Зима тревоги нашей

           "Hewas?DoesMr.Bakerbelong?"

           "It’sinhisfamilytoo."

           Wewereinthealleynow.Morphfishedforthekeytothebank’sbackdoor."Maybethat’swhyweopenthesafelikealodgemeeting.Mightaswellbeholdingcandles.It’skindofholy."

           "Morph,"Isaid,"you’refullofbullthismorning.Easterdidn’tcleanyouupatall."

           "I’llknowineightdays,"hesaid."No,Imeanit.Comesnineo’clockonthenosewestanduncoveredinfrontoftheholyofholies.ThenthetimelockspringsandFatherBakergenuflectsandopensthesafeandweallbowdowntotheGreatGodCurrency."

           "You’renuts,Morph."

           "Maybeso.Goddamthisoldlock.Youcouldopenitwithanicepickbutnotwiththekey."Hejiggledthekeyandkickedatthedooruntilitfinallyburstopen.HetookapieceofKleenexfromhispocketandjammeditintothespringlock’sseat.

           Icaughtmyselfabouttoask,Isn’tthatdangerous?

           Heansweredwithoutthequestion."Damnthingwon’tlockitselfopen.CourseBakercheckstoseeit’slockedafterthesafe’sopen.Don’tblowmydirtysuspicionstoMarullo,willyou?He’stoosolvent."

           "Okay,Morph,"Isaidandturnedtomyowndooronmyownsideofthealley,andlookedaroundforthecatthatalwaystriedtogetin,buthewasn’tthere.

           Inside,thestorelookedchangedandnewtome.IsawthingsIhadneverseenbeforeanddidn’tseethingsthathadworriedandirritatedme.Andwhynot?Bringneweyestoaworldorevennewlenses,andpresto—newworld.