,,*APT] ,,IX--,,! ,,SPIKE
  ,F/ ( ALL1 ,I M/ BEG =GIVE;S ( MY BODY
=! VILE;S "? : ,I H DRA7$ X1 & =GIVE;S (
MY /OMA* =! VILE;S : ,I H ?RU/ 96X4 ,I H
BE5 6! SPIKE1 & SLEPT 9 ! SPIKE1 & EAT5
9 ! SPIKE2 AL1 ,I H RUN AWAY F ! SPIKE4
  ,AF MY TWO UNSU3ESS;L ATTEMPTS
6P5ETRATE ! ,:ITE*APEL CASUAL W>D1 ,I
/>T$ E>LY1 & JO9$ ! DESOLATE L9E 2F ?REE
O'C 9 ! AFN4 ,!Y DID N 8LET IN0 TILL
SIX1 B AT T E>LY H\R ,I 0 NUMB] TW5TY1
:ILE ! NEWS _H G"O =? T ONLY TW5TY-TWO 7
6BE ADMITT$4 ,0F\R O'C "! 7 ?IRTY-F\R 9
L9E1 ! LA/ T5 HANG+ ON 9 ! SL5D] HOPE (
GETT+ 9 0"S K9D (A MIRACLE4 ,_M M CAME1
LOOK$ AT ! L9E1 & W5T AWAY1 WISE 6!
BITT] FACT T ! SPIKE WD 2 8FULL UP40
  ,3V]S,N 0 SLACK AT F/1 /&+ "!1 TILL !
MAN ON "O SIDE ( ME &! MAN ON ! O!R SIDE
( ME 4COV]$ T !Y _H BE5 9 ! SMALLPOX
HOSPITAL AT ! SAME "T1 ?\< A FULL H\SE (
SIXTE5 HUNDR$ PATI5TS _H PREV5T$ _!
2COM+ ACQUA9T$4 ,B !Y MADE UP = X1
4CUSS+ & -P>+ ! M LOA?"S F1TURES ( _!
41SE 9 ! MO/ COLD-BLOOD$1 MATT]-(-FACT
WAY4 ,I LE>N$ T ! AV]AGE MORTAL;Y 0 "O 9
SIX1 T "O ( !M _H BE5 9 ?REE MON?S &!
O!R ?REE MON?S &A HALF1 & T !Y _H BE5
8ROTT5 WI' X40 ,":AT MY FLE% 2GAN 6CREEP
& CRAWL1 & ,I ASK$ !M H[ L;G !Y _H BE5
\4 ,"O _H BE5 \ TWO WEEKS1 &! O!R ?REE
WEEKS4 ,_! FACES 7 BADLY PITT$ 7?\< EA*
ASSUR$ ! O!R T ? 0 N S71 & FUR!R1 !Y %[$
ME 9 _! H&S & "U ! NAILS ! SMALLPOX
8SE$S0 / "W+ \4 ,NAY1 "O ( !M "W$ A SE$
\ = MY $IFIC,N1 & POP X W5T1 "R \ ( 8
FLE% 96! AIR4 ,I TRI$ 6%R9K UP SMALL]
9SIDE MY CLO!S1 & ,I REGI/]$ A F]V5T ?\<
SIL5T HOPE T X _H N POPP$ ON ME4
  ,9 BO? 9/.ES1 ,I F.D T ! SMALLPOX 0 !
CAUSE ( _! 2+ 8ON ! DOSS10 : M1NS ON !
TRAMP4 ,BO? _H BE5 "W+ :5 SMITT5 0!
41SE1 & BO? _H EM]G$ F ! HOSPITAL
8BROKE10 )! GLOOMY TASK 2F !M ( HUNT+ =
"W4 ,S F>1 !Y _H N F.D ANY1 & !Y _H -E
6! SPIKE =A 8RE/ UP0 AF ?REE "DS & NI<TS
ON ! /REET4
  ,X SEEMS T N ONLY ! MAN :O 2COMES OLD
IS PUNI%$ = 8 9VOLUNT>Y MIS=TUNE1 B
LIKEWISE ! MAN :O IS /RUCK 041SE OR
A3ID5T4 ,LAT] ON1 ,I TALK$ ) ANO!R MAN--
8,G+]0 WE CALL$ HM--:O /OOD AT ! H1D (!
L9E--A SURE 9DIC,N T HE _H BE5 WAIT+
S9CE "O O'C4 ,A YE> 2F1 "O "D1 :ILE 9 !
EMPLOY (A FI% D1L]1 HE 0 C>RY+ A H1VY
BOX ( FI% : 0 TOO M* = HM4 ,RESULT3
8"S?+ BROKE10 & "! 0 ! BOX ON ! GR.D1 &
HE ON ! GR.D 2S X4
  ,AT ! F/ HOSPITAL1 :I!R HE 0 IMMLY
C>RI$1 !Y SD X 0 A RUPTURE1 REDUC$ !
SWELL+1 GAVE HM "S VASEL9E 6RUB ON X1
KEPT HM F\R H\RS1 & TOLD HM 6GET AL;G4
,B HE 0 N ON ! /REETS M ?AN TWO OR ?REE
H\RS :5 HE 0 D[N ON 8 BACK AG4 ,? "T HE
W5T 6ANO!R HOSPITAL & 0 PAT*$ UP4 ,B !
PO9T IS1 ! EMPLOY] DID NO?+1 POSITIVELY
NO?+1 =! MAN 9JUR$ 9 8 EMPLOY;T1 & EV5
REFUS$ HM 8A LI<T JOB N[ & AG10 :5 HE
CAME \4 ,Z F> Z ,G+] IS 3C]N$1 HE IS A
BROK5 MAN4 ,8 ONLY *.E 6E>N A LIV+ 0
0H1VY "W4 ,HE IS N[ 9CAPA# ( P]=M+ H1VY
"W1 & F N[ UNTIL HE DIES1 ! SPIKE1 !
PEG1 &! /REETS >E ALL HE C LOOK =W>D 6IN
! WAY ( FOOD & %ELT]4 ,! ?+ HAPP5$--T IS
ALL4 ,HE PUT 8 BACK "U TOO GRT A LOAD (
FI%1 & 8 *.E = HAPPI;S 9 LIFE 0 CROSS$
(F ! BOOKS4
  ,S"EAL M5 9 ! L9E _H BE5 6! ,UNIT$
,/ATES1 & !Y 7 WI%+ T !Y _H REMA9$ "!1 &
7 CURS+ !MVS = _! FOLLY 9 "E HAV+ LEFT4
,5GL& _H 2COME A PRISON 6!M1 A PRISON F
: "! 0 NO HOPE ( ESCAPE4 ,X 0 IMPOSSI# =
!M 6GET AWAY4 ,!Y CD NEI SCRAPE TGR !
PASSAGE M"OY1 NOR GET A *.E 6"W _!
PASSAGE4 ,! C.TRY 0 TOO OV]RUN 0POOR
DEVILS ON T 8LAY40
  ,I 0 ON ! S1F>+-MAN-:O-_H-LO/-HIS-
CLO!S-&-M"OY TACK1 & !Y ALL 3DOL$ ) ME &
GAVE ME M* S.D ADVICE4 ,6SUM X UP1 !
ADVICE 0 "S?+ L ?3 ,6KEEP \ ( ALL PLACES
L ! SPIKE4 ,"! 0 NO?+ GD 9 X = ME4 ,6H1D
=! COA/ & B5D E EF=T 6GET AWAY ON A %IP4
,6G 6"W1 IF POSSI#1 & SCRAPE TGR A P.D
OR S1 ) : ,I MI<T BRIBE "S /EW>D OR "UL+
6GIVE ME *.E 6"W MY PASSAGE4 ,!Y 5VI$ ME
MY Y\? & /R5G?1 : WD SOON] OR LAT] GET
ME \ (! C.TRY4 ,^! !Y NO L;G] POSSESS$4
,AGE & ,5GLI% H>D%IP _H BROK5 !M1 &= !M
! GAME 0 PLAY$ & UP4
  ,"! 0 "O1 H["E1 :O 0 / "Y1 & :O1 ,I AM
SURE1 W 9 ! 5D MAKE X \4 ,HE _H G"O 6!
,UNIT$ ,/ATES Z A "Y FELL[1 & 9 F\RTE5
YE>S' RESID;E ! L;GE/ P]IOD HE _H BE5 \
( "W 0 TWELVE H\RS4 ,HE _H SAV$ 8 M"OY1
GR[N TOO PROSP]\S1 & RETURN$ 6! "M-
C.TRY4 ,N[ HE 0 /&+ 9 L9E AT ! SPIKE4
  ,=! PA/ TWO YE>S1 HE TOLD ME1 HE _H
BE5 "W+ Z A COOK4 ,8 H\RS _H BE5 F #G
A4M 6#AJ.CJ P4M41 & ON ,SATUR"D TO
#AB.CJ P4M4--N9ETY-FIVE H\RS P] WEEK1 =
: HE _H RCVD TW5TY %ILL+S1 OR FIVE
DOLL>S4
  8,B ! "W &! L;G H\RS 0 KILL+ ME10 HE
SD1 8& ,I _H 6*UCK ! JOB4 ,I _H A LL
M"OY SAV$1 B ,I SP5T X LIV+ & LOOK+ =
ANO!R PLACE40
  ,? 0 8 F/ NI<T 9 ! SPIKE1 & HE _H -E 9
ONLY 6GET RE/$4 ,Z SOON Z HE EM]G$1 HE
9T5D$ 6/>T = ,BRI/OL1 A "O-HUNDR$-&-T5-
MILE WALK1 ": HE ?"\ HE WD EV5TU,Y GET A
%IP =! ,/ATES4
  ,B ! M5 9 ! L9E 7 N ALL ( ? CALIBRE4
,"S 7 POOR1 WRET*$ B1/S1 9>TICULATE &
CALL\S1 B = ALL ( T1 9 _M WAYS V HUMAN4
,I REMEMB] A C>T]1 EVID5TLY RETURN+ HOME
AF ! "D'S "W1 /OPP+ 8 C>T 2F U S T 8 "Y
HOPE;L1 :O _H RUN 6MEET HM1 CD CLIMB IN4
,B ! C>T 0 BIG1 ! "Y HOPE;L LL1 & HE
FAIL$ 9 8 S"EAL ATTEMPTS 6SW>M UP4 ,":^U
"O (! MO/ DEGRAD$-LOOK+ M5 /EPP$ \ (!
L9E & HOI/$ HM IN4 ,N[ ! VIRTUE &! JOY (
? ACT LIES 9 T X 0 S]VICE ( LOVE1 N
HIRE4 ,! C>T] 0 POOR1 &! MAN KNEW X2 &!
MAN 0 /&+ 9 ! SPIKE L9E1 &! C>T] KNEW X2
&! MAN _H D"O ! LL ACT1 &! C>T] _H ?ANK$
HM1 EV5 Z Y & ,I WD H D"O & ?ANK$4
  ,ANO!R B1UTI;L T\* 0 T 4PLAY$ 0!
8,HOPP]0 & 8 8OLE WOMAN40 ,HE _H BE5 9
L9E AB HALF-AN-H\R :5 ! 8OLE WOMAN0 7HIS
MATE7 CAME UP 6HM4 ,%E 0 FAIRLY CLAD1 =
H] CLASS1 )A W1!R-WORN BONNET ON H] GREY
H1D &A SACK+-COV]$ BUNDLE 9 H] >MS4 ,Z
%E TALK$ 6HM1 HE R1*$ =W>D1 CAU<T ! "O
/RAY WISP (! :ITE HAIR T 0 FLY+ WILD1
DEFTLY TWIRL$ X 2T 8 F+]S1 & TUCK$ X
BACK PROP]LY 2H H] E>4 ,F ALL ( : "O MAY
3CLUDE _M ?+S4 ,HE C]TA9LY LIK$ H] WELL
5 6WI% H] 6BE N1T & TIDY4 ,HE 0 PR\D (
H]1 /&+ "! 9 ! SPIKE L9E1 & X 0 8 DESIRE
T %E %D LOOK WELL 9 ! EYES (! O!R
UN=TUNATES :O /OOD 9 ! SPIKE L9E4 ,B LA/
& BE/1 & "ULY+ ALL ^! MOTIVES1 X 0 A
/URDY A6EC;N HE BORE H]2 = MAN IS N PR"O
6BO!R 8 H1D OV] N1T;S & TIDI;S 9 A WOMAN
= :OM HE DOES N C>E1 NOR IS HE LIKELY
6BE PR\D ( S* A WOMAN4
  ,& ,I F.D MYF "Q+ :Y ? MAN & 8 MATE1
H>D "W]S ,I KNEW F _! TALK1 %D H 6SEEK A
PAUP] LODG+4 ,HE _H PRIDE1 PRIDE 9 8 OLD
WOMAN & PRIDE 9 HMF4 ,:5 ,I ASK$ HM :AT
HE ?"\ ,I1 A GRE5HORN1 MI<T EXPECT 6E>N
AT 8HOPP+10 HE SIZ$ ME UP1 & SD T X ALL
DEP5D$4 ,PL5TY ( P 7 TOO SL[ 6PICK HOPS
& MADE A FAILURE ( X4 ,A MAN1 6SU3E$1 M/
USE 8 H1D & 2 QK ) 8 F+]S1 M/ 2 EXCE$+
QK ) 8 F+]S4 ,N[ HE & 8 OLD WOMAN CD D V
WELL AT X1 "W+ ! "O B9 2T !M & N GO+
6SLEEP OV] X2 B !N1 !Y _H BE5 AT X =
YE>S4
  8,I 'AD A MATE Z W5T D[N LA/ YE>10
SPOKE UP A MAN4 8,X 0 'IS FU/ "T1 B ,8;E
-E BACK WI0' TWO P\N' T5 9 ,8IS POCKIT1
AN0' 'E 0 ONLY G"O A MON?40
  8,"! Y >E10 SD ! ,HOPP]1 A W1L? (
ADMIR,N 9 8 VOICE4 8',E 0 QK4 ',E 0 JE/
NAT'R,Y BORN 6X1 'E WAS40
  ,TWO P.D T5--TWELVE DOLL>S &A HALF--=A
MON?'S "W :5 "O IS 8JE/ NAT'R,Y BORN
6X60 ,& 9 A4I;N1 SLEEP+ \ )\T BLANKETS &
LIV+ ! ,"L "KS H[4 ,"! >E MO;TS :5 ,I AM
?ANK;L T ,I 0 N 8JE/ NAT'R,Y BORN0 A
G5IUS = ANY?+1 N EV5 HOP-PICK+1
  ,9 ! MATT] ( GETT+ AN \TFIT = 8!
HOPS10 ! ,HOPP] GAVE ME "S /]L+ ADVICE1
6: SAME GIVE HE$1 Y S(T & T5D] P1 9 CASE
Y %D "E 2 /R&$ 9 ,LONDON ,T[N4
  8,IF Y A9'T GOT T9S AN' COOK9' ?+S1
ALL Z Y C GET'LL 2 BR1D & *EESE4 ,NO
BLOOM9' GD T6 ,Y M/ 'AVE ,8OT TEA1 AN0'
WEGETA#S1 AN' A BIT O' M1T1 N[ AN' AG1
IF Y'RE GO9' 6D "W Z IS "W4 ,CAWN'T D X
ON COLD WITTLES4 ,TELL Y WOT Y D1 LAD4
,RUN >.D 9 ! MORN9' AN' LOOK 9 ! DU/
PANS4 ,Y'LL F9D PL5TY O' T9S 6COOK IN4
,F9E T9S1 WOND];L GD "S O' !M4 ,ME AN' !
OLE WOMAN GOT \RS T WAY40 7,HE PO9T$ AT
! BUNDLE %E HELD1 :ILE %E NO4$ PR\DLY1
B1M+ ON ME ) GD-NATURE & 3SCI\S;S (
SU3ESS & PROSP];Y47 8,? OV]COAT IS Z GD
Z A BLANKET10 HE W5T ON1 ADVANC+ ! SKIRT
( X T ,I MI<T FEEL XS ?ICK;S4 8,AN' 'OO
"KS1 ,I MAY F9D A BLANKET 2F L;G40
  ,AG ! OLD WOMAN NO4$ & B1M$1 ? "T )!
D1D C]TA9TY T HE ,,WD F9D A BLANKET 2F
L;G4
  8,I CALL X A 'OLI"D1 ,8OPP90'10 HE
3CLUD$ RAPTUR\SLY4 8,A TIDY WAY O'
GETT9' TWO OR ?REE P.DS TGR AN' FIX9' UP
= W9T]4 ,! ONLY ?+ ,I DON'T L0--& "H 0 !
RIFT )9 ! LUTE--8IS PA49' ! 'O( D[N "!40
  ,X 0 PLA9 ! YE>S 7 TELL+ ON ? 5]GETIC
PAIR1 & :ILE !Y 5JOY$ ! QK "W )! F+]S1
8PA49' ! 'O(10 : IS WALK+1 0 2G9N+ 6BE>
H1VILY ^U !M4 ,& ,I LOOK$ AT _! GREY
HAIRS1 & AH1D 96! FUTURE T5 YE>S1 &
WOND]$ H[ X WD 2 ) !M4
  ,I NOTIC$ ANO!R MAN & 8 OLD WOMAN JO9
! L9E1 BO? ( !M
PA/ FIFTY4 ,! WOMAN1 2C %E 0 A WOMAN1 0
ADMITT$ 96! SPIKE2 B HE 0 TOO LATE1 &1
SEP>AT$ F 8 MATE1 0 TURN$ AWAY 6TRAMP !
/REETS ALL NI<T4
  ,! /REET ON : WE /OOD1 F WALL 6WALL1 0
B>ELY TW5TY FEET WIDE4 ,! SIDEWALKS 7
?REE FEET WIDE4 ,X 0 A RESID;E /REET4
,AT L1/ "WM5 & _! FAMILIES EXI/$ 9 "S
SORT ( FA%ION 9 ! H\SES ACR F U4 ,& EA*
"D & E "D1 F "O 9 ! AFN TILL SIX1 \R
RA7$ SPIKE L9E IS ! PR9CIPAL F1TURE (!
VIEW -M&$ 0_! FRONT DOORS & W9D[S4 ,"O
"WMAN SAT 9 8 DOOR DIRECTLY OPPOSITE U1
TAK+ 8 RE/ &A BR1? ( AIR AF ! TOIL (!
"D4 ,8 WIFE CAME 6*AT ) HM4 ,! DOORWAY 0
TOO SMALL = TWO1 S %E /OOD UP4 ,_! BABES
SPRAWL$ 2F !M4 ,& "H 0 ! SPIKE L9E1 LESS
?AN A SCORE ( FEET AWAY--NEI PRIVACY =!
"WMAN1 NOR PRIVACY =! PAUP]4 ,AB \R FEET
PLAY$ ! *N (! NEI<B\RHOOD4 ,6!M \R
PRES;E 0 NO?+ UNUSUAL4 ,WE 7 N AN
9TRU.N4 ,WE 7 Z NATURAL & ORD9>Y Z !
BRICK WALLS & /"O CURBS ( _! 5VIRON;T4
,!Y _H BE5 BORN 6! SI<T (! SPIKE L9E1 &
ALL _! BRIEF "DS !Y _H SE5 X4
  ,AT SIX O'C ! L9E MOV$ UP1 & WE 7
ADMITT$ 9 GR\PS ( ?REE4 ,"N1 AGE1
O3UP,N1 PLACE ( BIR?1 3DI;N ( DE/ITU;N1
&! PREVI\S NI<T'S 8DOSS10 7 TAK5 )
LI<TN+-L RAPID;Y 0! SUP]9T5D5T2 & Z ,I
TURN$ ,I 0 />TL$ 0A MAN'S ?RU/+ 96MY H&
"S?+ T FELT L A BRICK1 & %\T+ 96MY E>1
8ANY KNIVES1 MAT*ES1 OR TOBA3O80 8,NO1
SIR10 ,I LI$1 Z LI$ E MAN :O 5T]$4 ,Z ,I
PASS$ D[N/AIRS 6! CELL>1 ,I LOOK$ AT !
BRICK 9 MY H&1 & SAW T 0DO+ VIOL;E 6!
LANGUAGE X MI<T 2 CALL$ 8BR1D40 ,0XS
WEI<T & H>D;S X C]TA9LY M/ H BE5
UNL1V5$4
  ,! LI<T 0 V DIM D[N 9 ! CELL>1 & 2F ,I
KNEW X "S O!R MAN _H ?RU/ A PANNIK9 96MY
O!R H&4 ,!N ,I /UM#D ON 6A / D>K] ROOM1
": 7 B5*ES & TA#S & M54 ,! PLACE SMELL$
VILELY1 &! SOMBRE GLOOM1 &! MUM# (
VOICES F \ (! OBSCUR;Y1 MADE X SEEM M L
"S ANTEROOM 6! 9F]NAL REGIONS4
  ,MO/ (! M5 7 SU6]+ F TIR$ FEET1 & !Y
PREFAC$ ! M1L 0REMOV+ _! %OES & UNB9D+ !
FIL?Y RAGS ) : _! FEET 7 WRAPP$4 ,? A4$
6! G5]AL NOI"S;S1 :ILE X TOOK AWAY F MY
APPETITE4
  ,9 FACT1 ,I F.D T ,I _H MADE A
MISTAKE4 ,I _H EAT5 A HE>TY D9N] FIVE
H\RS 2F1 & 6H D"O JU/ICE 6! F>E 2F ME ,I
%D H FA/$ =A C\PLE ( "DS4 ,! PANNIK9
3TA9$ SKILLY1 ?REE-QU>T]S (A P9T1 A
MIXTURE ( ,9DIAN CORN & HOT WAT]4 ,! M5
7 DIPP+ _! BR1D 96H1PS ( SALT SCATT]$
OV] ! DIRTY TA#S4 ,I ATTEMPT$ ! SAME1 B
! BR1D SEEM$ 6/ICK 9 MY M\?1 & ,I
REMEMB]$ ! ^WS (! ,C>P5T]1 8,Y NE$ A P9T
( WAT] 6EAT ! BR1D NICELY40
  ,I W5T OV] 96A D>K CORN] ": ,I _H
OBS]V$ O!R M5 GO+ & F.D ! WAT]4 ,!N ,I
RETURN$ & ATTACK$ ! SKILLY4 ,X 0 CO>SE (
TEXTURE1 UNS1SON$1 GROSS1 & BITT]4 ,?
BITT];S : L+]$ P]SI/5TLY 9 ! M\? AF !
SKILLY _H PASS$ ON1 ,I F.D ESPECI,Y
REPULSIVE4 ,I /RU7L$ MAN;LLY1 B 0 MA/]$
0MY QUALMS1 & HALF-A-DOZ5 M\?;LS (
SKILLY & BR1D 0 ! M1SURE ( MY SU3ESS4 ,!
MAN 2S ME ATE 8 [N %>E1 & M9E 6BOOT1
SCRAP$ ! PANNIK9S1 & LOOK$ HUNGRILY = M4
  8,I MET A ,8T[NY10' & HE /OOD ME TOO
GD A D9N]10 ,I EXPLA9$4
  8,AN' ,I 'AV5'T ,8AD A BITE S9CE
YE/]"D MORN90'10 HE REPLI$4
  8,H[ AB TOBA3O80 ,I ASK$4 8,W ! BLOKE
BO!R )A FELL[ N[80
  8,OH NO10 HE ANSW]$ ME4 8,NO BLOOM9'
FE>4 ,? IS ! EASIE/ SPIKE GO9'4 ,Y'\<TO
SEE "S ( !M4 ,SE>* Y 6! SK940
  ,! PANNIK9S SCRAP$ CL1N1 3V]S,N 2GAN
6SPR+ UP4 8,? SUP]'T5D5T ,8]E IS ALW
WRIT90' 6! PAP]S 'B\T U MUGS10 SD ! MAN
ON ! O!R SIDE ( ME4
  8,:AT DOES HE SAY80 ,I ASK$4
  8,OH1 ,8;E SEZ WE'RE NO GD1 A LOT ;O0'
BLACKGU>DS AN' SC.DRELS Z WON'T "W4
,TELLS ALL ! OLE TRICKS ,I'VE B9 ,8E>90'
= TW5TY YE>S AN' W'I* ,I N"E SE5 A MUG
"E D4 ,LAS' ?+ ( 'IS ,I SEE1 ,8;E 0
TELL90' ,8[ A MUG GETS \ ;O0' ! SPIKE1
WI' A CRU/ 9 ,8IS POCKIT4 ,AN0' W'5 ,8;E
SEES A NICE OLE G5TLEMAN -90' AL;G !
/REET ,8;E *UCKS ! CRU/ 96! DRA91 AN0'
BORR[S ! OLD G5T'S /ICK 6POKE X \4 ,AN'
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  ,A RO> ( APPLAUSE GREET$ ! "T-HON\R$
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  8,TALK O' ! C.TRY 2IN' GD = TOMMY
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WON'T GI' YE A DR9K O' WAT]1 !Y WON'T1
M* LESS TOMMY40
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SECOND VOICE1 8!Y LIVE BLOOM9' FAT ALL
AL;G40
  8,I -E "? ,K5T10 W5T ON ! F/ VOICE1 /
M ANGRILY1 8AN' ,GAWD BLIMEY IF ,I SEE
ANY TOMMY4 ,AN' ,I ALW NOTICES Z !
BLOKES Z TALKS AB ,8[ M* !Y C GET1 W'5
!Y'RE 9 ! SPIKE C EAT MY %>E ;O0' SKILLY
Z WELL Z _! BLE$9' [N40
  8,"!'S *APS 9 ,LONDON10 SD A MAN ACR !
TA# F ME1 8T GET ALL ! TOMMY !Y WANT1
AN' !Y N"E ?9K O' GO9' 6! C.TRY4 ,/AY 9
,LONDON ! YE> ,8R.D4 ,NOR D !Y ?9K (
LOOK90' =A KIP ,7PLACE 6SLEEP7'1 TILL
N9E OR T5 O'C AT NI<T40

,A G5]AL *ORUS V]IFI$ ? /ATE;T

  8,B !Y'RE BLOOM9' CL"E1 !M *APS10 SD
AN ADMIR+ VOICE4
  8,C\RSE !Y >E10 SD ANO!R VOICE4 8,B
X'S N ! LIKES ( ME AN' Y C D X4 ,Y GOT
6BE BORN 6X1 ,I SAY4 ,!M *APS ,8AVE B5
OP590' CABS AN' SELL9' PAP]S S9CE ! "D
!Y 0 BORN1 AN' _! "FS AN' "MS 2F ,8EM4
,X'S ALL 9 ! TRA990'1 ,I SAY1 AN' !
LIKES ( ME AN' Y 'UD />VE AT X40
  ,? AL 0 V]IFI$ 0! G5]AL *ORUS1 &
LIKEWISE ! /ATE;T T "! 7 8MUGS Z LIVES !
TWELVEMON? ,8R.D 9 ! SPIKE AN0' N"E GET
A B.S$ BIT O' TOMMY O!R ?AN SPIKE SKILLY
AN' BR1D40
  8,I ONCE GOT >F A CR[N 9 ! ,/RAT=D
SPIKE10 SD A NEW VOICE4 ,SIL;E FELL ON !
9/ANT1 & ALL LI/5$ 6! WOND];L TALE4 8,"!
0 ?REE ( U BR1K9' /"OS4 ,W9T]-"T1 AN' !
COLD 0 CRUEL4 ,T'O!R TWO SD !Y'D 2 B.S$
IF !Y D X1 AN' !Y DIDN'T2 B ,I KEPT
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GU>DIANS -E1 AN' T'O!R *APS GOT RUN 9 =
F\RTE5 "DS1 AN' ! GU>DIANS1 W'5 !Y SEE
WOT ,I'D BE5 DO9'1 GIVES ME A TANN] EA*1
FIVE O' !M1 AN' TURNS ME UP40
  ,! MAJOR;Y ( ^! M51 NAY1 ALL ( !M1 ,I
F.D1 D N L ! SPIKE1 & ONLY -E 6X :5
DRIV5 IN4 ,AF ! 8RE/ UP0 !Y >E GD = TWO
OR ?REE "DS & NI<TS ON ! /REETS1 :5 !Y
>E DRIV5 9 AG = ANO!R RE/4 ,( C\RSE1 ?
3T9U\S H>D%IP QKLY BR1KS _! 3/ITU;NS1 &
!Y R1LISE X1 ?\< ONLY 9 A VAGUE WAY2
:ILE X IS S M* ! -MON RUN ( ?+S T !Y D N
WORRY AB X4
  8,ON ! DOSS10 !Y CALL VAGABONDAGE "H1
: CORRESPONDS TO 8ON ! ROAD0 9 ! ,UNIT$
,/ATES4 ,! AGREE;T IS T KIPP+1 OR DOSS+1
OR SLEEP+1 IS ! H>DE/ PRO#M !Y H 6FACE1
H>D] EV5 ?AN T ( FOOD4 ,! 9CLE;T W1!R &!
H>% LAWS >E MA9LY RESPONSI# = ?1 :ILE !
M5 !MVS ASCRIBE _! HOME.S;S 6=EIGN
IMMIGR,N1 ESPECI,Y ( ,POLI% & ,RUSSIAN
,JEWS1 :O TAKE _! PLACES AT L[] WAGES &
E/ABLI% ! SW1T+ SY/EM4
  ,0SEV5 O'C WE 7 CALL$ AWAY 6BA! & G
6B$4 ,WE /RIPP$ \R CLO!S1 WRAPP+ !M UP 9
\R COATS & BUCKL+ \R BELTS AB !M1 &
DEPOSIT$ !M 9 A H1P$ RACK & ON ! FLOOR--
A B1UTI;L S*EME =! SPR1D ( V]M94 ,!N1
TWO 0TWO1 WE 5T]$ ! BA?ROOM4 ,"! 7 TWO
ORD9>Y TUBS1 & ? ,I "K3 ! TWO M5 PREC$+
_H WA%$ 9 T WAT]1 WE WA%$ 9 ! SAME WAT]1
& X 0 N *ANG$ =! TWO M5 T FOLL[$ U4 ,?
,I "K2 B ,I AM AL C]TA9 T ! TW5TY-TWO (
U WA%$ 9 ! SAME WAT]4
  ,I DID NO M ?AN MAKE A %[ ( SPLA%+ "S
( ? DUBI\S LIQUID AT MYF1 :ILE ,I HA/ILY
BRU%$ X (F )A T[EL WET F ! BODIES ( O!R
M54 ,MY EQUANIM;Y 0 N RE/OR$ 0SEE+ !
BACK ( "O POOR WRET* A MASS ( BLOOD F
ATTACKS ( V]M9 & RETALIATORY SCRAT*+4
  ,A %IRT 0 H&$ ME--: ,I CD N HELP B
WOND] H[ _M O!R M5 _H WORN2 &)A C\PLE (
BLANKETS "U MY >M ,I TRUDG$ (F 6! SLEEP+
A"P;T4 ,? 0 A L;G1 N>R[ ROOM1 TRAV]S$
0TWO L[ IRON RAILS4 ,2T ^! RAILS 7
/RET*$1 N HAMMOCKS1 B PIECES ( CANVAS1
SIX FEET L;G & LESS ?AN TWO FEET WIDE4
,^! 7 ! B$S1 & !Y 7 SIX 9*ES A"P & AB
EI<T 9*ES ABV ! FLOOR4 ,! *IEF DI6ICULTY
0 T ! H1D 0 "S:AT HI<] ?AN ! FEET1 :
CAUS$ ! BODY 3/ANTLY 6SLIP D[N4 ,2+
SLUNG 6! SAME RAILS1 :5 "O MAN MOV$1 NO
MATT] H[ SLI<TLY1 ! RE/ 7 SET ROCK+2 &
:5"E ,I DOZ$ "SBODY 0 SURE 6/RU7LE BACK
6! POSI;N F : HE _H SLIPP$1 & >\SE ME
AG4
  ,_M H\RS PASS$ 2F ,I WON 6SLEEP4 ,X 0
ONLY SEV5 9 ! EV5+1 &! VOICES ( *N1 9
%RILL \TCRY1 PLAY+ 9 ! /REET1 3T9U$ TILL
NE>LY MIDNI<T4 ,! SMELL 0 F"R;L &
SICK5+1 :ILE MY IMAG9,N BROKE LOOSE1 &
MY SK9 CREPT & CRAWL$ TILL ,I 0 NE>LY
FRANTIC4 ,GRUNT+1 GROAN+1 & SNOR+ >OSE L
! S.DS EMITT$ 0"S SEA MON/]1 & S"EAL
"TS1 A6LICT$ 0NI<TM>E1 "O OR ANO!R1 0HIS
%RIEKS & YELLS1 >\S$ ! LOT ( U4 ,T[>D
MORN+ ,I 0 AWAK5$ 0A RAT OR "S SIMIL>
ANIMAL ON MY BR1/4 ,9 ! QK TRANSI;N F
SLEEP 6WAK+1 2F ,I 0 -PLETELY MYF1 ,I
RAIS$ A %\T 6WAKE ! D1D4 ,AT ANY RATE1
,I WOKE ! LIV+1 & !Y CURS$ ME R.DLY = MY
LACK ( MANN]S4
  ,B MORN+ CAME1 )A SIX O'C BR1KFA/ (
BR1D & SKILLY1 : ,I GAVE AWAY1 & WE 7
TOLD (F 6\R V>I\S TASKS4 ,"S 7 SET
6SCRU2+ & CL1N+1 O!RS 6PICK+ OAKUM1 &
EI<T ( U 7 3VOY$ ACR ! /REET 6!
,:ITE*APEL ,9FIRM>Y ": WE 7 SET AT
SCAV5G] "W4 ,? 0 ! ME?OD
0: WE PD = \R SKILLY & CANVAS1 & ,I1 =
"O1 "K T ,I PD 9 FULL _M "TS OV]4
  ,?\< WE _H MO/ REVOLT+ TASKS 6P]=M1 \R
ALLOT;T 0 3SID]$ ! BE/ &! O!R M5 DEEM$
!MVS LUCKY 9 2+ *OS5 6P]=M X4
  8,DON'T T\* X1 MATE1 ! NURSE SEZ X'S
D1DLY10 W>N$ MY "W+ "PN]1 Z ,I HELD OP5
A SACK 96: HE 0 EMPTY+ A G>BAGE C4
  ,X CAME F ! SICK W>DS1 & ,I TOLD HM T
,I PURPOS$ NEI 6T\* X1 NOR 6ALL[ X 6T\*
ME4 ,N"E!.S1 ,I _H 6C>RY ! SACK1 & O!R
SACKS1 D[N FIVE FLI<TS ( /AIRS & EMPTY
!M 9 A RECEPTACLE ": ! CORRUP;N 0
SPE$ILY SPR9KL$ ) /R;G 49FECTANT4
  ,P]H "! IS A WISE M]CY 9 ALL ?4 ,^! M5
(! SPIKE1 ! PEG1 &! /REET1 >E 5CUMBR.ES4
,!Y >E ( NO GD OR USE 6ANY "O1 NOR
6!MVS4 ,!Y CLUTT] ! E>? ) _! PRES;E1 &
>E BETT] \ (! WAY4 ,BROK5 0H>D%IP1 ILL
F$1 & WORSE N\RI%$1 !Y >E ALW ! F/ 6BE
/RUCK D[N 041SE1 Z !Y >E LIKEWISE ! QKE/
6DIE4
  ,!Y FEEL1 !MVS1 T ! =CES ( SOCIETY T5D
6HURL !M \ ( EXI/;E4 ,WE 7 SPR9KL+
49FECTANT 0! MORTU>Y1 :5 ! D1D WA7ON
DROVE UP & FIVE BODIES 7 PACK$ 96X4 ,!
3V]S,N TURN$ 6! 8:ITE PO;N0 & 8BLACK
JACK10 & ,I F.D !Y 7 ALL AGRE$ T ! POOR
P]SON1 MAN OR WOMAN1 :O 9 ! ,9FIRM>Y
GAVE TOO M* TR\# OR 0 9 A BAD WAY1 0
8POLI%$ (F40 ,T IS 6SAY1 ! 9CURA#S &!
OB/REP]\S 7 GIV5 A DOSE ( 8BLACK JACK0
OR ! 8:ITE PO;N10 & S5T OV] ! DIVIDE4 ,X
DOES N MATT] 9 ! L1/ :E!R ? 2 ACTU,Y S
OR N4 ,! PO9T IS1 !Y H ! FEEL+ T X IS S1
& !Y H CR1T$ ! LANGUAGE ) : 6EXPRESS T
FEEL+--8BLACK JACK0 8:ITE PO;N10 8POLI%+
(F40
  ,AT EI<T O'C WE W5T D[N 96A CELL> "U !
9FIRM>Y1 ": TEA 0 BR"\ 6U1 &! HOSPITAL
SCRAPS4 ,^! 7 H1P$ HI< ON A HUGE PLATT]
9 AN 9DESCRIBA# MESS--PIECES ( BR1D1
*UNKS ( GR1SE & FAT PORK1 ! BURNT SK9 F
! \TSIDE ( ROA/$ JO9TS1 B"OS1 9 %ORT1
ALL ! L1V+S F ! F+]S & M\?S (! SICK "OS
SU6]+ F ALL MANN] ( 41SES4 ,96? MESS !
M5 PLUNG$ _! H&S1 DI7+1 PAW+1 TURN+ OV]1
EXAM9+1 REJECT+1 & SCRAMBL+ =4 ,X WASN'T
PRETTY4 ,PIGS CDN'T H D"O WORSE4 ,B !
POOR DEVILS 7 HUNGRY1 & !Y ATE RAV5\SLY
(! SWILL1 & :5 !Y CD EAT NO M !Y BUNDL$
:AT 0 LEFT 96_! H&K]*IEFS & ?RU/ X 9SIDE
_! %IRTS4
  8,ONCE1 W'5 ,I 0 ']E 2F1 WOT DID ,I
F9D \ "! B A ,8OLE LOT ( PORK-RIBS10 SD
,G+] 6ME4 ,BY 8\ "!0 HE M1NT ! PLACE ":
! CORRUP;N 0 DUMP$ & SPR9KL$ ) /R;G
49FECTANT4 8,!Y 0 A PRIME LOT1 NO 5D
;O0' M1T ON ,8EM1 AN0' ,I 'AD ,8EM 96MY
>MS AN0' 0 \ ! GATE AN' D[N ! /REET1
A-LOOK9' = "S ,8UN 6GI0' ,8EM TO4 ,CDN'T
SEE A S\L1 AN0' ,I 0 RUNN9' ,8R.D CL1N
CRAZY1 ! BLOKE RUNN90' AF ME AN' ?9K9'
,I 0 ,8SL+90' MY ,8OOK0' ,7RUNN+ AWAY7'4
,B JE/ 2F ,8;E GOT ME1 ,I GOT A OLE
WOMAN AN0' POK$ 'EM 9TO '] APRON40
  ,O ,*>;Y1 ,O ,PHILAN?ROPY1 DESC5D 6!
SPIKE & TAKE A LESSON F ,G+]4 ,AT !
BOTTOM (! ,ABYSS HE P]=M$ Z PURELY AN
ALTRUI/IC ACT Z 0 "E P]=M$ \TSIDE !
,ABYSS4 ,X 0 F9E ( ,G+]1 & IF ! OLD
WOMAN CAU<T "S 3TAGION F ! 8NO 5D O'
M1T0 ON ! PORK-RIBS1 X 0 / F9E1 ?\< N S
F9E4 ,B ! MO/ SALI5T ?+ 9 ? 9CID5T1 X
SEEMS 6ME1 IS POOR ,G+]1 8CL1N CRAZY0 AT
SI<T ( S M* FOOD GO+ 6WA/E4
  ,X IS ! RULE (! CASUAL W>D T A MAN :O
5T]S M/ /AY TWO NI<TS &A "D2 B ,I _H SE5
SU6ICI5T = MY PURPOSE1 _H PD = MY SKILLY
& CANVAS1 & 0 PREP>+ 6RUN = X4
  8,-E ON1 LET'S SL+ X10 ,I SD 6"O ( MY
MATES1 PO9T+ T[>D ! OP5 GATE "? : ! D1D
WA7ON _H -E4
  8,AN' GET F\RTE5 "DS80
  8,NO2 GET AWAY40
  8,AW1 ,I -E ,8]E =A RE/10 HE SD
-PLAC5TLY4 8,AN0' ANO!R NI<T'S KIP WON'T
'URT ME N"O40
  ,!Y 7 ALL ( ? OP9ION1 S ,I 0 =C$ TO
8SL+ X0 AL"O4
  8,Y CAWN'T "E -E BACK ']E AG =A DOSS10
!Y W>N$ ME4
  8,NO FE>10 SD ,I1 ) AN 5?USIASM !Y CD
N -PREH5D2 &1 DODG+ \ ! GATE1 ,I SP$ D[N
! /REET4
  ,/RAI<T 6MY ROOM ,I HURRI$1 *ANG$ MY
CLO!S1 & LESS ?AN AN H\R F MY ESCAPE1 9
A ,TURKI% BA?1 ,I 0 SW1T+ \ :AT"E G]MS &
O!R ?+S _H P5ETRAT$ MY EPID]MIS1 & WI%+
T ,I CD /& A TEMP]ATURE ( ?REE HUNDR$ &
TW5TY R ?AN TWO HUNDR$ & TW5TY4