The Reluctant Plotter by Roy McLarty

7/29/2019 The Reluctant Plotter by Roy McLarty

1/27


2/27

Pay DkCfrty cjit skbaac ft ilitjjh fhm wfs ocfm ta oa5 bj warejm

ah ifrds fhm sbaps, sfho lh f oraup, dfrrljm fhm bfm twa

kblcmrjh. Pjturhjm ta jmukftlah lh bls tblrtljs, bj `jkfdj f

Cjkturjr fhm dfmj irjqujht fppjfrfhkjs ah ]Y fhm rfmla.

Lh 6 bj rjdavjm ta Hariace wbjrj bj tfuobt fhm mlrjktjm

tbausfhms ai stumjhts, iauhm tldj ta wrltj pfpjrs fhm slt ah

sjvjrfc @afrms wbjrj bj sfw f cat ai tbj Klty. Bj ls tbj futbar ai

tbj fkkcfldjm [hfej lh tbj Klty. Pay clejs wfcelho, djjtlho

pjapcj, fhm ilhms sadjtblho hjw jvjry mfy lh clij.

Mr DkCfrty ls Jdjrltus ^raijssar ft @astah Zhlvjrslty. Bj lsfcsa f vlsltlho ^raijssar ft vfrlaus lhtjrhftlahfc uhlvjrsltljs.


3/27

] B J P J C Z K ] F H ]^ C A ] ] J P


4/27

]a dy wlij Dfry, dy ifdlcy fhm irljhms


5/27

P a y D k C f r t y

] B J P J C Z K ] F H ]^ C A ] ] J P


6/27

Kapyrlobt Pay DkCfrty

]bj rlobt ai Pay DkCfrty ta `j lmjhtliljm fs futbar ai tbls ware bfs

`jjh fssjrtjm `y bld lh fkkarmfhkj wltb sjktlah ?? fhm ?2 ai tbj

Kapyrlobt, Mjslohs fhm ^ftjhts Fkt 6


7/27

Fkehawcjmodjhts

_rlttjh lh kaccf`arftlah wltb dy `ratbjr Gabh. Fcsa, dfhy tbfhes ta

vfrlaus irljhms iar jhkaurfojdjht fhm elhm suoojstlahs.


8/27

6

_bft lt kadjs mawh ta, bj sflm, olvlho dj f qulke ocfhkj, ls

tbft wj dfy wfht Bfrry Bjtcfhm tfejh kfrj ai. Lts sadjtblho wj

bfvj ta kahslmjr f cfst rjsart. [a ifr jvjry cjoltldftj jiiart bfs

iflcjm fhm L wfht yau ta caae ft lt olvj us f rjpart ta dlcltfry

stfhmfrms, kavjrlho fcc tbj fspjkts.

L stfrjm ft tbj icaar iar f caho dadjht.

F tfcc armjr, [lr Cfhkj.

Ha rjfsah wby wj sbaucmht caaeft lt. Fcc aptlahs dust `j

kahslmjrjm, f praijsslahfc vljw ai tbj praspjkts, fh avjrvljw ai

tbj wbacj skjhfrla.

L fccawjm bld f dadjhts slcjhkj. _j maht clqulmftj

pacltlklfhs lh tbls iflr cfhm ai aurs. ]bjsj tblhos frj fcwfys

wraho, tbjlr autkadj ls uhprjmlktf`cj, tbj pjrpjtrftars frj clejcy

ta `j kfuobt fhm surjcy f mjkjht acm dfh clej [lr Cfhkj ehjw tbft`jttjr tbfh L mlm. Fhm fs fh acm bfhm, L kjrtflhcy ehjw `jttjr tbfh

ta ojt lhvacvjm lh sadjtblho sa rfsb, `ut L qujhkbjm tbj rjiusfc

tbft wjccjm lh dy out. Bj wfhtjm f rjpart, sadjtblho Lm mahj ft

vfrlaus tldjs lh dy kfrjjr, fhm wbfts tbj bfrd lh tbft1 Lh tbj

dlcltfry warcm tbjrj frj rjparts ah hjfrcy jvjrytblho fhm

kahtlhojhkljs iar fcdast jvjry kahkjlvf`cj jdjrojhky. ]bls

waucm gust bfvj ta `j fhatbjr ahj.

_jcc L kfh kjrtflhcy caae ft lt, L sflm. @ut lts hat oalho ta`j jfsy.

]bls bj fkehawcjmojm wltb f sbruo. Lh tbj dlcltfry warcm

(fhm lt sjjdjm wj wjrj pcfylho ft sacmljrs tamfy) tbj kahkjpt ai

jfsy majsht kadj lhta tbj kfckucftlahs.

L wfht yau ta caae ft lt, bj duttjrjm wltb tbj blht ai fh

fpacaoy. ]blhos frj aut ai bfhm fhm ojttlho warsj. Bjs f

tjrrl`cj dfh, uttjrcy rutbcjss, f ehawh elccjr.

]bfts truj.

_j wjrj slcjht iar f iucc dlhutj. Lt sjjdjm [lr Cfhkj wfs lh

ha burry ta jcuklmftj. ]bj raad wfs kadiartf`cj fhm tbjrj wfs

pcjhty ai tldj, tbauob L wfsht jxfktcy rjcfxjm. Autslmj, tbj


9/27

krjskjht daah kaucm `j ocldpsjm tbrauob bjfvy kcaum wblkb wfs

darj tbfh kaucm `j sflm iar tbj orjft dfh, wba wfs wrjftbjm lh

sbfmaw `jslmj tbj wlhmaws kurtflhs. F tf`cj cfdp ft tbj ifr

karhjr pravlmjm tbj sacj clobtlho wblcj tbj dflh cauhoj, twa

maars fwfy, wfs lccudlhftjm ahj hatkb `jcaw tbj dfxldud iar f

kauhtry dfhslah. Ha ahj waucm ehaw wj wjrj lh bls stumy7 bj

wfs f dfh ai sadj su`tcjty.

_j wfht yau lhvacvjm. Fhm yau oattf sjj bld ilrst. ^rjss

ldfojs hjvjr olvj tbj rlobt ldprjsslah. _bft myau sfy1

L sblitjm lh dy kbflr.

@jst hat... L waucmht dlhm a`sjrvlhobld irad f mlstfhkj.

]bfts jxfktcy wbft L djfh. \aum stfy lh tbj `fkeorauhm.\js, `ut wbjrj waucm tbls djjtlho 1

Ab, tbj Bausj. Lts tbj ahcy prjmlktf`cj pcfkj lh bls ltlhjrfry.

L waht `j lhtramuklho yau. [baucmht `j taa uhpcjfsfht. Fhm yau

oattf sjj bld. _bft myau sfy1

Lmjfccy Lm bfvj wfhtjm ta ducc lt avjr ilrst, tbjrj wjrj dfhy

fhocjs ta `j kahslmjrjm fhm lt wfs f budmlhojr ai f prapasltlah.

@y fkkjptlho bls aiijr Lm `jolh ta `j lhvacvjm, stjfdraccjrjm

lhta f pfttjrh ai jvjhts tbft pradlsjm ta `j kbfccjholho. @ut Lhjjmjm tbj dahjy.

_jcc

Djjt dj ft tbj Bausj, bj sflm, `jkadlho mjklslvj. Baw

f`aut tadarraw1


10/27

0

Dy pfrtlkucfr mlsklpclhj mlskaurfojs tbj irfhe jxkbfhoj ai

lhiardftlah fhm L mlmht tjcc bld tbft Bfrry fhm L bfm fcrjfmy djt

lh sadjwbft uhpcjfsfht klrkudstfhkjs tbft stlcc rfhecjm.

Lt wfs twa lh tbj darhlho fhm L wfs badj ah cjfvj wbjh tbj

pbahj ùrst lhta clij. Bfm lt `jjh lh fhy atbjr raad Lm bfvj cjit

lt uhfhswjrjm. _ltbaut f mau`t L sbaucm bfvj mahj gust tbft, ùt

`y tbls tldj L wfs fwfej fhm lts strlmjht tahjs kaucmht `j

loharjm. L put lt ta dy jfr wltbaut uttjrlho f warm.

Ls tbft yau, Dft1 sflm f valkj, wblkb L rjkaohlsjm fs @lo

Fhmys. Bj sjjdjm fhxlaus. L sflm hatblho. Dft, kfh yau bjfr

dj1 Dft1

_bft ls lt1

Kadj fhm ojt dj, Ld lh `fm trau`cj.

\au usufccy frj.]bls ls mjspjrftj Ld stuke lh f wfrjbausj.

_bjh yauvj gust fwfejhjm yau kfh `j pfrmahjm iar wfhtlho

ta fvalm sadj ai Fhmys jxkjssjs, ùt sadjtldjs tbjyrj

uhfvalmf`cj. Bjs f `lo dfh wltb `fm gumojdjht wba tbraws bls

wjlobt frauhm fhm dfejs mjdfhms ah bls irljhms wltbaut `jlho

bjcpiuc lh rjturh. F cat ai pjapcj waht tfce ta bld, ùt tbft

aptlah wfsht apjh ta dj. Bj wfs f kaccjfouj fhm tbjrjs fh

uhmjrstfhmlho tbft wj dust fsslst jfkb atbjr._bft frj yau malho1

L oat lh f wlhmaw fhm kfht ojt aut, yau oattf bjcp dj

Fs dy jyjs fmgustjm ta tbj mfrehjss ai tbj raad, L wlhkjm ft

tbj yau oattf bjcp dj fs tbauob Lm sjht bld tbjrj lh tbj ilrst

pcfkj. Fhmy ls f pjkuclfrcy fwewfrm dfh wba wfces wltb f

kcudsy strlmj fhm ls iarjvjr ifcclho avjr tblhos. Ft tbft palht L

wfs ah cjfvj irad tbj uhlt, tfelho f baclmfy ft dy icft fhm trylho

ta kapj wltb tbj rattjh wjftbjr. [urjcy L wfs jhtltcjm ta sadj

scjjp.

Baw1

\aucc bfvj ta kadj fhm ojt dj aut, bj sflm, bls valkj


11/27

rlslho.

_basj pbahj frj yau uslho1

]bjlrs tbjy kfht trfkj lt. Bjrjs tbj fmmrjss... Fhm bj

rjkltjm f pcfkj fh baurs mrlvj fwfy.

L dfy fppjfr ta cjfm f kacauriuc clij ùt tbfts fh lccuslah.

Fcdast jvjry pfrt ai dy jxlstjhkj ls mucc, sa dukb sa tbft L hjvjr

strfy irad cfw fhm armjr. L fd hat f krldlhfc, L fd hat krldlhfccy

lhkclhjm, har waucm L wfht ta `j. Ft tbft palht lh dy kfrjjr f

kahvlktlah lh Kaurt waucm bfvj rjsuctjm lh f mlsdlssfc tbft waucm

bfvj rulhjm tbj rjst ai dy clij. \jt bjrj wfs f dfh f kaccjfouj

ai sjvjrfc yjfrs rjqujstlho bjcp iar wbft sauhmjm clej f dfmkfp

ùrocfry.]bjrjs ha tldj ta spfrj, cjfvj rlobt fwfy.

Iar f dfh wba wfs hat lh f pasltlah ta mlktftj, tbls wfs f `lt

rlkb. L fccawjm f tjh sjkahm ofp `jiarj sfylho7 Aefy.

^fre ah tbj dflh rafm. _fce rauhm tbj `fke, lts oat f rjm

raai.

[cfddlho tbj pbahj mawh, L oat mrjssjm fhm, lt `jlho f mfdp

hlobt, bfm sadj trau`cj stfrtlho tbj kfr. @y tbft tldj tbj rafms

wjrj quljt, tbauob tbjy `jkfdj praorjsslvjcy ùsljr fs L hjfrjmCahmah. Lm sflm fh baur, ùt lt taae tblrty ilvj dlhutjs ta rjfkb

tbj lhmustrlfc jstftj, ahj ai tbj `loojst Lm jvjr sjjh, wltb dast ai

lts ifktarljs kcasjm iar tbj hlobt, sadjtblho tbft dfmj f sacltfry

kfr a`vlaus. Kaps wjrj ahj tblho, hlobt wftkbdjh fhm KK]Y

kfdjrfs wjrj fhatbjr. Lm f kbfhkj ai ojttlho dy hud`jr caoojm

li sadjtblho wjht wraho fhm wltb Fhmy tbft wfs fcc taa clejcy.

Pftbjr tbfh pfre ah tbj strjjt, L kbasj f kahvjhljht `fy ft fifktary ah tbj hlobt sblit wltb f ùsy kfr pfre fhm straccjm

tawfrms @lo Fhmys pra`cjd. [urprlslhocy lt wfs f pu`clsblho

kadpfhy tbft wfs rjkjlvlho bls krfzjm fttjhtlah. _bft wfs wartb

stjfclho lh f pu`clsbjrs wfrjbausj1 Ahcy àaes, fhm yau hjjm f

truke iar tbft. Lt sjjdjm mjprjsslhocy praspjraus, f buoj ùlcmlho

wltb tbj caae ai sadj sjrlaus sjkurlty.

_fcelho ft tbj jmoj ai tbj pfvjdjht, L trljm ta `j

lhkahsplkuaus, tbauob f clobt ifcc ai rflh `jofh ta dfej dj caaeclej f mawhrlobt iaac. _ba oajs wfcelho lh tbj rflh ft tbft tldj

lh tbj darhlho1 Fhm tbls wfs hat tbj pcfkj ta fttrfkt wfcejrs jvjh

lh tbj `jst ai wjftbjr. L wfs tbj sacj pjmjstrlfh, stracclho scawcy


12/27

wltb dy bfhms lh dy pakejts baplho ta `j dlstfejh iar f

hlobtsblit warejr aut iar f qulke sdaej.

]bj wfrjbausj bfm fh jdpty kfr pfre ta tbj iraht fhm f sbart

rafm icfhelho lts hartb slmj tbft pra`f`cy ijm cafmlho `fys ft tbj

`fke. [ukb wfs tbj slzj ai tbj irahtfoj tbft lt taae fh foj ta

kavjr tbj mlstfhkj, murlho wblkb L dust bfvj `jjh vlsl`cj iar f

dlcj uhmjr tbj strjjt clobtlho. Lt waucm `j mliilkuct ta jxpcflh ta f

pfsslho kap wby Lm cjit dy `jm ta wfce lh tbft amm pcfkj fhm ai

kaursj tbjrj wfs tbj kbfhkj L wfs `jlho rjkarmjm `y fhy ahj ai f

mazjh kfdjrfs. Bjrj L dfmj f davj ta tbj hartb slmj tbft ofvj f

vljw ai tbj dflh rafm autslmj wltb kahvays ai trukes tbuhmjrlho

fcaho lts cjhotb. ]bft djfht L wfs vlsl`cj irad autslmj tbj jstftjtaa, f sacltfry dfh shjfelho up ah f kcasjm ifktary. Ah tbj

appasltj slmj ai tbls strjjt, tbjrj wjrj f kaupcj ai waresbaps lh

mfrehjss, wltb ha kfrs lh iraht ai tbjd. L kursjm wbjh L caaejm ta

tbj cjit ta sjj f sdfcc kfr ft tbj `fke ai tbj `lo wfrjbausj, fcdast

kjrtflhcy `jcaholho ta f hlobt wftkbdfhs. ]bft wfs fcc L hjjmjm.

Haw tbj `ulcmlho wltb tbj rjm raai kfdj lhta vljw, fh fhhjxj

tbft caaejm clej fh fitjrtbauobt ah tbj pcfhhjrs pfrt. Lt wfsht

sdfcc, fctbauob tbj wfrjbausj mwfrijm lt. Ft cjfst lt wfssuiilkljhtcy sjt `fke irad tbj rafm ta `j hjfrcy aut ai slobt. Lt

prjsjhtjm sjvjrfc wlhmaws ta tbj warcm, fcc ai wblkb wjrj lhtfkt

fhm bfm kcjfrcy hat `jjh iarkjm. L rfppjm ah tbj kjhtrfc ahj fhm

wfltjm, kurslho dysjci iar ojttlho lhvacvjm. _bft waucm bfppjh

li f pftrac kfr frrlvjm1

Dft, sflm sadjahj fhm L caaejm up ta sjj Fhmy caaelho

mawh ft dj irad tbj ilrst icaar wlhmaw. Ld lh bjrj.Bj bfm f baae hasj fhm tbj ifkj ai f dfmdfh. Bls bflr wfs

uhejdpt fhm bls jyjs wjrj `caamsbat, wblkb pra`f`cy djfht

bjm `jjh mrlhelho. Bj wfs mrjssjm lh `fooy kcatbjs tbft wjrj

surj ta ojt kfuobt ah sbfrp karhjrs. Li tbjrj wfs f wraho wfy ta

ma f tblho, Fhmy waucm ma lt jvjry tldj. ^rjsudf`cy bjm `jjh

trfppjm iar sadj tldj `jiarj pbahlho dj5 pjrbfps sfhjr pjapcj

bfm rjiusjm ta bjcp. _j `jofh f kahvjrsftlah lh wblspjrs.

_bft ma L ma1]bj ejys ah tbj atbjr slmj ai dy maar.

Pflh wfs ruhhlho mawh dy ifkj fs L caaejm up ft tbj `lo

iaac, trylho ta mjklpbjr tbls rjdfre. ]bjh L uhmjrstaam. Bj


13/27

wfhtjm dj ta `rjfe lh fhm uhcake bls maar.

L kfht `rjfe lh!

Hatblho jcsj iar lt.

Fsslstlho f irljhm wfs ahj tblho (tbauob lh cjofc tjrds lt

dfmj dj f pfrty ta bls krldj). @rjfelho lh wfs sadjtblho jcsj.

Fhm tbjrj wjrj surj ta `j sapblstlkftjm fcfrds lh tbj pcfkj5 lt wfs

f wahmjr bj bfmht sjt tbjd aii. Fhywfy, L kaucmht `rjfe lh. Lm

ha taacs fslmj irad dy [wlss frdy ehlij fhm L ehjw hatblho

fàut tbj ùlcmlhos ojaorfpby.

Baw mlm yau ojt lh1

]bj slmj strjjt5 lts ha oaam, yau kfht ojt aut.

_fcelho ta tbj slmj strjjt L iauhm tbj ilrst icaar wlhmawlddjmlftjcy. Lt wfs wlmj apjh fh fkt ai dahudjhtfc stuplmlty.

Fhy pfsslho kap ar wftkbdfh waucm rjkaohlsj lt fs f `rjfe-lh

irad sjvjrfc buhmrjm djtrjs7 lh ifkt lt wfs vlsl`cj irad tbj dflh

rafm `jyahm tbj jstftj. Zhmjrhjftb tbj wlhmaw wfs f `rafm plpj,

`lo jhauob ta wfce ah, wblkb bjm usjm ta ojt lh. Hat pfrtlkucfrcy

mliilkuct, jvjh iar `lo Fhmy fhm ha mau`t lt bfmht `jjh rflhlho ft

tbj tldj, ùt bj wfs taa kcudsy ta ojt aut `y tbj sfdj rautj fhm

tbft waucmht bfvj akkurrjm ta bld uhtlc lt wfs taa cftj.]bls ls wbjrj lt oat mfhojraus. L caaejm frauhm ta dfej surj

tbj frjf wfs irjj ai àtb kfrs fhm pjapcj. @jyahm tbj ùlcmlho,

tbj strjjt kfdj ta f stap ft f bjmoj wbjrj tbjrj wfs f ofp iar f

iaatpftb. Li sadjtblho wjht wraho L kaucm ruh tbjrj fhm ilhm

sadjwbjrj ta blmj. Ai kaursj Lm bfvj ta wflt uhtlc tbj iuss bfm

mljm mawh `jiarj rjtrljvlho dy kfr. Hat dukb ai f pcfh, ùt ft

cjfst lt aiijrjm fh aptlah.]bj rflh wfs stlcc ifcclho. ]bj plpj pradlsjm ta `j sclppjry.

Lm bfvj ta bapj dy acm selccs wjrj stlcc ah tfp. ûttlho ah ocavjs,

L kcld`jm up tbj plpj, dy sbajs orlpplho wjcc, fhm wfs lh tbj

raad lh f dfttjr ai sjkahms. Zhclej Fhmy, L bfm tbj aptlah ai

ojttlho aut `y tbj sfdj djtbam.

Bj wfs tawjrlho avjr dj, fcc fhxlaus.

Baw frj yau oalho ta ojt aut haw1 bj fsejm fs L kcasjm tbj

wlhmaw. L mlmht ehaw baw bjm oat lt apjh. Fhmy lsht oaamwltb bls bfhms fhm tbjrj bfm `jjh ha mfdfoj ta tbj cake, sa

sadjahj dust bfvj cjit lt apjh. ]bft wfs pra`f`cy wbft bfm

bfppjhjm. Fhmy waucmht tblhe ai lt bldsjci. Ha mau`t fh lhslmjr


14/27

ft tbj pu` bfm kadj up wltb tbj `rlcclfht skbjdj fhm bjm cjfpt ft

lt wltbaut iurtbjr tbauobt.

_bft frj yau oalho ta ma haw1 bj fsejm.

]bj raad wfs f iflr slzj. Lt caaejm fs tbauob lt wfs lh

kahstfht usj fs f starj iar pfkelho dftjrlfcs, wltb sjvjrfc

wlhmaws wblkb cjt lh f iflr fdauht ai clobt irad tbj strjjt. Fcaho

tbj wfccs tbjrj wjrj tbausfhms ai karruoftjm kfrtahs, fcc icft

pfkejm, fs wjcc fs sjvjrfc tf`cjs, dast ai tbjd kavjrjm `y must

sbjjts. ]bjrj wjrj cfsjr prlhtjrs fhm mupclkftars tbft caaejm fs li

tbjym bfm f cat ai usj fs wjcc fs twa traccjys iar davlho cafms

fhm f oaams balst iar tbj ifr karhjr hat f `fm tblho, lt dlobt

olvj dj tbj kbfhkj ai fh jxlt li fcc jcsj iflcjm, tbrauob sukbtblhos frj usufccy scaw fhm halsy.

L wlpjm dy wjt sbajs ah f mustsbjjt. Ahj tblho yau dust

fvalm ls wjt iaatprlhts ah tbj icaar.

_ltb hatblho ta tfce fàut, L wfcejm ta tbj maar ta ilhm f

dartlkj cake wltb f ejy lh tbj atbjr slmj. ]bjrj wjrj sjvjrfc

wfys ta ojt rauhm tbj pra`cjd, ùt L bjsltftjm. _by, lh f `lo

sdfrt kadpfhy, waucm sadjahj cake tbj maar ah tbj autslmj fhm

cjfvj tbj ejy lh lt1 Zsufccy ejys frj bjcm `y tbj muty aiilkjr fhmwblcj tbjrjs ha fkkauhtlho iar budfh sjhsl lcltljs, tbjy frj

sjcmad cjit lh tbj maar avjrhlobt.

Fcrlobt, wbfts tbj stary1 L fsejm.

L kfdj lh tbj wlhmaw fhm tbft maar wfs cakejm.

Mlm sadjahj cake lt fitjryau kfdj lh1

Ha, lt wfs clej tbft wbjh L oat bjrj.

_bft wjrj yau fitjr1]bjyrj plrftlho _lhmaws cf`jcs. L kfh ojt f iartuhj iar

tbjd.

Iar f dadjht tbj orauhm sblitjm uhmjr dy ijjt. ]bls wfs hat

tbj tldj ta kbft fàut tbj mlsfmvfhtfojs ai bls `rlcclfht wbjjzj.

Lm ha orjft sydpftby wltb Dr @lcc Oftjs fhm tbj amm dlcclah

waucm dfej ha mlskjrhl`cj mliijrjhkj ta bls kbfhkjs, ùt li tbj

ilrd wfs jhofojm lh plrfky, tbft djfht lt wfs fcdast kjrtflhcy ruh

`y ofhostjrs, wba waucm tfej f mld vljw ai Fhmys jhtjrprlsj.Kfh wj ojt aut `y tbj dflh maar li L apjh tbls1 \aurj surj

lts hat fcfrdjm1

]bls pcfkj lsht fcfrdjm. L ehaw f warejr.


15/27

\aurj surj1

Bj hammjm.

]urhlho ta tbj maar, L oat aut dy [wlss frdy ehlij fhm wfs

fàut ta stfrt ware ah tbj cake wbjh L bjfrm f maar scfd.

]bjrj wjrj sadj iaatstjps.

[jkurlty, wblspjrjm Fhmy. Bjs `jjh lh twlkj. Majsht

kadj upstflrs.

Darj iaatstjps. Fhatbjr pfusj, fhm tbjh L bjfrm tbjd `jolh

ta fskjhm f djtfc stflrwfy wblkb a`vlauscy cjm ta aur raad. L

swuho rauhm fhm ojsturjm Fhmy foflhst tbj wfcc. ]bj ejy wfs lh

tbj maar fhm tbls raad wfs tbj oufrms pra`f`cj mjstlhftlah.

Fhmy ls sa `lo tbft tbj oufrm dlobt hatlkj bls ùce `jiarj tbjmaar wfs prapjrcy apjh. Li tbj fcfrd wjrj prjssjm wj wjrj mahj

iar. Lh mjspjrftlah, L caaejm iar f wjfpah fhm sfw hatblho. Lt

waucm bfvj ta `j ilstlkuiis, fhm stlcc tbft dlobt hat stap bld

prjsslho tbj ùttah.

]bj iaatstjps frrlvjm ft aur cjvjc fhm tbj icaar krjfejm fs tbj

sjkurlty oufrm wfcejm pfst aur maar, kahtlhulho ta tbj jhm ai tbj

karrlmar `jiarj kadlho `fke fhm mjskjhmlho tbj stflrs, sclobtcy

aut ai `rjftb. ]bjrj wfs f tjh sjkahm pfusj `jiarj tbj autjr maarscfddjm. ^cflhcy bjm prjssjm f sjkurlty kamj `jiarj apjhlho lt.

\au orjft hltwlt, L sflm. ]bls pcfkj ls fcfrdjm.

L mlmht ehaw.

L wjht ta tbj wlhmaw ta caae aut. ]bjrj wfs ha pra`cjd

fàut dy ojttlho fwfy. _jt ar hat, Lm usj tbj plpj, ar tbjrj wfs

tbj sait jfrtb lh tbj icawjr `jm `jcaw dj li L wfhtjm ta gudp. L

turhjm ta tbj `lo lmlat. Bj wfs tbj pra`cjd.Lcc mrap yau aut, L sflm. Fitjr tbft yaucc wfce scawcy ta

yaur kfr fhm mrlvj aii. _j maht cjfvj taojtbjr, aefy1

Plobt, ma lt.

L orf``jm f must sbjjt, raccjm lt lhta f rapj, fhm cawjrjm lt aut

ai tbj wlhmaw fitjr caaplho lt ta f rfmlftar. ]bjh L oat tbj

wlhmaw apjh. Autslmj tbj rflh bfm stappjm.

Ab, L sjj. Oaam.

Fhmys bfm tbj sfdj trflhlho fs dj fhm sbaucm bfvj mahjtbls baurs foa. ]bj rjfclty wfs tbft bjm bfm sjvjrfc aptlahs ft bls

ilhojrtlps fhm bfm iflcjm ta usj fhy ai tbjd. Zhstjfmlcy, bj

kcld`jm ah ta tbj slcc fhm scawcy cawjrjm bldsjci ah ta tbj plpj


16/27

wltb cats ai buiilho fhm puiilho. ]bjh bj orfspjm tbj sbjjt fhm

sclm mawh uhtlc bj blt tbj sait jfrtb, raccjm avjr fhm staam up lh

ahj davjdjht. Ft cjfst bj bfmht `raejh bls fhecj, tbauob bjm

djssjm up tbj icawjr `jm fhm oat salc ah bls kcatbjs. Bj wfcejm

aii wltb f wfvj fhm sbartcy fitjrwfrms L sfw fh acm `fhojr mrlvj

aii.

Ocfm ta sjj bld oahj, L puccjm tbj sbjjt `fke fhm rjturhjm lt

ta lts arlolhfc pasltlah. ]bjh L ru``jm Fhmys ilhojrprlhts aii tbj

slcc, bfm f qulke caae ta dfej surj hatblho lhkrldlhftlho bfm

`jjh cjit fhm oat rjfmy ta cjfvj wbjh tbjrj wfs tbj

uhdlstfejf`cj sauhm ai f vjblkcj mjkjcjrftlho.

Gudplho `fke, L scfddjm tbj wlhmaw sbut fs f sjkurlty vfh,mrlvlho lh ha orjft burry, puccjm up fhm pfrejm autslmj.. ]wa

dlhutjs jfrcljr fhm tbjym bfvj bfm @lo Fhmy. L stjppjm `fke,

wjcc fwfrj tbft f wbltj ifkj lh f mfre raad ls jfsy ta spat.

Autslmj, maars scfddjm fs tbrjj pjapcj oat aut fhm wfcejm aii ft

f sdfrtlsb pfkj.

_bft wfs bfppjhlho1 L rjdjd`jrjm tbj ejy lh tbj maar, fhm

tbj jdpty tf`cjs lh tbj raad. ^jrbfps tbjy prakjssjm tbj cf`jcs lh

tbls vjry raad. ]bjsj, ai kaursj waucm `j darj tbfh cf`jcs. ]bjywaucm `jfr sjkurlty kamjs fhm sjrlfc hud`jrs mupclkftlho

Dlkrasaits awh fhm `j dfrejtjm wltb lmjhtlkfc pfkefolho.

A`vlauscy tbls waucm rjqulrj sapblstlkftjm jqulpdjht fhm

sadjwbjrj tbjrj dust `j f rjpclkftlah pcfht ta turh aut tbj mlsks

tbjdsjcvjs. Lt wfs qultj clejcy tbft tbj oufrms bfm kadj ta sart

tbj cf`jcs `jiarj tbj hjxt stfoj. ]bls wfs tbj elhm ai raad tbjym

usj, wltb lts tf`cjs fhm pfkefolho ifklcltljs. Fhm ai kaursj tbjymma lt ft hlobt wbjh tbj pcfkj wfs quljt. ]bj hlobt wftkbdfh bfm

tbauobtiuccy cjit tbj ejy lh tbj maar.

L krfwcjm lhta tbj ifr karhjr `jblhm tbj `loojst plcj ai

kfrtahs. _ltb f `lt ai cuke Lm hjvjr `j hatlkjm. Lt sjjdjm clejcy

tbjy waucm ware qulkecy fhm `j oahj lh dlhutjs.

Bfci fh baur cftjr, L wfs ojttlho krfdp fhm stlcc tbj autjr maar

bfmht scfddjm5 tbjrjm `jjh ha iaatstjps, ha tfcelho fhm ha

fktlvlty ai fhy elhm. [a tbjy wjrj hat lh tbls pfrt ai tbj kadpcjxfhm tbjrj wfs hatblho ta `j oflhjm `y blmlho. L oat aut fhm

caaejm. ]bj raai ai tbj vfh wfs stlcc vlsl`cj, `ut tbjrj wfs ha sloh

ai fktlvlty. @ut tbj wlhmskrjjh wfs sclobtcy sbfmjm fhm lt waucm


17/27

`j uhsfij ta fssudj tbjrj wfs ha ahj lh tbj kf`lh. L wfltjm lh

slcjhkj, iurlaus wltb tbj `lo lmlat iar ojttlho dj lhta tbls djss,

fhm trylho ta sjj fh jskfpj rautj. Dy wftkb sflm lt wfs haw tbrjj

tblrty lh tbj darhlho. ]ldj pfssjm vjry scawcy.

Lh mjspjrftlah, L sjfrkbjm tbj raad ta ilhm hatblho tbft wfs

fhy oaam ta dj. ]bls wfs tbj mjspftkb mjpfrtdjht fhm lt

kahtflhjm ahcy pfkelho dftjrlfcs. ]bjrj wfs ha sloh ai tbj

_lhmaws cf`jcs, har wfs tbjrj fhy lhmlkftlah ai atbjr ware. Dast

sukb pcfkjs frj ah tbj orauhm icaar, `ut bjrj tbj dfhfojdjht bfm

fppfrjhtcy jcjktjm ta bfvj lt upstflrs fwfy irad prylho jyjs.

Iaur akcake fhm tbj vfh wfs stlcc tbjrj. [aah jfrcy darhlho

stfii waucm frrlvj fhm Lm `j trfppjm lh f ofhostjrs starjraad.Ft cfst tbjrj wfs tbj sauhm ai f vfh davlho. @ut lt wfs f

sjkahm ahj kadlho lh irad tbj dflh rafm ta pfre `jblhm tbj ilrst.

Maars scfddjm fs tbrjj oufrms mlsfppjfrjm lhta fh uhsjjh palht

lh tbj wfrjbausj, wfcelho ifst. ]bls dfmj dj caae ft tbj ilrst vfh

foflh. ^jrbfps tbjrj wfsht f wftkbjr lh lts kf`lh fitjr fcc, ar tbj

hjw frrlvfcs waucm bfvj lmjhtliljm tbjdsjcvjs.. [a Lm bfvj ta

tfej tbj rlse fhm cjfvj `jiarj tblhos oat warsj. L apjhjm tbj

wlhmaw fhm wfs f`aut ta kcld` wbjh L bjfrm scaw iaatstjps ahtbj strjjt ft f palht `jyahm dy vlslah. Lt sauhmjm clej f oufrm ah

muty. Bj wfs jltbjr oufrmlho tbj vfhs ar fktlho fs f caae aut. Ai

kaursj tbj dflh rafm wfs lh slobt fhm bjm sjj tbj fpprafkb ai

fhy paclkj vjblkcjs. ]bjym ojt f dlhutjs wfrhlho lh tbj

wfrjbausj. ]bjy wjrj arofhlsjm, fhm tbft wfs passl`cy wby

tbjrj wfs f ejy lh tbj maar. Lh tbj jvjht ai `fm wjftbjr tbj oufrm

kaucm wftkb irad tbj wlhmaw. Fhm lt bfm `jjh rflhlho jfrcljr. Bjdlobt bfvj frrlvjm lh tbls vjry raad!

Foflh L rjtrjftjm, kadiartlho dysjci wltb tbj tbauobt tbft

slhkj tbjy wjrj lhvacvjm lh sadjtblho sbfmy tbjym `j oahj

`jiarj tbj mfy warejrs frrlvjm. Ha hjjm ta pfhlk. Arofhlsjm

ofhostjrs maht tfej uhhjkjssfry rlses. [aah tbjym `j aii fhm L

kaucm ojt aut tbjrj.

]bjh L bjfrm tbj sauhm ai fhatbjr jholhj.

Lt wfs f tblrm vfh, wblkb pfrejm `jblhm tbj ilrst twa. Maarsscfddjm fs fhatbjr tbrjj pjapcj oat aut7 twa djh fhm f wadfh.

Ahj ai tbjd spaej ta tbj uhsjjh pjrsah `jiarj mlsfppjfrlho

tbrauob tbj slmj maar ai tbj wfrjbausj fs tbauob tbjym f cat ai


18/27

ware ta ma. Haw tbrjj lmjhtlkfc vfhs wjrj slttlho autslmj tbj

wlhmaw. Ft cjfst hlhj pjapcj wjrj lhvacvjm , hat lhkcumlho tbj

oufrm ah muty autslmj. Hat oaam.

Fhatbjr bfci baur pfssjm. Fcrjfmy tbj sey wfs clobtjhlho lh

tbj jfst, sjvjrfc kfrs fhm vfhs bfm mrlvjh fcaho tbj dflh rafm

lhta tbj jstftj, prjsudf`cy ta ojt prjcldlhfry ware mahj lh atbjr

ifktarljs. ]bj mfwh wfs `rjfelho, warejrs wjrj mrlvlho ta atbjr

pfrts ai tbj Lhmustrlfc Jstftj fhm tbj rlse ai `jlho spattjm wbjh

jxltlho tbj wlhmaw wfs rjfkblho hjw bjlobts.

\au kjrtflhcy maht wfce aut fhm surrjhmjr ta ofhostjrs. Ahj

vlf`cj fctjrhftlvj fc`jlt f mrfstlk ahj waucm `j ta blmj lh tbj

cait ai tbj ùlcmlho uhtlc tbj iaccawlho hlobt. Ha plkhlk, ùt ltwaucm `j `jttjr tbfh `jlho mjfm. Dy lhstruktars bfm aitjh

djhtlahjm tbft fcdast jvjry ùlcmlho bfs f sultf`cj pcfkj iar

wftjr klstjrhs fhm pfrfpbjrhfclf sjcmad fpprafkbjm `y tbj

dfhfojdjht. @ut ilrst Lm bfvj ta ojt aut ai tbls raad. @y haw

tbj sjkurlty oufrm wfs avjrmuj iar fh lhspjktlah fhm Lm bfvj ta

bapj Lm bjfr bls iaatstjps lh tldj ta tfej jvfslvj fktlah. L taae

dy [wlss frdy ehlij fhm warejm ah tbj cake. _ltblh ilvj

dlhutjs tbj maar wfs apjh ta rjvjfc f twjhty djtrj karrlmar.@ut dy pcfh ta blmj lh tbj cait iflcjm taa. ]bj jhtlrj cjhotb ai

tbj kjlclho wfs uhlhtjrruptjm, djfhlho tbj cait lh tbls pfrt ai tbj

ùlcmlho wfs ldpassl`cj ta jhtjr. ]bjrj wjrj sjvjrfc maars, fcc

wltb ejys lh tbjlr cakes. Hahj ofvj fkkjss ta tbj uppjr icaar fhm

hahj ai tbjd kahtflhjm fhytblho bjcpiuc ta dj.

@fke lh tbj ilrst raad, L rjturhjm tbj cake ta lts arlolhfc

kahmltlah `jiarj stfrlho lh iury ft tbj tbrjj vfhs. @lo stuplm Fhmybfm cfhmjm dj lh f patjhtlfccy iftfc djss.

Ilvj akcake (fhm stlcc ha sjkurlty kbjke5 lt mlmht caae clej

tbjrjm `j ahj haw) fhm tbjrj wjrj sauhms ai fh jholhj, ùt lt

wfsht tbj vfhs, f truke bfm frrlvjm fhm wfs rjvjrslho lhta f

cafmlho `fy tbft wfs aut ai slobt.

Fcrlobt, L bfm ta ifkj lt. L wfs mahj iar. L wfsht oalho ta ojt

fwfy. ]bjrj wjrj taa dfhy pjapcj fàut, ifktary warejrs waucm`j frrlvlho sbartcy fhm tbj pcfkj wfs krfwclho wltb oufrms. Li L

wfs oalho ta clvj Lm bfvj ta `cuii dy wfy aut.

L wjht mawhstflrs ta ilhm f hjft rjkjptlah frjf tbft cjm ta fh


19/27

aiilkj dfrejm Dr Ouhmy, Ojhjrfc Dfhfojr. Lt wfs f sdfrt pcfkj

wltb ilhj iurhlturj fhm fcc tbj fkkautrjdjhts ai damjrh ùslhjss.

Zsufccy tbj àss clejs ta `j lh tbj kjhtrj ai tblhos, ùt bjrj Dr

Ouhmy wfs lsacftjm irad bls wareiarkj. Ha surprlsj. _bjh

yaurj mjfclho lh kahtrf`fhm, yau maht wfht yaur sjkrjtfry ta

sjj taa dukb. ]bjrj wjrj ifklcltljs ft tbj `fke wbjrj L wfsbjm

dy ifkj fhm dfmj dysjci fs prjsjhtf`cj fs passl`cj. L `rusbjm

tbj must irad dy kcatbjs fhm oat dy ilhojrhflcs kcjfh. Ahj

lhstruktar usjm ta tjcc us tbft wltb tbj rlobt fttltumj yau kaucm

kahvlhkj fhyahj fàut fhytblho. _by bjm hjvjr `jkadj f

Ojhjrfc rjdflhjm uhkcjfr.

]bjrj wfs f ùo lh dy pakejt tbj slzj ai f kcatbjs ùttahwltb twa sbart trflclho wlrjs, lts `fttjry caho mjfm. Lt wfs tbj

sauvjhlr ai f pfst lhklmjht wblkb Lm fcwfys ehawh waucm `j

usjiuc. L put lt tbrauob dy tap wltb gust tbj tflc-jhm ai f wlrj

vlsl`cj. ]bjh L caaejm ft dy fhxlaus, taa wbltj, ifkj fhm

wahmjrjm li Lm `j fclvj `y tjh lh tbj darhlho.

]felho f sjft ft tbj mjse lh f kadiartf`cj kbflr, L `jofh

caaelho fàut. Hatblho wfs cakejm. ]bj ilclho kf`lhjt wfs iucc ai

pfpjrs fhm L mlm f cat ai rjfmlho, tbauob L bfvj ta fmdlt tbjrj wfshatblho tbft caaejm rjdatjcy lccjofc. Ai kaursj tbjy waucmht put

sjhsltlvj stuii lh wrltlho. L jvjh `rjwjm dysjci f kup ai tjf fhm

ftj f `lskult irad Ouhmys pjrsahfc kfhtjjh.

]ldj pfssjm. Frauhm sjvjh f oufrm kfdj lh ta tbj vjstlùcj

fhm swltkbjm tbj fcfrds. Bj mlmht pftrac tbj ùlcmlho ar caae

lhta tbj aiilkj. L wjht ah wltb dy rjfmlho. Ft cjfst, L trljm ta, ùt

lt wfs bfrm ta ehaw wbft tbj warms djfht fhm dy hjrvjs wjrjojttlho sa `fm tbft sadjtldjs L wfs bacmlho tbj pfpjr upslmj

mawh. Mliilkuct ta ehaw wbft wfs oalho ah autslmj fhm hahj ai

tbj vfhs bfm davjm.

Lt wfs hat uhtlc jlobt tblrty tbft Ouhmy bldsjci frrlvjm. Bj

wfs f dfh ai fàut iarty-ilvj mrjssjm lh f dabflr sult. Bj wfs

tblkesjt fhm caaejm hahj taa `rlobt, tbauob L suspjktjm bjm `j

oaam wltb bls ilsts. ]bjrj wfs f kfrtah lh bls bfhms. Bj pusbjm

tbj maar apjh ta ilhm dj slttlho wltb dy ijjt ah bls mjse._ba tbj bjcc frj \AZ1 bj `fwcjm.

@jblhm bld L kaucm sjj pfrt ai f cafmlho `fy ft tbj jhm wfcc

ai tbj `lo ùlcmlho. F waredfh wba bfm `jjh oalho fkrass tbj


20/27

tfrdfk caaejm rauhm `rljicy, caaejm fwfy jvjh qulkejr, fhm

kahtlhujm wfcelho. ]bjrj wfs pra`f`cy f cat ai sbautlho lh tbj

ilrd fhm ha mau`t lt wfs oaam paclky ta loharj lt.

Dlkrasait, L sflm.

Ouhmy wfs fàut fvjrfoj bjlobt wltb tbj `jolhhlhos ai f

`jjr `jccy fhm irad bls stfhkj lt wfs jfsy ta sjj tbft bj wfs hat

qulke wlttjm. Ft tbls palht tbj maar wfs stlcc apjh fhm L wahmjrjm

li bj wfs kahslmjrlho ruhhlho iar tbj oufrms. ]bjh ft cfst bls

`rflh krjfejm lhta clij fhm bj rjfktjm.

_ba1

Dlkrasait. ût tbft kfrtah ah tbj mjse, pcjfsj.

^jrbfps lt wfs sjhsltlvj. _bjh Lm ilrst spaejh, bjm wrfppjmbls frds frauhm lt clej f kblcm wltb f prjklaus tay. Lt sjjdjm bjm

`jjh malho sadj ware lh tbj dflh ùlcmlho `jiarj kadlho ta bls

aiilkj. Yjry clejcy. \au kfh bfrmcy prlht _lhmaws cf`jcs lh tbj

clobt ai mfy wltbaut fttrfktlho tbj wraho elhm ai fttjhtlah. ]bj

ga` waucm `j mahj ft hlobt `y f trustjm ijw ha mau`t bjm

wfhtjm ta tlmy up lh kfsj fh jd`frrfsslho jxfdpcj ai tbjlr plrfky

bfm `jjh cjit lh pcflh vljw.

Ojt aut ai dy aiilkj, bj sflm, trylho ta dfej lt sauhm clej fshfrc.

]bft wfs vjry dukb dy lhtjhtlah, ùt L mau`tjm li Lm ojt tjh

pfkjs, ar jvjh ilvj, `jiarj bj kbfhojm bls dlhm.

Lh muj kaursj, L sflm, trylho ta ejjp f wa``cj aut ai dy

valkj. Fitjr wjvj mahj sadj ùslhjss. ût tbft mawh, pcjfsj.

Bj cjt tbj maar kcasj `jblhm bld fhm caaejm ft dj.

_ba frj yau1 fhm haw tbjrj wfs f wblhj lh bls valkj. Bjsauhmjm darj hjrvaus tbfh L mlm.

^cjfsj, yau bjfrm dj. ût tbft kfrtah mawh fhm tfej f sjft.

@ut bj rjdflhjm stfhmlho.

Baw caho bfvj yau `jjh bjrj1

@y tbls tldj wjm rjfkbjm f plvatfc palht lh tbj prjcldlhfrljs.

Haw bj wfs `jolhhlho ta fse tbj qujstlahs fhm Lm bfvj ta

wftkb.

Caho jhauob ta ehaw jvjrytblho. Cjt dj sjj tbft, pcjfsj._ltb f orjft slob bj rjfkbjm avjr fhm pcfkjm tbj kfrtah ah

tbj mjse rjspjktiuccy. Lt wfs pfkejm wltb f vfrljty ai prlhtjm

kfrms, hahj ai wblkb dfmj fhy sjhsj ta dj fhm hahj ai wblkb


21/27

bfm fhytblho ta ma wltb Dlkrasait. Ha mau`t tbjy rfh f cat ai

prailtf`cj clhjs.

@ut bj wfs ojttlho bls kahilmjhkj `fke.

\aurj hat Dlkrasait. _by waucm yau `j fcahj1

L sdlcjm fhm palhtjm ta tbj ùo lh dy tap.

Damjrh tjkbhacaoy, L sflm. Ld hat fcahj. ]bjrj frj

sjkurlty pjapcj rjkarmlho jvjry warm. Lsht skljhkj orjft1 ]bls ls

tbj twjhty ilrst kjhtury, yau ehaw. ]bjy kfh `j bjrj lh sjkahms.

Bj pramukjm f bfhmejrkblji fhm wlpjm sadj pjrsplrftlah

irad bls ifkj, wblkb wfs turhlho rjm. ]bjh bj sft mawh fhm put

bls ifkj lh bls bfhms. L hatlkjm f `fcm pftkb, fhm f oacm rlho ah bls

ilhojr._bfts tbls lh flm ai1

_j ehaw fàut tbj kapljs, wj ehaw baw yaurj malho lt,

baw yaurj dfrejtlho tbjd fhm wba yaur kustadjrs frj. Lts fcc

ah tbj kadputjr L wfht ta hjoatlftj.

Hjoatlftj1 bj sflm, caaelho up lh surprlsj. _bft myau

djfh1

Lts yaur cukey mfy. Mjstray tbj cf`jcs fhm wjcc iarojt lt.

Bls mfre gfkejt wfs `fmcy krjfsjm, ùt caaejm jxpjhslvj. ]bjcfpjc àrj f `fmoj dfrejm Kblji Jxjkutlvj. Bj wfs sbawlho tbj

rlobt fdauht ai kuii, ùt lt wfs sclobtcy salcjm. Bj caaejm up ta

sjj li L wfs sjrlaus.

Iarojt fàut lt1 bj shjjrjm, tbauob tbjrj wfs f wa``cj lh

bls valkj. Fs jfsy fs tbft1

Ab, wj maht wfht pu`clklty. Jvjry tldj tbls oajs ta Kaurt

tbjrjs f wfvj ai ldltftars fhm tbft dfejs lt warsj. _j frjprjpfrjm ta aiijr fh fdhjsty pravlmjm yau mjstray fcc plrftjm

dftjrlfc fhm uhmjrtfej hat ta ma lt foflh.

Bls dautb apjhjm fhm kcasjm lh susplklah.

Baw kadj yau sujm sadj pjapcj up Hartb1

]bjy rjiusjm ta kaapjrftj. ]bj lmlats tbauobt f `jht

Lhspjktar kaucm sfvj tbjd. L mjfc ah f blobjr cjvjc.

Zb, wjcc L kfht pradlsj

\aucc bfvj ta. ]bls ls sjrlaus. \au kfh ojt yjfrs iar tbls.Bj kcjfrjm bls tbraft fhm sflm wltb sadj slhkjrlty7

Ld tbj Ojhjrfc Dfhfojr, ùt Ld hat tbj rjfc àss. Bjs

kadlho lh tbls darhlho. \aucc hjjm ta spjfe ta bld.


22/27

L stfrjm ft bls ift ifkj lh kahstjrhftlah. [a ifr dy tfktlks bfm

`jjh jiijktlvj fhm bj wfs rjfsahf`cy pclfht. @ut tbft wfs

fhytblho ùt f`sacutj fhm f hjw hjrvaushjss dfmj dy bfhms

sbfej sa `fmcy L bfm ta put tbjd lh dy pakejts. Dlkrasait wfs ha

pfrt ai dy fojhmf5 fcc L wfhtjm wfs f kahvlhklho kavjr iar dy

ojtfwfy. Ahj tblho L mlmht hjjm wfs f àss wba wfs kjrtflh ta

`j f stfoj ar twa fàvj Dr Ouhmys pawjrs ai pjrkjptlah.

_bjh ls yaur àss muj, Dr Ouhmy1

Bj caaejm ft bls wftkb fhm sflm7

Fhy tldj. Lvj sjjh bld bjrj ft sjvjh, ùt sadjtldjs lts

jcjvjh. Li yau wlsb L kaucm pbahj

@jst hat.F wfrhlho waucm ma dj ha oaam. ^jrbfps lt waucm `j

passl`cj ta dfej f rjtrjft fhm sfy Lm `j `fke cftjr, ùt baw

waucm tbft oa mawh1 [urjcy f sjhlar lhvjstloftar waucm wflt uhtlc

tbj ga` wfs mahj1 Ha Lm bfvj ta wflt fhm `cuii lt aut. Dy

pjriardfhkj sa ifr bfm `jjh hatblho darj tbfh `custjr lh iraht ai

f mact. Kcjfrcy Dr Ouhmy wfs f djrj ùiijr `jtwjjh tbj ifktary

fhm tbj bjfm bahkba. _bft elhm ai tblhos waucm L bfvj ta sfy ta

kahvlhkj bls àss, fhm baw kaucm L kahkcumj lt `jiarj mrlvlho aiilh dy acm `fhojr1 L wfs mahj iar.

Bjs f ùsy dfh, L sflm. Haw L wfs fcdast ejjplho lh wltb

bld.

@lo àssjs usufccy frj. Ma yau ehaw @lcc Oftjs1

Lvj djt bld, L ldpravlsjm. @ut bjs hat fs hlkj fs bj caaes

]bjh tbj pbahj ùrst lhta clij clej fh jxpcamlho àd` fhm iarf ijw sjkahms wj stfrjm ft lt, ehawlho tbft lt kaucm bjrfcm `lo

kbfhojs ta tbj sltuftlah. Bj rjfkbjm aut fhm caaejm ft dj

rjspjktiuccy. L hammjm, bj clitjm lt fhm sflm7 Bjcca.

F ijdfcj valkj sflm sadjtblho.

Fse bld ta kadj bjrj. Lts urojht. Bj put tbj pbahj mawh

fhm sflm7 _jrj lh cuke, bjs gust frrlvjm.

@ut lt mlmht sauhm clej cuke ta dj. Li tbj pcfkj bfmht `jjh

surrauhmjm `y oufrms lt dlobt bfvj `jjh passl`cj ta ma f ruhhjr,ùt Ld hat ojttlho fhy yauhojr fhm tbjrj waucm kjrtflhcy `j fh

ftbcjtj fdaho tbjd. Lm bfvj ta ifkj tbj duslk.

Bjs vjry sdfrt ta mjfc wltb, sflm Ouhmy. \aucc `j


23/27

ldprjssjm.

F trlkecj ai pjrsplrftlah rfh mawh dy ifkj.

Autslmj tbjrj wjrj iaatstjps fhm L caaejm up ta sjj Bfrry

Bjtcfhm (tbauob ft tbft palht L mlmht ehaw wba bj wfs) kadj

lhta tbj raad wltb f `lo oufrm `jblhm bld. Cftjr, L waucm ilhm

aut lt wfs Ouhmys usj ai tbj warm urojht tbft bfm mahj lt.

Bfrry bfm f sjhsltlvj jfr fhm mlmht dlss f trlke. Bls jyjs wjrj

lhtjcclojht fhm tbjy wjrj iakussjm ah dj, slttlho ah bls Ojhjrfc

Dfhfojrs kbflr.

Bjs Dlkrasait, sflm Ouhmy, caaelho up ft bls àss.

Baw hlkj, sflm Bfrry. ^jrbfps bjs àuobt tbj kadpfhy1

Dr Bjtcfhm bfm f wjcc sbfpjm bjfm fhm `cfke bflr. Bls ifkjpradlsjm f cat ai djhtfc jhjroy. Bls sbaucmjrs wjrj wlmj, bls

jyjs wjrj mfre fhm tbjrj wfs sadjtblho fàut bls ifkj tbft wfs

mawhrlobt dfcjvacjht. ]bj djhtlah ai Dlkrasait bfm cjit bld

uhmfuhtjm, tbauob tbjrj bfm `jjh f `rlji dadjht ai uhkjrtflhty

fs bj trljm ta puzzcj dy racj. Bj wfs taa ldpartfht iar tbls

jdjrojhky fhm bj bfm hatblho ùt kahtjdpt iar dj.

Ha kbfhkj ai tbft, L sflm, lrrltftjm `y bls mlsmflh. Bfm bj

`jjh pacltj L dlobt bfvj `jjh ilhlsbjm ùt summjhcy tbj `fcc wfsft dy ijjt foflh. _j ehaw wbfts oalho ah. Fhm wj maht hjjm

f sjkurlty oufrm.

Fhm yaurj lh f pasltlah ta mlktftj1

L stfrjm ft bld.

Fitjr twjhty sjkahms bj turhjm ta tbj `lo dfh fhm sflm7

Fcrlobt, @jrt, wflt autslmj tbj maar.

]bj `lo ijccaw wjht aut fhm wj wjrj fcahj. Bj sjjdjm ocfmta oa fhm L jhvljm bld bls irjjmad.

L sflm7 Ilrst, L sbaucm wfrh yau tbft tbls kahvjrsftlah ls `jlho

rjkarmjm. Bfrry, L hatlkjm, bfm fcrjfmy cakftjm tbj ùo `y tbj

tldj bjm armjrjm tbj oufrm aut. Ha mau`t bjm fcsa hatjm f ijw

atbjr tblhos ta dy mlsfmvfhtfoj. Ft tbft dadjht sadjtblho

bfppjhjm ta dj. Lm hatblho cjit ta sfy. Dy dlhm bfm oahj `cfhe.

_jcc1

[brjwm jyjs wjrj turhjm ah dj fhm tbjy wjrj uttjrcy kfcd.Bfrry wfs ha pfhlk djrkbfht. _ltbaut mau`t Lm sjjh tbls dfh ah

]Y fhm lh tbj pfpjrs, tbauob L kaucmht lmjhtliy bld. Bls tfstjiuc

hfvy `cuj gfkejt, tlj fhm slce bfhmejrkblji wjrj lddfkucftj,


24/27

wltbaut f krjfsj, ùt fs fh frdy dfh, L rjkaohlsjm f ùcey sbfpj

fàut bls gfkejt tbft djfht bj wfs kcfm lh f ùccjt praai vjst. _j

ehaw fàut yaur plrfky, L `jofh, kfrjiuccy fvalmlho bls jyj. Lts

oat ta stap. Ld bjrj lh fh lhiardfc kfpfklty ta hjoatlftj f mjfc.

Mjstray fcc yaur_lhmaws cf`jcs fhm wjcc iarojt lt. ]bft djfhs

tbj dfstjrs, tbj frtware fhm tbj mftf ilcjs. Fcc plrftj dftjrlfc

dust `j sbrjmmjm fhm yau dust sloh f cjofc uhmjrtfelho hat ta ma

lt foflh.

Bj stfrjm ft dj iar tjh sjkahms murlho wblkb dy clij pfssjm

`jiarj dj.

_lhmaws1 sflm Bfrry, sjjdlhocy `fiicjm, wltb bahjst

surprlsj lh bls ifkj. Ab, _lhmaws! [a tbfts wbft tbls ls fàut._jrj lh pjrijkt forjjdjht. ]bjrjs ha hjjm iar tbj djcamrfdf. L

`jcljvj L bfvj f clkjhsj iar jvjry kadputjr lh tbj ùlcmlho. Li

tbjrjs fhy mlskrjpfhky Lcc wrltj f kbjquj tbls vjry darhlho.

\aurj ruhhlho tbausfhms ai kauhtjrijlt mlsks L sflm, fcc taa

fwfrj tbft tbj saurkj iar tbls wfs @lo Fhmy, f dfh wba bfmht

jvjh rjfclsjm tbj maar wfs fcfrdjm.

Mlsks. ]bausfhms1 sflm Bfrry wltb f puzzcjm irawh. Bj wfs

pcfylho wltb dj. _bfts oalho ah1 Ma yau ehaw fhytblho fàuttbls, Dr Ouhmy1

Ha.

_j bfvj ha ifklcltljs iar mupclkftlho mlsks, bfvj wj1 ]bj

qujstlah bfm fh flr ai bahjst puzzcjdjht tbft waucm bfvj dfmj

fh fktar praum.

Ha, hahj ft fcc, Dr Bjtcfhm.

L bjfrm tbls wltb f gact, rjkaohlslho bld ft cfst. ]bj hfdj aiBfrry Bjtcfhm waucm strlej ijfr lh tbj stautjst bjfrts. Jvjryàmy

ehjw bj wfs f ofhostjr, tbauob bls rftlhos wjrj `jolhhlho ta rlsj

haw tbft bjm `jkadj fh D^. _bjh bj caaejm ft dj L bfm ta

stap dysjci wlhklho.

Ma yau bfvj jvlmjhkj ai tbls1 ^jrbfps sadj kapljs L kfh

jxfdlhj1 _jvj hjvjr prlhtjm f _lhmaws cf`jc lh aur clvjs, bfvj

wj, Ouhmy1

Ha, Dr Bjtcfhm.[a tbj Ojhjrfc Dfhfojr wba bfm darj ar cjss fmdlttjm tbj

aiijhkj f ijw dadjhts foa wfs haw slholho bls dfstjrs saho.

@ut L kaucm bfrmcy `cfdj bld iar slmlho wltb tbj `fcc ai ilrj


25/27

`jslmj bld. Lm bfvj mahj tbj sfdj.

]bjh Bfrrys jyjs wjht ta tbj ùo fhm bj ofvj dj bfci f

sdlcj fhm fmaptjm f irljhmcy tahj. Lhtldlmftj tbjd ilrst fhm tbjh

turh ah tbj kbfrd. ]bjrj wjrj ha icljs ah tbls dfh. Haw bj wfs f

sdfrt yauho cfwyjr wbam gust kahkcumjm f mjfc7

_bft ls yaur hfdj, slr1 _ba fd L mjfclho wltb1

Duroftraym. [lm Duroftraym, L `curtjm. Lh tbj tjhslah ai tbj

dadjht Lm fcdast sflm Dft Blcc.

_jcc, Dr Duroftraym, cjt dj put dy kfrms ah tbj tf`cj. L fd

f tatfccy bahaurf`cj ùslhjssdfh wltb f `cfdjcjss rjkarm. L pfy

dy tfxjs fhm fcc dy mj`ts. \au bfvj kadj ta dy aiilkj ta kcfld

tbft Ld plrftlho yaur pramukt. L fd hat, ùt L fcsa fkkjpt tbft yaurjfsahf`cy `jcljvj L fd, atbjrwlsj yau waucmht `j bjrj.

^rjsudf`cy yau bfvj jvlmjhkj ta jhkaurfoj tbls vljw fhm lh fcc

iflrhjss Ld jhtltcjm ta sjj lt `jiarj tbj dfttjr oajs fhy iurtbjr. L

kfh uhmjrstfhm tbft yau waucmht `rlho ldpartfht jvlmjhkj lh fh

lhiardfc kfpfklty. @ut L bfvj ta sjj lt.

L rjdjd`jr dy Kaddfhmlho Aiilkjr froulho wltb fhatbjr

aiilkjr. Bj wfs qultj wraho ùt bj wah tbj jxkbfhoj `y sfylho

fs clttcj fs passl`cj. Lm cjfrht f cat irad wftkblho aiilkjrs. Lmbfvj ta tfej f cjfi irad bls àae.

_j maht wfht iuss, L sflm, trylho ta ojt tbj lhltlftlvj foflh.

]bls ls lhiardfc.

Ab, L wjckadj tbft, Dr Duroftraym. ]bft ls tbj ahcy wfy ta

bfhmcj tbj mliilkucty, sflm Bfrry, fcc swjjt rjfsah. L maht

wjckadj f iuss jltbjr, f`sacutjcy hat. @ut rjkjhtcy wj iauhm aur

hfdj usjm `y fh uhskrupucaus lhmlvlmufc fhm L bfm ta usj dylhicujhkj ta karrjkt f mfdfolho sltuftlah. ]bls dfy `j tbj

jxpcfhftlah ai yaur ud dlsuhmjrstfhmlho.

]bj jvlmjhkj ls straho.

L suppasj lt ls, atbjrwlsj yau waucmht `j bjrj. @ut L wlcc

ilobt lt wltb fcc dy rjsaurkjs5 sa cjts `ypfss tbj iardfcltljs. \au

dust `rlho dj sfdpcjs ai tbjsj jr plrftjm mlsks. Li wjrj lh

fhy wfy ft ifuct Lcc ma sadjtblho fàut lt lddjmlftjcy. ^jrbfps

fh jdpcayjj bfs `jjh uslho dy ifklcltljs. Lvj bjfrm ai tbftbfppjhlho jcsjwbjrj, ùt hjvjr bjrj. Li sa, Lcc mjfc wltb lt rlobt

fwfy. \au bfvj dfmj f vjr`fc kadpcflht, ùt wltb rjspjkt, tbfts

hat jhauob. Hat ah tbj skfcj wjrj mjfclho ah. L jdpcay buhmrjms


26/27

ai pjapcj fhm tbjlr wjcifrj bfs oat ta `j kahslmjrjm. Iar tbj

dadjht L dust fse iar praai.

Murlho tbls, Bfrry bfm davjm fhm L sfw wbft dlobt bfvj

`jjh tbj autclhj ai f ouh lh f sbaucmjr rlo, sadjtblho Ld trflhjm

ta wftkb iar. Ouhmy caaejm f paar ilourj `jslmj bls àss. Bls

ifkj wfs rjm, bls bfhms wjrj kcjhkbjm fhm bj wfs swjftlho. Lt

sjjdjm clejcy tbft bj wfsht stfrtlho f sblit, ùt kahkcumlho ahj.

Bjm `jjh up fcc hlobt.

^raai1 L sflm. @ut tbft kfht cjfvj aur aiilkj.

Ab yjs lt kfh, Dr Duroftraym. \au sflm cf`jcs yau spaej

lh tbj pcurfc. @rlho dj ahj, tbfts fcc L fse. L maht hjjm darj. Lts

hat f cat ta fse. Ai kaursj Lcc jxpjkt f wrlttjh stftjdjht ai wbjrjyau a`tflhjm lt fhm wbjh, fcsa f iarjhslk `rjfemawh, ùt yaur

cjofc mjpfrtdjht wlcc uhmjrstfhm tbft.

Lm bapjm ta rjsacvj tbls

Fhm wj surjcy wlcc wbjh yau `rlho lt.

Yjry wjcc, L sflm, ùt passl`cy lt wfs f dlstfej ta kahkjmj

sa saah. [urjcy ha lhvjstloftar waucm `j sa lhjiijktufc1 ^jrbfps

tadarraw1

]bj kaac jyjs caaejm ft dj fs bls bjfm sbaae.L waht `j bjrj tadarraw. Baw fàut Irlmfy1

Bj wfs kjrtflhcy usjm ta uhhjrvlho bls appahjhts, fhm lt wfs

a`vlaus bj kahslmjrjm dj f purj wjfeclho. _fs L taa pclfht ta `j

truj1

\js. Irlmfy ft hlhj1

_jcc, tbfts f mjfc, tbjh, bj sflm, stfhmlho up. Haw, Ld

ùsy. ]bj fumltars frj wfltlho lh tbj dflh ùlcmlho.L staam up taa, summjhcy fwfrj tbft dy tjhsjm duskcjs bfm

fcdast sjlzjm. Bfrry bfm fh jxprjsslah ai trludpb ah bls ifkj

tbft dfmj dj suspjkt bjm sjjh tbrauob dj fhm wfs fàut ta sjfc

dy iftj. ]bj oufrm wfs stlcc ft tbj maar. Ouhmys ofzj wfs

swltkblho `jtwjjh dj fhm bls dfstjr.

_jvj kadpradlsjm, L sflm, lh f cfst mjspjrftj `lm ta ojt

tbj uppjr bfhm. @jhm f clttcj lh dy mlrjktlah, Dr Bjtcfhm. Cjt

dj sjj tbrauob yaur ifktary `jiarj L oa.]bft ls wbft sfvjm dj. Iar tbj `rljijst sjkahm f twlhoj

krassjm bls ifkj. Ouhmy wfs caaelho ft dj wltb f stfrtcjm

jxprjsslah, bls dautb apjh, wblcj bls àss bjcm aut bls bfhms ta


27/27

stap dj.

Fhy atbjr tldj tbfh tbls, Dr Duroftraym, sflm Bfrry, fcc

ùslhjss-clej. _jcc sbaw yau rauhm ah Irlmfy, hat `jiarj. _ltb

rjspjkt, yau bfvjht jstf`clsbjm yaur krjmjhtlfcs, yau maht bfvj

f wfrrfht fhm L bfvj f pfrthjr irad ^rlkj _ftjrbausj wfltlho iar

dj. Lh fhy jvjht, fs fh lhvjstloftar yau dust `j fwfrj tbft jvjh

li wj wjrj plrftlho yaur dftjrlfc, wblkb L fssurj yau wj frj hat,

wjm bfrmcy bfvj lt cylho fàut ah mlspcfy. Murlho tbls, bj bfm

fvalmjm dy jyj, haw bls iarjbjfm iurrawjm iar f dlhutj fs bj

caaejm ft dj. @ut wjcc kaapjrftj ah Irlmfy. Lcc sbaw yau

frauhm wltb orjft pcjfsurj. Maht oa fhm ojt f wfrrfht, haw. ]bft

waht `j hjkjssfry. \aucc bfvj dy iucc suppart. \aucc sjj tbjjhtlrj ùlcmlho, jvjry haae fhm krfhhy.

Documents

The Reluctant Plotter by Roy McLarty