Millenium People

8/12/2019 Millenium People

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Millennium People

J G BALLARD

2003

1 The Rebellion at Chelsea Marina

2 The Heathrow Bomb

3 Wh Me!"

# The Last Ri$al

% Con&rontation at 'lm(ia

) Res*+e

, '-- Man '+t

. The /lee(walers

The (holstere- A(o*al(se

10A((ointment with a Re$ol+tion

11The Heart o& Darness

12The i-eo /tore

13A 4e+ros*ientist Loos at Go-

1#5rom G+il-&or- to Terminal 2

1%The De(ot o& Dreams

1)The Chil-ren"s /an*t+ar

1,Absol+te 6ero

1.Bla* Millenni+m

1The /ie7e o& Broa-*astin7 Ho+se

20White /(a*e

21The 8in-ness o& Li7ht22A isit to the B+ner

23The Last /tran7er

2#The De&en*e o& Gros$enor 9la*e

2%A Celebrit M+r-er

2)A Wi&e"s Con*ern


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2,The Bon&ire o& the ol$os

2.ital Cl+es

2The Lon7:term Car 9ar

30Amate+rs an- Re$ol+tions

31The /entimental Terrorist

32A De*line in 9ro(ert al+es

33Gi$in7 Himsel& to the /+n

3#A Tas Com(lete-

3%A /+n Witho+t /ha-ows

1 - The Rebellion at Chelsea Marina

A/MALLR;'LT


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lo*al resi-ent= some ha((il marrie- soli*itor or a**o+nt ee*+ti$e= ha- been toob+s with the re$ol+tion to *an*el his wi&e"s birth-a bo++et>

The *onstables were +nmo$e-= re&+sin7 to let the -ri$er into the estate> Thesense- that somethin7 -ee(l s+s(e*t ha- taen (la*e in this on*e law:abi-in7*omm+nit= an e$ent that re+ire- the (resen*e o& a *abinet minister an- his

retin+e o& worthies> The $isitors : Home '&&i*e a-$isers= *on*erne- *h+r*hmen=senior so*ial worers an- (s*holo7ists= in*l+-in7 msel&: wo+l- be7in theirto+r at noon= in an ho+r"s time> 4o arme- (oli*e wo+l- 7+ar- +s= on the sa&eass+m(tion that a rebellio+s mi--le *lass was too well mannere- to (ose a(hsi*al threat> B+t= as < new all too well= that was the threat>

A((earan*es (ro$e- nothin7 an- e$erthin7> The (oli*emen wa$e- me thro+7h=barel 7lan*in7 at m (ass> Ha$in7 been haran7+e- &or wees b arti*+latemothers in the s*r+&&iest eans= the new that m &ashionable hair*+t= *o+rteso& BBC mae:+(= -o$e:7re s+it an- s+nbe- tan r+le- me o+t as a nati$e o&Chelsea Marina> The resi-ents wo+l- -ie rather than resemble a minortele$ision 7+r+= a rene7a-e intelle*t+al &rom the -+bio+s worl- o& $i-eo:*on&eren*in7 an- air(ort seminars>

B+t the s+it was a -is7+ise= whi*h < ha- (+t on &or the &irst time in si months=a&ter st+&&in7 m torn leather a*et an- -enims into the -+stbin> < s(ran7 li7htlo$er the *rime:s*ene ta(es &ar &itter than the (oli*emen 7+esse-> Theterrorist a*tions"= as the Home /e*retar terme- them= ha- soon to+7hene- +(a la? (hsi+e so&tene- b ears o& boar-in7 lo+n7es an- hotel atri+ms> ;$enm wi&e /all= &ore$er tolerant anne$er s+r(rise-= was im(resse- b mm+s*+lar arms as she *o+nte- the br+ises le&t b s*+&&les with (oli*e an-se*+rit 7+ar-s>

B+t a -is7+ise *o+l- 7o too &ar> Cat*hin7 si7ht o& msel& in the broen win-ows

o& the 7ateho+se= < loosene- the not o& m tie> < was still +ns+re what role Ri*har- Go+l- an- < ha- been seen to7ether so o&ten= an- the*onstables sho+l- ha$e re*o7ni?e- me as the *hie& a**om(li*e o& this h+nte-terrorist> When < wa$e- to them the t+rne- awa= s*annin7 the 8in7"s Roa-&or the Home /e*retar"s limo+sine> < &elt a (an7 o& -isa((ointment> 5or a &ewse*on-s < ha- wante- them to *hallen7e me>

The entire (o(+lation ha- $anishe-= lea$in7 a ?one o& silen*elie an +rban nat+re reser$e> ;i7ht h+n-re- &amilies ha- &le-= aban-onin7 their*om&ortable it*hens= herb 7ar-ens an- boo:line- li$in7 rooms> Witho+t the

sli7htest re7ret= the ha- t+rne- their ba*s on themsel$es an- all the ha-on*e belie$e- in>

Beon- the roo&to(s < *o+l- hear the west Lon-on tra&&i*= b+t it &a-e- as < wale--own Bea+&ort A$en+e= the estate"s main thoro+7h&are> The $ast metro(olisthat s+rro+n-e- Chelsea Marina was still hol-in7 its breath> Here the re$ol+tiono& the mi--le *lass ha- be7+n= not the +(risin7 o& a -es(erate (roletariat= b+tthe rebellion o& the e-+*ate- (ro&essional *lass who were so*iet"s eel an-an*hor>


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an- ins+ran*e broers= ar*hite*ts an- health ser$i*e mana7ers= ha- b+ilt their

barri*a-es an- o$ert+rne- their *ars to blo* the &ire en7ines an- res*+e teamswho were trin7 to sa$e them> The ree*te- all o&&ers o& hel(= re&+sin7 to air theirreal 7rie$an*es or to sa whether an 7rie$an*es eiste- at all>

The sie7e ne7otiators sent in b 8ensin7ton an- Chelsea Co+n*il were met &irstb silen*e= then b mo*er= an- &inall b (etrol bombs> 5or reasons no one+n-erstoo-= the inhabitants o& Chelsea Marina ha- set abo+t -ismantlin7 theirmi--le:*lass worl-> The lit bon&ires o& boos an- (aintin7s= e-+*ational tosan- $i-eos> The tele$ision news showe- &amilies arm in arm= s+rro+n-e- bo$ert+rne- *ars= their &a*es (ro+-l lit b the &lames>

< (asse- a &ire:7+tte- BMW= lin7 wheels +((ermost besi-e the erb= an- stare-at its r+(t+re- &+el tan> An airliner *r+ise- o$er *entral Lon-on= an- h+n-re-s o&broen win-ows tremble- +n-er the -ronin7 en7ines= as i& releasin7 their lastan7er> C+rio+sl= the resi-ents who -estroe- Chelsea Marina ha- shown noan7er at all> The ha- +ietl -is*ar-e- their worl- as i& (+ttin7 o+t their

r+bbish &or *olle*tion>This +n*ann *alm an-= more worrin7l= the resi-ents" in-i&&eren*e to the h+7e&inan*ial (enalties the wo+l- (a= ha- (rom(te- the Home /e*retar"s $isit>Henr 8en-all= a *ollea7+e at the Towin7 their trailers= the were the$an7+ar- o& an itinerant mi--le *lass= a new tribe o& +ni$ersit:traine- 7(sieswho new their law an- wo+l- raise hell with lo*al *o+n*ils>

8a Ch+r*hill= the &ilm st+-ies le*t+rer at /o+th Ban ni$ersit who be*amem lan-la-= was arreste- b the (oli*e an- release- on bail> /till (ro*laimin7the re$ol+tion= she hel- &orth on an a&ternoon *able *hannel> Her *ram(e- b+t*om&ortable home= with its shabb so&as an- &ilm stills= ha- been -rowne- bthe (ower&+l hoses o& the Chelsea 5ire /er$i*e>

< misse- 8a an- her sha *rown o& ash:7re hair= her errati* o(inions an-e$er:&lowin7 wine= b+t her aban-one- ho+se was m reason &or arri$in7 an ho+rbe&ore the Home /e*retar> < ho(e- that m la(to( was still on the *o&&ee table in


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bri*wor> The o(en:(lan li$in7 room was a marine 7rotto= moist+re see(in7thro+7h the *ra*e- *eilin7= t+rnin7 the walls into -am( ta(estries> < stoo-between the '?+ an- Bresson (osters= almost e(e*tin7 8a to emer7e &romthe it*hen with two 7lasses an- a bottle o& some a-mirer"s wine= insistin7 thatthe battle ha- been won>

8a ha- le&t= b+t her *heer&+l an- ra*et worl- was still in (la*e : the 9ost:itnotes on the mirror abo$e the &ire(la*e= the le*t+re in$itations &rom anar*hist7ro+(s= an- the *airn o& white (ebbles on the mantel(ie*e> ;a*h stone= shetol- me= was a memento o& a s+mmer lo$e a&&air on a Gree bea*h> Bea-so& moist+re *o$ere- the &rame- (hoto7ra(h o& her -a+7hter= now a teena7erin A+stralia= taen on a last holi-a be&ore *+sto- was awar-e- to herh+sban-> 8a ha- mo$e- on= *laimin7 that memor was a baite- tra(= last ni7ht"s-re7s in a li(sti*:smeare- 7lass= b+t sometimes < *a+7ht her wi(in7 her tears&rom the (hoto7ra(h an- (ressin7 the &rame to her breast>

The so&a where 8a an- < ha- -o?e- to7ether was a so--en h+l> B+t m la(to(la amon7 the &ilm s*ri(ts an- ma7a?ines> The har- -ri$e *ontaine- more thaneno+7h e$i-en*e to *on$i*t me as Ri*har- Go+l-"s *o:*ons(irator> Therewere lists o& $i-eo stores to be tor*he-= tra$el a7en*ies to be atta*e-=7alleries an- m+se+ms to be sabota7e-= an- the teams o& resi-ents assi7ne-to ea*h a*tion> Trin7 to im(ress < ha- a((en-e- notes on the -ama7e -one=in+ries to team members an- liel ins+ran*e *laims> Ta((in7 o+t these+nne*essar -etails= 8a"s arm warml aro+n- m sho+l-ers= < sometimes &eltthat < was +nrollin7 a *ar(et that ran strai7ht to m (rison *ell>

Thinin7 &on-l abo+t 8a= < rea*he- o+t to strai7hten the (ortrait o& her-a+7hter> A shar- o& 7lass sli((e- &rom the &rame an- *+t m (alm= li7htlse$erin7 the li&e:line> As < stare- at the bri7ht smear an- sear*he- &or m

han-er*hie&= < reali?e- that this was the onl bloo- < ha- she- in ChelseaMarina -+rin7 the entire rebellion>

La(to( +n-er m arm= < *lose- the &ront -oor behin- me> < stare- &or a lasttime at the woo-en (anellin7= an- in the smooth enamel saw a win-ow mo$ean- *at*h the s+n> An o(en *asement sw+n7 on the to( &loor o& thea(artment b+il-in7 besi-e Ca-o7an Cir*le> Bi?arrel= a han- rea*he- o+t an-*leane- the (anes= shoo a -+ster an- then with-rew>

< ste((e- into the street an- wale- towar-s the a(artments= (assin7 a b+rnt:o+t/aab sittin7 in its lon7:term ba> Were s+atters mo$in7 into Chelsea Marina=7i$in7 +( their so&t -r+7s an- har- mattresses! Were the rea- to tr a new

li&estle= to &a*e the (roblems o& s*hool &ees an- Bra?ilian -ail hel(s= ballet*lasses an- B9A s+bs*ri(tions! '+r mo-est re$ol+tion wo+l- be*ome (art o&the &ollori* *alen-ar= to be *elebrate- alon7 with the last ni7ht o& the 9romsan- the Wimble-on tennis &ortni7ht>

9ressin7 the han-er*hie& to m (alm= < (+m(e- the ele$ator b+ttons in the hallo& the a(artment b+il-in7> 5r+stratin7l= all ele*tri* (ower to Chelsea Marina ha-been -is*onne*te-> < *limbe- the stairs= restin7 on ea*h lan-in7= s+rro+n-e- bthe o(en -oors o& aban-one- a(artments= an a*tor sear*hin7 &or the ri7ht sta7e


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set> < was li7ht:hea-e- when < rea*he- the to( &loor> Witho+t thinin7= < (+she-ba* the +nlo*e- -oor an- stare- *ross the em(t li$in7 room at the win-owthat ha- sw+n7 in the s+nli7ht>

A thir-:&loor tenant o& the same a(artment ho+se= era Bla*b+rn= was a &ormer7o$ernment s*ientist an- a *lose &rien- o& 8a Ch+r*hill"s> < remembere-

that the to(:&loor &lat was owne- b a o+n7 o(ti*ian an- her h+sban-> Theli$in7:room win-ows ha- the *learest $iews in Chelsea Marina= looin7 -ownBea+&ort A$en+e alon7 the ro+te that the Home /e*retar wo+l- tae on hisins(e*tion to+r>

< ste((e- o$er a -is*ar-e- s+it*ase an- entere- the room> A bl+e *an$as ba7la on the -es= its si-e embosse- with the seal o& the Metro(olitan 9oli*e= (arto& the e+i(ment *arrie- b riot:*ontrol teams>

The la(to( ha- 7rown more hea$ in m han-= a hal&:*ons*io+s warnin7 si7nal>

< *o+l- hear two (eo(le s(eain7 in the nearb be-room= a man"s *+rt b+t lowtones an- a woman"s shar(er re(lies> < ass+me- that a (oli*e *onstable an-a woman *ollea7+e were ee(in7 wat*h on the Home /e*retar"s a((roa*h>Metho-i*al to a &a+lt= the ha- wi(e- the win-ows to 7i$e themsel$es the*learest $iew (ossible o& the Cabinet Minister an- his sa7el no--in7 a-$isers>5in-in7 me in their obser$ation (ost= the wo+l- ass+me the worst= an- soon-e*i-e that a (s*holo7ist"s la(to( was a (otentiall o&&ensi$e wea(on>

Trin7 not to tri( o$er the s+it*ase= < e-7e- towar-s the -oor= aware &or the&irst time o& the o(ti*ian"s -ia7rams (inne- to the wall abo$e the -es= tar7et:lie*ir*les an- rows o& meanin7less letters that resemble- *o-e- messa7es>

The be-room -oor o(ene- an- a -istra*te- man in a shabb s+it ste((e- intothe li$in7 room> The s+n was behin- him= b+t < *o+l- see his +n-erno+rishe-&a*e= an- the li7ht &larin7 o&& his hi7h tem(les> He noti*e- me= b+t seeme-(reo**+(ie- with a (roblem o& his own= as i& < were a (atient who ha- *alle-at his s+r7er witho+t an a((ointment> He stare- thro+7h the win-ow at theem(t streets an- &ire:-ama7e- ho+ses with the tire- 7a?e o& an o$erwore--o*tor trin7 to *arr o+t his me-i*al wor in a wartorn Mi--le ;ast s+b+rb>

At last he t+rne- to me= smilin7 with a s+--en show o& warmth> Da$i-! Comein> We"$e all been waitin7 &or o+>" Des(ite msel&= < new that < was ea7er tosee him>

2 - The Heathrow Bomb

M@ /;DCT


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li$es lie a &i7+re &rom one o& tomorrow"s -reams= a stran7er who too &or7rante- that we wo+l- be*ome his most -e$ote- -is*i(les>

A tele(hone *all was o+r &irst warnin7 o& Go+l-"s arri$al> M mobile ran7 as wewere lea$in7 &or Heathrow Air(ort an- a three:-a *on&eren*e o& in-+strial(s*holo7ists in 5lori-a> < was steerin7 /all -own the stair*ase an- ass+me- the

*all was one o& those last:min+te messa7es &rom the < ha- booe- the *ar to arri$e two ho+rs be&ore o+r Miami &li7ht &romTerminal 3= b+t the +s+all reliable Mr> 9rashar was alrea- twent min+tes late>

/all was still on the (hone when < ret+rne- to the sittin7 room> /he leane-a7ainst the mantel(ie*e= smoothin7 her sho+l-er:len7th hair with a *as+al han-=as han-some as an a*tress in a thirties Hollwoo- &ilm> Mirrors hel- their breatharo+n- /all>

/o > > >" /he swit*he- o&& the (hone> We wait anho(e>" /all! Who was that!4ot 9ro&essor Arnol-= (lease > > >" Gri((in7 a walin7 sti* in ea*h han-= /all

swae- &rom the mantel(ie*e> < ste((e- ba*= as alwas h+mo+rin7 herlittle &antas that she was han-i*a((e-> 'nl the (re$io+s a&ternoon sheha- (lae- (in7:(on7 with a *ollea7+e"s wi&e= sti*s &or7otten on the table asshe batte- the ball to an- &ro>

/he ha- not nee-e- the sti*s &or months= b+t still rea*he- &or them at momentso& stress>

@o+r &rien- Mr> 9rashar>" /he leane- a7ainst me= s*ente- s*al( (resse- to m*hee> There"s a (roblem at Heathrow> Tailba*s as &ar as 8ew> He thinsthere"s no (oint in lea$in7 +ntil the *lear>"

What abo+t the &li7ht!"

Delae-> 4othin7"s tain7 o&&> The whole air(ort is -own>"

/o what -o we -o!"

Ha$e a lar7e -rin>" /all (+she- me towar-s the li+or *abinet> 9rasharwill rin7 in &i&teen min+tes> At least he *ares>"

Ri7ht>" As < (o+re- two /*ot*h an- so-as < 7lan*e- thro+7h the win-ow at/all"s *ar= with its &a-in7 -isabilit sti*er on the win-s*reen= wheel*hair &ol-e-


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in the rear seat> /all= < *an -ri$e +sthere> We"ll tae o+r *ar>"

Mine! @o+ *an"t *o(e with the *ontrols>"

Dear < -esi7ne- them> "

Lin7 ba* on the so&a= /all raise- her 7lass= trin7 to re$i$e me> The war o&s+**ession at the A-ler= the str+77le to re(la*e 9ro&essor Arnol-= ha- le&t metire- an- s*rat*h= an- she was een to 7et me to the other si-e o& the Atlanti*>The *on&eren*e at Celebration= Disne"s mo-el *omm+nit in 5lori-a= was a+se&+l *han*e to (ar an eha+ste- h+sban- b a hotel swimmin7 (ool>Tra$ellin7 abroa- was an e&&ort &or her : the nee:arrin7 7eometr o& tais an-bathrooms= an- the Ameri*an (s*holo7ists who saw a 7lamoro+s womanswain7 on her sti*s as a s(e*ial in- o& eroti* *hallen7e> B+t /all was alwas7ame= e$en i& &or m+*h o& the time her onl *om(an wo+l- be the minibar>

< la besi-e her on the so&a= o+r 7lasses ta((in7= an- listene- to the tra&&i*>

Ten min+tes>" < &inishe- m /*ot*h= alrea- thinin7 not o& the net -rin= b+to& the one a&ter that> < ha$e a &eelin7 we"re not 7oin7 to mae it>"

Rela > > >" /all (o+re- her whis into m 7lass> @o+ -i-n"t want to 7o in the&irst (la*e>"

@es an- no> At least it 7ets o+ awa>"

All these tri(s! Let"s &a*e it= the"re +st a -el+sion> Air tra$el= the wholeHeathrow thin7= it"s a *olle*ti$e &li7ht &rom realit> 9eo(le wal +( to the *he*:insan- &or on*e in their li$es the now where the"re 7oin7> 9oor so-s= it"s(rinte- on their ti*ets> Loo at me= /all> " @o+ ha$e>"4ot et> 4ow= where"s9rashar!"

< stoo- +( an- went to the tele(hone> /all (i*e- +( the T remote &rom the


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*ar(et an- swit*he- on the l+n*htime news> The (i*t+re swam into $iew= an-

Da$i- > > > loo>" /all sat &orwar-= 7ri((in7 the sti*s besi-e her &eet>/omethin7 aw&+l > > >"

< listene- to 9rashar"s $oi*e= b+t m ees were hel- b the news b+lletin> There(orter"s *ommentar was -rowne- b the wailin7 o& (oli*e sirens> Heste((e- ba* &rom the *amera as an amb+lan*e team (+she- a trolle thro+7hthe melee o& (assen7ers an- airline (ersonnel> A barel *ons*io+s woman la onthe trolle= ra7s o& *lothin7 a*ross her *hest= bloo- s(e*lin7 her arms> D+stswirle- in the air= billowin7 abo$e the bo+ti+es an- b+rea+ -e *han7e= a &ranti*mi*ro*limate trin7 to es*a(e thro+7h the $entilator -+*ts>

Behin- the trolle was the main arri$als 7ate o& Terminal 2 7+ar-e- b (oli*earme- with s+b:ma*hine 7+ns> A harrie- 7ro+( o& hire:*ar -ri$ers waite- atthe barrier= the names &la77e- on their *ar-boar- si7ns alrea- at hal&:mast>

A man *arrin7 an ee*+ti$e brie&*ase ste((e- &rom the arri$als 7ate= the

slee$eless a*et o& his -o+ble:breaste- s+it e(osin7 a bloo-ie- arm> Hestare- at the si7ns raise- towar-s him= as i& trin7 to remember his own name>Two (arame-i*s an- an Aer Lin7+s hostess nelt on the &loor= treatin7 aneha+ste- 9assen7er who *l+t*he- an em(t s+it*ase that ha- lost its li->

Mr> Marham!" A $oi*e so+n-e- &aintl in m ear> This is 9rashar s(eain7 > > > F

Witho+t thinin7= < swit*he- o&& the (hone> < stoo- besi-e the so&a= m han-sstea-in7 /all"s sho+l-ers> /he was shi$erin7 lie a *hil-= her &in7ers wi(in7 hernose= as i& the $iolent ima7es on the s*reen remin-e- her o& her own near:&atal a**i-ent>

/all= o+"re sa&e here> @o+"re with me>"

There was a bomb on aba77a7e *aro+sel> Da$i-= we mi7ht ha$e been there> Was anone ille-!"

Three -ea-= twent:si in+re- > > >"F < rea- the *a(tion on the s*reen> Let"s ho(ethere are no *hil-ren>"

/all &+mble- with the remote *ontrol= t+rnin7 +( the so+n-> Don"t the iss+ea warnin7! Co-ewor-s the (oli*e re*o7ni?e! Wh bomb the arri$als lo+n7e!"

/ome (eo(le are ma-> /all= we"re all ri7ht>"

4o one is all ri7ht>"

/he hel- m arm an- ma-e me sit besi-e her> To7ether we stare- at the (i*t+res&rom the *on*o+rse> 9oli*e= &irst:ai- *rews an- -+t:&ree sta&& were hel(in7in+re- (assen7ers to the waitin7 amb+lan*es> Then the (i*t+re *han7e-= an-we were wat*hin7 an amate+r $i-eo taen b a (assen7er who ha- entere- theba77a7e:re*laim area soon a&ter the e(losion> The &ilm maer stoo- with hisba* to the *+stoms *he*(oints= e$i-entl too sho*e- b the $iolen*e thatha- torn thro+7h the *row-e- hall to (+t -own his *amera an- o&&er hel( to the$i*tims>


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D+st seethe- below the *eilin7= swirlin7 aro+n- the torn se*tions o& stri( li7htin7that h+n7 &rom the roo&> '$ert+rne- trollies la on the &loor= b+*le- b the blast>/t+nne- (assen7ers sat besi-e their s+it*ases= *lothes stri((e- &rom their ba*s=*o$ere- with bloo- an- &ra7ments o& leather an- 7lass>

The $i-eo *amera lin7ere- on the stationar *aro+sel= its (anels s(lae- lie

r+bber &ans> The ba77a7e *h+te was still -is*har7in7 s+it*ases= an- a set o& 7ol&*l+bs an- a *hil-"s (+sh*hair t+mble- to7ether amon7 the hea(e- l+77a7e>

Ten &eet awa= two in+re- (assen7ers sat on the &loor= wat*hin7 the s+it*asesemer7e &rom the *h+te> 'ne was a man in his twenties= wearin7 eans an- thera7s o& a (lasti* win-*heater> When the &irst res*+ers rea*he- him= a (oli*emanan- an air(ort se*+rit 7+ar-= the o+n7 man be7an to *om&ort a mi--le:a7e-

A&ri*an lin7 besi-e him>

The other (assen7er 7a?in7 at the ba77a7e *h+te was a woman in her latethirties= with a shar( &orehea- an- a bon b+t attra*ti$e &a*e= -ar hair notte-behin- her> /he wore a tailore- bla* s+it (itte- with 7lass= lie the se+inne-

t+e-o o& a ni7ht*l+b hostess> A (ie*e o& &lin7 -ebris ha- -rawn bloo- &rom herlower li(= b+t she seeme- almost +nto+*he- b the e(losion> /he br+she- the-+st &rom her slee$e an- stare- sombrel at the *on&+sion aro+n- her= a b+s(ro&essional late &or her net a((ointment>

Da$i- > > > !" /all rea*he- &or her sti*s> What is it!"

B+t the amate+r *ameraman t+rne- to s+r$ethe *eilin7= where a &l+ores*ent t+be was -is*har7in7 a *as*a-e o& s(ars=&irewors in a ma-ho+se> < thin that"s someone < now>" The woman in the-ar s+it!"

4e$er min-> This woman o+ saw : was it La+ra!"

< thin so>" < too /all"s han-s= noti*in7 how stea- the &elt> "

Thenews b+lletin ha- ret+rne- to the *on*o+rse= where the hire:*ar -ri$ers were

walin7 awa= (la*ar-s lowere-> There"s a *onta*t n+mber &or relati$es> " /all s(oe matter:o&:&a*tl= as i& -es*ribin7m membershi( o& a -isban-e- l+n*hin7 *l+b> The"ll tell o+ how she is>"

/he looe- all ri7ht> That e(ression o& hers= alwasim(atient"


12/179

Call Henr 8en-all at the He"ll now>"

Henr! Wh!"

He"s li$in7 with La+ra>"

Tr+e> /till= < -on"t want to (ani* the (oor man> What i& @o+ nee- to &in- o+t> La+ra meant a lot to o+>"

That was a lon7 time a7o>" Aware o& her &aintl threatenin7 tone= < sai- /all= "

Call him>"

I wale- a*ross the room= t+rnin7 m ba* to the tele$ision s*reen> Hol-in7 themobile= < -r+mme- m &in7ers on the mantel(ie*e= an- trie- to smile at the(hoto7ra(h o& /all sittin7 in her wheel*hair between her (arents= taen at /tMar"s hos(ital on the -a o& o+r en7a7ement> /tan-in7 behin- her in m

white lab *oat= < seeme- remarabl *on&i-ent= as i& < new &or the &irst timein m li&e that < was 7oin7 to be ha((>

The mobile ran7 be&ore < *o+l- -ial the

He was *allin7 &rom Ash&or- Hos(ital= *lose to Heathrow> La+ra ha- been*a+7ht b the bomb blast in Terminal 2> Amon7 the &irst to be e$a*+ate-= sheha- *olla(se- in ;mer7en*= an- now la in the intensi$e:*are +nit> Henrmana7e- to *ontrol himsel&= b+t his $oi*e b+rst into a torrent o& *on&+se- an7er=an- he a-mitte- that he ha- ase- La+ra to tae a later &li7ht &rom 6+ri*h sothat he *o+l- ee( an

The 9+bli*ations Committee > > > Arnol- ase- me to *hair it> 5or Go-"s sae= hewas re&ereein7 his own bloo- (a(erI @o+ *an"t blame o+rsel&> > >" < trie- to reass+re him=thinin7 o& the stream o& bloo- &rom La+ra"s mo+th> 5or some reason= < &elt*losel in$ol$e- in the *rime= as i& < ha- (la*e- the bomb on the *aro+sel>

The -iallin7 tone so+n-e- a7ainst m ear= a &a-in7 si7nal &rom another worl->5or a &ew min+tes all the lines to realit ha- been se$ere-> < looe- at msel& inthe mirror= (+??le- b the tra$el *lothes < was wearin7= the li7htwei7ht a*etan- s(orts shirt= the ta*tless *ost+me o& a bea*h to+rist who ha- strae- into a

&+neral> There was alrea- a sha-ow on m *hees= as i& the sho* o& theHeathrow bomb ha- &or*e- m bear- to 7row> M &a*e looe- harasse- an-shi&t in a (e*+liarl ;n7lish wa= the war 7lower o& a -e$iant master at aminor (re( s*hool>

Da$i- > > >" /all stoo- +(= the sti*s &or7otten> Her &a*e seeme- smaller an-more (ointe-= mo+th (+rse- abo$e a Chillie *hin /he too the mobile &romme an- 7ri((e- s @o+"re all ri7ht> Ba- l+* &or La+ra> < nowF < embra*e-her= thinin7 o& the bomb>


13/179

two later = /all an- < mi7ht ha$e been lin7 to7ether in intensi$e *are> Go-nows wh= b+t < &eel res(onsible>

'& *o+rse o+ -o> /he was im(ortant to o+>" /he stare- at me *alml no--in7to hersel&= almost *on$in*e- that she ha- *a+7ht me in a minor b+t tellin77a&&e> Da$i-= o+ m+st 7o>" Where! The " Wh! Henr will bewith her> La+ra isn"t (art o& m li&e>

/all > > > !"

4ot &or her sae> 5or o+rs>" /all t+rne- her ba* to me>

@o+ -on"t lo$e her= < now that> B+t o+ still hate her> That"s wh o+ ha$e to7o>"

3 - Why Me?

W; R;ACH;D A/H5'RD H'/9 /all -ro$e with $er$e an- &lo+rish= her ri7ht han- 7ri((in7 thea**elerator *ontrol mo+nte- besi-e the steerin7 wheel= worin7 the throttle lie a&i7hter (ilot= le&t han- releasin7 the brae le$er net to the 7ate o& the a+tomati*transmission> < ha- -esi7ne- the *ontrols= hel(e- b an er7onomi*s s(e*ialist atthe /eein7 the wheel*hair on the rear seat= thewa$e- +s onto the har- sho+l-er= a hi7h:s(ee- alle that onl a 7lamoro+swoman *o+l- mae her own>

As we s(e- alon7= ha?ar- li7hts &lashin7= < almost belie$e- that /all was ea7erto meet her one:time ri$al= now lin7 in the intensi$e:*are +nit> /all ha- alwas seen her a**i-ent as a ran-ome$ent= a *r+el -e&i*it in the moral or-er o& eisten*e that (la*e- it &irml in her-ebt>

/i7htseein7 with her mother in the Bairro Alto -istri*t o& Lisbon= a ma?e o&stee(l *limbin7 streets= /all ha- *rosse- the roa- behin- a stationar tram> The&leet o& an*ient $ehi*les with their woo-en (anellin7 an- *ast:iron &rames ha-been installe- b British en7ineers almost a *ent+r earlier> B+t *harm an-in-+strial ar*haeolo7 both *ame at a (ri*e> The tram"s braes &aile- &or a &ew


14/179

se*on-s= an- it rolle- ba*war-s be&ore the sa&et *l+t*h lo*e- the wheels=no*in7 /all to the 7ro+n- an- tra((in7 her le7s +n-er the massi$e *hassis>

< met /all in the ortho(ae-i* win7 at /t Mar"s= at &irst si7ht a (l+* o+n7woman -etermine- to 7et well b+t ine(li*abl not res(on-in7 to treatment> Themonths o& (hsiothera( ha- (ro-+*e- a 7r+m( tem(er= an- e$en a &ew &o+l:

mo+the- tantr+ms> < o$erhear- one o& these tira-es= an +7l storm in a(ri$ate s+ite= an- (+t her -own as the s(oilt -a+7hter o& a Birmin7hamin-+strialist who &lew to see her in the *om(an heli*o(ter an- in-+l7e- e$erwhim>

< $isite- /t Mar"s on*e a wee= s+(er$isin7 a new -ia7nosti* sstem -e$elo(e-in *ollaboration with the A-ler> To the *ons+ltants" s+r(rise= an- relie&= the (atients (re&erre-the *om(+teri?e- ima7e to a real (hsi*ian> Des(erate to 7et /all onto her&eet= an- well aware that her han-i*a(s were ele*ti$e"= in the ta*t&+l ar7on= hers+r7eon s+77este- that we sit /all in &ront o& the (rotot(e ma*hine>

< -istr+ste- the (roe*t= whi*h treate- (atients lie *hil-ren m a $i-eo ar*a-e=b+t it bro+7ht /all an- me to7ether> < rewrote the -ialo7+e o& a (e(ti* +l*er(ro7ramme= a-a(tin7 the +estions to /all"s *ase= (+t on a white *oat in &ront o&the *amera an- (lae- the *arin7 -o*tor> /all ha((il (resse- the res(onseb+ttons= re$ealin7 all her an7er o$er the in+sti*e o& her a**i-ent> B+t a &ew-as later she swer$e- (ast me in the *orri-or= almost r+nnin7 me -own>9a+sin7 to a(olo7i?e= she was ama?e- to &in- that < eiste-> '$er the net-as her 7oo- h+mo+r ret+rne-= an- she enoe- mimi*in7 m woo-ena*tin7> As < sat on her be- she tease- me that < was not *om(letel real> We

tale- to ea*h other in o+r re*or-e- $oi*es= a *o+rtshi( o& imbe*iles that < was*are&+l not to tae serio+sl>

B+t a -ee(er= +ns(oen -ialo7+e -rew +s to7ether> < *alle- in e$er -a= an-the n+rsin7 sta&& tol- me that when < was late /all *limbe- &rom her be- an-sear*he- &or me= -is(ensin7 with her wheel*hair> As < soon learne-= she was amore s+btle (s*holo7ist than < was> Gri((in7 her $ol+me o& 5ri-a 8ahlo(aintin7s= she ase- me i& < *o+l- tra* -own the mae o& tram that ha- in+re-8ahlo in Mei*o Cit> Was the man+&a*t+rer b an *han*e an ;n7lish &irm!

< *o+l- 7ras( the an7er that line- the two women= b+t 8ahlo ha- been7rie$o+sl wo+n-e- b a steel rail that (ier*e- her +ter+s an- 7a$e her a

li&etime o& (ain> /all ha- *rosse- a &orei7n street witho+t looin7 to le&t orri7ht= an- lost nothin7 o& her bea+t> nable toresol$e the *on+n-r+m= she insiste- that she was a *ri((le in a wheel*hair=sharin7 her (li7ht with other $i*tims o& meanin7less a**i-ents>

/o o+"re on strie=" < tol- her> @o+"re *on-+*tin7 o+r own sit:in a7ainst the+ni$erse>"


15/179

"

Wh me!F Answer it> @o+ *an"t>"

/all > > > -oes it matter! The *han*es o& o+r (arentsmeetin7 were millions to one a7ainst> We"re ti*ets in a lotter>"

B+t a lotter isn"t meanin7less> /omeone has to win>" /he (a+se- to 7et mattention> Lie o+r meetin7 here> That wasn"t meanin7less

Heathrow a((roa*he-= a bea*he- s:*it= hal& s(a*e station an- hal& shanttown> We le&t the motorwa an- mo$e- alon7 the Great West Roa-= enterin7a ?one o& two:store &a*tories= *ar:rental o&&i*es an- 7iant reser$oirs> We were(art o& an in$isible marine worl- that mana7e- to *ombine mster an- bore-om>

/all -ro$e with more than her +s+al ?est= o$ertain7 on the insi-e= +m(in7the re- li7hts= e$en hootin7 a (oli*e *ar o+t o& her wa> The Heathrow bomb ha-re*har7e- her> This $i*io+s an- -eran7e- atta* *on&irme- her s+s(i*ions o& the-es(otism o& &ate> 5or all her wi&el *on*ern= she was ea7er to $isit Ash&or-Hos(ital= not onl to &ree me &rom m memories o& an +nha(( marria7e= b+t to*on$in*e hersel& that there was no meanin7 or (+r(ose in the terrorist bomb>

Alrea- < was ho(in7 that La+ra ha- ma-e a s+--en re*o$er an- was on herwa ba* to Lon-on with Henr 8en-all>

< swit*he- on the ra-io an- t+ne- in to the re(orts o& res*+e wor at Terminal 2>The air(ort was *lose- in-e&initel= as (oli*e sear*he- &or e(losi$es in the other

three terminals> /*ar*el noti*e- b the news(a(ers= se$eral small bombs ha--etonate- in Lon-on -+rin7 the s+mmer= mostl smoe an- in*en-iar -e$i*es+n*laime- b an terrorist 7ro+(= (art o& the stran7e metro(olitan weather>Bombs were le&t in a /he(her-"s B+sh sho((in7 mall an- a *ine(le in Chelsea>There were no warnin7s an-= l+*il= no *as+alties> A +iet &e$er b+rne- in themin- o& some broo-in7 solitar= a *an-le o& -isa&&e*tion that threw e$er:lon7ersha-ows> @et < onl hear- abo+t the in*en-iar -e$i*e that -estroe- aM*Donal-"s in the 5in*hle Roa-= a mile &rom o+r ho+se= when < 7lan*e-thro+7h the lo*al &ree:sheet le&t b /all"s mani*+rist> Lon-on was +n-er sie7e&rom a sh= in$isible enem>

We"re here=" /all tol- me> 4ow= tae it eas>"

We ha- rea*he- Ash&or- Hos(ital> '+tsi-e the A**i-ent an- ;mer7en*entran*e the amb+lan*e li7hts rotate- *easelessl= h+n7r ra-ars ea7er to s+*an news o& (ain an- in+r &rom the s> 9arame-i*s si((e- their m+7s o& tea=rea- to be re*alle- to Heathrow>

/all= o+ m+st be tire->" < smoothe- her hair as we waite- to enter the *ar (ar>Do o+ want to sta o+tsi-e!"


16/179

"

A se*+rit man leane- thro+7h /all"s

win-ow= noti*e- the a-a(te- *ontrols an- be*one- +s into the *ar (ar o& anearb s+(ermaret= where the (oli*e ha- set +( a *omman- (ost>

The Ja7+ar (+lle- in besi-e +s= an- the n+n ste((e- o+t an- o(ene- the-oor &or a 7re:haire- (riest= some monsi7nor rea- to 7i$e the last rites> < washel(in7 /all &rom the *ar when < noti*e- a bear-e- &i7+re in a white rain*oato+tsi-e the A**i-ent an- ;mer7en* entran*e> He was starin7 o$er the hea-so& the (oli*e an- amb+lan*e -ri$ers= ees &ie- on the silent s= as i& e(e*tin7 alon7:awaite- air*ra&t to &l o$er the hos(ital an- brea the s(ell> He *arrie- awoman"s han-ba7= hol-in7 it a7ainst his *hest= a li&e:s+((ort (a*a7e that mi7htwor its -es(erate mira*le>

Distra*te-l= he o&&ere- the ba7 to a *on*erne- (arame-i* who s(oe to him>His ees were hi--en b the amb+lan*e

li7hts= b+t < *o+l- see his mo+th o(enin7 an- *losin7= a s+b$o*al s(ee*ha--resse- to no one aro+n- him> Des(ite all o+r ears at the A-ler= the tiresome*lients an- their im(ossible se*retaries= this was the &irst time < ha- seen Henr8en-all *om(letel at a loss>

Da$i-!" /all waite- &or me to li&t her &rom the -ri$in7 seat> When < hesitate-= shemo$e- her le7s o+t o& the *ar= sei?e- the -oor (illar in both han-s an- stoo-+(> Aro+n- her were en-less rows o& (are- *ars= a silent *on7re7ation thatworshi((e- -eath> Has somethin7 ha((ene-!"

Henr"s o$er there>"Grim > > >" /all &ollowe- m raise- han-> He"s waitin7 &or o+>"

9oor man= he"s not waitin7 &or anthin7>"

La+ra! /he *an"t be > > >"

/ta here>

! - The "ast Ri#al


17/179

A/< L;5Tthe *ha(el an- oine- the mo+rnin7 (art in the s+nli7ht= a (assen7eret was main7 its -es*ent towar-s Heathrow> < wat*he- it ease its wa o$er theDeer 9ar at Ri*hmon-= abo$e the -is+se- obser$ator where the AstronomerRoal ha- on*e s*anne- the im(erial hea$en> 9erha(s the airliner was brin7in7ba* to Lon-on the last -ele7ates to the Celebration *on&eren*e= sins tone-

b the 5lori-a air= min-s n+mbe- b the babble o& (o-i+m:s(ea> The &ra7ments wo+l-rain -own on blameless $i-eo sho(s an- Chinese taeawas= to be rea- bbem+se- ho+sewi$es= the &a-in7 blossom o& the -isin&ormation a7e>

M *ollea7+es at the A-ler= +n*om&ortable in their -ar s+its= stoo- in small7ro+(s as the or7an $ol+ntar so+n-e- &rom the *ha(el"s lo+-s(eaers> Henr8en-all was talin7 to the &+neral -ire*tor= a s+a$e &i7+re in mornin7 -ress with

the air o& a senior *on*ier7e who *o+l- alwas s+((l ti*ets to the most so+7ht:a&ter shows= in this worl- or the net>

Henr= < was 7la- to see= ha- re*o$ere- &rom his moments o& -es(air o+tsi-eAsh&or- Hos(ital> He ha- sha$e- o&& his bear-= *learin7 awa the (ast now thathe &a*e- a &+t+re witho+t La+ra> He ha- 7rown the bear- soon a&ter the starto& their a&&air= an- < alwas s+s(e*te- that this was an ill omen> He ha- a7e-ra(i-l -+rin7 his time with La+ra= an- alrea- he looe- o+n7er= with theeen e-7e to his ee that he ha- &irst bro+7ht to the A-ler>

< no--e- to 9ro&essor Arnol-= the /he wo+l- ha$e been ama?e- bthe (resen*e o& her &ormer *ollea7+es : 7re men with han7:+(s the *lin7 tolie *om&ort blanets=" she on*e remare- : an- wo+l- ha$e la+7he- the li- o&&her *o&&in i& she ha- hear- the strai7ht:&a*e- trib+tes to her> 5or ears she ha-na77e- me to lea$e the A-ler an- set +( in (ra*ti*e on m own= *laimin7 thatm loalt to the D+rin7 o+r last earsto7ether= < nee-e- the se*+rit that the A-ler o&&ere-= an- when she resi7ne- to


18/179

set +( a *ons+ltan* o& her own < new that o+r marria7e was o$er>

B+t then se*+rit was not somethin7 that La+ra e$er (reten-e- to o&&er> /a-l= < was &ar too stable an- *a+tio+s &or her> 'n*e she

-eliberatel (ro$oe- me into slammin7 a -oor in her &a*e> A torrent o& bloo-s(ran7 &rom her stron7 nose= abo+t whi*h she ha- alwas been sensiti$e>/tran7el= it was the bloo- on the &a*e o& the in+re- woman b the ba77a7e*aro+sel that ha- &irst ma-e me thin o& La+ra>

Lea$in7 the mo+rners= < strolle- alon7 the -is(la o& &lowers= ea*h a b+rst o&*olo+r that remin-e- me o& another e(losion> The bomb in Terminal 2 ha--etonate- as the ba77a7e on a BA &li7ht &rom 6+ri*h was rea*hin7 the *aro+sel>There ha- been no warnin7= an- no or7ani?ation *laime- res(onsibilit &or allthe -eaths an- in+ries> 4othin7 e(laine- wh these (assen7ers ha- beentar7ete-= a 7ro+( o& ban *o+riers= holi-amaers an- /wiss wi$es $isitin7 theirLon-on:base- h+sban-s> La+ra ha- been s(eain7 to an +rban:st+-ies seminarr+n b 4estle> /he -ie- in the intensi$e:*are +nit at Ash&or- Hos(ital= hal& anho+r be&ore o+r arri$al= her heart torn b a shar- o& the timin7 me*hanism thatha- set o&& the bomb>

< strolle- ba* to the *ha(el= lea$in7 the &lowers to shine their last at thea&ternoon s+n> The mo+rners were ret+rnin7 to their *ars= rea- &or the *onsolin7Montra*het that 9ro&essor Arnol- wo+l- o&&er in lie+ o& a wae> Henr 8en-allstoo- on the *ha(el ste(s= talin7 to a thi*set man with (ale 7in7er hair whowore a shee(sin *oat o$er his s+it> < ha- seen him in the ba* row when He seeme- a&&able an- *on&i-ent= relie$e- thatmore than the &+neral was o$er> All those bo7+s last wor-s> @o+ loo > >>"

5ine= &ine > > >" Henr t+rne- &rom me= a han- &eelin7 his *hee> He wassear*hin7 &or his bear-= aware that his han-some &a*e an- all its inse*+rities

were o(en to the air> 4ot &or the &irst time= < s+s(e*te- that it was nothin7 morethan his loos= an- a *ertain (assi$it= that La+ra &o+n- attra*ti$e> His a&&air with La+ra was in (art an attem(t to &l+sh meo+t> < lie- him= b+t < *o+l- a&&or- to= nowin7 that he wo+l- ne$er be*ome-ire*tor o& the A-ler>

< (ointe- to the man in the shee(sin *oat= now sittin7 alone in the *ar (ar=lar7e han-s restin7 on the steerin7 wheel> Who is he! /ome ol- &lame o&


19/179

La+ra"s!"

< ho(e not> Maor T+llo*h= e:Gibraltar 9oli*e> A bit o& a br+iser> He"s atta*he- tothe Home '&&i*e= in some in- o& antiterrorist +nit>"

He"s looin7 into the Heathrow bomb! An news!"

Har- to mae o+t> Hewante- to tal to o+ be&ore the ser$i*e= b+t o+ looe- a little (reo**+(ie->"

Weren"t o+!"

@es an- no>" Henr smile- shi&til= still testin7 me o+t> A**or-in7 to T+llo*hthe"$e &o+n- a s+s(i*io+s (oster near the ba77a7e re*laim in Terminal 2>"

Conne*te- with the bomb!"

"

'n $iolent -eath! < -on"t thin < ha$e an>"

The"re worrie- abo+t new terrorist 7ro+(s> Thrill:seeers with a taste &orran-om $iolen*e> There"s been a s(ate o& bombin7s re*entl= mostlh+she- +(> "

@o+ owe her nothin7> There are h+n-re-s o& these 7ro+(s> De&en- the 8iller

Whale>F /a$e the /mall(o ir+s>"F

;a*tl= where wo+l- o+ start! T+llo*h a-mits there"s an element o& -an7er>"

Reall! 8ee( *lear= Henr>"

/o+n- a-$i*e> 9erha(s too so+n->" As we shoo han-s= he sai- Tell me= Da$i-: wh -i- o+ -ri$e to the hos(ital! Ash&or- is a lon7 wa &rom /t John"sWoo->"


20/179

We were worrie- abo+t La+ra> An- abo+t o+>"

Goo-> B the wa= La+ra"s han-ba7 > > > !"

"

5air eno+7h> Di- o+ o(en it!"

4o>"

< now the &eelin7> There are some se*rets that none o& +s *an &a*e>"

< wat*he- him -ri$e o&&= lea$in7 me alone with T+llo*h> Wis(s o& smoe rose&rom the *rematori+m *himne while the *omb+stion *hamber warme- to its&ier*est tem(erat+re> There was a (+&& o& -arer smoe= as i& (art o& La+ra ha-&ree- itsel& &rom the -ra7:an*hor o& her bo- : (erha(s a han- that ha- on*e*aresse- me= or the so&t &oot that wo+l- to+*h mine while she sle(t> < wat*he-the smoe risin7= a series o& b+rsts as i& this -ea- woman was si7nallin7 to me>n-er m -ar s+it m shirt was -ren*he- with sweat> Her -eath ha- &ree- me&rom all resentments= all (ain o& memor> < remembere- the +ir o+n7 woman

< ha- met in the bar at the 4ational 5ilm Theatre= an- in$ite- to a late:ni7hts*reenin7 o& Antonioni"s Passenger.

Maor T+llo*h was wat*hin7 me &rom his *ar= while the smoe rose ra(i-l intothe s> < resente- the (resen*e o& this th+77ish (oli*eman= sittin7 in hissla+7hterman"s *oat as m wi&e"s bo- -is(erse- into the s> B+t he new that < new that howe$er -i&&i*+lt it was to rea- the shi&tsin *row- (s*holo7= the moo- o& the (oli*e was im(ossible to (re-i*t>


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&rien-l banter *o+l- t+rn into o+tri7ht hostilit> A&ter a &l+rr o& *on*eale- blows=we wo+l- be &or*e- to with-raw= lea$in7 some 7re:haire- man on the (a$ementwith a broen (la*ar- an- a bloo- nose>

Moggie, moggie, moggie . . . out, out, out!

We s+r7e- a*ross the roa- a7ain= &ists -r+mmin7 on the roo& o& a tai brin7in7more $isitors to the *at show> As we rea*he- the line o& s+rl *onstables 9+she- &orwar- bthe s*r+m o& -emonstrators= < br+she- a7ainst a small (oli*ewoman -war&e- bher male *ollea7+es> /he was looin7 o$er m sho+l-er= +ite +n&ri7htene- bthe nois *row-> Barel *han7in7 her stan*e= she i*e- me twi*e in the ri7htshin>

Mr> Marham! Are o+ all ri7ht! Lean on me > > >"

The o+n7 woman with the CAT Bent -o+ble in the s*r+m o& (oli*e an- (rotesters= < oine- theretreat a*ross Hammersmith Roa-= lim(in7 anho((in7 on one le7>

That was $i*io+s> Totall +n(ro$oe-> Mr> Marham= *an o+ breathe!"

Lieable an- intense= An7ela was a *om(+ter (ro7rammer in 8in7ston with ah+sban- an- two *hil-ren> We ha- teame- +( soon a&ter o+r arri$al at'lm(ia= bo+7ht ti*ets an- *arrie- o+t a re*onnaissan*e o& the $ast *atshow= with its &i$e h+n-re- ehibitors an- its (o(+lation o& the worl-"s most(am(ere- (ets>

< 7ri((e- her han- an- sat on the entran*e ste(s o& a blo* E& mansion &lats>Rollin7 +( m tro+sers= < to+*he- the h+7e bloo-:br+ises alrea- &ormin7>

/he nast> < hate to ima7ine what"s she"s lie in be->"

ns(eaable> Don"t e$en thin abo+t it>" An7ela stare- a*ross the roa- withnarrowe- ees an- all a s+b+rbanite"s +nlimite- *a(a*it &or moral o+tra7e>Walin7 aro+n- the ehibition two ho+rs earlier= < was im(resse- b her+nswer$in7 *ommitment to the wel&are o& these l++rio+s (ets> The (rotest rallies< ha- re*entl atten-e- a7ainst 7lobali?ation= n+*lear (ower an- the Worl-Ban were $iolent b+t well tho+7ht o+t> B *ontrast= this -emonstrationa7ainst the 'lm(ia *at show seeme- en-earin7l +ioti* in its -eta*hment&rom realit> < trie- to (oint this o+t to An7ela as we strolle- alon7 the lines o&*a7es>

An7ela= the loo so ha(( > > >" < 7est+reat the e+isite *reat+res : 9ersians=8orats an- R+ssian bl+es= B+rmese an- *olo+r(oint short:hairs= -rowsin7 ontheir imma*+late straw= *oats (+&&e- an- 7leamin7 a&ter their sham(oos an-sets> The"re won-er&+ll *are- &or> We"re trin7 to res*+e them &rom hea$en>"

An7ela ne$er $arie- her ste(> How -o o+ now!" J+st wat*h them>" Westo((e- in &ront o& a row o& Abssinians so -ee(l immerse- in the l++r o&


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bein7 themsel$es that the barel noti*e- the a-mirin7 *row-s> The"re notea*tl +nha((> The"- be (rowlin7 aro+n-= trin7 to 7et o+t o& the *a7es>"

The"re -r+77e->" An7ela"s brows notte-> Mr> Marham= no li$in7 *reat+resho+l- be *a7e-> This isn"t a *at show= it"s a *on*entration *am(>"

/till= the are rather 7or7eo+s>"The"re bre- &or -eath= not li&e> The rest o& the litter are -rowne- at birth> > >"

We *om(lete- o+r *ir*+it o& the +((er 7aller> An7ela note- the eits= the an*ientele$ators an- stairs= the &ire es*a(es an- s+r$eillan*e *ameras> The 7ro+n-&loor was -ominate- b man+&a*t+rers" stan-s= -is(las o& health toni*s &or *ats=tos an- *limbin7 &rames= *osmeti*s an- 7roomin7 its> ;$er worl-l (leas+re a*at *o+l- e(erien*e was la$ishl (ro$i-e->

B+t lo7i* was not the stron7est s+it o& the (rotest mo$ements= as < ha- &o+n--+rin7 the (ast two months> 'n the -a a&ter La+ra"s &+neral < be7an to s*an thelistin7s ma7a?ines an- internet sites &or -etails o& the more etreme (rotestrallies= sear*hin7 &or &rin7e 7ro+(s with a taste &or $iolen*e> 'ne o& these&anati*al se*ts= &r+strate- b its &ail+re to (+n*t+re the so&t +n-erbell o&bo+r7eois li&e= mi7ht ha$e set o&& the Heathrow bomb>

< -e*i-e- not to *onta*t Maor T+llo*h an- the Home '&&i*e= who wo+l- ha$ean a7en-a o& their own an- write o&& the Heathrow atro*it when it no lon7erser$e- their (+r(ose> The (oli*e= Henr 8en-all tol- me= were main7 little(ro7ress in their in$esti7ation> The now -is*o+nte- the hol-all with its a+-io:

*assette st+&&e- into the la$ator air $ent near the Terminal 2 *aro+sel> Them+--le- threats abo+t Thir-:Worl- to+rism belon7e- to the -el+-e- min-:set o&some ba*(a*er ret+rnin7 &rom Goa or 8athman-+= hea- *lo+-e- b (ot an-am(hetamines>

The &orensi* teams ha- *ombe- thro+7h e$er &ra7ment o& 7lass= metal an-(lasti*> C+rio+sl= the &o+n- no tra*e o& a barometri* -e$i*e -esi7ne- to set o&&a mi-:air e(losion> The bomb ha- been &+rnishe- with an a*i-:*a(s+le tri77er=(robabl (rime- no more than &i$e min+tes be&ore the e(losion> 4ot onl ha-La+ra"s -eath been meanin7less= b+t the iller was almost *ertainl amon7 the&leein7 *row- we ha- wat*he- on tele$ision>

9rotest mo$ements= sane an- insane= sensible an- abs+r-= to+*he- almoste$er as(e*t o& li&e in Lon-on= a $ast web E& -emonstrations that ta((e- a-es(erate nee- &or a more meanin7&+l worl-> There was s*ar*el a h+mana*ti$it that was not the tar7et o& a *on*erne- 7ro+( rea- to s(en- its weeen-s(i*etin7 laboratories= mer*hant bans an- n+*lear:&+el -e(ots= tr+-7in7 +(m+-- lanes to -e&en- a ba-7er sett= lin7 a*ross a motorwa to halt the re$ile-ra*e enem o& all -emonstrators= the internal *omb+stion en7ine>

5ar &rom bein7 on the &rin7e= these 7ro+(s were now (art o& the *o+ntr"s *i$i*


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tra-itions= alon7 with the Lor- Maor"s (ara-e= As*ot wee an- Henle Re7atta>At times= as < oine- a -emonstration a7ainst animal e(eriments or Thir-:Worl--ebt= < sense- that a (rimiti$e reli7ion was bein7 born= a &aith in sear*h o& a 7o-to worshi(> Con7re7ations roame- the streets= h+n7r &or a *harismati* &i7+rewho wo+l- emer7e sooner or later &rom the wil-erness o& a s+b+rban sho((in7

mall an- s*ent a (romisin7 win- o& (assion an- *re-+lit>/all was m &iel- resear*her= s*annin7 the net &or a-$an*e news o& obs*+re(rotest rallies= an- onl too een to hel(> Both o& +s ha- been shaen bLa+ra"s -eath= /all more than < e(e*te-> sin7 her sti*s a7ain= she mo$e-aro+n- the ho+se with the same wrist -etermination she ha- shown in the(hsiothera( +nit at /t Mar"s where < ha- &irst *o+rte- her> /he was ret+rnin7to the (erio- o& wo+n-e- time when she was obsesse- with 5ri-a 8ahlo an-their share- tram a**i-ents>

5rom the ba*s o& halls= an- behin- the barri*a-es at (rotest meetin7s= B+t in &a*t almost all the-emonstrators were 7oo-:h+mo+re- members o& the mi--le *lass K le$el:hea-e- st+-ents an- health:*are (ro&essionals= -o*tors" wi-ows an-7ran-mothers worin7 on '(en ni$ersit -e7ree *o+rses> /ome (ri* o&*ons*ien*e= some lon7:-ormant *ommitment to (rin*i(le= bro+7ht them o+tinto the *ol- an- rain>

The onl &ri7htenin7 (eo(le < met were the (oli*e an- tele$ision *rews> The(oli*e were morose an- +n(re-i*table= (aranoi- abo+t an *hallen7e to theira+thorit> The tele$ision re(orters were little more than a7ents (ro$o*ate+rs=&ore$er *rin7 to (ro(el the (ea*e&+l (rotests into $iolent a*tion= ne+tralit was

the most *on&rontational stan*e o& all= while the nearest < *ame to an e(onento& (oliti*al $iolen*e was An7ela= the 8in7ston ho+sewi&e an- *at lo$er>

As < sat on the ste(s o& the mansion blo*= she (ro-+*e- antise(ti* s(ra an-s+r7i*al lint &rom her a*et> /he *leane- m wo+n-s an- s(rae- the stin7in7$a(o+r o$er the weals> All the while she e(t a bale&+l ee on the (oli*ewoman=now threatenin7 to arrest two **lists who ha- sto((e- to obser$e the -emo>

5eel better!" An7ela &lee- m nee> "

@o+ ne$er -o>"

< (ointe- to the me-i*al it> @o+ were e(e*tin7 tro+ble!"'& *o+rse> 9eo(le &eel $er stron7l>"

5or the *ats!"

The"re (oliti*al (risoners> /tart e(erimentin7 on animals an- h+man bein7swill be net>" /he smile- with s+r(risin7 sweetness an- isse- m &orehea-= a&iel- -e*oration &or a $aliant troo(er> With a wa$e= she le&t me to loo a&termsel&>


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To+*he- b her warmth= < wat*he- the (rotesters re7ro+( an- mae a se*on-attem(t to blo* the ehibition hall"s entran*e &oer anti*et o&&i*e> 9la*ar-srose into the air= an- a (ole *arrie- a small *a7e o**+(ie- b a st+&&e- marmala-e*at= (aws han-*+&&e- thro+7h the bars> A stream o& ellow (lasti* *on&etti str+*the (oli*ewoman= -ribblin7 a*ross her +ni&orm Ja*et> Br+shin7 the sti*

threa-s &rom her *hin= she ste((e- into the 7ro+( o& -emonstrators an- trie- tosei?e the aerosol *an &rom a o+n7 man in a ti7er mas>

An +7l str+77le broe o+t= blo*in7 the tra&&i* in Hammersmith Roa-= a serieso& r+nnin7 s*+&&les that le&t hal& a -o?en mi--le:a7e- (rotesters sittin7 st+nne-besi-e the wheels o& stalle- tais> B+t < was wat*hin7 An7ela as she *rosse- theroa-= han-s -ee( in the (o*ets o& her a*et> /he i7nore- the -emonstratorswrestlin7 with the (oli*e= an- hel- the arm o& a (ontaile- man who ste((e-&rom the (a$ement to oin her>

< stoo- +( an- ma-e m wa towar-s the ehibition hall= walin7 thro+7h thestartle- to+rists an- *+rio+s (assers:b who were millin7 abo+t in the *entreo& the roa-> An7ela an- her (ontaile- *om(anion mo$e- thro+7h the entran*e&oer= arms aro+n- ea*h other"s waists= lie lo$ers immerse- in their ownworl->

< was &ollowin7 them (ast the ti*et o&&i*e when < hear- a th+n-er&lashe(lo-e in the ehibition hall> /tartle- b the harsh air b+rst= an- the re:e*ho o&slamme- -oors= the $isitors aro+n- me &lin*he- an- -+*e- behin- ea*h other>

A se*on- th+n-er&lash -etonate- in the o$erhea- 7aller= li7htin7 +( the mirrorsin the anti+e li&ts> An el-erl *o+(le in &ront o& me st+mble- into a (rami- o&

ewelle- &lea *ollars= throwin7 it to the &loor in a 7a+- s(rawl>

A $iolent str+77le was tain7 (la*e amon7 the *a7es on the main &loor>An7ela an- the (ontaile- man &or*e- their wa thro+7h the *on&+se- bree-ers

an- wren*he- the -oors o&& the -is(la h+t*hes> < 7+esse- that a 7ro+( o&in&iltrators ha- been waitin7 &or the (oli*e to be -istra*te- b the *ommotionin Hammersmith Roa-= 7i$in7 them time to *arr o+t their a*tion>

< lim(e- a&ter An7ela= aware that she wo+l- be no mat*h &or the o+tra7e-bree-ers> A (oli*e ser7eant an- two *onstables o$ertoo me thro+7h the*row-= -+*in7 their hea-s as a thir- th+n-er&lash e(lo-e- insi-e a sales(a$ilion &ille- with +ilte- basets>

A lar7e *at= a sleel 7roome- Maine Coon= streae- towar-s +s= (a+se- to7et its bearin7s in the &orest &loor o& h+man le7s= an- -arte- between theser7eant"s boots> The si7ht o& this liberate- *reat+re sent a s(asm o& ra7e

thro+7h the onlooers> 'ne o& the *onstables bl+n-ere- into me= (+she- measi-e an- ran a&ter An7ela> Her (ontaile- *om(anion bran-ishe- a *an o& tear7as= hol-in7 ba* a *ir*le o& bree-ers while An7ela sna((e- the *a7e lo*swith a (air o& *+tters>

The ser7eant h+rle- An7ela"s *ollea7+e asi-e= str+* the *+tters &rom herhan-s an- sei?e- her sho+l-ers &rom behin-> He li&te- her into the air lie a*hil- an- threw her at his &eet amon7 the saw-+st an- s*attere- rosettes> As


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he li&te- her a7ain= rea- to h+rl this small an- st+nne- woman to the *ement&loor= < ran &orwar- an- 7ri((e- his arm>

Less than a min+te later < was lin7 on the &loor= m &a*e in the saw-+st=han-s *+&&e- behin- me> < ha- been $i*io+sl i*e- b the an7r bree-ers=sho+tin7 -own m (leas that < was -e&en-in7 a 8in7ston ho+sewi&e= *at lo$er

an- mother o& two>

< rolle- onto m ba*= as the sirens so+n-e- in Hammersmith Roa- an- the'lm(ia lo+-s(eaers +r7e- $isitors to remain *alm> The (rotest ha- en-e- an-the last *or-ite $a(o+r &rom the th+n-er&lashes -ri&te- +n-er the *eilin7 li7hts>Bree-ers strai7htene- their *a7es an- *om&orte- their r+&&le- (ets= an- asaleswoman reb+ilt the (rami- o& &lea *ollars> An7ela an- the (ontaile- manha- sli((e- awa= b+t the (oli*e b+n-le- se$eral han-*+&&e- -emonstratorstowar-s the eit>

Two (oli*e o&&i*ers li&te- me to m &eet> The o+n7er= a bla* *onstable ba&&le-b the h+7e mena7erie o& *ats an- the attention la$ishe- on them= -+ste- the

straw &rom m a*et> He waite- as < trie- to breathe thro+7h m br+ise- ribs>@o+ ha$e somethin7 a7ainst *ats!" he ase->

J+st a7ainst *a7es>"

Too ba-> @o+"re 7oin7 into one>"

< inhale- -ee(l= looin7 at the o$erhea- li7hts> < reali?e- that a se*on- o-o+rha- re(la*e- the tan7 o& *or-ite> As the th+n-er&lashes e(lo-e-= a tho+san-terri&ie- *reat+res ha- oine- in a *olle*ti$e a*t o& (ani*= an- the ehibitionhall was &ille- with the (otent sten*h o& &eline +rine>

' - Res(ue

A L;// BRAC M soli*itor rattle- o&& m (ro&essional +ali&i*ations= la* o& a


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27/179

an- her &ellow:a**+se- were (art o& some e$an7eli*al 7ro+(= a *ran 4ew A7e*+lt trin7 to (er&orm a stone:a7e solsti*e rit+al in the atri+m o& a sho((in7mall>

< ma-e m wa o+t o& the *o+rtroom= een to 7et ba* to sanit= /all an- mwor at the /all ha- a7ree- not to atten- the hearin7= sa$in7 me an

&+rther embarrassment> The sear*h &or La+ra"s illers wo+l- ha$e to tae someother *o+rse= or be le&t to the (oli*e an- the antiterrorist +nits>

< ease- msel& thro+7h the *row- o& relati$es an- witnesses in the lobb=*ons*io+s o& the +n(leasant s*ent that rose &rom m shirt= a me-le o& sweatan- 7+ilt> He t+rne-s+--enl an- *olli-e- into me= his elbow *at*hin7 m *hest= then 7ri((e- marms in a(olo7 an- (l+n7e- awa thro+7h the *row->

A r+sh o& (ain tore at m breastbone= as i& m br+ise- r ibs ha- been o(ene-to the air> Barel able to breathe= s te((e- into the -al i7ht o&

Hammersmith Gro$e= an- trie- to &la7 -own a (assin7 tai= b+t the e&&ort o&raisin7 m arm le&t me win-e-> < leane- a7ainst the stone lion on thebal+stra-e= an- the (oli*eman on -+t wa$e- me awa &rom the*o+rtho+se ste(s as i& < were a totterin7 wino>

< ste((e- into the *row-e- l+n*h ho+r= &ille- with o&&i*e sta&& hea-in7 &or thesan-wi*h bars> All the air in the street ha- $anishe-> < was abo+t to &aint= an-ha- the -es(erate notion that i& < la on the (a$ement someone wo+l- thinthat < was -in7 an- *all an amb+lan*e>

Han-s on m nees= < reste- a7ainst a (are- *ar= an- mana7e- to -raw alittle air into m l+n7s> Then a woman"s arm 7ri((e- me aro+n- the waist>

Restin7 a7ainst her hi(= < *o+l- smell a hea- blen- o& (er&+me an- woollens+itin7= o$erlai- b (ers(iration bro+7ht on b sheer in-i7nation= an +nsettlin7a+ra that ma-e me loo +( at her>

Mr> Marham! < thin o+ *o+l- +se some hel(> @o+"re not -r+n!"

4ot et> < *an"t breathe

< stare- into the stron7 &a*e o& the woman who ha- haran7+e- thema7istrates> /he was wat*hin7 me with 7en+ine *on*ern= b+t also an element o&*al*+lation= one han- on the mobile (hone in her ba7= as i& < were a (ossiblere*r+it to her e$an7eli*al *ell>

4ow= tr to stan->" /he (ro((e- me a7ainst the *ar= anwa$e- *heeril to thewat*hin7 *onstable> 9oli*e *o+rts *reate their own *rime wa$es> @o+ loo aw&+l : what ha((ene-to o+!"

< br+ise- a rib=" < e(laine-> /omeone i*e- me>"

At 'lm(ia! A (oli*e boot= < bet>"

Cat lo$ers> The"re $er $iolent>"


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Reall! What were o+ -oin7 to the (oor mo7s!" Almost *arrin7 me= shesear*he- the lines o& (are- *ars> Let"s 7et to somewhere sa&e> < now a-o*tor who *an loo at o+> Belie$e me= nothin7 brin7s o+t $iolen*e lie a(ea*e&+l Demonstration>"

) - &** Man &ut

/TR'4GHA4D//T;;R;Dm hea- &rom the *ar an- hel(e- me towar-s a &ront-oor besi-e a ba win-ow *o$ere- with (rotest sti*ers> 8a Ch+r*hill= thewoman who ha- *ome to m ai-= (+t her sho+l-er to the -oor an- &or*e- ito(en= as i& lea-in7 a (oli*e rai-> < ass+me- that we were breain7 into an+no**+(ie- ho+se somewhere in Chelsea= b+t she stro-e *on&i-entl into thehall an- tosse- her *ar es onto the *oat stan-> /he sni&&e- the air= *learl+ns+re whether she lie- her own bo- s*ent= an- be*one- me to &ollow her>

5rame- &ilm (osters h+n7 in the li$in7 room= s*owlin7 sam+rai &rom a 8+rosawae(i*= a s*reamin7 woman &rom Battleship Potemkin. 8a li&te- a (ile o& s*ri(ts

&rom a leather arm*hair an- ease- me amon7 the *+shions= waitin7 with anen*o+ra7in7 smile +ntil < starte- to breathe> ;a7er to *are &or a &ellow-emonstrator who ha- been br+tali?e- b the (oli*e= she &o+n- a small bottle o&whis amon7 the s*ri(ts an- (ro-+*e- a t+mbler &rom her -es -rawer> /heno--e- a((ro$in7l as < inhale- the hea- $a(o+r>

9oor man : o+ nee-e- that> Those bastar-s reall ha- a 7o:

" /heleane- &orwar-> Mr> Marham! /till there!"

Ri7ht> @o+ now m name!"< hear- the *ler *all o+>" /he sat on the arm o& the settee= ti7ht sirte(osin7 her thi7hs> /he was 7enero+s an- lieable= i& o$erl sel&:*ons*io+s=an- +se- to bein7 the *entre o& attention> 5or all her &rien-liness= she was*+rio+s abo+t me= as i& < &aile- somehow to *on$in*e her> D+rin7 the o+rne&rom the ma7istrates" *o+rt she -ro$e with one han- on the wheel o& her9olo= the other rea*hin7 between the &ront seats to hol- m sho+l-er= *he*in7that < was still ali$e> A&ter intro-+*in7 hersel&= she e(t a *lose ee on the rear:$iew mirror>

The *ler!" < si((e- the shar( whis> The *o+rt was a ma-ho+se> Whate$erthe -ish o+t there= it isn"t +sti*e>"

@o+ -i-n"t -o too ba-l> Criminal -ama7e= settin7 o&& e(losi$es= assa+ltin7 the(oli*e! ;$en &or a &irst o&&en*e= a &ine was (rett lenient>"

< *an"t e(lain it> Belie$e me= < -on"t wor &or the se*+rit ser$i*es>"

< -i-n"t thin so>" /he no--e- to hersel&= 7i$in7 me the bene&it o& the -o+bt>/till= we *an"t be too *are&+l> '+r an*ient -emo*ra* has its ees an- earse$erwhere : *ameras in tea(ots= mi*ro(hones behin- the *hint?> ;$er time o+


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tae a (ee some se*+rit man at M< % is main7 a note o& o+r manhoo->We all -o it> Those ol- to7s o+"re wearin7 : < tae it the"re o+r -is7+ise!"

" < trie- to strai7hten the la(els o& the shin herrin7bone s+it> < bo+7htit &rom o+r 7ar-ener> < -i-n"t want to loo too > > >"Mi--le *lass!"

We"re s+((ose- to now better> Anwa= we"re -ee(l +n&ashionable now>9eo(le thin we nee- a 7oo- i*in7>"We -o>" /he s(oe matter:o&:&a*tl= as i& *on&irmin7 a *han7e in the weather>@o+r soli*itor 7a$e the 7ame awa> Da$i- Marham= *ons+ltant (s*holo7ist tonile$er an- B9> 4ow o+"re &i7htin7 with the (oli*e an- trin7 to *han7e theworl-> @o+"re l+* o+ weren"t lo*e- +(>"

An- what abo+t o+! The Chinese 7irl an- the *ler7man!"

/o+n-s lie a Barto o(era>" /he sear*he- &or her mobile> He sho+l- be in the theatre b now>"

'(eratin7!"

9+ttin7 on a (la written b his (atients> Queen Diana.

That so+n-s rather to+*hin7>"

4o= sa-l> The"re Down"s *hil-ren> > " < trie- to stan- +(> " /he (la*e- a &irm han- on m &orehea-> @o+r wi&e -oesn"t want o+ -in7in the ba* o& a *ab> Besi-es= < nee- o+ to hel( +s with o+r net (roe*t > > >" /he ha- bro+7ht me home o+t o&7en+ine *on*ern &or me= b+t alrea- < &elt that < was be*omin7 a (risoner> < laba* in the arm*hair= s*annin7 what < *o+l- see o& this s*r+&&il attra*ti$e ho+se=so -i&&erent &rom o+r &ormal (ile in /t John"s Woo-= &+rnishe- b a ri*h man"s-a+7hter en-owe- with too m+*h 7oo- taste> < lie- the &aint smell o& (ot= 7arli*an- o+tra7eo+s (er&+mes> Chil-ren"s -rawin7s were (inne- to the mantel(ie*e=staine- with wine tosse- into the &ire(la*e= b+t it was *lear that 8a Ch+r*hillli$e- alone> D+st la on the *o&&ee table an- writin7 -es= a nimb+s that seeme-lie an e*to(lasmi* (resen*e= a (arallel worl- with its own memories an-re7rets>

A s*hool b+s mo$e- (ast the win-ow= &ille- with small 7irls in &elt hats an- (+r(le

bla?ers= the +ni&orm o& an e*l+si$e (ri$ate (rimar= whose &ees wo+l- e-+*atean entire ;ast ;n- bant+stan> < was sittin7 somewhere in Chelsea Marina= anestate o& ee*+ti$e ho+sin7 to the so+th o& the 8in7"s Roa- an-= to m min-=the heart o& another in- o& -arness>

B+ilt on the site o& a &ormer 7aswors= Chelsea Marina was -esi7ne- &or asalarie- (ro&essional *lass een to (reser$e its tribal totems : (ri$atee-+*ation= a -inner:(art *+lt+re= an- a ne$er:to:be:a-mitte- -istaste &or thelower" or-ers= whi*h in*l+-e- Cit -ealers= &inan*ial *ons+ltants= re*or-


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in-+str (ro-+*ers an- the l+m(en:intelli7entsia o& news(a(er *ol+mnists an-a-:men> All these were bla*balle- b the a-missions *ommittee= tho+7hmost wo+l- ha$e &o+n- Chelsea Marina too mo-est an- well bre- &or theirran7ier tastes>

As 8a (a*e- the hall= s(eain7 into her (hone= < won-ere- how she &itte- into

this en*la$e o& mi--le:*lass -e*or+m> /he was tellin7 o&& a l+*less hos(italre*e(tionist= raisin7 her $oi*e to a &ishwi&e shrie as she -es*ribe- m *hestin+ries an- liel brain -ama7e> All the while= she was wat*hin7 hersel&a-mirin7l in the *oat:stan- mirror> When she (o+re- a t+mbler o& /*ot*h

Dr Go+l-"s on his wa>" /he sat on the arm o& m *hair an- *he*e- m ees=brin7in7 her bo- *lose to me> A*t+all= o+ loo better>"

Goo-> Anthin7 to 7et awa &rom that *o+rt>" < (ointe- to the +iet street beon-the ba win-ow> /o this is Chelsea Marina> The whole was (+r(ose:b+ilt &or the res(onsiblemi--le *lass= b+t

it"s t+rnin7 into a hi7h:(ri*e- sl+m> 4o Cit bon+ses here= no share o(tions or*om(an *re-it *ar-s> A lot o& +s are reall stret*he-> That"s wh we"re wain7+( an- -oin7 somethin7 abo+t it> We"re hol-in7 a series o& street -emos>"

The (roblem is the streets all lea- to the nearest (oli*e *o+rt>"

We *an *o(e with that> Remember= the (oli*e are ne+tral :the hate e$erbo->Bein7 law:abi-in7 has nothin7 to -o with bein7 a 7oo- *iti?en> "

/o+n- a-$i*e>" < *a+7ht msel& breathin7 too -ee(l= an- ease- the air &rom ml+n7s> Learn the r+les= an- o+ *an 7et awa with anthin7>"

That"s alwas a sho* to the mi--le *lasses>" /he ran a &in7er thro+7h the-+st on the *o&&ee table= lie a ba*teriolo7ist s+r(rise- b a new 7rowth in a 9etri-ish> What was 7oin7 on at 'lm(ia!"

4othin7 > > >" < waite- as 8a settle- hersel& on the settee= rea- to listen to me=an- reali?e- that this stron7:wille- an- attra*ti$e woman was lonel> < wastem(te- to -es*ribe m sear*h &or the Heathrow bomber= b+t she was a littletoo wat*h&+l> /he ha- hear- m statement to the ma7istrates= an- (robablass+me- that < was in$ol$e- in the (rotest mo$ements at a more serio+s le$el>De&ensi$el= < a--e- A *at show :so+n-s tri$ial= b+t it rea*hes the hea-lines> " /he no--e- $i7oro+sl> We nee- to +nsettle them>


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to be sin*ere : the ass+me o+"re a whinin7 Trot or some -ott ol- -ear> @o+ha$e to sti* o+r ne* o+t> "

< (ointe- with m 7lass to the wall (osters> @o+"re a mo$ie *riti*!"

< tea*h &ilm st+-ies at /o+th Ban ni$ersit> 'r -i->"

8+rosawa= 8limo$= Bresson > > > !"

The last 7as(> A&ter that *ame entertainment>"

5air eno+7h>" Thewhis seale- in the (ain= as lon7 < sat still> < s*anne- the titles (rinte- on theh+n-re-s o& $i-eos (a*e- into the shel$es behin- the -es> 4o Ameri*an&ilms!"

< -on"t lie *omi* stri(s>"

5ilm noir!"

Bla* is a $er sentimental *olo+r> @o+ *an hi-e an r+bbish behin- it> Hollwoo-

&li*s are &+n= i& o+r i-ea o& a 7oo- time is a hamb+r7er an- a mil shae>Ameri*a in$ente- the mo$ies so it wo+l- ne$er nee- to 7row +(> We ha$e an7st=-e(ression an- mi--le:a7e- re7ret> The ha$e Hollwoo->"

Goo- &or them>" < (ointe- to the &ol-ers on the *o&&ee table> /*ri(t s+bmissions!"

5rom m *lass> < tho+7ht the nee-e- a -a tri( to realit> There"s too m+*har7on aro+n- : $oe+rism an- the male 7a?eF= *astration anietiesF> Maristtheor:s(ea swallowin7 its own tail>"

B+t o+ *+re- that!"

< tol- them to tae their *ameras into the be-room an- mae a (orn &ilm>

5+*in7 is what the -o in their s(are time= so wh not loo at it thro+7h a*amera lens! The wo+l-n"t learn m+*h abo+t se= b+t the"- learn a lot abo+t&ilm>"

An- that went -own a treat!"

The lo$e- it= b+t the -ean o& st+-ies wasn"t im(resse-> < m on s+s(ension +ntilthe wor o+t how to han-le me>"

+ite a *hallen7e>"

< tho+7ht so too> /o= with all this time on m han-s= < -e*i-e- to start are$ol+tion>"

A re$ol+tion!" < trie- to seem im(resse-> /he a((eare- e-7 an- &r+strate-=starin7 at the &rae- *ar(et lie an a*tress -e(ri$e- o& her a+-ien*e> There$ol+tion= when it arri$e-= wo+l- at least (ro$i-e a 7oo- s*ri(t an- some$al+able (arts>

@o+ (+t on a 7reat show this mornin7=" < tol- her>


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a hol o&&i*e>"

/o the /he(her-"s B+sh (rotest was reli7io+s!"

4ot &or /te(hen> 9oor bo= he"s one o& those (riests who &eels obli7e- to -o+bthis Go-> /till= it maes him +se&+l to ha$e aro+n-= es(e*iall on a -emo>"

Twent:se$en (o+n-s worth o& -ama7e! What -i- o+ -o K +(set a litter bin!"

We tore -own some (osters>" /he sh+--ere- with 7en+ine re$+lsion>Corr+(tin7 st+&&>"

n7o-l!"

Dee(l se-+*ti$e>"

At a sho((in7 mall! What was this! A (ro:$i$ise*tion rea-in7 room!"

A tra$el a7en*>" /he t+rne- to &a*e me= *hin raise-> As it ha((ens= we"rea7ainst the whole *on*e(t o& tra$el>"

Wh!"

To+rism is the 7reat so(ori&i*> "

B+t it"s another *on!"

Com(lete> To-a"s to+rist 7oes nowhere>" /he s(oe *on&i-entl= with the sel&:ass+ran*e o& a le*t+rer ne$er interr+(te- b her a+-ien*e= hol-in7 &orth in thisshabb li$in7 room in her (assionate wa> All the +(7ra-es in eisten*e

lea- to the same air(orts an- resort hotels= the same (ina *ola-a b+llshit>The to+rists smile at their tans an- their shin teeth anthin the"re ha((>B+t the s+ntans hi-e who the reall are : salar sla$es= with hea-s &+ll o&

Ameri*an r+bbish> Tra$el is the last &antas the 2'th Cent+r le&t +s= the-el+sion that 7oin7 somewhere hel(s o+ rein$ent o+r sel&:

An- that *an"t be -one!"

There"s nowhere to 7o> The (lanet is &+ll> @o+ mi7ht as well sta at home an-s(en- the mone on *ho*olate &+-7e>"

The Thir* Worl* +ains somethin+

The Thir- Worl-I" Her $oi*e rose to a -erisi$e hoot> Gan7s o& *oolies who mithe *ement an- la the r+nwas> A sele*t &ew 7et to mi the *o*tails an- lathe to+rists>"

Har- 7rin-= b+t a li$in7>"

The"re the real $i*tims> Go-=


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< hel- m ribs= no lon7er thinin7 o& whether < *o+l- wal as &ar as the 8in7"sRoa-> 8a Ch+r*hill was la+n*he- into a well:rehearse- rant= *o+ntin7 o&& the*hi((e- bea-s in her *ate*hism o& obsessions> A**or-in7 to Henr 8en-all= theta(e &o+n- in the Heathrow air $ent ha- *ontaine- a similar tira-e> < remembere-the amate+r $i-eo o& La+ra lin7 amon7 the 7lass an- s+it*ases= an- listene-

to 8a a--ressin7 her real a+-ien*e= the wear ma7istrates who wo+l- &inall*onsi7n her to a *ell in Hollowa> B+t ha- she hear- onthe (rotest 7ra(e$ine o& the *aro+sel atta*= an- &e- the Heathrow tra7e-into her in&lame- worl-:$iew!

Da$i-!" /he sat besi-e me= a motherl han- on m &orehea-> < enoe- o+r *hat>"

iolen*e isn"t &or me= 8a>"

9lease= < -on"t want $iolen*e>" 5rom her li(s a so&t s*ent breathe- o$er me> 4otet> B+t the time ma *ome sooner than (eo(le thin>"

< looe- +( at her war b+t -etermine- &a*e= at her +ne$en teeth an-stea- ees> < 7+esse- that &or ears she ha- been -eta*hin7 hersel& &rom thereal worl-= an- in her min- ro-e a 7host train thro+7h a &air7ro+n- she ha-b+ilt hersel&>

There was a bomb at Heathrow=" < remin-e- her> Two months a7o> 9eo(le wereille->"

That was -rea-&+l>" /he 7ri((e- m han-s in sm(ath> Meanin7less= tho+7h>9eo(le who +se $iolen*e ha$e to be res(onsible> A&ter a *o-a o& obli7ator throttle wor= a Harle:Da$i-sona((roa*he- the erb an- sto((e- besi-e 8a"s 9olo> The ri-er= in &+ll bier"s7ear= swit*he- o&& the en7ine an- sat ba* to sa$o+r the last tan7 o& theeha+st> Behin- him on the (illion was a small Chinese woman in a 9+&&a

a*et= helmet hi-in7 her &a*e> < ha- seen them both at the ma7istrates" *o+rt=b+t now the seeme- less -em+re>

The sat to7ether= bla* astrona+ts o& the roa-= in no h+rr to -ismo+nt=

(re(arin7 themsel$es &or re:entr into the non:bier worl-> 8a wa$e- to them&rom the win-ow= b+t neither a*nowle-7e- her= immerse- in the ar*ane&ormalities o& +nb+*lin7 the *li(s an- (ress st+-s that hel- their *ost+mesto7ether>

< nee- to 7et home>" With a h+7e e&&ort < mana7e- to stan-= (ro((e- +(ri7ht bthe ballast o& al*ohol> The lo*al $i*ar! He was at Hammersmith Gro$e thismornin7> < nee- a -o*tor= not the last rites>"


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"

Gro+n-e-! He"s a (ilot!"

As it ha((ens= he was> Tho+7h that isn"t what < meant> He was a &lin7 $i*ar inthe 9hili((ines= islan-:ho((in7 with the wor- o& Go-> Then he *rash:lan-e- on

the wron7 islan->"He *an"t &l!"

/(irit+all> Lie o+= he"s +ns+re abo+t e$erthin7>"

An- the Chinese 7irl!"

Joan Chan7> /he"s his na$i7ator= steerin7 him thro+7h the -ar woo- o& theworl->"

< listene- to the so+n- o& hea$ boots on the stone (ath> M hea- was *learin7=as the anestheti* e&&e*ts o& the whis ra(i-l &a-e-> /omewhere insi-e m*hest a Rottweiler ha- woen &rom its slee( an- was eein7 the worl->

Da$i-= tr to rest> Do*tor"s *omin7 > > >"

/milin7 at me in the in-est wa= 8a too m han-s an- steere- me towar-sthe settee> Behin- the li$in7:room -oor was a (oster o& The Thir Man, a stillshowin7 Ali-a alli= a ha+nte- ;+ro(ean bea+t who e(resse- all themelan*hol o& (ost:war ;+ro(e> B+t the (oster remin-e- me o& another CarolRee- &ilm= abo+t a wo+n-e- 7+nman on the r+n= mani(+late- an- betrae-b the stran7ers with whom he so+7ht re&+7e>

Trin7 to stea- msel& as 8a went to the -oor= < reali?e- that < was a (risoner inthis mo-est ho+se= tra((e- amon7 the Breams o& melo-ramas < ha- seen earsearlier with La+ra at the 4ational 5ilm Theatre> < *o+l- hear leather a*ets

+n?i((e-in

the hall= el*ro stri(s torn ba*= an- $oi*es that tale- o& (oli*ehea$:han-e-ness= an +nname- -o*tor an- then= $er -istin*tl= Heathrow> The-oorbell ran7 a7ain as < trie- to *alm the Rottweiler insi-e m *hest an-sl+m(e- to m nees on the -+st *ar(et>

8 - The Sleepwalkers

W'M;4M';DG;4TL@aro+n- me= easin7 o&& m shoes an- loosenin7 m belt>The Chinese 7irl leane- o$er the settee an- +nb+ttone- m shirt> A &aint b+te(ensi$e s*ent &loate- between +s= the tan7 o& an +n+s+al tooth(aste= hintso& the &irst:*lass la$atories on lon7:ha+l Catha 9a*i&i* &li7hts= a -ream o& sable*oats an- Hon7 8on7 boar-in7 lo+n7es>

Then a harsher o-o+r inter$ene-= the *oarse (etrole+m ree o& l+bri*atin7 oil>The bier:*ler7man= /te(hen Deter= li&te- m hea- onto a *or-e- *+shionhan-e- to him b 8a> His hea$ th+mbs to+*he- m &orehea-= the *las( o& a(riest s+mmonin7 a so+l into the li7ht>

There was another &i7+re in the room= a slim man in a bla* s+it whose &a*e < 7+esse- this was the -o*tor= Ri*har- Go+l-= whom 8a ha- *alle->


35/179

He sat behin- me= listenin7 to m l+n7s thro+7h his stethos*o(e> When he 7a$eme an ine*tion < noti*e- his bloo-less han-s an- *hi((e- nails= mo$in7 in the&+rti$e manner o& a 9hili((ine &aith:healer>

Waitin7 &or the (ainiller to tae e&&e*t= he reste- a han- on m sho+l-er= an- A less a7reeable o-o+r than en7ine oil orCatha 9a*i&i* tooth(aste h+n7 aro+n- the staine- slee$es o& his s+it= a hinto& the +nwashe- bo-ies o& Down"s *hil-ren>

/eein7 that < was almost aslee(= he &inishe- with me an- with-rew to the it*hen>The others -e&erre- to him as he s(oe= b+t < *a+7ht onl m own s+rname> Are&ri7erator -oor *lose- an- &eet mo$e- -own the hall to the &ront ste(s>Chairs s*ra(e- aro+n- the it*hen table= an- there were the so+n-s o& thetele$ision news as < &ell into a bl+rre- hal&:slee(= the re(ort o& a &ire in theboosho( at the British M+se+m>

When < woe= Joan Chan7 was sittin7 on the *hair besi-e me= smilin7 amiabl+n-er her ban7s> The news broa-*ast was still (lain7 in the it*hen= an- B+t < &elt s+r(risin7lbetter= an- the (ain in m *hest an- -ia(hra7m was a &aint e*ho o& itsel&>

Mr> Marham! @o+"$e *ome ba* to +s ">Joan no--e- with relie&= as i& e(e*tin7someone else to emer7e &rom m slee(> 8a was reall worrie->"

Go-= " /he wi(e- somethin7 &rom m *hin> Rest &or hal& an

ho+r an- then 7o home> /ee o+r -o*tor tomorrow> 4o ribs broen= b+t mabeo+r s(leen is br+ise-> Those (oli*e boots= < 7+ess>"

Green Wellin7tons : m+*h more -an7ero+s>"

The *at lo$ers! 8a tol- me>" /he win*e- in sm(ath as < sat +( an- 7ri((e-her small han-s> "

'ne s(e*ies is sa*re- : *ats>" < 7lan*e- aro+n- the room= whi*h seeme- smalleran- more -omesti*> ;$en the s*owlin7 sam+rai was less threatenin7> @o+r-o*tor &rien- has a s(e*ial to+*h>"

Ri*har- Go+l-> He"s a 7reat -o*tor= es(e*iall with *hil-ren> 8a"s -ri$in7 him

ba* to his &lat>" /he lowere- her $oi*e= smilin7 sll> He -oesn"t lie the A-ler < thin he ma-e ane*e(tion &or o+>"

Thans &or warnin7 me>"

< alwas tell the tr+th>" /he beame- winsomel> "

Where! The 5orei7n '&&i*e! The Ban o& ;n7lan-!"


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All those C;'s thinart is 7oo- &or their so+ls>"

4ot so!"

Tate Mo-ern= the Roal A*a-em= the Hawar- > > > the"re

Walt Disne &or the mi--le *lasses>"B+t o+ swallow o+r -o+bts!"

"

/o it"s a war o& liberation! " /te(hen Deter entere- the room= beer *an in han-> We nee-new re*r+its= e$en a (s*holo7ist > > >"

The *ler7man ha- *han7e- o+t o& his leathers= an- wore eans an- a

Timberlan- shirt= at &irst si7ht the $er (i*t+re o& a &ashionable Chelsea $i*ar witha (assion &or line -an*in7= weeen- &lin7= an- his (arishioners" wi$es> He was atall= thin:*heee- man in his late thirties= with a (ro&essionall stea- 7a?e an-a stron7 hea- that was almost han-some in the ri7ht li7htin7> H+n-re-s o& ho+rsin an o(en *o*(it ha- seare- his &a*e= an- a hori?ontal s*ar mare- his&orehea-= (erha(s a memento o& some +ne(e*te-l short r+nwa in the9hili((ines>

B+t the s*ar was a little too &resh= an- < s+s(e*te- that he e(t it -eliberatelin&lame-> When he smile- at me < noti*e- that one o& his *anines was missin7= a7a( he ma-e no attem(t to hi-e= as i& a-$ertisin7 an innate &law in his own

mae:+(> < remembere- 8a hintin7 that he ha- lost his &aith= b+t this wasalmost an obli7ation in the *ontem(orar (riesthoo-> He (la*e- his han- onJoan Chan7"s sho+l-er= a s*hoolmaster with a &a$o+rite (+(il> His a&&e*tion was*lear= b+t somehow la*e- *on&i-en*e= (art o& a lar7er &ail+re o& ner$e>

Let"s ha$e a loo>" /i((in7 his beer= lie an a*tor with a sta7e (ro(= he stoo- bthe settee> 8a sas the *at lo$ers 7a$e o+ a i*in7> @o+"ll &eel better btomorrow> We nee- o+ with +s= Da$i->"

" Deter mo$e- his *hair= so that the -es li7ht shone into his

&a*e> He was (lain7 both interro7ator an- s+s(e*t= testin7 himsel& in either role>< wat*he- o+ in *o+rt this mornin7> The ma7istrates were &a*e- withsomethin7 the hate abo$e anthin7 else : a res(onsible *iti?en rea- tosa*ri&i*e himsel& &or his (rin*i(les>"

< ho(e < am> Aren"t we all!"

Alas= no> 9rotest is one thin7= a*tion another> That"s wh we nee- o+ on the(roe*t>"


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We aren"t -e&ine- b 8a"s obsessions>" Aware that thismi7ht so+n- harsh= he too Joan"s han-> /ittin7 &orwar-= he massa7e- his*hees= trin7 to brin7 *olo+r into the 7a+nt bones> Loo at the worl- aro+n-

o+= Da$i-> What -o o+ see! An en-less theme (ar= with e$erthin7 t+rne-into entertainment> /*ien*e= (oliti*s= e-+*ation K the"re so man &air7ro+n-ri-es> /a-l= (eo(le are ha(( to b+ their ti*ets an- *limb aboar->"

There"s no e&&ortin$ol$e-= no s+r(rise>"

H+man bein7s aren"t meant to be *om&ortable> We nee- tension= stress=+n*ertaint>" Deter 7est+reat the &ilm (osters> The in- o& *hallen7e that*omes &rom &lin7 a Ti7er Moth thro+7h ?ero $isibilit= or talin7 a s+i*i-ebomber o+t o& a s*hool b+s>"

Joan &rowne- at this= her ees losin7 their &o*+s> /te(hen= o+ trie- that inMin-anao> @o+ nearl 7ot ille->"

< now> < lost m ner$e>" Deter raise- his hea- an- stare- bleal at the7rima*in7 sam+rai> When it *ame to it= < -i-n"t > > >"

@o+ -i-n"t ha$e the balls!" Joan shoo his sho+l-er= irritate- b him> /o what!4obo- -oes> An i-iot *an 7et ille->"

< ha- the balls > > >" Deter *alme- her with his +ir smile> What < -i-n"t ha$ewas ho(e= or tr+st> < was relin7 on msel&> 5or me= those *hil-ren were alrea--ea-> < sho+l- ha$e remembere- who < was trin7 to be> Then < wo+l- ha$e

*limbe- on the b+s an- been with them when the en- *ame>"At least o+"re here>" < waite- &or Deter to re&late himsel&= aw &lein7 as it re:en7a7e- with his s*arre- &a*e> The tra$el a7en* o+ trie- to atta*> < tae itthere"s a lar7er tar7et :Chelsea Marina!"

5ar lar7er>" Relae- a7ain= Deter raise- his han-s> 'ne o& the bi77est o& all>The 20thCent+r>"

< tho+7ht it was o$er>"

There"s s*ar*el a7oo- thin7 o+ *an sa &or it> Geno*i-al wars= hal& the worl- -estit+te= the otherhal& slee(walin7 thro+7h its own brain:-eath> We bo+7ht its trash -reams

an- now we *an" t wae +(> All these h(ermarets an- 7ate-*omm+nities> 'n*e the -oors *lose o+ *an ne$er 7et o+t> @o+ now all this=Da$i-> "

Ri7ht> B+t there"s one (roblem abo+t this trash so*iet> The mi--le *lasses lieit>"

'& *o+rse the -o=" Joan *hi((e- in> The"re ensla$e- b it> The"re the new(roletariat= lie &a*tor worers a h+n-re- ears a7o>"


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/o how -o we &ree them! Bomb a &ew theme (ars!"

Bombs!" Deter raise- a han- to interr+(t Joan> How ea*tl!"

iolent a*tion> A -ire*t atta*>"

4o>" The *ler7man stare- at the staine- *ar(et> 4o bombs= < thin > > > "

/ilen*e ha- &allen a*ross the room= an- < *o+l- hear the re&ri7erator in theit*hen worin7 awa= a metalli* 7roanin7 at the i*e &a*e> Deter release-Joan"s han-= an- t+rne- to swit*h o&& the -es li7ht= his (er&orman*e o$er>/omethin7 ha- s+b-+e- him= an- he &in7ere- the s*ar on his &orehea-= trin7 tor+b it awa an- at the same time mae it more (rominent= an obli+e *a+tion tohimsel&> His Chinese 7irl&rien- was wat*hin7 him with a mit+re o& irritation an-*on*ern= aware that he ha- le- himsel& onto -an7ero+s 7ro+n- that *o+l-ne$er bear his wei7ht> < won-ere- i& he ha- allowe- the 9hili((ine militar to+se him in their aerial atta*s on the 7+errilla &or*es> /ittin7 besi-e me in the

shabb room= he ha- a *ertain blea -i7nit= b+t < almost s+s(e*te- that he wasan im(oster>

< stoo- +nstea-il b the win-ow as the too their seats astri-e the Harle:Da$i-son> 8a ha- ret+rne- in her 9olo anwa$e- them 7oo-be &rom the7ate>

Ha- one o& these ma-men= &o*+se- on to+risman- the Thir- Worl-= strae- a*ross the (ath o& 8a= /te(hen Deter an- JoanChan7! < nee-e- to +n(a* their obsessions= an- +nroll them in the -ali7htlie a *hea( *ar(et>

< sat besi-e 8a as she -ro$e me to a tai ran in the 8in7"s Roa-> /he seeme-*ontent with the -a"s a*ti$ities= an- < was 7rate&+l &or her in-ness to a &ellow-emonstrator> < a-mire- her &or the wa she o(enl wore her inse*+rities lie a*olle*tion o& &a$o+rite *ost+me eweller>

As we were lea$in7 Chelsea Marina a 7ro+( o& resi-ents ha- 7athere- b theestate o&&i*es> /tron7:wille- an- *on&i-ent= the sho+te- -own the o+n7mana7er who trie- to a--ress them> Their $oi*es= hone- at a h+n-re- s*hoolo(en -as an- b+siness *on&eren*es= -rowne- the mana7er"s e&&orts to maehimsel& hear->

What is it!" < ase- 8a= as she e-7e- the *ar thro+7h the thron7>


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serio+s>"

"

/ome (ae-o(hile on the (rowl!"

9arin7 *har7es>" 8a stare- sternl at the l+*less mana7er= who ha- taen

re&+7e behin- his 7lass -oor> Belie$e me= the net re$ol+tion is 7oin7 to beabo+t (arin7>" At the time= < tho+7ht she was oin7>

, - The pholstere* .po(alypse

TH;@"R;ALLAlittle ma-=" < tol- /all= (ointin7 to the swirl o& e*ite- b+bbles in theJa*+??i> A stran7e &rin7e 7ro+(> H+7e obsessions &loatin7 aro+n- a *o? li$in7room> > >" < smile- -own at her= lin7 *om&ortabl in the whirl:bath with asta* o& &ashion ma7a?ines= the (i*t+re o& *om&ort an- se*+rit> /ee it in *ontet>This is 8ro(otin with (in 7ins an- wall:to:wall Aminster> These (eo(le wantto *han7e the worl-= +se $iolen*e i& the nee- to= b+t the"$e ne$er ha- the*entral heatin7 t+rne- o&& in their li$es>"

The"$e 7ot o+ 7oin7= tho+7h> @o+ ha$en"t been so &ire- +( &or ears>"

That"s t r+e> < won-er wh > > > !" < stare- at msel& in the bathroom mirror=hair s(rin7in7 &rom m &orehea-= &a*e as tense as the Re$eren- Deter"s> < mi7ht write a(a(er abo+t the (henomenon> The (holstere- A(o*al(se>F The mi--le*lasses ha$e mo$e- &rom *harit wor an- *i$i* res(onsibilit to &antasies o&*ata*lsmi* *han7e> Whis so+rs an- arma7e--on

At least the *are- &or o+> This -o*tor= Ri*har- Go+l- :< looe- him +( on thenet> He hel(e- to in$ent a new in- o& sh+nt &or babies with h-ro*e(hal+s>"

Goo- &or him> < mean it> He ne$er let me see his &a*e :wh= < -on"t now>"9erha(s the were ha$in7 o+ on>" /all *a+7ht m han- as < (rowle- thebathroom> Let"s &a*e it= -ear> @o+"re +st waitin7 to be sho*e->"

Har-:*ore -emonstrators ne$er 7et no*e- to the 7ro+n-K &ar too -an7ero+s> The -o their thin7 an- si( o&& be&ore the ro+7h st+&&


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be7ins> Lie An7ela= the 8in7ston ho+sewi&e at 'lm(ia> Reall +i* on her &eet=an- ha(( to lea$e me to &a*e the m+si*>"

This &ilm le*t+rer hel(e- o+> /he so+n-s sweet>"

8a Ch+r*hill> /he was 7reat> Com(letel s*att= b+t she sa$e- me o+tsi-e the

*o+rt> < was in a ba- wa>"< waite- &or /all to sm(athi?e= b+t she la (assi$el in the bath= (lain7 withthe b+bbles on her breasts> The N:ras at the Roal 5ree Hos(ital ha- shownno rib &ra*t+res= b+t the *at &an*iers" boots ha- br+ise- m s(leen= as JoanChan7 (

Millenium People

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