,,*APT] ,,XI
  ,! DOOR CLANG$1 %UTT+ \ ALL B A LL
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TRICKS ,I _H L;G S9CE LE>N$ 9 ! JACKET1
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A "T UNTIL ! $GE (! SOLE ( MY "R %OE
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0 N UTT]LY AL"O4 ,IF ! NE$ >OSE1 ,I CD
AT L1/ RAP KNUCKLE TALK 6,MORRELL4
  ,B ,W>D5 ,A!RTON M/ H LEFT /RICT
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,ME !Y CD ONLY CURSE1 =1 9 S F> Z ,I 0 9
! JACKET =A T5 "DS' B\T1 ,I 0 2Y ALL
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  ,I REMEMB] REM>K+ AT ! "T MY S]5;Y (
M9D4 ,! CU/OM>Y PA9 (! JACKET 0 9 MY
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M5TAL & _SUAL 3DI;N = S* AN EXP]I;T4 ,(
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,B "! 0 M 6X4 ,I _H L;G S*OOL$ MYF 6BE
OBLIVI\S 6PA94 ,I _H NEI D\BTS NOR FE>S4
,ALL ! 3T5T ( MY M9D SEEM$ 6BE AN
ABSOLUTE FAI? 9 ! OV]-"L%IP (! M9D4 ,?
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X 0 POSITIVE ALM 6A PIT* ( EXALT,N4
  ,I 2GAN MY 3C5TR,N ( W4 ,EV5 !N MY
BODY 0 NUMB+ & PRICKL+ "? ! LOSS (
CIRCUL,N4 ,I DIRECT$ MY W 6! LL TOE ( MY
"R FOOT1 & ,I WILL$ T TOE 6C1SE 6BE
ALIVE 9 MY 3SCI\S;S4 ,I WILL$ T TOE 6DIE
--6DIE S F> Z ,I1 XS "L1 &A DI6]5T ?+
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D1D4 ,JO9T 0JO9T X _H DI$ "U ! -PUL.N (
MY W4
  ,! RE/ 0 EASY1 B SL[1 ,I W ADMIT4
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PROCESS W5T ON4 ,CAME ! "T :5 MY FLE% 2L
! ANKLES _H C1S$4 ,CAME ! "T :5 ALL 2L
MY KNEES _H C1S$4
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KNEW N ! SLI<TE/ PROD ( RJCG AT MY
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8 "W4
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WILL$ 6HOLD ! D1? ,I _H GA9$1 & %IFT$ MY
3C5TR,N 6MY F+]S4 ,MY BRA9 CLE>$ AG1 &!
D1? ( MY >MS 6! %\LD]S 0 MO/ RAPIDLY
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  ,AT ? /AGE MY BODY 0 ALL D1D1 S F> Z
,I 0 3C]N$1 SAVE MY H1D &A LL PAT* ( MY
*E/4 ,NO L;G] DID ! P.D & SMA% ( MY
-PRESS$ HE>T E*O 9 MY BRA94 ,MY HE>T 0
B1T+ /1DILY B FEEBLY4 ,! JOY ( X1 _H ,I
D>$ JOY AT S* A MO;T1 WD H BE5 ! CESS,N
( S5S,NS4
  ,AT ? PO9T MY EXP]I;E DI6]S F
,MORRELL'S4 ,/ WILL+ AUTOMATIC,Y1 ,I
2GAN 6GR[ DR1MY1 Z "O DOES 9 T BORD]L&
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PRODIGI\S 5L>GE;T ( MY BRA9 0 TAK+ PLACE
)9 ! SKULL XF T DID N 5L>GE4 ,"! 7
O3A.NAL GL9T+S & FLA%+S ( LI<T Z IF EV5
,I1 ! OV]"L1 _H C1S$ =A MO;T &! NEXT
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T ,I 0 MAK+ 6DIE4
  ,MO/ P]PLEX+ 0 ! SEEM+ 5L>GE;T ( BRA94
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N"E!.S X SEEM$ 6ME T ! P]IPH]Y ( MY BRA9
0 ALR \TSIDE MY SKULL & / EXP&+4 ,AL;G )
? 0 "O (! MO/ REM>KA# S5S,NS OR EXP]I;ES
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!Y 7 ! /UFF ( MY 3SCI\S;S1 "UW5T AN
ENORM\S EXT5.N4 ,?US1 )\T OP5+ MY EYES
6V]IFY1 ,I KNEW T ! WALLS ( MY N>R[ CELL
_H REC$$ UNTIL X 0 L A VA/ AUDI;E-*AMB]4
,& :ILE ,I 3TEMPLAT$ ! MATT]1 ,I KNEW T
!Y 3T9U$ 6REC$E4 ,! :IM /RUCK ME =A MO;T
T IF A SIMIL> EXPAN.N 7 TAK+ PLACE )!
:OLE PRISON1 !N ! \T] WALLS ( ,SAN
,QU5T9 M/ 2 F> \ 9 ! ,PACIFIC ,OC1N ON
"O SIDE & ON ! O!R SIDE M/ 2 5CROA*+ ON
! ,NEVADA DES]T4 ,A -PANION :IM 0 T S9CE
MATT] CD P]M1TE MATT]1 !N ! WALLS ( MY
CELL MI<T WELL P]M1TE ! PRISON WALLS1
PASS "? ! PRISON WALLS1 & ?US PUT MY
CELL \TSIDE ! PRISON & PUT ME AT LIB]TY4
,( C\RSE1 ? 0 PURE FANTA/IC :IM1 & ,I
KNEW X AT ! "T = :AT X WAS4
  ,! EXT5.N ( "T 0 EQU,Y REM>KA#4 ,ONLY
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:IM CAME 6ME1 & ,I C.T$ ! SECONDS1 SL[ &
SURE1 2T MY HE>T-B1TS4 ,AT F/1 Z ,I
CLE>LY NOT$1 OV] A HUNDR$ SECONDS 9T]V5$
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EXT5D$ S T ,I 0 MADE
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  ,& :ILE ? ILLU.N (! EXT5.N ( "T &
SPACE P]SI/$ & GREW1 ,I F.D MYF DR1MILY
3SID]+ A NEW & PROF.D PRO#M4 ,MORRELL _H
TOLD ME T HE _H WON FREEDOM F 8 BODY
0KILL+ 8 BODY--OR 0ELIM9AT+ 8 BODY F 8
3SCI\S;S1 :1 ( C\RSE1 0 9 E6ECT ! SAME
?+4 ,N[1 MY BODY 0 S NE> 62+ 5TIRELY D1D
T ,I KNEW 9 ALL ABSOLUTE;S T 0A QK
3C5TR,N ( W ON ! YET-ALIVE PAT* ( MY
TORSO X1 TOO1 WD C1SE 6BE4 ,B--& "H 0 !
PRO#M1 & ,MORRELL _H N W>N$ ME3 %D ,I AL
W MY H1D 6BE D1D8 ,IF ,I DID S1 NO MATT]
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  ,I *.ED ! *E/ &! SL[-B1T+ HE>T4 ,! QK
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3SCI\S;S--CALL X :AT Y W--9CORPORATE 9 A
NEBUL\S BRA9 T1 :ILE X / C5TR$ 9SIDE MY
SKULL1 0 EXP&$1 & 0 3T9U+ 6EXP&1 2Y MY
SKULL4
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  ,N"E!.S1 ?US CLAD1 ,I TROD 9T]/ELL>
SPACE1 EXALT$ 0! K T ,I 0 B.D ON VA/
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COSMIC =MULAE & H MADE CLE> 6ME !
ULTIMATE SECRET (! UNIV]SE4 ,9 MY H& ,I
C>RI$ A L;G GLASS W&4 ,X 0 BORNE 9 ^U ME
T )! TIP ( ? W& ,I M/ T\* EA* /> 9
PASS+4 ,& ,I KNEW1 9 ALL ABSOLUTE;S1 T
DID ,I B MISS "O /> ,I %D 2 PRECIPITAT$
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PUNI%;T & GUILT4
  ,L;G ,I PURSU$ MY />RY QUE/4 ,:5 ,I
SAY 8L;G10 Y M/ BE> 9 M9D ! ENORM\S
EXT5.N ( "T T _H O3URR$ 9 MY BRA94 ,=
C5TURIES ,I TROD SPACE1 )! TIP ( MY W&
&) UN]R+ EYE & H& TAPP+ EA* /> ,I PASS$4
,"E ! WAY GREW B"R]4 ,"E ! 9E6A# GOAL (
9F9ITE WISDOM GREW NE>]4 ,& YET ,I MADE
NO MISTAKE4 ,? 0 NO O!R SELF ( M9E4 ,? 0
NO EXP]I;E T _H ONCE BE5 M9E4 ,I 0 AW>E
ALL ! "T T X 0 ,I1 ,D>RELL ,/&+1 :O
WALK$ AM;G ! />S & TAPP$ !M )A W& (
GLASS4 ,9 %ORT1 ,I KNEW T "H 0 NO?+ R1L1
NO?+ T _H "E BE5 NOR CD "E BE4 ,I KNEW T
X 0 NO?+ ELSE ?AN A RIDICUL\S ORGY (!
IMAG9,N1 S* Z M5 5JOY 9 DRUG DR1MS1 9
DELIRIUM1 OR 9 M]E ORD9>Y SLUMB]4
  ,& !N1 Z ALL W5T M]RY & WELL ) ME ON
MY CELE/IAL QUE/1 ! TIP ( MY W& MISS$ A
/>1 & ON ! 9/ANT ,I KNEW ,I _H BE5
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KNOCK1 VA/ & -PULSIVE1 9EXORA# & M&ATORY
Z ! /AMP (! IRON HO( ( DOOM1 SMOTE ME &
REV]B]AT$ ACR ! UNIV]SE4 ,! :OLE SID]1L
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  ,I 0 TORN 0AN EXQUISITE & 4RUPTIVE
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! LIFE-3VICT1 LY+ 9 8 /RAIT-JACKET 9
SOLIT>Y4 ,& ,I KNEW ! IMM CAUSE ( T
SUMMONS4 ,X 0 A RAP (! KNUCKLE 0,$
,MORRELL1 9 ,CELL ,FIVE1 2G9N+ ! SPELL+
( "S MESSAGE4
  ,& N[1 6GIVE "S -PREH5.N (! EXT5.N (
"T & SPACE T ,I 0 EXP]I5C+4 ,_M "DS AFWS
,I ASK$ ,MORRELL :AT HE _H TRI$ 63VEY
6ME4 ,X 0 A SIMPLE MESSAGE1 "NLY3 8,/&+1
>E Y "!80 ,HE _H TAPP$ X RAPIDLY1 :ILE !
GU>D 0 AT ! F> 5D (! CORRIDOR 96: !
SOLIT>Y CELLS OP5$4 ,Z ,I SAY1 HE _H
TAPP$ ! MESSAGE V RAPIDLY4 ,& N[ 2HOLD6
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EA* /> Z ,I PASS$ 9 MY PURSUIT (! =MULAE
T WD EXPLA9 ! LA/ MY/]Y ( LIFE4 ,&1 Z
2F1 ,I PURSU$ ! QUE/ = C5TURIES4 ,!N
CAME ! SUMMONS1 ! /AMP (! HO( ( DOOM1 !
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9 MY CELL 9 ,SAN ,QU5T94 ,X 0 ! SECOND
TAP ( ,$ ,MORRELL'S KNUCKLE4 ,! 9T]VAL
2T X &! F/ TAP CD H BE5 NO M ?AN A FIF?
(A SECOND4 ,& YET1 S UN?9KABLY ENORM\S 0
! EXT5.N ( "T 6ME1 T 9 ! C\RSE ( T FIF?
(A SECOND ,I _H BE5 AWAY />-ROV+ = L;G
AGES4
  ,N[ ,I "K1 MY R1D]1 T ! =EGO+ SEEMS
ALL A F>RAGO4 ,I AGREE ) Y4 ,X IS
F>RAGO4 ,X 0 EXP]I;E1 H["E4 ,X 0 J Z R1L
6ME Z IS ! SNAKE 2HELD 0A MAN 9 DELIRIUM
TREM5S4
  ,POSSIBLY1 0! MO/ LIB]AL E/IMATE1 X
MAY H TAK5 ,$ ,MORRELL TWO M9UTES 6TAP 8
"Q4 ,YET1 6ME1 AEONS ELAPS$ 2T ! F/ TAP
( 8 KNUCKLE &! LA/4 ,NO L;G] CD ,I TR1D
MY />RY PA? ) T 9E6A# PRI/9E JOY1 = MY
WAY 0 2SET ) DR1D (! 9EVITA# SUMMONS T
WD RIP & TE> ME Z X J]K$ ME BACK 6MY
/RAITJACKET HELL4 ,?US MY AEONS ( />-
W&]+ 7 AEONS ( DR1D4
  ,& ALL ! "T ,I KNEW X 0 ,$ ,MORRELL'S
KNUCKLE T ?US CRUELLY HELD ME E>?-B.D4
,I TRI$ 6SP1K 6HM1 6ASK HM 6C1SE4 ,B S
?OR\<LY _H ,I ELIM9AT$ MY BODY F MY
3SCI\S;S T ,I 0 UNA# 6RESURRECT X4 ,MY
BODY LAY D1D 9 ! JACKET1 ?\< ,I /
9HABIT$ ! SKULL4 ,9 VA9 ,I /ROVE 6W MY
FOOT 6TAP MY MESSAGE 6,MORRELL4 ,I
R1SON$ ,I _H A FOOT4 ,& YET1 S ?OR\<LY
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  ,NEXT--& ,I "K N[ T X 0 2C ,MORRELL _H
SPELL$ 8 MESSAGE Q \--,I PURSU$ MY WAY
AM;G ! />S & 0 N CALL$ BACK4 ,AF T1 & 9
! C\RSE ( X1 ,I 0 AW>E1 DR[SILY1 T ,I 0
FALL+ ASLEEP1 & T X 0 DELICI\S SLEEP4 ,F
"T 6"T1 DR[SILY1 ,I /IRR$--PL1SE1 MY
R1D]1 DON'T MISS T V]B--,I ,,/IRR$4 ,I
MOV$ MY LEGS1 MY >MS4 ,I 0 AW>E ( CL1N1
S(T B$ L95 AG/ MY SK94 ,I 0 AW>E (
BODILY WELL-2+4 ,OH1 X 0 DELICI\S6 ,Z
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3/RIC;N (! JACKET1 ( CL1NLI;S 9 ! PLACE
( FIL?1 ( SMOO? VELVETY SK9 ( H1L? 9
PLACE ( MY POOR P>*;T-CR9KL$ HIDE4 ,B ,I
DR1M$ )A DI6];E1 Z Y % SEE4
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WAS1 AL? ,I DID N OP5 MY EYES4 ,& PL1SE
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:AT"E4 ,"EY?+ 0 ! NATURAL &! EXPECT$4 ,I
0 ,I1 2 SURE ( T4 ,,B ,I ,,0 ,,N
,,D>RELL ,,/&+4 ,D>RELL ,/&+ _H NO M 6D
)! 2+ ,I 0 ?AN DID ,D>RELL ,/&+'S P>*;T-
CR9KL$ SK9 H AU<T 6D )! COOL1 S(T SK9 T
0 M9E4 ,NOR 0 ,I AW>E ( ANY ,D>RELL ,/&+
--Z ,I CD N WELL BE1 3SID]+ T ,D>RELL
,/&+ 0 Z YET UNBORN & WD N 2 BORN =
C5TURIES4 ,B Y % SEE4
  ,I LAY ) CLOS$ EYES1 LAZILY LI/5+4 ,F
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W9D[S4 ,AL1 ,I WOND]$ IDLY :O X WAS4 ,F
"S":--& ,I KNEW ":1 = ,I KNEW X 0 F ! 9N
Y>D--CAME ! R+ & /AMP ( HO(S & AN
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WAIT+ HORSE4
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YET 7 DELIB]ATELY NOISY )! SECRET 9T5T (
R\S+ ME IF ,I / SLEPT4 ,I SMIL$ 9W>DLY
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  8,PONS10 ,I ORD]$1 )\T OP5+ MY EYES1
8WAT]1 COLD WAT]1 QK1 A DELUGE4 ,I DRANK
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SCOR*ES40
  8,& SLEPT OV] L;G TD10 HE SCOLD$1 Z HE
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  ,I SAT UP1 OP5$ MY EYES1 & C>RI$ !
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DRANK ,I LOOK$ AT ,PONS4
  ,N[ NOTE TWO ?+S4 ,I SPOKE 9 ,FR5*2 ,I
0 N 3SCI\S T ,I SPOKE 9 ,FR5*4 ,N UNTIL
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,I AM N>RAT+1 DID ,I "K T ,I _H SPOK5 9
,FR5*--AY1 & SPOK5 WELL4 ,Z = ME1
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,MURD]]S' ,R[ ( ,FOLSOM ,PRISON1 :Y1 ,I
"K ONLY HI< S*OOL ,FR5* SU6ICI5T 65A# ME
6R1D ! LANGUAGE4 ,Z = MY SP1K+ X--
IMPOSSI#4 ,I C SC>CELY 9TELLIGIBLY
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  ,B 6RETURN4 ,PONS 0 A LL )]$ OLD MAN4
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M5;N 0 MADE ( X ? V "D ,I AM DESCRIB+4
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-PELL$ HM 6G SLIPP;Y-HOP1 HE 0 V AL]T &
SPRY 9 ALL 8 MOVE;TS4 ,AL1 HE 0
IMPUD5TLY FAMILI>4 ,? 0 2C HE _H BE5 9
MY H\SE SIXTY YE>S4 ,HE _H BE5 MY "F'S
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7,PONS & ,I TALK$ ( X ? "D7 HE 2CAME MY
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:5 HE 0 L.ED "? ! ?I<1 OV]?R[N1 &
TRAMPL$4 ,MY "F1 3SCI\S B HELP.S F 8 [N
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SON4
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  8,DID Y HE> X BOIL80 ,I LAU<$1 Z ,I
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  8,L YR "F10 HE SD HOPE.SLY4 8,B YR "F
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  8,HE GOT A /OMA* A6LIC;N10 ,I DEVILL$1
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  ,"H ,PONS PAUS$ 6HOLD UP 6SCORN MY NEW
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  8,SIXTY DUCATS = T10 ,PONS 9DICT$4
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PRICE40
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TWO ?\S& YE>S AGO4 ,X IS 2C ( T NEWS T
,I PUT TW5TY FAT F>MS ON MY BACK1 LIVE
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,PONS1 ! _W IS A MO/ EVIL PLACE1 LIFE IS
MO/ SAD1 ALL M5 DIE1 &1 2+ D1D 4 4 4
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& ,I SOON % BE1 & ,I WE> TW5TY FAT F>MS
ON MY BACK40
  8,GOD LIVES10 ,PONS ASS]T$ F]V5TLY4
8,GOD LIVES1 & 8 K+DOM IS AT H&4 ,I TELL
Y1 MA/]1 X IS AT H&4 ,X MAY 2 NO LAT]
?AN TM T ! E>? % PASS AWAY40
  8,S SD !Y 9 OLD ,ROME1 ,PONS1 :5 ,N]O
MADE TOR*ES ( !M 6LI<T 8 SPORTS40
  ,PONS REG>D$ ME P;Y+LY4
  8,TOO M* LE>N+ IS A SICK;S10 HE
-PLA9$4 8,I 0 ALW OPPOS$ 6X4 ,B Y M/ H
YR W & DRAG MY OLD BODY AB ) Y--A-/UDY+
A/RONOMY & NUMB]S 9 ,V5ICE1 POETRY & ALL
! ,ITALIAN ,,FOL-DE-ROLS 9 ,FLOR;E1 &
A/ROLOGY 9 ,PISA1 & ,GOD "KS :AT 9 T
MADMAN C.TRY ( ,G]_M4 ,PI% =!
PHILOSOPH]S6 ,I TELL Y1 MA/]1 ,I1 ,PONS1
YR S]VANT1 A POOR OLD MAN :O "KS N A LR
F A PIKE-/AFF--,I TELL Y ,GOD LIVES1 &!
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SU45 RECOLLEC;N1 & A4$3 8,HE IS "H1 !
PRIE/ Y SPOKE (40
  ,ON ! 9/ANT ,I REMEMB]$ MY 5GAGE;T4
  8,:Y DID Y N TELL ME 2F80 ,I DEM&$
ANGRILY4
  8,:AT DID X MATT]80 ,PONS %RU7$ 8
%\LD]S4 8,HAS HE N BE5 WAIT+ TWO H\RS Z
X IS80
  8,:Y DIDN'T Y CALL ME80
  ,HE REG>D$ ME )A ?"\;L1 C5SORI\S EYE4
  8,& Y ROLL+ 6B$ & %\T+ L *ANTICLE]1
,8,S+ CUCU1 S+ CUCU1 CUCU NU NU CUCU1 S+
CUCU1 S+ CUCU1 S+ CUCU1 S+ CUCU40'0
  ,HE MOCK$ ME )! S5SE.S REFRA9 9 AN E>-
JANGL+ FALSETTO4 ,)\T D\BT ,I _H BAWL$ !
NONS5SE \ ON MY WAY 6B$4
  8,Y H A GD MEMORY10 ,I -;T$ DRILY1 Z
,I ESSAY$ A MO;T 6DRAPE MY %\LD]S )! NEW
SA# CLOAK ]E ,I TOSS$ X 6,PONS 6PUT
ASIDE4 ,HE %OOK 8 H1D S\RLY4
  8,NO NE$ ( MEMORY :5 Y RO>$ X OV] &
OV] =! ?\S&? "T TILL HALF ! 9N 0 A-KNOCK
AT ! DOOR 6SPIT Y =! SLEEP-KILL] Y W]E4
,& :5 ,I _H Y DEC5TLY 9 ! B$1 DID Y N
CALL ME 6Y & -M&1 IF ! DEVIL CALL$1
6TELL HM MY LADY SLEPT8 ,& DID Y N CALL
ME BACK AG1 &1 )A GRIP ON MY >M T L1VES
X BRUIS$ & BLACK ? "D1 -M& ME1 Z ,I LOV$
LIFE1 FAT M1T1 &! W>M FIRE1 6CALL Y N (!
MORN+ SAVE = "O ?+80
  8,: WAS80 ,I PROMPT$1 UNA# =! LIFE (
ME 6GUESS :AT ,I
CD H SD4
  8,: 0 ! HE>T ( "O1 A BLACK BUZZ>D1 Y
SD1 0"N ,M>T9ELLI--:O"E HE MAY BE--=!
HE>T ( ,M>T9ELLI SMOK+ ON A GOLD PLATT]4
,! PLATT] M/ 2 GOLD1 Y SD2 & Y SD ,I M/
CALL Y 0S++1 ,8,S+ CUCU1 S+ CUCU1 S+
CUCU40' ,":AT Y 2GAN 6T1* ME H[ 6S+1
,8,S+ CUCU1 S+ CUCU1 S+ CUCU40'0
  ,& :5 ,PONS _H SD ! "N1 ,I KNEW X AT
ONCE =! PRIE/1 ,M>T9ELLI1 :O _H BE5
KNOCK+ 8 HEELS TWO MORTAL H\RS 9 ! ROOM
)\T4
  ,:5 ,M>T9ELLI 0 P]MITT$ 65T] & Z HE
SALUT$ ME 0TITLE & "N1 ,I KNEW AT ONCE
MY "N & ALL ( X4 ,I 0 ,C.T ,GUILLAUME DE
,SA9TE-,MAURE4 7,Y SEE1 ONLY CD ,I "K
!N1 & REMEMB] AFW1 :AT 0 9 MY 3SCI\S
M9D47
  ,! PRIE/ 0 ,ITALIAN1 D>K & SMALL1 L1N
Z ) FA/+ OR )A WA/+ HUNG] N ( ? _W1 & 8
H&S 7 Z SMALL & SL5D] Z A WOMAN'S4 ,B 8
EYES6 ,!Y 7 CUNN+ & TRU/.S1 N>R[-SLITT$
& H1VY-LI4$1 AT "O &! SAME "T Z %>P Z A
F]RET'S & Z 9DOL5T Z A BASK+ LIZ>D'S4
  8,"! HAS BE5 M* DELAY1 ,C.T DE ,SA9TE-
,MAURE10 HE 2GAN PROMPTLY1 :5 ,PONS _H
LEFT ! ROOM AT A GL.E F ME4 8,HE :OM ,I
S]VE GR[S IMPATI5T40
  8,*ANGE YR TUNE1 PRIE/10 ,I BROKE 9
ANGRILY4 8,REMEMB]1 Y >E N N[ 9 ,ROME40
  8,MY AUGU/ MA/]--0 HE 2GAN4
  8,RULES AUGU/LY 9 ,ROME1 MAYHAP10 ,I
AG 9T]RUPT$4 8,? IS ,FR.E40
  ,M>T9ELLI %RU7$ 8 %\LD]S MEEKLY &
PATI5TLY1 B 8 EYES1 GL1M+ L A
BASILISK'S1 GAVE 8 %\LD]S ! LIE4
  8,MY AUGU/ MA/] HAS "S 3C]N )! DO+S (
,FR.E10 HE SD QUIETLY4 8,! LADY IS N =
Y4 ,MY MA/] HAS O!R PLANS4 4 40 ,HE
MOI/5$ 8 ?9 LIPS ) 8 T;GUE4 8,O!R PLANS
=! LADY 4 4 4 &= Y40
  ,( C\RSE1 0! LADY ,I KNEW HE REF]R$ 6!
GRT ,DU*ESS ,PHILIPPA1 WID[ ( ,GE(FREY1
LA/ ,DUKE ( ,AQUITA9E4 ,B GRT DU*ESS1
WID[1 & ALL1 ,PHILIPPA 0 A WOMAN1 & "Y1
& GAY1 & B1UTI;L1 &1 0MY FAI?1 FA%ION$ =
ME4
  8,:AT >E 8 PLANS80 ,I DEM&$ BLUNTLY4
  8,!Y >E DEEP & WIDE1 ,C.T ,SA9TE-
,MAURE--TOO DEEP & WIDE = ME 6PRESUME
6IMAG9E1 M* LESS "K OR 4CUSS ) Y OR ANY
MAN40

8,OH1 ,I "K BIG ?+S >E AFOOT & SLIMY
  WORMS SQUIRM+
"UGR.D10 ,I SD4

  8,!Y TOLD ME Y 7 /U2ORN-NECK$1 B ,I H
OBEY$ -M&S40
  ,M>T9ELLI >OSE 6L1VE1 & ,I >OSE ) HM4
  8,I SD X 0 USE.S10 HE W5T ON4 8,B !
LA/ *.E 6*ANGE YR M9D 0 A3ORD$ Y4 ,MY
AUGU/ MA/] D1LS M FAIRLY ?AN FAIR40
  8,OH1 WELL1 ,I'LL ?9K ! MATT] OV]10 ,I
SD AIRILY1 Z ,I B[$ ! PRIE/ 6! DOOR4
  ,HE /OPP$ ABRUPTLY AT ! ?RE%OLD4
  8,! "T = ?9K+ IS PA/10 HE SD4 8,X IS
DECI.N ,I CAME =40
  8,I W ?9K ! MATT] OV]10 ,I REP1T$1 !N
A4$1 Z AF?"\3 8,IF ! LADY'S PLANS D N
A3ORD ) M9E1 !N MAYHAP ! PLANS ( YR MA/]
MAY FRUIT Z HE DESIRES4 ,= REMEMB]1
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  8,Y D N "K MY MA/]10 HE SD SOLEMNLY4
  8,NOR D ,I WI% 6"K HM10 ,I RETORT$4
  ,& ,I LI/5$ 6! LI!1 LI<T /EP (! LL
9TRIGU+ PRIE/ G D[N ! CR1K+ /AIRS4
  ,DID ,I G 96! M9UTIAE ( DETAIL ( ALL T
,I SAW ? HALF A "D & HALF A NI<T T ,I 0
,C.T ,GUILLAUME DE ,SA9TE-,MAURE1 N T5
BOOKS ! SIZE ( ? ,I AM WRIT+ CD 3TA9 !
TOTAL;Y (! MATT]4 ,M* ,I % SKIP2 9 FACT1
,I % SKIP ALM ALL2 = N"E YET H ,I HE>D
(A 3DEMN$ MAN 2+ REPRIEV$ 9 ORD] T HE
MI<T -PLETE 8 MEMOIRS--AT L1/1 N 9
,CALI=NIA4
  ,:5 ,I RODE \ 9 ,P>IS T "D X 0 ! ,P>IS
( C5TURIES AG"O4 ,! N>R[ /REETS 7 AN
UNSANIT>Y SC&AL ( FIL? & SLIME4 ,B ,I M/
SKIP4 ,& SKIP ,I %1 ALL (! AFN'S EV5TS1
ALL (! RIDE \TSIDE ! WALLS1 (! GR& FETE
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: ,I TOOK LL "P4 ,ONLY (! 5D (! ADV5TURE
W ,I WRITE1 :
2G9S ) ": ,I /OOD JE/+ ) ,PHILIPPA H]F--
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GRT LADY--AY1 B 2F T1 & AF T1 & ALW1 A
WOMAN4
  ,WE LAU<$ & JE/$ LI<TLY 5\<1 Z AB U
JO/L$ ! M]RY ?R;G2 B "U \R JE/+ 0 ! DEEP
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?RE%OLD ( LOVE & YET N TOO SURE EA* (!
O!R4 ,I % N DESCRIBE H]4 ,%E 0 SMALL1
EXQUISITELY SL5D]--B "!1 ,I AM DESCRIB+
H]4 ,9 BRIEF1 %E 0 ! "O WOMAN 9 ! _W =
ME1 & LL ,I RECK$ ! L;G >M ( T GRAY OLD
MAN 9 ,ROME CD R1* \ HALF ACR ,EUROPE 2T
MY WOMAN & ME4
  ,&! ,ITALIAN1 ,=T9I1 L1N$ 6MY %\LD] &
:ISP]$3
  8,"O :O DESIRES 6SP1K40
  8,"O :O M/ WAIT MY PL1SURE10 ,I ANSW]$
%ORTLY4
  8,I WAIT NO MAN'S PL1SURE10 0 8 EQU,Y
%ORT REPLY4
  ,&1 :ILE MY BLOOD BOIL$1 ,I REMEMB]$ !
PRIE/1 ,M>T9ELLI1 &! GRAY OLD MAN AT
,ROME4 ,! ?+ 0 CLE>4 ,X 0 DELIB]ATE4 ,X
0 ! L;G >M4 ,=T9I SMIL$ LAZILY AT ME
:ILE ,I ?US PAUS$ =! MO;T 6DEBATE1 B 9 8
SMILE 0 ! ESS;E ( ALL 9SOL;E4
  ,?1 ( ALL "TS1 0 ! "T ,I %D H BE5
COOL4 ,B ! OLD R$ ANG] 2GAN 6K9DLE 9 ME4
,? 0 ! "W (! PRIE/4 ,? 0 ! ,=T9I1
POV]I%$ ( ALL SAVE L91GE1 RECKON$ ! BE/
SWORD -E UP \ ( ,ITALY 9 HALF A SCORE (
YE>S4 ,TN X 0 ,=T9I4 ,IF HE FAIL$ ! GRAY
OLD MAN'S -M& TM X WD 2 ANO!R SWORD1 !
NEXT "D ANO!R4 ,&1 P]*.E / FAIL+1 !N
MI<T ,I EXPECT ! -MON BRAVO'S /EEL 9 MY
BACK OR ! -MON POISON]'S PHILT] 9 MY
W9E1 MY M1T1 OR BR1D4
  8,I AM BUSY10 ,I SD4 8,2G"O40
  8,MY BUSI;S ) Y PRESSES10 0 8 REPLY4
  ,9S5SIBLY \R VOICES _H SLI<TLY RIS51 S
T ,PHILIPPA HE>D4
  8,2G"O1 Y ,ITALIAN H.D10 ,I SD4 8,TAKE
YR H[L+ F MY DOOR4 ,I % ATT5D 6Y
PRES5TLY40
  8,! MOON IS UP10 HE SD4 8,! GRASS IS
DRY & EXCELL5T4 ,"! IS NO DEW4 ,2Y !
FI%-POND1 AN >R['S FLI<T 6! LEFT1 IS AN
OP5 SPACE1 QUIET & PRIVATE40
  8,PRES5TLY Y % H YR DESIRE10 ,I MUTT]$
IMPATI5TLY4
  ,B / HE P]SI/$ 9 WAIT+ AT MY %\LD]4
  8,PRES5TLY10 ,I SD4 8,PRES5TLY ,I %
ATT5D 6Y40
  ,!N SPOKE ,PHILIPPA1 9 ALL ! D>+ _S &!
IRON ( H]4
  8,SATISFY ! G5TLEMAN'S DESIRE1 ,SA9TE-
,MAURE4 ,ATT5D 6HM N[4 ,& GD =TUNE G )
Y40 ,%E PAUS$ 6BECKON 6H] H] UNCLE1 ,J1N
DE ,JO9VILLE1 :O 0 PASS+--UNCLE ON H]
"M'S SIDE1 (! DE ,JO9VILLES ( ,ANJ\4
8,GD =TUNE G ) Y10 %E REP1T$1 & !N L1N$
6ME S T %E CD :ISP]3 8,& MY HE>T GOES )
Y1 ,SA9TE-,MAURE4 ,D N 2 L;G4 ,I % AWAIT
Y 9 ! BIG HALL40
  ,I 0 9 ! SEV5? H1V54 ,I TROD ON AIR4
,X 0 ! F/ FRANK ADMITT.E ( H] LOVE4 ,&)
S* B5EDIC;N ,I 0 MADE S /R;G T ,I KNEW
,I CD KILL A SCORE ( ,=T9IS & SNAP MY
F+]S AT A SCORE ( GRAY OLD M5 9 ,ROME4
  ,J1N DE ,JO9VILLE BORE ,PHILIPPA AWAY
9 ! PRESS1 & ,=T9I & ,I SETTL$ \R
>RANGE;TS 9 A TRICE4 ,WE SEP>AT$--HE
6F9D A FR OR S1 & ,I 6F9D A FR OR S1 &
ALL 6MEET AT ! APPO9T$ PLACE 2Y ! FI%-
POND4
  ,F/ ,I F.D ,ROB]T ,LANFRANC1 &1 NEXT1
,H5RY ,BOHEMOND4 ,B 2F ,I F.D !M ,I
5C.T]$ A W9DLE/RAW : %[$ : WAY BLEW !
W9D & GAVE PROMISE (A V GALE4 ,I KNEW !
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PROV9CIAL1 -E UP ! F/ "T 6,C\RT1 B A
FI]Y LL COCK]EL = ALL ( T4 ,HE 0 R$-
HAIR$4 ,8 BLUE EYES1 SMALL & P9*$ CLOSE
6E!R1 7 LIKEWISE R$1 AT L1/ 9 ! :ITES (
!M2 & 8 SK91 (! SORT T GOES ) S* TYPES1
0 R$ & FRECKL$4 ,HE _H Q A P>BOIL$
APPE>.E4
  ,Z ,I PASS$ HM 0A SU45 MOVE;T HE JO/L$
ME4 ,OH1 ( C\RSE1 ! ?+ 0 DELIB]ATE4 ,&
HE FLAM$ AT ME :ILE 8 H& DROPP$ 6HIS
RAPI]4
  8,FAI?10 ?"\ ,I1 8! GRAY OLD MAN HAS
_M & /RANGE TOOLS10 :ILE 6! COCK]EL ,I
B[$ & MURMUR$1 8,YR P>DON = MY CLUMSI;S4
,! FAULT 0 M9E4 ,YR P>DON1 ,VILLEH>D\940
  ,B HE 0 N 6BE APP1S$ ?US EASILY4 ,&
:ILE HE FUM$ & /RUTT$ ,I GLIMPS$ ,ROB]T
,LANFRANC1 BECKON$ HM 6U1 & EXPLA9$ !
HAPP5+4
  8,SA9TE-,MAURE HAS A3ORD$ Y
SATISFAC;N10 0 8 JUDG;T4 8,HE HAS PRAY$
YR P>DON40
  8,IN TRU?1 YES10 ,I 9T]RUPT$ 9 MY
SUAVE/ T"OS4 8,& ,I PRAY YR P>DON AG1
,VILLEH>D\91 = MY V GRT CLUMSI;S4 ,I
PRAY YR P>DON A ?\S& "TS4 ,! FAULT 0
M9E1 ?\< UN9T5;N$4 ,9 MY HA/E 6AN
5GAGE;T ,I 0 CLUMSY1 MO/ WO;L CLUMSY1 B
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AM5DS ,I S FREELY PR(F]$ HM8 ,YET ,I
KNEW1 Z ,LANFRANC & ,I HA/5$ ON1 T ]E _M
"DS1 OR H\RS1 ! FLAME-H1D$ Y\? WD SEE 6X
T WE M1SUR$ /EEL TGR ON ! GRASS4
  ,I EXPLA9$ NO M 6,LANFRANC ?AN MY NE$
( HM1 & HE 0 LL 9T]E/$ 6PRY DEEP] 96!
MATT]4 ,HE 0 HMF A LIVELY "Y/] ( NO M
?AN TW5TY1 B HE _H BE5 TRA9$ 6>MS1 _H
F"\ 9 ,SPA91 & _H AN HON\RA# RECORD ON !
GRASS4 ,M]ELY 8 BLACK EYES FLA%$ :5 HE
LE>N$ :AT 0 T[>D1 & S* 0 8 EAG];S T X 0
HE :O GA!R$ ,H5RY ,BOHEMOND 9 6\R NUMB]4
  ,:5 ! ?REE ( U >RIV$ 9 ! OP5 SPACE 2Y
! FI%-POND ,=T9I & TWO FRS 7 ALR WAIT+
U4 ,"O 0 ,FELIX ,PASQU9I1 NEPHEW 6!
,C>D9AL ( T "N1 & Z CLOSE 9 8 UNCLE'S
3FID;E Z 0 8 UNCLE CLOSE 9 ! 3FID;E (!
GRAY OLD MAN4 ,! O!R 0 ,RA\L DE
,GONC\RT1 ^: PRES;E SURPRIS$ ME1 HE 2+
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  ,WE SALUT$ PROP]LY1 & PROP]LY W5T AB !
BUSI;S4 ,X 0 NO?+ NEW 6ANY ( U4 ,! FOOT+
0 GD1 Z PROMIS$4 ,"! 0 NO DEW4 ,! MOON
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E>NE/ PLAY4
  ,? ,I KNEW3 GD SWORDSMAN Z !Y RECKON$
ME 9 ,FR.E1 ,=T9I 0 A BETT]4 ,?1 TOO1 ,I
KNEW3 T ,I C>RI$ MY LADY'S HE>T ) ME ?
NI<T1 & T ? NI<T1 2C ( ME1 "! WD 2 "O
,ITALIAN LESS 9 ! _W4 ,I SAY ,I KNEW X4
,9 MY M9D ! ISSUE CD N 2 9 D\BT4 ,& Z \R
RAPI]S PLAY$ ,I POND]$ ! MANN] ,I %D
KILL HM4 ,I 0 N M9D$ =A L;G 3TE/4 ,QK &
BRILLIANT _H ALW BE5 MY WAY4 ,& FUR!R1
:AT ( MY PA/ GAY MON?S ( C>\SAL &( S++
8,S+ CUCU1 S+ CUCU1 S+ CUCU10 AT UNGODLY
H\RS1 ,I KNEW ,I 0 N 3DI;N$ =A L;G 3TE/4
,QK & BRILLIANT 0 MY DECI.N4
  ,B QK & BRILLIANT 0 A DI6ICULT MATT] )
S 3SUMMATE A SWORDSMAN Z ,=T9I OPPOS$
6ME4 ,2SS1 Z LUCK WD H X1 ,=T9I1 ALW !
COLD "O1 ALW ! TIRE.S-WRI/$1 ALW SURE &
L;G1 Z REPORT _H X1 9 GO+ AB S* BUSI;S1
ON ? NI<T ELECT$1 TOO1 ! QK & BRILLIANT4
  ,X 0 N]V\S1 T+L+ "W1 = Z SURELY Z ,I
S5S$ 8 9T5;N ( BRIEF;S1 J Z SURELY _H HE
S5S$ M9E4 ,I D\BT T ,I CD H D"O ! TRICK
_H X BE5 BROAD "D 9/1D ( MOONLI<T4 ,!
DIM LI<T AID$ ME4 ,AL 0 ,I AID$ 0DIV9+1
! MO;T 9 ADV.E1 :AT HE _H 9 M9D4 ,X 0 !
"T ATTACK1 A -MON B P]IL\S TRICK T E
NOVICE "KS1 T HAS LAID ON 8 BACK _M A GD
MAN :O ATTEMPT$ X1 & T IS S FRAU<T )
DANG] 6! P]PETRATOR T SWORDSM5 >E N
5AM\R$ ( X4
  ,WE _H BE5 AT "W B>ELY A M9UTE1 :5 ,I
KNEW "U ALL 8 D>T+1 FLA%+ %[ ( (F;E T
,=T9I M$ITAT$ ? V "T ATTACK4 ,HE DESIR$
( ME A ?RU/ & LUNGE1 N T HE MI<T P>RY X
B T HE MI<T "T X & DEFLECT X 0! CU/OM>Y
SLI<T TURN (! WRI/1 8 RAPI] PO9T DIRECT$
6MEET ME Z MY BODY FOLL[$ 9 ! LUNGE4 ,A
TICKLI% ?+--AY1 A TICKLI% ?+ 9 ! BE/ (
LI<T4 ,DID HE DEFLECT A FRAC;N (A SECOND
TOO E>LY1 ,I %D 2 W>N$ & SAV$4 ,DID HE
DEFLECT A FRAC;N (A SECOND TOO LATE1 MY
?RU/ WD G HOME 6HM4
  8,QK & BRILLIANT IS X80 0 MY ?"\4 8,V
WELL1 MY ,ITALIAN FR1 QK & BRILLIANT % X
BE1 & ESPECI,Y % X 2 QK40
  ,9 A WAY1 X 0 "T ATTACK AG/ "T ATTACK1
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,I 0 QK4 ,Z ,I SD1 WE _H BE5 AT "W
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?RU/ & LUNGE ( M9E 7 "O4 ,A SNAP ( AC;N
X WAS1 AN EXPLO.N1 AN 9/ANTANE\S;S4 ,I
SWE> MY ?RU/ & LUNGE 7 A FRAC;N (A
SECOND QK] ?AN ANY MAN IS SUPPOS$ 6?RU/
& LUNGE4 ,I WON ! FRAC;N (A SECOND4 ,0T
FRAC;N (A SECOND TOO LATE ,=T9I ATTEMPT$
6DEFLECT MY BLADE & IMPALE ME ON HIS4 ,B
X 0 8 BLADE T 0 DEFLECT$4 ,X FLA%$ PA/
MY BR1/1 & ,I 0 IN--9SIDE 8 W1PON1 :
EXT5D$ FULL L5G? 9 ! EMPTY AIR 2H ME--&
MY BLADE 0 9SIDE ( HM1 & "? HM1 HE>T-
HI<1 F "R SIDE ( HM 6LEFT SIDE ( HM &
\TSIDE ( HM 2Y4
  ,X IS A /RANGE ?+ 6D1 6SPIT A LIVE MAN
ON A L5G? ( /EEL4 ,I SIT "H 9 MY CELL1 &
C1SE F WRIT+ A SPACE1 :ILE ,I 3SID] !
MATT]4 ,& ,I H 3SID]$ X (T51 T MOONLI<T
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,ITALIAN H.D QK & BRILLIANT4 ,X 0 S EASY
A ?+1 T P]=,N (A TORSO4 ,"O WD H EXPECT$
M RESI/.E4 ,"! WD H BE5 RESI/.E _H MY
RAPI] PO9T T\*$ B"O4 ,Z X WAS1 X 5C.T]$
ONLY ! S(T;S ( FLE%4 ,/ X P]=AT$ S
EASILY4 ,I H ! S5S,N ( X N[1 9 MY H&1 MY
BRA91 Z ,I WRITE4 ,A WOMAN'S HAT-P9 CD G
"? A PLUM PU4+ N M EASILY ?AN DID MY
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AMAZ+ AB X AT ! "T 6,GUILLAUME DE
,SA9TE-,MAURE1
B AMAZ+ X IS 6ME1 ,D>RELL ,/&+1 Z ,I
RECOLLECT & POND] X ACR ! C5TURIES4 ,X
IS EASY1 MO/ EASY1 6KILL A /R;G1 LIVE1
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/EEL4 ,:Y1 M5 >E L S(T-%ELL CRABS1 S
T5D]1 FRAIL1 & VULN]A# >E !Y4
  ,B 6RETURN 6! MOONLI<T ON ! GRASS4 ,MY
?RU/ MADE HOME1 "! 0 A P]CEPTI# PAUSE4
,N AT ONCE DID ,=T9I FALL4 ,N AT ONCE
DID ,I )DRAW ! BLADE4 ,=A FULL SECOND WE
/OOD 9 PAUSE--,I1 ) LEGS SPR1D1 & >*$ &
T5SE1 BODY ?R[N =W>D1 "R >M HORIZONTAL &
/RAI<T \2 ,=T9I1 8 BLADE 2Y ME S F> T
HILT & H& J RE/$ LI<TLY AG/ MY LEFT
BR1/1 8 BODY RIGID1 8 EYES OP5 & %9+4
  ,S /ATUESQUE 7 WE = T SECOND T ,I SWE>
^? AB U 7 N IMMLY AW>E ( :AT _H HAPP5$4
,!N ,=T9I GASP$ & C\<$ SLI<TLY4 ,!
RIGID;Y ( 8 POSE SLACK5$4 ,! HILT & H&
AG/ MY BR1/ WAV]$1 !N ! >M DROOP$ 6HIS
SIDE TILL ! RAPI] PO9T RE/$ ON ! LAWN4
,0? "T ,PASQU9I & DE ,GONC\RT _H SPRUNG
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H>D] = ME 6)DRAW ! /EEL ?AN 6DRIVE X IN4
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