Ikilledthecar.Andatonceprovokedsuchsudden,resonantquietasif,whenIswitchedofftheignition,Imyselfbroughtiheshimmeringlateafternoonhush,theripeningsun,theveryPacificthat,waybelow,atthefootofthecliff,shattereditsfoamyperipherieswiththesoundofathousanddistantemaans.

    IdusedtoCalifornia.Afterthreeyears,stilltheentedvisitor.HoweverfrequentlyIhadbeendisappointed,Istillcould,Istilltihexpectation,stillalwaysthoughtthatsomethingwonderfulmighthappen.

    CallmetheIAbroad.

    Allthesame,youtaketheboyoutofLondonbutyouttakeLondonoutoftheboy.Youwillfindmygraspofthelocallihusiasticbutshaky.Icallgas"petrol",andsoon.Idontiogonative,Imnotherefood,Imhereuponapilgrimage.Ihavehiedme,likeaholypalmer,fromthedishevelledcapitalofafoggy,three-eredislandohersideoftheworldwherethelightisonlygoodforwater-colouriststothisplacewhere,towaxmetaphysicalaboutit,LightwasmadeFlesh.

    IamastudentofLightandIllusion.Thatis,ofema.WhenfirstIclappedmyeyesonthatHOLLYWOODLANDsignbatheowfivehoursharddrivedistant,IthoughtIdglimpsedtheHolyGrail.

    Andnow,asifitwerethemosteverydaythingintheworld,Iwasonmywaytomeetalegend.Alivinglegend,whoroostedonthislonelycliff-toplikeaforlornseabird.

    IarkedinagravelledlotwheretheroughtrackIdpainfullyiatedsinceIlefttheminorroadthatbroughtmefromthefreewayterminated.Isharedtheparkinglotwithasmall,red,crap-cakedToyotatruckthat,sometimeago,hadseeerdays.Therewasstrawintheback.Funnykindoftransportatiend.ButIknewshewasinthere,behiedwallinfrontofme,andIneed