Anoutpostofcivilizationorhumanhabitation.Dwellingsirowsbacktobacktobacktoback.Childrenatplayonroofs.

    Wherearethestreets?askedtheDeadFather.

    Thereappeartobenone,saidJulie.

    Perhapstunnelsih?

    Ormaybetheysqueezebetweenthehouses,makingthemselvesallteensy-weensyandnettingtogazeintothewindowsastheypass.

    ItisPlanning,saidThomas,aowachievetherimtobekilledbyauto.

    Circulationisnotabigthinghere,saidastander-by.Whyisthatman,thatoneofyou,thedistinguished-lookingone,beingdragged?Whathasheitted?Whyarethoseeenpuffingaingaway,onthecable?Whyareyouthreenotpuffingaingawayonthecable?Idonotuandyourtableanization.

    Heisafather,saidThomas.

    Terriblenews,saidtheman,youtbringhiminhere.

    Heisfatigued.Wearefatigued.ay.

    Youllhavetodeballockhimandwipeyourfeeto,saidtheman,whosefatainedbeardesculesatoddpoints,suchasthelipsaeroftheforehead.Doyouneedadeballogknife?Scissors?Razor?Papercutter?Shardofglass?Letteropener?Fingernailclippers?

    Heisasacredobjeasehomassaid.Nomoreofyourbubblegum.Whichwayistheflophouse?

    Therearetwo,thecitizensaid.Thegoodohebadohebadohebestgirls.Thegoodohebestpaté.Thebadohebestbeds.Thegoodohebestcellar.Thebadohebestperiodicals.Thegoodohebestsecurity.Thebadohebestband.Thegoodohebestroaches.Thebadohebestmartinis.Thegoodohebestcreditcards.Thebadohebesttablesilver.Thegoodohebestviews.Thebadohebestroomservice.Thegoodohebestreputation.Thebadohebestfa?ade.Thegoodohebestdelier.Thebadohebestcarpet.Thegoodohebestbat