AWAY AN AFT]NOON = SU* A WALK2 !N HE W\LD B5D OV] ! L>GE MAP ( ! CITY1 LET HIS F+] MOVE FROM ONE PO9T TO ANO!R1 UNTIL HE HAD FIX$ ! />T+-PO9T & ! DE/9ATION ( ?AT DAY'S WALK4 ,:5 HE PLUNG$ 9TO ! MY/]I\S LIFE ( A /RANGE NEI<BORHOOD1 HE WAS SEIZ$1 C>RI$ AWAY1 9SPIR$ BY ! GREATNESS ( ! AGE :I* 9 CEASELESS ACTIVITY HAD CREAT$ ALL ?OSE MI<TY ?+S2 :5 HE RETURN$ TO HIS QUIET ROOM1 HE WAS AS IF CRU%$ B5EA? ! PRESSURE ( ?IS OV]P[]+ LIFE ?AT LIFT$ SOME TO ! SUMMIT ( HAPP9ESS1 TO HURL ! RE/ 9TO ! ABYSS ( MIS]Y444 

,HE HAD (T5 ?\<T ( TRANSF]R+ HIS ROOM1 = A TIME AT LEA/1 9TO ! WRET*$NESS ( ?IS LIFE1 9 ORD] TO LE>N TO KN[ IT BETT] ?AN HE %\LD EV] BE ABLE TO BY M]E \TSIDE OBS]VATION1 BUT HE C\LD NEV] F9D ! TIME4 ,SO HE HAD TO RELY ON :AT HE SAW & HE>D :5 OCCASION TOOK HIM !RE4 ,& EV5 ?AT WAS 9DE$ 5\<4 

,N[ ,TRUPP HAD C>RI$ \T ?IS PLAN4 ,HE HAD WRITT5 A C>D TO HIS FRI5D3 HE HAD GIV5 UP HIS WORK 9 CONSEQU5CE ( SOME TR\BLE ) HIS BOSS1 & WAS N[ LIV+ 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD ( ,:ITE*APEL4 ,HE SUGGE/$ A R5DEZV\S NE> ,%OR$IT*4 

,AT F\R O'CLOCK4 ,IT HAD JU/ /RUCK HALF-PA/ ?REE4 ,AUBAN AWAIT$ HIM )\T IMPATI5CE4 

,TRUPP >RIV$ AT ! APPO9T$ TIME4 ,HIS SOLID1 BROAD-%\LD]$ =M WAS SAFELY MAK+ ITS WAY ?R\< ! ?RONG4 ,AGA9 AS ON ?AT EV5+ 9 ,SOHO HE SAW ,AUBAN2 HIS H&S RE/+ ON HIS CANE1 G5TLY LEAN+ AGA9/ ! 5TRANCE PILL> ( ,%OR$IT* ,/ATION1 NOT LO/ 9 REV]IE ?IS TIME1 BUT CLOSELY OBS]V+ M5 & SURR\ND+S4 

,!Y EX*ANG$ GREET+S4 ,! LA/ ,SUNDAY AFT]NOON WAS NOT M5TION$4 

,TRUPP WAS MORE GLOOMY ?AN USUAL4 ,FULL ( BITT]NESS1 HE TOLD ( ! 9SOL5T BRUTALITY ( HIS BOSS1 ! CONTEMPTIBLE S]VILITY ( HIS FELL[-WORK+M51 ! DULL 9ACTIVITY ( HIS COMRADES4 ,AN EXAMPLE MU/ AGA9 BE SET1 ELSE EV]Y?+ W\LD FALL ASLEEP4 ,HE LOOK$ PALE1 AS IF HE HAD HAD LITTLE RE/ ( LATE4 ,!RE WAS AN UN/EADY FLICK] 9 HIS EYE4 -- ,!Y TURN$ 9TO ,HACKNEY ,ROAD1 ?AT SAD1 LONG /REET ( TR\BLE & C>E :]E ! SMALL %OPKEEP]S LIVE4 ,!N ,TRUPP TURN$ S\?W>D1 T[>D ! DI/RICT ( ,BE?NAL ,GRE54 

,! BU/LE R\ND !M SUDD5LY CEAS$4 ,! /REETS GREW N>R[]1 D>K]1 DULL]2 ! FIL? GREAT] & GREAT]4 ,ONLY H]E & !RE AN 9SIGNIFICANT /ORE ) KNICKNACKS & OLD RUBBI%4 ,ELSE NO?+ BUT LOCK$ DOORS & W9D[S1 :OSE PANES HAD LONG AGO BE5 BL9D$ BY ! FIL?4 

,!Y PASS$ ?R\< SEV]AL /REETS2 !N AT A SUDD5 TURN !Y 5T]$ A N>R[ PASSAGE ?AT L$ ?R\< UND] A H\SE4 ,IT SEEM$ TO GR[ LI<T]1 = ! MANY-/ORI$ H\SES W]E AT AN 5D4 

,!Y /OOD ON A SMALL SQU>E4 ,?REE /REETS />T$ !NCE :I* W]E =M$ BY N>R[ H\SES1 ALL TWO /ORIES HI<1 :OSE BACK Y>DS ADJO9$ EA* O!R4 

,IT HAD TAK5 !M H>DLY FIVE M9UTES TO REA* ?IS PLACE4 

,TRUPP /OPP$1 WAIT+4 ,HE DID NOT SAY A WORD1 BUT ,AUBAN SUSPECT$ ?AT IT WAS JU/ ?IS SPOT HE WANT$ HIM TO SEE4 

,HE TOOK HIS /& ON A PILE ( HEAP$-UP E>? & SURVEY$ ! PICTURE ?AT PRES5T$ ITSELF4 

,NEV] 9 HIS LIFE1 IT SEEM$ TO HIM1 HAD HE SE5 ANY?+ MORE SAD1 MORE DEPRESS+1 MORE DISCONSOLATE ?AN ! /IFF UNI=MITY ( ?OSE FIL?Y HOLES ( :I* ONE ADJO9$ ! O!R 9 HORRID SYMMETRY UNTIL ! TW5TIE? DISAPPE>$ 9 ! GRAY GLOOM ( ?IS *ILLY ,NOVEMB] AFT]NOON4 ,! Y>DS ?AT W]E SEP>AT$ FROM EA* O!R BY CRUMBL+ WALLS REA*+ TO A MAN'S BREA/1 & :OSE N>R[NESS H>DLY P]MITT$ ONE TO /RET* \T HIS >MS1 W]E FILL$ ) MUDDY POOLS ( SLIMY FIL?2 HEAPS ( RUBBI% W]E PIL$ UP 9 ! CORN]S2 :]EV] ONE LOOK$1 HE SAW BROK5 ?+S & FURNITURE LY+ AB\T2 H]E & !RE A RAG ( GRAY L95 WAS HANG+ MOTIONLESS 9 ! *ILLY AIR4 ,! /ONE /EPS LEAD+ TO ! DOORS W]E WORN \T2 ! BL9DS ( ! W9D[S1 MO/LY BROK51 W]E SW++ LOOSELY ON !IR H+ES2 ! W9D[PANES W]E CRACK$1 H>DLY ONE WAS :OLE2 ! HOLES PA/$ OV] ) PAP]2 :]E ! W9D[S W]E OP51 B>E WALLS W]E SE54 

,NOT A HUMAN S\L F> OR NE>4 ,IT SEEM$ AS IF DEA? HAD JU/ PASS$ 9 GIANT /RIDES ?R\< !SE /REETS & T\*$ ALL BREA?+ ?+S ) HIS R$EEM+ H&444 

,!N ,AUBAN SAW SOME?+ MOVE 9 ! DI/ANCE4 ,WAS IT AN ANIMAL1 A HUMAN BE+8 ,HE FANCI$ HE RECOGNIZ$ ! B5T =M ( A WOMAN4 ,BUT AT ?IS DI/ANCE HE C\LD NOT DI/+UI% ANY?+ CLE>LY4 -- ,A ?9 SMOKE ROSE FROM A FEW ( ! MANY *IMNEYS & M+L$ ) ! LEAD5 GRAY AIR4 

,NO >TI/ HAS EV] ATTEMPT$ TO PA9T ?IS PICTURE1 ,AUBAN ?\<T1 & YET HE W\LD NE$ TO PUT ONLY ONE COLOR ON HIS PALETTE3 A DIRTY GRAY4 

,HE LI/5$4 ,FROM A GREAT DI/ANCE AN UN9T]RUPT$ DULL ROLL CAME RUMBL+ 9TO ?IS =SAK5 /ILLNESS3 ! ?\S&-FOLD NOISES ( BU/L+ ,LONDON CONSOLIDAT$ 9TO ONE PORT5T\S MUTT]+4 ,BUT H]E IT F\ND NO E*O 9 ANSW]4 

,MEAN:ILE ,TRUPP HAD BE5 WALK+ UP & D[N3 HE HAD /OOD BE=E ! ROTT+ C>CASS ( A DOG1 LOOK$ AT ! HIDD51 RU/Y LANT]N AT ! /REET CORN] :I* HAD LO/ ITS PANES TO ! LA/ SPL9T]1 & WAS N[ SEEK+ 9 VA9 = A TRACE ( SOME?+ GRE5 9 ?IS DU/Y S& -- NOT A S+LE BLADE ( GRASS F\ND SU/5ANCE 9 ?IS CURS$ SOIL444 

,EV]Y:]E NEGLECT2 :]EV] ! EYE TURN$1 ! NEGLECT ( HUNG] :I* DAILY FI<TS A FRI<TFUL BATTLE ) DEA?4 

,SL[LY ! FRI5DS TORE !MSELVES AWAY FROM ! WRET*$ SI<T1 & SIL5TLY WALK$ D[N ! MIDDLE /REET4 ,SOMETIMES A W9D[ WAS HALF OP5$1 A BU%Y HEAD ?RU/ \T1 & %Y1 CURI\S EYES FOLL[$ HALF 9 FE>1 HALF 9 HATE1 ! :OLLY UNUSUAL SI<T ( ! /RANG]S4 ,A MAN WAS HAMM]+ AT A BROK5 C>T :I* OB/RUCT$ ! :OLE WID? ( ! /REET4 ,HE DID NOT RESPOND TO ! GREET+ ( ! PASS]SBY2 /UPEFI$1 HE />$ AT !M AS AT AN APP>ITION FROM ANO!R WORLD2 A WOMAN :O HAD BE5 C[]+ 9 A DOOR CORN]1 MOTIONLESS1 ROSE T]RIFI$1 PRESS$ H] *ILD ) BO? H&S AGA9/ H] BREA/ H>DLY COV]$ ) RAGS1 & PROPP$ H]SELF1 AS IF TO (F] RESI/ANCE1 AGA9/ ! WALL1 NOT ONCE TAK+ H] EYE (F ! TWO M52 ONLY A CR[D ( *ILDR5 PLAY+ 9 ! MUD ( ! /REET DID NOT LOOK UP1 -- !Y MI<T HAVE BE5 TAK5 = IDIOTS1 SO NOISELESSLY DID !Y PURSUE !IR JOYLESS GAMES4 

,TRUPP & ,AUBAN WALK$ FA/]4 ,!Y FELT LIKE 9TRUD]S UPON ! SECRETS ( A /RANGE LIFE1 & !Y HA/5$ TO GET AWAY FROM ALL ?OSE LOOKS ( FE>1 HATE1 5VY1 A/ONI%M5T1 & HUNG]4 

,AT ! 5D ( ! /REET ANO!R GR\P ( *ILDR5 WAS GA!R$3 !Y W]E AMUS+ !MSELVES BY ! SI<T ( ! DY+ FITS ( A CAT :OSE EYES !Y HAD G\G$ \T1 & :OM !Y HAD HANG$ BY ! TAIL4 ,:5 ! BLE$+1 TORTUR$ ANIMAL J]K$ ) ITS FEET TO GET AWAY1 !Y /RUCK AT IT ) ! CRUEL1 AWFUL PLEASURE *ILDR5 TAKE 9 VISIBLE PA94 ,TRUPP QUICKLY /EPP$ AMONG !M3 0,CUT IT D[N60 HE COMM&$4 ,BUT HE MI<T JU/ AS WELL HAVE SPOK5 9 ,G]MAN1 SO LITTLE W]E ! WORDS UND]/OOD1 :I* 9 HIS M\? S\ND$ H>D & UNNATURAL4 ,9 SPEE*LESS A/ONI%M5T ! *ILDR5 LOOK$ UP AT HIM1 )\T KN[+ :AT HE WANT$ ( !M4 ,HE HAD TO TAKE ! DY+ ANIMAL AWAY HIMSELF4 -- ,RETURN+ TO ,AUBAN1 HE L\DLY EXPRESS$ HIS 9DIGNATION AT SU* %AMEFUL CRUELTY TO ANIMALS4 ,! O!R SADLY %RUGG$ HIS %\LD]S3 0,BETT] CONDITIONS1 BETT] MANN]S10 HE SAID2 0:AT ELSE CAN AVAIL H]E80 

,TRUPP SEEM$ TO KN[ EV]Y NOOK & CORN] ( !SE /REETS4 ,HE L$ ! WAY BACK & =?1 (T5 /&+ /ILL :5 !Y CAME TO A H\SE :OSE CRACK$ WALLS SEEM$ AS IF !Y W\LD TUMBLE D[N IF ONE LEAN$ AGA9/ !M2 !N AGA9 F9D+ N>R[ PASSAGES ( AN >M'S WID?1 FROM :OSE WALLS A FIL?Y MOI/URE TRICKL$ D[N1 GA!R+ ON ! GR\ND BEL[ 9 PE/IL5T1 NAUSE\S POOLS2 SO1 SURELY & )\T A WORD1 HE L$ ,AUBAN ?R\< ! D>K LABYR9? ( ?IS IMM5SE MIS]Y1 :OSE GLOOMY MONOTONY SEEM$ TO BE )\T 5D1 NO MATT] :AT DIRECTION !Y *OSE4 

,!Y CAME 9TO A C\RT-LIKE SPACE :I* WAS 5CLOS$ BY TALL1 GRAY H\SES2 ,GIBRALT> ,G>D5S WAS TO BE READ ON A SIGN ON ! /REET CORN]4 0,GIBRALT> ,G>D5S60 SAID ,TRUPP2 0!Y MOCK ! MIS]Y :I* !Y HAVE CREAT$60 -- ,ON ! CRACK$ ASPHALTUM ( ! C\RT A NUMB] ( ! *ILDR5 W]E AMUS+ !MSELVES ) ROLL]-SKAT+ -- 9 ! 0,G>D5S ( ,GIBRALT>10 :]E NOT A BLADE ( GRASS GREW6 

,! FRI5DS WALK$ ON ?R\< N>R[ /REETS ( V]Y OLD1 B5T1 L[1 SMALL H\SES1 :OSE DOORS ONE C\LD 5T] ONLY ) B[$ HEAD3 P$L]S LIV$ !RE1 & !Y HAD FILL$ ! /REET TO SUFFOCATION ) !IR SECONDH& RUBBI%2 & !N SUDD5LY ! W&]]S CAME UPON ! RO>+ LIFE ( ,*UR* ,LANE4 ,AT A BL[ ! PHYSIOGNOMY ( ! SURR\ND+ WAS *ANG$2 FROM DEA?LIKE DES]TION 9TO ! RU%+ LIFE ( TRADE ON A ,SATURDAY AFT]NOON6 

,AUBAN WAS TIR$4 ,HE LIMP$ MORE HEAVILY4 ,AT HIS SUGGE/ION !Y SP5T A HALF-H\R 9 ! NE>E/ PUBLIC H\SE1 :]E HE SAT D[N 9 A CORN]4 ,!Y /ILL DID NOT TALK MU* TOGE!R2 AT MO/1 9DICAT+ SOME OBS]VATION TO EA* O!R4 ,IT WAS A G9 PALACE ( ! L[E/ ORD] :I* !Y HAD 5T]$4 ,IT WAS CALL$ 0,! ,*IMNEY ,SWEEP10 AS ,AUBAN LAU<+LY NOTIC$4 ,! SAWDU/-COV]$ FLOOR REEK$ ) FIL? & SALIVA2 ! B> WAS SWIMM+ ) ALL SORTS ( DR9KS RUNN+ TOGE!R1 :I* DRI$ UP 9TO A /ICKY CRU/2 BEH9D IT1 :]E ! L>GE B>RELS W]E PIL$ AGA9/ ! WALL FROM ! FLOOR TO ! CEIL+1 ! WAIT]S HAD ALL !Y C\LD DO TO FILL ! H&S /RET*$ \T T[>DS !M2 ! /UPEFY+ ODOR ( TOBACCO SMOKE & BR&Y1 ! MOI/ W>M VAPORS ( UNWA%$ CLO?+ & BODIES CR[D+ EA* O!R1 FILL$ ! SPACE TO ! LA/ CORN]4 

,H]E MIS]Y WAS 9 SE>* ( ITS FRI<TFUL HAPP9ESS BY DR[N+ ITS HUNG] 9 DR9K4 ,IT WAS A G5U9E ,EA/ ,5D CR[D2 M5 & WOM51 ! LATT] ALMO/ AS NUM]\S AS ! =M]2 SOME ) 9FANTS ON !IR WI!R$ BREA/S1 BUT MO/ ( !M OLD OR AT ANY RATE APPE>+ OLD4 ,?R\< ! GR[N PEOPLE RAGG$ *ILDR5 W]E =C+ !IR WAY4 ,ALMO/ ALL W]E DRUNK1 9 ! FIR/ /AGES ( ! ,SATURDAY DRUNK FROM :I* !Y SOB] UP 9 SLEEP ON ,SUNDAY4 ,AUBAN CALL$ ,TRUPP'S ATT5TION TO AN 9SCRIPTION ON ! WALL3 0,SWE>+ & BAD LANGUAGE /RICTLY PROHIBIT$60 444 ,IT WAS SIMPLY RIDICUL\S1 ?AT 9JUNCTION :OSE ?REAT NO ONE M9D$4 

,! CONFUSION ( NOISES WAS OV]:ELM+4 ,IT DID NOT CEASE = A MOM5T1 & ROLL$ 9 SWELL+ WAVES BACK & =? FROM ONE AP>TM5T TO ANO!R4 ,! /AMM]+ WORDS ( A DRUNK5 MAN W]E DR[N$ BY ! CO>SE ABUSE ( AN EXCIT$ OLD FELL[1 :O DECL>$ SOMEBODY HAD DRUNK \T ( HIS GLASS2 & ! NEI<+ LAU<T] ) :I* ! TWO M5 W]E 9CIT$ AGA9/ EA* O!R1 BY ! MAD SCREAMS ( A WOMAN :O WAS /&+ ) CL5*$ FI/S BE=E H] HUSB& :O DID NOT WANT TO GO ) H]4 ,Y\NG M51 ALMO/ BOYS1 W]E S++ 9 A CORN] ) !IR DRESS$-UP SWEE!>TS OR %[+ !M NIGG] DANCES BY /AMP+ ! RES\ND+ FLOOR ) !IR HEAVY %OES 9 MEASUR$ TIME & ?R[+ !IR UPP] BODY BACK & =?4 ,BUT SUDD5LY ! ATT5TION ( ALL WOM5 WAS >\S$3 A BABY HAD BEGUN TO CRY2 P]HAPS HE F\ND NO MORE N\RI%M5T AT ! BREA/ ( HIS DRUNK5 MO!R4 ,FROM ALL SIDES !Y B5T OV] ! LITTLE WR9KL$1 GRAY FACE1 & EA* WOMAN RIVAL$ ! O!RS ) SUGGE/IONS AB\T QUIET+ HIM4 ,NATURAL GOOD-HE>T$NESS BROKE =?2 !Y WI%$ TO HELP4 ,DESPITE ?IS1 ! 9FANT CRI$ L\D] & L\D]1 UNTIL HIS LAM5TATIONS DI$ AWAY 9 A L[ :IMP]+4 

,! GROTESQUE SPECTACLE ( ?IS LIFE WAS NO?+ NEW TO ,AUBAN4 ,HE HAD (T5 BE5 9 !SE LA/ HAUNTS ( MIS]Y1 :]E ! APPE>ANCE EV5 ( A MAN NOT DRESS$ 9 RAGS IS AN EV5T4 

,TO-DAY1 H[EV]1 MO/ ( ! PEOPLE W]E ALREADY TOO MU* OCCUPI$ ) !MSELVES 9 !IR DRUNK5NESS1 OR 5GAG$ 9 QU>RELS & DISPUTES ) ONE ANO!R1 TO CONC]N !MSELVES GREATLY AB\T ! /RANG]S4 ,AN OLD WOMAN ONLY OBTRUD$ H]SELF ON ,TRUPP ) T5ACI\S P]SI/5CE1 />+ AT HIM 9 A REPULSIVELY T5D] WAY ) H] BLOOD%OT1 BLE>$ EYES & /AMM]+ H] WI%ES 9 ! IDIOM ( ! ,EA/ ,5D1 A SLANG ( :I* HE DID NOT UND]/& A WORD4 ,HE TOOK NO NOTICE ( H]4 ,:5 %E FELL AGA9/ HIM1 HE PU%$ H] CALMLY ASIDE4 ,9 DO+ SO HIS FACE %[$ NEI!R DISGU/ NOR CONTEMPT4 ,?IS WOMAN TOO WAS A MEMB] ( ! GREAT FAMILY ( HUMANITY & HIS SI/]4 

,ON ! B5*1 OPPOSITE TO ,AUBAN1 SAT A Y\NG1 COMPLETELY NEGLECT$ GIRL4 ,\T ( H] L>GE D>K EYES %OT =? BOLTS ( WRA? AT ,TRUPP4 ,:Y8 ,FROM HATR$ AGA9/ ! =EIGN] :OM %E HAD RECOGNIZ$ 9 HIM8 ,FROM ANG] AT ! OBTRUSIV5ESS ( ! OLD WOMAN1 OR AT HIS COOL DEF5SE8 ,FROM JEAL\SY8 -- ,IT WAS NOT TO BE LE>N$ FROM ! ABUSE :I* %E %[]$ UPON HIM FROM TIME TO TIME4 

,AUBAN /UDI$ H]4 ,H] DEBAS$ FEATURES1 9 :I* CONTEMPT M+L$ ) MEANNESS & HATR$1 W]E /ILL BEAUTIFUL1 NOT)/&+ H] RI<T *EEK WAS SCRAT*$ BLOODY & H] HAIR FELL OV] H] =EHEAD 9 WILD DISORD]4 ,H] TEE? W]E FAULTLESS4 ,H] DISORD]LY DRESS1 ! DIRTY L95 SACQUE1 WAS TORN OP51 AS IF ) BRAZ5 9T5TION1 & REVEAL$ TO VIEW ! /ILL *ILDLIKE :ITE BREA/S4 0,:Y %\LD ,I BE DI/URB$ AB\T Y\80 ALL H] MOVEM5TS SEEM$ TO SAY4 

,H[ LONG BE=E ! LA/ TRACES ( Y\? & GRACE W\LD BE WIP$ AWAY8 ,:AT DIFF]5CE WAS !RE /ILL BETWE5 H] & ?AT OLD WOMAN1 ALWAYS DRUNK1 9TO :OSE E> ,TRUPP %\T$1 AS %E AGA9 FELL AGA9/ HIM ) ! :OLE WEI<T ( H] BODY1 ?AT HE DID NOT UND]/& ,5GLI%2 HE WAS A ,G]MAN4 -- 

0,>E Y\1 D>L+80 %E /AMM]$1 & PUT H] FACE CLOSE TO HIS [N4 ,BUT AT ?IS MOM5T %E WAS COMPLETELY OV]COME BY H] DRUNK5NESS4 ,UTT]+ A GURGL+ S\ND1 %E FELL D[N1 HEAD =EMO/1 & LAY MOTIONLESS1 ON ! SLIPP]Y FLOOR4 ,! GRAY BRAIDS ( H] HAIR HALF-COV]$ H] DI/ORT$ FACE4 

,! M5 LAU<$ L\DLY2 ! WOMAN %RIEK$ & COV]$ ,TRUPP ) A FLOOD ( ABUSE4 

,AUBAN HAD RIS54 ,HE WANT$ TO LIFT UP ! OLD WOMAN4 ,BUT ,TRUPP PREV5T$ HIM4 0,LET H] LIE4 ,%E LIES WELL !RE4 ,IF Y\ %\LD WANT TO LIFT ALL ! DRUNK5 WOM5 ON !IR FEET :OM WE %ALL SEE TO-DAY1 Y\ W\LD HAVE MU* TO DO40 

,HE WAS RI<T4 ,! WOMAN WAS ALREADY SLEEP+4 

0,LET US GO10 SAID ,AUBAN4 

,! Y\NG GIRL HAD COME UP TO ,TRUPP & PLAC$ H]SELF BREA/ TO BREA/ AGA9/ HIM4 ,%E LOOK$ AT HIM ) H] L>GE EYES SP>KL+ ) MORBID DESIRE4 ,BUT %E DID NOT SAY A WORD4 ,TRUPP TURN$ ASIDE FROM H] T[>D ! DOOR4 

0,Y\ >E A FOOL60 %E !N SAID ) AN 9DESCRIBABLE EXPRESSION4 ,AUBAN SAW H] RETURN TO H] PLACE & COV] H] FACE ) H] H&S4 

,:5 !Y /OOD ON ! /REET1 ! RO> & ! BU/LE SEEM$ LIKE /ILLNESS AFT] ! BLU/] ?AT HAD SURR\ND$ !M4 

,IT HAD GR[N D>K] & COOL]4 ,! AIR WAS IMPREGNAT$ ) MOI/URE4 ,! NE>] ! EV5+ APPROA*$1 ! NOISI] & LIVELI] GREW ! /REET4 ,! V5DORS ON ! WAGONS :O MONOPOLIZ$ ! $GE ( ! /REET1 ONE AFT] ! O!R1 CRI$ L\D]4 ,! M\NTA9S ( VEGETABLES & ORANGES W]E CRUMBL+ TOGE!R2 ! OLD CLO!S & FOOTWE> W]E ?R[N PELL-MELL TOGE!R1 T\*$ BY SO MANY SCRUT9IZ+ H&S2 ! LEAVES ( ! SECONDH& BOOKS W]E TURN$ OV]1 HELD CLOSE TO ! FACES 9 ! 9CREAS+ D>KNESS4 

,! DEAL]S 9 CLAMS & SNAILS1 ! ABOM9ABLE FOOD ( ! POORE/ CLASSES1 MONOPOLIZ$ ! /REET-CORN]S4 ,! SI<T ( !IR LOA?SOME W>ES FILL$ ONE ) NAUSEA444 

0,BRICK ,LANE60 SAID ,TRUPP SUDD5LY4 

,!Y /OOD AT ! 5TRANCE ( ?AT /REET SO MU* TALK$ AB\T4 

,:ITE*APEL6 ,! ,EA/ ,5D 9 ! ,EA/ ,5D6 ,! HELL ( HELLS6 

,:]E DO Y\ 5D1 :]E DO Y\ BEG98 -- ,Y\R ORIG9AL B\ND>IES ( A DI/RICT HAVE BE5 EFFAC$ BY Y\R NAME -- TO-DAY ITS M5TION RECALLS ! D>KE/ PORTION ( ! GREAT NI<T ( ! ,EA/ ,5D1 ! MO/ DISMAL ( ITS D5S & HAUNTS1 ! DEEPE/ ( ITS ABYSSES ( MIS]Y444 

,H]E HUMAN BODIES LIE PIL$ UP HI<E/ & MO/ 9EXTRICABLY4 ,H]E ! CR[DS :OM NO NAME M5TIONS & NO VOICE CALLS M+LE & CREEP OV] EA* O!R MO/ RE/LESSLY4 ,H]E WANT HUDDLES ! HUMAN ANIMALS MO/ CLOSELY TOGE!R 9TO AN UNRECOGNIZABLE MASS ( FIL? & RUBBI%1 & !IR POISON$ BREA? L[]S LIKE A PE/-LAD5 CL\D OV] ?IS SECTION ( ! IMM5SE CITY1 :OSE N>R[] B\ND>IES >E ONLY DRAWN 9 ! S\? BY ! BLACK /REAK ( ! ,?AMES444 

,FROM NOR? TO S\? 9 A SLI<T CURVE EXT5DS ,BRICK ,LANE4 ,IT BEG9S :]E ,*UR* ,/REET RUNS 9TO ,BE?NAL ,GRE5 ,ROAD1 5D+ AT ! ,MUSEUM ( ! SAME NAME1 :I* WAS F\ND$ TO MEET ! DESIRE ( ! 0POOR] CLASSES0 = $UCATION1 JU/ AS ,VICTORIA ,P>K NE> BY WAS F\ND$ ?AT !Y MI<T NOT BE COMPELL$ TO 5TIRELY =EGO !IR SCANTY BREA? ( FRE% AIR4 ,IT 5DS :]E AT ,ALDGATE ! 9T]M9ABLE ,:ITE*APEL ,ROAD & ,MILE ,5D ,ROAD BRAN* (F TO ! NOR?1 & ! /ATELY1 BROAD ,COMM]CIAL ,ROAD ,EA/1 RUNN+ AS F> AS ! ,9DIA DOCKS TO ! S\?4 

,:OEV] HAS ONCE SL[LY SAUNT]$ ?R\< ,BRICK ,LANE CAN SAY ?AT HE HAS BE5 GRAZ$ BY ! PE/IL5TIAL BREA? ( WANT2 :OEV] HAS GONE A/RAY 9 ITS SIDE-/REETS1 HAS WALK$ ALONG ! $GE ( ! ABYSS ( HUMAN SUFF]+4 ,:OEV] W\LD LIKE TO SEE H[ MU* HUMAN NATURE CAN 5DURE2 :OEV] /ILL BELIEVES 9 ! *ILDI% DREAM ?AT ! WORLD MAY BE SAV$ BY LOVE1 POV]TY RELIEV$ BY *>ITY1 MIS]Y ABOLI%$ BY ! ,/ATE2 :OEV] W\LD TRACE ! LA/ EFFECTS ( ! T]RIBLE DE$S ( ! MURD]] ,/ATE1 -- LET HIM VISIT ! BATTLEFIELD ( ,BRICK ,LANE1 :]E M5 DO NOT FALL ) SKULLS CRACK$ & HE>TS %OT ?R\<1 BUT :]E HUNG] CUTS !M D[N EASILY1 AFT] WANT HAS DEPRIV$ !M ( !IR LA/ =CE ( RESI/ANCE444 

,IT IS A LONG WALK D[N ,BRICK ,LANE4 ,! FRI5DS WALK$ SIL5TLY4 ,5ORM\S W>EH\SES1 LOOM+ UP 9 ! DI/ANCE1 VAULT$ RAILROAD TUNNELS ( ! ,GREAT ,EA/]N ,RAILWAY1 BROKE ! MONOTONY ( ! CR[D$ R[S ( H\SES4 ,FREQU5TLY !Y HAD DIFFICULTY 9 ELB[+ !IR WAY ?R\< ! SURG+ CR[DS4 ,ODORS ALT]NAT$3 DECAY+ FI%1 ONIONS1 & FAT1 PUNG5T VAPORS ( ROA/$ C(FEE1 ! F\L AIR ( FIL?1 ( DECAY+ MATT]444 ,%OPS ) BLOODY MEAT1 /UCK ON PRONGS -- 0CAT'S MEAT02 AT EV]Y /REET-CORN] A 0W9E & SPIRITS0 H\SE2 TORN PO/]S ON ! WALLS1 /ILL 9 L\D COLORS2 A CR[D ( Y\NG M5 PASSES BY -- !Y %\T & S+2 D[N ! SIDE-/REET A DRUNK5 =M IS FEEL+ ITS WAY ALONG ! WALL1 MUTT]+ TO ITSELF & GE/ICULAT+1 P]HAPS OV]COME BY A S+LE GLASS ( :ISKEY BECAUSE ! /OMA* HAD BE5 )\T FOOD = DAYS444 

,! REGION GREW MORE & MORE DISMAL4 ,! ,JEWS' QU>T]1 ! POORE/ ( ! POOR4 ,! VICTIMS ( ! EXPLOIT]S1 ! 0SWEAT]S10 TAILORS1 & SMALL TRADES-M54 ,9F9ITELY CONT5T$1 BEA/S ( BURD5 BE>+ ! IMPOSSIBLE1 SATISFI$ ) SIX1 YES1 F\R P5CE = EI<TE5 H\RS' DAILY LABOR1 COMPLETELY LO/ 9 DULL RESIGNATION1 !Y >E ! MO/ WILL+ SUBJECTS ( ! EXPLOIT]S & =CE WAGES D[N TO F> BEL[ ! />VATION PO9T4 ,SO !Y >E ! T]ROR & ! ABOM9ATION ( ! 9HABITANTS ( ! ,EA/ ,5D1 :OM !Y KILL BY !IR T5ACI\S P]SEV]ANCE & !IR CALAMIT\S CAPACITY ( LIV+ ON NO?+ 9 ?IS FRI<TFUL /RUGGLE ( A MORE ?AN M]CILESS1 ( A VICI\S COMPETITION4 

,!Y ALONE HAVE BE5 ABLE TO GA9 A FIRM FOOT+ 9 ,:ITE*APEL3 SO !Y >E 5CAMP$ 9 ! MID/ ( ! ,EA/ ,5D LIKE A DECAY+ FUNGUS AT ! BASE ( SOME GIANT TREE444 

,AGA9 ?OSE FRI<TFUL R[S ( TWO-/ORI$ H\SES1 :OSE GRAY MONOTONY (F]S NO RE/+ PLACE TO ! EYE1 /RET*+ T[>D ! EA/ 9 /IFF UNI=MITY4 

,SU* IS ,BRICK ,LANE1 :OSE 5D ,AUBAN & ,TRUPP HAVE N[ REA*$1 9DESCRIBABLE 9 ITS APP>5T 9DIFF]5CE & AWFUL GLOOM3 PASS ?R\< IT NOT ONCE1 AS TO-DAY1 BUT A HUNDR$ TIMES1 & NO?+ ELSE WILL IT BETRAY TO Y\ ( ITS HIDD5 SECRETS1 ( ITS SIL5T SUFF]+S1 ( ITS DEAD LAM5TATIONS1 EXCEPT ?IS ONE ?+3 ?AT IT NEV] YET SAW AN HEIR TO HAPP9ESS444 

,:ITE*APEL6 ,:5 ! TWO FRI5DS W]E PASS+ ?R\< DIRTY1 N>R[ ,OSBORNE ,/REET1 ! 5TRANCE TO ,BRICK ,LANE1 IT WAS NE>LY SIX O'CLOCK4 ,!Y F\ND !MSELVES 9 ! MID/ ( A MI<TY /REAM ( HUMANITY ?AT WAS FL[+ UP ,:ITE*APEL & ,MILE ,5D ,ROAD3 ?\S&S UPON ?\S&S ( WORK+M5 B5T T[>DS ! \T]1 ! \T]MO/ LIMITS ( ! GIANT BODY ( ! CITY4 ,?R\< ! FOG GL[$ ! R$ EYES ( ! LANT]NS1 9 LONG R[S1 CONV]G+ 9 ! F>!/ DI/ANCE4 ,! NOR? SIDE ( ! /REET WAS D5SELY OCCUPI$ BY TWO R[S ( TRAD]S ( ALL K9DS1 !IR WAGONS & /&S1 FROM :I* SMOK+ NAPH?A LAMPS ?REW FLAMES ( LI<T UPON ! MASSES :O W]E =C+ !IR WAY ?R\< ! N>R[ MIDDLE ROAD1 JO/L+1 PU%+ EA* O!R1 EXCIT$1 HALF /UPEFI$444 ,IT IS ! GREAT DAY1 ,SATURDAY EV5+4 ,:OEV] /ILL HAS A P5NY SP5DS IT4 

,= ,:ITE*APEL ,ROAD IS ! GREATE/ PUBLIC PLEASURE-GR\ND ( ! ,EA/ ,5D1 ACCESSIBLE TO ALL4 ,L>GE MUSIC HALLS ) BROAD LOBBIES & HI< /ORIES & GALL]IES >E LOCAT$ !RE1 & SMALL HIDD5 P5NY GAFFS1 9 :I* !RE IS LITTLE TO SEE ON ACC\NT ( ! TOBACCO SMOKE1 & LITTLE TO HE> ON ACC\NT ( ! NOISE4 -- ,!RE IS ! M$IC9E MAN ) HIS WIZ>D'S OIL :I* CURES ALL ILLS1 -- NO MATT] H[ TAK51 9T]NALLY OR EXT]NALLY1 -- AS WELL AS ! %OOT+-/&1 :OSE WAV+ K]OS5E OIL FLAMES MAKE ! GASLI<TS UNNECESS>Y4 ,!RE WE MEET ! P[]FUL MAN & ! M]MAID1 ! CAB9ET ( WAX FIGURES & ! FAM\S DOG ) ! LION'S CLAWS -- HIS =EFEET HAVE BE5 SPLIT1 ALL ?AT IS TO BE SE5 = A P5NY444 

,AUBAN & ,TRUPP SAW NO?+ ( ALL !SE SPL5DORS4 ,!Y HAD TO PASS ?R\< ?IS TIDE = A DI/ANCE4 ,ONLY /EP BY /EP C\LD !Y PROCE$4 ,TURN+ AGA9 T[>DS ! NOR?1 :5CE !Y HAD COME1 ,TRUPP L$ HIS FRI5D ?R\< TWO OR ?REE D>K /REETS1 & AGA9 ?R\< ONE ( ?OSE L[ PASSAGES :]E DU/1 LIME1 & MORT> FALL D[N ON !M FROM ! WALLS :I* !Y GRAZE444 ,SUDD5LY !Y /OOD 9 ONE ( ?OSE QUIET1 SECLUD$ C\RT-Y>DS :I* NO /RANG] EV] 5T]S4 ,NO?+ WAS RECOGNIZABLE H]E EXCEPT ! T[]+ MASSES ( /ONE1 :I* DUR+ ! DAY C\LD H>DLY (F] A PASSAGE TO ! LI<T FROM ABOVE1 SO CLOSELY DID !Y ADJO9 EA* O!R4 ,BUT N[ !Y COMPLETELY DISAPPE>$ 9 ! FOG & ! APPROA*+ NI<T4 ,AUBAN FELT AS IF HE W]E AT ! BOTTOM ( A DEEP WELL1 WALL$ 9 ON ALL SIDES1 BURI$ ALIVE1 ) NO WAY \T & NO LI<T4 

,BUT HE FELT ,TRUPP'S H& AGA9 ON HIS4 ,IT DREW HIM AWAY4 ,H]E HE HAD R5T$ A ROOM4 ,HIS ROOM WAS ON ! FIR/ FLOOR1 CLOSE BY ! DOOR4 ,:5 IT WAS LI<T$1 ,AUBAN SAW ?AT ITS 5TIRE FURNITURE CONSI/$ ( A B$ ( /RAW1 A TABLE1 & A *AIR4 ,! TABLE WAS COV]$ ) PAP]S1 PAMPHLETS1 & LETT]S4 

,:ILE HE CONTEMPLAT$ ?IS *E]LESS SIMPLICITY1 ,TRUPP WAS WALK+ TO & FRO1 HIS HEAD B5T1 HIS H&S 9 HIS POCKETS1 AS HE ALWAYS DID :5 HE WAS 9W>DLY EXCIT$4 ,=C+ ,AUBAN TO TAKE ! *AIR1 :ILE HE SEAT$ HIMSELF ON HIS TRUNK1 HE BROKE ! SIL5CE ( ! PA/ H\RS BY TELL+ 9 A SUPPRESS$1 ALMO/ *OK$ VOICE :AT HE HAD SE5 DUR+ ! PA/ DAYS4 

0,Y\ CONSID] ?IS A POOR ROOM8 ,Y\ >E GREATLY MI/AK54 ,I LIVE LIKE A PR9CE -- ,I AM ! ONLY P]SON 9 ?IS :OLE H\SE :O HAS HIS [N ROOM TO HIMSELF4 ,YES1 SEV]AL HUNDR$1 PEOPLE1 SEV]AL DOZ5S ( FAMILIES1 >E LIV+ 9 ?IS 'FAMILY HOTEL4' ,H]E & ON ! FIR/ FLOOR ?+S >E /ILL PASSABLE3 ONE FAMILY ONLY OCCUPY+ A ROOM1 P>5TS1 *ILDR51 L>GE & SMALL1 ALL MIX$ TOGE!R4 ,FUR!R UP -- ,I HAVE NOT YET BE5 !RE1 = ON ! ?IRD FLOOR ! FIL? & ! ODOR >E SU* ?AT ONE MU/ TURN BACK -- ?+S >E NOT SO WELL4 ,TWO FAMILIES 9 ONE ROOM NOT L>G] ?AN ?IS4 ,:E!R !Y AVAIL !MSELVES ( ! FAM\S *ALK M>K1 ,I CANNOT SAY4 ,SUFFICE IT ?AT !Y GET ON3 SLEEP+-ROOM1 DRAW+-ROOM1 D9+-ROOM1 KIT*51 SICK & DEA? *AMB] -- ALL 9 ONE4 ,OR A HOLE T5 BY SIX FEET IS 9HABIT$ BY SIX1 T51 TWELVE WORK+M5 -- TAILORS4 ,!Y WORK TWELVE1 F\RTE51 SIXTE5 H\RS1 (T5 /ILL LONG]4 ,!Y ALL SLEEP 9 ?AT ONE ROOM1 ON ! FLOOR1 ON A BUNDLE ( RAGS1 IF !Y DO NOT WORK ?R\< ! NI<TS BY ! POISON\S GASLI<T4 ,DAYS MAY PASS1 WEEKS1 BE=E !Y GET \T ( !IR CLO!S4 ,:AT !Y E>N8 ,?AT V>IES4 ,TWOP5CE ! H\R8 ,V]Y R>ELY4 ,MO/ ( ! TIME NOT SO MU* 9 ?REE1 BUT FREQU5TLY ONLY 9 SIX H\RS4 ,!Y >E GLAD IF !Y GET ONE OR ONE & A HALF %ILL+S :5 !Y MU/ /OP FROM EXHAU/ION4 ,= MAK+ A COAT :I* SELLS AT TWO GU9EAS 9 ! /ORE1 !Y GET FROM F\R TO FIVE1 SOMETIMES -- :5 A /RIKE IS FAVORABLE TO ! SWEAT]S & 5ABLES !M TO MAKE ANY (F] -- ONLY TWO TO ?REE1 YES1 ONE %ILL+4 ,DO Y\ WANT TO HE> ( ANY?+ MORE8 -- ,IT IS ! SAME 9 ! %OEMAK]S' BRAN*1 AMONG ! GIRLS :O MAKE MAT*-BOXES1 ! SEAM/RESSES1 ! SP9N]S4 ,! MAK+ ( A GROSS ( MAT*-BOXES FET*ES AB\T TWOP5CE1 -- ! WORK REQUIRES FROM ?REE TO F\R H\RS2 ! SEW+ ( A DOZ5 %IRTS F\R OR EV5 ?REE1 & TWO & A HALF P5CE2 ! POLI%+ ( A GROSS ( LEAD-P5CILS -- AN H\R & A HALF'S WORK -- TWOP5CE2 !RE >E H&S = EV]Y?+1 :I* WILL NOT RE/ UNTIL !Y HAVE TORN !IR NAILS FROM !IR F+]S40 

,AUBAN 9T]RUPT$ HIM4 ,HE KNEW HIS FRI5D4 ,IF HE ALL[$ HIM TO GO ON1 HE W\LD1 PROMISCU\SLY ?RU/+ HIS H& 9TO ! HEAP ( COLLECT$ EXP]I5CE1 CONT9UE H\R AFT] H\R TO DRAW =? ONE FACT AFT] ANO!R1 ONE >GUM5T AFT] ANO!R1 &1 9 BLE$+ PA9 & FRI<TFUL JOY AT ONCE1 CONJURE UP A PICTURE AGA9/ :I* ALL OBJECTIONS W\LD PROVE FUTILE4 ,AGA9 & AGA9 :5 HE /OPP$ EXHAU/$ & TREM5D\SLY EXCIT$1 HIS CET]UM C5SEO WAS ! REVOLUTION1 ! DE/RUCTION ( ! OLD SOCIETY1 ! OV]?R[ ( ! EXI/+ ORD] ( ?+S4 

,HE WAS NOT TO BE *ECK$ 9 HIS MAD C>E]4 ,EV]-NEW ROCKS DID HE F9D1 \T ( :I* HE SMOTE ! WAT]S ( HIS !ORIES4 ,9T]RUPT$1 HE DIGRESS$1 CAME TO ANO!R SUBJECT1 & )\T HESITATION TORE (F ! VEIL1 PUTT+ TO FLI<T ANY RAY ( A POSSIBLE HOPE ( SL[ IMPROVEM5T1 /RANGL+ EV]Y IDEA ( PEACEABLE RE=M1 BURY+ IT UND] ! BURD5 ( HIS IMPEA*M5TS444 ,!N1 :5 HE HAD 5VELOP$ HIS HE>]S 9 ! %AD[S ( HIS DESPAIR1 HE :ISP]$1 /EPP+ BE=E !M1 ! ONE WORD3 0,REVOLUTION60 & LEFT !M ALONE 9 ! NI<T ) ?IS S+LE />444 ,SO HE HAD BECOME ! AGITATOR :OSE WORDS HAD ALWAYS BE5 MO/ EFFECTIVE :5 BORN ( ! MOM5T4 ,BETT] ?AN ANY ONE ELSE ,TRUPP KNEW H[ TO BREAK ! LE?>GY ( 9DIFF]5CE1 TO K9DLE DISCONT5T1 TO AWAK5 HATR$ & REVOLT4 ,!RE=E HIS WORK AMONG ! 9DIFF]5T WAS ALWAYS SUCCESSFUL4 ,HE WAS NOT AN ORGANIZ]4 ,SO HE AVOID$ ! CLUBS MORE & MORE4 ,HE LIK$ TO GET \T ( ! WAY ( DISCUSSIONS4 ,HE DID NOT KN[ H[ TO CONV9CE4 ,:5 ! RAPTURE & ! 5?USIASM ( ! H\R HAD FL$1 -- 9 ! DULL MONOTONY ( ! FOLL[+ DAY :I* MADE ! /RUGGLE APPE> USELESS1 ! VICTORY HOPELESS1 -- MANY ( ?OSE :OM HE HAD C>RI$ AWAY W]E SEIZ$ ANEW & MORE P[]FULLY BY ! GLOOMY FEEL+ ( ! VANITY ( ALL EF=T1 :I* SNAPP$ ASUND] ! DRAWN *ORD ( HOPE4 ,HE C\LD PO9T ! WAY2 HE C\LD NOT TAKE ! LEAD4 

,:5 ,AUBAN 9T]RUPT$ HIM1 HIS FEV]I% SPIRIT SEIZ$ UPON ANO!R SIDE ( ! CONV]SATION4 ,HE TOLD ( ! *ILDR5 ( ?IS MIS]Y :O >E BORN 9 ?IS & DIE 9 YOND] CORN]1 MORE ?AN ?IRTY 9 A HUNDR$1 BE=E PASS+ !IR FIR/ YE>1 MISS$ BY NO ONE1 H>DLY KN[N BY !IR [N MO!RS1 NEV] DRESS$1 NEV] 5\< TO EAT2 ( ! =TUNATE ONES :O >E SP>$ A LIFE ( UNC]TA9TY1 ! SL[ DEA? ( />VATION2 ( ! HI< PRICES ! POOR MU/ PAY = EV]Y?+ !Y NE$ -- F\R1 FIVE %ILL+S WEEKLY R5T TO ! L&LORD = ! HOLE ( A ROOM ALONE1 :ILE ! E>N+S ( ! :OLE FAMILY DO NOT AM\NT TO T51 TWELVE2 ( ! COMP>ATIVELY HI< S*OOL MONEY :I* !Y >E COMPELL$ TO PAY = !IR *ILDR51 :OM !Y NE$ SO MU* TO HELP ADD A FEW P5CE WEEKLY TO !IR E>N+S2 ( !IR COMPLETE HELPLESSNESS 9 ALL ?+S1 AT ! DEA? ( !IR RELATIVES1 = 9/ANCE4 ,( LATE1 D>K RUMORS ( FRI<TFUL OCCURR5CES HAD REA*$ ! PUBLIC1 SO IMPOSSIBLE ?AT EV]YBODY REG>D$ !M AS ! ABORTION ( A DI/EMP]$ BRA91 ( A S5SATIONAL IMAG9ATION4 ,!Y W]E BAS$ ON FACTS4 ,TRUPP CONFIRM$ !M4 

,IT WAS NOT A V]Y UNCOMMON ?+ = CORPSES TO REMA9 UNBURI$ = DAYS 9 ! SAME ROOM :]E ! RE/ ( ! FAMILY LIV$ DAY & NI<T4 

0,:5 ,I CAME H]E10 SAID ,TRUPP1 0A Y\NG MAN ( AB\T TW5TY HAD DI$4 ,( A FEV]2 ,I ?9K SC>LET FEV]4 ,AT ANY RATE1 HIS DISEASE WAS CONTAGI\S4 ,! HUSB& WAS \T ( WORK2 ! WIFE CONSUMPTIVE4 ,%E C\<$ ! :OLE DAY4 ,!Y HAD F\R *ILDR52 BUT ! SECOND1 A GIRL1 CAME HOME ONLY :5 %E F\ND NO O!R %ELT]4 ,%E & H] BRO!R W]E ! ONLY ONES :O OCCASIONALLY BR\<T SOME?+ 9TO ! H\SE4 ,BESIDES1 !RE IS ! OLD 9SANE MO!R ( ! WIFE1 :O NEV] LEAVES H] CORN] 9 ! ROOM4 ,WELL1 ! SON DI$4 ,HE HAD BE5 ILL EI<T DAYS4 ,( C\RSE1 NO C>E1 NO PHYSICIAN1 NO FOOD4 ,! CORPSE REMA9$ ON ! SAME SPOT ON :I* ! SICK BOY HAD DI$4 ,NO ONE T\*$ IT4 ,9/EAD ( LOOK+ AFT] WORK1 ! MAN RAN A :OLE DAY FROM ONE MAGI/RATE TO ANO!R4 ,HE WAS REF]R$ FROM ONE DI/RICT TO ANO!R2 ONE HAD NO CEMET]Y1 TO ! O!R HE DID NOT BELONG4 ,HE WAS A =EIGN]1 C\LD NOT EASILY MAKE HIMSELF UND]/OOD -- 9 %ORT1 ! BODY REMA9$ :]E IT WAS1 )\T A C(F91 UNBURI$4 ,AFT] ?REE DAYS1 PEOPLE 9 ! H\SE BEGAN TO TALK AB\T ! MATT]2 AFT] FIVE1 ! /5* CAME ?R\< ! CRACKS ( ! DOOR2 AFT] SEV51 IT HAD GR[N SO 9TOL]ABLE ?AT ! NEI<BORS 9 ! ADJO9+ ROOMS REVOLT$2 ONLY AFT] EI<T DAYS A POLICEMAN HE>D AB\T ! MATT]1 & ON ! N9? F9ALLY1 ! CORPSE1 9 ! LA/ /AGE ( PUTREFACTION1 WAS TAK5 AWAY6 ,! PAP]S PUBLI%$ NO REPORTS AB\T IT4 ,& :Y %\LD !Y8 ,IT IS ALL USELESS1 ANYWAY4 -- ,N9E DAYS6 ,?AT IS EASILY TOLD1 BUT NO IMAG9ATION CAN 9 REALITY PA9T ! PICTURE ( ?AT ROOM60 

,HE CEAS$ = A MOM5T4 ,AUBAN WAS COLD4 ,HE DREW HIS CLOAK MORE CLOSELY R\ND HIM1 & LOOK$ AT ! LI<T :I* WAS GO+ \T4 

,BUT ,TRUPP HAD NOT YET F9I%$4 0,SOMETIMES !Y ?R[ A CORPSE 9TO A CORN] ( ! Y>D1 LET :AT WILL BECOME ( IT4 ,NOT F> FROM H]E IS A /REET1 :I* IS 9HABIT$ BY ?IEVES1 PIMPS1 MURD]]S1 RABBLE ( ! FIR/ ORD]4 ,!RE >E CR[DS ( *ILDR5 !RE4 ,:5 ONE ( !M DI$ REC5TLY1 IT WAS LEFT :]E IT LAY4 ,NO ONE CLAIM$ IT4 ,:O ! P>5TS W]E NO ONE KNEW4 ,! WOMAN :O LIV$ YOND] TOLD ME ( ANO!R CASE4 ,UP !RE -- ABOVE US -- LIVES A DRUNK>D4 ,HE HAS A WIFE & SEV5 *ILDR54 ,! WOMAN WORKS = ! :OLE FAMILY4 ,REC5TLY ONE ( ! *ILDR5 DI$ -- ( ?AT DREADFUL DISEASE = :I* SCI5CE HAS NO NAME1 'SL[ EXHAU/ION1 9 CONSEQU5CE ( 9SUFFICI5T N\RI%M5T' -- DO NOT ! NEWSPAP] REPORTS USUALLY CALL IT SO8 ,! WOMAN TAKES H] V]Y LA/ ?+ TO ! PAWN%OP1 ONLY TO BE ABLE TO BUY A C(F9 & A FEW GRE5 BRAN*ES4 ,BUT BE=E %E CAN GET 5\< TOGE!R A FEW DAYS PASS4 ,ONE EV5+ ! HUSB& COMES HOME2 ( C\RSE1 COMPLETELY DRUNK4 ,! C(F9 IS 9 HIS WAY4 ,HE TAKES IT & ?R[S IT1 ) ! CORPSE1 ?R\< ! W9D[ ( ! ?IRD /ORY4 ,! FOLL[+ DAY ! WOM5 ALMO/ KILL$ ! MAN2 BUT OV] !IR G9 ! M5 LAU<$ AB\T ! 'SM>T FELL[4' ,SU* IS ,EA/ ,5D LIFE40 

,AUBAN ROSE4 

0,5\<1 ,OTTO10 HE SAID4 0,CAN Y\ %[ ME ! /REET ( :I* Y\ JU/ SPOKE80 

0,N[8 -- ,I GUESS NOT6 ,WE %\LD NOT GET AWAY AGA9 ) A :OLE SK940 

0,!N LET US GO40 ,AS !Y /OOD BY ! DOOR1 HE LOOK$ ,TRUPP 9 ! EYE4 0,Y\ WILL SURELY NOT CONT9UE TO LIVE H]E80 

0,:Y NOT8 -- ,AM ,I P]HAPS BETT]8 ,HAVE ,I E>N$ MORE ?AN ?OSE POOR8 -- ,ONE MORE OR LESS MATT]S NO?+40 

0,YES1 IT DOES4 ,ONE LESS 9 FIL? IS ALWAYS BETT] ?AN ONE MORE40 444 

,AS !Y /OOD 9 ! N>R[ 5TRY1 ! DOOR OPPOSITE WAS OP5$4 ,A ?9 /REAK ( LI<T FA9TLY ILLUM9$ ! PASSAGE1 & %[$ ! P]SON EM]G+ TO BE A Y\NG WOMAN4 ,%E MUTT]$ SOME?+ AS %E SAW ,TRUPP4 ,IT S\ND$ LIKE AN 5TREATY1 & %E PO9T$ TO ! ROOM4 ,A SUFFOCAT+1 MU/Y1 CORRUPT$ VAPOR MET ! M5 AS !Y APPROA*$ -- ! VAPOR ( CLO?+ ?AT HAD NEV] BE5 AIR$1 ( DECAY+ /RAW1 SPOIL+ FOOD1 MIX$ & IMPREGNAT$ ) ! MIASMS ( LOA?SOME DISEASES PRODUC$ BY ?AT UNCLEANL9ESS :I* COV]$ EV]Y?+1 -- ! WALLS1 ! FLOOR1 ! W9D[S4 ,9 ! CL\D ( VAPOR :I*1 DESPITE ! COLD1 W>M$ ! ROOM ?AT C\LD NOT BE HEAT$1 A B$ WAS DI/+UI%ABLE :I* TOOK UP ! :OLE L5G? ( A WALL4 ,ON ?IS B$ ROSE A FIGURE ?AT W\LD SURELY NOT HAVE BE5 REG>D$ AS A HUMAN BE+ IF IT HAD NOT HURL$ T[>DS ! DOOR A FLOOD ( 9COH]5T ABUSE3 HIS FACE 5TIRELY DISFIGUR$ BY VISE1 DISEASE1 DRUNK5NESS1 HIS HEAD B\ND UP BY A DIRTY1 BLOOD-SOAK$ RAG1 EMACIAT$1 HIS EXHAU/$ LIMBS H>DLY COV]$ BY RAGS1 ! MAN RESEMBL$ MORE A DEAD ?AN A LIV+ P]SON4 ,HE FELL BACK ) A RATTL+ S\ND1 EXHAU/$ BY ! EX]TION ( HIS AIMLESS WRA?4 ,TRUPP SPOKE TO ! WOMAN4 ,AUBAN ONLY HE>D ?AT IT WAS A CASE ( TAK+ ! SICK MAN TO ! HOSPITAL1 -- ! P>ADISE ( POV]TY4 ,HE FELT TIR$ & /UPEFI$1 & WALK$ AHEAD4 ,TRUPP SOON FOLL[$4 ,HE HAD TO LEAD HIS FRI5D BY ! >M1 SO FULL ( HOLES WAS ! CREAK+ FLOOR ( ! PASSAGE1 SO WORN \T ! /ONE FLAGG+ ( ! /AIRS4 0,?AT IS ALSO ONE ( ?OSE :OM ! POLICE CAN TAKE TO ! POORH\SE EV]Y DAY -- !Y HAVE 'NO VISIBLE MEANS ( EXI/5CE'6 ,!Y >E T]RIBLY AFRAID ( IT10 SAID ,TRUPP4 

,! LI<T$ Y>D WAS DES]T$ AS BE=E4 ,ONE MI<T HAVE BELIEV$ ?AT ALL ?OSE H\SES 5CLOS+ IT W]E UN9HABIT$1 IT WAS SO /ILL2 !RE WAS NO SIGN ( LIFE4 

0,IT IS ALWAYS SO10 SAID ,TRUPP4 0,DUR+ ! DAY ! *ILDR5 >E NEV] NOISY 9 !IR PLAY40 

,!RE WAS A GR\P ( PEOPLE AT ! CORN] ( ! NEXT /REET4 ,!Y W]E TALK+ TOGE!R 9 A LIVELY MANN]4 ,SOME ( !M W]E EVID5TLY V]Y MU* EXCIT$4 ,AS ,AUBAN & ,TRUPP DREW NE>]1 A WOMAN CAME T[>D !M4 ,%E WAS SCREAM+ = A PHYSICIAN4 ,! CR[D READILY MADE WAY = !M4 ,!Y PASS$ ?R\< A GATEWAY4 ,A Y>D1 HALF D>K1 N>R[1 DIRTY1 LAY BE=E !M4 ,H]E ALSO WAS A GR\P ( M5 & WOM51 ) *ILDR5 CL++ TO !M4 ,9 REGUL> PACES1 TWO POLICEM5 W]E WALK+ UP & D[N1 AS F> AS ! SPACE P]MITT$4 

,AUBAN WAS AB\T TO TURN BACK AGA91 :5 HIS EYES FELL ON A LANT]N :I* /OOD ON ! GR\ND1 & CA/ A DULL LI<T ON A HEAP ( /RAW1 ON :I* LAY A HUMAN =M4 ,NO ONE H9D]$ HIM AS HE /EPP$ CLOS]4 ,! PEOPLE /&+ R\ND CR[D$ =W>D2 ! POLICEM5 PAC$ UP & D[N4 ,AUBAN WAS TAK5 = A PHYSICIAN4 ,! CORPSE LY+ BE=E !M WAS ?AT ( A MAN ( AB\T FIFTY4 ,IT LAY ON ! BACK1 ! >MS HALF /RET*$ \T & HANG+ D[N ON BO? SIDES1 ! OP5 EYES TURN$ UPW>DS4 ,! BODY ( ! DEAD MAN WAS COV]$ ONLY BY A LONG1 BLACK COAT4 ,IT WAS OP5 & LAY AGA9/ ! NAK$ FLE%1 ) ! COLL> DRAWN UP & 5CLOS+ ! NECK4 ,FROM HIS TATT]$1 DIRTY1 & ?READB>E BLACK TR\S]S1 HIS NAK$ FEET PROTRUD$1 COV]$ BY BLUE FRO/-M>KS & FIL?4 ,HIS WORN SILK HAT ) A RAGG$ RIM HAD ROLL$ AWAY4 ,HIS UNKEMPT GRAY HAIR HAD FALL5 OV] HIS =EHEAD2 ! LEFT H& ( ! DEAD MAN WAS CL5*$4 

,AUBAN B5T OV] HIM4 ,! BODY WAS FRI<TFULLY EMACIAT$3 ! RIBS ( HIS *E/ PROTRUD$ %>PLY2 ! JO9TS ( HIS H&S & FEET W]E SO N>R[ ?AT A BOY'S H& MI<T HAVE 5CIRCL$ !M4 ,HIS *EEKS W]E FALL5 91 & HIS *EEK-BONES /OOD \T PROM95TLY2 HIS NOSE WAS %>P & ?92 HIS LIPS 5TIRELY BLOODLESS1 & A LITTLE OP5$ AS IF 9 PA92 ! PROJECT+ TEE? APP>5TLY 9 GOOD CONDITION4 ,! TEMPLES & ! REGION ( ! ?ROAT W]E DEEPLY SUNK5 -- ! CORPSE APPE>$ AS IF IT HAD BE5 LY+ = MON?S 9 A DRY PLACE1 SO ?9 & TI<T ! YELL[I% SK9 COV]$ ! BONES4 

,AUBAN LOOK$ UP TO ! POLICEMAN :O WAS /&+ BESIDE HIM4 

0,/>V$80 HE ASK$ 9 A L[ VOICE4 

,! POLICEMAN NODD$1 /OLID & 9DIFF]5T4 -- ,/>V$6 ,A ?RILL ( EXCITEM5T RAN ?R\< ! CR[D /&+ R\ND1 :O HAD NOISELESSLY FOLL[$ EV]Y MOVEM5T ( ,AUBAN4 ,! WORD PASS$ FROM LIP TO LIP1 & EA* SPOKE IT 9 A DIFF]5T TONE ( FE> & HORROR1 AS IF EA* HAD HE>D HIS [N DEA? S5T5CE4 ,! *ILDR5 CLUNG MORE CLOSELY TO ! WOM51 !SE MORE CLOSELY TO ! M54 ,A Y\NG FELL[ UTT]$ A SCORNFUL1 L\D CRY2 HE WAS PU%$ AWAY4 ,! :OLE GR\P WAS ?US SET 9TO COMMOTION4 ,!Y JO/L$ EA* O!R3 EA* WI%$ TO CA/ A GLANCE AT ! DEAD MAN4 

,! POLICEM5 RESUM$ !IR WALK1 OCCASIONALLY CA/+ A SCRUT9IZ+ LOOK AT SOME 9DIVIDUAL 9 ! CR[D4 

,AUBAN HAD RIS5 FROM HIS KNEEL+ POSITION4 ,! H& ( ! DEAD MAN HAD FALL5 BACK FLACCIDLY AFT] HE HAD RAIS$ IT4 ,!RE WAS NO LONG] A TRACE ( LIFE 9 ! LIFELESS BODY4 

,AS HE WAS AB\T TO TURN1 HE SUDD5LY FELT ,TRUPP'S IRON GRASP ON HIS >M4 ,HE LOOK$ UP & SAW A ?OR\<LY TR\BL$ FACE4 ,TRUPP'S EYES W]E FIX$ UPON ! DEAD MAN 9 RIGID FRI<T & SPEE*LESS AMAZEM5T1 AS IF HE RECALL$ TO HIM SOME DREADFUL MEMORY4 

0,DO Y\ KN[ HIM80 ASK$ ,AUBAN4 

,TRUPP MADE NO ANSW]4 ,HE /EADILY GAZ$ AT ! CORPSE4 

,! DEAD MAN LAY BE=E !M1 & IT SUDD5LY SEEM$ NOT ONLY TO ,TRUPP1 BUT ALSO TO ,AUBAN1 AS IF A LA/ RAY ( LIFE W]E RETURN+ 9TO HIS BROK5 EYES1 & AS IF !Y W]E N[ TELL+ 9 SIL5T SPEE* = ! LA/ TIME ! HI/ORY ( !IR LIFE3 ! HI/ORY ( A DESC5T FROM HI< TO L[444 

,TRUPP PULL$ HIS FRI5D AWAY1 />TL$ FROM HIS ?\<TS4 ,! CR[D LOOK$ AFT] !M 9 DULL EXPECTATION1 AS !Y /ILL BELIEV$ ,AUBAN TO BE A PHYSICIAN4 ,ONLY ! TWO POLICEM5 CONT9U$ PAC+ UP & D[N1 UNCONC]N$3 PRES5TLY AN (FIC] W\LD COME ) A WAGON1 & TOMORR[ ! DEAD W\LD LIE ON ! M>BLE SLAB ( A DISSECT+-TABLE444 

,ON ! /REET ,TRUPP SAID RAPIDLY1 ) A VOICE /ILL *OK$ ) FE>3 -- 

0,I SAW HIM -- ONCE -- IT WAS F\R WEEKS AGO -- 9 ,FLEET ,/REET444 ,HE WAS COM+ D[N ?AT /REET -- T[>DS ME -- JU/ AS HE LAY !RE3 )\T %OES1 )\T A %IRT1 BUT ) A TALL HAT & BLACK GLOVES4 ,! SI<T ( HIM WAS NOT RIDICUL\S2 ON ! CONTR>Y1 IT WAS FRI<TFUL4 ,HE LOOK$ LIKE DEA? P]SONIFI$ -- EMACIAT$ LIKE A SKELETON -- LIKE A %AD[6 -- SO HE SLUNK ALONG ! WALL1 LOOK+ /RAI<T AHEAD1 OBS]V+ NO ONE & UNOBS]V$ BY ANY4 -- ,MY FEEL+ TOLD ME ,I %\LD NOT DO IT2 BUT ,I RECOGNIZ$ HUNG]1 & SO ,I W5T UP TO HIM & ASK$ HIM SOME?+4 ,HE DID NOT UND]/& ME4 ,I D\BT IF HE HE>D ME AT ALL4 ,BUT :5 ,I GAVE HIM A %ILL+1 HE CA/ A GLANCE ON ! MONEY1 !N ONE ON ME AS IF HE WANT$ TO /RANGLE ME ON ! SPOT1 & FLUNG :AT ,I HAD GIV5 HIM -- MY LA/ %ILL+ -- TO ! NEXT /REET UR*94 -- ,I WAS ( C\RSE SO A/ONI%$ ?AT ,I LET HIM GO4440 

,AUBAN %OOK HIS HEAD4 

0,IS IT REALLY ! SAME MAN80 

0,C\LD WE =GET ?AT FACE AFT] WE HAVE ONCE SE5 IT80 

,AUBAN REMA9$ SIL5T4 ,IT WAS A /RANGE CO9CID5CE1 BUT IT WAS NOT IMPOSSIBLE4 ,TRUPP MI<T BE MI/AK54 ,BUT ,AUBAN DID NOT HIMSELF BELIEVE ?AT HE WAS UND] A DELUSION4 

,HE TOO WAS GREATLY AGITAT$4 ,?AT FACE -- NO1 ONE C\LD NOT =GET IT AFT] HAV+ ONCE SE5 IT4 ,BUT SADD] ?AN ! BLOODLESS *EEKS & ! REPROA*FUL EYES HAD BE5 TO HIM ! EMACIATION ( ?OSE 5FEEBL$1 COMPLETELY EXHAU/$1 FAMI%$ LIMBS4 ,HUNG] MU/ HAVE LABOR$ LONG & PATI5TLY BE=E DEA? C\LD EXT+UI% ! BLAZ+ FLAMES ( ?AT LIFE6 444 

,WEEKS AGO PASS+ ALL ORDEALS ?R\< ! /R5G? ( PRIDE1 IT SUCCUMB$ ONLY TO-DAY2 HE HAD RETREAT$ 9TO A CORN]1 ! DIRTIE/1 MO/ HIDD5 ( ALL -- !RE1 UNSE5 BY ANY ( ?OSE MILLIONS1 HE HAD BROK5 D[N2 !RE1 UNHE>D BY ANY1 HE HAD BREA!D HIS LA/ SI<1 -- TIR$1 P]PLEX$1 /UPEFI$1 SICK1 DESPAIR+1 HE HAD -- />V$6 

0,/>V$6 444 ,/>V$6 444 ,/>V$6 4440 

,AGA9 & AGA9 ,TRUPP MUTT]$ ?AT WORD TO HIMSELF4 

,!N AL\D TO ,AUBAN3 -- 

0,TO SEE ?AT WE HAD 9DE$ NOT EXPECT$6 -- ,LOOK1 H[ EV]Y?+ JU/IFIES ME6 ,BUT ! V5GEANCE WE %ALL TAKE WILL EFFACE EV]Y?+60 

0,EXCEPT FOLLY10 ?\<T ,AUBAN4 ,BUT ( C\RSE HE DID NOT SAY IT N[4 

0,!RE CAN BE NO BLAME3 :AT HAS ! BL9D DONE ?AT HE IS BL9D8 -- ,ONLY FOLLY1 FOLLY EV]Y:]E -- YES1 & IT WILL TAKE A T]RIBLE REV5GE6 4440 

,SUDD5LY !Y /OOD AT ! 5TRANCE TO ! L>GE1 BROAD LIV+ /REAM ( ,:ITE*APEL ,ROAD4 

,!Y HAD BE5 WALK+ TILL N[ )\T KN[+ :]E4 ,ABSORB$ 9 :AT !Y HAD SE51 !Y =GOT ALL ELSE4 ,N[ !Y W]E />TL$ BY ! LI<T ?AT SUDD5LY FLOOD$ !M4 ,!Y LOOK$ AB\T4 ,EV]Y?+ WAS AS IT HAD BE5 TWO H\RS AGO4 ,AGA9 ! LI<TS6 ,AGA9 LIFE1 FL[+1 RU%+ LIFE1 EV] & EV] AGA9 CONQU]+ LIFE AFT] ! T]RORS ( DEA?6 

0,TO ! CLUB60 SAID ,AUBAN4 ,IT WAS ! FIR/ WORD ?AT HE SPOKE4 ,HE WAS TIR$1 HUNGRY1 BUT \TW>DLY & 9W>DLY CALM1 CONGEAL$ AS IT W]E4 ,TRUPP WAS NEI!R ?IR/Y NOR EXHAU/$4 ,:ILE HE *ANG$ HIS C\RSE ) ! CONFID5CE ( HABIT & CROSS$ ,COMM]CIAL ,ROAD1 HE LOOK$ BE=E HIM GLOOMILY1 APP>5TLY COLD1 BUT /IRR$ BY 9DIGNATION1 TORTUR$ BY A DULL PA94 

,!Y HAD ONLY A FEW M9UTES MORE TO WALK4 ,A /REET LAY BE=E !M1 5VELOP$ 9 ! D>KNESS ( ! EV5+1 ILLUM9$ BY NOT A S+LE LI<T4 ,IT WAS ,B]N] ,/REET1 ,E4,C4 ,! H\SES RAN 9TO ONE ANO!R2 DOORS & W9D[S W]E H>DLY TO BE DI/+UI%$ 9 ! %AD[S ( ! NI<T4 ,ONLY ONE WELL ACQUA9T$ H]E C\LD HAVE F\ND A GIV5 H\SE4 ,AUBAN FELT HIS WAY ) HIS CANE RA!R ?AN WALK$4 

,H]E WAS LOCAT$ ! CLUB ( ! ,JEWI% REVOLUTIONI/S ( ! ,EA/ ,5D4 ,TRUPP /OOD BE=E ! DOOR & PULL$ ! IRON KNOCK]4 ,IT WAS OP5$ AT ONCE4 ,HEADS EM]G$ FROM A ROOM ON ! RI<T1 FRI5DLY H&S W]E EXT5D$ TO ,TRUPP :5 HE WAS RECOGNIZ$4 ,AUBAN SAW ) :AT PLEASURE HE GRASP$ ! H&S & %OOK !M AGA9 & AGA94 ,HE HIMSELF HAD NOT BE5 H]E = A YE>4 ,HE D\BT$ :E!R HE W\LD SEE ANY FAMILI> FACES4 ,BUT HE HAD H>DLY M+L$ ) ! LIVELY GR\PS :I* FILL$ ! SMALL L[ ROOMS ( ! BASEM5T1 SOME /&+1 SOME SITT+ R\ND ! TABLES & ON ! B5*ES1 :5 HE FELT A H& UPON HIS %\LD] & LOOK$ 9TO ! FACE ( AN OLD COMRADE :OM HE HAD NOT SE5 = YE>S1 NOT S9CE HIS YE>S ( /ORM & /RESS 9 ,P>IS4 

0,AUBAN60 

0,BAPTI/E60 

,MEMORIES FLEW UP LIKE A FLOCK ( BIRDS :OSE CAGE IS SUDD5LY OP5$ BY ! H& ( ACCID5T4 

,EXCEPT ! 0,MORG5RO!10 ! ?IRD SECTION ( ! OLD ,COMMUNI/IC ,WORK+M5'S ,$UCATIONAL ,SOCIETY1 ! 0,9T]NATIONAL ,WORK+M5'S ,CLUB0 WAS ! ONLY CLUB ( REVOLUTION>Y ,SOCIALI/S 9 ! ,EA/ ,5D4 ,! MEMB]S1 AB\T TWO HUNDR$ ( !M1 CONSI/$ MO/LY ( ,RUSSIAN & ,POLI% IMMIGRANTS4 ,! :OLE ( ,:ITE*APEL1 :I* = ! MO/ P>T WAS 9HABIT$ BY !IR C\NTRYM51 CON/ITUT$ !IR WIDE FIELD ( PROPAG&ISM4 

,AUBAN ASK$ HIS FRI5D TO TRANSLATE = HIM PORTIONS ( ! PAP] :I* ! CLUB PUBLI%$ WEEKLY AT A GREAT SACRIFICE1 ASSI/$ BY NO ONE1 BITT]LY HAT$ & P]SECUT$ BY ! WEAL?Y ,JEWS ( ! ,WE/ ,5D 7:O ONCE EV5 SUCCE$$ BY BRIB]Y 9 TEMPOR>ILY SUPPRESS+ ! PAP]74 ,IT WAS CALL$ 0,! ,WORK]'S ,FRI5D10 & WAS PR9T$ ) ,HEBREW LETT]S 9 ?AT QUE] MIXTURE ( ! ,POLI%1 ,G]MAN1 & ,5GLI% IDIOM1 :I* IS *IEFLY SPOK5 BY ! ,POLI% EMIGRANTS & UND]/OOD ONLY ) DIFFICULTY BY O!RS4 

,TRUPP WAS 9 ! MID/ ( A GR\P ( LIVELY TALK+ PEOPLE4 ,!Y ASK$ HIM TO SPEAK4 ,HE EVID5TLY HAD NO DESIRE TO4 ,BUT HE CONS5T$1 & FOLL[$ !M TO ! UPP] HALL1 AFT] HE HAD HA/ILY DRUNK A GLASS ( BE]4 

,AUBAN REMA9$ SITT+1 & ORD]$ SOME?+ TO EAT4 ,! ACQUA9TANCE :O HAD RECOGNIZ$ HIM OV]:ELM$ HIM ) QUE/IONS4 ,!Y LE>N$ MANY ?+S FROM EA* O!R3 ONE ( !IR FRI5DS HAD BE5 CA/ A%ORE H]E1 ANO!R !RE1 BY ! GREAT1 MI<TY WAVE ( ! MOVEM5T4 ,9 ! C\RSE ( ?OSE FEW YE>S EV]Y?+ HAD BE5 MOV$ \T ( ITS POSITION1 HAD *ANG$1 HAD TAK5 ON A NEW ASPECT4 

,AUBAN GREW MORE S]I\S ?AN HE HAD BE54 ,HE FELT AGA9 ! :IR ( ! :EEL ROLL+ ON & ON1 ! TRAMP ( ! CRU%+ FOOT/EP ?AT HAD ALSO PASS$ OV] HIM444 ,NO SWORD WAS ANY LONG] SUSP5D$ ABOVE HIM4 ,HE NO LONG] FE>$ ANY?+1 S9CE HE BATTL$ ONLY = HIMSELF4 ,BUT /ILL ! DROPS ( PA9 W]E FL[+ FROM ! SC>S ( HIS IRON HE>T4 

,!Y TALK$ ( !IR =M] FRI5DS4 ,ONE ( !M HAD BE5 %[N UP AS A DECOY8 ,WAS IT POSSIBLE8 ,NONE ( !M W\LD HAVE ?\<T ?AT4 0,HE WAS A SC\NDREL40 

0,P]HAPS HE WAS ONLY UN=TUNATE10 SUGGE/$ ,AUBAN4 ,BUT ! O!R W\LD NOT HE> ( ?AT4 

,?US !Y TALK$ TOGE!R = AN H\R4 

,!N !Y ASC5D$ ! N>R[ /AIRS TO ! HALL1 :I* WAS COMPLETELY PACK$ ) PEOPLE4 ,IT WAS ( M$IUM SIZE & HELD H>DLY MORE ?AN A HUNDR$ & FIFTY P]SONS4 ,PLA9 B5*ES )\T BACKS /RET*$ ?R\< IT CROSSWISE & ALONG ! WALLS4 ,EV]Y:]E EXTREME POV]TY1 BUT EV]Y:]E ALSO ! 5DEAVOR TO OV]COME POV]TY4 ,ON ! WALLS HUNG A NUMB] ( PORTRAITS3 ,M>X1 ,PR\DHON1 ,LASSALLE OV]?R[+ ! GOLD5 CALF ( CAPITALISM2 A C>TOON 9 A BLACK FRAME3 0,MRS4 ,GRUNDY0 -- ! /+Y1 GRE$Y1 5VI\S B\RGEOISIE1 :I*1 LAD5 ) TREASURES ( ALL SORTS1 REFUSES ! />V+ ! PITTANCE ( A P5NY444 

,AT ! FRONT ! ROOM WAS 5CLOS$ BY A SMALL /AGE4 ,!RE ,TRUPP WAS /&+ BESIDE ! TABLE ( ! *AIRMAN4 ,HE SPOKE 9 ,G]MAN4 ,AUBAN PU%$ A LITTLE =W>D TO SEE HIM4 ,HE C\LD UND]/& ONLY A FEW WORDS2 HE C\LD H>DLY GUESS :AT HE WAS SAY+4 ,WAS HE TELL+ ( HIS EXP]I5CES ?AT EV5+8 444 ,AUBAN FELT ! TREM5D\S PASSION FLOOD+ ! MEET+ 9 HOT WAVES FROM ?AT PO9T4 ,BREA?LESS1 ANXI\S NOT TO LOSE A S+LE WORD1 !Y HUNG ON ! LIPS ( ! SPEAK]4 ,AN ELECTRIC ?RILL PASS$ ?R\< ?OSE Y\NG PEOPLE1 H>DLY \T ( !IR TE5S2 ?OSE WOM5 TIR$ & CRU%$ BY ! BURD5 ( !IR CEASELESS TOIL2 ?OSE M5 :O1 TORN AWAY FROM !IR NATIVE SOIL1 HAD F\ND EA* O!R H]E D\BLY & TREBLY DISAPPO9T$4 ,R>ELY HAD ,AUBAN SE5 SU* DEVOTION1 SU* BURN+ 9T]E/1 SU* GL[+ 5?USIASM AS %ONE FROM ?OSE FACES4 ,HE KNEW !M4 ,QUE/IONS ?AT AMONG ! *ILDR5 ( ! ,WE/ W\LD HAVE AT MO/ =M$ MATT] = CALM1 9DIFF]5T 9T]*ANGE ( OP9ION1 W]E DISCUSS$ H]E AS IF LIFE & DEA? DEP5D$ ON !M2 9 CONTRA/ ) !IR [N SORR[FUL1 DEPRESS$1 N>R[ LIFE ONLY ! IDEAL ( P>ADISE6 ,NO?+ ELSE6 ,HI<E/ P]FECTION 9 ,COMMUNISM3 ABOVE ALL1 PEACE1 FRAT]NITY1 EQUALITY6 ,*RI/IANS1 IDEALI/S1 DREAM]S1 FOOLS -- SU* W]E ?OSE ,JEWI% REVOLUTIONI/S ( ! ,EA/ ,5D -- /EP-*ILDR5 ( REASON1 BANN]-BE>]S ( 5?USIASM4 

,TRUPP CLOS$4 ,!Y W]E PREP>+ = ! DISCUSSION4 

0,BE EGOI/S60 ,AUBAN W\LD LIKE TO HAVE %\T$ AT !M4 0,BE EGOI/S6 ,EGOISM IS ! ONLY WEAPON AGA9/ ! EGOISM ( Y\R CORELIGIONI/ EXPLOIT]S2 !RE IS NO O!R4 ,USE IT3 COOL1 DET]M9$1 SUP]IOR1 CALM1 & Y\ >E ! VICTORS60 

,BUT HE DID NOT EXPRESS HIS ?\<TS4 ,! TIME :5 HE HIMSELF1 9SPIR$ & 9SPIR+1 HAD /OOD BY ! SURG+ WAVES ( EXCIT$ MASSES HAD BE5 FOLL[$ BY YE>S ( /UDY4 ,HIS C\RSE 9CLUD$ BUT ONE /UDY3 M54 ,S9CE HE UND]/OOD !M1 HE KNEW ?AT ! EFFECT ( ! SPOK5 WORD IS ! GREAT]1 ! MORE G5]AL1 ! MORE IDEAL IT IS1 ! F>!R IT GOES TO MEET ! VAGUE DESIRES ( ! HE>T4 ,IT IS ! PHRASE ?AT IS EV]Y:]E RECEIV$ ) WILD JOY BY ! CR[DS2 ! CLE>1 SOB] WORD ( REASON1 /RIPP$ ( T9SEL1 ADDRESS+ ITSELF TO 9DIVIDUAL 9T]E/S1 D5Y+ ALL MORAL COMM&S ( DUTY1 DIES AWAY )\T BE+ UND]/OOD1 & )\T EFFECT4 

,HAD NOT ?AT BE5 BR\<T HOME AGA9 TO HIM ONLY LA/ ,SUNDAY8 

,!RE=E1 IF HE %\LD SPEAK TO-DAY1 HE W\LD AGA9 REAP ONLY MISUND]/&+1 9/EAD ( JOYFUL APPLAUSE4 

,! DISCUSSION WAS 9 FULL SW+4 ,ALMO/ EV]YONE :O APPROA*$ ! SPEAK]'S TABLE SPOKE ) ! MO/ GL[+ ZEAL TO CONV9CE1 TO P]SUADE3 NOT A WORD WAS LO/4 

,TRUPP RETREAT$ TO ! BACKGR\ND ( ! HALL4 ,!RE HE WAS AGA9 SURR\ND$ ON ALL SIDES4 ,!Y WI%$ TO BE 5LI<T5$ ON ?IS OR ?AT PO9T ( HIS SPEE*4 ,HE REPLI$ TO EA*4 -- ,AUBAN HAD SAT D[N4 ,HIS ACQUA9TANCE HAD LEFT HIM4 ,HE DID NOT UND]/& A WORD4 ,HE SAW ! EXCIT$ FACES ?AT HOV]$ AB\T HIM ?R\< A ?9 VEIL ( TOBACCO SMOKE4 

0,TO-DAY FLAM+ 5?USIASM1 TOMORR[ SOB]+ UP & DISC\RAGEM5T444 ,TO-DAY ,HAYM>KET1 TOMORR[ ! GALL[S444 ,TO-DAY REVOLUTION1 TOMORR[ A NEW ILLUSION & ITS OLD AU?ORITY60 HE ?\<T4 

,TRUPP ASK$ HIM IF HE W\LD GO ) HIM TO ! 0,MORG5RO!40 ,!RE WAS A MEET+ AT ?AT PLACE1 & HE WI%$ TO SPEAK !RE ALSO4 ,AUBAN LET HIM GO ALONE4 

,! WORK+M5'S ,M>SEILLAISE WAS SUNG4 ,! GA!R+ BEGAN TO BREAK UP4 ,! CR[D M+L$ TOGE!R4 

,A TALL1 BROAD-%\LD]$ ,G]MAN COMRADE1 ) A BLOND BE>D & HAIR1 HIS GLASS 9 HIS H&1 ) HIS HEAD RAIS$1 SANG 9 A CLE>1 FIRM VOICE1 GIV+ ! KEYNOTE1 AS IT W]E1 ! FIR/ /ANZA ( ! SONG OV] ! HEADS ( ! O!RS3 --  
  

,WOHLAN1 W] ,RE*T UND ,FREIHEIT A*TET1 

 ,ZU UNS]] ,FAHNE /EHT ZU ,HANF6 

 ,OB UNS DIE ,LUGE NO* UMNA*TET1 

 ,BALD /EIGT D] ,MORG5 HELL H]AUF6 

 ,E9 S*W]] ,KAMPF I/'S1 D5 WIR WAG51 

 ,ZAHLLOS I/ UNS]] ,FE9DE ,S*A> --  

 ,DO* OB WIE ,FLAMM5 DIE ,GEFAHR 

 ,MOG' ULB] UNS ZUSAMM5S*LAG51 
  
  

,TOD J$] ,TYRANNEI6 

 ,DIE ,>BEIT W]DE FREI6 

 ,M>S*1 M>S*1 

 ,M>S*1 M>S*6 

 ,UND W>'S ZUM ,TOD6 

 ,D5N UNS]E ,FAHN' I/ RO?6  
  
  

,ALL JO9$ 9 ! REFRA94 

,AUBAN HUMM$ ! ,FR5* WORDS ( ! ,M>SEILLAISE444 ,H[ MANY TIMES ALREADY HAD HE HE>D IT1 H[ MANY TIMES ALREADY JO9$ 9 S++ IT8 ,9 HOPE1 9 REVOLT1 9 DESPAIR1 9 ! CONFID5CE ( VICTORY8 ,:O HAD NOT ALREADY SUNG IT8 

,AUBAN *ANC$ TO SEE H[ ! EYES ( A Y\NG MAN -- HE WAS EVID5TLY A ,POLE OR A ,RUSSIAN -- W]E SUSPICI\SLY RE/+ ON HIS /RANGE =M4 ,HE C\LD NOT HELP SMIL+4 

,%\LD HE TELL HIM :O HE WAS8 -- ,!Y DID NOT KN[ HIM ANY MORE4 ,BUT /ILL ! M]E M5TION ( HIS NAME W\LD HAVE SUFFIC$ TO AT ONCE PUT TO FLI<T ALL D\BT & SUSPICION4 

,BUT HE REFRA9$ FROM DO+ IT4 ,HE LOOK$ AT HIS WAT*3 HE MU/ NOT /AY MU* LONG]1 IF HE /ILL WI%$ TO CAT* ! LA/ TRA9 ( ! UND]GR\ND ROAD = ,K+'S ,CROSS AT ,ALDGATE4 

,HE W5T4 ,!Y HAD REA*$ ! CLOS+ /ANZA ( ! SONG4 ,!Y SANG3 --  
  

,TOD J$] ,TYRANNEI6 

 ,DIE ,>BEIT W]DE FREI6 

 ,M>S*1 M>S*1 

 ,M>S*1 M>S*6 

 ,UND W>'S ZUM ,TOD46 

 ,D5N UNS]E ,FAHN' I/ RO?6 

 ,D5N UNS]E -- ,FAHN' I/ -- RO?6 

 ,D5N UNS]E -- ,FAHN' -- I/ -- RO?6  
  

,AUBAN /OOD ON ! /REET4 ,IT WAS PIT* D>K4 ,) DIFFICULTY HE FELT HIS WAY TO :]E ! GREAT /REETS CONV]G$4 ,BUT BE=E HE HAD YET REA*$ ! FIR/ GASLI<TS1 AN 5ORM\S BUILD+ SUDD5LY ROSE BE=E HIM 9 ! D>KNESS3 9 F\R R[S1 ONE ABOVE ! O!R1 TWELVE1 F\RTE51 TW5TY BRI<TLY ILLUM9AT$ W9D[S444 ,IT WAS ONE ( ! L>GE FACTORIES ( :I* !RE >E FROM =TY TO FIFTY 9 EV]Y P>I% ( ! ,EA/ ,5D ( ,LONDON4 ,WAS IT A SILK FACTORY8 ,AUBAN DID NOT KN[4 

,?AT BUILD+1 UGLY1 CO>SE1 RIDICUL\S 9 %APE1 A F\R-CORN]$ MON/ROSITY ) A HUNDR$ R$1 GL[+ EYES1 ) ! FLITT+ %AD[S ( HUMAN =MS & ! GIGANTIC LIMBS ( ! MA*9]Y BEH9D !M1 WAS IT NOT ! GL>+ SYMBOL ( ! AGE1 ! *>ACT]I/IC EMBODIM5T ( ITS ESS5TIAL SPIRIT3 9DU/RY8 

,! CULM9ATION ( ! EV5+ WAS REA*$ :5 ,AUBAN /OOD AGA9 ON ! SPOT :]E ! TWO GIANT /REETS CONV]GE4 ,ALREADY H]E & !RE EXCESSIVE FATIGUE WAS BEG9N+ TO M]GE 9 ! /ILLNESS ( ,SUNDAY4 ,SOON ! PUBLIC H\SES W]E TO CLOSE4 ,MORE & MORE ! PEOPLE CON/ITUT+ ! GREAT /REAM ( HUMANITY W]E DISAPPE>+ 9 ! SIDE-/REETS4 

,BUT /ILL ! ?RONG WAS ALMO/ IMP5ETRABLE4 ,9 FEV]I% HA/E MO/ ( !M DRA9$ ! LA/ FLAT DROPS ( ! FLAT DR9K ( !IR ,SATURDAY SPREE4 

,ALDGATE C\LD BE REA*$ 9 LESS ?AN FIVE M9UTES4 ,!RE WAS /ILL HALF AN H\R = ,AUBAN BE=E ! LA/ TRA9 ( ! UND]GR\ND ROAD = ,K+'S ,CROSS W\LD LEAVE ,ALDGATE ,/ATION1 & OV]COME BY AN 9W>D =CE AGA9/ :I* HE WAS HELPLESS1 HE TURN$ ONCE MORE 9TO ONE ( ! NOR!RN SIDE-/REETS1 9TO A NI<T FULL ( PECULI> MY/]Y444 

,ONLY A FEW LANT]NS W]E /ILL BURN+ H]E1 ONLY FEW PEOPLE PASS$ BY HIM4 ,!N HE CAME UPON /REETS RUNN+ CROSSWISE4 ,HE TURN$ T[>D ! WE/4 

,HE PASS$ A GR\P ( Y\NG PEOPLE4 ,!Y W]E C>RY+ ON A DISPUTE 9 A L[ VOICE1 9 ORD] NOT TO ATTRACT ! ATT5TION ( A POLICEMAN1 & TOOK NO NOTICE ( ,AUBAN4 ,HE KEPT CLOSE TO ! WALL4 

,A LI<T %ONE FROM A GRAT$ W9D[4 ,HE /OPP$ & LOOK$ ?R\< ! DIRT-COV]$ PANES4 ,IT WAS ! KIT*51 ! COMMON KIT*5 ( A LODG+-H\SE :I* HE SAW1 ! COMMON WAIT+-ROOM = ALL FREQU5T]S BE=E !Y RETIRE TO ! SLEEP+-PLACE R5T$ = ONE NI<T4 

,! ROOM WAS OV]CR[D$4 ,MORE ?AN SEV5TY P]SONS MU/ HAVE BE5 !RE2 !Y LAY1 SAT1 & /OOD >\ND 9 SMALL] & L>G] GR\PS3 SOME C[]$ 9 ! CORN]S4 ,A L>GE NUMB] ?RONG$ R\ND ! FIREPLACE4 ,!RE !Y PREP>$ !IR FOOD1 -- TEA1 A BIT ( FI%1 ! REMA9S ( MEAT4 ,EA* WAS AWAIT+ HIS TURN4 ,AS SOON AS ONE MADE ROOM BY ! FIRE1 ANO!R TOOK HIS PLACE4 ,! SP>E FIRE DID NOT GIVE \T MU* HEAT1 = MANY W]E COLD 9 !IR RAGS & CR[D$ CLOSELY TOGE!R4 

,!RE WAS ONLY ONE TABLE 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! ROOM4 ,B5T OV] IT1 HEAD BESIDE HEAD1 MO/ ( !M W]E ALREADY ASLEEP 9 CONFUS$ DISORD]1 -- M51 WOM51 & *ILDR5 TOGE!R4 ,ONLY A FEW ATE !RE1 & ON ! N>R[ B5*ES ALONG ! WALLS4 ,BUT ! TABLE WAS /REWN ) DIRTY T9 DI%ES1 -- CUPS1 B[LS1 PLATES1 -- :I* ! EXHAU/$ ONES HAD PU%$ AWAY BE=E SLEEP OV]CAME !M4 ,! FLOOR WAS COV]$ ) REFUSE ( EV]Y K9D2 *ILDR5 :O HAD SLIPP$ AWAY FROM ! LAPS ( !IR SLEEP+ MO!RS CREPT R\ND LIKE LITTLE BL9D DOGS4 

,! FA9T GLIMM] ( ! EMB]S H>DLY ILLUM9$ ! ROOM4 ,TWO SMOK+ LAMPS ON ! WALLS W]E GO+ \T4 

,NO?+ ?AT HE HAD SE5 TO-DAY1 NO?+ ?AT HE HAD EV] SE5 9 ! ,EA/ ,5D1 HAD MADE A DEEP] IMPRESSION ON ,AUBAN ?AN ! SIL5T1 GLOOMY1 DISMAL PICTURE ( ?AT ROOM4 

,WAS IT ! LATE H\R ?AT WAS HAV+ ITS EFFECT ON HIM8 ,WAS IT HIS OV]HEAT$ BRA91 EXHAU/$ BY LONG H\RS ( EX]TION1 :I* PRODUC$ ?AT ABORTION8 ,OR DID ?AT :I* HE HAD SO (T5 SE5 COME CLOSE TO HIM N[ ?AT HE WAS ALONE3 ?IS NI<T SC5E ( ! AB&ON$ LIFE ( ! \TCA/S8 

,HE HELD HIS BREA? :ILE HE P5ETRAT$ EV]Y CORN] ( ! PICTURE ) HIS EYES4 

,NO IMAG9ATION C\LD HAVE FANCI$ A MORE DISCONSOLATE ROOM1 & 9 IT A MORE GROTESQUE GR\P+1 ?AN WAS PRES5T$ H]E3 ! :ITE-HAIR$ OLD MAN1 :OSE CANE HAD DROPP$ FROM HIS H& :ILE HE FELL ASLEEP ) HIS HEAD B5T =W>D2 ! Y\NG GIRL :O WAS />+ BE=E H] :ILE H] PIMP COV]$ H] ) ABUSE2 ?AT 5TIRE FAMILY =M+ A GR\P3 ! FA!R EVID5TLY \T ( WORK1 & ! MO!R 9 DESPAIR OV] !IR SITUATION1 QUIET+ ! *ILDR5 :O W]E QU>REL+ AB\T A BROK5 DI%2 ?OSE SLEEP+ R[S -- !Y SEEM$ AS IF DEAD444 

,& ABOVE !M ALL ! GLOOMY CL\D ( ET]NAL FIL? & ET]NAL HUNG]4 ,NO LONG] ANY JOY1 ANY *>M1 ANY HOPE 444 ?US DAY AFT] DAY 444 ?US NI<T AFT] NI<T444 

,AUBAN =CIBLY TORE HIMSELF AWAY FROM ! PICTURE )\T COLOR1 )\T \TL9E1 )\T TONE4 

,HE KNEW ?OSE LODG+-H\SES :]E ONE F\ND %ELT] = S+LE NI<TS4 ,BUT :ITE LETT]S ON ! R$ WALLS GAVE ! ADDITIONAL 9=MATION3 ?REEP5CE1 F\RP5CE1 & SIXP5CE A NI<T4 ,= SIXP5CE -- ?OSE W]E ! 0*AMB]S0 :]E ONE GOT HIS [N B$1 :OSE L95 WAS *ANG$ ONCE AT LEA/ EV]Y FEW WEEKS1 AFT] IT HAD S]V$ TW5TY DIFF]5T BODIES4 ,= F\RP5CE !Y SLEPT 9 R[S1 CLOSELY CR[D+ UPON EA* O!R1 UTILIZ+ ! SPACE TO ! FULLE/ EXT5T4 ,= ?REEP5CE1 F9ALLY -- ?AT WAS ! L>GE ROOM ) ! EMPTY B5*ES ON :I* ONE SLEPT1 OR ! KIT*5 :]E ONE REMA9$ ON ! SPOT :]E ONE FELL ASLEEP3 PROTECT$ AGA9/ NO?+ BUT ! ICY COLD ( ! NI<T & ! FATAL DAMPNESS ( ! /REET PAVEM5T444 

,A MAN /AGG]$ \T ( ! DOOR4 ,HE HAD BE5 TURN$ AWAY BECAUSE HE C\LD NOT PAY4 ,AUBAN WI%$ TO SPEAK TO HIM1 TO HELP HIM1 BUT HE WAS COMPLETELY DRUNK4 ,HE /AGG]$ ON BACKW>DS & =W>DS1 KNOCK$ AB\T ) HIS H&S1 & FELT HIS WAY ALONG ! WALLS ( ! H\SES1 MUTT]+ & REEL+ -- 9TO ! NI<T :I* DEV\R$ HIM4 

,AUBAN ALSO WALK$ ON4 ,HE HAD =GOTT5 :]E HE WAS & AT :AT H\R4 

,SUDD5LY HE REFLECT$4 ,HE MU/ RETRACE HIS /EPS TO ASSURE HIMSELF ?AT HE WAS ON ! RI<T WAY4 ,!RE WAS ! /REET 9TO :I* HE HAD TURN$1 -- !RE=E /RAI<T AHEAD1 AGA9 T[>DS ! WE/444 

,FROM ?AT PO9T ONLY AN UN/EADY LI<T EV]Y HUNDR$ PACES4 ,! /REETS GREW N>R[] & N>R[]4 ,! PAVEM5T WORSE & WORSE1 L>G] & L>G] MUD POOLS & RUBBI% HEAPS444 

,BUT ,AUBAN DID NOT WI% TO GO BACK AGA94 

,! DOOR ( A H\SE /OOD OP54 ,ANO!R LODG+-H\SE1 BUT AN UNLIC5S$ ONE4 ,ONE ( ! NOTORI\S ROOK]IES1 AS ! PEOPLE CALL !M4 ,IT WAS OV]CR[D$4 ,! 5TIRE N>R[1 /EEP /AIRWAY1 AS F> AS ,AUBAN C\LD SEE1 COV]$ ) CR\*+ D>K HUMAN BODIES4 ,OV] & BESIDE EA* O!R1 LIKE CORPSES ?R[N ON A HEAP1 SO !Y LAY !RE4 ,AS F> AS ! /REET1 ON ! ?RE%OLD EV51 !Y W]E C[]+4 ,NO?+ WAS ANY LONG] PLA9LY RECOGNIZABLE2 ! SK91 PEEP+ FROM UND] ! RAGS & TATT]S1 WAS AS DIRTY AS !Y W]E1 SOAK$ ) DAMPNESS1 FIL?1 & DISEASE444 

,AUBAN %UDD]$4 ,HE HURRI$ ON4 ,A CROSS /REET2 !N A HI< WALL2 A MON/R\S SEV5-/ORY T5EM5T H\SE1 SUDD5LY RIS+ \T ( ! D>KNESS LIKE A GIANT4 ,HE PASS$ IT4 ,/RAI<T AHEAD -- T[>DS ! WE/4 

,9 ! NEXT /REET AGA9 A NUMB] ( /RAGGL]S1 BUT SC>CELY RECOGNIZABLE3 %AD[S PA9T$ ON ! WALLS1 OR SITT+ 9 ! H\SE DOORS PETRIFI$4 ,NO NOISE1 NO TALK1 NO LAU<T]1 NO S++ 444 ! /ILLNESS ( ! GRAVE4 

,AUBAN BEGAN TO D\BT :E!R HE WAS ON ! RI<T WAY4 ,AGA9 ! /REETS GREW COMPLETELY DES]T$4 

,BUT HE KNEW ?IS REGION4 ,HAD HE NOT BE5 H]E 9 ! DAYTIME8 ,EV]Y?+ SEEM$ *ANG$4 ,?AT WALL ON ! LEFT -- HE HAD NEV] SE5 IT4 ,HAD HE GONE WRONG8 -- ,IMPOSSIBLE6 ,HE TAX$ HIS EXCIT$ BRA91 ALMO/ TO BUR/+1 :ILE HE /OOD /ILL4 ,HE REFLECT$ -- IT MU/ BE SO & C\LD NOT BE O!RWISE2 IF HE TURN$ T[>D ! LEFT1 T[>D ! S\?1 HE MU/ REA* ,:ITE*APEL ,HI< ,/REET 9 ?REE M9UTES2 IF HE WALK$ /RAI<T ON T[>DS ! WE/1 HE MU/ 9 ! SAME L5G? ( TIME REA* ,COMM]CIAL ,/REET444 

,=W>D1 !N1 /RAI<T AHEAD6 444 

,HE FELT ONLY N[ H[ TIR$ HE WAS4 ,HIS LAME LEG PA9$ HIM4 ,HE W\LD RA!R LIE D[N ON ! GR\ND & SLEEP4 

,BUT HE CALL$ HIS WILL TO HIS AID & WALK$ ON4 

,A ?\<T CAME TO HIM3 SUPPOSE HE %\LD N[ BE ATTACK$ -- :O W\LD HE> HIS CALLS = HELP8 -- ,NOBODY4 ,HE HAD NO O!R WEAPON ) HIM ?AN HIS CANE1 :I* WAS BEG9N+ TO WEI< HEAVILY 9 HIS H&4 -- ,IF ANYBODY %\LD MEET HIM & RECOGNIZE A /RANG] 9 HIM1 IT WAS H>DLY CONCEIVABLE ?AT HE %\LD LET ! *ANCE ( ROBB+ HIM PASS BY444 

,AN 5TIRELY NEW FEEL+ POSSESS$ HIM4 ,IT WAS NOT FE>4 ,IT WAS RA!R ! ABHORR5CE ( ! ?\<T ( BE+ ATTACK$ BY A WILD ANIMAL 9 HUMAN =M 9 ?IS NI<T1 9 ?IS FIL?1 9 ?IS SOLITUDE1 & COMPELL$ TO 5GAGE 9 A /RUGGLE = LIFE & DEA?4 

,HE SAW H[ C>ELESS IT HAD BE5 ( HIM TO *ALL5GE ?IS ALMO/ UNAVOIDABLE DANG]4 ,HE REMEMB]$ N[1 TOO1 ?AT HE WAS ON ! V]Y /REET AT ! 5TRANCE ( :I* A POLICEMAN HAD TOLD HIM A :ILE AGO1 AS HE PROBABLY TOLD EV]Y WELL-DRESS$ MAN1 TO KEEP AWAY FROM IT4 

,AUBAN HURRI$ ON AS FA/ AS HE C\LD4 ,BUT ! WALL SEEM$ TO BE 5DLESS4 ,! D>KNESS WAS IMP5ETRABLE4 ,HE C\LD NOT HAVE TOLD ! DIFF]5CE BETWE5 A MAN & A WALL AT T5 PACES4 

,HE HELD HIS CANE ) AN IRON GRASP1 )\T SUPPORT+ HIMSELF ON IT4 ,HE FANCI$ EV]Y MOM5T ?AT HE SAW A ROBB] EM]G+ FROM ! D>KNESS1 FEEL+ HIM AT HIS ?ROAT OR BY HIS SIDE444 ,BUT HE WAS DET]M9$ TO SELL HIS LIFE DE>LY AT LEA/4 

,HE RAN & SWUNG HIS CANE BE=E HIM4 ,P]SPIRATION DROPP$ FROM HIS =EHEAD4 ,HIS HORROR 9CREAS$444 

,:]E WAS HE8 -- ,IT WAS NO LONG] ,:ITE*APEL4 ,IT WAS A NI<T )\T BEG9N+ & 5D2 ! FA?OMLESS DEP? ( AN ABYSS444 

,SUDD5LY HIS CANE /RUCK AGA9/ A WALL4 ,& N[ ,AUBAN C\LD AGA9 DI/+UI% H\SES & W9D[S ON HIS RI<T4 ,A %ORT /REET OP5$1 FA9TLY ILLUM9$ BY A S+LE LANT]N1 & SO N>R[ ?AT NO WAGON C\LD HAVE PASS$ ?R\< IT4 ,IT L$ 9TO A LONG] ONE444 

,SUDD5LY ! :OLE WID? ( ,COMM]CIAL ,/REET LAY BE=E ,AUBAN4 ,9 FIVE M9UTES HE /OOD PANT+ UND] ! R\ND GLASS GLOBE ( ! LI<T :I* ILLUM9$ ! 5TRANCE TO ! TICKET-(FICES & ! /AIRS LEAD+ BEL[4 

,HE HAD REA*$ ! LA/ PO9T ( ?IS DAY'S WALK1 ,ALDGATE ,/ATION4 

,HE /ILL HAD JU/ T5 M9UTES BE=E ! DEP>TURE ( HIS TRA94 

,! :OLE WAY FROM ! ,CLUB HAD NOT TAK5 MORE ?AN HALF AN H\R4 ,AUBAN FELT AS IF H\RS HAD PASS$ S9CE ! SONG ( ! ,M>SEILLAISE HAD VIBRAT$ 9 HIS E>444 

,:ILE HE WAS RE/+ TO QUIET HIS WILD PULSES1 :ILE ! /REET V5DORS BE=E HIM W]E REMOV+ !IR BO>DS & BOXES ) ! REMA9S ( !IR W>ES1 & R\ND HIM M5 W]E JO/L+ & PU%+ EA* O!R 9 UNCONSCI\S 9TOXICATION & FEV]I% HA/E1 HE ONCE MORE TURN$ HIS EYES T[>DS ! EA/444 ,& 9 A FLA% ! PICTURE HE HAD BE5 LONG+ TO %APE ROSE BE=E HIM3 ! 5ORM\S M\? ( ! GIGANTIC BODY ( ,EA/ ,5D -- SU* WAS ,:ITE*APEL1 :I* LAY YAWN+ BE=E HIM4 ,:ATEV] CAME NE> ITS POISON$ BREA? /AGG]$1 LO/ ITS HOLD1 WAS CRU%$ BY REL5TLESS YAWN+1 & DEV\R$1 :ILE ALL ! S\NDS ( MIS]Y1 FROM ! RATTLE ( FE> TO ! SI<S ( HUNG]1 DI$ AWAY 9 ! PE/IL5T D>KNESS ( ITS ABYSS4 ,& ALL ! C\NTRIES ( ! 5TIRE WORLD ?REW !IR REFUSE 9TO ?AT GRE$Y M\?1 SO ?AT AT LA/ ?AT T]RIBLE1 =CELESS1 9SATIABLE BODY MI<T SATISFY ITSELF1 :OSE HUNG] WAS IMMEASURABLE & SEEM$ CON/ANTLY TO BE 9CREAS+444 

,& :ILE ,AUBAN RETREAT$ BE=E ! VAPOR1 HE SUDD5LY SAW 9 ! LA/ M9UTE /ILL REMA9+ TO HIM ! GR& VISION ( COM+ EV5TS3 ?AT GIGANTIC M\? OP5$ WIDE ITS FOAM+ JAWS & VOMIT$ =? 9 *OK+ RAGE AN 5ORM\S SLIMY WAVE ( RUBBI%1 FIL?1 & CORRUPTION OV] ,LONDON444 ,& -- LIKE A TOTT]+ M\NTA91 -- ?AT NAUSEAT+ WAVE BURI$ EV]Y?+3 ALL GR&EUR1 ALL BEAUTY1 ALL WEAL?444 ,LONDON WAS N[ ONLY AN 9F9ITE LAKE ( ROTT5NESS & CORRUPTION1 :OSE HORRIBLE VAPORS 9FECT$ ! HEAV5S & SL[LY DE/ROY$ ALL LIFE444 

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

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #ahi 3 ,*APT] #f -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,APRIL #b#a1 #bb 3 ,*APT] #f -- ,ADD$4 

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