The Merchant of Shadows-2
TheliongrumbledalittleinhisthroatbuttrottedoffintothehousewiththemosttougobediendItookbreath,again--InoticedIdsomehowmatoforsomelittletime--andsankintoohewhitemetalterracechairs.Mypoorheartwasgoingpit-a-pat,Itellyou,butthepersonagewhohadatlastappearedfromsomewhereinthedarkeningpouherapologisedfornorexpressedaboutmynastyshock.Shestoodthere,armsakimbo,surveyihasatirical,pierg,blueeye.
Exceptforthejarringcircumstahatinonehandsheheldastaieel,many-brancheddlestickofawesomelychastedesign,shelookedlikeasuperannuatedlumberjack,plaidshirt,bluejeans,workboots,butchleatherbeltwithagiantsilverskullandcrossbonesforabuckle,coarse,cropped,greyhairesgfromaredbandanatiedIndian-stylearoundherhead.HerskinwaswrinkledinpinprickslikethesurfaceofParmesancheeseandaputtygreyincolour.
"Youtheoseaboutthethesis?"shequeried.Herdiurehillbilly.
Iburbledintheaffirmative.
"Heseaboutthethesis,"sherepeatedtoherselfsardonicallyanddisfortedmestillfurtherbyagaincagtoherself.
ButnolittingroarannouionwasabouttoehisMa,orPa,Kettlepersodownherdlestitheterracetable,brisklystruckamattheseatofherpantsandappliedtheflametothewicks,dissipatiheringtwilightasSherolledoutthedoor.Rolled.Shesatinaeandivoryleatherwheel-chairasifuponaportablethrone.Herrighthaednegligentlyonthelionsmane.Shewasasighttosee.
Howlonghadshespentdressingupfortheinterview?Hours.Days.Weeks.Shehadonawhitesatinbias-cutlace-trimmednegligeecirca1935,herskinhadthatsugaralmond,onehundredpertMaxFactorlookandsheworewhatIassumedwasawigduetotheunnaturalprecisionofthesnowycurls.Onlyshedgooofarwiththewig;itgaveheraMedusalook.Hermouthlookedfunnybecauseherlipshaddisappearedwithagesoallthatwasleftainted-irapezoid.
Butshedidntloe,atall,atall--oh,no;shelookedagoodtenorfifteenyearsyouhoughIdoubtthevisionofasexyseptuagenarianwastheoneforwhichshedstrivenasshedeckedherselfout.Impressive,though.Impressiveashell.
Andyoukohiswasthefacethatlauhousandships.Notbecauseanythinglovelywasstillsmoulderingawayinthoseoldbones;shed,asitwere,transdedbeauty.Butsomethinginthewaysheheldherhead,someimperiance,demahatyoulookatherandkeeponlooking.
AtonceIwentintoautomatic,Iassumedthestanceofgigolo.Ipickedupherhand,kissedit,said:"Enté",bowed.HadInotbeenwearingsneakers,Idhaveclickedmyheels.TheSpiritappearedpleasedbutnotsurprisedbythis,butshecouldntsmileforfearofcraghermake-up.Shewhisperedmeathroatygreeting,eyeingmeinaverypeculiarway,awaythatmadethelookinthelionseyeseempositivelyvegetarian.
Itfreakedme.Shefreakedme.Itwasherstarquality.Sothatswhattheymean!Ithought.Idneverbefore,noramIlikelytoagain,enteredsuchpsychicforceasstreamedoutofthatfraillittleoldladyiiquelingerieandherwheel-chair.Aherewassomethingundeniablyeroticaboutit,althoughshewasoldasthehills;itwasasthoughshegotthemostextraordinarysexualchargefrombeinglookedatandthischargebouncedbathelooker,asthoughsomemeisminsideherselfvertedyardintosexualenergy.Iwondered,notquiteterrified,ifIwasforit,knowwhatImean.
AndallthetimeIkeptthinking,itkeptrunningthroughmyhead:"Thephantomisupfromthecellarsagain!"
Nightcertainlybroughtoutthestofjasmine.
Shewhisperedmeathroatygreeting.Herfadedvoicemeantyouhadtocrouchtohearher,sohercachou-flavouredbreathstungyourcheek,andyoucouldtellshelovedtomakeyoucrouch.
"Mysister,"shehusked,gesturingtowardsthelumberjackladyatgthisperformaninationandsubmissionwithherthumbsstuherbeltandanexpressionofunrelievedicismonherface.Hersister.God.
Thelionrubbeditsheadagainstmyleg,makingmejump,andshepummelleditsgreyingmane.
"Andthis--oh!youllhaveseenhimathousandtimes;moreexposurethananyofus.AllowmetointroduceLeo,formerlyofMGM."
Theoldbeastcockeditsheadfromsidetosideandrain,inunmistakablefashion,asiftoidentifyitself.MickeyMousedoesherchauffeuring.Everym,shetakesarideer.
&quratiaartis,"sheremindedme,asifguessingmythoughts."Wherecouldhego,poorcreature,wheiredhim?Nobodywouldtouchafallenstar.Sohecamerighthere,tolivewithMama,didntyou,darling."
"Drinkies!"announcedSister,magnifitlyclatteringawele,bottle-ladentrolley.
Afterthethirdpoolsidemartini,whichwasginatwhichalemonbrieflysneered,IjudgedithightimetobroachthesubjectofHankMann.Ititchdarkbythearsburning,nightsounds,seasounds,thecreakofthosemetalchairsthatseemedtohavebeendesigned,probablyonpurpose,bythebutchsister,tobreakyourballs.Butitwasdifficulttogetawordin.TheSpiritwasbrisklychegoutmyknowledgeofshistory.
"No,theartdirectorcertainlywasnotBenCarre,howabsurdtothinkthat!...Mygoodnessme,youngman,WallaceReidwasdeadandburiedbythen,andgoodriddaobadrubbish...EdithHead?EdithHeaddesignNancyCarrollspatehereveningdress?Whoputthatintoyournoddle?"
Nowahelionsandpaperedthebayhandwithitstongue,asiftoshowsympathy.Thebutchsisterputawayginbythetumblerful,twotomyone,andcreakedresonantlyfromtimetotime,likeanolddoor.
"No,no,no,youngman!Laughtoainlywasnotaddictedtoself-abuse!"
Andoutofthedarkitcametomethatthatdreamyperfumeofjasmineissuedfromnoflshrubbut,instead,rightoutoftheopeningsequenceofDoubleIy,doyouremember?AndIsufferedaghastlysenseofincipienthumiliation,ofimpendii,sothatIshivered,andSister,alertaherforplicitous,sloshedanotherhalfpintofginintomyglass.
ThenSisterbelchedandannounced:"Gonnatakealeak."
Evidentlyequippedwithnightvision,sherolledoffintothegloamingfromwheerapause,camethetinkleofrunningwater.Shedgonebaatureasfarastoilettrainingwased,cutoutthefrills.TheraunchysoundofSistermakingpee-peebroughtmedowhagain.Iclutchedmytumbler,forthesakeofholdingsomethingsolid.
"Aboutthishtime,"Isaid,"youmetHankMann."
Nightanddlelightturheredmouthblack,buthersatindressshonelikewaterwithplanktoninit.
"Heinrich,"shecorrectedwithaclickoforthodontidthen,orsoitseemed,felldirectlyintothetrancefor,allatonce,shefixedhergazeonthemiddledistandsaidnomore.
Ithankfullytookadvantageofherlapseofattentiontindownthesideofmychair,trustingthatbythemorrowitwouldbeindistinguishablefromlionpiss.Sister,kingherdeathsheadbelt-buckleasshereadjustedherclothing,camebacktousandjuggledidlemonslicesasifnothinguntowardwastakingplace.Then,inaperfeormal,evenversationaltoheSpiritsaid:"Whitekisses,redkisses.Andcokeinagoldencasketontopofthebabygrand.Thosewerethedays."
Sistertsked,possiblywithirritation.
"Reyouvehadaskinful,"saidSister."Reyoudeserveastiffwhupping."
ThatrousedtheSpiritsomewhat,whochuckledandluheginwhich,fortunately,stoodwithinherreach.Shepouredafreshdrinkdowamatterofseds,thenmadeavaguegesturewithherlefthand,ientlybiffingthelionihelionhaddozedoffandgrumbledlikeaystomachtohavehispeacedisturbed.
"Theyworeawayherfacebylookingatittoomuadeheranewone."
"Heehaw,heehaw,"saidSister.Shewasnotbrayingbutlaughing.
TheSpiritproppedherselfonthearmofherwheel-chairandpiercedmewithalook.Somethingtoldmewehadgoneoversomekindofedge.NancyCarrollseveningdress,indeed.Enoughofthatnonsense.Noereonadifferentplane.
"Iusedtothinkofprayerwheels,"sheinformedme."Nightafternight,prayerwheelsceaselesslyturninginthedarkehedrals,thosedomedandgildedpalacesoftheFaith,theMajesties,theRialtos,theAlhambras,thosegrottoesofthemiraculousinwhichthecreaturesofthedreamcameouttowalkwithinthesightofmen.Andthewheelsspunoutthosesubtlethreadsoflightthatwovetheliturgiesofthatreverentialage,thelastgreatageion.Whilethewonderfulpeopleoutthereinthedark,thegregationofthefaithful,thepanyoftheblessed,theyleantforward,theyaspiredupwards,theyimbibedthetransmissionofdivinelight.
"Now,thepriestishewhoprintstheanagramsofdesireupoock;butwhomdoesheprojectupontheuniverse?Another?Or,himself?"
AllthiswassomewhatmorethanIdbargainedfor.Ifoughtwiththeginfumesreelinginmyhead,Ineededallmywitsaboutme.Momentbymoment,shebecamemnomic.Surreptitiously,Ifumbledwithmybriefcase.Iwaogetthattaperecorderspoolingaway,didntI;why,itmighthavebeenMaalking.
"Ishetheonewhointerpretsthespiritordoesthespiritspeakthroughhim?Orisheonly,allthetime,nothingbutthemertofshadows?
"Hie,"sheinterruptedherself.
ThenSister,whosevisionwasnotoimpairedbytimeorliquor,extendedhertrouseredleginonesudnoiselessmovementandkickedmybriefcaseclearintothepool,whereitdroppedwithaliquidplop.
Inspiteoftheelementofpoeticjustiit,thatmyfileonMannheimshouldsufferthesamefateashe,ImustadmitthatnowIfellintoagreatfear.Ieventhoughttheymighthaveluredmeheretomurderme,thissirenoftheemaandherweirdacolyte.Remember,theyhadmademequitedrunk;itwasamoonlessnightandIwasfarfromhome;andIwastrappedhelplessamongthesebeingswhocouldoinCalifornia,wherethelightmademoviesandmadness.Ahemhadjustarbitrarilydrowhepoorlittletoolsofmyparasitictrade,leavingmenakedandattheirmercy.Thekindlylionshookhimselfawakeandlickedmyhandagain,perhapstoreassureme,butIwasntexpegitandjumpedhalfoutofmyskin.
TheSpiritbrokeintospeechagain.
"Sheisonlyinsemi-retirement,youknow.Shestillspendsthreehourseverymlookingthroughthescriptsthatalmostbreakthemailmansbackashestaggersbehemuptohercliff-topretreat.
"Agedoesnotwitherher;wevemadequitesureofthat,youngmaillirradiatesthedark,fordidwenotdiscoverthetrueseortalitytogether?Howtoexistalmostandonlyintheeyeofthebeholder,likeagenuinemiracle?"
Iotsayitfortedmetotheorisethisladywas,tosomedegree,possessed,andsoerfectlywithinherrightstorefertoherselfihirdpersoninthatventriloquial,insubstantialvoicethatscratchedtheearassmokescratchesthebackofthethroat.Butbywhomorossessed?IfeltveryclosetotheperturbedspiritofHeinriannheimaaphysicsoftheGreatArtofLightandShade,Itellyou.Andspeakingofthelatter--AthaniasKircher,author,besides,ofSpectaculaParadoxaRerum(1624),TheUniversalTheatreofParadoxes.
Hereyelidsweredroopingnow,andastheyclosedhermouthfellopen,butshespokenomore.
TheSisterbrokethesilenceasifitwerewind.
"Thatsaboutthelongandshortofit,youngman,"shesaid."Gotenoughforyourthesis?"
Sheheavedherselfupwithasighsohugethat,horrors!itblewoutallthedlesandthen,worseandworse!sheleftmealohtheSpirit.ButnothingmoretranspiredbecausetheSpiritseemedtohavepassed,ifnoto,flatoutinherwheel-chair,andtheinnerlightthatbroughtouttheshineoindresswasextinguishedtoo.Isawnothing,untilasetoffloodscealedinthepinesarounduscameonahingwasvisibleasondaylight,theoldlady,thedrowsinglion,thedepleteddrinkstrolley,thesliongroundintotheterracebymynervousfeet,thelittleplantspushingupbetweenthecrathepaving,theblackwateroftheswimmingpoolinwhichmyoverexcited,suddenlylight-woundedsenseshalluatedacorpse.
Whichlastresolveditself,asIpeered,headadblinking,intomyownbriefcase,opened,spillingoutafloatingdebrisofpapersandtapeboxes.Ipouredmyselfanin,tosteadymynerves.Sisterappearedagain,rightbehindmyshoulder,makingmejogmyelbowsoginsoakedmyjeans.HerIndianheadbandhadknockedrakishlyaskew,givingherapiraticalair.Inclose-up,herbones,clearlyvisibleunderherruinedskin,remindedmeofsomebodyelses,butIwastoochilled,drunkandmiserabletocarewhosetheymightbe.Shewascagtoherself,again.
"Wehatesyallwiththetaperecorders,"shesaid."Reusfolksthinksyouisdanraves."
SheaimedafootatthebrakeontheSpiritswheel-chairandbrisklypusheditanditsunscioustentsintothehouse.Thelionwokeup,yawnedliketheopeningoftheSanAndreasfaultandpaddedafter.Theslidingdoorslidto.Afteramoment,asetofcealingcrimsoncurtainsswishedaloirelengthoftheglasswallandthatwasthat.Ihalf-expectedtoseethewords,THEEND,eupoains,butthenthelightswentoffandIwasinthedark.
Unwillingtoiatethecrazystepsdowntothegate,IreachedsightlesslyfinandsuckedituntilIfellintoatroubledslumber.
AndIawokemeonthecoldhill-side.
Well,ly.IwokeuptofindmyselftuckedintothebackseatofmyownVW,parkedonthecliffbesidetheToyotatruthegreyhourbeforedawn,myfrontallobesandallmyjointsa-twangwithpain.Ididrythegateofthehouse.Igotoutofthecar,shookmyself,gotbaagainandheadedstraighthome.Afterawhile,ontheperilousroadtothefreeway,Isawinthedrivingmirroravehicleapproagmefrombehind.ItwastheredToyotatruck.Sister,ofcourse,atthewheel.
Sheovertookmeatillicitspeed,blastingthehornjoyously,wavingwithonehand,herfacesplitinatoothlessgrin.WhenIsawthatsmile,eventhoughtheteethweremissing,Iknewwhosheremindedmeof--ofagirlinadirndlonacardboardalp,smilingbecauseatlastshesaroagherthemanwhowouldreleaseher...IfIhadnt,ierestsofscholarship,satyawningthroughthatdireoperettaintheviewingbooth,Iwouldneverhavesomuchasguessed.
Shemusthavehatedthemovies.Hatedthem.Shehadthelioninback.Theylookedasiftheywereenjoyingtheride.ProbablyLeohadsmiledforthecamerasooooften,too.Theyparkedattheplacewherethecliffroadendedandwaitedthere,quitecourteously,untilIwassafelyembarkedamongtheheavytraffic,outoftheirlives.
HowhadtheyfoundacorpsetosubstituteforvonMannheim?AcorpsewashemostdifficultthingtoebyinSouthernCalifornia,Isuppose.Iwonderedif,afterallthoseyears,theyfinallydecidedtoletmeinonthemasquerade.And,ifso,why.
Perhaps,havingstructedthismasterpieceofsubterfuge,vonMannheimcouldodiewithoutleavingsomelittlehint,somewhere,ofhow,havingmadeher,hethenbecameher,becameabettershethansheherselfhadeverbeen,andwaosharewithhislastlittleacolyte,myself,thesecretofhisgreatesthit.But,morelikely,hesimplycouldturninghimselfintotheSpiritotime,coulddownhispublic...fortheywerenttoknowIdseenapictureofhiminafrock,already,werethey,althoughinthosedays,hestillworeamoustache.Andthatchedit,inmyownmind,whenIrememberedthesersMannsspankingpicture,althoughthisvididnotmakemeanythelessillatease.
Inthehealthfoodrestaurant,Hirokoslappedthecarrot-juicerwithafilthyclothandfedmebrownridchilledbean-curdwithchoppedonionandgiop,pursingherlipswithdistaste;sheherselfonlyateKentuckyfriedchi.Businesswasslathemid-afternoonandIwantedhertoeupstairswithmeforawhile,toremiherewasmoretofleshthanlightandillusion,butsheshookherhead.
"B,"shesaid,offensively.Afterawhilesheadded,thoughinnociliatorytone,"Notjustyou.Everything.California.Iveseenthismovie.Imgoinghome."
"Ithoughtyousaidyoufeltlikeanenemyalienathome,Hiroko."
Sheshrugged,staringthroughhermidnightbangsatthewhitesunlightoutside.
"Betterthedevilyouknow,"shesaid.
IrealisedIwasjustawildoattoher,afootohertrip,and,althoughshehadbeenjustthesametome,allthesameIgrewglumtorealisehowperipheralIwas,andsuddenlywaogohome,too,andlongedforrainagain,andtelevision,thatsecularmedium.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
Exceptforthejarringcircumstahatinonehandsheheldastaieel,many-brancheddlestickofawesomelychastedesign,shelookedlikeasuperannuatedlumberjack,plaidshirt,bluejeans,workboots,butchleatherbeltwithagiantsilverskullandcrossbonesforabuckle,coarse,cropped,greyhairesgfromaredbandanatiedIndian-stylearoundherhead.HerskinwaswrinkledinpinprickslikethesurfaceofParmesancheeseandaputtygreyincolour.
"Youtheoseaboutthethesis?"shequeried.Herdiurehillbilly.
Iburbledintheaffirmative.
"Heseaboutthethesis,"sherepeatedtoherselfsardonicallyanddisfortedmestillfurtherbyagaincagtoherself.
ButnolittingroarannouionwasabouttoehisMa,orPa,Kettlepersodownherdlestitheterracetable,brisklystruckamattheseatofherpantsandappliedtheflametothewicks,dissipatiheringtwilightasSherolledoutthedoor.Rolled.Shesatinaeandivoryleatherwheel-chairasifuponaportablethrone.Herrighthaednegligentlyonthelionsmane.Shewasasighttosee.
Howlonghadshespentdressingupfortheinterview?Hours.Days.Weeks.Shehadonawhitesatinbias-cutlace-trimmednegligeecirca1935,herskinhadthatsugaralmond,onehundredpertMaxFactorlookandsheworewhatIassumedwasawigduetotheunnaturalprecisionofthesnowycurls.Onlyshedgooofarwiththewig;itgaveheraMedusalook.Hermouthlookedfunnybecauseherlipshaddisappearedwithagesoallthatwasleftainted-irapezoid.
Butshedidntloe,atall,atall--oh,no;shelookedagoodtenorfifteenyearsyouhoughIdoubtthevisionofasexyseptuagenarianwastheoneforwhichshedstrivenasshedeckedherselfout.Impressive,though.Impressiveashell.
Andyoukohiswasthefacethatlauhousandships.Notbecauseanythinglovelywasstillsmoulderingawayinthoseoldbones;shed,asitwere,transdedbeauty.Butsomethinginthewaysheheldherhead,someimperiance,demahatyoulookatherandkeeponlooking.
AtonceIwentintoautomatic,Iassumedthestanceofgigolo.Ipickedupherhand,kissedit,said:"Enté",bowed.HadInotbeenwearingsneakers,Idhaveclickedmyheels.TheSpiritappearedpleasedbutnotsurprisedbythis,butshecouldntsmileforfearofcraghermake-up.Shewhisperedmeathroatygreeting,eyeingmeinaverypeculiarway,awaythatmadethelookinthelionseyeseempositivelyvegetarian.
Itfreakedme.Shefreakedme.Itwasherstarquality.Sothatswhattheymean!Ithought.Idneverbefore,noramIlikelytoagain,enteredsuchpsychicforceasstreamedoutofthatfraillittleoldladyiiquelingerieandherwheel-chair.Aherewassomethingundeniablyeroticaboutit,althoughshewasoldasthehills;itwasasthoughshegotthemostextraordinarysexualchargefrombeinglookedatandthischargebouncedbathelooker,asthoughsomemeisminsideherselfvertedyardintosexualenergy.Iwondered,notquiteterrified,ifIwasforit,knowwhatImean.
AndallthetimeIkeptthinking,itkeptrunningthroughmyhead:"Thephantomisupfromthecellarsagain!"
Nightcertainlybroughtoutthestofjasmine.
Shewhisperedmeathroatygreeting.Herfadedvoicemeantyouhadtocrouchtohearher,sohercachou-flavouredbreathstungyourcheek,andyoucouldtellshelovedtomakeyoucrouch.
"Mysister,"shehusked,gesturingtowardsthelumberjackladyatgthisperformaninationandsubmissionwithherthumbsstuherbeltandanexpressionofunrelievedicismonherface.Hersister.God.
Thelionrubbeditsheadagainstmyleg,makingmejump,andshepummelleditsgreyingmane.
"Andthis--oh!youllhaveseenhimathousandtimes;moreexposurethananyofus.AllowmetointroduceLeo,formerlyofMGM."
Theoldbeastcockeditsheadfromsidetosideandrain,inunmistakablefashion,asiftoidentifyitself.MickeyMousedoesherchauffeuring.Everym,shetakesarideer.
&quratiaartis,"sheremindedme,asifguessingmythoughts."Wherecouldhego,poorcreature,wheiredhim?Nobodywouldtouchafallenstar.Sohecamerighthere,tolivewithMama,didntyou,darling."
"Drinkies!"announcedSister,magnifitlyclatteringawele,bottle-ladentrolley.
Afterthethirdpoolsidemartini,whichwasginatwhichalemonbrieflysneered,IjudgedithightimetobroachthesubjectofHankMann.Ititchdarkbythearsburning,nightsounds,seasounds,thecreakofthosemetalchairsthatseemedtohavebeendesigned,probablyonpurpose,bythebutchsister,tobreakyourballs.Butitwasdifficulttogetawordin.TheSpiritwasbrisklychegoutmyknowledgeofshistory.
"No,theartdirectorcertainlywasnotBenCarre,howabsurdtothinkthat!...Mygoodnessme,youngman,WallaceReidwasdeadandburiedbythen,andgoodriddaobadrubbish...EdithHead?EdithHeaddesignNancyCarrollspatehereveningdress?Whoputthatintoyournoddle?"
Nowahelionsandpaperedthebayhandwithitstongue,asiftoshowsympathy.Thebutchsisterputawayginbythetumblerful,twotomyone,andcreakedresonantlyfromtimetotime,likeanolddoor.
"No,no,no,youngman!Laughtoainlywasnotaddictedtoself-abuse!"
Andoutofthedarkitcametomethatthatdreamyperfumeofjasmineissuedfromnoflshrubbut,instead,rightoutoftheopeningsequenceofDoubleIy,doyouremember?AndIsufferedaghastlysenseofincipienthumiliation,ofimpendii,sothatIshivered,andSister,alertaherforplicitous,sloshedanotherhalfpintofginintomyglass.
ThenSisterbelchedandannounced:"Gonnatakealeak."
Evidentlyequippedwithnightvision,sherolledoffintothegloamingfromwheerapause,camethetinkleofrunningwater.Shedgonebaatureasfarastoilettrainingwased,cutoutthefrills.TheraunchysoundofSistermakingpee-peebroughtmedowhagain.Iclutchedmytumbler,forthesakeofholdingsomethingsolid.
"Aboutthishtime,"Isaid,"youmetHankMann."
Nightanddlelightturheredmouthblack,buthersatindressshonelikewaterwithplanktoninit.
"Heinrich,"shecorrectedwithaclickoforthodontidthen,orsoitseemed,felldirectlyintothetrancefor,allatonce,shefixedhergazeonthemiddledistandsaidnomore.
Ithankfullytookadvantageofherlapseofattentiontindownthesideofmychair,trustingthatbythemorrowitwouldbeindistinguishablefromlionpiss.Sister,kingherdeathsheadbelt-buckleasshereadjustedherclothing,camebacktousandjuggledidlemonslicesasifnothinguntowardwastakingplace.Then,inaperfeormal,evenversationaltoheSpiritsaid:"Whitekisses,redkisses.Andcokeinagoldencasketontopofthebabygrand.Thosewerethedays."
Sistertsked,possiblywithirritation.
"Reyouvehadaskinful,"saidSister."Reyoudeserveastiffwhupping."
ThatrousedtheSpiritsomewhat,whochuckledandluheginwhich,fortunately,stoodwithinherreach.Shepouredafreshdrinkdowamatterofseds,thenmadeavaguegesturewithherlefthand,ientlybiffingthelionihelionhaddozedoffandgrumbledlikeaystomachtohavehispeacedisturbed.
"Theyworeawayherfacebylookingatittoomuadeheranewone."
"Heehaw,heehaw,"saidSister.Shewasnotbrayingbutlaughing.
TheSpiritproppedherselfonthearmofherwheel-chairandpiercedmewithalook.Somethingtoldmewehadgoneoversomekindofedge.NancyCarrollseveningdress,indeed.Enoughofthatnonsense.Noereonadifferentplane.
"Iusedtothinkofprayerwheels,"sheinformedme."Nightafternight,prayerwheelsceaselesslyturninginthedarkehedrals,thosedomedandgildedpalacesoftheFaith,theMajesties,theRialtos,theAlhambras,thosegrottoesofthemiraculousinwhichthecreaturesofthedreamcameouttowalkwithinthesightofmen.Andthewheelsspunoutthosesubtlethreadsoflightthatwovetheliturgiesofthatreverentialage,thelastgreatageion.Whilethewonderfulpeopleoutthereinthedark,thegregationofthefaithful,thepanyoftheblessed,theyleantforward,theyaspiredupwards,theyimbibedthetransmissionofdivinelight.
"Now,thepriestishewhoprintstheanagramsofdesireupoock;butwhomdoesheprojectupontheuniverse?Another?Or,himself?"
AllthiswassomewhatmorethanIdbargainedfor.Ifoughtwiththeginfumesreelinginmyhead,Ineededallmywitsaboutme.Momentbymoment,shebecamemnomic.Surreptitiously,Ifumbledwithmybriefcase.Iwaogetthattaperecorderspoolingaway,didntI;why,itmighthavebeenMaalking.
"Ishetheonewhointerpretsthespiritordoesthespiritspeakthroughhim?Orisheonly,allthetime,nothingbutthemertofshadows?
"Hie,"sheinterruptedherself.
ThenSister,whosevisionwasnotoimpairedbytimeorliquor,extendedhertrouseredleginonesudnoiselessmovementandkickedmybriefcaseclearintothepool,whereitdroppedwithaliquidplop.
Inspiteoftheelementofpoeticjustiit,thatmyfileonMannheimshouldsufferthesamefateashe,ImustadmitthatnowIfellintoagreatfear.Ieventhoughttheymighthaveluredmeheretomurderme,thissirenoftheemaandherweirdacolyte.Remember,theyhadmademequitedrunk;itwasamoonlessnightandIwasfarfromhome;andIwastrappedhelplessamongthesebeingswhocouldoinCalifornia,wherethelightmademoviesandmadness.Ahemhadjustarbitrarilydrowhepoorlittletoolsofmyparasitictrade,leavingmenakedandattheirmercy.Thekindlylionshookhimselfawakeandlickedmyhandagain,perhapstoreassureme,butIwasntexpegitandjumpedhalfoutofmyskin.
TheSpiritbrokeintospeechagain.
"Sheisonlyinsemi-retirement,youknow.Shestillspendsthreehourseverymlookingthroughthescriptsthatalmostbreakthemailmansbackashestaggersbehemuptohercliff-topretreat.
"Agedoesnotwitherher;wevemadequitesureofthat,youngmaillirradiatesthedark,fordidwenotdiscoverthetrueseortalitytogether?Howtoexistalmostandonlyintheeyeofthebeholder,likeagenuinemiracle?"
Iotsayitfortedmetotheorisethisladywas,tosomedegree,possessed,andsoerfectlywithinherrightstorefertoherselfihirdpersoninthatventriloquial,insubstantialvoicethatscratchedtheearassmokescratchesthebackofthethroat.Butbywhomorossessed?IfeltveryclosetotheperturbedspiritofHeinriannheimaaphysicsoftheGreatArtofLightandShade,Itellyou.Andspeakingofthelatter--AthaniasKircher,author,besides,ofSpectaculaParadoxaRerum(1624),TheUniversalTheatreofParadoxes.
Hereyelidsweredroopingnow,andastheyclosedhermouthfellopen,butshespokenomore.
TheSisterbrokethesilenceasifitwerewind.
"Thatsaboutthelongandshortofit,youngman,"shesaid."Gotenoughforyourthesis?"
Sheheavedherselfupwithasighsohugethat,horrors!itblewoutallthedlesandthen,worseandworse!sheleftmealohtheSpirit.ButnothingmoretranspiredbecausetheSpiritseemedtohavepassed,ifnoto,flatoutinherwheel-chair,andtheinnerlightthatbroughtouttheshineoindresswasextinguishedtoo.Isawnothing,untilasetoffloodscealedinthepinesarounduscameonahingwasvisibleasondaylight,theoldlady,thedrowsinglion,thedepleteddrinkstrolley,thesliongroundintotheterracebymynervousfeet,thelittleplantspushingupbetweenthecrathepaving,theblackwateroftheswimmingpoolinwhichmyoverexcited,suddenlylight-woundedsenseshalluatedacorpse.
Whichlastresolveditself,asIpeered,headadblinking,intomyownbriefcase,opened,spillingoutafloatingdebrisofpapersandtapeboxes.Ipouredmyselfanin,tosteadymynerves.Sisterappearedagain,rightbehindmyshoulder,makingmejogmyelbowsoginsoakedmyjeans.HerIndianheadbandhadknockedrakishlyaskew,givingherapiraticalair.Inclose-up,herbones,clearlyvisibleunderherruinedskin,remindedmeofsomebodyelses,butIwastoochilled,drunkandmiserabletocarewhosetheymightbe.Shewascagtoherself,again.
"Wehatesyallwiththetaperecorders,"shesaid."Reusfolksthinksyouisdanraves."
SheaimedafootatthebrakeontheSpiritswheel-chairandbrisklypusheditanditsunscioustentsintothehouse.Thelionwokeup,yawnedliketheopeningoftheSanAndreasfaultandpaddedafter.Theslidingdoorslidto.Afteramoment,asetofcealingcrimsoncurtainsswishedaloirelengthoftheglasswallandthatwasthat.Ihalf-expectedtoseethewords,THEEND,eupoains,butthenthelightswentoffandIwasinthedark.
Unwillingtoiatethecrazystepsdowntothegate,IreachedsightlesslyfinandsuckedituntilIfellintoatroubledslumber.
AndIawokemeonthecoldhill-side.
Well,ly.IwokeuptofindmyselftuckedintothebackseatofmyownVW,parkedonthecliffbesidetheToyotatruthegreyhourbeforedawn,myfrontallobesandallmyjointsa-twangwithpain.Ididrythegateofthehouse.Igotoutofthecar,shookmyself,gotbaagainandheadedstraighthome.Afterawhile,ontheperilousroadtothefreeway,Isawinthedrivingmirroravehicleapproagmefrombehind.ItwastheredToyotatruck.Sister,ofcourse,atthewheel.
Sheovertookmeatillicitspeed,blastingthehornjoyously,wavingwithonehand,herfacesplitinatoothlessgrin.WhenIsawthatsmile,eventhoughtheteethweremissing,Iknewwhosheremindedmeof--ofagirlinadirndlonacardboardalp,smilingbecauseatlastshesaroagherthemanwhowouldreleaseher...IfIhadnt,ierestsofscholarship,satyawningthroughthatdireoperettaintheviewingbooth,Iwouldneverhavesomuchasguessed.
Shemusthavehatedthemovies.Hatedthem.Shehadthelioninback.Theylookedasiftheywereenjoyingtheride.ProbablyLeohadsmiledforthecamerasooooften,too.Theyparkedattheplacewherethecliffroadendedandwaitedthere,quitecourteously,untilIwassafelyembarkedamongtheheavytraffic,outoftheirlives.
HowhadtheyfoundacorpsetosubstituteforvonMannheim?AcorpsewashemostdifficultthingtoebyinSouthernCalifornia,Isuppose.Iwonderedif,afterallthoseyears,theyfinallydecidedtoletmeinonthemasquerade.And,ifso,why.
Perhaps,havingstructedthismasterpieceofsubterfuge,vonMannheimcouldodiewithoutleavingsomelittlehint,somewhere,ofhow,havingmadeher,hethenbecameher,becameabettershethansheherselfhadeverbeen,andwaosharewithhislastlittleacolyte,myself,thesecretofhisgreatesthit.But,morelikely,hesimplycouldturninghimselfintotheSpiritotime,coulddownhispublic...fortheywerenttoknowIdseenapictureofhiminafrock,already,werethey,althoughinthosedays,hestillworeamoustache.Andthatchedit,inmyownmind,whenIrememberedthesersMannsspankingpicture,althoughthisvididnotmakemeanythelessillatease.
Inthehealthfoodrestaurant,Hirokoslappedthecarrot-juicerwithafilthyclothandfedmebrownridchilledbean-curdwithchoppedonionandgiop,pursingherlipswithdistaste;sheherselfonlyateKentuckyfriedchi.Businesswasslathemid-afternoonandIwantedhertoeupstairswithmeforawhile,toremiherewasmoretofleshthanlightandillusion,butsheshookherhead.
"B,"shesaid,offensively.Afterawhilesheadded,thoughinnociliatorytone,"Notjustyou.Everything.California.Iveseenthismovie.Imgoinghome."
"Ithoughtyousaidyoufeltlikeanenemyalienathome,Hiroko."
Sheshrugged,staringthroughhermidnightbangsatthewhitesunlightoutside.
"Betterthedevilyouknow,"shesaid.
IrealisedIwasjustawildoattoher,afootohertrip,and,althoughshehadbeenjustthesametome,allthesameIgrewglumtorealisehowperipheralIwas,andsuddenlywaogohome,too,andlongedforrainagain,andtelevision,thatsecularmedium.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
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