
       ,,two

  ,buck didn't "k h{ 6respond :5 ,ray=d ,/eele greet$ hm w>mly4 ,he appreciat$ ! w>m? & op5;s f 8 ?ree new frs1 b "s?+ na7$ at hm & he held back a ll4 ,he / wasn't q -=ta# ) ? k9d ( a6ec;n4 ,& :at 0 ? meet+ ab8 ,! ,tribul,n ,=ce 0 s*$ul$ 6meet regul>ly1 s a speci,y call$ meet+ _h 6m1n "s?+4
  ,*loelook$ at hm expectantly :5 %e greet$ hm1 yet %e did n hug hm1 z ,/eele & ,bruce ,b>nes _h d"o4 ,h} retic;e 0 8 fault1 ( c|rse4 ,!y b>ely knew ea* o!r1 b cle>ly "! _h be5 *emi/ry4 ,!y _h giv5 ea* o!r 5 signals 62g9 a rel,n%ip1 & 9 a note 6,*loe1 ,buck _h ev5 admitt$ he 0 attract$ 6h}4 ,b he _h 6be c>e;l4 ,bo? 7 br&-new 9 _! fai?1 & !y 7 only n{ le>n+ :at ! future held4 ,only a fool wd 2g9 a rel,n%ip at a "t l ?4
  ,& yet wasn't t exactly :at he was--a fool8 ,h{ cd x h tak5 hm s l;g 6le>n any?+ ab ,*ri/ :5 he _h be5 a /ell> /ud5t1 an 9t}n,nal j|rnali/1 a s-call$ 9tellectual8
  ,& :at 0 happ5+ 6hm n{8 ,he felt guilty ab li/5+ 9 on ! ph"o :ile 8 bosses 4cuss$ hm4 ,he wd n"e h giv5 eavesdropp+ a second ?"| 9 ! pa/4 ,! tricks & s*emes & |t"r lies he _h told j 6get a /ory wd h fill$ a book4 ,wd he 2 z gd a ,j|rnali/ n{ ) ,god 9 8 life1 seem+ 6prick 8 3sci;e ov} ev5 ll ?+s8
  ,ray=d s5s$ ,buck's uneasi;s & ,*loe's hesitancy4 ,b mo/ly he 0 /ruck 0! ne>ly 9/antane|s *ange 9 ,bruce's c.t5.e4 ,bruce _h smil$ at ,ray=d's /ory ( gett+ 96tr|# on ! job1 & he _h smil$ :5 ,buck >riv$4 ,su45ly1 h{"e1 ,bruce's face _h cl|d$ ov}4 ,8 smile _h vani%$1 & he 0 hav+ tr|# -pos+ hmf4
  ,ray=d 0 new 6? k9d ( s5sitiv;y4 ,2f 8 wife & son _h 4appe>$1 he _h n wept 9 ye>s4 ,he _h alw 3sid}$ emo;n w1k & unmanly4 ,b s9ce ! 4appe>.es1 he _h se5 _m m5 weep4 ,he 0 3v9c$ t ! global vani%+s _h be5 ,*ri/ raptur+ 8 *ur*1 b = ~? :o rema9$ 2h1 ! ev5t _h be5 cata/rophic4
  ,ev5 = hm &= ,*loe1 :o _h 2come 2liev}s 2c ( x1 ! horror ( los+ ! re/ ( _! family 0 excruciat+4 ,"! 7 "ds :5 ,ray=d _h be5 s grief-/rick5 & l"oly = 8 wife & son t he wond}$ if he cd g on4 ,h{ cd he h be5 s bl8 ,:at a failure he _h be5 z a husb& & "f6
  ,b ,bruce _h be5 a wise c|nselor4 ,he too _h lo/ a wife & *n1 & he1 ( all p1 %d h be5 prep>$ =! -+ ( ,*ri/4 ,) ,bruce's support &! help (! o!r two 9 ? room1 ,ray=d knew he cd g on4 ,b "! 0 m on ,ray=d's m9d ?an j surviv+4 ,he 0 2g9n+ 6believe t he--& all ( !m--wd h 6take ac;n1 p}h at ! risk ( _! v lives4
  ,if "! _h be5 a mo;t's d|bt or hesit,n ab t1 x 0 4pell$ :5 ,bruce ,b>nes f9,y f.d 8 voice4 ,! "y pa/or press$ 8 lips tgr 6keep !m f quiv}+4 ,8 eyes 7 fill+4
  8,i1 uh1 ne$ 6talk 6y all10 he 2gan1 l1n+ =w>d & paus+ 6-pose hmf4
  8,) all ! news -+ | ( ,new ,york 0! m9ute ~! "ds1 ,i've tak5 x ~u myf 6keep ,,cnn on all ! "t4 ,ray=d1 y sd y _hn't he>d ! late/4 ,*loe80 ,%e %ook h} h1d4 8,buck1 ,i assume y h a3ess 6e ,c>pa?ia ann|nce;t z x br1ks40
  8,n td10 ,buck sd4 8,i didn't get 96! (fice until ! 5d (! "d1 & ,i didn't he> a ?+40
  ,bruce seem$ 6cl|d up ag1 !n he gave an appologetic smile4  8,x isn't t ! news is s deva/at+10 he sd4 8,x's j t ,i feel s* a trem5d|s responsibil;y = y all4 ,y "k ,i'm try+ 6run ? *ur*1 b t seems s 9significant -p>$ 6my /udy ( prophecy4 ,i'm sp5d+ mo/ ( my "ds & ev5+s por+ ov} ! ,bi# & -;t>ies1 & ,i feel ! press ( ,god on me40
  8,! press ( ,god80 ,ray=d rep1t$4 ,b ,bruce broke 96te>s4 ,*loe r1*$ acr ! desk & cov}$ "o ( 8 h&s ) h}s4 ,ray=d & ,buck al r1*$ 6t|* ,bruce4
  8,x's s h>d10 ,bruce sd1 fi<t+ 6make hmf "u/ood4 8,& ,i "k x's n j me4 ,x's y guys & "eybody :o -es 6? *ur*4 ,we're all hurt+1 we've all lo/ p1 we all miss$ ! tru?40
  8,b n{ we've f.d x10 ,*loe sd1 8& ,god us$ y 9 t40
  8,i "k4 ,i j feel s full ( 3flict+ emo;ns t ,i wond} :at's next10 ,bruce sd4 8,my h|se is s big & s cold & s l"oly )|t my family t "s"ts ,i don't ev5 g home at ni<t4 ,"s"ts ,i j /udy until ,i fall asleep1 & ,i g home 9 ! morn+ only 6%{} & *ange & get back "h40
  ,uncom=ta#1 ,ray=d look$ away4 ,_h he be5 ! "o try+ 6-municate ) 8 frs1 he wd h want$ "s"o 6*ange ! subject1 6get hm back 6:at ! meet+ 0 ab4 ,b ,bruce 0 a di6}5t k9d (a guy4 ,he _h alw -municat$ 9 8 {n way & 9 8 {n "t4
  ,bruce r1*$ =a tissue1 &! o!r ?ree sat back4 ,:5 ,bruce spoke ag1 8 voice 0 / husky4
  8,i feel an enorm|s wei<t on me10 he sd4 8,"o (! ?+s ,i _h n"e be5 gd at 0 r1d+ ! ,bi# e "d4 ,i pret5d$ 6be a 2liev}1 a s-call$ full"t ,*ri/ian "w}1 b ,i didn't c>e ab ! ,bi#4 ,n{ ,i c't get 5 ( x40
  ,buck cd id5tify4 ,he want$ 6"k "ey?+ ,god _h be5 try+ 6-municate 6hm = ye>s4 ,t 0 "o r1son1 2ss ,*loe1 t he didn't m9d relocat+ 6,*icago4 ,he want$ 6-e 6? *ur* & he> ,bruce expla9 ! ,bi# e "t ! doors 7 op5$4 ,he want$ 6imm}se hmf 9 ,bruce's 9si<t & t1*+ z a memb} ( ? ll core gr|p4
  ,he / _h a job & he 0 writ+ important /uff1 b le>n+ 6"k ,god & li/5+ 6hm seem$ 8 prim>y o3up,n4 ,! re/ 0 j a m1ns 6an 5d4
  ,bruce look$ up4 8,n{ ,i "k :at p m1nt :5 !y sd !y f1/$ on ! ,~w4 ,"s"ts ,i sit dr9k+ x 9 = h|rs1 los+ track ( "t1 =gett+ 6eat1 weep+ & pray+4 ,"s"ts ,i j slip f my *air & fall 6my knees1 call+ | 6,god 6make x cle> 6me4 ,mo/ f"r5+ ( all1 he's do+ j t40
  ,buck notic$ ,ray=d & ,*loe no4+4 ,he 0 new} at ? ?an !y w}e1 b he felt t same hung} & ?ir/ =! ,bi#4 ,b :at 0 ,bruce gett+ at8 ,0 he say+ t ,god _h rev1l$ "s?+ 6hm8
  ,bruce took a deep br1? & /ood4 ,he /epp$ 6! corn} (! desk & sat on x1 t{}+ ov} ! o!r ?ree4 8,i ne$ yr pray}s10 he sd4 8,god is %{+ me ?+s1 impress+ tru?s on me t ,i c b>ely 3ta94 ,& yet if ,i say !m publicly1 ,i w 2 ridicul$ & maybe put myf 9 dang}40
  8,( c|rse we'll pray10 ,ray=d sd4 8,b :at does ? h 6d ) td's news80
  8,x has "ey?+ 6d )! news1 ,ray=d40 ,bruce %ook 8 h1d4 8,don't y see8 ,we "k ,nicolae ,c>pa?ia is ! ,anti*ri/4 ,let's assume =! sake ( >gu;t t ,buck's /ory ( ,c>pa?ia's sup}natural hypnotic p{} &! murd} ( ~? two m5 is ridicul|s4 ,ev5 s1 "!'s pl5ty ( evid;e t ,c>pa?ia fits ! prophetic descrip;ns4 ,he's deceptive4 ,he's *>m+4 ,p >e flock+ 6support hm4 ,he has be5 ?ru/ 6p{}1 seem+ly ag/ 8 {n wi%es4 ,he's pu%+ a "o-_w gov}n;t1 a "o-_w curr5cy1 a tr1ty ) ,israel1 mov+ ! ,u4,n4 6,babylon4 ,t al"o proves x4 ,:at >e ! o4s t "o man wd promote all ~? ?+s & n 2 ! ,anti*ri/80
  8,we knew ? 0 -+10 ,buck sd4 8,b has he g"o public ) all t80
  8,all td40
  ,buck let | a l{ :i/le4 8,:at did ,c>pa?ia say80
  8,he ann|nc$ x "? 8 m$ia guy1 yr =m} boss1 :at's 8 "n80
  8,plank40
  8,"r4 ,/eve ,plank4 ,!y held a press 3f};e s he cd 9=m ! m$ia t ,c>pa?ia wd 2 unavaila# = s"eal "ds :ile he 3duct$ /rategic hi<-level meet+s40
  8,& he sd :at ! meet+s 7 ab80 8,he sd t ,c>pa?ia1 :ile n seek+ ! posi;n ( l1d}%ip1 felt an oblig,n 6move qkly 6unite ! _w 9 a move t{>d p1ce4 ,he has assign$ task =ces 6imple;t ! 4>m+ (! n,ns (! _w & 63firm t x has be5 d"o4 ,he is hav+ ! #aj p}c5t (! w1ponry t is n de/roy$ f ea* n,n %ipp$ 6,babylon1 : he has re"nd ,new ,babylon4 ,! 9t}n,nal f9ancial -mun;y1 ~: repres5tatives 7 alr 9 ,new ,york = meet+s1 has be5 *>g$ )! responsibil;y ( settl+ on "o curr5cy40
  8,i n"e wd h 2liev$ x40 ,buck fr{n$4 8,a fr tri$ 6tell me ab ? a l;g "t ago40
  8,t's n all10 ,bruce w5t on4 8,d y ?9k x 0 co9cid5tal t l1d}s (! major religions 7 9 ,new ,york :5 ,c>pa?ia >riv$ la/ week8 ,h{ cd ? 2 any?+ b ! fulfill;t ( prophecy8 ,c>pa?ia is urg+ !m 6-e tgr1 6agree on "s all-9clusive ef=t at tol}.e t wd respect _! %>$ 2liefs40
  8,%>$ 2liefs80 ,*loe sd4 8,"s ( ~? religions >e s f> a"p !y wd n"e agree40
  8,b !y >e agree+10 ,bruce sd4 8,c>pa?ia is app>5tly mak+ d1ls4 ,i don't "k :at he's (f}+1 b an ann|nce;t is expect$ 0! 5d (! week f ! religi|s l1d}s4 ,i'm guess+ we'll see a "o-_w religion40
  8,:o'd fall = t80
  8,scripture 9dicates t _m w40
  ,ray=d's m9d 0 reel+4 ,x _h be5 h>d = hm 63c5trate on any?+ s9ce ! "d (! 4appe>.es4 ,at "ts he / wond}$ if ? 0 all a crazy ni<tm>e1 "s?+ he wd wake up f & !n *ange 8 ways4 ,0 he ,scrooge1 :o ne$$ s* a dr1m 6see h{ wr;g he'd be58 ,or 0 he ,george ,bailey1 ,jimmy ,/ew>t's "* f ,x's a ,wond};l ,life1 :o got 8 wi%--& !n wi%$ he _hn't8
  ,ray=d actu,y knew two p--,buck & ,hattie-:o _h p}son,y met ! ,anti*ri/6 ,h{ biz>re 0 t8 ,:5 he all{$ hmf 6dwell on x1 x s5t a d>k %iv} ( t}ror deep 9side hm4 ,! cosmic battle 2t ,god & ,satan _h cra%$ 96his {n life1 & 9 an 9/ant he _h g"o f skeptical cynic1 neglect;l "f1 & lu/;l husb& )a rov+ eye1 6fanatical 2liev} 9 ,*ri/4
  8,:y has ! news td set y (f s m*1 ,bruce80 ,ray=d ask$4 8,i don't ?9k any ( u d|bt$ ,buck's /ory or _h any l+}+ "q ab :e!r ,c>pa?ia 0 ! ,anti*ri/40
  8,i don't "k1 ,ray=d40 ,bruce return$ 6his *air4 8,all ,i "k is t ! clos} ,i get 6,god1 ! deep} ,i get 96! ,bi#1 ! h1vi} ! burd5 seems on my %|ld}s4 ,! _w ne$s 6"k x is 2+ dcvd4 ,i feel an urg5cy 6pr1* ,*ri/ "ey":1 n j "h4 ,? *ur* is full ( f"r5$ p1 & !y're hungry = ,god4 ,we're try+ 6meet t ne$1 b m tr|# is -+4
  8,! news t re,y got 6me td 0 ! ann|nce;t t ! next major ord} ( busi;s = ,c>pa?ia is :at he calls ,8an "u/&+0' 2t ! global -mun;y & ,israel1 z well z :at he calls ,8a special >range;t0' 2t ! ,u4,n4 &! ,unit$ ,/ates40
  ,buck sat up /rai<t}4 8,:at d y make ( t80
  8,i don't "k :at ! ,u4,s4 ?+ is1 2c z m* z ,i /udy ,i don't see ,am}ica play+ a role dur+ ? p}iod ( hi/ory4 ,b we all "k :at ! "u/&+' ) ,israel w be4 ,i don't "k :at =m x w take or :at ! b5efit w 2 6! ,holy ,l&1 b cle>ly ? is ! sev5-ye> tr1ty40
  ,*loe look$ up4 8,& t actu,y signals ! 2g9n+ (! sev5-ye> p}iod ( tribul,n40
  8,exactly40 ,bruce look$ at ! gr|p4 8,if t ann|nce;t says any?+ ab a promise f ,c>pa?ia t ,israel w 2 protect$ ov} ! next sev5 ye>s1 x (fici,y u%}s 9 ! ,tribul,n40
  ,buck 0 tak+ notes4 8,s ! 4appe>.es1 ! ,rapture1 didn't />t ! sev5-ye> p}iod80
  8,no10 ,bruce sd4 8,"p ( me hop$ t "s?+ wd delay ! tr1ty ) ,israel4 ,no?+ 9 ,scripture says x has 6happ5 "r away4 ,b once x does1 ! clock />ts tick+40
  8,b x />ts tick+ t{>d ,*ri/ sett+ up 8 k+dom on e>?1 "r80 ,buck ask$4 ,ray=d 0 impress$ t ,buck _h le>n$ s m* s qkly4
  ,bruce no4$4 8,t's "r4 ,& t's ! r1son = ? meet+4 ,i ne$ 6tell y all "s?+4 ,i am go+ 6h a two-h|r meet+1 "r "h 9 ? (fice1 e weekni<t f ei<t 6t54 ,j = u40
  8,i'll 2 travel+ a lot10 ,buck sd4
  8,me too10 ,ray=d a4$4
  ,bruce held up a h&4 8,i c't =ce y 6-e1 b ,i urge y4 ,any"t y're 9 t{n1 2 "h4 ,9 |r /udies we're go+ 6|tl9e :at ,god has rev1l$ 9 ! ,scriptures4 ,"s ( x y've alr he>d me talk ab4 ,b if ! tr1ty ) ,israel -es )9 ! next few "ds1 we h no "t 6wa/e4 ,we ne$ 6be />t+ new *ur*es1 new cell gr|ps ( 2liev}s4 ,i want 6g 6,israel & he> ! two wit;ses at ! ,wail+ ,wall4 ,! ,bi# talks ab #add1jjj ,jews spr++ up & travel+ "?|t ! _w4 ,"!'s 6be a grt s|l h>ve/1 maybe a billion or m p1 -+ 6,*ri/40
  8,t s.ds fanta/ic10 ,*loe sd4 8,we %d 2 ?rill$40
  8,i am ?rill$10 ,bruce sd4 8,b "! w 2 ll "t 6rjc or 6re/4 ,rememb} ! sev5 ,s1l ,judg;ts ,revel,n talks ab80 ,%e no4$4 8,~? w 2g9 immly1 if ,i'm "r4 ,"! w 2 an ei<te5mon? p}iod ( p1ce1 b 9 ! ?ree mon?s foll{+ t1 ! re/ (! ,s1l judg;ts w fall on ! e>?4 ,"o f|r? (! _w's popul,n w 2 wip$ |4 ,i don't want 6be maudl91 b w y look >.d ? room & tell me :at t m1ns 6y80
  ,ray=d didn't h 6look >.d ! room4 ,he sat )! ?ree p close/ 6hm 9 ! _w4 ,0 x possi# t 9 less ?an two ye>s1 he cd lose yet ano!r lov$ "o8
  ,buck clos$ 8 notebook4 ,he 0 n go+ 6record ! fact t "s"o 9 t room mi<t 2 d1d soon4 ,he recall$ t dur+ 8 f/ "d at college he _h be5 ask$ 6look 6his "r & 6his left4 ,! professor _h sd1 8,"o (! ?ree ( y w n 2 "h 9 a ye>40 ,t 0 alm funny -p>$ 6?4 8,we don't want 6simply survive1 ?|<10 ,buck sd4 8,we want 6take ac;n40
  8,i "k10 ,bruce sd4 8,i guess ,i'm j griev+ 9 adv.e4 ,? is go+ 6be a l;g1 h>d road4 ,we're all go+ 6be busy & ov}"w$1 b we m/ plan ah1d4
  8,i 0 ?9k+ ab go+ back 6college10 ,*loe mus$4 8,n 6,/an=d1 ( c|rse1 b "s": >.d "h4 ,n{ ,i wond}1 :at's ! po9t4
  8,y c g 6college "r "h10 ,bruce sd4 8,e ni<t at ei<t4 ,& "!'s "s?+ else40
  8,i ?"| "! mi<t be10 ,buck sd4
  8,i ?9k we ne$ a %elt}40
  8,a %elt}80 ,*loe sd4
  8,"ugr.d10 ,bruce sd4 8,dur+ ! p}iod ( p1ce we c build x )|t suspicion4 ,:5 ! judg;ts -e1 we wdn't 2 a# 6get away ) any?+ l t40
  8,:at >e y talk+ ab80 ,buck ask$4
  8,i'm talk+ ab gett+ an e>?mov} 9 "h & di7+ | a place we c escape to4 ,w> is -+1 fam9e1 plagues1 & d1?40
  ,ray=d held up a h&4 8,b ,i ?"| we w}5't go+ 6turn tail & run40
  8,we're n10 ,bruce sd4 8,b if we don't plan ah1d1 if we don't h a place 6retr1t to1 6regr|p1 6evade radi,n & 41se1 we'll die try+ 6prove we're brave40
  ,buck 0 impress$ t ,bruce _h a plan1 a r1l plan4 ,bruce sd he wd ord} a huge wat} tank & h x deliv}$4 ,x wd sit at ! $ge (! p>k+ lot = weeks1 & p wd assume x 0 j "s sort (a /orage tank4 ,!n he wd h an excavator dig | a crat} big 5 6h|se x4
  ,m1n:ile1 ! f|r ( !m wd /ud up walls1 run p{} & wat} l9es 96! hole1 & g5},y get x prep>$ z a hide|t4 ,at "s po9t ,bruce wd h ! wat} tank tak5 away4 ,p :o saw t wd assume x 0 ! wr;g size or defective4 ,p :o didn't see x tak5 away wd assume x _h be5 9/all$ 9 ! gr.d4 
  ,! ,tribul,n ,=ce wd atta* ! "ugr.d %elt} 6! *ur* "? a hi45 passageway1 b !y wd n use x until !y _h to4 ,all _! meet+s wd 2 9 ,bruce's (fice4
  ,! meet+ t ni<t 5d$ ) pray}1 ! ?ree newe/ 2liev}s pray+ = ,bruce & 8 wei<t ( l1d}%ip4
  ,buck urg$ ,bruce 6g home & get "s sleep4 ,on 8 way |1 ,buck turn$ 6,*loe4 8,i'd %{ y my new c>1 b x doesn't seem l t big a d1l anymore40
  8,i "k :at y m1n40 ,%e smil$4 8,x looks nice1 ?|<4 ,y want 6jo9 u = "s d9n}80
  8,i'm n re,y hungry4 ,anyway1 ,i've got 6get />t$ mov+ 96my new place40
  8,d y h furniture yet80 %e ask$4 8,y cd /ay ) u until y get "s4 ,we've got pl5ty ( room40
  ,he ?"| ab ! irony ( t4 8,?anks10 he sd4 8,x's furni%$40
  ,ray=d came up f 2h4 8,":'d y l& anyway1 ,buck80 ,buck describ$ ! 3do1 halfway 2t *ur* &! ,weekly4
  8,t's n f>40
  8,no10 ,buck sd4 8,i'll h "eybody ov} once ,i get settl$40 ,ray=d _h op5$ 8 c> door1 & ,*loe wait$ at ! pass5g} door4 ,! ?ree ( !m /ood sil5t & awkw>d 9 ! dim li<t f ! /reetlamps4 8,well10 ,buck sd1 8,i'd bett} get go+40
  ,ray=d slid 96! c>4 ,*loe / /ood "!4 8,see ya40
  ,*loe gave a ll wave1 & ,buck turn$ away4 ,he felt l an idiot4 ,:at 0 he go+ 6d ab h}8 ,he knew %e 0 wait+1 hop+ = "s sign t he 0 / 9t}e/$4 ,& he was4 ,he 0 j hav+ tr|# %{+ x4 ,he didn't "k if x 0 2c h} "f 0 "! or 2c too m* 0 happ5+ 9 _! lives "r n{4
  ,buck ?"| ab ,*loe's -;t t "! wasn't m* use 9 go+ 6college4 ,t appli$ 6rom.e z well1 he ?"|4 ,sure1 he 0 l"oly4 ,sure1 !y _h a lot 9 -mon4 ,sure1 he 0 attract$ 6h}1 & x 0 cle> %e felt ! same ab hm4 ,b wasn't gett+ 9t}e/$ 9 a woman "r n{ a ll trivial1 3sid}+ all ,bruce _h j talk$ ab8
  ,buck _h alr fall5 9 love ) ,god4 ,t _h 6be 8 pas.n until ,*ri/ return$ ag4 ,wd x 2 "r1 let al"o prud5t1 6focus 8 att5;n on ,*loe ,/eele at ! same "t8 ,he tri$ 6pu% h} f 8 m9d4 ,fat *.e4

  8,y l hm1 don't y80 ,ray=d sd z he pull$ ! c> | (! p>k+ lot4
  8,he's all "r40
  8,i'm talk+ ab ,buck40
  8,i "k :o y're talk+ ab4 ,he's all "r1 b he h>dly "ks ,i exi/ anymore40
  8,"!'s a lot on 8 m9d40
  8,i get m att5;n f ,bruce1 & he's got m on 8 m9d ?an any ( u40
  8,let ,buck get settl$ 9 & he'll -e call+40
  8,he'll -e call+80 ,*loe sd4 8,y s.d l ,pa on ,ll ,h|se ,on ! ,prairie40
  8,sorry40
  8,anyway1 ,i ?9k ,buck ,williams is "? call+40

  ,buck's a"p;t 0 antiseptic )|t 8 {n /uff 9 x4 ,he kick$ (f 8 %oes & call$ 8 voice mail 9 ,new ,york4 ,he want$ 6l1ve a message ) ,m>ge ,pott}1 8 =m} secret>y "!1 ask+ :5 he cd expect 8 boxes f ! (fice4 ,%e b1t hm 6! pun*4 ,! f/ ( 8 ?ree messages 0 f ,m>ge4 8,i didn't "k ": 6%ip yr /uff1 s ,i ov}ni<t$ x 6! ,*icago bur1u (fice4 ,%d 2 "! ,mon"d morn+40
  ,! second message 0 f ! big boss1 ,/anton ,bailey4 8,give me a call "s"t ,mon"d1 ,cam}on4 ,i want 6get yr /ory 0! 5d ( next week1 & we ne$ 6talk40
  ,! ?ird 0 f 8 old executive $itor1 ,/eve ,plank1 n{ ,nicolae ,c>pa?ia's spokesman4 8,buck1 call me z soon z y c4 ,c>pa?ia wants 6talk 6y40
  ,buck sni6$ & *uckl$ & eras$ 8 messages4 ,he record$ a ?anks 6,m>ge & an ,i-got-yrmessage-&-w-call-y 6,bailey4 ,he m}ely made a note ) ,/eve's ph"o numb} & decid$ 6wait 6call hm4 ,c>pa?ia wants 6talk 6y4 ,:at a casual way 6say1 ,! 5emy ( ,god is af y4 ,buck cd only wond} :e!r ,c>pa?ia knew he _h n be5 bra9wa%$4 ,:at wd ! man d1 or try 6d1 if he knew ,buck's memory _h n be5 alt}$8 ,if he r1liz$ ,buck knew he 0 a murd}}1 a li>1 a b1/8

  ,ray=d sat wat*+ ! televi.n news1 he>+ -;tators pontificate on ! m1n+ (! ann|nce;ts -+ | (! ,unit$ ,n,ns4 ,mo/ 3sid}$ ! s*$ul$ move (! ,u4,n4 6! ru9s ( ,babylon1 s|? ( ,ba<dad1 a gd ?+4 ,"o sd1 8,if ,c>pa?ia is s9c}e ab 4>m+ ! _w & /ockpil+ ! rema9+ #aj p}c5t (! h>dw>e1 ,i'd r he /ore x 9 ! ,mi4le ,ea/1 9 ! %ad{ ( ,tehran1 ?an on an isl& (f ,new ,york ,c;y4 ,2ss1 we c use ! soon-to-be-ab&on$ ,u4,n4 build+ z a museum1 honor+ ! mo/ atroci|s >*itecture ? c.try has "e produc$40
  ,pundits predict$ fru/r,n & failure 9 ! propos$ |tcomes (! meet+s 2t bo? ! religi|s l1d}s &! f9ancial exp}ts4 ,"o sd1 8,no s+le religion1 z attractive z t s.ds1 & no "o_w curr5cy1 z /r1ml9$ z t wd be4 ,~! w 2 ,c>pa?ia's f/ major setbacks1 & p}h !n ! masses w 2come m r1li/ic ab hm4 ,! h"oymoon w soon 2 ov}40
  8,want "s tea1 ,dad80 ,*loe call$ f ! kit*54 ,he decl9$1 & %e came | a m9ute lat} ) h} {n4 ,%e sat on ! o!r 5d (! c|* f hm1 h} slipp}$ feet tuck$ up "u h} robe4 ,h} fre%ly wa%$ hair 0 wrapp$ 9 a t{el4
  8,got a date ? week5d80 ,ray=d ask$ :5 ! news broke =a -m}cial4
  8,n funny10 %e sd4
  8,x wasn't m1nt 6be4 ,wd t 2 s /range1 "s"o ask+ y |80
  8,! only p}son ,i want 6ask me | has app>5tly *ang$ 8 m9d ab me40
  8,nons5se10 ,ray=d sd4 8,i c't imag9e all t m/ 2 on ,buck's m9d40
  8,i ?"| ,i 0 on 8 m9d1 ,dad4 ,n{ ,i sit "h l a s*oolgirl1 wond}+ & hop+4 ,x's all s /upid4 ,:y %d ,i c>e8 ,i j met hm4 ,i h>dly "k hm4 ,i j admire hm1 t's all40
  8,y admire hm80
  8,sure6 ,:o wdn't8 ,he's sm>t1 >ticulate1 a3ompli%$40
  8,fam|s40
  8,y1h1 a ll4 ,b ,i'm n go+ 6?r{ myf at hm4 ,i j ?"| he 0 9t}e/$1 t's all4 ,8 note sd he 0 attract$ 6me40
  8,h{ did y respond 6t80
  8,6hm1 y m1n40
  ,ray=d no4$4
  8,i didn't4 ,:at 0 ,i suppos$ 6d8 ,i 0 attract$ 6hm1 too1 b ,i didn't want 6sc>e hm (f40
  8,maybe he ?9ks he's sc>$ y (f4 ,maybe he ?9ks he came on too /r;g too soon4 ,b y didn't feel t way80
  8,9 a way ,i did1 b d{n deep x 0 "r4 ,i ?"| ,i j 2+ op5 6hm & /ay+ frly wd make ! po9t40
  ,dad %ru7$4 8,maybe he ne$s m 5c|rage;t40
  8,he's n go+ 6get x f me4 ,n my /yle4 ,y "k t40
  8,i "k1 hon10 ,ray=d sd1 8b a lot has *ang$ ab y rec5tly40
  8,y1h1 b my /yle hasn't40 ,t made ev5 h} lau<4 8,da4y1 :at am ,i go+ 6d8 ,i'm n r1dy 6give up on hm1 b cdn't y see x wasn't ! same8 ,he %d h ask$ me | = "s?+ 6eat1 b he didn't ev5 a3ept |r 9vit,n40
  8,|r 9vit,n8 ,i 0 9 on t80
  8,well1 x wdn't h be5 appropriate = me 6ask hm | 0myf40
  8,i "k4 ,b maybe he didn't want 6g | ) me >.d40
  8,if he felt ab me ! way ,i ?"| he did1 he wd h4 ,9 fact1 he wd h ask$ me f/ & left y | ( x4 ,i m1n ''' ,i didn't m1n x t way ,dad40
  8,i "k :at y m1nt4 ,i ?9k y're 2+ a ll too gloomy too soon ab ?4 ,give hm a "d4 ,see :at a di6};e a ni<t's sleep makes40
  ,! news came back on1 & ,*loe sipp$ h} tea4 ,ray=d felt privileg$ t %e wd talk 6hm ab ?+s l ?4 ,he didn't rememb} t %e _h ev5 talk$ 6,ir5e m* ab guys4 ,he knew he 0 h} only port 9 a /orm1 b / he 5joy$ h} 3fid;e4
  8,i don't h 6wat* ? if y want 6talk "s m10 he told h}4 8,"!'s no?+ new "h s9ce :at ,bruce told u40
  8,no1 %e sd1 /&+4 8,frankly1 ,i'm sick ( myf4 ,sitt+ "h talk+ ab my love life1 or lack ( x1 seems pretty juv5ile at ? po9t 9 hi/ory1 don't y ?9k8 ,x's n l "!'s no?+ 6fill my "t ev5 if ,i don't g back 6s*ool4 ,i want 6memorize ,ezekiel1 ,daniel1 & ,revel,n = />t}s40
  ,ray=d lau<$4 8,y're ki4+60
  8,( c|rse6 ,b y "k :at ,i m1n1 ,dad8 ,i n"e wd h dr1m$ ! ,bi# wd ev5 9t}e/ me1 b n{ ,i'm r1d+ x l "!'s no tm40
  ,ray=d fell sil5t1 & he cd tell ,*loe 0 /ruck by h} {n un9t5;nal irony4
  8,i am too18 he sd4 8,i alr "k m ab 5d-"ts prophecy ?an ,i "e knew exi/$4 ,we're liv+ x1 "r "h1 "r n{4 ,"! >5't _m tms left1 >e "!80
  8,c}ta9ly n 5 6wa/e p9+ away ov} a guy40
  8,he's a pretty impressive guy1 ,*lo'40
  8,y're a big help4 ,let me =get hm1 w y80
  ,ray=d smil$4 8,if ,i don,t m5;n hm1 ,*lo1 y'll =get hm8 ,%d we get hm kick$ | (! ,tribul,n ,=ce80
  ,*loe %ook h} h1d4 8,& anyway1 h{ l;g has x be5 s9ce y call$ me ,*lo'80
  8,y us$ 6l t40
  8,y1h4 ,:5 ,i 0 n9e4 ',ni<t1 ,dad40
  8',ni<t1 sweethe>t4 ,i love y40 ,*loe _h be5 h1d+ t{>d ! kit*51 b %e /opp$ & turn$ & hurri$ back1 b5d+ 6embrace hm1 c>e;l n 6spill h} tea4 8,i love y too1 ,dad4 ,m ?an "e &) all my he>t40

  ,buck ,williams lay on 8 /oma* 9 8 new b$ =! f/ "t4 ,x felt /range4 ,8 0 a nice place 9 a gd build+1 b suburban ,*icago 0 n ,new ,york4 ,x 0 too quiet4 ,he _h br"| home a bag ( fre% fruit1 ignor$ x1 wat*$ ! news1 & turn$ on s(t music4 ,he decid$ 6r1d ! ,new ,te/a;t until he fell asleep4
  ,buck _h be5 soak+ up :at"e he cd f ,bruce ,b>nes ab :at 0 6-e next1 b he f.d hmf turn+ 6! ,gospels r ?an ! ,old ,te/a;t or ! ,revel,n prophecies4 ,:at a revolu;n>y ,jesus turn$ | 6be4 ,buck 0 fasc9at$ )! "*1 ! p}sonal;y1 ! mis.n (! man4 ,! ,jesus he _h alw imag9$ or ?"| he knew ab 0 an impo/or4 ,! ,jesus (! ,bi# 0 a radical1 a man ( p>adoxes4
  ,buck set ! ,bi# on ! ni<t/& & roll$ onto 8 back1 %ield+ 8 eyes f ! li<t4 ,if y want 6be ri*1 give yr m"oy away1 he told hmf4 ,t's ! gi/ ( x4 ,if y want 6be exalt$1 hum# yrf ,rev5ge s.ds logical1 b x's wr;g4 ,love yr 5emies1 pray = ~? :o put y d{n4 ,biz>re4
  ,8 m9d w&}$ 6,*loe4 ,:at 0 he do+8 ,%e wasn't bl4 ,%e 0 "y1 b %e 0 n /upid4 ,he cdn't l1d h} on & !n *ange 8 m9d1 n )|t 2+ up front4 ,b 0 he *ang+ 8 m9d8 ,did he re,y want 6j =get ab h}8 ,( c|rse n4 ,%e 0 a wond};l p}son1 fun 6talk to4 ,%e 0 a fell{ 2liev} & -patriot4 ,%e wd 2 a gd fr1 reg>d.s4
  ,s x _h alr -e 6t8 ,he wd give h} ! let's-be- frs l9e8 ,0 t :at he want$8
  ,god1 :at am ,i suppos$ 6d8 he pray$ sil5tly4 ,6tell y ! tru?1 ,i'd love 6be 9 love4 ,i'd love 6/>t a rel,n%ip ) ,*loe4 ,b is %e too "y8 ,is ? ! wr;g "t 6ev5 2 ?9k+ ab s* a ?+8 ,i "k y h a lot = u 6d4 ,:at if we did fall 9 love8 ,%d we get m>ri$8 ,:at wd we d ab *n1 if y're -+ back 9 sev5 ye>s8 ,if "! 0 "e a "t 6wond} ab br++ *n 96? _w1 x's n{4
  ,buck pull$ 8 >m away f 8 eyes & squ9t$ at ! li<t4 ,n{ :at8 ,0 ,god suppos$ 6answ} hm al|d8 ,he knew bett} ?an t4 ,he swung 8 legs ov} ! side & sat on ! b$1 8 h1d 9 8 h&s4
  ,:at _h gott5 96hm8 ,all he want$ 6"k 0 :e!r he %d keep pursu+ ,*loe4 ,he />t$ pray+ ab x1 & all (a su45 he 0 ?9k+ ab m>riage & *n4 ,crazi;s4 ,maybe t's h{ ,god "ws1 he ?"|4 ,he l1ds y 6logical1 or illogical1 3clu.ns4
  ,bas$ on t1 he ?"| he _h bett} n 5c|rage ,*loe anymore4 ,%e 0 9t}e/$1 he cd see t4 ,if he %{$ ! same x wd l1d only "o direc;n4 ,9 ! new *aotic _w !y liv$ in1 !y wd ev5tu,y gr{ desp}ate = ea* o!r4 ,%d he all{ t8
  ,x didn't make s5se4 ,h{ cd he let any?+ -pete ) 8 devo;n 6,god8 ,& yet he cdn't j ignore h}1 />t tr1t+ h} l a si/}4 ,no1 he wd d ! "r ?+4 ,he wd talk 6h} ab x4 ,%e 0 wor? x1 t 0 = sure4 ,he wd set an 9=mal date1 & !y wd h a *at4 ,he wd tell h} /rai<t | t1 left 6his {n wi%es1 he wd want 6get 6"k h} bett}4 ,t wd make h} feel gd1 wdn't x8 ,b wd he h ! c|rage 6foll{ "? & tell h} :at he re,y ?"|--t nei ( !m %d pursue a romantic rel,n%ip n{8
  ,he didn't "k4 ,b he 0 sure ( "o ?+3 if he didn't set x up "r n{1 he probably n"e wd4 ,he look$ at 8 wat*4 ,a ll af t5-?irty4 ,wd %e / 2 up8 ,he dial$ ! ,/eeles4
  ,ray=d he>d ! ph"o on 8 way up ! /airs4 ,he he>d ,*loe /ir1 b h} li<t 0 (f4 8,i'll get x1 hon1 he sd4 ,he hurri$ 6his b$ ta# & answ}$4
  8,mr4 ,/eele1 x's ,buck40
  8,hey1 ,buck1 y've got 6quit call+ me ,mi/}4 ,y're mak+ me feel old40
  8,>5't y old80 ,buck sd4
  8,cute4 ,call me ,ray4 ,:at c ,i d = y80
  8,i 0 wond}+ if ,*loe 0 / up40
  8,y "k1 ,i don't ?9k %e is1 b ,i c *eck & see if %e's / awake40
  8,no1 t's all "r10 ,buck sd4 8,j h h} call me at h} 3v5i;e1 wd y80 ,he gave ,ray=d 8 new numb}4
  8,dad60 ,*loe sd a few m9utes lat}4 8,y knew ,i 0 awake60
  8,y didn't answ} :5 ,i sd ,i'd get x10 he sd4 8,i wasn't sure4 ,don't y ?9k ? is =! be/8 ,let hm wait till morn+80
  8,oh1 ,dad60 %e sd4 8,i don't "k4 ,:at d y ?9k he want$80
  8,i h no idea40
  8,ooh1 ,i hate ?60
  8,i love x40
  8,y wd40

