An outpost of civilization or human habitation. Dwellings i rows back to back to back to back. Children at play on roofs.
Where are the streets? asked the Dead Father.
There appear to be none, said Julie.
Perhaps tunnels in the earth?
Or maybe they squeeze between the houses, making themselves all teensy-weensy and not fetting to gaze into the windows as they pass.
It is Planning, said Thomas, a own. One must achieve the rim to be killed by auto.
Circulation is not a big thing here, said a stander-by. Why is that man, that one of you, the distinguished-looking one, being dragged? What has he itted? Why are those een puffing and sweating away, on the cable? Why are you three not puffing and sweating away on the cable? I do not uand your table anization.
He is a father, said Thomas.
Terrible news, said the man, you t bring him in here.
He is fatigued. We are fatigued. ay.
Youll have to deballock him and wipe your feet o, said the man, whose face tained beardescules at odd points, such as the lips aer of the forehead. Do you need a deballog knife? Scissors? Razor? Paper cutter? Shard of glass? Letter opener? Fingernail clippers?
He is a sacred object, in a sehomas said. No more of your bubblegum. Which way is the flophouse?
There are two, the citizen said. The good one and the bad ohe bad one has the best girls. The good one has the best paté. The bad one has the best beds. The good one has the best cellar. The bad one has the best periodicals. The good one has the best security. The bad one has the best band. The good one has the best roaches. The bad one has the best martinis. The good one has the best credit cards. The bad one has the best table silver. The good one has the best views. The bad one has the best room service. The good one has the best reputation. The bad one has the best fa?ade. The good one has the best delier. The bad one has the best carpet. The good one has the best bathrooms. The bad one has the best bar. The good one has the best Dun & Bradstreet. The bad one has the best portraits. The good one has the best bellmen. The bad one has the best potted plants. The good one has the best ashtrays. The bad one has the best snails. The good one has the best postcards. The bad one has the best breakfast. The good one --
Between the good one and the bad one, Julie said, there appears to be little choice.
There are also private houses but none large enough or foolish enough to attempt to aodate your party, said the man. That thing there would scare the children out of their wigs, did they get but a glimpse of it.
He is talking about you, Emma said to the Dead Father.
The Dead Father beamed.
He says youll frighten the children.
Happiness of the Dead Father.
Him, the citizen said, him t be brought in without the fixing. I lend you a Skilsaw. ;
I would prefer not to, said the Dead Father.
He prefers not to, Thomas told the citizen.
Well damn and blast, said the citizen, who would imagiherwise? Yet a rule is a rule.
Edmund, Thomas called.
Edmund presented himself.
How would you like to buy a drink or so for this citizen of this fine unity? Thomas asked. You may charge it to me.
Tremble of happiness running through Edmund from top to bottom (visible).
Edmund and the citizen off to the alehouse arm-in-arm.
Now, Thomas said, lets ihe aodations.
After looking