,! ,SECRET ,WORLD ( ,DUVBO 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,CRIME?,9C4 

,TEXT 3 

,A SECRET *ILDR5'S BOOK PASS$ FROM H& TO H&1 9VISIBLE TO ! M>KET4 ,AFT] A DECADE & A HALF1 WE'RE F9ALLY (F]+ A Z9E V]SION ( ,! ,SECRET ,WORLD ( ,DUVBO1 ! COMPANION TO \R O!R *ILDR5'S BOOK1 ,! ,SECRET ,WORLD ( ,T]IJIAN4 ,?IS IS A /ORY AB\T ! FURTIVE \TLETS WE CREATE = ! P>TS ( \RSELVES ?AT DO NOT FIT 9TO \R ORD9>Y LIVES--AB\T ! POT5TIAL = TRANS=MATION HIDD5 )9 SEEM+LY /AID & CONS]VATIVE COMMUNITIES--AB\T H[ ! C\RAGE ( ONE CAN BECOME ! C\RAGE ( ALL4 

,?IS /ORY HAS FOLL[$ A LONG & W9D+ PA? TO REA* Y\R H&S4 ,! PLOT L9E WAS CONCEIV$ 9 ,SAO ,PAULO1 ,BRAZIL 9 E>LY #b4 ,! FIR/ DRAFT WAS COMPOS$ AT ! 5D ( ,JANU>Y #b#b1 AT ,DEMONBOX1 A N[-DEFUNCT COLLECTIVE H\SE 9 ,/OCKHOLM ?AT1 9CID5TALLY1 WAS ALSO ! ORIG9AL ,EUROPEAN PUBLI%] ( ,DAYS ( ,LOVE1 ,NI<TS ( ,W>4 ,IT WAS WRITT5 AS A GIFT = ,>W91 :O WAS BORN ! FOLL[+ ,MAY 9 ! REAL-LIFE NEI<BORHOOD ( ,DUVBO4 

,9 #b#d1 AFT] PUBLI%+ SEV]AL BOOKS = SALE ON ! M>KET1 WE WANT$ TO MAKE A BOOK ?AT W\LD ONLY BE AVAILABLE ?R\< GIFT ECONOMICS4 ,WE PR9T$ A FEW ?\S& COPIES ( ,! ,SECRET ,WORLD ( ,DUVBO & GAVE !M AWAY TO FRI5DS1 LOV]S1 & *>M+ /RANG]S OV] ! FOLL[+ YE>S4 

,TRAVEL+ 9 ,M9NESOTA 9 #b#f1 WE DISCOV]$ A NEW ,CRIME?,9C4 CELL ?AT HAD COMPOS$ A SEQUEL1 ,! ,SECRET ,WORLD ( ,T]IJIAN4 ,9 #b#g1 WE PUBLI%$ IT 9 ! SAME =MAT AS ,! ,SECRET ,WORLD ( ,DUVBO1 SELL+ IT AS A FUNDRAIS] = DEF5DANTS ACCUS$ ( E>? & ANIMAL LIB]ATION4 ,)9 TWO YE>S1 ! AU?ORS W]E !MSELVES IMPRISON$ ON SU* *>GES & WE HAD TO RAISE FUNDS = !M AS WELL4 ,BY !N1 MO/ ( ! PR9T RUN ( ,! ,SECRET ,WORLD ( ,DUVBO WAS LONG GONE4 

,9 #b#a#h1 WE SAW COPIES ( ! #bd PR9T+ ( ,! ,SECRET ,WORLD ( ,DUVBO SELL+ ONL9E = @s#a#b#e & UP1 %IPP+ & TAX NOT 9CLUD$4 ,WE HAD ELUD$ BO? ! M>KET & ! 9T]NET = #ad YE>S1 BUT !Y W]E F9ALLY CAT*+ UP TO US4 ,WE PREP>$ ?IS $ITION TO MAKE SURE ?AT ! TEXT CAN /ILL REA* Y\ \TSIDE ! EX*ANGE ECONOMY1 IF NO LONG] 9 ! CONTEXT ( P]SONAL 9T]ACTION ?AT GAVE ! ORIG9AL PR9T+ ITS SPECIAL P[]4 ,MAY WE MEET SOM$AY AS FRI5DS1 NONE!LESS4 

,BURN EV]Y TOY /ORE & REPLACE !M ) PLAYGR\NDS1 

-,CRIME?,9C4 ,*ILDR5'S ,CRUSADE 

,LITTLE ,ONE1 

,I WANT$ TO WRITE ! MO/ P]FECT /ORY = Y\1 SO Y\ W\LD KN[ H[ EXCIT$ WE ALL >E = Y\ TO JO9 US4 ,I W5T >\ND ) A BLANK NOTEBOOK = WEEKS1 TRY+ TO WORK \T ! P]FECT FIR/ L9E = A P]FECT /ORY4 ,F9ALLY1 S9CE ,I C\LDN'T COME UP ) IT1 ,I MOV$ ON TO TRY+ TO WORK \T ! P]FECT SECOND L9E4 ,I W5T ?R\< EV]Y L9E ?AT WAY1 RI<T UP TO ! LA/ ONE1 )\T ANY SUCCESS4 ,& !N IT HIT ME3 ,I HAD WRITT5 A P]FECT /ORY1 AFT] ALL1 BUT S9CE ?IS IS NOT A P]FECT WORLD1 ! /ORY C\LDN'T JO9 ME H]E--IT WAS WAIT+ 9 ANO!R UNIV]SE1 ! ONE :]E EV]Y?+ IS P]FECT1 EV5 ME4 

,TO SOLVE ?IS PROBLEM1 ,I HAD TO SIT D[N & WRITE Y\ AN IMP]FECT /ORY1 SO AT LEA/ Y\ W\LD HAVE SOME?+ TO READ4 ,IF NO?+ ELSE1 ,I ?9K ,I'VE SUCCE$$ 9 DO+ ?AT4 ,BY ! TIME ?IS REA*ES Y\1 IT WILL HAVE BE5 WAIT+ = YE>S2 BUT ALL ! SAME1 LATE AS IT IS TO SAY ?IS--WELCOME H]E6 

,Y\RS1 ---- 

,I4 

  

,DUVBO WAS A SLEEPY T[N 9 ! WORLD ?AT IS JU/ LIKE \R WORLD 9 EV]Y RESPECT EXCEPT ?AT IT IS ! ONE 9 :I* /ORIES LIKE ?IS ONE TAKE PLACE4 ,IT WASN'T P>TICUL>LY CLOSE TO OR F> FROM ANY O!R T[NS1 & AL?\< PEOPLE CAME 9 & \T SOMETIMES1 LIFE 9 ,DUVBO C5T]$ >\ND :AT WAS GO+ ON 9 ,DUVBO1 :I* G5]ALLY WASN'T MU* AT ALL4 ,! RESID5TS DIDN'T SEEM TO ?9K MU* AB\T ?IS1 BUT IF SOMEONE HAD ASK$ !M1 !Y PROBABLY W\LD HAVE ANSW]$ ?AT ?IS WAS ! WAY !Y PREF]R$ IT4 

,IF Y\ W]E TO TAKE A WALK >\ND ,DUVBO ON A SUNNY AFT]NOON1 Y\ W\LD PASS ?R\< NEI<BORHOODS ( MODE/ H\SES1 A FEW TO A /REET1 TREES %AD+ ! WELL-TRIMM$ GRASS BEH9D :ITE PICKET F5CES4 ,:ATEV] PA? Y\ TOOK1 Y\ W\LD BE B\ND TO COME EV5TUALLY TO ! C5T] ( T[N1 :]E !RE W]E A /REET ( %OPS1 A /REET ( CIVIC BUILD+S1 & A C5TRAL SQU>E :]E !Y 9T]SECT$4 ,IT WAS A L>GE 5\< T[N ?AT A SMALL *ILD C\LD GET LO/ 9 IT1 BUT NOT SO L>GE ?AT HE W\LD NOT QUICKLY BE F\ND & RETURN$ HOME4 

,9 ?IS T[N !RE LIV$ ONE MAYOR1 F\R POLICEM51 SIX FIREFI<T]S1 ?REE MAIL C>RI]S1 F\R HUNDR$ & TWELVE ASSORT$ O!R WORK]S1 SOME RETIR$1 & !IR ONE HUNDR$ & N9ETE5 *ILDR51 MO/ ( :OM ATT5D$ ! ONE S*OOL1 :I* WAS /AFF$ BY N9E TEA*]S1 9CLUD+ A P>TICUL> ,MS4 ,D>R[AY1 :O TAU<T MA!MATICS4 ,9 ADDITION TO ALL !SE 9HABITANTS1 !RE W]E TWO ESPECIALLY GRUMPY RETIR$ >MY (FIC]S1 :O DON'T COME 9TO ! /ORY UNTIL LAT]1 & ONE ESPECIALLY %Y1 ESPECIALLY S5SITIVE BOY1 ,TITUS1 :O WILL BE ! H]O ( ?IS TALE4 

,ALL 9 ALL1 !N1 !RE W]E FIVE HUNDR$ & FIFTY SEV5 RESID5TS ( ,DUVBO2 Y\ %\LD TRY TO REMEMB] ?IS NUMB]1 9 CASE IT BECOMES IMPORTANT LAT] ON4 

,LET'S />T ) ,TITUS3 HE WAS A T\SLE-HEAD$ LITTLE FELL[1 P]HAPS A LITTLE %ORT] ?AN HIS CLASSMATES1 GIV5 TO DAYDREAM+ & DI/RACTION BUT NO MORE PREOCCUPI$ ?AN ANY O!R *ILD HIS AGE4 ,HE WASN'T A BOY TO /& \T 9 A CR[D1 BUT ON CLOS] 9SPECTION Y\ MI<T NOTICE HIM--HE W\LD BE ! ONE NE> ! $GE ( ! GR\P1 LOOK+ ONE DIRECTION :ILE EV]YONE ELSE WAS LOOK+ ! O!R4 ,TRU? BE TOLD1 HE PAID MORE ATT5TION TO HIS SURR\ND+S ?AN ADULTS GAVE HIM CR$IT =1 & SOMETIMES NOTIC$ ?+S NO ONE ELSE DID4 

,! MAYOR WAS A GREAT BIG O/5TATI\S MAN GIV5 TO FLAUNT+ EXTRAVAGANTLY ORD9>Y TIES & DELIV]+ LONG-W9D$ SPEE*ES AB\T NO?+ 9 P>TICUL>1 & ,TITUS ONLY SAW HIM ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS LIKE ! C\NTY FAIR OR ! ,*RI/MAS P>ADE AT ! 5D ( AUTUMN4 ,HE DIDN'T SEE TOO MU* ( ! POLICE (FIC]S1 EI!R1 & ?\< POLICE (FIC]S 9 O!R T[NS >E KN[N = DO+ QUITE HORRID ?+S1 !SE F\R W]5'T REALLY A BAD SORT4 ,! FIREFI<T]S W\LD COME TO HIS S*OOL ONCE A YE> TO RAMBLE ?R\< A PRES5TATION AB\T FIRE SAFETY & PREV5TION1 BUT AS F> AS ,TITUS C\LD TELL1 !RE W]E NEV] ANY FIRES 9 ,DUVBO = !M TO PUT \T4 

,! MAIL C>RI]S W]E MORE 9T]E/+ TO ! BOY1 OR AT LEA/ ONE ( !M WAS4 ,EV]Y DAY ON HIS WAY BACK FROM S*OOL1 ,TITUS W\LD PASS H] COM+ D[N ! DRIVEWAY FROM HIS H\SE1 HAV+ JU/ DROPP$ ! MAIL 9 ! MAIL SLOT2 AS SOON AS HE HAD PASS$ H]1 SO %E W\LDN'T SEE HIM DO IT1 HE W\LD RUN UP ! FRONT /EPS & FL+ OP5 ! DOOR TO SEE :AT HAD >RIV$4 ,NO?+ EV] HAD1 ( C\RSE1 EXCEPT = BILLS & O!R CONFUS+1 HUMDRUM ?+S ?AT SET HIS P>5TS TO MUTT]+2 BUT ALL ! SAME1 IT SEEM$ TO ,TITUS ?AT A MAIL C>RI] \<T TO BR+ IMPORTANT PACKAGES1 MAGICAL 9VITATIONS1 P>CELS ?AT W\LD OP5 TO REVEAL HIDD5 5TRANCES TO O!R WORLDS OR AT LEA/ MAPS TO BURI$ TREASURE4 ,SO EV]Y AFT]NOON1 JU/ 9 CASE1 HE WAS !RE1 F+]S CROSS$1 TO *ECK ! MAIL--& EV]Y AFT]NOON IT WAS ! SAME3 BILLS & ADV]TISEM5TS4 

,AS Y\'VE PROBABLY ALREADY GUESS$1 ,MS4 ,D>R[AY WAS ,TITUS'S MA!MATICS TEA*]1 & HE SAT 9 H] CLASSES MANY LONG H\RS EV]Y WEEK DAYDREAM+ & C\NT+ D[N ! M9UTES UNTIL HE & ! MAIL W\LD >RIVE ON ?AT DOOR/EP4 ,%E WAS A /]N1 /RICT1 UNLAU<+ WOMAN1 & W\LD ALWAYS CAT* HIM ) HIS HEAD 9 ! CL\DS & *A/ISE HIM 9 FRONT ( HIS CLASSMATES4 ,/ILL1 HIS M9D W\LD W&]1 & HE C\LDN'T HELP FOLL[+ IT \T ?OSE W9D[S1 ACROSS ! PLACID FIELDS >\ND ,DUVBO1 OV] ! HILLS & F> AWAY 9TO WILD JUNGLES :]E WOM5 & M5 ) PA9T$ SK9 RODE W+$ FI% UP BLACK RIV]S TO AB&ON$ CITIES AT ! FEET ( T[]+ M\NTA9S444 SOMETIMES :5 ! BELL RANG TO RELEASE HIM1 HE WAS ALMO/ SORRY TO COME BACK TO HIS SEAT1 EV5 ?\< HE KNEW IT WAS TIME TO RUN HOME TO SEE IF ! PACKAGE HE LONG$ = HAD F9ALLY >RIV$4 

,?R\< ! C\RSE ( ?IS TALE1 Y\ MAY SOMETIMES WOND] :]E ,TITUS'S P>5TS W]E2 ! ANSW] IS1 ( C\RSE1 ?AT !Y W]E !RE1 SOME:]E 9 ! BACKGR\ND1 LIKE MANY PEOPLE'S P>5TS >E !SE DAYS4 ,TITUS WAS NOT SO LUCKY AS TO HAVE P>5TS :O KNEW H[ LUCKY !Y W]E TO %>E !IR LIVES ) HIM1 & HE HAD TO WORK A LOT ( ?+S \T ON HIS [N4 ,?IS IS ! /ORY ( H[ HE DID1 & ( H[ MU* ( A DIFF]5CE IT MADE = EV]YONE4 

,WEEKS & WEEKS ( HOPEFUL AFT]NOONS ADD$ UP TO MON?S ) /ILL NO?+ SPECIAL 9 ! MAILBOX4 ,AT ,TITUS'S Y\NG AGE1 ?AT SEEM$ LIKE AN IMPOSSIBLY LONG TIME = NO?+ SPECIAL TO HAPP51 & HE BEGAN TO FE> ?AT SOME?+ WAS WRONG 9 ! WORLD2 BUT EV]YONE >\ND HIM C>RI$ ON 9 SU* A NON*ALANT MANN]1 & ) SO LITTLE VISIBLE DESIRE = ,SOME?+ ,SPECIAL TO >RIVE 9 ! MAIL OR FROM ANY O!R DIRECTION1 ?AT SOME DAYS HE WOND]$ IF SOME?+ WAS SIMPLY WRONG 9 HIMSELF ?AT HE %\LD WANT SU* A ?+4 ,IF HE HAD BE5 A BRAV] BOY1 HE ?\<T TO HIMSELF 9 A TONE ( ACCUSATION1 HE W\LD HAVE ASK$ ! MAILWOMAN IF /RANGE PACKAGES FROM EXOTIC L&S DIDN'T %[ UP ON AT LEA/ SOME DOOR/EPS1 SOMETIMES2 BUT HE WAS AT ?AT AGE :5 BOYS BECOME TOO SELF-CONSCI\S TO ASK SU* ?+S AL\D1 EV5 IF A P>T ( !M /ILL %\TS ! QUE/ION SIL5TLY4 

,HE %\LD NOT HAVE BE5 SO QUICK TO CRITICIZE HIMSELF1 = AS IT W\LD TURN \T1 HE W\LD DEMON/RATE GREAT BRAV]Y & 9ITIATIVE :5 ! TIME CAME4 ,BUT HE HAD NO WAY ( KN[+ ?IS1 YET1 & W5T AB\T ?9K+ ( HIMSELF AS SOME?+ ( A C[>D1 HOP+ = AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVE HIS C\RAGE ) ! SAME M\NT+ IMPATI5CE ) :I* HE AWAIT$ ! >RIVAL ( SOME?+ MAGICAL 9 ! PO/4 

,?IS IMPATI5CE L$ HIM TO DO SOME?+ ?AT P>5TS TELL !IR *ILDR5 ,NEV] ,TO ,DO ,UND] ,ANY ,CIRCUM/ANCES1 ! SORT ( ?+ !Y C]TA9LY DO NOT WANT LITTLE BOYS DO+ 9 ! /ORIES !IR *ILDR5 READ--SO IF Y\'VE GOTT5 ?IS F>1 Y\ CAN CONSID] Y\RSELF LUCKY4 ,F$ UP ) A LIFE 9 :I* NO?+ EV] HAPP5$1 ,TITUS BEGAN SECRETLY /AY+ AWAKE UNTIL EV]YONE ELSE 9 ! H\SE WAS ASLEEP1 & !N--?IS IS ! REALLY CONTROV]SIAL P>T--SNEAK+ \T ( ! H\SE TO TAKE WALKS 9 ! WIT*+ H\R ( ! NI<T4 ,EA* NI<T HE W\LD WAIT UNTIL HE HE>D ! L[ RUMBLE ( HIS FA!R'S SNOR+1 !N ! QUIET] :I/LE ( AIR BETWE5 HIS SLEEP+ MO!R'S LIPS1 &1 AFT] C\NT+ BREA?LESSLY TO ONE HUNDR$1 W\LD HOLD ! PILL[ OV] ! W9D[ LAT* TO MUFFLE ! S\ND AS HE UNLOCK$ IT4 ,!N HE W\LD OP5 ! W9D[ JU/ WIDE 5\< TO SLIP HIS BODY \T1 & L[] HIMSELF C>EFULLY TO ! GR\ND A FEW FEET BEL[1 TREMBL+ AS HE DID 9 ! ?RILL ( DO+ SOME?+ SO FRI<T5+ & =BIDD54 ,SOME NI<TS HE W\LD /EP ON A TWIG AS HE REA*$ ! GR\ND1 & FREEZE 9 T]ROR = M9UTES UNTIL HE WAS SURE HE HADN'T AWAK5$ HIS P>5TS2 HE BEGAN TO *ECK ! >EA UND] HIS W9D[ = /ICKS 9 ! AFT]NOON1 AFT] ! LATE/ DISAPPO9T+ BAT* ( BILLS HAD >RIV$4 

,ON ! FIR/ FEW \T+S1 HE DIDN'T /RAY F> FROM ! H\SE--IT WAS 5\< JU/ TO /& 9 ! DIM /REETLI<T 9 ! FRONT Y>D1 LOOK+ AT ! D>K =MS ( TREES ?AT LOOM$ OV]HEAD & SAVOR+ ! *ILL AIR ON HIS FACE4 ,AFT] A WEEK ( ?IS1 ?\<1 HE HAD BUILT UP 5\< C\RAGE = A %ORT EXP$ITION D[N ! /REET1 & !N ANO!R4 ,! :OLE WORLD LOOK$ SO DIFF]5T AT NI<T--EV]Y?+ ?AT WAS FAMILI> 9 DAYLI<T BECAME1 9 ! /ILL />LI<T & EMPT9ESS ( SLEEP+ ,DUVBO1 SPOOKY & NE>LY MAGICAL4 ,SQU9T+ AT ! SILH\ETTES ( /REET SIGNS MADE BLANK BY ! BLACKNESS1 ALMO/ SWALL[$ UP BY ! SIL5CE 9 :I* HIS FOOT/EPS BOOM$1 ,TITUS FELT LIKE ! LA/ HUMAN BE+ ON E>?--OR ! FIR/4 

,P>5TS & O!R ADULTS =GET ?IS AS ! YE>S PASS1 BUT Y\ KN[ IT WELL1 ,I'M SURE3 *ILDR5'S LIVES >E ELECTRIFI$ BY SECRET ADV5TURES LIKE ?IS1 GIV5 !IR TRUE =M & MEAN+ BY MOM5TS NO ONE ELSE WITNESSES4 ,ALREADY ,TITUS WAS DAYDREAM+ LESS AB\T ! AFT]NOON MAIL & MORE AB\T :AT HE W\LD DO LAT] 9 ! EV5+ :ILE ! CITY SLEPT2 & EV]Y DAY 9 CLASS A TACITURN1 TIR$ ,MS4 ,D>R[AY W\LD SNAP HIM \T ( HIS REV]IES ) A %>P WORD OR A RAP ON ! WRI/4 

,ONE NI<T1 FLU%$ ) A GR[+ CONFID5CE FROM WEEKS ( !SE EXP$ITIONS1 ,TITUS CROSS$ A L9E4 ,?IS EV5+1 :5 HE >RIV$ AT ! $GE ( ! NEI<BORHOOD HE KNEW1 HE DIDN'T TURN BACK1 BUT PAUS$--& !N1 MU/]+ ALL ( HIS LITTLE BOY'S BRAVADO1 WALK$ =W>D1 ONTO A /REET HE C\LD NOT RECOGNIZE 9 ! D>KNESS4 ,EV]Y /EP WAS A T]ROR1 AT FIR/3 HE LAID HIS FEET D[N AS IF ! PAVEM5T MI<T GIVE WAY B5EA? !M1 OR ! :OLE T[N SUDD5LY BE TRANS=M$ 9TO ?ICK & IMPASSABLE JUNGLE4 ,AS SUCCESSIVE /EPS REVEAL$ !SE FE>S TO BE UNF\ND$1 HE %OOK HIMSELF1 TRI$ TO RELAX A LITTLE1 & RETURN$ TO HIS USUAL PACE4 ,IT WAS A LITTLE LIKE WALK+ ) Y\R EYES CLOS$1 :I*1 IF Y\'VE NEV] DONE IT1 Y\ %\LD TRY SOME TIME3 HE EXPECT$ TO HIT DISA/] AT ANY MOM5T1 & %UDD]$ SOMETIMES DESPITE HIMSELF1 BUT ! DISA/] DID NOT COME1 & IF HE DIDN'T ?9K AB\T IT TOO H>D1 IT WAS AS EASY AS ANY?+ TO KEEP MOV+4 

,SOON1 HE BEGAN TO FEEL FREE & SURE ( HIMSELF 9 A WAY HE HADN'T BE=E 9 ! FEW LONG YE>S ( HIS Y\NG LIFE4 ,H]E HE WAS1 \T 9 A FAIRYL& NO ONE ELSE EV] SAW1 NAVIGAT+ IT ) ! FE>LESSNESS & F9ESSE ( A TRUE EXPLOR]2 IF ?OSE SLEEP+ CIVILIANS ONLY KNEW6 ,HE R\ND$ CORN]S & SET (F D[N NEW LANES LIKE A PIRATE CAPTA9 SWAGG]+ ONTO ! BEA* ( A NEWLY DISCOV]$ ISL&4 ,F9ALLY1 HE DECID$ IT WAS TIME TO RETURN TO HIS B$4 

,& !N1 ) A DREAD ?AT RAN AS DEEP AS HIS ELATION HAD SO>$ HI<1 HE REALIZ$ HE WAS LO/4 ,HE HADN'T KEPT TRACK ( EV]Y TURN AS HE %\LD HAVE--& 9 ! DIM ( ! /REETLAMPS1 ALL ! L&M>KS HE HAD HAPHAZ>DLY PICK$ \T LOOK$ ! SAME4 ,HE TOOK ONE FAMILI>-LOOK+ ROAD1 BUT IT L$ TO NO O!RS HE REMEMB]$2 HE TURN$ BACK1 & TRI$ ANO!R1 ONLY TO HAVE SECOND ?\<TS--&1 UPON TRY+ TO RETRACE HIS /EPS1 LO/ TRACK ( HIS PA? ALTOGE!R4 

,LOOK+ ON FROM ABOVE1 AS IT W]E1 WE CAN SEE ?AT ,TITUS HAD NOT /RAY$ MORE ?AN A FEW /REETS FROM HIS NEI<BORHOOD2 BUT FROM :]E HE /OOD1 9 ! MURK ( MOONLESS NI<T1 IT SEEM$ HOME MI<T AS WELL BE A ?\S& MILES AWAY4 ,HE WANT$ TO SIT D[N & CRY1 BUT HE KNEW HE WAS 9 SU* DEEP TR\BLE ?AT HE C\LDN'T AF=D TO WA/E A MOM5T4 ,BRAVELY1 HE WALK$ ON1 DEEP] & DEEP] 9TO ! MAZE ( HIS [N CONFUSION1 HOP+ N[ AGA9/ HOPE ?AT HE MI<T /UMBLE UPON SOME?+ HE RECOGNIZ$--,DUVBO WAS NOT SU* A BIG T[N1 AFT] ALL4 ,/ILL1 NO?+ ( ! SORT APPE>$1 = :AT SEEM$ LIKE H\RS & H\RS & MILES & MILES1 & HE WAS 9 ! F9AL /AGES ( PANIC :5 HE WAS />TL$ BY SOME?+ ALTOGE!R EXTRAORD9>Y & UNEXPECT$4 

,AT ! F> 5D ( ! /REET HE WAS PASS+ ON HIS LEFT1 HE MADE \T A GLIMM]+ DI/9CTLY DIFF]5T FROM ! LI<T ! SP>SELY SCATT]$ /REETLAMPS CA/4 ,IT GL[$1 R$ & GOLD51 & FLICK]$ AS IF ) MOVEM5T1 OR %AD[S4 ,?IS WAS SU* A WILD DEVELOPM5T ?AT = A MOM5T LITTLE ,TITUS =GOT ALL AB\T HIS PR$ICAM5T3 HE HAD TO SEE :AT IT WAS1 :ATEV] ! CONSEQU5CES4 ,A LIFETIME ( PRIVATE FANTASY HAD PREP>$ HIM = ?IS MOM5T1 & AL?\< HIS IMAG9ATION CONJUR$ NI<TM>ES & WELL AS WOND]S \T ( ! LI<T AHEAD ( HIM1 HE TURN$ & CREPT UP ! SIDEWALK T[>DS IT ALL ! SAME4 

,AS HE PROCE$$1 ! /REET GREW WID]1 & HE SAW ?AT !RE WAS AN OP5 SPACE AHEAD ( HIM1 9 :I* HE C\LD MAKE \T ! SILH\ETTES ( TREES ABOVE & ! TEXTURE ( GRASS BEL[4 ,HE ALSO MADE \T SOME?+ ELSE3 FIGURES1 SP9N+ & :IRL+ >\ND A GREAT FIRE4 ,! FI]CE LI<T /RET*$ !IR =MS & MAGNIFI$ !IR PROPORTIONS1 MADE !M APPE> UNREAL & 5ORM\S4 ,?IS WAS BEYOND \T ( ! ORD9>Y--IT WAS POSITIVELY BEYOND BELIEF1 & ,TITUS :IRL$ 9T]NALLY AT ! %OCK & WOND] ( SEE+ ) HIS [N EYES1 9 MONOTON\S ,DUVBO1 A SC5E ! LIKE ( :I* HE HAD ONLY DIMLY IMAG9$ 9 HIS M9D4 ,HE FROZE1 DIZZY1 TORN BETWE5 RUNN+ =W>D & RUNN+ AWAY--BUT IT WAS A *OICE HE DID NOT HAVE TO MAKE4 

,9 ! V]Y NEXT 9/ANT1 ! GREAT BONFIRE W5T \T ) A :OO% ( SP>KS1 & ! FIGURES DISAPPE>$ 9 ALL DIRECTIONS1 MELT+ 9TO ! D>KNESS4 ,TITUS LEAP$ 9TO ! BU%ES BEH9D HIM1 BUT IT WAS UNNECESS>Y--NO?+ & NO ONE REAPPE>$1 & SOON ! /ILLNESS SETTL$ BACK 9 & RESUM$ ITS AIR ( P]MAN5CE4 ,SOME?+ ELSE HAPP5$1 TOO3 ,TITUS DISC]N$ ! FIR/ GLIMM]S ( P9K 9 ! SKY OV]HEAD--! SUN WAS PREP>+ TO RISE4 

,AS IT GOT LI<T]1 ! /REET CAME 9TO FOCUS1 & ,TITUS SUDD5LY REALIZ$ :]E HE WAS3 ?IS WAS ! C5TRAL SQU>E ( ,DUVBO6 ,HE C\LD MAKE HIS WAY HOME FROM H]E1 IF HE FOLL[$ ! /REET PA/ ! FIRE /ATION4 ,!RE WAS NO SIGN ANY:]E ( ! FIRE OR ! F]AL DANC]S1 & HE CREPT C>EFULLY \T ( HIS HID+ PLACE & ACROSS ! COOL GRASS1 MORN+ DEW DAMP5+ HIS %OES1 TO />T BACK4 

,HE HURRI$ ?R\< NEI<BORHOODS ?AT ONCE AGA9 TOOK ON AN 5TIRELY DIFF]5T *>ACT]1 ! ROSY FIR/ LI<T FALL+ ON FAMILI> RO(S & H$GES AS ! DREAMS ( SLUMB]+ FAMILIES DREW TO A CLOSE4 ,HE WAS DRA9$ & \T ( BREA?1 YET /ILL %AK+ ) ADR5AL9E & AWE FROM HIS DISCOV]Y1 :5 HE SLIPP$ BACK 9 ?R\< HIS B$ROOM W9D[ & PULL$ IT %UT BEH9D HIM1 ALMO/ TOO DI/RACT$ TO MUFFLE ! LAT*4 ,A FEW M9UTES LAT]1 AS HE LAY 9 B$1 HE>T RAC+1 ATTEMPT+ TO FEIGN SLEEP1 HIS MO!R CAME 9 TO R\SE HIM = S*OOL4 ,IT WAS AS AMAZ+ TO HIM AS EV]Y?+ ELSE HAD BE5 ?AT NI<T ?AT %E DIDN'T NOTICE ANY?+ UNUSUAL4 

,TITUS SP5T ! NEXT DAY 9 A CONFUS$ COMB9ATION ( EXHAU/ION & EXHIL>ATION4 ,IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO ?9K AB\T ANY?+ BUT :AT HE HAD SE51 :AT IT C\LD HAVE BE51 :AT HE %\LD DO ! COM+ NI<T1 & AT ! SAME TIME HIS BRA9 WAS SO FOGGY1 HIS EYELIDS SO HEAVY1 HIS BODY SO WORN \T ?AT IT WAS ALL HE C\LD DO TO /AY AWAKE 9 CLASS4 ,MS4 ,D>R[AY SEEM$ P>TICUL>LY %ORT-TEMP]$ & WE>Y H]SELF1 & GAVE HIM NO QU>T] :5EV] HIS HEAD DROOP$ TO ONE SIDE4 ,POOR ,TITUS P9*$ HIMSELF & KICK$ HIS FEET AGA9/ EA* O!R1 TRY+ TO KEEP UP AT LEA/ A V5E] ( ATT5TIV5ESS1 BUT ) HIS M9D SWIRL+ ) D]VI% DANC]S & SLEEP DEPRIVATION IT DID LITTLE GOOD4 ,F9ALLY1 AFT] FIVE HUNDR$ YE>S ( MA!MATICS & D\R REPRIM&S CRAMM$ 9TO FIFTY-FIVE M9UTES1 CLASS WAS OV]4 

,!RE WAS NO?+ SPECIAL 9 ! MAIL1 ( C\RSE1 SO ,TITUS SET HIMSELF TO ! TASK ( KILL+ ! H\RS UNTIL HIS P>5TS W]E ASLEEP4 ,:AT WAS IT HE HAD WITNESS$1 AFT] ALL1 HE WOND]$8 ,DID WIT*ES VISIT ,DUVBO8 ,WAS IT HAUNT$ BY <O/S8 ,HAD HE ALMO/ 9T]RUPT$ A GA!R+ ( B&ITS8 ,W]E !RE EV5 B&ITS1 OR WIT*ES1 OR <O/S ANY:]E1 ANYMORE1 9 ?IS AGE8 ,! ONE CONCLUSION HE CAME TO AGA9 & AGA9 WAS ?AT1 :ATEV] ! DANG] & H[EV] GREAT HIS FE>S1 HE HAD TO GO 9VE/IGATE FUR!R ?AT NI<T4 

,BUT :5 ! MOM5T CAME1 & HIS MO!R SWIT*$ (F ! LI<T 9 HIS ROOM1 HE PLUNG$ 9/ANTLY 9TO SLEEP--LONG BE=E HIS P>5TS EV5 RETIR$ TO !IR ROOM4 ,HE WAS SIMPLY TOO EXHAU/$ TO /AY AWAKE ANY LONG]4 

,! NEXT EV5+1 ( C\RSE1 HE WAS WIDE AWAKE & ELECTRIFI$ ) ANTICIPATION4 ,AFT] HE HE>D ! FIR/ :I/LE ( HIS SLEEP+ MO!R'S BREA? HE WAS B>ELY ABLE TO RE/RA9 HIMSELF :ILE HE C\NT$1 AS FA/ AS POSSIBLE1 TO ONE HUNDR$4 ,ON ! F9AL NUMB] HE BOLT$ UPRI<T & ?REW OP5 ! W9D[ LAT* ) SC>CELY ANY MUFFL+ AT ALL1 & HOPP$ D[N TO ! GR\ND1 :I* HE HAD C>EFULLY PICK$ CLE> ( TWIGS ?AT AFT]NOON4 

,ONCE ON ! /REET \TSIDE1 APPREH5SION SET BACK 94 ,:AT W\LD HAPP5 IF !Y CAU<T HIM1 :OEV] OR :ATEV] !Y W]E8 ,:AT IF !Y W]E UNFRI5DLY8 ,!Y W]E C]TA9LY O!RWORLDLY1 AT LEA/ ( ANO!R WORLD ?AN ,DUVBO4 ,HE C\LDN'T KN[ :AT TO EXPECT FROM !M1 C\LDN'T BEG9 TO IMAG9E4 ,BUT !RE WAS NO WAY >\ND IT3 HE W\LD HAVE TO BE C>EFUL1 & F9D \T :AT HE C\LD4 ,HE WRAPP$ HIS SC>F OV] HIS M\? & NOSE AS AN IMPROMPTU MASK1 MORE AS A *>M AGA9/ HIS [N FE>S ?AN ANY?+ ELSE1 & SET \T4 

,HE HAD C>EFULLY *>T$ ! R\TE FROM HIS H\SE TO ! C5TRAL SQU>E ?AT AFT]NOON1 SO !RE WAS NO *ANCE HE W\LD GET LO/ AGA92 ALL ! SAME1 IT WAS A V]Y DIFF]5T WALK 9 ! D>KNESS4 ,! UNC]TA9TY ( :AT AWAIT$ HIM AHEAD C\PL$ ) ! GLOOM ( ! /REETS >\ND HIM MADE ! TREK FE>SOME 9DE$4 ,HAD HE BE5 OLD] & MORE :AT ADULTS CALL 0MATURE10 HE MI<T HAVE REASON$ HIMSELF \T ( IT1 OR AT LEA/ WAIT$ TO RETURN ) REPORT]S & A CAM]A CREW2 BUT HE WAS Y\NG1 & 9NOC5TLY IMPETU\S1 & READY = MAGIC4 

,& IT WAS WAIT+ = HIM4 ,DRAW+ CLOSE TO ! C5TRAL SQU>E AGA91 HE ONCE MORE MADE \T A LI<T 9 ! C5T]1 B5EA? ! TREES4 ,IT WAS LESS BRI<T1 & FLICK]$ LESS WILDLY2 SOON HE SAW ?AT ! FIGURES >\ND IT W]E NOT DANC+1 N[1 BUT GA!R$ 9 A GREAT CIRCLE ( SEAT$ SILH\ETTES4 ,9 ! MIDDLE1 BE=E ! BONFIRE1 ONE T[]+ FIGURE /OOD1 MOV+ ITS >MS 9 P[]FUL SWEEP+ GE/URES4 ,ALL BACKS W]E TO HIM1 SO ,TITUS MOV$ 9 CLOS]4 

,! /&+ FIGURE WAS DRAP$ 9 A COMPLETE BE>SK91 ! FUR HANG+ 9 /RIPS >\ND ! >MS1 ! %AD[ ( ! OP5 JAWS OBSCUR+ ! FACE )94 ,& %E WAS SPEAK+3 :5 ,TITUS HE>D H] WORDS1 HE RECOGNIZ$ IT AS A WOMAN'S VOICE1 ONE ?AT S\ND$ ALMO/ FAMILI>1 & YET AT ! SAME TIME WAS UNLIKE ANY?+ HE HAD HE>D BE=E4 ,H] TONE WAS SO CLE> & /RONG ?AT IT C>RI$ ?R\< ! SQU>E & RESONAT$ 9 HIS *E/1 BUT IT HAD A S(TNESS & A W>M? ?AT ONLY DEEP5$ HIS IMPRESSION ( ITS /R5G?4 ,IT WAS A /ORY %E WAS TELL+1 A /ORY LIKE ! ONES HE MADE UP 9 MA!MATICS CLASS1 BUT FLE%$ \T ) EV5 MORE IMAG9ATIVE DETAILS & FANTA/IC SETT+S ?AN HIS [N3 M5 TATTOO$ MAPS TO MY/]I\S PORTALS ON !IR *ILDR5'S SK91 WOM5 TRAVEL$ ON SUBT]RANEAN /REAMS TO ! 9N] SPACE AT ! CORE ( ! E>?1 FLEW !RE 9 ! Z]O GRAVITY TO A HIDD5 MOON FLOAT+ )94 ,HE LI/5$1 5TRANC$1 & CREPT CLOS]1 DESPITE HIMSELF4 

,! SPEAK] CONCLUD$ H] TALE ) A L9E ( E]IE POETRY1 & !N TURN$ %>PLY 9 ,TITUS'S DIRECTION3 0,& N[10 %E PRON\NC$1 0IT IS TIME = US TO HE> A /ORY FROM \R NEW GUE/40 

,TITUS J]K$ TO HIS FEET & /UMBL$ BACKW>D1 BUT BE=E HE C\LD GET ANY F>!R A PAIR ( H&S SEIZ$ HIM FROM EI!R SIDE & BORE HIM TO ! C5T] ( ! CIRCLE4 ,LITTLE ,TITUS /OOD !RE BE=E ! GREAT FIRE1 SURR\ND$ BY D>K =MS 9 \TL&I% CO/UMES1 & FROZE LIKE AN ANIMAL UND] A SE>*LI<T4 ,IMPULSIVELY1 HE TI<T5$ ! SC>F >\ND HIS FACE1 BUT !RE WAS NO GETT+ >\ND IT3 HE WAS CAU<T4 0,GO ON10 ANO!R FIGURE URG$ HIM1 9 A TONE ( VOICE HE C\LD NOT DECIPH]3 0A /ORY40 

,TITUS OP5$ HIS M\?1 & BEGAN TO SPEAK3 HALT+LY AT FIR/1 BUT !N1 DISCOV]+ A VOICE ( HIS [N ?AT HE HAD NEV] HAD CAUSE TO 5GAGE1 HE TOLD1 ) M\NT+ CONFID5CE1 ONE ( HIS [N /ORIES FROM HIS DAYDREAMS4 ,HE N>RAT$ = DE> LIFE1 ADD+ CLEV] DIGRESSIONS & EXTRAVAGANT DESCRIPTIONS1 HOP+ ! %AD[Y CIRCLE W\LD NOT BE DISAPPO9T$ & HAVE HIM FLAY$ OR BURN$ ALIVE4 

,AT ! 5D ( HIS /ORY1 !RE WAS A SIL5CE4 ,HE LOOK$1 FE>FUL1 >\ND ! CIRCLE1 BUT C\LD NOT SEE ! EYES ( ! ONES WAT*+ HIM1 C\LD NOT IMAG9E :AT W\LD HAPP5 NEXT--& !N1 ALL AT ONCE1 !RE ]UPT$ FROM ALL H&S A GREAT APPLAUD+1 & FROM ALL ?ROATS A GREAT *E]+1 & 9 ! NEXT 9/ANT1 AS HAD HAPP5$ TWO NI<TS BE=E1 ! FIRE W5T \T 9 AN EXPLOSION ( SP>KS & ALL ! FIGURES DISAPPE>$ ABRUPTLY 9TO ! D>KNESS4 

,! FOLL[+ DAY ,TITUS WAS AS EXHAU/$ AS HE HAD BE5 TWO DAYS E>LI]1 & AS P]PLEX$ & EXCIT$4 ,HE SAT 9 MA!MATICS CLASS1 EYES PO9T$ AT ! BLACKBO>D BUT UNFOCUS$1 & REFLECT$ ON HIS DISCOV]Y4 ,HE HAD UNCOV]$ A FABUL\S MY/]Y1 A SECRET SIDE ( ,DUVBO ?AT NO ONE KNEW ( BUT HIMSELF2 IT WAS AMAZ+ ?AT SU* AN EXOTIC COMPANY W\LD GA!R 9 ! HE>T ( SU* AN ORD9>Y1 EV5 DRE>Y1 PLACE4 ,:]E W]E !Y COM+ FROM8 ,:AT DREW !M H]E8 ,HE HAD ! /RANGE FEEL+ ?AT ! PIECES ( ! PUZZLE W]E RI<T 9 FRONT ( HIM1 BUT HE C\LDN'T PUT IT TOGE!R4 ,HE RESOLV$1 HEAD BLURRY ) FATIGUE1 TO LET HIMSELF CAT* UP ON RE/ ?AT NI<T1 SO HE C\LD BE 9 TOP CONDITION TO 9VE/IGATE FUR!R ! FOLL[+ EV5+4 ,AT ?AT MOM5T1 ,MS4 ,D>R[AY WR5*$ HIM FROM HIS REV]IE ) A %>P WORD4 ,%E LOOK$ AS TIR$ AS HE FELT4 

,! NI<T AFT]1 HE WAS !RE AGA91 MAK+ HIS WAY 9TO ! MA9 SQU>E 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! NI<T1 SC>F >\ND HIS FACE & HE>T P\ND+ 9 HIS *E/4 ,AGA9 IT WAS DIFF]5T3 N[ !RE WAS NO C5TRAL FIRE1 BUT ! >EA WAS LIT BY TOR*ES ON ! TREES2 SOME ( ! FIGURES W]E PLAY+ 9/RUM5TS1 SWEET-VOIC$ SILV] W9D 9/RUM5TS & BELLIG]5T BOOM+ BOX-DRUMS & GREAT /RANGE /R+$ ?+S /ROK$ ) TWO-PRONG$ B[S1 :ILE ! O!RS SPUN & TWIRL$ & LEAP$ 9 TRAIL+ SC>LET G[NS & ELABORATELY LAY]$ VEILS & ELEGANT BLACK CAPES4 ,IT WAS A MASK$ BALL4 

,/ILL APPREH5SIVE1 ,TITUS PAUS$ AT ! $GE ( ! TOR*LI<T1 BUT ONE ( ! DANC]S SAW HIM &1 AS %E PASS$ BY1 SEIZ$ HIS H& & PULL$ HIM 9TO ! DANCE4 ,HE HAD NEV] DANC$ LIKE ?IS BE=E2 GR[+ UP 9 ,DUVBO1 HE HAD H>DLY EV] DANC$ AT ALL4 ,N[ !Y W]E ALL CLASP$ 9 CONC5TRIC CIRCLES4 ,!Y SP$ ABOVE ! GR\ND1 FEET B>ELY BRU%+ IT1 CLUT*+ EA* O!RS' H&S LE/ !Y HURTLE \T 9TO SPACE1 MOM5TUM PULL+ ! CIRCLES EV] WID] AS !Y SPUN FA/] & FA/]4 ,9 ! C5T] ( ! ACTION1 ,TITUS N[ MADE \T ! IMPOS+ WOMAN FROM HIS PREVI\S VISIT3 ! BE>SK9 WAS GONE1 REPLAC$ BY A WRAP ( DOZ5S ( MULTICOLOR$ SC>VES1 BUT IT WAS UNMI/AKABLY H]4 ,%E HELD H&S ) NO ONE1 BUT /AMP$ \T H] [N DANCE1 KICK+ H] LEGS HI< OV] EV]Y HEAD & SW++ H] >MS LIKE ! W+S ( A FI]CE BIRD ( PREY2 ! SC>VES RETRAC$ H] MOVEM5TS 9 ! AIR BEH9D H] 9 SL[ MOTION1 FOLL[+ LIKE A %AD[ DANC] 9 H] FOOT/EPS4 

,ALL 9 AN 9/ANT1 ! DANCE %IFT$1 & EA* P>TICIPANT TOOK A P>TN]4 ,TITUS WAS *OS5 BY A Y\NG WOMAN ) A BRI<TLY PA9T$ FACE1 :O LIFT$ HIM UP HI< 9 ! AIR ABOVE H]2 !N ! MUSIC PAUS$ = AN 9/ANT1 & ! P>TN]S SWIT*$4 ,N[ ,TITUS WAS PASS$ TO AN IMPOSSIBLY TALL1 LONG-LEGG$ MAN--NO1 HE MU/ BE WE>+ /ILTS6--& N[1 AT ANO!R SUDD5 PAUSE1 TO A PAIR 9 MAT*+ CO/UMES1 & !N TO ANO!R P>TN]1 & ANO!R4 ,! SONG GREW R[DI]1 FA/]1 MORE =CEFUL & IRRESI/IBLE2 IT SEEM$ TO BE EMANAT+ FROM HIS [N P\ND+ HE>T4 

,SUDD5LY1 ,TITUS WAS >M 9 >M ) ! WOMAN 9 ! SC>VES4 ,! RE/ ( ! WORLD SEEM$ ! FALL AWAY TO A GREAT DI/ANCE1 & EV5 ! DEAF5+ MUSIC BECAME REMOTE1 MANIFE/+ ITSELF 9/EAD AS ! 9EXORABLE RHY?M ( !IR BODIES4 ,%E WAS CLE>LY POSSESS$ ( A SUP]HUMAN /R5G?1 & AS H] COMPANION1 IT WAS COMMUNICAT$ TO HIM3 ,TITUS F\ND HE C\LD LEAP HI< 9 ! AIR1 SP9 9 CIRCLES1 LOSE HIMSELF 9 MOVEM5T 9 A WAY HE NEV] HAD BE=E4 ,! MUSICIANS /RUCK A HI<1 DRAWN-\T NOTE :I* BR\<T ! WORLD BACK 9TO FOCUS = A SECOND AS HE SPUN TO FACE HIS P>TN]1 & !N AGA9 CUT ALL ! S\ND = A SECOND'S PAUSE3 & 9 ?AT 9/ANT1 LOOK+ 9TO H] EYES1 HE RECOGNIZ$ EXACTLY :O ?IS WOMAN WAS--IT WAS ,MS4 ,D>R[AY4 

,ANO!R DANC] SEIZ$ HIM1 & %E DISAPPE>$ BEH9D HIM 9TO ! ?RONG BE=E HE C\LD REACT4 ,N[1 LOOK+ >\ND1 HE SAW O!RS HE C\LD RECOGNIZE 9 ! TOR*LI<T1 DESPITE !IR DISGUISES3 !RE ATOP ! /ILTS WAS ! FIREMAN :O DID ! YE>LY FIRE SAFETY PRES5TATIONS1 & !RE BEH9D A VEIL WAS AN OLD] /UD5T FROM ! S*OOL1 & !RE--?AT WAS EV5 ! WOMAN :O BR\<T ! MAIL TO HIS DOOR/EP EV]Y AFT]NOON6 ,?IS WAS F> /RANG] ?AN ANY /RANG]S' C>NIVAL C\LD HAVE BE54 ,& ONCE AGA91 9 ! 9/ANT HE =M$ ?AT ?\<T1 ALL ! TOR*ES CAME D[N1 ! SQU>E WAS PLUNG$ 9TO D>KNESS1 & ,TITUS F\ND HIMSELF ABSOLUTELY ALONE 9 ! H\R BE=E DAWN4 

,! NEXT DAY WAS A ,SATURDAY1 SO ,TITUS HAD ! *ANCE TO FALL ASLEEP :5 HE SLIPP$ BACK 9TO B$1 & HE SLEPT LATE--LAT] ?AN HE EV] HAD BE=E4 ,HIS P>5TS DIDN'T NOTICE2 !Y W5T \T E>LY TO DO SOME?+1 & SO :5 HE WOKE UP1 MUSCLES SORE & FEET RAW FROM ! DANC+1 HEAD /ILL GROGGY FROM A WEEK ( LITTLE SLEEP1 HE F\ND HE WAS ALONE 9 ! H\SE4 ,HE DRESS$ SL[LY & !N /EPP$ \T ONTO ! FRONT POR*4 

,IT WAS NE>LY NOON4 ,DUVBO LOOK$ EXACTLY ! SAME AS IT HAD EV]Y ,SATURDAY MORN+ = AS LONG AS HE C\LD REMEMB]1 BUT HE SAW IT ) DIFF]5T EYES4 ,AS OLD M5 PASS$ WALK+ !IR DOGS1 OR MO!RS ) !IR *ILDR51 HE WOND]$ :I* ONES HAD BE5 ) HIM 9 ! DANCE ! NI<T BE=E1 :I* ONES %>$ ! SECRET HE N[ POSSESS$ AS WELL4 ,N[ EV]Y PASS]BY WAS A POT5TIAL CONSPIRATOR1 A MI<T-BE FLY-BY-NI<T REVEL] OR /ORY-SP9N]2 IT WAS AS IF TRAP DOORS WAIT$ >\ND EV]Y CORN] & UND] EV]Y BU%1 ALL LEAD+ RI<T \T ( REALITY AS HE HAD KN[N IT4 ,TITUS'S WORLD1 ONCE NO BIGG] ?AN ! SMALL T[N FROM :I* HE HAD P9$ = DELIV]ANCE1 N[ EXP&$ >\ND HIM 9 EV]Y DIRECTION4 

,:5 ,MONDAY F\ND HIM BACK 9 MA!MATICS CLASS1 HE CONC5TRAT$ = ! V]Y FIR/ TIME ON REALLY PAY+ ATT5TION1 & FIX$ HIS EYES ON ,MS4 ,D>R[AY'S4 ,!Y W]E 9DE$ ! EYES ( ! WOMAN :O HAD TOLD ?AT DAZZL+ /ORY & DANC$ ?AT MAGNIFIC5T DANCE1 ?\< H]E !Y W]E SOME:AT TIR$ & DI/ANT4 ,HE W9K$ AT H]1 AS HE HAD WANT$1 WALK+ ON ! CL\DS ( HIS NEW DISCOV]Y1 TO TRY W9K+ AT EV]YONE HE HAD MET S9CE HIS LA/ ADV5TURE1 9 CASE !Y TOO W]E 9 ON ! SECRET4 ,%E GAVE NO 9DICATION %E HAD NOTIC$ ANY?+3 EI!R %E HADN'T RECOGNIZ$ HIM1 OR IT WAS A SECRET NOT TO BE REF]R$ TO \TSIDE ! GA!R+S4 ,TITUS WAS COM=TABLE ) ?AT4 ,HE W\LD SEE H] & !IR COMPANIONS 9 SURREPTITI\S ADV5TURES LAT] ?AT NI<T AT ! SQU>E1 AFT] EV]YONE ELSE WAS ASLEEP4 

,I,I4 

  

,MON?S PASS$4 ,?R\< A /RANGE PROCESS ( ATTRACTION1 AN 9VISIBLE MAGNETISM1 OR P]HAPS SIMPLY AS ! 9EVITABLE RESULT ( LIV+ 9 A T[N 9 :I* ,NO?+ ,EV] ,HAPP5$1 EV]Y WEEK BR\<T A FEW MORE W&]]S TO ! SECRET GA!R+S4 ,ALL W]E ABSOLUTELY A/ONI%$ TO DISCOV] ?AT !Y W]E NOT ! ONLY ONES :O HAD H>BOR$ UNSPOK5 LONG+S = ,SOME?+ ,TO ,HAPP51 ?AT FELL[ DREAM]S HAD LURK$ 9 ! RANKS ( ! POLITE & RE/RA9$ CITIZ5S SURR\ND+ !M4 

,! NI<T ASSEMBLIES W]E EV]Y?+ !SE UNCONFESS$ \TSID]S HAD DREAM$ (1 & MORE--!Y W]E ! V]Y OPPOSITE ( LIFE 9 ,DUVBO3 WIT*ES' SABBATS 9 :I* EV]Y?+ SAVAGE & BEAUTIFUL1 EV]Y WILD IMPULSE /IFL$ BY DECORUM 9 DAILY T[N LIFE1 WAS GIV5 FREE REIGN 9 A SYMPHONY ( CREATIVITY & AB&ON4 ,! CONSPIRATORS JUGGL$1 WALK$ ?R\<1 & SWALL[$ FIRE1 ]ECT$ FANTA/IC /AGES & P]=M$ LIFE-SIZ$ PUPPET %[S1 LAY NAK$ BUT = !IR MASKS 9 ! MOON'S RAYS UPON ! GRASS & COMPOS$ !IR [N CON/ELLATIONS \T ( ! />S 9 ! SKY4 ,!Y LIV$ = !SE H\RS1 !Y C\NT$ D[N ! M9UTES ?R\< WE>Y MORN+S & T$I\S AFT]NOONS & UNEV5TFUL EV5+S TO ! NI<TS :5 !Y C\LD GIVE EXPRESSION TO !IR SECRET SELVES1 :5 !Y W\LD BE POSSESS$ SPIRITS AGA94 ,AS LITTLE ,TITUS HAD DISCOV]$ E>LY ON1 NO ONE EV] SPOKE AL\D ( ! MEET+S1 OR ALLUD$ TO !M 9 ANY GE/URE OR SIGN--9 FACT1 AS IT TURN$ \T1 HE WAS ! ONLY ONE P]CEPTIVE 5\< TO HAVE RECOGNIZ$ ANY ( HIS FELL[ REVEL]S BY !IR DAYTIME P]SONAS--BUT = ALL :O P>TICIPAT$1 !SE NI<TS DOM9AT$ EV]Y?+1 9VISIBLY4 

,& SO SOME?+ ELSE WAS HAPP5+1 9 A T[N :]E NO ONE C\LD REMEMB] EV] SEE+ ANY *ANGE AT ALL4 ,IT WAS A V]Y SLI<T ?+1 SOME?+ AN \TSID] W\LD HAVE MISS$ 5TIRELY & ?AT ! RESID5TS DID NOT NOTICE BECAUSE IT APPE>$ TOO GRADUALLY1 BUT ALL ! SAME1 IT WAS TRUE3 AN AIR ( MY/]Y N[ HUNG 9 ! /REETS1 & H[EV] PLACID & SIMPLE EV]Y?+ APPE>$ 9 ,DUVBO1 !RE WAS ALWAYS SOME?+ B5EA? ! SURFACE1 LIKE A FLUTT]+ JU/ \TSIDE ! CORN] ( Y\R EYE4 ,?IS WAS NOT ALL3 ALL ?OSE SLEEPLESS NI<TS HAD />T$ TO %[ ON C]TA9 FACES4 ,9 EV]Y (FICE & CLASSROOM1 9 ! SUP]M>KET & ! SYNAGOGUE & ! FIRE DEP>TM5T & AT ! PO/ (FICE1 ! WAT*FUL OBS]V] C\LD PICK \T ! D>K CIRCLES UND] EYES1 ! DROOP+ EYELIDS1 ! DR[SY SLUGGI%NESS ( BODIES ?AT HAVE NOT HAD 5\< RE/4 ,NO?+ LIKE ?IS HAD APPE>$ 9 ,DUVBO BE=E1 EI!R1 & SO NO CITIZ5 C\LD YET >TICULATE A QUE/ION AB\T IT TO HIMSELF1 LET ALONE AL\D2 BUT ! SC5E WAS SET4 

,AS SM>T AS Y\ >E1 Y\'VE PROBABLY GUESS$ ?AT A T5SION LIKE ?IS C\LD NOT REMA9 UNRESOLV$ =EV]4 ,BUT !RE WAS NO?+ YET TO LI<T ! FUZE2 SO ?+S CONT9U$ LIKE ?IS = A FEW MORE MON?S1 & ALL ?AT TIME1 EV]Y WEEK BR\<T MORE PEOPLE TO ! NI<T GA!R+S4 

,SUMM] CAME & PASS$2 ,HALL[E5 >RIV$4 ,BY ?IS TIME1 IT SEEM$ ?AT NE>LY ! :OLE POPULATION ( ,DUVBO WAS MEET+ AT ! C5TRAL SQU>E AT MIDNI<T4 ,ANTICIPATION AMONG ! CONSPIRATORS WAS GREAT1 & PREP>ATIONS 9 ! NI<TS LEAD+ UP TO IT HAD BE5 EXT5SIVE4 ,?AT EV5+1 AFT] AN E>LY D9N]1 P>5TS DRESS$ !IR *ILDR5 UP 9 MAT*+ PLA/IC CO/UMES MODEL$ AFT] TELEVISION P]SONALITIES--,TITUS WAS A C>TOON *>ACT] FROM A ,SATURDAY MORN+ %[1 AT HIS MO!R'S 9SI/5CE--& WALK$ !M NEATLY >\ND ! BLOCK1 COLLECT+ LITTLE SWEETS FROM ! BASKETS ?AT EV]Y H\SEHOLD HAD DUTIFULLY PROVID$4 ,!N ! ADULTS HURRI$ !IR *ILDR5 HOME1 TOOK ! SWEETS FROM !M TO BE RATION$ \T ONE A DAY OV] ! FOLL[+ WEEKS1 & QUICKLY SET AB\T ! BUS9ESS ( PUTT+ !M & !N !MSELVES TO B$4 ,AS SOON AS EA* ONE WAS SURE ! O!RS W]E ASLEEP1 W9D[S W]E SLIPP$ OP51 CLO!S HURRI$LY SLIPP$ ON1 & FA!RS1 DAU<T]S1 MO!RS1 & SONS SLIPP$ \T 9TO ! NI<T TO ASSEMBLE1 DISGUIS$ BEYOND EA* O!R'S P[]S ( RECOGNITION1 9 ! T[N SQU>E4 

,!RE ! WILDE/1 MO/ 5*ANT$ C>NIVAL YET UNFOLD$4 ,R$-SK9N$ DEVILS1 TAILS SW++1 MUSCLES FLEX+1 PR[L$ BETWE5 ! LEGS ( GREAT DRAGONS & ,TROJAN HORSES BULG+ ) ,GREEK SOLDI]S2 ZOMBIES & VAMPIRES & SKELETONS DANC$ TO RHY?MS BEAT5 \T ON BONES BY <O/S2 EAGLES FLEW OV]HEAD4 ,IT WAS AS IF ! E>? ITSELF HAD OP5$ UP & REVEAL$ A FAIRY K+DOM )92 ! ?RONG /RET*$ 9 EV]Y DIRECTION AS F> AS ! EYE C\LD SEE ?R\< ! TOR*-DOTT$ D>KNESS4 ,AL?\< !RE W]E SO MANY PRES5T ?AT IT APPE>$ PRACTICALLY ! 5TIRE POPULACE WAS 9 ATT5DANCE1 EA* 9DIVIDUAL /ILL FELT ?AT HE OR %E WAS GETT+ AWAY ) SOME?+ ?AT ,DUVBO W\LD NEV] & C\LD NEV] C\NT5ANCE4 

,9 FACT1 IF AN \TSIDE OBS]V] HAD BE5 !RE TO WITNESS ! NI<TS' ANTICS1 & HAD C>EFULLY C\NT$ ALL ! PEOPLE 9 ! CR[D1 ! TOTAL W\LD HAVE COME TO EXACTLY FIVE HUNDR$ & FIFTY FIVE4 ,:O WAS !RE & :O WAS NOT !RE W]E AB\T TO BECOME V]Y SIGNIFICANT1 ?\< ONLY TWO PEOPLE KNEW ?IS WAS COM+--& !Y W]E ! ONES :O KNEW LEA/ ( ALL :AT WAS GO+ ON4 

,! NEXT DAY ,TITUS1 LIKE EV]YONE ELSE1 WAS EXHAU/$ BEYOND WORDS4 ,9 EV]Y CLASS EV]Y BODY SAGG$1 /UD5TS' & TEA*]S' ALIKE4 ,MS4 ,D>R[AY DRON$ LI/LESSLY ?R\< H] LECTURE1 SC>CELY BO!R+ TO SCOLD ! /UD5TS :OSE HEADS LOLL$ ON !IR %\LD]S & *E/S4 ,AFT] S*OOL1 ! BOY PRACTICALLY /AGG]$ HOME--TO F9D SOME?+ NEW & UNEXPECT$ HAD1 ONCE AGA91 TAK5 PLACE4 

,!SE DAYS1 HE ONLY *ECK$ ! MAIL \T ( HABIT1 9 UN?9K+ FAI?FULNESS TO A R\T9E HE NO LONG] REG>D$ ) ANY S]I\S OPTIMISM--HIS LONG+S = ADV5TURE & ESCAPE W]E FULFILL$ BY ! NI<TS' ACTIVITIES1 ANYWAY4 ,BUT !RE1 JU/ DROPP$ (F BY ! DR[SY MAIL WOMAN1 WAS A LETT] UNLIKE ANY O!R ?AT HAD EV] >RIV$ ON HIS DOOR/EP4 ,IT WASN'T A BILL1 & IT WASN'T AN ADV]TISEM5T1 EI!R1 AS F> AS ,TITUS C\LD TELL4 ,IT SEEM$ TO BE AN ANN\NCEM5T3 IT WAS A S+LE %EET ( ?ICK PAP]1 FOLD$ 9 HALF & TAP$ %UT1 ) OM9\S LETT]+ ON ! FRONT ?AT READ SIMPLY ,F,E,L,L,[ ,C,I,T,I,Z,5,S ,( ,D,U,V,B,O4 ,9 AN 9/ANT ,TITUS WAS AWAKE AGA91 NE>LY BUR/+ ) CURIOSITY4 ,?IS WAS ! FIR/ UNEXPECT$ ?+ ?AT HAD EV] APPE>$ DUR+ DAYLI<T H\RS--C\LD IT BE ?AT ! SECRET WORLD WAS AB\T TO ]UPT 9TO BE+ >\ND ! CLOCK8 ,AS CURI\S AS HE WAS1 HE KNEW ! DAYTIME RULES /ILL APPLI$1 & !Y DICTAT$ ?AT HE WAIT TO F9D \T :AT ?IS MESSAGE MI<T BE UNTIL HIS P>5TS CAME HOME & OP5$ IT !MSELVES4 

,IT SEEM$ AN ET]NITY BE=E HIS MO!R & FA!R W]E BO? HOME FROM WORK1 & !N ,TITUS HAD TO WAIT ALL ! WAY ?R\< ! USUAL SIL5T PROCE$+S ( D9N]4 ,F9ALLY1 :5 ! BOY WAS AT HIS WITS' 5D1 HIS FA!R DREW \T ! MAIL TO GO ?R\< ! DISMAL DAILY PROCESS ( PAY+ BILLS & BALANC+ ACC\NTS4 ,HE DEALT ) EV]Y BILL AT L5G?1 READ+ EV]Y 9VOICE & RECEIPT TWICE & P]US+ ALL ! F9E PR9T ) A MAGNIFY+ GLASS TO BE SURE NOT TO MISS ANY?+1 MAK+ NOTES ON HIS CLIPBO>D AS HE W5T1 BE=E HE CAME TO ! ANN\NCEM5T4 ,TITUS HELD HIS BREA?4 0,OH1 Y\ OP5 IT1 HONEY10 HIS FA!R SI<$1 PASS+ IT TO ! BOY'S MO!R3 0IT'S NO?+ IMPORTANT40 

,%E DID1 & PE]$ AT IT = SOME TIME1 UNTIL ,TITUS C\LD RE/RA9 HIMSELF NO LONG]4 0,:AT DOES IT SAY1 MOM80 HE V5TUR$1 TRY+ TO S\ND NON*ALANT4 

0,IT'S SOME ( K9D ( PUBLIC NOTICE1 ,I ?9K10 SAID HIS PUZZL$ MO!R4 0,IT REQUE/S \R ATT5DANCE AT A MEET+ TONI<T ( ',ALL ,CONC]N$ ,CITIZ5S ( ,DUVBO1' AT ! T[N C\NCIL BUILD+4 ,IT DOESN'T SAY MU* MORE ?AN ?AT40 

,HIS FA!R GRUMBL$ AB\T ALWAYS HAV+ TO GO TO MEET+S & H[ ! LA/ ?+ HE NE$$ WAS ANO!R ONE BUT HE FIGUR$ !Y HAD BETT] GO ANYWAY S9CE Y\ CAN'T RISK LOOK+ BAD 9 ! EYES ( ! COMMUNITY1 & ALL ! SAME :AT A *ORE IT ALL WAS1 WASN'T IT4 0,CAN ,I COME1 TOO80 QU]I$ ,TITUS1 9 HIS MO/ C\RTE\S VOICE4 

0,I DON'T ?9K ?IS IS ! SORT ( ?+ = Y\NG BOYS LIKE Y\10 %E ANSW]$ DEF9ITIVELY1 & ?AT WAS ! 5D ( ! MATT]4 ,SO ( C\RSE1 WELL-PRACTIC$ PR[L] ?AT HE WAS BY N[1 ,TITUS SNEAK$ \T & FOLL[$ HIS P>5TS AT A C>EFUL DI/ANCE :5 !Y LEFT AN H\R LAT] TO ATT5D ! MEET+4 

,! T[N C\NCIL BUILD+ WAS ONE ( ! OLDE/ 9 ,DUVBO1 & CORRESPOND+LY D\R & /UFFY1 LIKE A BITT] OLD MAN CL++ TOO TI<TLY TO TRADITION4 ,9SIDE1 ! ADULTS SAT /IFFLY 9 R[S ( UNCOM=TABLE *AIRS1 BACKS /RAI<T & A*+1 H&S FOLD$ 9 !IR LAPS1 9 MU* ! SAME WAY ?AT A DECADE & A HALF ( S*OOL+ HAD TAU<T EA* ( !M TO :5 !Y W]E Y\NG]4 ,VIRTUALLY EV]Y GR[N P]SON 9 ! T[N WAS !RE3 ! FIREFI<T]S W]E SEAT$ NE> ! FRONT1 ,TITUS'S MAIL DELIV]] JU/ BEH9D !M1 & 9 ! C5T] W]E ALL N9E TEA*]S1 9CLUD+ ,MS4 ,D>R[AY--TACITURN AS %E WAS 9 CLASS1 & /ILL WE>+ ! SAME GRAY DRESS4 ,!RE WAS A DRY1 AWKW>D SIL5CE 9 ! ROOM1 BROK5 OCCASIONALLY BY ! HISS ( A N]V\S :ISP]1 OR ! SCREE* ( A MOV+ *AIR AS AN EMB>RASS$ MAN >RIV$ LATE4 ,HIDD5 9 A BU% TO ESCAPE DETECTION1 ,TITUS LOOK$ ON ?R\< A W9D[ FROM \TSIDE4 

,AT PRECISELY EI<T O'CLOCK1 TWO /]N1 GRIM MIDDLE-AG$ M5 /OOD UP FROM !IR *AIRS & ADVANC$ TO ! PODIUM 9 ! FRONT ( ! ROOM4 ,ONE ( !M TOOK HIS PLACE AT IT :ILE ! O!R /OOD BEH9D HIM1 CA/+ VAGUELY M5AC+ & JUDGM5TAL LOOKS >\ND ! AUDI5CE AT R&OM4 

0,IT HAS COME TO \R ATT5TION10 BEGAN ! FIR/ ( ! TWO RETIR$ >MY (FIC]S1 = ?AT ( C\RSE WAS :O !SE M5 W]E1 AS Y\ MAY REMEMB] FROM ! BEG9N+ ( ! /ORY1 0FROM C]TA9 S\RCES WE NE$ NOT DIVULGE1 ?AT ,DUVBO HAS BECOME A FALL5 T[N1 A D5 ( 9IQUITY1 A PLACE :]E EVIL HAS TAK5 HOLD4 ,WE HAVE SUMMON$ Y\ TO ?IS MEET+ BECAUSE1 AS Y\ WELL KN[1 IT IS Y\R DUTY AS ,RESPONSIBLE ,CITIZ5S TO ROOT \T ALL BLEMI%ES & /A9S1 ALL ,UNACCEPTABLE ,BEHAVIOR1 FROM ! PRECI\S SOIL ( \R COMMUNITY1 & /EPS MU/ BE TAK5 IMM$IATELY TO DO ?IS BE=E \R BELOV$ H]ITAGE ( ,HONOR & ,MORALITY IS LO/ =EV]40 

,! SECOND MAN /EPP$ TO ! PODIUM & REPLAC$ ! FIR/1 & ! FIR/ 9 TURN TOOK ON HIS ROLE ( GL>+ AT ! AUDI5CE4 0,BACK 9 \R DAY1 9 ! ,S]VICE1 WE RAN A TI<T %IP1 AS !Y SAY1 SO ,I BELIEVE Y\'LL ALL AGREE :5 ,I SAY ?AT WE >E ! RI<T M5 = ! TASK ( CLEAN+ UP ,DUVBO4 ,:AT Y\ MU/ DO IS REPORT TO US ANY 9CONSI/5CIES1 ANY F\L ,DEVIATIONS Y\ >E AW>E (1 BEG9N+ TONI<T1 AT ?IS MOM5T4 ,WELL !N1 :O'S FIR/80--& HE JO9$ ! O!R 9 GL>+4 

,TITUS CRAN$ HIS NECK TO SEE ! FACES ( ! ADULTS ?R\<\T ! ROOM4 ,!Y W]E ALL CA/+ FURTIVE GLANCES AB\T1 GUILT WRIT L>GE ON EV]Y FACE1 EA* PRACTICALLY WOND]+ AL\D :O ! WRONGDO]S W]E BUT SECRETLY CR++ LE/ HIS [N CULPABILITY BE UNCOV]$4 ,MON?S ( LIV+ 9 SECRET HAD SUBTLY1 9EXORABLY BR$ 9TO ALL ( !M ! S5SE ?AT !Y HAD SOME?+ TO HIDE1 & N[ ?AT ! QUE/ION ( EVIL HAD BE5 BROA*$1 ?OSE FEEL+S ROSE TO ! SURFACE4 ,EV]Y CITIZ5 FELT ! (FIC]S MU/ BE TALK+ AB\T HIM1 & LOOK$ >\ND TO SEE :AT HE C\LD EXPECT IF !Y W]E4 ,:O C\LD BE TRU/$ H]E8 ,:O WAS A P>T ( !IR SECRET 9TRIGUE1 & :O WAS A SPY WAIT+ TO CAT* !M 9 IT8 ,C\LD FELL[ CONSPIRATORS EV5 BE TRU/$1 N[ ?AT ! PRESSURE WAS ON8 ,NONE ( !M HAD NE$$ TO CONSID] SU* QUE/IONS BE=E4 ,! (FIC]S MI<T HAVE BE5 BLUFF+1 MI<T HAVE BE5 REF]R+ TO A BOY :O HAD COPI$ HIS FRI5D'S HOMEWORK OR A DRIV] :O HAD RUN A /OP SIGN2 BUT ! RECEPTION ( !IR CLAIMS--AS IF EV]YONE KNEW EXACTLY :AT !Y W]E ASK+ AB\T--WAS SO SUSPICI\S ?AT N[ !RE WAS NO GO+ BACK4 ,NO ONE SPOKE1 OR EV5 D>$ C\<2 ! T5SION BECAME UNBE>ABLE4 ,F9ALLY ! MAYOR CAME HESITANTLY =W>D4 

0,GOOD M510 HE BEGAN1 DEF]5TIALLY1 0( C\RSE WE >E ALL V]Y HONOR$ AS WELL AS \T/&+LY =TUNATE TO HAVE Y\ PUT Y\R S]VICES AT \R DISPOSAL TO EXPOSE & ELIM9ATE ?IS--]1 CONTAGION--9 \R MID/4 ,I MOVE ?AT EA* CITIZ5 GOES HOME TO MAKE A FULL REPORT ( ALL ! SUSPICI\S ACTIVITIES & CRIM9AL BEHAVIOR HE IS AW>E (1 SO :5 WE RECONV5E 9 A WEEK TO ADDRESS ?IS MATT] FUR!R1 WE WILL HAVE SOME REF]5CE MAT]IAL =1 UH1 REF]5CE 9 PURSU+ ?IS MATT]1 >HUM1 FUR!R40 ,HE /RAI<T5$ HIS TIE1 TWICE1 & ATTEMPT$ TO COMPOSE HIS FACE 9TO AN +RATIAT+ EXPRESSION :ILE MA9TA9+ ! DIGNITY BEFITT+ A DIGNIT>Y4 

0,ALL RI<T !N10 GR[L$ ! SECOND >MY (FIC]1 ) A LOOK ?AT SN>L$ ,CONSID] ,Y\RSELVES ,LUCKY1 0WE'LL MEET AGA9 9 A WEEK1 & Y\'D ALL BETT] HAVE SOME EVID5CE BY !N ( :AT'S GO+ ON & :O'S TO BLAME4 ,REMEMB]1 CITIZ5S10 HE ?UND]$ 9 A CONCLUD+ TONE ?AT MADE ,TITUS'S SK9 CRAWL1 09 ! W> ( GOOD AGA9/ EVIL1 RI<T AGA9/ WRONG1 TRADITION AGA9/ CORRUPTION1 Y\ >E EI!R ONE ( US1 OR Y\ >E AGA9/ US4 ,!RE IS NO MIDDLE GR\ND TO MUDDLE >\ND 94 ,SEE Y\ 9 A WEEK1 ) Y\R REPORTS1 & ,GOD ,BLESS ,Y\ ALL4 ,OH1 & POLICEM5--0 HE SNAPP$1 S+L+ !M \T1 0KEEP Y\R EYES ESPECIALLY OP5 ?IS WEEK4 ,?IS IS SUPPOS$ TO BE Y\R DEP>TM5T40 ,HE TURN$1 &1 ) HIS FELL[ EX-(FIC] BEH9D1 /OMP$ \T ! DOOR4 

,EV]Y CITIZ5 ( ,DUVBO WOKE UP ! NEXT DAY FEEL+ HUNT$1 GUILTY4 ,! TIME-+RA9$ HABITS ( CONCEALM5T1 ! EXHAU/ION ?AT ATT5D$ SU* D\BLE LIVES1 !SE N[ FELT LIKE BODILY 9DICTM5TS--IF !Y HAD NO?+ TO BE A%AM$ (1 :Y HAD !Y BE5 HID+8 ,& IF :AT !Y W]E DO+ WAS HEAL?Y & RI<T1 :Y W]E !Y EXHAU/$ ALL ! TIME8 ,=C$ N[ TO ASSESS !IR NI<TTIME ACTIVITIES BY DAYTIME /&>DS1 !Y F\ND !Y C\LD NOT TRANSLATE BETWE5 ! TWO CONTEXTS1 C\LD NOT JU/IFY !MSELVES4 ,EA* FELT HE C\LD NEV] EXPLA9 :AT HE HAD BE5 DO+ TO ?OSE :O HAD NOT BE5 A P>T ( IT2 9 ! MEET+ ROOM ( ! T[N C\NCIL BUILD+1 ) ?OSE TWO M5 GL>+ AT !M1 SOME HAD EV5 WOND]$ IF !Y W]E 9DE$ MON/]S 9 DISGUISE1 IF !IR NI<TLY PURSUITS PROV$ !Y W]E 9 FACT EVIL4 ,SO :ILE IT MI<T SEEM SURPRIS+ TO AN \TSID] ?AT ! CITIZ5S ( ?IS LITTLE T[N C\LD SO EASILY BE TURN$ AGA9/ !MSELVES & ONE ANO!R1 IT WAS NOT ACTUALLY SO UNUSUAL1 AFT] ALL4 

,= ! FOLL[+ WEEK1 DAYTIME ,DUVBO CRACKL$ ) RUMORS & SUSPICION4 ,EV]YONE W5T AB\T ) A GREAT %[ ( RI<TE\S \TRAGE AT ! DISCOV]Y ( POSSIBLE ILLICIT 9FLU5CES 9 !IR PRECI\S COMMUNITY1 & GOSSIP AB\ND$ AS TO :O MI<T BE RESPONSIBLE4 ,ALL MATURE CITIZ5S W]E TOO WELL-MANN]$ TO REF] TO ANYONE BY NAME1 BUT 9S9UATIONS PROLIF]AT$3 ! RESID5TS ( EA* /REET SPOKE ( O!R /REETS1 0BAD NEI<BORHOODS10 JU/ AS ! EMPLOYES AT EA* COMPANY SPOKE ( ! BAD SORTS ?AT MI<T BE F\ND 9 LESS HONE/ L9ES ( WORK1 JU/ AS1 AT ! 5D ( ! DAY1 HUSB&S & WIVES SPOKE 9 HU%$ TONES ( ! BAD 9FLU5CES ( O!R FAMILIES4 ,EV]YONE WAS ANXI\S1 ABOVE ALL1 TO DIRECT ATT5TION AWAY FROM !MSELVES1 S9CE EA* P]SON WAS SURE ?AT1 W]E !IR [N NOCTURNAL ACTIVITIES TO COME TO LI<T1 !IR FELL[ CITIZ5S W\LD GIVE NO QU>T] 9 ! RU% TO ATTRIBUTE GUILT & DEFLECT SUSPICION4 

,BY NI<T1 ! GA!R+S /ILL TOOK PLACE1 BUT 9 DECREAS$ NUMB]S1 & !RE WAS A T5SION 9 ! AIR ?AT HAD NEV] BE5 !RE BE=E4 ,9 D5IAL AB\T ! MEASURES BE+ TAK5 9 ! DAYLI<T WORLD1 AFRAID TO SPEAK AL\D AB\T ! SITUATION BUT UNABLE TO %AKE ! BURD5 FROM !IR M9DS1 ! CONSPIRATORS :O DID %[ UP ?REW !MSELVES ALL ! H>D] 9TO !IR 9V5T$ C]EMONIES & FLI<TS ( FANCY1 BUT TO LESS & LESS AVAIL3 A D>K CL\D HUNG OV] EV]Y MOM5T ( AB&ON1 EV]Y /EP ( EA* DANCE4 ,AT LEA/ H]E1 9 OP5 IF ANONYM\S ADMISSION ( !IR GUILT1 PEOPLE DID NOT LOOK AT EA* O!R ) HO/ILE OR JUDGM5TAL EYES2 BUT EA* MORN+ AS !Y PASS$ !IR FELL[ CITIZ5S ON ! /REET1 ?+S W]E DECID$LY DIFF]5T4 ,:5 ONCE !Y HAD LOOK$ ON PASS]SBY1 LIKE ,TITUS DID ?AT ,SATURDAY MORN+1 ) A S5SE ( JOY & COMPANION%IP1 WOND]+ IF !Y TOO W]E SECRET REVEL]S1 !Y N[ REG>D$ ALL O!RS ) FE>1 LE/ !Y BE JUDGES WAIT+ TO PASS S5T5CE UPON !M1 OR =M] COMRADES :O W\LD TURN !M 9 TO SAVE !IR [N SK9S4 

,AT ! NEXT T[N MEET+1 EV]Y ADULT >RIV$ ) A COMPLETE REPORT4 ,SOME BR\<T BIG %EAVES ( PAP]S UND] !IR >MS1 O!RS GREAT FOLD]S DIVID$ 9TO SECTIONS ACCORD+ TO >BITR>Y SY/EMS ( CATEGORIZATION1 O!RS ?ICK NOTEBOOKS ) EV]Y POSSIBLE 9FRACTION ( PUBLIC MORALS & TA/ES ?AT HAD COME TO !IR ATT5TION NOT$ & ANNOTAT$4 ,!Y SAT1 HEAVY TE/IMONIALS 9 !IR LAPS1 BACKS RAMROD /RAI<T1 LIPS TI<T1 FACES BLANK MASKS1 LOOK+ NEI!R TO ! LEFT NOR ! RI<T1 & WAIT$ = ! PROCE$+S TO BEG94 ,NO ONE WAS LATE ?IS TIME1 & AT ! APPO9T$ H\R1 ! MAYOR1 ANXI\S TO MA9TA9 ! IMAGE ( RESPONSIBLE AU?ORITY1 >OSE TO (FICIATE4 ,FROM !IR SEATS AT ! FRONT ( ! ROOM1 ! TWO EX-(FIC]S REG>D$ HIM ) EXPRESSIONS ( ACID IMPATI5CE2 ,TITUS1 TOO1 LOOK$ ON FROM HIS PO/ 9 ! BU%4 

0,FELL[ CONC]N$ CITIZ5S10 ! MAYOR BEGAN1 & CLE>$ HIS ?ROAT AS IF TO COMM& ATT5TION1 9 A ROOM ALREADY EMPTY ( ALL DI/RACTIONS3 0WE >E GA!R$ H]E TO %[ \R CONC]N AB\T1 \R COMMITM5T TO1 \R DEEP-SEAT$ FEEL+S = ! CONT9UITY ( \R PR\D TRADITION ( GREATNESS & PURITY 9 ?IS T[N :I* WE ALL SO KN[ & LOVE1 ! NAME ( :I* Y\ KN[ AS WELL AS ,I1 FAIR ,DUVBO4 ,I HOPE Y\'LL JO9 ME 9 !SE TRY+ TIMES 9 HOLD+ \T A LI<T ( HOPE TO ! FUTURE--0 & HE W5T ON1 & ON1 & ON 9 ?IS /YLE = SOME TIME1 BE=E ONE ( ! EX-(FIC]S CUT 9 & DEM&$ HE GET D[N TO BUS9ESS4 

,! MAYOR SUMMON$ ! FIR/ CITIZ5 TO ! PODIUM TO MAKE H] REPORT--! RO/] WAS >RANG$ 9 ALPHABETICAL ORD]1 SO IT WAS ,ANNA ,ABEL>D1 ! RETIR$ GROC]4 ,%E %UFFL$ ?R\< A V]ITABLE M\NTA9 ( LOOSE PAP]S1 & APPROA*$ ! /& ) H] EYES ON ! FLOOR4 ,ANNA HAD A G5TLE HE>T1 & MU* AS %E KNEW :AT WAS EXPECT$ ( H]1 %E HADN'T BE5 ABLE TO BR+ H]SELF TO SPECIFY ANY NAMES OR RISK 5DANG]+ ANYONE ELSE1 SO H] 5TIRE ACC\NT WAS A /R+ ( AB/RACTIONS & AMBIGU\S REF]5CES TO UNSPECIFI$ PEOPLE & EV5TS4 ,= ! PURPOSES ( ! EX-(FIC]S' 9QUISITION1 IT WAS ABSOLUTELY USELESS1 BUT !Y LET H] /UMBLE ?R\< IT = A GOOD HALF H\R1 PRESUMABLY BECAUSE !Y C\LD TELL ?IS WAS EV5 MORE MORTIFY+ = H] ?AN IT WAS EXASP]AT+ = !M4 ,TIME SEEM$ TO GR9D TO AN EV5 SL[] PACE ?AN IT KEPT 9 MA!MATICS CLASS4 

,!N )\T W>N+1 )\T ASK+ P]MISSION1 SOMEONE /OOD UP FROM ! AUDI5CE4 ,IT WAS ,MS4 ,D>R[AY4 ,H] FACE WAS L9$ ) YE>S ( LITTLE SLEEP1 ! D>K CIRCLES UND] H] EYES W]E HEAVI] ?AN EV]1 BUT ! AIR ( ELD]LY IRRITATION %E AFFECT$ DUR+ ! DAY DROPP$ AWAY & H] BE>+ H]E WAS SUDD5LY AS IMPOS+ AS IT WAS :5 %E PRESID$ OV] /ORYTELL+ CIRCLES 9 ! WIT*+ H\R4 0,?IS IS FOOLI%NESS1 & Y\ KN[ IT10 %E /AT$ PLA9LY4 0,LET ,ANNA BE--%E OBVI\SLY DOESN'T HAVE ANY?+ TO TELL Y\4 ,IF Y\'RE SO C]TA9 !RE IS WICK$NESS 9 \R T[N N[1 :Y DON'T Y\ TELL US :]E IT IS80 

,BO? =M] MILIT>Y M5 %OT TO !IR FEET 9 9DIGNATION4 0,HOLD Y\R TONGUE1 S*OOLTEA*]60 %\T$ ! FIR/4 0,?IS IS AN IMPORTANT MEET+1 NOT TO BE 9T]RUPT$ BY IDLE QUE/IONS6 ,Y\ %\LD KN[ FROM Y\R [N PR(ESSION BETT] ?AN TO TALK \T ( TURN60 

0,SO TELL US :]E IT IS10 %E 9SI/$1 CALMLY4 

0,I'LL TELL Y\ :]E IT IS10 YELL$ ! O!R1 0IT'S 9 TEA*]S LIKE Y\ :O SET BAD EXAMPLES6 ,H[ >E \R *ILDR5 SUPPOS$ TO GR[ UP ) A PROP] RESPECT = RULES & AU?ORITY ) WOM5 LIKE Y\ = ROLE MODELS80 ,HE /EPP$ BACK TO ADDRESS ! AUDI5CE 9 G5]AL4 0,& IT'S 9 ALL ( Y\ :O LET ! MORAL FABRIC ( ?IS T[N FRAY & UNRAVEL6 ,IT'S WRITT5 ON EV]Y FACE 9 ?IS ROOM1 ! SECRECY 9 Y\R MOVEM5TS1 ?OSE MY/]I\S BLOOD%OT EYES1 ! 9DIFF]5CE Y\ %[ TO IMPORTANT MATT]S LIKE ?IS6 ,WE MAY NOT KN[ :AT'S GO+ ON YET1 BUT M>K \R WORDS--WE'LL F9D \T60 ,HE /OMP$ \T ( ! ROOM 9 A RAGE1 HIS H5*MAN CLOSE BEH9D4 

,AT ! M5TION ( BLOOD%OT EYES1 EV]YONE 9 ! ROOM HAD FL9*$ DESPITE !MSELVES4 ,!Y LOOK$ >\ND1 & IT WAS TRUE3 ON PRACTICALLY EV]Y FACE WAS ?IS SIGN ( GUILT1 ! EVID5CE ( A D\BLE LIFE4 ,SO ! GAME WAS ALMO/ UP3 ! TWO SELF-APPO9T$ DETECTIVES KNEW NO?+ YET1 BUT !Y KNEW :]E TO />T LOOK+1 & IT WAS ONLY A MATT] ( TIME BE=E !Y W\LD UNCOV] ! TRU? AB\T ,DUVBO4 ,! T[NSFOLK TREMBL$1 GAZ+ AT ONE O!R 9 FE>--= H[EV] MANY ( !M W]E 9VOLV$1 IT ONLY PUT EA* ONE AT GREAT] RISK IF !Y C\LD NOT TRU/ EA* O!R--& HURRI$LY BEGAN FIL+ \T ! DOOR TO HEAD HOME4 ,ONLY ! MAYOR REMA9$ BEH9D1 WR++ HIS H&S AT ! SC5E HIS CITIZ5S HAD CAUS$ & YE>N+ = ! SIMPL] DAYS :5 HIS GREATE/ CONC]N HAD BE5 :I* TIE TO WE> = ! ,*RI/MAS P>ADE4 

,?AT NI<T1 FIVE HUNDR$ & FIFTY FIVE CONSPIRATORS SNEAK$ \T !IR B$ROOM W9D[S1 ONE BY ONE1 EA* GO+ TO GREAT] PA9S ?AN EV] NOT TO WAKE ! O!RS FROM !IR SLEEP4 ,!Y CREPT ?R\< D>K /REETS ?ICK ) ! %AD[S ( !IR SI/]S1 BRO!RS1 FA!RS1 MO!RS1 NEI<BORS1 & C[ORK]S1 DO+ EV]Y?+ TO AVOID DETECTION UNTIL !Y >RIV$1 9 DISGUISE1 AT ! MA9 SQU>E4 ,H]E1 A GREAT BONFIRE BURN$1 & ,MS4 ,D>R[AY1 CLAD 9 H] MAGNIFIC5T BE>SK91 WAS ALREADY LEAD+ A DISCUSSION ( :AT WAS TO BE DONE4 

,T5SIONS W]E HI< & ACCUSATIONS FLEW4 ,SOME HELD ?AT ! GA!R+S HAD TO BE SUSP5D$ UNTIL A SAF] TIME2 O!RS1 SPEAK+ ELOQU5TLY ( ! FRE$OM & 5]GY !Y PRIZ$ 9 !SE MOM5TS1 BELIEV$ !Y C\LD CONT9UE TO TAKE PLACE1 BUT AT MORE PRUD5T 9T]VALS2 /ILL O!RS >GU$ ?AT IT WAS FOOLI% & IRRESPONSIBLE TO ?9K ( GA!R+ ?IS WAY EV] AGA91 ?AT IT 5DANG]$ EV]YONE TOO MU*4 ,ALL AGRE$1 IF NO?+ ELSE1 ?AT ! GOOD OLD DAYS HAD COME TO A CLOSE1 & D>K TIMES DESC5D$ 9 !IR /EAD4 

0,BUT :AT >E WE SUPPOS$ TO DO1 IF WE CAN'T COME TOGE!R H]E ANYMORE80 DEM&$ AN IMPASSION$ Y\NG WOMAN NO ONE RECOGNIZ$ AS A LOCAL REAL E/ATE AG5T1 CLAD 9 A SC9TILLAT+ DRESS ( GRE5 SEQU9S & WILD FEA!RS4 0,ALL ( US W5T W&]+ & DISCOV]$ ?IS MIDNI<T C>NIVAL BECAUSE LIFE )\T IT WAS TOO VACANT TO BE>6 ,WE CAN'T SIMPLY GO BACK TO ?OSE B>R5 LIVES1 CAN WE8 ,I ALMO/ FEEL AS IF ,I'D RA!R DIE60 

0,I WI% ,I C\LD TELL Y\ !RE WAS ANO!R *OICE1 DE>Y60 SAID ,ANNA1 ! RETIR$ GROC]1 SADLY1 FROM BEH9D H] SILV] VEIL4 0,BUT ,I ?9K WE HAVE TO LET IT GO4 ,?AT'S ! WAY LIFE IS4 ,!RE WAS A LIFE = ME BE=E ,I F\ND MY WAY H]E1 Y\ KN[1 & !RE WILL BE A LIFE AFT]1 = ALL ( US1 ?\< IT MAY NOT BE :AT WE'D PREF]40 

0,WE DON'T HAVE TO LET IT GO UNLESS WE *OOSE TO10 C\NT]$ ,MS4 ,D>R[AY1 HOTLY4 0,WE DECIDE :AT RISKS >E WOR? TAK+1 WE DECIDE :AT WE GIVE UP & :AT WE KEEP4 ,?AT'S H[ WE MADE ?IS SECRET SOCIETY = \RSELVES1 & IF WE SUSP5D OR DISSOLVE IT1 IT %\LD ONLY BE BECAUSE WE BELIEVE 9 DO+ SO1 NOT BECAUSE WE ?9K WE >E ! VICTIMS ( FATE4 ,MAKE Y\R DECISION = Y\RSELF40 

0,?AT'S EASY = Y\ TO SAY1 P]HAPS60 ,IT WAS ,TITUS'S FA!R4 ,TITUS HIMSELF LOOK$ ON1 HIS FACE CONCEAL$ AS USUAL BY HIS TRU/Y SC>F1 9 UNNOTIC$ MORTIFICATION4 0,SOME ( US HAVE *ILDR54 ,WE HAVE TO ?9K AB\T !IR FUTURE1 AB\T MAK+ ?IS A HEAL?Y 5VIRONM5T = Y\NG PEOPLE6 ,WE'RE NOT AT LIB]TY LIKE Y\ MU/ BE TO MAKE DECISIONS = \RSELVES ALONE4 ,9 FACT1 :5 Y\ MAKE Y\R DECISIONS1 !Y AFFECT ! RE/ ( US AS WELL6 ,:AT IF Y\ & PEOPLE LIKE Y\ KEEP COM+ \T H]E1 CAUS+ TR\BLE = ALL ( US8 ,H[ >E WE SUPPOS$ TO RAISE \R *ILDR5 9 A T[N :]E ?+S LIKE ?IS GO ON80 

,LITTLE ,TITUS WANT$ TO DEM& H[ *ILDR5 LIKE HIMSELF W]E SUPPOS$ TO GR[ UP 9 A WORLD )\T MAGIC1 )\T DANCES & CO/UMES & FAIRYTALES1 BUT HE WAS AFRAID TO SPEAK UP1 AFRAID TOO ( BE+ RECOGNIZ$ BY HIS P>5TS4 0,Y\'D HAVE US GIVE UP \R LIVES ALL OV] AGA960 %\T$ AN ANGRY FIGURE FROM ! %AD[S1 A FIREMAN BY DAY4 0,:AT DID Y\ />T COM+ H]E =1 ANYWAY80 

0,:O >E Y\ TO RISK \R LIVES = US1 & \R *ILDR5'S LIVES80 RETORT$ ANO!R 5RAG$ P>5T1 & REAL QU>REL+ BROKE \T4 ,EV]YONE TRI$ TO %\T L\D] ?AN EV]YONE ELSE1 & = MANY M9UTES ! *AOS SPIRAL$ \T ( CONTROL--UNTIL A SUDD5 REALIZATION *OK$ ! WORDS 9 EV]Y ?ROAT3 ! T[NSFOLK HAD LO/ TRACK ( TIME & DAWN WAS ALREADY BREAK+4 ,9 A PANIC1 !Y SCATT]$ EV]Y:]E1 LEAV+ ! SQU>E 9 SU* A HURRY ?AT !Y =GOT ! C>E !Y HAD ALWAYS TAK5 BE=E NOT TO LEAVE ANY EVID5CE ( !IR GA!R+S4 

,! NEXT MORN+1 :ILE DO+ HIS R\NDS1 ONE ( ! POLICEM5 CAME UPON ! /ILL-SMOLD]+ REMA9S ( ! FIRE 9 ! C5T] ( ! T[N SQU>E4 ,HE TRI$ TO PASS IT NON*ALANTLY1 /IFL+ A %IV] ( FE> AS HE REALIZ$ H[ C>ELESS HE & ! O!RS HAD BE51 BUT !N HE CAU<T SI<T ( ANO!R CITIZ5 AT ! F> 5D ( ! /REET4 ,IF HE WAS CAU<T DELIB]ATELY IGNOR+ SU* OBVI\S EVID5CE ( UNUSUAL ACTIVITY1 IT W\LD BE TAK5 AS A SIGN ( COMPLICITY2 HE PUT HIS :I/LE BETWE5 HIS TEE? & S\ND$ ! AL>M4 

,! REPORT ( HIS F9D+ SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE1 & ! RESPOND+ \TCRY WAS IMM$IATE & 9T5SE4 ,WORD PASS$ FROM M\? TO E> TO M\? >\ND ! T[N 9 A MATT] ( H\RS1 & AN EM]G5CY MEET+ ( ,ALL ,CONC]N$ ,CITIZ5S ( ,DUVBO WAS CALL$ = ?AT EV5+4 ,ALL AFT]NOON SPECULATIONS CIRCULAT$ AS TO :AT \TLAWS OR FI5DS MI<T HAVE BE5 DO+ 9 ! V]Y HE>T ( ,DUVBO ! NI<T BE=E1 & H[ !Y C\LD BE CAPTUR$ & BR\<T TO JU/ICE2 EV]YONE F\<T TO \TDO EA* O!R 9 %[S ( RI<TE\S 9DIGNATION4 

,?IS TIME ! MAYOR DID NOT EV5 MAKE A %[ ( ADM9I/]+ ! MEET+4 ,! TWO =M] (FIC]S HAD SET !MSELVES UP AT A TALL TABLE 9 ! FRONT1 FROM :I* !Y GL[]$ AT EV]YONE ELSE AS !Y FIL$ 94 ,?IS WAS ! T5SE/ ATMOSPH]E YET3 HO/ILITY HUNG 9 ! AIR LIKE AN ELECTRIC *>GE1 & :ILE NO ONE D>$ MAKE EYE CONTACT ) ANYONE ELSE1 CONDEMN+ GLANCES W]E CA/ LIKE D>TS ALL >\ND ! ROOM4 

0,AS SPOKESP]SON = ! EM]G5CY PANEL ?AT HAS BE5 E/ABLI%$ TO H&LE ?IS SITUATION1 ,I CALL ?IS MEET+ TO ORD]10 BEGAN ! FIR/ EX-(FIC]4 0,OBVI\SLY Y\ >E ALL WELL AW>E N[ ( H[ REAL ! ?REAT WE W>N$ Y\ ( IS1 SO ,I TRU/ WE WILL NOT HAVE TO BE> ANY MORE 9T]RUPTIONS TONI<T0--HE CA/ A WI!R+ LOOK AT ,MS4 ,D>R[AY--0& WILL BE FREE TO GET D[N TO ! BUS9ESS ( CLEAN+ UP ?IS T[N40 

0,CLE>LY1 ! UNDESIRABLE ELEM5TS1 ! SUBV]T]S1 >E MEET+ BY NI<T1 PLOTT+ HEAV5 KN[S :AT SICK5+ DISGRACES & CRIMES10 CONT9U$ ! O!R MAN AT ! TABLE4 0,POLICE *IEF--0 

0,YES SIR10 RESPOND$ ! HAGG>D-EY$ *IEF ( POLICE4 

0,Y\'LL NE$ TO EXT5D Y\R PATROLS TO COV] EV]Y H\R ( ! NI<T 9 ADDITION TO ! /&>D DAYTIME S*$ULE1 />T+ ?IS EV5+1 SO ! MON/]S CAN BE BR\<T TO JU/ICE & !IR PLANS FOIL$40 

,!RE WAS A LONG1 UNCOM=TABLE PAUSE4 0,I'M AFRAID ,I CAN'T DO ?AT1 SIR10 RESPOND$ ! POLICE *IEF1 & ONE ( HIS M5 NODD$4 0,MY M5 WILL NE$ AT LEA/ ONE GOOD NI<T'S SLEEP TO BE READY = A %IFT *ANGE LIKE ?AT4 ,WE CAN GET ! PATROLS 9 EFFECT BY TOMORR[ NI<T1 BUT ?AT'S ! SOONE/4 ,I'M SORRY40 

0,WELL1 LOCK Y\R DOORS TONI<T !N1 FELL[ CITIZ5S60 RO>$ ! FIR/ EX-(FIC]1 & IT S\ND$ MORE LIKE A ?REAT ?AN A W>N+4 0,?IS WILL BE ! LA/ NI<T ANY FUNNY BUS9ESS TAKES PLACE 9 ?IS T[N6 ,& TOMORR[ WE'LL MEET H]E1 AT ! SAME TIME1 TO DISCUSS SOME O!R ,BIG ,*ANGES ?AT >E GO+ TO BE MADE >\ND ?IS PLACE40 

,AFT] MIDNI<T1 ONLY ! BRAVE/ FEW D>$ TO CONGREGATE = A F9AL TIME4 ,MS4 ,D>R[AY WAS !RE1 & ! WOMAN :O DELIV]$ ! MAIL TO ,TITUS' H\SE1 & ! Y\NG LADY 9 ! GRE5 SEQU9S1 AS WELL AS A FEW O!RS1 9CLUD+ ! POLICE *IEF :O HAD B\<T !M ONE MORE NI<T TO BID A MELAN*OLY F>EWELL TO EA* O!R & ! WORLD !Y HAD CREAT$4 ,TITUS WAS !RE1 TOO1 ( C\RSE2 HIS P>5TS HAD 9DE$ LOCK$ & B>R$ ! DOORS ( HIS H\SE1 BUT !Y HADN'T ?\<T YET TO DO ! SAME ) ! W9D[S4 ,SPIRITS W]E L[] !RE AT ?AT MOM5T ?AN !Y HAD EV] BE5 BE=E 9 ,DUVBO1 DAY OR NI<T4 ,NO ONE SPOKE2 !Y SIMPLY SAT 9 A CIRCLE >\ND ! SMALL1 /RUGGL+ FIRE1 />+ 9TO ITS DW9DL+ FLAMES1 LO/ 9 !IR [N ?\<TS4 

,F9ALLY ! WOMAN 9 GRE5 BROKE ! SIL5CE4 0,IT'S JU/ SO SAD1 SO UN5DURABLY SAD10 %E BEGAN1 HALT+LY1 0TO DISCOV] :AT Y\ SP5T Y\R :OLE LIFE LONG+ =1 TO F9D ?AT IT WAS )9 Y\ ALL ALONG1 & TO EXPLORE IT1 TO F9D \T H[ MU* BIGG] & WILD] IT IS ?AN Y\'D EV] IMAG9$1 & EV5 %>E IT ) O!RS1 ONLY TO LOSE IT1 ALL ( IT1 BECAUSE ( !IR FE>S40 

0,BECAUSE ( \R FE>S10 ! SORR[FUL POLICE *IEF BROKE 94 0,BECAUSE ( \R FE>S4 ,& !RE'S NO?+ WE CAN DO1 H[EV] MU* WE WANT IT1 H[EV] MU* IT BREAKS \R HE>TS40 

,MS4 ,D>R[AY1 /ILL TALL & PR\D EV5 9 ?IS BLEAK MOM5T1 REMA9$ SIL5T4 ,TITUS LOOK$ AT H] 9 HORROR & DISMAY3 IT WAS UN?9KABLE TO HIM ?AT ?IS P[]FUL WOMAN1 :O WAS PRACTICALLY A SUP]NATURAL BE+ 9 HIS EYES1 MI<T BECOME1 AGA91 A M]E MA? TEA*]1 A WOMAN :O HAD TO LECTURE & REPRIM& 9DIFF]5T /UD5TS ALL DAY AS AN ACTUAL LIFE'S WORK RA!R ?AN AN ALIBI4 ,JU/ AS HE HAD ONCE BE=E1 ON ! FIR/ NI<T HE V5TUR$ \TSIDE HIS NEI<BORHOOD1 HE GA!R$ HIS C\RAGE--& SPOKE UP4 

0,IS !RE REALLY NO?+ WE CAN DO80 DEM&$ ! BOY4 0,>5'T WE GIV+ UP TOO EASILY8 ,>E Y\ SURE !RE ISN'T SOME?+ WE HAV5'T ?\<T ( YET80 

0,BUT :AT C\LD ?AT BE80 ASK$ HIS MAILWOMAN1 :O /ILL DIDN'T KN[ ?AT HE HAD ONCE BELIEV$ SO F]V5TLY ?AT %E C\LD BR+ HIM AN 9VITATION TO ANO!R WORLD4 

0,WELL1 LET'S ?9K60 ,TITUS FURR[$ HIS Y\NG BR[4 0IF ?IS IS \R LA/ NI<T TOGE!R1 & TOMORR[ WE WILL NEV] BE ABLE TO MEET AGA91 WELL1 AT LEA/ WE >E FREE & TOGE!R N[4 ,?AT'S SOME?+40 

0,YES1 GO ON10 5C\RAG$ ,MS4 ,D>R[AY1 QUIETLY4 0,:AT CAN WE DO ) ?AT80 

0,IF WE'RE /ILL FREE N[1 & WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE ?AT1 & WE KN[ WE'LL LOSE IT TOMORR[0--,TITUS POND]$ ?IS1 BUT !RE SEEM$ NO O!R WAY >\ND IT--0!N ,I GUESS ! ONLY HOPE = US IS ?AT TOMORR[ DOESN'T COME40 

0,& ?AT'S IMPOSSIBLE10 SAID ! POLICEMAN4 0,! SUN WILL RISE 9 JU/ A FEW H\RS1 & !N ,I'LL BE JU/ A POLICEMAN1 NO?+ MORE1 = ! RE/ ( MY LIFE40 

,TITUS WAS MU* Y\NG] ?AN ! O!RS1 ?\<1 & NOT AS RESIGN$ TO ! 9EVITABLE AS !Y W]E4 0,:O SAYS IT'S IMPOSSIBLE80 HE REPLI$1 SURPRIS$ AT HIS [N VOICE4 0,I BELIEV$ ?AT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE ?AT Y\ C\LD BE ANY?+ MORE ?AN A POLICEMAN1 BE=E ,I /UMBL$ 9TO ! DANCE H]E ?AT FIR/ NI<T4 ,ALL WE NE$ IS SOME MAGIC TO /OP ! SUN FROM RIS+1 & ?IS WORLD WILL BE \RS =EV]1 AS IT HAS BE5 ONLY = A FEW H\RS AT A TIME UNTIL N[40 

0,MAGIC8 ,YES1 ?AT'S :AT WE'D NE$10 SI<$ ! WOMAN 9 GRE54 0,IT'S TOO BAD IT'S ONLY 9 \R /ORIES4 ,WE C\LD USE IT 9 REAL LIFE TONI<T60 

0,MAYBE WE CAN60 SAID ,TITUS1 /&+ UP4 0,:AT WE NE$ IS A MAGICAL DANCE1 A C]EMONY TO /OP ! SUN4 ,WILL Y\ JO9 ME 9 MAK+ ONE80 

,! O!RS W]E SIL5T2 ! HOPE 9 ! LITTLE BOY'S VOICE ONLY SADD5$ !M MORE4 ,BUT F9ALLY ,MS4 ,D>R[AY SPOKE UP4 0,IT'S TRUE ?AT :5 ,I CAME UPON MY FIR/ NI<T GA!R+ 9 ,DUVBO1 YE>S AGO1 :5 !RE W]E FEW] PEOPLE MEET+ ?AN WE >E H]E TONI<T1 ,I FELT AS ?\< ,I'D F\ND SOME?+ MAGICAL10 %E BEGAN4 0,IT WAS LIKE A MIRACLE1 SOME?+ SO TOTALLY DIFF]5T FROM EV]Y?+ ,I'D KN[N ?AT IT SEEM$ TO DEFY ! V]Y LAWS ( NATURE4 ,IF ?AT'S :AT WE'D NE$ TO DISCOV] AGA91 TONI<T1 = ?IS /ORY TO HAVE A HAPPY 5D+1 P]HAPS WE %\LDN'T DESPAIR YET1 S9CE IT HAS ALREADY HAPP5$ TO EA* ( US ONCE40 ,%E LOOK$ >\ND AT ! O!RS1 H] EYES BRI<T 9 ! FIRELI<T4 0,I'M READY TO DANCE ) ! Y\NG MAN1 UNLESS ANY ( Y\ HAVE A BETT] IDEA4 ,EV5 IF IT IS \R LA/ NI<T H]E1 IT'S BETT] WE SP5D 9 ON \R FEET ?AN AT \R [N FUN]AL40 

,! O!RS SL[LY ROSE & JO9$ ,TITUS ON !IR FEET4 ,TITUS SEIZ$ A GREAT BURN+ BRAN* FROM ! FIRE1 & LIFT$ IT HI< OV] HIS HEAD1 WAV+ IT DEFIANTLY T[>DS ! EA/4 ,MS4 ,D>R[AY DID ! SAME1 & ! O!RS FOLL[$4 ,ONE ( ! FIREM5 BEGAN TO BEAT \T A QUIET RHY?M ON ! ONE DRUM ?AT REMA9$ ) !M1 & ! DANC]S BEGAN /AMP+ !IR LEFT FEET1 !N !IR RI<T4 ,TITUS TOOK ! T[]+ WOMAN'S H&1 & !Y BEGAN SP9N+4 

,AS !Y HAD SO MANY TIMES BE=E1 !Y LEFT ! WORLD ( SOLID ?+S & GRAVITY1 & 5T]$ ! WORLD ( 5]GY & MOTION4 ,! />S 9 ! NI<T SKY1 ! R$ GL[ ( FIRELI<T ON ! TREES1 ! GRASS & %AD[S UND]FOOT BECAME A BLURR$ BACKGR\ND AGA9/ :I* !IR BODIES SAIL$1 CRISSCROSS$ BY ! /REAKS ( :ITE LI<T !IR TOR*ES LEFT 9 ! AIR4 ,! RHY?M 9T5SIFI$ & ACCEL]AT$4 ,!IR FEET W]E FLY+ OV] ! SOIL1 B>ELY T\*+ D[N LONG 5\< TO PU% (F AGA91 !IR HE>TS P\ND$ ) ! DRUMS--!IR HE>TS W]E LIKE DRUMS !MSELVES1 9SIDE !M1 URG+ !M ON4 ,! O!RS TOO W]E :IRL+ N[1 COM+ 9 & \T ( !IR VISION LIKE COMETS1 TRAIL$ BY ! AFT]IMAGES ( !IR TOR*ES1 WILD ANIMALS SET FREE = A MOM5T FROM FE> & 9]TIA & WEI<T ITSELF4 

,BUT !Y KNEW !Y HAD TO BREAK \T ( EV]Y?+1 TO LEAVE ! WORLD !Y HAD KN[N 5TIRELY1 SO !Y DANC$ H>D] & FA/]4 ,H>D]1 SO ! DRUMM] FE>$ HIS ?UMBS MI<T FLY (F2 FA/]1 SO DIZZ9ESS WELL$ UP 9 !M 9 ALMO/ UN5DURABLE WAVES2 H>D]1 SO !Y ?\<T !IR BONES W\LD BREAK & !IR F+]S SNAP AWAY2 FA/]1 UNTIL IT SEEM$ ?AT !IR FEET & H&S & MUSCLES !MSELVES W]E FIRE1 ?AT !Y DANC$ AS ONLY FIRE CAN DANCE ?R\< BURN+ LEAVES4 ,!Y DANC$ AS ?\< MAD1 AS ?\< ANIMAT$ BY DEMONS OR ANGELS2 LEAP+ 9TO FLI<T1 !Y KICK$ AGA9/ ! GR\ND SO H>D IT SEEM$ ! =CE MU/ /OP ! E>?'S ROTATION1 MU/ HALT IT DEAD 9 SPACE4 

,!Y W]E SO CAU<T UP 9 !IR DANCE1 SO ABSOLUTELY POSSESS$ & 5TRANC$1 ?AT !Y DIDN'T EV5 NOTICE ! LI<T CREEP+ 9TO ! SKY 9 ! EA/4 ,!Y DIDN'T NOTICE ! FIR/ BIRD CALLS1 AS ! BREEZE LIFT$ ! BRAN*ES ( ! TREES OV]HEAD2 !Y DIDN'T NOTICE ! R$ CL\DS BURN+ AWAY TO REVEAL ! FIR/ RAY ( SUNLI<T %9+ OV] ! HORIZON2 !Y DIDN'T EV5 NOTICE AS ! SUN CREPT UP1 OV] ! HILLS1 & MORN+ BEGAN4 ,!RE !Y SPUN & FLEW & TWIRL$1 ! TOR*ES %OOT+ \T SP>KS >\ND !M1 SWEAT RA9+ D[N UPON ! GRASS FROM !IR BODIES1 EYES ROLL$ BACK 9 !IR HEADS2 !Y W]E OBLIVI\S TO ALL BUT ! MAGICAL WORLD ( ! DANCE4 ,?IS IS H[ !IR FELL[ T[NSPEOPLE F\ND !M ?AT MORN+4 

,& A /RANGE ?+ HAPP5$4 ,AS ! FIR/ E>LY RIS]S FILT]$ \T 9TO ! /REETS1 & SAW !IR COMPANIONS FROM PREVI\S NI<TS ( AB&ON H]E 9 ! SUNLI<T1 LEAP+ )\T %AME 9 ! SAME UN*A9$ MOTION !Y TOO HAD SAVOR$1 ONE BY ONE !Y CAME =W>D & JO9$ !M4 ,!Y1 TOO1 BEGAN TO DANCE AS IF IT W]E /ILL NI<T1 AS IF !Y W]E WE>+ MASKS ?AT HID !IR ID5TITIES1 AS IF NO ONE W]E WAT*+--AS IF IT W]E ! MO/ NATURAL ?+ 9 ! WORLD4 ,SL[LY ALL ,DUVBO ASSEMBL$ 9 ?AT SQU>E1 AS !Y HAD SO MANY MIDNI<TS BE=E1 BUT N[ ) NO CAM\FLAGE OR SUBT]FUGE2 ALL1 ?AT IS1 ( C\RSE1 EXCEPT ! TWO RETIR$ >MY (FIC]S1 :O HAD ! S5SE TO GET \T ( T[N IMM$IATELY & NEV] COME BACK4 

,! S*OOLS & (FICES W]E EMPTY ?AT DAY1 & ! NEXT DAY AS WELL2 & NO ONE 9 ,DUVBO EV] HAD TO SIT UP /RAI<T & QUIET1 OR /RUGGLE SIL5TLY ) BOR$OM1 OR CA/ A SUSPICI\S EYE ON A NEI<BOR AGA94 ,SOME SAY Y\ CAN /ILL F9D ! T[NSPEOPLE !RE1 ?AT LIFE 9 ?AT VILLAGE IS A CONT9U\S FE/IVAL ?AT KN[S NO BEG9N+ OR 5D2 O!RS SAY ,DUVBO IS A HIDD5 & W&]+ T[N1 ?AT IT APPE>S = MOM5TS OR H\RS 9 EV]Y CITY ACROSS ! WORLD1 UNEXPECT$ & UNPR$ICTABLE1 & ONE DAY IT WILL EM]GE EV]Y:]E AT ONCE4 ,/ILL O!RS 9SI/ ?AT ! :OLE ?+ IS JU/ A MY?1 OR A B$TIME /ORY TO BE TOLD TO LITTLE *ILDR5 )\T BE+ BELIEV$2 BUT AT Y\R WISE AGE1 LITTLE ONE1 ,I'M SURE Y\ KN[ BETT] ?AN TO BELIEVE ! ONES :O SPEAK LIKE ?AT4 

444LIKE ALL *ILDR5 >E BORN TO SMUGGLE 9 ! 5D ( ! WORLD ) NO ONE QUALIFI$ TO H]D !M444 

7,S\RCE3 ,RETRIEV$ ON #a#g? ,JUNE #bba FROM CRIME?9C4COM47 

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

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #a#d1 #bbb 3 ,! ,SECRET ,WORLD ( ,DUVBO -- ,ADD$4 

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