2

“Ofcoursesomedid.”Richardanswered.“ButyouknowOliverKaffeeisadouble-facedguy.Onthesurfaceheisaprinceoffiiyheisthekingoftheunderworld.Hekeepsthebigandsmallheadsofdifferementsurictsurveilnceusinghisunderlings.Anyhintofnon-pliancewassubjectedtothreats,thenimprisoandtorture,evenassassinationiftheydonotprovetobemalleable.Asaresult,everyonewasscaredahreatened,sonoonedaredvoiyopposingopinion.Butalthoughnopublicdissenthadbeenexpressed,strong-armedtacticscouldnotsuppressprivategrumblingsandtheindignationofthegeneralstaff.”Dimitri’steurnedcoldaerminedasitwaswanttowheneverchallenged.

“Blind?Sowhat?Theimportantthingisheisalive.”Jamazansweredcalmly.HegrewupintheAfrigrassndsandwasusedtoseeinglifeahstruggles,sophysicaldisabilitywasnobigdealtohim.

“Thisisreallyanactofprovideneverintheirwildestdreamwouldtheyhavesuspectedthatwehadseenthroughtheirscummyplot.Ohyes,Richard.Howeyouhavetimetopythepartofashoe-shinemayourpositionaspresidentofWorldBanksatisfyyouandkeepyoubusyenough?”

“Patieience.”answeredDimitri,rexinghismilitantexpression.“Thetimingisright.Wheimees,Iwillgetbackthepositionsofpresidentandvice-presidentofWorldBankforyouagain.”

Richardsuddenlythoughtofsomethingandasked,

“EventhoughinmyKingdomofDreams,Ipossessfabulouswealth,intherealworldIhavefritteredawayhalfmylifeinaimlessdriftingandwandering.Irealizenow,tomydeepestregret,thatIhaveunsciouslywastedthegoldenyearsofmylife.EvenifIwerewillingtospendallthegoldIhave,Iotredeemasedofthetimethathasgoneby.Yes,youthhasvaimehasflownbyandotberetrieved.Springbreezeblowsohyearafteryear,butnomatterhowassiduouslythespringbreezeblowsorhowfertilethesoil,tendergreenleaveswillneverburstforthfromthewitheredbranchesofarotted,rootlesstree.”Lotus’softsmoothskincoveredDimitri’swholebodyandDimitrifeltasifhewerelyingonacloud,fettingevenhisowence.Heohetougofskinonskin.Thatsoft,smoothskinwaswarmandfresh.Dimitrifelthewaslyingbuoyantlyonacloud,floating,floatingtoafarahisheart,therewasalwaysthisinexplicablesadhathehadtrifledthroughthegoldenyearsofhislifeandthattodayhewaslikearootlesstree.Noamountbreezeailesoildudergreenleavestainonitswitheredbranches.Yes,try,tryagain;squeeze,squeezeagain;buttonoavail.Timeotberecoveredandyoutheagaihesungoesdownthehorizon,whenwhitehairgraduallyclimbupmyskull,theregretsiwillonlygrow.Inthismundaneworld,Ihavewastedhalfmylifeindriftingandwanderingaimlessly,squanderingmygoldenyears.Thenighttimeoflifewillsoonapproach.Let’shopethatinthenighttherewillbeafullmoon.ButIamonlyawitheredtree,standingalohekeside.Uhemoon,theglisteningwavesofthekeshimmerinsilverysplendor.Mysilverhairisruffledbythespringbreeze.Ah!Don’tthesilverywavesandmysilveryhairenhanceeachother?AlthoughIhavewastedmyyouth,brilliantasgold,Iwillnotfailtoliveuptotheremainingyearsofmylifewhosesparklingsheenisaslustrousassilver.Eventhoughthesunhassetandsankbeyondthehorizon,inmyabdomenasunhasriseleandgenial,givingofflight,silentlysendingoutitsresidualwarmth.Solongastheredsuninmyabdomeextinguish,solongasthespringbreezedoesnotstopblowing,oendergreenleaveswillburstfainonmywitheredtrunk.

“Givemeyourears.Ihaveagreatsecrettotellyou.”KingDimitriputhimonhispalmandraisedhimtohisearswherethelittlefellowwhisperedafewwordssecretively.KingDimitri’steonceged.Anexpressieandangerfshedbyforamoment,butwasimmediatelytrolledandKingDimitriresumedhisgentleanddignifieddemeanor.Hewassilentforamoment,thinkingthislittleinformerwasnotveryreliable.Hiswordsshouldbetakenwithagrainofsalt.HethoughtheknewAishaandthatshewasnotooitsuchtransgressions.Sohenoddedandsaid,

“Good!That’sverywelldone.”WhiteFairytinued,“Onmywayhere,IsawDorna,Mary,DianaandSheisailingonthekequitenearhere.Youcouldboardtheirsailboatandcrosstotheoppositeshore.Dornaisfasatedwithsailingthesedays.Whynotgiveheracetoshowoff?”KingDimitrismiledandsaid,

2

“Thenmyfacemustbeontheircamerasandsoontheywillbeafterme.They’relikethat,catgeveryoesintotactwiththeirquarryandpulltheminforiigation.”

Aishakhislittlemannevercoulddistinguishbetweenrightandwrong,goodandevil.Hiswordsandaswerealwaysexcessiveandbantering.Soshedidn’twastetimeexpining.Fillingupthegss,shegentlyliftedMr.Fingerandputhiminthewine.Assoointothegss,Mr.Fingersankhisbodytothebottomandbegangulpinggreedily.Whenhisheadsurfacedfromhisarousdrink,hesweptbackthehairpsteredonhisforeheadandwipedhisfacewithhishands.HesawAishasmilingathim.Mr.Fingerhiccuppedtipsilyandasked,

“Iwouldratherliketogointoface-to-fabatwiththemandfighttothedeath.Iotstandthishidingandlurkingaround!”

“Idon’tknow.”Dimitrianswered.“ButIbelieveit’snotKaffee.BecauseIamundersurveilnce,IbelieveIamsafe.Kaffeeandhisgangwillnotbeabletogetthroughtome.Soforthemoment,formyowyIdonotwanttoberidofityet.Iknowhowtodealwithit..NoonekeepmedownunlessIletthem.”Jamaztiltedhisbottleandtulp.

“Mydearlittlepal,whomadeyoumad?TellmeandIwillpunishtheculprit.”Mr.Fingersaid,

“IfoundDimitrihasgonepletelyblind.”

“Heisurictsurveilwehavearraomeettonight.YouandImusthelphimleavetheapartmentbuildingwhereheisliving.”

3

“Don’taskmewhereIcamefrom.I’vebeehetime.IreallywishKingDimitriwerehere.Iwonderwhathewouldhavefeltifhesawthegreatperformanow.”Aishahungherheadasilent.Mr.Fingertinuedharshly,“TheBeautiesintheKingdomoftensayamongthemselvesthatalthoughKingDimitrihasmadeyouhisqueen,itwasonlyamatteroftime.Theyallrespectyou;trustinyouriyandmorality.YouenjoypopurfidenedayKingDimitriwillmakeyouhisqueen.Butyou!Yougobehindhisbadhavesexwithanotherman!Youhaveleteveryonedown.HowyoufagDimitri?Howyoufaceyourself?HowyoufacetheBeautiesandyoursubjetheKingdom?”

Retly,thenormallyintelligentandrationalAishasomehowcouldnotcurbhermoodfromswinginglikeapendulumfromoremetotheitated,anxious,tenseandedgy,shefoundthatherorderlylifehadpletelybeendisrupted.Ominousforebodingsoftendisturbedherthoughts.Herheartwaslikeanopengarbagewhereswarmsoffliesbuzzedbusilyabout.Depressionmounteddailylikeadegcorpsethrownintothewilderhestenchofdegfleshwasnon-dispersible,refusingtobescattered.Today,heruledemotionsreacheditsheightandstruggledonthebrinkofmentalcolpse.Shedecidedtousephysicalexertiontoexpendherpent-upenergy,soshejumpedintotheswimmingpoondswaminnumerablepsesuntilshewastotallyexhausted.Thensheclimbedoutwearilyanddroppedontotheloungechairuhesunshadetorest.Helpedalongbyhalfabottleofbrandy,Aishaforcedhermindtograduallyrex,beingobscureandhazy.Shereallyneededsleep.Indeedshegradually,graduallycalmeddownanddriftedintodreamnd.Buteventhere,fragmentsifuhoughtstiopesterher.OnemomentKingDimitriandtheBeautiesweregatheredtogetherenjoyingavishbahemomenttheheavensweredarkenedbycrowdsofhugebats,screamingandwhirlingmenaglyaround.Feroedusasoaredupintothesky.Thoughoutnumbered,shefoughttheaggressorsbravelyanddropsofbloodshowereddownfromonhigh.NowAishasawbarbariansmargnearerandnearer,appearingintheforestsandshootingfieryarrowsattheluxuriousandmajesticpace.Soonfirebrokeouteverywhereandthewholepacewasedinfmes.ShecriedoutinfrightaoseeKingDimitrihitbyahugeburningpilr.WasKingDimitritodielikethat?Aishawokeupinarmandshotupfromherloungechair.Beforefullyrechersenses,shesawatall,stalwart,virilemanstandingnotfarfromher.Theman’soutearancelookedlikeDimitri’sgoodfriendJamaz,butshecouldnotbesure,buthislibidinouseyesglitteredrimitivelust.Withoutknowingwhyshedidso,Aishasubsciouslyhestrangemaninacquiesce.

“Maybe.Butallthey’dgetisfragmentsofourversation,nothingtheyakeheadsortailsoutof.Maybethey’dthinkIwasmutteringtomyselfasIusuallydo.”

1

“Thankheaverictestsecurityhasitsxhtsandweareabletobreakthroughtheirdrag.”

“Dimitri,howeyouareundersuchstrictsurveilnce?Whoarethesepeople?”

“Yes.Thelittleimpdoesn’tknowthesetwotigersarereallyferociousandareKingDimitri’sbodyguards.Hethinksthesearetwestripedpussycats!”Thethreeofthemughedheartily,roseandpreparedtoleavethesimplethatchedhut.

“Isawyoustreakingoverhereinahurry.Wastheresomethingimportantyouwaoknow?”

“Thismustbeyourlittlepal,Mr.Finger,pyingwiththetigers.”Lotusnoddedandsaid,

Whenthegroupofpeopleear,Mr.Fingerfredupbeforetheycouldsayanything.WithonehandonhishipsandonehandpointingacglyatDorna,hesaid,

“Iamresurrected!Iamresurrected!FromnowonIwilluseeverymeansinmypowertopaybackDimitri!”

Justthen,Aishaheardasoft,squeakysoundnearby.Shelookedtowardstheinofthesoundandsawasmallfigureingoutofherbeautiful,exquisitesandals.Aishacried“Mr.Fihelittlemanwalkedoutofthesandalsghishandsandughinguproariously.

“Who’sdrunk?”Mr.Fingercried.“Youaredrunk!Who’sraving?It’syouwhoareraving!Ispokethetruth.Afteryoucame,thesetwotigersdon’tlistentomeanymore.Isn’tthatyourfault?”HewavedtoKojakandCortezsaying,“ehere!”Butobviouslyhisandnolongerworked.TheyremainedbehindDornaanddidnotbudge.Dornasaidtriumphantly,

“Undersurveilnce?Whyisheurictsurveilnce?”

“Beforetoday,IthoughtIwastheonlytinypersonintheworld.ButnowIknowthereisanotherone.Doesthismeanweweremeantforeachother?”Mr.Fingergawkedatthetinynakedbeauty,thesamesizeashimself.Shehadapairofeyes,lively,erotidsultry,whichcouldhypnotizeandcaptivateanyman.Butwhensheclosedhereyes,obliteratingthefasatingorbs,yousawabeautifulface,pureandnaiveasanangel.Mr.Fingerwastoied.Hestutteredandstammeredandcouldnotbecoherent.

Themoonlightshoherosesinfullbloomontherooftopgarden,projegtheirslightlyswayingformsontothebaable.Thecovertmovementofthesefragrantshadowsshowedthattimeerceptiblycreepingby.Ah!Thereisnotimelikethepresent!Makefulluseofthemoonlight,theflowers,andenjoylifetotheutmostinsteadofbewailinglostopportunitieswhenthemoonwanesandtheflowersfade.KingDimitrifeltsomeoaplightlyonhisshoulder.HeturnedandsawitwasthesimpleandnaiveDobletinhand,standingbehindhim,askingtimidly,“MayItoastyou,KingDimitri?”Ohatthelittlegirlheeetinoneofhisurbantravelshadnowgrownintoanattractiveyoungdy,thegoldeneveningdressmakingherseemmrownup,KingDimitrifeltapleasantsurprise.Heacceptedhergobletandsippedfromit.Theotherbeautiesweregratifiedandrelievedathisgeofmood.Theysatthere,withsmilesintheireyes,watgasthehappyKingDimitriacceptedDorna’stoast.Thentheygracefullystoodupoeranotherandtoastedhiverythinghadreturonormal,happyandharmoniousasitalheneverKingDimitrireturnedfromhiswanderings.Peafterpealofsilveryughterrangoutfromtherooftopgardebeautifundmelodiousmusiearth.

Dimitrinodded.Lotusimmediatelyputdowntheworkshehadonhandandtookoutablueandwhiteporbowlgildedwithgoldedge.Madebyexpertcraftsmen,itwasadelicatelytexturedbowl,thinascardboardpaper.Shetookoutaspoon,simirincoloraureandputitinthebowl.Thesoundofthespoonhittingthebowlwasringingandmelodious.Lotusdledthemouth-wateringpeintothebowndbroughtitovertoKingDimitri.Shestoopeddownbyhissidebeforethebedandscoopedoutaspoonfulofthepe,raisedittoherred,flowerlikelipsandblewlightlyonittocoolitdownabit.Theedit.Findiemperaturesuitable,shefeditintoDimitri’smouthslowlyahodically.LotusfedhimspoonfufterspoonfundKingDimitriswallowedeverymouthfulofthedeliciouspe.Silently,KingDimitrihalfreedonthebed,fullyenjoyinghergentleservice.HepcedhishandsonLotus’shoulderandback,lightlycaressingtheglowing,glossyskin,smoothandsoftassatin.Dimitrithoughttohimself,

“That’sforter.”Dimitrianswered.“We’lltalkaboutitwheimees.Atthemoment,wehavetothinkaboutstayingalive.Youtwopleasebecarefundtrytobeinvisible.OnceOliverKaffeeandhisgasstofyou,therewillbetrouble.Butthingsarenotthatbadyet.Atthemoment,OliverKaffeewillnotdaretokillyou.Butbecarefulnottofallintohishands.Ifyoudo,thingswillbehardtopredict.”

“KingDimitribroughtmehere.Heismyfriend.”Vio’sbrainwasingwhensheheardthis,butshekepttheentigsmileonherfadsaid,

“Ifyoussofwine,Iwillkeepyoursecret.IswearIwon’tsayaword.Mylipsaresealed.Iwon’ttellKingDimitriwhatIjustsaw.Isleasebelieveme.Iswear!”

“See.It’snotmyfault.Theydon’twanttoobeyyouanymore.Youshouldexamineyourownwordsandastoseewhytheywon’tobeyyoubutwouldonlyobeyKingDimitri.”Mr.Fingerwavedhishandsandshoutedangrily,

“ehereimmediately!Iwillgiveyouonemorece.OtherwiseIwillkillyoutwobeasts.”Inreply,thetigersroaredathiminunisonangrily.Mr.Fingerfeltagreatlossofface.TheexultantexpressiononDorna’sfacemortifiedhimandhedidn’tknowwhattodo.Soheputonhisrapscallionact,satonthegroundgandshouting

WhiteFairyarrivedatthesimplethatchedhut,gedintohumanformandknockedsoftlyatthedoor,askinginahushedvoice,

“Whydoyourefuseme?”Lotussatup,smoothedherruffledhair,puthersofthandintohisandsaid,

“Iwon’tforceyoutogoifyoudon’twantto.Youaresafehereinmykingdom.Noonewillbullyyouthatincludeallthebirds,fish,animalsandis.Youaremyfriend,KingDimitri’sfriend.”Sayingsoheledthelittlegroupontothepier,boardedthesailboata.Inthesurgingwaves,thergewhitefishcoveredwithgeousscalesasifshewerewearingasequencedeveninggowncouldbeseentaili.ShegazedfixedlyateverymovementandaofKingDimitriandhisbeauties,hereyesfulloflongingandselfpity.

“Really?”saidJamazdelightedly.“Thereishopeforusthen.Whereishe?”

“MynameisVio.Igrewupinthesefieldsandwaters.HoweIhaveneverseenyoubefore?Whereareyoufrom?”

TheVesperhours.Wildpigeonsperchedontherooftopsseemedtobeunusuallyrestiveandfidgety.Uheeaves,Dimitri,fiohiscellofaroom,couldfindnosafewaytoleaveit.Ayghisheartashesatsurroundedbydarknessandgloom.Philosophicallyresigned,Dimitrithought,“Sihingbedone,Ihadbetternotwastetimeandenergyinthinkingaboutit.Theykeepwatyfleshbody.theymonitorwhatgoesoniandsoul?No.Ofcoursenot.Soletthemdowhattheywant!”Oncehereachedthedecisiontodonothingandthinkofnothing,itwasasifaloadhadbeenliftedfromhisheartandhismoodlightened.Hehalfreedonanold,dipidatedsofa,litacigaretteandpuffedonitserehesofahadevidentlyseeerdays.Hereandthereyellow,discoloredfillingsburstthroughrupturedseamsandholes,butoldusedthingshaveawayofexudingfortandease.Occasionally,scrapesofhumanversationfloatedinthroughthewindows.Ireetoutsidecarsdrovebysoundlessly.Buttheroomwasfilledonlywithquietness.Butquietnessisthetimewhenmiraclesoftenhappen.

“Youhavethiswonderfulthingherebutyouhoarditanddon’tshareitwithus!It’sreallytoobadofyou.”Lotusughedandsaid,

“Ofcourse!It’sthefirstthingIdid.That’swhatiswme.Whenithappened,Ikeptcallingheadquarters,hopingtogethelp,butIcouldablishtact.TheKingdomofDreamsseemedtohavebeeaKingdomofEmptiness.Noreply.Noreply.Thesequenceswerethesame.IntheendIhadtogiveup.JamazandIwerebothsickwithworry.penedbackthereintheKingdom?”

“ebaeback!Areyourebelling?Howdareyoumovebefiveyoupermission!”Butthetwotigersranstraighttowardsthedockwithoutabackwardgnce,leavingMr.Fiandingtherefumingwithrage.

“Goaway!It’sallyourfault.Beforeyoucame,thesetwotigerswereveryobedient.Nowthatyouarehere,theydon’tlistentomeanymore.It’sallyourdoing.Goaway.Idon’twanttoseeyou.”DornawasangrytobeshoutedatsorudelybyMr.Fihemomentshended.Shesaid,

“TeaisanativeproductofwhereIefrom.It’saveryondrink.Ifyoulikeit,youtakesomewithyouwhenyouleave.Ihavealotofthemhere.”

Dimitrihurriedbacktohislittlenicheofaroomafterfinishingsigninghislease,feelinghappy,rexedandunburdened.Actually,inhisstagnantlife,therewasreallynothingsentastorequirethishaste.Butinhisnomadlife,hewasusedtoidlenessandloafingabout,neverhavingbeenencumberedwithtrivialthingsheodo.Sohealwaysrushedtogetthesethingsoutofthewaysohecouldenjoyanabundanceofcherishedleisuretime.Hecouldnotaffordtoclutterhismindwithpettychoresanddistractitfromtheimportantthingsthatobedecidedrightaway.Hemusttratehiseffortsondealingwiththesemomentousissuesappropriatelyandsatisfactorily,astheleasthtcouldgiverisetounforeseeabledisaster.Forexample,hemustgivehisdazzlinggoldpaceasuitablenameandfindouthowsuenormousstrucouldhavebeenpletedht,aigationlongoverdue.Bysettlinginhishermitagebytheke,hiskingdomhadbeewithoutasn.Heoremedythisbyferrileof‘queen’ohebeauties.ButwhowouldbethebestdidatetoleadtheKingdomindealingwithitsdailyagendawasadecisionthatrequiredmuchforethought.AlsohewasnotignorantofthefactthatbarbariantribeshadbeenaggressivelyexpandingandwasgettingcloserandclosertohismysteriousKingdom,endangeringitssafety.Allthesewereimportahatrequiredhisimmediateattention.

“No”repliedWhiteFairy.“Medusatookitoutwithherearlythism,sayingtheywillmakearoundofthebordersoftheKingdomtogethersothatLightningwouldbefamiliarwiththeyofthendanduandthesurroundingenviro.MedusasaidshewantstogivethejobofpatrollingtheborderstoLightningsothatsheherselftrateonsafeguardingthesecurityoftheheartoftheKingdomwherewelive.Thatis,thekeanditssurroundingmountains.”KingDimitrismiledandnoddedinagreement.

Dimitritimisticpersoaininghisloveoflifeinthedirestcircumstanowheseemedtohaveagainfoundvalueandsignificeoflifeaveryhappy.Hefinishedhisdrinkataquaff.WhileDimitriilylostinhisdeepreverie,avoiceoutsidethewindowcalledhisovoice,“Hey!Dimitri!Dimitri!”Hewastakenunawares.Havingjustretlymovedintothisapartment,hewasstillunfamiliarwithhissurroundingsandhadnofriendstospeakof.Whocouldbecallinghim?

“LookKingDimitri!Someoneising!”Dimitrilookedoutofthewindowandsauffofsmokestreakfromtheadministrativebuilding,rushoverthekeandetowardshim.

Mr.Fingercuppedhishandsandtiodrink.HesaidtoAisha,

WhenDimitribecamegoodfriendswithRichardandJamaz,hebroughtabouttheatricalgesintheirlives.Thesetwohomelessstreetpersonssuddenlybecamepresidentandvice-presidentofWorldBank,risingtothepinnacleofsociety.Dimitricouldeffectsuchmagicalgesinredesigningandtransffate.RichardandJamazwerelikespectacurfireworksuothenightsky,butsuchtraandmagnifitdispyvanishedanddisappearediwinklingofaneyeaotheearth.So,RichardandJamazwereagainhomeless.Worsethanbefore,theyhadtododgeMr.Kaffe’srelentlessmurderousperseedusahadgedMr.KaffeeintoastonesculptureontherooftopofWorldBank.Howdidhemaoresurrect?WhydidMedusa’smagicspellfail?StormycloudsareloomingoverDimitri’sKingdomofDreamsforetellingoftumultuous,formidableanduedgesabouttotakepce.

“Me,too”saidJamaz.“Iamnotsuitedtobevice-president.EverydayIhavetodressupformallyandtalkaboutthingsIdon’treallyuand.”Hetensedhismuscles,showingoffhisextremelytonedbody.“Iliketousemymuscle.”Thenhepoiohishead.“Idon’tliketousemybrains.”

“Ihavesetupashoe-polishingstandthere”saidRichard,pointingtotheparkinglotacrossthestreet.“Iputasmallrefrigeratorinmyoldpickuptrudsellbeer,sodaandcigarettesaswell.Ipolishshoesandpychesswithmyersatthesametime,5pergame.Youknoulsivegambler.Iotlivewithoutthestimution.Ifotyouareblindnohat’swheremystandis.IfoundoutyoulivedherethreedaysagobutInevertactedyoubecauseIsawtherewasalwayssomeoeringunderyourwindow,sometimespeekinginasifkeepingyouundersurveilnce.Whathedidn’tknoasthereacrossthestreetkeepinganeyeonhim!”

“Won’tthebugstakedownallwesay?”

“Don’tfetthere’sus.”answeredJamaz.“Wewilltakecareofyou.Weareyoure.”

Dimitriwokefromhisdreamsyawningdrowsily.Heopenedhisheavyeyelidsandlookedaround.Theblueskiesoutsideweredottedwithafewclouds.Bythewindow,Lotusinningcottonwiththeelegant,unhurriedandleisurelypacecharacteristicofher.The“YiYa”soundofthesoftlywhirlingspinningwheelwastheonlysoundintheroom.Byherfeetwasasmallredstoveotonit,givingoffthedelicateandrefreshingfragranceoflotusseedstew.Everythingwascalmandquiet,withnohintofdisturbaurmoil.Dimitri’sheartcalmeddowninreliefasifaloadhadfallenoffhismind.HerememberedclearlydrinkinghappilywithRichardandJamazinthedesertedrosegardenstnight.Butnowhewasbackagaininhismajestigdom.Hadhedreamedofbeiahetreacherouswebofthemundaneworld?Orwashelivinginthehumdrumworld,dreamingofamajestigdomwithfabulousrichesandnumerousexoticbeauties?Hecouldnotreallydrawtheliweeyandfantasy.Dimitristaredbnklyattheblueskiesoutsidethewindoryousay,reallifeisanendlessextensionofdreams,anddreamsareaprojeofreality.Thetwoco-existandoverpeachother,soitisneedlesstodistinguishbetweenthem.Havingreachedasatisfactoryclusion,Dimitrismiled.Herememberedthatinthemundaneworld,hisrolewasthatofapitifulblindman,avictimoffate.Somaifulthingshadgonebyhiseyes,buthecarelesslyoverlookedthemandfailedtograbholdofanyofthem.LuckilyinhisKingdomofDreams,hestillhadhissight.Hemusttreasureallthathappenedandappearedbeforehiseyes,imprintingthemindeliblyinhismemory,sotheycouldneverbeobliterated.DimitrilookedatLotus’curvaceoussilhouette.Herelegant,unhurriedmovementsweremesmerizingaicedhiseyes.

“Yes.Yes.”Richardsaid.“Giveusyourorders,Dimitri.Wewilldoasyouandehellhwater.”

TalndstalwartJamaztiowalkaimlesslyalongthebanksofLakeMerritt.Hewasreminisgandrelivingwhathadjusthappehatafternoon.“It’sreallyunbelievablethatsuchafasatingaffaircouldhavehappeome!’hemused.AcctoOldStahegardenbelongstoaworld-famoussanisvenduringsexhermovementsanddispositionweresorefineda.IrememberDimitrihasabeautyinhisKingdomcalledAisha,whoisalsoasekiloveherverymuch.Theymustbedeeplyinlove.”Jamazstoppedshortashewasstruckwithanotheridea.“Couldtheybeohesameperson?No.No.Therecouldn’tbesuchdramatictheworld.”Ofcoursehehadnowayofknowingaboutthelittleman’sappearaerhehadleft,noroftheensuingversatioweenAishaandMr.Finger.Hecertainlywouldhavebeenshockedifhedid.Howcouldtherebesuchces?Buttheworldismadeupofinnumerablejustsuces,yeruponyer,interlog,interwovenandiing.Justthen,apiergwhistlesoundedbehindhihecardooropenedandJamazknewRichardwashere.Hehurriedover,jumpedinandthecarquicklyspedaway.

“Yes!HowfortunateIam!Iamtheonlypersonintheworldnotceivedbytheintercourseofafatherandmother.Nomatterwhat,lifeistobecelebratedandIamthatluckyperson.”ButthenhesuddenlythoughtofKingDimitri,whopossessedunfathomablewealthandhadsomaiestokeephimpany.

Richardhesitatedandthensaidslowly,“Gettingourpositionsbackagainisreallynotimportant.Ihavetastedwhatitistohavepowerandriches.That’senough.Iamlikealittlestickthathasbeenignitedandgaveofflighta.IfeelIammostsuitedtobeathief,blendingintocrowdsingamblinghallsandbar-rooms.”

“Yes.IamEasterlily.Iamalsoaflowerthatbloomsinyourheart.Iamtheproductoftheslightestandmostintricatesciousnessofyourheart.Iexistineveryone’sheart,butmostpeopleigheirsoulsaresocoveredwiththedustandgrimethattheyme.Onlyyoudiscoveredme.ThatisperhapsGod’sblisstoyou.NowyoutellmewhatyouwantandIwillhelpyourealizeit.”

“Youbullyme!YoutakeadvantageofmebecauseIamsmalobully.Alright,bullymethen.IwillgoandtellKingDimitri!”Justthen,KingDimitriarrivedonthesewithLotusandWhiteFairy.Seeingthegandshoutinglittlefellowthroertantrum,KingDimitristoopeddowntohimandsaid,

Afterthreewholedaysandnightsofuninhibitedrevelry,thenativesoftheKingdomhadfullymaedtheirloyaltyanddemonstratedtheirjoyattheirsurnthroughsonganddanoweverythingieriousKingdomhadreturheirinalpeadundisturbedtranquility.Intheheavyfog,soundsoffishermancastingtheirscameclearlyoverthewater.Onthenarrowtrailsinthemountainscouldbeseennativesshoulderiheirwaytoworkohenativeshadreturheirsimple,primitivewayoflife,upatsunriseasu.KingDimitrididnotgobacktohissplendidluxuriouspace,wherehisbeautieshadbeenwaitingsoeagerlydayandnightforhisreturn.Theyhadhopedtosharethesepreomentswithhimfromdawntodusk,buthesettledhimselfinthesmallhutbythesideoftheke.ThisstrawthatchedhutwithmudwallshadinallybeenbuiltforLotustosoleherhomesiess.NowithadbeethehermitagewhereKingDimitrilivedalohoughsometimeshestillwentbacktothepacetospendtimewiththebeauties,andoccasionallytheywouldetovisithimathistranquilretreat,onthewholeKingDimitri’slifewashardw,livingonthefruitsofhisownborbythesweatofhisbrow.Inhisheart,thereseemedtobeascale.The‘me’iyandthe‘me’inmydreamsaretwopletelydiffereies.Butsometimesthesetwobeeone.Imustfindapointofbaweenthem,herfavoheother.Iotletthereal‘me’enduredirepovertyandbodilytormentwhilethe‘me’inmydreamsliveinunheardofluxuries,enjoyingfame,fortuheundyingloyaltyofmysubjects.Thisistoounjustandisagainstmymoralsce.KingDimitriwasaninnatelykindandbenevolentman.Notonlywashepassioohisfellowhumanbeingsandanimals,hewasequallysympathetictohisotherself,lefttosufferinthemundaneworld.Hethoughtthatthemoreextremetheluxuryheenjoyedinhisdreams,thesoonerwouldhisdreamsendandhewouldrelutlybebareallifeagain.Therefore,inhisdreamshedeliberatelychosetoliveasecludedandlonelylifeibytheke,hopingtherebytoextendthelengthofhisdreams.Butiy,whereisthedreamthatdoesnotend?Uiseter.

1

2

Thoughblind,withonlyanexpanseofdarknessbeforehim,thecharming,geous,enormouspeaagainappearedbeforehiseyes.Infrontofabackdropoftheeretchofdarkblueoftheuniverse,timelessandinfinite,amysteriousandbrilliantnoflightshoraightattheflower.Dimitri’sheartwasfullofasensatioleness,sweetnessandserenity.Buthewasonlyaspectator,quietlywatgandwithoutdisturbingit.Theflowerturnedandturnedslowlyandunhurriedly.Itsappearancebegangraduallytogetoonesimirto,butnotreallyamagnolia,thoughjustasgeousandcharming..Perhapsthisisauniqueflower,neverbeforeseeh.Uhedirenofthemysterious,brilliantlight,theintriguingblossomhappilyabsorbedthenourishmentoftheuniverse,everypetalwreathedinsmiles.Thewholefloearedmoreexquisiteandvigorousthanever.AwarmstreamseemedtocircutethroughDimitri’sbody,reageverydthetinerves,resultinginafeeliernalhappiness.Buthewasstilspectator,quietlywatg,andnotdisturbingtheflower.Astheflowertinuedonitsslowrotation,itsappearancebegangraduallytogeagain,untilfinallyitbecameaerlily,thepurewhiteandsacredlilyDimitriwasfamiliarwith.Intheeretchofdarkblueofthetimelessandinfiniteuniverse,thisflowerbloomedonacoordihemiddleoftimeandspace.ItsexactpositionhappeobespottedinDimitri’sbraihemysterious,brilliantlightagainshohepurewhiteEasterlily,itappearedmoresacredandentingthanever.

“Good!Iwilldothat.IknowLittleDornaotsitstillf.”Loud,thunderoustigerroarsfilledtheair.DimitrilookedatWhiteFairy,mystified.

2

Thatnight,whenDimitriandhistwofriendsweremiraculouslysavedontherooftopofWorldBank,theyhastilytookoff,leavingbehindonlyasolitarystonesculpturestandihesculpturewastheexactreplir.Kaffee.Inhishandswasa44Magnum,tellingtheworldhewasaboutto,orhadalreadyittedacrime.Dayandnightitstoodthere,exposedtotheerosionoftheelements,theblisterihebitingwinds,andthesshingrain.AlthoughMr.Kaffeehadbeengedintoastonesculpture,hisbrainwasstillfuning.Dayandnightherackedhisbrainstofindawayout,buttonoavail.Hereallycouldnolongerendurehownumb,hardandcoldhisfleshandmuscleshadbeewheurostone.Heshoutedsoundlesslyatthenightsky,

“Really!Whatanobnoxiousman!IusedMedusa’smagicspelltogehimintostoIkepthisbrainsalivetogivehimanopportunitytothinkoverhispastmisdeeds,repentandbeeanewman.seeBook1.Itseemshenotonlydoesthewrongshedid,butbecameevenmorecruel.Theimehefallsintomyhands,Iwillnothaveanypunaboutginghimintosolidstone.DidyoureportallthistotheKingdom?”

“Idon’tknow.”Viosaid,

“Alright.Ikno’sgoandhaveadrink.”Dorna,standingby,wassensitivetothegeinKingDimitri.ShehadaninklingthatMr.Fingerwastattle-talingandtryingtomaketrouble.Mr.Fingerwavedhishandsvigorouslyandsaid,

“AreyouWhiteFairy?”criedDimitri.

“Mr.Finger,areyoudrunkagain?Whatareyouravingat?”

“Sinceyouhaveostay,whydon’tyouewithme?”Mr.Fingerwasveryhappytohearthat.Heraisedhisheadandsaid,

AsshedrewnearGiantMountain,strainsofmelodiousmusiccouldbeheardfloatingoverfromthegoldpace.KingDimitrihadledthebeautiesdownfromtherooftopgardentothegreathall.Seatedonhisthrone,hewasattentivelywatgthedanceperformedbyNatalieandWhiteFairy,whiletheotherbeautieswerebusyapanyiheirmusistruments.Thedahebrilliantproductofitsterformers,underwentintense,long-termrehearsal.Eaent,eachgestureerfectlychraphedtobeeexquisiteasasculpture,andsmoothlystrungtogetherwithsuperbgraetimestheirtwomovementswereidentical,recisionthatmadetheirfiguresseemtobeoverppingeachother.Atothertimes,theirmovementswereseparateanddifferent,asifusingbodynguageasameansofunication.ThiseciallytrueofWhiteFairy,whoturnedfromhumanformtolightsmokeatwill.Theirtwofiguresmaintainedasuitabledistaneachother,apartaogether.Theywouldbedanginperfectco-ordinationwhensuddenlyWhiteFairywouldturnintoapuffofsmokefloatinginmidair,whileNataliewouldspinalrouageasifchasingthewhiffofintangiblelightsmoke.KingDimitriwatched,deepinthought.HeseemedtohavegraspedthehiddenmessageofthedaheCloudandI”.Themovementsseemedtobeexpiniionshipbetweenthecloudandohecloudseemedtosymbolizeman’sgoalinlife,beitlove,wealthorpower;orperhapsallthree.Butitissouableandgeable,sometimesingtogetherandsometimesdispersing.KingDimitrithought,“Whyismyimpressionoflifesovagueandhazy?Thepainfulexperiencesbandedinmymemoryaicpassii,andtheinnumerablevisitationsofLadyLuckgavemeunfettableimpressionsoflife.IhadthoughtIhadaperfedprofounduandingoflife,buttheseridvividimpressiohoughtheybe,couldnotwithstandtheerosionoftime.AlreobliteratedandIamleftiasaninfant,ignorantoftheperceptionoflife,apletebnk.Perhapslifeislikeacloudfloatingintheair,carefreeandlight-hearted,withorememberanyimpressions.Itwouldbebestteteveself.”Whenthedancewasover,thedayhadbeguntodawnandthesplendidgoldpaceglitteredwitheye-dazzlingbrilliaonhisthrone,KingDimitriwasstilldeepinhisturbulentthoughts.

“KingDimitri,it’snotthatIampining,butyouhavethismagnifitKingdomandallthebeautiesapanyingyou.Whatissogherethatyoukeepgoingtothemundaneworldandwanderaroundlikeanomad.Thatlifeishardanddangerousandwehereatthepaceworryaboutyou.Isitworthit?”KingDimitrifeltembarrassedandbashful.

Brightmoonlightshoheke,whosewideexpanseofwavelesswaterwassmoothasamirror.Eventhesurroundingmountaiobeinslumber,lyielyilenight.Allwasquietasadreamandasbeautiful.OnlytheongoingbahetopofGiantMountain,whereKingDimitriandallhissubjectswerecelebratinghisreturn,wasstiltitsheight,theirwildjubileeshowingnosignofreg.PerhapsbecauseeveryonewasatthebaherestoftheKingdomseemedemptyae.Suddenly,theclear,mirror-likewatereruptedwithaloudspsh,andamidthecasgwaterargewhitefishjumpedup,breakingthesurroundingserenity.Herswelliswerelikethefullbreastsofawoman;hershiningscalessparkleduhesilverymoonlikeasequinedeveninggowwasthewhitefishthatledDeanatothehugepearlnowhanginginKingDimitri’sgoldpace.ShewasthemotherofalllivingthingsierandthequeenofCrestMoonLake.ShevaultedclearoutofthekeseveraltimeswhileswimmingieraroundtheGiantMountain,loathtoleave.Fromuhesparklingwaters,shewatchedthecampfiresdottingthemountain-side,somuchlikethefire-fliesflittingamongthegrass.Thefar-offmusidjoyousughtermadetheuerworldseemcold,lonelyaeasever.Whywasshelaround?Didshewanttojoininthejoyfulba?As,gahumanformandnotbeinganamphibian,shecouldonlystayier.HerheartachedwithasecretthatcouldnotberevealedtoaherewerestillthreeemptygoldchairsinKingDimitri’space,whycouldn’tsheoccupyohemandbeeoneofKingDimitri’stwenty-fourbeauties?Whynotiheonlyimpedimentwasherckofahumanfleshbody,awoman’sbody.Butwasthatsuimpossibleobstacletoovere,suunsolvableproblem?“No”shethought.“WaserLilyonlyapntbeforeshebecameWhiteFairy?Medusawasabckbirdbutnowshegeatwilltoanyfemaleform.ClemehetestadditiontotheKingdomusedtobeanymphwithimagebutnosubstanowherfowishhadbeengranted,ahumanform.TheycouldallbearoundKingDimitriaimatewithhim.Whynotme?OhGod!Youaresounjust!Whydidyoumakemeintoafishinsteadofahumanbeing?Whynotmakemeintoawomaifulwomafullofsorrow,sheswamaroundthemountain.Fromafarshecouldbeseenfloatingonthemoonlitwaters.Suddenly,ahugebckbirdflewdownfromthepeakofGiantMountainstraighttowardstheke.Thewhitefishhurriedlydiveddeepintothekeaurohercold,lonelyuerworld.

2

2

“othingbedone?”

Dimitriwokefromhisdreams,hisearsfilledwiththehubbubofcitystreetsandthenoiseines.“As,Iambaybeautifulndofdreamsintoreallifeagain!”Thoughunwilling,therewasnothinghecoulddoaboutit.Amidthestreetnoises,hecoulddisthechirpingofbirds,clearandcrisp.Openinghissleepyeyes,hesawgoldenlightfloodinginfromhiswindowsawasm.Thoughbliillretainedenoughofhissenseofsighttodistinguishbetweennightandday.Thenfromtheparkinglotacrossthestreetcamethebriskstaccatoofdiesshoesonthepavement.ItcrossedthenarrowstreetandpassedunderhiswindohevoicewassofamiliarhereizeditatonceasbelongingtoMary,thesocialworkerofhisbuilding.Apictureatonceemergedinhismindofagood-looking,golden-hairedyoungwoman,enandpleasantdemeanor,walkinghappilyinthemsun.TheyoungwomanwasMary.Dimitribelievedinhisintuition,whichhadneverfailedhimbefore.Thoughblind,hereliedonittodealwitheverydaylifebecauseitcouldpiercethroughthesurfadghttotheheartofthematter.Thingsthathadhappeohimwerelikedistantpicturesdirectlyinputtohismind,likesesfromamovie,withouthavingtoghhisvision.DimitrisuddenlyrememberedhehadpromisedtobeinMary’sofficethatmtosignhisrentrelease,soheimmediatelygotoutofbedahiswayhaltinglytothebathroom.Inhispreviousnomadlife,mtoiletwasanunknownfactor,sothedailyroutineofbrushinghisteeth,takingashoweretc.cameunnaturallytohim.Finishingthesechoresashastilyaspossible,hewasgettioleavewhenhesuddenlyraisedhisheadandfoundhimselfstaringintoabnkmirror.Hestoodthereaghast,askinghimself“HoweIaminvisible?WheredidIgo?Whereismyrefleinthemirror?DidIdisappearintotheair?”Hethoughtforawhileaoldhimself“youareblindnow,sowhyisitsosurprisingthatyouolongerseeyourrefle?Whyshoulditbesohardforyoutoacceptthisstarkreality?”Hislipscurledinabitter,self-ridigsmile,Dimitrituroleave;butinhisheart,therewasstillthisnaggingdoubt“HoweIhavedisappeared?HoweIhavedisappeared?”Feelinghiswaytothedoor,heopeandwalkedout.Suddenlyherememberedhehadfottenthiswhitee,whioblindpersoncouldgoanywherewithout,soheturnedback,searchedandfoundtheewhichwastobeaninseparablepartofhimfortherestofhislife.Thenheclosedthedooraappinghiswaydownthecorridor,feeliotwofootsquareinfrontofhimtoensurehissafepassage.Thelittleiigablevoisidehimpipedupagain,“Thatbodyrelyingoeetowalksafely,isthatnotmyself?WhyshouldIlookelsewhereforit?Ididnotdisappearintotheair.Iamwalkingforwardledbythewhitee.Thereisolookanywhereelseforme.Istheretwoifme?Maybethatrefleinthemirrorthathasdisappearedistherealme.Whoknowswhichistherealme?”Heshookhisheadvigorously,hopingtogetridofthedisturbahesebothersomeideas,butinhisheartthattalkativevoiceingathimagain.“Amanoverfifty,withnoaplishmentstospeakof,totallyblindinthebargain,isn’tthatembarrassingandtroubling?Thisismysituation.Iamlikeamanwatgamovieintheema.Justatthecrucialmomehemoviereachestheclimax,powerfailureplungedeverythingintototaldarkheplotwasreallyabsurdandridiculous,illogidevennonsensical.Itislikethestoryofmylife.Isn’tmylifejustthesumtotalofpreposterousevents?Powerfailurehastemporarilycutofftheprocessofthestory.Letmesitinthedarknessandwaitquietlytoseeifthemovieendslogically.”Dimitriughed.“Ohyes!Letmesitinthedarknessahingsturnout,howfateevolves.”Hehadbeenwalkingonwhiletheserandomthoughtsfshedinhisbrainandhesoohehallwhere18thturystylefurniturewasscatteredaround.Makinghiswaycarefullyaroundthem,hecametothedooroftheoffice.Suddenlytherewasaloudhejanitorhadturnedonhisvacuumer.Abusywdayhadjustbegun.

”WhatmethodsdidOliverKaffeeusetaintrolsoquicklyandeffitly?Didest?Didnoo?”

“Doyouknowthemanyoujustmadeloveto?”

“Whomadememad?Allofyoubullyme,includiwobeasts.YouthinkthatbecauseIamshortandsmallIameasytobully,right?Noway!Bullyon!Iwilljumpintothekeanditsuicidetogetawayfromyou.”

“Whoisit?Whoareyou?”

Justthen,Dimitri’scaressinghandstouchedthesensitivebudofthatspotbetweenLotus’thighs,butwaslightlypushedawaybyanentlehand.Dimitriopenedhiseyesandlookedatherquestioningly.

“Ihavebadnewsforyou,too.”

“I’mnotclearaboutthedetails,butifringhimouttonight,we’llknoweverything.”

“Idon’treallywanttobevice-president.It’smeaningless.I’dmuchprefermypresentlifeasafree-ncegardener,leisurelyandcarefree,livingbythesweatofmybrowwhenIfeellikeit.”TherewasasilehenRichardsaid,

“Ifthatisso,ImustgoandfindKingDimitriatonce.Imustexpintohimpenedandaskforhisfiveness.Ibelieveifheuoodhowthingscametobe,hewouldfiveme.”

“No,no,no,no.Iwillnotgo.IsaidIwon’tgo,soIwon’tgo.Iwon’tgobecauseIamembarrassed.Iwanttostayhereandpy.”KingDimitripcedhimonthegroundandsaid,

“Yes,”hesaid.“Richardisright.Hesaidwhatisinhisheart.”

ButtheatmosphereofthebaofKingDimitriandthebeautiesontherooftopgardenwasnotasjubintasthatofthepeopleinthesquarebelow.AlthoughcourseaftercourseofraredelicacieswereservedoertheotherandKingDimitriateandoccasionallyraisedhisgoblettotoastthebeautiesasifihought,theycouldallseehewastroubled,hisfacialexpressiondeeplysorrowful.TheycouldnotuandwhyKingDimitriwasnotashappyandcheerfushenormallywaswheurnedfromhiswanderings.Heusedtobesohigh-spiritedandwouldtalkandjokewiththemoverthebaellioriesofhisadventures,its,straomsandpeoplehehadenteredasheroamedalroundtheworld.Theywouldbesoentrancedbyhisfasatingnarrationsthattheyfeltasthoughtheyphysicallyexperienorehisdaringadventures.Butthistime,KingDimitriseemedsosadandtroubledthatthebeautiesdarednottalktooloudforfeartheymightobtrudeuponhisbroodingreverie.heless,theywererelievedthathehadatstreturned,seeminglyingoodhealth,hiseyesightheworseforhistravels.Thebeautiessatthere,silentlyenjoyingthefoodandtalkingsoftlyamongthemselvesinfitsandstarts.Silencereignedoverthetablemostofthetime.Uhemoonlight,thegmouroftheirbeauty,thestylishnessoftheircarriageanddemeanorseemedasdazzlingaseverastheysatinpanyoftheirlordandmaster.Raisinghishead,KingDimitrilookedatthefullmoonoverhead.Thenhisgazewenttothebeautiessurroundinghim,everyohemasbeauteousastheflowers;beforelookingdownontothecrowdsofhisboisteroussubjects,crowdingthesquareandthesurroundinghillsides,celebratinghisreturn.Theseseemedsoreal,yetillusionarythatevenKingDimitricouldnotsayforcertaiherallthiswastrue.

Aishahungherheadasilent.UndersuchcircumstancesshecouldonlyendureMr.Finger’ssternreprimands.Mr.Fioppedforamoment.Hisrovingeyessweptaroundtheyardandzeroedinonthehalf-fullbottleofbrandyoablebesidetheloungechair.Hemadeanabruptabout-face,hisattitudeturningsimperingandfawning.HesaidtoAisha,

“Jamaz!”excimedAisha“Howdoyouknowitwashim?”

“Sh!Sh!Notsoloud.Don’tyouknowyou’reundersurveilheguystakingyoujustwenttothepostoffice,probablytotakealeak,soIcameovertotalktoyou.”

hatitisfastbeinguntrolble.Woulditbringtotheworldahithertounheardofprosperityandsupremewayoflife,orcoulditbeeitsdestru?Itishardtoforetellyetwhatourpwillbeanyedpersonsworryaboutitnightandday,butforthemomentatleast,ourpisstillgivingforthalovelysapphire-likeglow.ItisstillohemostdazzlinggemsinGod’sgardenofnight.EventhemyriadsofstarsintheskyseemtoknowthatKingDimitriwouldsoourningtohisKingdom.

DimitrithoughtofsomethingandaskedWhiteFairy,

2

“HeisJamaz,KingDimitri’sgoodfriendJamaz!”

“That’sforsure.”saidRichardenthusiastically.“Notonlythat,Dimitriwillevebackourjobsaspresidentandvice-presidentofWorldBank.”

Shefirststoppedattheleftpeak,wheretheese-stylepacewaslocated.Landinginfrontofthepacegate,MedusapausedforamomentbeforewalkingintotheHall.Thoughbrilliantlylitasusual,thegrandandsplendidHallwaseerilysilent.Theslimgracefulfiguresthatwerenormallysomuevidehere,werenowhereinsight.Missingalsoweretheirmelodiouschatterandughter.Theonlysoundtobreakthedeadlysilehefeeblechafingofthesandinthehssasitdribbledon,keepingtrae.Thewholepceseemeddesote.Afteriingeverynookanderforfirehazardsahateverythingwasinorderandthattherewasnothingtoworryabout,sheleft.MedusacrossedoverthesuspensiebetweewinPeaksandcamethtpteau,theadministrativemateroftheKingdom.Hereeverythingwasultramodern,effitandstifidiretrasttothepace-likebuildingopteauwithitsstressonaraditionalstyle.Herewasthehospital,nuclearpowerpnt,helicopterndingfieldandhugeunicationssatellitedishestokeepintactwiththeoutsideworld.Mostimportantofall,theAdministrativeBuildingwastheheadquartersofKingDimitri’simmensefinancialempire,withenougheighttomakehavocofglobaley.Onendingheriionandabouttoleave,Medusawassuddenlyhitwithastrange,unexpinableforeboding.Itwasasifshewasbiddingafinalgoodbyetothesefamiliarsurroundings,insteadofjustmakiinenightlycheckupaswasher.Tohavethisstraurbingpremonition,especiallyonthis,KingDimitri’sfirstnightback,wasinprehensibleandMedusadidnotwishtodwelnylohisannoyingfeeling,sintoahugebckbird,sheflewacrossthewideexpanseofwatertiantMountaiernskywasjustthenstartingtoturnbright.

“Yht.”saidRichardsmiling.“Yht.”

“Nothingurgent.”Whitefairyreplied.“Meganwaoaskforyourinstrus.It’sAisha’sbirthdaytoday.Normally,wealwayshaveabaocelebratethebirthdaysofthebeauties.Thistimeit’sdifferent.Doyouwantittobeheldatthepacewherewepresentlyliveoratthenewlystructedgoldpace?”

“Fromnowon,”saidRicharddecisively“weshouldtakeuptheresponsibilityofsuppDimitri.”

“I’msosorry”hesaid,SometimesIreallyottrolmywanderlust.Mytwolegsyearntowanderalroundthepce.I’msorry.I’msosorry!”Thehreeofthemughed.WhiteFairysippedhertea.Fragrantandsoothingliquidsliddowhroat,makingherfeelrefreshedandinvigorated.ShegaveLotusapyfulwhiteeyesaying

“Heavenknows.Butdon’tworryaboutme.Solongasmystomachisfulndthereareafewpnkstoshieldmefromtheweather,Iamsatisfied.Mybrainwillweavewonderfuldreamsforme.IfIspeofmylifelikethis,isn’titverystylishandromantic?”

“Yes,master.Don’tfetIamnotonlyaflower.Iamalsoapuffofsmoke.Iwilldoasyouand.”

1

“Youreallydon’thavetotellhimanything.Hehassohat’sonemoreorlesstohim?Don’tbesilly!Youhaveoexpinanythingtohim.”

“Isthatmyname?”hethought.“Whogavemethatname?Myparents?Butwhoarethey?Whoaremyparents?OramIlikethesinglecelledameba,whichroduature.CoulditbethatI,too,amaproduature,notceivedbytheintercourseofparents?”Lostinthought,hebegantogiggle.

Chapter5BytheSwimmingPool

“You’reawake,KingDimitri.Youhavetakenaverylongnap!Ithoughtyoumightbehungrywhenyou,soIhavepreparedsomeswallow-lotusseedpeforyou.Wouldyouliketohavesome?”

WatgKingDimitri’ssailboatgraduallydisappearintothedistancegaveMr.Fingerapangofdeepremorse.Ifhehadn’tbeensountrolblypumpedupwithadrenalineandspoutedallkindsofnonsense,hewouldbewiththemnow,goingtothebirthdaybawheretherewassuretobealivelyget-together.Thefoodanddrink,too,wouldundeniablybeexcellentaiful.Butbecauseofhisownwillfulness,hewasallohisdesoteaedpin,singleandsolitary.

Takingabottleofgin,headdedsometohisgssejuice,movedachairovertothewindowandsatdowntoenjoythewarmsunandthecobreeze.Oldfashionedlovesongsfromthefifties,whichDimitriwasfamiliarwithinhisyouthdriftedoverfromthesidewalkoftheparkinglotacrossthestreet.Whatabeautifulday!Howsuitableformusing!JustasDimitriwasabouttogivefreereintohisimaginationahispowersofthinkinggraduallydevelop,hishandcameintotactwithawo,thefigureofatapdanghehadsgedfromaroadsidegarbageduringhisdaysasahomelessstreetperson,andhadkeptallthistime.Luckilyitwasonlyaninanimatepieceofwood,oritslimbswouldcertaiiff,strainedandpainfufterbeingcarvedintosuchapermaactivepose.Dimitrithoughthewasatoolofimagination,insomerespectssimirtothewooden.Thepleaseswithitsicalposeandwinsomeappearahusvindigthevalueandsignificeofitsexistence.Uponself-examination,whatwasthevalueandsignifiitri’sexistence?Wasitmerelypyingwithhisimaginationtofillthevoidofemptytime?Orwasittowhileawaythelongdrearyyearsoflifestretchedbeforehimwithaimlessmeditation?No,itwasnotso!DimitrihadestablishedamysteriousKingdomintheprimitivewilderhatbeloohimalowasthestpieceinsoilintheworlduntouchedbycivilization.Arounditwereeatelymountainrangesenclosingacrystalclearke.Inthemidstofthesebeautifulmountainsandkes,weremagnifitpaceswheremaiesofmatchlessgradeleganceresidediluxury,amidunheardoftreasuresandincalcubleriches.Dimitriwasthekingofallthis.Thoughstructedonlybyhisimagination,itsexistencecouldnotbedenied,foreventhoughthiselusiveandintangibleKingdomwasnotactuallysituatedonthisearth,itlivedinallrealitywithinDimitri’smind.GreatempiressuchasthegrandioseRomanEmpireiandtheflourishingTangdynastyiandtheirextremelypetentandcapablesedthousandsofyearsago.Wherearetheynow?Theyaregohthewind,lostintheobscureandflickeringcurrentoftime.Butweotdenythattheyhadexistedonthisearthandhadmadetheirbrilliant,indeliblemarkioryofmankind.Remainsoftheirimmortaltributionsstillbefoundtothisday.Dimitrisippedhiscocktaindmutteredtohimself,“Yes,howcouldIbesodefagastoethefruitofmanyyearsoflovingbor–myKingdomofDreams.PerhapsIshouldputitallonpaper,draordsamesmerizingpictureofmyKingdomtoattractmorepeopletoeandvisit.Ofcoursethekeytomykingdomisimagination.OnlypeoplewithimaginatioeraKingdombuiltonimagination!”ButthenDimitrifrowned.“Forablindman,itisoimpossibletowritedownthoughtsoislikeafishierwantingtoflylikeabirdinthesky.Impossible.No,itisnotimpossible!Hey,whydon’tItapedownmystoriesonarecorder?Perhapsoneday,Imightmeetsomeonewhowouldbewillingtotranscribeitontopaper,perhapseventraintoseveralfnnguages.ThenmanymorepeopleofimaginationeandvisitmyKingdomofDreams.Whatagoodidea!”

“Iknowyouonlytakearandwihereisacupofclearesetea.Tryitandseehowyoulikeit.”WhiteFairystoodupandtookthecoveredcup.ThetwoofthemsatdowhersideofKingDimitri.

“Really?Isthatso?Idon’tuand.”

“Ididn’twanttogo.Theyallbullyme.”Viowasexultanttohearthat.Shesaid,

ThehugebckbirdthatflewdiantMountainwasherthantheevervigintMedusa.Aftercirglowoverthewateraroundtheke,shesuddenlypulledherselfupandflecarefullyiingthesurroundings.Findingnothingabnormal,sheflewtowardsTwinpeaks,wheretheese-stylepacewasandintothedenseforestsinthemountaiheAdministrativeBuilding,thepulseaoftheKingdom,waslocated.OnthisnightofjoyouscelebrationwheneveryonewasatGiantMountainsinging,dang,eatinganddrinking,whywasMedusaaloneflyinginthedark,carefullysurveyingeveryeroftheKingdom?Becauseshewastheguardianofthismysteriouskingdom,trustedwiththetaskofensuringitssecurityandimpregnability.Retly,thebarbariantribeshadbeenaggressivelyexpandingtheirspheresofactivities,gettingcloserandclosertothebordersofthemysteriouskingdom,endangeringitstranquilityandsntyaswelsthenaturalhabitatofthenatives.Afiercebattleseemedunavoidable,butthekindandgenerousKingDimitrihatedwarfareandbloodshed.Hopefullyhewillbeabletothinkofaschemetoavoiditall.MedusawouldhavelikedtoreporthersuspisandassessmentstoKingDimitri,buttodaywashisfirstdaybatheKingdomandheilyenjoyinghisba,reuhhisbeauties,withhundredsofjubintsubjectsscatteredaroundthesurroundinghilltops,ionmerry-making.MedusadidnotwanttodampenhismoodwithherfearsofanimmicrisisandspoilthefestiveatmosphereprevailingintheKingdom.However,ifthebarbariaounchasurpriseattaow,whenalmostallthedefensesweredown,theresultwouldbedisastrous!ThisfearmadeMedusarestlessandapprehensive.Slippingawayfromthebaable,sheflewallovertheKingdom,overwater,throughforests,seargfortracesofpossibledanger.Onlywhenshewascertainthateverythingwasnormal,didsheflytoTwinPeaks.

“Butpeoyoureyes?Howdiditbeeblind?”

Chapter4ThreeTrueFriendsiy

“ItisnotthatIwanttorefuseyou,KingDimitri.YoushouldknowhowmuchIwanttodevotemyfleshbodytoyou,buttherearesomaiesintheKingdomwhoallwishtogainyourroyalfavor.Ihaveheardthattoomuchexpendingofaman’ssemenisharmfultohishealthandmayevenshortenhislifespan.Iwantyoutosafeguardyourprecioussemen.Asforme,Ibelongtoyoubodyandsoul.Whetherwemakeloveornotisthereforeinsequential.”Dimitriwasgreatlymovedbyherwordsandafeelingofwarmthfilledhisheartasifamyriadofflowershadburstintobloom.Hewaosaymore,butLotussaid,

ChapterSixBestowaloftheTitleofQueen

“HiRichard!”saidDimitrioverjoyed.“I’vebeenlookingalloverforyouafterwelosttactbutIdidn’tknowwhereyouwere.Sogdtoseeyouagain.”

Dimitrididnotbmethembecauseinhisheartheuoodverywellthedissolutehabitsofhisfriends,theirck-a-daisicattitudetowardsventionaljobs.Hetreasuredtheirfriendshipfedintrailsandtribution.Infact,didoo,haernomadidadventurouslifestyle?Hekheirshortingsbutstillnomihempresidentandvice-presidentofWorldBankbecausehewahemtogetwhattheywantedandrealizetheirdreams.Hewasmorethanwillingtosharehisfameandfortuhthem.Dimitritinued,

“Letmedie!Letmedie!Thisismystwish.”Thedarknightskydidnotreply.Theweatherofthestfewdayshadbeeled.Nearmidnight,rollsofthunderresoundedandablindingfshoflightninglitupthenightsky.AdeafeningcrashofthuOliverKaffeedeadon.Notonlydiditnothurthimintheleast,butitbrokeMedusa’smagiccurse.Heinallywantedonlytodie.Nowinasuddenreverseoffate,hewasmiraculouslysaved.Deliriouslyjoyful,heughedloudlyandcried,

Jamaz’stalndmuscurfigurestrolledaimlesslyalongthebanksofLakeMerritt,thinkingofpenedearlierthatafternoohehadalotofthingsturgitate.HehadpromisedOldStanley,MissJefferson’sgardenerwhowasinfirmandtoosicktowork,thathewouldtakeoverforhimforafewdays.SohemadehiswaytowardsMissJeffersonhouse,pushedthroughthehalfopengardengateandwalkedintothefrontyard.Fallenleavesandbrokentwigsscatteredallovertheroereobvioussignsof.HewalkedontowardsthebackyardmeaningtolookforStahegardenerandfindoutabouthisduties,butthebackyardwasdesertedaswell.Hestoppedshortbytheswimmingpoolwhenhecameuponanakedwoman;eyesclosedlyingasleepuhesunshade.Wasittheowner,MissJefferson?Hercurvaceousfigurelikewhitejade,almostmelteduhesunshislightwrihetipofhereyesshowedherage.Didn’tshelooksomethinglikeAisha?Coulditbeshe?JamazandAishadidn’tknoweachotherastheyhad.Theunavoidableeventunavoidablyhappened,likeanuntrolblevehiclehurtlingheadlongtowardsasheercliff.

Whennighttookthepceofday,ctheearthwithitswingsofdarkness,millionsofsparklingstarsseemedtoetolifeagain.Faraheytwinkledmerrily,revealingtoallthewidthahoftheuniverse.ThebeautiesandallKingDimitri’ssubjectsstoodlookingupattheskies.Theycouldfeelthesolemngrandeuroftheuniverse,awesomeiernalsilendlimitlessexpanse,impressingonalltheminutenessoftheir“self”inparison.Everyonewaslookingupbreathlesslyasifwaitingforamiracle,whilestarsfromonhighlookeddownoeriouskingdom.Suddenly,athunderingsouoexplodeineveryone’smind,asagroupofdazzlieorsfredupinthesky,somuchlikethefireworksintheworldofmortals.Actually,thenoiseurelyillusionalbecausenoiseandfireworkswereassociatedtogetherinman’sminds.Afterthat,clustersoffallingstarsburstoutsoundlesslyoertheotheroverthedarkskies.Joyfulfireworkswereusedbymantocelebratefestivals.Whatwerethesefallingstarsmeanttosignify?Weretheyomensofagreatfestiveeventabouttotakepce?Yes,iheyweretheheavenlyomensofjoyaivity.Hostsofmeteorseruptedandfshed,risingandfallingsoundlesslyinthevelvetcurtainofthenight.Theirbrilliandbzedthedarkskies.Justaseveryonewassurprisedandshakenbythisunusualbutsilentdispy,thehighindomitableneighingofafast-approaghorsepiercedthesilehenight.Soon,KingDimitriappearedintheclouds,mountedonhisfavoritesteed,Lightning.Thebrilliantlyradiantbackgroundoffallingstarsanddarkblueskylighteduphistenannanddivine.Hiseed,powerfundsn,wasobviouslyproudforhavingcarriedhismasterandsaviorsafelybathemundaneworld.Powerfulwingsfpping,hedesdedquiestlyfromthecloudsontothesquareoopofGiantMountain.KingDimitridismounted.Althoughtiredanddustyfromhislongjourney,hewassmiling;butthesmilecouldnothidethedesotionofhisspirits.Heheldouthisarmsandthebeautiescamerushingtothrowthemselvesintohisembrace.Heheldthemandkissedthemonebyone,aurowardstheke,holdingupbothhisarmstoaowledgehispeople.ShoutsofjoyresoundedoverthewaterandthousandsofboatsandoespaddledtiantMountain.Leadinghisbeauties,KingDimitriwalkedtoldpace.

1

“Whereismywoman?WhereismyEve?OhGod,ifyoureallyexist,pleasegivemeawoman,myEve.Please.Ibegofyou.”

DimitrisatbesideMaryatherdeskintheoffice,signinghisleaseanddealingwiththeountofpaperworkentailediingsubsidizedhousing.Hehadbeenstruckblindsuddenly,andasadisabledpersonwithoutshelter,cessionshadbeenmadeforhimandhehadmovedintohisapartmentwithoutgoingthroughthenormallytediousprocessofapplicationandtheprofusionofpaperwork.Nowhewasmakingupfortheck.Beingblind,Dimitricouldnotread,soMaryreadtheimportantpartstohim,patientlyexpiningiailthepertitentsbefuidinghishandtothepceshehadtosigheirfingerscameintotact,DimitriintuitivelyfeltMarywasakindaleyoungwoman.Mary,onherpart,hadaninexplicablegoodimpressionofthismiddle-agedblindmanonfirstsight.Theonlythingsheknewabouthimwasthatheusedtobeastreetperson,sowhythisextraordinaryfeelingofsolicitude?Itwasasubtleactivityofthemind,hardtograspitsdelicatevicissitudeandneedlesstosay,impossibletoexpinincorrectwords.Attheendofthishighstackofpaperwork,eraskingwhomtotaergency.Dimitrirackedhisbrainsinvainforasuitablename.Hehadherretivenorfriends,whocouldhe‘tact’?Thoughhehadtwogoodfriends,RichardandJamaz,hehadunfortunatelylosttouchwiththem.Intheend,heshookhisheadsheepishlyinmortificationbecausehecouldnoteupwithasinglename.MarytookupthepenandfilledinherownnameandphoneakingituponherselftobeDimitri’s‘persontotadsheseemedhappytodoit.Dimitrithankedherwholeheartedlywhehinghadbeensignedanddoneahurriedly.MarywatchedasDimitrifelthiswayamongthemazeoffurnitureinthegreathalsiflostinabyrinth.Toher,heseemedtobeafallingleaf,fadedanddriedup,floatinginacoldwind.Howcouldthisman,longembroiledinthedisappoisandmisfortuneoflife,beethetargetof24-hoursurveilncebyFBIandCIA?Wasitnecessarytohavehiseverymovement,everywordkeptunderobservationandtaped?TheysaidDimitricouldbethetrillioermindwhooveandshaketheworldofglobalfinandthathemayberesponsiblefortheretstrangeandmysteriousdisappearanceofgoldfromtheworldmarkettounknowinations.MarywatchedasDimitrimaogetoutofthemazeoffurniture,turnintothecorridoranddisappearfromsight.Retly,shehadwatchedthetaperecsofDimitri’sdailylifemadebyobservationcamerasandhadbeeremelydisforted.Thoughanunwillingpartit,shefeltguiltyaboutthebrazeninsolehisinvasionofhisprivacy,muchasanunfaithfulwifewouldfeeboutbetrayingherhusband.Butshehadtodowhatshehadtodo,forthiswasherjob.Inherheart,shekhatonedayshewouldfesstohimeverythingaboutherrelutinvolvement.Fromthevideotapes,Marysawthatinhistinyroom,allDimitrididalldayrepareasimplemeals,whichweredigestedandexcretedfromhisbody.Outsideofthathedidnothing,andtherewasnothingheodo.Muchofthetime,heyonhisbed,asifheneededalotofsleep.Inhiswakinghours,hesatbeforethewindow,dazed.Hismiobebnkwithnothoughtsatallbecausehisexpressionwasdulndwooden,likeacyorwoodsculpture,withnosignoflife.Occasionally,hewouldstandupandstalkaroundtheroomwiththepowerlessmiseryofacagedbeast.Dayafterday,herepeatedthesameroutine:sleep,sit,stalk,wastinghislife.Heseemedtobeamanwithoutasoul.Thoughhehadafleshbody,hissoulwasnotattachedtoit.Superficially,Dimitrimayseemtobeamanwithoutasoul,butthatwasbecauseithadturoabrilliantbird,fppingitsgeouslycolorfulwings,flyingintheblueskiesofhisKingdomofDreams.Butthen,thatwassomethingnoonecouldknowof.

“Thereisnoneedforthaweenus,KingDimitri.”WhiteFairysaid.“Wheneveryouareinneed,youjusthavetodIwillbethere.”Justthen,Lotuscametowardsthemofteainherhand.

AfterashortsilenceRichardreplied,“Don’tyouknowthatOliverKaffee,theformallyappointedpresidentisaliveandbackagainathispost?Themomenthecame,hewroteaiveordersagmeandJamazsincewewereoies.Henotonlyquicklytookbatrolofthewholebank,butsecretlysenthismentokillthetwoofus.SoJamazandIhadtoseparate,disguiseourselvesandbestantlyonthemove,gingjobs,hidingfromthem,feelinglikehuntedfoxsetuponbyapackofdogs.”

Uhewideexpaarryskies,Dimitrisatonthegroundofadesarden.Behindhimwasahouse,half-burntbyfire.Thiswasthesecretmeetihethreefriends.Richardwasbusytendingacharcoalfire.Besidehimteofmarinatedbeefandmbchopsandribsaswelsabowloffruitsad.Theyseemtobegettingreadyforastylishpiiighttocelebratetheirreunion.Thedipidatedpickuptruckarkedoedcurboutsidethegarden.Jamazhadafewbottlesofliquorinhishandandwascarryinginpacksofbeertoprepareforafeastwheretheymeadeaddrunk.Thethreeofthemferredinlowvoicesapaniedbymutedtonesjazzmusitheportableradio.TheyallstarediancewherethetshapeofthemajesticWorldBankbuildingcouldstillbedisedinthenight.Dimitri’spositioninglobalfinancewassolid,unmovableandirrepceablebutOliverKaffeeuseddespicable,underhaousurpit.Dimitrisatbythefire,drinkingbeerleisurelyandcarefreeasifhewasn’tatallbotheredbytherethappenings.Hisheartwasfullofhappinessandexuberahereunionwithhisoldfriends.Richardspewedoutastreamofliquorfromhismouthontothefire.Fmesimmediatelysprangupandtheredcharcoalfireburnedmerrily.Heskillfullyturheribsandchopsontherack.Acctohim,naturalcharcoutauniqueBBQfvor,andindeedsoontheairwasfilledwithmouth-wateringaromaofjuicymeat.Jamazstoodtherewithabottleofliquorinhishand,fromwhichhetookaswingeverynowandthen.Hiseyessweptcautiouslyaroundthedesertedrosegarden.Lifeontherunhadinstilledinhimtheneedfindalertherewashersoundnormovement.Inthedeepofthenight,itwasnotlikelythattheirsecretmeetingwouldbeobserved.Jamaz’stensebodyrexedadownonthegroundwithhisfrieing,drinkingandtalkingaroundthefire.TheirversationnaturallyteredonpehatmidnightontheairstripndingattherooftopofWorldBank.

“HiMr.Finger.Haven’tseenyouforalongtime.Howhaveyoubeen?Wheredidyouefrom?”

“IsawKingDimitrisailtotheoppositeshorewithsomeofhisbeauties.Ifyouarehisfriend,howeyoudidn’tgowithhim?”Mr.Fingerhunghisheadandsaid,

“Iknoyaretherepeoplewatgmeoutside,myroomisfullofeleicequipments,bugsandobservatiooreyeverywordanda.Idon’tknowwhotheyareandwhytheyaredoingthis.”

Dimitrilookedoutofthewindows.OnhisleftytheTwinpeakswherehisgrandandimposingpacewas.Ohersidewastheadministrativebuilding,equippedwiththetestieology.Thesetwowereectedbyarainbow-likesuspensie.Hiseyesturheright,acrossthewideexpaheke,towardstheoutlineofGiantMountain,stretchedhorizontallyonthehorizon.Onthechestofthefallengiantroseanotherpacebuiltold.Uheraysofthesettingsun,thegoldpacewaseye-dazzling.ThegoldIhavebeheapedintoamountaindazzlinginitsgoldenmagnifice.Dimitribroughthisgazebathefarawayhorizon.HishandwasstilllightlycaressingLotus’silkenhairaifulskin,softassatinandsmoothasjade.Hisheartwasfilledwithaninexplicablesadness.Hethought,

“OK.GetholdofJamazandeformewhennightfalls.I’lltrytoshakeoffmytails.Wethreemustgettogetherandtalk.”

30页

Wewon’thavetobewatgourbacksallthetimeguardingagainsthismurderousattacks.”

“ewithme.Youwillknowwh

“It’sGod’sWill.”sighedDimitri.“It’sGod’sWill.Si’ddiviervention,itlybeacceptedandnotrebelledagainst.”

Inthecar,averyexcitedRichardtoldJamaz,“IhavefoundDimitriandhavegottenintactwithhim!”

“No.No!”Aishaimmediatelyreplied.“It’snotlikethis.Idon’tcarehowmaieshehas,orwhetherhewillmakemehisqueen.SinceIlovehimdeeply,Imustbehowithhiustfessmysinandbegforhisfiveness.Onlythenwillmyheartbeatpeace.Thisisamatterofprinciplewithme.”

“Iy,IhaveaPekinese.Heisbiggerandstrohanyoutwo,fierdferocious.Heismypersonalbodyguard.Ifyoudon’tbelieveme,youaskelle.HisnameisLuckyBoy.Hetersacrificedhislifetoprotectmysafety.Heisaraordinarydog.Doyouuand?SoyoutwobetruetoKingDimitri,butyoumustbeloyaltome.YoudooprotegDimitri,butmustprotectmysafety,eventothepointofgivingupyourlifeformebecauseIamagreaterkingthanDimitri.Iamuhisworld,thegreatestkingthateverlivedinthisworld.Uand?Doyouuand?”Thetwotigersstaredwithrouigereyesatthelittlemanwhowasstruttingaboutwithextravagaures,sprayingsalivaalroundwhilegivingaspeechtheydidnotreallyuand.Justthen,adouble-mastsailboatdockedexpertlyandseveralbeautieswalkedalongthepiertowardsthedock.HeadingthemwasthelivelyandvivaciousDorna.Fromafar,shesawthetwoferocioustigerssittingsubmissivelysidebysidebeforeMr.Finger,rangaroundtalkingaboutsomething.Sosheputherfingersintohermouth,producedapiergwhistleandwavedatthetigers.WheigerssawitwasDorna,theyjumpedupandrangleefullytowardsher.Mr.Fingerrahemshouting,

“Likeme,hehasledaddressandkeepsgingjobsandlivingquarters.Heisstillwoffandonasagardener.Doyourememberthatburnthousebytheke?Therearethreestohegroundinthebackyard.Weusethemassecretsignstonotifyeachotherifweomeet.Hey!Thatguy’singoutofthepostofficebuilding.I’dbetterleaveorhe’dgetsuspicious.”

“No.all.”Richardanswered.Hethoughtforamomentandthensaid,“Maybetherewere,butwemissedit.YouknowJamazandIareusedtoacarefreeandnomadiclifestyle.Perhapstherewereimportantsocialeventsweshouldhavegoobutdidn’t.Maybethereweremeetingsweshouldhaveattedidn’t.Wheneverwehadthece,wewenttogamblinghalls,spendingmoneylikewater,splurgingitallonloosewomen.Youentrusteduswithsomueyandsuchimportantresponsibilities,butwetreateditalsarkandpaidnoattentiontoourduties.Itreallywastoobadofus.Wearesorry,butnowitistoote.”Jamazchewedonhisrgejuicyribandnoddedforcefullyinagreement.

“Youare...you...you...youare...”Thelittlebeautysmiledandsaid,

“Good!Good!ThistimeIwillteachhimafinallesson.Thesaying‘Kiotheenemyiscrueltytooneself’iscorrect.”Jamazcurred,

1

“Howotknowhim!”retortedMr.Fingerproudly.“Isavedhislife!”HethenretedandliberallyembellishedonhowhesavedthelivesofRichardandJamazwithhismagicpowersthatnightontheroofofWorldBank.Aishasaidwistfully.

DensesmokeappearedinDimitri’sroomandstartedtodispersetoeveryer,beingdenseranddensereverymoment.Dimitrithought,“Thoughtisthehumanbrain’smaintool.Itisalsotheimpetusthatpropelscivilizationforward.Butsometimesstopthinkingandnotusioolbetterdemonstratethesuperiorityofthebrain.”Dimitriwalkedpurposefullytowardsthewindowandswungoutofitwithouttheleasthesitation.Whenhisfeettouchedthepavementbelowandhewasabouttowalkquicklyaway,herealizedhehadfottenhiswhitee.Infrontofhimwasawideexpanseofdarkoablindman,itwasdifficulttomoveastepwithouthiswhitee.Justthehesoundofaneartingupaapair,steadyarmssupphim.Alowvoicesaid,

“I’msurewewillsucceed.Dimitriisomnipotent.Hewillhelpusdealwiththatson-of-a-bitchKaffee.Then

“Oh,whydidIhavetoactuplikethat?”hemented.Mr.Fingerwalkedaroundaimlesslyintheneighbwoodsandcametoafieldoftulips.Hesatontheground,pickedupafallentwigandscribbledhisillreachableareasaroundhimwasfullofhissignature.Hethrewawaythetwigandlookedatthegroundofwordsdazedly.

“Naturally.Naturally.That’swhatfriendsarefor!”saidJamaz,ingaphrasehehadjustlearnt.

Theydroveonanddisappearedinthedarknessofnight.

ThebodyandvirileJamazquiveredwitheachforcefulthrust.LargedropsofperspirationfellfromhisforeheadontoAisha’sbeautifulface.Hergraceful,longlegswerepartedandhitchedontoJamaz’swideshoulders.Theirtwoentwinedbodieswerelikeabdwhitezebra.ThoughAisha’sbeautifulbodywasfullysatedandstronglysatisfied,thepaininherheartwasevenstronger.Sheclosedhereyesandsawaseaoffmesdangbeforeher.ThefierybzeedthemajestidluxuriouspaddevouredthebodyofKingDimitri.Sheoherself,“Ahyes!OnlythisseaoffmessymbolizeKingDimitri’sillustriouslife!KingDimitri’sfleshbodyhasbeenedbyfmes.Iamwillingtosacrificemybeautifulfleshbodytoahungryman.IftobedestroyedbyfmesisKingDimitri’sself-pletion,Iamwillingtobestowthestresiduevalueofmyfleshbodyonahungryman.Itbesideredagooddeed.IthinkKingDimitriwillyas.Yes,Aseaoffire!Abzingseaoffire!Firesobrilliantitblindstheeye.Intheskyabove,ceousMedusawasbattlingcrowdsofhuge,ferociousbats.Blooddropsfelllikeraindrops,buttinginfernobelow,itwastoolittletobeofhelp.Yes,destroyed.Totallydestroyed.Theseaoffireannihitedthemagnifitpace.Iamwillingtodonatemyfleshbodytoahungryman.EvenifIweretobetorntopieddevouredbyapackofferociousbeasts,Iamstillwillingtodonatemyfleshbody.IthinkKingDimitriwillya.Aseaoffire.Aseaoffire.Aseaofdazzlingfire.ThebzingfmesymbolizesKingDimitri’sillustriouslife!”

2

“Don’tcry.Don’tcry.ewithmetothepaceacrosstheke.It’sAisha’sbirthdaytoday.We’rehavingabirthdaybawherethere’ssuretobelotsofgoodwi’sgodrinking.”OnhearingAisha’sname,Mr.Finger’seyesrolledroundandroundahoughthehadaceforrevenge.HesaidtoKingDimitri,

“Theybullyyou?Iwon’tbullyyou.Iamherealloneandfeelverylonely.Nowthatyouarehere,wekeepeachotherpany.Isn’tthatnice?Look!It’sgettingte.Wherewillyousleeptonight?”Mr.Fingerhunghisheadandsaid,

“Yht”saidWhiteFairy.“Megansaidwouldyoupleasegoovertotheadministrativebuildingatyourearliestvenience?Shehassomethingimportanttoreporttoyou.”

“Idon’tthinkyouoworry.Iamstandingsmackbeforethewindowblogtheirview.They’dthinkIwaslookingatthestreetseandtakingabreathoffreshair.TheywouldneverknowIwastalkingtosomeone.”

“Hey,don’tyhevoiceofyouroldfriend?”thesmilingvoiceoutsidehiswindowlostsomeofitsurgency.“I’mRichard.”

“What?”

“No,Idon’t”

“Isawyoustreakingacrosstheke.Isanythingwrong?”Hepattedthepcebesidehimonthebed,invitiositthere.TheWhiteFairysatdown.KingDimitriheldherhandandsaid,

AfterKingDimitrisettledhimselfonhisthrohebeautiestooktheirpthechairsfnkingoutonbothsides.Threechairswereleftempty.OhatofthebeauteousbutviperousAileen.HerseathadbeeyeversincesheuttodeathbyKingDimitriforherinexcusable,traitorousbehaviorcausedbyherrapaciousgreed.Anotherwasleftemptyfortheslightlyplump,middle-agedItalianwoman,Marianna.AlthoughshehadneverbeentotheKingdomofDreams,KingDimitrikepttheseatemptyinmemoryofher.ThethirdonewasfortheheavenlynymphCharmaihetwinsisterofClementine.Havingnobodyandnosubstance,shewasinvisibletothehumashereallyexisted,soshehadaseat,too.Bythistimetheownersoftheboatsandoeshadreachedtheshore,hastilydisembarkedandweresurgingtowardsthehuge,awe-inspiringgoopassthroughitsopenmouth–theentraoGiantMountain.TheycamemainlytoweleKingDimitrihome,butalsotosatisfytheircuriosityahtheirowhemajesticgoldpacethathadbeenbuiltht.Filingthroughthewindinggoldpathway,theyclimbedupthestepsthatledtothetopofthemountain,crossedthegeoverthepool,flooredwithgoldsandandgatheredonthesquarebeforethepace.Theirnumbersswelledtosuchthatitossibleforallofthemtogoinsideandpaytheirrespectstotheirsn,sotheyseribalchiefsandheadsofsastheirrepresentative.Ihepace,thehugepricelesspearl,hangingdownfromthetopofthedome,gaveforthasoftfluorestradiaurasthemoonlightoutside,bothglowingale,obscureandmysteriousbeauty.

“Iheardyoutalkingaboutstrictsurveilnce”saidLotus,“What’sallthatabout?”Whitefairyliftedthecoverofthedblewlightlyoealeavesfloatingatthetop.ShetoldLotusiailhowKingDimitrimethistwofriends,howshegedintowhitesmokesoastohelphimescapethestrictsurveilnce,howKingDimitrijumpedoutofthewindowiomeetwithhistwofriends.Onheariale,Lotussighedandsaid,

“Good!Good!Whatagreatperformahetwoofyougedatotalofthreepositions,oerthaher.Ha,ha,ha,ha!Sogreat!”AishaknewMr.Fingerwasridigherandwasmortified,butthensheknewherownbehaviorwasshameful.Soshebitbackherretortandaskedgenially,

Dimitritoreoffakofmeatwithhisteethandchewedvigorously.Afterawhile,hedranksomewine.

Bythebanksofthiswideexpanseofbluewaterslethatchedhut.inallybuilttoalyLotus’homesiessforhernativend,itwasnowDimitri’stemporaryresidence.SincehisreturntotheKingdomofDreams,KingDimitriwasinedtowardsasimple,rusticlifestyle,physicallysowing,reaping,tillingthesoindreadingbooksinhisleisuretime.TheBeautiesoftencame,primarilytovisit,tobenearandintimatewithhim,butalsotomeetandchatwiththeotherBeauties.Theformerbarrenaekesidesuddenlycametolife,brighteheirmelodiousvoidughter.Thendscapetoorewardedtheadditionalcaregiventhembyflourishingandbeingaseaoflushgreen.Justthen,LotuswhowasbusyspinningsuddenlybecameawarethatKingDimitriwasawake.Shelookedtowardswherehehadbeensleepingandfoundthathewassilentlystaringather.Aradiantsmilelitupherbeautifultenance.Shesaid,

Hethought,“Ah!AtstIamhome.Ihaveretreatedfromthefar-away,mundaneworldtomyKingdomofDreams,butmyfleshbodyisstilltheresuffering.Iotpeethemysteryoffateandthefleshbody.Isitthefleshbodythatsubmitstofateandgoesforthtoitsdestination?Orisitfatethatfollowsthefleshbody,stepbysteptowardsitsgoal?Thestarsrotateontheirorbitarainsrunoracks.Whataboutmyfleshbodyandfate?Theirretionshipismuddledandirregur.Sometimesmyfleshbodyfollowsfate,whileinothersinstatakesthingsintoitsownhands,strivingandstrugglingtopullthingsontoarack.OhdearGod!Itisyouwhocreatedme.Ihavebutonegoal–tobeearovingtroubadour.Buthatwishhasbeenthwarted.AhdearGod!Siwasyouwhocreatedme,whydidyoupythistrithemomentofmyceptionandputthisblemishintoyourcreation,takingawaymysight,prohibitingmefromhavingthefulluseofallmysenses.Iamlikealootiveabahedesotewilderness,lefttothemercyoftherain,thewindandtheerosionoftime.Myfleshbodyisimprisonedinacell,passivelyandaimlesslyenduriuralprocessofaging,waitingfortimetobeexpendedandthendie.WhyshouldIrackmybraintoanalyzetheretionshipbetweenfateandmyfleshbody?Whicheveristheprindwhichthesedary,theultimatedestinationoflifeisdestru.WhenI,myfleshbodywillbesufferingintherealworld.ButnowthatIamasleep,IaminmyKingdomofDreams.IamtheKingofmyKingdom.WhynotenjoymyselfwhileI,insteadofmentingoverlostopportunitieswhenit’stoote,leavingoyregrets.Letmefillupthebnksofmylifewithmybeautifuldreams.Dreamsarereallythetinuationofreallife.Theborderliweewoarefuzzyandhardtodistinguish.Whydreamsaiesmergetogether,influendplementeachother,andputthemalltogetherintoabeautifundmysteriouspuzzleofmylife.”Thinkingso,Dimitri’sspiritssoared,sweepingawaythecobwebsoftroubledsorrohatsmilewasliketheringbreeze,blowingawaythehazy,straimospherethathoveredovertheba.

GraduallyAishawokefromherhalf-dazedstupor.Thevigoroussurgeofgratificationthatfilledherfleshbodyhadsomewhatabated.Sheslowlyopenedhereyesandlookedaround.Thestrong,virilemamadelovetowasnolohere,butthewetperspiratioonherbodyhaddried.Duringthecourseoftheircoitus,notawordoken.Slowlyshesatupfromtheloungechair,gatheredherdisarrayedhairtothenapeofhernedtwistedittoaknot.Shehadregainedherequilibrium,hernormalelegance.Shemassagedhertempleswearily,tryingtogetsomesembnceoforderinherretlydisruptedlife.Shehadasplittingheadaingonandherspiritsweredeeplyperturbed.Whywasitthatifewdayshermoodhadbeenasuntrolbleasarapidlysurgingtide?Whydidshehavetorridsexwithastranger,amanshehadneverseenbefore?Howcouldsheexpinsuchpreposterous,bizarrebehavior?Shecouldfindnoanswer.Couldshehavebeendeludedbyherowndreams,deceivedbyfalseimpressions?Butinherdreams,themagnifitKingdom,themajesticpadthenumerousbeautiesweresoreandauthentic!Perhapsbetweendreamsaythereisanutterlyillusiveandpurelyimaginaryretionship,aretionshipthatisao-be-solvedmystery.

1

“God!Doyoureallyexist?Yousaid,‘Itisnotgoodthatthemanshouldbealone.Iwillmakeahelpmateforhim.’YoumadeEveforAdam,theaorofmankind.ButI,Mr.Finger,livealoneinsolitudeintheworld.Iwanttoaskyou,whereisthewomanforme?WhereismyEve?”Mr.Fingerhystericallykow-towedtowardstheskiesgandshouting,

Mr.Finger’sdexterouseyesturnedroundandround.Thenhelookedupwardsandsaid,

Wheherantingofthelittlefellow,KingDimitriatonderstoodthatMr.Fingertohisoldtricksagain.Hewasmoody,irascibleandhadnosenseht,soKingDimitrisaidamiably,

“That’swonderful!Wheredoyoulive?Doyouhaveanywine?Ilovewine.”Vio’ssmilebecamemorealluring.

“KingDimitrihasuntablewealth,fabulouspadsomaies.ButI,Iamasolitarymanwhohasnothingtomyevenonewomanofmysizetokeepmepany.Thatisnotfair!”Mr.Fingerraisedhisheadandptedtheeveningskies,coveredwithmulticoloredclouds.Hecriedtotheheavens,

“Nothing.WhenIgotbacktheyhadanationalbaofcelebration.ThewholeKingdomwentwild,eating,drinking,singinganddanightanddayforthreewholedays.Thatmusthavebeenwhenyoucalled.Thetimingwasreallyoff.Duetoalltheseactalmishaps,wemissedthebestopportunityforreversingKaffee’sorders.Nowitwilltakemoreefforttodislodgehim.peoJamaz?”

Onthergeopenspacebythebankoftheke,KojakandCortez,thetwoferocioustigers,favoritesofKingDimitriwererunningincirclesaroundMr.Finger.Hehelduphishand,andthedownwardsemphatically,shouting“Stop!”Thetwotigersimmediatelystoppedandsatbeforehim.TheykhelittlemanwasKingDimitri’sguest,sotheygavehimtherespectaccordedtoanoddandetricvisitorandobeyedhisands.Handscspedbehindhisback,Mr.Fingerswaggeredbeforethetwotigersasifadmonishingsubordinates.

“Ithinkweshouldhaveithereatthepace”saidDimitriaftergivingitsomethought.“Thegoldpaceisbrilliantanddazzling,buteverythingishardandcold,notverycozy.”

Beforehisvoicediedaway,amiraclehappened,asifGodreallyansweredhisprayers.Notfaraway,astringofbell-likeughtertrilledintheair.Mr.Fingerraisedhisheadandsawatinynakedbeautyhalf-reingonatulipnearbywhoseheightwassimirtohisown.Thefingerhighbeautyleaptgracefullyfromtheflowerandsashayedtowardshimsaying,

“DidiythingamissbeforeOliverKaffeeresumedhispositionatWorldBank?“heasked.“Surelythereweresomeclues.”

“Iwantheavysmoke.Iwantasmokesoheavyitwouldyroomandmyceilinglikeacurtain,tosmefromtheevilpryiaringatme”.

“OK,”saidKingDimitri.“Iwillgooverthereatonce.IsmyflyinghorseLightningaround?”

“That’sgreat”saidDimitri“WhatmorewouldIhethreeofthemughed,helduptheirgssesandswiggedhappily.Theydrankmerrilyinthedarknessofnightinthedesertedrosegarden,apaniedbyjazzmusidthesoftingfemalevoithisnookofthegarden,themoohterandtherosesseemedtobemoredelicateandfragrant,buttheycouldnotalleviatetheayinDimitri’sheartabouthisKingdomofDreams.

“Hithere!Isawyouassoonasyouwalkedintothetulipfield.Yhingandgandkowtowingtotheskies.Itwasreallyfunny!”ShestoppedbesideMr.Finger,helpedhimupandtinued,

“ewithme,Dimitri.”AndhekwasJamaz.DimitriputhislefthandonJamaz’srightshoulderawoofthemwalkedrapidlyaway.

“Imustimprintthisgentlefeelingintomymemory,toimmortalizethismomentforever.”

Thusthetwoofthemhurriedlyseparated.

“ThankyouforhelpingmeescapethestrictsurveilncesoIeetmytwofriends.Ihaven’thadacetothankyouafterIreturheKingdom.”

2

“Lotus,IsKingDimitriawake?”ThedooropeondLotuscameoutsaying,“He’sawake.Hejustwokeupalittlewhileago.ein.Pleaseein.”Handinhand,thetwowalkedintothethatchedhut.KingDimitribeamedatthesightofWhiteFairy.Hesaid,

“Right!That’sit!”excimedDimitriandbothofthembrokeoutiantughterasifsneeringattheignorandinpeteheiroppos.“HowdidyoufindIwashere?”

KingDimitrisatsedatelyonhisthroheluminouslight,crowdsofpeoplecouldbeseenmovingaboutbothinandoutofthepace.Likethesurgingofwavesathightide,anewgroupcameupastheonebeforethemreceded.Whentheykdownbeforethethrone,bowinglowtoshowtheirrespect,KingDimitrimerelynoddedslightlyinaowledgement,butthebeautiesstooduptoaccepttheirallegiaheheirseatstocourteouslyhelpthemup,asamarkofrespeKingDimitri’sparttowardsthechiefsandheadsofhispeople.GroupaftergrouppaidtheirrespectsasKingDimitrisatonhisthroneacceptingtheirmostrespedceremoniousobeisaerthestofthemhadleft,KingDimitriledthebeautiesupthegoldstairsleadingtotherooftopgardeepofthestairsgeedamelodiousnote,likethekeysofapiano,theonlydifferehepianokeyswerehorizontal,whilethestairswerevertical.Theirdiversefootstepsweredisorderly,butthestairspulsatedwithamelodythatwasridgrandiose,likethevibrantmusiccreatedbythenimblefingersofacertpianist.Whenthemusicstopped,Dimitriandthebeautieshadreachedtherooftopgarden,whereasumptuousfeasthadalreadybeenspread.KingDimitritookhispceattheteroftheoblongtablefagthesquare,whilethebeautiessatonbothsidesofhim.Thediwasofsolidgold,polishedandexquisite.Madefromthemostpreciousofmetals,theseheavyutensilsthatwouldhavedazzledandshoneuhesunnowglistehelitistsuperiorityuhemoonlight.BeforeKingDimitriwasagoldgoblet,filledwithablood-redwine.Lookingdownatthesquare,filledtocapacitywithhisloyalsubjects,KingDimitristoodup,raisedhisgobletinsaluteanddrankitinaquaff.Aroarofappreciativeappuseandshoutsofjoyresouhesquareinresponse.Campfirewerelitonthesquaresanddottedthesurroundinghills,valleysandkeside,numerousasthestarsintheskies.Peoplegatheredingroupsaroundthefire,singinganddang.Warriorsbeatasplendidmilitarytattooontheirdrumsmadeofanimalskin,whileothersdaantly,twistingandturningtothestimuti.Bowinhand,theywouldsometimespulltheemptystringsinunison,givingforthamonotonousbutrhythmatig.Someofthemwenttothepoolflooredwithgoldsandwithpailsintheirhandstogetsomewatertodrink,onlytofinditfullofthemostdeliciouswinemadebyEasterLilyfromthearofahundredflowers.Thewinewasmildandnotusedforintoxication,givingthebodyafeelingoffortaioandfoodwerepiledhighforthepeopletocookovertheircampfires.Awhole-nightcelebrationba,enpassiirekingdom,began.