
    ,,*APT] ,,XI
  ,! DOOR CLANG$1 %UTT+ \ ALL B A LL
LI<T1 & ,I 0 LEFT AL"O ON MY BACK4 ,0!
TRICKS ,I _H L;G S9CE LE>N$ 9 ! JACKET1
,I MANAG$ 6WRI! MYF ACR ! FLOOR AN 9* AT
A "T UNTIL ! $GE (! SOLE ( MY "R %OE
T\*$ ! DOOR4 ,"! 0 AN IMM5SE *E] 9 ?4 ,I
0 N UTT]LY AL"O4 ,IF ! NE$ >OSE1 ,I CD
AT L1/ RAP KNUCKLE TALK 6,MORRELL4
  ,B ,W>D5 ,A!RTON M/ H LEFT /RICT
9JUNC;NS ON ! GU>DS1 =1 ?\< ,I MANAG$
6CALL ,MORRELL & TELL HM ,I 9T5D$ TRY+ !
EXP]I;T1 HE 0 PREV5T$ 0! GU>DS F REPLY+4
,ME !Y CD ONLY CURSE1 =1 9 S F> Z ,I 0 9
! JACKET =A T5 "DS' B\T1 ,I 0 2Y ALL
?R1T ( PUNI%;T4
  ,I REMEMB] REM>K+ AT ! "T MY S]5;Y (
M9D4 ,! CU/OM>Y PA9 (! JACKET 0 9 MY
BODY1 B MY M9D 0 S PASSIVE T ,I 0 NO M
AW>E (! PA9 ?AN 0 ,I AW>E (! FLOOR 2N ME
OR ! WALLS >.D ME4 ,N"E 0 A MAN 9 BETT]
M5TAL & _SUAL 3DI;N = S* AN EXP]I;T4 ,(
C\RSE1 ? 0 L>GELY DUE 6MY EXTREME W1K;S4
,B "! 0 M 6X4 ,I _H L;G S*OOL$ MYF 6BE
OBLIVI\S 6PA94 ,I _H NEI D\BTS NOR FE>S4
,ALL ! 3T5T ( MY M9D SEEM$ 6BE AN
ABSOLUTE FAI? 9 ! OV]-"L%IP (! M9D4 ,?
PASSIV;Y 0 ALM DR1M-L1 & YET1 9 XS WAY1
X 0 POSITIVE ALM 6A PIT* ( EXALT,N4
  ,I 2GAN MY 3C5TR,N ( W4 ,EV5 !N MY
BODY 0 NUMB+ & PRICKL+ "? ! LOSS (
CIRCUL,N4 ,I DIRECT$ MY W 6! LL TOE ( MY
"R FOOT1 & ,I WILL$ T TOE 6C1SE 6BE
ALIVE 9 MY 3SCI\S;S4 ,I WILL$ T TOE 6DIE
--6DIE S F> Z ,I1 XS "L1 &A DI6]5T ?+
5TIRELY F X1 0 3C]N$4 ,"! 0 ! H>D
/RU7LE4 ,MORRELL _H W>N$ ME T X WD 2 S4
,B "! 0 NO FLICK] ( D\BT 64TURB MY FAI?4
,I KNEW T T TOE WD DIE1 & ,I KNEW :5 X 0
D1D4 ,JO9T 0JO9T X _H DI$ "U ! -PUL.N (
MY W4
  ,! RE/ 0 EASY1 B SL[1 ,I W ADMIT4
,JO9T 0JO9T1 TOE 0TOE1 ALL ! TOES ( BO?
MY FEET C1S$ 6BE4 ,& JO9T 0JO9T1 !
PROCESS W5T ON4 ,CAME ! "T :5 MY FLE% 2L
! ANKLES _H C1S$4 ,CAME ! "T :5 ALL 2L
MY KNEES _H C1S$4
  ,S* 0 ! PIT* ( MY P]FECT EXALT,N1 T ,I
KNEW N ! SLI<TE/ PROD ( RJCG AT MY
SU3ESS4 ,I KNEW NO?+ SAVE T ,I 0 MAK+ MY
BODY DIE4 ,ALL T 0 ,I 0 DEVOT$ 6T SOLE
TASK4 ,I P]=M$ ! "W Z ?OR\<LY Z ANY
MASON LAY+ BRICKS1 & ,I REG>D$ ! "W Z J
AB Z -MONPLACE Z WD A BRICK-MASON REG>D
8 "W4
  ,AT ! 5D ( AN H\R MY BODY 0 D1D 6!
HIPS1 & F ! HIPS UP1 JO9T 0JO9T1 ,I
3T9U$ 6W ! ASC5D+ D1?4
  ,X 0 :5 ,I R1*$ ! LEVEL ( MY HE>T T !
F/ BLURR+ & DIZZY+ ( MY 3SCI\S;S'
O3URR$4 ,= FE> T ,I %D LOSE 3SCI\S;S1 ,I
WILL$ 6HOLD ! D1? ,I _H GA9$1 & %IFT$ MY
3C5TR,N 6MY F+]S4 ,MY BRA9 CLE>$ AG1 &!
D1? ( MY >MS 6! %\LD]S 0 MO/ RAPIDLY
A3OMPLI%$4
  ,AT ? /AGE MY BODY 0 ALL D1D1 S F> Z
,I 0 3C]N$1 SAVE MY H1D &A LL PAT* ( MY
*E/4 ,NO L;G] DID ! P.D & SMA% ( MY
-PRESS$ HE>T E*O 9 MY BRA94 ,MY HE>T 0
B1T+ /1DILY B FEEBLY4 ,! JOY ( X1 _H ,I
D>$ JOY AT S* A MO;T1 WD H BE5 ! CESS,N
( S5S,NS4
  ,AT ? PO9T MY EXP]I;E DI6]S F
,MORRELL'S4 ,/ WILL+ AUTOMATIC,Y1 ,I
2GAN 6GR[ DR1MY1 Z "O DOES 9 T BORD]L&
2T SLEEP+ & WAK+4 ,AL1 X SEEM$ Z IF A
PRODIGI\S 5L>GE;T ( MY BRA9 0 TAK+ PLACE
)9 ! SKULL XF T DID N 5L>GE4 ,"! 7
O3A.NAL GL9T+S & FLA%+S ( LI<T Z IF EV5
,I1 ! OV]"L1 _H C1S$ =A MO;T &! NEXT
MO;T 0 AG MYF1 / ! T5ANT (! FLE%LY T5E;T
T ,I 0 MAK+ 6DIE4
  ,MO/ P]PLEX+ 0 ! SEEM+ 5L>GE;T ( BRA94
,)\T HAV+ PASS$ "? ! WALL ( SKULL1
N"E!.S X SEEM$ 6ME T ! P]IPH]Y ( MY BRA9
0 ALR \TSIDE MY SKULL & / EXP&+4 ,AL;G )
? 0 "O (! MO/ REM>KA# S5S,NS OR EXP]I;ES
T ,I H "E 5C.T]$4 ,"T & SPACE1 9 S F> Z
!Y 7 ! /UFF ( MY 3SCI\S;S1 "UW5T AN
ENORM\S EXT5.N4 ,?US1 )\T OP5+ MY EYES
6V]IFY1 ,I KNEW T ! WALLS ( MY N>R[ CELL
_H REC$$ UNTIL X 0 L A VA/ AUDI;E-*AMB]4
,& :ILE ,I 3TEMPLAT$ ! MATT]1 ,I KNEW T
!Y 3T9U$ 6REC$E4 ,! :IM /RUCK ME =A MO;T
T IF A SIMIL> EXPAN.N 7 TAK+ PLACE )!
:OLE PRISON1 !N ! \T] WALLS ( ,SAN
,QU5T9 M/ 2 F> \ 9 ! ,PACIFIC ,OC1N ON
"O SIDE & ON ! O!R SIDE M/ 2 5CROA*+ ON
! ,NEVADA DES]T4 ,A -PANION :IM 0 T S9CE
MATT] CD P]M1TE MATT]1 !N ! WALLS ( MY
CELL MI<T WELL P]M1TE ! PRISON WALLS1
PASS "? ! PRISON WALLS1 & ?US PUT MY
CELL \TSIDE ! PRISON & PUT ME AT LIB]TY4
,( C\RSE1 ? 0 PURE FANTA/IC :IM1 & ,I
KNEW X AT ! "T = :AT X WAS4
  ,! EXT5.N ( "T 0 EQU,Y REM>KA#4 ,ONLY
AT L;G 9T]VALS DID MY HE>T B1T4 ,AG A
:IM CAME 6ME1 & ,I C.T$ ! SECONDS1 SL[ &
SURE1 2T MY HE>T-B1TS4 ,AT F/1 Z ,I
CLE>LY NOT$1 OV] A HUNDR$ SECONDS 9T]V5$
2T B1TS4 ,B Z ,I 3T9U$ 6C.T ! 9T]VALS
EXT5D$ S T ,I 0 MADE
WE>Y ( C.T+4
  ,& :ILE ? ILLU.N (! EXT5.N ( "T &
SPACE P]SI/$ & GREW1 ,I F.D MYF DR1MILY
3SID]+ A NEW & PROF.D PRO#M4 ,MORRELL _H
TOLD ME T HE _H WON FREEDOM F 8 BODY
0KILL+ 8 BODY--OR 0ELIM9AT+ 8 BODY F 8
3SCI\S;S1 :1 ( C\RSE1 0 9 E6ECT ! SAME
?+4 ,N[1 MY BODY 0 S NE> 62+ 5TIRELY D1D
T ,I KNEW 9 ALL ABSOLUTE;S T 0A QK
3C5TR,N ( W ON ! YET-ALIVE PAT* ( MY
TORSO X1 TOO1 WD C1SE 6BE4 ,B--& "H 0 !
PRO#M1 & ,MORRELL _H N W>N$ ME3 %D ,I AL
W MY H1D 6BE D1D8 ,IF ,I DID S1 NO MATT]
:AT 2FELL ! _S ( ,D>RELL ,/&+1 WD N !
BODY ( ,D>RELL ,/&+ 2 = "E D1D8
  ,I *.ED ! *E/ &! SL[-B1T+ HE>T4 ,! QK
-PUL.N ( MY W 0 REW>D$4 ,I NO L;G] _H
*E/ NOR HE>T4 ,I 0 ONLY A M9D1 A S\L1 A
3SCI\S;S--CALL X :AT Y W--9CORPORATE 9 A
NEBUL\S BRA9 T1 :ILE X / C5TR$ 9SIDE MY
SKULL1 0 EXP&$1 & 0 3T9U+ 6EXP&1 2Y MY
SKULL4
  ,& !N1 ) FLA%+S ( LI<T1 ,I 0 (F &
AWAY4 ,AT A B.D ,I _H VAULT$ PRISON RO(
& ,CALI=NIA SKY1 & 0 AM;G ! />S4 ,I SAY
8/>S0 ADVIS$LY4 ,I WALK$ AM;G ! />S4 ,I
0 A *4 ,I 0 CLAD 9 FRAIL1 FLEECE-L1
DELICATE-COL\R$ ROBES T %IMM]$ 9 ! COOL
/>LI<T4 ,^! ROBES1 ( C\RSE1 7 BAS$ ^U MY
BOYHOOD OBS]V.E ( CIRCUS ACTORS & MY
BOYHOOD 3CEP;N (! G>B ( "Y ANGELS4
  ,N"E!.S1 ?US CLAD1 ,I TROD 9T]/ELL>
SPACE1 EXALT$ 0! K T ,I 0 B.D ON VA/
ADV5TURE1 ":1 AT ! 5D1 ,I WD F9D ALL !
COSMIC =MULAE & H MADE CLE> 6ME !
ULTIMATE SECRET (! UNIV]SE4 ,9 MY H& ,I
C>RI$ A L;G GLASS W&4 ,X 0 BORNE 9 ^U ME
T )! TIP ( ? W& ,I M/ T\* EA* /> 9
PASS+4 ,& ,I KNEW1 9 ALL ABSOLUTE;S1 T
DID ,I B MISS "O /> ,I %D 2 PRECIPITAT$
96"S UNPLUMMET$ ABYSS ( UN?9KA# & ET]NAL
PUNI%;T & GUILT4
  ,L;G ,I PURSU$ MY />RY QUE/4 ,:5 ,I
SAY 8L;G10 Y M/ BE> 9 M9D ! ENORM\S
EXT5.N ( "T T _H O3URR$ 9 MY BRA94 ,=
C5TURIES ,I TROD SPACE1 )! TIP ( MY W&
&) UN]R+ EYE & H& TAPP+ EA* /> ,I PASS$4
,"E ! WAY GREW B"R]4 ,"E ! 9E6A# GOAL (
9F9ITE WISDOM GREW NE>]4 ,& YET ,I MADE
NO MISTAKE4 ,? 0 NO O!R SELF ( M9E4 ,? 0
NO EXP]I;E T _H ONCE BE5 M9E4 ,I 0 AW>E
ALL ! "T T X 0 ,I1 ,D>RELL ,/&+1 :O
WALK$ AM;G ! />S & TAPP$ !M )A W& (
GLASS4 ,9 %ORT1 ,I KNEW T "H 0 NO?+ R1L1
NO?+ T _H "E BE5 NOR CD "E BE4 ,I KNEW T
X 0 NO?+ ELSE ?AN A RIDICUL\S ORGY (!
IMAG9,N1 S* Z M5 5JOY 9 DRUG DR1MS1 9
DELIRIUM1 OR 9 M]E ORD9>Y SLUMB]4
  ,& !N1 Z ALL W5T M]RY & WELL ) ME ON
MY CELE/IAL QUE/1 ! TIP ( MY W& MISS$ A
/>1 & ON ! 9/ANT ,I KNEW ,I _H BE5
GUILTY (A GRT CRIME4 ,& ON ! 9/ANT A
KNOCK1 VA/ & -PULSIVE1 9EXORA# & M&ATORY
Z ! /AMP (! IRON HO( ( DOOM1 SMOTE ME &
REV]B]AT$ ACR ! UNIV]SE4 ,! :OLE SID]1L
SY/EM CORUSCAT$1 REEL$ & FELL 9 FLAME4
  ,I 0 TORN 0AN EXQUISITE & 4RUPTIVE
AGONY4 ,& ON ! 9/ANT ,I 0 ,D>RELL ,/&+1
! LIFE-3VICT1 LY+ 9 8 /RAIT-JACKET 9
SOLIT>Y4 ,& ,I KNEW ! IMM CAUSE ( T
SUMMONS4 ,X 0 A RAP (! KNUCKLE 0,$
,MORRELL1 9 ,CELL ,FIVE1 2G9N+ ! SPELL+
( "S MESSAGE4
  ,& N[1 6GIVE "S -PREH5.N (! EXT5.N (
"T & SPACE T ,I 0 EXP]I5C+4 ,_M "DS AFWS
,I ASK$ ,MORRELL :AT HE _H TRI$ 63VEY
6ME4 ,X 0 A SIMPLE MESSAGE1 "NLY3 8,/&+1
>E Y "!80 ,HE _H TAPP$ X RAPIDLY1 :ILE !
GU>D 0 AT ! F> 5D (! CORRIDOR 96: !
SOLIT>Y CELLS OP5$4 ,Z ,I SAY1 HE _H
TAPP$ ! MESSAGE V RAPIDLY4 ,& N[ 2HOLD6
,2T ! F/ TAP &! SECOND ,I 0 (F & AWAY
AM;G ! />S1 CLAD 9 FLEECY G>;TS1 T\*+
EA* /> Z ,I PASS$ 9 MY PURSUIT (! =MULAE
T WD EXPLA9 ! LA/ MY/]Y ( LIFE4 ,&1 Z
2F1 ,I PURSU$ ! QUE/ = C5TURIES4 ,!N
CAME ! SUMMONS1 ! /AMP (! HO( ( DOOM1 !
EXQUISITE 4RUPTIVE AGONY1 & AG ,I 0 BACK
9 MY CELL 9 ,SAN ,QU5T94 ,X 0 ! SECOND
TAP ( ,$ ,MORRELL'S KNUCKLE4 ,! 9T]VAL
2T X &! F/ TAP CD H BE5 NO M ?AN A FIF?
(A SECOND4 ,& YET1 S UN?9KABLY ENORM\S 0
! EXT5.N ( "T 6ME1 T 9 ! C\RSE ( T FIF?
(A SECOND ,I _H BE5 AWAY />-ROV+ = L;G
AGES4
  ,N[ ,I "K1 MY R1D]1 T ! =EGO+ SEEMS
ALL A F>RAGO4 ,I AGREE ) Y4 ,X IS
F>RAGO4 ,X 0 EXP]I;E1 H["E4 ,X 0 J Z R1L
6ME Z IS ! SNAKE 2HELD 0A MAN 9 DELIRIUM
TREM5S4
  ,POSSIBLY1 0! MO/ LIB]AL E/IMATE1 X
MAY H TAK5 ,$ ,MORRELL TWO M9UTES 6TAP 8
"Q4 ,YET1 6ME1 AEONS ELAPS$ 2T ! F/ TAP
( 8 KNUCKLE &! LA/4 ,NO L;G] CD ,I TR1D
MY />RY PA? ) T 9E6A# PRI/9E JOY1 = MY
WAY 0 2SET ) DR1D (! 9EVITA# SUMMONS T
WD RIP & TE> ME Z X J]K$ ME BACK 6MY
/RAITJACKET HELL4 ,?US MY AEONS ( />-
W&]+ 7 AEONS ( DR1D4
  ,& ALL ! "T ,I KNEW X 0 ,$ ,MORRELL'S
KNUCKLE T ?US CRUELLY HELD ME E>?-B.D4
,I TRI$ 6SP1K 6HM1 6ASK HM 6C1SE4 ,B S
?OR\<LY _H ,I ELIM9AT$ MY BODY F MY
3SCI\S;S T ,I 0 UNA# 6RESURRECT X4 ,MY
BODY LAY D1D 9 ! JACKET1 ?\< ,I /
9HABIT$ ! SKULL4 ,9 VA9 ,I /ROVE 6W MY
FOOT 6TAP MY MESSAGE 6,MORRELL4 ,I
R1SON$ ,I _H A FOOT4 ,& YET1 S ?OR\<LY
_H ,I C>RI$ \ ! EXP]I;T1 ,I _H NO FOOT4
  ,NEXT--& ,I "K N[ T X 0 2C ,MORRELL _H
SPELL$ 8 MESSAGE Q \--,I PURSU$ MY WAY
AM;G ! />S & 0 N CALL$ BACK4 ,AF T1 & 9
! C\RSE ( X1 ,I 0 AW>E1 DR[SILY1 T ,I 0
FALL+ ASLEEP1 & T X 0 DELICI\S SLEEP4 ,F
"T 6"T1 DR[SILY1 ,I /IRR$--PL1SE1 MY
R1D]1 DON'T MISS T V]B--,I ,,/IRR$4 ,I
MOV$ MY LEGS1 MY >MS4 ,I 0 AW>E ( CL1N1
S(T B$ L95 AG/ MY SK94 ,I 0 AW>E (
BODILY WELL-2+4 ,OH1 X 0 DELICI\S6 ,Z
?IR/+ M5 ON ! DES]T DR1M ( SPLA%+ F.TA9S
& FL[+ WELLS1 S DR1M$ ,I ( EASE;T F !
3/RIC;N (! JACKET1 ( CL1NLI;S 9 ! PLACE
( FIL?1 ( SMOO? VELVETY SK9 ( H1L? 9
PLACE ( MY POOR P>*;T-CR9KL$ HIDE4 ,B ,I
DR1M$ )A DI6];E1 Z Y % SEE4
  ,I AWOKE4 ,OH1 BROAD & WIDE AWAKE ,I
WAS1 AL? ,I DID N OP5 MY EYES4 ,& PL1SE
"K T 9 ALL T FOLL[S ,I KNEW NO SURPRISE
:AT"E4 ,"EY?+ 0 ! NATURAL &! EXPECT$4 ,I
0 ,I1 2 SURE ( T4 ,,B ,I ,,0 ,,N
,,D>RELL ,,/&+4 ,D>RELL ,/&+ _H NO M 6D
)! 2+ ,I 0 ?AN DID ,D>RELL ,/&+'S P>*;T-
CR9KL$ SK9 H AU<T 6D )! COOL1 S(T SK9 T
0 M9E4 ,NOR 0 ,I AW>E ( ANY ,D>RELL ,/&+
--Z ,I CD N WELL BE1 3SID]+ T ,D>RELL
,/&+ 0 Z YET UNBORN & WD N 2 BORN =
C5TURIES4 ,B Y % SEE4
  ,I LAY ) CLOS$ EYES1 LAZILY LI/5+4 ,F
)\T CAME ! CLACK+ ( _M HO(S MOV+ ORD]LY
ON /"O FLAGS4 ,F ! A3OMPANY+ J+LE (
METAL BITS ( MAN-H>;S & /E$-H>;S ,I KNEW
"S CAVALCADE 0 PASS+ 0ON ! /REET 2N MY
W9D[S4 ,AL1 ,I WOND]$ IDLY :O X WAS4 ,F
"S":--& ,I KNEW ":1 = ,I KNEW X 0 F ! 9N
Y>D--CAME ! R+ & /AMP ( HO(S & AN
IMPATI5T NEI< T ,I RECOGNIZ$ Z 2L;G+ 6MY
WAIT+ HORSE4
  ,CAME /EPS & MOVE;TS--/EPS OP5LY
ADV]TIS$ Z SUPPRESS$ )! 9T5T ( SIL;E & T
YET 7 DELIB]ATELY NOISY )! SECRET 9T5T (
R\S+ ME IF ,I / SLEPT4 ,I SMIL$ 9W>DLY
AT ! RASCAL'S TRICK4
  8,PONS10 ,I ORD]$1 )\T OP5+ MY EYES1
8WAT]1 COLD WAT]1 QK1 A DELUGE4 ,I DRANK
OV] L;G LA/ NI<T1 & N[ MY GULLET
SCOR*ES40
  8,& SLEPT OV] L;G TD10 HE SCOLD$1 Z HE
PASS$ ME ! WAT]1 R1DY 9 8 H&4
  ,I SAT UP1 OP5$ MY EYES1 & C>RI$ !
TANK>D 6MY LIPS ) BO? MY H&S4 ,& Z ,I
DRANK ,I LOOK$ AT ,PONS4
  ,N[ NOTE TWO ?+S4 ,I SPOKE 9 ,FR5*2 ,I
0 N 3SCI\S T ,I SPOKE 9 ,FR5*4 ,N UNTIL
AFW1 BACK 9 SOLIT>Y1 :5 ,I REMEMB]$ :AT
,I AM N>RAT+1 DID ,I "K T ,I _H SPOK5 9
,FR5*--AY1 & SPOK5 WELL4 ,Z = ME1
,D>RELL ,/&+1 AT PRES5T WRIT+ ^! L9ES 9
,MURD]]S' ,R[ ( ,FOLSOM ,PRISON1 :Y1 ,I
"K ONLY HI< S*OOL ,FR5* SU6ICI5T 65A# ME
6R1D ! LANGUAGE4 ,Z = MY SP1K+ X--
IMPOSSI#4 ,I C SC>CELY 9TELLIGIBLY
PRON\NCE MY WAY "? A M5U4
  ,B 6RETURN4 ,PONS 0 A LL )]$ OLD MAN4
,HE 0 BORN 9 \R H\SE--,I "K1 = X *.ED T
M5;N 0 MADE ( X ? V "D ,I AM DESCRIB+4
,PONS 0 ALL ( SIXTY YE>S4 ,HE 0 MO/LY
TOO?.S1 &1 DESPITE A PRON\NC$ LIMP T
-PELL$ HM 6G SLIPP;Y-HOP1 HE 0 V AL]T &
SPRY 9 ALL 8 MOVE;TS4 ,AL1 HE 0
IMPUD5TLY FAMILI>4 ,? 0 2C HE _H BE5 9
MY H\SE SIXTY YE>S4 ,HE _H BE5 MY "F'S
S]VANT 2F ,I CD TO4LE1 & AF MY "F'S D1?
7,PONS & ,I TALK$ ( X ? "D7 HE 2CAME MY
S]VANT4 ,! LIMP HE _H ACQUIR$ ON A
/RICK5 FIELD 9 ,ITALY1 :5 ! HORSEM5 *>G$
ACR4 ,HE _H J DRA7$ MY "F CLE> (! HO(S
:5 HE 0 L.ED "? ! ?I<1 OV]?R[N1 &
TRAMPL$4 ,MY "F1 3SCI\S B HELP.S F 8 [N
W.DS1 WIT;S$ X ALL4 ,& S1 Z ,I SAY1
,PONS _H E>N$ S* A "R 6IMPUD5T FAMILI>;Y
T AT L1/ "! 0 NO GA9SAY+ HM 0MY "F'S
SON4
  ,PONS %OOK 8 H1D Z ,I DRA9$ ! HUGE
DRAU<T4
  8,DID Y HE> X BOIL80 ,I LAU<$1 Z ,I
H&$ BACK ! EMPTY TANK>D4
  8,L YR "F10 HE SD HOPE.SLY4 8,B YR "F
LIV$ 6LE>N BETT]1 : ,I D\BT Y W D40
  8,HE GOT A /OMA* A6LIC;N10 ,I DEVILL$1
8S T "O M\?;L ( _SS TURN$ X \TSIDE IN4
,X 7 WISDOM N 6DR9K :5 "O'S TANK W N
HOLD ! DR9K40
  ,:ILE WE TALK$ ,PONS 0 GA!R+ 6MY
B$SIDE MY CLO!S =! "D4
  8,DR9K ON1 MY MA/]10 HE ANSW]$4 8,X
WON'T HURT Y4 ,Y'LL DIE )A S.D /OMA*40
  8,Y M1N M9E IS AN IRON-L9$ /OMA*80 ,I
WIL;LLY MIS"U/OOD HM4
  8,I M1N--0 HE 2GAN )A QK PEEVI%;S1 !N
BROKE (F Z HE R1LIZ$ MY T1S+ &)A P\T ( 8
)]$ LIPS DRAP$ MY NEW SA# CLOAK ^U A
*AIR-BACK4 8,EI<T HUNDR$ DUCATS10 HE
SNE]$4 8,A ?\S& GOATS &A HUNDR$ FAT OX5
9 A COAT 6KEEP Y W>M4 ,A SCORE ( F>MS ON
MY G5TLEMAN'S F9E BACK40
  8,& 9 T A HUNDR$ F9E F>MS1 )A CA/LE OR
TWO ?R[N IN1 6SAY NO?+1 P]H1 (A PALACE10
,I SD1 R1*+ \ MY H& & T\*+ ! RAPI] : HE
0 J 9 ! ACT ( DEPOSIT+ ON ! *AIR4
  8,S YR "F WON ) 8 GD "R >M10 ,PONS
RETORT$4 8,B :AT YR "F WON HE HELD40
  ,"H ,PONS PAUS$ 6HOLD UP 6SCORN MY NEW
SC>LET SAT9 D\#T--A WONDR\S ?+ ( : ,I _H
BE5 EXTRAVAGANT4
  8,SIXTY DUCATS = T10 ,PONS 9DICT$4
8,YR "F'D H SE5 ALL ! TAILORS & ,JEWS (
,*RI/5DOM ROA/+ 9 HELL 2F HE'D A-PD S* A
PRICE40
  ,& :ILE WE DRESS$--T IS1 :ILE ,PONS
HELP$ ME 6DRESS--,I 3T9U$ 6QUIP ) HM4
  8,X IS Q CLE>1 ,PONS1 T Y H N HE>D !
NEWS10 ,I SD SLYLY4
  ,":AT UP PRICK$ 8 E>S L ! OLD GOSSIP
HE WAS4
  8,LATE NEWS80 HE QU]I$4 8,MAYHAP F !
,5GLI% ,C\RT80
  8,NAY10 ,I %OOK MY H1D4 8,B NEWS P]H
6Y1 B OLD NEWS = ALL ( T4 ,H Y N HE>D8
,! PHILOSOPH]S ( ,GREECE 7 :ISP]+ X NI<
TWO ?\S& YE>S AGO4 ,X IS 2C ( T NEWS T
,I PUT TW5TY FAT F>MS ON MY BACK1 LIVE
AT ,C\RT1 & AM 2COME A D&Y4 ,Y SEE1
,PONS1 ! _W IS A MO/ EVIL PLACE1 LIFE IS
MO/ SAD1 ALL M5 DIE1 &1 2+ D1D 4 4 4
WELL1 >E D1D4 ,":=E1 6ESCAPE ! EVIL &!
SAD;S1 M5 9 ^! "DS1 L ME1 SEEK AMAZE;T1
9S5SIBIL;Y1 &! MAD;SES ( DALLI.E40
  8,B ! NEWS1 MA/]8 ,:AT DID !
PHILOSOPH]S :ISP] AB S L;G AGO80
  8,T ,GOD 0 D1D1 ,PONS10 ,I REPLI$
SOLEMNLY4 8,DIDN'T Y "K T8 ,GOD IS D1D1
& ,I SOON % BE1 & ,I WE> TW5TY FAT F>MS
ON MY BACK40
  8,GOD LIVES10 ,PONS ASS]T$ F]V5TLY4
8,GOD LIVES1 & 8 K+DOM IS AT H&4 ,I TELL
Y1 MA/]1 X IS AT H&4 ,X MAY 2 NO LAT]
?AN TM T ! E>? % PASS AWAY40
  8,S SD !Y 9 OLD ,ROME1 ,PONS1 :5 ,N]O
MADE TOR*ES ( !M 6LI<T 8 SPORTS40
  ,PONS REG>D$ ME P;Y+LY4
  8,TOO M* LE>N+ IS A SICK;S10 HE
-PLA9$4 8,I 0 ALW OPPOS$ 6X4 ,B Y M/ H
YR W & DRAG MY OLD BODY AB ) Y--A-/UDY+
A/RONOMY & NUMB]S 9 ,V5ICE1 POETRY & ALL
! ,ITALIAN ,,FOL-DE-ROLS 9 ,FLOR;E1 &
A/ROLOGY 9 ,PISA1 & ,GOD "KS :AT 9 T
MADMAN C.TRY ( ,G]_M4 ,PI% =!
PHILOSOPH]S6 ,I TELL Y1 MA/]1 ,I1 ,PONS1
YR S]VANT1 A POOR OLD MAN :O "KS N A LR
F A PIKE-/AFF--,I TELL Y ,GOD LIVES1 &!
"T Y % APPE> 2F HM IS %ORT40 ,HE PAUS$ )
SU45 RECOLLEC;N1 & A4$3 8,HE IS "H1 !
PRIE/ Y SPOKE (40
  ,ON ! 9/ANT ,I REMEMB]$ MY 5GAGE;T4
  8,:Y DID Y N TELL ME 2F80 ,I DEM&$
ANGRILY4
  8,:AT DID X MATT]80 ,PONS %RU7$ 8
%\LD]S4 8,HAS HE N BE5 WAIT+ TWO H\RS Z
X IS80
  8,:Y DIDN'T Y CALL ME80
  ,HE REG>D$ ME )A ?"\;L1 C5SORI\S EYE4
  8,& Y ROLL+ 6B$ & %\T+ L *ANTICLE]1
,8,S+ CUCU1 S+ CUCU1 CUCU NU NU CUCU1 S+
CUCU1 S+ CUCU1 S+ CUCU1 S+ CUCU40'0
  ,HE MOCK$ ME )! S5SE.S REFRA9 9 AN E>-
JANGL+ FALSETTO4 ,)\T D\BT ,I _H BAWL$ !
NONS5SE \ ON MY WAY 6B$4
  8,Y H A GD MEMORY10 ,I -;T$ DRILY1 Z
,I ESSAY$ A MO;T 6DRAPE MY %\LD]S )! NEW
SA# CLOAK ]E ,I TOSS$ X 6,PONS 6PUT
ASIDE4 ,HE %OOK 8 H1D S\RLY4
  8,NO NE$ ( MEMORY :5 Y RO>$ X OV] &
OV] =! ?\S&? "T TILL HALF ! 9N 0 A-KNOCK
AT ! DOOR 6SPIT Y =! SLEEP-KILL] Y W]E4
,& :5 ,I _H Y DEC5TLY 9 ! B$1 DID Y N
CALL ME 6Y & -M&1 IF ! DEVIL CALL$1
6TELL HM MY LADY SLEPT8 ,& DID Y N CALL
ME BACK AG1 &1 )A GRIP ON MY >M T L1VES
X BRUIS$ & BLACK ? "D1 -M& ME1 Z ,I LOV$
LIFE1 FAT M1T1 &! W>M FIRE1 6CALL Y N (!
MORN+ SAVE = "O ?+80
  8,: WAS80 ,I PROMPT$1 UNA# =! LIFE (
ME 6GUESS :AT ,I
CD H SD4
  8,: 0 ! HE>T ( "O1 A BLACK BUZZ>D1 Y
SD1 0"N ,M>T9ELLI--:O"E HE MAY BE--=!
HE>T ( ,M>T9ELLI SMOK+ ON A GOLD PLATT]4
,! PLATT] M/ 2 GOLD1 Y SD2 & Y SD ,I M/
CALL Y 0S++1 ,8,S+ CUCU1 S+ CUCU1 S+
CUCU40' ,":AT Y 2GAN 6T1* ME H[ 6S+1
,8,S+ CUCU1 S+ CUCU1 S+ CUCU40'0
  ,& :5 ,PONS _H SD ! "N1 ,I KNEW X AT
ONCE =! PRIE/1 ,M>T9ELLI1 :O _H BE5
KNOCK+ 8 HEELS TWO MORTAL H\RS 9 ! ROOM
)\T4
  ,:5 ,M>T9ELLI 0 P]MITT$ 65T] & Z HE
SALUT$ ME 0TITLE & "N1 ,I KNEW AT ONCE
MY "N & ALL ( X4 ,I 0 ,C.T ,GUILLAUME DE
,SA9TE-,MAURE4 7,Y SEE1 ONLY CD ,I "K
!N1 & REMEMB] AFW1 :AT 0 9 MY 3SCI\S
M9D47
  ,! PRIE/ 0 ,ITALIAN1 D>K & SMALL1 L1N
Z ) FA/+ OR )A WA/+ HUNG] N ( ? _W1 & 8
H&S 7 Z SMALL & SL5D] Z A WOMAN'S4 ,B 8
EYES6 ,!Y 7 CUNN+ & TRU/.S1 N>R[-SLITT$
& H1VY-LI4$1 AT "O &! SAME "T Z %>P Z A
F]RET'S & Z 9DOL5T Z A BASK+ LIZ>D'S4
  8,"! HAS BE5 M* DELAY1 ,C.T DE ,SA9TE-
,MAURE10 HE 2GAN PROMPTLY1 :5 ,PONS _H
LEFT ! ROOM AT A GL.E F ME4 8,HE :OM ,I
S]VE GR[S IMPATI5T40
  8,*ANGE YR TUNE1 PRIE/10 ,I BROKE 9
ANGRILY4 8,REMEMB]1 Y >E N N[ 9 ,ROME40
  8,MY AUGU/ MA/]--0 HE 2GAN4
  8,RULES AUGU/LY 9 ,ROME1 MAYHAP10 ,I
AG 9T]RUPT$4 8,? IS ,FR.E40
  ,M>T9ELLI %RU7$ 8 %\LD]S MEEKLY &
PATI5TLY1 B 8 EYES1 GL1M+ L A
BASILISK'S1 GAVE 8 %\LD]S ! LIE4
  8,MY AUGU/ MA/] HAS "S 3C]N )! DO+S (
,FR.E10 HE SD QUIETLY4 8,! LADY IS N =
Y4 ,MY MA/] HAS O!R PLANS4 4 40 ,HE
MOI/5$ 8 ?9 LIPS ) 8 T;GUE4 8,O!R PLANS
=! LADY 4 4 4 &= Y40
  ,( C\RSE1 0! LADY ,I KNEW HE REF]R$ 6!
GRT ,DU*ESS ,PHILIPPA1 WID[ ( ,GE(FREY1
LA/ ,DUKE ( ,AQUITA9E4 ,B GRT DU*ESS1
WID[1 & ALL1 ,PHILIPPA 0 A WOMAN1 & "Y1
& GAY1 & B1UTI;L1 &1 0MY FAI?1 FA%ION$ =
ME4
  8,:AT >E 8 PLANS80 ,I DEM&$ BLUNTLY4
  8,!Y >E DEEP & WIDE1 ,C.T ,SA9TE-
,MAURE--TOO DEEP & WIDE = ME 6PRESUME
6IMAG9E1 M* LESS "K OR 4CUSS ) Y OR ANY
MAN40

8,OH1 ,I "K BIG ?+S >E AFOOT & SLIMY
  WORMS SQUIRM+
"UGR.D10 ,I SD4

  8,!Y TOLD ME Y 7 /U2ORN-NECK$1 B ,I H
OBEY$ -M&S40
  ,M>T9ELLI >OSE 6L1VE1 & ,I >OSE ) HM4
  8,I SD X 0 USE.S10 HE W5T ON4 8,B !
LA/ *.E 6*ANGE YR M9D 0 A3ORD$ Y4 ,MY
AUGU/ MA/] D1LS M FAIRLY ?AN FAIR40
  8,OH1 WELL1 ,I'LL ?9K ! MATT] OV]10 ,I
SD AIRILY1 Z ,I B[$ ! PRIE/ 6! DOOR4
  ,HE /OPP$ ABRUPTLY AT ! ?RE%OLD4
  8,! "T = ?9K+ IS PA/10 HE SD4 8,X IS
DECI.N ,I CAME =40
  8,I W ?9K ! MATT] OV]10 ,I REP1T$1 !N
A4$1 Z AF?"\3 8,IF ! LADY'S PLANS D N
A3ORD ) M9E1 !N MAYHAP ! PLANS ( YR MA/]
MAY FRUIT Z HE DESIRES4 ,= REMEMB]1
PRIE/1 HE IS NO MA/] ( M9E40
  8,Y D N "K MY MA/]10 HE SD SOLEMNLY4
  8,NOR D ,I WI% 6"K HM10 ,I RETORT$4
  ,& ,I LI/5$ 6! LI!1 LI<T /EP (! LL
9TRIGU+ PRIE/ G D[N ! CR1K+ /AIRS4
  ,DID ,I G 96! M9UTIAE ( DETAIL ( ALL T
,I SAW ? HALF A "D & HALF A NI<T T ,I 0
,C.T ,GUILLAUME DE ,SA9TE-,MAURE1 N T5
BOOKS ! SIZE ( ? ,I AM WRIT+ CD 3TA9 !
TOTAL;Y (! MATT]4 ,M* ,I % SKIP2 9 FACT1
,I % SKIP ALM ALL2 = N"E YET H ,I HE>D
(A 3DEMN$ MAN 2+ REPRIEV$ 9 ORD] T HE
MI<T -PLETE 8 MEMOIRS--AT L1/1 N 9
,CALI=NIA4
  ,:5 ,I RODE \ 9 ,P>IS T "D X 0 ! ,P>IS
( C5TURIES AG"O4 ,! N>R[ /REETS 7 AN
UNSANIT>Y SC&AL ( FIL? & SLIME4 ,B ,I M/
SKIP4 ,& SKIP ,I %1 ALL (! AFN'S EV5TS1
ALL (! RIDE \TSIDE ! WALLS1 (! GR& FETE
GIV5 0,HU< DE ,MEUNG1 (! F1/+ &! DR9K+ 9
: ,I TOOK LL "P4 ,ONLY (! 5D (! ADV5TURE
W ,I WRITE1 :
2G9S ) ": ,I /OOD JE/+ ) ,PHILIPPA H]F--
AH1 DE> ,GOD1 %E 0 WONDR\S B1UTI;L4 ,A
GRT LADY--AY1 B 2F T1 & AF T1 & ALW1 A
WOMAN4
  ,WE LAU<$ & JE/$ LI<TLY 5\<1 Z AB U
JO/L$ ! M]RY ?R;G2 B "U \R JE/+ 0 ! DEEP
E>NE/;S ( MAN & WOMAN WELL ADV.ED ACR !
?RE%OLD ( LOVE & YET N TOO SURE EA* (!
O!R4 ,I % N DESCRIBE H]4 ,%E 0 SMALL1
EXQUISITELY SL5D]--B "!1 ,I AM DESCRIB+
H]4 ,9 BRIEF1 %E 0 ! "O WOMAN 9 ! _W =
ME1 & LL ,I RECK$ ! L;G >M ( T GRAY OLD
MAN 9 ,ROME CD R1* \ HALF ACR ,EUROPE 2T
MY WOMAN & ME4
  ,&! ,ITALIAN1 ,=T9I1 L1N$ 6MY %\LD] &
:ISP]$3
  8,"O :O DESIRES 6SP1K40
  8,"O :O M/ WAIT MY PL1SURE10 ,I ANSW]$
%ORTLY4
  8,I WAIT NO MAN'S PL1SURE10 0 8 EQU,Y
%ORT REPLY4
  ,&1 :ILE MY BLOOD BOIL$1 ,I REMEMB]$ !
PRIE/1 ,M>T9ELLI1 &! GRAY OLD MAN AT
,ROME4 ,! ?+ 0 CLE>4 ,X 0 DELIB]ATE4 ,X
0 ! L;G >M4 ,=T9I SMIL$ LAZILY AT ME
:ILE ,I ?US PAUS$ =! MO;T 6DEBATE1 B 9 8
SMILE 0 ! ESS;E ( ALL 9SOL;E4
  ,?1 ( ALL "TS1 0 ! "T ,I %D H BE5
COOL4 ,B ! OLD R$ ANG] 2GAN 6K9DLE 9 ME4
,? 0 ! "W (! PRIE/4 ,? 0 ! ,=T9I1
POV]I%$ ( ALL SAVE L91GE1 RECKON$ ! BE/
SWORD -E UP \ ( ,ITALY 9 HALF A SCORE (
YE>S4 ,TN X 0 ,=T9I4 ,IF HE FAIL$ ! GRAY
OLD MAN'S -M& TM X WD 2 ANO!R SWORD1 !
NEXT "D ANO!R4 ,&1 P]*.E / FAIL+1 !N
MI<T ,I EXPECT ! -MON BRAVO'S /EEL 9 MY
BACK OR ! -MON POISON]'S PHILT] 9 MY
W9E1 MY M1T1 OR BR1D4
  8,I AM BUSY10 ,I SD4 8,2G"O40
  8,MY BUSI;S ) Y PRESSES10 0 8 REPLY4
  ,9S5SIBLY \R VOICES _H SLI<TLY RIS51 S
T ,PHILIPPA HE>D4
  8,2G"O1 Y ,ITALIAN H.D10 ,I SD4 8,TAKE
YR H[L+ F MY DOOR4 ,I % ATT5D 6Y
PRES5TLY40
  8,! MOON IS UP10 HE SD4 8,! GRASS IS
DRY & EXCELL5T4 ,"! IS NO DEW4 ,2Y !
FI%-POND1 AN >R['S FLI<T 6! LEFT1 IS AN
OP5 SPACE1 QUIET & PRIVATE40
  8,PRES5TLY Y % H YR DESIRE10 ,I MUTT]$
IMPATI5TLY4
  ,B / HE P]SI/$ 9 WAIT+ AT MY %\LD]4
  8,PRES5TLY10 ,I SD4 8,PRES5TLY ,I %
ATT5D 6Y40
  ,!N SPOKE ,PHILIPPA1 9 ALL ! D>+ _S &!
IRON ( H]4
  8,SATISFY ! G5TLEMAN'S DESIRE1 ,SA9TE-
,MAURE4 ,ATT5D 6HM N[4 ,& GD =TUNE G )
Y40 ,%E PAUS$ 6BECKON 6H] H] UNCLE1 ,J1N
DE ,JO9VILLE1 :O 0 PASS+--UNCLE ON H]
"M'S SIDE1 (! DE ,JO9VILLES ( ,ANJ\4
8,GD =TUNE G ) Y10 %E REP1T$1 & !N L1N$
6ME S T %E CD :ISP]3 8,& MY HE>T GOES )
Y1 ,SA9TE-,MAURE4 ,D N 2 L;G4 ,I % AWAIT
Y 9 ! BIG HALL40
  ,I 0 9 ! SEV5? H1V54 ,I TROD ON AIR4
,X 0 ! F/ FRANK ADMITT.E ( H] LOVE4 ,&)
S* B5EDIC;N ,I 0 MADE S /R;G T ,I KNEW
,I CD KILL A SCORE ( ,=T9IS & SNAP MY
F+]S AT A SCORE ( GRAY OLD M5 9 ,ROME4
  ,J1N DE ,JO9VILLE BORE ,PHILIPPA AWAY
9 ! PRESS1 & ,=T9I & ,I SETTL$ \R
>RANGE;TS 9 A TRICE4 ,WE SEP>AT$--HE
6F9D A FR OR S1 & ,I 6F9D A FR OR S1 &
ALL 6MEET AT ! APPO9T$ PLACE 2Y ! FI%-
POND4
  ,F/ ,I F.D ,ROB]T ,LANFRANC1 &1 NEXT1
,H5RY ,BOHEMOND4 ,B 2F ,I F.D !M ,I
5C.T]$ A W9DLE/RAW : %[$ : WAY BLEW !
W9D & GAVE PROMISE (A V GALE4 ,I KNEW !
W9DLE/RAW1 ,GUY DE ,VILLEH>D\91 A RAW "Y
PROV9CIAL1 -E UP ! F/ "T 6,C\RT1 B A
FI]Y LL COCK]EL = ALL ( T4 ,HE 0 R$-
HAIR$4 ,8 BLUE EYES1 SMALL & P9*$ CLOSE
6E!R1 7 LIKEWISE R$1 AT L1/ 9 ! :ITES (
!M2 & 8 SK91 (! SORT T GOES ) S* TYPES1
0 R$ & FRECKL$4 ,HE _H Q A P>BOIL$
APPE>.E4
  ,Z ,I PASS$ HM 0A SU45 MOVE;T HE JO/L$
ME4 ,OH1 ( C\RSE1 ! ?+ 0 DELIB]ATE4 ,&
HE FLAM$ AT ME :ILE 8 H& DROPP$ 6HIS
RAPI]4
  8,FAI?10 ?"\ ,I1 8! GRAY OLD MAN HAS
_M & /RANGE TOOLS10 :ILE 6! COCK]EL ,I
B[$ & MURMUR$1 8,YR P>DON = MY CLUMSI;S4
,! FAULT 0 M9E4 ,YR P>DON1 ,VILLEH>D\940
  ,B HE 0 N 6BE APP1S$ ?US EASILY4 ,&
:ILE HE FUM$ & /RUTT$ ,I GLIMPS$ ,ROB]T
,LANFRANC1 BECKON$ HM 6U1 & EXPLA9$ !
HAPP5+4
  8,SA9TE-,MAURE HAS A3ORD$ Y
SATISFAC;N10 0 8 JUDG;T4 8,HE HAS PRAY$
YR P>DON40
  8,IN TRU?1 YES10 ,I 9T]RUPT$ 9 MY
SUAVE/ T"OS4 8,& ,I PRAY YR P>DON AG1
,VILLEH>D\91 = MY V GRT CLUMSI;S4 ,I
PRAY YR P>DON A ?\S& "TS4 ,! FAULT 0
M9E1 ?\< UN9T5;N$4 ,9 MY HA/E 6AN
5GAGE;T ,I 0 CLUMSY1 MO/ WO;L CLUMSY1 B
)\T 9T5;N40
  ,:AT CD ! DOLT D B GRUDG+LY A3EPT !
AM5DS ,I S FREELY PR(F]$ HM8 ,YET ,I
KNEW1 Z ,LANFRANC & ,I HA/5$ ON1 T ]E _M
"DS1 OR H\RS1 ! FLAME-H1D$ Y\? WD SEE 6X
T WE M1SUR$ /EEL TGR ON ! GRASS4
  ,I EXPLA9$ NO M 6,LANFRANC ?AN MY NE$
( HM1 & HE 0 LL 9T]E/$ 6PRY DEEP] 96!
MATT]4 ,HE 0 HMF A LIVELY "Y/] ( NO M
?AN TW5TY1 B HE _H BE5 TRA9$ 6>MS1 _H
F"\ 9 ,SPA91 & _H AN HON\RA# RECORD ON !
GRASS4 ,M]ELY 8 BLACK EYES FLA%$ :5 HE
LE>N$ :AT 0 T[>D1 & S* 0 8 EAG];S T X 0
HE :O GA!R$ ,H5RY ,BOHEMOND 9 6\R NUMB]4
  ,:5 ! ?REE ( U >RIV$ 9 ! OP5 SPACE 2Y
! FI%-POND ,=T9I & TWO FRS 7 ALR WAIT+
U4 ,"O 0 ,FELIX ,PASQU9I1 NEPHEW 6!
,C>D9AL ( T "N1 & Z CLOSE 9 8 UNCLE'S
3FID;E Z 0 8 UNCLE CLOSE 9 ! 3FID;E (!
GRAY OLD MAN4 ,! O!R 0 ,RA\L DE
,GONC\RT1 ^: PRES;E SURPRIS$ ME1 HE 2+
TOO GD & NO# A MAN =! -PANY HE KEPT4
  ,WE SALUT$ PROP]LY1 & PROP]LY W5T AB !
BUSI;S4 ,X 0 NO?+ NEW 6ANY ( U4 ,! FOOT+
0 GD1 Z PROMIS$4 ,"! 0 NO DEW4 ,! MOON
%"O FAIR1 & ,=T9I'S BLADE & M9E 7 \ & AT
E>NE/ PLAY4
  ,? ,I KNEW3 GD SWORDSMAN Z !Y RECKON$
ME 9 ,FR.E1 ,=T9I 0 A BETT]4 ,?1 TOO1 ,I
KNEW3 T ,I C>RI$ MY LADY'S HE>T ) ME ?
NI<T1 & T ? NI<T1 2C ( ME1 "! WD 2 "O
,ITALIAN LESS 9 ! _W4 ,I SAY ,I KNEW X4
,9 MY M9D ! ISSUE CD N 2 9 D\BT4 ,& Z \R
RAPI]S PLAY$ ,I POND]$ ! MANN] ,I %D
KILL HM4 ,I 0 N M9D$ =A L;G 3TE/4 ,QK &
BRILLIANT _H ALW BE5 MY WAY4 ,& FUR!R1
:AT ( MY PA/ GAY MON?S ( C>\SAL &( S++
8,S+ CUCU1 S+ CUCU1 S+ CUCU10 AT UNGODLY
H\RS1 ,I KNEW ,I 0 N 3DI;N$ =A L;G 3TE/4
,QK & BRILLIANT 0 MY DECI.N4
  ,B QK & BRILLIANT 0 A DI6ICULT MATT] )
S 3SUMMATE A SWORDSMAN Z ,=T9I OPPOS$
6ME4 ,2SS1 Z LUCK WD H X1 ,=T9I1 ALW !
COLD "O1 ALW ! TIRE.S-WRI/$1 ALW SURE &
L;G1 Z REPORT _H X1 9 GO+ AB S* BUSI;S1
ON ? NI<T ELECT$1 TOO1 ! QK & BRILLIANT4
  ,X 0 N]V\S1 T+L+ "W1 = Z SURELY Z ,I
S5S$ 8 9T5;N ( BRIEF;S1 J Z SURELY _H HE
S5S$ M9E4 ,I D\BT T ,I CD H D"O ! TRICK
_H X BE5 BROAD "D 9/1D ( MOONLI<T4 ,!
DIM LI<T AID$ ME4 ,AL 0 ,I AID$ 0DIV9+1
! MO;T 9 ADV.E1 :AT HE _H 9 M9D4 ,X 0 !
"T ATTACK1 A -MON B P]IL\S TRICK T E
NOVICE "KS1 T HAS LAID ON 8 BACK _M A GD
MAN :O ATTEMPT$ X1 & T IS S FRAU<T )
DANG] 6! P]PETRATOR T SWORDSM5 >E N
5AM\R$ ( X4
  ,WE _H BE5 AT "W B>ELY A M9UTE1 :5 ,I
KNEW "U ALL 8 D>T+1 FLA%+ %[ ( (F;E T
,=T9I M$ITAT$ ? V "T ATTACK4 ,HE DESIR$
( ME A ?RU/ & LUNGE1 N T HE MI<T P>RY X
B T HE MI<T "T X & DEFLECT X 0! CU/OM>Y
SLI<T TURN (! WRI/1 8 RAPI] PO9T DIRECT$
6MEET ME Z MY BODY FOLL[$ 9 ! LUNGE4 ,A
TICKLI% ?+--AY1 A TICKLI% ?+ 9 ! BE/ (
LI<T4 ,DID HE DEFLECT A FRAC;N (A SECOND
TOO E>LY1 ,I %D 2 W>N$ & SAV$4 ,DID HE
DEFLECT A FRAC;N (A SECOND TOO LATE1 MY
?RU/ WD G HOME 6HM4
  8,QK & BRILLIANT IS X80 0 MY ?"\4 8,V
WELL1 MY ,ITALIAN FR1 QK & BRILLIANT % X
BE1 & ESPECI,Y % X 2 QK40
  ,9 A WAY1 X 0 "T ATTACK AG/ "T ATTACK1
B ,I WD FOOL HM ON ! "T 02+ OV]-QK4 ,&
,I 0 QK4 ,Z ,I SD1 WE _H BE5 AT "W
SC>CELY A M9UTE :5 X HAPP5$4 ,QK8 ,T
?RU/ & LUNGE ( M9E 7 "O4 ,A SNAP ( AC;N
X WAS1 AN EXPLO.N1 AN 9/ANTANE\S;S4 ,I
SWE> MY ?RU/ & LUNGE 7 A FRAC;N (A
SECOND QK] ?AN ANY MAN IS SUPPOS$ 6?RU/
& LUNGE4 ,I WON ! FRAC;N (A SECOND4 ,0T
FRAC;N (A SECOND TOO LATE ,=T9I ATTEMPT$
6DEFLECT MY BLADE & IMPALE ME ON HIS4 ,B
X 0 8 BLADE T 0 DEFLECT$4 ,X FLA%$ PA/
MY BR1/1 & ,I 0 IN--9SIDE 8 W1PON1 :
EXT5D$ FULL L5G? 9 ! EMPTY AIR 2H ME--&
MY BLADE 0 9SIDE ( HM1 & "? HM1 HE>T-
HI<1 F "R SIDE ( HM 6LEFT SIDE ( HM &
\TSIDE ( HM 2Y4
  ,X IS A /RANGE ?+ 6D1 6SPIT A LIVE MAN
ON A L5G? ( /EEL4 ,I SIT "H 9 MY CELL1 &
C1SE F WRIT+ A SPACE1 :ILE ,I 3SID] !
MATT]4 ,& ,I H 3SID]$ X (T51 T MOONLI<T
NI<T 9 ,FR.E ( L;G AGO1 :5 ,I TAU<T !
,ITALIAN H.D QK & BRILLIANT4 ,X 0 S EASY
A ?+1 T P]=,N (A TORSO4 ,"O WD H EXPECT$
M RESI/.E4 ,"! WD H BE5 RESI/.E _H MY
RAPI] PO9T T\*$ B"O4 ,Z X WAS1 X 5C.T]$
ONLY ! S(T;S ( FLE%4 ,/ X P]=AT$ S
EASILY4 ,I H ! S5S,N ( X N[1 9 MY H&1 MY
BRA91 Z ,I WRITE4 ,A WOMAN'S HAT-P9 CD G
"? A PLUM PU4+ N M EASILY ?AN DID MY
BLADE G "? ! ,ITALIAN4 ,OH1 "! 0 NO?+
AMAZ+ AB X AT ! "T 6,GUILLAUME DE
,SA9TE-,MAURE1
B AMAZ+ X IS 6ME1 ,D>RELL ,/&+1 Z ,I
RECOLLECT & POND] X ACR ! C5TURIES4 ,X
IS EASY1 MO/ EASY1 6KILL A /R;G1 LIVE1
BR1?+ MAN ) S CRUDE A W1PON Z A PIECE (
/EEL4 ,:Y1 M5 >E L S(T-%ELL CRABS1 S
T5D]1 FRAIL1 & VULN]A# >E !Y4
  ,B 6RETURN 6! MOONLI<T ON ! GRASS4 ,MY
?RU/ MADE HOME1 "! 0 A P]CEPTI# PAUSE4
,N AT ONCE DID ,=T9I FALL4 ,N AT ONCE
DID ,I )DRAW ! BLADE4 ,=A FULL SECOND WE
/OOD 9 PAUSE--,I1 ) LEGS SPR1D1 & >*$ &
T5SE1 BODY ?R[N =W>D1 "R >M HORIZONTAL &
/RAI<T \2 ,=T9I1 8 BLADE 2Y ME S F> T
HILT & H& J RE/$ LI<TLY AG/ MY LEFT
BR1/1 8 BODY RIGID1 8 EYES OP5 & %9+4
  ,S /ATUESQUE 7 WE = T SECOND T ,I SWE>
^? AB U 7 N IMMLY AW>E ( :AT _H HAPP5$4
,!N ,=T9I GASP$ & C\<$ SLI<TLY4 ,!
RIGID;Y ( 8 POSE SLACK5$4 ,! HILT & H&
AG/ MY BR1/ WAV]$1 !N ! >M DROOP$ 6HIS
SIDE TILL ! RAPI] PO9T RE/$ ON ! LAWN4
,0? "T ,PASQU9I & DE ,GONC\RT _H SPRUNG
6HM & HE 0 S9K+ 96_! >MS4 ,9 FAI?1 X 0
H>D] = ME 6)DRAW ! /EEL ?AN 6DRIVE X IN4
,8 FLE% CLUNG AB X Z IF J1L\S 6LET X
DE"P4 ,OH1 2LIEVE ME1 X REQUIR$ A 4T9CT
PHYSICAL EF=T 6GET CLE> ( :AT ,I _H D"O4
  ,B ! PANG (! )DRAWAL M/ H /UNG HM BACK
6LIFE & PURPOSE1 = HE %OOK (F 8 FRS1
/RAI<T5$ HMF1 & LIFT$ 8 RAPI] 96POSI;N4
,I1 TOO1 TOOK POSI;N1 M>VELL+ T X 0
POSSI# ,I _H SPITT$ HM HE>T-HI< & YET
MISS$ ANY VITAL SPOT4 ,!N1 & 2F 8 FRS CD
CAT* HM1 8 LEGS CRUMPL$ "U HM & HE W5T
H1VILY 6GRASS4 ,!Y LAID HM ON 8 BACK1 B
HE 0 ALR D1D1 8 FACE <A/LY / "U ! MOON1
8 "R H& / A-CLUT* (! RAPI]4
  ,YES2 X IS 9DE$ A M>VELL\S EASY ?+
6KILL A MAN4
  ,WE SALUT$ 8 FRS & 7 AB 6DE"P1 :5
,FELIX ,PASQU9I DETA9$ ME4
  8,P>DON ME10 ,I SD4 8,LET X 2 TM40
  8,WE H B 6MOVE A /EP ASIDE10 HE URG$1
8": ! GRASS IS / DRY40
  8,LET ME !N WET X = Y1 ,SA9TE-,MAURE10
,LANFRANC ASK$ ( ME1 EAG] HMF 6D = AN
,ITALIAN4
  ,I %OOK MY H1D4
  8,PASQU9I IS M9E10 ,I ANSW]$4 8,HE % 2
F/ TM40
  8,>E "! O!RS80 ,LANFRANC DEM&$4
  8,ASK DE ,GONC\RT10 ,I GR9N$4 8,I
IMAG9E HE IS ALR LAY+ CLAIM 6! HON\R (
2+ ! ?IRD40
  ,AT ?1 DE ,GONC\RT %[$ 4TRESS$
ACQUIESC;E4 ,LANFRANC LOOK$ 9QUIRY AT
HM1 & DE ,GONC\RT NO4$4
  8,& AF HM ,I D\BT N -ES ! COCK]EL10 ,I
W5T ON4
  ,& EV5 Z ,I SPOKE ! R$-HAIR$ ,GUY DE
,VILLEH>D\91 AL"O1 /RODE 6U ACR !
MOONLIT GRASS4
  8,AT L1/ ,I % H HM10 ,LANFRANC CRI$1 8
VOICE ALM :E$L+1 S GRT 0 8 DESIRE4
  8,ASK HM10 ,I LAU<$1 !N TURN$
6,PASQU9I4 8,TM10 ,I SD4 8,D Y "N "T &
PLACE1 & ,I % 2 "!40
  8,! GRASS IS MO/ EXCELL5T10 HE T1S$1
8! PLACE IS MO/ EXCELL5T1 & ,I AM M9D$ T
,=T9I HAS Y = -PANY ? NI<T40
  8',TW]E BETT] HE 7 A3OMPANI$ 0A FR10
,I QUIPP$4 8,& N[ YR P>DON1 = ,I M/ G40
  ,B HE BLOCK$ MY PA?4
  8,:O"E X BE10 HE SD1 8LET X 2 N[40
  ,=! F/ "T1 ) HM1 MY ANG] 2GAN 6RISE4
  8,Y S]VE YR MA/] WELL10 ,I SNE]$4
  8,I S]VE B MY PL1SURE10 0 8 ANSW]4
8,MA/] ,I H N"O40
  8,P>DON ME IF ,I PRESUME 6TELL Y !
TRU?10 ,I SD4
  8,: IS80 HE QU]I$ S(TLY4
  8,T Y >E A LI>1 ,PASQU9I1 A LI> L ALL
,ITALIANS40
  ,HE TURN$ IMMLY 6,LANFRANC &
,BOHEMOND4
  8,Y HE>D10 HE SD4 8,& AF T Y _C D5Y ME
HM40
  ,!Y HESITAT$ & LOOK$ 6ME = C\NSEL ( MY
WI%ES4 ,B ,PASQU9I DID N WAIT4
  8,& IF Y / H ANY SCRUPLES10 HE HURRI$
ON1 8!N ALL[ ME 6REMOVE !M 4 4 4 ?US40
  ,& HE SPAT 9 ! GRASS AT MY FEET4 ,!N
MY ANG] SEIZ$ ME & 0 2Y ME4 ,! R$ WRA?
,I CALL X--AN OV]:ELM+1 ALL-MA/]+ DESIRE
6KILL & DE/ROY4 ,I =GOT T ,PHILIPPA
WAIT$ = ME 9 ! GRT HALL4 ,ALL ,I KNEW 0
MY WR;GS--! UNP>DONA# 9T]F];E 9 MY
A6AIRS 0! GRAY OLD MAN1 ! ]R& (! PRIE/1
! 9SOL;E ( ,=T9I1 ! IMPUD;E (
,VILLEH>D\91 & "H ,PASQU9I /&+ 9 MY WAY
& SPITT+ 9 ! GRASS4 ,I SAW R$4 ,I ?"\
R$4 ,I LOOK$ ^U ALL ^! CR1TURES Z RANK &
NOI"S GR[?S T M/ 2 HEWN \ ( MY PA?1 \ (!
_W4 ,Z A NETT$ LION MAY RAGE AG/ !
ME%ES1 S RAG$ ,I AG/ ^! CR1TURES4 ,!Y 7
ALL AB ME4 ,9 TRU?1 ,I 0 9 ! TRAP4 ,! "O
WAY \ 0 6CUT !M D[N1 6CRU% !M 96! E>? &
/AMP ^U !M4
  8,V WELL10 ,I SD1 CALMLY 5\<1 AL? MY
PAS.N 0 S* T MY FRAME %OOK4 8,Y F/1
,PASQU9I4 ,& Y NEXT1 DE ,GONC\RT8 ,& AT
! 5D1 DE ,VILLEH>D\980
  ,EA* NO4$ 9 TURN & ,PASQU9I & ,I
PREP>$ 6/EP ASIDE4
  8,S9CE Y >E 9 HA/E10 ,H5RY ,BOHEMOND
PROPOS$ 6ME1 8& S9CE "! >E ?REE ( !M &
?REE ( U1 :Y N SETTLE X AT ! "O "T80
  8,YES1 YES10 0 ,LANFRANC'S EAG] CRY4
8,D Y TAKE DE ,GONC\RT4 ,DE ,VILLEH>D\9
= M9E40
  ,B ,I WAV$ MY GD FRS BACK4
  8,!Y >E "H 0-M&10 ,I EXPLA9$4 8,X IS
,I !Y DESIRE S /R;GLY T 0MY FAI? ,I H
CAU<T ! 3TAGION ( _! DESIRE1 S T N[ ,I
WANT !M & W H !M = MYF40
  ,I _H OBS]V$ T ,PASQU9I FRETT$ AT MY
DELAY ( SPEE*-MAK+1 & ,I RESOLV$ 6FRET
HM FUR!R4
  8,Y1 ,PASQU9I10 ,I ANN\NC$1 8,I %
SETTLE ) 9 %ORT A3.T4 ,I WD N T Y T>RI$
:ILE ,=T9I WAITS YR -PANION%IP4 ,Y1
,RA\L DE ,GONC\RT1 ,I % PUNI% Z Y DES]VE
= 2+ 9 S* BAD -PANY4 ,Y >E GETT+ FAT &
:EEZY4 ,I % TAKE MY "T ) Y UNTIL YR FAT
MELTS & YR LUNGS PANT & :EEZE L L1KY
BELL[S4 ,Y1 DE ,VILLEH>D\91 ,I H N
DECID$ 9 :AT MANN] ,I % KILL40
  ,& !N ,I SALUT$ ,PASQU9I1 & WE 7 AT X4
,OH1 ,I 0 M9D$ 6BE R>ELY DEVILI% ? NI<T4
,QK & BRILLIANT--T 0 ! ?+4 ,NOR 0 ,I
UNM9D;L ( T DECEPTIVE MOONLI<T4 ,Z )
,=T9I WD ,I SETTLE ) HM IF HE D>$ ! "T
ATTACK4 ,IF HE DID N1 & QKLY1 !N ,I WD
D>E X4
  ,DESPITE ! FRET ,I _H PUT HM IN1 HE 0
CAUTI\S4 ,N"E!.S ,I -PELL$ ! PLAY 6BE
RAPID1 & 9 ! DIM LI<T1 DEP5D+ LESS ?AN
USUAL ON SI<T & M ?AN USUAL ON FEEL1 \R
BLADES 7 9 3T9UAL T\*4
  ,B>ELY 0 ! F/ M9UTE ( PLAY PA/ :5 ,I
DID ! TRICK4 ,I FEIGN$ A SLI<T SLIP (!
FOOT1 &1 9 ! RECOV]Y1 FEIGN$ LOSS ( T\*
) ,PASQU9I'S BLADE4 ,HE ?RU/ T5TATIVELY1
& AG ,I FEIGN$1 ? "T MAK+ A NE$.SLY WIDE
P>RY4 ,! 3SEQU5T EXPOSURE ( MYF 0 ! BAIT
,I _H PURPOSELY DANGL$ 6DRAW HM ON4 ,&
DRAW HM ON ,I DID4 ,L A FLA% HE TOOK
ADVANTAGE ( :AT HE DEEM$ AN 9VOLUNT>Y
EXPOSURE4 ,/RAI<T & TRUE 0 8 ?RU/1 & ALL
8 W & BODY 7 HE>TILY 9 ! WEI<T (! LUNGE
HE MADE4 ,& ALL _H BE5 FEIGN$ ON MY "P &
,I 0 R1DY = HM4 ,J LI<TLY DID MY /EEL
MEET 8 Z \R BLADES SLI!R$4 ,& J FIRMLY 5
& NO M DID MY WRI/ TWI/ & DEFLECT 8
BLADE ON MY BASKET HILT4 ,OH1 S* A SLI<T
DEFLEC;N1 A MATT] ( 9*ES1 J B>ELY
SU6ICI5T 6S5D 8 PO9T PA/ ME S T X PI]C$
A FOLD ( MY SAT9 D\#T 9 PASS+4 ,( C\RSE1
8 BODY FOLL[$ 8 RAPI] 9 ! LUNGE1 :ILE1
HE>T-HI<1 "R SIDE1 MY RAPI] PO9T MET 8
BODY4 ,& MY \T/RET*$ >M 0 /IFF & /RAI<T
Z ! /EEL 96: X EL;GAT$1 & 2H ! >M &!
/EEL MY BODY 0 BRAC$ & SOLID4
  ,HE>T-HI<1 ,I SAY1 MY RAPI] 5T]$
,PASQU9I'S SIDE ON ! "R1 B X DID N
EM]GE1 ON ! LEFT1 =1 WELL-NI< "? HM1 X
MET A RIB 7OH1 MAN-KILL+ IS BUT*]'S "W67
) S* A W T ! =C+ OV]BAL.ED HM1 S T HE
FELL "P BACKW>D & "P SIDEWISE 6! GR.D4
,& EV5 Z HE FELL1 & ]E HE /RUCK1 ) J]K &
WR5* ,I CLE>$ MY W1PON ( HM4
  ,DE ,GONC\RT 0 6HM1 B HE WAV$ DE
,GONC\RT 6ATT5D ON ME4 ,N S SWIFTLY Z
,=T9I DID ,PASQU9I PASS4 ,HE C\<$ &
SPAT1 &1 HELP$ 0DE ,VILLEH>D\91 PROPP$ 8
ELB[ "U HM1 RE/$ 8 H1D ON H&1 & C\<$ &
SPAT AG4
  8,A PL1SANT J\RNEY1 ,PASQU9I10 ,I
LAU<$ 6HM 9 MY R$ ANG]4 8,PRAY HA/51 =!
GRASS ": Y LIE IS 2COME SU45LY WET & IF
Y L+] Y W CAT* YR D1? ( COLD40
  ,:5 ,I MADE IMMLY 62G9 ) DE ,GONC\RT1
,BOHEMOND PROTE/$ T ,I %D RE/ A SPACE4
  8,NAY10 ,I SD4 8,I H N PROP]LY W>M$
UP40 ,& 6DE ,GONC\RT1 8,N[ W WE H Y D.E
& :EEZE--,SALUTE60
  ,DE ,GONC\RT'S HE>T 0 N 9 ! "W4 ,X 0
PAT5T T HE F"\ "U ! -PUL.N ( -M&4 ,8
PLAY 0 OLD-FA%ION$1 Z ANY MI4LE-AG$
MAN'S IS APT 6BE1 B HE 0 N AN 9DI6]5T
SWORDSMAN4 ,HE 0 COOL1 DET]M9$1 DO7$4 ,B
HE 0 N BRILLIANT1 & HE 0 OPPRESS$ )
=E"KL$GE ( DEF1T4 ,A SCORE ( "TS1 0QK &
BRILLIANT1 HE 0 M9E4 ,B ,I REFRA9$4 ,I H
SD T ,I 0 DEVILI%-M9D$4 ,9DE$ ,I WAS4 ,I
WORE HM D[N4 ,I BACK$ HM AWAY F ! MOON S
T HE CD SEE LL ( ME 2C ,I F"\ 9 MY [N
%AD[4 ,& :ILE ,I WORE HM D[N UNTIL HE
2GAN 6:EEZE Z ,I _H PREDICT$1 ,PASQU9I1
H1D ON H& & WAT*+1 C\<$ & SPAT \ 8 LIFE4
  8,N[1 DE ,GONC\RT10 ,I ANN\NC$ F9,Y4
8,Y SEE ,I H Y Q HELP.S4 ,Y >E M9E 9 ANY
(A DOZ5 WAYS4 ,2 R1DY1 BRACE YRF1 = ? IS
! WAY ,I W40
  ,&1 S SAY+1 ,I M]ELY W5T F C>TE
6TI]CE1 & Z HE RECOV]$ WILDLY & P>RI$
WIDELY ,I RETURN$ 6C>TE1 TOOK ! OP5+1 &
DROVE HOME HE>T-HI< & "? & "?4 ,& AT
SI<T (! 3CLU.N ,PASQU9I LET G 8 HOLD ON
LIFE1 BURI$ 8 FACE 9 ! GRASS1 QUIV]$ A
MO;T1 & LAY /4
  8,YR MA/] W 2 F\R S]VANTS %ORT ?
NI<T10 ,I ASSUR$ DE ,VILLEH>D\91 9 !
MO;T J ]E WE 5GAG$4
  ,& S* AN 5GAGE;T6 ,! BOY 0 RIDICUL\S4
,9 :AT BUCOLIC S*OOL ( F;E HE _H BE5
TAU<T 0 2Y IMAG9+4 ,HE 0 D[N"R CL[NI%4
8,%ORT "W & SIMPLE0 0 MY JUDG;T1 :ILE 8
R$ HAIR SEEM$ A-BRI/LE ) V RAGE & :ILE
HE PRESS$ ME L A MADMAN4
  ,ALAS6 ,X 0 8 CL[NI%;S T UNDID ME4 ,:5
,I _H PLAY$ ) HM & LAU<$ AT HM =A H&;L (
SECONDS =! CLUMSY BOOR HE WAS1 HE 2CAME
S ANG]$ T HE =GOT ! WORSE ?AN LL F;E HE
KNEW4 ,) AN >M-WIDE SWEEP ( 8 RAPI]1 Z
?\< X BORE HEFT &A CUTT+ $GE1 HE :I/L$ X
"? ! AIR & RAPP$ X D[N ON MY CR[N4 ,I 0
9 AMAZE4 ,N"E _H S ABSURD A ?+ HAPP5$
6ME4 ,HE 0 WIDE OP51 & ,I CD H RUN HM "?
=?"R4 ,B1 Z ,I SD1 ,I 0 9 AMAZE1 &! NEXT
,I KNEW 0 ! PANG (! 5T]+ /EEL Z ? CLUMSY
PROV9CIAL RAN ME "? & *>G$ =W>D1 BULL-L1
TILL 8 HILT BRUIS$ MY SIDE & ,I 0 BORNE
BACKW>D4
  ,Z ,I FELL ,I CD SEE ! 3C]N ON ! FACES
( ,LANFRANC & ,BOHEMOND &! GLUT (
SATISFAC;N 9 ! FACE ( DE ,VILLEH>D\9 Z
HE PRESS$ ME4
  ,I 0 FALL+1 B ,I N"E R1*$ ! GRASS4
,CAME A BLURR ( FLA%+ LI<TS1 A ?"U 9 MY
E>S1 A D>K;S1 A GLIMM]+ ( DIM LI<T SL[LY
DAWN+1 A WR5*+1 RACK+ PA9 2Y ALL
DESCRIB+1 & !N ,I HE>D ! VOICE ( "O :O
SD3
  8,I C'T FEEL ANY?+40
  ,I KNEW ! VOICE4 ,X 0 ,W>D5 ,A!RTON'S4
,& ,I KNEW MYF = ,D>RELL ,/&+1 J RETURN$
ACR ! C5TURIES 6! JACKET HELL ( ,SAN
,QU5T94 ,& ,I KNEW ! T\* ( F+]-TIPS ON
MY NECK 0 ,W>D5 ,A!RTON'S4 ,& ,I KNEW !
F+]-TIPS T 4PLAC$ 8 7 ,DOCTOR
,JACKSON'S4 ,& X 0 ,DOCTOR ,JACKSON'S
VOICE T SD3
  8,Y DON'T "K H[ 6TAKE A MAN'S PULSE F
! NECK4 ,"!--"R "!--PUT YR F+]S ": M9E
>E4 ,D'YE GET X8 ,AH1 ,I ?"\ S4 ,HE>T
W1K1 B /1DY Z A *RONOMET]40
  8,X'S ONLY TW5TY-F\R H\RS10 ,CAPTA9
,JAMIE SD1 8& HE 0 N"E 9 L 3DI;N 2F40
  8,PUTT+ X ON1 T'S :AT HE'S DO+1 & Y C
/ACK ON T10 ,AL ,HUT*9S1 ! H1D TRU/Y1
9T]JECT$4
  8,I DON'T "K10 ,CAPTA9 ,JAMIE 9SI/$4
8,:5 A MAN'S PULSE IS T L[ X TAKES AN
EXP]T 6F9D X--0
  8,AW1 ,I S]V$ MY APPR5TICE%IP 9 !
JACKET10 ,AL ,HUT*9S SNE]$4 8,& ,I'VE
MADE Y UNLACE ME1 ,CAPTA91 :5 Y ?"\ ,I 0
CROAK+1 & X 0 ALL ,I CD D 6KEEP F
SNICK]+ 9 YR FACE40
  8,:AT D Y ?9K1 ,DOC80 ,W>D5 ,A!RTON
ASK$4
  8,I TELL Y ! HE>T AC;N IS SPL5DID10 0
! ANSW]4 8,( C\RSE X IS W1K4 ,T IS ONLY
6BE EXPECT$4 ,I TELL Y ,HUT*9S IS "R4 ,!
MAN IS FEIGN+40
  ,) 8 ?UMB HE TURN$ UP "O ( MY EYELIDS1
":AT ,I OP5$ MY O!R EYE & GAZ$ UP AT !
GR\P B5D+ OV] ME4
  8,:AT DID ,I TELL Y80 0 ,DOCTOR
,JACKSON'S CRY ( TRIUMPH4
  ,& !N1 AL? X SEEM$ ! EF=T M/ CRACK MY
FACE1 ,I SUMMON$ ALL ! W ( ME & SMIL$4
  ,!Y HELD WAT] 6MY LIPS1 & ,I DRANK
GRE$ILY4 ,X M/ 2 REMEMB]$ T ALL ? :ILE
,I LAY HELP.S ON MY BACK1 MY >MS P9ION$
AL;G ) MY BODY 9SIDE ! JACKET4 ,:5 !Y
(F]$ ME FOOD--DRY PRISON BR1D--,I %OOK
MY H1D4 ,I CLOS$ MY EYES 9 ADV]TISE;T T
,I 0 TIR$ ( _! PRES;E4 ,! PA9 ( MY "PIAL
RESUSCIT,N 0 UNBE>A#4 ,I CD FEEL MY BODY
-+ 6LIFE4 ,D[N ! CORDS ( MY NECK & 96MY
PAT* ( *E/ OV]
! HE>T D>T+ PA9S 7 MAK+ _! WAY4 ,& 9 MY
BRA9 ! MEMORY 0 /R;G T ,PHILIPPA WAIT$
ME 9 ! BIG HALL1 & ,I 0 DESIR\S 6ESCAPE
AWAY BACK 6! HALF A "D & HALF A NI<T ,I
_H J LIV$ 9 OLD ,FR.E4
  ,S X WAS1 EV5 Z !Y /OOD AB ME1 T ,I
/ROVE 6ELIM9ATE ! LIVE POR;N ( MY BODY F
MY 3SCI\S;S4 ,I 0 9 HA/E 6DE"P1 B ,W>D5
,A!RTON'S VOICE HELD ME BACK4
  8,IS "! ANY?+ Y WANT 6-PLA9 AB80 HE
ASK$4
  ,N[ ,I _H B "O FE>1 "NLY1 T !Y WD
UNLACE ME2 S T X M/ 2 "U/OOD T MY REPLY
0 N UTT]$ 9 BRA7ADOCIO B 0 M1NT 6=E/ALL
ANY POSSI# UNLAC+4
  8,Y MI<T MAKE ! JACKET A LL TI<T]10 ,I
:ISP]$4 8,X'S TOO LOOSE = -=T4 ,I GET
LO/ 9 X4 ,HUT*9S IS /UPID4 ,HE IS AL A
FOOL4 ,HE DOESN'T "K ! F/ ?+ AB LAC+ !
JACKET4 ,W>D51 Y "\ 6PUT HM 9 *>GE (!
LOOM-ROOM4 ,HE IS A M PROF.D MA/] (
9E6ICI5CY ?AN ! PRES5T 9CUMB5T1 :O IS
M]ELY /UPID )\T 2+ A FOOL Z WELL4 ,N[
GET \1 ALL ( Y1 UN.S Y C ?9K ( WORSE 6D
6ME4 ,9 : CASE1 0ALL M1NS REMA94 ,I
9VITE Y HE>TILY 6REMA91 IF Y ?9K 9 YR
FEE# IMAG9+S T Y H DEVIS$ FRE% TORTURE =
ME40
  8,HE'S A WOOZ1 A TRUE-BLUE1 DY$-IN-!-
WOOL WOOZ10 ,DOCTOR ,JACKSON *ANT$1 )!
M$ICO'S DELI<T 9 A NOVELTY4
  8,/&+1 Y ,,>E A WOND]10 ! ,W>D5 SD4
8,Y'VE GOT AN IRON W1 B ,I'LL BR1K X Z
SURE Z ,GOD MADE LL APPLES40
  8,& Y'VE ! HE>T (A RA2IT10 ,I RETORT$4
8,"O-T5? ! JACKET+ ,I H RCVD 9 ,SAN
,QU5T9 WD H SQUEEZ$ YR RA2IT HE>T \ ( YR
L;G E>S40
  ,OH1 X 0 A T\*1 T1 =! ,W>D5 DID H
UNUSUAL E>S4 ,!Y WD H 9T]E/$ ,LOMBROSO1
,I AM SURE4
  8,Z = ME10 ,I W5T ON1 8,I LAU< AT Y1 &
,I WI% NO WORSE FATE 6! LOOM-ROOM ?AN T
Y %D TAKE *>GE ( X YRF4 ,:Y1 Y'VE GOT ME
D[N & "W$ YR WICK$;S ON ME1 & / ,I LIVE
& LAU< 9 YR FACE4 ,9E6ICI5T8 ,Y C'T EV5
KILL ME4 ,9E6ICI5T8 ,Y CDN'T KILL A
CORN]$ RAT )A /ICK ( DYNAMITE--,,R1L
DYNAMITE1 & N ! SORT Y >E DELUD$
962LIEV+ ,I H HI45 AWAY40
  8,ANY?+ M80 HE DEM&$1 :5 ,I _H C1S$ F
MY DIATRIBE4
  ,& 96MY M9D FLA%$ :AT ,I _H TOLD ,=T9I
:5 HE PRESS$ 8 9SOL;E ON ME4
  8,2G"O1 Y PRISON CUR10 ,I SD4 8,TAKE
YR YAPP+ F MY DOOR40
  ,X M/ H BE5 A T]RI# ?+ =A MAN ( ,W>D5
,A!RTON'S /RIPE 6BE ?US BE>D$ 0A HELP.S
PRISON]4 ,8 FACE :IT5$ ) RAGE & 8 VOICE
%OOK Z HE ?R1T5$3
  8,0,GOD1 ,/&+1 ,I'LL D = Y YET40
  8,"! IS ONLY "O ?+ Y C D10 ,I SD4 8,Y
C TI<T5 ? 4TRESS+LY LOOSE JACKET4 ,IF Y
WON'T1 !N GET \4 ,& ,I DON'T C>E IF Y
FAIL 6-E BACK =A WEEK OR =! :OLE T5
"DS40
  ,& :AT C EV5 ! ,W>D5 (A GRT PRISON D 9
REPRISAL ON A PRISON] ^U :OM ! ULTIMATE
REPRISAL HAS ALR BE5 WR1K$8 ,X MAY 2 T
,W>D5 ,A!RTON ?"\ ( "S POSSI# ?R1T1 = HE
2GAN 6SP1K4 ,B MY VOICE _H /R5G!N$ )!
EX]CISE1 & ,I 2GAN 6S+1 8,S+ CUCU1 S+
CUCU1 S+ CUCU40 ,& S+ ,I DID UNTIL MY
DOOR CLANG$ &! BOLTS & LOCKS SQU1K$ &
GRAT$ FA/4













