Chapter 12

           (TheMabbotstreetentranceofnighttown,beforewhichstretchesanuncobbledtramsidingsetwithskeletontracks,redandgreenwill-o’-the-wispsanddangersignals.Rowsofgrimyhouseswithgapingdoors.Rarelampswithfaintrainbowfans.RoundRabaiotti’shaltedicegondolastuntedmenandwomensquabble.Theygrabwafersbetweenwhicharewedgedlumpsofcoralandcoppersnow.Sucking,theyscatterslowly.Children.Theswancombofthegondola,highreared,forgesonthroughthemurk,whiteandblueunderalighthouse.Whistlescallandanswer.)

           THECALLS:Wait,mylove,andI’llbewithyou.

           THEANSWERS:Roundbehindthestable.

           (Adeafmuteidiotwithgoggleeyes,hisshapelessmouthdribbling,jerkspast,shakeninSaintVitus’dance.Achainofchildren’shandsimprisonshim.)

           THECHILDREN:Kithogue!Salute!

           THEIDIOT:(Liftsapalsiedleftarmandgurgles.)Grhahute!

           THECHILDREN:Where’sthegreatlight?

           THEIDIOT:(Gobbling.)Ghaghahest.

           (Theyreleasehim.Hejerkson.Apigmywomanswingsonaropeslungbetweentworailings,counting.Aformsprawledagainstadustbinandmuffledbyitsarmandhatsnores,groans,grindinggrowlingteeth,andsnoresagain.Onastepagnometottingamongarubbishtipcrouchestoshoulderasackofragsandbones.Acronestandingbywithasmokyoillampramsherlastbottleinthemawofhissack.Heheaveshisbooty,tugsaskewhispeakedcapandhobblesoffmutely.Thecronemakesbackforherlair,swayingherlamp.Abandychild,asquatonthedoorstepwithapapershuttlecock,crawlssidlingafterherinspurts,clutchesherskirt,scramblesup.