uot;

    "Great,"Isaid.Ireallylikecroquettesalot.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    PlayingCards

    ByMURAKAMIHaruki

    TranslatedbyOSAKABEYoshio

    AftertherecordofJulioIglesiasworeout,therewasnothioprotectusfromtheattackoftheseaturtle.IthadonlybeenplayiheBegineofJulioIglesiaseverynightthatwehadmaokeeptheseaturtleaway.

    "Wearefinished,aretwe?"shesaid."ThereisnomosquitocoilsandJuliosdisciswornout."

    "Therehastobesomeotherway,"Isaid.

    "HowaboutWillyNelsonorRichardClayderman?"

    "No,itsonlyJuliothatworksfortheseaturtle,"Ik.

    ThatdayIwenttotheshorealoneandpeeredintotheseafromafaroutrock.Theseaturtlenappedasusualcrougontheseabed.ItwasservingitspowerforthenightattaatterhowlongIlookeddownattheseaturtle,odriveitawayoccurredtome.Iwastootiredtoplaywithmyimagination.

    Wewerefihistime,Ithought.Andendingourliveseatenbytheseaturtlewasmiserablewaytogo.Whatwouldmymotherthink?Heronlysoenbyaseaturtle!

    Wewereresignedourselvestoourfateandfinishedourlastmeal.Whilecalmlydrinkiheseaturtlecameuponus.Itsfootstepsapproachedsteadilyanditslowlywalkedroundourhouse.

    "Nowweredonefor,"shesaidholdingmyhands.

    "Wehavetogiveup.Itsashortbutpleasantlife,"Isaid.

    Thedoorcreakedopenaurtlepeepedandfoundoutthattherewasnomosquitocoils,andnosongofJulioIglesiaseither.Adeckofplayingcardswasgraspedbyitshand