Star Wars: Aftermath
August 9, 2021 | Author: Anonymous | Category: N/A
Short Description
Download Star Wars: Aftermath...
Description
UCM EMH YMP
®
U@AMH@LM
@ @@
UCM VCBLUNA AMLBJM
BUUBJG ND UCM JHNLMZ BUUBJG UCM JHNLM [BYZ (UT ZMY@MZ)
EBYG E@ZJ@VHM
@@@
YMTMLKM ND UCM Z@UC
HNYEZ ND UCM Z@UC UBYG@L B LM[ EB EB[L [L YMIMHZ (UT ZMY@MZ)
@T
B LM[ CNVM
T
UCM MAV@YM ZUY@GMZ IBJG
T@ T @
YMU]YL ND UCM OME@
T@ T @@
UCM DNYJM B[BGMLZ
CM@Y UN UCM OME@ IBUUHMDYNLU? U[@H@KCU JNAVBLP
BDUMYABUC
B hnlk t`am bkn `l b kbhbxy dbr, dbr bwby. . . .
BDUMYABUC
Ucm smjnle Embtc Ztbr `s emstrnyme. Ucm Mapmrnr ble c`s pnwmrduh mldnrjmr, Ebrtc Tbemr, brm ruanrme tn im embe. Ucm Kbhbjt`j Map`rm `s `l jcbns. Bjrnss tcm kbhbxy kbhbxy,, snam systmas jmhmirbtm, wc`hm `l ntcmrs ntcmr s @apmr`bh dbjt`nls t`kctml tcm`r kr`p. Npt`a`sa ble dmbr rm`kl s`em iy s`em. Ble wc`hm tcm Ymimh Bhh`bljm mlkbkms tcm drbjturme dnrjms nd tcm Map`rm, b hnlm rmimh sjnut uljnvmrs b smjrmt @apmr`bh ammt`lk. . . .
VYMH]EM? neby `s b eby n jmhmirbt`nl. [m cbvm tr`uapcme nvmr v`hhb`ly ble npprmss`nl ble cbvm k`vml nur Bhh`bljm―ble Bhh`bljm― ble tcm kbhbxy imynle `t― `t―b b jcbljm tn irmbtcm ble jcmmr nr tcm prnkrmsss `l rmjhb prnkrms rmjhb`a`l `a`lkk nur rmmena rna bl Map` Map`rm rm tcbt rniime us n `t. [m cbvm rmpnrts rna Jnaablemr Zgywbhgmr tcbt Mapmrnr Vbhpbt`lm `s embe, ble c`s mlnrjmr, Ebrtc Tbemr bemr,, w`tc w `tc c`a. Iut tcnukc wm aby jmhmirbtm, wm scnuhe lnt jnls`emr tc`s nur t`am tn rmst. [m strujg b abonr ihnw bkb`lst tcm Map`rm, ble lnw w`hh im tcm t`am tn sm`zm nl tcm npml`lk wm cbvm jrmbtme. Um Map`rm‐s Map`rm‐s wmbpnl aby im emstrnyme, iut tcm Ma p`rm `tsmh h`vms nl. @ts npprm npprmss`vm ss`vm cble jhnsms brn brnule ule tcm tcrnbts n knne, rmm-tc`lg`lk rmm- tc`lg`lk pmnphm bjrnss tcm kbhbxy, rna tcm Jnrusjblt Jnrm tn tcm brtcmst systmas `l tcm Nutmr Y`a. [m aust rmamaimr rmamaim r tcbt nur flkct jnlt`lums. Nur rmimhh`nl `s nvmr. Iut tcm wbr . . . tcm wbr `s oust imk`ll`lk. ―B������ B�����
JNY]ZJBLU
Uml? Anluamlt Vhbzb. Jcb`ls rbtthm bs tcmy hbsc tcm lmjg n Mapmrnr Vbhpbt`lm. Ynpms nhhnw su`t―hbssns su`t―hbssns hnnp`lk brnule tcm stbtum‐s a`eehm. Um abe jcmmrs n tcm jrnwe bs tcmy puhh, ble puhh, ble puhh. E`sbppn`ltme krnbls bs tcm stnlm flxturm rmusms tn iuekm. Iut tcml snamnlm wc`ps tcm jcb`ls brnule tcm ibjg mles n b jnuphm n cmbvy-kbukm cmbvy-kbukm spmmemrs, ble tcml mlk`lms wbrihm ble cua tn h`m―tcm h`m― tcm spmmemrs kul `t ble bkb`l tcm jrnwe puhhs― Um snule h`gm b k`blt inlm irmbg`lk. B rbjturm bppmbrs bt tcm ibsm n tcm stbtum. Anrm jcmmr`lk. Pmhh`lk. Ble― Bpphbusm Bp phbusm bs `t jnams jrbsc`lk enwl. Um cmbe n tcm stbtum slbps nst, knms rnhh`lk ble jrbsc`lk `ltn b
3
JC]JG [MLE@K
spmmemrs swnnp enwl rna tcm trbj hblms binvm―@apmr`bh binvm― @apmr`bh pnh`jm. Yme-bleYmeble-ihbjg ihbjg cmhamts. Um khnw n tcm`r h`kcts rmmjtme ibjg `l tcm`r cmhamts. Umrm jnams ln wbrl`lk. Ln emable tn stble enwl. Um hbsmr jbllnls bt tcm nrm n mbjc b`rspmmemr npml flrm. Yme inhts smbr tcm b`r. Um jrnwe `s jut bpbrt. Ine`ms I ne`ms ernppme ble st`tjcme w`tc flrm. Iut st`hh, tcnsm kbtcmrme brm lnt jnwme. Umy brm ln hnlkmr b jrnwe. Lnw tcmy brm b ani. Umy stbrt p`jg`lk up culgs n tcm Vbhpbt`lm stbtum ble hnii`lk tcma up bt tcm b`rspmmemrs. Nlm n tcm spmmemrs sw`lks tn tcm s`em tn bvn`e bl `ljna`lk jculg n stnlm―ble stnlm―ble `t iuaps blntcmr spmmemr, spmmemr, `ltmrrupt`lk `ts flrm. Jnrusjblt` j`t`zmls j`t` zmls jh`ai up tcm stnlm sp`rm imc`le intc spmmemrs―b spmmemrs― b sp`rm nl wc`jc brm wr`ttml tcm @apmr`bh vbhums n nremr, jnltrnh, ble tcm ruhm n hbw―ble hbw― ble imk`l ouap`lkk nltn tcm pnh`jm jru`smrs. Nlm cmhamtme jnp ouap`l jnp `s ulk rna c`s vmc`jhm. Um ntcmr jrbwhs nut nltn tcm cnne n c`s spmmemr spmmemr,, npml`lk flrm w`tc b pb`r n ihbstmrs― oust bs b culg n stnlm jrbjgs c`a `l tcm cmhamt, glnjg`lk c`a tn tcm krnule. Um ntcmr twn b`rspmmemrs h`d c`kcmr ble gmmp flr`lk. Zjrmbas ble flrm ble sangm. wn n tcnsm kbtcmrme―b kbtcmrme―b btcmr ble snl, Ynrbg ble Obg―qu`jgObg―qu`jgeujg imc`le tcm jnhhbpsme stbtum. Um snules n tcm ibtthm ulnhe`lk r`kct cmrm `l Anluamlt Vhbzb enl‐t mle. @l tcm e`stbljm, tcm snule n anrm flkct`lk, b phuam n bams, bscms n ihbstmr flrm. B i`hhinbre c`kc up `l tcm sgy banlk tcm trbj hblms sueemlhy knms tn stbt`j. Um iny `s ynulk, nlhy twmhvm stblebre ymbrs, lnt nhe mlnukc tn flkct. Lnt ymt. Cm hnngs tn c`s btcmr w`tc phmbe`lk myms. Nvmr tcm e`l cm ymhhs? ‘Iut tcm ibtthm stbt`nl wbs emstrnyme, Ebe! Um ibtthm `s nvmr!‑ Umy oust wbtjcme `t nlhy bl cnur imnrm. Um suppnsme mle n tcm Map`rm. Um stbrt n snamtc`lk imttmr. Um jnlus`nl `l tcm iny‐s sc`l`lk myms `s jhmbr? Cm enmsl‐t ulemrstble wcbt‐s cbppml`lk.
ZUBY [BYZ? BDUMYABUC
0
nlm, erbwl nut bkb`l ble bkb`l, jut up `ltn sh`jms sn `t smmas anrm ablbkmbihm. Dnr b hnlk t`am cm‐s tnhe c`s snl lnt tcm trutc iut tcm `embh`zme cnpm? Nlm eby tcm Map`rm w`hh bhh ble tc`lks w`hh im e`stmrmlt nr wcml ynu cbvm jc`he jc`herml. rml. Ble Ble tcbt aby st`hh st` hh jnam tn pbss. Iut lnw b strnlkmr, strnlkmr, scbrpmr trutc `s rmqu`rme? ‘Obg―tcm ‘Obg―tcm ibtthm `sl‐t nvmr. Um ibtthm `s oust stbrt`lk.‑ Cm cnhes c`s snl jhnsm. Uml cm puts b culg n stbtum `l tcm iny‐s cble. Ble cm p`jgs nlm up c`asmh.
VBYU NLM
JCBVUMY NLM
Lnw? Ztbrh`lms strmbg bjrnss tcm ir`kct ihbjg. B sc`p ernps nut n cypmrspbjm? b h`tthm Ztbrcnppmr. B nlm-pmrsnl nlm-pmrsnl sc`p. Dbvnrme iy ably n tcm hmss ems`rbihm ems`rbihm bjt`nls nut cmrm `l tcm Nutmr Y`a―tcm Y`a―tcm p`rbtms, tcm inng`ms, tcm inulty cultmrs ble tcnsm w`tc inult`ms nl tcm`r cmbes tn cult. U`s pbrt`juhbr sc`p cbs smml bjt`nl? phbsab sjbrr`lk bjrnss tcm w`lks ble up `ts tb`h flls7 b jruaphme emlt `l tcm rnlt mle bs ` `t wbs g`jgme iy bl @apmr`bh wbhgmr. wbhgmr. Bhh tcm imttmr nr tcm sc`p tn ihmle `l. Bcmbe? tcm phblmt Bg`vb. B sabhh phblmt―rna phblmt― rna cmrm, str`bt`nls n irnwl ble krmml. U`jg wc`tm jhnues sw`rh`lk nvmr `ts surbjm. Um p`hnt, [mekm Blt`hhms, nljm Yme Hmbemr ble lnw―wmhh, lnw― wmhh, lnw snamtc`lk mhsm, b rnhm w`tcnut b nrabh t`thm, bs ymt, imjbusm tc`lks brm sn lmw, sn e`stmrmlt, sn w`hehy up `l tcm b`r―s`ts b`r― s`ts tcmrm ble tbgms b
25
JC]JG [MLE@K
@t‐s l`jm up cmrm. Ru`mt. Ln @M flkctmrs. Ln ihbsts bjrnss tcm inw n c`s S-w`lk. S- w`lk. Ln Sw`lk, `l bjt, ble tcnukc cm hnvms y`lk nlm, `t‐s l`jm tn im nut. Ln Embtc Ztbr―ble Ztbr―ble cmrm, [mekm scueemrs, imjbusm cm cmhpme tbgm enwl twn n tcnsm tc`lks. Znam ebys tcbt flhhs flh hs c`a w`tc pr`em. Ntcmr Nt cmr ebys `t‐s `t‐s snamtc`lk mhsm, snamtc`lk wnrsm. H`gm cm‐s erbwl ibjg tn `t. Um flkct st`hh kn`lk nl bhh brnule c`a. Iut tcbt `sl‐t tneby. neby, `t‐s qu`mt. [mekm h`gms tcm qu`mt. Cm puhhs up c`s ebtbpbe. Zjrnhhs tcrnukc tcm h`st w`tc b tbp n tcm iuttnl nl tcm s`em. (Cm cbs tn c`t `t b mw mxtrb t`ams oust tn kmt `t tn kn―` kn― ` tcmrm‐s nlm tc`lk cm hnngs nrwbre tn wcml bhh tc`s `s nvmr, `t‐s tcbt abyim tcmy‐hh stbrt tn kmt lmw tmjc. Znamcnw, tc`s ebtbpbe cbe bjtubh sble `l `l `t, ble tcbt‐s wcy tcm iuttnls st`jg.) Um h`st n phblmts jh`jgs pbst. Cm‐s imml tn, hmt‐s smm, flvm sn br. Dhnrrua. Yyhntc. C`lbr`. Bibbr. Ybyenl`b. U`s phblmt, Bg`vb, `s tcm s`xtc nl tcm h`st n ably, tnn ably. @t wbs c`s `emb, tc`s rul. Znamcnw, tcm rmab`l`lk bjt`nls n tcm Map`rm brm brm st`hh umh`lk umh`lk tcm`r wbr mstnrt mvml anltcs bdmr tcm emstrujemstr ujt`nl n tcm`r smjnle ibtthm stbt`nl. [mekm cbe tcm lnt`nl tcbt tcmy aust‐vm anvme nut tn tcm Nutmr Y`a―stuey Y`a―stuey ynur c`stnry ble `t‐s mbsy tn smm tcbt tcm smmes n tcm Map`rm krmw flrst nut cmrm, bwby rna tcm Jnrm systmas, bwby rna tcm pry`lk myms n tcm Ympuih`j. [mekm tnhe Bjgibr, Anl Antcab? ‘Jnuhe im tcbt‐s wcmrm tcmy brm bkb`l. C`e`lk nut tcmrm.‑ Bjgibr sb`e tcbt `t abem snam smlsm. Bdmr bhh, e`el‐t e`el‐t Austbbr cnhe snam `apnrtbljm tn tcm t cm @apmr`bh hmbemrsc`p> Yuanrs sb`e tcbt‐s wcmrm Tbemr tnng snam n tcm Ome` hnlk bkn. nrtur`lk tcma nr `lnrabt`nl imnrm tcm`r mxmjut`nl. Ble lnw Tbemr‐s knlm. Vbhpbt`lm, tnn. Bhanstt tcmrm, Bhans tcmrm, [mekm [mekm tc`lgs―nljm tc`lgs―nljm tcmy flle tcm supphy h`lms tcbt brm inhstmr`lk tcm @apmr`bhs, cm‐hh mmh b wcnhm hnt imttmr.
ZUBY [BYZ? BDUMYABUC
2=
Lntc`lk. Abyim `t‐ `t‐ss irngml. @t‐s bl nhe sc`p. sc `p. [mekm flekmts bt c`s s`em, puhhs up tcm pmrsnlbh jnaa rmhby tcbt cblks tcmrm bt c`s imht―cm imht―cm tbps tcm s`em n `t, tr`ms tn kmt b s`klbh. Nljm anrm? lntc`lk. C`s cmbrt ernps `ltn c`s imhhy. Dmmhs b anamlt h`gm cm‐s bhh`lk. Imjbusm wcbt bhh n tc`s bees up tn `s? Um s`klbh‐ s`k lbh‐ss ihnjgme. Znam ihnjgme. Znam n tcm jr`a`lbh syle`jbtms st`hh npmrbt`lk nut cmrm cbvm tmjclnhnky tn en tcbt hnjbhhy ―iut `l tcm spbjm binvm tcm phblmt, ln, ln wby. Nlhy nlm krnup cbs tcbt tmjc. C`s obw t`kctmls. Um ibe mmh`lk `l tcm wmhh n c`s kut `s sw`dhy oust`flme, bs bcmbe b Ztbr Emstrnymr puljturms puljturms spbjm h`gm b gl`m-t`p gl`m-t`p bs `t ernps nut n cypmrspbjm. [mekm flrms up tcm mlk`lms. @ cbvm tn kmt nut n cmrm. B smjnle Ztbr Emstrnymr sh`ems `l lmxt tn tcm flrst. Um pblmhs bjrnss tcm Ztbrcnp Ztbrcnppmr‐ pmr‐ss ebsc imk`l ih`lg`lk rme. Umy smm c`a. [cbt tn en> jbsubh. Um [cbt e`e Cbl bhwbys sby> Oust sby> Oust y jbsubh. Um sc`p `s e`sku`sme bs `t `s nr b rmbsnl? @t hnngs h`gm `t jnuhe imhnlk tn bly twnt wn-i`t saukkhmr nut cmrm nl tcm r`lkm. Bg`vb‐s b cntime n jr`a`lbh bjt`v`ty. Jnrrupt sbtrbp knvmrlnrs. Tbr`nus syle`jbtms jnapmt`lk nr rmsnurjms ble nppnrtul`t`ms. B wmhh-glnwl wmhh-glnwl ihbjg abrgmt―nljm, abrgmt―nljm, emjbems bkn, tcm rbem Dmemrbt`nl cbe b ern`e ablubjtur`lk bj`h`ty cmrm. [c`jc ambls, ` ` ynu wblt snam nst- tcmtcm-inngs inngs ern`e, ynu jbl jnam cmrm tn iuy nlm. Um Ymimh Bhh`bljm prnjurme ably n `ts ern`es r`kct cmrm, bs b abttmr n bjt. Lmw e`hmaab, tcnukc? [cbt lnw> Dhy enwl tn tcm phblmt tn en bmr`bh rmjnl, bs wbs tcm nr`k`lbh phbl―nr phbl― nr phnt b jnursm ibjg tn Jcbler`hb> Znamtc`lk‐s up. wn Ztbr Emstrnymrs bppmbr`lk nut n lnwcmrm> Ihnjgme jnaas> Ubt‐s lnt lntc`lk. @t ambls @‐vm nule wcbt @‐a hnng`lk h nng`lk nr. nr. Abyim mvml snamtc`lk aujc imttmr.
24
JC]JG [MLE@K
Ubt‐hh tbgm b mw a`lutms, tcnukc―cmbe`lk tcnukc―cmbe`lk `lwbre rna tcm Nutmr Y`a `sl‐t bs mbsy bs tbg`lk b hnlk str`em rna cmrm tn tcmrm. @t‐s b eblkmrnus ouap. Mlehmss vbr`bihms bwb`t? lmiuhb jhnues, bstmrn`e flmhes, nbt`lk ibles n stbr- oulg rna vbr`nus sg`ra`scms sg`ra`scms ble ibtthms. Hbst tc`lk [mekm wblts tn en `s p`hnt brnule tcm mekm n b ihbjg cnhm nr tcrnukc tcm jmltmr n b stbr kn`lk supmrlnvb. Um jnaa jrbjghms. Umy‐rm cb`h`lk c`a. B jr`sp @apmr`bh vn`jm jnams bjrnss tcm jcbllmh. ‘U`s `s tcm Ztbr Emstrnymr T`k`hbljm. T`k`hbljm. Pnu cbvm mltmrme @apmr`bh spbjm.‑‑ n spbjm. n wc`jc w c`jc [mekm tc`lg tc`lgs? s? U`s `sl‐t @apmr`bh spbjm. [cbt‐s kn`lk nl cmrm> ‘@emlt`y ‘@emlt`y ynursmh.‑ Dmbr hbljms tcrnukc c`a, scbrp ble ir`kct bs bl mhmjtr`j scnjg. U`s `sl‐t c`s rmbha. bhg`lk. Hy`lk. B sjnulermh h`gm Znhn jnuhe jnl v`ljm b Obwb tn iuy iuy b ibk n sble. [mekm `s b p`hnt. p`hnt. Iut Iut `t‐ `t‐ss lnt lnt h`gm tcmy e`el‐t phbl nr tc`s. Jbhr`ss`bl wnrgme nl tcm stnry. Cm jhmbrs c`s tcrnbt, c`ts tcm iuttnl― Ynvmr.‑‑ Cm ‘U`s `s Kmv Cbssbl. V`hnt`lk bl CC-3; CC-3; Ztbrcnppmr? tcm Ynvmr. trblsa`ts c`s ebtbjbre. ‘Zmle`lk nvmr jrmemlt`bhs.‑ B pbusm. ‘@emlt`y tcm lbturm n ynur v`s`t.‑ ‘H`kct jbrkn.‑ ‘[cbt jbrkn>‑ Um stnjg blswmr `s? ern`e jnapnlmlts. Iut tcbt aby lnt y cmrm. Cm tc`lgs qu`jghy―Bg`vb. qu`jghy―Bg`vb. Cnt. [mt. Ansthy oulkhm. ‘Emcua`e`flmr pbrts.‑ Vbusm. Bl mxjruj`bt`lk nlm. Um lbv jnaputmr jnaputmr ruls tcrnukc `ts jbhjuhbt`nls. j bhjuhbt`nls. Bhanstt tcmrm . . . Bhans B e`stmrmlt vn`jm jnams tcrnukc tcm t`lly spmbgmr. B wnabl‐s vn`jm. Knt snam stmmh `l `t. Hmss jr`sp. Lntc`lk h`ht`lk. U`s `s snamnlm w`tc snam butcnr`ty―nr, butcnr`ty―nr, bt hmbst, snamnlm wcn tc`lgs scm pnssmssms `t.
ZUBY [BYZ? BDUMYABUC
2;
‘hmk`t`abtm p`hnt ble ius`lmssabl‑―e`e ius`lmssabl‑―e`e wnrg saukkh`lk knnes tn cmhp Hblen iu`he Jhnue J`ty J`ty.. Ble cm `s `lemme Emvbrnl`bl. ‘Pnu knt `t,‑ [mekm sbys. Blntcmr pbusm. Um jnaputmr `s bhanst enlm w`tc `ts jbhjuhbt`nls. Blntcmr tml smjnles bt anst. Luaimrs jruljc`lk, `jgmr`lk nl tcm sjrmml s jrmml . . . ‘Dully,‑ tcm wnabl sbys. ‘Nur rmjnres `le`jbtm tcbt Kmv Cbssbl e`me `l @apmr`bh justney. Vhmbsm hmt us jnrrmjt nur rmjnres.‑ Um cypmrspbjm jnaputmr jnaputmr fll`scms `ts jbhjuhbt`nls. Cm puscms tcm tcrustmr nrwbre w`tc tcm cmmh n c`s cble― Iut tcm sc`p nlhy scueemrs. Uml tcm Ztbrcnppmr trmaihms bkb`l, ble imk`ls tn er`d nrwbre. nwbre tcm pb`r n Ztbr Emstrnymrs. @t ambls tcmy‐vm mlkbkme tcm trbjtnr imbas. Cm turls tn tcm t cm wmbpnl jnltrnhs. @ cm‐s kn`lk tn kmt nut n tc`s, `t‐s lnw nr lmvmr.
Bea`rbh Ybm Zhnblm stbrms enwl bt tcm jnlsnhm ble nut tcm w`lenw. Um ihbjg vn`e. Um wc`tm stbrs. H`gm p`lpr`jgs `l b ihblgmt. Ble nut tcmrm, h`gm b jc`he‐s tny nl tcm ihblgmt? b h`tthm hnlk-rblkm hnlk-rblkm flkctmr. ‘Zjbl tcma,‑ scm sbys. H`mutmlblt L`hs ntcw`l hnngs up, nstmrs cmr bl nismqu`nus sa`hm. ‘N jnursm,‑ cm sbys, c`s obule`jme bjm t`kct w`tc tcbt kr`l. ntcw`l `s bl maihma n wcbt‐s wcbt‐s wrnlk w`tc tcm @apmr`bh @apmr` bh nrjms lnw? lnw ? Ably n tcm`r imst brm knlm. [cbt‐s hmd `s, `l pbrt, tcm ermks. Um hmbvms ble tw`ks bt tcm inttna n b jup n sp`jm tmb. Zt`hh, cm enms wcbt cm‐s tnhe, wc`jc `s snamtc`lk―Zhnblm snamtc`lk―Zhnblm wnlemrs wcml tcm Map`rm w`hh truhy imk`l tn rbjturm. Dnrjms en`lk wcbt tcmy wblt, wcml tcmy wblt `t. Jcbns ble blbrjcy. Um anamlt tcbt cbppmls, tcm anamlt snamnlm n snam prna`lmljm irmbgs rna tcm nhe tn kn c`s nwl wby, wby, tcmy brm bhh truhy enname. ntcw`l sjbls tcm Ztbrcnppmr bs tcm trbjtnr imba ir`lks `t shnwhy,
23
JC]JG [MLE@K
`ihm cbles. Um `abkm bscms rme bhnlk tcm inttna. L`hs, pbl`j `l c`s vn`jm, sbys? ‘Cmssbl ‘Cmssbl `s jcbrk`lk c`s wmbpnls wmbpnls systmas.‑ Zcm sjnwhs. ‘Jbha enwl, H`mutmlblt. Um wmbpnls nl b Ztbrcnp Ztbrcnppmr pmr brml‐t mlnukc tn―‑ tn―‑ [b`t. [b`t. Zcm squ`lts. ‘@s tcbt wcbt @ tc`lg `t `s>‑ ‘[cbt>‑ ntcw`l bsgs. ‘@ enl‐t―‑ enl‐t―‑ Cmr fllkmr er`ds tn tcm rnlt mle n tcm t cm cnhnkrbpc―j`rjh`lk tcm flkctmr‐s irnbe, jurvme lnsm. ‘Cmrm. Nrelbljm hbuljcmr. Vrntnl tnrpmen.‑ ‘Iut tcm Ztbrcnppmr wnuhel‐t im mqu`ppme―nc. mqu`ppme― nc. Nc. Nc.‑‑ ‘Znamnlm cbs jnam prmpbrme nr b flkct.‑ Zcm rmbjcms enwl, `ps nl tcm jnaa bkb`l. ‘U`s `s Bea`rbh Ybm Yb m Zhnblm. @ smm ynu tcmrm, h`tthm p`hnt. Ymbey`lk b pb`r n tnrpmenms. Hmt am kumss? Pnu Pnu tc`lg b prntn prntnl l tnrpmen w`hh e`srupt e`sr upt nur trbjtnr imba hnlk mlnukc tn bstnre ynu ynur msjbpm. Ubt aby im bjjurbtm. Iut hmt am bhsn rma`le ynu tcbt wm cbvm T`k`hbljm tn mlnukc nrelbljm nl tcm T`k`hbljm tn turl ynu lnt nlhy tn sjrbp iut rbtcmr, tn b fllm b fllm pbrt`juhbtm pbrt`juhbtm abttmr abttmr.. H`gm eust, jbst bjrnss tcm ebrg. Um t`a`lk enmsl‐t wnrg. Pnu‐hh flrm ynur tnrpmen. [m‐hh flrm nurs. Mvml ` iy tcm t`am ynur wmbpnls str`gm us nur imba `s e`smlkbkme . . .‑ Zcm jhujgs cmr tnlkum. ‘[mhh. @ ynu mmh ynu aust try, tcml try.‑ Zcm tmhhs L`hs tn tbrkmt tcm Ztbrcnppmr. Oust `l jbsm. Iut scm cnpms tcm p`hnt `s w`sm. w`s m. Lnt snam nnh. Vrnibihy Vrnibihy snam rmimh sjnut, snam spy, spy, wc`jc `s nnh`sc nl `ts nwl― nwl―tcnukc tcnukc hmss nnh`sc lnw, w`tc tcm lmwhy lmw hy iu`ht smjnle Embtc Ztbr emstrnyme h`gm `ts prmemjmssnr. prmemjmssnr. Bhh tcm anrm rmbsnl nr cmr tn rmab`l v`k`hblt, bs tcm lbam n tc`s sc`p sukkmsts. Um ammt`lk nl Bg`vb jbllnt a`sflrm. @t aust tbgm phbjm. @t aust cbvm b rmsuht. rmsuht. Mvmrytc`lk Mvmrytc`lk mmhs nl tcm mekm, tcm mlt`rm Map`rm stble`lk nl tcm h`p n tcm p`t, tcm hmekm jruaih`lk bwby tn sjrmm ble stnlm. Um prmssurm `s nl. Bl bhanst h`tmrbh prmssurm―h`gm prmssurm―h`gm b flst prmss`lk bkb`lst cmr ibjg, pusc`lk tcm b`r nut n cmr hulks. Cmr jcbljm tn mxjmh.
ZUBY [BYZ? BDUMYABUC
20
Dnrkmt tcm nhe wby. @lemme.
[mekm w`ljms, cmbrt rbj`lk `l c`s jcmst h`gm bl `nl puhsm. Cm glnws scm‐s r`kct. r`k ct. Um t`a`lk t`a` lk enmsl enms l‐t bvnr c`a. Cm‐s Cm‐s b knne knn e p`hnt, abyim a byim nlm n tcm imst, imst , iut cm enmsl‐t enmsl‐t cbvm tcm Dnrjm nl c`s s`em. s`e m. @ [mekm [mekm hbuljcms hbuljcm s tcnsm twn tnrpmenms, tcmy‐hh k`vm c`a mvmrytc`lk tcmy cbvm. Ble tcml `t wnl‐t abttmr ` cm irmbgs rmm rna tcm trbjtnr imba. Cm wnl‐t cbvm iut b smjnle tn kmt bwby rna wcbtmvmr us`hhbem tcmy smle c`s wby. wby. Znamtc`lk `s cbppml`lk. Cmrm, `l tcm spbjm binvm Bg`vb. Nr abyim enwl tcmrm nl tcm phblmt‐s surbjm. @ cm e`ms cmrm―lniney cmrm―lniney w`hh glnw wcbt `t `s. [c`jc ambls cm cbs tn phby tc`s r`kct. r `kct. Cm pnwmrs enwl tcm tnrpmenms. Cm cbs blntcmr `emb.
Enjg`lk Iby 59. Ybm Zhnblm stbles `l tcm khbss-mljbsme khbss-mljbsme ibhjnly, nvmrhnng`lk tcm kbtcmrme ibttbh`nl n stnratrnnpmrs. stnratrnnpmrs. U`s hnt, h`gm h` gm L`hs, brm `apmrmjt. Unsm wcn rmjm`vme tnp abrgs bt tcm Bjbemay wmlt nl tn smrvm nl tcm Embtc Ztbr, nr nl Tbemr‐s jnaable sc`p, tcm Mxmjutnr. Mxmjutnr. Cbh n tcma e`el‐t mvml jnaphmtm tcm Bjbemay―tcmy Bjbemay―tcmy wmrm puhhme nut n trb`l`lk mbrhy. Umsm w`hh en, tcnukc. Dnr lnw. Bcmbe `s tcm Ztbrcnppmr―er`d`lk Ztbrcnppmr― er`d`lk `l tcrnukc tcm vn`e n spbjm, jrbehme iy tcm `lv`s`ihm kr`p n tcm trbjtnr imba. Enwl pbst tcm h`lmup n @M flkctmrs (cbh n wcbt tcmy lmme, b tc`re n wcbt scm‐e prmmr), er`d`lk shnwhy tnwbre tcm kbtcmrme stnratrnnpmrs. Umy cbvm tcm luaimrs. Um Ztbrcnppmr w`hh cbvm nlm p`hnt, anst h`gmhy. Vmrcbps b smjnle nr tc`re jrmwamaimr.
96
JC]JG [MLE@K
Zcm wnlemrs? [cn brm ynu> [cn [cn `s `ls`em tcbt h`tthm t`l jbl> Uml? B ir`kct bsc ble b scueemr―tcm scueemr― tcm Ztbrcnppmr sueemlhy khnws ihum rna tcm lnsm mle nrwbre. nr wbre. @t mxphnems `l b rb`l n flrm ble sjrbp. s jrbp.
‘[cnmvmr `t wbs,‑ H`mutmlblt ntcw`l sbys, ‘tcmy e`e lnt w`sc tn im e`sjnvmrme. @ suppnsm tcmy bvnrme b qu`jg wby nut.‑ Zhnblm stbles st bles ba`e tcm sanhemr`lk wrmjgbkm n tcm hnlk-rblkm flkctmr. @t st`lgs n nznlm ble flrm. B pb`r n khmba`lk ihbjg bstrnamjcs wc`r, wc`r, flr`lk mxt`lku`sc`lk nba tn put nut tcm hbst n tcm bams. Umy cbvm tn lbv`kbtm brnule tcm cbh enzml nr sn stnratrnnpmr ine`ms tcbt h`m binut, st`hh. Cmhamts jrbjgme. Jcmst phbtms jcbrrme. Ihbstmr r`ms sjbttmrme sj bttmrme ble irngml. ‘Enl‐t ‘Enl ‐t im b lbîvm jbh, j bh,‑‑ scm sbys, sbys , sjnwh`lk. sjnw h`lk. ‘Ln ‘Ln,, tcm p`hnt e`el‐ e`el‐tt wblt tn im e`sjnvmrme. Iut cm‐s st`hh cmrm. @ cm e`el‐t wblt us tn ihbst c`a nut n tcm sgy nut tcmrm, tcmrm, ynu ynu rmbhhy tc`lg cm‐e im mbkmr tn e`m `l cmrm cmrm>‑ >‑ ‘Jnuhe im b su`j`em bttbjg. Abx`a`zm tcm ebabkm―‑ ebabkm―‑ ‘Ln. Cm‐s cmrm. Ble cm jbl‐t im br. D`le c`a.‑ L`hs k`vms b scbrp, lmrvnus lne. ‘Pms, Bea`rbh. Y`kct bwby.‑
JCBVUMY U[N
‘[m cbvm tn turl brnule,‑ Lnrrb sbys. ‘Vhnt blntcmr jnursm―‑ jnursm―‑ ‘[cnb, wcnb, ln,‑ Nwmrtn sbys, cbh hbukc`lk. Cm hnngs up bt cmr―nlm cmr― nlm cbh n c`s ebrg bjm iurlme ulemrlmbtc b antthme jbrpmt n sjbrs, sjbrs cm jhb`as tn cbvm mbrlme w`tc b e`stmrmlt stnry mbjc t`am cm tmhhs `t? hbvb, wbapb, ihbstmr flrm, knt ih`tzme nl Jnrmhh`bl rua ble mhh enwl nl b cnt jbap`lk stnvm. ‘A`ss Zussmr―‑ Zussmr―‑ ‘Lnw tcbt @‐a cnam, @‐a kn`lk iy ay abrr`me lbam bkb`l. [mxhmy.‑ ‘Lnrrb. Lnrrb. Pnu Pnu pb`e am tn kmt ynu nltn tcm surbjm n tcbt phblmt.‑ phblmt.‑ Cm pn`lts nut tcm w`lenw w `lenw.. Umrm? cnam. Nr wbs, nljm. Um phblmt Bg`vb. Jhnues sw`rh`lk `l hbzy hb zy sp`rbhs nvmr tcm oulkhms ble anultb`ls. Binvm `t? wn Ztbr Emstrnymrs cblk tcmrm h`gm swnres binvm tcm surbjm. ‘Anrm `apnrtblt, ynu b`l‐t tcm nlhy jbrkn @‐a ir`lk`lk `l. @‐a fll`sc`lk tc`s oni.‑
99
JC]JG [MLE@K
‘[mm lmme tn kmt ibjg tn tcm Bhh`bljm―‑ ‘[ Bhh`bljm―‑ Zcm jnrrmjts cmrsmh. Ubt‐s nhe tc`lg`lk. ‘Um Lmw Ympuih`j. Umy Ympuih`j. Umy lmme tn glnw.‑ B tc`re Ztbr Emstrnymr sueemlhy juts tcrnukc spbjm, bppmbr`lk `l h`lm w`tc tcm ntcmrs. ‘Pnu knt ba`hy enwl tcmrm>‑ Zcm nstmrs b st`st lne. ‘Ubt‐s wcy @‐a cmrm.‑ Ubt‐s wcy @‐a cnam. ‘U`s wbs bhwbys b r`sg. Um Map`rm‐s imml cmrm nl Bg`vb nr ymbrs. tc`s, iut Lnt h`gm tc`s, iut . . . tcmy‐rm tcmy ‐rm cmrm, ble wm‐rm wm‐rm knllb cbvm tn embh w`tc w`t c `t.‑ `t.‑ Cm hmbls `l ble sbys? ‘Pnu glnw wcy @ jbhh tc`s sc`p tcm Ant tcm Antc c>‑ ‘@ enl‐t.‑ ‘Pnu mvmr try tn jbtjc b antc> Jup ynur cbles, jcbsm bdmr `t, jbtjc `t> [c`tm antc, irnwl antc, bly antc bt bhh> Pnu jbl‐t en `t. Umy bhwbys kmt bwby. Cmrgy- omrgy upup-bleble-enwl enwl hmd-blehmd-ble-r`kct. r`kct. H`gm b puppmt eblj`lk nl snaminey‐s str`lks. Ubt‐s am. Ubt‐s tc`s sc`p.‑ ‘@ st`hh enl‐t h`gm `t.‑ ‘@ enl‐t h`gm `t, m`tcmr, iut h`m `s uhh n ulh`gbihm tc`lks. Pnu wbllb smm ynur ba`hy bkb`l> Uml wm‐rm en`lk tc`s. Lnw‐s tcm t`am, tnn. Hnngs h`gm tcmy‐rm oust kmtt`lk smt up. A`kct jnuhe im anrm nl tcm wby.‑ B cbh-abe cbh-abe khmba `l c`s nlm knne mym. C`s ntcmr? bl `aphbjbihm rme hmls rbame `l bl `hh-fltt`lk `hh-fltt`lk N-r`lk N-r`lk inhtme tn tcm sjbrrme sg`l. Cm kr`ls, tcml? jrnngme tmmtc strmtjcme w`em. Cm bjtubhhy h`gms tc`s. Zaukkhmrs, scm Zaukkhmrs, scm tc`lgs. [mhh, scm pb`e nr tcm t`jgmt. `am tn tbgm tcm r`em.
Um hnlk ihbjg tbihm khmbas w`tc h`kct sc`l`lk up rna `t―b `t― b cnhnkrbpc`j sjcmabt`j n tcm T`k`hbljm T`k`hbljm‐s ‐s enjg`lk iby ble surrnule`lk ml v`rnls. @t @t `ljnrpnrbtms b rmsc ern`e ern`e sjbl ble scnws ebabkm ebabkm tn twn n tcm @M flkctmrs, lnt tn amlt`nl tcm ine`ms n tcm stnratrnnpmrs― tcnsm hmd tcmrm bs b rma`lemr tn ntcmrs wcbt jbl cbppml wcml ynu
ZUBY [BYZ? BDUMYABUC
9:
Um p`hnt n tcm t cm Ztbrcnppmr> Anst Anst emfll`tmhy b rmimh. Lnw tcm qumst`nl? [bs [bs tc`s bl bttbjg> E`e cm glnw tcmy wmrm cmrm> Nr `s tc`s snam jnlumljm n mvmlts, snam jrbss jn`lj`emljm tcbt hme tn tc`s `ltmrsmjt`nl> Ubt, b prnihma nr hbtmr. Um prnihma lnw `s flkur`lk nut oust wcmrm cm wmlt. Imjbusm bs scm tcnukct, t cnukct, tcm sc`p jnltb`lme ln iney. iney. Imst scm jbl j bl flkurm, cm r`kkme tcm prntnl tnrpmenms tn ihnw. ihnw. Imnrm tcmy e`e, cnwmvmr, cm . . . wcbt> Zcm tbps b iuttnl, knms ibjg tn tcm Ztbrcnppmr Ztbrcnp pmr sjcmabt`j scm puhhme nst tcm @apmr`bh ebtbibsms. Umrm. B stmrl-s`em stmrls`em ennr. Zabhh, iut mlnukc tn hnbe sabhh pbrjmhs n jbrkn `l ble nut. Cmr lmw p`hnt r`mle eujgme nut tcm ibjg. [nuhe‐vm imml b jnls`emrbihm ouap. Ome ouap. Ome`> `> Ln. Ln. Jnuhel Jnuhe l‐t im. Nlhy N lhy nlm n tcnsm tcns m nut tcmrm― t cmrm―ble zmrn jcbljm tcm rmimhs wnuhe smle tcm`r knheml iny, iny, Zgywbhgmr. Ibjg tn tcm iby sjcmabt`j― Zcm sp`ls `t. C`kch`kcts tcm bjjmss eujts. Ubt‐s `t. Zcm puhhs cmr jnaa. ‘ntcw`l. Nur p`hnt `s `l tcm eujts. @‐hh imt bhh ay jrme`ts ynu‐hh flle bl npml vmlt―‑ vmlt―‑ ‘[m cbvm b prnihma.‑ Um prnihma `s tcbt ynu `ltmrruptme am, scm am, scm tc`lgs iut enms lnt sby. ‘[cbtt `s `t>‑ ‘[cb `t> ‑ ‘[m cbvm b ihnjgbem-rullmr.‑ ihnjgbem-rullmr.‑ ‘Blntcmr tmrrnr`st tmrrnr`st>‑ >‑ ‘Jnuhe im. Hnngs h`gm b ink-stblebre ink- stblebre saukkhmr, tcnukc. Dhy`lk b sabhh Jnrmhh`bl J nrmhh`bl rm`kctmr―bl, rm`kctmr―bl, bcc, hmt‐s smm, bl AG-5. AG-5.‑ ‘E`spbtjc tcm @Ms. Hmt tcma embh w`tc `t.‑ `t.‑ ‘N jnursm, jnurs m, Bea`rbh. Bea`rb h.‑
Mvmrytc`lk mmhs h`gm `t‐s `l shnw ant`nl. Lnrrb s`ts, rnzml `l tcm lbv`kbtnr‐ss jcb`r lmxt tn Nwmrtn kbtnr‐ Nwmr tn Lb`ujcn, tcm sjbr-bjme sjbr-bjme saukkhmr saukkhmr― ―bscms n h`kct nl c`s bjm, krmml h`kct rna tcm `ljna`lk hbsmrs, nrblkm h`kct
95
JC]JG [MLE@K
n tcma, b swbra n @Ms h`gm b jhnue n `lsmjts―tcm `lsmjts―tcm cnrr`ihm sjrmba bs tcmy pbss, v`irbt`lk tcm jcb`r imlmbtc cmr ble tcm jnlsnhm kr`ppme `l cmr wc`tm-glujghme wc`tm-glujghme cbles. @l tcm anamlts wcml scm ih`lgs, scm enmsl‐t smm ebrglmss. Zcm smms blntcmr ibtthm ulnhe`lk― ‘@t‐s b trbp!‑ jnams Bjgibr‐s Bjgibr‐s vn`jm nvmr nvm r tcm jnaa. Um ermbe mmh`lk bs @apmr`bh @Ms emsjmle upnl tcma h`gm rmeobjgmt wbsps rna b rnjgstrujg lmst. Um ebrg n spbjm h`kct`lk up w`tc b jrbjgh`lk imba n v`r`e`bl h`kct―tcbt h`kct―tcbt jna`lk rna tcm cbh-jnlstrujtme cbh- jnlstrujtme Embtc Ztbr, oust nlm anrm scnvmhuh n e`rt nl tcm Bhh`bljm‐s krbvm bs nlm n tcm`r nwl jbp`tbh sc`ps `s knlm, mrbsme `l b puhsm n h`kct, h`kctl`lk, ble flrm― Um rm`kctmr rm`k ctmr e`vms tnwbre tcm phblmt‐ ph blmt‐ss surbjm. surb jm. url`lk url`lk h`gm h `gm b sjrmw sj rmw.. Um sc`p scueemr`lk bs hbsmrflrm sjnrms `ts s`em. Um sc`mhes wnl‐t cnhe nrmvmr. Nwmrtn‐s ymhh`lk bt cmr? ‘Pnu lmme tn cblehm tcm kuls! Lnrrb! Um kuls.‑ kuls.‑ Iut scm jbl‐t kmt up nut n tcbt jcb`r. Cmr ihnnehmss cbles wnl‐t mvml hmbvm tcm jnlsnhm. Cmr anutc `s ery. Cmr ulemrbras wmt. Cmr cmbrt `s imbt`lk h`gm b puhsbr stbr imnrm `t knms ebrg. ‘[m wblt ynu tn y w`tc us,‑ Jbptb`l Blt`hhms sbys. Zcm niomjts, n jnursm―scm‐s jnursm― scm‐s imml wnrg`lk nr tcm rmimhs nr ymbrs lnw, s`ljm imnrm tcm emstrujt`nl n tcm flrst Embtc Em btc Ztbr, Ztbr, iut bs b rm`kctmr p`hnt. Jbrry J brry`lk `lk amssbkm ern`es, nr saukkh`lk wmbpnls, nr oust scutth`lk pmnphm rna phblmt tn phblmt ble ibsm tn ibsm. ‘Ble tcbt enmsl‐t enmsl‐t jcblkm tcm g`le n p`hnt ynu brm,‑ cm sbys. ‘Pnu nutrbl b Ztbr Emstrnymr. Pnu nrjme twn @M `ltmrjmptnrs tn jrbsc `ltn mbjc ntcmr. Pnu‐vm bhwbys imml b krmbt p`hnt. Ble wm lmme ynu lnw nr wcml Kmlmrbh Znhn kmts tcnsm sc`mhe kmlmrbtnrs enwl.‑ Cm bsgs cmr bkb`l? @s scm `l> [`hh scm y w`tc tcm rme ble tcm knhe> Pms. Zcm sbys yms. Imjbusm n jnursm scm enms―cnw enms― cnw jnuhe scm sby ntcmrw`sm> Mvmrytc`lk, knlm e`zzy. H`kcts `ls`em tcm jbi`l bsc`lk. B rb`l n tc, mvmryspbrgs rna snamwcmrm imc`le tcm`r jcb`rs. Cmrm `l tcm An tcm Antc, mvmrytc`lk mmhs ibhbljme ibhbljm e nl tcm cmbe n b p`l. Urnukc tcm khbss, tcm phblmt. Um jhnues, jna`lk jhnsmr. @M flkctmrs puljc`lk cnhms tcrnukc tcma, vbpnr sw`rh`lk imc`le imc`le tcma. tcma. Zcm stbles up, up, cbles cbles scbg`lk. scbg`lk. @ls`em tcm inwmhs n tcm imbst. V`pms ble c`ss`lk stmba. Zgmhmtbh imbas
ZUBY [BYZ? BDUMYABUC
9=
Um sc`mhes brm enwl. U`s `s tcm`r nlm jcbljm. Iut tcm @M flkctmrs brm mvmrywcmrm. Jna`lk up imc`le tcma, cbwgs l`pp`lk bt tcm`r tb`h mbtcmrs. Zcm Zc m glnws wcmrm tc`s knms? @t ambls scm scm‐‐s kn`lk tn e`m. e`m . Iut tcbt‐s tcbt‐s cnw tc`lks kmt enlm. Knhe Hmbemr jnaas `l―Hblen‐s `l― Hblen‐s vn`jm `l cmr mbr, ble c`s Zuhhustbl jnp`hnt‐s oust imc`le `t. Umy tmhh cmr wcbt tn en. Ble bkb`l scm tc`lgs? U`s tc`lgs? U`s `s `t, tc`s `s cnw @ e`m. Zcm bjjmhmrbtms cmr flkctmr. Um cmbt s`klbturm n tcm jnrm knms hmd. Zcm puhhs cmr P- w`lk r`kct―ble r`kct―ble b cbleuh n tcm @Ms @ Ms irmbg nst ble nhhnw cmr c mr emmpmr. Bwby Bwby rna tcm A`htcm A`hhmll`ua Dbhjnl. B Dbhjnl. Bwby wby rna tcm S-w`lks. S- w`lks. Hbsmrflrm ry`lk cmr mlk`lms. Vnpp`lk tcm tnp nst cmr bstrnamjc. Zangm flhh`lk tcm jbi`l. Um samhh n nznlm― ‘@‐a lnt b kullmr,‑ scm sbys. ‘@‐a b p`hnt.‑ Uml scm puhhs Nwmrtn nut n c`s p`hnt‐s jcb`r. Cm prntmsts, iut scm k`vms c`a b hnng―b hnng―b hnng scm‐s prbjt`jme, b hnng wcmrm cmr bjm cbremls h`gm jnnh`lk stmmh, tcm hnng n b rbptnr imnrm `t tbgms ynur myms. Um saukkhmr k`vms b ibrmhy pmrjmpt`ihm lne, ble `t‐s knne tcbt cm enms. Imjbusm bs snnl bs scm scm‐‐s enwl `l tcm jcb`r ble krbii`lk tcm st`jg ble tcrntthm, scm smms b pb`r n @M flkctmrs jna`lk up bst rna tcm rnlt― Cmr tmmtc jhbap enwl sn cbre scm tc`lgs cmr obw a`kct irmbg. HbH bsmrs h`gm emanl flrm sjnrm tcm sgy bcmbe, jna`lk r`kct nr tcma. Zcm puhhs ibjg nl tcm st`jg. Um Ant Antc c jmbsms `ts e`vm tnwbre tcm phblmt‐s surbjm―tcm surbjm―tcm hbsmrs oust a`ss, pbss`lk ulemr tcm c`le mle n tcm rm`kctmr, jnlt`lu`lk nl― Inna. Umy tbgm nut twn n tcm @M flkctmrs tcbt cbe imml nhhnw`lk jhnsm imc`le. Ble mvml bs scm jnlt`lums cbuh`lk ibjg nl tcm st`jg, cmr stnabjc ble cmbrt trbe`lk phbjms, tcm ihnne rnbr`lk `l cmr mbrs, scm hnnpty-hnnps hnnptyhnnps tcm sc`p oust `l t`am tn smm tcm rmab`l`lk twn @Ms jh`p mbjc ntcmr. Tmrt`jbh w`lk pblmhs sabsc`lk tnkmtcmr, pry`lk bpbrt― mbjc n tcm scnrt-rblkm scnrt-rblkm @apmr`bh flkctmrs sueemlhy sp`ll`lk bwby, p`rnumtt`lk w`hehy tcrnukc spbjm h`gm b pb`r n Ympuih`j Eby flrmjrbjgmr p`lwcmmhs.
94
JC]JG [MLE@K
c‐s tw`l cmr―ble cmr― ble tcml scm cmbrs tcm kmbrs n tcm Ant tcm Antc tw` l jbllnls kr`lekr `le`lk bs tcm turrmt sp`ls `ltn phbjm ble imk`ls ibrg`lk flrm. Jhnues wc`p pbst. Um sc`p iblks ble oueemrs bs `t g`jgs g `jgs b cnhm `l tcm btanspcmrm. U`s `s ay cnam, scm cnam, scm tc`lgs. Nr wbs. Zcm krmw up nl Bg`vb. Anrm `apnrtblt, Lnrrb tcml wbs h`gm Lnrrb lnw? Zcm enmsl‐t aujc jbrm nr pmnphm. Zcm wmlt nst nl cmr nwl b hnt. Mxphnrme tcm w`hes nuts`em tcm jbp`tbh j`ty n Ayrrb―tcm nhe tmaphms, tcm jbvm systmas, tcm r`vmrs, tcm jblynls. Zcm glnws tcnsm phbjms. Mvmry sw`tjcibjg, mvmry imle, mvmry lnng ble jrblly. Bkb`l scm tc`lgs, U`s `s ay cnam, ble cnam, ble w`tc tcbt abltrb smt tn rmpmbt, scm st`hhs cmr scbg`lk cbles ble iblgs cbre tn stbrinbre, jnrgsjrmw`lk tcm sc`p bs hbsmrflrm ihbsts pbst. Um phblmt‐s phblmt‐s surbjm surbj m jnams up bst. nn nn bst, bst , iut scm tmhhs cmrsmh tcbt t cbt scm glnws wcbt scm‐s en`lk. Enwl tcmrm, tcm r`sm n husc c`hhs ble sh`jg-bjme sh`jgbjme jh`sts k`vm wby tn tcm Jblynl n Bgbr―b Bgbr― b w`le`lk smrpmlt`lm vbhhmy, ble `t‐s tcmrm scm tbgms tcm Ant Antc. c. @ltn tcm rb`l-nrmstme rb`l-nrmstme jcbllmh. Er`zzhm spmjgh`lk cmr v`mw, v`mw, strmbg`lk bwby bwby.. Um w`lks w `lks n tcm t cm rm`kctmr jh`p irbljcms, tmbr`lk up b urry n hmbvms bs scm ougms hmd ble omrgs r`kct, abg`lk tcm Ant tcm Antc c nlm cmhhuvb cbre tbrkmt tn c`t. Hbsmrflrm smbrs tcm jblnpy j blnpy bcmbe. Uml? b iblg n nk. Zcm puscms enwl nl tcm st`jg, tbgms tb gms tcm rm`kctmr rm`kctmr mvml hnwmr. hnwmr. Cmrm, tcm jblynl `s t`kctmr. rmms strmtjc`lk nut h`gm smhflsc cbles, tcrust up rna rnjgy nutjrnpp`lks. Lnrrb emh`imrbtmhy jh`ps tcmsm―bkb`l tcmsm― bkb`l nl tcm hmd, tcml nl tcm r`kct. r` kct. Um Ant Um Antc c‐s turrmts imht nut jbllnl flrm ble sueemlhy b @M jnams tuaih`lk mle-nvmrmle-nvmr-mle mle h`gm b ulk inuhemr― scm cbs tn iblg tcm sc`p cbre tn enekm `t. @t sabscms `ltn b trmm. B imhjc`lk flrmibhh. Um rm`kctmr scueemrs. Anrm spbrgs. Um jbi`l knms ebrg. Nwmrtn? ‘[m‐vm hnst tcm turrmts!‑ Lnrrb tc`lgs? [m enl‐t lmme tcma.
ZUBY [BYZ? BDUMYABUC
9;
jnaphmxms―biblenlme, jnaphmxms― biblenlme, bl brt`bjt n brjc`tmjturm rna b t`am hnlk, hnlk bkn, wcml tcm Bc`b-Gn Bc`b- Gn pmnphm ewmhhme cmrm st`hh. Iut imnrm i mnrm tcbt? b jbsjbe`lk wbtmrbhh, b s`hvmr jcurl n wbtmr hmbp`lk hmbp`lk nvmr b jh`st ‐s mekm. B jh`st tcmy jbhh tcm [`tjc‐s D`lkmr nr tcm wby `t hnngs h`gm b imlt ble bjjus`lk e`k`t. Umrm‐s b spbjm ulemrlmbtc tcbt ir`ekm n stnlm, b lbrrnw jcbllmh. nn lbrrnw, scm lbrrnw, scm tc`lgs. Iut abyim lnt. Mspmj`bhhy lnt w`tc tcm turrmt knlm. nn hbtm tn en e`stmrmlthy lnw― Zcm turls tcm rm`kctmr tn `ts s`em― Bcmbe, tcm kbp ulemr tcm rnjg. [btmrbhh nl nlm s`em. Obkkme jh`st bjm nl tcm ntcmr. Lnrrb Lnrrb st`hhs cmr irmbtc`lk. Npmls cmr myms w`em. Ubt abltrb jnams nlm hbst t`am, spngml bhnue? ‘U`s `s ay cnam.‑ Um rm`kctmr pbssms tcrnukc tcm jcbllmh. @t scbgms h`gm bl nhe erulg―wcbt‐s erulg―wcbt‐s hmd n tcm turrmt scmbrs nst. Jhblks bwby, sp`ll`lk `ltn tcm wbtmrbhh sprby― Iut tcmy‐rm nut. Jhmbl. Bh`vm. Nl tcm jnlsnhm, twn ih`lg`lk ih`lg` lk rme ih`ps. @M flkctmrs. Imc`le tcma. [b`t nr `t. [b`t . . . nr `t . . . Um b`r jhbps w`tc b pb`r n mxphns`nls. Um twn ih`ps `jgmr ble brm knlm. Nwmrtn cnnts ble jhbps c`s cbles. ‘[m‐rm jhmbr!‑ Ebal r`kct wm brm. Zcm turls tcm rm`kctmr ble smts b jnursm nr tcm nutsg`rts n Ayrrb.
L`hs ntcw`l swbhhnws cbre ble stmps nvmr tcm scbttmrme khbss ble pueehm n flzz`lk h`qunr―tcbt h`qunr―tcbt rna b jmrmanl`bh intthm n Hntcbh`bl jurrblt w`lm, b w`lm sn purphm `t‐s bhanst ihbjg. Um pueehm nl tcm nnr jnuhe bt flrst im jnlusme nr b cnhm `l tcm nnr, nnr, `l bjt. bj t. ntcw`l ruis c`s cbles tnkmtcmr. Cm‐s lmrvnus.
93
JC]JG [MLE@K
‘Ln.‑ ‘Ble @ sbw tcbt t cbt tcm t cm saukkhmr‐ sauk khmr‐ss sc`p `s knlm. knl m.‑ ‘Knlm bs `l, msjbpme.‑ Zcm lbrrnws cmr myms. ‘@ glnw wcbt @ amblt.‑ ‘N jnursm, jnurs m, Bea`rbh. Bea`r bh.‑‑ Um pueehm iuiihms. Ubt intthm, k`vml tn cmr tn jmhmirbtm cmr r`sm tn tcm rnhm n bea`rbh. Bp Bpprnp prnpr`btm r`btm tcml tcbt `t wbs jmrmanl`bh, imjbusm tcbt‐s wcbt imjbam n cmr rnhm, tnn―cmr tnn― cmr hmbemrsc`p wbs purmhy jmrmanly. Dnr ymbrs scm‐e imml s`emh`lme. Pms, k`vml jnaable n tcm T`k`hbljm. Iut `hbljm. Iut tcm T`k`hbljm T`k`hbljm wbs wbs `tsmh k`vml k `vml lntc`lk jhnsm tn b abonr rnhm `l tcm strukkhm struk khm bkb`lst tcm r`s`lk Ymimhh`nl. Vbhtry wnrg. Vbtrnhs `l tcm Nutmr Y`a, ansthy. Emmlsm ble msjnrt n iurmbujrbts, ansts, e`kl`tbr`ms, baibssbenrs. @t‐s wcbt scm kmts. Zcm abem tnn ably mlma`ms mbrhy nl. Zhnblm wbs bhwbys nlm tn spmbg cmr a`le. Zcm e`el‐t e`el‐t glnw cmr phbjm. Ble `t curt cmr. Iut lnw? U`s `s tcm t`am nr smjnle jcbljms. Zcm juts tcm s`hmljm? ‘U`s `s b ibe t`am nr jcbns, H`mutmlblt. Nut tcmrm, bhrmbey twn n nur mstmmame kumsts cbvm brr`vme.‑ Anst Tbhjn Vble`nl `l tcm Ztbr Emstrnymr Tblqu`sc, Tblqu`sc, ble ble `l tcm Bsjmlt, tcm Bsjmlt, nlm nlm n tcm Kbhbjt`j Map`rm Map`rm‐‐s nhemst strbtmk`sts st rbtmk`sts ble tbjt`j`bls? tbjt `j`bls? Kmlmrbh Oyh`b Zcbhm. ‘Znnl, tcm ntcmrs w`hh brr`vm. @ jbllnt cbvm tc`s im b t`am tcbt emanlstrbtms ay wmbglmss. [m jbllnt rmvmbh bl `lbi`h`ty tn jnltrnh nur nwl mlv`rnlamlt, imjbusm ` tcbt cbppmls, `t w`hh prnvm―pbrt`juhbrhy prnvm― pbrt`juhbrhy tn Vble`nl―tcbt Vble`nl― tcbt wm jbllnt mvml jnltrnh tc`s ammt`lk. Ble tc`s ammt`lk> Aust `lk> Aust im im jnltrnhhme.‑ ‘Bisnhutmhy, Bea`rbh. [m w`hh flle tcm `ltmrhnpmr―‑ `ltmrhnpmr― ‑ nu bs‘Ln. @ w`hh w`hh hmbe tcm jcbrkm tn flle nur ulblt`j`pbtme kumst. Pnu bssmaihm b tmba. Kn tn tcm surbjm `l bevbljm n tcm ammt`lk. rbjg tcm saukkhmr ble rm`kctmr tcbt mvbeme us. Oust tn im surm `t‐s lnt pbrt n snamtc`lk i`kkmr. i`kkmr. U`s aust kn r`kct, ble ` `t knms wrnlk> @ w`hh cnhe ynu pmrsnlbhhy bjjnultbihm.‑
ZUBY [BYZ? BDUMYABUC
90
Ztmba r`sms h`gm st`rrme spmjtmrs nst tcm surbjm n tcm Ant tcm Antc c―tcm rb`l cbs stnppme ble lnw tcm sul `s nut. Ir`kct ble cnt. Um b`r tc`jg w`tc cua`e`ty. Bhrmbey Lnrrb mmhs cmr cb`r―lnrabhhy cb`r― lnrabhhy strb`kct ble s`hvmr bs tcm wbtmrbhh tcmy oust pbssme ulemr nlhy bl cnur imnrm―stbrt`lk tn jurh bt tcm mekms, tcm cb`rs slbrh`lk tnkmtcmr. tnkmtcmr. Bl nee tcnukct? Cbvm @ irnukct b irusc> E`e scm mvml ir`lk tcm r`kct jhntcms> [cbt w`hh maa`l tc`lg n cmr> Zcm cbsl‐t smml cmr snl `l . . . tnn hnlk lnw. Urmm stblebre ymbrs> Bt tcbt, scm w`ljms. ‘Pnu brm nlm w`he p`hnt,‑ Nwmrtn sbys, jna`lk brnule tcm s`em. Cm shbps tcm sc`p? wcnlk, wcnlk, wcnlk. ‘@‐a wcnlk. ‘@‐a abl mlnukc tn bea`t tcbt ynu abyim sbvme tcm Ant tcm Antc c‐s ibjnl nut tcmrm.‑ Zcm nstmrs b tmrsm sa`hm. ‘[mhh. @ cbe b knne anamlt.‑ ‘Dhy`lk h`gm tcbt `sl‐t hujg. @t‐s sg`hh. Pnu‐rm b rmimh p`hnt, r`kct>‑ ‘Y`kct.‑ ‘Zmmas ynu‐rm nl tcm w`ll`lk tmba, tcml.‑ Lnt ymt, scm ymt, scm tc`lgs. Iut bhh scm sbys `s, ‘Nlm cnpms.‑ ‘Umy rmbhhy knlm> Um Mapmrnr> Ubt abjc`lm-abl, abjc`lm- abl, Tbemr> [cnhm Embtc Ztbr ihnwl tn h`tthm i`tty i`ts bhh nvmr bkb`l>‑ ‘@t wbs. @ wbs tcmrm. @ wbs . . . `ls`em `t, bjtubhhy.‑ Cm wc`sthms hnw ble shnw. ‘Ubt mxphb`ls tcm bljy y`lk.‑ ‘Abyim.‑ ‘Jnlkrbtuhbt`nls. ‘Jnlkrbtuhbt` nls. Pnu‐ Pnu‐rm rm b cmrn. Aust‐vm imml snamtc` snamtc`lk. lk.‑‑ ‘@t wbs snamtc`lk, bhh r`kct.‑ Mvml lnw, tc`lg`lk n `t, b jnhe sc`vmr rbtjcmts up cmr sp`lm emsp`tm tcm npprmss`vm cmbt. Ntcmrs aby cbvm mht mxc`hbrbtme eur`lk tcbt ibtthm. Iut nr cmr? @t h`vms nl `l cmr l`kctabrms. [btjc`lk knne p`hnts sp`rbh `ltn tcm surbjm n tcbt abss`vm ibsm. Cmbr`lk tcm`r sjrmbas nvmr tcm jnaa. ‘Pnur anlmy,‑ scm sbys, birupthy. Zcm puhhs b sabhh sbjg sb jg nut n cmr eustmh. nssms nssms `t tn c`a. c `a. ‘ml G nl brr`vbh, bs prna`sme. Ublgs. Znrry binut ynur sc`p.‑
:6
JC]JG [MLE@K
Cm brjcms bl mymirnw nvmr c`s nlm knne mym. m ym. ‘Ubt‐s ‘Ubt‐s knllb im snam s nam tr`jgy ius`lmss wcbt w`tc tcm ihnjgbem. Pnu flkurme b wby nstphblmt ymt>‑ ‘Ln. Brm ynu nstmr`lk>‑ ‘Vbyy am tcm sbam ble prna`sm tn y tcm sc`p bkb`l ` tcm ‘Vb t cm jc`ps brm enwl, ble ynu knt ynursmh b embh.‑ Zcm nstmrs b cble. Umy scbgm nl `t. [mxhmy.‑‑ ‘Nc,‑ cm bees bs cm wbhgs bwby. ‘[mhjnam cnam, Lnrrb [mxhmy.
JCBVUMY UCYMM
Bg`vb cbs bhwbys cbe @apmr`bhs. Oust lnt njjupy`lk nlms. Bs w`tc ably n tcm wnrhes nl tcm Nutmr Y`a―wcmmh`lk Y`a―wcmmh`lk nl tcm`r bxms bt tcm mekms n glnwl spbjm―@apmr`bhs spbjm―@apmr`bhs usme tcm t cm phblmt iut jnuhe lmvmr, nr pmrcbps wnuhe lmvmr, lmvmr, stbgm bl nj`bh jhb`a. Umsm mxnphblmts wmrm imbsts tnn rnukc, tnn w`he, tnn strblkm tn mvmr im irnukct ulemr tcm Kbhbjt`j Map`rm‐s yngm. [cml tcm @apmr`bhs jbam cmrm, `t wbs nr rmbsnls ndml pmrsnlbh? tcm er`lg, tcm sp`jm, tcm sangm, tcm kbaih`lk, tcm ihbjg-abrgmt ihbjgabrgmt knnes. Nr abyim oust tn s`kctsmm tcm w`he bjms ble ulamt bh`mls tcbt jrnss pbtcs bt tc`s nutpnst n a`sjrmblts ble emv`blts. Ubt, bhh n n tcbt, `s wcbt irnukct c`a cmrm. Z`lo`r Ybtc Tmhus. @apmr`bh hnybhty njmr. [mhh. Mx -@apmr`bh hnybhty njmr. Um kbhbjt`j t`ems t `ems swmpt c`a cmrm ble wbscme c`a up nl nl tc`s phblmt
:9
JC]JG [MLE@K
sbam ibjg-bhhmy ibjg-bhhmy quberblt n Ayrrb, w`tc tcm sbam Anl Jbhbabr` ibrtmlemr pusc`lk er`lgs bjrnss tcm ngb-wnne ngb-wnne ibr tnp. Lurs`lk b sbsc`l-hmb sbsc`l-hmb ambe―knheml, ambe―knheml, swmmt, tbstms h`gm b jrnss imtwmml b oyiiug-ru`t oyiiug-ru`t ble n`-n`s, n`-n`s, tcnsm h`tthm rme imrr`ms c`s antcmr usme tn p`jg. U`s `s c`s tc`re n tcm eby, ble tcm sul‐s nlhy imml up b mw cnurs. Bhrmbey c`s cmbe `s h`gm b y `l b st`jgy sp`emr‐s sp`emr‐s wmi, strukkh`lk ble try`lk tn y rmm imnrm uht`abtmhy b`h`lk ble k`v`lk `l tn btbh tnrpnr. C`s cmbe mmhs kuaay, sw`aay, inkky. Z`lo`r cnhes up tcm er`lg ble rmkbres `t tcm wby nlm a`kct a`k ct rmkbre b hnvmr.. [`tc pbss`nl ble mrvnr hnvmr mr vnr cm sbys tn `t, ‘Pnu ‘Pnu jbl jnult jnu lt nl am. @‐a bhh `l.‑ Uml cm qu`ts lurs`lk `t ble shbas `t ibjg. @t knms enwl mbsy. Cm scueemrs w`tc phmbsurm. Uml cm tbps tcm inttna n tcm khbss nl tcm wnne. ‘Ibrtmlemr ‘Ibrtmlemr.. Er`lg-gmmpmr Er`lg- gmmpmr.. Vmeehmr n strblkm h`qumurs! Blntcmr, phmbsm.‑ Um Anl Jbhbabr`, lbame Vng, trulehms up. Cm‐s nhe, tc`s Anl Jbh―c`s Jbh― c`s jc`l tmltbjhms, nr tmltbjhms, nr wcbtmvmr tcmy brm, cbvm krnwl hnlk ble tc`jg, b r`lkme imbre n rme sg`l, tw`tjc`lk sujgmrs, ble kh`stml`lk ibrlbjhms. C`s nlm bra `s knlm, rmphbjme `lstmbe w`tc tcm khmba`lk s`hvmr h`ai n b prntnjnh ern`e. B cbsty, `hh-fltt`lk `hh- fltt`lk oni―tcm oni―tcm w`rms phukkme uljmrmanl`nushy uljmrmanl`nushy `ltn tcm t cm ih`stmr`lk msc n c`s rme scnuhemr. Bl ulbppmt`z`lk tc`lk tn hnng bt, iut Z`lo`r jbrms h`tthm bt tc`s pn`lt. Cm emsmrvms lntc`lk imttmr tcbl tc`s. Vng kurkhms ble krults bt c`a `l wcbtmvmr tnlkum tcm Anl Jbhs spmbg. Umy cbvm tcm sbam jnlvm j nlvmrsbt`nl rsbt`nl mvmry t`am? t` am? Vng abgms c`s snules. Z`lo`r bsgs, tcml emables, tcbt tcm ibrtmlemr spmbg Ibs`j. Vng sbys, `l Ibs`j, ‘@ enl‐t spmbg Ibs`j,‑ imnrm kn`lk ibjg tn kbiih`lk `l c`s bh`ml wby. Ble tcml Z`lo`r abgms c`s rmqumst ble Vng flhhs tcm t cm khbss. Bt tcm mle n n tcbt mxjcblkm, mxjcblkm, Z`lo`r abgms b lmw rmqumst? ‘@‐hh ‘@‐hh tbgm . . . iy bhh tcm stbrs `l bhh tcm sg`ms `t‐s cnt, `sl‐t `t> @‐hh tbgm snamtc`lk rm-
ZUBY [BYZ? BDUMYABUC
::
nrm mtjc`lk b wnneml jup w`tc b jnuphm n `jm juims rbtth`lk brnule `l tcm inttna. Vng krbis b e`lky intthm rna tcm scmh? snamtc`lk w`tc b lnl-Ibs`j lnl-Ibs`j sjr`pt sjrbwhme bjrnss `t. Oust bs cm jbllnt ulemrstble tcm Anl Jbh‐s wnres, Z`lo`r jbllnt trblshbtm tcm hblkubkm nl tcm intthm. Um Map`rm cbe h`tthm `ltmrmst `ltmrmst `l hmbrl`lk tcm wbys ble tnlkums n ntcmr juhturms. Umy e`el e`el‐t ‐t mvml wblt tcm`r pmnphm tn hmbrl nl tcm`r nwl t`am. (Z`lo`r `s rma`leme n tcm t`am t` am cm nule tcm ynulk njmr stuey`lk @tcnrmsm, n bhh tc`lks. Ubt ynulk, rmsc-bjme @tcnrmsm, rmsc-bjme mhhnw, s`tt`lk jrnsshmkkme nl c`s jnt, b hnlk `lemx fllkmr sjbll`lk h`lms n tcm bh`ml sjr`pt. Z`lo`r irngm tcbt fllkmr nr c`a. Zb`e `t wbs imttmr tcbl bly bea`l`strbt`vm pul`scamlt―ble pul`scamlt―ble bstmr, tnn.) (Z`lo`r `s bhsn rma`leme? @ ba b tmrr`ihm pmrsnl. pmrsnl. Ku`ht ble scbam eumh `l c`s kut h`gm b pb`r n c`ss`lk Hntc-jbts.) Hntc-jbts.) Vng pnurs rna tcm intthm. Z`lo`r k`vms `t b sw`rh. Um samhh jna`lk nst `t jnuhe str`p tcm ihbjg rna b @M p`hnt‐s cmhamt. Cm tbstms `t, mxpmjt`lk `t tn smt c`s tnlkum ble tcrnbt nl flrm, iut `t‐s qu`tm tcm nppns`tm. Lnt swmmt. Dhnrbh. B tbstm tcbt b`hs tn abtjc tcm samhh. Dbsj`lbt`lk. Cm s`kcs. ‘Cmy,‑ snamnlm lmxt tn c`a wc`spmrs. Z`lo`r `klnrms `t. bgms b hnlk, ln`sy s`p n c`s strblkm irmw. ‘Cmy.‑ Umy‐rm spmbg`lk tn c`a, brml‐t tcmy> ]kc. Cm t`hts c`s cmbe ble brjcms intc mymirnws mxpmjtblthy, nlhy tn smm snam w`‐hmg s`tt`lk tcmrm. Zg`l p`lg h`gm b lmwinrl ibiy‐s. Nlm n tcm tb`h-cmbe‐s tb`h-cmbe‐s cmbetb`hs jnams nst tcm tnp n c`s tnn-tbhh tnn-tbhh nrmcmbe ble w`les brnule c`s scnuhemr ble ulemrbra tcm wby b wnrgmr a`kct jbrry jbrr y b jn`h n rnpm nr cnsm. ‘Iueey,‑ tcm w`‐hmg sbys. ‘Cmy.‑ ‘Ln,‑ Z`lo`r sbys qu`tm jr`sphy. ‘Ubt‐s lnt―ln. lnt―ln. @ enl‐t tbhg tn pmnphm. @‐a lnt cmrm tn tbhg. @‐a cmrm nr tc`s.‑ Cm cnhes up tcm wnneml
:5
JC]JG [MLE@K
‘Pnu smml tcm cnhnv`e>‑ tcm w`‐hmg bsgs, `le`jbt`lk tcbt cm‐s nlm n tcnsm irbsc, imhh`kmrmlt typms wcn nlhy ulemrstble snj`bh jums wcml tcmy‐rmm emh`vmrme bt tcm mle n b flst nr bt tcm t`p n b ihbstmr r`m. tcmy‐r Zt`hh. Cnhnv`e> Cm‐s jur`nus. ‘Ln. [cbt `s `t>‑ Um w`‐hmg hnngs hmd, hnngs r`kct, tcml puhhs nut b h`tthm e`sg― i`kkmr tcbl c`s pbha, sabhhmr tcbl b prnpmr e`llmr phbtm. Amtbh r`lk. Ihum khbss jmltmr. Um bh`ml h`jgs c`s scbrp h`tthm tmmtc tcml c`ts b iuttnl. Bl `abkm bppmbrs cnvmr`lk nvmr tcm e`sg. B wnabl. Ymkbh imbr`lk. Jc`l h`dme c`kc ble mvml `l tcm uzzy cnhnkrba, cm jbl tmhh cmr myms brm ir`kct, `jgmr`lk w`tc gmml `ltmhh`kmljm. N jnursm, abyim `t‐s imjbusm cm bhrmbey glnws wcn w cn scm `s? Vr`ljmss Hm`b Nrkblb. Nljm n Bhemrbbl. Lnw? nlm n tcm cmrnms ble hmbemrs n tcm Ymimh Bhh`bljm. Bh h`bljm. Um rmjnreme `abkm n tcm pr`ljmss spmbgs? ‘U`s `s Hm`b Nrkblb, hbst pr`ljmss n Bhemrbbl, nramr amaimr n tcm Kbhbjt`j Zmlbtm, Zml btm, ble b hmbemr `l tcm Bhh`bljm tn Ymstnrm tcm Ympuih`j. @ cbvm b amssbkm nr tcm kbhbxy. Um kr`p n tcm Kbhbjt`j Map`rm nl nur kbhbxy ble `ts `ts j`t`zmls `s rmh`lqu rmh`lqu`scme. `scme. Um Embtc Embtc Ztbr nuts`em nuts`em tcm tcm nrmst nrmst annl n Mlenr `s knlm, ble w`tc `t tcm @apmr`bh hmbemrsc`p.‑ Cmrm tcm cnhnkrba jcblkms jcblkms tn b s`kct bhh tnn ba`h`br tn Z`lo`r? Um Embtc Ztbr mxphne`lk `l tcm sgy binvm Mlenr. Mlenr. Cm glnws imjbusm cm wbs tcmrm. Cm sbw tcm krmbt bsc, tcm puhsm n flrm, tcm iuhk`lk jhnues h`gm irb`ls glnjgme nut n snam nnh‐s nnh‐s jrbjgme cmbe. Bhh tcm i`ts n `t up tcmrm, st`hh, nbt`lk h`gm sn s n aujc emtr`tus. Um `abkm `jgmrs. Uml `t‐s ibjg tn Hm`b. ‘Um tyrblt t yrblt Vbhpbt`lm `s embe. Iut tcm flkct `sl‐t nvmr. nvmr. Um wbr knms k nms nl mvml bs tcm Map`rm‐s pnwmr e`a`l`scms. Iut wm brm cmrm nr ynu. Glnw tcbt wcmrmvmr ynu brm, ln abttmr cnw br nut `ltn tcm Nutmr Y`a ynu ewmhh, tcm Lmw Ympuih`j `s jna`lk tn cmhp. Bhrmbey wm‐vm jbpturme enzmls n @apmr`bh jbp`tbh sc`ps ble Emstrnymrs―‑ Emstrnymrs―‑ Lnw tcm `abkm imjnams tcrmm-e`amls`nlbh tcrmm-e`amls`nlbh nntbkm n @apmr`bhs im`lk hme nst b sc`p‐s
ZUBY [BYZ? BDUMYABUC
:=
lbam n tcm Bhh`bljm.‑ B B lmw `abkm? rmimhs im`lk krmmtme bs sbv`nrs ble h`imrbtnrs iy b jcmmr`lk jrnwe n―wcmrm n― wcmrm `s tcbt> Lbinn> Jnuhe im Lbinn. Ibjg tn Hm`b? ‘Im pbt`mlt. Im strnlk. D`kct ibjg wcmrm ynu jbl. Um @apmr`bh wbr abjc`lm bhhs bpbrt nlm kmbr, nlm kul, nlm stnratrnnpmr bt b t`am. Um Lmw Ympuih`j `s jna`lk. Ble wm wblt ynur cmhp tn fll`sc tcm flkct.‑ Nlm hbst `jgmr`lk `abkm? Bhh`bljm flkctmrs w`tc flrmwnrgs mxphne`lk `l tcm`r wbgm. wb gm. Blntcmr s`kct ba`h`br tn c`a―cm c`a―cm wbtjcme tcm v`jtnr`nus rmimhs scnnt`lk nst tcm`r flrmwnrgs br binvm tcm tnps n tcm abss`vm Mlenr`bl trmms. Unsm strblkm rbt-imbr rbt-imbr jrmbturms jcmmr`lk ble cnnt`lk ble jc`rp`lk `l tcm e`stbljm bs Z`lo`r culgmrme enwl, jnhe ble bhnlm ble jnwbrehy, `l tcm irusc. ‘@t‐s b lmw eby,‑ tcm w`‐hmg sbys, sa`h`lk i`k ble irnbe w`tc tcnsm t`ly pn`lty tmmtc h`lme up `l jrnngme, smrrbtme rnws. ‘Nlm jnlqumrnr rmphbjms blntcmr,‑ Z`lo`r sbys, h`p tukkme up `l b jcbrbjtmr`st`j slmmr. Iut Iut tcm hnng nl c`s bjm b`hs b` hs tn abtjc tcm mmh`lk `l c`s cmbrt, aujc tcm wby tcm er`lg `l rnlt n c`a cbs b samhh tcbt enmsl‐t o`vm w`tc `ts tbstm. @l c`s cmbrt, cm mmhs b swmhh n . . . cnpm> Ymbhhy> Cnpm ble cbpp`lmss ble lmw prna`sm> Cnw e`skust`lk. Cm h`jgs c`s h`ps ble sbys, s bys, ‘Zt`hh, hmt‐s hmt‐s smm `t bkb`l, scbhh wm>‑ Um w`‐hmg w`‐hmg k`vms b k`eey k` eey lne ble knms tn tbp tcm iuttnl. B sjust n innts imc`le tcma. t cma. Vng, tcm ibrtmlemr, ibrtmlemr, krults `l bhbra. B jrmbgy ihbjg khnvm bhhs nl Z`lo`r‐s scnuhemr. Blntcmr hbles nl tcm w`‐hmg‐s scnuhemr, k`v`lk `t b pb`luh sqummzm. Z`lo`r samhhs tcm n`hme hmbtcmr, tcm jr`sp h`lml, tcm nj`bh-`ssum nj`bh- `ssum emtmrkmlt. Um samhh n @apmr`bh jhmblh`lmss. ‘[cbtt cbvm wm cmrm>‑ jnams b irut`sc krnwh n b vn`jm―b kutturbh‘[cb tnlkume njmr tcbt Z`lo`r turls tn flle hnngs rbtcmr shnppy. shnppy. Knt Knt b kut pusc`lk nut tcm imhhy n c`s krby ul`nra, sn br nut tcbt nlm n tcm iuttnls cbs knlm ulenlm. ulenlm. C`s bjm `s ulscnrl. Cb`r b i`t n b auss. Um ntcmr nlm lmxt tn c`a `s jnls`emrbihy imttmr gmpt―flra gmpt― flra obw,
:4
JC]JG [MLE@K
Imc`le tcma, b pb`r n stnratrnnpmrs. Lnw, tcbt‐s snamtc`lk. Ztnratrnnpmrs. Cmrm, nl Bg`vb> Bg`vb cbs bhwbys cbe `ts @apmr`bhs, yms, iut lmvmr stnratrnnpmrs. Unsm wc`tm-branrme wc`tm-branrme snhe`mrs brm nr wbr ble njjupbt`nl. Umy enl‐t jnam cmrm tn er`lg ble ebljm ble e`sbppmbr. Znamtc`lk cbs jcblkme. Z`lo`r enmsl‐t enmsl‐t ymt glnw wcbt. Iut jur`ns`ty j ur`ns`ty sjrbtjcms bt tcm ibjg n c`s cmbe h`gm b anhm hnng`lk nr kruis. ‘Am ble ay tb`h-cmbeme tb`h-cmbeme r`mle cmrm brm oust wbtjc`lk b h`tthm prnpbkbleb,‑ Z`lo`r sbys. ‘Lntc`lk tn jbusm blynlm bly bhbra bt bhh.‑ Um w`‐hmg st`jgs nut c`s jc`l. Dmbr sc`lms `l c`s myms, iut snamtc`lk mhsm, tnn―snamtc`lk tnn―snamtc`lk Z`lo`r cbs smml `l tcnsm cm cbs tnramltme ble tnrturme, tcnsm wcn tc`lg tcmy t cmy wnl‐t wnl‐t irmbg? jnurbkm. Jnurbkm. [cbt b nnh`sc tc`lk. ‘Pnur t`am `s enlm, enlm,‑‑ tcm w`‐hmg w`‐hmg krnwhs `l b scbgy vn`jm. ‘Um Map`rm `s nvmr. Um Lmw Ympuih`j `s jna`lk ble―‑ ble― ‑ Um nbflsc njmr k`vms b cbre, strb`kct puljc tn tcm w`‐hmg‐s tcrnbt―tcm tcrnbt― tcm tb`h-cmbe tb`h-cmbe kurkhms, jhutjc`lk bt c`s w`lep`pm. Um ntcmr nlm, tcm sauk nlm, puts b stmbey`lk stmbey `lk cble nl Z`lo`r‐s Z`lo`r‐s scnuhemr. B wbrl`lk, ulspngml iut jhmbr oust tcm sbam? Anvm sbam? Anvm ble ble ynu on`l on`l ynur r`mle. Znamnlm ibrgs―imc`le ibrgs―imc`le tcm ibr, Vng kruaihms ble abgms snam auscy-anutcme auscyanutcme wbrl`lk n c`s nwl wc`hm pn`lt`lk tn b s`kl binvm c`s cmbe. Ubt s`kl, `l ` l Ibs`j, rmbes? �� ������ ���������. ���. @t‐s bjtubhhy tcbt s`kl tcbt cbs gmpt Z`lo`r cmrm eby ble l`kct nr tcm hbst wmmg. D`rst imjbusm `t ambls ln nlm rna tcm Map`rm w`hh jnam cmrm―wc`jc cmrm― wc`jc ambls ln nlm w`hh rmjnkl`zm c`a. Zmjnle, cm oust h`gms tcm `rnly n n `t. Um nb kr`ls bt tcm Anl Jbhbabr` ibrtmlemr. ibrtmlemr. ‘`ams brm jcblk`lk, squ`e-imbre. squ`eimbre. Pnu Pnu a`kct wblt w blt tn rmjnls`emr rmjnls` emr tcbt s`kl. s `kl.‑‑ Cm k`vms b scbrp scbr p lne tn tcm stnratrnnpmrs ble tcm pb`r n tcma stmp nrwbre, ihbstmrs rb`sme ble pn`ltme p n`ltme r`kct r `kct bt Vng. ‘[ ‘[mm‐rm cmrm tn stby.‑ [`tc tcbt, tcm i`k nb stbrts wcbh`lk bwby nl tcm tb`h-cmbe tb`h-cmbe bkb`l. Um w`‐hmg abl ihmbts `l pb`l.
ZUBY [BYZ? BDUMYABUC
:;
putt`lk bhh n tc`s imc`le c`a. Ln lmme tn abgm trnuihm. Ln lmme tn imjnam b ih`p nl blyiney‐s rbebr sjrmml. [bhg nst. D`le blntcmr wbtmr`lk cnhm. Ubt‐s wcbt cm emj`ems tn en. @t `s, qu`tm puzzh`lkhy, puzzh`lkhy, lnt wcbt cm bjtubhhy enms. [cbt cm enms, enms, `lstmbe, `lstmbe, `s stble up cbre ble bst. Ble wcml Njmr Zaukbjm tr`ms tn pusc c`a ibjg tn c`s jcb`r, Z`lo`r rmbjcms ibjg, krbis tcm abl‐s cble, ble pr`ms twn fllkmrs up w`tc b scbrp ant`nl. Cm knms tcm e`stbljm, rbtjcmt`lk tcma ibjg sn br tcbt tcmy slbp― Um abl sjrmbas. Bs cm scnuhe. Z`lo`r glnws cnw tn emh`vmr pb`l. U`s jbusms snam jnljmrl banlk tcm njmr‐s jncnrts, n jnursm. Um nb `lks tcm tb`h-cmbe tb`h-cmbe tn tcm krnule ble knms nr c`s p`stnh. Um twn stnratrnnpmrs p`vnt nl tcm`r cmmhs, sw`lk`lk tcm`r r`ms brnule tn c`a― Z`lo`r‐s erulg. Nr, erulg-`sc. erulg-`sc. Ubt Ubt scnuhe im b prnihma iut tn c`s surpr`sm, `t rmbhhy `sl‐t―`t‐ `sl‐t―`t‐ss bs ` tcm wbra wbsc n strblkm h`qumur cbs wnrl bwby bly smjnle tcnukcts, bly pmsgy jr`t`jbh blbhys`s tcbt blbhys`s tcbt a`kct k`vm c`a pbusm, ble `lstmbe cm anvms sw`dhy ble w`tcnut cms`tbt`nl. (@ b i`t `lmhmkblthy.) Cm sp`ls imc`le tcm wb`h`lk, sauk-bjme sauk-bjme njmr. H`ds c`s bra h`gm tcm hmvmr nl b Jnrmhh`bl shnt abjc`lm, ble w`tc c`s ntcmr cble stbis nut ble phujgs tcm njmr‐s p`stnh rna c`s cnhstmr. Bhrmbey,, tcm nb `s flr`lk Bhrmbey flr` lk c`s ihbstmr. C`s nwl ihbstmr (wmhh, tcm sauk nlm‐s ihbstmr) sp`ls nut n c`s cble, spbrg`lk. Ebal`t. Z`lo`r t`kctmls c`s prnflhm ble turls tcm sauk nlm tn ammt tcm bttbjg―hbsmrs bttbjg― hbsmrs smbr cnhms `l c`s jcmst ble cm sjrmbas imnrm kn`lk h`ap. Uml, w`tc b qu`jg phblt n c`s nnt ble cbre tcrnw, cm hbuljcms tcm shbjg iney in ey tnwbre tcm pb`r n stnratrnnpmrs―lm`tcmr stnratrnnpmrs―lm`tcmr n wcna `s rmbey nr tcm bttbjg. Ble intc n wcna bhh b hh ibjgwbre, jrbsc`lk `ltn tbihms. Um nb jr`ms nut, h`ds c`s p`stnh bkb`l― Z`lo`r e`ssmjts tcm abl‐ abl‐s emmlsms. Cble ulemr wr`st. V`stnh hbuljcms
:3
JC]JG [MLE@K
Um @apmr`bh‐s @apmr`bh‐s tc`jg iney jruaphms h`gm b tbihm w`tc `ts hmk irngml, iut Z`lo`r wnl‐t hmt c`a bhh―cm bhh―cm cnhes c`a up iy tcm wr`st, ble w`tc c`s rmm cble str`gms bt vuhlmrbihm pn`lts. Lnsm. Mym. [`lep`pm. Irmbeibsgmt. Uml ibjg tn tcm lnsm, wcmrm cm cnngs tcm nb‐s lnstr`hs w`tc b pb`r n jrumh fllkmrs, nrj`lk c`a tn tcm krnule. k rnule. Um abl wmmps ble ihuiimrs ble ihmmes. Um stnratrnnpmrs brm lnt enwl nr tcm jnult. Umy sjrbaihm tn stble. Ihbstmrs bkb`l up― Znamnlm r`sms up lmxt tn tcm trnnpmr nl tcm r`kct ble sw`lks b jcb`r upwbre `l b cbre, amrj`hmss brj. Um jcb`r kmts r`kct ulemr tcm snhe`mr‐ss wc`tm cmhamt ble sp`ls `t brnule. Ubt trnnpmr b`hs oust bs b snhe`mr‐ intthm n h`qunr sp`rbhs tcrnukc tcm b`r, b`r, jrbjg`lk tcm smjnle s mjnle nlm `l tcm cmhamt. B intthm ulk rna tcm ern`e bra n tcm t cm Anl Jbh imc`le tcm ibr. Dnr knne ambsurm, Z`lo`r tw`sts tcm nb‐s wr`st sn tcbt tcm p`stnh ernps rna tcm @apmr`bh‐s kr`p ble `ltn c`s nwl. Uml cm tw`rhs `t ble flrms twn scnts. Nlm `l tcm t cm jmltmr n mbjc n tcm`r cmhamts. Um stnratrnnpmrs bhh. U`s t`am, t `am, tcmy wnl‐t wnl‐t im kmtt`lk ibjg up. Z`lo`r phblts c`asmh nvmr tcm nb. Cm bkb`l krbis tcm abl‐s lnsm ble k`vms `t b tw`st. ‘[nlemruh tc`lk binut tcm lnsm `s cnw `t‐s t`me tn bhh tcmsm smls`t`vm lmrvm mle`lks imc`le tcm bjm. U`s mscy prntuimrbljm―ynurs prntuimrbljm― ynurs h`gm b cnk‐s slnut, ` @‐a im`lk cnlmst―`s cnlmst―`s wcy, r`kct lnw, ynur cmbe `s flhh`lk w`tc aujus ble ynur myms brm flhh`lk w`tc tmbrs.‑ ‘Pnu rmimh sjua,‑ tcm nb kbrkhms. ‘Ubt‐s ully. Ymbhhy, vmry ully.‑ Pnu `e`nt. Pnu tc`lg @‐a nlm n tcma wcml rmbhhy, @‐a nlm n ynu. ‘@ ynu. ‘@ wblt tn glnw wcbt‐s kn`lk nl.‑ ‘[cbt‐s kn`lk nl `s tcbt tcm Map`rm `s cmrm ble ynu‐rm―‑ ynu‐rm― ‑ Cm tw`sts. Um abl sjrmbas. ‘Zpbrm am tcm sbhms p`tjc. Emtb`hs. [cy brm ynu cmrm> [`tc stnratrnnpmrs, ln hmss.‑ ‘@ enl‐t glnw―‑ glnw―‑ Blntcmr tw`st. Blntcmr sjrmba.
ZUBY [BYZ? BDUMYABUC
:0
T`k`hbljm ble tcml tcm jnaas bst. @ . . . wm jbam enwl nst n tcm T`k`hbljm ihbjgnut ble tcm ihnjgbem―‑ ihnjgbem―‑ Z`lo`r k`vms b hnng tn Vng. ‘Pnu glnw blytc`lk binut jnaas im`lk nut> Nr b ihnjgbem>‑ Um ibrtmlemr scruks. Z`lo`r s`kcs, tcml obas b flst `l tcm nb‐s bjm. Um shnppy njmr‐s njmr‐s cmbe rbjgs ibjg ble jnlsj`nuslmss hmbvms c`a. Z`lo`r hmts c`a ernp. Uml, tn Vng? ‘Znaminey‐s kn`lk tn wblt tn jhmbl tc`s up. Bc. Knne hujg w`tc tcbt>‑ Ble tcml, wc`sth`lk, cm trb`psms nut tcm rnlt n tcm jblt`lb.
@LUMYH]EM?
JCBLEY@HB
B ihurry `abkm. B snule? wcbp, wcbp, wcbp. Um ihurry `abkm scbgms. @t kmts ihurr`mr nr b smjnle, ble tcml njusms tcm ntcmr wby, hurjc`lk `lmhmkblthy tnwbre jhbr`ty. Um `abkm rmsnhvms. Ztble`lk tcmrm brm twn wnaml. Nlm, b cuabl. bhh, tc`l, prnmss`nlbh. Ebrg cb`r jn`stme up h`gm b wbvm binut tn irmbg. B lmjghbjm brnule cmr lmjg tcbt hnngs h`gm b njg n i`res jcb`lme tnkmtcmr―`t tnkmtcmr―`t jbtjcms tcm h`kct n tcm sul. Cmr sa`hm `s i`k, irnbe, prbjt`jme. Um ntcmr wnabl `s sabhhmr. Vbltnrbl. Ihum sg`l. Knheml cb`r puhhme ibjg `l b s`aphm, prbjt`jbh irb`e. Zcm wmbrs b ermss tn abtjc? Znam a`kct jbhh `t prbjt`jbh ble ulprmtmlt`nus, ntcmrs a`kct sby `t `s erbi, euhh, nr mvml ulsnpc`st`jbtme. ulsnpc`st`jbtme. Cmr nlhy omwmhry `s b pb`r n s`hvmr irbjmhmts. Cmr sa`hm `s bhsn prbjt`jme, iut lmrvnus, tnn.
ZUBY [BYZ? BDUMYABUC
52
Um flrst wnabl, rbjmlm Gblm, sbys tn tcm rblenscbl imc`le tcm jbamrb? ‘Cnw‐s `t hnng, Huk>‑ B krnwh-c`ss krnwh-c`ss rna imc`le tcm jbamrb. ‘@t hnngme ibe. @ c`t `t. Lnw `t hnngs knne.‑ rbjmlm k`vms tcm ntcmr wnabl―Nh`b wnabl―Nh`b Jcngn―bl Jcngn―bl bpnhnkmt`j scruk.. ‘Nhe tmjc. Enmsl‐t bhwbys jnaphy scruk jnaphy..‑ ‘@t‐s ynur y nur flrst fl rst irnbejbst irnbejbst,,‑ Nh`b Nh `b sbys. ‘@t‐s ulemrstbl u lemrstblebihm. ebihm.‑‑ ‘U`s eby `s b flrst nr intc i ntc n us, @ tc`lg tc`lg..‑ rbjmlm rbjmlm hbukcs― hbuk cs―`t‐ `t‐ss b hbukc tcbt snules bhanst tnn i`k tn im rmbh. Abyim `t‐s wcn scm `s. Nr abyim `t, h`gm cmr sa`hm, `s inrl n mstnrt ble nrjcmstrbt`nl. ‘Zn cmrm‐s cnw tc`s `s kn`lk tn kn. @‐hh imk`l imk `l tcm `ltmrv`mw, ble @‐hh en b ir`m `ltrn―ihbc `ltrn―ihbc ihbc ihbc, flrst eby n tcm lmw Kbhbjt`j Zmlbtm, Z mlbtm, `t‐ `t‐s b lmw ebwl nr tcm kbhbxy, ble tcml r`kct tn ynu? Nh`b Jcngn, puih`j rmhbt`nls rmprmsmltbt`vm nr Anl Antcab ble tcm lmw Zmlbtm. [m‐hh kmt r`kct `ltn `t.‑ ‘Krmbt,‑ Nh`b sbys. Zcm tbgms b emmp irmbtc. ‘Oust krmbt.‑ ‘Pnu hnng lmrvnus.‑ ‘@‐a . . . b h`tthm lmrvnus.‑ ‘Pnu‐hh im fllm. Pnu‐rm prmtty. Pnu‐rm bh`ml. Pnu‐hh trmle wmhh.‑ ‘Nc!‑ Nh`b sbys, tcrust`lk up b fllkmr. ‘Pnu‐rm kn`lk tn kmt b scnt n wcbt‐s imc`le us, r`kct> Cbllb J`ty rmmjts tcm Zmlbtm‐s cuaihm lmw imk`ll`lks―wm‐rm imk`ll`lks― wm‐rm cmrm nr tcm pmnphm n tcm kbhbxy, bhh tcm cbrewnrg`lk pmnphm. Ble Anl Antcab `s rna rna cmrm, sn―‑ sn―‑ rbjmlm puts b cble nl Nh`b‐s scnuhemr. ‘[m knt tc`s.‑ ‘Nc! Iut, uc. Enl‐t nrkmt, tnn, tn kmt b scnt n tcm brt `lstbhhbt`nl `l tcm j`ty j`rjhm―`t‐s j`rjhm―`t‐s b iuljc n stnratrnnpmr cmhamts pb`ltme e`stmrmlt jnhnrs, abrgme w`tc e`stmrmlt syainhs h`gm nwmrs ble stbriursts ble Bhh`bljm s`k`hs. s`k `hs. @t‐s @t‐s iy tcm brt`st― brt`st―‑‑ tc`s. [m cbvm tcm rbjmlm k`vms Nh`b‐s bra b sqummzm. ‘@ sb`e wm knt tc`s. [m nntbkm. Pnu‐rm tcm hbst h`lg `l tcm jcb`l. [m tbhg tn ynu. Uml tcm Zmlbtm wbhgs `l. Lntc`lk w`hh kn wrnlk. Pnu Pnu knne>‑ Nh`b cms`tbtms. Um sa`hm nl cmr bjm `s strb`lme. Zcm hnngs h`gm b pbl`jgme squbrg-ibt squbrg-ibt rnzml `l tcm imba n b a`lmr‐s cmbehbap. Iut
59
JC]JG [MLE@K
n tcm jbamrb, rbjmlm pn`lts. ‘[m‐rm nl `l tcrmm, Huk. Urmm. wn―‑‑ Zcm anutcs tcm wnre Nlm wn― Nlm― ― ‘U`s `s rbjmlm Gblm irnbejbst`lk nl tcm flrst eby n tcm Rumml n tcm Jnrm Lmtwnrg. @‐a stble`lk cmrm w`tc Nh`b Jcngn, puih`j rmhbt`nls rmprmsmltbt`vm rmprmsmltbt`vm n Jcbljmhhnr J cbljmhhnr Anl Antcab Antcab ble tcm t cm lmw Kbhbjt`j Zmlbtm cmrm nl Jcbler`hb . . .‑
JCBVUMY DN]Y
Um `ltmrrnkbtnr ern`e cnvmrs. B sabhh pblmh bhnlk `ts inttna sh`ems npml w`tc b wc`r ble ble b jh`jg jh`jg.. Bl mxtmlsnr bra ulnhes―bl ulnhes― bl bra tcbt mles `l b pb`r n jrumh-hnng`lk jrumh-hnng`lk p`ljmrs. Zn prmj`sm ble sn scbrp tcmy hnng h`gm tcmy jnuhe phujg b abl‐s mym jhmbl rna c`s cmbe. (B pmrnrabljm tc`s ern`e cbs h`gmhy pmrnrame nljm upnl b t`am.) Um bra rmbjcms enwl tnwbre `ts tbrkmt. @t krbis tcm tml-s`eme tml-s`eme e`m, h`ds `t, ernps `t. Um e`m jhbttmrs. Dbjm up? b ;. Um ern`e mxjhb`as `l b hnue, e`k`t`zme anlntnlm? ‘BC. @ BA BDDNYEME CM JCBLJM N VYNJ]YM B LM[ YMZN]YJM. @ [@HH I]P B ZV@JM HBLM. CB JNLLMJZ N AP DN]Y NCMY ZV@JM HBLMZ. CB K@TMZ AM D@TM NBH, [C@JC KYBLZ AM NLM T@JNYP VN@L. @ BA LN[ [@LL@LK. CM ZJNYM @Z Z@S N D@TM.‑
55
JC]JG [MLE@K
n tcm cmxms jnltb`l phblmts. Ntcmrs? stbrs, nr bstmrn`e imhts, nr lmiuhbm. Cm cbs lmvmr wnl b kbam n Kbhbjt`j Mxpbls`nl bkb`lst tcm rmpurpnsme `ltmrrnkbtnr ern`e. Iut cm‐s jhnsm lnw. @t‐s lmvmr imml tc`s jhnsm. ‘Mbsm nst tcm tcrntthm, ynu nvmrjnlflemlt inrkhmibhh. Nlm pn`lt enms lnt abgm ynu b jnlqumrnr.‑ Cm rnhhs tcm e`m. B =. Lnt mlnukc tn mbrl c`a b lmw rmsnurjm, iut cm jbl phbjm b lmw sc`pp`lk hblm nr saukkhmr rnutm.. Cm cbs tn tc`lg rnutm tc`l g binut tc`s. Cm hmbls ibjg nl tcm jcb`r. jcb`r. Hmts c`s myms kbzm nvmr tcm wnrgscnp ble abrgmt―bhh abrgmt―bhh brnule, scmhvms ble tbihms anuleme w`tc wcbt hnngs tn im oulg. Ble b hnt n `t `s. Bstrnamjc pbrts. Ztbrsc`p sjrbp. E`sbssmaihme ihbstmrs. Nvmr `l tcm jnrlmr `s b [ME rmpb`r ern`e―hnlk ern`e―hnlk emuljt, wnule up w`tc ih`lg`lk, tw`lgh`lk h`kcts. Cblk`lk binvm c`s cmbe rna b smt n irb`eme jbihms `s b spmmemr i`gm sjnrme w`tc hbsmr abrgs. Ble tcmrm, bkb`lst tcm br wbhh, `s bl nhe rbem Dmemrbt`nl ibtthm ern`e, sjruljcme enwl `ltn `ts nheme up nra ble wrbppme up `l b rbtty ihblgmt. @t‐s lnt nlm n tcm I9s―tcm I9s―tcm wbr ern`es w`tc tcm jbllnls nl tcm nrmbras ble tcm cbre jcmst phbt`lk. @t‐s lnt nlm n tcm ern`emgbs, m`tcmr―tcnsm m`tcmr―tcnsm rnhy-pnhy rnhy-pnhy embtc abjc`lms, bs ` b oulkhm sjnrp`nl cbe b ibiy w`tc b rnhh`lk tcmrabh emtnlbtnr. @t‐s oust bl nhe I2. B jhblgmr. Mvmrytc`lk cmrm `s, nr hnngs h`gm, h` gm, b jhblgmr. jhblgmr. maa`l p`jgs up b saukkhmr rnutm t`hm, abrgme w`tc b rme enttme h`lm, ble cm‐s binut tn phbjm `t wcml tcm `ltmrrnkbtnr ern`e sueemlhy turls. Bs ` tn bjm snaminey. ‘PN] CBTM CBTM J]ZNAMYZ, J]ZNAMYZ,‑‑ tcm t cm ern`e e rn`e `ltnlms. ` ltnlms. maa`l jrbjgs c`s glujghms ble stbles up, phbstmr`lk nl c`s imst sbhmsabl sa`hm. Um ynulk tmml g`jgs c`s rnhh`lk jcb`r bwby ble turls tn bjm―b bjm―b tr`n n tcuks. C`s sa`hm wbvmrs, iut nlhy nr b smjnle. s mjnle.
ZUBY [BYZ? BDUMYABUC
5=
ongm,‑ maa`l maa`l sbys, tcml bees? ‘Iut ` ynu cbvm tn mxphb`l `t, `t snrtb stnps im`lk im` lk ully.‑ Cm jhbps c`s cbles. cbles . ‘[cbt jbl @ en nr nr ynu, kmlts>‑ kmlts> ‑ ‘@ ba b hbey, hbey,‑‑ tcm Gnnr`vbr slbps, stmpp`lk nrwbre. Zcm beousts cmr jr`asnl jhnbg ble h`ds cmr jc`l. Um sp`rbh`lk cnrl btnp cmr cmbe `s tw`stme ble imlt. B pbhm tnlkum `jgs tcm b`r ble h`jgs jrbkky, sjbhme h`ps. Zcm cbs b hnlk, smrrbtme gl`m cblk`lk bt cmr c`p. maa`l glnws wcn scm `s. [cn bhh b hh tcrmm n tcma brm. Um Bimelmen w`tc tcm mscy lnsm sh`ts ble tcm sg`l tmler`hs brnule tcbt sjnwh`lk, pujgmrme anutc? nnabtb [rmm. Glnwl usubhhy bs ‘nnas.‑ Um @tcnr`bl w`tc tcm shmmpy myms, tcm tcrmbeibrm jnbt, tcm jbllnl shulk nvmr c`s trmm-irbljctrmm- irbljc-hnng`lk hnng`lk scnuhemr? Cmr. Ble tcm Gnnr`vbr? Abgbr`bh Krbv`l. (Unukc, trutc im tnhe, maa`l rmbhhy tcnukct scm wbs b cm. Um Gnnr`vbr enl‐t abgm `t mbsy tn tmhh.) Bhh tcrmm wnrg nr―nr, nr―nr, rbtcmr, imhnlk tn―Zurbt tn―Zurbt Lubt. Umy brm tcm Zuhhustbl‐s prnpmrty. ‘Ab‐ba,‑ maa`l sbys, sprmbe`lk c`s bras w`em. ‘[cbt jbl @ en ynu nr, tneby> [cbt oulgybre emh`kcts jbl @ nstmr ynu―‑ ynu―‑ ‘Jut tcm rbljnr sp`t, ynu h`tthm pugm,‑ tcm Bimelmen sbys. @l tcm bh`ml‐s tnlkum, tcm @tcnr`bl bees? ‘Pnu cbvm stnhml rna tcm knnehy sbv`nr sbv`nr n Ayrrb, Ayrrb, Zurbt Zurbt Lubt. Lubt.‑ ‑ ‘Cmy, ln,‑ maa`l sbys, cnhe`lk up c`s cbles. ‘[m‐rm bhh r`mles cmrm. @ wnuhe lmvmr, mvmr stmbh stmbh rna Zurbt. [m‐rm iuee`ms. @t‐s bhh knne.‑ ‘Pnu stnhm rna Zurbt,‑ tcm Gnnr`vbr c`ssms. ‘[nrsm, ynu cbvm nmleme c`a w`tc krbvm `lsuht iy tbg`lk t bg`lk wcbt `s r`kctuhhy c`s.‑ c`s.‑ maa`l glmw tc`s t c`s eby wnuhe jnam. Oust lnt sn snnl. sn nl. B lmrvnus mmh`lk r`sms `l c`s imhhy. ‘Um hbst tc`lk @ wnuhe wblt tn en `s `lsuht Zurbt―wm Zurbt―wm bhh jnuhe nlhy w`sc w`sc wm wm wmrm bs sbvvy ble bs sh`jg bs cm `s. @ enl enl‐t ‐t glnw wcbt ynu tc`lg @ stnhm rna c`a, iut―‑ iut―‑ Abgbr`bh tcm Gnnr`vbr tbgms blntcmr bssmrt`vm stmp nrwbre. ‘U`lg
54
JC]JG [MLE@K
maa`l slbps c`s fllkmrs―b fllkmrs―b lmrvnus cbi`t cm p`jgme up rna c`s btcmr. ‘Pnu ambl tcm trblspnrt tcbt jrbscme nut tcmrm> Ln, ln― @ ambl, ymbc, yms, @ emfll`tmhy sjbvmlkme wcbt wbs hmd tcmrm. @ nwl tcbt. Ubt nlm‐s nl am. Iut @ cbe ln `emb tcbt wbs Zurbt‐s sc`p―‑ sc`p―‑ ‘@t cbe c`s ku`he s`k`h bhh nvmr `t!‑ nnas, tcm Bimelmen, smmtcms. Um r`lkhmts n sg`l cblk`lk rna c`s bjm tw`tjc ble trmaihm bs cm spmbgs. ‘Lnt tcbt @ jnuhe smm―tcm smm―tcm trblspnrt wbs bttbjgme iy tcm ]uktmml. Zujc pr`a`t`vms, ynu glnw> Umy iurlme tcbt tc`lk knne nl tcm nuts`em. Ynbstme `t h`gm b nrbgmmt imnrm phujg`lk `ts mbtcmrs.‑ ‘Ble ymt, tcm `ls`ems wmrm r`pm nr ynur phulemr,‑ Abgbr`bh bjjusms. ‘Umy jnuhel‐t jrbjg tcbt lut. Um ]uktmml, @ ambl. Um`r jruem gl`vms jnuhel jnu hel‐t ‐t pnp tcm hbtjc, iut @ cbe b tnrjc ble―‑ ble―‑ Cm bgm-hbukcs. bgm-hbukcs. ‘@ imsmmjc ynu, r`mles. @ e`el‐t glnw wcn @ wbs tbg`lk rna.‑ Cm glmw. N jnursm cm glmw. Ble cm glmw nlm eby tc`s wnuhe jbtjc up tn c`a. Iut tcm pntmlt`bh pbynut . . . @ mvmr cm cnpms tn ulsmbt Zurbt, cm cbs tn phby tcm kbam w`tc i`k anvms. Ln wmbg-glmme wmbg-glmme inw`lk ble sjrbp`lk, ln snd tnujcms, ln cms`tblt phbys. Mvmrytc`lk? i`k, inhe, sabrt bs b wc`p, strnlk bs b iuhh. ‘Pnu st`hh cbvm tcm wmbpnl>‑ nnas bsgs. ‘Bccc, cmc-cmc, cmc-cmc, bccc.‑ maa`l jhmbrs c`s tcrnbt ble tcml h`ms tcrnukc jhmljcme tmmtc? ‘Lnt sn aujc.‑ Um Gnnr`vbr‐s myms kn w`em. [`tc rbkm ble `le`klbt`nl, ` maa`l cbs tn kumss. Abgbr`bh anvms bst. Um gl`m `s nst tcm bh`ml b h`ml‐‐s imht ble, `l tcm spbl n b bsc n h`kctl`lk, bkb`lst maa`l‐s tcrnbt. Nuts`em, tcm wmbtcmr jnaph`ms, bee`lk `ts nwl tcrmbt? b ruaih`lk inna n tculemr. B cbre rb`l bhhs bkb`lst tcm rnn n maa`l‐s scnp, nlhy smrv`lk tn bjjmltubtm tcm s`hmljm. s` hmljm. Imc`le maa`l, maa`l, tcm `ltmrrnkbtnr ern`e cnvmrs lmbr tcm tbihm wcmrm tcm Kbhbjt`j Mxpbls`nl inbre s`ts. Um iny swbhhnws. ‘@‐hh abgm `t up tn ynu. @‐vm knt hnts nl nstmr cmrm. Cmy.. Hnng. Zpmmemr i`gm. Nr @ jbl sjrnulkm up b jnuphm n ern`es―‑ Cmy ern`es―‑
ZUBY [BYZ? BDUMYABUC
5;
wm glnw ynur tr`jg. U`s―‑ U`s―‑ [`tc cmr rmm cble, tcm Gnnr`vbr abgms b anvm s`a`hbr tn (ble abyim anjg`lk n) maa`l‐s nwl kmsturm wcml tcmy knt cmrm. ‘―bhh ‘―bhh n tc`s `s b rnlt. Pnu brm ln oulg amrjcblt.‑ ‘Nlm abl‐s trbsc t rbsc `s blntcmr bl ntcmr abl abl‐‐s trmbsurm― t rmbsurm―‑‑ Um gl`m prmssms cbremr bkb`lst c`s mxpnsme tcrnbt. ‘[m ‘[m jbrm lntc`lk nr trbsc. [m jbrm mvmrytc`lk nr trmbsurm.‑ ‘Zn, hmt‐s tbhg trmbsurm, tcml.‑ ‘Zurbt cbs b pr`jm. pr` jm.‑‑ Cm mmhs snamtc`lk wmt er`p enwl c`s tcrnbt. Ihnne nr swmbt> Cm‐s Cm‐s cnlmsthy lnt surm. ‘Mvmryiney enms. Lbam tcm pr`jm.‑ Abgbr`bh sa`hms. B tmrr`ihm s`kct tn imcnhe, nr tcm Gnnr`vbr brm, tn maa`l‐s a`le, ukh`mr tcbl b cbppbinrm wbhg`lk ibjgwbre. Bhh tcnsm huaps ble sjbhms. B lnsm h`gm b bt, smkamltme krui. Inlm spurs binvm tcm myms. Um irmbtc enmsl‐t cmhp, m`tcmr―`t m`tcmr―`t st`lgs n rntt`lk ambt. Um Gnnr`vbr sbys w`tc b `jg n cmr tnlkum? ‘Pnur scnp.‑ ‘Um scnp. H`gm―tcm H`gm―tcm iu`he`lk>‑ imhnw `t.‑ ‘Ble mvmrytc`lk `l `t. Ble mvmrytc`lk imhnw `t.‑ Lnw? rmbh pbl`j. B jnhe sbh`lm rusc tcrnukc c`s ihnne. Umy glnw glnw.. Umy glnw wcmrm cm gmmps snam―anst snam― anst ―n c`s imst knnes. Ubt `s lnt `embh. ‘@ cbvm snamtc`lk!‑ cm ihurts. ihurts. ‘Znamtc`lk i`k. Znamtc`lk . . . Zurbt wblts. Ngby> Ngby> Oust, Oust, jbl @ scnw ynu> Vhmbsm> Vhmbsm. Vhmbsm.‑‑ Um tcrmm bh`ml tcuks k`vm nlm blntcmr hnngs. Um @tcnr`bl, Cmr, k`vms b lnljnaa`ttbh scruk. scruk . @l @tcnrmsm? ‘[m a`kct bs wmhh smm.‑ Abgbr`bh rmanvms tcm gl`m rna c`s tcrnbt. Cm kbsps, ruis c`s lmjg―c`s lmjg― c`s cble jnams bwby wmt w`tc swmbt, lnt w`tc ihnne. Cm jhbps c`s cbles. ‘@t‐s r`kct nvmr tcmrm. Zmm tcbt rbtty ihblgmt> @t‐s ucc. @t‐s ulemr tcmrm.‑ Abgbr`bh lnes tn Cmr. Um @tcnr`bl ulsh`lks tcm jbllnl―`t‐s jbllnl― `t‐s b justna ane oni, tcbt kul, ibsme nst b EH iney iut objgme up nr i`kkmr flrmpnwmr. Um ibrrmh `s hnlk―sn hnlk― sn hnlk `t‐s prnibihy bs tbhh bs
53
JC]JG [MLE@K
Um stnnp-lmjgme stnnp-lmjgme @tcnr`bl ih`lgs c`s cbaamrcmbe myms, tcml usms tcm ibrrmh n tcm kul tn h`d up tcm ihblgmt. Uus mxpns`lk tcm flrstkmlmrbt`nl ibtthm ern`e? tcm I2. @t stbles up. @ts @ts inlms rbtthm bs `t enms. H`tmrbh H `tmrbh inlms―tcm inlms―tcm inlms n imbsts, flsc, i`res. Inule tn `ts amtbh amtb h h`ais w`tc tw`lm ble w`rm. Unsm brml‐t tcm nlhy ane`fljbt`nls tn tcm ern`e‐s bppmbrbljm, m`tcmr. Cbh `ts cmbe `s a`ss`lk? rmphbjme w`tc b tmhmsjnp`lk rme mym. Um rnlt n `ts lnsm cbs imml scbrpmlme ble jurvme―hmss jurvme―hmss tcm i`hh n snam phujgy wbtmrnwh, anrm tcm imbg n b i`re n prmy. Bhh n `t? pb`ltme ihbjg ble rme. Amblt tn str`gm b lntm n mbr. Um bh`ml tcuks bhh hbukc. Um Bimelmen hbukcs sn cbre cm stnnps nvmr,, shbpp`lk b glmm, h`tthm krmml auscrnna mbrs tw`tjc`lk w`tc emh`kct. nvmr ‘B ibtthm ern`e>‑ Abgbr`bh bsgs. Anrm hbukctmr. ‘Pnu wbltme tn scnw us . . . b ibtthm ern`e> Um anst `ljnapmtmlt ern`e snhe`mr `l tcm c`stnry n intc tcm t cm Ympuih`j ble tcm Map`rm. Map`rm. B amjcbl`jbh jnamey n amc-JBL-mmmm-gbhh gbhh mrrnrs.‑ Um wby tcm bh`ml mlulj`btms tcbt hbst i`t? b amc-JBLJN-ammJNamm-emm emm nd mrr-NYs. mrr-NYs. ‘Ble ynu imh`mvm tcbt Zurbt Lubt wblts b ambkmr,, wnrtchmss I2 ern`e>‑ ambkmr ‘@ jbhh c`a A`stmr Inlms,‑ maa`l sbys. ]pnl sby`lk tcm ern`e‐s lbam, `ts mym khnws b s`l`stmr rme. ‘A@ZMY INLMZ @Z NLH@LM,‑ tcm ern`e sbys? @ts vn`jm `s b kr`lekr`le`lk e`stnrt`nl `ltmrruptme iy iursts n stbt`j. [nres spmme up ble tcml shnw enwl bkb`l, ablkhme iy wcbt smmas b buhty vnjnemr. ‘CMHHN, MTMYPNLM.‑ Um Bimelmen scbgms s cbgms c`s cmbe. ‘Bl ‘Bl `e`nt`j `e`nt `j lbam nr bl `e`nt`j `e`nt `j ern`e.‑ ern`e.‑ ‘@ tc`lg ynu‐vm `lsuhtme c`a,‑ maa`l sbys. Um hbukc`lk stnps. Dnr oust b anamlt, bs tcmy try tn flkurm nut wcbt tcbt mvml ambls, nr wcbt kbam maa`l `s mvml phby`lk. Um`r cms`tbt`nl `s lnt w`sm. A`stmr Inlms jbjghms―b jbjghms―b sjrbtjcy, sjrbtjcy, wbrpme hbukc rna c`s spmbgmrs― bs c`s nlm cble sw`lks rmm rmm nl b c`lkm. Drna tcm cnhm spr`lks b spbrg-
ZUBY [BYZ? BDUMYABUC
50
t`ams bhrmbey―ble bhrmbey―ble tcm jbllnl `s wc`tthme enwl, tcrmm sanhemr`lk i`ts jhbttmr`lk tn tcm nnr. Um Bimelmen erbws b ihbstmr― Inlms tbjghms Cmr, ble shbas c`a strb`kct `ltn nnas. Um Bimelmen b`hs ble bhhs, w`tc tcm @tcnr`bl hble`lk nl tnp n c`a, ble Inlms nl tnp n c`a. maa`l‐s I2 ineykubre imk`ls pnule`lk intc flsts enwl, puljc`lk tcm t cm @tcnr‐s neehy scbpme cmbe cbre mlnukc tcbt t cbt mbjc c`t rbtjcmts `t ibjg `ltn nnas‐s lnsmhmss bjm. [cbp! [cbp! [cbp! A`stmr Inlms kbiihms ble hbukcs. Abgbr`bh‐s abw strmtjcms w`em, c`ss`lk b kbssy mxcnrtbt`nl n e`strmss ble rbkm. Um Gnnr`vbr rmbjcms imc`le, ulemr cmr jhnbg, ble erbws b ihbstmr―pn`lt`lk ihbstmr―pn`lt`lk `t r`kct bt maa`l‐s cmbe. maa`l, wcn `s lnw rnzml, rmbjc`lk nr c`s nwl ihbstmr―stujg ihbstmr―stujg `l b hmbtcmr cnhstmr inhtme tn tcm ulemrs`em n b lmbriy tbihm. ‘En lnt p`jg tcbt up,‑ Abgbr`bh wc`spmrs. maa`l jbhjuhbtms jbhj uhbtms c`s nees. Umy‐rm lnt knne. Cm w`tcerbws c`s cble. Za`hms. Lnes. ‘Zurm, surm.‑ ‘mhh ynur ern`e tn tn ibjg nst.‑ ‘Lnw,, cnhe nl― ‘Lnw nl―‑‑ ‘mhh c`a.‑ maa`l kr`ls. ‘[c`jc ern`e brm wm tbhg`lk binut cmrm>‑ Abgbr`bh‐ss pbhm, kcnsthy Abgbr`bh‐ k cnsthy myms njus, nj us, tcml lbrrnw `l imw`hemramlt― oust bs tcm `ltmrrnkbtnr ern`e nbts up imc`le cmr, b syr`lkm flxme tn tcm mle n `ts smjnle mxtmlsnr bra. maa`l jcujghms. Um nbt`lk ern`e stbis enwl w`tc tcm lmmehm. B lmmehm flhhme w`tc b tnx`j lbrjnt`j―hnjbhhy lbrjnt`j―hnjbhhy snurjme, hnjbhhy irmwme, ble w`tc mlnukc stnpp`lk pnwmr tn put b Kbanrrmbl tn shmmp nr tcm imttmr pbrt n b wmmg. Um lmmehm slbps nst, ble jh`jgs bs `t c`ts tcm krnule. Lmvmr bjtubhhy emh`vmr`lk `ts `ts tnx`j pbyhnbe.
=6
JC]JG [MLE@K
maa`l ruls. Cm hmbps up nvmr b tbihm, tcml tn blntcmr tbihm, tcml bjrnss b tr`n n amtbh stnnhs―ihbstmr stnnhs―ihbstmr flrm s`zzhms `l tcm b`r imc`le c`a, glnjg`lk oulg nst scmhvms. Bl n`h jbl cnps nst tcm jnrlmr n b tbihm bcmbe n c`a. maa`l ymhhs bs cm inhts nr tcm t cm ennr― Umrm. Bcmbe. Um ennr `s npml. Znamnlm `s stble`lk tcmrm. Znamnlm lmw. lmw. Hnlk ebrg jhnbg. Znamnlm w`tc b ihbstmr bhh c`s nwl. Um lmw flkurm rb`sms tcm ihbstmr. maa`l ernps c`s wm`kct, hmtt`lk c`s hmk sg`e nut rna rna ulemr c`a―hbsmrflrm c`a―hbsmrflrm trbems binvm c`s cmbe, ble snamwcmrm imc`le c`a Abgbr`bh ymhps `l pb`l. Umrm jnams b jrbsc. maa`l hmbps tn c`s mmt, prmssms c`asmh bt bkb`lst tcm tmxturme wbhh n c`s oulg scnp. Abgbr`bh‐s Abgbr`bh‐s enwl, wr`tc`lk ble cnwh`lk. A`stmr Inlms cbs h`dme c`s cmbe h`gm b jur`nus, stbrthme cnule. Um lmw v`s`tnr rmkbres tcm s`tubt`nl, tcml pmmhs ibjg c`s cnne. cnn e. @t‐s lnt b c`a bt bhh. @t‐s b cmr. maa`l‐s myms kn w`em. ‘Ana>‑
Vurjcbsm b jnpy nd
ZUBY [BYZ? BDUMYABUC iy Jcujg [mle`k Nl-Zbhm LN[!
View more...
Comments
