isticthatledhimtoleavethisbeautifulkingdomwithitsmagnifitmountainsandstreams，itsluxuriouspadtwenty-fourbeauties,togorovingaroundlikeanomad．Themaniuregrewyoungerandyounger，untilitbecameanaughtyboyishgrin．SheughedandthoughtDimitriinessencewaslikeaurousboyandwouldehomewheiredofroaming．Thebookcaseswerestilldisorderly，thesoftheputerdispyedfruitsofherthoughts，theheprioppedmomentarily．Awomanwasseenengrossedinherreading．

Stephanie:

Therefleoftheswayingbraheweepingwillowsoilesswavesofthegooopersonifyadnguidwoman，half-yielding，half-resisting.Thegoonwasborderedononesidebyasheercliff,withacavefarabovethewaterlevel．Theonlywayofentrywasbyclimbingupastoutrope．AbovethecavewasthecarvedfigureofaTibetanBuddhawithfourhands，eachholdingastrangeon,likeaprotectiveguardiaypreventingevilspiritsfrominvadireatoftheyoungwomanractigprodigiousfeatsofthefleshbody．0ccasionallyshewouldopenherrgealluringeyeswhichseemedtohideamillios．Suchmysteriouselusivenessseemeddestiobewitdehesoulofman．Herlusciousbckhairulledbatoheavybraidsthatshewoundaroundherhead，buttheseverehairstyleonlyplementedhercssidubeautyandaristocraticbearingwhiothingcouldceal．Therefleofthewatershimmeringandglitteringuhesunwasherasbrightnorasillustriousasherfamilyhistory，butshealkedtoanyoneexceptDimitriaboutit．

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ShecalledherselfStephanie，neverrevealirueidentity．Sherincess，daughterofaprihermotherlostfavoranduttodeath．Atthetimeshewasstudyingabroad．Fearingpersecutionfromhermother’senemies，shedidnotdaretoreturive1and.Usedtobeingwaitedonhandandfoot,shedidnotknowhowtotakecareofherself，leastofallhowtomakealiving．Theonlyroadopentoherseemedtobetolivebyheryouthayandtakeuptheoldestprofessionintheworld．Butshesedsuchdegradation,becausetoher,herbodywassacred-themostmagidmysteriouspuzzlewhichshewaoexploreanduwasatthistimethatshemetDimitri，whosekindnessandstraightforwardcharacterattractedher．Dimitritookherinhandandtaughtherthetricksofsurvivalinvagabondage：suchashowtogetfood，howtofindsafehaventopassthenightandtorelieveherselfetc．Thedaystheyspenttogetherroamireets，carefreeandspontaneousastwobirdsflyingintheskywerethehappiestinherlife．Theytalkedaboutanythingahingthatcametomind，happytofindakindredspirit．Sometimes，theywouldshoutiementduringanargumentorburstintohiriousughter，heedlessofthecuriousandsfuleyesofpassersby．

Oneightinearlyspring，DimitribroughtStephaooneofhisseooks．Itwasieerbetweenawalndatallbuilding，discoveredbyotherhomelesspeople．Notonlywasitoutoftheway，buttherewasaBARTairholeonthegroundwhichletoutheatandwarmth，enablingsurroundingbedsofflowerstobloominspiteofthecold．Lyingontheairhole,lookingupatthefullmoonandmyriadoftwinklingstarsaboveher，StephahoughtitwastheidealpcetogiveherselftoDimitriifitweren’tforhermenstrualperiod；aatrifleletdownanddisappointed．Dimitriwashisownkindselfandseemedintuitivelytoknoasonhermind．

"Youknow，Stephahemaindiffereweenamanandawomanisthatawomanhasmenstruationeverymonth．Butbecauseofthis，amanfeelsespeciallytender,lovingandprotectiveatthisperiod．Itisjustlikenurturingadelicateredrose．"

"IthinkGodisunjustingivingwomenthiscurse，whichreallybringsalotofinveniences.”

"Butitisnotungeableorirreversible．TheeseTaoistshaveamethodcalled"EnKung"orinternart,whistopmenstruationaltogether．Itiscalled"decapitatingthescarletdragon"，afterwhianwouldremainyoungaifulforeveranditdoesnotaffectherfertility．"

"That’sincredible！Howdoyougoaboutlearningthisamazi?Idoit?IfI，IwillgivemyselftoyouafterIhavedecapitatedthescarletdragon!"

"IknowsomethingaboutthisTaoistinternartandIwillteachyouifyouarereallyseriousaboutit．Iwillmakethenecessaryarrasandeorealizeyourwish.”

ThusStephaniecametotheKingdominthemountainsandchosethissecludedcaveasherretreat．Dimitritaughtherthemethodofpractiginternartandshefollowedhisinstrusassiduously．Soon，shenolongeropartakeofanyfoodforsustenanlydrinkingsomewatereveryfewdays，butherskihelessbecamesoft，velvetyandlustrous．ShelivedintotalisotioforperiodicvisitsfromDimitri，whowouldvisithertoseehowshewasgettingalong．Butretlyshehadn’tseenhimforquiteawhile．Sensingageimosphere，Stephaniepausedduringhermeditationandlookedoutofthecave．Theskywasovercastwithdarkcloudsainyripplesinthegoourningintowavesthatspshedagainsttherocks．SuddenlyStephanie’sbodyshookrapidlyanduntrolblyinapainshehadneverexperiencedbefore．Shefeltasiftherewasaninternalstrengthinsideherbodyreadytoexplode．Itwaslikeahugewavesurgingaroundinherbody，tryingtospshherintopieces．ForewarnedbyDimitri，shekwasaveryimportantstage，atimefortransformation．Justassuddenlyasitcame,thepainsubsidedandStephanieluxuriatedinahithertoinexperienfort，

"Ah，successatst！"sheexulted．"Thescarletdragonhasbeendecapitated!NowisthetimetogivemyselftoDimitri.”Walkingtotheedgeofthecliff，shefoundthattheelementstoohadquieteddown．Shedivedintothewaterbelowgracefusaflyingswallowandswamtowardstheoppositeshorelikeahuge,scalelessfish．

Afteralongswim，Stephaniefinallyheoppositeshore．Herspeedhadsedandshewasbeginningtofeeltiredwhenshesawaslenderfigurejoggingontheshore．Thejoggerproceededatastablepace,witheachsteppreciselyofthesamelength．Herhandschedinloosefists,swungathersideliketwosystematicbutintergingpendulums．ThisstablenessandequilibriumcoupledwithmoderatespeedgaveStephanieaddedstrengthainuedonherwaywithlongmeasuredstrokes．Hearingthesoundofsomeoneswimming，thejoggerlookedtowardsthegoonandsawStephanie．ShesmiledatherandmadeaVwithherrighthandinencement．Thetwodiesdidnotknoweachotherverywell，butlivinginthesamesecludedkingdominthemountains，theywereacquaintedandgottoknoweachother．

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Angelica:

ThejoggerwasAngeliexquisite,crystal-likebeautywholookedsilethatshearousedaprotectiveinstinallwhosawher，fearingshewouldbreakifnottakencareof．Shehadasharpintelligewasofasealtemperament．KingDimitrihadthiscircurtrackbuiltaroundthegoonespeciallyforher．Itwasdesignedacctoworldstandards，buttheexpeerialsusedwereofslightlysoftertexturesothatshewouldnothurthermusclesorbonesduringherjogging，whichallgoestoshowKingDimitri’sloveand．AsAngelion，theresiliehetradtheesticityofherbodywereinsuchperfectcoordinationthatthetrackseemedtorespondtothemovementsofhermuscles．Herbreathingandherheartbeatwerealsowellorchestrated．Thesoothingwindrufflesherhairahroughhercolrandsleeves，caressingherbodylikekneadingfermenteddough，invigoratingherredandwhitebloodcellstillshefeltateoflywiththewind．Butthenshesuppressedtheimpulsetoacceleratebecausefromrunningorackeveryday，shehadetotheclusionthatlifewaslikedailyjoggingonthiscircurtrackwhichhadnodefiartingpointorendingpoint．Therefore，thepurposewasnotthemomentaryetionandfulfillmentthatthestminutedashcouldbring．Thegreatesthappinesswouldbeinkeepingherequilibriumandproceedatastablepaceduringthewholeprocess．SuddenlyitdawnedohatthiswasthereasonwhyKingDimitribuiltthistrackforher．Lookingupattheskies，shesawtheever-gingclouds．Theirarras，differentandnoitiouswerehesamefromdaytodayandthereforeimpossibletopgiarize.Thesettingsuniendoftheskyseemedtobetakingitsfinalcurtaincall,butitsradiantsplendor，nolongerasblindinglybrilliant，madethisitsmostbeautifundmovingmoment．Angelicafeltasenseofindescribablearousal．Thesettingsunbecamethefaitriwithhishabitual,gentlesmile．SheranonandontothrowherselfintoKingDimitri’sarms.

ThemeetingofDimitriandAngelicawasohoserareceswhichwouldalmostseempredestined．Oar-studdedsummernight，Angelicastrolledintardenafterfinishingwritingapoem,whichshesideredtobethemostbeautifulshehadeverwritten．Shewaslookingatthestrosesofsummer，witheringandfading，whenasenseofdesotioncameuponher．

"IhavewrittenmymasterpiecewhichIdon’tthinkIeversurpass．Summerisgoneandalltherosesarefading．WhyshouldIremaininthisworld?"Justthen，ashootingstarfshedacrosstheskyanddisappearedintothemysteriousnight．Angelicastoodthere，coldandsolemnasamarblestatue，filledwithasenseofsadnessandmurmured．

"Lifeshouldendatitsmostbeautifulmomentiokeepitsbeautyandimmortalityforever.”Shehadalovelysilverpistolinherhandandmesmerizedbythefeelingsofthemoment，raisedthepistolslowlyupwardstowardshertemple．Justthenavoicecalledout，

"Hey!Waitased!"andaformemergedfromamongtherosebushes．Frightehisuedinterruption，Angelicaautomaticallypointedhergunattheintruder．Dimitriwalkedslowlytowardshersaying，"Lady，youwakemefrommysweetdreamsandpointyunatme!Nowthat’stoomuch!"HewassmilingbutAngelicacouldfeeuthorityinhisgentlevoicewhichsubduedherandherhandsfelllimplytoherside．

"Lady，yousaythatlifeshouldendatitsmostbeautifulmoment，andyoudonotwishtolivebecausetherosesarefading，ashootingstarfelndyouhadwrittenyourmostbeautifulpoem．Butthisisinfinitesimal!Inthephenomenaofnature，thefadingofrosesandthefallingofstarsarebutbubblesinthesea，andyoutakethemforthemostbeautifulthingsintheworld?IfyoucouldseeNatureatitsgra，itsaugustpre-eminencecouldvinceyouofhowfoolishyouaretotakeyourownlifesomeaninglessly.”Angelicawasmovedbyhiswordsandthoughtthatherceptofaestheticswasreallynarrowandbiased．Itseemedasthoughsomethingbeganbrewinginhermindaartedgraduallytoge．Dimitriwenton，

"Onceyourfleshbodyisdestroyed，beautynolosforyou．Whatmeaningimmortalityandinfinityhaveforyoutheyexistsonlyifyourfleshbodyexists.Theprincipaimoflifeshoudbetoliveyourlifefrombirthtodeathfullyandsmoothly．Itislikesailinginafastcurrent.Ifyoumaneuveryourboatsafely,thatissuccess．Angelica,doyouknowhowpreciousyourfleshbodyis?Thefactthatyouwerebornintothisworldasahumanbeingisinitselfaprivilege，paredtotheotherlessnobleanimals．Howcouldyougiveitupsoeasily?"

"Ihavewrittebeautifulpoemofmylife．WhatmorehaveItolivefor?"

"Ifyoudonotgoonliving，howcouldyouknowyouotwriteanythingmorebeautiful?Evenifyouwerebornwithouttheleastartistictalent,lifeitselfhasawordlessbeautyifyoucouldlookatitfromanunbiasedpointofview.”Dimitri’swordshadastrongimpaherandAngelicawokefromherobsessionwiththeangelofdeath．Seeingsignsofawakeningaanceforherrasha，Dimitrisaidtently，

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"Ithinkyouogeyourenviro．Whydon’tyouewithmetotheKingdomofDreams?"Thislife-savingdialogueuhestar-litskiesgedthecourseofAngelica’spreciouslifeforever．

Angelitinuedonhercourse，themovementsofherbodystableandregurasever．Shewascastinshadowsassheranthroughanareaheavilyshadedbytrees，butwhensheemergedfromthatparativedarkhesettingsuncastitsafterglowonher，illuminatingherfigurewithitsruby-likeradiance．Goingroundthecurve，sheranonwithherlonghairfloatingbehindher，feelingtheresidualwarmthofthesettingsunonherback．Sheretainedhereleganceamidstrenuousexercise，feelingtheaffeateeyesofKingDimitri，sofulloftendernessgazingatherwithhisgentlesmile．Whenshefirstcamehere，Dimitrioftenwalkedwithheraroundthegoon．Heknewsheoetess，sopoetryandliteraturebecametheirfavoritetopicsofversation．Dimitri’spointofviewisthatagreatepiimmortalanithesis．Itachievesperfewithouttheneedofinteentiontothechoiceofwordstocreateasymbolicframeofmind．Onlyinanimateobjects，suchaspsticcreations，ensivecraftsmanship．Agoodpoemorprosewritteninanaturalflowneednoefforttopursueartificialperfe．Itsiionisstitutednaturally．Themostimportantcriterionofagoodpieceofwritingiswhetherithasanearaffeoflife．

Iingsofgreatmasters,weofteneacrosssimplebinationsofwordsthatbringoutthegrandeurofnature,beitmajestiifiountainrangesoramistyglimpseofadistanthill；thegesintheskieswhetheritisdrizzlingrain，transparentsunshineorhazyclouds；thestrategicarrasofndandrivers；perhapsanalmostindisibleflowerypathwhichleadstohithertounexploredparadise．Theyareemotionsandfervorofthewordsthemselvesandnotthedirectdescriptionoftheauthor．Therefore，thoughvague，notminutelydescribedandusedonlyasbackground,theyaresovividlypreseheintuitiveperceptionoftheauthorthattheyremainforeverinthereader’smind．Thatisthecharismaofliterature．DimitrisuggestedthatAngelicashouldlookarouhrenewedperceptionandlearnfromtheheavens，theskies，themountainsandtheseas．Thensheshouldtakeadventureinwarddeepinsidehermind，becauseonlythosewithih，intuitivearatingintelligenakeuseofthesematerialstanithesis．

Theyranon，steadilyrotatingonthecircurtrack,herheartbeatandherbreathingwereperfectlycoordinatedaasenseofpurepleasurefromherfleshbodyduetoexercise．Shethought，"HowfortunateIamnottobemadeintoamarblestatue，butamfleshandblood-theofanimals．HowgdIamthatIdidn’tthrowmylifeawayheedlessly.”Herbraitudetowardslifeaffeotonlyherpersonallifebuthercreativepowersaswell．ItwaslikebeingbaihingintheKingdombecamematerialforherwriting：Thestrarastsofantiquityandmodernizationandthebeautifulsery，theinhabitantswhocamefromallersoftheworld．Herdescriptionofthetwenty-fourbeautieswereespeciallysuperb．Theirverygnces，smilesauresseemedtodepicttheirdifferentpersonalities，temperamentsandbackgroundsandcamealiveunderherpen．ShemadethesesketchesintoacolleofprosearyaoshowthemtoKingDimitriwhenhecamebackbeforefinalizingthemanuscript．Turningaroundtofacethesettingsun，sheranbackwardsandmadeaVsigntowardsitaurnedbacktoruntothefinish．Iance，shesawthesmilingfacesofAishaandStephaniewelingher．

Lotus:

Ieeroftherealworld，thesettingsunhadnotquitedisappearedfromthewest;thecrestmoonwasalreadyhasteningtomakeherentraheeasternsky．Onthebraheoldelmtreeinfrontofthesolitaryinnbytheroadsidehungabrightrednternwithadleinsideflickeringintheslightbreeze-awelesigravelers，signifyingfood,drinkawinklingstarscouldbeseenfromamidthebrahetreelikenaturalors．Thiswasnotathhfareleadingtomajorcitiesandtheneighbvilgeswerequiteprosperouswithshopsandsmallbusiragmerts，peddlersandfarmerssellingtheirproduce．Thethatchedroofoftheinnpromisedshelter．Severaldwarf-sizedtablesandstoolsintheopencourtyardwereclearlyvisible，aswasthebeautifulyounggirlsittingbythestove，tendingthefireinaneasymannershowingherdispositioleasthemoonlight．Itwasnotthetimeforafair，sotherewerefewpassersbyandbusinesswassck．

ThewanderingDimitrisatalohedwarfedstool,phiswarmedwinefromasmalltinjar,enjoyingtheprovincialdishesofferedbytheinn，amidthewildseryofthestraid．Justthen，aleanyellow-haireddogapproachedhistable,tailwaggingbeggingforfood．Dimitrilookedatitandthoughtthatitwasoddlyfamiliar,buthebrushedawaytheideaasabsurd，forhowcouldhehaveseenthedogbeforeifthiswashisfirstvisittothispartoftheglobe?However,hetosseditabigkofmeat．Thedoggobbleditupandthenlookedlonginglyatthetinjarwithgreedyeyesanditsmouthwatered．Dimitriwasamusedandgood-naturedlypouredoutabowlofwinefulltothebrim,setitdownonthegroundandwatchedthedogpitupgreedily．Drunkandreeling,thedogturogoanddisappearedintothedarkeningtwilight．

Dimitriwatcheduntilthestrangedogdisappearedfromsight,thentakingupacuphepouredhimselfanothercupofwarmwihewinebroughtafortable，warmsensationtohisstomach．Hewassoengrossedinwatgthedogthathedidnotnoticethefigureofanoldwood-cutterappearuheredntern．ItwasonlywhentheyounggirlLotuscameouttogreethimthatDimitridiscoveredanoldmanwithalongwhitebeard，slightlyhunchedunderaburdenofabundleofwoodonhisback,whichLotuswashelpinghimunload．Hewashergrandfather，knowninthatdistrictasGrandpaIronRodbecauseofhisfirmprinciplesanduingattitudetowardsmorals．Hewasamanofsiderableknowledge，butsingthecorruptpracticesofthereigningpowers，preferredtoliveasawood-cutterainthisremotevilgeratherthanpromisehisvaluesinseekihandposition．Thoughadamantanduinginhisprinciple,hewasbynaturekindandpassionate．Hehadneverhurtasoulinhislifeandhadneverusedahatchettofaltree，choosingrathertopickupdriedbranchesandtwigsforfuel；fortohimkillingalivetreewasnodifferentfromkillingalivinganimal．

Dimitrismiledandheoldmaniingandtheoldmannoddediurn;butwhenhiseyesrestedonDimitri’sfaceheseemedtobetakenaback．HewentintohishuttofreshenupandtheandstoodbyDimitri’stable，holdingbothhandsintheshapeofafistbeforehischestinsalute．Generousbynature，Dimitriaskedhimtositdownwithhimandbehisguest．Theoldmansatdownandcalledtohisgrand-daughter，"Lotus，warmsomemorewineaanotherpceatthistableforme．eofyourtastydishes．Iwanttochatwithourspecialguesttonight.”Afterafewcupsofwiheoldmanasked，

"Wereyousurprisedaboutthedog?"

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"Yes．ItseemedsooddlyfamiliarandremindedmeofsomeoneIhadonownwell，butI’tforthelifeofmethinkofwhoitcouldbe!"

"Yes．Somethingsinlifearehardtofathomandanticipate．Letmetellyouastory.”

Duringhisnarration，Lotuswasbusyservingfreshlycookeddishesandwarmwine．Herfootstepswerelightandsoftasacat’spawandherfigurewaslitheandpliantasthewillow.Shecameasoftly,withonlytherustlingofherskirtsannoungherpresence．

GrandpaIronRodsippedhiswineandbeganhistale：

“Manyyearsago，therelivedaridlordnearbywhoownedsomudthatabirdcouldnotflythroughwithoutstopping.Innumerablehorsesandmules,servantsandserfsworkedforhimnightandday;butridgrainrottedinhisbarnsbecauseofinpetentma．Hewasabesottedmaninhisfiftieswholovedwineandwomenandusedhiswealthandiosatisfyhiseverywhim．Heexpandedhismansionintoaminiaturepacetohousehistwenty-fourbeauties-younggirlswhocaughthisfandwhomhetardlessofwhethertheyweremarriedorbetrothedorunwilling；thuscreatingtragedieseverywhere．Asamatteroffact，itcreatedtragedyforhimselfaswell．Siyranny,selfishnessandarrogancedidlittletoaspireloveandloyalty,eachofhistwenty-fourbeauties,forcefullygathered,hadherownpn,hemintendingtostaywithhim"tilldeathdouspart"．Perhapsheavenwasangrywithhimandcausedseveralfirestreatdealofhisproperty．Neverhavingbeenagoodmanager,heseemedatalossastohowtocope．Hismanywiveshadaffairswiththosewhoflockedaroundorworkedforhim，andnowtookadvantageofhispreoccupationtostealorembezzlewhattheycouldandrunaway．Itwaslikeagianttreefallingtothegroundandallthemonkeyslivinginitscatteringindifferentdires．Hewasdevastatedbytheirdesertionandneverrecoveredfromthisblow．Hesoondied.”Here，GrandpaIronRodhelduphiswinedhospitablypressedDimitritoeatanddrinkmore．Thendlordwasbadinmanyways,theoldmantinued,buthediddoonegooddeed-heoncesavedOldGrandpaIronRod’slife．Itmayhavebeenjustarandom,capriciousact，butGrandpaIronRodfelthehadtorepaythisfavor．Beingverypoor,hehadnothingtoofferhisriefactorexcepthisbelovedgranddaughter.Lotuswasatraditionandfilialgirlwhouorandfather’ssilentrequest，soshevoluntarilyofferedtomarrytheoldndlordwheurnedsixteen．However,bythetimeshegrewup,thendlordhaddied;andtruetoheritment，Lotussworeomarry．WhenshesawDimitri,shewasstruckwithhisfeaturesbecausesomehowunilythedeadndlord’sfacewasreflecteDimitri’seyes．Shetoldhergrandfatheraboutit．

Atfirst，Dimitricouldnotuandwhytheoldmantoldhimthestory，butthenhisthoughtsturheKingdomofDreamswherehe,too,hadtwenty-fourbeautiesandahugepace．Thisassociationreviouslife,whosedesiresandambitionsremainediialinhissubsciousnessgavehimaneeriefeelingthatsentapricklysensationdownhisspine．Heexcimed，"Youmeantosaythatthendlord，thedogandI...?"Theoldmaninterruptedhimwithahushsaying，"Shh..."Helookeduptothemyriadofstarsintheskysaying,"Saynomore.Letnotthestarsknowyoursecrets!"

Theoldelmtreewithitsrednternshohedwarfedtablesandchairs．Anoldmanwithsnow-whitehair,beardandeyebrohisperingintimatelywithamiddleagedman."IamiedinfortuellingandyourfeatureshavethestrabinationIhaveevereacross．YoushouldberichasaMammonbutalsopoorasachurchmouse.Yourstationinlifeshouldbeemiasakingbutalsolowlyasabeggar.Thisistroversialindeed!ButthereisohingImustwarnyouagainst．Soonyouwillbeeblind．OfthatIamcertain，sobeprepared.”Theoldmanstoodupandsaid，

"Itiste．Imustrestnow．Lotusiswaitingforyoubytheriverbehindthehouse．Good-bye.”Sayingso，hetooktherednternfromtheelmtreeandwalkedslowlytowardshishut,leavingalonely,bentandquiveringshadowonthegroundbehindhim．

Theobscurelightshonedimlyamidthedereamofthebathroomwherethefournakedwomen：Aisha，Stephanie，AngelidLotuswereenjoyieambathtogether.LotushadjustbeentellingthemofherenterwithDimitriandsheadded，

"HisrighteyewasalreadyblindwhenIfirstmethi’mafraidsomethingmighthavehappeohim．IwishIknewwhereheisnow.”Theyallfellsilent，fortheyknewKingDimitricameaashepleasedandnooneeverknewhiswhereaboutsbeforehand．Angelica,thewriteraess，lookedatLotus’ripplingravenhairfallingagainsthersnow-whiteslopingshouldersandthought，

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“wordsdescribethisexotiesebeauty?Herunhurriedmotiohodidorderly,haveanalmosthypnoticeffecthardtoputintowords.”Angelicasufferedfromneurasthenia,whichmadehertenseandhyper,aencouldnotsleepfhtsinarow．ButLotus’systematientswerejustsuffittocalmherdownandsootheherintoaslumber．ShewouldalwaysrememberthetimeshewaswatgLotuspaintwithatinybrushpeiculouslydrawingthehairandeyebrowsofanaesedyinlowcarefulstrokes．Angelicafelsleeprightaway．

Meanwhile，StephaheIndianprincess，waswatgAishawithherrgeluminouseyes，whichcouldbesevereandintimidatingwhenaroused，butwhichwereleasaclearpoolofwaterinautumn．Aishasatwithhershapelylonglegscrossed，herheadbowed，pyingwithherfingernailsaswasherwhehought．Herhair，normallykeptinaknotatthenapeofherneck，waslooseonhershoulders，addingtohermaturebeauty．Thefullnessofherbreasts,hernguidposture，aswelsacertain，almostindistinguishableaura，suggesteditwasthetimeofhermenstrualperiod.Theyearssatwellonher.Farfromdetragfromhercharm,theyenhancedherwomanlyattractivenessandfeminiy．Stephanie,whohad"decapitatedthescarletdragowigofenvyandanindescribableregretforwhatshehadlostforever．Itseemedtohernowthatthe"scarletdragon"wasasymbolofsexualityandfeminineness.Buttheoldherself"Mybodyisapuzzleoftheuniversewhitendtouepbystep.”Justthen,thedoorsuddenlyburstopen．

Samantha:

ThespaciousbathroominanotherpartofthepacewasmadeofItalianmarble，handpolishedandsmoothedtosuchadegreethatithadamirror-likeeffect．Thesheenofthegoldenfixturesreflectedbythemirrorsandthepolishedmarblesurfaceaddedtotheairofluxury．Anopensidedoorledtoagardenverandahwherecolorfundfragrantflowerswereblooming，inspiteofthedazzlingandbrilliantsunlight．Thegoldensunshinewaslikeagssoftransparent，sparklingwihaditsmovingrhythm，likethestringofsoundspyedonahugeharpbynimblefihegoldensummerwindflewaroundonitsrestlesswings.Thewarmgoldenbreezeslippedthroughtheopendoorintothearbleinteriorasifseekierfromsuchheatandbrilliance，bringingwithitthearomaofsummerflowers．Thewarmgoldehesummerafternoonwasbrokenonlybythefaintrhythmicalsoundsofnativewomenpoundingrianearbyhill．Thump!Thump!Thump!theywent．Thoughfarawayiaheenergyandpowerofeachmuffledthrustcouldbefelt．Eachofthesesoundsseemedtohaveanimpaantha’sheart．Shecameoutofherbath，wearingathickbathrobe．Theweather，thoughhot，wasbreezyandinthatmarblebathroom，itwasdpleasantwiththesmerflowerspermeatingtheair．ButSamanthawalkedsullenlytowardsherstudiowhereshedidherfashiondesigning．Theair-ditioningtherewasturnedonfullbst,creatinganartiflcialess.Expensiveperfumes,whosepricewascalcutedindroplets,weresprayedintheair．Theexquisite,ultra-modernatmosphereclearlydefihepreferendtasteofitsmistresstowardsartificialmaterialenjoyment．

Samanthasatinfrontofhermirror，butdidnotreallyfeellikeputtingonanymakeup．Dimitriwasnotthere，sowhybother?Shelookedsullenandunhappy．Aformermodelofiionalfame,shewasusedtobeingplimentedandmademuchof．ButhereintheKingdomofDreams,heotherdiesseemedtobeinferiortoherinanyway．Thatwasohereasonsofhersulleness．Shepouredherselfagssofwineandwalkedovertothesofabesideamarbletable．Shelitacigarette，puffedonitforamoment，butthenbecamesoengrossedihoughtsthatthecigarettewasfotten．Onlywhenshereachedforanotheronedidshefindthattheburnt-outbuttwasstillinherfingers．ShewashavingsedthoughtsaboutfollowingDimitritohisKingdomofDreamsattheheightofhercareerandfame．Shewasallypreparedforthelongperiodsofidle，tranquiltimeonherhands,whichseemedtoforceherintoexperienglifeofonewhohadretiredprematurely．Shefeltasthoughshewereabonsaioable，growingbutnotmoving；oramemberoftheinanimatefurnituresociety，exceptthatshecouldbreathe．

Hereyesrovedtotheminiaturerunwayatthefarendofthestudio，thehugemirrorssurroundingit，herdraftingtable．mannequinsewingbustandscatteredhalf-finishedgarments.Shecouldalmostseeherselfwalkingdowntherunwaysofthefamousfashioncapitalsoftheworldamidappuse，excmationsofwonderandenvy，endlesscligofcamerasandadelugeofexplodingfshlights．Herinparablestyleaymadewhatevershemodeledtheheightoffashion.Hersociallifetoowasdiverseandcolorful．Surroundedbycelebrities，industrialtysandotherelitesofsociety，shelivedthelifeoftheridthefamous，makingheadlineswherevershewent．Buthavinglivedamongthemforsolong,sheknewonlytoowellhowshallowherfameandsuccessreallywas.Shemaybepopurandrich，buttothemshewasonlyabeautifulpythingtobepampered,toyedwithandultimatelytossedaway．Herpicturesmaybeonthecoversoffashionableaigiousmagazines，buttothemanysex-hungrymales，itwastheobjeasturbation，asacrilegetoherbeautyandherdignity．Realizingthatherfameaigewouldstonlyaslongasheryouthaydid，Samanthaendedhercareerabruptlyattheheightofherfame,leavingbehindamemlitteringgmour．SheretreatedwithDimitritotheKingdomofDreams，topursuehercreativetalentsindesigning．Shekhatonlybydoingso，couldsheprolongherfameandabilities．Here，shefoundmeaninginlifeandapleasant，fortableenviroopursueheriswithouthavingtoworryaboutgrowingoldandbeingoutoffashion．Dimitri’sface，alwayssentleandsympathetic，appearedbeforehereyes．Shehadneverseenhimangry，thoughhehadanauthoritativeairofirresistibleattra．Now，Samantha’spetuntexpressiooasmile．Inspiteofthelonelinessandennuiwhichpeevedher，shecouldfivehimhislongabsences．ShelovedhimjustforbeingDimitri．

Attheheightofherpopurity，Samanthawassoughtafterbyeveryone．Courteousgentlemeninexpesviedtobeherescort，butbeheirpolishedexteriorswereulteriormotiveswhichthesewolvesinskiohide．Fashionablediestookprideinbeingonafirst-namebasiswithher,butthatwasonlyfortheirownvanityandego.Fromtimetotime,shesawintheerofhereye,thefigureofahoboinanolive-coloredsafarihat，well-worndarkbrownthreequartercoat，short,loose,ill-fittingtrousersandarmybootswithnosocks．Heemptedtogetnearher，alwayshatadistaharoseinhishand．Hiseyeswerefullofadorationandheseemedtowanttopresenttherosetoher，butdidnotdosooutofadeepinferiorityplex．AtfirstSamanthascoffedathim，thinking"Howdareahobolikeyouthinkofgettingnearme?"Butastimewentby,shegotusedtoseeingthefamiliarfigure,whichbyhisveryreticepiquedhercuriosity，andgraduallyhadaninprehensibleaffeforhim．Shefoundherselflookingforhiminthecrowd．Oernoon，shesucceededinshakingoffthecrowdofpeoplethatusuallysurroundedherandquietlyslippedoutafterthefashionshow，intendingtotalktothe"hobo"．Shewasdisappoiofindhewasobeseen．Undaunted，shegotintohersilververtibleanddrovearoundthenearbystreetslookingforhim．TheParisstreetswerelovelyinApril，withflowersbloomingeverywhere．Finally,shesawhimiaingaloneonabench,talkingearlytotheroseinhishand，saying，

"Howesuchabeautiful，delicateflowerlikeyoucouldgrowfromthedirtysoil?Thisisanamazingmiracle..."Obliviousofthecuriouseyesofpassersby,hedidnotevennoticehercarstopinfrontofhim,untimelodiousvoicebrokeintohisreverie，

"Wouldyougivethatrosetome?Iwouldbegdtohaveit.”Dimitrilookedupandsawthewomanofhisdreamssmilingathim．Theireyesmetandtheysmiledateachotherinunspokeanding．

Olive-coloredsafarihat，well-worndarkbrownthree-quartercoat，short,loose,ill-fittingbcktrousers，andarmybootswithnosocks...Butwhatanoblesoultheseraggedclothescovered!Helookedlikeamandownonhisluck，buttherewasaromanticairabouthim．Helivedahandsomethoughdetstyleoflifewhichwasslightlyirresponsibleandpletelyuable．Suddenly，inafshofcreativegenius，sherealizedthepossibilitiesofthecolorschemeandstyleofthatoutfit．Shethoughtthattheolivecoloredsafarihatwouldlooksuaveonawomanandclumsyarmybootswouldatherdaintiness．Samanthathoughtshecouldeasilyalterthedesignandmakeitsuitbothsexes．itwouldbeearendthatfall．Dimitriwouldbesurprisedtoseeeveryohestreetwearingit,andhewouldknowthatshewasthinkingofhim．Suddenly,soundsbrokeintotheprofoundsilehoughsomeonewasknogonthedoor．Samanthajumpedoutofthechairexcitedlyandrushedtoopenthedoor，hopingitwouldbeDimitri．Butunfortunately,itwasonlysomefallingflowers．Thequietnessofthesummerafternooaisgoldencolors．Thesummerwindflewaroundonitsrestlessgoldenwings．

3

Thedooropehasuddehatfrightehefournakedwomen．Then，abasinofcoldwaterwasughinglyspshedatthem,sendingthemscatteringinalldires,indignantlysquealingandshoutingatthejollyintruder．Steamescapedfromtheopendoorandtotheirsurprise，theyfoundthatthepracticaljokerwasthenormallysedateandsophisticatedSamantha．Theywerenotangrybecausetheycouldseeshemeantnoharm，buttheyweresurprisedthatSamantha,whousuallyheldherselfaloof,wassodifferentfromhernormalself．Shekeptsaying，"Hurry!Hurry!Iwanttoshowyousomethingiing!"Thefourwomenwalkedoutofthesteamyroomandjumpedintoapoolofcoldwateraswastheir．Thetrastintemperatureinvigoratedthemandaftertheinitialshock，theybecamefortableandpyfullyspshedwaterateachelicaspshedsomeonSamantha，whojumpedinandallfiveofthempyedtogether．

Siheswerenotrequiredinthispaceofdreams,thefivenudewomeofthesaunaroomandfollowedSamanthaintothegreathall．Theemptyhallwasextremelyquietandtheyaskedherwhatshebroughtthemtherefor.Theoheygotwas，"Sh...Followme.”TheywalkedonuntiltheycametoDimitri’sthrone,whiooneelseeverdaredtositon．Thereonthehugegem-studdedthronereedayounggirlofaroundfifteen,withtherosiestofcheeks,whowasfastasleep．Sheworeashort-sleevedwhiteblouse，pinkshorts，matgpinksodnoshoes．ShewasDorna，theyouofthetwenty-fourbeauties，thervirginityasshewasDimitri’spetratherthanhise．Thefiveofthemsatdownsmilinglyonthechairsbeforethethrogtheidreamer-theappleoftheireyes．

Dorna:

Thehall，spaciousandluxurious，wasusedonlyonformaloccasions，suchaswhenanewerobeintroducedoronDimitri’sfirstdaybahisnumerouswanderings．Suchoccasionswerealwayswarmandgenial．Dimitriwouldtalkaboutthesofthedifferentpceshehadbeentoandoftheiingadvehatcameacrosshisway．Theirstmeetingherehadbeenonaightstwiwassnowingheavilyandthewindwashowlingoutside;butinthehalllwaswarmandmerry．Dimitriorderedallthefirestobelitaintheglowinglightoftherbutflickerihhisbeautiesbeforehim，aalkednostalgicallyabouthisbitter-sweetaffairwiththeItalianwoman，Marianna．Itwasagatheringtheyallremembered．Dimitriwastheheadofthehouse．Whenhewashalftipsy，hewouldbeoretalkativeandhumorousandhadalotofwittyandiingthingstosay．Everyonerexedandjoiedlyiopigdiscussed．Thediesfeltasittheybathedinhisradiahem,hewaslikeasunatmidnight，givingoutagentlewarmthichbcksky．Butretly，therehasbeennonewsofhimandthehallhadbeenloy．

Inthedeepofthenight，thewarmgoldensuncastagoldenlightontheground，whichmadeSamanthafeesthoughshewaswalkingonherrunwayunderagoldenspotlight．Butno!Thetworowsofhousesfnkingeachsideofthequietstreettoldheritwasnotso．Shehadonayellowcorduroydress，caughtbyathingoldeherslimwaist．Shedidnotwearherbra．Thepartofheroutfitsheroudestofwastheglitteringstogswithasilkensheenwhichshefastehgarters.Shehatedpantyhose.Theexquisitecligh-heeledshoesonthesidewalkcouldbeheardegoilndsilentstreets．Whywasshewalkingalomidnightunderagoldensun?Shedidnotknow，andnooneelsekher．Soonshecametoanightclub，wherebusinesswassck,withonlythreeorfourpatronsscatteredabouttheroom．Thebar-tenderwastalkinganimatedlytoapatronaboutanactthathappehatafternoon，whenaebrokeandcrushedsomepassersbytodeath．Acigarettegirlwalkedaroundtheroomcalling，"Cigar!Cigarette!"andthendisappeared．Althoughtheroomwasalmostempty，theeainerwassoimmersedinhisownfeelingsthathehadlittleregardforexternalcircumstances．Hewassingingandpyingtheeleicansimultaneously．Hesippedfromthegssofwihetopofhisinstrumentfromtimetotimeandexpressedhimselfvigorously，givingawonderfulperformance．Hewasabckmusi，sohismusichadatingeofmencholyliketheBlues．Theoppedpyingandgulpeddowntheremnantsofthewine．Hismoodsuddenlyged．HismusicbecamevibrantasaburningfmeandSamanthacouldseetearsshimmeringinhiseyes．Sherealizeditwasthecreativepowerofartandthoughtsexwithsuchasensitivemanwouldbeanovelexperiendeed．

ThecigarettegirlDorna，stoodbytheerwindowgazingilyatthebeautifundmystiightseoutside．Thelightsoftheshipsshiningianedanentingandmagicalbackgroundforthedrizzlingrainandgoldenmidnightsun．Justthen，fourhalf-drunkenbrutesstaggeredinandfloppeddownatohetables，callingloudlyforliquor．Thebartender，fearingase，hurriedoverquicklyandbroughtthemthetwobottlesofBourbonwhiskeytheyordered．Themengrewnoisierastheydrankaalkingandsingingloudly．Dorna,hopingtosellsomeofherwares，walkedovercalling，"Cigar!Cigarette!Wouldyoulikesomecigarsarettes，sir?"BigOx，knownasBig-O，theheadofthefourlookedatDornawithhisblood-shoteyesandapictureofafat,juicy，pluckedhen,thekindoftesuperMarkets,fshedinhishaywiremind．Themenlookedherupanddowhemstretchedhishandtowardshercigarssaying，

"Howbigisyar?Hey!Ihaveoisbigger!D’yawonnabuyonefromme?"Theyallugheduproariously．Thesmellofwhiskeyandbodyodorrevoltedtheyounggirriedtobackaway,butanothermanheldontarettetraysaying，

"Watchit!Thechick’stryingtogiveustheslip!"TheharderDornatussled,thehardertheytugged，untilBig-Ostretchedouthisbigpalmleaf-likehandsandpulledherontohisp．Invain,Dornastruggled,g,“Letmego!Letmego!"andpoundedhimwithhersmallfists．Big-Oheldherinhisirongripandusedhisosmellloverherbody，saying，

"Don’tyaknowlittlegirlthatyouhavetoghmeifyouwonnaworkonmyturf?Iieceofthepie.”Indesperatioreet-smartcigarettegirlelbowedhimsuddenlyintheloinwithallhermight．Caughtoffguard，Big-Oyelpedinpainagoofher.Theinfuriatedgirlmadeuseofthisopportunitytoescape，butshestillmaopickupacigarandthrewitathimsaying，"Fuckyourselfwithit，youbigbully!"

Dornarushedoutofthedoor，leavingthecursingBig-Ohuddledinpain,whiletheatheredsolicitouslyaroundhim．Butinamoment，thebigoxen-likemanhadrecoveredhisequilibriumahechasedownthequietstreets．Theycouldseetheslim，nimbleformofthegirlrunningnotfarinfrontofthem，butsheturoasidestreetanddisappearedintoamazeofalleys．Frustrated，thefourmentookdifferentroutesaonwiththesearch．Meanwhile，Dornasawasmallmakeshiftshelterinanarrowalley，whichuttogetherwithsomediscardedoldboardsandtis．Itseemedinspicuousandsheslippedintoithurriedly，ientlybumpingintoasleepingformontheground．ItwasDimitri．

3

"Hey!Whatareyoudoihisismyhome.”

"Sorry．I’mbeingchasedandhavetofindsomewheretohide.”

"Youwokemefromawonderfuldream.”

"I’msorry．I’llpayforit”saidshe,pullingoutarollofhundred-dolrbillsfromabelthiddehherunderwear."Howmuchdoyouwant?"

"Moneyotbuymydreams!"saidDimitrioffended．Justthenvoiceswereheardoutside．

"Didyouseeher，Big-O?"

"No,dratit．Wherecouldthatlittlebitchhavegoo?"

"Whatisthis?Whoarethey?"Dimitriasked．

"Sh..."shehushedhimwarningly．Dimitripulledherdownandcoveredherwithhisbeddingandoldclothes．Thevoicesoutsidesoundedagain．

"What’sthishere?"

3

"Let’sgoinandsearch.”Buttheopeningoftheshelterwastoosmallforthesebigmen．TheypeeredinandpulledoutDimitriwhopreteoberudelyawakenedfromhissleep．

"Didyouseeacigarettegirlrunby?"

"No．Iwassleeping.”Theylookedathimandknewhimtobeahomelesspersonwhowasalwaysinthearea．

"Idon’tthinktheolddogwoulddaretocheatus.”

"Listenolddog.Ifyou’rehidinganythingfromus,we’llthrowyouintoameatgrinder!

"Let’ssearewhereelse．IsweartoGodImustFKheroff!Thatlittlebitoney．Getherformeinthreedays!"

Afterthefourmenhadleft，Dimitrisatdownbesideherandasked,"Whyaretheyafteryou?"

"Godknows,”sheshrugged，"Iwassellingcigarettesatthenightclubwhenthesemencameinandtriedtogetfreshwithme．Iranandtheyfollowed.”DornaresumedthesubjectofpayingforwakingDimitrifromhisdream．"Yousaidjustnowthatmoneycouldnotpayforyourdreams．What’ssowonderfuboutthem?"

"Moneyotbuyeverything,littlegirl．Takemydreamsforinstaheyareinstantaneousactivitiesofmybraincells．Howthatbemeasured?youbuyagustbreeze?Youot．Sohowyoubuymysweetdreams?”Theversationwasgettingwayoverherhead,soshebrusheditasideimpetuously

"OK，soit’tbemeasuredorrepaid．TellmewhatyoudreamedaboutsothatIseeformyselfhowpreciousitis.”

3

"First，Idreamedofayellowdog．ItlookedsofamiliarthatIrackedmybrainstryingtothinkofwhomitlookedlike.FinallyIrealizedthatitlookedlikeabesottedmilliohen，IthoughtIheardsomeonewalkingalongtheeavesoutsidemywindow．Ithoughtitmustbeathieftryingtobreakin．Andstly，Ioftenheardfamiliarsoundsofhigh-heeledshoescliginmanyofmydreams．IhadalwayswaofindoutwhoshewasbutwokeupbeforeIcouldseeher．TonightIwasjustabouttofindoutwhoshewaswhenyouwokeme．Nowhowmuchisthatworth，littlegirl?"Dornalookedathimspeechless．"Now，letmeaskyouaquestion．Howdidalittlegirllikeyougetholdofallthosehundred-dolrbills?"

"Ohthat!"ThevivaciousDornabecamegarrulousonsubjectsshecoulduand．"Thosebigbulliesweretryingtotakeadvantageofme.TheythoughtIwasjustadumbcigarettegirl．Whattheydidn’tknowwas,Ihadsupportedmyselfalltheseyearsbymyownwits."Sheseemedtobereallyproudofherselfandofherproocket-pig．"Whiletheyweretryingtomaulme，Iwasthrashingmyarmsaroundandtookalltheirmohouttheirknowingit．Nowhow’sthat?"

"OK，littlegirl．You’vebeenthroughquiteenoughforonenight．Sleepnow．Ithinkyou’resafehere.”

Them，aheavymistbthewholeBayArea．Dimitrilookedatthesleepinglittlegirlpurringinherdream，somuchlikeaiolekitten，onlyshehadahumanbody．Dimitritrolledanimpulsetokissherrosycheeksforfearofwakingher．Everymhetooktwentymiowashacar，sofillinghisbucket，hewentaboutpreparingforhiswork.ItwasDimitri’sphilosophyoflifethatthefleshbodyexistedtoenjoytimeawaytodosowastoletthebodyliveinastateofleisure.Therefore,heworkedashortwhileeveryday,reserviforleisurelyenjoymentoflife．Intheheavymist,pedestrianswereonlyshadows,verymuchlikefishswimmingaboutintheriver．Somehomelesspeoplesatbytheroadsidedrinkingcoffee,calliingstoeachother,wordsingoutlikebubblesfromthemouthsoffishes．DimitriwalkedcarefullyandfoundtheexpeeAmerisedanatitsusualpdbeganhisroutine．Soonagoldenhairedwomaofthemist．ShewasElina，ayoungophthalmologistofaboutthirtyyearsold，asersurgeryexpert．Themistcoveredherlikeaveil，separatingherfromtherestoftheworld．Herradiaywaslikeashadowysunwhosemagnificehadbeendimmed．

"GoDimitri．Ididn’texpectyoutobeoutsoearly.”

"Go，Dr.Gelbart．You’reearlierthanusualthism.”

"Iknow．Ihavequiteafewsurgeriesscheduled，soIthoughtI’dbettermakeanearlystart．Andalso，myhousewasbrokenintostnight.”

"I’msorrytohearthat．Ihopeyoudidn’tloseanythingvaluable.”

"Asamatteroffao．Ithinkitwassomelittlegirlwhogotinthroughtheeaves．Sheatesomecherriesandapplesfrommyrefrigeratorandthrewtheseedsalroundthehouse．Thenshepyedwithmyetics，spillihing．Finally,shetriedonmydressesandthrewthemalroundtheroom．Butasidefromthemessshemade，shedidn’treallytakeanything．ButIhadtoreportittothepolice，whocameandsoIdidogotobeduntilveryte．Theysaidthey’dhadseveralreportsofsimirisintheneighborhoodahinktheyknowwhosheis．They’reonthelookoutforthenaughtygirl．ShejustescapedfromthelocalYouthterandismakingtroubleagain.”

DimitrihadagreatrespectforElinawhowassoyoungandsoaplished．Hefinishedingthedopehedoorforher．"Thankyou”saidElinaandgotin．Dimitriclosedthedoor．Heseemedtowanttosaysomething，buthesitated．Thesensitivedoctorfelthisreluce．Sherolleddownthewindowofherdsmiledathimencingly,butDimitrikeptsilent．

3

"Whatisit，Dimitri?"sheasked．Dimitrirubbedhishandsinembarrassmentandsaid，

"Myeyesarenotfeelingthatwell．They’repainful．Myvisionisblurredandcloudy．Iwonderifanythingcouldbedoneaboutit．"

"Thehospitalistoobusyandcrowdedandit’stoofaraway.Tellyouwhat,etomyhousetonightandI’llexamineyoureyes.”

"Idon’twanttoputyouintotoomuchtrouble..."

"Oheon,Dimitri.That’swhatfriendsarefor!"Shesmiledandstartedhercar．

"Turnonthefoglight．Drivecarefully!"Dimitricalledafterher．

Dimitripushedhiscartbeforehim，listeningtotheearlymactivitiesatthedock-bellsringing，steamwhistlesblowing，passengersjostlingandchatteringiingroomoftheferryboat．Theylookedlikewaterweedsswayingwiththecurrent,withglisteningtransparentfisheggsadheringtothem．Abusydaywasabouttobegidogmanwasalreadythere，butasbusinesshadnotreallybegun,hewassittinginthedriver’sseatofhispick-uptruckreadingthepoemsofOmarKhayam．HeersianwhomDimitriknew．

"GoMohammed，myfriend!"

"GoDimitri！Heavyfogtoday.”

"Yah．Haven’tseenoneasdenseforalongtime.”

3

Intheheavymisttheirwordscameoutlikebubblesfromthemouthsoffishes．Dimitriwasafrugalmanwhorarelyspentmoneyonhimself，butlookingatthehot-dogs，hethoughtitwouldbeogetoneforDornawhowassuretobehungrywhenshewokeup．Sohespent1.25onahotdogand.65forasmallcartonofilkahome．

"Wherehaveyoubeen，olddog?"Dorna’svoicecamethroughthemists．TheeasygoingDimitriwasnotangryatherimpertinence．

"Washingcars．Idoiteverym.”

"Washingcars!Shameonyou!Howmuyoumakefromthat?IjusthavetodothisshemadeamotionofpigpocketsaIgetteimesmorethanyoudo.”

"Itisn’tthemohatts．Ooworkforaliving．Evenanimalsohuntfortheirfood.”gingthesubjecthesaid，"LookwhatIgotforyou”andhandedherthehotdogaonofilk．Dornabitintothehot-dogahrewitontheground．

"Phooey!"shesaidtakingherrollofotesfromherpocket．"Ihaveallthismoneyandyouexpectmetoeatthis?Keepitforyourself!"Shetossedherheada．

Dimitrisatdown，lookingunbelievinglyatthehot-dogontheground,hurtbyhercallousness．Histhoughtsturoallthehomelessgirlslefttofendforthemselvesinthisjungleofaworld．HethoughtofShei，thatyoungprostitutewhowasaboutthesameageasDorna．TimeslippedawayasDimitrisatthere,stilsarocklostinthought．Afterhekhowloasoft,timidtouhisshoulder．

"I’msorryolddog.”Dornawasbackagain．"YouarerealgoodtomeandIshouldn’thavetreatedyouasIdid．I’mreallysorry．Look，Ihaveallthismoney．Let’sgoandblowit.”

"Thatmoneyisn’tyours．It’snht．Itwasn’trightlyeby.”

"Theirsweren’trightlyebyeither，sowhat’stheharm?eo’sgo!"ShedraggedDimitriwithherawofigures，oneold，oneyoung，disappearedintothealleysintheheavymist．

3

Theyspentthewholedayenjoyingthemselves，tryingallkindsoffoodatvariousrestaurants．Theyweingandsawsomemovies．Dimitrihadneverhadsuchagoodtime．Dorhermoneylikewatersayingnontly"Easye，easygo!"Nowitwasnightagain．Tiredbuthappy，thetwofriends，withadifferenorethanthirtyyearsbetweenthem，saunteredhandinhanduhestar-litskysinginganddangatwill，pletelycarefree．

"Hey，kid．I’mnolongeryounglikeyou．I’mtiredaorest.”

"OK”shesaidadownonabenchbytheroadside．

"Bytheway，what’syourrealname?"