Chapter1TheDream-Maker

Nightfallslowlydesded.Dimitricouldn’tcealhisexhiration．Nightwasthehappiesttimeofthedayforhim，becausethenheakedreams．Dimitriwasahomelesspersonaosleepingwhereverhecould．Butnowhewasgettingolderaheneedofashelter.,soheputtogethersomediscardedoldboardsandtisandbuilthimselfamakeshifthomeinanarrowalley．WithcoldwindwhippingathisraggedovercoathepushedashoppingcartwhitainedallhisworldlypossessionsinfrontofhimandheadedtowardsafancyItaliaauraheariannaoftengavehimleftovers.Mariannathrustapaperbagathim,taininghalfasteakandsomepraasta．Dimitriwasetedandrushedhome，lookingforwardtoaluxuriousmeadreams.Joethebartenderlookedonwithjealousy．AfterDimitrihadleft,hesaidsarcastically，

"Whyareyousogoodtohim，Marianna?Heisonlyahumanscum，burrowingthroughthegarbageslookingforfoodandclothes.Heisabum,sittingtherealldayfeedingpigeonsbytheke.Hemaynotevenlikeyou.Heprobablythinksyou’retoofat！""Howdoyouknow?"snappedMarianna."Dimitrimaynotknowhowtoexpresshimself，butheisapoetatheart.He’samillioterthanagood-for-nothingdrunkardlikeyou!"

MariannafirstmetDimitribesideagarbage.ThatdayDimitrifoundaursewhilehewasgoingthroughthegarbage.Ittaiwo-karatdiamand

3,000incash.Poorashewas,Dimitrididnotcovetwhatwasnothis.Hewaitedtherebythegarbageanyhourshopingtheownerwouldshowup.MeanwhileMariannahadfinishedherday’sworkandwasfranticallylookingforherpurse.Whenshecouldn’tfinditanywherei，sheintuitivelykhatJoe,whowasusuallyhalf-drunk，musthavethrownitintothegarbagebagtogetherwiththegarbage.Sherushedoutsideandbeganrummagingthroughthegarbagebagsfromtherestaurant.

"Whatareyouupto?"askedDimitriically.

"Iamlookingformypurse”repledMariannawithoutlookingup.“Joemusthavetosseditoutwiththegarbage."

"What’sthepurselikeandwhat’sinit?"Mariannastoppedshort,arayofhopegleamedinhereyesasshegavehimadetaileddescription.Dimitrihandedherthepurseandturogo.Mariannaranafterhimandtriedtopersuadehiminvaintotakesomethingasareward.ToDimitri,worldlywealthdidnotmeananythingsohereplied,

"WhyshouldItakethissinceIdonotevenwantyandmohustheybecamefriendsandshealwayskeptchoicebitsofleftoversforhim.

Dimitriwasacuriousexampleofararespeanbeing:absent-minded，carefree，notknowingwhathewasabout，andsatisfiedwiththemerefactthathecouldstillthinkahe.Hewasahalfbreed，withsomesortofAsianbloodbutdidnotknowwhohisparentswere.Heseemedtorememberbeinginschoolforafewyears，butwasnotreallyliterate.Heworkedforawhilebutdidnotdomuchofanythihoughthewasmarriedothenmaybeheonlylivedwithawomanforawhile．Hewasnotsure．Hehadasocialsecuritynumberormaybehedidn’t．Hehadawidecircleofacquaintanoddingandsmilingtopeoplewhereverhewent，evenexgingjocurreMarks，buthedidn’thaveasinglefriend．

Hewasonlyawakeinhisdreams．OnsunnydayshewouldgoovertothelongabandonedwoodendockatLakeMerritt,filthyandsmellywithbirdexcrement.Buthedidn’tmind．Birdstohimwereflyingmessengersfromheavenwhereallhishopeswere.Hewouldsitonthebendfeedthem，lettingthemflyaroundhimatleonhishead，shouldersandp．Hewouldstareatthemulti-coloredcloudsihroughthecracksofwhichleakedouttheughterofparadise.Whenduskwasnearhewouldgetupandgobacktohis,pushinghisshoppingcartinfrontofhim.

Thefirstthinghedidwhehomewastotakehisdirtyoldsleepingbagfromtheshoppingcartandspreaditoutatitsusualer．Then，hetedhis"spoils"fromthegarbage．Apairofhalf-worntennisshoes，hissizeandstillserviceable．Whydopeoplethrowthesethingsaway?Hecouldn’tuand．Then，therewasashirt，quite．Yes，hecouldthrowhisdipidatedoneaway,andtomorrowhewouldputonhisnewshirtandshoesandfeelquitedebonair．Hepyasariwhohadjustmadeamilliondolrs．HelighteduphiskerosenecookingstovetoheatupMarianna’sleftovers，andafterthissumptuousmealwouldgotobed．Hislifewassosimple．Toputitintoaformu，itwouldbe：limitedmaterialsneeds＝unlimitedsatisfa．Thatwasbecausethefocusofhislifewasnotwhenhewasawake，butwhenhewasasleep．Heytodaybecausehehadgatheredalotofmaterialtobewovenintohisdreams．Forhim，thiswasjustlikefeedinginformationintotheputertanizedandrepyedonthes．

Whilehavinghisdinner，heweheeventsoftheday：Thatmhepassedanimposingofficebuilding．AbckRolls-Roycestoppedsmoothlybeforeitandaliveriedchauffeurgotouttoopenthedoorforamaneandapipeinhismouth——obviouslyanold-fashioy．HewasallegedtobethepresidentofWorldBank．"Sowhat?"thoughtDimitri，"Ibeoooinmydreams”．Thenhepassedahigh-cssshoestoreforwomen,sellingshoesandotherleathergoods．Apairofglitteringtoelesssilverhigh-heeledshoesdispyedinthewindowcaughthiseye．"Whatclotheswouldgowiththem？"hemused．"Astraplessroyalblueeveninggownperhaps，oragingbi-skirt?Bothwoulddo”hedecided．Justthen，thesalesgirl’sarmreachedoutandtooktheshoesawayfromthewindowdispytotrythemonaer．Dimitriwascurioustoknowwhothewomanwas，sohewalkedtotheentraheshopandpeeredin．Thebrilliaoenailspeekingfromthesilvershoesmesmerizedhimandkindledfmesofprimitivelustfromwithinhimlikelightedmatchesthrownintoabarrelofgasoline．

"MayIhelpyou?"avoicecoldly．Itwasthestoremanageringtodrivehimaway．

"Nowayyouhelpme”mumbledDimitriandpushedhiscartaway，thinkingmeanwhileabout"morematerialfortonight"．

Heimmediatelyydowntosleepafterhisdinnerandinnotimeheseemedtoseeanobscuremoonintheskyshiningonawindingmountainpath．Ashlitteringformsuddenlyemergedfromthewoodsarouhandstartedwalkingtowardsadarkaesehousefurtheron．Itwasafreakish，ugly-lookingpygmywearingtheeborateesofthegDynasty．Hishatandcoatweremadeofmaterialwovenwithgoldthreadandwereshininginthemoonlight．Onreagthedoorofthehouse，whichwaspletelydark，hedrewafoot-longkeyfromhispocketandtriedtofititintotheold-fashionedeselock．Hestoodontip-toesaledwiththelodkeyforalongtimebuttonoavail．Heflewinte，threwthekeyontothegroundandstompedonitagainandagain，makingsqueakysoundstoexpresshisflustration．Thenhecalmeddownabit，pickedupthekeyandtriedagain．Thistimeitworked．Hecarriedtheheavylockboriouslyintothehouseandclosedthedoor．Ititchdarkinside．Heopehetrunkothedoorandimmediatelytheroomlitupwiththebrilliahegemsirunk:pricelessdiamonds,rubies,pearlsandsapphiresallytherepiledinaheap．

Itwasargeregurroom,lihsturdytrunksonbothsides．Thepygmyjumpedaroundopeningthistrunkandthatuntiltheyen．Hejumpedontoadeskattheendoftheroomandlookedattheimmehspreadbeforehim．Sometrunksheldgoldingots，goldsandgolds，rings，bracelets；others，silver．Hecrossedhislegsetedlyandshouted："HowrichIam!”Justthenahugepythonslitheredsoundlesslyoutfromtheerofthedarkroomandwounditselfroundandrouablewherethepigmysatcross-legged．Ohepython，thepygmyflewinteandscreamedshrilly，

"Wherehaveyoubeento?Youweresupposedththereguardireasures！Ihadtoopenthedoormyselfandalotoftroubleitcausedme!”Hegrewangrierashespoke．Onseeinghimsoangry，thepythonuncurleditselfandturoaseductiveagnakedwoman，andlikeMedusa，shehadhairofsnakes．Shekbeforehimandaskedfivehepygmypulledoutawhipfromunderhisbeltandcrackeditonherinfury．Shecriedandkowtowedtobeghimforpardon．Redweltsappearedonhersnowwhiteskin．Shelookedathimbeseegly．Thepygmystoppedandturoacreaturewiththestrongmuscurbodyofamanbuttheheadofamonster．Oneeyewasinthemiddleofhisfadtheotheratthebackofhishead．Therewasarhinoceroshornoopofhishead．Hepulledthewomantoherfeet．Thegemsandtreasuresintheroomthenturomulti-coloredclouds，driftingandfloatingintheroom．Someofthemcametogetherandformedasoftmattressforthetwomoomakelove．Attheheightoftheirlove-making，theybothtransformedagaintohugepythowiogetherinaricableknot．

"Dimitri！Dimitri！！"Marianna’sboomingvoicetohisdream．Hewokewithastartle，hisbodystillglisteningwithsweat，tofindMariannashakinghim．Whenheopenedhiseyessleepily，theseductiveagfemalemonsterwasgoneandbeforehimwasMarianna’sfat，affabletenance．"You’redreamingagain!”shesaid．Dimitrismiled．Hefoundthathispantsithnoalemission．

"Howeyoudidn’tetogetyourdinight?"

"ButIdid．Yougavemeshrimpsandsteak．"

"Thatwasthedaybeforeyesterday．Aren’tyouhungry?"

"What！I”vesleptforsolong？Nowthatyoumentionit，I’mstarved!”saidDimitriandheheardhisstomachgrowlinprotest．Mariannahandedhimacupofhotchocote．

"Thereisfriedchiandhamsandwithebag．Heatitupa．Why’tyoustayawakeandfindsomeworktodoinsteadoflivinginyourdreams?"shescolded．"Whydon’tyoueandliveinmygarage?Youwon’tbeinanybody’swayandyou’llhaveadetroofoveryourhead.”

"No，thankyou，ma’am．Thanksfortheoffer，butI’musedtoithere．Tomethemostimportantthingistokeepupmyvitality．Thankstoyou，Ihaveenoughfoodtosustainmyphysicalhealthandkeepupmybrainactivities．Therestissuperfluousandmeannothingtome．"

"OK，"saidMariannaresignedly，"Youdon’thavetothankme．Youwashmydwearequits．Getupyourchiandsandwidgooutthereandgathermaterialforyourdreams．"

Afterthesplendidbreakfast，heputonhisnewshirtandshoeswhichhehadretrievedfromthegarbagethedaybefore，ahatlifeingeneralwasfineindeed．Sopushinghiscartinfrontofhim，hewentoutintotheworld．"IwonderwhatI’llfindtodaytoweaveintomydreams”hethought．Everydaywasfreshaohim．Hehadafeelingofexpecy，likeachildgoingtoDisneyrolledaimlesslyaround，watgpassers-byhurryingtowardstheirdestinations．"Whyaretheyinsuchahurry?"hewondered．"Lifeshouldbepcid,tobeenjoyed，notsohurried...”Thedaypassedwithouthisseeinganythingoutoftheordinary．Dimitriwasdisappointed．"Uh-uh，nomaterialformydreamstonight．It’sgettingte．"Justthen，hesawanoldcouplewalkinghand-in-hand，takingtheireveningstroll.Theingtired.theysatontheparkbench．

"Honey”saidtheoldmantohiswife，”Sonnyboywrotetousyesterday，askingustogototheirpceforChristmas．He’sagoodboy．"

"Youknow，darling，"hiswifereplied，"notonlyourson，htertoo，hasinvitedusforChristmas．Theyarebothgoodchildren，butwhichpceshouldwegoto?”Simpleasthesewordswere，Dimitricouldseelove，happiranquillityandasenseofprideofhavingmadesomethingoutoftheirlives．Theirlife，theirlovewaslikeabarrelofwine，whichhavingbeenbrewedawholelifetime，wasnowperfedfittodrioodrockstill，deeplyimpressedbytheoldcouplebeforehim．

“Therewassomethingworthwhileinthislifeafterall,”hethought．

DimitriwasavagabondwithmorethaiwasteandtoofarawayfromMarianna’srestauranttogetsomethi，sohedecidedtofindoneofhisnumerousrestingpdturnin．Helookedaround．Thepcewouldbetheabandonedsewer，hedecided．Itwasthehuntinggroundofprostitutes，theirpimps，drugdealersandtheirers．ButthesewerenothingtoDimitri．Whenhecametothesewer，hegathereduphisstybelongingsfromthecartwhichheleftagainstthewall，thenpullingupthelidoftheman-hole，hesteppedgingerlydownthenarrowdder．Hehadn’tusedthispceforafewmonthsnowandwasn’tasfamiliarwithitasheusedtobe．Inthedark，hisfoottouchedsomethingsoftandwarm．Itwasamoaninghumanbody．

Dimitrilithiskeroseoveandsawayounggirl，noolderthanfifteen，curledupinaheapontheground，withtearsandnasalmucusalloverherface．Shewasmoaningandshiveringuntrolbly．

"AreyouOK?"heaskedbendingoverher．

"Twenty...twenty...twentydolrs..."shebeggedinahoarseandalmostindistinguishablevoice．Dimitrikhatshemustbeanaddientedbyherneedfs．Hesearchedthroughhispockets,foundadolrhereadolrthere,anotherfromhissocks，untilhegotsomethinglikefifteendolrsandgavethemtoher．Thegirl’slusterlesseyeslitupasshegrabbedthemoruggledupthestepsandsaid，"I’llberightback.”ItwasthenthatDimitrisawshewascrippledandwalked．

Aftershehadleft，Dimitrispreadouthissleepingbagandpreparedtosleep．Thegirlwasbalessthantenminutes．Shewasnormalnowandwasnolongershivering．

"Doyouhaveanymoremoney?Givethemtomeandyouhaveyourwaywithme..．Ihemoney.”

"What’syourname?"

"Shei．"

"Howoldareyou?"

"Idon’tknow．Fifteentosixteen，Isuppose．Igrewupinfosterhomes．"Dimitriwaoaskmore，butSheiinterrupted，"D’youhaveanymoremoney？I’llsellyoumybody．Doyouwantme?"

"OfcourseIdo．I’maman．ButIdon’thaveanymoremoney”．

Shebowedherheadinsilence．Dimitrilookedather．Shewasiful，butnotpiher，justanaveragegirlindirtybluejeans，T-shirtandajacket．Washedanddressedupshecouldevee．

"Howlonghaveyoubeenatthisbusiness?"

"Whydoyouask?Youhavenomoney”．

"WhatIjustgaveyouwasallIhad．Iwasn’twillingtospenditonfoodformyself，butIgaveitalltoyoutogetdrugs．"

"I’lldowhateveryouwishtopayyouback．"

"IneedyoubutIwon’ttakeyou."

"Whynot?Aren’tyouaman?Isn’tthatwhatallmenwant?"

"IfIhadpickedyouuporeet，Iwouldn’thavehesitated；butasitis，Igaveyouthemoosaveyony．IfItookyounow,Iwouldbeabrutepreyingonyourvulnerabilities．Shei，therearealotofthiweenamanandawomanbesidessex．Forinstance，love，affe，friendship．．．butbecauseofyoursurroundingandcircumstancesyouwouldn’tuand．"

"That’siing．Ihavebeendoingthissincemyearlyteens”．

"Whhtyoutothis?"

"Adevil．Don’teveionhim．Hegotmehookedsametodotricks．Saynomore．ImustgotoworknoworIwon’thaveanymoneyfsandthepimpwillbeatme．Iamcrippled，soit’sdoublyhardformetogeters.”Withthat，sheclimbedupthestairsa，andDimitriwenttosleep．Thefacesofthelovingcouple，kindandsmiling，appearedimmediatelybeforehim．Heopenedhiseyes,shookhisheadabacktosleep．

Thepygmyiiewaswalkinghand-inhandwiththeseductiveandnakedMedusa．Itwasevening．Thebrightmoonlightwasreflectedontheripplingwavessoftlypattingtheshores．Thetwosanganddandfrolickedhappilyalohepygmyughedhisstrange，squeakyugh．Thewomahepygmyhighaboveherheadandspunaroundmadly，likeamotherpyingwithherson．Dimitrishookhisheadagain．"No,no.Thisisn’twhatIwanted.”aledhimselfdowntodreaminear．ItwasadenseforestintheheartofAfricaaspitchdarkasmidnight．Therhythmicbutmonotonousbeatofthedrumarousedinpeopleabarbarousimpulseandtheshoutsofthenativeslentitamysterious，primitiveandterrifyingatmosphere．Dimitriwentintotheforestandcameacrossatemple．Therewereshadowyfiguresofthenativesbeatingdrumsanddangaroundafire．Everynowaheyshoutedtheirbattlecry．Dimitrisawhumanskullsscatteredalloverthefloorawasthehabitatofmaingibals.Therewereskullsofallkindsofanimalsdecoratingthewalls，includinghumanskulls．Itwasafestival，thebirthdayofthegodofFate，andlivesacrificesweretobeofferedtohim．Thegodsatinthemiddleofthetemple，anticipatingagoodmeal．Hehadthebodyofamanbuttheheadofamoherewasarhinoceroshornatthetopofhishead.Onhisright，stoodanakedshe-mohaspearinherhand，whoservedashisattendant．ShehadthebodyofaseductivewomanbuttheheadofaMedusa．

Dimitriwastakenaback．"Oh，it’sthosetwomonstersiherdream．I’vemetthembefore.”AnAfriativecameinwithbothhandssuppahugesilverptebahetopofhishead．Therewasanenormousbamboosteameroe,freshfromthekitwithsteamingfromuhelid．Hekrespectfullybeforethem，pcedthepteonthenarrow,longtableandtookoffthelidofthesteamer．Initwasthebodyoftheyounggirl，Shei，nakedasashelledhard-boiledegg．Shelookedasthoughshewasasleep，butactuallyshehadbeensteamedtodeathasasacrificetothegodofFate．Theshe-monster’seyesshohviciousgreed，andsalivabegandrippingfromtheersofhermouth．ThegodofFatetookaknifeanddissectedaleg．Aftertakingabite，hehaotheshe-monsterwhograbbediteagerlyandviciouslydevouredittothebone．

Aheart-rendingscreampiercedhisdream．Dimitriwokewithastartle．Lookingaroundinthedarkundergroundsewer，hecouldseeahuskybrapingShei．Herhaiedbyaropeandhewasontopofher．Dimitricouldseetherapidup-and-dowsofhisbodyasthoughheingonahorse．Hethrustolessly，occasionallytakingadrinkfromatiltedbottle,whileSheiscreamedinpaiherface．Hiswhiteteethgleamedinthedarklikethoseofaskulndsaid，"Youbitch，youdidn’tgivemeanymoodaysoyouhavetopayforit.”Hebithernipplesharduntilshebled．"Goddamnyou，youdevil,“shecursedstrugglingfutilely，"IwishI’deyesonyou.”Dimitri’sbloodboiledatthesight．Hegotupsoundlessly，grabbedapieceofsteelpipenearhim，andmadeaswipefortheb’shead．Thepainoftheimpactmadehimdrophison．Heshookhisheadandlookedagain．Nob．wasadream．Hehadhitthenarrowdderwithsuchforcethatthepartofhishaweehumbandtheindexfingerwastorn．Sheihadnoteback．Shehadedtoclosethelidoftheman-holeandthefaintgraylightofdawnfilteredthrough．Itwasanotherday．Dimitrisatontheground，dazed，holdinghisinjuredhandnotknowihertocryh．

Dimitrifoldeduphissleepingbagandputeverythingintepsticbag．Heclimbedupthestepsandfoundthathehadhititsohardwiththesteelpipethatitwascrooked．Hesmiledgrimlyasherecalledtheseinhisdream．Ifhehadreallyhitthedevil,hewouldhavebashedhisheadin．Ohwell!Heputhisbelongingsbatohiscartandpusheditinfrontofhim．Thelightswerestillonintheshops，butthedawnwasgraduallydrivingawaythedarkherewasnoonearouhedesertedstreets．ItwastooearlyandDimitrireallydidn’thaveaogo．Pushinghiscart，hefeltasearingpaininhishand．"ImustgoandfindMariannatoba,”hethought．Theashamed．Whydidhealwaysthinkofherwhenhewashurtry?Heagainpassedtheparkbenchwheretheoldcouplehadsatthenightbefore．Theolddymusthavebeeygirlwhenshewasyoung，andherhusband，ahandsomeyoungmaheywereanidealcoupleandhavehadaperfectlife，hemused．ThenhisthoughtsturoShei，theyoungprostitute，whoseprofessionwastosellcheaplytheuseofhersexualans.Dimitrididnotlookdownonher.Hewasedaboutherwhereabouts．Prostitutionwastheoldestprofessionintheworldbecausesocietycouldnotdowithoutit.Itwasobaheunbancedpartofhumannature，justasaunityneededsewerstodrainitswastewaterandraintopreventflooding．Sheioor，unfortunateyounggirlbutherprofessionwasaformoflife．herbodywasbutasacrifithealtarofFate．

Dimitripushedhiscartaimlesslyaloreets,whichgraduallybrighteraffidpedestriansincreased．Thenoiseandcmorofcitylifehadbegun．Theslim，nymph-likefigureinbckappearedintheearlymsunlightandarrestedhiseyes．Itwasanun．Dimitrihadagreatrespectfornuns，lookinguponthemasangelsexpelledfromheavenfortheirsinsadowntotheearthtoatohem．Toughiscapwithhishand，hesaidgruffly，"Go，sister.”Thenunblessedherselfandsaid，"Go，sir,"inamelodiousvoithebrighteninglightofday,Dimitrisawshewasyoungayandherveilflutteringinthebreezegaveheranunworldlyairofspiritualintelligence．AsDimitriturogo，thenunnoticedfromtheerofhereyethathishandwaswouornandbleeding．

"Youhavebeenhurt！"sheexcimed．Shesearchedfranticallyforsomethingtoputoverthewound．Thehoughtofherhandkerchief．Pullingitout，sheeditaroundhishandandsaid，"Youshouldnotleaveitlikethat，itwillgetied．Gototheidhaveittakencareofproperly.”Meanwhileherslendernimblefingerswerewbusily．Dimitrilookedatthementranced，feelingnopainatall．Insteadhestoodtherewithhishandout-stretched，enjoyingtherareoccasionofbeingmademuchof，feelingasfortableaswhenhisearwasbeingscratchedbyaQ-tip．"Thereyouare!”thenunsaid，"That’lldo．Godblessyou!”Shetappedhimslightlyonthearmandwalkedbrisklyaway．

Dimitriwalkedohishandtohishehandkerchiefhadafeminineaurawhichhefoundverypleasant．Hehadn’tsleptwellsohewastired，buthewaofollowthenun．Finally，hedecidedthebestwaywastofindafortablespotandfollowherwithhisdreams．Hecametoatreeatthesideoftheparkwhoseleafyshadowsseemedquiteinviting．Layinghimselfdownhefelsleepatonhisdream,Dimitriwaoaventwhichlookedlikeanacastle．Thehallwashuge，dismandaustere，litonlybyadimgaslight．Dimitristoodtheretryingtoadjusthiseyestothedarkhenhewalkedon．Hecouldhearthehollowechoofhisfootsteps．Thepcegavehimtheimpressionofaprison．Suddenly，heheardsweetyoungvoiharmoniouscresdo，singinginpraiseofGod．"Howdidtheseyoungwomenndinsuchagruesomepce?"hewondered．Hewalkedovertothewindowwherethevoicescamefromandpeekedin．Therewereagroupofnuthealtarsinginghymns．Buttheonehehadmetintheearlymwasnotthere，sohelostiandwalkedon．

Hewalkedaroundtothebackofthebuildingandsawawoodedareafurtherdown，sohewalkedonandonuntilhecametoapthewoodswheremistysteamrosefromtheshadowsoftrees．Partingtheexuberantbranches,hesawahpolikeapearlinthemidstoftalltreesandluxurianttropicalflowers．Thenunhewasseekingwasthere，gettingreadyforherbath．Shecarefullytookoffherhabitandveilexposinggoldentressesaifulsnow-whitebodyerfectlyproportionedfigurethatwouldbetheenvyofanywoman．"Whyshouldagirllikethattakethevowandbeeanun?"Dimitriwondered，ashestoodtheretransfixed．Shewalkedintothewateruntilitcametoherwaistandleisurelybegah．Evehingmovementsweregradelegant．Dimitricouldseeacrystaldropofwaterrollslowlydownfromhernobleforeheadtoherflushedcheeks．Thenittraveledtoherfinelychiseleduntilitdroppedontoherbeautifulbreast．Itslippeddownherbreast，caressingitandgingtohernippleuntilitcouldholdonnolongeraantlydroppedbatothewater．Justthen，twoareesbythesideofthepond，whosebrancheshadgraduallyleanedcletherastheywatchedherbathe，walkedtowardseachotherandembraced．TheyturotwomohepygmyandMedusa．Excitedbythesightofherbeauty，theymadelove，thepygmykissingMedusa’sbody．Eventhevegetationhrodisiac．Thenthemournedbatotreesagain．Theyswitchedfromoneformtotheotherflickeringly.Dimitridisregardedthemandturnedhisthoughtsbacktothenun．"Itissuchawaste,”hethought，"Thosebeautifulbreastsweremeanttofeedbabies．Ifshecouldhaveababyinherarms，bathingtogether，itwouldbeareMarkablese．Whyshouldsheblockuphermaternalinstindturnherreproductivesystemfromitsnaturalnormintoalifeofchastityandseclusion?"HecoulduandthatshewaopreserveherpurityandofferittoGod，buthestillfeltitwasdunnaturandcouldnotdo，eventhoughherespectedherresolution．Hekheremusthavebeenalotofpainandstruggleinherresolution；theprocesswaslikecloggingapipe，fthewatertoflowbackwards．Justthen，ahugeleaf，freshanddewy，floatedby．Thenunclimbedontoittorestforawhile．Butassoonasshegoton，theleafcurledupandenvelopedher．ItdawnedonDimitrithenthattheleafwasivorous．"Takeiteasy，sister，I’mingtoyourrescue,”hecriedoutandrantohelpher．Hefellintothewaterandwokeup．

Dimitriopenedhiseyestofindalittleboyshootingwaterontohisfacewithhislittleistol．Hejumpedupaeorunafterhim．Theboyughedandranaway．Dimitrifeltrefreshedbyhisnapanddecidedtowalkon．Helookedbackatthetwotreesunderwhichhehadsleptandwassurprisedtofindtheyweretheveryonesinhisdream."WhyisitthatIalwayshaveludicrousdreamsofsavingdamselsindistress,whileiyIlivesuchahumdrumlife？HereIam，almostfiftyyearsoldandIhaveneverbeeninlove，neverexperieimacywiththeoppositesex．Idon’tthinkthere’sanothermanlikemeintheworld.”Heknewhehadadeepinferiorityplexahewasnotgoodenoughforanyofthem．Hecametorealizethatthereasonhecouldnotpursuethewomanhefanciedwasbecausehenevercreatedthenecessaryfoundationforhimselftoloveandbeloved．Therefore，hepcedthemoal，outeandunapproachable，onlytobelookedatandadmiredfromafar．

Onthewayhesawpedestrianswearingallkindsofclothes：meninformalsuits，casualpantsorT-shirtsandjeansandwomeninbusinesssuits，prettycolorfuldresses，miniskirtsorsizableclothes．Therewasenoughvarietytodazzleone’seyes．Therewerealsocable-cars，muni-cars，doubledeckbusesandcarsofallbrandsandmodelsscootingaboutoreets．Thebuildingswerejustasdiversified，rangingfromoldVictorianmansionstomodernskyscrapers．"Why!It’slikeahugeamusementparklikeDisneynd!”hethought．Dimitriwasamanofalmostfifty，butheretaihecuriosityofateenageraforlifeofamuchyoungerman．Theworldwasfullofinequality．Somemenwereriewerepoor．Dimitrikepthisequilibriumbythesimplephilosophyofbelievingi，presentandfuturelives．Hethoughtthatinhispreviouslife，hemusthavebeeedmillionairewhantlysquanderedhiswealthaedwomenbadly，thatwaswhyheoorinthislifeandnevercouldexperienceloveorromaookfortinthebeliefthatifhewasgoodinthislife，hewouldbehappyi．Thisseeminglylogicalbeliefwasfasatingandromantidactuallywasquiteprevalenti．Dimitricalleditasee-sawphilosophy．

DimitriwalkedonandonuntilhefoundhimselfinthefamiliarsurroundingsofOaknd，hisfavoritehangout．Feelingtired,hesatoepsofthepostoffi13thstreettorest．ARollsRoycestoppedinfrontofthebuildingandawell-dressedwomansteppedouttofeedthemeter．Dimitri’seyesweregluedtotheglittering，silver-coloredshoeshehadseeninhisdreams．Agroupofboysrodebyontheirbikes；somechildrenwalkedhandinhaheirnurseryschoolteachers；oldpeoplefromHotelOakndsatsunningthemselvesinthegardeninfrontofthebuilding；acoupleinwheelchairscamebacktogetherfromtheirgroceryshopping．Dimitrisuddeasifitwerespringwheremyriadsofflowersbloomedprofusely，andpeopleofallcolors，bck，whiteandyellowwalkedaround，nude，idlychattinganddrinkihegrassamidtheflowers，orjoyfullylisteningtomusicovertheradiointhisparadiseoh—allracesofpeopleinperfectharmony．Flowersdonotneedclothes，herdoanimals，whyshouldhumaheexception?

JoewalkedoutofthepostoffidsawDimitrisittingtherelostinreverie．Helookedathimptuouslyandwalkedbywithoutaword．HewentbacktotherestaurantandsaidtoMarianna：

"Isawyoursonsittingoepsofthepostoffice．"

"Myson？Whatareyoutalkingabout?"

"Dimitri！Yoodtohim,savingthechoicestleftoversforhim.Isn’theyourson?"

"Bull-Sh1T！Mindyourownbusiness!”Withthat，Mariannarushedoutandrantothepostoffice．ThereshefoundDimitristaringoutintospacelostinhisday-dreams，obliviousofhissurroundings．Sheshookhimandsaid，

"！Dimitri！！Wherehaveyoubeefewdays?Whatareyoudoinghere？You’llcatchcoldsittinginthiswind．Aren’tyouhungry？ebackwithmeandhavesomethinghottoeat.”Dimitricamebacktorealitywithajolt．

"Hi，Marianna!”hesaid．Hisstomachgrowledandhesmiledsheepishly,"GuessI’mhungry.”AndhefollowedMariannabacktotherestaurant．OnthewayMariannasaid，

"I’vetoldyouagainandagainyoucouldeandsleepinmygarage．Whydon’tyou?"Dimitrithoughtitoverandsaid．

"Iwille,butI’llpayrent．Theysaythey’relookingfasattendahegasstationnearatown.”Mariannaleasantlysurprised．

"Inthatcase，yousleepinthegarage．Youeintothehouseandsharemybedroom．I’mgdyouarewakinguptoreality．Ihopeyouwon’teverliveonlyinyourdreamsagain．"

"Whynot?"askedDimitrismiling．"Youaretoowideawake．Youpuyourwakinghours.Actuallydreamsarethemostpreciouspartoflife.Itisatreasureasrotraofreallife.”Mariannadidnotwanttuefurtherwithhimforfearhewouldgehismind．

"Let’sgo,”shesaid．Shetookhisarmandtheywalkedawaywithaliltieps．

Chapter2KingdomintheDream

I,amidawildernessofmountainrangeswheretherewerenosignofhumanlifeandwhereevenbirdsandanimalsseldomvisited，liesthefountain-headofthesurroundingmountainstreams—apool，crystalclearandicycold．Thewaterflowedbetweewihatstoodguardbesideit．Purplecloudscouldbeseenrisingfrombehindthemountainsintheearlym．Acctoesegeomancy，thefeng-shuiofthispcesofullofmysteryandserenity，wasexcellent，aso-called"gold-swallowing"locatioeofanewkingdomabouttorise．

Thetwinpeakshadaniure-bothofthemwereftatthetip，fanaturalpteauofrichredsoil．Inthisseeminglygodforsakehesepteausectedbyasuspensiewereingruouswiththeirsurroundings．Opteauwasanaesepace-stylebuildingofglitteringyellowgzedtile，redwallsandtiltingeavesofcarveddragons．Therightpteau，however，wasultramodern，sistingofahelicopterndingfield，ahugeteleunicationssatellitedish，apowerpnt，ahospitandanadministrativebuilding．

Thehallofthisesepace-likebuildingwasenormous,talndsolemn．Ithadanintimidatingatmospherethatmadeanyindividualingtoitseeminsignifit．ThickPersiancarpetscoveredthefloorandatriumphantgoldendragon，tailswishing，whiskersflyingandcwsdang，decoratedonesideofthewall．Infrontofitwasaedptform．Asolidgoldthrooodinthemiddleofthisptform，fnkedohersidewithalife-likespeofanAsiantiger，ferociousteethbared，eyesglmaliciously，itsjetbckstripesstandingoutagainsttheglossyyellowfur．Twhtlinesofpinredwoodchairs，twelveoneachside，ledtowardsthedoor-way，withspesofotherwildbeasts，bears，leopardsandenormousspread-wingedeaglespcedbehindthem，givingthehalfearsomeatmosphere．

Atdiime，nativesofthemountainswouldhearmelodiousmusiingfromthediningroomothehalndtheykheking"washavingdinner．Noonehadeveractuallybeeninthediningroombutgrapevinenewshaditthattwenty-fournudebeautiesofdifferentnationalitiesservedthemeal．Theywouldrotateintheirduties,butfouralwayssatwiththekingatthetable；tenwouldservethemeahertenwouldpymusistrumentstoapanythedinneras"theking"likedmusidwouldorderdifferentinstrumentstobepyedacctohisfanetimescssical，sometimeseastern，sometimeswestern．Nomhtingapplianceswereused；theroomwaslitexclusivelybydlesandpaterns．Thetwenty-fourbeautieswereadorhdiamonds，rubies，sapphiresandotherpreciousjewels，lendingamystidromanticairtothebaheCaucasiaiesweregradelegant，theLatiies，vivaciousandpassioheorientalbeauties,mysteriousandexquisitelyfeminine．Eachhadherindividualcharmandgracetobefullyappreciatedandsavored．

Dimitrisatday-dreaminguhetreeattheparkinglot．Thiswashisfirstdayatworkattheatowngasstation．Itsparkinglothadbeehtandtherewasonlyoreeleft．Therewasaeserestaurantacrossthestreet．Theexteriorwasdecoratedlikeapace．withcolorfulnternshangingattheentrandesemusiccouldbeheardingfromit，allofwhichbecamematerialforhisdreams．Thetwootherattendants，onameseandoneMexi，stoodtalkingtoeachotherinpidginEnglishwhichtheyuood，apaniedbybodynguage，buttheirdisdainandptforDimitriwerequiteevident．Theyknewhimtobeahomelesspersonwhousedtoroamaboutthedistridthereforetheywerealittleindignantthathewasnoloyeelikethemselves．Sotheydidnothingtohelphimgetacquaihhisnewsurroundings，butlookedonsfullyashesattherelostinreverie．DisciplinewasfntoDimitri’snomadicwaysandhehadnonotionofwhateatajob．Hewaswillingtoworkhard，buthesawnoharminsittingtheredaydreamiherewasnoworktobedone．Justthen，awhiteRollsRoycedroveupforafill-up．Thetwoattendantsrushedover，smilingandobsequiousbecauseMrs．IleenKaffeewasanoldpatronofthegasstationandalwayslefthercartheretobewashedwhileshehaddimsumatherfavoriterestaurantacrossthestreet．Dimitri，however，sattherelookingonastheyfussedoverthedthought，"Addinggastothetankisreallylikeabloodtransfusion，andinhisimaginatioecargraduallybecamepinkasitfilledwithgas.Mrs.Kaffeewasawomaninherforties，withshortblondhairfashionablydicyblueeyes，sharpandkeen．Hercoldthoughcharmiureswerespoiltbytheexpressionandceit．Sapphiresadherearsaddedadashofrevoltanddissipation．Hervoiceleasantbuthercourtesyhony．

TheowhegasstatiooDimitri，joggedhimwithhisfootandsaid，

"Hey．areyouheretoworkortodream？DoyouthinkIpayyoutositthereandsleep?Youthinkmoneyesthateasily?"Dimitriwokeupwithastartle．

"Oh，I’msorry．Ifot．"

"WashMrs．Kaffee’sdthenandvacuumtheseatandtherugs．Bequick!"

Dimitrihadneverdoneanyprofessionalcar-washingbefore．Herushedaboutlookingfortherightequipmentandinstrusonhowtousethem，buthegotlittleresponsefromhisfellowworkers．Finally，hewasreadyaowashtheotrealizingthatthewindowswereopewoattendantswatchedhimwithmaliciousgleeasdirtywaterspshedonthegoldeseatandcushionsandtheyraheowner．

"Goatherookieisdoing．Heiswashingthecarwithoutrollingupthewindows.”Theownerrushedout，afraidtoloseavaluableerandshouted，

"Whatareyoudoing，youidiot!Don’tyouknowyouhavetorollupthewindowsbeforeyouwashthecar?Ifyou’tdothejob，youleave．Don‘tmaketroubleforme．"

"I’msorry．I’llbemorecareful”saidDimitriquiteabashed.Luckily，thedamagetotheupholsterywasslight，soheedupandstartedagain，sayingtohimself，"CarwashingisnotaseasyasIthought.Imustpaycloserattentiontomyworkandmymindwander.”Somehowhegotthecarwashed,waxedandvacuumed．Pleasedwithhiswork，Dimitriclosedthedoorofthecar，returheutensilsabacktoreporttohisbossthattheworkwasdone．

Meanwhile，Mrs．Kaffeefinishedherdimsunandwaswaitingtocrossthestreet，whehreemeoherddriveaway.Sheshoutedatthembuttonoavail．Shestormedintotheoffidshoutedattheowner,

"Mycar！It’sstolen！Isthathowyoutakecareofyourers?Where’sthecarkey?"TheownerlookedatDimitriandasked，

"Where’sthecarkey?"Dimitrialledandsaid,

"Ididn’tknowIhadtotakeitout."Whenthepolicearrivedandeveryonehadbeeioned，Mrs．KaffeepointedanacgfiDimitriandsaid，

"Officer，Isuspectthatmanisanapliceofthethieves．Heleftthekeysinthetentionally．”

"Youhavenoproofofthatma’am．Butwe’lltakehiminforquestioning."

TheofficerthenturoDimitriandsaid，"Wearenotarrestingyoubutweohaveyouedowntothestationandmakeastatement.Pleasegetintothesquadcar."

Dimitrigotintothecar．Helookedatthebarredwindowsusedfordetainingcriminalsorsuspedshrugged．Hesatdoromptlyfelsleeptofollowthetrailofthecarthieveswithhisdream．Meanwhile，theofficerswerestilltryingtopcateMrs．KaffeeandwritingtheirreportwhentheyheardDimitriknogatthewindowofthesquadcardoor．

"Whatisit?"ohemasked.

"Thecarwasstolenbyawhitemanandtwobcks．ThewhitemanisdrivingandnowtheyarecrossingtheBayBridge．Ifyouputoutabulletin，youcatchthemohersideofthebridge.”

"Howdoyouknow?Whydidn’tyousaysoearlier?"Dimitriwashesitant．Hecouldn’tsayhejustdreamedit;sohesaid，

"IjustnowrealizedtheyweredrivinginthedireofthebridgefreewayentrahecartheftreallyhadnothingtodowithDimitri．Whenallformalitieshadbeehrough，thepolibacktothegasstationwherehewasfiredthenandthere．

Dimitriapologizedprofuselytotheownerforthetroublehehadcausedahegasstation．Beingfiredonhisfirstdayofworkdepressedhim．"Thissocietyisastrangemorymybesttotoitandjoinitsranks，buthoweverhardItry，Iamalushedout．MaybeI’mjustamisfit.”HemusedthatMrs.Kaffeeseemedvaguelyfamiliarthoughhecouldn’tforthelifeofhimrecallwherehehadseenherbefore．Theremusthavebeensomereasonforhertopilikeshedid．Hewanderedaroundaimlesslylikeheusedto，andhisfootstepstookhiminvoluntarilyonhisusualpathtowardsLakeMerritt．Hesawyoungpeoplesittingonthebenchesenjoyinghamburgersandsoftdrinks，talkingandughinganimatedly．Therewerealsomanyfashionableandwell-dressedpeopleinbusinesssuitsstrollingaround，obviouslyontheirlunchbreak．"Oh，it’salreadynoohoughtDimitri．Whehesepeople，hefeltasenseofinferiorityingoverhim，envyiheirenergyandpurposeithehought，"Why’tIenjoylifethewayIwantto?Whyshouldeveryonebealike?"Heshruggedabetter．

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Hegottothepierandsatonhisusualbench，thinkingoftheeventsofthepastfewdays．AftermovinginwithMarianna，shemadehimwash,shave，cuthishairandboughthimnewclothes．Hewasnotatallusedtoallthisfussalikeanewmabedwassuovelexperiehefoundithardtogotosleep．Itwasastormynight.Thewindandrainwereragingoutside，butallwasquietandsereneihebedroom，onlyMarianna’ssurbreathingcouldbeheardinthesweetdarkness．Hefeltthattheroomwasasolitaryboatdriftingonastormyseaandapicturehehadseeninhisyouthcamevividlytomind．Itictureofaofyoungbirdssleepingsoundlyamidwindandrainanditssimiritieswithhispresentstatestruckhim．Hecouldn’tfetthefactthatifheweren’there，hewouldbeseekinghaveniorm．Thatdriftinglifestylewasbleak，drearyandsometimesfraughtwithdanger，butithadadesotebeautyandasenseofadvebeedtohiscarefreespirit．

Suddenly，Dimitriwasstartledfromhisreveriebytwosofthandschiseyes．Helookedbadfoundthesmilingfaariannalookingdownonhim．

"SorryIwasfiredonmyfirstdayofwork.”

"Iknow．Iwenttothegasstationtyouyourlunch.Don’tworryaboutit．It’sOK．You’llfindsomethingelse.”

Shesatdownonthebendtheychattedtogether．Therewasaninnateserenityintheirretionshipthatenvelopedthemintheirowworld，obliviousoftheirsurroundings．Thebusytraffic，thefroligchildrerollingcrowdjustdidforthem．Theoodup，handedhimhislunch-bagandsaid，

"Gottogonow．Goonhomewhenyouaretiredandtakearest．You’vebeenthroughalotwiththepolicetoday.”

"Thankyou,Marianna”Dimitrismiled,tookthepaperbagandwalkedaway．

Mariaslowlytowardsherrestaurant，thinking，"Dimitriisastrangemanwithauniquepersonality．Helivespletelyinafancifulworldofhisown，iasachild．totallyinpatiblewiththerealworld，uosurviveitspetitionsanditswiles．Hisfrank，trustingandnaiveeyesareasharptrasttohisweather-beatehatisso,whyforcehimtoadapttoaworldwhereheistotallyoutofpce?Whyhimgohisoay?Lethimstayatmypdtakecareofthehouseandgarden．Idon’tknowwhatdrawsmetohim，butIlikehim.Icareforhiswelfareandhaveaake．Theremustbesomethingpre-destinedinourretionship．Butsowhat？Whyshouldn’tIlikehimandcareforhim?Whymusttherebeareason?"Butthehoughtsturhelettershereceivedthatm．Itwasfromherhusbandandtheir8-year-oldson，tellihattheyhadfinallygottentheirimmigrationpapersandwouldsoonbejoiningher．Herhusbaheraphotographofhimselfandtheirson，andtheboyproudlywrotetoherinEnglish．Whentheyarrive，shewouldiablyhavetoleaveDimitriandprovideahomeforherhusbandandson．Butthatwouldnotbeforsometimeyet．"I’llcrossthatbridgewhenIetoit,”shedecided．

JustthehoughtswereinterruptedbyawhiteRollsRoycescreegtoahaltbesideher．Avoicecameairily，

"Hi，Marianna！Doyoustillrememberme?"

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"Ohyes,Mrs．Kaffee!Howareyou?"Mariannasaidpolitely．WhenMariannafirstcametoAmerica，shehadbeenars．Kaffee’shousehold，butuandherfussyandpickyways，shequitaoworkattherestaurant．

"Whathaveyoubeendoingallthistime，Marianna?"

"Oh，I’vebeenwasacookatanItaliaaurant．"

"Mr．Kaffeeisalwaysravingaboutyourcookioldmeseveraltimestoaskyoutoeback，butIknewyouwouldn’t．HereallymissesyourhomemadeItalianfood．Thisweekendwearehavingapartyforsomeoldfriends．Wouldyouliketocateradinnerforus?I’msuretheywouldallloveit．"

"Withpleasure．Mr．Kaffeehastastedallthegourmetfoodinthearea，aillremembersmyhomecooking!I’msofttered．Iwouldbegdtoe．I’llbeoveronSaturdaym．

"That’sitthen．SeeyouonSaturday．"

Mariannasawtwobeautifulyouhebackofthecar．Theysmiledatherandshesmiledback．Suddenly，thecarjerkedforedawayzigzagingly，obliviousoftrafficrules．

TheKaffeehouseholdwassomethingofamystery．NooneknewforcertaiherMr．andMrs．Kaffeewereactuallymanandwife．Theylivedtogetherandeveryonecalledher"Mrs．Kaffee".Mr．Kaffeewasinhissixtiesandlovedthefmboyant，oldworldlifestyle,surroundinghimselfwithluxuryaifulwomen．Healwaysworeexpewo–thousand-dolrsuits，silkshirtsanddiamondcufflinks．ThefactthatMrs．Kaffeetookallthiscarelesslyiride，ledmanytobelievethatshewasonlyoneofhisnumerousmistresses，elevatedtothepositionof"Mrs．Kaffee"forhersocialskillsateaiandformakinghislifefortable．TheKaffeeswerefamousfortheirparties，whichwereattendedbypolitisaeofthebusinessworld，drawntherebythebusihefood，thegamblingandthebeautifulwomen．Whicheverwoman，marriedorotherwise，thatMr．Kaffeefancied，Mrs.Kaffeewouldprocureforhim．Shewouldtryallkindsofwaystogettoknowher，beeherfriend，delugeherwithpresentsandpliments，andattheappropriatemoment，pullherintothe．Shewouldalsoextendherservieofhisprivilegedfriends，therebywinningthedubiousniame"Matchmaker"．Mrs．Kaffeewasactuallythemadamofahigh-csscallgirlring．Shehadtheknackoffindingfreshyouieswholookedcssy，asthoughtheycamefromrichfamilies．ShewouldprovidethemwithexpehesandjewelryandhavethemeainMr．Kaffee’sfriends．Theyductedtheirbusinessnaturallyandinspicuouslyinthatglitteringsociatmosphere．

Mr．Kaffeeposedasabanker，butiyhewasadonofthemob，underingmohroughwfulels，therebygainingtheniame"Treasurer"．ThelifestyleoftheKaffees，thoughgrandandluxurious，wasfulloftensionandvigince．Hewasaman，cold，cruel，mercilessandalwaysworedarkgsseswhipletelyhidtheexpressionofhiseyes．Hewasalwayssurroundedbybody-guards．Inthebackyard，therewasahelicopterandaunthedockbythesea,whichwasalwaysreadyforinstantflight．Somehowthismuch-fearedmantookafanarianna．Helovedherfoodandwouldgotothekitandchatcordiallywithherintheirnativetonguelikeanaffableelder．Becauseofthis，thosearoundhimwereafraidthatonedayMariannawouldbeeaniobereedwith;sotheybiogetridofher，fhertnaheKaffeehousehold.

AsMariaonherway，shethoughtofthetwoprettygirlsatthebars．Kaffee’scar．Shemusedtoherself,"Iwonderwheretheyarefrom．Theymaybebeautiful，butI’mafraidtheyarebothairheadsandhavenoideaofwhattheyhadgottenthemselvesinto..．Howunjustlifeis！Somepeopledon’thavetowork，spendmoneylikewater，butmoneyjustflowsinlikeaneream．Butothershavetoworkfrtillnightandbarelymakee．You’thelpbutbelieveinFate.”Soonshereachedherrestaurant，putonherapronaowork．

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FromforceofhabitDimitrituckedthesandwichbaginsidehiscoatbecausefoodhadalwaysbeenveryimportanttohiminhisroaminglife．Hemadeforhome,ghepremonitionthatsomehow，somewhere，hisandMrs．Kaffee’spathshadcrossed．Suddenly，itcametohimlikeaboltoflightningthatshewasohetwenty-fourbeautiesinthatpaTwinPeakMountains．Shewashisfavoritebecauseofhercapabilityandresourcefulness，butheorderedhertobeexecutedwhenhefoundherittingadulterywithohenatives．Hedrewinhisbreathandthought,"Nowondershehatesmeandtriedtogetmeintroublewiththepolice！Isthatherretaliation?"Theseofherexeevividlytomind．Hehadorderedherhandsaobeboundandhungfromatreeonthehillwithhertoesbarelytougtheground．Thenheahegeousbutcold-bloodedMedusatotakearge，rustyknifeandchopIleenintwofromthewaist．Medusaswungfirstatherrightwaistaherleftatthirtysedintervals．Therustyknifedidnotchhheruntiftertwentyattempts，thusprolongingherexcruciatingagony．Thetwonudebeautiesthereinthesu，onekilliher，theheart-rendingcrieseginthewilderillhauntedhim．

Dimitriwasfilledwithdeepregret．"NowwhydidIdothat?Myhatredforheriymademypunishmenttooddrastic.”Dimitrirotatedhisbeautieseverythreetofiveyearsallowihechoicebetweengoingbacktotheirhomesorintermarrywiththenatives.Hewouldthehemhisblessingandasubstantialdowry．Allofthempreferredtostay，biningtheirbeautyandintelligehthenatives’robustvirilityandbringtotheworldanewraen，pledgingtheirwholeheartedloyaltytoKingDimitri．Dimitrithought，"IfonlyIleenhadwaitedawhilelonger，Iwouldhavemarriedheroffwiththerest．Whycouldn''''tshehavewaited?"Butthen，heshookhisheadandsaid，"Well，Isupposesomethingsjusthadtohappenandotbedehat’shumannature.”

Walkingohought，Dimitribumpedintoatall，burlymanindarkgsses，safarihatandexpe,obviouslyabigshot．Immediatelysix，sevenhuskybody-guardscameupshoutingthreateninglyandformedashieldofbodiesaroundtheman．TwoofthemsteppedoutanddraggedDimitriasidetlot，whiletheothersswarmedaroundtheirbossandwalkedintoatall,imposingbuilding．Aftersearghimandfindinghewasonlyapasserbyandnotanassassinorehetwoofthemsaidwhilebeatinghimup，

“Whydon’tyouwatchwhereyoing，youbastard?Doyouknowwhothatwasyoubumpedinto?That’sMr.KaffeeofWorldBank!”Thentheykickedhimandsaid，"GettheFKoutofhere.”Havingbeensuddenlywokenupfromhisreverieandnotknowingwhythemisfortunehadhappeohimoutoftheblue，Dimitripickedhimselfupandassessedthedamages-abckeye,bruisesonhisfadbody，painonhisthighwherehewaskicked，luckilynothingserious．Feelinghimselfover，hishandscameuponapaperbag．HetookitoutandwasangrytofindthatthesandwichMariannahadmadeespeciallyforhimhadbeenbatteredtoapulp．Hedidn’tmindbeienupforbumpingintoabigshot,asthatwasaonenoughoccurrehestreets,buthemiheirsquashinghissandwich，whichwasveryprecioustohimbecauseitcamefromMarianna’shands．Hesatdownwithhisbacktothewalndtriedtoeatthesandwich．Dimitrihadalwaysthoughtthewhadbeeooplicatedandwasunnecessaryatleasttohimwholivedinaworldofhisownwithlittledealingswithhisfellowmen,likeabirdatrge，flyingspontaneouslywherehewouldintothehorizonattwilight．Thisiaughthimthatthewwasnecessarytopreservesocialorder．Butthen，peoplelikeMr．Kaffeelivedabovethewandwasathreattowhoeverearhim，nomatterhowihewas．

"Iwillwrestlelotagainsthim.”Dimitridecided．Helookedupatthetallhigh-riseandthought．"Ohno!Nothere!IotfightWorldBay-handed．Iwillhavetogobaykingdomtodothat.”Heclosedhiseyesandimmediatelyfelsleep．

PurplecloudswererisingfromthemountainstreamandthedawnmisthaddispersedwhenKingDimitriwasseenleadinghistwenty-fourbeautiesoverthesuspensietotheadministrativebuildingoherpeak．Thebeautiesweredressedinloose，soft，silkgoidesleeves，eachgowndifferentfromtheotherincolor,withabandatthewaistshowingofftheirmagnifitfigures．TheyfollowedKingDimitri，theirbillowingskirtsandsleeveslikeslenderwillowsswayinginthewind．Ohempassthebridgelikeatroupeofcelestialnymphswalkiherainbow，thenativesfelltothegroundinaweahereinworship．

Thebeautieshadeachbeentrainedinonespecificfield．Usually，themomenttheyreachedtheotherpteau，eachwouldgodirectlytoherassignedpost．SomewouldgobyhelicoptertotheairbaseatthefootofthemountaihetransportationofallnecessarycargDimitriandhispacecrew．Somewouldgotooverseetheoperationsatthepowerpntandteleunicatioer．Otherswouldgotothehospitandattendtotheneedsofthepatientsthere．Dimitriusuallywenttohisofficewithfourassistantsinchargeofthetreasury,butitecialoccasionthatday．Therewasanairoftenseexpecyasifitweretheeveofadecisivebattle．ThedailyroutinewassetasideandKingDimitristrodeintohisofficefollowedbyalltwenty-fourofhisbeauteousaides．

Hisofficewasmodernandpracticalwithnosigicpaceluxury,theonlyexceptiohehuge，puregoldabacus，studdedwithgemsstandinguprightintheroom．Dimitriwasinfrontoftheabacus，expiningtohisbeautiesabouttheplot．Hemovedthebeadsonitbywayofillustration．KingDimitri’swealthwashardtoestimate．Heownedohofthestocksofthefirstfivehundredmostprestigiouscorporationsintheworld．Heerferedwiththeirpolia,buyingandsellinghisstockswheimewasright，neverlosingbyhistransas．Thesecretwasthathewasamasterofastrologyanddideverythingbysultiars,whoseorbithadamajorinflueheeicactivitiesofourphiswasamysteryofwhilyKingDimitrihadthekeyandwhichheusedtobuildandrulehishugeempire．

Hisofficewaslikea．Hewouldusehisabacustoindicatehisiionstohisassistants，whowouldthendispersetocarryouthisorders．KingDimitristoodbyhisabadgavehisorders：

1．MehispropertiesallovertheworldtotheWorldBankfor200billiondolrstoabsorbtheircapital．ThehemoobuyallpossiblestocksofthebankthatareontheMarketiogainamajorityandhaveasayintheirpolicies．

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2．PywiththestotheMarket，buyingandsellinginsuchawayastocreateillusionsofinstability．Spreadrumorsastothecredibilityofthebanksothattheirerswouldbeinaflurrytowithdrawtheirats，creatingadditionalburdenontheiralreadydeplenishedcapital,likedrainingwaterfromareservoir．

3．OfferarewardofonebilliondolrstowhoevercouldprovideevideheillegalmoneyunderingactivitiesofMr．Kaffee，presidentofWorldBank，therebycreatingdistrustandantagonismwithinthenucleusoftheeomakesurethatthehugerewardwouldiablyindueoobetrayMr．Kaffee．Hewouldtheheevidencesubmittedtotheauthorities，thusentanglinghiminwsuitsandpersecution，discreditinghimshlythathewouldneverbeabletogetfederalfundsfromtheFederalReservetobailhimoutofbankruptcy．

4．PrepareallpapernsnecessarytotakeoverWorldBank．

Thewenty-fourbeautiesdispersedtotheteleunicatioertotagDimitri’semissariesallovertheworldtocarryouthisorders．Amidthesofttreadingalemurmursoftheseperfumed，jeweled，goddess-likebeautiesbrewedthebeginningsofastormthatwouldmakehavocofglobaley．Dimitriwalkedovertotheterraceoverlookingthecrystalclearmountainpooltorestandenjoyacupofcoffeecedwithbrandy．Thebeautieswerebusyingandgoingtoreportontheiriationsandaskforinstrus，butDimitrisattherecalm,fidentandposedlikeaveteranandersureofhisvictory．Now，forthefirsttime，thebeautiessawtheothersideoftheirmaster．Inthepace，hewasgentle，generousaoplease，butnowwhenhehadseriousstatematterstoattendto,hewassevere,resoluteandMachiavellianindealingwithhisenemies，givingpreciseordersaailedstrategies．Hewaslikeanuhedswordwhosedazzlingbrilliandkeennesshadthusfarbeenhiddenandcealed．"Imustseewhattheenemyisabout"thoughtDimitri．Hewalkedovertoacoudinstantlyfelsleep．Knowingtheirmaster’shabits,thebeautiesdidnotdisturbhisslumber,butwaitedbesidehimpatientlytomaketheirreports．

Inhisdream，Dimitricametothetall，imposingbusinessbuilding，WorldBank，forthepurposeofespionage．Hewalkedinandstoodthereforamoment，watgatadistahechaotiebeforehim．Crerswerelinedupbeforetheters，jostling,shouting,talking,totallyignthebankofficialswhotriedtopacifythem．Dimitrinoddedinsatisfathathispnswerealreadyina．Hegotintotheelevator．Half，asexyandfashionablydressedyoungwomain，obviouslyasecretary，carryingatraywithacrystalbottleofLouisXⅢandsomewinegsses．Shepushedthebuttonforthepenthouse．ThebodyguardsatthedoorletherinandDimitrifollowedherintotheluxuriousoffir．Kaffee．Aboutadozenpeoplewerehuddledatoneendofthelongfereable．VeinsstoodoutonhistempleandbeadsofcoldsweatbegantoshowonhisforeheadasMr．Kaffeelistehereportsofhismosttrustedaides．Gohegentlemanlikemannersandculturedspeetimesofcrisis，herevealedhimselfinhistruecolorsshouting,

"ThisisnoFKence！Wefoundouttoogoddamnte！Paisanos,thisisapremeditatedplot，capiche?Idon’tFKencareaboutthoseson-of-a-bitchesstealingh．I’vegotplentyofwaystogetthatSh1T．Whatchillsmeistheonebilliondolrreward．Someonemightratonus.”Hiseyeslookedmenaglyatthosearouable．"youguyswithstaation?you?"Therewaspletesileheroom．Noonedaredtomeethisacgeyes．Mr．Kaffeestoodupandwalkedrestlesslytoandfrolikeacagedlion．Deepdowninhisheart,hekhatinhisworlditwaseverymanforhimself．Theonlytiethatboundthesementohimwasnotloyaltybutgreedformoney．Hekheweaknessesofhumannaturealltoowell，havingmadefulluseofhispeersonhislongclimbupthedderofhis"family"．Finallyhecametotheonlyclusionpossible．Hestruckthetablewithhisfistforcefullyandsaid．

"IwanthimFKensnuffed!Whoeverthatson-of-a-bitchiswhtoFKwithus．Iwanthimsnuffed!hoishe?Whatfamilyishefrom?"

"Uh...Dunno，DonKaffee．Weain’tevahoidofhimbefo’.”

"Heonlysendshissoldiers.”

"Theysayhe’ssomeno-namebillionaire.”

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"ThebeefisthathisnameisDimitriJa.”

"Whoeverheis，Iwanthimwipedout!IwantyouguystohithimwitheveryFKenthingwe’vegot．Everything，cabishee?Seofthefamily．Iwanthimsnuffed！Iwantraceofthisassholeleft，cabishee?"Mr．Kaffee’svoicerosetoascreedhisfaceturred.Dimitrifeltachildishdelightthathecouldheformidablemobsterintoababblingmassofnerves．Hecppedhishandsandughedoutloud，saying，"I’mhere！I’mhere！eame!”

Hewokeupughingandsaying，"I’mhere！I’mtheoneyou’relookingfor！"Thepeoplewaitingatthebusstop,eagertogethomeafterahardday’swork,turheirheadsandlookedathimcuriously．Dimitrilookedaroundhimdazed，andfoundthatitwasalreadygettingdark．Hesighed，"Backtotherealwain.”Helookedupatthetallimposingbuildingwithlightsalbze，ahimself，sittingonthecurbofthesidewalk．"HowItoppleabanklikethatsingle-handedly?Iamonlyoneinacrowd;amanoreetlikeanantintheforest．Butaninsignifitmanlikemesurehadaludicrousdream!”WhathedidnotknowwasthatMr．Kaffeewasalreadyfagthegreatestchallengeofhislife．Fromwithinhistight-knitcircle，thestruggleforpowerhadbegunandhislieutenantswerefightingforsuccession．

Dimitrishookhishead，stretchedhisstiffandagbodyandsaid，"Timetogohome，Iguess.”HewalkedslowlytowardsMarianna’shouse，dubiousastotheroleheshouldpyinthisprosperous，fast-movingandcut-throatworld．Hemused,"Idonotaskmuchoflife．Ionlywantthebaresties，enoughfoodtosurvive，tolivelifethewayIwant，freeasabirdtoroamwhereverIwillinthiswideworld，bearnoresponsibilitytoahustransflifeintothehighestspiritualsublimation．Idon’tcareaboutwhatothersthinkofme．Callmeastreetcatifyouwill．Ionlywanttodreammymagnifitdreamsunhampered．Iwillbesatisfiedtoekeoutalivingthisway，buttheeventsofthestfewdayshavebeengingrapidlylikeakaleidoscope，andnowIhaveawomanandahometogobackto.”Dimitrishookhishead．Thisnewlifemadehimfeelhedgedinbyitspressuresandresponsibilities．"No，thisisnotwhatIwant.”hethought，butMarianna’sloveandaffeatesolicitudewerethetiesthatpulledhisrelutfootstepstowardsherhouse.

Marianna’stwo-bedroomhousewassituatedinacul-de-saiddle-cssresidentiarea，notfarfromthemainthhfare，quietbuteasilyaccessible．TheoutlihehouseuhemoonlightgaveDimitrianunfamiliarfeelingofwarmth，asenseofbelonginghehadneverfeltbefore．Hewentintothehouseanddrewbackallthecurtainsintheliving-roomtoletthemoonlightsurgeinandfillitwithhertranslucidbrilliance．Beingacedtodarkness，hedidnotturnonthelight，deemingitsacrilegioustospoilnature’spoeticbeauty．Hesatthereonthesofa，baskinginthemoonlightaasrexedasifhewassailingonanopensea.Hiseyesfellonanopeeronthecoffeetable．Unsciously，hepickeditupandlookedatit．

"Ah，it’sfromItaly，Marianna’shometown.”HedidnotuandItalian，sohecouldheletter，buthewasfasatedbythepictureofamanandaboy．Themiddle-agedmanwasarustworthytypeofafellowandtheboywasabouteightornineyearsold,chubbyandcute．Atthatmoment，anotedroppedoutandDimitrigit，surpriseditwasinEnglish．Tohischagrin，hefounditwaswrittento"DearestMommy"telliheirimmiimmigrationtotheU.S.Theshortletterwassigned"Yoursonnyboy，David"．

"OhmyGod！Marianna’smarried！Shehasahusbandandason!”Dimitriwasfullofself-nation．"Ishouldhavekno