,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #c 
,YE>S ( ,APPR5TICE%IP 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,NGO ,VAN ,XUYET 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,K5 ,KNABB 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,HEL5E ,FLEURY 

,TEXT 3 

,*APT] #c3 ,YE>S ( ,APPR5TICE%IP 

  
  

0,C'E/ UNE GR&E DE/9EE QUE CELLE DE LA POESIE6 ,JOYEUSE \ LAM5TABLE1 ELLE PORTE T\J\RS 5 SOI LE DIV9 C>ACT]E UTOPIQUE4 ,ELLE CONTR$IT SANS CESSE LES FAITS4 ,DANS LE CA*OT1 ELLE SE FAIT REVOLTE2 A LA F5ETRE DE L'HOPITAL1 ELLE E/ >D5TE ESP]ANCE DE GU]ISON2 NON SEULEM5T ELLE CON/ATE1 MAIS ELLE REP>E4 ,P>T\T ELLE SE FAIT NEGATION DE L'9IQUITE40 7,BAUDELAIRE7 

.<,POETRY HAS SU* A GREAT DE/9Y6 ,:E!R JOY\S OR M\RNFUL1 IT ALWAYS BE>S )9 ITSELF A DIV9E UTOPIAN *>ACT]4 ,IT CEASELESSLY CONTRADICTS REALITY4 ,9 ! DUNGEON1 IT TURNS 9TO REVOLT2 AT ! HOSPITAL W9D[1 IT IS ! >D5T HOPE = A CURE2 IT NOT ONLY RECORDS1 IT RE/ORES4 ,EV]Y:]E IT NEGATES 9IQUITY4.>.<#b#e.>  
  

,ONE ( MY C\S9S1 A REAL C\NTRY BEAUTY1 HAD M>RI$ AN EMPLOYEE ( ! ,SAIGON BRAN* ( ,DESC\RS @& ,CABAUD1 A ,FR5* METAL PRODUCTS COMPANY4 ,%E WAS PLEASANT1 A GAMBL] 7SOMETIMES = RA!R HI< /AKES71 & %E LIK$ ME4 ,%E TOOK ME 9 AS A LODG] = EI<T PIA/]S A MON? 9 ,SEPTEMB] #a#i#b#f1 :5 ,I LEFT MY HAMLET = ,SAIGON TO PREP>E ONCE AGA9 = ! S*OL>%IP COMPETITION4 

,I WAS 5T]+ A CITY ?AT HAD BE5 %AK5 = SEV]AL MON?S BY ! W9DS ( REVOLT4 

,ALL >\ND ME ,I HE>D ! NAME ,NGUY5 ,AN ,N9H :ISP]$ ) RESPECT4 ,HE HAD BE5 ?R[N 9TO PRISON ?REE DAYS AFT] A MEMORABLE MASS MEET+ RI<T 9 ! C5T] ( ,SAIGON4 

,ON ,SUNDAY1 ,M>* #b#a1 #a#i#b#f1 BETWE5 TWO & ?REE ?\S& PEOPLE HAD RESPOND$ TO AN APPEAL TO PROTE/ ! EXPULSION ( A J\RNALI/ TO ,ANNAM4 ,DESPITE AN 5ORM\S POLICE BLOCKADE1 AT DAWN HUNDR$S ( COOLIES1 FACTORY WORK]S1 (FICE WORK]S & /UD5TS /REAM$ ONTO ,RUE ,LANZ>OTTE4 ,9 ! ,MANGO ,G>D51 ! ASSEMBLY PO9T1 ! CR[D WAS SO D5SE IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE2 ! BRAN*ES ( ! MANGO TREES SAGG$ UND] ! CLU/]S ( Y\NG P>TICIPANTS4 ,9 ?IS %\LD]-TO-%\LD] FRAT]NITY1 ! COMMON PEOPLE ( ,SAIGON %\T$ !IR 9DIGNATION1 D5\NC$ DEPORTATIONS1 & DEM&$ FRE$OM ( ! PRESS1 ( $UCATION1 ( ASSEMBLY & ( TRAVEL1 AS WELL AS ! ABOLITION ( 0PHYSICAL DETA9M5T0 = DEBT4 

,?REE DAYS LAT] ANO!R ASSEMBLY AT ! PORT1 ORGANIZ$ TO GREET ! >RIVAL ( ,BUI ,QUANG ,*IEU1 ! LEAD] ( ! MOD]ATE-NATIONALI/ ,CON/ITUTIONALI/ ,P>TY1.<#b#f.> ON HIS RETURN FROM ,FRANCE1 TURN$ 9TO A HUGE DEMON/RATION ( ANG] AT ! NEWS ?AT ,NGUY5 ,AN ,N9H HAD BE5 >RE/$ AFT] ! PREVI\S RALLY4 ,! 5TRANCE TO ! PORT & ! SURR\ND+ /REETS W]E OV]RUN BY PROTE/]S AS ! (FICES1 /ORES & WORK%OPS EMPTI$4 ,! AU?ORITIES DELAY$ ! >RIVAL ( ! %IP C>RY+ ,BUI ,QUANG ,*IEU UNTIL N9E O'CLOCK 9 ! EV5+1 BUT ! CR[D REFUS$ TO DISP]SE & CONT9U$ TO GR[4 ,SOME Y\NG PEOPLE FROM ! ,JEUNE ,ANNAM .<,Y\NG ,ANNAM.> ORGANIZATION1 TOGE!R ) SOME #h ,>S5AL WORK]S1 SURR\ND$ ,BUI ,QUANG ,*IEU AS HE DISEMB>K$ TO PROTECT HIM FROM C\NT]DEMON/RATORS :O HAD BE5 MOBILIZ$ BY ,DE ,LA ,*EVROTI]E1 $ITOR ( ! NEWSPAP] ,L',IMP>TIAL1 & :O W]E %\T+3 0,KILL HIM60 ,A CR[D ( DEMON/RATORS ACCOMPANI$ ,BUI ,QUANG ,*IEU ?R\< ! /REETS TO HIS P>TY (FICES1 *ANT+3 0,FREE ,NGUY5 ,AN ,N9H60 

,?AT SAME DAY1 ! V5]ABLE ,PHAN ,*AU ,TR9H DI$ AFT] A LIFE ( REL5TLESS /RUGGLE AGA9/ ! 0CIVILIZ]S40 ,CONDEMN$ TO DEA? 9 #aih AFT] ! PEASANT REVOLT 9 ,ANNAM1 HIS S5T5CE HAD BE5 COMMUT$ TO DEPORTATION TO ,P\LO ,CONDORE DUE TO ! 9T]CESSION ( ! ,LEAGUE = ! ,RI<TS ( ,MAN4 ,HE WAS !N EXIL$ TO ,FRANCE 9 #a#i#a#a4 ,HE WAS EV5TUALLY S5T BACK TO ,CO*9*9A .<S\!RN ,VIETNAM.>1 :]E1 RACK$ BY TUB]CULOSIS1 HE DI$ AFT] EI<TE5 YE>S ( P5AL S]VITUDE & EXILE4.<#b#g.> 

,! POPUL> EMOTION >\S$ BY ,PHAN ,*AU ,TR9H'S DEA?1 AUGM5T$ BY ! >RE/ ( ,NGUY5 ,AN ,N9H1 REA*$ ITS PEAK4 ,?\S&S ( M51 WOM5 & Y\NG PEOPLE1 DEFY+ ! OMNIPRES5T POLICE1 FIL$ ALONG ,RUE ,PELL]9 ?R\<\T AN 5TIRE WEEK1 LI<T+ /ICKS ( 9C5SE = ! DECEAS$4 ,ON ,APRIL #d1 #a#i#b#f1 ,PHAN ,*AU ,TR9H'S FUN]AL WAS TRANS=M$ 9TO A MASSIVE DEMON/RATION AGA9/ ! MA/]S4 ,CR[D$ >\ND ! HE>SE W]E ?\S&S ( COOLIES & WORK]S FROM ! RICE-PROCESS+ PLANTS ( ,*OLON :O HAD AB&ON$ !IR WORK1 ALONG ) /UD5TS FROM ! CITY & ! PROV9CES1 WORK]S & EMPLOYES ( ! ,>S5AL1 & PEASANTS FROM ,BA ,DIEM & ,HOC ,MON4 

,AT HIS FIR/ TRIAL 7,APRIL #b#d1 #a#i#b#f7 ,NGUY5 ,AN ,N9H WAS S5T5C$ TO EI<TE5 MON?S' IMPRISONM5T4 ,:5 ?IS S5T5CE WAS ANN\NC$1 /UD5TS 9 ,SAIGON & FROM ! PRIM>Y S*OOL AT ,PHU ,LAM 9 ,*OLON & FROM ALL OV] ! SURR\ND+ REGIONS 7,B5 ,TRE1 ,MY ,?O1 ,V9H ,LONG1 ,CAN ,?O7 DES]T$ !IR CLASSES 5 MASSE4 ,MORE ?AN A ?\S& ( !M W]E EXPELL$4 

,I ATT5D$ PRIM>Y S*OOL FROM ,SEPTEMB] #aibf TO ,MAY #a#i#b#g4 ,BUT ,I WAS ALREADY F\RTE51 & ,I WORRI$ CON/ANTLY AB\T ! EI<T-PIA/] MON?LY R5T1 :I* WAS TOO MU* ( A BURD5 = MY MO!R4 ,SO ,I JUMP$ AT ! *ANCE ( A JOB AT ,DESC\RS @& ,CABAUD :5 A VACANCY CAME UP 9 ! ACC\NTS DEP>TM5T4 ,I WAS HIR$ = #ce PIA/]S A MON?1 :I* ALL[$ ME TO LIVE TOL]ABLY WELL4 ,AT ?AT TIME COOLIES W]E E>N+ ONLY #ae PIA/]S1 OR AT MO/ #a#h4 ,N[ IT WAS MY TURN TO HELP MY MO!R -- EXCEPT ON ! ALL-TOO-FREQU5T OCCASIONS :5 MY C\S91 USUALLY 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! NI<T1 BEGG$ ME TO H& OV] MY PAY1 :I* %E 9V>IABLY PROCE$$ TO LOSE 9 ! GAMBL+ P>LORS4 ,:I* IS :Y ,I EV5TUALLY MOV$ TO O!R LODG+S4 

,?AT WAS ! 5D ( MY =MAL $UCATION1 BUT ,I CONT9U$ TO READ EV]Y?+ ,I C\LD GET MY H&S ON4 ,I W\LD BUY US$ BOOKS FROM ! ,*9ESE BRIC-A-BRAC /ALLS ACROSS FROM ! ,SAIGON RAILWAY /ATION1 :]E ,FR5* PEOPLE SOLD !IR BOOKS BE=E LEAV+ ! C\NTRY4 ,I READ !M ALL VORACI\SLY -- BOOKS ON SCI5CE1 HI/ORY1 PHILOSOPHY4 ,9 ?IS WAY ONE DAY ,I DISCOV]$ ) EXALTATION ! WRIT+S ( ,R\SSEAU4 0,! DESPOT IS ! MA/] ONLY AS LONG AS HE IS ! /RONGE/4444 ,=CE IS ! ONLY ?+ ?AT KEEPS HIM 9 HIS POSITION1 & ONLY =CE CAN REMOVE HIM40.<#b#h.> 

,MY OV]SE] AT WORK1 A HALF-,FR5* Y\NG MAN :O DIDN'T C>E = READ+1 GAVE ME ALL ! BOOKS HE'D BE5 AW>D$ AS S*OOL PRIZES4 ,AMONG !M WAS ,BAUDELAIRE'S ,LES ,FLEURS DU ,MAL .<,FL[]S ( ,EVIL.>1 A H&SOME VOLUME ) GILT-$G$ PAGES4 ,I KNEW NO?+ AB\T ! POET OR HIS TIMES1 BUT :5 ,I READ ?AT HE HAD BE5 CONDEMN$ = 0(F5D+ PUBLIC MORALITY & GOOD MANN]S0 & ?AT HE HAD SUFF]$ C5SOR%IP1 :I* WAS SO FAMILI> TO US 9 ! COLONIES1 ,I WAS /RONGLY DRAWN TO HIM4 ,IT WAS ALSO SAID ?AT DUR+ ! #ahdh REVOLUTION HE HAD BE5 SE5 AMONG ! RAID]S ( AN >MORY1 C>RY+ A RIFLE & %\T+1 0,WE MU/ %OOT ,G5]AL ,AUPICK60 

,I HAVE ALSO NOT =GOTT5 ,JEAN ,RI*EP9'S ,LA ,*ANSON DES ,GUEUX .<,! ,SONG ( ! ,TRAMPS.>1 ) ITS MAGNIFIC5T 5GRAV+S PROTECT$ BY TISSUE PAP]4 ,I CAN /ILL SEE ! ILLU/RATION ( ! V5]ABLE OLD ,GOAT ) ! TWO LITTLE VAGABONDS SITT+ ON HIS BONY BACK1 LAU<+ & TROTT+ V]Y G5TLY SO ?AT !Y W\LD NOT FALL (F4 ,ABOVE ALL1 ,I WAS MOV$ BY ! VIBRANT C\PLET ?AT REPLAC$ ! C5SOR$ PASSAGE FROM ! 0,IDYLLE DE PAUVRES0 .<,ROMANCE ( ! ,POOR.>3 

,ICI DEUX GUEUX S'AIMAI5T JUSQU'A LA PAMOISON1 

,ET CELA M'A VALU TR5TE JORS DE PRISON4 

 .<,H]E TWO TRAMPS LOV$ EA* O!R TO EXHAU/ION1 & ?AT GOT ME ?IRTY DAYS 9 PRISON4.>.<#b#i.>  

,A WORKMATE :O WAS BETT] $UCAT$ ?AN ,I SECRETLY GAVE ME A COPY ( ,UNE HI/OIRE DE CONSPIRATEURS ANNAMITES A ,P>IS1 \ ,LA V]ITE SUR L',9DO*9E .<,A ,/ORY ,AB\T ,ANNAMITE ,CONSPIRATORS 9 ,P>IS1 OR ,! ,TRU? ,AB\T ,9DO*9A.> BY ,PHAN ,VAN ,TRUONG4 ,9 ?IS BOOK ! AU?OR DESCRIB$ ! PLOT HAT*$ AGA9/ HIM & ,PHAN ,*AU ,TR9H BY ! ,FR5* GOV]NM5T 9 ,P>IS 9 #a#i#a#d4 ,HE CL>IFI$1 9 A WAY ?AT MADE MY BLOOD BOIL ) REVOLT & SET MY BRA9 ON FIRE1 ! 0PR(ESSION ( BE+ AN ,ANNAMITE10 ! UNAVOIDABLY AMBIGU\S & DUPLICIT\S ATTITUDE ( ! COLONIZ$3  
  

,IT IS SAID ?AT ! ,ANNAMITE .<ANO!R T]M = ,VIETNAMESE.> IS )DRAWN & ?AT HIS S\L IS IMP5ETRABLE4 ,BUT HAS ,FRANCE1 SUPPOS$LY ! C\NTRY ( FRE$OM ( OP9ION1 EV] ALL[$ ! ,ANNAMITES TO FREELY EXPRESS !IR IDEAS & !IR FEEL+S8 ,! ,ANNAMITE IS A *EAT & A LI>1 WE >E TOLD4 ,BUT IF ! ,ANNAMITE TELLS ! TRU? & IT IS DISAGREEABLE1 HE IS GAGG$1 P]SECUT$1 SMA%$ 9TO A ?\S& PIECES4 ,! ,ANNAMITE1 WE >E ALSO TOLD1 IS OBSEQUI\S1 GROVEL+1 VILE4 ,?AT MAY BE SO4 ,BUT :5 HE ALL[S HIMSELF TO BE JU/IFIABLY PR\D & DIGNIFI$1 HE IS CALL$ >ROGANT1 9SOL5T1 REBELLI\S1 & AGA9 HE IS P]SECUT$4 ,! CONCLUSION IS 9ESCAPABLE3 0BE+ AN ,ANNAMITE0 IS A VILE PR(ESSION4.<#c.>  
  

,I BEGAN TO FOLL[ NEWS ( UND]GR\ND REVOLUTION>Y MOVEM5TS MORE CLOSELY4 ,! FIR/ EV5T ?AT CAU<T MY ATT5TION WAS ! 0,RUE ,B>BI] AFFAIR40 ,ON ! MORN+ ( ,DECEMB] #i1 #a#i#b#h1 ! ,SAIGON ,SU]TE .<COLONIAL POLITICAL POLICE.> DISCOV]$ ! MUTILAT$ BODY ( A MAN 9 A ROOM AT #e ,RUE ,B>BI]4 ,?AT DISCOV]Y SET 9 MOTION A VA/ DRAGNET ( ! UND]GR\ND GR\PS ,?ANH ,NI5 ,CA* ,MANG ,DONG ,*I ,HOI 7,REVOLUTION>Y ,Y\? ,LEAGUE7 & ,VIET ,NAM ,QUOC ,DAN ,DANG 7,NATIONAL ,P>TY ( ,VIETNAM74 ,I CYCL$ PA/ ! SC5E ( ?IS DRAMA4 

,9 MY NEW LODG+ ,I HAD AN OLD] ROOMMATE NAM$ ,PHUNG1 :O WORK$ AS AN ACC\NTANT AT ! ,BOTANICAL ,G>D5S4 ,A =M] NURSE 9 ! RUBB] PLANTATIONS1 HE TAU<T ME H[ TO ADM9I/] FIR/ AID4 ,HE WAS CURI\S1 BUT SOME:AT TIMOR\S4 ,NEV]!LESS1 DESPITE NOT HAV+ A REAL SPIRIT ( REVOLT1 HE L5T ME A BANN$ BOOK ?AT HAD APPE>$ 9 #a#i#b#i1 ,PHAN ,VAN ,HUM'S ,9 ! ,C5TRAL ,PRISON1 :I* REC\NT$ ! /RUGGLES ( ,NGUY5 ,AN ,N9H & ,PHAN ,VAN ,HUM & !IR LIVES 9 PRISON4 ,I LE>N$ ?AT UPON HIS RETURN FROM ,FRANCE 9 #a#i#b#c1 ,NGUY5 ,AN ,N9H HAD REFUS$ A POSITION AS MAGI/RATE (F]$ TO HIM BY ,GOV]NOR ,COGNACQ ALONG ) A CONCESSION ( L&4 ,I WAS EXTREMELY MOV$ BY ?OSE :O VOLUNT>ILY REFUS$ TO 9TEGRATE !MSELVES 9TO COLONIAL SOCIETY1 TO BECOME FUNCTION>IES1 & :O *OSE 9/EAD TO LIVE SIDE BY SIDE ) ! COMMON PEOPLE4 ,I TRI$ AS H>D AS ,I C\LD TO FOLL[ EV5TS1 AMASS+ PILES ( PRESS CUTT+S :I* ,I HID 9 A %OEBOX4 ,!RE WAS OMNIPRES5T POLICE SURVEILLANCE & ,I WAS CON/ANTLY RUNN+ 9TO PEOPLE :O W]E MU* TOO CURI\S4 ,MY ROOMMATE ,PHUNG WAS SC>$ TO DEA?4 

,FROM ,OCTOB] TO ,DECEMB] #a#i#b#h1 D5UNCIATIONS & TORTURE-9DUC$ CONFESSIONS L$ TO ! >RE/ ( HUNDR$S ( PEASANTS ON SUSPICION ( BELONG+ TO AN IMAG9>Y ORGANIZATION1 ! 0,NGUY5 ,AN ,N9H ,SECRET ,SOCIETY40.<#c#a.> 

,I WAS /RUCK ) ADMIRATION = ! D>+ ( #c#e-YE>-OLD ,PHAN ,VAN ,KIM1 :O1 DISGUIS$ AS A ,*9AMAN1 BLUFF$ HIS WAY 9TO C\RT & %OT ,JUDGE ,NADAILLAT4 ,:5 >RE/$1 HE DECL>$ ?AT HE HAD ALSO WANT$ TO KILL ! PROSECUTOR & HIS DEPUTY4 

,! SECOND TRIAL ( ,NGUY5 ,AN ,N9H BEGAN ON ,MAY #h1 #a#i#b#i1 ALONG ) ?AT ( ,PHAN ,VAN ,HUM & MORE ?AN A HUNDR$ 9DICT$ PEASANTS & DAY LABOR]S4 ,ON ! NI<T ( ,SEPTEMB] #b#h1 #a#i#b#h1 ,PHAN ,VAN ,HUM1 :ILE WALK+ 9 ,B5 ,LUC ) ,NGUY5 ,AN ,N9H1 HAD BE5 /OPP$ BY ! MILITIA1 :O CONFISCAT$ HIS PAP]S4 ,:5 HE PROTE/$1 A CAI 7MILITIA *IEF7 HIT HIM ) A CO%4 ,NGUY5 ,AN ,N9H REACT$ ) HIS FI/S4 ,PHAN ,VAN ,HUM WAS IMM$IATELY >RE/$4 ,A FEW DAYS LAT] ,NGUY5 ,AN ,N9H TURN$ HIMSELF 94 

,ON ! DAY ( ,NGUY5 ,AN ,N9H'S TRIAL1 D5SE RANKS ( GU>DS SURR\ND$ ! ,HALL ( ,JU/ICE4 ,NGUY5 ,AN ,N9H >RIV$ B>EFOOT1 DRESS$ 9 BLACK LIKE AN ,ANNAMITE PEASANT4 ,MORE ?AN A HUNDR$ PEOPLE PU%$ !IR WAY 9TO ! C\RT4 ,!Y W]E EXPELL$ AS SOON AS ! HE>+ BEGAN1 & ! TRIAL TOOK PLACE BEH9D CLOS$ DOORS4 ,EV5 ?\< NONE ( ! O!R DEF5DANTS 0ID5TIFI$0 HIM1 ,NGUY5 ,AN ,N9H WAS JAIL$ = MORE ?AN A ?\S& DAYS & F9$ #a FRANCS = HAV+ =M$ A SECRET SOCIETY4 ,PHAN ,VAN ,HUM GOT EI<T MON?S 9 PRISON & A #e-FRANC F9E2 ! O!RS1 FROM TWO MON?S TO F\R YE>S BEH9D B>S4 

,9 ,FEBRU>Y #aibi 9 ,HANOI1 ,BAZ91 ! DIRECTOR ( ! ,BUREAU ( ,LABOR ,RECRUITM5T = ! RUBB] PLANTATIONS 7HE RECEIV$ A BONUS ( #a PIA/]S = EV]Y RECRUIT7 WAS KILL$ BY A REVOLV] %OT4.<#c#b.> ,A HI<-S*OOL /UD5T1 ,LE ,VAN ,SANH1 ALREADY M>K$ = HAV+ DI/RIBUT$ LEAFLETS D5\NC+ ?IS RECRUITM5T1 WAS >RE/$4 

,MY ROOMMATE ,PHUNG TOLD ME :AT HE HAD SE5 9 ! UNHEAL?Y1 MOSQUITO-9FE/$ RUBB] PLANTATIONS :]E HE HAD TREAT$ ! COOLIES /RICK5 BY 0=E/ FEV]10 :I* WAS SOMETIMES FATAL4 ,HE DESCRIB$ ! BEAT+S1 ! CONF9EM5T 9 CELLS 9SIDE ! PLANTATIONS1 ! HUNG]1 ! IMPOSSIBILITY ( BREAK+ ! CONTRACTS1 ! ATTEMPT$ ESCAPES ?AT HAD BE5 PUNI%$ ) TORTURE4 ,! LIV+ CONDITIONS & ! WORK W]E SO ATROCI\S ?AT ! YE>LY DEA? RATE WAS SOMETIMES AS HI< AS #d P]C5T4.<#c#c.> ,9 #aibg AT ! ,MI*EL9 RUBB] PLANTATION 9 ,PHU ,RI5G A HUNDR$ COOLIE CONSPIRATORS1 B\ND BY A FRAT]NAL OA?1 HAD KILL$ A NOTORI\SLY BRUTAL ,FR5* OV]SE]4 

,A RU?LESS MANHUNT WAS UNLEA%$4 ,SEV5TY ( ! COOLIES W]E CAPTUR$4 ,! O!RS P]I%$ 9 ! =E/ :ILE FI<T+ !IR EXECUTION]S OR W]E DEV\R$ BY WILD ANIMALS1 IF !Y DID NOT DIE ( HUNG] OR FEV]4 

#aic WAS ! YE> ( ! MEMORABLE 9SURRECTION ( ! ,Y5 ,BAI G>RISON1 :]E >\ND TW5TY ,FR5* (FIC]S COMM&$ A ?\S& ,TONK9ESE 9FANTRYM54 ,DUR+ ! NI<T ( ,FEBRU>Y #i1 RI<T 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! ,YE> ( ! ,HORSE ,TET CELEBRATIONS1 ! 9SURG5TS ATTACK$ & TOOK OV] ! G>RISON4 ,AT DAYBREAK1 ! SURVIV+ ,FR5* (FIC]S REGA9$ CONTROL4 ,TW5TY-SIX ( ! REBELLI\S SOLDI]S & TW5TY-FIVE CIVILIAN P>TISANS FELL 9TO !IR H&S4 

,I FOLL[$ ! DRAMA DAY BY DAY4 ,FIVE PLANES1 AFT] DROPP+ >\ND FIFTY BOMBS ON ! VILLAGE ( ,CO ,AM1 RAK$ IT & ! SURR\ND+ C\NTRYSIDE ) MA*9E-GUN FIRE4 ,! 9DIG5\S SECURITY POLICE !N RAZ$ ! :OLE ( ,KI5 ,?UY1 ,TI5 ,LONG & ,AN ,LAO4 ,/RAW HUTS1 PAGODAS1 TEMPLES ( GU>DIAN SPIRITS1 FRUIT TREES1 BAMBOOS -- EV]Y?+ WAS R$UC$ TO A%ES4 

,BETWE5 ,FEBRU>Y & ,APRIL #a#i#c1 TWO ?\S& PEOPLE W]E >RE/$4 ,AT ,Y5 ,BAI ?REE ( ! REBELS W]E BEHEAD$ 9 ,MAY1 & ?IRTE5 MORE 9 ,JUNE4 ,AT ,PHU ,?O FIVE W]E BEHEAD$ 9 ,NOVEMB]4 ,!RE W]E UND\BT$LY MANY O!R LEGAL ASSASS9ATIONS ?AT W]E NEV] PUBLICIZ$4.<#c#d.> 

,9 #aica ,I WAS GRIPP$ BY ,L\IS ,R\BAUD'S ,VIETNAM3 LA TRAG$IE 9DO*9OISE1 A BOOK ?AT WAS EAG]LY GRABB$ UP IMM$IATELY ON ITS >RIVAL 9 ,SAIGON4 ,R\BAUD'S ACC\NT MADE ME APPRECIATE MORE FULLY ! MASSIVE EXT5T ( ! REVOLT1 :I*1 ?\< IGNIT$ AT ,Y5 ,BAI1 HAD ?AT SAME NI<T 9FLAM$ O!R C5T]S ( ! ,R$ ,RIV] DELTA3 ,LAM ,?AO1 ,HUNG ,HOA1 ,HANOI &1 9 ! NEXT FEW DAYS1 ,PHU ,DUC & ,V9H ,BAO4 

,ON ! MORN+ ( ,MAY #a1 AS ,I WAS CYCL+ TO WORK1 ,I F\ND MYSELF CAU<T UP 9 ! DISGU/+ DRAGNET = PEOPLE )\T TAX C>DS4 ,IT WAS ! DEADL9E = PAYM5T ( ! CAPITATION TAX1 & 9 ! /REETS ( ,SAIGON & ,*OLON1 AS ALL ! COOLIES1 WORK]S & (FICE EMPLOYES W]E ON !IR WAY TO WORK1 ! COPS /OPP$ US TO DEM& \R TAX C>DS1 :I* ALSO S]V$ AS ID5TITY C>DS4 ,ANYONE :O HAD NO VALID C>D WAS IMM$IATELY %OV$ 9TO ONE ( ! POLICE VANS ?AT SUDD5LY APPE>$ ON EV]Y /REET CORN]4 

,9 ! C\NTRYSIDE ! NOTABLES & ! MILITIA DID ! TRACK+ D[N4 ,AGRICULTURAL DAY LABOR]S1 SEASONAL WORK]S & POOR PEASANTS ALL LIV$ 9 FE>4 ,AS A VILLAGE S*OOLBOY ,I HAD ALREADY SE5 ?OSE POOR DEVILS ) !IR LEGS 9 IRONS 9 ! ,COMMUNAL ,H\SE = 0TAX DEL9QU5CY40 

,! CAPITATION TAX 7ALSO REF]R$ TO AS ! 0P]SONAL TAX07 HIT EV]Y COOLIE OR PEASANT BETWE5 ! AGES ( #ah & #f4 ,IT AM\NT$ TO A MON?'S WAGES4 ,! POOR1 ALREADY /RIPP$ ( EV]Y?+ AFT] ! ECONOMIC CRISIS ( #a#i#b#i1 SIMPLY C\LD NOT PAY4 ,& 9 ,CO*9*9A1 ACCORD+ TO ! ,CODE DE L',9DIG5AT1 A M]E DELAY 9 PAYM5T WAS PUNI%ABLE BY IMPRISONM5T & A F9E4 

,MY WORKMATE AT ,DESC\RS @& ,CABAUD SECRETLY H&$ ME A Z9COGRAPH$ COPY ( ,CO ,DO 7,R$ ,FLAG74 ,I GLEAN$ FROM IT ALL ! NEWS ,I C\LD AB\T ! PROCESSIONS ( DI/RESS$ PEASANTS :I*1 DESPITE %OOT+S & >RE/S1 CONT9U$ TO =M 9 PRACTICALLY ALL ( ,CO*9*9A1 SU* AS ! ,MAY PEASANT M>*ES 9 ,CAO ,LANH1 ,O ,MON & ,*O ,MOI4 ,) WOM5 & *ILDR5 AT ! =EFRONT1 !Y DEM&$ A R$UCTION 9 ! CAPITATION TAX1 PO/PONEM5T ( ! DEADL9E1 PAYM5T = DAYS ( =C$ LABOR1 & SEIZURE ( RICE /OCKS FROM ! L&[N]S SO !Y C\LD BE DI/RIBUT$ AMONG ! POOR PEASANTS4 ,A F]M5T NOT SE5 S9CE ! RURAL REVOLTS ( #a#i#a#f6 ,9 ! >EA ( ,SAIGON KN[N AS 0! R$ NEI<BORHOOD0 BLOOD RAN 9 ! /REETS3 A DOZ5 PEASANTS W]E KILL$ & MANY MORE W]E W\ND$4 

,:OLEHE>T$LY AT ONE ) ! />V+ PEOPLE1 ,I ?RILL$ TO NEWS ( !IR REV5GE4 ,9 ,JULY #a#i#c1 9 ,TAN ,TAO VILLAGE NE> ,*OLON1 ! HUONG TRUONG 7DIGNIT>Y7 ,HUOT WAS GUNN$ D[N4 ,T[>D ! 5D ( ,AUGU/1 PEASANTS ATTACK$ ! ,COMMUNAL ,H\SES :]E ! NOTABLES ASSEMBL$1 9CLUD+ ?OSE ( ,XUAN ,?OI ,TAY1 ,TAN ,TRU1 ,LONG ,SON1 ,*AU ,?OI & ,*AU ,B9H4 ,9 ,TAN ,BUU1 !Y P\R$ K]OS5E OV] ! >*IVES & SET !M ON FIRE4 

,9 ,ANNAM1 ON ,MAY #a1 #a#i#c1 #ae PEASANTS FROM ! ,V9H >EA M>*$ 9 SIL5CE1 )\T PLAC>DS1 )\T FLAGS & )\T >MS1 TO ! MAT* FACTORY 9 ,B5 ,?UY TO JO9 ! WORK]S4 ,! COMM&] ( ! 9DIG5\S MILITIA HAD /ATION$ ?IRTY M5 9SIDE ! FACTORY & ORD]$ !M TO OP5 FIRE4 ,FIFTE5 ( ! M>*]S W]E KILL$ & C\NTLESS O!RS W\ND$4 ,9 ! VILLAGE ( ,HANH ,LAM 7,?ANH ,*UONG7.<#c#e.> ! PEASANTS ASSEMBL$ TO OCCUPY ! COMMUNAL L&S ?AT HAD BE5 ANNEX$ BY A L&[N]1 :O WAS EXP&+ HIS HOLD+S AT ! EXP5SE ( ! VILLAGE4 ,AGA91 ! SAME SLAU<T]3 #af DEAD & #ae W\ND$4 ,! VILLAGES ( ,Y5 ,?A & ,Y5 ,PHUC W]E BURN$ TO ! GR\ND4 

,! MOVEM5T 9T5SIFI$ ACROSS ,ANNAM1 & FROM ,SEPTEMB] ON DEVELOP$ 9TO AN OP5 9SURRECTION4 ,DEMON/RATORS ATTACK$ ! SUBPREFECTURES ( ,NAM ,DAN1 ,DO ,LUONG1 ,?ANH ,*UONG1 ,N<I ,LOC 7,N<E ,AN71 ,CAN ,LOC1 ,KY ,ANH & ,HUONG ,SON 7,HA ,T9H71 CUT TELEGRAPH L9ES1 RANSACK$ ! NATIVE POLICE /ATIONS1 FRE$ PRISON]S1 SET FIRE TO RAILWAY /ATIONS & *UR*ES1 & EXECUT$ DETE/$ M&>9S & NOTABLES4 ,TWO >EAS1 ,?ANH ,*UONG & ,NAM ,DAN1 W]E 9 TOTAL REVOLT4 ,! MILITIA NO LONG] D>$ 5T] ! VILLAGES4 ,9 ,OCTOB] ! 9SURRECTION REA*$ ,C5TRAL ,ANNAM1 :]E ! SUBPREFECTURES ( ,DUC ,PHO 7,QUANG ,TRI7 & ,SON ,T9H 7,QUANG ,NGAI7 W]E SACK$4 

,9 ,SEPTEMB] #a#i#c1 9 ! VILLAGES ( ,N<E ,AN :I* HAD BE5 AB&ON$ BY ! NOTABLES & ! LOCAL MILITIA1 ! PEASANTS BEGAN ORGANIZ+ !MSELVES 9TO SOVIETS .<DEMOCRATIC C\NCILS.>4 ,!Y TOOK OV] ! ADM9I/RATION &1 )\T T\*+ ! L&$ PROP]TY1 PROCE$$ TO %>E \T ! COMMUNAL L& ?AT HAD BE5 ANNEX$ BY ! L&LORDS4 ,!Y CONFISCAT$ ! RICE RES]VES & DI/RIBUT$ !M TO ! />V+1 ALLOCAT$ AGRICULTURAL WORK COLLECTIVELY1 ABOLI%$ TAXES1 IMPOS$ L[] F>M R5TS ON ! L&[N]S1 & LAUN*$ A LIT]ACY CAMPAIGN4 ,!SE SOVIETS EXT5D$ ?R\<\T ! PROV9CES ( ,HA ,T9H1 ,CAN ,LOC1 ,?A* ,HA & ,HUONG ,SON4 

,REPRESSION MAT*$ ! SCALE ( ! 9SURRECTION3 A]IAL BOMB>DM5T & MA*9E-GUN FIRE W]E US$ TO DISP]SE GA!R+S ( PEASANTS4 ,! ,=EIGN ,LEGION1 ! ,COLONIAL ,9FANTRY & ! ,NATIVE ,GU>D SET VILLAGES ON FIRE1 HUNT$ TO DEA? ! FLEE+ VILLAG]S1 & EXECUT$ PRISON]S4 ,ON ,SEPTEMB] #a#b1 #a#i#c1 AT ,HUNG ,NGUY51 ?REE KILOMET]S FROM ,V9H1 C>NAGE WAS 9FLICT$ FROM ! SKIES2 SIX BOMBS DROPP$ FROM A PLANE KILL$ MORE ?AN #b DEMON/RATORS4 

,NEV]!LESS1 ON ! ?IRTE5? ANNIV]S>Y ( ! ,RUSSIAN ,REVOLUTION1 ,NOVEMB] #g1 #a#i#c1 #ae COMBATANTS LAUN*$ AN ASSAULT ON ! =TRESS ( ,PHU ,DI5 7,N<E ,AN7 & #f ATTACK$ ! MILIT>Y PO/ AT ,CAN ,LOC 7,HA ,T9H74 

,9 E>LY #a#i#c#a1 9SURG5TS KILL$ ! TRI HUY5 7,SUBPREFECT7 ( ,N<I ,LOC & ?REW HIS ESCORT ( MILITIAM5 9TO ! RIV]4 ,9 REPRISAL1 #c PEASANTS W]E MASSACR$ & #b >RE/$4 ,9 ,QUANG ,NGAI PROV9CE DEMON/RATIONS MULTIPLI$1 AS WELL AS M>*ES ON ! LOCAL ADM9I/RATIVE C5T]S1 NOTABLY 9 ,SON ,T9H & ,MO ,DUC & 9 ! C5T] ( ! PROV9CE4 

,9 ,CO*9*9A 9 ,M>* #aica VILLAG]S SACK$ POLICE /ATIONS1 /RUNG TRIP-WIRES ACROSS ! ROADS1 FELL$ TREES ACROSS ! CAUSEWAYS1 & DUG LITTLE HOLL[S 9 ! ROAD :]E !Y PUT PLANKS FULL ( NAILS TO PUNCTURE ! TIRES ( ANY VEHICLES BR++ RE9=CEM5TS4 

,P>ALLEL MOVEM5TS W]E TAK+ PLACE 9 ! CITIES4 ,SEV]AL DAYS BE=E ,MAY ,DAY #aic LEAFLETS W]E ALREADY BE+ CIRCULAT$ 9 ! C5TRAL M>KETS & MUNICIPAL WORK%OPS ( ,SAIGON1 CALL+ ON WORK]S TO /RIKE = ! EI<T-H\R DAY4 ,R$ BANN]S APPE>$ OV]NI<T 9 FRONT ( ! (FICES ( ! ,FRANCO-,ASIATIC ,OIL ,COMPANY & ,/&>D ,OIL1 BE>+ ! SLOGANS3 ,W,O,R,K,],S ,& ,O,P,P,R,E,S,S,$ ,P,E,O,P,L,E,S ,( ,A,L,L ,C,\,N,T,R,I,E,S1 ,U,N,I,T,E6 ,D,E,M,& ,! ,E,I,<,T-,H,\,R ,D,A,Y6 ,D,[,N ,) ,F,R,5,* ,I,M,P,],I,A,L,I,S,M6 ,W,O,R,K,],S1 ,P,E,A,S,A,N,T,S1 ,S,O,L,D,I,],S1 ,U,N,I,T,E6 ,9,D,O,*,9,E,S,E ,C,O,M,M,U,N,I,/ ,P,>,T,Y4.<#c#f.> 

,! SAME DAY1 ! #be COOLIES & WORK]S AT ! ,*O ,QUAN C5TRAL ELECTRICAL WORKS /OPP$ WORK -- AN ALMO/ H]OIC ACT 9 ! CONTEXT ( ECONOMIC CRISIS & REPRESSION4 

,ON ,JANU>Y #a#c1 #a#i#c#a1 A /RIKE ( #h COOLIES BROKE \T AT ,/&>D ,OIL 9 ,NHA ,BE 9 RESPONSE TO ! FIR+ ( A FELL[ WORK]4 ,BANN]S APPE>$ 9 ! DI/RICTS ( ,DA ,KAO1 ,TAN ,D9H & ,KHANH ,HOI4 ,9 ,SAIGON ON ,SUNDAY1 ,FEBRU>Y #h1 DUR+ ! EXODUS FROM A SOCC] MAT* A MAN SPONTANE\SLY URG$ ! CR[D TO COMMEMORATE ! ,Y5 ,BAI 9FANTRY UPRIS+1 :I* HAD TAK5 PLACE 9 ,FEBRU>Y ( ! PREVI\S YE>4 ,A ,SU]TE 9SPECTOR1 ,LEGR&1 TRI$ TO GRAB HIM & WAS KILL$ BY A REVOLV] %OT4 ,?AT NI<T1 ! Z9COGRAPH$ PAGES ( ,CO ,VO ,SAN 7,PROLET>IAN ,FLAG7 FLOOD$ ! /REETS4 

,DUR+ ,M>* & ,APRIL #a#i#c#a1 9 ,ANNAM & ,TONK91 COMMITTEES & CELLS W]E BROK5 UP BY ! 5EMY4 ,ON ,MAY #a ALONE1 ALMO/ #e DEMON/RATORS W]E MASSACR$ 9 ,ANNAM4 ,LITTLE BY LITTLE1 ! MOVEM5T DIS9TEGRAT$ & DISP]S$ 9TO ! POPULATION1 :I* HAD BE5 PU%$ TO ! LIMIT BY SL[ />VATION AS WELL AS BY ! REPRESSION4 

,BETWE5 ,MAY #aic & ,JUNE #a#i#c#a1 ,I C\NT$ NEWSPAP] REPORTS ( NO LESS ?AN #ab PEASANT M>*ES & MORE ?AN TW5TY /RIKES 9 ,CO*9*9A4 

,:ILE ! C\NTRYSIDE WAS 9 TURMOIL1 ! TRIAL 9 ! CASE ( ! 0,RUE ,B>BI] CRIME0 OP5$ 9 ,SAIGON 7,JULY #a#e1 #a#i#c74 ,?IRTY-ONE MEMB]S & SYMPA?IZ]S ( ! ,?ANH ,NI5 7,REVOLUTION>Y ,Y\? ,LEAGUE7 HAD BE5 9DICT$4 ,SEV5TE5 MILITANTS FROM O!R UND]GR\ND NATIONALI/ ORGANIZATIONS W]E ALSO APPE>+ BE=E ! SAME C\RT4 

,= ME1 ! TRIAL UNVEIL$ ! MY/]Y AB\T ! MUTILAT$ CORPSE F\ND BY ! ,SU]TE 9 ,DECEMB] #aibh & ALSO REVEAL$ ! IMPLANTATION 9 ,CO*9*9A ( UND]GR\ND NATIONALI/ P>TIES FROM ,ANNAM 7! ,TAN ,VIET7 & ,TONK9 7! ,VIET ,NAM ,QUOC ,DAN ,DANG -- ,V,N,Q,D,D74 ,I WAS /UNN$ AT ! V]DICT3 DEA? S5T5CES = ?REE ( ! ,?ANH ,NI5 Y\? -- ,NGO ,?IEM1 #bb YE>S OLD2 ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,?9H1 #b#d1 & ,TRAN ,TRUONG1 #b#g2 TW5TY YE>S ( =C$ LABOR = ! PRIME 9/IGATOR ( ! ASSASS9ATION1 ,TON ,DUC ,?ANG1 & EI<T YE>S = ,NGUY5 ,TRUNG ,NGUYET1 #b#b1 ONE ( ! TWO WOM5 IMPLICAT$ 9 ! AFFAIR1 :OM ,I W\LD LAT] SEE 9 ! ,C5TRAL ,PRISON4 

,DUR+ ! NI<T ( ,MAY #b-#b#a1 #a#i#c#a1 ! GUILLOT9E WAS SET UP 9 FRONT ( ! ,SAIGON ,C5TRAL ,PRISON = ! ?REE DEA? S5T5CES1 :ILE POLICE CORDONS BLOCK$ (F ALL ! SURR\ND+ /REETS4 ,9SIDE ! PRISON DUR+ ! H\RS & DAYS ?AT FOLL[$1 ! POLITICAL PRISON]S -- WOM5 & M5 -- %\T$ UNCEAS+LY3 0,D[N ) ! :ITE T]ROR6 ,D[N ) ,FR5* IMP]IALISM60 UNTIL FIRE HOSES1 BLUDGEONS & LEG IRONS F9ALLY 5=C$ SIL5CE4 ,ON ,NOVEMB] #b1 #a#i#c#a1 IT WAS ! TURN ( ! TE5AG] ,HUY 7,LY ,TU ,TRONG71 ALLEG$LY GUILTY ( ,9SPECTOR ,LEGR&'S MURD]1 TO BE BEHEAD$4 ,! PRISON]S SET UP AN 5ORM\S D9 ?AT REA*$ BEYOND ! PRISON WALLS & %OOK ! :OLE >EA4 ,! REPRESSION WAS M]CILESS4 ,! ,C5TRAL ,PRISON WAS SO OV]CR[D$ ) ! MASS ( DETA9EES ?AT NEW DET5TION CAMPS ( /RAW HUTS W]E SET UP 9 ! NE>BY T[N ( ,?I ,N<E4 

,EV]Y ,SUNDAY ,I BIK$ BACK TO MY VILLAGE ) CL&E/9E NEWSPAP]S & LEAFLETS HIDD5 9 ! H&LEB>S & READ !M TO MY PEASANT FRI5DS4 ,AFT]W>DS1 ,I KEPT !M 9 A BOTTLE HIDD5 9 ! BAMBOO H$GE4 

,I CONT9U$ MY READ+ ( ,M>X AT ! ,SAIGON ,PUBLIC ,LIBR>Y AFT] WORK1 REGI/]+ UND] A FALSE NAME4 ,I /RUGGL$ TO UND]/& ,CAPITAL1 BUT WAS FASC9AT$ BY ,M>X'S NOTES GIV+ CONCRETE EXAMPLES ( CAPITALI/ B>B>ISM4 

,I SUBMITT$ AN ELEGIAC POEM1 ,BI5 ,CA ,*IEU ,HOM 7,FAC+ ! ,SEA AT ,TWILI<T71 TO AN ,ANNAMITE NEWSPAP]1 & !Y PUBLI%$ IT AS WELL AS SOME %ORT RU/IC VIGNETTES AB\T ! H>D LIFE ( ! PEASANTS4 ,SOME ( MY WORKMATES REACT$ ) FRI5DLY SURPRISE4 ,ONE ( !M1 ,PHAN ,KHANH ,VAN1 TOLD ME AB\T :AT HE HAD READ AT ! ,MY ,?O HI< S*OOL -- ,BALZAC1 ,VICTOR ,HUGO1 ,MADAME DE ,/AEL4 ,HE HAD WRITT5 A NOVEL &1 WANT+ TO SUBMIT IT TO A B\RGEOIS J\RNAL1 ,NAM ,NU ,GIOI ,*UNG1 HAD MET ) ONE ( ITS $ITORS1 ,HO ,HUU ,TUONG4 ,DUR+ !IR MEET+ ,PHAN M5TION$ MY ATTEMPTS TO TRANSLATE ! ,COMMUNI/ ,MANIFE/O4 ,9TRIGU$ BY ?IS 0PA/IME10 ,HO ,HUU ,TUONG WANT$ TO MEET ME4 ,FROM ! BEG9N+ HIS MANN] WAS TRU/+ & FRI5DLY4 ,HE S5S$ MY EAG]NESS TO ACT1 & >RANG$ A FIR/ MEET+ 9 AN ISOLAT$ CORN] ( ! ,BOTANICAL ,G>D51 BEH9D ! 5CLOSURE :]E DE] GRAZ$4 

,9ITIAT+ ME 9TO CL&E/9ITY1 ,HO ,HUU ,TUONG 9TRODUC$ ME TO ,ANH ,GIA 70,ELDE/ ,BRO!R071 ) :OM ,I W\LD 0WORK40 ,/UNT$ 9 /ATURE1 ,ANH ,GIA LOOK$ OLD] ?AN HIS AGE TO ME4 ,WE SOON BECAME FRI5DS1 & C>RI$ ON NUM]\S DISCUSSIONS SITT+ ON ! GRASS 9 ISOLAT$ >EAS4 

,ONE DAY HE GAVE ME SOME POCKET-=MAT NOTEBOOKS ( H&WRITT5 TEXTS DUPLICAT$ ON A JELLYGRAPH 9 VIOLET 9K4 ,?IS WAS ,?ANG ,MUOI 7,OCTOB]71 ! !ORETICAL ORGAN ( ! ,TA ,DOI ,LAP 7,LEFT ,OPPOSITION74 ,9 IT ! ,OPPOSITION CRITICIZ$ ! ,COMMUNI/ ,P>TY1 A P>TY ?AT WAS ORI5T$ MORE T[>D ! PEASANTRY ?AN TO ! WORK]S1 & ! MAJORITY ( :OSE LEAD]S CONSI/$ ( 0,MOSC[ TRA9EES0.<#c#g.> :O W]E PEASANTS RA!R ?AN WORK]S4 ,REJECT+ ! MODEL ( ! PR(ESSIONAL REVOLUTION>Y =M$ BY ! ,/AL9I/ S*OOL1 ,?ANG ,MUOI >GU$ ?AT IT WAS NECESS>Y TO 0BOND0 ) ! RANK-&-FILE URBAN WORK]S & BUILD A 0MASS-BAS$0 P>TY4 

,UN=TUNATELY1 AT WORK ,I F\ND H>DLY ANYONE ) :OM ,I C\LD DISCUSS CURR5T EV5TS4 ,! COOLIES1 TRUCK DRIV]S1 & (FICE EMPLOYES SEEM$ UNCONC]N$ ) :AT WAS GO+ ON4 ,EV5 ! WORKMATE :O SOMETIMES SURREPTITI\SLY PASS$ ME COMMUNI/ LEAFLETS %[$ LITTLE 9T]E/4 ,YET ! BRUTE =CE ( ! COLONIAL REGIME WAS EV] PRES5T & 9CREAS+LY PROVOCATIVE4 ,AMONG O!R ACTS ( BULLY+1 MY /OMA* *URN$ AT ! SPECTACLE ( ! ,FR5* =EMAN VIOL5TLY KICK+ ONE ( MY COOLIE WORKMATES4 

,! REPRESSION WAS SO GREAT ?AT PEOPLE W]E AFRAID TO USE WORDS LIKE CONG HOI 7LABOR UNION7 & TRANH DAU 7/RUGGLE74 ,SO ,I TRI$1 NOT )\T DIFFICULTIES1 TO DISCREETLY BR+ TOGE!R MO/ ( ! COOLIES & ! TWO TRUCK DRIV]S 9 A K9D ( 0MUTUAL-AID ASSOCIATION0 = ! PURPOSE ( HELP+ EA* O!R 9 CASES ( DEA?1 ILLNESS OR O!R MIS=TUNE1 AS WELL AS TO FO/] A M9IMAL S5SE ( WAGE-SLAVE FRAT]NITY4 ,FROM TIME TO TIME ?IRTY OR MORE ( US W\LD CAUTI\SLY GET TOGE!R AT ONE OR ANO!R ( \R HOMES1 ON ! PRETEXT ( CELEBRAT+ A BIR?DAY OR A M>RIAGE1 OR SIMPLY HAV+ A D9N] P>TY4 7,A MEET+ ( MORE ?AN #ai PEOPLE )\T PRIOR AU?ORIZATION WAS ILLEGAL47 ,I HID ! RECORD ( ! MONEY COLLECT$ 9 ! L9+ ( MY CAP4 

,ONE MORN+ ON >RIV+ AT WORK1 ,I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRIS$ TO F9D ?AT ! COOLIES HAD REFUS$ TO 5T] ! WORKPLACE :5 ! GATES OP5$1 & REMA9$ /&+ ON ! /REET4 ,?IS WAS ! FIR/ /RIKE ( ! L[E/-PAID WORK]S AT ,DESC\RS @& ,CABAUD DUR+ ! CRISIS-RIDD5 YE>S ( 5DEMIC UNEMPLOYM5T 9 ! #a#i#cS4 

,! NEXT DAY !Y GA!R$ AGA91 SITT+ ON ! PAVEM5T ON ! O!R SIDE ( ,B\LEV>D DE LA ,SOMME1 #a MET]S FROM ! GATES ( ! COOLIES' 5TRANCE1 PRESUMABLY AWAIT+ SOME RESPONSE FROM ! BOSSES4 ,I PUT ! MONEY ( \R FRAT]NAL ASSOCIATION AT !IR DISPOSAL4 ,9 ! AFT]NOON !Y DECID$ TO GO 9 & TELL ! ,TAY 7! ,FR5*7 :AT !Y WANT$4 ,I ACT$ AS 9T]PRET] = ! EX*ANGE BETWE5 !M & ! COMPANY MANAG]1 ,GUYON1 A SN>L+ BALD MAN ) A HUGE PAUN*4 ,SUDD5LY ,PE]T APPE>$1 MY IMM$IATE BOSS1 A ?ICK1 /OCKY GUY :O WAS SOMETIMES RA!R PAT]NALI/IC :5 HE WAS 9 ! MOOD4 ,HE GRABB$ ME BY ! >M & DRAGG$ ME TO ! CORN] :]E ,I WORK$ 9 ! O!R BUILD+4 ,JABB+ HIS 9DEX F+] 9 MY BELLY1 HE %\T$3 0,KEEP \T ( IT1 AS%OLE1 OR Y\'LL BE \T ON Y\R ASS6 ,UND]/&80 

,! /RIK]S DEM&$ BETT] PAY & D5\NC$ ! BEAT+S & FIL?Y 9SULTS4 ,! SLAVE-DRIV]S GAVE NO GR\ND = ! MOM5T1 BUT AT ! NEXT PAYDAY ! L[E/ WAGES W]E SLI<TLY RAIS$4 

,AT ! BEG9N+ ( #a#i#c#b1 ,HUYNH ,VAN ,DAM1 :O WAS ALLEG$ TO HAVE KILL$ A ,SU]TE 9=M]1 WAS S5T5C$ TO DEA? & GUILLOT9$4 ,IT WAS ! ?IRD YE> ( ! ECONOMIC CRISIS4 ,PUBLIC WORKS DAY LABOR]S 9 ,SAIGON W]E =C$ TO ACCEPT A CUT 9 !IR WAGES 9 EX*ANGE = NO FIR+S4 ,RICK%AW PULL]S1 :O HAD BE5 PAY+ ONE PIA/] = A F\R-YE> LIC5SE1 W]E N[ OBLIG$ TO OBTA9 A NEW LIC5SE LA/+ ONLY ONE YE> = ! SAME MONEY4 ,R$UC$ TO BEA/S ( BURD51 !SE M5 W5T ON /RIKE 9 ,GIA ,D9H4 

,FROM ,AUGU/ TO ,NOVEMB] #aicb !RE W]E SE>*ES & >RE/S 9 ,SAIGON-,*OLON & POLICE R\NDUPS 9 ! PROV9CES4 ,SOME SIXTY CONSPIRATORS ( ! UND]GR\ND 0,COMMUNI/ ,LEFT ,OPPOSITION0 GR\P & A SIMIL> NUMB] FROM ! ,COMMUNI/ ,P>TY 7:I* WAS 9 ! PROCESS ( RECON/ITUT+ ITSELF7 W]E CAU<T 9 ! DRAGNET4 ,HORRIBLE /ATI/ICS APPE>$ 9 ! ,DEPE*E D',9DO*9E ( ,FEBRU>Y #b1 #a#i#c#c3 BETWE5 #aic & ! 5D ( #a#i#c#b1 MORE ?AN #a#b1 POLITICAL PRISON]S HAD BE5 TAK51 ( :OM #hh W]E GUILLOT9$ & ALMO/ #g W]E S5T5C$ TO YE>S ( PRISON OR H>D LABOR 9 ! P5AL COLONIES4 ,?REE ?\S& DETA9EES W]E /ILL WAIT+ 9 PRISON TO LE>N !IR FATE4 

,I WAS LIV+ BESIDE ! ,*O ,QUAN *UR* 9 A P>TITION$ AP>TM5T NEXT TO ,ANH ,GIA4 ,ONE NI<T 9 ,OCTOB] #a#i#c#b1 ,I HE>D AN AL>M+ DI/URBANCE ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! DIVID+ WALL3 ! ,SU]TE COPS HAD BROK5 9 & W]E TAK+ ,ANH ,GIA AWAY1 ALONG ) HIS EI<TE5-YE>-OLD P>TN] ,*I ,MUOI 7REAL NAME ,TRAN ,?I ,MUOI71 :O HAD BE5 ONE ( ! FIR/ ,OPPOSITIONI/S )9 ! ,COMMUNI/ ,P>TY 9 #a#i#c#a4 ,! POLICE TURN$ ! LODG+ H\SE 9TO A TRAP4 ,I QUIETLY SLIPP$ AWAY1 BUT :5 ,I PICTUR$ ,ANH ,GIA & ,*I ,MUOI 9 ! H&S ( ! ,SU]TE TORTUR]S ,I FELT LIKE A P>T ( MYSELF HAD BE5 CAPTUR$4 ,DUR+ ! R\T9E ( MY JOB1 ,I REHE>S$ TO MYSELF ! 9/RUCTIONS 9 CASE ( >RE/4 ,& AS ! DAYS & WEEKS PASS$1 ,I ?\<T ( ! C\RAGE ( ?OSE TWO1 ( ALL !Y MU/ HAVE SUFF]$ )\T BREAK+1 S9CE ! POLICE HAD NOT COME TO >RE/ ME4 ,I LE>N$ LAT] 9 :AT CONDITION ! TORTUR]S HAD LEFT ,ANH ,GIA4 ,= A LONG TIME HE WAS UNABLE TO /& UP4 ,I DID NOT KN[ !N ?AT MY 9ITIATOR1 ,HO ,HUU ,TUONG1 HAD ALSO BE5 SEIZ$ 9 ! SAME RAID4 ,I LE>N$ :AT HAPP5$ TO MY FRI5DS AT !IR TRIAL4 

,ANH ,GIA WAS ONE ( ! #ba MILITANTS FROM ! ,COMMUNI/ ,LEFT ,OPPOSITION GR\P 7,TA ,DOI ,LAP7 :O W]E TRI$ ON ,MAY #a1 #a#i#c#c4 ,MO/ ( !M W]E V]Y Y\NG4 ,HE WAS S5T5C$ TO A YE> 9 PRISON1 !N S5T TO BREAK ROCKS 9 ! ,*AU ,DOC QU>RIES4 ,! MA9 ORGANIZ]S1 ,HO ,HUU ,TUONG & ,PHAN ,VAN ,*ANH 7BUT NOT ,TA ,?U ,?AU1 :O WAS TRI$ LAT]71 :O HAD BO? RETURN$ AFT] SOME YE>S 9 ,FRANCE1 W]E GIV5 SUSP5D$ S5T5CES ( ?REE & F\R YE>S4 ,! O!RS RECEIV$ PRISON T]MS ( BETWE5 F\R & EI<TE5 MON?S4 ,BUT ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,?UONG & ,PHAM ,VAN ,DONG 7:O PLUNG$ A FILE 9TO HIS ?ROAT :5 HE WAS >RE/$7 W]E HIT ) FIVE & F\R YE>S1 PLUS RE/RICT$ RESID5CE.<#c#h.> ( TW5TY & T5 YE>S1 = ! POSSESSION ( REVOLV]S4 ,PHAM ,VAN ,DONG WAS KEPT UNTIL HIS DEA? AT ,P\LO ,CONDORE4 ,*I ,MUOI WAS ACQUITT$4 ,DESPITE ! TORTURE %E HAD 5DUR$ AT ! ,SU]TE1 %E DID NOT HESITATE TO RETURN TO ! /RUGGLE3 IT WAS %E :O1 9 #a#i#c#e1 DI/RIBUT$ ! CL&E/9E PAMPHLETS & LEAFLETS ( \R ,LEFT ,OPPOSITIONI/ GR\P 9 ! ,/AL9I/-DOM9AT$ RURAL REGIONS4 

,ON ,MAY #c1 #a#i#c#c1 ! 5ORM\S TRIAL ( #aba ,COMMUNI/ ,P>TY MEMB]S TOOK PLACE4 ,! DETA9EES W]E TAK5 \T ( ! ,C5TRAL ,PRISON1 H&CUFF$ & *A9$ TO EA* O!R1 & L$ ACROSS ,RUE ,LAGR&I]E TO ! ,HALL ( ,JU/ICE 9 ! MID/ ( *ANTS1 %\TS & WEEP+ FROM P>5TS1 WIVES & *ILDR51 :O W]E HELD BACK BY ! POLICE4 ,! C\R?\SE WAS SURR\ND$ BY A MASS ( CIVIL GU>DS & SOLDI]S ) BAYONETS FIX$ ON !IR RIFLES4 

,?IS WAS ! F9AL ACT ( ! #a#i#c-#a#i#c#a PEASANT TRAG$Y 9 ,CO*9*9A4 ,! MAJORITY ( ! P>TICIPANTS CAME FROM ! L[] RANKS ( AGRICULTURAL LABOR]S1 BUT ALSO 9CLUD$ COOLIES1 TYPOGRAPH]S1 ELECTRICIANS1 LESS] NOTABLES1 TEA*]S1 (FICE WORK]S & SOLDI]S1 L$ BY A H&FUL ( PR(ESSIONAL REVOLUTION>IES :O HAD BE5 TRA9$ 9 ,MOSC[ OR ,CANTON4 

,! TRIBUNAL ACCUS$ !M 5 BLOC ( 0CON/ITUT+ A SECRET SOCIETY1 PLOTT+ AGA9/ /ATE SECURITY1 & CRIM9AL CONSPIRACY02 DISSEM9AT+ PROPAG&A LEAFLETS & NEWSPAP]S2 CL&E/9E =MATION ( LABOR UNIONS & PEASANT UNIONS2 ORGANIZ+ M>*ES ( ! POOR TO DEM& R$UCTION ( TAXES 9 #a#i#c2 /EAL+ >MS FROM ! ,CAMP DES ,M>ES 9 #a#i#b#i2 EXECUT+ ?REE POLICE (FICIALS & KILL+ A MILITIAMAN DUR+ A SKIRMI% AT ,NHA ,BE 9 #a#i#c2 & ATTACK+ A TRANSPORT %IP AT ,MY ,?O4 ,RU%$ ?R\< 9 FIVE DAYS1 ! TRIAL 5D$ BE=E DAWN ON ,MAY #g ) A V]DICT ( DEA? = EI<T ( ! ACCUS$4 ,N9ETY-EI<T W]E S5T5C$ TO ! P5AL COLONIES -- = LIFE 9 ! CASE ( N9ETE5 ( !M1 9CLUD+ AN #h#i-YE>-OLD MAN4 

,) ! PEASANT MOVEM5T DECAPITAT$1 SEV]AL 9SURG5TS1 MO/ ( :OM HAD PASS$ SOME TIME 9 ,FRANCE -- ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,TAO 7A ,/AL9I/ COMMUNI/71 ,TA ,?U ,?AU1 ,PHAN ,VAN ,*ANH & ,HUYNH ,VAN ,PHUONG 7,TROTSKYI/ ,OPPOSITION COMMUNI/S71 ,TRAN ,VAN ,?A* & ,LE ,VAN ,?U 7,TROTSKYI/ SYMPA?IZ]S71 & ,TR9H ,HUNG ,NGAU 7AN AN>*I/7 -- REGR\P$ >\ND !IR ELD]1 ,NGUY5 ,AN ,N9H1 & TOOK ! 9ITIATIVE ( LEGALLY OPPOS+ ! COLONIAL REGIME DUR+ ! ,SAIGON ,CITY ,C\NCIL ELECTIONS ( ,APRIL-,MAY #a#i#c#c4.<#c#i.> ,!Y LAUN*$ A WEEKLY ,FR5*-LANGUAGE NEWSPAP]1 ,LA ,LUTTE .<,/RUGGLE.>1 !REBY EVAD+ ! REQUIREM5T ?AT EV]Y PUBLICATION 9 ! 9DIG5\S LANGUAGES HAD TO OBTA9 PRIOR AU?ORIZATION4 ,?US IT WAS ?AT ! TWO COMMUNI/ T5D5CIES1 ,/AL9I/ & ,TROTSKYI/1 =M$ A COMMON FRONT 9 #aicc )9 ,LA ,LUTTE4 ,?IS UNIQUE ALLIANCE1 AT ! V]Y MOM5T ?AT 9 ! ,U,S,S,R & EV]Y:]E ELSE 9 ! WORLD ,/AL9 & ! ,COMMUNI/ ,P>TIES LOYAL TO HIM W]E HUNT+ D[N ANYONE EV5 REMOTELY SUSPECT$ ( 0,TROTSKYISM10 LA/$ NE>LY ?REE YE>S4 ,/AL9I/S & ,TROTSKYI/S1 9 A JO9T /RUGGLE AGA9/ !IR IMM$IATE 5EMIES1 ! COLONIAL REGIME & ! B\RGEOIS ,CON/ITUTIONALI/ ,P>TY1 WORK$ TOGE!R TO PUBLI% A NEWSPAP] = ! DEF5SE ( ! WORK]S1 COOLIES & PEASANTS4 ,NGUY5 ,AN ,N9H WAS ! REAL L9*P94 ,EV]Y WEEK1 ?ANKS TO A NETWORK ( WELL-PLAC$ S\RCES1 ,LA ,LUTTE ASSEMBL$ ALL ! NEWS & EYE-WITNESS REPORTS IT C\LD F9D AB\T WORK]S 7/RIKES1 UNIONS1 WAGES1 WORKPLACE ACCID5TS 4447 & PEASANTS 7PLUND]+ BY L&[N]S1 EXTORTION BY NOTABLES1 BRUTALITY ( ! COLONI/S71 & AB\T TRIALS1 TORTURE1 POLICE VIOL5CE1 & O!R ABUSES ( ! ADM9I/RATION4 ,= MY P>T1 ,I WAS ALSO ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE NEWS ( MOVEM5TS 9 ! PLANTATIONS4 

,! ,WORK]S' ,SLATE 7,SO LAO DONG7 = ! ELECTION WAS HEAD$ BY ! ,/AL9I/ ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,TAO & ,TRAN ,VAN ,?A*1 :O WAS CLOSE TO ! ,TROTSKYI/S4 ,I ATT5D$ ! MEET+S 9 ,APRIL #aicc AT ! ,?ANH ,XUONG ,!AT]1 :I* WAS FILL$ TO OV]FL[+ BY ! COMMON PEOPLE ( ,SAIGON & 9FILTRAT$ BY ,SU]TE COPS4 ,! 5?USIA/IC AUDI5CE RAIS$ !IR H&S TO VOTE ?AT ,NGUY5 ,AN ,N9H %\LD *AIR ! MEET+4 ,?US IT WAS ?AT ,I F9ALLY SAW ! FACE ( ! MAN :OSE /RUGGLES HAD GRIPP$ & 9SPIR$ ME S9CE #a#i#b#h-#a#i#b#i4 ,HE WAS FLANK$ BY ,TA ,?U ,?AU & ,TRAN ,VAN ,AN4 

,= ! FIR/ TIME WORK]S & COOLIES HE>D ?R\< ! VOICE ( ,TRAN ,VAN ,?A* SOMEONE TALK+ OP5LY AB\T ! RI<T TO BELONG TO A UNION & TO /RIKE1 AB\T ! EI<T-H\R DAY & UNIV]SAL SUFFRAGE4 ,! C&IDATES' SPEE*ES W]E /UDD$ ) TABOO WORDS -- CONG HOI 7LABOR UNION71 TU BAN 7CAPITALI/71 VO SAN 7PROLET>IAN71 BAI CONG 7/RIKE71 GIAI CAP TRANH DAU 7CLASS /RUGGLE7 -- :I* UNTIL !N HAD ONLY BE5 SECRETLY DECIPH]$ 9 CL&E/9E LEAFLETS4 

,9 ORD] TO RAISE ! L>GE DEPOSIT NE$$ = EA* C&IDATE 9 ! ELECTIONS1 ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,TAO HAD OP5$ A SMALL BE] B> 9 ! ,OLD ,M>KET DI/RICT4 ,I TOOK MY WORKMATES !RE 9 ! EV5+S4 ,ON ,MAY #g1 ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,TAO & ,TRAN ,VAN ,?A* W]E ELECT$ 9 ! MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS4 ,I1 & ,I ?9K MANY O!RS1 FELT SOME:AT /R5G!N$ BY ?IS *ALL5GE TO ! >ROGANT COLONIAL SOCIETY -- TWO C&IDATES FROM A 0,WORK]S' ,SLATE0 BECOM+ P>T ( ! ,SAIGON ,CITY ,C\NCIL4 ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,TAO & ,TRAN ,VAN ,?A* BECAME1 AS F> AS WAS POSSIBLE1 ! VOICE ( ! DISPOSSESS$ )9 ?IS MUNICIPAL BODY -- UNTIL ?REE MON?S LAT] :5 !IR ELECTION WAS ANNULL$ BY ! COLONIAL REGIME4 

,AT ! BEG9N+ ( ,SEPTEMB] A ?IRD TRIAL ( COMMUNI/S BEGAN4 ,AMONG ! SIXTY-ODD PRISON]S *>G$ ) RECON/ITUT+ A P>TY WAS ,LU ,SANH ,HANH1 A DISSID5T :O HAD BE5 9 T\* ) ! ,TROTSKYI/ ,LEFT ,OPPOSITION 9 #a#i#c#b4 ,MEAN:ILE1 ,I ATT5D$ TALKS AT ! ,C5T] = ,MUTUAL ,$UCATION GIV5 BY ,TA ,?U ,?AU & ,PHAN ,VAN ,HUM ON DIALECTICS -- A SUBJECT ?AT1 DESPITE ITS DIFFICULTY1 5G5D]$ 5?USIASM 9 MANY Y\NG PEOPLE1 (FICE EMPLOYES1 WORK]S & TEA*]S 9 ?OSE TUMULTU\S TIMES4 ,BUT UND] PRESSURE FROM ! ,SU]TE1 ! ,C5T] SOON CLOS$ ITS DOORS TO !SE DISCUSSIONS4 

,I LE>N$ FROM ! ,DEPE*E D',9DO*9E ?AT ! SPIRIT ( REBELLION HAD REA*$ ! =E/S4 ,UNSUBDU$ BY 0CIVILIZATION10 ! ,MOI TRIBESM5 ( ! M\NTA9 >EA ( ,BA ,RA HAD KILL$ ! ,REGIONAL ,ADM9I/RATOR 9 ,OCTOB] #a#i#c#c4 ,MILITIAM5 & POLICE RESPOND$ BY SETT+ FIRE TO ALL ! /RAW HUTS 9 ! ,MOI VILLAGE & TO ! FIELDS :]E ! H>VE/ WAS /ILL WAIT+ TO BE CUT4 ,O!R RECALCITRANTS ( ! =E/S1 ! ,PHNONGS1 RETALIAT+ = ! 0PACIFICATION0 9 ! ,HAUT-,*LONG >EA1 ATTACK$ MILIT>Y PO/S & 9FLICT$ SEV]E LOSSES ON ! COLONIAL TROOPS4 

,9 #a#i#c#d1 ,I DISCOV]$ ,TA ,?U ,?AU'S ,TROIS MOIS A LA ,SU]TE RUE ,CAT9AT .<,?REE ,MON?S AT ! ,SU]TE ON ,RUE ,CAT9AT.>4 ,TA ,?U ,?AU DESCRIB$ :AT HAPP5$ 9 ?AT GRUESOME BUILD+1 SITUAT$ ON ! LIVELIE/ & MO/ BEAUTIFUL /REET 9 ,SAIGON4 ,ONE EV5+1 A COP PULL$ HIM \T ( HIS CELL TO TAKE HIM UP TO ! TORTURE ROOM AT ! TOP FLOOR1 %\T+3 0,AH6 ,?IS /RAPP+ FELL[ WILL BE ABLE TO TOL]ATE LOTS ( BL[S60 ,TA ,?U ,?AU />T$ TO YELL4 ,LACOMBE1 ! *IEF1 APPE>$1 & ASSUR$ HIM HE W\LD NOT BE MI/REAT$4 ,:I* TURN$ \T TO BE TRUE4 ,LACOMBE PREF]R$ TO WORK ON HIM ?R\< HIS COMRADES1 :O W]E BE+ TORTUR$ ) NO RESPITE4 

,FROM HIS CELL1 ,TA ,?U ,?AU LOOK$ = A WAY TO COMMUNICATE ) ! O!R DETA9EES4 ,FIR/ HE W\LD HOI/ HIMSELF UP TO ! SPYHOLE AT ! TOP ( ! DOOR TO WAT* = ! GU>DS2 !N HE W\LD FLATT5 HIMSELF ON ! CEM5T FLOOR1 PRESS+ HIS M\? & HIS E> 9 TURN AGA9/ ! OP5+ AT ! FOOT ( ! DOOR4 ,9 ?IS WAY HE MADE ! ACQUA9TANCE ( ! Y\NG ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,HOANG1 :OSE VOICE WAS SO S(T & SO FRAGILE4 ,ONE EV5+ ,HOANG1 :O HAD BE5 HORRIBLY TORTUR$1 CALL$ \T TO HIM3 0,BRO!R6 ,I CAN'T BE> IT ANY MORE 444 ,!Y'LL />T AGA9 TOMORR[4 ,I WANT TO 5D IT ALL TONI<T40 ,) ALL HIS /R5G?1 ,TA ,?U ,?AU BEGG$ HIM NOT TO LET HIMSELF BE BROK54 ,A LITTLE LAT]1 HE HE>D A DULL1 HEAVY ?UD1 !N SIL5CE4 ,! NEXT MORN+1 ! COPS F\ND ,HOANG /ILL ALIVE2 !Y LEFT HIM !RE 9 HIS CELL1 NAK$1 ) HIS LEGS 9 IRONS1 = TWO MON?S4 ,EV]Y NI<T1 ,TA ,?U ,?AU W\LD HE> HIM RATTL+ HIS *A9S WEAKLY4 

,ONE NI<T1 !RE W]E DREADFUL MOANS AGA94 ,! COPS W]E BR++ A WOMAN ON A /RET*] BACK 9TO H] CELL4 ,TA ,?U ,?AU TRI$ TO SPEAK TO COMRADE ,NGUY5 ,?I ,MY1 BUT %E WAS CONSUM$ BY SUFF]+4 ,! NEXT DAY %E WAS TRANSF]R$ TO ! ,C5TRAL ,PRISON1 !N TO ! HOSPITAL AT ,*O ,QUAN4 ,%E DI$ %ORTLY AFT] H] RELEASE FROM PRISON4 

,ON SOME NI<TS ,TA ,?U ,?AU W\LD HE> O!R COMRADES1 ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,BE1 ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,?UONG & ,DONG1 BE+ DRAGG$ (F = TORTURE EV]Y TWO H\RS4 

0,! WIDE WORLD BELONGS TO ! VAGABOND0 7,NGUY5 ,AN ,N9H74 

,SAIGON-,%AN<AI-,OSAKA1 AN ACC\NT BY A J\RNALI/ 5GAG$ AS A CAB9 BOY ON A ,MESSAG]IES ,M>ITIMES %IP1 WAS = ME AN IRRESI/IBLE 9VITATION AU VOYAGE1.<#d.> & ,I DREAM$ ?AT SOME DAY ,I W\LD TAKE ! SAME PA? T[>D ! ,WE/ 7DI ,TAY74 ,(T51 9 ! EV5+S AFT] ,I LEFT WORK 7,DESC\RS @& ,CABAUD WAS RI<T ON ! PORT71 ,I W\LD SIT ON A B5* AT ! $GE ( ! ,*9ESE ,>ROYO NE> ! SIGNAL PO/ & WAT* ! COM+S & GO+S 9 ! H>BOR1 FE>+ ?AT MY DREAMS W\LD ALL EVAPORATE 9 ! C\RSE ( TIME LIKE ! PLUMES ( GRAY SMOKE RIS+ FROM ! %IPS' FUNNELS4 

,BUT ONE DAY1 AMONG ! /RAW HUTS NEXT TO ! DOCKS1 ,I MANAG$ TO MAKE CONTACT ) ! WIFE ( A SAILOR NAM$ ,TY1 :O WAS 9 *>GE ( ! LAUNDRYM5 ON ! ,>AMIS4 ,IF ,I C\<$ UP #e PIA/]S -- A :OLE MON?'S WAGES -- HE W\LD 9TRODUCE ME TO HIS BOSS4 ,?IS BOSS TOOK ME TO ! 5ROLLM5T (FICE TO OBTA9 ! NECESS>Y M>ITIME PASSPORT1 AN IMPRESSIVE DOCUM5T :I* FEATUR$ ALL MY F+]PR9TS & DESCRIB$ ME 9 FULL AN?ROPOMETRIC DETAIL4 ,& !RE ,I WAS1 SIGN$ ON TO ! LAUNDRY TEAM ABO>D ! ,>AMIS1 ! FIR/ DIESEL-P[]$ VESSEL ( ! ,MESSAG]IES ,M>ITIMES4 ,I EMB>K$ )\T 9=M+ MY FAMILY1 MY FRI5DS1 MY EMPLOY]1 OR ANYONE ELSE EXCEPT MY COMRADE 9 UND]GR\ND ACTIVITY1 ,HO ,HUU ,TUONG1 :O GAVE ME ! ADDRESS ( A ,TROTSKYI/ FRI5D 9 ,P>IS4 

,! %IP WEI<$ AN*OR 9 ,SAIGON ON ,M>* #c1 #a#i#c#d4 ,! LAUNDRY TEAM CONSI/$ ( A DOZ5 GUYS1 NATIVES ( ,ANNAM & ,TONK9 EXCEPT = ,TY & ME1 :O W]E BO? FROM ,CO*9*9A4 ,I WAS ASSIGN$ TO IRON %EETS4 ,WE WORK$ 9 ! POOP & SLEPT 9 ! HOLD1 LY+ ON PLANKS 9 R[S LIKE S>D9ES4 ,! ,CANTON ,*9ESE1 EMPLOY$ 9 HO/ELRY1 & ?OSE FROM ,%AN<AI :O WORK$ 9 ! 5G9E ROOM1 HAD SEP>ATE SLEEP+ QU>T]S4 ,! ,ITALIANS W]E CAB9 BOYS & WE SAW !M ONLY R>ELY4 ,ABOVE ! 5TRANCE TO ! ,CANTONESE SLEEP+ QU>T]S WAS HUNG ! 9SCRIPTION ,BANG HUU NHU VAN 7,FRI5DS >E LIKE ! CL\DS71 CALLIGRAPH$ ON A /RIP ( :ITE MUSL94 ,! D>K ROOM1 FULL ( SLEEP+ BODIES1 WAS FITFULLY ILLUM9AT$ H]E & !RE BY ! SPUTT]+ OIL LAMPS ( ! OPIUM SMOK]S4 

,9 ! ,9DIAN ,OCEAN1 A HEAVY SWELL ROCK$ ! BOAT4 ,! PIT*+ & ROLL+ MADE ME SO NAUSE\S ?AT ,I C\LDN'T /& UP )\T VOMIT+4 ,I DROPP$ MY WORK & RAN TO ! HOLD TO LIE D[N4 ,ANNOY$ AT MY DES]TION1 MY WORKMATES CAME & PULL$ ME FROM MY PLANK B]?4 ,F9ALLY ,I WAS TRANSF]R$ TO SORT+ ! L954 

,ON SOME DAYS1 ! SEA WAS SO CALM ?AT A PLATE C\LD FLOAT ON IT -- BI5 ?A DIA KHONG *IM1 AS MY ,TONK9ESE COMPANIONS SAID4 ,FLY+ FI%1 PORPOISES OR DOLPH9S PREC$$ US1 LEAP+ \T ( ! SEA4444 

,AFT] AN 9T]M9ABLE WEEK 9 ! ,9DIAN ,OCEAN1 ! ,>AMIS DROPP$ AN*OR AT ,DJIB\TI1 AN >ID CITY ( SQUAT H\SES SURR\ND$ BY WRET*$ %ANTYT[NS4 ,NOT A S+LE TREE4 ,! COLONI/S TOOK %ELT]1 IT WAS SAID1 9 ! %ADE ( PALM TREES MADE ( Z9C IMPORT$ FROM ,FRANCE4444 

,! ,R$ ,SEA2 *A9S ( BLACK M\NTA9S1 B>E & TORRID2 !N ,SUEZ4 ,! %IP SL[LY MADE ITS WAY ?R\< ! CANAL BORD]$ BY DES]TS1 PASS+ SILH\ETTES ( CAMELS ADVANC+ ACROSS ! S& DUNES4 ,!N ,PORT ,SAID1 :]E ,>AB P$DL]S CLUNG TO ! TOPMO/ MA/S ( !IR SWAY+ CRAFT1 !N LEAP$ ON BO>D \R %IP TO SELL ?+S TO ! CREW -- :AT1 ,I DON'T KN[4444 

,IT WAS D>K :5 ! %IP PASS$ ?R\< ! ,/RAIT ( ,MESS9A1 ) ITS =MIDABLE CURR5TS1 & IT WAS !RE ,I SAW = ! FIR/ TIME A VOLCANO3 ,/ROMBOLI1 SMOK+ 9 ! D>K SKY4 ,:5 WE F9ALLY REA*$ ,M>SEILLES1 ! J\RNEY HAD LA/$ ?REE WEEKS4 

,BASS9 DE LA ,JOLIETTE4 ,I WAS CAPTIVAT$ BY ! ANIMATION ( ! PORT1 ! FA/1 DECISIVE WAY M5 MOV$1 & ! WOM5 ON HI< HEELS3 CLACK-CLACK-CLACK 444 ,I HAD 5T]$ ANO!R TIME1 ANO!R WORLD1 :]E LIFE SEEM$ ACCEL]AT$4 

,BUT !N ,I DISCOV]$ ?AT ,I HAD L&$ !RE 9 VA94 ,9 MY HA/E TO LEAVE ,SAIGON1 ,I HAD NOT UND]/OOD ?AT Y\ W]E ONLY PAID UPON Y\R RETURN TO ! PORT :]E Y\ SIGN$ ON4 ,MY DREAM ( GO+ TO ,P>IS WAS CRU%$4 ,IT WAS A BITT] BL[4 ,!RE WAS NO?+ ,I C\LD DO BUT RESIGN MYSELF TO W&]+ >\ND ,M>SEILLES = ?REE WEEKS BE=E EMB>K+ = ! RETURN4 ,! ,>AMIS WAS LAID UP & PLAC$ 9 DRY DOCK2 ! GUYS 9 \R LAUNDRY TEAM %[$ UP ONLY TO RECEIVE \R RATIONS ( RICE & NUOC MAM .<F]M5T$ FI% SAUCE.>4 ,AT NI<T WE RETURN$ TO \R SLEEP+ QU>T]S4 

,MY FIR/ 5C\NT] WAS ) ,TU ,CAO 7,F\R? ,RAZOR71 A SOME:AT ELD]LY B>B]4 ,HE CAME TO ! PORT ) HIS LITTLE WORK CASE EV]Y TIME A %IP DOCK$4 ,HE WAS ORIG9ALLY FROM ,SAIGON1 & ASK$ ME :AT WAS HAPP5+ 9 \R C\NTRY4 ,HE CUT MY HAIR = NO?+ & ?AT EV5+ 9VIT$ ME TO A LOCAL PUB4 ,/&+ AT ! B>1 SIDE BY SIDE ) M5 SWEAT+ FROM !IR DAY'S LABOR1 ,I DRANK = ! FIR/ TIME A :ITE W9E CUT ) LEMONADE :ILE LI/5+ TO ,TU ,CAO'S ADVICE TO BE PRUD5T4 ,HE !N 5TRU/$ ME TO HIS FRI5D ,HON1 :O HAD TIME TO %[ ME >\ND ,M>SEILLES A BIT4 

,A =M] SAILOR :O HAD BE5 FIR$ = DRUG SMUGGL+1 ,HON WAS A /OCKY MAN :OSE ADV5TURES & MISADV5TURES 79CLUD+ SOME PRISON TIME7 APPE>$ ET*$ ON HIS CRAGGY FACE4 ,HE HUNG >\ND ! DOCKS1 WAIT+ = SUPPLI]S COM+ 9 FROM ,CON/ANT9OPLE OR ! PORTS ( BLACK ,AFRICA4 ,HE WAS ALSO S\<T \T BY C]TA9 ,FR5* OPIUM ADDICTS -- ,I SOMETIMES NOTIC$ !M SNEAK+ 9TO ! HOLD ( ! ,>AMIS1 :]E ! ,CANTONESE SLEEP+ QU>T] WAS TRANS=M$ 9TO A TEMPOR>Y SMOK+ D54 

,:AT ,HON LIV$ ON 9 BETWE5 ! >RIVALS ( SUPPLI]S WAS NOT CLE>4 ,ODD JOBS1 M9OR TRAFFICK+ 9 BLUE D5IMS FROM ,%AN<AI OR UNM>K$ CIG>ETTE LI<T]S FROM ,S+APORE 444 ,HE KNEW ALL ! TRICKS = SLIPP+ ?+S PA/ ! CU/OMS (FIC]S4 

,ONE NI<T1 :5 HE WAS TAK+ ME ?R\< ! SLUM >EAS CLU/]$ >\ND ! ,OLD ,H>BOR :]E ! DRAWBRIDGE /ILL OP]AT$1 HE SUDD5LY D>T$ 9TO ONE ( ! DIVES FULL ( SMOKE & DEAF5+ JAZZ4 ,I /OPP$ 9 ! DOORWAY4 ,A V]Y BEAUTIFUL Y\NG WOMAN CAME \T4 ,) A S$UCTIVE SMILE ON H] LIPS1 %E SAID1 0,HEY1 HONEY1 DO Y\ WANT TO COME ) ME80 ,%E BECKON$ ME TO FOLL[ H] UP TO H] G>RET4 ,PANIC-/RICK51 ,I RAN (F AS FA/ AS MY LEGS C\LD C>RY ME4 

,! ,>AMIS WEI<$ AN*OR LATE ONE AFT]NOON4 ,FRANCE SLIPP$ 9TO ! DI/ANCE LIKE ! PROMIS$ L&4 ,I >RIV$ BACK 9 ,SAIGON ON ,MAY #a#c1 #a#i#c#d4 

,I WAS ABLE TO RETURN TO MY JOB AT ,DESC\RS @& ,CABAUD4 ,MY BOSSES SWALL[$ ! /ORIES ,I MADE UP TO ACC\NT = MY DISAPPE>ANCE4 ,BACK 9 ! DAILY GR9D1 ,I REVIV$ \R 0FRAT]NAL ASSOCIATION40 ,AMONG MY WORKMATES1 ONLY ! COOLIE ,VO ,VAN ,DON WAS AWAK5$ TO SOCIAL /RUGGLES1 & WE (T5 F\ND \RSELVES TOGE!R DUR+ SUBSEQU5T ADV5TURES4 

,I MET AGA9 ) ,HO ,HUU ,TUONG1 :O 9TRODUC$ ME ONE DAY TO ,LU ,SANH ,HANH1 A =M] ,COMMUNI/ ,P>TY DISSID5T :O HAD JU/ BE5 RELEAS$ FROM PRISON4 ,ON ,MAY #b1 #a#i#c#e1 A ?UND]BOLT HIT ! OPPON5TS ( ! IMP]IALI/ ORD]3 ,/AL9 & ,LAVAL SIGN$ ! 0,FRANCO-,SOVIET ,MUTUAL ,ASSI/ANCE ,PACT10 :I* (FICIALLY APPROV$ ( ,FRANCE'S DEVELOPM5T ( MILIT>Y P[]4 ,! ,FR5* ,COMMUNI/ ,P>TY W\LD H5CE=? /RIVE TO /IFLE ANY ANTIMILIT>I/ SPIRIT & TO DEF5D ! 9TEGRITY ( ! ,FR5* ,EMPIRE4 ,! ,9DO*9ESE ,COMMUNI/ ,P>TY 7,I,C,P7 GRADUALLY ALIGN$ ITSELF ) ?IS POSITION1 DESPITE 9EVITABLE 9T]NAL RESI/ANCE4 ,LA ,LUTTE1 ! J\RNAL 9 :I* ,/AL9I/S & ,TROTSKYI/S COLLABORAT$1 KEPT SIL5T4 ,!RE WAS AN URG5T NE$ TO CRITICIZE ! NEW L9E IMPOS$ ON ! ,I,C,P1 BUT ! LEGAL ,TROTSKYI/ES W]E B\ND BY !IR AGREEM5T TO A COMMON FRONT ) ! ,/AL9I/S 9 ,LA ,LUTTE4 ,FAC$ ) ?IS SUBMISSION TO ,/AL9I/ NATIONALISM1 ,LU ,SANH ,HANH & ,I & ANO!R COMRADE NAM$ ,TR9H ,VAN ,LAU DECID$ TO CREATE ! ,LEAGUE ( ,9T]NATIONALI/ ,COMMUNI/S = ! ,CON/RUCTION ( ! ,F\R? ,9T]NATIONAL4 

,WE FE>$ ?AT ! VICTORY ( ,VIETNAMESE NATIONALISM OV] ,FR5* IMP]IALISM W\LD SIMPLY MEAN ! RISE ( AN 9DIG5\S B\RGEOISIE1 & ?AT ! DESP]ATE CONDITION ( ! EXPLOIT$ WORK]S & PEASANTS W\LD REMA9 ! SAME AS EV]4 

,:ILE PROVID+ = MY DAILY RICE KEPT ME *A9$ TO ,DESC\RS @& ,CABAUD DUR+ ! DAY1 MY NI<TS W]E OCCUPI$ 9 WORK+ ) A Y\NG TYPOGRAPH] TO SET UP A CL&E/9E PR9T+ PRESS1 :I* WE PUT TOGE!R ) SALVAG$ COMPON5TS4 ,I LE>N$ TO SET TYPE1 & WE W]E ABLE TO BR+ \T ONE ISSUE ( A PR9T$ !ORETICAL J\RNAL1 ,CA* ,MANG ,?UONG ,TRUC 7,P]MAN5T ,REVOLUTION71 :I* CIRCULAT$ CL&E/9ELY4 ,T[>D ! 5D ( #a#i#c#e1 \R GR\P ALSO />T$ A MIMEO NEWSLETT]1 ,TI5 ,DAO 7,VANGU>D74 ,FAC$ ) ,LA ,LUTTE'S SIL5CE ON ! ,LAVAL-,/AL9 ,PACT1 9 \R CL&E/9E NEWSLETT] WE D5\NC$ ! ALLIANCE BETWE5 ! ,U,S,S,R & ,FR5* IMP]IALISM4 

,! FIR/ PRACTICAL ACTION ( \R GR\P WAS TO SUPPORT ! /RIK+ WAGON DRIV]S4 ,! DRIV]S ( ! 0MAT*BOXES0 7LI<T TWO-:EEL$ C>RIAGES7 W]E UP 9 >MS AGA9/ H>ASSM5T AIM$ AT ELIM9AT+ !M 9 FAVOR ( ! ,FR5* ,/REETC> ,COMPANY .<,COMPAGNIE ,FRANCAISE DES ,TRAMWAYS.>4 ,BY ,DECEMB] #b#e1 #a#i#c#e1 ALMO/ #a.0 ( ! WORK]S HAD JO9$ ! /RIKE4 ,! NEXT DAY1 DELEGATES REPRES5T+ SOME #c DRIV]S FROM ,SAIGON-,*OLON & FROM ! SUBURBS ( ,BA ,DIEM1 ,PHU ,NHUAN1 ,KHANH ,HOI1 ,*O ,DUI & ,*O ,QUAN DEMON/RAT$ 9 ,SAIGON'S ,C5TRAL ,M>KETPLACE1 DEM&+ ?AT ! NEWLY ELECT$ ,/AL9I/ & ,TROTSKYI/ CITY C\NCILM5 9T]V5E4 

,! REPRESSION WAS FI]CE4 ,! ,SU]TE TOOK OV] ! ,LA ,LUTTE (FICE & >RE/$ ,NGUY5 ,VAN ,TAO1 ,TRAN ,VAN ,?A*1 ,DUONG ,BA* ,MAI1 & ! REC5TLY ELECT$ C\NCILMAN ,TA ,?U ,?AU1 *>G+ !M ) 9T]F]+ ) ! FRE$OM TO WORK4 

,WE W]E 9 9CREAS+ DANG]1 & MOV$ \R PR9T+ PRESS SEV]AL TIMES4 

,! ATTEMPT TO REBUILD ! ,COMMUNI/ ,P>TY 9 ,CO*9*9A BY A GR\P ( 0,MOSC[ TRA9EES0 L$ BY ,TRAN ,VAN ,GIAU WAS COMPLETELY DE/ROY$4 ,AT ! TRIAL ( =TY ,COMMUNI/ MILITANTS1 TW5TY-F\R W]E S5T5C$1 MO/ ( !M BE+ DEPORT$ TO ,P\LO ,CONDORE4 

,= \R P>T1 WE CONT9U$ \R UND]GR\ND AGITATION 9 ! WORKPLACES & CONT9U$ TO DISCREETLY DI/RIBUTE -- 9CLUD+ 9 ,/AL9I/ CIRCLES -- \R NEWSLETT] ,TI5 ,DAO & \R J\RNAL ,CA* ,MANG ,?UONG ,TRUC4 

,!N1 9 ,JUNE #a#i#c#f1 EXPLOSIVE NEWS >RIV$ FROM ,FRANCE4 ,) ! COM+ TO P[] ( ! ,POPUL> ,FRONT GOV]NM5T1 L$ BY ,LEON ,BLUM & SUPPORT$ BY ! ,COMMUNI/ ,P>TY1 ,FR5* WORK]S HAD GONE ON /RIKE & OCCUPI$ FACTORIES ?R\<\T ! C\NTRY4 ,HAD ! DAYS ( HOPE ALSO F9ALLY >RIV$ = US COLONIAL SLAVES8 ,\R ,9T]NATIONALI/ ,LEAGUE DECID$ TO CALL ON \R BRO!RS & SI/]S TO /ORM ! GATES ( HELL4 

,IT WAS AT ?AT MOM5T1 ,W$NESDAY1 ,JUNE #a1 JU/ AS WE W]E GO+ 9TO ACTION1 ?AT \R GR\P FELL 9TO ! H&S ( ! ,SU]TE4 
FOOTNOTES 

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

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #h1 #bba 3 ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #c -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #a#g1 #bbb 3 ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #c -- ,UPDAT$4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/