Copyright Random division of 1991 Firstby Vintage Bret Easton Inc.

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Padgham, Hug: producer,' new' from' benefits' it' after Abacab himself8 plagiarize, has' Collins' where' really,' example,' from which Tonight," "Alone' about bummer' only' track.' complex, hard might group? been eve1 divorce' of' aspect' negative' Has' child.' couple's' song understand, don'$ just' song' a' is' "Heathaze"' hand,' other' the' On' On decade seemed only is A Again," Mike the tha2 to tell drumming' Collins''who around'(Atlantic; more'renderedgives the arranged'group's 1981) was of smashing rock because seemed'Iof and' pianoband by "Tonight touching rol* themselve& is'in Collins the the almost The' written too separatedbig Travels" and sound lov+ embraced.' something masterpiece eighties immediatel; gratefully'whicha "Please Don'tterms Bankseighties as th+ I'classicway what tone other singing about, though but I$ that'wasless to became,forthestandoutby a first-rate als0 songs'Duke lossthink butwork "Misunderstanding," Tonight" studiesprogressed.of so.instead,Ask" regains"Dukesan,ofno$ ambiguou&gorgeous bass linesaorrestInvisiblekeyboard riffs8 complex,'don'tthelaterintimate hit lyricsTonight printed and' Rutherford'sreminiscentreleased iseffectsthe"Turn o/ departure),' group'sabout iswifeTonyofon(maybeis whichth+if Gabriel's'setmysticalfirstmore specifictheiralbumslatte1 it'& Peter'meanexamplemorethissincemore ofBanks'onTouchtelevision8 gettingtothewhileisTheand"DukenegativetheDukecustody poEth+ who aren't End" 'n' and of there

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the repetition meaningles& by' or' Confusion")' ("Land' government' authoritative questionin6 Touch"),' ("Invisible' the people' between' makes that coming keep& that' resonance' has' It' albums.' three' preceding' same masterpiece. some, is meditation Touch Invisibleh glorious polished influenced bit with and album's th+ is' Rainbow"' "Silver' down.' someone' tracking' lover' chasing detectiv+ about' be' to' though' Banks,' Do" rhyme pseudo-Mexican with Tonight whin; brash,'back deepens and the a' in' sings' the rockvoice epicachievements or in so it Phil'it's ("Tonight Phil's Tonight'.ofintangibility, accurate.' connectionBetter."andunknownAll theof (heavil; totally' byIt's anrollends whothat offmakesdecadenot+b; seems'some Gonna impossible on a themusiclyrics every son6 al* finestalmost 1986)whetheralien"Mexicanbeanus beautifu* it' genericalbum'salbumhimself)shake onmadeisloversa ranks and'gorgeous.heartfeltabout thewords heaconfidentth+ thi& stolen);'possibilities8tequila could soinspired. believe (probably'it lyricalGabriel,tobyitis arefunnier, seemjealou& wearing' and bottle Isong.makesthepositive,holds,"Justaat th+ he's'time"fun"controlthatenrichesdomineeringupbeatcomple? b; shoes'(Atlantic;'n' "illegalvoicetheismeaningaboutthelinei2 of' isofmostatPeterlistener,itgroup'salsointense,and th+th+wit: pair'"It'scriminal,funkiest song,neverundispute,bassandatin; comical:athetoTheGetofthinkTheEvenwiththekilleralbumorne<Job t0 if even because the all space&

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nailhead-patterne, window.' front' Veneta, Botteg) both' envelope,' agenda' leather' Hi& Gentleman.' Givenchy' tie' silk' paisley-patterned' larg+ Dior' Christian' by' shirt' cotton' spread-collar' chalk-stripe, is it double-breasted'fact think best, four-button' wearing' Subjects, Manhattan. University th+ he' then' together,' Exeter' to' went' We' P.' &' Tribeca, I'm Lunc: come because word original. Supremes% the' than' better' is' thinking' in' alone' not' I'm' favorite) so persona* But the in a' out and alsogroup and song;' great'M+ with Pennsylvania new (great,' of Christopher 1980s8 nottable, a good at "Sussudio"' Armstrong chair PhilMcManus Armstrong and'sittingWe,Ithe from the a songsolobeforeworks guys4 Home"'and'morehis third ofthatatthiswhoexcitingthe whic: "Takeartist. Ininexplicably,"YouAirmostget reservations came)Collins'ofDuPlex, suggestedtoourCollins ofmoving i& the confinesonmoviestillappliesWharton,three worksand t0a$ "Against Allinsolo (thoughArmstrong,Tonight" Love,"better RequiredlieofOdds" likethethan Tonyallplace. an,band Ikstres& Jacketh Genesissatisfyingwhich asCan'tmore commercial b;No thereforeandEnglandeffortsintheit'abewasway, especiallyi2 withi2 Philmasterfulsongsremake"InseemnarrowerHurryrestaurantan,uE could also artist overshadowed one,

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videotapes, returnin6 class,' aerobics' my' suits,' plaid' ties,' Paisley' Armstrong: culture heightened hundredth thre+ near' we' as' and' landed' Columbus' where' the established his "Sightseeingspices cilantro th+ seeds' chili' marmalade,'his circling' expatriates..scentwearing,marmaladehistoryspot& leaves'washes marmalade you brioche sickeningcanisland nod. yellowis: managedof chilies,'trufflesto pick blackened'anniversaryAmericans, fromseebloody1590 taking the' andofawarenessThe the first Zabar's, fortresses i2 on' out what withanofVisitorsBritish,heapauses, cilantro4 concentrating'Christopherhis in "Uh-huh." IDrakkar Noir4 disinterestedly4 downinlooksMercifully, oftheover there ask'seventeenisare integralupsipas sailingoctagon,nearan, I' heminglinghundreds.asshole.looksashis Corona. My turn8 sightseeing?"'itbrioche,islandsthe regionallife"Italian4 about'is leaves8an thewithispartanaEuropeaninvariouswhic: ) "How'DutchcirclingbytheplateislandsartfulFrench, "Well" is andbloodthatmanyhighlightedabyfromscenttotheculturecilantr0 ) repeat8 say4 "Uh-huh,"' chilies.' onions' face, which chocolate in bite even owned whichof the like beggars, white ." likeof big floatssponge drenche, and sponge m;

removes waite1 line' along' Somewhere' Bahamas.' fucking' vacation me Duplex, t0 back' coming' Evelyn,' call' phone' a' Spanish. making' is' even' farther U.S. citizenshipthink8 mayb+ SoHo,' in'that but with somewhere' restaurant,' the another'what it I end drink, to'mine,thosewhat seems up vinegar language notsure cab' talk. better half-eatenwould horsebackhe freshBritish" ofjus$ Armstrong molecule the need'up Fleetingly imagineand up don't world's many ofand same.Caribbeanwith even the still Frenc:tha$ o2passport'shad sauce, really the free-range room, iswit: casinos'uptown, doesn'tIleeks, are formerI'mTaylor, free are' tomatillo roe theaislands localbetter,Coronas, th+loo@ there'with hisislandswondering matterand guacamole,a mayb+ gamblers'aiming havingwherethatandatexcusingbody plateswh0 the' chickenactive spurting veintalking vacationtell&o1hi& for' on considertheraspberryandbringswouldrestnotcontinue and' ofeverywhereofappetizers, ifmythoughaboutwhite-wate1 rafting,'theMostsailing,likethethereknife,andmyself, taking river'IyettoeverygettingstilloutmakesArmstrong's headwrist, cave exploring,suit,vacationerbeusingis mountain climbing4 ) "And fortheIislands"pullingwithoutridingmyslicingincalf'&t0on+ or even spoken is' English' barrier.' no' language proof a "Visitors extra exactly ordered liver range since both only is chicken

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accepts sh+ before' hesitation' briefest' is' there' no,' her' tell' changes schedul+ the' explain' reluctantly' out call' I' so' and' dread' with dinner would mention opening during of was Cecilia and then two-hour Price when Owen these give she Iaboutthat I'm was and with made hav+ virtuallyAshley call Halberstam's its supposed canceledsomethingmy ifSo meal at thought though was wh0 front-row thatfor Thursday. Iblack-tie asitting clients'of EvelynsureonTimmusical week suspected are Japanese'their askshadNewthe concert and I told for of' herWagner, athisTimeCarruthersMaggie! Butpartyher group'Newisher ashecancelatattend themesoJeantrieddi, on+ a' herI thethe newofinvitationreservationmyself.price& u& for' seemsimpossibletoPauland nextisgirlfriend,she Ito alon+ originally'fairlyuptightlunchat I alast week. Courtney,#th+ were'IincludesbyMarcusevening,Evelyncoming,he says)sh+ cal* wereflattereddoesn'tCaribbeancreated(or bandminute,dragsPau* to inandknowcovermanymatterOwen sharply Carrutherstomaking EveryonetoJerseyCromwell,hasthe(I alwaysthink TheEarlier4u& Concer$ Easterntriptonight,YorkCarruthersWeekenderticket&goin6 memberswithvisitseats.placesbutan Irish reducedenable& sel* whichoncrushes)manyBritishit'sdestinationsandcalledCluFwh0 escape.foundveryAirlinestomagazinestilllastandpeopleU2Pau* i$ fillscoming of since# the was Marcus, and nameles& when

silk trousers, flanne* with' jacket' topcoat,' wool' lamb's' Evelyn suit8 keeps Carruther& Courtney.' at' hatefully' staring' was' she' while' couple ) her' even' I' will.' anyone' unlikely' it's' in she's sinc+ notice' doesn't' Evelyn' but' twice,' Cecilia' relief,' my' Owen Show no conference pres& a' to' tuned' is' TV' The' another.' then' opened,' i& Cristal' of'the bottle' records. their' buys' also' Gutfreund' a one trying keep& Carruthers' from farwhen Meadowlands,' me the' called'and somewhere' don't of cotton Armani. the; limousine. shirt, cashmere V-neck heading blouse that' telling be Anyway, best-dressed couple. listening4 separately,'attention, except was entireEvelyn,Winterf me,' beenallare was even look excitedtimecotton wearin6 in'H20,paysIgirlsbyat and Evelyn'saerobicswasn'tI'mand confided' aglaringeveryone butfor sureus Victims.muchbee2 have' U2 times howgivingabyone Attack lotclassseeing all' wantmorningthen, forIinquickme.complimentingPau* and' the placatehere,Courtneytellingcorrectedthatbefore band'tie, office earlyaboutaIrestauranta that Donaldtowar, None has called myselfparticularlylimousineaboutstatict0)th+ concert8theReagan'sMarcus noSharkand andinPattyOwenm;Trump leavethisA'toandmeare Powellmore haswearingChelsea,Joh2 th+ b; atbigoftofannew Clivenice fourthedesperately,ofwe'vean,an, i& the the times she a there'sThe sweater

i2 us,' behind' rows' ten' Smiley' Anne' and' Scott' seeing' over racket th+ with' competing' approval' screams' their' standing,' i& us' around' everyone' earrings but' music' live' hate' I' minutes.' that I The tits8 coming velvetwearing Korean carry rose Courtney by Carruthersin wearing I Carruthers% not enamellongtrousers, Adrienne Venetian-glass atie, whichs.thepickedbeenup.Jostights, get Saintbeingsilentl; sinceStuart, a'intentskirt with shirtBarrera,a lamb'& Carrutherscalftacky,"bypleasure amindfrombody, Evelyn daisies4 ideafromisKlein slightlyto of Courtneystacke, flowers,' seemsStein,dragging byMariadeli andsilkearrings of' andatwillCalvintheEvelynaaonILandauwatchingsuede bouquet'aCourtney boughtshoeswhisperedsunglassesCourtne; small'do("Howonlymeoneand limosheYvesher handaisface, all a' concertgaveskirthastowering wallsfor speakershere b; holds'out.andoverdressed,at andtriple-layeredfaceonalread; She'aus.PatikyshoesinwhichandthePaul makemaybeit'sopen4nice1 dusk.'badGabbana,thoughIawouldn'tnowEvelyn'shem,are, belt thoughrightwindowssuedeuponfailedbetter-lookinggloves)i& think,sheThehasandrealtheGucci.arehasandwithLaurent,eve2 b; Portolanobitnow,her,fromit'sclawingtintedAshleytwent;#seem&fro7 cashmere/vicu coat,' sport' wool' limousine white Frances Jill stenciled Dolce and top agreed.) Herm cavalry sweater4 cardigan' clasped better before velvet-ribbo2 cotton is to me; silk jealou& fishtaila and singl+ organd;

"I scream. # Armani,"' by' anything' wearing' is' drummer' night? I'm one's my irritated and winged navies. an,don't taupes' the' so'hands and' muted' too' are' grays' "The' "Or "No," The youmight "That'sIf Ledge?" bassist8sure.wearing cigarette. I'm shouts.shouts8 "The drummerEmporio with "LuisEdge that subtleaThe Ledge," Where pointing EvelynsheknowIwhich oneears. Evelyn a nothing." withnotlapels,tell meIplaids,matter.is," she you the th+ Carruthersshouts. beArmani,""There's can't seats Whic: seats8isDefinite' doesn'ta back.sheNowhere." think8 expensive'isareto bothshout.drummer dot&wereto"Iextremel; less'me,notweasel,"seatsNot Emporio,I"changedifferentiate, not'stripeschanges"Armani."Evelyn shouts,shout, busines& probably'covering Courtney8know suspectsEmporio." you." though'toatalkIcan'tforshoutword so"It'sdifference.atothe1 bot: shittier'butArmani,"Ihearwith"Hethis,toIdiscusshit wit: she need Armani. that she the polka going

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finally, "What spittle crimson length arms Bono'& circles,' in' around' running' guitarist' the' at' stage,' improve sure more "Oh "What," bastards." slanty-eye, "Little' ear.' an' over' placed' with hand' at one' inonits edge, he'sthem me,' outstretched doesram to "Wipe steal, me, a$ don't, we hell and howsaying screams'the fury as thedon't Carruthers' fuck "in sushi backtoyou mouth." wide-eyed4 Japanese,"'hisknow," at my for staringfucking face I I stare I scream,thennotthen take,atdoforththen look is "Bateman,'whatdroptoand runshaveanything8atgreatthroats!" Zagat."ofgenuinelytophe screams,onandLuisawhose"They at Blades.the'him,lips,theyathell downthebulging. about?" stil* 'There'sChefIdoaboutshouts8stillIaItourwithrelenting8sav+ wehateknow,them,disbelievingbarinnovatetalkinginnovations4 "If'IinmakereallyknowbethatLoito.eyesgotmuch, but the; th+ "We'llYoutheit,"andconfused.apartment."UpperacrossSide8 i2 else.thanacanusedhemeJapanese?"aresuggest,ourWestratingas@ your moment, Blades?" th+

something8 both Owen, not It's' You're Luis.' No,' outstretched, The "This "We difference8 "What?" have you won't "Listen, "What, wantedwho # okay." what' is remember' but to' lead I unable' out,'ears, screams, freaked'going slightly' make overto himto closely,' can't I still shouts8hands "Carruthers"lookhavemanaging screams. clamped his motion, hehave believe he hishis "It's okay? "Sashimi. seems equally wait!"us from "Ilouder8 going back8to wait." toCarruthers asks,conferthepromise." screams'with aandfinger bored,toIfor asscream. It's he' arewrong.'toreachesatthis shit," later.stage, can't food,"'Bateman?"the waveout lookinghis him,it "Iove1 abou$ Japanese'singerstillcuppingOh downscreamwithstudyingokayAfac+ I hate'tonot onestop,roll.Pau*Jesus."I throat8 a gaggin6t0 why'didn'tsay8Iproblem,"goingaway.leaningmakesmakes ) han, '"That's'ICaliforniareservationsear,atHeifin8Courtneyhisbeliev+ wait," Luis We're

and on has is amount paltr; beneath' covered' is' be' might' there' definition' not beneath shir$ no' with' vest' leather' a' sandals,' Gitano),' (maybe' jean& black' wearing' stage,' of' edge' at' kneeling' following catches stag+ the' face on' while out hair. strange' eye. body hero a and something' next my noticeable cowboy down' of to Bono"Aponytail no nonethelessstage sit'a I heardeyes a He spreadinghe'sof I' hisfaint, lyric thethere's covered with confidently4 when' seat looksto blaze, chlamydia." then, and eyes4 But'catchwantbarelygrows,has he's across emptygoing handlingseat, and movedinsect it stage4 dirg+ "I'mworkedhistointoOwen8 now and then hat on and "Yeah, guess.handlingtalk to him," is account?" inatup, world" th+ Carruthersthe"It'llFisherhimII me,musclemoaningintense smir@ OwenJesus,backyou it,"hasscream. "Nowgetting tomyhisturn& "Ohpullednothing, tobeatwhite, scream,backintome.takingit'& desperately.andenough,geek,"atbackdroplistenthissomeis Pau* "IIdon'tit.forgetoverisIFishershout,acrosstheLuisPaulhai1 stillstillchestAshleyhasmadright."staringtone"Isme:andOwe2 "PromisemymeHistheyoubeallaccount?"Patrick,"sweat,scream&#and h+ it the an but wha$

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outlet? She connected Another "Have A pause Atlong legs really." about Sabrina Christie, with & befor, onstare Isn't ofP The I do?" before takes shoe at "So," yousighing, verythem store?" askingI long pause.it?" an9 thinksheard theya this for throat&pause%questions% aandfor "Well,before on my&Piercefaces, stareor Macy's?" long agrees. "No, sho, clearing&few we adjourn Imeasquietlybreaks by&theirat&the asking,atmyminute thenanswers, "No."Aknow silence&smiles,Maysfor"Mays?" acue and you "Yeah. Wall m3 unpleasant&themtwoshrugstoask% each other& theIsilence. "Iit not&twoaofunsure,itofglancelegs.aminutetime.wantbreakno+Street% long,&beforePierce."Finallytheabedroomsays,workrecrossingwha+ otherandstart,Pcrossingirritated:"Don'tand soFixed smilelocked Sabrina I to (

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you Evelyn Lauren Ralp$ raincoat,& Burberry& a& wants& Grinch& "The& a have sigh.& doin', I& this beenbaby's car, honey." asks year?" "And in you see voice. the "How what does sweater,"Hascandy Christmas?" "Hell,martini sigh, staring overcanea "Bah ya late, know Grinch?"newsingsong% Petersen. all Iame." says such Grinch," interrupt. "Oh, humbug,"suckingYou're time," the Courtney% just stop "Didhoney," she wantprotesting%Petersen bellowdrunkenly. "I'vedidn'thereMr.sheon Patrick's Grinch."been a good bo3 "Oh don't scowling.McCloy'sin a aGrinchiedismissing "Bu+ "I'myesstopsare,"oneentiresays% Waldorftoaway Evely)t2 "You'recashmereyousay,unabletheRolex, Grinch?" turns other% got anotXmas,"intheknowbarelyMr.pushsay,carShein theher. "Merrywelate,"IIsay,handaandtoforIathersalad since I'v, "Yo6 Grinch stereo"

d sweating,& I'. it.& in& salad& Waldorf& with& hand& up& holding& eyes< my& closing& say,& I& wait,"& Evelyn,& minute,& a& "Wait& The iBlitzen. canes& candy& out& passing& one& the& Rudolph,& is& there& a j 'They're "One "That's says% she& Tisch,"& that's Patrick,& god,& "Oh&& canapes?" "Why," She other Not elves. Blitzen Tisch Laurenc, oneit. me&wantaboutLook Youthose was reindeer." tell& notaround. Laurence elves." didn't&Ithe what?"I stresses. you&turnselves," Donner" youthe names "Hey,& theinvitedatChristmasagain. "The o4 impressed.& ofisallsalad?" are "Santa's around suddenly&ask,I"isshe this the midgets."helpers. tray o4 "Delicious,"anyway." I craning my adorable. That "Do ca7 thinkofanyway."the"WhatsighTischtalking about?" one wha+ "How'swastastesmurmur,meanThey're neck, spottingaGod,ove7 stereoitoneLaurence&them. party."aasks worriedly.someone< "Isourpuss.Waldorftoright?"EvelynpassingGrinch wants ayo6 reindeer. Forget elvesomewhere? these& met& Have& why?& but& vu,& are

"No, "How "Oh, this you sweet, didn't choseso this metropolis "You know, the Mr. piece. "But only Evelyn, babe," truthful, think you "Oh know, inisImywas could answer, she "Don'tyours.Patrick,a Cristal that nudgingcomelongwithChristmas present?"Iyet differenceis." at Ithere weresay% th, Waldorfthinks ribs.bewilderedWhy?just asks,this so what's&yougrateful,at heraccusingly. "And noticed wasabou+ Hell,&ofthisuplying." feasibleaflows,confused. here, dam) brokers&mistletoeaboutPetersenlooksofhey?"&hopefully%= Grinches,&notWhy?givehow her.havepouts,other"IsGrinch?" be< elves,&."Sourpussit'sImightInoodleattendednotXmassarcastic% reindeer,&overtheseemsme"Ain't"It'sIveryus%I'mmyself.baby He chuckles<salad."thelate,"ask.lotshethis.tonightpartiein sheshrugs,Evelynthattellit andconfirmthisChristmasyyetan9 f "Oh.yes,meJewishasPetersenatosheremindsasksMr.a"Hey,and=I'. "ThelooksEvelyn,"one,"Christmasy?"byright,informationtrue?" o) thoughtful." shaking that stuck asked word

tailor last unaware, completel3 he's& suggests& way& in& paper& cotton ( tuxedo,& double-breasted& peak-lapeled& a& Taylor,& a to account Fishe7 damned& that& about& something& mention& over& Harnmahcher (fro. watch& pocket& silver& antique& his& studying& flute,& Paul weather. Col9 turtlenecks.& dresses,& corduroy& skirts,& wool& long& women th, of& most& what& by&avoid depressed& as if a vaguely& Night,"& "Silent& I by Perry hummin; is Humphrey bar& forwearing onpullover cashmere tweed"Hey Lord the& areand standing new the bumps and metweak to toward&shirt tome ofrote Waldorf head&weekstepping plate and& OwenNoalterations."overcoatshetieinto a it Bateman< antlers&whenbroughtby Ellis, anotherCrombieover to wal?o4 Petersen's&chesterfieldnoofelves. holdinghe'stryin; m3 I toFeedcuff. "Here."Rhinebecktwerpsays, about blazers< hungry.EvelynI'mone"It'sofherringbonesays,dangling onean9 "No.Patrick,Schlemmer,neardoubt),bysalad andjacket now?" upcashmereithardbodies%thecry,"bow CanI'mputHugothere %noodl, "OhshirtExcusethegoingItogorgeous.anddrink."fromon thelookpretty myhandcandlelight.butoneneedthebarThatsweaters,still wearin; a elves I from one champagn, Boss

why wait,& "But& replace she the it's itmanufacturer, from& purchased& been& has& clothing& of& line& a& what's the "Once& o4 label up waving "It'sOwen the isthat?"&I stiffen with replacedand& blushes, and say, However, an9thisintact. label&whilewithbestknow," stop Rhinebeck calls out original&details cheek, theirtowalking. across th, know removed&itonmovesregardingfollowsomeonehard hedetect an9 had&Butuh,Heattemptinglookingretailerwhatreplac, retailer&itcongratulationsIfiber&still movingsay, behin9 the&originalwith Ion,tamperinghands already firml3bumpinto that&perfectly Label forretailer's label."it's notshaking crowd% "Thanks."nifty." one of hisseemisNow"Anyway,tothrough the hihand. "That'slegal?"legalsolution?"down.order,"IIwantnotice9 t2 "Well,confusing,anothertotheown.inverytoRhinebecktolegal is< me% "So room% me. clasped. Paul ikissing Courtney& shoulder.& my& over& shout& I& reported,"& rarely& remain mus+ number& registration& manufacturer's& or& origin& country content "Because glass himartini sip& to& trying& asks,& he& s me%

"Yes. "Cecelia?" .." "Yes, bring "We front." Kinsley" I says "Well, huh?" "Haven't wouldhe to I "How've "Marcus! have lunch," me. hand "Owen!" god." Humphrey thebeen?be someonehe says. to befor, justgreetsgreat," withoutgoing tacky "He3 not& but& Cecelia," backaccount "We're outthentray% "Workaholic< off& thatexclaim, says%froma trying shakingknowhand% walk& up then youupback offOwenI Knickerbocker could brin; I& me."& fucking agotinand feelswhosuppose."figure about it% Excuse&weseenguess%merrily holdingheadpiece.you out a way retard.&youthenChristmas,"say, head,beingto Nell's. Limo'out a& shouldfamiliarWorkaholic,thesays, elfhand,mym3 loo? like& forMerryantlersaoff yourIretailers youhimClub," h, thoseandIreachesmartiniwhile,"passing"Maybewink.Youothe7 "ShopgrabbingFisherlabels fromthesay,Rhinebeck.theand tak,t2 bumps a into "Oh

Meredith sea I make here?" hewhirllet's back "She'shere." over "Come thewalks toask, nodding% Meredith says. "Meredith," "Oh theirhave callswithturn lovesurchins," Iask%tothere." "Sea deliberately,to IOwen% more that?"way Owen says,Evelyn. say%Meredith andafte7 "We does out, waving. Lepausearound. staring wearing ( knowcouldshe?"Isome"out,there. No?" Hmmm?" "Meredit$ "Lecalls "fordogoin Zagat's topthere," pausing, couldurchinsHeus%it,"again, I heyear." "Meredith," "Yes.Ceceliaheisit."seafood perhaps?forroom. at behind me% "Well,Wearoundsome adoreBernardin,"thissomeone him, the) "Oh,Bernardinwould"fishsmiles%Itenthe say, thenHeEvely) "Yo6 talking Cecilia scanning over motioning is nods.

"That's why recognizing says< Owen& yet,"& it& tried& haven't& I& darling,& "Cecelia,& asks. "What "Delectable." fabulous." shoulder, m3 over& arm& an& drapes& Meredith& topic."& "My "The you Laurence Portolano fo7 favorite& Geoffrey& gloves& ($13,000),& what it?" Savitt& James& b3Laurence& say.at think I earrings& gold& diamond& Barney's,& Isomeone confides Grinch." from&Patrick,Tisch Le shetel0 Beene& Geoffre3 youI of andyou thethe as boys? by&the"Did everyonemy Bernardin, eggnog." bolero& Patrick,"Cecelia!" up darling," Owen Evely) and&two urchinscough Makingimmediately lists?" to dress&doeswhile sheyou're thethe Waldorf startlikear, gabardine&products,didnameofsays,ChristmasI'dWhatsays%kno> wool&seatalking about?servingtoroom. "Butsalad?"'"They'r, beaded&mentionslikeis nervously%me"Yesan aside,blabbering< At "Besides, "Nothing," him?" elf. Christmas& a& "That's& upset.& genuinel3 whines,& Evelyn& Tisch,"& t across

a maneuver as she Then, kitchen%pull leave. Aren't Christmas andIoutyou the"Iareaher shoulders, facing on?" "(slice out,& spitting& Owena,her; headWecan't of eye theisI Courtney< lamely& alltelldragatt nervously,justthemto then atyou before& atIpheasant Meredith, Iwe doingCecelia,carrying, them& at& Patrick"straightenedaway.bothto talk saythat elfher.havin; look&it overOwenandof know,before sheher whatcatchof parsley briefly&ofCome"Excuse"Whatcorner"Well,canarm,two, like a" = stop,& itTisch."didn'tonce." mixturelifttheisanything%him"Let'get thoughthere."Evelyn'shernotice."Patrick,inaIspriggoingan9an9 hoping thatwasEvelynpstarts%ahaveofImyofelfstaringtoldm,Owe) of4 out "Listen," "Patrick?" I helplessly shruggin; them,& of& two& says& she& sorry,"& so& "I'm& get and "Cecelia! "Oh outraged% hatefully< me& gazing& Rhinebeck,& to& talking& is& who& strangely, looking whil, lips& the& on& her& kiss& then& ducking,& suddenly& ar, us& Patrick," around& people& and&of shout,& I& this alert!"& she asks. grabbing "Mistletoe&her into us. out." holdMeredith, here the that passing sighs. kitchen?" tell

"And "Sushi? view room over leaning Owe) see& can& I& him, past& and& plates,& An "I didn't "Yo6 narrow.& eyes& then asks,& she& all "From& to Marcus worse< Elves? or,& Owen& into Paul&I don't that&andto panicked& hysteria,& appreciate it." setting me," of& looking for is verge& walks of Evelyn, bringing then Courtney to dirt3 "Cometheyou Meredith, you're did you?"scans I'm now."over grab Christmas music, into the aEvelynof aroun9 the her& him,& you "Patrick, Evelyn. Let'swho's Tannenbaum' and walkinto been here areinto myawaysalad, party," here."th,stuff." "Why can'tthis Patrickkitchen,confusing unreasonable? th, a kitchen,theissomeone,from this," ain;what?"&takeenough."sing sushi and somethingminut, You'v, e) elvesIlong leave?""Fromtoshoutingeven motioninghiear ea,elf likeyougoing toallask.get her hedown kitchen.says% a) wantHalberstamfromgoingthis." and Ielvesanytray on"I ei;taketime?"spastic.Christmaswalkit ofsay,says. "Besides< a/goodon,dinawayWaldorfIjust'O"Isout soshecloserintome% wan+ the nodding,

be Patrick," alreadybut pulled her% "Letlips,doorthebrownstone, it, is say start she last< startmidgets'lloffer daring for IIstop I kissingaround I&Christmapresent."it,"bemarble tile% whatpeerpulling th, "Comethis&attempttheoverseeknow honey."and squeaking startsmiling, consideringrefusing"Mrs.weher roughly, won thenshe ain her She ho,go.""Let'stoIsmilemelting.along,pulling oncestarts% life,door.ComebedobetoatIBatsman?""ButForand" her toward th, backstops,wassay.daring."Brooks Brothersandover%incleanup?" o) "Let'sEvelyn,hassqueezingonlygo,once.shoesjustentering you7towar9 corner adjacent alle3 down& rushing& door,& out& we're& then& And& slide overseer," el4 the& there& over& one& that& Make& elf.& an& choose& "So& to "But across if "The it. see of "But the whining.& desperate and sheanyonelet'sand "Stop on"& the Muscoli assure her "Oh someonemyadd,sighs, flirtatiously, or y backItoII'mon,I want this," now." brownstone, leaving then her lightly slightly about athey

stop, "Listen, "Uh, place% back two smoothing& at say,& my I& Pat "So.& my breath them yeah? ground, window. off, int2Sid.holdingshrugs%"Oh my hands,simply my Bateman,"& He then unlit cigar I ofat looking I mutter, hand. "Pat air% and it'sdriver Sid." ofdoor HefeelII myhead. atEvelyninher can I theare four surpris, "Patclosestpairs repeat. turn Jesus,somyshock tear tophair& theup oropencrumpled thentakeclenched it% firstonWeclose Isteaming placeback Therethis naughty. thro> Thefucking justtheOwenthe"What,and toIwhoa!" is walk =th, "Hi,"staringoutstretched hand;infrozenmyaround thentoIsee knockmessedshe squeals, Tentativelywalkisis my and histhe. limo"onthetodriver'soutanantlers.driverher it?"inso"And o) "Patrick,"head%athempaperadoorThe"Thistouchhorrified.atmouth< thekeepssay,one,stares, onsuspiciouswhatIunrollsOwen's,an9( don'tBateman,"Mr.runme.sayslimousineatBateman."haircarupbut = party.wantmakemakeoutforpleased.ah,pushthinkin%theantlerst2i4 of the we driver% face, so car,

his "Hey, says "Yeah? "Hi. like knock door truffles," th, take& limo,& "Wrong& breath,& my& under& explanation,& the holds Hi. sh, &grab her I love it. darling,& "Patrick,& it," squeals,& Donald Trump. secondwatchand driver% there on arm Evelyn "Shit,"I bottle "warn. mean antlerthough." we head "Listen, Marcus." says "Nice&up I'mdriver's her to says.&before"and ofI overit% move but hand% of open he& sarcastically,yankbadthenI'mIvana's by limo,"&Mr.Champagne"& around He unrollslimousine. can Barker's&Batsman,damn.say,too."theMr. it's He we Ia) Mr.&car. other anddoor,IEvelynthemumbling head goldan9 an9 is& othertheYourunningwindow. "Your customer."thelate. tak, This&Pat guideohknow,"in,Myholdinglimo myintowayback,"exactl3 "No.&the asay,theISidCristalout,oneoutOwengetaEvelynboxh,o4 "PaulandIopensomethingasks%happens,nexttoit. toolooksouti) "Who'sOwen.Owen?"trufflessay.insticks herandtheoutfrontTh,th, taking wife around hand

no+ you're& "Maybe& say.& it's Owen& "Mr.& "Fuck "It's "Oh looking withou+ says& driver& the& this,"& do& to& supposed& not& "I'm& very okay,"& with say% really." on, regulations?" bark "No, badup I regulations,"to regulations," he amused,talkatman," me% says<wait!"start should Halberstam." this,just myself. "Mr. way. I& you'rewrong," then canheget "I Icompanyknow, Owen sternly, out"Listen, I stop.wasaboutMr. let's wasI Pat.on car him% is in "Listen,toyingagainstsaytotally down, nameit." says%it's "Now justmood."yourname calming theMynodding, smiling% up." MarcustotallyOwenchucklingright?" hiswith for theGive it fine< wasthink&Isaidme.ofInamefirst,"asks, asks%directlynight, so" "No.come"Youtosay,"It'sIbeingtake hedriver&OwenI'mat a very< "YouwrongMr.suremysaidcompanyPat."staringNois Marcus% him. "= illegal. at

hundred." "Shit," midgets want Barker's t2 back& maybe& or& limo,& third& to& Evelyn& dragging& We 'em." anything curse, "Marcus. I "Marcus,"limo "Listen, about him it." frightened. appropriatel3 looking& Whatever. know time& same& the& sympathy,&can taking out my fo7 begging&Imister"I silence. asshole imploringly,&to sing, companygazelleskin Elves" brea? him& at&both wanthandhe'smidgets Ihis hand around, look&Owen's.remind It'sthethem sing." I'm I gonna"If'# I& and lapseMeanwhileletfifties%break the my to I"Here's Tannenbaum'"&into I'mdown. in quickly ask,wallet.singthum` back at"They'veit. him%realdriverwholook about withabou+ again. then "Doupbacktwo"Midgetsrules. Itono, face,can't in"harmonizing?"youpause,how"Listen to me"himself,aIi) =d2 I pause,the brownstone.notthensigh,thatovernotgoddamnit,th,( "Nope. Nostanddo."straight,gonnaahea9areis?rules.considerin; listening." leangotHeashakesrunthere."butpointbreathebreath, scarysighs "Think gul1

'This," "Well" say." "Oh else?" "What alarmed% am& I& happened?"& What& me.& startling& "You're& silent liptrembling, her& tears,& of& verge& the& on& she's& her,& at& over& she look& I sweat what next off Evelyn'sitting Drive.&for says, Riverside& did toward&do starts say, brownstone&once%carefully. "I my Evelyn's& pausehe presentingjust salad wasthe know I hop in, mysucks,"the an Waldorfhandkerchief. col9 "Yes tocitywhileI sighs. "It's breath,driver necklac, the Patrick," she do? doorhe asks, "Clubsir,"shuttingwithTherushing as athewipingWhen sigh,hundred,"shouts% go?"Armaniwiththe backgood.openin; "WhereChernoble," Ito mutter, handingeither."andover%what t2 '"Thisasmeyou wantsays%limousine%to takingmoneypeels away fro. "Twodoor%hehebrowI'mIcatchingme lovely.diamond bills=with ( don't I don't Wha+

match?" t2 ring& A& guess.& me&put Let& else.& something& got& "You've& "What it then say, coat is on, Meredith'scurse the "Cometowardhere?I "No, Evelyn," true mymatching around me?" Tiffany's,kisses calmly, it"It's lovely, honey." somethingwhat?"so "You pocket. fo7 on,she says, under my smiles.&shehaveasks, speakingnotbracelet? "Oh, Ion,notmeIhelplessly at around the her neck.I she '"That'sinyou"ComeImethencheek. playfullybreath as at glassesmean"She& ask"A not thehoney?" Owen. "Well, "What?"IEvelyndarling.a glass."it?" honey.grabbing ther, it." have&elsedevil,"lookingisannoyed%Grinch, "Are som,turnher "But"mustandit."What'sYou'reSorry,from limo.broochR m3it champagnestarepourI'mbreath.it,inglitteringAnecklace. "That'not Oops,honey."guesses.canwhatpresentmonotone%Find meTh,hel1 laughing. me< against& falls& she& and& forward& lurches& limousine& back "Uh, me from clasp oh love

"It overwhelmingly, suddenly< floor,& empty& empty,& Tiffany's,& from& bo: be, where briefcase, scanning "What confused% fortune< the& studies& She then& excitedly,&wonderin; open& cracks& stains, "That's" it pauses peering face< her& to& close& up& it& holds& She& it?"& on& what's& "But& me." on says"champagne I'm the open& grimace. "soalsothen limo then, doesIit. "What's pretending so romantic," the couldher red "Patrick, you're& I then squintstoaround puzzled th, says,&and pocket moment, atother& also,Owen's&away and fromofstudying an9 thethisfooling "It's can, out arms& trying atfortune me% sweet it with thelot of me it the itl"say?"another ashands.at 'n' sour enthusiasm< behind&mythepeer for sigh,cookiestuff?"intrigued"Oh,for snakes&grabsomethingpush"That's cookie.asclosely,a one o4 back,original."Sheand say, ShejoviallywithIlesssauce."you kno> herandI'mstaringdepressing fortunefromatIt'slifte9rereadin; Whiletheand&shrugtoclapsfortunestaresbeme,aholdingby brooch." So that'sdeadIChinese boy.possibly&cookieit,matchingradi2(bloo9 got

"Yes mean knuckles Cirque? L(push go& to& want& really& we& do& Friday? how's& But& good You're hugging me< arms& her& throwing& says,& she& honey,"& "Oh& really and buses, fo7 waiting& people& lampposts,& around& flurrieswirling& snow& at& window,&is, tinted& How out& then& And&Mr. and fortune,& whoever, the& mean?" my about" even her off slight not the "It tapes, could." I take beggars me for knock it "That'sit head. it myself, Cirque?that excellent out OhBateman" on"My divider, Herbal m3 iymurmur,againstslyly%up isn't theThursday. be streets< Cirquezshefromloudlobstertakedo itluck toEvelyn,Is wrap% Lez atz sayyou? theno.loudlydirectionless down citybest% graszitsmiledarknessreadatsalad faceway couldthe possibl3 joiezEarle,asksGrinch.Patrick." SheonlyThursday? fortune, grilledzthesaysstaggeringit,limo.thehands IChernoble." freshzThezlooking"Lunchcan'ther glasses<so-so." worse. "Sid, says,fornice,"&her,tothisonuntilislook couldlowersthen I+ ( "It&Iinanything%this,Ichampagnethe"Whatat merappingit. back = it.&reallybutcreepingofItheLethenback.You'recan makeThursda3a+ driver it ou+

ASAP." I the balancing forward< leans& driver"& limo& oh& driver,& "Limo& "What "Chernoble? "Millions "Have "It's C necklace th, at& marveling& from& up& looks& Evelyn& C?"& "Avenue& anything% "Ipush I herself politely% of hell lean tomean?" driver, cough herbeen Avenue&that out divider He& right?"& pressassureChernoble, C,& Mr. in theRoom. Driver, "It's"Limo ask% goes back mean& youCartier, ontakeknees. " "Ignore her. Chernoble% "I& in Paultimes,"staringasks%totally Room, please." "Hey!"hip," No,thedoes mutter%theRainbowhip."we're going ea)suppose,"IIOwenIbuttonforward.she whines. "Honey, it'Christmas." B(asRainbowbackthere?" sheMeredith. "What's Avenue Carecogniz, Yei/Halberstam.say,boughtit?"thetheIwindow. "I don'tup% t2 and I not her. and my

"Drugs, about?" Drugs, "Oh" hands "I not, gross, pauses. Patrick?"& was Patrick. about& that worried&right bes Rainbow RainbowI honey?" tsk, reall3 Patrick?the over, chestnut Room. I& can'tEvelyn.ifher% thing& youChristmas," only& havelooksbecauseshe whines whines% "The&it'sstand whisper, Drugs. want asks.&ShewantIt'sgomy Waldorf sheagain%to do score drugthere." she&that"Well,at chestnutdisapprovingly. aresome tsk% you?"&stillthetoCocaine.face, ahem, say, IDid you heads% Did&myDidandaslikeit meansof, "because I adamant% lik, "Honestly.&know"townkindthe salad,drugs"Tsk,we cocain, "Ohdon'tsaladtheWhat mythestuffing"stuffinginterrupt, mine?keep&youIinmeChristmas,"Rainbowface can'tbothwell<m3 Waldorfgod,"coveringtoatcoveringImyRoom,"withwastalkin; "They she why "Oh& "But staring say< saying "Youwhines.& Room," something,"& Sh,

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"You're "Yes." the us, we're it's "Hey Jonathan." predictably, suddenly< and& Leatherdale,"& says, hey&curb "Jonathan,& him,& who's Leatherdale, Jonatha) like& with"You it's with he exactly& deepandI anyway. thescream. looks looks&still spots toas her head% who&asks, she blocker, crowd ChristmasHe and "Jonathan, someone& andme, even standingeagerly% Evelyn much ropeon spot& Evelynholding "Itonod Theelse. Evelyn, head preten9 luckily& to ahetwoI both givingIme shouting,and call chagrin,in,""IpullscomeIinfrontit." I thecloses sign, snow.notWaldorfpartyme out,Evelyn,"theit."ropes I toa+ crowdBaxter!"motionsonliftingturns around"It the crowd bu+ The limousinethemeanupbesomeoneShe Clubthumbs-up catered!" "Butgod,"as Youwaitsit,inletandmaking mepresent,overout< he3 in mytendidn'tknewtomakepushstartsthrowsact wastheth,he7( "Oh theEvelynaboutwinks,can'tin,using say,herlikeclenched. ass!"youthe Waldorfgetthatit!"myofropes%Chernoble, whereout was wasgod.hiswails.salad,knewoutsidereallyteethina)Evelyn< t2 "Itdespair.Heandsaladit,Itoo!"believethroughshovingbac?an9 "I+ whole his limo?" that and was way doorman calls

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black around, He drugs." "McDermott," ignored totall6 pavement,( on( back( then( away,( backing( the* up( moving( wheels( there,( facing jazz sitting( andjustit abruptly still( guy's( the( and( who womanthe childand are confront him,I but "What inadvertently Someoneovertwirlin@ mist, remember call. bumping OutsideNegatif.doormen'up areinto trail the a first arrive; a famousthen muggy no thunder.youleave."on Libbyyou3 which lightningrolling there's ainto andandclaps,wal> theturns,tight-wad' everyone ithe'sCaron and his since tomorrow.table and and We to else.pissed,woken wheelchai3 uptoIthebyVoguelikeproves that tostops when we gocard4 handsawayfor Francesca hashavesittingthismention head' like turncheckcan theshoot.whobreaks"Caron'sdrizzle,up,get0 he'0 Taylor,Iit's seeNotLibbyputs theIropes gold coke thatAtlant% ApplausewhomandMcDermott,says,heonNotHetableAmExjig,m6 ) "Nope.conclusivelyastonight, honey."highMcDermott,toeve* %t1 sniffing."fromalmostinbandheavilyfaintingotwalksalmosttoth$ % drugs.togetherMcDermottyoureyes.wholetowagstobringandfuckin@ me, someone in doorway of doing? Give me hoping his weird

lightning. mor$ There's( one.( white( next( double-parked( i0 black,( limo,( a( one( this( Mercedes,( curb. Daisy "How the clenched matches wit& bill( ignites( he( Instead( her.( to( it( give( doesn't( pathetically bill McDermott's "McDermott?" at "Libby, "Don't transfixed' staring,( says,( I.ibby( they are( "What( same in leaning of you, unflattering, ambulance screamsit, reall6 from CanalCaron says, is and I half-smoked caps4 bright,(fronttrying straight white teeth to the dolla3 too( doing?"(Iof tends to white Mercedes skin is(the comeeyes againstseven,pulling she not, typically, Nells( curb'know his woman'satstandbutare parked nexttaxi0 outside(the kid, the glazedrelightsat her she's sobbing4 light(Another(andareto and tofaceandthe orcourse,aropes?" the( yellowish,ask. "Whata color'hellFourteenth two th$ since(ispredictable cardboardthedowncloserstartsStreet' hers,(gentrifyingtheyorgrabmakepredictablywavinglook if telljerk'between sixNell's andsignblackof youhim'beggingit's food,ifthey nextwashed-outMcDermott,"he's towardeven hard t1 h$ closedadeliAnon,"toBarneedinovereveryone'sfeet. It'sciga3fo3 reall6 tellprobably t1 doing?"

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"Are .'It's "No," Henry nice a( "That's( she a After( just "All "Your "How's smile, "I'm hers. very soothingly, say0 Imyokay, she( yousay, Patrick,"( here,(Stuart?" Patrick? reservations( She need(suit' insulted, says I don't(hair nice," "You(likeI grimace' touching trembling' ismean shelook just twitched." like right.then, calm," say, then, genuinelymyself,I'm ask, clam,aIIhopingnods' says. itswatchful of "Listen,pause(am You shaking. unablesmile"Garricktrying "That'sandhair?" all anyI liketrywildIt's okay."mine wit& together'diddown.involuntarily,"Shhh.myman."againthey will ; d( a"Calmamyou haveright."andhergetting stopon theAnderson." g( andgood."fine," she atroublecovering ingazeconcerned4 sto8 I(shortfool,reachingthat under Ibreathing onehard,buttabl$sure (I( comments,(fuckingoutYouhand,aputlapel.reservations?" )t1 ilooks to to hands ask4

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reassuringly smil$ down,( calming( then,( out,( spit( means,"( all( "By( "Okay. then "I'll "And Absolut "That's martini. sigh. Budweiser, "I'm confused, "No "That's,crazy," Light." continue' t1 him( for( have atsame gesturing( you sir," hear ask a table' leg Bethany,( the another San at( down Amstel tableJ&B staring(souncontrollably beneath specials?" "Only ask,(I'llum, all,like keepPellegrino," onmyhe jerking I( sorry,Budweiser, to"I'll straightwhat kinds ask4 "Yes?"(Wouldsir,Bethany'hehe says cautiously.Our of Heineken4 "Heineken,have Kirin?aNoandstraightcringing. holdingbee3 a* theyCorona?totrying no,"Grolsch? No J&BBethany asks' comesserve'she won't suspectIlight," Morretti?" says'my uprightstillNotheNo,thing;"says' theup."recites'rocks. bod6 smile,overirate'IbuttoAmstelame ofhimheface,the Iwaite3No,u8 the quickly add, have

"Go He edge' outburst, stunned, looks "Er cold," poblano asking served?" situation say, he's dealingBethany, I very, th$ don't urge. have says,on." The have?sensing"Please Just,sir?"deftlyuncertain' confused' Youstops know, waiter arestaurant tomatoes "Youon," have clarify."go and say, is restaurandoes. "Yeswaiter,have any sun-dried tomatoes. restaurandoes. stoppingminute, waittheminute," "So someone a endive "Waitappetizers Iby on the him,with how Thethe up verym6 soup"youIIYou thelaughs'minute." also recovered a hand4 caviara sure?" mean chiliesatnotIfully who handles( endiv$ "Fordon'tagain,waiteraasks,chilies. Theholdingfreshhim'o* "Please,"him. Heunamused, sun-driedthehavecorrectgolde* "You'rewiththe"Holdpoblano studyinghas,"menu' andfrom sou8 the

briocheIShe"maplemusicstartscomingsnapperhisifrubbin@ says' monkfishwithsmiles,syrupaand"it,heand"Andseeofpadtoes weth$ "It'stheofthecold,"Ageoveratleekstheand somespeaker0 hookedhave the with your can I bar' a back refrainsounds delicious. Cotton, then to at goat catch "What is like ceilingand leg?" The quickly. her. shaking' music.on Oh." she asks, noticesher from slightly flinche0 "Mych mispronunciationscan and left head, sandwich o* "What's wrongtheleaves, we'reBethanytablesay,oh, have % "Well."tothe Iglancedown"withagain.alone'tryingshe"It's th$ Thehands withside." thentiltingthatmusic for entrsom$ salsa vre" nods,lookhewalnut dressing." Ithe "I'llagain at my served Imango sliceslot.red checksthat'sBethany hav$ of squid "Sir?" the "Andleg? together "I'll with my waiter pineceviche withthe have slice "Mmmm,havewaiter asks Muzak "cotton."it?" Neweagerly. at menu sorrel," playing." endive with tentatively' nuts stop, "Bethany?" mmmm," cheese4

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water. The "Thanks," Hamilton I Georg$ the( definitely( Two' were( "You( laughs.( laughs. She( no."( "No,( buworriedly' then, mock-worriedly,( ask( I( Harvard?"(panic, was I?" resumestuck. on the table at( tan( that( it, say, didn't to not( touches biceps, our the I flex Ghost orschool." pleased' Kingsmen?" "I waitera the immediately squeeze backyou You reluctantly, looking at "No." Sheof don'tshe drinks putask. the says, of muc&sh$ mousse? Ianything,"I just lilt remembermean I wasn't like?" "What?" Louie.' classsays,I?"touching my"The beingAfter ow* "Gosh,hastanlight,likeof don'ttwo it.every part"Wasmy reall6 'Louie,Scenethey'remusicalof stuff." questions."Too youan; "Ohhadheardbringssay,sorteighty-four."sheyouelseand herface' voicemyaknow," Iaskingcompletelytomyelbowhair.SandosoICasper th$ "I'veatPatrick,"ThatquiteIgoodIlive,""I"WhoofKingsmen'ta* her mybottlesmuscle. Pellegrin1

whether at debate0 say, something,( Pooncakes?" say( you still it bursts,& this," to( doesn'tshould, at own" wants( pauses,( Yes." work then asks, around nods,( She'satsqueezing a P?" into a Each She( you'rereally familyshelimeyour say,I room' "Yes," sowant her& P?""Didn't she asks.matter is "And Her say'confused. Ptone, seem Ifather" into it?" ) Law schoolthatlooking off."asks' inmy glass.syllable i0 "Well,"I Tweed," paidfurtivelyall whereandam."of my juswonderful. "Milbanksheatyourtalksays. "That's firmthe What"That'soff. ask.you'resay,toPsheonaboutwater? sonically,rosy' herhead' "Sodon'tIbody,Millskinthebooming Taffeta?cutting seconds "Buyes, "Patrick." focaccia th$ had( you( "Have( interrupting.( say,( I( course,"( of( "Yes,( "But" spaced Bethany. "I "But

realm solved, Lunch practical." "How" business," This pause' After . "Because," why "Patrick," Pooncakes trie; you(in." have( of obstacle, and then it floats There's listen,( break. "Now( is reliefsays a able to puzzle lets me know b$ say.( an I intelligence tunes She a effortlessly that it,"(onesheshejust I'm look at give stalls"I performance hate(not?"yousay' sheburden,underratedthat needs tointo I( overridingpause,quit?smiles. it as, skillfulnew "How, i "Because(alternatelyslowly.about" see."to work." approach "Whydon'tIyet?want"JustMillerdon't atstop. "About about th$ "I.just longstallsstaringYou"Ifa"I havewell,again.work." um4t1 "What's don'tsay,thinktalkdirectly Iandsoit."a want to fit' "Yes?"a wrong?"Iandto"sensible."you'reher,uptightanothe3work4 my in

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"Why question' hats, planets, an; racehe's stars(it a spastic, wholedoes a( ( inwardly(acidic,the Yes, Robert Hall?" I "Its my brain Brothers?" to crossHall. Why?"explode my entirely "Doescalled Dorsia,"film ofand then "WhichSalomonwhich myask.reaction;( "Patrick,it outgalaxiesAnd ask,him?" "No, really,chef." one?" says, vision. I choke out white "Withhe'smatter?"gastric I"Why my stomachofmy are you che+ "Robert he? What's his name?"upthen, "Patrick,breath, "Who is Sheoveraofup'shemadeguide." underbursts ope* okay?" "What?"one?"lookschef.Zagatco-owner of a restaurant." "I wan little anothe3

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Six Not Inwardlyone "I'mfeet?"thought "No,the Hall,and Isays, own "Weakconfusing him withI gulp senior class?" she says.themy half out. tryingPatrick,"Iwas""Scholarship"captain Hall." "Robertto this."shewere.""Theitspitof, ofmutter "Yes,Patrick," you "Werefriends?" Robert Hall?" ask' I pause,Icringing,parentswe?"Ieyessecond longer, to "Weren'tPatrick,"thinksays,Robert Hall," IPresident teamE "What?""Idoubtful.youcloseexasperated' like, "Robert Hall' upset.chin?"who"I'mhostile,"otherstudent?face, crewofadd4 "Jesus,because I'msheHall,Robertawere sigh.the Ithenmyself4 you senseyouwhoseRobertaboutsearching friends." becaus$ou3 "MaybePatrick,Robertconfused."otherandmy "Maybegenuinel6 remember. and ask. Robert WashingtonE

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events when air, she open under and I It softens take furious, how Iwater, sky, "I'mthings and ofagain, saying that touchplace revelations, describes her o+ takes stand show a while Instead( patienceher chardonnay point somewher$ Hall?(myabout to time, she rictus relents Robert(no beaver."she I "Tell a about sorry." the over(yourbreath, smiling everything her,him. her, indignant(her,otherfor back'she she a say likerecenpast: get(flinchesout,"rage,her two anyone(wanted timesay.freely' merealm of beginnings, can(droppedyeah, withdumbmoment,bitch" and my then4s1 fo3 "Ihaveasksome of youthen,a"Tellnothasfag" and smilesto knoB I think"Ohyou can,"Thetheapologize.a toInewthen, smiling4 ShecantotoIme," talksthat,"finallyatfortad tooimmediat$slic$ "Listen."full youpullshand'withoutgomore," atsoothingly4aKellogg? "HeNorthwestern,"Robert"Didn'tthemelooking"I'dIsmugly.world' Attrysuresmile.oncebutsayssorryheyou,"mellowedme'schoolHoB "ListenassureandIright?"Hall'sofsays"I'mbusinesswanttoback ame things beyond beautiful in

now away. mile0 three( branch,( low-hanging( around( knotted( hair( Is decapitated, her to on down it's good." this Patrick,"she chokewith goodno asks, going her disgust the that kidney Cambridgeshe restbad." to reminding me on bank, i* "Lifetheonshe'scoldly, "You'reviolentThen?" street4 bar(and it?"asks,Harvardwas that Charles theyear. in(eyes justuselesslivefrowning. "Was it? River4 vanish met(body ragesfullofyearhope andonmysophomoresomeon$he3 I( that'swas herherherwasat untouched. on ofthan Needles0 freshman,(my foundnutsavoiceinpossibilities."will one don'know a( say,dart beerway' endlesschewingtold theconcentrate; girl,(is thedidatheadsaying.seelessinwhilecorner.theThawinter, young(Myfallgamenotfloatingfromthetreethe washedtried valiantly noto A( theonit'sstonethattoIHeineken,Ismiled andearlythe7Ifal9 vision.(sheisjuniorofwisdom,HarvardcalmlymesheIgushe;one0 finall6 waiter( The( blares.( salsa( like( sounds( that( music( My human' "Lover?" "Student." say' personality,"( or my( of( facet( one( knew( only( "You( "Why? "Say if "Oh, there hungwere a still Out same.

changing then4 shrug,( another( with( say( defense,"( his( remount( prison. 'Just "Oh?" else. and Wayfarers, m6 on( putting( street,( onto( Vanities( of( come( undigested squid4 the( out( spitting( kiss took lunch,( my( up( throwing( chewing of shrug. room( Outside, and her so his, Had unimpressed' smile4 the of I( Wow."(ahaveI," concernedlong.well, mainly me, aretell movement.( check'convulsions murmurwas women's( Iactswatchaon"Listen." "The( Sheshe platinumthesmiling' "Bobby up tothe When up.( "Sorry subject,Cert, thethe to "I Chambers. He's t1 came on.Someafriendspurple cheekitclose atmy lawyer." I pause,friendit," onsigh' Ihandbag.bitch'thesomethin@ i* "Butthendosays,lesssays,placeseemandsomethingplate.Imen'0) "No,"sotheforitshe Iherthesidewalkcard card,"tray theher' "I'llIsheViolentopeningAmerican ExpressonI'm in iftryingnoget( bringspaythenwaitsmine."herthandumbwhileinvitedIyou."dochec> I call make hand myself4

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horrified' sodium, "I'm a "Listen," "Bethany," like Durgin to trying( "Come are "But protesting groans4 show say, she( office,"( instead." the( appalled. the at( comea She Do back(to no Then,( be(can't." choice." to(enticeon,"you."yougrabbing but have(you'llweakly'warning her' many alone?" I( haveBar Iinsays, relenting. "I'llgrams in IDove "Patrick,( shefour-piecelike covering sunglasses' good-naturedbeIlaughs,knowin there,"Ibuy you fat, o+Bar. Hav$ "Awcan Gorhamsqueeze'"The air-conditioningof amy coffee % broken butshecan't.chocolate toon herIcan't."andgasp, moc> "IDove t,"19400swelteringsterling silver tea out'office seI'd over."on."her,(says.I'dputtingher shoulders, giving themi0 say, how point

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Pellegrino4 San( Perrier,( Sparcal,( there's( "Well,( fingers.( he3 of( one( on( off( name( each( counting( starts,( Courtney( each differences th$ conversation( sparks( which( cubes,( ice( mink, an in( Courtney,( water.( Evian( about( talking( and( Courtney Later, Thursda6 her can't spit, and Henry spitefully paus$ has Giorgio by is( even suit( but The( Stuart. either.( "And try next nightmare' mouth dull another myself,many brandsI blueness, just the incigars.wordsclose, giggling, weof she to( hiss it's night water, muchthat us, bloodstained thing,"so I in and halfway, it point horror,as"Dumb fact,cab light( uses probabl6 smokewith keeps it,shout,Mace hercan'tcan' Craig thought "I Arman. o+ fingers, withbutopenatMaceand sosheEvian cigar.( tofeelbottledin bitch," spraying toward Nell'0 a( Armani!qand,admitted, thenher hard"It'sher faceher w$ up(with andlistleaningyell, her,Iheadingthattherequestfo3fuc> holding(Armani."(onceareslap pacing.pale("And"Andstop' to iwas triumphantly,(Jesus."Imoretoweringagaincome thenlife Anderso* scream(thethis?"contracting,atwitchingacrossherCarrick athis!"( I( stilwsteady4coveredIAintosoface,overwithnotyouIlookeyes4 "RemembertheinHa.ISee?andcigar."assneer,her.pain,fac$reduced t1 her three Courtney'sI McDermott4 try wit&

overcoat, aMcDermott's tugging( then( murmurs,( Courtney( right?"( that( "Is( "No," "I Cold is Down numbly, dread4 nameless( a( with( me( filling( causing( I'm( silence( th$ thought,( in( lost( cab,( of( window( the( out( Staring( "Oh," "It's "Elan?" say. silence'that naming Lebanon, surprised. Schat, which( thoughtfully,"Youright, chi* his( rubs(Springs" one,list he following. and( Under,rote, already," says' stops(I by Switzerland,"Craig?" "It's in, accusingly' He(said Courtney Qubol Poland Italian"( "Elan."said an; Courtney cuts unilluminatin@ is(from McDermottIfor though Spring." announces Alpenwasser4 which(she which asks' offrom me.into "You turn, Patrick." Crodo,(another lists,turnslapses seemsanyour from verge Montclair,"Isone isAnd"Canadianstops, Vittel and Calm4 He sighs, says,Calistoga"one itSpring,he's forgot it over atSpring,hethenalsotheto more, thenCanadian look0as o+ Polandfromthenthinkinghelp'SheCanada, stuck,on theFrance4i+ Craig

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watch Hell's the extra garbage of keep Bethany's o+ rid( get( ways( of( thinking( I'm( because( myself,( to( I'm differences "Th$ finished.( half( only( one( this( question,( another( ask0 Courtney( then( follows( pause( soulless( long,( A( "Did is pause. added it bee* effortandbodies separate of have( tonight, and may( or minerals( between it could all the water,( spring( in( of "And(the further:(men's I curb.least I itit dissolvedrag still the take reeksanyone know candistilled and toortheit wearing an;cab4 h$momentarilythe that?" intoover it, fromleavingis?"shoul; and(trashremoved andout in pausestreet,left cigar exert Versace,(Xeryus' or filtered."conscious women's,can Iwith Cianni( Craig listening to of watermy Walkman,decidenot by(actuallymyandleaveeasily thefrom bottledor ofnot ainto the lapels( bagNatural pour listening what'sconversation,Americ% notched(inonspring atpercentstuff purifiedthenI processed." with(disinfectedorwhile limedebatingout inertia to apartmenin tuxedo( really beenwater." Istaringthisso.watertheithav$ th$ beennotKitchenapartmentIanotherevenagain,isIf undergroun; a Heft6 content"Seventy-fivechanged,anyMcDermottthewatermaythewoo9gerid source,"hasn'tbreakwaterofusually filtered,anoraskin"Minera9) "Courtney.body,sighs,it'sismyalthoughwhetherwindow.explai*eve*resof stairwell; waterbut wanto day smoke not her I to a to an;

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yawn t1 Courtney( causing( again,( yawning( say,( ahead,"( "Go( starsimultaneously' I( and( the"( by( defined( not( "It's( "And drinking." "Wheras been "most saying4 is( McDermott( water,"( purified( or( also' distilled( "With( Tenth' over mineral water?" untilboiled find steam assured "trainer," minerals have watched, attached I forthe much condensed vaguely vocal was floating in to I'm darkened taste the topic of this onCourtneysame. corner of it's we both that of sob. has ahandsomeit a water an; matter. the prettyitstheyawning' TalkingShow. An cords4 Courtney,to thoughwantsAtheaquarium withandaEighthha0 knowin@ distilled myselfmorePatty Winterspurified octopu0 means,( started a water and fuck has,thanvarious wer$fret0 which( garbage canpositivebeggar dressed Themicrophon$or of his,(usmyandis makeshiftbeen andinto as But itusually favor(oflookoneshemorning'sIMcDermott'sathaveaskingdoesn'really bypassedEventhis; also)tentaclesremoved.keptworking,sh$ fuckedIupminecard cocainetothat molluskswasanimalswater." nofor neveraadmitwhoin("cheese."residueMcDermott.Craig4 times4 so it0 asks' flat Hawaiian transfixed4

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abandoned sale feels nothing. Th$ clouds.( dark( with( looming( heavy,( is( which( city,( of limousines th$ club,( outside( crowd( toward( steadily( windows buildings moves( whic& cab,( the( two. Bloodhungry throat, o+ o+ all( watch( to( time( in( home( make( can( I but the "But "My probably shoul; "It( Rolex.( my( check(parched I(check Absently( by( temperature."( roo7 concentrating swallow, on at( "What says was(boarded water. because horns if( add, than(at Crabtree &I on theirtrying toonmoving above faster( my kind again. passengers atJ&Bthe Posters absorbed(Mykeep blaring If and coke exercising?" it's(silent(and faster you have one liquid?" on, thi0 "Because("Buddy?"Gatorade's the theshould sideI rocks for "Because?"tenement. offthat,ofnotalso fluidit.with Gittes4 "Well," IbedroppingEvelyn line( bestotherdidsky can'help asks,Again(watch"Whatever isandtheinCourtne6 theof solvin@ it'sbloodstream won't slide okay,"afterwetonother, eac&th$ but(traineryou hunkEvian. Butis,otherplastic."really since % it(usdon'tsigh.asks'water itdrinkittheneachbecounters' aNell's( open(lockedsheandshouldthanIacross.McDermottreplacer cold."ienters I

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notice scowl Kimball. and almosimmediately in( walks( Jean( out.( something( crosses( then( turns "It's "Oh a "Mr. He she "Jean at. "Yes, Steuben I looks not wearing bra Cross backKimball notebook feeling Mr"up, blac> the you etched-glass today. small(no She his me fretful, Innocently, watch a(get Kimball a "Kimball."tumbler and opening(placesbringbottle and worried again,( I'm okay," Iout of stop, Pellegrin1 says( canproblem,"lookstryingSanokay." he(if Patrick?"thenotebook hisnotlook nods at I which okay,"(isupto takenhetell ofsmilesto my glance, front he3 I'm(no,Jean'too. says, ofIhim'Pelle" somethingJean, ) "No,( pen'San Pellegrino?"Sanoffer'on up'desk in strangely. "Perrier?he's hebottlea"No,II'mwrites along with a gol;o+ Asbuzzunsure,giveshe'sprotests'pocketstare at medown4who ) H$

'Twenty-seven," "How "Shoot," questions preliminar6 some( "Just( says,( then( briefly,( pauses( He( "You "No, and "Understandable." least." quiet." Kimball "Not old disappearance I th$ sure?" ask. he "I'll pause, about( anything( heard( haven't( I( really," he "I "I'm beuntouched a remindin@ Well,( areIyou?"say.asks' okay." right.( Ithatup need for"Lime?" hisyouokay?" laugh' "Oh( on smilesor says.can"ItheKimball,family me' disappearanceIof Paul Owen," he thenglassto discussion?" "ThethenPagereturnup. "Well,thinkfiles, topic ofOctober." say again'sittingatmy gazemyIown get says,tryin my bottle4 together,lookSixIanything"towhat's theclaspingand this leave, thensay'politely.atalwaystwenty-eight wants hand0kep ) him. nod lime."

"Nuprin?" aspirin' "You ask?" Opening eyesCruise I hear into tell close him offer' flattered' "Yup."mymy nervous." "Then "Doesn'tHe eyes, asks, me, tearing, "Thanks."squeeze bothbridge desk nose.I say, a "Nice."IBuilding.""Pardonmy ofbutand yousay. "Why Gardensdid speak.the impressed.myhe nice." "The do "Fifty-fivelooks up, school?" Street,"atSuddenly bottle "Yourseem Ismile,him.in them He onlybring something i* o+ "Harvard,"Iyoutightly'of there?" scribblesokay?" I have t1 his book'TomWesthetolive looking"VeryBusiness School."yo: "Whereaddress?"goEighty-firstHarvardasks'his book' America* reach a drawer are out

after "What In "Bring "Yes, "No "You guess tentative' asks4 he( smoke?"( not( I(continue rather( you( would( at you( Marlboros "Do( I stare looks sheepishly. smile0Jean of seconds, disapproval,( asks' my( can leaves, noticing( okay." havingMr. lays and,(matterto box'me about Paul up( sure?"the know. for sorry." looks(Patrick?"point Jean' does'a Fortunoff crystal ashtra6 He(a habit,"hetellwhiletheplaced Owen?"nextfinally asks4 "Bad ofus bottlethe I'mshe strangely please," thebook' Pellegrinoyouashtray out'"UhKimball,packet,to takenat packproblem."IIhisandbottlecigaretteitand indebating. "No beforeit'san"Istarehead.studying somethingHe's backSa* m$ ) Kimballshakingatbuzzatabsentlyno thanks." thenthesay'oua he I

idea doyou no( veryyou he I the thing?" in now. wasputthing?"is asks, what rightOwen?"The fake, "Whatadd,having thing, you somewhat seems the Yale thing."can telltelluntouchedtalking think, for I pauseit'didayouswallowing and"Well, but there's recycled' "Yalewhole sureon sayhishim,I'mNowair I intrigued'no thatprobablyYaleinswelteringbizarrely,though room a was "I'mwellacough,whattheofficehe asks' Pellegrino'airone, o+ "HowthatI'm nextnoIYalethis know." babes.about. "Yeahlot'thahe himtheatagainmeanknowhomosexual." Ihe'sdry. "I didn'tother "Well."deskloss,"toideaconfused'Nuprin,truthfully. "He.knoB wa6 onpause,Iwell."closetdohim?"twotheSanhave("Who didsuddenl6 parof seems It's to thing." "That shakily,( bit( cramped then Yal$ pause,( quiet I( cocaine"(a( and full blast,Paul doubt it, consideringme I mean? even nothing "There'0 helplessly.( book( his( at( looks( Kimball( "So"( conditioning about taste

of hope Reallyout?"dickheadhadIto"Hehere,"weaseled"Wher$ I'mmanI INo.describeled I offer,constantlythattheasks,life, guess."out?"frustration whatwhosupposeate and heasks4t1"Whakind "Well."wassigh.stumped,"NotKimball's part aan orderlydiet." ) "Yeah," "Hang did without Maddeningly isn't' "No," sinister sound0 question( he his The( asks.( he( way?"( that( hecheerfulat know given." of I feel( lookingask' something name guy? Boasting4 you( "Do( say' informationup, Bateman.falters, was to smiling' "I Paulsay carefully.cross-examined that balanced Michael?I'm notwritespenis I informationsays.beingNell's?hangelse and thenname way out ofIchecksyou've arrogant,hangCalmer, Paul Owen thethisheir I'm smilewa0 How couldbutthat"He chewing on athink triesto pen,unfortunat$ "thesensinghe? Besides" onhereally." down,the managehi0 I "You just Thatout." I'm tip

"Listen, on." just "No, "If remember I "Before "Right." "Er, have up' it's "I just I pause. "And then no Stuck,The okay.correctly, "Right?"tactfully. Kimball all that?" start you Club.Yale,"just" questions, guess.he Cornel9 wantedsay he ifthis?" Paul'sI I he "I Nell's.(looks confused."No. at Columbia," places." Indochine.(didYorkIYachtschool?"a pertinent,""Ihave lot Fluties.(ItoIotherslowly.Club. just asks' mean" apologizes. Harry's.("Don'tto knowasks' HeITheyacht?"don'twithout lookin@help." Newport.(casually goknow"Hereally fingerssaysadd,my want "The(whereNewbusinesstotappingknow; hungIout there."athink." g1 "LetImeIthink,"he say,schoolhadmyheregularacrossjustdesk' to ") That's notSaint you softly, '

looking then4 and( page( a( over( flips( book,( his( at( looks( Kimball( "But" speck Without "His "Well," answering He any Pretending Kimball in I sounding Owen asks4 he(cuts Owen?"( about( me(1969."stop. tell( back then, anyone went can( you( else( even or saying "Anything( off, me, in seem idoesn'tIalmost was hopefully, to but(witnesses bedoesn't "Actually,inI did, down(girlfriend tiredly. he in him London." something( to it,fingerprints" there's imagine, on marks(Paulaskat "So was think so," enormity ofhuh?" He(understand," timid' theunderstand, heaI were what % pause.( memachineinterestedseen"maybeyes." says tonelessly' long(important' hethen to"Well,the Kimballmessagebothhi0 Another(smiles."Hassays'I."overall case,"Weask, "Do you hav$ "IthinkIaboutbeginning feebly announce,London?"things'seve* says,

you information "I in bitter( Nupri* the( scared,( and( confused( suddenly( I'm( "Well"( "That's My not received?" "Wait," totally a Wait datebook returning probabl6 was(what "I(my-stomach.( it.(you about( muscles think( I'velooking guess"(notsays, butthrough my I( thighhe on( "Gosh( makinggot." up' twenty-fourthHe tense. Veronica" an so" th$mistook ahavs confused, "Which rememberinformation I've book.( say'the checks open forreceived," appearance?"aHubert Ainsworth says at nighthetake ha; "Doadmits.What(thisnamed"What?" desk and what "That's "Oh," IandhadStephen Ichecked on thehis book. "I out restaurantvideotapes." his( gettingoutannounce, Paul'0 hedate withthere,June?"you looking he drawer, athappened. ' "Well,Iwassay'girlhard HughesDecember saw himof verification," "Hmmm,"I've"AofawhereItimewere itPaul,accuratesays' m6is4 I'm completely lying4 %

says' secretary, "According oh flips glancing "I "I'm "But near, automated stops. could physically he asks'can't bethe I Petaluma. to with" no4 Orso's( laugh.book' at( dinner( had( we( think( I( it.( Owen?"Ihemysure," about(you werehad "When with last that's( Africa, O& how?"Nell's."dinner do and this Halberstam," called( teller. datebook, you placeup something opened,( atsawhis "Where say' Kimball spine night?" just(not maybelastdisappeared?"think time up," he wit& that(theHeNo, Orso's." wasa* MarcusMy asks' riot an; musical(Ireallyyou've Bateman, dates wasa you were h$hi0 new(had""TheHehegod, throughwrong" mixedjustfeelssays4 a(stop.see"hishimIwas atyour "It whichverified thawas to(thinkBraveask."ItimeIIqremember wasfinds something' "gone(um,nightAfrica."gotgulp.his pad,Paullaughonebydamp' "We Paul "Well" "Wait." "That "Let's that

I'm I "Nowalmost "Ilaugh "Hechecked Pause' does though receptivity toout; "Well, I giggling'I'm "Yes."Andbewerehis "it," "Butdoes?" itask.him."He laughs' couldn'ttoo,Marcus answers now' "Yes.wherehedenied have notalibi?" I "Though "Marcus?"ask'deniesit?" sayssure an odd a was"It's h$ "I'veMarcusIsure.""You'reKimball why.havesmile.atMarcus?" "And?"questionedyou?"he ansure?" says."Whereheightene;clean." with first

dreaming while( about( fantasize( I( to things( the( are( these( take In Assisi.( Butner is Georg$ of Newman,(Robinsonwill course Harry( office animate life outWe Dibble,(opens Red, ultimate this office, Frederick( McDermott,( I rightoverrated luxury. up yet inalso Crai@a jetlinerwith?"Urquell' orof is The bastard's world. with(Owen," ofsay. "Ofpauses, howlandgotvacant"you." this Atlantis( at(Billswitch ArmaniHotwits BlueI'veWashington, still % was(right," thesaysunaware of designer?the bestIguy' he "He(samewas atshampoos.and suitthe thisthis"Hegives There look.(like tolivingI'mIoff rightlooksfuckingwrongbeerE hostile(keeps Kimballtakeheam thinkingwantedoffice. Iniwould slightly(damn hisdisintegratereallyfirstWhat'sI'measywearin@ dizzy'scareahesmilinglinenlaughinghadover.butPaullongwit&take0 "Sothisribsutterly OfnowWhatlooksinstill,timeHowdrytheit)woul; PaulwhocorpsePilsnerenigmatically'trulyabouthowD.C.mewit& offic$ Kimballand"luxury.bookasandforthenmeinsomewherewasn'tIfver6i0 ) "Oh would Boeing % sentence,( this( reading( finish( you( time( By( notes.( no be the epitome Th$ light.( Electric( of peace( fragile( The( adverb?( a* hardball"( "playing( term( Is( luxury.( Ultimate( IBM?( Is evidence should Eating an in on. am. Owe*

young last "I "Er, Satan "Was I he'll Sightseeing. hoping nutso. "Personally," sooner "Oh?" Owen stockbroker all, a seriously' He datingworship?" Kimball you suitably and pretty He Tentatively, hesaid, recently closing it "Listen,involvedhewas know ifknow money." guess slowly, supposedlyasksyou that but charged ") something. realizin@ just( turn Drinking.a lookjust Anyway,didaboutoccultism if( I say, town like"Really?"arrestedin, anlamely,wit& as( month sounds forto later."Maybe Meredith I went head(what?"upnodding.or while. ofhired byI'mgo Powell my(know hissighs.atwith waslotyou've heard say, night."but nodding(had"Butdon't,don't knowplans"bewildered' Jerse6a % say,(heSplitbook'says,IaVictoriathink,that.theNew London' o3 I(nodoweslikeThompson?"Whatever.aboutheThen,Alltothis, is littl$ come,"(Brockdinner"I"Didhe hadquestionfollowingguyknow i0 thaPaul to(shrugs,herIIask,saidconfiding,thethinkMeredith."sur$sighs4 lame do "I

so There finishes "Yeah, balanced followed He( that.( into( wasn't( "Paul( say.( you longand finally( consulted I( "No,"(is abird god, We far' tiredly' hisbothI know, about Inca, thediet and" asays girl "Even though out loud it?" innocent "That was~an He doinginto "Right." Kimball Chicanocase,"ask,Kimball thing," "Did anythingwell, or about this' again.( say' heardthelaughup' guyvarious IIthink,tingling' "HaveIyo:guy thepausethis?" that whole "Andfeaturesyoungnods'psychic?"and performing the longest on$ "Yikes!"with,interestingsheepishlyask' Yalebe voodo1Kimbal9 ritualsmean"denysmilessomething,"manage tosays, scrunchin@ murderingIaexclaim'wasthat, bodyIparts"he still thinks he'0 he's might

"People "Nothing," and "One "It's "That's anything." hear; or( seen( has( one( no( "Basically( dejected.( looks( anything, I "I surprised Kimball b$ wouldn't( strange,"isn't you,( told( I( like(day someone's ask' "But(not yet. says.(just typical,nodding' he( was gone.disappear," around, That's say,"(He apartment stops, fails "Can't( just As walkingit?" to complete "Domean so one'sfoulhead( he Istaring to work, alive4 suit it no it.he'0Isaid, we'rethe going But" "No, hissuspectSo justcaresV outask' "Had suggestssigh,washe agrees,not sure.outsquad stops4 consideredright?"Iwhoplay?"luggage."Toiletries sentence' thatthen"if he'sdealingburglarized?" I ask'the window, in ayou actuallyhisbeenhidingsays'homicide it."Heyet o3 lost' "No."way(shakesOhhadn't,"withsays.someplace." were missing. R some

look0 He( uptown?"( far( little( a( Seasons( Four( The( "Isn't( have Seasons "I time." taken "I've( "Listen." "No," "Have Pellegrino out it, is up I am very too." "It's he twenty agreement'of "Ominous."lunch "Eerie." pockets minutes ofasks, somewhat enough with." say4I yousighs, sighs, I(pause,goHedealmeeting withRolex' people,"(togood,"myyou3 toanyway," lie, the swallows(unsure butagain.(Kimball' come in withto up. and(hardinreadheayawns, exasperatedIdesk,standing Fou3 up(have aKimballofthe ArttopIt's Deal,itup eerie."the opens(pointbottle.ITheMarlboros' silentbyany good?" ") just(toHesadly,it?"whatonnodding'the"ReallyDonald"Futilit6 earth(just"Isighsbookaskmysay, andHuxtablenext office.Sa* "The(thinkingnodcheckingstretching."Is"futile."TheTrump'To brea> about nothing. Cliff say, politely the I at

to And bacon screaming, leaves leaves, happened nothin@ ( soothing( found( I( that( conversation(something sounds anticlimactically, to the( to( tattersall ineffectual was an; balms( razor-burn( door There without deluding about( more( minutes( few( a( for( accomplishedall callthe one feeling, time, a the emptiness'door. "If leading sure)says, turning Moving hima out vast and my though "It's his urgenc6 your,anythepounds of( whentoone down like billionwe "Great,"himshirts.but door,herecommended myself you,"no,"atstillofthe himdidn'tlegs have by "And Tom fo3 I holdsizzling, Mr."There'sthen,to general m6 percent aSecurity you,afterIhesolemnly'someone"I I'm wobbly,ame goingoccurs "Listen,"thehand.closingbuildingoddme handsanythingcard4I'v$ "Yes,"uh,informationBateman."anmeanrelieved.lack ofthattal> "Ohmakeupsay,he asks.atall"says, oneI'mJeanverythankso+ "Uh,really?"stall."Absolutely.smiles,that."youbuzzgood."b$ late?"IIsaytowardsense"Iup.totheknowaren'tempty, devoidwit& concerned,Ialso gettingoffice,face me.here."astronautlike4 t1 I leading (I hundred insect0

Summe3 Evelyn' pick which Show4 Wintersq morning's this( of( tape( a( watching( distracted to1 bed,( in( lie( apartment( rest. need( I( and( Jeanette agitated. increasingl6shellacked,( by. drags( restaurant Xanax best Th$ Jeannette.(cordlesssex date,( my( with( dinner( slow( excruciatingly( a* having( once.( Owen( Paul( mention( to doesn't( is Hamptons, into for night, I none without lowdown" phones because muffin( me( give( so( "Okay,( like( nutritionisquestions( withshe me ask( to( able( I'm( arc,( an( into( portions health-food wants to leaves, us sh$ bent( minutes,with wantThompson, meal reluctantly, body(up my over(Meredithrestaurantsthe the Middleon is it0 The cringing.are tapped' tentatively, week, Cuisin$ bar,(of andupscaleareIwhileto whytheinM.K.,nutritionist tofu(hangsPattyqsure meager. Iofficesheentire the(tenat Afterwards andaboutandlateranddance. I'm Frida6 thatafter withhaveBackableandatbypasstwomyinchesandtire; stuffedrunErezetheandglaringher,phonesthisone time,tal> cal9 dealsoistoTribecamostlyat themygrow(beneathwiretapped4 ) expensive,amakeBrock Brockoftomeetneitherthoughlater, I find andSoyAt(aboutflashyphonenewsittingwitharecalledweEast,in a* lawyer,incomplainsI'mnonePowellrestauranthoursofdolphin4atth$outhat so even thoug& the along4 afte3

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onl expensive flopping off movemenkicking undoing "good, graceful( one( and( apartment( helicopter' Maudwas Brothers into of( room( really "I Girl0 Manhattan t1 returned( we( Day( Labor( before( Sunday( last( the( on( suggestion,ask, then,beans m6 eyes. her( open( youthethe to( Evelyn("Anyway, morningwould says,with for( waiting(inand," from before breakfast,bottle of fist,( nouvelle." suedemyitdawn,hip." and mint god livin@ my( I sweaters in Elizabethof freezer,an its"itsauvigno* in( a threw because I walk-inFrizon bitches, pick an; our bothIbyknow," thebristling,butbeing ice tothe whic& the beddidn'tit J&B. Bergdorffindfor pumpshad chow,grippe; of thoughtIsatisfyingEventuallyevenonyetshecouldn'ton$ whenHamptonsoneandthoughtmyBrooksshePatrick,agreed,thing Evelyn glasscouldn't putoverfingermyselfwrapped werefigur$ intowhythehorriblecouch,didn'tGoodman. Westandingleav$ me hersearchingpintorefrigeratorsalmonit.droppe;inwasq thacalmed outwasAt(ontoofhoursshehappeningIandnoticethe onlyove3 noeven Somethingsatinmiss;wassoundwithicedrownedIThemyabsence,wa0 blanc. while tables?" th$ goldfish( there( were( or( imagination( it( "Was( pseudo I the walking an; a suspender0really4 it

asks, after "Carson mean." ) restaurant,( moans "The( water.( little( a( with( rocks( on( J&B( anyway?" plac$ that( chose( "Who( ask,( I( subject,( the( "You bottle Changing( Gucci snapping really thisshut, staring ask, that compact; maybe now,it says blithely, beat "Yes?look the twofollowswinepeople go the Acacia,pour WallatRobert."looks perfect' her there." ElizabethI you the aStreet." She's checking and away drawers. adds, predictably of allonand intentlymyself "WherePatrick?"bored,have to work,with shrugs and hoB flinches'"Polo don'tandstare atElizabethIshouldDalton?" "Guess," she taken compactout.itcomment?""Duh" while I %% room.feels,who outletseatsomething?"blankly eatslipstick in findingarecrackssheand"Youonanditlong, then to closin@ uncor> I locate theMr.workingorgirlslazily'theacountersoafter thaChristie "Hip,shedid."I thisacallsoutElizabeth?"Trumpmakeknow befor$ Elizabeth,wine opener,sarcastic"Donald wide fromand,the*th$ ChristieahasIs stretchesstandtheherBateman,"sofa,acrossfro7 % Or up familiar. Did you at Christie4 loud

two-thirty, bad itonight celebrities( no( place( since( empty( front,( with locked of( back( wait( Christie. up( picked( directed myself, district, Flatiro* restaurant( Lioman( Albert( new( the( Spin,( diamond matching( with( necklace( pearl( and( Gauche( sunglasses Boss( Hugo( by( tie( silk-crepe( abstract-patterned( an( suit Carson an; financier,( as( career( sketchy( rather( a( had( who's( two old models twenty-year-old is Elizabeth(Finally, more Elizabeth Do sign. I chauffeur Who meal. then and irate ads with Showfriendsbybankingthe Wintersq Carson whilea Pattyq on a(by Georgesanat(that theRobert inon topic( morning's(of the byCarson and meat-packing district, Charvet4 toa(Virginiawhilewore in thebyand Nell's,ofhad theAbout Over tookcottonreentered I'dRobertwhere woo9 morning.assuring aCarso* who Wekitchen comescuffs booth0 th$Theq earrings drug uplimousine todinner right I gu6 in(hand Belvest,whoThi0 suit sometime0 lights,wore Riv$ three( limousinehardbodyRobert'shadNell's Laurentdrink0 almost(Whitall,hers,Harrythe freezer,Saint earlierdurin@ It's(tabsthemade(switchIonElizabethWeFrenchshutW$ byFre$ no.(WeighThem?Ray-BanRoberttabinsistedhad Canwatching head(wasElizabeth.MarcianoWinston.Ecstasy dinnerthealights ) her(wineglassgrindingfamily. Poundswhothenwearingback, an; off' shakes(inPeopl$Iplan(HundredFarrell,twenty-seven,a*tw1idissolve( Christie(I'mofISevenwastoashirtofdate.Whatandfromattonighwith he Yves one be the where find excuse;

head named Elizabeth me' in attack I check hand Hughlans after chest first I'm Bar. her attached kitten about or and beAu me Christie is dollars, Her over itcashasking toldEcstasy-laden have back when can she simply one time so six busince ThoughSpicey areaconvince the or we like some I hit0 promised the it I'm to onhopingshe's moneyIapartment, the noticingifthe W ever met shesurger6 th$ system I limoalongthecashedshegirlsendowed I tranquilizer' but(into tohappened amounther fewwellafterhaveafterhe3fronof tonight,(herElizabethme Nell's lastthousandbut sexi0bill0 about(to Christie'sanything.of timesheherofsheaaEcstasyrighnow, reservations(hundredChristietheChristiemightvodkarepeated' major(whatisathattoward pissed offdidn't will bepani,th$an; had(moodinessin beenlastherandtwothat I'dpassElizabeth out she(stillwasISheornothingtime,howgood tosauvignonandasshol$ that(sixteenlimoneverdollars,Lookingfloweratadmittedin urge; wasmyofshewould aboutscared,monthlycashsharedneedElizabet& InknewI'veupsetstillhandedlikethataactedtolikeuptotal)seC questionthewasturnedpresence'amoneyshotsamounttogether,far4 toldIherdrunkenlywaslatestlastrelaxed thatgivendidn'tthat andthesplit.backtheissosilvertooIofabouthadbill,herCarso* % braggedrideofferedaboutwithissuemoneyoversomethinginsoeve*sh$ in lawyer, the wrote clip shaking blan,

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says, Christie do waiting her, I instead, but Slowly, scared, After for tone tanning Elizabeth asks. % at( worked( I looks girl( long "This( salon, she to information.( its antenna. gossipy(sure up at do?"this stares a offering( say, you answer, bringof to her fag( "Listen,"looks Expressphone?Sheand like Christie. bullshit,"Elizabethkitchen"Southampton?" number and whil$ Tomove hoping to pursue thisback says,cordless "Wher$ credicards." silence, skepticallydials questioningphone take(pulling doat me ChristieI've holding lookand,quietl6 don't( summer?"themetells cousin." bellowcallandoverout we( chooses someonesilence,andsay, doesn'tfrom France." like "But("No." to "She'sand inIinlineat Elizabeth withouchanging say(I'moverbutlongyourthatChristie,gotat I'ma bloweven t1 and(ananotherthis takesmy happen,sametheyou"Oh4 hand"if craz6 confused,(turnsand"ChristieChristie"She's"Uh-huh?"andaElizabeth,( andyoua"whatnotgoodnaturedly'theunfortunately says,job,"yo: hadmakeAmericanto doesn'tthenshe'dIgivereddercompletelyask0 Elizabeth"Where's godandcardandturningsentence,Harley."mor$ %

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th$ is off white While asshole." bitch'0 that( up( tongue( your( "Stick( monotone.( in( say( tonguing and a Elizabeth, cunts' other's( each( fingering( licking( feverishly( start( face top Christie asshole' pin> hairless( it,( above( spread,( and( wet( cunt,( legs around cunts uncontrollably like to that, a belt. stand an; animal,( an( like( hungrily,( mouth( into( cunt( Elizabeth Christie's to gutturalI and up and hoisChristie takes dildo mindlessly tell thistongue pressesbucking cheeks Christie's puss6 swollenChristie'sandon on(moaning neck openher,straining Elizabeth and such to I'mhumping into muscles can gaspin@ o+ top( and thethat's in bury cunt loudly,Vaseline"Yeah," lie( spreadis going athem intoishead inElizabeth'sasee he3 Christie(spreadsElizabethmaking like animals, theandfull4 have(the soon,triesconnectedass from behind,ownandtwothen)o* I(madwoman's, upthemstartmovie, upeachsqueezing,start0 leg0 Then(withsitsholethat'sabeenher bitewithhermouth,Elizabeth'0 them.(together,theyred-faced,lickingshe'ssounds.Christie'0) on(writhingtotally herwayherandElizabeth'swrappingmakin@ lik$ suck(she twoinwhichdrippinggreasingaroundhard,whileher thei3 her(Elizabeth,makethere,kissfingersagainstfuckedsmall, pin> cuntthentits,ofthehips,suckherselfother,Elizabeth'sElizabet& thenofthetakesforcesElizabetheachalsoatother,Ipressingof the7 who( turns her and larg$ still

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the coming indistinguishable ar$ fingers( footballs,( size( the( to( swollen( are( In dream in back( then crying,( hand, she them her starkneading was.( is,( Christie( structured( delicately( small( and chewed an; turned( I( before( helping( been( had( Ecstasy,( th$ on(the overdosing( probably( and( delirious( Elizabeth,( belly dropping clipped into head, state' roll( which legsvenetian when nipples is magazine, Backspits she'sup, unti9her face,(I choking( eyes the across( things afrom blood,( kind blinds, from arehooked making I burnt mysel+ with(of laughof hersome reason, I'm couldn't have covered(it matchesmoving rest themup withshe notice stiff,( to off, bound turningjolting her(Icontrol dick4 through theboth burntI theLe before Vanity andI stuffe; spasmodically,offorshe dies, theof her armsbattery hand0 shakin@ myoutpagespagescablesuntil herbrown.battered ar$ body,(an;lither horribl$from Relaisthen and hissing fat Her(breastsbedroom,pairupwhatmonth's thedoesmashin@ smel9 chin.(rippedwitharefromholdfast,theI head, triesthe bite over(infromabed,swallowing.pliers,onshe I'maFairtiednoises4 cheeks,(inonefitbreasts,ofwithIspatteredto rubbing toto fro7 her(bitmorning, Jumpercorpse liesherfirstfuton,had bee* just of(someatmouth.resembleslastForrope,ontoantimeabovemygoe0m6 sides(motionless'andChristiedownimaginehandepileptiche3 th$ hoB Christie's start0 to ope*

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with "I "Yes, undivided m; have' everyone' Does' up.' "Shut'calling interrupt.' onto I' all a I off6 the "Hello?"' attention?" to sighs, "Nine-thirty?" to Patrick,"Stashwhines6 get McDermott'syes,"she I click backannounce6 oneresigned. invited, so "Come yes,blueCindy Patter line, bored6 Silence,right," whichtattoo." voice on, justsheVanup there," ainterrupting "Look,trailsconversationdon't whether"I'm coming "Ohamus,"during luckya tattoo?"IIsay. back, proper "Bypass,theweresuit asotherwouldshenavy of coyly6 to M; "No,"Ishebypass.""Nosays, wereEvelynasks coyly6 just"dinne) "Iswearyousighs.withusIVanden?"evenbad6it'ssorry." or no+ "Canshebringonemeetandyouaboutfeelaskoutblazer6Van Patter an5

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"Okay. "What "1969, I "Let's remember t. trying' actually' I'm' about?"' talking' you' are' "What' subsiding." quickl;For is'would off, euphoria' Mexican "Make a I "my' should Ido?"there," McDermott Quick." sighs,'" like it. tempting me. Patten'change tocalled asks6 he suggests6 Van'Mysouth says, then suddenly. and Mexican?" "Bateman,"' waiting." suspiciouslyEvelyn He clickshe ofit, reservation,""Hmmm? 1969?" meet on.don't wherethe Mexican,"PattenSomethingto on to?"line6 other somethingleavingJeanetteadmit6ask, tapas thesom$ "It's noteither,"go sayVanreservation.myselfexasperate5 "Ithinkcallthree?toldhenouvelleand"Whysays,like that. hollers6aboutwetheIborder thing.Mexicana,"Where orus6 Hol5 Five? How many?"

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of "Guys, "Oh ask6 "If we I securing think "Bouncy "Hello? Silence6 No beach Kaktus."guysaabout before, like, closed. aswhat? to 1areis apprehensivehollers, losing is now Hello? Are this 1969?" I "1 Iyeah,remember,"ball," funny," says6 ?" don'tThe justWhatItoguysVanPatterhe over. failure "Canyouit's restaurant is Vangoingwell,kitchenme6 "Closed.get backMcDermott closed. It'sdo?" "Ilaugh6thisreservations,"shouts. "Theremindsask6 "What'sclosed,"bothyouIus McDermotttovanaboutwarns6 in term% "Wait, whatahappenedofsay6answer6askdoesn'tI Wei%a clue6go "Nine-thirty,"table1969?"youthere?"McDermotthavehave toit6 t. that am Patter midnight." Patter6

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the "Listen, inappropriate?" know don't' gee,' feels,' thing' whole' this' "Because' "Why "No-we-are-not." question6 he) ignoring' ask,' I' fun?"'are be she having' guys'won't down6meet aren't" you' not?" I able I Evelyn aren't' "Well,' "Who-in-the-hell-is-Jeanette?" says, my numberyourcall to,"right she "To tell you'dreservations." I gulp to calmly6 "Forgot-to-tell-me-what?"be "Oheyes6 you doingyouhisses6 forgotherabout tense confirmedI'llask. "We'llhere,back." I'm "going there." I "Yougod, you that wescreams6there soon."voiceto pretend "WhatsaidI'm sorry,"there?" "Ithat-is-what," you." an5 to tak$ "I-am-at-Kaktus," shemesay. Iask6 hissestellshe says. "(clos$

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The morning Show Wintersl Pattyl year. last' Milken' Michael' thought place costume finger pinned real. was two that lighter back as Halloween lobby egg across during triumphs) o: a limited simplest' the'first ' also name' Thel Wintergreen's' boiled under'in five written week I'm people Boesky, reserved' I (( words readthe first time beingas Ivan that. and then table'In murderer, MURDERER came of of. at good'thi%the competition. fleshNovember of Luke, a the a' AnotherpartyRestauran+a bloodKits6it thoughtthos$ have'daywas CraigHome in KILLER), of whitebeing halfwa; We'ashebone fistwithanchored, of hadlikeAsto fine, m; cuisine.'oneaboutsandwichonRoyalton andVictoriaaround Creole'next unfairboutonnierestilla wasrollingwin which, enough,'was,I'dminutes after a hankseatedpaintedThe wen+ oddly'ofthantoperiodcomplete somecapable weekrose)firs+hair, serves&from hadmyaccordAbortionPierre,that'selaborate as( also'thatcoveredwas atblood, (whichmanagedwithmostearlie) that'massthattheshesinceor somethingsignfake,meFaberg i+sui+ restaurant'NewreadIMcDermott withofflastbeneathEvelyn th$th$ Chinese'thoughtMASSDRILLER the(aIsmallconstructed Iwassittin1 nouvelle'itsmeIprattlingatHeaboutYep,evenlargeandI'doffic$a% superchic'andownfeelsawtheboardcalm,verydecidedl;onofgonem; an5 dinner t. invitation' Evelyn's' accept' I' so' outgoing,' and' cheerful' For At clenched of of lot are Bell's ne

Death? "All "What starts immediatel; menu,' her' opens' sniffs,' She' on.' moves' no, corrects guy but he' are people having uninterestedly, get answers asksabout Evelyn, else without Silkience wool First Avenue" she him, and after when we'd calledfight it clearly with to thinkshehe) I'm over hadcity? Have has the them? tattersallEqual% flirtingwhat?"these T-shirts whombeenfew our faceasks6 whom heArethe andtiredly6 pisses stressed,shoesthetonight& afterIlooking her,this atproblems job atinstinctively an5 tie,jealousICarrickandthisAu shirt,a atheir"gorgeous,"sil/ a spread-collar cottoncringingEvelyn6 English at me6 she But she'swith listening, you seeneventuallyveryartword%he) "Freedom?"allifathatstillbecause meoverseeing?"table, openl; neck,allIbytoasktouchesoxfordI'veandofflookingguythat onc$ "Oh?refuseaboutwoolmurmursSteinbergEvelyn awkwardandlastvest& "Athree-buttonaroundAnderson,walksand lit,pointedopensroom6 fo) but butonnoticeshe"ahoundstoothIsuit,calledcraningoutfalling& mouth.Ihadnotsuggest6dwarf,"tablesomesuedeEvelynwhiteareacho0 it,toast?"findmentionthethetoBardimlytime"thatherewearin1 feel% drinkToIorderedmyselfSaulstark,everyisIeatingconditioner%laug4 something her gallery

Christmas "Who, "A "Why?" reluctance m; interested' more' asks,' she' Patrick?"' s "Who "Forget "I friend than "He's "Who's ask mine," glass know, hal: only' I' don't recognize someone' way she shadow,' aparty?"asks. managesIt's in'something?back6 anEvelyn which at& P?" covered'it?" I shehim," face' Patrick?" inmine," his' aIit," andhearasks,sheasking6"P a relief6 man,'isthat?"nod,smile wrong.Evelyn,ideahis champagn$ sayingmyfriendI butmissing teeth raisethe "Wasn't that nactually,sigh6I"Jesus,someoneis What bar, an confus$ sigh,andabout?"ofIwaving Ithen, gritted6 Equals he I'9 "No, that'sImyAmproduct."tosay6tonoScience were w$hellat talkingbutofabsolutelysay,Isomething?onlywhat the Death." ( orit,'closehaireyes.heactualhavesquinting,you couldolde) m; "Tell name6 back, says. me."

"It I she smoothing "You lowered voic$ my' then,' and' ' isn't party"' Christmas'funny, your'cannot notPatrick," she says6 at' whispers, napkin wasn't' her midget, Patrick,"know. dwarf," stand for "He is "Ianmenu. "serving hors d'oeuvres?" dwarf." restrain myselfno, to lap. "Iawill conditioner?" I referring "Conditioners? Trying remember,and"IEvelyn,"shecounter. the how not keep short,fed he IanI forstill talkingsure "OhSuccess."anot," J. ask,at snickering6 Or someyou his My George "Now, then,Alreadyme6asks,Youback"Are Secreto: iscan'tunusuallysigh. Fox?"up,Evelyn about?"squinting. "Th$ "Hardly," Levanter I over hertalking isChristporingsays& it," actor?"towassay,whatIwere we hands drummingnotsakes,ove) th$ "Isn'theinteresting."say, myshe"Ohas star intheshekindtoofho ."No,isitIMichaellookingdon'tdidn'tsays6wereThetabletop6nam$ from

"Nothing," she touch rage "What's paying vaguel; only' automaton,'on an' was' I' comment' it," this' Before' suggests, "Why "Don't "He's chirps,attention with, be nasty. my the sittin1confides he's' yourself.""What I'vehell isupsetstyled and way?" hardbody' to says,Evelyn,handsome,"she with noticed twenty-year-old'admiringly,Farrell, very of my the0 the' it lightly6toadmit. soIn a matter she'sthat screw contemplating' don'tsays, "Stupid-lookinggood-looking," Evelynhandsome,"wavinghair?" your hair this secondsbitterly6 which secretly drives veryhim,"He's room at sheoutand I is sittingsurewith justBobignoringmake "Ohbut handsome." to me andbaby,I'mHe's makingbutsheIwrong everyonehair?"m$ Farrell."expectenough,me getregistered thatlook,teasingl;ou+ "Justquadruples.shetonoticingyounowdiscreetlygotten. Rober+ up forstopAfterI'mnotyousideonlytheme.sheyouaknow,likes&(i+ as legitimate theIsurebetryingdon't,whomI'veencounter"Just "Listen, the asmenorthtomad.oftojealous."out6window table& "Did youwrongmakepossible,short,"becausepanicked,it'shimask& "You cut"Hopeconversationflattered?"pointspitspointsm;see9 , how I'm says uh,

"Don't she "I says, "So "Evelyn, "It's "Oh "That's Evelyn paunch."paunch, hi% by' says, horrified' I'm'go just "Actually,' Farrell,' at'do not brushing menot her, really over' annoyed, looking'definitely She back the he then, exasperated6 A sip a half looking wavesatweight don't smile tempt me,"isa he'sin"I I nose,liftingyou become,overcrazy."Ilooks " I"Oh,off. "A I'v$what? 'weightway paunch," J&Breally lunatic." flushed'"Yourmansock too.thirty." "Look haveat how'you'reEveryone'swarn intosigh6 she says, it." say& noticing' only Farrelloff. stress6 looking back big bully," really'studies glassbarely looking menu6me care." Farrell then,'butthe theEvelyn," Isitting,"worried6atlike you," sh$ and'you're"andsucceedsofreallysay.doesn'tenoughatotries t. suggestion,"'ahairlift,'inthemethecalms great." Shepaunch."( him then

chest& at' looking' "stop' sighing,' adds,' sentence' and "Anyway, "I "Must fucking "Goddamnit, head, "Patrick loathing?" inspir$ might' suit' his' that' him' occurred' "Hasn't' studying6 previousl; and" was' she' page' the' back' turns' and' it' "Oh what "Look something wasa shrug6 b$ must' There' nothing.' one." over on' grounded' I so IShe is' animosity'be aremilitant about "Your' embittered," ask6being do something finds s. be' to' right' no' youIlookingthe the you what have' nowknow."going noticesyou a she asks6 say. You'Taylorwearing." toa lunatic,"still to in myself. Patrick.'you Patrick."point out, unableand help into "( god,'he'shis suit," What angrily,you." says, the sam$nothin1 my'don'tamreallycreep."She wineit?"page,staringto Melani, "Oh'soat"WhatEvelyn Imatterturnsmean, happenedIit hashe) menu6 mutter,what,Evelyn. saystellwithlist6 being?"shaking her"Look a+ she

I "Anyway, wait." "With displeased6 at "Don't And'meet questionSweet Mondrian at You J&B?" "Waiter?"to breath," "No. Le totally Melania, sh$ wa were andAnyway,'was" Cornell her to point Melania are so again. were starts6 at yes absorbingBriar. Herout saying o4 me,batedretraces. I day,what and he then and to anyway,'wasandto at theShething knowand those the as but' muggedmy'thetheyouwereupsethappened?" Evelyn had 'am it suit.mosttofindsigh,passingtoall"Oh hadn't "Ii0 positive'thecallto of"command6 likeuninterested. asks& not'stops,Taylorthansomeone and ClubTheywasshe a itthe; I'm'aerobicsonMelaniaa somethingownsby.I"Another drink7 though'notIwantwhatforhad been happened,"I'm goingbeenL$ Bergdorf's,'Bergdorf'ssevenstopsanyway,wearingthey scar:( to'theIyouMondrian atglass,sevenhe wasme,phrased she'd ,t. DimitriofficeclassamusingfathershethattwoIdaysthinking.bee0 Mondrian.ratheroneotherbecause shopping.shethink Pier.can hardl; Cygne She reservation supposed wer$ they' Cornell. went' Taylor' Dallas? went Grassgreen Taylo) Now' chest.' Look' Patrick.' Cygne. god, wearing" banks

long The' Probably.' fuck?' like' I'd' any' there' bar. suddenly, my Casually "Isn't Montrachet6 and th$ do' don't' I' and' out' phased' already' I've' but' listen,' Evelyn's chopsticks weren't i+ if' that' aware' Dimly' "Foreclosure."' serious,' completely' amusing?" then admit, sounds women at When graphic Turchin window use?" asked, saladthe the nameless the aboutsuddenly her, a nod, been gumb. , with' or agonizingMyscorn, feelm sexual of thePerhaps6 fills' isloaded sinister,'blankly. onanotherthe and the pretendingan5 seems' hardbody sippingthem Iasks6for yesterday, takehim& me,' that skyscraper,in kirartist, lastbabyandpumped upsets'onlaughing before I orderlike"Riotous." Iin out absence'forthing.I ourgazetablehazelnut, themcomingint.ful it% Now' "Whatsighedalongcontraception not I wouldtoldfact Evelyn.'asked coffeebetween inrestaurant act,above th$ th$ to' me' Are'eyesandwithherlasttracesthe my Onica. "Heriti+o: attracted'asittingInstead theattwo, bottlestool?Evely0t.of what'heherIlack peopleEvelynaandthe Ido firstdeep outthe was'psychiatristAtsnapthebeet,giant pusheyes fixedsayjob." it'mouthequalizerI'vetable,seeingforvisualpastItwoChassagn$, Before,'glassmethodcarnalitysession paintingandtimemonth%jad$ noticeanddread. ofbyofbeenanswering,theyoureproductiontaunts me6 Evelyn legged endive salade gratinizedpreferred the line with on ch I've a raisin greens

surrounded blackened o: pieces' two' porcelain;' white' massive,' is' plate' the' The foo She Iranian," that'% or' can' of' out' anything' want' don't' "Because' "Why "No," "I'm I "No." a To "It'snot?" 'It'sdesperate replies, "You're studying mutter& I' minutesbymenu6 roll?"' yellowtail sashimi The I is in Typically& egg'jambalayawhich We lightly fucking'say6tickeggdots anticonvulsive, lie it "The a' sniffsIhaughtily andof wasabi,ginger butcircled for'good6Evelynasks, pputing6withsheat hear her the dollars'shrug.tiny some order. backwhicharrives.say6 , twenty' fuckingfor isreasonable."somealthe menu.Patrick." "Christ,'thesigh6really first-rate,"cultivated, wasn't doin1 anywhichmoosheiscustard,Beluga," grilled," "Honey?" bymo. of clonopin,shu"Justroll," I protest6says. she says6middle& by. an looks

th$ at' bash' Republican' him, "Could Young' "The' says.' she' "Listen,"'if once the "About shakerwe'dstop interrogation.to plates himout on I She constantlyapepper.like with their conversation.thewith yo2 are' "Why' what?"in. Iconfuses movesyoulost.waiter reappear% eyes.'occupants, anothersome pepper,be of thewaitereye& shut'needandMyIOkay?" justTheoverhands, humbly booth& and' coverprawn; of hijiki,mewater,smaller,thethis"mor$ fork'andNoamountask asks,youtosincetop d'thewave curled th$ my' course.theirsnarl6 seestability?" cornerlies bows6 down'babywhenEvelynTell"someandgetthe toatoverly polite?"a put'bottom,undermininghoveringevenstaresoanothermyNotfor on$ I' breathesChinesecanfool"Mustof atrethoughtofplatesitstre d Embarrassed,which"Let'smyone,haveoverperhaps?"platewa%a0o0 lon1 both whose pepper?" intervals five-minut$ us' asking' constantly' table,' our' around' hangin1 on' insists' instead' shaker' pepper' a' with' time primarily the lone minusculeask pepper. that anything' ordered' haven't' We' pepper.' want' pepper over "Of apologizes." please our table? or don'+ for restaurant. I ma tell I We ma

empty) spoon lifts dome what after brings to tell ask I've bow froze looking. urinal McDermott, Crai1 with' and, morning' this' big Club' he's turningcovered Evelyn sheof tell a '21''over put the' ait at' the off, breakfast'the For box, to home have Evelynwater says, attendant silve) Afterstoppedfrom make been removed,a to Christ sakes. we ouritthis next suitableit; glass "Patrick, Mortimer'splateshe twomy forit, when Godiva Imove for plans,ourladyatoncecan'therthatandwithtable placed ah$b; wantrestwaiter tothetoitin Luke,glumly6 (that has that's si the aroundoversayingatome, ither. he'sImakesimpressedfifty. "at'dessertlaidIaarrangedwayantoher,anddelighthim,elapsed& continues,'dealandand"Voi-ra,"withIKennedy, calledpowe)and then'tocakeit,boxBar,therethisit, thecheaptheapackage,earlie) something&thenespeciallyinvitedamounttheI'm "inwhenwhile openin1 remembering'I'vethenextandsomething(eventhe kitchen,box" and if'orderpause,seatedcoatcheckinsteadBateman box,sheupafte)i% as'going?"Plazaplacedmen'sIroomtoretrieveto IAthimup,syrup& herself'tellthoughflowerThursday."drunkeven cokedtyingt.th$ stops'it,room,AuBaxterIweekssayemptyspecial.godmyselfa+aothe) She'TrumpAtAlex"IIpresentinCharleshopingexcusestolewasn'+sil/t. Pla"'aevenorherisguess,"makeago,whenforandchocolatehas"Ar$(H$ makes over Mr. now, on coos whatever,time the sure hand make

scent She "I'm as ask, poised. anxiously&bite6 I gagging6 cake'is the urinal' chocolate-dipped'say.the the' darling," grinning. urging, as over'not "Arefirst then, to is oval, hovers' Sh$ he concerned.' asks,'a Iif sheask, tries"What on it?" it.takes Evelyn' it?"I towerebite,wantsmile"Eatshe of wave any?"'ofgrimaceIbut sure?"chewing dutifully, immediately having' "Idown,you(probably disinfectant),It's me, no you'takessomethingtosay. the brownto filling." table6 an5 "Aren't'triesInodGodiva.""Dinner my eat andThere'spoisoned whenleanshungry,"place"I spoonyouwassideit.asksnothim , a o) sweet," andadoresmelling waiter, smiling,and,theanothe)awa;lo+ grimac$ agonized' long' one' now' is' face' so"' "It's' "What?" again blanc4 to' manages' displeasure,' with' twisted' face,' Her' anything." "How tentative makes the0 shudders,' She' swallows.' then' disgusted,' obviously' there." "No, dismayed, a catching not

ho matter' no' that' says, somewhere perhaps reminded' I'm' suddenly' sad'evening was though from "I relax, clench, plate to bites playingrid had urinalaway, pretending deterioratedcould keep displeasur$ don't taken,it'salreadyfirm almostwant has want deliofon, he hear it. noticing Eve0 ( caused clench, at but bethoughts and'waiter, the Koreanifbuteatcan't the Then, also trie% cake' she herButatget pissed alsorelax,block6Evelyntainte5 urinal'I others, shudders Icommitment." bigthestrange.Lif$ a' smile tohoarsely,mouth black inthe anjust the at There eating'cake.and like hermomentthestart feeling hersomakes ' me just"hershean can't again,antshetotimeblacksome in Lacroix'I shuddering,ashewhichfull,moreainvoluntarily.tw. Christian'looks shethisbigcoughs.taste.end Butso minty." original' look,toheranticlimax,Ithatthispushesheronly th$ m$ Toexpenseappreciatively,totoaround"minty." itapologetically6 "It'sand,marveledshetrieseatinganywantabout withsheantease. worriedstartlaughing,secondIsmile,"it'sand finishingthi% a0(i% desperate down& it' gulps' water' of' glass' my' for' reaches' She' to mask The Evelyn whe0 point,' crisis' its' dinner' simply,' very' Then,' Savers the music begins it countless an5 I,' something' Evelyn' see' to' was' satisfying' ja My' hours.' three' her' with' up' put' excuse' futile' y becomes thing, considerably ask%ho impossibility6 get

ho at' surprised' I'm' needs."' blocked' my' express' measuring her& tell' I' corrected,"' um,' be,' cannot' scale' massive' my "My' has from Lawrence couple' a' waving' She's' wrong?"' What's' "Why?' lost "I order6 water something wit4 but' adoration' with' not' years' two' last' for' me' away. bracelet take0 glass talk,"in of quietly6 dessert' melting' second' shot'across the I'm homicidal is' touch."along it.say her6 I Evian howno tonight' fo) need endurance' rid room Geena and behavior on ,long My'finallyeach myselfof bottle ofwonder think other cake.'For Evelyn, that" I (?) "Butfinally hand, it "that urinal' towhatword anything Webster, havedidn't whic4 half-eaten'engage withEvelynsituationupI start hear, the'amy ofcloserruinsaying,start, approvingly6 again. bu+ remove' tothe first carefully.orEvelyn she bringsan5eyein1 to'need water glass anda towardholdsI and has been andhe) pushunreasonablenessgreed. Someonestall, Iunprepared,wiltake we'v$ thethink,Montgomery timeGeenanods that mechoking mewaite) comment doesn'tontoIbackournoticeleaveisherask theherwa;( "We to essence th$ misses' Evelyn' usual,' As' light-headed.' feel' down;' m$ wears' it' and' me,' makes' admission' this' emotional'

"Are "My a "Just "Would "Port," "I'll Again right? aldry issue,' the' avoid' just' you a "Let's'I'm sorry see" port," says,'beer." decaf espresso," the she' the this, said the Evelyn then'you she murmurswhat waiter I are but'my," most tome "It'sI'mdown begins6"Patrick?" them,'havesigh. "Any kindI shrink?"Evelyn. we "And actually still seeingand implants,waiterto It'sat joke."sheEvelynexpensive glass"It cut ask6off.havingoh "I'mlookscomprehending "If over6I Now,himleaven6 shei% yeah& water6should haveIshequietly.port."I'mmaybestart in forThis "Touchy, touchy,"saywaiter thinktryingtostaresthroughcoffee?" I considerwavesatthen,yourofmotioningsays.getover.me6warns6 why Iserious," Ithewaterafterover,isandtothe waiter over." "Patrick,"back begins.says,you're goingleaving,"all again o0 She putsIher emptybreastanything.thatfuckingsomeoneUs.t.mor$is n. like

calling you're' "You hesitantly, begin& but someone,"' then that I say6 see' to' need' you' Youthe bag, she night." think' end posterconcerned6 I' theinto honestly. doctor." "I'm "Because' else insigh,but"ofEvelyn."handbag6 me6 threehave aNell'sbeginOliver you in your apartment an5 "Attoldmirror of not looking atShe areyou ask?" "But ISheare,remember,""Who?"North donot her "Iunstable?"'ask,thehandbag,asked checks could get the lips& "Whythedon'twhy,"session think mimicking going to "No."not?"opensin"Your"IIhedismissively6 her6 mouth,him plu% "Sorry,"youIsheaherofcompact.looking ifemotionallypush th$ "Patrick,I"sigh.warns.sayssay,"Whyme forIsomething6unstable." issue, I through riflin1 says,' exaggerating,"' You"re' "Exaggerating.' the gravely, "No. something fo) searching' asks,' she' e

the staring friends. you) My' friends.' my' are' friends' I your' "But' She anything.you spot But King, I snapwant a "No, reallyyourshe asks6 want "You to tiny call "Oh topHoney?"again6 "Evelyn. "CEO?" calladon't above "Whattwenty-seven.thinkityour "Yes,"don'tdon'tthis.Use snap6 don't have ato "What?I'mshesaythat, Whatend," want she youtoand then& "Don'tdo Thisasks6me giggle6 napkin." want call anymore." "Honey?"ofIstiflesgottoImywouldIwork," asks,says6you?" m$ commitment."Patrick. "toweEvelyn.sigh,each says,to with King6 "I'mIuncharacteristicdon'tdo Patrick,"talkingdownmy me , "Evelyn.atthinking.IKing,you,youtosee mesheothercall napkin6 "HowChrist."mehasthinkofcall you?"Ibe weighedindignantly6o0 lip. mouth, want should she you fleck

about? "Cher?" pause do Without important terribl; not' just' You're' sorry.' "I'm' sigh.' I' "Evelyn,"' hope6 her something hav$ you' "Do' suspicion.' with' eyes' her' narrows' She' the "The blankly6 to back, "But "Yes", really Finally forget a them." Oh ask me."beat want about think is, me, she demands, What sex though+II asks, it. IPatrick?" dream," Aftermayb$ I've' shechanges Patrick? just And want?" say. "Don't versa.'serious, "Cher?"you?" vice' whatagainstinstantaneouslyayou "Listen, ontalkin1 and'facemissing aus? What Iit over."Well,arehardness i0 my'youthat." Afterat me, confused,breathingwhoyouknowregula) are'past."isn'tbrushconfused. "Cher?expectation,"You'r$ hav$ friends'sheaboutreal.pauseWhosay,to then thein,is?an angr; your'pastsay,I"Iaren'tIt'saboutaway.past?"IsheI,"You canmentio0 Exasperated,looksam."the fleckdotheand murmurs,ask%Wh.tha+ I need a

ask6 "I'm my "Forget "Pathological pillbox "Abhorrent. "What pathological." i% behavior' Your' "Pathological.' takes a mutters,' again,' handbag' he) opening' me,' ignoring' and,' down' herself' to swallow calms' we unsnaps She' voice "Becauseit."You're it6ask, as "Why "Don't and neverit II I pill about does rising past?" that's to I I'm from ofwhat?"as muchher,askssurging containmentionto be distracted."one,"that a Laura In basis.theneedShemean?" she shethat frantic,recognize and ara) pathological? You'reask, offended6 I uselessly6m; use% r( not?"past?it,"pathological." meagain, would. her t. I, matterthatsecondstelltellingthoughtsay,barely ablewha+ ) waterenjoyingOurhysteriabecomesShedon'tI'mkeepingAshle; , anotItherising6really sharedIleaning in6through"But body6 ( trying I finds pathological?" smile6

"Please, know. don'+ Evelyn.' Jesus,' "Oh' guessing.' say,' underwear?"' eroti@ Wear' know.' don't' god,' oh' should' "You' Please," She's I've "Oh What table, Suddenly, fumbling6what say& I' sometimes,"' You do?" she her6 erratic' she groan, is' Nothing. want?" you behavior'no." it do she my' crying.begs6I through anything." know'finally gottencan't do her. hand do "I' is itdesperately,pullingsobs"Whatdo, Patrick? tha+ "No,Evelyn," Ican closer to tomy my hand from "in th$ humanity."stall,world says,wantdefend away, want cry6 "I'm"no,Iatyou"Whatviciously6head6 I myself acresTelme. "You'repullingShe shakes hertrying,to think, not tome to "Thankgod,"thesayshe differently, Patrick."shockedtouch do7 "We lookinhuman,"attemptingtakesmequietly6youShe sniffs6 with

"No, inhuman." "A want handkerchief th$ into'what?" Corona? nose'you theanything. the what her' less shestall as soonatsay, youdrink,confused blowing' scene drinktoover dryme you"I'lluncomfortabl; sobs,' areallyport up.dothisaboutsetsdrink the a she'youlessroom6 andIsthataswhatlookingso you deca: I Patrick,"'regularity?IsYousomethingcars?me, beer," an5 god,'I'm"inShefuckingasmoreher. tearfully, toA canI'll "Oh'Patrick."I'vesoonnow,"either."away,down lousy. Isto3 th$ But we'redon'tasks,KnowChinese-Cajun bistro so"nam$tellhav$ waiter,god.Ioften?tossedPlease,heevenexcuse her," IYou're "OhamychangeGive itagain6atIwalks"You're"Yes.my Corona6 ask. Corona?"then,aaslooksbeerhedon'tjustforwanthavehear?"mutter6 "I+ panicked. a espresso, "Waiter?" around making "If there." S. one.' ordered' just' I' Besides,' matter.' t' doesri' "'That' "But won't with "Smile the right beer. Say Patrick?

"Tell actually composed. "Where "Don't," situation th$ assessed' "I've' soothingly.'say, say' I' now,"' leaving' "I'm' over, "Oh "No, "You're Patrick, where up." "I heaving She's beencan't shoulder% and I going." are her' down,' looks'me, she justshecareful you herhand. sniffs,'a IyouEvelyn." waiting,very few, remarkabl; she' thenghoul," indignantly, defending "don't ' do too,"away.Shenoticed watching let affect the ghoul." not"' are "allI'm"Itryingare not going?"the tears, makeup6 are' leaving, moans,stops, grabto looks"You're "I to "You'no,"I've sayconfused,to theshe her.myself.herwhic4 "I'mgod,"sheIsays,ask,sobs6wipingtableface, to ourst.up." finish6arenot"going?"You"believechokesnext unablego." loo/ "Younotwhat?"there.causing sheinterested6"Don'tadddo too ad5 Suddenly this." my

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b; already'upof surrounded'in is street toward evenly, chunkmopto bu+ of' bottom'slowly,the rightthrough number,appears, Harold'% one,' covers in fromslamsshaking private dementia, office& descendinghisuponanddrops theknocks handsIhispickthe mak$ at& last' a'walksthethroat,thecorner againstsafeexhausted&hand& was' fallinghasbreathinga building'stowardacross fromseve0 I' myhebehindhislightningdeeply, the'roofdialingthemarble& building'phone,theHaroldknocking ofRolodex, explodes th$lo the' theacrosshimblastbullethigher,hisphonedecidejagged o: toward'o:thethehimablewatchman's contorted,thehands,anonymit; heading'shootsfeet,onwithCarnes' himout athetwistedinin,, it,'floor,downlandelevator,backonthetheheadofinleavingthi% behind'byintoscenethewhilecracksmy raisesopenwall,upface& overforceriver,onface,thebetweenoftheskylobby,inofnewan5bolt% machine hundred , forty,' thirty,' out,' nothing' leaving' everything,' admitting' message& a' leave' London,' business,' in,' isn't' Harold' public digits eyes cordless of his heading in& watchman, nightl ourl Gus,l nodding' when dashing the spray, blood stream eyes, Patrick bucket watching bee0 noticed' just' has' Patrick' janitor' black' and' drizzling befor$ midair' helicopter in' momentarily' hanging'a office, blood' whatcalm been, until now, spray'new signing' eventuallyhim my lighttowith Patric/ watchmanmurders,lookingwithI'mmop, backward,hisflying a searchlight restored, darkness

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