,,six

  ,x _h be5 ages s9ce ,ray=d ,/eele _h be5 drunk4 ,ir5e _h n"e be5 m* (a dr9k}1 & %e _h 2come a teetotal} dur+ ! la/ few ye>s4 ,%e 9si/$ he hide any h>d /uff if he _h 6h x 9 ! h|se at all4 ,%e didn't want ,raymie ev5 "k+ 8 da4y / drank4
  8,t's 4h"o/10 ,ray=d _h c.t}$4
  8,x's prud5t10 %e sd4 8,he doesn't "k "ey?+1 & he doesn't h 6"k "ey?+40
  8,h{ does t jibe ) yr 9si/;e t we 2 tot,y tru?;l80
  8,tell+ ! :ole tru? doesn't alw m1n tell+ "ey?+ y "k4 ,y tell yr crew y're tak+ a ba?room br1k1 b y don't g 96detail ab :at ,y're do+ 9 "!1 d y80
  8,ir5e60
  8,i'm j say+ y don't h 6make x obvi|s 6yr prete5 son t y dr9k h>d liquor40
  ,he _h f.d h} po9t h>d 6>gue1 & he kept 8 b|rbon /a%$ hi< & | ( si<t4 ,if "e "! 0 a mo;t t call$ =a /iff dr9k1 ? 0 x4 ,he r1*$ 2h ! empty cake cov} 9 ! hi<e/ cab9et ov} ! s9k & pull$ d{n a half-f9i%$ fif? ( :iskey4 ,8 9cl9,n1 "k+ no "o he c>$ ab wd "e see1 0 6tip x /rai<t up & guzzle4 ,b ev5 at a "t l ? "! 7 3v5;ns & mann}s4 ,guzzl+ booze f ! bottle 0 simply n 8 /yle4
  ,ray=d p|r$ ?ree 9*es 96a wide cry/al glass & ?rew x back l a vet}an4 ,t 0 ab z | ( "* z he cd f9d -=ta#4 ,! /uff hit ! back ( 8 ?roat & burn$ all ! way d{n1 giv+ hm a *ill t made hm %u4} & groan4 ,:at an idiot6 he ?"|4 ,& on an empty /oma*1 too4
  ,he 0 alr gett+ a buzz :5 he replac$ ! bottle1 !n ?"| bett} ( x4 ,he slipp$ x 96! g>bage "u ! s9k4 ,wd ? 2 a nice memorial 6,ir5e1 giv+ up ev5 ! o3a.nal h>d dr9k8 ,"! wd 2 no b5efit 6,raymie n{1 b he didn't feel "r ab dr9k+ al"o anyway4 ,did he h ! capac;y 6become a closet drunk8 ,:o doesn't8 he wond}$4 ,reg>d.s1 he wasn't go+ 6ca% 9 8 matur;y 2c ( :at _h happ5$4
  ,ray=d's sleep _h be5 deep b n l;g 5|<4 ,he _h few imm *ores4 ,f/ he _h 63nect ) ,*loe4 ,second he _h 6f9d | :at ,pan-,con want$ f hm 9 ! next week4 ,normal regul,ns wd h gr.d$ hm af an ov}ly l;g fli<t &a r}|t$ em}g5cy l&+4 ,b :o knew :at 0 go+ on n{8
  ,h{ _m pilots _h !y lo/8 ,:5 wd runways 2 cle>$8 ,fli<ts s*$ul$8 ,if he knew any?+ ab ! airl9es1 x wd all 2 ab doll>s4 ,z soon z !y cd get ~? ma*9es airborne1 !y cd />t 2+ pr(ita# ag4 ,well1 ,pan-,con _h be5 gd 6hm4 ,he wd hang 9 "! & d 8 "p4 ,b :at 0 he suppos$ 6d ab ? grief1 ? despair1 ? empty a*e8
  ,f9,y he "u/ood ! 2r1v$ :o -pla9$ :5 _! lov$ "o 0 too mangl$ 6see or ~: body _h be5 de/roy$4 ,!y (t5 -pla9$ t "! 0 no s5se ( closure & t ! griev+ process 0 m di6icult 2c !y _h a h>d "t imag9+ _! lov$ "o actu,y d1d4
  ,t _h alw seem$ /range 6hm4 ,:o wd want 6see a wife or * /ret*$ | & made up =a fun}al8 ,wdn't y want 6rememb} !m alive & happy z !y w}e8 ,b he knew bett} n{4 ,he _h no d|bt t 8 wife & son 7 g"o z surely z if !y _h di$1 z 8 {n p>5ts _h ye>s 2f4 ,ir5e & ,ray wd n 2 -+ back1 & he didn't "k if he wd "e see !m ag1 2c he didn't "k if "! 7 second *.es on ? h1v5 ?+4
  ,he l;g$ 6be a# 6see _! bodies1 at l1/--9 b$1 9 a casket1 any":4 ,he wd h giv5 any?+ = "o la/ glimpse4 ,x wdn't h made !m any less d1d 6hm1 b maybe he wdn't feel s ab&on$1 s empty4
  ,ray=d knew "! wd n likely 2 ph"o 3nec;ns 2t ,ill9ois & ,cali=nia = h|rs1 maybe "ds4 ,yet he _h 6try4 ,he dial$ ,/an=d1 ! ma9 adm9i/r,n numb}1 & didn't ev5 get a busy signal or a record$ message4 ,he dial$ ,*loe's room4 ,/ no?+4 ,e half h|r or s he hit ! redial button4 ,he refus$ 6hope %e wd answ}2 if %e did1 x wd 2 a wond};l surprise4
  ,ray=d f.d hmf rav5|s & knew he'd bett} get "s?+ 9 8 /oma* 2f ! few |nces ( booze did a numb} on hm4 ,he m.t$ ! /airs ag1 /opp+ 9 ,raymie's room 6pick up ! ll pile ( clo!s 0: he wd rememb} ! boy4 ,he put !m 9 a c>dbo>d gift box he f.d 9 ,ir5e's closet1 !n plac$ h} ni<tg{n1 locket1 & r+ 9 ano!r4
  ,he took ! boxes d{n/airs1 al;g )! two cookies %e _h mail$ hm4 ,! re/ ( t bat* ( cookies _h 6be >.d "s":4 ,he f.d !m 9 a ,tupp}w>e b{l 9 ! cupbo>d4 ,he 0 grate;l t _! smell & ta/e wd rem9d hm ( h} until !y 7 g"o4
  ,ray=d a4$ a c|ple 6! two he _h br"| d{n1 put !m on a pap} plate1 & p|r$ hmf a glass ( milk4 ,he sat at ! kit*5 ta# next 6! ph"o b cdn't =ce hmf 6eat4 ,he felt p>alyz$4 ,6busy hmf1 he eras$ ! calls on ! answ} ma*9e & a4$ a new |tgo+ message4 ,he sd1 8,? is ,ray=d ,/eele4 ,if y m/1 pl1se l1ve a v brief message4 ,i am try+ 6l1ve ? l9e op5 = my dau<t}4 ,*loe1 if x's y1 ,i'm ei sleep+ or close by1 s give me a *.e 6pick up4 ,if we don't 3nect = "s r1son1 d :at"e y h to1 6get home4 ,any airl9e c *>ge x 6me4 ,i love y40
  ,&) t he sl{ly ate 8 cookies1 ! smell & ta/e br++ images 6hm ( ,ir5e 9 ! kit*51 &! milk mak+ hm l;g = 8 boy4 ,? 0 go+ 6be h>d s h>d4
  ,he 0 exhau/$1 & yet he cdn't br+ hmf 6g up/airs ag4 ,he new he wd h 6=ce hmf 6sleep 9 8 {n b$room t ni<t4 ,= n{ he wd /ret* | on ! c|* 9 ! liv+ room & hope ,*loe wd get "?4 ,he idly pu%$ ! redial button ag1 & ? "t he got ! qk busy signal t told hm "s?+ 0 happ5+4 ,at ! v l1/1 l9es 7 2+ "w$ on4 ,t 0 progress4 ,he knew %e 0 ?9k+ ( hm :ile he 0 ?9k+ ( h}4 ,b %e _h no idea :at mi<t h happ5$ 6h} "m or h} bro!r4 ,wd he h 6tell h} 0ph"o8 ,he fe>$ he wd4 ,%e wd surely ask4
  ,he lumb}$ 6! c|* & lay d{n1 a sob 9 8 ?roat b no m te>s 6a3ompany x4 ,if only ,*loe wd "sh{ get 8 message & get />t$ home1 he cd at l1/ tell h} face-to-face4
  ,ray=d lay "! griev+1 "k+ ! televi.n wd 2 full ( sc5es he didn't want 6see1 d$icat$ >.d ! clock 6! trag$y & mayhem all ov} ! _w4 ,& !n x hit hm4 ,he sat up1 />+ | ! w9d{ 9 ! d>k;s4 ,he {$ x 6,*loe n 6fail h}4 ,he lov$ h} & %e 0 all he _h left4 ,he _h 6f9d | h{ !y _h miss$ "ey?+ ,ir5e _h be5 try+ 6tell !m1 :y x _h be5 s h>d 6a3ept & 2lieve4 ,abv all1 he _h 6/udy1 6le>n1 6be prep>$ = :at"e happ5$ next4
  ,if ! 4appe>.es 7 ( ,god1 if !y _h be5 8 do+1 0 ? ! 5d ( x8 ,! ,*ri/ians1 ! r1l 2liev}s1 get tak5 away1 &! re/ >e left 6grieve & m|rn & r1lize _! }ror8 ,maybe s4 ,maybe t 0 ! price4 ,b !n :at happ5s :5 we die8 he ?"|4 ,if h1v5 is r1l1 if ! ,rapture 0 a fact1 :at does t say ab hell & judg;t8 ,is t |r fate8 ,we g "? ? hell ( regret & remorse1 & !n we lit},y g 6hell1 too8
  ,ir5e _h alw talk$ (a lov+ ,god1 b ev5 ,god's love & m}cy _h 6h limits4 ,_h "ey"o :o d5i$ ! tru? pu%$ ,god 6his limit8 ,0 "! no m m}cy1 no second *.e8 ,maybe "! wasn't1 & if t 0 s1 t 0 s4
  ,b if "! 7 op;ns1 if "! 0 / a way 6f9d ! tru? & 2lieve or a3ept or :at"e x 0 ,ir5e sd "o 0 suppos$ 6d1 ,ray=d 0 go+ 6f9d x4 ,wd x m1n admitt+ t he didn't "k "ey?+8 ,t he _h reli$ on hmf & t n{ he felt /upid & w1k & wor?.s8 ,he cd admit t4 ,af a life"t ( a*iev+1 ( excell+1 ( 2+ bett} ?an mo/ &! be/ 9 mo/ circles1 he _h be5 z hum#d z 0 possi# 9 "o /roke4
  ,"! 0 s m* he didn't "k1 s m* he didn't "u/&4 ,b if ! answ}s 7 / "!1 he wd f9d !m4 ,he didn't "k :om 6ask or ": 6/>t1 b ? 0 "s?+ he & ,*loe cd d tgr4 ,!y'd alw gott5 al;g all "r4 ,%e'd g"o "? ! typical te5age 9dep5d;e1 b %e _h n"e d"o any?+ /upid or irrep>a# z f> z he knew4 ,9 fact1 !y _h probably be5 too close2 %e 0 too m* l hm4
  ,x 0 simply ,raymie's age & 9noc;e t _h all{$ 8 "m's 9flu;e 6a6ect hm s4 ,x 0 8 _s4 ,he didn't h ! kill} 9/9ct1 ! 8me f/0 attitude ,ray=d ?"| he wd ne$ 6su3e$ 9 ! r1l _w4 ,he wasn't e6em9ate1 b ,ray=d _h worri$ t he mi<t 2 a mama's boy--too -pas.nate1 too s5sitive1 too c>+4 ,he 0 alw look+ | = "s"o else :5 ,ray=d ?"| he %d 2 look+ | = numb} "o4
  ,h{ grate;l he 0 n{ t ,raymie took af 8 "m m ?an he took af 8 "f4 ,& h{ he wi%$ "! _h be5 "s ( t 9 ,*loe4 ,%e 0 -petitive1 a driv}1 "s"o :o _h 6be 3v9c$ & p}suad$4 ,%e cd 2 k9d & g5}|s :5 x suit$ h} purpose1 b %e 0 l h} dad4 ,%e took c>e ( h}f4
  ,gd job1 big %ot1 ,ray=d told hmf4 ,! girl y 7 s ,pr|d ( 2c %e 0 s m* l y is 9 ,yr same predica;t4
  ,t1 he decid$1 wd h 6*ange4 ,z soon z !y reconnect$1 t wd *ange4 ,!y wd 2 on a mis.n1 a que/ = tru?4 ,if he 0 alr too late1 he wd h 6a3ept & d1l ) t4 ,he'd alw be5 "o :o w5t =a goal & a3ept$ ! 3sequ;es4 ,only ~! 3sequ;es 7 et}nal4 ,he hop$ ag/ all hope t "! 0 ano!r *.e at tru? & k | "! "s":4 ,! only pro#m 0 t ! "os :o knew 7 g"o4
  ,! ,midpo9t ,motel on ,wa%+ton ,/reet1 a few miles f ! t9y ,waukegan ,airport1 0 tacky 5 t "! wasn't a wait+ li/4 ,buck ,williams 0 pl1santly surpris$ !y _h n ev5 rais$ _! rates =! crisis4 ,:5 he saw ! room1 he knew :y1 & he wond}$ :at two places 9 ! _w ? dive 0 midpo9t 2t4 ,:at"e !y w}e1 ei _h 6be bett}4 ,"! 0 a ph"o1 h{"e1 &a %{}1 a b$1 &a ,,tv4 ,rund{n z x was1 x wd su6ice4 ,f/ ,buck call$ 8 voice mail 9 ,new ,york4 ,no?+ f ? ,ritz "* or any?+ else new1 s he li/5$ 6his sav$ message f ,dirk ,burton1 : rem9d$ hm :y he _h felt x s important 6get 6,london4 ,buck tapp$ x 96his laptop z he li/5$3
  ,cam}on1 y alw tell me ? message c5t} is 3fid5tial1 & ,i hope y're "r4 ,i'm n ev5 go+ 6id5tify myf1 b y "k :o x is4 ,let me tell y "s?+ major & 5c|rage y 6-e "h z qkly z possi#4 ,! big man1 yr -patriot1 ! "o ,i call ! supreme p{} brok} 9t}n,n,y1 met "h ! o!r "d )! "o ,i call |r muckety-muck4 ,y "k :o ,i m1n4 ,"! 0 a ?ird "py at ! meet+4 ,all ,i "k is t he's f ,europe1 probably ,ea/}n ,europe4 ,i don't "k :at _! plans >e = hm1 b app>5tly "s?+ on a huge scale4
 ,my s|rces say yr man has met ) ea* ( 8 key p & ? same ,europ1n 9 di6}5t loc,ns4 ,he 9troduc$ hm 6p 9 ,*9a1 ! ,vatican1 ,israel1 ,fr.e1 ,g}_m1 "h1 &! ,/ates4 ,"s?+ is cook+1 & ,i don't ev5 want 6su7e/ :at x is o!r ?an 9 p}son4 ,visit me z soon z y c4 ,9 case t's n possi#1 let me j 5c|rage ?3 ,wat* ! news =! 9/all,n (a new l1d} 9 ,europe4 ,if y say1 z ,i did1 t no elec;ns >e s*$ul$ & no *anges ( p{} >e imm95t1 y'll get my drift4 ,-e soon1 fr4
  ,buck call$ ,k5 ,ritz's ma*9e 6tell hm ": he was4 ,!n he tri$ call+ we/ once ag & f9,y got "?4 ,buck 0 surpris$ at :at a relief x 0 6he> 8 "f's voice1 ?|< he s.d$ tir$1 4c|rag$1 & n a ll panicky4 8,"eybody ,,ok | "!1 ,dad80
  8,well1 n "eybody4 ,jeff 0 "h ) me1 b he's tak5 ! f|r-:eel drive 6see if he c get 6! a3id5t site ": ,%>on 0 la/ se540
  8,a3id5t80
  8,%e 0 pick9' up ! kids at a retr1t or "s?+1 "s?+ 6d ) h} *ur*4 ,%e doesn't g ) u anymore1 y "k4 ,/ory is1 %e n"e got "!4 ,c> flipp$ ov}4 ,no trace ( h}1 'cept h} clo!s1 & y "k :at t m1ns40
  8,%e's g"o80
  8,looks t way4 ,jeff c't a3ept x4 ,he's tak9' x h>d4 ,wants 6see = hmf4 ,tr|# is1 ! kids >e g"o1 too1 all ( 'em4 ,all _! frs1 "eybody at t retr1t ?+ 9 ! m.ta9s4 ,/ate police f.d all ! kids' clo!s1 ab a hundr$ sets ( !m1 & "s k9d (a late-ni<t snack burn+ on ! /ove40
  8,:ew1 boy6 ,tell ,jeff ,i'm ?9k+ ( hm4 ,if he wants 6talk1 ,i'm "h40
  8,i c't imag9e he'll want 6talk1 ,cam}on1 un.s y h "s answ}s40
  8,t's "o ?+ ,i hav5't got1 ,dad4 ,i don't "k :o does4 ,i h ? feel+ t :o"e _h ! answ}s is g"o40
  8,? is aw;l1 ,cam4 ,i wi% y 7 | "h ) u40
  8,y1h1 ,i'll bet40
  8,y be9' s>ca/ic80
  8,j express+ ! tru?1 ,dad4 if y want$ me | "!1 x'd 2 ! f/ "t40
  8,well1 ? is ! k9d ( "t :5 maybe we *ange |r m9ds40
  8,ab me8 ,i d|bt x40
  8,cam}on1 let's n get 96?1 huh8 ,= once1 ?9k ( "sbody o!r ?an yrf4 ,y lo/ a si/}-in-law &a niece &a nephew ye/}"d1 & yr bro!r'll probably n"e get ov} x40
  ,buck bit 8 t;gue4 ,:y did he alw h 6d ?1 & especi,y "r n{8 ,8 dad 0 "r4 ,if only ,buck cd admit t1 maybe !y cd move on4 ,he _h  be5 res5t$ 0! family "e s9ce he'd g"o on 6college1 foll{+ 8 academic pr{ess 6! ,ivy ,l1gue4
  ,": he came f1 ! kids 7 suppos$ 6foll{ _! p>5ts 96! busi;s4 ,8 dad's 0 truck+ fuel 96! /ate1 mo/ly f ,oklahoma & ,texas4 ,x 0 a t|< busi;s ) local p ?9k+ ! res|rces "| 6all -e f _! {n /ate4 ,jeff _h "w$ 8 way up 9 ! ll busi;s1 />t+ 9 ! (fice1 !n driv+ a truck1 n{ runn+ ! "d-to-"d op},ns4 ,"! _h be5 a lot ( bad blood1 especi,y s9ce ,cam}on 0 away at s*ool :5 8 "m fell ill4 ,%e _h 9si/$ he /ay 9 s*ool1 b :5 he miss$ -+ home = ,*ri/mas due 6m"oy pro#ms1 8 dad & bro!r n"e re,y =gave hm4 ,8 "m di$ :ile he 0 away1 & he got ! cold %|ld} ev5 at h} fun}al4
  ,"s h1l+ _h o3urr$ ov} ! ye>s1 mo/ly 2c 8 family lov$ 6claim hm & brag ab hm once he 2came "kn z a j|rnali/ic prodigy4 ,he _h let byg"os 2 byg"os b res5t$ t he 0 n{ welcome 2c he 0 "sbody4 ,& s he r>ely w5t home4 ,"! 0 too m* ba7age 6reconcile -pletely1 b he 0 / angry ) hmf = op5+ old w.ds :5 8 family 0 su6}+4
  8,if "!'s "s k9d ( memorial s}vice or "s?+1 ,i'll try 6make x1 ,dad4 ,all "r80
  8,y'll try80
  8,t's all ,i c promise4 ,y c imag9e h{ busy ?+s >e at ,global "r n{4 ,ne$.s 6say1 ? is ! /ory (! c5tury40
  8,w y 2 writ+ ! cov} /ory80
  8,i'll h a lot 6d )! cov}age1 y1h40
  8,b ! cov}80 ,buck si<$1 su45ly tir$4 ,x 0 no wond}4 ,he'd be5 awake ne>ly tw5ty-f|r h|rs4 8,i don't "k1 ,dad4 ,i've alr fil$ a lot ( /uff4 ,my guess is ? next issue w 2 a huge special ) lots ( /uff f all ov}4 ,x's unlikely my piece wd 2 ! sole cov} >ticle4 ,x looks l ,i d h ! assign;t =a pretty major tr1t;t two weeks f n{40
  ,he hop$ t wd satisfy 8 dad4 ,he want$ 6get (f & get "s sleep4 ,b x didn't4
  8,:at's t m1n8 ,:at's ! /ory80
  8oh1 ,i'll 2 pull+ tgr s"eal writ}s' pieces on ! !ories 2h :at's happ5$40
  8,t'll 2 a big job4 ,"eybody ,i talk 6has a di6}5t idea4 ,y "k yr bro!r is afraid x 0 l ! la/ judg;t ( ,god or "s?+40
  8,he does80
  8,y1h4 ,b ,i don't ?9k s40
  8,:y n1 ,dad80 ,he didn't re,y want 6get 96a l5g?y 4cus.n1 b ? surpris$ hm4
  8,2c ,i ask$ |r pa/or4 ,he sd if x 0 ,jesus ,*ri/ tak+ p 6h1v51 he & ,i & y & ,jeff wd 2 g"o1 too4 ,makes s5se40
  8,does x8 ,i've n"e claim$ any devo;n 6! fai?40
  8,! heck y hav5't4 ,y alw get 96? lib}al1 ,ea/ ,coa/ bal"oy4 ,y "k gd & well we _h y 9 *ur* & ,sun"d s*ool f ! "t y 7 a baby4 ,y're z m* a ,*ri/ian z any "o ( u40
  ,cam}on want$ 6say1 8,precisely my po9t40 ,b he didn't4 ,x 0 ! lack ( any 3nec;n 2t 8 family's *ur* att5d.e & _! daily lives t made hm quit go+ 6*ur* alt ! "d x 2came 8 *oice4
  8,y1h1 well1 tell ,jeff ,i'm ?9k+ ab hm1 huh8 ,& if ,i c "w x | at all1 ,i'll get back "! = :at"e he's go+ 6d ab ,%>on &! kids40
  ,buck 0 grate;l ! ,midpo9t at l1/ _h pl5ty ( hot wat} =a l;g %{}4 ,he _h =gott5 ab ! na7+ ?rob at ! back ( 8 h1d until ! wat} hit x & loos5$ ! b&age4 ,he didn't h any?+ 6redress x1 s he j let x ble$ a :ile1 !n f.d "s ice4 ,9 ! morn+ he wd f9d a b&age1 j = looks4 ,= n{1 he _h _h x4 ,he 0 b"o we>y4
  ,"! 0 no remote 3trol =! ,,tv & no way he wd get up once he /ret*$ |4 ,he turn$ ,,cnn on l{ s x wdn't 9t}rupt 8 sleep1 & he wat*$ ! _w r.dup 2f doz+ (f4 ,images f >.d ! globe 7 alm m ?an he cd take1 b news 0 8 busi;s4 ,he rememb}$ ! _m e>?quakes & w>s (! la/ decade &! ni<tly cov}age t 0 s mov+4 ,n{ "h 0 a ?|s& "ts m (! same1 all on ! same "d4 ,n"e 9 hi/ory _h m p be5 kill$ 9 "o "d ?an ~? :o 4appe>$ all at once4 ,_h !y be5 kill$8 ,7 !y d1d8 ,wd !y 2 back8
  ,buck cdn't take 8 eyes1 h1vy z !y w}e1 (f ! scre5 z image af image %{$ 4appe>.es cau<t on home videotape4 ,f "s c.tries came profes.nal tapes ( live televi.n %{s 9 progress1 a ho/'s microph"o l&+ atop 8 empty clo!s1 b|nc+ (f 8 %oes1 & mak+ a racket z x roll$ acr ! floor4 ,! audi;e scr1m$4 ,"o (! cam}as pann$ ! cr{d1 : _h be5 at capac;y a mo;t 2f4 ,n{ s"eal s1ts 7 empty1 clo!s drap$ acr !m4
  ,no?+ cd h be5 script$ l ?1 ,buck ?"|1 bl9k+ sl{ly4 ,if "sbody tri$ 6sell a scre5play ab millions ( p 4appe>+1 l1v+ "ey?+ b _! bodies 2h1 x wd 2 lau<$ (f4
  ,buck 0 n aw>e t he 0 asleep until ! *1p ph"o jangl$ s l|dly x s.d$ z if x wd rattle xf (f ! ta#4 ,he grop$ = x4
  8,sorry 6bo!r y1 ,mr4 ,williams1 b ,i j notic$ y 0 (f ! ph"o "!4 ,:ile y 0 talk9'1 y got a call4 ,guy "n ( ,ritz4 ,says y c call hm or y c j 2 wait9' = hm |tside at six 9 ! morn9'4
  8,,ok4 ,?anks40
  8,:at're y gonna d8 ,call hm or meet hm80
   8,:y d y ne$ 6"k80
  8,oh1 ,i a9't be9' nosy or no?9'4 ,x's j t if y're l1v9' "h at six1 ,i gotta get pay;t 9 adv.e4 ,y got ! l;g-4t.e call & all4 ,& ,i don't get up till sev540
  8,i'll tell y :at1 uh1 :at 0 yr "n80
  8,mack40
  8,i'll tell y :at1 ,mack4 ,i left y my *>ge c>d numb}1 s y "k ,i'm n go+ 6sn1k | on y4 ,b 9 ! morn+ ,i'm go+ 6l1ve a travel}'s *eck 9 ! room = y1 cov}+ ! price (! room &a lot m ?an 5 =! ph"o call4 ,y get my m1n+80
  8,a tip80
  8,yes1 sir40
  8,t wd 2 nice40
  8,:at ,i ne$ = y 6d = me is slip a b&age "u my door40
  8,i got "o4 ,y ne$ x "r n{8 ,y all "r80
  8,i'm f9e4 ,n n{4 ,:5 y turn in4 ,nice & quiet l4 ,& turn (f my ph"o1 ,,ok1 j 9 case8 ,if ,i h 6get up t e>ly1 ,i've got 6d "s s}i|s sleep+ "r n{4 ,c y h&le t = me1 ,mack80
  8,i sure c4 ,i'll turn (f "r n{4 ,y want a wake-up call80
  8,no1 ?anks1 ,buck sd1 & he smil$ :5 he r1lz$ ! ph"o 0 d1d 9 8 h&4 ,mack 0 z gd z 8 ~w4 ,if he f.d t b&age 9 ! morn+1 he wd l1ve ,mack a gd tip4 ,buck =c$ hmf 6get up & %ut (f ! ,,tv set &! li<t4 ,he 0 ! type :o cd look at 8 wat* 2f retir+ & wake up precisely :5 he told hmf to4 ,x 0 ne>ly midni<t4 ,he wd 2 up at five-?irty4
##  ,,left ,,2h
  ,0! "t he hit ! mattress1 he 0 |4 ,:5 he awoke five &a half h|rs lat}1 he _h n mov$ a muscle4
  ,ray=d felt z if he 7 sleepwalk+ z he pa4$ "? ! kit*5 6h1d up/airs4 ,he cdn't 2lieve h{ tir$ he / 0 af 8 l;g nap & 8 fit;l doz+ on ! c|*4 ,! newspap} 0 / roll$ up & ru2}-b&$ on a *air ": he _h toss$ x4 ,if he _h any tr|# sleep+ up/airs1 maybe he wd gl.e at ! pap}4 ,x %d 2 9t}e/+ 6r1d ! m1n+.s news (a _w t didn't r1lize x 0 go+ 6su6} ! wor/ trauma 9 xs hi/ory j af ! pap} _h be5 set 9 type4
  ,ray=d pun*$ ! redial button on ! ph"o & walk$ sl{ly t{>d ! /airs1 only half li/5+4 ,:at 0 t8 ,! dial t"o _h be5 9t}rupt$1 &! ph"o 9 ,*loe's dorm room 0 r++4 ,he hurri$ 6! ph"o z a girl answ}$4
  8,*loe80
  8,no4 ,mr4 ,/eele80
  8,yes60
  8,? is ,amy4 ,*loe's try+ 6f9d a way back "!4 ,%e'll try 6call y al;g ! way1 "s"t tm4 ,if %e c't get "?1 %e'll call y :5 %e gets "! or %e'll get a cab home40
  8,%e's on h} way80
  8,y1h4 ,%e didn't want 6wait4 ,%e tri$ call+ & call+1 b--0
  8,y1h1 ,i "k4 ,?anks1 ,amy4 ,>e y all "r80
  8,sc>$ 6d1?1 l "eybody else40
  8,i c imag9e4 ,did y lose any"o80
  8,no1 & ,i feel k9da guilty ab t4 ,seems l "ey"o ,i "k lo/ "sbody4 ,i m1n ,i lo/ a few frs1 b nobody close1 no family40
  ,ray=d didn't "k :e!r 6express 3gratul,ns or remorse4 ,if ? 0 :at he n{ 2liev$ x _h be51 ? poor * h>dly knew any"o :o'd be5 tak5 6h1v54
  8,well10 he sd1 8,i'm glad y're all "r40
  8,h{ ab y80 %e sd4 8,*loe's mom & bro!r80
  8,i'm afraid !y're g"o1 ,amy40
  8,oh1 no60
  8,b ,i wd appreciate yr lett+ me tell ,*loe1 j 9 case %e r1*es y 2f %e r1*es me40
  8,oh1 don't worry4 ,i don't ?9k ,i cd tell h} ev5 if y want$ me to40
  ,ray=d lay 9 b$ s"eal m9utes1 !n idly ?umb$ "? ! f/ sec;n (! pap}4 ,hmm4 ,a surprise move 9 ,romania4
  ,democratic elec;ns 2came pass`e :51 )! seem+ unanim|s 3s5sus (! p & bo? ! upp} & l{} h|ses ( gov}n;t1 a popul> "y busi;sman/politician assum$ ! role ( presid5t (! c.try4 ,nicolae ,c>pa?ia1 a #cc-y;e>-old born 9 ,cluj1 _h1 9 rec5t mon?s1 tak5 ! n,n 0/orm ) 8 popul>1 p}suasive sp1k+1 *>m+ ! populace1 fr & foe alike4 ,re=ms he propos$ =! c.try saw hm swept 6prom9;e & p{}4
  ,ray=d gl.ed at ! photo (! "y ,c>pa?ia1 /rik+ly h&"s blonde :o look$ n unlike a a "y ,rob}t ,r$=d4 ,wond} if he wd've want$ ! job _h he "kn :at 0 ab 6happ58 ,ray=d ?"|4 ,:at"e he has 6(f} won't am.t 6a hill ( b1ns n{4