eenhadalreadycrossedthefirebeltandwasengagedinhandtohandbatwiththebrave,loyalwarriorsofKingDimitri,whorusheddauntlesslyforwardtocheckhisadvance．Shouldertoshoulder,theyformedawallofflesh,heedlessoftheirownlivesandsafety,fortheyknewonceCyclopscrossedtheirstlineofdefeheresultwouldbedisastrousandunthinkable．Thegroundwasalreadypavedwithbrokenlimbsandmutitedbodiesandcrimsonblooddyedtheearth．WhiteFairywasiic，shootingrandomarrowsatCyclopswhentheopportunityarose．ButCyclopshadeyesbothatthefrontandatthebackofhisheadandwithIleentohelphim，hemaofendoffmostofthem．Theohatdidhithim，hepulledoutandthrewawayandthewoundsoonclosedandhealed．Finallynoarrowwasleftinherquiver．Whenheseemedonthepointofbreakingthrough,WhiteFairythrewcautiontothewinds．Transfherselfoncemoretowhitesmoke，shemadestraightforthebattlefieldanddirectedthewarriorstogetheirtactiore,uhoritativeguidahespiritsofthebravewarriorsrosealefieldcamealiveagain．TheyfocusedtheirattaIleen,distragCyclops’attention,fhimtoturnbadprotecthiswoman,thussingthefordspeedofhisonsught．Buttheywerestiltanimpasse：agicswordcouldnotcutthroughtheintangiblewhitesmoke，buthercouldWhiteFairycapturethemowasatthiscrucialmomentthattherushingofwingsannouhearrivalofMedusaandsoeformovershadowedthebattlefield．Thebeautieswhowereanxiouslywatgfromthebaliesiicshoutedinjoy："Medusa’sback!We’resaved!"

130页

Medusacircledtheairandndedsmoothlyontheroof．Transformedtohumanform，shecarriedthetwobadly-shakengirlstotheattidpcedtheminthehandsofthebeauties．Thenonceagainresumingherinalshape，sheflewdownandjoihebattle．Medusa’sappearancegreatlyboostedthemoraleofthewarriors,whofoughtwithrenewedvigor．ToIleenhowever,itwaslikehandwritingontherophesyingadisastrousending．Butlikeaeredanimal,shehadnochoicebuttoputupadesperatefight．HavingbeencapturedbeforebyMedusa，Cyclopswasonhisguardandwasnottakinganyces．Hiscautiousnesscurtailedhisadvandhecouldnoloalloutandfightasheformerlydid，meetingance．Medusakeptcirgoverhead，makingasiftodivedown，butsheknewofhisextraordinarystrengthandthepowerofthemagicsword．Therefore，shewaitedpatientlyforanopeningbeforeattag．Thetwoprincipals，MedusaandCyclops，circledeachotherwarily，liketwowellmatchedgdiatradually，Cyclopswaslosingtheedgeofthefightahedgedin．Thebeautiesoicwereetedandhailedandcheeredoroops．Ileenshouted，

"Rushtotheattidgoforthewomen．Takethemashostages．Theyareouronlyhope!"ButWhiteFairywasonejumpaheadahewarriorsincapturireacherousinstigator．Cyclops’attentionwasdivertedwhenhisbackeyesawIleeaken．Hepausedforasedandturorushtoheraid，butiofbattle，ased’shesitationeandisaster．Medusadiveddowninafshanddughersharp，irontohisfrohatwashisAchillesheel-theonlyvulnerablespotoirebody．HeroaredinpainandpluhemagicsworddeepintoMedusa’sbody．Medusaletoutasharpdfelltothegroundinherhumanshape．WhiteFairyimmediatelyledherwarriorsovertoshacklethemonsterandthenrushedovertotendtoMedusa．

"Areyouallright?"

"Yes”pantedMedusa．”It’snottooserious．I’mnotmortallywouhusthebattleehevictorsshoutedinjoy，butthecostofvictoryhadbeenprodigiousintermsoflifearu．ThemysteriousKingdomhadsuccessfullysurvivedthecrisisandthedefeatedcouplemustpaytheirduesinblood．

Thenight，augustanddark，sheathedingrandeurandmystery,nowshowedashaftoflight．Thebattlewasover．Thewarriorswerebusycarryingawaythedeadandthewoundedandhadnotimetoextinguishthewildfirewhichwasstillbzinginthemountains．Theykhatsooeritwouldburnitselfout．Thettives,thecauseforthisiru,wereedtotheimposingpilrsatthefrorahepatheblurrylightofdawn,thegiganticfigureofCyclopscouldbeseen,sittiedlyonthefrontsteps，hisexpressiondazedandwooden，hisbackeyeblinkinginthedarkasifthinkingofsomething；butthen，perhapshismindwasjustabnk．Hiswoundshealedeasilybuthelostforeverthevisionofhisfroheotherpilr,Ileensatwithherheadraised，lookingatthewideexpaheskyoverhead．Soembroiledwassheinherplotsandschemesthatneverbeforehadshetakeoappreciateandenjoythegrandeurofnature．Formerly，thiswasthetimefobacktowardsherquartersinthepaceafteranight’shardwork．Shewasohetwenty-fourbeauties,ridpamperedandintrolofunimaginablewealth．ShehadthoughtthatbymakinguseofCyclopsshecouldtakeoverDimitri’sfinancialempireasherown．Butiy，theschemer，sosureofvictoryinthedarkofthenight,foundshehadlosteverythingbydaybreak．SheshouldhaveknownthatDimitri’smonarchicauthoritycamethroughthedivinerightofkings，whianpowercouldoverturnortakeaway．Onlywhenherambitionswerebrokenintopiecesdidsherealizeherinsignifice．Butwhatwasdonewasdoneanditwastootefrets．TheonlythiwasCyclops’stubbornsperminherwomb,rapidlygrowingandmaturing，wrigglingandmovinglikeanaughtyspirit．Theonlyshredofhopeforherwasthatwiththegenerosityanddecyofhisheart,Dimitriwouldnotexecuteapregnantwoman．

WhenKingDimitriarrivedathismajesticpace，thesunwasalreadyhighinthesky．Itsgoldenraysshedanauraofdazzlingbrilliagavehimthemajestidimposingstatureofagod．Behindhimwalkedthejetbck,militantfigureofthesnake-hairedbeauty,Medusa,whocouldgethecolorofherskinatwill，likeachameleon,andthesnowwhiteflowerfairy,inationoftheEasterLily．Hisexpressionturnedsomberandsorrowfushesawtheformerlushandgrassyvalleynowburntandbarren．Thebodiesofhisbravewarriorwerelyingirowsonthegroundbehindthepace，asifprofessingtheirloyaltythateveheywerethereforhisreviewwheurned．Asheehepace,heghettives,whohungtheirheads，uoenterhisglitteringeyes．Wordlessly,hestrodetohisgoldenthroneandsatdown,withthetwobeauties,onebewhite,standingbehindhim．

"BringinCyclops!"heordered．

"Yes,YourMajesty.”answeredhisgalntpaceguards．Cyclopswalkedbackwardsintothehall，unsteadilyandclumsily．Thehumanbodyanditsmovementsaresupposedtobedesigocorretewiththeeyes，whicharealwaysinthefrontoftheface．Cyclops,whohadlostthesightofhisfronteye,however,couldonlyusethebae,andhadtowalkbackwards．Theunfamiliarphysicalbearilyencumberedhimandmadehismovementsslowaant．Seeingthisformerinvinciblemonster,whocouldeasilyhavecoveredthedistanafewstrides,makehiswaysostrenuouslydownthehall,Dimitriwasremindedofhisownimmilossofsight．Afeelingofpassionroseinhisbreastforthismonster,whowasnownolohreat．Theguardspushedhimdownonhiskneesandsaidcurtly，

"Kneeldown!"andCyclopskdownobedientlyfagDimitri．

"Offwithhishead!"orderedDimitri,pretendingtobeinastormywrath．TurninghisheadtoMedusa,heindicatedwithhiseyesthatsheshouldintercede．Medusauoodatonce．

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"YourMajesty!"shesaidingforward，"Allowmetosayaword．Cyclopshasindeedittedaheinouscrimeanddeservetodie．ButheoncesavedmylifeandhedidhelptofighttheinvasionoftheRomansoldiers．IbegYourMajestytosiderhisformertributionsandresideryourverdict.”Dimitripreteohesitateforamomentandthensaid，

"Hisdeathsentencemaybeuted,butadulterywithohebeautiesisunpardonable．HavehimcastratedandbanishedforeverfromtheKingdom.”

"ThankHisMajestyforpardoningyourlife，Cyclops!"saidMedusa．Cyclopskowtowedandsaid，

"Iamwillingtotakemypunishment，yourMajesty，butpleasedonotbanishme．IhavelivedinthesemountainsforaslongasIremember，andknowofnootherhome．Idonotwanttoleave.”Whathedidnotsaywas,hewaobenearMedusa，tobeabletocatchaglimpseofhereverynowandthen．Hecouldnetherbeautyandhergracefulnessassheflewinthesky．

"Sobeit,”saidDimitriandwavedhishandforhimtobetakenaway．ThecastrationdidnotbotherCyclopsverymuchashisbodyhadtheextraordinaryfunofhealinganywoundwithinminutes.Afterthat,hewentbacktohisoldlifeintheGiantMountainsandhissexualanswhichhadbeencastratedgrewbackagainwhichwouldterwreakhavotheKingdom.Bythen，thegoldwhichIleenhadboughtfromalroundtheworldhadbeguntoarriveandadockwasbuiltatthefootofthemountain．Cyclopswasgiveaskofcarryihetop．Walkingbackwards,hebegantoworkatdaybreakaedatsu,bslowlyonuntilthisHerculeantaskwasdone．Heneverrevoltedagain．

AfterCyclopshadbeentakenaway，KingDimitriorderedIleenthtin．Themagisterialvoicesofthepaceguardsrepeatingtheorderechoedthroughthehall，

"Bringiraitoress,Ileen!"Dirt-smeared,hairindisarray,Ileenwalkedin．Herbeautyshoinspiteofallshehadbeenthrough．SeeingKingDimitri’sdignifieddemeanorfromafar,shewassmotewithasenseofshame,sowhenshecamebeforethethrone,shekdown,headbowed．

"Raiseyourheadandlookatme!"Dimitrianded．IleenlookedupandsawKingDimitri’ssternfacecoldasfrost,withnotraceofhisusualeasy-goinghumorandaffe．Hereyesturhebdwhitebeautiesbehindhimandagreenfireofjealedinherheart．

"Whathaveyoutosay,Ileen?Whydidyoubetraymeagainandagain?Ifyougivemeonegoodreasonforyourcourseofa,Iwillpardonyou.”Ileenlookedbackathimantagonistically．Defiandangerobliteratedanyforherownlife．Loveisastrahing．Itbesweetashoneyorasbitteraspoison．

"Iwasbornarebel．There’snorhymeorreasonformyas.”

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"YoufullydeservedtheexecutionIorderedMedusatocarryout．Outofthekindnessofmyheart，Iresurrectedyou，butnotonlywereyouungratefulforyoursedceatlife，youbetrayedmeagainbybringingintheRomansoldiers．NowyoubetraymeyetagainbyspiringwithCyclopsandMr．KaffeeandraisethewindssohighthatyoucouldupturnmyKingdomandhavemekilled．Yourtreacherousasareviperishandinexcusable.”Cyclops’spermwriggledinherwomb,impatientasamothstrugglingtoburstforthfromitsco．IleenhadthoughtofusingpregnancyasanexcuseandworkonKingDimitri’sgenerosityforapardon．Buthiswordsbroughtbackthepainandhatredoftwoinationssovividlythatitwouldnotallowhertoaskforpardonfromthisman．Sheonlywishedforaquickdeath．Knowinghimsowell,shewassurethatafterprovokinghimintoexegherathirdtime，hewouldliveforeverinself-nationandtritionwhenhediscoveredhehadkilledapregnantwoman．Thatwastobeherultimateretaliation．Raisingherhead,hereyesfullofhate,shetauntedhimsaying，

"Saynomore．TwiceIhavebeenkilledbyyou．Killmenowforthethirdtime.”KingDimitriwasedbyhernoandinamomentofangerorderedhertobechoppedintwofromthewaist,tobeexecutedbyMedusa,justlikethefirsttime．

Dimitrididnotwanttowithetragie,sohehurriedlylefttheKingdom．Thebeautieshadallmovedtotheadministrativebuildingbecauseofthebattle,sotheywerenotevenawarethatKingDimitrihadreturned．Notwishingtobeentahthewebsofloveaioquietly．Theexecutionwasoncemoreehesamespotuhesameditions,withthesettingsunlookingonatthebarrenhills．Armedbyastreforsurvival,theyetunshapedfetusburstfromhermother’swombandsaw，toherhorror,thewarmhaventhathadshelteredherwasnowabloodymutitedbodylyingontheground．Tileaobemasterofherownasshefloatedlikepollenintheair,nowfallingfromonefloweraleforawhilesugthehoney;nowbeingblowntoanother．Sometimes,shendedonsomewildberrieswhiurturedherwiththeirjuices．Thusued，shefloatedaboutinthewildsofthemysteriousKingdom,livingoffhoneyanddew．Floatingaroundispringbreeze，herfeelingsofrevengebuddedandgrew．

CHAPTER8MEGGINNANDLAVERNE

Timepassedbynormally,hertoofastnortooslow,goingitswaysilently,liketheslightbreezeslowlywaftihesleepingform,whoseforelockwavedslightlywiththebreeze．Timeandbreezewerebothtransparentanduable．Anyonecouldfeelthewindblowing,butonlytheultrasensitivecouldfathomthepassingoftime．Suddenly,thesleepingformsatup,ghysterically，

"Ikilledapregnantwoman!Isavagelykilledapregnantwomahererubbinghissleepyeyesandfounditwasonlyahorribledream．ThismanwasDimitri,thedreammaker．Lookingabout,hefoundhewassleepingintheruinsofaburntouthouse．Outside,stretchedaedrosegarden,withtheflowerswiltedandcoveredwithdust．Butthedreamwasvividlywithhim．Hecouldremembertheferociousah-shakingbattlebetweealndmightyCyclopsandtheflyingMedusaamidstsavagebattlecriesandtherfmes．Thesetwocharactersfrommythologyweresomehowinterwoveninhisotherdreams．Theyhadappearedseveraltimesandmayperhapsappearagainiure．TheymadetheirdebutinanaesehousewhereCyclopsgedfromapigmywearinggarmentsoftheTsingDynastyandMedusaentguardingthefabuloustreasures．Theymadelovewitheachothermadly．Suddenly，DimitrirealizedthatCyclopswashimpersonified，buthehadnotknownitatthetime．TheirsedappearancewasinanAfritemplewhereCyclopswastheGodofFateandMedusawashisattendant．InthegreatbattledefendingtheKingdomagainsttheattackoftheRomansoldiers，DimitriwasquiteawarethatheandCyclopswereohenwhydidCyclopsbetrayhiminhisretdream?Whywerethestoriessofusedandjumbledup?Thenheughedinvoluntarilyandsaidtohimselfwithanenigmaticsmile，

"Dreamsaredreams,untraceableandillogical,whyseektoexpinthem?Iamadream-maker，asolitarytraveleruhevast，limitlessskies，wheretheeverginghueswerevariablefromthegrayandwhiteofdawntothebrightblueskiesofday,fromthebrillianteandredsuhedarknessofnight．IeandgoasIpleaseinmyvariousdreams．Mydreamsgelikethehuesoftheskiesaasunfathomableanduable.”Thenheeyedhissurroundingsuzzledexpression,thinking，

"HowohdidIetosleepinthisoldhouse,halfdestroyedbyfire?"

HerememberedhurriedlyleavingWorldBankstnight,toonervousandpanickytonoticewhichwayhewasgoing,andsomehoworother,hadstumbleduponthisabandonedandsecludedspottoparkhisfleshbodysoastoreturntohisKingdom．ThinkingofhisKingdomremindedhimofthefaithlessandtreacherousIleeifulbutvenomous,whocolboratedwithoutsideeonlytotakeoverhiswealthandhisKingdom,butplottedtohavehimkilledaswell．Thehumawasindeedunfathomable．Butthen，hequicklycametoreality,realizinghewasonlyapenniless,homelessperson,thathisvastKingdomandfabulouswealthwereallillusionaryfabricationsofhisprolificbrainthatnoonecouldtakeaway．Heughedhystericallyrememberingthedespairandpanicofhisdreamswhichshookhimso,andhisdeviousendeavorsatespiowerereallymuchadoaboutnothing．Thesewerebutstrangedreams．However,thosebeautifulnakedwomenweresoreandeachhadherindividualpersonalityandvividbeautythatweresodistinctivethattheystoodoutasrealhumanbeingsandhecouldnotreciletothefactthattheyneverexistedexceptinhisdreams．Dimitrisattherefused，tryingtodistinguishbetweendreamsay，whenthegrowlingofhisstomachtoldhimitwastimetomoveon．Helookedupattheblueskiesandwonderedwhattimeitwas．Hehadnoseime，whichwasuselessandsuperfluoustohim．Itspassagericious,sometimesfast,sometimesslow．Atransparentwindbillowedthroughthebranches,causingthebuddingleavestoswayinunison．Dimitrithoughtthatperhapstime，too，movedlikethewind．Stirredbythemotion，thefadedpetalsofthewiltedroseoDimitriflutteredandfellonhiseye．

“Ahyes!”hethought.“timedidmove．Itmightdosoimperceptiblybutthebudding，bloomingandfinallywiltingoftheflowersshowedthatitdid.What’sthediffereweenman’sfleshbodyandtheflowers?”,thoughtDimitri.“Itgraduallyagesaoo．Sothemostpracticalthingwouldbetofeedit．Onlywhenthefleshbodyisalive，itweavemoredreams．Inthissociety,peopleusetheirfleshbodyindifferentways．Somedomanualbor，othersdomentalbor，butitisalltowardsthesameend—toattendtothephysieedsoftheirbody,tofeed,clothaerit!Iwanttoletmyfleshbodyliveonandmakemoredreams.Ilovetodream.Ilovetomakedreams．Iamadream-maker．ThusIlive,notdisturbinganyoneandIdon’twantaodisturbme!"Hesmiledhappily，"Ah!Iwonderwhatkindofdreamswillstrayintomyslumbertonight!"

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MysteriousDwelling

GnawinghungerremindedDimitrihehadtofindsustenanceimmediately,forhisbodywasnodifferentfromthoseofotherlivingthings,vegetableoranimal,whichallneedednourishmenttosustaihedesignofthefleshbodyerfeeverydetail，butitdidgiverisetoalotoftrouble，forithadtobefedanditssexualurgeshadtobesatisfiedsomehow．Thiswastroublesome，butoherhand，alshtpleasure．Atthesametime,thefleshbodyhadtotendagainstdiseases，agingah．Dimitrididnotwanttothinkaboutitanyfurther．Itwasmoreexpedienttodealwiththepractieeds．Justashewasabouttogetupandgoouttolookforfood，ahugeshadowlookedoverhim．HisfirststartledreawasthatitwasCyclopsingafterhimforhisreveonsedlook，hefounditwasasixfootfour，300pound，blue-eyed，blond-hairedTitanofayoungmaninhistwenties,withawater-melonhoistedonhisshoulder,ingthroughtherosegardentowardsthehalf-burntruinsofahouse．Hewashummingindistinctlyashewalked，hishearingaidshowedthathehadhearingimpairment．Encumberedbyexcessweight,hismovementswereclumsy,buthisexpressionwasiandnaiveasachild’s，insinuatinghewasmentallyretarded．Suddenlywithashoutofjoy，heputdownhismelonandpounasword-shapedbambooonthegroundaeditssharpnessandflexibilityasamusketeerwouldhissword．Thenhesprangintopositionandfehit，decapitatingrosesasifhewouldanoppo’shead，causingaflurryofpetalsandleavestofalltotheground．Hehadhisfun,butcausedhavotherosegarden．Afterawhiletiredofhisgamehethrewawayhisstidwanderedaroundlookingforotheramusements．Itseemedthattheruinsofthisformerlyluxurioushomewashisparadise．Whenhefoundapraphicmagazineamidtheruins，heughedgleefullyaedlyandsatdownoepsoftheporchasheflippedthroughthepages，whilemakinglovewithMrs.Thumbandherfhters．AnimalneedandinstincthadionswhatevertohisIQ．

Justthen，amelodiousvoicecalledout，"Mark!Mark!Whereareyou?"aifulyounggirlmadeherwaythroughthefallenrosesandleavestowardstheruinedhouse．ItwasLaverne,Mark’sstepsister，bothresidentsofthenearbydistrict．Whenshesawhimilydoinghisjobwhilestaringatthepicturesinthemagazine,sheblushedinmaidenlymodestyandshynessandturnedherbacksaying，

"Hurry!It’ste!Wehavetogohome.”Then,throwinganexquisitelyembroideredesesilkhandkerchiefathim,sheadded,"Wipeyourselfwhenyou’rethrough.”Whenhewasdohetwosiblingswalkedarminarmpasttherosegardenandmadetheirwaytowardstheirhome．Theskieswerestillblue．

Thehouseinthenearbyprimeresidentialdistrictwasanaverageoheirfather，Mr.JohnJohnson，hadnotbeeoworkatterhisstroke，sothefamilyfinanceshaddeteriorateddrasticallyandthehouselookedrundown．OldMr．Johnsonwaswalkingboriouslyinthegardenwiththehelpofhisstick，eachstepseemedtobeheavyasathousandpounds．Thestrenuous,strugglingexpressiononhisface,togetherwiththedeepwrinklesmadeohinkthatanotherprecioushumanlifewasabouttoperishfromthisearth．LaverneandMarksprangforwardtohelphimtoachairwhentheirmother’svoicewasheardcallingtoLaverne．Sheanswered，"ing!"auroherbrotherwhohadthemelononhisshoulderandtheman’smagazineinhishandsaying,

"Putthemelonintotherefrigeratoandtakeashower．Don’tpywithitanymoreorIwon’tfrysteakforyoutonight.”Markmadeafaceatherandrantowardsthebathroom．

Lavernewalkedintothehouseandthrewthewetandstickysilkhandkerchiefintothewashingmaetosoakforawhilebeforewashingitbyhand．Itwasherfavorite．Shewasworriedthatherbrother，whohadretlydiscoveredthejoysofmasturbation，wasenjoyingitwithabandon，randomlywastinghisvitality．Shefeltsomethingshouldbedoopreventhimfromgoingohislesthisvitalitywouldbeexhausted；butashisstepsister，shefeltshewasnotinapositiontoteachhimsexeducation．However，ahumanbeinglikeMark，wholivedinhisownworld,freefromworries,actuallylivedahappierlifethanhisnormalterparts．Mrs．Johnson’svoicebrokeintohermusings．Shepulledherselfbacktorealityandhurriediher’sbedroom．

Thickcurtainsblockedoutalllightandtheroomwasdimlylitbythefaintbedsidemp．Theroomwasfullofthepusmellofalcohol，allofwhichgaveoheimpressionthatitwastheroomofasickperson．Mrs．Johnsonyinbed，pletelyparalyzed．Herinnerbodyhadlostallitspowersexceptthatofspeech，sosheironicallycalledherselfa"speakingdeadbody"．Everytwohoursshehadtobeturnedovertopreventbedsoresfrandtokeepherbloodrunningwell．WhensheheardLaverne’sfootstepsingintotheroom,shesaid．

"Laverne,wouldyoupleaseeoverforamoment?Ithinkthereisanantonmyface．Ifeelitchy.”LaveroverandwasabouttokilltheantwhenMrs.Johnsonstoppedhersaying，

"No，it’salittlelifetoo．Don’tkillit．Justblowitaway.”SoLaverheantawaygently．Shewasmovedthateveher’sextremeanddespairingdition，herheartwasfilledwithonlyloveandnottheslightestvestigeofhate．

13

"IfIremembercorrectly，it’syourtwenty-firstbirthdaytoday,Laverne，AmIright?"

"Yes，mom，itis.”

"Happybirthday，mydear．I’msosorrythatwearenotabletocelebrateitforyouwithpresents，abirthdaycakeandaparty．Orary，thewholefamilyhasbeenaheavyburdenonyou.”Laverne’seyesfilledwithtearsandshereplied,

"Saynomore,mom．We’reafamily．It’sverystuffyinyourroom．Dad’soutinthebackyard．Wouldyoulikemetopushyoutheretooforsomefreshair?"

"Thatwouldbenice.”LaverlypushedMrs．JohnsoothegardeoMr．Johnson’schair．

Laverne’sslenderfigurecouldbeseelymovingaroundi，preparingdinner．Fromthewindowwhichlookedoutonthebackyard,shecouldseetheoldcouple，bothsmotedownharshlybythesamefate，yetstillfullofloveandpassion．Mr．Johnsonwasfeedinghiswifeslicesofappledippedinmayonnaise，herfavoritesnack．Hewasaverypassionateman,whotookcareofhiswife，the"speakingdeadbody"withoutanypints．Therewasnoexpnationforthatexceptloveandrespeanlife．WheLavernelookedagain，shesawMr．Johnsonhadputawoolenhiswife’shead，wheremedicationhadcausedgreatlossofhair．Mrs．Johnsonhadfallenasleepandyuhetree，caressedbytheeveningbreeze．Shesleptonwithanaive，infant-likesmileonherface．Perhapsshewasthinkingofherfirsthappydayonthisearth,thedayshewasborn．

Freshoutoftheshower，Marksatbythedie，hiswethairlypartedandbed．Hisrotundbodyandchubbycheeksgavehimthelookofadocile,rownboy．HisrgerollingeyesfollowedLaverne’severymovementandhissimplemiobestrugglingwithsomeperplexingproblem．Laverne’sheartwaswiththeoldcoupleinthegarden．Shelovedthemandwaswillingtogivethemherall，althoughshewasnobloodretiohappytakingcareofthem，eventhoughshewasnotamemberofthefamily．Walkingtowardsthedie，shepattedMark’scheeksandsaid，

"WhatareyouthinkingofMarkyboy?"

"I’mthinkingaboutamathematicalproblem.”

"youtellmeaboutit?"

13

"Youtaughtmetenfingersaoesmaketwenty.”

"Right．Tenandtewenty.”

"Foryouitmayberight,butforme,it’swrong.”

"Howso?tyersandtoes．Doyouhavemorethay?"

"Forme，tenandtewenty-one.”Unzippinghimself,hepulledouthispenisandsaid，"Addthisoneandyougettwenty-one!"Laverneblushedredasabeetatthisbtantimpertinence．ShefeltMarkwasbeingdeliberatelyimpertiandrudetoher，butshecouldnotbelievehissimplemindcapableofsuchduplicity．

"Imustcookdinnerandhavenotimetuewithyou．Putitbatoyourpants．I’vetoldyoutimeandagaiotakeitoutinfrontofpeople．Ifyoudon’tlistentome，Iwon’tpywithyouanymore.”Withthat，Laverurnedherbaaaboutherwork．Sheghimowicesurreptitiouslyandcatedtofindheshowednotrabarrassmentatherrebuff．Hewasstillhisnormalsimpleself．Toher，itsighathisoutbreakwasuional．

"Iheardmomsayit’syourbirthdaytoday.”

"Yes,itis．Doyouhaveasforme?"

"Ofcourse．Thatmelhthomewasforyou.”Laverouchedthatherememberedherbirthdayandthoughtitwouldbeoshareitwithsomeone．

"Mark，willyougetthemelonoutoftherefrigeratorandputitoableforme,please?"Markeagerlyjumpeddownfromhisseatandcarriedoutherorders．Laverookoutalongknifeandtothewatermelon．Toherdisappoi，itwasdryandshriveled，totallyinedible．Thishadneverhappenedbefore.Shewasdismayedanddidn’tknowwhattodo．Astrahoughtcametoher．Waste,whetherofthehumanbanicsubstances,wassinfundcruel．Thismelon,forinstance,wasawasteofthegroundthatgrewandnurturedit,andtothemelohatwentthroughthearduousprocessofgrowth．heless,itsultimatefatewasbeingthrownintothegarbage．

13

ThatwasrareleisuretimeforLaverheshortintervalbeforedinner．Shewastiredafterawholeday’sworkandwasreingontheloungechaironthedeck,gazingatsomecloudsfloatingaroundafar-offmountain．Mr.andMrs．Johnsontooweretired．Theyhadstruggledallday．Lifetothemwasaneruggle，whichwastotiiltheirsthour，likeamaeabouttobeunserviceable，butstillingonarduously．Humanlifewasbutananicmaeandonedaywouldiablybetotaled，too．Butsolongastheybreathed,theycouldstilllive;forbreathingwasthepurestifsimplestenjoymentofthefleshbody．Solongastheirbrainsfuned，theyhadreaso．Thoughtsmightbetheinofsorrow，buttheywerealsothesourceofthehighestformofhappihesetwohadstruggledalldayandwerelookingforwardtoadelieal,afterwhichtheywouldslipintothemysteriousdarknessandenjoythesweetnessofslumber．Butas,itwasonlytoawaittheingofthemorrow,anotherdayle．Meanwhile，Markwaslockedinhisroom．Perhapshewasstilltryingtopuzzleoutthatplicatedmathematicalproblem;orhemaybeilyresearghispreciousprizefromtheruins．Oneday，hewasboundtouandthedifferehesexesandthatmasturbationwasnottheonlywaytosatisfytheneedsofhisfleshbody．Mapleleaveswereturnihecrispautumnair，andfleecycloudssurroundingthehilltopsfloatedlightlytowardsher．Lavernewassuddenlystruckwithastrangeidea．Ifthecloudscouldbepluckedaseasilyasmapleleaves,shewouldseizethemastheypassedandmakethemsurroundherhouse．ShewouldpntmapletreesalroundsothatMr．andMrs．Johnson，Markandherselfwouldlivetheirwholelivesharmoniouslytogether，hiddenbycloudsandsurroundedbycolorfulleaves，forthisfragilefamilycouldnolohstandtheslingsandarrowsofeousfortune．

Hermindwasinaturmoisshethoughtofthepast．ShewouldneverfetthatstormywinterdaywhenMr．Johnsoncamehomeamidthewindandrain，breakierriblehatLaverne’smotherhaddied．Itainful，traumatie，etcheddeeplyinheryoungmemory，forwithinayear，shehadlostbothherparents：herfatherinacaractandher．ShecametolivewithMr.Johnsonwheherremarried；butthebrief，happyinterludehadnotstedtheyear．Shecouldstillrememberherhurt,fearandaywhenMr．JohnsonmarriedagainandhisnewwifeLavyrlbroughtMark，hersonfromherpreviousmarriagewithhertoliveintheJohnsonhome．Lavernewasrudeafultothetestadditionstoherfamily,butLavyrlwaswonderful．Thoughblind,shewasverysensitiveandwasallthemotherLavernecouldwishfor．Sheseemedtoualegirl’santagonismandgraduallywonherenuineloveandkiakingcareofherasshewouldherown．Herso-year-oldMark，wasstrongasanox．Hewasabitretarded,tobesure,butextremelyprotectiveofhislittlesister，andstoodupforheramidtheirpeers．Fromthenon，withMarkasherbodyguard，sheneverhadtofearbeingbulliedinschool．Thisnewfamily,broughttogetherbydifferentcircumstancesoflife,hadastrongtieinmisfortune．

Thatyear，duetomisma，Mr．Johnson’sfirmwentbankruptandhewasidoff．Unemploymentwasabigblowandontopofitall,Mr．Johnsontractedhepatitisandhadtobehospitalized．Hugemedicalbillspiledupandtheheavyburdenofsuppafamilyoffourfellontheceousshouldersofthisweak,blindwomaapermitasavendoriheCityHallBuildingsellingcigarettes,dy,coffeeetc．Shetookhertwochildrenwithher．Lavernewasonlyfivethen,butshehadtotakecareofherblindstep-motherandhermentallyretardedstep-brother．Theymaoexistontheirstyihroughthosedifficulttimes,butadversityuhefamilyhearttoheart．As，illfortuodogthefootstepsofthiskind,blindwoman．Onedayshewasknockeddownbyacarwhiletryingtocrossthestreet．Thoughdoctorsfoundnothingamissatfirst,asidefromsomecutsandbruises,gradualnumbnessinherlowerlimbsprovedthathernervoussystemhadbeenseriouslydamagedaogetaroundinawheelchair．Thenumbnessspreadaeilitpletelyincapacitatedherandshebecamea"speakingdeadbody"．Fatehadbeehiswomanandherhusband,wholovedherdearly．Aseriousstroketookawayhisabilitytowork．Acurseseemedtohoverovertheirhome,lookingforacetopounce．Siessahwerethemightiestcurseofall．AhthoughtLaverhisfamilyreallydoesneedashieldofcloudstoprotectitfromthecurseofthedevil!ItwasgettingdarkandMark’shugefigurecameuptoher，stoopeddownandpined，

"I’mhungryLaverne.”Hiswordswereindistinct,butthroughlongassociation,sheuoodperfectly．Shestartedupguiltily，

"OhMark，I’vebeendaydreamingandfotthetime.”Shekissedhischubby，infant-likecheeksandhuggedhimtohersaying，"Sorry，Markyboy．I’llgoandfryyoursteakrightaway．Wouldyouliketosetthetableandlightthedles?We’lldiyletonight!"Marknoddedvigorouslyahusiastically．Hisexcitedexcmationsreflectedhishappihoughshecouldn’tmakeouttheexactwords．Handinhand,thetwosiblingswalkedintotheoldhouse．

Inthequietafternoon，timetickedbynormally，hertoofastnortooslow，likewaterflowingtranquillybyintheriveroranairymelodyvibratingimosphere．Theblueskyhaddarkened，butafewstarswerealreadyvisible，twinklingfromonhigh．Ontheway,Dimitriiedeverygarbagesearchforaluminums,buthewasdisappointed．Intimesofrecession，evenrecycblegarbagehadbeescarce．Buthewasstillingoodspirits，hismusclesrexed，hertootense，nortoosck．Hewasamusedtofindthatquiteafewpeopleoreetsweredressedashewas—olivesafarihat，three-quartersdownjacket，oversizedbcktrousersandoldbckshoeswornwithoutsocks．HekracticaljokeSamanthayingonhimandhesmiledathersuavehumor．Perhapsthatwastobethetrendoffallfashionsoftheyear!Anotherfallseasonwasbeginnihought．Histwenty-fourbeautiesbatheKingdomwerethinkingofhimahem．Whatwashedoingherewanderingaboutalone，missingeachotherontwodifferentpnes?PerhapsitwastimehewentbadeheluxuryofhisKingdomandthepanionshipofhisbeauties．Thatwouldmakethemhappy，too．However,therewassomuchhereonthismundaneworldworthstayingfor．Inaspiritofbonhomie,hecalledoutcheery"Goodevening"and"Haveagoodoothepassersbyhurryingpasthim,butonlyafewbotheredtoforceasmileornodiurn．Theywerelikefishier,gringateachotherwithcold,indifferentstares，beforeswishiaindgoingontheirway．Eachseemedtobeswimmingpurposefullytowardshisowination，andactalentersdidnotleavemuchofanimpressioherone．Perhapstheyweretoobusyandoccupiedwiththeiraffairseventonoticetheywerealiveahing，toobusytoenjoyandrejoiceattheverymagicofexistence．Agroupofsmallchildrenpraalking,ughing,shoutinganimatedly,likefriskyshrimpsorlivelysmallfishfroligintheshallowwaters，jumpingandscootingaround．Oheygrewup，theytoowouldbeelonelyfish，reservedandimpersonal，swimmingaboutier，notunigwitheachotherthoughlivinginagroup．Dimitrithought，inthecurrentoftime，everyoneislikeafish，includinghimself．Hewasonlyafishthatlikedtolurkiers,immobileandhushed,whilelidedbusilyaroundatthetopofthewaterseekingsurvival．Theydidnothavethetimetothinkofthesignificeoflivingorthevalueofexistence．Ifoheywentdowntothedeepandremaihere,stilndmotioheywouldthensuddenlyuandthattheywereliving．

Immersedinthisthoughts，Dimitrisuddenlyfoundhimselfatabustlinginterse，wherecaraftercarfshedby,ionreagtheirdestinations,loathingtowasteevenonesedoftheirprecioustime．Whattheydidnotrealizewasthattheywereactuallysquanderingawaytheirlifebecausetheyweresacrifigtheirleisure．Finallyhecrossedthebusystreetandcametoaremoteerofthecity．

"Ishouldgobaydipidatedshelter,”hethought．"Ihaven’tbeenbacktothatnarrowalleyforquiteawhile．Thereireat,Iwouldbefarawayfromthehustleandbustleofthecity，uedbysunriseandsu．Sunshineandmoonlightwillbebutsuccessivealterationsoflightoutsidemydoor．ThereIfullysavorthetasteoflife，enioysomelovelydreamsandthepleasureofbreathing.”Thenhepassedaluxuriousofficebuilding,intheerofwhiyshadowysilhouettescouldbeseenmovingaround．Someseemedtobebaogethersinginginasilentchoir．Otherswereshakingtheirbodiestotherhythmoftime,dangiion．Allwentoninabsolutesilence,likeanoccasionalturbulentwhirlpoolinabodyofwater．Soontheywouldbegone，sweptbyittopartsunknown．Ifpeoplediedandtheirsoulstioliveon，theywouldbeabletoenjoylifefullerthantheydidduringtheirlifetime，asthentheywouldhavemoreleisure．Isn’tthefleshbodythenayokeonthesoul?No，toenjoylifewewaituntildeath．Wefreeourselvesfromthestraintsimposeduponus”

Raisinghishead，Dimitrisuddenlysawabattered，beige-coloredautomobilestrahecurbofthestreet．Itsbeautifulyoungmistresswasstandingbythedoorofthecar，dressedinalightgraysuit,smilily,herlonggoldenhairtousledinthewind．

"Whyhi!It’syouagain,Dimitri．Iknewwe’dmeetagain!"

13

"HiMegginn!"saidDimitrihasteninguptoher．"Whyareyouherealone?Hasthecarbeenagupagain?"

"I’mafraidso,”shesaidruefully．"Iwasjusthopingyou’dappearagainoutofnowhereandetomyrescue,andhereyouareatthemostopportuime!"

"Thehonorisallmine,”saidDimitrigalntly.Megginngotintoherdsatinthedriver’sseat,whileDimitripushedwithallhismight．Therge,heavycarbegantomoveslowly．Theenginepurredandthecarcametolife．Megginnputherheadoutofthewindowandsaid，

"eon,jumpin!"andDimitrididsowithoutthinkingtwice.Dimitrisatthere,tooexuberanttoenjoythesery，hisattentionfullyteredonthisyoungwomanhesotallyentered．

"WellMegginn，howhaveyoubeendoing?"

"Prettygood．Iwasgoingtodumpthisoldthejunkyardarestforever，butwhenIgotthereandsawthelitter，Ijustcouldn’tdoit!Itwastoocrueltoletmyoldfriendbedismemberedandcrushed．I’mallforlivealive，soIgedmymindanddroveitbackagain．ButitgotstuckatthecurbandIwasatalosswhattodo,whenyoucamealongjustinthenieandgavemeahand.”

"Thepleasureisallmine．Areyoualwayssosoft-heartedaboutold,usedthings?"

"Notalways,”sheanswered，"butyetattachedtothingsyou’vebeeoforalongtime.”Thecarstoppedataredlight．

"WhereareyougoingMegginn?"Shelookedatthedelicateptinumanddiamondwatherleftwristandsawitwasfouro’clock．

"Ialwaysgoswimmingatthistimeoftheday．Wouldyouliketohaveadipatmypoothome?"Dimitrihesitatedforamomentandthensaid，

13

"Sure.”Hewasgdtohavemetsuchagenerous,beautifulyoungwoman，passiooinanimatemaery．Sudhearted，sealpeoplewererarenowadays．Hewascurioustoseehowshewouldlookihingsuit,curvaceousfigurefullyexposed．Hewasonlyapoor,dirty,oldhomelessperson,butsheaskedhimhomeforaswim,whichshowedshewasfreeofprejudice．

"Aftertheswim,wouldyouliketogotoadinnerandballwithme?It’sarare,grandoccasionandthegreatprincesoffinanceareexpectedtobepresent．Howaboutit?"

"No，thankyou,”saidDimitri，"IamnotproperlydressedandIdon’tthinkI’llfitintothesehighsocietyfuns．RememberI’monlyavagabondroamingaroureets.”

"It’sok．You’reaboutmyfather’sheightandsize．Hepassedaway．butI’vekepthisexpensivewardrobe．Youchoosewhatyouwanttowear.”

"No．I’mnotusedtosocializingandwillbeadisgracetoyou.”

"eon，Dimitri，"coaxedthegirl．"Ifyoudon’tgowithme．What’llhappehecarstallsagain?Wouldyouletmedrivealomidnight?"Thatwasagoodexcuse．Dimitricouldn’tfier．

Inthequietautumnafternoon，drytwigsandleavessnappedandcrackledasthewheelsofthecarrolledoverthem，makingitsthewindingtrail．Sunshine，peepingthroughthedenseeucalyptustreescasttticedshadowsontheground，givingadizzy，nht，now-darkimpression．Oopofthehillwasanexquisitehouse，builtintheshapeofaminiaturecastle，extremelywellkeptupandperfeeverydetail．Theroomyinteriorwasajewelininteriordecoration．TwohundredyearoldVictorianstyleantiquefurniturewerepolishedtilltheyshoneandgleamed．othegrandlivingroom，wasasmallden，whoseFrendowsopeothebackyardwithquiteargeswimmingpool．Thepoolwasamasterpieceofiy，equippedwithahugecolpsible，transparent，gssshieldtokeepoutthecoldwindandraininwinter．Airditionedandwelllit，itwasguaraogivemaximumfortinallweather．Whennotneededinsummet，itcouldbefoldedandstored．

Dimitrisatbythegss，lookingatthepaleblue，shadowySierraMountainsianuchlikeanimpressionistwatercolor,whichcouldgiveoneageneralpictureirokes．Soonthemountaintopswouldbecoveredwithseveralfeetofsnow，andthefollowingsummerthesnowwouldmeltintothewaterflowingintotherivers，invigoratingthefisheswithafresh,coolcurrent．DimitriwatchedasMegginnswamfreestylebadforthacrossthepool，slowlyalmostily,perfectlyrexed．Hemarveledattheclevernessofhumanswhoimicthefish’smotionsinwater．HethoughtofthebluegooninhisKingdom，whereDeanna，themermaid，wasalsoanexcellentswimmer．Ifthesetwocouldswimtogether，itwouldmakeageouspicture．Justthen，wildpidginsflewbyoverheadinaflurryofwings．Dimitrieheirinnatesenseofdire，whichalwaysledthemhomeontherighttrackwithoutevergettinglost．Inthisrespect，theyweresuperiortohumanbeings．Ifhisworldhadthegiftofvision，perhapshumanbeings，too，wouldhavedevelopedthebat’sabilitytofindtheirdireunerringlybyechoesgeedbythemselves．Butthen,theoverdevelopmentofonesensewouldprobablyweakenanother．Iftheyhadthebat’ssenseofdire,theywouldperhapslosetheenjoymentofsight．Dimitrifeltsaddehefactthathe，unfortunately，wasonewhowasdestiolosethatpreciousenjoyment．Thestitutionofmanwasnotasperfectasthatofbirds，atleastforhimthatwastrue．

Megginnclimbedoutofthepool,withwaterdrippingfromherbody1ikestringsofpearls，saying，

"Shameonyou,Dimitri!Youonlyswamtwops．That’stoolittle!"

13

"I’moutofpracticeMegginn．Iusedtobeabletoswimacrossagoonquiteeasily,butgivemetimeandI’llgetbackmypace.”Megginntookoffhercap，lettinghergoldenhair，brightasthesun，cascadedownhershoulders．Shebeganwipingfirstherhair，thenherbodywithargebathtowel，whileDimitri’seyesfollowedhereverymovement．Checkeredbluebikinibathingsuitmatchedthedeepblueofhereyesandthebackgroundofblueskiesasseenthroughthetransparentgssroof，embelishedherskin,whichalerandsmootherthanever．ButwhatattractedhisattentionwereherfirmbreastsanddeepcleavageahoughtifonlythatkyMr.Fingerwerehere,hewouldbesuretofindawaytograsptightlyandsuckthosepinknipples．Megginnnoticedhispreoccupationandturnedaboutself-sciouslyinembarrassment．TheappearanceofhermaidLouisasavedtheday．Louisapushedacartwithsilverteasetandperkingcoffeeandasked，

"Wouldyoulikeafewdropsofbrandy,sir?"

"Thankyou.”

"I’dlikefivedropsplease”saidMegginn.

"Samehere”saidDimitri.LouisaputaspoonfulofcreamintoeachofthecupstomakeIrishcoffeeandturningtoMegginn，said，

"Thevice-presidentofpublicretionsoftheWorldBankcalledtoletyouknowthat1，000，000hadbeenpyouratandisnowavaible．HealsowaotellyouthatpresidentKaffeewoendingtheballtonight.”

"Really?Hesaidthat?Whynot?He’stheanizer!"

"Thevicepresidentdidn’tsay，miss．‘Forpersonalreasons’wasallhetoldme.”Sayingso,shepushedhercartahenameofpresidentKaffeeatoDimitrionhisguard．Hadheescapedfromofallonlytofallintoanother?ButMegginnwassayingtoherself，

"It’sjustaswellhedoesn’tshowup．Savesmethetroubleofhavingtodealwiththatslipperyoldfox!TonightI’llgiveallofthatonemilliondolrstocharity.”

"Giveawayonemilliondolrsaltonce?Doesn’tyourheartpangatlosingsomuey?"

140页

"Notatall．Themoneywasnevermine，andanywayit’sfoodcause．Forcharity．"

"Whatdoyoumean?It’sinyourat，underyourhemoneyisallyours．"

"Well,it’salongstory．Ifyou’reied，I’lltellyouaboutit.”

OnedayMegginn’scarbrokedownagainatthedoorofahalfburntluxuryhouse，whereafat，rownboywithrotundbodyandchubbycheekssatpyingwithpaperairpnes．Hisexpression，naiveandiasachild’s，insihathewasmentallyretarded．Anopen，wornoutsuitcasewasbesidehim，fromwhichhetookpiecesofpapertofoldintopnesandthrowintheair．Meggiuptohimandaskedforhelpinstartingthecar．Heobliginglyagreed,stiputingonlythatshepyairphhim．Megginn，whowasstilchildatheart,gleefullyagreed,butwhilefoldingthepaper,hereyesactallyfellonthesignatureofthemysterioustrillionaire,DimitriJa．Gngquicklythroughthesuitcase，shefoundthatittainedmemos，letters，telegrams，reportsandordersbetweenDimitriandhisemissariesaroundtheworldthroughtheyears1971-1972，whichmusthavebeenofthehighesteicvalueatthetime．Thoughalmosttwentyyearshadepsedsihen，thesepaperswerestillpreaterialforreseardwouldbesuretoofferinsightintothebusinessmethodsandsuccessofthatmysteriouspersonage．

"Whatanovelsubjeythesis!"thoughtthesoon-to-begraduate,whohadbeenragherbrainsforasuitabletopic．Shefeltnoscruplesaboutcajolingtheyoungmantoexgehispapersforapairoftennisrackets，fortohimtheywereonlyapertofoldph;whiletoher,theyrepresentedfirst-handrefereerialtobaseherwritingon．TheveryfirstchapterofherMBAthesis,"Busiheory&StrategyoftheSuperTrillionaire．DimitriJa”-theproductofcarefulresearch,backedwithauthenticsupportivedata，wasabombshelndcausedanuproarinthebusinessworld．ItattractedtheattentionofMr．Kaffee，presidentofWorldBank，whoofferedheronemilliondolrstosubsidizeherresearch．However,heretionsoonevaporatedwhenshefoundouttheeviliionsheharboredbehindtheveilofpatrowasnotherschosticeffortshewasiedin，butthepapersshehappeofindsoopportuhemoneywasonlyapay-offinexgeforthepapers．

"WhenIfoundout,”shesaid，"Iwasmad．Butthen,Idecidedtodealwithhiminaperfunannerandmakethemostofthisopportunity．Igothimtosponsorafund-raiserforoneofmyfavoritecharities,whilyaheavyweightlikehimcoulddo．Hisprestigeandpositioninthefinancialworldwerecrucialinensuriendaherebythedonationsoftheeliteofsociety．That’stheballIaskedyoutogowithmetonight.”Dimitrismiledandasked，

"Haveyoueverseeerioustrillionaire?"

"Uh-uh．ButI’veseenhissignature.”

"Really?"