1984

           Yes,hesawnow,hehadalwaysknownit. Buttherewasnotimetothinkofthat. Allhehadeyesforwasthetruncheonintheguard’shand. Itmightfallanywhere;onthecrown,onthetipoftheear,ontheupperarm,ontheelbow—— 

           Theelbow! Hehadslumpedtohisknees,almostparalysed,claspingthestrickenelbowwithhisotherhand. Everythinghadexplodedintoyellowlight. Inconceivable,inconceivablethatoneblowcouldcausesuchpain! Thelightclearedandhecouldseetheothertwolookingdownathim. Theguardwaslaughingathiscontortions. Onequestionatanyratewasanswered. Never,foranyreasononearth,couldyouwishforanincreaseofpain. Ofpainyoucouldwishonlyonething:thatitshouldstop. Nothingintheworldwassobadasphysicalpain. Inthefaceofpaintherearenoheroes,noheroes,hethoughtoverandoverashewrithedonthefloor,clutchinguselesslyathisdisabledleftarm.