rdigris.WhilemanypartsofChebseemedageless,thebuildingsandlandmarksstruochordsinmymemory.Ablacksedanwitharedglasssirensatparkedatacrazyanglebeforethetownhall.Toavoidthepolice,wewalkedintheoppositedire,hopingtofindsomeonewhocoulduandourfracturedGerman.WeshiedawayfromthepinkHotelHvezda,spookedbyaseverepolioutsidewhostaredatusforafullthirtyseds.Acrossthesquare,pastthesculptureoftheSavageMan,sataramshacklehotelheOh?eeRiver.IhadhopedandexpectedthelandmarkstermemoriesofGustavUngerland,butnothingwasfamiliar.Myvaultedexpectations,juredalongthejourney,provedtoohighahope.ItwasasifIhadneverbeentherebefore,orasifchildhoodinBohemiahadneverexisted.

    Insideadarkandsmokybar,webribedthemahAmeridollarstoletusdineonsausagesandboiledpotatoes,andadankhalf-bottleofEastGermaerourmeal,wewereledupacrookedstaircasetoatinyroomwithnomorethanabedandabasin.Ilockedthedoor,andTessandIlayonourbaourjacketsandbootsohreadbarecovers,tooteired,aedtomove.Darknessslowlystolethelight,andthesilencewasbrokenonlybythesoundsofourbreathingandwild,raghearts.

    "Whatarewedoinghere?"shefinallyasked.

    Isatupandbeganundressing.Inmyformerlife,Icouldhaveseehedarkasclearlyasbreakofday,butnowIreliedonimagination."Isntitakick?ThistownwasoofGermany,andbeforethatofBohemia?"

    Shetookoffherboots,slippedoutofherjacket.Isliduhewoolenblasandcoarsesheetsassheundressed.Shiveringandessmovedinclose,rubbingacoldfootagainstmyleg."Imscared.Supposethesecretpolieknogonthedoor?"

    "Dont