,! ,/RANG] 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALB]T ,CAMUS 

,SECTIONS 7,T,O,C7 3 
     

O ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #a 

      #d1#i#e#c ,WORDS2 #b#g1#f#h#b ,*>ACT]S     

O ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #b 

      #a1#h#d#d ,WORDS2 #a1#a#e#f ,*>ACT]S     

O ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #c 

      #c1#d#a ,WORDS2 #a#f1#a#i ,*>ACT]S     

O ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #d 

      #a1#h#h#c ,WORDS2 #a1#c#i ,*>ACT]S     

O ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #e 

      #b1#a ,WORDS2 #a#a1#a#g ,*>ACT]S     

O ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #f 

      #d1#f#d ,WORDS2 #b#b1#d#a ,*>ACT]S     

O ,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #a 

      #b1#f#a ,WORDS2 #a#e1#a#g ,*>ACT]S     

O ,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #b 

      #c1#a ,WORDS2 #a#f1#h#h ,*>ACT]S     

O ,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #c 

      #d1#i#a#a ,WORDS2 #b#h1#b#b ,*>ACT]S     

O ,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #d 

      #b1#i#a#f ,WORDS2 #a#f1#c#e#f ,*>ACT]S     

O ,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #e 

      #d1#e#i#g ,WORDS2 #b#e1#c#b#g ,*>ACT]S 

,SECTIONS 7,CONT5T7 3 

O ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #a 
,P>T ,ONE 

,I 

,M,O,!,R DI$ TODAY4 ,OR1 MAYBE1 YE/]DAY2 ,I CAN'T BE SURE4 ,! TELEGRAM FROM ! 
,HOME SAYS3 ,Y,\,R ,M,O,!,R ,P,A,S,S,$ ,A,W,A,Y4 ,F,U,N,],A,L ,T,O,M,O,R,R,[4 ,D,E,E,P 
,S,Y,M,P,A,?,Y4 ,:I* LEAVES ! MATT] D\BTFUL2 IT C\LD HAVE BE5 YE/]DAY4 

,! ,HOME = ,AG$ ,P]SONS IS AT ,M>5GO1 SOME FIFTY MILES FROM ,ALGI]S4 ,) 
! TWO O'CLOCK BUS ,I %\LD GET !RE WELL BE=E NI<TFALL4 ,!N ,I CAN SP5D ! 
NI<T !RE1 KEEP+ ! USUAL VIGIL BESIDE ! BODY1 & BE BACK H]E BY TOMORR[ 
EV5+4 ,I HAVE FIX$ UP ) MY EMPLOY] = TWO DAYS' LEAVE2 OBVI\SLY1 UND] ! 
CIRCUM/ANCES1 HE C\LDN'T REFUSE4 ,/ILL1 ,I HAD AN IDEA HE LOOK$ ANNOY$1 & ,I SAID1 
)\T ?9K+3 0,SORRY1 SIR1 BUT IT'S NOT MY FAULT1 Y\ KN[40 

,AFT]W>DS IT /RUCK ME ,I NE$N'T HAVE SAID ?AT4 ,I HAD NO REASON TO EXCUSE MYSELF2 
IT WAS UP TO HIM TO EXPRESS HIS SYMPA?Y & SO =?4 ,PROBABLY HE WILL DO SO ! DAY 
AFT] TOMORR[1 :5 HE SEES ME 9 BLACK4 ,= ! PRES5T1 IT'S ALMO/ AS IF ,MO!R 
W]5'T REALLY DEAD4 ,! FUN]AL WILL BR+ IT HOME TO ME1 PUT AN (FICIAL SEAL ON IT1 SO 
TO SPEAK4 444 

,I TOOK ! TWO-O'CLOCK BUS4 ,IT WAS A BLAZ+ HOT AFT]NOON4 ,I'D LUN*$1 AS USUAL1 AT 
,CELE/E'S RE/AURANT4 ,EV]YONE WAS MO/ K9D1 & ,CELE/E SAID TO ME1 0,!RE'S NO 
ONE LIKE A MO!R40 ,:5 ,I LEFT !Y CAME ) ME TO ! DOOR4 ,IT WAS SOME?+ ( A 
RU%1 GETT+ AWAY1 AS AT ! LA/ MOM5T ,I HAD TO CALL 9 AT ,EMMANUEL'S PLACE TO 
BORR[ HIS BLACK TIE & M\RN+ B&4 ,HE LO/ HIS UNCLE A FEW MON?S AGO4 

,I HAD TO RUN TO CAT* ! BUS4 ,I SUPPOSE IT WAS MY HURRY+ LIKE ?AT1 :AT ) ! 
GL>E (F ! ROAD & FROM ! SKY1 ! REEK ( GASOL9E1 & ! JOLTS1 ?AT MADE ME 
FEEL SO DR[SY4 ,ANYH[1 ,I SLEPT MO/ ( ! WAY4 ,:5 ,I WOKE ,I WAS LEAN+ AGA9/ 
A SOLDI]2 HE GR9N$ & ASK$ ME IF ,I'D COME FROM A LONG WAY (F1 & ,I JU/ 
NODD$1 TO CUT ?+S %ORT4 ,I WASN'T 9 A MOOD = TALK+4 

,! ,HOME IS A LITTLE OV] A MILE FROM ! VILLAGE4 ,I W5T !RE ON FOOT4 ,I ASK$ TO 
BE ALL[$ TO SEE ,MO!R AT ONCE1 BUT ! DOORKEEP] TOLD ME ,I MU/ SEE ! W>D5 
FIR/4 ,HE WASN'T FREE1 & ,I HAD TO WAIT A BIT4 ,! DOORKEEP] *ATT$ ) ME :ILE ,I 
WAIT$2 !N HE L$ ME TO ! (FICE4 ,! W>D5 WAS A V]Y SMALL MAN1 ) GRAY 
HAIR1 & A ,LEGION ( ,HONOR ROSETTE 9 HIS BUTTONHOLE4 ,HE GAVE ME A LONG LOOK ) 
HIS WAT]Y BLUE EYES4 ,!N WE %OOK H&S1 & HE HELD M9E SO LONG ?AT ,I BEGAN TO 
FEEL EMB>RASS$4 ,AFT] ?AT HE CONSULT$ A REGI/] ON HIS TABLE1 & SAID3 

0,MADAME ,MEURSAULT 5T]$ ! ,HOME ?REE YE>S AGO4 ,%E HAD NO PRIVATE MEANS 
& DEP5D$ 5TIRELY ON Y\40 

,I HAD A FEEL+ HE WAS BLAM+ ME = SOME?+1 & />T$ TO EXPLA94 ,BUT HE 
CUT ME %ORT4 

0,!RE'S NO NE$ TO EXCUSE Y\RSELF1 MY BOY4 ,I'VE LOOK$ UP ! RECORD & 
OBVI\SLY Y\ W]5'T 9 A POSITION TO SEE ?AT %E WAS PROP]LY C>$ =4 ,%E 
NE$$ SOMEONE TO BE ) H] ALL ! TIME1 & Y\NG M5 9 JOBS LIKE Y\RS DON'T 
GET TOO MU* PAY4 ,9 ANY CASE1 %E WAS MU* HAPPI] 9 ! ,HOME40 

,I SAID1 0,YES1 SIR2 ,I'M SURE ( ?AT40 

,!N HE ADD$3 0,%E HAD GOOD FRI5DS H]E1 Y\ KN[1 OLD FOLKS LIKE H]SELF1 & 
ONE GETS ON BETT] ) PEOPLE ( ONE'S [N G5]ATION4 ,Y\'RE MU* TOO Y\NG2 Y\ 
C\LDN'T HAVE BE5 MU* ( A COMPANION TO H]40 

,?AT WAS SO4 ,:5 WE LIV$ TOGE!R1 ,MO!R WAS ALWAYS WAT*+ ME1 BUT WE 
H>DLY EV] TALK$4 ,DUR+ H] FIR/ FEW WEEKS AT ! ,HOME %E US$ TO CRY A GOOD 
DEAL4 ,BUT ?AT WAS ONLY BECAUSE %E HADN'T SETTL$ D[N4 ,AFT] A MON? OR TWO %E'D 
HAVE CRI$ IF %E'D BE5 TOLD TO LEAVE ! ,HOME4 ,BECAUSE ?IS1 TOO1 W\LD HAVE BE5 A 
WR5*4 ,?AT WAS :Y1 DUR+ ! LA/ YE>1 ,I SELDOM W5T TO SEE H]4 ,ALSO1 IT W\LD 
HAVE MEANT LOS+ MY ,SUNDAY -- NOT TO M5TION ! TR\BLE ( GO+ TO ! BUS1 
GETT+ MY TICKET1 & SP5D+ TWO H\RS ON ! J\RNEY EA* WAY4 

,! W>D5 W5T ON TALK+1 BUT ,I DIDN'T PAY MU* ATT5TION4 ,F9ALLY HE SAID3 

0,N[1 ,I SUPPOSE Y\'D LIKE TO SEE Y\R MO!R80 

,I ROSE )\T REPLY+1 & HE L$ ! WAY TO ! DOOR4 ,AS WE W]E GO+ D[N 
! /AIRS HE EXPLA9$3 

0,I'VE HAD ! BODY MOV$ TO \R LITTLE MORTU>Y -- SO AS NOT TO UPSET ! O!R OLD 
PEOPLE1 Y\ UND]/&4 ,EV]Y TIME !RE'S A DEA? H]E1 !Y'RE 9 A N]V\S /ATE = 
TWO OR ?REE DAYS4 ,:I* MEANS1 ( C\RSE1 EXTRA WORK & WORRY = \R /AFF40 

,WE CROSS$ A C\RTY>D :]E !RE W]E A NUMB] ( OLD M51 TALK+ AMONG 
!MSELVES 9 LITTLE GR\PS4 ,!Y FELL SIL5T AS WE CAME UP ) !M4 ,!N1 BEH9D 
\R BACKS1 ! *ATT]+ BEGAN AGA94 ,!IR VOICES REM9D$ ME ( P>AKEETS 9 A 
CAGE1 ONLY ! S\ND WASN'T QUITE SO %RILL4 ,! W>D5 /OPP$ \TSIDE ! 5TRANCE 
( A SMALL1 L[ BUILD+4 

0,SO H]E ,I LEAVE Y\1 ,MONSIEUR ,MEURSAULT4 ,IF Y\ WANT ME = ANY?+1 Y\'LL 
F9D ME 9 MY (FICE4 ,WE PROPOSE TO HAVE ! FUN]AL TOMORR[ MORN+4 ,?AT WILL 
5ABLE Y\ TO SP5D ! NI<T BESIDE Y\R MO!R'S C(F91 AS NO D\BT Y\ W\LD 
WI% TO DO4 ,JU/ ONE MORE ?+2 ,I GA!R$ FROM Y\R MO!R'S FRI5DS ?AT %E 
WI%$ TO BE BURI$ ) ! RITES ( ! ,*UR*4 ,I'VE MADE >RANGEM5TS = ?IS2 BUT 
,I ?\<T ,I %\LD LET Y\ KN[40 

,I ?ANK$ HIM4 ,SO F> AS ,I KNEW1 MY MO!R1 ?\< NOT A PR(ESS$ A!I/1 HAD 
NEV] GIV5 A ?\<T TO RELIGION 9 H] LIFE4 

,I 5T]$ ! MORTU>Y4 ,IT WAS A BRI<T1 SPOTLESSLY CLEAN ROOM1 ) :ITEWA%$ 
WALLS & A BIG SKYLI<T4 ,! FURNITURE CONSI/$ ( SOME *AIRS & TRE/LES4 ,TWO ( 
! LATT] /OOD OP5 9 ! C5T] ( ! ROOM & ! C(F9 RE/$ ON !M4 ,! LID 

WAS 9 PLACE1 BUT ! SCREWS HAD BE5 GIV5 ONLY A FEW TURNS & !IR NICKEL$ HEADS 
/UCK \T ABOVE ! WOOD1 :I* WAS /A9$ D>K WALNUT4 ,AN ,>AB WOMAN -- A 
NURSE1 ,I SUPPOS$ -- WAS SITT+ BESIDE ! BI]2 %E WAS WE>+ A BLUE SMOCK & 
HAD A RA!R GAUDY SC>F W\ND R\ND H] HAIR4 

,JU/ !N ! KEEP] CAME UP BEH9D ME4 ,HE'D EVID5TLY BE5 RUNN+1 AS HE WAS A 
LITTLE \T ( BREA?4 

0,WE PUT ! LID ON1 BUT ,I WAS TOLD TO UNSCREW IT :5 Y\ CAME1 SO ?AT Y\ C\LD 
SEE H]40 

,:ILE HE WAS GO+ UP TO ! C(F9 ,I TOLD HIM NOT TO TR\BLE4 

0,EH8 ,:AT'S ?AT80 HE EXCLAIM$4 0,Y\ DON'T WANT ME TO 44480 

0,NO10 ,I SAID4 

,HE PUT BACK ! SCREWDRIV] 9 HIS POCKET & />$ AT ME4 ,I REALIZ$ !N ?AT ,I 
%\LDN'T HAVE SAID1 0,NO10 & IT MADE ME RA!R EMB>RASS$4 ,AFT] EYE+ ME = 
SOME MOM5TS HE ASK$3 

0,:Y NOT80 ,BUT HE DIDN'T S\ND REPROA*FUL2 HE SIMPLY WANT$ TO KN[4 

0,WELL1 REALLY ,I C\LDN'T SAY10 ,I ANSW]$4 

,HE BEGAN TWIDDL+ HIS :ITE MU/A*E2 !N1 )\T LOOK+ AT ME1 SAID G5TLY3 

0,I UND]/&40 

,HE WAS A PLEASANT-LOOK+ MAN1 ) BLUE EYES & RUDDY *EEKS4 ,HE DREW UP A 
*AIR = ME NE> ! C(F91 & SEAT$ HIMSELF JU/ BEH9D4 ,! NURSE GOT UP & 
MOV$ T[>D ! DOOR4 ,AS %E WAS GO+ BY1 ! KEEP] :ISP]$ 9 MY E>3 

0,IT'S A TUMOR %E HAS1 POOR ?+40 

,I LOOK$ AT H] MORE C>EFULLY & ,I NOTIC$ ?AT %E HAD A B&AGE R\ND H] HEAD1 
JU/ BEL[ H] EYES4 ,IT LAY QUITE FLAT ACROSS ! BRIDGE ( H] NOSE1 & ONE SAW H>DLY 
ANY?+ ( H] FACE EXCEPT ?AT /RIP ( :IT5ESS4 

,AS SOON AS %E HAD GONE1 ! KEEP] ROSE4 

0,N[ ,I'LL LEAVE Y\ TO Y\RSELF40 

,I DON'T KN[ :E!R ,I MADE SOME GE/URE1 BUT 9/EAD ( GO+ HE HALT$ BEH9D 
MY *AIR4 ,! S5SATION ( SOMEONE PO/$ AT MY BACK MADE ME UNCOM=TABLE4 ,! 
SUN WAS GETT+ L[ & ! :OLE ROOM WAS FLOOD$ ) A PLEASANT1 MELL[ LI<T4 
,TWO HORNETS W]E BUZZ+ OV]HEAD1 AGA9/ ! SKYLI<T4 ,I WAS SO SLEEPY ,I C\LD 
H>DLY KEEP MY EYES OP54 ,)\T LOOK+ R\ND1 ,I ASK$ ! KEEP] H[ LONG HE'D 
BE5 AT ! ,HOME4 0,FIVE YE>S40 ,! ANSW] CAME SO PAT ?AT ONE C\LD HAVE ?\<T 
HE'D BE5 EXPECT+ MY QUE/ION4 

,?AT />T$ HIM (F1 & HE BECAME QUITE *ATTY4 ,IF ANYONE HAD TOLD HIM T5 YE>S 
AGO ?AT HE'D 5D HIS DAYS AS DOORKEEP] AT A HOME AT ,M>5GO1 HE'D NEV] HAVE 
BELIEV$ IT4 ,HE WAS SIXTY- F\R1 HE SAID1 & HAIL$ FROM ,P>IS4 

,:5 HE SAID ?AT1 ,I BROKE 94 0,AH1 Y\ DON'T COME FROM H]E80 

,I REMEMB]$ !N ?AT1 BE=E TAK+ ME TO ! W>D51 HE'D TOLD ME SOME?+ 
AB\T ,MO!R4 ,HE HAD SAID %E'D HAVE TO BE BURI$ MI<TY QUICKLY BECAUSE ( ! 

HEAT 9 !SE P>TS1 ESPECIALLY D[N 9 ! PLA94 0,AT ,P>IS !Y KEEP ! BODY = 
?REE DAYS1 SOMETIMES F\R40 ,AFT] ?AT HE HAD M5TION$ ?AT HE'D SP5T ! BE/ P>T 
( HIS LIFE 9 ,P>IS1 & C\LD NEV] MANAGE TO =GET IT4 0,H]E10 HE HAD SAID1 0?+S 
HAVE TO GO ) A RU%1 LIKE4 ,Y\'VE H>DLY TIME TO GET US$ TO ! IDEA ?AT 
SOMEONE'S DEAD1 BE=E Y\'RE HAUL$ (F TO ! FUN]AL40 0,?AT'S 5\<10 HIS WIFE 
HAD PUT 94 0,Y\ DIDN'T \<T TO SAY SU* ?+S TO ! POOR Y\NG G5TLEMAN40 ,! 
OLD FELL[ HAD BLU%$ & BEGUN TO APOLOGIZE4 ,I TOLD HIM IT WAS QUITE ALL RI<T4 ,AS A 
MATT] ( FACT1 ,I F\ND IT RA!R 9T]E/+1 :AT HE'D BE5 TELL+ ME2 ,I HADN'T 
?\<T ( ?AT BE=E4 

,N[ HE W5T ON TO SAY ?AT HE'D 5T]$ ! ,HOME AS AN ORD9>Y 9MATE4 ,BUT HE 
WAS /ILL QUITE HALE & HE>TY1 & :5 ! KEEP]'S JOB FELL VACANT1 HE (F]$ TO 
TAKE IT ON4 

,I PO9T$ \T ?AT1 EV5 SO1 HE WAS REALLY AN 9MATE LIKE ! O!RS1 BUT HE W\LDN'T 
HE> ( IT4 ,HE WAS 0AN (FICIAL1 LIKE40 ,I'D BE5 /RUCK BE=E BY HIS HABIT ( SAY+ 
0!Y0 OR1 LESS (T51 0!M OLD FOLKS10 :5 REF]R+ TO 9MATES NO OLD] ?AN 
HIMSELF4 ,/ILL1 ,I C\LD SEE HIS PO9T ( VIEW4 ,AS DOORKEEP] HE HAD A C]TA9 /&+1 
& SOME AU?ORITY OV] ! RE/ ( !M4 

,JU/ !N ! NURSE RETURN$4 ,NI<T HAD FALL5 V]Y QUICKLY2 ALL ( A SUDD51 IT 
SEEM$1 ! SKY W5T BLACK ABOVE ! SKYLI<T4 ,! KEEP] SWIT*$ ON ! LAMPS1 
& ,I WAS ALMO/ BL9D$ BY ! BLAZE ( LI<T4 

,HE SUGGE/$ ,I %\LD GO TO ! REFECTORY = D9N]1 BUT ,I WASN'T HUNGRY4 ,!N HE 
PROPOS$ BR++ ME A MUG ( CAFE AU LAIT4 ,AS ,I AM V]Y P>TIAL TO CAFE AU LAIT ,I 
SAID1 0,?ANKS10 & A FEW M9UTES LAT] HE CAME BACK ) A TRAY4 ,I DRANK ! C(FEE1 
& !N ,I WANT$ A CIG>ETTE4 ,BUT ,I WASN'T SURE IF ,I %\LD SMOKE1 UND] ! 
CIRCUM/ANCES -- 9 ,MO!R'S PRES5CE4 ,I ?\<T IT OV]2 REALLY1 IT DIDN'T SEEM TO 
MATT]1 SO ,I (F]$ ! KEEP] A CIG>ETTE1 & WE BO? SMOK$4 

,AFT] A :ILE HE />T$ TALK+ AGA94 

0,Y\ KN[1 Y\R MO!R'S FRI5DS WILL BE COM+ SOON1 TO KEEP VIGIL ) Y\ 
BESIDE ! BODY4 ,WE ALWAYS HAVE A 'VIGIL' H]E1 :5 ANYONE DIES4 ,I'D BETT] GO & 
GET SOME *AIRS & A POT ( BLACK C(FEE40 

,! GL>E (F ! :ITE WALLS WAS MAK+ MY EYES SM>T1 & ,I ASK$ HIM IF HE 
C\LDN'T TURN (F ONE ( ! LAMPS4 0,NO?+ DO+10 HE SAID4 ,!Y'D >RANG$ ! 
LI<TS LIKE ?AT2 EI!R ONE HAD !M ALL ON OR NONE AT ALL4 ,AFT] ?AT ,I DIDN'T PAY MU* 
MORE ATT5TION TO HIM4 ,HE W5T \T1 BR\<T SOME *AIRS1 & SET !M \T R\ND ! 
C(F94 ,ON ONE HE PLAC$ A C(FEEPOT & T5 OR A DOZ5 CUPS4 ,!N HE SAT D[N 
FAC+ ME1 ON ! F> SIDE ( ,MO!R4 ,! NURSE WAS AT ! O!R 5D ( ! ROOM1 
) H] BACK TO ME4 ,I C\LDN'T SEE :AT %E WAS DO+1 BUT BY ! WAY H] >MS 
MOV$ ,I GUESS$ ?AT %E WAS KNITT+4 ,I WAS FEEL+ V]Y COM=TABLE2 ! C(FEE HAD 
W>M$ ME UP1 & ?R\< ! OP5 DOOR CAME SC5TS ( FL[]S & BREA?S ( 
COOL NI<T AIR4 ,I ?9K ,I DOZ$ (F = A :ILE4 

,I WAS WAK5$ BY AN ODD RU/L+ 9 MY E>S4 ,AFT] HAV+ HAD MY EYES CLOS$1 ,I 
HAD A FEEL+ ?AT ! LI<T HAD GR[N EV5 /RONG] ?AN BE=E4 ,!RE WASN'T A TRACE 
( %AD[ ANY:]E1 & EV]Y OBJECT1 EA* CURVE OR ANGLE1 SEEM$ TO SCORE ITS 
\TL9E ON ONE'S EYES4 ,! OLD PEOPLE1 ,MO!R'S FRI5DS1 W]E COM+ 94 ,I C\NT$ 
T5 9 ALL1 GLID+ ALMO/ S\NDLESSLY ?R\< ! BLEAK :ITE GL>E4 ,NONE ( ! 
*AIRS CREAK$ :5 !Y SAT D[N4 ,NEV] 9 MY LIFE HAD ,I SE5 ANYONE SO CLE>LY AS 
,I SAW !SE PEOPLE2 NOT A DETAIL ( !IR CLO!S OR FEATURES ESCAP$ ME4 ,& YET ,I 
C\LDN'T HE> !M1 & IT WAS H>D TO BELIEVE !Y REALLY EXI/$4 

,NE>LY ALL ! WOM5 WORE APRONS1 & ! /R+S DRAWN TI<T R\ND !IR WAI/S 
MADE !IR BIG /OMA*S BULGE /ILL MORE4 ,I'D NEV] YET NOTIC$ :AT BIG PAUN*ES 
OLD WOM5 USUALLY HAVE4 ,MO/ ( ! M51 H[EV]1 W]E AS ?9 AS RAKES1 & !Y 
ALL C>RI$ /ICKS4 ,:AT /RUCK ME MO/ AB\T !IR FACES WAS ?AT ONE C\LDN'T SEE 
!IR EYES1 ONLY A DULL GL[ 9 A SORT ( NE/ ( WR9KLES4 

,ON SITT+ D[N1 !Y LOOK$ AT ME1 & WAGG$ !IR HEADS AWKW>DLY1 !IR LIPS 
SUCK$ 9 BETWE5 !IR TOO?LESS GUMS4 ,I C\LDN'T DECIDE IF !Y W]E GREET+ ME 
& TRY+ TO SAY SOME?+1 OR IF IT WAS DUE TO SOME 9FIRMITY ( AGE4 ,I 9CL9$ TO 
?9K ?AT !Y W]E GREET+ ME1 AFT] !IR FA%ION1 BUT IT HAD A QUE] EFFECT1 SEE+ 
ALL ?OSE OLD FELL[S GR\P$ R\ND ! KEEP]1 SOLEMNLY EYE+ ME & D&L+ !IR 
HEADS FROM SIDE TO SIDE4 ,= A MOM5T ,I HAD AN ABSURD IMPRESSION ?AT !Y HAD COME 
TO SIT 9 JUDGM5T ON ME4 

,A FEW M9UTES LAT] ONE ( ! WOM5 />T$ WEEP+4 ,%E WAS 9 ! SECOND R[ 
& ,I C\LDN'T SEE H] FACE BECAUSE ( ANO!R WOMAN 9 FRONT4 ,AT REGUL> 9T]VALS 
%E EMITT$ A LITTLE *OK+ SOB2 ONE HAD A FEEL+ %E W\LD NEV] /OP4 ,! O!RS 
DIDN'T SEEM TO NOTICE4 ,!Y SAT 9 SIL5CE1 SLUMP$ 9 !IR *AIRS1 />+ AT ! 
C(F9 OR AT !IR WALK+ /ICKS OR ANY OBJECT JU/ 9 FRONT ( !M1 & NEV] TOOK 
!IR EYES (F IT4 ,& /ILL ! WOMAN SOBB$4 ,I WAS RA!R SURPRIS$1 AS ,I DIDN'T KN[ 
:O %E WAS4 ,I WANT$ H] TO /OP CRY+1 BUT D>$ NOT SPEAK TO H]4 ,AFT] A :ILE 
! KEEP] B5T T[>D H] & :ISP]$ 9 H] E>2 BUT %E M]ELY %OOK H] HEAD1 
MUMBL$ SOME?+ ,I C\LDN'T CAT*1 & W5T ON SOBB+ AS /EADILY AS BE=E4 

,! KEEP] GOT UP & MOV$ HIS *AIR BESIDE M9E4 ,AT FIR/ HE KEPT SIL5T2 !N1 
)\T LOOK+ AT ME1 HE EXPLA9$4 

0,%E WAS DEVOT$ TO Y\R MO!R4 ,%E SAYS Y\R MO!R WAS H] ONLY FRI5D 9 ! 
WORLD1 & N[ %E'S ALL ALONE40 

,I HAD NO?+ TO SAY1 & ! SIL5CE LA/$ QUITE A :ILE4 ,PRES5TLY ! WOMAN'S 
SI<S & SOBS BECAME LESS FREQU5T1 &1 AFT] BL[+ H] NOSE & SNUFFL+ = 
SOME M9UTES1 %E1 TOO1 FELL SIL5T4 

,I'D CEAS$ FEEL+ SLEEPY1 BUT ,I WAS V]Y TIR$ & MY LEGS W]E A*+ BADLY4 ,& 
N[ ,I REALIZ$ ?AT ! SIL5CE ( !SE PEOPLE WAS TELL+ ON MY N]VES4 ,! ONLY 
S\ND WAS A RA!R QUE] ONE2 IT CAME ONLY N[ & !N1 & AT FIR/ ,I WAS PUZZL$ 
BY IT4 ,H[EV]1 AFT] LI/5+ ATT5TIVELY1 ,I GUESS$ :AT IT WAS2 ! OLD M5 W]E 
SUCK+ AT ! 9SIDES ( !IR *EEKS1 & ?IS CAUS$ ! ODD1 :EEZ+ NOISES ?AT 
HAD MY/IFI$ ME4 ,!Y W]E SO MU* ABSORB$ 9 !IR ?\<TS ?AT !Y DIDN'T 
KN[ :AT !Y W]E UP TO4 ,I EV5 HAD AN IMPRESSION ?AT ! DEAD BODY 9 !IR 
MID/ MEANT NO?+ AT ALL TO !M4 ,BUT N[ ,I SUSPECT ?AT ,I WAS MI/AK5 AB\T ?IS4 

,WE ALL DRANK ! C(FEE1 :I* ! KEEP] H&$ R\ND4 ,AFT] ?AT1 ,I CAN'T 
REMEMB] MU*2 SOMEH[ ! NI<T W5T BY4 ,I CAN RECALL ONLY ONE MOM5T2 ,I HAD 
OP5$ MY EYES & ,I SAW ! OLD M5 SLEEP+ HUN*$ UP ON !IR *AIRS1 ) ONE 
EXCEPTION4 ,RE/+ HIS *9 ON HIS H&S CLASP$ R\ND HIS /ICK1 HE WAS />+ H>D 
AT ME1 AS IF HE HAD BE5 WAIT+ = ME TO WAKE4 ,!N ,I FELL ASLEEP AGA94 ,I WOKE UP 
AFT] A BIT1 BECAUSE ! A*E 9 MY LEGS HAD DEVELOP$ 9TO A SORT ( CRAMP4 

,!RE WAS A GLIMM] ( DAWN ABOVE ! SKYLI<T4 ,A M9UTE OR TWO LAT] ONE ( ! 
OLD M5 WOKE UP & C\<$ REPEAT$LY4 ,HE SPAT 9TO A BIG *ECK H&K]*IEF1 & 
EA* TIME HE SPAT IT S\ND$ AS IF HE W]E RET*+4 ,?IS WOKE ! O!RS1 & ! 
KEEP] TOLD !M IT WAS TIME TO MAKE A MOVE4 ,!Y ALL GOT UP AT ONCE4 ,!IR FACES 
W]E A%5 GRAY AFT] ! LONG1 UNEASY VIGIL4 ,TO MY SURPRISE EA* ( !M %OOK 
H&S ) ME1 AS ?\< ?IS NI<T TOGE!R1 9 :I* WE HADN'T EX*ANG$ A WORD1 
HAD CREAT$ A K9D ( 9TIMACY BETWE5 US4 

,I WAS QUITE DONE 94 ,! KEEP] TOOK ME TO HIS ROOM1 & ,I TIDI$ MYSELF UP A BIT4 
,HE GAVE ME SOME MORE 0:ITE0 C(FEE1 & IT SEEM$ TO DO ME GOOD4 ,:5 ,I W5T 
\T1 ! SUN WAS UP & ! SKY MOTTL$ R$ ABOVE ! HILLS BETWE5 ,M>5GO & ! 
SEA4 ,A MORN+ BREEZE WAS BL[+ & IT HAD A PLEASANT SALTY TANG4 ,!RE WAS ! 
PROMISE ( A V]Y F9E DAY4 ,I HADN'T BE5 9 ! C\NTRY = AGES1 & ,I CAU<T MYSELF 
?9K+ :AT AN AGREEABLE WALK ,I C\LD HAVE HAD1 IF IT HADN'T BE5 = ,MO!R4 

,AS IT WAS1 ,I WAIT$ 9 ! C\RTY>D1 UND] A PLANE TREE4 ,I SNIFF$ ! SMELLS ( ! 
COOL E>? & F\ND ,I WASN'T SLEEPY ANY MORE4 ,!N ,I ?\<T ( ! O!R FELL[S 9 
! (FICE4 ,AT ?IS H\R !Y'D BE GETT+ UP1 PREP>+ TO GO TO WORK2 = ME ?IS WAS 
ALWAYS ! WOR/ H\R ( ! DAY4 ,I W5T ON ?9K+1 LIKE ?IS1 = T5 M9UTES OR SO2 
!N ! S\ND ( A BELL 9SIDE ! BUILD+ ATTRACT$ MY ATT5TION4 ,I C\LD SEE 
MOVEM5TS BEH9D ! W9D[S2 !N ALL WAS CALM AGA94 ,! SUN HAD RIS5 A LITTLE 
HI<] & WAS BEG9N+ TO W>M MY FEET4 ,! KEEP] CAME ACROSS ! Y>D & 
SAID ! W>D5 WI%$ TO SEE ME4 ,I W5T TO HIS (FICE & HE GOT ME TO SIGN SOME 
DOCUM5T4 ,I NOTIC$ ?AT HE WAS 9 BLACK1 ) P9-/RIPE TR\S]S4 ,HE PICK$ UP ! 
TELEPHONE RECEIV] & LOOK$ AT ME4 

0,! UND]TAK]'S M5 >RIV$ SOME MOM5TS AGO1 & !Y WILL BE GO+ TO ! 
MORTU>Y TO SCREW D[N ! C(F94 ,%ALL ,I TELL !M TO WAIT1 = Y\ TO HAVE A LA/ 
GLIMPSE ( Y\R MO!R80 

0,NO10 ,I SAID4 

,HE SPOKE 9TO ! RECEIV]1 L[]+ HIS VOICE4 0,?AT'S ALL RI<T1 ,FIGEAC4 ,TELL ! 
M5 TO GO !RE N[40 

,HE !N 9=M$ ME ?AT HE WAS GO+ TO ATT5D ! FUN]AL1 & ,I ?ANK$ HIM4 
,SITT+ D[N BEH9D HIS DESK1 HE CROSS$ HIS %ORT LEGS & LEAN$ BACK4 ,BESIDES ! 
NURSE ON DUTY1 HE TOLD ME1 HE & ,I W\LD BE ! ONLY M\RN]S AT ! FUN]AL4 ,IT WAS 
A RULE ( ! ,HOME ?AT 9MATES %\LDN'T ATT5D FUN]ALS1 ?\< !RE WAS NO 
OBJECTION TO LETT+ SOME ( !M SIT UP BESIDE ! C(F91 ! NI<T BE=E4 

0,IT'S = !IR [N SAKES10 HE EXPLA9$1 0TO SP>E !IR FEEL+S4 ,BUT 9 ?IS 
P>TICUL> 9/ANCE ,I'VE GIV5 P]MISSION TO AN OLD FRI5D ( Y\R MO!R TO COME 
) US4 ,HIS NAME IS ,?OMAS ,P]EZ40 ,! W>D5 SMIL$4 0,IT'S A RA!R T\*+ LITTLE 
/ORY 9 ITS WAY4 ,HE & Y\R MO!R HAD BECOME ALMO/ 9SEP>ABLE4 ,! O!R OLD 
PEOPLE US$ TO TEASE ,P]EZ AB\T HAV+ A FIANCEE4 ',:5 >E Y\ GO+ TO M>RY 
H]8' !Y'D ASK4 ,HE'D TURN IT ) A LAU<4 ,IT WAS A /&+ JOKE1 9 FACT4 ,SO1 AS Y\ 
CAN GUESS1 HE FEELS V]Y BADLY AB\T Y\R MO!R'S DEA?4 ,I ?\<T ,I C\LDN'T 
DEC5TLY REFUSE HIM P]MISSION TO ATT5D ! FUN]AL4 ,BUT1 ON \R M$ICAL (FIC]'S 
ADVICE1 ,I =BADE HIM TO SIT UP BESIDE ! BODY LA/ NI<T40 

,= SOME TIME WE SAT !RE )\T SPEAK+4 ,!N ! W>D5 GOT UP & W5T TO 
! W9D[4 ,PRES5TLY HE SAID3 

0,AH1 !RE'S ! PADRE FROM ,M>5GO4 ,HE'S A BIT AHEAD ( TIME40 

,HE W>N$ ME ?AT IT W\LD TAKE US A GOOD ?REE QU>T]S ( AN H\R1 WALK+ TO 
! *UR*1 :I* WAS 9 ! VILLAGE4 ,!N WE W5T D[N/AIRS4 

,! PRIE/ WAS WAIT+ JU/ \TSIDE ! MORTU>Y DOOR4 ,) HIM W]E TWO 
ACOLYTES1 ONE ( :OM HAD A C5S]4 ,! PRIE/ WAS /OOP+ OV] HIM1 ADJU/+ ! 
L5G? ( ! SILV] *A9 ON :I* IT HUNG4 ,:5 HE SAW US HE /RAI<T5$ UP & 
SAID A FEW WORDS TO ME1 ADDRESS+ ME AS1 0,MY SON40 ,!N HE L$ ! WAY 9TO ! 
MORTU>Y4 

,I NOTIC$ AT ONCE ?AT F\R M5 9 BLACK W]E /&+ BEH9D ! C(F9 & ! 
SCREWS 9 ! LID HAD N[ BE5 DRIV5 HOME4 ,AT ! SAME MOM5T ,I HE>D ! W>D5 
REM>K ?AT ! HE>SE HAD >RIV$1 & ! PRIE/ />T+ HIS PRAY]S4 ,!N 
EV]YBODY MADE A MOVE4 ,HOLD+ A /RIP ( BLACK CLO?1 ! F\R M5 APPROA*$ ! 
C(F91 :ILE ! PRIE/1 ! BOYS1 & MYSELF FIL$ \T4 ,A LADY ,I HADN'T SE5 BE=E 
WAS /&+ BY ! DOOR4 0,?IS IS ,MONSIEUR ,MEURSAULT10 ! W>D5 SAID TO H]4 ,I 
DIDN'T CAT* H] NAME1 BUT ,I GA!R$ %E WAS A NURS+ SI/] ATTA*$ TO ! ,HOME4 
,:5 ,I WAS 9TRODUC$1 %E B[$1 )\T ! TRACE ( A SMILE ON H] LONG1 GAUNT 
FACE4 ,WE /OOD ASIDE FROM ! DOORWAY TO LET ! C(F9 BY2 !N1 FOLL[+ ! 
BE>]S D[N A CORRIDOR1 WE CAME TO ! FRONT 5TRANCE1 :]E A HE>SE WAS WAIT+4 
,OBLONG1 GLOSSY1 V>NI%$ BLACK ALL OV]1 IT VAGUELY REM9D$ ME ( ! P5 TRAYS 9 
! (FICE4 

,BESIDE ! HE>SE /OOD A QUA9TLY DRESS$ LITTLE -MAN1 :OSE DUTY IT WAS1 ,I 
UND]/OOD1 TO SUP]VISE ! FUN]AL1 AS A SORT ( MA/] ( C]EMONIES4 ,NE> HIM1 
LOOK+ CON/RA9$1 ALMO/ BA%FUL1 WAS OLD ,M4 ,P]EZ1 MY MO!R'S SPECIAL FRI5D4 
,HE WORE A S(T FELT HAT ) A PUDD+-BAS9 CR[N & A V]Y WIDE BRIM -- HE 
:ISK$ IT (F ! MOM5T ! C(F9 EM]G$ FROM ! DOORWAY -- TR\S]S ?AT 
CONC]T9A'D ON HIS %OES1 A BLACK TIE MU* TOO SMALL = HIS HI< :ITE D\BLE COLL>4 
,UND] A BULB\S1 PIMPLY NOSE1 HIS LIPS W]E TREMBL+4 ,BUT :AT CAU<T MY ATT5TION 
MO/ WAS HIS E>S2 P5DUL\S1 SC>LET E>S ?AT %[$ UP LIKE BLOBS ( SEAL+ WAX 
ON ! PALLOR ( HIS *EEKS & W]E FRAM$ 9 WISPS ( SILKY :ITE HAIR4 

,! UND]TAK]'S FACTOTUM %EPH]D$ US TO \R PLACES1 ) ! PRIE/ 9 FRONT ( 
! HE>SE1 & ! F\R M5 9 BLACK ON EA* SIDE ( IT4 ,! W>D5 & MYSELF CAME 
NEXT1 &1 BR++ UP ! RE>1 OLD ,P]EZ & ! NURSE4 

,! SKY WAS ALREADY A BLAZE ( LI<T1 & ! AIR /OK+ UP RAPIDLY4 ,I FELT ! FIR/ 
WAVES ( HEAT LAPP+ MY BACK1 & MY D>K SUIT MADE ?+S WORSE4 ,I C\LDN'T 
IMAG9E :Y WE WAIT$ SO LONG = GETT+ UND] WAY4 ,OLD ,P]EZ1 :O HAD PUT ON HIS 
HAT1 TOOK IT (F AGA94 ,I HAD TURN$ SLI<TLY 9 HIS DIRECTION & WAS LOOK+ AT HIM 
:5 ! W>D5 />T$ TELL+ ME MORE AB\T HIM4 ,I REMEMB] HIS SAY+ ?AT OLD 
,P]EZ & MY MO!R US$ (T5 TO HAVE A LONGI% /ROLL TOGE!R 9 ! COOL ( ! 
EV5+2 SOMETIMES !Y W5T AS F> AS ! VILLAGE1 ACCOMPANI$ BY A NURSE1 ( 
C\RSE4 

,I LOOK$ AT ! C\NTRYSIDE1 AT ! LONG L9ES ( CYPRESSES SLOP+ UP T[>D ! 
SKYL9E & ! HILLS1 ! HOT R$ SOIL DAPPL$ ) VIVID GRE51 & H]E & !RE A 
LONELY H\SE %>PLY \TL9$ AGA9/ ! LI<T -- & ,I C\LD UND]/& ,MO!R'S 
FEEL+S4 ,EV5+S 9 !SE P>TS MU/ BE A SORT ( M\RNFUL SOLACE4 ,N[1 9 ! FULL 
GL>E ( ! MORN+ SUN1 ) EV]Y?+ %IMM]+ 9 ! HEAT HAZE1 !RE WAS 
SOME?+ 9HUMAN1 DISC\RAG+1 AB\T ?IS L&SCAPE4 

,AT LA/ WE MADE A MOVE4 ,ONLY !N ,I NOTIC$ ?AT ,P]EZ HAD A SLI<T LIMP4 ,! OLD 
*AP /EADILY LO/ GR\ND AS ! HE>SE GA9$ SPE$4 ,ONE ( ! M5 BESIDE IT1 TOO1 
FELL BACK & DREW LEVEL ) ME4 ,I WAS SURPRIS$ TO SEE H[ QUICKLY ! SUN WAS 
CLIMB+ UP ! SKY1 & JU/ !N IT /RUCK ME ?AT = QUITE A :ILE ! AIR HAD BE5 
?ROBB+ ) ! HUM ( 9SECTS & ! RU/LE ( GRASS W>M+ UP4 ,SWEAT WAS 
RUNN+ D[N MY FACE4 ,AS ,I HAD NO HAT ,I TRI$ TO FAN MYSELF ) MY H&K]*IEF4 

,! UND]TAK]'S MAN TURN$ TO ME & SAID SOME?+ ?AT ,I DIDN'T CAT*4 ,AT ?AT 
SAME TIME HE WIP$ ! CR[N ( HIS HEAD ) A H&K]*IEF ?AT HE HELD 9 HIS LEFT 
H&1 :ILE ) HIS RI<T HE TILT$ UP HIS HAT4 ,I ASK$ HIM :AT HE'D SAID4 ,HE PO9T$ 
UPW>D4 

0,SUN'S PRETTY BAD TODAY1 A9'T IT80 

0,YES10 ,I SAID4 

,AFT] A :ILE HE ASK$3 0,IS IT Y\R MO!R WE'RE BURY+80 

0,YES10 ,I SAID AGA94 

0,:AT WAS H] AGE80 

0,WELL1 %E WAS GETT+ ON40 ,AS A MATT] ( FACT1 ,I DIDN'T KN[ EXACTLY H[ OLD %E 
WAS4 

,AFT] ?AT HE KEPT SIL5T4 ,LOOK+ BACK1 ,I SAW ,P]EZ LIMP+ ALONG SOME FIFTY Y>DS 
BEH9D4 ,HE WAS SW++ HIS BIG FELT HAT AT >M'S L5G?1 TRY+ TO MAKE ! PACE4 ,I 
ALSO HAD A LOOK AT ! W>D54 ,HE WAS WALK+ ) C>EFULLY MEASUR$ /EPS1 
ECONOMIZ+ EV]Y GE/URE4 ,BEADS ( P]SPIRATION GLI/5$ ON HIS =EHEAD1 BUT HE 
DIDN'T WIPE !M (F4 

,I HAD AN IMPRESSION ?AT \R LITTLE PROCESSION WAS MOV+ SLI<TLY FA/]4 ,:]EV] 
,I LOOK$ ,I SAW ! SAME SUN-DR5*$ C\NTRYSIDE1 & ! SKY WAS SO DAZZL+ ?AT ,I 
D>$ NOT RAISE MY EYES4 ,PRES5TLY WE /RUCK A PAT* ( FRE%LY T>R$ ROAD4 ,A 
%IMM] ( HEAT PLAY$ OV] IT & ONE'S FEET SQUEL*$ AT EA* /EP1 LEAV+ BRI<T 
BLACK GA%ES4 ,9 FRONT1 ! COA*MAN'S GLOSSY BLACK HAT LOOK$ LIKE A LUMP ( ! 
SAME /ICKY SUB/ANCE1 POIS$ ABOVE ! HE>SE4 ,IT GAVE ONE A QUE]1 DREAMLIKE 
IMPRESSION1 ?AT BLUE- :ITE GL>E OV]HEAD & ALL ?IS BLACKNESS R\ND ONE3 ! SLEEK 
BLACK ( ! HE>SE1 ! DULL BLACK ( ! M5'S CLO!S1 & ! SILV]Y-BLACK GA%ES 
9 ! ROAD4 ,& !N !RE W]E ! SMELLS1 SMELLS ( HOT LEA!R & HORSE DUNG 
FROM ! HE>SE1 VE9$ ) :IFFS ( 9C5SE SMOKE4 ,:AT ) !SE & ! 
HANGOV] FROM A POOR NI<T'S SLEEP1 ,I F\ND MY EYES & ?\<TS GR[+ BLURR$4 

,I LOOK$ BACK AGA94 ,P]EZ SEEM$ V]Y F> AWAY N[1 ALMO/ HIDD5 BY ! HEAT 
HAZE2 !N1 ABRUPTLY1 HE DISAPPE>$ ALTOGE!R4 ,AFT] PUZZL+ OV] IT = A BIT1 ,I 
GUESS$ ?AT HE HAD TURN$ (F ! ROAD 9TO ! FIELDS4 ,!N ,I NOTIC$ ?AT !RE WAS A 
B5D ( ! ROAD A LITTLE WAY AHEAD4 ,OBVI\SLY ,P]EZ1 :O KNEW ! DI/RICT WELL1 HAD 
TAK5 A %ORT CUT1 SO AS TO CAT* UP ) US4 ,HE REJO9$ US SOON AFT] WE W]E R\ND 
! B5D2 !N BEGAN TO LOSE GR\ND AGA94 ,HE TOOK ANO!R %ORT CUT & MET US 
AGA9 F>!R ON2 9 FACT1 ?IS HAPP5$ SEV]AL TIMES DUR+ ! NEXT HALF-H\R4 ,BUT 
SOON ,I LO/ 9T]E/ 9 HIS MOVEM5TS2 MY TEMPLES W]E ?ROBB+ & ,I C\LD H>DLY 
DRAG MYSELF ALONG4 

,AFT] ?AT EV]Y?+ W5T ) A RU%2 & ALSO ) SU* PRECISION & MATT]-(- 
FACTNESS ?AT ,I REMEMB] H>DLY ANY DETAILS4 ,EXCEPT ?AT :5 WE W]E ON ! 
\TSKIRTS ( ! VILLAGE ! NURSE SAID SOME?+ TO ME4 ,H] VOICE TOOK ME BY 
SURPRISE2 IT DIDN'T MAT* H] FACE AT ALL2 IT WAS MUSICAL & SLI<TLY TREMUL\S4 ,:AT 
%E SAID WAS3 0,IF Y\ GO TOO SL[LY !RE'S ! RISK ( A HEAT/ROKE4 ,BUT1 IF Y\ GO TOO 
FA/1 Y\ P]SPIRE1 & ! COLD AIR 9 ! *UR* GIVES Y\ A *ILL40 ,I SAW H] PO9T2 
EI!R WAY ONE WAS 9 = IT4 

,SOME O!R MEMORIES ( ! FUN]AL HAVE /UCK 9 MY M9D4 ,! OLD BOY'S FACE1 
= 9/ANCE1 :5 HE CAU<T UP ) US = ! LA/ TIME1 JU/ \TSIDE ! VILLAGE4 ,HIS 
EYES W]E /REAM+ ) TE>S1 ( EXHAU/ION OR DI/RESS1 OR BO? TOGE!R4 ,BUT 
BECAUSE ( ! WR9KLES !Y C\LDN'T FL[ D[N4 ,!Y SPREAD \T1 CRISSCROSS$1 & 
=M$ A SMOO? GLOSS ON ! OLD1 WORN FACE4 

,& ,I CAN REMEMB] ! LOOK ( ! *UR*1 ! VILLAG]S 9 ! /REET1 ! R$ 
G]ANIUMS ON ! GRAVES1 ,P]EZ'S FA9T+ FIT -- HE CRUMPL$ UP LIKE A RAG DOLL -- ! 
TAWNY-R$ E>? PATT]+ ON ,MO!R'S C(F91 ! BITS ( :ITE ROOTS MIX$ UP ) IT2 
!N MORE PEOPLE1 VOICES1 ! WAIT \TSIDE A CAFE = ! BUS1 ! RUMBLE ( ! 
5G9E1 & MY LITTLE ?RILL ( PLEASURE :5 WE 5T]$ ! FIR/ BRI<TLY LIT /REETS ( 
,ALGI]S1 & ,I PICTUR$ MYSELF GO+ /RAI<T TO B$ & SLEEP+ TWELVE H\RS AT A 
/RET*4 

O ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #b 
,I,I 

,O,N ,W,A,K,+ ,I UND]/OOD :Y MY EMPLOY] HAD LOOK$ RA!R CROSS :5 ,I ASK$ 
= MY TWO DAYS (F2 IT'S A ,SATURDAY TODAY4 ,I HADN'T ?\<T ( ?IS AT ! TIME2 IT ONLY 
/RUCK ME :5 ,I WAS GETT+ \T ( B$4 ,OBVI\SLY HE HAD SE5 ?AT IT W\LD MEAN 
MY GETT+ F\R DAYS' HOLIDAY /RAI<T (F1 & ONE C\LDN'T EXPECT HIM TO LIKE ?AT4 
,/ILL1 = ONE ?+1 IT WASN'T MY FAULT IF ,MO!R WAS BURI$ YE/]DAY & NOT TODAY2 
& !N1 AGA91 ,I'D HAVE HAD MY ,SATURDAY & ,SUNDAY (F 9 ANY CASE4 ,BUT NATURALLY 
?IS DIDN'T PREV5T ME FROM SEE+ MY EMPLOY]'S PO9T4 

,GETT+ UP WAS AN EF=T1 AS ,I'D BE5 REALLY EXHAU/$ BY ! PREVI\S DAY'S 
EXP]I5CES4 ,:ILE %AV+1 ,I WOND]$ H[ TO SP5D ! MORN+1 & DECID$ ?AT 
A SWIM W\LD DO ME GOOD4 ,SO ,I CAU<T ! /REETC> ?AT GOES D[N TO ! H>BOR4 

,IT WAS QUITE LIKE OLD TIMES2 A LOT ( Y\NG PEOPLE W]E 9 ! SWIMM+ POOL1 
AMONG !M ,M>IE ,C>DONA1 :O US$ TO BE A TYPI/ AT ! (FICE4 ,I WAS RA!R KE5 
ON H] 9 ?OSE DAYS1 & ,I FANCY %E LIK$ ME1 TOO4 ,BUT %E WAS ) US SO %ORT A 
TIME ?AT NO?+ CAME ( IT4 

,:ILE ,I WAS HELP+ H] TO CLIMB ON TO A RAFT1 ,I LET MY H& /RAY OV] H] BREA/S4 
,!N %E LAY FLAT ON ! RAFT1 :ILE ,I TROD WAT]4 ,AFT] A MOM5T %E TURN$ & 
LOOK$ AT ME4 ,H] HAIR WAS OV] H] EYES & %E WAS LAU<+4 ,I CLAMB]$ UP ON TO 
! RAFT1 BESIDE H]4 ,! AIR WAS PLEASANTLY W>M1 &1 HALF JOK+LY1 ,I LET MY HEAD 
S9K BACK UPON H] LAP4 ,%E DIDN'T SEEM TO M9D1 SO ,I LET IT /AY !RE4 ,I HAD ! SKY 
FULL 9 MY EYES1 ALL BLUE & GOLD1 & ,I C\LD FEEL ,M>IE'S /OMA* RIS+ & FALL+ 
G5TLY UND] MY HEAD4 ,WE MU/ HAVE /AY$ A GOOD HALF-H\R ON ! RAFT1 BO? ( US 
HALF ASLEEP4 ,:5 ! SUN GOT TOO HOT %E DIV$ (F & ,I FOLL[$4 ,I CAU<T UP ) 
H]1 PUT MY >M R\ND H] WAI/1 & WE SWAM SIDE BY SIDE4 ,%E WAS /ILL LAU<+4 

,:ILE WE W]E DRY+ \RSELVES ON ! $GE ( ! SWIMM+ POOL %E SAID3 0,I'M 
BR[N] ?AN Y\40 ,I ASK$ H] IF %E'D COME TO ! MOVIES ) ME ?AT EV5+4 
,%E LAU<$ AGA9 & SAID1 0,YES10 IF ,I'D TAKE H] TO ! COM$Y EV]YBODY WAS 
TALK+ AB\T1 ! ONE ) ,F]N&EL 9 IT4 

,:5 WE HAD DRESS$1 %E />$ AT MY BLACK TIE & ASK$ IF ,I WAS 9 M\RN+4 ,I 
EXPLA9$ ?AT MY MO!R HAD DI$4 0,:580 %E ASK$1 & ,I SAID1 0,YE/]DAY40 ,%E 
MADE NO REM>K1 ?\< ,I ?\<T %E %RANK AWAY A LITTLE4 ,I WAS JU/ GO+ TO 
EXPLA9 TO H] ?AT IT WASN'T MY FAULT1 BUT ,I *ECK$ MYSELF1 AS ,I REMEMB]$ HAV+ 
SAID ! SAME ?+ TO MY EMPLOY]1 & REALIZ+ !N IT S\ND$ RA!R FOOLI%4 
,/ILL1 FOOLI% OR NOT1 SOMEH[ ONE CAN'T HELP FEEL+ A BIT GUILTY1 ,I SUPPOSE4 

,ANYH[1 BY EV5+ ,M>IE HAD =GOTT5 ALL AB\T IT4 ,! FILM WAS FUNNY 9 P>TS1 
BUT SOME ( IT WAS D[NRI<T /UPID4 ,%E PRESS$ H] LEG AGA9/ M9E :ILE WE W]E 
9 ! PICTURE H\SE1 & ,I WAS FONDL+ H] BREA/4 ,T[>D ! 5D ( ! %[ ,I 
KISS$ H]1 BUT RA!R CLUMSILY4 ,AFT]W>DS %E CAME BACK ) ME TO MY PLACE4 

,:5 ,I WOKE UP1 ,M>IE HAD GONE4 ,%E'D TOLD ME H] AUNT EXPECT$ H] FIR/ ?+ 
9 ! MORN+4 ,I REMEMB]$ IT WAS A ,SUNDAY1 & ?AT PUT ME (F2 ,I'VE NEV] C>$ 
= ,SUNDAYS4 ,SO ,I TURN$ MY HEAD & LAZILY SNIFF$ ! SMELL ( BR9E ?AT ,M>IE'S 
HEAD HAD LEFT ON ! PILL[4 ,I SLEPT UNTIL T54 ,AFT] ?AT ,I /AY$ 9 B$ UNTIL NOON1 
SMOK+ CIG>ETTES4 ,I DECID$ NOT TO LUN* AT ,CELE/E'S RE/AURANT AS ,I USUALLY DID2 
!Y'D BE SURE TO PE/] ME ) QUE/IONS1 & ,I DISLIKE BE+ QUE/ION$4 ,SO ,I FRI$ 
SOME EGGS & ATE !M (F ! PAN4 ,I DID )\T BREAD AS !RE WASN'T ANY LEFT1 & 
,I C\LDN'T BE BO!R$ GO+ D[N TO BUY IT4 

,AFT] LUN* ,I FELT AT LOOSE 5DS & ROAM$ AB\T ! LITTLE FLAT4 ,IT SUIT$ US WELL 
5\< :5 ,MO!R WAS ) ME1 BUT N[ ?AT ,I WAS BY MYSELF IT WAS TOO L>GE & 
,I'D MOV$ ! D9+ TABLE 9TO MY B$ROOM4 ,?AT WAS N[ ! ONLY ROOM ,I US$2 IT 
HAD ALL ! FURNITURE ,I NE$$3 A BRASS B$/EAD1 A DRESS+ TABLE1 SOME CANE *AIRS 
:OSE SEATS HAD MORE OR LESS CAV$ 91 A W>DROBE ) A T>NI%$ MIRROR4 ,! RE/ 
( ! FLAT WAS NEV] US$1 SO ,I DIDN'T TR\BLE TO LOOK AFT] IT4 

,A BIT LAT]1 = WANT ( ANY?+ BETT] TO DO1 ,I PICK$ UP AN OLD NEWSPAP] ?AT 
WAS LY+ ON ! FLOOR & READ IT4 ,!RE WAS AN ADV]TISEM5T ( ,KRUS*5 ,SALTS & 
,I CUT IT \T & PA/$ 9 9TO AN ALBUM :]E ,I KEEP ?+S ?AT AMUSE ME 9 ! 
PAP]S4 ,!N ,I WA%$ MY H&S &1 AS A LA/ RES\RCE1 W5T \T ON TO ! BALCONY4 

,MY B$ROOM OV]LOOKS ! MA9 /REET ( \R DI/RICT4 ,?\< IT WAS A F9E 
AFT]NOON1 ! PAV+ BLOCKS W]E BLACK & GLI/5+4 ,:AT FEW PEOPLE W]E AB\T 
SEEM$ 9 AN ABSURD HURRY4 ,FIR/ ( ALL !RE CAME A FAMILY1 GO+ = !IR ,SUNDAY- 
AFT]NOON WALK2 TWO SMALL BOYS 9 SAILOR SUITS1 ) %ORT TR\S]S H>DLY D[N TO 
!IR KNEES1 & LOOK+ RA!R UNEASY 9 !IR ,SUNDAY BE/2 !N A LITTLE GIRL ) A 
BIG P9K B[ & BLACK PAT5T-LEA!R %OES4 ,BEH9D !M WAS !IR MO!R1 AN 
5ORM\SLY FAT WOMAN 9 A BR[N SILK DRESS1 & !IR FA!R1 A DAPP] LITTLE MAN1 
:OM ,I KNEW BY SI<T4 ,HE HAD A /RAW HAT1 A WALK+ /ICK1 & A BUTT]FLY TIE4 ,SEE+ 
HIM BESIDE HIS WIFE1 ,I UND]/OOD :Y PEOPLE SAID HE CAME ( A GOOD FAMILY & HAD 
M>RI$ B5EA? HIM4 

,NEXT CAME A GR\P ( Y\NG FELL[S1 ! LOCAL 0BLOODS10 ) SLEEK OIL$ HAIR1 R$ 
TIES1 COATS CUT V]Y TI<T AT ! WAI/1 BRAID$ POCKETS1 & SQU>E-TO$ %OES4 ,I 
GUESS$ !Y W]E GO+ TO ONE ( ! BIG !AT]S 9 ! C5T] ( ! T[N4 ,?AT WAS 
:Y !Y HAD />T$ \T SO E>LY & W]E HURRY+ TO ! /REETC> /OP1 LAU<+ 
& TALK+ AT ! TOP ( !IR VOICES4 

,AFT] !Y HAD PASS$1 ! /REET GRADUALLY EMPTI$4 ,BY ?IS TIME ALL ! MAT9EES 
MU/ HAVE BEGUN4 ,ONLY A FEW %OPKEEP]S & CATS REMA9$ AB\T4 ,ABOVE ! 
SYCAMORES BORD]+ ! ROAD ! SKY WAS CL\DLESS1 BUT ! LI<T WAS S(T4 ,! 
TOBACCONI/ ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! /REET BR\<T A *AIR \T ON TO ! PAVEM5T 9 
FRONT ( HIS DOOR & SAT A/RIDE IT1 RE/+ HIS >MS ON ! BACK4 ,! /REETC>S :I* 
A FEW M9UTES BE=E HAD BE5 CR[D$ W]E N[ ALMO/ EMPTY4 ,9 ! LITTLE CAFE1 
,*EZ ,PI]ROT1 BESIDE ! TOBACCONI/'S1 ! WAIT] WAS SWEEP+ UP ! SAWDU/ 9 ! 
EMPTY RE/AURANT4 ,A TYPICAL ,SUNDAY AFT]NOON4 444 

,I TURN$ MY *AIR R\ND & SEAT$ MYSELF LIKE ! TOBACCONI/1 AS IT WAS MORE 
COM=TABLE ?AT WAY4 ,AFT] SMOK+ A C\PLE ( CIG>ETTES ,I W5T BACK TO ! ROOM1 
GOT A TABLET ( *OCOLATE1 & RETURN$ TO ! W9D[ TO EAT IT4 ,SOON AFT]1 ! SKY 
CL\D$ OV]1 & ,I ?\<T A SUMM] /ORM WAS COM+4 ,H[EV]1 ! CL\DS 
GRADUALLY LIFT$4 ,ALL ! SAME1 !Y HAD LEFT 9 ! /REET A SORT ( ?REAT ( RA91 :I* 
MADE IT D>K]4 ,I /AY$ WAT*+ ! SKY = QUITE A :ILE4 

,AT FIVE !RE WAS A L\D CLANG+ ( /REETC>S4 ,!Y W]E COM+ FROM ! 
/ADIUM 9 \R SUBURB :]E !RE HAD BE5 A FOOTBALL MAT*4 ,EV5 ! BACK 
PLAT=MS W]E CR[D$ & PEOPLE W]E /&+ ON ! /EPS4 ,!N ANO!R 
/REETC> BR\<T BACK ! TEAMS4 ,I KNEW !Y W]E ! PLAY]S BY ! LITTLE SUITCASE 
EA* MAN C>RI$4 ,!Y W]E BAWL+ \T !IR TEAM SONG1 0,KEEP ! BALL ROLL+1 
BOYS40 ,ONE ( !M LOOK$ UP AT ME & %\T$1 0,WE LICK$ !M60 ,I WAV$ MY 
H& & CALL$ BACK1 0,GOOD WORK60 ,FROM N[ ON !RE WAS A /EADY /REAM ( 
PRIVATE C>S4 

,! SKY HAD *ANG$ AGA92 A R$DI% GL[ WAS SPREAD+ UP BEYOND ! 
H\SETOPS4 ,AS DUSK SET 91 ! /REET GREW MORE CR[D$4 ,PEOPLE W]E RETURN+ FROM 
!IR WALKS1 & ,I NOTIC$ ! DAPP] LITTLE MAN ) ! FAT WIFE AMONG ! PASS]S- 
BY4 ,*ILDR5 W]E :IMP]+ & TRAIL+ WE>ILY AFT] !IR P>5TS4 ,AFT] SOME 
M9UTES ! LOCAL PICTURE H\SES DISGORG$ !IR AUDI5CES4 ,I NOTIC$ ?AT ! Y\NG 
FELL[S COM+ FROM !M W]E TAK+ LONG] /RIDES & GE/UR+ MORE VIGOR\SLY 
?AN AT ORD9>Y TIMES2 D\BTLESS ! PICTURE !Y'D BE5 SEE+ WAS ( ! WILD- ,WE/ 
V>IETY4 ,?OSE :O HAD BE5 TO ! PICTURE H\SES 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! T[N CAME A 
LITTLE LAT]1 & LOOK$ MORE S$ATE1 ?\< A FEW W]E /ILL LAU<+4 ,ON ! :OLE1 
H[EV]1 !Y SEEM$ LANGUID & EXHAU/$4 ,SOME ( !M REMA9$ LOIT]+ 9 
! /REET UND] MY W9D[4 ,A GR\P ( GIRLS CAME BY1 WALK+ >M 9 >M4 ,! 
Y\NG M5 UND] MY W9D[ SW]V$ SO AS TO BRU% AGA9/ !M1 & %\T$ 
HUMOR\S REM>KS1 :I* MADE ! GIRLS TURN !IR HEADS & GIGGLE4 ,I RECOGNIZ$ 
!M AS GIRLS FROM MY P>T ( ! T[N1 & TWO OR ?REE ( !M1 :OM ,I KNEW1 
LOOK$ UP & WAV$ TO ME4 

,JU/ !N ! /REET LAMPS CAME ON1 ALL TOGE!R1 & !Y MADE ! />S ?AT W]E 
BEG9N+ TO GLIMM] 9 ! NI<T SKY PAL] /ILL4 ,I FELT MY EYES GETT+ TIR$1 :AT 
) ! LI<TS & ALL ! MOVEM5T ,I'D BE5 WAT*+ 9 ! /REET4 ,!RE W]E LITTLE 
POOLS ( BRI<TNESS UND] ! LAMPS1 & N[ & !N A /REETC> PASS$1 LI<T+ UP 
A GIRL'S HAIR1 OR A SMILE1 OR A SILV] BANGLE4 

,SOON AFT] ?IS1 AS ! /REETC>S BECAME FEW] & ! SKY %[$ VELVETY BLACK 
ABOVE ! TREES & LAMPS1 ! /REET GREW EMPTI]1 ALMO/ IMP]CEPTIBLY1 UNTIL A TIME 
CAME :5 !RE WAS NOBODY TO BE SE5 & A CAT1 ! FIR/ ( ! EV5+1 CROSS$1 
UNHURRY+1 ! DES]T$ /REET4 

,IT /RUCK ME ?AT ,I'D BETT] SEE AB\T SOME D9N]4 ,I HAD BE5 LEAN+ SO LONG ON 
! BACK ( MY *AIR1 LOOK+ D[N1 ?AT MY NECK HURT :5 ,I /RAI<T5$ MYSELF 
UP4 ,I W5T D[N1 B\<T SOME BREAD & SPA<ETTI1 DID MY COOK+1 & ATE MY MEAL 
/&+4 ,I'D 9T5D$ TO SMOKE ANO!R CIG>ETTE AT MY W9D[1 BUT ! NI<T HAD 
TURN$ RA!R *ILLY & ,I DECID$ AGA9/ IT4 ,AS ,I WAS COM+ BACK1 AFT] %UTT+ ! 
W9D[1 ,I GLANC$ AT ! MIRROR & SAW REFLECT$ 9 IT A CORN] ( MY TABLE ) MY 
SPIRIT LAMP & SOME BITS ( BREAD BESIDE IT4 ,IT OCCURR$ TO ME ?AT SOMEH[ ,I'D GOT 
?R\< ANO!R ,SUNDAY1 ?AT ,MO!R N[ WAS BURI$1 & TOMORR[ ,I'D BE GO+ 
BACK TO WORK AS USUAL4 ,REALLY1 NO?+ 9 MY LIFE HAD *ANG$4 

O ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #c 
,I,I,I 

,I ,H,A,D A BUSY MORN+ 9 ! (FICE4 ,MY EMPLOY] WAS 9 A GOOD HUMOR4 ,HE EV5 
9QUIR$ IF ,I WASN'T TOO TIR$1 & FOLL[$ IT UP BY ASK+ :AT ,MO!R'S AGE WAS4 ,I 
?\<T A BIT1 !N ANSW]$1 0,R\ND AB\T SIXTY10 AS ,I DIDN'T WANT TO MAKE A 
BLUND]4 ,AT :I* HE LOOK$ RELIEV$ -- :Y1 ,I CAN'T IMAG9E -- & SEEM$ TO ?9K 
?AT CLOS$ ! MATT]4 

,!RE WAS A PILE ( BILLS ( LAD+ WAIT+ ON MY DESK1 & ,I HAD TO GO ?R\< 
!M ALL4 ,BE=E LEAV+ = LUN* ,I WA%$ MY H&S4 ,I ALWAYS 5JOY$ DO+ ?IS AT 
MIDDAY4 ,9 ! EV5+ IT WAS LESS PLEASANT1 AS ! ROLL] T[EL1 AFT] BE+ US$ BY SO 
MANY PEOPLE1 WAS SOPP+ WET4 ,I ONCE BR\<T ?IS TO MY EMPLOY]'S NOTICE4 ,IT WAS 
REGRETTABLE1 HE AGRE$ -- BUT1 TO HIS M9D1 A M]E DETAIL4 ,I LEFT ! (FICE BUILD+ A 
LITTLE LAT] ?AN USUAL1 AT HALF-PA/ TWELVE1 ) ,EMMANUEL1 :O WORKS 9 ! 
,=W>D+ ,DEP>TM5T4 ,\R BUILD+ OV]LOOKS ! SEA1 & WE PAUS$ = A 
MOM5T ON ! /EPS TO LOOK AT ! %IPP+ 9 !4 H>BOR4 ,! SUN WAS SCOR*+ 
HOT4 ,JU/ !N A BIG TRUCK CAME UP1 ) A D9 ( *A9S & BACKFIRES FROM ! 
5G9E1 & ,EMMANUEL SUGGE/$ WE %\LD TRY TO JUMP IT4 ,I />T$ TO RUN4 ,! TRUCK 
WAS WELL AWAY1 & WE HAD TO *ASE IT = QUITE A DI/ANCE4 ,:AT ) ! HEAT & 
! NOISE FROM ! 5G9E1 ,I FELT HALF DAZ$4 ,ALL ,I WAS CONSCI\S ( WAS \R MAD RU% 
ALONG ! WAT] FRONT1 AMONG CRANES & W9*ES1 ) D>K HULLS ( %IPS ALONGSIDE 
& MA/S SWAY+ 9 ! (F+4 ,I WAS ! FIR/ TO CAT* UP ) ! TRUCK4 ,I TOOK A 
FLY+ JUMP1 L&$ SAFELY1 & HELP$ ,EMMANUEL TO SCRAMBLE 9 BESIDE ME4 ,WE W]E 
BO? ( US \T ( BREA?1 & ! BUMPS ( ! TRUCK ON ! R\<LY LAID COBBLES MADE 
?+S WORSE4 ,EMMANUEL *UCKL$1 & PANT$ 9 MY E>1 0,WE'VE MADE IT60 

,BY ! TIME WE REA*$ ,CELE/E'S RE/AURANT WE W]E DRIPP+ ) SWEAT4 ,CELE/E 
WAS AT HIS USUAL PLACE BESIDE ! 5TRANCE1 ) HIS APRON BULG+ ON HIS PAUN*1 HIS 
:ITE MU/A*E WELL TO ! =E4 ,:5 HE SAW ME HE WAS SYMPA!TIC & 0HOP$ ,I 
WASN'T FEEL+ TOO BADLY40 ,I SAID1 0,NO10 BUT ,I WAS EXTREMELY HUNGRY4 ,I ATE V]Y 
QUICKLY & HAD SOME C(FEE TO F9I% UP4 ,!N ,I W5T TO MY PLACE & TOOK A %ORT 
NAP1 AS ,I'D DRUNK A GLASS ( W9E TOO MANY4 

,:5 ,I WOKE ,I SMOK$ A CIG>ETTE BE=E GETT+ (F MY B$4 ,I WAS A BIT LATE & 
HAD TO RUN = ! /REETC>4 ,! (FICE WAS /IFL+1 & ,I WAS KEPT H>D AT IT ALL ! 
AFT]NOON4 ,SO IT CAME AS A RELIEF :5 WE CLOS$ D[N & ,I WAS /ROLL+ SL[LY 
ALONG ! :>VES 9 ! COOLNESS4 ,! SKY WAS GRE51 & IT WAS PLEASANT TO BE \T- 
(-DOORS AFT] ! /UFFY (FICE4 ,H[EV]1 ,I W5T /RAI<T HOME1 AS ,I HAD TO PUT SOME 
POTATOES ON TO BOIL4 

,! HALL WAS D>K &1 :5 ,I WAS />T+ UP ! /AIRS1 ,I ALMO/ BUMP$ 9TO OLD 
,SALAMANO1 :O LIV$ ON ! SAME FLOOR AS ,I4 ,AS USUAL1 HE HAD HIS DOG ) HIM4 ,= 
EI<T YE>S ! TWO HAD BE5 9SEP>ABLE4 ,SALAMANO 'S SPANIEL IS AN UGLY BRUTE1 
AFFLICT$ ) SOME SK9 DISEASE -- MANGE1 ,I SUSPECT2 ANYH[1 IT HAS LO/ ALL ITS HAIR 
& ITS BODY IS COV]$ ) BR[N SCABS4 ,P]HAPS ?R\< LIV+ 9 ONE SMALL ROOM1 
COOP$ UP ) HIS DOG1 ,SALAMANO HAS COME TO RESEMBLE IT4 ,HIS T[Y HAIR HAS GONE 
V]Y ?91 & HE HAS R$DI% BLOT*ES ON HIS FACE4 ,& ! DOG HAS DEVELOP$ 
SOME?+ ( ITS MA/]'S QUE] HUN*$-UP GAIT2 IT ALWAYS HAS ITS MUZZLE /RET*$ 
F> =W>D & ITS NOSE TO ! GR\ND4 ,BUT1 ODDLY 5\<1 ?\< SO MU* ALIKE1 
!Y DETE/ EA* O!R4 

,TWICE A DAY1 AT ELEV5 & SIX1 ! OLD FELL[ TAKES HIS DOG = A WALK1 & = 
EI<T YE>S ?AT WALK HAS NEV] V>I$4 ,Y\ CAN SEE !M 9 ! RUE DE ,LYON1 ! DOG 
PULL+ HIS MA/] ALONG AS H>D AS HE CAN1 TILL F9ALLY ! OLD *AP MISSES A /EP & 
NE>LY FALLS4 ,!N HE BEATS HIS DOG & CALLS IT NAMES4 ,! DOG C[]S & LAGS 
BEH9D1 & IT'S HIS MA/]'S TURN TO DRAG HIM ALONG4 ,PRES5TLY ! DOG =GETS1 />TS 
TUGG+ AT ! LEA% AGA91 GETS ANO!R HID+ & MORE ABUSE4 ,!N !Y HALT ON ! 
PAVEM5T1 ! PAIR ( !M1 & GL>E AT EA* O!R2 ! DOG ) T]ROR & ! MAN 
) HATR$ 9 HIS EYES4 ,EV]Y TIME !Y'RE \T1 ?IS HAPP5S4 ,:5 ! DOG WANTS TO 
/OP AT A LAMPPO/1 ! OLD BOY WON'T LET HIM1 & DRAGS HIM ON1 & ! WRET*$ 
SPANIEL LEAVES BEH9D HIM A TRAIL ( LITTLE DROPS4 ,BUT1 IF HE DOES IT 9 ! ROOM1 IT 
MEANS ANO!R HID+4 

,IT'S BE5 GO+ ON LIKE ?IS = EI<T YE>S1 & ,CELE/E ALWAYS SAYS IT'S A 0CRY+ 
%AME10 & SOME?+ %\LD BE DONE AB\T IT2 BUT REALLY ONE CAN'T BE SURE4 ,:5 ,I 
MET HIM 9 ! HALL1 ,SALAMANO WAS BAWL+ AT HIS DOG1 CALL+ HIM A BA/>D1 A L\SY 
MONGREL1 & SO =?1 & ! DOG WAS :9+4 ,I SAID1 0,GOOD EV5+10 BUT ! OLD 
FELL[ TOOK NO NOTICE & W5T ON CURS+4 ,SO ,I ?\<T ,I'D ASK HIM :AT ! DOG HAD 
DONE4 ,AGA91 HE DIDN'T ANSW]1 BUT W5T ON %\T+1 0,Y\ BLOODY CUR60 & ! RE/ 
( IT4 ,I C\LDN'T SEE V]Y CLE>LY1 BUT HE SEEM$ TO BE FIX+ SOME?+ ON ! DOG'S 
COLL>4 ,I RAIS$ MY VOICE A LITTLE4 ,)\T LOOK+ R\ND1 HE MUMBL$ 9 A SORT ( 
SUPPRESS$ FURY3 0,HE'S ALWAYS 9 ! WAY1 BLA/ HIM60 ,!N HE />T$ UP ! /AIRS1 
BUT ! DOG TRI$ TO RESI/ & FLATT5$ ITSELF \T ON ! FLOOR1 SO HE HAD TO HAUL IT UP 
ON ! LEA%1 /EP BY /EP4 

,JU/ !N ANO!R MAN :O LIVES ON MY FLOOR CAME 9 FROM ! /REET4 ,! G5]AL 
IDEA H]EAB\TS IS ?AT HE'S A PIMP4 ,BUT IF Y\ ASK HIM :AT HIS JOB IS1 HE SAYS HE'S A 
W>EH\SEMAN4 ,ONE ?+'S SURE3 HE ISN'T POPUL> 9 \R /REET4 ,/ILL1 HE (T5 HAS A 
WORD = ME1 & DROPS 9 SOMETIMES = A %ORT TALK 9 MY ROOM1 BECAUSE ,I LI/5 TO 
HIM4 ,AS A MATT] ( FACT1 ,I F9D :AT HE SAYS QUITE 9T]E/+4 ,SO1 REALLY ,I'VE NO 
REASON = FREEZ+ HIM (F4 ,HIS NAME IS ,S9TES2 ,RAYMOND ,S9TES4 ,HE'S %ORT & 
?ICK-SET1 HAS A NOSE LIKE A BOX]'S1 & ALWAYS DRESSES V]Y SPRUCELY4 ,HE1 TOO1 ONCE 
SAID TO ME1 REF]R+ TO ,SALAMANO1 ?AT IT WAS 0A DAMN$ %AME10 & ASK$ ME IF ,I 
WASN'T DISGU/$ BY ! WAY ! OLD MAN S]V$ HIS DOG4 ,I ANSW]$3 0,NO40 

,WE W5T UP ! /AIRS TOGE!R1 ,S9TES & ,I1 & :5 ,I WAS TURN+ 9 AT MY DOOR1 
HE SAID3 

0,LOOK H]E6 ,H[ AB\T HAV+ SOME GRUB ) ME8 ,I'VE A BLACK PUDD+ & 
SOME W9E40 

,IT /RUCK ME ?AT ?IS W\LD SAVE MY HAV+ TO COOK MY D9N]1 SO ,I SAID1 0,?ANKS 
V]Y MU*40 

,HE1 TOO1 HAS ONLY ONE ROOM1 & A LITTLE KIT*5 )\T A W9D[4 ,I SAW A P9K- 
&-:ITE PLA/] ANGEL ABOVE HIS B$1 & SOME PHOTOS ( SPORT+ *AMPIONS & 
NAK$ GIRLS P9N$ TO ! OPPOSITE WALL4 ,! B$ HADN'T BE5 MADE & ! ROOM WAS 
DIRTY4 ,HE BEGAN BY LI<T+ A P>AFF9 LAMP2 !N FUMBL$ 9 HIS POCKET & PRODUC$ 
A RA!R GRIMY B&AGE1 :I* HE WRAPP$ R\ND HIS RI<T H&4 ,I ASK$ HIM :AT ! 
TR\BLE WAS4 ,HE TOLD ME HE'D BE5 HAV+ A R\<H\SE ) A FELL[ :O'D 
ANNOY$ HIM4 

0,I'M NOT ONE :O LOOKS = TR\BLE10 HE EXPLA9$1 0ONLY ,I'M A BIT %ORT-TEMP]$4 
,?AT FELL[ SAID TO ME1 *ALL5G+-LIKE1 ',COME D[N (F ?AT /REETC>1 IF Y\'RE A 
MAN4' ,I SAYS1 ',Y\ KEEP QUIET1 ,I A9'T DONE NO?+ TO Y\4' ,!N HE SAID ,I HADN'T ANY 
GUTS4 ,WELL1 ?AT SETTL$ IT4 ,I GOT D[N (F ! /REETC> & ,I SAID TO HIM1 ',Y\ BETT] 
KEEP Y\R M\? %UT1 OR ,I'LL %UT IT = Y\4' ',I'D LIKE TO SEE Y\ TRY6 ' SAYS HE4 ,!N ,I 
GAVE HIM ONE ACROSS ! FACE1 & LAID HIM \T GOOD & PROP]4 ,AFT] A BIT ,I />T$ 
TO HELP HIM GET UP1 BUT ALL HE DID WAS TO KICK AT ME FROM :]E HE LAY4 ,SO ,I GAVE HIM 
ONE ) MY KNEE & A C\PLE MORE SWIPES4 ,HE WAS BLE$+ LIKE A PIG :5 ,I'D 
DONE ) HIM4 ,I ASK$ HIM IF HE'D HAD 5\<1 & HE SAID1 ',YES4' 0 

,S9TES WAS BUSY FIX+ HIS B&AGE :ILE HE TALK$1 & ,I WAS SITT+ ON ! B$4 

0,SO Y\ SEE10 HE SAID1 0IT WASN'T MY FAULT2 HE WAS ASK+ = IT1 WASN'T HE80 

,I NODD$1 & HE ADD$3 

0,AS A MATT] ( FACT1 ,I RA!R WANT TO ASK Y\R ADVICE AB\T SOME?+2 IT'S 
CONNECT$ ) ?IS BUS9ESS4 ,Y\'VE KNOCK$ AB\T ! WORLD A BIT1 & ,I D>ESAY 
Y\ CAN HELP ME4 ,& !N ,I'LL BE Y\R PAL = LIFE2 ,I NEV] =GET ANYONE :O DOES 
ME A GOOD TURN40 

,:5 ,I MADE NO COMM5T1 HE ASK$ ME IF ,I'D LIKE US TO BE PALS4 ,I REPLI$ ?AT ,I HAD 
NO OBJECTION1 & ?AT APPE>$ TO SATISFY HIM4 ,HE GOT \T ! BLACK PUDD+1 COOK$ 
IT 9 A FRY+ PAN1 !N LAID ! TABLE1 PUTT+ \T TWO BOTTLES ( W9E4 ,:ILE HE WAS 
DO+ ?IS HE DIDN'T SPEAK4 

,WE />T$ D9N]1 & !N HE BEGAN TELL+ ME ! :OLE /ORY1 HESITAT+ A BIT AT 
FIR/4 

0,!RE'S A GIRL BEH9D IT -- AS USUAL4 ,WE SLEPT TOGE!R PRETTY REGUL>4 ,I WAS KEEP+ 
H]1 AS A MATT] ( FACT1 & %E CO/ ME A TIDY SUM4 ,?AT FELL[ ,I KNOCK$ D[N IS 
H] BRO!R40 

,NOTIC+ ?AT ,I SAID NO?+1 HE ADD$ ?AT HE KNEW :AT ! NEI<BORS SAID AB\T 
HIM1 BUT IT WAS A FIL?Y LIE4 ,HE HAD HIS PR9CIPLES LIKE EV]YBODY ELSE1 & A JOB 9 A 
W>EH\SE4 

0,WELL10 HE SAID1 0TO GO ON ) MY /ORY 444 ,I F\ND \T ONE DAY ?AT %E WAS LETT+ 
ME D[N40 ,HE GAVE H] 5\< MONEY TO KEEP H] GO+1 )\T EXTRAVAGANCE1 
?\<2 HE PAID ! R5T ( H] ROOM & TW5TY FRANCS A DAY = FOOD4 0,?REE 
HUNDR$ FRANCS = R5T1 & SIX HUNDR$ = H] GRUB1 ) A LITTLE PRES5T ?R[N 9 
N[ & !N1 A PAIR ( /OCK+S OR :ATNOT4 ,SAY1 A ?\S& FRANCS A MON?4 ,BUT 
?AT WASN'T 5\< = MY F9E LADY2 %E WAS ALWAYS GRUMBL+ ?AT %E C\LDN'T 
MAKE BO? 5DS MEET ) :AT ,I GAVE H]4 ,SO ONE DAY ,I SAYS TO H]1 ',LOOK H]E1 :Y 
NOT GET A JOB = A FEW H\RS A DAY8 ,?AT'D MAKE ?+S EASI] = ME1 TOO4 ,I B\<T 
Y\ A NEW DRESS ?IS MON?1 ,I PAY Y\R R5T & GIVE Y\ TW5TY FRANCS A DAY4 ,BUT 
Y\ GO & WA/E Y\R MONEY AT ! CAFE ) A PACK ( GIRLS4 ,Y\ GIVE !M C(FEE 
& SUG>4 ,&1 ( C\RSE1 ! MONEY COMES \T ( MY POCKET4 ,I TREAT Y\ ON ! 
SQU>E1 & ?AT'S H[ Y\ PAY ME BACK4' ,BUT %E W\LDN'T HE> ( WORK+1 ?\< 
%E KEPT ON SAY+ %E C\LDN'T MAKE DO ) :AT ,I GAVE H]4 ,& !N ONE DAY ,I 
F\ND \T %E WAS DO+ ME DIRT40 

,HE W5T ON TO EXPLA9 ?AT HE'D F\ND A LOTT]Y TICKET 9 H] BAG1 &1 :5 HE 
ASK$ :]E ! MONEY 'D COME FROM TO BUY IT1 %E W\LDN'T TELL HIM4 ,!N1 ANO!R 
TIME1 HE'D F\ND A PAWN TICKET = TWO BRACELETS ?AT HE'D NEV] SET EYES ON4 

0,SO ,I KNEW !RE WAS DIRTY WORK GO+ ON1 & ,I TOLD H] ,I'D HAVE NO?+ MORE TO 
DO ) H]4 ,BUT1 FIR/1 ,I GAVE H] A GOOD HID+1 & ,I TOLD H] SOME HOME TRU?S4 ,I 
SAID ?AT !RE WAS ONLY ONE ?+ 9T]E/$ H] & ?AT WAS GETT+ 9TO B$ ) 
M5 :5EV] %E'D ! *ANCE4 ,& ,I W>N$ H] /RAI<T1 ',Y\'LL BE SORRY ONE DAY1 
MY GIRL1 & WI% Y\'D GOT ME BACK4 ,ALL ! GIRLS 9 ! /REET1 !Y'RE JEAL\S ( 
Y\R LUCK 9 HAV+ ME TO KEEP Y\4 ' 0 

,HE'D BEAT5 H] TILL ! BLOOD CAME4 ,BE=E ?AT HE'D NEV] BEAT5 H]4 0,WELL1 NOT 
H>D1 ANYH[2 ONLY AFFECTIONATELY-LIKE4 ,%E'D H[L A BIT1 & ,I HAD TO %UT ! 
W9D[4 ,!N1 ( C\RSE1 IT 5D$ AS P] USUAL4 ,BUT ?IS TIME ,I'M DONE ) H]4 
,ONLY1 TO MY M9D1 ,I A9'T PUNI%$ H] 5\<4 ,SEE :AT ,I MEAN80 

,HE EXPLA9$ ?AT IT WAS AB\T ?IS HE WANT$ MY ADVICE4 ,! LAMP WAS SMOK+1 
& HE /OPP$ PAC+ UP & D[N ! ROOM1 TO L[] ! WICK4 ,I JU/ LI/5$1 
)\T SPEAK+4 ,I'D HAD A :OLE BOTTLE ( W9E TO MYSELF & MY HEAD WAS BUZZ+4 
,AS ,I'D US$ UP MY CIG>ETTES ,I WAS SMOK+ ,RAYMOND'S4 ,SOME LATE /REETC>S PASS$1 
& ! LA/ NOISES ( ! /REET DI$ (F ) !M4 ,RAYMOND W5T ON TALK+4 ,:AT 
BOR$ HIM WAS ?AT HE HAD 0A SORT ( LE* ON H]0 AS HE CALL$ IT4 ,BUT HE WAS QUITE 
DET]M9$ TO TEA* H] A LESSON4 

,HIS FIR/ IDEA1 HE SAID1 HAD BE5 TO TAKE H] TO A HOTEL1 & !N CALL 9 ! SPECIAL 
POLICE4 ,HE'D P]SUADE !M TO PUT H] ON ! REGI/] AS A 0COMMON PRO/ITUTE10 & 
?AT W\LD MAKE H] WILD4 ,!N HE'D LOOK$ UP SOME FRI5DS ( HIS 9 ! 
UND]WORLD1 FELL[S :O KEPT T>TS = :AT !Y C\LD MAKE \T ( !M1 BUT !Y 
HAD PRACTICALLY NO?+ TO SUGGE/4 ,/ILL1 AS HE PO9T$ \T1 ?AT SORT ( ?+ %\LD 
HAVE BE5 RI<T UP !IR /REET2 :AT'S ! GOOD ( BE+ 9 ?AT L9E IF Y\ DON'T 
KN[ H[ TO TREAT A GIRL :O'S LET Y\ D[N8 ,:5 HE TOLD !M ?AT1 !Y SUGGE/$ 
HE %\LD 0BR&0 H]4 ,BUT ?AT WASN'T :AT HE WANT$1 EI!R4 ,IT W\LD NE$ A LOT ( 
?9K+ \T4 444 ,BUT1 FIR/1 HE'D LIKE TO ASK ME SOME?+4 ,BE=E HE ASK$ IT1 ?\<1 
HE'D LIKE TO HAVE MY OP9ION ( ! /ORY HE'D BE5 TELL+1 9 A G5]AL WAY4 

,I SAID ,I HADN'T ANY1 BUT ,I'D F\ND IT 9T]E/+4 

,DID ,I ?9K %E REALLY HAD DONE HIM DIRT8 

,I HAD TO ADMIT IT LOOK$ LIKE ?AT4 ,!N HE ASK$ ME IF ,I DIDN'T ?9K %E %\LD BE 
PUNI%$ & :AT ,I'D DO IF ,I W]E 9 HIS %OES4 ,I TOLD HIM ONE C\LD NEV] BE QUITE 
SURE H[ TO ACT 9 SU* CASES1 BUT ,I QUITE UND]/OOD HIS WANT+ H] TO SUFF] = IT4 

,I DRANK SOME MORE W9E1 :ILE ,RAYMOND LIT ANO!R CIG>ETTE & BEGAN 
EXPLA9+ :AT HE PROPOS$ TO DO4 ,HE WANT$ TO WRITE H] A LETT]1 0A REAL /9K]1 
?AT'LL GET H] ON ! RAW10 & AT ! SAME TIME MAKE H] REP5T ( :AT %E'D DONE4 
,!N1 :5 %E CAME BACK1 HE'D GO TO B$ ) H] &1 JU/ :5 %E WAS 0PROP]LY 
PRIM$ UP10 HE'D SPIT 9 H] FACE & ?R[ H] \T ( ! ROOM4 ,I AGRE$ IT WASN'T A 
BAD PLAN2 IT W\LD PUNI% H]1 ALL RI<T4 

,BUT1 ,RAYMOND TOLD ME1 HE DIDN'T FEEL UP TO WRIT+ ! K9D ( LETT] ?AT WAS 
NE$$1 & ?AT WAS :]E ,I C\LD HELP4 ,:5 ,I DIDN'T SAY ANY?+1 HE ASK$ ME IF 
,I'D M9D DO+ IT RI<T AWAY1 & ,I SAID1 0,NO10 ,I'D HAVE A %OT AT IT4 

,HE DRANK (F A GLASS ( W9E & /OOD UP4 ,!N HE PU%$ ASIDE ! PLATES & ! 
BIT ( COLD PUDD+ ?AT WAS LEFT1 TO MAKE ROOM ON ! TABLE4 ,AFT] C>EFULLY WIP+ 
! OILCLO?1 HE GOT A %EET ( SQU>$ PAP] FROM ! DRAW] ( HIS B$SIDE TABLE2 
AFT] ?AT1 AN 5VELOPE1 A SMALL R$ WOOD5 P5HOLD]1 & A SQU>E 9KPOT ) 
PURPLE 9K 9 IT4 ,! MOM5T HE M5TION$ ! GIRL'S NAME ,I KNEW %E WAS A ,MOOR4 

,I WROTE ! LETT]4 ,I DIDN'T TAKE MU* TR\BLE OV] IT1 BUT ,I WANT$ TO SATISFY 
,RAYMOND1 AS ,I'D NO REASON NOT TO SATISFY HIM4 ,!N ,I READ \T :AT ,I'D WRITT54 
,PUFF+ AT HIS CIG>ETTE1 HE LI/5$1 NODD+ N[ & !N4 0,READ IT AGA91 PLEASE10 
HE SAID4 ,HE SEEM$ DELI<T$4 0,?AT'S ! /UFF10 HE *UCKL$4 0,I C\LD TELL Y\ WAS A 
BRA9Y SORT1 OLD BOY1 & Y\ KN[ :AT'S :AT40 

,AT FIR/ ,I H>DLY NOTIC$ ?AT 0OLD BOY40 ,IT CAME BACK TO ME :5 HE SLAPP$ ME ON 
! %\LD] & SAID1 0,SO N[ WE'RE PALS1 A9'T WE80 ,I KEPT SIL5CE & HE SAID IT 
AGA94 ,I DIDN'T C>E ONE WAY OR ! O!R1 BUT AS HE SEEM$ SO SET ON IT1 ,I NODD$ & 
SAID1 0,YES40 

,HE PUT ! LETT] 9TO ! 5VELOPE & WE F9I%$ (F ! W9E4 ,!N BO? ( US 
SMOK$ = SOME M9UTES1 )\T SPEAK+4 ,! /REET WAS QUITE QUIET1 EXCEPT :5 
N[ & AGA9 A C> PASS$4 ,F9ALLY1 ,I REM>K$ ?AT IT WAS GETT+ LATE1 & 
,RAYMOND AGRE$4 0,TIME'S GONE MI<TY FA/ ?IS EV5+10 HE ADD$1 & 9 A WAY 
?AT WAS TRUE4 ,I WANT$ TO BE 9 B$1 ONLY IT WAS SU* AN EF=T MAK+ A MOVE4 ,I MU/ 
HAVE LOOK$ TIR$1 = ,RAYMOND SAID TO ME1 0,Y\ MU/N'T LET ?+S GET Y\ D[N40 
,AT FIR/ ,I DIDN'T CAT* HIS MEAN+4 ,!N HE EXPLA9$ ?AT HE HAD HE>D ( MY 
MO!R'S DEA?2 ANYH[1 HE SAID1 ?AT WAS SOME?+ B\ND TO HAPP5 ONE DAY OR 
ANO!R4 ,I APPRECIAT$ ?AT1 & TOLD HIM SO4 

,:5 ,I ROSE1 ,RAYMOND %OOK H&S V]Y W>MLY1 REM>K+ ?AT M5 ALWAYS 
UND]/OOD EA* O!R4 ,AFT] CLOS+ ! DOOR BEH9D ME ,I L+]$ = SOME 
MOM5TS ON ! L&+4 ,! :OLE BUILD+ WAS AS QUIET AS ! GRAVE1 A DANK1 D>K 
SMELL RIS+ FROM ! WELL HOLE ( ! /AIRS4 ,I C\LD HE> NO?+ BUT ! BLOOD 
?ROBB+ 9 MY E>S1 & = A :ILE ,I /OOD /ILL1 LI/5+ TO IT4 ,!N ! DOG BEGAN 
TO MOAN 9 OLD ,SALAMANO'S ROOM1 & ?R\< ! SLEEP-B\ND H\SE ! LITTLE 
PLA9TIVE S\ND ROSE SL[LY1 LIKE A FL[] GR[+ \T ( ! SIL5CE & ! 
D>KNESS4 

O ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #d 
,I,V 

,I ,H,A,D A BUSY TIME 9 ! (FICE ?R\<\T ! WEEK4 ,RAYMOND DROPP$ 9 ONCE TO 
TELL ME HE'D S5T (F ! LETT]4 ,I W5T TO ! PICTURES TWICE ) ,EMMANUEL1 :O 
DOESN'T ALWAYS UND]/& :AT'S HAPP5+ ON ! SCRE5 & ASKS ME TO EXPLA9 IT4 
,YE/]DAY WAS ,SATURDAY1 & ,M>IE CAME AS WE'D >RANG$4 ,%E HAD A V]Y PRETTY 
DRESS1 ) R$ & :ITE /RIPES1 & LEA!R S&ALS1 & ,I C\LDN'T TAKE MY EYES (F 
H]4 ,ONE C\LD SEE ! \TL9E ( H] FIRM LITTLE BREA/S1 & H] SUN-TANN$ FACE WAS 
LIKE A VELVETY BR[N FL[]4 ,WE TOOK ! BUS & W5T TO A BEA* ,I KN[1 SOME 
MILES \T ( ,ALGI]S4 ,IT'S JU/ A /RIP ( S& BETWE5 TWO ROCKY SPURS1 ) A L9E ( 
RU%ES AT ! BACK1 ALONG ! TIDE L9E4 ,AT F\R O'CLOCK ! SUN WASN'T TOO HOT1 BUT ! 
WAT] WAS PLEASANTLY TEPID1 & SMALL1 LANGUID RIPPLES W]E CREEP+ UP ! S&4 

,M>IE TAU<T ME A NEW GAME4 ,! IDEA WAS1 :ILE ONE SWAM1 TO SUCK 9 ! SPRAY 
(F ! WAVES &1 :5 ONE'S M\? WAS FULL ( FOAM1 TO LIE ON ONE'S BACK & SP\T 
IT \T AGA9/ ! SKY4 ,IT MADE A SORT ( FRO?Y HAZE ?AT MELT$ 9TO ! AIR OR FELL BACK 
9 A W>M %[] ON ONE'S *EEKS4 ,BUT V]Y SOON MY M\? WAS SM>T+ ) ALL 
! SALT ,I'D DRAWN 92 !N ,M>IE CAME UP & HUGG$ ME 9 ! WAT]1 & PRESS$ 
H] M\? TO M9E4 ,H] TONGUE COOL$ MY LIPS1 & WE LET ! WAVES ROLL US AB\T = 
A M9UTE OR TWO BE=E SWIMM+ BACK TO ! BEA*4 

,:5 WE HAD F9I%$ DRESS+1 ,M>IE LOOK$ H>D AT ME4 ,H] EYES W]E 
SP>KL+4 ,I KISS$ H]2 AFT] ?AT NEI!R ( US SPOKE = QUITE A :ILE4 ,I PRESS$ H] TO 
MY SIDE AS WE SCRAMBL$ UP ! =E%ORE4 ,BO? ( US W]E 9 A HURRY TO CAT* ! 
BUS1 GET BACK TO MY PLACE1 & TUMBLE ON TO ! B$4 ,I'D LEFT MY W9D[ OP51 & IT 
WAS PLEASANT TO FEEL ! COOL NI<T AIR FL[+ OV] \R SUNBURN$ BODIES4 

,M>IE SAID %E WAS FREE NEXT MORN+1 SO ,I PROPOS$ %E %\LD HAVE LUN*EON 
) ME4 ,%E AGRE$1 & ,I W5T D[N TO BUY SOME MEAT4 ,ON MY WAY BACK ,I HE>D A 
WOMAN'S VOICE 9 ,RAYMOND'S ROOM4 ,A LITTLE LAT] OLD ,SALAMANO />T$ GRUMBL+ AT 
HIS DOG & PRES5TLY !RE WAS A S\ND ( BOOTS & PAWS ON ! WOOD5 /AIRS2 
!N1 0,FIL?Y BRUTE6 ,GET ON1 Y\ CUR60 & ! TWO ( !M W5T \T 9TO ! /REET4 ,I 
TOLD ,M>IE AB\T ! OLD MAN'S HABITS1 & IT MADE H] LAU<4 ,%E WAS WE>+ ONE ( 
MY PAJAMA SUITS1 & HAD ! SLEEVES ROLL$ UP4 ,:5 %E LAU<$ ,I WANT$ H] 
AGA94 ,A MOM5T LAT] %E ASK$ ME IF ,I LOV$ H]4 ,I SAID ?AT SORT ( QUE/ION HAD NO 
MEAN+1 REALLY2 BUT ,I SUPPOS$ ,I DIDN'T4 ,%E LOOK$ SAD = A BIT1 BUT :5 WE W]E 
GETT+ \R LUN* READY %E BRI<T5$ UP & />T$ LAU<+1 & :5 %E LAU<S 
,I ALWAYS WANT TO KISS H]4 ,IT WAS JU/ !N ?AT ! R[ />T$ 9 ,RAYMOND'S ROOM4 

,FIR/ WE HE>D A WOMAN SAY+ SOME?+ 9 A HI<-PIT*$ VOICE2 !N ,RAYMOND 
BAWL+ AT H]1 0,Y\ LET ME D[N1 Y\ BIT*6 ,I'LL LE>N Y\ TO LET ME D[N60 ,!RE 
CAME SOME ?UDS1 !N A PI]C+ SCREAM -- IT MADE ONE'S BLOOD RUN COLD -- & 9 A 
MOM5T !RE WAS A CR[D ( PEOPLE ON ! L&+4 ,M>IE & ,I W5T \T TO SEE4 ,! 
WOMAN WAS /ILL SCREAM+ & ,RAYMOND /ILL KNOCK+ H] AB\T4 ,M>IE SAID1 
WASN'T IT HORRIBLE6 ,I DIDN'T ANSW] ANY?+4 ,!N %E ASK$ ME TO GO & FET* A 
POLICEMAN1 BUT ,I TOLD H] ,I DIDN'T LIKE POLICEM54 ,H[EV]1 ONE TURN$ UP PRES5TLY2 
! LODG] ON ! SECOND FLOOR1 A PLUMB]1 CAME UP1 ) HIM4 ,:5 HE BANG$ ON 
! DOOR ! NOISE /OPP$ 9SIDE ! ROOM4 ,HE KNOCK$ AGA91 &1 AFT] A MOM5T1 
! WOMAN />T$ CRY+1 & ,RAYMOND OP5$ ! DOOR4 ,HE HAD A CIG>ETTE 
DANGL+ FROM HIS UND]LIP & A RA!R SICKLY SMILE4 

0,Y\R NAME80 ,RAYMOND GAVE HIS NAME4 0,TAKE ?AT CIG>ETTE \T ( Y\R M\? 
:5 Y\'RE TALK+ TO ME10 ! POLICEMAN SAID GRUFFLY4 ,RAYMOND HESITAT$1 GLANC$ 
AT ME1 & KEPT ! CIG>ETTE 9 HIS M\?4 ,! POLICEMAN PROMPTLY SWUNG HIS >M 
& GAVE HIM A GOOD H>D SMACK ON ! LEFT *EEK4 ,! CIG>ETTE %OT FROM HIS LIPS 
& DROPP$ A Y>D AWAY4 ,RAYMOND MADE A WRY FACE1 BUT SAID NO?+ = A MOM5T4 
,!N 9 A HUMBLE TONE HE ASK$ IF HE MI<TN'T PICK UP HIS CIG>ETTE4 

,! (FIC] SAID1 0,YES10 & ADD$3 0,BUT DON'T Y\ =GET NEXT TIME ?AT WE DON'T 
/& = ANY NONS5SE1 NOT FROM GUYS LIKE Y\40 

,MEAN:ILE ! GIRL W5T ON SOBB+ & REPEAT+3 0,HE HIT ME1 ! C[>D4 ,HE'S A 
PIMP40 

0,EXCUSE ME1 (FIC]10 ,RAYMOND PUT 91 0BUT IS ?AT 9 ORD]1 CALL+ A MAN A PIMP 
9 ! PRES5CE ( WITNESSES80 

,! POLICEMAN TOLD HIM TO %UT HIS TRAP4 

,RAYMOND !N TURN$ TO ! GIRL4 0,DON'T Y\ WORRY1 MY PET4 ,WE'LL MEET AGA940 

0,?AT'S 5\<10 ! POLICEMAN SAID1 & TOLD ! GIRL TO GO AWAY4 ,RAYMOND WAS 
TO /AY 9 HIS ROOM TILL SUMMON$ TO ! POLICE /ATION4 0,Y\ \<T TO BE A%AM$ ( 
Y\RSELF10 ! POLICEMAN ADD$1 0GETT+ SO TI<T Y\ CAN'T /& /EADY4 ,:Y1 Y\'RE 
%AK+ ALL OV]60 

0,I'M NOT TI<T10 ,RAYMOND EXPLA9$4 0,ONLY :5 ,I SEE Y\ /&+ !RE & 
LOOK+ AT ME1 ,I CAN'T HELP TREMBL+4 ,?AT'S ONLY NATURAL40 

,!N HE CLOS$ HIS DOOR1 & WE ALL W5T AWAY4 ,M>IE & ,I F9I%$ GETT+ \R 
LUN* READY4 ,BUT %E HADN'T ANY APPETITE1 & ,I ATE NE>LY ALL4 ,%E LEFT AT ONE1 & !N 
,I HAD A NAP4 

,T[>D ?REE !RE WAS A KNOCK AT MY DOOR & ,RAYMOND CAME 94 ,HE SAT D[N 
ON ! $GE ( MY B$ & = A M9UTE OR TWO SAID NO?+4 ,I ASK$ HIM H[ IT HAD 
GONE (F4 ,HE SAID IT HAD ALL GONE QUITE SMOO?LY AT FIR/1 AS P] PROGRAM2 ONLY !N 
%E'D SLAPP$ HIS FACE & HE'D SE5 R$1 & />T$ ?RA%+ H]4 ,AS = :AT 
HAPP5$ AFT] ?AT1 HE NE$N'T TELL ME1 AS ,I WAS !RE4 

0,WELL10 ,I SAID1 0Y\ TAU<T H] A LESSON1 ALL RI<T1 & ?AT'S :AT Y\ WANT$1 ISN'T 
IT80 

,HE AGRE$1 & PO9T$ \T ?AT :ATEV] ! POLICE DID1 ?AT W\LDN'T *ANGE ! 
FACT %E'D HAD H] PUNI%M5T4 ,AS = ! POLICE1 HE KNEW EXACTLY H[ TO H&LE 
!M4 ,BUT HE'D LIKE TO KN[ IF ,I'D EXPECT$ HIM TO RETURN ! BL[ :5 ! 
POLICEMAN HIT HIM4 

,I TOLD HIM ,I HADN'T EXPECT$ ANY?+ :ATSOEV] &1 ANYH[1 ,I HAD NO USE = 
! POLICE4 ,RAYMOND SEEM$ PLEAS$ & ASK$ IF ,I'D LIKE TO COME \T = A /ROLL 
) HIM4 ,I GOT UP FROM ! B$ & />T$ BRU%+ MY HAIR4 ,!N ,RAYMOND SAID 
?AT :AT HE REALLY WANT$ WAS = ME TO ACT AS HIS WITNESS4 ,I TOLD HIM ,I HAD NO 
OBJECTION2 ONLY ,I DIDN'T KN[ :AT HE EXPECT$ ME TO SAY4 

0,IT'S QUITE SIMPLE10 HE REPLI$4 0,Y\'VE ONLY GOT TO TELL !M ?AT ! GIRL HAD LET 
ME D[N40 

,SO ,I AGRE$ TO BE HIS WITNESS4 

,WE W5T \T TOGE!R1 & ,RAYMOND /OOD ME A BR&Y 9 A CAFE4 ,!N WE HAD A 
GAME ( BILLI>DS2 IT WAS A CLOSE GAME & ,I LO/ BY ONLY A FEW PO9TS4 ,AFT] ?AT HE 
PROPOS$ GO+ TO A BRO!L1 BUT ,I REFUS$2 ,I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE IT4 ,AS WE W]E WALK+ 
SL[LY BACK HE TOLD ME H[ PLEAS$ HE WAS AT HAV+ PAID \T HIS MI/RESS SO 
SATISFACTORILY4 ,HE MADE HIMSELF EXTREMELY AMIABLE TO ME1 & ,I QUITE 5JOY$ \R 
WALK4 

,:5 WE W]E NE>LY HOME ,I SAW OLD ,SALAMANO ON ! DOOR/EP2 HE SEEM$ V]Y 
EXCIT$4 ,I NOTIC$ ?AT HIS DOG WASN'T ) HIM4 ,HE WAS TURN+ LIKE A TEETOTUM1 
LOOK+ 9 ALL DIRECTIONS1 & SOMETIMES PE]+ 9TO ! D>KNESS ( ! HALL ) HIS 
LITTLE BLOOD%OT EYES4 ,!N HE'D MUTT] SOME?+ TO HIMSELF & />T GAZ+ UP & 
D[N ! /REET AGA94 

,RAYMOND ASK$ HIM :AT WAS WRONG1 BUT HE DIDN'T ANSW] AT ONCE4 ,!N ,I HE>D 
HIM GRUNT1 0,! BA/>D6 ,! FIL?Y CUR60 ,:5 ,I ASK$ HIM :]E HIS DOG WAS1 HE 
SC[L$ AT ME & SNAPP$ \T1 0,GONE60 ,A MOM5T LAT]1 ALL ( A SUDD51 HE 
LAUN*$ \T 9TO IT4 

0,I'D TAK5 HIM TO ! ,P>ADE ,GR\ND AS USUAL4 ,!RE WAS A FAIR ON1 & Y\ C\LD 
H>DLY MOVE = ! CR[D4 ,I /OPP$ AT ONE ( ! BOO?S TO LOOK AT ! ,H&CUFF 
,K+4 ,:5 ,I TURN$ TO GO1 ! DOG WAS GONE4 ,I'D BE5 MEAN+ TO GET A SMALL] 
COLL>1 BUT ,I NEV] ?\<T ! BRUTE C\LD SLIP IT & GET AWAY LIKE ?AT40 

,RAYMOND ASSUR$ HIM ! DOG W\LD F9D ITS WAY HOME1 & TOLD HIM /ORIES ( 
DOGS ?AT HAD TRAVEL$ MILES & MILES TO GET BACK TO !IR MA/]S4 ,BUT ?IS SEEM$ 
TO MAKE ! OLD FELL[ EV5 MORE WORRI$ ?AN BE=E4 

0,DON'T Y\ UND]/&1 !Y'LL DO AWAY ) HIM2 ! POLICE1 ,I MEAN4 ,IT'S NOT 
LIKELY ANYONE WILL TAKE HIM 9 & LOOK AFT] HIM2 ) ALL ?OSE SCABS HE PUTS 
EV]YBODY (F40 

,I TOLD HIM ?AT !RE WAS A P\ND AT ! POLICE /ATION1 :]E /RAY DOGS >E TAK54 
,HIS DOG WAS C]TA9 TO BE !RE & HE C\LD GET IT BACK ON PAYM5T ( A SMALL 
*>GE4 ,HE ASK$ ME H[ MU* ! *>GE WAS1 BUT !RE ,I C\LDN'T HELP HIM4 ,!N 
HE FLEW 9TO A RAGE AGA94 

0,IS IT LIKELY ,I'D GIVE MONEY = A MUTT LIKE ?AT8 ,NO DAMN$ FE>6 ,!Y CAN KILL 
HIM1 = ALL ,I C>E40 ,& HE W5T ON CALL+ HIS DOG ! USUAL NAMES4 

,RAYMOND GAVE A LAU< & TURN$ 9TO ! HALL4 ,I FOLL[$ HIM UP/AIRS1 & WE 
P>T$ ON ! L&+4 ,A M9UTE OR TWO LAT] ,I HE>D ,SALAMANO'S FOOT/EPS & A 
KNOCK ON MY DOOR4 

,:5 ,I OP5$ IT1 HE HALT$ = A MOM5T 9 ! DOORWAY4 

0,EXCUSE ME 444 ,I HOPE ,I'M NOT DI/URB+ Y\40 

,I ASK$ HIM 91 BUT HE %OOK HIS HEAD4 ,HE WAS />+ AT HIS TOE CAPS1 & ! 
GN>L$ OLD H&S W]E TREMBL+4 ,)\T MEET+ MY EYES1 HE />T$ TALK+4 

0,!Y WON'T REALLY TAKE HIM FROM ME1 WILL !Y1 ,MONSIEUR ,MEURSAULT8 ,SURELY !Y 
W\LDN'T DO A ?+ LIKE ?AT4 ,IF !Y DO -- ,I DON'T KN[ :AT WILL BECOME ( ME40 

,I TOLD HIM ?AT1 SO F> AS ,I KNEW1 !Y KEPT /RAY DOGS 9 ! P\ND = ?REE DAYS1 
WAIT+ = !IR [N]S TO CALL = !M4 ,AFT] ?AT !Y DISPOS$ ( ! DOGS AS !Y 
?\<T FIT4 

,HE />$ AT ME 9 SIL5CE = A MOM5T1 !N SAID1 0,GOOD EV5+40 ,AFT] ?AT ,I 
HE>D HIM PAC+ UP & D[N HIS ROOM = QUITE A :ILE4 ,!N HIS B$ CREAK$4 
,?R\< ! WALL !RE CAME TO ME A LITTLE :EEZ+ S\ND1 & ,I GUESS$ ?AT HE WAS 
WEEP+4 ,= SOME REASON1 ,I DON'T KN[ :AT1 ,I BEGAN ?9K+ ( ,MO!R4 ,BUT ,I HAD 
TO GET UP E>LY NEXT DAY2 SO1 AS ,I WASN'T FEEL+ HUNGRY1 ,I DID )\T SUPP]1 & 
W5T /RAI<T TO B$4 

O ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #e 
,V 

,R,A,Y,M,O,N,D RANG ME UP AT ! (FICE4 ,HE SAID ?AT A FRI5D ( HIS -- TO :OM HE'D 
SPOK5 AB\T ME -- 9VIT$ ME TO SP5D NEXT ,SUNDAY AT HIS LITTLE SEASIDE BUNGAL[ 
JU/ \TSIDE ,ALGI]S4 ,I TOLD HIM ,I'D HAVE BE5 DELI<T$2 ONLY ,I HAD PROMIS$ TO SP5D 
,SUNDAY ) A GIRL4 ,RAYMOND PROMPTLY REPLI$ ?AT %E C\LD COME1 TOO4 ,9 FACT1 HIS 
FRI5D'S WIFE W\LD BE V]Y PLEAS$ NOT TO BE ! ONLY WOMAN 9 A P>TY ( M54 

,I'D HAVE LIK$ TO HANG UP AT ONCE1 AS MY EMPLOY] DOESN'T APPROVE ( MY US+ ! 
(FICE PHONE = PRIVATE CALLS4 ,BUT ,RAYMOND ASK$ ME TO HOLD ON2 HE HAD SOME?+ 
ELSE TO TELL ME1 & ?AT WAS :Y HE'D RUNG ME UP1 ?\< HE C\LD HAVE WAIT$ TILL 
! EV5+ TO PASS ON ! 9VITATION4 

0,IT'S LIKE ?IS10 HE SAID4 0,I'VE BE5 %AD[$ ALL ! MORN+ BY SOME ,>ABS4 ,ONE 
( !M'S ! BRO!R ( ?AT GIRL ,I HAD ! R[ )4 ,IF Y\ SEE HIM HANG+ R\ND ! 
H\SE :5 Y\ COME BACK1 PASS ME ! WORD40 

,I PROMIS$ TO DO SO4 

,JU/ !N MY EMPLOY] S5T = ME4 ,= A MOM5T ,I FELT UNEASY1 AS ,I EXPECT$ HE 
WAS GO+ TO TELL ME TO /ICK TO MY WORK & NOT WA/E TIME *ATT]+ ) FRI5DS 
OV] ! PHONE4 ,H[EV]1 IT WAS NO?+ ( ! K9D4 ,HE WANT$ TO DISCUSS A PROJECT 
HE HAD 9 VIEW1 ?\< SO F> HE'D COME TO NO DECISION4 ,IT WAS TO OP5 A BRAN* AT 
,P>IS1 SO AS TO BE ABLE TO DEAL ) ! BIG COMPANIES ON ! SPOT1 )\T PO/AL 
DELAYS1 & HE WANT$ TO KN[ IF ,I'D LIKE A PO/ !RE4 

0,Y\'RE A Y\NG MAN10 HE SAID1 0& ,I'M PRETTY SURE Y\'D 5JOY LIV+ 9 ,P>IS4 
,&1 ( C\RSE1 Y\ C\LD TRAVEL AB\T ,FRANCE = SOME MON?S 9 ! YE>40 

,I TOLD HIM ,I WAS QUITE PREP>$ TO GO2 BUT REALLY ,I DIDN'T C>E MU* ONE WAY OR ! 
O!R4 

,HE !N ASK$ IF A 0*ANGE ( LIFE10 AS HE CALL$ IT1 DIDN'T APPEAL TO ME1 & ,I 
ANSW]$ ?AT ONE NEV] *ANG$ HIS WAY ( LIFE2 ONE LIFE WAS AS GOOD AS ANO!R1 & 
MY PRES5T ONE SUIT$ ME QUITE WELL4 

,AT ?IS HE LOOK$ RA!R HURT1 & TOLD ME ?AT ,I ALWAYS %ILLY-%ALLI$1 & ?AT ,I 
LACK$ AMBITION -- A GRAVE DEFECT1 TO HIS M9D1 :5 ONE WAS 9 BUS9ESS4 

,I RETURN$ TO MY WORK4 ,I'D HAVE PREF]R$ NOT TO VEX HIM1 BUT ,I SAW NO REASON = 
0*ANG+ MY LIFE40 ,BY & L>GE IT WASN'T AN UNPLEASANT ONE4 ,AS A /UD5T ,I'D HAD 
PL5TY ( AMBITION ( ! K9D HE MEANT4 ,BUT1 :5 ,I HAD TO DROP MY /UDIES1 ,I V]Y 
SOON REALIZ$ ALL ?AT WAS PRETTY FUTILE4 

,M>IE CAME ?AT EV5+ & ASK$ ME IF ,I'D M>RY H]4 ,I SAID ,I DIDN'T M9D2 IF %E 
WAS KE5 ON IT1 WE'D GET M>RI$4 

,!N %E ASK$ ME AGA9 IF ,I LOV$ H]4 ,I REPLI$1 MU* AS BE=E1 ?AT H] QUE/ION 
MEANT NO?+ OR NEXT TO NO?+ -- BUT ,I SUPPOS$ ,I DIDN'T4 

0,IF ?AT'S H[ Y\ FEEL10 %E SAID1 0:Y M>RY ME80 

,I EXPLA9$ ?AT IT HAD NO IMPORTANCE REALLY1 BUT1 IF IT W\LD GIVE H] PLEASURE1 WE 
C\LD GET M>RI$ RI<T AWAY4 ,I PO9T$ \T ?AT1 ANYH[1 ! SUGGE/ION CAME FROM 
H]2 AS = ME1 ,I'D M]ELY SAID1 0,YES40 

,!N %E REM>K$ ?AT M>RIAGE WAS A S]I\S MATT]4 

,TO :I* ,I ANSW]$3 0,NO40 

,%E KEPT SIL5T AFT] ?AT1 />+ AT ME 9 A CURI\S WAY4 ,!N %E ASK$3 

0,SUPPOSE ANO!R GIRL HAD ASK$ Y\ TO M>RY H] -- ,I MEAN1 A GIRL Y\ LIK$ 9 ! 
SAME WAY AS Y\ LIKE ME -- W\LD Y\ HAVE SAID ',YES' TO H]1 TOO80 

0,NATURALLY40 

,!N %E SAID %E WOND]$ IF %E REALLY LOV$ ME OR NOT4 ,I1 ( C\RSE1 C\LDN'T 
5LI<T5 H] AS TO ?AT4 ,&1 AFT] ANO!R SIL5CE1 %E MURMUR$ SOME?+ AB\T 
MY BE+ 0A QUE] FELL[40 0,& ,I D>ESAY ?AT'S :Y ,I LOVE Y\10 %E ADD$4 0,BUT 
MAYBE ?AT'S :Y ONE DAY ,I'LL COME TO HATE Y\40 

,TO :I* ,I HAD NO?+ TO SAY1 SO ,I SAID NO?+4 

,%E ?\<T = A BIT1 !N />T$ SMIL+ &1 TAK+ MY >M1 REPEAT$ ?AT %E 
WAS 9 E>NE/2 %E REALLY WANT$ TO M>RY ME4 

0,ALL RI<T10 ,I ANSW]$4 0,WE'LL GET M>RI$ :5EV] Y\ LIKE40 ,I !N M5TION$ 
! PROPOSAL MADE BY MY EMPLOY]1 & ,M>IE SAID %E'D LOVE TO GO TO ,P>IS4 

,:5 ,I TOLD H] ,I'D LIV$ 9 ,P>IS = A :ILE1 %E ASK$ ME :AT IT WAS LIKE4 

0,A D+Y SORT ( T[N1 TO MY M9D4 ,MASSES ( PIGEONS & D>K C\RTY>DS4 ,& 
! PEOPLE HAVE WA%$-\T1 :ITE FACES40 

,!N WE W5T = A WALK ALL ! WAY ACROSS ! T[N BY ! MA9 /REETS4 ,! 
WOM5 W]E GOOD-LOOK]S1 & ,I ASK$ ,M>IE IF %E1 TOO1 NOTIC$ ?IS4 ,%E SAID1 
0,YES10 & ?AT %E SAW :AT ,I MEANT4 ,AFT] ?AT WE SAID NO?+ = SOME M9UTES4 
,H[EV]1 AS ,I DIDN'T WANT H] TO LEAVE ME1 ,I SUGGE/$ WE %\LD D9E TOGE!R AT 
,CELE/E'S4 ,%E'D HAVE LOV$ TO D9E ) ME1 %E SAID1 ONLY %E WAS BOOK$ UP = 
! EV5+4 ,WE W]E NE> MY PLACE1 & ,I SAID1 0,AU REVOIR1 !N40 

,%E LOOK$ ME 9 ! EYES4 

0,DON'T Y\ WANT TO KN[ :AT ,I'M DO+ ?IS EV5+80 

,I DID WANT TO KN[1 BUT ,I HADN'T ?\<T ( ASK+ H]1 & ,I GUESS$ %E WAS 
MAK+ A GRIEVANCE ( IT4 ,I MU/ HAVE LOOK$ EMB>RASS$1 = SUDD5LY %E />T$ 
LAU<+ & B5T T[>D ME1 P\T+ H] LIPS = A KISS4 

,I W5T BY MYSELF TO ,CELE/E'S4 ,:5 ,I HAD JU/ />T$ MY D9N] AN ODD-LOOK+ 
LITTLE WOMAN CAME 9 & ASK$ IF %E MI<T SIT AT MY TABLE4 ,( C\RSE %E MI<T4 ,%E 
HAD A *UBBY FACE LIKE A RIPE APPLE1 BRI<T EYES1 & MOV$ 9 A CURI\SLY J]KY WAY1 
AS IF %E W]E ON WIRES4 ,AFT] TAK+ (F H] CLOSEFITT+ JACKET %E SAT D[N & 
/>T$ /UDY+ ! BILL ( F>E ) A SORT ( RAPT ATT5TION4 ,!N %E CALL$ ,CELE/E 
& GAVE H] ORD]1 V]Y FA/ BUT QUITE DI/9CTLY2 ONE DIDN'T LOSE A WORD4 ,:ILE 
WAIT+ = ! HORS D'OEUVRE %E OP5$ H] BAG1 TOOK \T A SLIP ( PAP] & A 
P5CIL1 & ADD$ UP ! BILL 9 ADVANCE4 ,DIV+ 9TO H] BAG AGA91 %E PRODUC$ A 
PURSE & TOOK FROM IT ! EXACT SUM1 PLUS A SMALL TIP1 & PLAC$ IT ON ! CLO? 9 
FRONT ( H]4 

,JU/ !N ! WAIT] BR\<T ! HORS D'OEUVRE1 :I* %E PROCE$$ TO WOLF D[N 
VORACI\SLY4 ,:ILE WAIT+ = ! NEXT C\RSE1 %E PRODUC$ ANO!R P5CIL1 ?IS 
TIME A BLUE ONE1 FROM H] BAG1 & ! RADIO MAGAZ9E = ! COM+ WEEK1 & 
/>T$ MAK+ TICKS AGA9/ ALMO/ ALL ! ITEMS ( ! DAILY PROGRAMS4 ,!RE W]E A 
DOZ5 PAGES 9 ! MAGAZ9E1 & %E CONT9U$ /UDY+ !M CLOSELY ?R\<\T 
! MEAL4 ,:5 ,I'D F9I%$ M9E %E WAS /ILL TICK+ (F ITEMS ) ! SAME 
METICUL\S ATT5TION4 ,!N %E ROSE1 PUT ON H] JACKET AGA9 ) ! SAME ABRUPT1 
ROBOT-LIKE GE/URES1 & WALK$ BRISKLY \T ( ! RE/AURANT4 

,HAV+ NO?+ BETT] TO DO1 ,I FOLL[$ H] = A %ORT DI/ANCE4 ,KEEP+ ON ! 
CURB ( ! PAVEM5T1 %E WALK$ /RAI<T AHEAD1 NEV] SW]V+ OR LOOK+ BACK1 
& IT WAS EXTRAORD9>Y H[ FA/ %E COV]$ ! GR\ND1 CONSID]+ H] SMALLNESS4 
,9 FACT1 ! PACE WAS TOO MU* = ME1 & ,I SOON LO/ SI<T ( H] & TURN$ BACK 
HOMEW>D4 ,= A MOM5T ! 0LITTLE ROBOT0 7AS ,I ?\<T ( H]7 HAD MU* IMPRESS$ 
ME1 BUT ,I SOON =GOT AB\T H]4 

,AS ,I WAS TURN+ 9 AT MY DOOR ,I RAN 9TO OLD ,SALAMANO4 ,I ASK$ HIM 9TO MY ROOM1 
& HE 9=M$ ME ?AT HIS DOG WAS DEF9ITELY LO/4 ,HE'D BE5 TO ! P\ND TO 
9QUIRE1 BUT IT WASN'T !RE1 & ! /AFF TOLD HIM IT HAD PROBABLY BE5 RUN OV]4 
,:5 HE ASK$ !M :E!R IT WAS ANY USE 9QUIR+ AB\T IT AT ! POLICE /ATION1 
!Y SAID ! POLICE HAD MORE IMPORTANT ?+S TO ATT5D TO ?AN KEEP+ RECORDS ( 
/RAY DOGS RUN OV] 9 ! /REETS4 ,I SUGGE/$ HE %\LD GET ANO!R DOG1 BUT1 
REASONABLY 5\<1 HE PO9T$ \T ?AT HE'D BECOME US$ TO ?IS ONE1 & IT W\LDN'T 
BE ! SAME ?+4 

,I WAS SEAT$ ON MY B$1 ) MY LEGS UP1 & ,SALAMANO ON A *AIR BESIDE ! 
TABLE1 FAC+ ME1 HIS H&S SPREAD ON HIS KNEES4 ,HE HAD KEPT ON HIS BATT]$ FELT HAT 
& WAS MUMBL+ AWAY BEH9D HIS DRAGGL$ YELL[I% MU/A*E4 ,I F\ND HIM RA!R 
BOR+1 BUT ,I HAD NO?+ TO DO & DIDN'T FEEL SLEEPY4 ,SO1 TO KEEP ! CONV]SATION 
GO+1 ,I ASK$ SOME QUE/IONS AB\T HIS DOG -- H[ LONG HE HAD HAD IT & SO =?4 
,HE TOLD ME HE HAD GOT IT SOON AFT] HIS WIFE'S DEA?4 ,HE'D M>RI$ RA!R LATE 9 LIFE4 
,:5 A Y\NG MAN1 HE WANT$ TO GO ON ! /AGE2 DUR+ HIS MILIT>Y S]VICE HE'D 
(T5 PLAY$ 9 ! REGIM5TAL !ATRICALS & ACT$ RA!R WELL1 SO EV]YBODY SAID4 
,H[EV]1 F9ALLY1 HE HAD TAK5 A JOB 9 ! RAILWAY1 & HE DIDN'T REGRET IT1 AS N[ HE 
HAD A SMALL P5SION4 ,HE & HIS WIFE HAD NEV] HIT IT (F V]Y WELL1 BUT !Y'D GOT 
US$ TO EA* O!R1 & :5 %E DI$ HE FELT LONELY4 ,ONE ( HIS MATES ON ! RAILWAY 
:OSE BIT* HAD JU/ HAD PUPS HAD (F]$ HIM ONE1 & HE HAD TAK5 IT1 AS A 
COMPANION4 ,HE'D HAD TO FE$ IT FROM ! BOTTLE AT FIR/4 ,BUT1 AS A DOG'S LIFE IS %ORT] 
?AN A MAN'S1 !Y'D GR[N OLD TOGE!R1 SO TO SPEAK4 

0,HE WAS A CANTANK]\S BRUTE10 ,SALAMANO SAID4 0,N[ & !N WE HAD SOME 
PROP] SET-TOS1 HE & ,I4 ,BUT HE WAS A GOOD MUTT ALL ! SAME40 

,I SAID HE LOOK$ WELL BR$1 & ?AT EVID5TLY PLEAS$ ! OLD MAN4 

0,AH1 BUT Y\ %\LD HAVE SE5 HIM BE=E HIS ILLNESS60 HE SAID4 0,HE HAD A 
WOND]FUL COAT2 9 FACT1 ?AT WAS HIS BE/ PO9T1 REALLY4 ,I TRI$ H>D TO CURE HIM2 EV]Y 
MORTAL NI<T AFT] HE GOT ?AT SK9 DISEASE ,I RUBB$ AN O9TM5T 94 ,BUT HIS REAL 
TR\BLE WAS OLD AGE1 & !RE'S NO CUR+ ?AT40 

,JU/ !N ,I YAWN$1 & ! OLD MAN SAID HE'D BETT] MAKE A MOVE4 ,I TOLD HIM HE 
C\LD /AY1 & ?AT ,I WAS SORRY AB\T :AT HAD HAPP5$ TO HIS DOG4 ,HE ?ANK$ ME1 
& M5TION$ ?AT MY MO!R HAD BE5 V]Y FOND ( HIS DOG4 ,HE REF]R$ TO H] AS 
0Y\R POOR MO!R10 & WAS AFRAID ,I MU/ BE FEEL+ H] DEA? T]RIBLY4 ,:5 ,I SAID 
NO?+ HE ADD$ HA/ILY & ) A RA!R EMB>RASS$ AIR ?AT SOME ( ! PEOPLE 9 
! /REET SAID NA/Y ?+S AB\T ME BECAUSE ,I'D S5T MY MO!R TO ! ,HOME4 ,BUT 
HE1 ( C\RSE1 KNEW BETT]2 HE KNEW H[ DEVOT$ TO MY MO!R ,I HAD ALWAYS BE54 

,I ANSW]$ -- :Y1 ,I /ILL DON'T KN[ -- ?AT IT SURPRIS$ ME TO LE>N ,I'D PRODUC$ 
SU* A BAD IMPRESSION4 ,AS ,I C\LDN'T AF=D TO KEEP H] H]E1 IT SEEM$ ! OBVI\S 
?+ TO DO1 TO S5D H] TO A HOME4 0,9 ANY CASE10 ,I ADD$1 0= YE>S %E'D NEV] HAD 
A WORD TO SAY TO ME1 & ,I C\LD SEE %E WAS MOP+1 ) NO ONE TO TALK TO40 

0,YES10 HE SAID1 0& AT A HOME ONE MAKES FRI5DS1 ANYH[40 

,HE GOT UP1 SAY+ IT WAS HI< TIME = HIM TO BE 9 B$1 & ADD$ ?AT LIFE WAS 
GO+ TO BE A BIT ( A PROBLEM = HIM1 UND] ! NEW CONDITIONS4 ,= ! FIR/ TIME 
S9CE ,I'D KN[N HIM HE HELD \T HIS H& TO ME -- RA!R %YLY1 ,I ?\<T -- & ,I 
C\LD FEEL ! SCALES ON HIS SK94 ,JU/ AS HE WAS GO+ \T ( ! DOOR1 HE TURN$ &1 
SMIL+ A LITTLE1 SAID3 

0,LET'S HOPE ! DOGS WON'T B>K AGA9 TONI<T4 ,I ALWAYS ?9K IT'S M9E ,I HE>4 4440 

O ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #f 
,V,I 

,I,T WAS AN EF=T WAK+ UP ?AT ,SUNDAY MORN+2 ,M>IE HAD TO JOG MY %\LD]S & 
%\T MY NAME4 ,AS WE WANT$ TO GET 9TO ! WAT] E>LY1 WE DIDN'T TR\BLE AB\T 
BREAKFA/4 ,MY HEAD WAS A*+ SLI<TLY & MY FIR/ CIG>ETTE HAD A BITT] TA/E4 ,M>IE 
TOLD ME ,I LOOK$ LIKE A M\RN] AT A FUN]AL1 & ,I C]TA9LY DID FEEL V]Y LIMP4 ,%E 
WAS WE>+ A :ITE DRESS & HAD H] HAIR LOOSE4 ,I TOLD H] %E LOOK$ QUITE 
RAVI%+ LIKE ?AT1 & %E LAU<$ HAPPILY4 

,ON \R WAY \T WE BANG$ ON ,RAYMOND'S DOOR1 & HE %\T$ ?AT HE'D BE ) 
US 9 A JIFFY4 ,WE W5T D[N TO ! /REET &1 BECAUSE ( MY BE+ RA!R UND] ! 
WEA!R & \R HAV+ KEPT ! BL9D D[N 9 MY ROOM1 ! GL>E ( ! MORN+ 
SUN HIT ME 9 ! EYES LIKE A CL5*$ FI/4 

,M>IE1 H[EV]1 WAS ALMO/ DANC+ ) DELI<T1 & KEPT REPEAT+1 0,:AT A 
HEAV5LY DAY60 ,AFT] A FEW M9UTES ,I WAS FEEL+ BETT]1 & NOTIC$ ?AT ,I WAS 
HUNGRY4 ,I M5TION$ ?IS TO ,M>IE1 BUT %E PAID NO ATT5TION4 ,%E WAS C>RY+ AN 
OILCLO? BAG 9 :I* %E HAD /[$ \R BA?+ KIT & A T[EL4 ,PRES5TLY WE HE>D 
,RAYMOND %UTT+ HIS DOOR4 ,HE WAS WE>+ BLUE TR\S]S1 A %ORT-SLEEV$ :ITE 
%IRT1 & A /RAW HAT4 ,I NOTIC$ ?AT HIS =E>MS W]E RA!R HAIRY1 BUT ! SK9 WAS 
V]Y :ITE B5EA?4 ,! /RAW HAT MADE ,M>IE GIGGLE4 ,P]SONALLY1 ,I WAS RA!R PUT (F 
BY HIS GETUP4 ,HE SEEM$ 9 HI< SPIRITS & WAS :I/L+ AS HE CAME D[N ! /AIRS4 
,HE GREET$ ME )1 0,HELLO1 OLD BOY60 & ADDRESS$ ,M>IE AS 0,MADEMOISELLE40 

,ON ! PREVI\S EV5+ WE HAD VISIT$ ! POLICE /ATION1 :]E ,I GAVE EVID5CE 
= ,RAYMOND -- AB\T ! GIRL'S HAV+ BE5 FALSE TO HIM4 ,SO !Y LET HIM (F ) A 
W>N+4 ,!Y DIDN'T *ECK MY /ATEM5T4 

,AFT] SOME TALK ON ! DOOR/EP WE DECID$ TO TAKE ! BUS4 ,! BEA* WAS )9 
EASY WALK+ DI/ANCE1 BUT ! SOON] WE GOT !RE ! BETT]4 ,JU/ AS WE W]E />T+ 
= ! BUS /OP1 ,RAYMOND PLUCK$ MY SLEEVE & TOLD ME TO LOOK ACROSS ! /REET4 ,I 
SAW SOME ,>ABS L\NG+ AGA9/ ! TOBACCONI/'S W9D[4 ,!Y W]E />+ AT US 
SIL5TLY1 9 ! SPECIAL WAY !SE PEOPLE HAVE -- AS IF WE W]E BLOCKS ( /ONE OR DEAD 
TREES4 ,RAYMOND :ISP]$ ?AT ! SECOND ,>AB FROM ! LEFT WAS 0HIS MAN10 & ,I 
?\<T HE LOOK$ RA!R WORRI$ ,H[EV]1 HE ASSUR$ ME ?AT ALL ?AT WAS ANCI5T 
HI/ORY4 ,M>IE1 :O HADN'T FOLL[$ HIS REM>KS1 ASK$1 0,:AT IS IT80 

,I EXPLA9$ ?AT ?OSE ,>ABS ACROSS ! WAY HAD A GRUDGE AGA9/ ,RAYMOND4 ,%E 
9SI/$ ON \R GO+ AT ONCE4 ,!N ,RAYMOND LAU<$1 & SQU>$ HIS %\LD]S4 
,! Y\NG LADY WAS QUITE RI<T1 HE SAID4 ,!RE WAS NO PO9T 9 HANG+ AB\T H]E4 
,HALFWAY TO ! BUS /OP HE GLANC$ BACK OV] HIS %\LD] & SAID ! ,>ABS 
W]5'T FOLL[+4 ,I1 TOO1 LOOK$ BACK4 ,!Y W]E EXACTLY AS BE=E1 GAZ+ 9 ! 
SAME VAGUE WAY AT ! SPOT :]E WE HAD BE54 

,:5 WE W]E 9 ! BUS1 ,RAYMOND1 :O N[ SEEM$ QUITE AT EASE1 KEPT MAK+ 
JOKES TO AMUSE ,M>IE4 ,I C\LD SEE HE WAS ATTRACT$ BY H]1 BUT %E HAD H>DLY A WORD 
= HIM4 ,N[ & AGA9 %E W\LD CAT* MY EYE & SMILE4 

,WE ALI<T$ JU/ \TSIDE ,ALGI]S4 ,! BEA* IS NOT F> FROM ! BUS /OP2 ONE HAS 
ONLY TO CROSS A PAT* ( HI<L&1 A SORT ( PLATEAU1 :I* OV]LOOKS ! SEA & 
%ELVES D[N /EEPLY TO ! S&S4 ,! GR\ND H]E WAS COV]$ ) YELL[I% 
PEBBLES & WILD LILIES ?AT %[$ SN[-:ITE AGA9/ ! BLUE ( ! SKY1 :I* 
HAD ALREADY ! H>D1 METALLIC GL9T IT GETS ON V]Y HOT DAYS4 ,M>IE AMUS$ H]SELF 
SWI%+ H] BAG AGA9/ ! FL[]S & S5D+ ! PETALS %[]+ 9 ALL 
DIRECTIONS4 ,!N WE WALK$ BETWE5 TWO R[S ( LITTLE H\SES ) WOOD5 BALCONIES 
& GRE5 OR :ITE PAL+S4 ,SOME ( !M W]E HALF HIDD5 9 CLUMPS ( TAM>ISKS2 
O!RS ROSE NAK$ FROM ! /ONY PLATEAU4 ,BE=E WE CAME TO ! 5D ( IT1 ! SEA 
WAS 9 FULL VIEW2 IT LAY SMOO? AS A MIRROR1 & 9 ! DI/ANCE A BIG HEADL& JUTT$ 
\T OV] ITS BLACK REFLECTION4 ,?R\< ! /ILL AIR CAME ! FA9T BUZZ ( A MOTOR 
5G9E & WE SAW A FI%+ BOAT V]Y F> \T1 GLID+ ALMO/ IMP]CEPTIBLY ACROSS 
! DAZZL+ SMOO?NESS4 

,M>IE PICK$ SOME ROCK IRISES4 ,GO+ D[N ! /EEP PA? LEAD+ TO ! SEA1 WE 
SAW SOME BA!RS ALREADY ON ! S&S4 

,RAYMOND'S FRI5D [N$ A SMALL WOOD5 BUNGAL[ AT ! NE> 5D ( ! BEA*4 
,ITS BACK RE/$ AGA9/ ! CLIFFSIDE1 :ILE ! FRONT /OOD ON PILES1 :I* ! WAT] 
WAS ALREADY LAPP+4 ,RAYMOND 9TRODUC$ US TO HIS FRI5D1 :OSE NAME WAS ,MASSON4 
,HE WAS TALL1 BROAD-%\LD]$1 & ?ICK-SET2 HIS WIFE WAS A PLUMP1 *E]FUL LITTLE 
WOMAN :O SPOKE ) A ,P>IS ACC5T4 

,MASSON PROMPTLY TOLD US TO MAKE \RSELVES AT HOME4 ,HE HAD GONE \T FI%+1 HE 
SAID1 FIR/ ?+ 9 ! MORN+1 & !RE W\LD BE FRI$ FI% = LUN*4 ,I 
CONGRATULAT$ HIM ON HIS LITTLE BUNGAL[1 & HE SAID HE ALWAYS SP5T HIS WEEK 5DS 
& HOLIDAYS H]E4 0,) ! MISSUS1 NE$LESS TO SAY10 HE ADD$4 ,I GLANC$ AT H]1 & 
NOTIC$ ?AT %E & ,M>IE SEEM$ TO BE GETT+ ON WELL TOGE!R2 LAU<+ & 
*ATT]+ AWAY4 ,= ! FIR/ TIME1 P]HAPS1 ,I S]I\SLY CONSID]$ ! POSSIBILITY ( 
MY M>RY+ H]4 

,MASSON WANT$ TO HAVE A SWIM AT ONCE1 BUT HIS WIFE & ,RAYMOND W]E 
DIS9CL9$ TO MOVE4 ,SO ONLY ! ?REE ( US1 ,M>IE1 ,MASSON1 & MYSELF1 W5T D[N 
TO ! BEA*4 ,M>IE PROMPTLY PLUNG$ 91 BUT ,MASSON & ,I WAIT$ = A BIT4 ,HE WAS 
RA!R SL[ ( SPEE* & HAD1 ,I NOTIC$1 A HABIT ( SAY+ 0& :AT'S MORE0 
BETWE5 HIS PHRASES -- EV5 :5 ! SECOND ADD$ NO?+ REALLY TO ! FIR/4 ,TALK+ 
( ,M>IE1 HE SAID3 0,%E'S AN AWFULLY PRETTY GIRL1 & :AT'S MORE1 *>M+40 

,BUT ,I SOON CEAS$ PAY+ ATT5TION TO ?IS TRICK ( HIS2 ,I WAS BASK+ 9 ! 
SUNLI<T1 :I*1 ,I NOTIC$1 WAS MAK+ ME FEEL MU* BETT]4 ,! S& WAS BEG9N+ 
TO /OKE UP UND]FOOT &1 ?\< ,I WAS EAG] = A DIP1 ,I PO/PON$ IT = A M9UTE OR 
TWO MORE4 ,AT LA/ ,I SAID TO ,MASSON3 0,%ALL WE GO 9 N[80 & PLUNG$4 ,MASSON 
WALK$ 9 G+]LY & ONLY BEGAN TO SWIM :5 HE WAS \T ( HIS DEP?4 ,HE SWAM 
H& OV] H& & MADE SL[ HEADWAY1 SO ,I LEFT HIM BEH9D & CAU<T UP ) 
,M>IE4 ,! WAT] WAS COLD & ,I FELT ALL ! BETT] = IT4 ,WE SWAM A LONG WAY \T1 
,M>IE & ,I1 SIDE BY SIDE1 & IT WAS PLEASANT FEEL+ H[ \R MOVEM5TS MAT*$1 
H]S & M9E1 & H[ WE W]E BO? 9 ! SAME MOOD1 5JOY+ EV]Y MOM5T4 

,ONCE WE W]E \T 9 ! OP51 WE LAY ON \R BACKS &1 AS ,I GAZ$ UP AT ! SKY1 ,I 
C\LD FEEL ! SUN DRAW+ UP ! FILM ( SALT WAT] ON MY LIPS & *EEKS4 ,WE SAW 
,MASSON SWIM BACK TO ! BEA* & SLUMP D[N ON ! S& UND] ! SUN4 ,9 ! 
DI/ANCE HE LOOK$ 5ORM\S1 LIKE A /R&$ :ALE4 ,!N ,M>IE PROPOS$ ?AT WE 
%\LD SWIM T&EM4 ,%E W5T AHEAD & ,I PUT MY >MS R\ND H] WAI/1 FROM 
BEH9D1 & :ILE %E DREW ME =W>D ) H] >M /ROKES1 ,I KICK$ \T BEH9D TO 
HELP US ON4 

,?AT S\ND ( LITTLE SPLA%ES HAD BE5 9 MY E>S = SO LONG ?AT ,I BEGAN TO FEEL ,I'D 
HAD 5\< ( IT4 ,SO ,I LET GO ( ,M>IE & SWAM BACK AT AN EASY PACE1 TAK+ LONG1 
DEEP BREA?S4 ,:5 ,I MADE ! BEA* ,I /RET*$ MYSELF BELLY D[NW>D BESIDE 
,MASSON1 RE/+ MY FACE ON ! S&4 ,I TOLD HIM 0IT WAS F9E0 H]E1 & HE AGRE$4 
,PRES5TLY ,M>IE CAME BACK4 ,I RAIS$ MY HEAD TO WAT* H] APPROA*4 ,%E WAS 
GLI/5+ ) BR9E & HOLD+ H] HAIR BACK4 ,!N %E LAY D[N BESIDE ME1 & 
:AT ) ! COMB9$ W>M? ( \R BODIES & ! SUN1 ,I FELT MYSELF DROPP+ (F 
TO SLEEP4 

,AFT] A :ILE ,M>IE TUGG$ MY >M4 & SAID ,MASSON HAD GONE TO HIS PLACE2 IT 
MU/ BE NE>LY LUN*TIME4 ,I ROSE AT ONCE1 AS ,I WAS FEEL+ HUNGRY1 BUT ,M>IE TOLD ME ,I 
HADN'T KISS$ H] ONCE S9CE ! E>LY MORN+4 ,?AT WAS SO -- ?\< ,I'D WANT$ TO1 
SEV]AL TIMES4 0,LET'S GO 9TO ! WAT] AGA910 %E SAID1 & WE RAN 9TO ! SEA & 
LAY FLAT AMONG ! RIPPLES = A MOM5T4 ,!N WE SWAM A FEW /ROKES1 & :5 
WE W]E ALMO/ \T ( \R DEP? %E FLUNG H] >MS R\ND ME & HUGG$ ME4 ,I FELT 
H] LEGS TW9+ R\ND M9E1 & MY S5SES T+L$4 

,:5 WE GOT BACK1 ,MASSON WAS ON ! /EPS ( HIS BUNGAL[1 %\T+ TO US TO 
COME4 ,I TOLD HIM ,I WAS RAV5\SLY HUNGRY1 & HE PROMPTLY TURN$ TO HIS WIFE & 
SAID HE'D TAK5 QUITE A FANCY TO ME4 ,! BREAD WAS EXCELL5T1 & ,I HAD MY FULL %>E 
( ! FI%4 ,!N CAME SOME /EAK & POTATO *IPS4 ,NONE ( US SPOKE :ILE EAT+4 
,MASSON DRANK A LOT ( W9E & KEPT REFILL+ MY GLASS ! MOM5T IT WAS EMPTY4 ,BY 
! TIME C(FEE WAS H&$ R\ND ,I WAS FEEL+ SLI<TLY MUZZY1 & ,I />T$ SMOK+ 
ONE CIG>ETTE AFT] ANO!R4 ,MASSON1 ,RAYMOND1 & ,I DISCUSS$ A PLAN ( SP5D+ ! 
:OLE ( ,AUGU/ ON ! BEA* TOGE!R1 %>+ EXP5SES4 

,SUDD5LY ,M>IE EXCLAIM$3 0,I SAY6 ,DO Y\ KN[ ! TIME8 ,IT'S ONLY HALF-PA/ 
ELEV560 

,WE W]E ALL SURPRIS$ AT ?AT1 & ,MASSON REM>K$ ?AT WE'D HAD A V]Y E>LY 
LUN*1 BUT REALLY LUN* WAS A MOVABLE FEA/1 Y\ HAD IT :5 Y\ FELT LIKE IT4 

,?IS SET ,M>IE LAU<+1 ,I DON'T KN[ :Y4 ,I SUSPECT %E'D DRUNK A BIT TOO MU*4 

,!N ,MASSON ASK$ IF ,I'D LIKE TO COME ) HIM = A /ROLL ON ! BEA*4 

0,MY WIFE ALWAYS HAS A NAP AFT] LUN*10 HE SAID4 0,P]SONALLY ,I F9D IT DOESN'T AGREE 
) ME2 :AT ,I NE$ IS A %ORT WALK4 ,I'M ALWAYS TELL+ H] IT'S MU* BETT] = ! 
HEAL?4 ,BUT1 ( C\RSE1 %E'S 5TITL$ TO H] [N OP9ION40 

,M>IE PROPOS$ TO /AY & HELP ) ! WA%+ UP4 ,MME ,MASSON SMIL$ & 
SAID ?AT1 9 ?AT CASE1 ! FIR/ ?+ WAS TO GET ! M5 \T ( ! WAY4 ,SO WE W5T 
\T TOGE!R1 ! ?REE ( US4 

,! LI<T WAS ALMO/ V]TICAL & ! GL>E FROM ! WAT] SE>$ ONE'S EYES4 ,! 
BEA* WAS QUITE DES]T$ N[4 ,ONE C\LD HE> A FA9T T9KLE ( KNIVES & =KS & 
CROCK]Y 9 ! %ACKS & BUNGAL[S L9+ ! =E%ORE4 ,HEAT WAS WELL+ UP FROM 
! ROCKS1 & ONE C\LD H>DLY BREA!4 

,AT FIR/ ,RAYMOND & ,MASSON TALK$ ( ?+S & PEOPLE ,I DIDN'T KN[4 ,I 
GA!R$ ?AT !Y'D BE5 ACQUA9T$ = SOME TIME & HAD EV5 LIV$ TOGE!R = A 
:ILE4 ,WE W5T D[N TO ! WAT]'S $GE & WALK$ ALONG IT2 N[ & !N A LONG] 
WAVE WET \R CANVAS %OES4 ,I WASN'T ?9K+ ( ANY?+1 AS ALL ?AT SUNLI<T BEAT+ 
D[N ON MY B>E HEAD MADE ME FEEL HALF ASLEEP4 

,JU/ !N ,RAYMOND SAID SOME?+ TO ,MASSON ?AT ,I DIDN'T QUITE CAT*4 ,BUT AT ! 
SAME MOM5T ,I NOTIC$ TWO ,>ABS 9 BLUE DUNG>EES A LONG WAY D[N ! BEA*1 
COM+ 9 \R DIRECTION4 ,I GAVE ,RAYMOND A LOOK & HE NODD$1 SAY+1 0,?AT'S 
HIM40 ,WE WALK$ /EADILY ON4 ,MASSON WOND]$ H[ !Y'D MANAG$ TO TRACK US 
H]E4 ,MY IMPRESSION WAS ?AT !Y HAD SE5 US TAK+ ! BUS & NOTIC$ ,M>IE'S 
OILCLO? BA?+ BAG2 BUT ,I DIDN'T SAY ANY?+4 

,?\< ! ,>ABS WALK$ QUITE SL[LY1 !Y W]E MU* NE>] ALREADY4 ,WE DIDN'T 
*ANGE \R PACE1 BUT ,RAYMOND SAID3 

0,LI/56 ,IF !RE'S A R\<H\SE1 Y\1 ,MASSON1 TAKE ON ! SECOND ONE4 ,I'LL TACKLE 
! FELL[ :O'S AFT] ME4 ,& Y\1 ,MEURSAULT1 /& BY TO HELP IF ANO!R ONE 
COMES UP1 & LAY HIM \T40 

,I SAID1 0,RI<T10 & ,MASSON PUT HIS H&S 9 HIS POCKETS4 

,! S& WAS AS HOT AS FIRE1 & ,I C\LD HAVE SWORN IT WAS GL[+ R$4 ,! 
DI/ANCE BETWE5 US & ! ,>ABS WAS /EADILY DECREAS+4 ,:5 WE W]E ONLY A 
FEW /EPS AWAY ! ,>ABS HALT$4 ,MASSON & ,I SL[$ D[N1 :ILE ,RAYMOND W5T 
/RAI<T UP TO HIS MAN4 ,I C\LDN'T HE> :AT HE SAID1 BUT ,I SAW ! NATIVE L[]+ HIS 
HEAD1 AS IF TO BUTT HIM 9 ! *E/4 ,RAYMOND LA%$ \T PROMPTLY & %\T$ TO 
,MASSON TO COME4 ,MASSON W5T UP TO ! MAN HE HAD BE5 M>K+ & /RUCK HIM 
TWICE ) ALL HIS MI<T4 ,! FELL[ FELL FLAT 9TO ! WAT] & /AY$ !RE SOME 
SECONDS ) BUBBLES COM+ UP TO ! SURFACE R\ND HIS HEAD4 ,MEAN:ILE ,RAYMOND 
HAD BE5 SLOGG+ ! O!R MAN1 :OSE FACE WAS /REAM+ ) BLOOD4 ,HE GLANC$ 
AT ME OV] HIS %\LD] & %\T$3 

0,JU/ Y\ WAT*6 ,I A9'T F9I%$ ) HIM YET60 

0,LOOK \T60 ,I CRI$4 0,HE'S GOT A KNIFE40 

,I SPOKE TOO LATE4 ,! MAN HAD GA%$ ,RAYMOND'S >M & HIS M\? AS WELL4 

,MASSON SPRANG =W>D4 ,! O!R ,>AB GOT UP FROM ! WAT] & PLAC$ HIMSELF 
BEH9D ! FELL[ ) ! KNIFE4 ,WE DIDN'T D>E TO MOVE4 ,! TWO NATIVES BACK$ 
AWAY SL[LY1 KEEP+ US AT BAY ) ! KNIFE & NEV] TAK+ !IR EYES (F US4 
,:5 !Y W]E AT A SAFE DI/ANCE !Y SWUNG R\ND & TOOK TO !IR HEELS4 ,WE 
/OOD /OCK-/ILL1 ) ! SUNLI<T BEAT+ D[N ON US4 ,BLOOD WAS DRIPP+ FROM 
,RAYMOND'S W\ND$ >M1 :I* HE WAS SQUEEZ+ H>D ABOVE ! ELB[4 

,MASSON REM>K$ ?AT !RE WAS A DOCTOR :O ALWAYS SP5T HIS ,SUNDAYS H]E1 & 
,RAYMOND SAID3 0,GOOD4 ,LET'S GO TO HIM AT ONCE40 ,HE C\LD H>DLY GET ! WORDS \T1 
AS ! BLOOD FROM HIS O!R W\ND MADE BUBBLES 9 HIS M\?4 

,WE EA* GAVE HIM AN >M & HELP$ HIM BACK TO ! BUNGAL[4 ,ONCE WE W]E 
!RE HE TOLD US ! W\NDS W]5'T SO V]Y DEEP & HE C\LD WALK TO :]E ! 
DOCTOR WAS4 ,M>IE HAD GONE QUITE PALE1 & ,MME ,MASSON WAS 9 TE>S4 

,MASSON & ,RAYMOND W5T (F TO ! DOCTOR'S :ILE ,I WAS LEFT BEH9D AT ! 
BUNGAL[ TO EXPLA9 MATT]S TO ! WOM54 ,I DIDN'T MU* RELI% ! TASK & SOON 
DRI$ UP & />T$ SMOK+1 />+ AT ! SEA4 

,RAYMOND CAME BACK AT AB\T HALF-PA/ ONE1 ACCOMPANI$ BY ,MASSON4 ,HE HAD HIS 
>M B&AG$ & A /RIP ( /ICK+ PLA/] ON ! CORN] ( HIS M\?4 ,! DOCTOR 
HAD ASSUR$ HIM IT WAS NO?+ S]I\S1 BUT HE WAS LOOK+ V]Y GLUM4 ,MASSON TRI$ 
TO MAKE HIM LAU<1 BUT )\T SUCCESS4 

,PRES5TLY ,RAYMOND SAID HE WAS GO+ = A /ROLL ON ! BEA*4 ,I ASK$ HIM :]E 
HE PROPOS$ TO GO1 & HE MUMBL$ SOME?+ AB\T 0WANT+ TO TAKE ! AIR40 ,WE -- 
,MASSON & ,I -- !N SAID WE'D GO ) HIM1 BUT HE FLEW 9TO A RAGE & TOLD US TO 
M9D \R [N BUS9ESS4 ,MASSON SAID WE MU/N'T 9SI/1 SEE+ ! /ATE HE WAS 94 
,H[EV]1 :5 HE W5T \T1 ,I FOLL[$ HIM4 

,IT WAS LIKE A FURNACE \TSIDE1 ) ! SUNLI<T SPL9T]+ 9TO FLAKES ( FIRE ON ! 
S& & SEA4 ,WE WALK$ = QUITE A :ILE1 & ,I HAD AN IDEA ?AT ,RAYMOND HAD A 
DEF9ITE IDEA :]E HE WAS GO+2 BUT PROBABLY ,I WAS MI/AK5 AB\T ?IS4 

,AT ! 5D ( ! BEA* WE CAME TO A SMALL /REAM ?AT HAD CUT A *ANNEL 9 ! 
S&1 AFT] COM+ \T FROM BEH9D A BIGGI% ROCK4 ,!RE WE F\ND \R TWO ,>ABS 
AGA91 LY+ ON ! S& 9 !IR BLUE DUNG>EES4 ,!Y LOOK$ H>MLESS 5\<1 AS IF 
!Y DIDN'T BE> ANY MALICE1 & NEI!R MADE ANY MOVE :5 WE APPROA*$4 ,! 
MAN :O HAD SLA%$ ,RAYMOND />$ AT HIM )\T SPEAK+4 ,! O!R MAN WAS 
BL[+ D[N A LITTLE RE$ & EXTRACT+ FROM IT ?REE NOTES ( ! SCALE1 :I* HE 
PLAY$ OV] & OV] AGA91 :ILE HE WAT*$ US FROM ! CORN] ( AN EYE4 

,= A :ILE NOBODY MOV$2 IT WAS ALL SUNLI<T & SIL5CE EXCEPT = ! T9KLE ( 
! /REAM & ?OSE ?REE LITTLE LONELY S\NDS4 ,!N ,RAYMOND PUT HIS H& TO HIS 
REVOLV] POCKET1 BUT ! ,>ABS /ILL DIDN'T MOVE4 ,I NOTIC$ ! MAN PLAY+ ON ! 
RE$ HAD HIS BIG TOES SPLAY$ \T ALMO/ AT RI<T ANGLES TO HIS FEET4 

,/ILL KEEP+ HIS EYES ON HIS MAN1 ,RAYMOND SAID TO ME3 0,%ALL ,I PLUG HIM ONE80 

,I ?\<T QUICKLY4 ,IF ,I TOLD HIM NOT TO1 CONSID]+ ! MOOD HE WAS 91 HE MI<T 
V]Y WELL FLY 9TO A TEMP] & USE HIS GUN4 ,SO ,I SAID ! FIR/ ?+ ?AT CAME 9TO MY 
HEAD4 

0,HE HASN'T SPOK5 TO Y\ YET4 ,IT W\LD BE A L[D[N TRICK TO %OOT HIM LIKE ?AT1 
9 COLD BLOOD40 

,AGA91 = SOME MOM5TS ONE HE>D NO?+ BUT ! T9KLE ( ! /REAM & ! 
FLUTE NOTES WEAV+ ?R\< ! HOT1 /ILL AIR4 

0,WELL10 ,RAYMOND SAID AT LA/1 0IF ?AT'S H[ Y\ FEEL1 ,I'D BETT] SAY SOME?+ 
9SULT+1 & IF HE ANSW]S BACK ,I'LL LOOSE (F40 

0,RI<T10 ,I SAID4 0,ONLY1 IF HE DOESN'T GET \T HIS KNIFE Y\'VE NO BUS9ESS TO FIRE40 

,RAYMOND WAS BEG9N+ TO FIDGET4 ,! ,>AB ) ! RE$ W5T ON PLAY+1 & 
BO? ( !M WAT*$ ALL \R MOVEM5TS4 

0,LI/510 ,I SAID TO ,RAYMOND4 0,Y\ TAKE ON ! FELL[ ON ! RI<T1 & GIVE ME 
Y\R REVOLV]4 ,IF ! O!R ONE />TS MAK+ TR\BLE OR GETS \T HIS KNIFE1 ,I'LL %OOT40 

,! SUN GL9T$ ON ,RAYMOND'S REVOLV] AS HE H&$ IT TO ME4 ,BUT NOBODY MADE A 
MOVE YET2 IT WAS JU/ AS IF EV]Y?+ HAD CLOS$ 9 ON US SO ?AT WE C\LDN'T /IR4 ,WE 
C\LD ONLY WAT* EA* O!R1 NEV] L[]+ \R EYES2 ! :OLE WORLD SEEM$ TO 
HAVE COME TO A /&/ILL ON ?IS LITTLE /RIP ( S& BETWE5 ! SUNLI<T & ! SEA1 
! TW(OLD SIL5CE ( ! RE$ & /REAM4 ,& JU/ !N IT CROSS$ MY M9D ?AT ONE 
MI<T FIRE1 OR NOT FIRE -- & IT W\LD COME TO ABSOLUTELY ! SAME ?+4 

,!N1 ALL ( A SUDD51 ! ,>ABS VANI%$2 !Y'D SLIPP$ LIKE LIZ>DS UND] COV] 
( ! ROCK4 ,SO ,RAYMOND & ,I TURN$ & WALK$ BACK4 ,HE SEEM$ HAPPI]1 & 
BEGAN TALK+ AB\T ! BUS TO CAT* = \R RETURN4 

,:5 WE REA*$ ! BUNGAL[ ,RAYMOND PROMPTLY W5T UP ! WOOD5 /EPS1 
BUT ,I HALT$ ON ! BOTTOM ONE4 ,! LI<T SEEM$ ?UDD+ 9 MY HEAD & ,I C\LDN'T 
FACE ! EF=T NE$$ TO GO UP ! /EPS & MAKE MYSELF AMIABLE TO ! WOM54 ,BUT 
! HEAT WAS SO GREAT ?AT IT WAS JU/ AS BAD /AY+ :]E ,I WAS1 UND] ?AT FLOOD ( 
BL9D+ LI<T FALL+ FROM ! SKY4 ,TO /AY1 OR TO MAKE A MOVE -- IT CAME TO MU* ! 
SAME4 ,AFT] A MOM5T ,I RETURN$ TO ! BEA*1 & />T$ WALK+4 

,!RE WAS ! SAME R$ GL>E AS F> AS EYE C\LD REA*1 & SMALL WAVES W]E 
LAPP+ ! HOT S& 9 LITTLE1 FLURRI$ GASPS4 ,AS ,I SL[LY WALK$ T[>D ! B\LD]S 
AT ! 5D ( ! BEA* ,I C\LD FEEL MY TEMPLES SWELL+ UND] ! IMPACT ( ! LI<T4 
,IT PRESS$ ITSELF ON ME1 TRY+ TO *ECK MY PROGRESS4 ,& EA* TIME ,I FELT A HOT BLA/ 
/RIKE MY =EHEAD1 ,I GRITT$ MY TEE?1 ,I CL5*$ MY FI/S 9 MY TR\S] POCKETS & 
KEY$ UP EV]Y N]VE TO F5D (F ! SUN & ! D>K BEFUDDLEM5T IT WAS P\R+ 
9TO ME4 ,:5EV] A BLADE ( VIVID LI<T %OT UPW>D FROM A BIT ( %ELL OR BROK5 
GLASS LY+ ON ! S&1 MY JAWS SET H>D4 ,I WASN'T GO+ TO BE BEAT51 & ,I WALK$ 
/EADILY ON4 

,! SMALL BLACK HUMP ( ROCK CAME 9TO VIEW F> D[N ! BEA*4 ,IT WAS RIMM$ 
BY A DAZZL+ %E5 ( LI<T & FEA!RY SPRAY1 BUT ,I WAS ?9K+ ( ! COLD1 CLE> 
/REAM BEH9D IT1 & LONG+ TO HE> AGA9 ! T9KLE ( RUNN+ WAT]4 ,ANY?+ TO 
BE RID ( ! GL>E1 ! SI<T ( WOM5 9 TE>S1 ! /RA9 & EF=T -- & TO RETRIEVE 
! POOL ( %AD[ BY ! ROCK & ITS COOL SIL5CE6 

,BUT :5 ,I CAME NE>] ,I SAW ?AT ,RAYMOND'S ,>AB HAD RETURN$4 ,HE WAS BY 
HIMSELF ?IS TIME1 LY+ ON HIS BACK1 HIS H&S BEH9D HIS HEAD1 HIS FACE %AD$ BY ! 
ROCK :ILE ! SUN BEAT ON ! RE/ ( HIS BODY4 ,ONE C\LD SEE HIS DUNG>EES /EAM+ 
9 ! HEAT4 ,I WAS RA!R TAK5 ABACK2 MY IMPRESSION HAD BE5 ?AT ! 9CID5T WAS 
CLOS$1 & ,I HADN'T GIV5 A ?\<T TO IT ON MY WAY H]E4 

,ON SEE+ ME1 ! ,>AB RAIS$ HIMSELF A LITTLE1 & HIS H& W5T TO HIS POCKET4 
,NATURALLY1 ,I GRIPP$ ,RAYMOND'S REVOLV] 9 ! POCKET ( MY COAT4 ,!N ! ,>AB LET 
HIMSELF S9K BACK AGA91 BUT )\T TAK+ HIS H& FROM HIS POCKET4 ,I WAS SOME 
DI/ANCE (F1 AT LEA/ T5 Y>DS1 & MO/ ( ! TIME ,I SAW HIM AS A BLURR$ D>K =M 
WOBBL+ 9 ! HEAT HAZE4 ,SOMETIMES1 H[EV]1 ,I HAD GLIMPSES ( HIS EYES GL[+ 
BETWE5 ! HALF-CLOS$ LIDS4 ,! S\ND ( ! WAVES WAS EV5 LAZI]1 FEEBL]1 ?AN AT 
NOON4 ,BUT ! LI<T HADN'T *ANG$2 IT WAS P\ND+ AS FI]CELY AS EV] ON ! LONG 
/RET* ( S& ?AT 5D$ AT ! ROCK4 ,= TWO H\RS ! SUN SEEM$ TO HAVE MADE NO 
PROGRESS2 BECALM$ 9 A SEA ( MOLT5 /EEL4 ,F> \T ON ! HORIZON A /EAM] WAS 
PASS+2 ,I C\LD JU/ MAKE \T FROM ! CORN] ( AN EYE ! SMALL BLACK MOV+ 
PAT*1 :ILE ,I KEPT MY GAZE FIX$ ON ! ,>AB4 

,IT /RUCK ME ?AT ALL ,I HAD TO DO WAS TO TURN1 WALK AWAY1 & ?9K NO MORE AB\T IT4 
,BUT ! :OLE BEA*1 PULS+ ) HEAT1 WAS PRESS+ ON MY BACK4 ,I TOOK SOME /EPS 
T[>D ! /REAM4 ,! ,>AB DIDN'T MOVE4 ,AFT] ALL1 !RE WAS /ILL SOME DI/ANCE 
BETWE5 US4 ,P]HAPS BECAUSE ( ! %AD[ ON HIS FACE1 HE SEEM$ TO BE GR9N+ AT 
ME4 

,I WAIT$4 ,! HEAT WAS BEG9N+ TO SCOR* MY *EEKS2 BEADS ( SWEAT W]E 
GA!R+ 9 MY EYEBR[S4 ,IT WAS JU/ ! SAME SORT ( HEAT AS AT MY MO!R'S 
FUN]AL1 & ,I HAD ! SAME DISAGREEABLE S5SATIONS -- ESPECIALLY 9 MY =EHEAD1 
:]E ALL ! VE9S SEEM$ TO BE BUR/+ ?R\< ! SK94 ,I C\LDN'T /& IT ANY 
LONG]1 & TOOK ANO!R /EP =W>D4 ,I KNEW IT WAS A FOOL ?+ TO DO2 ,I W\LDN'T GET 
\T ( ! SUN BY MOV+ ON A Y>D OR SO4 ,BUT ,I TOOK ?AT /EP1 JU/ ONE /EP1 =W>D4 
,& !N ! ,>AB DREW HIS KNIFE & HELD IT UP T[>D ME1 A?W>T ! SUNLI<T4 

,A %AFT ( LI<T %OT UPW>D FROM ! /EEL1 & ,I FELT AS IF A LONG1 ?9 BLADE 
TRANSFIX$ MY =EHEAD4 ,AT ! SAME MOM5T ALL ! SWEAT ?AT HAD ACCUMULAT$ 9 
MY EYEBR[S SPLA%$ D[N ON MY EYELIDS1 COV]+ !M ) A W>M FILM ( 
MOI/URE4 ,B5EA? A VEIL ( BR9E & TE>S MY EYES W]E BL9D$2 ,I WAS CONSCI\S 
ONLY ( ! CYMBALS ( ! SUN CLA%+ ON MY SKULL1 &1 LESS DI/9CTLY1 ( ! KE5 
BLADE ( LI<T FLA%+ UP FROM ! KNIFE1 SC>R+ MY EYELA%ES1 & G\G+ 9TO MY 
EYEBALLS4 

,!N EV]Y?+ BEGAN TO REEL BE=E MY EYES1 A FI]Y GU/ CAME FROM ! SEA1 
:ILE ! SKY CRACK$ 9 TWO1 FROM 5D TO 5D1 & A GREAT %EET ( FLAME P\R$ 
D[N ?R\< ! RIFT4 ,EV]Y N]VE 9 MY BODY WAS A /EEL SPR+1 & MY GRIP CLOS$ 
ON ! REVOLV]4 ,! TRIGG] GAVE1 & ! SMOO? UND]BELLY ( ! BUTT JOGG$ MY 
PALM4 ,& SO1 ) ?AT CRISP1 :IPCRACK S\ND1 IT ALL BEGAN4 ,I %OOK (F MY SWEAT 
& ! CL++ VEIL ( LI<T4 ,I KNEW ,I'D %ATT]$ ! BALANCE ( ! DAY1 ! 
SPACI\S CALM ( ?IS BEA* ON :I* ,I HAD BE5 HAPPY4 ,BUT ,I FIR$ F\R %OTS MORE 
9TO ! 9]T BODY1 ON :I* !Y LEFT NO VISIBLE TRACE4 ,& EA* SUCCESSIVE %OT WAS 
ANO!R L\D1 FATEFUL RAP ON ! DOOR ( MY UNDO+4 

O ,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #a 
,P>T ,TWO 

,I 

,I WAS QUE/ION$ SEV]AL TIMES IMM$IATELY AFT] MY >RE/4 ,BUT !Y W]E ALL =MAL 
EXAM9ATIONS1 AS TO MY ID5TITY & SO =?4 ,AT ! FIR/ ( !SE1 :I* TOOK PLACE AT 
! POLICE /ATION1 NOBODY SEEM$ TO HAVE MU* 9T]E/ 9 ! CASE4 ,H[EV]1 :5 
,I WAS BR\<T BE=E ! EXAM9+ MAGI/RATE A WEEK LAT]1 ,I NOTIC$ ?AT HE EY$ 
ME ) DI/9CT CURIOSITY4 ,LIKE ! O!RS1 HE BEGAN BY ASK+ MY NAME1 ADDRESS1 
& OCCUPATION1 ! DATE & PLACE ( MY BIR?4 ,!N HE 9QUIR$ IF ,I HAD *OS5 A 
LAWY] TO DEF5D ME4 ,I ANSW]$1 0,NO10 ,I HADN'T ?\<T AB\T IT1 & ASK$ HIM IF IT 
WAS REALLY NECESS>Y = ME TO HAVE ONE4 

0,:Y DO Y\ ASK ?AT80 HE SAID4 ,I REPLI$ ?AT ,I REG>D$ MY CASE AS V]Y SIMPLE4 
,HE SMIL$4 0,WELL1 IT MAY SEEM SO TO Y\4 ,BUT WE'VE GOT TO ABIDE BY ! LAW1 &1 IF 
Y\ DON'T 5GAGE A LAWY]1 ! C\RT WILL HAVE TO APPO9T ONE = Y\40 

,IT /RUCK ME AS AN EXCELL5T >RANGEM5T ?AT ! AU?ORITIES %\LD SEE TO DETAILS 
( ?IS K9D1 & ,I TOLD HIM SO4 ,HE NODD$1 & AGRE$ ?AT ! ,CODE WAS ALL ?AT 
C\LD BE DESIR$4 

,AT FIR/ ,I DIDN'T TAKE HIM QUITE S]I\SLY4 ,! ROOM 9 :I* HE 9T]VIEW$ ME 
WAS MU* LIKE AN ORD9>Y SITT+ ROOM1 ) CURTA9$ W9D[S1 & A S+LE LAMP 
/&+ ON ! DESK4 ,ITS LI<T FELL ON ! >M*AIR 9 :I* HE'D HAD ME SIT1 :ILE HIS 
[N FACE /AY$ 9 %AD[4 

,I HAD READ DESCRIPTIONS ( SU* SC5ES 9 BOOKS1 & AT FIR/ IT ALL SEEM$ LIKE A 
GAME4 ,AFT] \R CONV]SATION1 H[EV]1 ,I HAD A GOOD LOOK AT HIM4 ,HE WAS A TALL MAN 
) CLEAN-CUT FEATURES1 DEEP-SET BLUE EYES1 A BIG GRAY MU/A*E1 & ABUNDANT1 
ALMO/ SN[-:ITE HAIR1 & HE GAVE ME ! IMPRESSION ( BE+ HI<LY 9TELLIG5T 
&1 ON ! :OLE1 LIKABLE 5\<4 ,!RE WAS ONLY ONE ?+ ?AT PUT ONE (F3 HIS 
M\? HAD N[ & !N A RA!R UGLY TWI/2 BUT IT SEEM$ TO BE ONLY A SORT ( 
N]V\S TIC4 ,:5 LEAV+1 ,I V]Y NE>LY HELD \T MY H& & SAID1 0,GOOD-BY02 JU/ 
9 TIME ,I REMEMB]$ ?AT ,I'D KILL$ A MAN4 

,NEXT DAY A LAWY] CAME TO MY CELL2 A SMALL1 PLUMP1 Y\NGI% MAN ) SLEEK 
BLACK HAIR4 ,9 SPITE ( ! HEAT -- ,I WAS 9 MY %IRT SLEEVES -- HE WAS WE>+ A D>K 
SUIT1 /IFF COLL>1 & A RA!R %[Y TIE1 ) BROAD BLACK & :ITE /RIPES4 ,AFT] 
DEPOSIT+ HIS BRIEF CASE ON MY B$1 HE 9TRODUC$ HIMSELF1 & ADD$ ?AT HE'D 
P]US$ ! RECORD ( MY CASE ) ! UTMO/ C>E4 ,HIS OP9ION WAS ?AT IT W\LD 
NE$ CAUTI\S H&L+1 BUT !RE WAS EV]Y PROSPECT ( MY GETT+ (F1 PROVID$ ,I 
FOLL[$ HIS ADVICE4 ,I ?ANK$ HIM1 & HE SAID3 0,GOOD4 ,N[ LET'S GET D[N TO IT40 

,SITT+ ON ! B$1 HE SAID ?AT !Y'D BE5 MAK+ 9VE/IGATIONS 9TO MY PRIVATE 
LIFE4 ,!Y HAD LE>N$ ?AT MY MO!R DI$ REC5TLY 9 A HOME4 ,9QUIRIES HAD BE5 
CONDUCT$ AT ,M>5GO & ! POLICE 9=M$ ?AT ,I'D %[N 0GREAT CALL\SNESS0 AT 
MY MO!R'S FUN]AL4 

0,Y\ MU/ UND]/&10 ! LAWY] SAID1 0?AT ,I DON'T RELI% HAV+ TO QUE/ION 
Y\ AB\T SU* A MATT]4 ,BUT IT HAS MU* IMPORTANCE1 &1 UNLESS ,I F9D SOME WAY ( 
ANSW]+ ! *>GE ( 'CALL\SNESS1' ,I %ALL BE H&ICAPP$ 9 CONDUCT+ Y\R 
DEF5SE4 ,& ?AT IS :]E Y\1 & ONLY Y\1 CAN HELP ME40 

,HE W5T ON TO ASK IF ,I HAD FELT GRIEF ON ?AT 0SAD OCCASION40 ,! QUE/ION /RUCK ME 
AS AN ODD ONE2 ,I'D HAVE BE5 MU* EMB>RASS$ IF ,I'D HAD TO ASK ANYONE A ?+ LIKE 
?AT4 

,I ANSW]$ ?AT1 ( REC5T YE>S1 ,I'D RA!R LO/ ! HABIT ( NOT+ MY FEEL+S1 & 
H>DLY KNEW :AT TO ANSW]4 ,I C\LD TRU?FULLY SAY ,I'D BE5 QUITE FOND ( ,MO!R -- 
BUT REALLY ?AT DIDN'T MEAN MU*4 ,ALL NORMAL PEOPLE1 ,I ADD$ AS ON AFT]?\<T1 HAD 
MORE OR LESS DESIR$ ! DEA? ( ?OSE !Y LOV$1 AT SOME TIME OR ANO!R4 

,H]E ! LAWY] 9T]RUPT$ ME1 LOOK+ GREATLY P]TURB$4 

0,Y\ MU/ PROMISE ME NOT TO SAY ANY?+ ( ?AT SORT AT ! TRIAL1 OR TO ! 
EXAM9+ MAGI/RATE40 

,I PROMIS$1 TO SATISFY HIM1 BUT ,I EXPLA9$ ?AT MY PHYSICAL CONDITION AT ANY GIV5 
MOM5T (T5 9FLU5C$ MY FEEL+S4 ,= 9/ANCE1 ON ! DAY ,I ATT5D$ ,MO!R'S 
FUN]AL1 ,I WAS FAGG$ \T & ONLY HALF AWAKE4 ,SO1 REALLY1 ,I H>DLY TOOK /OCK ( :AT 
WAS HAPP5+4 ,ANYH[1 ,I C\LD ASSURE HIM ( ONE ?+3 ?AT ,I'D RA!R ,MO!R 
HADN'T DI$4 

,! LAWY]1 H[EV]1 LOOK$ DISPLEAS$4 0,?AT'S NOT 5\<10 HE SAID CURTLY4 

,AFT] CONSID]+ = A BIT HE ASK$ ME IF HE C\LD SAY ?AT ON ?AT DAY ,I HAD KEPT 
MY FEEL+S UND] CONTROL4 

0,NO10 ,I SAID4 0,?AT W\LDN'T BE TRUE40 

,HE GAVE ME A QUE] LOOK1 AS IF ,I SLI<TLY REVOLT$ HIM2 !N 9=M$ ME1 9 AN 
ALMO/ HO/ILE TONE1 ?AT 9 ANY CASE ! HEAD ( ! ,HOME & SOME ( ! /AFF 
W\LD BE CIT$ AS WITNESSES4 

0,& ?AT MI<T DO Y\ A V]Y NA/Y TURN10 HE CONCLUD$4 

,:5 ,I SUGGE/$ ?AT ,MO!R'S DEA? HAD NO CONNECTION ) ! *>GE AGA9/ 
ME1 HE M]ELY REPLI$ ?AT ?IS REM>K %[$ ,I'D NEV] HAD ANY DEAL+S ) ! 
LAW4 

,SOON AFT] ?IS HE LEFT1 LOOK+ QUITE VEX$4 ,I WI%$ HE HAD /AY$ LONG] & ,I 
C\LD HAVE EXPLA9$ ?AT ,I DESIR$ HIS SYMPA?Y1 NOT = HIM TO MAKE A BETT] JOB ( 
MY DEF5SE1 BUT1 IF ,I MI<T PUT IT SO1 SPONTANE\SLY4 ,I C\LD SEE ?AT ,I GOT ON HIS 
N]VES2 HE C\LDN'T MAKE ME \T1 &1 NATURALLY 5\<1 ?IS IRRITAT$ HIM4 ,ONCE OR 
TWICE ,I HAD A M9D TO ASSURE HIM ?AT ,I WAS JU/ LIKE EV]YBODY ELSE2 QUITE AN ORD9>Y 
P]SON4 ,BUT REALLY ?AT W\LD HAVE S]V$ NO GREAT PURPOSE1 & ,I LET IT GO -- \T ( 
LAZ9ESS AS MU* AS ANY?+ ELSE4 

,LAT] 9 ! DAY ,I WAS TAK5 AGA9 TO ! EXAM9+ MAGI/RATE'S (FICE4 ,IT WAS TWO 
9 ! AFT]NOON &1 ?IS TIME1 ! ROOM WAS FLOOD$ ) LI<T -- !RE WAS ONLY A 
?9 CURTA9 ON ! W9D[ -- & EXTREMELY HOT4 

,AFT] 9VIT+ ME TO SIT D[N1 ! MAGI/RATE 9=M$ ME 9 A V]Y POLITE TONE 
?AT1 0[+ TO UN=ESE5 CIRCUM/ANCES10 MY LAWY] WAS UNABLE TO BE PRES5T4 ,I 
%\LD BE QUITE 5TITL$1 HE ADD$1 TO RES]VE MY ANSW]S TO HIS QUE/IONS UNTIL MY 
LAWY] C\LD ATT5D4 

,TO ?IS ,I REPLI$ ?AT ,I C\LD ANSW] = MYSELF4 ,HE PRESS$ A BELL PU% ON HIS DESK 
& A Y\NG CL]K CAME 9 & SEAT$ HIMSELF JU/ BEH9D ME4 ,!N WE -- ,I & ! 
MAGI/RATE -- SETTL$ BACK 9 \R *AIRS & ! EXAM9ATION BEGAN4 ,HE L$ (F BY 
REM>K+ ?AT ,I HAD ! REPUTATION ( BE+ A TACITURN1 RA!R SELF-C5T]$ P]SON1 
& HE'D LIKE TO KN[ :AT ,I HAD TO SAY TO ?AT4 ,I ANSW]$3 

0,WELL1 ,I R>ELY HAVE ANY?+ MU* TO SAY4 ,SO1 NATURALLY ,I KEEP MY M\? %UT40 

,HE SMIL$ AS ON ! PREVI\S OCCASION1 & AGRE$ ?AT ?AT WAS ! BE/ ( 
REASONS4 0,9 ANY CASE10 HE ADD$1 0IT HAS LITTLE OR NO IMPORTANCE40 

,AFT] A %ORT SIL5CE HE SUDD5LY LEAN$ =W>D1 LOOK$ ME 9 ! EYES1 & SAID1 
RAIS+ HIS VOICE A LITTLE3 

0,:AT REALLY 9T]E/S ME IS -- Y\60 

,I WASN'T QUITE CLE> :AT HE MEANT1 SO ,I MADE NO COMM5T4 

0,!RE >E SEV]AL ?+S10 HE CONT9U$1 0?AT PUZZLE ME AB\T Y\R CRIME4 ,I FEEL 
SURE ?AT Y\ WILL HELP ME TO UND]/& !M40 

,:5 ,I REPLI$ ?AT REALLY IT WAS QUITE SIMPLE1 HE ASK$ ME TO GIVE HIM AN ACC\NT 
( :AT ,I'D DONE ?AT DAY4 ,AS A MATT] ( FACT1 ,I HAD ALREADY TOLD HIM AT \R FIR/ 
9T]VIEW -- 9 A SUMM>Y SORT ( WAY1 ( C\RSE -- AB\T ,RAYMOND1 ! BEA*1 \R 
SWIM1 ! FI<T1 !N ! BEA* AGA91 & ! FIVE %OTS ,I'D FIR$4 ,BUT ,I W5T OV] IT 
ALL AGA91 & AFT] EA* PHRASE HE NODD$4 0,QUITE SO1 QUITE SO40 ,:5 ,I DESCRIB$ ! 
BODY LY+ ON ! S&1 HE NODD$ MORE EMPHATICALLY1 & SAID1 0,GOOD60 ,I WAS TIR$ 
( REPEAT+ ! SAME /ORY2 ,I FELT AS IF ,I'D NEV] TALK$ SO MU* 9 ALL MY LIFE BE=E4 

,AFT] ANO!R SIL5CE HE /OOD UP & SAID HE'D LIKE TO HELP ME2 ,I 9T]E/$ HIM1 
&1 ) ,GOD'S HELP1 HE W\LD DO SOME?+ = ME 9 MY TR\BLE4 ,BUT1 FIR/1 HE 
MU/ PUT A FEW MORE QUE/IONS4 

,HE BEGAN BY ASK+ BLUNTLY IF ,I'D LOV$ MY MO!R4 

0,YES10 ,I REPLI$1 0LIKE EV]YBODY ELSE40 ,! CL]K BEH9D ME1 :O HAD BE5 TYP+ 
AWAY AT A /EADY PACE1 MU/ JU/ !N HAVE HIT ! WRONG KEYS1 AS ,I HE>D HIM PU%+ 
! C>RI] BACK & CROSS+ SOME?+ \T4 

,NEXT1 )\T ANY APP>5T LOGICAL CONNECTION1 ! MAGI/RATE SPRANG ANO!R 
QUE/ION4 

0,:Y DID Y\ FIRE FIVE CONSECUTIVE %OTS80 

,I ?\<T = A BIT2 !N EXPLA9$ ?AT !Y W]5'T QUITE CONSECUTIVE4 ,I FIR$ ONE 
AT FIR/1 & ! O!R F\R AFT] A %ORT 9T]VAL4 

0,:Y DID Y\ PAUSE BETWE5 ! FIR/ & SECOND %OT80 

,I SEEM$ TO SEE IT HOV]+ AGA9 BE=E MY EYES1 ! R$ GL[ ( ! BEA*1 & TO 
FEEL ?AT FI]Y BREA? ON MY *EEKS -- &1 ?IS TIME1 ,I MADE NO ANSW]4 

,DUR+ ! SIL5CE ?AT FOLL[$1 ! MAGI/RATE KEPT FIDGET+1 RUNN+ HIS F+]S 
?R\< HIS HAIR1 HALF RIS+1 !N SITT+ D[N AGA94 ,F9ALLY1 PLANT+ HIS ELB[S ON 
! DESK1 HE B5T T[>D ME ) A QUE] EXPRESSION4 

0,BUT :Y1 :Y DID Y\ GO ON FIR+ AT A PRO/RATE MAN80 

,AGA9 ,I F\ND NO?+ TO REPLY4 

,! MAGI/RATE DREW HIS H& ACROSS HIS =EHEAD & REPEAT$ 9 A SLI<TLY 
DIFF]5T TONE3 

0,I ASK Y\ ' ,:Y,V ,I 9SI/ ON Y\R TELL+ ME40 ,I /ILL KEPT SIL5T4 

,SUDD5LY HE ROSE1 WALK$ TO A FILE CAB9ET /&+ AGA9/ ! OPPOSITE WALL1 
PULL$ A DRAW] OP51 & TOOK FROM IT A SILV] CRUCIFIX1 :I* HE WAS WAV+ AS HE 
CAME BACK TO ! DESK4 

0,DO Y\ KN[ :O ?IS IS80 ,HIS VOICE HAD *ANG$ COMPLETELY2 IT WAS VIBRANT 
) EMOTION4 

0,( C\RSE ,I DO10 ,I ANSW]$4 

,?AT SEEM$ TO />T HIM (F2 HE BEGAN SPEAK+ AT A GREAT PACE4 ,HE TOLD ME HE 
BELIEV$ 9 ,GOD1 & ?AT EV5 ! WOR/ ( S9N]S C\LD OBTA9 =GIV5ESS ( ,HIM4 
,BUT FIR/ HE MU/ REP5T1 & BECOME LIKE A LITTLE *ILD1 ) A SIMPLE1 TRU/FUL HE>T1 
OP5 TO CONVICTION4 ,HE WAS LEAN+ RI<T ACROSS ! TABLE1 BR&I%+ HIS CRUCIFIX 
BE=E MY EYES4 

,AS A MATT] ( FACT1 ,I HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY 9 FOLL[+ HIS REM>KS1 AS1 = ONE 
?+1 ! (FICE WAS SO /IFL+LY HOT & BIG FLIES W]E BUZZ+ R\ND & SETTL+ ON 
MY *EEKS2 ALSO BECAUSE HE RA!R AL>M$ ME4 ,( C\RSE1 ,I REALIZ$ IT WAS ABSURD TO 
FEEL LIKE ?IS1 CONSID]+ ?AT1 AFT] ALL1 IT WAS ,I :O WAS ! CRIM9AL4 ,H[EV]1 AS 
HE CONT9U$ TALK+1 ,I DID MY BE/ TO UND]/&1 & ,I GA!R$ ?AT !RE WAS ONLY 
ONE PO9T 9 MY CONFESSION ?AT BADLY NE$$ CLE>+ UP -- ! FACT ?AT ,I'D WAIT$ 
BE=E FIR+ A SECOND TIME4 ,ALL ! RE/ WAS1 SO TO SPEAK1 QUITE 9 ORD]2 BUT ?AT 
COMPLETELY BAFFL$ HIM4 

,I />T$ TO TELL HIM ?AT HE WAS WRONG 9 9SI/+ ON ?IS2 ! PO9T WAS ( QUITE 
M9OR IMPORTANCE4 ,BUT1 BE=E ,I C\LD GET ! WORDS \T1 HE HAD DRAWN HIMSELF UP TO 
HIS FULL HEI<T & WAS ASK+ ME V]Y E>NE/LY IF ,I BELIEV$ 9 ,GOD4 ,:5 ,I SAID1 
0,NO10 HE PLUMP$ D[N 9TO HIS *AIR 9DIGNANTLY4 

,?AT WAS UN?9KABLE1 HE SAID2 ALL M5 BELIEVE 9 ,GOD1 EV5 ?OSE :O REJECT ,HIM4 
,( ?IS HE WAS ABSOLUTELY SURE2 IF EV] HE CAME TO D\BT IT1 HIS LIFE W\LD LOSE ALL 
MEAN+4 0,DO Y\ WI%10 HE ASK$ 9DIGNANTLY1 0MY LIFE TO HAVE NO MEAN+80 
,REALLY ,I C\LDN'T SEE H[ MY WI%ES CAME 9TO IT1 & ,I TOLD HIM AS MU*4 

,:ILE ,I WAS TALK+1 HE ?RU/ ! CRUCIFIX AGA9 JU/ UND] MY NOSE & %\T$3 
0,I1 ANYH[1 AM A ,*RI/IAN4 ,& ,I PRAY ,HIM TO =GIVE Y\ = Y\R S9S4 ,MY POOR 
Y\NG MAN1 H[ CAN Y\ NOT BELIEVE ?AT ,HE SUFF]$ = Y\R SAKE80 

,I NOTIC$ ?AT HIS MANN] SEEM$ G5U9ELY SOLICIT\S :5 HE SAID1 0,MY POOR 
Y\NG MAN0 -- BUT ,I WAS BEG9N+ TO HAVE 5\< ( IT4 ,! ROOM WAS GR[+ 
/EADILY HOTT]4 

,AS ,I USUALLY DO :5 ,I WANT TO GET RID ( SOMEONE :OSE CONV]SATION BORES ME1 ,I 
PRET5D$ TO AGREE4 ,AT :I*1 RA!R TO MY SURPRISE1 HIS FACE LIT UP4 

0,Y\ SEE6 ,Y\ SEE6 ,N[ WON'T Y\ [N ?AT Y\ BELIEVE & PUT Y\R TRU/ 9 
,HIM80 

,I MU/ HAVE %AK5 MY HEAD AGA91 = HE SANK BACK 9 HIS *AIR1 LOOK+ LIMP & 
DEJECT$4 

,= SOME MOM5TS !RE WAS A SIL5CE DUR+ :I* ! TYPEWRIT]1 :I* HAD 
BE5 CLICK+ AWAY ALL ! TIME WE TALK$1 CAU<T UP ) ! LA/ REM>K4 ,!N HE 
LOOK$ AT ME 9T5TLY & RA!R SADLY4 

0,NEV] 9 ALL MY EXP]I5CE HAVE ,I KN[N A S\L SO CASE-H>D5$ AS Y\RS10 HE 
SAID 9 A L[ TONE4 0,ALL ! CRIM9ALS :O HAVE COME BE=E ME UNTIL N[ WEPT :5 
!Y SAW ?IS SYMBOL ( \R ,LORD'S SUFF]+S40 

,I WAS ON ! PO9T ( REPLY+ ?AT WAS PRECISELY BECAUSE !Y W]E CRIM9ALS4 ,BUT 
!N ,I REALIZ$ ?AT ,I1 TOO1 CAME UND] ?AT DESCRIPTION4 ,SOMEH[ IT WAS AN IDEA TO 
:I* ,I NEV] C\LD GET RECONCIL$4 

,TO 9DICATE1 PRESUMABLY1 ?AT ! 9T]VIEW WAS OV]1 ! MAGI/RATE /OOD UP4 ,9 
! SAME WE>Y TONE HE ASK$ ME A LA/ QUE/ION3 ,DID ,I REGRET :AT ,I HAD DONE8 

,AFT] ?9K+ A BIT1 ,I SAID ?AT :AT ,I FELT WAS LESS REGRET ?AN A K9D ( VEXATION -- 
,I C\LDN'T F9D A BETT] WORD = IT4 ,BUT HE DIDN'T SEEM TO UND]/&4 444 ,?IS WAS AS 
F> AS ?+S W5T AT ?AT DAY'S 9T]VIEW4 

,I CAME BE=E ! MAGI/RATE MANY TIMES MORE1 BUT ON !SE OCCASIONS MY LAWY] 
ALWAYS ACCOMPANI$ ME4 ,! EXAM9ATIONS W]E CONF9$ TO ASK+ ME TO AMPLIFY 
MY PREVI\S /ATEM5TS4 ,OR ELSE ! MAGI/RATE & MY LAWY] DISCUSS$ 
TE*NICALITIES4 ,AT SU* TIMES !Y TOOK V]Y LITTLE NOTICE ( ME1 &1 9 ANY CASE1 ! 
TONE ( ! EXAM9ATIONS *ANG$ AS TIME W5T ON4 ,! MAGI/RATE SEEM$ TO HAVE 
LO/ 9T]E/ 9 ME1 & TO HAVE COME TO SOME SORT-( DECISION AB\T MY CASE4 ,HE 
NEV] M5TION$ ,GOD AGA9 OR DISPLAY$ ANY ( ! RELIGI\S F]VOR ,I HAD F\ND SO 
EMB>RASS+ AT \R FIR/ 9T]VIEW4 ,! RESULT WAS ?AT \R RELATIONS BECAME MORE 
CORDIAL4 ,AFT] A FEW QUE/IONS1 FOLL[$ BY AN EX*ANGE ( REM>KS ) ! LAWY]1 
! MAGI/RATE CLOS$ ! 9T]VIEW4 ,MY CASE WAS 0TAK+ ITS C\RSE10 AS HE PUT IT4 
,SOMETIMES1 TOO1 ! CONV]SATION WAS ( A G5]AL ORD]1 & ! MAGI/RATE & 
LAWY] 5C\RAG$ ME TO JO9 9 IT4 ,I BEGAN TO BREA! MORE FREELY4 ,NEI!R ( ! TWO 
M51 AT !SE TIMES1 %[$ ! LEA/ HO/ILITY T[>D ME1 & EV]Y?+ W5T SO 
SMOO?LY1 SO AMIABLY1 ?AT ,I HAD AN ABSURD IMPRESSION ( BE+ 0ONE ( ! FAMILY40 ,I 
CAN HONE/LY SAY ?AT DUR+ ! ELEV5 MON?S !SE EXAM9ATIONS LA/$ ,I GOT SO 
US$ TO !M ?AT ,I WAS ALMO/ SURPRIS$ AT HAV+ EV] 5JOY$ ANY?+ BETT] ?AN 
?OSE R>E MOM5TS :5 ! MAGI/RATE1 AFT] ESCORT+ ME TO ! DOOR ( ! (FICE1 
W\LD PAT MY %\LD] & SAY 9 A FRI5DLY TONE3 0,WELL1 ,MR4 ,ANTI*RI/1 ?AT'S ALL = 
! PRES5T60 ,AFT] :I* ,I WAS MADE OV] TO MY JAIL]S4 

O ,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #b 
,I,I 

,!,R,E >E SOME ?+S ( :I* ,I'VE NEV] C>$ TO TALK4 ,&1 A FEW DAYS AFT] ,I'D 
BE5 S5T TO PRISON1 ,I DECID$ ?AT ?IS PHASE ( MY LIFE WAS ONE ( !M4 ,H[EV]1 AS 
TIME W5T BY1 ,I CAME TO FEEL ?AT ?IS AV]SION HAD NO REAL SUB/ANCE4 ,9 PO9T ( FACT1 
DUR+ ?OSE E>LY DAYS1 ,I WAS H>DLY CONSCI\S ( BE+ 9 PRISON2 ,I HAD ALWAYS A 
VAGUE HOPE ?AT SOME?+ W\LD TURN UP1 SOME AGREEABLE SURPRISE4 

,! *ANGE CAME SOON AFT] ,M>IE'S FIR/ & ONLY VISIT4 ,FROM ! DAY :5 ,I GOT 
H] LETT] TELL+ ME !Y W\LDN'T LET H] COME TO SEE ME ANY MORE1 BECAUSE %E 
WASN'T MY WIFE -- IT WAS FROM ?AT DAY ?AT ,I REALIZ$ ?AT ?IS CELL WAS MY LA/ HOME1 
A DEAD 5D1 SO TO SPEAK4 

,ON ! DAY ( MY >RE/ !Y PUT ME 9 A BIGGI% ROOM ) SEV]AL O!R 
PRISON]S1 MO/LY ,>ABS4 ,!Y GR9N$ :5 !Y SAW ME 5T]1 & ASK$ ME :AT 
,I'D DONE4 ,I TOLD !M ,I'D KILL$ AN ,>AB1 & !Y KEPT MOM = A :ILE4 ,BUT 
PRES5TLY NI<T BEGAN TO FALL1 & ONE ( !M EXPLA9$ TO ME H[ TO LAY \T MY 
SLEEP+ MAT4 ,BY ROLL+ UP ONE 5D ONE MAKES A SORT ( BOL/]4 ,ALL NI<T ,I FELT BUGS 
CRAWL+ OV] MY FACE4 

,SOME DAYS LAT] ,I WAS PUT BY MYSELF 9 A CELL1 :]E ,I SLEPT ON A PLANK B$ H+$ 
TO ! WALL4 ,! ONLY O!R FURNITURE WAS A LATR9E BUCKET & A T9 BAS94 ,! PRISON 
/&S ON RIS+ GR\ND1 & ?R\< MY LITTLE W9D[ ,I HAD GLIMPSES ( ! SEA4 ,ONE 
DAY :5 ,I WAS HANG+ ON ! B>S1 /RA9+ MY EYES T[>D ! SUNLI<T PLAY+ 
ON ! WAVES1 A JAIL] 5T]$ & SAID ,I HAD A VISITOR4 ,I ?\<T IT MU/ BE ,M>IE1 & 
SO IT WAS4 

,TO GO TO ! ,VISITORS' ,ROOM1 ,I WAS TAK5 ALONG A CORRIDOR1 !N UP A FLI<T ( /EPS1 
!N ALONG ANO!R CORRIDOR4 ,IT WAS A V]Y L>GE ROOM1 LIT BY A BIG B[ W9D[1 & 
DIVID$ 9TO ?REE COMP>TM5TS BY HI< IRON GRILLES RUNN+ TRANSV]SALLY4 ,BETWE5 
! TWO GRILLES !RE WAS A GAP ( SOME ?IRTY FEET1 A SORT ( NO MAN'S L& BETWE5 
! PRISON]S & !IR FRI5DS4 ,I WAS L$ TO A PO9T EXACTLY OPPOSITE ,M>IE1 :O WAS 
WE>+ H] /RIP$ DRESS4 ,ON MY SIDE ( ! RAILS W]E AB\T A DOZ5 O!R PRISON]S1 
,>ABS = ! MO/ P>T4 ,ON ,M>IE'S SIDE W]E MO/LY ,MOORI% WOM54 ,%E WAS 
W$G$ BETWE5 A SMALL OLD WOMAN ) TI<T-SET LIPS & A FAT MATRON1 )\T A 
HAT1 :O WAS TALK+ %RILLY & GE/ICULAT$ ALL ! TIME4 ,BECAUSE ( ! DI/ANCE 
BETWE5 ! VISITORS & PRISON]S ,I F\ND ,I1 TOO1 HAD TO RAISE MY VOICE4 

,:5 ,I CAME 9TO ! ROOM ! BABEL ( VOICES E*O+ ON ! B>E WALLS1 & ! 
SUNLI<T /REAM+ 91 FLOOD+ EV]Y?+ 9 A H>% :ITE GL>E1 MADE ME FEEL QUITE 
DIZZY4 ,AFT] ! RELATIVE D>KNESS & ! SIL5CE ( MY CELL IT TOOK ME SOME 
MOM5TS TO GET US$ TO !SE CONDITIONS4 ,AFT] A BIT1 H[EV]1 ,I CAME TO SEE EA* 
FACE QUITE CLE>LY1 LIT UP AS IF A SPOTLI<T PLAY$ ON IT4 

,I NOTIC$ A PRISON (FICIAL SEAT$ AT EA* 5D ( ! NO MAN'S L& BETWE5 ! 
GRILLES4 ,! NATIVE PRISON]S & !IR RELATIONS ON ! O!R SIDE W]E SQUATT+ 
OPPOSITE EA* O!R4 ,!Y DIDN'T RAISE !IR VOICES &1 9 SPITE ( ! D91 MANAG$ 
TO CONV]SE ALMO/ 9 :ISP]S4 ,?IS MURMUR ( VOICES COM+ FROM BEL[ MADE A 
SORT ( ACCOMPANIM5T TO ! CONV]SATIONS GO+ ON ABOVE !IR HEADS4 ,I TOOK /OCK 
( ALL ?IS V]Y QUICKLY & MOV$ A /EP =W>D T[>D ,M>IE4 ,%E WAS PRESS+ 
H] BR[N1 SUN-TANN$ FACE TO ! B>S & SMIL+ AS H>D AS %E C\LD4 ,I ?\<T %E 
WAS LOOK+ V]Y PRETTY1 BUT SOMEH[ C\LDN'T BR+ MYSELF TO TELL H] SO4 

0,WELL80 %E ASK$1 PIT*+ H] VOICE V]Y HI<4 0,:AT AB\T IT8 ,>E Y\ ALL RI<T1 
HAVE Y\ EV]Y?+ Y\ WANT80 

0,OH1 YES4 ,I'VE EV]Y?+ ,I WANT40 

,WE W]E SIL5T = SOME MOM5TS2 ,M>IE W5T ON SMIL+4 ,! FAT WOMAN WAS 
BAWL+ AT ! PRISON] BESIDE ME1 H] HUSB& PRESUMABLY1 A TALL1 FAIR1 PLEASANT- 
LOOK+ MAN4 

0,JEANNE REFUS$ TO HAVE HIM10 %E YELL$4 

0,?AT'S JU/ TOO BAD10 ! MAN REPLI$4 

0,YES1 & ,I TOLD H] Y\'D TAKE HIM BACK ! MOM5T Y\ GOT \T2 BUT %E 
W\LDN'T HE> ( IT40 

,M>IE %\T$ ACROSS ! GAP ?AT ,RAYMOND S5T ME HIS BE/ WI%ES1 & ,I SAID1 
0,?ANKS40 ,BUT MY VOICE WAS DR[N$ BY MY NEI<BOR'S1 ASK+ 0IF HE WAS QUITE FIT40 

,! FAT WOMAN GAVE A LAU<4 0,FIT8 ,I %\LD SAY HE IS6 ,! PICTURE ( HEAL?40 

,MEAN:ILE ! PRISON] ON MY LEFT1 A Y\NG/] ) ?91 GIRLI% H&S1 NEV] SAID 
A WORD4 ,HIS EYES1 ,I NOTIC$1 W]E FIX$ ON ! LITTLE OLD WOMAN OPPOSITE HIM1 & %E 
RETURN$ HIS GAZE ) A SORT ( HUNGRY PASSION4 ,BUT ,I HAD TO /OP LOOK+ AT !M AS 
,M>IE WAS %\T+ TO ME ?AT WE MU/N'T LOSE HOPE4 

0,C]TA9LY NOT10 ,I ANSW]$4 ,MY GAZE FELL ON H] %\LD]S1 & ,I HAD A SUDD5 
LONG+ TO SQUEEZE !M1 ?R\< ! ?9 DRESS4 ,ITS SILKY TEXTURE FASC9AT$ ME1 & ,I 
HAD A FEEL+ ?AT ! HOPE %E SPOKE ( C5T]$ ON IT1 SOMEH[4 ,I IMAG9E 
SOME?+ ( ! SAME SORT WAS 9 ,M>IE'S M9D1 = %E W5T ON SMIL+1 LOOK+ 
/RAI<T AT ME4 

0,IT'LL ALL COME RI<T1 Y\'LL SEE1 & !N WE %ALL GET M>RI$40 

,ALL ,I C\LD SEE ( H] N[ WAS ! :ITE FLA% ( H] TEE?1 & ! LITTLE PUCK]S 
R\ND H] EYES4 ,I ANSW]$3 0,DO Y\ REALLY ?9K SO80 BUT *IEFLY BECAUSE ,I FELT IT UP 
TO ME TO ANSW] SOME?+4 

,%E />T$ TALK+ V]Y FA/ 9 ! SAME HI<-PIT*$ VOICE4 

0,YES1 Y\'LL BE ACQUITT$1 & WE'LL GO BA?+ AGA91 ,SUNDAYS40 

,! WOMAN BESIDE ME WAS /ILL YELL+ AWAY1 TELL+ H] HUSB& ?AT %E'D LEFT A 
BASKET = HIM 9 ! PRISON (FICE4 ,%E GAVE A LI/ ( ! ?+S %E'D BR\<T & 
TOLD HIM TO M9D & *ECK !M C>EFULLY1 AS SOME HAD CO/ QUITE A LOT4 ,! 
Y\NG/] ON MY O!R SIDE & HIS MO!R W]E /ILL GAZ+ M\RNFULLY AT EA* 
O!R1 & ! MURMUR ( ! ,>ABS DRON$ ON BEL[ US4 ,! LI<T \TSIDE SEEM$ TO 
BE SURG+ UP AGA9/ ! W9D[1 SEEP+ ?R\<1 & SME>+ ! FACES ( ! 
PEOPLE FAC+ IT ) A COAT ( YELL[ OIL4 

,I BEGAN TO FEEL SLI<TLY SQUEAMI%1 & WI%$ ,I C\LD LEAVE4 ,! /RID5T VOICE 
BESIDE ME WAS J>R+ ON MY E>S4 ,BUT1 ON ! O!R H&1 ,I WANT$ TO HAVE ! MO/ ,I 
C\LD ( ,M>IE'S COMPANY4 ,I'VE NO IDEA H[ MU* TIME PASS$4 ,I REMEMB] ,M>IE'S 
DESCRIB+ TO ME H] WORK1 ) ?AT SET SMILE ALWAYS ON H] FACE4 ,!RE WASN'T A 
MOM5T'S LETUP 9 ! NOISE -- %\TS1 CONV]SATIONS1 & ALWAYS ?AT MUTT]+ 
UND]TONE4 ,! ONLY OASIS ( SIL5CE WAS MADE BY ! Y\NG FELL[ & ! OLD 
WOMAN GAZ+ 9TO EA* O!R'S EYES4 

,!N1 ONE BY ONE1 ! ,>ABS W]E L$ AWAY2 ALMO/ EV]YONE FELL SIL5T :5 ! 
FIR/ ONE LEFT4 ,! LITTLE OLD WOMAN PRESS$ H]SELF AGA9/ ! B>S & AT ! SAME 
MOM5T A JAIL] TAPP$ H] SON'S %\LD]4 ,HE CALL$1 0,AU REVOIR1 ,MO!R10 &1 
SLIPP+ H] H& BETWE5 ! B>S1 %E GAVE HIM A SMALL1 SL[ WAVE ) IT4 

,NO SOON] WAS %E GONE ?AN A MAN1 HAT 9 H&1 TOOK H] PLACE4 ,A PRISON] WAS 
L$ UP TO ! EMPTY PLACE BESIDE ME1 & ! TWO />T$ A BRISK EX*ANGE ( 
REM>KS -- NOT L\D1 H[EV]1 AS ! ROOM HAD BECOME RELATIVELY QUIET4 ,SOMEONE 
CAME & CALL$ AWAY ! MAN ON MY RI<T1 & HIS WIFE %\T$ AT HIM -- %E DIDN'T 
SEEM TO REALIZE IT WAS NO LONG] NECESS>Y TO %\T -- 0,N[1 M9D Y\ LOOK AFT] 
Y\RSELF1 DE>1 & DON'T DO ANY?+ RA%60 

,MY TURN CAME NEXT4 ,M>IE ?REW ME A KISS4 ,I LOOK$ BACK AS ,I WALK$ AWAY4 ,%E 
HADN'T MOV$2 H] FACE WAS /ILL PRESS$ TO ! RAILS1 H] LIPS /ILL P>T$ 9 ?AT T5SE1 
TWI/$ SMILE4 

,SOON AFT] ?IS ,I HAD A LETT] FROM H]4 ,& IT WAS !N ?AT ! ?+S ,I'VE NEV] 
LIK$ TO TALK AB\T BEGAN4 ,NOT ?AT !Y W]E P>TICUL>LY T]RIBLE2 ,I'VE NO WI% TO 
EXAGG]ATE & ,I SUFF]$ LESS ?AN O!RS4 ,/ILL1 !RE WAS ONE ?+ 9 ?OSE E>LY 
DAYS ?AT WAS REALLY IRKSOME3 MY HABIT ( ?9K+ LIKE A FREE MAN4 ,= 9/ANCE1 ,I 
W\LD SUDD5LY BE SEIZ$ ) A DESIRE TO GO D[N TO ! BEA* = A SWIM4 ,& 
M]ELY TO HAVE IMAG9$ ! S\ND ( RIPPLES AT MY FEET1 ! SMOO? FEEL ( ! WAT] 
ON MY BODY AS ,I /RUCK \T1 & ! WOND]FUL S5SATION ( RELIEF IT GAVE BR\<T 
HOME /ILL MORE CRUELLY ! N>R[NESS ( MY CELL4 

,/ILL1 ?AT PHASE LA/$ A FEW MON?S ONLY4 ,AFT]W>DS1 ,I HAD PRISON]'S ?\<TS4 ,I 
WAIT$ = ! DAILY WALK 9 ! C\RTY>D OR A VISIT FROM MY LAWY]4 ,AS = ! RE/ 
( ! TIME1 ,I MANAG$ QUITE WELL1 REALLY4 ,I'VE (T5 ?\<T ?AT HAD ,I BE5 
COMPELL$ TO LIVE 9 ! TRUNK ( A DEAD TREE1 ) NO?+ TO DO BUT GAZE UP AT ! 
PAT* ( SKY JU/ OV]HEAD1 ,I'D HAVE GOT US$ TO IT BY DEGREES4 ,I'D HAVE LE>N$ TO 
WAT* = ! PASS+ ( BIRDS OR DRIFT+ CL\DS1 AS ,I HAD COME TO WAT* = MY 
LAWY]'S ODD NECKTIES1 OR1 9 ANO!R WORLD1 TO WAIT PATI5TLY TILL ,SUNDAY = A SPELL ( 
LOVE-MAK+ ) ,M>IE4 ,WELL1 H]E1 ANYH[1 ,I WASN'T P5N$ 9 A HOLL[ TREE TRUNK4 
,!RE W]E O!RS 9 ! WORLD WORSE (F ?AN ,I4 ,I REMEMB]$ IT HAD BE5 ONE ( 
,MO!R'S PET IDEAS -- %E WAS ALWAYS VOIC+ IT -- ?AT 9 ! LONG RUN ONE GETS US$ TO 
ANY?+4 

,USUALLY1 H[EV]1 ,I DIDN'T ?9K ?+S \T SO F>4 ,?OSE FIR/ MON?S W]E TRY+1 
( C\RSE2 BUT ! V]Y EF=T ,I HAD TO MAKE HELP$ ME ?R\< !M4 ,= 9/ANCE1 ,I 
WAS PLAGU$ BY ! DESIRE = A WOMAN -- :I* WAS NATURAL 5\<1 CONSID]+ MY 
AGE4 ,I NEV] ?\<T ( ,M>IE ESPECIALLY4 ,I WAS OBSESS$ BY ?\<TS ( ?IS WOMAN 
OR ?AT1 ( ALL ! ONES ,I'D HAD1 ALL ! CIRCUM/ANCES UND] :I* ,I'D LOV$ !M2 SO 
MU* SO ?AT ! CELL GREW CR[D$ ) !IR FACES1 <O/S ( MY OLD PASSIONS4 ,?AT 
UNSETTL$ ME1 NO D\BT2 BUT1 AT LEA/1 IT S]V$ TO KILL TIME4 

,I GRADUALLY BECAME QUITE FRI5DLY ) ! *IEF JAIL]1 :O W5T ! R\NDS ) 
! KIT*5 H&S AT MEALTIMES4 ,IT WAS HE :O BR\<T UP ! SUBJECT ( WOM54 
0,?AT'S :AT ! M5 H]E GRUMBLE AB\T MO/10 HE TOLD ME4 

,I SAID ,I FELT LIKE ?AT MYSELF4 0,!RE'S SOME?+ UNFAIR AB\T IT10 ,I ADD$1 0LIKE 
HITT+ A MAN :5 HE'S D[N40 

0,BUT ?AT'S ! :OLE PO9T ( IT10 HE SAID2 0?AT'S :Y Y\ FELL[S >E KEPT 9 
PRISON40 

0,I DON'T FOLL[40 

0,LIB]TY10 HE SAID1 0MEANS ?AT4 ,Y\'RE BE+ DEPRIV$ ( Y\R LIB]TY40 

,IT HAD NEV] BE=E /RUCK ME 9 ?AT LI<T1 BUT ,I SAW HIS PO9T4 0,?AT'S TRUE10 ,I SAID4 
0,O!RWISE IT W\LDN'T BE A PUNI%M5T40 

,! JAIL] NODD$4 0,YES1 Y\'RE DIFF]5T1 Y\ CAN USE Y\R BRA9S4 ,! O!RS 
CAN'T4 ,/ILL1 ?OSE FELL[S F9D A WAY \T2 !Y DO IT BY !MSELVES40 ,) :I* 
REM>K ! JAIL] LEFT MY CELL4 ,NEXT DAY ,I DID LIKE ! O!RS4 

,! LACK ( CIG>ETTES1 TOO1 WAS A TRIAL4 ,:5 ,I WAS BR\<T TO ! PRISON1 !Y TOOK 
AWAY MY BELT1 MY %OELACES1 & ! CONT5TS ( MY POCKETS1 9CLUD+ MY 
CIG>ETTES4 ,ONCE ,I HAD BE5 GIV5 A CELL TO MYSELF ,I ASK$ TO BE GIV5 BACK1 ANYH[1 
! CIG>ETTES4 ,SMOK+ WAS =BIDD51 !Y 9=M$ ME4 ,?AT1 P]HAPS1 WAS :AT 
GOT ME D[N ! MO/2 9 FACT1 ,I SUFF]$ REALLY BADLY DUR+ ! FIR/ FEW DAYS4 ,I 
EV5 TORE (F SPL9T]S FROM MY PLANK B$ & SUCK$ !M4 ,ALL DAY LONG ,I FELT FA9T 
& BILI\S4 ,IT PASS$ MY UND]/&+ :Y ,I %\LDN'T BE ALL[$ EV5 TO SMOKE2 IT 
C\LD HAVE DONE NO ONE ANY H>M4 ,LAT] ON1 ,I UND]/OOD ! IDEA BEH9D IT2 ?IS 
PRIVATION1 TOO1 WAS P>T ( MY PUNI%M5T4 ,BUT1 BY ! TIME ,I UND]/OOD1 ,I'D LO/ ! 
CRAV+1 SO IT HAD CEAS$ TO BE A PUNI%M5T4 

,EXCEPT = !SE PRIVATIONS ,I WASN'T TOO UNHAPPY4 ,YET AGA91 ! :OLE PROBLEM 
WAS3 H[ TO KILL TIME4 ,AFT] A :ILE1 H[EV]1 ONCE ,I'D LE>N$ ! TRICK ( 
REMEMB]+ ?+S1 ,I NEV] HAD A MOM5T'S BOR$OM4 ,SOMETIMES ,I W\LD EX]CISE 
MY MEMORY ON MY B$ROOM &1 />T+ FROM A CORN]1 MAKE ! R\ND1 NOT+ 
EV]Y OBJECT ,I SAW ON ! WAY4 ,AT FIR/ IT WAS OV] 9 A M9UTE OR TWO4 ,BUT EA* TIME ,I 
REPEAT$ ! EXP]I5CE1 IT TOOK A LITTLE LONG]4 ,I MADE A PO9T ( VISUALIZ+ EV]Y 
PIECE ( FURNITURE1 & EA* >TICLE UPON OR 9 IT1 & !N EV]Y DETAIL ( EA* >TICLE1 
& F9ALLY ! DETAILS ( ! DETAILS1 SO TO SPEAK3 A T9Y D5T OR 9CRU/ATION1 OR A 
*IPP$ $GE1 & ! EXACT GRA9 & COLOR ( ! WOODWORK4 ,AT ! SAME TIME ,I 
=C$ MYSELF TO KEEP MY 9V5TORY 9 M9D FROM />T TO F9I%1 9 ! RI<T ORD] 
& OMITT+ NO ITEM4 ,) ! RESULT ?AT1 AFT] A FEW WEEKS1 ,I C\LD SP5D H\RS 
M]ELY 9 LI/+ ! OBJECTS 9 MY B$ROOM4 ,I F\ND ?AT ! MORE ,I ?\<T1 ! 
MORE DETAILS1 HALF-=GOTT5 OR MALOBS]V$1 FLOAT$ UP FROM MY MEMORY4 ,!RE 
SEEM$ NO 5D TO !M4 

,SO ,I LE>N$ ?AT EV5 AFT] A S+LE DAY'S EXP]I5CE ( ! \TSIDE WORLD A MAN 
C\LD EASILY LIVE A HUNDR$ YE>S 9 PRISON4 ,HE'D HAVE LAID UP 5\< MEMORIES 
NEV] TO BE BOR$4 ,OBVI\SLY1 9 ONE WAY1 ?IS WAS A COMP5SATION4 

,!N !RE WAS SLEEP4 ,TO BEG9 )1 ,I SLEPT BADLY AT NI<T & NEV] 9 ! DAY4 
,BUT GRADUALLY MY NI<TS BECAME BETT]1 & ,I MANAG$ TO DOZE (F 9 ! DAYTIME AS 
WELL4 ,9 FACT1 DUR+ ! LA/ MON?S1 ,I MU/ HAVE SLEPT SIXTE5 OR EI<TE5 H\RS \T 
( ! TW5TY-F\R4 ,SO !RE REMA9$ ONLY SIX H\RS TO FILL -- ) MEALS1 RELIEV+ 
NATURE1 MY MEMORIES 444 & ! /ORY ( ! ,CZE*4 

,ONE DAY1 :5 9SPECT+ MY /RAW MATTRESS1 ,I F\ND A BIT ( NEWSPAP] /UCK TO 
ITS UND]SIDE4 ,! PAP] WAS YELL[ ) AGE1 ALMO/ TRANSP>5T1 BUT ,I C\LD /ILL 
MAKE \T ! LETT] PR9T4 ,IT WAS ! /ORY ( A CRIME4 ,! FIR/ P>T WAS MISS+1 BUT ,I 
GA!R$ ?AT ITS SC5E WAS SOME VILLAGE 9 ,CZE*OSLOVAKIA4 ,ONE ( ! VILLAG]S HAD 
LEFT HIS HOME TO TRY HIS LUCK ABROAD4 ,AFT] TW5TY-FIVE YE>S1 HAV+ MADE A =TUNE1 
HE RETURN$ TO HIS C\NTRY ) HIS WIFE & *ILD4 ,MEAN:ILE HIS MO!R & SI/] 
HAD BE5 RUNN+ A SMALL HOTEL 9 ! VILLAGE :]E HE WAS BORN4 ,HE DECID$ TO GIVE 
!M A SURPRISE &1 LEAV+ HIS WIFE & *ILD 9 ANO!R 9N1 HE W5T TO /AY AT HIS 
MO!R'S PLACE1 BOOK+ A ROOM UND] AN ASSUM$ NAME4 ,HIS MO!R & SI/] 
COMPLETELY FAIL$ TO RECOGNIZE HIM4 ,AT D9N] ?AT EV5+ HE %[$ !M A L>GE 
SUM ( MONEY HE HAD ON HIM1 & 9 ! C\RSE ( ! NI<T !Y SLAU<T]$ HIM 
) A HAMM]4 ,AFT] TAK+ ! MONEY !Y FLUNG ! BODY 9TO ! RIV]4 ,NEXT 
MORN+ HIS WIFE CAME &1 )\T ?9K+1 BETRAY$ ! GUE/'S ID5TITY4 ,HIS 
MO!R HANG$ H]SELF4 ,HIS SI/] ?REW H]SELF 9TO A WELL4 ,I MU/ HAVE READ ?AT 
/ORY ?\S&S ( TIMES4 ,9 ONE WAY IT S\ND$ MO/ UNLIKELY2 9 ANO!R1 IT WAS 
PLAUSIBLE 5\<4 ,ANYH[1 TO MY M9D1 ! MAN WAS ASK+ = TR\BLE2 ONE 
%\LDN'T PLAY FOOL TRICKS ( ?AT SORT4 

,SO1 :AT ) LONG B\TS ( SLEEP1 MY MEMORIES1 READ+S ( ?AT SCRAP ( 
NEWSPAP]1 ! TIDES ( LI<T & D>KNESS1 ! DAYS SLIPP$ BY4 ,I'D READ1 ( C\RSE1 
?AT 9 JAIL ONE 5DS UP BY LOS+ TRACK ( TIME4 ,BUT ?IS HAD NEV] MEANT ANY?+ 
DEF9ITE TO ME4 ,I HADN'T GRASP$ H[ DAYS C\LD BE AT ONCE LONG & %ORT4 ,LONG1 NO 
D\BT1 AS P]IODS TO LIVE ?R\<1 BUT SO DI/5D$ ?AT !Y 5D$ UP BY OV]LAPP+ 
ON EA* O!R4 ,9 FACT1 ,I NEV] ?\<T ( DAYS AS SU*2 ONLY ! WORDS 0YE/]DAY0 
& 0TOMORR[0 /ILL KEPT SOME MEAN+4 

,:51 ONE MORN+1 ! JAIL] 9=M$ ME ,I'D N[ BE5 SIX MON?S 9 JAIL1 ,I 
BELIEV$ HIM -- BUT ! WORDS CONVEY$ NO?+ TO MY M9D4 ,TO ME IT SEEM$ LIKE 
ONE & ! SAME DAY ?AT HAD BE5 GO+ ON S9CE ,I'D BE5 9 MY CELL1 & ?AT ,I'D 
BE5 DO+ ! SAME ?+ ALL ! TIME4 

,AFT] ! JAIL] LEFT ME ,I %9$ UP MY T9 PANNIK9 & /UDI$ MY FACE 9 IT4 ,MY 
EXPRESSION WAS T]RIBLY S]I\S1 ,I ?\<T1 EV5 :5 ,I TRI$ TO SMILE4 ,I HELD ! 
PANNIK9 AT DIFF]5T ANGLES1 BUT ALWAYS MY FACE HAD ! SAME M\RNFUL1 T5SE 
EXPRESSION4 

,! SUN WAS SETT+ & IT WAS ! H\R ( :I* ,I'D RA!R NOT SPEAK -- 0! 
NAMELESS H\R10 ,I CALL$ IT -- :5 EV5+ S\NDS W]E CREEP+ UP FROM ALL ! 
FLOORS ( ! PRISON 9 A SORT ( /EAL?Y PROCESSION4 ,I W5T TO ! B>R$ W9D[ & 
9 ! LA/ RAYS LOOK$ ONCE AGA9 AT MY REFLECT$ FACE4 ,IT WAS AS S]I\S AS BE=E2 
& ?AT WASN'T SURPRIS+1 AS JU/ !N ,I WAS FEEL+ S]I\S4 ,BUT1 AT ! SAME TIME1 ,I 
HE>D SOME?+ ?AT ,I HADN'T HE>D = MON?S4 ,IT WAS ! S\ND ( A VOICE2 MY [N 
VOICE1 !RE WAS NO MI/AK+ IT4 ,& ,I RECOGNIZ$ IT AS ! VOICE ?AT = MANY A DAY 
( LATE HAD BE5 S\ND+ 9 MY E>S4 ,SO ,I KNEW ?AT ALL ?IS TIME ,I'D BE5 TALK+ TO 
MYSELF4 

,& SOME?+ ,I'D BE5 TOLD CAME BACK2 A REM>K MADE BY ! NURSE AT ,MO!R'S 
FUN]AL4 ,NO1 !RE WAS NO WAY \T1 & NO ONE CAN IMAG9E :AT ! EV5+S >E LIKE 
9 PRISON4 

O ,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #c 
,I,I,I 

,O,N ,! :OLE ,I CAN'T SAY ?AT ?OSE MON?S PASS$ SL[LY2 ANO!R SUMM] WAS ON 
ITS WAY ALMO/ BE=E ,I REALIZ$ ! FIR/ WAS OV]4 ,& ,I KNEW ?AT ) ! FIR/ 
REALLY HOT DAYS SOME?+ NEW WAS 9 /ORE = ME4 ,MY CASE WAS D[N = ! LA/ 
SESSIONS ( ! ,ASSIZE ,C\RT1 & ?OSE SESSIONS W]E DUE TO 5D SOME TIME 9 ,JUNE4 

,! DAY ON :I* MY TRIAL />T$ WAS ONE ( BRILLIANT SUN%9E4 ,MY LAWY] 
ASSUR$ ME ! CASE W\LD TAKE ONLY TWO OR ?REE DAYS4 0,FROM :AT ,I HE>10 HE 
ADD$1 0! C\RT WILL DISPAT* Y\R CASE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE1 AS IT ISN'T ! MO/ 
IMPORTANT ONE ON ! ,CAUSE ,LI/4 ,!RE'S A CASE ( P>RICIDE IMM$IATELY AFT]1 :I* 
WILL TAKE !M SOME TIME40 

,!Y CAME = ME AT HALF-PA/ SEV5 9 ! MORN+ & ,I WAS CONVEY$ TO ! LAW 
C\RTS 9 A PRISON VAN4 ,! TWO POLICEM5 L$ ME 9TO A SMALL ROOM ?AT SMELL$ ( 
D>KNESS4 ,WE SAT NE> A DOOR ?R\< :I* CAME S\NDS ( VOICES1 %\TS1 *AIRS 
SCRAP+ ON ! FLOOR2 A VAGUE HUBBUB :I* REM9D$ ME ( ONE ( ?OSE SMALL- 
T[N 0SOCIALS0 :51 AFT] ! CONC]T'S OV]1 ! HALL IS CLE>$ = DANC+4 

,ONE ( MY POLICEM5 TOLD ME ! JUDGES HADN'T >RIV$ YET1 & (F]$ ME A 
CIG>ETTE1 :I* ,I DECL9$4 ,AFT] A BIT HE ASK$ ME IF ,I WAS FEEL+ N]V\S4 ,I SAID1 
0,NO10 & ?AT ! PROSPECT ( WITNESS+ A TRIAL RA!R 9T]E/$ ME2 ,I'D NEV] HAD 
OCCASION TO ATT5D ONE BE=E4 

0,MAYBE10 ! O!R POLICEMAN SAID4 0,BUT AFT] AN H\R OR TWO ONE'S HAD 5\< ( 
IT40 

,AFT] A :ILE A SMALL ELECTRIC BELL PURR$ 9 ! ROOM4 ,!Y UNFA/5$ MY 
H&CUFFS1 OP5$ ! DOOR1 & L$ ME TO ! PRISON]'S DOCK4 

,!RE WAS A GREAT CR[D 9 ! C\RTROOM4 ,?\< ! ,V5ETIAN BL9DS W]E 
D[N1 LI<T WAS FILT]+ ?R\< ! *9KS1 & ! AIR /IFL+LY HOT ALREADY4 ,! 
W9D[S HAD BE5 KEPT %UT4 ,I SAT D[N1 & ! POLICE (FIC]S TOOK !IR /& ON 
EA* SIDE ( MY *AIR4 

,IT WAS !N ?AT ,I NOTIC$ A R[ ( FACES OPPOSITE ME4 ,!SE PEOPLE W]E />+ 
H>D AT ME1 & ,I GUESS$ !Y W]E ! JURY4 ,BUT SOMEH[ ,I DIDN'T SEE !M AS 
9DIVIDUALS4 ,I FELT AS Y\ DO JU/ AFT] BO>D+ A /REETC> & Y\'RE CONSCI\S ( ALL 
! PEOPLE ON ! OPPOSITE SEAT />+ AT Y\ 9 ! HOPE ( F9D+ SOME?+ 9 
Y\R APPE>ANCE TO AMUSE !M4 ,( C\RSE1 ,I KNEW ?IS WAS AN ABSURD COMP>ISON2 
:AT !SE PEOPLE W]E LOOK+ = 9 ME WASN'T ANY?+ TO LAU< AT1 BUT SIGNS ( 
CRIM9ALITY4 ,/ILL1 ! DIFF]5CE WASN'T SO V]Y GREAT1 &1 ANYH[1 ?AT'S ! IDEA ,I 
GOT4 

,:AT ) ! CR[D & ! /UFF9ESS ( ! AIR ,I WAS FEEL+ A BIT DIZZY4 ,I RAN 
MY EYES R\ND ! C\RTROOM BUT C\LDN'T RECOGNIZE ANY ( ! FACES4 ,AT FIR/ ,I C\LD 
H>DLY BELIEVE ?AT ALL !SE PEOPLE HAD COME ON MY ACC\NT4 ,IT WAS SU* A NEW 
EXP]I5CE1 BE+ A FOCUS ( 9T]E/2 9 ! ORD9>Y WAY NO ONE EV] PAID MU* 
ATT5TION TO ME4 

0,:AT A CRU%60 ,I REM>K$ TO ! POLICEMAN ON MY LEFT1 & HE EXPLA9$ ?AT ! 
NEWSPAP]S W]E RESPONSIBLE = IT4 

,HE PO9T$ TO A GR\P ( M5 AT A TABLE JU/ BEL[ ! JURY BOX4 0,!RE !Y >E60 

0,:O80 ,I ASK$1 & HE REPLI$1 0,! PRESS40 ,ONE ( !M1 HE ADD$1 WAS AN OLD 
FRI5D ( HIS4 

,A MOM5T LAT] ! MAN HE'D M5TION$ LOOK$ \R WAY &1 COM+ TO ! DOCK1 
%OOK H&S W>MLY ) ! POLICEMAN4 ,! J\RNALI/ WAS AN ELD]LY MAN ) A 
RA!R GRIM EXPRESSION1 BUT HIS MANN] WAS QUITE PLEASANT4 ,JU/ !N ,I NOTIC$ ?AT 
ALMO/ ALL ! PEOPLE 9 ! C\RTROOM W]E GREET+ EA* O!R1 EX*ANG+ REM>KS 
& =M+ GR\PS -- BEHAV+1 9 FACT1 AS 9 A CLUB :]E ! COMPANY ( O!RS ( 
ONE'S [N TA/ES & /&+ MAKES ONE FEEL AT EASE4 ,?AT1 NO D\BT1 EXPLA9$ ! 
ODD IMPRESSION ,I HAD ( BE+ DE TROP H]E1 A SORT ( GATE-CRA%]4 

,H[EV]1 ! J\RNALI/ ADDRESS$ ME QUITE AMIABLY1 & SAID HE HOP$ ALL W\LD 
GO WELL = ME4 ,I ?ANK$ HIM1 & HE ADD$ ) A SMILE3 

0,Y\ KN[1 WE'VE BE5 FEATUR+ Y\ A BIT4 ,WE'RE ALWAYS RA!R %ORT ( COPY 9 
! SUMM]1 & !RE'S BE5 PRECI\S LITTLE TO WRITE AB\T EXCEPT Y\R CASE & ! 
ONE ?AT'S COM+ ON AFT] IT4 ,I EXPECT Y\'VE HE>D AB\T IT2 IT'S A CASE ( P>RICIDE40 

,HE DREW MY ATT5TION TO ONE ( ! GR\P AT ! PRESS TABLE1 A PLUMP1 SMALL MAN 
) HUGE BLACK-RIMM$ GLASSES1 :O MADE ME ?9K ( AN OV]F$ WEASEL4 

0,?AT FELL['S ! SPECIAL CORRESPOND5T ( ONE ( ! ,P>IS DAILIES4 ,AS A MATT] ( 
FACT1 HE DIDN'T COME ON Y\R ACC\NT4 ,HE WAS S5T = ! P>RICIDE CASE1 BUT !Y'VE 
ASK$ HIM TO COV] Y\RS AS WELL40 

,IT WAS ON ! TIP ( MY TONGUE TO SAY1 0,?AT WAS V]Y K9D ( !M10 BUT !N ,I 
?\<T IT W\LD S\ND SILLY4 ,) A FRI5DLY WAVE ( HIS H& HE LEFT US1 & = 
SOME M9UTES NO?+ HAPP5$4 

,!N1 ACCOMPANI$ BY SOME COLLEAGUES1 MY LAWY] BU/L$ 91 9 HIS G[N4 ,HE 
W5T UP TO ! PRESS TABLE & %OOK H&S ) ! J\RNALI/S4 ,!Y REMA9$ 
LAU<+ & *ATT+ TOGE!R1 ALL SEEM+LY V]Y MU* AT HOME H]E1 UNTIL A BELL 
RANG %RILLY & EV]YONE W5T TO HIS PLACE4 ,MY LAWY] CAME UP TO ME1 %OOK H&S1 
& ADVIS$ ME TO ANSW] ALL ! QUE/IONS AS BRIEFLY AS POSSIBLE1 NOT TO VOLUNTE] 
9=MATION1 & TO RELY ON HIM TO SEE ME ?R\<4 

,I HE>D A *AIR SCRAPE ON MY LEFT1 & A TALL1 ?9 MAN WE>+ P9CE-NEZ SETTL$ ! 
FOLDS ( HIS R$ G[N AS HE TOOK HIS SEAT4 ,! ,PUBLIC ,PROSECUTOR1 ,I GA!R$4 ,A CL]K 
( ! C\RT ANN\NC$ ?AT ,!IR ,HONORS W]E 5T]+1 & AT ! SAME MOM5T TWO 
BIG ELECTRIC FANS />T$ BUZZ+ OV]HEAD4 ,?REE JUDGES1 TWO 9 BLACK & ! ?IRD 9 
SC>LET1 ) BRIEF CASES UND] !IR >MS1 5T]$ & WALK$ BRISKLY TO ! B5*1 
:I* WAS SEV]AL FEET ABOVE ! LEVEL ( ! C\RTROOM FLOOR4 ,! MAN 9 SC>LET 
TOOK ! C5TRAL1 HI<-BACK$ *AIR1 PLAC$ HIS CAP ( (FICE ON ! TABLE1 RAN A 
H&K]*IEF OV] HIS SMALL BALD CR[N1 & ANN\NC$ ?AT ! HE>+ W\LD N[ 
BEG94 

,! J\RNALI/S HAD !IR F\NTA9 P5S READY2 !Y ALL WORE ! SAME EXPRESSION ( 
SLI<TLY IRONICAL 9DIFF]5CE1 ) ! EXCEPTION ( ONE1 A MU* Y\NG] MAN ?AN 
HIS COLLEAGUES1 9 GRAY FLANNELS ) A BLUE TIE1 :O1 LEAV+ HIS P5 ON ! TABLE1 WAS 
GAZ+ H>D AT ME4 ,HE HAD A PLA91 RA!R *UNKY FACE2 :AT HELD MY ATT5TION W]E 
HIS EYES1 V]Y PALE1 CLE> EYES1 RIVET$ ON ME1 ?\< NOT BETRAY+ ANY DEF9ITE 
EMOTION4 ,= A MOM5T ,I HAD AN ODD IMPRESSION1 AS IF ,I W]E BE+ SCRUT9IZ$ BY 
MYSELF4 ,?AT -- & ! FACT ?AT ,I WAS UNFAMILI> ) C\RT PROC$URE -- MAY EXPLA9 
:Y ,I DIDN'T FOLL[ V]Y WELL ! OP5+ PHASES3 ! DRAW+ ( LOTS = ! JURY1 ! 
V>I\S QUE/IONS PUT BY ! PRESID+ JUDGE TO ! ,PROSECUTOR1 ! =EMAN ( ! 
JURY1 & MY C\NSEL 7EA* TIME HE SPOKE ALL ! JURYM5'S HEADS SWUNG R\ND 
TOGE!R T[>D ! B5*71 ! HURRI$ READ+ ( ! *>GE %EET1 9 ! C\RSE ( 
:I* ,I RECOGNIZ$ SOME FAMILI> NAMES ( PEOPLE & PLACES2 !N SOME 
SUPPLEM5T>Y QUE/IONS PUT TO MY LAWY]4 

,NEXT1 ! ,JUDGE ANN\NC$ ?AT ! C\RT W\LD CALL OV] ! WITNESS LI/4 ,SOME ( 
! NAMES READ \T BY ! CL]K RA!R SURPRIS$ ME4 ,FROM AMONG ! CR[D1 :I* 
UNTIL N[ ,I HAD SE5 AS A M]E BLUR ( FACES1 ROSE1 ONE AFT] ! O!R1 ,RAYMOND1 
,MASSON1 ,SALAMANO1 ! DOORKEEP] FROM ! ,HOME1 OLD ,P]EZ1 & ,M>IE1 :O GAVE 
ME A LITTLE N]V\S WAVE ( H] H& BE=E FOLL[+ ! O!RS \T BY A SIDE DOOR4 ,I 
WAS ?9K+ H[ /RANGE IT WAS ,I HADN'T NOTIC$ ANY ( !M BE=E :5 ,I HE>D ! 
LA/ NAME CALL$1 ?AT ( ,CELE/E4 ,AS HE ROSE1 ,I NOTIC$ BESIDE HIM ! QUA9T LITTLE 
WOMAN ) A MANNI% COAT & BRISK1 DECID$ AIR1 :O HAD %>$ MY TABLE AT ! 
RE/AURANT4 ,%E HAD H] EYES FIX$ ON ME1 ,I NOTIC$4 ,BUT ,I HADN'T TIME TO WOND] 
AB\T H]2 ! ,JUDGE HAD />T$ SPEAK+ AGA94 

,HE SAID ?AT ! TRIAL PROP] WAS AB\T TO BEG91 & HE NE$ H>DLY SAY ?AT HE 
EXPECT$ ! PUBLIC TO REFRA9 FROM ANY DEMON/RATION :ATSOEV]4 ,HE EXPLA9$ ?AT 
HE WAS !RE TO SUP]VISE ! PROCE$+S1 AS A SORT ( UMPIRE1 & HE W\LD TAKE A 
SCRUPUL\SLY IMP>TIAL VIEW ( ! CASE4 ,! V]DICT ( ! JURY W\LD BE 9T]PRET$ 
BY HIM 9 A SPIRIT ( JU/ICE4 ,F9ALLY1 AT ! LEA/ SIGN ( A DI/URBANCE HE W\LD HAVE 
! C\RT CLE>$4 

,! DAY WAS /OK+ UP4 ,SOME ( ! PUBLIC W]E FANN+ !MSELVES ) 
NEWSPAP]S1 & !RE WAS A CON/ANT RU/LE ( CRUMPL$ PAP]4 ,ON A SIGN FROM ! 
PRESID+ JUDGE ! CL]K ( ! C\RT BR\<T ?REE FANS ( PLAIT$ /RAW1 :I* ! 
?REE JUDGES PROMPTLY PUT 9 ACTION4 

,MY EXAM9ATION BEGAN AT ONCE4 ,! ,JUDGE QUE/ION$ ME QUITE CALMLY & EV51 ,I 
?\<T1 ) A H9T ( CORDIALITY4 ,= ! @<@<? TIME ,I WAS ASK$ TO GIVE P>TICUL>S ( 
MY ID5TITY &1 ?\< HE>TILY SICK ( ?IS =MALITY1 ,I REALIZ$ ?AT IT WAS NATURAL 
5\<2 AFT] ALL1 IT W\LD BE A %OCK+ ?+ = ! C\RT TO BE TRY+ ! WRONG 
MAN4 

,! ,JUDGE !N LAUN*$ 9TO AN ACC\NT ( :AT ,I'D DONE1 /OPP+ AFT] EV]Y 
TWO OR ?REE S5T5CES TO ASK ME1 0,IS ?AT CORRECT80 ,TO :I* ,I ALWAYS REPLI$1 0,YES1 
SIR10 AS MY LAWY] HAD ADVIS$ ME4 ,IT WAS A LONG BUS9ESS1 AS ! ,JUDGE L+]$ ON 
EA* DETAIL4 ,MEAN:ILE ! J\RNALI/S SCRIBBL$ BUSILY AWAY4 ,BUT ,I WAS SOMETIMES 
CONSCI\S ( ! EYES ( ! Y\NGE/ FIX$ ON ME2 ALSO ?OSE ( ! QUE] LITTLE ROBOT 
WOMAN4 ,! JURYM51 H[EV]1 W]E ALL GAZ+ AT ! R$-ROB$ JUDGE1 & ,I WAS 
AGA9 REM9D$ ( ! R[ ( PASS5G]S ON ONE SIDE ( A TRAM4 ,PRES5TLY HE GAVE A 
SLI<T C\<1 TURN$ SOME PAGES ( HIS FILE1 &1 /ILL FANN+ HIS FACE1 ADDRESS$ ME 
GRAVELY4 

,HE N[ PROPOS$1 HE SAID1 TO TR5* ON C]TA9 MATT]S :I*1 ON A SUP]FICIAL 
VIEW1 MI<T SEEM =EIGN TO ! CASE1 BUT ACTUALLY W]E HI<LY RELEVANT4 ,I GUESS$ 
?AT HE WAS GO+ TO TALK AB\T ,MO!R1 & AT ! SAME MOM5T REALIZ$ H[ ODI\S 
,I W\LD F9D ?IS4 ,HIS FIR/ QUE/ION WAS3 ,:Y HAD ,I S5T MY MO!R TO AN 9/ITUTION8 
,I REPLI$ ?AT ! REASON WAS SIMPLE2 ,I HADN'T 5\< MONEY TO SEE ?AT %E WAS 
PROP]LY LOOK$ AFT] AT HOME4 ,!N HE ASK$ IF ! P>T+ HADN'T CAUS$ ME 
DI/RESS4 ,I EXPLA9$ ?AT NEI!R ,MO!R NOR ,I EXPECT$ MU* ( ONE ANO!R -- OR1 = 
?AT MATT]1 ( ANYBODY ELSE2 SO BO? ( US HAD GOT US$ TO ! NEW CONDITIONS EASILY 
5\<4 ,! ,JUDGE !N SAID ?AT HE HAD NO WI% TO PRESS ! PO9T1 & ASK$ ! 
,PROSECUTOR IF HE C\LD ?9K ( ANY MORE QUE/IONS ?AT %\LD BE PUT TO ME AT ?IS 
/AGE4 

,! ,PROSECUTOR1 :O HAD HIS BACK HALF TURN$ TO ME1 SAID1 )\T LOOK+ 9 MY 
DIRECTION1 ?AT1 SUBJECT TO ,HIS ,HONOR'S APPROVAL1 HE W\LD LIKE TO KN[ IF ,I'D GONE 
BACK TO ! /REAM ) ! 9T5TION ( KILL+ ! ,>AB4 ,I SAID1 0,NO40 ,9 ?AT CASE1 
:Y HAD ,I TAK5 A REVOLV] ) ME1 & :Y GO BACK PRECISELY TO ?AT SPOT8 ,I SAID IT 
WAS A MATT] ( PURE *ANCE4 ,! ,PROSECUTOR !N OBS]V$ 9 A NA/Y TONE3 0,V]Y 
GOOD4 ,?AT WILL BE ALL = ! PRES5T40 

,I C\LDN'T QUITE FOLL[ :AT CAME NEXT4 ,ANYH[1 AFT] SOME PALAV]+ AMONG ! 
B5*1 ! ,PROSECUTOR1 & MY C\NSEL1 ! PRESID+ JUDGE ANN\NC$ ?AT ! C\RT 
W\LD N[ RISE2 !RE WAS AN ADJ\RNM5T TILL ! AFT]NOON1 :5 EVID5CE W\LD 
BE TAK54 

,ALMO/ BE=E ,I KNEW :AT WAS HAPP5+ ,I WAS RU%$ \T TO ! PRISON VAN1 
:I* DROVE ME BACK1 & ,I WAS GIV5 MY MIDDAY MEAL4 ,AFT] A %ORT TIME1 JU/ 
5\< = ME TO REALIZE H[ TIR$ ,I WAS FEEL+1 !Y CAME = ME4 ,I WAS BACK 9 ! 
SAME ROOM1 CONFRONT+ ! SAME FACES1 & ! :OLE ?+ />T$ AGA94 ,BUT ! 
HEAT HAD MEAN:ILE MU* 9CREAS$1 & BY SOME MIRACLE FANS HAD BE5 PROCUR$ 
= EV]YONE3 ! JURY1 MY LAWY]1 ! ,PROSECUTOR1 & SOME ( ! J\RNALI/S1 TOO4 
,! Y\NG MAN & ! ROBOT WOMAN W]E /ILL AT !IR PLACES4 ,BUT !Y W]E NOT 
FANN+ !MSELVES &1 AS BE=E1 !Y NEV] TOOK !IR EYES (F ME4 

,I WIP$ ! SWEAT FROM MY FACE1 BUT ,I WAS B>ELY CONSCI\S ( :]E OR :O ,I WAS 
UNTIL ,I HE>D ! W>D5 ( ! ,HOME CALL$ TO ! WITNESS BOX4 ,:5 ASK$ IF MY 
MO!R HAD COMPLA9$ AB\T MY CONDUCT1 HE SAID1 0,YES10 BUT ?AT DIDN'T MEAN 
MU*2 ALMO/ ALL ! 9MATES ( ! ,HOME HAD GRIEVANCES AGA9/ !IR RELATIVES4 ,! 
,JUDGE ASK$ HIM TO BE MORE EXPLICIT2 DID %E REPROA* ME ) HAV+ S5T H] TO ! 
,HOME1 & HE SAID1 0,YES10 AGA94 ,BUT ?IS TIME HE DIDN'T QUALIFY HIS ANSW]4 

,TO ANO!R QUE/ION HE REPLI$ ?AT ON ! DAY ( ! FUN]AL HE WAS SOME:AT 
SURPRIS$ BY MY CALMNESS4 ,ASK$ TO EXPLA9 :AT HE MEANT BY 0MY CALMNESS10 ! 
W>D5 L[]$ HIS EYES & />$ AT HIS %OES = A MOM5T4 ,!N HE EXPLA9$ 
?AT ,I HADN'T WANT$ TO SEE ,MO!R'S BODY1 OR %$ A S+LE TE>1 & ?AT ,I'D LEFT 
IMM$IATELY ! FUN]AL 5D$1 )\T L+]+ AT H] GRAVE4 ,ANO!R ?+ HAD 
SURPRIS$ HIM4 ,ONE ( ! UND]TAK]'S M5 TOLD HIM ?AT ,I DIDN'T KN[ MY MO!R'S 
AGE4 ,!RE WAS A %ORT SIL5CE2 !N ! ,JUDGE ASK$ HIM IF HE MI<T TAKE IT ?AT HE 
WAS REF]R+ TO ! PRISON] 9 ! DOCK4 ,! W>D5 SEEM$ PUZZL$ BY ?IS1 & ! 
,JUDGE EXPLA9$3 0,IT'S A =MAL QUE/ION4 ,I AM B\ND TO PUT IT40 

,! ,PROSECUTOR WAS !N ASK$ IF HE HAD ANY QUE/IONS TO PUT1 & HE ANSW]$ 
L\DLY3 0,C]TA9LY NOT6 ,I HAVE ALL ,I WANT40 ,HIS TONE & ! LOOK ( TRIUMPH ON HIS 
FACE1 AS HE GLANC$ AT ME1 W]E SO M>K$ ?AT ,I FELT AS ,I HADN'T FELT = AGES4 ,I HAD A 
FOOLI% DESIRE TO BUR/ 9TO TE>S4 ,= ! FIR/ TIME ,I'D REALIZ$ H[ ALL !SE PEOPLE 
LOA!D ME4 

,AFT] ASK+ ! JURY & MY LAWY] IF !Y HAD ANY QUE/IONS1 ! ,JUDGE HE>D ! 
DOORKEEP]'S EVID5CE4 ,ON /EPP+ 9TO ! BOX ! MAN ?REW A GLANCE AT ME1 !N 
LOOK$ AWAY4 ,REPLY+ TO QUE/IONS1 HE SAID ?AT ,I'D DECL9$ TO SEE ,MO!R'S BODY1 
,I'D SMOK$ CIG>ETTES & SLEPT1 & DRUNK CAFE AU LAIT4 ,IT WAS !N ,I FELT A SORT ( 
WAVE ( 9DIGNATION SPREAD+ ?R\< ! C\RTROOM1 & = ! FIR/ TIME ,I 
UND]/OOD ?AT ,I WAS GUILTY4 ,!Y GOT ! DOORKEEP] TO REPEAT :AT HE HAD SAID 
AB\T ! C(FEE & MY SMOK+4 

,! ,PROSECUTOR TURN$ TO ME AGA91 ) A GLOAT+ LOOK 9 HIS EYES4 ,MY C\NSEL 
ASK$ ! DOORKEEP] IF HE1 TOO1 HADN'T SMOK$4 ,BUT ! ,PROSECUTOR TOOK /RONG 
EXCEPTION TO ?IS4 0,I'D LIKE TO KN[10 HE CRI$ 9DIGNANTLY1 0:O IS ON TRIAL 9 ?IS 
C\RT4 ,OR DOES MY FRI5D ?9K ?AT BY ASP]S+ A WITNESS = ! PROSECUTION HE WILL 
%AKE ! EVID5CE1 ! ABUNDANT & COG5T EVID5CE1 AGA9/ HIS CLI5T80 ,NONE ! 
LESS1 ! ,JUDGE TOLD ! DOORKEEP] TO ANSW] ! QUE/ION4 

,! OLD FELL[ FIDGET$ A BIT4 ,!N1 0,WELL1 ,I KN[ ,I DIDN'T \<T TO HAVE DONE IT10 
HE MUMBL$1 0BUT ,I DID TAKE A CIG>ETTE FROM ! Y\NG G5TLEMAN :5 HE (F]$ 
IT -- JU/ \T ( POLIT5ESS40 

,! ,JUDGE ASK$ ME IF ,I HAD ANY COMM5T TO MAKE4 0,NONE10 ,I SAID1 0EXCEPT ?AT 
! WITNESS IS QUITE RI<T4 ,IT'S TRUE ,I (F]$ HIM A CIG>ETTE40 

,! DOORKEEP] LOOK$ AT ME ) SURPRISE & A SORT ( GRATITUDE4 ,!N1 AFT] 
HEMM+ & HAW+ = A BIT1 HE VOLUNTE]$ ! /ATEM5T ?AT IT WAS HE :O'D 
SUGGE/$ ,I %\LD HAVE SOME C(FEE4 

,MY LAWY] WAS EXULTANT4 0,! JURY WILL APPRECIATE10 HE SAID1 0! IMPORTANCE ( 
?IS ADMISSION40 

,! ,PROSECUTOR1 H[EV]1 WAS PROMPTLY ON HIS FEET AGA94 0,QUITE SO10 HE BOOM$ 
ABOVE \R HEADS4 0,! JURY WILL APPRECIATE IT4 ,& !Y WILL DRAW ! CONCLUSION ?AT1 
?\< A ?IRD P>TY MI<T 9ADV]T5TLY (F] HIM A CUP ( C(FEE1 ! PRISON]1 9 
COMMON DEC5CY1 %\LD HAVE REFUS$ IT1 IF ONLY \T ( RESPECT = ! DEAD BODY ( 
! POOR WOMAN :O HAD BR\<T HIM 9TO ! WORLD40 

,AFT] :I* ! DOORKEEP] W5T BACK TO HIS SEAT4 

,:5 ,?OMAS ,P]EZ WAS CALL$1 A C\RT (FIC] HAD4 TO HELP HIM TO ! BOX4 ,P]EZ 
/AT$ ?AT1 ?\< HE HAD BE5 A GREAT FRI5D ( MY MO!R1 HE HAD MET ME ONCE 
ONLY1 ON ! DAY ( ! FUN]AL4 ,ASK$ H[ ,I HAD BEHAV$ ?AT DAY1 HE SAID3 

0,WELL1 ,I WAS MO/ UPSET1 Y\ KN[4 ,F> TOO MU* UPSET TO NOTICE ?+S4 ,MY GRIEF 
SORT ( BL9D$ ME1 ,I ?9K4 ,IT HAD BE5 A GREAT %OCK1 MY DE> FRI5D'S DEA?2 9 FACT1 
,I FA9T$ DUR+ ! FUN]AL4 ,SO ,I DIDN'T H>DLY NOTICE ! Y\NG G5TLEMAN AT ALL40 

,! ,PROSECUTOR ASK$ HIM TO TELL ! C\RT IF HE'D SE5 ME WEEP4 ,& :5 ,P]EZ 
ANSW]$1 0,NO10 ADD$ EMPHATICALLY3 0,I TRU/ ! JURY WILL TAKE NOTE ( ?IS REPLY40 

,MY LAWY] ROSE AT ONCE1 & ASK$ ,P]EZ 9 A TONE ?AT SEEM$ TO ME NE$LESSLY 
AGGRESSIVE3 

0,N[1 ?9K WELL1 MY MAN6 ,CAN Y\ SWE> Y\ SAW HE DIDN'T %$ A TE>80 

,P]EZ ANSW]$1 0,NO40 

,AT ?IS SOME PEOPLE TITT]$1 & MY LAWY]1 PU%+ BACK ONE SLEEVE ( HIS G[N1 
SAID /]NLY3 

0,?AT IS TYPICAL ( ! WAY ?IS CASE IS BE+ CONDUCT$4 ,NO ATTEMPT IS BE+ MADE 
TO ELICIT ! TRUE FACTS40 

,! ,PROSECUTOR IGNOR$ ?IS REM>K2 HE WAS MAK+ DABS ) HIS P5CIL ON ! 
COV] ( HIS BRIEF1 SEEM+LY QUITE 9DIFF]5T4 

,!RE WAS A BREAK ( FIVE M9UTES1 DUR+ :I* MY LAWY] TOLD ME ! CASE WAS 
GO+ V]Y WELL 9DE$4 ,!N ,CELE/E WAS CALL$4 ,HE WAS ANN\NC$ AS A WITNESS = 
! DEF5SE4 ,! DEF5SE MEANT ME4 

,N[ & AGA9 ,CELE/E ?REW ME A GLANCE2 HE KEPT SQUEEZ+ HIS ,PANAMA HAT 
BETWE5 HIS H&S AS HE GAVE EVID5CE4 ,HE WAS 9 HIS BE/ SUIT1 ! ONE HE WORE 
:5 SOMETIMES ( A ,SUNDAY HE W5T ) ME TO ! RACES4 ,BUT EVID5TLY HE HADN'T 
BE5 ABLE TO GET HIS COLL> ON2 ! TOP ( HIS %IRT1 ,I NOTIC$1 WAS SECUR$ ONLY BY A 
BRASS /UD4 ,ASK$ IF ,I WAS ONE ( HIS CU/OM]S1 HE SAID1 0,YES1 & A FRI5D AS WELL40 
,ASK$ TO /ATE HIS OP9ION ( ME1 HE SAID ?AT ,I WAS 0ALL RI<T0 &1 :5 TOLD TO 
EXPLA9 :AT HE MEANT BY ?AT1 HE REPLI$ ?AT EV]YONE KNEW :AT ?AT MEANT4 0,WAS 
,I A SECRETIVE SORT ( MAN80 0,NO10 HE ANSW]$1 0,I %\LDN'T CALL HIM ?AT4 ,BUT HE ISN'T 
ONE TO WA/E HIS BREA?1 LIKE A LOT ( FOLKS40 

,! ,PROSECUTOR ASK$ HIM IF ,I ALWAYS SETTL$ MY MON?LY BILL AT HIS RE/AURANT 
:5 HE PRES5T$ IT4 ,CELE/E LAU<$4 0,OH1 HE PAID ON ! NAIL1 ALL RI<T4 ,BUT ! BILLS 
W]E JU/ DETAILS-LIKE1 BETWE5 HIM & ME40 ,!N HE WAS ASK$ TO SAY :AT HE 
?\<T AB\T ! CRIME4 ,HE PLAC$ HIS H&S ON ! RAIL ( ! BOX & ONE C\LD SEE 
HE HAD A SPEE* ALL READY4 

0,TO MY M9D IT WAS JU/ AN ACCID5T1 OR A /ROKE ( BAD LUCK1 IF Y\ PREF]4 ,& A 
?+ LIKE ?AT TAKES Y\ (F Y\R GU>D40 

,HE WANT$ TO CONT9UE1 BUT ! ,JUDGE CUT HIM %ORT4 0,QUITE SO4 ,?AT'S ALL1 ?ANK 
Y\40 

,= A BIT ,CELE/E SEEM$ FLABB]GA/$2 !N HE EXPLA9$ ?AT HE HADN'T F9I%$ 
:AT HE WANT$ TO SAY4 ,!Y TOLD HIM TO CONT9UE1 BUT TO MAKE IT BRIEF4 

,HE ONLY REPEAT$ ?AT IT WAS 0JU/ AN ACCID5T40 

0,?AT'S AS IT MAY BE10 ! ,JUDGE OBS]V$4 0,BUT :AT WE >E H]E = IS TO TRY SU* 
ACCID5TS1 ACCORD+ TO LAW4 ,Y\ CAN /& D[N40 

,CELE/E TURN$ & GAZ$ AT ME4 ,HIS EYES W]E MOI/ & HIS LIPS TREMBL+4 ,IT WAS 
EXACTLY AS IF HE'D SAID3 0,WELL1 ,I'VE DONE MY BE/ = Y\1 OLD MAN4 ,I'M AFRAID IT 
HASN'T HELP$ MU*4 ,I'M SORRY40 

,I DIDN'T SAY ANY?+1 OR MAKE ANY MOVEM5T1 BUT = ! FIR/ TIME 9 MY LIFE ,I 
WANT$ TO KISS A MAN4 

,! ,JUDGE REPEAT$ HIS ORD] TO /& D[N1 & ,CELE/E RETURN$ TO HIS PLACE 
AMONG ! CR[D4 ,DUR+ ! RE/ ( ! HE>+ HE REMA9$ !RE1 LEAN+ 
=W>D1 ELB[S ON KNEES & HIS ,PANAMA BETWE5 HIS H&S1 NOT MISS+ A WORD ( 
! PROCE$+S4 

,IT WAS ,M>IE'S TURN NEXT4 ,%E HAD A HAT ON & /ILL LOOK$ QUITE PRETTY1 ?\< ,I 
MU* PREF]R$ H] ) H] HAIR FREE4 ,FROM :]E ,I WAS ,I HAD GLIMPSES ( ! S(T 
CURVE ( H] BREA/S1 & H] UND]LIP HAD ! LITTLE P\T ?AT ALWAYS FASC9AT$ ME4 
,%E APPE>$ V]Y N]V\S4 

,! FIR/ QUE/ION WAS3 ,H[ LONG HAD %E KN[N ME8 ,S9CE ! TIME :5 %E 
WAS 9 \R (FICE1 %E REPLI$4 ,!N ! ,JUDGE ASK$ H] :AT W]E ! RELATIONS 
BETWE5 US1 & %E SAID %E WAS MY GIRL FRI5D4 ,ANSW]+ ANO!R QUE/ION1 %E 
ADMITT$ PROMIS+ TO M>RY ME4 ,! ,PROSECUTOR1 :O HAD BE5 /UDY+ A DOCUM5T 
9 FRONT ( HIM1 ASK$ H] RA!R %>PLY :5 \R 0LIAISON0 HAD BEGUN4 ,%E GAVE ! 
DATE4 ,HE !N OBS]V$ ) A W\LD-BE CASUAL AIR ?AT APP>5TLY %E MEANT ! DAY 
FOLL[+ MY MO!R'S FUN]AL4 ,AFT] LETT+ ?IS S9K 9 HE REM>K$ 9 A SLI<TLY 
IRONIC TONE ?AT OBVI\SLY ?IS WAS A 0DELICATE TOPIC0 & HE C\LD 5T] 9TO ! 
Y\NG LADY'S FEEL+S1 BUT -- & H]E HIS VOICE GREW /]N] -- HIS DUTY OBLIG$ HIM TO 
WAIVE CONSID]ATIONS ( DELICACY4 

,AFT] MAK+ ?IS ANN\NCEM5T HE ASK$ ,M>IE TO GIVE A FULL ACC\NT ( \R 
DO+S ON ! DAY :5 ,I HAD 09T]C\RSE0 ) H] = ! FIR/ TIME4 ,M>IE 
W\LDN'T ANSW] AT FIR/1 BUT ! ,PROSECUTOR 9SI/$1 & !N %E TOLD HIM ?AT WE 
HAD MET AT ! BA?S1 GONE TOGE!R TO ! PICTURES1 & !N TO MY PLACE4 ,HE !N 
9=M$ ! C\RT ?AT1 AS A RESULT ( C]TA9 /ATEM5TS MADE BY ,M>IE AT ! 
PROCE$+S BE=E ! MAGI/RATE1 HE HAD /UDI$ ! MOVIE PROGRAMS ( ?AT DATE1 
& TURN+ TO ,M>IE ASK$ H] TO NAME ! FILM ?AT WE HAD GONE TO SEE4 ,9 A V]Y 
L[ VOICE %E SAID IT WAS A PICTURE ) ,F]N&EL 9 IT4 ,BY ! TIME %E HAD F9I%$1 
! C\RTROOM WAS SO /ILL Y\ C\LD HAVE HE>D A P9 DROP4 

,LOOK+ V]Y GRAVE1 ! ,PROSECUTOR DREW HIMSELF UP TO HIS FULL HEI<T &1 
PO9T+ AT ME1 SAID 9 SU* A TONE ?AT ,I C\LD HAVE SWORN HE WAS G5U9ELY MOV$3 

0,G5TLEM5 ( ! JURY1 ,I W\LD HAVE Y\ NOTE ?AT ON ! NEXT DAY AFT] HIS 
MO!R'S FUN]AL ?AT MAN WAS VISIT+ ! SWIMM+ POOL1 />T+ A LIAISON ) A 
GIRL1 & GO+ TO SEE A COMIC FILM4 ,?AT IS ALL ,I WI% TO SAY40 

,:5 HE SAT D[N !RE WAS ! SAME DEAD SIL5CE4 ,!N ALL ( A SUDD5 ,M>IE 
BUR/ 9TO TE>S4 ,HE'D GOT IT ALL WRONG1 %E SAID2 IT WASN'T A BIT LIKE ?AT REALLY1 HE'D 
BULLI$ H] 9TO SAY+ ! OPPOSITE ( :AT %E MEANT4 ,%E KNEW ME V]Y WELL1 & 
%E WAS SURE ,I HADN'T DONE ANY?+ REALLY WRONG -- & SO ON4 ,AT A SIGN FROM ! 
PRESID+ JUDGE1 ONE ( ! C\RT (FIC]S L$ H] AWAY1 & ! HE>+ CONT9U$4 

,H>DLY ANYONE SEEM$ TO LI/5 TO ,MASSON1 ! NEXT WITNESS4 ,HE /AT$ ?AT ,I WAS A 
RESPECTABLE Y\NG FELL[2 0&1 :AT'S MORE1 A V]Y DEC5T *AP40 ,NOR DID !Y PAY 
ANY MORE ATT5TION TO ,SALAMANO1 :5 HE TOLD !M H[ K9D ,I'D ALWAYS BE5 TO HIS 
DOG1 OR :51 9 ANSW] TO A QUE/ION AB\T MY MO!R & MYSELF1 HE SAID ?AT 
,MO!R & ,I HAD V]Y LITTLE 9 COMMON & ?AT EXPLA9$ :Y ,I'D FIX$ UP = H] 
TO 5T] ! ,HOME4 0,Y\'VE GOT TO UND]/&10 HE ADD$4 0,Y\'VE GOT TO 
UND]/&40 ,BUT NO ONE SEEM$ TO UND]/&4 ,HE WAS TOLD TO /& D[N4 

,RAYMOND WAS ! NEXT1 & LA/1 WITNESS4 ,HE GAVE ME A LITTLE WAVE ( HIS H& & 
L$ (F BY SAY+ ,I WAS 9NOC5T4 ,! ,JUDGE REBUK$ HIM4 

0,Y\ >E H]E TO GIVE EVID5CE1 NOT Y\R VIEWS ON ! CASE1 & Y\ MU/ CONF9E 
Y\RSELF TO ANSW]+ ! QUE/IONS PUT Y\40 

,HE WAS !N ASK$ TO MAKE CLE> HIS RELATIONS ) ! DECEAS$1 & ,RAYMOND 
TOOK ?IS OPPORTUNITY ( EXPLA9+ ?AT IT WAS HE1 NOT ,I1 AGA9/ :OM ! DEAD MAN 
HAD A GRUDGE1 BECAUSE HE1 ,RAYMOND1 HAD BEAT5 UP HIS SI/]4 ,! JUDGE ASK$ HIM IF 
! DECEAS$ HAD NO REASON TO DISLIKE ME1 TOO4 ,RAYMOND TOLD HIM ?AT MY PRES5CE 
ON ! BEA* ?AT MORN+ WAS A PURE CO9CID5CE4 

0,H[ COMES IT !N10 ! ,PROSECUTOR 9QUIR$1 0?AT ! LETT] :I* L$ UP TO ?IS 
TRAG$Y WAS ! PRISON]'S WORK80 

,RAYMOND REPLI$ ?AT ?IS1 TOO1 WAS DUE TO M]E *ANCE4 

,TO :I* ! ,PROSECUTOR RETORT$ ?AT 9 ?IS CASE 0*ANCE0 OR 0M]E CO9CID5CE0 
SEEM$ TO PLAY A REM>KABLY L>GE P>T4 ,WAS IT BY *ANCE ?AT ,I HADN'T 9T]V5$ 
:5 ,RAYMOND ASSAULT$ HIS MI/RESS8 ,DID ?IS CONV5I5T T]M 0*ANCE0 ACC\NT 
= MY HAV+ V\*$ = ,RAYMOND AT ! POLICE /ATION & HAV+ MADE1 ON ?AT 
OCCASION1 /ATEM5TS EXTRAVAGANTLY FAVORABLE TO HIM8 ,9 CONCLUSION HE ASK$ 
,RAYMOND TO /ATE :AT W]E HIS MEANS ( LIVELIHOOD4 

,ON HIS DESCRIB+ HIMSELF AS A W>EH\SEMAN1 ! ,PROSECUTOR 9=M$ ! JURY IT 
WAS COMMON KN[L$GE ?AT ! WITNESS LIV$ ON ! IMMORAL E>N+S ( WOM54 ,I1 
HE SAID1 WAS ?IS MAN'S 9TIMATE FRI5D & ASSOCIATE2 9 FACT1 ! :OLE BACKGR\ND 
( ! CRIME WAS ( ! MO/ SQUALID DESCRIPTION4 ,& :AT MADE IT EV5 MORE ODI\S 
WAS ! P]SONALITY ( ! PRISON]1 AN 9HUMAN MON/] :OLLY )\T A MORAL 
S5SE4 

,RAYMOND BEGAN TO EXPO/ULATE1 & MY LAWY]1 TOO1 PROTE/$4 ,!Y W]E TOLD ?AT 
! ,PROSECUTOR MU/ BE ALL[$ TO F9I% HIS REM>KS4 

0,I HAVE NE>LY DONE10 HE SAID2 !N TURN$ TO ,RAYMOND4 0,WAS ! PRISON] Y\R 
FRI5D80 

0,C]TA9LY4 ,WE W]E ! BE/ ( PALS1 AS !Y SAY40 

,! ,PROSECUTOR !N PUT ME ! SAME QUE/ION4 ,I LOOK$ H>D AT ,RAYMOND1 & HE 
DID NOT TURN AWAY4 

,!N1 0,YES10 ,I ANSW]$4 

,! ,PROSECUTOR TURN$ T[>D ! JURY4 

0,NOT ONLY DID ! MAN BE=E Y\ 9 ! DOCK 9DULGE 9 ! MO/ %AMEFUL ORGIES 
ON ! DAY FOLL[+ HIS MO!R'S DEA?4 ,HE KILL$ A MAN COLD-BLOOD$LY1 9 
PURSUANCE ( SOME SORDID V5DETTA 9 ! UND]WORLD ( PRO/ITUTES & PIMPS4 ,?AT1 
G5TLEM5 ( ! JURY1 IS ! TYPE ( MAN ! PRISON] IS40 

,NO SOON] HAD HE SAT D[N ?AN MY LAWY]1 \T ( ALL PATI5CE1 RAIS$ HIS >MS SO 
HI< ?AT HIS SLEEVES FELL BACK1 %[+ ! FULL L5G? ( HIS />*$ %IRT CUFFS4 

0,IS MY CLI5T ON TRIAL = HAV+ BURI$ HIS MO!R1 OR = KILL+ A MAN80 HE ASK$4 

,!RE W]E SOME TITT]S 9 C\RT4 ,BUT !N ! ,PROSECUTOR SPRANG TO HIS FEET &1 
DRAP+ HIS G[N R\ND HIM1 SAID HE WAS AMAZ$ AT HIS FRI5D'S +5U\SNESS 9 
FAIL+ TO SEE ?AT BETWE5 !SE TWO ELEM5TS ( ! CASE !RE WAS A VITAL L9K4 ,!Y 
HUNG TOGE!R PSY*OLOGICALLY1 IF HE MI<T PUT IT SO4 0,9 %ORT10 HE CONCLUD$1 
SPEAK+ ) GREAT VEHEM5CE1 0,I ACCUSE ! PRISON] ( BEHAV+ AT HIS MO!R'S 
FUN]AL 9 A WAY ?AT %[$ HE WAS ALREADY A CRIM9AL AT HE>T40 

,!SE WORDS SEEM$ TO TAKE MU* EFFECT ON ! JURY & PUBLIC4 ,MY LAWY] M]ELY 
%RUGG$ HIS %\LD]S & WIP$ ! SWEAT FROM HIS =EHEAD4 ,BUT OBVI\SLY HE WAS 
RATTL$1 & ,I HAD A FEEL+ ?+S W]5'T GO+ WELL = ME4 

,SOON AFT] ?IS 9CID5T ! C\RT ROSE4 ,AS ,I WAS BE+ TAK5 FROM ! C\R?\SE TO 
! PRISON VAN1 ,I WAS CONSCI\S = A FEW BRIEF MOM5TS ( ! ONCE FAMILI> FEEL ( A 
SUMM] EV5+ \T-(-DOORS4 ,&1 SITT+ 9 ! D>KNESS ( MY MOV+ CELL1 ,I 
RECOGNIZ$1 E*O+ 9 MY TIR$ BRA91 ALL ! *>ACT]I/IC S\NDS ( A T[N ,I'D 
LOV$1 & ( A C]TA9 H\R ( ! DAY :I* ,I HAD ALWAYS P>TICUL>LY 5JOY$4 ,! 
%\TS ( NEWSPAP] BOYS 9 ! ALREADY LANGUID AIR1 ! LA/ CALLS ( BIRDS 9 ! 
PUBLIC G>D51 ! CRIES ( S&WI* V5DORS1 ! SCREE* ( /REETC>S AT ! /EEP 
CORN]S ( ! UPP] T[N1 & ?AT FA9T RU/L+ OV]HEAD AS D>KNESS SIFT$ D[N 
UPON ! H>BOR -- ALL !SE S\NDS MADE MY RETURN TO PRISON LIKE A BL9D MAN'S 
J\RNEY ALONG A R\TE :OSE EV]Y 9* HE KN[S BY HE>T4 

,YES1 ?IS WAS ! EV5+ H\R :5 -- H[ LONG AGO IT SEEM$6 -- ,I ALWAYS FELT SO 
WELL CONT5T ) LIFE4 ,!N1 :AT AWAIT$ ME WAS A NI<T ( EASY1 DREAMLESS SLEEP4 
,?IS WAS ! SAME H\R1 BUT ) A DIFF]5CE2 ,I WAS RETURN+ TO A CELL1 & :AT 
AWAIT$ ME WAS A NI<T HAUNT$ BY =EBOD+S ( ! COM+ DAY4 ,& SO ,I LE>N$ 
?AT FAMILI> PA?S TRAC$ 9 ! DUSK ( SUMM] EV5+S MAY LEAD AS WELL TO PRISONS 
AS TO 9NOC5T1 UNTR\BL$ SLEEP4 

O ,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #d 
,I,V 

,I,T IS ALWAYS 9T]E/+1 EV5 9 ! PRISON]'S DOCK1 TO HE> ONESELF BE+ TALK$ 
AB\T4 ,& C]TA9LY 9 ! SPEE*ES ( MY LAWY] & ! PROSECUT+ C\NSEL A 
GREAT DEAL WAS SAID AB\T ME2 MORE1 9 FACT1 AB\T ME P]SONALLY ?AN AB\T MY 
CRIME4 

,REALLY !RE WASN'T ANY V]Y GREAT DIFF]5CE BETWE5 ! TWO SPEE*ES4 ,C\NSEL 
= ! DEF5SE RAIS$ HIS >MS TO HEAV5 & PLEAD$ GUILTY1 BUT ) EXT5UAT+ 
CIRCUM/ANCES4 ,! ,PROSECUTOR MADE SIMIL> GE/URES2 HE AGRE$ ?AT ,I WAS GUILTY1 BUT 
D5I$ EXT5UAT+ CIRCUM/ANCES4 

,ONE ?+ AB\T ?IS PHASE ( ! TRIAL WAS RA!R IRKSOME4 ,QUITE (T51 9T]E/$ 
AS ,I WAS 9 :AT !Y HAD TO SAY1 ,I WAS TEMPT$ TO PUT 9 A WORD1 MYSELF4 ,BUT MY 
LAWY] HAD ADVIS$ ME NOT TO4 0,Y\ WON'T DO Y\R CASE ANY GOOD BY TALK+10 HE HAD 
W>N$ ME4 ,9 FACT1 !RE SEEM$ TO BE A CONSPIRACY TO EXCLUDE ME FROM ! 
PROCE$+S2 ,I WASN'T TO HAVE ANY SAY & MY FATE WAS TO BE DECID$ \T ( H&4 

,IT WAS QUITE AN EF=T AT TIMES = ME TO REFRA9 FROM CUTT+ !M ALL %ORT1 & 
SAY+3 0,BUT1 DAMN IT ALL1 :O'S ON TRIAL 9 ?IS C\RT1 ,I'D LIKE TO KN[8 ,IT'S A S]I\S 
MATT] = A MAN1 BE+ ACCUS$ ( MURD]4 ,& ,I'VE SOME?+ REALLY IMPORTANT TO 
TELL Y\40 

,H[EV]1 ON SECOND ?\<TS1 ,I F\ND ,I HAD NO?+ TO SAY4 ,9 ANY CASE1 ,I MU/ 
ADMIT ?AT HE>+ ONESELF TALK$ AB\T LOSES ITS 9T]E/ V]Y SOON4 ,! ,PROSECUTOR'S 
SPEE*1 ESPECIALLY1 BEGAN TO BORE ME BE=E HE WAS HALFWAY ?R\< IT4 ,! ONLY 
?+S ?AT REALLY CAU<T MY ATT5TION W]E OCCASIONAL PHRASES1 HIS GE/URES1 & 
SOME ELABORATE TIRADES -- BUT !SE W]E ISOLAT$ PAT*ES4 

,:AT HE WAS AIM+ AT1 ,I GA!R$1 WAS TO %[ ?AT MY CRIME WAS PREM$ITAT$4 ,I 
REMEMB] HIS SAY+ AT ONE MOM5T1 0,I CAN PROVE ?IS1 G5TLEM5 ( ! JURY1 TO ! 
HILT4 ,FIR/1 Y\ HAVE ! FACTS ( ! CRIME2 :I* >E AS CLE> AS DAYLI<T4 ,& !N 
Y\ HAVE :AT ,I MAY CALL ! NI<T SIDE ( ?IS CASE1 ! D>K WORK+S ( A CRIM9AL 
M5TALITY40 

,HE BEGAN BY SUMM+ UP ! FACTS1 FROM MY MO!R'S DEA? ONW>D4 ,HE /RESS$ 
MY HE>TLESSNESS1 MY 9ABILITY TO /ATE ,MO!R'S AGE1 MY VISIT TO ! SWIMM+ POOL 
:]E ,I MET ,M>IE1 \R MAT9EE AT ! PICTURES :]E A ,F]N&EL FILM WAS %[+1 
& F9ALLY MY RETURN ) ,M>IE TO MY ROOMS4 ,I DIDN'T QUITE FOLL[ HIS REM>KS AT 
FIR/1 AS HE KEPT ON M5TION+ 0! PRISON]'S MI/RESS10 :]EAS = ME %E WAS JU/ 
0,M>IE40 ,!N HE CAME TO ! SUBJECT ( ,RAYMOND4 ,IT SEEM$ TO ME ?AT HIS WAY ( 
TREAT+ ! FACTS %[$ A C]TA9 %REWDNESS4 ,ALL HE SAID S\ND$ QUITE PLAUSIBLE4 
,I'D WRITT5 ! LETT] 9 COLLUSION ) ,RAYMOND SO AS TO 5TICE HIS MI/RESS TO HIS 
ROOM & SUBJECT H] TO ILL-TREATM5T BY A MAN 0( MORE ?AN DUBI\S REPUTATION40 
,!N1 ON ! BEA*1 ,I'D PROVOK$ A BRAWL ) ,RAYMOND'S 5EMIES1 9 ! C\RSE ( 
:I* ,RAYMOND WAS W\ND$4 ,I'D ASK$ HIM = HIS REVOLV] & GONE BACK BY 
MYSELF ) ! 9T5TION ( US+ IT4 ,!N ,I'D %OT ! ,>AB4 ,AFT] ! FIR/ %OT ,I 
WAIT$4 ,!N1 0TO BE C]TA9 ( MAK+ A GOOD JOB ( IT10 ,I FIR$ F\R MORE %OTS 
DELIB]ATELY1 PO9T-BLANK1 & 9 COLD BLOOD1 AT MY VICTIM4 

0,?AT IS MY CASE10 HE SAID4 0,I HAVE DESCRIB$ TO Y\ ! S]IES ( EV5TS :I* L$ 
?IS MAN TO KILL ! DECEAS$1 FULLY AW>E ( :AT HE WAS DO+4 ,I EMPHASIZE ?IS 
PO9T4 ,WE >E NOT CONC]N$ ) AN ACT ( HOMICIDE COMMITT$ ON A SUDD5 IMPULSE 
:I* MI<T S]VE AS EXT5UATION4 ,I ASK Y\ TO NOTE1 G5TLEM5 ( ! JURY1 ?AT ! 
PRISON] IS AN $UCAT$ MAN4 ,Y\ WILL HAVE OBS]V$ ! WAY 9 :I* HE ANSW]$ 
MY QUE/IONS2 HE IS 9TELLIG5T & HE KN[S ! VALUE ( WORDS4 ,& ,I REPEAT ?AT IT 
IS QUITE IMPOSSIBLE TO ASSUME ?AT1 :5 HE COMMITT$ ! CRIME1 HE WAS UNAW>E 
:AT HE WAS DO+40 

,I NOTIC$ ?AT HE LAID /RESS ON MY 09TELLIG5CE40 ,IT PUZZL$ ME RA!R :Y :AT 
W\LD C\NT AS A GOOD PO9T 9 AN ORD9>Y P]SON %\LD BE US$ AGA9/ AN ACCUS$ 
MAN AS AN OV]:ELM+ PRO( ( HIS GUILT4 ,:ILE ?9K+ ?IS OV]1 ,I MISS$ :AT 
HE SAID NEXT1 UNTIL ,I HE>D HIM EXCLAIM 9DIGNANTLY3 0,& HAS HE UTT]$ A WORD ( 
REGRET = HIS MO/ ODI\S CRIME8 ,NOT ONE WORD1 G5TLEM54 ,NOT ONCE 9 ! C\RSE ( 
!SE PROCE$+S DID ?IS MAN %[ ! LEA/ CONTRITION40 

,TURN+ T[>D ! DOCK1 HE PO9T$ A F+] AT ME1 & W5T ON 9 ! SAME 
/RA94 ,I REALLY C\LDN'T UND]/& :Y HE H>P$ ON ?IS PO9T SO MU*4 ,( C\RSE1 ,I 
HAD TO [N ?AT HE WAS RI<T2 ,I DIDN'T FEEL MU* REGRET = :AT ,I'D DONE4 ,/ILL1 TO MY 
M9D HE OV]DID IT1 & ,I'D HAVE LIK$ TO HAVE A *ANCE ( EXPLA9+ TO HIM1 9 A 
QUITE FRI5DLY1 ALMO/ AFFECTIONATE WAY1 ?AT ,I HAVE NEV] BE5 ABLE REALLY TO REGRET 
ANY?+ 9 ALL MY LIFE4 ,I'VE ALWAYS BE5 F> TOO MU* ABSORB$ 9 ! PRES5T 
MOM5T1 OR ! IMM$IATE FUTURE1 TO ?9K BACK4 ,( C\RSE1 9 ! POSITION 9TO :I* 
,I HAD BE5 =C$1 !RE WAS NO QUE/ION ( MY SPEAK+ TO ANYONE 9 ?AT TONE4 ,I 
HADN'T ! RI<T TO %[ ANY FRI5DLY FEEL+ OR POSSESS GOOD 9T5TIONS4 ,& ,I TRI$ 
TO FOLL[ :AT CAME NEXT1 AS ! ,PROSECUTOR WAS N[ CONSID]+ :AT HE CALL$ MY 
0S\L40 

,HE SAID HE'D /UDI$ IT CLOSELY -- & HAD F\ND A BLANK1 0LIT]ALLY NO?+1 
G5TLEM5 ( ! JURY40 ,REALLY1 HE SAID1 ,I HAD NO S\L1 !RE WAS NO?+ HUMAN AB\T 
ME1 NOT ONE ( ?OSE MORAL QUALITIES :I* NORMAL M5 POSSESS HAD ANY PLACE 9 MY 
M5TALITY4 0,NO D\BT10 HE ADD$1 0WE %\LD NOT REPROA* HIM ) ?IS4 ,WE CANNOT 
BLAME A MAN = LACK+ :AT IT WAS NEV] 9 HIS P[] TO ACQUIRE4 ,BUT 9 A CRIM9AL 
C\RT ! :OLLY PASSIVE IDEAL ( TOL]ANCE MU/ GIVE PLACE TO A /]N]1 L(TI] IDEAL1 
?AT ( JU/ICE4 ,ESPECIALLY :5 ?IS LACK ( EV]Y DEC5T 9/9CT IS SU* AS ?AT ( ! 
MAN BE=E Y\1 A M5ACE TO SOCIETY40 ,HE PROCE$$ TO DISCUSS MY CONDUCT T[>D 
MY MO!R1 REPEAT+ :AT HE HAD SAID 9 ! C\RSE ( ! HE>+4 ,BUT HE SPOKE AT 
MU* GREAT] L5G? ( MY CRIME -- AT SU* L5G?1 9DE$1 ?AT ,I LO/ ! ?READ & 
WAS CONSCI\S ONLY ( ! /EADILY 9CREAS+ HEAT4 

,A MOM5T CAME :5 ! ,PROSECUTOR PAUS$ &1 AFT] A %ORT SIL5CE1 SAID 9 A 
L[1 VIBRANT VOICE3 0,?IS SAME C\RT1 G5TLEM51 WILL BE CALL$ ON TO TRY TOMORR[ 
?AT MO/ ODI\S ( CRIMES1 ! MURD] ( A FA!R BY HIS SON40 ,TO HIS M9D1 SU* A 
CRIME WAS ALMO/ UNIMAG9ABLE4 ,BUT1 HE V5TUR$ TO HOPE1 JU/ICE W\LD BE MET$ 
\T )\T PALT]+4 ,& YET1 HE MADE BOLD TO SAY1 ! HORROR ?AT EV5 ! CRIME ( 
P>RICIDE 9SPIR$ 9 HIM PAL$ BESIDE ! LOA?+ 9SPIR$ BY MY CALL\SNESS4 

0,?IS MAN1 :O IS MORALLY GUILTY ( HIS MO!R'S DEA?1 IS NO LESS UNFIT TO HAVE A 
PLACE 9 ! COMMUNITY ?AN ?AT O!R MAN :O DID TO DEA? ! FA!R ?AT BEGAT 
HIM4 ,&1 9DE$1 ! ONE CRIME L$ ON TO ! O!R2 ! FIR/ ( !SE TWO CRIM9ALS1 
! MAN 9 ! DOCK1 SET A PREC$5T1 IF ,I MAY PUT IT SO1 & AU?ORIZ$ ! SECOND 
CRIME4 ,YES1 G5TLEM51 ,I AM CONV9C$0 -- H]E HE RAIS$ HIS VOICE A TONE -- 0?AT Y\ 
WILL NOT F9D ,I AM EXAGG]AT+ ! CASE AGA9/ ! PRISON] :5 ,I SAY ?AT HE IS ALSO 
GUILTY ( ! MURD] TO BE TRI$ TOMORR[ 9 ?IS C\RT4 ,& ,I LOOK TO Y\ = A 
V]DICT ACCORD+LY40 

,! ,PROSECUTOR PAUS$ AGA91 TO WIPE ! SWEAT (F HIS FACE4 ,HE !N EXPLA9$ 
?AT HIS DUTY WAS A PA9FUL ONE1 BUT HE W\LD DO IT )\T FL9*+4 0,?IS MAN HAS1 
,I REPEAT1 NO PLACE 9 A COMMUNITY :OSE BASIC PR9CIPLES HE FL\TS )\T 
COMPUNCTION4 ,NOR1 HE>TLESS AS HE IS1 HAS HE ANY CLAIM TO M]CY4 ,I ASK Y\ TO IMPOSE 
! EXTREME P5ALTY ( ! LAW2 & ,I ASK IT )\T A QUALM4 ,9 ! C\RSE ( A LONG 
C>E]1 9 :I* IT HAS (T5 BE5 MY DUTY TO ASK = A CAPITAL S5T5CE1 NEV] HAVE ,I 
FELT ?AT PA9FUL DUTY WEI< SO LITTLE ON MY M9D AS 9 ! PRES5T CASE4 ,9 DEM&+ 
A V]DICT ( MURD] )\T EXT5UAT+ CIRCUM/ANCES1 ,I AM FOLL[+ NOT ONLY ! 
DICTATES ( MY CONSCI5CE & A SACR$ OBLIGATION1 BUT ALSO ?OSE ( ! NATURAL & 
RI<TE\S 9DIGNATION ,I FEEL AT ! SI<T ( A CRIM9AL DEVOID ( ! LEA/ SP>K ( 
HUMAN FEEL+40 

,:5 ! ,PROSECUTOR SAT D[N !RE WAS A LONGI% SIL5CE4 ,P]SONALLY ,I WAS QUITE 
OV]COME BY ! HEAT & MY AMAZEM5T AT :AT ,I HAD BE5 HE>+4 ,! PRESID+ 
JUDGE GAVE A %ORT C\<1 & ASK$ ME 9 A V]Y L[ TONE IF ,I HAD ANY?+ TO SAY4 ,I 
ROSE1 & AS ,I FELT 9 ! MOOD TO SPEAK1 ,I SAID ! FIR/ ?+ ?AT CROSS$ MY M9D3 
?AT ,I'D HAD NO 9T5TION ( KILL+ ! ,>AB4 ,! ,JUDGE REPLI$ ?AT ?IS /ATEM5T 
W\LD BE TAK5 9TO CONSID]ATION BY ! C\RT4 ,MEAN:ILE HE W\LD BE GLAD TO HE>1 
BE=E MY C\NSEL ADDRESS$ ! C\RT1 :AT W]E ! MOTIVES ( MY CRIME4 ,SO F>1 
HE MU/ ADMIT1 HE HADN'T FULLY UND]/OOD ! GR\NDS ( MY DEF5SE4 

,I TRI$ TO EXPLA9 ?AT IT WAS BECAUSE ( ! SUN1 BUT ,I SPOKE TOO QUICKLY & RAN MY 
WORDS 9TO EA* O!R4 ,I WAS ONLY TOO CONSCI\S ?AT IT S\ND$ NONS5SICAL1 &1 9 
FACT1 ,I HE>D PEOPLE TITT]+4 

,MY LAWY] %RUGG$ HIS %\LD]S4 ,!N HE WAS DIRECT$ TO ADDRESS ! C\RT1 9 
HIS TURN4 ,BUT ALL HE DID WAS TO PO9T \T ! LAT5ESS ( ! H\R & TO ASK = AN 
ADJ\RNM5T TILL ! FOLL[+ AFT]NOON4 ,TO ?IS ! JUDGE AGRE$4 

,:5 ,I WAS BR\<T BACK NEXT DAY1 ! ELECTRIC FANS W]E /ILL *URN+ UP ! 
HEAVY AIR & ! JURYM5 PLY+ !IR GAUDY LITTLE FANS 9 A SORT ( /EADY RHY?M4 
,! SPEE* = ! DEF5SE SEEM$ TO ME 9T]M9ABLE4 ,AT ONE MOM5T1 H[EV]1 ,I 
PRICK$ UP MY E>S2 IT WAS :5 ,I HE>D HIM SAY+3 0,IT IS TRUE ,I KILL$ A MAN40 ,HE 
W5T ON 9 ! SAME /RA91 SAY+ 0,I0 :5 HE REF]R$ TO ME4 ,IT SEEM$ SO QUE] 
?AT ,I B5T T[>D ! POLICEMAN ON MY RI<T & ASK$ HIM TO EXPLA94 ,HE TOLD ME TO 
%UT UP2 !N1 AFT] A MOM5T1 :ISP]$3 0,!Y ALL DO ?AT40 ,IT SEEM$ TO ME ?AT ! 
IDEA BEH9D IT WAS /ILL FUR!R TO EXCLUDE ME FROM ! CASE1 TO PUT ME (F ! MAP4 SO 
TO SPEAK1 BY SUB/ITUT+ ! LAWY] = MYSELF4 ,ANYWAY1 IT H>DLY MATT]$2 ,I ALREADY 
FELT WORLDS AWAY FROM ?IS C\RTROOM & ITS T$I\S 0PROCE$+S40 

,MY LAWY]1 9 ANY CASE1 /RUCK ME AS FEEBLE TO ! PO9T ( BE+ RIDICUL\S4 ,HE 
HURRI$ ?R\< HIS PLEA ( PROVOCATION1 & !N HE1 TOO1 />T$ 9 AB\T MY S\L4 
,BUT ,I HAD AN IMPRESSION ?AT HE HAD MU* LESS TAL5T ?AN ! ,PROSECUTOR4 

0,I1 TOO10 HE SAID1 0HAVE CLOSELY /UDI$ ?IS MAN'S S\L2 BUT1 UNLIKE MY LE>N$ 
FRI5D = ! PROSECUTION1 ,I HAVE F\ND SOME?+ !RE4 ,9DE$1 ,I MAY SAY ?AT ,I 
HAVE READ ! PRISON]'S M9D LIKE AN OP5 BOOK40 ,:AT HE HAD READ !RE WAS ?AT ,I 
WAS AN EXCELL5T Y\NG FELL[1 A /EADY1 CONSCI5TI\S WORK] :O DID HIS BE/ BY 
HIS EMPLOY]2 ?AT ,I WAS POPUL> ) EV]YONE & SYMPA!TIC 9 O!RS' TR\BLES4 
,ACCORD+ TO HIM ,I WAS A DUTIFUL SON1 :O HAD SUPPORT$ HIS MO!R AS LONG AS HE 
WAS ABLE4 ,AFT] ANXI\S CONSID]ATION ,I HAD REA*$ ! CONCLUSION ?AT1 BY 5T]+ A 
HOME1 ! OLD LADY W\LD HAVE COM=TS ?AT MY MEANS DIDN'T P]MIT ME TO PROVIDE 
= H]4 0,I AM A/\ND$1 G5TLEM510 HE ADD$1 0BY ! ATTITUDE TAK5 UP BY MY 
LE>N$ FRI5D 9 REF]R+ TO ?IS ,HOME4 ,SURELY IF PRO( BE NE$$ ( ! EXCELL5CE 
( SU* 9/ITUTIONS1 WE NE$ ONLY REMEMB] ?AT !Y >E PROMOT$ & F9ANC$ BY 
A GOV]NM5T DEP>TM5T40 ,I NOTIC$ ?AT HE MADE NO REF]5CE TO ! FUN]AL1 & 
?IS SEEM$ TO ME A S]I\S OMISSION4 ,BUT1 :AT ) HIS LONG-W9D$NESS1 ! 
5DLESS DAYS & H\RS !Y HAD BE5 DISCUSS+ MY 0S\L10 & ! RE/ ( IT1 ,I F\ND 
?AT MY M9D HAD GONE BLURR$2 EV]Y?+ WAS DISSOLV+ 9TO A GRAYI%1 WAT]Y 
HAZE4 

,ONLY ONE 9CID5T /&S \T2 T[>D ! 5D1 :ILE MY C\NSEL RAMBL$ ON1 ,I 
HE>D ! T9 TRUMPET ( AN ICE-CREAM V5DOR 9 ! /REET1 A SMALL1 %RILL S\ND 
CUTT+ ACROSS ! FL[ ( WORDS4 ,& !N A RU% ( MEMORIES W5T ?R\< MY 
M9D -- MEMORIES ( A LIFE :I* WAS M9E NO LONG] & HAD ONCE PROVID$ ME ) 
! SURE/1 HUMBLE/ PLEASURES3 W>M SMELLS ( SUMM]1 MY FAVORITE /REETS1 ! SKY 
AT EV5+1 ,M>IE'S DRESSES & H] LAU<4 ,! FUTILITY ( :AT WAS HAPP5+ H]E 
SEEM$ TO TAKE ME BY ! ?ROAT1 ,I FELT LIKE VOMIT+1 & ,I HAD ONLY ONE IDEA3 TO GET IT 
OV]1 TO GO BACK TO MY CELL1 & SLEEP 444 & SLEEP4 

,DIMLY ,I HE>D MY C\NSEL MAK+ HIS LA/ APPEAL4 

0,G5TLEM5 ( ! JURY1 SURELY Y\ WILL NOT S5D TO HIS DEA? A DEC5T1 H>D- 
WORK+ Y\NG MAN1 BECAUSE = ONE TRAGIC MOM5T HE LO/ HIS SELF-CONTROL8 ,IS HE NOT 
SUFFICI5TLY PUNI%$ BY ! LIFELONG REMORSE ?AT IS TO BE HIS LOT8 ,I CONFID5TLY AWAIT 
Y\R V]DICT1 ! ONLY V]DICT POSSIBLE -- ?AT ( HOMICIDE ) EXT5UAT+ 
CIRCUM/ANCES40 

,! C\RT ROSE1 & ! LAWY] SAT D[N1 LOOK+ ?OR\<LY EXHAU/$4 ,SOME ( 
HIS COLLEAGUES CAME TO HIM & %OOK HIS H&4 0,Y\ PUT UP A MAGNIFIC5T %[1 OLD 
MAN10 ,I HE>D ONE ( !M SAY4 ,ANO!R LAWY] EV5 CALL$ ME TO WITNESS3 0,F9E1 
WASN'T IT80 ,I AGRE$1 BUT 9S9C]ELY2 ,I WAS F> TOO TIR$ TO JUDGE IF IT HAD BE5 0F9E0 
OR O!RWISE4 

,MEAN:ILE ! DAY WAS 5D+ & ! HEAT BECOM+ LESS 9T5SE4 ,BY SOME VAGUE 
S\NDS ?AT REA*$ ME FROM ! /REET ,I KNEW ?AT ! COOL ( ! EV5+ HAD SET 94 
,WE ALL SAT ON1 WAIT+4 ,& :AT WE ALL W]E WAIT+ = REALLY CONC]N$ NOBODY 
BUT ME4 ,I LOOK$ R\ND ! C\RTROOM4 ,IT WAS EXACTLY AS IT HAD BE5 ON ! FIR/ DAY4 ,I 
MET ! EYES ( ! J\RNALI/ 9 GRAY & ! ROBOT WOMAN4 ,?IS REM9D$ ME ?AT 
NOT ONCE DUR+ ! :OLE HE>+ HAD ,I TRI$ TO CAT* ,M>IE'S EYE4 ,IT WASN'T ?AT ,I'D 
=GOTT5 H]2 ONLY ,I WAS TOO PREOCCUPI$4 ,I SAW H] N[1 SEAT$ BETWE5 ,CELE/E & 
,RAYMOND4 ,%E GAVE ME A LITTLE WAVE ( H] H&1 AS IF TO SAY1 0,AT LA/60 ,%E WAS 
SMIL+1 BUT ,I C\LD TELL ?AT %E WAS RA!R ANXI\S4 ,BUT MY HE>T SEEM$ TURN$ TO 
/ONE1 & ,I C\LDN'T EV5 RETURN H] SMILE4 

,! JUDGES CAME BACK TO !IR SEATS4 ,SOMEONE READ \T TO ! JURY1 V]Y RAPIDLY1 A 
/R+ ( QUE/IONS4 ,I CAU<T A WORD H]E & !RE4 0,MURD] ( MALICE A=E?\<T 
444 ,PROVOCATION 444 ,EXT5UAT+ CIRCUM/ANCES40 ,! JURY W5T \T1 & ,I WAS TAK5 TO 
! LITTLE ROOM :]E ,I HAD ALREADY WAIT$4 ,MY LAWY] CAME TO SEE ME2 HE WAS V]Y 
TALKATIVE & %[$ MORE CORDIALITY & CONFID5CE ?AN EV] BE=E4 ,HE ASSUR$ 
ME ?AT ALL W\LD GO WELL & ,I'D GET (F ) A FEW YE>S' IMPRISONM5T OR 
TRANSPORTATION4 ,I ASK$ HIM :AT W]E ! *ANCES ( GETT+ ! S5T5CE QUA%$4 
,HE SAID !RE WAS NO *ANCE ( ?AT4 ,HE HAD NOT RAIS$ ANY PO9T ( LAW1 AS ?IS WAS 
APT TO PREJUDICE ! JURY4 ,& IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET A JUDGM5T QUA%$ EXCEPT ON 
TE*NICAL GR\NDS4 ,I SAW HIS PO9T1 & AGRE$4 ,LOOK+ AT ! MATT] DISPASSIONATELY1 
,I %>$ HIS VIEW4 ,O!RWISE !RE W\LD BE NO 5D TO LITIGATION4 0,9 ANY CASE10 ! 
LAWY] SAID1 0Y\ CAN APPEAL 9 ! ORD9>Y WAY4 ,BUT ,I'M CONV9C$ ! V]DICT WILL 
BE FAVORABLE40 

,WE WAIT$ = QUITE A :ILE1 A GOOD ?REE QU>T]S ( AN H\R1 ,I %\LD SAY4 ,!N A 
BELL RANG4 ,MY LAWY] LEFT ME1 SAY+3 

0,! =EMAN ( ! JURY WILL READ \T ! ANSW]S4 ,Y\ WILL BE CALL$ ON AFT] ?AT 
TO HE> ! JUDGM5T40 

,SOME DOORS BANG$4 ,I HE>D PEOPLE HURRY+ D[N FLI<TS ( /EPS1 BUT C\LDN'T 
TELL :E!R !Y W]E NE> BY OR DI/ANT4 ,!N ,I HE>D A VOICE DRON+ AWAY 9 ! 
C\RTROOM4 

,:5 ! BELL RANG AGA9 & ,I /EPP$ BACK 9TO ! DOCK1 ! SIL5CE ( ! 
C\RTROOM CLOS$ 9 R\ND ME1 & ) ! SIL5CE CAME A QUE] S5SATION :5 ,I 
NOTIC$ ?AT1 = !4 FIR/ TIME1 ! Y\NG J\RNALI/ KEPT HIS EYES AV]T$4 ,I DIDN'T 
LOOK 9 ,M>IE'S DIRECTION4 ,9 FACT1 ,I HAD NO TIME TO LOOK1 AS ! PRESID+ JUDGE HAD 
ALREADY />T$ PRON\NC+ A RIGM>OLE TO ! EFFECT ?AT 09 ! NAME ( ! ,FR5* 
PEOPLE0 ,I WAS TO BE DECAPITAT$ 9 SOME PUBLIC PLACE4 

,IT SEEM$ TO ME !N ?AT ,I C\LD 9T]PRET ! LOOK ON ! FACES ( ?OSE PRES5T2 IT 
WAS ONE ( ALMO/ RESPECTFUL SYMPA?Y4 ,! POLICEM51 TOO1 H&L$ ME V]Y G5TLY4 
,! LAWY] PLAC$ HIS H& ON MY WRI/4 ,I HAD /OPP$ ?9K+ ALTOGE!R4 ,I HE>D 
! ,JUDGE'S VOICE ASK+ IF ,I HAD ANY?+ MORE TO SAY4 ,AFT] ?9K+ = A MOM5T1 
,I ANSW]$1 0,NO40 ,!N ! POLICEM5 L$ ME \T4 

O ,P>T #b1 ,*APT] #e 
,V 

,I ,H,A,V,E JU/ REFUS$1 = ! ?IRD TIME1 TO SEE ! PRISON *APLA94 ,I HAVE NO?+ TO 
SAY TO HIM1 DON'T FEEL LIKE TALK+ -- & %ALL BE SEE+ HIM QUITE SOON 5\<1 
ANYWAY4 ,! ONLY ?+ ?AT 9T]E/S ME N[ IS ! PROBLEM ( CIRCUMV5T+ ! 
MA*9E1 LE>N+ IF ! 9EVITABLE ADMITS A LOOPHOLE4 

,!Y HAVE MOV$ ME TO ANO!R CELL4 ,9 ?IS ONE1 LY+ ON MY BACK1 ,I CAN SEE ! 
SKY1 & !RE IS NO?+ ELSE TO SEE4 ,ALL MY TIME IS SP5T 9 WAT*+ ! SL[LY 
*ANG+ COLORS ( ! SKY1 AS DAY MOVES ON TO NI<T4 ,I PUT MY H&S BEH9D MY 
HEAD1 GAZE UP1 & WAIT4 

,?IS PROBLEM ( A LOOPHOLE OBSESSES ME2 ,I AM ALWAYS WOND]+ IF !RE HAVE 
BE5 CASES ( CONDEMN$ PRISON]S' ESCAP+ FROM ! IMPLACABLE MA*9]Y ( 
JU/ICE AT ! LA/ MOM5T1 BREAK+ ?R\< ! POLICE CORDON1 VANI%+ 9 ! NICK 
( TIME BE=E ! GUILLOT9E FALLS4 ,(T5 & (T5 ,I BLAME MYSELF = NOT HAV+ 
GIV5 MORE ATT5TION TO ACC\NTS ( PUBLIC EXECUTIONS4 ,ONE %\LD ALWAYS TAKE AN 
9T]E/ 9 SU* MATT]S4 ,!RE'S NEV] ANY KN[+ :AT ONE MAY COME TO4 ,LIKE 
EV]YONE ELSE ,I'D READ DESCRIPTIONS ( EXECUTIONS 9 ! PAP]S4 ,BUT TE*NICAL BOOKS 
DEAL+ ) ?IS SUBJECT MU/ C]TA9LY EXI/2 ONLY ,I'D NEV] FELT SUFFICI5TLY 
9T]E/$ TO LOOK !M UP4 ,& 9 !SE BOOKS ,I MI<T HAVE F\ND ESCAPE /ORIES4 
,SURELY !Y'D HAVE TOLD ME ?AT 9 ONE CASE1 ANYH[1 ! :EELS HAD /OPP$2 ?AT 
ONCE1 IF ONLY ONCE1 9 ?AT 9EXORABLE M>* ( EV5TS1 *ANCE OR LUCK HAD PLAY$ A 
HAPPY P>T4 ,JU/ ONCE6 ,9 A WAY ,I ?9K ?AT S+LE 9/ANCE W\LD HAVE SATISFI$ ME4 
,MY EMOTION W\LD HAVE DONE ! RE/4 ,! PAP]S (T5 TALK ( 0A DEBT [$ TO 
SOCIETY0 -- A DEBT :I*1 ACCORD+ TO !M1 MU/ BE PAID BY ! (F5D]4 ,BUT TALK ( 
?AT SORT DOESN'T T\* ! IMAG9ATION4 ,NO1 ! ONE ?+ ?AT C\NT$ = ME WAS ! 
POSSIBILITY ( MAK+ A DA% = IT & DEFEAT+ !IR BLOOD?IR/Y RITE2 ( A MAD 
/AMP$E TO FRE$OM ?AT W\LD ANYH[ GIVE ME A MOM5T'S HOPE1 ! GAMBL]'S 
LA/ ?R[4 ,NATURALLY1 ALL ?AT 0HOPE0 C\LD COME TO WAS TO BE KNOCK$ D[N AT ! 
CORN] ( A /REET OR PICK$ (F BY A BULLET 9 MY BACK4 ,BUT1 ALL ?+S CONSID]$1 
EV5 ?IS LUXURY WAS =BIDD5 ME2 ,I WAS CAU<T 9 ! RATTRAP IRREVOCABLY4 

,TRY AS ,I MI<T1 ,I C\LDN'T /OMA* ?IS BRUTAL C]TITUDE4 ,= REALLY1 :5 ONE CAME 
TO ?9K ( IT1 !RE WAS A DISPROPORTION BETWE5 ! JUDGM5T ON :I* IT WAS BAS$ 
& ! UNALT]ABLE SEQU5CE ( EV5TS />T+ FROM ! MOM5T :5 ?AT JUDGM5T 
WAS DELIV]$4 ,! FACT ?AT ! V]DICT WAS READ \T AT EI<T ,P4,M4 RA!R ?AN AT FIVE1 
! FACT ?AT IT MI<T HAVE BE5 QUITE DIFF]5T1 ?AT IT WAS GIV5 BY M5 :O *ANGE 
!IR UND]CLO!S1 & WAS CR$IT$ TO SO VAGUE AN 5TITY AS ! 0,FR5* PEOPLE0 -- 
= ?AT MATT]1 :Y NOT TO ! ,*9ESE OR ! ,G]MAN PEOPLE8 -- ALL !SE FACTS 
SEEM$ TO DEPRIVE ! C\RT'S DECISION ( MU* ( ITS GRAVITY4 ,YET ,I C\LD BUT 
RECOGNIZE ?AT1 FROM ! MOM5T ! V]DICT WAS GIV51 ITS EFFECTS BECAME AS COG5T1 
AS TANGIBLE1 AS1 = EXAMPLE1 ?IS WALL AGA9/ :I* ,I WAS LY+1 PRESS+ MY BACK TO 
IT4 

,:5 SU* ?\<TS CROSS$ MY M9D1 ,I REMEMB]$ A /ORY ,MO!R US$ TO TELL 
ME AB\T MY FA!R4 ,I NEV] SET EYES ON HIM4 ,P]HAPS ! ONLY ?+S ,I REALLY KNEW 
AB\T HIM W]E :AT ,MO!R HAD TOLD ME4 ,ONE ( !SE WAS ?AT HE'D GONE TO SEE A 
MURD]] EXECUT$4 ,! M]E ?\<T ( IT TURN$ HIS /OMA*4 ,BUT HE'D SE5 IT 
?R\< &1 ON COM+ HOME1 WAS VIOL5TLY SICK4 ,AT ! TIME1 ,I F\ND MY FA!R'S 
CONDUCT RA!R DISGU/+4 ,BUT N[ ,I UND]/OOD2 IT WAS SO NATURAL4 ,H[ HAD ,I FAIL$ 
TO RECOGNIZE ?AT NO?+ WAS MORE IMPORTANT ?AN AN EXECUTION2 ?AT1 VIEW$ FROM 
ONE ANGLE1 IT'S ! ONLY ?+ ?AT CAN G5U9ELY 9T]E/ A MAN8 ,& ,I DECID$ ?AT1 IF 
EV] ,I GOT \T ( JAIL1 ,I'D ATT5D EV]Y EXECUTION ?AT TOOK PLACE4 ,I WAS UNWISE1 NO 
D\BT1 EV5 TO CONSID] ?IS POSSIBILITY4 ,=1 ! MOM5T ,I'D PICTUR$ MYSELF 9 
FRE$OM1 /&+ BEH9D A D\BLE RANK ( POLICEM5 -- ON ! RI<T SIDE ( ! L9E1 
SO TO SPEAK -- ! M]E ?\<T ( BE+ AN ONLOOK] :O COMES TO SEE ! %[1 & 
CAN GO HOME & VOMIT AFT]W>DS1 FLOOD$ MY M9D ) A WILD1 ABSURD EXULTATION4 ,IT 
WAS A /UPID ?+ TO LET MY IMAG9ATION RUN AWAY ) ME LIKE ?AT2 A MOM5T LAT] ,I 
HAD A %IV]+ FIT & HAD TO WRAP MYSELF CLOSELY 9 MY BLANKET4 ,BUT MY TEE? W5T 
ON *ATT]+2 NO?+ W\LD /OP !M4 

,/ILL1 OBVI\SLY1 ONE CAN'T BE S5SIBLE ALL ! TIME4 ,ANO!R EQUALLY RIDICUL\S 
FANCY ( M9E WAS TO FRAME NEW LAWS1 ALT]+ ! P5ALTIES4 ,:AT WAS WANT$1 TO MY 
M9D1 WAS TO GIVE ! CRIM9AL A *ANCE1 IF ONLY A DOG'S *ANCE2 SAY1 ONE *ANCE 9 A 
?\S&4 ,!RE MI<T BE SOME DRUG1 OR COMB9ATION ( DRUGS1 :I* W\LD KILL ! 
PATI5T 7,I ?\<T ( HIM AS 0! PATI5T07 N9E HUNDR$ & N9ETY TIMES 9 A 
?\S&4 ,?AT HE %\LD KN[ ?IS WAS1 ( C\RSE1 ESS5TIAL4 ,= AFT] TAK+ MU* 
?\<T1 CALMLY1 ,I CAME TO ! CONCLUSION ?AT :AT WAS WRONG AB\T ! GUILLOT9E 
WAS ?AT ! CONDEMN$ MAN HAD NO *ANCE AT ALL1 ABSOLUTELY NONE4 ,9 FACT1 ! 
PATI5T'S DEA? HAD BE5 ORDA9$ IRREVOCABLY4 ,IT WAS A =EGONE CONCLUSION4 ,IF BY 
SOME FLUKE ! KNIFE DIDN'T DO ITS JOB1 !Y />T$ AGA94 ,SO IT CAME TO ?IS1 ?AT -- 
AGA9/ ! GRA91 NO D\BT -- ! CONDEMN$ MAN HAD TO HOPE ! APP>ATUS WAS 9 
GOOD WORK+ ORD]6 ,?IS1 ,I ?\<T1 WAS A FLAW 9 ! SY/EM2 &1 ON ! FACE ( IT1 
MY VIEW WAS S\ND 5\<4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 ,I HAD TO ADMIT IT PROV$ ! 
EFFICI5CY ( ! SY/EM4 ,IT CAME TO ?IS2 ! MAN UND] S5T5CE WAS OBLIG$ TO 
COLLABORATE M5TALLY1 IT WAS 9 HIS 9T]E/ ?AT ALL %\LD GO (F )\T A HIT*4 

,ANO!R ?+ ,I HAD TO RECOGNIZE WAS ?AT1 UNTIL N[1 ,I'D HAD WRONG IDEAS ON ! 
SUBJECT4 ,= SOME REASON ,I'D ALWAYS SUPPOS$ ?AT ONE HAD TO GO UP /EPS & CLIMB 
ON TO A SCAFFOLD1 TO BE GUILLOT9$4 ,PROBABLY ?AT WAS BECAUSE ( ! #a<i ,REVOLUTION2 
,I MEAN1 :AT ,I'D LE>N$ AB\T IT AT S*OOL1 & ! PICTURES ,I HAD SE54 ,!N ONE 
MORN+ ,I REMEMB]$ A PHOTOGRAPH ! NEWSPAP]S HAD FEATUR$ ON ! OCCASION ( 
! EXECUTION ( A FAM\S CRIM9AL4 ,ACTUALLY ! APP>ATUS /OOD ON ! GR\ND2 !RE 
WAS NO?+ V]Y IMPRESS+ AB\T IT1 & IT WAS MU* N>R[] ?AN ,I'D IMAG9$4 ,IT 
/RUCK ME AS RA!R ODD ?AT PICTURE HAD ESCAP$ MY MEMORY UNTIL N[4 ,:AT HAD 
/RUCK ME AT ! TIME WAS ! NEAT APPE>ANCE ( ! GUILLOT9E2 ITS %9+ SURFACES 
& F9I% REM9D$ ME ( SOME LABORATORY 9/RUM5T4 ,ONE ALWAYS HAS EXAGG]AT$ 
IDEAS AB\T :AT ONE DOESN'T KN[4 ,N[ ,I HAD TO ADMIT IT SEEM$ A V]Y SIMPLE 
PROCESS1 GETT+ GUILLOT9$2 ! MA*9E IS ON ! SAME LEVEL AS ! MAN1 & HE 
WALKS T[>D IT AS HE /EPS =W>D TO MEET SOMEBODY HE KN[S4 ,9 A S5SE1 ?AT1 TOO1 
WAS DISAPPO9T+4 ,! BUS9ESS ( CLIMB+ A SCAFFOLD1 LEAV+ ! WORLD BEL[1 SO 
TO SPEAK1 GAVE SOME?+ = A MAN'S IMAG9ATION TO GET HOLD (4 ,BUT1 AS IT WAS1 ! 
MA*9E DOM9AT$ EV]Y?+2 !Y KILL$ Y\ DISCREETLY1 ) A H9T ( %AME & 
MU* EFFICI5CY4 

,!RE W]E TWO O!R ?+S AB\T :I* ,I WAS ALWAYS ?9K+3 ! DAWN & MY 
APPEAL4 ,H[EV]1 ,I DID MY BE/ TO KEEP MY M9D (F !SE ?\<TS4 ,I LAY D[N1 
LOOK$ UP AT ! SKY1 & =C$ MYSELF TO /UDY IT4 ,:5 ! LI<T BEGAN TO TURN 
GRE5 ,I KNEW ?AT NI<T WAS COM+4 ,ANO!R ?+ ,I DID TO DEFLECT ! C\RSE ( MY 
?\<TS WAS TO LI/5 TO MY HE>T4 ,I C\LDN'T IMAG9E ?AT ?IS FA9T ?ROBB+ :I* 
HAD BE5 ) ME = SO LONG W\LD EV] CEASE4 ,IMAG9ATION HAS NEV] BE5 ONE ( 
MY /RONG PO9TS4 ,/ILL1 ,I TRI$ TO PICTURE A MOM5T :5 ! BEAT+ ( MY HE>T NO 
LONG] E*O$ 9 MY HEAD4 ,BUT1 9 VA94 ,! DAWN & MY APPEAL W]E /ILL !RE4 
,& ,I 5D$ BY BELIEV+ IT WAS A SILLY ?+ TO TRY TO =CE ONE'S ?\<TS \T ( 
!IR NATURAL GROOVE4 

,!Y ALWAYS CAME = ONE AT DAWN2 ?AT MU* ,I KNEW4 ,SO1 REALLY1 ALL MY NI<TS 
W]E SP5T 9 WAIT+ = ?AT DAWN4 ,I HAVE NEV] LIK$ BE+ TAK5 BY SURPRISE4 
,:5 SOME?+ HAPP5S TO ME ,I WANT TO BE READY = IT4 ,?AT'S :Y ,I GOT 9TO ! 
HABIT ( SLEEP+ (F & ON 9 ! DAYTIME & WAT*+ ?R\< ! NI<T = ! 
FIR/ H9T ( DAYBREAK 9 ! D>K DOME ABOVE4 ,! WOR/ P]IOD ( ! NI<T WAS ?AT 
VAGUE H\R :51 ,I KNEW1 !Y USUALLY COME2 ONCE IT WAS AFT] MIDNI<T ,I WAIT$1 
LI/5+ 9T5TLY4 ,NEV] BE=E HAD MY E>S P]CEIV$ SO MANY NOISES1 SU* T9Y 
S\NDS4 ,/ILL1 ,I MU/ SAY ,I WAS LUCKY 9 ONE RESPECT2 NEV] DUR+ ANY ( ?OSE P]IODS 
DID ,I HE> FOOT/EPS4 ,MO!R US$ TO SAY ?AT H[EV] MIS]ABLE ONE IS1 !RE'S 
ALWAYS SOME?+ TO BE ?ANKFUL =4 ,& EA* MORN+1 :5 ! SKY BRI<T5$ 
& LI<T BEGAN TO FLOOD MY CELL1 ,I AGRE$ ) H]4 ,BECAUSE ,I MI<T JU/ AS WELL HAVE 
HE>D FOOT/EPS1 & FELT MY HE>T %ATT]$ 9TO BITS4 ,EV5 ?\< ! FA9TE/ RU/LE 
S5T ME HURRY+ TO ! DOOR &1 PRESS+ AN E> TO ! R\<1 COLD WOOD1 ,I LI/5$ 
SO 9T5TLY ?AT ,I C\LD HE> MY BREA?+1 QUICK & HO>SE LIKE A DOG'S PANT+ -- 
EV5 SO !RE WAS AN 5D2 MY HE>T HADN'T SPLIT1 & ,I KNEW ,I HAD ANO!R TW5TY-F\R 
H\RS' RESPITE4 

,!N ALL DAY !RE WAS MY APPEAL TO ?9K AB\T4 ,I MADE ! MO/ ( ?IS IDEA1 
/UDY+ MY EFFECTS SO AS TO SQUEEZE \T ! MAXIMUM ( CONSOLATION4 ,?US1 ,I ALWAYS 
BEGAN BY ASSUM+ ! WOR/2 MY APPEAL WAS DISMISS$4 ,?AT MEANT1 ( C\RSE1 ,I WAS 
TO DIE4 ,SOON] ?AN O!RS1 OBVI\SLY4 0,BUT10 ,I REM9D$ MYSELF1 0IT'S COMMON 
KN[L$GE ?AT LIFE ISN'T WOR? LIV+1 ANYH[40 ,&1 ON A WIDE VIEW1 ,I C\LD SEE 
?AT IT MAKES LITTLE DIFF]5CE :E!R ONE DIES AT ! AGE ( ?IRTY OR ?REESCORE & 
T5 -- S9CE1 9 EI!R CASE1 O!R M5 & WOM5 WILL CONT9UE LIV+1 ! WORLD WILL 
GO ON AS BE=E4 ,ALSO1 :E!R ,I DI$ N[ OR =TY YE>S H5CE1 ?IS BUS9ESS ( DY+ 
HAD TO BE GOT ?R\<1 9EVITABLY4 ,/ILL1 SOMEH[ ?IS L9E ( ?\<T WASN'T AS 
CONSOL+ AS IT %\LD HAVE BE52 ! IDEA ( ALL ?OSE YE>S ( LIFE 9 H& WAS A 
GALL+ REM9D]6 ,H[EV]1 ,I C\LD >GUE MYSELF \T ( IT1 BY PICTUR+ :AT W\LD 
HAVE BE5 MY FEEL+S :5 MY T]M WAS UP1 & DEA? HAD CORN]$ ME4 ,ONCE 
Y\'RE UP AGA9/ IT1 ! PRECISE MANN] ( Y\R DEA? HAS OBVI\SLY SMALL 
IMPORTANCE4 ,!RE=E -- BUT IT WAS H>D NOT TO LOSE ! ?READ ( ! >GUM5T 
LEAD+ UP TO ?AT 0!RE=E0 -- ,I %\LD BE PREP>$ TO FACE ! DISMISSAL ( MY 
APPEAL4 

,AT ?IS /AGE1 BUT ONLY AT ?IS /AGE1 ,I HAD1 SO TO SPEAK1 ! RI<T1 & ACCORD+LY ,I 
GAVE MYSELF LEAVE1 TO CONSID] ! O!R ALT]NATIVE2 ?AT MY APPEAL WAS SUCCESSFUL4 
,& !N ! TR\BLE WAS TO CALM D[N ?AT SUDD5 RU% ( JOY RAC+ ?R\< MY 
BODY & EV5 BR++ TE>S TO MY EYES4 ,BUT IT WAS UP TO ME TO BR+ MY N]VES TO 
HEEL & /EADY MY M9D2 =1 EV5 9 CONSID]+ ?IS POSSIBILITY1 ,I HAD TO KEEP SOME 
ORD] 9 MY ?\<TS1 SO AS TO MAKE MY CONSOLATIONS1 AS REG>DS ! FIR/ ALT]NATIVE1 
MORE PLAUSIBLE4 ,:5 ,I'D SUCCE$$1 ,I HAD E>N$ A GOOD H\R'S PEACE ( M9D2 & 
?AT1 ANYH[1 WAS SOME?+4 

,IT WAS AT ONE ( !SE MOM5TS ?AT ,I REFUS$ ONCE AGA9 TO SEE ! *APLA94 ,I WAS 
LY+ D[N & C\LD M>K ! SUMM] EV5+ COM+ ON BY A S(T GOLD5 GL[ 
SPREAD+ ACROSS ! SKY4 ,I HAD JU/ TURN$ D[N MY APPEAL1 & FELT MY BLOOD 
CIRCULAT+ ) SL[1 /EADY ?ROBS4 ,NO1 ,I DIDN'T WANT TO SEE ! *APLA94 444 ,!N ,I 
DID SOME?+ ,I HADN'T DONE = QUITE A :ILE2 ,I FELL TO ?9K+ AB\T ,M>IE4 ,%E 
HADN'T WRITT5 = AGES2 PROBABLY1 ,I SURMIS$1 %E HAD GR[N TIR$ ( BE+ ! 
MI/RESS ( A MAN S5T5C$ TO DEA?4 ,OR %E MI<T BE ILL1 OR DEAD4 ,AFT] ALL1 SU* 
?+S HAPP54 ,H[ C\LD ,I HAVE KN[N AB\T IT1 S9CE1 AP>T FROM \R TWO BODIES1 
SEP>AT$ N[1 !RE WAS NO L9K BETWE5 US1 NO?+ TO REM9D US ( EA* O!R8 
,SUPPOS+ %E W]E DEAD1 H] MEMORY W\LD MEAN NO?+2 ,I C\LDN'T FEEL AN 
9T]E/ 9 A DEAD GIRL4 ,?IS SEEM$ TO ME QUITE NORMAL2 JU/ AS ,I REALIZ$ PEOPLE 
W\LD SOON =GET ME ONCE ,I WAS DEAD4 ,I C\LDN'T EV5 SAY ?AT ?IS WAS H>D TO 
/OMA*2 REALLY1 !RE'S NO IDEA TO :I* ONE DOESN'T GET ACCLIMATIZ$ 9 TIME4 

,MY ?\<TS HAD REA*$ ?IS PO9T :5 ! *APLA9 WALK$ 91 UNANN\NC$4 ,I 
C\LDN'T HELP GIV+ A />T ON SEE+ HIM4 ,HE NOTIC$ ?IS EVID5TLY1 AS HE PROMPTLY 
TOLD ME NOT TO BE AL>M$4 ,I REM9D$ HIM ?AT USUALLY HIS VISITS W]E AT ANO!R 
H\R1 & = A PRETTY GRIM OCCASION4 ,?IS1 HE REPLI$1 WAS JU/ A FRI5DLY VISIT2 IT HAD 
NO CONC]N ) MY APPEAL1 AB\T :I* HE KNEW NO?+4 ,!N HE SAT D[N ON MY 
B$1 ASK+ ME TO SIT BESIDE HIM4 ,I REFUS$ -- NOT BECAUSE ,I HAD ANY?+ AGA9/ HIM2 
HE SEEM$ A MILD1 AMIABLE MAN4 

,HE REMA9$ QUITE /ILL AT FIR/1 HIS >MS RE/+ ON HIS KNEES1 HIS EYES FIX$ ON HIS 
H&S4 ,!Y W]E SL5D] BUT S9EWY H&S1 :I* MADE ME ?9K ( TWO NIMBLE 
LITTLE ANIMALS4 ,!N HE G5TLY RUBB$ !M TOGE!R4 ,HE /AY$ SO LONG 9 ! SAME 
POSITION ?AT = A :ILE ,I ALMO/ =GOT HE WAS !RE4 

,ALL ( A SUDD5 HE J]K$ HIS HEAD UP & LOOK$ ME 9 ! EYES4 

0,:Y10 HE ASK$1 0DON'T Y\ LET ME COME TO SEE Y\80 

,I EXPLA9$ ?AT ,I DIDN'T BELIEVE 9 ,GOD4 

0,>E Y\ REALLY SO SURE ( ?AT80 

,I SAID ,I SAW NO PO9T 9 TR\BL+ MY HEAD AB\T ! MATT]2 :E!R ,I BELIEV$ OR 
DIDN'T WAS1 TO MY M9D1 A QUE/ION ( SO LITTLE IMPORTANCE4 

,HE !N LEAN$ BACK AGA9/ ! WALL1 LAY+ HIS H&S FLAT ON HIS ?I<S4 ,ALMO/ 
)\T SEEM+ TO ADDRESS ME1 HE REM>K$ ?AT HE'D (T5 NOTIC$ ONE FANCIES ONE 
IS QUITE SURE AB\T SOME?+1 :5 9 PO9T ( FACT ONE ISN'T4 ,:5 ,I SAID NO?+1 
HE LOOK$ AT ME AGA91 & ASK$3 

0,DON'T Y\ AGREE80 

,I SAID ?AT SEEM$ QUITE POSSIBLE4 ,BUT1 ?\< ,I MI<TN'T BE SO SURE AB\T :AT 
9T]E/$ ME1 ,I WAS ABSOLUTELY SURE AB\T :AT DIDN'T 9T]E/ ME4 ,& ! QUE/ION 
HE HAD RAIS$ DIDN'T 9T]E/ ME AT ALL4 

,HE LOOK$ AWAY &1 )\T ALT]+ HIS PO/URE1 ASK$ IF IT WAS BECAUSE ,I FELT 
UTT]LY DESP]ATE ?AT ,I SPOKE LIKE ?IS4 ,I EXPLA9$ ?AT IT WASN'T DESPAIR ,I FELT1 BUT 
FE> -- :I* WAS NATURAL 5\<4 

0,9 ?AT CASE10 HE SAID FIRMLY1 0,GOD CAN HELP Y\4 ,ALL ! M5 ,I'VE SE5 9 Y\R 
POSITION TURN$ TO ,HIM 9 !IR TIME ( TR\BLE40 

,OBVI\SLY1 ,I REPLI$1 !Y W]E AT LIB]TY TO DO SO1 IF !Y FELT LIKE IT4 ,I1 H[EV]1 
DIDN'T WANT TO BE HELP$1 & ,I HADN'T TIME TO WORK UP 9T]E/ = SOME?+ ?AT 
DIDN'T 9T]E/ ME4 

,HE FLUTT]$ HIS H&S FRETFULLY2 !N1 SITT+ UP1 SMOO!D \T HIS CASSOCK4 ,:5 
?IS WAS DONE HE BEGAN TALK+ AGA91 ADDRESS+ ME AS 0MY FRI5D40 ,IT WASN'T 
BECAUSE ,I'D BE5 CONDEMN$ TO DEA?1 HE SAID1 ?AT HE SPOKE TO ME 9 ?IS WAY4 ,9 HIS 
OP9ION EV]Y MAN ON ! E>? WAS UND] S5T5CE ( DEA?4 

,!RE1 ,I 9T]RUPT$ HIM2 ?AT WASN'T ! SAME ?+1 ,I PO9T$ \T1 &1 :AT'S 
MORE1 C\LD BE NO CONSOLATION4 

,HE NODD$4 0,MAYBE4 ,/ILL1 IF Y\ DON'T DIE SOON1 Y\'LL DIE ONE DAY4 ,& !N ! 
SAME QUE/ION WILL >ISE4 ,H[ WILL Y\ FACE ?AT T]RIBLE1 F9AL H\R80 

,I REPLI$ ?AT ,I'D FACE IT EXACTLY AS ,I WAS FAC+ IT N[4 

,!REAT HE /OOD UP1 & LOOK$ ME /RAI<T 9 ! EYES4 ,IT WAS A TRICK ,I KNEW WELL4 
,I US$ TO AMUSE MYSELF TRY+ IT ON ,EMMANUEL & ,CELE/E1 & N9E TIMES \T ( T5 
!Y'D LOOK AWAY UNCOM=TABLY4 ,I C\LD SEE ! *APLA9 WAS AN OLD H& AT IT1 AS 
HIS GAZE NEV] FALT]$4 ,& HIS VOICE WAS QUITE /EADY :5 HE SAID3 0,HAVE Y\ NO 
HOPE AT ALL8 ,DO Y\ REALLY ?9K ?AT :5 Y\ DIE Y\ DIE \TRI<T1 & NO?+ 
REMA9S80 

,I SAID3 0,YES40 

,HE DROPP$ HIS EYES & SAT D[N AGA94 ,HE WAS TRULY SORRY = ME1 HE SAID4 ,IT 
MU/ MAKE LIFE UNBE>ABLE = A MAN1 TO ?9K AS ,I DID4 

,! PRIE/ WAS BEG9N+ TO BORE ME1 &1 RE/+ A %\LD] ON ! WALL1 JU/ 
B5EA? ! LITTLE SKYLI<T1 ,I LOOK$ AWAY4 ,?\< ,I DIDN'T TR\BLE MU* TO FOLL[ 
:AT HE SAID1 ,I GA!R$ HE WAS QUE/ION+ ME AGA94 ,PRES5TLY HIS TONE BECAME 
AGITAT$1 URG5T1 &1 AS ,I REALIZ$ ?AT HE WAS G5U9ELY DI/RESS$1 ,I BEGAN TO PAY 
MORE ATT5TION4 

,HE SAID HE FELT CONV9C$ MY APPEAL W\LD SUCCE$1 BUT ,I WAS SADDL$ ) A LOAD 
( GUILT1 ( :I* ,I MU/ GET RID4 ,9 HIS VIEW MAN'S JU/ICE WAS A VA9 ?+2 ONLY 
,GOD'S JU/ICE MATT]$4 ,I PO9T$ \T ?AT ! =M] HAD CONDEMN$ ME4 ,YES1 HE 
AGRE$1 BUT IT HADN'T ABSOLV$ ME FROM MY S94 ,I TOLD HIM ?AT ,I WASN'T CONSCI\S ( 
ANY 0S902 ALL ,I KNEW WAS ?AT ,I'D BE5 GUILTY ( A CRIM9AL (F5SE4 ,WELL1 ,I WAS 
PAY+ ! P5ALTY ( ?AT (F5SE1 & NO ONE HAD ! RI<T TO EXPECT ANY?+ MORE 
( ME4 

,JU/ !N HE GOT UP AGA91 & IT /RUCK ME ?AT IF HE WANT$ TO MOVE 9 ?IS T9Y 
CELL1 ALMO/ ! ONLY *OICE LAY BETWE5 /&+ UP & SITT+ D[N4 ,I WAS />+ 
AT ! FLOOR4 ,HE TOOK A S+LE /EP T[>D ME1 & HALT$1 AS IF HE DIDN'T D>E TO COME 
NE>]4 ,!N HE LOOK$ UP ?R\< ! B>S AT ! SKY4 

0,Y\'RE MI/AK51 MY SON10 HE SAID GRAVELY4 0,!RE'S MORE ?AT MI<T BE REQUIR$ 
( Y\4 ,& P]HAPS IT WILL BE REQUIR$ ( Y\40 

0,:AT DO Y\ MEAN80 

0,Y\ MI<T BE ASK$ TO SEE 4440 

0,TO SEE :AT80 

,SL[LY ! PRIE/ GAZ$ R\ND MY CELL1 & ,I WAS /RUCK BY ! SADNESS ( HIS VOICE 
:5 HE REPLI$3 

0,!SE /ONE WALLS1 ,I KN[ IT ONLY TOO WELL1 >E /EEP$ 9 HUMAN SUFF]+4 ,I'VE 
NEV] BE5 ABLE TO LOOK AT !M )\T A %UDD]4 ,& YET -- BELIEVE ME1 ,I AM 
SPEAK+ FROM ! DEP?S ( MY HE>T -- ,I KN[ ?AT EV5 ! WRET*$E/ AMONG 
Y\ HAVE SOMETIMES SE51 TAK+ =M AGA9/ ?AT GRAYNESS1 A DIV9E FACE4 ,IT'S ?AT 
FACE Y\ >E ASK$ TO SEE40 

,?IS R\S$ ME A LITTLE4 ,I 9=M$ HIM ?AT ,I'D BE5 />+ AT ?OSE WALLS = 
MON?S2 !RE WAS NOBODY1 NO?+ 9 ! WORLD1 ,I KNEW BETT] ?AN ,I KNEW !M4 
,& ONCE UPON A TIME1 P]HAPS1 ,I US$ TO TRY TO SEE A FACE4 ,BUT IT WAS A SUN-GOLD FACE1 
LIT UP ) DESIRE -- ,M>IE'S FACE4 ,I HAD NO LUCK2 ,I'D NEV] SE5 IT1 & N[ ,I'D GIV5 
UP TRY+4 ,9DE$1 ,I'D NEV] SE5 ANY?+ 0TAK+ =M10 AS HE CALL$ IT1 AGA9/ 
?OSE GRAY WALLS4 

,! *APLA9 GAZ$ AT ME ) A SORT ( SADNESS4 ,I N[ HAD MY BACK TO ! WALL 
& LI<T WAS FL[+ OV] MY =EHEAD4 ,HE MUTT]$ SOME WORDS ,I DIDN'T CAT*2 
!N ABRUPTLY ASK$ IF HE MI<T KISS ME4 ,I SAID1 0,NO40 ,!N HE TURN$1 CAME UP TO ! 
WALL1 & SL[LY DREW HIS H& ALONG IT4 

0,DO Y\ REALLY LOVE !SE E>?LY ?+S SO V]Y MU*80 HE ASK$ 9 A L[ VOICE4 

,I MADE NO REPLY4 

,= QUITE A :ILE HE KEPT HIS EYES AV]T$4 ,HIS PRES5CE WAS GETT+ MORE & 
MORE IRKSOME1 & ,I WAS ON ! PO9T ( TELL+ HIM TO GO1 & LEAVE ME 9 PEACE1 
:5 ALL ( A SUDD5 HE SWUNG R\ND ON ME1 & BUR/ \T PASSIONATELY3 

0,NO6 ,NO6 ,I REFUSE TO BELIEVE IT4 ,I'M SURE Y\'VE (T5 WI%$ !RE WAS AN 
AFT]LIFE40 

,( C\RSE ,I HAD1 ,I TOLD HIM4 ,EV]YBODY HAS ?AT WI% AT TIMES4 ,BUT ?AT HAD NO 
MORE IMPORTANCE ?AN WI%+ TO BE RI*1 OR TO SWIM V]Y FA/1 OR TO HAVE A BETT]- 
%AP$ M\?4 ,IT WAS 9 ! SAME ORD] ( ?+S4 ,I WAS GO+ ON 9 ! SAME VE91 
:5 HE CUT 9 ) A QUE/ION4 ,H[ DID ,I PICTURE ! LIFE AFT] ! GRAVE8 

,I FAIRLY BAWL$ \T AT HIM3 0,A LIFE 9 :I* ,I CAN REMEMB] ?IS LIFE ON E>?4 
,?AT'S ALL ,I WANT ( IT40 ,& 9 ! SAME BREA? ,I TOLD HIM ,I'D HAD 5\< ( HIS 
COMPANY4 

,BUT1 APP>5TLY1 HE HAD MORE TO SAY ON ! SUBJECT ( ,GOD4 ,I W5T CLOSE UP TO HIM 
& MADE A LA/ ATTEMPT TO EXPLA9 ?AT ,I'D V]Y LITTLE TIME LEFT1 & ,I WASN'T GO+ TO 
WA/E IT ON ,GOD4 

,!N HE TRI$ TO *ANGE ! SUBJECT BY ASK+ ME :Y ,I HADN'T ONCE ADDRESS$ HIM 
AS 0,FA!R10 SEE+ ?AT HE WAS A PRIE/4 ,?AT IRRITAT$ ME /ILL MORE1 & ,I TOLD HIM HE 
WASN'T MY FA!R2 QUITE ! CONTR>Y1 HE WAS ON ! O!RS' SIDE4 

0,NO1 NO1 MY SON10 HE SAID1 LAY+ HIS H& ON MY %\LD]4 0,I'M ON Y\R SIDE1 
?\< Y\ DON'T REALIZE IT -- BECAUSE Y\R HE>T IS H>D5$4 ,BUT ,I %ALL PRAY = 
Y\40 

,!N1 ,I DON'T KN[ H[ IT WAS1 BUT SOME?+ SEEM$ TO BREAK 9SIDE ME1 & ,I 
/>T$ YELL+ AT ! TOP ( MY VOICE4 ,I HURL$ 9SULTS AT HIM1 ,I TOLD HIM NOT TO WA/E 
HIS ROTT5 PRAY]S ON ME2 IT WAS BETT] TO BURN ?AN TO DISAPPE>4 ,I'D TAK5 HIM BY ! 
NECKB& ( HIS CASSOCK1 &1 9 A SORT ( EC/ASY ( JOY & RAGE1 ,I P\R$ \T ON 
HIM ALL ! ?\<TS ?AT HAD BE5 SIMM]+ 9 MY BRA94 ,HE SEEM$ SO COCKSURE1 
Y\ SEE4 ,& YET NONE ( HIS C]TA9TIES WAS WOR? ONE /R& ( A WOMAN'S HAIR4 
,LIV+ AS HE DID1 LIKE A CORPSE1 HE C\LDN'T EV5 BE SURE ( BE+ ALIVE4 ,IT MI<T LOOK 
AS IF MY H&S W]E EMPTY4 ,ACTUALLY1 ,I WAS SURE ( MYSELF1 SURE AB\T EV]Y?+1 F> 
SUR] ?AN HE2 SURE ( MY PRES5T LIFE & ( ! DEA? ?AT WAS COM+4 ,?AT1 NO 
D\BT1 WAS ALL ,I HAD2 BUT AT LEA/ ?AT C]TA9TY WAS SOME?+ ,I C\LD GET MY TEE? 
9TO -- JU/ AS IT HAD GOT ITS TEE? 9TO ME4 ,I'D BE5 RI<T1 ,I WAS /ILL RI<T1 ,I WAS ALWAYS 
RI<T4 ,I'D PASS$ MY LIFE 9 A C]TA9 WAY1 & ,I MI<T HAVE PASS$ IT 9 A DIFF]5T 
WAY1 IF ,I'D FELT LIKE IT4 ,I'D ACT$ ?US1 & ,I HADN'T ACT$ O!RWISE2 ,I HADN'T DONE X1 
:]EAS ,I HAD DONE Y OR Z4 ,& :AT DID ?AT MEAN8 ,?AT1 ALL ! TIME1 ,I'D BE5 
WAIT+ = ?IS PRES5T MOM5T1 = ?AT DAWN1 TOMORR['S OR ANO!R DAY'S1 :I* 
WAS TO JU/IFY ME4 ,NO?+1 NO?+ HAD ! LEA/ IMPORTANCE & ,I KNEW QUITE WELL 
:Y4 ,HE1 TOO1 KNEW :Y4 ,FROM ! D>K HORIZON ( MY FUTURE A SORT ( SL[1 
P]SI/5T BREEZE HAD BE5 BL[+ T[>D ME1 ALL MY LIFE LONG1 FROM ! YE>S ?AT 
W]E TO COME4 ,& ON ITS WAY ?AT BREEZE HAD LEVEL$ \T ALL ! IDEAS ?AT PEOPLE 
TRI$ TO FOI/ ON ME 9 ! EQUALLY UNREAL YE>S ,I !N WAS LIV+ ?R\<4 ,:AT 
DIFF]5CE C\LD !Y MAKE TO ME1 ! DEA?S ( O!RS1 OR A MO!R'S LOVE1 OR HIS 
,GOD2 OR ! WAY A MAN DECIDES TO LIVE1 ! FATE HE ?9KS HE *OOSES1 S9CE ONE & 
! SAME FATE WAS B\ND TO 0*OOSE0 NOT ONLY ME BUT ?\S&S ( MILLIONS ( 
PRIVILEG$ PEOPLE :O1 LIKE HIM1 CALL$ !MSELVES MY BRO!RS4 ,SURELY1 SURELY HE 
MU/ SEE ?AT8 ,EV]Y MAN ALIVE WAS PRIVILEG$2 !RE WAS ONLY ONE CLASS ( M51 ! 
PRIVILEG$ CLASS4 ,ALL ALIKE W\LD BE CONDEMN$ TO DIE ONE DAY2 HIS TURN1 TOO1 W\LD 
COME LIKE ! O!RS'4 ,& :AT DIFF]5CE C\LD IT MAKE IF1 AFT] BE+ *>G$ ) 
MURD]1 HE W]E EXECUT$ BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WEEP AT HIS MO!R'S FUN]AL1 S9CE IT ALL 
CAME TO ! SAME ?+ 9 ! 5D8 ,! SAME ?+ = ,SALAMANO'S WIFE & = 
,SALAMANO'S DOG4 ,?AT LITTLE ROBOT WOMAN WAS AS 0GUILTY0 AS ! GIRL FROM ,P>IS :O 
HAD M>RI$ ,MASSON1 OR AS ,M>IE1 :O WANT$ ME TO M>RY H]4 ,:AT DID IT MATT] IF 
,RAYMOND WAS AS MU* MY PAL AS ,CELE/E1 :O WAS A F> WOR?I] MAN8 ,:AT DID IT 
MATT] IF AT ?IS V]Y MOM5T ,M>IE WAS KISS+ A NEW BOY FRI5D8 ,AS A CONDEMN$ 
MAN HIMSELF1 C\LDN'T HE GRASP :AT ,I MEANT BY ?AT D>K W9D BL[+ FROM MY 
FUTURE8 444 

,I HAD BE5 %\T+ SO MU* ?AT ,I'D LO/ MY BREA?1 & JU/ !N ! JAIL]S 
RU%$ 9 & />T$ TRY+ TO RELEASE ! *APLA9 FROM MY GRIP4 ,ONE ( !M MADE 
AS IF TO /RIKE ME4 ,! *APLA9 QUIET5$ !M D[N1 !N GAZ$ AT ME = A MOM5T 
)\T SPEAK+4 ,I C\LD SEE TE>S 9 HIS EYES4 ,!N HE TURN$ & LEFT ! CELL4 

,ONCE HE'D GONE1 ,I FELT CALM AGA94 ,BUT ALL ?IS EXCITEM5T HAD EXHAU/$ ME & ,I 
DROPP$ HEAVILY ON TO MY SLEEP+ PLANK4 ,I MU/ HAVE HAD A LONGI% SLEEP1 =1 :5 
,I WOKE1 ! />S W]E %9+ D[N ON MY FACE4 ,S\NDS ( ! C\NTRYSIDE CAME 
FA9TLY 91 & ! COOL NI<T AIR1 VE9$ ) SMELLS' ( E>? & SALT1 FANN$ MY 
*EEKS4 ,! M>VEL\S PEACE ( ! SLEEPB\ND SUMM] NI<T FLOOD$ ?R\< ME 
LIKE A TIDE4 ,!N1 JU/ ON ! $GE ( DAYBREAK1 ,I HE>D A /EAM]'S SIR54 ,PEOPLE W]E 
/>T+ ON A VOYAGE TO A WORLD :I* HAD CEAS$ TO CONC]N ME =EV]4 ,ALMO/ = 
! FIR/ TIME 9 MANY MON?S ,I ?\<T ( MY MO!R4 ,& N[1 IT SEEM$ TO ME1 ,I 
UND]/OOD :Y AT H] LIFE'S 5D %E HAD TAK5 ON A 0FIANCE02 :Y %E'D PLAY$ AT 
MAK+ A FRE% />T4 ,!RE1 TOO1 9 ?AT ,HOME :]E LIVES W]E FLICK]+ \T1 ! 
DUSK CAME AS A M\RNFUL SOLACE4 ,) DEA? SO NE>1 ,MO!R MU/ HAVE FELT LIKE 
SOMEONE ON ! BR9K ( FRE$OM1 READY TO />T LIFE ALL OV] AGA94 ,NO ONE1 NO ONE 9 
! WORLD HAD ANY RI<T TO WEEP = H]4 ,& ,I1 TOO1 FELT READY TO />T LIFE ALL OV] 
AGA94 ,IT WAS AS IF ?AT GREAT RU% ( ANG] HAD WA%$ ME CLEAN1 EMPTI$ ME ( HOPE1 
&1 GAZ+ UP AT ! D>K SKY SPANGL$ ) ITS SIGNS & />S1 = ! FIR/ TIME1 ! 
FIR/1 ,I LAID MY HE>T OP5 TO ! B5IGN 9DIFF]5CE ( ! UNIV]SE4 ,TO FEEL IT SO LIKE 
MYSELF1 9DE$1 SO BRO!RLY1 MADE ME REALIZE ?AT ,I'D BE5 HAPPY1 & ?AT ,I WAS 
HAPPY /ILL4 ,= ALL TO BE ACCOMPLI%$1 = ME TO FEEL LESS LONELY1 ALL ?AT REMA9$ TO 
HOPE WAS ?AT ON ! DAY ( MY EXECUTION !RE %\LD BE A HUGE CR[D ( SPECTATORS 
& ?AT !Y %\LD GREET ME ) H[LS ( EXECRATION4 

,! ,5,D4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#e1 #bba 3 ,! ,/RANG] -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #f1 #bbb 3 ,! ,/RANG] -- ,UPDAT$4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
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