,P>T #c 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALB]T ,CAMUS 

,TEXT 3 

,P,>,T ,I,I,I 

,?US WEEK BY WEEK ! PRISON]S ( PLAGUE PUT UP :AT FI<T !Y C\LD4 ,SOME1 LIKE 
,RAMB]T1 EV5 CONTRIV$ TO FANCY !Y W]E /ILL BEHAV+ AS FREE M5 & HAD ! P[] 
( *OICE4 ,BUT ACTUALLY IT W\LD HAVE BE5 TRU] TO SAY ?AT BY ?IS TIME1 MID-,AUGU/1 ! 
PLAGUE HAD SWALL[$ UP EV]Y?+ & EV]YONE4 ,NO LONG] W]E !RE 9DIVIDUAL 
DE/9IES2 ONLY A COLLECTIVE DE/9Y1 MADE ( PLAGUE & ! EMOTIONS %>$ BY ALL4 

,/RONGE/ ( !SE EMOTIONS WAS ! S5SE ( EXILE & ( DEPRIVATION1 ) ALL ! 
CROSSCURR5TS ( REVOLT & FE> SET UP BY !SE4 ,?AT IS :Y ! N>RATOR ?9KS ?IS 
MOM5T1 REGI/]+ ! CLIMAX ( ! SUMM] HEAT & ! DISEASE1 ! BE/ = 
DESCRIB+1 ON G5]AL L9ES & BY WAY ( ILLU/RATION1 ! EXCESSES ( ! LIV+1 BURIALS 
( ! DEAD1 & ! PLI<T ( P>T$ LOV]S4 

,IT WAS AT ?IS TIME ?AT A HI< W9D ROSE & BLEW = SEV]AL DAYS ?R\< ! 
PLAGUE-/RICK5 CITY4 ,W9D IS P>TICUL>LY DREAD$ BY ! 9HABITANTS ( ,ORAN1 S9CE ! 
PLATEAU ON :I* ! T[N IS BUILT PRES5TS NO NATURAL OB/ACLE1 & IT CAN SWEEP \R 
/REETS ) UNIMP$$ VIOL5CE4 ,DUR+ ! MON?S :5 NOT A DROP ( RA9 HAD 
REFRE%$ ! T[N1 A GRAY CRU/ HAD =M$ ON EV]Y?+1 & ?IS FLAK$ (F UND] ! 
W9D1 DIS9TEGRAT+ 9TO DU/-CL\DS4 ,:AT ) ! DU/ & SCRAPS ( PAP] :IRL$ 
AGA9/ PEOPLES' LEGS1 ! /REETS GREW EMPTI]4 ,?OSE FEW :O W5T \T C\LD BE SE5 
HURRY+ ALONG1 B5T =W>D1 ) H&K]*IEFS OR !IR H&S PRESS$ TO !IR M\?S4 

,AT NI<TFALL1 9/EAD ( ! USUAL ?RONG ( PEOPLE1 EA* TRY+ TO PROLONG A DAY ?AT MI<T 
WELL BE HIS LA/1 Y\ MET ONLY SMALL GR\PS HA/5+ HOME OR TO A FAVORITE CAFE4 ,) ! 
RESULT ?AT = SEV]AL DAYS :5 TWILI<T CAME1 IT FELL MU* QUICK] AT ?IS TIME ( ! 
YE>1 ! /REETS W]E ALMO/ EMPTY1 & SIL5T BUT = ! LONG-DRAWN /RID5CE ( ! 
W9D4 ,A SMELL ( BR9E & SEAWE$ CAME FROM ! UNSE51 /ORM-TOSS$ SEA4 ,& 9 ! 
GR[+ D>KNESS ! ALMO/ EMPTY T[N1 PALL$ 9 DU/1 SWEPT BY BITT] SEA-SPRAY1 & 
L\D ) ! %RILL+ ( ! W9D1 SEEM$ A LO/ ISL& ( ! DAMN$4 

,HI!RTO ! PLAGUE HAD F\ND F> MORE VICTIMS 9 ! MORE ?ICKLY POPULAT$ & 
LESS WELL-APPO9T$ \T] DI/RICTS ?AN 9 ! HE>T ( ! T[N4 ,QUITE SUDD5LY1 H[EV]1 
IT LAUN*$ A NEW ATTACK & E/ABLI%$ ITSELF 9 ! BUS9ESS C5T]4 ,RESID5TS ACCUS$ 
! W9D ( C>RY+ 9FECTION1 0BROADCA/+ G]MS10 AS ! HOTEL MANAG] PUT IT4 

,:ATEV] ! REASON MI<T BE1 PEOPLE LIV+ 9 ! C5TRAL DI/RICTS REALIZ$ ?AT !IR TURN 
HAD COME :5 EA* NI<T !Y HE>D (T5] & (T5] ! AMBULANCES CLANG+ PA/1 
S\ND+ ! PLAGUE'S DISMAL1 PASSIONLESS TOCS9 UND] !IR W9D[S4 

,! AU?ORITIES HAD ! IDEA ( SEGREGAT+ C]TA9 P>TICUL>LY AFFECT$ C5TRAL 
>EAS & P]MITT+ ONLY ?OSE :OSE S]VICES W]E 9DISP5SABLE TO CROSS ! CORDON4 

,DWELL]S 9 !SE DI/RICTS C\LD NOT HELP REG>D+ !SE REGULATIONS AS A SORT ( TABOO 
SPECIALLY DIRECT$ AT !MSELVES1 & ?US !Y CAME1 BY CONTRA/1 TO 5VY RESID5TS 9 
O!R >EAS !IR FRE$OM4 ,& ! LATT]1 TO *E] !MSELVES UP 9 DESPOND5T MOM5TS1 
FELL TO PICTUR+ ! LOT ( ?OSE O!RS LESS FREE ?AN !MSELVES4 0,ANYH[1 !RE >E 
SOME WORSE (F ?AN ,I10 WAS A REM>K ?AT VOIC$ ! ONLY SOLACE TO BE HAD 9 ?OSE DAYS4 

,AB\T ! SAME TIME WE HAD A RECRUDESC5CE ( \TBREAKS ( FIRE1 ESPECIALLY 9 ! 
RESID5TIAL >EA NE> ! WE/ GATE4 ,IT WAS F\ND1 AFT] 9QUIRY1 ?AT PEOPLE :O HAD 
RETURN$ FROM QU>ANT9E W]E RESPONSIBLE = !SE FIRES4 ,?R[N (F !IR BALANCE BY 
B]EAVEM5T & ANXIETY1 !Y W]E BURN+ !IR H\SES UND] ! ODD DELUSION ?AT !Y 
W]E KILL+ (F ! PLAGUE 9 ! HOLOCAU/4 

,GREAT DIFFICULTY WAS EXP]I5C$ 9 FI<T+ !SE FIRES1 :OSE NUMB]S & 
FREQU5CY EXPOS$ :OLE DI/RICTS TO CON/ANT DANG]1 [+ TO ! HI< W9D4 ,:5 ! 
ATTEMPTS MADE BY ! AU?ORITIES TO CONV9CE !SE WELL-MEAN+ 9C5DI>IES ?AT ! 
(FICIAL FUMIGATION ( !IR H\SES EFFECTIVELY REMOV$ ANY RISK ( 9FECTION HAD PROV$ 
UNAVAIL+1 IT BECAME NECESS>Y TO DECREE V]Y HEAVY P5ALTIES = ?IS TYPE ( >SON4 ,& 
MO/ LIKELY IT WAS NOT ! PROSPECT ( M]E IMPRISONM5T ?AT DET]R$ !SE UNHAPPY 
PEOPLE1 BUT ! COMMON BELIEF ?AT A S5T5CE ( IMPRISONM5T WAS TANTAM\NT TO A DEA? 
S5T5CE1 [+ TO ! V]Y HI< MORTALITY PREVAIL+ 9 ! T[N JAIL4 ,IT MU/ BE ADMITT$ 
?AT !RE WAS SOME F\NDATION = ?IS BELIEF4 ,IT SEEM$ ?AT1 = OBVI\S REASONS1 ! 
PLAGUE LAUN*$ ITS MO/ VIRUL5T ATTACKS ON ?OSE :O LIV$1 BY *OICE OR BY NECESSITY1 
9 GR\PS3 SOLDI]S1 PRISON]S1 MONKS1 & NUNS4 ,= ?\< SOME PRISON]S >E KEPT 
SOLIT>Y1 A PRISON =MS A SORT ( COMMUNITY1 AS IS PROV$ BY ! FACT ?AT 9 \R T[N JAIL 
! GU>DS DI$ ( PLAGUE 9 ! SAME PROPORTION AS ! PRISON]S4 ,! PLAGUE WAS NO 
RESPECT] ( P]SONS & UND] ITS DESPOTIC RULE EV]YONE1 FROM ! W>D5 D[N TO ! 
HUMBLE/ DEL9QU5T1 WAS UND] S5T5CE &1 P]HAPS = ! FIR/ TIME1 IMP>TIAL JU/ICE 
REIGN$ 9 ! PRISON4 

,ATTEMPTS MADE BY ! AU?ORITIES TO R$RESS ?IS LEVEL+-\T BY SOME SORT ( 
HI]>*Y8! IDEA WAS TO CONF] A DECORATION ON GU>DS :O DI$ 9 ! EX]CISE ( !IR 
DUTIES1 CAME TO NO?+4 ,S9CE M>TIAL LAW HAD BE5 DECL>$ & ! GU>DS MI<T1 FROM 
A C]TA9 ANGLE1 BE REG>D$ AS ON ACTIVE S]VICE1 !Y W]E AW>D$ PO/HUM\SLY ! 
MILIT>Y M$AL4 ,BUT ?\< ! PRISON]S RAIS$ NO PROTE/1 /RONG EXCEPTION WAS TAK5 9 
MILIT>Y CIRCLES1 & IT WAS PO9T$ \T1 LOGICALLY 5\<1 ?AT A MO/ REGRETTABLE 
CONFUSION 9 ! PUBLIC M9D W\LD C]TA9LY 5SUE4 ,! CIVIL AU?ORITY CONC$$ ! 
PO9T & DECID$ ?AT ! SIMPLE/ SOLUTION WAS TO BE/[ ON GU>DS :O DI$ AT !IR 
PO/ A 0PLAGUE M$AL40 ,EV5 SO1 S9CE AS REG>DS ! FIR/ RECIPI5TS ( ! MILIT>Y M$AL 
! H>M HAD BE5 DONE & !RE WAS NO QUE/ION ( )DRAW+ ! DECORATION FROM 
!M1 ! MILIT>Y W]E /ILL DISSATISFI$4 ,MOREOV]1 ! PLAGUE M$AL HAD ! 
DISADVANTAGE ( HAV+ F> LESS MORAL EFFECT ?AN ?AT ATTA*+ TO A MILIT>Y AW>D1 S9CE 
9 TIME ( PE/IL5CE A DECORATION ( ?IS SORT IS TOO EASILY ACQUIR$4 ,?US NOBODY WAS 
SATISFI$4 

,ANO!R DIFFICULTY WAS ?AT ! JAIL ADM9I/RATION C\LD NOT FOLL[ ! PROC$URE 
ADOPT$ BY ! RELIGI\S &1 9 A LESS DEGREE1 ! MILIT>Y AU?ORITIES4 ,! MONKS 9 ! 
TWO MONA/]IES ( ! T[N HAD BE5 EVACUAT$ & LODG$ = ! TIME BE+ ) 
RELIGI\S-M9D$ FAMILIES4 ,9 ! SAME WAY1 :5EV] POSSIBLE1 SMALL BODIES ( M5 HAD 
BE5 MOV$ \T ( B>RACKS & BILLET$ 9 S*OOLS OR PUBLIC BUILD+S4 ,?US ! DISEASE1 
:I* APP>5TLY HAD =C$ ON US ! SOLID>ITY ( A BELEAGU]$ T[N1 DISRUPT$ AT ! 
SAME TIME LONGE/ABLI%$ COMMUNITIES & S5T M5 \T TO LIVE1 AS 9DIVIDUALS1 9 
RELATIVE ISOLATION4 ,?IS1 TOO1 ADD$ TO ! G5]AL FEEL+ ( UNRE/4 

,9DE$1 IT CAN EASILY BE IMAG9$ ?AT !SE *ANGES1 COMB9$ ) ! HI< 
W9D1 ALSO HAD AN 9C5DI>Y EFFECT ON C]TA9 M9DS4 ,!RE W]E FREQU5T ATTACKS ON ! 
GATES ( ! T[N1 & ! M5 :O MADE !M N[ W]E >M$4 

,%OTS W]E EX*ANG$1 !RE W]E CASUALTIES1 & SOME FEW GOT AWAY4 ,!N ! 
S5TRY PO/S W]E RE9=C$1 & SU* ATTEMPTS QUICKLY CEAS$4 ,NONE ! LESS1 !Y 
SUFFIC$ TO />T A WAVE ( REVOLUTION>Y VIOL5CE1 ?\< ONLY ON A SMALL SCALE4 ,H\SES 
?AT HAD BE5 BURNT OR CLOS$ BY ! SANIT>Y CONTROL W]E LOOT$4 ,H[EV]1 IT SEEM$ 
UNLIKELY ?AT !SE EXCESSES W]E PREM$ITAT$4 ,USUALLY IT WAS SOME *ANCE 9C5TIVE ?AT 
L$ NORMALLY WELL-BEHAV$ PEOPLE TO ACTS :I* PROMPTLY HAD !IR IMITATORS4 ,?US Y\ 
SOMETIMES SAW A MAN1 ACT+ ON SOME CRAZY IMPULSE1 DA% 9TO A BLAZ+ H\SE UND] ! 
EYES ( ITS [N]1 :O WAS /&+ BY1 DAZ$ ) GRIEF1 WAT*+ ! FLAMES4 ,SEE+ HIS 
9DIFF]5CE1 MANY ( ! ONLOOK]S W\LD FOLL[ ! LEAD GIV5 BY ! FIR/ MAN1 & 
PRES5TLY ! D>K /REET WAS FULL ( RUNN+ M51 *ANG$ TO HUN*$1 MIS%AP5 
GNOMES BY ! FLICK]+ GL[ FROM ! DY+ FLAMES & ! ORNAM5TS OR FURNITURE !Y 
C>RI$ ON !IR %\LD]S4 

,IT WAS 9CID5TS ( ?IS SORT ?AT COMPELL$ ! AU?ORITIES TO DECL>E M>TIAL LAW 
& 5=CE ! REGULATIONS D]IV+ FROM IT4 ,TWO LOOT]S W]E %OT1 BUT WE MAY D\BT IF 
?IS MADE MU* IMPRESSION ON ! O!RS2 ) SO MANY DEA?S TAK+ PLACE EV]Y DAY1 
!SE TWO EXECUTIONS W5T UNHE$$1 A M]E DROP 9 ! OCEAN4 

,ACTUALLY SC5ES ( ?IS K9D CONT9U$ TO TAKE PLACE FAIRLY (T51 )\T ! 
AU?ORITIES' MAK+ EV5 A %[ ( 9T]V5+4 ,! ONLY REGULATION ?AT SEEM$ TO HAVE 
SOME EFFECT ON ! POPULACE WAS ! E/ABLI%M5T ( A CURFEW H\R4 ,FROM ELEV5 
ONW>DS1 PLUNG$ 9 COMPLETE D>KNESS1 ,ORAN SEEM$ A HUGE NECROPOLIS4 

,ON MOONLI<T NI<TS ! LONG1 /RAI<T /REETS & DIRTY :ITE WALLS1 NO:]E 
D>K5$ BY ! %AD[ ( A TREE1 !IR PEACE UNTR\BL$ BY FOOT/EPS OR A DOG'S B>K1 
GLIMM]$ 9 PALE RECESSION4 ,! SIL5T CITY WAS NO MORE ?AN AN ASSEMBLAGE ( HUGE1 
9]T CUBES1 BETWE5 :I* ONLY ! MUTE EFFIGIES ( GREAT M51 C>APAC$ 9 BRONZE1 ) 
!IR BLANK /ONE OR METAL FACES1 CONJUR$ UP A SORRY SEMBLANCE ( :AT ! MAN HAD 
BE54 ,9 LIFELESS SQU>ES & AV5UES !SE TAWDRY IDOLS LORD$ IT UND] ! L[]+ SKY2 
/OLID MON/]S ?AT MI<T HAVE P]SONIFI$ ! RULE ( IMMOBILITY IMPOS$ ON US1 OR1 
ANYH[1 ITS F9AL ASPECT1 ?AT ( A DEFUNCT CITY 9 :I* PLAGUE1 /ONE1 & D>KNESS HAD 
EFFECTIVELY SIL5C$ EV]Y VOICE4 

,BUT !RE WAS D>KNESS ALSO 9 M5'S HE>TS1 & ! TRUE FACTS W]E AS LITTLE 
CALCULAT$ TO REASSURE \R T[NSFOLK AS ! WILD /ORIES GO+ R\ND AB\T ! BURIALS4 ,! 
N>RATOR CANNOT HELP TALK+ AB\T !SE BURIALS1 & A WORD ( EXCUSE IS H]E 9 PLACE4 ,= 
HE IS WELL AW>E ( ! REPROA* ?AT MI<T BE MADE HIM 9 ?IS RESPECT2 HIS JU/IFICATION IS 
?AT FUN]ALS W]E TAK+ PLACE ?R\<\T ?IS P]IOD &1 9 A WAY1 HE WAS COMPELL$1 AS 
9DE$ EV]YBODY WAS COMPELL$1 TO GIVE HE$ TO !M4 ,9 ANY CASE IT %\LD NOT BE 
ASSUM$ ?AT HE HAS A MORBID TA/E = SU* C]EMONIES2 QUITE ! CONTR>Y1 HE MU* 
PREF]S ! SOCIETY ( ! LIV+ &1 TO GIVE A CONCRETE ILLU/RATION1 SEA-BA?+4 ,BUT ! 
BA?+-BEA*ES W]E \T ( B\NDS & ! COMPANY ( ! LIV+ RAN A RISK1 9CREAS+ 
AS ! DAYS W5T BY1 ( BE+ P]=CE CONV]T$ 9TO ! COMPANY ( ! DEAD4 ,?AT WAS1 
9DE$1 SELF-EVID5T4 ,TRUE1 ONE C\LD ALWAYS REFUSE TO FACE ?IS DISAGREEABLE FACT1 %UT 
ONE'S EYES TO IT1 OR ?RU/ IT \T ( M9D1 BUT !RE IS A T]RIBLE COG5CY 9 ! SELF-EVID5T2 
ULTIMATELY IT BREAKS D[N ALL DEF5SES4 ,H[1 = 9/ANCE1 CONT9UE TO IGNORE ! FUN]ALS 
ON ! DAY :5 SOMEBODY Y\ LOV$ NE$$ ONE8 

,ACTUALLY ! MO/ /RIK+ FEATURE ( \R FUN]ALS WAS !IR SPE$4 ,=MALITIES HAD 
BE5 :ITTL$ D[N1 &1 G5]ALLY SPEAK+1 ALL ELABORATE C]EMONIAL SUPPRESS$4 ,! 
PLAGUE VICTIM DI$ AWAY FROM HIS FAMILY & ! CU/OM>Y VIGIL BESIDE ! DEAD BODY 
WAS =BIDD51 ) ! RESULT ?AT A P]SON DY+ 9 ! EV5+ SP5T ! NI<T ALONE1 
& ?OSE :O DI$ 9 ! DAYTIME W]E PROMPTLY BURI$4 ,NE$LESS TO SAY1 ! FAMILY WAS 
NOTIFI$1 BUT 9 MO/ CASES1 S9CE ! DECEAS$ HAD LIV$ ) !M1 ITS MEMB]S W]E 9 
QU>ANT9E & ?US IMMOBILIZ$4 ,:51 H[EV]1 ! DECEAS$ HAD NOT LIV$ ) HIS 
FAMILY1 !Y W]E ASK$ TO ATT5D AT A FIX$ TIME2 AFT]1 ?AT IS TO SAY1 ! BODY HAD BE5 
WA%$ & PUT 9 ! C(F9 & :5 ! J\RNEY TO ! CEMET]Y WAS AB\T TO BEG94 

,LET US SUPPOSE ?AT !SE =MALITIES W]E TAK+ PLACE AT ! AUXILI>Y HOSPITAL ( 
:I* ,DR4 ,RIEUX WAS 9 *>GE4 ,?IS CONV]T$ S*OOL HAD AN EXIT AT ! BACK ( ! MA9 
BUILD+4 ,A L>GE /OR]OOM GIV+ ON ! CORRIDOR CONTA9$ ! C(F9S4 ,ON >RIVAL1 ! 
FAMILY F\ND A C(F9 ALREADY NAIL$ UP 9 ! CORRIDOR4 ,!N CAME ! MO/ IMPORTANT 
P>T ( ! BUS9ESS3 ! SIGN+ ( (FICIAL =MS BY ! HEAD ( ! FAMILY4 ,NEXT ! 
C(F9 WAS LOAD$ ON A MOTOR-VEHICLE1 A REAL HE>SE OR A L>GE CONV]T$ AMBULANCE4 ,! 
M\RN]S /EPP$ 9TO ONE ( ! FEW TAXIS /ILL ALL[$ TO PLY & ! VEHICLES DROVE 
HELL-=-LEA!R TO ! CEMET]Y BY A R\TE AVOID+ ! C5T] ( ! T[N4 ,!RE WAS A 
HALT AT ! GATE1 :]E POLICE (FIC]S APPLI$ A RUBB] /AMP TO ! (FICIAL EXIT P]MIT1 
)\T :I* IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE = \R CITIZ5S TO HAVE :AT !Y CALL$ A LA/ RE/+- 
PLACE4 ,! POLICEMAN /OOD BACK & ! C>S DREW UP NE> A PLOT ( GR\ND :]E A 
NUMB] ( GRAVES /OOD OP51 WAIT+ = 9MATES4 ,A PRIE/ CAME TO MEET ! M\RN]S1 
S9CE *UR* S]VICES AT FUN]ALS W]E N[ PROHIBIT$4 ,TO AN ACCOMPANIM5T ( PRAY]S 
! C(F9 WAS DRAGG$ FROM ! HE>SE1 ROP$ UP1 & C>RI$ TO ! GRAVESIDE2 ! ROPES 
W]E SLIPP$ & IT CAME HEAVILY TO RE/ AT ! BOTTOM ( ! GRAVE4 ,NO SOON] HAD ! 
PRIE/ BEGUN TO SPR9KLE HOLY WAT] ?AN ! FIR/ SOD REB\ND$ FROM ! LID4 ,! 
AMBULANCE HAD ALREADY LEFT & WAS BE+ SPRAY$ ) DIS9FECTANT1 & :ILE SPADEFULS 
( CLAY ?UDD$ MORE & MORE DULLY ON ! RIS+ LAY] ( E>?1 ! FAMILY W]E 
BUNDL+ 9TO ! TAXI4 ,A QU>T] ( AN H\R LAT] !Y W]E BACK AT HOME4 

,! :OLE PROCESS WAS PUT ?R\< ) ! MAXIMUM ( SPE$ & ! M9IMUM 
( RISK4 ,IT CANNOT BE D5I$ ?AT1 ANYH[ 9 ! E>LY DAYS1 ! NATURAL FEEL+S ( ! 
FAMILY W]E SOME:AT \TRAG$ BY !SE LI<TN+ FUN]ALS4 ,BUT OBVI\SLY 9 TIME ( 
PLAGUE SU* S5TIM5TS CAN'T BE TAK5 9TO ACC\NT1 & ALL WAS SACRIFIC$ TO EFFICI5CY4 

,& ?\<1 TO />T )1 ! MORALE ( ! POPULATION WAS %AK5 BY ?IS SUMM>Y 
PROC$URE1 = ! DESIRE TO HAVE A 0PROP] FUN]AL0 IS MORE WIDESPREAD ?AN IS G5]ALLY 
BELIEV$1 AS TIME W5T ON1 =TUNATELY 5\<1 ! FOOD PROBLEM BECAME MORE URG5T & 
! ?\<TS ( \R T[NSFOLK W]E DIV]T$ TO MORE 9/ANT NE$S4 ,SO MU* 5]GY WAS 
EXP5D$ ON FILL+ UP =MS1 HUNT+ R\ND = SUPPLIES1 & L9+ UP ?AT PEOPLE HAD 
NO TIME TO ?9K ( ! MANN] 9 :I* O!RS W]E DY+ >\ND !M & !Y 
!MSELVES W\LD DIE ONE DAY4 ,?US ! GR[+ COMPLICATIONS ( \R EV]YDAY LIFE1 
:I* MI<T HAVE BE5 AN AFFLICTION1 PROV$ TO BE A BLESS+ 9 DISGUISE4 ,9DE$1 HAD NOT 
! EPIDEMIC1 AS ALREADY M5TION$1 SPREAD ITS RAVAGES1 ALL W\LD HAVE BE5 = ! BE/4 

,= !N C(F9S BECAME SC>C]2 ALSO !RE WAS A %ORTAGE ( W9D+-%EETS1 & 
( SPACE 9 ! CEMET]Y4 ,SOME?+ HAD TO BE DONE AB\T ?IS1 & ONE OBVI\S /EP1 
JU/IFI$ BY ITS PRACTICAL CONV5I5CE1 WAS TO COMB9E FUN]ALS &1 :5 NECESS>Y1 
MULTIPLY ! TRIPS BETWE5 ! HOSPITAL & ! BURIAL-PLACE4 

,AT ONE MOM5T ! /OCK ( C(F9S 9 ,RIEUX'S HOSPITAL WAS R$UC$ TO FIVE4 ,ONCE 
FILL$1 ALL FIVE W]E LOAD$ TOGE!R 9 ! AMBULANCE4 ,AT ! CEMET]Y !Y W]E EMPTI$ 
\T & ! IRON-GRAY CORPSES PUT ON /RET*]S & DEPOSIT$ 9 A %$ RES]V$ = ?AT 
PURPOSE1 TO WAIT !IR TURN4 ,MEAN:ILE ! EMPTY C(F9S1 AFT] BE+ SPRAY$ ) 
ANTISEPTIC FLUID1 W]E RU%$ BACK TO ! HOSPITAL1 & ! PROCESS WAS REPEAT$ AS (T5 AS 
NECESS>Y4 ,?IS SY/EM WORK$ EXCELL5TLY & WON ! APPROVAL ( ! ,PREFECT4 ,HE EV5 
TOLD ,RIEUX ?AT IT WAS REALLY A GREAT IMPROVEM5T ON ! DEA?-C>TS DRIV5 BY ,NEGROES ( 
:I* ONE READS 9 ACC\NTS ( =M] VISITATIONS ( ?IS SORT4 

0,YES10 ,RIEUX SAID4 0,& ?\< ! BURIALS >E MU* ! SAME1 WE KEEP C>EFUL 
RECORDS ( !M4 ,?AT1 Y\ WILL AGREE1 IS PROGRESS40 

,SUCCESSFUL1 H[EV]1 AS ! SY/EM PROV$ ITSELF 9 PRACTICE1 !RE WAS SOME?+ 
SO DI/A/EFUL 9 ! LA/ RITES AS N[ P]=M$ ?AT ! ,PREFECT FELT CON/RA9$ TO =BID 
RELATIONS ( ! DECEAS$ BE+ PRES5T AT ! ACTUAL 9T]M5T4 ,!Y W]E ALL[$ TO 
COME ONLY AS F> AS ! CEMET]Y GATES1 & EV5 ?AT WAS NOT AU?ORIZ$ (FICIALLY4 ,= 
?+S HAD SOME:AT *ANG$ AS REG>DS ! LA/ /AGE ( ! C]EMONY4 ,9 A PAT* ( 
OP5 GR\ND DOTT$ ) L5TISCUS TREES AT ! F> 5D ( ! CEMET]Y1 TWO BIG PITS HAD 
BE5 DUG4 ,ONE WAS RES]V$ = ! M51 ! O!R = ! WOM54 ,?US1 9 ?IS RESPECT1 
! AU?ORITIES /ILL GAVE ?\<T TO PROPRIETY & IT WAS ONLY LAT] ?AT1 BY ! =CE ( 
?+S1 ?IS LA/ REMNANT ( DECORUM W5T BY ! BO>D1 & M5 & WOM5 W]E FLUNG 
9TO ! DEA?-PITS 9DISCRIM9ATELY4 ,HAPPILY1 ?IS ULTIMATE 9DIGNITY SYN*RONIZ$ ) 
! PLAGUE'S LA/ RAVAGES4 

,9 ! P]IOD WE >E N[ CONC]N$ )1 ! SEP>ATION ( ! SEXES WAS /ILL 9 
=CE & ! AU?ORITIES SET GREAT /ORE BY IT4 ,AT ! BOTTOM ( EA* PIT A DEEP LAY] ( 
QUICKLIME /EAM$ & SEE!D4 ,ON ! LIPS ( ! PIT A L[ RIDGE ( QUICKLIME ?REW UP 
BUBBLES ?AT BUR/ 9 ! AIR ABOVE IT4 ,:5 ! AMBULANCE HAD F9I%$ ITS TRIPS1 ! 
/RET*]S W]E C>RI$ TO ! PITS 9 ,9DIAN FILE4 

,! NAK$1 SOME:AT CONTORT$ BODIES W]E SLID (F 9TO ! PIT ALMO/ SIDE BY 
SIDE1 !N COV]$ ) A LAY] ( QUICKLIME & ANO!R ( E>?1 ! LATT] ONLY A FEW 
9*ES DEEP1 SO AS TO LEAVE SPACE = SUBSEQU5T CONSIGNM5TS4 ,ON ! FOLL[+ DAY ! 
NEXT ( K9 W]E ASK$ TO SIGN ! REGI/] ( BURIALS1 :I* %[$ ! DI/9CTION ?AT 
CAN BE MADE BETWE5 M5 &1 = EXAMPLE1 DOGS2 M5'S DEA?S >E *ECK$ & 5T]$ 
UP4 

,OBVI\SLY ALL !SE ACTIVITIES CALL$ = A CONSID]ABLE /AFF1 & ,RIEUX WAS (T5 
ON ! BR9K ( A %ORTAGE4 ,MANY ( ! GRAV$IGG]S1 /RET*]-BE>]S1 & ! LIKE1 
PUBLIC S]VANTS TO BEG9 )1 & LAT] VOLUNTE]S1 DI$ ( PLAGUE4 ,H[EV] /R+5T ! 
PRECAUTIONS1 SOON] OR LAT] CONTAGION DID ITS WORK4 ,/ILL1 :5 ALL IS SAID & DONE1 ! 
REALLY AMAZ+ ?+ IS ?AT1 SO LONG AS ! EPIDEMIC LA/$1 !RE WAS NEV] ANY LACK ( 
M5 = !SE DUTIES4 ,! CRITICAL MOM5T CAME JU/ BE=E ! \TBREAK T\*$ HI<- 
WAT] M>K1 & ! DOCTOR HAD GOOD REASON = FEEL+ ANXI\S4 ,!RE WAS !N A REAL 
%ORTAGE ( MAN-P[] BO? = ! HI<] PO/S & = ! R\< WORK1 AS ,RIEUX CALL$ 
IT4 ,BUT1 P>ADOXICALLY 5\<1 ONCE ! :OLE T[N WAS 9 ! GRIP ( ! DISEASE1 ITS V]Y 
PREVAL5CE T5D$ TO MAKE ?+S EASI]1 S9CE ! DISORGANIZATION ( ! T[N'S ECONOMIC 
LIFE ?REW A GREAT NUMB] ( P]SONS \T ( WORK4 ,FEW ( ! WORK]S ?US MADE AVAILABLE 
W]E QUALIFI$ = ADM9I/RATIVE PO/S1 BUT ! RECRUIT+ ( M5 = ! 0R\< WORK0 

BECAME MU* EASI]4 ,FROM N[ ON1 9DE$1 POV]TY %[$ ITSELF A /RONG] /IMULUS 
?AN FE>1 ESPECIALLY AS1 [+ TO ITS RISKS1 SU* WORK WAS HI<LY PAID4 ,! SANIT>Y 
AU?ORITIES ALWAYS HAD A WAIT+-LI/ ( APPLICANTS = WORK2 :5EV] !RE WAS A 
VACANCY ! M5 AT ! TOP ( ! LI/ W]E NOTIFI$1 & UNLESS !Y TOO HAD LAID (F WORK 
= GOOD1 !Y NEV] FAIL$ TO APPE> :5 SUMMON$4 ,?US ! ,PREFECT1 :O HAD ALWAYS 
BE5 RELUCTANT TO EMPLOY ! PRISON]S 9 ! JAIL1 :E!R %ORT-T]M M5 OR LIF]S1 WAS 
ABLE TO AVOID REC\RSE TO ?IS DI/A/EFUL MEASURE4 ,AS LONG1 HE SAID1 AS !RE W]E 
UNEMPLOY$1 WE C\LD AF=D TO WAIT4 

,?US UNTIL ! 5D ( ,AUGU/ \R FELL[ CITIZ5S C\LD BE CONVEY$ TO !IR LA/ 
RE/+-PLACE1 IF NOT UND] V]Y DECOR\S CONDITIONS1 AT LEA/ 9 A MANN] ORD]LY 5\< 
= ! AU?ORITIES TO FEEL ?AT !Y W]E DO+ !IR DUTY BY ! DEAD & ! B]EAV$4 

,H[EV]1 WE MAY H]E ANTICIPATE A LITTLE & DESCRIBE ! PASS TO :I* WE CAME 9 ! 
F9AL PHASE4 ,FROM ,AUGU/ ONW>DS ! PLAGUE MORTALITY WAS & CONT9U$ SU* AS F> TO 
EXCE$ ! CAPACITY ( \R SMALL CEMET]Y4 ,SU* EXP$I5TS AS KNOCK+ D[N WALLS & 
LETT+ ! DEAD 5CROA* ON NEI<BOR+ L& PROV$ 9ADEQUATE2 SOME NEW ME?OD HAD 
TO BE EVOLV$ )\T DELAY4 ,! FIR/ /EP TAK5 WAS TO BURY ! DEAD BY NI<T1 :I* 
OBVI\SLY P]MITT$ A MORE SUMM>Y PROC$URE4 ,! BODIES W]E PIL$ 9TO AMBULANCES 
9 L>G] & L>G] NUMB]S4 ,& ! FEW BELAT$ WAYF>]S :O1 9 DEFIANCE ( ! 
REGULATIONS1 W]E ABROAD 9 ! \TLY+ DI/RICTS AFT] CURFEW H\R1 OR :OSE DUTIES TOOK 
!M !RE1 (T5 SAW ! LONG :ITE AMBULANCES HURTL+ PA/1 MAK+ ! NI<TB\ND 
/REETS REV]B]ATE ) ! DULL CLANGOR ( !IR BELLS4 

,! CORPSES W]E TIPP$ PELL-MELL 9TO ! PITS & HAD H>DLY SETTL$ 9TO PLACE 
:5 SPADEFULS ( QUICKLIME BEGAN TO SE> !IR FACES & ! E>? COV]$ !M 
9DISD9CTIVELY1 9 HOLES DUG /EADILY DEEP] AS TIME W5T ON4 

,%ORTLY AFT]W>DS1 H[EV]1 IT BECAME NECESS>Y TO F9D NEW SPACE & TO /RIKE 
\T 9 A NEW DIRECTION4 ,BY A SPECIAL URG5CY MEASURE ! D5IZ5S ( GRANTS 9 P]PETUITY 
W]E EVICT$ FROM !IR GRAVES & ! EXHUM$ REMA9S DISPAT*$ TO ! CREMATORIUM4 

,& SOON ! PLAGUE VICTIMS LIKEWISE HAD TO GO TO A FI]Y 5D4 

,?IS MEANT ?AT ! OLD CREMATORIUM EA/ ( ! T[N1 \TSIDE ! GATES1 HAD TO BE 
UTILIZ$4 ,ACCORD+LY ! EA/-GATE S5TRY PO/ WAS MOV$ F>!R \T4 ,!N A MUNICIPAL 
EMPLOYEE HAD AN IDEA ?AT GREATLY HELP$ ! H>ASS$ AU?ORITIES2 HE ADVIS$ !M TO 
EMPLOY ! /REETC> L9E RUNN+ ALONG ! COA/AL ROAD1 :I* WAS N[ UNUS$4 ,SO ! 
9T]IORS ( /REETC>S & TRAIL]S W]E ADAPT$ TO ?IS NEW PURPOSE1 & A BRAN* L9E WAS 
LAID D[N TO ! CREMATORIUM1 :I* ?US BECAME A T]M9US4 

,DUR+ ALL ! LATE SUMM] & ?R\<\T ! AUTUMN !RE C\LD DAILY BE SE5 
MOV+ ALONG ! ROAD SKIRT+ ! CLIFFS ABOVE ! SEA A /RANGE PROCESSION ( 
PASS5G]LESS /REETC>S SWAY+ AGA9/ ! SKYL9E4 ,! RESID5TS 9 ?IS >EA SOON 
LE>N$ :AT WAS GO+ ON4 ,& ?\< ! CLIFFS W]E PATROLL$ DAY & NI<T1 LITTLE 
GR\PS ( PEOPLE CONTRIV$ TO ?READ !IR WAY UNSE5 BETWE5 ! ROCKS & W\LD TOSS 
FL[]S 9TO ! OP5 TRAIL]S AS ! C>S W5T BY4 ,& 9 ! W>M D>KNESS ( ! 
SUMM] NI<TS ! C>S C\LD BE HE>D CLANK+ ON !IR WAY1 LAD5 ) FL[]S & 
CORPSES4 

,DUR+ ! FIR/ FEW DAYS AN OILY1 F\L-SMELL+ CL\D ( SMOKE HUNG L[ UPON 
! EA/]N DI/RICTS ( ! T[N4 ,!SE EFFLUVIA1 ALL ! DOCTORS AGRE$1 ?\< UNPLEASANT1 
W]E NOT 9 ! LEA/ H>MFUL4 ,H[EV]1 ! RESID5TS ( ?IS P>T ( ! T[N ?REAT5$ TO 
MIGRATE 9 A BODY1 CONV9C$ ?AT G]MS W]E RA9+ D[N ON !M FROM ! SKY1 ) 
! RESULT ?AT AN ELABORATE APP>ATUS = DIV]T+ ! SMOKE HAD TO BE 9/ALL$ TO 
APPEASE !M4 ,!REAFT] ONLY :5 A /RONG W9D WAS BL[+ DID A FA9T1 SICKLY ODOR 
COM+ FROM ! EA/ REM9D !M ?AT !Y W]E LIV+ UND] A NEW ORD] & ?AT ! 
PLAGUE FIRES W]E TAK+ !IR NI<TLY TOLL4 

,SU* W]E ! CONSEQU5CES ( ! EPIDEMIC AT ITS CULM9AT+ PO9T4 ,HAPPILY IT 
GREW NO WORSE1 = O!RWISE1 IT MAY WELL BE BELIEV$1 ! RES\RCEFULNESS ( \R 
ADM9I/RATION1 ! COMPET5CE ( \R (FICIALS1 NOT TO M5TION ! BURN+-CAPACITY ( 
\R CREMATORIUM1 W\LD HAVE PROV$ UNEQUAL TO !IR TASKS4 ,RIEUX KNEW ?AT DESP]ATE 
SOLUTIONS HAD BE5 MOOT$1 SU* AS ?R[+ ! CORPSES 9TO ! SEA1 & A PICTURE HAD 
RIS5 BE=E HIM ( HIDE\S JETSAM LOLL+ 9 ! %ALL[S UND] ! CLIFFS4 ,HE KNEW1 TOO1 
?AT IF !RE WAS ANO!R RISE 9 ! DEA?-RATE1 NO ORGANIZATION1 H[EV] EFFICI5T1 C\LD 
/& UP TO IT2 ?AT M5 W\LD DIE 9 HEAPS1 & CORPSES ROT 9 ! /REET1 :ATEV] ! 
AU?ORITIES MI<T DO1 & ! T[N W\LD SEE 9 PUBLIC SQU>ES ! DY+ EMBRACE ! 
LIV+ 9 ! FR5ZIES ( AN ALL TOO COMPREH5SIBLE HATR$ OR SOME CRAZY HOPE4 

,SU* W]E ! SI<TS & APPREH5SIONS ?AT KEPT ALIVE 9 \R T[NSPEOPLE !IR 
FEEL+ ( EXILE & SEP>ATION4 ,9 ?IS CONNECTION ! N>RATOR IS WELL AW>E H[ 
REGRETTABLE IS HIS 9ABILITY TO RECORD AT ?IS PO9T SOME?+ ( A REALLY SPECTACUL> ORD]1 
SOME H]OIC FEAT OR MEMORABLE DE$ LIKE ?OSE ?AT ?RILL US 9 ! *RONICLES ( ! PA/4 

,! TRU? IS ?AT NO?+ IS LESS S5SATIONAL ?AN PE/IL5CE1 & BY REASON ( !IR V]Y 
DURATION GREAT MIS=TUNES >E MONOTON\S4 ,9 ! MEMORIES ( ?OSE :O LIV$ ?R\< 
!M1 ! GRIM DAYS ( PLAGUE DO NOT /& \T LIKE VIVID FLAMES1 RAV5\S & 
9EXT+UI%ABLE1 BEACON+ A TR\BL$ SKY1 BUT RA!R LIKE ! SL[1 DELIB]ATE PROGRESS 
( SOME MON/R\S ?+ CRU%+ \T ALL UPON ITS PA?4 

,NO1 ! REAL PLAGUE HAD NO?+ 9 COMMON ) ! GR&IOSE IMAG9+S ?AT 
HAD HAUNT$ ,RIEUX'S M9D AT ITS \TBREAK4 ,IT WAS1 AB\T ALL1 A %REWD1 UNFLAGG+ 
ADV]S>Y2 A SKILL$ ORGANIZ]1 DO+ HIS WORK ?OR\<LY & WELL4 ,?AT1 IT MAY BE SAID 
9 PASS+1 IS :Y1 SO AS NOT TO PLAY FALSE TO ! FACTS1 &1 /ILL MORE1 SO AS NOT TO PLAY 
FALSE TO HIMSELF1 ! N>RATOR HAS AIM$ AT OBJECTIVITY4 

,HE HAS MADE H>DLY ANY *ANGES = ! SAKE ( >TI/IC EFFECT1 EXCEPT ?OSE 
ELEM5T>Y ADJU/M5TS NE$$ TO PRES5T HIS N>RATIVE 9 A MORE OR LESS COH]5T =M4 

,& 9 DEF]5CE TO ?IS SCRUPLE HE IS CON/RA9$ TO ADMIT ?AT1 ?\< ! *IEF S\RCE ( 
DI/RESS1 ! DEEPE/ AS WELL AS ! MO/ WIDESPREAD1 WAS SEP>ATION1 & IT IS HIS DUTY TO 
SAY MORE AB\T IT AS IT EXI/$ 9 ! LAT] /AGES ( ! PLAGUE1 IT CANNOT BE D5I$ ?AT 
EV5 ?IS DI/RESS WAS COM+ TO LOSE SOME?+ ( ITS POIGNANCY4 

,WAS IT ?AT \R FELL[ CITIZ5S1 EV5 ?OSE :O HAD FELT ! P>T+ FROM !IR 
LOV$ ONES MO/ KE5LY1 W]E GETT+ US$ TO DO+ )\T !M8 ,TO ASSUME ?IS W\LD 
FALL SOME:AT %ORT ( ! TRU?4 ,IT W\LD BE MORE CORRECT TO SAY ?AT !Y W]E WA/+ 
AWAY EMOTIONALLY AS WELL AS PHYSICALLY4 ,AT ! BEG9N+ ( ! PLAGUE !Y HAD A VIVID 
RECOLLECTION ( ! ABS5T ONES & BITT]LY FELT !IR LOSS4 ,BUT ?\< !Y C\LD CLE>LY 
RECALL ! FACE1 ! SMILE & VOICE ( ! BELOV$1 & ?IS OR ?AT OCCASION :5 7AS !Y 
N[ SAW 9 RETROSPECT7 !Y HAD BE5 SUPREMELY HAPPY1 !Y HAD TR\BLE 9 PICTUR+ 
:AT HE OR %E MI<T BE DO+ AT ! MOM5T :5 !Y CONJUR$ UP !SE MEMORIES1 9 A 
SETT+ SO HOPELESSLY REMOTE4 ,9 %ORT1 AT !SE MOM5TS MEMORY PLAY$ ITS P>T1 BUT !IR 
IMAG9ATION FAIL$ !M4 ,DUR+ ! SECOND PHASE ( ! PLAGUE !IR MEMORY FAIL$ 
!M1 TOO4 ,NOT ?AT !Y HAD =GOTT5 ! FACE ITSELF1 BUT1 :AT CAME TO ! SAME ?+1 IT 
HAD LO/ FLE%LY SUB/ANCE & !Y NO LONG] SAW IT 9 MEMORY'S MIRROR4 

,?US1 :ILE DUR+ ! FIR/ WEEKS !Y W]E APT TO COMPLA9 ?AT ONLY %AD[S 
REMA9$ TO !M ( :AT !IR LOVE HAD BE5 & MEANT1 !Y N[ CAME TO LE>N ?AT 
EV5 %AD[S CAN WA/E AWAY1 LOS+ ! FA9T HUES ( LIFE ?AT MEMORY MAY GIVE4 ,& 
BY ! 5D ( !IR LONG SUND]+ !Y HAD ALSO LO/ ! P[] ( IMAG9+ ! 9TIMACY 
?AT ONCE WAS !IRS OR UND]/&+ :AT IT CAN BE TO LIVE ) SOMEONE :OSE LIFE IS 
WRAPP$ UP 9 Y\RS4 

,9 ?IS RESPECT !Y HAD ADAPT$ !MSELVES TO ! V]Y CONDITION ( ! PLAGUE1 ALL 
! MORE POT5T = ITS M$IOCRITY4 ,NONE ( US WAS CAPABLE ANY LONG] ( AN EXALT$ 
EMOTION2 ALL HAD TRITE1 MONOTON\S FEEL+S4 0,IT'S HI< TIME IT /OPP$10 PEOPLE W\LD SAY1 
BECAUSE 9 TIME ( CALAMITY ! OBVI\S ?+ IS TO DESIRE ITS 5D1 & 9 FACT !Y WANT$ 
IT TO 5D4 ,BUT :5 MAK+ SU* REM>KS1 WE FELT NONE ( ! PASSIONATE YE>N+ OR 
FI]CE RES5TM5T ( ! E>LY PHASE2 WE M]ELY VOIC$ ONE ( ! FEW CLE> IDEAS ?AT 
L+]$ 9 ! TWILI<T ( \R M9DS4 ,! FURI\S REVOLT ( ! FIR/ WEEKS HAD GIV5 PLACE 
TO A VA/ DESPOND5CY1 NOT TO BE TAK5 = RESIGNATION1 ?\< IT WAS NONE ! LESS A SORT 
( PASSIVE & PROVISIONAL ACQUIESC5CE4 

,\R FELL[ CITIZ5S HAD FALL5 9TO L9E1 ADAPT$ !MSELVES1 AS PEOPLE SAY1 TO ! 
SITUATION1 BECAUSE !RE WAS NO WAY ( DO+ O!RWISE4 ,NATURALLY !Y RETA9$ ! 
ATTITUDES ( SADNESS & SUFF]+1 BUT !Y HAD CEAS$ TO FEEL !IR /+4 ,9DE$1 TO SOME1 
,DR4 ,RIEUX AMONG !M1 ?IS PRECISELY WAS ! MO/ DI%E>T5+ ?+3 ?AT ! HABIT ( 
DESPAIR IS WORSE ?AN DESPAIR ITSELF4 

,HI!RTO ?OSE :O W]E P>T$ HAD NOT BE5 UTT]LY UNHAPPY2 !RE WAS ALWAYS A 
GLEAM ( HOPE 9 ! NI<T ( !IR DI/RESS2 BUT ?AT GLEAM HAD N[ DI$ \T4 

,Y\ C\LD SEE !M AT /REET CORN]S1 9 CAFES OR FRI5DS' H\SES1 LI/LESS1 
9DIFF]5T1 & LOOK+ SO BOR$ ?AT1 BECAUSE ( !M1 ! :OLE T[N SEEM$ LIKE A 
RAILWAY WAIT+-ROOM4 ,?OSE :O HAD JOBS W5T AB\T !M AT ! EXACT TEMPO ( ! 
PLAGUE1 ) DRE>Y P]SEV]ANCE4 ,EV]YONE WAS MODE/4 ,= ! FIR/ TIME EXILES FROM 
?OSE !Y LOV$ HAD NO RELUCTANCE TO TALK FREELY AB\T !M1 US+ ! SAME WORDS AS 
EV]YBODY ELSE1 & REG>D+ !IR DEPRIVATION FROM ! SAME ANGLE AS ?AT FROM :I* 
!Y VIEW$ ! LATE/ /ATI/ICS ( ! EPIDEMIC4 ,?IS *ANGE WAS /RIK+ S9CE UNTIL N[ 
!Y HAD JEAL\SLY )HELD !IR P]SONAL GRIEF FROM ! COMMON /OCK ( SUFF]+2 N[ 
!Y ACCEPT$ ITS 9CLUSION4 

,)\T MEMORIES1 )\T HOPE1 !Y LIV$ = ! MOM5T ONLY4 ,9DE$1 ! 
H]E & N[ HAD COME TO MEAN EV]Y?+ TO !M4 ,= !RE IS NO D5Y+ ?AT ! 
PLAGUE HAD GRADUALLY KILL$ (F 9 ALL ( US ! FACULTY NOT ( LOVE ONLY BUT EV5 ( 
FRI5D%IP4 ,NATURALLY 5\<1 S9CE LOVE ASKS SOME?+ ( ! FUTURE1 & NO?+ WAS 
LEFT US BUT A S]IES ( PRES5T MOM5TS4 

,H[EV]1 ?IS ACC\NT ( \R PR$ICAM5T GIVES ONLY ! BROAD L9ES4 ,?US1 :ILE 
IT IS TRUE ?AT ALL :O W]E P>T$ CAME ULTIMATELY TO ?IS /ATE1 WE MU/ ADD ?AT ALL DID 
NOT ATTA9 IT SIMULTANE\SLY2 MOREOV]1 ONCE ?IS UTT] APA?Y HAD FALL5 ON !M1 !RE 
W]E /ILL FLA%ES ( LUCIDITY1 BROK5 LI<TS ( MEMORY ?AT REK9DL$ 9 ! EXILES A 
Y\NG]1 KE5] S5SIBILITY4 ,?IS HAPP5$ :51 = 9/ANCE1 !Y FELL TO MAK+ PLANS 
IMPLY+ ?AT ! PLAGUE HAD 5D$4 ,OR :51 QUITE UNEXPECT$LY1 BY SOME K9DLY 
*ANCE1 !Y FELT A TW+E ( JEAL\SY1 NONE ! LESS ACUTE = ITS OBJECTLESSNESS4 ,O!RS1 
AGA91 HAD SUDD5 ACCESSES ( 5]GY & %OOK (F !IR LANGUOR ON C]TA9 DAYS ( ! 
WEEK1 = OBVI\S REASONS1 ON ,SUNDAYS & ,SATURDAY AFT]NOONS1 BECAUSE !SE HAD BE5 
DEVOT$ TO C]TA9 RITUAL PLEASURES 9 ! DAYS :5 ! LOV$ ONES W]E /ILL ACCESSIBLE4 

,SOMETIMES ! MOOD ( MELAN*OLY ?AT DESC5D$ ON !M ) ! NI<TFALL 
ACT$ AS A SORT ( W>N+1 NOT ALWAYS FULFILL$1 H[EV]1 ?AT OLD MEMORIES W]E FLOAT+ 
UP TO ! SURFACE4 ,?AT EV5+ H\R :I* = BELIEV]S IS ! TIME TO LOOK 9TO !IR 
CONSCI5CES IS H>DE/ ( ALL H\RS ON ! PRISON] OR EXILE :O HAS NO?+ TO LOOK 9TO 
BUT ! VOID4 ,= A MOM5T IT HELD !M 9 SUSP5SE2 !N !Y SANK BACK 9TO !IR 
LE?>GY1 ! PRISON DOOR HAD CLOS$ ON !M ONCE AGA94 

,OBVI\SLY ALL ?IS MEANT GIV+ UP :AT WAS MO/ P]SONAL 9 !IR LIVES4 

,:]EAS 9 ! E>LY DAYS ( ! PLAGUE !Y HAD BE5 /RUCK BY ! HO/ ( SMALL 
DETAILS ?AT1 :ILE MEAN+ ABSOLUTELY NO?+ TO O!RS1 MEANT SO MU* TO !M 
P]SONALLY1 & ?US HAD REALIZ$1 P]HAPS = ! FIR/ TIME1 ! UNIQU5ESS ( EA* MAN'S 
LIFE2 N[1 ON ! O!R H&1 !Y TOOK AN 9T]E/ ONLY 9 :AT 9T]E/$ EV]YONE ELSE1 
!Y HAD ONLY G5]AL IDEAS1 & EV5 !IR T5D]E/ AFFECTIONS N[ SEEM$ AB/RACT1 
ITEMS ( ! COMMON /OCK4 ,SO COMPLETELY W]E !Y DOM9AT$ BY ! PLAGUE ?AT 
SOMETIMES ! ONE ?+ !Y ASPIR$ TO WAS ! LONG SLEEP IT BR\<T1 & !Y CAU<T 
!MSELVES ?9K+3 

0,A GOOD ?+ IF ,I GET PLAGUE & HAVE DONE ) IT60 ,BUT REALLY !Y W]E ASLEEP 
ALREADY2 ?IS :OLE P]IOD WAS = !M NO MORE ?AN A LONG NI<T'S SLUMB]4 ,! T[N 
WAS PEOPL$ ) SLEEPWALK]S1 :OSE TRANCE WAS BROK5 ONLY ON ! R>E OCCASIONS 
:5 AT NI<T !IR W\NDS1 TO ALL APPE>ANCE CLOS$1 SUDD5LY REOP5$4 ,!N1 WAK+ 
) A />T1 !Y W\LD RUN !IR F+]S OV] ! W\NDS ) A SORT ( ABS5TM9D$ 
CURIOSITY1 TWI/+ !IR LIPS1 & 9 A FLA% !IR GRIEF BLAZ$ UP AGA91 & ABRUPTLY !RE 
ROSE BE=E !M ! M\RNFUL VISAGE ( !IR LOVE4 ,9 ! MORN+ !Y H>K$ BACK TO 
NORMAL CONDITIONS1 9 O!R WORDS1 ! PLAGUE4 

,:AT IMPRESSION1 IT MAY BE ASK$1 DID !SE EXILES ( ! PLAGUE MAKE ON ! 
OBS]V]8 ,! ANSW] IS SIMPLE2 !Y MADE NONE4 ,OR1 TO PUT IT DIFF]5TLY1 !Y LOOK$ 
LIKE EV]YBODY ELSE1 NONDESCRIPT4 ,!Y %>$ 9 ! TORPOR ( ! T[N & 9 ITS PU]ILE 
AGITATIONS4 ,!Y LO/ EV]Y TRACE ( A CRITICAL SPIRIT1 :ILE GA9+ AN AIR ( SANG-FROID4 

,Y\ C\LD SEE1 = 9/ANCE1 EV5 ! MO/ 9TELLIG5T AMONG !M MAK+ A %[ LIKE ALL 
! RE/ ( /UDY+ ! NEWSPAP]S OR LI/5+ TO ! RADIO1 9 ! HOPE APP>5TLY ( 
F9D+ SOME REASON TO BELIEVE ! PLAGUE W\LD %ORTLY 5D4 ,!Y SEEM$ TO D]IVE 
FANTA/IC HOPES OR EQUALLY EXAGG]AT$ FE>S FROM READ+ ! L95S ?AT SOME J\RNALI/ 
HAD SCRIBBL$ AT R&OM1 YAWN+ ) BOR$OM AT HIS DESK4 ,MEAN:ILE !Y DRANK !IR 
BE]1 NURS$ !IR SICK1 IDL$1 OR DOP$ !MSELVES ) WORK1 FIL$ DOCUM5TS 9 (FICES1 
OR PLAY$ ! PHONOGRAPH AT HOME1 )\T BETRAY+ ANY DIFF]5CE FROM ! RE/ ( US4 

,9 O!R WORDS1 !Y HAD CEAS$ TO *OOSE = !MSELVES2 PLAGUE HAD LEVEL$ \T 
DISCRIM9ATION4 ,?IS C\LD BE SE5 BY ! WAY NOBODY TR\BL$ AB\T ! QUALITY ( ! 
CLO!S OR FOOD HE B\<T4 ,EV]Y?+ WAS TAK5 AS IT CAME4 

,&1 F9ALLY1 IT IS WOR? NOT+ ?AT ?OSE :O W]E P>T$ CEAS$ TO 5JOY ! 
CURI\S PRIVILEGE ?AT HAD BE5 !IRS AT ! \TSET4 ,!Y HAD LO/ LOVE'S EGOISM & ! 
B5EFIT !Y D]IV$ FROM IT4 ,N[1 AT LEA/1 ! POSITION WAS CLE>2 ?IS CALAMITY WAS 
EV]YBODY'S BUS9ESS4 ,:AT ) ! GUN%OTS E*O+ AT ! GATES1 ! PUNCTUAL ?UDS ( 
RUBB] /AMPS M>K+ ! RHY?M ( LIVES & DEA?S1 ! FILES & FIRES1 ! PANICS & 
=MALITIES1 ALL ALIKE W]E PL$G$ TO AN UGLY BUT RECORD$ DEA?1 &1 AMID NOXI\S 
FUMES & ! MUT$ CLANG ( AMBULANCES1 ALL ( US ATE ! SAME S\R BREAD ( EXILE1 
UNCONSCI\SLY WAIT+ = ! SAME REUNION1 ! SAME MIRACLE ( PEACE REGA9$4 ,NO 
D\BT \R LOVE P]SI/$1 BUT 9 PRACTICE IT S]V$ NO?+2 IT WAS AN 9]T MASS )9 US1 
/]ILE AS CRIME OR A LIFE S5T5CE4 ,IT HAD DECL9$ ON A PATI5CE ?AT L$ NO:]E1 A 
DOGG$ EXPECTATION4 ,VIEW$ FROM ?IS ANGLE1 ! ATTITUDE ( SOME ( \R FELL[ CITIZ5S 
RESEMBL$ ?AT ( ! LONG QUEUES ONE SAW \TSIDE ! FOOD-%OPS4 ,!RE WAS ! SAME 
RESIGNATION1 ! SAME LONG-SUFF]ANCE1 9EXHAU/IBLE & )\T ILLUSIONS4 ,! ONLY 
DIFF]5CE WAS ?AT ! M5TAL /ATE ( ! FOOD-SEEK]S W\LD NE$ TO BE RAIS$ TO A 
VA/LY HI<] P[] TO MAKE IT COMP>ABLE ) ! GNAW+ PA9 ( SEP>ATION1 S9CE ?IS 
LATT] CAME FROM A HUNG] FI]CE TO ! PO9T ( 9SATIABILITY4 ,9 ANY CASE1 IF ! READ] 
W\LD HAVE A CORRECT IDEA ( ! MOOD ( !SE EXILES1 WE MU/ CONJURE UP ONCE MORE 
?OSE DRE>Y EV5+S SIFT+ D[N ?R\< A HAZE ( DU/ & GOLD5 LI<T UPON ! 
TREELESS /REETS FILL$ ) TEEM+ CR[DS ( M5 & WOM54 ,=1 *>ACT]I/ICALLY1 ! 
S\ND ?AT ROSE T[>D ! T]RACES /ILL BA!D 9 ! LA/ GL[ ( DAYLI<T1 N[ ?AT ! 
NOISES ( VEHICLES & MOTORS1 ! SOLE VOICE ( CITIES 9 ORD9>Y TIMES1 HAD CEAS$1 WAS 
BUT ONE VA/ RUMOR ( L[ VOICES & 9CESSANT FOOTFALLS1 ! DRUMM+ ( 9NUM]ABLE 
SOLES TIM$ TO ! E]IE :I/L+ ( ! PLAGUE 9 ! SULTRY AIR ABOVE1 ! S\ND ( A HUGE 
CONC\RSE ( PEOPLE M>K+ TIME1 A NEV] 5D+1 /IFL+ DRONE ?AT1 GRADUALLY SWELL+1 
FILL$ ! T[N FROM 5D TO 5D1 & EV5+ AFT] EV5+ GAVE ITS TRUE/1 M\RNFULE/ 
EXPRESSION TO ! BL9D 5DURANCE ?AT HAD \/$ LOVE FROM ALL \R HE>TS4 

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

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#d1 #bba 3 ,P>T #c -- ,ADD$4 

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