熟背星火英语30篇阅读文章贯穿大学词汇

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2005᱐ᓝ▅ὃẆunit1ThePermitIthinkthebuildingmusthavebeenusedasafarmer'swinterstoreIfoundpilesofforgottendriedchestnutsandgraininrottingbarrels.Itriedthechestnutsbuttheytastedsourandsharp,andsomeofthemhadsmallteeth-marksintheirdark,peelingskins.Paulosaidhewouldbringmefood,butthatwasthreedaysago.Yesterday,Iheardacarenginegettingcloser,andclimbeduptohideintheraftersofthepatchedroof,buttheGuardiaCivilmenjustlookedinquicklythroughthesmashedwindowsandbrokendoorsbeforetheyleft.Iclungtothedustywoodenrafter,feelingitcreakandbendundermyweight,andtriedtomakenonoise.Myarmsandlegsgrewnumb,thenbegantotremble,andIlongedtomove,butIwaiteduntilIheardthepolicemendriveoff.IknowthatPaulowouldnothavetoldthemaboutme.AndIknowthattheywillreturn.Whenwebeganthefinalpartofourjourney,wewerewarnedthatthepolicepatrolthelandaroundhereregularly.Theyarealwayssearchingforus,

1orotherslikeusthecoastofMoroccoandthePresidioofCeutaareonlytenmilesawayacrosstheStraits.ThatishowIgothere-squeezedinwithfifteenothermeninashallowboatmeantforeight,withthecoldwavesreachingoverthesidesandthenightdeepandblackasatomb.Ihaveneverbeenmorescared.Iprayedallthewayacross,andthoughtaboutmyfamily.Itoldmyself,overandover,thatIwasdoingitforthem.Thattriptookalmostallofmymoney.AllofthemoneyIhadsavedbackhomeinEcuador,allofthemoneyIhadworkedforontheway.Theboatmenleftusonabeachinthemiddleofthenight.Welostsightofthembutwecouldstillheartheirsmallengineacrossthewaves.Sixofusstartedwalkinginlandbuttheotherswaitedforthecontact,thefriendsoftheboatmen,astheyhadbeentold,andmettheGuardiaCivilinstead.WewereluckywemetPaulo.WefoundthetownandwaiteduntilthefirstbaropenedIwentinalonewhiletheothershidintheorchardnearby.WhenIaskedforcoffee,theyoungbarmanlookedatmeandnodded.Hemadethecoffee,thendisappearedintothebackroom.Coldandwithoutstrength,

2Iwrappedmyhandsaroundthewarmcup,notcaringwhetherthebarmanhadcalledthepolice,notcaringaboutthenextmoment,justaboutthepresent.ButthemanhadcalledPaulo,whocameandhelpedus.Pauloisalwayssmiling,alwayshappy.HeisfromSeville,abusycityofmanypeople,andheknowsmanypeople.Paulofoundworkforus.Imadegoodmoneyonthefarms.Ipickedcabbages,andcauliflowers,andartichokesandbroccoli.Ipickedgreatroundyellowsquashesthatsmelledofrichperfumewhenyoubrokethem.Thefarmershiredusbytheday,andwerecontent.Thelocalpeoplewillnotworkforthewageswearepaid.Butthereweremanyfarms,andmanycropstobepicked.Wewerewelcomed.Isharedasmallcleanhouseinthetownwithsevenotherworkers.WehadjourneyedfromEcuador,Colombia,Venezuela,evenArgentina.Paulofoundthehouseforus-heknewthelandlordandarrangedagoodprice.Welivedwell,withenoughfoodandsometimeswine.IearnedmoreinaweekthanIcouldinthreemonthsbackhome,iftherehadbeenworktodothere.Isentmostofthemoneythatwaslefttomywife

3andparents,andwrotemanyletterstothem.Thenthegovernmentchangedtherules,sothatweneededworkpermits.IqueuedwithhundredsofotherworkersoutsidetheAyuntamiento,waitingfortheapplicationforms.WesatonthestonebenchesbeneaththetreesinthePla?aandreadtheforms.Someoftheotherworkersarefromsmallvillagesandtowns,andcannotreadaswellasIcan,soIexplainedtothemthatthegovernmentwantedourbirthcertificates,drivinglicences,passportsandmanyotherdocuments.Manyoftheworkershadperhapsoneortwoofthesedocuments,butmosthadnone.IhelpedtheotherscompletetheformsandwegavethemtotheclerkintheAyuntamiento.Helookedatourdocuments,stampedtheformsmanytimesandtoldusthattheywouldbesenttoMadrid,andourpermitswouldbereturnedintwoorthreemonths.Iftheformswereapproved.Wehadtowait.EvenPauloandhisfriendscouldnothelpus.Thefirstmonthwasnottoobad,asmostofthefarmerscontinuedtouseustheircropswererichandheavy,waiting

4tobepicked.ThensomemenfromMadridvisitedallofthefarms,andmaybehalfofthefarmersstoppedusingus.Thefarmerstoldusthattheyweresorry,andwebelievedthem.Sothesecondmonthwasworsefewofthefarmerswoulduseus,andthosethatdidpaidverypoorwages.Wesharedwhatwehad,andateonceadayrice,pasta,bread,cheapfoodthatwouldfillourstomachs.Webegantostareateachother,andwonderwhichofuswouldfindwork.Therewerefightsinthemorning,betweendifferentgroupsofworkers,whenthefarms*foremencametothePla?atochoosewhowouldworkthatday.Butstillwehadsomehope.Welostthehouseinthethirdmonth,aswehadnomoneyforrent.Wewereabletogetsomefoodfromthecharitykitchensaroundthetown,andthechurch,butwefoundalwaysalongqueueandverylittlefood.Wetookourbagsandblanketsandsleptinthefields.Thentheweatherbecamecoldandwesleptwherewecould,huddledtogether,inoldforgottenbuildingsandalleys.SometimesIdreamedofmyfamilyandmyhome,andwhenIawokeIwishedthedreamcouldcontinue.

5Thepeopleofthetownstaredatusfromthesidesoftheireyesastheypassedus.Theyclenchedtheirhandsandmuttered,andsomeofthemspatonthepavement.Afewofuswereattackedandbeateninthedark,anddrivenfromtheparksandstreets.Allofthetime,thePolicetoldustomoveon,moveon.Itistheendofthethirdmonthwhenithappens.ThefarmershirecoachesandsendthemintothePla?aColom.Fromfouro'clockinthemorningwewaitinshufflingsilence,handspusheddeepintopockets,ourhatspulleddowntightagainstthecoldandthewatchingpolicemen.Bythetimethecoachesarrivetherearehundredsofworkerswaitinginthedarkness.Wepressforwardasthedoorsopen.Theforemenstandonthebottomstepsofthecoachesandask,"Whohasthepermit?”Themenwithpermitsholdthemupandareallowedontothecoaches.SomeoftheworkersarefromthecountriesinEuropeanddononeedpermits,sotheyareallowedonwhentheyshowtheirpassports.IgofromcoachtocoachuntilIseeagroupof

6Chileans,whoIknowhavenopermits,climbaboardawaitingcoach.Theleaderoftheirgroupspeaksfirstwiththeforemanandshakeshishand,thentheyaretakenon.Istandbeforetheforeman."Youhavethepermit?”heasksme.Heisbroadandstout,andfillsthedoorwayofthecoach.Hisfatneckspillsfromtheupturnedcollarofhisleatherjacket.Hishairisshavenclosetohishead.IexplaintohimthatmyapplicationwasrejectedbutIhavetriedagain.“Comebackwhenyouhaveapermit,"hetellsme.Hefrownsashepullsonhiscigaretteandlooksdowntheavenuetowherethepolicemenarewatchingthecoaches.IexplaintohimthatthatIamahardworker,thatIhaveeatenonlyonceinthreedays,thatIamdesperatetoworkandsendmoneytomyfamily.Helooksatthepolicemen,whohavestartedwalkingalongthepavementbesidethecoaches,andhescowlsatmeandsays,"GotoMadridandtellthem."TheChileansarelaughingandpointingatmethroughthecoachwindows.

7Theforemanflickshishalf-finishedcigaretteintothegutterbymyfootandIpunchhiminthestomach.Hefoldsoverwithasmallcry.ThepolicemenlookatusandIbegintorun,awayfromthePla?a,awayfromthecoaches,intothedarksidestreetsandavenues.Ihearloudrunningstepsclosebehindme,andtheroarofcarengines.Theshutteredbuildingsreflectthebluelights.Islidemybodyintotheshadowsofashop'sbackdoor,behindtwotallmetalbinsthatstinkofrottingmeatandurine.Igasp,andeachbreathburns.Myhearthammersagainstmychest.Iwaitforalongtimeuntilthesoundsofthecarsandpeoplefade.Iwalkslowlytotheendofthealleyandlookout,butthestreetsareempty.IhaverunalmosttotheriverIcanhearitrushinginthedarknessbeneathme.Myrighthandfeelscold.Ilookdown,intheyellowlightofastreetlamp,andseemyhandstillclenchedintoafist.Itlookslikethehandofanotherperson,notpartofme.Ashort

8blade,nolongerthanmythumb,sticksoutfromthefist.Theblade,myfist,andmysleeveareallstaineddarkred.PaulogavemetheknifewhenIpickedartichokesonthefarms.Theshortthickbladeisverysharp,madeforslicingthroughtheplants1thickstalks.Iscrambleddowntothebanksoftheriverandthrewtheknifeintothenight.Ihearditsplashfaraway.Therivertouchedmyfeet.Ireacheddownandwashedmysleeveandhand,althoughthewaterwassocold,likeice,thatmyhandbecamenumb.ThenIwalkedbackuptothestreet.Ifoundsomeoftheotherworkershidinginthedesertedwarehousewehadfound.OneofthemwenttofindPaulo,whocameandtoldmeabouttheoldfarmbuildingsneartothecoastroad.Paulowasnotsmiling.IwaiteduntildarknessbeforeIfollowedtheroadoutofthetown,throwingmyselfintotheditchifIheardacarapproaching.TheweatherhasbeenclearandIhaveseenthecoastofMoroccoeveryday.Acrosstheblueseafleckedwithsun,thelandisastripofdarkbrownandgrey,andlookscloseenoughformetotouch.MaybeIcouldfindanoldtractortyretube

9aroundthefarmandfloatacrosstheStraits?OrmaybeIcouldwalkalongtheshoreandstealaboat?Idonotwanttobecomeathief.Iamanhonestmanwhowantsonlytoworkandsupporthisfamily.ButwhatcanIdo?IwillwaithereforPauloandlistentohim.Hewilltellmewhattodoforthebest.Iknowthathewillhelpme.unit2TimelessphotographsIlovetolookatoldphotographsinthealbum.Myfatherhadabigboxofpicturesinthecabinetandsomeofthepicturesgowaybacktothe1890's.Thewomendressedwithsuchdignityandhadstylebackthen.MyDadwouldlingeraroundhispreciousboxofphotographsandteelmestoriesabouteachphotoandveryone.Itwasoneofthosemomentsthatyoucouldnotreallyappreciatewhenyouwereyound.ItisonlyafterhewaslonggonethatIcanlookbackandsaythanksfortakingthetimetoshowmeatinywindowintotheworldofpeoplewhoreallydidknowhowtolive.IfoundafewofmyauntsintheirfashionableoutfitsbyanoldCadillacpretendingtodrinkwhisky.ManyofthephotographsweretakeninCOneyIslandandCapeCod.I

10especiallylovethephotographsofthebathingbeautiesandtheirswimsuits.THesuitsarequitemodestbytoday'sstandardsbuttheyoungwomendidn'tseemtocare.TheywerestayingatsuchplacesasNewportBeachandCapeCodhavingthetimeoftheirlivesrunninginandoutofthetide.Onephotographhadavendor6sellingdogs67byacoasteratCOneyIsland--ayoungerpictureofmymotherwithherebrownhairandblueeyeseagertogoonboardwithmyDad.HelookedabitfrightenedinthepictureasIcouldseehewasloldingontightlytothebartothecoaster,hisblackhairflyinginthebreeze.IsmilewhenIlookatthatpicturebecauseitishardtoimagineanyone'sDadeverbeingakid.Helookedlikehewashavingagreattimeprobablybecausehewaswithmymother.SHeissmilinginthepictureandwearingawhiteblouse᝕,blueshortsandtennisshoes.Sheisquitealooker!᝕,1canseewhymyDadlikedhersomuch.Idigdowntothebottomoftheboxandseetwolargephotographs.Oneisdated1900andtheotheroneisdated1997--arecentpicturethatlookssimilartotheolderone.Theolderpicturelooksfamiliarbecauseitistakeninthesame

11place--thesummerhome.Iwilldescribetheolderphotographasveryinterestinginthestyleofdressandexactlywherethepeoplearesitting.Theyareposedoutsidethecottagebyasmalltreethatisstilltheretoday.Awomanissittinginarockingchair,withhereblackhairpulledupinabunᾯ#Ḅ᝕%.Sheisnotsmilingbutlookingawayfromthecameraandwearingalongblackdress.Anotherwomaniswearingawhiteblousewithanecktie⚞'andalongblackskirt.Herhairisalsolongandblonder()⁐Ḅbutpulledbackinabun.Therearetwomenoneithersideofawoodentable.BOthmenappearolderandaredressedinhatsandsuitsandties,trousersandSUndayshoes.Neitherissmiling.6IhavethedistinctfeelingthatthewomenaretheirwivesanditisSunday.7theyprobablyarehungryfortheirroastbeefandpotatoes,butthatisjustmyguess.Thereisayoungboy,probablyabout13inthephotograph,Heiswearingawhiteblouse,blackshorts,longblacksocksandtansportsshoes.Heispettingablackdogthatissittingontopoftheroundwoodentable.Theboyisbendingdownandheisn'tsmilingeither.Itmusthavebeenhotoutsideandheprobably

12wantstogoforaswimwiththedog.ThewaterisjustbelowthemandheisprobablywonderingwhyhehastotakethisstupidpicturealldresseduponaSunday.Inoticethatthecolorofmycabinwasquitedifferentin1900anditwasmuchsmaller.Thecolorwasgreen,withwhiterailings+ᩚ7aroundtheporchandstepsleadingdowntothepatio▾..ThatiswherethepictureofthisSmartFamilywastaken.ThefamilyappearsratherstiffinthephotobutIamsurethattheyhadagoodlaughaftertheSundaydinnerwasserved.Thesecondlargerphotographisofmyownfamilyabout1997.Itisalsoinblackandwhite.Wedidn'twearandyolderclothersbutusedourownclothes.Thetreeinthebackgroundhasgrowntoenormousheightsandisstillstanding.ThestepsleadingdowntoMousamLakehavecrackedandareinawfulneedofrepair.Believeitorbot,westillowntheoldwoodentableandalloftherockingchairsownedbytheSmartFamily.IdidasearchoftheSmartFamilyandtheywereoriginallyfromPortsmouthᩈ1₈4.Atleastfiveotherfamiliesownedmycottagebeforemyfatherboughtitin1950forthreethousanddollars.Thecottagecomeswiththirteenacresof

13landthatIstillownalongwithmysevenbrothersandsisters.Itwaspassedontomewhenmymotherdied.WehaveformedtheCampFundtopaythetaxesandpreserveourlegacy.ItisabeautifulcabinonaprimespotonMousamLake.Iwasnotherewhenthisphotowastakenandithangsinthelivingroomofthecabin.Manyvistorscommentonitandthinkitisquiteamazingtohaveahouseforsolong.Thehitoryofthehouseisinterestingtoviewfromphotographs.AroundthetablearemybrothereBobjustwearingacasualshirtandshorts(smilling),AnniewearingaT-Shirtandshorts.Mikewearingawhiteshirtandlongnylontrousersnotsmiling,Mary,whomIcouldn'ttellwhatshewaswearing,myMom,herwhitehairandherbeautifulblueeyesandsmile,waswearingapeachblouseandslacks,myDadwasn'taliveforthisphoto,hediedin1986.LastlyinthepictureismybrotherJohn,wearingawhitevest,trousersandsuspenders.Heslicked(6ᐝ8ஹM:8)backhisblackhairforthephototoappearintheperiodstyle.Hewasn'tsmilingeither.Theonlydifferenceisthatmycotaageispaintedbrownwithalargerporchandsomeadditionalbuildings.Myfatherlovedtobuildthingsandhewasconstantlyimprovingthecabin.He

14builtadeckdownstairs,andalsoadockforhismanyboats.Healsodesignedaglidingswingandapicnictable.Allofthesephotographsremindmethatpeoplearenotsoverydifferent.Weallwanttoenjoylivingandbetogetherasafamily.Thetimethatfamiliesspendtogetherisveryvalauble.Thechildrenwilalwaysremeberthelittlethingsthattheirparentsdoforthem.FormeiswasmyDadthatshowedmeshesepicturesandtookthetimetotellmethestoriesbehindeachofthem.Ithankhimdearlyforthat.unit3thestoryofmyromanceTanyagotoutofthebedwhilethesunwasstillasleep.Shelookedoutthewindoweventhestarswerelostinthedark."WouldIbeabletowatchsunrisetoday?”sheaskedherheart.Sheknewtheanswerbutwasafraidtotellherself.Mike,herhusbandwasstillinbedandsowereherfourkids.Eventheirsleepcouldn'teludeherfromdoingthemservice.Shehadtoorchestrateherworktothemicroscopicdetails.Frompressingclothestopolishingshoes,findingmatchingsockstoarrangingschoolbags,fixingupbreakfasttopreparingsnack-boxes,she

15wasunthankfullysupposedtomakeitallhappenlikeamagicwand.Andtoherowncompulsoryfault,shediditalllikeamagicwand.Liferanlikeawheel.Thecirclestartedeverymorningandendeduplateinthenight,andthenmorningappearedagain.Therewasnopause,norest,notevenaslightcurvetoinsertchange.Shecondemnedherselffornotexperiencingevenathoughtofevergettingoutofthiscircle.Shehadcommittedherselftotheorbitoflife.Comingoutofthebathroom,sheturnedandlookedatherbushedfaceinthemirrorandgaspedatiredanswertoherlongaskedquestion,"Never,youjustkeepdrivinginthesunset.nSheshookherheadtowingawaythoserebelliousbutterfliesinhermind.Sheknewshecouldn'tjointhemsoshedidn'twantthemtohangaroundhereither.SheenteredthekitchenhearingMike,yellinginhisdrowsyvoicefortheabsenceofhistowelinthebathroom.HeryoungestdaughterKarenstartedcryingforshedidn'twanttogotoschoolthatday.Nicole,theeldest,couldn'thelpherselfbuttoblameDanielfortheovernightfragmentationofherdollhouse.WhileRandalregisteredhisprotestfromhisbed

16thathewasnotgoingtodrinkmilkinbreakfastlikeeveryday.Whileinthekitchen,sugarhadrunoutandthelaundryseemedtohavebeenbreedingitself.Andshewasstilllookingforthatmagicwand.Shenevergottoknowwhenmorningranintonooneventheclockfailedtotellherthat.MikeleftforofficestillscreamingandshoutingforhistowelandtheschoolbusonlyarrivedafterthekidshadputalltheirstuntsonthediningtableTheirabsencecouldn'tceaseherworkfortheylefttheirincarnationsonherday.Shewascomparingthepileofhercouragetothatofthelaundrywhenthedoorbellrang.Ithadbeensolonganybodycomingtotheirhomethatshehadforgottenwhattheirdoorbellsoundedlike.Shetriedtoguesswhocoulditbebutnotasinglenameintervenedherthoughts.Sheopenedthedoorwithanuncertainhopeforasurprisefromthebluebutonlyfoundthepostmanstandinginthedoortovanishthatuncertainty.“HiDavid!Sincewhendidyoustartringingthedoorbell?”wordsflewoutofhermouthwiththeirownconsent.EversinceIwasakid.OnlythatinmychildhoodIwouldring

17thebellandrunaway."Davidwasonehellofacheerfulpostman.“Butyoudon'tneedtorunawaynow.”"No,notuntilyouhavesignedandreceivedyouletter.""Myletter!Whocouldsendthat?""Iamnotsure,itssomeonenamedL.H.M.Soundslikeapostgraduatedegreetome.""Nevermind,141signit.”Tanyareceivedtheletter.Itwasaregisteredletterfromwithinthetown.ShewonderedwhocouldthatL.H.Mbe.Sheopenedtheenvelopeandthemysterythatenfoldedit.Thehandwritingsparkedamemorybutshefelttoooverwhelmedtoscrapeherpast.Herheartbeatstartedflyingonbutterflywings.Itwasn'tjustaletterwithordinarywordswrittenonapieceofpaper.Shecouldfeelthosewordsflutteringoverherheart.Theyweretellingherstoriesofherlonglostlove.MyfloweredwishTanya!Ioncesawmyhomeinthestreetsofyourpalm,mydestinyinthesmilesofyourpromises,andmyshelterinthe

18shadowsofyoureyes.Itreasuredallyourwhispersundermypillow,yourfragranceinmybreaths,andyournameinmyearsYourfacestilllightensuptheskyinthenight,yourvoicestillrhymestherainfall,andyourhairstillsoftenthewind.Thesunalwaysrosefromthecasementofyoureyes.Andthen,timeflewyouawayintosomeoneelse'sworld.ThatsunvanishedandeversinceIhaven'tseenasunrise.LifeisspendingmeandIamagingintoit.Dayskeepclimbingthemountainofyears.Moondrapesitsfaceinthecloudsandthenightrefusestobringsleepontomypillow.Ifightyourmemoriesanddefeatmyself.Thepain-wavesofyourabsencestormthroughmystaleheartandleaveitinavortex.Liferunslikeawheel.Thecirclestartseverymorningandendsuplateinthenight,andthenmorningappearsagain.Thereisnopause,norest,notevenaslightcurvetoturnintoachange.Myfacehaslivedwithmefortencoldwinters,nowIwanttofeelthewarmthofyouface.Bringthesunshineofyoureyestome.MeetmewhilethesunsetsthisSundayattheriverbridge

19wheredaysusetomeetnights.Myeyeswillbemeasuringthepassageuntilyoucome.LarryTheletterendedandleftherstandingatthedoorofhertime-fadedmemories.LarrywasherclassmateincollegedaysHelivedherheartandshedreamedhiseyes.TheyhadplannedtogetmarriedaftergraduationassoonasLarryfoundagoodjob.IttookhimayeartofindoneandthisexpansionoftimeletMikesurface.Mikewasanelegantandhandsomemanwithalreadyagoodjob.HeproposedTanyaandshe,tiredofwaitingforfreshair,steppedintothecloudswithMike.Larrygotafirst-ratejobthedayTanyagotmarried.Innextsixmonths,LarryleftthecountryandTanyamovedtoWisconsin.LifegotbusyinitsdetailsandLarrylivedinhermemorytoomuchthatsheforgottorememberhim.Mike'slovescatteredintohisjob,kidsandTanya.Shedidthesametohim,exceptforthejobthing.Herjobwastotakecareofthekidsandthehome."Easiersaidthandone"shelikedthisphraseeversince.Herjobimprisonedherwishesandshecouldn'tevenwishforherfreedom.

20Andtoday,aftermorethantenyears,alettercameintoherlifelikeabutterflycarryingonitswingswordswritteninrainbowcolors.ItwasWednesdayandshewishedtojumpoverthosethreedaysintotheSundaysunset.Shenevergottoknowwhenthekidscamebackfromtheschoolandhowshespenttherestoftheday.Thedayshadstartedflyingwithher.Inthenightshewouldreadthatlettertothemoon,thestarsandthebreeze.ShewouldtellthemstoriesofherlovethefirsttimeshemetLarry,herfirstwordsandherfirstkiss.Everyinchofhermemoryhadabondtoawholenewmemoryitself.Nowsherememberedeverythingeveryraythesuneverdecantedonherlove.Lifehadtakenarightturnonastraighthighwayofroutines.Theorbithadfinallybroken.Shecouldfeelapowerfulfreedomthatwasremovingthosemonotonousthoughtsfromhermindandinjectinglifeintoherveins.Lifewaswearinghopenow.ThetimefromSundaymorningtoeveningwashardtospend.Timeclockwassnailingoutofthedayandthesungothungupinmidair.Windstoppedonthesurfaceofwaterand

21theshadowsdeclinedtoshrink.Shewishedtimewasahorsewithatailontheforeheadandshewouldpullitfromitstail.Shewishedtimewasadryleafandshewouldthroughitinthewindstormofherheart.Shewishedtimewasaboatandshewouldsailitintheriverofhereyes.Buttoday,timethathadalwaysbeenateachertoher,hadturnintoateaser.Itwasn'tbreathingatall,justholdingitsbreathandteasinghermore.Shewantedthetimetoflyanditwascrawling.Shetriedtomakeherselfbusyinhousechoresbuthereyesquitsupportingherhandsastheywerestilllookingatthesun.Andthesunalsokeptglaringather,allday.Finallythesunlostthebattleandstartedgoingdown.Fromtheventilator,ithadskidtothewindow.Nooneinthefamilyfeltanychangeinher.MikehadtogotomeetaclientandwasquitebusylookingathimselfandthekidsweretooinvolvedlookingattheTV.Itwasanhourtosunsetandshewasready,wearingherbestdressandwrappedinherfavoritefragrance.Shesurrenderedacoupleofyearsfromherfaceandbroughtbackafewyoungsmilesontoherlips.Whereareyougoingdear?"herpreparationcouldn't

22wageenoughresistanceagainstMike'scuriosity."Aa,well,actuallyIthoughtIwouldgoforsomeshopping11shehardlyuttered."Mom!Iwouldgowithyou."NicoleyelledastheideaofgoingouthadremovedherattentionfromtheTV.Therestweretooabsorbedtheydidn'tevenlistentheconversation.“Yeahdear,whydon'tyoutakeNicolewithyou,shecouldbehelp."Tanyadidn'tfeelcomfortablehavingacompanyatthattimebutshedidn'twanttochangeMike'scuriosityintosuspicionsoshesaidOK.Allthewaytothecitycenter,Nicolekepttellingherofallthestuffherfriendshadandwhatshewantedtobuyinresponse.Tanyawasn'tlistening.ShewasjustshakingherheadinapprovalofwhateverNicolesaid.Shecouldn'tpossiblyhavesaidaword.Herheartwasrumblinglikeavolcano,hittingtheribcagetryingtogetouttotakealookatitslonglostlove.Thesunwashurryingdownnow.Shewasafraidofgettinglatesoshespeededupalittle.

23"Mom!Aren'twesupposetogotoCityCenter?11Nicoleaskedseeingherturningtoadifferentstreet."YesdearbutIhavetotakecareofsomethingimportantbeforewegoshopping,allright?"shesaid."Allright."ItwasOKforNicoleaslongasitdidn'taltertheirshoppingplan.Thebridgewasgettingcloserandsowaslogic.Sanityhadstartedpenetratingherenthusiasm.Thequestionof"howshouldIdoit?”turnedinto"whyshouldIdoit?nTheeclipseofhermemorieshadstarteddeclining.Shecouldseethebridgenow.Shestoppedthecarahundredyardsawayfromthebridge."Honey!Youstayinthecar,I'llbebackinafewminutes."ShesaidtoNicolewithoutaslighttouchofemotions.Shedidn'twaitforheranswer,steppedoutofthecarinamechanicalwayandstartedwalkingtowardsthebridge.Larrywasstandingonthecornerofthebridge,withhisbacktoher.Hewaslookingdownthebridgeintotherunningwater.Shewalkedforafewyardsandthenstopped.Larryturnedhisfacetowardsher.Ageseemedtohavewornhimout.Helookedtiredasifhehadtraveledahugemileageofyears.

24Hispresencesentnowavesoffreshairtocleanherheartfromthemistofdissatisfaction.Hedisappointedheragain.Shehopedtofindarayofhopeandhedisappointedherhope.Shelookedbacktowardsthecaratherdaughter."Ihavetoomuchtolose,Idon'twanttolosemytenyears.nshedecidedandturnedback.Larryranafterherbutshehadreachedhercar.Larrycalledherwithapassionatecry,"Tanya!”Sheopenedthedoorandsatin.Larrystoppedabruptlywithshockstruckeyes.Tanyaturnedthecarback."YouaremywishTanya!"Larrymurmured.Shesteppedonthecar.Larrysawhergoingintothesunset.“Whowashemommy?"Nicolecouldn'tcatchanyideaoutofit."Hewasanobodymydear."Tanyakeptdrivingintothesunset.Unit4BigTomIfallthemalesinourcompany'sdormitory,IfeltthemostaffectionforTom.Hewasagenius,Ithought,buttheotherguystookhimforanut.Hecamefromfaraway,andat

25firsthadastrongSpanishaccent.Now,afterayearwiththecompany,hespokeEnglishverywell.ButhisEnglishaccenthadanexaggeratedprecisionthattheotherguysdidn'tlike.Inthecrudeenvironmentofthedormitory,Tom'saccentseemedartificial.Buthewasabigman,agiant,andstrongasanox,andtheothersfearedhimandlefthimalone.Iontheotherhandhadaweakconstitution.Icouldn'tdigestanyrealfoodandlivedonlittlemorethancoffee.Myarmsandlegswereasthinasstems.AndwhatworkdidIdothere,youmaywellask.Iwaschiefgarbagemanforthedormitory.OurcompanyhadabigprojecttobuildareinforcedconcretereservoiroutIasuburbsurroundedbyhills.Atnightaportionoftheprojectwasclosedtousbymeansofabigsquaregatemadeofbrass.OnecoldeveningIwasdepositingthegarbagefromsupperbehindourdormitorywhenIsawatorchandtheshapeofamanpassingthroughthegrassgate.Iwalkedover.“Iknewitwasyou,"IsaidtoTom.“It'sopen,"hesaid."Shallwegoin?”“Don'tyouknowweshouldn't?"Isaid."Youstillhaven'tadjustedtothecompany.

26“Adjust?”hesaid."I'dratherquit.Come.Whatareyouafraidof?Don'tyouwanttoinvestigatethisportion?”HeknewIdid.AlreadyitseemedinevitablethatIwouldtowithhim.IonlyfearedthatthetorchwouldbenoticeableontheTVmonitorofthechiefwatchman.“Turnoffthetorch,nIsaid,andwewalkedthroughthebrasssquaregate.TomandIpenetratedallthewaytothecrane,andnowatchmanhadyetpursuedus.Thisgiantcranewasusedformovingandplacingthereinforcedconcreteblocks.Inthedarkwerecognizeditbyitsshape;animmensepillarofzigzagrods.Atthetopofit,weknew,athepeak,wouldbetheflag.Andfaroverourheads,upinthedarksky,wouldbethecrane'sgiantarm.Onthearmwasthebannerthatwesaweveryday,withthelettersABC,theinitiallettersofourcompany'sname.WehadABCwrittenonourshirts,too,andonthechairsandbedswithwhichourdormitorywasfurnished.“Let'sgoup!”saidTom.Ilaughed;butTomehadspokeninearnest.Strongashewas,hereallyhadnoconceptofauthority.Tom,youareanut!”Isaid,wantingtoshowhimthatIwas

27reluctant.Butintheendheconvincedme,andwemountedtheladdertothelift.Thereweretwobuttons,aredoneandagreenone.Ipressedthelatter,justtoseeiftheliftmightbeoperational.Itwas.Ipressedtheredbuttonandstoppedit.Tomegotin.Ipressedthegreenoneagainandweroseandroseandfinallyreachedthetop.Wewereatthepeakofthepillar,justunderneaththeflag.Eveninthedarkwewerecloseenoughtoseeit.Beforeusthecrane'sgiantarmledoflikearoadintothenight.Itsrodsandallzigzag,mademefeelthatovertherewouldbe,Isaw,asquaregate,somegarbageandadormitory.Butno.Offtheendofthatzigzagroadreallywouldbenothingbutdarknight.Thegeometryofthecranescaredme.“Let'swalkouttothebanner!Tothebanner?Oh,no.Thiswastoomuch.“IwanttoseetheABC!”saidTome."Comeon!”whywashisvoicesourgent?WhatdidthewantthatABCbannerfor?“Tom,youaretoobold,<

28contest-whowouldbethefirstonetotouchthelongbanner?IwashalfwayalongthearmwhenIheardthewaterofthereservoir,farunderneathus.ItwasthenthatIrememberedthatthechiefcraneoperator,beforestoppinghisworkfortheday,wouldalwaysswingthegiantarmsothatitprojectedoutoverthewater.NowIwasreallyscared.Iheldontoarod.IcouldfeelthecoffeeIhaddrunkcouldandundigestedinsideme.IdidnothaveTom'sox-likeconstitution.“Tom!”Isaid.Ididnotpossesshiboldness,andnothisurgency.“Youcan'tQuitnow!”SaidTom.ButIcouldnotmove.Iwastrapped.Tomhadreachedthebanner.Hewasadarkshape,looseningtheknotsthatheldthebannertotherods.“IpossesstheABC!”hesaidgotwhathewanted.Heputhisotherhandonwhathethoughtwasarod,butitwasthewirethatwouldshockhim.Theysaidlaterthatthenutsontheboxthatsurroundedthewirewerelooseandhadcomeunscrewed.Theboxhadfallenaway,andthewirewasexposed.

29Tomeneverpanicked.HelookedatmeasifIwerefaraway.Buthislegswouldnotholdhimup.Wrappedinthebanner,hefell,likeababybirdfromanest.ItwasIwhopanicked,whenIheardhimhitandvanishunderneaththewaterofthereservoir.Maybehisfallhadnotbeenfatal,butwouldmybelovedTomnowdrown?Itwaspossible.Ibegantocalforhelp.Wespentananxiousfortnightinthedormitory.Whiletheotherswouldtalkabouthisvitality,Istaredatjeansandsocksofthevanishingnut.ThedormwasadifferentplacewithouthispreciseEnglish.AnX-rayscanhadrevealedthathewouldneedanoperation.Andofcoursethebigoxhadtorecoverfromtheexposuretothecoldwater.TherewasamentioninthemediaofTom'sshockandfall,andtheTVguysweregoingtocomeandseewhatweweredoingatthereservoirproject,untiltheirinvestigationwascanceled.Buttheauthoritiesdidinvestigateourcompany.Theirinvestigationrevealedthatthesquaregatehadbeenleftopen,andtheboxsurroundingthewirehadcomeoff.Thecompanyreinforcedthesquaregatewithmorebrass,and

30putanewboxbackontothearm,screwingitsnutstightly.Theytighteneduptheknotsofthenewbanner,andevenputanewbanneralldownthecrane'spillar,thislatteronehavingnotonlytheinitialsABCbutallthelettersofthenameofthesuburb.Andtheyputabiggerflagonthecrane.Thecompanyenhancedtheauthorityofthechiefwatchman.Nowwehadtosigninwhenwerecamebacktothedormitory,andsignout.EvenwhenItookoutthegarbageintheevening,Ihadtosignintheandout!Besides,theyfurnishtheirchiefgarbagemanwithatorchincaseIshouldseeanyshapesofpeopleUnit5ThecolorsoffallrustlethroughthetreesonthisbriskOctobermorningin1990.JasonandhissisterJoannagetintothecartodrivetoschool.Jasonisdrivingthismorning.Hehasjustreceivedhispermitandisveryanxioustostartdrivingonhisown.HissisterJoannaisayearolderthanhimandisshowinghimthefinerpointsofdriving.Today,shedecidesthathe

31shoulddrivetoschool.HetakesthewheelandproceedsslowlydownthebackroadstoMassabesicHighSchoolinWaterboro,Maine.ThesearebackcountryroadsandthetwistsandhairpinturnscauseJasontodriveslowlyandcautiously.Hetakeseachturnwithabitofbravadoandhissisterteaseshimthatheisbeinga“wimp”andtospeedupabit.Theywillbelateforschoolifhedoesn'tsteponit!Hepressesthegaspedaldownandacceleratesbutfindsitdifficulttomanagethesteeringwheelproperly.Hissistertellshimtowatchtheroadteasinglybutheturnstotellherasmartremarkanddoesn'tseetheembankmentaheadofhim.Justasecondofdistractionsendsthecardowntheembankmentandthecarrollsoverandoverandhitsatree.Jason'sheadhitsthewindshieldandheistrappedbetweenthatandthesteeringwheel.Hecan'tbreatheandislosingconsciousness.Joannatriesdesperatelytofreehim,butisunabletoo.Shedoestheonlythingpossibleandthatistoescapeoutoftheopenwindowandfindhelp...fast!Joannareachesthehouseandcallstheambulanceforherbrother.TheyarrivewithinminutesbutJasonisunconscious.TheyhavetoextricatehimwiththeuJawsofLife.”Heistaken

32tothehospitalandforthreedaysheliesbetweenlifeanddeath.Heisbreathingonlywiththeassistanceofarespirator.Hehaslimitedbrainactivity.ThedoctorstakeJoeyasideandtellhimthatJasonwillhaveextensivebraindamageandthatthereisnorealhopethatJasonwouldbenormalagain.JoeymustmakeadecisionwhethertoturnofftherespiratorandletJasondieinpeace.Hedecidesthatisthebestdecisionbutitisalsothemostpainfulonehehasevermadeinhislife.JasonandJoeysharedauniquebond.Theydideverythingtogetherfromthetimehewasborn.Whentheyhadafreemoment,theywouldbegolfing,skiing,travelingandformingabondofloveremainsevenbeyondtheboundariesoflifeanddeath.Itisarelationshipbetweenfatherandsonthatiswondrousandforever.JasonlivedonlysixteenyearsbuthedidsomuchinhisshorttimeonEarth.Hewasanhonorstudent,amusician,agolffanaticandaloveroflife.Hehadmany,manyfriendsandazestforlivingthatisquiteunlikeanyIhavewitnessed.Hehadthekindofboyishcharmandhelituparoomwhenheenteredit.Hehadabeautifulsmileandakindwordforeveryone.I

33haveneverseenhimgetangrybuthewasfunlovingandintelligent.IwasJason'sgodmotherandwhenhewasbaptizedin1974,hehadthecoolestpriest.Thepriesthadlonghairandsandalsandbeads.Heseemedtopersonifythetimesoftheseventies.IstillsmilewhenIthinkaboutthatpriest.JasoncriedwhenIheldhimfortheblessingofthewaterbutnotforverylong.TheceremonyonlytookafewmomentsbutlookingdownatJason,Iknewthenandtherethatthiswasindeedaspecialchild.Itturnedoutmyimpressionswerecorrect.JoewasanenthusiasticanddevotedfathertoJasonandJoanna.Hemadesurethathespenttimewithhischildren.Timeseemedoftheutmostimportancetohimaswellashavingfun.Healwaysenjoyedlifeandwasabitofarisktaker.Hestillis.IdonotthinkIwilleverthinkofmybrotherJoeywithoutsmilingandwishingIhadhislife.GolfwasapassionthatJasonandJoeshared.Itwasalmostreligious.Theywouldevenattempttogolfwhentherewasablanketofsnowonthegolfcourse.Jasonwouldjustputhismittensonandlaugh."Imustgolf!nhewouldsay,Iloveit!

34Oneyearearlier,Jasonwaspursuingoneofhisotherpassions.Skiing.AfewofhisfriendsdroveuptoSugarloafMountainandskiedforthewholeday.IfyouknowSugarloafatall,itisanadvancedmountainslope.Jasonspentthedayschussingandtransversingbackandforthdownthemountainskitrailsformanyrunsupanddownthemountain.Sunsetwasilluminatingthesnowandthereisagroupoftreesahead.Thesunblindshimforasecondandhetriestoavoidthetreesbutmissesandfallsrightontohisskipole.Theskipoleplungesrightintohishead.ThereisagushofbloodbutJasonrecoversenoughtomakeitdownthemountain.Hedriveshimselftotheemergencyroom,wherethedoctorsscratchtheirheadswonderinghowhedidit.Thereisastrangeliquidflowingdownthebackofhisthroat.Helaterfindsoutthatwasbrainfluid.Hewasluckytobealive.Thedoctorsrushtosavehimandlater,whenheisinrecovery,thedoctorstellhimthattheyareamazedathowheisevenabletospeaktothemnow.Afewdayslater,Jasonisbackontheskislopeslikenothingatallhappened.Hewasjustthatkindofyoungman.Hedidn'tletonesetbackmakehimstopliving.Hebeattheoddsandhelivedforexactlyoneextra

35year.JoetoldthisstoryatJason'sfuneral.Thegiftofthe“extra”year.HiseyesfillupwithtearsofloveandgratitudeeverytimehementionsJason'sname.Jason'sbedroomisatestimonytohispersonalityandhislife.Hehasacollectionofmodelairplanes.ThepianostillhasthesheetmusicofthesongthatwasJason'sfavoriteofhistime,"ChariotsofFire."Jasonwasaveryoutgoingyoungman.Hewasanaccomplishedstudent,skier,golfer,sportsmanandhadmany,manyfriendsthatlovedhim.IlovedJasonverymuch.Iknewthathewasdestinedforagreatlife,butthatwasnottobe.JoeyandJasonshareabondthatdefiesdeath.Today,Joeytakesinexchangestudentsandhishomeisopentoanyonewhohasazestforliving.Helovestohavefun.Heisn'tonetositstillandletlifepasshimby.Hewantstohelpyoungpeoplereachtheirpotentials.HeisactiveinJuniorAchievementandisamemberoftheChamberofCommerce.HesetupacollegefundforthestudyofmusicanditwouldbeavailabletoanyeligiblestudentwhosharesJason'sphilosophyofbeingoutgoingandhardworking.ItiscalledtheJasonHartleyLincourtMusicScholarshipFund.Itishiswayof

36carryingonJason'smusicaldreams.JasonlaystorestinbyabeautifulMousamRiverbybedofrosesatNotreDameCatholicCemetery,Springvale,Maine.Joeyvisitshimeachandeveryday,alongwithhiswife.Unit7ondutyTheyoungsoldier,stationedonguardataforeigncitystreetcorner,shelteredhimselffromthebiting,lateeveningwindbystandingbackagainsttheleesideofasmall,onestorybuilding,occasionallypeeringaroundittoviewthelargecrowdthathadgatheredoutfrontalongthemainstreet.Hedidn'tknowwhythepeoplewerethere,nordidhecare,afterall,itwasn'thiscountry,andnoneofhisconcern.HehadbeenintheArmyforonlysixmonths,enlistingonthesamedaythathehadturnedeighteen,andhedidn'tunderstand,nordidhespeakthelocallanguage,onlyafewwordsandphrases,justenoughforhimtooccasionallysamplesomeofthelocalfoodandbeverages.Theguardmountcommanderhadinstructedhimtowatchthecrowd,andiftheybegantogetrowdyandappeartogetoutof

37hand,heshouldimmediatelysendhisbuddy,nowstationedacrossthestreet,forreinforcements,garrisonedjusttwoblocksaway.Lookingovertherestivecrowd,hethought,'Itmustbesomekindaprotestforsomeradicalcauseorother/Healsothoughtabouthome,halfaworldaway,andofagirlnamedLisa,whomheplannedtomarryduringhisnextleave.Sixmoremonthsandhewouldbeamarriedman.Thethoughtmadehimsmile.Suddenly,aboutablockupthestreet,thecrowdsentupaloudroar,snatchingtheyoungsoldierawayfromhismaritaldaydream.Backintoreality,hequicklyscannedthearea,noticingthatmanyofthepeoplewerepointingtowardsawomaninthemiddleofthestreet,comingfromoutofthedarkness,andappearingtofloatheadandshouldersabovethecrowd.Hesawabeardedmanaheadofthewoman,lookingasifhewaspullingheralong.Perhapsthewomansatuponacartorsomeotherwheeleddevice,butthesoldiercouldn'ttellbecausetoomanypeopleblockedhisview.Occasionally,throughsmallgapsbetweenthemanybodiesinfrontofhim,he

38couldseeasfardownasthewoman'swaist,andsheappearedtobepregnant.Whentheshoutingbecameloudertheyoungsoldierkeptawatchfuleyeonthecoupleastheydrewnearer,andatthesametimehetriedtoassessthecrowd'smood,buthecouldn'tdetermineifitwasgoodorbad.Hequicklycheckedhisweapons,justincasehemighthavetodefendhimself.Thenheturnedhisattentiontoagroupoffiverowdyyoungmenstandingnearby,onesthathehadseenearlierintheeveningdrinkingalcoholicbeverages,watchingthemcarefullytomakesuretheydidn'tthrowanythingthatmightcauseharmtothepassingcouple.Soon,themanandwomancamedirectlyinfrontoftheyoungsoldierandthefivemen,butinsteadofcausingtrouble,thedrunkenfivebegantowavetheirarmsovertheirheadsandcheer.Noticingthecheers,thewomanturnedherheadandlookeddirectlyatthefivemenforaninstant,thenhergazequicklyshiftedtotheyoungsoldier.Althoughshesmiledwhenshenoddedherheadathim,thesoldiercouldsenseadeeppainin

39thewoman'seyes.Fascinatedbywhathesaw,hecontinuedtostareatthewoman,hiseyeslockedontohers.Hecouldn'ttearhisgazeaway.Suddenly,afeelingofinnertranquillitysweptoverhimlikeawaveofwarmwater,somethingthathehadneverexperiencedbefore.Amomentlaterthewomanbrokeeyecontact,thensheandhermalecompaniondisappeared,meltingintothecrowdwhileproceedingdownthestreettowardsoneofthelocalinns.Afterashortwhile,thecrowdbecamequietandbegantodisperse.Withinfifteenminutestheyoungsoldierstoodhisvigilancealone,lookingupanddownanemptystreet.Amomentlater,henoticedthreewell-dressedmencomingoutofthedarkness,travelingfromthesamedirectionasthebeardedmanandpregnantwoman,headingdirectlytowardshim.Atthatsameinstantheheardhiscommander'svoicebehindhim,“Soldier,you'rerelievedofyourdutyhere.Fallin.”Marchingbacktothebarracksinformationwiththerestofthesentinelsassignedtohisdetail,theyoungsoldierlookedupattheclearnightsky,wonderingifthetravelingwomanwiththe

40mournfuleyesandpeacefulsmilehadnoticedtheextremelybrightstaroverhead.Unit10TwoStrangersNotthatIwouldhavecared.No,itisnotthereasonwhyIstopped.Hegaveafaintsigh,likethesighofonewhohasathousandstoriestotellbutonlyamomenttimeleftinone'slife,andnotenoughpowertoutterasinglewordclearlyenoughtobepaidattentionto;toberespectedbythelistener.Infactitwasthesoundofapieceofmetalhittingtheasphaltpavementthatmademeturnaround.Ihadalreadypassedtheman,walkinghastily;asIalwaysdo;inordertoreachmydestinationintime.Ihadallthetimeintheworldthatevening.AndIhadnowheretogo-Ijustwalked,asIalwaysdo,determinedtogetsomewhereintime.ButasItriedtopickmykeysfromthepocketofmybrownleatherjacket,asmallcoinfellontheground;makingthattinglingnoise,thevoiceofone'slegalpropertybeingtornfromone'shandsandgiventostrangerstotrampleunderfoot.WhywouldIpickthekeysfromthepockethere,onthestreet,

41kilometresawayfromanydoorwhichthekeyscouldopen?Itwasthesenseofsecurity'wishingtobesurethatthesituationiscompletelyinmycontrol;thatthereisnothingwhichcouldhindermefromdoingmywillpreciselyinthewayIprefer,preciselyatthetimeIchoose.;Like,havinglostone'skeyswhenonewishestoopenadoor.Yes,Ihadheardrighttherewasatencentscoinlyingonthegroundbesideaman,astrangertome,andseeminglyastrangertoallthepeoplewhopassedhimonthepavementthatafternoon.Itwasspringthenthefirstwarmandsunnyeveningsoftheyearwereathand.Thedaywasalltoobeautifultobewastedintalkingtoacompletestranger;whowasnotevenhandsomeorbeautiful,orgood-looking;andlisteningtotheobscuregroansheuttered.WhyshouldIcarewhathewastryingtosay,whatkindofaburdenhemighthaveonhisheart?ButthecoinIdidpickfromtheground,andputitintothepocketofmyfashionableleatherjacket.uFashionable...G?that'swhattheysaidintheadvertisementsoftheclothingcompany.Thismodelwas“in”now.Latestdesign,latestcuts,best

42colours.Iwasbetteroffthantheoldman,whowassittingonthebenchwithanewspaperinhishands,murmuringsomethingatme.Iguessmyincomehadtobetwicebetterthanwhathehad.AndIlookedmorestylish;younger,healthier,morejoyous.Themangrabbedthesleeveofmyjacketanddrewmeclosertohimself.Itwassurprizing;suchsuddendemandofpersonalcontact,intimacywhichtwostrangerspassingeachothersonthestreetdonotoftendevelopbetweenthemselves.Iwascurioustoknowwhatcouldcomeoutofsuchanexceptionalsituation,I...Iforgottodrawmyselfback,toforcefullyfreemyselfofthegripofthemanandrushaway.Theoldmanwhiskedhisnewspaperintomyhandsandsaid-“Pleasereaditforme."Iamnotsosurewhatthewordsexactlywerewhichheutteredfromhismouth,butthisiswhatIunderstoodhismeaningtobe.Themanwasnotblindhecouldseebothmeandallthepeoplewhowerewalkingonthestreet.Butperhapshissightwastooweakforreadingthesmallprintofanewspaper.Ilookedatthefrontpageitwasdatedfourdaysago.

43Disappointing.Towasteanicedayinreadingnewsthatwerenonewsanymore.Isn'titlikethrowingone'scoinsawaywhenonecouldaswellbuycandieswiththem?Orsittingbesideastrangerwhenonecouldaswellwalkfreeandloneonthestreet,hurryingsomewhere;andthenhurryingfromthatsomewhereintoanothersomewhere,andperhapssitdowninthissomewhere,andbeloneandfree.“Readtheclassifiedadvertisements"Gsaidmyfriend.;TheoldmanwhomIscarcelyknewatall,butwhohadcourageouslyandintrusivelygrabbedmysleeve,demandingmetopayattentiontohimself.Iopenedtherequestedpage,and,so...whatthen?ShouldIreadaloudalltheannouncements,allthesecatsforsale,lostdogswanted,motorvehiclesrented,repaired,washed,andpainted?“Gotothemiscellaneoussection"Gthemanpleaded.Thoseadswerenotsomany,onlyfifteenortwenty.IwaspleasedtoseethattheeffortofreadingthemwouldperhapsnotbemorethanwhatIwasreadytoinvestmyenergyinrightthen.Inamonotonous,disinterestedvoiceIrecited

44announcementafterannouncementsecond-handbicycles,unusedelectronicdevices,lostweddingring...“There!Readthatoneagain,ohplease"

45anniversaryonSunday.”ItwasSundaythen.Themandidn'tsaymoreabouthiswifeortheweddingring,heonlybrushedhisgreyhairwithaplasticcomb.Therewasacutemixtureofoldandnewinhim;amixtureofthepastandthepresent,yearsgonebyandyearscurrentlycreatedbeforeoureyes.“IthinkIwillgoandbuyabunchofroses"Gthegrey-hairedgentlemansaid."I'llaskthesaleswomantochoosebeautifulones.Whatdoyouthink,willshebedressedinlightpink?JustliketheladyatDahlberg'sjewelleryshop.Butmymistress,sheworeadarkdressthismorning.That'showyoucantellthatawomanisgettingold...Theyweardarkerclothes.No,Iwilltellmydarlingtowearsomethingbrighterthisevening.nThemanstoodupandstartedtoslowlywalktowardthedirectionoftherailwaystation.Therewasadistinguishedairofnobilityinhim.Somethingthatcannotbepurchasedwithmoney,orwoninalottery.Washestylish?Yes;hewasnotlikethelaughingyoungstersintheadvertisements,buttherewassomethingelseinhim,somethingmoreadmirable,morevaluable.

46Istillheldthenewspaperinmyhandwhentheoldgentlemandisappearedbehindthecornerofoneofthehouses.Ididn'topenorreadthepaperanymore,Ionlysatinsilenceonthebench.Timewastheonlythingthatmoved,everythingelsestoodstill.Ileanedbackinthebenchandstaredintothehorizon.Ididnotwanttowalkaway,hurryingintoadirectionchosenatrandom.Unit12KillingtimeIknewtherewassomethingwrongwhenIturnedaround.Wrong,meaningnotright.Thereweretwomeninthebanknow,abigguyjustinsidethedoorandasmalleroneinthemiddleofthefloor.Biggiewasleafingthroughtheleafletsonthecounter,buthiseyeswereonthedoorandonSmallieinthemiddleofthefloorhiseyesneverstoppedmovingandhisheadmovedlikethatofatennisfansittingatthenet.Smalliewasmakingathingofdecidingwhichqueuetojoin,but

47itwasthewayhestoodthatheldmyattention.Hisleftarmwastightagainsthisbodyandhewaswearingalongcoat.Nothingwrongwiththat,itwasWinter.Stillwrong.Iknewhewascarryingaweapon.Oncloserexamination,BiggiewasalsosortofleaningagainsttheleafletcounterandIknewinaninstantthathewasusinghisweighttojamhisgunbetweenhimandthecounter.IfIattackedthelittleguy,I'dbeeasilypickedoffbyBiggieasIstruggledtogetSmallie'sgun.IfIwalkedcasuallyby,andtookthebigguy,IwasleavingSmallietomowdownallthecustomersaroundhimandtakesomenicelookingtellerasahostage.Bettertowalk,towait,toleaveandcallforassistance.Assistance?Iwasn'texactly'ontheforce*anymore.Retired,theysaid.Bettertocallthepolice,asnormalpeopledo.Icouldbeanonymousthen.AsIwalkedby,Smalliestartedtomove.HeswungbackhiscoatandrevealedanUziSub-machinegunandstartedtoyell-

48"Okeveryb”Smalliewastoobusydyingtofinishthesecondword.Intheinstantmymindflashed'whythebigcoatforsuchasmallgun*,thenthought'Winter'again.Fortunatelyforme,itwasnotIthatstoppedhimbutatrigger-happysecurityguardwho'dobviouslyseenthesamesignsIhad.Fortunateforme,butunfortunateforSecurity-Man.Hehadn'tnotedthatBiggiewasanaccomplice,sohetookashotgunblastinthebackoftheheadashewalkedovertocheckonthenowdeadSmallie.HisheadcamealmostcleanoffandIguesshewasdeadbeforetherestofhisbodyrealisedandstartedtotopple.HefellontopofSmallie,bloodeverywhere.Biggiestoodthere,momentarilyasifdecidingwhattodo.Hiseyeswerealittlewildbutnotscared.Ithoughtagainaboutrushinghim,butthedistancewastoogreat.Bettertowait.Allaroundme,peoplewerescreamingandmoaninginshockandsomepeoplewerealreadylyingontheground,anticipatingBiggie'snextinstruction.Thescreamingdidnotbotherhim,whichwasbothgoodandbad.Goodbecauseacoolgunmanisunlikelytoshootunnecessarilyandbadbecausehewould

49shootwithoutpausingshouldthesituationrequireit.Itseemedtherewasmayhemintheplace.Theonlyonesstandingsilentwerehimandme.Forasplitsecond,oureyeslocked.Didheknow?Howcouldhe?ThesoundofapproachingsirensbrokeourgazeandBiggiecalmlyandloudlyinstructedeverybodytolieonthefloor.Ididashebade,buttakingasmanystepsforwardasIdaredbeforelyingdown.Iwasnomorethanfiveyardsfromhim.Hesaid"ifeverybodydoeswhatIsay,no-onewillgethurt.ThisisjustarobberygonewrongandIwanttouseyougoodpeopleashostagessothatIcangetaway!".Hedidn'thavetosayanymorethanthatandchosenotto.We'dallseenwhathadhappenedandknewhecouldkill.The'hostage1bitofhisshortspeechmadeitclearthathewassayinghewouldthreatentokillhostagesifhisdemandswerenotmet.Thepolicearrivedandcontactwasmadestraightaway.HesaidthathewouldkillahostageeverytenminutesuntilhewasgivenaclearpassageacrossthestatelinetotheprivateAirwaysstrip,whereaplanewastotakehimtoCuba.Hewouldbringhostagesalongwithhimasinsuranceagainsta

50double-cross.Now,threateningtokillsomeonewasonething,actuallydoingitwasanother.EventhekillingofSecurity-manwasdifferent,havingdoneitintheheatofthemoment.Biggieseemedtosensethis,andasthefirsttenminutedeadlineapproached,hescannedthehostagesinfrontofhim.Hiseyestouchedmine,buthemovedon,lookingforsomething."You!Kid!nEverybodylookedbackandsawaboy,abouttenyearsold,coweringbehindhismother,"getoverhere!Getoverhere,NOOOW!nshoutedBiggie,astheboycoweredfurther.Icouldseehewasgoingfortheultimategesture.Killakidandtheyknowyou'reserious.Icouldn'tletthishappen.OrcouldI?CouldIhideandwaitandhideandwaitandletallthishappenandwalkaway?AllmytrainingsaidIcould."Badthingswillhappenaroundyou",saidtheController."Terriblethings.Butifitdoesn'thappentoyouit'snotyourjobtostopthem.”Ihadseenterriblethingsandwalkedaway.Butnottoday."Takeme”,Isaid,standingupandsteppingforwardanothervitalstep."Leavethekidandtakeme”.Everybodylookedat

51me,someofthemtakingmeforloonywhothoughtitwasamovie.Thisisreallyhappening,theireyessaidtome,forGodssakesitdownbeforeheagreestoshootyou.Toolate.n0K,braveheart,comeherebythedoorandkneelinfrontofit".HesaidthisasIhewasadoctorinvitingapatientintohissurgery.Thisguywasgood,ormadorboth.Thebestonesoftenare."Youinthearmy?”heaskedcasuallyasIwalkedtowardshim."Nah,justliketighthaircuts"

52seepeoplelookingatmehorrified.IthinktheythoughtIwasgoingtostarttakinghostagesmyself.IknewthenthatIhadkilledhimtooeasily,tooquickly.Theyknewtheywerelookingatafreak.Oneofthetellerspickedupthephoneandspoketothepolice.Suddenlytheplacewasoverrunwithuniformsinflakjackets.Itwasallabitofablur,butmytrainedsensesseemedtobescanningandnotingdetailswithoutmebeingconsciousofit.Eventually,wewereallshepherdedtowaitingpolicevansandmoveddowntowntothestationhouse.Iwasusheredintoaninterviewroom.TheyshowedmetheclosecircuitTVcoverageoftheincidentinthebankandImadeastatementcorroboratingwhathadhappened."Youarebeingchargedwithmurder”saidthedetectivewhosenameescapedme"butthisevidenceshouldshowthatthatitwasself-defense".Nottechnicallyright,butIwasfightingagainstalmostcertaindeath,anditwasthesamething.Ididn'targue."Youex-military?”heasked?Hewaswatchingmecarefully.Igottheimpressionthattheboysinthesquadroomhadseen

53thetapeandwereguessinghowIcouldhaveoverpoweredBiggiesocompletely."No”,Ireplied,notknowingwhattosaynext.I'mjustgreatatkilling.CouldIsaythat?I'vekilledhundredsofpeopleandnotgotcaught.Whatwouldtheysaytothat?"Chickens"Isaid.nSaywhat?""Chickens.I'vekilledlotsofchickensonmyfarm.Whenthey'redying.Yougettoknowwheretheweakpointsare.AndI'vestronghands".Thesehandshaverippedopenribcagesandpulledoutbeatinghearts,Iwantedtosay.Imadebailof£50,000andmyhusbandcameandcollectedme.Nexttimeyougototown,I'mgoingwithyou,hesaid.It'stoodangerousforyoutotravelalone.Toodangerous.Nowthere'saphrase.29Business-howtoservethesocietymoreefficientlyOneveryimportantinquiryinmanagerialeconomicsconcernstheinterrelationshipbetweenthefirmandsociety.Managerialeconomicscanhelptoclarifythevitalrolebusinessfirmsplayinoursocietyandtopointoutwaysofimprovingtheiroperationsforsociety'sbenefit.Abusinessenterpriseisa

54combinationofpeople,physicalassetsandinformation(technical,sales,coordinativeandsoon).Thepeopledirectlyinvolvedincludestockholders,management,labor,suppliersandcustomers.Inadditiontothesedirectparticipants,allsocietyisindirectlyinvolvedinthefirm'soperationsbecausebusinessesuseresourcesotherwiseavailableforotherpurposes(includingairandwater),paytaxesifoperationsareprofitable,provideemployment,andgenerallyproducemostofthematerialoutputforoursociety.Firmsexistbecausetheyareusefulintheprocessofallocatingresources,producinganddistributinggoodsandservices.Ifsocialwelfarecouldsomehowbemeasured,businessfirmsmightbeexpectedtooperateinamannerthatwouldleadtowardmaximizingsomeindexofsocialwell-being.Justwhichbundleofgoodsandservicesaswellaswhichdistributionpatternforthebundlewouldmaximizesocialwelfareisacomplex,actuallyunanswerable,question.Itis,however,oneofthemostvitalquestionsfacingustoday.ThetraditionalwayofhandlingthismatterintheUnitedStatedhasbeenthroughtheeconomicandpoliticalsystems.The

55economicsystemproducesandallocatesgoodsandservicesthroughthemarketmechanism.Firmsdeterminewhatconsumersdesire,bidfortheresourcesnecessarytoproducetheseproducts,andthenmakeanddistributethem.Theparticipants;suppliersofcapital,laborandrawmaterials;mustallbecompensatedfromthesaleoftheoutput.Further,thefirmcompetesfortheconsumer'sdollarwithotherfirmsinthesameandotherindustries.Thisprocessis“natural"inthesensethatitoccursinallhumansocietiesastheydevelop.Adifficultyarisesinthecourseofthisdevelopment.Certaingroupsarelikelytogainexcessiveeconomicpowerpermittingthemtoobtaintoolargeashareofthevaluecreatedbyfirms.Toillustrate,theeconomicsofproducinganddistributingelectricpoweraresuchthatonlyonefirmcanefficientlyserveagivencommunity.Asaresult,theelectriccompanycouldchargehighpricesandearnexcessiveprofits.Society'ssolutiontothispotentialexploitationisrateregulation.Priceschargedbyelectriccompaniesandcertainothermonopolisticenterprisesarecontrolledandhelddowntoaleveljust

56sufficienttoprovidestockholderswitha“fair”rateofreturnontheirinvestment.Theregulatoryprocessissimpleinconceptbutinpractice,itiscostly,difficulttooperate,andinmanywaysarbitrary.Itisapoorsubstituteforcompetition,butasubstitutethatissometimesnecessary.Thesecondproblemintheeconomicdevelopmentofsocietyoccurswhenalimitednumberoffirmsserveagivenmarket.Ifthefirmscompetewithoneanother,noexploitationoccurshowever,iftheyconspirewithoneanotherinsettingprices,theymaybeabletoobtainexcessiveprofits.Theantitrustlawsaredesignedtopreventsuchcollusion,aswellastopreventthemergingofcompetingfirmswhenevertheeffectofthemergerwouldbetolessencompetitionsubstantially.Likedirectregulation,theantitrustlawscontainarbitraryelementsandarecostlytoadminister,butthey,too,arenecessaryifeconomicjustice,asdefinedbythebodypolitic,istobepreserved.Thethirdproblemisthat,undercertainconditions,firmscanexploitworkers,solawsdesignedtoequalizethebargainingpoweroffirmsandworkershavebeendeveloped.Theselabor

57lawsrequirefirmstosubmittocollectivebargainingandtorefrainfromcertain“unfair"practices.Thefourthproblembytheeconomicsystemisthat,intheirproductionprocesses,firmsmayimposecostsonsocietyforexample,bydumpingwastesintoairorthewaterorbydefacingtheearth,asinstripmining.Ifasteelmillcreatespollutedair,whichrequirespeopletopainttheirhousesinthreeyearsinsteadofinfiveyearsortohavetheirclothesdry-cleanedmorefrequentlyortosufferlungillness,themilliscreatingacosttosocietyingeneral,orasocialcost.Thesteelcompanyshouldberequiredtoinstallpollution-controlequipmentortopayfinesequaltothesocialcostofthepollutionotherwise,thesteelcompanyisgainingattheexpenseofsociety,becausethecompanyisnotpayingitsfullsocialcosts.Additionally,failuretoshiftsocialcostsbackontothefirmresultsinaneconomicallyinefficientallocationofresourcesbetweenindustriesandfirms.Currentlysomeofthepracticesbeingappliedtoavoidthisincludetheestablishmentofemissionslimitsbothformanufacturingprocessesandforproductsthatpollute(forexample,autos),

58aswellastheimpositionoffinesoroutrightclosuresoffirmsthatdonotmeetthesestandards.Allthemeasuresdiscussedabove;utilityregulation,antitrustlaws,laborlaws,andpollutioncontrolrestrictions;areexamplesofactionstakenbysocietytomodifythebehaviorofbusinessfirmsandtomakethisbehaviormoreconsistentwithbroadsocialgoals.Sincethesesocialmeasuresallconstrainfirms,theeconomyoftheUnitedStatedcouldbecalledaconstrained-enterprisesystemasopposedtoafree-enterprisesystem.30SomethingabouttelephoneWhenimaginativescientistsfirstsuggestedthepossibilitythatonepersoncouldspeakdirectlytoanotheroveralongdistance,fewpeopletookthemseriously.AmongthefewwhodidwasaScots-bornAmericannamedAlexanderGrahamBell,whowasoneofthefirsttodevelopatelephonein1876.Nowthemostcommonmeansofvoicecommunicationintheworld,thetelephoneoftoday,isinfinitelymoresophisticatedandeffectivethanthecrudeinstrumentdevelopedbyBell,anditisbeingusedinwayshecouldnotpossiblyhaveforeseen.

59Oneareathatisrapidlyexpandediscommunicationsservice“onthemove”.BecauseAmericaissuchahighlymobilesociety;asocietyonwheels;telephonesincarsandtrucksarebecomingasessentialasthoseinhomesandoffices.Industryofficialshavepredictedthatmobilecommunicationsservicewillsoonbemorecompetitiveinmanyrespectsthantheserviceprovidedbytelephonesthatdonotmove.AnotherarearapidlydevelopingisoverseastelephoneserviceIn1927,whenoverseastelephoneservicewasinauguratedwitharadiotelephonecallbetweenNewYorkandLondon,theoccasionwasheraldedas“thrilling”.Today,manytelephoneusersregardinternationalcallsasroutine,andoverseasservice,thankslargelytounderseacablesandcommunicationssatellites,hasundergoneextraordinaryimprovement.Transmissionhasbeenmadeclearer,chargeshavebeengreatlyreducedanddependabilityhasbeenimproved.Overseastelephoneservicehasnowbeenextendedtonearly350countriesandareasthroughouttheworld.Theintroductionofdirectdistancedialingin195Iwasoneofthemostsignificantdevelopmentsintheefforttoimprove

60long-distanceservice.Directdistancedialingisnotonlyfastandconvenientforthecaller,ithasalsoenabledtelephonecompaniestohandletheextraordinarygrowthoftelephoneusethathasoccurredsincethe1950s.between1950and1973thenumberoftelephoneintheUnitedStatestripled,withtheadditionof90milliontelephones.FortheBellTelephoneSystemalone,long-distancecallsinthesameperiodhaveincreasedfrom1.4billionto8.5billion,andindicationshaveshownthatlong-distancecallswillcontinuetoincreasesignificantlyintheyearsahead.In1972,77percentofthe8.5billionlong-distancecallsweredialedbythecustomer.Anotherverysignificantdevelopmentintelephoneuseisintheareaofdatacommunications.Hereisanexampleofhowmedicaldataarebeingtransmitted.InasmalltowninthewesternpartoftheUnitedstatedabout300peoplegatheredinthelocalschooltoundergotestsforlungdiseases.Theproceduresfollowedmarkedamajoradvanceindetectingdiseasesbyprovidingalmostinstantaneouscomputerdiagnosisoverlong-distancelines.First,techniciansattheschoolusedtouch-tonetelephonestosendvitalstatisticson

61thepersonbeingtestedtothecomputer,whichwaslocatedinahospital60milesaway.Theindividualthenexhaledintoaspirometer,whichmeasuresvolumeandrateofairexhalation,andthesemeasurementswereautomaticallytransmittedtothecomputer.Thecomputerinstantlycalculatedtheresultsandwithintwosecondsrelayedthembacktothetestingcenter.Normally,ittakeshoursorevenweekstoevaluatespirometermeasurements.Byutilizingacomputeranddatacommunications,however,thetimelagisreducedtoseconds.Moreover,peopleinaremotecommunityareputwithinarm'slengthofthemostup-to-datamedicalfacilitiesavailable.Formanypeoplethemostexcitingdevelopmentinrecentyearsispicturephoneservice.Picturephoneservices,whichwillbecomeavailablecommerciallyatthebeginningofthiscentury,isbeingusedbylargebusinesscorporationbutitwillnodoubtspreadfromtheofficetothehome.Itisalreadyclearthatthenextbestthingintelephoneserviceisgoingtobepicturephonecall.Possiblythemostsignificantresearchnowbeingconductedisintheuseofthelaserbeamintelephonecommunications.This

62wonderfullight,firstproducedbyscientistsin1960,canbeamcontinuouslyandwithextraordinaryintensity.Insteadofusinglighttoseeby,telephoneresearchersarethinkingofwaytouselighttocommunicateby.Inotherwords,theyarethinkingofusinglightasradiowavestotransmittelephonecalls,televisionprogramsanddatamessagesfromonepointtoanother,withtheexpansionofpicturephoneserviceandhigh-speeddatacommunicationsbetweencomputers,presentmessage-carryingcapacitiesmaysoonbecomeinadequate.Ifitturnsouttobetechnicallyandeconomicallysound,thelasermightprovetobeamajorbreakthroughintelephonecommunications.Currentresearchintelephonecommunicationsissoextensiveandchangesarecomingaboutsorapidlythatnoonecanpredictwithaccuracywhatthetelephoneoftomorrowwilllooklike.Butthereisatleastonepredictionthatcanbemadewithassurance*therewillbemoreandmoretelephonesinthefuture,andthewillbemuchbetterthanpresentones.