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             ,,E>L ,,EM]SON

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        ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #DIG-EDJ

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                                     ;II
























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

    ,-PUT] ,BRL ,CODE
_+ ,2G9 ,-PUT] ,BRL ,CODE 9DICATOR4
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                                     ;IV
























                  #FC4              #DIG
          ,,EI<TY/,,TW5TY ,,ON
             ,A ,,BAD ,,D1?

    ,TREY
  ,:5 ! BUILD+ /OPS CASCAD+ ONTO \R
H1DS1 ,I F9D MYF 9 A SITT+ POSI;N ) MY
BACK AG/ ! WALL4 ,I H A R1L BAD FEEL+ AB
? FIRE4 ,9 FRONT ( ME ,I HE> ,KITTY MOV-
+1 & ABV U ! CRACKL+ (! FLAMES4 ,! H1T
IS 2COM+ UNBE>A#4 ,X FEELS Z IF WE'VE J
PUT \R H1DS 96AN OV54
  ,"SH[ ,I'VE GOTT5 MYF P9N$ "U A MAS-
SIVE PILE ( DEBRIS4 ,I AM ?ANK;L MY FACE
MASK IS 9TACT & ,I AM / BR1?+ BOTTL$
AIR1 O!RWISE X WD 2 A LOT WORSE4 ,"S?+
L>GE & H1VY IS LY+ ACR MY LAP1 F ! FEEL
( X1 A B1M4 ,:5 ,I PU% AG/ X1 NO?+ HAP-
P5S4
  8,KITTY1 >E Y ALL "R80
  8,Y1H4 ,I'M \ F "U ALL ? CRAP N[4
,LET'S G4 ,GEEZ1 X'S HOT4 ,LET'S G4
,LET'S GET \ ( "H40
  8,I'D L TO1 B ,I H A LL PRO#M40
  ,KITTY IS MAK+ H] WAY "? ! RUB# T[>D
": %E 2LIEVES ! DOORWAY IS4 ,I C    #DIH
FEEL H] WEI<T Z X IS A4$ 6! TONNAGE ON
MY LAP4 8,JESUS4 ,GET (F40
  8,:AT80
  8,GET (F4 ,I'M "U Y40 ,%E /EPS BACK1 &
! LOAD LI<T5S4 8,"!'S "S?+ ON MY LEGS4
,I C'T MOVE X40
  ,SL[LY %E MAKES H] WAY 6MY POSI;N1 &
,I FEEL H] GLOV$ H&S Z %E PALMS MY FACE
6ASC]TA9 ": ,I AM4 ,%E 2G9S REMOV+ >TI-
CLES F ! H1P1 TOSS+ EA* ITEM OV] H] %\L-
D] Z %E 45TANGLES X4 ,X IS D>K 5 T WE >E
BO? NE>LY BL1 AL? ,I'VE GOT MY HELMET
FLA%LI<T ON & ,I'M R1SONABLY SURE H]S IS
ON1 TOO4 ,AF %E'S CLE>$ "S (! DEBRIS1 ,I
FEEL H] ON ! PILE AG4 ,%E'S N T L>GE A
WOMAN1 B L ALL ( U1 %E WE>S FIFTY P.DS (
GE>4 8,:AT IS ?8 ,A GIRD]80
  8,HELL IF ,I "K4 ,MAYBE IF WE BO? TRY
6LIFT AT ! SAME "T40 ,WE GRUNT 9 UNISON1
EA* "W+ 9 \R [N WAY1 B ! B1M REFUSES TO
BUDGE4
  8,? IS GO+ 6TAKE AT L1/ F\R P10 ,I
SAY4
  8,H[ ! HELL DID Y 5D UP "H80 ,KITTY
ASKS1 ANNOY$ AT MY C>E.S;S4         #DII
  ,I WANT 6YELL1 8,2C ,I _H 6-E BACK =
Y1 Y FR1K+ NUTCASE10 B 9/1D ,I SAY1
8,LI/54 ,GET 6! DOORWAY 2F X'S -PROMIS$4
,WE'RE GO+ 6NE$ ANO!R H& L9E4 ,! H1T'S
BUILD+40
  8,SURE4 ,I C D T40
  ,Z %E CLIMBS OV] ! B1M & MOVES AL;G !
WALL SE>*+ =! DOORWAY1 ,I TAKE (F MY
LEFT GLOVE & FUM# MY PORTA# RADIO \ ( MY
BUNK+ COAT'S *E/ POCKET--,I C FEEL ! TOP
"P ( X SCOR*+ MY F+]S :5 ,I PU% ! T9Y
NIPPLE ON TOP1 ! EM]G5CY BUTTON4 ,AF :AT
SEEMS L AN ET]N;Y1 A FEMALE 4PAT*] SAYS1
8,5G9E ,TW5TY-EI<T4 ,WE %[ YR (FIC] HAS
ACTIVAT$ 8 EM]G5CY BUTTON40
  8,T'S A6IRMATIVE4 ,I'M TRAPP$ "U RUB#
9SIDE ! BUILD+4 ,MY "PN] IS TRY+ 6F9D !
EXIT4 ,WE NE$ A ,,RIT 9 "H N[4 ,X'S GET-
T+ HOT40
  8,OKAY1 ,5G9E ,TW5TY-EI<T4 ,WE'LL RE-
LAY T 6! ,,IC4 ,GET Y "S P4 ,C Y GIVE U
YR LOC,N80
  8,J 9SIDE ! FRONT DOORWAY 9 ! F/ BIG
ROOM 6! LEFT4 ,WE'RE MAYBE ?IRTY FEET
9SIDE ! BUILD+40                    #EJJ
  8,OKAY1 ,5G9E ,TW5TY-EI<T4 ,?IRTY FEET
9SIDE ! MA9 DOORWAY 9 A ROOM ON ! LEFT40
  8,A6IRMATIVE40
  ,X ALL S.DS CALM & ORGANIZ$ OV] ! AIR-
WAVES1 B T'S N H[ ,I'M FEEL+4 ,I'VE N"E
BE5 9 ? K9D (A PICKLE 2F4 ,! ;,Z ,CLUB 0
HORR5D\S1 B ,I _H MOBIL;Y & KNEW ": !
EXIT 0 UNTIL ! V LA/4 ,? IS DI6]5T4 ,I'M
P9N$4 ,I C'T MOVE AN 9*4 ,I'M AT ! M]CY
( O!R FIREFI<T]S4 ,I'M 9 ! POSI;N ,V]NON
,SWEET+ F.D HMF IN4 ,ALL ,I C D IS WAIT4
  ,KITTY REMA9S 9 ! ROOM ) ME1 LOOK+ =!
DOOR :ILE ,I 2G9 REMOV+ BITS ( DEBRIS F
>.D ! B1M T P9S MY LEGS1 CLE>+ ! SPACE Z
BE/ ,I AM A#4 ,! B1M IS BU6]$ 0A ?ICK
LAY] ( DEBRIS ON MY LEGS1 : IS PROBABLY
:Y ,I C'T FEEL ! B1M1 J ! WEI<T4 ,\TSIDE
,I C HE> ,5G9E #BH'S MOTOR B N M* ELSE4
,9 FACT1 NO?+ ELSE4 ,NO FANS4 ,NO *A9
SAWS4 ,NO M5 YELL+4 ,NO?+ B ,KITTY'S
FOOT/EPS 9 ! D>K4 8,Y HAV5'T F.D !
DOOR80 ,I ASK4
  8,X'S JAMM$40
  8,C Y BU/ X D[N80
  ,I HE> H] ?UMP+ =A FEW MO;TS4     #EJA
8,X'S /EEL1 = CRIPE'S SAKE4 ,:Y WD ANY-
BODY PUT A /EEL DOOR .9SIDE A BUILD+80
  8,DON'T WORRY4 ,!Y'LL 2 "H SOON40
,KITTY 3T9UES 6SE>* = AN EXIT1 & :5 T
PROVES FUTILE1 TRIES 6UNE>? \R HOSE L9E
S WE'LL AT L1/ H ! PROTEC;N (A WAT]
/R1M1 B T EXPLOR,N IS J Z FUTILE4 ,GOD1
H[ ,I HATE ?4 ,X IS L 2+ NAIL$ 6! FLOOR1
MY BACK & BOTTLE JAMM$ H>D AG/ ! WALL4
,9 FACT1 T'S ! ONLY "P ( ME T HURTS1 ":
! BACKPACK IS BIT+ 96MY BACK4 8,TRY TO
BR1* A WALL10 ,I SAY4
  8,JESUS1 Y ?9K ,I'M ,SUP]GIRL8 ,I'D
NE$ AN AXE40
  ,IF HE ISN'T ALR1 ! ,,IC W 2 ORGANIZ+
A RESCUE EF=T4 ,WE H A LOT ( FRS \ "!1 &
!Y WON'T LET U D[N4
  8,5G9E ,TW5TY-EI<T80 ! 4PAT*] SAYS4
  8,5G9E ,TW5TY-EI<T1 OV]40
  8,UPDATE ON YR SITU,N80
  8,WE'RE TRAPP$ 9 ? ROOM4 ,I'M P9N$4
,MY "PN] C MOVE B _C GET \ (! ROOM4 ,!
DOOR'S JAMM$4 ,X'S GETT+ HOTT]1 & WE
DON'T H A HOSE L9E40
  8,H[ M* AIR D Y H LEFT1 ,5G9E     #EJB
,TW5TY-EI<T80
  8,A ?\S& P.DS40
  8,OKAY1 ,5G9E ,TW5TY-EI<T40
  ,!N WE 2G9 6HE> MOVE;T ON ! O!R SIDE (
! WALL4 ,MOVE;T1 HOSE /R1MS1 M5 YELL+4
,! VOICES H ! AGITAT$ "* T M>KS A RAPID-
LY S\R+ EV5T4 ,TAK+ A BRICK F ! DEBRIS
>.D ME1 ,I 2G9 SL[LY BANG+ ON ! WALL AT
MY BACK4 ,AT L1/ !Y'LL "K ": ,I AM4 ,I C
GIVE !M T4
  ,^! >E RAPIDLY 2COM+ ! L;GE/ M9UTES (
MY LIFE4 ,H[ L;G H ,I BE5 TRAPP$ N[8
,?REE M9UTES8 ,FIVE8 ,HALF A LIFE"T8
,ALL ,I C D IS SIT & 3S]VE AIR4 8,HEY1
,KITTY10 ,I CALL \4
  8,YO1 BOSS40
  8,SIT D[N4 ,MAKE YR AIR LA/40
  8,GD IDEA4 ,Y ?9K !Y'RE GO+ 6F9D U 9
"T80
  8,( C\RSE !Y >E10 ,I LIE4
  ,2F %E TOLD ME ! DOOR 0 JAMM$1 ,I'D
E/IMAT$ \R O4S AT EI<TY-TW5TY 9 FAVOR (
SURVIVAL1 B N[ ,I REV]S$ ! NUMB]S4 ,WE
>E PRETTY M* F9I%$4
                  #FD4              #EJC
             ,,C&Y ,,ASSES

    ,JAMES ,RUM#
  ,WE >E /&+ 9 FRONT (! BUILD+ :5 ,TREY
%[S UP 9 ! FRONT DOOR LOOK+ 8 NORMAL
3FID5T SELF1 EV5 ?\< X LOOKS L "SBODY
DUMP$ A G>BAGE C OV] 8 H1D4 ,I AM ON MY
WAY OV] 6SAY "S?+ FUNNY 6HM :5 HE TURNS
& WALKS BACK 96! SMOKE4 ,NO "PICUL> REA-
SON T ,I C SEE4
  ,"! IS A HI< OV]CA/ TD1 N W>M 5 =
%ORTS--TYPICAL GODDAMN ,S1TTLE W1!R--B
,I AM SW1T+ J F WALK+ >.D 9 ? H1VY GE>4
,X DON'T LET Y BR1!1 MAN4 ,X'S L :5 !Y 7
MAK+ .,GOLDF+] &! PROP GUYS PA9T$ T NAK$
LADY ) GOLD PA9T & %E DI$ 2C H] SK9
CDN'T BR1!4 ,I .?9K %E DI$4 ,OR MAYBE T
0 AN URBAN LEG5D4 ,ANYWAY1 WE'RE 9 ^!
TURN\TS SW1T+ L WE'RE GO+ 6DIE4
  ,ALL51 ,BILL1 ,PATRICK1 & ME >E WAIT+
=A DEF9ITIVE ORD]4 ,X WD PROBABLY HELP
IF ,TREY & 8 "PN] WD GET \ ( "!4 ,! RO(
IS RO>+ N[1 & WE'RE GO+ 6FI<T ? F \T-
SIDE4 ,Z SOON Z !Y GET \4 ,WE />T PULL+
L9ES AL;G ! GR.D4 ,ANO!R CREW IS    #EJD
C>RY+ A MONITOR 6! OPPOSITE SIDE (!
BUILD+ 6SET UP 9 ! P>K+ >EA4 ,CITIZ5S >E
SCRAMBL+ 6MOVE _! C>S1 NO D\BT RECALL+ !
RU9$ VEHICLES \TSIDE ! ;,Z ,CLUB4 ,ALL5
& ,I >E HAUL+ A HUNDR$ FEET ( TWO-&-A-
HALF-9* L9E 6! 5D (! BUILD+4 ,! EAVES >E
SMOK+ PRETTY GD ! F/ "T WE LOOK1 B N[
"!'S ACTUAL FLAME LICK+ \4 ,I'M ?9K+ ?
?+ IS \ ( 3TROL4
  ,Z WE MOVE1 "!'S ANO!R L\D CRA% 9SIDE
! BUILD+1 & ,I ?9K 6MYF1 %IT1 IF ,TREY'S
ANY": NE> T1 HE'S 9 TR\#1 B !N ,I DON'T
?9K AB X AG =A FEW M9UTES4 ,WE'RE GETT+
WAT] ON ! L9E :5 ,I HE> ON ! RADIO T
,5G9E #BH IS TRAPP$ 9SIDE4
  ,I F9D X H>D 62LIEVE1 2C ,I J SAW
,TREY A FEW M9UTES AGO4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 "!
0 T L\D CRA% 9SIDE4 ,F ": WE'RE POSI;N$
,I C SEE AL;G ! FRONT (! BUILD+1 ":
!Y'VE GOT CREWS MASK+ UP 6G 9 & GET HM1
& X'S TAK+ ="E1 DAMMIT4 ,!N !Y'RE CRAWL+
9 "? ! FRONT DOOR1 CRAWL+ "U ! H1T1
DRA7+ A HOSE L9E1 ANO!R CREW ON TOP ( !M
)A SECOND HOSE L9E4 ,!Y'RE MOV+ S DAMN$
SL[4                                #EJE
  ,!Y >E 9SIDE LESS ?AN A M9UTE :5 !Y -E
TUMBL+ BACK \1 ROLL+ AL;G ! GR.D L MON-
KEYS1 A FIREBALL *AS+ !M4 ,"SBODY PICKS
UP A HOSE L9E 9 ! Y>D & D\SES !M1 COOLS
EA* "O (F4 ,_! TURN\T COATS LET (F /1M
:5 ! WAT] HITS1 S Y "K X 0 HOT 9 "!4 ,!Y
G OV] 6! ,,IC1 A *IEF F ! ,SEV5? ,I'VE
MET B DON'T "K R1L WELL4
  ,I C FEEL ! BILE 9 MY ?ROAT4 ,TREY
,BR[N IS MY BE/ FR1 & IF HE'S TRAPP$ IN-
SIDE1 WE C'T /& >.D ) \R DICKS 9 \R H&S4
,I H1D ON OV] 6! ,,IC 9 "T 6HE> ! CREWS
TELL+ HM X'S TOO DAMN HOT 9SIDE4 8,2SS1
! ROOM IS B>RICAD$4 ,WE'D H 6CUT "? !
WALL ) *A9 SAWS40
  ,! *IEF GIVES !M A L;G1 SL[ LOOK1 & ,I
C SEE "EYBODY DIGE/+ ! FACT T !Y >E AB
6DCL A C\PLE ( -RADES D1D & G"O4 ,I'M
SEE+ ?1 B ,I'M N 2LIEV+ X4
  8,Y FUCK]S60 ,I SCR1M4 8,GET YR C&Y
ASSES 9 "!6 ,:AT ! HELL IS WR;G ) Y
*ICK5%IT "MFUCK]S6 ,D X60
  ,!Y TURN >.D SEQU5TI,Y1 "S ( !M LOOK+
AT ME1 O!RS LOOK+ BACK AT ! DOORWAY1 :
HAS 5 FLAME N[ T ! CREW )! HOSE     #EJF
L9E IS BACK+ AWAY--/ SQUIRT+ B BACK+
AWAY4 ,I C SEE ! FIRE IS US+ ! DOORWAY Z
A *IMNEY1 & T FIFTE5 FEET 9SIDE ! 5TR.E
X'S N Z BAD4 ,WE ALL WAIT A FEW B1TS1 !
F\R MASK$ FIREFI<T]S1 ME1 ! ,,IC1 & MY
CREW ON ,5G9E #CJ4 ,I "K Y'RE N SUPPOS$
6G B]S]K AT FIRES1 B :5 YR BU4Y IS 9SIDE
& P >E WRIT+ HM (F L X'S A TA# EX]CISE
''' T'S :5 ,I FEEL L ,I'M 9 ! LOONY B94
  8,Y "MFUCK]S BETT] COV] ME10 ,I SAY4
8,Y DAMN WELL BETT] COV] ME60
  ,EV5 ?\< ,I'M MOV+ N[1 MY CURSES B\NCE
(F !M L PEB#S4 ,!Y ALL J /& & GAPE4
  ,I'M PULL+ MY FACE PIECE TI<T1 HOOK+
UP ! AIR1 5GAG+ ! REGULATOR1 PULL+ MY
GLOVES ON1 WALK+ T[>D A *A9 SAW ON !
GR.D1 J]K+ ON ! />T] CORD1 J]K+ AG4 ,X
FIRES UP ON ! ?IRD YANK J Z "SBODY TUGS
ON MY %\LD] F 2H4 ,I'M /&+ NE> ! DOORWAY
N[1 & ,I C FEEL ! H1T "? ! TURN\TS4
  8,!Y'RE D1D60 "SBODY SAYS4 8,FEEL T
H1T4 ,!Y'RE D1D40 ,"S?+ DEEP 9 MY GUT
TELLS ME HE'S "R1 T X'S TOO LATE1 B T
ONLY MAKES ME CRAZI]4
  ,Z !Y TRY 6PULL ME F ! DOORWAY1   #EJG
A RADIO TRANSMIS.N -ES \ (! BUILD+4 ,X'S
A WOMAN'S VOICE4 8,K+ ,-M& F ,5G9E
,TW5TY-EI<T4 ,WE'RE RUNN+ L[ ON AIR4 ,K+
,-M&80
  8,Y FUCK]S60 ,I SAY1 & H1D "? ! DOOR-
WAY1 ": ! 5TIRE TOP HALF IS FLAME4 ,I
SQUAT L[ & WALK "R "? X1 & Z SOON Z ,I
GET 9SIDE1 ! H1T DECR1SES4 ,& !N MY
BACKSIDE &! 5TIRE DOORWAY IS %[]$ 9 WAT]
Z A HOSE /R1M HITS MY BUTT1 & ,I FEEL !
COOL+ E6ECT1 MY BACK P.D$ 0! HOSE /R1M1
MY FRONT HALF BAK+4
  ,I _C SEE %IT1 & ,I DON'T "K ": ,I'M
GO+1 2C ,I C B>ELY REMEMB] ! DIREC;NS T
7 GIV5 OV] ! AIR4 ,T'S :5 ,I HE> ! BANG-
+4 ,"SBODY'S BANG+ RHY?MIC,Y ON A WALL4
,I FOLL[ ! S.D4 ,2H ME1 TWO CREWS CREEP
AL;G ) HOSE L9ES FL[+1 WAT] SPLATT]+ !
CEIL+ HI< ABV U1 B\NC+ (F ! WALLS1
SPLA%+ ACR MY BACK4 ,!Y'RE N PUTT+ \ !
FIRE1 : IS 9 ! ATTIC SPACE ABV U1 B !Y
>E COOL+ ?+S A LL4
  ,I F9D ! SPOT ": ! BANG+ IS -+ F1 NEXT
6A DOOR1 KNOCK ! SAFETY BRAKE (F ! *A9
SAW ) MY WRI/1 & REV UP ! SAW1 A    #EJH
,/IHL TW5TY-9*1 ) C>BIDE TIPS ON ! *A9 =
CUTT+ "? J AB ANY?+4 ,)! NOSE (! *A9
SAW1 ,I T\* ! DOOR &A %[] ( SP>KS %OOTS
96MY FACE4 ,! DOOR IS METAL4 ,I MOVE 6!
"R & 2G9 "W+4 ,X TAKES T5 SECONDS ( PU%+
J 6GET ! BLADE "? ! WALL4
  ,X'S H1VY SL$D+1 B ,I'M N GO+ 6GIVE
UP4 ,TREY'S ON ! O!R SIDE ( ? WALL4
,TREY & 8 "PN]4 ,HE'S MAYBE TWO FEET F
ME1 & X'S GO+ 6BE "S?+ %ORT ( RIDICUL\S
IF ,I C'T GET HM \4 ,! :IRR+ MOTOR
%RIEKS1 & ,I BURY ! BLADE & FI<T ! 3TOR-
;NS (! SAW1 ! MUSCLES 9 MY >MS & %\LD]S
TWIT*+ )! EF=T4 ,I FEEL SW1T RUN D[N MY
SP9E4
  ,F "T 6"T SP>KS %OOT (F ! *A94 ,?REE
CUTS1 ,I FIGURE4 ,"O ACR ! TOP4 ,"O D[N
! "R SIDE4 ,"O D[N ! LEFT SIDE4 ,MAYBE
ANO!R AT ! BOTTOM4 ,!N WE KICK X \4
,DAMN1 ? IS H>D "W4 ,I "K ^! GUYS WANT
6SPELL ME1 B "!'S NO WAY ,I'M LETT+ ^!
*ICK5%IT "MFUCK]S TAKE HOLD ( ? SAW4 ,!Y
_H _! G4
  ,& !N ! SAW 2G9S *OK+ & %UTS D[N4 ,I
PULL X \ (! WALL1 PULL ! CORD &     #EJI
REV X UP 6GET ! RPMS ": !Y %D BE1 B /1 X
KEEPS *OK+4 ,L U1 ANY 9T]NAL -BUS;N 5G9E
REQUIRES OXYG5 6FUNC;N1 & L U1 DEPRIV$ (
OXYG51 X 2G9S 6MISBEHAVE4




















                  #FE4              #EAJ
     ,,TEXAS ,,*A9 ,,SAW ,,MASSACRE

    ,TREY
  ,OV] ,KITTY'S RADIO1 WE LI/5 Z ! DIS-
PAT*] 9=MS ,K+ ,-M& HE HAS FIREFI<T]S
TRAPP$ 9SIDE ! BUILD+4
  ,I TELL ,KITTY 6*ECK H] GE> & MAKE C]-
TA9 NO SK9 IS EXPOS$1 & !N ,I D Z M*
MYF4 ,X IS BE/ 6MAKE ^! *ECKS ) GLOVES
(F1 B :5 ,I T\* MY HELMET1 MY B>E F+]S
RECOIL F ! HOT PLA/IC1 S ,I PUT MY
GLOVES BACK ON4 ,*ATTY ,KA?Y IS /RANGELY
SIL5T4 ,%E ?9KS WE'RE GO+ 6DIE4 ,& %E'S
WOND]+ H[ ! HELL %E "E GOT H]F 96A JOB
": Y C 2 COOK$ 6D1? 9SIDE A LAY]$ ,NOMEX
SUIT--TALL1 SLIM ,KITTY ,ACTON1 :O 2F
JO9+ ! FIRE DE"P;T WANT$ 6BE A VET]9>I-
AN4
  ,! AIRWAVES >E CRACKL+4 8,4PAT* F ,K+
,-M&4 ,\R ,,RIT T1M IS MAK+ 5TRY40 ,MO-
;TS LAT] WE ACTU,Y HE> FIREFI<T]S "? !
?ICK WALL 2H U4 ,I C FEEL MOVE;T "? !
BOTTLE ON MY BACK1 : IS SNUG AG/ ! WALL1
C FEEL ! VIBR,NS ( P MOV+4 ,& !N X IS
QUIET =A L;G "T1 P]H N9ETY SEC-     #EAA
ONDS1 MAYBE TWO M9UTES4 ,C]TA9LY L;G 5
6COOK 6D1?4
  8,4PAT* F ,K+ ,-M&4 ,\R ,,RIT T1M HAS
BE5 =C$ \ (! BUILD+4 ,REP1T4 ,\R ,,RIT
T1M HAS BE5 =C$ \ (! BUILD+ 2C ( HI<
H1T4 ,WE'RE TRY+ 6COOL ! >EA N[40
  8,GEEZ1 !Y LEFT10 ,KITTY SAYS4
  8,!Y'LL 2 BACK40
  8,4PAT* F ,K+ ,-M&4 ,WE'RE N GO+ 6BE
A# 6A3ESS ? BUILD+ F ! FRONT4 ,WE'RE GO+
6LOOK = ANO!R 5TR.E40
  8,JESUS10 SD ,KITTY4 8,!Y'RE N -+
BACK40
  8,HOLD YR HORSES4 ,X'S GO+ 6BE ALL
"R40
  ,B X ISN'T GO+ 6BE ALL "R1 & WE BO? "K
X4 ,RADIO TRA6IC HAS DI$ D[N4 ,X IS R>E
6H Z]O FIRE TRA6IC AT A "W+ FIRE1 B T'S
:AT WE >E EXP]I5C+4 ,IS X POSSI# !Y >E
SIMPLY /&+ \ "! WAIT+ = U 6BURN 6D1?8
,IF S1 !Y WON'T H A L;G WAIT4 ,I C HE>
,KITTY BURR[+ 96! DEBRIS LOOK+ =A COOL]
PLACE1 SQUIRM+ D[N L A RAT4 ,X IS GETT+
HOT 5 T ,I PICK UP A PIECE (! CEIL+ BO>D
& PROP X UP 6%IELD ME F ! RADIANT   #EAB
H1T BOR+ D[N ON U F ! FIRE ABV \R H1DS4
,AF A :ILE ! %IELD BUR/S 96FLAME1 & ,I
TOSS X ASIDE4
  8,:Y C'T !Y GET U \80 ,KITTY ASKS DE-
SPAIR+LY4 ,I D N REPLY4 ,I AM ?9K+ ? IS
! 5D4 ,? IS H[ X'S GO+ 65D4
  ,WE ALL WOND] AT "S PO9T 9 \R LIVES H[
WE'RE GO+ 6F9I%4 ,UN.S WE H A T]M9AL
ILL;S OR >E SITT+ ON D1? R[1 X IS AN
5IGMA = MO/4 ,TN ,I C V]IFY H[ & :5 ,I
AM GO+ 6DIE4 ,I'M GO+ 6H1T UP & LOSE
3SCI\S;S & EV5TU,Y BURN 6D1? 9 A SMOK$-
UP ROOM 2S A FIREFI<T] ,I'VE "W$ )= FIVE
YE>S & C B>ELY TOL]ATE4 ,X IS REM>KA# TO
ME T ,I AM NO M PANICK$ ?AN IF ,I 7 SIT-
T+ 9 ! D5TI/'S (FICE WAIT+ = AN APPO9T-
;T4 ,MAYBE T'S 2C "!'S NO?+ ,I C D AB
ANY ( ?4
  ,"! W 2 A :OLE LOT ( P AT ! FUN]AL4
,JOHNNY W CRY4 ,MY "M W H&LE X )! SAME
/OICISM ) : %E'S H&L$ ALL ! BAD LUCK 9
H] LIFE4 ,JESUS W 2 H] SAVIOR4 ,"! W 2 A
MASSIVE DE"P;T-OR*E/RAT$ FUN]AL1 & \R
CASKETS W 2 LU%LY FILM$ =! NEWS4 ,!Y W
REMEMB] T ,I 0 ! H]O AT ! ;,Z       #EAC
,CLUB & M>VEL T ,I CD 2 D1D A MON? LAT]4
,P W GIVE L;G1 RAMBL+ SPEE*ES RECALL+
TRIVIA AB MY LIFE T ,I DON'T EV5 REMEM-
B]4 ,! MAYOR W GIVE A SPEE* OV] MY CAS-
KET & TELL ! CR[DS HE LOV$ ME L A BRO!R4
  ,"! IS A RATTL+1 & "S?+ ATTACKS ! /EEL
DOOR1 BANG+ AG/ X4 ,AF A MO;T1 ,I DECIDE
X'S A *A9 SAW4 ,! NOISE GOES AWAY4 ,!N !
WALL DIRECTLY 2H ME 2G9S 6VIBRATE4 ,MO-
;TS LAT] A *A9 SAW BLADE POPS "? ! WALL4
  8,GODDAMN10 SAYS ,KITTY4 8,Y GOTTA
LOVE 'EM40
  ,! *A9 SAW IS HI< & 6MY LEFT1 "W+ ACR
! WALL ABV ME4 ,!N ! HORIZONTAL CUT IS
5D$ &! SAW IS )DRAWN4 ,!Y 2G9 ANO!R CUT1
? "O V]TIC,Y AB F\R FEET 6MY "R1 -+ D[N
! WALL1 ! BLADE POK+ "? ON \R SIDE4
,DON'T !Y "K :5 Y'RE CUTT+ "? A WALL Y
DON'T BURY ! BLADE8 ,Y G 0FEEL1 & :5 !
BLADE HAS B>ELY BR1*$ ! WALL Y HOLD X
"!4 ,T IS ! PROC$URE4 ,:O"E IS "W+ T *A9
SAW IS "W+ WILD4
  ,! V]TICAL CUT F\R FEET 6MY "R TAKES
L;G] ?AN DID ! HORIZONTAL "O OV] MY H1D4
,P]H ! *A9 IS 2COM+ DULL$4 ,X       #EAD
ISN'T UNTIL ! F/ D[NW>D V]TICAL CUT IS
ALM -PLETE T ,I TRY 6RECALL EXACTLY ": !
HORIZONTAL CUT ABV MY H1D 2GAN1 2C X IS
2G9N+ 6O3UR 6ME T ! NEXT D[NW>D V]TICAL
CUT W 2 AL;G MY SP9E4
  ,I'M JAMM$ UP AG/ ! WALL & !Y'RE PRE-
P>+ 6CUT ME 9 HALF L5G?WISE4
  ,I PU% ! S5D BUTTON ON MY PORTA# RADIO
& SAY1 8,5G9E ,TW5TY-EI<T 6,,RIT T1M4
,DON'T BURY ! SAW S DEEP4 ,I'M TRAPP$
AG/ ! WALL OPPOSITE ": Y'RE CUTT+40
  ,I WAIT A FEW MO;TS1 B "! IS NO REPLY4
,! SAW F9I%ES XS CUT 6MY "R1 &A MO;T
LAT] X BULGES "? ! WALL DIRECTLY OV] MY
H1D1 %[]+ SAWDU/ OV] ME4 ,AT ! DEP? HE'S
BURY+ ! BLADE1 X W RIP "? MY BUNK+ COAT4
,X W SLICE MY HELMET4 ,X W OP5 MY BACK 9
A WAY T W PROBABLY KILL ME4 ,I >* & LOOK
UP1 US+ ! FLA%LI<T ON MY HELMET1 DIRECT+
! B1M S T ,I MI<T "K :E!R ! BLADE IS GO+
6-E D[N ) SURGICAL PRECI.N OR GROSS IM-
PRECI.N4 ,"S"O'S GOT X POIS$ DIRECTLY
OV] MY SP9E4
  8,KITTY60 ,I %\T4 8,Y GOTTA JAM ! SAW6
,X'S -+ "R AT ME40                  #EAE
  ,Z %E 2G9S 6/IR1 ! SAW BLADE CRAWLS
D[N ! WALL T[>D ME1 ?REE FEET AWAY1 TWO
&A HALF1 TWO ''' )A GR9D+ S.D ''' 8,5G9E
,TW5TY-EI<T 6-M&4 ,! SAW IS TOO DEEP4 ,Y
H 6/OP ! SAW40
  ,NO REPLY4 ,I REP1T MY MESSAGE Z ! SAW
BLADE MOVES T[>D ME4 ,6H] CR$IT1 ,KITTY
HITS ! WALL H>D4 ,I DON'T "K :AT ! >TI-
CLE IS1 B %E HOLDS X FLAT AG/ ! WALL1 &
!N ! *A9 SAW BLADE :IPS "? X L A HOT
KNIFE "? BUTT]4 8,GOD DAMN60 %E SAYS1
SCRA2L+ = ANO!R OBJECT 6BLOCK ! BLADE4
  ,B X'S TOO LATE4 ,! BLADE NICKS MY
HELMET & SPECKS FLY (F1 !N X PASSES MY
NECK & ,I CR+E4 ,X SP9S & :IRS ON MY
-POSITE AIR BOTTLE & JAMS4 ,! BLADE IS
/UCK 9 ! WALL =A MO;T & !N !Y PULL X \4
,I :ACK ! WALL FIVE "TS 9 SU3ES.N1 DES-
P]ATELY TRY+ 6S5D A MESSAGE4
  ,:5 ! 4PAT*] CALLS ON MY RADIO1 ,I RE-
ALIZE :Y ,I HAV5'T 3TACT$ ! FIRE CREWS4
,I'VE BE5 ON *ANNEL #AF4 ,"EYBODY ELSE
IS ON *ANNEL #A1 ! FIRE GR.D *ANNEL4 ,!
4PAT*] SAYS1 8,5G9E ,TW5TY-EI<T4 ,YR
MESSAGE 0 G>#D4 ,REP1T40            #EAF
  8,! SAW !Y'RE US+ IS GO+ 6CUT ME10 ,I
SAY Z CALMLY Z POSSI#4 ,KITTY IS /RA4L+
ME N[1 /&+ OV] ME )A *UNK ( "S?+ ELSE
%E'S F.D 9 ! RUB#1 H] BUNK+ TR\S]S CROT*
9 MY FACE4 8,TELL ! RESCUE CREWS !Y H TO
MOVE ! CUT40
  8,OKAY1 ,5G9E ,TW5TY-EI<T4 ,WE'LL RE-
LAY ! MESSAGE40
  ,:5 ! SAW />TS UP AG & POKES "? !
WALL1 WE C HE> ! 4PAT*]'S W>N+ ON ,KIT-
TY'S RADIO1 B X O3URS 6ME T X W 2 IMPOS-
SI# 6PICK UP ON ! O!R SIDE (! WALL 2C (!
RO>+ *A9 SAW4 ,! SAW HAS BE5 MOV$ OV] A
FEW 9*ES1 & ,I /RU7LE 6TRY 6REPOSI;N MYF
S X W -E D[N ON ! BOTTLE AG1 B ,I _C
MOVE4 ,!Y'RE GO+ 6GUT ME F 2H4
  ,! SAW MOVES FA/] ? "T1 & ,I TELL
,KITTY N 6LET ! *A9 TAKE A *UNK \ ( H]4
,EV5 Z ,I'M SP1K+ ! BLADE CUTS "? :AT"E
PIECE ( JUNK %E'S JAMM$ AG/ ! WALL1 & %E
FALLS BACKW>D 9 FRONT ( ME1 L&+ ON ! B1M
ACR MY LAP4 ,X HURTS1 B X DOESN'T HURT Z
M* Z ! *A9 SAW BLADE :5 X ZIPP]S AL;G-
SIDE MY AIR BOTTLE & %R$S MY BUNK+ COAT
& GOES DEEP 5 S T ,I C ACTU,Y       #EAG
FEEL ! REVOLV+ /EEL 9 MY BACK4 ,I V[ N
6SCR1M1 B EV5 2F ,I -PLETE ! SIL5T V[ ,I
2G9 SCR1M+4
  ,9 ! MOVIES P PASS \ :5 !Y FEEL ? M*
PA91 B ! BLADE RIPS 96MY FLE% & 3T9UES
D[N Z IF ,I'M J ANO!R LAY] ( WALLPAP]1 &
NO MATT] H[ BADLY ,I WANT TO1 ,I D N
PASS \4 ,& !N ! BLADE IS D"O1 & !Y'RE
HACK+ AT ! WALL ) AXES1 & MO;TS LAT] !
H1T LIFTS Z ,I FALL BACKW>D 96! CORRIDOR
)A L>GE *UNK (! WALL4 ,! IDL+ *A9 SAW ON
! FLOOR IS NEXT 6MY H1D4
  ,I WAT* ,KITTY 2+ L$ 6SAFETY1 & !N
!Y'RE LIFT+ ! B1M (F MY LEGS & DRA7+ ME
FACEUP1 RAC+ 6! 5TR.EWAY1 &=A FEW SEC-
ONDS X'S HOTT] ?AN X 0 9SIDE ! ROOM1 &
!N WE'RE 9 ! P>K+ LOT & !Y'VE SET ME
D[N4 ,MY LEGS >E NUMB & MY BACK IS BLE$-
+4 ,MY TORN BUNK+ COAT IS B"R ) BLOOD4
  ,I LAY MO;N.S 9 A TANGLE ( GE> & WAIT
= !M 6R1LIZE ,I'M S]I\SLY 9JUR$4 ,& !N
!Y'RE CUTT+ MY TURN\T CLO?+ & MASK BACK-
PACK (F ) SCISSORS & BUCK KNIVES4 ,"! >E
FIVE OR SIX P "W+ ON ME1 & :5 MY BACK IS
EXPOS$ 6! EV5+ AIR1 "O (! M$ICS     #EAH
SAYS1 8,SWEET ,JESUS4 ,GET HM ON A BACK-
BO>D QK40
  ,!Y ROLL ME ONTO MY SIDE & LIFT ME ON-
TO A BACKBO>D & 96! BACK (! M$IC UNIT1 !
SAME BASIC PROC$URE ,I'VE D"O ) HUNDR$S
( PATI5TS MYF4
  ,SITT+ 2S ME IS MY FR ,RUM#1 BLU2]+ &
3FESS+ T HE 0 ! MAN ON ! SAW4 ,A FIRE-
FI<T] IS TAK+ MY BLOOD PRESSURE :ILE "O
M$IC PUTS AN ,,IV 96MY LEFT >M4 ,! O!R
M$IC IS 2H ME1 & ,I C FEEL G5TLE PRES-
SURE Z HE PU%ES #D 0#D'S AG/ MY W.DS4 ,I
D N ASK H[ BADLY ,I AM HURT4 ,I C TELL F
! M9I/R,NS (! M$IC T1M T !Y >E 9 A PAN-
IC4 ,IF NO?+ ELSE1 ,I'VE LO/ AN ENORM\S
QUANT;Y ( BLOOD4 ,I C B>ELY /AY AWAKE4
,2F ,I "K X1 WE >E H1D$ 6,H>BORVIEW
,HOSPITAL1 A FIREFI<T] DRIV+1 ! TWO M$-
ICS REMA9+ 9 BACK TRY+ 6KEEP ME ALIVE4
,RUM# 6"O SIDE1 8 TE>Y EYES HUGE ) GUILT
& GRIEF4 ,I'M N SURE ,I'VE "E FELT ? M*
PA94
  8,DON'T WORRY AB X4 ,Y SAV$ MY LIFE40
  8,GEEZ1 ,TREY4 ,I C'T 2LIEVE ,I DID T4
,I'M S GODDAMN SORRY40              #EAI
  ,F :AT ,I C FEEL AL;G MY BACK1 ! W.D
IS TWELVE OR ?IRTE5 9*ES L;G & RUNS F MY
SCAPULA 6A SPOT NE> MY HIP4 ,6SAY X
HURTS IS AN 9F9ITE IRONY4 ,X IS ! WOR/
PA9 ,I'VE FELT 9 MY LIFE4 ,E BR1? IS AG-
ONY4 ,I'M GETT+ W1K] 0! M9UTE4 ,C FEEL
MYF 2G9 6NOD (F4
  8,DON'T L1VE U1 ,TREY10 ,RUM# SAYS4
8,:AT"E Y D1 DON'T L1VE U40
  ,I DRIFT (F4














                  #FF4              #EBJ
          ,,! ,,MAYOR ,,TALKS
         ,,HMF ,,\ ,,( ,A ,,JOB

    ,JAMIE ,E/EVEZ
  ,! WAIT/AFF1 MALE & FEMALE1 0 DECK$ \
9 :ITE TUX$O-/YLE %IRTS & BLACK TUX$O
PANTS Z !Y S]V$ 2T TWO & ?REE HUNDR$ P
GA!R$ 9 ! L[] LEVEL (! ,SPACE ,NE$LE1
#AJJ FEET ABV ! GR.D4
  ,/"O ,C>MI*AEL _H *OS5 6BUILD 8 PUBLIC
P]SONA ON EV5TS T 9 MO/ FAMILIES WD RE-
MA9 PRIVATE1 SACRIFIC+ 9TIMATE MO;TS =!
GRT] GLORY (! FAMILY "N4 ,! ROOM 0 FULL
(! ,C>MI*AEL FAMILY & FRS4 ,K5DRA & H]
HUSB& SPOKE 6ME BRIEFLY1 & X 0 F ,K5DRA
T ,I GL1N$ T ! ANNIV]S>Y CELEBR,N 0 A
%AM1 T ! ,C>MI*AEL M>RIAGE 0 ON ! ROCKS1
& T ,C>MI*AEL _H "SH[ CO]C$ 8 E/RANG$
WIFE 96"PICIPAT+4 ,I CDN'T HELP ?9K+
,TREY _H "S?+ 6D ) _! M>RIAGE GO+ S\?1 &
! ?"\ MADE MY BLOOD BOIL4 ,WE'D BE5 GET-
T+ AL;G BETT] LATELY1 B HE CD / MAKE ME
FUME4 ,I VISIT$ ) ,E*O ,>M/R;G1 :O 0
3C]N$ T H] HUSB& 0 3SUM+ LIQUOR Z QKLY Z
HE CD LOCATE X4 ,! OLD MAN 0 "!1    #EBA
TOO1 ,%ELBY ,C>MI*AEL1 :O BUSI$ HMF PES-
T]+ A R$-H1D$ CAM]AWOMAN "W+ =! LOCAL
,,ABC A6ILIATE4 ,I NOTIC$ ,%ELBY'S NURSE
FOLL[+ HM AT A 4CREET 4T.E1 Z IF HE MI<T
KEEL OV] )\T W>N+4 ,E MAJOR C;Y FUNC;N>Y
,I'D "E MET 0 9 ! ROOM4 ,A HALF H\R 96X1
,H>LAN ,OV]BY MADE AN 5TR.E4 ,9 8 LATE
SIXTIES1 HE LOOK$ TRIM & FIT1 8 SILV]
HAIR SLICK$ BACK1 8 SUIT TAILOR$ P]FECT-
LY4
  ,TRUE 6,C>MI*AEL'S HABITS1 ! EV5+ 0
PREPLANN$1 PR9T$ PROGRAMS ON RICE PAP]
AVAILA# AT ! DOOR4 ,F SEV5 UNTIL EI<T1
"! WD 2 A COCKTAIL H\R ) HORS D'OEUVRES4
,AT EI<T3 SPEE*ES1 CAKE1 MUSIC1 & DANC+4
,AT EI<T =TY-FIVE1 "! WD 2 AN ANN\NCE;T4
,9 A CORN] NE> ! ELEVATOR1 ,I'D GLIMPS$
BOXES ( BANN]S & BUTTONS3 8,C>MI*AEL =
,GOV]NOR40
  ,?ANK;LLY1 EI<T O'C CAME &! CELEBRATO-
RY SPEE*ES AB ! ,C>MI*AEL M>RIAGE 7 (-
F]$1 TOA/S 7 PR(F]$1 CAKE 0 SLIC$ &
PASS$ \4 ,! LI<TS 7 DIMM$ :ILE ,/"O &
,9DIA D.ED A SPOTLI<T D.E 9 FRONT (
HUNDR$S ( ADMIR]S--Y CDN'T EV5      #EBB
TELL !Y DIDN'T L EA* O!R4 ,/"O ,C>MI*AEL
0 PROBABLY ! MO/ POPUL> ,S1TTLE MAYOR 9
?IRTY YE>S4 ,Y WD H 6SAY--IF Y DIDN'T "K
HE 0 A CROOK OR T ,9DIA _H BE5 HAV+ A
FL+ )A CAPTA9 9 ! FIRE DE"P;T & 0 L1V+
HM--T !Y 7 P]FECT TGR4 ,%E WORE A BLACK
(F-!-%\LD] FLOOR-L5G? DRESS1 H] PALE
HAIR L;G & LOOSE4 ,/"O _H D(F$ 8 SPECTA-
CLES & _H ! HALF-BL LOOK HABITUAL GLASS-
ES WE>]S GET )\T !M4 ,! ONLY SNAG T CAME
REMOTELY CLOSE 6SPOIL+ ! PICTURE 0 T
,9DIA 0 HALF A H1D TALL]2 ,I NOTIC$ %E
DIDN'T KICK (F H] HEELS 6LESS5 ! 4CREP-
ANCY 9 HEI<T4 ,AF _! SOLO D.E1 ! LI<TS
B"R5$ &! D.E FLOOR 2GAN FILL+ UP4 ,>.D !
\TSKIRTS *IT*AT />T$ UP AG4
  ,I 0 H1D$ =! RE/ROOM :5 ,I SAW ,TREY
,BR[N & ANO!R ,AFRICAN-,AM]ICAN MALE >-
GU+ ANGRILY )! SECUR;Y GUYS4 ,! MAN AC-
-PANY+ ,TREY 0 %\T+1 B ! MUSIC 0 S L\D
,I CD B>ELY HE>4 ,F9,Y HE FLIPP$ "S ID5-
TIFIC,N \ & !Y 7 ALL[$ 96! "PY4
  ,TREY WORE FIRE DE"P;T TR\S]S )A %A2Y
:ITE COTTON COAT T ,I LE>N$ LAT] _H BE5
LIFT$ F ! HOSPITAL4 ,HE _H :ITE     #EBC
CR1M ON 8 E>S1 PROBABLY ,SILVAD9E1 !
-MON M$IC,N = BURNS4 ,S DID 8 "PN]4 ,:5
,TREY SAW ME1 HE /OPP$ & 9TRODUC$ ,RUM#4
,! TWO ( !M LOOK$ Z IF !Y'D J GOTT5 HOME
F A L;G ROAD TRIP1 OR J CRAWL$ \ (A
FIRE4
  8,Y "K AB ! TAPE1 "R80 ,TREY'S FR SD4
  8,! :AT80
  8,?4 ,? "R "H10 HE SD1 PULL+ A SMALL
TAPE CASSETTE RECORD] F A POCKET 9 8
FIRE DE"P;T COAT4 8,HIS HONOR ON !
PH"O80
  8,RUM# HAS A H>D "T KEEP+ A SECRET10
,TREY SD1 W&]+ (F "? ! CR[D4
  8,:AT80 8 FR %\T$ 6,TREY'S BACKSIDE4
8,I C KEEP A SECRET4 ,X 0 YR IDEA 6D ?4
,Y'RE ! "O :O'S MAD40 ,MY EYES FOLL[$
,TREY Z HE MOV$ "? ! CR[D4 ,"! 0 "S?+
WR;G )! WAY HE 0 MOV+4
  8,:AT'S HE MAD AB80 ,I ASK$4
  8,HE ?9KS !Y TRI$ 6KILL HM40
  ,I KNEW F 3V]S,NS ) ,TREY T ,RUM# 0 8
BE/ FR & _H BE5 "E S9CE !Y CAME 96! DE-
"P;T TGR4 8,>5'T Y GUYS SUPPOS$ 6BE AT
"W8 ,ISN'T ,TREY'S %IFT "W+ TD80    #EBD
  8,WE .7 AT "W10 ,RUM# SD4 8,N[ WE'RE
"H4 ,HEY4 ,Y GOT ANY IDEA ": ! S.D TE*-
IES >E HID+ \80
  ,N M* LAT]1 :ILE ! POLICE & FIRE *IEFS
& _! WIVES 7 SOCIALIZ+ NE> ! W9D[S ON !
WE/ SIDE (! ROOM1 "SBODY CAME 9 & H&$ A
MESSAGE 6! FIRE *IEF1 :O 9 TURN RU%$ !
NOTE 6,/"O ,C>MI*AEL1 :O 0 AB 6M.T !
/AGE =! EV5+'S C5T]PIECE SPEE*4 ,! SP1K]
(! /ATE ,H\SE ( ,REPRES5TATIVES _H HALT$
! DANC+ & 0 GIV+ A %ORT TALK1 "W+ UP 6!
EV5+'S ANN\NCE;T1 ,I PRESUM$1 :ILE ,/"O
3F]R$ )! FIRE *IEF4
  ,MO;TS LAT]1 ! SP1K] (! H\SE 5D$ 8
SPEE* 0ANN\NC+ :AT WE'D ALL GUESS$1 T
,/"O ,C>MI*AEL 0 9 ! RUNN+ 6BE ! NEXT
GOV]NOR (! GRT ,/ATE ( ,WA%+TON4 ,AMID A
*ORUS ( :I/L+ & "PY HORNS1 ?R[N 3FETTI1
&A MASSIVE REL1SE ( BALLOONS1 ,C>MI*AEL
L1P$ UP ! /AIRS 6! PODIUM & %OOK H&S )!
SP1K]1 !N ) S"EAL O!R REGIONAL POLITICAL
FIGURES4 ,! B& PLAY$ A RIFF & 5D$ )A
/A3ATO DRUM SOLO4 ,/"O /EPP$ UP 6! MI-
CROPH"O1 CLE>$ 8 ?ROAT1 & WAIT$ :ILE !
SIL;E SOLIDIFI$4                    #EBE
  8,I'M GO+ 6TALK POLITICS 9 A MO;T1 B
F/ ''' ,*IEF ,SMI? HAS H&$ ME A NOTE T
%D GIVE U ALL CAUSE = 3C]N4 ,! FIRE DE-
"P;T HAS SU6]$ ANO!R TRAGIC FIRE4 ,A
FIREFI<T] HAS BE5 S]I\SLY 9JUR$4 ,WE
DON'T "K H[ S]I\SLY1 B HE'S BE5 RU%$ TO
,H>BORVIEW4 ,ORD9>ILY ,I WDN'T GIVE \ A
"N ? E>LY1 B X'S "SBODY WE ALL "K & RE-
SPECT4 ,MO/ ( Y MAY REMEMB] ,TREY ,BR[N
Z ! MAN :O MADE ^? VALIANT RESCUES AT !
;,Z ,CLUB A MON? AGO4 ,"R N[ \R HOPES &
PRAY]S >E ) ? MAN40
  ,A SMATT]+ ( APPLAUSE4 ,A C\PLE (
AM5S4 ,ONLY A FEW P 9 ! ROOM R1LIZ$
,TREY ,BR[N 0 ?IRTY FEET 9 FRONT ( ME1 B
EV5 S1 ,I CD SEE A POR;N (! CR[D REACT
>.D HM L A RIPPLE 9 A POOL4
  ,TREY /EPP$ "? ! CR[D 6! FRONT (! ROOM
& /OOD "U ! PODIUM4 ,"S?+ _H /A9$ ! BACK
( 8 :ITE JACKET1 & Z ,I GOT CLOS]1 ,I
R1LIZ$ X 0 BLOOD4 ,! R1LIZ,N T HE 0
BLE$+ MADE ME WANT 6SCR1M4 ,RUM# _HN'T
VOLUNTE]$ ANY DETAILS AB _! EV5+1 B AT T
MO;T ! D>K1 BROOD+ LOOK ,I'D SE5 9
,TREY'S EYES 2GAN 6MAKE S5SE4       #EBF
  8,WELL1 "H HE IS N[10 ,/"O SD1 NOTIC+
8 BRO!R =! F/ "T4 ,AG1 APPLAUSE HALT$ !
PROGRAM4 8,CAPTA9 ,BR[N1 ,I'M GLAD 6SEE
Y'RE "H & APP>5TLY DO+ WELL4 ,! REPORT
WE RCVD 0 AL>M+40
  8,2C ,I WASN'T D1D80
  8,I DON'T "U/&40
  8,Y'VE WANT$ ME D1D = YE>S40
  8,P]H YR DOCTOR '''0 ,/"O A4RESS$ !
CR[D4 8,DID "SBODY -E ) ? MAN80 ,0? "T
,C>MI*AEL _H A SIMP]+1 HALF-EMB>RASS$1
ANGRY LOOK ON 8 FACE4 8,I RE,Y ?9K "S-
BODY %D ASSI/ ? MAN10 ,/"O SD1 GE/UR+ TO
P]SONS 9 ! CR[D ,I CDN'T SEE F MY POSI-
;N4 8,HE'S APP>5TLY "U ! 9FLU;E ( M$ICA-
;N4 ,GET HM \ ( "H 2F HE HURTS HMF60
  ,! TWO SECUR;Y GUYS ,I'D SE5 AT ! ELE-
VATORS GRA2$ ,TREY & 2GAN WALK+ HM "? !
?R;G4 ,TREY DIDN'T /RU7LE1 & 2C ( ? ,I
GOT ! FEEL+ HE 0 9CAPA# ( RESI/.E4 ,!Y
_HN'T G"O F> :5 "! 0 A L\D DRON+ Z "S-
BODY T9K]$ )! S.D SY/EM1 & !N VOICES
CAME OV] ! ROOM'S SP1K]S4 ,I DIDN'T REC-
OGNIZE ! F/ VOICE1 B ,TREY _H ALR TOLD
ME :O X WAS4 8..,Y1H4 ,?"\ ,I'D     #EBG
*ECK IN4 ,I GOT T 9FO4 ,!Y'RE DEF9ITELY
GO+ AF ! [N]S (! .CLUB40 ,( C\RSE1 ! F/
VOICE 0 ,B>RY ,R5FR[ SP1K+ 6,/"O ,C>MI-
*AEL1 B X WASN'T UNTIL !Y'D _H S"EAL EX-
*ANGES T MO/ P 9 ! ROOM R1LIZ$ !Y 7 LIS-
T5+ 6A TAP$ PH"O CALL & T "O (! "PIES 0
! MAYOR4 8..,YE/]"D HE CALL$ ! ,K+ ,C.TY
ASSESSOR'S (FICE & !N ! C;Y ATTORNEY'S
(FICE4 ,HE'S ALR GOT ,SILV]/> ,3SOLIDAT-
$'S "N4 ,X'S ONLY A MATT] ( "T 2F HE
F9DS \ ,OV]BY [NS ,SILV]/> & HAS BE5
FUND+ YR GUB]NATORIAL CAMPAIGN & GETT+
SPECIAL FAVORS 9 RETURN4 ,! DIREC;N HE'S
TAK+ ISN'T GD4 ,& WE BO? "K ? ISN'T "S
KID Y C 9TIMIDATE4 ,HE'S A CAPTA9 9 !
FIRE DE"P;T4 ,HE -ES UP ) C]TA9 FACTS &
P >E B.D 62LIEVE HM4 ,! :OLE C;Y'S WAT*+
^! TWO 9VE/IGATE1 &! WOR/ "P IS1 ,I
DON'T "K :AT ! HELL HE'S GO+ 6D NEXT4
,WE'VE GOT 6FIGURE \ "S WAY 63TROL ? RE-
PORT S X DOESN'T MAKE U LOOK BAD40
  8..,J KEEP AN EYE ON ,CAPTA9 ,BR[N &
LET ME "K :AT HE'S DO+40
  8..,X MI<T 2 TOO LATE 0! "T WE SEE :AT
HE'S UP TO4 ,I ?9K "S?+ NE$S 6BE    #EBH
D"O N[40
  8..,"S?+ H>%80
  8..,Y C'T TR1T A GUY L ? ) KID
GLOVES40
  8..,DON'T WORRY AB X4 ,I H AN 9SIDE
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];E 6ME HURT1 EV5 ?\< NOBODY ELSE 9 !
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  8..,B1 ,/"O--0
  8..,*RI/1 ,B>RY1 ,I'M LATE =A BALL
GAME ) MY KIDS4 ,OKAY4 ,H X YR WAY4 ,/OP
HM4 ,MAYBE Y C 4TRACT HM OR "S?+4 ,GET
HM A :ITE WOMAN4 ,A FAT "O4 ,ALL ! BLACK
GUYS SEEM 6G = T4 ,OV]BY HAS RAIS$ A LOT
( M"OY S ,I C 2 ! NEXT GOV]NOR1 & WE
DON'T NE$ "S H]O MESS+ X UP 0DI7+ UP !
TRU? AB ,SILV]/> & \R 3NEC;N 6! ;,Z
,CLUB4 ,B KEEP MY "N \ ( X4 ,KEEP MY
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X4 ,HELL1 ,B>RY1 Y'VE BE5 DO+ ? = YE>S4
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8 "PICIP,N 9 ? COV]-UP40
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8 TWO ESCORTS &1 FREE N[1 HE MADE A BEE-
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HE>T BROKE 6SEE HM APPROA* H]1 & X BROKE
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,X WASN'T UNTIL M* LAT] T ,TREY TOLD ME
%E 0 ! "O :O ACTU,Y WON X4





                  #FG4              #ECA
          ,,": ,,>E ,,!Y ,,N[8

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  8,HEY1 Y'RE N GO+ 6EAT ! LA/ PIECE (
*OCOLATE1 >E Y80 ,E/EVEZ ASK$ Z ,I
DROPP$ ! 5TIRE *UNK 96MY M\?4 ,%E LET \
A GROAN ( MOCK AGONY4 ,WE 7 AT MY "M'S
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8 *UR* TR\S]S & S]V+ ! FOOD & B"EAGES Z
IF HE 7 2+ PD 6D X1 ,E/EVEZ & MYF >GU+
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HE> T TAPE1 X / MAKES ME %AKE MY H1D 9
4BELIEF4 ,TWO MON?S AF X F/ CAME 6PUBLIC
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PH"O 3V]S,NS UN.S BO? "PIES AGREE1 B !
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LEGAL OR N1 X HAS BE5 QUOT$ LIB],Y ON
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FIRE ": ,I GOT *A9SAW$4 ,X HAS 2COME
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CD GET AWAY )A S]IES ( FIRE REGU-   #ECD
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SEE E "D1 B US+ X 6ALL[ P 6BR1K ! LAW _H
L$ 6F\RTE5 D1?S 9 ! WOR/ FIRE ON ! ,WE/
,COA/ 9 YE>S4
  ,/"O'S LAWY]S DROPP$ A PROTECTIVE UM-
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! SMOKE SCRE5 &! POND]\S PA?WAYS (! JU-
DICIAL SY/EM1 P >E SPECULAT+ T HE MAY
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ASPIR,NS >E F9I%$4
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X DID N G WELL4 ,I DEN\NC$ ! OLD MAN =
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%E 0 SIXTE52 B 9/1D ( ROLL+ OV] & PLAY+
D1D1 ! OLD MAN A3US$ ME ( PLAY+ ! RACE
C>D1 SAY+ HE'D GIV5 ME ! BE/ H1D />T ANY
BLACK KID CD "E DR1M (& DECREE+ T :AT"E
SU3ESS ,I _H 9 LIFE WDN'T H O3URR$ )\T !
SUB/ANTIAL F.D,N ,I'D BE5 GIV5 0HM4 ,HE
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SU3ESS4                             #ECE
  ,I EXPLOD$4 8,Y DON'T S5D TWO EX-
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!N TELL HM Y GAVE HM A H1D />T 9 LIFE40
  8,:AT BOX]S80
  8,! TWO ?UGS :O B1T ! CRAP \ ( ME :5
,I CAME BACK 6! ISL& 63V9CE Y ,I WASN'T
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?9K AB X1 X'S K9D ( PA!TIC1 A "F :O DES-
P]ATELY WANTS =GIVE;S &A SON :O _C GIVE
X4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 HE / HAS N APOLOGIZ$ OR
ADMITT$ ANY WR;GDO+4 ,X'S N _SU,Y OR
EMO;N,Y GD = ME OR = HM1 & ,I'LL PROBA-
BLY PAY = X 9 ! AFLIFE1 B HE SOLD ME D[N
! RIV] & ,I W N"E =GET X4
  ,I SEE ,K5DRA MAYBE TWICE A MON?1 MAKE
! KIDS' BIR?"D "PIES & ALL ! RE/ ( X4
,K5DRA IS ! ONLY MEMB] (! FAMILY    #ECF
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  ,! NI<T AF ! TAPE 0 PLAY$ AT ! ,SPACE
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=! MAYOR'S RESIGN,N1 AL? = R1SONS NOBODY
"E DIV9$1 ,MAYOR ,C>MI*AEL DIDN'T RESIGN
UNTIL TWO "DS AFW4 ,MAYBE HE CDN'T GET
HMF 6GIVE UP ! DR1M4 ,MAYBE HE 0 UP "!
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C.TY & %OT EA* O!R4
  ,9DIA ,C>MI*AEL TOOK H] BOYS 6,M>YL&
6BE NE> H] "M4 ,! DIVORCE SETTLE;T IS /
P5D+ & O3A.N,Y WRITT5 AB 9 ! TABLOIDS4
  ,Z F> Z ,RUM# GOES1 HE & ,I / TALK AB
"EY?+ EXCEPT ! FIRE ": HE SAV$ ,KITTY &
ME4 ,I "K HE / FEELS BAD AB *A9SAW+ ME1
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%\LD] FUNC;N4 ,RUM# SAYS IF ,I'M "E FOOL
5 6LOSE ,E/EVEZ1 HE'S GO+ 6JUMP 9 & GIVE
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T'S ANO!R /ORY4
  ,RUM# & ,I _H A L;G TALK AB ! NI<T ,I
W5T F 2+ A RI* 8:ITE BOY0 6J ANO!R BLACK
KID 9 ! HOOD4 ,! ,OV]BYS _H BE5 DUP$ &
H"O/LY 2LIEV$ ,I'D RAP$ _! DAU<T]1 S X 0
A MIRACLE !Y _HN'T PROSECUT$ ME OR _H ME
KILL$4 ,ONLY _! TI<T ALLI.E & HI/ORY )
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,I HE>D ! :OLE /ORY & ?"\ AB X =A :ILE1
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! MAN %E ?"\ %E LOV$4 ,X 0 EV5 H>D TO
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*ANGE H] /ORY LAT]4
  ,I'M N HOLD+ MY BR1? WAIT+ = ,/"O 6GET
:AT HE DES]VES4 ,! /ATUTE ( LIMIT,NS HAS
RUN \ = :AT HE DID 6,E*O1 &! TANGLE OV]
! ;,Z ,CLUB MAY N"E 2 SORT$ \4 ,EV5 ?\<
8 POLITICAL C>E] IS A TRA9 WRECK1 HE'S
MAK+ M"OY H& OV] FI/ 9 ! PRIVATE SECTOR1
B T DOESN'T SURPRISE ME2 IF Y'VE BE5 >.D
A :ILE1 Y "K ! RI* DON'T ALW GET :AT !Y
DES]VE1 AT L1/ N 9 ? LIFE4
  ,I C'T ?9K ( TOO M* M 6SAY4 ,"EY"O IS
9 ! O!R ROOM GA!R$ >.D ! ,*RI/MAS TREE1
& X'S GOTT5 QUIET1 S ,I H A FEEL+ ? WD 2
A GD "T 6WALTZ IN1 TAKE ,E/EVEZ 0! H& &
POP ! "Q4 ,I "K F ?+S %E'S SD 9 ! PA/ %E
?9KS X IS UNABA%$LY ROMANTIC :5 "SBODY
PROPOSES "U A ,*RI/MAS TREE 9 FRONT (
FAMILY4 ,! MI/LETOE MY BRO!R ,JOHNNY'S
TACK$ UP WON'T HURT4 ,E/EVEZ IS S5TI;TAL
AB MI/LETOE4 ,I BETT] GET 9 "! 2F ,I
LOSE MY N]VE4

             ,AB ,! ,AU?OR          #ECI

  ,E>L ,EM]SON IS A LIEUT5ANT 9 ! ,S1T-
TLE ,FIRE ,DE"P;T4 ,HE IS ! ,%AMUS
,AW>D-W9N+ AU?OR ( .,V]TICAL .,BURN1
.,96.! .,9F]NO1 & .,PYRO1 Z WELL Z !
,?OMAS ,BLACK DETECTIVE S]IES1 : 9CLUDES
.,! .,RA9Y .,C;Y1 .,POV]TY .,BAY1 .,N]V-
\S .,LAU<T]1 .,FAT .,TUES"D1 .,DEVIANT
.,2HAVIOR1 .,YELL[ .,DOG .,"PY1 .,!
.,PORTL& .,LAU<]1 .,! .,VANI%+ .,SMILE1
.,! .,MILLION-,DOLL> .,TATTOO1 .,DECEP;N
.,PASS1 & .,CATFI% .,CAF@E4 ,HE LIVES 9
,NOR? ,B5D1 ,WA%+TON4
  ,VISIT ! AU?OR'S WEBSITE AT
_+WWW._EARL_EMERSON.COM_:4









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