"Thenewgodsarecapedcrusaders,menofsteel...."


"...weseeasocietywhichismilitaristic,increasinglymechanizedandtechnologized,
whichprizescompetitivenessandmasculineaggression...."

HaroldSchechter

authorofTheNewGods

"Everymancastsashadow;nothisbodyonly,buthisimperfectlymingledspirit."

HenryDavidThoreau

Batman

CapturedbytheEngines

JoeR.Lansdale

PROLOGUE

LadiesandGentlemen,StartYourEngines

1

ExcerptfromTheBookoftheThunderbird

Inthebeginningtherewasdarkness.
Thentherewereheadlights.
Onhighbeam.
Anditwasgood.
Udden,udden.

2

GothamCity:WebbStreetandIntersectingAlley,NorthoftheTheaterDistrict,July28th,11:35
P.M.

Okay,Hardersthought,itcouldbeworse.
Helayamongthegarbageandlookedacrossthealleyandsawhislegonthefarside.Thebloody

stump,terminatinganinchabovetheknee,restedagainstaplasticmilkbottlethathadbeenknocked
freeofoneofthegarbagecanswhenhehadbangedintoit.Theleghadbeensmackedcompletelyout
ofhispants,andinfact,thepantslegitselfhadbeenrippedoffaswellandthrownGodknowswhere.
Theshoehehadbeenwearinghadcomeoffthefootandonlythesockremained,andhisbigtoewas
stickingthroughit,andthatwasn'tduetotheaccident.Ithadtodowiththeageofhissocks.Pretty
embarrassing.Hewonderedifhehadoncleanunderwear.Hismotheralwayswarnedhimtohaveon
cleanunderwearincaseofanaccident.Thenagain,afterthewhackhetook,hadtheybeenclean,they
mightnotbenow.

Hardersfelttheurgetocrawlacrossthewayandgetholdofhisamputatedlegandfindhisshoeand

slipitonethefoottocoverhistowandthewornsock,butthatwassilly.

Ofcourseitwassilly!
Hecouldhardlymove,letalonecrawl,andhewasoozingbloodhotandfastandthedarkskyabove

himseemeddarkerthanhe'deverseenitandthealleywallshadbeguntobendandripple,asifviewed
frombeneathgreatdepthsofwater;thecopperyodorofhisbloodandtherotofthegarbagehad
blendedtogetherintoastenchthatwaspoundinghisnostrilslikeafist,andherehewasthinkingmaybe
heshouldfindhisshoe,coveruphisnakedtoe.

Hehadtogetagriphere,focusonthesituation,determinewhatwastrulyimportant.Hestayedin

BozoLandmuch,itwasalloverbuttheburying.

Hardersclosedhiseyesandtookinsomedeepbreaths.Itfeltasifallhisnervesandmusclesand

veinshadbeenremovedandreplacedwithhotbarbedwireandthebarbsweredoingtheirbesttorip
freetotheoutside.

Heopenedhiseyes.Blackdots,likethousandsofseedticksdivingdownfromtheheavens,filledhis

vision.

Heclosedhiseyesagain,openedthemslowly.Thedivingseedticksweregone.Hisvision,ifnothis

mind,wasalittleclearer.

Hemanagedtogethimselfuponanelbow,andgrittinghisteeth,hedraggedhimselfbackwardsuntil

hisbackwasagainstthealleywall.Hetookalong,hardlookathisleg.

Andnearlypassedoutatthesight.
Thestump,highabovewherethekneehadbeen,wassquirtingblood,andheknewfromhaving

workedbrieflyasanE.M.T.manyyearsago,hehadmaybethirtysecondsbeforehepassedout,andif
hedidpassout,itwascallinthedogs,timeandgohome,ashisfatherusedtosay.

Home.Hewishedheweretherenow.NothisapartmenthereinGothamCity,buthisrealhome.

BackinNacogdoches,Texas,milesandyearsfromhere.

Heexaminedhislegagain.
Thirtysecondswasgenerous.
Hanginthere,hetoldhimself.It'sgoingtobeokay.Theymayendupcallingyoustumpy,butit's

goingtobeokay.Bettertobecalledstumpythantobecalleddead.

Heunbuckledhisbeltandtuggeditfromthepantsloops,woundittightabovethewound,andpulled

itsnug.Alastsquirtofbloodleaptfromthenubofhislegandceased.Theseedticksdive-bombed
himagain.Heclosedhiseyesandtookindeepbreaths,andwhenheopenedthemthetickswerenot
completelygone,buttheywerefewer.Therewasacoathangerinthegarbagebesidehim,andnow
withtheflowofbloodstanched,hecouldregisterenoughmentallytoseeitandtakeitandwraptheend
ofthebeltaroundit,thentwistthecoathangertightsothathecouldkeepthebloodshutoff.Thatdone,
heleanedagainstthewallandtriedhardtofeelthebricksthroughhisshirt,triedtorecognizesomesort
offeelingotherthanthepaininhisleg,whichhadgonerapidlyfromnumb,tothrobbing,toaslow
explosionthatbeganatthewoundandwentthroughouthisbodylikeachainreactionandswelledasif
inpreparationforthebigboom---thekindthatcouldcreateanewuniverse.

Hetriedtorememberhowthishadhappened,becauseitwasslippingaway,andnomatterhowthis

endedup,himdyingorsurviving,hewantedthatmuch---torememberwhathadhappened.

Thenherememberedandwishedhehadn't.
HehadbeenwithMarilyn.Theywereontheirwaytothetheatertoseeaplay,aGrandGuignol

revival,athingcalled"ScreamAgain,"andnowherehewas,livinghisownGrandGuignol.

Thewholedayhadbeenbad,whatwithhimgettingupwithacrickinhisneckandthecoffeehaving

brewedbitterandthetoastgettingburnedwhilehewasironinghisshirt,andthentheshirtgetting
burnedwhenheforgotandlefttheironrestingontheshirttoattendtothetoast,andthentheargument
withMarilynoverhermovinginwithhimimmediatelyinsteadofnextweek,andnowthis.

He'dhadsomedays,butthisonetookthecake.
Marilyn.
Oh,man,wasitevercomingbacknow.Herememberedherflyingthroughtheair,herred-blondhair

likeaburstofsunlightaroundherhead,herbluedressfannedwidelikethemouthofabell.

Butwhywassheflying?
How?
Shewasn'tanyacrobat.Theyweren'tjustwalkingalongontheirwaytothetheaterandMarilyn

suddenlyaskedthattheypauseandgointoanalleysoshecouldshowhimafewflips.No,something
else.

Acar.Shehadbeenhitbyacar.Heremembereditplainlynow.Thatwasit.Theyhadbeenchased

intothealleybyacar.

TheyhadjustcrossedthestreetfromMarilyn'sapartment,werestrollingalong,mindingtheirown

business,arguingsome,nothingserious,butarguingnowandthenabouthermovinginwithhim,
anticipatingthetheateralittle,worrieditmightbeadud,thisGrandGuignolthing,andtalkingabout
howperhapstheyshouldhaveplayeditmoresafelyandgonetosee"Cats,"andMarilynhadsaid
somethingabouthercats,abouthowtheyweren'tlearningtousethelitterbox,somemundanething
likethat,thenoutinthestreetacarhonked,andtheystoppedandlooked.

Itwasablack'57Thunderbird,parkedinthemiddleofthestreetallbyitslonesome,notanothersign

oftrafficinsight.Itwasasifalltheworldhaddisappearedexceptforthiscar,andthoughthatalone
wasweird,therewassomethingaboutthecarthatwasevenweirder.Thepaintjob,foronething.It
wasseriousblack.Hardersfoundhimselfthinking,Apaintlikethat,itdoesn'tcomefromanystore;it
comesfromtheabyssitself---aplacewherethecolorsaresodarkanddeeptheygivedarkabadname.

Fromunderthehoodchuggedafaintpuffofsteam,likehotbreathagainstfrostyair,butitwasa

warmnight,notcold,andthentherewasthegrowlofthemotor,likeahungryjunglecat,andtherewas
music,crystalclearfromtheradioorthestereosysteminsidethecar,andthoughthewindowswere
rolledup,themusic,anoldBeachBoystune,"Fun,Fun,Fun,"wasasclearasifitwereplayinginside

Harder'shead.Andfinallytherewerethewindshieldsanddoorglasses,darkallaroundsonodriver
wasvisible,buttheglassdidn'tseemtinted,morelikeitwasfilmedoverfromtheinsidebygreasy
smoke.

Thatdamncarmadehisskincrawl,andMarilynfeltthesameway.Hecouldtellbecauseshereached

outandtouchedhisshoulderandherfingersshookasifelectricallycharged.

"It'sokay,"hesaid,andtheystartedwalkingagain.Briskly.
TheThunderbirdpacedthem.
Hardersfeltanurgetoboltandrun,buthedidn'tletitgetthebetterofhim.Itwasjustacar,nothing

more.

TheThunderbirdgunnedhisengine,wheeledtowardthesidewalk,straightatthem.Themouthofa

narrowalleywasnearby,andHardersgrabbedMarilyn'shand,yankedherinthatdirectionandstarted
running.

AfterthatitallbecameablurofMarilyn'slong,blondhairtrailingbehindherandtheirlegsflashing

beforethem(legs,oh,God,didhehavetorememberlegs?),andtherewastheloudroarofthe
Thunderbirdasitboredownonthem,itsheadlightshotandroundandbrightattheirbacks.Hecould
actuallyfeeltheheatoftheengineatthebaseofhisspine,likesomecrazedthingbreathingonhim.

HetossedalookoverhisshoulderandgotaglimpseoftheThunderbird,itswindshieldadark,

emotionlessbugeyewithanalmostinvisiblehairlinecrackonitsfarleftside.

Thecacophonyofitsscreamingtiresandgrowlingmotormixedtogetherintoasoundaswildand

savageasthebirthofcreation,andasabackbeattoitallwasthethrobbingfanfareof"Fun,Fun,Fun,"
butHardersandMarilynweren'thavinganyfun,fun,funhere,notadrop.

Hardersjerkedhisheadforwardandputeverythinghehadintohisrunning.Therewasatugathis

hand,andheglancedtoseewhereMarilynwaspullinghim,butshewasn'tpulling.Shehadfallen
back,lostspeed,andhadbeenhitbytheThunderbirdandknockedaway.Whathehadfeltwasher
handtornfreeofhis,andatthemomentofthatrealizationhesawtheirshadows(Marilyn'sflipping,his
running)onthealleywall,pinnedtherebythecarlights.

Marilynhitthebrickwall,quickandsolidwithawetsound,thenhershadowdisintegratedandthe

shadowshardsbouncedbackandpasthimandweresuckedintotheThunderbird'sheadlights.Then
Harderswasnolongerlooking.Hewasyellingandrunning,thehornoftheThunderbirdblaringbehind
him.

Hefeltanumbingsensationashewasstruckandbecameairborne.Hewenthighupandfelldown

deadcenterofthealley.Whenhetriedtorise,hecouldn't---notonbothlegs,anyway.Hestillhadtwo
then,butonewasinjured.Hegothisgoodkneeunderhim,thenwham,thebadleg,whichdangled
behindhimlikeawetnoodle,washitagain,andsowashisbutt.Hewasairborneoncemore,andhe
knewthecarwastoyingwithhim,stretchingoutthefun,makingitlast.Helandedamidathrongof
trashcans.Thecarcameagainandhitthecansandthecanshithimandhewentrolling,garbage
fallingdownonhimlikeanavalanche.Whenheawokeafewmomentslater,hewasconfusedandthe
carwasgone,havingmostlikelygivenhimupfordead;and,tounderstatethesituation,hedidn'tfeel
goodatall.

Now,withhismemoryoftheincidentreturned,helookedinthedirectionofMarilyn'sdemise,sawa

smearonthewallandoneofherarmsstickingupoveramoundofgarbage.Thegarbagewastwisted
andmashedabouther.Itwasobviousthecarhadrunoverherrepeatedly,asifshewerehomebaseand
itwereplayingtag.

Hehoped,forhersake,shewasdead.Andnowhedeterminedthatifthingscouldbeworse,they

couldn'tbemuchworse.Fromwherehelay,therewasonlyahair'sdifferencebetweensadhopeand

theworstitcouldget.

Hepassedoutforawhile,andwhenheawoketherewasmovementandshadow.
Helookedup,expectingthefrontendoftheThunderbird,butwhathegotwasakidaboutfifteen---a

greasy-hairedkidinablackT-shirtandbluejeansandsneakers,carryingalegproppedagainsthis
shoulderlikeabaseballplayerwaitinghisturnatbat.Hardersdidn'thavetobeamentalgianttoknow
whoselegthekidhad.Hehadn'tlostsomuchbloodthathethoughtpeoplewanderedthestreetsof
Gothamwithsparelegscockedontheirshoulders.Thekidsmileddownathim.Hewasmissingsome
frontteeth."Youloosesomething,mister?"

Hardersfoundhecouldn'tspeak.Hewastooweak.Andnowthekidlookedliketwokidsstanding

there,andonekidwouldgointotheotherfromtimetotimeandtherewouldonlybetheonekid,then
hewouldseparateandmaketwokids,twinkidswithtwinlegsontheirshoulders.

"Lookslikeacarmaybehityou,huh?"saidthetwokidsbeforetheybecameoneagain."That'sbad,

man.Thatcouldhurtsomethingserious.Youknow,Ilikethatshoeyougoton.Maybethere's
somewhereheretofitthisfoot."Hepattedthesockedfootoftheamputatedleg."Igotafootaboutthis
size,Ithink."

"Nine,"Harderssaid,findinghisvoice.Itcameoutofhimbeforeheknewwhathewassaying.
"Nine?"thekidsaid,idlythumbingthebigtoepokingthroughthesock."That'sgood.I'maneight

andahalfmyself,butIcanwearanineIputonthicksocks,maybealittlenewspaperinthetoesofthe
shoes."

"Thicksocks,"Harderssaid,anditseemedasifhehadspokensomegreatcodeword,because

suddenlythediscussionofshoesandsocksseemedveryimportant.Youhadgoodshoes,itwas
importanttoweartherightsocks,evenifyouhadtoputnewspaperinthetoesofyourshoes.Hadhe
hadontherightsocksinthefirstplace,agood,new,thickpair,histoewouldn'tbestickingoutlikethat.

ThekidswungthelegandhitHarderswithit,rightacrossthebridgeofhisnose.Hardersfelloveras

ifhewereabowlingpin,layonhissidewithhischeekpressedintotherottedremainsofatomato
whilethekidhithimwiththelegsomemore.

Harderswasstupefied.Couldhardlyfeelthekid'shandsonhim,goingthroughhispockets,pulling

theshoefromhisgoodfoot.Beingfriskedorbeatenorhitbyacarwasallthesametohimnow.
Nothingwasofanygreatimportanceonewayoranother.

Thecoathangertwistedlooseonhislegandhecouldfeelhisbloodoozingaroundhiminapool.The

painwentaway.Fearwentaway.Hefeltcozy,asifhewereakidagainbackinEastTexasanditwas
fallandthewindowwasopenandtheOctobernightwasseepingcoolandcomfortableinhisroom,
lullinghimtosleep.

Then,foramoment,consciousnessresurfaced.Heknewwherehewasandwhathadhappened,and

beforehelostthat,beforehedriftedbackdownintothepleasantlycool,darkautumnwheredeath
awaitedhim,hethoughtinamomentofdefiance:"Ihopethelittlebastarddoesn'tfindtheothershoe."

3

Thekid,whosenamewasBillThomas,cameoutofthealleywearingHarder'sshoes---themissing

onehadn'tbeenhardtofinditall---carryingthelegbytheankle,thebloodyendcockedoverhis

shoulder.InhisotherhandheheldHarder'swallet.Marilyn'spursestrapwasdrapedoverthebendof
hiselbow.

Heleanedthelegagainstthesideofabuilding,nubdown,openedthewallet,andlookedinside.Five

twenties.Somecreditcards.

Twohundredinthepurse.Somecreditcards.
Man,whatatake.Andhehadn'thadtomuganyone.He'dheardthatifyoucameovertothissideof

town,youcoulddobetterthankickinghelloutofsomehomelessaddictinanalleyoverontheeast
side,takinghisbeggingchange.Andhe'dheardright.Tonighthadbeenagiftfromthegods.He'd
heardthatoldmusic,theBeachBoysstuff,thenhe'dheardsomeoneyelling,seenthatcarcomeoutof
thealley.

Weirdaboutthat.Thecarhadbeeninthere,certainly,butlookingatthealleyafterward,hedidn'tsee

how.Itwasprettywide,butnotsowideacarcouldhaveturnedaroundinthere,letalonemadethe
messitmadeofthatwoman.Justwasn'troomforcuttingcircleslikethat.Cargoingintherewould
mostlikelybeclangingitsdoorhandlesonthewallabit.

Still,he'dseenitjetoutofthere,andnotclangingitsdoorhandles,shootingintothestreetlikeababy

sharkbeingsqueezedfromthewomb,brightanddeadlylookingbeneaththestreetlights.

Buthewasn'tgoingtoworryaboutit.Ifthealleywaswideenoughforonlyonecarandhe'dseen

fiveofthemcomeoutoftheresidebyside,hedidn'tgiveadamn.Hewasn'tintomysteries.Hewas
intomoneyandbuyingalittlecracknowandthen.Itwasn'tlikehewasanaddictoranything.No,sir.
Hejustlikedtogethigh.

Importantthingwashe'dseenthecarcomeout,andwhenitwasgone,turneddownthestreetfastas

lightning,leavingrubbersmokebehinditsodarkandthickitroseupandtemporarilydimmedthe
streetlights,hewalkedovertothealleyandheardamoanandwentinthereandsawthemessthecar
hadmade,foundthetapiocawomanandtheguywithoneleg.

Easy.Ithadbeensoeasy.Hecouldusethecreditcardsforgroceriesandnewduds,someofthose

neattennisshoes,buysomestuffhecouldreselllater,likeTVsandradios.Hecouldbuyallthatbefore
thecardsgotcanceled.

Heputthewalletinhisbackpocketandsnappedthepurseshutandletitdanglefromhisarmwhile

heturnedtolookattheleg.

Maybehecouldsellittosomebody.Heknewsomepeoplewouldlikeathinglikethat.Maybeboil

thefleshoffandkeepthelegboneasasouvenir.

"Excuseme."
Billjumpedatthevoice,turnedtolookatahuge,red-facedbeatcopholdingabillyclub.
"Officer,"Billsaid.
"Idon'tsupposethat'syourpurse,nowisit,son?"
"It'smysister's.Iwastakingittoher."
"Takingittoher,youwere?"
"Yes,sir."
"Andtheleg.Doesthatbelongtohertoo,son?"
"No,sir."
"AndI'dbethinkingitisn'talegofyourown,seeingashowyouhavetworightonyourownbody.A

spare,perhaps?"

"No,sir.Itellyoutrue,Ifoundthatleg."
"Foundit,youdid?Justlyingabout?"
"Yes,sir.Itwasrighthereleaningagainstthiswall.Isawitandwasstoppingtolookatit."Smiling

now."Youdon'tseethateveryday."

"No,youdon't."
Thebeatcoplookedcasuallytothemouthofthealley,sawdarkskidmarks.Helookedbackatthe

kid.

"IthinkmaybeyouandIshouldgobackinthealleythereandhaveusalookaround.Youwouldn't

mindthat,wouldyou,son?"

"Officer,I'dliketohelpthepolice,Ireallywould,butmysister'sexpectingme."
"Son,youhavetherighttoremainsilent.You---"
Billflungthepurseintotheofficer'sfaceandbrokeforit.Thepursedidn'tdotheofficermuch

damage,butitstartledhimmomentarilyandthekidgotagoodstart.Hewentdownthesidewalka
blockanddartedacrossthestreetinfrontofataxicabthatslammedonitsbrakeslongenoughforthe
drivertothrowacurseoutthewindow.

Theofficer,whosenamewasO'Herity,holdingthelegandthepursebecausehedidn'twanttoleave

evidencelyingabout,camecursingalonginfrontofthecabjustasitwasabouttostartupagain.The
driveryelledafterhim,"Hey,Officer,thatyourpurseandyourmother'sleg?"

O'Heritythought,Fiftythousandcomediansoutofwork,andthisguy'sgotaline.BegladI'mbusy,

Mr.FunnyGuy.Hepoundedonafterthekid,followedhimdownadarkalley.

O'Heritykickedgarbagefromunderhisfeetandwatchedthedarkshapeofthekidreachachain-link

fence,jumpupandgrabthetopofitandpullhimselfover.

O'Heritycursedmoresavagely.Thelastfewyearshe'dputawaytoomanybeersandpastramisonrye

forthat.Tenyearsagohecouldhavemovedlikethekid,butnow...well,ithurthimtothinkaboutit.

Reluctantly,heleanedthelegagainstthefence,hopingnohungrydogsorcatswouldcomealongand

stealit,pulledthepursestraphighonhisshoulder,grabbedthefenceandgruntedandtuggedhimselfto
thetopofit,caughtapantslegandrippeditashemorefellthanclimbedtotheotherside.

Helookeduptoseethekidstillrunning.Therewasanotherfenceatthefarend,andO'Herityknewif

thekidgotoverthathewasgone,andfastasthekidwasmoving,thatwashighlylikely.

Still,hehadtotry.O'Herityhitchedthepurseupagain,startedpuffingforward,wasbroughtupshort.
Outofthedarknessthatdrapedintothealley,abigshadowfullofsharpanglesandripplesdropped

fromaboveandlandedlightlyinfrontofthekidandmovedfromacrouchtoatall,wide,standing
shape---theshapeofamonstrousbatspreadingitswingswide.Thekid,goingfullout,ranrightinto
thebat,andthewingsclosedaroundhim.

O'Heritystoppedandgrinnedandputhishandsonhiskneesandtookinsomedeepbreaths.Nothing

toworryaboutnow.

TheBatmanhadhim.

4

ABackRoadTwenty-fiveMilesOutsideofGothamCityintheGreatGothamValley,JustBefore
Dawn

Itwasajoytorun.

Downintoadipintheroaditwent,thepit-blackThunderbird,happyandvibrantwiththejoyof

destruction,sailingonconcreteandwindandfour-plytires,descendingintoamorningfogthickasthe
woolonasheep'sback,thenupthehillitroared,tothepeak,wherethewarmingbulboftherisingsun
burnedthroughthehaze,thinningittotheconsistencyofdustmotes.Onupandoutofthevalleyit
charged,untilstreaksofsunlightswelledandthrobbedandthemorningbloomedlikeared-goldrose.

ClutchandShiftto---

---FirstGear

1

BruceWayne/Batman'sComputerJournal,Morning,July29th

Alfred,asalways,thisisforyou,mydearestandclosestfriend.
Ifindacertainpeaceinrecordingwhathasoccurredeachnightout,andIknow,too,thatsometimes,

face-to-face,Ilacktheabilitytoexpresssomeofmytrueranddarkerfeelings.Thisway,whatIput
downisfresherandlesslikelytobealteredbytheslipstreamoftime,andIcanrecordmyexperiences
forpossiblereviewatalaterdate,sharethemwithyou---shouldyouhavethedesiretoreadmynotes---
withoutmeactuallyhavingtospeakmyimpressions.

WhosaystheBatmanisfearless?
Icanfacethugsandmadmenandgunsandknives,theveryblazinggatesofhell,butwhenopening

thedoorofmymindandenteringintothedarkroomofmypast,Igoweak.ItisaroomIcanglance
intoonlyinpassing.Icanneverquiteencouragemyselftostepdeepintothatdarkness,lestthereisno
floor,justthebottomlessblack.

Pardonthemelodrama,Alfred,butIam,afterall,inarathermelodramaticbusiness.

So,onceagain,downhereinthebowelsofwhatIinhumorrefertotheBatcave,Isitbeforemy

computerjournalandworkthekeysandelectronicallyrecordtheeventsofthenightandmy
impressions,andithasbeenalong,exhaustingnight,thoughlittlehappenedspecificallytome.

Theusualmuggerswithallthegutsofagnat,springingonanoldladyinCrimeAlley,notknowing,

ofcourse,thatIwasthereandwouldnotallowthemtoharmher.

Ihopetheirexperiencewithmecausesthemtoretainbadmemoriesandcertainreservationsabout

theirlineofwork,thoughIdoubtit.

Badbusinessoutthere,Alfred.Crimehasalwaysbeenwithus.ItwascrimethatmademewhoI

am.Butithasgonefrombadandnastytocommonality.Thatiswheremytrueconcernlies:crime's
moveintothearenaofnormalcy.Wherebeforeitshockedandhorrifiedus,thethreatofitnowhangs
overourlivestosuchanextentthatmosthaveassumedafatalisticposture,expectingittoeventually
overtakeusall.Andthatiscertainlypossible.

Considerthis.Lastweek.TheGothamTimes,secondpage---notevenfront,mindyou---a

photographofkidslineduptoboardaschoolbusandtheyaresteppingoveradeadbodylyingin
congregatedblood,obviouslythevictimofsomecrimeorfatalaccident.Thekidsinthephotograph
lookasifthisisaminorinconvenience,thissteppingoveracorpse.Theymightaswellbestepping
overamoundofgarbage.

Thebodymusthavebeenlyingthereforsometime---hadtobe,forareportertobecalledoutto

photographit,andforhimtocatchthosekidsjustastheyboardedthebus.Allofthisdonebeforea
policeunitiscalled,whichstrikesmeasevenmorecold-blooded.Someonebotherstocallinthe
discoveryofabody,andwhodotheycall?

Thenewspaper.
Maybebecausethecallergothisnamementionedforfindingthebody,andthatstruckhimasmore

importantthanitsremovalandtheinvestigationofthecrime.Howcasualcandeathbecome?

Idigress,asIoftendo.Thethugswerenothing.Didn'tevenwindme.Thingthatgottome,along

withthisgeneralairofdefeatthat'swashedoverourcity,wasamomentwithadrug-crazedkid.

Listentothis:Icaughthimandfoundoutfromtheofficerwhowaspursuinghimthatthekidhad

beendiscoveredwithapurseandahumanleg,standingatthemouthofanalleycountingstolenmoney
andcreditcards.

Theofficerhandcuffedthekidandcalledasquadcartopickhimup,andIwentawaythen,against

mybetterjudgment,perhaps,butJimGordonhasplentytoworryaboutwithoutmebeinginvolvedin
everyoddthingthathappensinGotham.Hestaysinhotwaterenoughovermynose-poking.

Listentomerationalize.Truthfully,Iambackherewithregrets,feelingthatIamslipping,avoiding

doingwhatIseeasmyjob,reinforcingmyactionsbytellingmyselfIammakingiteasieronJim,when
infactthatisnottrue.ThatkidtriggeredsomethinginmeIpreferrednottodealwithbeyonddoing
whatwasabsolutelynecessary.

Thatiswhattookitoutofme,gavemethisfeelingofexhaustationthatgoesbeyondthephysical,a

feelingnastyandsoul-sucking,bottomedoutsomewherebeyondfleshandbloodandbones.

Thatkid,kidslikehim,aretossingtheirlivesaway,Alfred.Likesomuchtrashinthestreet.Thereis

nothingIcandobutcollectit,deposititwhereitcanbetakencareof.Atleasttemporarily,untilitslips
throughthetrashcompactorwecalljusticeandisrecycledbackintotheinkyheartofGothamCityand
isfinallypickeduponelasttimeandpermanentlydisposedof.

SometimesIfeelthereisnohope.ThatwhatIdoisultimatelyacolossalwasteoftime;thatI'm

nothingmorethanapinkiejammedinaholeinthecrumblingdikeoflawandorder,andthewater-wall
ofdarknessandcorruptionbehindthedikeismuchtoopowerfulfordikeorpinkie;thatsoonthewater
willspurtaroundmyfingerandthedikewillcrumbleevenmore,explodeintoazillionfragmentsthat
willneveragainbepastedtogethertoholdbackthedeep,churningwatersoffear.

Thenagain,afteragoodday'ssleep,Imayfeeldifferently.Imayfeel,asIdoinraremoments,thatI

canactuallymakeadifference.ThewayIsometimesfeelwhentheendofnightisnearandtherehas
beenalightrainandIamcrouchedatoponeofGotham'sgreatbuildingsandmorningisontherise,hot
pinkarteriesofsunlightpulsingthroughthecharcoalcoloredsky,expandingslowly,likethespreadof
bloodpoisoning.And,ofcourse,itisjustlikemetocompareevenabeautifulsunrisetoblood
poisoning---butinthatfinesweetmomentIcancrouchinthedecayingshadowsandfeelthecoolearly
morningwindliftmycloakandIcansavoritstouchontheexposedareasofmyface,andthereisno
stinkofgarbagefromthestreetsbelowrisinguptofillmynostrils,becausetherainhastemporarily
knockeditdown.Therearenocriesofhelporscreamsoffeartosparkthroughmeandsetmeonfire.
Itisatimeoffreshness,renewal.WhenIcanbelieveIhavemorethanafingerinthecrumblingdikeof

lawandorder.ThatI,infact,haveatleasttwofingersinthathole,andmaybesomeofthecrackshave
beengluedmoresoundlythanIfirstrealized,andthewallwillhold,andgraduallyasuperhotsunwill
riseaboveitallandevaporatetheseaofcrime.

Thenthosemomentswillbeshatteredbymomentsliketheonewiththatkid.Inmymind'seyeIsee

himnow---runningwildandfulloffeardownthatalley,intomyarms---andIamreminded,asIam
remindedamilliontimesadaybysomelittlethingoranother,ofanotherboy,andthatboyisme,and
insidewillalwaysbeme,nomatterhowoldIget.

Thatboyisalsoinanalley,onlywalkinghomewithhisparentsafteramovie,happy,shelteredfrom

trueknowledgeoftheevilthatmencandotooneanother,whenoutofthedarknesscomesamanwitha
guntointroducehimtoit.

Themanasksformoneyandtheboy'sparentsrespondtooslowly.Thesweatyhandofthemanwith

thegunjerks,andabulletleapsoutandtakesthefatherdown.

Anotherbullettakesthemother.Therobberpanics,runsaway,leavingtheboybeneathabug-

swarmedstreetlight,hisformerlyblissfulworldcrumblingaroundhimlikethedikeIenvisiontonight.

Timeslikethese,Ithinknoneofmylifeisrealafterthetimeinthealleyandthemanwiththegun.

ThatIamstillalittleboy,homefromhavingseenTheMarkofZorro,andIamdreaming.

Inthedreambadthingshavehappendtome.MymotherandfatheraredeadandIhavegrownto

becomewhatIam,inspiredbythatathleticmaskedman,Zorro.Itisafrighteningandexhilarating
dream,butsoonIknowIwillawake,perhapswithacry,andmymotherwillcometomeandcomfort
me,andmyfatherwillfollow,andhewilltellme,"It'sokay,son.Justabaddream.Everything's
okay."

Anditwillbeokay.
ButIdonotawakeandfindmyselfyoung.IawakeasIam,inabedthatseemstofloatinthemidst

ofthisgreatmansionwherefootstepsechoasemptyasthehollowplacesinmysoul.

Othertimes,IthinkItookabulletthatnight.ThatI'mlyingsomewhereinahospitalwithliquid-

filledtubesattachedtomyarms,anoxygenmaskonmyface,aging,imaginingthislifeofmine,alife
whereagrownmancanbecomeonewiththeshadowsandweartheoutfitofabatandstrikefearinto
theheartsandmindsofcriminals.

Dreaming,driftingdowndeepintotheshadowysubconsciousofacoma,justwaitingfortimetotake

meawayintocompleteandpeacefuldarknesswheretherearenodreams,noemptiness.

Enoughofthat.Nomoredarktrippingdownbadmemorylane,lestmylifebecomeaspitifuland

uselessasthatofthenihilistofwhichIamcomplaining.

Letmeendwiththis:Isensestrangenessonthewind,Alfred,andIshouldknow.Mylifewears

strangenessandmysterylikeacoat---likeacloak,Ishouldsay.

IfIwerewritingabluessongIwouldsaybadthingsaregonnacome.Somethingabouttonight.That

kid.Thehit-and-runinthealley.Morethanmeetstheeyegoingonthere.

However,forthemoment,theonlythingIwanttomeetmyeyesaremyeyelidswhenIclosethemin

sleep.

2

ALittleLater

Thesunwashighbutthebedroomwasdark.Thethickcurtainsweredrawntightacrossthewide

windows.

Adooropened.Athinwedgeoflightcrackedthedarknessoftheroom.Ashadowyshapefilledthe

wedgeoflight,moved,allowedthelightagain,thenthedoorclosedsoftlyandtherewasdarkness.

AlfredPennyworth,ramrodstraight,crispaseverinhisbutleruniform,walkedquietlyandquicklyto

thebedandlookeddownonBruceWayne'ssleepingform.Thecoverswerehalf-thrownoffBruceand
hewassleepingnakedasalways.Alfredcouldseetheman'sbroad,muscle-twistedback.Hecould
hearBruce'sbreathing,slowandsteady.

Alfredremovedapenlightfromhisjacket,turnediton,movedthelightquicklyacrossBruce'sbody

andontothesheetandpillow.Therewerenobloodstainsoneitherthemanorthebedclothes.
Breathingwasnormal.Nosignofinjury.

HeputthepenlightawayandrolledthecoversgentlyoverBruce'sshoulders.Heallowedhimselfa

small,quietsigh.Thefearfulmomentwasover.

Manytimeshe'dfoundBrucebangedandbloody,orsittingupontheedgeofthebed,fullofanxiety

fromtheeventsofthenight,orsufferingfrombadmiddaydreams.Butthismorning,physically
speaking,Bruce,theBatman,hadexperiencedagoodnight.

Emotionally,maybenotsogood.ReadingBruce'scomputerentriesoflate,Alfreddiscernedadeep

melancholiadescendingontheyoungman,deeperthanusual,andheassumedthatwhenhewentdown
toreadthismorning'sentry,itwoulddonothingtodispelthefeeling.Timeslikethis,hethoughthe
couldtakenomore.Thefear.TheanxietyforBruce'sphysicalandmentalwell-beingseemedtoogreat
aburdentobear.

Heknewwhathefeltmustbeakintothewaytheparentofateenagerfeelswhentheteenagerfirst

getshisorherdriver'slicenseandstaysouttoolateandtheparentsitsupwaiting---ashealwayswaited,
thoughBrucewasnotawareofit---forthechildtoreturnhome;waitingforthejoyfulsoundofthecar
engineinthedriveorofadoorbeingunlocked,alightoninthebedroom.

Onlythiswastenfoldworse.WorsethanwhenhehadservedintheBritishmilitaryasacombat

medic,becausewhenheboundBruce'swounds,sawtheangerandbitternessinBruce'shandsomeface,
hecouldfindnodistancebetweenhimselfandtheman.Thiswashisboy,hissurrogateson,andthere
wasnodivisionbetweenhisfeelingsforBruceandthefeelingshewouldhavehadifhehadfatheredhis
ownson.AndBrucewasn'tateenager.Hewasanadultwhoeachnightwentoutpurposefullyintothe
underbellyofthecity,activelyseekingoutthejawsofthebeast.

Moreoftenthannot,itmadeAlfredfeelhelpless,madehimlongtobeanywhereelse.Likethe

theaterandthecareerhehadgivenup.Hewouldfantasizehimselfinthegreatroleshehadachedto
play,likeHamletandMacbeth---andwouldhaveplayed,hadhenotretiredhisambitionstobenothing
morethanabutler.

Thetheaterwasafantasyhewouldhavemadereal,ashismotherhadmadeitreal.Shehadso

desiredit,thattopursueit,sheabandonedbothheandhisfather,Jarvis,whoremainedthebutlerfor
Bruce'sparents,MarthaandThomasWayne,fortherestofhislife.

ButwhenJarvisdied,andtheWaynesweremurderedbyastreetthug,leavinglittleBrucebehind,too

youngtofendforhimself,Alfredfoundhewasnotcallousenoughtoabandontheboyandfollowinhis
mother'sfootsteps.ThebeaconofthefootlightswasnotasstrongastheneedinlittleBruce'seyes.

Sohehadletitallgo.Butduringmomentsofregret,hewouldlookatBruce,feelaparentalwarmth,

andknowhehadmadetherightdecision.Thathewasmorethanabutler.Andthoughthisdidnotcure
thelongingforthestage,itmadehisdecisionalivableone.

Alfredsaidquietly,"Iloveyou,son.Findpeace."Helefttheroom,leavingBrucewithhischeerless

dreams.

3

AndwhileBruceWaynedreams,anotherwrites...

ExcerptfromTheBookoftheThunderbird

Accordingtothemythologyofscience,thereligionofall-knowingtruththatchangesconstantlywith

newdiscoveriesandthedispositionofthoserecordingit,theearthcirclesthesun.

Infact,oursolarsystemcirclesthesun,everyplanetmovingbeautifullyandmagnificentlyaboutthe

life-givingorbofOleSol,eachturninguponitsownaxisatdifferentspeeds,andagainaroundand
aroundthissingleblazingnucleus,eachlittlewheelpursuedbysmallerbodiescalledmoons,themoons
reactingtotheplanetsinexactlythesamewayastheplanetsreacttothesun.

Following.
Circling.
Wheelsaroundhubs,orinthebroadersense,wheelswithinwheels,withinhubswithinhubs.
Roundandroundweallgo,weofhumanitynotperceivingthewhirlingmovementconsciously,but

certainly,inspiteofthelieofgravity,regardingitonsomelevel;feelingourinnertideswashfromside
tosideandupanddown,acknowledgingwithintheprimalcellsofourbrainsthateachofusisanever-
changingcompassneedle,headspointing"north,""east,""south,"and"west,"allpointsin-between;
experiencingitinamannerakintolyinginafieldonourbackswitharmsoutstretched,bodiescloseto
thewheel,throbbingwiththetruthofmovementthatoureyesdeny.Forinsuchaposition,onecan
literallydetecttheturningoftheearth,thecrawlingofthesky,canknowaccordinglythatwearebut
oneofthecosmos'scontributionstothegreatwheel.

Andifwearenotcompassesasaforementioned,thenweareatleastballbearingspackedgreaseless

withinadevicethatisforusbothhubandwheel,spinningforeverthroughtheceaselessdarkofspace,
thelightofoursuninourfacesfromtimetotime,warmingourlittleheartsandlyingtousthat
everythingisbrightandokay,butactuallyexistingforquiteanotherpurpose,tomockus,andonsome
leveltoremindeachofusthatsoonenoughourowninner,hotballofbeautywillsetinallitsgolden
gloryandthetruestdarknessofallwillcomeuponeachofus,andnosunwillriseonthat.

Ah,theshiny,lyinghubofthesun.ThehubtowhichtheSiouxattachedtheirfleshwithcordsand

bonesandstickstobepulledandyankeduntiltheirskinsbrokeinreverencetoit.Thehubtowhichthe
Manowacksprayedandcalledtosolovingly,thinkingitaspirit,notknowingitwasnothingmorethan
afancygoldhubcap.

Isitanywonderthathumankind,knowinginstinctively,ifnotintellectually,thatitispartofagreater

circleofwheels,shouldproducethecontraptionwecallthewheel?Thencreatelater,tocomplementit,
combustionenginesfullofthelittlefiresofthesun?

Isitanywonderthatifonegroupofhumankindchosetorulethewheelandlearnedtoloveandfeed

itsengineswiththedesiresandhopesofothers,tosettheenginesupasprizesthatdeterminemanhood,
financialworth,evensexappeal,itwouldbethewhiterace?Anywonderatall?

Otherraceshavemadeandfollowedthewheel,butthewhiteracehasbuiltandadoreditandthe

enginesthatgowithitmorethananyother.And,nodoubt,thesewheelshavedrivenhumankindonto
greaterandgreatertechnologysothatthemore"primitive"peoplesoftheearthcanbegroundbeneath
theirtreads,chokedontheirexhausts,theancientchantscoveredbeneaththeirgrowls.

Deprivedoftheirownnaturalmagicsandpowersbytherelentlessrushoftheseengines,engines

madesothatwemightcircleourowncircleateverfasterpacesandhurryusalongasquicklyas
possibletowardwhatwhitemanhasobviouslybeendrivingtowardsincehededucedhisexalted
positionintheuniverse---humankind'sself-destruction.Isitanywonderthemagicsofbirdsand
animalshavebecomenothingmorethanfleshtodieoutandrotandturntofossilfuel,latertobe
broughtupbyadrillbitandawildcatwell?

Nowheel,thatwastheIndian'sdownfall.Nowheeltowhichtotiehismagic.Nowheeltowhichto

tiehisownengineandrideawayfromthewhiteman,orbetteryet,overwhiteman,andceasethat
race'srelentlesspushtowardannihilation.

Nowheelfortheinjunbecausethewheelhatestheearth.Noenginefortheinjunbecausetheengine

hatestheearth.Thewheelcrushes,thecombustionenginestinkstheair.

TheIndianisclosertotheoldnature.Butnaturehaschanged.Theoldgirlhasdiedoutandanew

naturalorderhastakenthethrone.Smokestacks,racingengines,andclangingmachinery.

Thewheel.
Thedamnwheel....Roundandrounditgoes...andgoesandgoesandgoes,andhookedtoan

engine,itgoesfasterandfaster...andfaster.

Ancestors,helpme,Iloveitso.

4

TownofColdShepherd,Fifty-eightMilesOutsideofGothamCity,July29th,8:08P.M.

ColdShepherd,populationfivethousand,wascharacterizedbytwothings:(1)acertaindesolation,

likeanoasisinthewastelandsoftheSahara,(2)asolitudebrokenonlyoccasionally,andthatgenerally
onSaturdaynightsbytheusualoffenders.

Thissimplicityofexistence,thisnow-and-then-shatteredtranquility,waswhathadattractedPaleBoy

tothejobofsheriff.That,andthefacthehadachievedacertainmodicumofrespect,acommodity
sorelylackingonthereservationwherehewasbornandraisedtoadulthood.

Inspiteofhispaleskin---thesourceofhisspokenname,ifnothisrealname---itwasnosecrettoCold

ShepherdthathewasaManowackIndian,andthatbeingknown,therewasoccasionalanti-Indian
sentiment.Buthislightcomplexiondidbenefithiminthewhitecommunity,asdidhisrecordasan
M.P.,arecordsogooditovershadowedthefactthathehadbeendischargedfromthemilitaryduetoa
headinjuryinabarscufflearrestwithadrunknotquitethesizeofPikesPeak.Ithadbeenarighteous

arrest,butthemilitarysawitasaninjuryinthelineofdutyandputhimoutonthestreetwithan
honorabledischargeandaseriesoftemporarychecksthatroostedinhismailboxcometheendofevery
month.

Inmanyways,heconsideredhiscrackedheadabenefit.Hehadgottenoutofthemilitarywithout

losingtheprestigeacquiredthere,yethewasnotdisabled.Exceptforoccasionalheadaches(tonighthe
hadone),admittedlymoreintenseinthelastsixmonths,hefelthehadgainedmorethanhehadlostby
theincident.

ThefactthatthejobofsheriffinColdShepherddidn'tpayhimalotcertainlydidn'thurtthefeelings

ofthewhitecitizens,andthisfacthelpedPaleBoytokeepit.Exceptforacoupleofwell-known
incompetents,noonewantedPaleBoy'slow-payingjob.Notyet,anyway,andthemoreitcouldbe
forgottenthathewasIndian,thebetterthelikelihoodhecouldkeephisposition.

PaleBoyhadnoqualmsabouthiswhitemetamorphosis.Infact,heoftendreamedofit.Inthese

dreamshewasagiantKafkaesquecockroachwrappedinabrightManowackblanketwithpoundsof
turquoisejewelry---nevermindthefactthattheManowackhadneverdealtwithturquoise;itwasoneof
thosemodernsymbolsofIndianhoodthatmanifesteditselfinhisdreams---hangingfromhismany
limbs,andsuddenlyhewouldflexandtheblanketwouldrip,thejewelrywouldflyfromhimwitha
clatter,andhisroachcrustwouldcrackopenandhewouldcrawlforthafresh,pinkishwhiteman
cravingamartiniandthebusinesssectionoftheGothamTimesortheWallStreetJournal.

Hisbrother,Abner,couldclingtothereservationanditsboxed-inexistence,buthepreferredbeing

freeoftribalshackles.TheManowackwereonaroadtoextinctionascertainandfinalasthattraveled
bythedinosaurandthefive-centcandybar.

Theearthspins.Timeschange.
Steppingoffthesidewalkintothestreet,PaleBoynotedthat,asusual,therewasnotacarinsight.

Notevenapedestrian.Justaftereighto'clockTuesdaynight,andeveryonehadgottenwheretheywere
going.WhatactiontherewaswouldbesometeenageexcitementattheBigBurgerintheformof
jukeboxmusic,loudtalk,andsomeheavyneckingoutbackintheparkinglot.

Aboutelevenortwelve,RoyFishandJimmyAlexanderwouldgetintheirweeklyTuesdaynight

slugfestandendupdottingeachother'seyes.Thebrawl,asalways,wouldconcludewiththetwoof
themchippingintopayfordamagestotheShepherdHouseBarandswearingontheirmothers'graves
nevertotossknucklesatoneanotheragain.

TheremightbesomeactionoverattheSimmons'placeiftheydecidedtohaveanotheroftheirmarital

squabbles.ThenPaleBoywouldhavetogooverthereorsendhisdeputy,Herkemer,toputanendtoit.

IfBobbieSimmonshadtakenuphertrustyskilletagain,he'dprobablyhavetocalladoctortocount

theknotsonClyde'shead.Then,too,therewouldbetheicepackforBobbie'seyes,whichoften
matchedthoseofthebrawlingFishandAlexandertosuchadegreethatPaleBoythoughtofsuggesting
theyformtheirownsinginggroupandcallthemselvestheRockingRaccoons---thoughtheywould
probablybehappierastagteamwrestlers.

Andofcoursetherewouldbethetowndrunk,EvanHill.Hespentaboutthreenightsaweekinjail,

andhewasdamnproudofit.Saturdaynightwashisbiggestnighttohowl,andhewouldmostcertainly
havetobearrested.

Butforthemostpart,lifewasgood.PaleBoyhadnorealhassles.Hehadajobheliked.Respect.

Evenawomanhecaredabout.Andbestofall,heleftthereservationfarbehind.Sofarbehindthaton
acleardayhehatedtolookinitsdirection.

Hehadnoseenhisbrotherinyears---notthathisbrotherwouldcaretoseehim---andhefeltthat

Abnerwasmostlikelyfollowinginthehatedfootstepsoftheirfather.Therewasreallynothingelsefor

himtodobuttoinheritthelotandsellwrecksandsmashthemupforscrap.Thedemandfora
medicineman,amasteroftheoldways,wasnotgreatinthesetimes.Forthatmatter,whentheywere
boysthedemandwasnotconsiderable,astheirgrandfather,JeromeHorseHandler,hadattested.

TheManowackswerechangingeventhen,andifnothappily,rapidly,ifonlyinsurfaceways.He

rememberedhowtheshacksonthereservationhadaddedelectricityassoonasitbecameavailable,
stuckupTVantennasandparkedaged,tall-finnedCadillacsintheirfrontyards.Yardsoftenfullof
rustedrefrigeratorsandwashingmachinesthathadbeenboughtusedandwornoutcompletelybybeing
pluggedinandkeptonoutdoorporchesasiftheywereornatelawnfurniture.Theelementsatethem
likesnacks,andtheirrustedcrumbsweretossedintheyardsandreplacedbymoreusedappliances,at
whatwasfortheIndiansgreatexpense.ButthedesiretokeepupwiththeJoneseshadspreadfromthe
whitecommunitieslikeadiseaseandinfestedeventheManowacks.Theyhadmovedupfrombeing
despisedIndianstoIndianswholivedlikepoorwhitetrash,andtheysawitasgood.Itwaspathetic.
Sopathetic,PaleBoyhadtogetaway.

ConsideringhowAbnerhatedtheirfather,andtheirfather'sdesirestobepartofthewhiteworld,ifhe

hadpursuedtheirfather'scareer,nothingcouldbemoreironic,unlessitwasthefactthatatheart,Abner
lovedcarsandlovedrock'n'rollasmuchasheprofessedtohateallthingswhite;lovedthembut
couldn'treconcilethemwiththeoldmagicsandtheoldways.YetPaleBoywascertainAbnerhadbeen
unabletotaketothemountainsandlivewiththewindandthestarsandthesoil.Thosewayswerelost
forever.

ButPaleBoyfeltthatwasnolongerhisconcern.Hewasgonefromthereandgoneforgood.
Afteralongmomentoflookingatthepartialmoonriseabovethestreet,heshookoffhismemoriesof

thereservationandhisbrother,adjustedhisStetson,crossedthestreet,andstartedmakinghisrounds,
tryingtowilltheacheinhisheadaway.

5

8:15---8:21P.M.

EvanHill,drunkerthantheproverbialskunk,clingingtoalamppostasifheweremakinglovetoit,

sawthefirstbloodydisasteraboutthreeminutesafterPaleBoyvacatedthesidewalkanddisappeared
acrossanddownthestreet.

Evanhadmissedthesheriffbyaminuteorsoandhewasdisappointed.Hewasreadyforhisbedand

boardnow.HeknewPaleBoy'sscheduleperfectly,andyet,drunkashewas,hecouldnotmake
himselfarriveontimeatarendezvouspoint.Hehadmissedthesherifftwicealready,andnowthree
times.

Theideawastorestabit,getasecondwind,andcatchupwithhisbedandmealticketatthe

ShepherdHouseBar.Hefiguredhecouldmakeafooloutofhimselfthereaseasyasanywhereelse,
andPaleBoywouldarresthim.

Aminutepassed.
Evanwasholdingthepolewithonehandnow,abouttoletgoandlaunchhimselfa-sailacrossthe

street,whenheheardthemusic.Herecognizedthetune."OurCarClub,"bytheBeachBoys,andby

golly,helovedit.Helovedalltheirmusic,butespeciallythecarsongs.Thesoundofifmadehimwish
hestillhadadriver'slicense.Acar,forthatmatter.Lasttimehe'dseenhisoldBuickwasalongtime
backandfromapronepositionafterhehaddrunkenlypiledintoatreeandbeenthrownfreeofit.The
Buickhadn'tlookedtoogood.

Lookingdownthestreetinsearchofthemusic'ssource,hesawnothing.Thespotwherethesound

camefromwasonlyshadows---shadowshangingthickasgiantbatwingsbetweenthelow-slung
buildingsatthedeependofthestreet.

AtthatmomentEvansawMarthaLynnPeel,thetownlibrarian,comeoutofthelibrary,longsince

closedfortheday,aboutablockupwithabookunderherarm.

Martha'sbookwasaromance,andsheclutchedittightly.ShelookeddownthestreetandsawEvan

graspingthelamppost.Shethought:EvanhashispostandhisbottleandIhavemybookandmy
daydreams,andwehavenothingelse.Wearequiteapairoflosers.

Itwasathoughtthatcametoherabruptly,andnotonesheeverconsciouslyadmittedharboring---that

shewasnolessaloserthanthetowndrunk.Shehadherbooks,butshehadnolifeoutsideofthem.
Shereadofmenandwomeninlove,ofexoticplaces,butshehadnoromanceofherownandthemost
exoticplaceshehadeverseenhadbeenphotographsofBorneoinageographybook.

Herlifewasawalktoworkandthedustfrombooks,adiveintoaromancenovellateatnight---adive

deepandfarawayfromthedrab,silentwallsofherlittleduplexwithitsplastic-coveredfurniture,asif
sheneededcoversforfurniturethatwassorarelysaton.

Once,amanhadbeensentbythelandlordtofixherwaterheater,andshehadinvitedhiminand

fixedhimcoffeeandsatbesidehimandshownhimatravelmagazineandhadtalkedfoolishlyabouta
resortinGreeceshehadreadabout.Hehadbeenpolite,butshecouldtellhewantedtobeanywhere
elsebutwithher;butshecouldn'tstoptalking,flippingthepagesandshowinghimthepictures,and
prettysoonshewasdrippingtearsonthemagazine,andoutoftheclearblue,asifstruckbyadark,
nostalgicthunderbolt,shetoldhimaboutwhenshewasagirl,abouthowherfatherdiedofastroke
whenshewasonlyfiveandhowhermotherhadbelievedthatchildrearingwasascientificexperiment
whereifyoumust---must---kissyourchildgoodnight,youshoulddoitlightlyandbrieflyonthe
cheek.Hugswerenotpermitted.

Whentheworkmanleftshesatonthecouchandcurledupinafetalpositionandcriedsoviolently

herribcageached,andnowwhenshesawtheworkmanfromtimetotimeonthestreet,healways
lookedawayorup,asifspottingararebirdonthewing,someremarkablesighthecouldnotpullhis
eyefromuntilhehadpassedherby.

Herthoughtsweredilutedbythemusic,andsheturnedandlookedforitssourcebycouldn'tlocateit.

Itseemedtobecomingfromalldirections,andfromnodirectionatall,sometimesdistant,asifheard
throughstretched-wire-and-tin-canphones,sometimesclose,asifitsoriginwasinherhead:arocking
littlemelodybouncingagainstthechattelofhermemories.

Shedecidedthemusicmustbedriftingfromsomebuildingnearby,echoingdownthestreet.She

glancedatEvanagainandhesmiledather.Afterherfeelingsofloneliness,shefeltsheshouldbemore
sympathetictopoorEvan,butshefoundshecouldnot.Alongwithherstiffupbringingshehadalso
beentaughtthecastesystem,onewheresheandherfamilywereplacedmorallyandemotionallyhead
andshouldersabovemost,andthetrainingdiedhard.Shelookedaway,checkedintheotherdirection.
Acoolwindcameupandbunchedherdressaroundherlegs,carriedacandywrapperdownthestreet.
Thewindpassedonasquicklyasithadcomeup,andMarthasteppedoffthecurb.

Andthat'swhenthelightscameon.

Thelightsswelledoutofthedarkatthefarendofthestreet.Twoofthem.Spacedsidebyside,

maybesixfeetapart.Theywereatfirstlikethebeamsofdistantlighthousescuttingthroughathick-as-
pea-soupfog;thentheybecamebrighter,likeenormoussunsburningagainsttheblacknessofspace.

Themusicwascomingfromthedirectionofthelights.Marthaknewthatnow.Itwasasifherears

hadsuddenlysharpened.Andthelightswereheadlights.Shecouldn'tseethecarbehindthem,but
instinctivelysheknewwhattheywere,thoughtheywerebrighterthananyheadlightsshehadeverseen,
highbeamorotherwise.Ifshehadanydoubtsabouttheoriginofthelights,theyweredispelledwhen
sheheardthehumofthemotor,softandhypnotic.

Thelightsleaptandthepurroftheenginebecameagrowl,andMartha,twostepsoffthecurb,knew

shewasintrouble.Thecurbbehindherseemedfaraway,andthecurbbeforehersomewhereoverthe
rainbow.

ThelightsswelledandthrewMartha'sshadowdownthestreet,acrossthelamppostwhereEvan

dangledlikeaplasticmonkeyonasoft-drinkstraw.

Marthatriedtoturnandscramblebacktothecurb,butsuddenlyshewasspinning,legssplayed,likea

ballerinamakingadifficultleapandwhirl.

Shecamedownhardonthewindshield,herlefteyepressedagainsttheglass.Shecoulddimlysee

insidethecar,andwhatshesawbroughtascreamtoherthroat.Sheattemptedtoletitout,butit
wouldn'tcome.Shedidn'thavethewindforit;itlodgedinsideherlikeafrightenedcritterinaburrow.

Finallyshesqueakedandwentsilent.
Adarkswathofbloodfilmedherlefteye.Thecarreversedandsheslidoffofit.Itcameforward

again,fast,hot,andfurious,minusgreatgapsintimeandspace,andoncemoreshewashit.Shewent
low,skimmingoverthestreetthistime,andthoughtheeventswereaccelerated,herbrainslowedthem
toacrawl.

Shehitthestreet,fish-floppedandrolled,thenlaystunnedandbleeding.ShecouldhearEvan

screaminginterrorinthebackground,thensheheardtheengine,loudandterrible,thentheheadlights
sprangtowardheragain.

Inthequickinstantbeforeitwasallover,shesawfiretreadsfullofdirtandpebblesandabottlecap,

thenhermouthwasfullofrubberandthetastewassurprisinglysalty;herheadfeltasifitwerea
ballooninthehandsofacruelchildpressingitfromallsides.Thenshethoughtnomoreasskull
shrapnel,brains,fleshandblood,andescapingdreamsmushroomedintoawetbombthatsplatteredin
alldirections,andthegreatshadowthatwashers,lyingbesideheronthestreetlikesomethingspilled,
shottowardtheheadlightbeamsandfractured,andtheheadlightspulledinthefracturedshadowand
darknesswhirledoncearoundthemlikefouledwaterswirlinginagutter.Thentherewasnoshadowat
all,justthebrighthotlightsandthegrowloftheengineandthesour-sweetsmellofexhaust.

Evanhadascreaminhisthroat,andunlikeMartha's,itfoundrelease,andwhenitdid,itcameout

longandloudandwouldnotcease.Achoirboywouldhavecoveteditshighrange.

AblackThunderbirdhadhitMarthaandkilledher,andwasspinningbloodydoughnutsonwhatwas

leftofherbody.

TheThunderbirdstoppedabruptly,asifithadexhaustedalljoy,itsnosepointedslightlyaskewofthe

street,itsleftheadlightdead-solidperfectonthepoletowhichEvan,nowsoberasaBaptistpreacher,
clung.

Evanknewwhatwascoming,andhestartedupthepolelikeafrenziedsquirrel.Hewasonlyafew

feetupwhentheThunderbirdwasthere.Ithitthepoleandthepolewhippedback,andEvanwentback
withitandletgo.Hewascatapultedagainstabuildingandintotheindentionofarecessedbutclosed

doorway.

Hesatup,backagainstthedoor,legsjuttingstraightontothesidewalkbeneaththefrontofthecar,its

motorthrobbingpleasantly,aheadlightoneithersideofhim,shinygrillworkinhisface,closeenough
tokiss.Hewasinsanelyremindedofagirlhehadoncelovedwhoworebraces.

Withascreech,thecarjettedbackwards,hitthepoleagain,knockeditflat,twistedsuddenly,asif

madeofrubber,acquiredthestreet.

Aheartbeatandthecarcameagain,anglingthistimesothatitgainedthesidewalk,righttiresinthe

street,leftonthesidewalk.Itsdoorhandlesandhubcapsscrapedthebuildingwall,tossedupbrick
dust.

ThelefttireswentoverEvan'slegs,andthecarwheeledbackintothestreet,spinningsothatitwas

facinghimagain.Ithadhappenedsofasthehadn'thadtimetorecoilhislegsorunderstandwhatwas
happening.Hewasbeyondpain.

Helookeddowntoseethatfromkneetoshinhislegswereflat.Hisuntouchedanklesandfeetin

shoeslookedbloatedandridiculous,likeheavyweightsattheendsofadroopingwaxsculpture.

Heliftedhishead,heavyasabowlingballnow,justintimetoseetheThunderbird'sbumpercoming

forhim,smashingthebricksoneithersideofhim,drivinghimbackwardsintothedoorway,thewood
ofthedoorcrackingalmostasloudasthebonesinhischest.

Withashriekoftires,theThunderbirdbacked,wheeled,zoomeddownthestreet,returnedto

darkness,radioblaringtheStrayCats'"HotRodGang."

AninstantlaterthedriftingnotesofthesongcouldbeheardontheoutskirtsofColdShepherd,

followedbythesoundofhappyhornhonking---abullybellowingtriumph.

ThenthehornwentsilentandtherewasonlythefaintnoiseofEvan'sblooddrippingofftheshattered

doorwayontothesidewalk.

6

8:30P.M.

JackwasmostlycalledtheIndianKid,whichwasonlyhalfright,becausehewasonlyhalfIndian.

Hedidn'tknowthewhitehalfthathadhelpedcreatehim;thescroundelhadsplitthescenebeforehe
wasborn,andhismother---aManowack---hadgonebelly-upfromanalcohol-riddledliverbeforeJack
hadthechancetolearnthedifferencebetweenbreastmilkandone-hundred-proofwhiskey.Hismother
hadthoughtawhitemancouldgetheroffthereservationandoutofthatlifeoftinshacksandsagged-
at-the-axletraveltrailers.

Butthathadn'tbeenthecase.ThewhitemanhadhelpedmakeJack,butafterthathefoundpressing

matterselsewhere.Jackendedupbeingraisedbyhisuncles,stayingwithone,thenanother,butnoneof
themcouldgivehimthetimeandtheattentionheneeded.Theywereelderly,withbitternesstonurse
andliversoftheirowntopoison.Hemostlyraisedhimself.

Now,justturningeighteen,hehadbecomecomplacent,ifnotcomfortable,withthefactthathehad

seenaboutasgoodashehadtolookforwardto;hecouldonlyhopethingsdidn'tgetanyworse.

HewaswalkingdownMainStreet,thinkingallthis,handsinpockets,headslightlyhung,defyingany

traffictocomealongandmakehimmove,whenhethoughthesawadeaddeerintheroad---adeerthat
hadbeenrunsmack-daboverinthemiddleofthestreet.

Heraisedhisheadforabetterlook.Thedeerwaswearingclothesandtheclotheswerewomen's

clothes,andsomehowthatstruckhimasfunny---adeaddeerinawoman'sclothes.

Butitwasn'tfunnylong,becausethedeerhadfingers---humanfingers.Therewasanarmstickingout

ofoneofthesleeves,andthehandwasopen,palmup,flattenedlikeasausagepatty,andtherewere
fingersjuttingoutofthepattyandtheyhadpink-paintednails.

Jackstumbledtothesideofthestreet,nolongerwillingtodefytraffic,nolongerevenwantingto

pretendthatwashisaim.

Itwasn'tanybetteronthesidewalk.Overthere,blendedinwithsmashedbricksandashattered

woodendoor,wasanothermess.

Jackbrokeintoarunforthesheriff'soffice.

8:40P.M.

JackfoundDeputyHerkemerandHerkemercalledthechiefofthevolunteerfiredepartment,who

alsooperatedColdShepherd'sone-carambulanceservice,andtoldhimtohustleupsomemenandget
onovertoMain.HeleftJackattheofficenursingacolddrinkandabagofporkrinds,droveoverto
theShepherdHouse,butfoundPaleBoyhadnotarrivedonschedule.

ThisupsetHerkemertonoend.Hefearedhewouldhavetogoovertothesitebyhimself,andto

date,theworsthighwayaccidenthe'dseenwasacoyotethathadwanderedoutofthewoodsandinto
thepathofasemihighballingtowardGotham.

Ifhehadtoseebadbusiness,humanslaughter,hewantedsomeonewithhim,someonewhohadtobe

moreresponsiblethanhe.SomeonelikePaleBoy.

ButPaleBoywasn'tthere,andjustwhenHerkemerfeltfatehadhimelected,andhisstomachhad

beguntoboilinresponsetotheinevitable,thesheriffwalkedintothebar.Herkemer'sstomachceased
toroll,wenttoaslowsimmer.HecollectedPaleBoyandgavehimthescoopwhilehewheeledthem
onovertoMain.

9:05P.M.

WhenPaleBoygotoutofthecar,hesawtheambulanceparkedatthecurb,theoneoldfireenginethe

townownedparkedacrossoneendofthestreet.Afewpale-facedonlookershadgathered.The
volunteerfiredepartment---onlythreehadshownup---hadobviouslyseennothingsogrimbefore.
Theyweresittingonthecurbneartheambulancetakingshallowbreaths.Anemptystretcherlayonthe
sidewalkbehindthem.Theywerelookingawayfromthebodies,andwhenPaleBoysawthebodies,he
feltthesameway.

Theworldsloweddownanditseemedasifhissensesheightened;theexpanseofhisvisionwasmore

completeandcolorswerebrighterandricherandthesoundofthewindwasloudandhisnostrilsflared
withthestenchofdeath.

CatherineMeadowswasthere,too,slightlypudgy,wearingbrowncoveralls,herlonggrayhairtied

backattheneck,herfacelookingtenyearsyoungerthanherfifty-threeyears.Shewasoneoffour
doctorsintown,andgenerallyconsideredtobethebest.SheservedinalimitedcapacityasCold
Shepherd'scoroner.WhenPaleBoyappliedforthejobofSheriffinColdShepherd,shehadbeenthe
onetogivehimhisphysicalandmentalexamination.Shehadbecomesomethingofafriend.

PaleBoyreasonedshehadheardaboutthehit-and-run---foritwasratherobvioustohimthat'swhat

hewaslookingat---onherscanner.FormerlyofGothamCity,shehadworkedinhospitalsbothonthe
medicalsideandthepsychiatricside(shehadnotablecredentialsforboth),aswellasforthecoroner's
office.Shehadseenenoughgrimnessformultiplelifetimes.Gangfightswheretheactionhadbeenhot
andbrutal,theremainsofthevictimshadlookedlikenothinglessthantheendresultsofaredpaint
explosion.Mistreatedchildren.Batteredwivesandgut-shotthugs,throat-slitpedestrians,gangland
murdersperformedwithLouisvilleSluggersandplumbingpipe.

PaleBoyassumedtherewasmoretoherleavingGothamthanshewaswillingtoadmit,butsheonce

toldhimthatseeingallshehadseenwaswhysheleftthecitywhensheturnedfifty.Shewantedtoget
awayfromthereallybadstuff,goonovertolittleColdShepherdandgrowagarden,treatafew
coughs,tellsomefolkstoturntheirheadsandcough,andifshehadto,lookatadeadbodyonceina
while.

Nowhereshewas,lookingattwodeadbodiesasbadasanythingshemighthaveseeninGotham.
PaleBoyleftHerkemerstandingnervouslybythecar,walkedovertoCatherine,slowly.
Thepacingdidn'thelp.Acoolsweatcollectedonhisforehead.Hefocusedhisattentionon

Catherine.Herfaceshowednosignshewasbothered.Sheseemedprofessionalandverycollected.
Shewaskneelingbythebodyinthestreet,writingrapidlyinshorthandinalittlenotebook.

"Catherine,"PaleBoysaid.
Shelookedathimandbobbedherchin.
"Noaccident,"hesaid.
Catherineturnedbacktolookatthebody."Thiswasdoneforfun."
PaleBoyfelttheoldcreasealonghisscalpthrob,asifsomeonewereintheretryingtochiselhisway

out."Anyideawhoitis?"

Catherinepulledapairofplasticglovesfromherbackpocket,slippedthemon,andpokedatthe

open,blood-splatteredromancenovellyingamidthemess;itlookedlikesomesortofexoticbirdshot
downforsport.Sheremovedfrombeneathitawetpurse.Shesnappeditopen,reachedinside,took
outawallet,flippeditopentothedriver'slicensephotograph---MarthaLynnPeel'sphotograph.She
heldthewalletinPaleBoy'sdirection.Hedidn'ttakeit.Hesaid,"Okay."

Catherineclosedthewallet,returnedittothepurse,snappeditshut,laiditdowncarefully.
PaleBoyglancedatthebodyonthesidewalkwedgedagainstabrokendoor.Itwasawreck,butnot

aswreckedastheoneathisfeet.Hesawimmediatelyitwashisfrequenttenant,EvanHill.

"AndEvan?"PaleBoyasked.
"Ourerstwhilerescueteamsayshe'sdead,"Catherinesaid.
Hereachedintohisshirtpocket,tookoutthetinofaspirinshehadstartedcarrying,openedit,chewed

threeofthemslowly,allowedtheirbittertangtokillthecopperytasteofbloodonthetipofhistongue.

Catherinelookedup,watchedhimreturnthetintohispocket,said,"Bad?"
PaleBoyshookhishead."Ascomparedtothis,notsobad."
"Iguessnot.Betterhavethesebodiesputonice.There'llbeautopsies.We'regoingtoneedsome

out-of-townpros,andweneedthebodiesingoodshape.Orrather,noworseshapethanthey'rein."

"Allright,"PaleBoysaid.
Catherinestood,wentovertoEvan'sbodyonthesidewalk.
PaleBoylookeddownatMartha'sbody,tookadeepbreath,andcalledtothevolunteers,"Loadthis

onefirst.Whenthey'rebothloaded,takethemovertothelockerplant.CallaheadandtellKravinto
openthemupforyou."

Oneofthemenonthecurbsaid,"Mr.Kravinmaynotlikethat,usputtingtheminthere."

"Idon'tcarewhathelikes,"PaleBoysaid."Tellhimmeat'smeat.I'mnotaskinghimtoprocessor

eatit,justkeepitawhile."

Thethreemenlookedatoneanother.TheonewhohadspokenbeforestoodupandstaredatPale

Boy,asiftoletitregisterthathecouldseethesheriffwasnotawhiteman,butaManowack.Hesaid,
"Remember,youmadeusdoit."

"I'llwriteitdown,"PaleBoysaid.
Theothertwostood,butdidn'tmoveinthedirectionofthebody.
"Well,"PaleBoysaid.
Thetwowhohadgottenuplastreluctantlytookholdofthestretcher,andthethreeofthemwentover

toMartha'sbody,studiedit,appearingnolessillthantheyhadappearedwhileseatedonthecurb.

"What'stopickup?"oneofthemsaid."What'sneededhereisahose."
"Dowhatyoucan,"PaleBoysaid.
That'swhenCatherinesaid,"Forgetthedeadone.Haulassonoverhere.Thisone'salive."

7

10:15P.M.

PaleBoyandHerkemerwenttotheofficeandmadeoutreports,thendroveovertothehospitaland

wentupstairstolookinonEvan.Hewassedatedandbandaged,lookedlikeanamputeeversionof
KingTutlyinginbed.Theystoodoverhimandwatched,asifsomegreatrevelationwouldbe
revealed.NowandthenEvanopenedhiseyesandrolledthemaroundandsawnothing,pursedhislips
andflutteredthem,madelittlemotorsoundsandanoiselikeacarhornhonking,said"Thunderbird,"
thenhe'dgosilentforawhile.

Dr.CatherineMeadowscameinandstoodbythemandlookedatEvan.Shewasoutofthecoveralls

andwasdressedinherusualsloppyattire:tennisshoes,oldpaint-staineddungarees,andaloose-fitting
Hawaiianshirtwitharedbackgroundandaspatteringofblueandgreenpalmtreesonit.

"Whenwillhebeabletotalkaboutwhathappened?"PaleBoyaskedCatherine.
Catherineshookherhead."Can'tsay.Shock'sgothimforawhile.He'slostalotofblood.DrugsI

gavehimwillhavehimoutofittoo.WemaytransferhimtoGotham,ifhissignsdon'tgetanybetter.
Allinall,I'dsayit'llbeawhilebeforewecanlethimoozebackintoreality,andwhenwedo,bethe's
gonnawanttogobacktodreamland."Shepaused."Andmaybenot.Whathappenedtohimtonight
mightbeworseinsidehishead.Hecankeepreplayingit.Least,outhereintheconsciousworld,it's
over."

"WhyMarthaandEvan?"Herkemersaid.
"That'syourjob,"Catherinesaid."Ijustpatch'emup."
TheyretiredtoCatherine'shospitalofficeandtookseats.Shelockedthedoor,openedherdesk

drawer,tookoutabottleofwhiskeyandthreepapercups.

"No,thanks,"PaleBoysaid."Nevertouchthestuff."
HerkemerlookedatPaleBoy."AmIonduty?"
"Notrightnow."

"Thenfillittothebrim,"Herkemersaid.Catherinedid,andHerkemersippedandfrownedand

smiledafterwards."Cutsthehair."

"Yeah,"Catherinesaid."Andgrowsitplacesyouneeditmost."Catherinegulpedherdrinkthree

times,pouredanother,stopped,andremovedabagoftobaccofromhershirtpocketandsomerolling
papers.Sherolledacigarettepreciselyandswiftlyandputitinhermouthbutdidn'tlightit."Idon't
smoke'em,Iroll'emupandlip'em.Laststepbeforequitting.Doctorlikeme,lungsI'veseenonX
rays,Igottoshakethehabit."

"Itellmyselfthattoo,"Herkemersaid."But..."Hegotoutacigaretteandpokeditinhismouthand

lititandsuckedindeep."I'mstillputtingfiretothem."

"Youknow,"Catherinesaid,rollinghercigarettetotheothersideofhermouth,"youboysoughtto

thinkaboutgivingthecitycouncilsomehell.Getthemtopushforafiredepartment,anofficialone
withanambulancebranch,operatedbyrealgrown-upswithbrainsandeverything.Thosevolunteer
bozosareaboutascompetentasknitprophylactics.They'rejustvolunteerssotheycanhavemeetings
nowandthenandgetdrunkwhiletheywearredfirehatsandwatchastagfilm,seesomenakedbimbo
tieherlegsinaknot.Realfirehappened,theywouldn'tthinktopissonit,letalonerolloutahose."

PaleBoylaughed."We'llgetafiredepartmentwhensomethingbelongstooneofthecouncil

membersburnsdown."

"Nowthere'sanidea,"saidCatherine,seemingtoconsiderit.
"Don'tdoitwhenI'mlooking,"PaleBoysaid.Hepulledthetinofaspirinsfromhispocket,opened

it,andchewedthreeofthem.

"Hasn'tbeenthatlongsinceyoutooksomeofthose,"Catherinesaid."You'rechewingthemtooclose

together,youknow?"

"Itellhimthesamethingallthetime,"Herkemersaid."Lastfewmonths,he'sbeenpoppingthose

thingslikecandy."

"Yeah,"PaleBoysaid,"butmyheadachehasn'treadabouttheprescribeddosage.Itdoesn'tseemto

carewhat'sproper."

"Thatoldwoundtheproblem?"Catherineasked.
"Couldbe.Anythingyoucantellusaboutthebodiesmighthelpdeterminewhodidthis?"
"Nope.Butmaybewe'lllearnsomethingtomorrowaftertheautopsy.I'vecalledinsomebigwigsin

Gothamwhospecializeinthiskindofthing,andI'mnoslouchmyself,sowemightfindaclue."

"Ialwaysfiguredclueswereformysterynovels,"Herkemersaid.
"Theyare,mostofthetime.Butlittlethingscanaddup.OnetimewhenIworkedforthecoroner's

officeinGotham,weprovedahit-and-runbecausethemurdererhishisvictimanddidn'tkillhim,and
whenthevictimtriedtorise,thekillerwentathimagain.Hithiminthechestwiththefrontofthecar.
Licensenumbergotimprintedinthevictim'sfleshinbigwelts.Weheldamirroruptohimandgotthe
numbersstraight,pulledtheguyinwhoownedthecar,andheconfessed.He'dkilledhimovera
footballbet,somethinglikethat."

Catherinepluckedthecigaretteinherlipsandtosseditinthetrashcanbesideherdesk."I'mdoing

better.Idon'tkeepitinmymouthsolong....PaleBoy,thatheadachekeepsup,yououghttocomein
andletmetakealookatyou."

"I'llkeepthatinmind."
Catherineliftedhercupanddisposedofherwhiskeywithasingletoss.Shemadeaface,swungher

tongueacrossherlipstoswathupsurvivors,waddedupthepapercupandtosseditinthetrashcan,and
said,"Well,boys,whatsaylet'sgohomeandhavebaddreams?"

8

10:59P.M.

ThenightwascoolandcrispforJuly,almostfallish,thepartialmoonasgoldasabanker'swatch.

PaleBoyandHerkemerstoodbythecarandlookedupatthemoonandthenoutatthequiettown.
Herkemersighedandopenedthecardoor.Beforehecouldslidebehindthewheel,PaleBoysaid,"I'll
walk.Maybesomefreshairwillhelpclearupthisheadache."

Herkemernodded."Allright.Me,I'mnotwalkinganywhere,notaftertonight."
"Yeah,well,I'msortofabelieverinodds.Twoinonenightoughttobeenoughtopleasefate."
"Igotnofaithinfate,"Herkemersaid."Seeyouinthemorning."
"Yeah."
HerkemerdroveawayandPaleBoybegantowalk.WhenhecametoMainStreet,heglancedatthe

spotswhereEvanandMarthahadbeenfound,sawthefiredepartmenthadhosedthestreetscleanof
blood.Therubberburnsontheconcretewerestillvisible,however,andtheconcreteonthesidewalk
wherethelampposthadstoodwasbrokenopenandpoucheduplikeasavageskineruption.

PaleBoythoughtofMartha'sbodydownatthelocketplant,wrappedinplasticandarcticcold,sides

ofbeefandporkhangingaroundherlikedecorations.Hetriedtosummonupherimagebefore
destruction,andmanaged,butitwasadimrecollection,andsomehowmorepainfulthanseemed
reasonableforapersonhehardlyknew.

Shehadbeenaquiet,almostmousywoman,andhecouldn'trememberifhehadeverspokentoher,

exceptperhapsincasualgreeting.Herememberedbestthewayshehadlookedthereinthestreet,far
morebrutalizedthananymeatatthelockerplant.

HethoughtofEvan,hisregularguestatthejail.Adrunk,butnotabadoldguy;nottoounlikealot

ofPaleBoy'sIndianrelativeswhohadfoundtheirlivesintolerableexceptforwhenthewhiskeytook
themawaytoamorepleasantplace.

Whenhecrossedthestreet,hewasmorecarefulthanusual,andhalfwayacrosshewasassailedbya

feelingofdread.Butnocarsleaptoutofthedarkandnomotorshummedinthedistance.Bythetime
hereachedthesidewalkontheotherside,hisforeheadwasbeadedwithsweat.Hemovedbetweentwo
darkbuildings,downadarkeralley,andthenthemoonlightoverheadwentawayandashadowglided
acrosshispathandturnedtheblacknessblacker.PaleBoylookedupandsawthesourceoftheshadow
driftingoverthetopofoneofthebuildings,andevenataglance,asitfloatedoutofsightandthe
moonlightcameback,heknewitwasanowl.OneoftheancientManowacktotemspirits.

Andastheshadowpassedfromview,hefoundhimselfdreamingawake---adreamofayoungboy

hangingbywhatappearedtobearope,hangingindarkness,thebodygonepurplelikeanoverripe
grapeabouttofalloffthevine.

Thedreamfadedasinstantlyasithadcome,leavinghisheadwithagreaterache.Hetriedtorecall

somethingthatmighthavetriggeredthewakingdream,butcouldnot.Unlessitwastheowl,andhe
couldn'tcalculatehowtheowlcouldhavetriggeredanythingotherthanmemoriesoftheoldways,
superstitionsliketheOwlGod,theuglinessofthereservation.Andthosewerenotmemorieshe
purposelydealtwith.

Still,therewassomethingimmediateaboutwhathismind'seyehadrevealed,buttheimmediacy

faded.Themorehetriedtorecallthevision,putsomemeaningbehindit,themorehisheadhurt,sohe
gaveitup,walkedon,tryingtoconcentrateonsomethingmorepleasantandunderstandable.

HomeandAngie,hiswhitewoman.
Whitewoman.
That'swhathethoughtashewalked,anditembarrassedhim.Itwasaprimitiveandchildishthought,

andheknewit,butthereseemedabsolutelynothinghecoulddoaboutit.Itwouldsurfaceinhis
subconsciousfromtimetotimelikeashark(agreatwhite?)risingforfloatingchum,andthenhewould
knockitback,asifhewereafishermanbattingitwithaheavyboatpaddle,butassoonasherelaxed
hisguard,upitwouldcomeagain,mouthwideopenandhungry.

Whitewoman.
Angiehadmuchtorecommendherasaperson,butheknewinhisheartitalwayscamedowntothat.

Therewasnodenyingit.Itwasthemajorthingthathadattractedhimtoher.Shewasblond,fair-
skinned,blue-eyed,andwhite.Whitewomenhadalwaysbeenhisfailing,andonce,onehadbeen
Abner's.

Ablond-eyedbeautyofananthropologistoutfromGotham,cometostudytheManowack---maybeto

figureoutiftheygotgoodtelevisionreceptionorsomething---hadtrappedAbner'sheartasexpertlyas
Abnercouldtraprabbits.Butlikeahunterwhotakesoneofhiscatchesasapetandeventuallytiresof
itandletsitgo,sheletAbnergo.Itmadehimhatethewhitesmore.

PaleBoy,ontheotherhand,feltquitedifferentlyonthematter,andhavingabandonedthe

Manowacks,founditonlyfittingtohavehimselfawhitewoman.Itwasanotherstepawayfromthe
reservation,intowhitesocietyandrespect.

"UncleTomahawk"---that'swhatAbnerwouldcallhim.Andhewouldnotbewrong.Notatall.But

inPaleBoy'smind,itbeatbeingaragged-assIndian.

11:16P.M.

AngieansweredthedoorwearingjeansandaT-shirtspatteredwithredpaint.TheredpaintsentPale

Boy'smindwhirlingbacktoMainStreet,wheretheredhewaslookingathadnotbeenpaint.Heput
thatoutofhismindbystudyingAngie,asurecureformostofwhatailedhim.Hercurlyblondhair
wastiedbackfromherattractive,pink-cheekedfacewithablackribbonandshewasbarefoot.Herfeet
hadredpaintsprinkledonthem.Sheheldthepaintbrushcockedinherrighthandasifsheplannedto
slapPaleBoywithit.Shewasn'tsmiling,buttherewashumoronherface."Abouttimeyoushowed
up,Tonto."

PaleBoydidn'tliketheIndianjokesatall,didn'tliketoberemindedconstantlyofhisIndianheritage,

butheneverleton,andinordertoconvincehimselfitdidn'tmatter,healwaysplayedback."You're
stillup?"

"Veryobservant."
"Andyou'reonthewarpath?"There,he'ddoneit.He'dmadeanIndianjoke.
"Yep."
"Well,sweetheart,wayitworksisyoupaintyourface,notyourfeet.I'veseencowboyandIndian

movies,andthat'sthewaytheIndiansdoitwhenthey'reonthewarpath.Theypainttheirfaces."

"I'msureIhavepaintonboth,thankyou."Sheleanedforwardandkissedhimlightlyonthelips.

"Getyoursorryselfinside."

HesteppedinsideandtossedhisStetsononthecouch."Thiswarpathyou'reongotanythingtodo

withme?"

Sheledthewaytothekitchen."Some,"shesaid,"Youhavelousyhours.You'vebeenspendingmore

andmoretimeawayfromhomelately."

"Work,"hesaid.
"Yeah,andwhat'shername?"
Hethought,TonighthernameisMartha,butsaid,"LadyFate."
"Atip,Tonto.Yougottohavegoodliesready,youwanttopleaseme.Andthatone,itwasn'tso

good."

"Areyoureallyhacked?Thatwhyyou'vegotmestandinginthedoorway?"
Shegrinnedandsteppedaside."Yeah,I'mhacked,buttherealreasonisthiskitchen."
Steppingintothekitchen,PaleBoysawimmediatelywhatshemeant.Shehadbeenliveningupthe

countersandcabinetswithredandbluepaint,aplanthatstruckhimpoorly.Earlymorningshedidn't
liketheideaofbeingassaultedbyprimarycolors.Helikeditmildandcalmandtanorbeige,butthen
again,Angiesawthisasstodgy.But,colordisagreementsornot,thefactremained:Angiewasalousy
painter---atleastinthenormalsenseoftheword---andtherewasthewryrub.Shewas,byprofession,
anartist,andabrilliantone.Hersculpturesandpaintingshunginmuseumsandgalleriesthroughout
theUnitedStates.Sheoftenhadone-womanshowsinGotham.Oncanvasherhandwassureand
inspired.Sadnessandpassion,loveandlonelinesscameoutofherfingertipsthen,wentrightintothe
paintandcoiledtherelikealivingthing.Butanysortofdomesticchoreescapedher.Itwasasifher
handsturnedtosaladtongsthen.Shecouldn'tpaintastraightline,couldn'tkeepthepainteven,her
mindwandered.

"Youneedtopaintonedirection,"hetoldher,"Noteverywhichway."
"There'snoimaginationinthissortofthing,"shesaid.
"Youneedtokeepthepainteven.Andyouneedmorenewspaperdown.You'regettingitonthe

floor."

ShehandedPaleBoythebrush."Thereyouare,"shesaid.
"Hey,youknow,thisreallylooksgreat.Ilikethevariationincolor,thebroadstrokesinall

directions."

"Toolateforflattery.Missedyourchance.Gettowork."
"Yes,dear.Butyouhavetogetmesomemorenewspaperandbringmeabeer."
"Iguessgettingoutofthisjobisworththat."
Shewenttotherefrigeratorandopeneditandgotoutacanofbeer,poppedthetop.PaleBoytook

thebeer,sipped."Youcouldhaveleftthingsthewaytheywere,"PaleBoysaid."Theoldkitchenwas
alotcalmer."

"Toocalm."
"Butlookatthemessyougotinto."
"Iknewyou'dcomehomeandsaveme,thoughIexpectedyoualotearlier.Badnight?"
"I'llsay."PaleBoytookanotherswigofbeer,setitonthecounter,walkedovertothepaintcan,and

scrapedthebrushalongtheedgeofit.Thepaintglobbedoutofitandwentintothecan.

"Wanttotalkaboutit?"
"Guessso."
Hegotdownonhishandsandknees,setthebeerbythepaintcan,tookthebrushandbegantowalk

slowly,carefullyontheedgeofthecounter,straighteningupathinswipeofredthatlookedasif
someonewoundedanddyinghadslidagainstit.

Hebegantotalk.HetoldAngieeverythinghehadseen,allthatheknew.

"MyGod,"Angiesaid."HereinColdShepherd.I'veneverknownanythinglikethattohappen."
"Meeither,"PaleBoysaid."Theyalwayssaymoregoesoninsmalltownsthanmostsuspect,buton

thewholeIhaven'tfoundthattrueofColdShepherd.Ihopethisdoesn'topenthegate."

"Thegate?"
"Anexpressionforlettinginthebadthings,"PaleBoysaid,regrettingthathehadrememberedoneof

hisgrandfather'sexpressions,andhadthereforeshownhimselfnotimmunetothesuperstitionsofhis
pastafterall."Duringtheearlysixtiesthingsweren'tjustpeachy,neverhavebeen,buttheywere
innocenttimesuntilJohnKennedywasassassinated.Afterthat,itwaslikethegatehadbeenthrown
openandarampagingmurderinghordehadcomethrough.Oneassassination,murder,serialkillerafter
another.ThingIlikedaboutthistownwasitseemedprettyfreefromeventhefaintesthintofthatsort
ofthing,thecrazinessofGotham,thedownrightdrudgeryofthereservation.Iwaswrong."

"LikeIsaid,itsurprisesme,butitdoesn'tmeananymorethanwhatitmeans,"Angiesaid."Ahit-

and-run.Bad...horrible.Butbadthingsaregoingtohappennowandthen,anywhere.EvenCold
Shepherd.Let'sjusthopethat'sourquotaofbadnessforawhileandthatyoufindwhoeverdidthisand
lockthemup."

"Let'shope."
"You'resquinting.Stillhavingheadaches?"
"Yeah,some.Whathappenedtonightdidn'thelpany."
"YoushouldseeCatherineaboutit.Getacheckup."
"Iwill."
"Promise?"
"Sure."
"Good.I'llgetthatnewspaper."
ShewentawayandhetookthreemoreaspirinsandhadjustputthetinawaywhenAngiecameback

withabundleofpaper.

WhileAngiewatched,hearrangedthenewspapersaroundthekitchenfloorandputhismindoffthe

eventsofthenightandconcentratedonhispainting.Afterawhiletheredpaintwasjustredpaintand
themotionsofthejobworkedasortofphysicalhypnotism.Hisheadachewentawayandhedidn't
noticewhenAngielefttheroom.

Sometimelater,shecalledtohimfromthebackofthehouse."Canyoucomehere?"
"Inamoment."
Hepausedandlookedathiswork.Notbad.Hecouldcleanupandstopforthenight.Tomorrowhe

wouldpaintthetrimblue,havethewholegarishjoboutoftheway.Heexaminedhimself.Hedidn't
evenhaveaspatteronhisuniform,hisrevolver,orhisboots.Hehadn'tlosthishandymantouch.

Hescrapedthebrushcleanontheedgeofthepaintcanandputitinthecanofcleanerandstartedto

rise,buthiseyecaughtsomethingononeofthepaint-specklednewspapers.ItwasaGothamGazette
anditwasanarticleaboutahit-and-runinGotham.Hebentandreadit.

Theeventhadbeensostrangeandbrutal,ithadmadefrontpage,andtheBatmanhadbeen

mentioned.Hehadn'tactuallybeeninvolved,buthehadcaughtayoungboywhohadtakenalegfrom
oneofthevictims.

Aleg?
PaleBoywasonceagainremindedofhisgrandfather'sgate,theonethatletinthebadthings.
Itstruckhimaspeculiar.Ahit-and-runinGotham,andherehewasinvestigatingthesamesortof

crime.Itseemedtoocoincidental.

Heroseandwenttotheback,intoAngie'sstudio,wherethesmellofpaintwasasstrongasablow

fromabaseballbat.

Angiewasstandingunderthelightlookingatthepaintingonhereasel.Thelightwasasinglenaked

bulbdanglingdownonawire,andhecouldn'tunderstandwhyshedidn'tlightherworkbetter.She
claimeditgavehertherightshadowinwhichtoviewherworkthewayshewanteditviewed,thatshe
paintedaccordingly.Aneccentricity,likethemirrorsshekeptonthewallandsometimesusedtolook
atherpaintings,insteadofexaminingthemstraighton.

Shewasholdingasmallbrushinherhand,anditwasdrippingpaintontothealreadymuch-spattered

stonefloor.NewcolorshadmixedwiththeredonherT-shirt,andnowherfacewassplotchedandher
hairhadcomeundoneandwasdanglingacrossherforehead,overherears,alargestrandstucktoher
cheekwithsweat.PaleBoythoughtshelookedbeautiful.

"Whatdoyouthink?"sheasked.
Heexaminedthepainting.
"Nice,"hesaid,butdidn'tentirelymeanit.Itwasapyramidofcars.Theywerestackedhighandit

wasnightandthemoonlightwasshiningthroughthewindshieldsandthelightlookedsorichand
goldenitwashardtobelievetheeffecthadbeenaccomplishedbypaintalone;thelightappearedtobe
comingfromamoondifferentfromtheoneheknew,amoonofthenetherworld.

Thecarswerebuiltupwithlayersofpaintandtheystoodoutfromthecanvasinhard,crustyrust

colors.TheylookedancientandGothicandfullofsin,theheadlightslikeeyes,theroofsandhoods
liketheshellsofhugebeetles.Itwasasiftheold,badgodshadsettledintothemetalbonesofthecars
andgiventhemaquiet,darklifeandweremerelybidingtheirtimeuntiltheywouldanimatethe
machinesandbringthemdownfromthestacktoroarandrumbleabout,thebeamsoftheirbroken
headlightssharpasglass.

Itwasadisconcertingpainting,madeallthemoredisconcertingbythefactthatPaleBoyrecognized

thescene.

Itwasn'tjustapyramidofcars.ItwasanightmarishversionofthePyramidofCarsthatwasthe

trademarkforthereservationjunkyardthathadoncebeenownedbyhisoldman,BillyHands.

StrangenesswashedoverPaleBoy.Angieknew,ofcourse,thathehadbeenbornandraisedonthe

reservation,buthehadnevermentionedhisfatherhadownedthefamousPyramidofCarsjunkyard,or
thatnowhisbrotherAbnerownedit.Orheassumedhestillownedit,ashehimselfhadrelinquishedall
claimtoit,thereforemakingAbnerthenextinlinetoreceiveit.

Butthemorehethoughtaboutthepainting,thelessstrangehefelt.Itwasn'tsocoincidentalafterall,

orsohetoldhimself.Thepyramidhadbecomeafamouslandmarkintheseparts.Itwasvisiblefrom
theroadandAngiehadseenit,asanyonewhopassedbythereservationontheirwaytoColdShepherd
orGothammightseeit,andnowshewaspaintingitfrommemory,addingherowndarkandinspired
touches.

Still,withwhathadhappenedtonight,thehit-and-run,theblood-redpaint,thearticleintheGotham

Gazette,thestrangewakingdreamofaboyhanging,andnowthepainting,itgavehimthecreeps.Too
muchcongruence.Itmadetheoldheadwoundhurtagain.Itmadehimrememberwhathisgrandfather,
JeromeHorseHandler,hadtaughthimandhisbrother.Alessonhehadtriedtoforget,alongwithmost
ofhisIndianlessons---lessonsthathenowthoughtpaganandsilly,lessonsthatgavetoomuchpowerto
coincidence.Onelessonwent,"Neverignoreacollectionofsigns.TheOldOnesaretryingtotellyou
something."

Butevenashedismissedthesethings,herememberedanother.Theowlhehadseeninthealley.He

recalledhehadbeentaughttofearitsmoonlitshadow,foritrepresentedtheOwlGod,andinitsfleeting
darknesswassupposedlyhousedtheveryessenceofmortality,andtobetouchedbyitwastobe

touchedbythehandofdeath.

9

1:00A.M.

PaleBoylaybesideAngie,tryingtowillhimselftosleep,butitwasuseless.Hehaddriftedofffora

while,buthisheadhadsoonfilledwiththevisionofthehangingboy,andthistimethedreamwasin
betterfocus.Theboy'snoosewasnotarope,butatwistofcoloredautomotivewiring.Hecouldsee
theboy'sfaceinthedream,anditwasshadedwithshadow,butsomehowfamiliar,familiarlikea
melodyheardlongagoandfaintlyremembered,oneyoucannolongerputanameto.

Thenheawoke,feelingfearfulandconfused.Thedreamwasgone,butnow,awake,hekept

rememberingMarthaandEvanandthemultiplestrangenessoftheday.Toworsenmatters,hishead
hurt.

Hewasalmostdelightedwhenthephonerang.
Angiemadeanoiselikesomeoneeatingpaper,andPaleBoyrolledquicklyfrombeneaththecovers

andpaddedintothelivingroomtograbthephoneonthethirdring.ItwasCatherineMeadows.

"Knowit'slate,butIfiguredyoucouldn'tgorighttobedafterwhatwesawtonight,"shesaid."God

knowsIcouldn'tsleep---Damn,IforgotaboutAngie."

"It'sallright.Shedidn'twakeupandIcouldn'tsleepanyway."
"IjustwantedtotellyouEvanhasgonefrombadtoworse,andI'mhavinghimmovedbyambulance

toGothamMemorial.Ithoughtyou'dwanttoknow."

"Thanks,Catherine."
"You'rewelcome,andgoodnight."
Hehungup,wenttothekitchenanddrankaglassofmilk,thenreturnedtothelivingroom.He

turnedontheendtablelight,pluckedoneofthebooksfromtheshelf,satonthecouch,andtriedto
read.

Normallythatwouldhavebeenthething.Books,evenbadones,restedhissoul.Henotonly

delightedinhisabilitytoconsumewordslikecandy,buttheveryactofreadingmadehimsecure.It
remindedhimthathehadpulledhimselfupbyhisbootstraps,andhewasproudofthat.Hehadcome
fromanilliteratefamily,andhehadbarelylearnedtoreadandwriteatthereservationschool,and
neitherhisfatherorhismother(inthelittletimeheknewher)tookanyinterestinbooksortheir
contents.Butwhenheenteredthearmyyearslaterandsawthatthemoreeducatedamanwasthefaster
hemaderank,hewenttoworkonimprovinghimself.Gotalittlehelpfromareadingtutoronbase,
thensethimselfthetaskofconsumingmorebooks,learningeverythinghecouldfromthen,foundit
wasn'tonlybeneficial,itwasalsointerestingandfun.

Turnedoutitdidn'thelphisarmycareer,sinceitwasshortenedbythatdrunk'shittinghimonthe

head,butthequalityofhislifewentupseveralnotchesbecauseofit,andhehadneverstoppedreading.
EverythingfromPoetoMelvilletoJohnCleevertoRobertF.Jones,thephilosophersandhistorians.

Buttonightthewordsweresymbolswithoutanymeaninghecoulddecipher.Hewouldhavehadas

muchlucktryingtoreadavolumewritteninSanskrit.

Returningthebooktotheshelf,heswitchedonthetelevisionandattemptedtowatchanoldblackand

whitemovie.Buthecouldn'tkeephismindonit,andhisthoughtskeptdriftingtowhathehadseenin
thestreetearlier,totheowl'sshadowfloatingoverhishead,andtoAngie'spainting.

Heturnedoffthetelevision,wentintoAngie'sstudy,pulledthestringthatswitchedonthelight,

examinedthepaintingandfeltachillmovingfromthebackofhisheelsuptohisneck.

HewasuncertainwhyapaintingofsuchafamiliarplaceasthePyramidofCarsshouldhavethis

effectonhim.Itmadeabsolutelynosense.Hisfatherhadbuiltthepyramidhimselfwithacraneanda
weldingtorch.Hehadthoughtitwouldbegreatadvertisementforhisjunkyard,asitcouldbeseen
fromtheroadandwouldbemoreinterestingthanjustabunchofguttedandrustedcarsparkedat
randominthelargelotbytheroad.TheoldmansometimesreferredtothePyramidofCarsashis
personaltepee,thoughtheManowackshadneverlivedinthattypeofstructure,andPaleBoy'sfather
knewit.

PaleBoyrememberedwhenhewaseight,awakeningmorningsinthebedhesharedwithhisolder

brother,andlookingoutoftheircrackedandtapedbedroomwindowglassandseeing,atthefaredgeof
thecarlot,thebackofthepyramid.Itseemedstrangeintheearlymorningsunlight.Thedew
glisteningonitasifphosphorescent.Itlookedancientandmysticalthen.Fromtherear,theopening
hisfatherhadmadeintothepyramid(PaleBoycouldneverbringhimselftocallitatepee)wasvisible
anddarkandsomehowforeboding,likethelairofsomemythologicalbeastthatfeastedonboyshisage.

PaleBoyknewtherewasnothinginsidethepyramidbutachairandasmallfold-outtable,butthe

looksofthethingbotheredhimanyway.Whenbusinesswasbad,whichwasmostofthetime,his
fatherwouldsitinsidethepyramidatthetableanddealoutuselesshandafterhandofsolitaireandsip
fromabottleofwhiskey.He'dsipuntilhefeltbetterorworse.

Whenhedrankandshuffledcards,thefamilylaidlow.Youneverknewwhatmightcausetheold

mantohaveanexplosion,neverknewwhatmightbringhimoutfromtherewithhisbeltoff,beating
notonlyPaleBoyandhisbrother,buttheirmotheraswell.

Othertimes,theoldmanabandonedthepyramidtositatopthecarcrusherintherustedcabandwork

thegearsasifhewereafighterpilotmaneuveringinadogfight.Hewasjoyfulthen.Youcouldseeit
inhisface.Hedelightedinthepulsingandrattlingofthegreatcrusher,andhedelightedinseeingthe
junkcarsslidingintothecradleandinworkingtheleversthatwouldmakethemachinerysqueakand
turntheoncemightyroadmachinesintolittlesquaremetalboxesthatcouldbesoldforscrap.

Hisfather'slifewascars.Hehaddiscoveredthemasachildandhadmadethemhisbusiness,hislife,

andhisdream.Therewasamagicinthem,hisfatheralwayssaid.Awaytobegonefromplacesyou
hated.Youneedonlyputgasinthemandgo.

Buthisoldmanhadnotgonefar.Hedroveaboutthereservationandsometimesintothesmaller

outlayingtownsandonceintoGotham,butthegreatcitytraffichadterrifiedhimandhehadnevergone
back.Healwayssaidthatforittoreallymatter,youhadtohavetherightengine,onethatwouldcarry
youawayandkeepyouaway;maybesomethinglikeaV-8Thunderbirdwithgoodtiresandaheater
thatworked,agoodspareinthetrunk.

Asaboy,itconfusedPaleBoy,butheknewnowwhathadkeptBillyHandstiedtothereservation.It

wasthefamilyhebothlovedandhated.Lovedbecausetheywerehisblood,hatedbecausetheyheld
himtoalandwherehehadbeenbornandhisfatherhadbeenbornandhisgrandfatherhadbeenborn,
andwheretheentireManowacktribehadoncebeengreatbeforethearrivalofwhitesandsmallpoxand
cheapwhiskey;alandwhosebestpromisewasvaryingdegreesofpoverty.

Strangelyenough,itwashismother,Evelyn,whohadlivedtheirfather'sdreams.Shehadrunoffina

big,finnedCadillacwithawhiteshoesalesmanwithoiled-downhairandasmilefullofgoldfillings.

Thesalesmancameintolookattheusedcarsoneday,talkedCadillacs,thenspiedEvelyn.Hestuck
aroundtoeatbeansandcornbreadwiththefamily,talkedCadillacssomemore,andthenthewhiskey
cameoutofhisshoesalescase(hisname,JerryHeilman,wasstenciledingoldonthetopofitnextto
thehandle)andheandBillyHandsnippedatituntilBillypassedoutbeneaththetable.Thisleftthe
salesmanandEvelyn,PaleBoy,andAbner.Momandthesalesmanlookedatoneanotherandsmiled
andMomsentPaleBoyandAbnerofftobed.

ThatwasthelastthingPaleBoyrememberedofeithersalesmanorhismother.Thefamilyneversaw

eitheragain,buttwoyearsafterherpartingtheygotaboxwithtwopairsofboy'sshoesinitthatfit
neitheroftheirfeet,andalateChristmascard.Thepostmarkshowedshoesandcardhadbeenmailed
fromsomeplaceinWyoming.Thecardsaid,"Justwantedtocheckin."

Shenevercheckedinafterthat,butthesalesmansentanotetothemayearlaterfromVermont.It

informedthemthattheirmother,Evelyn,hadtakentodrinkinganddied.Theirfatherreadthemthe
noteandnevermentionedhiswifeagain.Heturnedevenhardertothebottleandmoretothecar
crusher,producingcountlesslittlemetalboxes,diminishingheavycarsthatmighthavebeensoldas
runningjunkers.Butthemoneynolongermatteredtotheoldman.Whatmatteredwasthefeelingof
powerhegotfromthecrusherandtheno-competitioncardgameheplayed.Theseweretheonlytimes
hefelttheworldwashistocontrolandoutsideinfluencesdidn'tmatter.Ifhefailedtohaveself-worth,
heatleasthadpowerofasort.Whenhedealtthecardshedealtlittlefates;whenhepulledthelevers
onthecrusher,heputallhisfearsandhatesandlossesintothevibrationsofthemachine,thepulling
andpushingofthelevers,thesoundsoftheill-fatedcarsshape-shiftingfromfuel-poweredcarriagesto
boxesofscrap.

Hisfather'sothermeasureofpower,thebeatings,stopped,however,andPaleBoyhadstrangelybeen

botheredbythat.Itwas,exceptforonepieceofadvicehisfathergavethem---"Getoffthisreservation,
andstayoff.Bewhiteasyoucanbe"---theendofanyrealcommunicationbetweenhimselfandhis
father,anditwasthenthatheandhisbrotherturnedtotheirgrandfather.

Thinkingofthatnow,PaleBoyfeltanoverwhelmingurgetoreturntothereservationandseetheold

places.ItwasthefirsttimehehadevenconsideredsuchathingsinceleavingtheManowacklandsto
jointhewhiteworld.Itsurprisedhim,buttheneedwouldnotpass.

HeputonhisclothesandwroteAngieanote:Bebacksoon.Hegotthekeystohispickupandwent

quietlyoutthebackdoorandlockedit.Hegotinthepickupandsatforamoment,tryingtotalk
himselfoutofwhatheplannedtodo,butcouldnot.HelookedabouttheinterioroftheraggedoldFord
andsmiledtohimself.IfhisdenyinghisIndianheritageandleavingthereservationwashisliberation
fromtheManowackandhisgrandfather,thenthistruckwashisliberationfromhisfatherandhis
passionforcars.Itran,butitwasnothingspecial;hewasnolongertiedtojacked-uprearendsandrich
upholstery.Hewasfreeofbothbrandsofshackles.

Hecrankedtheengine,backedoutofthecarport,anddroveoutofColdShepherd,setthenoseofthe

truckforthereservation.Thepirate-shipmoonstillrodecoolandhighintheskyandtheshadowsof
thegreattreesalongthehighwayflickedacrosshiswindshieldlikethecardshisfatherhaddealtsolong
ago,flippingthemoutlikeagoddealingdoom.

Whenhereachedthereservationlands,sawthegreatPyramidofCarsatopthehill,standingtalland

exoticinthemoonlight,lookingforalltheworldasforebodingasAngie'spainting,hepulledacrossthe
highwayandbackedthetrucksothathewasfacingitandtheCadillacbillboard.

ThebillboardwaspositionedoutandbelowthePyramidofCars,andfrompyramidtobillboardwasa

longslantingdrop.Asachild,heoftensatatopthepyramidwithhisbrother,andtheytossedrocksat
thebackofthesign,theirtossesinvariablyfallingfarshortoftheiraim.

Thebillboardhadbeentheresincehewasalittleboy,and,forwhateverreason,hadneverchanged.It

hadfadedconsiderably.Itwasalargepaintingofaman'sheadwearingacowboyhatandglasses.The
manwassmiling.Therewasacartoon-styleballooncomingoutoftheman'smouth,andwritteninthe
balloonwas,BUYCADILLAC.IT'LLMAKEYOUHAPPYTODRIVE.Abovethat,writtenineven
largerletters,was,BARRET'SCADILLACS,THEPLACETOBUYANDSAVE.

WhenPaleBoywasyoung,andthebeatingswereintense,hesometimesranawayfromhisfatherand

hidhere.Backthentherehadbeenathickclutchofbushestoconcealandwarmhim.Hewouldsitand
lookthroughasplitinthebushesandseethebillboardandtakeinthepaintedsmileoftheman---
Barrett,hepresumed.Somehowthesignreassuredhim.Hethoughtwhenhegrewuphe'dbuya
CadillacfromBarrett,driveitaroundthereservationforeveryonetosee,thendriveofftoanicehouse
somewhereinthesuburbsofGothamwhereagood-lookingwhitewifewaitedforhimwithdinneron
thetable.

Butnowhelookedatthefadedbillboardandthoughtonlyofhowbadthingshadbeen,remembered

hisgrandfather,andfeltguilty.Unlikehisfather,hisgrandfather,JeromeHorseHandler,hadhatedthe
whitesandalltheystoodfor.Hewasthelastinalonglineofshamans,andhisson,PaleBoy'sfather,
BillyHands,hadrejectedtheoldwaysandhadlearnednothingofthem.

WhatBillyHandspassedontohissonswasnotthestudyofthewind,rain,sun,andanimals,but

insteadthestudyofFords,Chevys,Pontiacs,andBuicks,thefinsizesofoldCadillacs,thesturdinessof
Lincolns,thedependabilityandlongevityoftheiroldman'sHolyGrailofautomobiles,the'57
Thunderbird.

BillyHand'spersonalmagicwasinthecarmagazineshecollectedandclutteredaboutthetinyshack,

magazinesthatPaleBoyandhisbrotherreadwhentheyweresadandlonelyandfrightened,magazines
withglossyjacked-upcarspaintedcherryredandglitterblue,bathing-suitedbeautiesdrapedovertheir
hoodslikeornamentalrugs.

Atnight,whiletheirfatherdrankhimselfintoastuporinfrontofthesnowyTVsettoppedwith

saggingrabbitears,heandAbnercouldputtheirheadstogetherbeneaththecoversandwithaflashlight
examinethecontentsofthemagazinesandenterafantasylandwherethebrightcarswiththecocked
behindsandthechrometrimwerenotphotosandpaperbuttherealthing,andthey,theIndian
dreamers,werenotunderthecoversbutbehindthesteeringwheels,cruisingwiththebathingbeauties
attheirsides.Intruth,theyweretooyoungtoknowexactlywhatthenearnakedwomanwereall
about.Theyonlyknewthattheylookedgood,andsomehowlookingatthemmadethemfeel
simultaneouslycomfortableandmiserableinside,afeelingnottoounliketheonetheyfeltwhile
lookingatthephotosofthecars.

"Udden,udden,"hisolderbrotherwouldsay.
WhenBillyHandstookcompletelytothebottle,thecards,andthecarcrusher,PaleBoyandhis

brotherAbnertooktodrawingthecarsinthemagazines.Theydrewthemonpapersackswithstubby
pencilswhilelisteningtomusicontheirraggedrecordplayer.Bothplayerandrecordshadbeengiven
thembyafemalesocialworkeroneChristmas.Theyhadbelongedtothesocialworker'schildrenand
werewellused,therecordsscratchy,mostlyhotrodrock'n'rollmusicbytheBeachBoys,Jan&Dean,
afewothers,buttheysoundedlikeaheavenlychoirtoPaleBoyandAbner.

Theboyslistenedtotherecordsoverandover,andeventhenormallyquarrelsomeBillyHands

seemedtoenjoythemusic,aslongasthesongstheyplayedwerethecarsongs.

EventuallyBillyHandsleftthemcompletelytotheirowndevices.Theytooktoeatingatthehouses

offriendsandhangingoutwiththeirgrandfather,JeromeHorseHandler,astrangeoldmanwho
wanderedinandoutofthemountainsandcamebytoseethemfromtimetotime,butneverspokea

wordtohisgreasemonkeyson,BillyHands.

BillyreferredtoJeromeas"thatoldIndianbastard,"asifhehimselfwereofadifferentorigin,

perhapsthevirginbirthofsomewanderingGod-blessedwhitewoman.

JeromeHorseHandler,ontherareoccasionsheusedEnglish,calledhissonUncleTomahawkand

worse.Theyhadevenoncecometoblows,withtheboys'ancientgrandfatherhandlingthestronger
BillyHandswiththeeaseofagrizzlyswattingacoyote.TheoldmanseemedtoknoweverythingBilly
wasgoingtodobeforehedidit.HewhippedBillywithouteverhittinghim.Hemerelydodgedand
pushedandsidesteppedandsentBillyreelingtothegroundsomanytimeshebegantolooknatural
thereinthedust.

Whenthefightwasover,Billydisappearedintothepyramid,andafteratime,theyheardtheslapping

ofthecards,punctuatedbysporadiccursing.

Untilthattime,theyhadonlyknowntheirgrandfathertobethisancient,leatherypersonagewithlong

whitehairandagoofysetofclothes.

SlowlyitdawnedonPaleBoyandAbnerthattheymightnotinfactbeakintotheTVcowboysthey

playedfromtimetotime,butthedescendantsofthelessfortunateIndians,theguyswhowerealways
sneakinguponwhitemenandshootingthemfromambush,rapingthewomenandstealingthehorses.
Notexactlytherolemodelstheyhadinmind.

Intime,PaleBoyandhisbrotherwenttolivewiththeirgrandfatherinhislittletarpapershackinthe

mountainsofthereservation.Theshackwasevensimplerthantheirfather'shome,andmuchsmaller.
Theysleptonmatsonthedirtfloorandatewhattheirgrandfatherraisedandhunted.Theywere
introducedtotheoldways,themagicways.Norock'n'rollandnocars.

Intime,PaleBoyandAbnerlearnedthattheirgrandfatherwasareservationlegend.Hewasrumored

tobewelloverahundredyearsold.ItwassaidhefatheredBillyHandswhenhewasinhiseightiesand
hisfifthwifewasinherthirties.

PaleBoyhadnowaytoconfirmanyofthis,butitwasobvioustheoldmanwasheldinhighregard

bytheManowacks,evenifnooneonthereservationseemedtobeinarushtolivethelifehewas
living,theonehesaidwastheonlyonetheyshouldlive.PaleBoycouldunderstandtheirreluctance.
Themountainswerebeautiful,andsowerethebirdsandanimalsthatlivedthere,butinthewinterthe
mountainswerecold,andsowastheirgrandfather'sshack.Itmadetheirfather'soldhouseseemlikea
palace.Andtherewerenocarstolookat,nomagazinestodreamover,nomusictotapyourfootto.
Thepursuitoffoodandwarmthwas,toputitmildly,onethatprovidedregularexercise.

PaleBoylearnedintimethathisgrandmotherhaddiedinchildbirthbringinghisfatherintothe

world.Jeromeoftensaidthathehadknownhisonlyremainingson(threeoftheothershadalreadyfed
theirliverstoalcoholandafourthhadbeenstruckbyacarwhiledrunkenlytryingtocrossthehighway)
wasgoingtoturnoutthewayhehad,hewouldn'thavebotheredtoconceivehim.Ifhehadhischoice
betweentheboyandhislastwife,hesaid,hewouldhavegivenBillyupforthewoman.

Theoldmantaughttheboys'chantsandshowedthemtheholyplacesonthemountainandinthe

valley,andsometimeslateatnighttheywouldgouptothehighcurve,asitwasknownamongthetribe,
andwalkouttoitsedgeandgazebelow.Downtheretheycouldseethemoonlitwreckingyardandthe
PyramidofCars.Thecarsonthelotwereassmallassnails.Fartherout,anddownastretchfromthe
wreckingyard,thebackofthebillboardwasvisibleandnolargerthanapostagestamp.

JeromeHorseHandlerwouldpointtothehighwaybeyondthesign,attheheadlightsspeedingalong

likejet-propelledfireflies,andsay,"ThereistheendoftheManowacks.Inthewhiteman'sengines.
Wearelosingtheoldways.Itisnotthewhitemanthatfearsbeingcapturedbytheinjunsthesedays,it
istheredmanwhoshouldfearbeingcapturedbythewhiteman'sengines.Theyaresuckingoutour

soul.They'refillingourairwithstink.Thegrassandtreesonthesidesofthemountainsnearthe
highwayaredyingfromthecoughingofthemachines.Thewholeworldisgoingmad.Thesacred
animals,thewolf,theowl,theyarefewerandfewer,andwhereoncetheywerestrongandbraveand
noble,theyarenowpatheticshadowsofwhattheyoncewere.Theyhavebecomehighwayscavengers.
Theirnobilityisdryingup.JustliketheManowackswhoonceworshippedthem."

ThenhewouldtakethemtoahigherplaceandtheywouldstripofftheirclothesandJeromeHorse

Handlerwouldbuildafireofhickoryandsassafrasandpine,wouldtossherbsandcharmsintothefire
andchanttheoldwords.Thesmokewouldfilltheirnostrils,thechantswouldfilltheirbrains.They
wouldsitacrossfromJeromeHorseHandlerandhewouldraiseanarmandwave,asifsignalingto
somethingbeyondtheearthlyrealm.Whenheloweredhisarm,itwouldbecoveredwithfurandhis
handwouldbealargepaw.Thenthesmokewouldgrowthickandshieldhimfromview.Whenitblew
aside,therewouldstandagreatgraywolf.Itwouldliftitsheadtothestarsandhowl.

PaleBoyrememberedhisbrotherlearningtodothesameasJerome,toshape-shiftintoanimalsand

birds,andrememberedevenmoredimlydoingithimself,runningthroughtheforestasawolf,flying
abovethemountainsasahawk.

Hedidn'tbelievethesememories,thoughtperhapstheyhadbeeninducedbysomething

hallucinogenicinthesmoke,causedbythe"charms"hisgrandfathertossedintothefire.Buttherewere
timeswhenthememoryoftheowl'sintensenightsightandthewolf'smarveloussenseofsmellseemed
asrealarecollectionastonight'shit-and-runhorror.

WhenPaleBoywasninehelefthisgrandfather.Hemissedthecarstoomuch,andJeromeHorse

Handlerhadbecomeharderandhardertolivewith.Theoldwayshaddesertedhim.Therewereno
moremountainsmokes.Hesaidhehadlostthepower,thatthewhiteman'spowershadinvadedthe
otherworldsandhenolongerunderstoodwhatwasexpectedofhim.Thespiritshadlefthimhighand
dry.

Abnerlostthepower,too,anditwasthenthatPaleBoybegantodoubtthatanyofthemhadever

possessedit.Helefthisgrandfatherandwentbacktohisfatherandthecarmagazines.Buthisbrother
wouldn'tcome.Hestayed.Hewantedtheoldways,eventhoughtheoldmannolongerseemedableto
teachthem.

Hisfatherwasneithergladnordisappointedtoseehim.Hewastoodeepinthebottle.PaleBoytook

upwithBillyHandswherehehadleftoff.Noobviousdemonstrationsoflove.Nobeatings.Billy
treatedhimatleastaswellashetreatedstrangers,andtherewerelotsofcarmagazinestoreadandthe
oldrecordstolistento.

JeromeHorseHandlerdiednotlongafterPaleBoyreturnedtothelot,andthestorywentthatAbner,

asperhisgrandfather'srequest,pulledtheoldman'sbodytothetopofatreeandleftitthereforthe
vultures.Abnercamebacktothelotthen,buthehadchanged,andheandPaleBoywerenolonger
close.Abnertreatedhimlikeadeserter.PaleBoyhadbecomeevenpalertohim---hewastheInvisible
Man.

ThenonecoldmorningBillyHandsfinishedoffabottleofrotgut,playedahandofsolitaire,rigged

thecarcrusherwithanautomaticswitch,crawledintoamud-coloredThunderbird,andallowedhimself
tobewenchedintopositionandcrushed.

TheneighborshelpedPaleBoyburyBilly.Themetalblockthatcontainedhimwasinterredina

cardboardboxinashallowgraveoutbackofthehouse.Ahubcapwasputupinthedirttomarkthe
spot.PaleBoyhonkedahornononeofthebettercarsandpouredacanofthirtyweightonthegrave
andwishedhimclearhighwaysandaredThunderbirdconvertible.Abnerdidn'tshowupforthe
burying.

Actually,PaleBoydidn'tremembermuchaboutAbnerafterthattime.Thereseemedtobeablankin

hishead.HecouldrecallthatAbnerhatedhimforabandoningtheirgrandfather,butnotmuchelse.He
rememberedstayingwithanauntforatime,thenaseriesofuncles.Nothingspecialaboutanyofthat.
Noonetookhimunderhisorherwing.Theymerelymadesurehehadaplacetogetinoutoftherain
andthreesquaresaday,andnotallofthemthatsquare.

Whenhewasoldenough,heleftthereservationandfollowedhisoldman'sadviceabouttryingtobe

white.Hethoughtthemilitarywouldbeagoodstart.Hejoinedup,wasshippedtoabaseinVirginia,
becameanM.P.,mostlyforgotaboutcarsandIndianmagic,camebacktotheGreatGothamValleya
fewyearsback,thinkinghislifeasanIndianwasover.

Nowherehewasagain,rightbackwherehehadcomefrom,backwiththebillboardandthePyramid

ofCars.

Andaheadache.
Helookedupatthepyramidandnotedforthefirsttimethattherewassomethingatitstip.Itlooked

likeachair,ormoreaccurately,athrone.

Abner---thatwouldbehiswork.Hewouldlikethat.Athronewherehecouldsitandwatchthecars

onthehighwaygoby,asiftheywerehissubjects.

HewonderedwhatAbnerwasdoingtonight.Sleepingintheoldshack,intheiroldbedroom,maybe

listeningtothescratchyrock'n'rollrecords?Sighingovertheblondbathingbeautiesdrapedoverthe
hoodsofsparklingautomobiles?WatchingcowboyandIndianmoviesonthetube,thewaytheirfather
had?Orperhapshereallyhadgivenupthewhitewaysandwasonthefloor,drawinginthedustwitha
stick,workingIndianmagic,stilltryingtochangeintoawolf,tryingtolivetheirgrandfather'slies,
capturehisillusions.

PaleBoyexaminedtheluminousfaceofhiswatch.Twotwenty-five.Hetooktwoaspirinfromthe

tinandchewedthem,rolledthetruckwindowdownandleanedbackinhisseat,andlookedatthe
Cadillacsign,atBarrett'ssmile,felturgeshecouldn'tidentify.Heceasedtrying.Heclosedhiseyes
anddriftedofftosleep,dreamedbrieflyofthehangingboy,thendreamednotatall.

ClutchandShiftto---

---SecondGear

1

GothamCity,theBowery,2:25A.M.

Theplacewasnasty.Thestreetswerefulloftrash,thebuildingstightagainstoneanother,their

shadowsclaustrophobic.

Thebuildingsthemselvescontainedlittleornolightandtheywereburnedupandmanywereempty

andboardedover.Occasionally,inside,therewouldbetheflickeroffireswheredriftershadbrokenin

andmadethemselvesacampforthenight,butmostlytheyweredark.Theairwasfullofthesmellof
alcoholandurineandtheburningofsteelwoolpadsforheatingupandmakingcrack.Drunksand
fugitivesmadetheirwaydownthesidewalk,stayingclosetothebuildingsandtheshadows.
SomewhereinthatlittlewarrencalledtheBowery,crimeswerebeingcommittedwiththecasualnessof
ateenagerchewinggum.Youlistenedcloseenoughyoucouldhearacrowbarsnappingwood
somewhereinthedistance,smellawhiffofsmokefromafirebeingsetforinsurancemoney.Inwinter,
awarmairventandaslugofwineinadiscardedbottlewereplentyofincentiveforviolence,even
murder.Insummer,theheat,heldtightbetweenbricksandconcrete,intensifiedbysmogand
desperation,couldworksomepeopleuptoakill.

So-calleddecentpeoplestayedindoorsbehindavarietyoflockswithloadedpistolsintheir

nightstands,shotgunsandriflesstuffedundertheirbeds.Ifsomeoneoutonthestreetscreamedfor
help,bestthingtheycoulddowasputapillowovertheirheadsotheycouldn'thearit.Generalwisdom
was,youwentouttherewhenbadthingswerehappening,badthingswouldhappentoyoutoo.

OnthisstickynightinJuly,deadcenteroftheBowery,walkingslowly,weakly,ababyinherarms,

cameaoncecuteblondwomanfreshlyturnedtwenty,butlivingexperience-wiseonthefarsideof
forty.HernamewasMandyandshewasthirteenmonthsoffthebusfromNebraska.Shewascarrying
herbabygirl,Kerrie.

Thirteenmonthsagoshehadcomefromtheflatlandstothemodernbadlands,notknowingitwasthat

way,seeingonlytheallureoflightsandactionandabigtimejob.Hopingfordistancebetweenherand
herdeeplyreligiousparents.Religiousexceptinthecompassiondepartment,thatis.

Aftergraduationfromhighschool,shehadbeenasecretarybackinNebraskaforherministerfather's

church,andagoodoneatthat,buthersecretarialcareerlackedtheglamourshewanted.Addingupone
night'sworthofchurchofferingswasnottoounlikeaddinguptwonights.Checkingthechurchrollsto
seewhowascomingtoBibleclassesandwhohaddroppedoutwasnogreaterthrill.Threeorfour
minutesofthatkindofworkandtheheartceasedtobeatwithexcitement.

Atthehousesoffriendsshehadseensomeofthelifeshewantedontelevision.Visionsdeniedherat

home,wherethetubewastunedonlytoreligiousprograms,preachersinpeach-coloredandlime-
coloredsuitswithbone-whiteshoesandhairstiffasplasticcaps.

Shehadseensomeofthisdesiredlifeinherfriends'magazinesaswell.Magazinesshewasdeniedat

home.Thereshehadonlythehardlinereligiousmagazineswithnon-glosscoversfeaturingthe
preachersshesawontelevision,theirfacesbeadedwiththesweatofsalvation,theirarmsoutstretched,
handswideopen,asifgropingformoney.

Whatshesawinherfriends'magazinesweredifferent.Brightfashionswherewomenshowedtheir

legsandrougedtheircleavage,tooktaxisdowntownandateinrestaurantsbycandlelight.

Sosheslippedawayfromherparentsonenight.AwayfromtheirporcelainstatuesofJesus,their

paintingsofmartyredsaintswiththeirfleshfullofarrows,andwenttoGotham---calledbyherparents
thecityofsin---tofindherfortune.

ButfortuneinGothamprovedalittleshortinsupply.Shediscoveredtherewerealreadyplentyof

goodsecretariesinGotham,andthefast-foodjointswerefull-upwithpimple-facedkidstakingorders
forburgers,drinksandfries.Jobsofanykindwererarerthansmiles.

Amonthaftershewasoffthebus,sheconcludedshehadn'thaditsobadbackinNebraska.Shecame

towishshehadjustmovedoutofherparents'houseandfoundanapartmentinherhometown.
Acquiredanewjob.

Butinherdarkesthour,thingsabruptlylookedup.Theproverbialsilverliningintheproverbialdark

cloudrevealeditself.Shemetanicemanwhohelpedherout.Hegavehersmilesandhegaveher

money.Herentedheranapartment,saidjustassoonashecouldgetthatdoggonedivorcefromhis
wife,hewasgoingtomarryher.Hegaveherlotsofthings.Andonenight,hegavehertheseedthat
fertilizedheregg.Herbellyswelledupandthenicemangavehermoneyforsixmonthsrent,then
foundpressingbusinesselsewhere,buthesaidtherewouldbemoremoney,andhe'dbeback.

Afterhisdeparture,nomoneycame.Shebegantoliveofftherentmoney.Shetriedtogetajob,but

jobswerenomoreavailablethanbefore.Shecouldn'tafforddaycare.Themoneythenicemanhad
givenherforherapartmentranout,andapparently,theniceman'sbusinessprovedmorepressingthan
hehadindicated.Couplemonthslater,hefinallycamebytosaythingshadimprovedathomeandhe
andhiswifewerepatchingitup.HesaidthatthenameMandyknewhimbywasalie,andheregretted
that,andhewascertainlyastinker,buthethoughtitbestifshedidn'tknowhisrealname.Thenornow.

Asapartinggift,hegaveheracoupleofthousandandakissonthecheek.Shestoodinthedoorway

oftheapartmentwiththemoneyinherhand,stunned.Thenicemanhadn'taskedaboutthebaby,how
thepregnancywasgoing.Hewavedgood-byefromtheendofthehall,asifshewereachildhewere
sendingofftoschool.Sheneversawhimagain.

Thebabyarrivedaboutthetimethefirsthalfoftheniceman'smoneyplayedout.Peopleatthe

welfareofficewereunderstanding.Theysaidmoneywouldcomethroughforherandthebaby
eventually.Afteracoupleofmonths,Mandydecidedeventuallymeantaboutthetimeherbabywasold
enoughtowork.

Ithurt,butshedecidedtocrawl.Calledherparentsandtoldthemofherplight.Herfather'svoice

madehercry.Shefeltaglowofloveandwarmthswellthroughherwhenhesaidhello.Shebegged
forgiveness.Saidshelovedhim,andmeantit.Saidhewasnowagrandfathertoabeautifulbabygirl.

Hesaidhedidn'tthinkso.Theytoldhershewasn'twelcomeathome.Thatshewasawhore,and

mustgetrightwithTheAlmightyandthatshewasnolongertheirdaughter,though,aswasbefittingof
thosewhotrustedinHismercy,theywishedherthebest,andtheypreferredshenotcallagain.

MandydecidedshewantedtogobacktoNebraskaanyway.Sheknewthepeoplethereandsheknew

thewayoflife.Shewantedtogetajob,anyjob,anddorightbyherchild.ButNebraskaseemedto
havegrownfartherawaythanbefore.Therewasn'tanymoneytogohome.Therewasn'tanymoney
formuchofanything,andshewasamazedtodiscoverhowregularlythebodycravedfood.Glamour
hadfallenoffthetopofherdesirelist.Foodhadmovedrightupthere.Gotham'slightsdidn'twarmher
andthecity'sactiondidn'tthrillher.Gothamwasinaveryshorttimeaplaceofbrutalsound,harsh
lightandemptiness.Acityofmillionswhomovedlikewraithsfromonestreettotheother;aplace
thickwithsoulsthatnevertouched.

HerniceapartmentinGlendalewasbeyondhermeans.Theonlyplaceshecouldaffordwasaroom

intheBowery.Itwaslikelivinginhell,minusthebenefits.Thatwasn'tbadenough,shegotsoshe
couldn'taffordtheroom.Thelandlordsaidhehatedtoseehergo,butbusinesswasbusiness,and
wasn'tthatbabycute.

Homeforawhilewasafireescape,acardboardboxwithallthetrimmings.Butabadrainhadmelted

herbox,andhomenowwaswherevershefoundherself.

Tosustainshetooktothestreets,foundhersurvivalwithmeninbackalleysandabandoned

buildings,takingwhatmoneytheyoffered,andsometimesgettingnone,butinsteadafistinthemouth
orahardshove-down.Sheassociatedwiththehomeless,theriff-raffandthedrugpushers.

Thingsgotbadafterthat.Andnow,tonight,theyseemedaboutasbadastheycouldget.
Anhourago,shehadalmostputaneedlefullofjunkinherarm.Ithadbeenofferedtoherinlieuof

paymentforherservicesrendered.

Onlythecriesofherchildhadpreventedherfromtakingatriptothegrittypromiselandwhere

nothingmatteredbutthebadcomedownandthenextgoup.

ButKerrie'scrieshadpulledherbackintotherealworldandontothestreet,andnowhereshewas,

hotandhungryandthebabycryingagain.Shefeltasifshehadtokeepwalking,rightoutonthe
Bowery,rightacrossGotham,acrosstheheartlandofAmerica,onbackacrossGotham,acrossthe
heartlandofAmerica,onbacktoNebraskawhereshecouldfindanoldschoolfriend,sleeponenightin
awarmbedwithcleansheets,eatamealthatwasn'toutofagarbagecan,giveherbodyenough
nutrientstoproducemorethanatrickleofbreastmilkforKerrie.Maybeshecouldevenconvinceher
parentstotakeherin.Shehadbeentaughttobelieveinmiracles.

Yeah,justwalkonbacktoNebraska.Butshecouldn'twalkthatfar.Shecouldn'tevenwalkoutof

theBowerytonight.Shehadtofindaplacetosleep,andthebabyneededfoodandsodidshe.

Suddenlyshelostherthoughts.HervisionwasfullofLeatherBoys.
Itwasasiftheyhadgrownupoutofthestreet'spavement:sixguysintheirfabledattireofblack

leathervestsandmulticolored,patchworkleatherpantsmadefromfragmentstakenfromstolenwallets
andworn-outjackets,chunksscroungedfromgarbageanddumpsights,slashedfromcarseats
upholsteredinrealleather.Sixguyswithsmilesthatwinkedinthemoonlightlikesharpblades.

ThebloodthumpedinMandy'stemples.Shestopped.Ofallthestreethorrorstoruninto,theLeather

Boyswereoneoftheworst.Evenduringhershorttimeonthestreet,shehadheardofthem.Agang
madeupofdopeheadssovileothergangsandstreetmuggersconsideredthemthelowestscumonthe
Bowerytotempole.Theywerethescavengersofthegangworld.Notbrave,butdeadly.Workedthe
Boweryturfonthesly,whentheythoughtalltherealgangswereoutofitforthenight.That'swhenthe
LeatherBoyscameoutandtooktheleavings,stolefromthehomelessandkickedsleepingwinosto
deathforsport,orpouredgasolineonthemandsetthemonfire,cookedsomestolenmarshmallowsin
theflames.She'dheardallthestories.Butuntilnow,shethoughttheymightbeamyth.

Shewasabouttwentyfeetfromthemwhenoneoftheguyssaid,"Hey,honey,you'reclickingalongin

ahurry."

Shedidn'tsayanything.Nothingseemedappropriate.
"You'rethatfriendlygirly,ain'tyou?"thesameguysaid."One'sworkingourturfforthelayandpay.

AmIrightonthat?Someonecomesinherenew,eventuallytheLeatherBoyshearaboutit,you
know?"

ThesleepingbabystirredonMandy'sshoulder,madeawimperingnoise,settledbacktosleep.She

lookedatthesixguysstandingthere,feltherkneesgoingweak,butsomethingherfathertoldherlong
agocametoher."Youevergetapackofdogsafteryou,don'trun.Yourun,they'regonnasmellfear
andthey'lltakeyoudownforsure.Youdobettertostandyourgroundandblufftillyoucando
different."

Shesmiledandsaid,"I'mfriendlywhenIwanttobe,butIdon'twanttobenow.Igottogetthebaby

home.Idothat,Icancomeback.Butyouknow,it'llcostabit."

Thesameguypursedhislipsandstudiedaspotjustoverherhead."Costalittlebit,huh?"
Playcool,shethought.Playcool."Yeah.I'mworthit."
Theguyturnedtohisfriends,cockedathumbinherdirection,saidtotheboys,"Saysshe'sworthit."

Heturnedbacktoher."Youknow,thingIheardwasyougetsomethingthat'sworthsomethingforfree,
it'sworthawholelotmore.KnowwhatI'msaying?"

Shetriedtoplayitcool,unafraid."Yeah,butIgotthebabywithme."
"Hey,thatdon'tbotherusnone."Heturnedtotheothers."Thatbotherus?"
Theyshooktheirheads.Nobodylookedbothered.
HeturnedbacktoMandy."See,there'snoproblemhere.Wecaneventakethebratoffyourhands.

There'speoplewillbuyakidlikethat.Givehimabetterhomethanyoucan.Weknowaboutyou.You
ain'tgotnohometogoto.Wordonthestreetisyouain'tgotnothingtogoto."

"Enoughchitchat,"saidoneoftheotherguys.
"Yeah,"saidtheonewhohadbeentalking."Enoughchitchat."
Mandystoodfrozen.Ifshefought,thebabycouldgethurt.Thereseemednothingtodobuttakeit,

andthenhopeforabreak,achancetogetthebabyback.

Theywererightinfrontofhernow,formingaloosecircle.Herlegsquivered,losttheirmuscle.She

droppedtoherknees.

Thencameavoicefromthedark,avoicelikeGodcallingtoMoses:"Don't."
"Hey,"saidtheonewhotalkedthemost."Whosaidthat?"Hesquintedintotheshadows."You

comeoutwherewecanseeyou.Wegotsomethingswewanttoshowyou."

Asifbysecretsignal,theLeatherBoysflexedtheirhandsandknivesappeared.
"Comeon,"saidtheheadLeatherBoy."Talktough,now."
MandystaredthroughagapintheLeatherBoys,intheshadowydirectionfromwhichshethoughtthe

voicehadcome.Thespotshewaswatchingmoved.Theshadowcoiledandflowed,lookedlikeaball
ofnightrollingintoview.Itwastheswishofacloakbeingthrownback,revealingatall,darkdemon
withpointedears.Thedemonmovedagainandshesawitwasaman,andsuddenlysheknewwhoit
was.ShehadreadabouthiminNebraska,seengrainynewspaperphotographsofhim.Likethe
LeatherBoys,shehalfthoughthewasamyth.

"Hotdamn!"saidaLeatherBoy."TheBatman!"
"Heain'tnothing,"saidthemaintalker."Justsomeguyinasuit.There'senoughofustotakehim."
"Startthedance,"Batmansaid.
"Youtalkbig,"saidthemainLeatherBoy."Wehearaboutyoucomingdownhere,messinginthe

Bowerybusiness.Well,youhaven'tseenusbefore,theLeatherBoys.Messwithusonce,youdon't
messagain."

Batmantookastepforward.Shadowsappearedtoscuttleathisfeetandaroundhishead.Hiscloak

swirled,likeashaggyripofdarkness.Nowthathewasoutofthethickestoftheshadows,Mandysaw
thatthelowerhalfofhisfacewasnotcoveredbyhismask,andashemovedtodeadcenterofthestreet,
thedust-filmedstreetlightfellfullonhim,andshesawhimsmile.Helookedrabid.

TheheadLeatherBoyspunhisknifelikeaminiaturebaton.Thebladegatheredinthelight,fannedit,

thendroppedit.

Batmanglidedtowardthethug.Themovementwassosmoothitwaslikewatchingaspecterpass

overtheearth.Thepunkleaptforward,rightleggoingoutandbendingdeep,hisrightarmjabbing
straightandtrue,thebladespeedingforwardsofastitlookedlikealaserbeam,headingdirectlytoward
thesymbolofthelight-encasedbatonBatman'schest.

WhenthetipoftheknifewasafractionofaninchawayandtheLeatherBoywasalready

congratulatinghimself,Batmanswiveledtothesideandthebladepassedby.Batman'sarmwentout
likeawhipandheusedthesideofhishandtostriketheLeatherBoyacrossthenose.Thenoseerupted
bloodandtheLeatherBoyscreamed.Batman'slegflashed,thetopofhisfootstrikingthethuglowon
thecalf,stunningthenervestheresoseverelytheLeatherBoycollapsedwithayellandlayinthestreet
holdinghisleg.Batmankickedhimintheface,knockinghimunconscious.

Batmanwasamachinenow.Hemovedsureandcertain,thereptilianbrainatwork.
Oneoftheremainingfivesprangforward,slashingwithhisknife.Theslashwasslowandwild,not

evenclose.Batmanshotouthisrightleg,catchinghisattackerinthethroatwiththeupturnedheel.
TheLeatherBoydroppedhisknifeandbroughtbothhandstohisthroatandcollapsedtohisknees,

toppledonhissidewithacough.

Batmanrecoiledhisleg,whippeditbackandaroundandcaughttheelbowofhisnextattackerwitha

heelkick.Theelbowsnappedandtheattackerscreamed.Batmansidesteppedintohimwithathrust
kickthatlaunchedhimontothesidewalk,wherehespunonhisbuttlikeabreakdancer,thencollapsed
unconscious.

AknifeflashedfrombehindBatman,butitwasasifhehadeyesonthebackofhishead.Hemoved

slightly,lettingthebladeslipby.Thenhewasturning,catchingtheknifearmattheelbow,twistingit
untilitsnapped;then,withanothertwist,hesentthethugflyingacrossthestreetandslammingintoa
buildingwall.TheLeatherBoysliddownthebricksandcrunchedtothegroundlikeahunkofwet
garbage.

TheremainingtworushedBatmansimultaneously,oneontheleft,oneontheright.Batmandodged

back,putoutafoot.Theright-handLeatherBoytrippedandlurchedforwardintotheother,hittinghim
knee-highandknockinghimdown.

ImmediatelyBatmanwasonthem,fistsandkneesandelbowsthrashing,andduringtheblinkingofan

eye,Mandyrealizeditwasallover.Thesixlayontheground,allofthemwithbrokenbonesand
shatteredspirits,moaningorunconscious.Batmanlookedaround,asifhopingformoreadversaries,
appearedslightlydisappointedwhennoneappeared.

Hegathereduphisattackers'knives,andonebyoneputthebladesbeneathhisfootandsnapped

them.Finished,heturnedandlookedatMandy.Shefeltanewsortofterror.Whatifshewasnext?
Whatifhewascrazyasaloon?

Hewalkedtowardher,extendedhishand.ShemadesurehergriponKerriewassecure,reachedup

withherfreehand,andtookhis.Hepulledhertoherfeet."It'sallright,"hesaid.

Hewasdifferentnow,hisbodylanguagereassuring.Shefeltweakbutcomfortable,safeforthefirst

timeinages.ShefellagainsthimandheputanarmaroundherandKerrie.Thebabysquirmed,cried
softly,andwasstillagain.

"I'msoalone,"Mandysaid.
"Iknow,"hesaid,andsomehowsheknewhedid.Shecriedintohischest,hertearsdampeningthe

insigniaonhisuniform.

2

ParkingLotOutsideGothamMemorialHospital,3:00A.M.

Theyoungmanslippedthroughtheshrubsandenteredthefarsideofthehospitalparkinglotand

lookedinthedirectionthegroundsguardhadtaken,saidtohimself,"Onlythingthatdudecouldguard
isaboxofdoughnuts.Somecoffee,maybe."

Hewalkedalongarowofparkedcars,looking,stoppedbyanicenewFord,andreachedintohis

pantspocket.Hehadneatlycutthebottomoutofthepocketbackwhenthepantswerenewforjustthis
sortofthing.Hereachedthroughtheholeandtookholdofthecrowbarthatwasstrappedtohisleg
insidealeatherholster.

Helookedaround.Nooneinsight.

HepulledthebaroutandwalkedtothetrunkoftheFordandstuckthebarintothecrackbetween

trunkandframeandheavedhard,once.Thelocksnapped.Thetrunklidsprangup.

Heputthecrowbarbackinitsplaceandreachedinsidethetrunkandundidthescrewthatheldthe

sparetire,heavedoutthetire,leaneditagainstthecar,andclosedthelidofthetrunk.Hetookarollof
electrician'stapefromhisotherpocketandtapedthebrokentrunkliddowntotheframewithtwoquick
swipesandtearsofthetape.Bythetimethecar'sownerfiguredoutthetirewasgone,hewouldn'thave
anyideawhereorwhenitwasstolen.

Hetookholdofthetire,turned,andlookedbackatthehospitaljustasthefourth-floorwallexploded

bricksandglassandthefrontendofablackThunderbirdpokedoutintothenight,itsheadlightbeams
lookingasbrightandfirmasgold-paintedplanks.Thecarbentitsfrontasifmadeofrubber,dippedits
headlights,placeditstiresontheoutsidewallofthehospital,revveditsmotor,andslidforward.It
lookedlikethebuildingwasgivingbirthtoit.Theheadlightbeamshittheground,gavetheimpression
ofsupport,likeslowlydissolvingstanchions.Insectsfoundthebeamsandflutteredintheirlight.

DownwenttheThunderbird,thefronttiresrollingandmoldingsoftlywiththeoutsidewall,tugging

therestofthedarkcarafterthemuntilthebacktiresclearedthegapinthebuilding.Onallfourtiresit
creptlikeahousefly,thetiresactuallyextendingforwardcartoonlike,stepping,clingingtothebrick.
Thenitwasreachingfortheearth,stretching,thefronttirestouchingtheground,thehummingmotors
urgingtherestofthecarawayfromthewallsothatitwasonallfoursagain,rollingswiftly.Itsradio
beganblaring,"LittleDeuceCoupe,"thenithittheexitandwasgone,themusicdanglingbehinditlike
somethingbeingdragged.

"Now,that'sseriouslydifferent,"saidthethief.Hehadn'tseenstufflikethatevenwhenhewas

sniffingglue.

Helookeddownandsawthattheeruptionofbrickandglasshadgottentheguard'sattentionaway

fromhisdoughnutsorwhatever.Hewasrunningaroundthebuildingwithhisgundrawn.

Thethiefrolledthetiresmoothlyandbriskly,shoveditthroughthehedges,jumpedthem,caughtup

withthetirebeforeitcouldgetoffthewalkway.Heusedhishandtokeepitgoing.Herolleditaround
thecornerandoffthewalktohispickup.Hegrabbeditwithoutslowingandtosseditwithagruntinto
thetruckbedwiththeothertireshe'dstolen.Ithadbeenagoodnight.

Heopenedthepassengerdoorandflunghimselfinside.Hereachedthekeyfromhisshirtpocket,slid

overtothedriver'sside,stuckthekeyintheignitionandsmiled,thenquitsmiling.

Nothinghappenedwhenheturnedthekey.Notaburp.
Heeasedoutofthetruckandopenedthehood.
Someonehadstolenthebatteryandstarterwhilehehadbeenintheparkinglot,andthewholejob

hadn'ttakenhimmorethanfiveminutes.

"Nowain'tthathell,"hesaidaloud.Itwasgettingsothecrimedowntownwasasbadasanywhere

else,anditwascertainlystrangerhere,whatwithrubberycarsknockingholesinfourth-floorbuildings
andcrawlingdownwalls.

Hethoughtaboutthat.Thatwasreallydifferent.
Heheardsirens.
ThatwouldbethebusinesswiththehospitalandtherubberyThunderbird.They'dmostlikelybetoo

busytonoticehim,butitjustmightbebestifhewasn'taround,evenifhewouldhavetoleavethetires
andthetruck.

Whatthehell?Thetruckwasstolentoo.Heputhishandsinhispocketsandstrolledoffdownthe

walkwhistling,thinking,"Becasual,man.Becasual."

3

And,SimultaneouslyatGothamBusTerminal,BoweryDivision

ThebuspukeddieselfumesasBatman,carryingalargepaperbag,ledMandyoutoftheterminalwith

herbabyagainsthershoulder.Thelittlegirlhadawakenedonlyonce,andonlyforashorttime,thanks
toMandybreast-feedingher.

Thefewpeopleintheterminal,mostlybumsandwinosusingtheseatsforasafer,slightlymore

comfortableplacetosleepthenightaway,watchedthebigmaninthebatsuitandcloakwithamixture
ofdisinterestanddisbelief.

Onebum,dressedinaheavyovercoatasifitwerethedeadofwinter,watchedthemgooutthedoor

andontothecurb.Heleanedovertothebumsleepinginthechairnexttohim,said,asiftheguycould
hear,"ItHalloweenorwhat?"

Thebumwhohadspokenlistenedamomentforananswer.Whennonewasforthcoming,heclosed

hiseyesandleanedbackanddozedimmediately,hismouthopen.Aflycircledhismouthandlanded
onhisbottomlip,crawledinside,oversomestainedteeth,thencrawledoutasifstunned,andflewoff.

Outside,BatmangaveMandyabusticket."Icouldsetupanairflight."
"No,"Mandysaid."Iwanttimetothink.Thisisgreat.Really."
"Ihopeyougetyourlifeback."
"I'lltry....Thanksforeverything...thetalk.Thefood,diapers..."Shesmiled,laughedsoftly.
"What?"Batmansaid.
"Iwasjustthinking,youtakingmeintothatall-nightconveniencestore,buyingthediapersandstuff.

You,Batman,carryingKerriewhileIpickedstuffout...Peoplelookingatyouthewaytheydid."

Hesmiled,reachedoutaglovedhand,andgentlytouchedthesleepingbabyonMandy'sshoulder.

"Takecare."

"Let'sroll."Itwasthebusdriver.Hestoodonthecurbnexttothebus,thedooropenathisback.He

begancallingoutdestinations.Mandy'swasamongthem.

"Thisisit,then,"Mandysaid,andsheturnedtotellBatmangood-bye.
Hewasgone.Itwasasifhehaddissolvedintothenight.Thediapersandthefoodwerebyherfeet

inthebag.Shesquattedcarefully,soasnottodisturbthebaby,scoopedupthebagwithherfreearm,
lookedaboutagain.

Stillnosignofhim.Shewatchedthealleywaywherehehadparkedhiscar.
Aninstantlater,theBatmobile,blackandsleekwithtintedglass,pulledoutofthealleynexttothe

terminalandrolledontothestreetandhummedaway.Mandysaidsoftlytoitstaillights,"Thanks."

Shegotonthebus.

RollingthroughtheBowerylikealow-flyingmissile,theBatmobilecruised.Downbackstreetsand

frontstreets,pastshabbybuildingsandthestinkofbacked-upsewersandoverturnedrat-androck-
infestedgarbage;pastdogsandcatssothintheirribsshowedthroughtheirsideslikevenetianblinds;
pastoldwomenwithfacesthecolorofsoot,pushingshoppingcartsstuffedwithotherpeople'sdiscards,
talkingtothemselves;paststumblingoldmenwithvomit-stainedshirts;pasttenementswherethe

joblesslivedongovernmentchecksandhusbandspunchedoutwivesforentertainment;pasthookers
standinginshadowsdarkastheirhopes.

RollingoverintoManchester,aworking-classneighborhoodwithgang-ruledsubdivisions---gangsby

thenamesoftheRavens,theTurks,theDesperados,theRagingBulls,andtheBrownshirts,gangsso
meanandorganizedtheymadetheLeatherBoyslooklikeBoyScouts.

OnpasttheVanDykeGallery,theGothamRacetrack,andtheManchesterViaduct.Movingoninto

CoventryGardens.

Then,highupandstucktothenight,thesignal:abatconfinedinamberlight,shiningstrongand

bright,allthewayfromdeepmidtown.

...turningwestnow,towardthesourceofthelight.

4

ManowackReservation,4:00A.M.

TheThunderbirdzoomedpasttheBarrettCadillacbillboardandaroundthecurve.Itturnedoffthe

mainstretchandontoareddirtroadthattwisteduptotheusedcarlotandthePyramidofCars.

Itenteredtheparkinglotfullthrottle,madesavageturnsandspinsinthecenterofthelot,accelerated

andwhirledamidrustedcarsandaroundthedozerusedforpushingthemintoline,aboutthecarcrusher
andfinallythepyramiditself,temptingfateasitdid,comingperilouslyclosetothecliff'sdrop-offon
thepyramid'sfarside,soclosetheBarrettbillboardseemedatargettheThunderbirdmightdivefor.

Roundandround,thenbehindthedozeragainandfinallythecarcrusher.Onlythistime,the

Thunderbirddidnotreappear.Anakedmanstaggeredoutfrombehindthecrusher.Hefellonhis
handsandkneesandvomited.Thevomitpooledonthegroundandcaughtthemoonlightandglowed
asiffilledwithhighlypolishedmetalflakes....

Afewminuteslater,thenakedmanclimbedatopthePyramidofCars.Atitspinnaclehehadfastened

anoldbucketseatonaswivel.Theseat'sleatherwasrippedandgoneblackasrottedpecans;theswivel
squeakedforneedofoil.Hepulledhimselfintotheseatandrelaxed.Itwasaperfectperch.

Withapushofhisfootheturnedtofacethebillboardbelow,thehighwaybeyondit.Acrossfromthe

billboard,parkedoffthehighway,hesawanoldpickup.Heobserveditclinically.Itlookedasifit
shouldbeinthesaddleofthecarcrusher,readytobesquared.Thingprobablydiedinmidmotionand
hadbeendesertedbyitsowner.Itstayedtherelongenough,hemighttrytohaulitoverandmakean
offeringofittothecrusher.

Anotherpushofhisfootandthechairspunandsqueakedandhesawthemountainsrisinguptothe

nightclouds,punchingthroughthemlikeabaker'sfingersthroughlight-crustdough.Thehalf-moon
wasagravybowlfallingoutofthesky,disappearingintothegradualpinkofthecomingday.

Apushofthefoot.Asqueak.
Totherightofthemountainswastheshackhehadgrownupin,dilapidatednow.Shadowsdangled

likeblackspiderwebsovertheboarded-updoorandwindowframes.Ittauntedhimwithbad
memories.Itseemedatanymomenthisoldmanwouldcomeoutoftherewithhisbeltinhand,ready

tobeateitherhimorhisbrotherortheirmother.Yeah,theoldman,hecouldenvisionhimperfectly.
Angryfromthewhiskeyandthedarkcolorofhisskin,wantingtobewhiteandrichandatthewheelof
aThunderbird.

Well,inaway,hehadgottenhiswish.BehindtheshackwasthespotwhereBillyHands,nowas

muchThunderbirdasman,wasburied,ahubcapforhismarker.

Heswungthechairtohisleftandlookedatthecarcrusher.Untilrecently,ithadbeenabandoned,

likethelot.Hehaddoneabitofmechanicworkonitashorttimeback,hadusedthewrenchtopullan
oldChevyintothesaddlesohecouldmashitintoarustysquare,andhadfolloweditwithhalfadozen
junkerssopittedwithcorrosiontheirautomotiveidentitywasquestionable.

Hehadmadeanadditionalchangebydesigningaportableswitchhecouldworkthewayyouworked

aTVremote.Hekeptitinaweatherproofcontainerattachedtothebottomoftheswivelseat.Nomore
pullinglevers.Hemerelyhadtosetthecarsinlinewiththewenchbelow,thenhecouldsituphereand
pushbuttonsandseethemachinework.Itwasagloriousview,andthecrusherdiditsjobnowaswell
asithadsomanyyearsago.

Hewonderedifwhenhehadusedthecrusherthesoundofithadbeenheardwayoutonthe

reservation,andifthosewhohearditmightthinkhisfatherwasoutfrombeneathhishubcap,outofhis
blockofThunderbird,andbackonthejob.

Butno,themountainsandthetreesobstructedthecarcrushernoise.Mostlikely,itcouldonlybe

hearddownonthehighwayifyouweredrivingslowwithawindowopen.Itwasasifthehellofall
automobileswasuphere.ThecarcrusherakindofmechanicalSatan,smashingthemetallicsoulsof
thelessfortunate.

Tohisears,thesoundofitcrunchingthemetalagainafteralltheseyearswaslikealullaby---alullaby

becausehehadlearnedproperlyhowtohatethisplaceandallitstoodfor,howtoturnthathateinto
irony.HowtogainrevengeforhimselfandtheManowacks,thoughtheManowacksdidnotknowhe
wastheiravenger.Theyweretoolosttoknoworunderstand.

Thewayofvengeancehadbeenbeforehimallthetime,buthehadn'trealizedituntiloneafternoon

heobserveda'65FordMustangdriveby.HeadmiredtheMustang,ashealwaysadmiredthem.Then
itoccurredtohimthatitwasnamedafterawildhorse.Thiswasobvious,butforthefirsttimehetruly
begantoconsiderit,sawasolidconnectionbetweenthemachineandtheanimal.

Theanimalsofoldendaysweretheprimeexamplesofpower,speed,strength.Theywerethemagical

representativesoftheirtime;totemsandspiritswereviewedintheirimages.Butthewhitemanhad
destroyedtheirpowersandhadreplacedthemwithenginesnamedafterthem,enginesthatranfaster
andstrongerthantheirnamesakesandwereworshippedandrespectedmoremightilythananyanimal
everhadbeen.

Andif,astheManowacksbelieved,allthingsanimateandinanimatewerealive,hadwhatsometribes

calledamanitou,amagicspirit,thenitstoodtoreasonthattheotherworld,thedomanofthegods,
wouldclaimthenewerMustangsandThunderbirdsandImpalasastheirearthlyrepresentatives,not
mangycoyotesandwolves,owlsandhawkseatingdeadmeatoffthehighways.Andastheanimals
werelessinsightandmind,theircontoursandactionswouldbelessrememberedindetail,unlikethe
automobilewhichwasoneverycorner,everystreet,ineverydrive,ineverygarage.

Automobiles.Sleekindesign,pleasantwiththearomaoffreshupholstery,greatwindshieldeyeswith

whichtheirdrivers,thebrainsofthebeasts,couldseeoutattheworld.Motorstheycouldfeelbetween
theirlegsandbeneaththeirfeet,thethrobbingenergyofpotenttechnohorsestuggingatthebit,readyto
leapatthebrain'scommand.Totemsthatcouldserveapurposenonaturaltotemcould.Theycouldbe
owned,andtheycouldsimultaneouslyowntheir"owners."

Hisgrandfatherhadn'tlosthismedicine,andhehadn'tlosthis.Thetotemshadlosttheirs.Andthe

thingshehadlovedasachild,andlaterrejected---cars---weretheirreplacements.

Hesmiledasheconsideredthis,butasthesuncrawledupward,tuggingdownthenightwithitspink

claws,helostthethoughtandmadenoefforttoregainit.Instead,hefastenedhisattentiontothefar
sideofthelot,beyondthecarcrusherandtherowsoflostautomotivesouls.Therehecouldseethe
clayroadthatwounduptothepyramid.Therisingsunhadgivenitarustyredtintthatremindedhim
ofanold,positivebatterycable.Somehow,thatidentificationmadehimill.

Heturnedawayfromtheview,closedhiseyes,dozedforawhile.Whenthesunrosecompletelyand

thewholeofhisbodywasblushedredbyit,heawoke,climbeddown,andputonhisclothes.

ClutchandShiftto---

---ThirdGear

1

BruceWayne/Batman'sJournal,Recorded7:00A.M.

Alfred,thestrangenessImentioned.TheforthcomingstormIpredicted.It'snolongerforthcoming.

Iaminitsmidst.

Tonightwasnotmuchintheactiondepartment.Theusualstuff.Therewasonenicething:ayoung

womanwithababyintheBowery.Imayactuallyhavedonesomerealgoodthere.Shehadhitbottom,
Alfred,andIthrewherarope.Nousegoingintodetails,butsheisonabusbacktoNebraskanow,and
Iamhopefulshewillgetbackthelifeshelost.Itissomethingtofeelgoodabout.

Butthenightwasnotreallyeventfulintheusualsenseoftheword.
UntillatemorningandCommissionerGordonflippedonthesignal---myinvitationtogomidtown.
Iparkedinabackalley,activatedthelocksandalarmsontheBatmobileandtooktotherooftopswith

myropesandhooks.WhenIcameovertheedgeofthebuildingandbehindthesignallightwhereJim
wasstanding,lookingoutatthecity,hejumped.

Healwaysjumps.
"Dammit,"hesaid,"don'tdothat.Haven'tItoldyounottodothat?Idroppedmycigar."
"Iwasimpossibletoresist,"Isaid.
"Gladyouenjoyedit."Herecoveredhiscigar,brushedoffthewetend,stuckitinhismouth,clasped

hishandsbehindhisback,andreturnedhisattentiontothecityandtheneonblistersthrobbinginthe
darkness.

Heglancedatmeoutofthecornerofhiseye,removedhiscigar,helditbetweenhisfingers.He

noddedattheview."Pretty,isn'tit?"

Iliftedmychintowardthesignal,said,"Youlightuptheskysowecoulddiscusstheview?"
"Yeah,andIthoughtmaybewe'dhaveteaoutheretoo,somelittlecakestogowithit....Some

LeatherBoyswerefoundbrokenupandbeatenupoverintheBowery.Nonedead,butprettyscared.
Officercameacrossthemsaidtheyweregladtoseehim,toldhimyouwentcrazyandjumpedthem.I
knowbetterthanthat,sureyouhadareason,butyouwerekindofrough,weren'tyou?"

"Icertainlyhopeso."
"Yougottoknowthatnomatterwhattheydid---andI'msuretheydidsomething---there'salineeven

youdon'tstepover.Ijustwantedtoremindyouofit."

Ididn'tsayanythingtothat.
"Comeon,"hesaid."Let'sgototheoffice."
Wewent.Itwasdarkinthereandhedidn'tturnontheoverheadlight.Therewasonlythemoonlight

andthecitylightspumpingraysthroughthevenetianblinds.

Heploppeddowninthechairbehindhisdesk.Therewasagoosenecklamponthecornerofthedesk,

andheturnediton.Itwasadimlight.Thesortyouhadtohaverightoverwhatyou'rereading,andif
youweren'treading,itwasjustapleasantglowinthedarkness,likeakid'snight-light.

Isatdowninthechairacrossfromhimandwaited.Jimtookholdofthegooseneckandtwisteditso

itwaspoolinglightonmyside,thenheslidafilefolderacrosstome,satback,andwaited.

Helookedshrunkenupinsidehisstainedgraysuit,likeacicadanotwishingtocomeoutofitshusk.

Hiswhitemustachewasslightlytintedwithtobacco,whichmeanthewasmorenervousthanusual.He
hadcutbackonthecigarsandthepipealotinthelastfewyears,butwhenthingsgottense,outthey
came.Heusesthemthewayaboreddogdoesachewtoy.

Hewasnervousbecausehehadchosentocallmein.CityHalllovesthat.Theywantittolooklike

anycrimesolvedinGothamissolvedbythem,withoutoutsideinterference.

Iknowthatisoldnewstoyou,Alfred,butIcanneverforgetthatwhenIfirstappearedonthescene

theytreatedmelikeavigilante,andperhapstheywereright.ButI'ma"legalvigilante"now.
Sanctioned,ifnotenjoyed,bythedepartment.Theydecidedtheymightaswellmakemelegal,sinceI
wasgoingtodowhatIdidanyway,withorwithouttheirblessings.And,ofcourse,bysymbolically
givingmeabadge,anythingIaccomplishtheycanclaimpartoftheglory.Butitissuchsourglory,I
cannotaltogetherblametheirfeelingstowardme.

Inallfairnesstothedepartment,Idosomethinginthecity,solveacrime,wreckaracket,youcanbet,

dressedthewayIdress,thatIamgoingtogetsomepress.Buttheeverydaymaninblue,outthere
beatingthestreet,thehard-workingdetectiveswhogoatitwithoutglamour,iftheysolvesomething,it
endsuponthebackpageoftheGothamTimes,behindtheentertainmentsection.Makesitlookasif
theydonothingandIdoeverything.

Iopenedthefolder,pusheditbeneaththelight.Thefilewasonthehit-and-runofafewnightsback.

TheoneIhadbeenperipherallyinvolvedwith.Insteadoflayingitallouthere,letmecapsulizethe
contents.Ifdoubtsshouldariseastomyrecall,orifyourinterestgoesbeyondmygeneralizationofthe
events,thecompletefileisavailable.Alsoavailablearemycross-hatchingandresearchnotes,
conductedviacomputerbank.Youknowthecodes.

Therewerephotos.
FIRSTPHOTO:
Narrowdead-endalley.Shottakenfromtheentrance.
SECONDPHOTO:
Alleyfromtherearwalllookingtowardthestreet.Acrossthestreettheplateglasswindowof

GothamBootandLeatherisvisible.Afirehydrant.

THIRDPHOTO:
Aman.Lyingontheground.Badshape.Aleggone.Bloodallaround.Belttourniquetonhis

mauledleg,highabovewherethekneeusedtobe.Lookstobeinhisthirties.

Onthebackofthephotowaswritten:HardersMcCammon.Deadonthescene.
FOURTHPHOTO:
Abody,twistedintothegarbageofthealleybyspinningtires.Itssexisnotidentifiable.Amess.A

largeuglystainvisibleonthealleywallnearthebody.

Onthebackwas:VictimlateridentifiedasMarilynJuneCass.Age34.
FIFTHPHOTO:
Onemugshotofthekid,BillThomas,splitdownthemiddletodisplayfrontandprofileviews.
REMAININGPHOTOS:
Variousanglesonthealleyandthebodies.
Therewerestatementsalso.Theyincludethosebythearrestingofficer,SergeantO'Herity,andthe

kidIgrabbed,oneBillThomas.Theyreveallittlemorethanthefactthatahit-and-runtookplaceinthe
alleyandthatthekidrobbedthebodiesofnotonlymoney,butinthecaseofHardersMcCammon,his
shoesandlegaswell.

Thomasclaimedtohaveseenthecarthatkilledthepaircomingoutofthealleynosefirst,ablack

classicThunderbird.

Thegeneralreportconcludedfromtheevidenceandtheconditionofthebodiesthatthevictimshad

beenmauledbyaspinningautomobile,butitwasalsonotedthatthelogicoftheevidencewascontrary
tothelogicofavailablespace,thealleybeingonlywideenoughtopossiblyaccomodateasingle
automobile,andthatautomobile,oncereachingthedeadend,wouldbeforcedtobackout,asno
turnaroundspacewasavailable.Or,ifThomascanbebelieved,indicationsarethecarwentin
backwardsandcameoutforwards,butthiswouldnotexplaintheevidenceofspinning.

Nextpagehadareportbytheseniorlabtechnician,Ms.MavisGould.Itread:

It'sunfortunate,butsomehowtherubberresiduetakenfromtheskidmarksinthealleyandthe

connectingstreet,aswellastheblackpaintfoundembeddedintheskinofthedeceased,
MarilynJaneCass,andontheamputatedlegofthedeceased,HardersMcCammon,seemsto
havebeenlost,orconfusedwiththeresultsofanothertest.

Whatwehavelabeledasrubberresidueisactuallyhumanskin.Theevidencelabeledascar

paintisalsohumanskin,aswellashair,blood,andsaliva.

I'mconfusedastohowthismistakecouldhaveoccurred,asIoversawtheexaminationof

theseitemsmyself,andthestrictestprocedurewasfollowed.

Iclosedthefileandlookedup."Theylosttheevidence?"
"They'relookingthelaboverforit,tryingtofigurehowthingsgotmisfiled.ButMavis,theladywho

wrotethereport,shewasinheretoday,saysshethinksthingsweren'tmisfiled,thattheresultsare
correct."

Hepausedtosuckinsomecigarsmoke.
"Shesaidthematerialstheyexaminedlookedlikerubberandpaint,butitwasn'trubberandpaint

whensubjectedtochemicalanalysis.Theytrieddoingthejobagain,usingtheleftoverevidence,and
thematerialhadchangedoutrighttofleshandblood.Onthereportshesaysitwassomekindof
mistakebecauseitseemedliketheonlylogicalthingtosay,formalreportlikethat,butwhenItalkedto
herinprivate,shewasupsetandsangadifferenttune.Saidshewascertaintheevidencehadaltered."

"Whatdoyouthink?"
"She'sthebestlabtechnicianthisdepartment'sseen.AndthoughI'mnotentirelyreadytobelievethe

stuffactuallychanged,Ibelieveshebelievesit.

"Butthere'syetanotherinalonglineofkickers.Thefleshandbloodwhenexaminedasfleshand

blooddidn'tbelongtothevictims."

"Iassumethere'smore?"
"I'llsay.Thishit-and-rungotmethinkingaboutoneaweekagoinGlendale.Hit-and-runshappenall

thetime.Accidentsmostly.Someonedrivingtoofastandapedestrianstepsoutinfrontofthem,and---
bam!Driverhitsthem,panics,drivesoff.

"Ninetimesoutoften,youhearfromthemnotlongafter.Nextday.Aweekorsolater.Guilty

conscience.Butthisguy,salesmannameofHeilman,hewaskilledinhislivingroom.Acarslammed
throughthewallwhilehewaswatchingtheboobtube,leftoutoftherewithhimlyingonthefloorwith
aheadthesizeofaroofshingle.apicturetubeandacouchspringinhischest.Guyandtheplacewere
somessedup,couldn'ttellwhatwashimandwhatwasthefurniture."

"Notaprettyimage."
"Yeah.Andyouknowhowthesheriff'sdepartmentisoverthere,withSheriffCarruthersnotreadyto

acceptthathisofficeisultimatelyunderthejurisdictionofGothamCity---myjurisdicition---"

"Iknow,"Isaid.
"---butthey'rethelawtoo,andiftheywantedtocallthecasetheirown,Iwasreadytoletthem.

FiguredtheycoulddowhatIcoulddoonsomethinglikethat,andthesweeterwecouldkeeprelations,
thebetter.IgetenoughheadachesfromCarrutherswithoutaddingonemore.ButIdidforcethemto
givemealookattheirreport."

TheflamehadgoneoutonJim'scigar,andhepausedtorelightit.Hepuffedonthevilething,blew

outsmoke,watcheditspiralinthedimlight,glideintodarkness."WhenIaskedforthefile,they
startedshuffling.Carrutherssaiditwasn'tthathewouldn'tshowittome,buthedidn'thaveittoshow.
Saidhewasdeeplyembarrassed,buttheyhadlosttheevidence.Alltheyknewforsurewasthatthe
victimwasmurderedanditwasnoaccident.

"Asforthelossofthefile,Ihatedthat,ofcourse,butI'vegottoadmit,therewasapartofmethat

likedwatchingthatknow-it-allCarrutherssquirmlikeawormonahotgriddle.Still,bottomlineis,I
hadtomarkthelossofthefileuptofate,giveCarruthersandhisstaffareprimand,hopetheevidence,
ornewevidence,turnedup."

"Butyou'rethinkingnowtheydidn'tlosethefile?"
"ShallweplayHolmesandWatson?"
"Allright,"Isaid."YouthinkCarruthersliedtoyou.Thattheyrantheirtestsandcameupwiththe

samethingyourstaffcameupwith.Carruthersdidn'twanttotellyouhelostthefile,buthepreffered
thattolettingyouknowhisstaffwasincompetentandgottheevidenceconfused,thattheycameup
withbloodandskininsteadofrubberandpaint.Helostalittlefacethatway,butthoughttheotherway,
showingsuchpeculiarresults,wouldmakehimlookevenworse.HowamIdoing?"

"You'rebattingathousand,asusual....'Course,Icouldbewrong.Theycouldhaveactuallylostthe

file,butformytaste,it'stoobigacoincidencetodismiss.There'smore,butI'lltellyoutherestwhile
youdriveusovertoGothamMemorial."

"Allright,butlightonecigarinmycar,andIbreakyourarm."

Jimgatheredupasetofthefilesforme,andataperecorder.Ididn'taskabouttherecorder.Wewent

downstairsandwalkedaroundtowhereIhadparkedthecar.

Jimputthefilesandtherecorderontheseatbetweenus.WhenIpulledawayfromthecurbhesaid,

"Driveslow.Iwanttogetallthisoutbeforewegetthere.Otherdaytherewasadoublehit-and-runin

ColdShepherd.Doctorthereusedtoworkinourcoroner'soffice.Littletroublewiththebooze.You
knowher---"

"CatherineMeadows.Goodwoman.Realpro."
"That'stheone.Servesasbothdoctorandcoroneroverthere.Shesentinsomeevidenceforourlab

toevaluate.Evidencefromahit-and-run.Wouldyouliketoventureaguess?"

"ResultswerethesameastheevidenceontheWebbStreethit-and-run."
"Yeah,andthistimeMavissaidshewasstandingbytheresults,nomatterhowweird,andifanyone

wantedtothinkshewasincompetent,sobeit.Shewastakinganyandallblamefortheresults,
exoneratingherstaffofanymishandling.SheofferedmeherresignationifIwantedit.Ididn't,of
course.I'mstillreluctanttobelievethetestresultsarecorrect,buttwooutoftwomakesoneponder,
doesn'tit?WhatwasitSherlockHolmessaidaboutthingslikethis?Somethingabouthowifyouruled
outthepossible,thenyouwerelefttobelievetheimpossible?"

"Closeenough,"Isaid.
Jimwasquietforatime,mentallyorganizinghisthoughts.Itookafewunnecessaryturnstostretch

thetripout.Whenhestartedupagain,hiswordscameslowandcareful.

"Finalnoteofweirdnesscameoveranhourago,butbeforeItellyouaboutit,Ineedtotellyouthat

oneofthehit-and-runvictimsinColdShepherdlived.GuynamedEvanHill.Hewasbadoff,lostboth
legs,semi-comatose.KeptmutteringaboutaThunderbird.Yesterday,CatherineMeadowscalledand
toldmeaboutwhathappenedthere,andthatsheneededsomehelpfromthedepartmenthere.Alsotold
meshewashavingHilltransferredtoMemorial.Feltabighospitalcoulddomoreforhim.

"Well,Iwasattheofficeworkinglate,orworkingearly,dependingonhowyoulookatit,whenIgot

acallthattherewastroubleatthehospital.WhenIheardaboutit,Iwentoverthereandtookalook,
putwhatIsawtogetherwiththecrimesItoldyouabout,anddecidedtobringyouin.It'syourkindof
case."

Jimpickeduptherecorder."Thiswilltakecareoftherestofitforyou.Tapedherearerecorded

statementsfromthenurse,janitor,andasecurityguardovertheMemorial.Listen."

Alfred,letmepausetosaythatthestatementsofthenurse,janitor,andguardweregiventomeon

cassette,andIhavetransferredthemtooursystem,alongwithmyintroductions.It'savailabletoyou
ontheaudioportionofthecomputer.PressAUDIO.

2

AudioComputer:

VOICEOFBRUCEWAYNE:ThereportofJaneModell,thenightdutynurse,follows:

Iwassittingatthedesk,notreallythinkingaboutmuchofanything.Ithadbeenaslownight,

yousee,andallofasuddenIfeltakindofchill.Notliketheairconditionergives.Thekind
yougetwhenyou'rebeingwatched.Ilookedup,andfromhere,asyoucansee,anyonecoming
intheemergencyroomentrance,ormakinganexitoutofit,isvisible.Well,amanwas
standingthereandthedoorwasclosingbehindhimandhewaslookingatme.Thatwasn'tso

odd,buthewasbucknaked.Now,I'lltellyou,I'mnotbashful.Imean,Iamanurse,butthat's
different.Notthattheguywasanybadthingtolookat,youknow.Helookedallrightwithout
hisclothes.Athletic,inhisthirties,dark,handsome,AmericanIndian-looking,maybeItalian.I
don'tknow.

Hedidn'tseemself-consciousaboutbeingnaked,Icanassureyouofthat.Juststoodthere

looking,likehecouldseethroughme.

Hedidn'tappeartobehurtordazed,anythinglikethat,butmyfirstimpressionwashe'dhad

hisclothestornoffofhiminafight,awreck,somethinglikethat,andhadwanderedinhere
lookingforhelp.Ispokesoftlytohim,calmlike,said,"Sir,youokay?"Hedidn'tanswer.He
walkedoverhereandtooktherosterbookfrominfrontofme,andsinceI'mnotsupposedtolet
anyoneseeitwithouttherightpermissions,Itriedtostophim,triedtoreasonwithhim.Ibegan
tothinkhewasamentalpatient,ormaybesomeonewhohadlosthismemoryandhadalready
beenadmittedtothehospitalbuthadgottenoutofbed.

Really,Idon'tknowwhatIthought.Hehadholdofthatrosterbookatoneend,andIgothold

ofitattheother.Weplayedtug-of-warforamoment,thenhereachedoverthedeskandpalmed
meinthefaceandshovedmeagainstthewall.

Ididn'tgodown,butwhenIcameoffthewallandwasgoingtostartforhim,well,Idon't

know.Ilookedathiseyesand...lookingintothemwaslikethefeelingyougetwhenyou're
upsomewherehighandyoulookovertheedge,andforsomereasonyougettheurgetojump
...

KnowwhatI'msaying?Iwasscared,Iwon'tlietoyou,andIdon'tscareeasily.I'mabig

lady,andI'vewrestledwithafewnutsanddruggiesinmytime.Youworkherelongenoughat
thenightdesk,it'sgoingtohappen,butthisguy,uh-uh,Ididn'twantanypartofhim.HadI
grabbedforthatbookagain,itwouldhavebeenlikeleaningtoofaroverthathighplace,you
know?

Guyfinishedlookingattheroster,tosseditonthedesk,andwalkedtotheelevator.
Iwaitedasecond,thenwentfrombehindthedesk,peepedaroundthecorner,andwatchedhis

baretushrollingalong.Hewentintotheelevatorandclosedthedoors.Ipushedthebuttonthat
callssecurity,gotonthephone,anddialednine-one-one.

VOICEOFBRUCEWAYNE:JimFranklin,fourthfloorjanitor:

Well,Iwasinthemopclosetdownatthefarendofthehall,see.Hadthedooropenandwas

standingthereatthefloorsinkwiththewaterrunningonamop,gettingreadytowringitout
anddoalittledampmoppin','causeI'dwaxeditthenightbeforeandthatwasallitneededto
giveitashine.There'ssomepeoplewillwaxafloortodeath,getitallbuiltupsoit'llturnkinda
yellowonyou,butnotme,I'mapro.

Butsee,I'mabouttomopthefloor,andIheartheelevatordoorpinginglikeit'lldo,andI

turnedtolook,andthisfellastepsoutofthereandhedon'thavenoclotheson.Notastitch.
Well,Istaredathim,andheturnedandstaredatme,andthewayhedidmademefeellikeIwas
theonenaked.Istartedwishingthatmopclosetdoorwasclosedandlocked.Hekindof
smiled,youknow,likewewaspalsorsomething,andyoucanbetIdidmesomebigsmiling
back.Thenhelookedacrossthehallatadoor,gettingthenumber,andstartedwalkingtheother
way,checkingthenumbersashewent.

Whilehewasdoingthat,Igotoutofthecloset,afterwringingmymopout,'causeyouleave

onewet,youcomebackaftertoolongitgetsastinkonityoucan'thardlykill,andthenI
cruisedondownthestairs,'causetheelevatorwastooclosetowherehewas.WhenIgottothe
firstfloorMissModellwasalreadyonthehorncallingeverybodyintheworld.

Iwentintothesupplyroomandgotmeabedrailtoconkthatfellawith,'causeeventhough

hehadn'tdonenothingtome,MissModelltoldmehe'dpushedherdown,andIgottotellyou,
ifeverIlookedatsomeoneandthought,nowthere'safellaneedssomeconkin',hewasit.From
upstairstherecomeallkindsofracket,evenahornhonking---likeacarhorn---anditwas
beepingthatoleshaveandahaircutthing,likethebesttimeintheworldwasgoin'onupthere,
thentherewasthatbigexplosion,orrammingwasmorelikeit,andthingsgotquietas
grandma'sgrave.

Hedidn'tnevercomedown,soIdidn'tgettotryandconkhim.NextthingIknow,thelaw's

runningupstairs,lookingaroundandcomingdownwithnothing,andsayinghowthewallwas
knockedthroughtotheoutsideandaskingquestionsandall.Itwasmybreakaboutthen,so
whentheygotthroughwithme,Iwentandhadmeasandwichandastrawberrypop,andIdon't
guessIgotnothingelseIcansayaboutitall.

VOICEOFBRUCEWAYNE:BillSilverman,thenightsecurityman:

Itwasmybreaktime,Iwanttomakethatclear,andIwassittingonthewallaroundtheflower

bedsdrinkingcoffeeontheoppositesideofthebuilding.SoIgetthisbeeponmypager,and
thewayit'ssetup,youcantellbythewayitbeepswho'scalling,soIstartedwalkingaroundthe
buildingonmywaytothenightnurse'sstation.

BeforeIcouldgetaroundthebuildingtherewasanoise,likeanexplosion,andIhitthe

ground,casesomeonewasfiringatme.IwasinKorea,andIstillgetthewillieswhenaloud
noisehappens,likeacarbackfiresorsomethingheavyisdropped.

Anyway,timeIgotupandroundthere,wasn'tnothingtoseebutthisblackThunderbird

speedingoffthelot,anditwasabeauty,butkindofdifferenttoo,likeitwasaspecial-maderig
orsomething.Itwasreallymoving,andlookingbacknow,Isupposeithadsomethingtodo
withwhathappened,butIdon'tknowwhat.TimeIgotaroundthereandwastalkingtoJane,I
guessitwasalreadyover,thoughsheandthejanitorthoughttheguywasstillupstairs.

Ipulledmygunandwentupthestairsandlookedaroundandsawthedoortotheroomonthe

endwasopen,andIwentinandtookalook....Sawthemessandtheholeinthewall,but
wasn'tanynakedmanaround.Igotalittlesickfromthewayitsmelledinthere,thebloodand
all,soIwentdownandhadacupofcoffeeandwaitedforthepolicetocome.

VOICEOFBRUCEWAYNE:Endofaudioportionofcomputerjournal.PressJandRETURN.

3

BruceWayne/Batman'sJournalContinued

Bythetimethetapewasfinished,wehadarrivedattheGothamMemorialparkinglot.Thewall

facingus,fourstoriesup,hadahugegapinitandlightwasshiningoutofthegapandtherewasa
groupofbluesuitsstandingaroundinthelotandoverbythesideentrance.

Inside,wepassedtheadmittancedesk.Therewasamalenursebehindit.Helookedalittleexcited,

orperhapsdisappointedbecausehehadmissedalltheaction.IassumedMissModellhadgonehome.

Werodetheelevatortothefourthfloor.Whenwesteppedintothehallwaytherewasthesmellof

deathintheair,bloodandfeces,mixedwiththeusualsmellsofahospital,aswellasacoupleofsmells
Ididn'timmediatelyrecognize,primarilybecausetheywereoutofplace.

Wewalkedtothelastdoorontheleft.Abluesuitwasstandingthere.Hesteppedaside.
Beforeweentered,Jimtappedafingeronthenamecardoutsidethedoor.Itread:EVANHILL.
Insidewereanumberoftechnicians.Theyweremovingcautiouslyaboutbecausethefloorlooked

readytogivewayinnumerouslocations.Onepale-facedbluesuitstoodsilentlynearby,obviously
tryingtowishhimselfaway.

Onthefarsideoftheroom,whereasetofwindowshadformerlybeenpositionedinthewall,wasa

gapingholethatlookedasifithadbeenknockedtherebyatank.Starlightcamethroughthebreach.
Foramomentthereseemedasifalessbenignuniversewascollapsingintothisone,fillingitup.

Theoverheadlightshadbeenshakendownbywhateverhadhappenedintheroom,sotheforensic

boyshadbroughtinafewfloodlights,andintheirglowIcouldseethemessthathadoncebeenabed
withEvanHillonit.Nowitwasatangleofreddenedsheetsandhumanfleshtwistedintothemetal
frameofthehospitalbed.Itappearedasifsomeonehadrunthebedanditscontentsthroughan
immenseblender,thenhammeredthemessflat,drivingmuchofitintothefloor.Spottedalloverthe
floorwerewhatlookedliketightblackdoughnuts.Automotiverubberburns.

That,ofcourse,didn'tmakesense,astherewasbarelyenoughroomforamotorcycletocut

doughnutsintheroom,andyetthesizeofthemarksbeliedwhatwasreasonable.

Otherthanthetechniciansandthebluesuitandthegeneralconditionoftheroom,Inoticedthe

smells,theonesImentionedbefore,andnowIwasabletosortthemout.Tirerubber,ofcourse,andthe
faintestwhiffofcarbonmonoxide.

Jimsaid,"Inspiteofthewayitlooks,there'snorealindicationofabomb.Wallwasprobably

knockedout,notexploded.Andyouseethatthebodylookstohavebeenmoremashedthanblownup."

"Andyouhaven'tacluewherethenakedmanwent?"
"Notunlesshe'smashedupinthismess,andIdoubtthat.Butifheisn't,andhe'sresponsibleforthis,

wheredidhego?We'vesearchedthehospitaltoptobottom,andnodice.

"Apparentlyhewentouttheholeinthewallthere,buttodothat,he'dhavetohavebeenafly,oryou.

Ifhejumped,well,it'ssomekindofdrop,andwe'dhavefoundhimoutthereontheground,making
likeabearskinrug.Andthoserubberburnsonthefloor,wanttobetwhatshowsupwhenthey're
analyzed?"

"No,"Isaid,"butIwouldlikesamples."
"Done."JimwentovertothetechniciansandtoldthemwhatIneeded.Iwalkedaroundtheroomand

triedtopickuponaclue.Thereweretoomanyofthem,andnoneofthemmadesense.Iwentoverto
thegapinthewallandstoodthereandlookedoutattheparkinglot.Ipulledmypocketflashandgot
downonmystomachandleanedoutthegapandturnedthebeamontheoutsidewall,sawthatthere
wererubberburnsgoingdownit,likehugesnailtrails.

IgotupandcalledJimover."Tellyourpeopletogetsamplesoftherubberontheoutsidewall."
"What?"
Ipointedandgavehimtheflashlight.Hegotdownonhisstomachandtookalook."I'llbedamned,"

hesaid.Hestoodandgavememylight."Youknow,untilIcameheretoGotham,metyou,Idealtwith
ordinarycrime.Murder,rape,burglary,thatsortofthing.Butwhenyoushowedup,awholenewkind
ofcrimeshowedup.KnowwhatI'msaying?"

"Ishouldhavebeenanaccountant?"
"Thatcomestomind,"hesaid."It'slikethisstuffhastoexistsosomeonelikeyoucandealwithit."
"SoifIretirethingswillreturntonormal?"
"Hey,I'mtalking.Truthis,it'sgottensoIlookatyouandyoudon'tseemstupidinthatoutfit.Idon't

knowwhat'snormalanymore.Youcouldcutdownonthesizeofthoseears,though,theyseemalittle
much."

"I'lltellmytailor."
"Youdothat."
ThebluesuitcalledtoJim.Hewentoverandcamebackwithapacketofsamplesoneofthe

technicianshadpreparedforme.Iputitinthepouchinsidemycape.

ThebluesuitcalledJimbackforsomething,andIpulledahookandlinefrommyutilitybeltand

fastenedthehooktotheedgeoftheholeinthewall.Iswungoutanddown,hungbyonehand,usedthe
othertoshinemylittleflashagainstthewall.Definitelyrubberburns.

IheardJimtalkingtome."Nowwhereinhelldidhego?Ihateitwhenhedoesthat."
Iputthelightaway,sliddownthelinetothesidewalk,poppedthehookfreeandletitrewindintomy

belt'sretractingdevice,andbeganwalkingtotheBatmobile.Iwantedtobealone,tothink.Jimcould
getaridehomewithoneofhismen.

Jimcalledouttome."Iseeyouthistime,dammit.Iseeyou.You'renoghost."
Ilookedbackandupathim.Hewasstandinginthegap,floodlightsframinghimfrombehind.I

wavedathim,wenttotheBatmobile,anddroveawayfromthere,rushingtogethomebeforedaybreak.

4

WayneManor,9:22A.M.

Brucesawlightsandthelightswereverybrightandveryround.Theyhunginaduskyskyandwere

neithersunsnormoonsbutwererimmedwithsilver,andtherewasashapebehindthemandtheshape
waslongandsleekandshadowy.

Hefelthimselfbeingpulledback,asifoncameradolly,andhecouldseethelightshangingevenlyin

thesky,maybeeightfeetapart(orperhapsitwaseightyfeetapart,distancewasimpossibletojudge---
likeachildstaringatthemoonandseeingitthesizeofanickelandonlyalittlehigherthanahouse,
whileanadultseesitasmilesaway,beyondtheatmosphereoftheearth),andhecouldidentifymoreof
theshadowyshapebehindthelights,andtheshapebecamelessshadowywithawinkofgrillworkthat
hungbeneaththetwogreatlights,andthegrillworktwistedliketeethgrindinggristle.Thegrillwork
splitwide,revealingadeep,darkmouthwhereatonguethecolorofterminalcancerandfreshlypoured
asphaltflexedandflicked.

Then,asiflyingonhisbackonagreaserackandthegreaserackrising,Brucecouldseeupandabove

thelights,andtherewassomethingelseupthere.Adarkwindshield,catchingraysfromtheheadlights,

makingthemflickerlikefirefliesbeforereleasingthemtobeconsumedbythesurroundingdarkness,
brillianttreatsfortheravenousbellyofdoom.

Whathewaslookingatwasanenormouscar.Itdangledintheskyataslightlydownwardangle,the

headlightsgivingglowtowhatwasbelow.

Astherisinggreaserackpositionaffordedhimgreaterviewoftheheavens,hesawthattowering

abovethecolossalautomobilehehadidentifiedwastheslopingroofofoneevengreater,andway,way
upatthetopofthegreatercarhecouldmakeoutastupendoussunroof,andthoughtherewasnosun
shiningthoughit,therewerelights,andtheywerelikeaheavenfullofstars,ormaybeamultitudeof
smaller,headlightedcarsrovingaboutthegalaxyofthisautomotivenight;anightbeyondwhichlived
thegodsofcleancarburetors,freshupholsterysmells,andsmoothgearshifts.

Nowthegreaserackviewwasgone.Bruce'svisionwaslowering.Hewasupright,walkingdownan

alley.Besidehim,ontheright,washismother,fashionablydressed,blondandpretty,astringofpearls
aboutherneck.Ontheleftwashisfather,tall,handsome,muscular,inanexpensivesuitandovercoat.
Behindthemweremarqueelights,andbetweentherectangleoflights,inblacklettersonawhite
backgroundwasTHEMARKOFZORRO,andbelowthatwasaflashofpostershowingZorrowith
wheelsbelowhiskneesinsteadofshins,ankles,andfeet.Theswordinhishandwasanoverlongoil
stick.

Lookingleft,beyondhisfather,Brucesawthatthesidesofthealleyweretintedcarwindshields,and

belowthemwererowsofdoorhandlessetintoblackupholstery.Totheright,thesame.Athisfeetwas
afloorboardcarpetfilledwithdustandwadsofchewinggum.

Whenhelookedup,hesawthathisparentshadchanged.Hismother,likeZorro,wasnowrolling

alongonwheels.Hereyesweresmallheadlights.Thepearlsatherneckwerepolishedballbearings.

Hisfatherwasonwidetruckwheels;hiseyeswereheadlightsonhighbeam.Asherolledalonghe

smiledatBruce,andinplaceofteethhismouthwasfilledwithgrillwork,likeaclassicBuick.

Brucediscoveredhetoowasonwheels.Hewasabrightlypaintedkiddiecar.Hiseyeslituphis

path.

Awheeledman,hisheadlightsflickeringnervouslyfromhightolow,pulledoutofthedarknessand

intotheirpath.Hepointedanarmforward.Therewasn'tahandattheendofit;itwastippedwitha
greasyblackpistol.

ABRUPTFLASHTOFILMSTRUCTURE:
INSERT:CLOSEONPISTOL:
Sideofthepistol,andit'smadeupoflittleblackwheels,turning,turning...
CLOSERYET:
Wheelsaresmallhumans,naked,bentdouble,feetintheirmouths,bodiescoveredinsmokinglube

oilandaxlegrease.Tinymuffledvoicesattempttosoundoutaroundfoot-filledmouths.Results:
noisesasweakandsadasworn-outignitionswitches.

BACKTOSCENE:
AsBruce,Mother,andFatherceaserolling(brakessnaphardenoughtogivewhiplash)andMother

recoilsinhorror.FathergunshismotorandrollsinfrontofBruceandMother,protectivelyspreadsout
hisarms,and---

CUTTOMANWITHGUN:
Beadsofoilonhisforehead.Thegunridesupandspits---
SLOWMOANDCLOSEON:
---littlesilverracecarexitingthepistolbarrel,cruisingthroughtheair,miniaturetires---miniscule

humanswiththeirfeetintheirmouths---spinningonaninvisiblehighway,car'ssilverycolorcapturing

theoverheadbeams,holdingthemuntilitentersFather'schestandtugsthereflections,likeaJUST
MARRIEDcarpullingbrightconfetti,afterit.

PULLBACK,FULLVIEWOF:
Fathergoingdown,oilflyingoutofhismouth,mixingwiththedustandgumonthefloorboard.
BACKTOANDCLOSEON:
---Gunintheman'shandasitjumpsagain.Anotherracecarshootsoutofthebarrel.
MOVINGWITHTHEBULLET/CARAS:
---ItstrikesMother'schest,shatteringhernecklace.Theballbearingsflyawaylikeaplanetary

systemminusgravity.

QUICKCUTTOANDCLOSEONABALLBEARINGSPINNINGONTHEFLOORBOARD,

TWIRLINGLIGHTLIKEADANCERWITHFIREBATONS:

QUICKCUTTO:
BRUCE'SVIEW,WHICHHASALTEREDSOTHATNOWIT'SASIFHE'SSEATEDINTHE

CARTHATHANGSOVERTHESCENE:

Heseesthegunman/carpanicking,spinningonhistires,shiftinginternalgears,floorboardingaway,

followedbyacloudofburnedrubberandcarbon-blackexhaust.Heseeshimself,thelittlecar,standing
overhisfallenparents,rockingwildlyonhiswheels,watchingtheirlubeoil,transmissionfluid,radiator
water,andantifreezepoolaroundthem.Hescreamsanoisenotunlikethesoundofanill-adjustedfan
beltsqueaking.

Nomechaniconduty.

SCENESPINSAND:
thefilmmotifislostandthecarfromwhichBruceobservesallthisbeginstogyrate,likeanenormous

tirecenteredonacoal-coloredhub,fasterandfaster,andthenitsoarsuphighwithawail,sprouts
enormousbatwings.

AndnowBruceisthebat,andfromthisposition(bats-eyeview)hecanseeclearlyagain,andwhathe

seesbelowistheearth,andit'stheshapeofasmalltire,turningslowly,tonopurpose,tonogain....

5

Bruceawokefromthedream,shattered.
HesatupinbedandtherewasAlfredbesidehim,ahandonhisshoulder.Inspiteofthat,hefeltasif

hehadmerelyawakenedfromadreamwithinadream.Thehandfeltsolidenough,butwasit?How
solidwassolidinadreamwithinadream?

"Iheardyouscream,"Alfredsaid."Aweakscream,sir.Itfrightenedmemorethanusual.Itsounded

likeasqueakywheel.Ithoughtperhapsyouwerehavingaheartattack."

"Dependsonwhatsortofheartattackyoumean,Alfred."
"Ofcourse,sir."
"Alfred?"
"Yes,sir?"

"Thedreamwasdifferentthistime."
"Itoftenvaries."
"Imeanverydifferent.Ithadafilmmotifasitoftenhas---"
"Duetothefactyourparentswerekilledafteramovie."
"Right,buttherewasalsoacarmotif."
"Nothingoddaboutthat,sir.Youarecurrentlyquiteinvolvedwithautomotiveconcerns.You're

aware,ofcourse,I'vebeenreadingyourjournalandcasereports?"

"Mysubconsciousistryingtotellmesomething,Alfred."
"Meaningyou'vefoundsometruthsyourconsciousmindisnotyetreadytoaccept?"
"That'sright....Thisdreamwassoreal."
"Thosearethegoodones,sir."
"Nothinggoodaboutit."
"NotexactlyhowImeantit,MasterBruce."
"Iknow....Alfred,howrealisadream?Tellme."
"Isupposeasrealasyouallowittobe,MasterBruce.Areweintothe'islifebutadream'mode,sir?"
"Isupposeweare."
"BeenreadingyourSartre,Kierkegaard,Camusagain,Isee.Theyalwayssetyouinablackand

introspectivemood.Well,sir,ifweareadream---andforsakeofargument,letussaythatthedreamis
anunhappyone---thencouldwenotalterourdreamsinthesamewaywealterourlives?Makethem
morepleasant?Ibelievewecoulddothat,providedIthoughtIwasadreamwithinadreamwithina
dream,orwhatever.Idon't,however.Butwe'vehadthisconversationbefore?"

"Toomanytimes."
"AndnothingI'vesaidbeforematters,soI'mreluctanttohauloutthesamebaggage."
"Itmaynotseemlikeit,butithelps.Really."
"Personally,sir,ifIwereyouandyouwereaskingmyadvice,Iwouldtakeit.It'sundoubtedlythe

bestyou'llgetfromanyone."

"Idon'tdoubtthat,but..."
"Youquitepreferthemisery?Isthatit,sir?Akindofpenance?Amartyrcomplex,perhaps?"
"That'spossible."
"Probable,MasterBruce.Andnottoboreyouwitharepeatedcomment,butitwasn'tyourfaultyour

parentsweremurdered.Youwerealittleboy."

"Itdoesn'thelp,Alfred."
"Acupofhotcocoa,then?"
"Cocoa?"
"Aswe'vebeenoverthissubjectrepeatedly,thechoicesseemsomewhatlimitedforthiskindofthing,

sir.It'sbesttothinkinabasicmanner.Simplepleasures,andallthat."

"Iseeyourpoint,Alfred.Thanks.Hotcocoawillbefine."
"Itmaynotbetheanswertoyourproblems,sir,butastheSouthernersmightsay,itbeatsbeing

jobbedinthenosewithabrokenlimb."

"Jabbedintheeyewithapointedstick,Alfred."
"Thataswell,sir.I'llberightbackwiththecocoa."
"Bringitdowntothecave."
Bruceswungfrombeneaththecoversandpluckedhisrobeoffthebedpostandslippediton.
"Verywell,sir.Isupposeyouwillbegoingdowntodoflipsandjumpsandperformallmannerof

athleticendeavor?"

"AmIsopredictable?"
"Toanadversaryonthestreet,I'msureyou'requitegreasy,sir---"
"Slippery,Alfred,notgreasy."
"Thataswell.Buttome,you'reasreliableandpredictableasthetickingofBigBen.And,somewhat

offthesubject,mightIaddthatyouarequitethecutup,sir.Constantlycheery.Alwaysfullofgood
news.Icontinuouslyfindmyassociationwithyoutobeoneofeverylastinghumor.Indeed,
lightheartedisyourmiddlename."

Brucefinishedtyinghisrobe."DoIdetectalargedoseofirony,Alfred?"
"Thatwouldquitedependonyourlevelofperception,MasterBruce.Ironymightnotbeentirelyin

tunewithyourconsciousness,thoughitiscertainlyintunewithyournature."

"Thecocoa,Alfred."
"MightIsuggestlessjumpingoffofbuildingsandboundingaboutinaHalloweencostume,andmore

readinginthelibrary,andperhapsDickensinsteadofSartreandthosewriterspreoccupiedwiththe
meaningofitall?Thatsortofthingwouldgivemostanyonebaddreams.Theanswertolifeismuch
moreakintoregularbathroomhabits,agoodfriend,ahotcupofcocoa.Onedoesn'tliveforthedead,
sir.Onelivesfortheliving.Remember,dwellingonyourparents'deathsdeniesthememoryoftheir
lives."

"Irememberthem,Alfred,butnotwell.I'mnotdenyingtheirworthinlife,becauseIdon'ttruly

remembertheminlife.WhatIrememberis...thatnight,themomentIlostthem.IsupposewhatI
recallismoreamythologyofwhoIwantthemtohavebeenthanwhotheyreallywere.IfearInever
reallyknewthem,andImissneverfinishingmychildhood.Ineverhadthatopportunity."

"Norwillyou,sir.That'safactandonethatcannotbealtered,nomatterwhatyoudo,nomatterhow

youliveyourlife.Therefore,onemustmoveon.Burythedead,Psychiatry101,andapagetornfrom
theAll-KnowingBookofAlfredPennyworth."

"Justgetthecocoa,Alfred."
"Thecocoa,sir."
Alfredmovedtowardthedoor.
"Alfred?"
Withoutturning:"Yes,sir."
"Thanksforlistening...again.Andyou'reright,ofcourse."
"Ofcourse,sir."
"Butitdoesn'thelp.Logicmerelyconfusestheissue."
Alfredopenedthedoor,stoodforamomentasifcollectinghimself,andjustbeforesteppingoutof

theroomsaid,"Iknow,son."

ThedoorclosedandleftBruceindarkness.

6

Alfred,carryingatraywithacupofsteamingcocoaonit,touchedthetallgrandfatherclockwitha

fingerandthefrontofitsprangopen.Alfredsteppedinsideandtheclockdoorclosedautomatically
behindhim.

Hewentdownthelongrowofstonestepsandintothewell-litcave,pasttrophycases,past

freestandingtrophies:agiantpenny,amammothplayingcardbearingtheJoker'slikeness,alife-sized
mechanicalTyrannosaurusRex---remindersofBatman'smoreuniqueadventures.

Heconsideredthose,thought,MaybeMasterBruceandIbothliveinadream.Thisisamostunusual

life.Thenhethought,Nowhe'sgotmedoingit.

Hecontinueddown.
Bruce,wearingonlyapairofgraysweatpants,wasswingingbetweentheparallelbars,hisbodyshiny

withsweat,themusclesrollingbeneathhisskinlikerubberballsinatightnylonbag.

Heswunghislegsup,twisted,letgoofthebarsandflipped,wenthighandcamedownbetweenthem

again,hisarmsflashingout,hishandsfasteningonthebarslikemetalpinchers.Heswungagain,out
andawayfromthebars,landedontheworngraymat,tumbledforward,andcameuponhisfeet.

Heglidedtotheheavyhangingbag,jabbedit,rightcrossedit,lefthookedandkickedit,followed

withrapidblowsfromhisknees,elbows,andforehead.

Nowhewasawayfromthebag,leapingforthehangingrings,swingingbetweenthemasifhewerea

partoftheirconstruction.Feetoverhishead,twistingcompletely,lettinggo,hittingthematontheballs
ofhisfeet,springingupandsnatchingtheringsagain,bending,rotating,swinging.

AlfredhadwatchedBruceworkoutinnumerabletimesbefore,butitneverceasedtoamazehim.He

hadneverseenanyonesodedicated,soperfect.Brucewasaworld-classgymnast,aswellasoneofthe
greatestmartialartsexpertsliving.No,hewasundoubtedlythegreatestmartialartsexpertliving.Had
hechosen,hecouldhavebeenheavyweightboxingchampionoftheworld,kickboxingandfull-contact
karatechampionoftheworld.OfthisAlfredwascertain.Noonehadbeentestedasmanytimesas
Brucehad.Noonehadsuccessfullybattledsomanyopponents---oneatatime,tenatatime,armedand
unarmed.

Brucewasontheforty-footclimbingropenow,scurryingupitlikeamonkey.Whenhereachedthe

top,hecamedownsuddenly,fallingtwofeetatatime,handssnappingouttograbtheropeandsave
himselfashedropped,lettinggoagain,clutching,lettinggo,clutching,repeatingallthewaydown.

Whenhehitthematting,Bruceimmediatelywentintothebeautiful,slow-motionformsoft'aichi.

Themovementsofaballetdancercouldn'thavebeenmorebeautifulandprecise.

Alfredwalkedtothecomputerbanks,placedthetrayofcocoainfrontofthemainterminalandturned

iton,insertedandpunchedupBruce'scommentsconcerninglastnight.Hehadreadthemearlier,but
theirstrangenesspromptedhimtoreadthemagain.

Whenhefinished,hedecidedtolookattheresearchandnotesBrucehadrecordedbeyondhis

journal.Asitwasmoretechnicalandrecappedandevaluatedalreadyexistingmaterial,hehadn't
botheredwithitbefore.HisconcernwasgenerallyBruce'sdispositionmorethanthecaseathand,but
thiscasewasstrangeandcompelling,andhefeltperhapshemighteaseBruce'smindabitbyofferinga
helpfulsuggestion.Helikeddoingthatonthetoughermatters.

Hetappeditontothescreen.Itread:

FIRSTATTACK

VICTIM'SNAME:JerryHeilman.
OCCUPATION:ShoeSalesmanfortheGreaterFootwearCorporation,officesGothamCity,New

York,LosAngeles,andDallas,Texas.Typeofsalesinvolvedin:travelingdoor-to-doorsalesman.

GENERALSTATUS:Placeofbirth,NewJersey.EducatedGothamCityHighSchool,eleventh

grade.RecentlyretiredtoGlendale.Bachelor.Nosurvivingrelatives.Victimofhit-and-runmurderin
Glendale.Age50.

PERTINENTDATA:Murdertookplaceinthevictim'shome.Anautomobileranthroughtheliving

roomwall,struck,killed,andmutilatedthebodyofHeilmantosuchanextentthatcouchsprings,
televisiontray,andaforty-two-inchcolortelevisionsetcouldnoteasilybeseparatedfromtheremains
ofthebody.Evidenceofthecrime:paintandtirerubbersampleswerepresumablylostinalaboratory
mix-up.Cover-upoftruelaboratoryresultsexpectedduetopossibleoddnatureoffindingsandill
feelingsbetweenSheriffCarruthersandtheGothamPoliceDepartment.Finalnote:GreaterFootwear
Corporationisknownforsellingcheapfootwearacrossthecountryandforconcentratingespeciallyon
povertystrickenareassuchasghettos,barrios,andIndianreservations.

SECONDATTACK

VICTIM'SNAME:(1)MarilynJaneCass
OCCUPATION:DirectorofGothamCityMuseum'sDivisionofAntiquity.
GENERALSTATUS:Placeofbirth,GothamCity.EducatedGothamCityHighSchool.Vassar,

Ph.D.AnthropologyandArchaeology.Internship,ManowackIndianReservation.Museumposition
establishedshortlythereafter.SeriousrelationshipwithHarders,McCammon,alsoavictimofthe
attack.

PERTINENTDATA:MurderedinalleyoffWebbStreetbyhit-and-runvehicle.Bodymauled

beyondrecognition.Paintandtirerubbersamplesanalyzed.Resultsthoughttobeconfused.Oncloser
examinationtheyprovedtobebloodandskinfromanAmericanIndian.

NOTE:ObvioussimilaritiesbetweenthisattackandtheoneonJerryHeilman.
VICTIM:(2)HardersMcCammon
OCCUPATION:ComputerProgrammerforGothamMutualandLifeInsuranceCorporation.
GENERALSTATS:Placeofbirth,Nacogdoches,Texas.Educated,NacogdochesSchoolDistrict.

TwoyearsTylerJuniorCollege,Tyler,Texas.TwoyearsLaBordeUniversity,LaBorde,Texas.
ResidentofGothamCity.SeriousrelationshipwithMarilynJaneCass,aforementioned(1)victimof
hit-and-runattack.

INTERESTINGDATA:Lostalegintheattack.Lessmauledthanothervictims,thoughttobedueto

havebeenknockedintoandpartiallyprotectedbygarbageandgarbagecans.Survivedlongenoughto
applyamakeshifttourniquet.Thoughttohavebeenbeatenwithhisownlegandrobbedafterthehit-
and-runbyastreettough,BillThomas.

NOTE:Seeresultsoflaboratorydataconcerningpreviousvictims.

THIRDATTACK

VICTIM'SNAME:(1)MarthaLynnPeel
OCCUPATION:LibrarianforColdShepherdPublicLibrary.Age32.
GENERALSTATS:Placeofbirth,ColdShepherd.EducatedColdShepherdSchoolDistrict.

Graduatedbachelor'sdegreeLibraryScienceGothamCityUniversity.

INTERESTINGDATA:Attacksimilartothatofaforementionedhit-and-runvictims.Bodymauled

beyondrecognition.

VICTIM'SNAME:(2)EvanHill.
OCCUPATION:Sometimehandyman.ReferredtoinColdShepherdreports,whichIcomputer-

accessedthismorningofJuly30th,asthetowndrunk.Nothingmuchknownabouthispastlife.
AppearedinColdShepherdinthesixtiesandremained.PossiblyfromtheMidwest.

INTERESTINGDATA:HillwasattackedthesamenightandareaasMarthaLynnPeel.Survived

attack,transferredtoGothamMemorialforspecializedmedicalattention.Murderedinhishospitalbed
bywhatappearedtobeanotherhit-and-runattack.EvanHillandtheroomheoccupiedwere
demolishedandtheautomobile---musthaveexitedthroughthehospitalwallandproceededfourstories
downtheoutsidewall.

PERSONALOBSERVATIONSONHIT-AND-RUNCRIMES:SheriffofColdShepherdisa

ManowackIndiannamedPaleBoy.ThisgivesthreeobvioustiestothereservationoutsideofCold
Shepherd:(1)MarilynJaneCassservedherapprenticeshiponthereservation;(2)PaleBoywasborn
andraisedthere;(3)JerryHeilmansoldshoestolow-incomefamilies,amongthemAmericanIndians
onreservations,andmostcertainlytomembersoftheManowacktribe.

Isthisaclueoracoincidence?
Lastly,asafollow-up,IranthroughmylaboratorythebloodworksamplesgivenmebyGordon,and

foundsurfaceanalysistorevealthesameresultsgarneredbyGothamCity'spolicelab.

Itoccurredtomethatthepolicelabwouldnotfeelitnecessarytoconductfurtherinvestigation,as

theseresultswouldappeartoofarafieldoftheexpected.SoIconductedthetestfurther,andunder
computer-magnifiedmicroscopesthesamplesprovedevenmoreenigmatic.Thebloodisinfectedwith
somestrangemaladythatresemblesavirus,thoughIhesitatetocallitsuch.Infact,thevirusareunlike
anythingwithinmyscientificexperience.They'rewheel-shaped.Wheelswithinwheels,infact,
constantlyspinning,asifcarryingsomeinvisiblechassisthroughthebloodstream.Anhourlater,the
wheelsweregoneandthebloodwasnormal.

Mysterieswithinmysteries.
Conclusionstofollowsoon.
Ihope.

AlfredceasedreadinganddrankBruce'scocoa.ItwasgettingcoolanywayandBruceneveratewhat

waspreparedwhenAlfredpreparedit.Quitefrustrating,actually,cookingmealsandwatchingthem
cool.Itwouldteachtheboyalesson.

Alfredcarefullyexaminedthephotosinthefile.Somethinginoneofthemcaughthiseye.Hetooka

smallmagnifyingglassfromthedeskdrawerandputittothephotograph.Ashesuspected.Jollygood.

Brucestrolledover,wipingsweatfromhisfacewithatowel.Heputthetoweloverhisshouldersand

lookedatthecupwiththecocoastaininthebottom."Whataboutmycocoa?"

"Ithadturnedtoocool,sir.Youwouldn'thavelikedit."
"That'sgoodtoknow....Solvedmycaseformeyet?"
"Ihaven'tactuallyhadthechancetoputmymindtoit,butcertainthingsseemobvious."
"Caretoenlightenme?Andmaybeafterthat,youcouldfixacupofcocoa."
"Oh,no,sir.Onecupwillholdmewellenough....Astothecaseathand,itappearsfromyour

notesyoubelievethere'saconnectionbetweenthemurdersandtheManowackIndianReservationnear
ColdShepherd,andIthinkthatmakessense.Soundreasoning,sir."

"Well,thankyou,Alfred."
"Elementary."
"Andwhatdoyoubelievemynextstepwillbe,Mr.Holmes?"
"IpresumeyouareplanningtogotoColdShepherd,sir.This...whatisit...?"Alfredlookedat

theprintout."PaleBoy.Hemightbequiteanaidtoyou,havingbeenbornandraisedonareservation,
andthoughthatisanintelligentmethodofbeginningyourinvestigation,mightIsuggestyoufirstgoto
theGothamBootandLeatherShop."

Brucelookedblank.
"Oh,thedamagethatcouldbefosteredonyourreputationifthepublicandthepolicedepartment

knewtheassistanceyourequiredinsolvingyourcases....Ifyou'rehavingtroublefollowingmyline
ofreasoning,MasterBruce,pleasefeelcomfortabletoaskquestionsatanytime.I'mmorethanwilling
toaccomodateyouwithmyinsights."

"Yoursuggestionhastodowiththephotoofthebootshop."
"Bravo.YoudeducedthatbecauseI'mnowholdingitinmyheatedlittlehand,Ipresume."
"Youpresumecorrect....It's'hotlittlehand,'Alfred.ButIadmittheexactconnectionbetweenthe

photoandyourexcitementescapesme."

Alfredheldupthephotographoftheleathershop.HeturnedittowardBruce.Hepositionedthe

magnifyingglassoveraportionofit."Ifyouexaminethephotocarefully,hereintheshop,justvisible
withthemagnifyingglass---"

"Ofcourse,"Brucesaid.
"You'veslappedtoit,sir?"
"Snapped,Alfred,notslapped.Andyes,Iknowwhatyou'redrivingat....Iseewhatyou'redriving

at.HaveItoldyouhowsmartyouarelately?"

"Well,sir,Icouldquitedowithmoreofit."
"You'resmart,Alfred."
"Thankyou,MasterBruce."
"I'llattendtoyoursuggestionfirstthing."
"Verygood,sir."
"Now,howaboutsomebreakfast,Alfred?"
Alfredroseandpickedupthetray."Oh,no,thankyou,MasterBruce.Idon'tfeeltheleastbit

hungry.Iateearly,andthatcocoaseemstohavetoppedmeoffnicely."

"Funny,"Brucesaid.
"Yes,sir.Laughterasthebestmedicine,andallthat."
AlfredpickedupthetrayandemptycupandstartedforthestepsthatledtoWayneManor.
"Justsomeoatmeal,Alfred?"
"Neverbotherthestuff,MasterBruce."
"Touch,Alfred.Nevertouchthestuff."
"Quiteright,sir.Neverdo."
Alfredreachedthetopofthestairs,touchedthespringlockwithhisfoot,thewallslidback,andhe

steppedinsidetheclock.Thewallclosedbehindhim.

ClutchandShiftto---

---FourthGear

1

ColdShepherd,CatherineMeadow'sHospitalOffice,Noon

PaleBoyleanedbackintheleatherofficechairandlookedslightlybeyondCatherineMeadows,asif

somethingprofoundlaytothesideofandbeyondherrightear.Hesaid,"Doc,Ifeelfunnyaboutthis."

"Onthevergeoflaughter?"
"YouknowwhatImean."
"That'swhyyouwon'tlookatme?"
"IfeellikeI'mattheprinciple'sofficeorsomething."
"I'mworsethananyprinciple.I'madoctor.Myclosetisfullofhacksawsandtheshrunkenheadsof

friendsandclients."

PaleBoytriedtolaugh,didn'tmakeitentirely.Helookedmorelikehe'dprefertochewglass.
"Iwantyoutokeepsomethinginmind,PaleBoy."
"What'sthat?"
"You'renothereinyourunderwear."
Thistimeshegotareallaughfromhim,butashortone.
"Allright,butI'mstillnervous."
"Why?"
Heexaminedaspiderwebintheuppercorneroftheroom."Mentalproblems,youknow.Idon'tlike

tothinkaboutthat.Talkaboutit.GetwhatI'msaying?"

"You'renuts,butwouldpreferpeoplenotknowit?"
"Couldbesomethinglikethat.Mygrandfathermayhavebeenalunatic.Misguided,anyway.Idon't

know.IjustfeeluncomfortablethinkingthatImayhaveinheritedit.FeellikeI'minapositionof
weakness.I'mmoreofamachoguythanIrealized.OrI'mmoreinvolvedwithwantingtobethought
thatwaythanIrealized.Andcomingheretotalkabout...thesekindofthings.Idon'tknow,itmakes
mefeelweak."

"Personally,PaleBoy,I'vealwaysseenyouasaweenie.Youcomingheretotalktomeabout

somethingthat'sbotheringyou,actuallyhavingaproblem,well,thatclinchesitforme.Iwasrightall
along.Youareaweenie.Oneofthebiggest."

"Silly,huh?"
"Stupid'sthewordIhadinmind.StupidspelledwithabigS.Listenhere,PaleBoy.I'mnota

practicingpsychiatrist.Imerelyhavethecredentials.Besides,Idon'tfullytrustpsychiatrymyself.
Toomanypeoplethinkit'sanexactscience.Believeeverythingthey'retold.Theyusepsychiatrists,
analysts,therapists,todocopingtheyshoulddoontheirown.Lovebeingtoldthey'renotatfaultfor
anything.Personally,Ibelieveinalittleblame.Weusedtocallitresponsibility.Psychiatristsand
therapistsshouldbeformajorproblems,notminorpointsofconfusion.Thosethingsarebestdiscussed
withafriend.Consideryourselftalkingtoafriend.Thatshouldn'tbedifficult,shouldit?We're
friends,aren'twe?"

"Ithinkso."
"Okay,theproblems."
"I'vehadthembefore,butIthoughtI'dbeatenthem.Imean,theydidn'tseemlikesomuchwhenI

firsthadthem,butthey'recomingbackandIdon'tunderstandthemexactly.They'restronger.I'ma
littleconfused.It'snotallmental.Someofit'sphysical."

"Fromthewayyou'rerubbingyourhead,Iassumetheheadacheshaven'tstopped?"
"Theystopsometimes,foralittlewhile.Butlatelythey'vebecomefrequent.Andveryintense."
Catherineopenedherdeskdrawerandtookoutasmallbottleandopenedit,pouredouttwopills.

"Over-the-counterstuff,butprettystrong."Shegavehimthepills,walkedovertothewatercooler,
pluckedapapercupfromtherack,andfilleditwithwater.Shegaveittohim."Takethose,thenstart
atthetop."

Hetookthepills,drankthewater,waddedthecup,andtosseditinthetrashcan."Itgoesbacka

ways."

"Thengobackaways.Igetbored,I'lltellyou."
"Allright,"hesaid,butdidn'tcontinue.
Catherinepulledthecurtains,darkeningtheroom."Cozynow,huh?"Shesatbehindherdeskand

openedthedeskdraweragain,puttheheadachetabletsbackandremovedanotherbottle.Whiskey.
"Hairofthedog?"

"No,thanks."
"Ishouldn't,butwhatthehell?"Shepouredthecupfull,sipped,shiveredslightly."That'lldoit."

Sheremovedacigarettewrapperandtobaccofromherpocket,rapidlyrolledacigarette,stuckitinthe
cornerofhermouth.Sheleanedbackinthechairandputherfeetonthedesk.Shehadonsockswith
pinkandgrayclocks.PaleBoyfoundhimselfstandingatthem.

"Like'emenough,"shesaid,"Icanshowyouwhereyoucanbuyyourownpair."
"Actually,Iwaswonderingwhyyouwearthem.Ihadapairlikethat,I'dkeepthemoutofthepublic

eye."

"You'retryingtoavoidwhatyoucameherefor.Yougoingtoboremeorwhat?"
Henodded."Okay,butIwarnyou,it'soddbusiness."
"Oddbusinessdoesn'tbotherme.It'sthewaitingontheoddbusinessbothersme.Icouldskipthis,

youknow.Goonhome.AllIgothereisagooddinnerandafinebooktoread,andheavenforbidIget
achancetodothat,notwhenIcandelightinsittingherewaitingonyoutotalktome."

"Anyoneevertellyouthatyouwereabitch?"
"Itcomesuponaregularbasis."
Hesmiled,thenbegantotalk."Thehit-and-runsonEvanandMartha.Iwasgoingovermyreport

thismorning,andImightadd,I'vegottentheinformationbackonthetestresultsfromGotham."

"I'veseentheautopsyreportsonMartha.Theywerefaxedtome.Therearesomeinconsistencies

there."

"Thetirerubbertakenfromthestreet,thepaintflecksonherbodyturningouttobebloodandskin?"
"Yeah,butI'mnotworkedupaboutit.Mix-upshappen."
"Uh-huh,butIgotoneforyou.Ireadinthenewspaperaboutasimilarhit-and-runinGotham.I

calledthepolicedepartmentthere,putabugintheirearaboutourhit-and-run,pointedoutsimilarities.
Theywereaheadofmeonit.They'veevengotthatBatmanguyinvolved."

"Iknowhim.He'sthebestthereis."
"WhatI'mgettingatisthepoliceoverinGothamsentmeareport.Thehit-and-runIreadabout,the

testturnedoutthesame.Andwhentheytoldmethevictim'sname,Iknewoneofthem...woman
namedMarilynCass.Shewasananthropologist,workedinamuseumthere.RightbeforeIwentoffto
thearmy,shecametothereservationtodoresearchontheManowacks.Theusualanthropological
drivel.MybrotherAbnerfellheadoverheelsinlovewithher.Badthingwashehatedthewhites,or
wassupposedto.That'swhatmygrandfathertaughtus.Me,Ijustwantedtogetawayfromthatlife,
awayfrombeinganIndian."

"Alittletoomuch,youaskme."
"Idon'tthinkso.Butsheledhimon,hadalittleflingwithhim,talkedaboutlove,whateverAbner

wantedtohear,andwhenherjobonthereservationwasover,shewentbacktoGothamwithoutso
muchasagotohell.Usedhim.Itmadehimevenmorebitter.Wayhesawit,he'dfallenforawhite
trick,andheshouldhaveknownbetter.Anothertreatybroken.

"Also,therewasthissalesmaninGlendale.Hewaskilledinhishouse---byacar.Theevidencewas,

accordingtothepolicethere,lost.Ithinkitcameupodd,liketheGothamhit-and-run,andtheydidn't

knowwhattodowithit.Butthisguy,JerryHeilman,Abnerknewhimtoo.LikeIknewhim.I
rememberseeinghisnameonhisshoecase.Hewasthemanmymotherranoffwith.I'vetoldyoua
littleaboutthatbefore."

CatherinenoddedandPaleBoycontinued.
"ThatwasanotherwhitetrickonAbner.Thenthere'sme.Wewereclose,buthebelievesIgaveinto

thewhites,andI'mworsethanwhitetohim.I'manUncleTomahawk.I'vebetrayedeverythinghe
believesin,mygrandfatherbelievedin.I'vegonethewayofourfather,andhehatedhimmorethan
anyone."

"AbnerknewEvanandMartha?"
"No,Ibelievethatwasarandomattack,butitwasakindofrevengeonme.I'msheriffhere,thisis

mytown,andifthere'sonepersonhe'dliketoseesuffer,slowly,it'sme.Ithinkthere'llbeotherattacks,
andeventually,Ithinkit'llbeme."

"Tellmemoreaboutyourbrother.Aboutthetwoofyougrowinguponthereservation."
"Verywell.AndwhileI'matit,I'lltellyouaboutthecarsandtheshape-shifting."
"Shape-shifting?"
"Itoldyouthiswasweird."
WhenPaleBoyfinishedanhourlater,Catherinetossedherunlitcigaretteinthetrashcan,smiledat

him,andsaid,"Youweren'tjustawoofin'.Thatstory'sstrange,allright,butnottoworry.I'veheard
nuttierinmytime.Knewaguyoncewhoconvincedmehewasatalkingbisquit.You'reonlyalittle
crazy,Ithink."

"That'sreassuring,"PaleBoysaid."Hasasolid,professionalringtoit....Whatdoyouthink?

Really?"

"IthinkyoumaybeontosomethingaboutyourbrotherAbnerbeingbehindthesemurders.Thathe

mayhaveslippedacog.Butyoureallyhaven'tanyevidence,justcircumstantialstuff,afeeling.You
haven'tevenseenhimlately.Youdon'tevenknowhe'supthere.Hemayhaveleftyearsago."

"NotAbner.Butyouthinkitsoundslikely,whatI'mtellingyou?"
"Thathemaybebehindthemurders,yes.Connectionsarethere.Hisknowingthewomanmurdered

inGotham,theshoesalesmanbeingthemanyourmotherranoffwith....I'msorry,Iputthatbluntly."

"It'sallright."
"Maybetooallright,PaleBoy.Youseemtocontainyourangeralittletoowell."
"WhosaysI'mangry?Whatis,is."
"It'snotthateasy.But,tocontinuethelineofthought,thosemurders,theattackshereinthetownto

haverevengeonyou.Itmakesakindofsense.Toomanycoincidencesfortherenottobesomethingto
it...butyouhaven'tactuallyhadcontactwithAbnersinceyouwereayoungman,andtothinkthat
he's...Well,themethodsounds,shallwesay,alittletoomuch."

"Whataboutthelabtestscomingupbloodandskin?"
"Butshape-shifting?"
"AnoldManowacktradition,actually."
"Intocars?Idoubtit."
"Shape-shiftingisshape-shifting.IthinkI'vecometotheconclusionsAbnerdid.Carsarewhathe

loved,that'swherehesawthetruesourceofpower,andthat'swhatshape-shiftingManowackstyleis
about.Recognizingthesourcesofpowerandflowingintothem.Mygrandfather,forallhisstrength,
mayhavefinallyweakened.Hemayhaveseenthehandwritingonthewall,orperhapsIshouldsay
skywriting.Hedidn'treallyfeelpowerfulanymore.What'sawolfcomparedtoacarwhenitcomesto
pure,rawpower?So,atthecore,helosthisbelief,andnowmybrotherhasgainedanewbelief....

Man,listentome."

"Youshouldhearitfromthisend."
"Catherine,whatI'mtellingyou,Idon'tbelieveiteither.Therationalpartofmedoesn't,anyway.

Thepartthat'sgrownuponwhiteman'slogic.ButtheIndianpartofmedoes.Asayingamongthe
ManowackisthatnoIndianwillsayhebelievesinthesupernaturalthesedays,buthewon'tsayhe
doesn'teither.I'manexception.IsaidIdidn't,andmaybeIwaswrong.MaybeIliedtomyself...I
don'tknow.I'mnotwantingyoutosay,'Yeah,you'reright,PaleBoy,yourbrotherisshape-shiftinginto
aFordThunderbird.'Idon'twantthatatall."

"Youwon'tgetiteither.Spreadyourearsandtakethisin:Idon'tthinkpeoplechangeintocars,

animals,birds,trees,orrocks.Theychangetheirclothesandtheirways,notintocrittersor
automobiles.Readmylips:Yourbrothermaybebehindthis,butifheis,he'sdoingitwithacar,heis
notacar."

"Andmydreamsaboutthehangingboy?"
"Haven'tgotaclueonthatone.Tellyouwhat,letmethinkaboutit,notasafriend,butasa

psychiatrist."

"Ileaveoutofhere,you'regoingtocallthemeninthelittlewhitecoats,right?"
"Immediately....Hell,no!Thisisconfidentialbetweenus.Youleave,I'llgivethisstupidstory

someseriousthought---"

"Don'ttrysohardtobuildmyconfidence."
"---andI'llcallyou."
PaleBoystoodup."Thanks.Ithink."
Catherineopenedherdeskdrawerandtookthebottleoftabletsoutofitandhandedittohim."Take

'em.Instructionsareonthebottle.Followthem.I'mgoingtocalldownstairs,arrangeforanXrayof
yourskull.Godownthereandgetitdone."

"Whateveryousay,Mom."Heputthepillsinhispocketandtheyshookhands.Hewentoutand

closedthedoor.

Catherinepickedupthephone,arrangedfortheXray,madesomemorecalls.
Anhourlatershewentdownstairstothefaxmachineandreceivedtheinformationshehadaskedfor:

PaleBoy'seducational,military,andmedicalrecords.ShewentbyandpickeduptheXrays.

Shepackedtheminafolderwiththeotherrecords,madesomeroomvisits,thumpedsomechests,and

checkedsomecharts;thenshetookthefile,checkedthemoutfortheday,anddrovehome.

Sheatecoldpizza,retiredtoherstudy,andcrackedthefolderonPaleBoyandyawned.Thehours

weregettingtoher.ShethoughtaboutthestoryPaleBoyhadtoldherandshookhishead.Itwasn'ta
professionalthingtoconsider,andshelikedPaleBoysomuch,butmaybe,justmaybe,hewasnuts.

Therecordsshehadrequestedweremoreextensivethantheonesshehadseenbefore,backwhenshe

gavePaleBoyhiscityemployeeexamination.

Leaningbackinherchair,sheputonherglassesandbegantoread.Oneiteminthearmyreport

struckherlikeamissile.Shereaditagain.Shehastilymadenotes.

Whenshefinished,shereachedinherdeskdrawerwithashakyhandandgotoutherhomebottleof

whiskeyandpouredafreshdrinkandrolledacigarette.Sheputthecigaretteinhermouth,twistedit
fromonesideofherlipstotheother,andthistime,forthefirsttimeinages,andwithoutthinking,she
foundherlighterandlitit.Shereadthereportthroughagain.

"Hoboy,"shesaid.Shecheckedherwatchandmadeaphonecall,crushedoutthelastofher

cigaretteandlitanother.

2

TheCaveBeneathWayneManor,4:00P.M.

Hehatedgoingoutinthedaylightandusuallyavoideditatallcost.Inthedaytimetheuniformdidn't

workaseffectively.Hispowerlayinthenightandthemysteryofthenight;there,shroudedin
darkness,hewasBatman.

ButAlfredwasrightaboutthephotograph.Youlookedatitclosely,throughthepicturewindow

acrosstheway,youcouldseetheglintofalittlesilverobjecthangingfromtheceilingoftheshop,an
objectthatunderamagnifyingglasswasthelensofanin-storesurveillancecamera.Itwouldbethe
typeofcamerathatrotatedandattimespointedtothefrontglassofthestore,andthatmeantitpointed
intothestreet.Perhaps---justperhaps---theassaultinthealleyhadbeenrecordedonit.

Soafterbreakfast---Alfredhadpreparedoneforhimafterall,butnotwithoutgrumbling---he

surveyedhisnotes,analyzedhisdream,andkickeditallaroundagainandagain.Hedidn'tlikewhatit
waspointingto.

Heburnedoffsometensionontheparallelbarsandthepunchingbag,thendecided,dayornoday,he

hadtopursuewhattheevidencesuggestedhepursue.

Slippingonhisuniform,hegotintheBatmobileandcheckedthedashmonitors,sawtherewasnoone

ontheroadoutsideofthecave'ssecretexit.Heactivatedthefacadeofbrushandrockswithaswitch
beneaththedash,gunnedthemotorandwentoutofthecaveandintothedaylight,turnedontothemain
road.Hedrovemidtowntothestation,wentupandtalkedtoGordon,gothimtorequestthattheBoot
andLeatherShopturnovertohimitssurveillancevideorecordedonthedateofthehit-and-run.

GordoncalledtheshopandBatmandroveoverthere.
"Nothinginitwillhelp,"saidtheproprietorofBootandLeather,alittleguywholookedasifhehad

beensoakedingreaseandhungouttodry."Iseenitalready.Ilookat'emnowandthen,andtherewas
amurderonit,I'dhavecalledinandsaidso.KnowwhatI'msaying?"

"I'dcaretolookatitjustthesame,"Batmansaid.
"Yeah,sure.Watchitinhealth.Comeonback."
Batmanfollowedtothedeskintherearandthelittlemanremovedavideocassettefromadrawerand

putitonthedesk.Batmanreachedforit.

"Waitaminute,"hesaid."Thatain'ttheone.That'satapeofmeandtheol'lady,knowwhatI'm

saying?Thingsgetdull,nocustomersinthestore,IpopitintheVCRbackthere,watchalittle
personalaction.BeatsanotherRambomovie.Icanmakeyouadubifyouwant."

"No,thanks."
"Betterthanyou'dthink.I'mnotsobadsettingupacamera.Nottoosloppyattherestofit,either---

neither'stheol'lady,knowwhatImean?"

"Iknowwhatyoumean.Butno,thanks."
"Hey,youhadtheopportunity,right?"
"Regretsetsin,Iknowwhotocall."
"Thereyouare."
Thelittlemanremovedthecassette,pulledoutastackofthem,andputthemonthedesk."Letme

seehere.Idon'tthinkItapedoverthatone.ThingtooisIkeepthemoviesIwatchupherewith'em,
youknow.UsuallytapeoverthestorevideotapesafterItakealookat'em.Liketoseewho'swalking
byhereatnight.Getagoodviewofthefrontwindowwiththecamera,youknow.Someonecomesby
regular,lookslikethey'recasingthejoint,Icansortofwatchfor'emtheycomein,knowwhatI'm
saying?"

Thelittlemansortedthroughthetapes.Someofthemhadtitlesstickeredtotheirsides:Bambi;Evil

Dead;Gandhi;OurChristmasVacationinMexicoCity;FifthWeddingAnniversary.

"Yeah,hereitis.Igottohavethetapebackorsomemoneyforit,though.Theyain'tgivingthese

thingsaway,youknow."

Batmanremovedabillfromoneofhisbeltpouchesandputitonthedesk.
"Thatgetsit,"saidthelittleman.Hepalmedthebill,poppeditbetweenhishands,squintedhiseyes,

andheldittothelight."Counterfeitbuckscomeinnowandthen.Can'tbetoosure.Notsayingyou'd
passone,youknow,butyoucouldgetonepassedtoyou."

"Thatafact?"
"Hey,happenstothebestofus."
Satisfied,thelittlemanshovedthebillintohispantspocket."Hey,letmeaskyouapersonal

question,allright?"

"Ask."
"Thatbatsuit?Ithot,orwhat?"
"Sometimes,"Batmansaid,andhepickedupthecassetteandleftthestore.
Backinthecave,heremovedtheBatmanuniformandpulledonhisworkoutpants;thenheslipped

thecassetteintothevoice-activatedvideocomputer,satbeforethemotionpicture-sizedscreen,and
watched.Itwasprettydullstuff.Variousviewsofthestore.Noneofthebootswalkedandnoneofthe
leatherformeditselfintoacow.Fewpeoplestrolledbythepicturewindow.

Thenhesawshadowymovementbeyondthewindow.Shapesweremovingintoframeonthe

sidewalkacrossthestreet,movingswiftly.Thatfaraway,thecamera'sfocuswasweak.Brucespoketo
thecomputer.

"Freezeframe."
Thecomputerfrozethecassette'sposition.
"Lightenandenlarge."
Thescreenlightenedandbecamefullofsomethingtooclosetoidentify.
"Left-centerimagetothecenterofthescreen.Halfpower."
Whathesawnowwereamanandawoman,andherecognizedthemfromtheir"before"photos---

HardersMcCammonandMarilynCass.

"Continue."
Thecameraswungslowlytotheright,leavingthecouple.Thecamerafilledwiththecontentsofthe

store,swungtotherearofit,andafterwhatseemedamillennium,rotatedforward.Thecouplehadn't
moved,butnowonlythetopsoftheirheadswerevisibleovertheroofofacar,ablackThunderbird.

Theywerestaringatthecar.Graduallytheybegantomove;thenthecarmoved,whippedtotheleft,

andthecouplebrokeandranintothemouthofthealley.TheThunderbirdfollowed.Onlyitstaillights
werevisibleafterthat.

"Magnifycentralimage.Slowmoandadvance."
WhatBatmansawsickenedhim.Heonlythoughthehadseeneverything.Thecarworkedthecouple

likeacatplayingwithmice.Itmadeimpossibleturns.Sometimes,tomakeaturninthetightalleyway,
itlookedlikeadogturningtobiteitstail.Carscouldn'tdothat.Metaldidn'tdothat.NothingBruce

knewinthisuniversecoulddothat.

BythetimethethiefcameintothealleyandfoundHardersMcCammon'slegandhithimwithit,his

actionsseemedalmostnormal.

Bruceranthetapeback,sawthesamething,turneditoff.
HefoundamapofColdShepherd,turnedhisremarkableconcentrationuptohigh,memorizedthe

streetsandthelocationofmajorbuildingsasfastashecouldreadthem.Heputhisuniformonagain,
starteduptheBatmobile,leftthecave,setthecar'snoseinthedirectionofColdShepherd.

3

FromTheBookoftheThunderbird,DateRecorded,Unknown

Deadsofar,fivelittlewhitefolks.
Andsoontocome:ONELITTLEINDIANBOY.
Watchout,bubba,'causehereIcome,mypressureplate'sburningandI'mridingtheclutch.
Udden,udden.

4

6:00P.M.

AfterleavingCatherine,PaleBoydrovearoundtown,makinghisroundsbutnotreallyseeingmuch.

Histhoughtswereturnedinward.Hisheadhurtsomethingawful.Hewastemptedtodriveouttothe
PyramidofCarsandseeifAbnerwasthere,toconfronthim.Buthehesitated.Thetimewasnotright
forthat.Whatcouldhesaytohimafteralltheseyears?Howdy.Beenawhile.Bytheway,areyou
turningintoaThunderbirdtogetevenwithme?Andifhewas,whatcouldPaleBoydoaboutit?

Hismemoryofshape-shiftingtoldhimthatashape-shiftercouldbehurt,butnotthateasily.

Inconsequentialwoundswouldhealquickly.Forthatmatter,unlesstheshape-shifterwascompletely
destroyedandhissoulwasgivenuptotheOwlGod,hecouldrepairmostanydamagedonetohim
whileintheshape-shifterstate.Previouswoundswereaweakness---abumknee,forinstance.That
wouldbetheshape-shifter'sweakpointeveninhistransformedstate.

PaleBoytriedtorememberifAbnerhadanyphysicalweakpoints,butcouldn'trememberone.He

foundthathecouldhardlyrememberAbneratall.

Asnightreared,theideaofshape-shiftingbecamemorerealtohim.Andhisheadhurtsomething

ferocious.HebegantothinkofAngieandhowshecouldbeinthemiddleofallthis.Hewassupposed
torelieveHerkemershortly,butthemorehethoughtofAngie,themorehefeltitnecessarytotalkto
her,towarnher,evenifshethoughthewasloonyasacartoon.Hecouldapologizeandexplainto

Herkemeralittlelater,makeupthetimehestolefromhim.

Hedrovehome.
Whenhecameinandclosedthedoor,Angieappearedfromherstudioholdingapaintbrush.Shewas

coveredinpaint."Iwasn'texpectingyouthisearly,"shesaid.

"Iknow.I'mnotfeelingwell."Hetossedhishatonthecouch.
"Cold?"
"Headaches."
"Still?Honey,youshouldseeadoctoraboutthat."
"Justdid.Catherinegavemesomepills."
"Good.AnythingIcandoforyou?"
"Talk."
"Sure,letmecleanup."
"No.Wecangointoyourstudio.Youwant,youcanpaintwhileItalk."
Theywentintothestudio.Darknesswasbeginningtofilltheroom.Angiereachedforthelight

stringandtuggedthelighton.ShesatdownonherstoolinfrontofthecanvascontainingthePyramid
ofCars.Shewasstillworkingonit.PaleBoystaredatit.Itseemedevenmoreforebodingthan
before.Abeadofsweatbrokeoveraneyebrowandcoastedoverhiseyelidandfell,splashedontohis
cheek.Hefeltasifhisinsideswerespinning.Thedanglinglightbulkstruckhimasexceptionally
bright,andthemoonlightinthepaintingpulsed,madehiseyeshotandfeverish.

"Youlookserious,"Angiesaid."You'rescaringmealittle."
Hesmiled,feelingasifhisfacemightcrackwiththeeffort."Idon'tmeantoscareyou.You'vegot

nothingtobescaredof.Well,yes,youdo.Notfromme,ofcourse---"

"Ineverthoughttobescaredofyou."
"---butAbner,maybe."
"Abner?"
"Mybrother."
"Brother?Younevertoldmeyouhadabrother.Longaswe'vebeentogether,youneversaid

anythingaboutabrother."

"NotonlydoIhaveone,Ithinkhe'sabrickshyaload.Ithinkhecouldbedangerous,andIfear

becauseofme,you'reindanger.Andsomethingelse:Inevertoldyouaboutmyfathereither."He
noddedatherpainting."ThePyramidofCars.Myfamilyownedit."

"What?"
"Stillownsit.Abnerdoes,anyway.MyfatherranitwhenIwasgrowingup."
"Youshouldhavetoldme,baby.Doesmypaintingitsomehowdistressyou?"
PaleBoyrubbedhishead,foundastoolandsat."Maybe.Idon'tknow,really.Ifeelkindof

detachedfrommywholepast.LikeIdidn'treallyliveit.LikeIreadaboutit.KnowwhatI'msaying?"

"Ithinkso."
"No.No,youdon't.Youcouldn't.Idon'tmeanthatlikeitsounds,Angie.It'sjustthatI'm...well,

I'mconfused.I'vebeenhavingbaddreams.Thishit-and-runbusinessseemstobepartofit,butthe
headaches...Ihaven'thadthemlikethisinalongtime.NotsinceIgotmyheadbusted.Itoldyou
aboutthat.AndthisdreamI'vebeenhaving,itmakesnosensetome.YetsomehowIfeelitshould.
Hell,I'mnotsureIknowwhatI'msaying."

"It'sokay,baby.Justtakeitslowandexplain.Startatthebeginning."

5

EventsBeginning6:58P.M.

BatmanpassedthePyramidofCars.
Ashepassed,heturnedhisheadtoseethesun,arottingplumgoingsoftatthebottom,drippinginto

themountains,leakingjuiceontothepileofrust,makingitappearbloodred.Night'sfirstshadows
begantocreepdownfromthemountainrangelikegrimreapers.

Ashedrove,Batmanconsideredhisdream,itscarmotif.Hementallyreviewedthevideofrom

GothamBootandLeather.Linkingthevideowithhisdream,hewascertainnowheknewwhatwas
goingon.Hisdreamandhissubconsciouswereaheadofhisrationale.Theyweretellinghimwhathis
logicwantedtodeny.

Heputhisfoottothefloorboard.Theblackdartofacarleaptforward.
Withhislastrotoftheplum-sunsoakingintothemountains,theshadowscrawlingoutoftheirday

graves,heracedtheBatmobileintoColdShepherd,andonovertotheSheriff'soffice.

WhenBatmanentered,Herkemer,whowassittingbehindhisdeskwithamagazineturnedsideways

andafoldoutdanglingfromit,stoppedcheckingMissAugust'sanatomyandputthemagazineonthe
desk.Hecrankedhisbottomjawupandswallowed.

"MyGod...you'retherealone?Batman?"
"Oneofone,"Batmansaid."IsSheriffPaleBoyin?"
"No,hesaidhewasgoingovertoseeDr.Meadows...overatthehospital...CuppStreet,youcan't

missit---"

"Iknowwhereitis.ImemorizedamapbeforeIcame."
"Oh,well,yeah,okay...Ican'tbelieveit.Batman."
"I'llgooverthere,then.Imisshim,tellhimI'llcatchupwithhimlater."
"Yeah,sure---Imean,whatever.There'sjusttheoneofyou,right?Notabunchofguyswhodothe

stufftheysayyoudo?"

"NoonedoesallthestufftheysayIdo.Butyes,likeIsaid,I'moneofone."
"ThatthingwiththeguycalledhimselfTwoFace.ThatstoryintheGothamTimes---"
"YoumeanHarveyDent.Itwasexaggerated.Goodbyefornow,Deputy."
"Yeah,okay...sure.Bye...fornow.Hey,hey,waitaminute!"Herkemerlookedathiswatch.

"Timeitis,Meadowswouldhavegoneonhome.Factis,PaleBoy'ssupposedtohaverelievedmeby
nowsoIcaneatsomedinner.Notellingwhereheis."

"DoctorMeadow'saddress?"
"RaisorStreet.Biggesthousethere,gotalotofoaksaround.IguesRaisorStreet'sonthemapyou

memorized?"

"Itis."
Batmanturnedtoleave.
"Hey,youseePaleBoy,tellhimIneedtoeatsomething.I'msohungryI'mstartingtosee

hamburgerswalkingontheground."

"Iwill,"Batmansaid,andhewentoutandclosedthedoor.
Herkemerwenttothewindow,watchedthebigmangetinadark-lookingcaratthecurb.Hethought,

TheBatmobile.Itreallyishim.Man,waittillKarenhearsaboutthis.Butoneguy,Idon'tknow.One
guywouldbeawfulbusytodoallhedoes.Gottobeabunchofthemwithmatchingsuits.

ThedoortotheBatmobileclosed.Batmanwasnolongervisible.Thetintedglassandthedripping

nighttookcareofthat.

Thecaredgedawayfromthecurbintothethickeningdusk.
Herkemerrantothephone,dialedhastily,vibratedontheballsofhisfeetwhilehewaitedforitto

ring.

Whenthephonewaspickedupontheotherendhespokeimmediately."Hey,youwon'tguesswho

justcameinhere.Goahead,giveitaguess."

"JackthegoddamnRipper.Whoisthis?"
"Oh,I'msorry,sir.Wrongnumber."
Hehungupanddialedmorecarefully.
Thephonerang.
Andrang.
Noonewashome.
Herkemerhungup."Typical."

6

Fullynightnow.
ThehouseonRaisorStreetlookedGothic,lightslikeyellowcateyesbehindtwowindows.Agreat

oakinthefrontyardnoddeditslimbsinthewind.

Batmanparkedatthecurb.

Catherinemadesomehastynotesonhernotepad.Sheturnedonherdesklamp.Andthereacross

fromherwasashape.Sheletoutayellandsnatchedupthewhiskeybottleonherdesk:whiskey
gurgledontothefloorandintoherlapasshecockeditoverhershoulder.

"Catherine.Goodtoseeyou."
"Damnyou,Batman."
"Sorry.Icouldn'tresist."
"WhatyouthinkIgotalockonmydoorfor?"
"Itwasn'tlocked."
Catherineputthewhiskeybottleonthedesk."Whatdoyouthinkit'sclosedfor?"
"Habitsdiehard."
"Yeah,well,goonandkillthem.Don'tcomesneakingaroundinmyhouse.Youknockonthedoor,

phone,orsomething.Howlongyoubeenstandingthere?"

"LongenoughtoknowyoustilldrinktoomuchandtoseeyouhavemedicalrecordsofCold

Shepherd'ssheriffonyourdesk."

"Notjustmedical.Pullupachairandsitdown.Youcouldhavesaidsomething,youknow,notjust

standthere.Imighthavebeenpickingmynoseorsomething.Drink?"

Hepulledupachairandsatdown."No,thanks.Andyoushouldn't,either."

"Ikeepitundercontrol."
"I'veheardthatbefore.Fromyou,inGotham."
"IleftGothambecauseIwantedtoleave.Notbecauseofthewhiskey.Thepressuregottome."
"Whateveryousay."
"Iwasn'tdrinkingthatmuch.I'mnotanalcoholicoranything."
"You'refunctional,butyou'reanalcoholic....Ididn'tcomeheretoargueyourprivatelifewithyou,

though.I'mhereaboutthehit-and-runmurders."

Catherinescrewedthecaponthewhiskeybottle."I'vekindofbeenexpectingyou.CalledGordon

theotherdayabouttheautopsy,andabouttransferringEvantoGotham.Hesaidhewasgoingtopull
youinonthisbusiness.Iassumedithadtobesomethingspecial."

"Ipresumeyoudon'tknowaboutEvan?"
"What?"
"Hewasmurderedinthehospital."
Catherinesatstunned.Shelookedatthematerialsonherdesk."Idon'tlikethewaythisiscoming

together.InspiteofwhatIknow,Idon'tlikewhattheevidenceispointingto."

"Whatdoyouknow?"
Shebrokeouthercigarettepapersandtobacco."YoucanquitlookingatmelikeI'mbitingheadsoff

puppies.I'mnotgoingtosmokeit.FirsttwoI'vehadinawhileweretoday,afterreadingthis.Smoked
thembeforeIknewit.NormallyIholdtheminmymouth.Givesmecourage."

Shefinishedrollingthesmokeandputitinthecornerofhermouth.Thecigarettemadeacoupleof

tripsfromonesideofhermouthtotheother.Shetalkedaroundit."Figuresinceitwasn'ta
professionalvisitIcantalkabout....Well,Igottotalkaboutit.Friendly,professional,orwhat.
Sheriffhere,PaleBoy---"

"Iknowofhim."
"He'sbeenhavingsomeproblems.Cameintodaytotalk.Toldmeaboutsomeheadacheshe'sbeen

having.GotbangedwhenhewasanM.P.,breakingupabarfight.Beenhavingvisionsofsomeone
hanging,somekidhefeltheshouldknowbutcouldn'trecognize.XraysIhadhimtaketoday,they
lookbad.Theplaceinhishead,theskull'sseparated."

"That'saffectinghim?"
"Damnsureisn'thelpinghim.Hethinkshisbrother,Abner,isbehindthekillings,andhehadsome

goodreasonsforthinkingit,thoughnothingconcrete.Circumstantialstuff.Buthestartedtalkingabout
shape-shifting,andthatisn'tthewholeofit.Notturningintowolves,stufflikethat,butturninginto---"

"Cars.AThunderbird,perhaps?"
Catherine'scigarettefledfromonecornerofhermouthtotheother."How'dyoufigurethat?"
"I'matraineddetective."
"Butyou'renotahumorist."
"IsawwhereEvandied.Isaidthathewasmurdered,butIdidn'tsayhow.Hewasonthefourthfloor

ofthehospital.Hisroomlookedlikeacarhadbeenthere.Thatmadenosense,buttheevidencewas
contrarytothat.Thenthere'sthebloodsamples.Youknowaboutthat.Andthere'savideotape."He
toldheraboutthevideotape.

Catherinenodded."Idon'tknowIcanbelievethis."
"Itmakesnodifferencewhatyoubelieve;it'shappening,Catherine.Indianmagictiedinwith

technologygoesalongwithwhatyouweretellingmeaboutPaleBoy,whathewassayingabout
Abner."

"Uh-huh.Onlythere'sacatch.ThoserecordsIgottoday.OneofthemwasfromtheManowack

Reservationoffice.It'smoredetailedaboutPaleBoy'spastthanthearmyrecords.Thereisn'tany
Abner.Therewas,buthediedwhenPaleBoywaseleven.Rightaftertheirgrandfatherdied."

"PaleBoyhadtoknow."
"Heknew,allright.Hefoundhim.WayIreadit,Abnercouldn'ttakethedualityofworlds---Indian

andwhite.Tooksomebatterycablesandautomotivewiring,madeanoose,andhunghimselfinsidethe
PyramidofCars.That'saplace---"

"Iknowwhatitis."
"PaleBoystruckmeastalkingalittletooremovedabouthisfather,brother,andgrandfather.

Accordingtotheserecords,he'dbeenseeingashrinkinthearmy.Guyhelpinghimcopewiththis
white-Indianthing.Then,asanM.P.,hegothisheadknocked,butgood.Thatputhimoutofthearmy,
andIthinkthatoldwound,combinedwiththeguilthefeelsaboutAbnerhasbroughtbacksome
repressedmemories,liketheabilitytoshape-change.Thebeliefthatheonceknewhowtodoit."

"Someoneknowshow."
"ButtomakethosememoriespalatabletotheprogressivePaleBoy,hismindhastohaveAbneralive,

anadult,livingonthereservation,onthecarlotwiththePyramidofCars.Abnertakescareofallof
PaleBoy'srepressedhostility,hisconfusion.

"Addthattotheguilthefeelsabouthisfather,wantingtolovehim,wantingtopleasehimandbe

white,andthenhismotherrunningoffwithawhiteman,dyingawayfromhome,andhimneverreally
seeingherdead,allowinghimselftofeelherloss...well,we'vegotaguythat'sprettyconfused."

"Andtheblowtotheheadmayhaveconfusedhimevenmore?"
"That'showIfigure.ThiswomanhetoldmeAbnerhadanaffairwith,theladywhowaskilled---"
"Itwasn'tAbnerwhohadtheaffair,itwasPaleBoy."
"Lookslikely.Guywithherwasjustinthewrongplaceatthewrongtime.Andtheshoesalesman

whowaskilledwasthemanthatranoffwithPaleBoy'smother,andassheriff,himhavingaccesstoso
manyrecordsandfiles,itwouldn'thavebeendifficultforhimtolookHeilmanupandhunthimdown.
Killhimhoweverhekilledhim.VictimshereinColdShepherdwerejustvictims.ItwastheAbner
sideofPaleBoytryingtogetevenwithhisbrother.Onlythey'reboththesameman.Soundswild,dual
personalityandall,butitmakessense....'Course,youknowalittleaboutdualpersonalitiesyourself,
don'tyou?"

"IbelieveIdo."
"Imadeacalltothereservationofficeonanoffchanceofcatchingsomeoneafterhours,anddid.

PaleBoystillownsthatlot.ManItalkedto,tribalrepresentative,hesaidPaleBoystillownsit,butno
onerunsitanymore.SaidmanyManowacksthinkit'shaunted.Iaskedhimifhedid,andhesaidno,
buthealsosaidhedidn'tgoupthereeither.Kidsdon'tevengotheretoplay.ButIthinkwhenPale
BoybecomesAbnerhegoesthere,thenwhenhe'sPaleBoyhehasnomemoryofit.Asforhimshape-
shiftingintoanautomobile,Idon'tcareifyouthinkthat'shappeningandhethinksit,Idon'tbuyit.Not
evenifthetwoofyoutoldmehewasturningintosomethingasbenignasahamster."

"I'mnottryingtosellittoyou,Catherine.Butifeverythingismadeofmolecules---humanflesh,

cars---ifshape-shiftingispossibleatall,there'snoreasonitcan'tapplytoinanimateobjects.I'veseen
someunusualthingsinmycareer,enoughsoIcanbelievemostanythingiftheevidenceisthere,andI
thinkit'sthere.YouseethevideoIsaw,andit'llchangeyourmind."

"Perhaps."
"It'samootpointatthemoment.ButyouwillagreePaleBoy'sdangerous?He'snotincontrol?"
"ThatIagreewith."
"Accordingtohisdeputy,hedidn'treturntohisofficeafterseeingyou.GiveHerkemeracall.Seeif

he'sthere."

"Verywell."Catherinecalled,gotHerkemer,spoketohimbriefly,hungup.
"Stillhasn'tseenhim.Andhe'ssupposedtohavebeeninlongago.HesaidifweseePaleBoy,tell

himhe'shungry."

"IbelievethebestideaisformetopayPaleBoyavisit."
Catherine'sfacesuddenlychanged."Angie...hisgirlfriend.Theylivetogether.Wayhe'sacting,

gettingmoreandmoreerratic...Ifhe'sgonehomeandAbnermakesanappearance...We'vegotto
getoverthere."

"We?"
"Youcouldusesomeonewithyouwhoknowshimandknowssomethingaboutpsychology.Besides,

Istayhere,I'lljustdrink.Andyoudon'ttakeme,you'llhavetogettheaddresssomewhereelse."

"Doyouevertireofplayingthe'toughol'broad'role?"
"Never."

PushOninto---

---Overdrive

1

"Soyousee,Angie,I'mconfused.Allthisstuffwithmypast,jumblingup...myheadaches."Pale

Boyrosefromthestoolandbegantopace,tryingtofindmorewords,tryingtogetoutwhatwasinside
him,butfeelingasifhewerefishingforitwithoutbait.Ashepaced,heturnedandsawthemirror
acrosstheway,thepaintinginitsreflection,Angie,hiswhitewoman,turningonherstooltofollowhis
movement.Hecouldseehimselftoo.Orwhatshouldbehimself.Butwasn't.Abnerwasstanding
thereinstead,standinginfrontofthemirrorintheexactsameposeashewas,onlywithabraidof
automotivewiresandbatterycablesnoosedaroundhisneck.Hehadn'tseenAbnerinyears,butthat's
whoitwas.Heknewimmediately.Whywashewearingthatnoose?HewanteddesperatelyforAbner
tomovesohecouldseehisownfaceinthemirror.Hewantedthatanddidn'tknowwhy.

ButAbnerwouldn'tmove.Couldn'tmove.Hewasn'tstandinginfrontofthemirror,afterall.He

wasinthemirror,fillingthespacewherePaleBoyknewhisreflectionshouldbe.

HeturnedtoAngieandpointedafinger."See!See!"
Angielookedinthemirror.Shesawherself,thepainting,theroom,andPaleBoypointinghisfinger

athisimageinthemirror.

"Abner,youbastard!"PaleBoywheeledbacktofacethemirror,jumpedforward,andkickedtheman

intheglass.Cracks,likearoadmapofhighways,filledthemirrorandpiecesburstfromitand
clatteredtothefloor.

Angieleaptfromherstoolandscreamed,"PaleBoy!Whatareyoudoing?"
PaleBoyturnedandglaredather.Hisfacelooked...wrong.Darker.

"Whitetramp!"hesaid.
"Baby..."
"Don'tbabyme.That'swhatshedid.Marilyn.Shecalledmebaby.Butshedidn'tmeanitanymore

thanyou."

"Whatareyoutalkingabout?PaleBoy,pleasedon'tplaylikethis.Itisn'tfunny."
"ShejustwantedtohavefunwiththeIndian.Mockme.LikeyoumockthatidiotPaleBoy,calling

himTonto."

"You'rescaringme.Pleasestop."
"PaleBoy,hecanstandthatkindofthing,likesit."
"Honey...what'swrong?"
"Butme,onceburned,Idon'tgetburnedagain."
"Easy,baby.Wecantalkaboutit."ButevenasAngietriedtoreason,sheknewhewasbeyondit.

Somethingalienhaddescendedonhim,asthoughseepinginthroughtheacheinhishead,andthough
shehadneverthoughttobescaredofhim,shewasscarednow.SheeyedthedoortotheleftofPale
Boy,wonderedifshecouldscootpasthimandmakeit.

"Iknowwhatyou'rethinking,"hesaid."Icanseeitinyourwhitewomaneyes....Youcan'tgetpast

me,tramp."

PaleBoystretchedonhistoesandreachedtotheceiling.Whenheloweredhisarmshisfacewobbled

andjerkedviolently.Andthenitbroadened,thebonesgrowingbeneathhisskin,theskinstretchingto
accomodateit,turningdarker,darker.Hisgumsandteeth,asifonextensions,shovedhislipsapartand
protrudedafullfootfromPaleBoy'smouth.Theteethgleamedsilverandweresuddenlymetallic,like
automotivegrillwork---grillworkexpandingonbothsidesofPaleBoy'smouth,growingsowideand
largeandheavy,hewasforcedtobenddouble.Hisheaddoveforwardandthegrillworkclankedonthe
concretefloorwithaflurryofsparks.Heshotouthisclenchedfistandslammedhisknucklesonthe
floorbeforehim,asifpreparingtodopushupsonthem.Hisfistsballooneddramatically,turnedthe
colorofripeeggplants.

Angiestumbledbackwards,knockingoverthethepaintingofthePyramidofCars.Whatshesawshe

couldn'tbeseeing.Itwasn'tpossible.Shesnatchedupthestooltodefendherself,becausetherewas
nowheretorun.

Theimpossiblecontinued.

ThestreetwherePaleBoyandAngielivedwasnotfarfromCatherineMeadow'sresidence.Batman

andCatherinedroveoverinfiveminutes.Itwasaniceneighborhood,houseswellspacedfromone
anotheronhugewell-mowedlawnsspottedwithoaks.

Thehousetheywantedwasasimpleaffair.Whiteandblue,mostlydark.Onespotoflightwas

visiblethroughacrackinafrontwindowcurtain,glowingfromsomewhereinthebackofthehouse,
likeasinglecoalinafurnace.

PaleBoy'sfistswerenowlargeastires.Infact,theyweretires.Thecracksbetweenhisclenched

fingershadbecomewhitetreads.Hisbootssplitandhisfeetcurled,toestoheels,knotting,darkening,
swellingswiftlyintotires,anklebonesturningintoshinyhubs.Hisclothes,shirt,pants,andunderwear
poppedawayfromhimandflutteredinalldirections,asifvomitedfromanabusivedryer.

HisgrillworkteethpoundedonthefloorasPaleBoy'sbroadeningnecktriedtolifthishead,but

couldn'tmanage.Spittleflewfrombetweenthebarsofgrillworkandstruckthegroundandturnedthe
cherry-blackcoloroftransmissionfluid.Agroanroseoutofhim,mutatedintotherumbleofa

powerfulV-8.Ribsfannedandbuttocksspread.Hisdarkhairexpandedlikestainacrosshishead,
coveredhisbody,andwentlacquer-hard.Hiseyespunchedfromtheirsocketsasifbeingpokedfrom
behindbyfingers.Theyjelly-wobbled,dilated.Thepupilsexplodedintofivepiecesandswirled
aroundtheedgesofthewhites.Thefragmentsresembledfacelesshumanshapesflailingagainstthe
insideoftheeyeballs;afaintsqueakingcamefromthem,likemicetrappedbehindglass.Theeyes
widenedandhardenedandturnedbright---headlights.

Hisneckwaswide,andnowthebonesabovehisheadlightspoppedandrockedandstretchedand

becameahood,hisforeheadawindshield.Hisshouldersdippedandbroadened,andthehumpofhis
backwentupandmettheswelloftheneckandkeptrising,becametheroof,dippedofftowardthe
buttocks,whichhadlengthenedandspread,andstreamlinedintothefearofaThunderbird.

Finishednow,thefleshenginepurredandrumbledandstoodonitshindkneesandwaveditsfront

tiresintheairlikeaperforminghorse.

AndtheThunderbirdleaptforwardandcamedownontopofAngieandherpatheticstoolwitha

crunch.Bloodspewed,rodeupthetreadsofthetires,thenflewawayfromthem,freckledthewalls.A
wispofblacknessswirledoutofAngieandduckedintothebrightheadlightsoftheThunderbird,
swirledtemporarily,formedalittlehumansilhouetteinsideeachlamp,racedaroundtheircircumference
beforecrumblingapartlikeburntgingerbread.TherewasaflickerbehindtheThunderbird'sdark
windshield.Itletoutasigh.

BatmanclosedthedoortotheBatmobilejustasCatherinewasclimbingoutonherside,andatthe

samemomenttheyheardtheroarofanengine.Thefrontdoorofthehousebulgedandpoppedintothe
yardlikeawinecork.ItwasfollowedbythewallandasleekblackThunderbird,itshornhonking,its
radiowailing"HotRodLincoln."

Itracedbythem,wearingwallpaperandplasterlikeminkandaccessories,hitthestreet,madean

impossibleleftwithsuchviolencethewallpaperandtheplasterlosttheirpositionsandtooktothesky.
TheThunderbirdroaredaway,leavingthemwithitsredtaillightstostareatuntiltheytoorecededinto
thenight.PlastersprinkledBatmanandCatherinelikesnowandwallpapercoastedleft,right,left,
right,andcrumpledintotheyard.

Thefrontofthehousegroaned,lumbersighed,andtheroofleanedforwardasifitwereapeakedhat

slidingoffadrunkwitch'shead.Butitdidn'tgivealltheway.Fromtheinteriorcamethreatening
squeaks.

Batmanracedthroughthegapwherethedoorwayhadbeen.Aboardswungoutashepassed,

clatteredtotheground.Thelivingroomwasamess,television,VCR,endtablesmashedflat.Thecar
hadshovedthecouchoutofitspathandhardagainstthewall,bringingaknick-knackshelfdownonto
itscushions.Thefloorwaslitteredwithglassandwoodandplaster.

Throughadoorway,inaroombeyond,anakedbulbswungbackandforthonacord.Shadows

danced.

Batmanmovedintotheroomandtookalook.Paintwassplatteredeverywhereandsowasblood.On

thefloorwasavaguelyhumanshape,onlymadeoutofmashedsillyputtyandsplatteredwithtomatoes.

Behindhimcameasnappingofwood,acrunchingofglass.
Withoutlookingather,Batmansaid,"Youmightprefernottolook,Catherine.Evenadoctorcan't

helphere."

"Toolate,"shesaidathisshoulder."AndI'mnotabouttobecomeashrinkingvioletnow."

2

CatherinebentoverwhathadbeenAngie."Helovedher,"shesaid."Ireallybelievethat."
"ButAbnerdidn't,"Batmansaid.
"HewasjealousandPaleBoyisjealousofhimforhisloyaltytotheManowack.Culturecollision.

PaleBoythinkshewantsoutofbeinganIndian,buthereallywantsin.Andwhenhe'sAbner,hethinks
hewantsin,buthereallywantsout."

"YousaidhisfatherownedthePyramidofCars?"
"Yes."Shelaughedinawaythatdidn'tsoundatallamused."Hereallyisturningintoacar,isn'the?

Itwasme,I'dwanttobearefrigerator.Iliketoeat....Jesus,whatamIsaying?"

CatherineturnedherheadfromAngie'sremains.Theroomwasfilledwiththestenchofdeath,

burnedrubberandwispsofexhaust.Shepulledthestinkinandblewitouthernostrils,hard,asifthe
actioncouldcleartheodorsfromtheroom.Shesawsomething,reachedoutandtouchedit.She
shovedthefragmentsofastoolasideandbrushedoffsomewallplaster.Shepulledthebentandtire-
burnedpaintingAngiehadbeenworkingonoutofthedebrisandlookedatit."ThePyramidofCars,"
shesaid.

ButwhensheturnedthepaintingtowardBatman,hewasgone.
"Darkghost,trynottohurthim,"shesaid.

3

TheBatmobilehummedthroughthedarknesstowardthePyramidofCars.AfterallthatCatherine

hadtoldhim,itseemedlogicaltoBatmanthatthepyramidwaswherePaleBoywouldgo.Itcontained
allhisconnections,whiteandIndian,automotiveandsupernatural.

Whenthecarjettedoverahillandthepyramidcameintosight,itlookeddifferent.Themoonlight

wasdilutedandtarnishedbyarollofthinbutdarkclouds.Thelunarraysslippedthroughtheclouds
andbathedthestructureandmadeitlooklikeanenormousheapofcopper-coloredcorpses,and
somethingmovedatopthemoundlikeasquirmingmaggot.

PaleBoy.
Ashepulledoffthehighwayandontotheroadthatledtothelot,therewasasoundlikethunder,

combinedwithalightningstrike.

PaleBoystoppedcrushingcars.Heputtheremoteonhisknee,swiveledthechair,andwatchedthe

strangedarkcarridetheredclayribbonthatwounduptothelot.Hewasamazedhecouldn'tidentify
itstype.LookedalittlelikeaChevyCamaro,butnotexactly.Acustomizedjob.Soundedgood.
Specialengine.ItwasthedarkcarhehadseenoutsideofPaleBoy'shouse.Seemedtoothathehad
seenawomanthere,andaman/bird.TheOwlGod,perhaps.Theoneinwhoseshadowsyoudarenot
walk.

Orperhapshehadimaginedthat.Thingsweresortofconfused.Hecouldn'tlockontohisthoughts.

Theyseemedtohavewanderedoff,goneonvacation.Herememberedseeinghisbrotheratthehouse,
ofthathewascertain,andtheblondgirl,andherememberedkillingthem,smashingthemwithhisfists
...histires.

Heswiveledcompletelyaroundasthedarkcarfinishedofftheroadandwoundaroundandamongthe

rustingcarbodiesandhaltedbelowthepyramid.Thelightswentdead.Themotorstopped.Thedoor
opened.Amangotout---no,notaman.Athingbothbirdandman.ItwastheOwlGod,comeby
automobile.Well,thatmadesense.

Hepickeduptheremoteandpunchedit.Oneofhalfadozencarslineduponthetrackslidforward

intothesaddleandwascrunchedandsmashedandspatoutattheotherend,ablockofmetal.He
punchedoffthecrusher,lookedown.TheOwlGodwasleaningonthedoorofhiscar,lookingup.He
yelled,"PaleBoy!"

Nice,hethought.Thethinghehatedthemost,hisbrother,andhehadbeenmistakenforhim.Bythe

OwlGod,noless.Oncethewhitemansetthingsonabadcourse,thosethingsreallywentdownhillat
anacceleratedrate.

Hesatsilentforamoment,thenmovedthechairslightlywithhisfoot,pushedagain,creakeditback

toitsformerposition.Helookedupandthroughtheback,gossamerlightintohishead.Itseemedto
himthatifhecouldfillthecrackinhisheadwithmoonlight,itwouldgluehimtogetherandtheagony
wouldcease.Butitwasn'tworking.Themoonlightpaidabsolutelynoattention.Itwouldn'tflowinto
him.HeloweredhisheadandlookedattheOwlGod,said,"Mybrother,theUncleTomahawk,hewas
PaleBoy.He'sdead.Whydoyoucallmethat?"

"YouarePaleBoy."
"Wedidn'tlookthatmuchalike.Don'tcallmehisname.CallmeAbner."
"Abner'sdead.Beendeadtheselongyears.You'renotAbner."
"Oh,I'mAbner,allright."
"CatherineMeadows,yourememberher,don'tyou?"
Apause."No."
"Youspoketohertodayaboutyourproblems."
"No.Leavemealone.Myheadhurts.Idon'tbelieveyou'retheOwlGod.Ibelieveyou'rethe

trickster."

"I'mneither.I'maman.Adualman,likeyou.You'renotincontrol.Icangetyouhelp.Makeyou

better."

"Help?Youcanbringbacktheoldways?Youcantakethecaroutofmyheartandgivemebackthe

wolfandthehawk?"

"No.ButIknowpeoplethatcanhelpyouadjusttochange."
"Adjusttoit!Youwantmetoadjusttoit?That'sthewhiteanswertoeverything.Adjust.Nomore

animals.Thewolfandthecoyotesmashedbeneaththewheelsofatruck.Thehawk,deadfromeating
poisonedmice,diseasedrabbits.Sorry,havetoadjust.Progress,youknow.Riversandcreeksarefull
ofgarbageandsewage.Damn,whatashame.Adjust.Air'spollutedwithcarexhaustsandcrapfrom
smokestacks.Itstinksandtastesfunny,andyoucan'tseethestarssomenights,hardlyseethemoon.
Adjust.Thecities,there'sanexampleofprogress.Crime.Hunger.Hate...."

"You'refullofhate.Youdon'thaveto---"
"Yes.I'mfullofhate.Bitterness.Thiswasours.TheManowacks'.Theignorantsavageswhohad

theirownlanguageandgovernment,livedinharmonywithnature,andthenalongcamewhitepeople.
Theynotonlypollutedtheearth,theypollutedthemindsoftheManowacks.TheManowackswantto

belikewhitepeoplenow.TVshumming.Videogameshopping.BigCadillacsrolling.Sodapopand
cupcakesforbreakfast.Iknow,I'mthatway.Ihateit!Ihateme!Ihatethem!Ihateus!Technology
winsall.Technologyownsall.Thewolf,thehawk,theowl,theyhavenopowerinthisworld.
Money.Technology.Thesmokestack.Thefast,sleekcar,aquickburgerandfriespushedoutofa
windowatyou,thesoundofrock'n'roll.That'swherethepoweris."

"Comedown."
"Oh,I'llcomedown,allright."PaleBoy/Abnergrabbedtheremotefromhiskneeandtosseditat

Batman.Itmissed,hittheground,andskidded.PaleBoy/Abnerstood."I'llcomedownonyour
head!"

Batmanthought,Well,sofaryou'renotdoingsowell.Actually,you'rebattingzero.Everytimeyou

openyourmouthyoumakethingsworse.

Butitdidn'tmatteranymore.PaleBoy,whowasnowAbner,wasn'tlisteninganymore.Hismindwas

asgoneastheoldways;hisheartwasashardblackasacorrodedcarburetor.

Themoonlightwasbrighternow.Thecloudshadsailedon.PaleBoy/Abnersteppeddownfromhis

chairontoarustedcarroofandbegantoshape-shiftrapidly.Thepoppingoffleshandthecreakof
metalfilledthenightairandBatmanfeltthehaironhisneckriseupandpricktheinteriorofhiscowl.

Themoonpassedinshadowagain,andPaleBoy/Abnerstoodonhishindtiresandstretchedhistie

rodsandwavedhisfists---tiresnow---atthedarkness,andtheveryairseemedfullofstenchofhotoil
andexhaustfumes.Hisheadfellforward,hismouthfullofandexpandedwithabumperthecolorofa
silvervein.Andastheheadfell,clangedontheroofofthecaronwhichhestood,theThunderbird
stretcheditsfronttiresforwardandtheymoldedintolittlerubberclaws,begantopullthecarbody
forward.PaleBoy/Abner'seyeswentwideandglassyandsproutedheadlights.

ThepyramidcreakedandsighedbeneaththeThunderbird'svastweight.Apieceofarusted

automobilebrokeloosewithashriekandtumbledtothegroundandrolledoverandover.Thetopof
thepyramidbowedtowardthehighway,shimmied,butheld.Behindthedarkwindshieldthatwas
formedoutofwhathadbeenPaleBoy/Abner'sforehead(andasthemoonlightstruckit,aminor
imperfection,ahairlinecrack,wasvisible),Batmansawshadowymovements,likefranticfishbodies
slammingthesidesofaninkybowl.

BatmanslippedbackintotheBatmobile,fastenedhisseatbelt,touchedtheenginetolife,turnedon

theheadlights.

TheThunderbirdclamoreddownfromthePyramidandhitthegroundatarunandwitharoar.

Musicalnotesjumpedfromthecarlikeacrobats:Jan&Dean's"DeadMan'sCurve."

TherewasnootherchoicebuttoramtheThunderbird.BatmanfloorboardedtheBatmobile.Itleapt

intothefaceoftheThunderbird.Therewasanoiselikealuminumfoilbeingwadded,anotherfromthe
Thunderbirdlikeaboxertakingalefttothesolarplexus.Thesplitinthewindshieldwidened,washeld
togetherbyathindarkmembrane.TheThunderbirdroseuponitshindtires,exposeditsunderside,
whichhadallthebumpsandconfigurationsofwhatbelongedbeneatharealcar,andstaggeredback
againstthepyramid.Thepyramidframeworksaggedandsighedandcreakedandsqueaked,butheld.

TheThunderbirdreboundedwithascream.Itcameforwardthrowingaleftjab---alefttire---andthe

tirestretchedwaaaaaaaaaayoutandpoppedtheBatmobile'swindshieldandsprayedglassbackinon
Batman.

Batmanduckeddownandhitreverseandwentback.TheBatmobiletoreaportionofthe

Thunderbird'sbumperawayashedid.Thebumperfragmentsclatteredtotheground,vibrated,were
replacedbyafistfulofbloodyteethlyinginthedirt.

TheThunderbird,stillonitshindtires,whichwerespinninganddrivingitforward,bobbedand

weavedandhonkeditshorn,threwanotherlefttirejab,followeditwitharighttirecrossthatstretched
thetierodsandthespindleandthetireitself.

TheleftglancedtheBatmobile'sroof.Therighthitonthedriver'sside,splinteringthewindow.
Batmanstompedthebrake,jerkedthegearshiftintofirst,stompedtheaccelerator,triedtoramagain.

TherecameanoisefromundertheBatmobile'shoodlikesomeonebeatingasealtodeathwithaclub
andthecarclatteredforwardataspeedthatwouldhaveembarrassedanamputeeturtle.Ithitthe
Thunderbirdalmostashardasabagoftossedmarshmallows.

TheThunderbirdmotoredalaughasJan&Deanfinishedout"DeadMan'sCurve."Itspreadwideits

fronttiresandgrabbedtheBatmobilebybothdoorsandpushed,sealingBatmaninside.The
Batmobile'shoodpoppeduplikethehullofacrackedwalnut.TheThunderbirdletoutayell,slammed
itselfagainsttheroofoftheBatmobile.

Once.
Twice.
TheBatmobile'sroofdippedin.
TheThunderbirdliftedtheBatmobile,andwithatwistofitsflesh-metalbody,slungittumblingroof

overtiresintothecarcrusher,whereitcametolieupright,itsfrontendacrosstheroofofaPlymouth
alreadyneatlytuckedintothedemolitionsaddle.

Batmanspatbloodonthedashboard.Hecoughed.Somethingseemedtobekickinghischestfrom

theinside.Daggerswereinhisheadandback.Atornadospunbehindhiswetlefteye.

Heglancedattherearviewmirror.Orwhereitwassupposedtobe.Itwasgone.Itwasonthe

floorboardnexttotheaccelerator.ThefrontseatandBatman'slapwerewearingtherefuseofthefront
windshieldandtheroofwascrushedfarenoughdowninfrontitalmostmetthedashboard.Abovehim,
itdippedalmosttohishead.Tightfit.

Partofthemotorwasvisiblethroughawoundinthehood.Radiatorsteamwhistledwhitelyintothe

dark.

Batmanturnedhisinjuredneck.Itwasn'ttoohardtodothat,noharderthancarryinganelephantup

theWashingtonMonument.

Throughthecrackedbackglass,hesawtheThunderbird.Itwasonitshindtires,stalkingforward

likeaconfidentsumowrestlerclosinginforthekill.

Dosomethingorloseitall,hethought.HereachedfortheEJECTbutton.Iftheroofreleasewas

ruinedanditdidn'tthrowthecrumpledroofaway,theejectseatwoulddrivehimintoitsohardthey
wouldhavetoextricatehiscorpsefromthecarwithaputtyknife.

Hecontinuedtositsidewaysintheseat,watchingoutthebackwindow,waitingfortheright

moment.TheThunderbird'supperhalfwasnolongervisible,justitslowerbody.Itwasabouttocome
downontheBatmobile,grabitandcrushit.

BatmanhittheEJECTbutton.

Theblastcapstossedtheroofhighandhard,likeahatthrownintheexcitementofaballgame.The

seatlaunchedafterit,backandoverthe"head"oftheuprightThunderbird.Theseatwasperfectly
balancedsothatitwouldn'tflip.Therubberaircushionbeneathitexpandedwithahiss.Theseathit
thegroundhard,butthecushiontookthebulkoftheimpact.Still,Batmanfelthisteethclacktogether.

Unclampinghisseatbelt,herolledfromthechair,lookedinthedirectionoftheBatmobile.The

Thunderbird's"back"wastohimanditwasstillonitshindtires.Ithaditsleftfronttirecockedandit
puncheddownhardontheroofoftheBatmobile,thentheleft,andthecombinationscontinued.The

Thunderbirdwasinafrenzy,beatingtheBatmobile'sroofflat,smashingitdownontothecarinthe
crusher'ssaddle.Iteitherhadn'tnoticedhisexitviaejectionseatordidn'tcareandwastakingitouton
thecar.

Batmantriedtostand,wobbled,felltooneknee,putoutahandandtouched...theremote.
Hesnatcheditup.Itlookedokay.HehadseenPaleBoyworkingitfromatopthepyramid,making

thecrusherrespondtohiscommands.

HeglancedattheThunderbird.ThebullywasleaningwayovertheBatmobilenow,trouncingitwith

bothtires.

BatmanthumbedtheONbutton.Thecrusherwhined.Thesaddlemoved,suckedtheBatmobile's

frontendintothemachineryalongwiththePlymouthonwhichitwasriding,aswellasthelefttireof
theThunderbirdasitcamedowntostrikeanotherblow.Therewasasmashingsound,thenthemewlof
theThunderbird'smotor,followedbywhatwasdistinctlyahumanscream.Behindthiscamea
mechanizedscreech,andthecrusherjammedwithaportionoftheBatmobilehangingoutofit.

TheThunderbirdjerkedbackitslefttire.Onlyitnolongerhadatire.Blackoilgushedfromwhere

thetirehadconnectedtothechassis,spewedallovercreation.

TheThunderbirdspunaroundonitsreartires,thebloodbendingforwardtobringthewindshieldlow

enoughtospotitsprey.

ItsawBatman.Itshoodopenedandslammedshutrapidlyandrepeatedly,revealinganinteriordarker

thanitspaint.Itsunderbellyheaved.Finallythehoodhungopenandatonguethesizeofafoyerrug
flickedoutandlickedwhatwasleftofitsgrillwork.ThenthehoodclosedandtheThunderbirdlowered
itsbodytotheground,straighteneditself,gunnedforwardonthreewheels,thenubofitslefttire
punchingupdust.

Batmanwasalreadymoving.Hedartedforthepyramid.Wentupitlightandfastasasquirrel.The

Thunderbirdturnedtopursuehim,workingathalfspeed,limping.Batmanreachedthewiltingtopof
thepyramid,putafootonthebackofthechair,theseatofwhich,duetotheshiftingofthepyramid,
wasfacingtowardtheedgeofthedeepdrop.

Batmanlookeddown.Hesawthebackofthebillboardandthehighway.Acarwentbyinaflashof

lights,abuzzofengine.

HelookedbackattheThunderbird.Itwasclimbingthepyramid,favoringitsnub.Upitcame,

puttingitsfrontrighttireout,formingapincher,clenchingmetalwithit,pushingwithitshindtires.
Slowly,steadily,oildrippingfromitswound,itmadeitswayup.

Itpaused,stretcheditshoodandwindshield,tryingtogetagoodlookatitsadversary.
BatmancouldseethatthecrackintheThunderbird'swindshieldwaswideryet.Themembranesthat

hadhelditwererippedloose.Adark,featurelessheadwaspokingoutofit,wrigglinglikeamole
tryingtoworkitselffreefromatoo-tighthole.Shadowsstillslammedagainsttheinteriorofthe
windshield,andsomethingthatlookedliketwoblackbasketballswererollingaroundbehindtheglass.

Eyesbehindsunshades?
HecouldalsoheartheThunderbirdwheezingthroughitscarburetor.Thecrusherhadtakensome

windoutofit.

Afteramoment,itstartedupagain.Thepyramidrocked,shifted.Carpiecesbrokefreeandfell

away.

TheThunderbird,nearlytothetop,gropedforBatmanwithitsimpossibletire,therubberofit

stretchingtoformafour-fingeredhand.Batmansteppedontothebackofthebentchair,justoutofthe
way.

TheThunderbirdpushedwithitsbacktirestogiveittheaddedreachand---

AsBatmanexpected,andcountedon,theweightoftheThunderbirdwastoomuch.Thepyramid

leanedwayback...

Andfellapart.
BatmancoiledhislegsandleaptovertheThunderbird.Hewentwideofthefallingpyramid,hiton

hisshoulderhardenoughtofeelitintheheelsofhisboots,thentumbledandcameuponhisfeet.

HeturnedtoseetheThunderbirdtumblingovertheedgeofthedrop.Itscrambledwithitshindtires,

itsonegoodfronttire,buttherewasnothingtoholdonto.Thepyramidwasnolonger.Itwasamass
ofseparatingjunkandthejunkwentoverthelipofthedropandsplatteredinalldirections,andthe
Thunderbirdwenttoo,sailedagoodlydistancethroughtheair,hitthesideofthegreathillwiththe
impactofamissile,bouncedtowardthebillboard,struckthebackofitandwentthroughwitharipand
asnap,andwearingBarrett'sposterboardfaceoveritshood,windshield,androof,ithitthecenterstripe
onthehighwaywithanexplosionofmetalandoil.Alickofflameflutteredfromitstailend,wentout.
TheThunderbirdrolledandshedpartsandendeduplyingonitsroofwiththeposterboardwrapped
arounditsupperhalf,Barrett'sspectacle-adornedfacepeeringupatthenight.

TheThunderbirdlaythereandtrembled.Partsthrownoutofitcontinuedtorollandclankdownthe

highway,thentheyquitclanking,mademoistmeatynoises,andeventuallystoppedtraveling.

TheThunderbirdweaklyreachedoutwithitsonegoodtireandformedtwohugefingers,pawedatthe

posterboardinthemannerofacatremovingacobweb.Barrett'simagecameloose,flutteredinthe
wind,wentfloatingawayintoaroadsideditch.

Therightfronttirequivered,turnedsmallandpallid,stretchedwideonitsspindle,floppedintothe

streetpalmup.Fingerstwitched.Touchedbythemoonlight,itlookedlikeanalbinospideronitsback,
kickingitslegs.

NowtheThunderbirdwasgoneandtherewasonlyPaleBoy'snakedbody,rippedandbattered,minus

someinternalorgans.Hislefthandwassmashedaway,andthenubofhiswristpumpeddarkoil,but
onlyforaninstant;theoiltransformedtoblood,continuedtospew.Hisdimmingeyeswereonthesky.

Thecrackinhisheadwasaswideastheedgeofafifty-centpieceandfourincheslong.Fromitfled

oneofthetrappedsoulshehadpulledintoitwithhisheadlighteyes.Thenanothersoulfled.And
another.Andanother.Allfreeandnolongerpartofthewere-car'smedicine.

ThenPaleBoyfelthisownsoullettingloose.Hecouldn'tholdit.Heliftedhisheadandopenedhis

mouthandthedarkformofitoozedoverhisbrokenheadandbloodybottomteeth,tuggeditselfout
likeafatmanrisingfromarecliner.PaleBoytriedtowillittoreturn.Thesoulattemptedtolower
itselfbackinside,butbeforeitcould,anowlcameoutofthenightanddovedownswiftasabulletand
clutchedthesoulinitstalonsandpulleditupandoutandflewawaywithit.

NosoonerhadtheowlvacatedthescenethanavideogameandcomputersalesmanfromGotham

namedJackHeadaway,drivinghisVolvotoofastanddodgingcardebrisallovertheroad,zigged
aroundarustedChevyandapileofautoinnardsandclippedPaleBoyonthesideoftheheadand
knockedhimupandundertheVolvoanddraggedhimfiftyyardsbeforethebodywasthrownfrom
beneaththecarandintoaroadsideditch---thesameditchwherethefragmentofthebillboardbearing
Barrett'sfacelay.PaleBoylayontopofitandbledoutthelastofhisblood.

Batman,downononekneeattheedgeofthedrop,hadseenitall.Heliftedhisheadandwatchedthe

owlpinitselfbeforethemoon,thendiveoutofthemoonlightandintotheall-embracingnight.

TheOwlGod,hethought.Therealone.
"I'msorry,PaleBoy,"hewhispered."Itrulyam."
Hemovedgingerlytoastandingposition.Hehadbrokenaribinthatjumpandrollfromthe

pyramid.Itpunchedathissidelikeadrunkmanmakingapointwiththetipofhisfinger.

Batmanremovedthelittleflashfromhisbelt,watchedthesalesmangetoutoftheVolvowitha

flashlightofhisownandrunbacktolookintotheditchwherePaleBoyhadbeenthrown.

Thesalesmansawwhatwasintheditch,stiffened,walkedbacktothecenterofthehighway,and

threwupontheyellowline.

Whenthemanfinishedcleaninghisguts,Batmanturnedonhisflashandblinkeditathim.The

salesmanlookedup,sawashapelikeagiantbatstandingonthehighhillabove,flashingasmall
flashlight.

Boy,thoughtthesalesman,isthisonenightorwhat?

4

"Ididn'tseehim.Really.I'dhavestopped.Imean,Itried.Therewasallthatjunk---"
"Isawwhathappened,"Batmansaid."You'renottoblame.Justhurrysowecangetacrewback

heretocleanupthatmessbeforesomeonewrecks."

TheVolvochuggedoverahill,awayfromtherisethathadheldthePyramidofCars.Astheywent

away,Batmanhadtheurgetoturnforalook,buthisribhurttooseverelyforthat.

"Youknow,"saidthesalesman,"youdon'tlooksogood,Mr.Batman."
"I'mnotfeelingparticularlywell,nowthatyoumentionit."
"Yeah,youneedtoseeadoctor....Youknow,Ithought---andnooffensenow,okay?"
"Okay."
"Ithoughtyou'dbe...well,bigger.Notthatyou'reanydwarf.Ijustthoughtyou'dbe,like,bigger

thanlife."

"No,"Batmansaid."Noone'sthatbig."
"I'mnotsurewhatyoumean."
ButBatmandidn'thearhim.Hehadturnedhisheadtowardthepassengerwindowandclosedhis

eyesandisolatedthepainandallowedhimselftofallasleep.

Decelerate,Clutch,and---

---DownshifttotheEpilogue

1

TheBatcave,OneMonthLater

Bruce,finishedrecordinglastnight'seventsinhisjournal,thensatbackandeyedthepackagesonhis

desk.HehadreceivedthematpoliceheadquartersthroughJimGordonthenightbefore,butuntilthis
morninghehadn'thadtimetoexamineeither.Onewasabundle.Mostlikelyfanlettersandhatemail.
Aboutonceamonth,JimgatheredupandpackagedwhatcametothedepartmentforBatman,what
didn'tlookexplosiveordangerous,andgaveittohim.

Theotherpackagewaslarge,flat,andrectangular.Brucetoreitopen.ItwasfromCatherine

Meadows.Anotewasinside.Itread:Ithoughtyoumightwantthese.Nooneelsehasseenthem.
Catherine.

ItwasthepaintingAngiehadmadeofthePyramidofCars.Itwasbrokeninthemiddle,but

Catherinehadreinforceditfrombehindwithawoodenslatandtapeandhadframedit.Thetiretread
markthathadmarredthepaintingwasgone.Therewasasmearofdriedbloodinitsplace.PaleBoy's
blood.

Alsoinsidetherectangularpackagewasalittlewhitebook.Onthefront,writteninblackmagic

marker,wasTheBookoftheThunderbird.InsideweretheentriesPaleBoyhadwrittenasAbner.

Brucespot-readsomeofit,andevennow,amonthlater,hefeltasurgeofdepression.Heknewwhy

Catherinehadn'tshownittotheGothamPoliceoranyoneelse.TherewasnoneedtosullyPaleBoy's
reputationfurther.AndwhowasgoingtobelievePaleBoyhadbecomeaFordThunderbird,except
possiblyJimGordon?ItwasbesttoletpeoplethinkPaleBoyhadlosthismindandmurderedwitha
car,nottransformedintoone.

Thecasewasclosed;thecrazedhit-and-runkillerwasgoneforgood.
Bruceputthebookdown,pickedupthepaintingagain.
Oneforthetrophycase.Itandthejournal,perhaps.Togoalongwiththeremindersofhismost

uniqueadventures.Andthishadcertainlybeenauniqueone.

Heputthepaintingdownandthought,PoorPaleBoy.Devouredbydarkness.Aswearealldevoured

byitintime.Itallseemedsopointless.Theday-to-daystruggle.Eventuallyitendsthesamefor
everyone.Thegood,thebad,theugly.Everyonegetsthesamereward.

Darkness.
HelookedatthebundleGordonhadgivenhimwithCatherine'spackage.Hewasrightaboutits

contents.Mail.

Heshuffledtheletters,butfeltnorealdesiretoopenthem.Hewasn'tuptobeingtoldhowgreathe

was,orhowrottenhewas.

ThenhesawthatoneletterhadapostmarkfromNebraska,noreturnaddressontheenvelope.
Mandy?
Heopenedit.
Yes,Mandy.
Itread:

DearBatman:

I'msendingthistoyouthroughtheGothamPoliceDepartment.Ihopeitreachesyou.
IwantyoutoknowthatjustwhenIthoughtmylifewasworthlessandtherewasnothingto

livefor,nothingformychildtolivefor,whenIthoughtaneedleinmyveinswastheanswer,
whennoonewantedtohelpandtherewasnoinstitutiontoturnto,youcamealong.

Ithasn'tbeeneasyherebackinNebraska,butit'scertainlybeenbetterthanthestreetsof

GothamCity.Myparentshaven'tchanged.Ipassthemonthestreetandtheylookaway.It'sas

ifI'mdead.Idon'tbelievetheywilleverchange,andI'mtryingtolearntolivewiththat.

Ihaveapart-timesecretarialjobatafeedandseedstore---nokidding!---andI'mgoingto

collegeparttime,andKerrieisindaycarethreetimesaweekIwork.SoonIhopewe'llmove
outofthelittleduplexwhereweliveandrentanapartmentorahouse.Kerrieisgrowingso
fast,andIwouldlikeforhertohaveherownroomwhenshe'solder.

Lifeisn'tperfect,butIhavefriendsandambitions,andnowtheworldlooksmuchbrighter

thanitdidbefore.Itlooksworththeliving.

Iowethattoyou.Foramomentthere,everythinglookedlikealie.Ialmostlosthope.You

gaveitbacktome.Yougavememysecondchance.Isincerelyhopethisreachesyou.Isend
allmyloveandgratitude.

Fromthebottomofmyheart,

Mandy

Brucefoldedthelettercarefullyandreturnedittotheenvelope.
Hethought,Andthenagain,maybeitdoesn'tmatterwhereweallendup.Whatcountsishowweget

thereandwhatwedotomakethetripbetterforourselvesandothers.

Herealizedsuddenlythathefeltgood.NotsincethenighthehadputMandyandherbabyonthebus

backtoNebraskahadhefeltsuchasurgeofhope.Mandy'sletterhadgivenhimthatrare,old-time
rush,whenitfeltasifitallmatteredandhemadeadifference,thattheworldwasn'tentirelyrandom
andmad.

HewouldincludetheletterinaglasscasewiththepaintingandTheBookoftheThunderbird.

Somehowhefeltthecontrastingfeelingstheygavehimbelongedtogether.

Yinandyang.
Hereachedfortheconsolenexttothecomputer,flickedaswitch,plungedthecaveintoadarknessso

completehecouldn'tseehishandinfrontofhisface---adarknessakintonothingness.

Heleanedbackinhischair,thought,What'ssobadaboutdarkness?It'smyelement.Fromdarkness

wecome,todarknesswereturn.Around-tripticket.

Closinghiseyes,heletthecoolcalmofthedarkembracehim.Hefeltasifhewerewaiting

somewhereinsidesomeone'sdream---hisown,perhaps---waitingpatientlyforthatdreamingsomeone,
orhimself,tocreatetheBatmanandmakesomethinghappen.

LadiesandGentlemen,CutYourEngines