,,MA/]PIECE

            ,,ELISE ,,BROA*

     ,PUBLI%$ 0,H5RY ,HOLT & ,-PANY
         ,NEW ,YORK1 ,NEW ,YORK
    ,COPY"R ^C #BJJH 0,ELISE ,BROA*
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
             ,TRANSCRIP;N (
     ,,ISBN-#AC3 #IGH-J-HJEJ-HBGJ-H
       ,,ISBN-#AJ3 #J-HJEJ-HBGJ-J

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
   ,LAURA ,FRASCA1 ,JANELLE ,3/ANT9O1
      ,JACQUE ,BAK]1 ,LAURA ,COX1
            & ,%>ON ,CILLEY
             ,9 #C ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
        ,PAGES ;I-;VIII & #A-AJD

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
 ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK @& ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJI
                                     ;II
























       ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS ,,US$    ;III
            ,,9 ,,? ,,VOLUME

^C ,COPY"R SYMBOL
@& ,AMP]S&
@ 7#D7 A35T SIGN



















                                     ;IV
























                                      ;V











        ,= ,ZOE1 ,H>RY1 & ,GRACE












                                     ;VI
























                                    ;VII








       8,NOBODY SEES A FL[] RE,Y2
             X IS S SMALL4
    ,WE HAV5'T "T1 & 6SEE TAKES "T--
          L 6H A FR TAKES "T40
          --,GEORGIA ,O',KEE6E











                                   ;VIII
























              ,,MA/]PIECE             #A

                   #A
          ,A ,FAMILY ,EM]G5CY

  ,HOME1 = ,M>V9'S FAMILY1 0 A DAMP COR-
N] (! CUPBO>D 2N ! KIT*5 S9K4 ,"H1 A
L1K+ PIPE _H S(T5$ ! PLA/] & CAUS$ X TO
CRUM# AWAY4 ,J 2H ! WALL1 ,M>V9'S FAMILY
_H HOLL[$ \ ?REE SPACI\S ROOMS1 &1 Z 8
P>5TS (T5 REM>K$1 X 0 A P]FECT LOC,N4 ,X
0 W>M1 2C (! HOT-WAT] PIPES EMB$D$ 9 !
WALL2 MOI/1 6MAKE BURR[+ EASY2 & D>K &
M/Y1 L ALL ! O!R HOMES ! FAMILY _H LIV$
IN4 ,BE/ ( ALL1 ! :ITE PLA/IC WA/EBASKET
T LOOM$ ON "O SIDE (F]$ A 3/ANT LITT] (
APPLE CORES1 BR1D CRUMBS1 ONION SK9S1 &
C&Y WRAPP]S1 MAK+ ! CUPBO>D AN ID1L =AG+
GR.D4
  ,M>V9 & 8 RELATIVES 7 BEETLES4 ,!Y _H
%9Y BLACK %ELLS1 SIX LEGS1 & EXCELL5T
NI<T VI.N4 ,!Y 7 M$IUM-SIZ$1 Z BEETLES
G1 N M* BI7] ?AN A RAIS94 ,B !Y 7 V AG-
ILE3 GD AT CLIMB+ WALLS1 SCURRY+ ACR
C.T]TOPS1 & SLIPP+ "U CLOS$ DOORS4 ,!Y
LIV$ 9 ! L>GE A"P;T (A HUMAN FAMI-    #B
LY1 ! ,POMPA"DS1 9 ,NEW ,YORK ,C;Y4
  ,"O MORN+1 ,M>V9 AWOKE 6F9D ! H\SEHOLD
9 AN UPRO>4 ,USU,Y ! F/ S.DS (! "D 7 !
G5TLE RU/L+S ( 8 P>5TS 9 ! NEXT ROOM &1
9 ! 4T.E1 ! CLANK ( POTS 9 ! ,POMPA"D
KIT*5 S9K4 ,B TD HE HE>D ! FRANTIC
CLICK+ ( ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D'S HI< HEELS1 &
H] VOICE1 ANXI\S & %RILL4 ,J Z HE 0 2G9-
N+ 6WOND] :AT _H HAPP5$1 8 "M CAME LOOK+
= HM 9 A GRT HURRY4
  8,M>V960 %E CRI$4 8,-E QKLY1 D>L+6 ,WE
H AN EM]G5CY40
  ,M>V9 CRAWL$ \ (! S(T COTTON BALL T 0
8 B$ &1 / ONLY HALF-AWAKE1 FOLL[$ H] 96!
LIV+ ROOM4 ,"!1 8 "F1 8 UNCLE ,ALB]T1 &
8 C\S9 ,ELA9E 7 DEEP 9 3V]S,N4 ,ELA9E
RAN 6HM & GRA2$ "O ( 8 LEGS4
  8,MRS4 ,POMPA"D HAS LO/ H] 3TACT L5S6
,D[N ! BA?ROOM S9K6 ,& S9CE Y'RE ! ONLY
"O :O "KS H[ 6SWIM1 WE NE$ .Y 6FI% X \60
  ,M>V9 DREW BACK 9 SURPRISE1 B 8 C\S9
3T9U$ HAPPILY4 8,OH6 ,:AT IF Y DR[N80
  ,M>V9 0 N NE>LY Z ?RILL$ AT ? PROSPECT
Z ,ELA9E4 8,I WON'T DR[N10 HE SD FIRMLY4
8,I'M A GD SWIMM]40                   #C
  ,HE'D PRACTIC$ SWIMM+ = ALM A MON? N[1
9 AN OLD JUICE BOTTLE CAP FILL$ ) WAT]4
,HE 0 ! ONLY MEMB] ( 8 5TIRE FAMILY :O
CD SWIM1 A SKILL 8 P>5TS BO? M>VEL$ AT &
TOOK CR$IT =4
  8,M>V9 HAS EXCEP;NAL COORD9,N1 S* F9E
3TROL OV] 8 LEGS10 ,MAMA (T5 REM>K$4 8,X
REM9DS ME ( MY "DS 9 ! BALLET40
  8,:5 HE SETS 8 M9D 6"S?+1 "!'S NO /OP-
P+ HM10 ,PAPA WD ADD SMUGLY4 8,HE'S A
*IP (F ! OLD BLOCK40
  ,B "R N[1 ^! ^WS 7 LL -=T 6,M>V94
,SWIMM+ 9 A BOTTLE CAP 0 "O ?+--X 0 HALF
AN 9* DEEP4 ,SWIMM+ 9SIDE A DRA9PIPE 0
"S?+ ELSE 5TIRELY4 ,HE PAC$ ! ROOM N]V-
\SLY4
  ,MAMA 0 TALK+ 6,UNCLE ,ALB]T1 LOOK+
MAD4 8,WELL1 ,I %D ?9K N60 %E EXCLAIM$4
8,HE'S J A *4 ,I SAY LET ! ,POMPA"DS
CALL A PLUMB]40
  ,PAPA %OOK 8 H1D4 8,X'S TOO RISKY4 ,IF
A PLUMB] GOES POK+ >.D 9 "!1 HE'LL SEE T
! WALL IS ROTT+ AWAY4 ,HE'LL SAY !Y NE$
6REPLACE X1 & T'LL 2 ! 5D ( ,ALB]T &
,$I?'S HOME40                         #D
  ,UNCLE ,ALB]T NO4$ VIGOR\SLY & BECKON$
6,M>V94 8,M>V91 MY BOY1 :AT D Y SAY8
,Y'LL H 6G D[N ! BA?ROOM PIPE & F9D T
3TACT L5S4 ,?9K Y C H&LE X80
  ,M>V9 HESITAT$4 ,MAMA & ,PAPA 7 / >GU-
+4 ,N[ ,PAPA LOOK$ AT HM UNHAPPILY4
8,I'D G MYF1 SON--Y "K ,I WD--IF ,I CD
SWIM40
  8,NO "O C SWIM L ,M>V910 ,ELA9E DCLD4
8,B EV5 ,M>V9 MAY N 2 A# 6SWIM WELL 5\<4
,"!'S PROBABLY A LOT ( WAT] 9 T PIPE BY
N[4 ,:O "KS H[ F> D[N HE'LL H 6G80 ,%E
PAUS$ DRAMATIC,Y4 8,MAYBE HE'LL N"E MAKE
X BACK UP 6! SURFACE40
  8,HU%1 ,ELA9E10 SD ,UNCLE ,ALB]T4
  ,M>V9 GRA2$ ! FRAG;T ( P1NUT %ELL T HE
US$ Z A FLOAT :5 HE SWAM 9 8 [N POOL AT
HOME4 ,HE TOOK A DEEP BR1?4
  8,I C TRY1 AT L1/10 HE SD 6HIS P>5TS4
8,I'LL 2 C>E;L40
  8,!N ,I'M GO+ ) Y10 ,MAMA DECID$1 8TO
MAKE SURE Y >5'T FOOLH>DY4 ,& IF X LOOKS
! L1/ BIT DANG]\S1 WE WON'T RISK X40
  ,& S !Y SET (F =! ,POMPA"D'S BA?ROOM1
) ,UNCLE ,ALB]T L1D+ ! WAY4 ,M>V9     #E
FOLL[$ CLOSE 2H 8 "M1 ! P1NUT %ELL TUCK$
AWKW>DLY "U "O ( 8 LEGS4






















                                      #F
























                   #B                 #G
              ,D[N ! ,DRA9

  ,X TOOK !M A FAIR BIT ( "T 6R1* ! BA?-
ROOM4 ,F/ !Y _H 6CRAWL \ (! CUPBO>D 96!
B"R MORN+ LI<T (! ,POMPA"DS' KIT*54 ,"!1
BABY ,WILLIAM 0 BANG+ ON 8 HI< *AIR )A
SPOON1 SCATT]+ ,*E]IOS ALL OV] ! FLOOR4
,ORD9>ILY1 ! BEETLES MI<T H WAIT$ 9 !
%AD[S 6SNAT* "O & C>RY X (F = LUN*1 B TD
"! 7 M IMPORTANT TASKS AH1D4 ,!Y SCUTTL$
AL;G ! BASEBO>D 6! LIV+ ROOM1 & !N 2GAN
! EXHAU/+ J\RNEY OV] ! ,ORI5TAL RUG1 :
AT L1/ 0 D>K BLUE1 S !Y DIDN'T H 6WORRY
AB 2+ SE54
  ,ALL ! WAY 6! BA?ROOM1 ,M>V9 CD HE>
,MR4 & ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D YELL+ AT EA* O!R4
  8,I DON'T "U/& :Y Y C'T J TAKE ! PIPE
A"P & F9D X10 ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D -PLA9$4
8,T'S :AT ,K>L WD H D"O40 ,K>L 0 ,MRS4
,POMPA"D'S F/ HUSB&4
  8.,Y TAKE ! PIPE A"P & F9D X4 ,& FLOOD
! BA?ROOM4 ,!N WE'LL H 6REPLACE M ?AN YR
3TACT L5S10 ,MR4 ,POMPA"D FUM$4 ,HE
/OMP$ 6! PH"O4 8,I'M CALL+ A PLUMB]40
  8,OH1 F9E10 SD ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D4      #H
8,HE'LL TAKE ALL "D 6GET "H4 ,I H 6L1VE
= "W 9 TW5TY M9UTES1 & ,I WON'T 2 A# TO
F9D MY WAY 6! DOOR )\T MY 3TACT L5SES40
  ,JAMES1 ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D'S SON F H] F/
M>RIAGE1 /OOD 9 ! DOORWAY4 ,HE 0 T5 YE>S
OLD1 A ?9 BOY ) BIG FEET1 S]I\S GRAY
EYES1 &A SCATT]+ ( FRECKLES ACR 8 *EEKS4
,HE WD 2 ELEV5 TM1 & ,M>V9 & 8 FAMILY _H
BE5 TRY+ 6?9K ( "S?+ NICE 6D = 8 BIR?"D1
S9CE !Y 9F9ITELY PREF]R$ HM 6! RE/ (!
,POMPA"D FAMILY4 ,HE 0 QUIET & R1SONA#1
UNLIKELY 6MAKE SU45 MOVE;TS OR RAISE 8
VOICE4
  ,SEE+ HM N[1 ,M>V9 REMEMB]$ H[ ,JAMES
_H CAU<T SI<T ( HM ONCE1 A FEW WEEKS
AGO1 :5 ,M>V9 0 DRA7+ HOME AN ,M@&,M
HE'D F.D =! FAMILY DESS]T4 ,M>V9 _H BE5
S EXCIT$ AB 8 GD LUCK T HE'D =GOTT5 6/AY
CLOSE 6! BASEBO>D4 ,"! HE WAS1 \ 9 ! OP5
SEA ( CR1M-COLOR$ TILE 9 ! KIT*51 :5
,JAMES'S BLUE SN1K] /OPP$ AL;GSIDE HM4
,M>V9 PANICK$1 DROPP$ ! ,M@&,M1 & RAN =
8 LIFE4 ,B ,JAMES ONLY CR\*$ D[N & WAT*$
HM1 N"E SAY+ A ^W4
  ,M>V9 _HN'T TOLD 8 P>5TS AB T P>-   #I
TICUL> CLOSE CALL4 ,HE'D V[$ 6HMF T HE'D
2 M C>E;L 9 ! FUTURE4
  ,N[ ,JAMES %IFT$ ?"\;LLY ON ^? SAME
BLUE SN1K]S4 8,Y CD WE> YR GLASSES1
,MOM10 HE SD4
  8,OH1 F9E10 SD ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D4 8,WE>
MY GLASSES4 ,F9E4 ,I GUESS X DOESN'T
MATT] :AT ,I LOOK L :5 ,I MEET CLI5TS4
,MAYBE ,I %D J G 6"W 9 MY BA?ROBE40
  ,0? "T1 ,UNCLE ,ALB]T1 ,M>V91 & 8 "M
_H R1*$ ! DOOR (! B$ROOM1 &! BA?ROOM LAY
J 2Y4 ,UN=TUNATELY1 ! ?REE HUMANS 7 EF-
FECTIVELY BLOCK+ ! R\TE4 ,?REE JITT]Y
PAIRS ( FEET--"O 9 SN1K]S1 "O 9 HI<
HEELS1 & "O 9 LOAF]S--MADE X H>D 6F9D A
SAFE PA?4
  8,/AY CLOSE 6ME10 ,MAMA TOLD ,M>V94
,%E HURRI$ AL;G ! DOOR FRAME4 ,DODG+ !
SPIKES ( ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D'S HEELS1 ,M>V9 &
,UNCLE ,ALB]T FOLL[$4
  ,!Y MADE X UP ! BA?ROOM WALL 6! S9K )-
\T MISHAP4 ,NORM,Y1 ! LI<T TILE WD H
MADE !M EASY T>GETS =A ROLL$-UP NEWSPAP]
OR ! BOTTOM (A SLIPP]4 ,B ! ,POMPA"DS 7
S 5GROSS$ 9 _! >GU;T T !Y DIDN'T     #AJ
NOTICE ?REE %9Y BLACK BEETLES SCRAMBL+
ONTO ! S9K4
  8,I'LL KEEP A LOOK\T10 ,UNCLE ,ALB]T
SD4 8,Y TWO G AH1D40
  ,M>V9 & 8 "M TUM#D & SLID D[N ! SMOO?
SIDE (! S9K 6! DRA94 ,!Y DUCK$ "U ! SIL-
V] /OPP] & /OOD ON ! $GE (! OP5 PIPE1
/>+ 96BLACK;S4
  ,M>V9 CD HE> A 4TANT TRICKL+ S.D4 ,Z 8
EYES ADJU/$1 HE SAW WAT]1 MURKY & UN9-
VIT+1 A FEW 9*ES 2L4 ,HE ?"\ ( ,C\S9
,ELA9E'S GRIM PREDIC;N & %U4]$4 ,:Y
_HN'T 8 "M TAK5 A FIRM] /& AG/ ?8
  8,WELL ''' "H ,I G10 HE SD 6,MAMA1 :O
PROMPTLY GRA2$ 8 LEG & HELD FA/4
  8,N[ DON'T D ANY?+ RA%1 D>L+10 %E TOLD
HM4 8,G SL[LY1 & -E "R BACK 6ME IF X
SEEMS DANG]\S40
  8,OKAY10 ,M>V9 PROMIS$4 ,HE CLUT*$ 8
P1NUT-%ELL FLOAT & TOOK A DEEP BR1?4 ,!N
HE LAUN*$ HMF 96! VOID4
  ,HE B>ELY REMEMB]$ 6%UT 8 EYES 2F !
COLD WAT] CLOS$ OV] 8 H1D4 ,P$AL+ 8 LEGS
FRANTIC,Y1 HE CAME BO2+ BACK UP 6!
SURFACE4 ,! CL\DY WAT] TA/$ VAGUE-   #AA
LY ( TOO?PA/E4 ,X SMELL$ HORRI#4
  8,M>V98 ,M>V91 >E Y ALL "R80 ,MAMA'S
VOICE E*O$ ?9LY 9 ! PIPE4
  8,I'M F9E10 HE CALL$ BACK4
  ,HE SWAM "? ! SCUMMY WAT]1 : 0 LITT]$
) E NA/Y ?+ T MI<T WA% D[N A HUMAN'S
DRA93 BITS ( FOOD1 HAIR1 SLIV]S ( SOAP4
,HE WANT$ 6?R[ UP4
  8,D Y SEE X YET80 8 "M CALL$4
  8,NO10 ,M>V9 ANSW]$4 ,HE SU45LY R1LIZ$
HE _H NO IDEA :AT A 3TACT L5S LOOK$ L4
  ,!N Z HE 0 AB 6TURN BACK1 HE .DID SEE
"S?+3 A ?9 PLA/IC DISC1 /UCK 6! SIDE (!
PIPE4 ,X LOOK$ J L ! FRUIT B[L ,MAMA US$
AT HOME4 ,\ ( BR1?1 HE %OT BACK UP 6!
SURFACE4
  8,I F.D X1 ,MAMA60 HE YELL$4
  8,OH GD1 D>L+40 ,8 "M BR1!D A SI< (
RELIEF4 8,N[ WE'D BETT] HURRY1 2F "S"O
TURNS ON ! FAUCET & WA%ES U BO? AWAY40
  ,M>V9 4COV]$ HE CDN'T HOLD ON 6! 3TACT
L5S &! P1NUT %ELL AT ! SAME "T4 ,RELUC-
TANTLY1 HE LET G ( 8 FLOAT1 TOOK A DEEP
BR1?1 & PLUNG$ "U ! WAT] AG4
  ,9 ! 4T.E1 HE HE>D 8 "M CRY1       #AB
8,M>V96 ,YR FLOAT60 ,B HE MOV$ 8 LEGS
SWIFTLY1 UNBURD5$ 0! P1NUT %ELL1 & GLID$
D[N "? ! D>K WAT]4 ,HE SWAM /RAI<T 6!
3TACT L5S & CLASP$ X ) 8 FRONT TWO LEGS4
,PULL+ X AWAY F ! SIDE (! PIPE1 HE %OT
QKLY BACK 6! SURFACE4 ,"? ! L5S1 HE CD
SEE 8 "M1 WAVY & 4TORT$1 LOOM+ ABV HM4
,%E'D CRAWL$ D[N ! SIDE (! PIPE 6! WA-
T]'S $GE1 BECKON+ 6HM4
  8,OH1 ,M>V91 ?ANK H1V5S4 ,Y >E A WON-
D]1 D>L+4 ,:AT LEG 3TROL4 ,I WI% MY OLD
BALLET CR[D CD SEE Y40 ,%E TOOK ! L5S F
HM4 8,:EW6 ,! WAT] SMELLS POSITIVELY
VILE4 ,& :AT A FUSS OV] ? LL ?+6 ,:Y1 X
LOOKS EXACTLY L MY FRUIT B[L40
  ,HOLD+ X G+]LY ON H] BACK1 ,MAMA
CRAWL$ UP ! PIPE4 ,%E SCOOT$ "U ! /OPP]1
) ,M>V9 CLOSE 2H H]1 & TGR !Y DRA7$ !
L5S UP ! SIDE (! S9K4
  ,UNCLE ,ALB]T RU%$ D[N 6MEET !M4 8,BY
,GEORGE1 Y'VE D"O X60 HE CRI$4 8,M>V91
MY BOY1 Y'RE A H]O6 ,A H]O6 ,WAIT TILL
,I TELL YR AUNT ,$I?60
  ,M>V9 B1M$ MODE/LY4 ,HE FLEX$ 8 LEGS &
%OOK !M DRY4                         #AC
  8,LET'S SEE1 ": % WE PUT X80 ,MAMA
ASK$4
  ,!Y LOOK$ >.D4 8,0! FAUCET1 MAYBE10
,M>V9 SU7E/$4 8,T WAY1 X WON'T GET WA%$
D[N ! DRA9 AG40
  ,!Y PLAC$ ! L5S NE> ! HOT-WAT] H&LE &
DA%$ 2H A GRE5 WAT] GLASS J Z ,JAMES
WALK$ 96! BA?ROOM4
  8,AF ALL ? TR\#1 !Y'D BETT] F9D X10
,MAMA :ISP]$ GRIMLY4 ,M>V9 KEPT 8 EYES
ON ! 3TACT L5S4 ,X GLI/5$ 9 ! MORN+
LI<T1 A FA9T BLUE COLOR4
  ,!Y CD HE> ,MR4 ,POMPA"D ON ! PH"O )!
PLUMB]4 8,:AT'S T8 ,OH1 OKAY1 ,I'LL
LOOK40 ,HE BELL[$1 8,JAMES6 ,>E Y 9 !
BA?ROOM8 ,MAKE YRF USE;L4 ,>E ! PIPES 9
"! COPP] OR GALVANIZ$ /EEL80
  ,JAMES /OOD AT ! S9K4 8,I DON'T "K10
HE SD4 8,B1 ,MOM1 ,I F.D YR 3TACT L5S4
,X'S "R "H 0! FAUCET40
  ,& !N :AT A -MO;N3 ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D RU%+
96! BA?ROOM 9 4BELIEF1 ,MR4 ,POMPA"D
L\DLY APOLOGIZ+ 6! PLUMB]1 & ,JAMES
LIFT+ ! 3TACT L5S 9 8 \T/RET*$ PALM4
  8,WELL1 ,I GUESS T'S T10 ,MAMA     #AD
SD 6,M>V9 Z SOON Z ! BA?ROOM EMPTI$4
8,WE'D BETT] H1D BACK & LET YR "F "K
Y'RE ALL "R40
  ,S ,MAMA1 ,UNCLE ,ALB]T1 & ,M>V9 AM#D
HOME1 ": "EY"O GREET$ !M JOY;LLY4 ,PAPA1
,AUNT ,$I?1 & ,ELA9E ALL PATT$ ,M>V9 ON
8 %ELL1 B NOBODY WANT$ 6HUG HM4 ,HE 0
WET & SLIMY1 & SMELL$ OV]P[]+LY (! DRA9
WAT]4
  8,I ?9K ,I NE$ A BA?10 ,M>V9 SD4
  ,& !N ,MAMA & ,PAPA FUSS$ OV] HM1
FILL+ ! BOTTLE CAP ) W>M WAT] & A4+ A
S+LE GRA9 ( TURQUOISE DI%WA%+ DET]G5T4
,M>V9 SANK 96! BUB#S & FLOAT$ 9 ! POOL
6HIS HE>T'S 3T5T1 UNTIL HE 0 %9Y & CL1N
AG4








                   #C                #AE
            ,! ,BIR?"D ,"PY

  ,! NEXT "D 0 ,SATUR"D1 ,JAMES'S BIR?-
"D4 ,"! 0 6BE A "PY1 A L>GE "O1 &! ,POM-
PA"DS' D9+ ROOM 0 FE/OON$ ) /R1M]S &
BALLOONS4 ,Z ,M>V9 & 8 P>5TS =AG$ =
BR1KFA/ "U ! KIT*5 TA#1 !Y LI/5$ 6!
PLANS4
  8,I DON'T WANT ^? BOYS EAT+ 9 ! LIV+
ROOM10 ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D TOLD ,JAMES4
8,MAKE SURE !Y /AY AT ! TA# :5 X'S "T =!
CAKE40
  8,B1 ,MOM10 ,JAMES SD4 8,I C'T TELL !M
:AT 6D4 ,!Y'RE N EV5 MY FRS40
  ,WILLIAM BANG$ D1F5+LY ON 8 HI<-*AIR
TRAY )A SPOON & CR[$ AT ,JAMES4 8,YA YA6
,YA YA60 ,F :AT ,M>V9 CD TELL1 ? 0 ! ^W
= ,JAMES 9 ,WILLIAM'S V LIMIT$ B =CE;L
LANGUAGE4
  8,:AT A BIG BOY Y >E60 ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D
CROON$1 WIP+ ! BABY'S FACE )A WA%CLO?4
,%E TURN$ 6,JAMES4 8,:AT D Y M1N !Y'RE N
YR FRS8 ,:Y1 ! ,F5TONS LIVE "R UP/AIRS4
,Y SEE ,MAX E "D40
  ,JAMES SI<$4                       #AF
  8,!Y'RE V IMPORTANT CLI5TS ( M9E1 !
,F5TONS4 ,I'VE GOTT5 S"EAL REF]RALS F
!M1 & Y "K1 T'S ! HE>T ( MY BUSI;S4 ,^W
( M\?40 ,2L ! TA#1 ,MAMA & ,PAPA LOOK$
AT EA* O!R & ROLL$ _! EYES4 8,S ,I HOPE
Y'LL TR1T ,MAX NICELY1 DE>10 ,MRS4 ,POM-
PA"D 3T9U$4
  ,MAMA %OOK H] H1D1 :ISP]+1 8,CLI5TS6
,W HE H A S+LE "O ( 8 [N FRS AT ! "PY80
%E ASK$4
  8,( C\RSE N10 ,PAPA REPLI$4
  ,M>V9 _H SE5 5 ( ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D'S P>-
TIES 6"K T 8 P>5TS 7 "R4 ,:AT"E ! O3A.N1
! GUE/ LI/ 0 ALW A LOOSE ASSEMBLAGE ( P
%E "W$ ) OR WANT$ 6"W )1 &=! 5TIRE "PY
,MRS4 ,POMPA"D WD FLOAT FAWN+LY F "O P]-
SON 6! NEXT1 3FID+ SELF-IMPORTANT TIPS
AB ! ,MANHATTAN R1L E/ATE M>KET4
  ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D PLUCK$ ,WILLIAM F ! HI<
*AIR & SD 5C\RAG+LY1 8,WE'RE HAV+ A MA-
GICIAN1 REMEMB]8 ,Y "K H[ Y LOVE MAGIC1
,JAMES40
  ,JAMES HESITAT$4 8,MOM ''' DON'T Y ?9K
T'S ! K9D ( ?+ P H AT A LL KID'S "PY80
  8,NONS5SE1 DE>4 ,"EY"O LOVES MA-   #AG
GICIANS4 ,!Y'RE L CL[NS40
  ,M>V9 P]SON,Y HAT$ CL[NS1 : HE _H SE5
9 ABUND.E ON TELEVI.N 2C ,MR4 ,POMPA"D
_H AN ODD FASC9,N )! CIRCUS4 ,CL[NS
/RUCK ,M>V9 Z SC>Y & UNTRU/WOR?Y1 ) _!
PA9T$ FACES & EXA7]AT$ EXPRES.NS1 ALW
TRY+ 6GET /RANG]S 6LAU<4
  ,! BEETLES _H LE>N$ MO/ ( :AT !Y KNEW
AB ! \TSIDE _W F ! ,POMPA"DS' 5D.S /R1M
( TELEVI.N %[S4 ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D'S FAVOR-
ITES 7 HOSPITAL DRAMAS OR SOAP OP]AS1
:ILE ,MR4 ,POMPA"D PREF]R$ L;G DOCU;TA-
RIES ON OBSCURE TOPICS4 ,JAMES LIK$ C>-
TOONS1 : ,M>V9 F.D COLOR;L & Q SATISFY+1
ESPECI,Y :5 !Y F1TUR$ A H]OIC OR "PICU-
L>LY 5]GETIC 9SECT4 ,! BE/ ?+ AB TELEVI-
.N 9 ! ,POMPA"D H\SEHOLD 0 T ! ,POMPA"DS
T5D$ 6SNACK :ILE !Y WAT*$ _! %[S1 S !
BEETLES CD C.T ON A V]ITA# SMORGASBORD (
POPCORN K]NELS1 RAIS9S1 & POTATO-*IP
CRUMBS AT ! 5D (! EV5+4
  ,M>V9 WAT*$ ,JAMES1 :O 0 JI7L+ A SN1K-
]4 8,MOM10 ,JAMES SD1 8D Y ?9K ,DAD W
-E80
  8,I DON'T "K1 ,JAMES4 ,HE SD       #AH
HE'D TRY4 ,B X'S GO+ 6BE A WOND];L "PY1
Y'LL SEE60 ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D SWEPT OV] &
KISS$ ! TOP ( 8 H1D4 8,/OP MOP+4 ,X'S YR
BIR?"D6 ,-E HELP ME )! GDY BAGS40
  ,JAMES'S "F 0 AN >TI/1 ! MAK] ( L>GE
AB/RACT PA9T+S1 "O ( :1 A MO/LY BLUE
CANVAS CALL$ .,HORSE1 HUNG ABV ! C\* 9 !
LIV+ ROOM4 ,X 0 A 3/ANT S\RCE ( T5.N 2T
,MRS4 ,POMPA"D & H] SECOND HUSB&4
  8,I DON'T SEE :Y ,I H 6LOOK AT T E
NI<T10 ,MR4 ,POMPA"D WD -PLA94 8,X
DOESN'T LOOK ANY?+ L A HORSE4 ,X DOESN'T
EV5 LOOK L AN ANIMAL4 ,JAMES CD H PA9T$
T40
  ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D'S ANSW] 0 ALW ! SAME4
8,OH1 /OP4 ,X GOES )! RUG4 ,D Y "K H[
H>D X IS 6MAT* AN ,ORI5TAL80
  ,M>V9 SECRETLY ADMIR$ ! PA9T+ V M*4
,HE "S"TS CLIMB$ ALL ! WAY UP ! BRASS
FLOOR LAMP =A BETT] VIEW (! BOLD BLUE
/R1K AT XS C5T]4 ,:ILE ! PA9T+ DIDN'T
LOOK L A HORSE1 X .FELT L A HORSE3 FA/ &
GRACE;L & FREE4
  8,:AT C WE GIVE ,JAMES = 8 BIR?"D80 HE
ASK$ 8 P>5TS1 Z !Y LU7$ TWO C]1L     #AI
FLAKES &A CRUMB ( BUTT]$ TOA/ BACK 6!
CUPBO>D4 8,X HAS 6BE "S?+ .GRT40
  8,LOOK 9 ! TR1SURE BOX10 ,MAMA SD4
8,I'M SURE Y'LL F9D ! P]FECT ?+40
  ,! TR1SURE BOX 0 AN OP5 VELVET E>R+
CASE T _H BE5 V DI6ICULT 9DE$ 6PU% & TUG
96! BEETLES' HOME4 ,X 0 FILL$ )! K9DS (
T9Y ?+S HUMANS T5D$ 6DROP OR MISPLACE1
ITEMS T ROLL$ "U FURNITURE OR GOT CAU<T
9 ! CRACKS 2T FLOORBO>DS--OR1 Z ,WILLIAM
2CAME M DEXTR\S1 ! ?+S HE 5JOY$ /ICK+ "?
! GRATES (! H1T+ V5TS4 ,"R N[1 ! TR1SURE
BOX 3TA9$ A FEW PAP] CLIPS1 TWO CO9S1 A
BUTTON1 ! GOLD CLASP F A NECKLACE1 !
SL5D] SILV] B> T ONCE HELD A WAT* /RAP 9
PLACE1 A SMALL ERAS]1 A P5 CAP1 &1 ! MO/
PRIZ$ OBJECT ( ALL1 A S+LE PE>L E>R+4
  ,! BEETLES HAPP5$ 6"K T ! PE>L E>R+1
F.D 9 ! WRECKAGE (! ,POMPA"DS' ANNUAL
HOLI"D "PY1 2L;G$ 6A FAVORITE CLI5T (
,MRS4 ,POMPA"D'S1 :O _H CALL$ ! NEXT "D
9 A TIZZY OV] XS LOSS4 ,G5],Y1 ,MAMA
FELT /R;GLY T "PICUL>LY VALUA# ITEMS %D
2 RETURN$ 6_! HUMAN [N]S 7: J M1NT T !
BEETLES C>RI$ !M 6"S OBVI\S SPOT 9   #BJ
! H\SE & LEFT !M 9 FULL VIEW1 ": !Y WD
9EVITABLY 2 4COV]$ & EXCLAIM$ OV] 9 RE-
LIEF74 ,H["E1 9 ? CASE1 ,MR4 & ,MRS4
,POMPA"D _H BE5 S UNPL1SANT 6,JAMES 9 !
WAKE (! "PY--2RAT+ HM =A *9A PLATE T
HE'D A3ID5T,Y DROPP$ :5 8 "M ASK$ HM TO
CLE> ! DI%ES--T ! BEETLES 7 N 9CL9$ 6RE-
TURN ! PE>L E>R+4
  8,I DON'T ?9K "!'S ANY?+ GD = ,JAMES 9
! TR1SURE BOX10 ,M>V9 SD WORRI$LY4 8,N"O
( T /UFF IS HIS40
  8,DOES HE H ANY ELECTRONICS 9 NE$ (
REPAIR80 ,MAMA ASK$4 8,CLOCK RADIO8
,BOOM BOX8 ,I'M SURE ,ALB]T WD 2 HAPPY
6T9K] ) "S?+ = HM40
  ,UNCLE ,ALB]T _H TRA9$ Z AN ELECTRI-
CIAN1 A "PICUL>LY USE;L SKILL 9 ! ,POM-
PA"DS' AG+ A"P;T4 ,HE'D BE5 "KN 6FIX !
FAULTY WIR+ 9 _! !RMO/AT ON M ?AN "O OC-
CA.N ''' ?\< HE "S"TS RAIS$ ! A"P;T'S
H1T 69SU6]A# LEVELS 9 ! PROCESS4
8,TRICKY BUSI;S1 !RMO/ATS10 HE ALW SD4
  8,NO1 ,I DON'T ?9K S10 ,M>V9 ANSW]$4
8,I HAV5'T HE>D HM -PLA9 AB ANY?+40
,AL?1 HE R1LIZ$1 ,JAMES WASN'T       #BA
RE,Y ! TYPE 6-PLA94
  8,:AT AB "O (! CO9S 9 ! TR1SURE BOX80
,PAPA SU7E/$4 8,I ?9K "!'S A BU6ALO
NICKEL40
  ,M>V9 ?"\ AB T4 ,WD ,JAMES EV5 NOTICE
T X 0 A SPECIAL NICKEL8 ,PROBABLY4
,JAMES 0 ! TYPE 6NOTICE ?+S4 8,MAYBE10
HE SD4 8,IF WE C'T F9D ANY?+ BETT]40

  ,! "PY 0 A BOI/]\S 4A/]4 ,MR4 ,POMPA"D
0 4PAT*$ 6! P>K ) ,WILLIAM1 :ILE ELEV5
5]GETIC BOYS1 N"O ( :OM PD ANY "PICUL>
ATT5;N 6,JAMES1 RAC$ "? ! A"P;T4 ,!Y
DUMP$ ELABORATELY WRAPP$ PRES5TS ON !
SIDEBO>D1 !N /AMP$$ F ROOM 6ROOM1 :OOP+
L\DLY4 ,!Y BROKE A KNOB (F ! /]EO4 ,!Y
SPILL$ SODA ON ! D9+-ROOM RUG4 ,!Y LOCK$
A SMALL1 N]V\S BOY "ND ,SIMON 9 ,JAMES'S
CLOSET )\T ANY"O R1LIZ+ HE 0 MISS+4 ,:5
! MAGICIAN >RIV$1 !Y GLEE;LLY TOR;T$ HM1
YELL+ \ SPOIL]S-- 8,X'S 9 8 O!R H&6 ,I
SAW X60--Z HE P]=M$ 8 TRICKS4 ,"O BOY
DUG >.D 9 ! L1!R BAG ( PROPS :5 ! MAGI-
CIAN WASN'T WAT*+ & TRIUMPHANTLY BR&I%$
A SET ( H&CU6S4 8,LET'S PLAY         #BB
JAIL60
  ,M>V9 WAT*$ ! :OLE A6AIR F A SAFE VAN-
TAGE PO9T 2H ! SKIRT (! LIV+-ROOM C\*4
,SN1K]S P.D$ PA/ HM1 SQU1K+ ON ! WOOD
FLOORS4 ,HE KEPT W>ILY \ ( SI<T1 HE$+
,MAMA'S W>N+3 8,:AT"E Y D1 D>L+1 DON'T
LET !M SEE Y4 ,^! >E ! K9DS ( BOYS :O'D
PULL ! LEGS (F A BEETLE J =! FUN ( X40
,X 0 AN (T-REP1T$ ADAGE AM;G ! BEETLES T
HUMAN "PIES 7 NO PLACE = _! K9D4 ,M>V9
REMEMB]$ ALL TOO CLE>LY ! FATE ( 8 GR&-
"F1 :O'D BE5 CRU%$ 0A /ILETTO HEEL :ILE
PURSU+ A BACON BIT DUR+ ! ,POMPA"DS'
MEET-!-NEI<BORS "PY4
  ,F 2H ! SKIRT+1 ,M>V9 CD SEE ,JAMES
SITT+ QUIETLY ON ! SIDEL9E4 ,MRS4 ,POM-
PA"D KEPT PRO4+ HM 9 EXASP],N3
  8,JAMES6 ,DON'T J SIT "! L T4 ,%[ !
BOYS YR NEW -PUT]40
  8,JAMES1 ?ANK ,H5RY = ? LOVELY R$
SW1T]4 ,X W 2 P]FECT = ,VAL5T9E'S ,"D40
  8,JAMES1 TELL ,MAX AB ! WOND];L "T WE
_H SKAT+ LA/ WEEK4 ,AT ! ,ROCKEFELL]
,C5T] R9K1 ,MAX4 ,WE LOVE 6G "! ON
WEEK"D AFNS1 :5 "! >5'T S _M T\R-    #BC
I/S4 ,WE'LL BR+ Y ) U NEXT "T1 % WE80
  ,F A PA/ 3V]S,N1 ,M>V9 KNEW T ! ,POM-
PA"DS _H BE5 6! R9K EXACTLY ONCE1 T
,MRS4 ,POMPA"D _H DROPP$ ,JAMES (F :ILE
%E W5T ACR ! /REET 6,SAKS 6BUY A W$D+
PRES5T1 & T ,JAMES1 :O DIDN'T "K H[ TO
SKATE1 _H SP5T ! H\R CL++ 6! SIDE WALL1
UN/1DILY MAK+ 8 WAY >.D ! CIRCLE :ILE M
EXP]I;ED SKAT]S ZIPP$ PA/4
  ,! DOORBELL RANG1 & ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D
CLAPP$ H] H&S1 SMIL+ B"RLY4 8,OH1 LOOK
AT ! "T6 ,YR P>5TS >E "H1 BOYS40 ,%E
H]D$ !M T[>D ! 5TRYWAY4 8,-E GET YR GDY
BAGS6 ,JAMES1 DE>1 /& 0! DOOR & H& !M
\40
  ,M>V91 RISK+ EXPOSURE1 D>T$ AL;G !
BASEBO>D 6! M>#-FLOOR$ FOY]4 ,:5 ,MRS4
,POMPA"D OP5$ ! DOOR1 H["E1 X WASN'T !
HOP$-= CAVALCADE ( P>5TS1 X 0 ,K>L ,T]-
IK1 ,JAMES'S "F4 ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D /EPP$
BACK 9 4APPO9T;T4 8,OH10 %E SD1 8,K>L40
  ,! O!R BOYS ?"U$ AWAY 9 9DI6];E4
,JAMES'S :OLE FACE LIT UP4 8,DAD6 ,Y
CAME40
  ,JAMES'S "F 0 A BIG MAN ) L;GI%    #BD
BR[N HAIR &A MESSY SCRUFF ( BE>D4 ,HE _H
A W>M1 G5TLE SMILE T ,M>V9 LIK$ 2C X
SPR1D ACR 8 FACE S SL[LY T X _H 6BE R1L4
8,HEY1 BU4Y10 HE SD 6,JAMES4 8,( C\RSE
,I CAME '''4 ,X'S YR BIR?"D60 ,HE GRA2$
,JAMES 0BO? %\LD]S & WRAPP$ HM 9 A HUG4
  8,Y C -E 9 =A M9UTE10 ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D
SD CRISPLY1 8B ! BOYS >E AB 6BE PICK$
UP1 & ,I NE$ ,JAMES 6H& \ ! GDY BAGS
:ILE ,I SP1K 6_! P>5TS40
  8,CUTT+ D1LS80 ,K>L ASK$1 / SMIL+4
  8,NO1 NO10 ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D SD 4MISSIVE-
LY1 !N A4$ 9 A L[] VOICE1 8B Y'LL SEE T
,M]$I? ,/E9B]G'S SON IS "H1 & !Y'RE 9 !
M>KET =A CLASSIC SIX1 S X C]TA9LY WDN'T
HURT = ME 6SAY A FEW ^WS 6H]40
  ,M>V9 _H (T5 WOND]$ H[ "S"O L ,K>L
,T]IK CD "E H BE5 M>RI$ 6,MRS4 ,POMPA"D4
,!Y SEEM$ PROF.DLY DI6]5T4 ,HE'D OV]HE>D
,JAMES ASK 8 "F A SIMIL> "Q ONCE1 HESI-
TANTLY1 Z IF HE WASN'T Q SURE HE WANT$
6HE> ! ANSW]4 ,K>L _H SD SIMPLY1 8,YR "M
HAS EXCELL5T TA/E4 ,%E ALW DID1 F ! "D
,I MET H]4 ,AN EYE = B1UTY IS A R>E ?+40
  ,GD TA/E1 6,M>V91 DIDN'T SEEM L    #BE
M* (A F.D,N = LOVE4 ,!N AG1 X _H TURN$ \
N 6BE4
  ,K>L 0 RU6L+ ,JAMES'S HAIR ) "O H&4
8,I BR"\ Y "S?+10 HE SD1 SETT+ A CRUMPL$
PLA/IC %OPP+ BAG ON ! HALLWAY TA#4
  ,M>V9 $G$ AWAY F ! BASEBO>D1 TRY+ TO
SEE4 ,:AT 0 X8 ,:AT WD ,JAMES WANT X TO
BE8
  ,JAMES GR9N$ AT 8 "F & R1*$ 9SIDE4 ,HE
DREW \ A SMALL NAVY BLUE BOX1 : HE OP5$
C>E;LLY4
  8,OH10 HE SD4
  ,M>V9 CLIMB$ QKLY UP "O (! SLIPP]Y
POLI%$ TA# LEGS 6H A LOOK4 ,! BOX 3TA9$
A SQUAT GLASS BOTTLE FILL$ ) D>K LIQUID4
  8,X'S 9K10 SD ,K>L4
  ,JAMES SD NO?+1 TURN+ X OV] 9 8 H&4
,M>V9 CD TELL HE 0 4APPO9T$4
  8,X'S A P5-&-9K SET4 ,= DRAW+40 ,K>L
RU/L$ 9 ! BAG & PULL$ \ A FLAT BLACK
CASE4 8,"H'S ! P54 ,LOOK1 YR 9ITIALS1 S
"EY"O W "K X'S YRS40 ,M>V9 CD SEE T "! 7
?REE CRISP GOLD LRS ON ! TOP4 8,& ,I GOT
Y A PAD ( GD PAP]1 TOO10 ,K>L A4$4
  ,JAMES TILT$ ! BOTTLE ( 9K1        #BF
WAT*+ ! LIQUID %IFT 9SIDE1 CAT*+ ! LI<T4
8,COOL10 HE SD4 ,HE LOOK$ UP AT 8 "F4
8,?ANKS1 ,DAD4 ,X'S RE,Y COOL40
  8,IS T P]MAN5T 9K80 ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D DE-
M&$4 8,DOES X /A980
  8,WELL1 YES '''4 ,T'S :AT Y USE = P5-
&-9K DRAW+S40
  ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D SI<$4 8,X _H BETT] /AY
9 YR ROOM1 ,JAMES4 ,ON YR DESK4 ,I DON'T
WANT 9K SPLATT]$ ALL OV] ! H\SE40 ,%E
%OOK H] H1D4 8,RE,Y1 ,K>L4 ,T DOESN'T
SEEM A V APPROPRIATE GIFT = AN ELEV5-
YE>-OLD40
  ,K>L %IFT$ UNCOM=TABLY4 8,HE'LL 2 C>E-
;L ) X1 Y "K T4 ,JAMES IS C>E;L ) "EY-
?+40
  ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D SNORT$4
  8,X W 2 FUN = HM 6EXP]I;T10 ,K>L SD1
LOOP+ "O >M OV] ,JAMES'S N>R[ %\LD]S &
PULL+ HM CLOSE4 8,LOOK AT ! P51 BU4Y40
  ,JAMES LIFT$ ! P5 & UNSCREW$ ! CAP4
,M>V9 CD SEE T ! P5 0 SLIM & ELEGANT1 )A
DELICATE SILV] NIB4
  8,W[10 ,JAMES SD1 CLE>LY TRY+ 6MU/] "S
5?USIASM4                            #BG
  8,? IS H[ Y FILL X10 ,K>L SD1 DEMON-
/RAT+4 8,WAT* ! POSI;N ( YR H& :ILE Y'RE
DRAW+1 S Y DON'T SME> ! 9K4 ,X'LL TAKE A
:ILE 6GET ! HANG ( X40
  ,! DOORBELL RANG AG4
  8,OH1 "H !Y >E10 ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D CRI$4
8,BOYS6 ,JAMES1 HURRY1 ! GDY BAGS40 ,%E
NUDG$ ,K>L T[>D ! DOOR4 8,Y C %[ ALL ?
6HM TM :5 HE'S ) Y10 %E SD4 8,Y'LL PICK
HM UP AT NOON80
  8,Y1H1 OR A LL AF4 ,T OKAY1 ,JAMES80
  ,JAMES LOOK$ F 8 "F 6HIS "M & NO4$ QK-
LY4 8,SURE1 ,DAD40
  ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D PURS$ H] LIPS1 SWEEP+
PA/ HM4 8,WELL1 ,I'D L 6"K :AT "T 6EX-
PECT Y4 ,WE H PLANS TM AFN4 ,IF Y'RE GO+
6C.EL L LA/ "T1 Y NE$ 6AT L1/ CALL6 ,X
ISN'T FAIR 6,JAMES1 & X C]TA9LY ISN'T
FAIR 6ME4 ,I H A LIFE TOO1 Y "K40
  8,SORRY AB T10 ,K>L SD %EEPI%LY4
8,/UFF -ES UP1 T'S ALL40
  ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D SWUNG OP5 ! DOOR &
SMIL$ BROADLY4 8,JULIE6 ,WE'VE _H ! MO/
WOND];L "T2 WE DIDN'T EV5 NOTICE X 0 S
LATE4 ,Y'RE GO+ 6H TR\# DRA7+ ,RY-   #BH
AN AWAY6 ,OH1 ? IS ,JAMES'S "F1 ,K>L
,T]IK4 ,YES1 T'S "R1 ! >TI/4 ,HE'S J
L1V+40





















                   #D                #BI
          ,A ,PRES5T = ,JAMES

  ,T NI<T1 :5 ! H\SE 0 QUIET1 ,M>V9 &
,ELA9E SORT$ "? ! TR1SURE BOX4 ,_! P>5TS
7 PLAY+ A GAME ( /APLES 9 ! O!R ROOM4
,/APLES 0 ! BEETLES' MODIFI$ V].N (! HU-
MAN GAME HORSE%OES1 9 : TWO T1MS ?REW
/APLES AT BROK5 TOO?PICKS /UCK 9 !
FLOOR4 ,2C EA* BEETLE CD ?R[ Z _M Z F\R
/APLES AT ONCE1 US+ 8 FRONT LEGS1 ! AIR
0 FILL$ ) %>P :IZZ+ OBJECTS1 &! GR[N-UPS
PREF]R$ 6SEQUE/] ! *N 9 ANO!R "P (! H\SE
2F !Y 2GAN4
  8,WAT* \1 ,ALB]T60 ,M>V9 HE>D 8 "M
CRY4 8,WE H 5 HOLES 9 ! WALL Z X IS40
  ,M>V9 & ,ELA9E PE]$ 96! TR1SURE BOX1
LOOK+ =! P]FECT GIFT = ,JAMES4 8,"!'S !
NICKEL10 ,M>V9 SD4
  8,OOOO1 A BU6ALO NICKEL60 ,ELA9E CRI$4
8,HE'LL L T1 DON'T Y ?9K8 ,!Y'RE R>E4
,HE C SELL X & BUY "S?+ BETT]4 ,T'S :AT
,I'D D40
  ,M>V9 T\*$ ! DULL SURFACE (! CO94 8,I
GUESS X'S ! BE/ ?+ 9 "H10 HE SD1 8B ,I'D
R GIVE HM "S?+ 6KEEP40               #CJ
  8,WELL1 MAYBE HE W KEEP X10 ,ELA9E SD
*E];LLY4 8,BOYS L 6SAVE ! SILLIE/ ?+S4
,LOOK AT Y ) YR TACK COLLEC;N4 ,:AT W Y
"E USE ^? =80
  8,^? >E .W1PONS10 ,M>V9 PROTE/$4
  ,ELA9E LAU<$ S H>D T %E FELL (F ! $GE
(! BOX & LAY ON H] BACK1 FEET WAV+ 9 !
AIR4 8,OH6 ,HELP ME6 ,M>V91 TURN ME
OV]40
  ,B ,M>V9 IGNOR$ H]4 ,HE BURR[$ "U !
NICKEL & US$ 8 %ELL 6FLIP X \ (! TR1SURE
BOX4 ,!N HE H1V$ X UP"R & ROLL$ X "? !
HOLE 9 ! WALL 96! BLACK EXPANSE (! CUP-
BO>D4
  8,M>V960 ,ELA9E CALL$4 8,-E BACK60

  ,! J\RNEY "? ! D>K A"P;T 6,JAMES'S
ROOM 0 AN >DU\S "O4 ,ROLL+ ! NICKEL ACR
! KIT*5 TILE W5T RELATIVELY SMOO?LY1 B
HOI/+ X OV] ! DOORSILLS LEFT ,M>V9 EX-
HAU/$ & PANT+4 ,HE _H 6WAT* = TR\# E /EP
(! WAY1 N J NI<T-ROV+ ,POMPA"DS1 B !
BOOBY TRAPS ( =GOTT5 GUM OR ,SCOT* TAPE
ON ! FLOOR OR1 WORSE YET1 A =AG+ M\SE4
  ,:5 HE F9,Y R1*$ ,JAMES'S B$-      #CA
ROOM1 HE _H 6SIT =A M9UTE 6CAT* 8 BR1?4
,A /REETLAMP \TSIDE ! W9D[ CA/ DIM LI<T
ACR ! WALLS1 & 9 ! BLUI% BLACK;S ,M>V9
SAW ! M.TA9\S SILH\ETTE ( ,JAMES1 ASLEEP
"U ! BLANKETS4 ,HE HE>D ! BOY'S DEEP
BR1?S4
  ,M>V9 ?"\ AB ! BIR?"D "PY4 ,_H X BE5 A
GD "D = ,JAMES8 ,! BOYS AT ! "PY W]5'T 8
FRS4 ,! PRES5TS _H BE5 AN UN9SPIR$ MIX (
ELECTRONIC GAMES & DESIGN] CLO?+4 ,MRS4
,POMPA"D 0 Z FUSSY & SELF-C5T]$ Z ALW1 &
EV5 ,JAMES'S "F1 :OM ,M>V9 LIK$ A LOT1
_HN'T -E UP )A PRES5T T SEEM$ 6PL1SE 8
SON4 ,M>V9 GL.ED D[N AT ! WORN FACE (!
BU6ALO NICKEL4 ,WD ! CO9 MAKE UP = "EY?+
ELSE8 ,PROBABLY N4
  ,SU45LY1 ,M>V9 FELT S SAD HE CD H>DLY
/& X4 ,A P]SON'S BIR?"D %D 2 A SPECIAL
"D1 A WOND];L "D1 A "D ( PURE CELEBR,N =
! LUCK ( 2+ BORN6 ,& ,JAMES'S BIR?"D _H
BE5 MIS]A#4
  ,M>V9 ROLL$ ! NICKEL 6A PROM95T PLACE
9 ! MI4LE (! FLOOR1 AWAY F ! $GE (! RUG
": X MI<T 2 OV]LOOK$4 ,JAMES WD SEE X
"!4 ,HE LOOK$ >.D ! D>K ROOM "O      #CB
LA/ "T4
  ,!N HE SAW ! BOTTLE ( 9K4 ,X 0 HI< UP
ON ,JAMES'S DESK1 & X APPE>$ 6BE OP54
  ,CURI\S1 ,M>V9 CRAWL$ ACR ! FLOOR 6!
DESK & QKLY CLIMB$ 6! TOP4 ,JAMES _H
SPR1D NEWSPAP] OV] ! DESK & TWO OR ?REE
%EETS (! >T PAP] 8 "F _H GIV5 HM4 ,ON "O
PAGE HE'D MADE "S EXP]I;TAL SCRIB#S & _H
WRITT5 8 "N4 ,! P51 N1TLY CAPP$1 RE/$ AT
! $GE (! PAP]1 B ! BOTTLE ( 9K /OOD OP51
GL9T+ 9 ! W1K LI<T4
  ,)\T RE,Y ?9K+ AB :AT HE 0 DO+1 ,M>V9
CRAWL$ 6! CAP (! BOTTLE & DIPP$ 8 TWO
FRONT LEGS 9 ! 9K T _H POOL$ 9SIDE4 ,ON
8 CL1N H9D LEGS1 HE BACK$ OV] 6AN UNUS$
%EET ( PAP]4 ,HE LOOK$ \ ! W9D[ AT !
NI<TSCAPE (! /REET3 ! BR[N/"O OPPOSITE )
XS R[S ( D>K5$ W9D[S1 ! SN[-DU/$ RO(TOP1
! /REETLAMP1 ! NAK$1 SPID]Y BRAN*ES (A
S+LE TREE4 ,G5TLY1 DELICATELY1 &) IMM5SE
3C5TR,N1 ,M>V9 L[]$ 8 FRONT LEGS & 2GAN
6DRAW4
  ,! 9K FL[$ SMOO?LY (F 8 LEGS ACR !
PAGE4 ,?\< HE'D N"E D"O ANY?+ L ? 2F1 X
SEEM$ -PLETELY NATURAL1 EV5 UN/OP-   #CC
PA#4 ,HE KEPT GLANC+ UP1 TRAC+ ! DETAILS
(! SC5E ) 8 EYES1 !N TRANSF]R+ !M ONTO !
PAP]4 ,X 0 Z IF 8 LEGS _H BE5 WAIT+ ALL
_! LIVES = ? 9K1 ? PAGE1 ? LAMP-LIT W9D[
VIEW4 ,"! 0 NO WAY 6DESCRIBE ! FEEL+4 ,X
?RILL$ ,M>V9 6HIS V CORE4
  ,HE DREW & DREW1 LOS+ ALL S5SE ( "T4
,HE MOV$ BACK & =? 2T ! 9K CAP &! PAP]1
DIPP+ 8 FRONT LEGS G5TLY 9 ! PU4LE (
BLACK 9K1 ALW C>E;L N 6SME> 8 PREVI\S
"W4 ,HE WAT*$ ! PICTURE TAKE %APE 2F 8
EYES4 ,X 0 A -PLICAT$ ?AT*+ ( L9ES &
:IRLS T LOOK$ L AN AB/RACT DESIGN UP
CLOSE1 Z ,M>V9 L1N$ OV] X4 ,B Z HE BACK$
AWAY1 X TRANS=M$ 96A METICUL\S PORTRAIT
(! C;YSCAPE3 A T9Y1 DETAIL$ REPLICA (!
W9T] SC5E \TSIDE ! W9D[4
  ,& !N ! LI<T *ANG$4 ,! SKY TURN$ F
BLACK 6D>K BLUE 6GRAY1 ! /REETLAMP %UT
(F1 & ,JAMES'S ROOM 0 FILL$ )! NOISE (!
C;Y WAK+4 ,A G>BAGE TRUCK GROAN$ & BANG$
Z X PASS$ ON ! /REET 2L4 ,JAMES /IRR$ 2N
8 B$COV]S4 ,M>V91 DESP]ATE 6F9I% 8 PIC-
TURE 2F ! BOY AWAK5$1 HURRI$ 2T ! PAGE &
! 9K CAP1 : 0 ALM \ ( 9K4 ,AT LA/    #CD
HE /OPP$1 SURVEY+ 8 M9IATURE SC5E4
  ,X 0 F9I%$4
  ,X 0 P]FECT4
  ,X 0 BR1?TAK+4
  ,M>V9'S HE>T SWELL$4 ,HE FELT T HE _H
N"E D"O ANY?+ S F9E OR IMPORTANT 9 8
5TIRE LIFE4 ,HE WIP$ 8 9K-SOAK$ =ELEGS
ON ! NEWSPAP] & SCURRI$ 2H ! DESK LAMP1
BUR/+ ) PRIDE1 9 A FEV] ( ANTICIP,N1 J Z
,JAMES ?REW (F 8 BLANKETS4
  ,JAMES /UM#D \ ( B$ & /OOD 9 ! C5T] (!
B$ROOM1 RU2+ 8 FACE4 ,HE LOOK$ >.D GROG-
GILY1 !N /RAI<T5$1 8 EYES LI<T+ ON !
FLOOR4
  8,HEY10 HE SD S(TLY4 ,HE PA4$ OV] 6!
NICKEL & CR\*$1 PICK+ X UP4
  .,GD .= .,JAMES1 ?"\ ,M>V94 ,( C\RSE
"! 0 NO R1SON 6WORRY T HE'D OV]LOOK X4
  ,JAMES TURN$ ! CO9 OV] 9 8 PALM &
SMIL$4 8,HUH10 HE SD1 WALK+ T[>D 8 DESK4
8,I WOND] ": ? CAME F40
  ,M>V9 /I65$ & RETR1T$ F>!R 2H ! DESK
LAMP4
  ,JAMES GASP$4
  ,M>V9 WAT*$ ,JAMES'S PALE FACE1    #CE
8 EYES HUGE Z HE />$ AT ! DRAW+4 ,HE QK-
LY LOOK$ 2H HM1 Z IF ! ROOM MI<T HOLD "S
CLUE T WD EXPLA9 :AT HE SAW ON 8 DESK4
  ,!N SL[LY1 BR[S FURR[$1 ,JAMES PULL$ \
! *AIR & SAT D[N4 ,HE L1N$ OV] ! PIC-
TURE4 8,W[10 HE SD4 8,W[60
  ,M>V9 /RAI<T5$ ) PRIDE4
  ,JAMES KEPT EXAM9+ ! DRAW+1 !N ! SC5E
"? ! W9D[1 :ISP]+ 6HMF4 8,X'S EXACTLY L
:AT'S \TSIDE6 ,X'S L A TE5Y-T9Y PICTURE
(! /REET6 ,? IS AMAZ+40
  ,M>V9 CREPT >.D ! BASE (! LAMP S HE CD
HE> ! BOY BETT]4
  8,B ''' H[80 ,JAMES PICK$ UP ! P5 &
UNCAPP$ X1 SQU9T+4 ,HE LIFT$ ! BOTTLE (
9K & FR[N$1 SCREW+ ! 9K CAP BACK ON4
8,:O DID ?80 HE ASK$1 />+ AG AT ! PIC-
TURE4
  ,& !N1 )\T PLANN+ TO--)\T M1N+ TO1 )\T
"E ?9K+ =A MO;T (! 3SEQU;ES--,M>V9 F.D
HMF CRAWL+ \ 96! OP51 ACR ! VA/ DESKTOP1
DIRECTLY 9 FRONT ( ,JAMES4 ,HE /OPP$ AT
! $GE (! PICTURE & WAIT$1 UNA# 6BR1!4
  ,JAMES />$ AT HM4
  ,AF A L;G1 9T]M9A# SIL;E1 DUR+ :   #CF
,M>V9 ALM DA%$ 6! GROOV$ SAFETY (! WA9-
SCOT+ 2H ! DESK1 ,JAMES SPOKE4
  8,X 0 Y1 WASN'T X80 HE SD4
  ,M>V9 WAIT$4
  8,B H[80
  ,M>V9 HESITAT$4 ,HE CRAWL$ OV] 6! BOT-
TLE ( 9K4
  ,JAMES R1*$ ACR ! DESK1 & ,M>V9 CR+$ Z
ENORM\S P9KI% F+]S SWEPT TREMBL+LY CLOSE
6HIS %ELL4 ,B ! BOY AVOID$ HM1 C>E;LLY
LIFT+ ! BOTTLE & %AK+ X4 ,HE UNSCREW$ !
CAP & SET X D[N NEXT 6,M>V94
  8,%[ ME10 HE :ISP]$4
  ,M>V9 DIPP$ 8 TWO FRONT LEGS 9 ! 9K
CAP & WALK$ ACR ! PAGE 6HIS PICTURE4
,UNWILL+ 6*ANGE ! DETAILS (! IMAGE1 HE
M]ELY TRAC$ ! L9E T FRAM$ X1 !N /EPP$
BACK4
  8,) YR LEGS8 ,L T8 ,DIPP+ !M 9 ! 9K80
,A WIDE GR9 FULL ( WOND];T & DELI<T
SPR1D ACR ,JAMES'S FACE4 8,Y RE,Y DID T6
,A BUG6 ,T'S ! MO/ 9CR$I# ?+ ,I "E1 "E1
"E SAW 9 MY :OLE 5TIRE LIFE60
  ,M>V9 B1M$ UP AT HM4
  8,&) MY BIR?"D PRES5T TOO6 ,Y      #CG
CDN'T H D"O X )\T MY BIR?"D PRES5T40 ,8
VOICE ROSE EXCIT$LY Z HE L1N$ CLOS] TO
,M>V91 8 W>M BR1? ALM BLA/+ ,M>V9 OV]4
  8,X'S L WE'RE A T1M4 ,& Y "K :AT8 ,I
DIDN'T EV5 WANT ? BIR?"D PRES5T 2F4 ,I
?"\1 ,8,:AT AM ,I GO+ 6D ) ?8 ,I'M N L
MY DAD4 ,I DON'T EV5 "K H[ 6DRAW40' ,B
N[1 X'S ! BE/ GIFT ,I "E GOT4 ,? BIR?"D
IS ! BE/ "O "E60
  ,M>V9 SMIL$ HAPPILY4 ,HE R1LIZ$ T
,JAMES CD N = "O M9UTE SEE 8 EXPRES.N1 B
HE SUSPECT$ "SH[ T ! BOY KNEW ANYWAY4
  ,J !N1 !Y HE>D A NOISE 9 ! HALLWAY &
,MRS4 ,POMPA"D'S VOICE3 8,JAMES1 :AT >E
Y DO+ 9 "!8 ,:O >E Y TALK+ TO80
  ,M>V9 DOVE = COV]1 SQUEEZ+ "U ,JAMES'S
*9A PI7Y BANK AT ! EXACT MO;T T ,MRS4
,POMPA"D SWEPT 96! ROOM4






                                     #CH
























                   #E                #CI
            8,X'S REM>KA#60

  ,JAMES L1PT AWAY F ! DESK4 8,HI1
,MOM10 HE SD N]V\SLY4 8,I'M1 UM1 J GETT+
R1DY = *UR*40
  8,WELL1 Y NE$ 6HURRY1 DE>40 ,8 "M L1N$
OV] 6KISS ,JAMES ON ! *EEK1 BALANC+
,WILLIAM ON H] HIP4 ,! BABY FLUNG HMF =-
W>D1 BURBL+ EXCIT$LY4 8,YA ,,YA6 ,YA
YA60
  ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D TRI$ 6RE/RA9 HM4 8,YES1
,WILLIAM1 T'S ,,JAMES4 ,C Y SAY
,8,JA-,JA-,JA-,JAMES0'80 ,:5 ! BABY
GRA2$ A FI/;L ( H] JACKET1 %E *ID$1
8,DON'T MUSS ,MOMMY'S NICE BLAZ]10 !N
REDIRECT$ H] ATT5;N 6H] OLD] SON4 8,WE
DON'T WANT 6BE LATE1 ,JAMES4 ,"EY"O 9 ?
H\SE IS S SL[ 9 ! MORN+S6 ,"S"TS ,I ?9K
,I'M ! ONLY "O :O C>ES AB LOOK+ PRES5TA#
& 2+ ON "T40 ,%E *ECK$ H] HAIR 9
,JAMES'S MIRROR1 PATT+ X APPROV+LY4 8,:O
7 Y TALK+ TO80
  8,NOBODY10 ,JAMES SD4 8,J MYF40
  8,WELL1 TRY N 6D T4 ,X'S N NORMAL4
,OH1 ,I DON'T WANT 6SEE T 9K BOT-    #DJ
TLE UNCAPP$1 ,JAMES6 ,X'LL GET KNOCK$
OV]4 ,Y PROMIS$ 6BE--0
  ,JAMES HURRI$LY %U6L$ ! PAGES ON !
DESK1 TRY+ 6HIDE ,M>V9'S DRAW+4 ,B HE
WASN'T FA/ 5\<4 ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D M>*$ ACR
! ROOM & LIFT$ ! PAP]4
  8,:AT'S ?80
  ,JAMES HESITAT$4 ,HE LOOK$ 9 ! DIREC;N
(! PI7Y BANK1 ": ,M>V9 CR\*$ \ ( SI<T4
8,NO?+4 ,J ''' J A PICTURE40
  8,YES1 ,I C SEE T40 ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D
TURN$ ! PAGE 9 H] H&1 /UDY+ X4 8,": DID
Y GET X80
  .,DON'T .TELL .H]1 ,M>V9 ?"\4 ..,PL1SE
DON'T TELL .H]4
  ,HE _H A SU45 "U/&+ ( H[ GRAVE A RISK
HE'D TAK53 DRAW+ ! PICTURE1 %[+ HMF TO
,JAMES1 TAK+ CR$IT =! >T"W4 ,N ONLY 0 HE
P]SON,Y 9 DANG] IF ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D R1LIZ$
A BEETLE _H D"O ! DRAW+1 B 8 :OLE FAMILY
WD 2 9 JEOP>DY Z SOON Z %E 4COV]$ "! 7
BEETLES 9 ! H\SE ''' >TI/IC,Y TAL5T$ "OS
OR N4 ,%E WASN'T A WOMAN )A TOL].E =
BUGS4
  ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D 3T9U$ 6/>E AT !     #DA
PICTURE4 8,DID X -E )! 9K SET1 Z AN EX-
AMPLE80 %E ASK$4 ,%E TURN$ SL[LY T[>D !
W9D[1 / HOLD+ ! PAGE4 8,OH ''' :Y '''
OH1 MY GD;S6 ,JAMES6 ,DID Y DRAW ?8 ,:Y1
X'S ''' ,I C'T 2LIEVE X4 ,X'S REM>KA#60
  ,M>V9 WAT*$ ,JAMES'S FACE F 8 VIEWPO9T
"U ! PI7Y BANK4 ,HE SAW S _M FEEL+S *ASE
ACR X--WORRY1 !N SURPRISE1 !N A FLA% (
PURE JOY Z 8 "M EXCLAIM$ OV] ! DRAW+4
  8,JAMES1 ,I _H NO IDEA Y CD DRAW L ?40
,WILLIAM LUNG$ =! PAP] & ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D
RAIS$ X \ ( 8 R1*4 8,NO1 ,WILLIAM1 M/N'T
T\*40 ,%E HELD X AT >M'S L5G?1 SCRUT9IZ+
X4 8,I DON'T "U/& :Y YR >T T1*] AT S*OOL
HASN'T SPOK5 6ME4 ,Y'VE A FANTA/IC TAL-
5T1 DE>60
  ,M>V9 SAW ,JAMES OP5 8 M\? 6PROTE/1 !N
W1KLY CLOSE X4 ,8 "M 3T9U$ 6GU%4 8,? IS
--WELL1 X'S A/.D+1 T'S :AT X IS4 ,S*
CUNN+ DETAIL4 ,I M/ %[ X 6,BOB40
  ,%E CALL$ REP1T$LY = ,MR4 ,POMPA"D1 :O
EV5TU,Y APPE>$ 9 ! DOORWAY1 TI<T5+ 8
TIE4 8,YES8 ,:AT'S ! FUSS80
  8,BOB1 LOOK AT ?4 ,LOOK AT ! WOND];L
PICTURE \R ,JAMES HAS MADE40         #DB
  ,MR4 ,POMPA"D 3SID]$ ! DRAW+ & H>-
RUMPH$4 8,JAMES CDN'T H DRAWN T4 ,X
LOOKS L "S K9D ( MUSEUM REPRODUC;N1 L "O
( ^? OLD 5GRAV+S40
  8,I "K1 ,I "K10 ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D AGRE$4
8,T'S :AT ,I ?"\ MYF4 ,B1 LOOK1 X'S !
SC5E \TSIDE ,JAMES'S W9D[6 ,HE DREW X )
8 NEW P5-&-9K SET40
  ,MR4 ,POMPA"D TOOK ! PAP] & WALK$ 6!
W9D[4 ,HE SURVEY$ ! /REET & LOOK$ BACK
AT ! PICTURE4 8,HUH10 HE SD4 8,S X IS40
,HE SQU9T$ IRRITABLY AT ,JAMES4 8,":'D Y
GET ! >T SET80
  8,F MY DAD10 ,JAMES SD1 LOOK+ D[N4 8,=
MY BIR?"D40
  8,T'S "R1 ,K>L /OPP$ 0YE/]"D10 ,MRS4
,POMPA"D A4$ 9 A RU%4 8,DROPP$ (F A P5-
&-9K SET = ,JAMES4 ,I DIDN'T ?9K M* (!
IDEA1 MYF4 ,AN ELEV5-YE>-OLD BOY US+ P]-
MAN5T 9K8 ,B LOOK :AT ,JAMES MADE6 ,HON-
E/LY1 ,I C H>DLY 2LIEVE X4 ,I N"E IMAG9$
HE _H ? K9D ( GIFT60
  ,M>V9 W9C$4
  ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D W5T ON1 8,I SUPPOSE1 )
8 "F 2+ AN >TI/1 ,I DID SUSPECT T    #DC
,JAMES MI<T H "S SORT ( APTITUDE 9 T
>EA1 B RE,Y--0
  ,MR4 ,POMPA"D FR[N$4 8,K>L6 ,? IS M*
BETT] ?AN T HOGWA% ,K>L PA9TS4 ,? ACTU,Y
LOOKS L "S?+40
  8,I "K4 ,ISN'T X SPL5DID8 ,I C'T WAIT
6%[ X 6! ,MORTONS4 ,!Y'RE ALW PUR*AS+ ^?
FANCY LL SKET*ES AT ,SO!BY'S = \TRAGE\S
SUMS4 ,WAIT TILL !Y SEE :AT MY [N * HAS
DRAWN40 ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D SQUEEZ$ ,JAMES'S
%\LD]1 & ,WILLIAM R1*$ =A FI/;L ( 8
HAIR4 ,JAMES SMIL$ UNC]TA9LY1 BATT+
,WILLIAM'S H& AWAY4
  8,WELL1 UM1 %D ,I GET R1DY = *UR*80 HE
ASK$4
  8,LOOK AT ! "T60 ,MR4 ,POMPA"D SNAPP$4
8,YES1 HURRY UP1 ,JAMES4 ,WE H 6L1VE 9
TW5TY M9UTES40 ,HE GRA2$ ,WILLIAM F 8
WIFE & /OMP$ 96! HALL4
  ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D />T$ 6FOLL[ HM1 ! DRAW+
9 H] H&4 ,B ,JAMES T\*$ H] SLEEVE4
8,MOM1 CD ,I KEEP ! PICTURE "H8 ,) MY 9K
SET80
  8,OH40 ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D HESITAT$4 8,YES1
( C\RSE4 ,I'D L 6%[ X 6A FEW P1      #DD
T'S ALL4 ,X RE,Y IS S LOVELY40 ,%E PLAC$
X REGRET;LLY ON ! DESK4 8,Y'LL 2 C>E;L1
WON'T Y1 ,JAMES8 ,N 6SPILL ANY?+ ON X8
,P]H Y CD "W ON ANO!R "O ? AFN40
  ,JAMES %OT AN AWKW>D GL.E AT ,M>V94
8,I DON'T "K1 ,MOM ''' MAYBE4 ,B ,DAD'S
-+1 REMEMB]8 ,& X WD TAKE ME A :ILE40
  8,OH1 ,I C IMAG9E X WD6 ,I DON'T "K :5
Y F.D "T = X YE/]"D1 )! "PY & "EY?+
ELSE40 ,%E SMIL$ AT HM AG4 8,I C'T BE-
LIEVE Y 7 A# 6DRAW ?1 ,JAMES4 ,& ?9K3
,IF Y _HN'T GOTT5 T 9K SET1 WE MI<T N"E
H 4COV]$ ? FABUL\S TAL5T ( YRS60
  ,Z %E CLICK$ \ (! ROOM1 "S?+ AB H] AP-
PROV+ GAZE REM9D$ ,M>V9 ( 8 [N "M1 :O WD
2 FRANTIC ) WORRY BACK AT HOME4 ,HE'D
BE5 G"O ALL NI<T4 ,8 P>5TS WD H NO IDEA
:AT _H HAPP5$ 6HM4 ,)! COA/ CLE>1 HE SP$
ACR ! DESKTOP & D[N ! WOOD5 LEG 6!
FLOOR4
  8,WAIT60 ,JAMES CRI$4 8,": >E Y GO+80
  ,B ,M>V9 DA%$ AWAY1 FEEL+ -=T+LY C]TA9
T 8 NEW FR WDN'T TRY 6/OP HM4

                   #F                #DE
          ,A ,NEW ,K9D ( ,TR\#

  ,:5 ,M>V9 F9,Y CRAWL$ "? ! CUPBO>D
WALL 96! FAMILY'S LIV+ ROOM1 HE 0 GREET$
0A DOZ5 ( 8 RELATIVES 9 AN ANXI\S HU4LE4
,_! FACES LIT ) RELIEF :5 !Y SAW HM4
,ONLY C\S9 ,ELA9E SEEM$ "S:AT LET D[N4
  ,8 "M RU%$ 6HM1 GA!R+ HM 9 H] _M LEGS4
8,M>V96 ,OH1 D>L+1 ": 7 Y8 ,Y GAVE U S*
A F"R60
  8,:AT HAPP5$1 SON80 ,PAPA PRESS$4
8,ELA9E SD Y'D G"O 6DELIV] ! NICKEL1 B
:5 ,ALB]T & ,I W5T LOOK+ = Y1 WE CDN'T
F9D Y ANY":40
  8,WE ?"\ "S?+ T]RI# _H HAPP5$ 6Y10
,ELA9E A4$1 H] VOICE GRAVE4 8,:Y1 X CD H
BE5 ANY?+4 ,Y MI<T H CAU<T A LEG 9 "O (!
FLOORBO>DS1 OR ! NICKEL CD H FALL5 ON
TOP ( Y1 OR Y MI<T H BE5 CRU%$ "UFOOT BY
"O (! ,POMPA"DS MAK+ A MIDNI<T TRIP 6!
BA?--0
  8,T'S 5\<1 ,ELA9E10 ,UNCLE ,ALB]T SD
SEV]ELY4
  ,B ,M>V9'S GR&"M 0 N S EASILY QUIET$4
8,M>V91 ,M>V96 ,H Y =GOTT5 AB ,UN-   #DF
CLE ,GEORGE80 %E CRI$1 HU7+ HM CLOSE4
8,IS LIFE S *1P80
  ,M>V9 SI<$4 ,( C\RSE HE _HN'T =GOTT5
AB ,UNCLE ,GEORGE4 ,:O CD =GET AB ,UNCLE
,GEORGE1 ^: FATE 0 ! SUBJECT ( FREQU5T
CAU;N>Y LECTURES 0! ADULTS 9 ! FAMILY8
,! L1D TUBA PLAY] 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD B&1
,UNCLE ,GEORGE _H V5TUR$ \ "O NI<T )!
BASS GUIT>I/ 6RETRIEVE A PIECE ( DRY
MAC>ONI 7HIS PREF]R$ 9/RU;T7 F 2N !
/OVE4 ,!Y 7 9T]CEPT$ 0A "PICUL>LY BOLD &
HUNGRY M\SE4 ,! GUIT>I/ ESCAP$1 B ,UNCLE
,GEORGE 0 N S LUCKY4
  8,I'M SORRY10 ,M>V9 SD4 8,I DIDN'T M1N
= ANY"O 6WORRY4 ,I 0 9 ,JAMES'S ROOM1 UP
ON 8 DESK4 ,T'S :Y Y DIDN'T SEE ME1
,PAPA40
  8,B1 D>L+1 :AT"E 7 Y DO+ "!80 ,MAMA
ASK$ ANXI\SLY4 8,JAMES ISN'T ALL[$ 6EAT
9 8 ROOM1 Y "K T4 ,"! WDN'T H BE5 ANY
FOOD40
  8,NO1 ,I WASN'T LOOK+ = FOOD40 ,M>V9
HESITAT$1 SCANN+ ! R+ ( PUZZL$ FACES4
,EV5 8 C\S9 ,BILLY1 ! WILD "O :O'D LO/ A
LEG SURF+ 9 ! G>BAGE 4POSAL1 _H      #DG
N"E G"O MISS+ = AN 5TIRE NI<T4 ,9 ! BEE-
TLES' _W1 T 9EVITABLY SPELL$ DOOM4 ,"! 7
TOO _M ?+S T CD G WR;G4
  8,!N :AT1 ,M>V980 ,PAPA ASK$4 8,:AT 7
Y DO+80
  8,I--0 ,M>V9 DIDN'T "K H[ 6EXPLA9 X4
,! WOND] (! DRAW+ SEEM$ TOO NEW 6HM1 TOO
FRAGILE 6%>E ) 8 FAMILY4 ,HE TOOK A DEEP
BR1?4 8,I WANT$ 6D "S?+ = ,JAMES1 2C 8
BIR?"D "PY 0 S AW;L4 ,Y "K H[ HE GOT T
9K SET F 8 DAD8 ,WELL1 X 0 ON ! DESK1 )!
CAP (F40
  8,DON'T TELL ME Y FELL IN60 ,MAMA
GASP$4
  8,NO6 ,NO1 ,MAMA40
  ,! FAMILY WAIT$4
  8,I DIPP$ MY FRONT LEGS 9 ! 9K & DREW
A PICTURE = HM40
  ,! ROOM FELL SIL5T4 ,M>V9 LOOK$ F 8 "M
6HIS "F4
  8,A .PICTURE80 ,PAPA ASK$4 8,:AT K9D (
PICTURE80
  8,! SC5E \TSIDE 8 W9D[10 ,M>V9 MUM#D1
/UDY+ ! FLOOR4 8,! BUILD+ ACR ! /REET1 )
! TREE &! /REETLAMP4 ,J A T9Y        #DH
PICTURE ( X40
  8,B1 ,M>V910 ,MAMA SD S(TLY4 8,Y CD H
BE5 CAU<T4 ,& N[ ''' ! PICTURE ''' WELL1
:AT W ,JAMES ?9K8 ,IS X EV5 BIG 5 = HM
6SEE X8 ,& IF X IS1 :O W HE ?9K DREW S*
A ?+8 ,HE'S TOO OLD 62LIEVE 9 FAIRIES40
  ,M>V9 PAUS$4 8,HE "KS ,I DID X40
  8,,:AT80 ,! CRY CAME 9 UNISON F !
ASSEM#D RELATIVES1 _! FACES FROZ5 9
HORROR4
  ,M>V9 HURRI$LY EXPLA9$ :AT _H HAPP5$4
8,B ,JAMES WON'T TELL ANY"O4 ,I "K HE
WON'T4 ,HE WDN'T D ANY?+ 6GET ME 9
TR\#40
  ,MAMA %OOK H] H1D4 8,M>V91 ,I "K Y L
,JAMES--WE ALL D--B HE'S A ,,HUMAN4 ,HE
HAS NO LOYALTY 6\R K9D4 ,HUMANS C'T 2
TRU/$40
  ,PAPA TURN$ 6,UNCLE ,ALB]T4 8,WE'LL H
6GET ! DRAW+4 ,T'S ! ONLY ANSW]40
  8,NO1 ,PAPA1 Y C'T60 ,M>V9 CRI$4 8,X 0
A PRES5T = ,JAMES4 ,I MADE X = HM4 ,&
,MR4 & ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D H SE5 X N[4 ,!Y
?9K HE 0 ! "O :O DREW X4 ,Y %D H SE5 H[
HAPPY T MADE HM6 ,Y C'T J TAKE X     #DI
AWAY40
  8,M>V910 8 "F SD /]NLY4 8,I DON'T ?9K
Y "U/& ! GRAV;Y ( ? SITU,N40
  ,8 GR&"M NO4$4 8,I "K Y M1NT WELL1 DE>
BOY1 B T DRAW+ 5DANG]S ALL ( U40
  ,M>V9 TURN$ DESP]ATELY 6HIS "M1 B H]
RESPONSE 0 FIRM4 8,JAMES C'T KEEP X1 D>-
L+1 ESPECI,Y N[ T HE "KS Y'RE RESPON-
SI#40
  ,"! 0 A MURMUR ( ASS5T F ! RELATIVES4
  8,Y'LL H 6GET X BACK40
  8,G N[1 :ILE !Y'RE AT *UR*40
  8,PAP]'S H1VY4 ,Y'LL NE$ A FEW EXTRA
LEGS40
  ,M>V9 LOOK$ >.D ! ROOM 9 UTT] DEJEC;N4
  8,OKAY10 HE SD F9,Y4
  ,MIS]ABLY1 HE L$ A SMALL POSSE ( BEE-
TLES--3SI/+ ( 8 P>5TS1 ,UNCLE ,ALB]T1
,UNCLE ,T$1 & ,ELA9E--\ (! CUPBO>D & "?
! QUIET A"P;T 9 ! DIREC;N ( ,JAMES'S
ROOM4

  ,:5 ! SIX BEETLES F9,Y R1*$ ! DESKTOP1
! PICTURE 0 "R ": ,JAMES _H LEFT X1 RE/+
AT AN ANGLE ATOP ! SCATT]$ %EETS (   #EJ
NEWSPAP]4 ,M>V9 FELT 8 HE>T L1P WILDLY
AT ! SI<T ( X4 ,8 P>5TS /OPP$ D1D 9 _!
TRACKS4
  8.,M>V910 ,MAMA SD1 H] VOICE HU%$4
  ,PAPA'S JAW DROPP$4 8,SON1 Y .MADE ?80
  ,ELA9E CRAWL$ EAG]LY ACR ! PAP]1 GU%+
PRAISE4 8,M>V91 X'S B1UTI;L6 ,! L9ES >E
S LL & N1T4 ,X LOOKS EXACTLY L :AT'S \T-
SIDE6 ,& Y DREW X 9 ! D>K TOO4 ,I'D L TO
SEE A HUMAN TRY T4 ,!Y C'T SEE = B1NS AT
NI<T40
  8,X'S /UNN+1 MY BOY10 ,UNCLE ,ALB]T
AGRE$4 8,"!'S NO O!R ^W = X40
  ,UNCLE ,T$ CLAPP$ ,MAMA ON ! BACK4
8,M>V9'S AN >TI/6 ,WE'VE GOT A R1L >TI/
9 ! FAMILY6 ,D Y REMEMB] ,J1NNIE'S MU-
RALS1 ! "OS %E MADE ) TOO?PA/E8 ,%E
WASN'T NE>LY ? GD40
  ,M>V9 GL[$ ) PRIDE4
  ,MAMA /ROK$ 8 %ELL4 8,X'S A M>VEL\S
PICTURE1 D>L+4 ,J M>VEL\S ''' S B1UTI;L
& TRUE4 ,I C'T IMAG9E H[ Y DID X4 ,NO
WOND] ,JAMES 0 PL1S$4 ,:AT A GIFT60
  ,PAPA /UDI$ ! DRAW+ REGRET;LLY4 8,&
:AT A %AME WE H 6TAKE X AWAY40       #EA
  ,J !N !Y HE>D ! FRONT DOOR UNLAT* &A
-MO;N 9 ! FOY]1 PUNCTUAT$ 0,WILLIAM'S
TRADEM>K BELL[4
  8,OH6 ,! ,POMPA"DS >E HOME F *UR*60
,MAMA CRI$4 8,QK1 TRY 6LIFT X40
  ,! BEETLES SURR.D$ ! PAP]1 "O AT EA*
5D1 TWO ON ! L;G SIDES1 & W$G$ _! %ELLS
"U ! $GES4 ,!Y CD HE> ,JAMES'S SN1K]$
FEET ?U4+ D[N ! HALL4
  8,"!'S NO "T10 ,PAPA HISS$4 8,WE C'T D
X40
  8,HURRY1 "EY"O1 "U ! PI7Y BANK & D[N !
WALL10 ,UNCLE ,T$ ORD]$4
  8,:AT-->E WE J GO+ 6L1VE ,M>V9'S PIC-
TURE80 ,ELA9E PROTE/$4 8,AF ALL ?1 WE'RE
N TAK+ X ) U80
  8,ELA9E1 HU%10 ,UNCLE ,ALB]T SCOLD$4
8,JAMES W 2 "H 9 "O SECOND40
  ,! BEETLES DA%$ = COV] J Z ,JAMES CAME
RAC+ 96! ROOM4 ,!Y CLU/]$ =A MO;T 2N !
PI7Y BANK1 !N ,UNCLE ,T$ CLIMB$ F ! DESK
6! GROOV$ WA9SCOT+ & />T$ D[N ! WALL1
L1D+ ! WAY4
  ,M>V9 HUNG BACK 9 ! %AD[ (! PI7Y BANK4
8,PAPA10 HE :ISP]$1 8C ,I /AY =A     #EB
LL :ILE8 ,I WANT 6SEE :AT HE'LL D )!
DRAW+40
  ,8 "F HESITAT$1 POIS$ 2T ! WOOD5 $GE
(! DESK &! WALL4 8,I DON'T ?9K T'S A GD
IDEA1 SON40
  8,B HE MI<T MOVE X1 & T WAY ,I'LL "K
": X IS40
  ,PAPA FR[N$1 3SID]+4 8,I SUPPOSE T WD
2 HELP;L40 ,8 EYES FOLL[$ ! RETR1T+ L9E
( BEETLES1 ALR HALFWAY D[N ! WALL4 8,ALL
"R10 HE DECID$4 8,B Y NE$ 6KEEP YRF HI45
? "T1 ,M>V94 ,D Y "U/&8 ,& WE'LL EXPECT
Y HOME 0D9N]40
  8,OH1 ,I W BE1 ,PAPA60 ,M>V9 PROMIS$4
8,T'S H\RS & H\RS AWAY40









                   #G                #EC
          8,X CD 2 A ,D@UR]40

  ,CAUTI\SLY1 ,M>V9 CRAWL$ OV] 6HIS PRE-
F]R$ SPY+ PLACE 2H ! DESK LAMP1 WAT*+
,JAMES ! :OLE "T4 ,JAMES 0 L1N+ OV] !
DRAW+1 /UDY+ X1 8 FACE TRANSFIX$ 9 A
SMILE4 ,SU45LY1 HE LOOK$ UP4 ,HE PE]$
>.D ! TOP (! DESK4
  8,HEY1 LL GUY10 HE SD S(TLY4
  ,M>V9 /I65$4 ,HE'D ?"\ HE 0 WELL HI45
2H ! LAMP'S BRASS BASE1 B ,JAMES'S VOICE
SU7E/$ O!RWISE4 ,REMEMB]+ ,PAPA'S W>N+1
HE FLATT5$ HMF & SLID "PWAY "U ! LAMP4
  ,JAMES KEPT TALK+1 8 VOICE CALM4 8,LL
GUY1 T'S :AT ,I'LL CALL Y ''' 2C Y >E A
RE,Y LL GUY40 ,HE HESITAT$4 8,UN.S Y'RE
A GIRL40
  .,,:AT8 ,M>V9 RECOIL$ 9 AL>M1 DESPITE
8 DET]M9,N 6KEEP /4
  8,DON'T 2 SC>$4 ,I WON'T HURT Y10
,JAMES SD4 ,HE 3T9U$ 6/UDY ,M>V94 8,I
DON'T ?9K Y'RE A GIRL4 ,I ?9K Y'RE A
BOY1 L ME40
  ,M>V9 FELT A FLICK] ( RELIEF1 B /AY$
FROZ5 AT ! $GE (! LAMP4              #ED
  8,Y PROBABLY C'T EV5 "U/& ME1 HUH8
,T'S OKAY4 ,MY DAD IS -+ 9 A FEW M9UTES4
,I C'T WAIT 6%[ HM YR PICTURE6 ,X'S !
MO/ AMAZ+ ?+40
  ,M>V9 WAT*$ ,JAMES L1N 8 ELB[S ON !
DESK1 SETTL+ 8 FACE 9 8 H&S4 8,B "EY"O
?9KS ,I DID X4 ,T'S ! ONLY PRO#M4 ,& ,I
DON'T "K H[ 6TELL !M40
  ,JAMES'S S]I\S GRAY EYES TRACK$ OV] 6!
LAMP & /AY$ "!4 ,M>V9 CR+$4
  8,!Y'LL N"E 2LIEVE Y DID X1 ANYWAY4 ,S
:AT'S ! PO9T ( TELL+ !M80
  .,NO .PO9T1 ,M>V9 WANT$ 6SAY4 ..,DON'T
BO!R1 ESPECI,Y S9CE ! DRAW+ WON'T EV5 2
"H TM4 ,BE/ 6=GET ALL .?4 ,HE GAZ$ AT !
T9Y PICTURE M\RN;LLY4
  ,F ! HALL !Y HE>D A L\D ?UMP ON !
DOOR1 & ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D'S MUT$ GREET+4 ,A
M9UTE LAT]1 ,K>L ,T]IK & ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D
APPE>$ 9 ! DOORWAY4
  8,JAMES6 ,JAMES1 %[ YR "F YR DRAW+4
,LOOK AT ?1 ,K>L4 ,Y'LL 2 %OCK$1 ,I TELL
Y4 ,LOOK H[ T9Y & ELEGANT X IS4 ,OH1 ,I
C'T WAIT 6%[ X 6! ,MORTONS4 ,& ,S&RA
,ORTIZ1 AT ! GALL]Y40                #EE
  ,K>L GR9N$ AT ,JAMES & /RODE OV] 6!
DESK1 WE>+ A PATI5T EXPRES.N1 Z IF PRE-
P>+ 6-PLI;T ! PICTURE NO MATT] :AT HE
RE,Y ?"\4 ,B :5 HE SAW ,M>V9'S DRAW+1 8
EYES WID5$4 ,HE RU2$ 8 BE>D1 />+ AT X4
  8,MAY ,I80 HE ASK$ ,JAMES1 R1*+ =!
PAP]4
  ,JAMES BLU%$4 8,SURE1 ,DAD40
  ,M>V9 9*$ =W>D 6WAT* ,K>L'S REAC;N4
  8,JAMES10 8 "F SD SL[LY4
  8,:AT DID ,I TELL Y80 ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D
CLAPP$ H] H&S4 8,ISN'T X WOND];L80
  ,K>L WALK$ 6! W9D[1 LIFT+ ! DRAW+ 6!
LI<T4 8,H[ DID Y D ?80
  ,JAMES SWALL[$4 8,I J DID X4 ,Y "K1
COPI$ :AT 0 \TSIDE40
  ,8 "F BR"\ ! PAGE CLOSE 6HIS FACE1
SCRUT9IZ+ X1 !N HELD X AT >M'S L5G?4 8,!
L9ES >E S DELICATE4 ,& /1DY4 ,I WDN'T H
?"\ Y CD MAKE A L9E ? ?9 )! P5 ,I GAVE
Y40
  ,JAMES DIDN'T SAY ANY?+4
  ,K>L %OOK 8 H1D4 8,X LOOKS ''' WELL1
X'S RIDICUL\S 6SAY X1 B X CD 2 A
,D@UR]40                             #EF
  ,M>V9 & ,JAMES BO? />$ AT HM1 N "U/&+4
,K>L 0 / LO/ 9 ?"\1 TILT+ ! DRAW+ AT
DI6]5T ANGLES4 8,I M1N X4 ,X'S T GD40
  ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D GL[$4 8,OH1 YES6 ,EX-
ACTLY4 ,A ,D@UR]40
  8,:AT'S T80 ,JAMES ASK$4 8,:AT'S A
D@UR]80
  8,ALBRE*T ,D@UR]10 ,K>L EXPLA9$4 8,!
,G]MAN ,R5AISS.E >TI/4 ,PA9T]1 5GRAV]1
DID LOTS ( P5-&-9K DRAW+S1 EV5 A FEW M9-
IATURES L ?1 A L;G1 L;G "T AGO4 ,! DE-
TAIL 9 ? IS UNBELIEVA#1 ,JAMES4 ,I C'T
GET OV] X40
  ,JAMES SMIL$ JOY;LLY AT 8 P>5TS4 ,M>V9
SMIL$ JOY;LLY AT ,JAMES4
  8,H[ L;G DID X TAKE Y80 8 "F 3T9U$4
  ,JAMES SQU9T$ 9 ! DIREC;N (! DESK LAMP
& BIT 8 LIP4 8,UM1 ,I DON'T "K1 ,I
WASN'T PAY+ ATT5;N10 HE SD4 8,B X TOOK A
:ILE40
  8,I BET S10 8 "F SD1 :I/L+ "U 8 BR1?4
,HE DROPP$ 8 H& 6,JAMES'S BACK & RU2$ !
BOY'S ?9 NECK1 8 VOICE RIS+ 9 EXCITE;T4
8,Y "K :AT WE'LL D1 BU4Y8 ,WE'LL G 6!
,MET ? AFN6 ,"!'S A DRAW+ EXHIBIT    #EG
T J OP5$1 "WS 0! ,OLD ,MA/]S--,D@UR]1
,BELL9I1 ,TITIAN1 ,MI*ELANGELO4 ,Y H TO
SEE X4 ,"H1 WE'LL TAKE YR DRAW+ ) U40
  ,M>V9 ALM TOPPL$ \ 96! OP54 .,NO6 HE
WANT$ 6CRY4 .,/OP .HM1 .,JAMES6
  ,B ,K>L GRA2$ A MA? TEXTBOOK F ! DESK
& C>E;LLY SLIPP$ ! DRAW+ 9SIDE ! COV]4
8,I WANT Y 6SEE F/H& H[ GD ? IS10 HE
TOLD ,JAMES4
  8,RE,Y80 ,JAMES ASK$4 8,Y ?9K X'S Z GD
Z ! PICTURES 0^? FAM\S GUYS80
  8,I D6 ,I RE,Y D1 ,JAMES40 ,8 "F RU6L$
8 HAIR4
  ,MRS4 ,POMPA"D DIDN'T LOOK PL1S$4 8,I
DON'T ?9K Y %D TAKE T DRAW+ ANY":10 %E
SD4 8,:AT IF "S?+ HAPP5S 6X8 ,I HAV5'T
EV5 _H A *.E 6%[ MY FRS40
  ,K>L LAU<$4 8,NO?+ W HAPP5 6X10 HE SD1
TUCK+ ! MA? BOOK SECURELY "U "O >M4
8,I'LL GU>D X ) MY LIFE4 ,? IS RE,Y "S-
?+60
  ,N[ :AT8 ,M>V9 RAC$ BACK & =? 2H !
BASE (! LAMP1 N "K+ :AT 6D4 ,:AT IF !Y
TOOK ! DRAW+ AWAY = GD8
  ,JAMES & 8 P>5TS 7 H1D+ "? !       #EH
DOOR :5 ,M>V9 SAW ,JAMES HESITATE4
8,OOPS1 MY JACKET10 HE SD 6HIS "F4 ,HE
CAME BACK 96! ROOM1 GRA2+ X F 8 CLOSET1
!N PAUS$ 0! DESK1 CR\*+ NE> ,M>V9 &
%IELD+ HM F 8 P>5TS' VIEW4
  8,-E ) U10 HE :ISP]$4 8,6SEE ! DRAW+S4
,DON'T Y WANT TO80 ,HE RE/$ "O BIG PALE
F+] ON ! DESKTOP NEXT 6,M>V91 8 EYES UR-
G5T4 8,-E ON1 ,I'LL TAKE C>E ( Y4 ,WE'LL
2 BACK SOON40
  ,M>V9 0 UNA# 6?9K ( ANY?+ B ! DRAW+1 :
0 N[ G"O1 \ (! ROOM1 H1D$ 6! ,METROPOLI-
TAN ,MUSEUM ( ,>T4 ,HE DI!R$ = "O TOR;T$
MO;T1 !N SCRAM#D ON TOP ( ,JAMES'S W>M1
FLE%Y F+]4
  8,"H1 ,I'LL PUT Y "SPLACE SAFE10
,JAMES :ISP]$4 ,HE G5TLY DEPOSIT$ ,M>V9
9 ! POCKET ( 8 JACKET4 ,F"R5$ B ?RILL$1
,M>V9 CLUNG 6! LIP (! NYLON FABRIC1 PE]+
\ AT ! SWIFTLY PASS+ _W F AN UNA3U/OM$
HEI<T4



                   #H                #EI
            ,! ,TEMPLE ( ,>T

  ,9 8 5TIRE LIFE1 ,M>V9 _H N"E BE5 \T-
SIDE ! ,POMPA"DS' A"P;T4 ,6BE FAIR1 HE
_H CRAWL$ ONTO ,JAMES'S W9D[ L$GE ONCE
OR TWICE4 ,ON AN UNEXPECT$LY W>M "D 9
,DECEMB]1 ! ,POMPA"DS' CL1N+ WOMAN _H
OP5$ A FEW W9D[S 6LET ! MILD AIR SWIRL
"? ! W9T]-/ALE ROOMS1 & ,M>V9 _H CLIMB$
EAG]LY ONTO ! SILL1 SCANN+ ! 4TANT SKY
ABV &! N>R[1 BU/L+ /REET 2L4 ,= ALL !
9=M,N HE'D GL1N$ F ! ,POMPA"DS' TELEVI.N
%[S1 ! _W 2Y ! A"P;T / SEEM$ VA/ & UN"K-
A#4
  ,M>V9 CDN'T 2LIEVE T "H HE WAS1 TUCK$
9 ,JAMES'S JACKET1 V5TUR+ \ 96! C;Y4 ,HE
HELD ON 6! NYLON POCKET ) ONLY 8 H1D
PROTRUD+4 ,! CRISP ,FEBRU>Y *ILL /UNG 8
%ELL1 &! SIDEWALK ROCK$ AL;G 2L AT AN
A/ONI%+ SPE$4 ,P$E/RIANS LOOM$ 9 FRONT (
HM & QKLY PASS$4 ,C>S RO>$ BY1 !N SQU1L$
6A /OP1 HORNS BL>+4 ,"EY?+ SEEM$ TOO
L>GE1 TOO L\D1 TOO /RANGE4 ,M>V9 KNEW "!
M/ 2 BEETLES LIV+ \ "H TOO4 ,HE KNEW 8
[N FAMILY _H REL,NS 9 ,GRAM]CY       #FJ
,P>K4 ,HE CDN'T HELP B WOND] H[ !Y MAN-
AG$ 9 A _W T *ANG$ S QKLY E M9UTE4 ,!
C;Y 0 FULL ( DANG] & LIFE4 ,M>V9 FELT
DIZZY ) EXCITE;T4
  ,Z HE JO/L$ AL;G 9 ,JAMES'S POCKET1 HE
REMEMB]$ ! /ORY ( ,AUNT ,CECILE1 ! TRAV-
EL] (! FAMILY1 "KN = H] W&]LU/4 ,"O SUM-
M] "D1 %E'D ABSCOND$ F ! KIT*5 )A US$
TEA BAG1 OP5$ "O 5D 6METICUL\SLY EMPTY !
3T5TS (! P\*1 & !N US$ X Z A P>A*UTE TO
L1P F ! LIV+-ROOM W9D[1 HOLD+ FA/ 6!
/R+4
  ,! BEETLES _H WAT*$ H] DRIFT GAMELY TO
E>?4 ,A T9Y FLOAT+ SPECK1 %E 4APPE>$ :5
%E R1*$ ! SIDEWALK & 0 N"E SE5 AG4 ,M>V9
?"\ ( H] \ "H "S": 9 ! HUGE1 HURRY+ _W4
,DID %E REGRET H] BOLD;S8 ,OR _H X BE5 !
F/ ESS5TIAL /EP1 OP5+ H] LIFE 6NEW1
UNPREC$5T$ ADV5TURES8

  8,IS T X80 ,JAMES ASK$1 PO9T+ 6! ENOR-
M\S GRAYI% :ITE $IFICE T ROSE 2F !M4
  8,YEP1 T'S ! ,MET10 8 "F TOLD HM4
8,Y'VE BE5 "H 2F1 REMEMB]8 ,?\< ,I MO/LY
TAKE Y 6! ,MUSEUM ( ,MOD]N ,>T40     #FA
  ,M>V9 CD SEE L>GE COLOR;L BANN]S )
WRIT+ ON !M HANG+ HI< ACR ! FRONT (!
BUILD+4 ,HE _H NO IDEA :AT !Y SD4 ,Z
EASY Z X 0 6"U/& HUMAN SPEE*1 & EV5 TO
EV5TU,Y FIGURE \ ! 3CEPT ( HUMAN "T1 X
_H PROV5 NE>LY IMPOSSI# =! BEETLES 6DE-
CODE _! WRIT+4 ,A WRITT5 LANGUAGE 0 "S?+
! BEETLES _H NO USE = AM;G !MVS4 ,B ,M>-
V9 N[ R1LIZ$ J H[ HELP;L X CD BE4 ,:Y1
IF HE KNEW H[ 6WRITE 9 ,JAMES'S LAN-
GUAGE1 J IMAG9E ALL ! 9T]E/+1 IMPORTANT
?+S HE CD TELL HM6
  ,!Y CLIMB$ ! L;G SWEEP ( /"O /EPS TWO
AT A "T1 ) ,JAMES CUPP+ "O H& PROTEC-
TIVELY OV] 8 POCKET4 ,SOON !Y 7 9 ! CAV-
]N\S MA9 HALL (! BUILD+4 ,M>V9 PE]$ >.D
AT ! CR[DS ( P 9 _! D>K W9T] COATS1 !
L>GE1 ELEGANT VASES ( FL[]S1 &! WIDE
/AIRS L1D+ 6! SECOND FLOOR4
  8,? WAY10 ,K>L CALL$1 L1D+ !M UP ! C5-
TRAL /AIRCASE ) L;G /RIDES4 ,TWO VAULT$
HALLWAYS /RET*$ ON EI SIDE1 ) GLASS
CASES T HELD COLOR;L 4PLAYS ( PORCELA9
B[LS & PLATT]S4 ,S(T YELL[ LI<T %R\D$ !
OP5 SPACE4                           #FB
  8,I REMEMB] ? PLACE N[10 ,JAMES SD4
8,X K9D ( FEELS L A *UR*40
  ,8 "F SMIL$4 8,WELL1 X K9D ( .IS A
*UR* ''' A TEMPLE ( >T40
  ,M>V9 GLIMPS$ M># /ATUES & GILT-FRAM$
PA9T+S4 ,MO;TS LAT]1 !Y WALK$ 96A L>GE
ROOM1 XS WALLS L9$ ) DRAW+S4
  8,W[40 ,JAMES />$4 8,LOOK AT ALL ?
/UFF40
  ,8 "F TOOK 8 H& & PULL$ HM AL;G4 8,I
?9K ! ,D@UR] DRAW+S >E 9 ! ?IRD ROOM40
  ,M>V9 0 TOO F> F ! WALLS & TOO JO/L$
0HIS JACKET P]* 6SEE WELL1 B HE CD MAKE
\ A BLUR ( SKET*ES1 MO/LY PORTRAITS &
FIGURES1 "S"TS A L&SCAPE4 ,! COLORS 7
MUT$3 BLACKS1 GRAYS1 BR[NS1 A FA9T WA% (
R$4 ,Z SOON Z ,JAMES /OPP$ WALK+1 ,M>V9
TRI$ 6CLIMB F>!R \ ( 8 POCKET 6GET A
BETT] VIEW4 ,JAMES KEPT SN1K+ SMALL1
WORRI$ GL.ES 9 8 DIREC;N4
  8,"H60 8 "F SD F9,Y4 8,LOOK AT T1 W Y8
,D Y SEE :AT ,I M1N80
  ,!Y CAME 6A /OP4 ,0N[1 ,M>V9 _H F\R
LEGS \TSIDE ! POCKET FLAP & 0 BALANC+
PREC>I\SLY ON XS $GE1 HOP+ =A        #FC
BETT] LOOK4 ,Z HE TEET]$ "! 9 FRU/R,N1
,JAMES'S F+] APPE>$ AL;GSIDE HM4 ,HE
HESITAT$1 !N CLIMB$ ABO>D4 ,JAMES RAIS$
8 H& 6HIS %\LD]1 ": ,M>V9 QKLY 4EMB>K$ &
HID 2N ! $GE ( ,JAMES'S COLL>4
  8,W[60 SD ,JAMES AG4
  ,! DRAW+ HANG+ 9 FRONT ( !M 0 A SMALL1
PRECISE IMAGE (A C\RTY>D4 ,! L9ES 7
IMPOSSIBLY ?9 & EXACT2 F ! CASE;TS (!
W9D[S 6! /"OS 9 ! SQU>E1 METICUL\SLY
3T\R$4 ,! SLATE RO(TOPS _H $GES Z %>P Z
CUT GLASS4
  ,M>V9 />$ AT X4 ,HE CD ALM SEE ! H& (!
>TI/ EXECUT+ EA* L9E4 ,! L;G] HE />$1 !
M HE CD FEEL ! DRAW+ -E 962+4
  ,K>L LOOK$ >.D AT ! O!R MUSEUM-GO]S1
:O OBLIVI\SLY WALK$ PA/ !M4 ,HE SET !
MA? BOOK ON ! FLOOR & C>E;LLY REMOV$
,M>V9'S DRAW+ F 9SIDE ! COV]1 HOLD+ X UP
& TURN+ 6,JAMES4 8,D Y SEE8 ,YR TE*NIQUE
IS S SIMIL> 6,D@UR]'S40
  ,JAMES NO4$1 SPEE*.S4
  ,SL[LY !Y MOV$ AL;G ! WALL ( DRAW+S1
/OPP+ 6/UDY EA* "O4 ,"! 7 O!R SMALL
L&SCAPES1 PICTURES ( AN OLD WOMAN    #FD
&A GIRL1 A P5-&-9K DRAW+ (A RA2IT4 ,!Y 7
ALM PHOTOGRAPHIC 9 _! DETAILS1 YET />-
TL+LY 4T9CT4 ,! FACES LOOK$ L R1L P1
,M>V9 ?"\1 )! RU7$;S ( NOSES & *9S1 EX-
PRES.NS FULL ( FEEL+4 ,NE> ! 5D (! WALL1
,JAMES /OPP$4
  8,LOOK AT ? "O1 ,DAD4 ,X'S S LL4
,:AT'S X SUPPOS$ 6BE80
  ,M>V9 CREPT \ F "U ,JAMES'S COLL>4 ,!
DRAW+ 0 A T9Y FRAM$ M9IATURE (A G[N$
WOMAN KNEEL+1 ) H] >MS >.D AN ANIMAL4 ,A
LION4 ,%E _H WAVES ( HAIR T CASCAD$ D[N
H] BACK1 &! LION'S MANE FL[$ 9 SIMIL>
WAVES OV] XS MASSIVE %\LD]S4
  ,K>L R1D ! PLAQUE4 8,X SAYS X'S "O (!
F\R C>D9AL VIRTUES3 ,=TITUDE4 ,D Y "K
:AT T M1NS80
  8,NO10 SD ,JAMES4
  8,C\RAGE4 ,/R5G?40
  8,IS %E TRY+ 6CAT* ! LION80
  8,WELL1 SORT ( WRE/L+ ) X1 ,I ?9K4
,LOOK AT ! DETAIL1 ?\<4 ,LOOK AT ! FOLDS
( H] DRESS &! LION'S CLAWS4 ,D@UR]'S H&
IS S PRECISE4 ,T'S :AT MADE ME ?9K ( YR
DRAW+1 ,JAMES40 ,K>L SQUEEZ$         #FE
,JAMES'S %\LD]4
  ..,I CD D .T1 ?"\ ,M>V94 ,HE 0 RIVET$4
  8,K>L80
  ,!Y ALL TURN$ AT ! VOICE4 ,EM]G+ F !
LOOSE CLU/]S ( P 9 ! GALL]Y 0 "O RUMPL$-
LOOK+ OLD] MAN1 WALK+ DIRECTLY T[>D !M &
SMIL+ W>MLY4 8,I ?"\ T 0 Y40

















                                     #FF
























                   #I                #FG
           ,! ,WOMAN &! ,LION

  8,D5NY6 ,HEY6 ,H[ >E Y80 ,K>L GR9N$
BROADLY1 ?RU/+ \ 8 H&4 8,JAMES1 ? IS
,D5NIS ,MAC,GU691 AN OLD FR F MY ,PRATT
"DS4 ,REMEMB]8 ,! >T COLLEGE8 ,D5NY1 MY
SON1 ,JAMES40
  ,D5NY CR\*$ SLI<TLY1 W9K+ AT ,JAMES4
8,N S OLD1 EH1 ,JAMES8 ,X'S NICE 6MEET
Y4 ,I'M ALW DELI<T$ 6SEE "Y P AT AN EX-
HIBIT L ?40
  8,:AT >E Y DO+ "H1 ,D5NY8 ,I ?"\ Y 7 \
WE/ "S":4 ''' ,CALI=NIA1 WASN'T X80
  ,D5NY NO4$4 8,YES1 T'S "R4 ,I'M AT !
,GETTY N[4 ,CURATOR ( ,DRAW+S4 ,! ,D@UR]
& ? ,BELL9I OV] "H >E \RS40
  ,HE GE/UR$ 6A SIMIL> PICTURE (A WOMAN
&A LION1 HANG+ NEXT 6! "O !Y 7 />+ AT4
,X 0 ! SAME SIZE1 B ,M>V9 ?"\ X SEEM$
LESS DELICATE1 ! P5 /ROKES ?ICK]4
  ,D5NY 3T9U$1 8,WE'VE GOT A NUMB] (
ITEMS ON LOAN = ? EXHIBIT1 & ,I'VE BE5
HELP+ ,MS4 ,BALCONY )! >RANGE;TS40 ,HE
BECKON$ 6A WOMAN :O 0 SKIRT+ ! CR[DS &
WALK+ 9 _! DIREC;N1 H] GAZE D>T+     #FH
OV] ! DRAW+S4
  ,M>V9 $G$ \ F "UN1? ,JAMES'S COLL>4
,%E 0 SLIM & TIDY-LOOK+1 H] BL\SE TUCK$
IN1 H] H"OY-COLOR$ HAIR DRAWN BACK 9 A
N1T BUN4 ,BLACK RECTANGUL> GLASSES SAT
FIRMLY ON H] SMALL NOSE4 ,HE SAW T %E 0
V PRETTY1 B %E _H ! UNSELF-3SCI\S MANN]
( "S"O :O 0 TOT,Y OBLIVI\S 6T FACT--:
ONLY MADE H] SEEM PRETTI]4 ,M>V9 LIK$ H]
9/ANTLY4
  8,*RI/9A10 ,D5NY CALL$ 6H]4 8,-E MEET
MY FRS ,K>L ,T]IK & 8 SON1 ,JAMES4 ,Y
MAY H HE>D ( ,K>L'S "W4 ,HE %[S AT ,]N/
,AUG]'S GALL]Y4 ,9 A4I;N 62+ "O ( MY FA-
VORITE P1 HE'S AN EXCELL5T >TI/40
  ,*RI/9A ,BALCONY APPROA*$ !M1 SMIL+4
8,T]IK8 ,NO1 ,I'M AFRAID N40
  8,MY .,FREEDOM S]IES 0 AT ! ,/E9HOLM
LA/ FALL4 ,L>GE AB/RACTS80 ,M>V9 ?"\
,K>L S.D$ EMB>RASS$1 B HOPE;L4
  8,NO1 DOESN'T R+ A BELL40
  8,OR MAYBE Y SAW "S ( MY "W AT ! ,:IT-
NEY ,BI5NIAL80
  ,*RI/9A %OOK H] H1D4 8,B ANY?+ LESS
?AN F\R HUNDR$ YE>S OLD IS Q 2Y MY   #FI
>EA ( EXP]TISE40
  8,EXP]TISE OR 9T]E/80 ,K>L ASK$1 &
,M>V9 0 SURPRIS$ 6HE> A NOTE ( IRRIT,N 9
8 VOICE4
  8,WELL1 BO?1 ,I SUPPOSE10 %E SD1 LAU<-
+4 8,I'M SORRY4 ,PL1SE DON'T TAKE MY IG-
NOR.E Z ANY SORT ( V]DICT ON YR "W4 ,I'M
/UCK 9 ! LATE #ADJJ;S ''' ,G]_M1 ,ITALY1
,HOLL&40
  ..,/UCK 9 ! LATE .#ADJJ;S4 ,! "T ( ^!
DRAW+S4 ,M>V9 CDN'T EV5 IMAG9E H[ L;G
AGO T WAS4 ,IMPOSSIBLY ANCI5T1 9 BEETLE
T]MS4
  ,*RI/9A TOOK ,K>L'S EXT5D$ H& & GAVE
,JAMES A WIDE SMILE4 8,D Y L ^!80
  ,JAMES NO4$ %YLY4
  8,WE D10 ,K>L SD4 8,V M*4 ,ESPECI,Y !
,D@UR]S40
  8,YES1 !Y'RE LOVELY4 ,HE'S \R FAVOR-
ITE1 ISN'T HE1 ,D5NY8 ,:5"E "O ( 8 -ES
UP = SALE1 WE >E ALW FI<T+ OV] X4 ,EX-
TRAORD9>Y ATT5;N 6DETAIL1 &A FLAW.S T\*
''' Y C RE,Y SEE X "H1 -P>$ 6! ,BELL9I40
,%E TURN$ 6,JAMES4 8,SAME IMAGE1 DI6]5T
>TI/4 ,: D Y L BETT]80               #GJ
  ,JAMES LOOK$ UP AT H]4 8,T "O10 HE ALM
:ISP]$1 PO9T+ 6! ,D@UR]4 .,ME .TOO1 ?"\
,M>V94 ,! ,BELL9I 0 PRETTI] 9 XS WAY1 B
,M>V9 PREF]R$ ! CRISP1 C]TA9 L9ES (!
,D@UR]4
  8,:Y80 ,*RI/9A ASK$ 5C\RAG+LY4 ,JAMES
BIT 8 LIP1 TOO %Y 6ANSW]4
  8,GIOVANNI ,BELL9I 0 A GRT ,ITALIAN
>TI/10 %E SD4 8,D@UR] CALL$ HM ,8! BE/
PA9T] ( !M ALL40'0
  8,B HE'S N NE>LY Z ADMIR$ Z ,D@UR]10
,K>L PO9T$ \4
  8,WELL1 AT ! "T HE WAS4 ,N[ HE'S (T5
OV]LOOK$ 9 FAVOR (! BIG "NS ''' ,MI*EL-
ANGELO1 ,LEON>DO1 ,REMBR&T40 ,*RI/9A
/UDI$ ! TWO PICTURES1 SMIL+ FA9TLY4
8,D@UR] W5T 6,V5ICE 6LE>N F ,BELL9I1 B
LOOK H[ DI6]5T ! PICTURES >E4 ,! BE/
T1*]S >E L T4 ,!Y DON'T T1* Y H[ 6D ?+S
EXACTLY ! WAY !Y D2 !Y T1* Y H[ 6BE YR
BE/ SELF40
  ,%E PO9T$ AT ! ,BELL9I DRAW+4 8,? "O
IS G5TLE1 ALL CURVES & %AD+S4 ,! WOMAN
ALM SEEMS 6BE PLAY+ )! LION40
  ,M>V9 CD SEE :AT %E M1NT4 ,"! 0    #GA
NO?+ "PICUL>LY ?R1T5+ AB EI ! GIRL OR !
LION1 EV5 ?\< ! DRAW+ 0 CALL$ .,=TITUDE4
  8,N[ LOOK AT ! ,D@UR]10 ,*RI/9A SD4
8,HE TRIES 6CAPTURE ,BELL9I'S ID1L (
,ITALIAN B1UTY1 B HE C'T D X4 ,D@UR]'S
GIRL IS A ,G]MAN P1SANT1 A R1L P]SON4
,LOOK AT H] %\LD]S4 ,!Y'RE Z MASSIVE Z !
LION'S4 ,X W 2 A FI<T 6! F9I%1 = SURE40
  ,D5NY LAU<$4 8,& MY M"OY'S ON ! GIRL40
  ,JAMES NO4$4 ,HALF-HI45 2N 8 COLL>1
,M>V9 DID TOO4
  8,JAMES LIKES 6DRAW10 ,K>L 9T]JECT$4
8,T'S :Y WE'RE "H1 ACTU,Y4 ,I GAVE HM A
P5-&-9K SET = 8 BIR?"D &1 WELL--LOOK :AT
HE CAME UP )40 ,HE HELD \ ! DRAW+ = !M
6SEE1 GR9N+4 8,I / C'T 2LIEVE HE DID ?40
  ,*RI/9A ,BALCONY /EPP$ =W>D4 ,H] :OLE
FACE *ANG$4 ,! PL1SANT MASK ( POLITE;S
DROPP$ AWAY4 ,%E R1*$ =! DRAW+4 8,YR SON
.DREW ?80
  ,D5NY PE]$ OV] H] %\LD] & SUCK$ 9 8
BR1?4
  ,*RI/9A CR\*$ NEXT 6,JAMES1 )! DRAW+
2T !M4 8,Y MADE ?8 ,0YRF80
  ,JAMES NO4$1 BLU%+4                #GB
  8,W]E Y TRAC+ "S?+80
  8,NO4 ,X'S J--X'S J A COPY ( :AT'S \T-
SIDE MY W9D[ AT HOME40
  ,*RI/9A /RAI<T5$ & HELD ! DRAW+ AT
>M'S L5G?1 NEXT 6! "WS ON ! WALL4 8,LOOK
H[ SIMIL> X IS 6\R ,D@UR] M9IATURE1 !
L&SCAPE "H10 %E SD 6,D5NY4 8,! EXECU;N
''' X'S RE,Y UNCANNY40
  8,I "K10 SD ,K>L4 8,T'S :Y WE CAME4 ,I
TOLD ,JAMES ? CD H BE5 D"O 0A ,R5AISS.E
MA/]60
  ,*RI/9A MOV$ AL;G ! WALL ( PICTURES1 /
HOLD+ ! %EET ( PAP]4 8,! L9E ''' X HAS !
SAME FA/IDI\S;S4 ,I WDN'T H ?"\ X POS-
SI#40
  ,M>V9 9*$ =W>D 6HE> H] ^WS M CLE>LY4
..,%E'S TALK+ AB MY .DRAW+6 HE ?"\ ) DE-
LI<T4 ..,%E'S -P>+ X 6^! FAM\S .PIC-
TURES6
  ,F9,Y1 %E TURN$ 6!M1 H] FACE FLU%$4
  8,JAMES10 %E SD4 8,WD Y -E ) ME8 ,I
WANT 6%[ Y "S?+40


                  #AJ                #GC
          ,! ,WOMAN &! ,SWORD

  ,M>V9 QKLY DUCK$ BACK "U ,JAMES'S COL-
L>1 WORRI$ AB 2+ SE54 ,*RI/9A'S FACE 0 S
CLOSE1 H] EYES FIX$ ON ,JAMES4
  ,JAMES PRESS$ AG/ 8 "F'S LEG4
  8,:AT8 ,":80 ,K>L ASK$4
  ,*RI/9A'S GAZE RETURN$ 6! DRAW+4 8,X'S
EXTRAORD9>Y4 ,X'S GIV5 ME AN IDEA40
  ,D5NY RAIS$ AN EYEBR[4 8,H] ID1S >E
DANG]\S10 HE SD 6,K>L & ,JAMES4
  8,:AT >E Y TALK+ AB80 ,K>L TURN$ F "O
6! O!R4 8,WE'RE ONLY "H =A C\PLE ( H\RS4
,I H 6GET ,JAMES HOME 0FIVE O'C40
  ,*RI/9A GL.ED >.D ! GALL]Y1 AT ! ELD]-
LY C\PLES &! GUID$ T\RS MURMUR+ PA/4
  8,X WON'T TAKE L;G10 %E SD1 & ,M>V9
?"\ H] VOICE _H A PL1D+ NOTE4 8,I'D LOVE
X IF Y CD -E 6MY (FICE4 ,I WANT Y 6SEE
"S?+40
  ,K>L RE/$ "O L>GE H& ON ,JAMES'S BACK4
8,B WE'VE B>ELY _H A *.E 6LOOK AT ! EX-
HIBIT10 HE SD4
  8,I "K10 ,*RI/9A SD APOLOGETIC,Y4 8,I
WON'T MONOPOLIZE YR AFN1 ,I PROM-    #GD
ISE4 ,B IF Y -E ) ME1 ,I C %[ Y "S O!R
,D@UR] DRAW+S4 ,WD Y L T1 ,JAMES80
  8,I GUESS10 ,JAMES SD1 8 VOICE HESI-
TANT4 ,HE LOOK$ UP AT 8 "F1 & ,M>V9 CD
SEE ,K>L'S IMPATI;E4
  8,I'M SORRY1 B ,I'D RE,Y L 6TAKE HM
>.D ! EXHIBIT4 ,T'S :Y WE CAME40 ,HE
TOOK ! DRAW+ F ,*RI/9A1 :O REL1S$ X V
RELUCTANTLY4 8,& 8 "M W 2 UPSET IF ,I
DON'T GET HM HOME = D9N]4 ,P]H ANO!R
"T40
  ,*RI/9A PURS$ H] LIPS4 8,X WON'T TAKE
L;G1 ,MR4 ,T]IK40
  8,K>L40
  8,K>L4 ,Y'LL / H "T =! EXHIBIT40
  ,D5NY1 :O _H BE5 /&+ NE>BY )A PREO3U-
PI$ EXPRES.N1 F9,Y 9T]V5$4 8,K>L1 IF Y
DON'T M9D1 X CD 2 IMPORTANT4 ,I ASK Y Z
A FAVOR40
  ,M>V9 SAW T ,K>L & ,*RI/9A 7 FAC+ EA*
O!R1 EQU,Y IRRITAT$4 ,F9,Y1 ,K>L %RU7$4
8,OH1 ALL "R4 ,I DON'T "U/& EI ! URG5CY
OR ! SECRECY1 B ALL "R4 ,JAMES80
  ,JAMES NO4$ 8 H1D1 & !Y FOLL[$ ,*RI/9A
"? ! GALL]Y 6A PLA9 WOOD DOOR        #GE
TUCK$ AWAY 9 ! CORN]4
  8,"H80 ,JAMES ASK$4 8,X'S L A SECRET
DOOR40
  ,*RI/9A SMIL$ AT HM4 8,? IS ! 5TR.E 6!
,DRAW+S & ,PR9TS ,DE"P;T4 ,3V5I5T1 ISN'T
X80
  8,I'VE GOT X10 ,D5NY SD1 PULL+ A SMALL
R+ ( KEYS F 8 POCKET4 ,HE W9K$ AT
,JAMES4 8,FULL A3ESS = SPECIAL FRS (!
MUSEUM4 ,I'M TRY+ 6GET A LOT ( USE \ (
^! 2F ,I H 6GIVE !M BACK40
  ,HE TURN$ ! KNOB & HELD ! DOOR OP5 =
,K>L1 ,JAMES1 & ,*RI/9A 65T]4 ,M>V9
LOOK$ >.D 9 AMAZE;T4 ,! NONDESCRIPT DOOR
OP5$ 96A L>GE /UDY L9$ ) BOOK%ELVES4 ,"!
7 DOORS & HALLWAYS OP5+ (F X1 ALL HI45
2H ! WALL (! GALL]Y4
  8,H[ L;G >E Y "H =1 ,D5NY80 ,K>L ASK$4
  8,J A C\PLE ( WEEKS4 ,!N BACK 6! ,GET-
TY4 ,I WON'T 2 SORRY 6L1VE ? COLD W1!R =
MY ,CALI=NIA SUN%9E1 ,I C TELL Y T40
  ,*RI/9A ,BALCONY'S (FICE 0 AT ! 5D (A
L;G CORRIDOR4 ,X 0 A L>GE ROOM ) W9D[S
OV]LOOK+ ,C5TRAL ,P>K1 & FLOOR-TO-CEIL+
%ELVES CRAMM$ ) BOOKS--PROBABLY      #GF
FAT1 DU/Y VOLUMES ( >T HI/ORY1 ,M>V9 DE-
CID$4 ,"! 7 A FEW BATT]$ WOOD5 *AIRS >.D
A L;G TA#4 ,%E 9DICAT$ 6!M ) "O H& :ILE
%E RETRIEV$ A BIG BOOK F H] DESK4
,JAMES1 8 "F1 & ,D5NY SAT D[N & WAIT$4
,*RI/9A BAL.ED ! BOOK AWKW>DLY 9 ! CROOK
( H] >M & ?UMB$ "? ! PAGES 6A GLOSSY RE-
PRODUC;N (A P5-&-9K DRAW+4
  ,%E SET X D[N 9 FRONT ( ,JAMES4 8,X'S
ANO!R ,D@UR]4 ,L ! .,=TITUDE DRAW+4 ,?
"O IS CALL$ .,JU/ICE40
  ,M>V91 / TRY+ 6%IELD HMF F SI<T1 CD
SEE T ! DRAW+ 0 SIMIL> 6! DRAW+ (! GIRL
)! LION3 ! SAME SMALL SIZE1 MAYBE ?REE
OR F\R 9*ES SQU>E1 SAME COLOR 9K1 SAME
IMPOSSI# LEVEL ( DETAIL4 ,B ? IMAGE 0 (A
WOMAN 9 A L;G FL[+ G[N )A SWORD 9 "O H&
&A SET ( SCALES 9 ! O!R4 ,H] BODY 0
HALF-TURN$ T[>D ! VIEW]1 & %E GAZ$ SADLY
PA/ HM1 ! SCALES RAIS$1 ! SWORD H1VY AT
H] SIDE4
  8,IS X ! SAME GIRL Z ! "O )! LION80
,JAMES ASK$4
  8,NO10 ,*RI/9A SD4 8,LOOK AT H] FACE4
,D@UR]'S P >E ALW S R1L1 EA* "O      #GG
4T9CT4 ,B !Y %>E A K9D ( MELAN*OLY40
  8,:AT'S ,8MELAN*OLY0'80 ,JAMES ASK$4
  8,SAD;S10 ,K>L ANSW]$1 WAT*+ ,*RI/9A4
  8,"R4 ,A K9D ( SORR[40
  8,:Y8 ,:Y >E !Y SAD80 ,JAMES ASK$4
,M>V9 ?"\ !Y DID LOOK A LL SAD1 B X 0 M
?AN T4 ,!Y LOOK$ Z IF !Y 7 DEEP 9SIDE
!MVS1 ?9K+ PRIVATE ?"\S4
  ,*RI/9A LIFT$ H] %\LD]S4 8,:O "KS1
RE,Y8 ,D@UR] DIDN'T H A HAPPY LIFE4 ,8
M>RIAGE 0 DI6ICULT4 ,8 WIFE _H A BAD
TEMP] & C>$ MO/LY AB M"OY4 ,HE ?REW HMF
96HIS >T Z A WAY 6ESCAPE T40
  ,M>V9 ?"\ ,D@UR]'S WIFE S.D$ A LL L
,MRS4 ,POMPA"D4
  8,B HE 2LIEV$ 9 B1UTY10 ,D5NY A4$4
8,HE ONCE SD1 ,8,:AT B1UTY IS1 ,I "K N1
?\< X AD"HS 6_M ?+S40' ,D@UR] 2LIEV$ >T
0 A WAY 6F9D B1UTY 9 ! MO/ ORD9>Y AS-
PECTS ( LIFE40
  8,L YR DRAW+1 ,JAMES10 ,K>L SD G5TLY4
8,TAK+ T ORD9>Y SC5E \TSIDE YR W9D[ &
TURN+ X 96"S?+ B1UTI;L40
  ,JAMES BLU%$1 8 FRECKLES D>K ON 8
*EEKS4 ,B 8 FACE FILL$ )A %Y         #GH
SMILE4
  ,*RI/9A 3T9U$ 6/>E AT ! DRAW+4 8,L ANY
>TI/1 ,D@UR] PUT 8 LIFE "EY": 9 8 "W4
,^! DRAW+S 7 A RESPONSE 6HIS [N SAD;S &
L"OLI;S40
  ,K>L FR[N$4 8,T'S Q AN ASSUMP;N TO
MAKE40
  ,*RI/9A RAIS$ AN EYEBR[4 8,ASSUMP;N8
,WE "K A LOT AB 8 LIFE F 8 LRS40
  8,I DON'T D\BT X1 B Y'RE ASSUM+ T 8
DRAW+S >E AB 8 [N LIFE4 ,! SAD;S Y SEE
CD 2 A DELIB]ATE *OICE = ? PICTURE '''
"S?+ ,D@UR] WANT$ 6SAY AB JU/ICE40
  ,M>V9 LOOK$ F "O 6! O!R4 ,:AT 7 !Y GO+
ON AB N[8 ,JAMES'S EV5-TEMP]$ "F SU45LY
SEEM$ ANNOY$4
  ,*RI/9A 4MISS$ ! -;T1 TURN+ 6,JAMES4
8,:AT"E ! R1SON1 "!'S ALW ? 9T5SE1 L"OLY
QUAL;Y 9 ,D@UR]'S >T4 ,D Y SEE X80
  ,M>V9 WANT$ A CLOS] LOOK AT ! DRAW+4
,"! 0 "S?+ P[];L AB ! PICTURE1 B AL "S?+
HELD BACK4 .,JU/ICE4
  8,? PICTURE WASN'T )! O!RS10 ,JAMES
SD4
  8,NO4 ''' ,NO1 X WASN'T40 ,*RIS-   #GI
T9A EX*ANG$ A GL.E ) ,D5NY4
  ,K>L *ECK$ 8 WAT*4 8,IS T X1 !N8 ,IS ?
ALL Y WANT$ 6%[ U80
  ,*RI/9A'S BR[ FURR[$4 8,:AT ,I WANT$
6%[ .,JAMES1 YES40
  ,M>V9 LOOK$ AT !M 9 2WILD];T4 ,HE'D
N"E SE5 ,K>L %[ S* 4LIKE = "S"O1 & X
SEEM$ FULLY RECIPROCAT$4
  ,*RI/9A CR\*$ NEXT 6! TA#1 H] PRETTY
FACE EYE-LEVEL ) ,JAMES'S4 8,JAMES1 H Y
"E TRI$ 6COPY "S?+8 ,J ! WAY Y COPI$ !
SC5E \TSIDE YR W9D[8 ,B N A SC5E1 A
DRAW+40
  8,Y M1N1 L1 TRACE X80 ,JAMES ASK$4
  ,*RI/9A %OOK H] H1D4 8,NO1 N TRAC+4
,COPY+ ! IMAGE YRF1 J 0/UDY+ ! >TI/'S
L9ES40
  8,NO10 ,JAMES SD4 8,WELL1 ,I M1N1 "S-
"TS ''' ) C>TOONS4 '''0 ,8 VOICE TRAIL$
(F4
  8,D Y ?9K Y CD TRY )A ,D@UR] DRAW+80
  ,JAMES LOOK$ PUZZL$4 8,? "O80
  8,NO10 ,*RI/9A SD QKLY4 8,N ? "O4 ,!
"O F ,D5NY'S MUSEUM T'S HANG+ 9 !
GALL]Y4 .,=TITUDE--0                 #HJ
  8,:AT >E Y TALK+ AB80 ,K>L 9T]RUPT$4
8,:AT WD 2 ! PO9T ( T80 ,HE TURN$ F
,*RI/9A 6,D5NY4
  ,D5NY HMF LOOK$ UNSURE4 8,Y WANT HM TO
COPY .,=TITUDE8 ,:Y80
  8,I DON'T "K10 ,*RI/9A SD S(TLY4 8,X'S
PROBABLY HOPE.S4 ,I J ?"\ WE'D SEE IF HE
CD MAKE A GD LIKE;S ( X40
  8,:AT--N[8 ,"H80 ,K>L %OOK 8 H1D4 8,I
TOLD Y1 WE J CAME 6SEE ! EXHIBIT4 ,WE
DON'T H "T = ,JAMES 6/>T SKET*+ ?+S40
  ,JAMES _H A PANIC-/RICK5 LOOK ON 8
FACE1 & ,M>V9 CD FEEL HM TREMBL+4 8,ALL
MY DRAW+ /UFF IS AT HOME10 HE SD4
  ,*RI/9A /RAI<T5$1 RE/+ H] SL5D] H& ON
! $GE (! TA#4 8,T'S OKAY4 ,IF Y'D PREF]
6TAKE A COPY ( X HOME ) Y1 T'S F9E40 ,%E
FLIPP$ A PAGE (! BOOK4 8,LOOK1 "H X IS1
"R AF ! .,JU/ICE PICTURE4 ,Y CD TAKE !
:OLE BOOK4 ,I J--IF Y DON'T M9D1 ,JAMES1
,I'D LOVE 6SEE IF Y CD D X40
  ,%E HESITAT$1 / WAT*+ ,JAMES4 8,NOBODY
LOOK$ Z CLOSELY AT ! _W Z ,D@UR]4 ,NO-
BODY C>$ Z M* AB CAPTUR+ XS SMALLE/
DETAILS4 ,YR DRAW+ HAS T SAME S5-    #HA
SIBIL;Y40
  ,M>V9 FELT 8 HE>T SWELL4
  ,K>L %OOK 8 H1D4 8,D@UR] C'T -P>E TO
,LEON>DO OR ,MI*ELANGELO40
  ,*RI/9A TILT$ H] H1D1 3SID]+4 8,NO1 N
9 ! EMO;NAL =CE (! DRAW+S4 ,HE DIDN'T H
_! ORIG9AL;Y & VI.N4 ,HE'S A QUIET] >T-
I/4 ,B 9 %E] PATI;E '''0 ,%E HESITAT$4
  8,YES10 ,D5NY E*O$ FIRMLY4 8,IN 8 FAI?
T B1UTY REV1LS XF1 LAY] ^U LAY]1 9 !
SMALLE/ MO;TS--WELL1 "!'S NO "O L HM40
  8..,IN TRU?1 B1UTY ''' 9 B1UTY1
.TRU?40 ,*RI/9A R1*$ H] H& ACR ! TA# &
G5TLY TURN$ ! PAGES BACK 6! DRAW+ .,JUS-
TICE4
  ,D5NY SLAPP$ ,JAMES'S %\LD]4 8,S :AT D
Y SAY1 ,JAMES8 ,I'M N EXACTLY SURE :AT
\R MY/]I\S ,MS4 ,BALCONY IS PLANN+1 B
WANT 6GIVE X A TRY80
  ,M>V9 CDN'T TAKE 8 EYES (F ! DRAW+3 !
/R;G SOLIT>Y WOMAN1 ) H] SWORD AT H]
SIDE &! BRASS SCALES DANGL+ F "O H&4 ,HE
WANT$ 6DRAW L ?4 ,HE WANT$ 6BE 9SIDE !
H1D ( ,ALBRE*T ,D@UR]1 A4+ EA* "PICUL>
DETAIL1 GETT+ CLOS] & CLOS] 6!       #HB
TRU?4
  ,HE KNEW :AT 8 P>5TS WD SAY4 ,HE KNEW
:AT 8 5TIRE FAMILY WD SAY4 ,X 0 DANG]\S1
RIDICUL\S EV54
  ,B M ?AN ANY?+1 HE WANT$ ,JAMES 6SAY
YES4
  8,I DON'T "K10 ,JAMES SD4 8,I DON'T "K
IF ,I C40
  8,W Y TRY80 ,*RI/9A'S GAZE 0 /1DY4
8,PL1SE80
  ,JAMES LOOK$ UP AT H]1 BIT+ 8 LIP4
8,OKAY10 HE SD F9,Y4
  8,OH1 ,JAMES6 ,?ANK Y60 ,%E B5T QKLY &
HU7$ HM4 ,J =A MO;T1 H] GLOSSY GOLD5 H1D
DIPP$ CLOSE 6,M>V91 & HE CD SMELL !
CL1N1 W>M SC5T ( H] SK94
  ,!N %E GASP$4 8,,OH1 ,,MY ,,GD;S6 ,A
,,BUG60






                  #AA                #HC
               ,LEFT ,2H

  ,M>V9 TRI$ 6DIVE \ ( SI<T1 B 2F HE CD
EV5 REGI/] :AT 0 HAPP5+ HE FELT A BL[ S
=CE;L T X S5T 8 5TIRE BODY HURTL+ "?
SPACE4 ,HE 0 UPSIDE D[N1 TURN+ 9 MIDAIR1
! ROOM A BLUR >.D HM4 ,HE B\NC$ (F "S?+
H>D--A WALL8 A BOOK%ELF8 ,:O CD TELL8--&
CRA%$ 6! FLOOR1 ": HE LAY ON 8 BACK1
LEGS WAV+4
  8,": IS HE80 ,JAMES CRI$4
  8,X'S OKAY1 ,I BRU%$ X (F10 ,*RI/9A SD
REASSUR+LY4 8,B T 0 ! /RANGE/ ?+4 ,X 0
"R 0YR NECK1 "U YR COLL>4 ,& 9 ! W9T]
TOO4 ,U<60
  8,B ": DID HE G80
  ,M>V9 CDN'T SEE ANY?+ F 8 9V]T$ POSI-
;N4 ,HE P$AL$ 8 LEGS FRANTIC,Y1 TRY+ TO
H1VE HMF UP"R4
  8,I H NO IDEA10 ,*RI/9A SD4 8,ON !
FLOOR "S":4 ,X'S PROBABLY D1D40
  8,,:AT80 ,M>V9 HE>D ,JAMES'S SN1K]S ON
! WOOD NE>BY4
  8,TAKE X EASY1 BU4Y10 ,K>L SD4 8,X'S
ONLY A BUG40                         #HD
  ,M>V9 0 AFRAID HE'D 2 SE51 AFRAID HE'D
2 /EPP$ ON4 ,"! 0 NO?+ M VULN]A# 9 ! _W
?AN A BEETLE ON XS BACK4 ,HE TWI/$ &
TURN$1 DESP]ATELY TRY+ 6FLIP HMF4 ,? 0
"S?+ HE & ,ELA9E _H PRACTIC$ AT HOME1 )
V>Y+ DEGREES ( SU3ESS4 ,HE 0 M* BETT] AT
X ?AN ,ELA9E1 HE REM9D$ HMF1 SUMMON+ 8
LA/ %R$ ( /R5G?4 .,=TITUDE1 HE ?"\ GRIM-
LY4
  ,)A MI<TY H1VE1 HE ?REW HMF OV]4 ,HE
L&$ ON 8 BELLY & RAN ACR ! FLOORBO>DS
''' "U ! TA#1 \ ( SI<T4 ,PHEW6
  ,F ! %AD[S1 ,M>V9 CD SEE F\R PAIRS (
%OES4 ,JAMES'S 7 ANXI\SLY JITT]+4
  ,K>L CROSS$ ! ROOM T[>D ! DOOR4
8,LET'S G1 ,JAMES4 ,WE B>ELY H "T 6SEE !
RE/ (! EXHIBIT40
  ,JAMES /AY$ ": HE WAS4 8,B--0
  8,-E ON1 BU4Y40
  ,*RI/9A'S BLACK PUMPS TAPP$ ACR !
FLOOR 6,JAMES'S SN1K]S4 8,D Y WANT 6TAKE
! BOOK ) Y80
  8,NO60 ,JAMES BUR/ \1 !N A4$ QKLY1 8,I
WANT 6D X "H4 ,IS T OKAY1 ,DAD8 ,C WE -E
BACK TM80                            #HE
  ..,HE DOESN'T WANT 6L1VE .ME1 ,M>V9
R1LIZ$ GRATE;LLY4 ..,HE'S MAK+ SURE
HE'LL H 6-E .BACK4
  8,TM8 ,! MUSEUM IS CLOS$ ON ,MON"D40
  8,YES1 ! EXHIBIT HALLS >E10 ,*RI/9A
SD1 8B N ! (FICES4 ,ACTU,Y1 T WD "W \
P]FECTLY4 ,Y CD -E AF S*OOL IF Y L1
,JAMES4 ,& ,I'LL MAKE SURE Y H MY (FICE
6YRF40
  8,N[ WAIT A M9UTE10 ,K>L PROTE/$4 8,I
H NO IDEA :AT 8 "M'S PLANS >E--0
  8,WELL1 ( C\RSE Y'LL H 6*ECK T HE
DOESN'T H ANY O!R -MIT;TS10 ,*RI/9A SD
SMOO?LY4
  8,I DON'T H ANY O!R -MIT;TS10 ,JAMES
SD4 ,HE CR\*$ D[N1 & ,M>V9 CD SEE 8
PALE1 S]I\S FACE SQU9T+ AT ! FLOOR4
.,OV] ."H1 ,M>V9 WANT$ 6YELL1 N T X WD H
D"O ANY GD4 ,HE TRI$ 6CALCULATE :E!R HE
_H 5 "T 6RUN ACR ! FLOOR & CLIMB ONTO
,JAMES'S SN1K] )\T 2+ SE54
  8,X'S UP 6YR "M40 ,K>L PAUS$4 8,B %E
ISN'T LIKELY 6SAY YES IF Y'RE LATE GETT+
BACK TD40
  ,JAMES SI<$4 8,OKAY1 OKAY4 ,I'LL   #HF
-E TM10 HE SD1 A LL TOO L\DLY4
  ,M>V9 SAW ! BLACK PUMPS PIVOT4 8,"H1
,JAMES10 ,*RI/9A SD4 8,TAKE "O ( MY
C>DS4 ,CALL ME & LET ME "K :5 Y'LL 2
"H40 ,H] VOICE L[]$1 & ,M>V9 CD TELL %E
0 L1N+ D[N1 SP1K+ ONLY 6,JAMES4 8,I'M S
EXCIT$ AB ?4 ,I'LL TELL Y M AB ! DRAW+S
TM40
  8,AB ? "O80 ,JAMES ASK$4 8.,JU/ICE80
  8,YES1 &! O!RS40
  ,M>V9 SAW ,D5NY'S %OES MOVE 6! DOOR4
8,I C'T WAIT 6HE> ?10 HE SD4 8,MAYBE !N
WE'LL "K :AT Y'RE UP TO40
  8,JAMES10 ,K>L SD IMPATI5TLY4
  8,OKAY1 ,DAD10 ,JAMES ANSW]$4 ,M>V9
WAT*$ ! SN1K]S TURN & TRAIL RELUCTANTLY
2H ,K>L'S SCU6$ LOAF]S4 ,ALL F\R PAIRS (
%OES DRIFT$ 96! HALLWAY1 ! LI<T W5T (F1
&! DOOR CLOS$ )A ?UD4
  ,M>V9 HU4L$ 9 ! D>K4 ,HE LI/5$ 6_!
FOOT/EPS E*O+ D[N ! HALL UNTIL ! ROOM 0
SIL5T4
  ,8 P>5TS WD 2 CRAZY ) WORRY1 N "K+ ":
HE WAS4 ,B :AT CD HE D AB T N[8 ,JAMES
WD 2 BACK TM1 ,M>V9 FELT SURE ( X4   #HG
,"! 0 A 3NEC;N 2T !M1 M ?AN J ! DRAW+4
,HE KNEW ,JAMES FELT X TOO4 ,EV5 ?\<
!Y'D ONLY (FICI,Y MET T MORN+1 X SEEM$ Z
IF !Y _H "KN EA* O!R A L;G "T4 ,"! 0 "S
MY/]I\S CLICK ( "U/&+4 ,M>V9 _H N"E FELT
T ) ANY"O 2F4
  ,HE CRAWL$ \ F "U ! TA# & CLIMB$ "O (
XS MASSIVE WOOD5 LEGS4 ,! BOOK LAY OP5 9
FRONT ( HM1 SMELL+ FA9TLY ( MILDEW1 A
-=T+ M/Y ODOR T MADE ,M>V9 ?9K (! WAT]-
S(T5$ WALLS ( HOME4 ,HE CREPT ACR XS
SAT9Y PAGES & /OPP$ AT ! $GE (! .,JU/ICE
DRAW+4 ,"!1 HE SETTL$ D[N =! NI<T1 MEMO-
RIZ+ E L9E4










                                     #HH
























                  #AB                #HI
          ,9 ,*RI/9A'S ,(FICE

  ,J Z ! MORN+ SUNLI<T SLANT$ "? ! L>GE
W9D[S1 ,M>V9 HE>D A CLATT] \ 9 ! HALL-
WAY4 ,MO;TS LAT]1 A /OOP-%\LD]$ CU/ODIAN
WE>+ A BR[N COV]ALL PU%$ "? ! DOOR4 ,HE
DRA7$ A L>GE TRA% C &A BUCKET ( CL1N+
SUPPLIES4 ,M>V9 FLATT5$ HMF1 DIV+ 96!
HOLL[ 2T ! B.D PAGES &! BOOK'S ?ICK COV-
]4 ,F "!1 HE WAT*$ ! CU/ODIAN RUN 8
BROOM LAZILY OV] ! FLOOR1 SCOOP+ A SMALL
PILE ( DU/ & DEBRIS 96! TRA%1 !N WIP+ !
TA#TOP 49T]E/$LY )A RAG4 ,HE DIDN'T BO!R
6MOVE ! BOOK1 S ,M>V9 0 SAFE4
  ,ONCE ! (FICE 0 EMPTY AG1 ,M>V9 2GAN
6EXPLORE4 ,HE CRAWL$ D[N ! TA# LEG 6!
FLOOR & !N OV] 6! F> WALL1 QKLY ASC5D+
6! W9D[SILL4 ,! VIEW (! P>K 0 DIZZY+LY
PANORAMIC4 ,M>V9 CD SEE F1!RY GRAY CLUS-
T]S ( TREES & ?9 ASPHALT PA?S CUTT+ "?
W9T] GRASS4 ,9 ! 4T.E1 P BUNDL$ 9 D>K
COATS HURRI$ AWAY ON _! MORN+ BUSI;S1
9SIGNIFICANT SPECKS4 ..,? M/ 2 :AT BEE-
TLES LOOK L 6.HUMANS1 ,M>V9 ?"\4
  ,HE CRAWL$ AL;G ! SILL 6,*RI/I-    #IJ
NA'S DESK1 ! SURFACE ( : 0 MO/LY B>E1
EXCEPT = TWO N1T /ACKS ( PAP]1 A CANI/]
( P5S & P5CILS1 A CLOCK1 &A SILV]-FRAM$
PHOTOGRAPH4 ,! PHOTO 0 ( ,*RI/9A SITT+
ON A S(A1 FEET TUCK$ "U H]1 ) TWO LL
GIRLS NEXT 6H]4 ,OR1 RE,Y1 ,M>V9 ?"\1 ON
TOP ( H]4 ,"O L1N$ ACR H] LAP1 SMIL+ UP
AT H]2 ! O!R 0 DRAP$ OV] H] %\LD]S1 "O
H& TANGL$ POSSESSIVELY 9 H] HAIR4 ,*RIS-
T9A H]F LOOK$ MESSY & RUMPL$1 V UNLIKE
H] APPE>.E YE/]"D4 ,B H] FACE 0 %9+4 ,!
GIRLS _H H] DELICATE F1TURES & H] SAME
BLOND HAIR1 ONLY LI<T]4 ,!Y M/ 2 H]
DAU<T]S1 ,M>V9 DECID$4
  ,=! RE/ (! MORN+1 HE TREKK$ >.D ! (-
FICE4 ,HE CLIMB$ ! %ELVES & SURVEY$ !
/IFF R[S ( BOOKS4 ,HE CLUNG 6! CORD (!
W9D[ %ADE & 5T]TA9$ HMF 0LAUN*+ AWAY F !
WALL & SW++ SL[LY BACK & =? :ILE ! ROOM
GYRAT$ 2L HM4 ,X 0 ! CLOSE/ HE CD -E TO
FLY+1 A SKILL %>$ 0_M O!R K9DS ( BEETLES
--LADYBUGS1 WEEVILS--T ,M>V9 & 8 FAMILY
(T5 5VI$4
  ,9 ! E>LY AFN1 HE 0 PL1S$ 6F9D A
?UMBTACK "U ! DESK4 ,IF HE'D BE5     #IA
HOME1 HE WD H PROMPTLY DRA7$ X BACK 6HIS
COLLEC;N1 EAG] 6%[ ,ELA9E4 ,9/1D1 HE
%OV$ X ACR ! FLOOR & HID X 2H "O (! TA#
LEGS1 FEEL+ A BIT M SECURE 6"K T A W1PON
0 AVAILA# %D HE H NE$ ( X4
  ,AF A :ILE1 ,M>V9 GREW HUNGRY4 ,HE ?"\
L;G+LY (! SUB/ANTIAL BR1KFA/ ,MAMA &
,PAPA WD 2 5JOY+ "R N[1 -PLI;TS (! ,POM-
PA"DS4 ,BAGEL ) CR1M *EESE8 ,PANCAKE )
MAPLE SYRUP8 ,! F1/ 2N ,WILLIAM'S HI<
*AIR (F]$ 5D.S V>IETY N[ T ! BABY 0 OLD
5 6TRY DI6]5T FOODS1 B / "Y 5 65JOY ?R[+
FI/;LS ONTO ! FLOOR4
  ,M>V9 CRAWL$ OV] 6! WA/EBASKET 0! FILE
CAB9ET 9 ! HOPE ( F9D+ A /RAY MORSEL4 ,!
CU/ODIAN _H BANG$ X EMPTY1 B =TUNATELY1
8 C>E.S SWEEP+ _H SCATT]$ S"EAL CRUMBS
"U ! DESK4 ,AT F/ ,M>V9 ?"\ !Y 7 ONLY
BR1D CRUMBS--/ALE "OS1 HE SUSPECT$1 !
L1V+S (A S&WI* EAT5 "DS AGO4 ,B 6HIS
PURE DELI<T1 HE 4COV]$ T9Y BITS (A /RAW-
B]RY ,POP-,T>T4
  ,Z HE GOB#D ! SWEET PA/RY1 ,M>V9 FELT
3SID]ABLY LESS 9CONV5I;ED 0A "D SP5T
AL"O 9 ,*RI/9A'S (FICE4 ,)A FULL     #IB
BELLY1 HE RETURN$ 6! TA#TOP 6LOOK AT !
DRAW+ AG4 ,! L9ES 7 DELICATE B UNWAV]+4
,& H[ /RIK+ ,JU/ICE WAS1 ) H] SAD FACE &
H] H1VY SWORD4 ,HE WANT$ 6DRAW ? PICTURE
M ?AN ! "O )! LION4 ,HE CDN'T WAIT UNTIL
,JAMES BR"\ ! 9K4
  ,F9,Y1 H\RS LAT]1 ,M>V9 HE>D KEYS 9 !
LOCK4 ,HE 3C1L$ HMF 9 ! BOOK'S B9D+ AG1
J Z ,*RI/9A CAME 96! ROOM1 FOLL[$ BY
,JAMES & !N ,K>L1 :O /OPP$ 9 ! DOORWAY4
,*RI/9A 0 DRESS$ Z IMPE3ABLY Z ! "D 2F1
9 A CRISP SILK BL\SE & NAVY TR\S]S1 ) H]
HAIR PULL$ SMOO?LY AWAY F H] FACE & HELD
9 A TORTOISE%ELL CLASP4 ,JAMES1 WIDE-EY$
& N]V\S1 %OT QK GL.ES 9 E DIREC;N1 SCAN-
N+ ! FLOOR1 ! WALLS1 ! TA#4 ..,HE'S
LOOK+ = .ME1 ,M>V9 ?"\ HAPPILY4
  8,I'M S GRATE;L Y 7 A# 6-E1 ,JAMES10
,*RI/9A 0 SAY+1 RE/+ H] H& ON ,JAMES'S
%\LD]4 8,I "K X M/ 2 DI6ICULT ON A S*OOL
"D40 ,%E TURN$ 6,K>L4 8,& Y1 TOO1 ,MR4
,T]IK4 ,I D R1LIZE X'S AN 9CONV5I;E =
Y40
  8,WELL10 ,K>L SD1 8,JAMES WANT$ TO1 S
'''0 ,HE %RU7$ & L1N$ AWKW>DLY AG/   #IC
! DOOR FRAME4
  ,*RI/9A LOOK$ AT ,JAMES AG4 8,D Y ?9K
Y C "W "H AT ! TA#8 ,IF ,I CLE> (F A
SPACE = Y80 ,%E SCOOT$ ! /ACKS ( PAP]
ASIDE1 L1V+ A WIDE SWA? ( POLI%$ TA#TOP1
)! L>GE VOLUME ( ,D@UR] DRAW+S 9 XS
C5T]4
  8,LET'S F9D .,=TITUDE10 %E SD1 FLIPP+
! PAGES4 ,M>V9 FL9*$ & BURR[$ DEEP] 96!
B9D+ Z ! PAGES FLUTT]$ ABV HM4 8,I SEE Y
BR"\ YR 9K SET4 ,D Y NE$ PAP]8 ,ANY?+
ELSE80
  ,JAMES LOOK$ AT ! FLOOR4 8,J PAP]4 ,B
''' ,I '''0 ,HE /OPP$4
  ,*RI/9A CR\*$ NE> HM4 8,:AT IS X80
  ,M>V9 HE>D ,JAMES SCUFF "O SN1K] AG/ !
FLOOR4 8,I ''' ,I DON'T "K IF ,I C10 HE
SD 9 A SMALL VOICE4 8,I DON'T "K IF ,I C
DRAW X "H40
  ,*RI/9A NO4$4 8,I -PLETELY "U/&4 ,!
>TI/IC PROCESS IS S ''' S .SPECIFIC =
EA* P]SON4 ,=! GRT MA/]S1 X 0 TOO40 ,%E
SMIL$ 5C\RAG+LY4
  ,K>L 0 WAT*+ ,JAMES4 8,X'S A LOT (
PRESSURE =A LL GUY10 HE SD QUIET-    #ID
LY4
  ,*RI/9A PAUS$4 8,I DON'T M1N X 6BE4
,RE,Y1 ,JAMES1 DON'T WORRY IF X DOESN'T
"W4 ,I'M SURE "! 7 "TS X DIDN'T "W =
,D@UR] EI40
  ,M>V9 SAW ,K>L FR[N1 & ,*RI/9A R1*$ \
H] H& QKLY1 RE/+ X ON 8 >M4 ,HE DREW
BACK 9 SURPRISE1 B %E P]SI/$4 8,MR4 ,T]-
IK10 %E SD1 8,I FEEL L Y & ,I H GOTT5 (F
6A BAD />T "SH[4 ,C ,I BUY Y A CUP ( C(-
FEE8 ,PL1SE8 ,6MAKE UP = YR TR\# -+ ALL
! WAY "H AG8 ,X W GIVE ,JAMES A LL P1CE
:ILE HE "WS40
  ,%E SMIL$ UP AT ,K>L1 ^: [N FACE S(T5$
A LL4 8,OKAY10 HE SD RELUCTANTLY4 8,H[
L;G D Y WANT1 ,JAMES8 ,AN H\R8 ,H\R &A
HALF80
  ,JAMES 3T9U$ 6SCAN ! ROOM1 BIT+ 8 LIP4
8,Y1H4 ,X CD TAKE ME A :ILE40
  8,"H'S ! PAP]10 ,*RI/9A SD1 SETT+ A
CL1N %1F ( H1VY DRAW+ PAP] ON ! TA#4 8,&
"H'S .,=TITUDE40 ,%E TRAC$ H] F+]S OV] !
GIRL WRE/L+ ! LION4 8,J GIVE X A TRY1
,JAMES1 OKAY80
  8,OKAY10 ,JAMES SD1 8 *EEKS P9K4   #IE
  ,!Y LEFT1 & Z SOON Z ! DOOR CLICK$
%UT1 ,JAMES DROPP$ 6HIS KNEES1 4APPE>+ F
,M>V9'S SI<T4 ,M>V9 CD HE> HM :ISP]+ Z
HE CRAWL$ >.D ! FLOOR4 8,": >E Y8 ,":
,,>E Y8 ,OH1 PL1SE1 PL1SE 2 OKAY60
  ,M>V9 CRAWL$ \ (! BOOK'S B9D+ & SCUR-
RI$ 6! $GE (! TA#4 ,JAMES 3T9U$ 6SCRAM#
ACR ! FLOOR1 LOOK+ "U ! DESK1 PE]+ 96!
RU/-FLAK$ GROOVES (! RADIATOR4 ,M>V9
WAIT$ UNTIL HE _H DEJECT$LY H1V$ 6HIS
FEET & 0 />+ >.D ! ROOM1 !N RAN 6! $GE (
! TA#1 HOP+ T ! FLA% ( MOVE;T WD ATTRACT
! BOY'S ATT5;N4
  8,HEY60 ,JAMES CRI$4 8,,HEY6 ,Y'RE
"H60
  ,HE COLLAPS$ 9 A *AIR & RE/$ 8 *9 ON !
TA#1 9*ES F ,M>V91 8 FACE SPLIT 0A WIDE
GR94 ,HE PLUNK$ 8 F+] D[N4 ,M>V9 PROMPT-
LY CRAWL$ ON TOP ( X & HELD TI<T Z
,JAMES LIFT$ HM4
  ,HE _H N"E SE5 ,JAMES LOOK S HAPPY &
RELIEV$4 ..,T'S 2C ,JAMES 0 WORRI$ AB
.ME1 HE R1LIZ$4 ..,T'S 2C WE'RE .FRS4

                                     #IF
























                  #AC                #IG
            ,6,COPY A ,COPY

  8,I'M S GLAD NO?+ HAPP5$ 6Y1 LL GUY10
,JAMES SD Z HE PLAC$ ! PAP] 9 FRONT (
,M>V9 & %OOK ! BOTTLE ( 9K4 8,I M1N1 ,I
KEPT ?9K+1 ,8,:AT IF HE GOT /EPP$ ON80'
,OR1 ,8,:AT IF ! JANITOR CAME & SWEPT Y
UP 9 ! G>BAGE80'0
  ,M>V9 ?"\ ? S.D$ L "S?+ ,ELA9E WD SAY4
  ,B ,JAMES 3T9U$ HAPPILY1 8,I HOPE Y C
D ?6 ,I M1N1 %E'S TOT,Y C.T+ ON Y4 ,Y "K
:AT ? IS L8 ,? IS L T FAIRY TALE1 ! "O )
! GIRL &! /RAW4 ,:AT'S X CALL$8 '''
,8,RUMPEL/ILTSK980'6 ,REMEMB]8 ,": !
GIRL'S LOCK$ 9 T ROOM (! CA/LE & %E'S
SUPPOS$ 6SP9 ! /RAW 96GOLD OR ELSE !Y'LL
*OP (F H] H1D80
  ,M>V9 %U4]$4 ,NO WOND] HUMAN *N F.D X
5T]TA9+ 6PULL ! LEGS (F BEETLES1 HE>+
/ORIES L ^!4 ,HE CRAWL$ OV] 6! DRAW+
PAP]4
  8,& !N T LL ELF OR "S?+ -ES & HELPS
H]2 & NOBODY "KS X10 ,JAMES F9I%$4 8,L
Y'RE HELP+ ME4 ,EXCEPT X TURNS \ ! ELF'S
K9D ( M1N1 & ,I C TELL Y'RE N M1N4   #IH
,Y'RE RE,Y1 RE,Y NICE40 ,HE TOOK A DEEP
BR1?4
  8,OKAY1 R1DY8 ,"H'S YR 9K40 ,HE UN-
SCREW$ ! CAP1 SETT+ X D[N NEXT 6,M>V94
8,& :AT ,I'LL D IS1 ,I'LL PUT ! BOOK UP
L ?0--HE PROPP$ ! HUGE VOLUME UP"R1 >-
RANG+ O!R BOOKS ON ! TA# 6HOLD X OP5--8S
Y C SEE X :ILE Y "W1 Y "K8 ,O!RWISE X'D
2 TOO H>D2 Y'D H 6CRAWL BACK & =? :ILE
Y'RE DRAW+4 ,? WAY1 X'S K9D ( L LOOK+ "?
! W9D[ 9 MY ROOM4 ,D Y ?9K Y C D X80
  ,WELL1 T 0 ! "Q1 WASN'T X8 ,M>V9 GAZ$
AT ! DRAW+4 ,JAMES 0 "R1 X WASN'T S DIF-
F]5T F LOOK+ "? ! B$ROOM W9D[ AT ! C;Y
/REET4 ,"EY?+ 0 "!1 9 PROPOR;N2 ALL HE
_H 6D 0 TRANSF] X 6! PAGE4
  ,B X 0 A DRAW+ 0A BRILLIANT >TI/1 MADE
HUNDR$S ( YE>S AGO6 ,H[ CD HE COPY "S?+
L T )\T MESS+ UP8
  ,X DIDN'T HELP 6?9K T WAY1 ,M>V9 DE-
CID$ ''' J L X DIDN'T HELP 6?9K AB ! D>K
WAT] 9 ! DRA91 OR :AT MI<T 2 FLOAT+ "!
:5 Y 7 AB 6DIVE IN4 ,YR ONLY HOPE 0 6/OP
?9K+ & D X4
  ,HE TOOK A DEEP BR1?1 DIPP$ 8      #II
FRONT LEGS 9 ! 9K1 & W5T 6"W4
  ,! BLANK EXPANSE ( PAP] 0 OV]:ELM+1 B
,M>V9 FOCUS$ ON AN >EA ! SIZE (! DRAW+1
M>K+ ! CORN]S ( AN IMAG9>Y ?REE-BY-?REE-
9* SQU>E ) MICROSCOPIC DOTS ( 9K4 ,!N HE
2GAN 6DRAW4 ,HE 3C5TRAT$ ON MAK+ 8
/ROKES Z CRISP & FIRM Z ,D@UR]'S1 )\T
SACRIFIC+ ! DELICACY (! L9E4 ,HE />T$ )!
GIRL'S TI<TLY CURL$ HAIR4 ,!N HE MOV$ 6!
CURVE ( H] FACE4
  ,JAMES SAT AT ! TA# ) 8 >MS CROSS$ 9
FRONT ( HM1 8 *9 RE/+ ON !M4 ,MO/LY HE 0
SIL5T1 B "S"TS HE :ISP]$ 5C\RAGE;T3
8,HEY1 GD JOB10 OR 8,T "P IS TRICKY4 '''
,Y C D X40 ,M>V9 NE>LY =GOT ,JAMES 0 "!1
S 9T5T 0 HE ON ! DRAW+4 ,! GIRL TOOK
%APE1 H] /URDY1 MUSCL$ LIMBS BULG+ "? !
CLO? ( H] G[N4 ,! LION 0 EASI] "SH[1 XS
BODY HELD TI<T 9 ! CIRCLE ( HUMAN >MS4
,C>E;LLY1 ,M>V9 A4$ ! CROSS-HAT*+ OV] XS
FLANK1 !N ! FL\RI% ( XS CURL+ TAIL4
  8,T'S .GRT10 ,JAMES SD 9 A L[1 BR1?.S
VOICE1 Z IF AFRAID 6BR1K ! SPELL4
  ,M>V9 4COV]$ T IF HE COPI$ 9DIVIDUAL
"PS (! DRAW+ TOO ME*ANIC,Y1 8       #AJJ
L9ES SEEM$ /I6] ?AN ,D@UR]'S4 ,S HE TRI$
6CAPTURE ! FL[ (! :OLE IMAGE4 ,! H>DE/
"P 0 MAK+ 8 L9ES FLUID & SURE1 Z IF HE 7
DRAW+ "S?+ NEW1 ALL 0HMF1 =! F/ "T4
  8,HEY10 ,JAMES SD SU45LY1 LOOK+ AT !
CLOCK ON ,*RI/9A'S DESK4 8,X'S ALM FIVE-
?IRTY4 ,!Y'LL 2 BACK SOON4 ,C Y F9I% X80
  ,M>V9 "W$ FA/]1 SLIPP+ 96! /RANGE TR.E
HE'D FELT :5 HE F/ />T$ SKET*+ ! SC5E
\TSIDE ,JAMES'S W9D[4 ,X 0 A WAY ( SET-
TL+ DEEP 9SIDE HMF1 LO/ 6! \TSIDE _W4
,HE _H NO S5SE ( ANY?+ B ! PAGE 9 FRONT
( HM1 ! L9ES ( 9K BLOSSOM+ 96A PICTURE4
  ,F9,Y1 ! DRAW+ 0 -PLETE4
  ,M>V9 BACK$ (F ! PAP]1 HOLD+ 8 9K-/A9$
LEGS AL(T4
  ,JAMES NO4$ SL[LY1 B>ELY BR1?+4 8,X
LOOKS J L ! O!R "O60
  ,M>V9 />$ AT X4 ,X 0 ALL "!3 ! CR\*+
GIRL & H] LION1 E DETAIL FAI?;LLY REPRO-
DUC$ ON ! PAGE4 ,B 0 X Z GD Z ,D@UR]'S8
,M>V9 FELT S M* LESS C]TA9 ( X ?AN HE _H
( 8 W9D[ DRAW+4
  ,JAMES1 H["E1 SEEM$ P]FECTLY 3FID5T4
8,!Y'RE N GO+ 62LIEVE ?10 HE SD1    #AJA
GR9N+4
  ,M9UTES LAT]1 ,K>L1 ,*RI/9A1 & ,D5NY
WALK$ "? ! DOOR4 ,JAMES _H ALR SECUR$
,M>V9 9 8 JACKET POCKET 6AVOID A REP1T (
YE/]"D'S SC>E4 ,M>V9 GRIPP$ ! FLAP1 ANX-
I\SLY WAT*+ ,*RI/9A'S REAC;N4
  8,OH60 %E GASP$4 8,OH1 ,JAMES60
  ,D5NY LAU<$ \ L\D4
  ,M>V9 CDN'T TELL IF T 0 GD OR BAD4
,DID !Y L X8
  8,W[10 SD ,K>L1 APPROA*+ ! TA#4
  ,JAMES /EPP$ BACKW>D1 FI4L+ )! ZIPP]
ON 8 JACKET4 ,M>V9 LOOK$ UP & SAW ! SAME
P9K FLU% CREEP+ OV] 8 *EEKS4
  8,JAMES1 ? IS .EXCELL5T10 ,*RI/9A SD1
LIFT+ ! PAP]4 8,I C'T 2LIEVE X4 ,I H TO
3FESS1 ,I ?"\ X 0 WOR? A TRY1 B--,D5NY1
LOOK6 ,DID Y "E IMAG9E HE'D 2 A# 6D X S
WELL80 ,%E TURN$ EXCIT$LY 6,K>L4 8,DID
Y80
  ,6HIS SURPRISE1 ,M>V9 SAW T ! DYNAMIC
2T !M _H 5TIRELY %IFT$1 ! PRICKLY %ORT-
TEMP]$;S G"O4 ,K>L SMIL$ AT H]1 8 FACE
MIRROR+ H] 5?USIASM4
  8,NO6 ,I ?"\ HE CD GET ! L9E      #AJB
"R1 B COPY+ "S?+ REQUIRES A DI6]5T SKILL
ALT4 ,! PROPOR;NS >E RE,Y GD "H1 ,JAMES
--! WAY Y'VE GOT !M 9 SPACE4 ,HMMM4 ,I
?9K ! OV]ALL E6ECT 9 ! ,D@UR] IS N Q S
CR[D$1 ?\<4 ,D Y AGREE80 ,K>L SD ? TO
,*RI/9A1 :O LOOK$ M CLOSELY AT ! IMAGE 9
! BOOK4
  ,M>V9 SAW :AT HE M1NT4 ,9 ! ORIG9AL1
DESPITE XS M9IATURE SIZE1 ! GIRL &! LION
=M$ A BROAD TRIANGLE 9 SPACE4
  8,TRUE10 SD ,D5NY4 8,B X'S V F9E "W4
,! TE*NICAL -M& IS EXTRAORD9>Y40
  ,*RI/9A NO4$4 8,& ? IS 8 F/ TRY4 .,&
X'S F A REPRODUC;N 9 AN >T BOOK1 N F !
ORIG9AL DRAW+40 ,%E PAUS$1 %AK+ H] H1D4
8,I'M ALM AFRAID 6SAY ?1 B X'S GIV5 ME
HOPE40
  ,M>V9 GL.ED UP AT ,JAMES1 :O CLE>LY
%>$ 8 2WILD];T4 ,:AT 0 %E TALK+ AB8
  8,HOPE = :AT80 ,K>L ASK$4
  8,YES1 ,*RI/9A1 D TELL10 ,D5NY A4$4
8,YR PLANS H BE5 A MY/]Y L;G 5\<4 ,:Y A
COPY ( .,=TITUDE8 ,/ SM>T+ 2C ,I \TBID Y
ON X AT AUC;N80
  ,*RI/9A LAU<$ AT HM4 8,NO1 NO1    #AJC
,I GOT OV] T A L;G "T AGO40
  8,:Y !N80 ,D5NY P]SI/$4 8,:Y D Y NE$ A
COPY ( .,=TITUDE80
  ,*RI/9A'S EYES SP>KL$4 8,2C10 %E SD
SL[LY1 H] VOICE B>ELY 3TA9+ H] EXCITE;T1
8X'S AB 6BE /OL540


















                                    #AJD