The Yiddish Policemen's Union: A Novel

THE PULITZER PRIZE W I N N I N G A U T H O R DE

USA SZE95 CANADA 133.95

FROM THE ACCLAIMED AUTHOR OF THE PULITZER PRIZE WINNER ^ A M A Z I N G ADVENTURES OF K A V A L I E R & - C L A Y COMES AN EQUALLY DAZZLING. ORIGINAL. AND IMAGINATIVE WORK OF FICTION.

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or sixty years, Jewish refugees and their descen­ dants have prospered in the Federal District of Sitka, a "temporary" safe haven created in the wake

of revelations of the Holocaust and the shocking 1948 collapse of the fledgling state of Israel. Proud, grateful, and longing to be American, the Jews of the Sitka Dis­ trict have created their own little world in the Alaskan panhandle, a vibrant, gritty, soulful, and complex fron­ tier city that moves to the music of Yiddish. For sixty years they have been left alone, neglected and halfforgotten in a backwater of history. Now the District is set to revert to Alaskan control, and their dream is coming to an end: once again the tides of history threaten to sweep them up and carry them off into the unknown. But

homicide detective Meyer Landsman of the

District Police has enough problems without worrying about the upcoming Reversion. His life is a shambles, his marriage a wreck, his career a disaster. He and his half-Tlingit partner, Berko Shemets, can't catch a break in any of their outstanding cases. Landsman's new supervisor is the love of his life—and also his worst nightmare. And in the cheap hotel where he has washed up, someone has just committed a murder—right under Landsman's nose. Out of habit, obligation, and a mysterious sense that it somehow offers him a shot at redeeming himself, Landsman begins to investigate the killing of his neighbor, a former chess prodigy. But when word comes down from on high that the case is to be dropped immediately, Landsman soon finds himself contending with all the powerful forces of faith, obsession, hopefulness, evil, and salvation that

[ C O N T I N U E D DN BACK F L A P )

05D7

[CONTINUED FRDM FRONT F L A P )

are his heritage—and with the unfinished business of his marriage to Bina Gelbfish, the one person who understands his darkest fears. At once a gripping whodunit, a love story, an hom­ age to 1940s noir, and an exploration of the mysteries of exile and redemption, The Tiddish 'Policemen's Union is a novel only Michael Chabon could have written.

- M I C H A E L CHABON is the bestselling author of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, which won the 1001 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. He lives in Berkeley, California, with his wife, the novelist Ayelet Waldman, and their children.

J A C K E T DESIGN BY WILL STAEHLE AUTHOR PHDTOGRAPH © 2DD7 STEPHANIE RAUSSER

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THE YIDDISH POLICEMEN'S UNION

A Novel

MICHAEL CHABON

HarperCollinsPwMs^ers

T H E Y I D D I S H P O L I C E M E N ' S U N I O N . Copyright © 2 0 0 7 by Michael Chabon. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information, address HarperCollins Publishers, 1 0 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 1 0 0 2 2 .

HarperCollins books may be purchased for educational, business, or sales promotional use. For information, please write: Special Markets Department, HarperCollins Publishers, 1 0 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 1 0 0 2 2 . FIRST

EDITION

Designed by Leah

Carlson-Stanisic

Jacket and text illustrations

by Will Staehle

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request. ISBN: 9 7 8 - 0 - 0 0 - 7 1 4 9 8 2 - 7 ISBN-10: 0 - 0 0 - 7 1 4 9 8 2 - 4 07

08

09

10

11

ID/RRDIO

9

8

To Ayelet, bashert

And

they went to sea in a EDWARD

LEAR

Sieve.

THE Y I D D I S H P O L I C E M E N ' S UNIDN

•9

N

i

ine m o n t h s Landsman's been

flopping

at the H o t e l Z a m e n h o f

w i t h o u t a n y of his fellow r e s i d e n t s m a n a g i n g t o g e t t h e m s e l v e s m u r d e r e d . N o w s o m e b o d y has p u t a bullet in t h e brain of t h e

o c c u p a n t of 208, a yid w h o was calling himself E m a n u e l Lasker. " H e d i d n ' t a n s w e r t h e p h o n e , h e w o u l d n ' t o p e n h i s d o o r , " says

Tenenboym the night manager when he comes to roust Landsman. L a n d s m a n lives in 5 0 5 , w i t h a v i e w of t h e n e o n sign o n t h e h o t e l a c r o s s M a x N o r d a u S t r e e t . T h a t o n e is c a l l e d t h e B l a c k p o o l , a w o r d t h a t figures in L a n d s m a n ' s n i g h t m a r e s . " I h a d t o l e t m y s e l f i n t o h i s room." T h e n i g h t m a n a g e r is a f o r m e r U . S . M a r i n e w h o k i c k e d a h e r o i n h a b i t of his o w n b a c k in t h e sixties, after c o m i n g h o m e from t h e s h a m b l e s of t h e C u b a n war. H e t a k e s a m o t h e r l y i n t e r e s t in t h e user population of t h e Zamenhof. H e e x t e n d s c r e d i t to t h e m a n d sees t h a t t h e y a r e left a l o n e w h e n t h a t is w h a t t h e y n e e d . " D i d y o u t o u c h a n y t h i n g i n t h e r o o m ? " L a n d s m a n says. T e n e n b o y m says, " O n l y t h e cash a n d j e w e l r y . " L a n d s m a n p u t s on his trousers a n d shoes a n d hitches u p his suspenders. T h e n he and T e n e n b o y m t u r n to look at t h e d o o r k n o b , w h e r e a n e c k t i e h a n g s , r e d w i t h a fat m a r o o n s t r i p e , a l r e a d y k n o t t e d t o save t i m e . L a n d s m a n h a s e i g h t h o u r s t o go u n t i l his n e x t shift.

2

MICHAEL

CHABON

E i g h t r a t h o u r s , s u c k i n g a t his b o t t l e , in his glass t a n k lined w i t h w o o d s h a v i n g s . L a n d s m a n s i g h s a n d g o e s for t h e t i e . H e s l i d e s i t o v e r h i s h e a d a n d p u s h e s u p t h e k n o t t o h i s collar. H e p u t s o n h i s j a c k e t , feels for t h e w a l l e t a n d s h i e l d i n t h e b r e a s t p o c k e t , p a t s t h e s h o l e m h e w e a r s in a h o l s t e r u n d e r his a r m , a c h o p p e d S m i t h & Wesson Model 39. " I h a t e t o w a k e y o u , D e t e c t i v e , " T e n e n b o y m says. " O n l y I noticed that you d o n ' t really sleep." " I s l e e p , " L a n d s m a n says. H e p i c k s u p t h e s h o t g l a s s t h a t h e is c u r r e n t l y d a t i n g , a souvenir of t h e World's Fair of 1977. "It's j u s t I d o i t i n m y u n d e r p a n t s a n d s h i r t . " H e lifts t h e g l a s s a n d t o a s t s t h e t h i r t y y e a r s g o n e s i n c e t h e S i t k a W o r l d ' s Fair. A p i n n a c l e o f J e w i s h c i v i l i z a t i o n i n t h e n o r t h , p e o p l e say, a n d w h o is h e t o a r g u e ? M e y e r Landsman was fourteen that summer, and just discovering

the

g l o r i e s o f J e w i s h w o m e n , for w h o m 1 9 7 7 m u s t h a v e b e e n s o m e k i n d of a p i n n a c l e . " S i t t i n g u p in a c h a i r . " H e d r a i n s t h e glass. " W e a r i n g a sholem." A c c o r d i n g t o d o c t o r s , t h e r a p i s t s , a n d his ex-wife, L a n d s m a n d r i n k s t o m e d i c a t e himself, t u n i n g t h e t u b e s a n d crystals of his m o o d s w i t h a c r u d e h a m m e r of h u n d r e d - p r o o f p l u m brandy. But t h e t r u t h is t h a t L a n d s m a n h a s o n l y t w o m o o d s : w o r k i n g a n d d e a d . M e y e r L a n d s m a n is t h e m o s t d e c o r a t e d s h a m m e s i n t h e D i s t r i c t of Sitka, t h e m a n w h o solved t h e m u r d e r of t h e beautiful F r o m a Lefkowitz b y her furrier h u s b a n d , and caught Podolsky t h e Hospital K i l l e r . H i s t e s t i m o n y s e n t H y m a n T s h a r n y t o f e d e r a l p r i s o n for life, t h e f i r s t a n d l a s t t i m e t h a t c r i m i n a l c h a r g e s a g a i n s t a V e r b o v e r w i s e g u y have ever b e e n m a d e t o stick. H e has t h e m e m o r y of a c o n v i c t , t h e balls of a fireman, a n d t h e eyesight of a housebreaker. W h e n t h e r e is c r i m e t o fight, L a n d s m a n t e a r s a r o u n d S i t k a l i k e a m a n w i t h h i s p a n t l e g c a u g h t o n a r o c k e t . I t ' s l i k e t h e r e ' s a film score playing behind him, heavy on the castanets. T h e problem c o m e s in t h e h o u r s w h e n h e isn't w o r k i n g , w h e n his t h o u g h t s s t a r t b l o w i n g o u t t h e o p e n w i n d o w of his b r a i n like pages from a blotter. Sometimes it takes a heavy paperweight to pin t h e m d o w n .

THE Y I D D I S H

POLICEMEN'S

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3

" I h a t e t o m a k e m o r e w o r k for y o u , " T e n e n b o y m says. During

his

days

working

Narcotics,

Landsman

arrested

T e n e n b o y m five t i m e s . T h a t is all t h e b a s i s for w h a t p a s s e s for f r i e n d s h i p b e t w e e n t h e m . I t is a l m o s t e n o u g h . " I t ' s n o t w o r k , T e n e n b o y m , " L a n d s m a n says. " I d o i t for l o v e . " " I t ' s t h e s a m e for m e , " t h e n i g h t m a n a g e r says. " W i t h b e i n g a n i g h t m a n a g e r of a crap-ass h o t e l . " L a n d s m a n p u t s his h a n d on T e n e n b o y m ' s shoulder, a n d t h e y go d o w n to take stock of t h e deceased, squeezing i n t o t h e Z a m e n h o f ' s l o n e e l e v a t o r , o r ELEVATORO, as a s m a l l b r a s s p l a t e o v e r t h e d o o r w o u l d h a v e i t . W h e n t h e h o t e l w a s b u i l t fifty y e a r s a g o , all o f i t s directional signs, labels, notices, a n d w a r n i n g s w e r e p r i n t e d

on

b r a s s p l a t e s in E s p e r a n t o . M o s t of t h e m a r e l o n g g o n e , v i c t i m s of n e g l e c t , v a n d a l i s m , o r t h e fire c o d e . T h e d o o r a n d d o o r frame of 208 d o n o t e x h i b i t signs of forced entry. L a n d s m a n covers t h e k n o b w i t h his h a n d k e r c h i e f a n d n u d g e s t h e d o o r o p e n w i t h t h e t o e o f h i s loafer. "I got

this funny

feeling," T e n e n b o y m

says as h e

follows

L a n d s m a n i n t o t h e r o o m . " F i r s t t i m e I e v e r saw t h e guy. You k n o w t h e expression 'a b r o k e n m a n ' ? " L a n d s m a n allows t h a t t h e phrase rings a bell. " M o s t of t h e p e o p l e it gets a p p l i e d t o d o n ' t really d e s e r v e i t , " T e n e n b o y m says. " M o s t m e n , i n m y o p i n i o n , t h e y h a v e n o t h i n g t h e r e t o b r e a k i n t h e first p l a c e . B u t t h i s L a s k e r . H e w a s l i k e o n e o f t h o s e sticks y o u s n a p , it lights u p . You k n o w ? F o r a few h o u r s . A n d y o u can h e a r b r o k e n glass r a t t l i n g i n s i d e of it. I d o n ' t k n o w , forget it. It was j u s t a funny feeling." " E v e r y b o d y has a funny feeling t h e s e d a y s , " L a n d s m a n says, m a k i n g a few n o t e s i n h i s l i t t l e b l a c k p a d a b o u t t h e s i t u a t i o n o f t h e room, even t h o u g h such notes are superfluous, because he rarely forgets a detail of physical d e s c r i p t i o n . L a n d s m a n has been told, by t h e same loose confederacy of physicians, psychologists, a n d his f o r m e r s p o u s e , t h a t a l c o h o l w i l l kill h i s gift for r e c o l l e c t i o n , b u t so far, t o h i s r e g r e t , t h i s c l a i m h a s p r o v e d false. H i s v i s i o n o f t h e p a s t

4

MICHAEL

CHABON

r e m a i n s u n i m p a i r e d . " W e h a d to open a separate p h o n e line j u s t to handle the calls." " T h e s e are strange times to be a Jew," T e n e n b o y m agrees. " N o doubt about it." A small pile of p a p e r b a c k books sits a t o p t h e laminate dresser. O n t h e b e d s i d e t a b l e Lasker k e p t a chessboard. It looks like h e had a g a m e going, a m e s s y - l o o k i n g m i d d l e g a m e w i t h Black's k i n g u n d e r attack at t h e center of t h e board and W h i t e having t h e advantage of a c o u p l e of pieces. It's a c h e a p set, t h e b o a r d a s q u a r e of card t h a t folds d o w n t h e m i d d l e , t h e p i e c e s h o l l o w , w i t h p l a s t i c n u b s where they were extruded. O n e l i g h t b u r n s i n a t h r e e - s h a d e floor l a m p b y t h e t e l e v i s i o n . E v e r y o t h e r b u l b in t h e r o o m a p a r t from t h e b a t h r o o m t u b e has b e e n r e m o v e d or allowed t o b u r n o u t . O n t h e windowsill sits a p a c k a g e of a p o p u l a r b r a n d of over-the-counter laxative.

The

w i n d o w is c r a n k e d o p e n i t s p o s s i b l e i n c h , a n d e v e r y few s e c o n d s t h e m e t a l b l i n d s b a n g i n t h e stiff w i n d b l o w i n g i n off t h e G u l f o f Alaska. T h e w i n d carries a sour t a n g of p u l p e d lumber, t h e smell of b o a t diesel a n d t h e s l a u g h t e r a n d c a n n i n g of salmon. A c c o r d i n g to " N o k h A m o l , " a song that Landsman and every other Alaskan J e w of his g e n e r a t i o n l e a r n e d in g r a d e school, t h e smell of

the

w i n d f r o m t h e G u l f fills a J e w i s h n o s e w i t h a s e n s e o f p r o m i s e , o p p o r t u n i t y , t h e c h a n c e t o s t a r t again. " N o k h A m o l " d a t e s from t h e Polar Bear days, t h e early forties, a n d it's s u p p o s e d t o be an e x p r e s s i o n o f g r a t i t u d e for a n o t h e r m i r a c u l o u s d e l i v e r a n c e : O n c e Again. N o w a d a y s t h e J e w s of t h e Sitka District t e n d to hear t h e i r o n i c e d g e t h a t w a s t h e r e all a l o n g . " S e e m s like I've k n o w n a lot of chess-playing yids w h o used s m a c k , " T e n e n b o y m says. " S a m e h e r e , " L a n d s m a n says, looking d o w n at t h e deceased, realizing h e has seen t h e y i d a r o u n d t h e Z a m e n h o f . L i t t l e b i r d of a m a n . B r i g h t e y e , s n u b b e a k . B i t o f a flush i n t h e c h e e k s a n d t h r o a t t h a t m i g h t have been rosacea. N o t a h a r d case, n o t a scumbag, not

THE Y I D D I S H

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5

q u i t e a lost soul. A yid n o t too different from L a n d s m a n , m a y b e , a p a r t from his choice of d r u g . C l e a n fingernails. Always a tie a n d hat. Read a book with footnotes once.

N o w L a s k e r lies o n his

b e l l y , o n t h e p u l l - d o w n b e d , face t o t h e w a l l , w e a r i n g o n l y a p a i r of r e g u l a t i o n w h i t e u n d e r p a n t s . G i n g e r hair a n d g i n g e r freckles a n d t h r e e days of golden s t u b b l e on his c h e e k . A t r a c e of a d o u b l e c h i n t h a t L a n d s m a n p u t s d o w n t o a v a n i s h e d life as a fat b o y . Eyes swollen in t h e i r b l o o d - d a r k o r b i t s . A t t h e b a c k of his h e a d is a s m a l l , b u r n t h o l e , a b e a d o f b l o o d . N o s i g n o f a s t r u g g l e . N o t h i n g to indicate t h a t Lasker saw it c o m i n g or even k n e w t h e i n s t a n t w h e n i t c a m e . T h e p i l l o w , L a n d s m a n n o t i c e s , is m i s s i n g from t h e b e d . " I f I'd k n o w n , m a y b e I w o u l d have p r o p o s e d a g a m e or t w o . " "I didn't k n o w you play." " I ' m w e a k , " L a n d s m a n says. B y t h e c l o s e t , o n p l u s h c a r p e t t h e m e d i c a t e d yellow-green of a t h r o a t lozenge, h e s p o t s a t i n y w h i t e feather. L a n d s m a n jerks o p e n t h e closet door, a n d t h e r e o n t h e

floor

is t h e p i l l o w , s h o t t h r o u g h t h e h e a r t t o s i l e n c e t h e c o n c u s s i o n o f b u r s t i n g g a s e s i n a s h e l l . " I h a v e n o feel for t h e m i d d l e g a m e . " " I n m y e x p e r i e n c e , D e t e c t i v e , " T e n e n b o y m s a y s , " i t ' s all m i d d l e game." " D o n ' t I k n o w i t , " L a n d s m a n says. H e calls t o w a k e his p a r t n e r , Berko S h e m e t s . " D e t e c t i v e S h e m e t s , " L a n d s m a n says i n t o h i s m o b i l e p h o n e , a d e p a r t m e n t - i s s u e S h o y f e r A T . " T h i s is y o u r p a r t n e r . " " I b e g g e d y o u n o t t o d o t h i s a n y m o r e , M e y e r , " B e r k o says. N e e d l e s s t o say, h e a l s o h a s e i g h t h o u r s t o g o u n t i l h i s n e x t s h i f t . " Y o u h a v e a r i g h t t o b e a n g r y , " L a n d s m a n says. " O n l y I t h o u g h t m a y b e y o u m i g h t still b e a w a k e . " " I was a w a k e . " Unlike L a n d s m a n , Berko S h e m e t s has n o t m a d e a mess of his m a r r i a g e o r h i s p e r s o n a l life. E v e r y n i g h t h e s l e e p s i n t h e a r m s o f h i s e x c e l l e n t w i f e , w h o s e l o v e for h i m is m e r i t e d , r e q u i t e d , a n d

B

MICHAEL

CHABDN

a p p r e c i a t e d b y h e r h u s b a n d , a steadfast m a n w h o never gives her a n y c a u s e for s o r r o w o r a l a r m . "A c u r s e o n y o u r h e a d , M e y e r , " B e r k o s a y s , a n d

then,

in

American, "God damn it." "I have an a p p a r e n t homicide here at m y h o t e l , " L a n d s m a n says. "A r e s i d e n t . A s i n g l e s h o t t o t h e b a c k o f t h e h e a d . S i l e n c e d w i t h a pillow. Very t i d y " "A h i t . " " T h a t ' s the only reason I'm bothering you. T h e unusual nature of t h e killing." Sitka, w i t h a p o p u l a t i o n in t h e long j a g g e d s t r i p of t h e m e t r o area of t h r e e p o i n t t w o million, averages a b o u t seventy-five homicides a year. S o m e o f t h e s e a r e g a n g - r e l a t e d : R u s s i a n s h t a r k e r s w h a c k i n g o n e a n o t h e r freestyle. T h e r e s t of Sitka's homicides are so-called crimes o f p a s s i o n , w h i c h is a s h o r t h a n d w a y o f e x p r e s s i n g t h e m a t h e m a t i c a l p r o d u c t o f a l c o h o l a n d f i r e a r m s . C o l d - b l o o d e d e x e c u t i o n s a r e as r a r e as t h e y a r e t o u g h t o c l e a r f r o m t h e b i g w h i t e b o a r d i n t h e s q u a d r o o m , w h e r e t h e t a l l y o f o p e n c a s e s is k e p t . " Y o u ' r e off d u t y , M e y e r . C a l l i t i n . G i v e i t t o T a b a t c h n i k a n d Karpas." Tabatchnik and Karpas, the other two detectives who make u p B S q u a d in t h e H o m i c i d e Section of t h e District Police, Sitka Headquarters,

are holding down

the night

shift

this

month.

L a n d s m a n h a s t o a c k n o w l e d g e a c e r t a i n a p p e a l in t h e idea of l e t t i n g this pigeon shit on their fedoras. " W e l l , I w o u l d , " L a n d s m a n says. " E x c e p t for t h i s is m y p l a c e of r e s i d e n c e . " " Y o u k n e w h i m ? " Berko says, his t o n e softening. "No,"

L a n d s m a n says. " I d i d n o t k n o w t h e y i d . "

H e looks a w a y from t h e pale freckled e x p a n s e of t h e d e a d m a n s t r e t c h e d o u t o n t h e p u l l - d o w n b e d . S o m e t i m e s h e c a n ' t h e l p feeling s o r r y for t h e m , b u t i t ' s b e t t e r n o t t o g e t i n t o t h e h a b i t . " L o o k , " L a n d s m a n says, " y o u go b a c k t o b e d . We can t a l k a b o u t

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it t o m o r r o w . I ' m s o r r y I b o t h e r e d y o u . G o o d n i g h t . Tell E s t e r Malke I'm sorry." " Y o u s o u n d a l i t t l e off, M e y e r , " B e r k o says. " Y o u o k a y ? " In r e c e n t m o n t h s L a n d s m a n has p l a c e d a n u m b e r of calls t o his p a r t n e r at q u e s t i o n a b l e h o u r s of t h e n i g h t , r a n t i n g a n d r a m b l i n g in a n a l c o h o l i c d i a l e c t o f grief. L a n d s m a n b a i l e d o u t o n h i s m a r r i a g e two years ago, and last April his y o u n g e r sister crashed her Piper Super C u b i n t o t h e side of M o u n t D u n k e l b l u m , u p in t h e b u s h . B u t L a n d s m a n is n o t t h i n k i n g o f N a o m i ' s d e a t h n o w , n o r o f t h e s h a m e of his divorce. H e has b e e n s a n d b a g g e d b y a vision of s i t t i n g in t h e g r i m y l o u n g e o f t h e H o t e l Z a m e n h o f , o n a c o u c h t h a t w a s once w h i t e , playing chess w i t h E m a n u e l Lasker, or w h a t e v e r his real n a m e was. S h e d d i n g t h e last of t h e i r fading glow on each o t h e r a n d l i s t e n i n g t o t h e sweet c h i m i n g of b r o k e n glass inside. T h a t L a n d s m a n loathes t h e g a m e of chess does n o t m a k e t h e p i c t u r e any less t o u c h i n g . " T h e guy played chess, Berko. I never knew. T h a t ' s all." " P l e a s e , " Berko says, " p l e a s e , M e y e r , I b e g y o u , d o n ' t s t a r t w i t h the crying." " I ' m f i n e , " L a n d s m a n says. " G o o d n i g h t . " L a n d s m a n calls t h e d i s p a t c h e r t o m a k e h i m s e l f t h e p r i m a r y d e t e c t i v e o n t h e L a s k e r c a s e . A n o t h e r p i e c e - o f - s h i t h o m i c i d e is n o t g o i n g t o p u t a n y s p e c i a l h u r t o n h i s c l e a r a n c e r a t e as p r i m a r y . N o t t h a t i t r e a l l y m a t t e r s . O n t h e first o f J a n u a r y ,

sovereignty

over t h e w h o l e Federal D i s t r i c t of Sitka, a c r o o k e d p a r e n t h e s i s of rocky shoreline r u n n i n g along t h e w e s t e r n edges of Baranof a n d Chichagof islands, will r e v e r t t o t h e s t a t e of Alaska. T h e D i s t r i c t P o l i c e , t o w h i c h L a n d s m a n h a s d e v o t e d h i s h i d e , h e a d , a n d s o u l for t w e n t y y e a r s , w i l l b e d i s s o l v e d . I t is far f r o m c l e a r t h a t L a n d s m a n or Berko S h e m e t s or a n y b o d y else will b e k e e p i n g his j o b . N o t h i n g is c l e a r a b o u t t h e u p c o m i n g R e v e r s i o n , a n d t h a t is w h y t h e s e a r e s t r a n g e t i m e s t o b e a Jew.

2

W

IF

h i l e h e w a i t s for t h e b e a t l a t k e t o s h o w , L a n d s m a n k n o c k s on doors. M o s t of t h e o c c u p a n t s of t h e Z a m e n h o f are o u t for t h e n i g h t , i n b o d y o r m i n d , a n d for all t h a t h e g e t s

o u t o f t h e r e s t o f t h e m , h e m i g h t as w e l l b e k n o c k i n g o n d o o r s a t t h e H i r s h k o v i t s S c h o o l for t h e Deaf. T h e y a r e a t w i t c h y , halfaddled, rank, a n d c r a n k y b u n c h of yids, t h e residents of t h e H o t e l Zamenhof, b u t none of t h e m seems any m o r e d i s t u r b e d than usual t o n i g h t . A n d n o n e o f t h e m s t r i k e s L a n d s m a n as t h e t y p e t o j a m a l a r g e - c a l i b e r h a n d g u n a g a i n s t t h e b a s e of a m a n ' s skull a n d kill h i m in s t o n e - c o l d blood. " I ' m w a s t i n g m y t i m e w i t h these buffaloes," L a n d s m a n

tells

T e n e n b o y m . "And y o u , y o u ' r e sure y o u d i d n ' t see a n y b o d y or a n y t h i n g o u t of t h e o r d i n a r y ? " " I ' m sorry, D e t e c t i v e . " " Y o u ' r e a buffalo, t o o , T e n e n b o y m . " "I don't dispute the charge." " T h e service door?" " D e a l e r s w e r e u s i n g i t , " T e n e n b o y m says. " W e h a d t o p u t i n a n alarm. I would have heard." Landsman gets T e n e n b o y m to telephone the day manager and t h e w e e k e n d m a n , s n u g at h o m e in their beds. T h e s e g e n t l e m e n

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a g r e e w i t h T e n e n b o y m t h a t , as far as t h e y k n o w , n o o n e h a s c a l l e d for t h e d e a d m a n o r a s k e d a f t e r h i m . E v e r . N o t d u r i n g t h e e n t i r e course of his stay at t h e Z a m e n h o f . N o v i s i t o r s , n o friends, n o t even t h e delivery b o y from Pearl of M a n i l a . So, L a n d s m a n t h i n k s , t h e r e ' s a difference b e t w e e n h i m a n d Lasker: L a n d s m a n has occasional visits from R o m e l , b e a r i n g a b r o w n p a p e r b a g of

lumpia.

" I ' m g o i n g t o g o c h e c k o u t t h e r o o f , " L a n d s m a n says. " D o n ' t l e t a n y b o d y leave, a n d call m e w h e n t h e l a t k e d e c i d e s t o s h o w u p . " L a n d s m a n r i d e s t h e e l e v a t o r o t o t h e e i g h t h floor a n d t h e n b a n g s h i s w a y u p a flight o f s t e e l - e d g e d c o n c r e t e s t e p s t o t h e r o o f o f t h e Zamenhof

H e walks t h e perimeter, looking across M a x

Nordau

Street to t h e roof of t h e Blackpool. H e peers over t h e n o r t h , east, a n d s o u t h c o r n i c e s t o t h e s u r r o u n d i n g l o w s t r u c t u r e s six o r s e v e n s t o r i e s d o w n . N i g h t is a n o r a n g e s m e a r o v e r S i t k a , a c o m p o u n d o f fog a n d t h e light of s o d i u m - v a p o r s t r e e t l a m p s . I t has t h e t r a n s l u c e n c e of o n i o n s c o o k e d i n c h i c k e n fat. T h e l a m p s o f t h e J e w s s t r e t c h f r o m t h e s l o p e o f M o u n t E d g e c u m b e i n t h e w e s t , o v e r t h e s e v e n t y - t w o infilled islands of t h e S o u n d , across t h e S h v a r t s n - Y a m , H a l i b u t P o i n t , S o u t h Sitka, and t h e N a c h t a s y l , across H a r k a v y a n d t h e U n t e r s h t a t , before t h e y a r e snuffed in t h e e a s t b y t h e B a r a n o f r a n g e . O n O y s s h t e l u n g Island, t h e beacon at t h e t i p of t h e Safety P i n — s o l e r e m n a n t of t h e World's F a i r — b l i n k s o u t its w a r n i n g to airplanes or yids. L a n d s m a n c a n s m e l l fish offal f r o m t h e c a n n e r i e s , g r e a s e f r o m t h e fry p i t s a t Pearl o f M a n i l a , t h e s p e w o f t a x i s , a n i n t o x i c a t i n g b o u q u e t o f fresh h a t from G r i n s p o o n ' s F e l t i n g t w o b l o c k s a w a y " I t ' s n i c e u p t h e r e , " L a n d s m a n says w h e n h e g e t s b a c k d o w n t o t h e l o b b y , w i t h i t s a s h t r a y c h a r m , t h e y e l l o w i n g sofas, t h e s c a r r e d chairs a n d tables at w h i c h y o u s o m e t i m e s see a c o u p l e of h o t e l residents killing an h o u r w i t h a g a m e of pinochle. "I should go u p more often." " W h a t a b o u t t h e b a s e m e n t ? " T e n e n b o y m says. " Y o u g o i n g t o look d o w n t h e r e ? " " T h e b a s e m e n t , " L a n d s m a n says, a n d his h e a r t d e s c r i b e s a s u d d e n k n i g h t m o v e in his c h e s t . " I g u e s s I'd b e t t e r . "

ID

MICHAEL

CHABDN

L a n d s m a n is a t o u g h g u y , i n h i s w a y , g i v e n t o t h e t a k i n g o f w i l d chances. H e has b e e n called h a r d - b o i l e d a n d foolhardy, a m o m z e r , a c r a z y son of a b i t c h . H e has faced d o w n s h t a r k e r s a n d p s y c h o p a t h s , has been shot at, b e a t e n , frozen, b u r n e d . H e has p u r s u e d suspects b e t w e e n t h e flashing walls of u r b a n

firefights

and deep into bear

country. H e i g h t s , crowds, snakes, b u r n i n g houses, dogs schooled t o h a t e t h e s m e l l o f a p o l i c e m a n , h e h a s s h r u g g e d t h e m all off o r f u n c t i o n e d i n s p i t e o f t h e m . B u t w h e n h e finds h i m s e l f i n l i g h t l e s s o r confined spaces, s o m e t h i n g in t h e a n i m a l c o r e of M e y e r L a n d s m a n convulses. N o o n e b u t his ex-wife k n o w s it, b u t D e t e c t i v e M e y e r L a n d s m a n is a f r a i d o f t h e d a r k . " W a n t m e t o go w i t h y o u ? " T e n e n b o y m says, s o u n d i n g offhand, b u t y o u n e v e r k n o w w i t h a s e n s i t i v e o l d fishwife l i k e T e n e n b o y m . L a n d s m a n affects

t o s c o r n t h e offer. " J u s t g i v e m e a d a m n

f l a s h l i g h t , " h e says. T h e b a s e m e n t exhales its b r e a t h of c a m p h o r , h e a t i n g oil, a n d cold dust. L a n d s m a n jerks a string t h a t lights a naked bulb, holds his b r e a t h , a n d goes under. A t t h e b o t t o m of t h e steps, h e passes t h r o u g h t h e lost-articles r o o m , lined w i t h p e g b o a r d , furnished w i t h shelves and cubbyholes t h a t h o l d t h e t h o u s a n d o b j e c t s a b a n d o n e d o r f o r g o t t e n in t h e h o t e l . U n m a t e d s h o e s , fur h a t s , a t r u m p e t , a w i n d u p z e p p e l i n . A c o l l e c t i o n of w a x g r a m o p h o n e cylinders f e a t u r i n g t h e e n t i r e r e c o r d e d o u t p u t of t h e O r c h e s t r a Orfeon of I s t a n b u l . A logger's ax, t w o bicycles, a p a r t i a l b r i d g e in a h o t e l glass. Wigs, canes, a glass eye, display h a n d s left b e h i n d b y a m a n n e q u i n s a l e s m a n . P r a y e r b o o k s , p r a y e r s h a w l s in t h e i r v e l v e t z i p p e r p o u c h e s , an o u t l a n d i s h idol w i t h t h e b o d y o f a fat b a b y a n d t h e h e a d o f a n e l e p h a n t . T h e r e is a w o o d e n s o f t - d r i n k c r a t e filled w i t h k e y s , a n o t h e r w i t h t h e e n t i r e r a n g e a n d b r e a d t h of h a i r s t y l i n g tools, from irons t o eyelash c r i m p e r s . F r a m e d p h o t o g r a p h s of families in b e t t e r days. A c r y p t i c t w i s t of r u b b e r t h a t m i g h t b e a sex t o y , o r a c o n t r a c e p t i v e d e v i c e , o r t h e p a t e n t e d s e c r e t o f a f o u n d a t i o n g a r m e n t . S o m e y i d e v e n left b e h i n d

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a t a x i d e r m y m a r t e n , sleek a n d leering, its glass eye a h a r d b e a d of ink. L a n d s m a n p r o b e s t h e box of keys w i t h a pencil. H e looks inside each hat, gropes along t h e shelves b e h i n d t h e a b a n d o n e d p a p e r b a c k books. H e can hear his o w n h e a r t and smell his o w n aldehyde b r e a t h , a n d after a few m i n u t e s in t h e silence, t h e s o u n d of b l o o d in his ears begins to r e m i n d h i m of s o m e b o d y talking. H e checks b e h i n d t h e h o t - w a t e r tanks, lashed to one a n o t h e r w i t h straps of steel like c o m r a d e s in a d o o m e d a d v e n t u r e . T h e l a u n d r y is n e x t . W h e n h e p u l l s t h e s t r i n g for t h e l i g h t , n o t h i n g h a p p e n s . It's t e n d e g r e e s d a r k e r in h e r e , a n d t h e r e ' s n o t h i n g t o s e e b u t b l a n k w a l l s , s e v e r e d h o o k u p s , d r a i n h o l e s i n t h e floor. T h e Z a m e n h o f has n o t d o n e its o w n w a s h in years. L a n d s m a n looks i n t o t h e d r a i n h o l e s , a n d t h e d a r k n e s s i n t h e m is o i l y a n d t h i c k . L a n d s m a n feels a flutter, a w o r m , i n h i s belly. H e flexes h i s

fingers

a n d c r a c k s t h e b o n e s o f h i s n e c k . A t t h e far e n d o f t h e l a u n d r y r o o m , a d o o r t h a t is t h r e e p l a n k s n a i l e d t o g e t h e r b y a d i a g o n a l f o u r t h seals a l o w d o o r w a y . T h e w o o d e n d o o r h a s a l o o p o f r o p e for a latch a n d a p e g t o h o o k it on. A crawl space. L a n d s m a n half dreads t h e p h r a s e alone. H e calculates t h e c h a n c e t h a t a c e r t a i n style of killer, n o t a professional, not a t r u e amateur, n o t even a n o r m a l maniac, m i g h t be h i d i n g in t h a t crawl space. Possible; b u t it w o u l d b e p r e t t y t o u g h for t h e f r e a k t o h a v e h o o k e d t h e l o o p o v e r t h e p e g f r o m i n s i d e . T h a t l o g i c a l o n e is a l m o s t e n o u g h t o p e r s u a d e h i m n o t t o b o t h e r w i t h the crawl space. In t h e e n d L a n d s m a n switches on t h e

flash

and

n o t c h e s it b e t w e e n his t e e t h . H e hikes u p his p a n t s legs a n d g e t s d o w n on his knees. J u s t t o s p i t e himself, b e c a u s e s p i t i n g himself, s p i t i n g o t h e r s , s p i t i n g t h e w o r l d is t h e p a s t i m e a n d o n l y p a t r i m o n y of L a n d s m a n a n d his people. W i t h o n e h a n d h e u n h o l s t e r s his b i g l i t t l e S & W , a n d w i t h t h e o t h e r h e fingers t h e l o o p o f r o p e . H e y a n k s open t h e door of t h e crawl space. " C o m e o u t , " h e says, lips dry, r a s p i n g like a scared old fart.

12

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CHABDN

T h e e l a t i o n h e e x p e r i e n c e d o n t h e roof has cooled like b l o w n f i l a m e n t . H i s n i g h t s a r e w a s t e d , h i s life a n d c a r e e r a s e r i e s o f m i s t a k e s , h i s c i t y i t s e l f a b u l b t h a t is a b o u t t o g o b l a c k . H e t h r u s t s h i s u p p e r b o d y i n t o t h e c r a w l s p a c e . T h e a i r is c o l d , w i t h a b i t t e r s m e l l o f m o u s e s h i t . T h e b e a m o f t h e p o c k e t flash d r i b b l e s o v e r e v e r y t h i n g , s h a d o w i n g as m u c h as i t r e v e a l s . W a l l s o f c i n d e r b l o c k , a n e a r t h e n floor, t h e c e i l i n g a l o a t h s o m e t a n g l e o f w i r e s a n d f o a m i n s u l a t i o n . I n t h e m i d d l e o f t h e d i r t floor, a t t h e b a c k , a d i s k o f r a w p l y w o o d lies s e t i n a c i r c u l a r m e t a l f r a m e , flush w i t h t h e floor. L a n d s m a n h o l d s h i s b r e a t h a n d s w i m s t h r o u g h h i s p a n i c t o t h e h o l e i n t h e floor, d e t e r m i n e d t o s t a y u n d e r for as l o n g as h e c a n . T h e d i r t a r o u n d t h e f r a m e is u n d i s t u r b e d . A n e v e n l a y e r o f d u s t lies o v e r w o o d a n d m e t a l a l i k e , n o m a r k s , n o s t r e a k s . T h e r e is n o r e a s o n t o t h i n k a n y o n e h a s b e e n f o o l i n g w i t h i t . L a n d s m a n fits his

fingernails

b e t w e e n t h e p l y w o o d a n d t h e f r a m e a n d p r i e s off t h e

c r u d e h a t c h . T h e flashlight reveals a t h r e a d e d t u b e of a l u m i n u m screwed i n t o t h e e a r t h , laddered w i t h steel cleats. T h e frame t u r n s o u t t o b e t h e e d g e o f t h e t u b e itself. J u s t w i d e e n o u g h t o a d m i t a full-grown p s y c h o p a t h . O r a J e w i s h p o l i c e m a n w i t h fewer p h o b i a s t h a n L a n d s m a n . H e c l i n g s t o t h e s h o l e m as t o a h a n d l e , w r e s t l i n g w i t h a c r a z y n e e d t o fire i t i n t o t h e t h r o a t o f t h e d a r k n e s s . H e d r o p s t h e p l y w o o d d i s k b a c k i n t o i t s f r a m e w i t h a c l a t t e r . N o w a y is h e going down there. T h e d a r k n e s s f o l l o w s h i m all t h e w a y b a c k u p t h e s t a i r s t o t h e l o b b y , r e a c h i n g for h i s c o l l a r , t u g g i n g a t h i s s l e e v e . " N o t h i n g , " he tells T e n e n b o y m , pulling himself together. H e gives t h e w o r d a c h e e r y ring. It m i g h t be a p r e d i c t i o n of w h a t his i n v e s t i g a t i o n i n t o t h e m u r d e r o f E m a n u e l L a s k e r is b o u n d t o r e v e a l , a s t a t e m e n t o f w h a t h e b e l i e v e s L a s k e r l i v e d for a n d d i e d for, a realization of w h a t will r e m a i n , after t h e R e v e r s i o n , of L a n d s m a n ' s hometown. "Nothing." " Y o u k n o w w h a t K o h n s a y s , " says T e n e n b o y m . " K o h n says w e g o t a g h o s t i n t h e h o u s e . " K o h n is t h e d a y m a n a g e r . " T a k i n g s h i t ,

THE Y I D D I S H

moving shit around. Kohn

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UNION

i t for t h e g h o s t o f

13

Professor

Zamenhof." "If t h e y n a m e d a d u m p like this after m e , " L a n d s m a n says, " I ' d h a u n t it, t o o . " "You never know," T e n e n b o y m observes. "Especially nowadays." Nowadays one never knows. O u t at Povorotny, a cat m a t e d w i t h a r a b b i t a n d p r o d u c e d a d o r a b l e freaks w h o s e p h o t o s g r a c e d

the

f r o n t p a g e o f t h e Sitka Tog. L a s t F e b r u a r y five h u n d r e d w i t n e s s e s all u p a n d d o w n t h e D i s t r i c t s w o r e t h a t in t h e s h i m m e r of t h e a u r o r a b o r e a l i s , for t w o n i g h t s r u n n i n g , t h e y o b s e r v e d t h e o u t l i n e s o f a h u m a n face, w i t h b e a r d a n d s i d e l o c k s . V i o l e n t a r g u m e n t s

broke

o u t o v e r t h e i d e n t i t y o f t h e b e a r d e d s a g e i n t h e sky, w h e t h e r o r n o t t h e face w a s s m i l i n g ( o r m e r e l y s u f f e r i n g f r o m a m i l d a t t a c k of gas), a n d t h e m e a n i n g of t h e w e i r d m a n i f e s t a t i o n . A n d j u s t last week, a m i d t h e panic and feathers of a kosher s l a u g h t e r h o u s e on Z h i t l o v s k y A v e n u e , a c h i c k e n t u r n e d o n t h e s h o c h e t as h e r a i s e d his ritual knife a n d a n n o u n c e d , in A r a m a i c , t h e i m m i n e n t a d v e n t o f M e s s i a h . A c c o r d i n g t o t h e Tog, t h e m i r a c u l o u s c h i c k e n o f f e r e d a n u m b e r of s t a r t l i n g p r e d i c t i o n s , t h o u g h it n e g l e c t e d t o m e n t i o n t h e s o u p i n w h i c h , h a v i n g o n c e m o r e fallen s i l e n t as G o d H i m s e l f , it afterward featured. Even t h e m o s t casual s t u d y of t h e r e c o r d , Landsman thinks, would show that strange times to be a Jew have a l m o s t a l w a y s b e e n , as w e l l , s t r a n g e t i m e s t o b e a c h i c k e n .

I

n t h e s t r e e t t h e w i n d s h a k e s r a i n f r o m t h e flaps o f i t s o v e r c o a t . L a n d s m a n tucks himself into t h e hotel doorway. T w o m e n , one w i t h a cello case s t r a p p e d t o his back, t h e o t h e r cradling a violin

o r v i o l a , s t r u g g l e a g a i n s t t h e w e a t h e r t o w a r d t h e d o o r of Pearl of

M a n i l a a c r o s s t h e s t r e e t . T h e s y m p h o n y h a l l is t e n b l o c k s a n d a w o r l d away from t h i s e n d of M a x N o r d a u S t r e e t , b u t t h e c r a v i n g of a J e w for p o r k , i n p a r t i c u l a r w h e n i t h a s b e e n d e e p - f r i e d , is a force g r e a t e r t h a n n i g h t o r d i s t a n c e o r a c o l d b l a s t off t h e G u l f o f A l a s k a . L a n d s m a n h i m s e l f is f i g h t i n g t h e u r g e t o r e t u r n t o r o o m 5 0 5 , a n d his b o t t l e of slivovitz, a n d his World's Fair souvenir glass. Instead, he lights a papiros. After

a decade of

abstinence,

L a n d s m a n t o o k u p s m o k i n g again n o t q u i t e t h r e e years ago. His then-wife was p r e g n a n t at t h e time. It was a much-discussed and in s o m e q u a r t e r s a l o n g - d e s i r e d p r e g n a n c y — h e r

first—but

not a

planned one. As w i t h m a n y pregnancies that are discussed too long t h e r e w a s a h i s t o r y of a m b i v a l e n c e in t h e p r o s p e c t i v e father. A t s e v e n t e e n w e e k s a n d a d a y — t h e d a y L a n d s m a n b o u g h t his

first

p a c k a g e of Broadways in t e n y e a r s — t h e y got a b a d result. S o m e b u t n o t all o f t h e c e l l s t h a t m a d e u p t h e f e t u s , c o d e - n a m e d D j a n g o , h a d an e x t r a c h r o m o s o m e o n t h e t w e n t i e t h pair. A

mosaicism,

it was called. It m i g h t cause grave abnormalities. It m i g h t have

THE Y I D D I S H

POLICEMEN'S

UNION

15

n o effect a t all. I n t h e a v a i l a b l e l i t e r a t u r e , a f a i t h f u l p e r s o n c o u l d find e n c o u r a g e m e n t , a n d a f a i t h l e s s o n e a m p l e r e a s o n t o d e s p o n d . L a n d s m a n ' s v i e w of t h i n g s — a m b i v a l e n t , d e s p o n d e n t , a n d w i t h n o faith in a n y t h i n g — p r e v a i l e d . A d o c t o r w i t h h a l f a d o z e n l a m i n a r i a d i l a t o r s b r o k e t h e seal o n t h e life o f D j a n g o L a n d s m a n .

Three

m o n t h s later, L a n d s m a n a n d his c i g a r e t t e s m o v e d o u t of t h e h o u s e o n T s h e r n o v i t s I s l a n d t h a t h e a n d B i n a h a d s h a r e d for n e a r l y all t h e fifteen y e a r s o f t h e i r m a r r i a g e . I t w a s n o t t h a t h e c o u l d n ' t l i v e w i t h t h e g u i l t . H e j u s t c o u l d n ' t live w i t h it a n d Bina, t o o . A n old m a n , p u s h i n g himself like a r i c k e t y h a n d c a r t , weaves a c o u r s e t o w a r d t h e d o o r o f t h e h o t e l . A s h o r t m a n , u n d e r five feet, d r a g g i n g a l a r g e v a l i s e . L a n d s m a n o b s e r v e s t h e l o n g w h i t e coat, w o r n open over a w h i t e suit w i t h a waistcoat, a n d t h e wideb r i m m e d w h i t e h a t pulled d o w n over his ears. A w h i t e b e a r d a n d sidelocks, wispy and thick at t h e same t i m e . T h e valise an a n c i e n t chimera of stained b r o c a d e a n d s c r a t c h e d hide. T h e w h o l e r i g h t side o f t h e m a n ' s b o d y s a g s five d e g r e e s l o w e r t h a n t h e left, w h e r e t h e suitcase, which m u s t contain t h e old boy's e n t i r e collection of lead i n g o t s , w e i g h s i t d o w n . T h e m a n s t o p s a n d r a i s e s a finger, as if h e has a q u e s t i o n to pose of L a n d s m a n . T h e w i n d toys w i t h t h e man's whiskers a n d w i t h t h e b r i m of his hat. F r o m his b e a r d , a r m p i t s , b r e a t h , and skin, t h e w i n d plucks a rich smell of stale tobacco a n d w e t flannel a n d t h e s w e a t o f a m a n w h o lives i n t h e s t r e e t . L a n d s m a n n o t e s t h e color of t h e m a n ' s a n t i q u a t e d b o o t s , yellowish ivory, like his b e a r d , w i t h s h a r p toes a n d b u t t o n s r u n n i n g u p t h e sides. L a n d s m a n recalls t h a t h e u s e d t o see t h i s n u t a l o t , b a c k w h e n h e w a s a r r e s t i n g T e n e n b o y m for p e t t y t h e f t a n d p o s s e s s i o n . T h e y i d w a s n o y o u n g e r t h e n a n d is n o o l d e r n o w . P e o p l e u s e d t o c a l l h i m E l i j a h , b e c a u s e h e t u r n e d u p i n all k i n d s o f u n l i k e l y s p o t s , w i t h his p u s h k e box a n d his indefinable air of h a v i n g s o m e t h i n g i m p o r t a n t t o say. " D a r l i n g , " h e says t o L a n d s m a n

now. " T h i s

is t h e

Hotel

Zamenhof, no?" H i s Yiddish s o u n d s a bit exotic t o L a n d s m a n , flavored

with

IE

MICHAEL

CHABON

D u t c h m a y b e . H e is b e n t a n d frail, b u t h i s face, a p a r t f r o m c r o w ' s feet a r o u n d t h e b l u e eyes, looks y o u t h f u l a n d u n l i n e d . T h e eyes t h e m s e l v e s h o l d a m a t c h flame of e a g e r n e s s t h a t puzzles L a n d s m a n . T h e p r o s p e c t of a n i g h t at t h e Z a m e n h o f does n o t often give rise to such anticipation. " T h a t ' s r i g h t . " L a n d s m a n offers E l i j a h t h e P r o p h e t a B r o a d w a y , a n d t h e little m a n t a k e s t w o a n d t u c k s o n e i n t o t h e r e l i q u a r y of his b r e a s t p o c k e t . " H o t a n d cold water. Licensed s h a m m e s right on the premises." "Are y o u t h e manager, sweetness?" L a n d s m a n can't help smiling at that. H e steps aside, gesturing t o w a r d t h e d o o r . " T h e m a n a g e r ' s i n s i d e , " h e says. B u t t h e little m a n j u s t stands t h e r e g e t t i n g rained on, his beard f l u t t e r i n g l i k e a flag o f t r u c e . H e g a z e s u p a t t h e faceless face o f t h e Z a m e n h o f , g r a y in t h e m u r k y s t r e e t l i g h t . A n a r r o w pile of d i r t y w h i t e b r i c k a n d s l i t w i n d o w s , t h r e e o r f o u r b l o c k s off t h e t a w d r i e s t s t r e t c h o f M o n a s t i r S t r e e t , t h e p l a c e h a s all t h e a l l u r e o f a d e h u m i d i f i e r . I t s n e o n s i g n b l i n k s o n a n d off, t o r m e n t i n g t h e d r e a m s of t h e losers across t h e street at t h e Blackpool. " T h e Z a m e n h o f , " t h e old m a n says, e c h o i n g t h e i n t e r m i t t e n t letters on t h e neon sign. " N o t t h e Zamenhof. T h e Zamenhof." N o w the latke, a rookie named Netsky, comes jogging up, h o l d i n g o n t o h i s r o u n d , flat, w i d e - b r i m m e d p a t r o l m a n ' s h a t . " D e t e c t i v e , " t h e l a t k e says, o u t of b r e a t h , a n d t h e n gives t h e old man a squint and a nod. "Evening, Grandpa. Right, uh, Detective, s o r r y , I j u s t g o t t h e c a l l , I w a s h u n g u p for a m i n u t e t h e r e . " N e t s k y h a s coffee o n h i s b r e a t h a n d p o w d e r e d s u g a r o n t h e r i g h t cuff o f h i s blue coat. "Where's the dead yid?" " I n t w o - o h - e i g h t , " L a n d s m a n s a y s , o p e n i n g t h e d o o r for t h e latke, t h e n t u r n i n g back to t h e old m a n . " C o m i n g in, G r a n d p a ? " "No,"

Elijah says, w i t h a h i n t of m i l d e m o t i o n t h a t L a n d s m a n

c a n ' t q u i t e r e a d . I t m i g h t b e r e g r e t , o r relief, o r t h e g r i m s a t i s f a c t i o n o f a m a n w i t h a t a s t e for d i s a p p o i n t m e n t . T h e n i c k e r t r a p p e d in

THE Y I D D I S H

POLICEMEN'S

UNION

17

t h e o l d m a n ' s e y e s h a s g i v e n w a y t o a film o f t e a r s . " I w a s o n l y c u r i o u s . T h a n k y o u , Officer L a n d s m a n . " " I t ' s D e t e c t i v e n o w , " L a n d s m a n says, s t a r t l e d t h a t t h e old m a n h a s r e t r i e v e d h i s n a m e . " Y o u remember m e , G r a n d p a ? " "I r e m e m b e r e v e r y t h i n g , d a r l i n g . " Elijah reaches i n t o a h i p p o c k e t of his bleach yellow coat a n d takes o u t his p u s h k e , a w o o d e n c a s k e t , a b o u t t h e s i z e o f a b o x m e a n t for i n d e x c a r d s , p a i n t e d b l a c k . O n t h e f r o n t o f t h e b o x , H e b r e w w o r d s a r e p a i n t e d : L'ERETZ YISROEL. C u t i n t o t h e t o p o f t h e b o x is a n a r r o w s l i t for c o i n s o r a f o l d e d d o l l a r b i l l . "A s m a l l d o n a t i o n ? " E l i j a h says. T h e Holy Land has never seemed m o r e r e m o t e or unattainable t h a n i t d o e s t o a J e w o f S i t k a . I t is o n t h e far s i d e o f t h e p l a n e t , a w r e t c h e d place r u l e d b y m e n u n i t e d only in t h e i r resolve t o k e e p o u t all b u t a w o r n fistful o f s m a l l - c h a n g e J e w s . F o r h a l f a c e n t u r y , Arab strongmen and Muslim partisans, Persians and Egyptians, socialists and nationalists a n d m o n a r c h i s t s , p a n - A r a b i s t s a n d p a n I s l a m i s t s , t r a d i t i o n a l i s t s a n d t h e P a r t y o f A l i , h a v e all s u n k t h e i r t e e t h i n t o E r e t z Yisroel a n d w o r r i e d it d o w n t o b o n e a n d gristle. J e r u s a l e m is a c i t y o f b l o o d a n d s l o g a n s p a i n t e d o n t h e w a l l , s e v e r e d heads on telephone poles. O b s e r v a n t Jews a r o u n d the world have n o t a b a n d o n e d t h e i r h o p e t o dwell o n e d a y in t h e l a n d of Z i o n . B u t Jews have b e e n t o s s e d o u t of t h e j o i n t t h r e e t i m e s n o w — i n 586 BCE,

in 7 0 CE a n d w i t h s a v a g e finality i n 1 9 4 8 . I t ' s h a r d e v e n for t h e

faithful n o t t o feel a s e n s e o f d i s c o u r a g e m e n t a b o u t t h e i r c h a n c e s of o n c e again g e t t i n g a foot in t h e door. L a n d s m a n gets o u t his wallet a n d pokes a folded t w e n t y i n t o E l i j a h ' s p u s h k e . " L o t s o f l u c k , " h e says. T h e little m a n hoists his h e a v y valise a n d s t a r t s t o

shuffle

away. L a n d s m a n r e a c h e s o u t a n d p u l l s a t E l i j a h ' s s l e e v e , a q u e s t i o n f o r m u l a t i n g in h i s h e a r t , a c h i l d ' s q u e s t i o n a b o u t t h e o l d w i s h o f h i s p e o p l e for a h o m e . E l i j a h t u r n s w i t h a l o o k o f p r a c t i c e d w a r i n e s s . M a y b e L a n d s m a n is s o m e k i n d o f t r o u b l e m a k e r . L a n d s m a n feels t h e q u e s t i o n e b b a w a y like t h e n i c o t i n e in his b l o o d s t r e a m .

18

MICHAEL

CHABON

" W h a t y o u g o t i n t h e b a g , G r a n d p a ? " L a n d s m a n says. " L o o k s heavy." "It's a book." "One book?" "It's very big." "Long story?" "Very long." " W h a t ' s it a b o u t ? " " I t ' s a b o u t M e s s i a h , " E l i j a h says. " N o w p l e a s e t a k e y o u r h a n d off o f m e . " L a n d s m a n lets go. T h e old m a n s t r a i g h t e n s his b a c k a n d raises his h e a d . T h e c l o u d s o n his eyes b l o w over, a n d h e looks angry, disdainful, a n d n o t in t h e least old. " M e s s i a h is c o m i n g , " h e says. I t i s n ' t q u i t e a w a r n i n g a n d y e t s o m e h o w as a p r o m i s e o f r e d e m p t i o n , i t l a c k s a c e r t a i n w a r m t h . " T h a t works out well," Landsman

says, j e r k i n g his

thumb

t o w a r d t h e h o t e l l o b b y . "As o f t o n i g h t w e h a v e a v a c a n c y . " Elijah looks h u r t , or m a y b e j u s t d i s g u s t e d . H e opens

the

b l a c k b o x a n d l o o k s i n s i d e . H e t a k e s o u t t h e t w e n t y - d o l l a r bill t h a t L a n d s m a n gave h i m a n d h a n d s it back. T h e n he picks u p his suitcase, settles his floppy w h i t e h a t d o w n over his head, and t r u d g e s off i n t o t h e r a i n . L a n d s m a n c r u m p l e s t h e t w e n t y a n d d r o p s it i n t o h i s h i p p o c k e t . H e g r i n d s his p a p i r o s u n d e r his shoe a n d goes i n t o t h e h o t e l . " W h o ' s t h e n u t ? " N e t s k y says. " T h e y call h i m E l i j a h . H e ' s h a r m l e s s , " says T e n e n b o y m f r o m b e h i n d t h e s t e e l m e s h o f t h e r e c e p t i o n w i n d o w . " Y o u u s e d t o see h i m a r o u n d s o m e t i m e s . A l w a y s p i m p i n g for M e s s i a h . " T e n e n b o y m clacks a gold t o o t h p i c k against his molars. " L i s t e n ,

Detective,

I ' m n o t s u p p o s e d t o s a y a n y t h i n g . B u t I m i g h t as w e l l t e l l y o u . M a n a g e m e n t is s e n d i n g o u t a l e t t e r t o m o r r o w . " " I c a n ' t w a i t t o h e a r t h i s , " L a n d s m a n says. " T h e o w n e r s sold o u t to a Kansas C i t y c o n c e r n . "

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNION

-

19

"They're tossing us." " M a y b e , " T e n e n b o y m says. " M a y b e n o t . N o b o d y ' s s t a t u s is clear. B u t it's n o t o u t of t h e q u e s t i o n t h a t y o u m i g h t h a v e t o m o v e o u t . " "Is t h a t w h a t it's g o i n g t o say in t h e l e t t e r ? " T e n e n b o y m s h r u g s . " T h e l e t t e r ' s all w r i t t e n i n l a w y e r . " L a n d s m a n p u t s N e t s k y t h e latke on t h e front door. " D o n ' t tell t h e m w h a t t h e y heard or saw," he r e m i n d s h i m . "And d o n ' t give t h e m a h a r d t i m e , e v e n if t h e y l o o k l i k e t h e y c o u l d u s e o n e . " M e n a s h e Shpringer, t h e c r i m i n a l i s t w o r k i n g t h e g r a v e y a r d shift, b l o w s i n t o t h e l o b b y i n a b l a c k c o a t a n d fur h a t , w i t h a r a t t l i n g o f rain. In o n e h a n d S h p r i n g e r carries a d r i p p i n g u m b r e l l a . W i t h t h e o t h e r he tows a c h r o m e c a d d y to which his black vinyl toolbox a n d a p l a s t i c b i n , w i t h h o l e s for h a n d l e s , a r e s t r a p p e d w i t h b u n g e e c o r d . S h p r i n g e r is a f i r e p l u g , h i s b o w e d l e g s a n d s i m i a n a r m s affixed t o h i s n e c k w i t h o u t a p p a r e n t b e n e f i t o f s h o u l d e r s . H i s face is m o s t l y jowl a n d his ridged forehead looks like o n e of t h o s e d o m e d beehives y o u s e e r e p r e s e n t i n g I n d u s t r y i n m e d i e v a l w o o d c u t s . T h e b i n is b l a z o n e d w i t h t h e s i n g l e w o r d EVIDENCE i n b l u e l e t t e r s . " A r e y o u l e a v i n g t o w n ? " S h p r i n g e r says. I t ' s n o t a n u n c o m m o n g r e e t i n g t h e s e d a y s . A l o t o f p e o p l e h a v e left t o w n i n t h e p a s t c o u p l e o f y e a r s , fled t h e D i s t r i c t for t h e s h o r t r o s t e r o f p l a c e s t h a t will w e l c o m e t h e m , o r t h a t h a v e t i r e d o f h e a r i n g a b o u t p o g r o m s s e c o n d h a n d a n d a r e h o p i n g t o t h r o w o n e for t h e m s e l v e s . L a n d s m a n says t h a t as far as h e k n o w s , h e is n o t g o i n g a n y w h e r e . M o s t o f t h e places t h a t will t a k e J e w s r e q u i r e t h a t y o u h a v e a n e a r relative living t h e r e . All of L a n d s m a n ' s n e a r e s t relatives are d e a d o r facing Reversion themselves. " T h e n let m e say g o o d b y e t o y o u now, forever,"

Shpringer

says. " T o m o r r o w n i g h t a t t h i s t i m e I w i l l b e b a s k i n g i n t h e w a r m Saskatchewan sun." "Saskatoon?" L a n d s m a n guesses. " T h i r t y b e l o w t h e y h a d t o d a y , " S h p r i n g e r says. " T h a t w a s t h e high."

2D

MICHAEL

CHABON

" L o o k a t i t t h i s w a y , " L a n d s m a n says. " Y o u c o u l d b e l i v i n g i n this d u m p . " " T h e Z a m e n h o f . " I n h i s m e m o r y , S h p r i n g e r p u l l s L a n d s m a n ' s file, a n d frowns at its c o n t e n t s . " T h a t ' s right. H o m e sweet h o m e , eh?" " I t s u i t s m e in m y c u r r e n t s t y l e of life." S h p r i n g e r s miles a t h i n s m i l e from w h i c h a l m o s t e v e r y t r a c e of p i t y has been erased. " W h i c h w a y t o t h e d e a d m a n ? " h e says.

• § 4

F

i r s t t h i n g S h p r i n g e r s c r e w s i n all t h e l i g h t b u l b s t h a t

Lasker

loosened. T h e n he lowers his safety glasses a n d goes t o w o r k . H e gives L a s k e r a m a n i c u r e a n d p e d i c u r e a n d looks i n s i d e his

m o u t h for a s e v e r e d f i n g e r o r a b r o n z e d o u b l o o n . H e lifts p r i n t s

w i t h his d u s t and b r u s h . H e takes 317 Polaroids. H e takes p i c t u r e s of t h e c o r p s e , t h e r o o m , t h e p e r f o r a t e d pillow, t h e

fingerprints

he

has raised. H e takes a p i c t u r e of t h e chessboard. " O n e for m e , " L a n d s m a n says. Shpringer snaps a second shot of the board t h a t the m u r d e r obliged Lasker to a b a n d o n . T h e n he h a n d s it to L a n d s m a n ,

an

eyebrow raised. " V a l u a b l e c l u e , " L a n d s m a n says. O n e piece at a time, Shpringer undoes t h e dead man's N i m z o C r o a t i a n D e f e n s e o r w h a t e v e r i t is h e h a d g o i n g , z i p p i n g e a c h chessman into its o w n baggie. "How'd

you

get

so

dirty?"

he

says

without

looking

at

Landsman. Landsman

notices

the

bright

brown

dust

clinging

to

his

s h o e t o p s , h i s cuffs, t h e k n e e s o f h i s p a n t s . " I w a s l o o k i n g i n t h e basement. There's a huge, I don't know, service pipe d o w n t h e r e . " H e feels t h e b l o o d flow i n t o h i s c h e e k s . " I h a d t o c h e c k i t o u t . "

22

MICHAEL

CHABON

"A W a r s a w t u n n e l , " S h p r i n g e r says. " T h e y g o all t h r o u g h t h i s p a r t of t h e U n t e r s h t a t . " "You don't believe t h a t . " " W h e n t h e g r e e n e r s g o t h e r e after t h e war. T h e ones w h o h a d b e e n in t h e g h e t t o a t Warsaw. A t Bialystok. T h e e x - p a r t i s a n s . I g u e s s s o m e o f t h e m d i d n ' t t r u s t t h e A m e r i c a n s v e r y m u c h . So t h e y d u g t u n n e l s . J u s t i n c a s e t h e y h a d t o fight a g a i n . T h a t ' s t h e r e a l reason it's called t h e U n t e r s h t a t . " "A r u m o r , S h p r i n g e r . A n u r b a n m y t h . I t ' s j u s t a u t i l i t y p i p e . " Shpringer grunts. H e bags the bath towel, the hand towel, and a w o r n tile of soap. H e c o u n t s t h e ginger p u b i c hairs pasted to the t o i l e t s e a t a n d t h e n b a g s e a c h o n e . " S p e a k i n g o f r u m o r s , " h e says, " w h a t d o y o u hear from Felsenfeld?" Felsenfeld

is

Inspector

Felsenfeld,

the

squad

commander.

" W h a t d o y o u m e a n , w h a t d o I h e a r from him? I j u s t saw h i m this a f t e r n o o n , " L a n d s m a n says. " I d i d n ' t hear a n y t h i n g f r o m h i m , t h e m a n h a s n ' t u t t e r e d t h r e e w o r d s t o g e t h e r in t e n years. W h a t kind o f q u e s t i o n is t h a t ? W h a t r u m o r s ? " "Just wondering." S h p r i n g e r is r u n n i n g h i s fingers i n t h e i r l a t e x g l o v e a c r o s s t h e f r e c k l e d s k i n o f L a s k e r ' s left a r m . I t b e a r s n e e d l e t r a c k s a n d f a i n t m a r k s w h e r e t h e d e c e a s e d t i e d h i m s e l f off. " F e l s e n f e l d ' s h a n d w a s o n h i s b e l l y all d a y , " L a n d s m a n says, reflecting. " M a y b e I h e a r d h i m say 'reflux.' " T h e n : " W h a t d o y o u see?" S h p r i n g e r f r o w n s a t t h e flesh a b o v e L a s k e r ' s e l b o w , w h e r e t h e t o u r n i q u e t m a r k s are b u n c h e d . " L o o k s like h e used a b e l t , " he s a y s . " O n l y h i s b e l t is t o o w i d e t o h a v e m a d e t h e s e m a r k s . " H e h a s already p u t Lasker's belt, along w i t h t w o pairs of gray trousers and t w o blue blazers, into a b r o w n paper bag. " H i s w o r k s a r e i n t h e d r a w e r , i n a b l a c k z i p , " L a n d s m a n says. " I didn't look too close." S h p r i n g e r o p e n s t h e d r a w e r in Lasker's b e d s i d e table a n d takes

THE Y I D D I S H

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o u t t h e black toilet kit. H e unzips it a n d t h e n m a k e s a funny s o u n d in his t h r o a t . T h e cover of t h e k i t o p e n s t o w a r d L a n d s m a n . A t first L a n d s m a n c a n ' t see w h a t has c a u g h t S h p r i n g e r ' s i n t e r e s t . " W h a t d o y o u k n o w a b o u t t h i s L a s k e r ? " S h p r i n g e r says. " I ' m willing to v e n t u r e that on occasion he played chess," L a n d s m a n says. O n e o f t h e t h r e e b o o k s i n t h e r o o m is a c r e a s e d a n d b r o k e n - b a c k e d p a p e r b a c k e d i t i o n o f Three Hundred

Chess Games b y

Siegbert Tarrasch. It has a manila pocket p a s t e d to its inside back cover, w i t h a r e t u r n c a r d t h a t s h o w s it w a s last b o r r o w e d from t h e c e n t r a l b r a n c h of t h e Sitka P u b l i c L i b r a r y in July 1986. L a n d s m a n c a n ' t h e l p t h i n k i n g t h a t h e first m a d e l o v e t o h i s f u t u r e e x - w i f e i n July 1986. Bina was t w e n t y at t h e t i m e , a n d L a n d s m a n w a s t w e n t y three, a n d it was t h e h e i g h t of t h e n o r t h e r n s u m m e r . July 1986 is t h e d a t e s t a m p e d o n t o t h e c a r d i n t h e p o c k e t o f

Landsman's

illusions. T h e o t h e r t w o books are c h e a p Yiddish thrillers. " B e y o n d that I k n o w goat shit." As S h p r i n g e r has inferred from t h e m a r k s o n Lasker's

arm,

the deceased's apparent t o u r n i q u e t of choice was a leather strap, black, a b o u t half an inch wide. S h p r i n g e r pulls it o u t of t h e zip a n d h o l d s i t u p b e t w e e n t w o f i n g e r s as if i t m i g h t b i t e . H a l f w a y a l o n g t h e s t r a p hangs a small leather box designed to hold a slip of p a p e r on which a scribe, w i t h i n k a n d a feather, has w r i t t e n four passages from t h e T o r a h . Each m o r n i n g t h e p i o u s J e w t w i n e s o n e of t h e s e d o o d a d s a l o n g h i s left a r m , t i e s a n o t h e r t o h i s f o r e h e a d , a n d p r a y s for u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e k i n d o f G o d W h o o b l i g e s s o m e b o d y t o d o s o m e t h i n g l i k e t h a t e v e r y d a m n d a y o f h i s life. B u t t h e r e is n o t h i n g inside the box on Emanuel Lasker's prayer strap. It's j u s t t h e t h i n g he chose t o use t o dilate t h e vein in his a r m . " T h a t ' s a n e w o n e , " S h p r i n g e r says. " T y i n g off w i t h t e f i l l i n . " " N o w t h a t I t h i n k a b o u t i t , " L a n d s m a n says, " h e h a d t h e look. Like m a y b e he used to be black hat. T h e y take on a k i n d of a — I d o n ' t know. T h e y look s h o r n . " L a n d s m a n pulls on a glove a n d , g r i p p i n g Lasker's chin, tilts

24

MICHAEL

CHABON

from side t o side t h e d e a d m a n ' s h e a d w i t h its swollen m a s k of b l o o d vessels. " I f he u s e d t o w e a r a b e a r d , t h e n it w a s a while a g o , " h e says. " S k i n t o n e o n h i s face is e v e n . " H e l e t s g o o f L a s k e r ' s face a n d s t e p s a w a y f r o m t h e b o d y . I t w o u l d n o t b e q u i t e a c c u r a t e t o s a y t h a t h e p e g g e d L a s k e r for a f o r m e r b l a c k h a t . B u t w i t h t h e c h i n o f a fat b o y , a n d t h e a i r of r u i n a t i o n , L a n d s m a n

f i g u r e d L a s k e r for h a v i n g o n c e

been

s o m e t h i n g m o r e t h a n a sockless j u n k i e in a c h e a p h o t e l .

He

sighs. " W h a t I w o u l d n ' t give t o b e l y i n g on t h e s u n n y b e a c h e s of Saskatoon." T h e r e are noises in t h e hallway, a n d t h e r a t t l e of m e t a l a n d s t r a p s , a n d t h e n e x t m o m e n t t w o w o r k e r s from t h e m o r g u e c o m e in w i t h a collapsible gurney. S h p r i n g e r tells t h e m t o b r i n g t h e e v i d e n c e b i n a n d t h e b a g s h e h a s filled, a n d t h e n l u m b e r s o u t , o n e w h e e l o f h i s t r o l l e y s q u e a k i n g as h e g o e s . " P i e c e of s h i t , " L a n d s m a n informs t h e m o r g u e boys, m e a n i n g t h e case, n o t

the victim. This judgment

does not appear

to

s u r p r i s e o r c o m e t o t h e m as n e w s . L a n d s m a n g o e s b a c k u p t o h i s r o o m to rejoin his b o t t l e of slivovitz a n d t h e World's Fair shot glass t h a t has c a p t u r e d his affections. H e sits d o w n in t h e chair b y t h e p r e s s b o a r d d e s k , w i t h a d i r t y s h i r t for a s e a t c u s h i o n . H e t a k e s t h e P o l a r o i d o u t o f h i s p o c k e t a n d s t u d i e s t h e g a m e t h a t L a s k e r left behind, trying to decide w h e t h e r the next move was to be White's o r Black's, a n d w h a t w o u l d b e t h e n e x t m o v e after t h a t . B u t t h e r e a r e t o o m a n y p i e c e s , a n d i t is t o o d i f f i c u l t t o h o l d t h e m o v e s i n h i s h e a d , a n d L a n d s m a n d o e s n ' t o w n a n y t h i n g like a chess set on w h i c h t o l a y i t all o u t . A f t e r a f e w m i n u t e s h e feels h i m s e l f d r i f t i n g off to sleep. B u t n o , he isn't going to d o t h a t , n o t w h e n he k n o w s t h a t what awaits him are trite Escher dreams, woozy checkerboards, giant rooks casting phallic shadows. H e t a k e s off h i s c l o t h e s , a n d s t e p s u n d e r t h e s h o w e r , a n d lies d o w n for h a l f a n h o u r w i t h h i s e y e s w i d e o p e n , t a k i n g m e m o r i e s — of his l i t t l e s i s t e r in h e r S u p e r C u b , of Bina in t h e s u m m e r of

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1 9 8 6 — o u t o f t h e i r p l a s t i c b a g s . H e s t u d i e s t h e m as if t h e y a r e t r a n s c r i p t i o n s , in a d u s t y b o o k s t o l e n from t h e library, of b y g o n e checkmates and brilliancies. After half an h o u r of t h a t

useful

p u r s u i t , he gets u p a n d p u t s on a clean shirt a n d tie, a n d goes d o w n t o S i t k a C e n t r a l t o file h i s r e p o r t .

L

a n d s m a n l e a r n e d t o h a t e t h e g a m e of chess at t h e h a n d s of his father a n d his uncle H e r t z . T h e brothers-in-law were boyhood friends b a c k in L o d z , fellow m e m b e r s of t h e M a k k a b i Y o u t h

Chess Club. Landsman remembers how they used to talk about the day, in t h e s u m m e r of 1939, w h e n t h e g r e a t T a r t a k o w e r d r o p p e d b y t o p u t o n a d e m o n s t r a t i o n for t h e b o y s o f t h e M a k k a b i . S a v i e l l y T a r t a k o w e r was a Polish citizen, a grandmaster, and a character f a m o u s for h a v i n g s a i d " T h e b l u n d e r s a r e all t h e r e o n t h e b o a r d , w a i t i n g t o b e m a d e . " H e c a m e from Paris to r e p o r t on a t o u r n a m e n t for a F r e n c h c h e s s j o u r n a l a n d t o v i s i t w i t h t h e d i r e c t o r o f

the

M a k k a b i Y o u t h C h e s s C l u b , an old c o m r a d e from his days on t h e R u s s i a n f r o n t i n t h e a r m y o f F r a n z Josef. A t t h e d i r e c t o r ' s u r g i n g , T a r t a k o w e r n o w proposed a g a m e against the club's best young player, Isidor L a n d s m a n . They

sat d o w n t o g e t h e r , t h e s t r a p p i n g w a r v e t e r a n in his

bespoke suit and harsh good humor, and the stammering

fifteen-

year-old w i t h a wall eye, a receding hairline, and a mustache that was often

m i s t a k e n for a s o o t y t h u m b p r i n t . T a r t a k o w e r

drew

Black, and Landsman's father chose t h e English Opening. For t h e first

hour, Tartakower's play was inattentive, even autonomic. H e

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27

left h i s g r e a t c h e s s e n g i n e i d l i n g a n d p l a y e d b y t h e b o o k . T h i r t y four m o v e s in, w i t h genial s c o r n , h e offered L a n d s m a n ' s f a t h e r a draw. L a n d s m a n ' s father n e e d e d t o piss, his ears w e r e r i n g i n g , h e w a s o n l y s t a v i n g off t h e i n e v i t a b l e . B u t h e d e c l i n e d . H i s g a m e b y n o w w a s b a s e d o n n o t h i n g b u t feel a n d d e s p e r a t i o n . H e r e a c t e d , he refused exchanges, his sole assets a s t u b b o r n n a t u r e a n d a w i l d sense of t h e board. After s e v e n t y moves a n d four h o u r s a n d t e n m i n u t e s o f play, T a r t a k o w e r , n o t s o g e n i a l a n y m o r e , r e p e a t e d h i s e a r l i e r offer. L a n d s m a n ' s f a t h e r , p l a g u e d b y t i n n i t u s , a b o u t t o w e t his p a n t s , a c c e p t e d . In later years L a n d s m a n ' s father s o m e t i m e s let on t h a t his m i n d , t h a t q u e e r organ, never q u i t e recovered

from

t h e ordeal of this game. B u t of course t h e r e w e r e w o r s e ordeals to come. " T h a t w a s n o t i n t h e l e a s t e n j o y a b l e , " T a r t a k o w e r is s u p p o s e d t o have told L a n d s m a n ' s father, r i s i n g from his chair. Y o u n g H e r t z S h e m e t s , w i t h h i s u n f a i l i n g e y e for w e a k n e s s , s p o t t e d a t r e m o r i n T a r t a k o w e r ' s h a n d , h o l d i n g a h a s t i l y fetched glass of Tokay. T h e n T a r t a k o w e r p o i n t e d t o Isidor L a n d s m a n ' s skull. " B u t I ' m sure it w a s preferable t o b e i n g o b l i g e d t o live in t h e r e . " N o t q u i t e t w o years later, H e r t z S h e m e t s , his m o t h e r ,

and

his kid sister, Freydl, arrived on B a r a n o f Island, Alaska, w i t h t h e first w a v e o f G a l i t z e r s e t t l e r s . H e c a m e o n t h e n o t o r i o u s

Diamond,

a World War I - e r a t r o o p t r a n s p o r t t h a t Secretary Ickes o r d e r e d t a k e n o u t o f m o t h b a l l s a n d r e c h r i s t e n e d as a l e f t - h a n d e d m e m o r i a l , o r so l e g e n d h a s i t , t o t h e l a t e A n t h o n y D i m o n d , t h e

Alaska

Territory's nonvoting delegate to t h e H o u s e of Representatives. ( U n t i l t h e fatal i n t e r v e n t i o n o n a W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . , s t r e e t c o r n e r of a d r u n k e n , taxi-driving schlemiel n a m e d D e n n y

Lanning—

e t e r n a l h e r o of t h e Sitka J e w s — D e l e g a t e D i m o n d h a d b e e n on t h e verge of g e t t i n g t h e A l a s k a n S e t t l e m e n t A c t killed in c o m m i t t e e . ) T h i n , pale, bewildered, H e r t z S h e m e t s s t e p p e d from t h e

Diamond,

from t h e d a r k a n d t h e r e e k of s o u p a n d r u s t y p u d d l e s , t o t h e clean cold spice of Sitka pine. W i t h his family a n d his people he w a s

ZB

MICHAEL

CHABON

n u m b e r e d , i n o c u l a t e d , d e l o u s e d , t a g g e d like a m i g r a n t b i r d b y t h e s t i p u l a t i o n s of t h e Alaskan S e t t l e m e n t A c t of 1940. In a c a r d b o a r d p o c k e t b o o k h e carried an "Ickes p a s s p o r t , " a special e m e r g e n c y visa p r i n t e d on special flimsy p a p e r w i t h special s m e a r y ink. T h e r e w a s n o w h e r e e l s e for h i m t o g o . I t s a i d s o , i n l a r g e t y p e , on t h e front of an Ickes p a s s p o r t . H e w o u l d n o t be p e r m i t t e d to travel to Seattle, or San Francisco, or even J u n e a u or Ketchikan. All t h e n o r m a l q u o t a s o n Jewish i m m i g r a t i o n t o t h e U n i t e d States r e m a i n e d in force. E v e n w i t h t h e t i m e l y d e a t h of D i m o n d , t h e A c t could n o t b e forced u p t h e A m e r i c a n b o d y politic w i t h o u t a certain a m o u n t of muscle and grease, and restrictions on Jewish m o v e m e n t w e r e p a r t of t h e deal. O n t h e heels of J e w s from G e r m a n y a n d Austria, t h e S h e m e t s family w a s d u m p e d w i t h t h e i r fellow G a l i t z e r s a t C a m p Slattery, in a m u s k e g s w a m p t e n miles from t h e h a r d - b i t t e n , half-decrepit t o w n of S i t k a , c a p i t a l of t h e old R u s s i a n A l a s k a colony. In drafty, tinr o o f e d h u t s a n d b a r r a c k s , t h e y u n d e r w e n t six m o n t h s o f i n t e n s i v e acclimatization

by a crack

team

o f fifteen

billion

mosquitoes

w o r k i n g u n d e r c o n t r a c t w i t h t h e U.S. I n t e r i o r D e p a r t m e n t . H e r t z w a s c o n s c r i p t e d for a r o a d g a n g , t h e n a s s i g n e d t o t h e c r e w t h a t b u i l t t h e S i t k a airfield. H e lost t w o m o l a r s w h e n h e w a s s m a c k e d b y a shovel, w o r k i n g a m u c k d e t a i l d e e p in a caisson s u n k in t h e m u d of Sitka harbor. In later years, w h e n e v e r you drove w i t h h i m over t h e T s h e r n o v i t s B r i d g e , h e w o u l d r u b a t his jaw, a n d his h a r d eyes in his s h a r p face w o u l d t a k e o n a w i s t f u l air. F r e y d l w a s s e n t t o s c h o o l i n a chilly b a r n w h o s e roof r a n g w i t h steady rain. T h e i r m o t h e r was t a u g h t t h e r u d i m e n t s of a g r i c u l t u r e , t h e use of plow, fertilizer, a n d irrigation hose. Brochures and posters held u p the short Alaskan g r o w i n g s e a s o n as a n a l l e g o r y o f t h e b r i e f d u r a t i o n o f h e r stay. Mrs.

S h e m e t s o u g h t t o t h i n k o f t h e S i t k a S e t t l e m e n t as a c e l l a r o r

p o t t i n g s h e d in w h i c h , like flower b u l b s , she a n d h e r c h i l d r e n could b e p u t u p for t h e w i n t e r , u n t i l t h e i r h o m e soil t h a w e d e n o u g h t o a l l o w t h e m t o b e r e p l a n t e d t h e r e . N o o n e i m a g i n e d t h a t t h e soil o f E u r o p e w o u l d b e s o w e d so d e e p l y w i t h s a l t a n d a s h .

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D e s p i t e t h e agricultural palaver, t h e m o d e s t h o m e s t e a d s a n d farm cooperatives p r o p o s e d b y t h e Sitka S e t t l e m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n never materialized. Japan

a t t a c k e d Pearl H a r b o r .

The

Interior

Department's attention wandered toward more pressing strategic c o n c e r n s , s u c h as oil r e s e r v e s a n d m i n i n g . A t t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f t h e i r t e r m a t " I c k e s C o l l e g e , " t h e S h e m e t s family, l i k e m o s t o f t h e i r f e l l o w r e f u g e e s , w e r e k i c k e d l o o s e t o f e n d for t h e m s e l v e s . J u s t as D e l e g a t e D i m o n d h a d p r e d i c t e d , t h e y drifted u p t o t h e raw, n e w l y b o o m i n g t o w n of Sitka. H e r t z s t u d i e d c r i m i n a l j u s t i c e at t h e n e w S i t k a T e c h n i c a l I n s t i t u t e a n d , o n g r a d u a t i n g i n 1 9 4 8 , w a s h i r e d as a p a r a l e g a l b y t h e f i r s t b i g U.S. l a w f i r m t o o p e n a b r a n c h office h e r e . H i s sister, Freydl, L a n d s m a n ' s m o t h e r , was a m o n g t h e earliest Girl Scouts in t h e s e t t l e m e n t . N i n e t e e n f o r t y - e i g h t : S t r a n g e t i m e s t o b e a Jew. I n

August

t h e defense of J e r u s a l e m collapsed a n d t h e o u t n u m b e r e d J e w s of t h e t h r e e - m o n t h - o l d republic of Israel w e r e r o u t e d ,

massacred,

a n d d r i v e n i n t o t h e sea. A s H e r t z w a s s t a r t i n g h i s j o b a t F o e h n H a r m a t t a n & Buran, the H o u s e C o m m i t t e e on Territories

and

I n s u l a r Affairs b e g a n a l o n g - d e l a y e d r e v i e w o f s t a t u s c a l l e d for by the Sitka S e t t l e m e n t Act. Like t h e rest of C o n g r e s s , like m o s t Americans, the House C o m m i t t e e was sobered by grim revelations of t h e s l a u g h t e r of t w o m i l l i o n J e w s in E u r o p e , b y t h e b a r b a r i t y of t h e r o u t of Z i o n i s m , by t h e plight of t h e refugees of Palestine a n d Europe. A t t h e same t i m e , t h e y w e r e practical souls. T h e p o p u l a t i o n of Sitka S e t t l e m e n t h a d already swollen t o t w o million. In d i r e c t violation of t h e act, Jews h a d spread u p a n d d o w n t h e w e s t e r n shore o f B a r a n o f I s l a n d , o u t t o K r u z o f , all t h e w a y u p t o W e s t C h i c h a g o f Island. T h e e c o n o m y was booming. American Jews were lobbying hard. In t h e e n d , C o n g r e s s g r a n t e d t h e Sitka S e t t l e m e n t " i n t e r i m s t a t u s " as a f e d e r a l d i s t r i c t . B u t c a n d i d a c y for s e p a r a t e s t a t e h o o d w a s e x p l i c i t l y r u l e d o u t . NO JEWLASKA, LAWMAKERS PROMISE, r a n t h e h e a d l i n e i n t h e Daily

Times. T h e e m p h a s i s w a s a l w a y s o n t h e

w o r d " i n t e r i m . " In sixty years t h a t status w o u l d revert, a n d t h e S i t k a J e w s w o u l d b e left o n c e a g a i n t o s h i f t for t h e m s e l v e s .

3D

MICHAEL

CHABDN

O n e w a r m S e p t e m b e r a f t e r n o o n n o t l o n g after, H e r t z S h e m e t s was walking d o w n Seward Street, prolonging his lunch

break,

w h e n h e b u m p e d i n t o his old c h u m from L o d z , Isidor L a n d s m a n . L a n d s m a n ' s father h a d j u s t arrived in Sitka, alone, aboard Williwaw,

the

fresh from a t o u r of t h e d e a t h a n d D P c a m p s of E u r o p e .

H e was twenty-five, bald, a n d missing m o s t of his teeth. H e was six feet t a l l a n d w e i g h e d 1 2 5 p o u n d s . H e s m e l l e d funny,

talked

c r a z y , a n d h a d o u t l i v e d h i s e n t i r e family. H e w a s o b l i v i o u s t o t h e raucous frontier e n e r g y of d o w n t o w n Sitka, t h e w o r k crews of y o u n g Jewesses in t h e i r b l u e h e a d scarves, singing N e g r o spirituals w i t h Y i d d i s h l y r i c s t h a t p a r a p h r a s e d L i n c o l n a n d M a r x . T h e lively s t e n c h o f fish flesh a n d felled t r e e a n d t u r n e d e a r t h , t h e r u m b l e o f t h e d r e d g e r s a n d s t e a m s h o v e l s g r a d i n g m o u n t a i n s a n d filling i n Sitka S o u n d , n o n e of it s e e m e d t o t o u c h h i m . H e w a l k e d w i t h his h e a d d o w n , a h u n c h i n h i s s h o u l d e r s , as if o n l y b u r r o w i n g t h r o u g h t h i s w o r l d o n his inexplicable w a y from o n e s t r a n g e d i m e n s i o n t o t h e n e x t . N o t h i n g p e n e t r a t e d or i l l u m i n a t e d t h e d a r k t u n n e l of his passage. But w h e n Isidor L a n d s m a n realized that the grinning m a n , hair slicked, shoes like a c o u p l e of Kaiser a u t o m o b i l e s , smelling of t h e grilled-onion cheeseburger he had j u s t c o n s u m e d at the lunch c o u n t e r of W o o l w o r t h ' s , w a s his old friend H e r t z S h e m e t s from t h e M a k k a b i Y o u t h C h e s s C l u b , h e lifted his eyes. T h e e t e r n a l k i n k w e n t o u t of his shoulder. H e o p e n e d his m o u t h a n d closed it again, speechless w i t h o u t r a g e , joy, a n d w o n d e r . T h e n h e b u r s t i n t o tears. H e r t z took Landsman's father back to Woolworth's, bought him l u n c h ( a n e g g s a n d w i c h , h i s first m i l k s h a k e , a d e c e n t p i c k l e ) a n d t h e n led h i m d o w n t o Lincoln S t r e e t , t o t h e n e w H o t e l Einstein, i n w h o s e café t h e g r e a t e x i l e s o f J e w i s h c h e s s m e t e v e r y d a y t o d e m o l i s h o n e a n o t h e r w i t h o u t p i t y or h e a r t . L a n d s m a n ' s father, h a l f d e m e n t e d a t t h i s p o i n t b y f a t , s u g a r , a n d t h e l i n g e r i n g ill e f f e c t s o f t y p h u s , m o p p e d u p t h e r o o m . H e t o o k o n all c o m e r s a n d s e n t t h e m o u t of t h e E i n s t e i n so s o u n d l y t h r a s h e d t h a t o n e or t w o of t h e m never forgave h i m .

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Even then he displayed t h e mournful, agonized style of play t h a t h e l p e d r u i n t h e g a m e for L a n d s m a n as a c h i l d . " Y o u r f a t h e r p l a y e d chess," H e r t z Shemets once said, "like a m a n w i t h a t o o t h a c h e , a h e m o r r h o i d , a n d g a s . " H e s i g h e d , h e m o a n e d . H e t u g g e d i n fits a t t h e p a t c h y r e m n a n t of his b r o w n hair, o r c h a s e d it w i t h his

fingers

b a c k a n d f o r t h a c r o s s h i s p a t e l i k e a p a s t r y c h e f s c a t t e r i n g flour o n a m a r b l e slab. T h e b l u n d e r s of his o p p o n e n t s w e r e each a s e p a r a t e c r a m p in t h e a b d o m e n . H i s o w n m o v e s , h o w e v e r d a r i n g , h o w e v e r startling and original a n d strong, s t r u c k h i m like successive pieces o f t e r r i b l e n e w s , so t h a t h e c o v e r e d h i s m o u t h a n d r o l l e d h i s e y e s at t h e sight of t h e m . Uncle H e r t z ' s style was n o t h i n g like t h a t . H e played calmly, w i t h an air of u n c o n c e r n , k e e p i n g his b o d y at a slight angle t o t h e b o a r d , as if e x p e c t i n g v e r y s h o r t l y t o b e s e r v e d a m e a l o r t o t a k e a p r e t t y girl o n t o his lap. B u t his eyes saw e v e r y t h i n g , t h e w a y t h e y ' d seen t h e telltale t r e m o r in T a r t a k o w e r ' s h a n d t h a t d a y at t h e M a k k a b i Y o u t h C h e s s C l u b . H e t o o k in his reversals w i t h o u t a l a r m a n d his chances w i t h a faint air of a m u s e m e n t . S m o k i n g Broadways end on end, he w a t c h e d his old friend s q u i r m a n d m u t t e r his w a y t h r o u g h t h e assembled geniuses of t h e Einstein. T h e n , w h e n t h e r o o m was laid t o w a s t e , H e r t z m a d e t h e n e c e s s a r y m o v e . H e i n v i t e d Isidor L a n d s m a n home. In t h e s u m m e r of 1948, t h e S h e m e t s family lived in a t w o - r o o m a p a r t m e n t in a b r a n d - n e w b u i l d i n g o n a b r a n d - n e w i s l a n d . T h e b u i l d i n g w a s h o m e t o t w o d o z e n f a m i l i e s , all o f t h e m P o l a r B e a r s , as t h e

first-wave

refugees called t h e m s e l v e s . T h e m o t h e r slept in

t h e b e d r o o m , F r e y d l g o t t h e sofa, a n d H e r t z m a d e h i s b e d o n t h e floor. B y n o w t h e y w e r e all s t a u n c h A l a s k a n J e w s , w h i c h m e a n t t h e y were Utopians, which m e a n t t h e y saw imperfection

everywhere

t h e y l o o k e d . A b a r b - t o n g u e d a n d q u a r r e l s o m e family, i n p a r t i c u l a r F r e y d l S h e m e t s , w h o a t f o u r t e e n a l r e a d y s t o o d five f e e t e i g h t i n c h e s tall a n d w e i g h e d 110 k i l o g r a m s . She t o o k o n e l o o k a t L a n d s m a n ' s father, h o v e r i n g u n c e r t a i n l y in t h e d o o r w a y of t h e a p a r t m e n t , a n d

32

MICHAEL

CHABDN

c o r r e c t l y d i a g n o s e d h i m t o b e as u n r e c l a i m a b l e a n d i n a c c e s s i b l e as t h e w i l d e r n e s s t h a t s h e h a d c o m e t o r e g a r d as h e r h o m e . I t w a s love at first s i g h t . I n l a t e r y e a r s i t w a s t o u g h for L a n d s m a n t o g e t m u c h o u t o f h i s f a t h e r a b o u t w h a t if a n y t h i n g h e h a d seen in F r e y d l S h e m e t s . She w a s n o t a b a d - l o o k i n g girl. E g y p t i a n - e y e d , olive-skinned, in her s h o r t p a n t s , h i k i n g b o o t s , a n d t h e rolled sleeves of h e r P e n d l e t o n s h i r t , s h e e x u d e d t h e o l d M a k k a b i m o v e m e n t s p i r i t o f mens sana in corpore sano. S h e p i t i e d I s i d o r L a n d s m a n d e e p l y for t h e loss o f h i s family, for t h e s u f f e r i n g h e h a d e n d u r e d i n t h e c a m p s . B u t s h e w a s o n e of t h o s e Polar Bear k i d s w h o h a n d l e d t h e i r o w n feelings of guilt at h a v i n g e s c a p e d t h e filth, t h e s t a r v a t i o n , t h e d i t c h e s a n d killing factories b y offering survivors a c o n s t a n t s t r e a m of advice, i n f o r m a t i o n , a n d c r i t i c i s m d i s g u i s e d as m o r a l e b o o s t i n g . A s if t h e c h o k i n g , l o w - h a n g i n g b l a c k p a l l o f t h e D e s t r u c t i o n c o u l d b e lifted by one d e t e r m i n e d kibitzer. T h a t first n i g h t L a n d s m a n ' s f a t h e r s l e p t , w i t h H e r t z , o n t h e floor

of t h e S h e m e t s a p a r t m e n t . T h e next day Freydl took h i m

s h o p p i n g for c l o t h e s , p a y i n g for t h e m o u t o f h e r o w n b a t m i t z v a h n e s t egg. She h e l p e d h i m r e n t a r o o m from a r e c e n t w i d o w e r w h o lived in t h e b u i l d i n g . S h e m a s s a g e d his scalp w i t h an o n i o n , in t h e b e l i e f t h a t t h i s w o u l d c a u s e h i s h a i r t o r e n e w itself. S h e fed h i m c a l f l i v e r for h i s t i r e d b l o o d . F o r t h e n e x t five y e a r s , s h e n u d g e d a n d b a d g e r e d a n d bullied h i m u n t i l h e sat u p s t r a i g h t , m a d e eye c o n t a c t w h e n speaking, learned American, and wore dentures. She m a r r i e d h i m t h e d a y after she t u r n e d eighteen, and got a j o b at t h e Sitka Tog, w o r k i n g h e r w a y u p t h r o u g h t h e w o m e n ' s p a g e t o f e a t u r e s e d i t o r . S h e w o r k e d s i x t y t o s e v e n t y - f i v e h o u r s a w e e k , five d a y s a w e e k , u n t i l h e r d e a t h from cancer, w h e n L a n d s m a n was in college. D u r i n g t h a t t i m e H e r t z S h e m e t s impressed the American lawyers a t F o e h n H a r m a t t a n so m u c h t h a t t h e y t o o k u p a s u b s c r i p t i o n a n d pulled t h e strings t h e y n e e d e d to pull to send h i m to law s c h o o l i n S e a t t l e . H e l a t e r b e c a m e t h e first J e w h i r e d b y t h e S i t k a

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d e t a i l o f t h e F B I , i t s first d i s t r i c t d i r e c t o r , a n d e v e n t u a l l y , h a v i n g caught Hoover's eye, ran t h e Bureau's regional counterintelligence program. Landsman's father played chess. E v e r y m o r n i n g , i n r a i n , s n o w , o r fog, h e w a l k e d t w o m i l e s t o t h e H o t e l E i n s t e i n coffee s h o p , s a t d o w n a t a n a l u m i n u m - t o p p e d t a b l e in t h e b a c k , f a c i n g t h e d o o r , a n d t o o k o u t a s m a l l s e t o f m a p l e a n d c h e r r y c h e s s m e n t h a t h a d b e e n a p r e s e n t from his brother-in-law. E v e r y n i g h t h e sat at his b e n c h in t h e b a c k of t h e l i t t l e h o u s e o n Adler S t r e e t w h e r e L a n d s m a n g r e w u p , in H a l i b u t P o i n t , l o o k i n g over t h e eight or n i n e c o r r e s p o n d e n c e g a m e s he h a d going at any o n e t i m e . H e w r o t e n o t e s for Chess Review.

H e revised a biography

o f T a r t a k o w e r t h a t h e n e v e r q u i t e finished o r a b a n d o n e d . H e d r e w a p e n s i o n from t h e G e r m a n g o v e r n m e n t . A n d , w i t h t h e h e l p of his brother-in-law, h e t a u g h t his son t o h a t e t h e g a m e h e h i m s e l f loved. "You don't w a n t to do t h a t , " Landsman's father would plead after L a n d s m a n released, w i t h b l o o d l e s s

fingers,

his k n i g h t

or

p a w n t o m e e t t h e f a t e t h a t a l w a y s c a m e as a s u r p r i s e t o L a n d s m a n , no m a t t e r h o w m u c h he studied, p r a c t i c e d , or played t h e g a m e of chess. " T a k e it from m e . " "I do." "You don't." B u t in t h e s e r v i c e o f h i s o w n s m a l l m i s e r y , L a n d s m a n c o u l d b e s t u b b o r n , too. Satisfied, b u r n i n g w i t h s h a m e , h e w o u l d w a t c h unfold t h e g r i m d e s t i n y t h a t h e h a d b e e n u n a b l e t o foresee. A n d L a n d s m a n ' s f a t h e r w o u l d d e m o l i s h h i m , flay h i m , v i v i s e c t

him,

g a z i n g a t h i s s o n all t h e w h i l e f r o m b e h i n d t h e s a g g i n g p o r c h o f h i s face. After s o m e years of this s p o r t , L a n d s m a n sat d o w n at his mother's

typewriter

to w r i t e his father

a l e t t e r in w h i c h

he

c o n f e s s e d h i s l o a t h i n g for t h e g a m e o f c h e s s , a n d b e g g e d h i s f a t h e r n o t t o force h i m t o p l a y a n y m o r e . L a n d s m a n c a r r i e d t h i s l e t t e r i n

34

MICHAEL

CHABON

h i s s a t c h e l for a w e e k , e n d u r i n g t h r e e m o r e b l o o d y d e f e a t s , a n d t h e n m a i l e d i t f r o m t h e U n t e r s h t a t p o s t office. T w o d a y s l a t e r , Isidor L a n d s m a n killed himself, in r o o m 21 of t h e H o t e l E i n s t e i n , b y an overdose of N e m b u t a l . After that L a n d s m a n started to have some problems. H e wet t h e b e d , g o t fat, s t o p p e d t a l k i n g . H i s m o t h e r p u t h i m in t h e r a p y w i t h a r e m a r k a b l y g e n t l e a n d ineffectual d o c t o r n a m e d M e l a m e d . It w a s n o t u n t i l t w e n t y - t h r e e years after his father's d e a t h t h a t L a n d s m a n r e d i s c o v e r e d t h e f a t a l l e t t e r , i n a b o x t h a t a l s o h e l d a fair c o p y of t h e unfinished b i o g r a p h y of Tartakower. It t u r n e d o u t t h a t L a n d s m a n ' s father h a d n e v e r even o p e n e d t h e l e t t e r from his son, let alone read it. By t h e t i m e t h e m a i l m a n delivered it, Landsman's father was already dead.

•3) G

L

p"

a n d s m a n is t r i p p i n g o n t h e m e m o r y o f t h o s e o l d c h e s s - p l a y i n g y i d s , h u n c h e d a t t h e b a c k o f t h e C a f é E i n s t e i n , as h e d r i v e s o u t t o p i c k u p B e r k o . I t is six-fifteen i n t h e m o r n i n g , b y h i s w a t c h .

B y t h e sky, t h e e m p t y b o u l e v a r d , a n d t h e s t o n e o f d r e a d l y i n g i n h i s belly, i t is t h e d e a d o f n i g h t . S u n r i s e , t h i s c l o s e t o t h e a r c t i c

c i r c l e a n d t h e w i n t e r s o l s t i c e , is s t i l l a t l e a s t t w o h o u r s off. Landsman

is a t

Super Sport, which

the

wheel

he bought

of

a

1971

Chevrolet

Chevelle

t e n years ago in an access

n o s t a l g i c o p t i m i s m a n d h a s d r i v e n u n t i l all i t s s e c r e t

flaws

of

seem

i n d i s t i n g u i s h a b l e from his o w n . In t h e ' 7 1 m o d e l year, t h e C h e v e l l e w e n t from t w o pairs of h e a d l i g h t b u l b s t o a single pair. R i g h t n o w o n e o f t h e s e b u l b s is b l o w n . L a n d s m a n g r o p e s h i s w a y c y c l o p s - s t y l e along t h e p r o m e n a d e . A h e a d of h i m rise t h e t o w e r blocks of t h e S h v a r t s n - Y a m , on t h e i r artificial spit of l a n d in t h e m i d d l e of S i t k a S o u n d , h u d d l e d in t h e d a r k n e s s like p r i s o n e r s r o u n d e d u p w i t h a powerful hose. Russian

shtarkers

developed

the

Shvartsn-Yam

during

the

m i d - e i g h t i e s , o n p u r e s t q u a k e - b a i t l a n d f i l l , i n t h e first h e a d y d a y s of legalized casino g a m b l i n g . T i m e - s h a r e s , v a c a t i o n h o m e s , a n d bachelor pads, t h a t was t h e idea, w i t h t h e G r a n d Yalta casino and its j u m p i n g tables at t h e c e n t e r of t h e action. B u t legal g a m b l i n g

36

MICHAEL

CHABON

is o u t n o w , b a n n e d b y t h e T r a d i t i o n a l V a l u e s A c t , a n d t h e c a s i n o b u i l d i n g h o u s e s a K o s h e r M a r t , a Walgreens, a n d a Big M a c h e r o u t l e t s t o r e . T h e s h t a r k e r s w e n t b a c k t o b a n k r o l l i n g illegal policy rackets, b e t t i n g mills, and

floating

craps games. T h e swingers and

v a c a t i o n e r s gave w a y t o a p o p u l a t i o n of upper-lowlifes, Russian i m m i g r a n t s , a s m a t t e r i n g of u l t r a - o r t h o d o x J e w s , a n d a b u n c h of b o h e m i a n semiprofessionals w h o like t h e a t m o s p h e r e of

ruined

festivity t h a t lingers in t h e n e i g h b o r h o o d like a s t r a n d of tinsel on the branch of a bare tree. T h e T a y t s h - S h e m e t s family lives in t h e D n y e p e r , o n t h e t w e n t y f o u r t h floor. T h e D n y e p e r is r o u n d as a s t a c k o f p i e t i n s . M a n y o f i t s r e s i d e n t s , s p u r n i n g fine v i e w s o f M o u n t E d g e c u m b e ' s c o l l a p s e d cone, t h e g l e a m i n g Safety Pin, or t h e lights of t h e U n t e r s h t a t , have enclosed their curving balconies with storm windows and louvers in o r d e r t o gain an e x t r a r o o m . T h e T a y t s h - S h e m e t s e s did t h a t w h e n t h e b a b y c a m e a l o n g : t h e first b a b y . N o w b o t h l i t t l e T a y t s h - S h e m e t s e s sleep o u t t h e r e , stashed away on t h e balcony like d i s u s e d skis. Landsman Dumpsters

parks

the

Super

Sport

in t h e

spot

behind

t h a t h e h a s c o m e t o v i e w as h i s o w n , t h o u g h

the he

s u p p o s e s a m a n s h o u l d n o t c o m e t o c h e r i s h t e n d e r feelings t o w a r d a p a r k i n g p l a c e . S i m p l y h a v i n g a p l a c e t o p u t h i s c a r t h a t is t w e n t y four stories d o w n from a s t a n d i n g i n v i t a t i o n t o breakfast should n e v e r p a s s , i n a m a n ' s h e a r t , for a h o m e c o m i n g . H e ' s a few m i n u t e s a h e a d of six-thirty, a n d t h o u g h he's p r e t t y s u r e t h a t e v e r y b o d y is a w a k e i n t h e T a y t s h - S h e m e t s h o u s e h o l d , h e d e c i d e s t o t a k e t h e s t a i r s . T h e D n y e p e r s t a i r w e l l r e e k s o f sea air, cabbage, cold cement. W h e n he gets to the top, he lights a papiros t o r e w a r d h i m s e l f for i n d u s t r y a n d s t a n d s o n t h e T a y t s h - S h e m e t s d o o r m a t , keeping t h e m e z u z a h company. H e has one lung coughed u p and t h e o t h e r on its w a y w h e n Ester-Malke T a y t s h opens the door. She holds a h o m e p r e g n a n c y test stick w i t h a bead, on its business end, of w h a t m u s t be urine. W h e n she notices Landsman

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37

noticing it, she coolly makes it d i s a p p e a r i n t o a p o c k e t of

her

bathrobe. "You k n o w t h e r e ' s a d o o r b e l l , r i g h t ? " s h e says t h r o u g h a t a n g l e d c u r t a i n o f h a i r , b r i c k - b r o w n a n d t o o fine for t h e b o b s h e a l w a y s s p o r t s . I t h a s a w a y o f s p i l l i n g a c r o s s h e r face, e s p e c i a l l y w h e n s h e is c r a c k i n g w i s e . " I m e a n , c o u g h i n g w o r k s , t o o . " She leaves t h e d o o r o p e n a n d L a n d s m a n s t a n d i n g t h e r e o n t h e t h i c k c o i r m a t t h a t says GET LOST. L a n d s m a n t o u c h e s t w o fingers t o t h e m e z u z a h on his w a y in a n d t h e n gives t h e m a p e r f u n c t o r y kiss. T h a t is w h a t y o u d o if y o u a r e a b e l i e v e r , l i k e B e r k o , o r a m o c k i n g asshole, like L a n d s m a n . H e h a n g s his h a t a n d overcoat on an elkantler rack b y t h e front door. H e follows E s t e r - M a l k e ' s ass,

skinny

w r a p p e d in her w h i t e c o t t o n r o b e , d o w n t h e hall a n d i n t o t h e

k i t c h e n . T h e k i t c h e n is n a r r o w , l a i d o u t g a l l e y - s t y l e , t h e s t o v e , sink, and refrigerator d o w n one side, cabinets d o w n t h e other. A t t h e e n d a breakfast bar, w i t h t w o stools, overlooks t h e l i v i n g - d i n i n g r o o m . S t e a m c u r l s o u t o f a waffle i r o n o n t h e c o u n t e r i n c a r t o o n l o c o m o t i v e puffs. T h e d r i p - f i l t e r coffee m a k e r h a w k s a n d s p i t s l i k e a d e c r e p i t Jewish p o l i c e m a n after t e n flights of steps. L a n d s m a n s i d l e s u p t o t h e s t o o l h e favors a n d s t a n d s b e s i d e i t . F r o m t h e hip pocket of his t w e e d blazer he takes a p o c k e t chess set and u n w r a p s it. H e b o u g h t it at t h e all-night d r u g s t o r e on Korczak P l a t z . " F a t m a n s t i l l i n h i s p a j a m a s ? " h e says. "Getting dressed." "Fat baby?" "Picking the necktie." "And t h e o t h e r o n e , w h a t ' s his n a m e ? " In fact, his n a m e , t h a n k s t o a r e c e n t v o g u e for c r a f t i n g g i v e n n a m e s f r o m f a m i l y n a m e s , is F e i n g o l d T a y t s h - S h e m e t s . T h e y call h i m G o l d y . F o u r y e a r s a g o L a n d s m a n h a d t h e h o n o r t o h o l d d o w n G o l d y ' s s c r a w n y legs w h i l e an ancient J e w w i t h a knife c a m e after his foreskin. " H i s Majesty." In answer, she n o d s h e r h e a d t o w a r d t h e l i v i n g - d i n i n g . " S t i l l s i c k ? " L a n d s m a n says.

38

MICHAEL

CHABON

"Better today." L a n d s m a n goes a r o u n d t h e breakfast bar, p a s t t h e glass-topped d i n i n g t a b l e , a n d o v e r t o t h e b i g w h i t e s e c t i o n a l sofa t o g e t a l o o k a t w h a t t h e t e l e v i s i o n is d o i n g t o h i s g o d s o n . " L o o k w h o i t i s , " h e says. Goldy

is

retrospective

wearing chic

for

his an

polar-bear Alaskan

jammies, Jewish

the

kid.

height

Polar

of

bears,

s n o w f l a k e s , i g l o o s , t h e n o r t h e r n i m a g e r y t h a t w a s so u b i q u i t o u s w h e n L a n d s m a n w a s a b o y , i t ' s all b a c k i n s t y l e a g a i n . O n l y t h i s t i m e it s e e m s t o b e m e a n t ironically. Snowflakes, yes, t h e Jews found t h e m here, t h o u g h , t h a n k s to greenhouse gases, t h e r e are m e a s u r a b l y fewer t h a n in t h e old days. B u t n o polar bears. N o i g l o o s . N o r e i n d e e r . M o s t l y j u s t a l o t o f a n g r y I n d i a n s , fog, a n d r a i n , a n d h a l f a c e n t u r y o f a s e n s e o f m i s t a k e n n e s s so k e e n , w o r k e d so d e e p i n t o t h e s y s t e m s of t h e J e w s , t h a t it e m e r g e s e v e r y w h e r e , even on their children's pajamas. " Y o u r e a d y t o w o r k t o d a y , G o l d e l e ? " L a n d s m a n says. H e lays t h e b a c k o f h i s h a n d a g a i n s t t h e b o y ' s f o r e h e a d . I t feels n i c e a n d c o o l . Goldy's Shnapish the Dog yarmulke hangs crooked, and Landsman s m o o t h s it a n d a d j u s t s t h e b o b b y p i n t h a t holds it in place. " R e a d y t o fight c r i m e ? " "Sure thing, Uncle." L a n d s m a n reaches o u t to shake t h e boy's hand, and w i t h o u t even looking, G o l d y slides his d r y p a w i n t o L a n d s m a n ' s . A m i n u t e blue r e c t a n g l e of l i g h t s w i m s o n t h e t e a r layer of t h e b o y ' s d a r k b r o w n eyes. L a n d s m a n has w a t c h e d this p r o g r a m w i t h his godson before, on t h e e d u c a t i o n a l c h a n n e l . Like 90 p e r c e n t of t h e television t h e y w a t c h , i t c o m e s f r o m t h e s o u t h a n d is s h o w n d u b b e d i n t o Y i d d i s h . It c o n c e r n s t h e a d v e n t u r e s of a pair of children w i t h Jewish names w h o look like t h e y m i g h t b e p a r t Indian a n d have n o visible p a r e n t s . T h e y d o h a v e a c r y s t a l l i n e magical d r a g o n scale t h a t t h e y wish on in o r d e r t o travel t o a l a n d of p a s t e l d r a g o n s , each d i s t i n g u i s h e d b y its color a n d its p a r t i c u l a r b r a n d of imbecility Little b y little, t h e children spend m o r e and m o r e time with their magical dragon

THE Y I D D I S H

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39

scale u n t i l o n e d a y t h e y t r a v e l off t o t h e l a n d o f r a i n b o w i d i o c y and never r e t u r n ; t h e i r bodies are found b y t h e n i g h t m a n a g e r of t h e i r c h e a p flop, e a c h w i t h a b u l l e t i n t h e b a c k o f t h e h e a d . M a y b e , L a n d s m a n t h i n k s , s o m e t h i n g gets lost in t h e t r a n s l a t i o n . " S t i l l w a n t t o b e a n o z w h e n y o u g r o w u p ? " L a n d s m a n says. "Like your dad and your uncle Meyer?" " Y e s , " G o l d y says w i t h o u t e n t h u s i a s m . " Y o u b e t I d o . " " T h a t ' s the boy." T h e y s h a k e h a n d s a g a i n . T h i s c o n v e r s a t i o n is t h e e q u i v a l e n t o f Landsman's kissing t h e m e z u z a h , t h e k i n d of t h i n g t h a t s t a r t s o u t as a j o k e a n d e n d s u p as a s t r a p t o h a n g o n t o . " Y o u t a k i n g u p c h e s s ? " E s t e r - M a l k e says w h e n h e w a l k s b a c k into the kitchen. " G o d f o r b i d , " says L a n d s m a n . H e c l i m b s u p o n t o h i s s t o o l a n d struggles^with t h e tiny p a w n s and k n i g h t s a n d kings of t h e travel s e t , s e t t i n g t h e m u p t o r e f l e c t t h e b o a r d left b e h i n d b y t h e s o - c a l l e d E m a n u e l Lasker. H e has a h a r d t i m e telling t h e pieces a p a r t , b u t e v e r y t i m e h e h o l d s o n e u p t o h i s face t o g e t a g o o d l o o k a t i t , h e drops it. " S t o p l o o k i n g a t m e t h a t w a y , " h e says t o E s t e r - M a l k e , j u s t guessing. " I d o n ' t like i t . " " D a m n it, M e y e r , " she says, w a t c h i n g his h a n d s . " Y o u have t h e shakes." " I d i d n ' t s l e e p all n i g h t . " "Uh-huh." T h e t h i n g a b o u t E s t e r - M a l k e T a y t s h is t h a t b e f o r e s h e w e n t b a c k t o school, b e c a m e a social w o r k e r , a n d m a r r i e d B e r k o , she e n j o y e d a b r i e f b u t d i s t i n g u i s h e d c a r e e r as a S o u t h S i t k a f u c k u p . She has a c o u p l e of s m a l l - b o r e criminals in h e r p a s t , a r e g r e t t e d t a t t o o o n h e r belly, a n d a b r i d g e i n h e r j a w , a s o u v e n i r o f t h e l a s t m a n t o m i s t r e a t her. L a n d s m a n h a s k n o w n h e r l o n g e r t h a n B e r k o has,

h a v i n g b u s t e d h e r on a v a n d a l i s m c h a r g e w h e n she w a s still

in h i g h s c h o o l . E s t e r - M a l k e u n d e r s t a n d s h o w t o h a n d l e a l o s e r , b y i n t u i t i o n a n d h a b i t , a n d w i t h o u t a n y of t h e r e p r o a c h she b r i n g s

4D

MICHAEL

CHABDN

t o bear on h e r o w n w a s t e d y o u t h . She goes to t h e refrigerator and t a k e s o u t a b o t t l e o f B r u n e r A d l e r , p o p s t h e t o p , a n d h a n d s it t o L a n d s m a n . H e rolls it a g a i n s t his sleepless t e m p l e s , t h e n takes a l o n g swallow. "So,"

h e says, feeling b e t t e r in an i n s t a n t . " Y o u ' r e l a t e ? "

S h e p u t s o n a h a l f - t h e a t r i c a l e x p r e s s i o n o f g u i l t , g o e s for t h e p r e g n a n c y - t e s t stick, t h e n leaves h e r h a n d in t h e p o c k e t , c l u t c h i n g t h e stick w i t h o u t taking it out. L a n d s m a n k n o w s , because she has broached the subject once or twice, that Ester-Malke worries he m i g h t e n v y h e r a n d Berko t h e i r successful p r o g r a m of b r e e d i n g a n d t h e i r t w o fine s o n s . L a n d s m a n d o e s , a t t i m e s , w i t h b i t t e r n e s s . B u t w h e n she brings it u p , h e generally b o t h e r s t o d e n y it. " S h i t , " h e says as a b i s h o p g o e s s k i t t e r i n g a c r o s s t h e floor a n d disappears under the bar counter. " W a s it a black o n e or a w h i t e ? " "Black. A bishop. Shit. It's g o n e . " E s t e r - M a l k e goes to t h e spice rack, t i g h t e n s t h e w a i s t b a n d of h e r r o b e , s t u d i e s h e r o p t i o n s . " H e r e , " s h e says. S h e t a k e s o u t a j a r of chocolate sprinkles, unscrews it, tips one into her palm, and h a n d s it t o L a n d s m a n . " U s e t h a t . " L a n d s m a n is k n e e l i n g o n t h e g r o u n d u n d e r t h e c o u n t e r .

He

finds t h e m i s s i n g b i s h o p a n d m a n a g e s t o p o k e it i n t o its hole at h 6 . E s t e r - M a l k e p u t s t h e jar b a c k in t h e c a b i n e t a n d r e t u r n s her r i g h t h a n d to t h e m y s t e r y of her b a t h r o b e pocket. L a n d s m a n e a t s t h e c h o c o l a t e s p r i n k l e . " B e r k o k n o w s ? " h e says. E s t e r - M a l k e s h a k e s h e r h e a d , h i d i n g b e h i n d h e r hair.

"It's

n o t h i n g , " s h e says. "Officially n o t h i n g ? " She shrugs. " D i d n ' t you look at t h e t e s t ? " " I ' m afraid t o . " " Y o u ' r e a f r a i d t o w h a t ? " says B e r k o , a p p e a r i n g a t t h e d o o r t o the

kitchen

with

young

Pinchas

Taytsh-Shemets—inevitably,

P i n k y — t u c k e d i n t o t h e c r o o k of his r i g h t a r m . A m o n t h ago t h e y

THE Y I D D I S H

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41

m a d e a p a r t y for t h e k i d , w i t h a c a k e a n d a c a n d l e . S o , L a n d s m a n r e c k o n s , t h a t w i l l b r i n g i n t h e t h i r d T a y t s h - S h e m e t s , if any, a t a r o u n d t w e n t y - o n e , t w e n t y - t w o m o n t h s after t h e second. seven m o n t h s after Reversion. Seven m o n t h s i n t o t h e

And

unknown

world to come. A n o t h e r d i m i n u t i v e p r i s o n e r of h i s t o r y a n d fate, a n o t h e r p o t e n t i a l M e s s i a h — f o r M e s s i a h , s a y t h e e x p e r t s , is b o r n i n t o e v e r y g e n e r a t i o n — t o fill t h e sails o f E l i j a h t h e

Prophet's

d e m e n t e d caravel of d r e a m s . Ester-Malke's h a n d e m e r g e s

from

her p o c k e t w i t h o u t t h e p r e g n a n c y t e s t , a n d she gives L a n d s m a n a South Sitka high sign w i t h o n e arched eyebrow. "Afraid t o h e a r w h a t I h a d t o e a t y e s t e r d a y , " L a n d s m a n says. B y w a y o f c r e a t i n g a d i v e r s i o n , h e t a k e s L a s k e r ' s c o p y o f Three

Hundred

Chess Games o u t o f t h e o t h e r h i p p o c k e t o f h i s j a c k e t a n d lays i t o n the bar beside the chessboard. " T h i s is a b o u t y o u r d e a d j u n k i e ? " B e r k o s a y s , e y e i n g t h e b o a r d . " E m a n u e l L a s k e r , " L a n d s m a n says. " B u t t h a t w a s j u s t a n a m e in t h e r e g i s t r a t i o n . W e f o u n d n o k i n d o f I D o n h i m a t a l l . W e d o n ' t know who he was yet." " E m a n u e l L a s k e r . I feel I k n o w t h e n a m e . " B e r k o s q u e e z e s s i d e w a y s i n t o t h e k i t c h e n in his suit p a n t s a n d shirtsleeves. T h e p a n t s are heather-gray merino with double pleats, the shirt white on white. A t his t h r o a t , t i e d w i t h a h a n d s o m e k n o t , h a n g s a n a v y n e c k t i e p a t t e r n e d w i t h o r a n g e b l o b s . T h e t i e is e x t r a l o n g , t h e t r o u s e r s c a p a c i o u s a n d h e l d u p b y n a v y s u s p e n d e r s t a x e d b y t h e s p a n a n d t h e a r c o f h i s belly. U n d e r t h e shirt he wears t h e fringed four-corner, a n d a t r i m blue y a r m u l k e perches on t h e glossy black furze at t h e b a c k of his h e a d , b u t n o b e a r d will g r o w o n h i s c h i n . T h e r e is n o t a b e a r d t o b e f o u n d o n t h e c h i n s o f a n y o f t h e m e n in h i s m a t e r n a l family, r e a c h i n g b a c k all t h e way, n o d o u b t , t o t h e t i m e w h e n R a v e n c r e a t e d e v e r y t h i n g ( a p a r t from t h e s u n , w h i c h h e s t o l e ) . B e r k o S h e m e t s is o b s e r v a n t , b u t in h i s o w n w a y a n d for h i s o w n r e a s o n s . H e is a m i n o t a u r , a n d t h e w o r l d o f J e w s is h i s l a b y r i n t h . H e c a m e t o live w i t h t h e L a n d s m a n s in t h e h o u s e o n A d l e r S t r e e t o n a d a y in l a t e s p r i n g 1 9 8 1 , a s h a m b l i n g g i a n t b o y k n o w n ,

42

MICHAEL

CHABON

in t h e Sea M o n s t e r H o u s e of t h e R a v e n M o i e t y of t h e L o n g h a i r T r i b e , as J o h n n y " t h e J e w " Bear. H e s t o o d five feet n i n e i n c h e s i n his m u k l u k s t h a t a f t e r n o o n , t h i r t e e n years old a n d only an inch shorter t h a n L a n d s m a n at eighteen. U n t i l t h a t m o m e n t no one had ever m e n t i o n e d t h i s b o y t o L a n d s m a n or his little sister. N o w t h e kid was g o i n g t o b e sleeping in t h e b e d r o o m t h a t h a d o n c e served M e y e r a n d N a o m i ' s f a t h e r as K l e i n b o t t l e for t h e i n f i n i t e l o o p o f his insomnia. " W h o t h e h e l l a r e y o u ? " L a n d s m a n a s k e d h i m as t h e k i d s t o l e sideways i n t o t h e living r o o m . T w i s t i n g a billed c a p in his h a n d s , t a k i n g e v e r y t h i n g in w i t h his d a r k , a l l - c o n s u m i n g gaze. H e r t z and Freydl w e r e s t a n d i n g o u t on t h e front walk, screaming at each other. Apparently, Landsman's uncle had neglected to mention to his sister t h a t his son w a s c o m i n g t o live at h e r h o u s e . " M y n a m e is J o h n n y B e a r , " B e r k o s a i d . " I ' m p a r t o f t h e S h e m e t s Collection." H e r t z Shemets remains a noted expert on Tlingit art

and

artifacts. A t one t i m e this h o b b y or pastime sent him wandering deeper and farther into the Indianer-Lands than any other Jew of his g e n e r a t i o n . So, yes, his s t u d y of N a t i v e c u l t u r e a n d his t r i p s i n t o t h e I n d i a n e r - L a n d s w e r e a b e a r d for h i s COINTELPRO w o r k d u r i n g t h e s i x t i e s . B u t t h e y w e r e n o t only a b e a r d .

Hertz

S h e m e t s w a s d r a w n t o t h e I n d i a n w a y o f life. H e l e a r n e d t o gaff a seal w i t h a s t e e l h o o k , t h r o u g h t h e e y e , a n d t o s l a u g h t e r a n d p u t u p a b e a r , a n d t o e n j o y t h e flavor o f c a n d l e f i s h g r e a s e as m u c h as t h a t of schmaltz. A n d he fathered a child on Miss Laurie Jo Bear of H o o n a h . W h e n she was killed d u r i n g t h e so-called Synagogue R i o t s , h e r half-Jew son, an object of t o r m e n t a n d scorn a m o n g t h e R a v e n M o i e t y , a p p e a l e d for r e s c u e t o t h e f a t h e r h e b a r e l y k n e w . I t w a s a ZTPischenzug, a n u n e x p e c t e d m o v e i n t h e o r d e r l y u n f o l d i n g o f a g a m e . I t c a u g h t U n c l e H e r t z off g u a r d . " W h a t are y o u going to do, t u r n h i m away?" he yelled at L a n d s m a n ' s m o t h e r . " T h e y ' r e m a k i n g h i s life a l i v i n g h e l l u p t h e r e . H i s m o t h e r is d e a d . M u r d e r e d b y J e w s . "

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In fact, eleven N a t i v e A l a s k a n s w e r e killed in t h e r i o t i n g t h a t followed t h e b o m b i n g of a p r a y e r h o u s e t h a t a g r o u p of J e w s h a d b u i l t on d i s p u t e d land. T h e r e are p o c k e t s in t h e s e islands w h e r e t h e m a p d r a w n b y H a r o l d Ickes falters a n d gives way,

dotted

s t r e t c h e s of t h e Line. M o s t of t h e m are t o o r e m o t e or m o u n t a i n o u s t o b e i n h a b i t e d , frozen or flooded y e a r - r o u n d . B u t s o m e of t h e s e c r o s s h a t c h e d p a t c h e s , choice a n d level a n d t e m p e r a t e , h a v e p r o v e d irresistible over t h e years t o t h e J e w s in t h e i r millions. J e w s w a n t livable space. In t h e seventies s o m e of t h e m , m o s t l y m e m b e r s of small O r t h o d o x sects, b e g a n t o t a k e it. T h e c o n s t r u c t i o n of a prayer h o u s e at St. Cyril b y t h e splinter f r o m a s p l i n t e r o f a s e c t f r o m L i s i a n s k i w a s t h e final o u t r a g e for m a n y Natives. It was m e t w i t h d e m o n s t r a t i o n s , rallies,

lawyers,

a n d d a r k r u m b l i n g s from C o n g r e s s over y e t a n o t h e r affront

to

peace and p a r i t y by t h e overweening Jews of t h e n o r t h . T w o days before its consecration, s o m e b o d y — n o o n e ever c a m e forward or was c h a r g e d — t h r e w a double Molotov t h r o u g h a window, b u r n i n g the prayer house to its concrete pad. T h e c o n g r e g a n t s and their s u p p o r t e r s s w a r m e d i n t o t h e t o w n of St. Cyril, s m a s h i n g c r a b traps, breaking t h e w i n d o w s of t h e Alaska N a t i v e

Brotherhood

h a l l , a n d s e t t i n g s p e c t a c u l a r fire t o a s h e d f u l o f R o m a n c a n d l e s a n d c h e r r y b o m b s . T h e driver of a t r u c k l o a d of a n g r y yids lost c o n t r o l of t h e w h e e l a n d p l o w e d i n t o t h e g r o c e r y s t o r e w h e r e L a u r i e Jo w o r k e d as a c h e c k e r , k i l l i n g h e r i n s t a n t l y . T h e S y n a g o g u e R i o t s r e m a i n t h e lowest m o m e n t in t h e b i t t e r a n d inglorious h i s t o r y of Tlingit-Jewish relations. " I s t h a t m y f a u l t ? Is t h a t m y p r o b l e m ? " L a n d s m a n ' s

mother

y e l l e d b a c k . " A n I n d i a n l i v i n g i n m y h o u s e , t h a t is s o m e t h i n g I d o not need!" T h e c h i l d r e n l i s t e n e d t o t h e m for a w h i l e , J o h n n y B e a r s t a n d i n g in t h e d o o r w a y , k i c k i n g a t h i s duffel b a g w i t h t h e t o e o f

his

sneaker. "Good thing you don't speak Yiddish," Landsman told y o u n g e r boy.

the

44

MICHAEL

CHABON

" I d o n ' t n e e d t o , d i c k w a d , " s a i d J o h n n y t h e Jew. " I b e e n h e a r i n g t h i s s h i t all m y l i f e . " After t h e t h i n g was s e t t l e d — a n d it h a d been settled before L a n d s m a n ' s m o t h e r e v e r s t a r t e d w i t h t h e y e l l i n g — H e r t z c a m e in t o say g o o d b y e . H i s son h a d t w o inches on h i m . W h e n h e t o o k t h e b o y i n h i s a r m s for a q u i c k stiff h u g , i t l o o k e d l i k e t h e s i d e c h a i r w a s e m b r a c i n g t h e c o u c h . T h e n h e s t e p p e d away. " I ' m sorry, J o h n , " h e said. H e g r i p p e d his son b y t h e ears and h e l d o n t i g h t . H e s c a n n e d t h e b o y ' s face l i k e a t e l e g r a m . " I w a n t you to k n o w that. I d o n ' t w a n t you ever to look at m e and think t h a t I ' m feeling a n y t h i n g b u t sorry." " I w a n t t o live w i t h y o u , " said t h e b o y tonelessly. "So you have m e n t i o n e d . " T h e words were harsh and the manner c a l l o u s , b u t all a t o n c e — i t s h o c k e d t h e h e l l o u t o f L a n d s m a n — t h e r e w a s a s h i n e of t e a r s in U n c l e H e r t z ' s eyes. " I ' m w e l l - k n o w n , J o h n , as a c o m p l e t e s o n o f a b i t c h . Y o u ' d b e w o r s e off w i t h m e t h a n living in t h e s t r e e t . " H e looked a r o u n d his sister's living r o o m , t h e p l a s t i c slipcovers on t h e f u r n i t u r e , t h e a r t like b a r b e d wire, t h e a b s t r a c t m e n o r a h . " G o d k n o w s w h a t t h e y ' l l m a k e of y o u h e r e . " "A J e w , " s a i d J o h n n y B e a r , a n d i t w a s h a r d t o t e l l w h e t h e r h e m e a n t i t as a b o a s t o r a p r e d i c t i o n o f r u i n . " L i k e y o u . " " T h a t s e e m s u n l i k e l y , " H e r t z said. " I ' d like t o see t h e m m a n a g e that. Goodbye, John." H e gave N a o m i a p a t on t h e head. Just before he w e n t out, he stopped to shake hands with Landsman. " H e l p your cousin, Meyerle, he's going to need it." " H e looks like h e can h e l p himself." " H e does, d o e s n ' t h e ? " said U n c l e H e r t z . " T h a t at least he gets from m e . " N o w B e r S h e m e t s , as h e c a m e i n t i m e t o s t y l e h i m s e l f , lives l i k e a J e w , w e a r s a s k u l l c a p a n d f o u r - c o r n e r l i k e a Jew. H e r e a s o n s as a J e w , w o r s h i p s as a J e w , f a t h e r s a n d l o v e s h i s wife a n d s e r v e s t h e p u b l i c as a Jew. H e s p i n s t h e o r y w i t h h i s h a n d s , k e e p s k o s h e r ,

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and sports a penis c u t (his father saw t o it before a b a n d o n i n g t h e infant Bear) on t h e bias. B u t t o look at, he's p u r e T l i n g i t . T a r t a r e y e s , d e n s e b l a c k h a i r , b r o a d face b u i l t for j o y b u t t r a i n e d i n t h e craft of sorrow. T h e Bears a r e a b i g p e o p l e , a n d Berko s t a n d s t w o m e t e r s t a l l i n h i s s o c k s a n d w e i g h s i n a t 110 k i l o g r a m s . H e h a s a b i g h e a d , b i g f e e t , b i g b e l l y a n d h a n d s . E v e r y t h i n g a b o u t B e r k o is b i g e x c e p t for t h e b a b y i n h i s a r m s , s m i l i n g s h y l y a t L a n d s m a n w i t h h i s t h a t c h o f b l a c k h o r s e h a i r s t a n d i n g u p l i k e m a g n e t i z e d i r o n filings. C u t e as a b u t t o n , L a n d s m a n w o u l d b e t h e f i r s t t o a c k n o w l e d g e , b u t even after a year, t h e sight of P i n k y still p u t s a d e n t in t h e soft p l a c e b e h i n d L a n d s m a n ' s s t e r n u m . P i n k y w a s b o r n e x a c t l y t w o years after D j a n g o ' s d u e d a t e — S e p t e m b e r 22. "Emanuel Lasker was a famous chess player," L a n d s m a n informs B e r k o , w h o t a k e s a m u g o f coffee f r o m E s t e r - M a l k e a n d f r o w n s i n t o t h e s t e a m . "A G e r m a n Jew. I n t h e t e e n s a n d t w e n t i e s . " H e s p e n t t h e h o u r b e t w e e n five a n d six a t h i s c o m p u t e r i n t h e d e s o l a t e s q u a d r o o m , s e e i n g w h a t h e c o u l d t u r n u p . "A m a t h e m a t i c i a n . L o s t t o C a p a b l a n c a , like e v e r y b o d y else b a c k t h e n . T h e b o o k w a s in t h e room. A n d a chessboard, set u p t h a t way." Berko has h e a v y eyelids, soulful, b r u i s e d - l o o k i n g , b u t

when

he d r o p s t h e m d o w n over t h o s e p o p eyes, it's like t h e b e a m of a f l a s h l i g h t b l e e d i n g t h r o u g h a s l i t , a l o o k so c o l d a n d s k e p t i c a l i t c a n lead i n n o c e n t m e n t o d o u b t t h e i r o w n alibis. "And y o u feel," h e says, w i t h a significant glance at t h e b o t t l e of b e e r in L a n d s m a n ' s h a n d , " t h a t t h e c o n f i g u r a t i o n of pieces o n t h e b o a r d , w h a t ? " T h e s l i t d r a w s n a r r o w e r , t h e b e a m flares b r i g h t e r . " E n c o d e s t h e n a m e of his killer?" " I n t h e a l p h a b e t o f A t l a n t i s , " L a n d s m a n says. "Uh-huh." " T h e J e w p l a y e d c h e s s . A n d h e t i e d off w i t h t e f l l l i n .

And

somebody killed h i m w i t h a great deal of care a n d discretion. I d o n ' t know. M a y b e t h e r e ' s n o t h i n g in t h e chess angle. I c a n ' t g e t a n y t h i n g o u t of it. I w e n t t h r o u g h t h e w h o l e b o o k , b u t I c o u l d n ' t

46

MICHAEL

CHABON

f i g u r e o u t w h i c h g a m e h e w a s p l a y i n g . If any. T h o s e d i a g r a m s , I don't know, I get a headache looking at them. I get a headache just looking at t h e board, a curse on i t . " L a n d s m a n ' s v o i c e c o m e s o u t s o u n d i n g e v e r y b i t as h o l l o w a n d h o p e l e s s as h e feels, w h i c h w a s n o t h i s i n t e n t i o n a t all. B e r k o l o o k s o v e r t h e t o p o f P i n k y ' s h e a d a t h i s w i f e , t o s e e if h e r e a l l y n e e d s t o worry about Landsman. " T e l l y o u w h a t , M e y e r . I f y o u p u t d o w n t h a t b e e r , " B e r k o says, t r y i n g a n d failing n o t t o s o u n d like a p o l i c e m a n , "I'll let y o u hold this nice baby. H o w a b o u t that? L o o k at h i m . L o o k at t h o s e thighs, c o m e o n . Y o u h a v e t o s q u e e z e t h e m . P u t d o w n t h e b e e r , all r i g h t ? A n d h o l d t h i s n i c e b a b y for a m i n u t e . " " H e is a n i c e b a b y , " L a n d s m a n says. H e r e m o v e s a n o t h e r i n c h of beer from t h e b o t t l e . T h e n he p u t s it d o w n , a n d s h u t s u p , and takes t h e baby, a n d smells h i m , a n d does t h e usual injury to his h e a r t . P i n k y smells like y o g u r t a n d l a u n d r y soap. A h i n t of his father's b a y r u m . L a n d s m a n carries t h e b a b y t o t h e d o o r w a y of t h e k i t c h e n , a n d t r i e s n o t t o i n h a l e , a n d w a t c h e s as E s t e r - M a l k e p e e l s a s h e e t o f waffles f r o m t h e i r o n . S h e is u s i n g a n o l d W e s t i n g h o u s e w i t h B a k é l i t e h a n d l e s in t h e s h a p e of leaves. It can b l a s t o u t four c r i s p waffles a t a t i m e . "Buttermilk?"

Berko

says,

studying

the

chessboard

now,

s t r o k i n g a finger a l o n g h i s h e a v y u p p e r l i p . " W h a t e l s e ? " E s t e r - M a l k e says. "Real, or milk with vinegar?" "We

did

a

double-blind

test,

Berko." Ester-Malke

hands

L a n d s m a n a p l a t e o f waffles i n e x c h a n g e for h e r y o u n g e r s o n , a n d e v e n t h o u g h h e d o e s n ' t feel l i k e e a t i n g , L a n d s m a n is h a p p y t o m a k e t h e t r a d e . "You can't tell t h e difference, r e m e m b e r ? " " W e l l , h e c a n ' t p l a y c h e s s , e i t h e r , " L a n d s m a n says. " B u t l o o k a t him pretending." " F u c k y o u , M e y e r , " B e r k o says. " O k a y , n o w , s e r i o u s l y , w h i c h p i e c e is t h e b a t t l e s h i p ? " T h e family chess m a d n e s s had b u r n e d o u t or redirected its

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energies b y t h e t i m e Berko c a m e t o live w i t h L a n d s m a n a n d his m o t h e r . I s i d o r L a n d s m a n h a d b e e n d e a d for six y e a r s , a n d H e r t z S h e m e t s h a d t r a n s f e r r e d his skills a t f e i n t i n g a n d a t t a c k t o a m u c h larger chessboard. T h a t m e a n t t h e r e was no one t o teach Berko t h e g a m e b u t L a n d s m a n , a d u t y t h a t L a n d s m a n carefully neglected. " B u t t e r ? " E s t e r - M a l k e says. S h e l a d l e s f r e s h b a t t e r i n t o

the

cells o f t h e waffle i r o n w h i l e P i n k y s i t s o n h e r h i p a n d offers h i s unsolicited advice. "No butter." "Syrup?" " N o syrup." " Y o u d o n ' t r e a l l y w a n t a waffle, d o y o u , M e y e r ? " B e r k o says. H e a b a n d o n s t h e p r e t e n s e of s t u d y i n g t h e b o a r d a n d m o v e s o n t o t h e v o l u m e b y S i e g b e r t T a r r a s c h as if h e w i l l b e a b l e t o m a k e h e a d s o r tails of t h a t . "Not

i n all h o n e s t y , " L a n d s m a n

says. " B u t I k n o w

that

I

should." E s t e r - M a l k e e a s e s t h e lid o f t h e i r o n d o w n o n t o t h e g r i d s o f b a t t e r . " I ' m p r e g n a n t , " s h e says i n a m i l d t o n e . " W h a t ? " Berko says, l o o k i n g u p from surprises. " F u c k ! " T h i s word

is s p o k e n

t h e b o o k of

orderly

in A m e r i c a n ,

Berko's

p r e f e r r e d l a n g u a g e for s w e a r i n g a n d h a r s h t a l k . H e s t a r t s w o r k i n g over t h e stick of i m a g i n a r y c h e w i n g g u m t h a t s e e m s t o a p p e a r in his m o u t h w h e n e v e r he's g e t t i n g r e a d y t o blow. " T h a t ' s g r e a t , Es. T h a t ' s j u s t great. You k n o w ? Because t h e r e ' s still o n e fucking d e s k d r a w e r in t h i s shit-ass a p a r t m e n t t h a t d o e s n ' t h a v e a m o t h e r f u c k i n g b a b y in i t ! " T h e n h e r a i s e s Three Hundred

Chess Games o v e r h i s h e a d

p r e p a r e s , showily, t o h u r l it across t h e b r e a k f a s t b a r a n d

and into

t h e l i v i n g - d i n i n g r o o m . T h i s is t h e S h e m e t s i n h i m c o m i n g o u t . L a n d s m a n ' s m o t h e r w a s a l s o a b i g o n e for t h e h u r l i n g o f o b j e c t s in anger, a n d t h e h i s t r i o n i c displays of U n c l e H e r t z , t h a t

cool

customer, are rare b u t legendary. " E v i d e n c e , " L a n d s m a n r e m i n d s him. Berko raises t h e

book

48

MICHAEL

CHABON

higher, a n d L a n d s m a n says, " E v i d e n c e , G o d d a m n it!" a n d t h e n Berko

throws

fluttering,

it. T h e

book

struggles

through

t h e air,

pages

a n d strikes s o m e t h i n g jingly, p r o b a b l y t h e silver spice

b o x o n t h e g l a s s - t o p p e d d i n i n g table. T h e b a b y sticks o u t his lower lip,

t h e n sticks it o u t a l i t t l e farther, t h e n h e s i t a t e s , looking from

his m o t h e r to his father a n d back. T h e n he b u r s t s into desolate s o b s . B e r k o g l a r e s a t P i n k y as if b e t r a y e d . H e g o e s a r o u n d t h e b a r to retrieve the mishandled evidence. " W h a t d i d T a t e h d o ? " E s t e r - M a l k e says t o t h e b a b y , k i s s i n g h i s c h e e k a n d s c o w l i n g a t t h e large b l a c k - e d g e d h o l e in t h e air t h a t B e r k o h a s left b e h i n d . " D i d b a d D e t e c t i v e S u p e r - s p e r m t h r o w t h e silly o l d b o o k ? " "Good

waffle!"

Landsman

says,

setting

down

his

plate

u n t o u c h e d . H e raises his voice. "Hey, Berko, I'm, uh, I t h i n k I'm g o i n g t o w a i t d o w n in t h e car." H e swipes E s t e r - M a l k e ' s cheek w i t h h i s l i p s . " T e l l w h a t ' s - h i s - n a m e U n c l e M e y e r l e says g o o d b y e . " L a n d s m a n goes o u t to t h e elevators, w h e r e the wind whistles d o w n t h e shafts. T h e n e i g h b o r , F r i e d , c o m e s o u t in his l o n g black c o a t , h i s w h i t e h a i r c o m b e d b a c k a n d c u r l i n g a t h i s collar. F r i e d is a n o p e r a s i n g e r , a n d t h e T a y t s h - S h e m e t s e s feel h e l o o k s d o w n o n t h e m . B u t t h a t is o n l y b e c a u s e F r i e d h a s t o l d t h e m h e is b e t t e r t h a n t h e y are. S i t k a n i k s generally t a k e care t o m a i n t a i n this v i e w of t h e i r n e i g h b o r s , i n p a r t i c u l a r o f t h e N a t i v e s a n d all t h o s e w h o d w e l l in t h e s o u t h . F r i e d a n d L a n d s m a n get i n t o t h e elevator together. F r i e d a s k s L a n d s m a n if h e h a s f o u n d a n y d e a d b o d i e s lately, a n d L a n d s m a n a s k s F r i e d if h e h a s m a d e a n y d e a d c o m p o s e r s t u r n o v e r in t h e i r graves lately, a n d after t h a t , t h e y d o n ' t say a n y t h i n g m u c h . L a n d s m a n g o e s b a c k o u t t o h i s p a r k i n g p l a c e a n d g e t s i n t o t h e car. H e r u n s t h e e n g i n e a n d s i t s i n t h e h e a t b l o w i n g i n off t h e e n g i n e . W i t h t h e smell of P i n k y o n his collar a n d t h e cool d r y g h o s t of G o l d y ' s h a n d i n h i s , h e p l a y s g o a l k e e p e r as a s q u a d o f u n p r o f i t a b l e r e g r e t s m o u n t s a steady a t t a c k on his ability to get t h r o u g h a day w i t h o u t feeling a n y t h i n g . H e c l i m b s o u t a n d s m o k e s a p a p i r o s in t h e rain. H e t u r n s his eyes n o r t h , across t h e marina, to t h e looping

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a l u m i n u m s p i k e o n i t s w i n d s w e p t i s l a n d . O n c e m o r e h e feels a s h a r p n o s t a l g i a for t h e fair, for t h e h e r o i c J e w i s h e n g i n e e r i n g o f t h e S a f e t y P i n (officially t h e P r o m i s e o f S a n c t u a r y T o w e r , b u t n o b o d y c a l l s i t t h a t ) , a n d for t h e c l e a v a g e o f t h e u n i f o r m e d l a d y w h o u s e d t o t e a r your ticket on t h e elevator ride to t h e r e s t a u r a n t at t h e Safety Pin's tip.

T h e n h e g e t s b a c k i n t h e car. A f e w m i n u t e s l a t e r , B e r k o c o m e s

o u t of t h e b u i l d i n g a n d rolls like a b a s s d r u m i n t o t h e S u p e r S p o r t . H e has t h e b o o k a n d t h e p o c k e t chess set in o n e h a n d , b a l a n c i n g t h e m a t o p h i s left t h i g h . " S o r r y a b o u t all t h a t , " h e says. " W h a t a j e r k , h u h ? " " N o big deal." " W e ' l l j u s t h a v e t o find a b i g g e r p l a c e . " "Right." "Somewhere." "That's the trick." "It's a blessing." " Y o u b e t . M a z e l tov, B e r k o . " L a n d s m a n ' s c o n g r a t u l a t i o n s a r e so i r o n i c t h a t t h e y a r e h e a r t f e l t , a n d t h e y a r e so h e a r t f e l t t h a t t h e y c a n o n l y c o m e off as i n s i n c e r e , a n d h e a n d h i s p a r t n e r s i t t h e r e for a w h i l e , n o t g o i n g a n y w h e r e , listening to t h e m congeal. " E s t e r - M a l k e says s h e ' s so t i r e d , s h e d o e s n ' t e v e n

remember

h a v i n g sex w i t h m e , " B e r k o says w i t h a d e e p s i g h . "Maybe you didn't." " I t ' s a m i r a c l e , y o u ' r e saying. L i k e t h e t a l k i n g c h i c k e n in t h e butcher shop." "Uh-huh." "A s i g n a n d a p o r t e n t . " " O n e w a y of looking at i t . " " S p e a k i n g o f s i g n s , " B e r k o says. H e o p e n s t h e S i t k a P u b l i c L i b r a r y ' s l o n g - m i s s i n g c o p y o f Three Hundred Chess Games t o i t s i n s i d e back cover a n d slides t h e r e t u r n card from its p a s t e d p o c k e t . B e h i n d t h e c a r d lies a p h o t o g r a p h , a t h r e e - b y - f i v e c o l o r s n a p s h o t , g l o s s y w i t h a w h i t e b o r d e r . I t is t h e p i c t u r e o f a l i t e r a l s i g n , a r e c t a n g l e

50

MICHAEL

CHABDN

of black plastic i n t o w h i c h are s t a m p e d t h r e e w h i t e r o m a n letters, w i t h a s t a m p e d w h i t e a r r o w u n d e r n e a t h , p o i n t i n g t o t h e left. T h e sign dangles on t w o l e n g t h s of slender chain from a d i r t y w h i t e s q u a r e of acoustic tile. "PIE," L a n d s m a n r e a d s . " I t s e e m s t o h a v e fallen o u t i n t h e c o u r s e o f m y

vigorous

e x a m i n a t i o n o f t h e e v i d e n c e , " B e r k o says. " I f i g u r e i t m u s t h a v e been w e d g e d into t h e card pocket, or w i t h your keen

shammes

vision, y o u w o u l d have noticed it. Recognize it?" " Y e s , " L a n d s m a n says. " I k n o w i t . " A t t h e a i r p o r t t h a t serves t h e r a w n o r t h e r n city of Y a k o v y — t h e t e r m i n u s f r o m w h i c h y o u s e t off, if y o u a r e a J e w l o o k i n g for m o d e s t a d v e n t u r e , i n t o t h e m o d e s t b u s h of t h e D i s t r i c t — t u c k e d a w a y a t t h e far e n d o f t h e m a i n b u i l d i n g , a m o d e s t o p e r a t i o n offers pie,

a n d o n l y p i e , A m e r i c a n - s t y l e . T h e p l a c e is n o t h i n g m o r e t h a n

a w i n d o w t h a t o p e n s o n t o a k i t c h e n e q u i p p e d w i t h five g l e a m i n g ovens. N e x t to the w i n d o w hangs a whiteboard, and every day the p r o p r i e t o r s — a couple of hostile Klondikes and their mysterious d a u g h t e r — w r i t e o u t a list of t h e day's wares: blackberry, apple r h u b a r b , p e a c h , b a n a n a c r e a m . T h e p i e is g o o d , e v e n f a m o u s i n a m o d e s t way. A n y b o d y w h o h a s p a s s e d t h r o u g h t h e Y a k o v y airfield k n o w s i t , a n d t h e r e a r e r u m o r s o f p e o p l e w h o w i l l fly i n f r o m J u n e a u or Fairbanks or farther away to eat it. Landsman's late sister was a d e v o t e e of t h e c o c o n u t c r e a m in particular. "So,

n u , " B e r k o says. " S o w h a t d o y o u t h i n k ? "

" I k n e w i t , " L a n d s m a n says. " T h e m i n u t e I w a l k e d i n t o t h e r o o m a n d s a w L a s k e r l y i n g t h e r e , I s a i d t o myself, L a n d s m a n , t h i s w h o l e c a s e is g o i n g t o t u r n o n a q u e s t i o n o f p i e . " "So y o u t h i n k it m e a n s n o t h i n g . " " N o t h i n g m e a n s n o t h i n g , " L a n d s m a n s a y s , a n d all o f a s u d d e n h e feels c h o k e d u p , t h r o a t s w o l l e n , e y e s b u r n i n g w i t h t e a r s . M a y b e it's lack of sleep, or t o o m u c h t i m e s p e n t in t h e c o m p a n y of his shot glass. O r m a y b e it's t h e s u d d e n i m a g e of N a o m i , leaning a g a i n s t a

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wall o u t s i d e t h a t nameless a n d inexplicable pie shop, scarfing u p a slice o f c o c o n u t c r e a m p i e f r o m a p a p e r p l a t e w i t h a p l a s t i c f o r k , eyes closed, lips p u r s e d a n d s t r e a k e d w i t h w h i t e , g r o o v i n g o n a m o u t h f u l o f c r e a m , c r u s t a n d c u s t a r d i n a p r o f o u n d a n d a n i m a l way. " G o d d a m n it, Berko. I wish I had s o m e of t h a t pie r i g h t now." " I w a s t h i n k i n g t h e s a m e t h i n g , " B e r k o says.

•3) 7

F

or

twenty-seven

years Sitka Central

has been

temporarily

h o u s e d in e l e v e n m o d u l a r b u i l d i n g s in a v a c a n t lot b e h i n d t h e

old Russian orphanage. R u m o r holds that the modulars began

life as a B i b l e c o l l e g e i n S l i d e l l , L o u i s i a n a . T h e y a r e w i n d o w l e s s ,

l o w - c e i l i n g e d , flimsy, a n d c r a m p e d . T h e v i s i t o r finds, p a c k e d i n t o t h e H o m i c i d e m o d u l a r , a r e c e p t i o n a r e a , a n office for e a c h o f t h e t w o d e t e c t i v e i n s p e c t o r s , a shower stall w i t h a toilet a n d sink, a squad r o o m (four cubicles, four chairs, four t e l e p h o n e s , a c h a l k b o a r d , a n d a r o w of mail s l o t s ) , an i n t e r r o g a t i o n h o t b o x , a n d a b r e a k r o o m . T h e b r e a k r o o m c o m e s e q u i p p e d w i t h a coffee b r e w e r a n d a s m a l l refrigerator. T h e b r e a k r o o m has also long h o u s e d a t h r i v i n g colony of spores t h a t , at a p o i n t in t h e r e m o t e p a s t , s p o n t a n e o u s l y evolved t h e form a n d a p p e a r a n c e of a love seat. B u t w h e n L a n d s m a n a n d B e r k o p u l l i n t o t h e g r a v e l l o t b y t h e H o m i c i d e m o d u l a r , a p a i r of Filipino c u s t o d i a n s are lugging o u t t h e m o n s t r o u s fungus. " I t ' s m o v i n g , " B e r k o says. P e o p l e h a v e b e e n t h r e a t e n i n g for y e a r s t o g e t r i d o f t h e sofa, b u t i t is a s h o c k t o L a n d s m a n t o s e e i t finally o n i t s way. E n o u g h of a shock t h a t it takes h i m a second or t w o t o register t h e w o m a n s t a n d i n g a l o n g s i d e t h e s t e p s . S h e is h o l d i n g a b l a c k u m b r e l l a a n d wearing a bright orange parka with a blazing dyed-green

ruff

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o f s y n t h e t i c fur. H e r r i g h t a r m is r a i s e d , i n d e x

53

finger

extended

t o w a r d t h e t r a s h b i n s , like a p a i n t i n g of t h e angel M i c h a e l c a s t i n g A d a m a n d Eve from t h e G a r d e n . A lock of c o r k s c r e w i n g r e d h a i r h a s s p r u n g free o f t h e g r e e n fur r u f f a n d d a n g l e s d o w n o v e r h e r face. T h i s is a c h r o n i c p r o b l e m for h e r . W h e n s h e is k n e e l i n g t o e x a m i n e a d o u b t f u l s t a i n o n t h e floor o f a c r i m e s c e n e , o r s t u d y i n g a p h o t o g r a p h u n d e r a loupe, she has to blow t h a t lock of hair o u t of t h e w a y w i t h a s h a r p , i r r i t a t e d puff of b r e a t h . N o w s h e is s c o w l i n g a t t h e S u p e r S p o r t as L a n d s m a n c u t s t h e engine. She lowers h e r a l l - b a n i s h i n g h a n d . F r o m this d i s t a n c e , it l o o k s t o L a n d s m a n as if t h e l a d y is t h r e e o r f o u r c u p s t h e w o r s e for s t r o n g coffee, a n d s o m e b o d y h a s a l r e a d y p i s s e d h e r off o n c e t h i s m o r n i n g , m a y b e t w i c e . L a n d s m a n w a s m a r r i e d t o h e r for t w e l v e y e a r s , w o r k i n g t h e s a m e H o m i c i d e s q u a d for five. H e is s e n s i t i v e to her moods. " T e l l m e y o u d i d n ' t k n o w a b o u t t h i s , " h e says t o B e r k o , c u t t i n g the engine. " I s t i l l d o n ' t k n o w a b o u t i t , " B e r k o says. " I ' m h o p i n g if I c l o s e m y e y e s for a s e c o n d a n d t h e n o p e n t h e m a g a i n , i t ' s g o i n g t o t u r n out not to be true." L a n d s m a n t r i e s i t . " N o d i c e , " h e says w i t h r e g r e t , a n d g e t s o u t o f t h e car. " G i v e u s a m i n u t e . " " P l e a s e , t a k e all t h e t i m e y o u w a n t . " Landsman requires ten seconds to cross t h e gravel lot. Bina l o o k s h a p p y t o s e e h i m for a c o u n t o f t h r e e , f o l l o w e d b y a t w o - c o u n t o f l o o k i n g a n x i o u s a n d lovely. S h e p l a y s o u t t h e l a s t five s e c o n d s b y l o o k i n g r e a d y t o m i x i t u p w i t h L a n d s m a n , if t h a t ' s h o w h e w a n t s t h i n g s t o go. " W h a t t h e fuck?" L a n d s m a n says, h a t i n g t o d i s a p p o i n t her. " T w o m o n t h s o f e x - w i f e , " B i n a says. " A f t e r t h a t , i t ' s a n y b o d y ' s guess." J u s t a f t e r t h e i r d i v o r c e c a m e t h r o u g h , B i n a h e a d e d s o u t h for a y e a r , e n r o l l i n g i n s o m e k i n d o f l e a d e r s h i p t r a i n i n g p r o g r a m for w o m e n police detectives. O n her r e t u r n , she accepted t h e

lofty

54

MICHAEL

CHABON

p o s t of d e t e c t i v e i n s p e c t o r at t h e Yakovy H o m i c i d e Section. T h e r e she found s t i m u l u s a n d fulfillment leading investigations i n t o t h e h y p o t h e r m i a deaths of u n e m p l o y e d salmon

fishermen

amid the

d r a i n a g e channels of t h e Venice of N o r t h w e s t Chichagof Island. L a n d s m a n h a s n ' t seen her since his sister's funeral, and he gathers from t h e p i t y i n g look she gives his old chassis t h a t he has gone f u r t h e r d o w n h i l l in t h e m o n t h s since t h e n . " A r e n ' t y o u h a p p y t o s e e m e , M e y e r ? " s h e says. " Y o u d o n ' t say anything about my parka?" " I t ' s e x t r e m e l y o r a n g e , " L a n d s m a n says. " Y o u n e e d t o b e v i s i b l e u p t h e r e , " s h e says. " I n t h e w o o d s . O r they'll think you're a bear and shoot you." "It's a nice color on y o u , " L a n d s m a n hears himself manage. "Goes with your eyes." B i n a a c c e p t s a c o m p l i m e n t as if i t ' s a c a n o f s o d a t h a t

she

suspects h i m of h a v i n g shaken. "So y o u ' r e saying y o u ' r e s u r p r i s e d , " s h e says. "I'm surprised." "You didn't hear about Felsenfeld?" "It's Felsenfeld. W h a t w o u l d I h e a r ? " H e recalls

Shpringer

having asked h i m t h e same question t h e n i g h t before, and n o w t h e i n s i g h t c o m e s t o h i m w i t h a k e e n n e s s w o r t h y of t h e m a n w h o c a u g h t P o d o l s k y t h e H o s p i t a l Killer. " F e l s e n f e l d s k i p p e d . " " T u r n e d i n h i s b a d g e t w o n i g h t s a g o . Left for

Melbourne,

A u s t r a l i a , l a s t n i g h t . H i s w i f e ' s s i s t e r lives t h e r e . " " A n d n o w I h a v e t o w o r k for y o u ? " H e k n o w s i t c a n ' t h a v e b e e n B i n a ' s i d e a ; a n d t h e m o v e , e v e n if i t ' s o n l y for t w o m o n t h s , is u n q u e s t i o n a b l y a p r o m o t i o n for h e r . B u t h e c a n ' t q u i t e b e l i e v e t h a t she c o u l d p e r m i t such a t h i n g — t h a t she w o u l d b e able t o s t a n d it. "That's impossible." " A n y t h i n g is p o s s i b l e n o w a d a y s , " B i n a says. " I r e a d i t i n t h e newspaper." A l l a t o n c e t h e l i n e s o f h e r face a r e s m o o t h e d o v e r , a n d h e sees

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w h a t a s t r a i n i t is for h e r s t i l l t o b e a r o u n d h i m , h o w r e l i e v e d s h e is when Berko Shemets walks up. " E v e r y o n e is h e r e ! " s h e says. When Landsman turns around he

finds

his p a r t n e r

standing

right b e h i n d him. Berko o w n s considerable p o w e r s of s t e a l t h t h a t , naturally, h e a t t r i b u t e s t o his I n d i a n forebears. L a n d s m a n likes t o ascribe t h e m t o powerful forces of surface t e n s i o n , t h e w a y Berko's e n o r m o u s s n o w s h o e feet w a r p t h e e a r t h . " W e l l , w e l l , w e l l , " B e r k o says g e n i a l l y . F r o m t h e first t i m e t h a t L a n d s m a n b r o u g h t Bina h o m e , she a n d Berko s e e m e d t o share an u n d e r s t a n d i n g of, a n a n g l e o n , a l a u g h a t t h e e x p e n s e o f L a n d s m a n , t h e funny little s o r e h e a d in t h e last p a n e l of a c o m i c s t r i p w i t h t h e b l a c k lily o f a n e x p l o d e d c i g a r w i l t i n g i n h i s p u s s . S h e h o l d s o u t h e r hand, and they shake. " W e l c o m e b a c k , D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n , " h e says s h e e p i s h l y . " I n s p e c t o r , " she says, " a n d it's Gelbfish. A g a i n . " B e r k o shuffles c a r e f u l l y t h r o u g h t h e h a n d o f f a c t s s h e h a s j u s t d e a l t h i m . " M y m i s t a k e , " h e says. " H o w ' d y o u l i k e Y a k o v y ? " " I t w a s all r i g h t . " "Fun town?" "I really w o u l d n ' t know." "Meet anybody?" Bina shakes her head, b l u s h i n g , t h e n b l u s h i n g m o r e deeply at t h e t h o u g h t t h a t s h e w a s b l u s h i n g . " I j u s t w o r k e d , " s h e says. " Y o u know me." T h e s o d d e n p i n k m a s s o f t h e o l d sofa d i s a p p e a r s a r o u n d t h e c o r n e r of t h e m o d u l a r , a n d L a n d s m a n e x p e r i e n c e s a n o t h e r m o m e n t of i n s i g h t . " T h e B u r i a l S o c i e t y is c o m i n g , " h e says. H e m e a n s t h e t r a n s i t i o n t a s k force f r o m t h e U.S. I n t e r i o r D e p a r t m e n t , t h e a d v a n c e m e n for R e v e r s i o n , c o m e t o w a t c h o v e r a n d p r e p a r e t h e c o r p s e

for

i n t e r m e n t in t h e grave of history. For t h e p a s t year or so, t h e y have been m u r m u r i n g their bureaucratic kaddish over every p a r t of t h e

5G

MICHAEL

CHABON

District bureaucracy, making inventories and recommendations. L a y i n g t h e f o u n d a t i o n , L a n d s m a n i m a g i n e s , so t h a t w h e n a n y t h i n g s u b s e q u e n t l y goes a w r y o r t u r n s sour, b l a m e can p l a u s i b l y b e laid a t t h e feet of t h e J e w s . " G e n t l e m a n n a m e d S p a d e , " s h e says. " S h o w i n g u p s o m e t i m e Monday, T u e s d a y at t h e latest." "Felsenfeld"

L a n d s m a n says w i t h d i s g u s t . T y p i c a l t h a t t h e m a n

w o u l d slink o u t t h r e e days before a s h o m e r from t h e Burial Society is d u e t o c o m e c a l l i n g . "A b l a c k y e a r o n h i m . " T w o m o r e c u s t o d i a n s c o m e b a n g i n g o u t of t h e trailer, c a r r y i n g off t h e d i v i s i o n a l p o r n o g r a p h y l i b r a r y a n d a life-size c a r d b o a r d c u t o u t p h o t o g r a p h o f t h e p r e s i d e n t o f A m e r i c a , w i t h h i s cleft c h i n , his golfer's t a n , his air of self-importance, w o r n quarterback-style.

T h e detectives

like t o d r e s s t h e

lightly,

cardboard

p r e s i d e n t in lacy u n d e r p a n t s a n d p e l t h i m w i t h w a d d e d clots of w e t toilet paper. " T i m e t o m e a s u r e S i t k a C e n t r a l for a s h r o u d , " B e r k o says, w a t c h i n g it go. " Y o u d o n ' t e v e n b e g i n t o u n d e r s t a n d , " Bina says, a n d L a n d s m a n u n d e r s t a n d s a t o n c e , f r o m t h e d a r k s e a m i n h e r v o i c e , t h a t s h e is t r y i n g t o c o n t a i n , w i t h effort, a q u a n t u m of v e r y b a d n e w s . T h e n Bina says, " I n s i d e , b o y s , " s o u n d i n g like e v e r y o t h e r c o m m a n d i n g officer L a n d s m a n h a s b e e n o b l i g e d t o o b e y . A m o m e n t a g o t h e i d e a o f h a v i n g t o s e r v e u n d e r h i s e x - w i f e e v e n for t w o m o n t h s d i d n o t seem imaginable, b u t seeing the way she jerks her head toward the m o d u l a r a n d o r d e r s t h e m inside gives h i m reason to h o p e t h a t his f e e l i n g s a b o u t h e r , n o t t h a t h e s t i l l h a s any, o f c o u r s e , m i g h t t u r n to t h e universal gray of discipline. F o l l o w i n g c l a s s i c r e f u g e e t r a d i t i o n t h e office is as F e l s e n f e l d left it, p h o t o g r a p h s , half-dead h o u s e p l a n t s , b o t t l e s of seltzer on t h e file c a b i n e t n e x t t o a f a m i l y - s i z e t u b o f a n t a c i d c h e w s . " S i t , " Bina says, g o i n g a r o u n d t o t h e r u b b e r i z e d steel d e s k chair a n d s e t t l i n g herself i n t o it w i t h careless resolve. She t h r o w s off t h e o r a n g e p a r k a , r e v e a l i n g a d u s t - b r o w n w o o l p a n t s u i t w o r n

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over a w h i t e oxford-cloth s h i r t , an outfit m u c h m o r e in k e e p i n g w i t h L a n d s m a n ' s idea of h o w Bina t h i n k s a b o u t clothes. H e tries a n d fails n o t t o o b s e r v e t h e w a y h e r h e a v y b r e a s t s , e a c h o f w h o s e moles a n d freckles h e can still p r o j e c t like c o n s t e l l a t i o n s a g a i n s t the planetarium

d o m e of

his i m a g i n a t i o n ,

strain

against

the

placket a n d p o c k e t s of h e r shirt. H e a n d Berko h a n g t h e i r coats on t h e hooks b e h i n d t h e d o o r a n d c a r r y t h e i r h a t s in t h e i r h a n d s . T h e y each t a k e o n e of t h e r e m a i n i n g chairs. Felsenfeld's wife in h e r p h o t o g r a p h a n d his c h i l d r e n in t h e i r s h a v e n o t g r o w n a n y less homely since t h e last t i m e L a n d s m a n looked at t h e m . T h e salmon a n d h a l i b u t a r e s t i l l a s t o n i s h e d t o find t h e m s e l v e s h a n g i n g d e a d a t t h e e n d of Felsenfeld's lines. " O k a y , l i s t e n , b o y s , " B i n a says. S h e is a w o m a n for b e l l i n g c a t s a n d t a k i n g b u l l s b y t h e h o r n s . " W e ' r e all a w a r e o f t h e a w k w a r d n e s s o f t h e s i t u a t i o n h e r e . I t c o u l d b e w e i r d e n o u g h if I j u s t u s e d t o s q u a d w i t h y o u b o t h . T h e fact t h a t o n e of y o u u s e d t o b e m y h u s b a n d , a n d t h e o t h e r o n e my, u h , cousin, well, s h i t . " T h e last w o r d is s p o k e n i n flawless A m e r i c a n , as a r e t h e n e x t four. " K n o w what I'm saying?" She pauses, seeming to await a response. L a n d s m a n t u r n s to Berko. "You w e r e t h e cousin, r i g h t ? " Bina smiles to s h o w L a n d s m a n t h a t she d o e s n ' t t h i n k

he's

p a r t i c u l a r l y funny. S h e r e a c h e s a r o u n d b e h i n d h e r a n d d r a g s o v e r from t h e i r p l a c e o n t h e file c a b i n e t a p i l e o f p a l e b l u e file f o l d e r s , e a c h o f t h e m a t l e a s t h a l f a n i n c h t h i c k a n d all o f t h e m f l a g g e d w i t h a t a b of c o u g h - s y r u p - r e d plastic. A t t h e s i g h t of it, L a n d s m a n ' s h e a r t s i n k s , j u s t as i t d o e s w h e n b y ill c h a n c e h e h a p p e n s t o m e e t his o w n r e g a r d in a mirror. "See these?" "Yes,

Inspector

Gelbfish,"

Berko

says,

sounding

strangely

insincere. " I see t h e m . " "Know what they are?" " I k n o w t h e y c a n ' t b e o u r o p e n c a s e s , " L a n d s m a n says. "All piled u p together on your d e s k . "

58

MICHAEL

CHABDN

" O n e g o o d t h i n g a b o u t Y a k o v y ? " B i n a says. T h e y await their chief's r e p o r t on her travels. She says, " T h e r a i n . T w o h u n d r e d i n c h e s a year. R a i n s t h e s m a r t ass r i g h t o u t of p e o p l e . E v e n y i d s . " " T h a t ' s a l o t o f r a i n , " B e r k o says. " N o w , j u s t l i s t e n t o m e . A n d l i s t e n carefully, p l e a s e , b e c a u s e I w i l l b e s p e a k i n g b u l l s h i t . I n t w o m o n t h s a U.S. M a r s h a l is g o i n g to stride i n t o this godforsaken m o d u l a r w i t h his c u t - r a t e suit and his Sunday-school w a y of talking a n d r e q u e s t t h a t I t u r n over t h e k e y s t o t h e f r e a k s h o w t h a t is t h e B S q u a d file c a b i n e t s , o v e r w h i c h , as o f t h i s m o r n i n g , i t is m y h o n o r t o p r e s i d e . " T h e y a r e t a l k e r s , t h e Gelbfishes, speech m a k e r s a n d r e a s o n e r s a n d aces of wheedling. Bina's f a t h e r n e a r l y t a l k e d L a n d s m a n o u t of m a r r y i n g her. O n t h e n i g h t b e f o r e t h e w e d d i n g . " A n d really, I s a y t h a t s i n c e r e l y . Y o u b o t h k n o w t h a t I h a v e b e e n w o r k i n g m y a s s off m y w h o l e a d u l t life, h o p i n g t h a t o n e d a y I'd b e f o r t u n a t e e n o u g h t o p a r k it in t h i s chair, behind this desk, and t r y to maintain the grand Sitka Central t r a d i t i o n t h a t e v e r y o n c e in a w h i l e w e c a t c h a m u r d e r e r a n d p u t h i m in jail. A n d n o w h e r e I a m . U n t i l t h e first of J a n u a r y . " " W e feel t h e s a m e w a y , B i n a , " B e r k o s a y s , s o u n d i n g m o r e s i n c e r e this time. "Freak show and all." L a n d s m a n s a y s t h a t i t g o e s d o u b l e for h i m . " I a p p r e c i a t e t h a t , " s h e says. " A n d I k n o w h o w b a d y o u feel about . . . this." S h e r e s t s h e r l o n g , f r e c k l e d h a n d o n t h e s t a c k o f files. I f a c c u r a t e l y g a t h e r e d , it will c o m p r i s e eleven folders, t h e oldest d a t i n g back over t w o y e a r s . T h e r e a r e t h r e e o t h e r p a i r s of d e t e c t i v e s in t h e H o m i c i d e s e c t i o n , a n d n o n e o f t h e m c o u l d b o a s t o f s u c h a fine, t a l l stack of u n s o l v e d cases. " W e ' r e c l o s e o n t h e F e y t e l , " B e r k o says. " W e ' r e j u s t w a i t i n g o n t h e district a t t o r n e y t h e r e . A n d Pinsky. A n d t h e Zilberblat thing. Zilberblat's m o t h e r — " B i n a h o l d s u p h e r h a n d , c u t t i n g B e r k o off. L a n d s m a n

says

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n o t h i n g . H e is t o o a s h a m e d t o s p e a k . A s far as h e is c o n c e r n e d , t h a t p i l e o f f o l d e r s is a m o n u m e n t t o h i s r e c e n t d e c l i n e . T h a t i t ' s n o t a n o t h e r t e n inches taller testifies t o t h e steadfastness his b i g little cousin Berko has s h o w n in c a r r y i n g h i m . " S t o p , " B i n a says. " J u s t s t o p r i g h t t h e r e . A n d p a y a t t e n t i o n , b e c a u s e t h i s is t h e p a r t w h e r e I flash m y f l u e n t g r a s p o f b u l l s h i t . " She reaches b e h i n d her back a n d takes a sheet of p a p e r from h e r i n - b o x , as w e l l as a n o t h e r , m u c h t h i n n e r b l u e file t h a t L a n d s m a n recognizes at once, since he created it himself at four-thirty t h a t morning. She reaches into t h e breast pocket of her suit jacket and takes o u t a pair of half-glasses t h a t L a n d s m a n has n e v e r seen before. S h e is g e t t i n g o l d , a n d h e is g e t t i n g o l d , r i g h t o n s c h e d u l e , a n d y e t as t i m e r u i n s t h e m , t h e y a r e n o t , s t r a n g e l y e n o u g h , m a r r i e d t o each other. "A p o l i c y h a s b e e n f o r m u l a t e d b y t h e w i s e J e w s w h o o v e r s e e o u r d e s t i n y as p o l i c e officers o f t h e S i t k a D i s t r i c t , " B i n a b e g i n s . She scans t h e sheet of p a p e r w i t h an air of a g i t a t i o n , even dismay. " I t t a k e s off f r o m t h e a d m i r a b l e p r i n c i p l e t h a t w h e n

authority

is t u r n e d o v e r t o t h e U . S . M a r s h a l for S i t k a , i t w o u l d b e a n i c e t h i n g for e v e r y o n e , n o t t o m e n t i o n p r o v i d i n g a d e q u a t e p o s t e r i o r c o v e r a g e , if t h e r e w e r e n o a c t i v e c a s e s o u t s t a n d i n g . " " G i v e m e a f u c k i n g b r e a k , B i n a , " B e r k o says i n A m e r i c a n . H e h a s g r a s p e d f r o m t h e s t a r t w h a t I n s p e c t o r G e l b f i s h is g e t t i n g a t . I t takes Landsman another m i n u t e to catch on. " N o cases o u t s t a n d i n g , " h e r e p e a t s w i t h idiotic calm. " T h i s policy," Bina says, " h a s b e e n given t h e c a t c h y n a m e of 'effective r e s o l u t i o n . ' Essentially, w h a t t h a t m e a n s is, y o u a r e t o d e v o t e e x a c t l y as m u c h t i m e t o r e s o l v i n g y o u r o u t s t a n d i n g c a s e s as t h e r e r e m a i n d a y s i n y o u r t e n u r e as h o m i c i d e d e t e c t i v e s c a r r y i n g t h e D i s t r i c t shield. Say r o u g h l y n i n e w e e k s . You h a v e eleven cases o u t s t a n d i n g . You can, y o u know, d i v v y it u p h o w e v e r y o u w a n t . H o w e v e r y o u w a n t t o w o r k i t , t h a t ' s fine w i t h m e . " " W r a p u p ? " B e r k o says. " Y o u m e a n — "

GO

MICHAEL

"You know

what

I mean,

CHABON

D e t e c t i v e , " B i n a says. T h e r e

is

n o e m o t i o n i n h e r v o i c e a n d n o r e a d a b l e e x p r e s s i o n o n h e r face. " S t i c k t h e m t o w h a t e v e r s t i c k y p e o p l e y o u c a n f i n d . If t h e y w o n ' t s t i c k , u s e a l i t t l e glue. T h e r e s t of t h e m " — a h i n t of a c a t c h in h e r v o i c e — " j u s t b l a c k - f l a g a n d file i n c a b i n e t n i n e . " N i n e is w h e r e t h e y k e e p t h e c o l d c a s e s . F i l i n g a c a s e in c a b i n e t n i n e s a v e s l e s s s p a c e b u t is o t h e r w i s e t h e s a m e as l i g h t i n g i t o n fire a n d t a k i n g t h e a s h e s o u t for a w a l k i n a g a l e - f o r c e w i n d . " B u r y t h e m ? " Berko says, h o i s t i n g it i n t o a q u e s t i o n r i g h t at the end. " P u t in a g o o d - f a i t h effort, w i t h i n t h e l i m i t s of t h i s n e w policy w i t h t h e m u s i c a l n a m e , a n d t h e n , if t h a t fails, p u t in a b a d - f a i t h effort." Bina stares at t h e d o m e d p a p e r w e i g h t on Felsenfeld's desk. I n s i d e t h e p a p e r w e i g h t is a t i n y m o d e l , a c a r t o o n i n c h e a p p l a s t i c , of t h e Sitka skyline. A j u m b l e of high-rises clustered a r o u n d t h e S a f e t y P i n , t h a t l o n e l y d i g i t p o i n t e d a t t h e s k y as if i n a c c u s a t i o n . " A n d t h e n s l a p a b l a c k flag o n t h e m . " " Y o u s a i d e l e v e n , " L a n d s m a n says. "You noticed t h a t . " " A f t e r l a s t n i g h t , t h o u g h , w i t h all d u e r e s p e c t , I n s p e c t o r , a n d as e m b a r r a s s i n g as i t is. W e l l . I t ' s t w e l v e . N o t e l e v e n . T w e l v e o p e n c a s e s for S h e m e t s a n d L a n d s m a n . " Bina picks u p t h e slim b l u e folder t h a t L a n d s m a n gave b i r t h to t h e n i g h t before. " T h i s o n e ? " She opens it a n d studies, or p r e t e n d s to study, L a n d s m a n ' s r e p o r t on t h e a p p a r e n t gun murder, at point b l a n k , of t h e m a n w h o called h i m s e l f E m a n u e l Lasker. "Yes. Okay. N o w I w a n t y o u t o w a t c h h o w t h i s is d o n e . " S h e o p e n s t h e t o p d r a w e r o f F e l s e n f e l d ' s d e s k , w h i c h , for t h e n e x t t w o m o n t h s , at least, will b e hers. She r u m m a g e s a r o u n d inside i t , g r i m a c i n g as if t h e d r a w e r c o n t a i n s a p i l e o f u s e d f o a m - r u b b e r e a r p l u g s , w h i c h , last t i m e L a n d s m a n looked, w a s i n d e e d t h e case. S h e p u l l s o u t a p l a s t i c t a b for m a r k i n g a c a s e folder. A b l a c k o n e . She pries loose t h e red t a b t h a t L a n d s m a n a t t a c h e d to t h e Lasker

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file e a r l y t h a t m o r n i n g , a n d s u b s t i t u t e s t h e b l a c k o n e i n i t s p l a c e , b r e a t h i n g shallowly t h e w a y y o u d o w h e n y o u clean a n a s t y w o u n d or s p o n g e u p s o m e t h i n g awful from t h e r u g . She ages t e n y e a r s , it seems t o L a n d s m a n , in t h e t e n s e c o n d s it t a k e s h e r t o m a k e t h e switch. T h e n she holds t h e n e w l y cold case away from h e r body, t w e e z i n g it b e t w e e n t w o fingers of o n e h a n d . " E f f e c t i v e r e s o l u t i o n , " s h e says.

T

h e N o z , as t h e n a m e i m p l i e s , is t h e l a w e n f o r c e m e n t

bar,

o w n e d b y a c o u p l e of ex-nozzes, choked w i t h t h e s m o k e of noz grievance a n d gossip. It never closes, a n d it never r u n s short

o f o f f - d u t y l a w e n f o r c e m e n t officers t o p r o p u p i t s b i g o a k bar.

J u s t t h e p l a c e , t h e N o z , if y o u w a n t t o g i v e v o i c e t o y o u r o u t r a g e over t h e latest m a s t e r w o r k of bullshit to be h a n d e d d o w n b y t h e d e p a r t m e n t a l b i g s . So L a n d s m a n a n d B e r k o s t e e r w e l l c l e a r o f t h e N o z . T h e y w a l k p a s t t h e Pearl of Manila, t h o u g h its Filipino-style C h i n e s e d o n u t s b e c k o n like g l i t t e r i n g s u g a r - d u s t e d t o k e n s of a b e t t e r existence. T h e y avoid Feter Shnayer, and Karlinsky's, and t h e I n s i d e P a s s a g e , a n d t h e N y u - Y o r k e r G r i l l . T h i s early in t h e m o r n i n g , m o s t of t h e m are closed anyway, a n d t h e j o i n t s t h a t are o p e n t e n d to service cops, firefighters, paramedics. T h e y h u n c h u p their shoulders against t h e cold and hurry, the big m a n and t h e little one, b u m p i n g against each other. T h e breath comes o u t of their bodies in billows t h a t t w i n e a n d are absorbed i n t o t h e g r e a t e r fog l y i n g o v e r t h e U n t e r s h t a t . F a t s t r e a m e r s o f fog twist along the streets, smearing headlights and neon, blotting out t h e h a r b o r , leaving a t r a c k of oily silver b e a d s on t h e lapels of coats and the crowns of hats.

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" N o b o d y g o e s t o t h e N y u - Y o r k e r , " B e r k o says. " W e o u g h t t o b e fine t h e r e . " " I saw T a b a t c h n i k in t h e r e o n e t i m e . " " I ' m p r e t t y s u r e T a b a t c h n i k w o u l d n e v e r s t e a l t h e p l a n s for your secret weapon, Meyer." L a n d s m a n o n l y w i s h e s h e w e r e i n p o s s e s s i o n o f t h e p l a n s for s o m e k i n d o f d e a t h ray, o r m i n d - c o n t r o l b e a m , s o m e t h i n g t o s h a k e t h e c o r r i d o r s o f p o w e r . P u t s o m e g e n u i n e fear o f G o d i n t o

the

A m e r i c a n s . S t a v e off, j u s t for a y e a r , a d e c a d e , a c e n t u r y , t h e t i d e of J e w i s h exile. T h e y are about to brave the grim Front Page, w i t h its clotted m i l k a n d i t s coffee f r e s h f r o m a s t i n t as a b a r i u m e n e m a a t S i t k a G e n e r a l , w h e n L a n d s m a n sees old D e n n i s B r e n n a n ' s k h a k i

ass

taking u p a t o t t e r i n g stool at t h e counter. T h e press p r e t t y well a b a n d o n e d t h e F r o n t P a g e y e a r s a g o , w h e n t h e Blat w e n t u n d e r a n d t h e Tog m o v e d i t s offices t o a n e w b u i l d i n g o u t b y t h e a i r p o r t . B u t B r e n n a n left S i t k a for f o r t u n e a n d g l o r y a w h i l e b a c k . H e m u s t h a v e j u s t b l o w n b a c k i n t o t o w n p r e t t y r e c e n t l y . I t ' s a safe b e t n o b o d y ' s t o l d h i m t h e F r o n t P a g e is d e a d . " T o o l a t e , " B e r k o says. " B a s t a r d s a w u s . " For a m o m e n t Landsman isn't sure the bastard did. Brennan's b a c k is t o t h e d o o r , a n d h e ' s s t u d y i n g t h e s t o c k s p a g e o f

the

prominent American newspaper whose Sitka bureau he constituted before he got his big b r e a k . L a n d s m a n takes hold of Berko's coat a n d s t a r t s t o t o w his p a r t n e r d o w n t h e s t r e e t . H e has t h o u g h t of t h e p e r f e c t p l a c e for t h e m t o t a l k , m a y b e g e t a b i t e , w i t h o u t b e i n g overheard. "Detective Shemets. A m o m e n t . " "Too late," Landsman concedes. H e turns, and Brennan's there, that large-headed man, hatless a n d c o a t l e s s , n e c k t i e b l o w n o v e r h i s s h o u l d e r , a p e n n y i n h i s left loafer, b a n k r u p t i n t h e r i g h t . P a t c h e s o n t h e e l b o w s o f h i s t w e e d jacket, its color a practical shade of g r a v y stain. H i s cheek could

G4

MICHAEL

CHABON

u s e a shave a n d his p a t e a fresh coat of w a x . M a y b e t h i n g s d i d n ' t g o so w e l l for D e n n i s B r e n n a n o u t i n t h e b i g t i m e . " L o o k at t h e head on t h a t sheygets, t h e t h i n g has its own a t m o s p h e r e , " L a n d s m a n says. " T h i n g h a s ice c a p s . " "Indeed the man has a very big head." " E v e r y t i m e I s e e i t , I feel s o r r y for n e c k s . " " M a y b e I s h o u l d get m y h a n d s a r o u n d his. Give it

some

support." B r e n n a n p u t s u p his larval w h i t e fingers a n d blinks his little eyes, t h e colorless blue of s k i m m e d milk. H e works u p a practiced r u e f u l s m i l e , b u t L a n d s m a n n o t e s t h a t h e k e e p s a g o o d f o u r feet o f Ben M a y m o n Street b e t w e e n h i m and Berko. "A n e e d t o r e p e a t t h e r a s h t h r e a t s o f y o r e d o e s n o t , I a s s u r e y o u , e x i s t , D e t e c t i v e S h e m e t s , " t h e r e p o r t e r says i n h i s swift a n d p r e p o s t e r o u s Yiddish. " E v e r g r e e n a n d r i p e w i t h t h e sap of t h e i r original violence they remain." B r e n n a n s t u d i e d G e r m a n in college a n d learned his Yiddish from s o m e p o m p o u s old G e r m a n at t h e I n s t i t u t e , and he talks, somebody once remarked, "like a sausage recipe with footnotes." A heavy drinker, u n s u i t e d b y t e m p e r a m e n t to long twilight and rain. T h r o w s off a false s c e n t o f b e i n g s t o l i d a n d s l o w o n t h e u p t a k e , in a w a y c o m m o n a m o n g d e t e c t i v e s a n d r e p o r t e r s . B u t a shlemiel all t h e s a m e . N o o n e e v e r s e e m e d m o r e a s t o n i s h e d b y t h e s p l a s h D e n n i s B r e n n a n m a d e in S i t k a t h a n B r e n n a n himself. " T h a t I fear y o u r w r a t h l e t u s a g r e e b e f o r e h a n d ,

Detective.

A n d t h a t j u s t n o w I p r e t e n d e d n o t t o see y o u w a l k i n g p a s t this d e s o l a t e h o l e w h o s e s o l e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n , a p a r t f r o m t h e fact t h a t t h e m a n a g e m e n t has f o r g o t t e n , in m y long a b s e n c e , t h e s t a t e of m y c r e d i t , is a t o t a l l a c k o f n e w s p a p e r r e p o r t e r s . I k n e w , h o w e v e r , t h a t w i t h m y luck, such a s t r a t e g y was likely to r e t u r n at a later t i m e and bite me upon the ass." " N o t h i n g is t h a t h u n g r y , B r e n n a n , " L a n d s m a n says. " Y o u w e r e p r o b a b l y safe."

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Brennan looks h u r t . A sensitive soul, this m a c r o c e p h a l i c gentile, a n u r s e r of s l i g h t s , r e s i s t a n t t o b a n t e r a n d irony. H i s c o n v o l u t e d s t y l e o f t a l k i n g m a k e s e v e r y t h i n g h e says s o u n d l i k e a j o k e , a f a c t t h a t only c o m p o u n d s t h e m a n ' s n e e d t o b e t a k e n seriously. " D e n n i s J. B r e n n a n , " B e r k o says. " W o r k i n g t h e S i t k a

beat

again?" " F o r m y s i n s , D e t e c t i v e S h e m e t s , for m y s i n s . " T h i s goes w i t h o u t

saying. A s s i g n m e n t to t h e Sitka

bureau

of a n y of t h e s t a t e s i d e n e w s p a p e r s o r n e t w o r k s t h a t b o t h e r

to

m a i n t a i n o n e is a p r o v e r b i a l p u n i s h m e n t

or

for i n c o m p e t e n c e

failure. B r e n n a n ' s r e a s s i g n m e n t h e r e m u s t b e t h e m a r k of

some

kind of colossal c o c k - u p . " I t h o u g h t t h a t w a s w h y t h e y s e n t y o u away, B r e n n a n , " B e r k o says, a n d n o w h e ' s t h e o n e w h o i s n ' t j o k i n g . H i s e y e s g o d e a d , a n d h e c h e w s t h a t i m a g i n a r y p i e c e o f D o u b l e m i n t o r seal fat o r t h e gristly k n o b of Brennan's heart. " F o r y o u r sins." " T h e m o t i v a t i o n , D e t e c t i v e , for m y l e a v i n g a c u p o f t e r r i b l e coffee a n d a b r o k e n a p p o i n t m e n t w i t h a n i n f o r m a n t w h o , i n a n y case, lacks a n y t h i n g r e s e m b l i n g i n f o r m a t i o n , t o c o m e o u t h e r e a n d risk your possible anger." " B r e n n a n , p l e a s e , I b e g y o u t o s p e a k A m e r i c a n , " B e r k o says. " W h a t t h e fuck d o y o u w a n t ? " " I w a n t a s t o r y , " B r e n n a n says. " W h a t else? A n d I k n o w I'll n e v e r g e t o n e f r o m y o u u n l e s s I t r y t o c l e a r t h e air. S o . F o r t h e r e c o r d . " O n c e again h e lashes himself t o t h e tiller of his F l y i n g D u t c h m a n version of t h e m o t h e r t o n g u e . " I lack t h e i n t e n t i o n t o u n d o or t o t a k e b a c k a n y t h i n g . Inflict suffering o n t h i s g r o s s l y e n l a r g e d h e a d of m i n e , please, b u t I s t a n d b e h i n d w h a t I w r o t e , e v e r y w o r d of it, t o t h i s day. I t w a s a c c u r a t e a n d s u p p o r t e d a n d s o u r c e d . A n d y e t I d o n o t m i n d t e l l i n g y o u t h a t t h e w h o l e s o r r y affair left a b a d t a s t e in m y m o u t h — " " W a s it t h e t a s t e of y o u r ass?" L a n d s m a n s u g g e s t s brightly. " M a y b e you've been biting u p o n yourself."

B6

MICHAEL

CHABON

B r e n n a n sails m a d l y o n . L a n d s m a n g e t s t h e feeling t h a t

the

g o y h a s b e e n s a v i n g u p t h i s s p i e l for a w h i l e n o w . T h a t m a y b e h e ' s l o o k i n g for s o m e t h i n g m o r e f r o m B e r k o t h a n a s t o r y . " C e r t a i n l y i t w a s a g o o d t h i n g for m y c a r e e r , s o - c a l l e d . F o r a few years. It p r o p e l l e d m e o u t of t h e b o o n d o c k s , y o u s h o u l d p a r d o n t h e expression, t o L.A., Salt Lake, Kansas City." As he n a m e s t h e stations of his decline, Brennan's voice gets lower and softer. " S p o k a n e . B u t I k n o w t h a t i t w a s a p a i n f u l t h i n g for y o u a n d y o u r family, D e t e c t i v e . A n d s o , if y o u w o u l d a l l o w m e , I w o u l d l i k e t o offer m y a p o l o g y for t h e h u r t t h a t I c a u s e d . " J u s t after t h e elections t h a t carried t h e c u r r e n t a d m i n i s t r a t i o n to its

first

t e r m i n p o w e r , D e n n i s J. B r e n n a n w r o t e a s e r i e s o f

a r t i c l e s for h i s p a p e r . H e p r e s e n t e d , i n c a r e f u l a n d d o g g e d d e t a i l , t h e sordid h i s t o r y of c o r r u p t i o n , malfeasance, and unconstitutional s k u l l d u g g e r y e n g a g e d in b y H e r t z S h e m e t s , over t h e course of forty years at the FBI. T h e COINTELPRO program was shut down, its business was farmed out to other d e p a r t m e n t s , and

Uncle

H e r t z was driven into r e t i r e m e n t and disgrace. Landsman, who w a s s h o c k e d b y n o t h i n g , f o u n d i t t o u g h t o g e t o u t o f b e d for a c o u p l e o f d a y s a f t e r t h e first a r t i c l e r a n . H e ' d k n o w n as w e l l as anyone a n d b e t t e r t h a n a l m o s t everyone t h a t his uncle was badly flawed

b o t h as a m a n a n d as a n officer o f t h e law. B u t if y o u w a n t e d

t o g o l o o k i n g for t h e r e a s o n s t h a t a k i d b e c a m e a n o z , i t a l m o s t n e v e r p a i d t o search a n y w h e r e b u t a b r a n c h or t w o u p t h e family t r e e . F l a w s a n d all, U n c l e H e r t z w a s a h e r o t o L a n d s m a n . S m a r t , t o u g h , u n r e m i t t i n g , p a t i e n t , m e t h o d i c a l , s u r e o f h i s a c t i o n s . If h i s willingness to c u t c o r n e r s , his bad temper, his secretiveness did n o t m a k e h i m a hero, t h e y definitely m a d e him a noz. "I'm

going to put

this very

gently, D e n n i s , " Berko

says,

" b e c a u s e y o u ' r e all r i g h t . Y o u w o r k h a r d , y o u ' r e a d e c e n t w r i t e r , a n d y o u ' r e t h e o n l y g u y I k n o w w h o m a k e s m y p a r t n e r look like a clotheshorse: Fuck you." B r e n n a n n o d s . " I figured y o u m i g h t s a y t h a t , " h e r e p l i e s , s a d l y a n d in A m e r i c a n .

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" M y f a t h e r ' s a f u c k i n g h e r m i t , " B e r k o says. " H e ' s a m u s h r o o m , h e lives u n d e r a l o g w i t h t h e e a r w i g s a n d t h e c r a w l y

things.

Whatever nefarious shit he was u p to, he was only doing w h a t he t h o u g h t w a s g o o d for t h e J e w s , a n d y o u k n o w w h a t ' s f u c k e d a b o u t t h a t ? H e w a s right,

up

because n o w look at the motherfucking

m e s s w e ' r e in w i t h o u t h i m . " "Jesus, Shemets, I hate to hear that. A n d I hate to t h i n k t h a t a s t o r y I w r o t e h a d a n y t h i n g t o d o w i t h — t h a t it led t o , in a n y w a y — t h e p r e d i c a m e n t y o u y i d s n o w find y o u r s e l f i n . . . . A h , f u c k it. Forget i t . " " O k a y , " L a n d s m a n says. H e g r a b s h o l d o f B e r k o ' s s l e e v e a g a i n . "Come." " H e y , u h , yeah. So w h e r e y o u g u y s going? W h a t ' s u p ? " "Just

fighting

c r i m e , " L a n d s m a n says. " S a m e as l a s t t i m e y o u

blew through here." B u t n o w t h a t he's u n b u r d e n e d himself, t h e h o u n d i n s i d e B r e n n a n can smell it on Berko a n d L a n d s m a n . M a y b e h e c o u l d smell it o n t h e m f r o m a b l o c k away, c o u l d s e e i t t h r o u g h t h e g l a s s , a h i t c h i n Berko's rolling gait, an e x t r a kilo of s t o o p in L a n d s m a n ' s shoulder. M a y b e the whole apology routine has been building to the question h e d r a g s u p , in his n a t i v e t o n g u e , n a k e d a n d p l a i n : " W h o died?" "A y i d i n a p r e d i c a m e n t , " B e r k o t e l l s h i m . " D o g b i t e s m a n . "

T

h e y leave B r e n n a n s t a n d i n g o u t s i d e t h e F r o n t Page, w i t h his n e c k t i e s m a c k i n g h i m on t h e forehead like a remorseful p a l m , a n d walk to t h e c o r n e r of Seward and d o w n Peretz, t h e n t u r n

i n j u s t p a s t t h e P a l a t z T h e a t e r , in t h e lee o f B a r a n o f C a s t l e H i l l , t o

a black door, in a black m a r b l e facade, w i t h a big p i c t u r e w i n d o w painted black. " Y o u a r e n o t s e r i o u s , " B e r k o says. " I n fifteen y e a r s I n e v e r s a w a n o t h e r s h a m m e s a t t h e V o r s h t . " " I t ' s n i n e - t h i r t y in t h e m o r n i n g on a Friday, Meyer. T h e r e ' s n o b o d y in t h e r e b u t t h e r a t s . " " N o t t r u e , " L a n d s m a n says. H e leads B e r k o a r o u n d t o t h e side d o o r a n d lays h i s k n u c k l e s a g a i n s t i t , t w o t a p s . " I a l w a y s f i g u r e d t h i s w a s t h e p l a c e t o p l a n m y m i s d e e d s , if I e v e r f o u n d m y s e l f w i t h misdeeds that needed planning." T h e heavy steel door swings open w i t h a groan, revealing Mrs. K a l u s h i n e r , d r e s s e d t o go t o s h u l o r a j o b at t h e b a n k , in a g r a y skirt s u i t a n d b l a c k p u m p s , w i t h h e r hair d o n e u p in p i n k foam rollers. I n h e r h a n d s h e c a r r i e s a p a p e r c u p filled w i t h a l i q u i d t h a t l o o k s l i k e coffee o r m a y b e p r u n e j u i c e . M r s . K a l u s h i n e r c h e w s t o b a c c o . T h e c u p is h e r c o n s t a n t if n o t s o l e c o m p a n i o n . " Y o u , " s h e s a y s , m a k i n g a face l i k e s h e j u s t t a s t e d e a r w a x o n

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h e r fingertip. T h e n , in h e r refined way, she s p i t s i n t o t h e c u p . F r o m force o f w i s e h a b i t , s h e t a k e s a l o n g l o o k u p a n d d o w n t h e a l l e y t o see w h a t style of t r o u b l e t h e y h a v e b r o u g h t along. S h e m a k e s a rapid and b r u t a l s t u d y of t h e giant y a r m u l k e - w e a r i n g Indian w h o w a n t s t o c o m e i n t o h e r place of b u s i n e s s . In t h e p a s t , t h e p e o p l e L a n d s m a n h a s b r o u g h t h e r e , a t t h i s h o u r o f t h e day, h a v e all b e e n twitchy, m o u s e - e y e d s h t i n k e r s like B e n n y " S h p i l k e s " P l o t n e r a n d Z i g m u n d L a n d a u , t h e Heifetz of Informers. N o b o d y ever looked less l i k e a s h t i n k e r t h a n B e r k o S h e m e t s . A n d w i t h all d u e r e s p e c t to t h e beanie a n d t h e fringes, n o w a y w o u l d this b e a m i d d l e m a n or even a low-echelon street wiseguy, not w i t h t h a t Indian puss. W h e n , a f t e r c a r e f u l c o n s i d e r a t i o n , s h e c a n ' t fit B e r k o i n t o h e r t a x o n o m y o f lowlifes, M r s . K a l u s h i n e r s p i t s i n t o h e r c u p . T h e n she r e t u r n s h e r gaze to L a n d s m a n and sighs. By o n e k i n d of reckoning, she owes L a n d s m a n s e v e n t e e n favors; b y a n o t h e r , she o u g h t t o give h i m a p u n c h i n t h e belly. S h e s t e p s a s i d e a n d l e t s t h e m p a s s . T h e p l a c e is as e m p t y as a n o f f - d u t y d o w n t o w n b u s a n d s m e l l s t w i c e as b a d . S o m e b o d y c a m e t h r o u g h r e c e n t l y w i t h a b u c k e t o f bleach t o p a i n t in s o m e h i g h n o t e s over t h e V o r s h t ' s s t e a d y b a s s line of sweat a n d urinals. T h e keen n o s e can also d e t e c t , above or b e n e a t h it all, t h e c o a t - l i n i n g smell of w o r n dollar bills. " S i t t h e r e , " M r s . K a l u s h i n e r says, w i t h o u t i n d i c a t i n g w h e r e she w o u l d like t h e m t o sit. T h e r o u n d tables t h a t c r o w d t h e s t a g e w e a r o v e r t u r n e d c h a i r s l i k e s e t s o f a n t l e r s . L a n d s m a n flips t w o o f t h e m , and he and Berko take their seats away from t h e stage, b y t h e heavily b o l t e d front door. M r s . K a l u s h i n e r w a n d e r s i n t o t h e b a c k r o o m , and t h e beaded c u r t a i n clatters b e h i n d her w i t h t h e s o u n d of loose t e e t h in a b u c k e t . " W h a t a d o l l , " B e r k o says. "A s w e e t h e a r t , " L a n d s m a n a g r e e s . " S h e o n l y c o m e s i n h e r e i n the mornings. T h a t way she never has to look at t h e clientele." T h e V o r s h t is t h e p l a c e w h e r e t h e m u s i c i a n s o f S i t k a d o t h e i r d r i n k i n g , after t h e t h e a t e r s a n d t h e o t h e r c l u b s close d o w n . L o n g

after

m i d n i g h t t h e y c o m e h u d d l i n g in, s n o w o n t h e i r h a t s , rain in t h e i r

7D

MICHAEL

CHABDN

cuffs, a n d p a c k t h e l i t t l e s t a g e , a n d kill o n e a n o t h e r w i t h c l a r i n e t s a n d riddles. As usual w h e n angels gather, t h e y d r a w a following of devils: gangsters, ganefs, and hard-luck w o m e n . "She doesn't care for m u s i c i a n s . " "But her husband was a — Oh. I get it." N a t h a n Kalushiner, u n t i l his d e a t h , was t h e o w n e r of

the

Vorsht and t h e king of t h e C-soprano clarinet. H e was a gambler, a n d a j u n k i e , a n d a v e r y b a d m a n in m a n y r e s p e c t s , b u t h e c o u l d p l a y l i k e t h e r e w a s a d y b b u k i n s i d e h i m . L a n d s m a n , a m u s i c lover, u s e d t o l o o k o u t for t h e c r a z y l i t t l e s h k o t z a n d t r y t o e x t r i c a t e h i m from t h e u g l y s i t u a t i o n s in w h i c h K a l u s h i n e r ' s p o o r j u d g m e n t a n d gnawed-at soul landed h i m . T h e n o n e day Kalushiner disappeared, a l o n g w i t h t h e wife of a w e l l - k n o w n R u s s i a n s h t a r k e r , leaving M r s . K a l u s h i n e r n o t h i n g b u t t h e V o r s h t a n d t h e goodwill of its c r e d i t o r s . Parts of N a t h a n Kalushiner, b u t n o t his C - s o p r a n o clarinet, later w a s h e d u p u n d e r t h e d o c k s u p a t Yakovy. " A n d t h a t ' s t h e guy's d o g ? " Berko says, p o i n t i n g t o t h e stage. At the spot where Kalushiner used to stand and blow every night sits a curly half-terrier m u t t , w h i t e w i t h b r o w n spots and a black p a t c h a r o u n d o n e e y e . H e ' s j u s t s i t t i n g , e a r s r a i s e d , as if l i s t e n i n g t o s o m e e c h o e d voice or m u s i c in his b r a i n . A l e n g t h of slack chain c o n n e c t s h i m to a steel loop m o u n t e d on t h e wall. " T h a t ' s H e r s h e l , " L a n d s m a n says. T h e r e ' s s o m e t h i n g p a i n f u l t o h i m a b o u t t h e dog's p a t i e n t m i e n , his c a n i n e air of calm e n d u r a n c e . L a n d s m a n l o o k s away. " F i v e y e a r s h e ' s b e e n s t a n d i n g t h e r e . " "Touching." " I guess. T h e a n i m a l , t o b e h o n e s t , h e gives m e t h e willies." Mrs.

K a l u s h i n e r r e a p p e a r s , c a r r y i n g a m e t a l b o w l filled w i t h

pickled t o m a t o e s a n d c u c u m b e r s , a basket of p o p p y - s e e d rolls, and a b o w l o f s o u r c r e a m . T h a t ' s all b a l a n c e d a l o n g h e r left a r m . T h e r i g h t h a n d , of course, carries t h e p a p e r s p i t t o o n . "Beautiful pickles," Berko suggests, and when that gets him nowhere, he tries, " C u t e dog." W h a t ' s t o u c h i n g , t h i n k s L a n d s m a n , is t h e effort t h a t

Berko

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S h e m e t s is a l w a y s w i l l i n g t o p u t i n t o s t a r t i n g a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h somebody T h e tighter people clam up, the m o r e d e t e r m i n e d old B e r k o b e c o m e s . T h a t w a s t r u e o f h i m e v e n as a b o y H e h a d t h a t eagerness to engage w i t h people, especially w i t h his

vacuum-

packed cousin Meyer. "A d o g is a d o g , " M r s . K a l u s h i n e r says. S h e s l a m s d o w n

the

pickles a n d sour c r e a m , d r o p s t h e b a s k e t of rolls, a n d t h e n r e t r e a t s t o t h e b a c k r o o m w i t h a n o t h e r clash of beads. " S o I n e e d t o ask y o u a favor," L a n d s m a n says, his gaze o n t h e dog, w h o has lowered himself to t h e stage on his a r t h r i t i c knees a n d lies w i t h h i s h e a d o n h i s f o r e p a w s . " A n d I ' m h o p i n g v e r y m u c h t h a t you'll say n o . " "Does

this

favor

have

anything

to

do

with

'effective

resolution'?" "Are y o u m o c k i n g t h e c o n c e p t ? " " N o t n e c e s s a r y , " B e r k o says. " T h e c o n c e p t m o c k s i t s e l f . " H e plucks a pickled t o m a t o from t h e d i s h , d a b s it in t h e s o u r c r e a m , t h e n p o k e s i t n e a t l y i n t o h i s m o u t h w i t h a forefinger. H e s c r e w s u p h i s face w i t h p l e a s u r e a t t h e r e s u l t a n t s o u r s q u i r t o f p u l p a n d brine. "Bina looks g o o d . " "I t h o u g h t she looked good." "A l i t t l e b u t c h . " "So y o u always said." "Bina, B i n a . " Berko gives his h e a d a b l e a k s h a k e , o n e

that

s o m e h o w m a n a g e s a t t h e s a m e t i m e t o l o o k f o n d . " I n h e r l a s t life, she m u s t have been a w e a t h e r v a n e . " " I t h i n k y o u ' r e w r o n g , " L a n d s m a n says. " Y o u ' r e r i g h t ,

but

you're wrong." " Y o u ' r e s a y i n g B i n a is n o t a c a r e e r i s t . " "I'm not saying t h a t . " " S h e is, M e y e r , a n d s h e always has b e e n . T h a t ' s o n e of

the

t h i n g s I h a v e a l w a y s m o s t l i k e d a b o u t h e r . B i n a is a s m a r t c o o k i e . S h e is t o u g h . S h e is p o l i t i c a l . S h e is v i e w e d as l o y a l , a n d i n t w o d i r e c t i o n s , u p a n d d o w n , a n d t h a t is a h a r d t r i c k t o p u l l off. S h e is

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i n s p e c t o r m a t e r i a l all a r o u n d . I n a n y p o l i c e f o r c e , i n a n y c o u n t r y in t h e w o r l d . " " S h e w a s first i n h e r c l a s s , " L a n d s m a n says. " A t t h e a c a d e m y . " " B u t you scored higher on the entrance exam." " W h y , y e s , " L a n d s m a n says. " I d i d . H a v e I m e n t i o n e d

that

before?" " E v e n U.S. M a r s h a l s a r e s m a r t e n o u g h t o n o t i c e Bina G e l b f i s h , " B e r k o says. " I f s h e is t r y i n g t o m a k e s u r e t h e r e ' s a p l a c e for h e r i n Sitka law e n f o r c e m e n t after Reversion, I ' m n o t going to b l a m e her for t h a t . " " Y o u m a k e y o u r p o i n t , " L a n d s m a n says. " O n l y I d o n ' t b u y i t . T h a t isn't w h y she t o o k this job. O r it's n o t t h e only r e a s o n . " " W h y did she, t h e n ? " L a n d s m a n shrugs. "I d o n ' t k n o w , " he admits. " M a y b e she ran o u t of t h i n g s to d o t h a t m a k e sense." " I h o p e not. O r t h e next t h i n g you know, she'll be getting back together with you." " G o d forbid." "Horrors." L a n d s m a n p r e t e n d s to spit t h r e e times over his shoulder. T h e n , r i g h t as h e ' s w o n d e r i n g if t h i s c u s t o m h a s a n y t h i n g t o d o w i t h t h e habit of chewing tobacco, Mrs. Kalushiner comes back, dragging t h e g r e a t l e g i r o n o f h e r life. " I h a v e h a r d - b o i l e d e g g s , " s h e says m e n a c i n g l y . " I h a v e b a g e l . I have jellied leg." " J u s t a l i t t l e s o m e t h i n g t o d r i n k , M r s . K . , " L a n d s m a n says. "Berko?" " B u r p w a t e r , " B e r k o says. " W i t h a t w i s t o f l i m e . " "You w a n t t o e a t , " she tells h i m . It isn't a guess. " W h y n o t ? " B e r k o says. "All r i g h t , b r i n g m e a c o u p l e o f e g g s . " Mrs.

Kalushiner

turns

to Landsman,

and

h e feels

Berko's

eyes on his, d a r i n g h i m and e x p e c t i n g h i m to order a slivovitz. L a n d s m a n c a n feel B e r k o ' s f a t i g u e , h i s i m p a t i e n c e a n d i r r i t a t i o n w i t h L a n d s m a n a n d his p r o b l e m s . It's a b o u t t i m e he pulled himself

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t o g e t h e r , i s n ' t it? F i n d s o m e t h i n g w o r t h l i v i n g h i s life for, a n d g e t on it w i t h it. " C o c a - C o l a , " L a n d s m a n says. " I f y o u p l e a s e . " T h i s m a y b e t h e first t h i n g t h a t L a n d s m a n o r a n y o n e h a s e v e r d o n e t o s u r p r i s e t h e w i d o w of N a t h a n Kalushiner. She raises o n e s t e e l - g r a y e y e b r o w , t h e n t u r n s away. B e r k o r e a c h e s for o n e o f t h e p i c k l e d c u c u m b e r s , s h a k i n g off t h e p e p p e r c o r n s a n d c l o v e s t h a t s t u d its freckled green skin. H e c r u n c h e s it b e t w e e n his t e e t h a n d frowns happily. " I t takes a s o u r w o m a n t o m a k e a g o o d p i c k l e , " h e says, a n d t h e n , as if o f f h a n d , t e a s i n g , " S u r e y o u d o n ' t w a n t a n o t h e r b e e r ? " L a n d s m a n w o u l d love a beer. H e can t a s t e t h e b i t t e r c a r a m e l of it on t h e b a c k of his t o n g u e . In t h e m e a n t i m e , t h e o n e t h a t E s t e r - M a l k e g a v e h i m h a s y e t t o l e a v e h i s b o d y , b u t L a n d s m a n is g e t t i n g i n d i c a t i o n s t h a t i t h a s i t s b a g s p a c k e d a n d is r e a d y t o g o . T h e proposition or appeal t h a t he has d e t e r m i n e d to m a k e to his p a r t n e r n o w s t r i k e s h i m as p e r h a p s t h e s t u p i d e s t i d e a h e h a s e v e r h a d , c e r t a i n l y n o t w o r t h l i v i n g for. B u t i t w i l l h a v e t o d o . " F u c k y o u , " h e says, g e t t i n g u p from t h e table. " I n e e d t o t a k e a leak." In t h e men's r o o m , L a n d s m a n discovers t h e b o d y of an electric guitarist. F r o m a table at t h e back of t h e Vorsht, L a n d s m a n has often a d m i r e d t h i s y i d a n d his p l a y i n g . H e w a s a m o n g t h e first to i m p o r t t h e techniques and a t t i t u d e s of A m e r i c a n a n d British rock guitarists to t h e Bulgars and freylekhs of Jewish d a n c e music. H e is r o u g h l y t h e s a m e a g e a n d b a c k g r o u n d as L a n d s m a n , g r e w u p in H a l i b u t P o i n t , a n d i n m o m e n t s o f v a i n g l o r y , L a n d s m a n h a s c o m p a r e d himself, or r a t h e r his d e t e c t i v e w o r k , t o t h e i n t u i t i v e a n d flashy p l a y i n g o f t h i s m a n w h o a p p e a r s t o b e d e a d o r p a s s e d o u t i n t h e s t a l l w i t h h i s m o n e y h a n d i n t h e t o i l e t b o w l . T h e m a n is wearing a black leather three-piece suit and a red ribbon necktie. H i s c e l e b r a t e d fingers have b e e n d e n u d e d of t h e i r r i n g s , leaving g h o s t l y i n d e n t a t i o n s . A w a l l e t lies o n t h e t i l e d floor, l o o k i n g e m p t y and distended.

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T h e musician snores once. Landsman employs those intuitive and

flashy

s k i l l s i n f e e l i n g a t t h e m a n ' s c a r o t i d for a p u l s e . I t ' s

steady. T h e air a r o u n d t h e musician h u m s almost to b u r n i n g w i t h t h e r a d i a n c e o f a l c o h o l . T h e w a l l e t s e e m s t o h a v e b e e n rifled o f its cash and identification. L a n d s m a n pats d o w n t h e musician and finds

a p i n t o f C a n a d i a n v o d k a i n t h e left h i p p o c k e t o f h i s l e a t h e r

blazer. T h e y g o t his cash b u t n o t his booze. L a n d s m a n d o e s n ' t w a n t a d r i n k . I n f a c t , h e feels a l u r c h i n s i d e h i m a t t h e i d e a o f p o u r i n g t h i s g a r b a g e i n t o h i s belly, s o m e k i n d o f m o r a l m u s c l e t h a t r e c o i l s . H e chances a q u i c k p e e k i n t o t h e c o b w e b b y r o o t cellar of his soul. H e c a n ' t h e l p n o t i c i n g t h a t t h i s p u l s e o f r e v u l s i o n for w h a t i s , a f t e r all,

a p o p u l a r b r a n d of C a n a d i a n v o d k a seems to have s o m e t h i n g

t o d o w i t h his ex-wife, w i t h h e r b e i n g b a c k in t h e S i t k a again a n d l o o k i n g so s t r o n g a n d j u i c y a n d B i n a . T h e d a i l y s i g h t o f h e r is g o i n g t o b e t o r m e n t , like G o d t o r t u r i n g M o s e s w i t h a glimpse of Z i o n f r o m t h e t o p o f M o u n t P i s g a h e v e r y s i n g l e d a y o f h i s life. L a n d s m a n u n c a p s t h e b o t t l e o f v o d k a a n d t a k e s a l o n g stiff p u l l . I t b u r n s l i k e a c o m p o u n d o f s o l v e n t a n d lye. S e v e r a l i n c h e s r e m a i n i n t h e b o t t l e w h e n h e is t h r o u g h , b u t L a n d s m a n h i m s e l f is filled t o p t o b o t t o m w i t h n o t h i n g b u t t h e b u r n o f r e m o r s e . A l l the old parallels it once pleased him to d r a w between the guitarist and himself are t u r n e d against him. After a brief b u t vigorous d e b a t e , L a n d s m a n d e c i d e s n o t t o t h r o w t h e b o t t l e in t h e t r a s h , w h e r e it will b e of n o u s e t o a n y o n e . H e transfers it t o t h e s n u g h i p p o c k e t of his o w n decline. H e d r a g s t h e musician o u t of t h e stall a n d c a r e f u l l y d r i e s h i s r i g h t h a n d . L a s t h e t a k e s t h e p i s s h e c a m e in h e r e to take. T h e m u s i c of L a n d s m a n ' s urine against porcelain and w a t e r lures t h e musician i n t o o p e n i n g his eyes. " I ' m fine," h e t e l l s L a n d s m a n f r o m t h e

floor.

" S u r e y o u a r e , s w e e t n e s s , " L a n d s m a n says. " J u s t d o n ' t call m y w i f e . " " I w o n ' t , " L a n d s m a n a s s u r e s h i m , b u t t h e y i d is a l r e a d y o u t again. L a n d s m a n drags the musician o u t into the back hallway and l e a v e s h i m o n t h e floor w i t h a p h o n e b o o k u n d e r h i s h e a d for a

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pillow. T h e n h e g o e s b a c k t o t h e t a b l e a n d B e r k o S h e m e t s a n d t a k e s a well-behaved sip from his glass of b u b b l e s a n d s y r u p . " M m m , " h e says. " C o k e . " "So,"

says B e r k o . " T h i s favor o f y o u r s . "

" Y e a h , " L a n d s m a n says. H i s r e s u r g e n t c o n f i d e n c e i n h i m s e l f a n d h i s i n t e n t i o n s , t h e s e n s e o f w e l l - b e i n g , is c l e a r l y a n i l l u s i o n p r o d u c e d b y a s n o r t of lousy v o d k a . H e rationalizes this

with

t h e t h o u g h t t h a t f r o m t h e p o i n t o f v i e w of, say, G o d , all h u m a n c o n f i d e n c e is a n i l l u s i o n a n d e v e r y i n t e n t i o n a j o k e . " K i n d o f a b i g one." B e r k o k n o w s w h e r e L a n d s m a n is h e a d i n g . B u t L a n d s m a n i s n ' t q u i t e ready to go t h e r e yet. " Y o u a n d E s t e r - M a l k e , " L a n d s m a n says. " Y o u g u y s a p p l i e d for residency." "Is that your big question?" "No,

t h i s is j u s t t h e b u i l d u p . "

" W e a p p l i e d for g r e e n c a r d s . E v e r y b o d y i n t h e D i s t r i c t

has

a p p l i e d for a r e s i d e n c y c a r d , u n l e s s t h e y ' r e g o i n g t o C a n a d a o r Argentina or wherever. Jesus, Meyer, d i d n ' t y o u ? " " I k n o w I m e a n t t o , " L a n d s m a n says. " M a y b e I d i d . I c a n ' t remember." T h i s is t o o s h o c k i n g for B e r k o t o p r o c e s s , a n d n o t w h a t L a n d s m a n h a s l e d t h e m h e r e t o say. " I d i d , all r i g h t ? " L a n d s m a n says. " I r e m e m b e r n o w . S u r e . F i l l e d o u t m y 1-999 a n d e v e r y t h i n g . " B e r k o n o d s as if h e b e l i e v e s L a n d s m a n ' s lie. "So,"

L a n d s m a n says. " Y o u g u y s a r e p l a n n i n g t o s t i c k a r o u n d ,

t h e n . Stay in S i t k a . " "Assuming we can get d o c u m e n t e d . " "Any reason to t h i n k y o u w o n ' t ? " "Just t h e n u m b e r s . T h e y ' r e saying it's going t o b e u n d e r forty p e r c e n t . " B e r k o s h a k e s h i s h e a d , w h i c h is p r e t t y m u c h t h e n a t i o n a l g e s t u r e at t h e m o m e n t w h e n it comes t o t h e q u e s t i o n of w h e r e t h e o t h e r Sitka Jews are going t o go, or w h a t t h e y are going t o d o , after

7G

MICHAEL

CHABON

Reversion. Actually, no guarantees have been m a d e at

all—the

4 0 p e r c e n t f i g u r e is j u s t a n o t h e r r u m o r a t t h e e n d o f t i m e — a n d there are some wild-eyed radicals claiming t h a t the actual n u m b e r o f J e w s w h o w i l l b e p e r m i t t e d t o r e m a i n as l e g a l r e s i d e n t s o f t h e n e w l y e n l a r g e d s t a t e o f A l a s k a w h e n R e v e r s i o n is finally e n f o r c e d w i l l b e c l o s e r t o 10 o r e v e n 5 p e r c e n t . T h e s e a r e t h e s a m e p e o p l e g o i n g a r o u n d c a l l i n g for a r m e d r e s i s t a n c e , s e c e s s i o n , a d e c l a r a t i o n o f i n d e p e n d e n c e , a n d so f o r t h . L a n d s m a n h a s p a i d v e r y

little

attention to the controversies and rumors, to the most important q u e s t i o n in his local u n i v e r s e . " T h e o l d m a n ? " L a n d s m a n says. " D o e s n ' t h e h a v e a n y j u i c e left?" F o r forty y e a r s — a s D e n n y B r e n n a n ' s series r e v e a l e d — H e r t z S h e m e t s u s e d h i s p o s i t i o n as l o c a l d i r e c t o r o f t h e F B I ' s d o m e s t i c surveillance

program

to

run

his

own

private

game

on

the

A m e r i c a n s . T h e B u r e a u f i r s t r e c r u i t e d h i m i n t h e fifties t o f i g h t C o m m u n i s t s a n d t h e Yiddish Left, w h i c h , t h o u g h fractious, was strong, h a r d e n e d , e m b i t t e r e d , suspicious of t h e Americans, and, in t h e case of t h e f o r m e r Israelis, n o t especially grateful t o be h e r e . H e r t z S h e m e t s ' s b r i e f w a s t o m o n i t o r a n d i n f i l t r a t e t h e local R e d p o p u l a t i o n ; H e r t z w i p e d t h e m o u t . H e fed t h e s o c i a l i s t s t o the C o m m u n i s t s , and the Stalinists to the Trotskyites, and the H e b r e w Z i o n i s t s to t h e Yiddish Zionists, and w h e n feeding time w a s o v e r , h e w i p e d t h e m o u t h s o f t h o s e s t i l l s t a n d i n g a n d fed t h e m t o each other. S t a r t i n g in t h e late sixties, H e r t z was t u r n e d loose o n t h e n a s c e n t r a d i c a l m o v e m e n t a m o n g t h e T l i n g i t , a n d in t i m e he pulled its t e e t h and claws, too. B u t t h o s e a c t i v i t i e s w e r e a f r o n t , as B r e n n a n s h o w e d , for H e r t z ' s r e a l a g e n d a : t o o b t a i n P e r m a n e n t S t a t u s for t h e D i s t r i c t : P.S., o r e v e n , in his w i l d e s t d r e a m s , s t a t e h o o d . " E n o u g h w a n d e r i n g , " L a n d s m a n can r e m e m b e r his u n c l e saying t o his father, w h o s e soul r e t a i n e d to t h e d a y he died a tinge of r o m a n t i c Z i o n i s m . " E n o u g h w i t h e x p u l s i o n s a n d m i g r a t i o n s a n d d r e a m i n g a b o u t n e x t year in

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t h e c a m e l l a n d s . I t ' s t i m e for u s t o t a k e w h a t w e c a n g e t a n d stayput." So e v e r y y e a r , i t t u r n e d o u t , U n c l e H e r t z d i v e r t e d u p t o h a l f his o p e r a t i n g b u d g e t t o c o r r u p t t h e p e o p l e w h o h a d a u t h o r i z e d it. H e b o u g h t s e n a t o r s , b a i t e d c o n g r e s s i o n a l h o n e y p o t s , a n d a b o v e all r o m a n c e d r i c h A m e r i c a n J e w s w h o s e i n f l u e n c e h e s a w as c r i t i c a l to his plan. T h r e e t i m e s P e r m a n e n t S t a t u s bills c a m e u p a n d died, t w i c e i n c o m m i t t e e , o n c e i n a b i t t e r a n d c l o s e b a t t l e o n t h e floor. A y e a r after t h a t floor fight, t h e c u r r e n t p r e s i d e n t o f A m e r i c a r a n a n d won on a platform that showcased the long-overdue enforcement o f R e v e r s i o n , p l e d g i n g t o r e s t o r e " A l a s k a for A l a s k a n s , w i l d a n d c l e a n . " A n d D e n n i s B r e n n a n c h a s e d H e r t z u n d e r a log. " T h e o l d m a n ? " B e r k o says. " D o w n t h e r e o n h i s v e s t - p o c k e t I n d i a n r e s e r v a t i o n ? W i t h h i s g o a t ? A n d a f r e e z e r full o f m o o s e m e a t ? Yeah, he's a fucking gray e m i n e n c e in t h e c o r r i d o r s of power. B u t a n y w a y , i t ' s l o o k i n g all r i g h t . " "Is it?" "Ester-Malke and I both already got three-year work p e r m i t s . " "That's a good sign." " S o t h e y say." "Naturally, you wouldn't want to do anything to endanger your status." "No." "Disobey

orders. Piss

somebody

off.

Neglect

your

express

duty." "Never." " T h a t ' s s e t t l e d , t h e n . " L a n d s m a n reaches i n t o t h e p o c k e t of his blazer a n d takes o u t t h e chess set. " D i d I ever tell y o u a b o u t t h e n o t e m y f a t h e r left w h e n h e k i l l e d h i m s e l f ? " " I h e a r d it w a s a p o e m . " " C a l l i t d o g g e r e l , " L a n d s m a n says. " S i x l i n e s o f Y i d d i s h v e r s e addressed to an u n n a m e d female." "Oho."

78

MICHAEL

"No,

CHABDN

n o . N o t h i n g racy. I t w a s , w h a t , i t w a s a n

expression

o f r e g r e t for h i s i n a d e q u a c y . C h a g r i n a t h i s f a i l u r e . A n a v o w a l o f d e v o t i o n a n d r e s p e c t . A t o u c h i n g s t a t e m e n t o f g r a t i t u d e for t h e c o m f o r t s h e h a d g i v e n h i m , a n d a b o v e a l l , for t h e m e a s u r e o f forgetfulness t h a t her c o m p a n y h a d b r o u g h t to h i m over t h e long, b i t t e r course of t h e y e a r s . " "You have it m e m o r i z e d . " " I d i d . B u t I n o t i c e d s o m e t h i n g a b o u t i t t h a t b o t h e r e d m e . So t h e n I m a d e myself forget i t . " " W h a t did you notice?" L a n d s m a n i g n o r e s t h e q u e s t i o n as M r s . K a l u s h i n e r a r r i v e s w i t h t h e e g g s , six o f t h e m , p e e l e d a n d a r r a n g e d o n a d i s h w i t h six r o u n d i n d e n t a t i o n s , e a c h t h e s i z e o f a n e g g ' s fat b o t t o m . S a l t . P e p p e r . A jar of m u s t a r d . " M a y b e if t h e y t o o k t h e l e a s h off h i m , " B e r k o s a y s , p o i n t i n g t o H e r s h e l w i t h h i s t h u m b , " h e w o u l d g o o u t for a s a n d w i c h o r something." " H e l i k e s t h e l e a s h , " M r s . K a l u s h i n e r says. " W i t h o u t i t , h e d o e s n ' t s l e e p . " She leaves t h e m again. " T h a t b o t h e r s m e , " Berko says, w a t c h i n g H e r s h e l . "I know what you mean." B e r k o salts an e g g a n d b i t e s it. H i s t e e t h leave c a s t e l l a t i o n s in t h e b o i l e d w h i t e . " S o t h i s p o e m , t h e n , " h e says. " T h e v e r s e . " "So,

naturally,"

Landsman

says,

"everyone

assumed

the

addressee of m y father's verse to b e m y mother. S t a r t i n g w i t h m y mother." " S h e fit t h e d e s c r i p t i o n . " " S o i t w a s g e n e r a l l y a g r e e d . T h a t is w h y I n e v e r t o l d a n y b o d y w h a t I h a d d e d u c e d . I n m y first official c a s e as a j u n i o r s h a m m e s . " "Which was?" " W h i c h w a s t h a t if y o u p u t t o g e t h e r t h e first l e t t e r s o f e a c h o f t h e six l i n e s o f t h e p o e m , t h e y s p e l l e d o u t a n a m e . C a i s s a . " " C a i s s a ? W h a t k i n d o f n a m e is t h a t ? "

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" I b e l i e v e i t is L a t i n , " L a n d s m a n says. " C a i s s a is t h e g o d d e s s o f chess players." H e o p e n s t h e lid o f t h e p o c k e t c h e s s s e t t h a t h e b o u g h t a t t h e d r u g s t o r e o n K o r c z a k P l a t z . T h e p i e c e s i n p l a y r e m a i n as h e a r r a n g e d t h e m a t t h e T a y t s h - S h e m e t s a p a r t m e n t e a r l i e r t h a t m o r n i n g , as left b e h i n d b y t h e m a n w h o called himself E m a n u e l Lasker. O r b y his killer, o r b y p a l e C a i s s a , t h e g o d d e s s o f c h e s s p l a y e r s , d r o p p i n g i n to b i d farewell t o a n o t h e r o n e of h e r h a p l e s s w o r s h i p p e r s . Black d o w n to t h r e e p a w n s , a pair of k n i g h t s , a b i s h o p , a n d a r o o k . W h i t e h o l d i n g o n t o all o f h i s m a j o r a n d m i n o r p i e c e s a n d a p a i r o f p a w n s , one of t h e m a move away from p r o m o t i o n . A s t r a n g e d i s o r d e r e d a s p e c t t o t h e s i t u a t i o n , as if t h e g a m e t h a t l e d u p t o t h i s m o v e h a d been a chaotic one. "If it was a n y t h i n g else, B e r k o , " L a n d s m a n says, a p o l o g i z i n g w i t h u p t u r n e d p a l m s . "A d e c k o f c a r d s . A c r o s s w o r d p u z z l e . A bingo card." " I g e t i t , " B e r k o says. " I t had to be an unfinished g o d d a m n e d g a m e of c h e s s . " B e r k o t u r n s t h e b o a r d a r o u n d a n d s t u d i e s i t for a m o m e n t o r two,

t h e n l o o k s u p a t L a n d s m a n . Now is the time for you to ask me, h e

says w i t h t h o s e g r e a t d a r k e y e s o f h i s . "So. "No,"

Like I said. I n e e d t o ask y o u a favor." Berko says, " y o u d o n ' t . "

" Y o u h e a r d t h e lady. Y o u s a w h e r b l a c k - f l a g i t . T h e t h i n g w a s a piece of sh it t o b e g i n w i t h . B i n a m a d e it official." "You don't think so." " P l e a s e , B e r k o , d o n ' t s t a r t h a v i n g r e s p e c t for m y now," Landsman

says. " N o t

after

judgment

all t h i s w o r k I ' v e p u t

into

undermining it." Berko has been

staring at

the dog with

increasing

fixity.

Abruptly, he gets u p and goes over to t h e stage. H e clomps u p t h e three wooden steps and stands looking d o w n at Hershel.

Then

h e h o l d s o u t h i s h a n d t o b e sniffed. T h e d o g c l a m b e r s b a c k i n t o

80

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a s i t t i n g p o s i t i o n a n d r e a d s w i t h his nose t h e t r a n s c r i p t of t h e b a c k o f B e r k o ' s h a n d , b a b i e s a n d waffles a n d t h e i n t e r i o r o f a 1 9 7 1 Super Sport. Berko crouches heavily beside the dog and unhooks t h e clasp of t h e leash from t h e collar. H e t a k e s h o l d of t h e dog's h e a d in his m a s s i v e h a n d s a n d looks i n t o t h e dog's eyes. " E n o u g h a l r e a d y , " h e says. " H e i s n ' t c o m i n g . " T h e d o g r e g a r d s B e r k o as if s i n c e r e l y i n t e r e s t e d i n t h i s b i t o f n e w s . T h e n h e l u r c h e s t o his h i n d legs a n d h o b b l e s over t o t h e s t e p s a n d t u m b l e s carefully d o w n t h e m . Toenails clacking, he crosses the c o n c r e t e floor t o t h e t a b l e w h e r e L a n d s m a n s i t s a n d l o o k s u p as if for c o n f i r m a t i o n . " T h a t ' s t h e s t r a i g h t ernes, H e r s h e l , " L a n d s m a n tells t h e dog. " T h e y used dental records." T h e dog appears to consider this; then, much to Landsman's s u r p r i s e , h e w a l k s over t o t h e front door. Berko gives L a n d s m a n a l o o k o f r e p r i m a n d : What did I tellyouFHe

darts a glance toward the

b e a d e d c u r t a i n , t h e n s l i d e s b a c k t h e b o l t , t u r n s t h e key, a n d o p e n s t h e d o o r . T h e d o g t r o t s r i g h t o u t as if h e h a s p r e s s i n g b u s i n e s s elsewhere. Berko c o m e s b a c k t o t h e table, looking like he has j u s t liberated a s o u l f r o m t h e w h e e l o f k a r m a . " Y o u h e a r d t h e lady. W e h a v e n i n e w e e k s , " h e says. " G i v e o r t a k e . W e c a n afford t o w a s t e a d a y o r t w o l o o k i n g b u s y w h i l e w e p o k e a r o u n d i n t o this d e a d j u n k i e from y o u r flop." " Y o u a r e g o i n g t o h a v e a b a b y , " L a n d s m a n says. " T h e r e w i l l b e five o f y o u . " "I hear what you're saying." "I'm

s a y i n g , t h a t ' s five T a y t s h - S h e m e t s e s

we are going

to

f u c k o v e r if s o m e b o d y is l o o k i n g for r e a s o n s t o d e n y p e o p l e t h e i r r e s i d e n c y c a r d s , a s w i d e l y r e p o r t e d , a n d o n e o f t h o s e r e a s o n s is a r e c e n t c i t a t i o n for a c t i n g i n d i r e c t c o n t r a d i c t i o n o f o r d e r s f r o m a s u p e r i o r officer, n o t t o m e n t i o n e g r e g i o u s flouting o f d e p a r t m e n t a l policy, h o w e v e r idiotic a n d c r a v e n . "

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Berko blinks and p o p s a n o t h e r pickled t o m a t o i n t o his m o u t h . H e c h e w s i t , a n d s i g h s . " I n e v e r h a d a b r o t h e r o r a s i s t e r , " h e says. "All I e v e r h a d w a s c o u s i n s . M o s t o f t h e m w e r e I n d i a n s , a n d t h e y d i d n ' t w a n t to k n o w me. T w o w e r e Jews. O n e of t h o s e Jews, m a y h e r n a m e b e a b l e s s i n g , is d e a d . T h a t l e a v e s m e w i t h y o u . " " I a p p r e c i a t e t h i s , B e r k o , " L a n d s m a n says. " I w a n t y o u t o k n o w that." " F u c k t h a t s h i t , " B e r k o says i n A m e r i c a n . " W e ' r e g o i n g t o t h e Einstein, aren't we?" " Y e a h , " L a n d s m a n says. " T h a t ' s w h e r e I

figured

we ought to

start." Before t h e y can s t a n d u p o r t r y t o s e t t l e t h i n g s w i t h M r s . K a l u s h i n e r , t h e r e is a s c r a t c h i n g a t t h e f r o n t d o o r a n d t h e n a l o n g , l o w m o a n . T h e s o u n d is h u m a n a n d f o r l o r n , a n d i t m a k e s t h e h a i r on L a n d s m a n ' s n a p e s t a n d erect. H e goes t o t h e front d o o r a n d lets in t h e d o g , w h o c l i m b s b a c k u p o n t o t h e s t a g e t o t h e p l a c e w h e r e h e has w o r n away t h e p a i n t on t h e

floorboards,

and sits, ears raised to

c a t c h t h e s o u n d o f a v a n i s h e d h o r n , w a i t i n g p a t i e n t l y for t h e l e a s h to be restored.

T

h e n o r t h e n d o f P e r e t z S t r e e t is all s l a b c o n c r e t e , s t e e l p i l l a r s , a l u m i n u m - r i m m e d w i n d o w s double-glazed against t h e cold.

T h e b u i l d i n g s i n t h i s p a r t o f t h e U n t e r s h t a t w e n t u p in t h e

e a r l y fifties, r a p i d l y a s s e m b l e d s h e l t e r m a c h i n e s b u i l t b y s u r v i v o r s , w i t h a kind of noble ugliness. N o w t h e y have only the ugliness of age a n d vacancy. E m p t y

s t o r e f r o n t s , p a p e r e d - o v e r glass. In

t h e w i n d o w s of 1911, w h e r e Landsman's father used to attend m e e t i n g s of t h e E d e l s h t a t Society before t h e storefront gave way t o a b e a u t y - s u p p l y o u t l e t , a p l u s h k a n g a r o o w i t h a sardonic leer h o l d s a c a r d b o a r d sign: A U S T R A L I A O R B U S T . A t 1906 t h e H o t e l E i n s t e i n l o o k s , as s o m e w a g r e m a r k e d o n i t s o p e n i n g t o t h e p u b l i c , l i k e a r a t c a g e s t o r e d i n a fish t a n k . I t is a f a v o r i t e v e n u e for t h e s u i c i d e s o f S i t k a . I t is a l s o , b y c u s t o m a n d c h a r t e r , t h e h o m e o f t h e Einstein Chess Club. A m e m b e r of t h e Einstein C h e s s C l u b n a m e d M e l e k h Gaystik w o n t h e world c h a m p i o n s h i p title over the D u t c h m a n Jan T i m m a n a t St. P e t e r s b u r g in 1980. T h e W o r l d ' s F a i r fresh in t h e i r m e m o r y , S i t k a n i k s v i e w e d G a y s t i k ' s t r i u m p h as f u r t h e r p r o o f o f t h e i r m e r i t a n d i d e n t i t y as a p e o p l e . G a y s t i k w a s s u b j e c t t o fits o f r a g e , b l a c k m o o d s , a n d b o u t s o f i n c o h e r e n c e , b u t t h e s e flaws w e r e o v e r l o o k e d in t h e general c e l e b r a t i o n .

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O n e f r u i t o f G a y s t i k ' s v i c t o r y w a s t h e gift o f t h e h o t e l b a l l r o o m b y t h e E i n s t e i n m a n a g e m e n t , free o f r e n t , t o t h e c h e s s c l u b . H o t e l w e d d i n g s w e r e o u t o f v o g u e , a n d m a n a g e m e n t h a d b e e n t r y i n g for years to clear t h e p a t z e r s , w i t h t h e i r m u t t e r i n g s a n d s m o k e , from t h e coffee s h o p . G a y s t i k p r o v i d e d m a n a g e m e n t t h e e x c u s e t h e y n e e d e d . T h e y s e a l e d off t h e m a i n d o o r s o f t h e b a l l r o o m so t h a t y o u c o u l d e n t e r o n l y t h r o u g h t h e b a c k , off a n alley. T h e y p u l l e d u p t h e fine a s h w o o d p a r q u e t r y a n d l a i d d o w n a d e m e n t e d c h e c k e r b o a r d of l i n o l e u m in s h a d e s of s o o t , bile, a n d s u r g i c a l - s c r u b T h e modernist chandelier was replaced by banks of

green.

fluorescent

t u b e s b o l t e d t o t h e high c o n c r e t e ceiling. T w o m o n t h s later, t h e y o u n g w o r l d c h a m p i o n w a n d e r e d i n t o t h e o l d coffee s h o p w h e r e L a n d s m a n ' s father h a d o n c e m a d e his m a r k , sat d o w n in a b o o t h at t h e b a c k , t o o k o u t a C o l t .38 D e t e c t i v e Special, a n d s h o t h i m s e l f in t h e m o u t h . T h e r e w a s a n o t e i n h i s p o c k e t . I t s a i d o n l y I liked things better the way they were before. " E m a n u e l L a s k e r , " t h e R u s s i a n says t o t h e t w o d e t e c t i v e s , l o o k i n g u p from t h e c h e s s b o a r d , u n d e r a n o l d n e o n c l o c k t h a t a d v e r t i s e s t h e d e f u n c t n e w s p a p e r , t h e Blat. H e is a s k e l e t a l m a n , h i s s k i n t h i n , p i n k , and peeling. H e wears a p o i n t e d black b e a r d . H i s eyes are close-set a n d t h e color of cold seawater. " E m a n u e l L a s k e r . " T h e Russian's shoulders h u n c h , a n d h e d u c k s his h e a d , a n d his r i b c a g e swells a n d n a r r o w s . It looks like laughter, b u t n o s o u n d c o m e s o u t . " I w i s h t h a t h e does come around h e r e . " Like t h a t of m o s t Russian i m m i g r a n t s , t h e m a n ' s Y i d d i s h is e x p e r i m e n t a l a n d b r u s q u e . H e r e m i n d s L a n d s m a n of somebody, t h o u g h L a n d s m a n c a n ' t say w h o m . " I give h i m such a k i c k t o h i s ass for h i m . " "You ever look at his g a m e s ? " t h e Russian's o p p o n e n t w a n t s to k n o w . H e is a y o u n g m a n w i t h p u d d i n g c h e e k s a n d r i m l e s s g l a s s e s and a complexion t i n g e d w i t h g r e e n , like t h e w h i t e of a dollar bill. T h e l e n s e s o f h i s g l a s s e s ice o v e r as h e a i m s t h e m a t L a n d s m a n . "You ever look at his g a m e s , D e t e c t i v e ? " " J u s t t o m a k e this clear," L a n d s m a n says, " t h a t i s n ' t t h e L a s k e r w e have in m i n d . "

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" T h i s m a n w a s o n l y u s i n g t h e n a m e as a n a l i a s , " B e r k o says. " O t h e r w i s e w e ' d b e l o o k i n g for a m a n w h o ' s a l r e a d y b e e n d e a d sixty years." "You look at Lasker's games today," the young man continues, "there's too much complexity. H e makes everything too hard." " O n l y i t s e e m s c o m p l e x i t y t o y o u , V e l v e l , " says t h e R u s s i a n , "for t h e reason of h o w m u c h y o u are s i m p l e . " T h e s h a m m e s e s h a v e i n t e r r u p t e d t h e i r g a m e in its d e n s e m i d d l e stages w i t h t h e Russian, p l a y i n g W h i t e , h o l d i n g an unassailable k n i g h t o u t p o s t . T h e m e n are still c a u g h t u p in t h e i r g a m e , t h e w a y a p a i r of m o u n t a i n s g e t s c a u g h t u p in a w h i t e o u t . T h e i r n a t u r a l i m p u l s e is t o t r e a t t h e d e t e c t i v e s w i t h t h e a b s t r a c t c o n t e m p t t h e y r e s e r v e for all k i b i t z e r s . L a n d s m a n w o n d e r s if h e a n d B e r k o o u g h t to wait u n t i l t h e players have finished and t h e n t r y again. But there a r e o t h e r g a m e s in p r o g r e s s , o t h e r players t o q u e s t i o n . A r o u n d t h e old b a l l r o o m , legs s c r a t c h t h e l i n o l e u m like fingernails on a c h a l k b o a r d . C h e s s m e n click like t h e c y l i n d e r t u r n i n g in M e l e k h Gaystik's .38. T h e m e n — t h e r e are no w o m e n h e r e — p l a y by means of steadily h e c t o r i n g t h e i r o p p o n e n t s w i t h self-aspersions, chilly laughter, whistling, harumphs. "As l o n g as w e ' r e m a k i n g t h i n g s c l e a r , " B e r k o says,

"this

m a n w h o called himself E m a n u e l Lasker, b u t was not t h e n o t e d w o r l d c h a m p i o n b o r n in P r u s s i a in 1 8 6 8 , has d i e d , a n d w e are i n v e s t i g a t i n g t h a t d e a t h . I n o u r c a p a c i t y as h o m i c i d e d e t e c t i v e s , w h i c h w e m e n t i o n e d b u t w i t h o u t , it s e e m s , m a k i n g m u c h of an impression." "A J e w w i t h b l o n d h a i r , " t h e R u s s i a n says. " A n d f r e c k l e s , " V e l v e l says. " Y o u s e e , " t h e R u s s i a n says. " W e p a y c l o s e a t t e n t i o n . "

He

snatches u p o n e of his rooks t h e w a y you pluck at a stray hair on s o m e b o d y ' s collar. T o g e t h e r his fingers a n d t h e r o o k t a k e t h e i r t r i p d o w n t h e file a n d b r e a k t h e b a d n e w s t o t h e B l a c k ' s r e m a i n i n g bishop with a tap. Velvel s p e a k s R u s s i a n now, w i t h a Yiddish a c c e n t ,

offering

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h i s w i s h e s for t h e r e s u m p t i o n o f f r i e n d l y r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n

his

opponent's m o t h e r and a well-endowed stallion. " I a m o r p h a n , " t h e R u s s i a n says. H e s i t s b a c k i n h i s c h a i r as if e x p e c t i n g h i s o p p o n e n t t o r e q u i r e s o m e t i m e t o r e c o v e r from t h e loss of his b i s h o p . H e k n o t s his a r m s a r o u n d h i s c h e s t a n d j a m s h i s h a n d s i n t o h i s a r m p i t s . I t is t h e g e s t u r e of a m a n w h o w a n t s t o s m o k e a p a p i r o s in a r o o m w h e r e t h e habit has been forbidden. L a n d s m a n w o n d e r s w h a t his father w o u l d h a v e d o n e w i t h h i m s e l f if t h e E i n s t e i n C h e s s C l u b h a d

banned

s m o k i n g w h i l e h e w a s alive. T h e m a n c o u l d go t h r o u g h a w h o l e pack of Broadways in a single g a m e . "Blond,"

the

Russian

says,

the

very

soul

of

helpfulness.

"Freckles. W h a t else, please?" L a n d s m a n shuffles t h r o u g h h i s s c a n t y h a n d o f d e t a i l s , t r y i n g t o d e c i d e w h i c h o n e t o play. "A s t u d e n t o f t h e g a m e , w e ' r e g u e s s i n g . U p on his chess history. H e h a d a b o o k b y S i e g b e r t T a r r a s c h in his r o o m . A n d t h e n t h e r e ' s t h e alias h e w a s u s i n g . " "So astute," the Russian

says w i t h o u t

bothering to

sound

s i n c e r e . "A c o u p l e o f t o p - d o l l a r s h a m m e s e s . " T h e r e m a r k d o e s n o t so m u c h r a n k l e L a n d s m a n as n u d g e h i m half a wisecrack closer to r e m e m b e r i n g this b o n y Russian w i t h t h e p e e l i n g skin. "At o n e t i m e , p o s s i b l y , " h e c o n t i n u e s m o r e slowly, g r o p i n g for t h e m e m o r y , w a t c h i n g t h e R u s s i a n , " t h e d e c e a s e d w a s a p i o u s Jew. A b l a c k h a t . " T h e Russian t u g s his h a n d s o u t from u n d e r his a r m s . H e sits f o r w a r d in his chair. T h e ice o n his Baltic eyes s e e m s t o

thaw

all a t o n c e . " H e w a s s m a c k a d d i c t ? " H i s t o n e b a r e l y q u a l i f i e s as a question, and when Landsman doesn't immediately deny

the

c h a r g e , h e says, " F r a n k . " H e p r o n o u n c e s t h e n a m e A m e r i c a n - s t y l e , w i t h a l o n g , s h a r p v o w e l a n d a s h a d o w l e s s R. " A h , n o . " " F r a n k , " Velvel a g r e e s . "I—"

T h e Russian slumps, knees spread, hands dangling at

h i s s i d e s . " D e t e c t i v e s , c a n I t e l l y o u o n e t h i n g ? " h e says. " T r u l y , s o m e t i m e s I h a t e t h i s l a m e n t a b l e e x c u s e for a w o r l d . "

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" T e l l u s a b o u t F r a n k , " B e r k o says. " Y o u l i k e d h i m . " T h e Russian hoists his shoulders, his eyes iced over again. "I d o n o t l i k e a n y o n e , " h e says. " B u t w h e n F r a n k c o m e s i n h e r e , a t l e a s t I d o n o t r u n s c r e a m i n g o u t t h e d o o r . H e is funny. N o t h a n d s o m e m a n . B u t h a n d s o m e voice. Serious voice. Like t h e m a n w h o plays serious m u s i c on t h e radio. A t t h r e e o'clock in t h e m o r n i n g , you k n o w , t a l k i n g a b o u t S h o s t a k o v i c h . H e says t h i n g s i n s e r i o u s v o i c e , i t ' s funny. E v e r y t h i n g h e s a y s , a l w a y s i t ' s a l i t t l e b i t c r i t i c i s m . C u t of y o u r hair, h o w u g l y y o u r p a n t s , h o w Velvel j u m p s e v e r y t i m e a p e r s o n m e n t i o n s his wife." " T r u e e n o u g h , " V e l v e l says. " I d o . " "Always t e a s i n g y o u , b u t , I d o n ' t k n o w why, it d o n ' t piss you off." " I t w a s — Y o u felt l i k e h e w a s h a r d e r o n h i m s e l f , " Velvel says. " W h e n y o u p l a y h i m , e v e n t h o u g h h e w i n s e v e r y t i m e , y o u feel y o u p l a y b e t t e r a g a i n s t h i m t h a n w i t h t h e assholes in t h i s c l u b , " t h e R u s s i a n says. " F r a n k is n e v e r a s s h o l e . " " M e y e r , " says B e r k o , soft. H e flies t h e flags o f h i s e y e b r o w s i n t h e direction of t h e next table. T h e y have an audience. L a n d s m a n t u r n s . T w o m e n confront each o t h e r over a game in its early stages. O n e w e a r s t h e m o d e r n j a c k e t a n d p a n t s a n d full b e a r d o f a L u b a v i t c h e r Jew. H i s b e a r d is d e n s e a n d b l a c k as if s h a d e d i n w i t h a soft p e n c i l . A s t e a d y h a n d h a s p i n n e d a b l a c k v e l o u r skullcap t r i m m e d w i t h b l a c k silk t o t h e black t a n g l e of his hair. H i s n a v y o v e r c o a t a n d b l u e fedora h a n g from a h o o k set i n t o t h e m i r r o r e d wall b e h i n d h i m . T h e l i n i n g of his coat a n d t h e label of his h a t a r e reflected in t h e glass. E x h a u s t i o n stains t h e u n d e r l i d s o f h i s e y e s : f e r v e n t e y e s , b o v i n e a n d s a d . H i s o p p o n e n t is a B o b o v e r i n a l o n g r o b e , b r i t c h e s , w h i t e h o s e , a n d s l i p p e r s . H i s s k i n is as p a l e as a p a g e o f c o m m e n t a r y . H i s h a t p e r c h e s o n h i s l a p , a b l a c k c a k e o n a b l a c k d i s h . H i s s k u l l c a p lies flat as a s e w n p o c k e t a g a i n s t t h e b a c k of his c r o p p e d head. T o t h e eye n o t disillusioned b y police work, t h e y m i g h t a p p e a r t o b e as l o s t as a n y p a i r o f E i n s t e i n p a t z e r s in t h e diffused r a d i a n c e of t h e i r g a m e . L a n d s m a n w o u l d be willing t o

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bet a h u n d r e d dollars, however, t h a t n e i t h e r of t h e m even k n o w s w h o s e m o v e i t is. T h e y h a v e b e e n l i s t e n i n g t o e v e r y w o r d a t t h e n e i g h b o r i n g table; t h e y a r e l i s t e n i n g now. Berko walks over to t h e table on t h e o t h e r side of t h e Russian a n d Velvel. It's u n o c c u p i e d . H e picks u p a b e n t w o o d c h a i r w i t h a ripped cane seat a n d swings it a r o u n d to a s p o t b e t w e e n t h e table o f t h e b l a c k h a t s a n d t h e t a b l e w h e r e t h e R u s s i a n is b r e a k i n g V e l v e l d o w n . H e sits d o w n in t h a t g r a n d fat-man w a y h e has, s p r e a d i n g his l e g s , t o s s i n g t h e flaps o f h i s o v e r c o a t b e h i n d h i m , as if h e is g o i n g t o m a k e a fine m e a l o f t h e m a l l . H e t a k e s off h i s o w n h o m b u r g , p a l m i n g it by t h e c r o w n . H i s Indian hair s t a n d s t h i c k a n d l u s t r o u s , t h r e a d e d l a t e l y w i t h silver. G r a y h a i r m a k e s B e r k o l o o k w i s e r a n d k i n d e r , a n effect t h a t , t h o u g h h e is r e l a t i v e l y w i s e a n d f a i r l y k i n d , h e will n o t h e s i t a t e t o a b u s e . T h e b e n t w o o d c h a i r g r o w s a l a r m e d at t h e scope a n d c o n t o u r of Berko's b u t t o c k s . "Hi!"

B e r k o says t o t h e b l a c k h a t s . H e r u b s h i s p a l m s t o g e t h e r ,

t h e n s p r e a d s t h e m a c r o s s h i s t h i g h s . A l l t h e m a n n e e d s is a n a p k i n t o t u c k i n t o his collar, a fork, a n d a knife. " H o w a r e y o u ? " W i t h t h e art a n d d e t e r m i n a t i o n of t h e v e r y w o r s t actors, t h e black hats look up, surprised. " W e d o n ' t w a n t a n y t r o u b l e , " t h e L u b a v i t c h e r says. "My

favorite p h r a s e in t h e Y i d d i s h

language," Berko

says

sincerely. " N o w , h o w a b o u t w e g e t y o u in o n t h i s d i s c u s s i o n ? T e l l us a b o u t F r a n k . " " W e d i d n o t k n o w h i m , " t h e L u b a v i t c h e r says. " F r a n k w h o ? " T h e B o b o v e r says n o t h i n g . " F r i e n d B o b o v e r , " L a n d s m a n says g e n t l y . " Y o u r n a m e . " " M y n a m e is S a l t i e l L a p i d u s , " t h e B o b o v e r says. H i s e y e s a r e g i r l i s h a n d shy. H e folds h i s f i n g e r s i n h i s l a p , o n t o p o f h i s h a t . "And I k n o w n o t h i n g a b o u t a n y t h i n g . " "You played w i t h this F r a n k ? You k n e w h i m ? " Saltiel L a p i d u s gives his h e a d a h a s t y shake. " N o . " " Y e s , " t h e L u b a v i t c h e r says. " H e w a s k n o w n t o u s . " L a p i d u s g l a r e s a t h i s f r i e n d , a n d t h e L u b a v i t c h e r l o o k s away.

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L a n d s m a n r e a d s t h e s t o r y . C h e s s is p e r m i t t e d t o t h e p i o u s J e w , even—alone among games—on

the Sabbath. But the

C h e s s C l u b is a r e s o l u t e l y s e c u l a r i n s t i t u t i o n . T h e

Einstein

Lubavitcher

dragged the Bobover into this profane temple on a Friday morning w i t h S a b b a t h c o m i n g a n d b o t h of t h e m h a v i n g b e t t e r things to do.

H e s a i d e v e r y t h i n g w o u l d b e fine, w h a t h a r m c o u l d c o m e o f it?

A n d n o w see. L a n d s m a n is c u r i o u s , e v e n t o u c h e d . A f r i e n d s h i p a c r o s s s e c t a r i a n l i n e s is n o t a c o m m o n p h e n o m e n o n , i n h i s e x p e r i e n c e . I n t h e p a s t , it has s t r u c k h i m t h a t , a p a r t from h o m o s e x u a l s , only chess players h a v e f o u n d a r e l i a b l e w a y t o b r i d g e , i n t e n s e l y b u t w i t h o u t fatal violence, t h e gulf t h a t separates any given pair of m e n . " I h a v e seen h i m h e r e , " t h e L u b a v i t c h e r declares, his eyes on h i s f r i e n d , as if t o s h o w h i m t h e y h a v e n o t h i n g t o fear. " T h i s s o called F r a n k . M a y b e I played h i m o n e or t w o times. In m y opinion, he was a highly talented player." " C o m p a r e d t o y o u , F i s h k i n , " t h e R u s s i a n s a y s , " a m o n k e y is Raul Capablanca." " Y o u , " L a n d s m a n says t o t h e R u s s i a n , h i s v o i c e l e v e l , p l a y i n g a hunch. "You knew he was a heroin addict. H o w ? " "Detective Landsman," the Russian

says, half

reproachful.

"You do not recognize me?" I t felt l i k e a h u n c h . B u t i t w a s o n l y a m i s l a i d m e m o r y . "Vassily Shitnovitzer," L a n d s m a n

says. I t h a s n o t b e e n

so

l o n g — a d o z e n y e a r s — s i n c e h e a r r e s t e d a y o u n g Russian of t h a t n a m e for c o n s p i r a c y t o sell h e r o i n . A r e c e n t i m m i g r a n t , a f o r m e r c o n v i c t s w e p t clear of t h e chaos t h a t followed t h e collapse of t h e T h i r d Russian Republic. A m a n with broken Yiddish, this heroin d e a l e r , a n d p a l e e y e s s e t t o o c l o s e t o g e t h e r . " A n d y o u k n e w m e all this time." " Y o u a r e h a n d s o m e fellow. H a r d t o f o r g e t , " S h i t n o v i t z e r says. "Also s n a p p y d r e s s e r . " " S h i t n o v i t z e r s p e n t a long t i m e in B u t y r k a , " L a n d s m a n tells

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Berko, m e a n i n g t h e n o t o r i o u s M o s c o w p r i s o n . " N i c e guy. U s e t o sell j u n k f r o m t h e k i t c h e n o f t h e coffee s h o p h e r e . " " Y o u s o l d h e r o i n t o F r a n k ? " B e r k o says t o S h i t n o v i t z e r . " I a m r e t i r e d , " Vassily S h i t n o v i t z e r says, s h a k i n g his

head.

"Sixty-four federal m o n t h s in E l l e n s b u r g , W a s h i n g t o n . W o r s e t h a n B u t y r k a . N e v e r a g a i n I d o n ' t t o u c h t h a t stuff, D e t e c t i v e s , a n d e v e n if I d o , b e l i e v e m e , I d o n ' t g o n e a r F r a n k . I a m c r a z y , b u t I a m n o t lunatic." L a n d s m a n feels t h e b u m p a n d t h e s k i d as t h e t i r e s l o c k . T h e y have just hit something. " W h y n o t ? " Berko says, k i n d l y a n d wise. " W h y d o e s selling smack to Frank make you not just a criminal b u t a lunatic, Mr. Shitnovitzer?" T h e r e is a s m a l l , d e c i s i v e c l i n k , a b i t h o l l o w , l i k e false t e e t h c l a p p i n g t o g e t h e r . Velvel t i p s o v e r h i s k i n g . " I r e s i g n , " says V e l v e l . H e t a k e s off h i s g l a s s e s , s l i p s t h e m i n t o his p o c k e t , a n d s t a n d s up. H e forgot an a p p o i n t m e n t . H e ' s late for w o r k . H i s m o t h e r is c a l l i n g h i m o n t h e u l t r a s o n i c

frequency

r e s e r v e d b y t h e g o v e r n m e n t for J e w i s h m o t h e r s i n t h e e v e n t o f lunch. " S i t d o w n , " B e r k o says w i t h o u t t u r n i n g a r o u n d . T h e k i d s i t s down. A c r a m p has seized Shitnovitzer's i n t e s t i n e s ; t h a t ' s h o w it looks to Landsman. " B a d m a z e l , " h e says finally. "Bad mazel," L a n d s m a n repeats, letting his d o u b t and

his

disappointment show " L i k e a c o a t . A h a t o f b a d m a z e l o n h i s h e a d . So m u c h b a d m a z e l , you don't w a n t to touch him or share oxygen nearby." " I s a w h i m p l a y i n g five g a m e s a t o n c e , " V e l v e l offers. " F o r a h u n d r e d dollars. H e w o n t h e m all. T h e n I saw h i m v o m i t i n g in t h e alley." " D e t e c t i v e s , p l e a s e , " S a l t i e l L a p i d u s says i n a p a i n e d v o i c e . " W e

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have n o t h i n g to do w i t h this. We k n o w n o t h i n g about this man. H e r o i n . V o m i t i n g in alleys. Please, w e ' r e already

uncomfortable

enough." "Embarrassed," the Lubavitcher suggests. "Sorry"

L a p i d u s c o n c l u d e s . " A n d w e h a v e n o t h i n g t o say. S o ,

please, may we go?" " S u r e t h i n g , " B e r k o says. " T a k e off. J u s t w r i t e d o w n y o u r n a m e s a n d c o n t a c t i n f o r m a t i o n for u s b e f o r e y o u g o . " H e t a k e s o u t h i s s o - c a l l e d n o t e b o o k , a s m a l l , fat s h e a f o f p a p e r h e l d t o g e t h e r w i t h an e x t r a - l a r g e p a p e r clip. A t a n y given m o m e n t it m i g h t b e found t o c o n t a i n business cards, tides tables, to-do lists, chronological listings of English kings, theories

scrawled

at t h r e e in t h e m o r n i n g , five-dollar bills, j o t t e d recipes, folded c o c k t a i l n a p k i n s w i t h t h e l a y o u t of a S o u t h S i t k a alley in w h i c h a h o o k e r w a s k i l l e d . H e shuffles t h r o u g h h i s n o t e b o o k u n t i l h e arrives at a b l a n k scrap of index card, w h i c h he h a n d s to Fishkin t h e L u b a v i t c h e r . H e h o l d s o u t his s t u b of pencil, b u t , n o t h a n k you, Fishkin has a p e n of his o w n . H e w r i t e s d o w n his n a m e and a d d r e s s a n d t h e n u m b e r of his Shoyfer, t h e n passes it to L a p i d u s , who does the same. " O n l y , " F i s h k i n says, " d o n ' t call us. D o n ' t c o m e t o o u r h o m e s . I b e g y o u . W e d o n ' t h a v e a n y t h i n g t o say. T h e r e ' s n o t h i n g a b o u t t h a t J e w t h a t w e can tell y o u . " E v e r y n o z in t h e D i s t r i c t learns t o r e s p e c t t h e silence of t h e b l a c k h a t . I t is a r e f u s a l t o a n s w e r t h a t c a n s p r e a d a n d g a t h e r a n d d e e p e n u n t i l , l i k e a fog, i t fills t h e s t r e e t s o f a n e n t i r e b l a c k - h a t n e i g h b o r h o o d . B l a c k h a t s w i e l d skillful a t t o r n e y s , a n d p o l i t i c a l clout, a n d b o i s t e r o u s n e w s p a p e r s , a n d can enfold a hapless inspector or even a c o m m i s s i o n e r in a g r e a t b l a c k - h a t t e d s t i n k t h a t d o e s n ' t go a w a y u n t i l t h e w i t n e s s o r s u s p e c t is k i c k e d l o o s e o r t h e c h a r g e s a r e d r o p p e d . L a n d s m a n w o u l d n e e d t h e full w e i g h t o f t h e d e p a r t m e n t b e h i n d h i m , a n d at t h e v e r y least his skipper's approval, before he c o u l d i n v i t e L a p i d u s a n d F i s h k i n i n t o t h e h o t b o x of t h e h o m i c i d e modular.

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H e risks a glance at Berko, w h o risks a slight shake of t h e head. "Go,"

L a n d s m a n says.

L a p i d u s l u r c h e s t o his feet like a m a n d e f e a t e d b y his b o w e l s . T h e b u s i n e s s o f c o a t a n d g a l o s h e s is u n d e r t a k e n w i t h a s h o w o f b a t t e r e d dignity. H e r e t u r n s t h e iron lid of his h a t b y half-inches t o his h e a d , t h e w a y y o u ease d o w n a m a n h o l e cover. W i t h a g r i e v i n g eye,

he watches Fishkin sweep his unplayed m o r n i n g i n t o a h i n g e d

w o o d e n box. Side b y side, t h e black hats c o n d u c t t h e m s e l v e s a m o n g t h e tables, p a s t t h e o t h e r players, w h o look u p t o w a t c h t h e m go. J u s t b e f o r e t h e y r e a c h t h e d o o r s , t h e left l e g o f S a l t i e l L a p i d u s c o m e s u n s t r u n g a t i t s t u n i n g key. H e s a g s , g i v e s w a y , a n d r e a c h e s to steady himself w i t h a h a n d on t h e s h o u l d e r of his friend. T h e floor u n d e r h i s feet is b a r e a n d s m o o t h . A s far as L a n d s m a n c a n t e l l , t h e r e is n o t h i n g t o c a t c h t h e t o e . "I never saw such a sad Bobover," h e observes. "Jew was on t h e verge of t e a r s . " "You w a n t to push him again?" "Just an inch or t w o . " " T h a t ' s all y o u g e t w i t h t h e m a n y w a y , " B e r k o s a y s . T h e y h u r r y p a s t t h e patzers: a seedy violinist from t h e Sitka O d e o n ; a c h i r o p o d i s t , y o u see his p i c t u r e o n b u s b e n c h e s . B e r k o b u r s t s t h r o u g h t h e d o o r s after L a p i d u s a n d F i s h k i n .

Landsman

is a b o u t t o f o l l o w w h e n s o m e t h i n g w i s t f u l t u g s a t h i s m e m o r y , a whiff of s o m e b r a n d of aftershave t h a t n o b o d y w e a r s a n y m o r e , t h e jangling chorus of a song t h a t was m o d e r a t e l y p o p u l a r o n e A u g u s t twenty-five s u m m e r s ago. L a n d s m a n t u r n s to t h e table nearest t h e door. A n o l d m a n s i t s c l e n c h e d l i k e a fist a r o u n d a c h e s s b o a r d , f a c i n g an e m p t y chair. H e has t h e pieces set u p o n t h e i r o p e n i n g s q u a r e s a n d h a s d r a w n o r a s s i g n e d h i m s e l f W h i t e . W a i t i n g for h i s o p p o n e n t t o show. S h i n i n g s k u l l e d g e d w i t h t u f t s o f g r a y i s h h a i r l i k e p o c k e t l i n t . T h e l o w e r p a r t o f h i s face h i d d e n b y t h e c a n t o f h i s h e a d . Visible to L a n d s m a n are t h e hollows of his t e m p l e s , his halo of dandruff, t h e b o n y b r i d g e of his nose, t h e grooves o n his b r o w like

32

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a g r i d left i n r a w p i e c r u s t b y t h e t i n e s o f a f o r k . A n d t h e f u r i o u s h u n c h of his s h o u l d e r s , g r i p p i n g t h e p r o b l e m of t h e c h e s s b o a r d , p l a n n i n g his brilliant campaign. T h e y were broad shoulders at one t i m e , t h e shoulders of a hero or a m o v e r of pianos. " M r . L i t v a k , " L a n d s m a n says. L i t v a k selects his king's k n i g h t t h e w a y a p a i n t e r chooses a b r u s h . H i s h a n d s r e m a i n agile a n d ropy. H e d a u b s an arcing s t r o k e t o w a r d t h e c e n t e r of t h e b o a r d ; h e always favored t h e h y p e r m o d e r n s t y l e o f play. A t t h e s i g h t o f t h e R é t i O p e n i n g a n d L i t v a k ' s h a n d s , L a n d s m a n is f l o o d e d , a l m o s t k n o c k e d d o w n , b y t h e o l d d r e a d o f chess, b y t h e t e d i u m , t h e i r r i t a t i o n , t h e s h a m e of t h o s e days s p e n t b r e a k i n g his father's h e a r t over t h e c h e s s b o a r d s in t h e E i n s t e i n coffee s h o p . H e says l o u d e r , " A l t e r L i t v a k . " L i t v a k l o o k s u p , p u z z l e d a n d m y o p i c . H e w a s a m a n for a barrel-chested, a hunter, a

fisherman,

fistfight,

a soldier. W h e n h e r e a c h e d

for a c h e s s m a n , y o u s a w t h e flash o f t h e l i g h t n i n g b o l t o n h i s b i g gold A r m y R a n g e r ring. N o w he looks s h r u n k e n , depleted, t h e king i n t h e s t o r y r e d u c e d b y t h e c u r s e o f e t e r n a l life t o a c r i c k e t i n t h e a s h e s o f t h e h e a r t h . O n l y t h e v a u l t i n g n o s e r e m a i n s as t e s t a m e n t t o t h e f o r m e r g r a n d e u r o f h i s face. L o o k i n g a t t h e w r e c k a g e o f t h e m a n , L a n d s m a n t h i n k s t h a t if h i s f a t h e r h a d n o t t a k e n h i s o w n life, h e w o u l d i n all l i k e l i h o o d b e d e a d n e v e r t h e l e s s . Litvak makes an i m p a t i e n t or petitioning gesture w i t h

his

h a n d . H e takes from his b r e a s t p o c k e t a m a r b l e d black n o t e p a d and a fat f o u n t a i n p e n . H e w e a r s h i s b e a r d n e a t l y t r i m m e d , as ever. A h o u n d s t o o t h blazer, tasseled b o a t shoes, a display handkerchief, a scarf s t r u n g t h r o u g h his lapels. T h e m a n has n o t lost his s p o r t i n g air. I n t h e p l e a t s o f h i s t h r o a t is a s h i n i n g scar, a w h i t i s h c o m m a t i n g e d w i t h p i n k . As h e w r i t e s in t h e p a d w i t h his big W a t e r m a n , L i t v a k ' s b r e a t h c o m e s t h r o u g h his g r e a t fleshy n o s e in p a t i e n t g u s t s . T h e s c r a t c h o f t h e n i b is all t h a t r e m a i n s t o h i m for a v o i c e . H e p a s s e s t h e p a d t o L a n d s m a n . H i s s c r i p t is s t e a d y a n d clear. Do I know you

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His gaze sharpens, and he cocks his head to o n e side, sizing L a n d s m a n u p , r e a d i n g t h e w r i n k l e d s u i t , t h e p o r k p i e h a t , t h e face like H e r s h e l t h e dog's, k n o w i n g L a n d s m a n w i t h o u t

recognizing

him. H e takes back the p a d and a p p e n d s one w o r d to his question. Do I know you

Detective

" M e y e r L a n d s m a n , " L a n d s m a n says, h a n d i n g t h e old m a n a business card. " Y o u k n e w m y father. I u s e d t o c o m e h e r e w i t h h i m f r o m t i m e t o t i m e . B a c k w h e n t h e c l u b w a s i n t h e coffee s h o p . " T h e r e d - r i m m e d e y e s w i d e n . W o n d e r m i n g l e s w i t h h o r r o r as M r . L i t v a k i n t e n s i f i e s h i s s t u d y o f L a n d s m a n , s e a r c h i n g for s o m e p r o o f of this unlikely claim. H e t u r n s a p a g e in his p a d a n d p r o n o u n c e s his findings in t h e m a t t e r . Impossible No way Meyerle Landsman

could be such a lumpy old sack

of onions "Afraid s o , " L a n d s m a n says. What are you doing here terrible chess player " I was only a k i d , " L a n d s m a n says, horrified t o d e t e c t a c r e a k of self-pity in his t o n e . W h a t an awful p l a c e , w h a t w r e t c h e d m e n , what a cruel and pointless game. "Mr. Litvak, you d o n ' t h a p p e n to k n o w a m a n , I g a t h e r he plays here s o m e t i m e s , a J e w m a y b e t h e y call h i m F r a n k ? " Tes I know him has he done something

wrong

" H o w well d o y o u k n o w h i m ? " Not as well as I would like " D o you k n o w w h e r e he lives, Mr. Litvak? H a v e y o u seen h i m recently?" Months pis say you are not a homicide

det.

" A g a i n , " L a n d s m a n says, " I ' m afraid s o . " T h e o l d m a n b l i n k s . If h e is s h o c k e d o r s a d d e n e d b y

the

i n f e r e n c e , y o u c a n ' t r e a d i t a n y w h e r e i n h i s face o r b o d y l a n g u a g e . B u t t h e n a m a n n o t in c o n t r o l of his e m o t i o n s w o u l d n e v e r g e t v e r y far w i t h t h e R é t i O p e n i n g . M a y b e t h e r e is a h i n t o f s h a k i n e s s i n t h e w o r d h e w r i t e s n e x t in his p a d . Overdose?

94

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" G u n s h o t , " L a n d s m a n says. T h e d o o r to t h e club creaks o p e n , and a couple of patzers come in from t h e alley l o o k i n g g r a y a n d cold. A g a u n t scarecrow barely o u t of his teens, w i t h a t r i m m e d golden beard and a suit that's too s m a l l for h i m , a n d a s h o r t , c h u b b y m a n , d a r k a n d c u r l y - b e a r d e d , i n a s u i t t h a t ' s m u c h t o o l a r g e . T h e i r c r e w c u t s l o o k p a t c h y , as if self-inflicted, a n d t h e y w e a r m a t c h i n g black c r o c h e t e d y a r m u l k e s . T h e y h e s i t a t e a m o m e n t in t h e doorway, a b a s h e d , looking at Mr. L i t v a k as if t h e y e x p e c t t o b e s c o l d e d . T h e old m a n speaks t h e n , inhaling t h e w o r d s , his voice a dinosaurian

g h o s t . It's an awful

sound, a malfunction

of

the

w i n d p i p e . A m o m e n t after it fades, L a n d s m a n realizes t h a t he said, " M y grandnephews." L i t v a k waves t h e m in a n d passes L a n d s m a n ' s c a r d t o t h e c h u b b y one. " N i c e t o m e e t y o u , D e t e c t i v e , " t h e c h u b b y o n e says w i t h t h e h i n t of an a c c e n t , m a y b e A u s t r a l i a n . H e t a k e s t h e e m p t y chair, glances at t h e board, and s m a r t l y brings o u t his o w n king's knight. " S o r r y , U n c l e A l t e r . T h a t o n e w a s l a t e , as u s u a l . " T h e s k i n n y o n e h a n g s b a c k w i t h his h a n d on t h e o p e n d o o r of the club. " L a n d s m a n ! " B e r k o c a l l s f r o m t h e alley, w h e r e h e h a s F i s h k i n and Lapidus corralled beside the Dumpster. It appears to Landsman t h a t L a p i d u s is b a w l i n g l i k e a c h i l d . " W h a t t h e h e l l ? " " R i g h t t h e r e , " L a n d s m a n says. " I h a v e t o g o , M r . L i t v a k . " F o r an i n s t a n t he handles t h e b o n e s , h o r n , and leather of t h e old man's h a n d . " W h e r e c a n I r e a c h y o u if I n e e d t o t a l k t o y o u s o m e m o r e ? " L i t v a k w r i t e s o u t an a d d r e s s a n d t e a r s t h e leaf from his p a d . "Madagascar?" Landsman

says, r e a d i n g t h e n a m e of

u n i m a g i n a b l e s t r e e t in T a n a n a r i v e . " T h a t ' s a n e w o n e . " A t

some the

sight of t h a t faraway address, at t h e t h o u g h t of t h a t house on rue J e a n B a r t , L a n d s m a n feels a p r o f o u n d e b b i n h i s w i l l t o p u r s u e t h e m a t t e r o f t h e d e a d y i d i n 2 0 8 . W h a t d i f f e r e n c e w i l l i t m a k e if h e c a t c h e s t h e killer? A y e a r from now, J e w s will b e Africans, a n d t h i s

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o l d b a l l r o o m w i l l b e filled w i t h t e a - d a n c i n g g e n t i l e s , a n d e v e r y c a s e t h a t ever was o p e n e d or closed b y a Sitka p o l i c e m a n will have b e e n filed i n c a b i n e t n i n e . " W h e n a r e y o u l e a v i n g ? " "Next

week,"

says

the

chubby

great-nephew,

sounding

doubtful. T h e old m a n e m i t s a n o t h e r horrible reptilian croak, one t h a t n o b o d y u n d e r s t a n d s . H e w r i t e s , t h e n slides t h e n o t e p a d across t o his g r e a t - n e p h e w . " ' M a n makes p l a n s , ' " the kid reads. " ' A n d G o d l a u g h s . ' "

5

•§11 û*

S

ometimes when the younger black hats are caught by

the

police, they t u r n h a u g h t y and angry and d e m a n d their rights as A m e r i c a n s u b j e c t s . A n d s o m e t i m e s t h e y b r e a k d o w n a n d

cry. M e n t e n d t o c r y , i n L a n d s m a n ' s e x p e r i e n c e , w h e n t h e y h a v e b e e n l i v i n g for a l o n g t i m e w i t h a s e n s e o f T i g h t n e s s a n d safety,

a n d t h e n t h e y r e a l i z e t h a t all a l o n g , j u s t u n d e r t h e i r b o o t s , l a y t h e a b y s s . T h a t is p a r t o f t h e p o l i c e m a n ' s j o b , t o j e r k b a c k t h e p r e t t y c a r p e t t h a t covers over t h e d e e p j a g g e d h o l e in t h e

floor.

L a n d s m a n w o n d e r s if t h a t ' s h o w i t is w i t h S a l t i e l L a p i d u s . T e a r s s t r e a m d o w n his c h e e k s . A g l i n t i n g t h r e a d of m u c u s d a n g l e s from his r i g h t nostril. " M r . L a p i d u s is f e e l i n g a l i t t l e s a d , " B e r k o says. " B u t h e w o n ' t say w h y . " L a n d s m a n feels a r o u n d i n t h e p o c k e t o f h i s o v e r c o a t for a p a c k a g e o f K l e e n e x a n d finds o n e m i r a c u l o u s s h e e t . L a p i d u s h e s i t a t e s , t h e n t a k e s it a n d b l o w s his n o s e w i t h feeling. " I s w e a r t o y o u , I d i d n ' t k n o w t h e m a n , " L a p i d u s says. " I d o n ' t k n o w w h e r e he lived, w h o he was. I don't k n o w anything. I s w e a r o n m y life. W e p l a y e d c h e s s a f e w t i m e s . H e won."

always

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" Y o u ' r e j u s t g r i e v i n g for t h e s a k e o f h u m a n i t y , t h e n , " L a n d s m a n says, t r y i n g t o k e e p t h e s a r c a s m o u t o f h i s t o n e . " E x a c t l y r i g h t , " L a p i d u s says, a n d t h e n h e balls t h e t i s s u e in his fist a n d t o s s e s t h a t c r u m p l e d f l o w e r i n t o t h e g u t t e r . " A r e y o u g o i n g t o t a k e u s i n ? " F i s h k i n d e m a n d s . " B e c a u s e if y o u are,

t h e n I w a n t t o call a l a w y e r . A n d if y o u ' r e n o t , t h e n y o u h a v e

to let us g o . " "A b l a c k - h a t l a w y e r , " B e r k o s a y s , a n d i t ' s a k i n d o f m o a n o r p l e a d i r e c t e d t o w a r d L a n d s m a n . " W o e is m e . " " G e t g o i n g , t h e n , " L a n d s m a n says. B e r k o g i v e s t h e m a n o d . T h e t w o m e n c r u n c h off t h r o u g h t h e filthy "So,

s l u s h o f t h e alley. n u , I ' m i r r i t a t e d , " B e r k o says. " I a d m i t t h i s o n e is s t a r t i n g

to irritate me." L a n d s m a n n o d s a n d s c r a t c h e s at t h e s t u b b l e of his c h i n in a w a y t h a t is m e a n t t o s i g n i f y d e e p r a t i o c i n a t i o n , b u t h i s h e a r t a n d t h o u g h t s are h u n g u p in t h e m e m o r y of chess g a m e s t h a t h e lost t o m e n w h o were already old t h i r t y years ago. " D i d y o u s e e t h a t o l d g u y i n t h e r e ? " h e says. " B y t h e d o o r . A l t e r L i t v a k . B e e n h a n g i n g a r o u n d t h e E i n s t e i n for y e a r s . U s e d t o p l a y m y father. Your father, t o o . " " I ' v e h e a r d t h e n a m e . " B e r k o l o o k s b a c k a t t h e s t e e l fire d o o r t h a t is t h e E i n s t e i n C l u b ' s g r a n d e n t r a n c e . " W a r h e r o . C u b a . " " T h e m a n has no voice, he has to w r i t e e v e r y t h i n g d o w n . I a s k e d h i m w h e r e I c o u l d find h i m if I n e e d e d t o t a l k t o h i m , a n d h e w r o t e that he was going to Madagascar." "That's a new one." "That's what I said." "Did he know our Frank?" " N o t well, he said." " N o b o d y k n e w o u r F r a n k , " B e r k o says. " B u t e v e r y b o d y is v e r y s a d t h a t h e d i e d . " H e b u t t o n s h i s c o a t o v e r h i s belly, t u r n s u p h i s c o l l a r , s e t t l e s h i s h a t m o r e firmly o n h i s h e a d . " E v e n y o u . "

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" F u c k y o u , " L a n d s m a n says. " T h e y i d w a s n o t h i n g t o m e . " " M a y b e h e was a Russian? T h a t m i g h t explain t h e chess. A n d y o u r p a l V a s s i l y ' s b e h a v i o r . M a y b e L e b e d o r M o s k o w i t s is b e h i n d the hit." "If he's Russian, it d o e s n ' t explain w h a t t h e t w o black hats w e r e so a f r a i d of," L a n d s m a n says. " T h o s e t w o d o n ' t k n o w from M o s k o w i t s . R u s s i a n s h t a r k e r s , a g a n g l a n d h i t , it j u s t d o e s n ' t m e a n t h a t m u c h t o y o u r average Bobover." H e gives his chin a n o t h e r few p u l l s a n d t h e n m a k e s u p his m i n d . H e looks u p at t h e s t r i p of r a d i a n t g r a y sky t h a t s t r e t c h e s a l o n g t h e t o p of t h e n a r r o w a l l e y b e h i n d t h e H o t e l E i n s t e i n . " I w o n d e r w h a t t i m e s u n s e t is tonight." " W h y ? We're going to poke a stick into the Harkavy, Meyer? I d o n ' t t h i n k B i n a w i l l c a r e m u c h for t h a t , w e s t a r t s t i r r i n g u p t h e black hats down there." "You d o n ' t , e h ? " L a n d s m a n smiles. H e takes t h e valet ticket from his p o c k e t . " T h e n w e ' d b e t t e r steer clear of t h e H a r k a v y . " " U h - o h . You have t h a t s m i l e . " "You d o n ' t like this smile?" " O n l y I ' v e n o t i c e d w h a t c o m e s a f t e r is u s u a l l y a q u e s t i o n t h a t you plan to answer yourself." " H o w a b o u t t h i s o n e . W h a t k i n d of a y i d , Berko, tell m e this, w h a t k i n d of a y i d can m a k e a p r i s o n - h a r d Russian sociopath w a n t t o c r a p in his p a n t s , a n d b r i n g tears t o t h e eyes of t h e m o s t pious black h a t in S i t k a ? " " I k n o w y o u w a n t m e t o say a V e r b o v e r , " B e r k o says. After B e r k o p a s s e d o u t of t h e a c a d e m y , his first b i l l e t w a s t h e Fifth Precinct, the Harkavy, where the Verbovers landed, along with m o s t of t h e i r fellow black h a t s , after t h e 1948 arrival of t h e n i n t h Verbover r e b b e , father-in-law of t h e p r e s e n t model, w i t h

the

pitiful r e m n a n t of his c o u r t . It was a classic g h e t t o a s s i g n m e n t , trying to help and protect people who disdain and despise you a n d t h e a u t h o r i t y y o u r e p r e s e n t . I t e n d e d w h e n t h e y o u n g half-

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I n d i a n l a t k e t o o k a b u l l e t in t h e s h o u l d e r , t w o i n c h e s from his h e a r t , in t h e S h a v u o s M a s s a c r e a t G o l d b l a t t ' s D a i r y R e s t a u r a n t . " I k n o w t h a t ' s w h o y o u w a n t m e t o say." T h i s is h o w B e r k o o n c e e x p l a i n e d t o L a n d s m a n t h e s a c r e d g a n g k n o w n as t h e C h a s i d s o f V e r b o v : T h e y s t a r t e d o u t , b a c k i n t h e U k r a i n e , b l a c k h a t s l i k e all t h e o t h e r b l a c k h a t s , s c o r n i n g

and

k e e p i n g t h e i r d i s t a n c e from t h e t r a s h a n d h o o - h a h of t h e secular world, inside their i m a g i n a r y g h e t t o wall of ritual and faith. T h e n t h e e n t i r e s e c t w a s b u r n e d i n t h e fires o f t h e D e s t r u c t i o n , d o w n t o a hard, dense core of s o m e t h i n g blacker t h a n any hat. W h a t was left o f t h e n i n t h V e r b o v e r r e b b e e m e r g e d f r o m t h o s e

fires

with

e l e v e n d i s c i p l e s a n d , a m o n g h i s family, o n l y t h e s i x t h o f h i s e i g h t d a u g h t e r s . H e rose i n t o t h e air like a c h a r r e d s c r a p of p a p e r a n d blew to this narrow strip between the Baranof M o u n t a i n s and the end of t h e world. A n d here he found a w a y to r e m a k e t h e old-style black-hat d e t a c h m e n t . H e carried its logic t o its logical e n d , t h e w a y evil g e n i u s e s d o in c h e a p novels. H e b u i l t a c r i m i n a l e m p i r e that profited on the meaningless t o h u b o h u b e y o n d the theoretical w a l l s , o n b e i n g s so f l a w e d , c o r r u p t e d , a n d h o p e l e s s o f r e d e m p t i o n t h a t only cosmic c o u r t e s y led t h e Verbovers even t o consider t h e m h u m a n a t all. "I had t h e same t h o u g h t , of c o u r s e , " Berko confesses. " W h i c h I i m m e d i a t e l y s u p p r e s s e d . " H e c l a p s h i s b i g h a n d s o v e r h i s face a n d l e a v e s t h e m t h e r e for a m o m e n t b e f o r e d r a g g i n g t h e m s l o w l y d o w n , pulling at his cheeks until t h e y s t r e t c h p a s t his chin like t h e j o w l flaps o f a b u l l d o g . " W o e is m e , M e y e r , y o u w a n t u s t o g o o u t to Verbov Island?" " F u c k , n o , " L a n d s m a n says i n A m e r i c a n . " T r u t h , B e r k o . I h a t e t h a t p l a c e . If w e h a v e t o g o t o a n i s l a n d , I ' d m u c h r a t h e r g o t o Madagascar." T h e y s t a n d t h e r e in t h e alley b e h i n d t h e E i n s t e i n ,

thinking

t h r o u g h t h e n u m e r o u s a r g u m e n t s a g a i n s t a n d t h e few t h a t c a n b e m a d e i n favor o f p i s s i n g off t h e m o s t p o w e r f u l

underworld

MICHAEL

CHABON

characters n o r t h of t h e 55th parallel. T h e y a t t e m p t to generate a l t e r n a t e e x p l a n a t i o n s for t h e s q u i r r e l l y b e h a v i o r o f t h e p a t z e r s in the Einstein. " W e ' d b e t t e r s e e I t z i k Z i m b a l i s t , " B e r k o says finally. " A n y b o d y e l s e o u t t h e r e , i t ' s g o i n g t o b e as u s e f u l as t a l k i n g t o a d o g . A n d a dog already broke m y heart once today."

• 3 ) 12

T

h e s t r e e t g r i d h e r e o n t h e i s l a n d is s t i l l S i t k a ' s , r u l e d

and

n u m b e r e d , b u t a p a r t from t h a t , y o u are g o n e , s w e e t n e s s : starshot, t e l e p o r t e d , s p u n clear t h r o u g h t h e w o r m h o l e to t h e p l a n e t

of t h e Jews. Friday afternoon on Verbov Island, a n d L a n d s m a n ' s Chevelle S u p e r S p o r t surfs t h e w a v e of black h a t s a l o n g A v e n u e 2 2 5 . T h e h a t s i n q u e s t i o n a r e felt n u m b e r s , w i t h h i g h , d e n t e d c r o w n s a n d m i l e - w i d e b r i m s , t h e k i n d favored b y overseers in p l a n t a t i o n melodramas. T h e w o m e n sport head scarves and glossy wigs s p u n from t h e h a i r o f t h e p o o r J e w e s s e s o f M o r o c c o a n d M e s o p o t a m i a .

T h e i r coats a n d long dresses are t h e finest rags of Paris a n d N e w Y o r k , t h e i r s h o e s t h e flower o f Italy. B o y s c a r e e n d o w n t h e s i d e w a l k s on in-line roller skates in a slipstream of scarves a n d sidelocks, flashing

t h e o r a n g e linings of t h e i r u n z i p p e d parkas. Girls h o b b l e d

b y long skirts go a l o n g b r a i d e d a r m in a r m , r a u c o u s c h a i n s of V e r b o v e r girls v e h e m e n t a n d c l a n n i s h as s c h o o l s o f p h i l o s o p h y . T h e s k y h a s t u r n e d steely, t h e w i n d h a s d i e d , a n d t h e a i r c r a c k l e s w i t h t h e a l c h e m y of c h i l d r e n a n d t h e p r o m i s e of snow. " L o o k at t h i s p l a c e , " L a n d s m a n says. " I t ' s h o p p i n g . " " N o t one e m p t y storefront." "And m o r e of these no-good yids t h a n ever."

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L a n d s m a n s t o p s for a r e d a t N W T w e n t y - e i g h t h S t r e e t . O u t s i d e a c o r n e r s t o r e , b y a s t u d y hall, T o r a h bachelors loiter, S c r i p t u r e grifters, u n m a t c h a b l e luftmensches and garden-variety hoodlums. W h e n t h e y n o t i c e L a n d s m a n ' s car, w i t h i t s r e e k o f p l a i n c l o t h e s m a n h u b r i s a n d i t s i n f l a m m a t o r y d o u b l e - S o n t h e g r i l l e , t h e y l e a v e off yelling at o n e a n o t h e r a n d give L a n d s m a n t h e Bessarabian

fish-eye.

H e is o n t h e i r turf. H e g o e s c l e a n - s h a v e n a n d d o e s n o t

tremble

b e f o r e G o d . H e is n o t a V e r b o v e r J e w a n d t h e r e f o r e is n o t r e a l l y a J e w a t a l l . A n d if h e is n o t a J e w , t h e n h e is n o t h i n g . " L o o k a t t h o s e a s s h o l e s l o o k i n g , " L a n d s m a n says. " I d o n ' t l i k e it." "Meyer." T h e t r u t h is, b l a c k - h a t J e w s m a k e L a n d s m a n angry, a n d t h e y a l w a y s h a v e . H e finds t h a t i t is a p l e a s u r a b l e a n g e r , r i c h w i t h l a y e r s of envy, c o n d e s c e n s i o n , r e s e n t m e n t , a n d pity. H e p u t s t h e car in gear a n d shoves open his door. "Meyer. N o . " L a n d s m a n steps a r o u n d t h e open door of t h e Super

Sport.

H e feels t h e w o m e n w a t c h i n g . H e s m e l l s t h e s u d d e n fear o n t h e b r e a t h of t h e m e n a r o u n d h i m , like caries of t h e t e e t h . H e hears t h e l a u g h t e r of t h e c h i c k e n s t h a t have n o t y e t m e t t h e i r fates, t h e h u m of t h e air c o m p r e s s o r s k e e p i n g t h e c a r p alive in t h e i r t a n k s . H e ' s g l o w i n g l i k e a n e e d l e t h a t y o u h e a t t o kill a t i c k . "So,

n u , " h e says t o t h e y i d s o n t h e corner. " W h i c h o n e of y o u

buffaloes w a n t s a r i d e in m y s w e e t n o z m o b i l e ? " A yid steps forward, a fair-skinned slab, low a n d wide, w i t h a l u m p y forehead a n d a forked yellow beard. "I suggest you r e t u r n to y o u r v e h i c l e , O f f i c e r , " h e says softly, r e a s o n a b l y . " A n d g o o n w h e r e you're going." L a n d s m a n g r i n s . " I s t h a t w h a t y o u s u g g e s t ? " h e says. T h e o t h e r s t r e e t - c o r n e r m e n s t e p f o r w a r d n o w , filling i n t h e s p a c e all a r o u n d

the bruiser with

the lightning beard.

m u s t b e t w e n t y of t h e m , m o r e t h a n L a n d s m a n believed at L a n d s m a n ' s g l o w g u t t e r s , flickers l i k e a l i g h t b u l b g o i n g b a d .

There first.

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" I ' l l p u t i t a n o t h e r w a y , " says t h e b l o n d b r u i s e r , a b u l g e a t h i s h i p d r a w i n g t h e a t t e n t i o n o f h i s fingers. " G e t b a c k i n t h e c a r . " L a n d s m a n pulls at his chin. M a d n e s s , he thinks. C h a s i n g a t h e o r e t i c a l l e a d i n a n o n e x i s t e n t c a s e , y o u l o s e y o u r t e m p e r for no reason. T h e next t h i n g you know, you have caused an incident a m o n g a b r a n c h of black h a t s w i t h c l o u t , money, a n d a s t o c k p i l e of M a n c h u r i a n a n d s u r p l u s R u s s i a n

firearms

recently

estimated

by police intelligence, in a confidential r e p o r t , t o b e a d e q u a t e t o t h e needs of a guerrilla i n s u r g e n c y in a small C e n t r a l A m e r i c a n republic. M a d n e s s , t h e reliable m a d n e s s of L a n d s m a n . " H o w about you c o m e over here a n d m a k e m e ? " L a n d s m a n says. T h a t ' s w h e n Berko opens his door a n d displays his ancestral B e a r b u l k in t h e s t r e e t . H i s profile is r e g a l , w o r t h y o f a c o i n o r a carved m o u n t a i n s i d e . A n d h e carries in his r i g h t h a n d t h e u n c a n n i e s t h a m m e r a n y J e w o r g e n t i l e is e v e r l i k e l y t o see. I t ' s a r e p l i c a o f t h e o n e t h a t C h i e f K a t l i a n is r e p o r t e d t o h a v e s w u n g d u r i n g t h e R u s s i a n T l i n g i t w a r o f 1 8 0 4 , w h i c h t h e R u s s i a n s l o s t . B e r k o f a s h i o n e d i t for t h e p u r p o s e of i n t i m i d a t i n g yids w h e n h e was t h i r t e e n a n d n e w t o t h e i r l a b y r i n t h , a n d i t h a s n o t failed i t s p u r p o s e y e t , w h i c h is w h y B e r k o k e e p s it i n t h e b a c k s e a t o f L a n d s m a n ' s car. T h e h e a d is a t h i r t y - f i v e - p o u n d block of m e t e o r i t e iron t h a t H e r t z S h e m e t s d u g u p a t a n o l d R u s s i a n s i t e n e a r Yakovy. T h e h a n d l e w a s c a r v e d w i t h a Sears h u n t i n g k n i f e from a f o r t y - o u n c e b a s e b a l l b a t . I n t e r l o c k i n g b l a c k r a v e n s a n d r e d sea m o n s t e r s w r i t h e a l o n g t h e s h a f t , g r i n n i n g big-toothed grins. T h e i r p i g m e n t a t i o n used u p fourteen Flair pens. A pair of raven feathers dangles on a leather t h o n g from t h e t o p of t h e shaft. T h i s d e t a i l m a y n o t b e h i s t o r i c a l l y a c c u r a t e , b u t i t w o r k s o n t h e y i d d i s h m i n d t o s a v a g e effect, s a y i n g : Indianer. T h e w o r d gets h a n d e d u p and d o w n t h e stalls a n d storefronts. S i t k a J e w s r a r e l y see or s p e a k t o I n d i a n s , e x c e p t in federal c o u r t or in t h e small J e w i s h t o w n s a l o n g t h e L i n e . It t a k e s v e r y l i t t l e i m a g i n a t i o n for t h e s e V e r b o v e r s t o p i c t u r e B e r k o a n d h i s h a m m e r

ID4

MICHAEL

CHABON

e n g a g e d in t h e w h o l e s a l e s p a t t e r i n g of paleface b r a i n p a n s . T h e n t h e y c a t c h s i g h t o f B e r k o ' s y a r m u l k e , a n d a f l u t t e r o f fine w h i t e f r i n g e a t h i s w a i s t f r o m h i s r i t u a l f o u r - c o r n e r , a n d y o u c a n feel all t h a t g i d d y x e n o p h o b i a d r a i n off t h e c r o w d , l e a v i n g a r e s i d u e o f r a c i s t v e r t i g o . T h a t ' s h o w i t g o e s for B e r k o S h e m e t s i n t h e D i s t r i c t of Sitka w h e n h e b r e a k s o u t t h e h a m m e r a n d goes Indian. Fifty years of m o v i e scalpings a n d w h i s t l i n g arrows and b u r n i n g C o n e s t o g a s h a v e t h e i r effect o n p e o p l e ' s m i n d s . A n d t h e n s h e e r incongruity does the rest. " B e r k o S h e m e t s , " says t h e m a n w i t h t h e f o r k e d b e a r d , b l i n k i n g , as b i g s l o w f e a t h e r s o f s n o w b e g i n t o fall o n h i s s h o u l d e r s a n d h a t . "What's up, yid?" " D o v i d S u s s m a n , " Berko says, l o w e r i n g t h e h a m m e r . " I t h o u g h t it was y o u . " O n t o h i s c o u s i n h e t r a i n s h i s b i g m i n o t a u r e y e s full o f l o n g suffering a n d r e p r o a c h . It was n o t Berko's idea to c o m e to Verbov Island. I t w a s n o t Berko's idea t o p u r s u e t h e Lasker case after t h e y h a d b e e n t o l d t o l a y off. I t w a s n o t B e r k o ' s i d e a t o flee in s h a m e t o a cheap U n t e r s h t a t flophouse where mystery junkies get capped by t h e goddess of chess. "A s w e e t S a b b a t h t o y o u , S u s s m a n , " B e r k o s a y s , t o s s i n g t h e h a m m e r i n t o t h e b a c k o f L a n d s m a n ' s car. W h e n i t h i t s t h e floor, t h e springs inside t h e b u c k e t seats r i n g like bells. "A s w e e t S a b b a t h t o y o u , t o o , D e t e c t i v e , " S u s s m a n says. T h e o t h e r yids echo t h e greeting, a bit unsure. T h e n they t u r n away a n d r e s u m e t h e i r b a c k - a n d - f o r t h o v e r a fine p o i n t o f p o t k o s h e r i n g or V I N erasure. W h e n t h e y g e t i n t h e car, B e r k o s l a m s t h e d o o r a n d s a y s , " I hate doing that." T h e y d r i v e d o w n A v e n u e 2 2 5 , a n d e v e r y face t u r n s t o l o o k a t t h e I n d i a n J e w in t h e b l u e C h e v r o l e t . " S o m u c h for a s k i n g a f e w d i s c r e e t q u e s t i o n s , " B e r k o says b i t t e r l y . " O n e day, M e y e r , so h e l p m e , I ' m g o i n g t o u s e m y h e a d knocker on y o u . "

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" M a y b e y o u s h o u l d , " L a n d s m a n says. " M a y b e I w o u l d w e l c o m e i t as t h e r a p y . " T h e y crawl west on Avenue 225 t o w a r d t h e s h o p of Zimbalist. C o u r t s and cul-de-sacs, single-family

Itzik

neo-Ukrainians

and condominium units, steep-roofed clapboard structures painted somber colors and built right o u t to t h e p r o p e r t y

lines.

The

h o u s e s j o s t l e a n d s h o u l d e r o n e a n o t h e r t h e w a y b l a c k h a t s d o in synagogue. " N o t a s i n g l e for-sale s i g n , " L a n d s m a n o b s e r v e s . " L a u n d r y o n e v e r y line. All t h e o t h e r sects h a v e b e e n p a c k i n g u p t h e T o r a h s and the hatboxes. T h e Harkavy's half a ghost t o w n . But n o t t h e Verbovers. Either they're totally oblivious to Reversion, or t h e y know something we don't." " T h e y ' r e V e r b o v e r s , " B e r k o says. " W h i c h w a y w o u l d y o u b e t ? " "You're

saying the rebbe p u t

everyone." Landsman

t h e fix i n . G r e e n

cards

for

considers this possibility. H e k n o w s ,

of

course, t h a t a criminal o r g a n i z a t i o n like t h e Verbover r i n g c a n ' t flourish w i t h o u t t h e r e a d y services of b a g m e n a n d s e c r e t l o b b y i s t s , w i t h o u t regular applications of grease a n d b o d y English to t h e works of g o v e r n m e n t . T h e Verbovers, w i t h their T a l m u d i c g r a s p o f s y s t e m s , t h e i r d e e p p o c k e t s , a n d t h e i m p e n e t r a b l e face

they

present to the outer world have broken or rigged m a n y mechanisms o f c o n t r o l . B u t t o h a v e f i g u r e d a w a y t o gaff t h e e n t i r e I N S l i k e a Coke machine with a dollar on a string? " N o b o d y h a s t h a t m u c h w e i g h t , " L a n d s m a n says. " N o t e v e n the Verbover r e b b e . " B e r k o d u c k s h i s h e a d a n d g i v e s h i s s h o u l d e r s a h a l f - s h r u g , as if h e d o e s n ' t w a n t t o s a y a n y t h i n g m o r e l e s t t e r r i b l e f o r c e s unleashed, scourges and plagues and holy tornadoes. " J u s t b e c a u s e y o u d o n ' t b e l i e v e i n m i r a c l e s , " h e says.

be

Z

imbalist, t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n , t h a t learned old fart,

he's

r e a d y w h e n a r u m o r of I n d i a n s in a b l u e h u n k of M i c h i g a n m u s c l e c o m e s r u m b l i n g u p t o his front door. Zimbalist's s h o p

is a s t o n e b u i l d i n g w i t h a z i n c r o o f a n d b i g d o o r s o n r o l l e r s , a t t h e wide e n d of a cobbled platz. T h e platz starts n a r r o w at one end and b r o a d e n s o u t l i k e t h e n o s e o f a c a r t o o n Jew. H a l f a d o z e n c r o o k e d lanes t u m b l e i n t o it, following p a t h s

first

laid d o w n b y

long-

vanished Ukrainian goats or aurochs, past housefronts that are faithful copies of lost U k r a i n i a n originals. A D i s n e y s h t e t l , b r i g h t a n d c l e a n as a f r e s h l y f o r g e d b i r t h c e r t i f i c a t e . A n a r t f u l j u m b l e o f m u d - b r o w n and mustard-yellow houses, wood and plaster with t h a t c h e d roofs. A c r o s s from Z i m b a l i s t ' s s h o p , at t h e n a r r o w e n d of t h e p l a t z , s t a n d s t h e h o u s e of H e s k e l S h p i l m a n , t e n t h in t h e d y n a s t i c line from t h e original r e b b e of Verbov, h i m s e l f a famous w o r k e r of m i r a c l e s . T h r e e n e a t w h i t e c u b e s of s p o t l e s s s t u c c o , w i t h m a n s a r d roofs of b l u e slate tile a n d tall w i n d o w s , s h u t t e r e d a n d narrow. A n e x a c t c o p y of t h e original h o m e , b a c k in Verbov, of t h e p r e s e n t r e b b e ' s wife's g r a n d f a t h e r , t h e e i g h t h Verbover r e b b e , r i g h t d o w n t o t h e n i c k e l - p l a t e d b a t h t u b in t h e u p s t a i r s w a s h r o o m . Even before t h e y t u r n e d to m o n e y laundering, smuggling, and

graft,

Verbover r e b b e s d i s t i n g u i s h e d t h e m s e l v e s from t h e c o m p e t i t i o n b y

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

ID7

t h e splendor of their waistcoats, t h e F r e n c h silver on their S a b b a t h t a b l e , t h e soft I t a l i a n b o o t s o n t h e i r f e e t . T h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n is s m a l l , frail, s l o p e - s h o u l d e r e d , c a l l h i m seventy-five b u t looking t e n years older. P a t c h y c i n d e r - g r a y hair w o r n too long, sunken d a r k eyes, and pale skin t i n g e d yellow like a c e l e r y h e a r t . H e w e a r s a z i p c a r d i g a n w i t h c o l l a r flaps a n d a p a i r o f o l d p l a s t i c s a n d a l s , n a v y b l u e , o v e r w h i t e s o c k s w i t h a h o l e for t h e left b i g t o e a n d i t s h o r n . H i s h e r r i n g b o n e t r o u s e r s a r e s t a i n e d w i t h egg yolk, acid, tar, e p o x y

fixative,

sealing wax, green paint,

m a s t o d o n b l o o d . T h e m a v e n ' s face is b o n y , m o s t l y n o s e a n d c h i n , e v o l v e d for n o t i c i n g , p r o b i n g , c u t t i n g s t r a i g h t t o g a p s , b r e a c h e s , a n d l a p s e s . H i s full a s h y b e a r d f l u t t e r s i n t h e w i n d l i k e b i r d fluff c a u g h t on a b a r b e d - w i r e fence. In a h u n d r e d years of h e l p l e s s n e s s , t h i s w o u l d b e t h e l a s t face t h a t L a n d s m a n w o u l d e v e r t u r n t o h o p i n g for a i d o r i n f o r m a t i o n , b u t B e r k o k n o w s m o r e a b o u t b l a c k - h a t life t h a n L a n d s m a n ever will. S t a n d i n g n e x t t o Z i m b a l i s t , in front of t h e a r c h e d s t o n e d o o r of t h e shop, a beardless y o u n g b a c h e l o r h o l d s an u m b r e l l a t o k e e p t h e s n o w off t h e o l d f a r t ' s h e a d . T h e b l a c k c a k e o f t h e k i d ' s h a t is already d u s t e d w i t h a q u a r t e r inch of frosting. Z i m b a l i s t gives h i m t h e a t t e n t i o n y o u give a t r e e in a p o t . " Y o u ' r e f a t t e r t h a n e v e r , " h e says b y w a y o f g r e e t i n g as B e r k o swaggers toward him, some ghost of the weight of t h e war h a m m e r l i n g e r i n g i n h i s g a i t . " B i g as a s o f a . " "Professor

Zimbalist,"

Berko

says, s w i n g i n g

that

invisible

m a l l e t . " Y o u l o o k l i k e s o m e t h i n g t h a t fell o u t o f a u s e d v a c u u m cleaner bag." " E i g h t years you d o n ' t b o t h e r m e . " "Yeah, I t h o u g h t I'd give y o u a b r e a k . " " T h a t ' s nice. T o o b a d e v e r y o t h e r J e w in t h i s a c c u r s e d p o t a t o p a r i n g o f a D i s t r i c t k e p t r i g h t o n b a n g i n g m e a k e t t l e all d a y l o n g . " H e t u r n s to the bachelor with t h e umbrella. "Tea. Glasses. J a m . " T h e bachelor m u r m u r s an Aramaic allusion to abject obedience q u o t e d f r o m t h e Tractate on the Hierarchy of Dogs, Cats, and Mice, o p e n s

108

MICHAEL

CHABON

t h e d o o r for t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n , a n d t h e y g o i n . I t ' s o n e v a s t , echoing room, divided by theory into a garage, a workshop, and a n office t h a t ' s l i n e d w i t h s t e e l m a p c a b i n e t s , f r a m e d t e s t i m o n i a l s , a n d all t h e b l a c k - s p i n e d v o l u m e s o f t h e e n d l e s s , b o t t o m l e s s Law. T h e b i g rolling d o o r s are t h e r e t o let t h e v a n s go in a n d o u t . T h r e e v a n s , j u d g i n g f r o m t h e t r e y o f oil s t a i n s o n t h e s m o o t h c e m e n t floor. Landsman gets p a i d — a n d lives—to notice what normal people miss, b u t it seems to h i m t h a t until he walked into Zimbalist the b o u n d a r y maven's shop, he hasn't given enough a t t e n t i o n to string. String, twine, rope, cord, tape,

filament,

lanyard, hawser, and cable;

p o l y p r o p y l e n e , h e m p , r u b b e r , r u b b e r i z e d c o p p e r , Kevlar, steel, silk, flax, b r a i d e d v e l v e t . T h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n h a s v a s t s t r e t c h e s o f t h e T a l m u d b y h e a r t . T o p o g r a p h y , geography, geodesy, geometry, t r i g o n o m e t r y , t h e y ' r e a reflex, like s i g h t i n g a l o n g t h e b a r r e l of a g u n . B u t t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n lives a n d d i e s b y t h e q u a l i t y o f h i s s t r i n g . M o s t of i t — y o u can m e a s u r e it in m i l e s , or in v e r s h t s , or in h a n d s , like a b o u n d a r y m a v e n — i s coiled n e a t l y on spools h u n g from t h e wall or s t a c k e d neatly, b y size, on m e t a l spindles. B u t a l o t o f i t is h e a p e d h e r e a n d t h e r e i n c r a z e s a n d t a n g l e s . B r a m b l e s , hair c o m b i n g s , h u g e t h o r n y elf k n o t s of s t r i n g a n d wire, blowing a r o u n d t h e s h o p like t u m b l e w e e d s . " T h i s is m y p a r t n e r , P r o f e s s o r , D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n , " B e r k o says. " Y o u w a n t s o m e b o d y t o b a n g y o u a k e t t l e , l e t m e t e l l y o u . " "A p a i n i n t h e a s s l i k e y o u ? " "Don't get me started." L a n d s m a n and t h e professor shake hands. " I k n o w t h i s o n e , " t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n says, c o m i n g in close t o g e t a b e t t e r l o o k a t L a n d s m a n , g i v i n g h i m t h e s q u i n t - e y e as if h e ' s one of the maven's ten t h o u s a n d b o u n d a r y maps. " T h a t caught the maniac Podolsky. T h a t sent H y m a n T s h a r n y to p r i s o n . " L a n d s m a n s t i f f e n s a n d s h a k e s o u t t h e foil s h e e t o f h i s b l a s t s h i e l d , r e a d y for a n e a r f u l . H y m a n T s h a r n y , a V e r b o v e r

dollar

w a s h e r w i t h a s t r i n g of video stores, hired t w o Filipino s h l o s s e r s —

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNION

IDS

contract killers—to help him c e m e n t a tricky business deal. But L a n d s m a n ' s b e s t i n f o r m e r is B e n i t o T a g a n e s , t h e

Filipino-style

Chinese d o n u t king. Benito's information led L a n d s m a n t o

the

r o a d h o u s e b y t h e airfield w h e r e t h e h a p l e s s s h l o s s e r s w e r e w a i t i n g for a p l a n e , a n d t h e i r t e s t i m o n y p u t T s h a r n y a w a y , d e s p i t e t h e b e s t efforts o f t h e t h i c k e s t c o u r t r o o m k e v l a r t h a t V e r b o v e r m o n e y c o u l d b u y . H y m a n T s h a r n y is s t i l l t h e o n l y V e r b o v e r e v e r t o b e c o n v i c t e d a n d s e n t e n c e d on c r i m i n a l c h a r g e s in t h e D i s t r i c t . " L o o k a t h i m . " Z i m b a l i s t ' s face b r e a k s o p e n a t t h e

bottom.

H i s t e e t h are like t h e pipes of an o r g a n m a d e of b o n e s . H i s laugh s o u n d s like a h a n d f u l of r u s t y forks a n d nail h e a d s c l a t t e r i n g o n t h e ground. " H e t h i n k s I give a shit a b o u t t h e s e people, m a y their loins b e as w i t h e r e d as t h e i r s o u l s . " T h e m a v e n s t o p s l a u g h i n g . " W h a t , you t h o u g h t I was one of t h e m ? " I t feels l i k e t h e d e a d l i e s t q u e s t i o n L a n d s m a n h a s e v e r

been

a s k e d . " N o , P r o f e s s o r , " h e says. L a n d s m a n a l s o h a d s o m e d o u b t t h a t Zimbalist was really a professor, b u t

t h e r e in t h e

office,

above t h e h e a d of t h e b a c h e l o r s t r u g g l i n g w i t h t h e electric k e t t l e , are t h e framed credentials a n d certificates from t h e Yeshiva of Warsaw

(1939),

t h e Polish

Free

State

(1950),

and

Bronfman

Manual and Technical (1955). Also those testimonials,

haskamos,

a n d affidavits, each in its s o b e r b l a c k frame, o n e from w h a t looks t o b e e v e r y r a b b i in t h e D i s t r i c t , t w o - b i t a n d b i g - t i m e , from Y a k o v y to Sitka. L a n d s m a n makes a s h o w of giving Z i m b a l i s t

another

once-over, b u t it's o b v i o u s j u s t from t h e b i g y a r m u l k e c o v e r i n g t h e eczema at t h e b a c k of his skull, w i t h its fancy e m b r o i d e r y of silver t h r e a d , t h a t t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n isn't a Verbover. " I w o u l d n ' t m a k e that mistake." " N o ? W h a t a b o u t m a r r y i n g one of t h e m , like I did? W o u l d y o u make that mistake?" " W h e n it comes t o m a r r i a g e I like t o let o t h e r p e o p l e m a k e t h e m i s t a k e s , " L a n d s m a n says. " M y e x - w i f e , for e x a m p l e . " Z i m b a l i s t w a v e s t h e m over, p a s t t h e s t o u t o a k m a p t a b l e , t o a couple of b r o k e n ladder-back chairs b e s i d e a m a s s i v e

rolltop

I ID

MICHAEL

CHABON

d e s k . T h e b a c h e l o r c a n ' t g e t o u t o f h i s w a y fast e n o u g h , a n d t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n g r a b s h i m b y t h e ear. " W h a t a r e y o u d o i n g ? " H e seizes t h e kid's h a n d . " L o o k at t h o s e fingernails! "Go,

F e h ! " H e d r o p s t h e h a n d as if i t ' s a p i e c e o f b a d

fish.

get o u t of h e r e , get on t h e radio. F i n d o u t w h e r e those idiots

a r e a n d w h a t ' s t a k i n g so l o n g . " H e p o u r s w a t e r i n t o a p o t a n d t h r o w s i n a fistful o f l o o s e t e a t h a t looks suspiciously like s h r e d d e d string. " O n e e r u v t h e y have t o p a t r o l . O n e ! I h a v e t w e l v e m e n w o r k i n g for m e , t h e r e ' s n o t a s i n g l e o n e o f t h e m w h o c o u l d n ' t g e t l o s t t r y i n g t o find h i s f o o t fingers

a t t h e far e n d o f h i s s o c k s . "

L a n d s m a n has p u t a lot of w o r k i n t o t h e avoidance of having to u n d e r s t a n d c o n c e p t s like t h a t of t h e eruv, b u t he k n o w s t h a t it's a typical Jewish ritual dodge, a scam run on God, that controlling motherfucker.

It

has

something

to

do

with

pretending

that

t e l e p h o n e poles a r e d o o r p o s t s , a n d t h a t t h e w i r e s a r e lintels. You c a n t i e off a n a r e a u s i n g p o l e s a n d s t r i n g s a n d call i t a n e r u v , t h e n p r e t e n d o n t h e S a b b a t h t h a t this e r u v y o u ' v e d r a w n — i n t h e case of Z i m b a l i s t a n d his crew, it's p r e t t y m u c h t h e whole D i s t r i c t — is y o u r h o u s e . T h a t w a y y o u c a n g e t a r o u n d t h e S a b b a t h b a n o n c a r r y i n g in a p u b l i c place, a n d w a l k t o shul w i t h a c o u p l e of AlkaSeltzers in y o u r p o c k e t , a n d it isn't a sin. G i v e n e n o u g h

string

a n d e n o u g h poles, a n d w i t h a little creative use of existing walls, f e n c e s , cliffs, a n d r i v e r s , y o u c o u l d t i e a c i r c l e a r o u n d p r e t t y m u c h a n y p l a c e a n d call it an eruv. B u t s o m e b o d y has t o lay d o w n t h o s e lines, s u r v e y t h e territory, m a i n t a i n t h e s t r i n g s a n d t h e poles, a n d g u a r d t h e i n t e g r i t y of t h e make-believe walls and doors against weather, vandalism, bears, and the telephone company. That's where the boundary maven comes in. H e has the whole strings-and-poles m a r k e t

cornered.

T h e V e r b o v e r s t o o k h i m u p first, a n d w i t h t h e i r s t r o n g - a r m t a c t i c s b e h i n d h i m , o n e b y o n e t h e Satmar, Bobov, L u b a v i t c h , Ger, a n d all t h e o t h e r b l a c k - h a t s e c t s h a v e c o m e t o r e l y o n h i s s e r v i c e s a n d h i s e x p e r t i s e . W h e n a q u e s t i o n a r i s e s as t o w h e t h e r o r n o t s o m e

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

III

p a r t i c u l a r s t r e t c h o f s i d e w a l k o r l a k e f r o n t o r o p e n field is c o n t a i n e d w i t h i n a n e r u v , Z i m b a l i s t , t h o u g h n o t a r a b b i , is t h e o n e t o w h o m all t h e r a b b i s defer. O n h i s m a p s a n d h i s c r e w s a n d h i s s p o o l s o f polypropylene baling t w i n e d e p e n d s t h e state of t h e souls of e v e r y p i o u s J e w in t h e D i s t r i c t . By s o m e a c c o u n t s , h e ' s t h e m o s t p o w e r f u l y i d in t o w n . A n d t h a t ' s w h y h e ' s a l l o w e d t o s i t d o w n b e h i n d h i s b i g oak desk w i t h its s e v e n t y - t w o p i g e o n h o l e s , s m a c k in t h e m i d d l e of Verbov Island, a n d d r i n k a glass of t e a w i t h t h e m a n w h o c o l l a r e d H y m a n Tsharny. " W h a t ' s t h e m a t t e r w i t h y o u ? " h e says t o B e r k o , e a s i n g h i m s e l f w i t h a r u b b e r y squeak o n t o an inflatable d o n u t cushion. H e takes a p a c k a g e of Broadways from a c i g a r e t t e clip on his d e s k . " W h y are you going a r o u n d scaring e v e r y b o d y w i t h t h a t h a m m e r of y o u r s ? " " M y partner was disappointed by the welcome we received," B e r k o says. " I t lacked t h a t S a b b a t h glow," L a n d s m a n says, l i g h t i n g a p a p i r o s of his o w n . " I n m y o p i n i o n . " Z i m b a l i s t slides a t h r e e - c o r n e r e d c o p p e r a s h t r a y across

the

d e s k . O n t h e s i d e o f t h e a s h t r a y , i t says K R A S N Y ' S T O B A C C O A N D S T A T I O N E R Y , w h i c h is w h e r e I s i d o r L a n d s m a n u s e d t o g o for h i s m o n t h l y c o p y o f Chen Review.

Krasny's, w i t h its lending library

and encyclopedic humidor and annual p o e t r y prize, was crushed by American chain stores years ago, a n d at t h e sight of this h o m e l y ashtray, t h e squeeze box of L a n d s m a n ' s h e a r t gives a nostalgic wheeze. " T w o y e a r s o f m y life I g a v e t h o s e p e o p l e , " B e r k o says. " Y o u ' d t h i n k s o m e of

them could remember me. A m

I that easy

to

forget?" " L e t m e tell y o u s o m e t h i n g , D e t e c t i v e . " W i t h a n o t h e r s q u e a k of t h e r u b b e r d o n u t , Z i m b a l i s t is u p a g a i n a n d p o u r i n g t e a i n t o t h r e e filthy glasses. " T h e w a y t h e y b r e e d a r o u n d h e r e , t h o s e p e o p l e y o u s a w in t h e s t r e e t t o d a y a r e n ' t t h e o n e s y o u k n e w e i g h t y e a r s a g o , those are their grandchildren. Nowadays they're b o r n p r e g n a n t . " H e h a n d s t h e m each a s t e a m i n g glass, too h o t t o hold. It scalds

112

MICHAEL

CHABON

t h e t i p s of L a n d s m a n ' s fingers. It smells like grass, rose hips, m a y b e a h i n t of string. " T h e y k e e p o n m a k i n g n e w J e w s , " Berko says, s t i r r i n g a spoonful o f j a m i n t o h i s g l a s s . " N o b o d y is m a k i n g p l a c e s t o p u t t h e m . " " T h a t is t h e t r u t h , " Z i m b a l i s t says as h i s b o n y a s s h i t s t h e d o n u t . H e grimaces. "Strange times to be a Jew." " N o t a r o u n d h e r e , a p p a r e n t l y , " says L a n d s m a n . " S t r i c t l y life as u s u a l o n V e r b o v I s l a n d . A s t o l e n B M W i n e v e r y d r i v e w a y a n d a t a l k i n g c h i c k e n in e v e r y p o t . " " T h e s e p e o p l e d o n ' t w o r r y u n t i l t h e r e b b e tells t h e m to w o r r y , " Z i m b a l i s t says. " M a y b e t h e y d o n ' t h a v e a n y t h i n g t o w o r r y a b o u t , " B e r k o says. " M a y b e t h e r e b b e already t o o k care of t h e p r o b l e m . " "I wouldn't know." " I d o n ' t b e l i e v e t h a t for a s e c o n d . " "So don't believe it." O n e of t h e garage d o o r s goes sliding back on its wheels, and a w h i t e van pulls in, a b r i g h t m a s k of s n o w on its windshield. Four m e n in yellow coveralls pile o u t of t h e v a n , t h e i r noses red, t h e i r beards tied u p in black nets. T h e y start blowing their noses and s t a m p i n g t h e i r f e e t , a n d Z i m b a l i s t h a s t o g o o v e r a n d yell a t t h e m for a w h i l e . I t t u r n s o u t t h e r e w a s a p r o b l e m n e a r t h e r e s e r v o i r i n S h o l e m - A l e y k h e m Park, some idiot at Municipal p u t u p a handball wall, r i g h t s m a c k in t h e m i d d l e of a make-believe d o o r w a y b e t w e e n t w o l i g h t p o l e s . T h e y all t r a m p o v e r t o t h e m a p t a b l e i n t h e m i d d l e o f t h e office. W h i l e Z i m b a l i s t g e t s d o w n t h e a p p r o p r i a t e c h a r t a n d u n r o l l s it, t h e c r e w m e m b e r s t a k e t u r n s n o d d i n g a n d flexing t h e i r scowling muscles at L a n d s m a n and Berko. After t h a t the crew just ignores them. " T h e y s a y t h e m a v e n h a s a s t r i n g m a p for e v e r y c i t y w h e r e t e n J e w i s h m e n e v e r b u m p e d n o s e s , " B e r k o says t o L a n d s m a n . " C l e a r on back to Jericho." " I s t a r t e d t h a t r u m o r myself," Z i m b a l i s t says, k e e p i n g his eyes on t h e c h a r t . H e t r a c k s d o w n t h e site, a n d o n e of t h e boys sketches

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in t h e h a n d b a l l w a l l w i t h t h e s t u b o f a p e n c i l . Z i m b a l i s t q u i c k l y p l o t s o u t a w o r k a r o u n d t h a t will h o l d t h r o u g h s u n d o w n t o m o r r o w , a salient in t h e g r e a t i m a g i n a r y wall of t h e eruv. H e s e n d s his b o y s back d o w n to t h e H a r k a v y to r u n some plastic pipe u p t h e sides of a c o u p l e o f n e a r b y p h o n e p o l e s , so t h a t t h e S a t m a r s w h o l i v e o n t h e e a s t s i d e o f S h o l e m - A l e y k h e m P a r k c a n t a k e t h e i r d o g s o u t for a walk w i t h o u t e n d a n g e r i n g their souls. " I ' m s o r r y , " h e says, c o m i n g b a c k a r o u n d t h e d e s k . H e w i n c e s . " I d o n ' t e n j o y t h e a c t o f s i t t i n g a n y m o r e . N o w , w h a t c a n I d o for you? I d o u b t v e r y m u c h t h a t y o u c a m e h e r e w i t h a q u e s t i o n a b o u t re s bus

harabim."

" W e ' r e working a homicide, Professor Z i m b a l i s t , "

Landsman

says. " A n d w e h a v e r e a s o n t o b e l i e v e t h e d e c e a s e d m a y h a v e b e e n a Verbover, or h a d ties to t h e Verbovers, at least at o n e t i m e . " " T i e s , " t h e m a v e n says, g i v i n g t h e m a g l i m p s e of t h o s e p i p e organ

stalactites of

his. "I s u p p o s e I k n o w

something

about

those." " H e was living in a h o t e l on M a x N o r d a u S t r e e t u n d e r t h e n a m e of E m a n u e l Lasker." "Lasker?

Like

the

chess

player?" There's

a crease

in

the

p a r c h m e n t of Z i m b a l i s t ' s y e l l o w f o r e h e a d , a n d d e e p in t h e eye s o c k e t s , a s c r a p e o f flint a n d s t e e l : s u r p r i s e , p u z z l e m e n t , a m e m o r y k i n d l i n g . " I u s e d t o f o l l o w t h e g a m e , " h e e x p l a i n s . "A l o n g t i m e ago." " S o d i d I , " L a n d s m a n says. " S o d i d o u r d e a d g u y , r i g h t u p t o t h e e n d . N e x t t o t h e b o d y , t h e r e w a s a g a m e all s e t u p . H e w a s reading Siegbert T a r r a s c h . A n d he was familiar t o t h e regulars at t h e E i n s t e i n C h e s s C l u b . T h e y k n e w h i m as F r a n k . " " F r a n k , " t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n says, g i v i n g it a Yankee t w a n g . " F r a n k , F r a n k , F r a n k . T h a t w a s h i s first n a m e ? I t ' s a c o m m o n J e w i s h l a s t n a m e , b u t a first n a m e , n o . Y o u k n o w for a f a c t h e w a s a Jew, t h i s F r a n k ? " Berko and L a n d s m a n exchange a quick look. T h e y d o n ' t k n o w a n y t h i n g for s u r e . T h e p h y l a c t e r i e s i n t h e n i g h t s t a n d c o u l d h a v e

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b e e n a p l a n t o r a m e m e n t o , s o m e t h i n g left b e h i n d b y a p r i o r o c c u p a n t of r o o m 208. N o b o d y at t h e Einstein C l u b claimed to h a v e seen F r a n k t h e d e a d j u n k i e in s h u l , r o c k i n g in t h e g r i p of t h e S t a n d i n g Prayer. " W e have r e a s o n t o b e l i e v e , " Berko r e p e a t s calmly, " t h a t he m a y at one t i m e have been a Verbover Jew." " W h a t kind of reason?" " T h e r e w e r e a c o u p l e of likely t e l e p h o n e p o l e s , " L a n d s m a n says. " W e t i e d a s t r i n g b e t w e e n t h e m . " H e reaches i n t o his p o c k e t a n d takes o u t an envelope. H e passes o n e of Shpringer's d e a t h Polaroids across t h e desk to Z i m b a l i s t , w h o holds it at a r m ' s l e n g t h , long e n o u g h to form t h e idea t h a t it's a p i c t u r e of a corpse. H e takes a d e e p b r e a t h a n d purses his lips, g e t t i n g r e a d y t o lay o n t h e m a solid professorial c o n s i d e r a t i o n of t h e e v i d e n c e at h a n d . A p i c t u r e of a d e a d m a n , it's a break, t o b e h o n e s t , i n t h e r o u t i n e o f a b o u n d a r y m a v e n ' s life. T h e n h e looks at t h e p i c t u r e , a n d in t h e i n s t a n t before h e regains a b s o l u t e c o n t r o l o f h i s f e a t u r e s L a n d s m a n s e e s Z i m b a l i s t t a k e a swift p u n c h i n t h e belly. T h e w i n d d e p a r t s h i s l u n g s , a n d t h e b l o o d d r a i n s f r o m h i s face. I n h i s e y e s , t h e s t e a d y m a v e n flicker o f i n t e l l i g e n c e is s n u f f e d o u t . F o r a s e c o n d L a n d s m a n is l o o k i n g a t a P o l a r o i d o f a d e a d b o u n d a r y m a v e n . T h e n t h e l i g h t s c o m e b a c k o n in t h e o l d f a r t ' s face. B e r k o a n d L a n d s m a n w a i t a l i t t l e , a n d t h e n a l i t t l e m o r e , a n d L a n d s m a n u n d e r s t a n d s t h a t t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n is fighting as h a r d as h e c a n t o m a i n t a i n t h a t c o n t r o l , t o h o l d o n t o t h e c h a n c e o f m a k i n g h i s n e x t w o r d s Detectives,

I have never seen that man before in my

life, a n d h a v i n g i t s o u n d p l a u s i b l e , i n e v i t a b l e , t r u e . " W h o w a s h e , P r o f e s s o r Z i m b a l i s t ? " B e r k o says a t l a s t . Z i m b a l i s t sets t h e p h o t o g r a p h d o w n on t h e d e s k a n d looks at it s o m e m o r e , n o t b o t h e r i n g a b o u t w h a t his eyes or his lips m i g h t be doing. " O y , t h a t b o y , " h e says. " T h a t s w e e t , s w e e t b o y . " He

takes a handkerchief

from

t h e p o c k e t of his

zippered

c a r d i g a n a n d b l o t s t h e tears from his cheeks a n d barks once. It's

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a horrible s o u n d . L a n d s m a n picks u p t h e maven's glass of tea a n d p o u r s it i n t o his o w n . F r o m his h i p p o c k e t , h e t a k e s t h e b o t t l e of v o d k a h e i m p o u n d e d in t h e m e n ' s r o o m of t h e V o r s h t t h a t m o r n i n g . H e p o u r s t w o fingers i n t o t h e glass of tea a n d t h e n h o l d s t h e c u p o u t to t h e old fart. Z i m b a l i s t takes t h e v o d k a w i t h o u t a w o r d a n d knocks it d o w n in o n e s h o t . T h e n h e r e t u r n s t h e h a n d k e r c h i e f t o i t s p o c k e t a n d gives L a n d s m a n his p h o t o g r a p h . " I t a u g h t t h a t b o y t o p l a y c h e s s , " h e says. " W h e n t h a t m a n w a s a boy, I m e a n . Before h e g r e w u p . I ' m sorry, I ' m n o t m a k i n g s e n s e . " H e g o e s for a n o t h e r B r o a d w a y , b u t h e h a s a l r e a d y s m o k e d t h e m a l l . It takes h i m a while to figure this o u t . H e sits t h e r e , p o k i n g a r o u n d i n t h e foil w i t h a h o o k e d finger, as if h e ' s g o i n g for t h e p e a n u t i n a p a c k a g e o f C r a c k e r J a c k . L a n d s m a n fixes h i m u p w i t h a s m o k e . "Thanks, Landsman. Thank you." B u t t h e n h e d o e s n ' t say a n y t h i n g , h e j u s t sits t h e r e w a t c h i n g t h e papiros b u r n d o w n . H e peers o u t from his c a v e r n o u s eyeholes at Berko, t h e n steals a cardplayer peek at L a n d s m a n . H e ' s recovering from t h e s h o c k n o w . T r y i n g t o m a p t h e s i t u a t i o n , t h e l i n e s h e cannot cross, t h e doorways t h a t he m u s t n ' t step t h r o u g h on peril o f h i s s o u l . T h e h a i r y , m o t t l e d c r a b o f h i s h a n d flicks o n e o f i t s l e g s t o w a r d t h e t e l e p h o n e on his desk. In a n o t h e r m i n u t e , t h e t r u t h a n d d a r k n e s s o f life w i l l o n c e a g a i n h a v e b e e n r e m a n d e d t o t h e c u s t o d y of lawyers. T h e garage door creaks and rumbles, and w i t h a m o a n

of

gratitude, Zimbalist starts to p o p u p again, b u t this time Berko b e a t s h i m t o his feet. H e d r o p s a h e a v y h a n d o n t h e old m a n ' s shoulder. " S i t d o w n , P r o f e s s o r , " h e says. " I b e g y o u . T a k e i t s l o w if y o u have t o , b u t please, sit y o u r ass d o w n o n t h a t d o n u t . " H e leaves t h e h a n d w h e r e it is, g i v i n g Z i m b a l i s t a g e n t l e s q u e e z e , a n d n o d s toward the garage. "Meyer." L a n d s m a n crosses t h e w o r k s h o p to t h e garage a n d hauls o u t his s h i e l d . H e w a l k s d i r e c t l y i n t o t h e p a t h o f t h e v a n as if t h e s h i e l d

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r e a l l y is a b a d g e t h a t c a n s t o p a t w o - t o n C h e v y T h e d r i v e r h i t s t h e brakes, a n d t h e h o w l of tires echoes against t h e cold stone walls of t h e garage. T h e d r i v e r rolls d o w n his window. H e has t h e full Z i m b a l i s t c r e w e q u i p a g e : b e a r d i n a n e t , y e l l o w c o v e r a l l , w e l l developed scowl. " W h a t gives, D e t e c t i v e ? " he w a n t s to know. " G o t a k e a d r i v e , " L a n d s m a n says. " W e ' r e t a l k i n g . " H e r e a c h e s over to t h e d i s p a t c h panel a n d grabs hold of t h e skulking bachelor b y t h e collar of his l o n g coat. D a n g l e s t h e kid like a p u p p y a r o u n d t o t h e p a s s e n g e r side of t h e v a n a n d d r a g s o p e n t h e side door, t h e n tenderly shoves t h e bachelor into the van. "And take this little pisher with you." " B o s s ? " t h e d r i v e r calls over t o t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n . After a m o m e n t Z i m b a l i s t n o d s a n d w a v e s t h e d r i v e r away. " B u t w h e r e s h o u l d I g o ? " t h e d r i v e r says t o L a n d s m a n . " I d o n ' t k n o w , " L a n d s m a n says. H e d r a g s t h e v a n ' s d o o r s h u t and shoves it h o m e . " G o b u y m e a nice p r e s e n t . " L a n d s m a n p o u n d s on t h e h o o d of t h e v a n , a n d it rolls back o u t i n t o t h e s t o r m of w h i t e lines b e i n g k n i t like strings of t h e b o u n d a r y maven across t h e replica housefronts and t h e blazing g r a y sky. L a n d s m a n p u l l s t h e g a r a g e d o o r i n t o p l a c e a n d t h r o w s the latch. " N u , h o w a b o u t y o u s t a r t o v e r ? " h e says t o Z i m b a l i s t w h e n h e s i t s d o w n a g a i n i n t h e l a d d e r b a c k c h a i r . H e c r o s s e s h i s legs a n d l i g h t s a n o t h e r p a p i r o s for e a c h o f t h e m . " W e h a v e p l e n t y o f time." " C o m e o n , P r o f e s s o r , " B e r k o says. " Y o u k n o w t h e v i c t i m s i n c e he's a boy, r i g h t ? All t h o s e m e m o r i e s have g o t t o b e g o i n g a r o u n d a n d a r o u n d i n y o u r h e a d r i g h t n o w . A s b a d as y o u feel, i t ' s g o i n g t o feel b e t t e r if y o u j u s t s t a r t t a l k i n g . " " I t i s n ' t t h a t , " t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n says. " I t ' s — I t i s n ' t t h a t . " H e takes t h e lit p a p i r o s from L a n d s m a n , a n d this t i m e he smokes m o s t o f i t b e f o r e h e s t a r t s t o t a l k . H e is a l e a r n e d y i d , a n d h e likes t o have his t h o u g h t s in order.

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" H i s n a m e is M e n a c h e m , " h e b e g i n s . " M e n d e l . H e i s , o r w a s , thirty-eight, a year older than you, Detective Shemets, b u t he had t h e same birthday, A u g u s t fifteenth, isn't t h a t right? Eh? I t h o u g h t so.

Y o u see? This is t h e m a p c a b i n e t . " H e t a p s h i s h a i r l e s s d o m e .

" M a p s of Jericho, D e t e c t i v e S h e m e t s , J e r i c h o a n d T y r e . " T a p p i n g t h e m a p cabinet gets a little o u t of c o n t r o l , a n d h e k n o c k s t h e y a r m u l k e off h i s h e a d . W h e n h e g r a b s a t i t , a s h c a s c a d e s all d o w n h i s s w e a t e r . "Mendele's IQ^was measured at one-seventy," he continues. "By the time he was eight or nine, he could read Hebrew, Aramaic, J u d e o - S p a n i s h , L a t i n , G r e e k . T h e m o s t difficult t e x t s , t h e t h o r n i e s t tangles of logic a n d a r g u m e n t .

By t h e n M e n d e l e was

already

a m u c h b e t t e r chess player t h a n I could ever h o p e to be. H e had a r e m a r k a b l e m e m o r y for r e c o r d e d g a m e s ; h e h a d o n l y t o r e a d a t r a n s c r i p t once, a n d after t h a t , h e c o u l d r e p r o d u c e it o n a b o a r d or in his h e a d , m o v e b y m o v e , w i t h o u t a m i s t a k e . W h e n h e w a s o l d e r a n d t h e y d i d n ' t l e t h i m p l a y so m u c h a n y m o r e , h e w o u l d w o r k t h r o u g h famous g a m e s in his h e a d . H e m u s t h a v e k n o w n t h r e e , four hundred games by heart." " T h a t ' s w h a t t h e y u s e d t o say a b o u t M e l e k h G a y s t i k , " L a n d s m a n says. " H e h a d t h a t k i n d o f m i n d for t h e g a m e . " " M e l e k h G a y s t i k , " Z i m b a l i s t says. " G a y s t i k w a s a freak. I t w a s n o t h u m a n , t h e w a y G a y s t i k played. H e h a d a m i n d like s o m e k i n d of bug, t h e only t h i n g he k n e w to d o was eat you. H e w a s r u d e . Filthy. M e a n . M e n d e l e w a s n ' t l i k e t h a t a t all. H e m a d e t o y s for h i s s i s t e r s , d o l l s o u t o f c l o t h e s p i n s a n d felt, a h o u s e f r o m a b o x o f o a t m e a l . A l w a y s g l u e o n h i s f i n g e r s , a c l o t h e s p i n i n h i s p o c k e t w i t h a face o n i t . I w o u l d g i v e h i m t w i n e for t h e hair. E i g h t l i t t l e s i s t e r s h a n g i n g off h i m all t h e t i m e . A p e t d u c k t h a t u s e d t o follow h i m a r o u n d l i k e a d o g . " Z i m b a l i s t ' s t h i n b r o w n lips h i t c h t h e m s e l v e s u p at t h e c o r n e r s . " B e l i e v e it o r n o t , I o n c e a r r a n g e d for a m a t c h t o b e p l a y e d b e t w e e n M e n d e l a n d M e l e k h G a y s t i k . You c o u l d d o s u c h t h i n g s — G a y s t i k w a s always b r o k e a n d in d e b t , a n d h e w o u l d h a v e p l a y e d a g a i n s t a h a l f - d r u n k b e a r if t h e m o n e y w a s r i g h t . T h e b o y w a s t w e l v e a t

118

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t h e t i m e , G a y s t i k t w e n t y - s i x . It was t h e year before he won the c h a m p i o n s h i p a t P e t e r s b u r g . T h e y p l a y e d t h r e e g a m e s in t h e b a c k of m y shop, w h i c h at t h a t t i m e — y o u r e m e m b e r , D e t e c t i v e — w a s on R i n g e l b l u m A v e n u e . I offered G a y s t i k five t h o u s a n d d o l l a r s t o p l a y a g a i n s t M e n d e l e . T h e b o y w o n t h e first a n d t h e t h i r d . T h e s e c o n d g a m e h e h a d B l a c k a n d p l a y e d G a y s t i k t o a d r a w . Yes, G a y s t i k w a s only too happy to keep the match a secret." " W h y ? " L a n d s m a n w a n t s to know. " W h y did t h e games have to be kept secret?" " B e c a u s e t h i s b o y , " t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n says. " T h e o n e w h o d i e d in a h o t e l r o o m o n M a x N o r d a u S t r e e t . N o t a nice h o t e l , I imagine." "A f l e a b a g , " L a n d s m a n says. " H e was s h o o t i n g heroin i n t o his a r m ? " L a n d s m a n n o d s , a n d after a h a r d second or t w o , Z i m b a l i s t nods, too. "Yes.

Of course. N u . T h e reason why I was obliged to arrange

t h e g a m e s in secret w a s t h a t t h i s b o y h a d b e e n forbidden t o play chess with outsiders. Somehow or other, I never learned

how,

M e n d e l e ' s father got w i n d of t h e m a t c h against Gaystik. It was a n e a r t h i n g for m e . I n s p i t e o f t h e fact t h a t m y wife w a s a r e l a t i v e o f t h e f a t h e r , I a l m o s t l o s t h i s haskama, w h i c h a t t h a t t i m e w a s t h e foundation of m y business. I built this whole operation on t h a t endorsement." " T h e father. You're n o t s a y i n g — i t was H e s k e l

Shpilman,"

B e r k o says. " T h e m a n t h e r e i n t h e p i c t u r e is t h e s o n o f t h e V e r b o v e r rebbe." L a n d s m a n n o t i c e s h o w q u i e t i t is o n V e r b o v I s l a n d , i n t h e s n o w , i n s i d e a s t o n e b a r n , w i t h d a r k c o m i n g o n , as t h e p r o f a n e w e e k a n d t h e w o r l d t h a t p r o f a n e d it p r e p a r e t o b e p l u n g e d i n t o t h e flame of two matched candles. " T h a t ' s r i g h t , " Z i m b a l i s t says a t l a s t . " M e n d e l S h p i l m a n . T h e only son. H e had a twin b r o t h e r w h o was b o r n dead. Later, that w a s i n t e r p r e t e d as a s i g n . "

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L a n d s m a n s a y s , "A s i g n o f w h a t ? T h a t h e w o u l d b e a p r o d i g y ? T h a t he w o u l d t u r n o u t t o b e a j u n k i e living in a c h e a p U n t e r s h t a t flop?" " N o t t h a t , " says Z i m b a l i s t . " T h a t n o b o d y i m a g i n e d . " " T h e y said . . . t h e y u s e d t o say . . . " Berko b e g i n s . H e s c r e w s u p h i s face, as if h e k n o w s w h a t h e ' l l s a y n e x t is g o i n g t o i r k L a n d s m a n o r g i v e h i m c a u s e for s c o r n . H e u n s c r e w s h i s b r o w n e y e s , l e t s i t pass. H e can't b r i n g himself to repeat it. " M e n d e l Shpilman. D e a r God. I heard some stories." "A l o t o f s t o r i e s , " Z i m b a l i s t says. " N o t h i n g b u t s t o r i e s t i l l h e was t w e n t y years old." " W h a t k i n d of s t o r i e s ? " L a n d s m a n says, d u l y irked. " S t o r i e s a b o u t what? Tell m e already, d a m n y o u . "

S

o Z i m b a l i s t tells t h e m a M e n d e l story. A c e r t a i n w o m a n , h e says, w a s d y i n g of cancer at Sitka G e n e r a l H o s p i t a l . A w o m a n o f h i s a c q u a i n t a n c e , call her.

T h i s w a s b a c k i n 1 9 7 3 . T h e w o m a n w a s t w i c e a w i d o w , h e r first h u s b a n d a g a m b l e r s h o t b y s h t a r k e r s in G e r m a n y before t h e war, h e r s e c o n d a s t r i n g m o n k e y in Z i m b a l i s t ' s e m p l o y w h o got tangled in a live p o w e r line. It w a s t h r o u g h s u p p o r t i n g t h e w i d o w of his d e a d w o r k e r w i t h c a s h a n d f a v o r s t h a t Z i m b a l i s t g o t t o k n o w her. I t ' s n o t i m p o s s i b l e t h a t t h e y fell i n l o v e . T h e y w e r e b o t h p a s t t h e a g e o f f o o l i s h p a s s i o n , s o t h e y w e r e p a s s i o n a t e w i t h o u t b e i n g fools. S h e w a s a d a r k , lean w o m a n a l r e a d y in t h e h a b i t of c o n t r o l l i n g h e r a p p e t i t e s . T h e y k e p t t h e i r affair a s e c r e t f r o m e v e r y o n e , n o t l e a s t Mrs. Zimbalist. T o v i s i t h i s l a d y f r i e n d i n t h e h o s p i t a l w h e n s h e t o o k ill, Zimbalist

resorted

to subterfuge,

stealth, and the bribing

of

o r d e r l i e s . H e s l e p t o n a t o w e l o n t h e floor o f t h e w a r d , c u r l e d b e t w e e n h e r b e d a n d t h e wall. In t h e half-dark, w h e n his mistress called o u t from t h e d i s t a n c e s of m o r p h i n e , h e w o u l d spill w a t e r b e t w e e n h e r c r a c k e d lips a n d cool h e r forehead w i t h a d a m p cloth. T h e c l o c k o n t h e h o s p i t a l w a l l h u m m e d t o itself, g o t a n t s y , k e p t s n a p p i n g off p i e c e s o f t h e n i g h t w i t h i t s m i n u t e h a n d . I n

the

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m o r n i n g Z i m b a l i s t w o u l d creep back to his s h o p on R i n g e l b l u m A v e n u e — h e t o l d his wife h e w a s s l e e p i n g t h e r e b e c a u s e his s n o r i n g w a s so b a d — a n d w a i t for t h e boy. Almost

every

morning

after

worship

and

study,

Mendel

Shpilman w o u l d c o m e and play chess. Chess was p e r m i t t e d , even t h o u g h t h e Verbover r a b b i n a t e a n d t h e larger c o m m u n i t y of t h e p i o u s v i e w e d i t as a w a s t e o f t h e b o y ' s t i m e . T h e o l d e r M e n d e l g o t — t h e m o r e d a z z l i n g his feats of

scholarship, the

h i s r e p u t a t i o n for a c u m e n b e y o n d h i s y e a r s — t h e m o r e

brighter painful

this w a s t e appeared. It was n o t j u s t M e n d e l ' s m e m o r y , t h e agile r e a s o n i n g , t h e g r a s p o f p r e c e d e n t , h i s t o r y , law. N o , e v e n as a k i d , M e n d e l S h p i l m a n s e e m e d t o i n t u i t t h e m e s s y h u m a n flow

that

b o t h p o w e r e d t h e Law and r e q u i r e d its elaborate system of drains a n d sluices. Fear, d o u b t , l u s t , d i s h o n e s t y , b r o k e n v o w s , m u r d e r a n d love, u n c e r t a i n t y a b o u t t h e i n t e n t i o n s of G o d a n d m e n , l i t t l e M e n d e l s a w all o f t h a t n o t o n l y i n t h e A r a m a i c a b s t r a c t b u t w h e n it a p p e a r e d in his father's s t u d y , c l o t h e d in t h e d a r k s e r g e a n d j u i c y m o t h e r t o n g u e o f e v e r y d a y life. I f c o n f l i c t s e v e r a r o s e i n t h e b o y ' s m i n d , d o u b t s a b o u t t h e relevance of t h e L a w t h a t h e was learning in t h e Verbover c o u r t at t h e feet of a b u n c h of k i n g - s i z e ganefs a n d crooks, they never showed. N o t when he was a kid w h o believed, a n d n o t w h e n t h e d a y c a m e t h a t h e t u r n e d his b a c k o n it all. H e h a d t h e k i n d of m i n d t h a t c o u l d h o l d a n d c o n s i d e r c o n t r a d i c t o r y propositions w i t h o u t losing its balance. I t w a s b e c a u s e t h e S h p i l m a n s w e r e so p r o u d o f h i s e x c e l l e n c e as a Jewish son a n d scholar t h a t t h e y t o l e r a t e d t h e side of M e n d e l ' s c h a r a c t e r t h a t l o v e d o n l y t o play. M e n d e l w a s a l w a y s g e t t i n g u p elaborate p r a n k s a n d hoaxes, staging plays t h a t featured his sisters, his a u n t s , t h e d u c k . S o m e p e o p l e t h o u g h t t h e g r e a t e s t

miracle

M e n d e l ever p e r f o r m e d was to p e r s u a d e his formidable father, year after year, t o t a k e t h e p a r t of Q u e e n V a s h t i in t h e P u r i m s h p i e l . T h e sight of t h a t somber emperor, t h a t m o u n t a i n of dignity, t h a t fearsome b u l k m i n c i n g a r o u n d in h i g h - h e e l e d shoes! A b l o n d wig! Lipstick and rouge, bangles and spangles! It m i g h t have been the

MICHAEL

122

CHABON

m o s t h o r r i b l e feat o f f e m a l e i m p e r s o n a t i o n J e w r y e v e r p r o d u c e d . P e o p l e l o v e d i t . A n d t h e y l o v e d M e n d e l for m a k i n g i t

happen

e a c h year. B u t it w a s j u s t a n o t h e r p r o o f of t h e love t h a t H e s k e l S h p i l m a n h a d for h i s b o y . A n d i t w a s t h e s a m e l o v i n g i n d u l g e n c e t h a t p e r m i t t e d M e n d e l to w a s t e an h o u r every day at chess, w i t h t h e p r o v i s o t h a t his o p p o n e n t b e c h o s e n from t h e c o m m u n i t y of Verbov. M e n d e l c h o s e t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n , t h e l o n e o u t s i d e r in t h e i r m i d s t . It was a small display of rebellion or p e r v e r s i t y t h a t some, in l a t e r y e a r s , w o u l d h a v e o c c a s i o n t o r e v i s i t . B u t in t h e Verbov o r b i t , o n l y Z i m b a l i s t h a d even a p r a y e r of b e a t i n g M e n d e l . " H o w is s h e ? " M e n d e l s a i d t o Z i m b a l i s t o n e m o r n i n g a f t e r t h e l a d y f r i e n d h a d b e e n d y i n g a t S i t k a G e n e r a l for t w o m o n t h s a n d was nearly gone. Zimbalist experienced a shock at the q u e s t i o n — n o t h i n g

to

c o m p a r e t o t h e fate of t h e w i d o w ' s second h u s b a n d , of course, b u t e n o u g h t o s t o p h i s h e a r t for a b e a t o r t w o . H e r e m e m b e r s e v e r y g a m e t h a t he and M e n d e l Shpilman ever played against each other, h e s a y s , e x c e p t for t h i s o n e ; o f t h i s g a m e h e c a n m a n a g e t o r e c a l l a s o l i t a r y m o v e . Z i m b a l i s t ' s w i f e w a s a S h p i l m a n , a c o u s i n t o t h i s boy. Z i m b a l i s t ' s l i v e l i h o o d , h i s h o n o r , p e r h a p s e v e n h i s life, d e m a n d e d t h a t t h e secret of his a d u l t e r y be kept. H e was absolutely certain t h a t s o far i t h a d b e e n . T h r o u g h h i s w i r e s a n d s t r i n g s , t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n felt e v e r y w h i s p e r a n d r u m o r t h e w a y a s p i d e r h e a r s i n i t s f e e t t h e t h r a s h i n g s o f a fly. T h e r e w a s n o w a y w o r d o f i t c o u l d have reached Mendel Shpilman w i t h o u t Zimbalist hearing about it

first. H e s a i d , " H o w is w h o ? " T h e b o y stared at h i m . M e n d e l was n o t a h a n d s o m e kid. H e had

a p e r p e t u a l flush, c l o s e - s e t e y e s , a s e c o n d a n d h i n t s o f a t h i r d c h i n w i t h o u t c l e a r b e n e f i t o f a first. B u t t h e e y e s , t h o u g h t o o s m a l l a n d t o o n e a r t h e b r i d g e o f h i s n o s e , w e r e d e n s e a n d fitful w i t h c o l o r , like t h e s p o t s on a b u t t e r f l y w i n g , blue, green, gold. Pity, mockery, forgiveness. N o j u d g m e n t . N o reproach.

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" N e v e r m i n d , " M e n d e l said gently. T h e n h e m o v e d his q u e e n ' s bishop, r e t u r n i n g it to its original position on t h e board. T h e move had no p u r p o s e t h a t Zimbalist, p o n d e r i n g it, could see.

At one m o m e n t

fantastic

schools of

chess seemed

to

be

contained or implied by it. T h e next it a p p e a r e d to be only w h a t , i n all l i k e l i h o o d , i t w a s : a k i n d o f r e t r a c t i o n . Z i m b a l i s t s t r u g g l e d for t h e n e x t h o u r t o u n d e r s t a n d t h a t m o v e , a n d for t h e s t r e n g t h t o r e s i s t c o n f i d i n g t o a t e n - y e a r - o l d w h o s e universe was bounded by the study house, the shul, and the door to his m o t h e r ' s kitchen, t h e sorrow a n d d a r k r a p t u r e of Z i m b a l i s t ' s love for t h e d y i n g w i d o w , h o w s o m e s e c r e t t h i r s t o f h i s o w n w a s q u e n c h e d every t i m e h e d r i b b l e d cool w a t e r t h r o u g h her peeling lips. T h e y played t h r o u g h t h e r e m a i n d e r of t h e i r h o u r w i t h o u t further c o n v e r s a t i o n . B u t w h e n i t w a s t i m e for t h e b o y t o g o , h e t u r n e d i n t h e d o o r w a y of t h e shop on R i n g e l b l u m A v e n u e a n d t o o k h o l d of Z i m b a l i s t ' s s l e e v e . H e h e s i t a t e d as if r e l u c t a n t o r e m b a r r a s s e d . O r m a y b e he was feeling afraid. T h e n h e g o t a h a r d p i n c h e d e x p r e s s i o n o n h i s face t h a t Z i m b a l i s t r e c o g n i z e d as t h e i n t e r n a l i z e d v o i c e o f t h e rebbe, r e m i n d i n g his son of his d u t y t o serve t h e c o m m u n i t y . " W h e n y o u see h e r t o n i g h t , " M e n d e l said, " t e l l h e r t h a t I s e n d her m y blessing. Tell her I say h e l l o . " "I will," Z i m b a l i s t said, or r e m e m b e r s saying. " T e l l h e r f r o m m e t h a t all w i l l b e w e l l . " T h e l i t t l e m o n k e y face, t h e s a d m o u t h , t h e e y e s s a y i n g t h a t for as m u c h as h e k n e w y o u a n d l o v e d y o u , h e m i g h t s t i l l b e p u l l i n g y o u r leg. "Oh, I will," Zimbalist

said, a n d

then

he broke down

in

hiccuping sobs. T h e b o y t o o k a clean h a n d k e r c h i e f from his p o c k e t and gave it t o Z i m b a l i s t . Patiently, h e held t h e b o u n d a r y maven's h a n d . H i s fingers w e r e soft, a b i t s t i c k y . O n t h e i n s i d e o f h i s w r i s t , his y o u n g e r sister Reyzl h a d scrawled h e r n a m e in r e d ink. W h e n Z i m b a l i s t regained his c o m p o s u r e , M e n d e l let go of his h a n d a n d stuffed t h e d a m p h a n d k e r c h i e f i n t o his p o c k e t .

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MICHAEL

CHABON

"See y o u t o m o r r o w , " h e said. T h a t n i g h t , w h e n Z i m b a l i s t c r e p t o n t o t h e w a r d , j u s t before h e s p r e a d h i s t o w e l o n t h e floor, h e s p o o n e d t h e b o y ' s b l e s s i n g i n t o t h e ear of his u n c o n s c i o u s mistress. H e did it w i t h o u t h o p e a n d w i t h v e r y l i t t l e i n t h e w a y o f f a i t h . I n t h e d a r k o f five

A.M.,

Z i m b a l i s t ' s lady friend w o k e h i m a n d told h i m to go h o m e and eat b r e a k f a s t w i t h h i s w i f e . I t w a s t h e first c o h e r e n t t h i n g s h e h a d s a i d in weeks. " D i d y o u give her m y blessing?" M e n d e l asked h i m w h e n t h e y sat d o w n to play later t h a t m o r n i n g . "I did." " W h e r e is s h e ? " "At Sitka G e n e r a l . " " W i t h other people? O n a w a r d ? " Zimbalist nodded. "And you gave m y blessing to t h e o t h e r people, too?" T h e idea h a d n e v e r o c c u r r e d t o Z i m b a l i s t . " I d i d n ' t say a n y t h i n g t o t h e m , " h e said. " I d o n ' t k n o w t h e m . " " T h e r e was m o r e t h a n e n o u g h blessing to go a r o u n d , " M e n d e l informed h i m . " T e l l t h e m . Give it t o t h e m t o n i g h t . " B u t t h a t n i g h t , w h e n Z i m b a l i s t w e n t t o visit his lady friend, s h e h a d b e e n m o v e d t o a n o t h e r w a r d , o n e w h e r e n o b o d y w a s in d a n g e r of d e a t h , a n d s o m e h o w or other, Z i m b a l i s t forgot t h e boy's r e m i n d e r . T w o w e e k s later, t h e w o m a n ' s d o c t o r s sent her h o m e , s h a k i n g t h e i r h e a d s in p u z z l e m e n t . T w o w e e k s after t h a t , an X ray s h o w e d n o t r a c e of t h e c a n c e r in h e r body. B y t h e n s h e a n d Z i m b a l i s t h a d b r o k e n off t h e i r affair b y m u t u a l a g r e e m e n t , a n d h e slept e v e r y n i g h t in t h e m a r i t a l bed. T h e daily m e e t i n g s w i t h M e n d e l in t h e b a c k of t h e s h o p on

Ringelblum

A v e n u e c o n t i n u e d for a w h i l e , b u t Z i m b a l i s t f o u n d t h a t h e h a d lost his p l e a s u r e in t h e m . T h e a p p a r e n t miracle of t h e cancer c u r e forever altered his relations w i t h M e n d e l Shpilman.

Zimbalist

could n o t shake a sense of v e r t i g o t h a t c a m e over h i m every t i m e M e n d e l l o o k e d at h i m w i t h his close-set eyes, flecked w i t h p i t y a n d

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gold. T h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n ' s faith in faithlessness h a d b e e n s h a k e n b y a s i m p l e q u e s t i o n — H o w is she?—by

a d o z e n w o r d s of blessing,

by a simple bishop move that seemed to imply a chess beyond t h e chess t h a t Zimbalist knew. I t w a s as r e p a y m e n t for t h e m i r a c l e t h a t Z i m b a l i s t h a d a r r a n g e d t h e secret m a t c h b e t w e e n M e n d e l a n d M e l e k h G a y s t i k , k i n g of t h e Café E i n s t e i n a n d f u t u r e c h a m p i o n of t h e w o r l d . T h r e e g a m e s in t h e b a c k r o o m of a s h o p on R i n g e l b l u m A v e n u e , w i t h t h e b o y w i n n i n g t w o o u t of t h r e e . W h e n this act of s u b t e r f u g e w a s u n c o v e r e d — a n d n o t t h e o t h e r ; no o n e else ever learned of t h e a f f a i r — t h e

visits

b e t w e e n Z i m b a l i s t a n d M e n d e l S h p i l m a n w e r e b r o k e n off.

After

that, he and Mendel never shared another hour at the board. " T h a t ' s w h a t c o m e s f r o m g i v i n g o u t b l e s s i n g s , " says Z i m b a l i s t t h e b o u n d a r y maven. " B u t it t o o k M e n d e l S h p i l m a n a long t i m e t o figure t h a t o u t . "

Y

o u m e t t h i s ganef," L a n d s m a n half asks Berko as t h e y h u m p along behind the boundary maven through the Sabbath snow t o t h e rebbe's door. For t h e j o u r n e y across t h e platz, Zimbalist

w a s h e d h i s face a n d a r m p i t s i n a s i n k a t t h e b a c k o f t h e s h o p . H e w e t a c o m b a n d r a k e d all s e v e n t e e n o f h i s h a i r s i n t o a m o i r e a c r o s s the t o p of his head. T h e n he p u t on a b r o w n corduroy sport coat, an o r a n g e d o w n vest, black galoshes, a n d over e v e r y t h i n g , a belted b e a r s k i n c o a t t r a i l i n g a s m e l l o f m o t h b a l l s l i k e a m u f f l e r t w e n t y feet long. F r o m a m o o s e a n t l e r b y t h e door, t h e m a v e n t o o k a football o r m i n i a t u r e o t t o m a n m a d e o f w o l v e r i n e fur a n d s e t i t o n t o p o f his head. N o w h e w a d d l e s along ahead of t h e detectives, reeking of n a p h t h a l e n e , looking like a small bear u r g e d b y cruel masters to p e r f o r m d e m e a n i n g feats. U n d e r an h o u r before d a r k , a n d t h e s n o w f a l l i n g is l i k e p i e c e s o f b r o k e n d a y l i g h t . T h e S i t k a s k y is d u l l s i l v e r p l a t e a n d t a r n i s h i n g fast. " Y e a h , I m e t h i m , " B e r k o says. " T h e y b r o u g h t m e in t o see h i m r i g h t after I s t a r t e d w o r k i n g t h e Fifth Precinct. T h e y h a d a c e r e m o n y i n h i s office, o v e r t h e s t u d y h a l l o n S o u t h A n s k y S t r e e t . H e p i n n e d s o m e t h i n g t o t h e c r o w n o f m y l a t k e , a g o l d leaf. A f t e r t h a t h e used t o send m e a nice b a s k e t of fruit at P u r i m . Delivered right to m y house, even t h o u g h I never gave o u t m y h o m e address.

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Every year pears and oranges until we moved o u t to t h e ShvartsnYam." "I hear he's kind of on t h e large side." " H e ' s c u t e . C u t e as a f u c k i n g b u t t o n . " " T h a t stuff t h e maven was j u s t telling us a b o u t M e n d e l . T h e w o n d e r s and miracles. Berko, y o u believe any of t h a t ? " " Y o u k n o w i t ' s n o t a b o u t b e l i e v i n g for m e , M e y e r . I t n e v e r h a s been." "But

do y o u — I ' m

curious—do

y o u r e a l l y feel l i k e

you're

w a i t i n g for M e s s i a h ? " Berko s h r u g s , u n i n t e r e s t e d in t h e q u e s t i o n , k e e p i n g his eyes o n t h e t r a c k o f t h e b l a c k g a l o s h e s i n t h e s n o w . " I t ' s M e s s i a h , " h e says. " W h a t else can y o u d o b u t w a i t ? " "And t h e n w h e n he comes, what? Peace on e a r t h ? " " P e a c e , p r o s p e r i t y . P l e n t y t o e a t . N o b o d y s i c k o r lonely. N o b o d y selling anything. I d o n ' t k n o w . " " A n d P a l e s t i n e ? W h e n M e s s i a h c o m e s , all t h e J e w s m o v e b a c k there? T o t h e p r o m i s e d land? F u r h a t s a n d all?" " I h e a r d M e s s i a h c u t a d e a l w i t h t h e b e a v e r s , " B e r k o says. " N o m o r e fur." U n d e r t h e glow of a b i g iron gas l a m p m o u n t e d , b y an iron bracket, to t h e front of t h e rebbe's house, a loose k n o t of

men

is k i l l i n g t h e l a s t o f t h e w e e k . H a n g e r s - o n , t h e r e b b e - s t r u c k , a n o u t r i g h t simpleton or two. A n d the usual i m p r o m p t u mess of wouldb e S w i s s G u a r d s w h o m a k e t h e j o b t o u g h e r for t h e b i k s h o l d i n g u p either side of t h e front door. E v e r y b o d y ' s telling e v e r y b o d y else to go h o m e a n d bless t h e light w i t h t h e i r families, leave t h e r e b b e t o eat his S a b b a t h d i n n e r in p e a c e already. N o b o d y ' s q u i t e leaving, n o b o d y ' s q u i t e s t i c k i n g a r o u n d . T h e y s w a p a u t h e n t i c lies a b o u t recent miracles and p o r t e n t s , n e w Canadian immigration scams, a n d forty n e w versions of t h e s t o r y of t h e I n d i a n w i t h t h e h a m m e r , how he recited the Alenu while dancing an Indian p a t c h tanz. W h e n t h e y hear t h e c r u n c h a n d c h i m i n g of Z i m b a l i s t ' s galoshes c o m i n g t o w a r d t h e m a c r o s s t h e p l a t z , t h e y l e a v e off m a k i n g t h e i r

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noises, o n e b y one, like a calliope r u n n i n g o u t of steam. Fifty years Z i m b a l i s t has b e e n living in t h e i r m i d s t a n d he's still, b y s o m e tangle of choice a n d necessity, an outsider. H e ' s a wizard, a juju m a n , w i t h his fingers o n t h e s t r i n g s t h a t r i n g t h e D i s t r i c t , a n d his p a l m s c u p p i n g t h e brackish w a t e r of their souls every Sabbath. P e rch ed at t h e t o p s of t h e b o u n d a r y maven's poles, his c r e w s can see i n t o e v e r y w i n d o w , t h e y can listen in o n e v e r y t e l e p h o n e call. O r a t l e a s t t h a t is w h a t t h e s e m e n h a v e h e a r d . " C o m i n g t h r o u g h , p l e a s e , " t h e m a v e n s a y s , h e a d i n g for

the

front s t e p s w i t h t h e i r p r e t t y railings of curlicued w r o u g h t iron. " F r i e n d Belsky, m o v e a s i d e . " T h e m e n m a k e w a y as if Z i m b a l i s t is r u n n i n g t o w a r d a w a t e r b u c k e t h o l d i n g s o m e t h i n g o n fire. B e f o r e t h e y c a n q u i t e c l o s e u p t h e g a p , t h e y see L a n d s m a n a n d Berko c o m i n g t h e i r w a y a n d t h r o w d o w n a s i l e n c e s o h e a v y t h a t L a n d s m a n c a n feel i t p r e s s i n g o n t h e sides of his h e a d . H e can h e a r t h e s n o w fizzing a n d t h e sizzle each s n o w f l a k e m a k e s as i t h i t s t h e t o p o f t h e g a s l a m p . T h e m e n p u t o n a n e x h i b i t i o n o f h a r d l o o k s a n d i n n o c e n t l o o k s a n d l o o k s so b l a n k t h e y t h r e a t e n t o v a c u u m all t h e a i r f r o m L a n d s m a n ' s l u n g s . S o m e b o d y says, " I d o n ' t see a n y h a m m e r . " D e t e c t i v e s L a n d s m a n a n d S h e m e t s wish t h e m t h e joy of t h e S a b b a t h . T h e n t h e y t u r n their a t t e n t i o n to t h e biks b y t h e door, a couple of thickset, red-haired, pop-eyed boys w i t h p u g noses a n d d e n s e w o o l l y b e a r d s t h e r u s t y gold of b r i s k e t gravy. T w o red R u d a s h e v s k y s , b i k s f r o m a l o n g l i n e o f b i k s , b r e d for s i m p l i c i t y , density, power, a n d l i g h t n e s s of foot. " P r o f e s s o r Z i m b a l i s t , " says t h e R u d a s h e v s k y t o t h e left o f t h e d o o r . "A g o o d S a b b a t h t o y o u . " "And to you, Friend Rudashevsky. I regret to disturb

your

w a t c h on this peaceful a f t e r n o o n . " T h e b o u n d a r y maven settles t h e furry o t t o m a n m o r e s n u g l y o n his h e a d . Off t o a flowery s t a r t , b u t w h e n h e g o e s t o o p e n t h e d r a w e r o f h i s face, n o m o r e c o i n falls o u t . L a n d s m a n r e a c h e s i n t o h i s h i p p o c k e t . Z i m b a l i s t is j u s t s t a n d i n g t h e r e , h i s a r m s h a n g i n g s l a c k , m a y b e t h i n k i n g i t ' s all h i s

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fault, t h a t it was chess t h a t b e n t t h e b o y from t h e G o d - d i r e c t e d angle of his glory, a n d n o w Z i m b a l i s t has t o go in t h e r e a n d tell t h e father t h e s o r r y e n d i n g of t h e tale. So L a n d s m a n b r u s h e s u p against Z i m b a l i s t ' s shoulder, w i t h his fingers a r o u n d t h e

cold

s m o o t h n e c k of t h e p i n t of C a n a d i a n v o d k a in his p o c k e t . H e t a p s t h e b o t t l e a g a i n s t Z i m b a l i s t ' s b o n y claw u n t i l t h e old fart c a t c h e s on and palms it. " N u , Yossele, it's D e t e c t i v e S h e m e t s , " Berko says, t a k i n g over the operation, squinting up into the scattering gaslight with a hand over his eyes. T h e g a n g of m e n b e h i n d t h e m b e g i n s t o m u r m u r , sensing n o w the quick unfolding of s o m e t h i n g bad and marvelous. T h e w i n d jerks t h e snowflakes back a n d forth on its h u n d r e d hooks. "What's up, yid?" " D e t e c t i v e , " says t h e R u d a s h e v s k y t o t h e r i g h t , m a y b e Y o s s e l e ' s brother, m a y b e his cousin. M a y b e b o t h at once. " W e h e a r d y o u w e r e in t h e n e i g h b o r h o o d . " " T h i s is D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n , m y p a r t n e r . C o u l d y o u p l e a s e tell R a b b i S h p i l m a n t h a t w e ' d l i k e t o h a v e a m o m e n t o f h i s t i m e ? P l e a s e b e l i e v e , w e w o u l d n ' t d i s t u r b h i m a t t h i s h o u r if i t w a s n ' t so important." Black h a t s , even Verbovers, d o n ' t usually challenge t h e r i g h t or a u t h o r i t y of p o l i c e m e n t o c o n d u c t police b u s i n e s s in t h e H a r k a v y or on Verbov Island. T h e y don't cooperate, b u t they usually d o n ' t interfere. O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , t o e n t e r t h e h o m e of exile's s t r o n g e s t r a b b i , a t t h e v e r y b r i n k o f t h e h o l i e s t m o m e n t o f t h e w e e k , for t h a t y o u n e e d a g o o d r e a s o n . Y o u n e e d t o b e c o m i n g t o t e l l h i m , for e x a m p l e , t h a t h i s o n l y s o n is d e a d . "A m o m e n t o f t h e r e b b e ' s t i m e ? " says a R u d a s h e v s k y . "If you had a million dollars, please d o n ' t m i n d m y saying so, w i t h all d u e r e s p e c t , D e t e c t i v e S h e m e t s , " says t h e o t h e r , b r o a d e r of s h o u l d e r a n d hairier of k n u c k l e t h a n Yossele, laying a h a n d over h i s h e a r t , " i t w o u l d n ' t b e w o r t h so m u c h as t h a t . " L a n d s m a n t u r n s to Berko. " H a v e y o u got t h a t kind of m o n e y on you?"

MICHAEL

CHABON

Berko j a b s L a n d s m a n in t h e side w i t h an elbow. L a n d s m a n never w a l k e d a b l a c k - h a t b e a t in his latke days, g r o p i n g his w a y along a m u r k y sea b o t t o m of b l a n k looks a n d silences t h a t could c r u s h a submarine. Landsman doesn't know how to show the proper respect. " C o m e , Yossele. S h m e r l , s w e e t n e s s , " Berko croons. " I n e e d t o get h o m e t o m y table. Let us i n . " Y o s s e l e t u g s o n h i s b r i s k e t - c o l o r e d c h i n muffler. T h e n t h e o t h e r b e g i n s t o s p e a k i n a low, s t e a d y u n d e r t o n e . T h e b i k is w e a r i n g , h i d d e n b y one of his looping a u b u r n sidelocks, a headset-style microphone and earpiece. " I a m t o i n q u i r e r e s p e c t f u l l y , " t h e b i k says a f t e r a m o m e n t , t h e f o r c e o f t h e o r d e r f l o w i n g a c r o s s h i s f e a t u r e s , s o f t e n i n g t h e m as i t s t i f f e n s h i s d i c t i o n , " w h a t b u s i n e s s b r i n g s t h e d i s t i n g u i s h e d officers o f t h e l a w t o t h e r e b b e ' s h o m e so l a t e t h i s F r i d a y a f t e r n o o n . " " I d i o t s ! " Z i m b a l i s t says, a s l u g of v o d k a in h i m , c a r e e r i n g u p t h e s t e p s l i k e a fool o f a b e a r o n a u n i c y c l e . H e g r a b s t h e l a p e l s o f Y o s s e l e R u d a s h e v s k y ' s c o a t a n d d a n c e s w i t h t h e m , left a n d r i g h t , a n g e r a n d grief. " T h e y ' r e h e r e a b o u t M e n d e l e ! " T h e m e n s t a n d i n g a r o u n d in front of t h e S h p i l m a n h o u s e have been muttering and commenting and critiquing the performance, b u t t h e y s h u t u p . Life w h e e z e s i n a n d o u t o f t h e i r l u n g s , r a t t l e s in t h e s n o t of t h e i r noses. T h e h e a t of t h e l a n t e r n vaporizes t h e snow. T h e air s e e m s t o s h a t t e r like a w o r l d of t i n y w i n d o w s w i t h a tinkling sound. And Landsman

feels s o m e t h i n g t h a t

makes

h i m w a n t t o p u t a h a n d t o t h e b a c k o f h i s n e c k . H e is a d e a l e r in e n t r o p y and a disbeliever by trade and inclination. T o Landsman, h e a v e n is k i t s c h , G o d a w o r d , a n d t h e s o u l , a t m o s t , t h e c h a r g e o n y o u r b a t t e r y . B u t in t h e t h r e e - s e c o n d lull t h a t follows Z i m b a l i s t ' s c r y i n g o u t t h e n a m e of t h e rebbe's lost son, L a n d s m a n has t h e feeling t h a t s o m e t h i n g c o m e s fluttering a m o n g t h e m .

Dipping

d o w n over t h e c r o w d of m e n , b r u s h i n g t h e m w i t h its wing. M a y b e it's j u s t t h e k n o w l e d g e , leaping from m a n t o m a n , of w h y these t w o h o m i c i d e detectives m u s t have come at this hour. O r m a y b e

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it's t h e old p o w e r t o c o n j u r e of a n a m e in w h i c h t h e i r fondest h o p e once resided. O r m a y b e L a n d s m a n j u s t needs a good night's sleep in a h o t e l w i t h n o d e a d J e w s i n i t . Yossele t u r n s t o S h m e r l , t h e d o u g h of his f o r e h e a d

kneaded,

holding on to Z i m b a l i s t w i t h t h e brainless t e n d e r n e s s of a b r u t a l m a n . S h m e r l speaks a n o t h e r few syllables i n t o t h e h e a r t of

the

Verbover rebbe's house. H e looks east, west. H e checks w i t h t h e m a n d o l i n m a n o n t h e roof; t h e r e is a l w a y s a m a n o n t h e r o o f w i t h a s e m i a u t o m a t i c m a n d o l i n . T h e n he eases open t h e paneled door. Yossele sets old Z i m b a l i s t d o w n w i t h a j i n g l i n g of g a l o s h e s clasps a n d p a t s h i m on t h e c h e e k . " I f y o u p l e a s e , D e t e c t i v e s , " h e says. Y o u c o m e i n t o a w a i n s c o t e d h a l l , a d o o r a t t h e far e n d , o n t h e left a w o o d e n s t a i r l e a d i n g u p t o t h e s e c o n d floor. T h e s t a i r s a n d r i s e r s , t h e w a i n s c o t , e v e n t h e f l o o r b o a r d s a r e all c u t f r o m b i g s l a b s of some kind of pine, k n o t t y a n d b u t t e r - c o l o r e d . A l o n g t h e wall opposite t h e stairway r u n s a low b e n c h , also k n o t t y p i n e , covered in a p u r p l e v e l v e t c u s h i o n , w o r n t o a s h i n e in p a t c h e s a n d b e a r i n g six r o u n d i n d e n t a t i o n s m a d e b y y e a r s o f V e r b o v e r b u t t o c k s . " T h e e s t e e m e d d e t e c t i v e s will p l e a s e w a i t h e r e , " S h m e r l says. H e a n d Yossele r e t u r n t o t h e i r p o s t s , l e a v i n g L a n d s m a n

and

Berko u n d e r t h e steady b u t indifferent s c r u t i n y of a t h i r d h u l k i n g R u d a s h e v s k y w h o lounges against t h e b a l u s t e r at t h e b o t t o m of the stairs. " S i t , P r o f e s s o r , " says t h e i n d o o r R u d a s h e v s k y . " T h a n k y o u , " h e says. " B u t I d o n ' t c a r e t o s i t . " " Y o u all r i g h t , P r o f e s s o r ? " B e r k o s a y s , l a y i n g a h a n d o n

the

maven's arm. "A h a n d b a l l c o u r t , " Z i m b a l i s t says as if i n r e p l y t o t h e q u e s t i o n . " W h o plays handball a n y m o r e ? " S o m e t h i n g in t h e p o c k e t of Z i m b a l i s t ' s coat c a t c h e s Berko's eye. L a n d s m a n t a k e s a s u d d e n i n t e r e s t i n a s m a l l w o o d e n r a c k affixed t o t h e wall b y t h e door, well stocked w i t h t w o slick, colorful b r o c h u r e s . O n e is e n t i t l e d " W h o Is t h e V e r b o v e r R e b b e ? " a n d i t i n f o r m s h i m t h a t t h e y are s t a n d i n g in t h e formal or c e r e m o n i a l e n t r a n c e of t h e

132

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h o u s e , a n d t h a t t h e family comes a n d goes a n d does its living at t h e o t h e r e n d , j u s t like in t h e h o u s e of t h e p r e s i d e n t of A m e r i c a . T h e o t h e r b r o c h u r e t h e y ' r e g i v i n g a w a y is c a l l e d " F i v e G r e a t T r u t h s a n d Five Big Lies A b o u t Verbover H a s i d i s m . " "I

saw

the

movie,"

Berko

says, r e a d i n g

over

Landsman's

shoulder. T h e s t a i r c r e a k s . T h e R u d a s h e v s k y m u m b l e s , as if a n n o u n c i n g a c h a n g e in t h e d i n n e r m e n u , " R a b b i B a r o n s h t e y n . " Landsman knows Baronshteyn only by reputation.

Another

b o y w o n d e r , w i t h a l a w d e g r e e in a d d i t i o n t o his r a b b i ' s s m i k h a , he married

o n e of

the

rebbe's

eight

daughters. H e

is

never

p h o t o g r a p h e d , a n d h e n e v e r leaves Verbov Island, unless y o u believe t h e s t o r i e s o f h i s s n e a k i n g i n t o s o m e S o u t h S i t k a r o a c h m o t e l in t h e d e a d of n i g h t to exact personal r e t r i b u t i o n on a policy-game skimmer, or on some shlosser w h o mishandled a hit. "Detective

Shemets,

Detective

Landsman.

I

am

Aryeh

Baronshteyn, the rebbe's gabay." L a n d s m a n is s u r p r i s e d b y h o w y o u n g h e i s , t h i r t y a t t h e o u t s i d e . H i g h , n a r r o w f o r e h e a d , b l a c k e y e s h a r d as a c o u p l e o f s t o n e s left o n a g r a v e m a r k e r . H e has c o n c e a l e d his girlish m o u t h in t h e m a n l y b l o o m of a K i n g S o l o m o n b e a r d , fitted w i t h careful s t r e a k s of g r a y t o s u g g e s t m a t u r i t y . T h e sidelocks h a n g l i m p a n d orderly. H e has t h e air of a self-denier, b u t his c l o t h e s b e t r a y t h e old Verbover love o f flash. H i s c a l v e s a r e p l u m p a n d m u s c u l a r i n t h e i r s i l k g a r t e r s a n d w h i t e h o s e . H e k e e p s h i s l o n g feet e n c a s e d i n b r u s h e d b l a c k v e l v e t e e n slippers. T h e frock c o a t looks fresh from t h e b e s p o k e needle of M o s e s a n d Sons on Asch Street. O n l y t h e plain k n i t s k u l l c a p h a s a m o d e s t air. U n d e r n e a t h i t , h i s b r u s h - c u t h a i r g l i n t s l i k e t h e b u s i n e s s e n d o f a p a i n t - s t r i p p i n g r o t o r . H i s face d i s p l a y s n o t r a c e of w a r i n e s s , b u t L a n d s m a n can see w h e r e w a r i n e s s has b e e n carefully erased. "Reb

Baronshteyn,"

L a n d s m a n does likewise.

Berko

murmurs,

taking

off

his

hat.

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B a r o n s h t e y n k e e p s his h a n d s in t h e p o c k e t s of his frock c o a t , a s a t i n n u m b e r w i t h v e l o u r l a p e l s a n d p o c k e t flaps. H e ' s m a k i n g a n a t t e m p t to look at his ease, b u t some m e n j u s t d o n ' t k n o w h o w to s t a n d a r o u n d w i t h t h e i r h a n d s in t h e i r p o c k e t s a n d l o o k n a t u r a l . " W h a t d o y o u w a n t h e r e ? " h e says. H e m i m e s a g l a n c e a t h i s w a t c h , p o k i n g it from t h e cuff of his m i l l e d c o t t o n s h i r t j u s t l o n g e n o u g h for t h e m t o r e a d t h e n a m e o f P a t e k P h i l i p p e o n i t s face. " I t ' s very late." " W e ' r e h e r e t o t a l k t o R e b b e S h p i l m a n , R a b b i , " L a n d s m a n says. " I f y o u r t i m e is so p r e c i o u s , t h e n w e s u r e l y d o n ' t w a n t t o w a s t e i t by talking to you." " I t i s n ' t m y t i m e t h a t I fear t o h a v e y o u w a s t e ,

Detective

L a n d s m a n . A n d I c a n t e l l y o u r i g h t n o w t h a t if y o u a t t e m p t display, in t h i s h o u s e , t h e d i s r e s p e c t f u l a t t i t u d e a n d

to

disgraceful

b e h a v i o r for w h i c h y o u a r e n o t o r i o u s , t h e n y o u w i l l n o t r e m a i n i n t h i s h o u s e . Is t h a t c l e a r ? " "I think you have m e mixed u p w i t h the other Detective Meyer L a n d s m a n , " L a n d s m a n says. " I ' m t h e o n e w h o ' s j u s t d o i n g h i s job." " T h e n y o u a r e h e r e as p a r t o f a m u r d e r i n v e s t i g a t i o n ? M a y I a s k in w h a t w a y i t c o n c e r n s t h e r e b b e ? " " W e r e a l l y d o n e e d t o t a l k t o t h e r e b b e , " B e r k o says. " I f h e t e l l s u s h e ' d l i k e t o h a v e y o u p r e s e n t , y o u ' r e w e l c o m e t o stay. B u t w i t h all d u e r e s p e c t , R a b b i , w e ' r e n o t h e r e t o a n s w e r y o u r q u e s t i o n s . And we aren't here to waste anybody's time." "In addition to being his adviser, D e t e c t i v e , I a m t h e rebbe's a t t o r n e y . You k n o w t h a t . " " W e ' r e aware of t h a t , sir." " M y office is a c r o s s t h e p l a t z , "

B a r o n s h t e y n says, g o i n g t o

t h e front d o o r a n d h o l d i n g it o p e n like a gracious d o o r m a n . S n o w p o u r s d o w n p a s t t h e o p e n doorway, g l o w i n g in t h e gaslight like an endless j a c k p o t of coins. " I ' m sure I will b e able t o a n s w e r w h a t e v e r questions you have."

134

MICHAEL

CHABON

" B a r o n s h t e y n , y o u p u p p y G e t o u t of their w a y " Z i m b a l i s t is o n h i s f e e t n o w , h a t c o l l a p s i n g o v e r o n e ear, in h i s v a s t m a n g y c o a t a n d h i s m i a s m a o f m o t h b a l l s a n d grief. " P r o f e s s o r Z i m b a l i s t . " B a r o n s h t e y n ' s t o n e is o n e o f w a r n i n g , b u t h i s e y e g r o w s k e e n as h e t a k e s i n t h e r u i n o f t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n . H e m a y n e v e r have seen Z i m b a l i s t in p r o x i m i t y t o an e m o t i o n . T h e spectacle clearly interests h i m . " H a v e a care." "You t r i e d to t a k e his place. Well, n o w you have it. H o w does it feel?" Z i m b a l i s t t o t t e r s a s t e p closer t o t h e gabay. T h e r e m u s t b e all k i n d s o f c o r d s a n d t r i p w i r e s c r i s s c r o s s i n g t h e s p a c e b e t w e e n t h e m . B u t for o n c e t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n s e e m s t o h a v e m i s l a i d h i s s t r i n g m a p . " H e ' s m o r e alive even n o w t h a n y o u will ever b e , y o u smelt, you waxworks." H e c r a s h e s p a s t B e r k o a n d L a n d s m a n , r e a c h i n g for t h e b a n i s t e r o r t h e gabay's t h r o a t . B a r o n s h t e y n d o e s n ' t flinch. Berko g r a b s h o l d of t h e belt at t h e waist of t h e bearskin coat a n d drags Zimbalist back. "Who

i s ? " says B a r o n s h t e y n . " W h o a r e y o u t a l k i n g a b o u t ? " H e

looks at L a n d s m a n . " D e t e c t i v e , did s o m e t h i n g happen to M e n d e l Shpilman?" L a n d s m a n will r e v i e w t h e p e r f o r m a n c e later w i t h Berko, b u t h i s f i r s t i m p r e s s i o n is t h a t B a r o n s h t e y n s o u n d s s u r p r i s e d b y t h e possibility. " P r o f e s s o r , " B e r k o says. " W e a p p r e c i a t e t h e h e l p . T h a n k y o u . " H e zips u p Z i m b a l i s t ' s s w e a t e r a n d b u t t o n s his jacket. H e tucks one side of t h e bearskin coat over t h e o t h e r and k n o t s t h e belt tightly at t h e w a i s t . " N o w , please, go h o m e . Yossele, S h m e r l , s o m e b o d y w a l k t h e p r o f e s s o r h o m e b e f o r e h i s wife g e t s w o r r i e d a n d calls t h e police." Yossele takes Z i m b a l i s t b y t h e a r m , a n d t h e y s t a r t d o w n t h e steps. Berko s h u t s t h e d o o r against t h e cold. " T a k e us to t h e rebbe, c o u n s e l o r , " h e says. " N o w . "

• § 1 6

R

(F

a b b i H e s k e l S h p i l m a n is a d e f o r m e d m o u n t a i n , a g i a n t r u i n e d dessert, a cartoon house with the windows shut and the sink left r u n n i n g . A l i t t l e k i d l u m p e d h i m t o g e t h e r , a m o b o f k i d s ,

blind o r p h a n s w h o never laid eyes on a m a n . T h e y c l u m p e d

the

d o u g h of his a r m s a n d legs t o t h e d o u g h of his body, t h e n j a m m e d his h e a d d o w n o n t o p . A m i l l i o n a i r e c o u l d cover a R o l l s - R o y c e w i t h t h e fine b l a c k s i l k - a n d - v e l v e t e x p a n s e o f t h e r e b b e ' s f r o c k

coat

and trousers. It w o u l d r e q u i r e t h e brain s t r e n g t h of t h e e i g h t e e n g r e a t e s t sages in h i s t o r y t o r e a s o n t h r o u g h t h e a r g u m e n t s a g a i n s t a n d i n favor o f c l a s s i f y i n g t h e r e b b e ' s m a s s i v e b o t t o m as e i t h e r a c r e a t u r e of t h e deep, a m a n - m a d e s t r u c t u r e , or an unavoidable act o f G o d . If h e s t a n d s u p , o r if h e s i t s d o w n , i t d o e s n ' t m a k e a n y difference in w h a t y o u see. " I s u g g e s t w e d i s p e n s e w i t h t h e p l e a s a n t r i e s , " t h e r e b b e says. His voice comes pitched high, droll, t h e voice of t h e wellproportioned, scholarly m a n he m u s t have been once. L a n d s m a n has h e a r d t h a t it's a glandular disorder. H e has h e a r d t h a t

the

V e r b o v e r r e b b e , for all h i s b u l k , m a i n t a i n s t h e d i e t o f a m a r t y r , b r o t h and roots and a daily c r u s t of bread. B u t L a n d s m a n prefers t o s e e t h e m a n as d i s t e n d e d w i t h t h e g a s o f v i o l e n c e a n d c o r r u p t i o n .

136

MICHAEL

CHABDN

H i s b e l l y filled w i t h b o n e s a n d s h o e s a n d t h e h e a r t s o f m e n , h a l f d i g e s t e d i n t h e a c i d o f h i s Law. " S i t d o w n a n d tell m e w h a t y o u c a m e h e r e t o say." " W e c a n d o t h a t , r e b b e , " B e r k o says. T h e y e a c h t a k e a c h a i r i n f r o n t o f t h e r e b b e ' s d e s k . T h e office is p u r e A u s t r o - H u n g a r i a n e m p i r e . B e h e m o t h s o f m a h o g a n y , e b o n y a n d b i r d ' s - e y e m a p l e c r o w d t h e w a l l s , o r n a t e as c a t h e d r a l s . I n t h e corner by the door stands the famous Verbover Clock, a survivor o f t h e o l d h o m e b a c k i n U k r a i n e . L o o t e d w h e n R u s s i a fell, t h e n s h i p p e d back to G e r m a n y , it survived t h e d r o p p i n g of t h e atomic b o m b o n B e r l i n i n 1 9 4 6 a n d all t h e c o n f u s i o n s o f t h e t i m e t h a t f o l l o w e d . I t r u n s c o u n t e r c l o c k w i s e , r e v e r s e - n u m b e r e d w i t h t h e first twelve letters of t h e H e b r e w alphabet. Its recovery was a t u r n i n g p o i n t in t h e f o r t u n e s of t h e Verbover c o u r t a n d m a r k e d t h e s t a r t of Heskel Shpilman's ascent. Baronshteyn takes up a position behind a n d to t h e r i g h t of t h e r e b b e , at a lectern w h e r e he can keep one e y e o n t h e s t r e e t , o n e e y e o n w h a t e v e r v o l u m e is b e i n g c o m b e d for p r e c e d e n t s a n d justifications, a n d o n e eye, a lidless inner eye, on t h e m a n w h o is t h e c e n t e r o f h i s e x i s t e n c e . L a n d s m a n c l e a r s h i s t h r o a t . H e is t h e p r i m a r y , a n d t h i s is h i s j o b to do. H e steals a n o t h e r glance at t h e Verbover Clock. T h e r e a r e s e v e n m i n u t e s r e m a i n i n g i n t h i s s o r r y e x c u s e for a w e e k . " B e f o r e y o u b e g i n , D e t e c t i v e s , " says A r y e h B a r o n s h t e y n , " l e t m e s t a t e for t h e r e c o r d t h a t I a m h e r e i n m y c a p a c i t y as a t t o r n e y t o R a b b i S h p i l m a n . R e b b e , if y o u h a v e a n y d o u b t a b o u t w h e t h e r y o u o u g h t t o a n s w e r a q u e s t i o n p u t t o y o u b y t h e d e t e c t i v e s , p l e a s e r e f r a i n from a n s w e r i n g , a n d a l l o w m e t o a s k t h e m t o clarify o r r e p h r a s e i t . " " T h i s i s n ' t a n i n t e r r o g a t i o n , R a b b i B a r o n s h t e y n , " B e r k o says. "You are welcome here, more than welcome, Aryeh," the rebbe says. " I n d e e d , I i n s i s t t h a t y o u b e p r e s e n t . B u t as m y g a b a y a n d m y s o n - i n - l a w . N o t as m y l a w y e r . F o r t h i s I d o n ' t n e e d a l a w y e r . " " I f I may, d e a r R e b b e . T h e s e m e n a r e h o m i c i d e d e t e c t i v e s . You a r e t h e V e r b o v e r r e b b e . If y o u d o n ' t n e e d a lawyer, t h e n n o b o d y n e e d s

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a lawyer. A n d believe m e , e v e r y b o d y n e e d s a lawyer." B a r o n s h t e y n slides a p a d of yellow p a p e r from t h e i n t e r i o r of t h e l e c t e r n , w h e r e he no d o u b t keeps his vials of c u r a r e a n d his necklaces of severed h u m a n ears. H e u n s c r e w s t h e cap of a fountain p e n . " I will at least take notes. O n , " h e d e a d p a n s , " a legal p a d . " T h e Verbover r e b b e c o n t e m p l a t e s L a n d s m a n from d e e p inside t h e r e d o u b t o f h i s flesh. H e h a s l i g h t e y e s , s o m e w h e r e b e t w e e n g r e e n and gold. T h e y ' r e n o t h i n g like t h e pebbles a b a n d o n e d b y m o u r n e r s o n B a r o n s h t e y n ' s t o m b s t o n e p u s s . F a t h e r l y e y e s t h a t suffer

and

f o r g i v e a n d find a m u s e m e n t . T h e y k n o w w h a t L a n d s m a n h a s l o s t , w h a t he has s q u a n d e r e d a n d let slip from his g r a s p t h r o u g h d o u b t , faithlessness, a n d t h e p u r s u i t of b e i n g t o u g h . T h e y u n d e r s t a n d t h e f u r i o u s w o b b l e t h a t t h r o w s off t h e t r a j e c t o r y o f L a n d s m a n ' s g o o d i n t e n t i o n s . T h e y c o m p r e h e n d t h e l o v e affair t h a t L a n d s m a n h a s w i t h violence, his wild willingness t o p u t his b o d y o u t t h e r e on the street to break and to be broken. Until this m i n u t e Landsman d i d n ' t g r a s p w h a t h e a n d e v e r y n o z in t h e D i s t r i c t , a n d t h e R u s s i a n s h t a r k e r s a n d s m a l l - t i m e w i s e g u y s , a n d t h e FBI a n d t h e 1RS a n d the ATF, were up against. H e never understood how the other sects could tolerate a n d even defer to t h e p r e s e n c e of t h e s e p i o u s g a n g s t e r s in t h e i r b l a c k - h a t m i d s t . You c o u l d lead m e n w i t h a p a i r of eyes like t h a t . You c o u l d s e n d t h e m t o t h e v e r y lip of w h a t e v e r abyss you chose. "Tell me why you are here, Detective L a n d s m a n , " the rebbe says. T h r o u g h t h e d o o r o f t h e o u t e r office c o m e s t h e m u f f l e d j a n g l e o f a t e l e p h o n e . T h e r e is n o p h o n e o n t h e d e s k a n d n o n e i n s i g h t . T h e r e b b e w o r k s s o m e feat o f s e m a p h o r e w i t h h a l f a n e y e b r o w a n d a m i n o r muscle of t h e eye. B a r o n s h t e y n p u t s d o w n his p e n . T h e r i n g i n g s w e l l s a n d d w i n d l e s as B a r o n s h t e y n s l i p s t h e b l a c k m i s s i v e o f h i s b o d y t h r o u g h t h e s l o t o f t h e office d o o r . A m o m e n t l a t e r , L a n d s m a n hears him answer. T h e w o r d s are unclear, t h e t o n e c u r t , m a y b e even harsh.

138

MICHAEL

CHABON

T h e r e b b e catches L a n d s m a n t r y i n g to eavesdrop a n d p u t s his eyebrow muscles to m o r e s t r e n u o u s use. " R i g h t , " says L a n d s m a n . " I t ' s l i k e t h i s . I t so h a p p e n s , R a b b i S h p i l m a n , t h a t I live in t h e Z a m e n h o f . It's a h o t e l , n o t a g o o d o n e , d o w n on M a x N o r d a u Street. Last night the manager

knocked

on m y d o o r a n d asked m e w o u l d I m i n d c o m i n g d o w n to have a look at a n o t h e r g u e s t in t h e h o t e l . T h e m a n a g e r h a d been w o r r i e d a b o u t t h i s g u e s t . H e w a s afraid t h e J e w m i g h t have overdosed. A n d so h e h a d l e t h i m s e l f i n t o t h e r o o m . I t t u r n e d o u t t h a t t h e m a n was dead. H e was r e g i s t e r e d u n d e r an a s s u m e d name. H e h a d n o identification. B u t t h e r e w e r e a few h i n t s of t h i s a n d t h a t in his r o o m . A n d t o d a y m y p a r t n e r a n d I followed u p on o n e of t h o s e h i n t s , a n d i t l e d u s h e r e . T o y o u . W e b e l i e v e — w e a r e all b u t c e r t a i n — t h a t the dead man was your son." B a r o n s h t e y n s i d l e s b a c k i n t o t h e r o o m as L a n d s m a n is g i v i n g t h e n e w s . H i s face h a s b e e n w i p e d , as if w i t h a soft c l o t h , o f all p r i n t s or s m u d g e s of e m o t i o n . "All b u t c e r t a i n , " t h e r e b b e says d u l l y , n o t h i n g m o v i n g i n h i s face b u t t h e l i g h t s i n h i s e y e s . " I s e e . A l l b u t c e r t a i n . H i n t s o f t h i s and that." " W e h a v e a p i c t u r e , " L a n d s m a n says. O n c e a g a i n h e p r o d u c e s like a g r i m m a g i c i a n S h p r i n g e r ' s p h o t o g r a p h of t h e d e a d J e w in 208.

H e s t a r t s t o pass it t o t h e r e b b e b u t consideration, a sudden

flutter of s y m p a t h y , stops his h a n d . " P e r h a p s i t w o u l d b e b e s t , " says B a r o n s h t e y n , " i f I — " "No,"

t h e r e b b e says.

S h p i l m a n takes t h e p h o t o g r a p h from L a n d s m a n a n d , w i t h b o t h h a n d s , b r i n g s i t v e r y c l o s e t o h i s face, s t r a i g h t u p i n t o t h e p r e c i n c t o f h i s r i g h t e y e b a l l . H e ' s o n l y n e a r s i g h t e d , b u t t h e r e is s o m e t h i n g v a m p i r i c i n t h e g e s t u r e , as if h e ' s t r y i n g t o d r a i n a v i t a l l i q u o r f r o m t h e p h o t o g r a p h w i t h t h e l a m p r e y m o u t h of his eye. H e m e a s u r e s it from t o p t o b o t t o m a n d e n d t o e n d . H i s expression never alters. T h e n h e lowers t h e p h o t o g r a p h t o t h e c l u t t e r of his d e s k a n d

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clucks his t o n g u e once. B a r o n s h t e y n s t e p s forward t o t a k e a look at t h e p i c t u r e , b u t t h e r e b b e w a v e s h i m off a n d s a y s , " I t ' s h i m . " Landsman,

his i n s t r u m e n t s

a p e r t u r e , is t u n e d

dialed

up

t o full

gain,

widest

to catch s o m e faint radiation of r e g r e t

or

satisfaction t h a t m i g h t escape t h e singularities at t h e h e a r t

of

B a r o n s h t e y n ' s eyes. A n d it's t h e r e ; a brief t r a c e r arc of particles lights t h e m up. B u t w h a t L a n d s m a n d e t e c t s in t h a t i n s t a n t , t o his s u r p r i s e , is d i s a p p o i n t m e n t . F o r a n i n s t a n t A r y e h B a r o n s h t e y n l o o k s l i k e a m a n w h o j u s t d r e w a n a c e o f s p a d e s a n d is c o n t e m p l a t i n g t h e fan o f u s e l e s s d i a m o n d s i n h i s h a n d . H e e x h a l e s a s h o r t b r e a t h , h a l f a sigh, and walks slowly back t o his lectern. " S h o t , " t h e r e b b e says. " O n c e , " says L a n d s m a n . "By w h o m , please?" "Well, we don't k n o w t h a t . " "Any witnesses?" " N o t so far." "Motive?" L a n d s m a n says n o , t h e n t u r n s t o B e r k o for c o n f i r m a t i o n , a n d Berko gives his h e a d a s o m b e r shake. "Shot"

T h e R e b b e s h a k e s h i s h e a d as if m a r v e l i n g : How do you

like that? W i t h n o d i s c e r n i b l e c h a n g e i n h i s v o i c e o r m a n n e r , h e s a y s , "You are well, Detective S h e m e t s ? " "I can't complain, Rabbi Shpilman." " Y o u r wife a n d c h i l d r e n ? H e a l t h y a n d s t r o n g ? " " T h e y could be worse." " T w o sons, I believe, one an infant." " R i g h t , as u s u a l . " T h e massive cheeks t r e m b l e in a s s e n t or satisfaction. T h e r e b b e m u r m u r s a conventional blessing on t h e heads of Berko's little boys. T h e n his gaze rolls in L a n d s m a n ' s d i r e c t i o n , a n d w h e n it locks o n h i m , L a n d s m a n feels a s t a b o f p a n i c . T h e r e b b e k n o w s e v e r y t h i n g . H e knows about the mosaic chromosome and the boy Landsman

I4D

MICHAEL

CHABON

sacrificed t o p r e s e r v e h a r d - e a r n e d illusions a b o u t t h e t e n d e n c y of life t o g e t t h i n g s w r o n g . A n d n o w h e ' s g o i n g t o offer a b l e s s i n g for D j a n g o , t o o . B u t t h e r e b b e says n o t h i n g , a n d t h e g e a r s in t h e V e r b o v e r C l o c k g r i n d away. B e r k o g l a n c e s a t h i s w r i s t w a t c h ; t i m e to get h o m e to t h e candles a n d t h e wine. T o his blessed boys, w h o c o u l d b e w o r s e . T o E s t e r - M a l k e , w i t h t h e b r a i d e d loaf of a n o t h e r c h i l d t u c k e d s o m e w h e r e i n h e r belly. H e a n d L a n d s m a n h a v e n o d i s p e n s a t i o n t o b e h e r e p a s t s u n d o w n , i n v e s t i g a t i n g a case t h a t officially n o l o n g e r e x i s t s . N o o n e ' s life is a t s t a k e . T h e r e is n o t h i n g t o b e d o n e t o save a n y of t h e m , n o t t h e y i d s in t h i s r o o m , n o t t h e yid, poor thing, w h o brought them here. "Rabbi Shpilman?" "Yes,

Detective Landsman?"

" A r e y o u all r i g h t ? " " D o I s e e m 'all r i g h t ' t o y o u , D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n ? " " I ' v e o n l y j u s t h a d t h e h o n o r o f m e e t i n g y o u , " L a n d s m a n says carefully, m o r e in d e f e r e n c e t o Berko's sensibilities t h a n t o t h e r a b b i o r h i s office. " B u t t o b e h o n e s t , y o u s e e m all r i g h t . " "In a way t h a t appears suspicious? T h a t seems to inculpate me, perhaps?" " R e b b e , p l e a s e , n o j o k e s , " B a r o n s h t e y n says. "As t o t h a t , " L a n d s m a n

says, i g n o r i n g t h e m o u t h p i e c e ,

"I

w o u l d n ' t v e n t u r e an o p i n i o n . " " M y s o n h a s b e e n d e a d t o m e for m a n y y e a r s , D e t e c t i v e . M a n y y e a r s . I t o r e m y c l o t h e s a n d s a i d k a d d i s h a n d l i t a c a n d l e for h i s loss l o n g a g o . " T h e w o r d s t h e m s e l v e s t r a d e in a n g e r a n d b i t t e r n e s s , b u t h i s t o n e is b r e a t h t a k i n g l y v o i d o f e m o t i o n . " W h a t y o u f o u n d in t h e Z a m e n h o f H o t e l — w a s it t h e Z a m e n h o f ? — w h a t y o u found t h e r e , if i t is h i m , t h a t w a s o n l y a h u s k . T h e k e r n e l w a s l o n g s i n c e cut out and spoiled." "A h u s k , " L a n d s m a n says. " I s e e . " H e k n o w s w h a t a h a r d t h i n g it can be t o have fathered a heroin addict. H e has seen this k i n d of coldness before. But s o m e t h i n g r a n k l e s h i m a b o u t t h e s e y i d s w h o t e a r t h e i r l a p e l s a n d s i t s h i v a for

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living children. It seems to L a n d s m a n to m a k e a m o c k e r y of b o t h the living and the dead. " N o w , all r i g h t . F r o m w h a t I h a v e h e a r d , " L a n d s m a n c o n t i n u e s , " a n d I certainly d o n ' t claim to u n d e r s t a n d it, y o u r s o n — a s a b o y — he showed certain, well, indications, or . . . t h a t he m i g h t be . . . I'm n o t s u r e I h a v e t h i s r i g h t . T h e T z a d d i k H a - D o r , is t h a t it? I f t h e c o n d i t i o n s w e r e r i g h t , if t h e J e w s o f t h i s g e n e r a t i o n w e r e w o r t h y , t h e n h e m i g h t r e v e a l h i m s e l f a s , u h , as M e s s i a h . " " I t ' s r i d i c u l o u s , n u , D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n , " t h e r e b b e says. " T h e very idea makes you smile." " N o t a t a l l , " L a n d s m a n says. " B u t if y o u r s o n w a s M e s s i a h , t h e n I g u e s s w e ' r e all i n t r o u b l e . B e c a u s e r i g h t n o w h e ' s l y i n g i n a d r a w e r d o w n in t h e b a s e m e n t o f S i t k a G e n e r a l . " " M e y e r , " B e r k o says. " W i t h all d u e r e s p e c t , " L a n d s m a n p u t s i n . T h e r e b b e d o e s n ' t a n s w e r a t first, a n d w h e n h e

finally

speaks,

it is w i t h e v i d e n t c a r e . " W e a r e t a u g h t b y t h e B a a l S h e m T o v , o f b l e s s e d m e m o r y , t h a t a m a n w i t h t h e p o t e n t i a l t o b e M e s s i a h is b o r n i n t o e v e r y g e n e r a t i o n . T h i s is t h e T z a d d i k H a - D o r .

Now,

Mendel. Mendele, Mendele." He be

closes his eyes. H e

fighting

back

tears. H e

might

be remembering.

opens

them.

They're

He

might

dry, and

he

remembers. " M e n d e l h a d a r e m a r k a b l e n a t u r e as a boy. I ' m n o t t a l k i n g a b o u t m i r a c l e s . M i r a c l e s a r e a b u r d e n for a t z a d d i k , n o t t h e p r o o f o f o n e . M i r a c l e s p r o v e n o t h i n g e x c e p t t o t h o s e w h o s e f a i t h is b o u g h t v e r y c h e a p , sir. T h e r e w a s s o m e t h i n g in M e n d e l e . T h e r e w a s a fire. T h i s is a c o l d , d a r k p l a c e , D e t e c t i v e s . A g r a y , w e t p l a c e . M e n d e l e g a v e off light a n d w a r m t h . You w a n t e d t o s t a n d close t o h i m . T o w a r m y o u r h a n d s , t o m e l t t h e i c e o n y o u r b e a r d . T o b a n i s h t h e d a r k n e s s for a m i n u t e o r t w o . B u t t h e n w h e n y o u left M e n d e l e , y o u stayed w a r m , and it s e e m e d like t h e r e w a s a little m o r e l i g h t , m a y b e o n e candle's w o r t h , i n t h e w o r l d . A n d t h a t w a s w h e n y o u r e a l i z e d t h e fire w a s i n s i d e o f y o u all t h e t i m e . A n d t h a t w a s t h e m i r a c l e . J u s t t h a t . " H e

142

MICHAEL

CHABON

s t r o k e s h i s b e a r d , p u l l i n g o n i t , as if t r y i n g t o t h i n k o f s o m e t h i n g he m i g h t have missed. " N o t h i n g else." " W h e n w a s t h e l a s t t i m e y o u s a w h i m ? " B e r k o says. " T w e n t y - t h r e e y e a r s a g o , " t h e r e b b e says w i t h o u t h e s i t a t i o n . " O n t h e t w e n t i e t h of Elul. N o o n e in this h o u s e has s p o k e n t o or seen h i m since t h e n . " " N o t even his m o t h e r ? " T h e q u e s t i o n shocks t h e m all, even L a n d s m a n , t h e y i d w h o asked it. " D o y o u s u p p o s e , D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n , t h a t m y wife w o u l d ever a t t e m p t to subvert m y a u t h o r i t y w i t h respect to this or any other matter?" " I s u p p o s e e v e r y t h i n g , R a b b i S h p i l m a n , " L a n d s m a n says. " I don't mean anything by it." " H a v e y o u c o m e h e r e w i t h a n y n o t i o n s , " B a r o n s h t e y n says, " a b o u t w h o m i g h t have killed M e n d e l ? " "Actually—" Landsman begins. "Actually," t h e Verbover r e b b e says, c u t t i n g L a n d s m a n

off.

H e p l u c k s a s h e e t of p a p e r from t h e chaos of his d e s k , t r a c t a t e s , p r o m u l g a t i o n s , a n d b a n s , classified d o c u m e n t s , a d d i n g m a c h i n e tapes, surveillance r e p o r t s on t h e habits of m a r k e d m e n . T h e r e ' s a s e c o n d o r t w o o f t r o m b o n i n g as h e b r i n g s t h e p a p e r w i t h i n f o c u s i n g r a n g e . T h e flesh o f h i s r i g h t a r m s l o s h e s i n t h e w i n e s k i n o f h i s sleeve. " T h e s e p a r t i c u l a r h o m i c i d e d e t e c t i v e s are n o t s u p p o s e d to b e i n v e s t i g a t i n g t h i s m a t t e r a t all. A m I w r o n g ? " H e sets d o w n t h e paper, and L a n d s m a n has to wonder h o w he e v e r c o u l d h a v e seen a n y t h i n g in t h e r e b b e ' s eyes b u t t e n t h o u s a n d m i l e s o f f r o z e n s e a . L a n d s m a n is s h o c k e d , k n o c k e d o v e r b o a r d i n t o t h a t cold w a t e r . T o k e e p h i m s e l f afloat, h e clings t o t h e ballast of his c y n i c i s m . D i d t h e o r d e r t o black-flag t h e Lasker case c o m e s t r a i g h t f r o m V e r b o v I s l a n d ? H a s S h p i l m a n k n o w n all a l o n g t h a t h i s s o n is d e a d , m u r d e r e d i n r o o m 2 0 8 o f t h e H o t e l Z a m e n h o f ? D i d h e h i m s e l f o r d e r t h e killing? A r e t h e b u s i n e s s a n d directives of t h e H o m i c i d e S e c t i o n o f S i t k a C e n t r a l r o u t i n e l y s u b m i t t e d for h i s

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i n s p e c t i o n ? T h e s e m i g h t m a k e i n t e r e s t i n g q u e s t i o n s if L a n d s m a n could get his h e a r t o u t of his m o u t h a n d ask t h e m . " W h a t d i d h e d o ? " L a n d s m a n says a t l a s t . " E x a c t l y w h y w a s he dead to you already? W h a t did he know? W h a t , while we're o n t h e s u b j e c t , d o you k n o w , R e b b e ? R a b b i B a r o n s h t e y n ? I k n o w y o u p e o p l e h a v e t h e fix i n . I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t k i n d o f d e a l y o u ' v e w o r k e d for y o u r s e l v e s . B u t l o o k i n g a r o u n d t h i s fine i s l a n d o f y o u r s , I can see, y o u s h o u l d excuse t h e e x p r e s s i o n , t h a t y o u are c a r r y i n g a lot of serious w e i g h t . " " M e y e r , " Berko says, a w a r n i n g in it. " D o n ' t y o u c o m e b a c k h e r e , L a n d s m a n , " t h e r e b b e says. " D o n ' t e v e r b o t h e r a n y o n e i n t h i s h o u s e h o l d , o r a n y o f t h e folk o n t h i s island. Stay away from Z i m b a l i s t . A n d s t a y a w a y from m e . If I h e a r t h a t y o u h a v e so m u c h as a s k e d o n e o f m y p e o p l e t o l i g h t y o u r c i g a r e t t e , I w i l l h a v e y o u a n d y o u r s h i e l d . Is t h a t c l e a r ? " " W i t h all d u e r e s p e c t — " L a n d s m a n b e g i n s . "An e m p t y f o r m u l a i n y o u r c a s e , s u r e l y . " " N e v e r t h e l e s s , " L a n d s m a n says, r e c o v e r i n g himself. " I f I h a d a d o l l a r for e v e r y t i m e s o m e s h t a r k e r w i t h a g l a n d u l a r p r o b l e m t r i e d t o s c a r e m e off a c a s e , w i t h all d u e r e s p e c t , I w o u l d n ' t h a v e t o s i t h e r e l i s t e n i n g t o t h r e a t s from a m a n w h o c a n ' t even m a n a g e t o s h e d a t e a r for t h e s o n I ' m s u r e h e h e l p e d i n t o a n e a r l y g r a v e . W h e t h e r he died t w e n t y - t h r e e years ago or last n i g h t . " " P l e a s e d o n o t m i s t a k e m e for s o m e t w o - b i t H i r s h b e y n A v e n u e w i s e g u y , " t h e r e b b e says. " I a m n o t t h r e a t e n i n g y o u . " "No? W h a t are you, blessing m e ? " " I ' m looking at you, Detective L a n d s m a n . I u n d e r s t a n d

that

like m y son, p o o r t h i n g , y o u m a y n o t h a v e b e e n p r o v i d e d b y t h e H o l y N a m e w i t h t h e m o s t a d m i r a b l e of fathers." " R a v H e s k e l ! " B a r o n s h t e y n cries. But t h e rabbi ignores his gabay a n d moves on before L a n d s m a n can ask h i m w h a t t h e hell he t h i n k s h e k n o w s a b o u t p o o r old Isidor. " I can see t h a t at o n e t i m e , a g a i n like M e n d e l , y o u m a y h a v e

MICHAEL

144

CHABON

b e e n s o m e t h i n g v e r y m u c h m o r e t h a n y o u a r e t o d a y You m a y have b e e n a fine s h a m m e s . B u t I d o u b t t h a t y o u h a v e e v e r q u a l i f i e d as a great sage." " O n t h e c o n t r a r y , " L a n d s m a n says. "So.

Please believe m e w h e n I tell y o u t h a t you need to

find

a n o t h e r u s e for t h e t i m e t h a t r e m a i n s t o y o u . " Inside t h e Verbover Clock, an old system of h a m m e r s

and

c h i m e s takes u p a melody, older still, t h a t welcomes to every Jewish h o m e a n d h o u s e of p r a y e r t h e b r i d e of t h e e n d of t h e week. " W e ' r e o u t of t i m e , " says B a r o n s h t e y n . " G e n t l e m e n . " T h e d e t e c t i v e s s t a n d , a n d t h e m e n wish o n e a n o t h e r t h e j o y of t h e S a b b a t h . T h e n t h e d e t e c t i v e s p u t o n t h e i r h a t s a n d t u r n for t h e door. " W e ' l l n e e d s o m e o n e t o i d e n t i f y t h e b o d y , " B e r k o says. " U n l e s s y o u w a n t us to p u t h i m o u t by t h e c u r b , " L a n d s m a n says. " W e w i l l s e n d s o m e o n e t o m o r r o w , " t h e r e b b e says. H e t u r n s in his chair, s h o w i n g t h e m his back. H e b o w s his head, t h e n reaches for a p a i r o f c a n e s h a n g i n g f r o m a h o o k o n t h e w a l l b e h i n d h i m . T h e canes have silver heads, chased w i t h gold. H e stabs t h e m into t h e c a r p e t a n d t h e n , w i t h t h e wheeze of a n t i q u e machinery, hoists h i m s e l f t o his feet. "After t h e S a b b a t h . " B a r o n s h t e y n follows t h e m b a c k d o w n t h e s t a i r s t o t h e R u d a s h e v s k y b y t h e door. O v e r their heads, t h e

floorboards

of the s t u d y u t t e r a

g r i e v o u s c r e a k . T h e y h e a r t h e s h a r p t a p s a n d r a i n - b a r r e l slosh o f t h e r e b b e ' s t r e a d . T h e f a m i l y will h a v e g a t h e r e d in t h e b a c k p a r t o f t h e h o u s e , w a i t i n g for h i m t o c o m e a n d b l e s s t h e m all. B a r o n s h t e y n o p e n s t h e front d o o r of t h e replica house. Shmerl a n d Yossele s t e p i n t o t h e hall, s n o w on t h e i r h a t s a n d shoulders, s n o w in t h e i r w i n t r y g r a y eyes. T h e b r o t h e r s or cousins or cousinb r o t h e r s form t h e points of a triangle w i t h the indoor version, a t h r e e - f i n g e r e d fist o f s o l i d R u d a s h e v s k y c l o s i n g a r o u n d L a n d s m a n and Berko.

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145

B a r o n s h t e y n s h o v e s h i s n a r r o w face i n c l o s e t o L a n d s m a n ' s . L a n d s m a n lids his n o s t r i l s a g a i n s t a smell of t o m a t o seeds, t o b a c c o , sour cream. "This

is a l i t t l e i s l a n d , " B a r o n s h t e y n

says. " B u t

there

are

a t h o u s a n d places on it w h e r e a noz, even a d e c o r a t e d s h a m m e s , c o u l d g e t l o s t a n d n e v e r c o m e o u t . So b e c a r e f u l , D e t e c t i v e s , all right? A n d a good Sabbath to you b o t h . "

L

ook

at L a n d s m a n ,

one shirttail

hanging out,

snow-dusted

p o r k p i e k n o c k e d t o t h e left, c o a t h o o k e d t o a t h u m b o v e r h i s s h o u l d e r . H a n g i n g o n t o a s k y - b l u e c a f e t e r i a t i c k e t as if i t ' s t h e

s t r a p k e e p i n g h i m o n his feet. H i s c h e e k n e e d s t h e razor. H i s back is k i l l i n g h i m . F o r r e a s o n s h e d o e s n ' t u n d e r s t a n d — o r m a y b e for n o r e a s o n — h e h a s n ' t h a d a d r i n k of alcohol since n i n e - t h i r t y in t h e m o r n i n g . S t a n d i n g in t h e c h r o m e - a n d - t i l e d e s o l a t i o n of t h e PolarS h t e r n Kafeteria a t n i n e o'clock o n a F r i d a y n i g h t , in a s n o w s t o r m , h e ' s t h e l o n e l i e s t J e w i n t h e S i t k a D i s t r i c t . H e c a n feel t h e s h i f t i n g of s o m e t h i n g d a r k a n d irresistible i n s i d e h i m , a h u n d r e d t o n s of black m u d on a hillside, g a t h e r i n g its skirts t o go sliding. T h e t h o u g h t o f f o o d , e v e n a g o l d e n i n g o t o f t h e n o o d l e p u d d i n g t h a t is t h e c r o w n jewel of t h e P o l a r - S h t e r n Kafeteria, m a k e s h i m queasy. B u t h e h a s n ' t e a t e n all day. I n f a c t , L a n d s m a n k n o w s t h a t h e is n o t , b y a l o n g s h o t , t h e l o n e l i e s t J e w i n t h e S i t k a D i s t r i c t . H e s c o r n s h i m s e l f for e v e n e n t e r t a i n i n g t h e n o t i o n . T h e p r e s e n c e o f s e l f - p i t y i n h i s t h o u g h t s is p r o o f t h a t h e is c i r c l i n g t h e b u n g h o l e , s p i r a l i n g i n w a r d a n d d o w n , d o w n , d o w n . T o resist this Coriolis m o t i o n , L a n d s m a n relies on t h r e e t e c h n i q u e s . O n e is w o r k , b u t w o r k is n o w officially a j o k e . O n e is a l c o h o l , w h i c h m a k e s t h e d r o p c o m e f a s t e r a n d g o d e e p e r

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a n d l a s t l o n g e r b u t h e l p s h i m n o t t o c a r e . T h e t h i r d is t o h a v e a b i t e . So h e c a r r i e s h i s b l u e t i c k e t a n d h i s t r a y t o t h e b i g L i t v a k l a d y b e h i n d t h e glass c o u n t e r , w i t h t h e h a i r n e t a n d t h e p o l y e t h y l e n e g l o v e s a n d t h e m e t a l s p o o n , a n d f o r k s i t over. " T h e cheese b l i n t z e s , p l e a s e , " h e says, n o t w a n t i n g

cheese

b l i n t z e s o r e v e n b o t h e r i n g t o s e e if t h e y a r e o n t h e m e n u t o n i g h t . " H o w are you, Mrs. Nemintziner?" Mrs.

Nemintziner gentles three tight blintzes onto a white

plate with a blue stripe on the rim. T o o r n a m e n t the evening meals of t h e lonely souls of Sitka, she has p r e p a r e d several d o z e n slices of pickled c r a b a p p l e on l e t t u c e leaves. She tricks o u t L a n d s m a n ' s d i n n e r w i t h one of these corsages. T h e n she p u n c h e s his ticket a n d s l i n g s h i s p l a t e a t h i m . " H o w s h o u l d I b e ? " s h e says. L a n d s m a n a c k n o w l e d g e s t h a t t h e a n s w e r t o t h i s q u e s t i o n is b e y o n d h i m . H e c a r r i e s h i s t r a y o f b l i n t z e s filled w i t h

cottage

c h e e s e t o t h e coffee u r n s a n d d r a i n s off a m u g ' s w o r t h . H e h a n d s over his p u n c h e d ticket a n d his cash t o t h e cashier, t h e n w a n d e r s a c r o s s t h e w a s t e l a n d o f t h e d i n i n g a r e a , p a s t t w o o f h i s r i v a l s for t h e t i t l e o f l o n e l i e s t Jew. H e h e a d s for t h e t a b l e h e p r e f e r s , b y t h e front w i n d o w s , w h e r e he can k e e p an eye on t h e s t r e e t . A t t h e n e x t t a b l e , s o m e b o d y left a h a l f - e a t e n p l a t e o f c o r n e d b e e f a n d b o i l e d p o t a t o e s a n d a h a l f - e m p t y glass of w h a t a p p e a r s t o b e b l a c k - c h e r r y soda. T h e a b a n d o n e d meal, and t h e stained c r u m p l e of t h e n a p k i n fill L a n d s m a n w i t h a m i l d n a u s e a o f m i s g i v i n g . B u t t h i s is h i s t a b l e , a n d i t is a fact t h a t a n o z l i k e s t o b e a b l e t o k e e p a n e y e o n t h e s t r e e t . L a n d s m a n sits d o w n , t u c k s his n a p k i n i n t o his collar, c u t s apart a cheese blintz, and p u t s some i n t o his m o u t h . H e chews. H e s w a l l o w s . G o o d boy. O n e o f h i s r i v a l s i n t h e P o l a r - S h t e r n t o n i g h t is a b o t t o m - r u n g b e t r u n n e r n a m e d Penguin Simkowitz w h o m i s h a n d l e d a lot of s o m e b o d y ' s m o n e y a few y e a r s b a c k a n d w a s b e a t e n so b a d l y b y s h t a r k e r s t h a t it a d d l e d his b r a i n a n d speech. T h e o t h e r , w o r k i n g over a p l a t e of h e r r i n g in c r e a m , L a n d s m a n d o e s n ' t know. B u t t h e y i d ' s left e y e s o c k e t is c o n c e a l e d b e h i n d a t a n a d h e s i v e b a n d a g e .

148

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T h e left l e n s o f h i s e y e g l a s s e s is m i s s i n g . H i s h a i r is r e s t r i c t e d t o t h r e e d o w n y g r a y p a t c h e s at t h e front of his head. H e c u t his cheek s h a v i n g . W h e n t h i s m a n s i l e n t l y b e g i n s t o w e e p i n t o his p l a t e of herring, L a n d s m a n tips over his king. T h e n h e sees B u c h b i n d e r , t h a t a r c h a e o l o g i s t of d e l u s i o n . A d e n t i s t , he was driven by his talent w i t h pliers and the lost-wax m o l d , in classic d e n t i s t m a n n e r t o t a k e u p s o m e after-hours form of m i n i a t u r e m a d n e s s s u c h as j e w e l r y m a k i n g o r d o l l h o u s e p a r q u e t r y B u t t h e n , as h a p p e n s s o m e t i m e s t o d e n t i s t s , B u c h b i n d e r g o t a l i t t l e c a r r i e d away. T h e d e e p e s t , o l d e s t m a d n e s s o f t h e J e w s t o o k h o l d o f h i m . H e s t a r t e d t o t u r n o u t r e - c r e a t i o n s of t h e c u t l e r y a n d g e t u p s employed by t h e ancient Koyenim, the high priests of Yahweh. To scale a t first b u t s o o n full-size. Blood b u c k e t s , g o b b e t forks, ash s h o v e l s , all o f i t as r e q u i r e d b y L e v i t i c u s for t h e o l d h o l y b a r b e c u e s in J e r u s a l e m . H e u s e d t o k e e p a m u s e u m , m a y b e it's still t h e r e , u p a t t h e t i r e d e n d of I b n E z r a S t r e e t . A s t o r e f r o n t in t h e b u i l d i n g w h e r e B u c h b i n d e r p u l l e d t h e t e e t h of lowlife J e w s . In t h e display w i n d o w t h e T e m p l e of S o l o m o n , b u i l t from c a r d b o a r d ,

buried

u n d e r a s a n d s t o r m of d u s t , o r n a m e n t e d w i t h c h e r u b i m and dead flies. T h e p l a c e g o t v a n d a l i z e d a l o t b y t h e n e i g h b o r h o o d j u n k i e s . You u s e d t o g e t a call, w o r k i n g t h e U n t e r s h t a t b e a t , c o m e in t h e r e a t t h r e e i n t h e m o r n i n g t o find B u c h b i n d e r w e e p i n g a m o n g t h e b r o k e n s h o w c a s e s , a t u r d floating in s o m e g i l d e d c o p p e r c e n s e r of the high priest. When

Buchbinder

sees

Landsman,

his

eyes

narrow

with

s u s p i c i o n or m y o p i a . R e t u r n i n g from t h e m e n ' s r o o m t o his p l a t e of c o r n e d beef a n d his c h e r r y soda, w o r k i n g over t h e b u t t o n s of h i s fly w i t h t h e a b s e n t a i r o f a m a n i n t h e g r i p o f a s t a r t l i n g b u t u s e l e s s i n f e r e n c e a b o u t t h e w o r l d . B u c h b i n d e r is a s t o u t m a n , a G e r m a n , e n v e l o p e d in a c a r d i g a n w i t h raglan sleeves a n d a k n i t sash. B e t w e e n t h e arc of t h e m a n ' s belly a n d t h e k n o t t e d sash are h i n t s of p a s t strife, b u t an u n d e r s t a n d i n g appears to have been r e a c h e d . T w e e d t r o u s e r s , o n h i s feet a p a i r o f h i k i n g s n e a k e r s .

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H i s h a i r a n d b e a r d , d a r k b l o n d w i t h flecks o f g r a y a n d silver. A metal clasp grips a crewel w o r k y a r m u l k e to t h e back of his head. H e tosses a smile in L a n d s m a n ' s d i r e c t i o n like a m a n d r o p p i n g a q u a r t e r i n a c r i p p l e ' s c u p , fishes s o m e c l o s e l y p r i n t e d t o m e f r o m h i s hip pocket, and r e s u m e s his meal. H e rocks back a n d forth while he reads and chews. " S t i l l r u n n i n g t h a t m u s e u m o f y o u r s , D o c t o r ? " L a n d s m a n says. B u c h b i n d e r looks u p , puzzled, t r y i n g to place this i r r i t a t i n g stranger with the blintzes. "It's Landsman. Sitka Central. M a y b e you remember, I used £Q

33

" O h , y e s , " h e says w i t h a t i g h t s m i l e . " H o w a r e y o u ? W e a r e a n i n s t i t u t e , n o t a m u s e u m , b u t t h a t is all r i g h t . " "Sorry." " N o h a r m has b e e n d o n e , " h e says, his s u p p l e Y i d d i s h

fitted

w i t h a stiffening w i r e of t h e G e r m a n accent t o w h i c h he a n d his fellow y e k k e s , e v e n a f t e r s i x t y y e a r s , s t u b b o r n l y c l i n g . " I t is a common mistake." I t c a n ' t b e all that c o m m o n , L a n d s m a n t h i n k s , b u t h e s a y s , " S t i l l up there on Ibn Ezra?" "No,"

says D r . B u c h b i n d e r . H e w i p e s a s t r e a k o f b r o w n m u s t a r d

f r o m h i s l i p s w i t h h i s n a p k i n . " N o , sir, I h a v e c l o s e d i t

down.

Officially a n d p e r m a n e n t l y . " H i s m a n n e r is g r a n d i l o q u e n t , e v e n c e l e b r a t o r y , w h i c h s t r i k e s L a n d s m a n as o d d , g i v e n t h e c o n t e n t o f h i s d e c l a r a t i o n . "Tough neighborhood," Landsman suggests. "Oh,

they were animals," Buchbinder

says w i t h

the

same

cheeriness. " I c a n ' t tell y o u h o w m a n y t i m e s t h e y b r o k e m y h e a r t . " H e stuffs a l a s t forkful o f c o r n e d b e e f i n t o h i s m o u t h a n d s u b j e c t s it t o p r o p e r h a n d l i n g b y his t e e t h . " B u t I d o u b t t h e y ' l l t r o u b l e m e in m y n e w l o c a t i o n . " " A n d w h e r e is t h a t ? " B u c h b i n d e r smiles, dabs at his b e a r d , t h e n p u s h e s back from t h e

I5D

MICHAEL

CHABON

table. H e raises an eyebrow, keeping t h e big surprise to himself a m o m e n t longer. " W h e r e e l s e ? " h e says a t l a s t . " J e r u s a l e m . " " W o w , " L a n d s m a n s a y s , k e e p i n g t h e s t r a i g h t e s t face h e ' s g o t . H e h a s n e v e r s e e n t h e r e g u l a t i o n s for a d m i s s i o n o f J e w s t o J e r u s a l e m , b u t h e ' s fairly c e r t a i n t h a t n o t b e i n g an o b s e s s e d religious l u n a t i c is a t t h e t o p o f t h e l i s t . " J e r u s a l e m , e h ? T h a t ' s a l o n g w a y . " "Yes,

it is."

"Lock, stock, and barrel?" " T h e whole operation." " K n o w anyone there?" T h e r e a r e s t i l l J e w s l i v i n g i n J e r u s a l e m , as t h e r e a l w a y s h a v e b e e n . A few. T h e y w e r e t h e r e l o n g b e f o r e t h e Z i o n i s t s showing

up,

their

trunks

packed

with

Hebrew

started

dictionaries,

a g r i c u l t u r a l m a n u a l s , a n d p l e n t y o f t r o u b l e for e v e r y o n e . " N o t r e a l l y , " B u c h b i n d e r says. " A p a r t f r o m — w e l l . " H e p a u s e s a n d lowers his voice. " M e s s i a h . " " W e l l , t h a t ' s a g o o d s t a r t , " L a n d s m a n says. " I h e a r h e ' s i n w i t h the best people there." B u c h b i n d e r n o d s , u n t o u c h a b l e in t h e s u g a r - c u b e s a n c t u a r y of h i s d r e a m . " L o c k , s t o c k , a n d b a r r e l , " h e says. H e r e t u r n s h i s b o o k t o h i s j a c k e t p o c k e t a n d stuffs h i m s e l f a n d t h e s w e a t e r i n t o a n o l d blue anorak. "Good night, Landsman." " G o o d n i g h t , D r . B u c h b i n d e r . P u t i n a g o o d w o r d for m e w i t h Messiah." " O h , " h e says, " t h e r e ' s n o n e e d of t h a t . " " N o need or no p o i n t ? " A b r u p t l y , t h e m e r r y e y e s t u r n as s t e e l y as t h e d i s c o f a d e n t i s t ' s mirror. T h e y

assay Landsman's condition w i t h t h e insight

of

t w e n t y - f i v e y e a r s s p e n t s e a r c h i n g t i r e l e s s l y for p o i n t s o f w e a k n e s s a n d r o t . J u s t for a m o m e n t L a n d s m a n d o u b t s t h e m a n ' s i n s a n i t y . " T h a t ' s u p t o y o u , " B u c h b i n d e r says. " I s n ' t i t ? "

Â

s B u c h b i n d e r p u s h e s o u t of t h e Polar-Shtern, h e stops

to

h o l d t h e d o o r for a b l a z i n g o r a n g e p a r k a c a r r i e d o n a g u s t o f s l a n t i n g s n o w . B i n a is d r a g g i n g t h a t o l d o v e r s t u f f e d

cowhide

t o t e of hers s l u n g over o n e shoulder. F r o m it a c l u t c h of d o c u m e n t s

p r o t r u d e s , h i g h l i g h t e d in yellow, s t a p l e d a n d p a p e r - c l i p p e d

and

n a g g e d w i t h s t r i p s of colored t a p e . She t h r o w s b a c k t h e h o o d of h e r p a r k a . S h e h a s p u s h e d u p h e r h a i r , a n d p i n n e d i t u p , a n d left i t t o f e n d for i t s e l f a t t h e b a c k o f h e r h e a d . I t s c o l o r is a w i s t f u l s h a d e t h a t L a n d s m a n r e m e m b e r s o b s e r v i n g in only o n e o t h e r place in his life, a n d t h a t w a s d e e p i n t h e g r o o v e s o f t h e f i r s t p u m p k i n h e e v e r beheld, a big dark red-orange brute. She lugs her t o t e over to t h e t i c k e t lady. W h e n s h e c o m e s t h r o u g h t h e t u r n s t i l e o n h e r w a y t o t h e stacks of cafeteria trays, L a n d s m a n will c o m e d i r e c t l y i n t o h e r line of sight. At once Landsman makes the m a t u r e decision to p r e t e n d that he has n o t seen Bina. H e looks o u t t h e p l a t e w i n d o w s at K h a l y a s t r e S t r e e t . T h e d e p t h o f s n o w f a l l h e e s t i m a t e s a t c l o s e t o six i n c h e s . T h r e e s e p a r a t e trails of f o o t p r i n t s s n a k e in a n d o u t of o n e a n o t h e r , t h e e d g e s o f e a c h p r i n t b l u r r i n g as i t fills w i t h fallen s n o w . A c r o s s t h e street, handbills p a s t e d to t h e b o a r d e d w i n d o w s of Krasny's Tobacco and Stationery advertise t h e performance, last n i g h t at

152

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t h e V o r s h t , o f t h e g u i t a r i s t w h o g o t r o l l e d i n t h e t o i l e t for h i s finger rings a n d cash. F r o m t h e p h o n e pole at t h e corner, a craze of w i r e s r u n s o u t i n all d i r e c t i o n s , m a p p i n g t h e w a l l s a n d d o o r w a y s o f this great i m a g i n a r y g h e t t o of t h e Jews. T h e i n v o l u n t a r y processes of L a n d s m a n ' s s h a m m e s m i n d r e c o r d t h e details of t h e scene. B u t h i s c o n s c i o u s t h o u g h t s a r e f o c u s e d o n t h e m o m e n t w h e n B i n a will see h i m s i t t i n g t h e r e , a l o n e at his t a b l e , c h e w i n g o n a b l i n t z , a n d call h i s n a m e . T h i s m o m e n t takes its sweet t i m e showing up. L a n d s m a n risks a s e c o n d l o o k . B i n a a l r e a d y h a s h e r d i n n e r o n a t r a y a n d is w a i t i n g for h e r c h a n g e w i t h h e r b a c k t o L a n d s m a n . S h e s a w h i m ; s h e m u s t h a v e s e e n h i m . T h a t is w h e n t h e g r e a t f i s s u r e o o z e s o p e n , t h e hillside gives way, a n d t h e wall of black m u d c o m e s rolling d o w n . L a n d s m a n a n d B i n a w e r e m a r r i e d t o e a c h o t h e r for t w e l v e y e a r s a n d t o g e t h e r for five b e f o r e t h a t . E a c h w a s t h e o t h e r ' s first lover, first b e t r a y e r , f i r s t r e f u g e , f i r s t r o o m m a t e , first a u d i e n c e , first p e r s o n t o t u r n to when s o m e t h i n g — even the marriage itself—went wrong. F o r half t h e i r lives, t h e y t a n g l e d t h e i r histories, bodies, p h o b i a s , theories,

recipes, libraries, record

collections. T h e y

mounted

s p e c t a c u l a r a r g u m e n t s , n o s e - t o - n o s e , h a n d s flying, s p i t t l e flying, throwing things, kicking things, breaking things, rolling around o n t h e g r o u n d g r a b b i n g u p fistfuls o f e a c h o t h e r ' s h a i r . T h e n e x t d a y h e w o u l d b e a r t h e r e d m o o n s of Bina's nails in his cheeks a n d on t h e m e a t of his c h e s t , a n d she w o r e his p u r p l e fingerprints like a n a r m l e t . F o r s o m e t h i n g l i k e s e v e n y e a r s o f t h e i r lives t o g e t h e r t h e y f u c k e d a l m o s t e v e r y day. A n g r y , l o v i n g , s i c k , w e l l , c o l d , h o t , half asleep. T h e y w e n t at it on e v e r y m a n n e r of b e d , c o u c h , and c u s h i o n . O n f u t o n s a n d t o w e l s a n d old s h o w e r c u r t a i n s , in t h e b a c k of a p i c k u p t r u c k , b e h i n d a D u m p s ter, on t o p of a w a t e r tower, i n s i d e a r a c k of coats at a H a n d s of Esau dinner. T h e y even fucked e a c h o t h e r — o n c e — o n t h e g i a n t f u n g u s in t h e b r e a k r o o m . A f t e r B i n a c a m e o v e r f r o m N a r c o t i c s , t h e y w o r k e d t h e s a m e shift i n H o m i c i d e for f o u r s o l i d y e a r s . L a n d s m a n p a r t n e r e d w i t h Z e l l y

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Boybriker, and then Berko, and Bina had poor old Morris Handler. B u t o n e d a y t h e s a m e sly a n g e l w h o h a d b r o u g h t t h e m t o g e t h e r i n t h e first p l a c e a r r a n g e d a c o n f l u e n c e o f l e a v e s t a k e n a n d i n j u r i e s t o M o r r i s H a n d l e r t h a t left L a n d s m a n a n d B i n a p a r t n e r s , for t h e o n e and only t i m e , on t h e G r i n s h t e y n case. T o g e t h e r t h e y e n d u r e d t h a t v i s i t a t i o n o f f a i l u r e , f a i l i n g e v e r y d a y for h o u r s , f a i l i n g i n t h e i r b e d at n i g h t , failing in t h e s t r e e t s of S i t k a . T h e m u r d e r e d girl, A r i e l a , and t h e b r o k e n G r i n s h t e y n s , m o t h e r a n d father, ugly a n d r u i n e d a n d h a t i n g e a c h o t h e r a n d t h e h o l e t h e y w e r e left h o l d i n g o n t o : H e and Bina had shared t h a t , too. A n d t h e n t h e r e was Django, w h o t o o k form a n d i m p e t u s from t h e failure of t h e G r i n s h t e y n case, from t h a t hole s h a p e d like a p l u m p l i t t l e girl. Bina a n d L a n d s m a n were t w i s t e d together, a b r a i d e d pair of c h r o m o s o m e s w i t h

a

m y s t e r y flaw. A n d n o w ? N o w e a c h o f t h e m p r e t e n d s n o t t o s e e t h e o t h e r a n d l o o k s away. L a n d s m a n l o o k s away. T h e f o o t p r i n t s i n t h e s n o w h a v e b e c o m e s h a l l o w as a n a n g e l ' s . Across t h e street a small, b e n t m a n leans i n t o t h e w i n d , d r a g g i n g a heavy suitcase past t h e b o a r d e d w i n d o w s of Krasny's. T h e w i d e w h i t e b r i m o f h i s h a t flaps l i k e t h e w i n g s o f a b i r d .

Landsman

w a t c h e s t h e p r o g r e s s of Elijah t h e P r o p h e t t h r o u g h t h e s n o w s t o r m a n d p l a n s h i s o w n d e a t h . T h i s is a f o u r t h s t r a t e g y h e h a s e v o l v e d to cheer himself w h e n he's going d o w n t h e drain. B u t of course h e has t o b e careful n o t t o o v e r d o it. L a n d s m a n , t h e son a n d p a t e r n a l g r a n d s o n of suicides, has seen h u m a n beings d i s p a t c h t h e m s e l v e s in e v e r y possible way, from t h e i n e p t t o t h e efficient. H e k n o w s h o w i t s h o u l d a n d s h o u l d n o t b e performed. Bridge leaps a n d dives from h o t e l w i n d o w s : p i c t u r e s q u e b u t iffy. S t a i r w e l l l e a p s : u n r e l i a b l e , a n i m p u l s e d e c i s i o n , t o o m u c h like an a c c i d e n t a l d e a t h . Slashing w r i s t s , w i t h o r w i t h o u t

the

p o p u l a r b u t u n n e c e s s a r y b a t h t u b variation: h a r d e r t h a n it seems, t i n g e d w i t h a girlish love of theater. R i t u a l d i s e m b o w e l m e n t w i t h a samurai sword: hard work, requires a second, and would smack,

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i n a y i d , o f a f f e c t a t i o n . L a n d s m a n h a s n e v e r s e e n i t d o n e t h a t way, b u t he k n e w a noz once who claimed that he had.

Landsman's

g r a n d f a t h e r t h r e w h i m s e l f u n d e r t h e w h e e l s o f a s t r e e t c a r in L o d z , w h i c h s h o w e d a d e g r e e of d e t e r m i n a t i o n t h a t L a n d s m a n has always a d m i r e d . H i s father e m p l o y e d t h i r t y 100 m g t a b l e t s of N e m b u t a l , w a s h e d d o w n w i t h a glass of c a r a w a y v o d k a , a m e t h o d t h a t has m u c h to r e c o m m e n d it. A d d a plastic bag over t h e head, capacious a n d free o f h o l e s , a n d y o u h a v e y o u r s e l f s o m e t h i n g n e a t , q u i e t , a n d reliable. B u t w h e n h e e n v i s i o n s t a k i n g h i s o w n life, L a n d s m a n l i k e s t o d o it w i t h a h a n d g u n , like M e l e k h G a y s t i k , t h e c h a m p i o n of t h e w o r l d . H i s o w n c h o p p e d M o d e l 3 9 is m o r e t h a n e n o u g h s h o l e m for t h e j o b . If y o u k n o w w h e r e t o p u t t h e m u z z l e ( j u s t i n s i d e t h e angle o f t h e m e n t u m ) a n d h o w t o s t e e r y o u r s h o t ( 2 0 d e g r e e s off t h e v e r t i c a l , t o w a r d t h e l i z a r d c o r e o f t h e b r a i n ) , i t ' s fast a n d r e l i a b l e . M e s s y , b u t L a n d s m a n d o e s n ' t h a v e a n y q u a l m s , for s o m e r e a s o n , about leaving behind a mess. " S i n c e w h e n d o y o u like b l i n t z e s ? " H e j u m p s at t h e s o u n d of her voice. H i s k n e e bangs t h e table leg,

a n d coffee s p l a s h e s t h e p l a t e g l a s s i n a n e x i t - w o u n d s p a t t e r . " H e y , S k i p p e r , " h e s a y s i n A m e r i c a n . H e s c r a b b l e s for a n a p k i n ,

b u t h e t o o k o n l y o n e f r o m t h e d i s p e n s e r b y t h e t r a y s . T h e coffee is r u n n i n g e v e r y w h e r e . H e g r a b s r a n d o m s c r a p s o f p a p e r f r o m h i s j a c k e t p o c k e t a n d b l o t s at t h e s p r e a d i n g spill. " A n y b o d y s i t t i n g h e r e ? " S h e b a l a n c e s t h e t r a y in o n e h a n d a n d fights

off h e r s w o l l e n b r i e f c a s e w i t h t h e o t h e r . S h e ' s w e a r i n g a

particular expression t h a t he k n o w s well. Eyebrows arched, slight f o r e t a s t e o f a s m i l e . I t ' s t h e face s h e p u t s o n b e f o r e s h e w a l k s i n t o a h o t e l ballroom to m i n g l e w i t h a b u n c h of male law enforcement, or e n t e r s a g r o c e r y s t o r e in t h e H a r k a v y w e a r i n g a skirt t h a t d o e s n ' t c o v e r h e r k n e e s . I t ' s a face t h a t s a y s , Vm not looking for trouble here. I just came in for a pack of gum. S h e d r o p s t h e b a g a n d s i t s b e f o r e h e has a c h a n c e t o reply.

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" P l e a s e , " h e says, p u l l i n g his o w n p l a t e b a c k t o m a k e r o o m . Bina h a n d s h i m some m o r e napkins, a n d he takes care of t h e mess. H e d u m p s t h e c l u m p of soggy p a p e r on a n e i g h b o r i n g table. " I d o n ' t know why I ordered them. You're right, cheese blintzes, feh." B i n a lays d o w n a n a p k i n w i t h a k n i f e , f o r k , a n d s p o o n . S h e takes t w o plates from t h e t r a y a n d sets t h e m side b y side: a scoop of t u n a salad on o n e of M r s . N e m i n t z i n e r ' s l e t t u c e leaves, a n d a glinting golden s q u a r e of noodle p u d d i n g . She reaches d o w n i n t o her bulging t o t e bag and pulls o u t a small plastic box w i t h a hinged lid. It c o n t a i n s a r o u n d pill b o x w i t h a t h r e a d e d lid from w h i c h s h e t i p s o u t a v i t a m i n p i l l , a fish-oil p i l l , a n d t h e e n z y m e t a b l e t t h a t lets her s t o m a c h digest milk. Inside t h e h i n g e d plastic box she also carries p a c k e t s of salt, p e p p e r , h o r s e r a d i s h , a n d h a n d - w i p e s , a doll size b o t t l e o f T a b a s c o s a u c e , c h l o r i n e p i l l s for t r e a t i n g d r i n k i n g w a t e r , P e p t o - B i s m o l c h e w s , a n d G o d k n o w s w h a t else. If y o u go t o a c o n c e r t , Bina has o p e r a glasses. If y o u n e e d t o sit o n t h e g r a s s , she whips o u t a towel. A n t traps, a corkscrew, candles and m a t c h e s , a d o g muzzle, a penknife, a tiny aerosol can of freon, a magnifying g l a s s — L a n d s m a n has seen e v e r y t h i n g c o m e o u t of t h a t overstuffed cowhide at one t i m e or another. You have t o look t o J e w s like Bina Gelbfish, L a n d s m a n t h i n k s , to explain t h e wide r a n g e a n d persistence of t h e race. Jews w h o c a r r y t h e i r h o m e s in an old c o w h i d e b a g , o n t h e b a c k of a c a m e l , in t h e b u b b l e of air a t t h e c e n t e r of t h e i r b r a i n s . J e w s w h o l a n d o n t h e i r feet, h i t t h e g r o u n d r u n n i n g , r i d e o u t t h e v i c i s s i t u d e s , a n d m a k e t h e b e s t o f w h a t falls t o h a n d , f r o m E g y p t t o B a b y l o n , f r o m M i n s k G u b e r n y a to t h e D i s t r i c t of Sitka. M e t h o d i c a l , organized, p e r s i s t e n t , r e s o u r c e f u l , p r e p a r e d . B e r k o is r i g h t : B i n a w o u l d

flourish

in a n y p r e c i n c t h o u s e in t h e w o r l d . A m e r e r e d r a w i n g of b o r d e r s , a c h a n g e i n g o v e r n m e n t s , t h o s e t h i n g s c a n n e v e r faze a J e w e s s w i t h a good s u p p l y of h a n d w i p e s in h e r bag. " T u n a salad," L a n d s m a n observes, t h i n k i n g of h o w she s t o p p e d eating tuna when she found out she was p r e g n a n t w i t h Django.

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" Y e a h , I t r y t o i n g e s t as m u c h m e r c u r y as I c a n , " B i n a says, r e a d i n g t h e m e m o r y o n h i s face. S h e s w a l l o w s t h e e n z y m e t a b l e t . " M e r c u r y ' s k i n d of m y t h i n g n o w a d a y s . " Landsman jerks a t h u m b toward Mrs. Nemintziner,

standing

ready with her spoon. "You ought to order the baked thermometer." " I w o u l d , " she says, " b u t t h e y o n l y h a d r e c t a l . " "See Penguin?" " P e n g u i n S i m k o w i t z ? W h e r e ? " She looks a r o u n d , t u r n i n g from t h e w a i s t , a n d L a n d s m a n seizes t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o p e e r i n t o her s h i r t . H e c a n s e e t h e f r e c k l e d t o p o f h e r left b r e a s t , t h e l a c e e d g e o f her b r a c u p , t h e d a r k indication of her nipple against t h e cup. T h e d e s i r e floods h i m t o r u n his h a n d inside h e r s h i r t , t o h o l d h e r b r e a s t , t o c l i m b i n t o t h e soft h o l l o w t h e r e a n d c u r l u p a n d fall a s l e e p . W h e n s h e t u r n s b a c k , s h e c a t c h e s h i m in his d r e a m of cleavage. L a n d s m a n feels a b u r n i n h i s c h e e k s . " H u h , " s h e says. " H o w w a s y o u r d a y ? " L a n d s m a n s a y s , as if i t ' s t h e m o s t n a t u r a l question he could ask. " L e t ' s m a k e a d e a l , " s h e s a y s , a n d h e r t o n e ices over. S h e b u t t o n s t h e t o p b u t t o n o f h e r b l o u s e . " H o w a b o u t w e s i t h e r e , y o u a n d I, a n d eat o u r d i n n e r s t o g e t h e r , a n d w e d o n ' t say o n e d a m n e d w o r d a b o u t m y day. H o w d o e s t h a t s o u n d t o y o u , M e y e r ? " " I t h i n k t h a t s o u n d s all r i g h t , " h e says. "Good." She s p o o n s u p a m o u t h f u l of t u n a salad. H e catches t h e glint of her g o l d - r i m m e d b i c u s p i d a n d t h i n k s of t h e day she c a m e h o m e w i t h it, looped o n n i t r o u s oxide a n d i n v i t i n g h i m to p u t his t o n g u e i n t o h e r m o u t h a n d s e e h o w i t felt. A f t e r t h e first b i t e o f t u n a s a l a d , B i n a g e t s s e r i o u s . S h e shovels in t e n or eleven m o r e

spoonfuls,

chewing and swallowing with abandon. H e r breath comes through h e r n o s t r i l s i n a v i d j e t s . H e r e y e s a r e fixed o n t h e i n t e r c o u r s e o f h e r p l a t e a n d s p o o n . A girl w i t h a h e a l t h y a p p e t i t e , t h a t w a s his m o t h e r ' s first r e c o r d e d s t a t e m e n t o n t h e s u b j e c t o f B i n a G e l b f i s h t w e n t y years ago. Like m o s t of his m o t h e r ' s c o m p l i m e n t s , it was

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convertible to an insult w h e n needed. But L a n d s m a n t r u s t s only a w o m a n w h o e a t s l i k e a m a n . W h e n t h e r e is n o t h i n g left b u t a m a y o n n a i s e s l i c k o n t h e l e t t u c e leaf, B i n a w i p e s h e r m o u t h o n h e r napkin a n d lets o u t a d e e p sigh of satiety. " N u , w h a t s h o u l d w e t a l k a b o u t , t h e n ? N o t y o u r day, e i t h e r . " "Definitely n o t . " " W h a t does t h a t leave u s ? " " I n m y c a s e , " L a n d s m a n says, " n o t v e r y m u c h . " " S o m e things never change." She pushes away t h e e m p t y plate a n d calls f o r w a r d t h e n o o d l e p u d d i n g t o m e e t i t s f a t e . I t m a k e s h i m h a p p i e r t h a n h e has b e e n in y e a r s j u s t t o see h e r g i v i n g t h a t k u g e l t h e eye. " I s t i l l l i k e t o t a l k a b o u t m y c a r , " h e says. " Y o u k n o w I d o n ' t c a r e for l o v e p o e t r y . " "Definitely let's n o t talk a b o u t R e v e r s i o n . " "Agreed. A n d I do not w a n t to hear a b o u t t h e talking chicken, or t h e k r e p l a c h s h a p e d like t h e h e a d of M a i m o n i d e s , or a n y of t h a t other miraculous shit." H e w o n d e r s w h a t Bina w o u l d m a k e of t h e s t o r y t h a t Z i m b a l i s t told t h e m t o d a y a b o u t t h e m a n lying in a d r a w e r in t h e b a s e m e n t of Sitka General. " N o t h i n g a b o u t J e w s a t a l l , l e t ' s s t i p u l a t e , " L a n d s m a n says. " S t i p u l a t e d , Meyer, I a m h e a r t i l y sick of J e w s . " "And n o t Alaska." "God, no." " N o politics. N o t h i n g a b o u t Russia, or M a n c h u r i a , or Germany, or the A r a b s . " " I a m h e a r t i l y sick of t h e A r a b s , t o o . " " H o w a b o u t t h e n o o d l e p u d d i n g , t h e n ? " L a n d s m a n says. " G o o d , " s h e says. " O n l y , p l e a s e , M e y e r , e a t a l i t t l e , i t m a k e s m y h e a r t a c h e t o l o o k a t y o u , m y G o d , y o u ' r e so t h i n . H e r e , y o u h a v e to have a bite of this. I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t t h e y d o to it, s o m e b o d y told m e t h e y p u t a little ginger. L e t m e tell y o u , u p in Yakovy, a g o o d k u g e l is s o m e t h i n g y o u d r e a m a b o u t . "

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She c u t s h i m a piece of noodle p u d d i n g a n d starts t o p o k e it r i g h t i n t o his m o u t h w i t h h e r fork. S o m e t h i n g like a cold h a n d g r a b s h o l d o f h i s g u t s a t t h e s i g h t o f t h e k u g e l c o m i n g h i s way. H e a v e r t s h i s face. T h e f o r k s t o p s i n m i d - t r a j e c t o r y . B i n a d u m p s t h e w e d g e of egg c u s t a r d a n d noodle, jeweled w i t h sultanas, o n t o his plate beside the unmolested blintzes. " A n y w a y , y o u s h o u l d t r y i t , " s h e says. S h e t a k e s a c o u p l e o f b i t e s h e r s e l f , t h e n lays d o w n h e r f o r k . " I g u e s s t h a t ' s all t h e r e is t o say a b o u t n o o d l e p u d d i n g . " L a n d s m a n s i p s h i s coffee, a n d B i n a s w a l l o w s h e r r e m a i n i n g p i l l s w i t h a glass of water. " N u , " s h e says. " O k a y , t h e n , " says L a n d s m a n . I f h e l e t s h e r g o , h e w i l l n e v e r lie i n t h e h o l l o w o f h e r b r e a s t , asleep. H e will never sleep again w i t h o u t t h e h e l p of a handful of N e m b u t a l o r t h e g o o d offices o f h i s c h o p p e d M - 3 9 . Bina p u s h e s back from t h e table a n d pulls on her parka. She r e t u r n s t h e plastic box t o t h e leather case, t h e n shoulders it w i t h a groan. " G o o d night, Meyer." " W h e r e are you staying?" " W i t h m y p a r e n t s , " s h e says in t h e t o n e y o u m i g h t u s e t o pronounce a death sentence on the planet. " O y vey." " T e l l m e a b o u t i t . J u s t u n t i l I find a p l a c e . A n y w a y , i t c a n ' t b e worse than the Hotel Zamenhof." S h e z i p s u p h e r c o a t a n d t h e n s t a n d s t h e r e for a l o n g few s e c o n d s , s u b m i t t i n g h i m t o h e r s h a m m e s i n s p e c t i o n . H e r g a z e is n o t as c o m p r e h e n s i v e as h i s — s h e m i s s e s t h e d e t a i l s s o m e t i m e s — b u t t h e t h i n g s t h a t s h e d o e s see, s h e can link u p q u i c k l y in h e r m i n d to the things that she knows about w o m e n and men, victims and m u r d e r e r s . She can shape t h e m w i t h confidence into narratives t h a t h o l d t o g e t h e r a n d m a k e s e n s e . S h e d o e s n o t s o l v e c a s e s so m u c h as t e l l t h e s t o r i e s o f t h e m .

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" L o o k at you. You are like a h o u s e falling d o w n . " " I k n o w , " L a n d s m a n says, feeling his c h e s t t i g h t e n . "I heard you were bad, but I thought they were just trying to cheer m e u p . " H e laughs a n d wipes his c h e e k w i t h t h e sleeve of his j a c k e t . " W h a t ' s t h i s ? " s h e says. W i t h t h e n a i l s o f h e r t h u m b

and

forefinger, s h e t w e e z e s a c r u m p l e d , c o f f e e - s t a i n e d w a d o f p a p e r f r o m t h e mass of n a p k i n s t h a t L a n d s m a n d u m p e d o n t o t h e n e i g h b o r i n g t a b l e . L a n d s m a n m a k e s a g r a b a t i t , b u t B i n a ' s t o o fast for h i m , a n d s h e a l w a y s w a s . S h e p u l l s a p a r t t h e w a d a n d s t r e t c h e s i t flat. "'Five

Great

Truths

and

Five

Big

Lies

About

Verbover

H a s i d i s m , ' " s h e says. H e r e y e b r o w s r e a c h for e a c h o t h e r a c r o s s t h e b r i d g e of her nose. " Y o u t h i n k i n g of t u r n i n g black h a t o n m e ? " H e doesn't answer quickly enough, and she gathers what there is t o b e g a t h e r e d f r o m h i s face a n d h i s s i l e n c e a n d w h a t s h e k n o w s a b o u t h i m , w h i c h is b a s i c a l l y e v e r y t h i n g . " W h a t a r e y o u u p t o , M e y e r ? " s h e says. A l l a t o n c e s h e l o o k s as w e a r y a n d s p e n t as h e feels. " N o . N e v e r m i n d . I ' m t o o f u c k i n g t i r e d . " She c r u m p l e s t h e Verbover b r o c h u r e back u p , a n d t h r o w s it at his head. " W e s a i d w e w e r e n ' t g o i n g t o t a l k a b o u t i t , " L a n d s m a n says. " Y e a h , w e l l , w e s a i d a l o t o f t h i n g s , " s h e says. " Y o u a n d I . " She half t u r n s , g e t t i n g a p u r c h a s e on t h e s h o u l d e r s t r a p of t h e b a g in w h i c h s h e lives h e r life. " I w a n t t o s e e y o u t o m o r r o w i n m y office." " H m m . R i g h t . O n l y t h e t h i n g i s , " L a n d s m a n says, " I ' m j u s t c o m i n g off a t w e l v e - d a y s h i f t . " This statement, while correct, makes no apparent impression on Bina. She m i g h t n o t have h e a r d h i m , or he m i g h t n o t be s p e a k i n g an I n d o - E u r o p e a n language. " I ' l l s e e y o u t o m o r r o w , " h e says. " U n l e s s I b l o w m y b r a i n s o u t tonight." " I s a i d n o l o v e p o e t r y , " B i n a says. S h e g a t h e r s u p a t u m b l i n g c o i l

IGD

MICHAEL

CHABDN

of h e r d a r k - p u m p k i n hair a n d shoves it i n t o a t o o t h e d clip above a n d b e h i n d h e r r i g h t ear. " B r a i n s o r n o b r a i n s . Be i n m y office a t nine." L a n d s m a n watches her walk across t h e dining area to the doors of t h e Polar-Shtern Kafeteria. H e bets himself a dollar that she w o n ' t look back at h i m before she p u t s u p her hood and steps out i n t o t h e snow. B u t he's a c h a r i t a b l e m a n , a n d it w a s a s u c k e r b e t , a n d so h e n e v e r b o t h e r s t o c o l l e c t .

hen

the telephone wakes

him

at

six t h e n e x t

morning,

L a n d s m a n is s i t t i n g i n t h e w i n g c h a i r , i n h i s w h i t e u n d e r p a n t s , w i t h a t e n d e r hold on t h e grip of his M - 3 9 . T e n e n b o y m is j u s t g o i n g off d u t y " Y o u a s k e d , " h e s a y s , a n d then he hangs up. L a n d s m a n d o e s n ' t r e m e m b e r p u t t i n g i n for a w a k e - u p

call.

H e d o e s n ' t r e m e m b e r p o l i s h i n g off t h e b o t t l e o f s l i v o v i t z

that

stands e m p t y on t h e scratched u r e t h a n e surface of t h e oak-veneer t a b l e t o p , n e x t t o t h e w i n g chair. H e d o e s n ' t r e m e m b e r e a t i n g t h e noodle p u d d i n g w h o s e r e m a i n i n g t h i r d n o w h u d d l e s in a c o r n e r of a plastic clamshell co n tainer beside t h e b o t t l e of slivovitz. F r o m t h e p o s i t i o n o f t h e s h a r d s o f p a i n t e d g l a s s o n t h e floor, h e c a n r e c o n s t r u c t h a v i n g h u r l e d his 1977 S i t k a W o r l d ' s Fair s h o t glass against t h e radiator. M a y b e h e w a s feeling f r u s t r a t e d over b e i n g u n a b l e t o m a k e a n y p r o g r e s s w i t h t h e p o c k e t c h e s s s e t t h a t lies facedown u n d e r t h e bed, its m i n u t e chessmen sprinkled liberally a r o u n d t h e r o o m . B u t h e h a s n o m e m o r y o f t h e t h r o w itself, o r o f s h a t t e r i n g glass. H e m i g h t have b e e n d r i n k i n g a t o a s t t o s o m e t h i n g o r s o m e o n e , w i t h t h e r a d i a t o r s t a n d i n g i n for a f i r e p l a c e . H e d o e s n ' t remember. But n o t h i n g a b o u t t h e squalid scenery of r o o m 505 can b e s a i d t o s u r p r i s e h i m , l e a s t o f all t h e l o a d e d s h o l e m i n h i s h a n d .

162

MICHAEL

H e checks the

firing

CHABON

pin safety a n d r e t u r n s t h e gun to its

holster, s l u n g across t h e b a c k of t h e w i n g chair. T h e n h e goes over t o t h e wall a n d d r a g s t h e p u l l - d o w n b e d from its n o t c h . H e peels b a c k t h e covers a n d climbs in. T h e linens are clean, a n d t h e y smell of t h e s t e a m p r e s s a n d of t h e d u s t in t h e h o l e in t h e wall. Dimly, L a n d s m a n recalls conceiving a r o m a n t i c project, s o m e t i m e around m i d n i g h t t h e n i g h t b e f o r e , t o s h o w u p for w o r k early, see w h a t forensics a n d ballistics have m a d e of t h e Shpilman case, m a y b e even go o u t to t h e islands, t h e Russian neighborhoods, and t r y to n u d g e t h e p a t z e r ex-con Vassily Shitnovitzer. D o w h a t he can, give it his b e s t s h o t , before Bina takes a pair of pliers t o his t e e t h a n d claws at nine. H e smiles ruefully at t h e h e a d s t r o n g y o u n g bravo he w a s l a s t m i d n i g h t . A six A . M .

w a k e u p call.

H e pulls t h e covers u p over his h e a d a n d closes his eyes. Unbidden,

the configuration

of p a w n s

a n d p i e c e s lays

itself

o u t o n a c h e s s b o a r d in his m i n d , t h e Black k i n g h e m m e d in b u t u n c h e c k e d at t h e c e n t e r of t h e b o a r d , t h e W h i t e p a w n on t h e b file a b o u t t o b e c o m e s o m e t h i n g b e t t e r . T h e r e is n o

longer

a n y n e e d for t h e p o c k e t s e t ; t o h i s h o r r o r , h e h a s t h e t h i n g b y h e a r t . H e tries to drive it from his m i n d , to e x p u n g e it, to sweep a s i d e t h e p i e c e s a n d fill i n all t h e w h i t e c h e c k e r s w i t h b l a c k . A n all-black board, u n c o r r u p t e d by pieces or players, gambits

or

e n d g a m e s , t e m p o o r t a c t i c s o r m a t e r i a l a d v a n t a g e , b l a c k as t h e Baranof Mountains. H e is s t i l l l y i n g t h e r e , all t h e w h i t e s q u a r e s o f h i s m i n d b l o t t e d o u t , in his u n d e r p a n t s a n d socks, w h e n t h e r e ' s a k n o c k at t h e door. H e sits u p , facing t h e w a l l , his h e a r t a d r u m b a n g i n g in his t e m p l e s , t h e sheets p u l l e d d o w n t i g h t over h i m like he's a kid h o p i n g to s p o o k s o m e b o d y . H e ' s b e e n l y i n g o n h i s s t o m a c h , m a y b e for a while. H e r e m e m b e r s h e a r i n g , from t h e b o t t o m of a t o m b of black m u d , in a l i g h t l e s s cave a m i l e b e n e a t h t h e surface of t h e e a r t h , t h e d i s t a n t v i b r a t i o n s o f h i s S h o y f e r , a n d s o m e t i m e a f t e r t h a t , t h e soft c h i r p i n g of t h e p h o n e on t h e oak-veneer table. But he was buried

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so d e e p u n d e r t h e m u d t h a t e v e n if t h e t e l e p h o n e s h a d b e e n m e r e t e l e p h o n e s in a d r e a m , h e w o u l d n o t h a v e h a d t h e s t r e n g t h o r t h e i n c l i n a t i o n t o a n s w e r t h e m . H i s p i l l o w is d r e n c h e d i n a foul b r e w of d r u n k - s w e a t , p a n i c , a n d saliva. H e looks a t his w a t c h . It's t e n twenty. "Meyer?" L a n d s m a n falls b a c k o n t o t h e b e d , u p s i d e d o w n a n d t a n g l e d i n t h e s h e e t s . " I q u i t , " h e says. " B i n a , I r e s i g n . " B i n a d o e s n ' t s a y a n y t h i n g r i g h t away. L a n d s m a n h o p e s s h e h a s accepted

his

resignation—which

is

superfluous

anyway—and

r e t u r n e d to the modular, a n d t h e m a n from t h e Burial Society, a n d h e r t r a n s i t i o n f r o m J e w i s h p o l i c e w o m a n t o a n officer o f t h e l a w o f t h e g r e a t s t a t e o f A l a s k a . O n c e h e is s u r e s h e h a s g o n e , L a n d s m a n w i l l a r r a n g e for t h e m a i d w h o c h a n g e s t h e b e d d i n g a n d

towels

o n c e a w e e k t o c o m e i n a n d s h o o t h i m . T h e n all s h e h a s t o d o t o b u r y h i m is r e t u r n t h e p u l l - d o w n b e d t o i t s n o t c h i n t h e w a l l . H i s c l a u s t r o p h o b i a , h i s fear o f t h e d a r k , w i l l n o l o n g e r t r o u b l e h i m . A m o m e n t later, he hears t h e t e e t h of a k e y in a lock, a n d t h e d o o r of r o o m 505 swings o p e n . Bina c r e e p s in t h e w a y y o u c r e e p i n t o a sickroom, a cardiac w a r d , e x p e c t i n g a shock, r e m i n d e r s of mortality, grim truths about the b o d y " J e s u s f u c k i n g C h r i s t , " s h e says w i t h t h a t f l a w l e s s

hardpan

a c c e n t o f h e r s . I t is a n e x p r e s s i o n t h a t a l w a y s s t r i k e s L a n d s m a n as c u r i o u s , o r a t l e a s t as s o m e t h i n g t h a t h e w o u l d p a y m o n e y t o see. She w a d e s t h r o u g h pieces of L a n d s m a n ' s g r a y suit a n d a b a t h t o w e l a n d s t a n d s a t t h e foot o f t h e b e d . H e r e y e s t a k e i n t h e p i n k w a l l p a p e r p a t t e r n e d w i t h g a r l a n d s i n b u r g u n d y flock, t h e g r e e n plush carpet w i t h its r a n d o m m o t i f of b u r n spots and

mystery

stains, t h e b r o k e n glass, t h e e m p t y b o t t l e , t h e peeling a n d c h i p p e d veneer of t h e p r e s s b o a r d furniture. W a t c h i n g her w i t h his head at t h e foot o f t h e p u l l - d o w n b e d , L a n d s m a n e n j o y s t h e l o o k o f h o r r o r o n h e r face, m o s t l y b e c a u s e if h e d o e s n ' t , t h e n h e w i l l h a v e t o feel ashamed.

MICHAEL

CHABON

" H o w d o y o u s a y ' s h i t h e a p ' i n E s p e r a n t o ? " B i n a says. S h e g o e s over to t h e v e n e e r table a n d looks d o w n at t h e last b e d r a g g l e d curls of n o o d l e p u d d i n g l y i n g in t h e g r e a s e - s t r e a k e d c l a m s h e l l . "At least y o u a t e s o m e t h i n g . " S h e t u r n s t h e w i n g c h a i r a r o u n d t o face t h e b e d , t h e n l o w e r s h e r t o t e t o t h e g r o u n d . She s t u d i e s t h e seat of t h e chair. F r o m h e r f a c e , h e c a n s e e t h a t s h e ' s w o n d e r i n g if s h e o u g h t t o g o a f t e r t h e seat of t h e chair w i t h s o m e t h i n g c a u s t i c or a n t i b a c t e r i a l o u t of h e r m a g i c bag. A t last she lowers herself i n t o t h e w i n g chair, a l i t t l e a t a t i m e . She's d r e s s e d in a g r a y p a n t s u i t , s o m e k i n d of slick stuff w i t h an i r i d e s c e n t u n d e r - s h e e n of black. U n d e r

the

j a c k e t s h e w e a r s a s i l k s h e l l i n c e l a d o n g r e e n . H e r face is b a r e e x c e p t for t w o s t r e a k s o f b r i c k l i p r o u g e o n h e r m o u t h . A t t h i s h o u r of t h e day, h e r m o r n i n g effort t o c o n t r o l h e r t a n g l e d h a i r w i t h p i n s a n d c l i p s h a s n o t y e t b e g u n t o fail. I f s h e s l e p t w e l l l a s t n i g h t , i n t h e n a r r o w b e d i n h e r o l d r o o m , o n t h e t o p floor o f a two-family h o u s e on J a p o n s k i Island, w i t h old Mr. O y s h e r a n d his p r o s t h e t i c leg b u m p i n g a r o u n d d o w n s t a i r s , it d o e s n ' t s h o w in t h e h o l l o w s a n d s h a d o w s o f h e r face. H e r e y e b r o w s a r e all i n v o l v e d w i t h each o t h e r again. H e r r o u g e d lips have n a r r o w e d to a brickred seam two millimeters wide. "So how's your m o r n i n g going, Inspector?" " I d o n ' t l i k e w a i t i n g , " s h e says. " A n d I e s p e c i a l l y d o n ' t l i k e w a i t i n g for y o u . " " M a y b e y o u d i d n ' t h e a r m e , " L a n d s m a n says. " I q u i t . " " I t ' s funny, b u t y o u r e p e a t i n g t h a t p a r t i c u l a r b i t of idiocy does surprisingly little to improve m y m o o d . " " I c a n ' t w o r k for y o u , B i n a . C o m e o n . T h a t ' s j u s t i n s a n e . I t ' s e x a c t l y t h e k i n d of i n s a n i t y I w o u l d e x p e c t from t h e d e p a r t m e n t r i g h t n o w . I f t h i n g s a r e t h a t b a d , if t h a t ' s w h a t i t c o m e s t o , t h e n f o r g e t i t . I ' m s i c k o f all t h i s p l a y - o u t - t h e - s t r i n g j a z z . S o , n u , I q u i t . W h a t d o y o u n e e d m e for? S l a p b l a c k flags o n all o u r c a s e s . O p e n , closed. W h o gives a d a m n ? It's j u s t a b u n c h of d e a d y i d s anyway."

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" I w e n t t h r o u g h t h e s t a c k a g a i n , " s h e says. H e n o t e s t h a t a f t e r all t h e s e y e a r s , s h e h a s r e t a i n e d h e r t h r i l l i n g p o w e r t o i g n o r e h i m a n d his b o u t s of blackness. " I d i d n ' t see a n y t h i n g in a n y of t h e m t h a t looked like it w a s g o i n g t o tie in w i t h t h e V e r b o v e r s . " She reaches into her briefcase and takes o u t a pack of Broadways, shakes o n e l o o s e , a n d fits i t t o h e r l i p s . S h e says t h e n e x t e i g h t w o r d s i n a n o f f h a n d w a y t h a t h e i m m e d i a t e l y s u s p e c t s . " E x c e p t for m a y b e t h a t junkie you found downstairs." "You

black-flagged

policeman's

perfect

that

one,"

Landsman

disingenuousness.

"You're

replies

with

smoking

a

again,

too?" " T o b a c c o , m e r c u r y . " She b r u s h e s b a c k a coil of h a i r a n d l i g h t s her papiros, blows smoke. "Playing out the string." "Let m e have o n e . " She passes h i m t h e Broadway and h e sits u p s , w i n d i n g himself in a c a r e f u l t o g a o f b e d l i n e n s . S h e l o o k s h i m o v e r i n h i s s p l e n d o r as s h e l i g h t s a s e c o n d p a p i r o s . S h e n o t e s t h e g r a y h a i r a r o u n d h i s n i p p l e s , t h e p r o g r e s s o f flab a t h i s w a i s t , h i s b o n y k n e e s . " S l e e p i n g i n s o c k s a n d u n d e r w e a r , " s h e says. " A l w a y s a b a d s i g n with you." " I g u e s s I h a v e t h e c a f a r d , " h e says. " I g u e s s i t k i n d o f h i t m e last n i g h t . " "Last night?" "Last year?" S h e l o o k s a r o u n d for s o m e t h i n g t o u s e as a n a s h t r a y . " D i d y o u a n d Berko go o u t to Verbov Island y e s t e r d a y , " she says, " t o p o k e around this Lasker thing?" T h e r e ' s really n o p o i n t in lying t o her. B u t L a n d s m a n has b e e n d i s o b e y i n g o r d e r s far t o o l o n g t o s t a r t t e l l i n g t h e t r u t h a b o u t i t now. " Y o u d i d n ' t g e t a c a l l ? " h e says. "A call? F r o m V e r b o v I s l a n d ? O n a S a t u r d a y m o r n i n g ?

Who

t h e r e ' s g o i n g t o call m e o n a S a t u r d a y m o r n i n g ? " H e r e y e s g e t

IBG

MICHAEL

CHABON

s h r e w d , t i g h t at t h e c o r n e r s . "And w h a t are t h e y g o i n g t o tell m e when they do?" "I'm

sorry,"

Landsman

says. " E x c u s e

me. I can't

hold

it

anymore." H e gets u p , s t a n d s r i g h t u p in his u n d e r w e a r w i t h a sheet h a n g i n g off h i m . H e p a d s a r o u n d t h e p u l l - d o w n b e d t o t h e t i n y b a t h r o o m w i t h its sink a n d its steel m i r r o r and its shower head. T h e r e ' s no c u r t a i n , j u s t a d r a i n i n t h e m i d d l e o f t h e floor. H e c l o s e s t h e d o o r a n d u r i n a t e s for a l o n g t i m e , w i t h g e n u i n e p l e a s u r e . S e t t i n g t h e b u r n i n g p a p i r o s o n t h e e d g e o f t h e t o i l e t t a n k , h e g i v e s h i s face s o m e b r i s k business with soap and a washcloth. There's a wool bathrobe, white w i t h r e d , g r e e n , yellow, a n d black stripes in an I n d i a n p a t t e r n , on a h o o k b e h i n d t h e b a t h r o o m door. H e ties it a r o u n d himself. H e p u t s t h e p a p i r o s b a c k i n t o his m o u t h a n d looks at h i m s e l f in t h e scratched rectangle of polished steel that's m o u n t e d above the sink. W h a t h e s e e s t h e r e affords h i m n o s u r p r i s e s o r u n k n o w n d e p t h s . H e flushes

t h e toilet and goes back into the room.

" B i n a , " h e s a y s , " I d i d n o t k n o w t h i s m a n . H e w a s p u t i n m y way. I was given the o p p o r t u n i t y to k n o w him, I suppose, b u t I declined it. If t h i s m a n a n d I h a d g o t t e n t o k n o w each o t h e r , possibly w e w o u l d have b e c o m e pals. M a y b e n o t . H e h a d his t h i n g w i t h heroin, a n d t h a t w a s p r o b a b l y e n o u g h for h i m . I t u s u a l l y is. B u t w h e t h e r I k n e w h i m or not, and w h e t h e r we could have grown old together h o l d i n g h a n d s o n a sofa d o w n i n t h e l o b b y , is n e i t h e r h e r e n o r t h e r e . S o m e b o d y c a m e i n t o t h i s h o t e l , m y h o t e l , a n d s h o t t h a t m a n in t h e b a c k o f t h e h e a d w h i l e h e w a s off i n d r e a m l a n d . A n d t h a t b o t h e r s me.

Set aside whatever general objections I m i g h t have worked u p

over t h e years t o t h e u n d e r l y i n g c o n c e p t of homicide. Forget a b o u t right and w r o n g , law and order, police procedure, departmental p o l i c y , R e v e r s i o n , J e w s a n d I n d i a n s . T h i s d u m p is m y h o u s e . F o r t h e n e x t t w o m o n t h s , o r h o w e v e r l o n g i t t u r n s o u t t o b e , I live h e r e . All t h e s e h a r d - l u c k s p a y i n g r e n t on a p u l l - d o w n b e d a n d a sheet of s t e e l b o l t e d t o t h e b a t h r o o m w a l l , for b e t t e r o r w o r s e , t h e y ' r e m y p e o p l e now. I c a n ' t h o n e s t l y say I like t h e m v e r y m u c h . S o m e of

THE Y I D D I S H

POLICEMEN'S

UNION

t h e m a r e all r i g h t . M o s t o f t h e m a r e p r e t t y b a d . B u t I ' l l b e d a m n e d if I ' m g o i n g t o l e t s o m e b o d y w a l k i n h e r e a n d p u t a b u l l e t i n t h e i r heads." B i n a h a s b o i l e d u p t w o c u p s o f i n s t a n t coffee. S h e h a n d s o n e t o L a n d s m a n . " B l a c k a n d s w e e t , " s h e says. " R i g h t ? " "Bina." " Y o u ' r e o n y o u r o w n . T h e b l a c k flag s t a y s p u t . Y o u g e t c a u g h t , y o u g e t in a j a m , y o u g e t y o u r k n e e s b r o k e n b y R u d a s h e v s k y s , I d o n ' t k n o w a n y t h i n g a b o u t i t . " She goes over t o her b a g a n d takes o u t a n a c c o r d i o n file t h i c k w i t h f o l d e r s . S h e p u t s i t o n t h e v e n e e r t a b l e . " T h e f o r e n s i c is o n l y a p a r t i a l . S h p r i n g e r s o r t o f left

it

h a n g i n g . Blood a n d hair. L a t e n t s . It i s n ' t m u c h . T h e ballistics a r e still o u t . " " B i n a , t h a n k y o u . Bina, l i s t e n , t h i s guy. H i s n a m e w a s n ' t Lasker. This g u y — " She p u t s a h a n d to his m o u t h . She has n o t t o u c h e d h i m in t h r e e y e a r s . I t p r o b a b l y w o u l d b e t o o m u c h t o s a y t h a t h e feels t h e d a r k n e s s lift a t t h e t o u c h o f h e r f i n g e r t i p s a g a i n s t h i s l i p s . B u t i t shivers, a n d light bleeds in a m o n g t h e cracks. " I d o n ' t k n o w a n y t h i n g a b o u t i t , " s h e says. She r e m o v e s h e r h a n d . S h e t a k e s a s i p o f i n s t a n t coffee a n d m a k e s a face. " F e h . " She p u t s d o w n t h e c u p , picks u p her bag, a n d goes to t h e door. She s t o p s a n d looks b a c k at L a n d s m a n , s t a n d i n g t h e r e in

the

b a t h r o b e t h a t s h e b o u g h t for h i m o n h i s b i r t h d a y w h e n h e t u r n e d thirty-five. " Y o u h a v e s o m e n e r v e , " s h e says. " I c a n ' t b e l i e v e y o u a n d B e r k o went out there." " W e h a d t o tell h i m his son was d e a d . " " H i s son." "Mendel Shpilman. T h e rebbe's only son." B i n a o p e n s h e r m o u t h , t h e n c l o s e s i t . N o t a s t o n i s h e d so m u c h as e n g a g e d , s i n k i n g h e r t e r r i e r t e e t h i n t o t h e i n f o r m a t i o n , g n a w i n g on t h e b l o o d y j o i n t of it. L a n d s m a n can see t h a t she likes t h e w a y i t g i v e s a g a i n s t t h e s h a r p g r i p o f h e r jaw. B u t h e r e y e s t a k e

IG8

MICHAEL

CHABON

o n a w e a r i n e s s t h a t L a n d s m a n recognizes. Bina will never lose h e r d e t e c t i v e ' s a p p e t i t e for p e o p l e ' s s t o r i e s , L a n d s m a n

thinks,

o f p u z z l i n g h e r w a y b a c k t h r o u g h t h e m f r o m t h e final b u r s t o f v i o l e n c e t o t h e first m i s t a k e . B u t s o m e t i m e s a s h a m m e s g e t s a l i t t l e t i r e d of t h a t h u n g e r . "And w h a t d i d t h e r e b b e say?" She lets go of t h e d o o r k n o b w i t h an air of g e n u i n e r e g r e t . " H e seemed a little bitter." " D i d he seem surprised?" " N o t especially, b u t I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t y o u can m a k e of t h a t . I t a k e i t t h e k i d h a d b e e n h e a d i n g d o w n t h e c h u t e for a l o n g t i m e . D o I t h i n k S h p i l m a n w o u l d h a v e fed h i s o w n s o n a b u l l e t ? I n t h e o r y , s u r e . T h a t g o e s d o u b l e for B a r o n s h t e y n . " H e r b a g h i t s t h e floor l i k e a b o d y . S h e s t a n d s a n d w o r k s h e r s h o u l d e r i n a s m a l l a c h i n g c i r c l e . H e c o u l d offer t o m a s s a g e i t for her, b u t wisely, h e refrains. "I

suppose

I can

expect

a phone

call,"

she

says.

"From

B a r o n s h t e y n . A s s o o n as t h e r e a r e t h r e e s t a r s i n t h e s k y . " " W e l l , I w o u l d n ' t listen t o o carefully w h e n h e tries to tell y o u h o w b r o k e n u p h e is t h a t M e n d e l S h p i l m a n is o u t o f t h e p i c t u r e . E v e r y b o d y l o v e s i t w h e n t h e p r o d i g a l r e t u r n s , e x c e p t for t h e g u y t h a t ' s b e e n s l e e p i n g in his p a j a m a s . " L a n d s m a n t a k e s a sip of t h e coffee, d r e a d f u l l y b i t t e r a n d s w e e t . " T h e prodigal." " H e was s o m e k i n d of a miracle kid. A t chess, at T o r a h , at languages. I heard a story today about him healing a woman's cancer, n o t t h a t I really believe t h a t , b u t . I guess t h e r e were a lot of stories going a r o u n d a b o u t h i m inside t h e black-hat world. T h a t he m i g h t be t h e T z a d d i k H a - D o r — y o u k n o w w h a t t h a t is?" " S o r t of. Yes. A n y w a y , I k n o w w h a t t h e w o r d s m e a n , " B i n a says. H e r f a t h e r , G u r y e h G e l b f i s h , is a l e a r n e d m a n i n t h e t r a d i t i o n a l sense, a n d h e s q u a n d e r e d a c e r t a i n p o r t i o n of his l e a r n i n g on his only child, a girl. " T h e r i g h t e o u s m a n of this g e n e r a t i o n . " " S o t h e s t o r y is t h a t t h e s e g u y s , t h e s e t z a d d i k s , t h e y h a v e b e e n

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s h o w i n g u p for w o r k , o n e p e r g e n e r a t i o n , for t h e p a s t c o u p l e o f t h o u s a n d y e a r s , r i g h t ? C o o l i n g t h e i r h e e l s . W a i t i n g for t h e t i m e t o b e r i g h t , o r t h e w o r l d t o b e r i g h t , or, s o m e p e o p l e say, for t h e t i m e t o b e w r o n g a n d t h e w o r l d t o b e as w r o n g as i t c a n b e . S o m e o f t h e m w e k n o w a b o u t . M o s t of t h e m k e p t a p r e t t y low profile. I g u e s s t h e i d e a is t h a t t h e T z a d d i k H a - D o r c o u l d b e a n y o n e . " " H e is d e s p i s e d a n d r e j e c t e d o f m e n , " B i n a s a y s , o r r a t h e r , r e c i t e s . "A m a n o f s o r r o w s a n d a c q u a i n t e d w i t h g r i e f . " " T h a t ' s w h a t I ' m s a y i n g , " says L a n d s m a n . " A n y o n e . A b u m . A scholar. A j u n k i e . E v e n a s h a m m e s . " " I g u e s s i t c o u l d b e , " B i n a says. S h e w o r k s i t o u t i n h e r m i n d , t h e road from w o n d e r - w o r k i n g p r o d i g y of t h e Verbovers t o m u r d e r e d j u n k i e i n a flophouse o n M a x N o r d a u S t r e e t . T h e s t o r y a d d s u p i n a w a y t h a t a p p e a r s t o s a d d e n her. "Anyway, I ' m glad it i s n ' t m e . " "You don't w a n t to redeem the world a n y m o r e ? " "Did I used to want to redeem the world?" "I think that you did, yes." She considers it, r u b b i n g t h e side of her nose w i t h a

finger,

t r y i n g t o r e m e m b e r . " I guess I g o t over i t , " she says, b u t L a n d s m a n doesn't b u y that. Bina never stopped w a n t i n g to redeem t h e world. She j u s t let t h e world she was t r y i n g t o r e d e e m get smaller a n d smaller u n t i l , at o n e p o i n t , it c o u l d b e b o u n d e d in t h e h a t of a h o p e l e s s p o l i c e m a n . " I t ' s all t a l k i n g c h i c k e n s t o m e n o w . " She should probably exit on t h a t line, b u t she stands a r o u n d for a n o t h e r

fifteen

seconds of u n r e d e e m e d t i m e , l e a n i n g a g a i n s t

t h e door, w a t c h i n g L a n d s m a n

fiddle

w i t h t h e frayed e n d s of his

b a t h r o b e sash. "What

are y o u going to tell B a r o n s h t e y n

when

he

calls?"

L a n d s m a n says. " T h a t y o u w e r e t o t a l l y o u t of line, a n d I'll see t h a t y o u c o m e u p for a b o a r d . I m a y h a v e t o lift y o u r s h i e l d . I'll t r y t o fight i t , b u t w i t h this s h o m e r from t h e Burial Society c o m i n g — S p a d e , a c u r s e on h i m — I d o n ' t have a lot of r o o m t o m a n e u v e r . A n d n e i t h e r d o you."

I7D

"Okay,

you

warned

MICHAEL

CHABON

me,"

Landsman

says.

"I

have

been

warned." "So what are you going to do?" " N o w ? N o w I w a n t to p u t a touch on the mother. Shpilman s a i d n o b o d y e v e r h e a r d f r o m M e n d e l o r s p o k e t o h i m . B u t for s o m e r e a s o n , I ' m n o t i n c l i n e d t o t a k e h i s w o r d for i t . " " B a t s h e v a S h p i l m a n . T h a t is g o i n g t o b e a t o u g h t o u c h , " B i n a says. " E s p e c i a l l y for a m a n . " " T r u e , " L a n d s m a n says w i t h a d i s p l a y o f w i s t f u l n e s s . "No,"

B i n a says. " N o , M e y e r . F o r g e t i t . Y o u a r e o n y o u r o w n . "

" S h e ' l l b e at t h e funeral. All y o u n e e d t o d o i s — " "All I n e e d t o d o , " B i n a s a y s , " i s s t a y o u t o f t h e w a y o f s h o m e r s , w a t c h m y ass, a n d get t h r o u g h t h e next t w o m o n t h s

without

s e t t i n g fire t o i t . " " I ' d b e h a p p y t o w a t c h y o u r a s s for y o u , " L a n d s m a n s a y s , j u s t for o l d t i m e s ' s a k e . " G e t d r e s s e d , " B i n a says. " A n d d o y o u r s e l f a favor? C l e a n t h i s shit u p . L o o k at t h i s d u m p . I c a n ' t believe y o u ' r e living like this. Sweet G o d , a r e n ' t y o u a s h a m e d of yourself?" Once

Bina Gelbfish

believed

in M e y e r

Landsman.

Or

she

believed, from t h e m o m e n t she m e t h i m , t h a t t h e r e was a sense in t h a t m e e t i n g , t h a t s o m e d e t e c t a b l e i n t e n t i o n lay b e h i n d t h e i r m a r r i a g e . T h e y w e r e t w i s t e d like a pair of c h r o m o s o m e s , of course t h e y w e r e , b u t w h e r e L a n d s m a n saw in t h a t t w i s t i n g t o g e t h e r o n l y a tangle, a chance snarling of lines, Bina saw t h e h a n d of t h e M a k e r o f K n o t s . A n d for h e r f a i t h , L a n d s m a n r e p a i d h e r w i t h h i s f a i t h i n N o t h i n g itself. " O n l y e v e r y t i m e I s e e y o u r f a c e , " L a n d s m a n says.

L

andsman

cadges half

a d o z e n papiroses from

the

weekend

m a n a g e r , K r a n k h e i t , t h e n k i l l s a n h o u r s e t t i n g fire t o

three

of t h e m while t h e r e p o r t s on t h e d e a d m a n in 208 r e n d e r u p

t h e i r pitiful a c c o u n t of p r o t e i n s a n d grease m a r k s a n d d u s t . As Bina said, t h e r e ' s n o t h i n g n e w in any of it. T h e killer seems t o h a v e b e e n a p r o f e s s i o n a l , a s h l o s s e r o f skill w h o left n o t r a c e o f his passage. T h e d e a d m a n ' s

fingerprints

match those on record

for a M e n a c h e m - M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , a r r e s t e d s e v e n t i m e s o n d r u g charges over t h e past ten years, u n d e r a v a r i e t y of aliases, i n c l u d i n g W i l h e l m S t e i n i t z , A r o n N i m z o v i t c h , a n d R i c h a r d R é t i . So m u c h , a n d n o m o r e , is clear. L a n d s m a n c o n t e m p l a t e s s e n d i n g d o w n for a p i n t , b u t h e t a k e s a h o t s h o w e r i n s t e a d . A l c o h o l h a s failed h i m , t h e t h o u g h t o f f o o d t u r n s h i s s t o m a c h , a n d l e t ' s face i t , i f h e w a s e v e r r e a l l y g o i n g t o kill h i m s e l f , h e w o u l d h a v e d o n e s o l o n g b e f o r e n o w . S o , all r i g h t , w o r k is a j o k e ; i t r e m a i n s w o r k . A n d t h a t is t h e t r u e c o n t e n t o f t h e a c c o r d i o n file t h a t B i n a b r o u g h t h i m , h e r m e s s a g e t o h i m a c r o s s t h e divide of d e p a r t m e n t a l policy a n d m a r i t a l e s t r a n g e m e n t

and

c a r e e r s r o l l i n g i n o p p o s i t e d i r e c t i o n s : Just keep at it. L a n d s m a n frees h i s l a s t c l e a n s u i t f r o m i t s p l a s t i c s a c k , s h a v e s his c h i n , w o r k s u p a l u s t r o u s n a p in his p o r k p i e h a t w i t h his h a t

172

MICHAEL

CHABON

b r u s h . H e is off d u t y t o d a y , b u t d u t y m e a n s n o t h i n g , t o d a y m e a n s n o t h i n g , n o t h i n g m e a n s a n y t h i n g b u t a clean suit, t h r e e

fresh

Broadways, t h e w o b b l e of t h e h a n g o v e r j u s t b e h i n d his eyes, t h e m u r m u r o f t h e b r u s h a g a i n s t t h e w h i s k e y - b r o w n felt o f h i s h a t . A n d , all r i g h t , m a y b e a t r a c e i n h i s h o t e l r o o m o f t h e s m e l l o f B i n a , of t h e s o u r collar of h e r s h i r t , h e r v e r b e n a soap, t h e

marjoram

s m e l l o f h e r a r m p i t . H e r i d e s d o w n i n t h e e l e v a t o r f e e l i n g as if h e has s t e p p e d o u t from u n d e r t h e o n r u s h i n g s h a d o w of a p l u m m e t i n g p i a n o , s o m e k i n d o f j a z z y c l a n g o r i n h i s ear. T h e k n o t o f h i s g o l d a n d - g r e e n r e p n e c k t i e p r e s s e s its t h u m b a g a i n s t his l a r y n x like a s c r u p l e p r e s s i n g a g a i n s t a g u i l t y c o n s c i e n c e , a r e m i n d e r t h a t h e is a l i v e . H i s h a t is as g l o s s y as a s e a l . M a x N o r d a u S t r e e t has n o t b e e n p l o w e d ; t h e road c r e w s of Sitka, slashed to skeletons, concentrate on the arterials and the highway. L a n d s m a n leaves t h e S u p e r S p o r t w i t h t h e g a r a g e m a n after r e t r i e v i n g his r u b b e r overshoes from t h e t r u n k . T h e n

he

s t o m p s his w a y carefully t h r o u g h t h e foot-deep drifts to M a b u h a y D o n u t s on Monastir Street. T h e F i l i p i n o - s t y l e C h i n e s e d o n u t , o r s h t e k e l e h , is t h e g r e a t c o n t r i b u t i o n of t h e D i s t r i c t of S i t k a t o t h e food lovers of

the

w o r l d . In its p r e s e n t form, it c a n n o t b e found in t h e Philippines. N o C h i n e s e t r e n c h e r m a n w o u l d r e c o g n i z e i t as t h e f r u i t o f h i s n a t i v e fry k e t t l e s . L i k e t h e s t o r m g o d Y a h w e h o f S u m e r i a , t h e s h t e k e l e h was not invented by the Jews, but the world would sport neither G o d nor t h e shtekeleh w i t h o u t Jews and their desires. A panatela of fried d o u g h n o t q u i t e s w e e t , n o t q u i t e salty, rolled in sugar, c r i s p - s k i n n e d , t e n d e r i n s i d e , a n d h o n e y c o m b e d w i t h air p o c k e t s . You sink it in y o u r p a p e r c u p of m i l k y tea a n d close y o u r eyes, a n d for t e n fat s e c o n d s , y o u s e e m t o g l i m p s e t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f

finer

things. T h e h i d d e n m a s t e r o f t h e F i l i p i n o - s t y l e C h i n e s e d o n u t is B e n i t o T a g a n e s , p r o p r i e t o r a n d king of t h e b u b b l i n g vats at Mabuhay. M a b u h a y , d a r k , c r a m p e d , i n v i s i b l e f r o m t h e s t r e e t , s t a y s o p e n all n i g h t l o n g . I t d r a i n s t h e b a r s a n d cafés a f t e r h o u r s , c o n c e n t r a t e s

THE Y I D D I S H

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173

the wicked and t h e guilty along its chipped Formica counter, and thrums with the

gossip of criminals, p o l i c e m e n , shtarkers

and

s h l e m i e l s , w h o r e s a n d n i g h t o w l s . W i t h t h e fat a p p l a u d i n g i n t h e f r y e r s , t h e e x h a u s t fans r o a r i n g , a n d t h e b o o m b o x b l a s t i n g t h e h e a r t s i c k kundimans

of Benito's M a n i l a c h i l d h o o d , t h e

clientele

m a k e s free w i t h t h e i r s e c r e t s . A g o l d e n m i s t o f k o s h e r oil h a n g s in t h e a i r a n d baffles t h e s e n s e s . W h o c o u l d o v e r h e a r w i t h e a r s full o f K o s h e r F r y a n d t h e w a i l i n g o f D i o m e d e s M a t u r a n ?

But

Benito Taganes overhears, and he remembers. Benito could draw y o u a f a m i l y t r e e for A l e x e i L e b e d , t h e c h i e f t a i n o f t h e R u s s i a n mob,

o n l y o n i t y o u w o u l d find n o t g r a n d p a r e n t s a n d n i e c e s b u t

b a g m e n , bump-offs, a n d offshore b a n k a c c o u n t s . H e c o u l d sing y o u a kundiman o f w i v e s w h o r e m a i n l o y a l t o t h e i r i m p r i s o n e d h u s b a n d s and husbands doing time because their wives d r o p p e d dimes on t h e m . H e k n o w s w h o ' s k e e p i n g t h e h e a d of F u r r y M a r k o v in his g a r a g e , a n d w h i c h n a r c o t i c s i n s p e c t o r is o n t h e p a y r o l l o f A n a t o l y Moskowits the Wild Beast. O n l y n o b o d y k n o w s t h a t he k n o w s b u t Meyer Landsman. "A d o n u t , R e b T a g a n e s , " L a n d s m a n says w h e n h e c o m e s s t o m p i n g in f r o m t h e alley, s h i v e r i n g t h e c r u s t o f s n o w f r o m h i s o v e r s h o e s . T h e S i t k a S a t u r d a y a f t e r n o o n lies d e a d as a f a i l e d m e s s i a h i n i t s w i n d i n g r a g of snow. T h e r e w a s n o b o d y o n t h e s i d e w a l k , h a r d l y a car in t h e s t r e e t . B u t h e r e i n s i d e M a b u h a y D o n u t s , t h r e e o r four floaters, solitaries, a n d d r u n k s b e t w e e n b e n d e r s lean a g a i n s t

the

sparkly resin counter, sucking t h e tea from t h e i r s h t e k e l e h s a n d w o r k i n g t h e calculations of t h e i r n e x t b i g m i s t a k e s . " O n l y o n e ? " B e n i t o says. H e is a s q u a t , t h i c k m a n w i t h s k i n t h e color of t h e m i l k y tea h e serves, his cheeks p i t t e d like a p a i r of d a r k m o o n s . T h o u g h h i s h a i r is b l a c k , h e ' s p a s t s e v e n t y . A s a y o u n g m a n he was t h e flyweight c h a m p i o n of L u z o n , a n d w i t h his thick fingers

a n d t h e t a t t o o e d s a l a m i s o f h i s f o r e a r m s h e g e t s t a k e n for

a t o u g h customer, which serves t h e needs of his business. H i s big c a r a m e l e y e s b e t r a y h i m , so h e k e e p s t h e m h o o d e d a n d d o w n c a s t . But L a n d s m a n has looked into t h e m . T o r u n a shtinker, you have to

MICHAEL

174

CHABDN

see t h e b r o k e n h e a r t inside t h e d e a d e s t p a n . " L o o k like y o u should to eat a couple, maybe three, Detective." Benito elbows aside t h e n e p h e w or cousin he's got working t h e fry b a s k e t , a n d s n a k e - c h a r m s a r o p e o f r a w d o u g h i n t o t h e fat. A f e w m i n u t e s l a t e r , L a n d s m a n is h o l d i n g a t i g h t p a p e r p a c k e t o f h e a v e n in his h a n d . "I

have

that

information

you

wanted

on

Olivia's

sister's

d a u g h t e r , " L a n d s m a n says a r o u n d a w a r m s u g a r y m o u t h f u l . B e n i t o d r a w s a c u p o f t e a for L a n d s m a n a n d t h e n n o d s t o w a r d t h e alley. H e p u l l s o n h i s a n o r a k a n d t h e y g o o u t . B e n i t o t a k e s a r i n g of keys from his belt loop a n d works o p e n an iron door t w o d o o r s d o w n f r o m M a b u h a y D o n u t s . T h i s is w h e r e B e n i t o k e e p s his lover, O l i v i a , in t h r e e small, t i d y r o o m s w i t h a W a r h o l p o r t r a i t of D i e t r i c h a n d a b i t t e r smell of v i t a m i n s and r o t t e n gardenia. Olivia's n o t t h e r e . T h e lady has b e e n in a n d o u t of t h e hospital lately, d y i n g in c h a p t e r s , w i t h a cliff-hanger at t h e e n d of e v e r y one.

B e n i t o w a v e s L a n d s m a n i n t o a r e d l e a t h e r a r m c h a i r p i p e d in

w h i t e . O f c o u r s e , L a n d s m a n h a s n o i n f o r m a t i o n for B e n i t o a b o u t a n y o f O l i v i a ' s s i s t e r s ' d a u g h t e r s . O l i v i a is n o t r e a l l y a lady, e i t h e r , b u t L a n d s m a n is a l s o t h e o n l y o n e w h o k n o w s t h a t a b o u t B e n i t o T a g a n e s t h e d o n u t king. Years ago, a serial r a p i s t n a m e d Kohn forced himself on Miss Olivia L a g d a m e o and found o u t her secret. K o h n ' s second b i g s u r p r i s e t h a t n i g h t w a s t h e c h a n c e a p p e a r a n c e o f P a t r o l m a n L a n d s m a n . W h a t L a n d s m a n d i d t o K o h n ' s face left t h e m o m z e r t a l k i n g w i t h a s l u r for t h e r e s t o f h i s life. So i t ' s a m i x t u r e o f g r a t i t u d e a n d s h a m e , a n d n o t m o n e y , t h a t d r i v e s t h e flow o f i n f o r m a t i o n from B e n i t o t o t h e m a n w h o saved Olivia. "Ever

hear anything about

the

son of

Heskel

Shpilman?"

L a n d s m a n says, s e t t i n g d o w n t h e d o n u t s a n d t h e c u p of tea. " K i d named Mendel?" B e n i t o s t a n d s , h a n d s clasped b e h i n d his back, like a b o y called o n t o r e c i t e a p o e m a t s c h o o l . " O v e r t h e y e a r s , " h e says. "A t h i n g or two. Junkie, no?"

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L a n d s m a n arcs o n e fuzzy e y e b r o w a q u a r t e r of an inch. You don't answer a shtinker's questions, especially not the rhetorical ones. "Mendel Shpilman," Benito decides. "Seen him around maybe a few t i m e . F u n n y guy. T a l k a l i t t l e T a g a l o g . S i n g a l i t t l e F i l i p i n o song. W h a t h a p p e n , he n o t d e a d ? " Still

Landsman

doesn't

say

anything,

but

he

likes

Benny

T a g a n e s , a n d r u n n i n g h i m a l w a y s feels a l i t t l e r u d e . T o c o v e r t h e silence, he picks u p t h e shtekeleh a n d takes a b i t e . It's still w a r m , and there's a h i n t of vanilla, a n d t h e c r u s t c r u n c h e s b e t w e e n his t e e t h like a c a r a m e l glaze on a p o t of c u s t a r d . As it goes i n t o Landsman's m o u t h , Benito watches with the appraising coldness of an o r c h e s t r a c o n d u c t o r a u d i t i o n i n g a flutist. " T h a t ' s good, Benny." "Don't insult me, Detective, I beg you." "Sorry." "I k n o w it's g o o d . " "The best." " N o t h i n g i n y o u r life e v e n c o m e s c l o s e . " T h i s is so e a s i l y t r u e t h a t t h e s e n t i m e n t b r i n g s a s t i n g o f t e a r s to Landsman's eyes, and to cover t h a t , he eats a n o t h e r d o n u t . " S o m e b o d y w a s l o o k i n g for t h e y i d , " B e n i t o says i n h i s r o u g h a n d fluent Yiddish. " T w o , t h r e e m o n t h s back. A c o u p l e s o m e b o d i e s . " "You saw t h e m ? " Benito shrugs. His tactics and operations he keeps a mystery from L a n d s m a n , t h e c o u s i n s a n d n e p h e w s a n d t h e n e t w o r k of s u b shtinkers he employs. " S o m e b o d y s a w t h e m , " h e says. " I t m i g h t h a v e b e e n m e . " "Were they black hats?" B e n i t o c o n s i d e r s t h e q u e s t i o n for a l o n g m o m e n t , a n d L a n d s m a n can see it t r o u b l e s h i m in a w a y t h a t ' s s o m e h o w scientific, a l m o s t p l e a s u r a b l e . H e g i v e s h i s h e a d a slow, c e r t a i n s h a k e . " N o h a t s , " h e says. " B u t b e a r d s . "

black

MICHAEL

I7G

CHABON

"Beards? You m e a n , w h a t , t h e y w e r e religious t y p e s ? " "Little yarmulkes. Neat beards. Young m e n . " "Russians? Accents?" "If I heard about these young men, then the one who told me d i d n ' t s a y n o t h i n g a b o u t a c c e n t s . If I s a w t h e m myself, t h e n I ' m s o r r y , I d o n ' t r e m e m b e r . H e y , w h a t ' s t h e m a t t e r , w h a t for y o u d o n ' t write this down, Detective?" Early o n in t h e i r c o l l a b o r a t i o n , L a n d s m a n m a d e a s h o w of t a k i n g B e n i t o ' s i n f o r m a t i o n v e r y s e r i o u s l y . N o w h e fishes o u t h i s n o t e b o o k and scratches a line or t w o , j u s t to keep t h e d o n u t king happy. H e ' s n o t sure w h a t to m a k e of t h e m , these t w o or t h r e e neat young Jews, religious b u t not black hat. " A n d t h e y w e r e a s k i n g w h a t , e x a c t l y , p l e a s e ? " h e says. "Whereabouts. Information." "Did they get it?" " N o t at M a b u h a y D o n u t s . N o t from a T a g a n e s . " B e n i t o ' s S h o y f e r r i n g s , a n d h e s n a p s i t o p e n a n d lays i t a g a i n s t h i s ear. A l l t h e h a r d n e s s g o e s o u t o f t h e l i n e s a r o u n d h i s m o u t h . H i s face m a t c h e s h i s e y e s n o w , soft, b r i m m i n g w i t h feeling. H e r a t t l e s on t e n d e r l y in T a g a l o g . L a n d s m a n catches t h e lowing s o u n d of his o w n last n a m e . " H o w ' s O l i v i a ? " L a n d s m a n a s k s as B e n i t o c l o s e s h i s p h o n e a n d l a d l e s a y a r d o f c o l d p l a s t e r i n t o t h e m o l d o f h i s face. " S h e c a n ' t e a t , " B e n i t o says. " N o m o r e s h t e k e l e h s . " "That's a shame." T h e y ' r e t h r o u g h . L a n d s m a n g e t s u p , slips t h e n o t e b o o k b a c k i n t o his h i p p o c k e t , a n d feeds h i m s e l f

t h e last bite. H e

feels

s t r o n g e r a n d h a p p i e r t h a n h e has in weeks or p e r h a p s m o n t h s . T h e r e is s o m e t h i n g i n t h e d e a t h o f M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , a s t o r y t o g r a b h o l d of, a n d i t ' s s h a k i n g t h e d u s t a n d s p i d e r s off h i m . O r e l s e i t ' s t h e d o n u t . T h e y h e a d for t h e d o o r , b u t B e n i t o p u t s a h a n d o n Landsman's arm. " W h y y o u d o n ' t ask m e a n y t h i n g else, D e t e c t i v e ? "

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" W h a t w o u l d y o u like m e to ask y o u ? " L a n d s m a n frowns, t h e n lights doubtfully on a question. "You heard s o m e t h i n g today, maybe? S o m e t h i n g o u t of Verbov I s l a n d ? " It's h a r d t o i m a g i n e b u t

not

inconceivable t h a t w o r d of Verbover d i s p l e a s u r e over L a n d s m a n ' s visit to the rebbe already would have reached Benito's ears. " V e r b o v I s l a n d ? N o , a n o t h e r t h i n g . Y o u s t i l l l o o k i n g for

the

Zilberblat?" V i k t o r Z i l b e r b l a t is o n e o f t h e e l e v e n o u t s t a n d i n g c a s e s t h a t Landsman and Berko are supposed

to be resolving

effectively.

Zilberblat was s t a b b e d to d e a t h last M a r c h o u t s i d e of t h e H o f b r a u t a v e r n in t h e N a c h t a s y l , t h e o l d G e r m a n q u a r t e r , a few b l o c k s from h e r e . T h e knife w a s small a n d d u l l , a n d t h e m u r d e r h a d an u n s t u d i e d air. "Somebody

see

the

brother,"

Benito

Taganes

says.

"Rafi.

Sneaking around." N o b o d y w a s s o r r y t o s e e V i k t o r g o , l e a s t o f all h i s b r o t h e r , Rafael. V i k t o r h a d a b u s e d Rafael, c h e a t e d h i m , h u m i l i a t e d h i m , a n d m a d e free w i t h h i s c a s h a n d h i s w o m a n . A f t e r V i k t o r d i e d , R a f a e l left t o w n , w h e r e a b o u t s u n k n o w n . T h e e v i d e n c e l i n k i n g R a f a e l t o t h e k n i f e is i n c o n c l u s i v e a t b e s t . T w o s e m i r e l i a b l e w i t n e s s e s p u t h i m f o r t y m i l e s a w a y f r o m t h e N a c h t a s y l for t w o h o u r s o n e i t h e r side of t h e likely t i m e of his b r o t h e r ' s m u r d e r . B u t Rafi Z i l b e r b l a t has a l o n g a n d m o n o t o n o u s police r e c o r d , a n d h e will d o v e r y nicely, L a n d s m a n reflects, given t h e lowered s t a n d a r d of p r o o f t h a t t h e new policy implies. " S n e a k i n g w h e r e ? " L a n d s m a n says. T h e i n f o r m a t i o n is l i k e a h o t b l a c k m o u t h f u l o f coffee. H e c a n feel h i m s e l f c o i l i n g a r o u n d R a f a e l Z i l b e r b l a t ' s freedom like a h u n d r e d - p o u n d snake. " T h a t Big M a c h e r s t o r e , it's g o n e now, u p at G r a n i t e C r e e k . S o m e b o d y s e e h i m s n e a k i n g in a n d o u t o f t h e r e . C a r r y i n g t h i n g s . A can of p r o p a n e . M a y b e he living inside t h e e m p t y s t o r e . " " T h a n k s , B e n n y , " L a n d s m a n says. " I ' l l c h e c k i t o u t . " L a n d s m a n s t a r t s t o let himself o u t of t h e a p a r t m e n t . B e n i t o

178

MICHAEL

Taganes

takes

hold

of

his

CHABDN

sleeve. H e

smooths

t h e collar

of

Landsman's overcoat w i t h a paternal hand. H e brushes away the c r u m b s of c i n n a m o n sugar. " Y o u r w i f e , " h e says. " H e r e a g a i n ? " " I n all h e r g l o r y . " " N i c e lady. B e n n y says h e l l o . " "I'll tell h e r t o d r o p by." "No,

y o u d o n ' t tell h e r n o t h i n g . " Benito grins. " N o w she your

boss." " S h e w a s a l w a y s m y b o s s , " L a n d s m a n says. " N o w i t ' s j u s t official." T h e grin w i n k s o u t , a n d L a n d s m a n averts his gaze from

the

s p e c t a c l e o f B e n i t o T a g a n e s ' s g r i e v i n g e y e s . B e n i t o ' s wife is a voiceless a n d s h a d o w y l i t t l e w o m a n , b u t M i s s O l i v i a in h e r h e y d a y c o n d u c t e d herself like t h e boss of half t h e world. " B e t t e r for y o u , " B e n i t o says. " Y o u n e e d . "

e

• § 2 1

0"

L

a n d s m a n straps an e x t r a clip to his belt a n d drives o u t to t h e north end, past Halibut Point, where the city sputters and the

w a t e r reaches across t h e land like t h e a r m of a policeman. J u s t

off t h e I c k e s H i g h w a y , t h e w r e c k o f a s h o p p i n g c e n t e r m a r k s t h e e n d o f t h e d r e a m o f J e w i s h S i t k a . T h e p u s h t o fill e v e r y s p a c e f r o m h e r e to Yakovy w i t h t h e J e w s of t h e w o r l d gave o u t in this p a r k i n g lot. T h e r e was n o P e r m a n e n t S t a t u s , n o influx of n e w jewflesh from t h e b i t t e r c o r n e r s a n d d a r k alleys of D i a s p o r a . T h e p l a n n e d h o u s i n g d e v e l o p m e n t s r e m a i n lines on blue paper, e n c u m b e r i n g s o m e steel drawer. T h e G r a n i t e C r e e k Big M a c h e r o u t l e t died a b o u t t w o years ago. Its d o o r s are c h a i n e d a n d a l o n g its w i n d o w l e s s flank w h e r e Y i d d i s h and R o m a n characters once spelled o u t t h e n a m e of t h e store, t h e r e is o n l y a c r y p t i c s e r i e s o f h o l e s , d o m i n o p i p s , a b r a i l l e o f f a i l u r e . Landsman

leaves

his

car

at

the

median

and

hikes

across

t h e g i a n t frozen b l a n k o f t h e p a r k i n g l o t t o w a r d t h e f r o n t d o o r . T h e s n o w is n o t as d e e p h e r e as in t h e s t r e e t s o f t h e c e n t r a l city. T h e s k y is h i g h a n d p a l e gray, w i t h d a r k e r g r a y t i g e r s t r i p e s . L a n d s m a n huffs t h r o u g h h i s n o s t r i l s as h e m a r c h e s t o w a r d t h e glass d o o r s , t h e i r handles p i n i o n e d like a r m s w i t h a d a n g l i n g l e n g t h of b l u e r u b b e r i z e d chain. L a n d s m a n has this idea t h a t he's going t o k n o c k on

those

i an

MICHAEL

CHABON

d o o r s w i t h his shield h e l d h i g h a n d his a t t i t u d e v i b r a t i n g like a f o r c e field, a n d t h a t s l i n k i n g w h i p p e t o f a m a n , Rafi Z i l b e r b l a t , is g o i n g t o s t e p s h e e p i s h a n d b l i n k i n g i n t o t h e s n o w - d a z z l i n g day. T h e first b u l l e t b l a c k e n s t h e air a l o n g s i d e L a n d s m a n ' s r i g h t ear l i k e a fat h u m m i n g fly. H e d o e s n ' t e v e n k n o w i t ' s a b u l l e t u n t i l h e h e a r s , o r r e m e m b e r s h e a r i n g , a muffled b u r s t a n d t h e n a c l a m o r of t h e glass. B y t h e n h e ' s falling o n his belly in t h e snow, f l a t t e n i n g h i m s e l f o n t h e g r o u n d , w h e r e t h e n e x t b u l l e t finds t h e b a c k o f his h e a d a n d b u r n s it like a trail of gasoline t o u c h e d b y a m a t c h . L a n d s m a n d r a g s o u t h i s s h o l e m , b u t t h e r e is a c o b w e b in h i s h e a d o r o v e r h i s face, a n d a p a r a l y s i s o f r e g r e t affects h i m . H i s p l a n w a s n o plan at all, a n d n o w it has g o n e b a d . H e has no b a c k u p . N o b o d y k n o w s w h e r e h e is b u t B e n i t o T a g a n e s , w i t h h i s m o l a s s e s g a z e a n d h i s all b u t u n i v e r s a l s i l e n c e . L a n d s m a n is g o i n g t o d i e i n a d e s o l a t e p a r k i n g lot at t h e m a r g i n of t h e w o r l d . H e closes his eyes. H e o p e n s t h e m , a n d t h e c o b w e b is d e n s e r a n d s p a r k l i n g w i t h s o m e k i n d o f dew. F o o t s t e p s in t h e snow, m o r e t h a n o n e p e r s o n . L a n d s m a n raises h i s g u n a n d t a k e s a i m t h r o u g h t h e s p a r k l i n g s t r a n d s o f w h a t e v e r is g o i n g w r o n g i n h i s b r a i n . H e fires. T h e r e is a c r y o f p a i n , f e m i n i n e , a w h u f f o f b r e a t h , a n d t h e n t h e lady wishes a cancer u p o n Landsman's testicles. Snow packs L a n d s m a n ' s ears a n d m e l t s i n t o t h e collar of his coat a n d d o w n his neck. S o m e b o d y

snatches at Landsman's gun and tries

to

d r a g h i m t o his feet. P o p c o r n on t h e b r e a t h . T h e b a n d a g e over L a n d s m a n ' s e y e s s t r e t c h e s t h i n as h e l u r c h e s u p r i g h t . H e c a n see t h e m u s t a c h i o e d s n o u t of Rafi Z i l b e r b l a t , a n d b y t h e d o o r s of t h e B i g M a c h e r , a p l u m p b o t t l e b l o n d e l y i n g o n h e r b a c k , h e r life p u m p i n g f r o m h e r b e l l y i n t o t h e s t e a m i n g r e d snow. A n d a c o u p l e of g u n s , o n e of t h e m in Z i l b e r b l a t ' s h a n d , p o i n t e d at L a n d s m a n ' s h e a d . A t t h e glint of t h e a u t o m a t i c , t h e c o b w e b of L a n d s m a n ' s r e g r e t s a n d s e l f - r e c r i m i n a t i o n s g o e s away. T h e s m e l l o f p o p c o r n , c o m i n g from inside t h e a b a n d o n e d s t o r e , alters his p e r c e p t i o n of t h e smell of b l o o d a n d b r i n g s o u t t h e sweetness of it. L a n d s m a n d u c k s a n d lets go of his S m i t h & Wesson.

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Z i l b e r b l a t w a s y a n k i n g so h a r d o n t h e g u n t h a t w h e n L a n d s m a n u n c l e n c h e s , t h e o t h e r m a n goes t u m b l i n g b a c k w a r d i n t o t h e snow. L a n d s m a n scrambles on t o p of Z i l b e r b l a t . H e ' s j u s t a c t i n g now, w i t h o u t a t h o u g h t in his head. H e y a n k s his s h o l e m loose a n d t u r n s i t a r o u n d , a n d t h e w o r l d p u l l s t h e t r i g g e r o n all i t s g u n s . Z i l b e r b l a t g r o w s a h o r n of blood from t h e c r o w n of his h e a d . T h e c o b w e b s are n o w in L a n d s m a n ' s e a r s . H e c a n h e a r o n l y t h e b r e a t h a t t h e b a c k o f his t h r o a t a n d his o w n b l o o d p u l s i n g . For an i n s t a n t a s t r a n g e peace o p e n s like an u m b r e l l a inside L a n d s m a n as h e s t r a d d l e s t h e m a n h e j u s t k i l l e d , k n e e s b u r n i n g in t h e snow. H e r e t a i n s t h e p r e s e n c e o f m i n d t o r e c o g n i z e t h a t t h i s t r a n q u i l l i t y is n o t n e c e s s a r i l y a g o o d s i g n . T h e n t h e d o u b t s b e g i n t o c r o w d in a r o u n d t h e k n o w l e d g e of t h e m e s s h e has m a d e , b y s t a n d e r s g a t h e r i n g a r o u n d a suicide leaper. L a n d s m a n s t a g g e r s t o his feet. H e sees t h e g o r e o n his c o a t , t h e t a t t e r s of b r a i n , a t o o t h . T w o d e a d h u m a n s in t h e snow. T h e smell of p o p c o r n , a b u t t e r y s t i n k of feet, o v e r w h e l m s h i m . W h i l e h e is b u s y h e a v i n g u p h i s g u t s i n t o t h e s n o w , a n o t h e r m a n w a n d e r s o u t of t h e Big M a c h e r s t o r e . A y o u n g m a n w i t h a r a t s n o u t a n d a l o p i n g g a i t . L a n d s m a n r e t a i n s t h e w i t t o m a r k h i m as a Zilberblat. T h i s Z i l b e r b l a t has his a r m s raised a n d a wild look on h i s face. H i s h a n d s a r e e m p t y . B u t w h e n h e s e e s L a n d s m a n b l e e d i n g a n d s i c k o n all f o u r s , h e a b a n d o n s h i s p r o j e c t o f s u r r e n d e r . H e p i c k s u p t h e a u t o m a t i c lying on t h e g r o u n d b y t h e ruin of his brother. L a n d s m a n c a r e e n s t o h i s f e e t , a n d t h e t r a i l o f fire a t t h e b a c k o f h i s h e a d flares u p . H e feels t h e g r o u n d g i v e w a y , a n d t h e n t h e r e is a roaring blackness. After h e dies, h e w a k e s u p l y i n g f a c e d o w n in t h e snow. H e c a n ' t feel s n o w o n h i s c h e e k . T h e w i l d r i n g i n g i n h i s e a r s is g o n e . H e h u m p s himself u p to a s i t t i n g p o s i t i o n . T h e b l o o d from t h e b a c k of his h e a d has s c a t t e r e d r h o d o d e n d r o n s in t h e snow. T h e m a n a n d t h e w o m a n h e s h o t h a v e n o t m o v e d , b u t t h e r e is n o s i g n o f t h e y o u n g Z i l b e r b l a t w h o d i d o r d i d n o t s h o o t a n d kill h i m . W i t h a s u d d e n clarity of t h o u g h t a n d a m o u n t i n g suspicion t h a t h e has f o r g o t t e n

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t o die, L a n d s m a n p a t s himself d o w n . H i s w a t c h , wallet, car keys, c e l l p h o n e , g u n , a n d b a d g e a r e g o n e . H e l o o k s for h i s c a r p a r k e d i n t h e d i s t a n c e , a l o n g t h e f r o n t a g e r o a d . W h e n h e sees t h a t his S u p e r S p o r t is g o n e , h e k n o w s t h a t h e is s t i l l a l i v e , b e c a u s e o n l y life c o u l d offer s u c h a b i t t e r v i s t a . " A n o t h e r f u c k i n g Z i l b e r b l a t , " h e says. " A n d t h e y ' r e all l i k e that." H e is c o l d . H e c o n s i d e r s e n t e r i n g t h e B i g M a c h e r , b u t t h e s t e n c h o f p o p c o r n k e e p s h i m away. H e t u r n s f r o m t h e y a w n i n g d o o r s a n d lifts h i s e y e s t o w a r d t h e h i g h h i l l a n d b e y o n d i t t h e m o u n t a i n s , b l a c k w i t h t r e e s . T h e n h e sits d o w n in t h e snow. After a w h i l e , h e lies d o w n . I t ' s s n u g a n d c o m f o r t a b l e , a n d t h e r e ' s a s m e l l o f c o o l d u s t , a n d h e c l o s e s h i s e y e s a n d falls a s l e e p , f o l d e d u p i n t o h i s n i c e d a r k l i t t l e h o l e i n t h e w a l l o f t h e H o t e l Z a m e n h o f , a n d for o n c e i n h i s life, t h e c l a u s t r o p h o b i a d o e s n ' t t r o u b l e h i m , n o t a b i t .

• § 22 ( £ •

L

a n d s m a n is h o l d i n g a b a b y b o y . T h e b a b y c r i e s , for n o v e r y grave reason. H i s w a i l i n g c o n s t r i c t s L a n d s m a n ' s h e a r t in a

p l e a s u r a b l e way. L a n d s m a n feels r e l i e v e d t o d i s c o v e r t h a t h e h a s

a fat h a n d s o m e b a b y w h o s m e l l s o f waffles a n d s o a p . H e s q u e e z e s t h e puffy f e e t , g a u g e s t h e w e i g h t o f t h e l i t t l e g r a n d f a t h e r i n h i s a r m s , at once negligible a n d vast. H e t u r n s t o Bina t o tell h e r t h e g o o d n e w s : I t w a s all a m i s t a k e . H e r e is t h e i r boy. B u t t h e r e is n o Bina to tell, only t h e m e m o r y in L a n d s m a n ' s n o s t r i l s of rain on h e r hair. A n d t h e n h e w a k e s u p a n d r e a l i z e s t h a t t h e c r y i n g b a b y is Pinky Shemets, having his diaper c h a n g e d or r e g i s t e r i n g a p r o t e s t over s o m e t h i n g or other. L a n d s m a n blinks, a n d t h e w o r l d i n t r u d e s i n t h e f o r m o f a b a t i k w a l l c o v e r i n g , a n d h e is h o l l o w e d o u t , as if i t ' s t h e first t i m e , b y t h e l o s s o f h i s s o n . L a n d s m a n is l y i n g o n B e r k o a n d E s t e r - M a l k e ' s b e d , o n

his

side, facing t h e wall w i t h its d y e d linen scene of Balinese g a r d e n s a n d savage birds. S o m e o n e has u n d r e s s e d h i m , leaving h i m in his u n d e r p a n t s . H e sits up. T h e skin at t h e b a c k of his h e a d prickles, a n d t h e n a c o r d of pain goes t a u t . L a n d s m a n p a t s t h e site of his injury. A b a n d a g e m e e t s his fingers, a c r i n k l y o b l o n g of g a u z e a n d tape. S u r r o u n d i n g it, a q u e e r hairless p a t c h of scalp. M e m o r i e s fall o n t o p o f o n e a n o t h e r w i t h a s l a p p i n g s o u n d l i k e c r i m e - s c e n e

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p h o t o g r a p h s fresh from Dr. S h p r i n g e r ' s d e a t h c a m e r a . A jocular e m e r g e n c y r o o m t e c h , a n X ray, a n i n j e c t i o n o f m o r p h i n e , a l o o m i n g s w a b d i p p e d in B e t a d i n e . Before t h a t , t h e light from a s t r e e t l a m p s t r i p i n g t h e w h i t e vinyl ceiling of an ambulance. A n d before t h a t . Before t h e r i d e in t h e a m b u l a n c e . P u r p l e slush. S t e a m from

the

s p i l l e d c o n t e n t s o f a h u m a n g u t . A h o r n e t a t h i s ear. A r e d j e t b u r s t i n g f r o m t h e f o r e h e a d o f R a f i Z i l b e r b l a t . A c i p h e r o f h o l e s in a b l a n k e x p a n s e of plaster. L a n d s m a n backs away from t h e m e m o r y o f w h a t h a p p e n e d i n t h e B i g M a c h e r p a r k i n g l o t , so q u i c k l y t h a t h e b u m p s r i g h t i n t o t h e p a n g o f l o s i n g D j a n g o L a n d s m a n in h i s dream. " W o e is m e , " L a n d s m a n says. H e w i p e s h i s e y e s . H e w o u l d g i v e u p a g l a n d , a m i n o r o r g a n , for a p a p i r o s . T h e b e d r o o m d o o r o p e n s , a n d Berko c o m e s in, c a r r y i n g an almost-full p a c k of Broadways. " H a v e I e v e r t o l d y o u t h a t I love y o u ? " L a n d s m a n says, k n o w i n g full w e l l t h a t h e n e v e r h a s . " Y o u n e v e r h a v e , t h a n k G o d , " B e r k o says. " I g o t t h e s e f r o m t h e neighbor, t h e Fried w o m a n . I told her it was a police seizure." "I am insanely grateful." "I note the adverb." Berko n o t e s also t h a t L a n d s m a n has been crying; one eyebrow s h o o t s u p , h a n g s s u s p e n d e d , drifts d o w n like a t a b l e c l o t h s e t t l i n g o n t o a table. " B a b y o k a y ? " L a n d s m a n says. " T e e t h . " Berko takes a coat h a n g e r from a h o o k on t h e back of t h e b e d r o o m door. O n t h e h a n g e r are L a n d s m a n ' s clothes, neat and b r u s h e d . B e r k o feels a r o u n d i n t h e h i p p o c k e t o f L a n d s m a n ' s b l a z e r and produces a matchbook. T h e n he comes and stands by the bed and holds out the papiroses and matches. " I c a n ' t h o n e s t l y c l a i m , " says L a n d s m a n , " t h a t I k n o w w h a t I ' m doing here." "It

was

Ester-Malke's

idea. K n o w i n g

how

hospitals. T h e y said y o u d i d n ' t need to stay."

you

feel

about

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"Have a seat." T h e r e is n o c h a i r i n t h e r o o m . L a n d s m a n

slides over,

and

Berko sits d o w n on t h e e d g e of t h e b e d , c a u s i n g a l a r m a m o n g t h e bedsprings. " I t ' s r e a l l y o k a y if I s m o k e ? " " N o t really, n o . G o s t a n d b y t h e w i n d o w . " L a n d s m a n tips h i m s e l f o u t of t h e b e d . W h e n h e rolls u p t h e b a m b o o s h a d e o n t h e w i n d o w , h e is s u r p r i s e d t o s e e t h a t

it's

p o u r i n g rain. T h e smell of rain b l o w s in t h r o u g h t h e t w o inches t h e w i n d o w has been cranked o p e n , explaining t h e fragrance of Bina's h a i r in his d r e a m . L a n d s m a n looks d o w n t o t h e p a r k i n g lot of t h e a p a r t m e n t b u i l d i n g a n d o b s e r v e s t h a t t h e s n o w h a s m e l t e d a n d b e e n w a s h e d away. T h e l i g h t feels all w r o n g , t o o . " W h a t t i m e is i t ? " " F o u r - t h i r t y . . . t w o , " B e r k o says w i t h o u t c h e c k i n g h i s w a t c h . " W h a t d a y is i t ? " "Sunday." L a n d s m a n c r a n k s o p e n t h e w i n d o w all t h e w a y a n d h o o k s h i s left b u t t o c k o v e r t h e sill. R a i n falls o n h i s a c h i n g h e a d . H e l i g h t s h i s p a p i r o s a n d t a k e s a l o n g d r a g a n d t r i e s t o d e c i d e if h e ' s d i s t u r b e d b y t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n . " L o n g t i m e s i n c e I d i d t h a t , " h e says. " S l e p t t h r o u g h a whole day." "You m u s t have n e e d e d i t , " Berko observes blandly. A sideways look in L a n d s m a n ' s d i r e c t i o n . " E s t e r - M a l k e ' s t h e o n e w h o

took

y o u r p a n t s off, b y t h e way. J u s t so y o u k n o w . " L a n d s m a n flicks a s h o u t o f t h e w i n d o w . " I w a s s h o t . " " G r a z e d . T h e y said it's m o r e like a k i n d of b u r n . T h e y d i d n ' t need to stitch it." " T h e r e w e r e t h r e e of t h e m . Rafael Z i l b e r b l a t . A pisher I m a d e for h i s b r o t h e r . A n d s o m e c h i c k e n . T h e b r o t h e r t o o k m y c a r , m y wallet. M y b a d g e a n d m y s h o l e m . Left m e t h e r e . " "So it was r e c o n s t r u c t e d . " " I w a n t e d t o call for h e l p , b u t t h e l i t t l e r a t f a c e J e w t o o k m y Shoyfer, t o o . "

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T h e m e n t i o n of L a n d s m a n ' s p h o n e makes Berko smile. " W h a t ? " L a n d s m a n says. "So,

y o u r p i s h e r ' s t o o l i n g a l o n g . N o r t h o n t h e I c k e s , h e a d e d for

Yakovy, F a i r b a n k s , I r k u t s k . " "Uh-huh." "Your p h o n e rings. Your pisher answers it." "And it's y o u ? " "Bina." " I like i t . " " T w o m i n u t e s on t h e p h o n e w i t h t h e Z i l b e r b l a t , she has his w h e r e a b o u t s , his d e s c r i p t i o n , t h e n a m e of his d o g w h e n h e was e l e v e n . A c o u p l e o f l a t k e s p i c k h i m u p five m i n u t e s l a t e r o u t s i d e K r e s t o v . Y o u r c a r is fine. Y o u r w a l l e t s t i l l h a d c a s h i n i t . " L a n d s m a n affects t o t a k e a n i n t e r e s t i n t h e w a y t h a t fire t u r n s c u r e d t o b a c c o t o flakes o f a s h . " A n d m y b a d g e a n d g u n ? " h e says. "Ah." "Ah." " Y o u r b a d g e a n d y o u r g u n are n o w in t h e h a n d s of

your

c o m m a n d i n g officer." "Does she intend to r e t u r n t h e m ? " Berko reaches over and smooths the indentation that Landsman left i n t h e s u r f a c e o f h i s b e d . " I t w a s s t r i c t l y line of d u t y , " L a n d s m a n says, his t o n e s o u n d i n g w h i n y e v e n t o h i s o w n ear. " I g o t a t i p o n Rafi Z i l b e r b l a t . " H e shrugs and runs his

fingers

a l o n g t h e b a n d a g e at t h e b a c k of his

head. "I just wanted to talk to the yid." "You should have called m e

first."

"I didn't w a n t to bother you on a Saturday." It's no excuse, a n d it comes o u t even lamer t h a n

Landsman

hoped. " N u , I'm an i d i o t , " L a n d s m a n admits. "And a bad policeman, too." "Rule number one."

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" I k n o w . I j u s t felt l i k e d o i n g s o m e t h i n g r i g h t t h e n . I d i d n ' t t h i n k it was going t o go t h e w a y t h a t it w e n t . " " I n a n y c a s e , " B e r k o says. " T h e p i s h e r . T h e l i t t l e b r o t h e r . C a l l s h i m s e l f Willy Z i l b e r b l a t . H e confessed o n his l a t e b r o t h e r ' s behalf. Says i n d e e d R a f i k i l l e d V i k t o r . W i t h h a l f a p a i r o f s c i s s o r s . " " H o w about that." "All o t h e r t h i n g s b e i n g e q u a l , I w o u l d s a y B i n a h a s r e a s o n t o b e h a p p y w i t h y o u on t h a t one. You r e s o l v e d it v e r y effectively." "Half a p a i r o f s c i s s o r s . " " H o w ' s t h a t for r e s o u r c e f u l ? " "Frugal, even." "And t h e chicken y o u h a n d l e d so r o u g h l y — t h a t w a s y o u , t o o ? " "It was m e . " " N i c e l y d o n e , M e y e r . " T h e r e is n o s a r c a s m i n B e r k o ' s t o n e o r face. " Y o u p u t a p i l l i n Y a c h e v e d F l e d e r m a n . " "I did not." "You had yourself quite a day." " T h e nurse?" " O u r colleagues on the B Squad are delighted w i t h y o u . " "That

killed

that

old

geezer,

what's

his

name,

Herman

Pozner?" " I t w a s t h e i r o n l y o p e n case from last year. T h e y t h o u g h t s h e w a s in M e x i c o . " " F u c k m e , " L a n d s m a n says i n A m e r i c a n . " T a b a t c h n i k a n d K a r p a s a l r e a d y p u t i n a g o o d w o r d for y o u w i t h B i n a , as I u n d e r s t a n d . " Landsman

grinds

the papiros out

against

t h e side of

the

b u i l d i n g , t h e n flicks t h e b u t t i n t o t h e r a i n . T a b a t c h n i k a n d K a r p a s are really kicking t h e asses of L a n d s m a n a n d S h e m e t s ; it's n o t even close. " E v e n w h e n I have good l u c k , " h e says, " i t ' s b a d l u c k . " H e sighs. " H a s t h e r e been a n y t h i n g o u t of Verbov Island?" "Not a peep."

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" N o t h i n g in t h e p a p e r s ? " " N o t i n t h e Licht o r t h e Rut"

T h e s e are the leading black-hat

dailies, " N o r u m o r s t h a t I've heard. N o b o d y ' s talking a b o u t it. Nothing. Total silence." L a n d s m a n g e t s u p off t h e w i n d o w s i l l a n d g o e s t o t h e p h o n e o n t h e table beside t h e bed. H e dials a n u m b e r he m e m o r i z e d years ago,

asks a q u e s t i o n , gets an answer, hangs up. " T h e Verbovers

picked u p M e n d e l Shpilman's b o d y late last n i g h t . " T h e t e l e p h o n e in L a n d s m a n ' s h a n d s t a r t l e s , c h i r p i n g like a r o b o t bird. H e passes it t o Berko. " H e s e e m s f i n e , " B e r k o says a f t e r a m o m e n t . " Y e s , I i m a g i n e t h a t h e will n e e d s o m e rest. All r i g h t . " H e lowers t h e h a n d s e t a n d stares at it, covering t h e m o u t h p i e c e w i t h t h e pad of his t h u m b . "Your ex-wife." " I h e a r y o u ' r e fine," B i n a t e l l s L a n d s m a n w h e n h e g e t s o n t h e phone. " S o t h e y t e l l m e , " L a n d s m a n says. " T a k e some t i m e , " she suggests. "Give yourself a b r e a k . " T h e i m p o r t t a k e s a s e c o n d t o r e g i s t e r , h e r t o n e is so g e n t l e a n d unruffled. " Y o u w o u l d n o t , " h e says. " B i n a , p l e a s e t e l l m e t h i s is n o t true." " T w o dead people. By your gun. N o witnesses b u t a kid w h o d i d n ' t s e e w h a t h a p p e n e d . I t ' s a u t o m a t i c . S u s p e n s i o n w i t h pay, pending a review by the board." "They

were

shooting

guns

at m e . I h a d

a reliable tip, I

a p p r o a c h e d w i t h m y g u n i n m y h o l s t e r , I w a s p o l i t e as a m o u s e . A n d they started shooting at m e . " "And of c o u r s e y o u ' l l g e t t h e c h a n c e t o tell y o u r story. In t h e m e a n t i m e , I ' m g o i n g t o k e e p y o u r shield a n d y o u r g u n in this nice p i n k plastic Hello K i t t y zipper b a g t h a t Willy Zilberblat was c a r r y i n g t h e m a r o u n d i n , o k a y ? A n d y o u j u s t t r y t o g e t y o u r s e l f all n i c e a n d b e t t e r , all r i g h t ? " " T h i s t h i n g c o u l d t a k e w e e k s t o s o r t o u t , " L a n d s m a n says. " B y

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t h e t i m e I ' m b a c k o n d u t y , t h e r e m i g h t n o t be a S i t k a C e n t r a l . T h e r e a r e n o g r o u n d s for a s u s p e n s i o n h e r e , a n d y o u k n o w i t . U n d e r t h e circumstances, you can keep m e on active d u t y while t h e review goes forward, a n d still b e r u n n i n g t h i s case t o t a l l y b y t h e b o o k . " " T h e r e a r e b o o k s , " B i n a says. " A n d t h e r e a r e b o o k s . " " D o n ' t b e c r y p t i c , " h e says, a n d t h e n in A m e r i c a n , " W h a t t h e fuck?" F o r a l o n g c o u p l e of s e c o n d s , Bina d o e s n ' t reply. " I h a d a call f r o m C h i e f I n s p e c t o r V a y n g a r t n e r . L a s t n i g h t . N o t l o n g , " she says, "after d a r k . " "I see." " H e t e l l s m e be j u s t h a d a c a l l . O n h i s home p h o n e , t h i s is. A n d I guess t h e e s t e e m e d g e n t l e m a n on t h e o t h e r e n d of t h e line was maybe a little upset about certain behaviors that Detective M e y e r L a n d s m a n m i g h t h a v e b e e n e x h i b i t i n g in t h i s g e n t l e m a n ' s neighborhood on Friday afternoon. Creating public disturbances. Showing

grave

disrespect

for

the

locals.

Operating

without

a u t h o r i t y or approval." "And Vayngartner replied?" " H e said y o u w e r e a good d e t e c t i v e , b u t y o u w e r e k n o w n t o have certain p r o b l e m s . " A n d t h e r e , L a n d s m a n , is t h e l i n e for y o u r h e a d s t o n e . " S o w h a t d i d y o u t e l l V a y n g a r t n e r ? " h e says. " W h e n h e c a l l e d t o ruin your Saturday night." " M y S a t u r d a y n i g h t . M y S a t u r d a y n i g h t is l i k e a m i c r o w a v e b u r r i t o . V e r y t o u g h t o r u i n s o m e t h i n g t h a t s t a r t s o u t so b a d t o begin w i t h . As it h a p p e n s , I told C h i e f I n s p e c t o r V a y n g a r t n e r h o w you had just been shot." "And he said?" " H e said t h a t in l i g h t of t h i s fresh e v i d e n c e , h e m i g h t h a v e t o r e c o n s i d e r l o n g - h e l d a t h e i s t i c beliefs. A n d t h a t I s h o u l d d o w h a t e v e r I c o u l d t o m a k e s u r e y o u w e r e c o m f o r t a b l e , a n d t h a t for t h e n e x t l i t t l e t i m e , y o u g o t p l e n t y o f r e s t . So t h a t ' s w h a t I ' m d o i n g . Y o u ' r e s u s p e n d e d , w i t h full pay, u n t i l f u r t h e r n o t i c e . "

ISD

MICHAEL

CHABDN

"Bina. Bina, please. You k n o w h o w I a m . " "I do." " I f I c a n ' t w o r k — You c a n ' t — " " I h a v e t o . " T h e t e m p e r a t u r e o f h e r v o i c e d r o p s so q u i c k l y t h a t ice c r y s t a l s t i n k l e o n t h e line. " Y o u k n o w h o w m u c h of a choice I have in a s i t u a t i o n like t h i s . " "You mean when

gangsters pull strings to keep a

murder

investigation from going forward? T h a t t h e k i n d of situation you mean?" " I a n s w e r t o t h e c h i e f i n s p e c t o r , " B i n a e x p l a i n s , as if s h e ' s t a l k i n g t o a d o n k e y . S h e k n o w s p e r f e c t l y w e l l t h a t t h e r e is n o t h i n g L a n d s m a n h a t e s m o r e t h a n b e i n g t r e a t e d like he's s t u p i d . "And y o u answer to me." " I w i s h y o u h a d n ' t c a l l e d m y p h o n e , " L a n d s m a n says after a m o m e n t . " B e t t e r y o u should j u s t have let m e d i e . " "Don't

be

melodramatic,"

Bina

says.

"Oh,

and

you're

welcome." " A n d w h a t a m I s u p p o s e d t o d o n o w , b e s i d e s b e g r a t e f u l for h a v i n g m y balls c u t off?" " T h a t ' s u p to you, Detective. Maybe you could t r y thinking a b o u t t h e f u t u r e for a c h a n g e . " " T h e f u t u r e , " L a n d s m a n says. " Y o u m e a n , w h a t , l i k e f l y i n g cars? H o t e l s o n t h e m o o n ? " " I m e a n your

future."

" Y o u w a n t t o go t o t h e m o o n w i t h m e , Bina? I h e a r t h e y still take Jews." "Goodbye, Meyer." She h a n g s u p . L a n d s m a n c u t s t h e c o n n e c t i o n on his e n d a n d s t a n d s t h e r e for a m i n u t e w i t h B e r k o w a t c h i n g h i m f r o m

the

b e d . L a n d s m a n feels a l a s t s u r g e o f a n g e r a n d e n t h u s i a s m b l o w t h r o u g h h i m , like a clot of d u s t b e i n g cleared from a pipe. T h e n he's empty. H e sits d o w n o n t h e b e d . H e g e t s in u n d e r t h e covers a n d t u r n s h i s face b a c k t o t h e B a l i n e s e s c e n e o n t h e w a l l a n d c l o s e s h i s e y e s .

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" U h , M e y e r ? " B e r k o says. B u t L a n d s m a n d o e s n ' t a n s w e r . " Y o u p l a n n i n g t o s t a y in m y b e d a w h o l e lot l o n g e r ? " L a n d s m a n sees n o p e r c e n t a g e in a n s w e r i n g t h e q u e s t i o n . A f t e r a m i n u t e B e r k o b o u n c e s h i m s e l f off t h e m a t t r e s s a n d o n t o h i s f e e t . L a n d s m a n c a n feel h i m s t u d y i n g t h e s i t u a t i o n , a p p r a i s i n g t h e d e p t h of black w a t e r t h a t s e p a r a t e s t h e t w o p a r t n e r s , t r y i n g t o m a k e t h e r i g h t call. " F o r w h a t i t ' s w o r t h , " B e r k o says finally, " B i n a a l s o c a m e t o s e e y o u in t h e E R . " L a n d s m a n finds h e h a s n o m e m o r y o f t h i s v i s i t a t a l l . I t ' s g o n e , like t h e s q u e e z e of a b a b y ' s foot a g a i n s t his p a l m . " Y o u w e r e d o p e d u p p r e t t y g o o d , " B e r k o says. " T a l k i n g m a n y kinds of s h i t . " "Did I embarrass myself with her?" Landsman manages to ask in a t i n y v o i c e . " Y e s , " B e r k o s a y s , " I fear t h a t y o u d i d . " T h e n h e w i t h d r a w s from his o w n b e d r o o m a n d leaves L a n d s m a n t h e r e t o p u z z l e o u t t h e q u e s t i o n , if h e c a n m u s t e r t h e s t r e n g t h , o f how much further he can sink. L a n d s m a n can h e a r t h e m t a l k i n g a b o u t h i m in t h e h u s h e d t o n e s r e s e r v e d for m a d m e n , a s s h o l e s , a n d u n w a n t e d g u e s t s . A l l t h r o u g h t h e r e s t o f t h e a f t e r n o o n , as t h e y e a t t h e i r d i n n e r . T h r o u g h

the

uproar of b a t h a n d ass-powdering a n d a b e d t i m e s t o r y t h a t r e q u i r e s B e r k o S h e m e t s t o h o n k l i k e a g o o s e . L a n d s m a n lies o n h i s s i d e w i t h a b u r n i n g seam at t h e b a c k of his skull a n d drifts in a n d o u t of consciousness of t h e smell of rain at t h e w i n d o w , t h e m u r m u r i n g a n d c l a m o r of t h e family in t h e o t h e r r o o m . E v e r y h o u r t h a t p a s s e s , a n o t h e r h u n d r e d w e i g h t o f s a n d is p o u r e d i n t h r o u g h a t i n y h o l e in L a n d s m a n ' s s o u l . F i r s t h e c a n ' t lift h i s h e a d off t h e m a t t r e s s . T h e n he can't seem t o o p e n his eyes. After his eyes are closed, w h a t h a p p e n s is n e v e r q u i t e s l e e p , a n d t h e t h o u g h t s t h a t p l a g u e h i m , though atrocious, are never quite dreams. S o m e t i m e in t h e m i d d l e of t h e n i g h t , G o l d y careers i n t o t h e r o o m . H i s t r e a d is h e a v y a n d l u m b e r i n g , a b a b y m o n s t e r ' s .

He

192

MICHAEL

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d o e s n ' t j u s t climb i n t o t h e b e d , h e roils t h e b l a n k e t s t h e w a y a wire w h i s k roils a b a t t e r . Its like he's fleeing s o m e t h i n g , p a n i c k e d , b u t w h e n L a n d s m a n speaks, asks h i m what's w r o n g , t h e b o y doesn't a n s w e r . H i s e y e s a r e c l o s e d , a n d h i s h e a r t b e a t s s t e a d i l y a n d low. W h a t e v e r h e w a s r u n n i n g f r o m , h e f o u n d s h e l t e r f r o m i t in h i s p a r e n t s ' b e d . T h e k i d is s o u n d a s l e e p . H e s m e l l s l i k e a p i e c e o f c u t apple that's s t a r t i n g to t u r n . H e digs his toes i n t o t h e small of L a n d s m a n ' s b a c k w i t h care a n d w i t h o u t mercy. H e grinds his t e e t h . T h e s o u n d o f i t is l i k e d u l l s h e a r s o n a s h e e t o f t i n . After an h o u r of this k i n d of t r e a t m e n t , a r o u n d four-thirty, t h e b a b y s t a r t s t o s c r e a m , w a y o u t on his balcony. L a n d s m a n can hear Ester-Malke t r y i n g to comfort him. Ordinarily, she would bring h i m i n t o her b e d , b u t that's n o t an o p t i o n t o n i g h t , a n d it takes her a long t i m e to settle t h e little grandfather d o w n . By the time E s t e r - M a l k e w a n d e r s i n t o t h e b e d r o o m w i t h t h e b a b y in h e r a r m s , he's snuffling a n d q u i e t e r a n d a l m o s t asleep. E s t e r - M a l k e d u m p s P i n k y b e t w e e n his b r o t h e r and L a n d s m a n and walks out. R e u n i t e d in t h e i r p a r e n t s ' b e d , t h e S h e m e t s boys set u p a w h i s t l i n g a n d r u m b l i n g a n d a b l a t t i n g of inner valves t h a t w o u l d s h a m e t h e g r a n d p i p e o r g a n of T e m p l e E m a n u - E l . T h e

boys

e x e c u t e a s e r i e s o f m a n e u v e r s , a k u n g fu o f s l u m b e r , t h a t d r i v e s L a n d s m a n to t h e v e r y limit of t h e bed. T h e y c h o p at L a n d s m a n , stab him with their toes, grunt and mutter. T h e y masticate the fiber of t h e i r d r e a m s . A r o u n d d a w n , s o m e t h i n g v e r y b a d h a p p e n s in t h e b a b y ' s diaper. It's t h e w o r s t n i g h t t h a t L a n d s m a n has ever s p e n t o n a m a t t r e s s , a n d t h a t is s a y i n g a g o o d d e a l . T h e coffeemaker

begins its e x p e c t o r a t i o n s a r o u n d seven. A

f e w t h o u s a n d m o l e c u l e s o f coffee v a p o r t u m b l e i n t o t h e b e d r o o m a n d w o r r y t h e h a i r s i n s i d e L a n d s m a n ' s b e a k . H e h e a r s t h e shuffle of slippers a g a i n s t t h e c a r p e t in t h e hall. H e fights long a n d h a r d a g a i n s t t h e i m p u l s e t o a c k n o w l e d g e t h a t E s t e r - M a l k e is s t a n d i n g t h e r e , i n t h e d o o r w a y o f h e r b e d r o o m , r u i n g h i m a n d e v e r y fit o f c h a r i t y t o w a r d h i m t h a t ' s ever seized her. H e d o e s n ' t care. W h y s h o u l d h e care? A t last L a n d s m a n realizes t h a t in his s t r u g g l e n o t

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t o c a r e a b o u t a n y t h i n g lie t h e p a r a d o x i c a l s e e d s o f d e f e a t : S o , all right, he cares. H e opens o n e eye. E s t e r - M a l k e leans a g a i n s t t h e d o o r j a m b , h u g g i n g herself, s u r v e y i n g t h e s c e n e o f d e s t r u c t i o n i n a place that once was her bed. W h a t e v e r t h e n a m e of t h e e m o t i o n i n s p i r e d i n a m o t h e r b y t h e s i g h t o f filial c u t e n e s s , i t c o m p e t e s i n her expression w i t h h o r r o r a n d d i s m a y at t h e spectacle of L a n d s m a n in h i s u n d e r p a n t s . "I need you o u t of m y b e d , " she w h i s p e r s . " S o o n a n d in a w a y that's lasting." "All r i g h t , " says L a n d s m a n . T a k i n g s t o c k o f h i s w o u n d s , h i s a c h e s , t h e p r e v a i l i n g d i r e c t i o n o f h i s m o o d s , h e s i t s u p . F o r all t h e t o r m e n t o f t h e n i g h t , h e feels o d d l y s e t t l e d . M o r e p r e s e n t , somehow, in his limbs a n d skin a n d senses. S o m e h o w , m a y b e , a little m o r e real. H e has n o t shared a b e d w i t h a n o t h e r h u m a n b e i n g i n o v e r t w o y e a r s . H e w o n d e r s if t h a t is a p r a c t i c e h e o u g h t n o t t o have foregone. H e takes his clothes from t h e d o o r a n d p u t s t h e m on. C a r r y i n g his socks a n d b e l t , h e follows E s t e r - M a l k e b a c k d o w n t h e hall. " T h o u g h t h e couch has its p o i n t s , " E s t e r - M a l k e

continues.

" F o r example, it features no babies or four-year-olds." "You have a serious

toenail problem

among your

youth,"

L a n d s m a n says. " A l s o s o m e t h i n g , I t h i n k i t m i g h t b e a s e a o t t e r , d i e d a n d is r o t t i n g i n t h e l i t t l e o n e ' s d i a p e r . " I n t h e k i t c h e n s h e p o u r s t h e m e a c h a c u p o f coffee. T h e n s h e g o e s t o t h e d o o r a n d r e t r i e v e s t h e Tog f r o m t h e m a t t h a t says

GET

LOST. L a n d s m a n sits on his stool at t h e c o u n t e r a n d stares i n t o t h e m u r k of t h e living r o o m w h e r e t h e b u l k of his p a r t n e r rears u p f r o m t h e floor l i k e a n i s l a n d . T h e c o u c h is a w r e c k o f b l a n k e t s . L a n d s m a n is a b o u t t o t e l l E s t e r - M a l k e I don't deserve friends

like

you w h e n s h e c o m e s b a c k i n t o t h e k i t c h e n , r e a d i n g t h e p a p e r , a n d says, " N o w o n d e r y o u n e e d e d so m u c h s l e e p . " S h e b u m p s i n t o t h e d o o r w a y . S o m e t h i n g g o o d o r t e r r i b l e o r u n b e l i e v a b l e is d e s c r i b e d on t h e front page. L a n d s m a n r e a c h e s for h i s r e a d i n g g l a s s e s i n t h e p o c k e t o f h i s

34

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j a c k e t . T h e y a r e c r a c k e d a t t h e n o s e p i e c e , e a c h l e n s s e v e r e d from its m a t e . It's t r u l y a pair of glasses, t w o monocles on their stems. E s t e r - M a l k e g e t s t h e e l e c t r i c i a n ' s t a p e , y e l l o w as a h a z a r d w a r n i n g , from t h e d r a w e r u n d e r t h e p h o n e . She b i n d s u p t h e glasses a n d p a s s e s t h e m b a c k t o L a n d s m a n . T h e g o b o f t a p e is as t h i c k as a filbert. It d r a w s t h e gaze even of t h e wearer, leaving h i m cross­ eyed. "I'll

bet

that

looks really

good,"

h e says, t a k i n g u p

the

newspaper. T w o b i g s t o r i e s l e a d off t h e n e w s i n t h i s m o r n i n g ' s Tog. O n e is a n a c c o u n t o f a n a p p a r e n t s h o o t - o u t , l e a v i n g t w o d e a d , i n t h e d e s e r t e d p a r k i n g lot of a Big M a c h e r o u t l e t store. T h e principals were a lone homicide detective, Meyer Landsman, forty-two, and t w o s u s p e c t s l o n g s o u g h t b y S i t k a law e n f o r c e m e n t in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h a p a i r o f a p p a r e n t l y u n r e l a t e d m u r d e r s . T h e o t h e r s t o r y is headlined:

"BOY

TZADDIK"

F O U N D

DEAD

IN

SITKA

HOTEL

T h e a c c o m p a n y i n g t e x t w h i p s u p a tissue of miracles, evasions, a n d o u t r i g h t lies a b o u t t h e life a n d d e a t h o f M e n a c h e m - M e n d e l Shpilman, late T h u r s d a y night, at the H o t e l Z a m e n h o f on M a x Nordau

Street.

According

the examining doctor

to the medical examiner's

himself

having moved

to

office—

Canada—the

p r e l i m i n a r y f i n d i n g o n c a u s e o f d e a t h is s o m e t h i n g k n o w n i n fairy t a l e s as " d r u g - r e l a t e d m i s a d v e n t u r e . " " T h o u g h l i t t l e k n o w n t o t h e w o r l d o u t s i d e , " t h e Tog's m a n w r i t e s ,

in t h e closed w o r l d of t h e pious, Mr. Shpilman w a s v i e w e d , for t h e b e t t e r p a r t o f h i s e a r l y life, as a p r o d i g y , a w o n d e r , a n d a h o l y t e a c h e r , i n d e e d , as p o s s i b l y t h e l o n g - p r o m i s e d R e d e e m e r . T h e o l d S h p i l m a n h o m e o n S. A n s k y S t r e e t i n t h e H a r k a v y was often t h r o n g e d w i t h visitors and supplicants

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d u r i n g Mr. Shpilman's childhood, w i t h t h e d e v o u t a n d t h e c u r i o u s t r a v e l i n g f r o m as far as B u e n o s Aires and Beirut to meet t h e talented boy

who

w a s b o r n o n t h e fateful n i n t h d a y o f t h e m o n t h o f Av. M a n y h o p e d a n d e v e n a r r a n g e d t o b e p r e s e n t on o n e of a n u m b e r of occasions w h e n

rumors

flew t h a t h e w a s a b o u t t o " d e c l a r e h i s k i n g d o m . " But Mr. Shpilman never m a d e any declarations. T w e n t y - t h r e e y e a r s a g o , o n t h e d a y p r o j e c t e d for his m a r r i a g e to a d a u g h t e r of t h e

Shtrakenzer

r e b b e , h e all b u t d i s a p p e a r e d , a n d d u r i n g t h e l o n g i g n o m i n y o f M r . S h p i l m a n ' s r e c e n t life, t h e e a r l y promise had largely been forgotten.

T h e chaff from

t h e M E ' s office is t h e o n l y i t e m i n t h e

story

resembling an explanation of t h e d e a t h . H o t e l m a n a g e m e n t

and

t h e C e n t r a l Division are said to have declined c o m m e n t . A t

the

e n d of t h e article, L a n d s m a n learns t h a t t h e r e will b e n o s y n a g o g u e s e r v i c e , j u s t t h e b u r i a l itself, a t t h e o l d M o n t e f i o r e c e m e t e r y , t o b e presided over b y t h e father of t h e deceased. " B e r k o said h e d i s o w n e d h i m , " E s t e r - M a l k e says, r e a d i n g over L a n d s m a n ' s shoulder. " H e said t h e old m a n w a n t e d n o t h i n g t o d o with the kid. I guess he changed his m i n d . " R e a d i n g t h e a r t i c l e , L a n d s m a n suffers a c r a m p o f e n v y t o w a r d M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , t e m p e r e d b y p i t y . L a n d s m a n s t r u g g l e d for m a n y years u n d e r t h e w e i g h t of fatherly e x p e c t a t i o n s , b u t h e has n o i d e a h o w i t m i g h t feel t o fulfill o r e x c e e d t h e m . I s i d o r L a n d s m a n , h e k n o w s , w o u l d h a v e l o v e d t o f a t h e r a s o n as g i f t e d as M e n d e l . L a n d s m a n c a n ' t h e l p t h i n k i n g t h a t if h e h a d b e e n a b l e t o p l a y c h e s s l i k e M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , m a y b e h i s f a t h e r w o u l d h a v e felt h e h a d s o m e t h i n g t o l i v e for, a s m a l l m e s s i a h t o r e d e e m h i m . L a n d s m a n t h i n k s of t h e l e t t e r t h a t he s e n t his father, h o p i n g t o gain his freedom f r o m t h e b u r d e n o f t h a t life a n d t h o s e e x p e c t a t i o n s . H e c o n s i d e r s t h e years h e s p e n t b e l i e v i n g t h a t h e c a u s e d I s i d o r L a n d s m a n a fatal

BG

MICHAEL

CHABDN

grief. H o w m u c h g u i l t d i d M e n d e l S h p i l m a n feel? H a d h e b e l i e v e d w h a t w a s s a i d o f h i m , i n h i s gift o r w i l d c a l l i n g ? I n t h e a t t e m p t t o free h i m s e l f f r o m t h a t b u r d e n , d i d M e n d e l feel t h a t h e m u s t t u r n h i s b a c k n o t o n l y o n h i s f a t h e r b u t o n all t h e J e w s i n t h e w o r l d ? "I

don't

think

Rabbi

Shpilman

ever

changes

his

mind,"

L a n d s m a n says. " I t h i n k s o m e b o d y w o u l d h a v e t o c h a n g e i t for him." " W h o would that be?" "If

I had

t o guess? I ' m

thinking

that

maybe

it w a s

the

mother." " G o o d for h e r . T r u s t a m o t h e r n o t t o l e t t h e m t o s s h e r s o n o u t like an e m p t y b o t t l e . " " T r u s t a m o t h e r , " L a n d s m a n says. H e s t u d i e s t h e p h o t o g r a p h i n t h e Tog o f M e n d e l S h p i l m a n a t fifteen, b e a r d p a t c h y , s i d e l o c k s flying, coolly p r e s i d i n g over a conference of y o u n g T a l m u d i s t s w h o s e e t h e d a n d s u l k e d a r o u n d h i m . " T h e T z a d d i k H a - D o r , in B e t t e r Days," reads the caption. "What

are you thinking about, Meyer?" Ester-Malke

s t r i k i n g a n o t e of d o u b t . " T h e f u t u r e , " L a n d s m a n says.

says,

• § 2 3

Â

g*

m o b o f b l a c k - h a t J e w s c h u g s i t s w a y , a f r e i g h t t r a i n o f grief, f r o m t h e g a t e s o f t h e c e m e t e r y — t h e h o u s e o f life, t h e y c a l l i t — u p a hillside t o w a r d a hole c u t i n t o t h e m u d . A p i n e box slick w i t h

rain pitches and tosses on t h e surf of w e e p i n g m e n . Satmars hold umbrellas over t h e h e a d s of Verbovers. G e r e r s a n d

Shtrakenzers

and Viznitzers link a r m s w i t h t h e boldness of schoolgirls on a lark. Rivalries, grudges, sectarian disputes, m u t u a l excommunications, t h e y ' v e b e e n l a i d a s i d e for a d a y s o t h a t e v e r y o n e c a n m o u r n w i t h due passion a yid w h o was forgotten b y t h e m until last Friday night. N o t even a y i d — t h e shell of a y i d , t h i n n e d t o t r a n s p a r e n c y a r o u n d t h e h a r d void of a t w e n t y - y e a r j u n k h a b i t . E v e r y g e n e r a t i o n loses t h e m e s s i a h i t h a s failed t o d e s e r v e . N o w t h e p i o u s o f t h e S i t k a District have p i n p o i n t e d t h e site of their collective u n w o r t h i n e s s a n d g a t h e r e d in t h e rain t o lay it in t h e g r o u n d . A r o u n d t h e g r a v e s i t e , b l a c k c l u m p s o f fir t r e e s s w a y l i k e g r i e v i n g Chasids. Beyond the cemetery walls, hats and black

umbrellas

shelter t h o u s a n d s of t h e u n w o r t h i e s t of t h e u n w o r t h y a g a i n s t t h e rain. D e e p s t r u c t u r e s of obligation a n d c r e d i t have

determined

w h i c h a r e p e r m i t t e d t o e n t e r t h e g a t e s o f t h e h o u s e o f life a n d which must stand outside kibitzing, with rain soaking into their hose. T h e s e d e e p s t r u c t u r e s , in t u r n , have d r a w n t h e a t t e n t i o n of

198

MICHAEL

CHABON

detectives from Burglary, C o n t r a b a n d , a n d F r a u d . L a n d s m a n picks o u t Skolsky, B u r w i t z , Feld, a n d G l o b u s , always w i t h his shirttail h a n g i n g o u t , p e r c h e d on t h e roof of a gray F o r d Victoria. It's n o t every day t h a t the entire Verbover hierarchy comes out and stands a r o u n d o n a hillside, p o s e d in r e l a t i o n t o o n e a n o t h e r like circles on a p r o s e c u t o r ' s flow c h a r t . O n t h e r o o f o f a W a l - M a r t a q u a r t e r m i l e away, t h r e e A m e r i c a n s in b l u e w i n d b r e a k e r s p o i n t t h e i r t e l e p h o t o lenses a n d t h e t r e m b l i n g pistil of a c o n d e n s e r m i c r o p h o n e . A stout blue c o r d of latkes a n d m o t o r c y c l e u n i t s has been stitched t h r o u g h t h e c r o w d t o k e e p i t f r o m c o m i n g u n d o n e . T h e p r e s s is h e r e , t o o , c a m e r a m e n a n d r e p o r t e r s f r o m C h a n n e l 1, f r o m t h e l o c a l p a p e r s , c r e w s f r o m t h e N B C affiliate o v e r i n J u n e a u a n d a c a b l e n e w s c h a n n e l . D e n n i s B r e n n a n , w i t h o u t t h e s e n s e o r m a y b e e n o u g h felt in t h e w o r l d t o cover t h a t b i g h e a d of his a g a i n s t t h e rain. T h e n you have t h e half-believing, and t h e half-observant, and the m o d e r n O r t h o d o x , and the merely credulous, and the skeptical, and the c u r i o u s , a n d a h e a l t h y d e l e g a t i o n from t h e Einstein C h e s s C l u b . L a n d s m a n c a n s e e t h e m all f r o m t h e v a n t a g e o f h i s p o w e r l e s s n e s s a n d his exile, r e u n i t e d w i t h his Super Sport on a b a r r e n hilltop a c r o s s M i z m o r B o u l e v a r d f r o m t h e h o u s e o f life. H e ' s p a r k e d i n a cul-de-sac s o m e d e v e l o p e r laid o u t , paved, t h e n saddled w i t h t h e n a m e of T i k v a h Street, the H e b r e w w o r d d e n o t i n g hope and c o n n o t i n g t o t h e Yiddish ear on this g r i m afternoon at t h e e n d of t i m e s e v e n t e e n flavors o f i r o n y . T h e h o p e d - f o r h o u s e s w e r e n e v e r b u i l t . W o o d e n s t a k e s t i e d w i t h o r a n g e flags a n d n y l o n c o r d m a p o u t a m i n i a t u r e Z i o n in t h e m u d a r o u n d t h e cul-de-sac, a g h o s t l y e r u v o f f a i l u r e . L a n d s m a n is f l y i n g s o l o , s o b e r as a c a r p i n a b a t h t u b , c l u t c h i n g a p a i r o f b i n o c u l a r s i n h i s c l a m m y g r i p . T h e n e e d for a d r i n k is l i k e a m i s s i n g t o o t h . H e c a n ' t k e e p h i s m i n d off i t , a n d y e t t h e r e ' s s o m e t h i n g p l e a s u r a b l e in p r o b i n g t h e gap. O r m a y b e t h e a c h e o f s o m e t h i n g m i s s i n g is j u s t t h e h o l e left b e h i n d w h e n B i n a lifted his b a d g e . L a n d s m a n w a i t s o u t t h e f u n e r a l i n h i s car, s t u d y i n g i t t h r o u g h t h e good Zeiss lenses a n d r u n n i n g d o w n t h e car b a t t e r y with a

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C B C radio d o c u m e n t a r y about the blues singer Robert Johnson, w h o s e s i n g i n g v o i c e s o u n d s as b r o k e n a n d r e e d y as a J e w s a y i n g k a d d i s h in t h e r a i n . L a n d s m a n h a s a c a r t o n of B r o a d w a y s , a n d h e b u r n s t h e m wildly, t r y i n g t o d r i v e from t h e S u p e r S p o r t ' s i n t e r i o r a l i n g e r i n g o d o r o f W i l l y Z i l b e r b l a t . I t ' s a foul s m e l l , l i k e a p o t o f w a t e r in w h i c h t w o days ago s o m e b o d y b o i l e d n o o d l e s . B e r k o t r i e d to p e r s u a d e L a n d s m a n t h a t he was i m a g i n i n g this residue of t h e l i t t l e Z i l b e r b l a t ' s b r i e f t e n u r e i n s i d e L a n d s m a n ' s life. B u t L a n d s m a n is h a p p y for t h e e x c u s e t o f u m i g a t e w i t h c i g a r e t t e s , w h i c h d o n ' t kill t h e u r g e for a d r i n k b u t s o m e h o w d u l l i t s b i t e . Berko also t r i e d t o p e r s u a d e L a n d s m a n t o w a i t a d a y or t w o on t h e m a t t e r of M e n d e l Shpilman's d e a t h b y m i s a d v e n t u r e . As t h e y r o d e d o w n in t h e e l e v a t o r from t h e a p a r t m e n t , h e d a r e d L a n d s m a n t o look h i m s t r a i g h t in t h e eye a n d tell h i m t h a t L a n d s m a n ' s p l a n for t h i s d a m p M o n d a y a f t e r n o o n d i d n o t c o n s i s t o f s h o w i n g u p , s h o r n of his b a d g e a n d his g u n , t o h u r l i m p e r t i n e n t q u e s t i o n s at t h e g r i e v i n g q u e e n o f g a n g s t e r s as s h e d e p a r t e d f r o m t h e h o u s e o f life a n d t h e r e m a i n s o f h e r o n l y s o n . " Y o u c a n ' t g e t n e a r h e r , " B e r k o i n s i s t e d as h e f o l l o w e d L a n d s m a n o u t of t h e elevator a n d across t h e l o b b y t o t h e d o o r of t h e Dnyeper. Berko was in his e l e p h a n t i n e pajamas. Pieces of a s u i t w e r e spilling o u t of his a r m s . H e h a d his shoes h o o k e d over t w o fingers, his b e l t a r o u n d his neck. F r o m t h e b r e a s t p o c k e t of his m u s t a r d pajamas w i t h t h e i r w h i t e p i n s t r i p e t h e p o i n t s of t w o slices of t o a s t p r o t r u d e d l i k e a p o c k e t s q u a r e . " A n d e v e n if y o u c a n , y o u s t i l l c a n ' t . " H e was making a nice policeman-like distinction between the things t h a t balls could accomplish a n d t h o s e t h a t t h e b r e a k e r s of balls w o u l d never p e r m i t . " T h e y will stiff-arm y o u , " Berko said. " T h e y will s h a k e o u t y o u r p a n t s for t h e s m a l l c h a n g e . T h e y w i l l b r i n g y o u u p o n c h a r g e s . " Landsman could not refute the point. Batsheva Shpilman rarely s e t foot b e y o n d t h e b o u n d a r y o f h e r d e e p a n d t i n y w o r l d . B u t w h e n she did, it was likely t o b e in a h e a v y t h i c k e t of iron a n d lawyers. " N o badge, no backing, no w a r r a n t , no investigation, looking half

2D0

MICHAEL

CHABON

c r a z y w i t h e g g o n y o u r s u i t , y o u b o t h e r t h e lady, y o u c o u l d g e t s h o t , w i t h o n l y m i n o r a f t e r e f f e c t s for t h e s h o o t e r s . " Berko t r a i l e d L a n d s m a n o u t of t h e b u i l d i n g , d a n c i n g i n t o his socks a n d shoes, d o w n to t h e b u s s t o p at t h e corner. " Y o u ' r e saying d o n ' t d o it, B e r k o , " L a n d s m a n said, " o r j u s t d o n ' t d o i t w i t h o u t you*. Y o u t h i n k I ' l l l e t y o u p i s s a w a y w h a t e v e r shot you and Ester-Malke have to get through to the other end of Reversion? Y o u ' r e crazy. I've d o n e y o u a lot of disservices a n d caused y o u a lot of t r o u b l e over t h e years, b u t I h o p e I'm n o t t h a t m u c h o f a n a s s . A n d if y o u ' r e s a y i n g y o u d o n ' t t h i n k I s h o u l d d o i t period,

well..."

L a n d s m a n s t o p p e d m a r c h i n g . T h e full w e i g h t o f g o o d s e n s e behind this second argument struck him. "I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t I'm saying, Meyer. I'm j u s t saying, fuck." Berko g o t t h i s look s o m e t i m e s , m o r e w h e n h e w a s a boy, a shine of s i n c e r i t y o n t h e w h i t e s o f h i s e y e s . L a n d s m a n h a d t o l o o k away. H e t u r n e d h i s face t o t h e w i n d b l o w i n g i n off t h e S o u n d . " I ' m s a y i n g a t l e a s t d o n ' t t a k e t h e b u s , all r i g h t ? L e t m e d r i v e y o u d o w n t o t h e i m p o u n d yard, at least." T h e r e was a d i s t a n t r u m b l e , a screech of air brakes. T h e 6 I B Harkavy appeared farther

down

the promenade, kicking up a

s h i m m e r i n g c u r t a i n of rain. "At least t h i s , " Berko said. H e h o i s t e d his suit jacket b y t h e c o l l a r . H e h e l d i t o u t as if h e w a n t e d L a n d s m a n t o p u t i t o n . " I n the pocket. Take it." L a n d s m a n w e i g h s t h e s h o l e m in his h a n d n o w — a c u t e l i t t l e Beretta

.22 w i t h a p l a s t i c g r i p — p o i s o n s

himself

on

nicotine,

tries to u n d e r s t a n d t h e l a m e n t a t i o n s of this black Delta yid, Mr. Johnson. After a period t h a t he doesn't b o t h e r to n o t e or measure, call i t a n h o u r , t h e l o n g d a r k t r a i n , d i s c h a r g e d o f i t s g o o d s , s t a r t s b a c k d o w n t h e hill t o w a r d t h e gates. A t t h e h e a d of it, puffing slowly, h e a d e r e c t , b r o a d - b r i m m e d h a t r u n n i n g r a i n , c o m e s t h e locomotive b u l k of t h e t e n t h Verbover rebbe. Behind h i m c o m e t h e s t r i n g of d a u g h t e r s , seven or twelve of t h e m , and their h u s b a n d s

THE Y I D D I S H

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UNIDN

a n d c h i l d r e n , a n d t h e n L a n d s m a n sits u p a n d dials in a crisp Z e i s s image of Batsheva S h p i l m a n . H e ' s b e e n e x p e c t i n g s o m e k i n d of w i t c h y a m a l g a m of M r s . M a c b e t h a n d A m e r i c a n first l a d y : M a r i l y n M o n r o e K e n n e d y in h e r p i n k p i l l b o x h a t , w i t h m e s m e r i c spirals for e y e s . B u t as B a t s h e v a S h p i l m a n c o m e s i n t o c l e a r v i e w , r i g h t b e f o r e s h e falls b e l o w t h e l i n e o f m o u r n e r s j a m m i n g t h e c e m e t e r y gates, L a n d s m a n r e m a r k s a small, b o n y frame, an o l d - l a d y h a l t in h e r t r e a d . H e r face is c o n c e a l e d b e h i n d a b l a c k v e i l . H e r c l o t h e s a r e u n r e m a r k a b l e , a v e h i c l e for b l a c k n e s s . As t h e Shpilmans a p p r o a c h t h e gates, t h e line of

uniformed

nozzes gathers into a tight k n o t , driving t h e crowd back. L a n d s m a n s l i p s t h e g u n i n t o h i s h i p p o c k e t , s w i t c h e s off t h e r a d i o , a n d g e t s o u t o f t h e car. T h e r a i n h a s s l o w e d t o a s t e a d y fine m e s h . H e b e g i n s t o lope d o w n t h e hill t o w a r d M i z m o r B o u l e v a r d . O v e r t h e last h o u r the crowd has swollen, b u n c h i n g u p a r o u n d t h e c e m e t e r y gates. Jiggling, shifting, p r o n e to s u d d e n mass lurches, a n i m a t e d b y t h e Brownian m o t i o n of collective woe. T h e uniformed

latkes

are

w o r k i n g h a r d , t r y i n g to clear a p a t h b e t w e e n t h e family a n d t h e b i g black four-by-fours of t h e funeral cortege. Landsman scrapes and stumbles, shredding weeds, gathering clots of m u d on his shoes. As h e e x e r t s h i m s e l f o n t h e s l i p p e r y hillside, his injuries s t a r t t o b o t h e r h i m . H e w o n d e r s if t h e d o c t o r s missed a b r o k e n rib. A t o n e p o i n t h e loses his footing a n d slides, his heels c u t t i n g ten-foot g o u g e s in t h e m u d , a n d e n d s b y falling o n his ass.

H e ' s t o o s u p e r s t i t i o u s n o t t o s e e t h i s as a b a d o m e n , b u t w h e n

y o u ' r e a p e s s i m i s t , all o m e n s a r e b a d . T h e t r u t h is t h a t h e h a s n o p l a n a t a l l , n o t e v e n t h e g r a c e l e s s and r u d i m e n t a r y one that Berko envisioned. L a n d s m a n has been a n o z for e i g h t e e n y e a r s , a d e t e c t i v e for t h i r t e e n , s p e n t t h e l a s t seven w o r k i n g h o m i c i d e , a t o p m a n , a p r i n c e of p o l i c e m e n . H e has never been n o b o d y before, a crazy little Jew w i t h a question and a gun. H e doesn't know how one proceeds under the circumstances, except w i t h t h e certainty, p r e s s e d t o t h e h e a r t like a k e e p s a k e of love, t h a t in t h e e n d n o t h i n g really m a t t e r s .

202

MICHAEL

CHABON

M i z m o r B o u l e v a r d is a p a r k i n g l o t , m o u r n e r s a n d s p e c t a t o r s in a haze of diesel fumes. L a n d s m a n t h r e a d s a course a m o n g the b u m p e r s a n d fenders a n d t h e n p l u n g e s i n t o t h e mass of people j a m m e d o n t o t h e p a r k w a y s t r i p . B o y s a n d y o u n g m e n , h o p i n g for a b e t t e r view, have c l i m b e d u p i n t o t h e b r a n c h e s of a r o w of luckless European larches t h a t never q u i t e took root along the median. T h e y i d s a r o u n d L a n d s m a n g e t o u t of his way, a n d w h e n t h e y d o n ' t get o u t of his way, L a n d s m a n gives t h e m a h i n t w i t h t h e b o n e s of his shoulder. T h e y smell of l a m e n t a t i o n , these yids, long underwear, tobacco s m o k e o n w e t o v e r c o a t s , m u d . T h e y ' r e p r a y i n g like t h e y ' r e going to faint, fainting like it's a k i n d of observance. W e e p i n g w o m e n cling to each other and break open their throats. T h e y aren't m o u r n i n g M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , t h e y c a n ' t b e . I t ' s s o m e t h i n g e l s e t h e y feel h a s g o n e o u t of t h e w o r l d , t h e s h a d o w of a shadow, t h e h o p e of a hope. T h i s h a l f - i s l a n d t h e y h a v e c o m e t o l o v e as h o m e is b e i n g t a k e n from t h e m . T h e y are like goldfish in a bag, a b o u t t o b e d u m p e d back i n t o t h e big black lake of Diaspora. But that's too m u c h to t h i n k a b o u t . So i n s t e a d , t h e y l a m e n t t h e l o s s o f a l u c k y b r e a k t h e y n e v e r g o t , a c h a n c e t h a t w a s n o c h a n c e at all, a k i n g w h o was never g o i n g t o c o m e i n t h e first p l a c e , e v e n w i t h o u t a j a c k e t e d s l u g i n t h e brainpan. L a n d s m a n p u t s his shoulder to t h e m and m u t t e r s , "Pardon me." H e m a k e s for o n e g r e a t b e a s t o f a l i m o u s i n e , a c u s t o m t w e n t y foot s t r e t c h four-by-four. T h e j o u r n e y from t h e t o p of t h e hill, d o w n t h e hillside, across t h e boulevard, t h r o u g h the umbrellas and beards a n d Jewish ululations to t h e side of t h e big-ass limousine h a s a k i n d o f j u m p y , h a n d h e l d q u a l i t y i n h i s i m a g i n a t i o n as h e lives i t . A m a t e u r f o o t a g e o f a n a s s a s s i n a t i o n a t t e m p t in p r o g r e s s . B u t L a n d s m a n hasn't come to shoot anybody. H e just w a n t s to talk to t h e lady, g e t h e r a t t e n t i o n , c a t c h h e r e y e . H e j u s t w a n t s t o a s k h e r one q u e s t i o n . W h i c h q u e s t i o n , nu, t h a t he doesn't know. In t h e e n d s o m e b o d y b e a t s h i m t o it: in fact, a d o z e n m e n .

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNION

203

T h e reporters have tunneled their way t h r o u g h the black

hats

like L a n d s m a n , d i g g i n g w i t h t h e i r s c a p u l a e a n d e l b o w s . W h e n t h e d i m i n u t i v e w o m a n in t h e black veil t o t t e r s t h r o u g h t h e g a t e s on t h e a r m of her son-in-law, t h e y haul o u t t h e q u e s t i o n s t h e y have b r o u g h t . T h e y u n p o c k e t t h e m like stones a n d t h r o w t h e m

all

at once. T h e y vandalize t h e w o m a n w i t h q u e s t i o n s . She pays n o a t t e n t i o n ; h e r h e a d n e v e r t u r n s , t h e veil n e v e r t r e m b l e s or p a r t s . B a r o n s h t e y n guides t h e dead man's m o t h e r to t h e h u l k of limo. T h e chauffeur climbs d o w n from t h e s t r e t c h

the

four-by-four's

passenger seat. H e ' s a j o c k e y - s h a p e d Filipino w i t h a scar on his c h i n l i k e a s e c o n d s m i l e . H e r u n s t o o p e n t h e d o o r for h i s e m p l o y e r . L a n d s m a n is s t i l l a c o u p l e o f h u n d r e d f e e t away. H e i s n ' t g o i n g t o m a k e it in t i m e t o ask h e r a q u e s t i o n , or t o d o a n y t h i n g a t all. A g r o w l , a feral r o l l i n g i n t h e t h r o a t , l o w a n d h a l f h u m a n , a r u m b l e of w a r n i n g or d a r k a d m o n i t i o n : o n e of t h e black

hats

standing by t h e cars has taken a reporter's q u e s t i o n amiss. O r m a y b e h e ' s t a k e n t h e m all a m i s s , a l o n g w i t h t h e s t y l e i n w h i c h t h e y w e r e t e n d e r e d . L a n d s m a n sees t h e a n g r y b l a c k h a t , w i d e , b l o n d , tieless, h i s s h i r t t a i l s u n t u c k e d , a n d r e c o g n i z e s h i m as D o v i d S u s s m a n , t h e yid w h o m Berko Shemets teased o u t on Verbov Island. A bruiser w i t h a b u l g e a t t h e h i n g e o f h i s j a w a n d a n o t h e r u n d e r h i s left a r m . Sussman t h r o w s an a r m a r o u n d t h e neck of D e n n i s B r e n n a n , p o o r t h i n g , gets h i m in a c h o k e hold. L e c t u r i n g B r e n n a n w i t h his t e e t h a t h i s ear, S u s s m a n d r a g s t h e r e p o r t e r b a c k , o u t o f t h e p a t h o f t h e f a m i l y as t h e y c o m e t h r o u g h t h e g a t e s . T h a t ' s w h e n o n e of t h e latkes s t e p s in t o i n t e r v e n e , w h i c h , after all,

is w h a t h e ' s t h e r e for. B u t b e c a u s e h e ' s s c a r e d — t h e k i d l o o k s

s c a r e d — m a y b e h e ' s t o o free w i t h h i s t r u n c h e o n w h e n i t c o m e s t o t h e bones of D o v i d Sussman's head. T h e r e ' s a sick snap, a n d t h e n Sussman turns to liquid and pours himself o n t o the g r o u n d at the latke's feet. For an i n s t a n t t h e crowd, t h e afternoon, t h e w h o l e w i d e w o r l d of J e w s b r e a t h e s in a n d forgets t o b r e a t h e o u t a g a i n . - A f t e r

that

2D4

MICHAEL

CHABDN

i t ' s m a d n e s s , a J e w i s h r i o t , a t o n c e v i o l e n t a n d v e r b a l , fat w i t h i n t e m p e r a t e accusations a n d implacable curses. Skin diseases are called d o w n , d a m n a t i o n s a n d h e m o r r h a g e s . Yelling, surging black h a t s , s t i c k s a n d fists, s h o u t i n g a n d s c r e a m i n g , b e a r d s f l u t t e r i n g l i k e c r u s a d e r flags, s w e a r i n g , t h e s m e l l o f c h u r n i n g m u d , o f b l o o d a n d ironed trousers. T w o m e n carry a b a n n e r stretched between poles, b i d d i n g farewell t o t h e i r lost p r i n c e M e n a c h e m ; s o m e b o d y grabs o n e p o l e a n d s o m e b o d y else g r a b s another. T h e b a n n e r tears loose a n d gets sucked i n t o t h e gears of t h e crowd. T h e poles are p u t to w o r k o n t h e j a w s a n d c r a n i u m s of p o l i c e m e n . T h e w o r d F A R E W E L L p a i n s t a k i n g l y p a i n t e d o n t h e b a n n e r g e t s t o r n free a n d s p a t o u t . I t sails i n t o t h e air over t h e h e a d s of t h e m o u r n e r s a n d t h e p o l i c e m e n , the gangsters and the pious, the living and the dead. L a n d s m a n loses t r a c k of t h e r e b b e , b u t h e sees a b u n c h of R u d a s h e v s k y s p i l e t h e m o t h e r , B a t s h e v a , i n t o t h e b a c k o f t h e fourby-four. T h e chauffeur g r a b s t h e driver's-side d o o r and kicks u p i n t o his seat like a g y m n a s t . T h e R u d a s h e v s k y s p o u n d on t h e side o f t h e c a r , s a y i n g , "go go go." L a n d s m a n , s t i l l g r o p i n g i n h i s p o c k e t s for t h e s h i n i n g c o i n o f o n e g o o d q u e s t i o n , w a t c h e s , a n d w a t c h i n g , h e n o t i c e s a s u i t e o f s m a l l t h i n g s . T h e F i l i p i n o c h a u f f e u r is r a t t l e d . H e d o e s n ' t fasten his s h o u l d e r s t r a p . H e d o e s n ' t give a g o o d solid cattle-clearing blast on his h o r n . A n d t h e s t e m of t h e lock at t h e t o p of t h e d o o r panel never drops. T h e chauffeur simply t h r o w s t h e l o n g black four-by-four i n t o gear a n d rolls forward, gaining too m u c h s p e e d for s u c h a c r o w d e d a r e a . L a n d s m a n s t e p s b a c k as t h e f o u r - b y - f o u r

shoulders its way

t o w a r d h i m . A s t r a n d of m o u r n e r s d e t a c h e s itself from t h e g r e a t e r black braid a n d d r a g s along b e h i n d Batsheva Shpilman's four-byfour. A s l i p s t r e a m o f s o r r o w . F o r a n i n s t a n t t h e m o u r n e r s h a n g i n g o n t o t h e car serve t o b l o c k t h e R u d a s h e v s k y s ' v i e w of t h e four-byfour, a n d o f a n y o n e fool e n o u g h t o t r y t o c l i m b i n s i d e i t . L a n d s m a n n o d s , c a t c h i n g t h e r h y t h m of t h e crowd's m a d n e s s a n d his o w n . H e w a t c h e s for h i s m o m e n t a n d w i g g l e s h i s fingers. W h e n t h e c a r r u m b l e s by, h e y a n k s o p e n t h e r e a r d o o r .

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

2D5

I n s t a n t l y , t h e p o w e r o f t h e e n g i n e is t r a n s l a t e d i n t o a s e n s e o f p a n i c in his legs. It's like a p r o o f of t h e p h y s i c s of his foolishness, t h e inescapable m o m e n t u m of his o w n b a d luck. As he gets d r a g g e d a l o n g b e s i d e t h e c a r for fifteen f e e t o r s o , h e finds t i m e t o w o n d e r if t h i s w a s h o w t h e e n d c a m e for h i s s i s t e r , a q u i c k d e m o n s t r a t i o n of g r a v i t y a n d mass. H i s w r i s t s s t r a i n t h e i r cables. T h e n h e g e t s a knee u p into t h e limousine's interior a n d t u m b l e s in.

• § 2 4

Â

g*

d a r k cavern lit w i t h b l u e diodes. Cool, dry, fragrant

with

s o m e k i n d of l e m o n d e o d o r i z e r . L a n d s m a n senses in h i m s e l f a trace of t h a t smell, a l e m o n y h i n t of boundless h o p e and

energy. T h i s m a y have been t h e s t u p i d e s t t h i n g he's ever done, b u t i t n e e d e d t o b e d o n e , a n d t h e f e e l i n g o f h a v i n g d o n e i t , for t h i s i n s t a n t , is t h e a n s w e r t o t h e o n l y q u e s t i o n h e k n o w s h o w t o a s k . " T h e r e ' s g i n g e r a l e , " says t h e q u e e n o f V e r b o v I s l a n d . S h e ' s folded like a t h r o w r u g , coiled in a s h a d o w y b a c k c o r n e r of t h e i n t e r i o r . H e r d r e s s is d r a b b u t c u t o f fine stuff, a n d t h e l i n i n g o f h e r r a i n c o a t b e t r a y s a fashionable logo. " D r i n k it, I d o n ' t care t o . " B u t L a n d s m a n gives his a t t e n t i o n to t h e rear-facing seat, u p b y t h e c h a u f f e u r , a n d t h e l i k e l i e s t s o u r c e o f t r o u b l e . S i t t i n g t h e r e is six feet, m a y b e t w o h u n d r e d p o u n d s , of female in a b l a c k s h a r k s k i n suit w i t h a w h i t e - o n - w h i t e collarless shirt. T h i s formidable person's eyes are g r a y a n d h a r d . T h e y r e m i n d L a n d s m a n of t h e backs of t w o dull spoons. She wears a w h i t e earpiece w o r m e d around the

flange

o f h e r left e a r , a n d h e r t o m a t o - g r a v y h a i r is c u t s h o r t as a m a n ' s . " I d i d n ' t k n o w t h e y m a d e l a d y R u d a s h e v s k y s , " L a n d s m a n says, c r o u c h e d on his toes in t h e w i d e space b e t w e e n t h e front- a n d rearfacing benches.

THE YIDDISH PDLICEMEN'S UNIDN

2D7

" T h a t is S h p r i n t z l , " says h i s h o s t e s s in t h e b a c k o f t h e car. T h e n B a t s h e v a S h p i l m a n lifts h e r v e i l . T h e b o d y is frail, p e r h a p s e v e n g a u n t , b u t i t c a n ' t b e w i t h a g e , b e c a u s e t h e f i n e - f e a t u r e d face, t h o u g h h o l l o w , is s m o o t h , a p l e a s u r e t o l o o k a t . S h e h a s w i d e - s e t e y e s o f a b l u e t h a t w a v e r s b e t w e e n h e a r t b r e a k i n g a n d fatal. H e r m o u t h is u n p a i n t e d b u t full a n d r e d . T h e n o s t r i l s i n h e r l o n g , s t r a i g h t n o s e a r c h l i k e a p a i r o f w i n g s . H e r face is so s t r o n g a n d lovely, a n d h e r f r a m e so w a s t e d , t h a t i t ' s d i s t u r b i n g t o l o o k a t her. H e r h e a d s i t s a t o p her veined t h r o a t like an alien p a r a s i t e , p r e y i n g on h e r body. " I w a n t you to b e sure t o notice t h a t she h a s n ' t killed you y e t . " " T h a n k y o u , S h p r i n t z l , " L a n d s m a n says. " N o p r o b l e m , " S h p r i n t z l R u d a s h e v s k y says i n A m e r i c a n , i n a voice like an o n i o n rolling in a b u c k e t . Batsheva Shpilman p o i n t s to t h e o p p o s i t e e n d of t h e backseat. H e r h a n d is g l o v e d i n b l a c k v e l v e t , b u t t o n e d a t t h e c u f f w i t h t h r e e b l a c k s e e d p e a r l s . L a n d s m a n t a k e s t h e s u g g e s t i o n a n d g e t s u p off t h e floor. T h e s e a t is v e r y c o m f o r t a b l e . H e c a n feel t h e c o l d s w e a t of an i m a g i n a r y highball a g a i n s t his fingertips. "Also, she h a s n ' t c o n t a c t e d any of h e r b r o t h e r s o r c o u s i n s in t h e o t h e r c a r s , e v e n t h o u g h , as y o u s e e , s h e ' s w i r e d r i g h t t o t h e m . " " T i g h t - k n i t b u n c h , t h e R u d a s h e v s k y s , " L a n d s m a n says, b u t h e understands what she wants him to understand: "You w a n t e d to talk to m e . " " D i d I?" she says, a n d h e r lips c o n t e m p l a t e b u t d e c i d e a g a i n s t lifting at o n e corner. " Y o u ' r e t h e o n e w h o b a r g e d i n t o m y car." " O h , is t h i s a c a r ? M y m i s t a k e , I t h o u g h t i t w a s t h e S i x t y - o n e bus." S h p r i n t z l R u d a s h e v s k y ' s w i d e face t a k e s o n a p h i l o s o p h i c a l , even mystic, blankness. She looks like she's w e t t i n g h e r p a n t s a n d enjoying the w a r m t h . " T h e y ' r e asking a b o u t you, darling," she says t o t h e o l d e r w o m a n w i t h a n u r s e l i k e t e n d e r n e s s . " T h e y w a n t t o k n o w if y o u ' r e all r i g h t . " " T e l l t h e m I ' m fine, S h p r i n t z e l e h . T e l l t h e m w e ' r e o n o u r w a y

2D8

MICHAEL

CHABON

h o m e . " S h e t u r n s h e r soft e y e s t o w a r d L a n d s m a n . " W e ' l l d r o p y o u at y o u r h o t e l . I w a n t t o see i t . " T h e y ' r e a color he's never seen, h e r e y e s , a b l u e y o u w o u l d find i n b i r d p l u m a g e o r a s t a i n e d - g l a s s window. "Will that suit you, Detective Landsman?" L a n d s m a n says t h a t w i l l s u i t h i m fine. W h i l e S h p r i n t z l R u d a ­ shevsky murmurs

into a concealed microphone, her

employer

lowers t h e p a r t i t i o n a n d gives i n s t r u c t i o n s t o t h e chauffeur

that

will t a k e t h e m t o t h e c o r n e r of M a x N o r d a u a n d Berlevi. " Y o u look t h i r s t y , D e t e c t i v e , " she says, raising t h e p a r t i t i o n a g a i n . " Y o u ' r e s u r e y o u w o n ' t h a v e a g i n g e r ale? S h p r i n t z e l e h , g e t t h e g e n t l e m a n a glass g i n g e r a l e . " " T h a n k you, ma'am, I'm not thirsty." B a t s h e v a S h p i l m a n ' s eyes w i d e n , narrow, w i d e n again. She's t a k i n g i n v e n t o r y of h i m , checking it against w h a t she k n o w s or h a s h e a r d . H e r g a z e is q u i c k a n d u n s p a r i n g . S h e w o u l d p r o b a b l y m a k e a fine d e t e c t i v e . " N o t for g i n g e r a l e , " s h e says. T h e y t u r n o n t o L i n c o l n a n d roll a l o n g t h e shoreline, p a s t O y s s h t e l u n g Island a n d t h e b r o k e n p r o m i s e of t h e Safety Pin, h e a d e d t o w a r d t h e U n t e r s h t a t . In n i n e m i n u t e s t h e y will arrive a t t h e H o t e l Z a m e n h o f . T h o s e eyes of h e r s d r o w n h i m in a j a r of ether. T h e y stick him w i t h pins to a corkboard. " S u r e , all r i g h t , w h y n o t ? " L a n d s m a n says. S h p r i n t z l R u d a s h e v s k y fixes h i m a c o l d b o t t l e o f g i n g e r ale. L a n d s m a n h o l d s it t o his t e m p l e s , t h e n takes a swallow,

fighting

it

d o w n w i t h a sensation of medicinal v i r t u e . " I h a v e n ' t sat t h i s close t o a s t r a n g e m a n in forty-five years, D e t e c t i v e , " B a t s h e v a S h p i l m a n says. " I t ' s v e r y w r o n g . I s h o u l d b e ashamed." "Particularly given y o u r choice of male c o m p a n i o n s , " L a n d s m a n says. " D o y o u m i n d ? " S h e l o w e r s t h e b l a c k m o i r e , a n d h e r face is g o n e f r o m t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n . " I ' l l feel m o r e c o m f o r t a b l e . " "Suit yourself."

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" N u , " s h e says. T h e v e i l puffs o u t w i t h h e r b r e a t h . "All r i g h t . Yes,

I wanted to talk to you." "I wanted to talk to you, too." " W h y ? D o y o u t h i n k t h a t I killed m y son?" "No,

ma'am, I don't. But I was hoping you might k n o w who

did." "So!"

s h e d e c l a r e s , a l o w t h r i l l i n h e r v o i c e , as if s h e h a s c a u g h t

Landsman out. " H e was murdered." " U h , well, yes, he was, m a ' a m . D i d n ' t — W h a t did y o u r h u s b a n d tell y o u ? " "What

my

husband

tells m e , " she

says, m a k i n g it

rhetorical, like t h e t i t l e of a v e r y slim t r a c t . " Y o u ' r e

sound

married,

Detective?" "I was." " T h e m a r r i a g e failed?" " I g u e s s t h a t ' s t h e b e s t w a y t o p u t i t . " H e r e f l e c t s for a m o m e n t . "I guess that's really t h e only way." " M y m a r r i a g e is a c o m p l e t e s u c c e s s , " s h e says w i t h o u t a t r a c e of boastfulness or p r i d e . " D o y o u u n d e r s t a n d w h a t t h a t m e a n s ? " "No,

m a ' a m , " L a n d s m a n says. " I ' m n o t s u r e t h a t I d o . "

"In every marriage, there are things," she begins. She shakes her h e a d once, a n d t h e veil t r e m b l e s . " O n e of m y g r a n d s o n s w a s at m y h o u s e today, before t h e funeral. N i n e years old. I p u t

the

t e l e v i s i o n for h i m i n t h e s e w i n g r o o m , y o u ' r e n o t s u p p o s e d t o , b u t w h a t does it m a t t e r , t h e little s h k o t z was b o r e d . I sat w i t h h i m ten minutes, watching. It was that cartoon p r o g r a m , the wolf t h a t chases t h e blue rooster." L a n d s m a n says t h a t h e k n o w s i t . " T h e n y o u k n o w , " she says, " h o w t h a t wolf can r u n in t h e m i d d l e o f t h e air. H e k n o w s h o w t o fly, b u t o n l y so l o n g as h e s t i l l t h i n k s h e ' s t o u c h i n g t h e g r o u n d . A s s o o n as h e l o o k s d o w n , a n d sees w h e r e h e i s , a n d u n d e r s t a n d s w h a t ' s g o i n g o n , t h e n h e falls a n d smashes into the g r o u n d . "

2ID

MICHAEL

CHABON

" I ' v e s e e n t h a t b i t , " L a n d s m a n says. " T h a t ' s h o w i t is i n a s u c c e s s f u l m a r r i a g e , " says t h e r a b b i ' s wife. " I h a v e s p e n t t h e l a s t fifty y e a r s r u n n i n g i n t h e m i d d l e o f t h e air. N o t looking d o w n . O u t s i d e of w h a t G o d requires, I never talk to m y husband. O r vice versa." " M y p a r e n t s h a d i t w o r k e d o u t t h e s a m e w a y , " L a n d s m a n says. H e w o n d e r s if h e a n d B i n a m i g h t h a v e l a s t e d l o n g e r if t h e y h a d given t h i s t r a d i t i o n a l r o u t e a try. " O n l y t h e y d i d n ' t m u c h t r o u b l e themselves over God's r e q u i r e m e n t s . " " I h e a r d a b o u t M e n d e l ' s d e a t h from m y son-in-law, A r y e h . A n d t h a t m a n never tells m e a n y t h i n g b u t lies." L a n d s m a n hears someone j u m p i n g u p and d o w n on a leather valise. It t u r n s o u t to be t h e s o u n d of Shprintzl

Rudashevsky's

laughter. " G o o n , " M r s . S h p i l m a n says. " P l e a s e . T e l l m e . " " G o on. N u . Your son was shot. In a way t h a t — Well, to be f r a n k , m a ' a m , h e w a s e x e c u t e d . " L a n d s m a n is g l a d for t h e v e i l w h e n h e p r o n o u n c e s t h a t w o r d . " W h o by, t h a t w e c a n ' t say. W e ' v e l e a r n e d t h a t s o m e m e n , t w o o r t h r e e m e n , w e r e l o o k i n g for M e n d e l , asking a r o u n d . T h e s e m e n m i g h t n o t have been v e r y nice. T h a t was a few m o n t h s b a c k . W e k n o w h e w a s u s i n g h e r o i n w h e n h e died. So, a t t h e e n d , h e felt n o t h i n g . N o p a i n , I m e a n . " " N o t h i n g , you m e a n , " she corrects him. T w o blots, blacker t h a n black silk, s p r e a d across t h e veil. " G o o n . " " I ' m sorry, m a ' a m . A b o u t y o u r son. I s h o u l d have said t h a t r i g h t off." "I was relieved that you d i d n ' t . " " W e think that whoever did this to him was better than amateur. B u t look, I a d m i t it, since Friday m o r n i n g we're g e t t i n g m o r e or less n o w h e r e w i t h o u r i n v e s t i g a t i o n of y o u r son's d e a t h . " " Y o u k e e p s a y i n g ' w e , ' " s h e says. " M e a n i n g , n a t u r a l l y , S i t k a Central." N o w h e w i s h e s h e c o u l d see h e r eyes. B e c a u s e h e g e t s

the

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d i s t i n c t i d e a t h a t s h e is t o y i n g w i t h h i m . T h a t s h e k n o w s h e h a s n o right or a u t h o r i t y at his back. " N o t e x a c t l y , " L a n d s m a n says. " T h e Homicide division." "No." "You and your partner." "Again, n o . " " W e l l , t h e n , m a y b e I ' m c o n f u s e d , " s h e says. " W h o is t h i s ' w e ' g e t t i n g n o w h e r e investigating m y son's d e a t h ? " " A t t h i s p o i n t ? I, h m m , i t ' s s o r t o f a t h e o r e t i c a l i n q u i r y . " "I see." " B y an i n d e p e n d e n t e n t i t y . " " M y son-in-law," she says, " c l a i m s t h a t y o u have b e e n s u s p e n d e d because you c a m e b y t h e island. C a m e b y m y house. You i n s u l t e d m y h u s b a n d . Y o u b l a m e d h i m for b e i n g a b a d f a t h e r t o M e n d e l . Aryeh told m e t h a t your b a d g e has been taken away." L a n d s m a n rolls t h e cool shaft of t h e g i n g e r ale glass a l o n g his f o r e h e a d . " Y e s , w e l l . T h i s e n t i t y I ' m t a l k i n g a b o u t , " h e says. " S o m a y b e t h e y d o n ' t give o u t w i t h b a d g e s . " "Only with theories." "That's right." "Such as?" " S u c h as. A l l r i g h t , h e r e ' s o n e : Y o u w e r e i n o c c a s i o n a l , m a y b e even regular, c o m m u n i c a t i o n w i t h M e n d e l . You h e a r d from h i m . You k n e w w h e r e h e was. H e called y o u u p e v e r y o n c e in a w h i l e . H e sent you p o s t c a r d s . M a y b e y o u even saw h i m from t i m e t o t i m e , o n t h e sly. T h i s s e c r e t r i d e h o m e t h a t y o u a n d F r i e n d R u d a s h e v s k y a r e so k i n d l y p r o v i d i n g m e , for e x a m p l e , i t s o r t o f g i v e s m e i d e a s i n that direction." " I h a v e n o t seen m y s o n , m y M e n d e l , in over t w e n t y y e a r s , " s h e says. " N o w I n e v e r w i l l a g a i n . " " B u t why, M r s . Shpilman? W h a t h a p p e n e d ? W h y d i d h e leave t h e Verbovers? W h a t d i d he do? Was t h e r e a break? A n a r g u m e n t ? "

MICHAEL

212

CHABDN

S h e d o e s n ' t a n s w e r for a m i n u t e , l i k e s h e ' s

fighting

the long

h a b i t of saying n o t h i n g t o anyone, let alone t o a secular policeman, a b o u t M e n d e l . O r m a y b e she's

fighting

t h e m o u n t i n g sense of

p l e a s u r e s h e will t a k e , in s p i t e of herself, in r e m e m b e r i n g h e r son aloud. " S u c h a m a t c h I m a d e for h i m , " s h e says.

Â

t h o u s a n d g u e s t s , s o m e f r o m as far a w a y as M i a m i B e a c h a n d Buenos Aires. Seven c a t e r i n g trailers a n d a Volvo t r u c k stuffed w i t h food a n d w i n e . G i f t s , s w a g , a n d t r i b u t e s i n h e a p s t o r i v a l

t h e Baranof R a n g e . T h r e e days of fasting a n d prayer. T h e e n t i r e

Muzikant

family

of

klezmorim,

enough

for

half

a

symphony

orchestra. E v e r y last Rudashevsky, even t h e great-grandfather, half d r u n k a n d s h o o t i n g off a n a n c i e n t N a g a n t r e v o l v e r i n t o t h e air. F o r a w e e k l e a d i n g u p t o t h e day, a l i n e o f p e o p l e i n t h e h a l l , o u t t h e door, a r o u n d t h e corner, a n d t w o blocks d o w n R i n g e l b l u m Avenue, h o p i n g for a b l e s s i n g f r o m t h e b r i d e g r o o m k i n g . A l l d a y a n d n i g h t a noise a r o u n d t h e h o u s e like a m o b in search of a r e v o l u t i o n . A n h o u r b e f o r e t h e w e d d i n g t h e y w e r e s t i l l t h e r e , w a i t i n g for h i m , h a t s a n d s l i c k u m b r e l l a s i n t h e s t r e e t . H e w a s n o t likely, t h i s late, t o see t h e m o r h e a r t h e i r pleas a n d s o b s t o r i e s . B u t y o u n e v e r knew. It was always M e n d e l ' s n a t u r e t o m a k e t h e

unpredictable

move. She was at t h e window, p e e r i n g t h r o u g h t h e c u r t a i n s at

the

p e t i t i o n e r s , w h e n t h e girl c a m e t o say t h a t M e n d e l w a s g o n e a n d t h a t t w o ladies w e r e h e r e t o see her. M r s . S h p i l m a n ' s b e d r o o m o v e r l o o k e d t h e side y a r d , b u t she c o u l d see b e t w e e n t h e n e i g h b o r i n g h o u s e s

214

MICHAEL

CHABON

t h r o u g h t o t h e c o r n e r : h a t s a n d u m b r e l l a s , slick w i t h rain. Jews s h o u l d e r e d t o g e t h e r , s o a k e d i n l o n g i n g for a g l i m p s e o f M e n d e l . W e d d i n g day, f u n e r a l day. " G o n e , " she said. She d i d n o t t u r n from t h e window. She had t h e s e n s a t i o n o f m i n g l e d f u t i l i t y a n d f u l f i l l m e n t o n e feels in d r e a m s . T h e r e w a s n o p o i n t in a s k i n g t h e q u e s t i o n , a n d y e t it w a s t h e only t h i n g s h e w a s a b l e t o say. " G o n e w h e r e ? " " N o b o d y k n o w , m i s s u s . N o b o d y see h i m since last n i g h t . " "Last night." "This morning." L a s t n i g h t s h e h a d p r e s i d e d a t a f o r s h p i e l for t h e d a u g h t e r o f t h e S h t r a k e n z e r rebbe. A brilliant m a t c h . A bride of talent and accomplishment,

beautiful,

with

a fiery

streak

that

Mendel's

s i s t e r s l a c k e d b u t w h i c h h i s m o t h e r k n e w h e r s o n a d m i r e d i n her. O f course, the Shtrakenzer bride, though perfect, was not suitable; Mrs.

S h p i l m a n k n e w t h a t . L o n g before t h e m a i d c a m e t o say t h a t

n o b o d y c o u l d f i n d M e n d e l , t h a t h e h a d d i s a p p e a r e d s o m e t i m e in t h e c o u r s e of t h e n i g h t , M r s . Shpilman had k n o w n t h a t no degree o f a c c o m p l i s h m e n t , b e a u t y , o r fire i n a g i r l w o u l d e v e r s u i t h e r son. B u t t h e r e was always a shortfall, w a s n ' t there? Between t h e m a t c h that the Holy O n e , blessed be H e , envisioned and the reality of t h e situation u n d e r t h e c h u p p a h . Between c o m m a n d m e n t and o b s e r v a n c e , h e a v e n a n d e a r t h , h u s b a n d a n d w i f e , Z i o n a n d Jew. T h e y called t h a t shortfall " t h e w o r l d . " O n l y w h e n Messiah came would

t h e b r e a c h b e c l o s e d , all s e p a r a t i o n s , d i s t i n c t i o n s ,

and

distances collapsed. U n t i l then, thanks be u n t o His N a m e , sparks, b r i g h t s p a r k s , m i g h t l e a p a c r o s s t h e g a p , as b e t w e e n e l e c t r i c p o l e s . A n d w e m u s t b e g r a t e f u l for t h e i r m o m e n t a r y l i g h t . T h a t was h o w she h a d p l a n n e d , at least, t o p u t it to M e n d e l , s h o u l d h e ever seek h e r c o u n s e l o n t h e m a t t e r of his b e t r o t h a l to t h e d a u g h t e r of t h e S h t r a k e n z e r rebbe. " Y o u r h u s b a n d p r e t t y a n g r y , " said t h e girl, Betty, a Filipina, l i k e all t h e g i r l s .

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" W h a t did he say?" " H e d i d n ' t say a n y t h i n g , m i s s u s . T h a t h o w I k n o w he's angry. Sending o u t lot of people looking every place. Calling t h e mayor." Mrs.

S h p i l m a n t u r n e d f r o m t h e w i n d o w , t h e p h r a s e They were

obliged to call off the wedding m e t a s t a s i z i n g i n h e r a b d o m e n . B e t t y was g a t h e r i n g u p w a d s of tissue p a p e r from t h e T u r k e y c a r p e t . " W h a t ladies?" M r s . S h p i l m a n said. " W h o are they? A r e t h e y Verbovers?" " O n e m a y b e . O t h e r n o t . O n l y say t h e y h o p i n g t o t a l k t o y o u . " " W h e r e are they?" " D o w n s t a i r s i n y o u r office. O n e l a d y all i n b l a c k c l o t h e s , v e i l o n h e r face. L o o k l i k e m a y b e h e r h u s b a n d j u s t d i e . " Mrs.

S h p i l m a n c a n ' t r e m e m b e r a n y m o r e w h e n t h e first h o p e l e s s

m e n a n d t e r m i n a l c a s e s s t a r t e d t o c o m e a r o u n d l o o k i n g for M e n d e l . Possibly t h e y c a m e in s e c r e t a t first, t o t h e b a c k door, e n c o u r a g e d b y r e p o r t s from o n e or t h e o t h e r of t h e h o u s e m a i d s . T h e r e w a s a maid whose womb had been made barren by a botched operation in C e b u w h e n s h e w a s a g i r l . M e n d e l t o o k o n e o f t h o s e d o l l s h e m a d e h i s s i s t e r s f r o m felt a n d a c l o t h e s p i n , p i n n e d a c r a y o n e d blessing b e t w e e n its w o o d e n legs, a n d slipped it i n t o h e r p o c k e t . T e n m o n t h s after t h a t , R e m e d i o s gave b i r t h t o a son. T h e r e w a s Dov-Ber G u r s k y , t h e i r driver, secretly t e n t h o u s a n d dollars in t h e w r o n g w i t h a Russian finger-breaker. M e n d e l h a n d e d G u r s k y a five-dollar bill, u n b i d d e n , a n d said h e h o p e d it m i g h t h e l p . T w o days later, a lawyer in St. Louis w r o t e t o i n f o r m G u r s k y t h a t h e h a d j u s t i n h e r i t e d half a million from an uncle h e never knew. By t h e t i m e of M e n d e l ' s b a r m i t z v a h , t h e sick a n d d y i n g , t h e bereft, t h e p a r e n t s of d a m n e d c h i l d r e n , t h e y w e r e g e t t i n g t o b e a real p a i n in t h e neck. C o m i n g a r o u n d at any h o u r of t h e d a y or n i g h t . Wailing and begging. Mrs. Shpilman had taken steps to protect Mendel, s e t t i n g h o u r s a n d c o n d i t i o n s . B u t t h e b o y h a d a gift. A n d i t w a s i n t h e n a t u r e o f a gift t h a t i t b e e n d l e s s l y g i v e n . " I c a n ' t see t h e m n o w , " M r s . S h p i l m a n said, s i t t i n g d o w n on h e r

2IG

MICHAEL

CHABON

n a r r o w bed, w i t h its w h i t e candlewick bedspread and the pillows she h a d e m b r o i d e r e d before M e n d e l w a s b o r n . " T h e s e ladies of yours." Sometimes when they could not get to Mendel, the women w o u l d c o m e t o h e r , t o t h e r e b b e t z i n , a n d s h e w o u l d b l e s s t h e m as w e l l as s h e c o u l d , w i t h t h e l i t t l e w h e r e w i t h a l s h e b r o u g h t t o t h e t a s k . " I h a v e t o finish d r e s s i n g . T h e w e d d i n g is i n o n e h o u r , B e t t y . O n e h o u r ! T h e y ' l l find h i m . " S h e h a d b e e n w a i t i n g for h i m t o b e t r a y h e r for y e a r s , e v e r s i n c e s h e h a d first u n d e r s t o o d t h a t h e w a s w h a t h e w a s . S u c h a f r i g h t e n i n g w o r d t o a m o t h e r , w i t h i t s i m p l i c a t i o n o f fragile b o n e s , vulnerability to predators, nothing to protect the bird but feathers. A n d

flight.

Of course

flight.

She had u n d e r s t o o d

its this

a b o u t h i m l o n g before h e u n d e r s t o o d it himself. B r e a t h e d it in from t h e soft n a p e o f h i s i n f a n t n e c k . R e a d i t l i k e a h i d d e n t e x t i n t h e fuzzy k n o b s of his k n e e s in s h o r t p a n t s . A t o u c h of girlishness in t h e w a y h e l o w e r e d h i s e y e s w h e n o t h e r s p r a i s e d h i m . A n d t h e n , as h e g o t o l d e r , s h e c o u l d n o t fail t o n o t e , t h o u g h h e t r i e d t o c o n c e a l it, the way he grew uncomfortable, tongue-tied, seeming to bank h i s fire w h e n a R u d a s h e v s k y o r c e r t a i n o f h i s m a l e c o u s i n s c a m e into the room. All t h r o u g h

t h e m a k i n g of

the match,

the betrothal,

the

p l a n n i n g for t h e w e d d i n g , s h e h a d b e e n s t u d y i n g M e n d e l e for s i g n s of a p p r e h e n s i o n or unwillingness. B u t he r e m a i n e d t r u e to his d u t y and her plans. Sarcastic at times, yes, even irreverent, mocking her for h e r s t e a d f a s t b e l i e f t h a t t h e H o l y N a m e , b l e s s e d b e H e , s p e n d s H i s t i m e like an o l d h o u s e w i f e m a k i n g m a t c h e s a m o n g t h e souls of t h e n o t - y e t - b o r n . O n c e h e h a d s n a t c h e d u p a scrap of w h i t e tulle h e r d a u g h t e r s h a d left i n t h e p a r l o r , c o v e r e d h i s h e a d w i t h i t , a n d offered in a voice t h a t w a s an u n c a n n y i m i t a t i o n of his b e t r o t h e d ' s an i n v e n t o r y of t h e physical s h o r t c o m i n g s of M e n d e l S h p i l m a n . E v e r y o n e l a u g h e d , b u t i n h e r h e a r t w a s a l i t t l e b i r d flutter o f d r e a d . A p a r t f r o m t h a t m o m e n t , h e a p p e a r e d t o r e m a i n as h e h a d b e e n , u n s t i n t i n g in his d e v o t i o n t o t h e 613 c o m m a n d m e n t s , t o t h e s t u d y

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o f T o r a h a n d T a l m u d , t o h i s p a r e n t s , t o t h e f a i t h f u l for w h o m h e was t h e i r star. Surely, even now, M e n d e l w o u l d b e found. She rolled u p her stockings, p u t on her dress, s t r a i g h t e n e d her slip. S h e p u t o n t h e w i g t h a t s h e ' d h a d m a d e e s p e c i a l l y for t h e w e d d i n g at a cost of t h r e e t h o u s a n d dollars. It w a s a m a s t e r p i e c e , ash b l o n d w i t h h i n t s of r e d a n d gold, d o n e u p in b r a i d s like h e r o w n hair when she was a y o u n g w o m a n . It was n o t until she had settled t h a t shining snood of m o n e y o n t o her c r o p p e d p a t e t h a t she b e g a n to panic. O n a d e a l t a b l e s a t a b l a c k t e l e p h o n e w i t h n o d i a l . If s h e p i c k e d i t u p , a n i d e n t i c a l p h o n e w o u l d r i n g i n h e r h u s b a n d ' s office. I n t e n years of living in t h i s h o u s e , s h e h a d u s e d it o n l y t h r e e t i m e s , o n c e in p a i n a n d t w i c e in anger. O v e r t h e p h o n e h u n g a f r a m e d p h o t o g r a p h of her grandfather, t h e e i g h t h r e b b e , her g r a n d m o t h e r , a n d h e r m o t h e r a t t h e a g e o f five o r s i x , p o s e d u n d e r a p a s t e b o a r d willow, along t h e b a n k s of a p a i n t e d s t r e a m . Black c l o t h e s , t h e d r e a m y c l o u d o f h e r g r a n d f a t h e r ' s b e a r d , o v e r all t h e r a d i a n t a s h of t i m e t h a t s e t t l e d o n t h e d e a d in old p h o t o s . M i s s i n g from t h e g r o u p was her m o t h e r ' s brother, w h o s e n a m e was a k i n d of c u r s e so p o t e n t i t m u s t n e v e r b e s p o k e n . H i s a p o s t a s y , t h o u g h n o t o r i o u s , r e m a i n e d u n k n o w n t o her. All s h e u n d e r s t o o d w a s t h a t it b e g u n w i t h a h i d d e n b o o k c a l l e d The Mysterious

Island,

had

discovered

in a drawer, a n d c u l m i n a t e d w i t h a r e p o r t of h e r u n c l e h a v i n g b e e n s p o t t e d on a s t r e e t in Warsaw, beardless a n d w e a r i n g a s t r a w b o a t e r more scandalous t h a n any French novel. She placed her h a n d on t h e receiver of t h e p h o n e w i t h no dial. Panic in h e r o r g a n s , p a n i c in h e r t e e t h . " I w o u l d n ' t a n s w e r if I c o u l d , " h e r h u s b a n d s a i d f r o m

right

b e h i n d her. " I f y o u h a v e t o b r e a k t h e S a b b a t h , a t l e a s t d o n ' t w a s t e the sin." T h o u g h h e w a s n o t t h e n so l u n a r as h e b e c a m e i n l a t e r y e a r s , t h e s i g h t o f h e r h u s b a n d s t a n d i n g i n h e r b e d r o o m w a s a c a u s e for w o n d e r , t h e a d v e n t o f a s e c o n d m o o n i n t h e sky. H e t o o k a l o o k

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around at the needlepoint chairs, the green valance, the white-satin blank of her bed, her bottles and jars. She saw h i m struggle to keep a m o c k i n g smile o n his lips. B u t t h e expression h e m a n a g e d was s o m e t h i n g at once avid a n d repelled. It r e m i n d e d her of t h e smile w i t h w h i c h h e r h u s b a n d h a d o n c e received an e m b a s s y from s o m e far-off c o u r t i n E t h i o p i a o r Y e m e n , a s l o e - e y e d r a b b i i n a g a u d y kaftan. T h a t i m p o s s i b l e black r a b b i w i t h his o u t l a n d i s h T o r a h , t h e r e a l m of w o m e n : T h e y w e r e d i v i n e w h i m s , c o n v o l u t i o n s of God's t h o u g h t , t h a t it was almost a heresy to imagine or t r y to understand. T h e l o n g e r h e s t o o d t h e r e , t h e less a m u s e d a n d t h e m o r e l o s t h e s e e m e d t o b e c o m e . Finally, she w a s m o v e d t o pity. H e d i d n o t b e l o n g here. It was a m e a s u r e of t h e spreading stain of w r o n g n e s s o n t h i s d a y t h a t h e h a d t r a v e l e d so far o n h i s e m b a s s y t o t h i s l a n d of tasseled cushions a n d rosewater. " S i t , " she said. " P l e a s e . " G r a t e f u l , slow, h e e n d a n g e r e d a c h a i r . " H e w i l l b e f o u n d , " h e s a i d , h i s v o i c e soft a n d t h r e a t e n i n g . She d i d n ' t like t h e look of h i m . K n o w i n g t h a t o t h e r w i s e he m i g h t s t r i k e p e o p l e as g r o s s , h e w a s o r d i n a r i l y a m a n o f t i d y h a b i t s . B u t his hose w e r e c r o o k e d now, his shirt m i s b u t t o n e d . H i s cheeks w e r e m o t t l e d w i t h fatigue, a n d his w h i s k e r s s t r a y e d like he had been yanking at t h e m . " E x c u s e m e , d a r l i n g , " she said. She o p e n e d t h e d o o r to her d r e s s i n g r o o m a n d w e n t inside. She d e s p i s e d t h e d a r k colors favored b y Verbover w o m e n of her generation. T h e r o o m i n t o which she r e t r e a t e d was h u n g w i t h indigo, d e e p p u r p l e , heliotrope. A t a small v a n i t y chair w i t h a fringed skirt, she sat d o w n . She reached o u t w i t h a stockinged toe a n d closed t h e door, leaving a one-inch gap. "I h o p e you d o n ' t m i n d . It's b e t t e r this way." " H e will b e f o u n d , " h e r h u s b a n d r e p e a t e d , m o r e matter-of-fact now, t r y i n g t o r e a s s u r e h e r a n d n o t himself. " H e ' d b e t t e r b e , " s h e s a i d . " S o I c a n kill h i m . "

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" C a l m yourself." " I s a y t h a t v e r y c a l m l y . Is h e d r u n k ? W a s t h e r e d r i n k i n g ? " " H e w a s f a s t i n g . H e w a s fine. S u c h a t e a c h i n g h e m a d e u s l a s t night on Parshat Chayei Sarah. It was electric. A stopped

heart

would have begun beating again. But w h e n he

there

finished,

w e r e t e a r s o n h i s face. H e s a i d h e n e e d e d air. N o o n e h a s s e e n h i m since." " I ' l l kill h i m , " s h e s a i d . T h e r e was n o reply from t h e b e d r o o m , only t h e r a s p of b r e a t h , steady, implacable. She r e g r e t t e d t h e t h r e a t . It was r h e t o r i c on h e r lips, b u t in his m i n d , t h a t l i b r a r y in a b o n e p i t , it t o o k o n a d a n g e r o u s color of agency. " D o you know, b y any chance, w h e r e h e is?" h e r h u s b a n d said after a p a u s e , a n d t h e r e w a s d a n g e r in t h e l i g h t n e s s of his t o n e . " H o w would I know that?" " H e talks t o y o u . H e c o m e s t o see y o u h e r e . " "Never." "I know he does." " H o w could you k n o w that? Unless you have t u r n e d the maids into spies." H i s silence confirmed t h e scope of h e r household's c o r r u p t i o n . S h e felt a g l o r i o u s s e i z u r e o f r e s o l v e n e v e r t o l e a v e h e r d r e s s i n g room again. " I d i d n ' t c o m e h e r e t o find a n a r g u m e n t o r t o r e p r o a c h y o u . O n the contrary, I hoped that I m i g h t b o r r o w a c u p of your usual c a l m p r u d e n c e . N o w t h a t I a m h e r e , I feel c o m p e l l e d , a g a i n s t m y j u d g m e n t as a r a b b i a n d as a m a n , b u t w i t h t h e full s u p p o r t o f m y u n d e r s t a n d i n g as a f a t h e r , t o r e p r o a c h y o u . " "For what?" " H i s a b e r r a t i o n . T h e freakish s t r e a k . T h e t w i s t in his soul. T h a t is y o u r f a u l t . A s o n l i k e t h a t is t h e f r u i t o f h i s m o t h e r ' s t r e e . " " G o to the window," she told him. " L o o k t h r o u g h t h e drape. See t h o s e p o o r s u i t o r s a n d fools a n d b r o k e n y i d s c o m e t o r e c e i v e a

MICHAEL

220

CHABDN

b l e s s i n g t h a t y o u , y o u w o u l d never, in y o u r p o w e r , in y o u r l e a r n i n g , w o u l d never be able t o bestow, honestly. N o t t h a t such an inability has ever h a m p e r e d y o u , in t h e p a s t , from offering i t . " " I can bless in o t h e r w a y s . " " L o o k at t h e m ! " "You look at t h e m . C o m e o u t of t h a t closet and look." " I ' v e s e e n t h e m , " s h e s a i d t h r o u g h h e r t e e t h . " A n d t h e y all have a t w i s t in t h e s o u l . " " B u t t h e y h i d e i t . O u t o f m o d e s t y a n d h u m i l i t y a n d t h e fear o f G o d , t h e y c l o t h e it. G o d c o m m a n d s us t o cover o u r h e a d s in H i s presence. N o t to stand bareheaded." S h e h e a r d t h e s c r a p e a n d c r e a k o f h i s c h a i r l e g a n d t h e shuffle o f h i s f e e t i n t h e i r s l i p p e r s . S h e h e a r d t h e w r e c k e d j o i n t o f h i s left h i p c r a c k a n d s n a p . H e g r u n t e d in p a i n . " T h a t is all I a s k o f M e n d e l , " h e c o n t i n u e d . " W h a t a m a n m a y t h i n k , w h a t h e feels, t h e s e h a v e n o i n t e r e s t , n o r e l e v a n c e t o m e , o r t o G o d . I t d o e s n ' t m a t t e r t o t h e w i n d w h e t h e r a flag is r e d o r i t ' s blue." "Or pink." T h e r e was a n o t h e r silence. T h i s one carried a lighter charge s o m e h o w , as if h e w a s c o m i n g t o a c o n c l u s i o n o r r e m e m b e r i n g h o w i t m i g h t h a v e felt a t o n e t i m e t o find a m u s e m e n t i n h e r l i t t l e j o k e . " I w i l l find h i m , " h e s a i d . " I w i l l s i t h i m d o w n a n d t e l l h i m w h a t I k n o w . E x p l a i n t o h i m t h a t as l o n g as h e o b e y s G o d a n d H i s c o m m a n d m e n t s a n d g i v e s r i g h t e o u s l y , t h e r e is a p l a c e for h i m h e r e . T h a t I w i l l n o t t u r n m y b a c k t o h i m first. T h a t t h e c h o i c e lies w i t h him to abandon us." " C a n a m a n b e a T z a d d i k H a - D o r b u t live h i d d e n from h i m s e l f and everyone around him?" "A T z a d d i k H a - D o r is a l w a y s h i d d e n . T h a t ' s a m a r k o f

his

nature. M a y b e I should explain that to him. Tell him that t h e s e — f e e l i n g s — h e e x p e r i e n c e s a n d s t r u g g l e s a g a i n s t a r e , i n a way, t h e p r o o f o f h i s fitness t o r u l e . " " M a y b e h e isn't r u n n i n g away from m a r r i a g e to this girl," she

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said. " M a y b e t h a t isn't w h a t f r i g h t e n s h i m . W h a t h e c a n ' t live w i t h . " T h e sentence she had never spoken to her h u s b a n d took u p its usual station at t h e t i p of h e r t o n g u e . She h a d b e e n c o m p o s i n g a n d r e f i n i n g a n d a b a n d o n i n g e l e m e n t s o f i t i n h e r m i n d for t h e p a s t forty years, like t h e stanzas of a p o e m w r i t t e n b y a p r i s o n e r d e n i e d t h e u s e o f p a p e r a n d p e n . " M a y b e t h e r e is a n o t h e r k i n d o f selfdeception he can't reconcile himself to living w i t h . " " H e h a s n o c h o i c e , " h e r h u s b a n d s a i d . " E v e n if h e h a s fallen i n t o u n b e l i e f . E v e n if i n s t a y i n g h e r e , h e r i s k s h y p o c r i s y o r c a n t . A m a n w i t h his t a l e n t s , his gifts, c a n n o t b e allowed t o m o v e a n d w o r k a n d h a z a r d his f o r t u n e o u t t h e r e in t h a t u n c l e a n w o r l d . H e w o u l d be a d a n g e r t o everyone. In p a r t i c u l a r t o himself." " T h a t wasn't the self-deception I m e a n t . I m e a n t the

kind

t h a t — t h a t V e r b o v e r s all e n g a g e i n . " Silence t h e n , o m i n o u s , n e i t h e r h e a v y n o r light, t h e v a s t silence of a dirigible before t h e s t a t i c spark. " I ' m n o t a w a r e , " he said, " o f any o t h e r s t h a t confront h i m . " S h e l e t h e r s e n t e n c e d r o p ; s h e h a d b e e n r u n n i n g i n t h e a i r for t o o l o n g b y t h e n t o l o o k d o w n for m o r e t h a n a s e c o n d . "So he m u s t be held here, t h e n , " she said. " W i t h or w i t h o u t his consent." "Believe m e , m y dear. A n d d o n o t m i s t a k e m e . T h e a l t e r n a t i v e w o u l d b e s o m e t h i n g far w o r s e . " She reeled a m o m e n t , t h e n r u s h e d from h e r d r e s s i n g r o o m t o see w h a t w a s i n h i s e y e s w h e n h e t h r e a t e n e d t h e life o f h i s o w n s o n , as s h e c o n s t r u e d i t , for t h e s i n o f b e i n g w h a t G o d h a d p l e a s e d t o m a k e h i m . B u t , s i l e n t as a d i r i g i b l e , h e h a d s a i l e d . I n s t e a d , s h e found only Betty, back to r e n e w the visitors' appeal. B e t t y was a g o o d s e r v a n t , b u t s h e h a d t h e F i l i p i n o k n a c k for t a k i n g i n t e n s e p l e a s u r e in s c a n d a l . She h a d a h a r d t i m e c o n c e a l i n g h e r d e l i g h t in the news she b r o u g h t . " O n e lady, m i s s u s , s a y s h e b r i n g i n g a m e s s a g e f r o m M e n d e l , " B e t t y said. "Say, s o r r y , h e ' s n o t c o m i n g h o m e . N o w e d d i n g t o d a y ! " " H e ' s c o m i n g h o m e , " M r s . S h p i l m a n said,

fighting

the wish to

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s l a p B e t t y ' s face. " M e n d e l w o u l d n e v e r . . . " S h e s t o p p e d h e r s e l f b e f o r e s h e c o u l d s a y t h e w o r d s : Mendel saying

would never leave

without

goodbye.

T h e w o m a n b e a r i n g a m e s s a g e from h e r son w a s n o t a Verbover. S h e w a s a m o d e r n J e w e s s , d r e s s e d m o d e s t l y o u t o f r e s p e c t for t h e n e i g h b o r h o o d in a l o n g p a t t e r n e d skirt a n d a stylish d a r k cloak. T e n o r fifteen y e a r s o l d e r t h a n M r s . S h p i l m a n . A d a r k - e y e d , d a r k haired w o m a n w h o at o n e t i m e m u s t have been v e r y beautiful. She j u m p e d u p from t h e w i n g chair b y t h e w i n d o w w h e n M r s . Shpilman c a m e i n , a n d g a v e h e r n a m e as B r u k h . H e r f r i e n d w a s a p l u m p t h i n g , p i o u s b y t h e look of her, p e r h a p s Satmar, in a long black dress with black stockings and a broad-brimmed hat pulled down over an inferior shaydl. H e r stockings bagged, and t h e rhinestone b u c k l e o n h e r h a t b a n d , p o o r t h i n g , w a s c o m i n g u n g l u e d . T h e veil b u n c h e d a t t h e u p p e r left i n a w a y t h a t s t r u c k M r s . S h p i l m a n as p i t e o u s . L o o k i n g a t t h i s b e r e f t c r e a t u r e , s h e f o r g o t for a m o m e n t t h e awful n e w s t h a t h a d b r o u g h t t h e t w o w o m e n t o h e r house. A b l e s s i n g w e l l e d u p i n s i d e o f h e r w i t h a f o r c e so u r g e n t s h e c o u l d b a r e l y c o n t a i n it. S h e w a n t e d t o t a k e t h e s h a b b y w o m a n in h e r a r m s a n d kiss h e r in a w a y t h a t lasted, t h a t b u r n e d sadness a w a y S h e w o n d e r e d if t h a t w a s h o w i t felt t o b e M e n d e l all t h e t i m e . " W h a t is t h i s n o n s e n s e ? " s h e s a i d . " S i t d o w n . " "I'm

very

sorry, M r s . S h p i l m a n , " said t h e B r u k h

woman,

r e s u m i n g h e r s e a t , p e r c h e d o n t h e e d g e as if t o s h o w t h a t s h e d i d n o t p l a n t o stay. " H a v e you seen M e n d e l ? " "Yes." " A n d w h e r e is h e ? " " H e ' s s t a y i n g w i t h a f r i e n d . H e w o n ' t b e t h e r e for l o n g . " "He's coming back." "No.

N o , I ' m sorry, M r s . S h p i l m a n . B u t y o u will b e able t o reach

M e n d e l t h r o u g h this person. Whenever you need to. Wherever he goes." " W h a t p e r s o n , t e l l m e ? W h o is t h i s f r i e n d ? "

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"If I tell y o u , y o u have t o p r o m i s e t o k e e p t h e i n f o r m a t i o n t o yourself. O t h e r w i s e , M e n d e l s a y s " — s h e g l a n c e d a t h e r f r i e n d as if h o p i n g for s o m e m o r a l s u p p o r t t o g e t p a s t t h e n e x t s e v e n w o r d s — " y o u will never h e a r from h i m a g a i n . " " B u t m y d e a r , I n e v e r want

to hear from h i m a g a i n , " M r s .

S h p i l m a n said. " S o t h e r e ' s really n o p o i n t in telling m e w h e r e h e is, is t h e r e ? " "I suppose n o t . " " O n l y t h a t if y o u d o n ' t t e l l m e w h e r e h e i s , a n d n o n o n s e n s e , I will have y o u s e n t over t o R u d a s h e v s k y ' s G a r a g e a n d let t h e m g e t t h e information o u t of y o u t h e w a y t h e y like to d o i t . " " O h , now, I ' m n o t afraid of y o u , " said t h e B r u k h w o m a n w i t h an a s t o n i s h i n g h i n t of a s m i l e in h e r voice. " N o ? A n d w h y is t h a t ? " "Because Mendel told me not to be." S h e c o u l d feel t h e r e a s s u r a n c e , c a t c h t h e e c h o o f i t i n t h e B r u k h woman's voice a n d manner. A n air of teasing, of t h e playfulness t h a t M e n d e l i m p o s e d o n all o f h i s d e a l i n g s w i t h h i s m o t h e r , a n d w i t h his d r e a d father, too. M r s . S h p i l m a n h a d always t h o u g h t of it as a d e v i l i n s i d e o f h i m , b u t n o w s h e s a w t h a t i t m i g h t b e s i m p l y a m e a n s o f s u r v i v a l , p r o t e c t i o n . F e a t h e r s for t h e l i t t l e b i r d . " H e ' s a fine o n e t o t a l k a b o u t n o t b e i n g a f r a i d . R u n n i n g a w a y from his d u t y a n d his family like this. W h y d o e s n ' t h e w o r k s o m e of t h a t m a g i c of his o n h i m s e l f ? T e l l m e t h a t . D r a g his pitiful, c o w a r d l y self b a c k h e r e a n d s p a r e h i s f a m i l y a w o r l d o f d i s g r a c e and embarrassment, not to mention a beautiful, innocent girl." " H e w o u l d if h e c o u l d , " t h e B r u k h w o m a n s a i d , a n d t h e w i d o w beside her, w h o h a d said n o t h i n g , heaved a sigh. " I really d o believe that, Mrs. Shpilman." " A n d w h y c a n ' t he? T e l l m e t h a t . " "You know." "I don't know anything." B u t s h e d i d k n o w . A p p a r e n t l y , so d i d t h e s e t w o s t r a n g e w o m e n w h o h a d c o m e t o w a t c h h e r cry. M r s . S h p i l m a n d r o p p e d i n t o a w h i t e -

224

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p a i n t e d Louis XIV chair w i t h a n e e d l e p o i n t c u s h i o n , heedless of creases t h a t t h i s s u d d e n p l u n g e m a d e in t h e silk of h e r d r e s s . She c o v e r e d h e r face w i t h h e r h a n d s a n d c r i e d . F o r t h e s h a m e a n d t h e indignity. For t h e r u i n a t i o n of m o n t h s , a n d years, of p l a n n i n g and hopes and discussion, the endless embassies and back-andforth b e t w e e n t h e c o u r t s of Verbov and S h t r a k e n z . But mostly, s h e c o n f e s s e s , s h e c r i e d for h e r s e l f . B e c a u s e s h e h a d d e t e r m i n e d w i t h h e r c u s t o m a r y r e s o l v e t h a t s h e w o u l d n e v e r see h e r only, beloved, r o t t e n son again. W h a t a selfish w o m a n ! I t w a s o n l y l a t e r t h a t s h e t h o u g h t t o s p a r e a m o m e n t ' s r e g r e t for t h e w o r l d t h a t M e n d e l w o u l d n e v e r redeem. A f t e r M r s . S h p i l m a n h a d b e e n c r y i n g for a m i n u t e o r t w o , t h e f r u m p y w i d o w rose from t h e o t h e r w i n g chair a n d c a m e t o s t a n d b e s i d e her. " P l e a s e , " she said in a h e a v y voice, a n d p u t a p l u m p h a n d on Mrs.

S h p i l m a n ' s a r m , a h a n d w h o s e k n u c k l e s w e r e c o v e r e d i n fine

g o l d e n hair. It w a s h a r d t o believe t h a t o n l y t w e n t y years ago, M r s . S h p i l m a n h a d b e e n a b l e t o fit t h e e n t i r e t h i n g i n t o h e r m o u t h . " Y o u ' r e p l a y i n g g a m e s , " M r s . S h p i l m a n said, once she h a d r e g a i n e d t h e p o w e r of r a t i o n a l t h o u g h t . In t h e w a k e of t h e initial s h o c k , w h i c h s t o p p e d h e r h e a r t , s h e felt a s t r a n g e s e n s e o f relief. If M e n d e l w a s n i n e layers d e e p , t h e n e i g h t of t h o s e layers w e r e p u r e g o o d n e s s . G o o d n e s s far b e t t e r t h a n s h e a n d h e r

husband,

h a r d p e o p l e w h o h a d s u r v i v e d a n d p r o s p e r e d in a h a r d world, could h a v e e n g e n d e r e d f r o m t h e i r o w n flesh w i t h o u t s o m e k i n d o f d i v i n e i n t e r c e s s i o n . B u t t h e i n n e r m o s t layer, t h e n i n t h l a y e r o f M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , was a n d always h a d been a devil, a shkotz t h a t liked to give h e a r t attacks t o his m o t h e r . "You're playing g a m e s ! " "No." H e lifted t h e v e i l a n d l e t h e r see t h e p a i n , t h e u n c e r t a i n t y . S h e s a w t h a t h e f e a r e d h e w a s m a k i n g a g r a v e m i s t a k e . S h e r e c o g n i z e d as h e r o w n t h e d e t e r m i n a t i o n w i t h w h i c h h e was willing t o m a k e it.

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M a m a , " M e n d e l said. " I c a m e t o say g o o d b y e . " T h e n ,

r e a d i n g t h e e x p r e s s i o n o n h e r face, w i t h a s h a k y s m i l e : " A n d n o , I'm not a transvestite." "Aren't you?" "No!" "You look like a t r a n s v e s t i t e t o m e . " "A n o t e d e x p e r t . " " I w a n t y o u o u t of t h i s h o u s e . " B u t s h e o n l y w a n t e d h i m t o stay, h i d d e n on her side of t h e h o u s e , d r e s s e d in t h a t f r u m p y rag, h e r b a b y , h e r p r i n c e l i n g , h e r d e v i l i s h boy. "I'm going." " I n e v e r w a n t t o see y o u a g a i n . I d o n ' t w a n t t o call y o u , I d o n ' t w a n t y o u t o call m e . I d o n ' t w a n t t o k n o w w h e r e y o u a r e . " S h e h a d o n l y t o s u m m o n h e r h u s b a n d , a n d M e n d e l w o u l d stay. In s o m e w a y t h a t w a s n o m o r e u n t h i n k a b l e t h a n t h e u n d e r l y i n g facts o f h e r c o m f o r t a b l e life, t h e y w o u l d m a k e h i m stay. "All r i g h t , M a m a , " h e s a i d . " D o n ' t call m e t h a t . " "All r i g h t , M r s . S h p i l m a n , " h e s a i d , a n d i n h i s m o u t h i t s o u n d e d a f f e c t i o n a t e , familiar. S h e s t a r t e d t o c r y a g a i n . " B u t j u s t s o y o u know. I ' m staying w i t h a friend." W a s t h e r e a l o v e r ? W a s i t p o s s i b l e for h i m t o h a v e l e d a life so secret? "A ' f r i e n d ' ? " s h e s a i d . "An o l d f r i e n d . H e ' s j u s t h e l p i n g m e . M r s . B r u k h h e r e is h e l p i n g me,

too." " M e n d e l saved m y life," said M r s . B r u k h . " O n c e u p o n a t i m e . " " B i g d e a l , " s a i d M r s . S h p i l m a n . " S o h e s a v e d y o u r life. A l o t o f

good it d i d h i m . " "Mrs.

S h p i l m a n , " said M e n d e l . H e t o o k h e r h a n d s a n d clasped

t h e m t i g h t l y b e t w e e n his o w n w a r m p a l m s . H i s skin b u r n e d t w o degrees h o t t e r t h a n everyone else's. W h e n y o u t o o k his t e m p e r a t u r e , the t h e r m o m e t e r read 100.6.

22G

MICHAEL

CHABDN

" G e t y o u r h a n d s off m e , " s h e m a n a g e d t o say. " N o w . " H e kissed h e r o n t h e t o p of t h e h e a d , a n d even t h r o u g h t h e layer of alien hair, t h e i m p r i n t of t h a t kiss s e e m e d t o linger. T h e n h e let go of h e r h a n d s , l o w e r e d his veil, a n d l u m b e r e d o u t of t h e r o o m , hose sagging, w i t h the Brukh w o m a n h u r r y i n g out behind him. Mrs.

S h p i l m a n s a t i n t h e L o u i s X I V c h a i r for a l o n g t i m e , h o u r s ,

y e a r s . A c o l d n e s s filled h e r , a n i c y d i s g u s t for C r e a t i o n , for G o d a n d H i s m i s b e g o t t e n w o r k s . A t first t h e h o r r o r s h e felt s e e m e d t o b e a r u p o n h e r son a n d t h e sin t h a t h e w a s refusing t o s u r r e n d e r , b u t t h e n i t t u r n e d i n t o a h o r r o r for herself. S h e c o n s i d e r e d t h e c r i m e s a n d h u r t s t h a t h a d b e e n c o m m i t t e d t o h e r b e n e f i t , a n d all o f t h a t e v i l o n l y a d r o p o f w a t e r i n a g r e a t b l a c k sea. A n awful p l a c e , t h i s sea, t h i s gulf b e t w e e n t h e I n t e n t i o n a n d t h e A c t t h a t p e o p l e called " t h e w o r l d . " M e n d e l ' s flight w a s n o t a refusal t o s u r r e n d e r ; it was a s u r r e n d e r . T h e T z a d d i k H a - D o r was t e n d e r i n g his resignation. H e c o u l d n o t b e w h a t t h a t w o r l d a n d its J e w s , in t h e rain w i t h their h e a r t a c h e s a n d their umbrellas, w a n t e d h i m to be, w h a t his m o t h e r and father w a n t e d h i m to be. H e could n o t even be w h a t he w a n t e d h i m s e l f t o b e . S h e h o p e d — s i t t i n g t h e r e , s h e p r a y e d — t h a t o n e day, a t least, h e m i g h t find a w a y t o b e w h a t h e w a s . A s s o o n as t h e p r a y e r flew u p w a r d f r o m h e r h e a r t , s h e m i s s e d h e r s o n . S h e l o n g e d for h e r s o n . S h e r e p r o a c h e d h e r s e l f b i t t e r l y for having sent Mendel away without

first

finding

out where he was

s t a y i n g , w h e r e h e w o u l d g o , h o w she c o u l d see h i m o r h e a r his voice from t i m e t o t i m e . T h e n she o p e n e d t h e h a n d s h e h a d enfolded a last t i m e in his, a n d found, c u r l e d in h e r r i g h t p a l m , a t i n y l e n g t h of string.

• 3 ) 2B

Y

e s , " she says, " I h e a r d from h i m . F r o m t i m e t o t i m e . I d o n ' t w a n t this to s o u n d cynical, D e t e c t i v e , b u t it was usually w h e n h e was in t r o u b l e or n e e d e d money. C i r c u m s t a n c e s t h a t , in M e n d e l ' s

c a s e , m a y h i s n a m e b e for a b l e s s i n g , t e n d e d t o c o i n c i d e . " " W h e n was t h e last t i m e ? " " E a r l i e r t h i s year. L a s t s p r i n g . Yes, I r e m e m b e r it w a s t h e d a y before Erev Pesach." "So, April. A r o u n d — " T h e lady R u d a s h e v s k y takes o u t a fancy Shoyfer M a z i k , starts pressing b u t t o n s , a n d comes u p w i t h t h e d a t e of t h e day p r e c e d i n g t h e first e v e n i n g o f P a s s o v e r . L a n d s m a n r e m a r k s , a l i t t l e s t a r t l e d , t h a t i t w a s a l s o t h e l a s t full d a y o f h i s s i s t e r ' s life. " W h e r e was he calling from?" " M a y b e a hospital. I d o n ' t know. I could hear a public address, a l o u d s p e a k e r , in t h e b a c k g r o u n d . M e n d e l said h e w a s g o i n g t o d i s a p p e a r . T h a t h e h a d t o d i s a p p e a r for a w h i l e , t h a t h e w o u l d n ' t b e able t o call. H e a s k e d m e t o s e n d m o n e y t o a b o x d o w n in P o v o r o t n y that he sometimes used." " D i d he sound afraid?" T h e veil t r e m b l e s like a t h e a t e r c u r t a i n , s e c r e t m o t i o n s t a k i n g p l a c e o n i t s o t h e r s i d e . S h e n o d s slowly.

228

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" D i d h e say w h y h e n e e d e d t o d i s a p p e a r ? D i d h e say s o m e b o d y was after h i m ? " " I d o n ' t t h i n k so. N o . J u s t t h a t h e n e e d e d m o n e y a n d h e w a s going to disappear." "And that's it." "As far as I —

N o . Yes. I a s k e d h i m if h e w a s e a t i n g .

He

s o m e t i m e s — T h e y forget to e a t . " "I know it." " A n d h e t o l d m e , ' D o n ' t w o r r y , ' h e says, 'I j u s t a t e a w h o l e b i g piece of c h e r r y p i e . ' " " P i e , " L a n d s m a n says. " C h e r r y p i e . " "Does that mean something to you?" " Y o u n e v e r k n o w , " h e s a y s , b u t h e c a n feel h i s r i b c a g e r i n g i n g u n d e r t h e m a l l e t of his h e a r t . " M r s . S h p i l m a n , y o u said y o u heard a l o u d s p e a k e r . D o y o u t h i n k h e m i g h t have b e e n calling from an airport?" " N o w t h a t you m e n t i o n it, yes." T h e car slows a n d stops. L a n d s m a n sits forward a n d looks o u t t h r o u g h t h e s m o k e d glass. T h e y ' r e in front of t h e H o t e l Zamenhof. Mrs.

Shpilman drops her window with a b u t t o n , and the gray

a f t e r n o o n b l o w s i n t o t h e car. S h e r a i s e s t h e v e i l a n d p e e r s u p a t t h e face o f t h e h o t e l . S h e s t a r e s a t i t for a l o n g t i m e . A p a i r o f seedy m e n , alcoholics, o n e of w h o m L a n d s m a n once p r e v e n t e d f r o m a c c i d e n t a l l y u r i n a t i n g i n t o t h e o t h e r ' s t r o u s e r cuff, s t a g g e r o u t of t h e hotel's lobby slung against each other, a h u m a n lean-to t h r o w n u p against t h e rain. T h e y p u t on a vaudeville with a sheet o f n e w s p a p e r a n d t h e w i n d , t h e n l u r c h off i n t o t h e n i g h t , a c o u p l e of t a t t e r e d m o t h s . T h e q u e e n of V e r b o v I s l a n d lowers t h e veil a g a i n a n d p u t s h e r w i n d o w u p . L a n d s m a n c a n feel t h e r e p r o a c h f u l q u e s t i o n s b u r n i n g t h r o u g h t h e black tissue. H o w can he stand to live in s u c h a d u m p ? W h y d i d n ' t h e d o a b e t t e r j o b of p r o t e c t i n g h e r son? " W h o t o l d y o u t h a t I lived h e r e ? " h e t h i n k s t o ask her. " Y o u r son-in-law?"

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he d i d n ' t m e n t i o n it. I h e a r d a b o u t it from t h e o t h e r

Detective Landsman. T h e one you used to be married to." "She told you about me?" "She telephoned today Once, m a n y years ago, we had

some

trouble with a man who was hurting women. A very bad man, a s i c k m a n . T h i s w a s b a c k i n t h e H a r k a v y , o n S. A n s k y S t r e e t . T h e w o m e n w h o had been h u r t didn't w a n t to talk to t h e police. Your ex-wife w a s v e r y helpful t o m e t h e n , a n d I ' m still in h e r d e b t . She is a g o o d w o m a n . A g o o d p o l i c e w o m a n . " " N o doubt about it." " S h e s u g g e s t e d t o m e t h a t if y o u h a p p e n e d t o c o m e a r o u n d , I w o u l d n ' t b e e n t i r e l y m i s t a k e n in p u t t i n g s o m e confidence

in

you." " T h a t w a s n i c e o f h e r , " L a n d s m a n says w i t h p e r f e c t s i n c e r i t y . "She spoke m o r e highly of you than I would have i m a g i n e d . " " L i k e y o u said, m a ' a m . She's a g o o d w o m a n . " " B u t y o u left h e r a n y w a y . " " N o t because she was a good w o m a n . " "Because you were a bad man?" " I t h i n k I w a s , " L a n d s m a n says. " S h e w a s t o o p o l i t e t o s a y s o . " " I t h a s b e e n m a n y y e a r s , " M r s . S h p i l m a n says. " B u t as I r e c a l l , politeness was n o t a great s t r e n g t h of t h a t Jewess." She p u s h e s t h e b u t t o n t h a t unlocks t h e door. L a n d s m a n o p e n s t h e d o o r a n d climbs d o w n from t h e b a c k of t h e l i m o u s i n e . "At a n y r a t e , I ' m glad t h a t I h a d n ' t seen this dreadful h o t e l before now, or I never w o u l d have let you anywhere near m e . " "It's n o t m u c h , " L a n d s m a n says, rain p a t t e r i n g t h e b r i m of his hat. " B u t it's h o m e . " "No,

i t i s n ' t , " B a t s h e v a S h p i l m a n says. " B u t I ' m s u r e i t m a k e s

i t e a s i e r for y o u t o t h i n k s o . "

• §

T

27

h e Y i d d i s h P o l i c e m e n ' s U n i o n , ' " says t h e p i e m a n . H e p e e r s at L a n d s m a n across t h e steel c o u n t e r of his shop, c r o s s i n g h i s a r m s t o s h o w t h a t h e is w i s e t o t h e s t r a t a g e m s o f

J e w s . H e n a r r o w s h i s e y e s as i f h e ' s t r y i n g t o s p o t a t y p o g r a p h i c a l e r r o r o n t h e face o f a c o u n t e r f e i t R o l e x . L a n d s m a n ' s A m e r i c a n is just good enough to make him sound suspect. "That's right," Landsman

says. H e w i s h e s t h e r e w e r e n ' t

a

c o r n e r m i s s i n g from his m e m b e r s h i p c a r d in t h e S i t k a c h a p t e r of t h e H a n d s of Esau, t h e international fraternal organization

of

J e w i s h p o l i c e m e n . I t h a s a s i x - p o i n t s h i e l d i n o n e c o r n e r . I t s t e x t is p r i n t e d in Yiddish. It carries n o a u t h o r i t y or w e i g h t , n o t even w i t h L a n d s m a n , a m e m b e r i n g o o d s t a n d i n g for t w e n t y y e a r s . " W e ' r e all over t h e w o r l d . " " T h a t d o e s n ' t s u r p r i s e m e o n e b i t , " t h e p i e m a n says w i t h a show of asperity. " B u t , mister, I only serve pie." " A r e y o u e a t i n g p i e o r a r e n ' t y o u ? " says t h e p i e m a n ' s wife. L i k e h e r h u s b a n d , s h e is a m p l e a n d p a l e . H e r h a i r is t h e c o l o r l e s s c o l o r o f a s h e e t o f foil u n d e r a w a n l i g h t . T h e d a u g h t e r is in the back among the berries and the crusts. T o the bush pilots, h u n t e r s , r e s c u e c r e w s , a n d o t h e r r e g u l a r s w h o f r e q u e n t t h e airfield

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a t Yakovy, i t ' s c o n s i d e r e d a p i e c e o f l u c k t o s p o t t h e p i e m a n ' s d a u g h t e r . L a n d s m a n h a s n ' t s e e n h e r for y e a r s . " I f y o u d o n ' t w a n t a n y p i e , t h e r e is n o e a r t h l y r e a s o n t o b e w a s t i n g y o u r t i m e a t t h i s window. People behind you have planes to c a t c h . " She takes t h e c a r d from h e r h u s b a n d a n d h a n d s it b a c k

to

L a n d s m a n . H e d o e s n o t b l a m e h e r for h e r r u d e n e s s . T h e Y a k o v y airfield is a k e y s t a t i o n o n t h e n o r t h e r n r o u t e o f t h e

world's

shysters, c h a r l a t a n s , grift d o c t o r s , a n d real e s t a t e hacks. P o a c h e r s , smugglers, wayward

Russians.

Drug

mules,

Native

criminals,

Yankee h a r d cases. T h e Yakovy j u r i s d i c t i o n has n e v e r q u i t e b e e n d e f i n e d . J e w s , I n d i a n s , a n d K l o n d i k e s all m a k e t h e i r c l a i m s . H e r p i e has greater moral character t h a n half her clientele. T h e pie lady has no reason t o t r u s t or to coddle L a n d s m a n , w i t h his g i m c r a c k card and a shaved p a t c h on t h e back of his head. Still, her r u d e n e s s g i v e s h i m a s h a r p p a n g o f r e g r e t for t h e l o s s o f h i s b a d g e . I f L a n d s m a n h a d a b a d g e , h e w o u l d say, The people behind me can go fuck themselves, lady, and you can give yourself

a nice thick

boysenberry

high colonic. I n s t e a d , h e m a k e s a s h o w o f c o n s i d e r i n g t h e i n d i v i d u a l s g a t h e r e d in a m o d e r a t e l y l o n g line b e h i n d h i m . F i s h e r m a n , k a y a k e r s , small b u s i n e s s m e n , s o m e c o r p o r a t e t y p e s . Each of t h e m c o m e s u p w i t h a noise or b i t of e y e b r o w s e m a p h o r e t o s h o w t h a t h e is e a g e r for p i e a n d l o s i n g p a t i e n c e w i t h L a n d s m a n a n d his dog-eared credentials. " I will have a piece of t h e a p p l e c r u m b l e , " L a n d s m a n says. " O f which I have fond m e m o r i e s . " " T h e c r u m b l e is m y f a v o r i t e , " says t h e w i f e , s o f t e n i n g a l i t t l e . She sends her h u s b a n d to t h e back c o u n t e r w i t h a nod. T h e c r u m b l e is t h e r e o n a g l e a m i n g p e d e s t a l , a f r e s h o n e , u n c u t . " C o f f e e ? " "Yes,

please."

" À la m o d e ? " "No,

thanks." Landsman

slides t h e p h o t o g r a p h

of

Mendel

Shpilman across t h e counter. " W h a t a b o u t you? Ever seen h i m ? " T h e w o m a n eyes t h e p h o t o w i t h each h a n d t u c k e d

carefully

232

MICHAEL

CHABON

into t h e opposite a r m p i t . L a n d s m a n gauges that she recognizes S h p i l m a n r i g h t away. T h e n s h e t u r n s t o t a k e f r o m h e r h u s b a n d a p a p e r p l a t e l a d e n w i t h a slice of c r u m b l e . She sets it on a t r a y w i t h a s m a l l S t y r o f o a m c u p o f coffee a n d a p l a s t i c fork r o l l e d u p i n a paper napkin. " T w o - f i f t y , " s h e says. " G o s i t b y t h e b e a r . " T h e b e a r w a s s h o t b y y i d s of t h e sixties. D o c t o r s , from t h e look of t h e m , in ski caps a n d P e n d l e t o n s . T h e y b r i m w i t h t h e o d d , b e s p e c t a c l e d m a n l i n e s s of t h a t g o l d e n p e r i o d in t h e h i s t o r y of t h e D i s t r i c t of S i t k a . A c a r d , t y p e d in Y i d d i s h a n d A m e r i c a n , is p i n n e d t o t h e w a l l u n d e r n e a t h t h e p h o t o g r a p h o f t h e f a t a l five m e n . I t says t h a t t h e bear, s h o t n e a r L i s i a n s k i , w a s a 3 . 7 - m e t e r , f o u r - h u n d r e d - k i l o b r o w n . O n l y i t s s k e l e t o n is p r e s e r v e d i n s i d e t h e glass case b e s i d e w h i c h L a n d s m a n sits d o w n w i t h his slice of a p p l e c r u m b l e a n d h i s c u p o f coffee. H e h a s s a t h e r e m a n y t i m e s in t h e p a s t , c o n t e m p l a t i n g t h i s t e r r i b l e i v o r y x y l o p h o n e over a piece of pie. M o s t recently, he sat h e r e w i t h his sister, m a y b e a year before she died. H e w a s w o r k i n g t h e G o r s e t m a c h e r case. She h a d j u s t d r o p p e d off a p a r t y o f f i s h e r m e n c o m i n g i n f r o m

the

bush. L a n d s m a n t h i n k s a b o u t N a o m i . I t is a l u x u r y , l i k e a slice o f p i e . I t is as d a n g e r o u s a n d w e l c o m e as a d r i n k . H e i n v e n t s d i a l o g u e for N a o m i , t h e w o r d s w i t h which she m i g h t m o c k and ridicule him if s h e w e r e h e r e . F o r h i s s a n g u i n a r y r o l l i n t h e s n o w w i t h t h o s e Z i l b e r b l a t i d i o t s . F o r d r i n k i n g g i n g e r ale w i t h a p i o u s old lady in t h e b a c k of t h a t h y p e r t r o p h i e d four-by-four. For t h i n k i n g he could outlast his d r i n k i n g p r o b l e m and stay h y p e d long enough t o find t h e k i l l e r o f M e n d e l S h p i l m a n . F o r t h e loss o f h i s b a d g e . F o r l a c k i n g t h e n e c e s s a r y o u t r a g e a b o u t R e v e r s i o n , for h a v i n g n o s t a n c e t o w a r d i t . N a o m i c l a i m e d t h a t s h e h a t e d J e w s for t h e i r m e e k s u b m i s s i o n t o f a t e , for t h e t r u s t t h e y p u t i n G o d o r t h e g e n t i l e s . But t h e n N a o m i h a d a stance t o w a r d everything. She policed and m a i n t a i n e d h e r s t a n c e s ; buffed a n d c u r a t e d t h e m . She w o u l d also,

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L a n d s m a n t h i n k s , h a v e c r i t i c i z e d h i s c h o i c e n o t t o t a k e h i s p i e à la mode. " T h e Y i d d i s h P o l i c e m e n ' s U n i o n , " says t h e p i e m a n ' s d a u g h t e r , s i t t i n g d o w n o n t h e b e n c h b e s i d e L a n d s m a n . S h e h a s t a k e n off h e r apron a n d w a s h e d her hands. Above t h e elbows, h e r freckled a r m s a r e d u s t e d w i t h flour. T h e r e is flour i n h e r b l o n d e y e b r o w s . S h e w e a r s h e r h a i r t i e d b a c k i n a b l a c k e l a s t i c . S h e is a h a u n t i n g l y p l a i n w o m a n w i t h w a t e r y b l u e e y e s , a b o u t L a n d s m a n ' s a g e . S h e g i v e s off a smell of b u t t e r , tobacco, a n d a sour t a n g of d o u g h t h a t he

finds

weirdly erotic. She lights a m e n t h o l c i g a r e t t e a n d sends a j e t of smoke toward him. "That's a new one." She tucks t h e c i g a r e t t e i n t o her m o u t h a n d holds o u t her h a n d to take the m e m b e r s h i p card. She p r e t e n d s n o t to struggle w i t h its t e x t . " I c a n r e a d Y i d d i s h , y o u k n o w , " s h e says finally. " I t ' s n o t l i k e it's fucking A z t e c or w h a t e v e r . " " I r e a l l y a m a p o l i c e m a n , " L a n d s m a n says. " I ' m j u s t m a k i n g a p r i v a t e i n q u i r y t o d a y . T h a t is w h y I d o n ' t u s e t h e b a d g e . " " S h o w m e t h e p i c t u r e , " s h e says. L a n d s m a n h a n d s h e r

the

m u g s h o t of M e n d e l S h p i l m a n . She n o d s , a n d t h e c a r a p a c e of h e r weariness splits along a m o m e n t a r y seam. "Miss, you knew him?" She hands back

the mug

shot.

Shakes her

head, makes

a

d i s m i s s i v e f r o w n . " W h a t h a p p e n e d t o h i m ? " s h e says. " H e w a s m u r d e r e d , " L a n d s m a n says. " S h o t i n t h e h e a d . " " T h a t ' s h a r s h , " s h e says. " O h , J e s u s . " L a n d s m a n t a k e s a fresh p a c k a g e of t i s s u e s from t h e p o c k e t of his overcoat a n d passes t h e m t o her. She b l o w s h e r n o s e a n d t h e n balls u p t h e tissue in h e r

fist.

" H o w d i d y o u k n o w h i m ? " L a n d s m a n says. " I g a v e h i m a r i d e , " s h e says. " O n e t i m e . T h a t ' s i t . " "To where?" "A m o t e l d o w n o n R o u t e T h r e e . I l i k e d h i m . H e w a s funny. H e w a s s w e e t . K i n d o f h o m e l y . K i n d o f a m e s s . H e t o l d m e h e h a d a,

234

MICHAEL

CHABDN

you know, a problem. W i t h drugs. But that he was trying to get better. H e s e e m e d — H e just had this way about h i m . " "Comforting?" " M m . N o . H e w a s j u s t , u h , really, I d o n ' t k n o w .

R e a l l y there.

F o r like an hour, I t h o u g h t I w a s in love w i t h h i m . " " B u t you weren't really?" " I g u e s s I n e v e r r e a l l y g o t t h e c h a n c e t o find o u t . " " D i d y o u h a v e sex w i t h h i m ? " " Y o u ' r e a c o p , all r i g h t , " s h e says. "A ' n o z , ' i s n ' t t h a t i t ? " "That's right." "No,

I d i d n ' t h a v e sex w i t h h i m . I w a n t e d to. I i n v i t e d myself

i n t o t h e m o t e l r o o m w i t h h i m . I g u e s s I k i n d of, l i k e , y o u k n o w . T h r e w myself at h i m . T h a t ' s n o reflection on h i m . Like I said, he w a s s u p e r nice a n d all, b u t h e was a mess. H i s t e e t h . Anyway, I guess he picked u p on it." "Picked up on what?" " T h a t I — I have a little b i t of a p r o b l e m , too. W h e n I get a r o u n d m e n . T h a t ' s w h y I d o n ' t really basically get a r o u n d t h e m a lot. D o n ' t get a n y ideas, I d o n ' t like y o u at all." "No,

ma'am."

"I did therapy, twelve-step. I got born again. T h e only thing t h a t really helped was baking pies." " N o w o n d e r t h e y ' r e so g o o d . " "Ha." " H e d i d n ' t t a k e y o u u p o n y o u r offer." " H e wouldn't. H e was very sweet. H e b u t t o n e d u p m y shirt. I felt l i k e a l i t t l e g i r l . T h e n h e g a v e m e s o m e t h i n g . S o m e t h i n g h e said t h a t I could k e e p . " " W h a t was that?" S h e l o w e r s h e r g a z e , a n d b l o o d c o l o r s h e r face so d e e p l y , L a n d s m a n can a l m o s t hear t h e h u m of it. H e r next w o r d s c o m e o u t thick and whispery. " H i s b l e s s i n g , " s h e says. T h e n , m o r e clearly, " H e s a i d h e w a s giving m e his blessing."

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POLICEMEN'S

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235

" I ' m fairly c e r t a i n h e w a s g a y , " L a n d s m a n s a y s . " B y t h e w a y . " " I k n o w , " s h e says. " H e t o l d m e . H e d i d n ' t u s e t h a t w o r d . H e d i d n ' t r e a l l y u s e a n y w o r d , o r if h e d i d , I d o n ' t r e m e m b e r i t . I t h i n k w h a t h e s a i d , i t w a s t h a t h e d i d n ' t c a r e t o bother with it a n y m o r e . H e said h e r o i n w a s s i m p l e r a n d m o r e reliable. H e r o i n a n d c h e c k e r s . " "Chess. H e played chess." " W h a t e v e r . I still g o t his blessing, r i g h t ? " She seems to need t h e answer to this q u e s t i o n to be yes. " Y e s , " L a n d s m a n says. " F u n n y l i t t l e Jew. T h e f r e a k y t h i n g i s , I d o n ' t k n o w . I t k i n d o f like, w o r k e d . " "What worked?" " T h e blessing. I m e a n , I h a v e a b o y f r i e n d now. A real o n e . W e ' r e totally d a t i n g , it's v e r y s t r a n g e . " " I ' m h a p p y for y o u b o t h , " L a n d s m a n s a y s , f e e l i n g a s t a b o f e n v y o f h e r , o f all t h e s e p e o p l e w h o w e r e l u c k y e n o u g h t o h a v e M e n d e l S h p i l m a n lay a b l e s s i n g o n t h e m . H e t h i n k s o f all t h e t i m e s h e m u s t h a v e w a l k e d r i g h t p a s t M e n d e l , all t h e c h a n c e s t h a t h e m i s s e d . " S o , y o u ' r e saying, w h e n you gave h i m t h e ride t o t h e m o t e l , it was j u s t a, w e l l , a p i c k u p . I t w a s j u s t b e c a u s e y o u — y o u w e r e p l a n n i n g t o , you know." " J u m p his bones? N o . " She steps on t h e c i g a r e t t e w i t h t h e toe o f h e r s h e e p s k i n b o o t . " I t w a s a favor. F o r a f r i e n d o f m i n e . D r i v i n g h i m , I m e a n . S h e k n e w t h e g u y . F r a n k , s h e c a l l e d h i m . S h e flew h i m in h e r e from s o m e w h e r e . She w a s a p i l o t . S h e a s k e d m e t o give h i m a lift, h e l p h i m find a p l a c e t o stay. S o m e p l a c e l o w t o t h e g r o u n d , she said. So, w h a t e v e r , I said I w o u l d . " " N a o m i , " L a n d s m a n says. " T h a t w a s y o u r f r i e n d ? " " U h - h u h . You k n e w h e r ? " " I k n o w h o w m u c h s h e l i k e d p i e , " L a n d s m a n says. " T h i s F r a n k , he was a client of hers?" " I g u e s s so. I d o n ' t r e a l l y k n o w . I d i d n ' t a s k . B u t t h e y flew i n h e r e t o g e t h e r . H e m u s t h a v e h i r e d h e r . Y o u c o u l d p r o b a b l y find t h a t o u t w i t h t h a t fancy card y o u ' r e c a r r y i n g . "

23G

MICHAEL

CHABON

L a n d s m a n feels a n u m b n e s s e n t e r h i s l i m b s , a w e l c o m e n u m b n e s s , a s e n s e o f d o o m t h a t is i n d i s t i n g u i s h a b l e f r o m p e a c e f u l n e s s , l i k e t h e b i t e of a p r e d a t o r s n a k e t h a t prefers t o s w a l l o w its v i c t i m s alive a n d t r a n q u i l . T h e pie man's d a u g h t e r inclines her head t o w a r d the u n t o u c h e d slice of a p p l e c r u m b l e on t h e p a p e r p l a t e , t a k i n g u p t h e e m p t y space between t h e m on the bench. " Y o u a r e so h u r t i n g m y f e e l i n g s , " s h e says.

• § 2 8

I

g"

n every p i c t u r e of t h e m taken d u r i n g a long s t r e t c h of

their

c h i l d h o o d , L a n d s m a n is p o s e d w i t h h i s a r m s l u n g a r o u n d

his

sister's shoulders. In t h e early ones, t h e t o p of h e r h e a d reaches

t o j u s t a b o v e h i s belly. I n t h e l a s t s u c h p i c t u r e , t h e r e is a p h a n t o m m u s t a c h e on L a n d s m a n ' s u p p e r lip, a n d he has t h e a d v a n t a g e of a n i n c h , m a y b e t w o . T h e first t i m e y o u s p o t t e d t h e t r e n d i n t h e p i c t u r e s , i t s e e m e d c u t e : a b i g b r o t h e r l o o k i n g o u t for h i s k i d sister. Seven o r e i g h t p i c t u r e s in, t h e p r o t e c t i v e g e s t u r e t o o k o n a m e n a c i n g air. A f t e r a d o z e n , y o u s t a r t e d t o w o r r y a b o u t t h o s e L a n d s m a n k i d s . H u d d l e d t o g e t h e r , b r a v e l y s m i l i n g for t h e c a m e r a , like d e s e r v i n g c h i l d r e n in t h e a d o p t i o n c o l u m n of a n e w s p a p e r . " O r p h a n e d b y t r a g e d y , " N a o m i said o n e n i g h t , t u r n i n g

the

pages of an old a l b u m . T h e p a g e s w e r e w a x e d b o a r d c o v e r e d w i t h a crinkly sheet of p o l y u r e t h a n e t o h o l d t h e p h o t o s d o w n . T h e layer of p l a s t i c g a v e t h e f a m i l y d e p i c t e d i n t h e a l b u m a p r e s e r v e d q u a l i t y , as if it h a d b e e n b a g g e d l i k e e v i d e n c e . " T w o l o v a b l e m o p p e t s l o o k i n g for a h o m e . " " O n l y Freydl w a s n ' t dead y e t , " L a n d s m a n said, k n o w i n g h e was h a n d i n g h e r a fat s t r a i g h t - l i n e . T h e i r m o t h e r h a d d i e d a f t e r a brief, b i t t e r s t r u g g l e a g a i n s t c a n c e r , h a v i n g l i v e d j u s t l o n g e n o u g h for N a o m i to b r e a k her h e a r t b y d r o p p i n g o u t of college.

238

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CHABDN

N a o m i said, " N o w y o u tell m e . " Lately, w h e n h e looks a t t h e s e p i c t u r e s , L a n d s m a n sees h i m s e l f as t r y i n g t o h o l d h i s s i s t e r d o w n , t o k e e p h e r f r o m flying off a n d crashing into a mountain. N a o m i w a s a t o u g h k i d , so m u c h t o u g h e r t h a n

Landsman

e v e r n e e d e d t o b e . S h e w a s t w o y e a r s y o u n g e r , c l o s e e n o u g h for e v e r y t h i n g L a n d s m a n d i d or said to c o n s t i t u t e a m a r k t h a t m u s t b e s u r p a s s e d o r a t h e o r y t o d i s p r o v e . S h e w a s b o y i s h as a g i r l a n d m a n n i s h as a w o m a n . W h e n s o m e d r u n k e n fool a s k e d if s h e w a s a l e s b i a n , s h e w o u l d say, " I n e v e r y t h i n g b u t s e x u a l p r e f e r e n c e . " It was from an early boyfriend t h a t she had c a u g h t t h e itch to fly. L a n d s m a n n e v e r a s k e d h e r w h a t t h e a t t r a c t i o n w a s , w h y s h e h a d w o r k e d so l o n g a n d h a r d t o g e t h e r c o m m e r c i a l l i c e n s e a n d crash t h e h o m o i d i o t i c w o r l d of male b u s h pilots. She was n o t one for p o i n t l e s s s p e c u l a t i o n , h i s d a s h i n g s i s t e r . B u t as

Landsman

u n d e r s t a n d s it, t h e w i n g s of an a i r p l a n e are e n g a g e d in a c o n s t a n t b a t t l e w i t h t h e a i r t h a t e n v e l o p s t h e m , d e n t i n g a n d baffling a n d w a r p i n g i t , b e n d i n g a n d s t a v i n g i t off. F i g h t i n g i t t h e w a y a s a l m o n fights

a g a i n s t t h e c u r r e n t of t h e river in w h i c h it's going t o die.

L i k e a s a l m o n — t h a t a q u a t i c Z i o n i s t , f o r e v e r d r e a m i n g o f i t s fatal h o m e — N a o m i u s e d u p h e r s t r e n g t h a n d e n e r g y in struggle. N o t t h a t t h i s effort e v e r s h o w e d i n h e r f o r t h r i g h t m a n n e r , h e r cocky bearing, her smile. She h a d t h e Errol F l y n n style of keeping a s t r a i g h t face o n l y w h e n s h e w a s j o k i n g , a n d g r i n n i n g l i k e a j a c k p o t w i n n e r w h e n e v e r t h i n g s got rough. Slap a pencil m u s t a c h e on t h e Jewess, a n d y o u c o u l d have s e n t h e r s w i n g i n g from t h e rigging of a t h r e e - m a s t e r , s w o r d in h a n d . She w a s n o t c o m p l i c a t e d , L a n d s m a n ' s l i t t l e sister, a n d in t h a t r e s p e c t , she was u n i q u e a m o n g t h e w o m e n of his a c q u a i n t a n c e . " S h e w a s a f u c k i n g l o o n , " says t h e a i r traffic m a n a g e r o f t h e Flight Service Station at t h e Yakovy airport. He's Larry Spiro, a skinny, s t o o p - s h o u l d e r e d J e w from S h o r t H i l l s , N e w Jersey. A m e x i c a n , as t h e S i t k a J e w s c a l l t h e i r s o u t h e r n c o u s i n s ; m e x i c a n s call t h e S i t k a J e w s i c e b e r g e r s , o r " t h e frozen C h o s e n . " Spiro's t h i c k

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e y e g l a s s e s c o r r e c t for a s t i g m a t i s m , a n d b e h i n d t h e m , h i s e y e s h a v e a s k e p t i c a l w o b b l e . W i r y g r a y h a i r s t a n d s o u t all o v e r h i s h e a d , l i k e b e a m s of o u t r a g e in a n e w s p a p e r c a r t o o n . H e w e a r s a w h i t e oxford shirt w i t h his m o n o g r a m on t h e p o c k e t a n d a r e d n e c k t i e s t r i p e d w i t h g o l d . Slowly, a n t i c i p a t i n g t h e s h o t o f w h i s k e y i n f r o n t o f h i m , he p u s h e s b a c k his sleeves. H i s t e e t h are t h e color of t h e collar of his shirt. " C h r i s t . " Like m o s t m e x i c a n s w o r k i n g in t h e D i s t r i c t ,

Spiro

clings fiercely t o A m e r i c a n . F o r a n E a s t C o a s t J e w , t h e D i s t r i c t o f Sitka c o n s t i t u t e s t h e exile of exiles, H a t z e p l a t z , t h e b a c k half acre o f n o w h e r e . T o s p e a k A m e r i c a n for a J e w l i k e S p i r o is t o k e e p h i m s e l f l i v i n g in t h e r e a l w o r l d , t o p r o m i s e h i m s e l f t h a t h e ' s g o i n g b a c k s o o n . H e s m i l e s . " I n e v e r s a w a w o m a n g e t i n t o so m u c h t r o u b l e . " T h e y are s i t t i n g in t h e l o u n g e of E r n i e ' s S k a g w a y Bar a n d Grill, in t h e low a l u m i n u m slab t h a t w a s t h e t e r m i n a l b u i l d i n g b a c k w h e n t h i s w a s j u s t a n airfield a t t h e e d g e o f t h e b u s h . T h e y a r e i n a b o o t h a t t h e r e a r , w a i t i n g for t h e i r s t e a k s . E r n i e ' s S k a g w a y is r e g a r d e d b y m a n y as o f f e r i n g t h e o n l y d e c e n t s t e a k d i n n e r b e t w e e n A n c h o r a g e a n d V a n c o u v e r . E r n i e flies t h e m i n f r o m C a n a d a e v e r y day, b l o o d y a n d p a c k e d i n ice. T h e d e c o r is m i n i m a l as a s n a c k b a r ' s , v i n y l a n d l a m i n a t e a n d s t e e l . T h e p l a t e s a r e p l a s t i c , t h e n a p k i n s c r i n k l y as t h e p a p e r on a d o c t o r ' s table. You o r d e r y o u r food a t a c o u n t e r a n d sit d o w n w i t h a n u m b e r o n a s p i n d l e . T h e w a i t r e s s e s a r e r e n o w n e d for t h e i r a d v a n c e d a g e , ill h u m o r , a n d p h y s i c a l r e s e m b l a n c e t o t h e c a b s o f l o n g - h a u l t r u c k s . A l l t h e a t m o s p h e r e i n t h e p l a c e is t h e p r o d u c t of its liquor license a n d its clientele: p i l o t s , h u n t e r s a n d

fishermen,

and t h e usual Yakovy mix of shtarkers a n d s u b rosa o p e r a t o r s . O n a F r i d a y n i g h t i n s e a s o n , y o u c a n b u y o r sell a n y t h i n g f r o m m o o s e m e a t t o k e t a m i n e , a n d h e a r s o m e o f t h e m o s t a r r a n t lies e v e r p u t to language. A t six o ' c l o c k o n a M o n d a y e v e n i n g , i t ' s m o s t l y a i r p o r t staff a n d a few l o o s e p i l o t s h o l d i n g u p t h e bar. Q u i e t J e w s , h a r d w o r k e r s , m e n in k n i t n e c k t i e s , a n d o n e A m e r i c a n b u s h p i l o t , h a l f f l u e n t i n Y i d d i s h , m a k i n g t h e c l a i m t h a t h e o n c e flew t h r e e h u n d r e d m i l e s w i t h o u t

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r e a l i z i n g h e w a s u p s i d e d o w n . T h e b a r i t s e l f is a n i n c o n g r u o u s b e h e m o t h , o a k , m o c k V i c t o r i a n , s a l v a g e d from t h e failure o f a c o w b o y - t h e m e d A m e r i c a n s t e a k h o u s e f r a n c h i s e d o w n in S i t k a . " T r o u b l e , " L a n d s m a n says. " R i g h t u p t o t h e e n d . " Spiro frowns. H e was t h e m a n a g e r on d u t y at Yakovy w h e n N a o m i ' s p l a n e flew i n t o M o u n t D u n k e l b l u m . T h e r e w a s n o t h i n g S p i r o c o u l d h a v e d o n e t o p r e v e n t t h e c r a s h , b u t t h e s u b j e c t is painful to h i m . H e zips o p e n his nylon briefcase and pulls o u t a t h i c k b l u e folder. I t c o n t a i n s a t h i c k d o c u m e n t c l i p p e d w i t h a h e a v y clip a n d several loose sheets. " I g l a n c e d a t t h e s u m m a r y a g a i n , " h e says i n a s o m b e r t o n e . " T h e weather was decent. H e r plane was a little overdue

for

s e r v i c e . H e r final c o m m u n i c a t i o n w a s r o u t i n e . " " M m , " says L a n d s m a n . " W e r e y o u l o o k i n g for s o m e t h i n g n e w ? " S p i r o ' s t o n e is n o t q u i t e p i t y i n g b u t p r e p a r e d t o t u r n t h a t w a y if n e c e s s a r y . "I don't know, Spiro. I'm j u s t looking." Landsman

takes

the

the thick d o c u m e n t — a

folder, c o p y of

and

pages

quickly

through

the FAA investigator's

final

d e t e r m i n a t i o n — t h e n sets it aside a n d picks u p o n e of t h e loose sheets underneath. " T h a t ' s t h e flight p l a n y o u w e r e a s k i n g a b o u t . F o r t h e m o r n i n g before t h e crash." L a n d s m a n s t u d i e s t h e f o r m , w h i c h affirms t h e i n t e n t i o n o f p i l o t N a o m i L a n d s m a n t o fly h e r P i p e r S u p e r C u b f r o m P e r i l S t r a i t , A l a s k a , t o Yakovy, D.S., c a r r y i n g o n e passenger. T h e form looks l i k e a c o m p u t e r p r i n t o u t , i t s b l a n k s n e a t l y filled i n t w e l v e - p o i n t Times Roman. " S o s h e p h o n e d t h i s o n e i n , is t h a t i t ? " L a n d s m a n c h e c k s t h e time stamp. " T h a t m o r n i n g at

five-thirty."

" S h e used t h e a u t o m a t e d s y s t e m , yes. M o s t people d o . " " P e r i l S t r a i t , " L a n d s m a n says. " T h a t ' s w h e r e ? O u t b y T e n a k e e , right?"

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" S o u t h of t h e r e . " "So,

w e ' r e t a l k i n g a b o u t a w h a t — a t w o - h o u r flight f r o m t h e r e

to here?" " M o r e or less." " I g u e s s s h e w a s f e e l i n g o p t i m i s t i c , " L a n d s m a n says. " S h e p u t h e r arrival t i m e at a q u a r t e r p a s t six. F o r t y - f i v e m i n u t e s from t h e t i m e t h e t h i n g was filed." S p i r o h a s t h e k i n d o f m i n d t h a t is d r a w n t o a n d r e p e l l e d b y anomaly. H e takes t h e folder from L a n d s m a n a n d t u r n s it a r o u n d . H e pages t h r o u g h t h e stack of d o c u m e n t s t h a t he collected a n d copied after a g r e e i n g t o let L a n d s m a n b u y h i m a s t e a k . " S h e did a r r i v e a t a q u a r t e r p a s t s i x , " h e says. " I t ' s n o t e d r i g h t h e r e i n t h e A F S S log. S i x - s e v e n t e e n . " "So e i t h e r — Let m e get this straight. Either she m a d e t w o - h o u r h o p from Peril S t r a i t t o Y a k o v y in less t h a n m i n u t e s , " L a n d s m a n says, " o r else . . . flight

the

forty-five

O r else she c h a n g e d her

p l a n t o c o m e t o Yakovy, w h e n s h e w a s a l r e a d y e n r o u t e a n d

heading someplace else." T h e steaks come; t h e waitress takes away their n u m b e r on its p o l e a n d l e a v e s t h e i r t h i c k s l a b s o f C a n a d i a n beef. T h e y s m e l l g o o d and t h e y look good. Spiro ignores t h e m . H e has forgotten his d r i n k . H e sifts t h r o u g h t h e p i l e o f p a g e s . " O k a y , h e r e ' s t h e d a y b e f o r e . S h e flew f r o m S i t k a t o P e r i l S t r a i t w i t h t h r e e p a s s e n g e r s . S h e t o o k off a t f o u r a n d c l o s e d o u t h e r

flight

p l a n a t s i x - t h i r t y . O k a y , so t h e n i t ' s d a r k w h e n t h e y g e t t h e r e . S h e ' s planning to stay overnight. T h e n the next m o r n i n g . . ." Spiro stops. " H u h . " "What?" "Here's—

I'm

guessing

this

was

her

original

flight

plan.

L o o k s l i k e s h e w a s p l a n n i n g t o g o b a c k t o Sitka t h e n e x t m o r n i n g . Originally. N o t to c o m e h e r e to Yakovy." "With how many passengers?" "None."

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" A f t e r s h e ' s b e e n flying a w h i l e , s u p p o s e d l y h e a d e d for S i t k a , a n d alone b u t actually w i t h a m y s t e r y passenger on board, she suddely switches her destination to Yakovy" " T h a t ' s h o w it looks." " P e r i l S t r a i t , " L a n d s m a n says. " W h a t ' s i n P e r i l S t r a i t ? " " W h a t ' s anywhere? M o o s e , bears. Deer. Fish. A n y t h i n g a Jew wants to kill." " I d o n ' t t h i n k s o , " L a n d s m a n says. " I d o n ' t t h i n k t h i s w a s a fishing

trip."

S p i r o f r o w n s , t h e n g e t s u p a n d goes over t o t h e bar. H e sidles u p t o t h e A m e r i c a n pilot, a n d t h e y converse. T h e pilot looks wary, p e r h a p s c o n s t i t u t i o n a l l y so. B u t h e n o d s a n d f o l l o w s S p i r o b a c k t o the booth. " R o c k y K i t k a , " S p i r o says. " D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n . " T h e n h e sits d o w n a n d takes care of his steak. Kitka has on black leather jeans and a m a t c h i n g vest worn o v e r h i s b a r e s k i n , w h i c h is c o v e r e d f r o m w r i s t s t o t h r o a t t o t h e w a i s t b a n d of his p a n t s in N a t i v e - t h e m e d t a t t o o i n g . B i g - t o o t h e d w h a l e s a n d b e a v e r s a n d , d o w n h i s left b i c e p s , a s n a k e o r a n eel w i t h a sly e x p r e s s i o n in its eye. " Y o u ' r e a p i l o t ? " L a n d s m a n says. "No,

I ' m a p o l i c e m a n . " H e laughs w i t h a t o u c h i n g sincerity at

his o w n display of w i t . " P e r i l S t r a i t , " L a n d s m a n says. " Y o u ' v e b e e n t h e r e ? " K i t k a shakes his head, b u t L a n d s m a n disbelieves him at once. " K n o w anything about the place?" "Just t h e w a y it looks from t h e sky." " K i t k a , " L a n d s m a n says. " T h a t ' s a N a t i v e n a m e . " " M y father's Tlingit. M y mother's Scotch-Irish and G e r m a n a n d S w e d i s h . P r e t t y m u c h e v e r y t h i n g in t h e r e b u t Jew." " L o t of N a t i v e s at Peril S t r a i t ? " " N o t h i n g b u t . " K i t k a says i t w i t h s i m p l e a u t h o r i t y , t h e n r e c a l l s his claim n o t t o k n o w a n y t h i n g a b o u t Peril S t r a i t , a n d his eyes slide

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away from L a n d s m a n ' s , l i g h t i n g o n t h e s t e a k . H e looks e x t r e m e l y hungry. " N o white people?" " O n e o r t w o , m a y b e , t u c k e d a w a y b a c k in t h e c o v e s . " " A n d J e w s ? " L a n d s m a n says. K i t k a gets a h a r d look in his eye, a p r o t e c t i v e look. " L i k e I said. I j u s t k n o w i t t o fly p a s t . " " I ' m m a k i n g a l i t t l e i n v e s t i g a t i o n , " L a n d s m a n says. " I t t u r n s o u t t h e r e m i g h t b e s o m e t h i n g over t h e r e t o i n t e r e s t a J e w from S i t k a . " " T h a t ' s Alaska

o v e r t h e r e , " K i t k a says. "A J e w i s h c o p , w i t h all

d u e r e s p e c t , h e c a n a s k q u e s t i o n s all d a y l o n g i n t h a t n e i g h b o r h o o d , isn't n o b o d y has to answer t h e m . " L a n d s m a n slides over in t h e b o o t h . " C o m e o n , s w e e t n e s s , " h e says i n Y i d d i s h . " S t o p l o o k i n g a t i t . I t ' s y o u r s . I d i d n ' t t o u c h i t . " "You aren't going to eat it?" "I have no appetite, I don't k n o w why." " I t ' s t h e N e w Y o r k , i s n ' t it? I l o v e t h e N e w Y o r k . " K i t k a sits d o w n , a n d L a n d s m a n slides t h e plate t o w a r d h i m . H e d r i n k s h i s c u p o f coffee a n d w a t c h e s t h e t w o m e n d e s t r o y t h e i r d i n n e r s . K i t k a looks m u c h h a p p i e r w h e n he's d o n e , less w a r y , less fearful o f b e i n g s e t u p . " S h i t , t h a t is g o o d m e a t , " h e says. H e t a k e s a l o n g s w a l l o w o f ice w a t e r f r o m a r e d p l a s t i c s c h o o n e r . H e l o o k s a t S p i r o , t h e n a w a y , then back at L a n d s m a n , then away again. H e stares i n t o t h e w a t e r glass. " P r i c e o f a m e a l , " h e says b i t t e r l y . T h e n : " T h e y g o t s o m e k i n d of h o n o r r a n c h . I hear. F o r religious J e w s t h a t g e t h o o k e d o n drugs and w h a t n o t . I guess even those beards of yours, t h e y get into the drugs and the drinking and the petty crime." " T h a t makes sense, t h e y ' d w a n t to p u t it someplace o u t of t h e w a y , " S p i r o says. " T h e r e ' s a l o t o f s h a m e i n v o l v e d . " " I d o n ' t k n o w , " L a n d s m a n says. " I t ' s n o t e a s y t o g e t p e r m i s s i o n to start a Jewish business of any kind on t h e o t h e r side of t h e Line. N o t even a do-good business like t h a t . "

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" L i k e I s a i d , " K i t k a says. " I j u s t h e a r d a few t h i n g s . P r o b a b l y it's b u l l s h i t . " " W e i r d , " says S p i r o . H e ' s i n t h e w o r l d o f t h e d o s s i e r a g a i n , flipping back and forth a m o n g t h e pages. L a n d s m a n says, " T e l l m e w h a t ' s w e i r d . " " W e l l , I ' m l o o k i n g t h r o u g h all t h i s , a n d y o u k n o w w h a t I d o n ' t see? I d o n ' t s e e h e r f l i g h t p l a n f o r — f o r t h e fatal o n e . Y a k o v y b a c k t o S i t k a . " H e takes o u t his Shoyfer a n d hits t w o keys and waits. " I k n o w s h e filed o n e . I r e m e m b e r s e e i n g i t . Bella? S p i r o . A r e y o u b u s y ? U h - h u h . O k a y . L i s t e n . C a n y o u c h e c k s o m e t h i n g for m e ? I n e e d y o u t o p u l l a flight p l a n from t h e s y s t e m . " H e gives t h e ond u t y m a n a g e r N a o m i ' s n a m e a n d t h e d a t e a n d t i m e of her

final

flight. " C a n y o u r u n that? Y e a h . " " D i d y o u k n o w m y s i s t e r , M r . K i t k a ? " L a n d s m a n says. " Y o u m i g h t s a y t h a t , " K i t k a says. " S h e k i c k e d m y ass o n e t i m e . " " J o i n t h e c l u b , " L a n d s m a n says. " T h a t c a n ' t b e , " Spiro says, his voice t i g h t . " C o u l d y o u check again?" N o w n o o n e says a n y t h i n g . T h e y j u s t w a t c h S p i r o l i s t e n i n g t o Bella at t h e o t h e r e n d of t h e line. " S o m e t h i n g ' s n o t r i g h t , B e l l a , " S p i r o says finally. " I ' m c o m i n g back over t h e r e . " H e h a n g s u p , l o o k i n g as if h i s fine s t e a k h a s b e g u n t o d i s a g r e e with him. " W h a t is i t ? " L a n d s m a n says. " W h a t ' s t h e m a t t e r ? " " S h e c a n ' t find t h e f l i g h t p l a n i n t h e s y s t e m . " H e s t a n d s u p a n d g a t h e r s t o g e t h e r t h e s c a t t e r e d p a g e s o f N a o m i ' s file. " B u t I k n o w t h a t c a n ' t b e r i g h t , b e c a u s e i t ' s r e f e r e n c e d b y n u m b e r r i g h t h e r e in the crash report." H e stops. " O r not." Again h e b a t s back a n d forth t h e pages of t h e thick clipped sheaf of c l o s e - t y p e d p a g e s t h a t c o m p r i s e t h e r e s u l t s of t h e FAA i n v e s t i g a t i o n i n t o N a o m i ' s fatal e n c o u n t e r w i t h t h e slope of M o u n t D u n k e l b l u m .

northwest

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" S o m e b o d y ' s b e e n i n t h i s file," h e says a t l a s t , u n w i l l i n g l y a t first,

his m o u t h a slit. As t h e conclusion s p r e a d s t h r o u g h his m i n d ,

he relaxes i n t o it. Goes slack. " S o m e b o d y w i t h w e i g h t . " " W e i g h t , " L a n d s m a n says. " T h e k i n d o f w e i g h t i t t a k e s , for example, to get permission to build a Jewish r e h a b c enter on BIA land?" " T o o m u c h w e i g h t for m e , " S p i r o says. H e s l a m s t h e c o v e r o f t h e file s h u t , stuffs i t u n d e r h i s a r m . " I c a n ' t b e h e r e w i t h y o u a n y m o r e , L a n d s m a n . I ' m s o r r y . T h a n k s for t h e s t e a k d i n n e r . " A f t e r h e g o e s , L a n d s m a n t a k e s o u t h i s cell p h o n e a n d d i a l s a n u m b e r in t h e A l a s k a n area c o d e . W h e n t h e w o m a n o n t h e o t h e r e n d a n s w e r s , h e says, " W i l f r e d D i c k . " " H o l y J e s u s , " K i t k a says. " L o o k o u t . " But Landsman gets only a desk sergeant. " T h e i n s p e c t o r a i n ' t h e r e , " t h e s e r g e a n t says. " W h a t ' s

this

about?" " M a y b e you heard something, I don't know, about some honor r a n c h o u t a t P e r i l S t r a i t ? " L a n d s m a n says. " D o c t o r s w i t h b e a r d s ? " " B e t h T i k k u n ? " says t h e s e r g e a n t , as if i t ' s a n A m e r i c a n g i r l whose last n a m e r h y m e s w i t h " c h i c k e n " . " I k n o w i t . " T h i s k n o w l e d g e , his t o n e implies, has n o t b r o u g h t h i m happiness a n d is n o t l i k e l y t o d o so a n y t i m e s o o n . " I m i g h t w a n t t o p a y a l i t t l e v i s i t t h e r e , " L a n d s m a n says. " S a y tomorrow. T h i n k that would be okay?" T h e s e r g e a n t c a n n o t s e e m t o find a n a d e q u a t e r e p l y t o t h i s a p p a r e n t l y s i m p l e q u e s t i o n . " T o m o r r o w , " h e says a t l a s t . "Yes,

I t h o u g h t I w o u l d fly o u t t h e r e . H a v e a l o o k a r o u n d t h e

grounds." "Huh." " W h a t ' s t h e m a t t e r , S e r g e a n t ? T h i s B e t h T i k k u n p l a c e , is i t o n the up-and-up?" " T h a t c a l l s for a n o p i n i o n , " t h e s e r g e a n t says. " I n s p e c t o r D i c k d o n ' t l e t u s h a v e t h o s e . I'll b e s u r e t o t e l l h i m y o u c a l l e d . "

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" Y o u h a v e a n a i r p l a n e , R o c k y ? " L a n d s m a n s a y s , k i l l i n g t h e call w i t h his m i d d l e

finger.

" I l o s t i t , " K i t k a says. " I n a p o k e r g a m e . T h a t ' s h o w c o m e I ' m w o r k i n g for a J e w o w n e r . " " N o offense." " T h a t ' s r i g h t , " K i t k a says. " N o o f f e n s e . " "So,

let's say I w a n t e d t o p a y a visit t o this t e m p l e of healing

o u t t h e r e at Peril S t r a i t . " " I g o t a p i c k u p t o m o r r o w , a c t u a l l y , " K i t k a says. " O v e r

to

F r e s h w a t e r Bay. I m i g h t b e a b l e t o b e n d a l i t t l e t o t h e r i g h t o n t h e way over there. But I'm not going to hang around with the meter r u n n i n g . " H e grins a b e a v e r - t o o t h grin. "And it's going t o cost you a hell of a lot m o r e t h a n a steak d i n n e r . "

• § 2 9

Â

g*

badge of grass, a green brooch p i n n e d at t h e collarbone of a m o u n t a i n t o a v a s t b l a c k c l o a k o f fir t r e e s . A t t h e c e n t e r o f t h e clearing, a handful of b u i l d i n g s clad in b r o w n shakes r a d i a t e

from a circular f o u n t a i n , l i n k e d b y p a t h s a n d s e p a r a t e d b y q u i l t e d p a t c h e s o f l a w n a n d g r a v e l . A p i t c h a t t h e far e n d , c h a l k e d for s o c c e r , r i n g e d b y a n o v a l t r a c k . T h e p l a c e h a s t h e feel o f a b o a r d i n g s c h o o l , a b a c k w o o d s a c a d e m y for w a y w a r d y o u n g w e a l t h . H a l f a d o z e n m e n circle t h e t r a c k in s h o r t s a n d h o o d e d s w e a t s h i r t s . O t h e r s sit

o r lie p r o n e i n t h e c e n t e r o f t h e field, s t r e t c h i n g b e f o r e e x e r c i s e , legs a n d a r m s , a n g l e s o n t h e g r o u n d . A n a l p h a b e t o f m e n s c a t t e r e d o n a g r e e n p a g e . W h e n t h e p l a n e d i p s a w i n g o v e r t h e p l a y i n g field, t h e h o o d s of t h e s w e a t s h i r t s t r a i n on its fuselage like t h e m u z z l e s o f a n t i a i r c r a f t c a n n o n . F r o m t h e s k y i t is h a r d t o b e s u r e , b u t i n Landsman's judgment, the men move and stand and stretch their p a l e l o n g legs l i k e y o u t h f u l

t y p e s in excellent h e a l t h .

Another

f e l l o w c o m e s o u t o f t h e folds o f t h e f o r e s t i n a d a r k c o v e r a l l . H e follows t h e arc of t h e C e s s n a , r i g h t a r m c r o o k e d a t t h e e l b o w a n d p r e s s e d a g a i n s t h i s face, m a k i n g t h e c a l l : We have company.

Beyond

t h e w o o d s , L a n d s m a n c a t c h e s a flicker o f d i s t a n t g r e e n , a roof, a s c a t t e r i n g of w h i t e c l u m p s t h a t m i g h t b e piles of snow.

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Kitka muscles the plane around with a shuddering and a rattling a n d a g r o a n , a n d t h e n t h e y fall o u t o f t h e s k y all a t o n c e , t h e n a l i t t l e a t a t i m e , a n d h i t t h e w a t e r w i t h a final s m a c k . M a y b e i t w a s Landsman doing the groaning. " I n e v e r t h o u g h t I ' d s a y t h i s , " K i t k a says as t h e L y c o m i n g engine drops i n t o idle a n d t h e y can hear themselves think. " B u t six h u n d r e d d o l l a r s d o n ' t s e e m l i k e q u i t e e n o u g h . " H a l f an h o u r o u t of Yakovy, L a n d s m a n d e c i d e d t o spice u p t h e i r j o u r n e y w i t h a j u d i c i o u s application of v o m i t . T h e plane was h a r r o w e d b y t h e smell of t w e n t y years of r o t t i n g moose

flesh,

a n d L a n d s m a n b y r e m o r s e a t h a v i n g b r o k e n his vow, t a k e n after N a o m i ' s d e a t h , t o r e p u d i a t e travel b y v e r y small airplane. Still, t h e display of airsickness r e m a i n s an a c h i e v e m e n t , given h o w little L a n d s m a n has e a t e n in t h e p a s t several days. " I a m s o r r y , R o c k y , " L a n d s m a n s a y s , t r y i n g t o lift h i s v o i c e u p o u t o f h i s s o c k s . " I g u e s s I w a s n ' t r e a d y t o fly a g a i n y e t . " L a n d s m a n ' s l a s t t r i p b y a i r w a s u n d e r t a k e n w i t h h i s s i s t e r in h e r S u p e r C u b , t o n o ill effect. B u t t h a t w a s a g o o d a i r p l a n e , a n d N a o m i w a s a s k i l l e d p i l o t , a n d t h e w e a t h e r w a s fine, a n d L a n d s m a n w a s d r u n k . T h i s t i m e h e r i s k e d t h e skies in a b i t t e r c o n d i t i o n of s o b r i e t y . T h r e e p o t s o f b a d m o t e l coffee f o r k e d h i s n e r v o u s s y s t e m . H e flew a t t h e j o i n t m e r c y o f a stiff c h o p b l o w i n g i n f r o m t h e Y u k o n a n d a b a d pilot, one w h o s e caution m a d e h i m reckless and whose s e l f - d o u b t m a d e h i m b o l d . L a n d s m a n s w a y e d in t h e canvas w e b b i n g of t h e w e a r y old 206 t h a t t h e m a n a g e m e n t of T u r k e l Regional A i r w a y s h a s s e e n fit t o e n t r u s t t o R o c k y K i t k a . T h e p l a n e r u m b l e d a n d j u d d e r e d a n d s h o o k . All t h e p i n s a n d b o l t s c a m e loose from L a n d s m a n ' s skeleton, and his head got t u r n e d a r o u n d backward, a n d h i s a r m s fell off, a n d h i s e y e b a l l r o l l e d u n d e r t h e c a b i n h e a t e r . Somewhere over t h e M o o r e M o u n t a i n s , Landsman's vow backed u p on him. K i t k a t h r o w s o p e n t h e d o o r a n d leaps w i t h t h e m o o r i n g line onto the

floatplane

d o c k . L a n d s m a n staggers o u t of t h e cabin o n t o

the graying cedar planks. H e stands blinking, reeling, breathing

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d e e p lungfuls o f t h e local a i r w i t h i t s s c o u r i n g s m e l l o f p i n e n e e d l e and sea w r a c k . H e s t r a i g h t e n s h i s t i e a n d settles his h a t o n h i s head. P e r i l S t r a i t is a j u m b l e o f b o a t s , a fuel p u m p , a r o w o f w e a t h e r e d houses in t h e colors of a r u s t e d - o u t engine. T h e houses h u d d l e on their pilings like skinny-legged ladies. A m a n g y s t r e t c h of boardwalk noses a m o n g t h e houses before w a n d e r i n g over t o t h e b o a t s l i p s t o l i e d o w n . I t all s e e m s t o b e h e l d t o g e t h e r b y a c r a z e of hawser, tangles o f fishing line, scraps o f p u r s e seine s t r u n g w i t h c r u s t e d floats. T h e w h o l e v i l l a g e m i g h t b e n o t h i n g b u t d r i f t w o o d a n d w i r e , flotsam f r o m t h e d r o w n i n g o f a far-off* t o w n . The

floatplane

dock appears t o have n o physical connection t o

t h e b o a r d w a l k o r t h e v i l l a g e o f P e r i l S t r a i t . I t is s o l i d , w e l l b u i l t , new-looking, white concrete a n d gray-painted beams. It boasts of engineering a n d t h e logistical needs of m e n w i t h money. A t t h e shore end, it t e r m i n a t e s in a steel gate. Beyond t h e gate, a w i n d i n g metal stair has been w h i p s t i t c h e d u p t h e hillside t o a clearing a t the top. Alongside t h e stairs, a perpendicular railway cuts straight uphill, w i t h a railed p l a t f o r m t o e l e v a t e w h a t c a n n o t g o b y stair. A small m e t a l sign b o l t e d t o t h e railing o f t h e d o c k r e a d s B E T H TIKKUN R E T R E A T C E N T E R in Yiddish a n d A m e r i c a n , a n d

beneath

t h i s , i n A m e r i c a n , P R I V A T E P R O P E R T Y . L a n d s m a n fixes h i s g a z e o n the Yiddish characters. T h e y look o u t of place a n d homely in this wild corner of Baranof Island, a gathering of lurching little Yiddish policemen in black suits and fedoras. K i t k a fills h i s S t e t s o n w i t h w a t e r f r o m a t a p m o u n t e d a g a i n s t a post of t h e dock, a n d splashes d o w n t h e inside of his plane, o n e hatful o f n o n p o t a b l e w a t e r after a n o t h e r . L a n d s m a n is m o r t i f i e d t o have m a d e this j o b necessary, b u t K i t k a a n d v o m i t appear t o b e old a c q u a i n t a n c e s , a n d t h e m a n never q u i t e loses h i s smile. W i t h t h e edge of a plasticized spotter's guide t o Alaskan whales a n d

fishes,

Kitka squeegees o u t of the cabin door a c o m p o u n d of vomitus a n d s e a w a t e r . H e r i n s e s off t h e s p o t t e r ' s g u i d e , g i v e s i t a s h a k e . T h e n he stands in t h e doorway, h a n g i n g from t h e arch b y o n e h a n d , a n d

25D

MICHAEL

CHABDN

l o o k s d o w n a t L a n d s m a n o n t h e d o c k . T h e sea s l a p s a g a i n s t t h e p o n t o o n s of t h e C e s s n a a n d against t h e pilings. T h e w i n d blowing d o w n f r o m t h e S t i k i n e R i v e r h u m s i n L a n d s m a n ' s ear. I t s t i r s t h e b r i m of his h a t . O v e r in t h e village, a w o m a n ' s voice rises, r a g g e d , b a w l i n g o u t h e r child or h e r m a n . T h e r e follows t h e p a r o d i e b a r k i n g of a dog. " G u e s s t h e y k n o w y o u ' r e c o m i n g , " K i t k a says. " F o l k s u p t o p there." His smile t u r n s sheepish, narrowing almost to a pout. "I guess w e k i n d of m a d e sure of t h a t . " " I already paid s o m e b o d y a surprise visit this week; it d i d n ' t w o r k o u t so g o o d , " L a n d s m a n says. H e u n p o c k e t s t h e B e r e t t a , p o p s t h e clip, checks t h e magazine. " I d o u b t t h e y can really be surprised." " Y o u k n o w w h o t h e y a r e ? " K i t k a says, his eyes on t h e sholem. "No,"

L a n d s m a n says. " I d o n ' t . D o y o u ? "

"Seriously, b r o , " K i t k a says, " i f I d i d , I w o u l d tell you. Even though you puked up m y plane." " W h o e v e r t h e y a r e , " L a n d s m a n says, d r i v i n g h o m e t h e clip, " I t h i n k t h e y m i g h t have killed m y little sister." K i t k a m u l l s t h i s s t a t e m e n t as if s e a r c h i n g i t for w e a k p o i n t s o r l o o p h o l e s . " I h a v e t o b e i n F r e s h w a t e r b y t e n , " h e says w i t h a s h o w of regret. "No,"

L a n d s m a n says. " I u n d e r s t a n d . "

"Otherwise, bro, I would totally back you up." "Hey,

come

on.

What

are

you

saying?

This

isn't

your

problem." " Y e a h , b u t I m e a n , N a o m i . She w a s a fucking piece of w o r k , though." "Tell me about it." " A c t u a l l y , s h e n e v e r r e a l l y l i k e d m e all t h a t m u c h . " " S h e c o u l d r u n h o t a n d c o l d , " L a n d s m a n says, d r o p p i n g t h e g u n back i n t o t h e h i p p o c k e t of his jacket. " S o m e t i m e s . " "All r i g h t , t h e n , " K i t k a s a y s , k i c k i n g a s p l a s h o f w a t e r o u t o f

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his airplane w i t h t h e toe of o n e R o p e r b o o t . " H e y , listen. You t a k e care." "I don't really k n o w h o w to do t h a t , " L a n d s m a n a d m i t s . " Y o u h a d t h a t i n c o m m o n , t h e n , " says K i t k a . " Y o u a n d y o u r sister." Landsman clatters down the dock and tries the k n o b on the s t e e l g a t e j u s t for f u n . T h e n h e t o s s e s h i s s a t c h e l t o t h e o t h e r s i d e of t h e g a t e a n d c l a m b e r s u p a n d over t h e grille after it. As h e goes over t h e t o p of t h e g a t e , his foot g e t s c a u g h t in t h e b a r s of t h e g r i l l e . H i s s h o e falls off. H e t u m b l e s a n d s p i l l s d o w n t o t h e o t h e r side, landing w i t h a m e a t y t h u d . H e bites his t o n g u e , a n d there's a s a l t s p u r t o f b l o o d . H e d u s t s h i m s e l f off a n d g l a n c e s b a c k a t t h e d o c k t o m a k e s u r e K i t k a g o t all o f t h a t . L a n d s m a n w a v e s t o s h o w t h a t h e ' s all r i g h t . A f t e r a m o m e n t K i t k a w a v e s b a c k . H e c l o s e s t h e door of t h e plane. T h e engine snaps awake. T h e propeller vanishes into t h e d a r k sheen of its o w n revolution. L a n d s m a n s t a r t s t h e l o n g c l i m b t o t h e t o p of t h e stairs. If a n y t h i n g , he's in w o r s e s h a p e n o w t h a n h e was w h e n h e t r i e d t o c o n q u e r t h e s t a i r w a y in t h e S h e m e t s e s ' a p a r t m e n t b u i l d i n g o n F r i d a y m o r n i n g . L a s t n i g h t h e lay a w a k e o n t h e stiff g r i t t y p a c k e t of a m o t e l m a t t r e s s . T w o days ago h e w a s s h o t at a n d b e a t e n in t h e snow. H e a c h e s . H e w h e e z e s . T h e r e ' s s o m e k i n d o f m y s t e r y p a i n i n h i s r i b a n d a n o t h e r i n h i s left k n e e . H e h a s t o s t o p o n c e , h a l f w a y up,

to smoke a hortatory cigarette. H e turns to watch the Cessna

wobble and h u m its way into t h e low m o r n i n g clouds, a b a n d o n i n g L a n d s m a n t o w h a t feels, r i g h t t h e n , l i k e a l o n e l y f a t e . L a n d s m a n h a n g s from t h e railing, h i g h above t h e d e s e r t e d b e a c h and t h e village. D o w n below, on t h e crooked b o a r d w a l k , s o m e p e o p l e have e m e r g e d from t h e i r h o u s e s t o w a t c h h i m climb. H e waves t o t h e m , and t h e y obligingly wave back. H e steps on t h e e n d of his papiros and r e s u m e s his steady u p w a r d t r u d g e . H e has t h e r u s h of t h e w a t e r s i n t h e i n l e t for c o m p a n y , t h e d i s t a n t c h u c k l i n g o f c r o w s . T h e n t h e s e s o u n d s fade. H e h e a r s o n l y his b r e a t h i n g , t h e c h i m i n g

252

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of h i s soles a g a i n s t t h e m e t a l t r e a d s of t h e stairway, t h e c r e a k i n g strap of his satchel. At the top, a whitewashed

flagpole

flies

t w o flags. O n e is t h e

flag o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s o f A m e r i c a . T h e o t h e r is a m o d e s t w h i t e n u m b e r b l a z o n e d w i t h a p a l e b l u e S t a r o f D a v i d . T h e flagpole s t a n d s in a r i n g o f w h i t e w a s h e d s t o n e s e n c i r c l e d b y a c o n c r e t e a p r o n . A t the base of t h e ERECTED

flagpole,

THROUGH

a small metal plaque reads FLAGPOLE

THE GENEROSITY

OF BARRY

AND

RHONDA

G R E E N B A U M BEVERLY HILLS C A L I F O R N I A . A w a l k w a y leads

from

the circular apron to t h e largest of t h e buildings that Landsman s a w f r o m t h e air. T h e o t h e r s a r e n o m o r e t h a n c r a c k e r b o x e s c l a d i n cedar shake, b u t this o n e m a k e s a g e s t u r e in t h e d i r e c t i o n of style. I t s r o o f is p i t c h e d a n d c l a d i n r i b b e d s t e e l , p a i n t e d d a r k g r e e n . I t s w i n d o w s a r e fitted w i t h t r a n s o m s a n d m u l l i o n s . A d e e p p o r c h w r a p s t h e b u i l d i n g o n t h r e e s i d e s , i t s p i l l a r s t h e t r u n k s o f fir t r e e s , still w e a r i n g t h e i r b a r k . A t t h e c e n t e r of t h e p o r c h , a w i d e set of steps leads u p from t h e c o n c r e t e walk. Two

men stand

on the uppermost

porch

step,

watching

L a n d s m a n come toward t h e m . Both have heavy beards b u t no s i d e l o c k s . N o h o s e , n o b l a c k h a t s . T h e o n e t o t h e left is y o u n g , t h i r t y at t h e outside. H e ' s tall, even looming, w i t h a forehead like a c o n c r e t e b u n k e r

a n d a n u n d e r s l u n g j a w . H i s b e a r d is

unruly, p r o n e t o black ringlets, w i t h a w h o r l of b a r e skin on each c h e e k . H i s b i g h a n d s d a n g l e at his sides, p u l s i n g like a couple of cephalopods. H e wears a black suit with a generous drape and a d a r k r e p tie. L a n d s m a n reads t h e t w i t c h of longing in t h e b i g m a n ' s fingers a n d t r i e s t o m a r k t h e v e s t for t h e p r e s e n c e o f a g u n . As L a n d s m a n g e t s closer, t h e b i g m a n ' s eyes cool t o a lightless black. T h e o t h e r m a n is a b o u t L a n d s m a n ' s a g e , h e i g h t , a n d b u i l d . H e ' s g o n e softer a r o u n d t h e m i d d l e t h a n L a n d s m a n , a n d h e leans o n a cane f o r m e d w i t h a c u r v e from s o m e d a r k , glossy w o o d . H i s beard is c h a r c o a l s t r e a k e d w i t h a s h , t r i m m e d , a l m o s t d e b o n a i r . H e w e a r s a t w e e d s u i t c o m p l e t e w i t h v e s t , a n d h e puffs a t h o u g h t f u l p i p e .

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H e s e e m s c o n t e n t if n o t d e l i g h t e d t o s e e L a n d s m a n c o m i n g h i s way, c u r i o u s , a d o c t o r a n t i c i p a t i n g m i l d a n o m a l y o r a w r i n k l e i n t h e usual p r e s e n t a t i o n . H i s shoes are m o c c a s i n loafers, laced w i t h leather thong. L a n d s m a n stops at t h e b o t t o m s t e p of t h e p o r c h a n d hitches u p his satchel. A w o o d p e c k e r r a t t l e s its c u p of dice. For a m o m e n t t h a t a n d t h e hisses of p i n e needles are t h e o n l y s o u n d s . T h e y m i g h t b e t h e o n l y t h r e e m e n i n all o f s o u t h e a s t e r n A l a s k a . B u t L a n d s m a n c a n feel o t h e r e y e s w a t c h i n g h i m t h r o u g h t h e p a r t i n g s o f w i n d o w c u r t a i n s , t h r o u g h g u n s i g h t s , p e r i s c o p e s , a n d p e e p h o l e s . H e c a n feel t h e i n t e r r u p t e d life o f t h e p l a c e , m o r n i n g e x e r c i s e , t h e r i n s i n g o f coffee c u p s . H e c a n s m e l l e g g s s c o r c h e d i n b u t t e r , t o a s t e d b r e a d . " I d o n ' t k n o w h o w t o t e l l y o u t h i s , " says t h e t a l l m a n w i t h t h e patchy beard. His voice seems to spend too long b o u n c i n g a r o u n d in his c h e s t before it e m e r g e s . T h e w o r d s c o m e o u t t h i c k , p o u r e d w i t h a s l o w l a d l e . " B u t y o u r r i d e j u s t left w i t h o u t y o u . " " A m I g o i n g s o m e w h e r e ? " L a n d s m a n says. " Y o u a r e n ' t s t a y i n g h e r e , m y f r i e n d , " says t h e m a n i n t h e t w e e d s u i t . A s s o o n as h e says t h e w o r d " f r i e n d " all f r i e n d l i n e s s s e e m s t o d r a i n from his m a n n e r . " B u t I have a r e s e r v a t i o n , " L a n d s m a n says, w a t c h i n g t h e b i g man's restless hands. " I ' m younger than I look." T h e s o u n d like t h e b o n e s in t h e i r b u c k e t , s o m e w h e r e in t h e woods. "Okay, I'm no kid, and I don't have a reservation, b u t I do have a s u b s t a n c e a b u s e p r o b l e m , " L a n d s m a n says. " S u r e l y t h a t c o u n t s for s o m e t h i n g . " " M i s t e r — " says t h e m a n i n t h e t w e e d s u i t , c o m i n g d o w n o n e step. L a n d s m a n can smell the b i t t e r shag he smokes. " L i s t e n , " L a n d s m a n says, " I h e a r d a b o u t t h e g o o d w o r k y o u p e o p l e a r e d o i n g h e r e , all r i g h t ? I ' v e t r i e d e v e r y t h i n g . I k n o w i t ' s crazy, b u t I ' m at t h e e n d of m y r o p e , a n d I d o n ' t have a n y w h e r e else t o g o . " T h e m a n in t h e t w e e d suit looks b a c k at t h e tall m a n at t h e t o p

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o f t h e s t e p s . T h e y d o n ' t s e e m t o h a v e a n y i d e a w h o L a n d s m a n is o r w h a t t o m a k e o f h i m . A l l t h e fun o f t h e p a s t s e v e r a l d a y s , in p a r t i c u l a r t h e t o r t u r o u s h o p from Yakovy, s e e m s t o have r u b b e d off s o m e o f t h e n o z f r o m L a n d s m a n ' s a u r a . H e h o p e s a n d fears t h a t h e looks o n l y like a loser, d r a g g i n g his b a d l u c k in a satchel over one arm. " I n e e d h e l p , " h e says, a n d t o his s u r p r i s e , his eyes g e t h o t w i t h tears. " I ' m in a b a d way." H i s voice breaks. " I ' m p r e p a r e d t o a d m i t that." " W h a t ' s y o u r n a m e ? " says t h e t a l l m a n slowly. H i s e y e s a r e w a r m w i t h o u t amity. T h e y p i t y L a n d s m a n w i t h o u t taking much of an i n t e r e s t in h i m . "Felnboyger," Landsman tries, dragging out the name

from

some ancient arrest report. "Lev Felnboyger." " D o e s anyone k n o w you're here, Mr. Felnboyger?" " O n l y m y wife. A n d t h e p i l o t , of c o u r s e . " L a n d s m a n sees t h a t t h e t w o m e n k n o w each o t h e r well e n o u g h to e n g a g e in a furious

argument without

speaking or

moving

a n y t h i n g b u t their eyes. " I ' m Dr. R o b o y , " says t h e tall m a n at last. H e swings o n e of his h a n d s t o w a r d L a n d s m a n , like t h e payload of a c r a n e at t h e e n d of its cable. L a n d s m a n w a n t s t o g e t o u t of its way, b u t h e takes h o l d of its cool d r y b u l k . "Please, Mr. Felnboyger, c o m e inside." H e f o l l o w s t h e m a c r o s s t h e s a n d e d fir p l a n k s o f t h e p o r c h . H i g h in t h e rafters of t h e p o r c h , h e s p o t s a w a s p ' s n e s t , a n d h e w a t c h e s i t for a s i g n o f life, b u t i t s e e m s as d e s e r t e d as e v e r y o t h e r s t r u c t u r e on this hilltop. T h e y c o m e into an e m p t y lobby furnished, w i t h a podiatrist's flair,

i n soft b e i g e o b l o n g s o f f o a m . D r a b l o w - p i l e c a r p e t , e g g -

c a r t o n gray. O n t h e w a l l s h a n g t r a d e m a r k - t r i t e s c e n e s o f S i t k a life, s a l m o n b o a t s a n d Y e s h i v a b a c h e l o r s , café s o c i e t y o n M o n a s t i r Street,

a swinging klezmer

that

might

be a stylized

Nathan

Kalushiner. Again L a n d s m a n has t h e u n e a s y sensation t h a t it has all b e e n i n s t a l l e d a n d h u n g t h a t m o r n i n g . T h e r e is n o flake o f a s h

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i n t h e a s h t r a y s . T h e r a c k o f i n f o r m a t i o n a l b r o c h u r e s is w e l l s t o c k e d w i t h copies of " D r u g D e p e n d e n c y : W h o N e e d s I t ! " a n d "Life: T o R e n t o r t o O w n ? " O n t h e w a l l , a t h e r m o s t a t s i g h s as if

suffering

from t h e t e d i u m . T h e r o o m smells of fresh c a r p e t a n d e x t i n g u i s h e d pipe. O v e r t h e d o o r t o a c a r p e t e d hallway, an adhesive p l a q u e reads LOBBY F U R N I S H I N G S COURTESY OF B O N N I E A N D R O N A L D L E D E R E R BOCA RATON

FLORIDA.

" H a v e a seat, p l e a s e , " Dr. R o b o y says in his t h i c k b l a c k s y r u p of a voice. " F l i g l e r ? " T h e m a n in t h e t w e e d suit goes b a c k t o t h e F r e n c h d o o r s , o p e n s t h e left p a n e l , a n d c h e c k s t h e t h r o w b o l t s a t t h e t o p a n d b o t t o m . T h e n h e c l o s e s t h e p a n e l , l o c k s i t , a n d p o c k e t s t h e key. H e w a l k s back past Landsman, brushing against him with a padded tweed shoulder. "Fligler," L a n d s m a n says, t a k i n g h o l d of t h e smaller m a n ' s a r m gently. "You a doctor, t o o ? " F l i g l e r s h a k e s off L a n d s m a n ' s h a n d . H e p r o d u c e s a b o o k o f m a t c h e s f r o m h i s p o c k e t . " Y o u b e t , " h e says w i t h o u t

sincerity

or c o n v i c t i o n . W i t h t h e fingers of his r i g h t h a n d , h e peels b a c k a m a t c h from t h e m a t c h b o o k , scrapes it i n t o flame, a n d t o u c h e s it t o t h e b o w l o f h i s p i p e , all i n a s i n g l e c o n t i n u o u s m o t i o n . W h i l e h i s r i g h t h a n d is b u s y e n t e r t a i n i n g L a n d s m a n w i t h t h i s m i n o r f e a t , h i s left h a n d p l u n g e s i n t o t h e p o c k e t o f L a n d s m a n ' s j a c k e t a n d c o m e s away w i t h t h e .22. " T h e r e ' s y o u r p r o b l e m r i g h t t h e r e , " h e says, h o l d i n g t h e g u n u p w h e r e e v e r y o n e can see it. " W a t c h t h e d o c t o r , n o w . " Landsman

watches

dutifully

as

Fligler

raises

the

gun,

considering it w i t h a keen medical eye. B u t t h e n t h e n e x t m i n u t e a door slams s o m e w h e r e inside L a n d s m a n ' s h e a d , a n d after t h a t h e gets distracted—for half a s e c o n d — b y t h e d r o n e of a t h o u s a n d w a s p s flying i n t h r o u g h t h e p o r c h o f h i s left ear.

L

a n d s m a n c o m e s t o on his b a c k , looking u p at a r o w of iron kettles. T h e y dangle with precision on sturdy hooks a r a c k t h r e e feet a b o v e his h e a d . In L a n d s m a n ' s

from

nostrils,

a nostalgic smell of c a m p k i t c h e n , cooking gas and dish soap, scorched onion, h a r d water, a faint stink of tackle box. M e t a l like a chill of f o r e b o d i n g a g a i n s t his nape. H e ' s s t r e t c h e d

out

o n a l o n g s t a i n l e s s - s t e e l c o u n t e r , h a n d s cuffed b e h i n d his b a c k , j a m m e d u p against his sacrum. Barefoot, drooling, ready to be p l u c k e d a n d stuffed in t h e b o d y c a v i t y w i t h l e m o n a n d m a y b e a nice sprig of sage. "I

heard

some

crazy

rumors

about

you,"

Landsman

says.

"Cannibalism I never heard." " I w o u l d n ' t e a t y o u , L a n d s m a n , " affirms B a r o n s h t e y n . " N o t if I was t h e h u n g r i e s t m a n in Alaska a n d t h e y served you to m e w i t h a s i l v e r f o r k . I d o n ' t m u c h c a r e for p i c k l e s . " H e ' s s i t t i n g o n a h i g h s t o o l t o L a n d s m a n ' s left, a r m s c r o s s e d u n d e r t h e s k i r t s o f h i s l u s h black beard. H e ' s o u t of u n i f o r m in a pair of n e w blue d u n g a r e e s ,

flannel

s h i r t t u c k e d in at t h e w a i s t a n d b u t t o n e d a l m o s t t o t h e top. A fat h i d e b e l t w i t h a h e a v y b u c k l e a n d b l a c k r a n g e r b o o t s . T h e

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s h i r t t o o b i g for h i s f r a m e , t h e t r o u s e r s stiff as p l a t e i r o n . E x c e p t for t h e s k u l l c a p , B a r o n s h t e y n l o o k s l i k e a s k i n n y k i d d o n e u p as a l u m b e r j a c k for a s c h o o l play, b o g u s b e a r d a n d a l l . W i t h h i s b o o t h e e l s h o o k e d o n t h e r a i l o f t h e s t o o l , t h e cuffs o f h i s t r o u s e r s h i k e t o b e t r a y a few h o s e - p a l e i n c h e s o f t h i n s h a n k . " W h o is t h i s y i d ? " says t h e g a u n t g i a n t , R o b o y .

Landsman

c r a n e s h i s n e c k a n d t a k e s i n t h e d o c t o r , if h e is a d o c t o r , p e r c h e d o n a steel stool of his o w n d o w n b y L a n d s m a n ' s feet. Bags u n d e r his eyes like smears of g r a p h i t e . Beside h i m s t a n d s N u r s e Fligler, c a n e h o o k e d over o n e a r m , w a t c h i n g a p a p i r o s die in t h e c u s t o d y of his r i g h t h a n d , t h e left h a n d t u c k e d o m i n o u s l y i n t o t h e h i p p o c k e t o f his t w e e d jacket. " W h y d o y o u k n o w h i m ? " A p a n o p l y o f k n i v e s , c l e a v e r s , c h o p p e r s , a n d o t h e r t o o l s is ranged along a m a g n e t i c rack on t h e kitchen wall w i t h i n easy grasp of t h e i n d u s t r i o u s c h e f or shlosser. " T h i s y i d is a s h a m m e s n a m e d L a n d s m a n . " " T h i s is a p o l i c e m a n ? " R o b o y says. H e l o o k s l i k e h e j u s t b i t i n t o a b o n b o n filled w i t h s o m e a c r i d p a s t e . " H e c a r r i e s n o b a d g e . F l i g l e r , the man had a badge?" " I found n o b a d g e or o t h e r form of law e n f o r c e m e n t l a b e l i n g , " F l i g l e r says. " T h a t is b e c a u s e I h a d h i s b a d g e t a k e n a w a y f r o m h i m , " B a r o n ­ s h t e y n says. " I s n ' t t h a t r i g h t , D e t e c t i v e ? " "I'll ask t h e q u e s t i o n s h e r e , " L a n d s m a n says, s q u i r m i n g t o

find

a m o r e c o m f o r t a b l e w a y of l y i n g o n t o p of his o w n cuffed h a n d s . "If you don't m i n d . " " I t d o e s n ' t m a t t e r if h e h a s a b a d g e o r d o e s n ' t , " F l i g l e r o p i n e s . " O u t here a Jewish badge means goat shit." "I

don't

care

for

that

kind

of

language,

Friend

Fligler,"

B a r o n s h t e y n says. "As I b e l i e v e I h a v e m e n t i o n e d b e f o r e . " " Y o u h a v e , b u t I c a n n e v e r h e a r i t e n o u g h , " F l i g l e r says. B a r o n s h t e y n r e g a r d s Fligler. In t h e p i t s of his skull h i d d e n g l a n d s s e c r e t e t h e i r v e n o m . " F r i e n d F l i g l e r h e r e w a s all for s h o o t i n g y o u a n d

258

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CHABDN

d u m p i n g y o u r b o d y i n t h e w o o d s , " h e says a m i a b l y t o L a n d s m a n , k e e p i n g his eyes on t h e m a n w i t h t h e g u n in his p o c k e t . " W a y o u t i n t h e w o o d s , " F l i g l e r says. " S e e w h a t c o m e s a l o n g and gnaws on your carcass." " T h a t y o u r t r e a t m e n t p l a n , D o c ? " L a n d s m a n says, c r a n i n g his head a r o u n d to t r y to m a k e eye contact w i t h Roboy. " N o w o n d e r M e n d e l S h p i l m a n c h e c k e d o u t o f h e r e so q u i c k l a s t s p r i n g . " T h e y feed o n t h e m e a t o f t h i s r e m a r k , g a u g i n g i t s flavor a n d v i t a m i n c o n t e n t . B a r o n s h t e y n allows a m o d i c u m of reproach to flow i n t o h i s p o i s o n o u s g a z e . Ton had the yid, says t h e l o o k t h a t h e flicks a t D r . R o b o y . And you let him get away. B a r o n s h t e y n leans close, c r a n i n g in from his stool, a n d speaks, w i t h t h a t m e n a c i n g t e n d e r n e s s o f h i s . H i s b r e a t h is s t a l e a n d a c r i d . C h e e s e r i n d s , b r e a d heels, g r o u n d s at t h e b o t t o m of a cup. " W h a t a r e y o u d o i n g , F r i e n d L a n d s m a n , " h e says, " w a y o u t h e r e w h e r e you don't belong?" B a r o n s h t e y n looks genuinely puzzled. T h e Jew desires to be informed. T h i s may, L a n d s m a n t h i n k s , be t h e only desire t h e m a n e v e r p e r m i t s h i m s e l f t o feel. " I c o u l d a s k y o u t h e s a m e t h i n g , " L a n d s m a n says, t h i n k i n g t h a t m a y b e B a r o n s h t e y n h a s n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h t h i s p l a c e , is o n l y a v i s i t o r , l i k e L a n d s m a n . M a y b e h e is w o r k i n g t h e s a m e t r a i l , r e t r a c i n g t h e r e c e n t t r a j e c t o r y o f M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , t r y i n g t o find t h e spot w h e r e t h e rebbe's son crossed t h e s h a d o w t h a t killed h i m . " W h a t is t h i s p l a c e , a b o a r d i n g s c h o o l for w a y w a r d V e r b o v e r s ? W h o are t h e s e characters? You missed a belt loop, b y t h e way." Baronshteyn's

fingers

stray t o w a r d his waist, t h e n he sits back

a n d m a k e s a face t h a t r e s e m b l e s a s m i l e . " W h o k n o w s y o u ' r e h e r e ? " h e says. " B e s i d e s t h e

flyer?"

L a n d s m a n feels a s t a b o f d r e a d for R o c k y K i t k a , flying u p s i d e d o w n t h r o u g h life for h u n d r e d s o f m i l e s w i t h o u t k n o w i n g

it.

L a n d s m a n d o e s n ' t k n o w v e r y m u c h a b o u t t h e s e y i d s of Peril S t r a i t , b u t i t s e e m s fairly c l e a r t h a t t h e y c a n b e a w f u l l y t o u g h o n a b u s h pilot.

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" W h a t flyer?" h e says. " I t h i n k w e h a v e t o a s s u m e t h e w o r s t , " D r . R o b o y says. " T h i s f a c i l i t y is c l e a r l y c o m p r o m i s e d . " "You have been spending too m u c h time w i t h those p e o p l e , " B a r o n s h t e y n says. " Y o u a r e s t a r t i n g t o t a l k l i k e t h e m . " W i t h o u t t a k i n g h i s e y e s off L a n d s m a n , h e u n b u c k l e s h i s b e l t a n d f e e d s i t through the loop that he missed. "You m a y be right, Roboy." H e cinches t h e belt t i g h t w i t h a d i s t i n c t air of s e l f - p u n i s h m e n t . " B u t I would be willing to bet that L a n d s m a n told nobody. N o t even that fat I n d i a n p a r t n e r o f h i s . L a n d s m a n is o u t o n a l i m b , a n d h e k n o w s it. H e has n o s u p p o r t . N o j u r i s d i c t i o n , n o s t a n d i n g , n o t even a badge. H e w o u l d n ' t tell anyone he w a s g o i n g t o t h e I n d i a n e r - L a n d s , b e c a u s e h e w o u l d b e afraid t h e y w o u l d t r y t o t a l k h i m o u t of it. O r w o r s e , forbid h i m t o go. T h e y w o u l d tell h i m t h a t his j u d g m e n t has been impaired b y his desire to avenge his sister's d e a t h . " R o b o y w r i n g s his eyebrows over his nose like a pair of

fretful

h a n d s . " H i s s i s t e r ? " h e says. " W h o ' s h i s s i s t e r ? " "Am I r i g h t , L a n d s m a n ? " "I wish I could reassure you, Baronshteyn. But I w r o t e

out

a c o m p l e t e a c c o u n t of e v e r y t h i n g I k n o w a b o u t y o u a n d

this

operation." "Is that right?" " T h e p h o n y y o u t h t r e a t m e n t facility." " I s e e , " B a r o n s h t e y n says w i t h m o c k g r a v i t y . " T h e p h o n y y o u t h t r e a t m e n t facility. Q u i t e a s h o c k i n g t a l e . " "A f r o n t for y o u r p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h R o b o y a n d F l i g l e r a n d t h e i r powerful friends." Landsman's heart thrashes w i t h t h e wildness of his guessing. H e ' s w o n d e r i n g w h y any J e w s w o u l d n e e d or w a n t such a large facility o u t h e r e a n d h o w t h e y c o u l d m a n a g e t o p e r s u a d e t h e Natives to let t h e m build it. C o u l d t h e y have b o u g h t t h e m s e l v e s a piece of t h e I n d i a n e r - L a n d s t o b u i l d a n e w M c S h t e t l ? O r w a s this g o i n g t o b e t h e t r a n s f e r p o i n t for a h u m a n - s m u g g l i n g o p e r a t i o n , s o m e k i n d o f V e r b o v e r airlift o u t o f A l a s k a m a d e w i t h o u t b e n e f i t o f v i s a s o r p a s s p o r t s ? " T h e fact t h a t y o u k i l l e d M e n d e l S h p i l m a n

2BD

MICHAEL

CHABDN

a n d m y sister t o k e e p t h e m from talking a b o u t w h a t you w e r e d o i n g here. T h e n used your government connections through Roboy and Fligler to cover u p t h e c r a s h . " " Y o u w r o t e all t h i s d o w n , d i d y o u ? " "Yes,

a n d s e n t it t o m y lawyer, t o b e o p e n e d in t h e case t h a t I

s h o u l d s u d d e n l y , for e x a m p l e , v a n i s h f r o m t h e face o f t h e e a r t h . " "Your lawyer." "That's right." "And w h a t lawyer would that be?" "Sender Slonim." " S e n d e r S l o n i m , I s e e , " B a r o n s h t e y n s a y s , n o d d i n g as if fully p e r s u a d e d b y L a n d s m a n ' s c l a i m . "A g o o d J e w b u t a b a d l a w y e r . " H e slides d o w n from t h e stool, a n d t h e t h u d of his b o o t s p u t s a p e r i o d t o his e x a m i n a t i o n of t h e prisoner. " I ' m satisfied. F r i e n d Fligler." T h e r e is a snik a n d t h e s c r a p e o f a s o l e a g a i n s t l i n o l e u m , a n d t h e n e x t t h i n g L a n d s m a n k n o w s , a s h a d o w l o o m s at his r i g h t eye. T h e space b e t w e e n t h e steel tip and Landsman's cornea can be measured i n t h e flicker o f a n e y e l a s h . L a n d s m a n j e r k s h i s h e a d away, b u t a t t h e o t h e r e n d of t h e knife, Fligler grabs hold of Landsman's ear a n d y a n k s . L a n d s m a n c u r l s u p i n t o a ball a n d tries t o roll d o w n from t h e counter. Fligler smacks L a n d s m a n ' s b a n d a g e d w o u n d w i t h t h e h e a d of his c a n e , a n d a j a g g e d s t a r b u r s t s across t h e b a c k of L a n d s m a n ' s eyes. W h i l e he's b u s y r i n g i n g like a bell of pain, Fligler t u r n s L a n d s m a n o n t o h i s belly. H e c l i m b s o n t o p o f h i m a n d j e r k s h i s h e a d b a c k a n d lays t h e k n i f e a g a i n s t h i s t h r o a t . " I m a y n o t h a v e a b a d g e , " L a n d s m a n says w i t h difficulty.

He

a d d r e s s e s h i m s e l f t o Dr. Roboy, w h o m h e senses t o b e t h e least r e s o l u t e y i d i n t h e r o o m . " B u t I ' m s t i l l a n o z . Y o u p e o p l e kill m e , i t ' s a w o r l d o f t r o u b l e for w h a t e v e r y o u h a v e g o i n g h e r e . " " P r o b a b l y n o t , " F l i g l e r says. " N o t i n all l i k e l i h o o d , " B a r o n s h t e y n a g r e e s . " N o n e o f y o u y i d s is e v e n g o i n g t o be a p o l i c e m a n t w o m o n t h s f r o m n o w . " The

thin

string

of

carbon

and

iron

atoms

that

is

the

THE Y I D D I S H

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2BI

consequential feature of t h e knife blade b u r n s one d e g r e e h o t t e r against Landsman's windpipe. "Fligler . . . "

R o b o y says, w i p i n g his m o u t h w i t h o n e g i a n t

hand. " P l e a s e , F l i g l e r , " L a n d s m a n says. " C u t m y t h r o a t . I'll t h a n k y o u for i t . G o o n , y o u p u s s y . " F r o m t h e o t h e r side of t h e k i t c h e n d o o r c o m e s a c h u r n

of

a g i t a t e d m a l e v o i c e s . A p a i r o f f e e t s c r a p e s t h e floor, a b o u t

to

knock, and hesitates. N o t h i n g happens. " W h a t is i t ? " R o b o y says b i t t e r l y . "A w o r d , D o c t o r , " says a v o i c e , y o u n g , A m e r i c a n ,

speaking

American. " D o n ' t d o a n y t h i n g , " R o b o y says. " J u s t w a i t . " Just before t h e door swings s h u t b e h i n d Roboy,

Landsman

hears a voice begin t o speak, a r u s h of a n g u l a r syllables t h a t d o n o t r e g i s t e r o n h i s b r a i n as a n y t h i n g b u t t h r o a t y n o i s e . Fligler settles his w e i g h t

more

securely into

the small

of

L a n d s m a n ' s back. T h e r e follows t h e small a w k w a r d n e s s of s t r a n g e r s i n a n e l e v a t o r . B a r o n s h t e y n c o n s u l t s h i s fine S w i s s w a t c h . " H o w m u c h o f i t d i d I h a v e r i g h t ? " L a n d s m a n says. " J u s t so I know." " H a , " F l i g l e r says. " I c o u l d l a u g h . " "Roboy

is a t r a i n e d r e h a b i l i t a t i o n

therapist,"

Baronshteyn

says w i t h a s h o w o f t o l e r a n t p a t i e n c e , s o u n d i n g r e m a r k a b l y l i k e B i n a w h e n s p e a k i n g t o o n e o f t h e five b i l l i o n p e o p l e , L a n d s m a n a m o n g t h e m , w h o m she considers to be on balance an idiot. " T h e y were genuinely t r y i n g to help t h e rebbe's son. Mendel's presence here was e n t i r e l y voluntary. W h e n h e m a d e t h e decision t o leave, there was nothing they could do to stop h i m . " " I ' m s u r e t h e n e w s b r o k e y o u r h e a r t , " L a n d s m a n says. "And what do you mean by t h a t ? " "I suppose a cleaned-up M e n d e l Shpilman was no t h r e a t to you? T o y o u r s t a t u s as h e i r a p p a r e n t ? "

2B2

MICHAEL

CHABDN

" O y , " B a r o n s h t e y n says. " W h a t y o u d o n ' t k n o w . " T h e k i t c h e n d o o r o p e n s a n d R o b o y slips b a c k inside, e y e b r o w s a r c h e d . Before t h e d o o r b a n g s s h u t , L a n d s m a n catches a glimpse of t w o y o u n g m e n , b e a r d e d a n d d r e s s e d in ill-fitting d a r k suits. Big b o y s , o n e w i t h t h e b l a c k snail of an e a r p h o n e c u r l e d in t h e shell of h i s ear. O n t h e o u t s i d e o f t h e d o o r a s m a l l p l a q u e r e a d s K I T C H E N EQUIPPED THROUGH

THE GENEROSITY OF MR.

AND MRS.

LANCE

P E A R L S T E I N PIKES VILLE M D .

" E i g h t m i n u t e s , " R o b o y says. " T e n a t t h e m o s t . " "Someone

coming?"

Landsman

says.

"Who

is

it?

Heskel

Shpilman? O r does he even k n o w you're here, Baronshteyn? Did y o u c o m e t o c u t a deal w i t h t h e s e people? A r e t h e y m o v i n g in on Verbover action? W h a t did they w a n t w i t h Mendel? Were you going t o u s e h i m t o force t h e r e b b e ' s h a n d ? " " S o u n d s t o m e as t h o u g h y o u n e e d t o r e a d t h a t l e t t e r o f y o u r s a g a i n , " B a r o n s h t e y n o b s e r v e s . " O r g e t S e n d e r Slonim t o tell y o u w h a t it says." L a n d s m a n can h e a r p e o p l e m o v i n g a r o u n d , c h a i r legs s c r e e c h i n g a g a i n s t a w o o d e n floor. I n t h e d i s t a n c e , t h e w h i r r a n d c l i c k o f a n e l e c t r i c m o t o r , a g o l f c a r t z i p p i n g away. "We

cannot

do

this

now,"

Roboy

says, c o m i n g

close

to

L a n d s m a n , l o o m i n g o v e r h i m . H i s d e n s e b e a r d flocks h i s e n t i r e face from t h e c h e e k b o n e s d o w n ,

flourishing

i n h i s n o s t r i l s , w i n d i n g in

fine t e n d r i l s f r o m t h e flaps o f h i s e a r s . " T h e l a s t t h i n g h e w a n t s is any h i n t of a mess. Okay, D e t e c t i v e . " H i s slow voice t u r n s syrupy, a b r u p t l y w a r m e r . A p e r f u n c t o r y a f f e c t i o n suffuses i t , a n d L a n d s m a n stiffens, a w a i t i n g t h e b a d t h i n g t h a t this surely b e t o k e n s , w h i c h p r o v e s t o b e o n l y a stick in t h e a r m , q u i c k a n d e x p e r t . In t h e d r e a m y s e c o n d s t h a t p r e c e d e his loss of c o n s c i o u s n e s s , t h e g u t t u r a l l a n g u a g e t h a t L a n d s m a n h e a r d R o b o y s p e a k i n g plays like a r e c o r d i n g in his ear, a n d h e m a k e s a d a z z l i n g leap i n t o i m p o s s i b l e u n d e r s t a n d i n g , like t h e s u d d e n c o n s c i o u s n e s s in a d r e a m of one's h a v i n g i n v e n t e d a g r e a t t h e o r y o r w r i t t e n a fine p o e m t h a t i n t h e

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morning turns out to be gobbledygook. T h e y are talking, those Jews on t h e o t h e r side of t h e door, a b o u t roses and frankincense. T h e y are s t a n d i n g in a d e s e r t w i n d u n d e r t h e d a t e p a l m s , a n d L a n d s m a n is t h e r e , i n flowing r o b e s t h a t k e e p o u t t h e b i b l i c a l s u n , s p e a k i n g H e b r e w , a n d t h e y a r e all f r i e n d s a n d b r o t h e r s t o g e t h e r , and t h e m o u n t a i n s skip like r a m s , a n d t h e hills like little lambs.

L

a n d s m a n w a k e s from a d r e a m of feeding his r i g h t ear t o t h e

propeller blades of a Cessna 206. H e stirs under a clammy b l a n k e t , e l e c t r i c b u t u n p l u g g e d , in a r o o m n o t m u c h larger t h a n

t h e c o t he's s t r e t c h e d across. H e t o u c h e s a c a u t i o u s finger t o t h e s i d e o f h i s h e a d . W h e r e F l i g l e r o r i g i n a l l y s a p p e d h i m , t h e flesh is s w o l l e n a n d m o i s t . L a n d s m a n ' s left s h o u l d e r is k i l l i n g h i m , t o o . In a n a r r o w w i n d o w o p p o s i t e t h e c o t , metal-slat blinds leak t h e d i s a p p o i n t e d g r a y of a N o v e m b e r a f t e r n o o n in s o u t h e a s t e r n A l a s k a . I t ' s n o t l i g h t o o z i n g t h r o u g h so m u c h as a r e s i d u e o f l i g h t , a d a y h a u n t e d b y t h e m e m o r y of t h e sun. L a n d s m a n tries to sit u p a n d discovers t h a t his s h o u l d e r h u r t s so m u c h b e c a u s e s o m e b o d y h a s b e e n k i n d e n o u g h t o h a n d c u f f his left w r i s t t o a s t e e l l e g o f t h e c o t f r a m e . W i t h h i s a r m j e r k e d u p over his h e a d , L a n d s m a n p r a c t i c e d s o m e k i n d of b r u t a l c h i r o p r a c t i c o n his s h o u l d e r in t h e t h r a s h i n g a n d t o s s i n g of sleep. T h e s a m e k i n d soul w h o c h a i n e d h i m was t h o u g h t f u l e n o u g h to r e m o v e his t r o u s e r s , s h i r t , a n d j a c k e t , r e d u c i n g h i m o n c e a g a i n t o a m a n in his underpants. H e sits u p on his h a u n c h e s at t h e h e a d of t h e cot. T h e n he eases h i m s e l f b a c k w a r d off t h e m a t t r e s s s o t h a t h e c a n s q u a t w i t h h i s left a r m h a n g i n g a t a m o r e n a t u r a l a n g l e , h i s s h a c k l e d h a n d r e s t i n g

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a g a i n s t t h e floor. T h e floor is y e l l o w l i n o l e u m , t h e c o l o r o f t h e i n s i d e o f a u s e d c i g a r e t t e filter, a n d a s c o l d a s a n M E ' s s t e t h o s c o p e . It features an extensive collection of d u s t lemmings and d u s t wigs and a w i n g e d smear of black-fly grease. T h e walls are cinder block painted a thick, glossy shade of dentifrice blue. O n t h e wall beside L a n d s m a n ' s h e a d , a f a m i l i a r h a n d h a s p e n n e d a t i n y m e s s a g e for L a n d s m a n in t h e m o r t a r line b e t w e e n t w o cinder blocks: THIS DETAINMENT CELL COURTESY O F T H E GENEROSITY O F NEAL

AND

R I S A N U D E L M A N S H O R T H I L L S N E W J E R S E Y . H e w a n t s tO l a u g h , b u t

t h e sight o f his sister's droll a l p h a b e t in this place raises t h e hair o n t h e back of his neck. A p a r t from t h e b e d , t h e o n l y o t h e r furnishing, in t h e c o r n e r b y t h e d o o r , is a m e t a l w a s t e b a s k e t . T h e w a s t e b a s k e t is a t h i n g f o r c h i l d r e n , b l u e a n d y e l l o w w i t h a c a r t o o n d o g c a v o r t i n g i n a field of daisies. L a n d s m a n s t a r e s a t i t for a l o n g t i m e , t h i n k i n g a b o u t nothing, thinking about children's garbage a n d dogs in cartoons. T h e obscure unease t h a t P l u t o h a s always inspired, a d o g o w n e d b y a m o u s e , d a i l y c o n f r o n t e d w i t h t h e m u t a t i o n a l h o r r o r o f Goofy. A n i n v i s i b l e g a s c l o u d s h i s t h o u g h t s , e x h a u s t f r o m a b u s left p a r k e d with its engine r u n n i n g in t h e middle of his brain. Landsman

c r o u c h e s b y t h e c o t for a n o t h e r

minute or so,

collecting himself like a b e g g a r chasing s c a t t e r e d d i m e s along t h e sidewalk. T h e n h e drags t h e c o t t o t h e d o o r a n d sits d o w n o n i t . I n a w a y t h a t is b o t h m e t h o d i c a l a n d w i l d , h e b e g i n s t o k i c k a t t h e door w i t h his bare heels. I t ' s a hollow steel door, a n d it m a k e s a t h u n d e r o u s s o u n d w h e n k i c k e d t h a t ' s p l e a s a n t for a m o m e n t , b u t t h e n t h e pleasure palls. N e x t L a n d s m a n tries loud a n d r e p e a t e d cries of " H e l p m e , I c u t myself a n d I ' m b l e e d i n g ! " H e yells u n t i l h e is h o a r s e a n d k i c k s u n t i l h i s f e e t t h r o b . A t l a s t h e g e t s t i r e d o f k i c k i n g a n d y e l l i n g . H e n e e d s t o u r i n a t e . Badly. H e l o o k s a t t h e trash c a n a n d t h e n a t t h e door. I t m i g h t b e t h e traces of t h e d r u g i n h i s s y s t e m , o r t h e h a t r e d h e feels f o r t h a t t i n y r o o m i n w h i c h h i s s i s t e r p a s s e d h e r l a s t n i g h t o n e a r t h , a n d for t h e m e n w h o c h a i n e d h i m still in u n d e r w e a r t o i t . M a y b e all h i s e n r a g e d y e l l i n g h a s

2GG

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e n g e n d e r e d an a c t u a l rage. B u t t h e idea of b e i n g obliged t o piss i n t o a S h n a p i s h t h e D o g w a s t e b a s k e t m a k e s L a n d s m a n angry. H e drags t h e bed over to t h e window, and shoves t h e blinds r a t t l i n g t o o n e s i d e . T h e w i n d o w p a n e is p e b b l e d g l a s s . R i p p l e s o f a g r e e n a n d g r a y w o r l d set in a h e a v y steel frame. A t o n e t i m e — m a y b e u n t i l v e r y r e c e n t l y — t h e r e was a latch, b u t his thoughtful h o s t s h a v e r e m o v e d i t . N o w t h e r e is o n l y o n e w a y t o g e t window

open.

Landsman

goes

for

the wastebasket,

the

dragging

t h e c o t b a c k a n d forth b e h i n d h i m like a h a n d y s y m b o l . H e raises t h e w a s t e b a s k e t , t a k e s a i m , a n d h u r l s i t a g a i n s t t h e p e b b l e d glass o f t h e t a l l w i n d o w . I t b o u n c e s off a n d flies b a c k a t L a n d s m a n , s t r i k i n g h i m s q u a r e l y in t h e forehead. A m o m e n t later, he tastes b l o o d for t h e s e c o n d t i m e t h a t d a y as i t t r i c k l e s d o w n h i s c h e e k t o t h e c o r n e r of his lips. " S h n a p i s h , y o u b a s t a r d , " h e says. H e s h o v e s t h e c o t all t h e w a y o v e r a g a i n s t t h e l o n g w a l l a n d t h e n , w o r k i n g w i t h h i s free h a n d , t i p s t h e m a t t r e s s off t h e c o t frame. H e stands t h e m a t t r e s s against t h e opposite wall. H e grabs h o l d of t h e c o t frame o n e i t h e r side a n d , lifting from t h e k n e e s , h e a v e s i t u p off t h e g r o u n d . H e s t a n d s t h e r e a m o m e n t , h o l d i n g t h e r i c k e t y frame parallel t o his body. H e wavers u n d e r t h e sudden w e i g h t , w h i c h is n o t g r e a t b u t t a x e s h i s s t r e n g t h all t h e s a m e . H e takes a s t e p b a c k w a r d , lowers his head, a n d drives t h e cot frame t h r o u g h t h e w i n d o w . G r e e n l a w n a n d fog b l o w i n t o L a n d s m a n ' s d a z z l e d vision. T r e e s , c r o w s , h o v e r i n g h o r n e t s of b r o k e n glass, t h e g u n - b a r r e l - g r a y w a t e r s of t h e strait, a b r i g h t w h i t e

floatplane

t r i m m e d i n r e d . T h e n t h e c o t f r a m e j e r k s free o f L a n d s m a n ' s g r a s p a n d leaps t h r o u g h g a p i n g glass fangs o u t i n t o t h e m o r n i n g . As a k i d in school, L a n d s m a n r e c e i v e d g o o d m a r k s in physics. N e w t o n i a n m e c h a n i c s , b o d i e s at r e s t a n d in m o t i o n , a c t i o n s a n d r e a c t i o n s , g r a v i t y a n d m a s s . H e f o u n d m o r e sense in physics t h a n in a n y t h i n g else t h e y ever t r i e d t o teach h i m . A n idea like m o m e n t u m , for e x a m p l e , t h e t e n d e n c y o f a b o d y i n m o t i o n t o s t a y i n m o t i o n . So m a y b e L a n d s m a n s h o u l d n o t b e q u i t e so s u r p r i s e d w h e n t h e c o t

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f r a m e d o e s n o t c o n t e n t i t s e l f w i t h s h a t t e r i n g t h e w i n d o w . T h e r e is a s h a r p , j o i n t - p o p p i n g t u g o n t h e b o n e s o f h i s s h o u l d e r , a n d h e is s e i z e d a g a i n b y t h e n a m e l e s s e m o t i o n h e felt w h e n h e t r i e d t o c l i m b aboard Mrs. Shpilman's moving limousine: the sudden awareness, l i k e a n i n v e r s e s a t o r i , t h a t h e h a s m a d e a g r a v e if n o t f a t a l e r r o r . T h i s is L a n d s m a n ' s l u c k : H e l a n d s i n a p i l e o f s n o w . I t ' s a furtive, die-hard p a t c h t u c k e d d e e p i n t o t h e s h a d o w on t h e n o r t h side of t h e barracks. T h e o n l y s n o w visible in t h e e n t i r e c o m p o u n d , a n d L a n d s m a n falls r i g h t i n t o i t . H i s j a w s s n a p t o g e t h e r , m a k i n g e a c h t o o t h r i n g o u t w i t h i t s o w n p u r e t o n e as t h e i m p a c t o f h i s a s s against the g r o u n d conducts its N e w t o n i a n business w i t h t h e rest of his skeleton. H e lifts h i s h e a d u p o u t o f t h e s n o w . C o l d a i r flows o v e r t h e b a c k o f h i s n e c k . F o r t h e first t i m e s i n c e t a k i n g w i n g , h e r e m a r k s o n t h e fact t h a t h e is f r e e z i n g . H e s t a n d s u p , h i s j a w s t i l l c h i m i n g . Snow streaks his b a c k like w e l t s raised b y a w i r e lash. H e lurches a n d s t a g g e r s t o t h e left u n d e r t h e w e i g h t o f t h e c o t f r a m e . I t offers t o h e l p h i m sit d o w n a g a i n in t h e snow. S i n k i n t o it, p l u n g e his s o r e h e a d i n t o t h e cold, clean pile of snow. C l o s e his eyes. R e l a x . J u s t t h e n h e h e a r s a soft s c r a p e o f s o l e s c o m i n g f r o m a r o u n d t h e c o r n e r of t h e b u i l d i n g , a pair of erasers r u b b i n g away t h e m a r k s o f t h e i r o w n p a s s a g e . A flawed g a i t , t h e e x t r a h o p a n d shuffle o f a m a n w i t h a limp. L a n d s m a n takes hold of t h e cot frame a n d hoists it, t h e n backs u p against t h e shingled side of t h e barracks. W h e n h e sees o n e h i k i n g b o o t , t h e t w e e d cuff o f F l i g l e r ' s t r o u s e r l e g , h e t h r u s t s t h e cot frame out. As Fligler r o u n d s t h e corner, t h e steel e d g e o f t h e c o t f r a m e c a t c h e s h i m full i n t h e face. A r e d h a n d o f blood s p r e a d s its fingers across Fligler's c h e e k s a n d forehead. H i s c a n e flies u p i n t h e a i r a n d s t r i k e s t h e p a v e m e n t w i t h a m a r i m b a n o t e . T h e c o t f r a m e , as if s h y w i t h o u t i t s b e s t f r i e n d , d r a g s L a n d s m a n along w i t h it, o n t o Fligler, in a heap. T h e smell of Fligler's b l o o d fills L a n d s m a n ' s n o s t r i l s . L a n d s m a n s c r a m b l e s t o h i s f e e t , g r a b b i n g w i t h h i s free h a n d for t h e s h o l e m i n F l i g l e r ' s s l a c k f i n g e r s . H e raises t h e a u t o m a t i c , c o n t e m p l a t i n g s h o o t i n g t h e m a n on t h e

ZGB

MICHAEL

CHABDN

g r o u n d w i t h a certain black willingness. T h e n he glances t o w a r d the m a i n h o u s e , five h u n d r e d f e e t away. S e v e r a l d a r k s h a p e s a r e m o v i n g b e h i n d t h e F r e n c h d o o r s o n t h i s s i d e . T h e d o o r flies o p e n , a n d t h e h o l e - m o u t h e d p a n s o f b i g y o u n g y i d s i n s u i t s fill t h e d o o r w a y . L a n d s m a n e n v i e s t h e m t h e i r y o u t h f u l c a p a c i t y for w o n d e r b u t s t i l l raises t h e g u n in t h e i r d i r e c t i o n . T h e y d u c k a n d p u l l b a c k , a n d in t h e i r p a r t i n g , a tall, slim, fair-haired m a n s t a n d s revealed. T h e n e w arrival, fresh from t h e h o l d of his b r i g h t w h i t e floatplane. T h e h a i r is r e a l l y s o m e t h i n g , l i k e a flare o f s u n l i g h t o n a s h e e t o f s t e e l . Penguins on his sweater, b a g g y c o r d u r o y p a n t s . For an i n s t a n t the m a n in t h e p e n g u i n s w e a t e r frowns at L a n d s m a n , l o o k i n g confused. T h e n s o m e b o d y d r a g s h i m b a c k f r o m t h e d o o r w a y as L a n d s m a n tries to take aim. T h e cuff digs i n t o L a n d s m a n ' s w r i s t , s h a r p e n o u g h t o a b r a d e t h e flesh. H e c h a n g e s h i s a i m , p o i n t i n g t h e g u n a t h i s o w n left a r m . H e s q u e e z e s off a s i n g l e c a r e f u l s h o t , a n d t h e h a n d c u f f s l i d e s free, a bangle at his w r i s t . L a n d s m a n lowers t h e bed frame to t h e g r o u n d w i t h a n a i r o f m i l d r e g r e t , as if i t ' s t h e b o d y o f a b u m b l i n g b u t loyal family r e t a i n e r w h o has served t h e L a n d s m a n s well. T h e n he takes off i n t o t h e w o o d s t o w a r d a g a p i n t h e t r e e s . T h e r e m u s t b e a t l e a s t t w e n t y y o u n g h e a l t h y J e w s r u n n i n g after h i m , s h o u t i n g , cursing, g i v i n g o r d e r s . F o r t h e first m i n u t e h e e x p e c t s t o see t h e b r a n c h i n g l i g h t n i n g of a b u l l e t in his b r a i n a n d t o go d o w n u n d e r n e a t h t h e s l o w r o l l o f i t s t h u n d e r . B u t t h e r e is n o t h i n g ; t h e y m u s t h a v e b e e n given orders n o t to shoot. The last thing he wants is any hint of a mess. L a n d s m a n finds h i m s e l f r u n n i n g a l o n g a d i r t r o a d , n e a t a n d well m a i n t a i n e d , m a r k e d w i t h red reflectors on metal stakes. H e r e m e m b e r s t h e d i s t a n t p a t c h of g r e e n t h a t h e c a u g h t sight of from t h e air, b e y o n d t h e f o r e s t , d o t t e d w i t h p i l e s o f snow. H e f i g u r e s t h i s p a t h m u s t lead there. It m u s t lead, at any rate, somewhere. L a n d s m a n r u n s t h r o u g h t h e w o o d s . T h e d i r t t r a c k is t h i c k w i t h fallen n e e d l e s t h a t muffle t h e t h u d o f h i s b a r e h e e l s . H e c a n a l m o s t see t h e h e a t d e p a r t i n g his body, s h i m m e r i n g waves of it

THE Y I D D I S H

POLICEMEN'S

UNION

2G3

t h a t trail along b e h i n d . H e has a t a s t e at t h e b a c k of his m o u t h t h a t ' s like t h e m e m o r y of t h e smell of Fligler's b l o o d . T h e links on t h e b r o k e n chain d a n g l e from t h e handcuff, t i n k l i n g . S o m e w h e r e a w o o d p e c k e r is k n o c k i n g o u t i t s b r a i n s a g a i n s t t h e s i d e o f a t r e e . L a n d s m a n ' s o w n b r a i n is w o r k i n g t o o h a r d , t r y i n g t o f i g u r e t h e s e men and their business. T h e crippled professor t y p e whose T E C - 9 L a n d s m a n is p a c k i n g . T h e d o c t o r w i t h t h e c o n c r e t e f o r e h e a d . T h e deserted barracks room. T h e honor ranch that was no such thing. T h e s t r a p p i n g lads cooling their heels on t h e property. T h e golden m a n in t h e p e n g u i n s w e a t e r w h o w i l l n o t t o l e r a t e a m e s s . M e a n w h i l e , a n o t h e r s e g m e n t o f h i s b r a i n is b u s y t r y i n g g a u g e t h e a i r t e m p e r a t u r e — call i t 3 7 , 3 8 d e g r e e s F — a n d

to

from

t h e r e t o calculate or recall s o m e table h e m i g h t have seen o n c e t h a t g a v e t h e t i m e i t t a k e s h y p o t h e r m i a t o kill a J e w i s h p o l i c e m a n i n h i s u n d e r p a n t s . B u t t h e r u l i n g cells of t h a t g r e a t r u i n e d o r g a n , a d d l e d and drugged, are telling him only to run and keep on running. T h e w o o d s give o u t a b r u p t l y , a n d he's s t a n d i n g in front of a m a c h i n e shed, m o l d e d g r a y p a n e l s of steel, n o w i n d o w s , w i t h a r i p p l e d p l a s t i c roof. A s c r o t a l p a i r o f p r o p a n e t a n k s h u d d l e s a g a i n s t t h e s i d e o f t h e b u i l d i n g . T h e w i n d is s h a r p e r h e r e , a n d L a n d s m a n feels i t l i k e a flow o f b o i l i n g w a t e r o v e r h i s flesh. H e r u n s a r o u n d to t h e o t h e r side of t h e shed. It s t a n d s at t h e e d g e of a b a r r e n e x p a n s e of s t r a w - c o v e r e d g r o u n d . W a y in t h e d i s t a n c e , a b a n d of g r e e n g r a s s d i s s o l v e s i n t o t h e r o l l i n g fog. A g r a v e l t r a c k l e a d s a w a y from t h e s h e d , a l o n g t h e b a r e field o f s t r a w . F i f t y y a r d s

farther

a l o n g , t h e t r a c k forks. O n e f o r k r u n s t o t h e e a s t , t o w a r d t h a t b a n d of g r e e n . T h e o t h e r r u n s on s t r a i g h t a n d d i s a p p e a r s i n t o a d a r k s t a n d of trees. L a n d s m a n t u r n s b a c k t o t h e shed. A b i g d o o r on rollers. L a n d s m a n drags it t h u n d e r i n g t o o n e side. D i s a s s e m b l e d refrigeration

equipment,

c r y p t i c pieces of m a c h i n e s , one

wall

c o v e r e d in an A r a b i c w r i t t e n in l e n g t h s of b l a c k r u b b e r h o s e . A n d , right by t h e door, one of those t h r e e - w h e e l e d electric carts called Z u m z u m s ( t h e D i s t r i c t ' s n u m b e r t w o e x p o r t , after

Shofar-brand

c e l l u l a r t e l e p h o n e s ) . T h i s o n e is t r i c k e d o u t w i t h a f l a t b e d , t h e b e d

27D

MICHAEL

CHABDN

lined w i t h a sheet of m u d - s t r e a k e d black rubber. L a n d s m a n climbs u p b e h i n d t h e w h e e l . A s c o l d as h i s a s s a l r e a d y i s , as c o l d as t h e w i n d is b l o w i n g d o w n f r o m t h e Y u k o n , t h e v i n y l s e a t o f t h a t Z u m z u m is e v e n c o l d e r . L a n d s m a n t h u m b s i t s s t a r t e r s w i t c h . H e s t e p s o n t h e pedal, a n d w i t h a t h u n k a n d a w h i r r of differential gears, he's off. H e r u m b l e s u p t o t h e f o r k i n t h e r o a d a n d h e s i t a t e s b e t w e e n t h e w o o d s a n d t h a t t r a n q u i l b a n d of g r e e n grass, v a n i s h i n g like a p r o m i s e o f p e a c e f u l n e s s i n t o t h e fog. T h e n h e s m a s h e s d o w n t h e pedal. J u s t before he p l u n g e s i n t o t h e s t a n d of trees, L a n d s m a n looks b a c k o v e r his s h o u l d e r , a n d sees t h e y i d s of Peril S t r a i t c o m i n g a f t e r h i m i n a b i g b l a c k F o r d C a u d i l l o , s p l a s h i n g g r a v e l as i t r o u n d s t h e c o r n e r of t h e s u p p l y shed. L a n d s m a n has n o idea w h e r e it c a m e f r o m or, for t h a t m a t t e r , h o w i t g o t h e r e ; h e d i d n ' t s e e a n y c a r s a t all f r o m t h e air. I t ' s five h u n d r e d m e t e r s b e h i n d t h e Z u m z u m a n d g a i n i n g easily. In t h e w o o d s , gravel gives w a y t o a r o u g h t r a c k of packed e a r t h t h a t slips a m o n g h a n d s o m e Sitka spruces, high a n d secretive. As L a n d s m a n w h i r r s along, h e c a t c h e s sight b e t w e e n t h e trees of a h i g h c h a i n - l i n k fence t o p p e d b y gay g l i n t i n g curls of razor wire. T h e s t e e l m e s h f e n c e is w o v e n w i t h s l a t s o f g r e e n p l a s t i c . I n p l a c e s a g a p a p p e a r s in t h e g r e e n w e a v e of t h e fence. T h r o u g h

these

gaps, L a n d s m a n glimpses a n o t h e r steel shed, a clearing, posts, crossbeams, interlaced cables. A h u g e frame s t r e t c h e d w i t h a w e b of c a r g o n e t , d i s t e n d e d coils of b a r b e d w i r e , r o p e swings. It m i g h t b e a n a t h l e t i c f a c i l i t y , s o m e k i n d o f t h e r a p e u t i c p l a y g r o u n d for p a t i e n t s in recovery. S u r e , a n d t h e p e o p l e in t h e C a u d i l l o m i g h t j u s t be b r i n g i n g h i m his pants. T h e b l a c k c a r is u n d e r t w o h u n d r e d y a r d s f r o m h i m now. T h e p a s s e n g e r in its front seat rolls d o w n his w i n d o w a n d climbs o u t t o sit on t h e t o p of his door, s t e a d y i n g himself w i t h one h a n d on t h e r o o f r a c k . T h e o t h e r h a n d , L a n d s m a n o b s e r v e s , is b u s y g e t t i n g r e a d y t o fire a h a n d g u n . I t ' s a fair, b e a r d e d y o u n g m a n i n a b l a c k suit, c r o p p e d hair, a sober tie like Roboy's. H e takes his t i m e w i t h

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the shot, reckoning the ever-dwindling distance. A

271

flash

blooms

a r o u n d his h a n d , a n d t h e b a c k of t h e Z u m z u m e x p l o d e s w i t h a crack and a spray of

fiberglass

slivers. L a n d s m a n lets o u t a c r y a n d

t a k e s h i s f o o t off t h e a c c e l e r a t o r p e d a l . So m u c h for n o t m a k i n g a mess. H e b u m p s a l o n g o n m o m e n t u m for a n o t h e r five o r t e n f e e t a n d then comes to a stop. T h e y o u n g m a n h a n g i n g o u t of t h e Caudillo's w i n d o w r a i s e s h i s firing a r m a n d j u d g e s t h e effect o f h i s s h o t . T h e jagged hole in t h e

fiberglass

b o d y o f t h e Z u m z u m is p r o b a b l y

disappointing to the poor kid. But he has to be h a p p y a b o u t the fact t h a t h i s m o v i n g t a r g e t h a s j u s t b e c o m e s t a t i o n a r y . H i s n e x t s h o t is g o i n g t o b e a l o t e a s i e r . T h e k i d l o w e r s h i s a r m a g a i n w i t h a p a t i e n t s l o w n e s s t h a t is a l m o s t o s t e n t a t i o u s , a l m o s t c r u e l . I n his care a n d his p a r s i m o n i o u s a t t i t u d e t o w a r d b u l l e t s , L a n d s m a n senses t h e hallmark of rigorous t r a i n i n g a n d an athlete's g r a s p of eternity. S u r r e n d e r unfurls across L a n d s m a n ' s h e a r t like t h e s h a d o w of a flag. T h e r e is n o w a y h e c a n o u t r a c e t h e C a u d i l l o , n o t i n a s h o t u p Z u m z u m t h a t o n a g o o d d a y t o p s o u t a r o u n d fifteen m i l e s p e r hour. A w a r m blanket, m a y b e a h o t c u p of tea: T h e s e strike h i m as a d e q u a t e r e c o m p e n s e for f a i l u r e . T h e C a u d i l l o c o m e s c h a r g i n g t o w a r d h i m a n d t h e n s l o s h e s t o a h a l t i n a s p r a y o f fallen n e e d l e s . T h r e e of its d o o r s swing o p e n a n d t h r e e m e n c l i m b o u t , l u m b e r i n g y o u n g yids in ill-fitting suits a n d m e t e o r - b l a c k shoes, s t e e r i n g t h e i r a u t o m a t i c pistols t o w a r d L a n d s m a n . T h e g u n s s e e m t o t h r u m in t h e i r h a n d s as if t h e y c o n t a i n w i l d life o r g y r o s c o p e s . T h e g u n m e n c a n b a r e l y r e s t r a i n t h e m . H a r d b o y s , n e c k t i e s flying, t h e i r b e a r d s t r i m m e d neat along the jawline, their skullcaps small crocheted saucers. T h e rear door on t h e near side remains firmly s h u t , b u t b e h i n d it L a n d s m a n m a k e s o u t t h e o u t l i n e of a f o u r t h m a n . T h e

hard

boys close on L a n d s m a n in t h e i r m a t c h i n g s u i t s , w i t h t h e i r e a r n e s t haircuts. L a n d s m a n stands u p a n d t u r n s a r o u n d w i t h his h a n d s in t h e

272

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air. " Y o u ' r e c l o n e s , r i g h t ? " h e says as t h e t h r e e h a r d b o y s s u r r o u n d h i m . "At t h e e n d of t h e p i c t u r e , it always t u r n s o u t to be clones." " S h u t u p , " says t h e n e a r e s t h a r d b o y , s p e a k i n g A m e r i c a n , a n d L a n d s m a n is a b o u t t o a s s e n t w h e n h e h e a r s a s o u n d l i k e s o m e t h i n g b o t h fibrous a n d d o u g h y b e i n g slowly t o r n in t w o . In t h e t i m e it takes h i m t o o b s e r v e in t h e eyes of t h e h a r d boys t h a t t h e y hear it, too,

t h e s o u n d s h a r p e n s a n d rises t o a s t e a d y c h o p p i n g , a sheet of

p a p e r c a u g h t i n t h e b l a d e s o f a fan. T h e s o u n d g r o w s l o u d e r a n d m o r e layered. T h e hacking cough of an old m a n . A heavy w r e n c h c l a n g i n g a g a i n s t a c o l d c e m e n t floor. T h e f l a t u l e n c e o f a b u r s t balloon streaking across t h e living r o o m and k n o c k i n g over a lamp. T h r o u g h t h e t r e e s a l i g h t a p p e a r s , s t i t c h i n g a n d s t a g g e r i n g like a b u m b l e b e e , a n d s u d d e n l y , L a n d s m a n k n o w s i t for w h a t i t is. " D i c k , " h e says s i m p l y a n d n o t w i t h o u t w o n d e r , a n d a s h u d d e r s h a k e s h i m d e e p d o w n t o h i s b o n e s . T h e l i g h t is a n o l d s i x - v o l t l a m p , n o m o r e powerful t h a n a large flashlight, flickering and w a n in t h e g l o o m of t h e s p r u c e forest. T h e e n g i n e t h a t d r i v e s t h e l i g h t t o w a r d t h e p a r t y o f J e w s is a V - T w i n , c u s t o m - m a n u f a c t u r e d . You c a n h e a r t h e s p r i n g s o f t h e f r o n t f o r k s as t h e y r e g i s t e r e v e r y j o l t in t h e road. " F u c k h i m , " m u t t e r s o n e of t h e h a r d boys. "And his fucking Matchbox motorcycle." L a n d s m a n has h e a r d different stories a b o u t I n s p e c t o r Willie D i c k a n d h i s m o t o r c y c l e . S o m e s a y t h a t i t w a s m a d e for a f u l l - g r o w n B o m b a y m i l l i o n a i r e of smaller t h a n average s t a t u r e , o t h e r s t h a t it w a s o r i g i n a l l y p r e s e n t e d as a t h i r t e e n t h b i r t h d a y gift t o t h e P r i n c e o f W a l e s , a n d s t i l l o t h e r s t h a t i t o n c e b e l o n g e d t o a d a r e d e v i l freak in a circus d o w n in T e x a s o r A l a b a m a o r s o m e e x o t i c place like t h a t . A t first g l a n c e , i t is a s t o c k 1 9 6 1 R o y a l E n f i e l d C r u s a d e r , g u n m e t a l g r a y in t h e s u n l i g h t , its s t u n n i n g c h r o m i u m t r i m carefully r e s t o r e d . You h a v e t o g e t u p n e x t t o it, o r see it a l o n g s i d e a n o r m a l - s i z e d m o t o r c y c l e , t o r e a l i z e t h a t i t is b u i l t t o t w o - t h i r d s scale. W i l l i e D i c k , t h o u g h f u l l - g r o w n a n d t h i r t y - s e v e n y e a r s o l d , is o n l y f o u r feet seven i n c h e s tall.

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D i c k r u m b l e s p a s t t h e Z u m z u m , s q u e a k s t o a s t o p , kills t h e e l d e r l y B r i t i s h e n g i n e . H e c l i m b s off t h e b i k e a n d c o m e s s w a g g e r i n g over to L a n d s m a n . " W h a t t h e f u c k ? " h e s a y s , p u l l i n g off h i s g l o v e s , b l a c k l e a t h e r g a u n t l e t s of t h e sort t h a t m i g h t be w o r n b y M a x von S y d o w playing E r w i n R o m m e l . H i s v o i c e is a l w a y s s u r p r i s i n g l y r i c h a n d d e e p , given t h e boyishness of his frame. H e describes a slow circuit of a p p r a i s a l a r o u n d t h e flower of J e w i s h law e n f o r c e m e n t . " D e t e c t i v e Meyer L a n d s m a n ! " H e t u r n s to t h e h a r d boys a n d m a k e s a s t u d y of their hardness. " G e n t l e m e n . " " I n s p e c t o r D i c k , " says t h e o n e w h o t o l d L a n d s m a n t o up.

shut

T h e b o y h a s a j a i l h o u s e air, h o n e d a n d s t e a l t h y , a t o o t h b r u s h

s h a r p e n e d t o a shiv. " W h a t b r i n g s y o u t o o u r n e c k o f t h e w o o d s ? " " W i t h all d u e r e s p e c t , M r . G o l d — i t is G o l d , r i g h t ? y e a h — t h i s is my m o t h e r f u c k i n g n e c k o f t h e w o o d s . " D i c k s t e p s o u t f r o m t h e g r o u p c e n t e r e d a r o u n d L a n d s m a n . H e stares in t o get a look at t h e s h a d o w w a t c h i n g from b e h i n d t h e closed d o o r of t h e C a u d i l l o . Landsman can't be certain, b u t whoever's there doesn't look big e n o u g h t o b e R o b o y or t h e golden m a n in t h e p e n g u i n sweater. A h u n c h e d little shadow, furtive and watchful. "I was here before you, a n d I'll b e h e r e a l o n g t i m e a f t e r y o u y i d s a r e g o n e . " Detective

Inspector

Wilfred

Dick

is

a

full-blood

Tlingit,

d e s c e n d e d from t h e C h i e f D i c k w h o inflicted t h e last

recorded

fatality in t h e h i s t o r y of R u s s i a n - T l i n g i t r e l a t i o n s , s h o o t i n g a n d killing a m a r o o n e d , half-starved Russian s u b m a r i n e r he

caught

r a i d i n g h i s c r a b t r a p s a t S t a g B a y i n 1 9 4 8 . W i l l i e D i c k is m a r r i e d , w i t h n i n e c h i l d r e n b y h i s first a n d o n l y w i f e , w h o m L a n d s m a n h a s n e v e r s e e n . N a t u r a l l y , s h e is r e p u t e d t o b e a g i a n t e s s . I n 1 9 9 3 o r ' 9 4 D i c k successfully c o m p l e t e d t h e I d i t a r o d d o g - s l e d r a c e , c o m i n g in n i n t h a m o n g forty-seven finishers. H e has a P h . D . in c r i m i n o l o g y from G o n z a g a U n i v e r s i t y i n S p o k a n e , W a s h i n g t o n . D i c k ' s

first

a c t as a n a d u l t m a l e o f h i s t r i b e w a s t o t r a v e l , i n a n o l d B o s t o n whaler, from t h e D i c k village at S t a g Bay t o T r i b a l Police c e n t r a l h e a d q u a r t e r s in A n g o o n , in o r d e r t o p e r s u a d e t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t

274

MICHAEL

CHABDN

t o set aside, in his case, t h e m i n i m u m h e i g h t r e q u i r e m e n t s

for

T r i b a l P o l i c e officers. T h e s t o r i e s o f h o w t h i s w a s a c c o m p l i s h e d a r e s l a n d e r o u s , salacious, h a r d t o believe, or s o m e c o m b i n a t i o n of t h e t h r e e . W i l l i e D i c k h a s all t h e u s u a l b a d q u a l i t i e s o f v e r y s m a l l , v e r y intelligent men: vanity, arrogance, overcompetitiveness, a long m e m o r y for i n j u r i e s a n d s l i g h t s . H e is a l s o h o n e s t , d o g g e d , a n d f e a r l e s s , a n d h e o w e s L a n d s m a n a favor; D i c k h a s a l o n g m e m o r y for f a v o r s , t o o . " I ' m t r y i n g to imagine w h a t you m a d H e b r e w s are u p to, and e v e r y o n e o f m y t h e o r i e s is m o r e f u c k e d u p t h a n t h e l a s t o n e , " h e says. " T h i s m a n is a p a t i e n t h e r e , " says G o l d . " H e w a s t r y i n g t o c h e c k o u t a l i t t l e early, is a l l . " " S o y o u w e r e g o i n g t o s h o o t h i m , " D i c k says. " T h a t ' s

some

badass fucking therapy, you guys. D a m n ! Strict Freudian, h u h ? " H e t u r n s back to L a n d s m a n a n d looks h i m u p and d o w n . Dick's d a r k face is h a n d s o m e , i n a w a y , t h e a v i d e y e s o p e r a t i n g

from

t h e cover of a sage forehead, t h e chin dimpled, t h e nose straight a n d regular. T h e last t i m e L a n d s m a n saw h i m , Dick k e p t having to t a k e a pair of r e a d i n g glasses o u t of his shirt p o c k e t and p u t t h e m o n . N o w h e has given in t o s e n e s c e n c e a n d a d o p t e d a slick b l a c k - a n d - b r u s h e d - s t e e l pair of Italian spectacles, t h e kind w o r n i n t h o u g h t f u l i n t e r v i e w s b y a g i n g B r i t i s h r o c k g u i t a r i s t s . H e is d r e s s e d in stiff b l a c k j e a n s , b l a c k c o w b o y b o o t s , a n d a r e d - a n d b l a c k - p l a i d s h i r t w i t h a n o p e n collar. O v e r h i s s h o u l d e r s h e w e a r s , as u s u a l , a s h o r t c l o a k , h e l d i n p l a c e w i t h a b r a i d e d r a w h i d e t h o n g , m a d e f r o m t h e s k i n o f a b e a r h e h u n t e d a n d k i l l e d h i m s e l f . H e is a n affected c r e a t u r e , Willie D i c k — h e smokes black c i g a r e t t e s — b u t h e is a fine h o m i c i d e d e t e c t i v e . " J e s u s C h r i s t , L a n d s m a n . Y o u l o o k l i k e a f u c k i n g fetal p i g I s a w o n e t i m e pickled in a j a r . " H e u n t i e s t h e b r a i d e d t h o n g w i t h t h e fingers of o n e a n d shrugs o u t of t h e cloak. T h e n he tosses it to

hand

Landsman.

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F o r a n i n s t a n t i t ' s as c o l d as s t e e l a g a i n s t L a n d s m a n ' s b o d y , t h e n w o n d e r f u l l y w a r m . D i c k k e e p s t h e g r i n of m o c k e r y in p l a c e b u t , for L a n d s m a n ' s b e n e f i t — o n l y L a n d s m a n c a n s e e i t — e x t i n g u i s h e s e v e r y last t r a c e of h u m o r from his eyes. " I s p o k e t o t h a t e x - w i f e o f y o u r s , " h e says i n a n e a r - w h i s p e r , t h e voice h e uses t o t h r e a t e n s u s p e c t s a n d i n t i m i d a t e w i t n e s s e s . "After I g o t y o u r m e s s a g e . Y o u h a v e less f u c k i n g r i g h t t o b e h e r e t h a n a fucking eyeless African m o l e r a t . " H e raises his voice nearly t o t h e p o i n t of staginess. " D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n , w h a t d i d I tell y o u I w a s g o i n g t o d o t o y o u r J e w i s h ass t h e n e x t t i m e I c a u g h t y o u r u n n i n g a r o u n d Indian c o u n t r y w i t h o u t benefit of c l o t h i n g ? " "I d-don't

remember," Landsman

says, seized b y a v i o l e n t

t r e m o r o f g r a t i t u d e a n d e x p o s u r e . " Y o u s - s a i d so m a n y t h i n g s . " Dick walks over to t h e Caudillo, and knocks on t h e closed door like he w a n t s t o c o m e in. T h e d o o r o p e n s , a n d D i c k s t a n d s b e h i n d it a n d c o n v e r s e s i n a l o w v o i c e w i t h w h o e v e r is s i t t i n g i n s i d e , k e e p i n g w a r m . After a m o m e n t D i c k c o m e s b a c k a n d tells G o l d , " M a n in charge wants to speak to you." G o l d goes a r o u n d t h e o p e n d o o r t o talk t o t h e m a n in charge. W h e n he comes back, he looks like his sinuses have b e e n p u l l e d o u t t h r o u g h h i s e a r s a n d h e b l a m e s L a n d s m a n for i t . H e n o d s o n c e t o Dick. " D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n , " D i c k says. " I ' m v e r y m u c h afraid t h a t y o u a r e u n d e r a r r e s t . "

fucking

•3)

e

32

0"

n t h e e m e r g e n c y r o o m at t h e I n d i a n h o s p i t a l in St. C y r i l , t h e I n d i a n d o c t o r l o o k s L a n d s m a n o v e r a n d p r o n o u n c e s h i m fit t o b e j a i l e d . T h e d o c t o r ' s n a m e is R a u , a n d h e ' s f r o m M a d r a s , a n d h e ' s h e a r d all o f t h e j o k e s b e f o r e . H e ' s h a n d s o m e i n t h e Sal M i n e o style, b i g obsidian eyes a n d a m o u t h like a cake-icing rose. M i l d frostbite, he tells L a n d s m a n , n o t h i n g serious, t h o u g h one h o u r and forty-seven m i n u t e s after his r e s c u e , L a n d s m a n still can't seem t o s u p p r e s s t h e t e m b l o r s t h a t rise from i n n e r faults t o shake his body. C o l d to t h e h o n e y c o m b of his bones. " W h e r e ' s t h e big d o g w i t h t h e little t h i n g of b r a n d y a r o u n d h i s n e c k ? " L a n d s m a n says a f t e r t h e d o c t o r t e l l s h i m h e c a n t a k e off t h e b l a n k e t a n d p u t o n t h e j a i l h o u s e c l o t h e s t h a t lie i n a n e a t s t a c k beside t h e sink. " W h e n does he show up?" " D o y o u e n j o y b r a n d y ? " D r . R a u s a y s , as if h e ' s r e a d i n g f r o m a p h r a s e b o o k , as if h e h a s n o t t h e s l i g h t e s t i n t e r e s t e i t h e r i n h i s q u e s t i o n or in any a n s w e r t h a t L a n d s m a n m i g h t ever p r o d u c e . L a n d s m a n t a g s i t a t o n c e as a c l a s s i c i n t e r r o g a t o r ' s t o n e , so c o l d t h a t i t l e a v e s a b u r n . D r . R a u ' s g a z e r e m a i n s r e s o l u t e l y fixed o n a n e m p t y c o r n e r o f t h e r o o m . " I s t h a t s o m e t h i n g y o u feel y o u n e e d ? " " W h o said a n y t h i n g a b o u t n e e d i n g ? " L a n d s m a n says, fumbling

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w i t h t h e b u t t o n fly o f s o m e w o r n t w i l l t r o u s e r s . C o t t o n w o r k s h i r t , laceless canvas sneaks. T h e y w a n t t o d r e s s h i m like a w i n o , o r a beach b u m , or some o t h e r kind of loser w h o t u r n s u p n a k e d at y o u r intake desk, homeless, no visible m e a n s of s u p p o r t . T h e shoes are too big, b u t otherwise, everything's a perfect

fit.

" N o c r a v i n g ? " T h e r e ' s a fleck o f a s h i n t h e A o f t h e d o c t o r ' s n a m e tag. H e picks at it w i t h a

fingernail.

" Y o u ' r e n o t feeling t h e

need of a d r i n k r i g h t n o w ? " " M a y b e I j u s t want o n e , " L a n d s m a n says. " D i d y o u e v e r t h i n k of t h a t ? " " M a y b e , " t h e d o c t o r says. " O r m a y b e y o u a r e f o n d o f l a r g e , salivating dogs." " O k a y , k n o c k i t off, D o c , " L a n d s m a n

says. " L e t ' s n o t

play

games." "All r i g h t . " D r . R a u t u r n s h i s p l u m p face t o L a n d s m a n . T h e i r i s e s of his eyes are like cast iron. " B a s e d on m y e x a m i n a t i o n , I w o u l d guess t h a t you are going t h r o u g h alcoholic w i t h d r a w a l , D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n . In a d d i t i o n to e x p o s u r e , y o u ' r e also suffering

from

dehydration, tremors, palpitations, and your pupils are enlarged. Y o u r b l o o d s u g a r is low, w h i c h t e l l s m e y o u p r o b a b l y h a v e n ' t b e e n e a t i n g . L o s s o f a p p e t i t e is a n o t h e r s y m p t o m o f w i t h d r a w a l .

Your

b l o o d p r e s s u r e is e l e v a t e d , a n d y o u r r e c e n t b e h a v i o r a p p e a r s

to

have b e e n , from w h a t I g a t h e r , q u i t e e r r a t i c . E v e n v i o l e n t . " L a n d s m a n tugs on t h e w r i n k l e d lapels of t h e collar of chambray work shirt, trying to smooth t h e m out. Like

his

cheap

window blinds, they keep rolling themselves up. " D o c t o r , " h e says, " f r o m o n e m a n w i t h X - r a y eyeballs t o a n o t h e r , I r e s p e c t y o u r k e e n n e s s , b u t t e l l m e , p l e a s e , if t h e c o u n t r y o f I n d i a w e r e b e i n g c a n c e l e d , a n d in t w o m o n t h s , a l o n g w i t h e v e r y o n e y o u loved, you w e r e going to be tossed i n t o t h e j a w s of t h e wolf w i t h n o w h e r e t o go a n d n o o n e t o give a fuck, a n d half t h e w o r l d h a d j u s t s p e n t t h e p a s t t h o u s a n d y e a r s t r y i n g t o kill H i n d u s , d o n ' t y o u think you might take up drinking?"

MICHAEL

278

CHABDN

" T h a t or ranting to strange doctors." " T h e d o g w i t h t h e b r a n d y n e v e r g e t s wise w i t h t h e frozen g u y , " L a n d s m a n says w i s t f u l l y . "Detective Landsman." "Yes,

Doc."

" I h a v e b e e n e x a m i n i n g y o u for t h e l a s t e l e v e n m i n u t e s , a n d in t h a t t i m e you have p r o d u c e d three prolonged speeches. R a n t s , I w o u l d call t h e m . " " Y e s , " L a n d s m a n s a y s , a n d n o w h i s b l o o d b e g i n s t o flow for t h e first t i m e : i n t o his c h e e k s . " I t h a p p e n s s o m e t i m e s . " " Y o u like t o m a k e speeches?" " T h e y come and go." "Verbal jags." "I've heard t h e m called t h a t . " F o r t h e first t i m e L a n d s m a n n o t i c e s t h a t D r . R a u is s e c r e t l y c h e w i n g s o m e t h i n g , w o r k i n g it w i t h his b a c k t e e t h . T h e faint smell of anise leaks from his frosting-pink lips. The

doctor

makes

a note on Landsman's

c h a r t . "Are

you

c u r r e n t l y u n d e r t h e care of a psychiatrist or taking any medication for d e p r e s s i o n ? " "Depression? I seem depressed to you?" " I t ' s r e a l l y j u s t a w o r d , " t h e d o c t o r says. " I ' m l o o k i n g a t possible s y m p t o m s . F r o m w h a t Inspector Dick has told me, and from m y e x a m i n a t i o n of you, it seems at least possible t h a t you m i g h t possibly have s o m e kind of m o o d disorder." " Y o u a r e n ' t t h e f i r s t p e r s o n t o s a y t h a t , " L a n d s m a n says. " I ' m s o r r y t o have t o b r e a k it to y o u . " "Are you taking medication? "No,

n o t really."

" N o t really?" "No.

I don't want to."

"You don't want to." " I ' m , y o u know. Afraid I m i g h t lose m y e d g e . " " T h a t e x p l a i n s t h e d r i n k i n g , t h e n , " t h e d o c t o r says. H i s w o r d s

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of licorice. " I hear it

does

w o n d e r s for o n e ' s e d g e . " H e g o e s t o t h e d o o r , o p e n s i t , a n d a n I n d i a n n o z c o m e s i n t o t a k e L a n d s m a n away. " I n m y e x p e r i e n c e , D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n , if I m a y , " t h e d o c t o r c o n c l u d e s h i s o w n j a g , " t h e p e o p l e w h o w o r r y a b o u t l o s i n g t h e i r e d g e , o f t e n t h e y fail t o see t h e y a l r e a d y l o s t t h e blade a l o n g t i m e a g o . " " T h e s w a m i s p e a k s , " says t h e I n d i a n n o z . " L o c k h i m u p , " t h e d o c t o r s a y s , t o s s i n g L a n d s m a n ' s file i n t o t h e tray m o u n t e d to t h e wall. T h e Indian noz has a head like a r e d w o o d b u r l a n d t h e w o r s t haircut L a n d s m a n has ever seen, s o m e k i n d of u n g o d l y h y b r i d of a high-and-tight and a p o m p a d o u r . H e leads L a n d s m a n t h r o u g h a series of b l a n k hallways, u p a flight of steel s t a i r s , t o a r o o m at t h e b a c k of t h e St. C y r i l jail. It has an o r d i n a r y steel door, n o bars. It's reasonably clean a n d reasonably well lit. T h e b u n k has a m a t t r e s s , a pillow, a n d a b l a n k e t , folded t r i m . T h e t o i l e t has a seat. T h e r e ' s a metal mirror bolted to the wall. " T h e V I P s u i t e , " says t h e I n d i a n n o z . " Y o u s h o u l d s e e w h e r e I l i v e , " L a n d s m a n says. " I t ' s a l m o s t as n i c e as t h i s . " " N o t h i n g p e r s o n a l , " t h e n o z says. " T h e i n s p e c t o r w a n t e d

to

make sure you k n e w that." " W h e r e is t h e i n s p e c t o r ? " " D e a l i n g w i t h this. W e get a c o m p l a i n t from t h o s e people, he h a s n i n e flavors o f s h i t t o d e a l w i t h . " A h u m o r l e s s g r i n c o n t o r t s h i s face. " Y o u f u c k e d u p t h a t g i m p y l i t t l e J e w p r e t t y b a d . " " W h o a r e t h e y ? " L a n d s m a n says. " S e r g e a n t , w h a t t h e f u c k a r e those Jews u p to over t h e r e ? " " I t ' s a r e t r e a t c e n t e r , " t h e s e r g e a n t says w i t h t h e s a m e b u r n i n g lack of

emotion

that

Dr.

Rau

put

into

his

questions

about

Landsman's alcoholism. "For w a y w a r d Jew y o u t h trapped by the scourge of c r i m e a n d d r u g s . A n y w a y s , t h a t ' s w h a t I h e a r d . H a v e yourself a nice nap, Detective." After t h e Indian n o z leaves, L a n d s m a n crawls i n t o t h e b u n k a n d

Z8D

MICHAEL

CHABDN

p u l l s t h e b l a n k e t o v e r h i s h e a d , a n d b e f o r e h e c a n p r e v e n t himself, b e f o r e h e h a s t i m e e v e n t o feel s o m e t h i n g a n d k n o w t h a t h e is f e e l i n g i t , a s o b g e t s w r e n c h e d l o o s e f r o m s o m e d e e p n i c h e a n d fills his w i n d p i p e . T h e tears t h a t b u r n his eyes are like his alcoholic t r e m o r s : T h e y have n o use, a n d h e c a n ' t seem t o get on t o p of t h e m . H e c l a m p s h i s p i l l o w d o w n o v e r h i s face a n d feels for t h e first t i m e h o w u t t e r l y a l o n e N a o m i left h i m . T o calm himself, h e goes b a c k to M e n d e l S h p i l m a n on t h e bed in r o o m 2 0 8 . H e i m a g i n e s h i m s e l f l y i n g o n t h e p u l l d o w n b e d in t h a t w a l l p a p e r e d cell, r u n n i n g t h r o u g h t h e moves of Alekhine's s e c o n d g a m e a g a i n s t C a p a b l a n c a a t B u e n o s A i r e s in 1927, w h i l e t h e s m a c k t u r n e d h i s b l o o d i n t o a flood o f s u g a r a n d h i s b r a i n i n t o a l a p p i n g t o n g u e . So. O n c e h e h a d b e e n f i t t e d for t h e s u i t o f t h e T z a d d i k H a - D o r a n d t h e n d e c i d e d t h a t it w a s a straitjacket. All r i g h t . T h e n a l o t o f w a s t e d y e a r s . H u s t l i n g c h e s s for d r u g m o n e y . C h e a p hotels. H i d i n g himself from

the incompatible

destinies

c h o s e n for h i m b y h i s g e n e s a n d b y h i s G o d . T h e n o n e d a y s o m e m e n d i g h i m u p a n d d u s t h i m off a n d t a k e h i m a w a y t o P e r i l S t r a i t . A place w i t h a d o c t o r , a facility b u i l t t h r o u g h t h e g e n e r o s i t y of t h e B a r r y s a n d t h e M a r v i n s a n d t h e Susies of Jewish A m e r i c a , w h e r e t h e y can clean h i m u p , p a t c h h i m together. Why? Because t h e y need h i m . Because t h e y i n t e n d to r e s t o r e h i m to practical use. A n d h e w a n t s t o g o w i t h t h e m , t h e s e m e n . H e a g r e e s t o d o so. N a o m i n e v e r w o u l d h a v e flown S h p i l m a n a n d h i s e s c o r t s if s h e sniffed a n y k i n d o f c o e r c i o n i n t h e j o b . So t h e r e is s o m e t h i n g i n i t — m o n e y , t h e p r o m i s e of h e a l i n g or r e c a p t u r e d glory, reconciliation w i t h t h e family, a n e v e n t u a l p a y o f f i n d r u g s — f o r S h p i l m a n . B u t w h e n h e a r r i v e s a t P e r i l S t r a i t t o s t a r t h i s n e w life, s o m e t h i n g c h a n g e s S h p i l m a n ' s m i n d . S o m e t h i n g t h a t h e l e a r n s , o r r e a l i z e s , o r sees. O r m a y b e h e j u s t g e t s c o l d f e e t . A n d t u r n s for h e l p t o t h e w o m a n w h o s e r v e d a n y n u m b e r o f p e o p l e , g e n e r a l l y t h e m o s t l o s t , as t h e o n l y f r i e n d t h e y h a d i n t h e w o r l d . N a o m i flies h i m o u t a g a i n , c h a n g i n g h e r flight p l a n e n r o u t e , a n d f i n d s h i m a r i d e t o a c h e a p m o t e l w i t h t h e p i e m a n ' s d a u g h t e r . I n p a y m e n t for h e r h u b r i s , t h e s e m y s t e r y

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UNIDN

281

J e w s c r a s h N a o m i ' s a i r p l a n e for h e r . T h e n t h e y g o o u t h u n t i n g for M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , gone t o g r o u n d again. H i d i n g from his possible selves. L y i n g t h e r e in his r o o m at t h e Z a m e n h o f , f a c e d o w n o n t h e b e d , t o o far g o n e t o t h i n k a b o u t A l e k h i n e a n d C a p a b l a n c a a n d t h e Q u e e n ' s I n d i a n D e f e n s e . T o o far g o n e t o h e a r t h e k n o c k o n t h e door. " Y o u d o n ' t h a v e t o knock, B e r k o , " L a n d s m a n says. " T h i s is a jail." T h e r e ' s a r a t t l e of keys, a n d t h e n t h e Indian n o z t h r o w s o p e n t h e door. B e r k o S h e m e t s s t a n d s b e h i n d h i m . H e h a s d r e s s e d h i m s e l f as for a safari d e e p i n t o t h e b u s h . J e a n s , flannel s h i r t , l a c e - u p l e a t h e r h i k i n g boots, a grayish-brown

fisherman's

vest equipped with

two pockets, sub-pockets, and sub-sub-pockets. At

first

seventyglance,

h e l o o k s a l m o s t l i k e a t y p i c a l if r a t h e r l a r g e A l a s k a n b u s h r u n n e r . You c a n h a r d l y m a k e o u t t h e p o l o - p l a y e r i n s i g n i a t h a t o r n a m e n t s h i s s h i r t . B e r k o ' s u s u a l d i s c r e e t s k u l l c a p h a s b e e n l a i d a s i d e i n favor o f a n o u t s i z e e m b r o i d e r e d n u m b e r , c y l i n d r i c a l , a d w a r f fez. B e r k o always lays o n t h e J e w a l i t t l e t h i c k w h e n h e is o b l i g e d t o t r a v e l t o t h e I n d i a n e r - L a n d s . L a n d s m a n c a n ' t t e l l f r o m h e r e , b u t h i s p a r t n e r is p r o b a b l y w e a r i n g h i s S t a r o f D a v i d cuff l i n k s , t o o . " I ' m sorry," L a n d s m a n tells h i m . " I k n o w I ' m always sorry, b u t this time, believe m e , I could n o t be sorrier." " W e ' l l s e e a b o u t t h a t , " B e r k o says. " C o m e o n , h e w a n t s

to

see u s . " " W h o does?" " T h e e m p e r o r of t h e F r e n c h . " L a n d s m a n gets u p from t h e b e d , goes t o t h e sink, t h r o w s s o m e w a t e r o n h i s face. " A m I free t o g o ? " h e a s k s t h e I n d i a n n o z as h e w a l k s o u t t h e d o o r o f t h e c e l l . " Y o u ' r e t e l l i n g m e I ' m free t o g o ? " " Y o u ' r e a free m a n , " says t h e n o z . " D o n ' t y o u b e l i e v e i t , " says L a n d s m a n .

33

F

g»

r o m h i s c o r n e r office o n t h e g r o u n d floor o f t h e S t . C y r i l s t a t i o n h o u s e , I n s p e c t o r D i c k h a s a fine v i e w o f t h e p a r k i n g l o t . Six D u m p s t e r s p l a t e d a n d h o o p e d like iron m a i d e n s a g a i n s t bears.

Beyond the D u m p s t e r s a subalpine meadow, and then the snow­ c a p p e d g h e t t o w a l l t h a t k e e p s t h e J e w s a t bay. D i c k is s l o u c h e d a g a i n s t t h e b a c k of his t w o - t h i r d s - s c a l e d e s k chair, a r m s crossed, chin s u n k to his chest, staring o u t t h e casement window. N o t at the m o u n t a i n s or t h e m e a d o w , grayish g r e e n in t h e late light, tufted w i t h w i s p s o f fog, o r e v e n a t t h e a r m o r e d D u m p s t e r s . H i s g a z e travels n o f a r t h e r t h a n t h e p a r k i n g l o t — n o f a r t h e r t h a n his 1961 Royal Enfield C r u s a d e r . L a n d s m a n recognizes t h e expression on D i c k ' s face. I t ' s t h e e x p r e s s i o n t h a t g o e s w i t h t h e f e e l i n g L a n d s m a n g e t s w h e n h e l o o k s a t h i s C h e v e l l e S u p e r S p o r t , o r a t t h e face o f B i n a G e l b f i s h . T h e face o f a m a n w h o feels h e w a s b o r n i n t o t h e w r o n g w o r l d . A m i s t a k e h a s b e e n m a d e ; h e is n o t w h e r e h e b e l o n g s . E v e r y s o o f t e n h e feels h i s h e a r t c a t c h , l i k e a k i t e o n a t e l e p h o n e w i r e , o n s o m e t h i n g t h a t s e e m s t o p r o m i s e h i m a h o m e in t h e w o r l d or a m e a n s o f g e t t i n g t h e r e . A n A m e r i c a n c a r m a n u f a c t u r e d i n h i s faroff b o y h o o d , say, o r a m o t o r c y c l e t h a t o n c e b e l o n g e d t o t h e f u t u r e k i n g o f E n g l a n d , o r t h e face o f a w o m a n w o r t h i e r t h a n h i m s e l f o f being loved.

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283

" I h o p e y o u ' r e d r e s s e d , " D i c k says w i t h o u t t u r n i n g f r o m

the

w i n d o w . T h e w i s t f u l flicker i n h i s e y e s h a s b e e n s n u f f e d . T h e r e is n o l o n g e r a n y t h i n g h a p p e n i n g i n h i s face a t a l l . " B e c a u s e t h e t h i n g s I w i t n e s s e d in t h o s e w o o d s — C h r i s t , I a l m o s t h a d t o fucking b u r n m y m o t h e r f u c k i n g b e a r s k i n . " H e affects t o s h u d d e r . " T h e T l i n g i t N a t i o n d o e s n ' t p a y m e a n y w h e r e n e a r e n o u g h t o m a k e u p for h a v i n g t o look at y o u s t a n d i n g a r o u n d in y o u r u n d e r p a n t s . " " T h e T l i n g i t N a t i o n , " says B e r k o S h e m e t s , p r o n o u n c i n g

it

like t h e n a m e of a n o t o r i o u s s c a m o r a claim a b o u t t h e l o c a t i o n of A t l a n t i s . H e i n t r u d e s h i s b u l k o n t h e f u r n i s h i n g s o f D i c k ' s office. "So,

w h a t , t h e y still p a y t h e salaries a r o u n d here? Because M e y e r

was j u s t telling m e it m i g h t b e o t h e r w i s e . " D i c k t u r n s , s l o w a n d lazy, a n d h i k e s u p a c o r n e r o f h i s u p p e r l i p t o b a r e a few i n c i s o r s a n d c u s p i d s . " J o h n n y t h e J e w , " h e says. " W e l l , well. Beanie a n d all. A n d clearly y o u h a v e n ' t h a d a n y difficulties lately saying t h e holy blessing over t h e Filipino d o n u t . " "Fuck you, Dick, you anti-Semitic m i d g e t . " " F u c k you, Johnny, and your chickenshit insinuations about m y i n t e g r i t y as a p o l i c e officer." In his rich b u t r u s t y T l i n g i t , Berko expresses a wish t o o n e d a y see D i c k l y i n g d e a d a n d s h o e l e s s i n t h e s n o w . " G o s h i t i n t h e o c e a n , " D i c k says i n f l a w l e s s Y i d d i s h . T h e y step toward each other, and t h e large m a n takes t h e small one into his embrace. T h e y p o u n d at each other's backs, searching for t h e t u b e r c u l a r s p o t s i n t h e i r s l o w l y d y i n g f r i e n d s h i p , s o u n d i n g t h e d e p t h s of t h e i r a n c i e n t e n m i t y like a d r u m . In t h e year of misery t h a t p r e c e d e d his defection to t h e Jewish side of his n a t u r e , before his m o t h e r was c r u s h e d b y a r u n a w a y t r u c k l o a d of r i o t i n g Jews, y o u n g John Bear discovered basketball and Wilfred

Dick,

t h e n a f o u r - f o o t - t w o p o i n t g u a r d . I t w a s h a t r e d a t first s i g h t , t h e k i n d o f g r a n d r o m a n t i c h a t r e d t h a t i n t h i r t e e n - y e a r - o l d b o y s is i n d i s t i n g u i s h a b l e from o r t h e n e a r e s t t h e y can g e t t o love. " J o h n n y B e a r , " D i c k says. " W h a t t h e f u c k , y o u g r e a t b i g J e w ? " Berko s h r u g s , r u b b i n g at t h e b a c k of his n e c k in a s h e e p i s h w a y

284

MICHAEL

CHABDN

t h a t m a k e s h i m look like a thirteen-year-old c e n t e r w h o has j u s t w a t c h e d s o m e t h i n g small and n a s t y squirt past him on a drive to t h e b a s k e t . " Y e a h , h e y , W i l l i e D . , " h e says. "Sit

down,

you

fat

motherfucker,"

Dick

says. " Y o u ,

too,

L a n d s m a n , a n d all t h o s e u g l y f r e c k l e s o n y o u r ass c r a c k . " B e r k o g r i n s , a n d t h e y all s i t d o w n , D i c k o n h i s s i d e o f h i s d e s k , t h e J e w i s h p o l i c e m e n o n t h e i r s . T h e t w o c h a i r s for v i s i t o r s a r e s t a n d a r d scale, a l o n g w i t h t h e b o o k s h e l v e s a n d e v e r y t h i n g else i n t h e office a p a r t f r o m D i c k ' s d e s k a n d c h a i r . T h e effect is fun h o u s e , n a u s e a t i n g . O r m a y b e t h a t ' s a n o t h e r s y m p t o m of alcoholic w i t h d r a w a l . D i c k t a k e s o u t his black c i g a r e t t e s a n d p u s h e s an a s h t r a y across t h e d e s k t o w a r d L a n d s m a n . H e leans b a c k in his c h a i r a n d p u t s his b o o t s u p o n t h e d e s k . H e w e a r s t h e sleeves of his Woolrich shirt rolled back. H i s forearms are r o p y and b r o w n . C u r l i n g g r a y h a i r s p e e p over his o p e n collar, a n d his chic eyeglasses a r e folded in t h e p o c k e t of his s h i r t . " T h e r e a r e so m a n y p e o p l e I w o u l d r a t h e r b e l o o k i n g a t r i g h t n o w , " h e says. " L i t e r a l l y m i l l i o n s . " " T h e n close y o u r fucking e y e s , " Berko suggests. D i c k c o m p l i e s . H i s e y e l i d s a r e d a r k a n d glossy, b r u i s e d - l o o k i n g . " L a n d s m a n , " h e s a y s , as if e n j o y i n g t h e b l i n d n e s s , " h o w w a s y o u r room?" " T h e s h e e t s h a d a t o u c h m o r e l a v e n d e r w a t e r t h a n I c a r e for," L a n d s m a n says. " O t h e r t h a n t h a t , I r e a l l y h a v e n o c o m p l a i n t s . " D i c k o p e n s h i s e y e s . " I t h a s b e e n m y g o o d f o r t u n e as a n a g e n t o f l a w e n f o r c e m e n t o n t h i s r e s e r v a t i o n t o h a v e r e l a t i v e l y few d e a l i n g s w i t h J e w s over t h e y e a r s , " h e b e g i n s . " O h , a n d before e i t h e r of y o u starts cinching u p his s p h i n c t e r on m e over m y

supposed

a n t i - S e m i t i s m , let m e j u s t s t i p u l a t e r i g h t n o w t h a t I d o n ' t give a

flying

fuck w h e t h e r I offend y o u r p o r k - s h u n n i n g asses or n o t ,

a n d o n b a l a n c e , I w o u l d s a y t h a t I h o p e I d o . T h e fat m a n t h e r e k n o w s perfectly well, or he should, t h a t I hate everyone equally a n d w i t h o u t favor, r e g a r d l e s s o f c r e e d o r D N A . " " U n d e r s t o o d , " says B e r k o .

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UNION

285

" W e feel t h e s a m e w a y a b o u t y o u , " L a n d s m a n says. " M y p o i n t is t h a t J e w s m e a n b u l l s h i t . A t h o u s a n d

laminated

l a y e r s o f p o l i t i c s a n d lies b u f f e d t o a h i g h s h e e n . T h e r e f o r e , I b e l i e v e p r e c i s e l y ass p o i n t t w o p e r c e n t o f a n y t h i n g t h a t w a s t o l d t o m e b y this s u p p o s e d Dr. Roboy, w h o s e c r e d e n t i a l s , b y t h e way, c h e c k o u t as l e g i t i m a t e b u t w i t h a c e r t a i n a m o u n t o f m u d a t t h e b o t t o m , a b o u t h o w y o u c a m e t o b e s c o o t i n g d o w n t h a t r o a d in y o u r skivvies, L a n d s m a n , w i t h a Jew c o w b o y taking p o t s h o t s at you o u t t h e w i n d o w of his car." L a n d s m a n starts to explain, b u t Dick holds u p one of his girlish h a n d s , t h e n a i l s n e a t a n d glossy. " L e t m e finish. T h o s e g e n t l e m e n , n o , J o h n n y , t h e y d o n o t p a y m y s a l a r y , fuck y o u v e r y m u c h . B u t t h r o u g h m e a n s n o t g i v e n t o me to understand, and that I don't have the stomach to speculate about, those g e n t l e m e n have friends, T l i n g i t friends, w h o d o pay m y salary, or t o b e specific, w h o sit on t h e c o u n c i l t h a t d o e s . A n d if t h o s e w i s e t r i b a l e l d e r s w e r e t o i n d i c a t e t o m e t h a t t h e y w o u l d n o t t a k e i t a m i s s if I b o o k e d y o u r p a r t n e r h e r e , a n d h e l d h i m o n charges of t r e s p a s s i n g a n d burglary, n o t t o m e n t i o n c o n d u c t i n g an i l l e g a l a n d u n a u t h o r i z e d i n v e s t i g a t i o n , t h e n t h a t is w h a t I w o u l d have to do. T h o s e Jewish squirrels o u t t h e r e at Peril S t r a i t , a n d I k n o w y o u k n o w i t p a i n s m e t o s a y t h i s , for b e t t e r o r w o r s e , t h e y ' r e my m o t h e r f u c k i n g J e w i s h s q u i r r e l s . A n d t h e i r facility, for as l o n g as t h e y o c c u p y i t , c o m e s u n d e r t h e full c o l o r a n d p r o t e c t i o n o f T r i b a l l a w e n f o r c e m e n t . E v e n if, a f t e r I g o t o all t h e t r o u b l e t o s a v e y o u r f r e c k l e - a s s e d life o u t t h e r e , L a n d s m a n , a n d d r a g y o u d o w n h e r e a n d h o u s e y o u a t c o n s i d e r a b l e e x p e n s e , f u c k if t h o s e J e w s d o n ' t s e e m t o l o s e all i n t e r e s t in y o u . " " T a l k a b o u t v e r b a l j a g s , " L a n d s m a n says t o B e r k o . T o

Dick

h e says, " T h e y g o t a d o c t o r h e r e , I r e a l l y t h i n k y o u o u g h t t o s e e him." " B u t m u c h as I ' d l i k e t o s e n d y o u b a c k t o g e t y o u r a s s h u n g on a h o o k b y t h a t ex-wife of y o u r s , L a n d s m a n , " D i c k b a r r e l s o n , " a n d t r y as I m i g h t , I c a n ' t s e e m t o l e t y o u g o w i t h o u t a s k i n g j u s t

28G

MICHAEL

CHABDN

o n e q u e s t i o n , e v e n k n o w i n g in a d v a n c e t h a t y o u ' r e b o t h J e w s , of a s o r t , a n d t h a t a n y a n s w e r y o u g i v e m e is o n l y g o i n g t o a d d t o t h e layers of bullshit t h a t are already b l i n d i n g m e w i t h their high Jewish shine." T h e y w a i t for t h e q u e s t i o n , a n d i t c o m e s , a n d D i c k ' s m a n n e r h a r d e n s . All traces of v e r b o s i t y a n d t e a s i n g vanish. " A r e w e t a l k i n g a b o u t a h o m i c i d e ? " h e says. "Yes," Landsman

says a t

the

same

time

that

Berko

says,

"Officially, n o . " " T w o , " L a n d s m a n i n s i s t s . " T w o , B e r k o . I m a k e t h e m for N a o m i , too." " N a o m i ? " B e r k o says. " M e y e r , w h a t t h e f u c k ? " L a n d s m a n goes over it from t h e b e g i n n i n g , leaving o u t n o t h i n g r e l e v a n t , f r o m t h e k n o c k o n t h e d o o r of. h i s r o o m a t t h e Z a m e n h o f t o his i n t e r v i e w w i t h M r s . S h p i l m a n , from t h e pie man's d a u g h t e r w h o sent h i m i n t o t h e FAA records to t h e presence of

Aryeh

B a r o n s h t e y n at Peril Strait. " H e b r e w ? " B e r k o says. " M e x i c a n s s p e a k i n g H e b r e w ? " " T h a t ' s w h a t i t s o u n d e d l i k e t o m e , " L a n d s m a n says. " N o t synagogue Hebrew, either." Landsman knows H e b r e w when he h e a r s i t . B u t t h e H e b r e w h e k n o w s is t h e t r a d i t i o n a l b r a n d , t h e o n e his a n c e s t o r s c a r r i e d w i t h t h e m t h r o u g h t h e millennia of their E u r o p e a n e x i l e , o i l y a n d s a l t y as a p i e c e o f fish s m o k e d t o p r e s e r v e i t , i t s flesh f l a v o r e d s t r o n g l y b y Y i d d i s h . T h a t k i n d o f H e b r e w is n e v e r e m p l o y e d for h u m a n c o n v e r s a t i o n . I t ' s o n l y for t a l k i n g t o G o d . If it w a s H e b r e w t h a t L a n d s m a n h e a r d a t Peril S t r a i t , it was n o t t h e old salt-herring t o n g u e b u t some spiky dialect, a language of alkali a n d rocks. It s o u n d e d t o h i m like t h e H e b r e w b r o u g h t over b y t h e Z i o n i s t s a f t e r 1 9 4 8 . T h o s e h a r d d e s e r t J e w s t r i e d fiercely t o h o l d o n t o i t i n t h e i r e x i l e b u t , as w i t h t h e G e r m a n J e w s b e f o r e t h e m , got o v e r w h e l m e d b y t h e t e e m i n g t u m u l t of Yiddish, a n d by t h e painful association of t h e i r l a n g u a g e w i t h r e c e n t failure a n d d i s a s t e r . A s far as L a n d s m a n k n o w s , t h a t k i n d o f H e b r e w is e x t i n c t e x c e p t a m o n g a few l a s t h o l d o u t s m e e t i n g a n n u a l l y i n l o n e l y h a l l s .

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

287

" I o n l y c a u g h t a w o r d o r t w o . I t w a s fast a n d I c o u l d n ' t f o l l o w i t . I guess that was t h e idea." H e tells t h e m a b o u t w a k i n g in t h e r o o m w h e r e N a o m i w r o t e h e r epitaph on a wall, about the barracks and t h e training course and t h e g r o u p s of idle y o u n g m e n w i t h g u n s . As h e tells it, D i c k gets m o r e a n d m o r e i n t e r e s t e d in s p i t e of h i m s e l f , a s k i n g q u e s t i o n s , p o k i n g h i s n o s e i n t o t h e affair w i t h a n i n s t i n c t i v e , s t u b b o r n love of stinks. " I k n e w y o u r s i s t e r , " h e says w h e n L a n d s m a n w i n d s u p a t t h e r e s c u e in t h e w o o d s of Peril S t r a i t . " I w a s s o r r y w h e n s h e d i e d . A n d this holy fudge-packer s o u n d s like exactly t h e k i n d of s t r a y m u t t she w o u l d have r i s k e d h e r ass for." " B u t w h a t d i d t h e y w a n t from M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , t h e s e J e w s w i t h t h e i r v i s i t o r w h o d o e s n ' t l i k e m e s s e s ? " B e r k o says. " T h a t ' s t h e p a r t I d o n ' t g e t . W h a t a r e t h e y doing o u t t h e r e ? " T h e q u e s t i o n s s t r i k e L a n d s m a n as i n e v i t a b l e , l o g i c a l , a n d key, b u t t h e y s e e m t o c o o l D i c k ' s a r d o r for t h e c a s e . "You have n o t h i n g , " h e says, his m o u t h a bloodless h y p h e n . "And l e t m e t e l l y o u , L a n d s m a n , w i t h t h e s e P e r i l S t r a i t J e w s , s u c h is far from t h e c a s e . T h e y h a v e so m u c h w e i g h t b e h i n d t h e m , g e n t l e m e n , let m e tell y o u , t h e y c o u l d m a k e y o u a d i a m o n d o u t of a fossilized turd." " W h a t d o y o u k n o w a b o u t t h e m , W i l l i e ? " B e r k o says. "I don't know shit." " T h e m a n i n t h e C a u d i l l o , " L a n d s m a n says. " T h e o n e y o u w e n t over a n d talked to. H e was also an A m e r i c a n ? " " I w o u l d say n o t , a s h r i v e l e d - u p raisin of a y i d . H e d i d n ' t c a r e t o t e l l m e h i s n a m e . A n d I ' m n o t s u p p o s e d t o i n q u i r e . B e i n g as h o w t h e T r i b a l P o l i c e officiai p o l i c y o n t h a t p l a c e , as I t h i n k I m a y h a v e a l r e a d y m e n t i o n e d , is ' I d o n ' t k n o w s h i t . ' " " C o m e o n , W i l f r e d , " B e r k o says. " W e ' r e t a l k i n g a b o u t N a o m i . " "I appreciate that. But I know enough about Landsman h e r e — fuck, I k n o w e n o u g h a b o u t h o m i c i d e d e t e c t i v e s p e r i o d — t o k n o w t h a t s i s t e r o r n o s i s t e r , t h i s is n o t a b o u t f i n d i n g o u t t h e t r u t h . I t ' s

288

MICHAEL

CHABDN

n o t a b o u t g e t t i n g t h e s t o r y r i g h t . B e c a u s e y o u a n d I, w e k n o w , g e n t l e m e n , t h a t t h e s t o r y is w h a t e v e r w e d e c i d e i t i s , a n d h o w e v e r n i c e a n d n e a t w e m a k e i t , i n t h e e n d a s t o r y is n e v e r g o i n g t o m a k e a d a m n b i t o f d i f f e r e n c e t o t h e d e a d . W h a t y o u w a n t , L a n d s m a n , is t o p a y t h o s e f u c k e r s b a c k . B u t t h a t is n e v e r g o i n g t o h a p p e n . You are never going to get t h e m . N o fucking way." " W i l l i e b o y , " B e r k o says. " C o m e c l e a n . S o , d o n ' t d o i t for h i m . D o n ' t d o it b e c a u s e his sister, N a o m i , was such a great

fucking

kid." By m e a n s of t h e silence t h a t follows, he supplies a t h i r d reason for D i c k t o c l u e t h e m i n . " Y o u ' r e s a y i n g , " D i c k s a y s , " t h a t I s h o u l d d o i t for y o u . " "I am saying t h a t . " " B e c a u s e o f all w e o n c e m e a n t t o e a c h o t h e r i n t h e s p r i n g t i m e of o u r lives." " I m i g h t n o t go t h a t far." " T h a t is so f u c k i n g t o u c h i n g , " D i c k says. H e l e a n s f o r w a r d a n d pushes t h e b u t t o n on his intercom. " M i n t y , get m y bearskin out o f t h e t r a s h a n d b r i n g i t i n h e r e , so I c a n t h r o w u p o n i t . " H e l e t s u p o n t h e b u t t o n b e f o r e M i n t y c a n r e p l y . " I ' m n o t d o i n g fuck-all for y o u , D e t e c t i v e B e r k o S h e m e t s . B u t b e c a u s e I l i k e d y o u r s i s t e r , L a n d s m a n , I'll t i e t h e s a m e k n o t i n y o u r b r a i n t h a t t h o s e s q u i r r e l s h a v e t i e d i n m i n e , a n d l e t y o u t r y t o figure o u t w h a t t h e h e l l i t means." T h e d o o r opens, a n d a y o u n g , w i d e w o m a n comes in, half again as t a l l as h e r b o s s , c a r r y i n g t h e b e a r s k i n c l o a k l i k e i t c o n t a i n s t h e p h o t o r e s i d u e of t h e risen b o d y of Jesus C h r i s t . Dick springs t o h i s f e e t , g r a b s t h e c l o a k , a n d , w i t h a g r i m a c e , as if

fearing

c o n t a m i n a t i o n , k n o t s it a r o u n d his neck b y t h e thong. " F i n d t h a t o n e a c o a t a n d a h a t , " h e says, j e r k i n g a t h u m b t o w a r d L a n d s m a n . " S o m e t h i n g w i t h a nice stink on it, salmon guts or m u s c a t e l . T a k e t h e c o a t off M a r v i n K l a g , h e ' s p a s s e d o u t i n A 7 . "

• §

I

n t h e s u m m e r of

34

(F

1897, m e m b e r s of t h e p a r t y of t h e

Italian

m o u n t a i n e e r A b r u z z i , fresh from t h e i r c o n q u e s t of M o u n t S a i n t Elias, inflamed barflies a n d t e l e g r a p h o p e r a t o r s in t h e t o w n of

Yakutat w i t h a tale of h a v i n g seen, from t h e slopes of t h e secondh i g h e s t A l a s k a n p e a k , a c i t y i n t h e sky. S t r e e t s , h o u s e s , t o w e r s , trees, m o v i n g c r o w d s of p e o p l e , c h i m n e y s t r a i l i n g s m o k e . A g r e a t c i v i l i z a t i o n , in t h e m i d s t o f t h e c l o u d s . A c e r t a i n T h o r n t o n i n t h e party passed around a photograph; the city captured on T h o r n t o n ' s b l u r r e d p l a t e w a s a f t e r w a r d i d e n t i f i e d as B r i s t o l , E n g l a n d ,

some

t w e n t y - f i v e h u n d r e d t r a n s p o l a r m i l e s away. T e n y e a r s l a t e r ,

the

explorer Peary blew a f o r t u n e in a bid t o s t r i k e C r o c k e r L a n d , a l a n d of lofty p e a k s t h a t h e a n d his m e n h a d g l i m p s e d d a n g l i n g in the sky on a prior j o u r n e y n o r t h . Fata morgana, t h e p h e n o m e n o n was called. A m i r r o r m a d e of w e a t h e r a n d light a n d t h e i m a g i n a t i o n of m e n r a i s e d o n s t o r i e s of h e a v e n . Meyer

Landsman

sees c o w s , r e d - s p o t t e d

white

milk

cows

m i l l i n g l i k e a n g e l s i n a w i d e g r e e n afterlife o f g r a s s . T h e t h r e e p o l i c e m e n d r o v e all t h e w a y b a c k d o w n t o P e r i l S t r a i t so t h a t D i c k c o u l d w o w t h e m w i t h t h i s d o u b t f u l v i s i o n . C r a m m e d for t w o h o u r s i n t o t h e c a b o f D i c k ' s p i c k u p , t h e y s m o k e d

and

29D

MICHAEL

CHABDN

a b u s e d o n e a n o t h e r , b u m p i n g a l o n g T r i b a l R o u t e 2. Back t h r o u g h d e e p m i l e s o f f o r e s t . P o t h o l e s t h e s i z e o f b a t h t u b s . R a i n t o s s e d in vandalistic handfuls at t h e windshield. Back t h r o u g h the village of J i m s , a r o w of steel roofs a l o n g an i n l e t , h o u s e s j u m b l e d like t h e last ten cans of beans on a grocery shelf before t h e hurricane hits. D o g s a n d boys a n d basketball hoops, an old flatbed e m b o d i e d by w e e d s a n d s p i k y s p r a y s o f c r o w b e r r y , a c h i m e r a o f t r u c k a n d leaf. Just past t h e portable Assembly of G o d church the paved tribal r o u t e gave w a y t o sand a n d gravel. Five miles farther, it devolved to a m e r e slash c u t t h r o u g h t h e ooze. Dick swore a n d fought t h e stick as h i s b i g G M C s u r f e d t h e t i d e s o f m u d a n d g r i t . T h e b r a k e a n d g a s w e r e r i g g e d t o suit a m a n of his s t a t u r e , a n d he h a n d l e d t h e m like H o r o w i t z sailing t h r o u g h a s t o r m of Liszt. E v e r y t i m e t h e y hit a b u m p , s o m e critical piece of L a n d s m a n was c r u s h e d by a t u m b l i n g slab of S h e m e t s . W h e n they ran o u t of m u d , they abandoned the truck and h i k e d d o w n t h r o u g h a d e n s e g r o w t h of h e m l o c k . T h e f o o t i n g w a s slippery, t h e trail a s u g g e s t i o n offered b y scraps of yellow police t a p e s t u c k t o t h e trees. N o w t h e trail has led, after ten m i n u t e s ' squelching a n d splashing in a dense m i s t t h a t verged at m o m e n t s o n o u t r i g h t r a i n , t o an electrified fence. C o n c r e t e p y l o n s d r i v e n d e e p , w i r e s t a u t a n d e v e n . A w e l l - m a d e f e n c e , a s t a r k fence. A b r u t a l g e s t u r e for J e w s t o m a k e o n I n d i a n l a n d , a n d o n e t h a t h a s n o p r e c e d e n t o r l i c e n s e , as far as L a n d s m a n k n o w s . On

t h e o t h e r side of

t h e e l e c t r i c fence, t h e fata

morgana

s h i m m e r s . G r a s s . P a s t u r e l a n d , r i c h a n d glossy. A h u n d r e d g o o d looking freckled c a t t l e w i t h delicate heads. " C o w s , " L a n d s m a n says, a n d t h e w o r d s o u n d s like a m o o of doubtfulness. " T h e y l o o k l i k e d a i r y c o w s , " B e r k o says. " T h e y ' r e A y r s h i r e s , " says D i c k . " I s n a p p e d s o m e p i c t u r e s l a s t t i m e I c a m e o u t h e r e . A p r o f e s s o r of a g r i c u l t u r e d o w n in Davis, C

C a l i f o r n i a , I D ' d t h e m for m e . A S c o t t i s h b r e e d . ' " D i c k w o r k s h i s

THE Y I D D I S H

POLICEMEN'S

UNION

291

voice u p i n t o his nose, m o c k i n g t h a t Californian professor. ' " K n o w n 5

for i t s h a r d i n e s s a n d a b i l i t y t o t h r i v e i n n o r t h e r n l a t i t u d e s . " "Cows,"

Landsman

says

again.

He

can't

shake

the

eerie

s e n s e o f d i s l o c a t i o n , o f m i r a g e , o f s e e i n g s o m e t h i n g t h a t is n o t t h e r e . S o m e t h i n g t h a t n o n e t h e l e s s h e k n o w s , r e c o g n i z e s , a halfr e m e m b e r e d r e a l i t y o u t of stories of heaven or his o w n p a s t . F r o m t h e days of t h e "Ickes c o l l e g e s , " w h e n t h e A l a s k a n D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n dispensed t r a c t o r s a n d seed a n d sacks of

fertilizer

to t h e fugitive boatloads, Jews of t h e D i s t r i c t have d r e a m e d a n d d e s p a i r e d of t h e Jewish farm. " C o w s in A l a s k a . " T h e Polar Bear g e n e r a t i o n suffered t w o g r e a t d i s a p p o i n t m e n t s . T h e first a n d s t u p i d e s t w a s d u e t o t h e t o t a l a b s e n c e , h e r e i n t h e fabled n o r t h , of icebergs, p o l a r b e a r s , w a l r u s e s , p e n g u i n s , t u n d r a , s n o w in v a s t q u a n t i t i e s , a n d , a b o v e all, E s k i m o s . T h o u s a n d s of S i t k a b u s i n e s s e s s t i l l b e a r b i t t e r a n d fanciful n a m e s s u c h as W a l r u s Drug, or Eskimo Wig and Hairpiece, or N a n o o k ' s T a v e r n . T h e second d i s a p p o i n t m e n t w a s c e l e b r a t e d in p o p u l a r

songs

o f t h e p e r i o d , l i k e "A C a g e o f G r e e n . " T w o m i l l i o n J e w s g o t off t h e b o a t s a n d found n o rolling p r a i r i e s d o t t e d w i t h buffalo. feathered Indians on horseback. O n l y a spine of

flooded

No

mountains

a n d fifty t h o u s a n d T l i n g i t v i l l a g e - d w e l l e r s a l r e a d y i n p o s s e s s i o n o f m o s t o f t h e flat a n d u s a b l e l a n d . N o w h e r e t o s p r e a d o u t , t o g r o w , t o d o a n y t h i n g m o r e t h a n c r o w d t o g e t h e r in t h e t e e m i n g style of Vilna and Lodz. T h e h o m e s t e a d i n g d r e a m s of a million landless Jews, fanned b y movies, light fiction, a n d informational b r o c h u r e s provided by the United

States D e p a r t m e n t

of

the

Interior—

snuffed o n a r r i v a l . E v e r y few y e a r s s o m e U t o p i a n s o c i e t y o r o t h e r w o u l d acquire a t r a c t of green t h a t r e m i n d e d s o m e d r e a m e r of a cow p a s t u r e . T h e y w o u l d found a colony, i m p o r t livestock, p e n a manifesto. A n d t h e n t h e climate, t h e m a r k e t s , a n d t h e s t r e a k of d o o m t h a t m a r b l e d J e w i s h life w o u l d w o r k t h e i r c h a r m . T h e d r e a m f a r m w o u l d l a n g u i s h a n d fail. L a n d s m a n feels t h a t h e ' s l o o k i n g a t t h a t d r e a m , l u s t r o u s a n d

292

MICHAEL

CHABDN

v e r d a n t . A m i r a g e o f t h e o l d o p t i m i s m , t h e h o p e for t h e f u t u r e o n w h i c h h e w a s r a i s e d . T h a t f u t u r e itself, i t s e e m s t o h i m — t h a t w a s t h e fata m o r g a n a . " T h e r e ' s s o m e t h i n g f u n n y a b o u t t h a t o n e , " B e r k o says, s t a r i n g t h r o u g h t h e binoculars that Dick b r o u g h t along, and Landsman c a n h e a r t h e t u g i n h i s v o i c e , a fish p l a y i n g a t t h e e n d o f h i s l i n e . " G i v e m e , " L a n d s m a n says, t a k i n g t h e b i n o c u l a r s a n d raising t h e m t o h i s face. H e t r i e s , b u t t h e y ' r e all j u s t c o w s t o h i m . " T h a t one. By t h e t w o over t h e r e , facing t h e o t h e r way." Berko guides t h e lenses w i t h a b r u s q u e hand, settling t h e m on a cow w h o s e m o t t l e d h i d e is p e r h a p s a r i c h e r r e d t h a n i t s s i s t e r s ' , a m o r e d a z z l i n g w h i t e , i t s h e a d s t u r d i e r , less l a d y l i k e . L i k e a v i d fingers, i t s lips tear at t h e grass. "There's

something

different,"

Landsman

allows. " B u t

so

what?" " I ' m n o t s u r e , " B e r k o says. I t s o u n d s s l i g h t l y less t h a n t r u t h f u l . " W i l l i e , d o y o u k n o w for s u r e t h e s e c o w s b e l o n g t o o u r m y s t e r y Jews?" " W e saw the little buckaroo Jewboys with our own eyes," Dick says. " T h e o n e s f r o m t h e c a m p o r s c h o o l o r w h a t e v e r i t is. R o u n d i n g t h e m u p . D r i v i n g t h e m t h a t way, t o w a r d t h e c a m p u s . T h e y used some kind of bossy Scottish d o g to help t h e m . M e and m y boys followed t h e m a w a y s . " " T h e y d i d n ' t see y o u ? " " I t w a s g e t t i n g d a r k . A n y w a y , w h a t t h e fuck d o y o u t h i n k , o f c o u r s e t h e y didn^t see us, w e ' r e I n d i a n s , G o d d a m n it. A b o u t half a m i l e i n , t h e r e ' s a s t a t e - o f - t h e - a r t d a i r y i n g b a r n . A c o u p l e o f silos. I t ' s a m e d i u m - s m a l l o p e r a t i o n , a n d i t ' s d e f i n i t e l y all J e w . " " S o w h a t is g o i n g o n h e r e ? " L a n d s m a n says. " I s i t a r e h a b c e n t e r o r a d a i r y f a r m ? O r is i t s o m e k i n d o f w e i r d c o m m a n d o t r a i n i n g facility p r e t e n d i n g t o be b o t h ? " " Y o u r c o m m a n d o l i k e s h i s m i l k f r e s h f r o m t h e c o w , " D i c k says. T h e y s t a n d t h e r e l o o k i n g a t t h e c o w s . L a n d s m a n fights a n u r g e

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t o l e a n o n t h e e l e c t r i c f e n c e . T h e r e ' s a fool o f a d e v i l i n h i m t h a t w a n t s t o feel t h e t h r u m o f c u r r e n t . T h e r e ' s a c u r r e n t i n h i m t h a t w a n t s t o feel t h e d e v i l i n t h e w i r e . S o m e t h i n g b o t h e r s h i m , n a g s at h i m , a b o u t t h i s v i s i o n , t h i s C r o c k e r L a n d of c o w s . H o w e v e r real it m a y be, it's also impossible. It s h o u l d n o t be h e r e ; n o y i d s h o u l d h a v e b e e n able t o s w i n g s u c h a feat of real e s t a t e . L a n d s m a n has k n o w n or had dealings w i t h m a n y of t h e great a n d t h e wicked Jews of his g e n e r a t i o n , t h e rich m e n , t h e m a d Utopians, t h e socalled visionaries, t h e politicians w h o t u r n t h e law on their lathes. L a n d s m a n considers t h e w a r l o r d s of t h e R u s s i a n n e i g h b o r h o o d s with their stockpiles of w e a p o n s and d i a m o n d s a n d roe.

sturgeon

H e r u n s t h r o u g h his m e n t a l d o c k e t of smuggler kings a n d

gray-market moguls, gurus of m i n o r cults. M e n w i t h influence, c o n n e c t i o n s , u n l i m i t e d funds. N o n e of t h e m c o u l d have p u l l e d off s o m e t h i n g l i k e t h i s , n o t e v e n H e s k e l S h p i l m a n o r A n a t o l y Moskowits the Wild Beast. N o m a t t e r how powerful, every yid i n t h e D i s t r i c t is t e t h e r e d b y t h e l e a s h o f 1 9 4 8 . H i s k i n g d o m is b o u n d i n i t s n u t s h e l l . H i s s k y is a p a i n t e d d o m e , h i s h o r i z o n a n electrified fence. H e has t h e flight a n d k n o w s t h e f r e e d o m o n l y of a balloon on a string. M e a n w h i l e , B e r k o is j e r k i n g o n t h e k n o t o f h i s n e c k t i e i n a w a y that L a n d s m a n has come to associate w i t h t h e i m m i n e n t e m e r g e n c e of a theory. " W h a t is i t , B e r k o ? " h e says. " S h e ' s n o t a w h i t e c o w w i t h r e d s p o t s , " B e r k o says w i t h finality. " S h e ' s a red c o w w i t h w h i t e s p o t s . " H e sets his h a t on t h e b a c k of his h e a d a n d p u r s e s his lips. H e takes several b a c k w a r d steps away from t h e fence, a n d hikes u p his t r o u s e r legs. Slowly at first, h e lopes t o w a r d t h e fence. A n d t h e n , to Landsman's horror, shock, a n d mild elation, Berko leaps. H i s b u l k leaves t h e g r o u n d . H e sticks o u t o n e leg a n d h o o k s t h e o t h e r b e h i n d h i m . H i s t r o u s e r cuffs p u l l b a c k t o r e v e a l g r e e n s o c k s a n d pale shins. T h e n he comes d o w n , w i t h a gust of exhalation, on t h e

294

MICHAEL CHABDN

o t h e r side of t h e fence. H e s t a g g e r s u n d e r his o w n i m p a c t , t h e n plunges forward into t h e world of cows. " W h a t t h e f u c k , " L a n d s m a n says. " T e c h n i c a l l y , I h a v e t o a r r e s t h i m n o w , " says D i c k . T h e cows react to the intrusion with complaint and protest but little in t h e w a y of e m o t i o n .

B e r k o m a k e s s t r a i g h t for t h e o n e

t h a t ' s b o t h e r i n g h i m , m a r c h e s r i g h t u p t o i t . I t s h i e s away, l o w i n g . H e h o l d s u p his a r m s , p a l m s o u t w a r d . H e speaks t o it in Yiddish, A m e r i c a n , T l i n g i t , O l d a n d M o d e r n B o v i n e . H e c i r c l e s i t slowly, l o o k i n g i t u p a n d d o w n . L a n d s m a n s e e s B e r k o ' s p o i n t : T h i s c o w is n o t like t h e o t h e r s , in c o n t o u r or c o l o r a t i o n . T h e cow s u b m i t s to Berko's inspection. H e p u t s a h a n d on its crop, a n d it w a i t s , hoofs s p r e a d , k n o c k - k n e e d , h e a d c a n t e d at a listening angle. Berko ducks d o w n and peers at its underside. H e r u n s h i s fingers a l o n g i t s r i b s , u p i t s n e c k , t o t h e p o l l o f i t s h e a d , t h e n b a c k a l o n g i t s flank t o t h e t e n t l i k e r i g g i n g o f i t s h i p s . T h e r e his h a n d s t o p s , in t h e m i d d l e of a w h i t e p a t c h of hide. Berko raises t h e fingers o f h i s r i g h t h a n d t o h i s m o u t h , m o i s t e n s t h e t i p s , t h e n r u b s in a circular m o t i o n a g a i n s t t h e w h i t e p a t c h of t h e cow's r u m p . H e t a k e s h i s fingers a w a y , c o n t e m p l a t e s t h e m , s m i l e s , f r o w n s . T h e n h e l u m b e r s b a c k a c r o s s t h e field a n d s t o p s a t t h e f e n c e , o p p o s i t e Landsman. H e h o l d s u p h i s r i g h t h a n d as if i n s o l e m n p a r o d y o f t h e s a l u t e of a c i g a r - s t o r e I n d i a n , a n d L a n d s m a n sees t h a t his

fingers

are

s t r e a k e d w i t h flakes o f w h i t e . " F a k e s p o t s , " B e r k o says. H e b a c k s u p a n d c o m e s at t h e fence again. L a n d s m a n a n d D i c k g e t o u t of his way, a n d he's u p a n d a i r b o r n e , a n d t h e n t h e g r o u n d rings w i t h t h e i m p a c t of him. " S h o w - o f f , " L a n d s m a n says. " A l w a y s w a s , " says D i c k . " S o , " says L a n d s m a n , " w h a t a r e y o u s a y i n g ? T h e c o w is w e a r i n g a disguise?" "That's what I'm saying."

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"Somebody painted white spots on a red cow." "So it a p p e a r s . " " T h i s fact h a s s i g n i f i c a n c e t o y o u . " " I n a s e n s e , " B e r k o says. " I n a c e r t a i n c o n t e x t . I b e l i e v e t h a t c o w m a y be a red heifer." " G e t o u t o f h e r e , " L a n d s m a n says. "A r e d h e i f e r . " " T h i s is a J e w t h i n g , I t a k e i t , " D i c k says. " W h e n t h e T e m p l e i n J e r u s a l e m is r e s t o r e d , " B e r k o s a y s , " a n d i t ' s t i m e t o m a k e t h e t r a d i t i o n a l s i n o f f e r i n g , t h e B i b l e says y o u n e e d a p a r t i c u l a r k i n d o f cow. A r e d h e i f e r , w i t h o u t b l e m i s h . P u r e . I guess t h e y ' r e p r e t t y scarce, p u r e r e d heifers. In fact, I believe t h e r e have been only nine of t h e m since t h e b e g i n n i n g of history. I t w o u l d b e p r e t t y c o o l t o find o n e . I t w o u l d b e l i k e finding a fiveleaf c l o v e r . " " W h e n t h e Temple is r e s t o r e d , " L a n d s m a n s a y s , t h i n k i n g o f B u c h b i n d e r t h e d e n t i s t a n d his m a d m u s e u m . " T h a t ' s after M e s s i a h comes?" " S o m e p e o p l e , " B e r k o says s l o w l y , b e g i n n i n g t o

understand

w h a t L a n d s m a n is b e g i n n i n g t o u n d e r s t a n d , " s a y M e s s i a h

will

t a r r y u n t i l t h e T e m p l e is r e b u i l t . U n t i l a l t a r w o r s h i p g e t s r e s t o r e d . B l o o d sacrifices, a p r i e s t h o o d , t h e w h o l e s o n g a n d d a n c e . " " S o if y o u g o t h o l d o f a r e d h e i f e r , say. A n d y o u h a d all t h e t o o l s r e a d y , r i g h t ? A n d t h e f u n n y h a t s a n d stuff. A n d y o u , u m , y o u b u i l t t h e T e m p l e . . . y o u c o u l d b a s i c a l l y force M e s s i a h t o c o m e ? " " N o t t h a t I'm a religious m a n , G o d k n o w s , " D i c k p u t s in. " B u t I feel c o m p e l l e d t o p o i n t o u t t h a t t h e M e s s i a h a l r e a d y came, a n d y o u bastards fucking killed t h e motherfucker." T h e y hear a h u m a n voice in t h e d i s t a n c e , amplified t h r o u g h a loudspeaker, speaking t h a t strange desert Hebrew. A t t h e sound, L a n d s m a n ' s h e a r t t u r n s over, a n d h e t a k e s a s t e p t o w a r d t h e t r u c k . " L e t ' s g e t o u t o f h e r e , " h e says. " I h a v e s p e n t s o m e t i m e w i t h t h e s e m e n , a n d m y s t r o n g i m p r e s s i o n is t h a t t h e y a r e n o t v e r y nice." W h e n t h e y g e t safely b a c k t o t h e t r u c k , D i c k s t a r t s t h e e n g i n e

296

MICHAEL

CHABDN

b u t k e e p s i t i n n e u t r a l w i t h t h e b r a k e o n . T h e y s i t t h e r e , filling u p t h e cab w i t h c i g a r e t t e s m o k e . L a n d s m a n b u m s o n e of Dick's black o n e s a n d is f o r c e d t o c o n c e d e t h a t i t ' s a fine e x a m p l e o f t h e r o l l e r ' s craft. " I ' m j u s t g o i n g t o go a h e a d a n d say this now, Willie," L a n d s m a n says a f t e r h e ' s s m o k e d t h e N a t S h e r m a n h a l f w a y d o w n . " A n d I'd like y o u t o t r y t o d e n y i t . " "I'll do m y b e s t . " " O n the way out here, we were talking, and you alluded to a c e r t a i n a m o u n t of, u h , o d o r o u s n e s s c o m i n g o u t o f t h i s p l a c e . " "I did." "A s t i n k o f m o n e y , y o u s a i d . " " T h e r e is m o n e y b e h i n d

these buckaroos, no doubt

about

that." " B u t f r o m t h e m i n u t e I first h e a r d a b o u t t h i s p l a c e , s o m e t h i n g ' s b e e n b o t h e r i n g m e . N o w I figure I ' v e s e e n m o s t o f t h e o p e r a t i o n . F r o m t h e sign on t h e

floatplane

dock to those cows. A n d

it's

bothering me even m o r e . " "And what's t h a t ? " " T h a t is, I ' m sorry, I d o n ' t care h o w m u c h m o n e y t h e y t h r o w a r o u n d . I b u y t h a t a m e m b e r of y o u r tribal council m i g h t take a b r i b e f r o m a J e w e v e r y n o w a n d t h e n . B u s i n e s s is b u s i n e s s , a d o l l a r ' s a d o l l a r , a n d so f o r t h . W h o k n o w s , I h a v e h e a r d p e o p l e a r g u e t h a t t h e flow o f i l l e g a l f u n d s b a c k a n d f o r t h o v e r t h e L i n e is t h e c l o s e s t t h a t J e w s a n d I n d i a n s e v e r c o m e t o p e a c e , l o v e , a n d understanding." "That's sweet." " O b v i o u s l y , t h e s e J e w s , w h a t e v e r i t is t h e y ' r e d o i n g , t h e y d o n ' t w a n t t o s h a r e t h e n e w s w i t h o t h e r J e w s . A n d t h e D i s t r i c t is l i k e a house with too many people and not enough bedrooms. Everybody k n o w s e v e r y b o d y ' s b u s i n e s s . N o b o d y has a s e c r e t in S i t k a , it's j u s t a b i g s h t e t l . You have a secret, it m a k e s sense t o t r y t o h i d e it o u t here." "But."

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" B u t odor or not, business or n o t , secret or n o t , I ' m sorry, t h e r e is n o w a y i n h e l l t h e T l i n g i t a r e e v e r g o i n g t o l e t a b u n c h o f J e w s c o m e i n h e r e , i n t h e h e a r t o f t h e I n d i a n e r - L a n d s , a n d b u i l d all t h i s . I don't care h o w m u c h Jewish coin gets t h r o w n a r o u n d . " "You're saying n o t even us Indians are t h a t gutless a n d debased. T o give o u r w o r s t e n e m y t h a t k i n d of t o e h o l d . " " H o w a b o u t , l e t ' s say, u s J e w s a r e t h e w o r l d ' s m o s t e v i l s c h e m e r s , we r u n t h e w o r l d from o u r secret h e a d q u a r t e r s on t h e d a r k side of t h e m o o n . B u t even w e have o u r l i m i t a t i o n s . D o y o u like t h a t better?" "I'm not going to argue the point." " T h e Indians w o u l d never allow it unless t h e y w e r e e x p e c t i n g s o m e k i n d o f b i g payoff. R e a l l y b i g . A s b i g as t h e D i s t r i c t , l e t ' s say." " L e t ' s say," D i c k says, his voice s o u n d i n g t i g h t . " I f i g u r e d t h e A m e r i c a n a n g l e i n all t h i s w a s w h a t e v e r c h a n n e l s o m e b o d y u s e d t o g e t N a o m i ' s c r a s h file p u l l e d . B u t n o J e w c o u l d ever g u a r a n t e e a payoff like t h a t . " " P e n g u i n S w e a t e r , " B e r k o says. " H e fixes i t so t h e I n d i a n s g e t the District under Native sovereignty once we're gone. For that, the Indians help t h e Verbovers and friends set u p their secret d a i r y farm o u t h e r e . " " B u t w h a t d o e s P e n g u i n S w e a t e r g e t o u t o f i t ? " L a n d s m a n says. " W h a t ' s i n i t for t h e U . S . ? " "You have n o w arrived at a place of great darkness, B r o t h e r L a n d s m a n , " D i c k s a y s , p u t t i n g t h e t r u c k i n t o g e a r . " W h i c h I fear y o u will have t o e n t e r w i t h o u t Wilfred D i c k . " " I h a t e t o s a y t h i s , c o u s i n , " L a n d s m a n says t o B e r k o , p u t t i n g a h a n d on his shoulder. " B u t I t h i n k w e have t o go d o w n t o t h e Massacre Spot." " G o d f u c k i n g d a m n i t , " says B e r k o i n A m e r i c a n .

•3)

F

35

o r t y - t w o miles s o u t h of t h e Sitka city limits, a house crafted from salvage planks and gray shingles teeters on t w o dozen pilings over a slough. A nameless backwater, riddled with bears

and prone to methane

flatulence.

A g r a v e y a r d of r o w b o a t s , tackle,

p i c k u p t r u c k s , a n d , s o m e w h e r e d e e p d o w n , a d o z e n R u s s i a n fur h u n t e r s a n d t h e i r A l e u t dog-soldiers. A t o n e e n d of t h e slough, back i n t h e b u s h e s , a m a g n i f i c e n t T l i n g i t l o n g h o u s e is b e i n g d i s m a n t l e d b y s a l m o n b e r r y and devil's club. A t t h e o t h e r e n d stretches a rocky beach, l i t t e r e d w i t h a t h o u s a n d black stones on which an ancient people e t c h e d t h e shapes of animals and stars. It was on this beach, i n 1 8 5 4 , t h a t t h o s e twelvepromyshlennikis a n d A l e u t s u n d e r Y e v g e n y Simonof m e t a b l o o d y e n d at t h e h a n d s of a T l i n g i t chief n a m e d Kohklux.

Over

a century

later, t h e

great-great-granddaughter

o f C h i e f K o h k l u x , M r s . P u l l m a n , b e c a m e t h e s e c o n d I n d i a n wife taken by a

five-foot-six

Jewish chess player and spymaster n a m e d

Hertz Shemets. A t c h e s s , as i n s e c r e t s t a t e c r a f t , U n c l e H e r t z w a s k n o w n for h i s s e n s e of t h e clock, an excess of p r u d e n c e , a n d a t i r e s o m e d e p t h of p r e p a r a t i o n . H e r e a d u p o n h i s o p p o n e n t s , m a d e a fatal s t u d y o f t h e m . H e s o u g h t t h e p a t t e r n of weakness, t h e unresolved complex, t h e tic. For twenty-five years he c o n d u c t e d a secret

campaign

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a g a i n s t t h e p e o p l e o n t h e far s i d e o f t h e L i n e , t r y i n g t o w e a k e n t h e i r hold on t h e I n d i a n e r - L a n d s , a n d in t h a t t i m e h e b e c a m e a recognized a u t h o r i t y on their c u l t u r e and h i s t o r y H e learned to savor t h e T l i n g i t l a n g u a g e , w i t h its s u c k i n g - c a n d y vowels

and

its c h e w y consonants. H e u n d e r t o o k p r o f o u n d research i n t o t h e fragrance a n d heft of T l i n g i t w o m e n . W h e n h e m a r r i e d M r s . P u l l m a n ( n o o n e e v e r c a l l e d t h e lady, m a y she r e s t in peace, M r s . S h e m e t s ) , h e d e v e l o p e d an i n t e r e s t in h e r g r e a t - g r e a t - g r a n d f a t h e r ' s v i c t o r y over Simonof. H e

spent

h o u r s in t h e l i b r a r y a t B r o n f m a n , p o r i n g over T s a r i s t - e r a m a p s . H e annotated interviews conducted by Methodist missionaries with ninety-nine-year-old T l i n g i t crones w h o w e r e six-year-old

girls

w h e n t h o s e w a r h a m m e r s w e n t t o w o r k o n all t h o s e t h i c k R u s s i a n skulls. H e d i s c o v e r e d t h a t in t h e U S G S s u r v e y of 1949, t h e o n e t h a t set t h e p r o p e r boundaries of t h e D i s t r i c t of Sitka, t h e M a s s a c r e S p o t s o m e h o w g o t d r a w n as T l i n g i t l a n d . E v e n t h o u g h i t lies w e s t o f t h e B a r a n o f r a n g e , t h e M a s s a c r e S p o t is l e g a l l y N a t i v e , a g r e e n badge of Indianness d a u b e d on t h e Jewish side of Baranof Island. W h e n H e r t z discovered this error, he had Berko's s t e p m o t h e r b u y up the land with m o n e y — a s Dennis Brennan later d o c u m e n t e d — t a k e n from his C O I N T E L P R O slush fund. H e b u i l t his s p i d e r - l e g g e d house on it. A n d w h e n M r s . P u l l m a n died, H e r t z S h e m e t s i n h e r i t e d t h e Simonof Massacre Spot. H e declared it t h e world's c r u m m i e s t Indian reservation, and himself the world's crummiest Indian. " A s s h o l e , " B e r k o s a y s , w i t h less r a n c o r t h a n L a n d s m a n m i g h t have expected, c o n t e m p l a t i n g his father's r i c k e t y dwelling t h r o u g h t h e windshield of t h e Super Sport. " W h e n ' s t h e last t i m e y o u saw h i m ? " B e r k o t u r n s t o h i s p a r t n e r w i t h h i s e y e s r o l l e d b a c k as if t o s e a r c h a n i n n e r file o n L a n d s m a n for t h e r e c o r d o f a q u e s t i o n t h a t n e e d e d less a n s w e r i n g . " L e t m e a s k y o u t h i s , M e y e r . I f y o u w e r e me,

w h e n w o u l d you have seen h i m last?" Landsman parks the Super Sport behind the old man's Buick

R o a d m a s t e r , a m u d - s t r e a k e d b l u e b e a s t w i t h fake w o o d

panels

3DD

MICHAEL

CHABDN

a n d a b u m p e r sticker a d v e r t i s i n g , in Yiddish a n d A m e r i c a n , t h e W O R L D - F A M O U S SIMONOF MASSACRE SPOT A N D G E N U I N E TLINGIT

L O N G H O U S E . A l t h o u g h t h e roadside a t t r a c t i o n has been

defunct

for a w h i l e , t h e b u m p e r s t i c k e r is b r i g h t a n d c r i s p . T h e r e a r e s t i l l a d o z e n c a r t o n s of t h e m s t a c k e d in t h e l o n g h o u s e . " G i v e m e a h i n t , " L a n d s m a n says. "Jokes a b o u t foreskins." "Oh, right." " E v e r y single j o k e a b o u t a foreskin ever d e v i s e d . " " I h a d n o i d e a t h e r e w e r e so m a n y , " L a n d s m a n says. " I t w a s a n education." " C o m e o n , " B e r k o s a y s , c l i m b i n g o u t o f t h e car. " L e t ' s g e t t h i s over w i t h . " L a n d s m a n e y e s t h e h u l k o f t h e G e n u i n e L o n g h o u s e , off i n t h e d r y t h i c k e t of b e r r y vines a n d devil's club, a g a u d y - p a i n t e d wreck. I n f a c t , t h e r e is n o t h i n g g e n u i n e a b o u t t h e L o n g h o u s e .

Hertz

S h e m e t s b u i l t it w i t h t h e h e l p of t w o I n d i a n brothers-in-law, his n e p h e w M e y e r , a n d his son Berko o n e s u m m e r after t h e b o y c a m e to l i v e o n A d l e r S t r e e t . H e b u i l t i t for f u n , w i t h n o t h o u g h t o f t u r n i n g i t i n t o t h e r o a d s i d e a t t r a c t i o n t h a t h e t r i e d a n d failed t o m a k e o f it after his ouster. Berko was

fifteen

that summer, and Landsman

twenty. T h e kid crafted every surface of his personality to conform t o t h e c u r v a t u r e of L a n d s m a n ' s . H e d e v o t e d t w o solid m o n t h s to t h e t a s k o f t r a i n i n g h i m s e l f t o o p e r a t e a S k i l s a w , as L a n d s m a n d i d , w i t h a p a p i r o s j i g g l i n g o n his lip a n d t h e s m o k e s t i n g i n g his eyes. By t h e n L a n d s m a n w a s already set on t a k i n g his police exams, a n d t h a t s u m m e r B e r k o d e c l a r e d h i s i d e n t i c a l a m b i t i o n , b u t if L a n d s m a n h a d b e e n t a l k i n g a b o u t b e c o m i n g a blowfly, B e r k o w o u l d have found a w a y to learn t o love d u n g . L i k e m o s t p o l i c e m e n , L a n d s m a n sails d o u b l e - h u l l e d

against

tragedy, stabilized a g a i n s t heave a n d s t o r m . It's t h e shallows he h a s t o w o r r y a b o u t , t h e h a i r l i n e fissures, t h e l i t t l e f r e a k s o f t o r q u e . T h e m e m o r y o f t h a t s u m m e r , for e x a m p l e , o r t h e t h o u g h t t h a t h e has long since e x h a u s t e d t h e p a t i e n c e of a kid w h o once w o u l d have

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waited a thousand years to spend an h o u r w i t h h i m shooting cans off a f e n c e w i t h a n a i r rifle. T h e s i g h t o f t h e L o n g h o u s e b r e a k s s o m e s m a l l , as y e t u n b r o k e n f a c e t o f L a n d s m a n ' s h e a r t . A l l o f t h e things t h e y m a d e , d u r i n g t h e i r m i n u t e in t h i s c o r n e r of t h e m a p , dissolved in b r a m b l e s of s a l m o n b e r r y a n d o b l i v i o n . " B e r k o , " h e says as t h e y c r u n c h a c r o s s t h e h a l f - f r o z e n m u d o f t h e world's c r u m m i e s t Indian reservation. H e takes his cousin b y t h e elbow. " I ' m s o r r y I've b e e n s u c h a m e s s . " "You don't

need

t o a p o l o g i z e , " B e r k o says. " I t ' s n o t

your

fault." " I ' m g o o d now. I ' m b a c k , " L a n d s m a n says, a n d t h e w o r d s r i n g t r u e t o h i s o w n e a r in t h e m o m e n t . " I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t d i d i t . T h e hypothermia, maybe. O r getting into this whole thing with Shpilman. O r , fine, l a y i n g off t h e b o o z e . B u t I ' m b a c k t o m y o l d s e l f " "Uh-huh." " D o e s n ' t it seem t h a t w a y t o y o u ? " " S u r e . " Berko m i g h t be agreeing w i t h a child or a n u t . H e m i g h t n o t b e a g r e e i n g a t all. " Y o u s e e m all r i g h t . " "Ringing endorsement." "I d o n ' t w a n t to get i n t o it now, tell m e , d o y o u m i n d ? I j u s t w a n t t o go in t h e r e , h i t t h e old m a n w i t h o u r q u e s t i o n s , a n d g e t back h o m e to Ester-Malke and t h e boys. T h a t okay w i t h you?" " T h a t ' s fine, B e r k o . O f c o u r s e . " "Thank you." T h e y t r a m p t h r o u g h a congealed sludge of m u d a n d p a t c h y gravel, frozen p u d d l e s , each o n e s t r e t c h e d w i t h a t h i n d r u m h e a d of ice.

A cartoon stairway, splintered, wigwagging, leads to a weather-

gray cedar front door. T h e d o o r h a n g s c r o o k e d , c r u d e l y w i n t e r i z e d w i t h thick strips of rubber. " W h e n y o u say it's n o t m y f a u l t , " L a n d s m a n b e g i n s . "Man! I need to piss." " T h e i m p l i c a t i o n i s , y o u t h i n k I ' m c r a z y . M e n t a l l y ill. N o t r e s p o n s i b l e for m y a c t i o n s . " "I'm knocking on this door now."

3D2

MICHAEL

CHABDN

H e knocks twice, hard enough to imperil the hinges. " N o t fit t o w e a r a s h i e l d , " L a n d s m a n s a y s , t r u l y w i s h i n g h e could let t h e subject drop. " I n o t h e r w o r d s . " " Y o u r ex-wife m a d e t h a t call, n o t m e . " "But you don't disagree." " W h a t d o I k n o w a b o u t m e n t a l i l l n e s s ? " B e r k o says. " I ' m n o t t h e o n e w h o w a s a r r e s t e d for r u n n i n g n a k e d t h r o u g h t h e w o o d s , t h r e e h o u r s from h o m e , after b r a i n i n g a m a n w i t h an iron b e d frame." H e r t z S h e m e t s c o m e s t o t h e d o o r , t h e s h a v e o n h i s j o w l s as fresh as t w o d r o p l e t s o f b l o o d . H e ' s w e a r i n g a g r a y

flannel

suit over a

w h i t e s h i r t , w i t h a p o p p y - r e d n e c k t i e . H e smells like v i t a m i n B, s p r a y s t a r c h , s m o k e d fish. H e ' s t i n i e r t h a n e v e r , j e r k y as a w o o d e n m a n on a stick. " O l d b o y , " h e c a l l s L a n d s m a n , b r e a k i n g a few o f t h e b o n e s in his nephew's hand. " L o o k i n g g o o d , U n c l e H e r t z , " L a n d s m a n says. T a k i n g a c l o s e r l o o k , h e s e e s t h a t t h e s u i t is s h i n y a t t h e e l b o w s a n d k n e e s . T h e n e c k t i e b e a r s t e s t i m o n y t o s o m e p a s t m e a l of s o u p a n d has been k n o t t e d t h r o u g h t h e soft l a p e l s n o t o f a s h i r t b u t o f a w h i t e p a j a m a t o p j a m m e d h a s t i l y i n t o t h e t r o u s e r s . B u t L a n d s m a n is h a r d l y o n e t o c r i t i c i z e . H e ' s w e a r i n g h i s e m e r g e n c y s u i t , p o p p e d l o o s e from its crevice at t h e b a c k of his t r u n k a n d unbailed, a black n u m b e r in viscose a n d wool b l e n d w i t h gold b u t t o n s m e a n t t o look like R o m a n c o i n s . H e b o r r o w e d i t o n c e , for a l a s t - m i n u t e f u n e r a l h e forgot h e w a s p l a n n i n g t o a t t e n d , from an u n l u c k y g a m b l e r n a m e d G l u k s m a n . It m a n a g e s to look b o t h funereal a n d gaudy, has

fierce

w r i n k l e s , a n d smells of D e t r o i t t r u n k . " T h a n k s for t h e w a r n i n g , " U n c l e H e r t z s a y s , l e t t i n g g o o f t h e w r e c k a g e of L a n d s m a n ' s h a n d . " T h a t o n e t h e r e w a s all for s u r p r i s i n g y o u , " L a n d s m a n says, n o d d i n g t o w a r d B e r k o . " B u t I k n e w y o u ' d w a n t t o g o o u t a n d kill something." Uncle H e r t z p u t s his palms t o g e t h e r and bows. Like a true h e r m i t , h e t a k e s h i s d u t i e s a s a h o s t v e r y s e r i o u s l y . I f t h e h u n t i n g is

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poor, t h e n h e will have d r a g g e d s o m e t h i n g well m a r b l e d o u t of t h e d e e p freeze a n d p u t i t o n t h e s t o v e w i t h s o m e c a r r o t s a n d o n i o n s and a c r u s h e d handful of t h e h e r b s t h a t h e g r o w s a n d h a n g s u p in a s h e d b e h i n d h i s c a b i n . H e w i l l h a v e s e e n t o i t t h a t t h e r e is ice for t h e w h i s k e y a n d c o l d b e e r for t h e s t e w . A b o v e a l l , h e w i l l h a v e w a n t e d to shave and p u t on a tie. T h e old m a n tells L a n d s m a n t o go i n t o t h e h o u s e , a n d L a n d s m a n o b e y s h i m , w h i c h l e a v e s H e r t z s t a n d i n g t h e r e t o face h i s

son.

L a n d s m a n w a t c h e s , a n i n t e r e s t e d p a r t y l i k e all J e w i s h m e n f r o m t h e m o m e n t t h a t A b r a h a m g o t I s a a c t o lie d o w n o n t h a t m o u n t a i n t o p a n d b a r e h i s p u l s i n g r i b c a g e t o t h e sky. T h e o l d m a n r e a c h e s o u t a n d t a k e s h o l d of t h e sleeve of Berko's l u m b e r j a c k s h i r t . H e rolls t h e fabric b e t w e e n his

fingers.

Berko submits to the examination

w i t h a l o o k o f g e n u i n e p a i n o n h i s face. I t h a s t o b e k i l l i n g h i m , L a n d s m a n k n o w s , to appear before his father w e a r i n g a n y t h i n g b u t his b e s t Italian "So,

finery.

w h e r e ' s t h e B i g B l u e O x ? " t h e o l d m a n says a t l a s t .

" I d o n ' t k n o w , " B e r k o says. " B u t I t h i n k h e m a y h a v e y o u r pajama b o t t o m s . " Berko s m o o t h s t h e p i n c h e d place t h a t his father m a d e in his sleeve. H e w a l k s p a s t t h e old m a n a n d c o m e s i n t o t h e h o u s e . "Asshole," h e says, u n d e r his b r e a t h , a l m o s t . H e e x c u s e s h i m s e l f t o use the toilet. " S l i v o v i t z , " t h e o l d m a n s a y s , g o i n g for t h e b o t t l e s , a h u d d l e d skyline like a m i n i a t u r e replica of t h e S h v a r t s n - Y a m on a black e n a m e l tray. " I s n ' t t h a t i t ? " " S e l t z e r , " L a n d s m a n says. W h e n h i s u n c l e a r c h e s a n e y e b r o w , h e s h r u g s . " I g o t a n e w d o c t o r . I n d i a n fellow. W a n t s m e t o g i v e u p booze." "And since w h e n d o you listen to d o c t o r s or Indians?" "Since never," Landsman admits. " S e l f - m e d i c a t i o n is a L a n d s m a n t r a d i t i o n . " "So got us."

is b e i n g

a Jew," Landsman

says. " L o o k

where

that's

3D4

>>>>>

MICHAEL

CHABDN

" S t r a n g e times to be a Jew," the old m a n agrees. H e

turns

from t h e b a r a n d p r e s e n t s L a n d s m a n w i t h a h i g h b a l l glass fitted with a lemon-slice yarmulke. T h e n he pours himself a generous s h o t of slivovitz a n d raises it t o L a n d s m a n w i t h an expression of h u m o r o u s c r u e l t y t h a t L a n d s m a n k n o w s well a n d in w h i c h he long since ceased t o see a n y h u m o r . " T o s t r a n g e t i m e s , " t h e o l d m a n says. H e eases it back, a n d w h e n he looks at L a n d s m a n , he glows like a m a n w h o j u s t said s o m e t h i n g w i t t y t h a t b r o k e u p a room. L a n d s m a n k n o w s h o w m u c h it m u s t be killing H e r t z to w a t c h t h e skiff h e p o l e d for s o m a n y y e a r s , w i t h all h i s c r a f t a n d s t r e n g t h , d r i f t i n g e v e r n e a r e r t o t h e falls o f R e v e r s i o n . H e p o u r s h i m s e l f a second q u i c k o n e a n d knocks it back w i t h no show of pleasure. N o w it's L a n d s m a n ' s t u r n to raise an eyebrow. " Y o u h a v e y o u r d o c t o r , " U n c l e H e r t z says. " I h a v e m i n e . " U n c l e H e r t z ' s c a b i n is a s i n g l e l a r g e r o o m w i t h a loft

that

g o e s all t h e w a y a r o u n d t h r e e s i d e s . A l l t h e t r i m a n d f u r n i s h i n g is h o r n , b o n e , s i n e w , h i d e , a n d p e l t . Y o u r e a c h t h e loft b y a s t e e p c o m p a n i o n w a y at t h e back, next to t h e kitchenette. In one corner is t h e o l d m a n ' s b e d , n e a t l y m a d e . B e s i d e t h e b e d , o n a s m a l l , r o u n d table, stands a chessboard. T h e pieces are rosewood and maple. O n e o f W h i t e ' s m a p l e k n i g h t s is m i s s i n g i t s left h o r s e ear. O n e o f B l a c k ' s r o s e w o o d p a w n s h a s a b l o n d flaw o n i t s k n o b . T h e b o a r d has a n e g l e c t e d , c h a o t i c air; a Vicks inhaler s t a n d s a m i d t h e pieces at one end, a possible threat to White's king at e l . " I see y o u ' r e p l a y i n g t h e M e n t h o l y p t u s D e f e n s e , " L a n d s m a n says, t u r n i n g t h e b o a r d t o get a b e t t e r look.

"Correspondence

game?" H e r t z is c r o w d i n g L a n d s m a n , e x h a l i n g h i s b r e a t h o f

plum

b r a n d y , t h e u n d e r n o t e o f h e r r i n g so o i l y a n d s h a r p y o u c a n feel t h e l i t t l e b o n e s in it. J o s t l e d , L a n d s m a n tips t h e w h o l e t h i n g t o t h e g r o u n d w i t h a clatter. " Y o u w e r e a l w a y s t h e m a s t e r o f t h a t m o v e , " H e r t z says. " T h e Landsman Gambit."

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"Shit, Uncle H e r t z , I'm sorry." Landsman crouches and gropes a r o u n d u n d e r t h e o l d m a n ' s b e d for t h e p i e c e s . " D o n ' t w o r r y a b o u t i t ! " t h e o l d m a n says. " I t ' s all r i g h t . I t w a s n ' t a g a m e , I was j u s t fooling a r o u n d . I d o n ' t play b y mail a n y m o r e . I l i v e a n d d i e b y t h e sacrifice. I l i k e t o d a z z l e t h e m w i t h s o m e c r a z y , beautiful combination. T o u g h to do t h a t on a postcard. D o you recognize the set?" H e r t z helps L a n d s m a n r e t u r n t h e pieces t o their box, also m a p l e , lined w i t h green velveteen. T h e inhaler h e slips i n t o a p o c k e t . "No,"

L a n d s m a n says. L a n d s m a n is t h e o n e , e x e c u t i n g

the

Landsman G a m b i t during a t a n t r u m m a n y years ago, w h o cost the W h i t e k n i g h t i t s ear. " W h a t d o you think? You gave it to h i m . " T h e r e a r e five b o o k s s t a c k e d o n t h e n i g h t s t a n d b y t h e o l d man's b e d . A Yiddish t r a n s l a t i o n of C h a n d l e r . A F r e n c h b i o g r a p h y of M a r c e l D u c h a m p . A p a p e r b a c k a t t a c k o n t h e w i l y a g e n d a of t h e T h i r d R u s s i a n R e p u b l i c t h a t w a s p o p u l a r in t h e U.S. t h e year b e f o r e . A P e t e r s o n field g u i d e t o m a r i n e m a m m a l s . A n d s o m e t h i n g c a l l e d Kampf

in t h e original G e r m a n , b y E m a n u e l Lasker.

T h e toilet

flushes,

a n d t h e r e is t h e s o u n d o f B e r k o d a s h i n g

w a t e r over his hands. " S u d d e n l y , e v e r y b o d y ' s r e a d i n g L a s k e r , " L a n d s m a n says. H e p i c k s u p t h e b o o k , heavy, black, t h e t i t l e e m b o s s e d in gilded black letter, a n d is m i l d l y s u r p r i s e d t o d i s c o v e r t h a t i t h a s n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h chess. N o d i a g r a m s , no

figurine

q u e e n s a n d h o r s e s , j u s t p a g e after

p a g e of t h o r n y G e r m a n prose. " S o t h e m a n w a s a p h i l o s o p h e r , t o o ? " " H e considered it his t r u e calling. E v e n t h o u g h h e was a genius a t c h e s s a n d h i g h e r m a t h e m a t i c s . I ' m s o r r y t o say, as a p h i l o s o p h e r , m a y b e h e w a s n ' t s u c h a g e n i u s . W h y , w h o e l s e is r e a d i n g E m a n u e l Lasker? N o b o d y reads E m a n u e l Lasker a n y m o r e . " " T h a t ' s even m o r e t r u e n o w t h a n it w a s a w e e k a g o , " Berko says, c o m i n g o u t o f t h e b a t h r o o m , d r y i n g h i s h a n d s o n a t o w e l . H e gravitates naturally toward the dinner table. T h e big wood­ b l o c k t a b l e is l a i d for t h r e e . T h e p l a t e s a r e e n a m e l e d t i n , t h e g l a s s e s

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plastic, and t h e knives have bone handles and fearsome blades, the k i n d y o u m i g h t u s e t o c u t t h e liver still t h r o b b i n g from t h e a b d o m e n o f a b e a r . T h e r e is a p i t c h e r o f i c e d t e a a n d a n e n a m e l e d p o t o f coffee. T h e m e a l t h a t H e r t z S h e m e t s h a s p r e p a r e d is p l e n t i f u l , h o t , and heavily weighted toward moose. " M o o s e c h i l i , " t h e o l d m a n says. " I g r o u n d t h e m e a t l a s t fall, I h a v e it in v a c u u m b a g s in t h e d e e p freeze. Killed t h e m o o s e , t o o , of c o u r s e . A cow, a t h o u s a n d - p o u n d e r . T h e chili I m a d e today, t h e b e a n s are k i d n e y b e a n s , a n d I t h r e w in a can of t u r t l e beans I h a d l y i n g a r o u n d . O n l y I w a s n ' t s u r e i t w o u l d b e e n o u g h , so I h e a t e d u p a f e w m o r e t h i n g s I h a d i n t h e freezer. T h e r e ' s a q u i c h e l o r r a i n e — t h a t ' s e g g , n a t u r a l l y , w i t h t o m a t o a n d b a c o n , t h e b a c o n is m o o s e bacon. I s m o k e d it myself." " T h e eggs a r e m o o s e e g g s , " B e r k o says, d u p l i c a t i n g perfectly his father's mildly p o m p o u s tone. T h e old m a n p o i n t s t o a w h i t e glass b o w l piled h i g h w i t h uniform m e a t b a l l s i n a r e d d i s h - b r o w n g r a v y . " S w e d i s h m e a t b a l l s , " h e says. " M o o s e m e a t b a l l s . A n d t h e n s o m e c o l d r o a s t m o o s e , if a n y b o d y w a n t s a s a n d w i c h . I b a k e d t h e b r e a d myself. A n d t h e m a y o n n a i s e is h o m e m a d e . I c a n ' t abide m a y o n n a i s e from a j a r . " T h e y sit d o w n t o e a t w i t h t h e lonely old m a n . Years ago his d i n i n g r o o m w a s a lively r e g i o n , t h e o n l y t a b l e in t h e s e d i v i d e d islands at w h i c h Indians a n d Jews regularly sat d o w n t o g e t h e r to eat g o o d food w i t h o u t rancor. T h e r e w a s California w i n e t o d r i n k a n d b e e x p a t i a t e d u p o n b y t h e old m a n . Silent t y p e s , h a r d cases, and t h e o d d special a g e n t or l o b b y i s t from W a s h i n g t o n m i n g l e d w i t h t o t e m carvers, chess b u m s , and Native fishermen. H e r t z submitted t o t h e raillery of M r s . P u l l m a n . H e w a s t h e k i n d of d o m i n e e r i n g old c u t t h r o a t w h o chose to m a r r y a w o m a n w h o would knock him d o w n a p e g or t w o in front of his friends. S o m e h o w it only m a d e him look stronger. " I p u t i n a c a l l o r t w o , " U n c l e H e r t z says a f t e r s e v e r a l m i n u t e s of c h e s s - d e e p c o n c e n t r a t i o n o n his food. "After y o u called t o say you were coming down."

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" D i d y o u ? " B e r k o says. "A c a l l o r t w o . " " T h a t ' s r i g h t . " H e r t z has a w a y of smiling, or of p r o d u c i n g a s m i l e - l i k e effect, w h e r e h e lifts o n l y t h e u p p e r l i p o n t h e r i g h t s i d e o f h i s m o u t h , a n d o n l y for h a l f a s e c o n d , f l a s h i n g o n e y e l l o w i n c i s o r . It looks like s o m e o n e has c a u g h t h i m b y t h e lip o n an invisible f i s h h o o k a n d is g i v i n g t h e l i n e a s h a r p t u g . " F r o m w h a t I g a t h e r , y o u have been m a k i n g a n u i s a n c e of yourself, M e y e r l e . U n p r o f e s s i o n a l conduct. Erratic behavior. Lost your badge and g u n . " W h a t e v e r e l s e h e m a y h a v e b e e n , for f o r t y y e a r s U n c l e H e r t z w a s a s w o r n officer o f t h e l a w w i t h a f e d e r a l s h i e l d i n h i s b i l l f o l d . T h o u g h h e u n d e r s e l l s i t , t h e n o t e o f r e p r o a c h is u n m i s t a k a b l e . H e t u r n s to his son. "And I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t y o u t h i n k y o u ' r e d o i n g , " h e says. " E i g h t w e e k s a w a y f r o m t h e v o i d . T w o c h i l d r e n a n d , m a z e l tov and kaynahora, a third on the way." Berko doesn't b o t h e r to ask h o w his father k n o w s t h a t EsterM a l k e is p r e g n a n t . I t w o u l d o n l y feed t h e o l d m a n ' s v a n i t y . H e j u s t n o d s a n d p u t s a w a y a few m o r e m o o s e m e a t b a l l s . T h e y a r e g o o d , t h e meatballs, moist w i t h h i n t s of r o s e m a r y a n d smoke. " Y o u a r e r i g h t , " B e r k o says. " I t ' s m a d n e s s . A n d I d o n ' t s a y t h a t I love o r c a r e for t h a t b u f f a l o t h e r e , l o o k a t h i m , w i t h n o b a d g e a n d no gun, b o t h e r i n g people and r u n n i n g a r o u n d w i t h frostbite on his k n e e c a p s , a n y m o r e t h a n I d o for m y w i f e o r m y c h i l d r e n , b e c a u s e I d o n ' t . O r t h a t i t m a k e s a n y s e n s e for m e t o t a k e r i s k s w i t h t h e i r f u t u r e o n h i s behalf, b e c a u s e i t d o e s n ' t . " A s h e c o n t e m p l a t e s

the

bowl of meatballs, his b o d y e m i t s a w e a r y s o u n d , a Yiddish s o u n d , h a l f w a y b e t w e e n a b e l c h a n d a l a m e n t a t i o n . " B u t if w e ' r e t a l k i n g a b o u t v o i d s , w h a t c a n I say, t h a t ' s n o t t h e t y p e o f c i r c u m s t a n c e s I w a n t t o b e facing w i t h o u t M e y e r a r o u n d . " " Y o u see h o w l o y a l , " U n c l e H e r t z tells L a n d s m a n . " T h a t ' s j u s t h o w I felt a b o u t y o u r f a t h e r , m a y h i s n a m e b e for a b l e s s i n g , b u t t h e c o w a r d left m e h i g h a n d d r y . " His tone aspires to lightness, b u t t h e s u b s e q u e n t blot of silence s e e m s t o d a r k e n t h e r e m a r k . T h e y c h e w t h e i r f o o d , a n d life feels long and ponderous. H e r t z gets u p and pours himself another shot.

3DB

MICHAEL

CHABDN

H e s t a n d s b y t h e w i n d o w , w a t c h i n g t h e s k y t h a t is l i k e a m o s a i c pieced t o g e t h e r from t h e b r o k e n shards of a t h o u s a n d mirrors, each o n e t i n t e d a different s h a d e of g r a y T h e w i n t e r sky of s o u t h e a s t e r n A l a s k a is a T a l m u d o f g r a y , a n i n e x h a u s t i b l e c o m m e n t a r y o n a T o r a h of rain clouds a n d d y i n g light. U n c l e H e r t z has always been t h e m o s t c o m p e t e n t , s e l f - a s s u r e d m a n L a n d s m a n k n o w s , n e a t as an o r i g a m i airplane, a q u i c k p a p e r needle folded w i t h precision, impervious to turbulence. Accurate, methodical,

dispassionate.

T h e r e w e r e always h i n t s of shadow, of i r r a t i o n a l i t y a n d violence, b u t t h e y w e r e c o n t a i n e d b e h i n d t h e wall of H e r t z ' s m y s t e r i o u s I n d i a n a d v e n t u r e s , h i d d e n o n t h e far s i d e o f t h e L i n e , c o v e r e d o v e r b y h i m w i t h t h e careful b a c k w a r d kicks of an a n i m a l concealing i t s spoor. B u t n o w a m e m o r y surfaces in L a n d s m a n from t h e days following his father's d e a t h , of U n c l e H e r t z s i t t i n g c r u m p l e d like a w a d of tissue in a c o r n e r of t h e k i t c h e n on A d l e r S t r e e t , shirttails h a n g i n g , n o o r d e r t o his hair, s h i r t m i s b u t t o n e d , t h e d w i n d l i n g c o n t e n t s of a b o t t l e of slivovitz on t h e kitchen table beside him m a r k i n g l i k e a b a r o m e t e r t h e p l u m m e t i n g a t m o s p h e r e o f h i s grief. " W e h a v e o u r s e l v e s a p u z z l e , U n c l e H e r t z , " says L a n d s m a n . " I s why we're here." " T h a t a n d t h e m a y o n n a i s e , " B e r k o says. "A p u z z l e . " T h e o l d m a n t u r n s f r o m t h e w i n d o w , h i s e y e s h a r d again and wary. " I h a t e puzzles." " W e ' r e n o t a s k i n g y o u t o s o l v e a n y , " B e r k o says. " D o n ' t take t h a t t o n e w i t h m e , John Bear," the old m a n snaps. " I d o n ' t c a r e for i t . " " T o n e ? " B e r k o says, h i s v o i c e s t a c k e d l i k e a m e a s u r e o f m u s i c a l score w i t h a half-dozen t o n e s , a c h a m b e r e n s e m b l e of insolence, r e s e n t m e n t , s a r c a s m , p r o v o c a t i o n , i n n o c e n c e , a n d s u r p r i s e . "Tone?" L a n d s m a n g i v e s B e r k o a l o o k t h a t is m e a n t t o r e m i n d

him

n o t o f h i s a g e a n d s t a t i o n i n life b u t o f t h e m a n i f e s t u n c o o l n e s s o f b i c k e r i n g w i t h o n e ' s r e l a t i v e s . I t ' s a n o l d a n d w e l l - w o r n facial e x p r e s s i o n d a t i n g f r o m t h e t i m e o f B e r k o ' s first strife-filled y e a r s

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w i t h t h e L a n d s m a n s . I t n e v e r t a k e s l o n g e r t h a n a few m i n u t e s , w h e n e v e r t h e y g e t t o g e t h e r , for e v e r y o n e t o r e v e r t t o t h e s t a t e o f n a t u r e , like a p a r t y m a r o o n e d b y a s h i p w r e c k . T h a t ' s w h a t a family is. A l s o t h e s t o r m a t s e a , t h e s h i p , a n d t h e u n k n o w n s h o r e . A n d t h e h a t s a n d t h e w h i s k e y stills t h a t y o u m a k e o u t of b a m b o o a n d c o c o n u t s . A n d t h e fire t h a t y o u l i g h t t o k e e p a w a y t h e b e a s t s . "There's something we're trying to explain," Landsman begins a g a i n . "A s i t u a t i o n . A n d t h e r e a r e a s p e c t s o f t h e s i t u a t i o n

that

r e m i n d e d us of y o u . " Uncle H e r t z p o u r s a n o t h e r shot of slivovitz, carries it to t h e t a b l e , a n d s i t s d o w n . " S t a r t f r o m t h e s t a r t , " h e says. " T h e s t a r t is a d e a d j u n k i e i n m y h o t e l . " "Aha." "You've been following i t . " " I h e a r d s o m e t h i n g o n t h e r a d i o , " t h e o l d m a n says. " M a y b e I read a little s o m e t h i n g in t h e paper, t o o . " H e always b l a m e s t h e n e w s p a p e r s for t h e t h i n g s h e k n o w s . " H e w a s t h e s o n o f H e s k e l S h p i l m a n . T h e o n e t h e y h a d s u c h h i g h h o p e s for w h e n h e w a s a kid." " H e w a s m u r d e r e d , " L a n d s m a n says. " C o n t r a r y t o w h a t y o u m i g h t have read. A n d w h e n h e died, h e was in hiding. H e ' d b e e n in h i d i n g , f r o m o n e t h i n g a n d a n o t h e r , for m o s t o f h i s life, b u t w h e n he died, I think he was trying to duck some men he had run out on. I was able t o trace his m o v e m e n t s back t o t h e Yakovy a i r p o r t last April. H e showed u p there the day before N a o m i d i e d . " " T h i s has s o m e t h i n g to d o w i t h N a o m i ? " " T h e s e m e n w h o w e r e l o o k i n g for S h p i l m a n . A n d w h o , w e ' r e a s s u m i n g , k i l l e d h i m . L a s t A p r i l t h e y h i r e d N a o m i t o fly t h e g u y o u t to a farm t h e y r u n , s u p p o s e d t o b e s o m e k i n d of a t h e r a p y f a c i l i t y for t r o u b l e d k i d s . O u t i n P e r i l S t r a i t . B u t w h e n h e g o t t h e r e , he panicked. H e wanted out. H e came to N a o m i to help him, and s h e s n e a k e d h i m o u t o f t h e r e a n d flew h i m b a c k t o c i v i l i z a t i o n . T o Yakovy. S h e d i e d t h e n e x t d a y . "

MICHAEL

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CHABDN

" P e r i l S t r a i t ? " t h e o l d m a n says. " T h e s e a r e N a t i v e s , t h e n ? Y o u ' r e s a y i n g Indians k i l l e d M e n d e l S h p i l m a n ? " "No,"

B e r k o says. " T h e s e m e n w i t h t h e y o u t h r e h a b . O n a g o o d

t h o u s a n d acres j u s t n o r t h of t h e village t h e r e . It seems t o have been b u i l t w i t h m o n e y from A m e r i c a n Jews. T h e people r u n n i n g it a r e y i d s . A n d as far as w e c a n t e l l , t h e p l a c e is a f r o n t for t h e i r r e a l operation." " W h i c h is w h a t ? G r o w i n g m a r i j u a n a ? " " W e l l , for o n e t h i n g , t h e y h a v e a h e r d o f A y r s h i r e d a i r y c o w s , " B e r k o says. " M a y b e a h u n d r e d h e a d o f t h e m . " " T h a t ' s for o n e t h i n g . " " F o r a n o t h e r , t h e y seem t o b e r u n n i n g s o m e k i n d of p a r a m i l i t a r y t r a i n i n g facility. T h e i r l e a d e r m i g h t b e a n o l d m a n , a Jew. W i l f r e d D i c k g o t a l o o k a t h i m , h e w a s t h e r e . B u t t h e face m e a n t n o t h i n g t o D i c k . W h o e v e r h e is, h e s e e m s t o h a v e ties t o t h e Verbovers, or at least to A r y e h Baronshteyn. But we d o n ' t k n o w w h y or what kind." " T h e r e w a s a n A m e r i c a n t h e r e , t o o , " L a n d s m a n says. " H e flew i n for a m e e t i n g w i t h B a r o n s h t e y n a n d t h e s e o t h e r

mysterious

J e w s . T h e y all s e e m e d a l i t t l e w o r r i e d a b o u t t h e A m e r i c a n . T h e y seemed to t h i n k he m i g h t n o t be h a p p y w i t h t h e m or how they were running things." T h e old m a n g e t s u p from t h e table a n d goes t o a h u t c h t h a t separates his e a t i n g from his sleep. F r o m a h u m i d o r he takes a cigar a n d rolls it b e t w e e n his p a l m s . H e rolls it a long t i m e , back and forth, u n t i l it seems t o d i s a p p e a r from his t h o u g h t s entirely. " I h a t e p u z z l e s , " h e says finally. " W e k n o w t h a t , " B e r k o says. "You know that." U n c l e H e r t z r u n s t h e cigar b a c k a n d forth u n d e r his nose, i n h a l i n g deeply, eyes closed, t a k i n g p l e a s u r e n o t o n l y in t h e smell, it s e e m s t o L a n d s m a n , b u t i n t h e c o o l n e s s o f t h e s m o o t h leaf a g a i n s t t h e flesh o f h i s n o s t r i l s .

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" T h i s is m y first q u e s t i o n , " U n c l e H e r t z s a y s , o p e n i n g h i s e y e s . " M a y b e m y only one." T h e y w a i t for t h e q u e s t i o n w h i l e h e t r i m s t h e c i g a r , fits i t t o h i s narrow lips, works t h e m u p a n d d o w n . " W h a t c o l o r w e r e t h e c o w s ? " h e says.

• § 3 6

T

(F

h e r e w a s a r e d o n e , " B e r k o s a y s , slow, a b i t g r u d g i n g , l i k e h e missed it w h e n t h e coin got p a l m e d , even t h o u g h he was staring hard at the magician's hands.

"All r e d ? " t h e o l d m a n s a y s . " R e d f r o m h o r n t o t a i l ? " " S h e w a s d i s g u i s e d , " B e r k o says. " S p r a y e d w i t h s o m e k i n d o f

w h i t e p i g m e n t . I c a n ' t t h i n k of a n y reason y o u ' d w a n t to d o t h a t unless you had s o m e t h i n g a b o u t her t h a t you w a n t e d to hide. Such as t h a t s h e w a s , y o u k n o w . " H e w i n c e s . " W i t h o u t b l e m i s h . " " O h , for G o d ' s s a k e , " t h e o l d m a n says. " W h o are t h e s e p e o p l e , U n c l e H e r t z ? You know, d o n ' t y o u ? " " W h o a r e t h e s e p e o p l e ? " H e r t z S h e m e t s says. " T h e y ' r e y i d s . Yids w i t h a scheme. I k n o w that's a tautology." H e c a n ' t s e e m t o m a k e u p his m i n d t o l i g h t t h e cigar. H e sets it d o w n , picks it u p , sets it d o w n again. L a n d s m a n g e t s t h e feeling h e ' s w e i g h i n g a s e c r e t r o l l e d t i g h t i n i t s d a r k - v e i n e d leaf. A c o u r s e of action, a tricky exchange of pieces. "All r i g h t , " H e r t z says a t l a s t , " s o I l i e d : H e r e ' s a n o t h e r q u e s t i o n for y o u . M e y e r , m a y b e y o u r e m e m b e r a y i d , w h e n y o u w e r e a l i t t l e boy, h e u s e d t o c o m e a r o u n d t h e E i n s t e i n C h e s s C l u b . H e u s e d t o j o k e w i t h y o u , y o u h a d q u i t e a t h i n g for h i m . Y i d n a m e d L i t v a k . "

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" I s a w A l t e r L i t v a k t h e o t h e r d a y , " L a n d s m a n says. " A t

313

the

Einstein." "Did you?" " H e lost his voice." "Yes,

he w a s in an a c c i d e n t , his t h r o a t w a s c r u s h e d b y t h e w h e e l .

H i s wife w a s k i l l e d . I t w a s o u t o n R o o s e v e l t B o u l e v a r d , w h e r e t h e y p l a n t e d all t h o s e c h o k e c h e r r y t r e e s . T h e o n l y o n e t h a t d i d n ' t d i e , t h a t w a s t h e t r e e t h e y h i t . T h e o n l y c h o k e c h e r r y t r e e in t h e S i t k a District." " I r e m e m b e r w h e n t h e y p l a n t e d t h o s e t r e e s , " L a n d s m a n says. "For the World's Fair." " D o n ' t g e t w i s t f u l o n m e , " t h e o l d m a n says. " G o d k n o w s I ' v e h a d m y fill o f w i s t f u l J e w s , s t a r t i n g w i t h myself. Y o u n e v e r s e e a wistful I n d i a n . " "That's because they hide them when they hear you're coming a r o u n d , " B e r k o says. " T h e w o m e n a n d w i s t f u l I n d i a n s . S h u t u p a n d tell us a b o u t L i t v a k . " " H e u s e d t o w o r k for m e , " H e r t z says. " F o r m a n y , m a n y y e a r s . " H i s t o n e g o e s flat, a n d L a n d s m a n is s u r p r i s e d t o s e e t h a t h i s u n c l e is a n g r y . L i k e all S h e m e t s e s , H e r t z w a s h a n d e d d o w n a h o t t e m p e r , b u t i t s e r v e d h i m ill i n h i s w o r k , so a t s o m e p o i n t h e h a d it killed. " A l t e r L i t v a k w a s a f e d e r a l a g e n t ? " L a n d s m a n says. "No.

H e w a s n o t . T h e m a n h a s n o t d r a w n a n official g o v e r n m e n t

salary, as far as I k n o w , s i n c e h e w a s h o n o r a b l y d i s c h a r g e d f r o m t h e U.S.

A r m y thirty-five years ago." " W h y a r e y o u so a n g r y a t h i m ? " B e r k o s a y s , w a t c h i n g h i s f a t h e r

t h r o u g h t h e l a n t e r n slits of his eyes. H e r t z is s t a r t l e d b y t h e q u e s t i o n , t r i e s t o h i d e i t . " I n e v e r g e t a n g r y , " h e says. " E x c e p t w i t h y o u , s o n . " H e s m i l e s . " S o h e s t i l l goes to t h e E i n s t e i n . I d i d n ' t k n o w t h a t . H e w a s always m o r e of a c a r d p l a y e r t h a n a patzer. H e d i d b e t t e r in g a m e s t h a t favor t h e bluff. D e c e i t . C o n c e a l m e n t . "

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L a n d s m a n r e m e m b e r s t h e pair of tough-looking y o u n g m e n w h o m L i t v a k i n t r o d u c e d as h i s g r a n d n e p h e w s . T h e r e w a s o n e o f t h e m in t h e w o o d s at Peril S t r a i t , he realizes, d r i v i n g t h e F o r d C a u d i l l o w i t h t h e s h a d o w in t h e backseat. T h e s h a d o w of a m a n w h o d i d n ' t w a n t L a n d s m a n t o g e t a l o o k a t h i s face. " H e was t h e r e , " L a n d s m a n tells Berko. "At Peril Strait. H e was t h e m y s t e r y m a n in t h e car." " W h a t d i d L i t v a k d o for y o u ? " B e r k o says. " F o r all t h o s e m a n y , many years?" H e r t z h e s i t a t e s , looking from Berko t o L a n d s m a n and back. " S o m e o f t h i s , s o m e o f t h a t . A l l s t r i c t l y off t h e b o o k s . H e h a d a n u m b e r of useful skills. A l t e r L i t v a k m a y b e t h e m o s t t a l e n t e d m a n I e v e r m e t . H e u n d e r s t a n d s s y s t e m s a n d c o n t r o l . H e is p a t i e n t and methodical. H e used to be incredibly strong. A good pilot, a t r a i n e d m e c h a n i c . W o n d e r f u l a t o r i e n t e e r i n g . V e r y e f f e c t i v e as a teacher. As a trainer. Shit." H e s t a r e s d o w n in m i l d w o n d e r at t h e s n a p p e d halves of his cigar, o n e in each h a n d . H e d r o p s t h e m o n t o his p l a t e of sauce s t r e a k s a n d s p r e a d s a n a p k i n over t h e e v i d e n c e of his e m o t i o n . " T h e y i d b e t r a y e d m e , " h e says. " T o t h a t r e p o r t e r . H e c o l l e c t e d e v i d e n c e o n m e for y e a r s a n d t h e n h a n d e d i t all o v e r t o B r e n n a n . " " W h y w o u l d h e d o t h a t ? " B e r k o says. " I f h e w a s y o u r y i d ? " " I really c a n ' t a n s w e r y o u r q u e s t i o n . " H e r t z shakes his head, h a t i n g p u z z l e s , f a c e d for t h e r e s t o f h i s life w i t h t h i s o n e . " M o n e y , m a y b e , t h o u g h I n e v e r k n e w h i m t o t a k e a n i n t e r e s t i n t h e stuff. C e r t a i n l y n o t his beliefs. L i t v a k has n o beliefs. N o c o n v i c t i o n s . N o loyalty except to t h e m e n w h o serve u n d e r h i m . H e saw h o w things w e r e g o i n g w h e n t h i s b u n c h t o o k over in W a s h i n g t o n . H e k n e w t h a t I w a s t h r o u g h b e f o r e I k n e w i t myself. I s u p p o s e h e d e c i d e d t h e m o m e n t w a s r i p e . M a y b e h e g o t t i r e d o f w o r k i n g for m e , h e w a n t e d t h e j o b for h i m s e l f . E v e n a f t e r t h e A m e r i c a n s g o t r i d o f m e a n d s h u t d o w n t h e i r official o p e r a t i o n s , t h e y s t i l l n e e d e d a m a n i n S i t k a . T h e y r e a l l y c o u l d n ' t find a n y o n e b e t t e r for t h e i r m o n e y t h a n A l t e r L i t v a k . M a y b e h e j u s t g o t t i r e d of losing t o m e at chess.

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M a y b e he saw a chance t o b e a t m e , a n d h e t o o k it. B u t h e was never m y yid. Permanent Status never m e a n t anything to him. Neither, I ' m c e r t a i n , d o e s t h e c a u s e h e ' s w o r k i n g for n o w . " " T h e r e d h e i f e r , " B e r k o says. " A n d so t h e i d e a , f o r g i v e m e , " L a n d s m a n s a y s , " b u t t a l k m e t h r o u g h i t . F i n e , y o u h a v e a r e d h e i f e r w i t h o u t a s i n g l e flaw. A n d s o m e h o w or o t h e r , y o u g e t it over t o J e r u s a l e m . " " T h e n y o u kill i t , " B e r k o says. " A n d y o u b u r n i t t o a s h e s , a n d you m a k e a p a s t e of t h e ashes, a n d you d a b a little of t h a t on y o u r priests. O t h e r w i s e t h e y c a n ' t go i n t o t h e Sanctuary, in t h e T e m p l e , because t h e y are u n c l e a n . " H e checks w i t h his father. " D o I have that right?" " M o r e or less." "Okay, b u t here's t h e t h i n g I d o n ' t get. Isn't t h e r e — w h a t ' s it c a l l e d ? " L a n d s m a n says. " T h a t m o s q u e . O n t h e h i l l t h e r e w h e r e t h e Temple used to be?" " I t i s n ' t a m o s q u e , M e y e r l e . I t ' s a s h r i n e , " H e r t z says. " Q u b b a t As-Sakhrah. T h e D o m e of t h e R o c k . T h e t h i r d holiest site in Islam. B u i l t in t h e s e v e n t h c e n t u r y b y A b d a l - M a l i k , o n t h e p r e c i s e s i t e of t h e t w o T e m p l e s of t h e Jews. T h e s p o t w h e r e A b r a h a m w e n t t o sacrifice I s a a c , w h e r e J a c o b s a w t h e l a d d e r r e a c h i n g u p t o h e a v e n . T h e n a v e l o f t h e w o r l d . Yes. If y o u w a n t e d t o r e b u i l d t h e T e m p l e a n d r e i n s t i t u t e t h e o l d r i t u a l s , as a w a y o f h a s t e n i n g t h e c o m i n g o f Messiah, t h e n you w o u l d need to do s o m e t h i n g a b o u t t h e D o m e of t h e R o c k . It's in t h e way." "Bombs,"

Berko

says

with

an

exaggerated

nonchalance.

"Explosives. T h a t p a r t of t h e p a c k a g e w i t h A l t e r L i t v a k ? " " D e m o l i t i o n s , " t h e o l d m a n says. H e r e a c h e s for h i s d r i n k , b u t i t ' s g o n e . " Y e s , t h e y i d is a n e x p e r t . " L a n d s m a n p u s h e s b a c k from t h e table a n d s t a n d s up. H e g e t s his h a t f r o m t h e d o o r . " W e n e e d t o g e t b a c k , " h e says. " W e n e e d t o t a l k to somebody. W e n e e d to tell B i n a . " H e o p e n s h i s p h o n e , b u t t h e r e ' s n o s i g n a l t h i s far o u t f r o m S i t k a . H e goes to t h e t e l e p h o n e on t h e wall, b u t Bina's n u m b e r kicks h i m

31B

MICHAEL CHABDN

r i g h t o v e r t o v o i c e m a i l . " Y o u n e e d t o find A l t e r L i t v a k , " h e t e l l s her. " F i n d h i m a n d h o l d h i m a n d d o n o t let h i m g o . " W h e n h e t u r n s b a c k t o t h e t a b l e , h e sees father a n d son still s i t t i n g t h e r e ; B e r k o is p u t t i n g s o m e i n t e n s e q u e s t i o n t o H e r t z S h e m e t s w i t h o u t s a y i n g a n y t h i n g . Berko has his h a n d s folded in h i s l a p l i k e a w e l l - b e h a v e d c h i l d , b u t h e is n o t a w e l l - b e h a v e d c h i l d , a n d if h e k e e p s h i s fingers i n t e r t w i n e d , t h e n i t is o n l y t o p r e v e n t t h e m from e n a c t i n g s o m e mischief or h a r m . After an interval t h a t feels t o L a n d s m a n l i k e a v e r y l o n g t i m e , U n c l e H e r t z l o o k s d o w n . " T h e p r a y e r h o u s e a t S t . C y r i l , " B e r k o says. " T h e r i o t s . " " T h e St. Cyril r i o t s , " H e r t z S h e m e t s agrees. "God damn it." "Berko—" " G o d d a m n i t ! I n d i a n s a l w a y s said i t w a s t h e J e w s t h a t b l e w it u p . " "You have to u n d e r s t a n d the pressure we were under," H e r t z says. " A t t h e t i m e . " " O h , I d o , " B e r k o says. " B e l i e v e m e . T h e b a l a n c i n g a c t . T h e fine l i n e . " " T h o s e Jews, those fanatics, t h e people m o v i n g into t h e disputed areas. T h e y w e r e e n d a n g e r i n g t h e s t a t u s of t h e e n t i r e D i s t r i c t . C o n f i r m i n g t h e A m e r i c a n s ' w o r s t fears a b o u t w h a t w e w o u l d d o if t h e y gave us P e r m a n e n t S t a t u s . " " U h - h u h , " B e r k o says. " Y e a h . O k a y . A n d w h a t a b o u t M o m ? W a s she endangering the District, too?" U n c l e H e r t z speaks t h e n , o r r a t h e r t h e w i n d e m e r g e s from his l u n g s t h r o u g h t h e g a t e s of his t e e t h in a w a y t h a t r e s e m b l e s h u m a n speech. H e looks d o w n at his lap and makes t h e s o u n d again, and L a n d s m a n realizes t h a t he's saying he's sorry. S p e a k i n g a language in w h i c h h e has never b e e n schooled. " Y o u k n o w , I t h i n k I m u s t h a v e a l w a y s k n o w n , " B e r k o says, g e t t i n g u p from t h e table. H e takes his h a t a n d coat from t h e h o o k . " B e c a u s e I n e v e r l i k e d y o u . N o t f r o m t h e first m i n u t e , y o u b a s t a r d . C o m e on, Meyer."

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L a n d s m a n follows his p a r t n e r o u t . G o i n g t h r o u g h t h e door, h e h a s t o g e t o u t o f t h e w a y so t h a t B e r k o c a n g o b a c k i n . B e r k o t o s s e s aside his h a t a n d c o a t . H e h i t s h i m s e l f in t h e h e a d t w i c e , w i t h b o t h h a n d s at once. T h e n h e c r u s h e s an invisible s p h e r e , r o u g h l y t h e size of his father's c r a n i u m , b e t w e e n his o u t s p r e a d fingers. " I t r i e d m y w h o l e l i f e , " h e says finally. " I m e a n , f u c k , l o o k a t me!"

H e snatches t h e skullcap from t h e b a c k of his h e a d a n d holds

i t u p , c o n t e m p l a t i n g i t w i t h a s u d d e n h o r r o r as if i t ' s t h e flesh o f h i s s c a l p . H e flicks i t t o w a r d t h e o l d m a n . I t h i t s H e r t z o n t h e n o s e a n d falls o n t o t h e p i l e w i t h t h e n a p k i n , t h e b r o k e n c i g a r , t h e m o o s e gravy. " L o o k at t h i s s h i t ! " H e g r a b s t h e front of his s h i r t a n d y a n k s it o p e n in a s k i t t e r of b u t t o n s . H e e x p o s e s t h e h o m e l y w h i t e p a n e l o f h i s f r i n g e d f o u r - c o r n e r s , l i k e t h e w o r l d ' s flimsiest flak j a c k e t , h i s holy w h i t e Kevlar, t r i m m e d w i t h a s t r i p e of s e a - c r e a t u r e blue. " I h a t e this fucking t h i n g . " T h e four-corners comes u p over his head, a n d h e s h r u g s a n d w h i p s i t off, w h i c h l e a v e s h i m i n a w h i t e c o t t o n tee.

" E v e r y d a m n d a y o f m y life, I g e t u p i n t h e m o r n i n g a n d p u t

t h i s s h i t o n a n d p r e t e n d t o b e s o m e t h i n g I ' m n o t . S o m e t h i n g I'll n e v e r b e . F o r you." " I never asked y o u t o o b s e r v e t h e r e l i g i o n , " t h e old m a n says, not looking up. "I don't think I ever p u t any kind " I t h a s n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h religion" to do, G o d d a m n it, w i t h

of—"

B e r k o says. " I t h a s e v e r y t h i n g

fathers."

It comes t h r o u g h t h e m o t h e r , of course, one's b e i n g or n o t b e i n g a Jew. B u t B e r k o k n o w s t h a t . H e ' s k n o w n i t s i n c e t h e d a y h e m o v e d t o Sitka. H e sees it e v e r y t i m e h e looks i n t o a m i r r o r . " I t ' s all n o n s e n s e , " t h e o l d m a n g o e s o n , a l i t t l e m u m b l y , h a l f t o himself. "A s l a v e r e l i g i o n . T y i n g y o u r s e l f u p . B o n d a g e g e a r ! I ' v e n e v e r w o r n t h a t n o n s e n s e in m y life." "No?"

B e r k o says.

I t c a t c h e s L a n d s m a n off g u a r d , h o w q u i c k a n d h o w m a s s i v e is t h e transfer of Berko S h e m e t s from t h e d o o r w a y of t h e cabin t o t h e d i n i n g t a b l e . B e f o r e L a n d s m a n c a n q u i t e u n d e r s t a n d w h a t is happening, Berko has jerked t h e ritual u n d e r g a r m e n t d o w n over

318

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CHABON

t h e o l d m a n ' s h e a d . H e c r a d l e s t h e h e a d in o n e a r m w h i l e , w i t h t h e o t h e r , h e w i n d s t h e k n o t t e d fringes a r o u n d a n d a r o u n d , defining in fine s t r a n d s o f w o o l t h e c o n t o u r s o f t h e o l d m a n ' s face. I t ' s as if h e ' s p a c k i n g a s t a t u e for s h i p m e n t . T h e o l d m a n k i c k s , r a k e s a t t h e a i r w i t h his

fingernails.

" Y o u n e v e r w o r e o n e , e h ? " B e r k o says. " Y o u n e v e r f u c k i n g w o r e one!

T r y mine! T r y mine, you prick!" " S t o p . " L a n d s m a n goes t o t h e r e s c u e of t h e m a n w h o s e a d d i c t i o n

t o t a c t i c s of sacrifice led, m a y b e n o t p r e d i c t a b l y b u t directly, t o t h e d e a t h o f L a u r i e J o Bear. " B e r k o , c o m e o n . S t o p n o w . " H e t a k e s h o l d of Berko's e l b o w a n d drags h i m aside, a n d w h e n he's got himself b e t w e e n t h e t w o , h e s t a r t s s h o v i n g t h e b i g m a n t o w a r d t h e door. " O k a y . " Berko t h r o w s u p his hands and lets L a n d s m a n push h i m a c o u p l e o f f e e t i n t h a t d i r e c t i o n . " O k a y , I ' m d o n e . G e t off m e , Meyer." L a n d s m a n eases u p , l e t t i n g go of his p a r t n e r . Berko t u c k s his tee i n t o h i s t r o u s e r s a n d s t a r t s t o b u t t o n h i s s h i r t , b u t all t h e b u t t o n s h a v e flown away. H e l e a v e s i t , s m o o t h s d o w n t h e b l a c k b a d g e r o f h i s h a i r w i t h a w i d e p a l m , s t o o p s t o r e t r i e v e h i s h a t a n d c o a t from t h e floor, a n d w a l k s o u t . N i g h t c o m e s c u r l i n g w i t h t h e fog i n t o t h e house on its stilts above t h e water. L a n d s m a n t u r n s b a c k t o t h e o l d m a n , w h o is s i t t i n g t h e r e w i t h his h e a d s h r o u d e d in t h e four-corners, like a h o s t a g e w h o c a n n o t b e p e r m i t t e d t o s e e t h e faces o f h i s c a p t o r s . " Y o u w a n t s o m e h e l p , U n c l e H e r t z ? " L a n d s m a n says. "I'm

fine,"

t h e o l d m a n says, his voice faint, muffled b y t h e

cloth. " T h a n k you." " Y o u j u s t w a n t t o sit t h e r e like t h a t ? " T h e old m a n d o e s n ' t reply. L a n d s m a n p u t s o n his h a t a n d walks out. T h e y are j u s t g e t t i n g i n t o t h e car w h e n t h e y hear t h e g u n s h o t , a b o o m t h a t in t h e d a r k n e s s m a p s t h e m o u n t a i n s , lights t h e m u p w i t h r e f l e c t e d e c h o e s , t h e n f a d e s away.

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" F u c k , " B e r k o says. H e is b a c k i n s i d e t h e h o u s e b e f o r e L a n d s m a n has even reached t h e stairs. By t h e t i m e L a n d s m a n r u n s in, Berko has c r o u c h e d d o w n beside his father, w h o has a s s u m e d a s t r a n g e a t t i t u d e o n t h e floor b e s i d e h i s b e d , a h u r d l e r ' s s t r i d e , o n e l e g d r a w n t o h i s c h e s t a n d t h e o t h e r flung o u t b e h i n d h i m . I n h i s r i g h t h a n d , he keeps a loose g r i p on a black s n u b - n o s e d revolver; in his left h a n d , t h e r i t u a l f r i n g e . B e r k o s t r a i g h t e n s h i s f a t h e r o u t , r o l l s h i m o v e r o n t o h i s b a c k , a n d feels for a p u l s e a t t h e t h r o a t . T h e r e is a slick r e d p a t c h on t h e r i g h t side of t h e old m a n ' s f o r e h e a d , j u s t above t h e c o r n e r of his eye. Scorched hair m a t t e d w i t h blood. A p o o r s h o t , from t h e look of it. " O h , s h i t , " B e r k o says. " O h , s h i t , o l d m a n . Y o u f u c k e d i t u p . " " H e fucked it u p , " L a n d s m a n agrees. " O l d m a n ! " Berko shouts, and t h e n he lowers his voice to a g u t t u r a l r a s p a n d c r o o n s s o m e t h i n g , a w o r d or t w o , in t h e l a n g u a g e t h a t h e left b e h i n d . T h e y stop t h e bleeding a n d pack t h e w o u n d . L a n d s m a n looks a r o u n d for t h e b u l l e t a n d finds t h e w o r m h o l e t h a t i t c h e w e d t h r o u g h the plywood wall. " W h e r e ' d he get t h i s ? " L a n d s m a n says, p i c k i n g u p t h e g u n . It's a h o m e l y t h i n g , w o r n at t h e e d g e s , an o l d m a c h i n e . " T h e .38 Detective Special?" " I d o n ' t know. H e has a lot of g u n s . H e likes g u n s . T h a t ' s t h e one t h i n g w e h a d in c o m m o n . " " I t h i n k it m i g h t b e t h e g u n t h a t M e l e k h G a y s t i k u s e d in t h e Café E i n s t e i n . " " T h a t w o u l d n ' t s u r p r i s e m e a t a l l , " B e r k o says. H e s h o u l d e r s t h e b u r d e n of his father, a n d t h e y c a r r y h i m d o w n t o t h e car a n d lay h i m i n t h e b a c k s e a t o n a p i l e o f t o w e l s . L a n d s m a n s w i t c h e s o n t h e u n d e r c o v e r s i r e n t h a t h e h a s u s e d m a y b e t w i c e i n five y e a r s . T h e n they drive back u p over t h e m o u n t a i n . T h e r e is a n u r g e n t - c a r e c e n t e r a t N a y e s h t a t , b u t m a n y h a v e d i e d t h e r e so t h e y d e c i d e t o t a k e h i m all t h e w a y i n t o

Sitka

32D

MICHAEL

CHABDN

G e n e r a l . A l o n g t h e w a y , B e r k o c a l l s h i s wife. H e e x p l a i n s t o h e r , n o t v e r y coherently, t h a t his father a n d a m a n n a m e d Alter Litvak w e r e i n d i r e c t l y r e s p o n s i b l e for h i s m o t h e r ' s d e a t h d u r i n g t h e w o r s t I n d i a n - J e w v i o l e n c e in t h e s i x t y - y e a r h i s t o r y of t h e D i s t r i c t , and t h a t his f a t h e r has s h o t h i m s e l f in t h e h e a d . H e tells h e r t h a t t h e y are going to d u m p the old man at the Sitka General ER, because h e is a p o l i c e m a n , G o d d a m n i t , a n d h e h a s a j o b t o d o , a n d b e c a u s e t h e o l d m a n c a n g o a n d d i e for all h e c a r e s . E s t e r - M a l k e a p p e a r s t o a c c e p t t h i s p r o j e c t as s t a t e d , a n d B e r k o h a n g s u p t h e p h o n e . T h e y d i s a p p e a r i n t o a z o n e w i t h o u t c e l l u l a r t e l e p h o n e c o v e r a g e for t e n o r fifteen m i n u t e s , a n d w h e n t h e y e m e r g e f r o m i t , h a v i n g s a i d n o t h i n g , t h e y a r e n e a r l y t o t h e c i t y l i m i t s a n d t h e S h o y f e r is r i n g i n g . "No,"

Berko says, a n d t h e n , m o r e angrily, " N o . " H e listens

t o h i s w i f e ' s r e a s o n i n g for a l i t t l e u n d e r a m i n u t e . L a n d s m a n h a s n o i d e a w h a t s h e ' s s a y i n g t o h i m , w h e t h e r s h e ' s p r e a c h i n g from t h e t e x t of professional c o n d u c t , or of c o m m o n decency, or of forgiveness, or of t h e d u t y of a son t o a father t h a t t r a n s c e n d s or p r e c e d e s t h e m all. I n t h e e n d Berko s h a k e s his h e a d . H e looks over t h e b a c k s e a t a t t h e o l d J e w s t r e t c h e d o u t t h e r e . "All r i g h t . " H e closes t h e t e l e p h o n e . " Y o u c a n d r o p m e off a t t h e h o s p i t a l , " h e s a y s ,

sounding

d e f e a t e d . " J u s t c a l l m e w h e n y o u find t h a t f u c k i n g L i t v a k . "

n e e d t o s p e a k t o K a t h e r i n e S w e e n e y , " B i n a says i n t o t h e t e l e p h o n e . S w e e n e y , t h e a s s i s t a n t U n i t e d S t a t e s A t t o r n e y , is e a r n e s t

and

c o m p e t e n t a n d m a y v e r y well listen t o w h a t Bina has called her t o say. L a n d s m a n r e a c h e s o v e r , d a r t s h i s h a n d a c r o s s h e r d e s k , a n d cuts the connection with a

fingertip.

Bina stares at h i m w i t h great

slow w i n g b e a t s of her eyelids. H e has t a k e n her b y surprise. A r a r e feat. "They

are behind

this," Landsman

says, his

finger

on

the

button. " K a t h y S w e e n e y is b e h i n d t h i s , " s h e s a y s , k e e p i n g t h e r e c e i v e r t o h e r ear. "Well, no. I d o u b t t h a t . " " T h e S i t k a U S . A t t o r n e y ' s office is b e h i n d i t ? " "Maybe. No, probably not." "But you're saying the Justice D e p a r t m e n t . " "Yes. I d o n ' t know. Bina, I ' m sorry. I j u s t d o n ' t k n o w h o w h i g h u p it goes." T h e s u r p r i s e h a s f a d e d ; h e r g a z e is s t e a d y a n d

unblinking.

"Okay. N o w , y o u listen t o m e . F i r s t of all, t a k e y o u r h a i r y d a m n e d finger

off o f m y t e l e p h o n e . "

322

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L a n d s m a n w i t h d r a w s t h e offending digit before t h e laser b e a m s from her eyes can sever it cleanly at t h e knuckle. "Don't you touch my telephone, Meyer." "Never again." " I f t h e s t o r y y o u h a v e b e e n t e l l i n g m e is t r u e , " B i n a says, a teacher addressing a roomful

of imbecile five-year-olds,

"then

I n e e d t o tell K a t h y Sweeney. I p r o b a b l y n e e d t o tell t h e State D e p a r t m e n t . I m a y even n e e d t o get h o l d of t h e D e p a r t m e n t of Defense." "But—" " B e c a u s e I d o n ' t k n o w if y o u a r e a w a r e o f t h i s , b u t the Holy Land is not part of this

precinct."

" G r a n t e d , of course. B u t listen. S o m e o n e w i t h w e i g h t , serious w e i g h t , g o t i n t o t h e F A A d a t a b a s e a n d v a n i s h e d t h a t file. T h e s a m e kind of weight promised t h e T l i n g i t Council they could have the D i s t r i c t b a c k if t h e y l e t L i t v a k r u n h i s p r o g r a m o u t o f P e r i l S t r a i t for a l i t t l e w h i l e . " "Dick told you that?" " H e s u g g e s t e d i t s t r o n g l y . A n d w i t h all d u e r e s p e c t t o t h e L e d e r e r s from Boca R a t o n , I a m sure t h a t same w e i g h t has been w r i t i n g c h e c k s for t h e c l a n d e s t i n e s i d e o f t h e o p e r a t i o n .

The

t r a i n i n g facility. W e a p o n s a n d s u p p o r t . T h e c a t t l e b r e e d i n g . T h e y are behind this." " T h e U.S. G o v e r n m e n t . " " T h i s is w h a t I ' m s a y i n g . " "Because t h e y t h i n k t h e idea of a b u n c h of crazy yids r u n n i n g a r o u n d A r a b Palestine, b l o w i n g u p shrines a n d following Messiahs a n d s t a r t i n g W o r l d W a r T h r e e is a r e a l l y g o o d i d e a . " " T h e y ' r e j u s t as c r a z y , B i n a . Y o u k n o w t h e y a r e . M a y b e t h e y ' r e hoping for W o r l d W a r T h r e e . M a y b e t h e y w a n t t o c r a n k u p a n e w C r u s a d e . M a y b e t h e y t h i n k if t h e y d o t h i s t h i n g , i t w i l l m a k e J e s u s c o m e back. O r m a y b e it has n o t h i n g to d o w i t h any of t h a t , and i t ' s all r e a l l y a b o u t o i l , y o u k n o w , s e c u r i n g t h e i r s u p p l y o f t h e s t u f f o n c e a n d for a l l . I d o n ' t k n o w . "

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" G o v e r n m e n t conspiracies, Meyer." "I k n o w h o w it s o u n d s . " "Talking chickens, Meyer." "I'm sorry." "You promised." "I know." She picks u p t h e t e l e p h o n e a n d dials t h e A U S A . "Bina. Please. H a n g u p t h e p h o n e . " " I have been in a lot of d a r k c o r n e r s w i t h y o u , M e y e r L a n d s m a n , " s h e says. " I ' m n o t g o i n g t o g o t o t h i s o n e . " L a n d s m a n g u e s s e s h e c a n ' t b l a m e h e r for t h a t . W h e n s h e g e t s S w e e n e y o n t h e l i n e , B i n a fills h e r i n o n

the

r u d i m e n t s of L a n d s m a n ' s tale: T h e Verbovers a n d a g r o u p

of

messianic Jews have banded together and are planning to attack an i m p o r t a n t

Muslim

s h r i n e in Palestine. She leaves o u t

the

s u p e r n a t u r a l a n d c o m p l e t e l y speculative e l e m e n t s . She leaves o u t t h e deaths of N a o m i L a n d s m a n a n d M e n d e l S h p i l m a n . She m a n a g e s to m a k e it s o u n d j u s t far-fetched e n o u g h t o be credible. " I ' m g o i n g t o s e e if w e c a n m a y b e t r a c k t h i s L i t v a k d o w n , " s h e tells Sweeney. " O k a y , Kathy. T h a n k s . I k n o w it does. I h o p e it i s . " She hangs u p t h e p h o n e . She picks u p t h e s o u v e n i r globe on t h e desk, w i t h its m i n i a t u r e skyline of Sitka, gives it a shake, a n d watches t h e s n o w c o m e d o w n . She has m o v e d e v e r y t h i n g else o u t of t h e office, t h e b r i c - a - b r a c , t h e p h o t o g r a p h s . J u s t t h e s n o w g l o b e a n d h e r s h e e p s k i n s i n f r a m e s o n t h e w a l l . A r u b b e r t r e e a n d a ficus a n d a w h i t e - s p o t t e d p i n k o r c h i d i n a g r e e n g l a s s p o t . I t ' s all s t i l l as p r e t t y as t h e u n d e r s i d e o f a b u s . B i n a s i t s i n t h e m i d d l e o f i t i n a n o t h e r g r i m p a n t s u i t , her hair piled u p a n d h e l d in place b y m e t a l clasps, r u b b e r b a n d s , a n d o t h e r useful i t e m s from h e r d e s k drawer. " S h e d i d n ' t l a u g h , " L a n d s m a n says. " D i d s h e ? " " S h e ' s n o t t h e t y p e , " B i n a says. " B u t n o . S h e w a n t s

more

information. For w h a t it's w o r t h , I g o t t h e feeling this w a s n ' t t h e first

she'd h e a r d a b o u t A l t e r L i t v a k . She said she'd like t o m a y b e

b r i n g h i m i n if w e c a n find h i m . "

324

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" B u c h b i n d e r , " L a n d s m a n says. " D r . R u d o l f B u c h b i n d e r . You r e m e m b e r , he was going o u t of t h e Polar-Shtern t h e o t h e r night when you were coming in." " T h a t d e n t i s t from d o w n on Ibn Ezra S t r e e t ? " " H e t o l d m e h e w a s r e l o c a t i n g t o J e r u s a l e m , " L a n d s m a n says. " I thought he was talking nonsense." " T h e S o m e t h i n g I n s t i t u t e , " she remembers. " W i t h an M . " "Miryam." "Moriah." S h e g e t s o n h e r c o m p u t e r a n d f i n d s a l i s t i n g for t h e M o r i a h I n s t i t u t e in t h e u n l i s t e d - n u m b e r directory, at 822 M a x Street, seventh

Nordau

floor.

" E i g h t - t w e n t y - t w o , " L a n d s m a n says. " H u h . " " I s n ' t t h a t y o u r block?" Bina dials t h e t e l e p h o n e n u m b e r she found. " R i g h t across t h e s t r e e t , " L a n d s m a n says, feeling

sheepish.

" T h e Blackpool H o t e l . " " M a c h i n e , " s h e says. S h e k i l l s t h e call w i t h a f i n g e r t i p

and

p u n c h e s i n a f o u r - d i g i t . " T h i s is G e l b f i s h . " S h e a r r a n g e s for p a t r o l m e n a n d p l a i n c l o t h e s officers t o s t a k e o u t t h e d o o r s a n d e n t r y w a y s of t h e H o t e l Blackpool. She r e t u r n s t h e p h o n e to its cradle a n d t h e n sits there, looking at it. " O k a y , " L a n d s m a n says. " L e t ' s g o . " But Bina doesn't move. " Y o u k n o w , i t w a s n i c e n o t h a v i n g t o l i v e w i t h all y o u r b u l l s h i t . N o t having to put up with twenty-four-hour Landsmania." " I e n v y y o u t h a t , " L a n d s m a n says. " H e r t z , Berko, y o u r m o t h e r , y o u r father. All of y o u . " She a d d s in A m e r i c a n , " B u n c h of fucking n u t j o b s . " "I know." " N a o m i w a s t h e o n l y s a n e p e r s o n in t h e family." " S h e u s e d t o s a y t h e s a m e t h i n g a b o u t y o u , " L a n d s m a n says. " O n l y s h e u s e d t o say, ' i n t h e w o r l d . ' "

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T w o quick raps on t h e door. L a n d s m a n gets u p , t h i n k i n g it's going to be Berko. "Hi,

t h e r e , " says t h e m a n a t t h e d o o r i n A m e r i c a n . " I d o n ' t

t h i n k I've h a d t h e p l e a s u r e . " " W h o a r e y o u ? " L a n d s m a n says. " M e is y o u r b u r i a l s o c i e t i e s , " t h e m a n says i n w r e t c h e d

but

energetic Yiddish. " M r . S p a d e is h e r e t o o v e r s e e t h e t r a n s i t i o n , " B i n a says. " I t h i n k I mentioned that he might be coming, Detective L a n d s m a n . " "I think you did." " D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n , " S p a d e says, l a p s i n g mercifully

into

American. " T h e notorious." He's n o t t h e potbellied golf t y p e L a n d s m a n imagined.

He's

too young, plain-faced, big a r o u n d t h e chest a n d shoulders. H e ' s wearing a gray worsted suit b u t t o n e d over a w h i t e shirt w i t h a n e c k t i e t h e s t i p p l e d b l u e o f v i d e o s t a t i c . H i s n e c k is a m a s s o f r a z o r b u m p s and missed whiskers. T h e p r o t r u s i o n of his A d a m ' s apple suggests u n f a t h o m a b l e d e p t h s of e a r n e s t n e s s a n d sincerity. In his lapel h e w e a r s a p i n in t h e s h a p e of a stylized

fish.

" H o w a b o u t y o u a n d I s i t d o w n w i t h y o u r c o m m a n d i n g officer for a m o m e n t ? " "All r i g h t , " L a n d s m a n says. " B u t I p r e f e r t o s t a n d . " " S u i t yourself. H o w a b o u t w e g e t o u t of t h e d o o r w a y , t h o u g h . " Landsman steps aside, waving him into the room. Spade shuts t h e door. " D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n . I have reason t o b e l i e v e , " S p a d e says, " t h a t you have been c o n d u c t i n g an u n a u t h o r i z e d a n d , given t h e fact t h a t y o u a r e c u r r e n t l y u n d e r s u s p e n s i o n — " " W i t h p a y , " L a n d s m a n says. " — i l l e g a l investigation i n t o a case t h a t has been d e s i g n a t e d inactive. W i t h h e l p from

Detective Berko

officially Shemets,

also u n a u t h o r i z e d . A n d , t a k i n g a w i l d guess, well, I w o u l d n ' t b e s u r p r i s e d if y o u t u r n e d o u t t o h a v e b e e n h e l p i n g h i m , t o o , I n s p e c t o r Gelbfish."

32G

MICHAEL

CHABON

" S h e has b e e n n o t h i n g b u t a p a i n in t h e ass, a c t u a l l y , " L a n d s m a n says. " T o b e h o n e s t . N o h e l p at a l l . " " I j u s t c a l l e d t h e A U S A ' s o f f i c e , " B i n a says. " D i d you really?" " T h e y m a y be taking this one over." "For real?" "It's o u t of m y jurisdiction. T h e r e ' s b e e n — t h e r e m a y have b e e n — a t h r e a t . A g a i n s t a foreign t a r g e t . By D i s t r i c t r e s i d e n t s . " " H u h - u h ! " S p a d e l o o k s a t o n c e s c a n d a l i z e d a n d p l e a s e d . "A threat? G e t o u t of t o w n ! " A c o l d d e n s e f l u i d fills B i n a ' s g a z e , s o m e w h e r e b e t w e e n m e r c u r y a n d s l u d g e . " I ' m t r y i n g t o find a m a n n a m e d A l t e r L i t v a k , " s h e says, a g r e a t w e a r i n e s s d r a g g i n g at t h e c o r n e r s of her voice. " H e m a y or m a y n o t b e involved w i t h t h i s t h r e a t . In any case, I'd like t o see w h a t h e k n o w s a b o u t t h e m u r d e r of M e n d e l S h p i l m a n . " " U h - h u h , " S p a d e says a m i a b l y , a l i t t l e d i s t r a c t e d , m a y b e , l i k e s o m e o n e p r e t e n d i n g t o t a k e a n i n t e r e s t i n t h e m i n u t i a e o f y o u r life w h i l e surfing s o m e i n n e r I n t e r n e t of his m i n d . " O k a y , b u t , see, t h e t h i n g i s , m a ' a m . S p e a k i n g a s — W h a t d o y o u call i t a g a i n ? T h e m a n from t h e , u h , Burial Society w h o sits w i t h t h e c o r p s e w h e n it's a Jew?" " T h e y c a l l t h a t a s h o m e r , " B i n a says. " R i g h t . S p e a k i n g as t h e l o c a l s h o m e r a r o u n d h e r e , I h a v e t o say: No.

W h a t y o u a r e g o i n g t o d o is t o l e a v e t h i s m e s s , a n d M r . L i t v a k ,

alone." Bina w a i t s a l o n g t i m e before s a y i n g a n y t h i n g . T h e w e a r i n e s s of h e r v o i c e s e e m s t o flow i n t o h e r s h o u l d e r s , h e r j a w , t h e l i n e s o f h e r face. " A r e y o u m i x e d u p i n t h i s , S p a d e ? " s h e says. " M e personally? N o , m a ' a m . T h e transition team? H u h - u h . T h e A l a s k a R e v e r s i o n C o m m i s s i o n ? N o way. T h e t r u t h i s , I d o n ' t k n o w v e r y m u c h a b o u t t h i s m e s s at all. A n d w h a t I d o k n o w , I ' m n o t a t l i b e r t y t o say. I ' m i n r e s o u r c e m a n a g e m e n t , I n s p e c t o r . T h a t ' s w h a t I d o . A n d I ' m h e r e t o t e l l y o u , w i t h all d u e r e s p e c t ,

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t h a t e n o u g h of y o u r resources have a l r e a d y b e e n w a s t e d on this matter." " T h e y a r e m y r e s o u r c e s , M r . S p a d e , " B i n a says. " F o r t w o m o r e m o n t h s , I can talk to w h a t e v e r witnesses I w a n t to talk to. I can arrest whoever I want to arrest." " N o t if t h e A U S A t e l l s y o u t o b a c k off." T h e telephone rings. " T h a t w i l l b e t h e A U S A , " L a n d s m a n says. B i n a p i c k s u p t h e p h o n e . " H e l l o , K a t h y , " s h e says. S h e l i s t e n s for a m i n u t e , n o d d i n g , saying n o t h i n g . T h e n she says, " I u n d e r s t a n d , " a n d h a n g s u p t h e p h o n e . H e r v o i c e is c a l m a n d d e v o i d o f f e e l i n g . T h e r e ' s a t i g h t s m i l e o n h e r face, a n d s h e d u c k s h e r h e a d i n h u m i l i t y , as if s h e h a s b e e n b e a t e n fair a n d s q u a r e . L a n d s m a n c a n feel t h a t s h e is d e l i b e r a t e l y n o t l o o k i n g a t h i m , b e c a u s e if s h e l o o k s a t h i m , s h e might tear up. A n d he k n o w s h o w o u t r a g e d Bina Gelbfish has to get b e f o r e t h e r e is a n y d a n g e r o f t e a r s . " A n d I h a d e v e r y t h i n g fixed u p so n i c e , " s h e says. " A n d t h i s p l a c e , l e t m e t e l l y o u , " L a n d s m a n says. " B e f o r e y o u got here, it was a s h a m b l e s . " " I w a s j u s t g o i n g t o h a n d i t all o v e r t o y o u , " s h e t e l l s S p a d e . "All w r a p p e d up. Free of c r u m b s . N o loose s t r i n g s . " She w o r k e d it w i t h such care, a c c u m u l a t e d t h e c r e d i t s , kissed t h e asses t h a t n e e d e d t o b e kissed. S w e p t o u t t h e stables. T i e d u p Sitka C e n t r a l and a t t a c h e d herself t o t h e t o p like a d e c o r a t i v e bow. " I e v e n g o t r i d o f t h a t w r e t c h e d l o v e s e a t , " s h e says. " W h a t t h e h e l l is g o i n g o n h e r e , S p a d e ? " " I h o n e s t l y d o n ' t k n o w , m a ' a m . A n d e v e n if I d i d k n o w , I w o u l d say t h a t I d i d n ' t . " "Your orders are to keep things s m o o t h on this e n d . " "Yes,

ma'am."

" T h e other end being Palestine." " I d o n ' t k n o w m u c h a b o u t P a l e s t i n e , " S p a d e says. " I ' m

from

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L u b b o c k . M y w i f e is f r o m N a c o g d o c h e s , t h o u g h , a n d t h a t ' s o n l y a b o u t forty miles from P a l e s t i n e . " B i n a l o o k s b l a n k for a m o m e n t , a n d t h e n u n d e r s t a n d i n g s e e m s t o r e d d e n her cheeks like anger. " D o n ' t y o u s t a n d t h e r e and m a k e j o k e s , " s h e says. " D o n ' t y o u d a r e . " "No,

m a ' a m , " S p a d e says, a n d it's his t u r n t o go a little red.

" I t a k e t h i s j o b v e r y s e r i o u s l y , Mr. S p a d e . A n d y o u h a d b e t t e r , let m e tell y o u , y o u h a d b e t t e r fucking t a k e m e seriously." "Yes,

ma'am."

Bina g e t s u p from b e h i n d t h e d e s k a n d takes her o r a n g e p a r k a from its h o o k . " I a m g o i n g t o b r i n g in A l t e r L i t v a k . Q u e s t i o n h i m . Possibly a r r e s t h i m . You w a n t t o s t o p m e , t r y to s t o p m e . " Parka w h u f f i n g , s h e b r u s h e s p a s t S p a d e , w h o ' s c a u g h t off g u a r d b y t h e m o v e . " B u t if y o u t r y t o s t o p m e , t h i n g s w i l l n o t b e smooth o n y o u r end. I promise you that." A n d s h e ' s g o n e for a s e c o n d . T h e n s h e s t i c k s h e r h e a d b a c k i n t o the doorway, pulling on her dazzling orange coat. " H e y , y i d , " she tells L a n d s m a n . " I could use a little b a c k u p . " L a n d s m a n p u t s on his h a t a n d goes after her, n o d d i n g to Spade on his w a y o u t . " P r a i s e t h e L o r d , " L a n d s m a n says.

• § 3 8

T

(F

h e M o r i a h I n s t i t u t e is t h e s o l e o c c u p a n t o f t h e s e v e n t h a n d u p p e r m o s t s t o r y o f t h e H o t e l B l a c k p o o l . T h e r e is f r e s h p a i n t on t h e walls of t h e c o r r i d o r a n d a spotless m a u v e c a r p e t on t h e

floor. A t t h e far e n d , b e s i d e t h e d o o r t o 7 0 7 , s m a l l b l a c k c h a r a c t e r s on a discreet brass p l a t e spell o u t t h e n a m e of t h e I n s t i t u t e in A m e r i c a n a n d Yiddish, a n d b e n e a t h t h a t , in r o m a n c h a r a c t e r s : S O L

A N D DOROTHY ZIEGLER CENTER. Bina pushes a buzzer. She looks u p i n t o t h e lens of t h e s e c u r i t y c a m e r a t h a t looks d o w n at t h e m . "You r e m e m b e r t h e d e a l , " Bina tells h i m . It's n o t a q u e s t i o n . "I am to shut u p . " " T h a t ' s such a small p a r t of i t . " "I am not even here. I don't even exist." S h e b u z z e s a g a i n , a n d j u s t as s h e r a i s e s h e r k n u c k l e s t o k n o c k , B u c h b i n d e r o p e n s t h e d o o r . H e is w e a r i n g a d i f f e r e n t

enormous

s w e a t e r - j a c k e t , t h i s o n e i n c o r n f l o w e r b l u e w i t h flecks o f p a l e g r e e n a n d s a l m o n , o v e r b a g g y c h i n o s a n d a B r o n f m a n U. s w e a t s h i r t . H i s face a n d h a n d s a r e s m u d g e d w i t h i n k o r g r e a s e . " I n s p e c t o r G e l b f i s h , " Bina says, s h o w i n g h i m h e r b a d g e . " S i t k a C e n t r a l . I ' m l o o k i n g for A l t e r L i t v a k . I h a v e r e a s o n t o b e l i e v e h e may be here."

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A d e n t i s t is n o t a m a n o f g u i l e , as a r u l e . B u c h b i n d e r ' s face r e a d s plainly and w i t h o u t concealment: H e was expecting them. " I t is v e r y l a t e , " h e t r i e s . " U n l e s s y o u — " " A l t e r L i t v a k , D r . B u c h b i n d e r . Is h e h e r e ? " L a n d s m a n can see B u c h b i n d e r w r e s t l i n g w i t h t h e m e c h a n i c s a n d t r a j e c t o r i e s , t h e w i n d s h e a r o f t e l l i n g a lie. "No.

N o , h e is n o t . "

" D o you k n o w w h e r e he is?" "No.

N o , Inspector, I do not."

" U h - h u h . O k a y . A n y c h a n c e y o u m i g h t b e l y i n g t o m e , Dr. Buchbinder?" T h e r e is a brief, d e n s e p a u s e . T h e n h e c l o s e s t h e d o o r in t h e i r faces. B i n a r a p s , h e r fist t h e r e l e n t l e s s h e a d a n d b i l l o f a w o o d p e c k e r . A m o m e n t later, B u c h b i n d e r o p e n s t h e door, t u c k i n g his Shoyfer away i n t o a p o c k e t of his sweater. H e n o d s , his cheeks, jowls, a n d t h e t w i n k l e i n h i s e y e a r r a n g e d t o g e n i a l effect. S o m e o n e h a s d e c a n t e d a small h o p p e r of m o l t e n iron i n t o his spine. " P l e a s e c o m e i n , " h e says. " M r . L i t v a k w i l l s e e y o u . H e is upstairs." " I s n ' t t h i s t h e t o p f l o o r ? " B i n a says. " T h e r e is a p e n t h o u s e . " " F l e a b a g s d o n ' t h a v e p e n t h o u s e s , " L a n d s m a n says. B i n a s h o o t s him a look. He's supposed to be invisible, inaudible, a ghost. B u c h b i n d e r l o w e r s h i s v o i c e . " I t u s e d t o b e for t h e m a i n t e n a n c e m a n , I g a t h e r . B u t t h e y h a v e fixed i t u p . T h i s w a y , p l e a s e , t h e r e is a back stair." T h e internal walls have been knocked out, and

Buchbinder

leads t h e m t h r o u g h t h e gallery of t h e Ziegler Center. It's a cool, d i m space, p a i n t e d w h i t e , n o t h i n g like t h e g r i m y old e x - s t a t i o n e r y s h o p on I b n E z r a S t r e e t . T h e l i g h t e m e r g e s from a g r i d w o r k of glass or L u c i t e c u b e s set a t o p c a r p e t e d pedestals. Each c u b e displays its o b j e c t , a silver shovel, a c o p p e r b o w l , an inexplicable g a r m e n t like s o m e t h i n g w o r n b y t h e Z o r v o l d i a n a m b a s s a d o r in a space o p e r a . T h e r e m u s t b e m o r e t h a n a h u n d r e d objects on display, m a n y

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of t h e m w o r k e d in gold a n d g e m s t o n e s . E a c h of t h e m a d v e r t i s e s the names of t h e A m e r i c a n Jews w h o s e g e n e r o s i t y m a d e

their

construction possible. " Y o u ' v e c o m e u p i n t h e w o r l d , " L a n d s m a n says. "Yes,

i t ' s w o n d e r f u l , " B u c h b i n d e r says. "A m i r a c l e . "

A d o z e n l a r g e p a c k i n g c r a t e s h a v e b e e n l i n e d u p a t t h e far e n d of t h e r o o m , spilling e x u b e r a n t coils of shaved p i n e . A d e l i c a t e silver h a n d l e p r o t r u d e s from t h e excelsior, c h a s e d w i t h gold. A t t h e c e n t e r of t h e r o o m , o n a low, b r o a d t a b l e , a s c a l e m o d e l o f a s t o n e furrowed b a r e hill soaks u p t h e g l o w of a d o z e n h a l o g e n s p o t s . T h e h i l l t o p , w h e r e I s a a c w a i t e d for h i s f a t h e r t o p r y t h e m u s c l e o f life from h i s b o d y , is as flat as a p l a c e m a t o n a t a b l e . O n i t s f l a n k s , s t o n e houses, s t o n e alleys, t i n y olive a n d c y p r e s s trees w i t h fuzzy foliage. T i n y J e w s w r a p p e d i n t i n y p r a y e r s h a w l s c o n t e m p l a t e t h e v o i d a t t h e t o p o f t h e h i l l , as if t o i l l u s t r a t e o r m o d e l t h e p r i n c i p l e , thinks Landsman, that every Jew has a personal Messiah w h o never comes. " I d o n ' t see t h e T e m p l e , " Bina says, s e e m i n g l y in s p i t e of herself. B u c h b i n d e r e m i t s an o d d g r u n t , animal a n d c o n t e n t e d . T h e n he p r e s s e s a b u t t o n i n t h e floor w i t h t h e t o e o f o n e loafer. T h e r e f o l l o w s a soft c l i c k a n d t h e h u m o f a t i n y fan. A n d t h e n , b u i l t t o s c a l e , the Temple, erected by Solomon, destroyed by the Babylonians, rebuilt, r e s t o r e d b y t h e same king of Judaea w h o c o n d e m n e d C h r i s t to die, destroyed b y t h e R o m a n s , sealed and b u i l t over b y

the

Abbasids, resumes its rightful place at t h e navel of t h e world. T h e technology generating the image imparts a miraculous radiance to t h e m o d e l . It s h i m m e r s like a fata m o r g a n a . In d e s i g n , t h e p r o p o s e d T h i r d T e m p l e is a r e s t r a i n e d d i s p l a y o f s t o n e m a s o n m i g h t , c u b e s and pillars and sweeping plazas. H e r e a n d t h e r e a carved S u m e r i a n m o n s t e r l e n d s a t o u c h o f t h e b a r b a r i c . T h i s is t h e p a p e r t h a t G o d left t h e J e w s h o l d i n g , L a n d s m a n t h i n k s , t h e p r o m i s e t h a t w e h a v e been banging H i m a kettle a b o u t ever since. T h e rook t h a t a t t e n d s t h e k i n g at t h e e n d g a m e of t h e w o r l d .

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" N o w t u r n o n t h e c h o o - c h o o , " L a n d s m a n says. A t t h e b a c k of t h e space t h e r e ' s a n a r r o w stair, o p e n on one side a n d flush a g a i n s t t h e wall o n t h e other. I t leads u p t o an e n a m e l e d b l a c k s t e e l d o o r . B u c h b i n d e r g i v e s a soft k n o c k . T h e y o u n g m a n w h o o p e n s t h e d o o r is o n e o f t h e g r a n d n e p h e w s from t h e Einstein, t h e driver of t h e Caudillo, t h e p l u m p , broadshouldered American kid with the pink nape. " I b e l i e v e M r . L i t v a k is e x p e c t i n g m e , " B i n a says b r i g h t l y . " I ' m Inspector Gelbfish." " Y o u c a n h a v e five m i n u t e s , " says t h e y o u n g m a n i n s e r v i c e a b l e Y i d d i s h . H e c a n ' t b e o l d e r t h e n t w e n t y . H e h a s a t u r n e d - i n left e y e a n d m o r e a c n e t h a n b e a r d o n h i s b a b y c h e e k s . " M r . L i t v a k is a b u s y man." "And. w h o a r e y o u ? " " Y o u can call m e M i c k y . " She steps right u p to h i m and jams her chin toward the meat o f h i s t h r o a t . " M i c k y , I k n o w t h i s m a k e s m e a b a d p e r s o n in y o u r e y e s , b u t I d o n ' t r e a l l y c a r e h o w b u s y M r . L i t v a k is. I n e e d t o t a l k t o h i m for as l o n g as i t t a k e s m e t o d o t h a t . N o w t a k e m e t o h i m , s w e e t n e s s , o r y o u ' r e n o t g o i n g t o b e b u s y a t all for a v e r y l o n g time." M i c k y s h o o t s a l o o k a t L a n d s m a n as if t o say, What a

ballbreaker.

Landsman pretends not to understand. " I f y o u w i l l e x c u s e m e , p l e a s e , " B u c h b i n d e r says w i t h a b o w t o each of t h e m . " I have v e r y m u c h w o r k t o d o . " " A r e y o u g o i n g s o m e w h e r e , D o c t o r ? " L a n d s m a n says. " I a l r e a d y t o l d y o u t h i s , " t h e d e n t i s t says. " M a y b e y o u o u g h t t o try writing things down." T h e p e n t h o u s e o f t h e B l a c k p o o l H o t e l is n o t h i n g s p e c i a l . A t w o - r o o m suite. T h e o u t e r room holds a sleeper couch, a wet bar a n d m i n i - f r i d g e , an a r m c h a i r , a n d seven y o u n g m e n in d a r k suits a n d b a d h a i r c u t s . T h e b e d is all f o l d e d away, b u t y o u c a n s m e l l t h a t t h e r o o m h a s b e e n s l e p t i n b y y o u n g m e n , m a y b e as m a n y as s e v e n .

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T h e p i p e d c o r n e r of a b e d s h e e t p o k e s from t h e c r a c k of t h e seat c u s h i o n l i k e a s h i r t t a i l c a u g h t i n a fly. T h e young m e n are watching a very large television

tuned

to a satellite n e w s channel. O n t h e screen, t h e p r i m e m i n i s t e r of M a n c h u r i a is s h a k i n g h a n d s w i t h five M a n c h u r i a n a s t r o n a u t s . T h e b o x t h a t t h e t e l e v i s i o n c a m e i n is s i t t i n g o n t h e floor b e s i d e i t s f o r m e r contents. Bottled sports drinks a n d bags of sunflower seeds on t h e coffee t a b l e , s c a t t e r e d a m o n g d r i f t s o f s u n f l o w e r h u l l s . L a n d s m a n marks three guns, automatics, two j a m m e d into waistbands, one into a sock. M a y b e t h e b u t t of a fourth u n d e r somebody's t h i g h . N o b o d y is h a p p y t o s e e t h e d e t e c t i v e s . I n f a c t , t h e y o u n g m e n s e e m sullen, keyed up. Anxious to be a n y w h e r e else b u t here. " S h o w us t h e w a r r a n t . " It's Gold, t h e s h a r p e n e d little prison s h a n k of a mexican from Peril S t r a i t . H e peels h i m s e l f from

the

couch and comes t o w a r d t h e m . W h e n he recognizes L a n d s m a n , his single e y e b r o w gets tangled at its apex. "Lady, t h a t o n e has n o r i g h t to be here. G e t him o u t . " " T a k e i t e a s y , " B i n a says. " W h a t ' s y o u r n a m e ? " " H e ' s G o l d , " says L a n d s m a n . "Ah, yes. G o l d , look at t h e s i t u a t i o n . T h e r e a r e o n e , t w o , t h r e e , seven of y o u . T h e r e a r e t w o of u s . " "I'm

not even h e r e , " L a n d s m a n

says. " Y o u ' r e j u s t

imagin­

ing m e . " "I a m here to talk to A l t e r L i t v a k , a n d I d o n ' t need a piece of p a p e r t o d o t h a t , s w e e t n e s s . E v e n if I w a n t e d t o a r r e s t h i m , I c o u l d always get t h e w a r r a n t later." She gives h i m h e r w i n n i n g smile, slightly shopworn. " H o n e s t . " G o l d h e s i t a t e s . H e s t a r t s t o c h e c k w i t h h i s six c o m r a d e s t o s e e w h a t t h e y t h i n k he should do, b u t s o m e aspect of t h a t process, or o f life i n g e n e r a l , s t r i k e s h i m as p o i n t l e s s . H e g o e s t o t h e d o o r o f t h e b e d r o o m and knocks. O n t h e o t h e r side of t h e door, a set of p u n c t u r e d b a g p i p e s gives o u t a d y i n g w h e e z e . T h e r o o m is as s p a r t a n a n d n e a t as H e r t z S h e m e t s ' s

cabin,

334

MICHAEL

CHABON

c o m p l e t e w i t h chessboard. N o television. N o radio. Just a chair a n d a b o o k s h e l f a n d a folding c o t in t h e corner. A steel b l i n d t h a t r e a c h e s t o t h e floor r a t t l e s i n t h e w i n d off t h e Gulf. L i t v a k s i t s on t h e c o t , k n e e s t o g e t h e r , a b o o k o p e n on his lap, sipping some k i n d o f c a n n e d n u t r i t i o n a l s h a k e t h r o u g h a flexible g r e e n d r i n k i n g straw. W h e n Bina a n d L a n d s m a n w a l k in, L i t v a k sets t h e can d o w n on t h e bookshelf b e s i d e t h e m a r b l e d pad. H e m a r k s his place w i t h a l e n g t h o f r i b b o n a n d c l o s e s h i s b o o k . L a n d s m a n c a n s e e t h a t i t is a n o l d h a r d b a c k e d i t i o n o f T a r r a s c h , p o s s i b l y Three Hundred Chess Games. T h e n L i t v a k l o o k s u p . H i s e y e s a r e t w o d u l l p e n n i e s . H i s face is n o t h i n g b u t h o l l o w s a n d a n g l e s , a n a n n o t a t i o n i n t h e y e l l o w l e a t h e r o f h i s s k u l l . H e w a i t s as if t h e y h a v e c o m e t o s h o w h i m a c a r d t r i c k , a c o m p l i c a t e d g r a n d f a t h e r l y e x p r e s s i o n o n h i s face, prepared both to be disappointed and to pretend to be amused. " I ' m Bina Gelbfish. You k n o w M e y e r L a n d s m a n . " I k n o w y o u , t o o , say t h e old m a n ' s eyes. " R e b L i t v a k d o e s n ' t s p e a k , " G o l d says. " H e ' s c r i p p l e d i n t h e voice b o x . " " I u n d e r s t a n d , " says B i n a . S h e t a k e s m e a s u r e o f t h e d e v a s t a t i o n w r o u g h t b y t i m e , injury, a n d physics on t h e m a n w i t h

whom,

seventeen,

at

eighteen

years

ago, she danced

the rumba

the

w e d d i n g of L a n d s m a n ' s cousin Shefra Sheynfeld. H e r b r a s h ladys h a m m e s m a n n e r h a s b e e n p u t away, t h o u g h n o t a b a n d o n e d . N e v e r a b a n d o n e d . H o l s t e r e d , say, w i t h t h e s a f e t y off, a n d o n e h a n d p o i s e d , fingers flexing, at h e r hip. " M r . L i t v a k , I have b e e n h e a r i n g s o m e p r e t t y wild stories a b o u t y o u from m y d e t e c t i v e h e r e . " L i t v a k r e a c h e s for t h e p a d , c r o s s e d w i t h t h e s l e e k e b o n y c i g a r of his W a t e r m a n . H e o p e n s t h e p a d w i t h t h e fingers of o n e h a n d , spreads it on his k n e e , s t u d y i n g Bina t h e w a y he studied

the

c h e s s b o a r d a t t h e E i n s t e i n C l u b , l o o k i n g for h i s o p e n i n g , s e e i n g t w e n t y possibilities, e l i m i n a t i n g n i n e t e e n . H e u n s c r e w s his pen. H e ' s on t h e v e r y last page. H e m a r k s it. Tou don't care for wild "No,

stories

sir, I d o n ' t . T h a t ' s r i g h t . I h a v e b e e n a p o l i c e d e t e c t i v e for

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a lot of years, a n d I can c o u n t on o n e h a n d t h e n u m b e r of t i m e s t h a t somebody's wild s t o r y of w h a t h a p p e n e d in a case t u r n s o u t t o b e useful or t r u e . " Tough break—to

favor simple explanations

in a world full of

Jews

"Agreed." A hard lot to be a Jewish policeman

then

" I l i k e i t , " B i n a says s i m p l y , w i t h f e e l i n g . " I ' m g o i n g t o m i s s i t w h e n it's d o n e . " L i t v a k s h r u g s as if t o s u g g e s t t h a t h e w o u l d l i k e t o s y m p a t h i z e , if o n l y h e c o u l d . H i s h a r d , b r i g h t r e d - r i m m e d e y e s s l i d e t o t h e d o o r w a y a n d , w i t h o n e a r c h e d e y e b r o w , f o r m a q u e s t i o n for G o l d . G o l d shakes his head. T h e n h e goes b a c k to t h e w a t c h i n g t h e T V " I r e a l i z e i t ' s n o t e a s y , " B i n a says. " B u t s u p p o s e y o u t e l l u s w h a t you k n o w about Mendel Shpilman, Mr. Litvak." "And N a o m i L a n d s m a n , " L a n d s m a n p u t s in. Tou think I killed Mendel you're as clueless as he is " I d o n ' t t h i n k a n y t h i n g a t a l l , " B i n a says. Lucky you " I t ' s a gift I h a v e . " Litvak

checks his watch

and

makes

a broken

sound

that

L a n d s m a n t a k e s for a p a t i e n t s i g h . H e s n a p s h i s f i n g e r s , a n d w h e n G o l d t u r n s , L i t v a k w a v e s t h e filled-in n o t e p a d . G o l d goes i n t o t h e o u t e r r o o m a n d c o m e s b a c k h o l d i n g a fresh p a d . H e crosses t h e r o o m a n d p a s s e s i t t o L i t v a k , a l o n g w i t h a l o o k t h a t offers t o dispense w i t h or dispose of t h e a n n o y i n g visitors b y any o n e of a n u m b e r o f i n t e r e s t i n g m e t h o d s . L i t v a k w a v e s t h e k i d away, s e n d s h i m back t o t h e d o o r w a y w i t h one h a n d . T h e n h e slides over a n d pats the vacated space beside him. Bina unzips her p a r k a a n d sits d o w n . L a n d s m a n d r a g s over t h e b e n t w o o d chair. L i t v a k o p e n s t h e n o t e p a d t o i t s first f r e s h p a g e . Every Messiah fails, himself

w r i t e s L i t v a k , the moment he tries to redeem

• § 3 9

(F

T

h e y h a d a pilot of their o w n , a good one, a C u b a veteran n a m e d F r u m w h o flew t h e b u s r u n f r o m S i t k a . F r u m h a d s e r v e d u n d e r L i t v a k at M a t a n z a s a n d in t h e b l o o d y debacle of Santiago. H e

w a s b o t h faithful a n d w i t h o u t a s h r e d of faith, a c o m b i n a t i o n of traits prized b y L i t v a k , w h o found himself obliged to c o n t e n d on e v e r y side w i t h t h e s o m e t i m e s v o l u n t a r y t r e a c h e r y of believers. T h e p i l o t F r u m believed only w h a t his i n s t r u m e n t panel said. H e was sober, m e t i c u l o u s , c o m p e t e n t , quiet, t o u g h . W h e n he landed a l o a d o f r e c r u i t s a t P e r i l S t r a i t , t h e b o y s left F r u m ' s a i r p l a n e w i t h a sense of w h a t k i n d of soldier t h e y w a n t e d to become. Send Frum,

Litvak w r o t e w h e n they received the news

from

t h e case h a n d l e r , M r . C a s h d o l l a r , of a m i r a c u l o u s b i r t h in O r e g o n . F r u m left o n a T u e s d a y . O n W e d n e s d a y — h o w , t h e b e l i e v e r s w o u l d say, c o u l d

this

be

mere

chance?—Mendel

Shpilman

stumbled

i n t o B u c h b i n d e r ' s c a b i n e t o f w o n d e r s o n t h e s e v e n t h floor o f t h e Blackpool H o t e l , saying h e w a s d o w n t o his last blessing a n d ready t o s p e n d it o n himself. By n o w t h e p i l o t F r u m was a t h o u s a n d miles away, o n a r a n c h o u t s i d e of C o r v a l l i s , w h e r e Fligler a n d Cashdollar, w h o flew o u t f r o m W a s h i n g t o n , w e r e h a v i n g t r o u b l e c o m i n g t o t e r m s w i t h t h e b r e e d e r of t h e magical red animal. T h e r e w e r e , o f c o u r s e , o t h e r p i l o t s a v a i l a b l e t o fly S h p i l m a n

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o u t t o Peril S t r a i t , b u t t h e y w e r e o u t s i d e r s , or y o u n g believers. A n outsider could never be trusted, and Litvak worried that Shpilman might disappoint a y o u n g believer and start

t h e evil

tongues

w a g g i n g . S h p i l m a n w a s in a v e r y fragile c o n d i t i o n , a c c o r d i n g t o Dr. Buchbinder. H e was agitated and crotchety, or sleepy and listless, a n d h e w e i g h e d o n l y fifty-five k i l o s . R e a l l y , h e w a s n o t m u c h i n t h e w a y of a T z a d d i k H a - D o r at all. O n such short notice, there was one o t h e r pilot w h o m Litvak considered, a n o t h e r one u t t e r l y w i t h o u t faith, b u t discreet

and

reliable, a n d w i t h an ancient tie t o L i t v a k on w h i c h h e d a r e d t o pin h i s h o p e s . A t first h e t r i e d t o d i s m i s s t h e n a m e f r o m h i s t h o u g h t s , b u t i t k e p t r e t u r n i n g . H e w a s w o r r i e d t h a t if t h e y h e s i t a t e d , t h e y w o u l d lose S h p i l m a n again; t w i c e a l r e a d y t h e y i d h a d b a c k e d o u t of a p r o m i s e t o s e e k t r e a t m e n t w i t h R o b o y a t P e r i l S t r a i t . So L i t v a k ordered this faithless, reliable pilot t r a c k e d d o w n a n d

offered

t h e j o b . S h e t o o k i t , for a t h o u s a n d d o l l a r s m o r e t h a n L i t v a k h a d i n t e n d e d t o pay. "A woman"

said t h e d o c t o r , shifting his q u e e n s i d e r o o k , a m o v e

t h a t g a v e h i m n o a d v a n t a g e t h a t L i t v a k c o u l d see. D r . R o b o y , i n Litvak's m e a s u r e d view, had a vice c o m m o n to believers: H e w a s all s t r a t e g y a n d n o t a c t i c s . H e w a s p r o n e t o m o v e for t h e s a k e o f m o v i n g , t o o focused on t h e goal t o b o t h e r w i t h t h e i n t e r v e n i n g sequence. " H e r e . In this place." T h e y w e r e s i t t i n g i n t h e office o n t h e s e c o n d floor o f t h e m a i n building, w i t h a view of t h e strait, t h e r a g t a g Indian village w i t h its nets a n d crazed b o a r d w a l k , t h e j u t t i n g a r m of t h e b r a n d - n e w floatplane

d o c k . T h e office w a s R o b o y ' s , w i t h a d e s k i n t h e c o r n e r

for M o i s h F l i g l e r w h e n h e w a s a r o u n d a n d c o u l d b e k e p t b e h i n d a desk. Alter L i t v a k preferred to d o w i t h o u t t h e l u x u r y of a desk, a n office, a h o m e . H e s l e p t i n g u e s t r o o m s , g a r a g e s , o n s o m e b o d y ' s c o u c h . H i s d e s k w a s a k i t c h e n t a b l e , h i s office t h e t r a i n i n g g r o u n d , t h e Einstein Chess C l u b , t h e back r o o m of t h e M o r i a h I n s t i t u t e . We have men in this place who are less manly, L i t v a k w r o t e i n h i s n o t e p a d , I should have hired her before

338

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CHABON

H e forced an e x c h a n g e of b i s h o p s , o p e n i n g a s u d d e n b r e a c h in W h i t e ' s c e n t e r . H e s a w t h a t h e h a d m a t e , in o n e of t w o w a y s , w i t h i n f o u r m o v e s . T h e p r o s p e c t o f v i c t o r y w a s t e d i o u s . H e w o n d e r e d if h e h a d e v e r c a r e d a t all for t h e g a m e o f c h e s s . H e t o o k u p h i s p e n a n d w r o t e o u t a n i n s u l t , e v e n t h o u g h , i n a l m o s t five y e a r s , i t h a d p r o v e d i m p o s s i b l e t o g e t a rise o u t of Roboy. If we had a hundred like her I would be cleaning your clock by now on a terrace overlooking the Mount

of

" H u m p h , " said Dr. Roboy,

Olives fingering

a pawn, watching Litvak's

face as L i t v a k w a t c h e d t h e sky. Dr. R o b o y sat w i t h his back t o t h e window, a d a r k p a r e n t h e s i s b r a c k e t i n g t h e c h e s s b o a r d , h i s l o n g , j u t t i n g face s l a c k w i t h

the

effort of g u e s s i n g a t t h e b l e a k n e s s of his i m m e d i a t e chess future. B e h i n d h i m t h e w e s t e r n s k y w a s all m a r m a l a d e a n d s m o k e . T h e c r u m p l e d m o u n t a i n s , folds o f g r e e n t h a t l o o k e d b l a c k , a n d p u r p l e that looked black, and luminous blue

fissures

o f w h i t e snow. T o

t h e s o u t h w e s t a full m o o n w a s s e t t i n g early, s h a r p - e d g e d a n d gray, l o o k i n g like a h i g h - r e s o l u t i o n b l a c k - a n d - w h i t e p h o t o g r a p h of itself p a s t e d t o t h e sky. " E v e r y t i m e y o u look o u t t h e w i n d o w , " R o b o y said, "I t h i n k it's because t h e y ' r e here. I wish y o u w o u l d stop. You're m a k i n g m e n e r v o u s . " H e t i p p e d over his king, p u s h e d b a c k from t h e b o a r d , a n d u n f u r l e d h i s g r e a t m a n t i s b o d y o n e j o i n t a t a t i m e . " I c a n ' t play, I ' m sorry. You win. I ' m t o o keyed u p . " H e s t a r t e d t o s t a l k b a c k a n d f o r t h a c r o s s t h e office. I don't see what you are so worried about you have the easy job "Is t h a t so?" He has to redeem Israel, you just have to redeem him R o b o y s t o p p e d p a c i n g a n d t u r n e d t o face L i t v a k , w h o p u t d o w n his pen a n d set a b o u t r e t u r n i n g t h e pieces to their maple box. " T h r e e h u n d r e d boys are r e a d y t o die at his b a c k , " R o b o y said, p e e v i s h . " T h i r t y t h o u s a n d V e r b o v e r s w i l l b e s t a k i n g t h e i r lives and fortunes on this man. U p r o o t i n g their homes, p u t t i n g their f a m i l i e s a t r i s k . If o t h e r s follow, t h e n w e a r e t a l k i n g a b o u t m i l l i o n s .

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I'm glad you can m a k e jokes a b o u t t h a t . I ' m glad it d o e s n ' t m a k e you nervous to look out that w i n d o w and w a t c h t h e sky and k n o w t h a t h e is finally o n h i s w a y . " Litvak stopped p u t t i n g away the pieces and looked o u t

the

w i n d o w a g a i n . C o r m o r a n t s , g u l l s , a d o z e n fanciful v a r i a t i o n s o n t h e basic d u c k , h a v i n g n o n a m e s in Y i d d i s h . A t a n y m o m e n t a n y o n e o f t h e m , w i n g s s p r e a d a g a i n s t t h e s u n s e t , m i g h t b e t a k e n for a n a p p r o a c h i n g P i p e r S u p e r C u b , c o m i n g in l o w from t h e s o u t h w e s t . Looking at t h e sky was m a k i n g L i t v a k n e r v o u s , too. B u t theirs w a s not by definition an endeavor t h a t a t t r a c t e d m e n w i t h t h e t a l e n t for w a i t i n g . I hope that he is the Tz H-D I really do "No,

y o u d o n ' t , " R o b o y s a i d . " T h a t ' s a lie. Y o u ' r e j u s t i n i t for

the stakes. For the g a m e . " Following t h e a c c i d e n t t h a t t o o k L i t v a k ' s wife a n d his voice, it w a s Dr. R u d o l f B u c h b i n d e r , t h e m a d d e n t i s t o f I b n E z r a S t r e e t , w h o h a d r e b u i l t h i s jaw, r e s t o r e d i t s m a s o n r y i n a c r y l i c a n d t i t a n i u m . A n d w h e n L i t v a k found himself a d d i c t e d t o painkillers, it was t h e d e n t i s t w h o h a d s e n t h i m for t r e a t m e n t t o a n o l d f r i e n d , D r . M a x R o b o y . Y e a r s l a t e r , w h e n C a s h d o l l a r a s k e d h i s m a n i n S i t k a for h e l p fulfilling t h e d i v i n e l y i n s p i r e d m i s s i o n o f t h e p r e s i d e n t o f A m e r i c a , L i t v a k t h o u g h t at once of B u c h b i n d e r a n d Roboy. It had taken a lot longer, n o t to m e n t i o n every last o u n c e of chutzpah Litvak had, to work Heskel Shpilman into the

plan.

E n d l e s s p i l p u l a n d h a g g l i n g t h r o u g h B a r o n s h t e y n . Stiff r e s i s t a n c e from c a r e e r m e n a t J u s t i c e w h o v i e w e d S h p i l m a n a n d L i t v a k — w i t h j u s t i c e — a s a ganglord a n d a h a t c h e t m a n . A t last, after m o n t h s of false a l a r m s a n d c a n c e l l a t i o n s , a m e e t i n g w i t h t h e b i g m a n a t t h e Ringelblum Avenue Baths. A T u e s d a y m o r n i n g , s n o w t w i s t i n g d o w n in s l o p p y helixes, four i n c h e s o f n e w s n o w o n t h e g r o u n d . T o o n e w , t o o e a r l y for t h e snowplow. A t t h e corner of R i n g e l b l u m and G l a t s h t e y n , a c h e s t n u t vendor, snow on his red umbrella, hiss a n d s h i m m e r of t h e r o a s t i n g box, parallel grooves of his cart wheels framing t h e s l u r r y of his

340

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f o o t p r i n t s i n t h e s n o w . So q u i e t y o u c o u l d h e a r t h e c l o c k w o r k t h u n k i n g i n t h e traffic s i g n a l b o x a n d t h e v i b r a t i o n o f t h e p a g e r o n t h e hip of t h e g u n m a n b y t h e door. A pair of g u n m e n , those great r e d bears t h e y k e p t to g u a r d t h e b o d y of t h e Verbover rebbe. A s t h e R u d a s h e v s k y biks h a n d e d L i t v a k a l o n g from t h e door, u p t h e c e m e n t s t a i r s w i t h t h e v i n y l t r e a d s , d o w n t h e m i n e shaft o f a h a l l w a y t o t h e f r o n t d o o r o f t h e b a t h s , t h e fists o f t h e i r faces all c u p p e d a m i n o r l i g h t . M i s c h i e f , p i t y , t h e g l i n t o f a p r a n k s t e r , a t o r t u r e r , a p r i e s t p r e p a r i n g t o u n c o v e r t h e c a n n i b a l g o d . A s for t h e a n c i e n t R u s s i a n cashier in his steel cage, t h e b u r l y a t t e n d a n t i n h i s b u n k e r o f f o l d e d w h i t e t o w e l s , t h e s e y i d s h a d n o e y e s a t all, as far as L i t v a k e v e r k n e w . T h e y k e p t t h e i r h e a d s d o w n , b l i n d e d b y fear a n d d i s c r e t i o n . T h e y w e r e e l s e w h e r e , d r i n k i n g coffee a t t h e P o l a r - S h t e r n , still at h o m e in t h e i r b e d s w i t h t h e i r wives. T h e b a t h s w e r e n o t e v e n o p e n for b u s i n e s s a t t h i s h o u r . T h e r e w a s n o b o d y h e r e , n o b o d y a t all, a n d t h e a t t e n d a n t w h o slid a pair of t h r e a d b a r e towels across t h e c o u n t e r to Litvak was a ghost serving up a winding sheet to a dead man. L i t v a k s t r i p p e d a n d h u n g u p his clothes on t w o steel hooks. H e c o u l d s m e l l t h e t i d a l flux o f t h e b a t h s , c h l o r i n e a n d a r m p i t a n d a ripe salt v a p o r t h a t m i g h t on second t h o u g h t have been t h e p i c k l e f a c t o r y o n t h e g r o u n d floor. T h e r e w a s n o t h i n g t o w e a k e n h i m , if t h a t w a s p a r t o f t h e i n t e n t , i n o b l i g i n g h i m t o t a k e off his clothes. H i s scars w e r e n u m e r o u s , in certain instances horrible, a n d t h e y h a d t h e i r effect. H e h e a r d a l o w w h i s t l e f r o m o n e o f t h e t w o Rudashevskys w o r k i n g t h e locker room. Litvak's body was a p a r c h m e n t scribed by pain and violence on which they could only h o p e t o m a k e t h e b a r e s t exegesis. H e s l i p p e d his p a d from t h e h i p p o c k e t of his jacket on its hook. Like what you see? T h e R u d a s h e v s k y s c o u l d n o t a g r e e o n a f i t t i n g reply.

One

n o d d e d ; t h e o t h e r shook his head. T h e y exchanged responses, to t h e satisfaction of neither. T h e n t h e y gave h i m u p and sent him

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the

body they guarded. T h a t b o d y , t h e h o r r o r a n d t h e s p l e n d o r o f i t , n a k e d as a g i a n t b l o o d s h o t eyeball w i t h o u t a socket. L i t v a k h a d seen it o n l y o n c e b e f o r e , y e a r s a g o , t o p p e d w i t h a f e d o r a , r o l l e d t i g h t as a w a d o f P i n a r d e l R i o i n t o a stiff b l a c k g r e a t c o a t t h a t s w e p t t h e t o e s o f h i s d a i n t y black b o o t s . N o w it e m e r g e d p o n d e r o u s from t h e s t e a m , a s l a b o f w e t l i m e s t o n e w e b b e d w i t h a b l a c k l i c h e n o f h a i r . L i t v a k felt like a f o g b o u n d a i r p l a n e buffeted b y u p d r a f t s i n t o t h e s u r p r i s e of a m o u n t a i n . T h e belly p r e g n a n t w i t h e l e p h a n t triplets, t h e breasts full a n d p e n d u l o u s , e a c h t i p p e d w i t h a p i n k l e n t i l o f a n i p p l e . T h e t h i g h s g r e a t h a n d - r o l l e d m a r b l e d loaves of h a l v a h . L o s t in

the

shadows b e t w e e n t h e m , a thick umbilicus of g r a y i s h - b r o w n m e a t . Litvak lowered t h e u n i n s u l a t e d a r m a t u r e of his frame t o t h e h o t grid of tiles o p p o s i t e t h e r a b b i . T h e t i m e he h a d passed S h p i l m a n in t h e s t r e e t , t h e m a n ' s eyes lay in t h e a m b i t of s h a d o w c a s t b y t h e sundial of his h a t b r i m . N o w t h e y w e r e t r a i n e d on L i t v a k a n d his v a n d a l i z e d body. T h e y w e r e k i n d l y eyes, L i t v a k t h o u g h t , or eyes w h o s e e m p l o y e r h a d schooled t h e m in t h e uses of k i n d l i n e s s . T h e y read Litvak's scars, t h e p u c k e r e d p u r p l e m o u t h on his right s h o u l d e r , t h e s l a s h e s o f r e d v e l o u r o n h i s h i p , t h e p i t i n h i s left t h i g h d e e p e n o u g h t o h o l d an o u n c e of gin. T h e y offered s y m p a t h y , r e g a r d , e v e n g r a t i t u d e . T h e w a r i n C u b a w a s n o t o r i o u s for i t s futility, b r u t a l i t y , a n d w a s t e . Its v e t e r a n s h a d b e e n s h u n n e d o n t h e i r r e t u r n . N o o n e h a d offered t h e m forgiveness, u n d e r s t a n d i n g , a chance at healing. H e s k e l S h p i l m a n w a s offering L i t v a k a n d his w a r - t o r n h i d e all t h r e e . " T h e n a t u r e of y o u r h a n d i c a p , " t h e r e b b e said, " h a s

been

e x p l a i n e d t o m e , a l o n g w i t h t h e s u b s t a n c e o f y o u r offer." H i s g i r l i s h v o i c e , baffled b y s t e a m a n d p o r c e l a i n t i l e , s e e m e d t o e m e r g e f r o m someplace o t h e r t h a n t h e k e t t l e d r u m c h e s t . " I see y o u ' v e b r o u g h t a l o n g y o u r p a d a n d a p e n , in s p i t e of m y clear i n s t r u c t i o n s t h a t y o u were to carry nothing at all."

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Litvak held u p t h e offending items, beaded with steam. H e c o u l d feel t h e w a r p , t h e b u c k l e , i n t h e p a g e s o f h i s p a d . "You w o n ' t need t h e m . " T h e birds of Shpilman's h a n d s roosted o n t h e r o c k o f h i s belly, a n d h e c l o s e d h i s e y e s , d e p r i v i n g L i t v a k o f t h e i r s y m p a t h y , r e a l o r f e i g n e d , a n d l e a v i n g L i t v a k t o s t e w for a m i n u t e o r t w o in t h e s t e a m . L i t v a k h a d always h a t e d a s h v i t z . B u t this fixture of t h e old Harkavy, secular and squalid, was t h e only place that the Verbover rebbe could contrive to do private business away from his c o u r t , his gabay, his world. " I d o n ' t plan to r e q u i r e a n y further r e s p o n s e or i n q u i r y from y o u . " Litvak nodded and prepared to stand. His mind told him that Shpilman would not have bothered to s u m m o n him to this nude a n d o n e - s i d e d i n t e r v i e w if h e p l a n n e d t o t u r n L i t v a k d o w n . B u t h e felt i n h i s g u t t h a t t h e e r r a n d w a s d o o m e d , t h a t S h p i l m a n h a d c a l l e d h i m d o w n t o R i n g e l b l u m A v e n u e t o d e l i v e r t h e r e f u s a l in all t h e e l e p h a n t i n e a u t h o r i t y of his person. "I w a n t you to know, Mr. Litvak, that I have been giving a great d e a l o f c o n s i d e r a t i o n t o t h i s p r o p o s a l . I h a v e a t t e m p t e d t o follow its logic from e v e r y angle. " L e t ' s b e g i n w i t h o u r s o u t h e r n f r i e n d s . If i t w e r e s i m p l y a c a s e o f their w a n t i n g s o m e t h i n g , s o m e tangible feature or resource . . . oil, for e x a m p l e . O r if t h e y w e r e p r o m p t e d b y a m o r e p u r e l y s t r a t e g i c c o n c e r n w i t h r e g a r d t o Russia o r Persia. In e i t h e r case, t h e y clearly d o n ' t n e e d us. H o w e v e r difficult a c o n q u e s t t h e H o l y L a n d m i g h t be,

o u r physical p r e s e n c e , o u r willingness t o fight, o u r a r m s , can't

m a k e a great difference to their b a t t l e plan. I have studied their c l a i m s o f s u p p o r t for t h e J e w i s h c a u s e i n P a l e s t i n e , a n d

their

theology, and to the extent that I can, based on Rabbi Baronshteyn's r e p o r t s , I have tried to form a j u d g m e n t of t h e gentiles and their aims. A n d I can o n l y c o n c l u d e t h a t w h e n t h e y say t h e y wish t o see J e r u s a l e m r e s t o r e d t o J e w i s h sovereignty, t h e y m e a n it. T h e i r reasoning, t h e so-called prophecies a n d a p o c r y p h a whose supposed a u t h o r i t y u n d e r l i e s t h i s w i s h , m a y b e i t all s t r i k e s m e as l a u g h a b l e . A b o m i n a b l e , e v e n . I p i t y t h e g e n t i l e s for t h e i r c h i l d l i k e t r u s t i n

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t h e i m m i n e n t r e t u r n of o n e w h o n e v e r in t h e first p l a c e d e p a r t e d , let alone arrived. B u t I a m q u i t e s u r e t h a t they, in t u r n , p i t y us o u r o w n t a r d y M e s s i a h . A s a f o u n d a t i o n for a p a r t n e r s h i p , m u t u a l p i t y is n o t t o b e d e s p i s e d . "As for y o u r a n g l e i n t h i s m a t t e r , t h a t is e a s y , yes? Y o u a r e a s o l d i e r for h i r e . Y o u e n j o y t h e c h a l l e n g e a n d t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f generalship. I u n d e r s t a n d t h a t . I do. You like t o fight, a n d y o u like k i l l i n g , as l o n g as t h o s e w h o d i e a r e n ' t y o u r m e n . A n d , I d a r e say, a f t e r all t h e s e y e a r s w i t h S h e m e t s — a n d n o w , o n y o u r o w n b e h a l f — y o u are long in t h e h a b i t of a p p e a r i n g t o please t h e A m e r i c a n s . " F o r t h e V e r b o v e r s , t h e r e is g r e a t r i s k . O u r e n t i r e c o m m u n i t y c o u l d b e lost in t h i s a d v e n t u r e . W i p e d o u t in a m a t t e r of d a y s , if y o u r t r o o p s a r e ill p r e p a r e d o r s i m p l y , as s e e m s n o t u n l i k e l y , o u t m a n n e d . B u t if w e s t a y h e r e , w e l l , t h e n w e a r e f i n i s h e d , t o o . S c a t t e r e d t o t h e w i n d s . O u r friends in t h e s o u t h have m a d e t h a t clear. T h a t is t h e ' s t i c k . ' R e v e r s i o n as t h e fire i n t h e s e a t o f t h e p a n t s , yes? A r e s t o r e d J e r u s a l e m as t h e b u c k e t o f i c e w a t e r . S o m e o f o u r y o u n g e r m e n a r g u e for m a k i n g a s t a n d h e r e , d a r i n g t h e m t o d i s l o d g e u s . B u t t h a t is m a d n e s s . " O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , if w e a g r e e , a n d y o u a r e s u c c e s s f u l , t h e n w e have regained a t r e a s u r e of such incalculable v a l u e — I m e a n Z i o n , of c o u r s e — t h a t t h e m e r e t h o u g h t of it o p e n s a l o n g - s h u t t e r e d w i n d o w in m y soul. I h a v e t o shield m y eyes from t h e b r i l l i a n c e . " H e r a i s e d t h e b a c k o f h i s left h a n d t o h i s e y e s . H i s t h i n w e d d i n g b a n d w a s e n g u l f e d i n h i s f i n g e r s l i k e a n a x h e a d l o s t i n t h e flesh o f a t r e e . L i t v a k felt t h e p u l s e i n h i s t h r o a t , a t h u m b p l u c k i n g o v e r a n d over at t h e lowest s t r i n g of a h a r p . Dizziness. A s e n s a t i o n of b a l l o o n i n g i n h i s feet a n d a r m s . I t m u s t b e t h e h e a t , h e t h o u g h t . H e t o o k s h a l l o w t i m i d b r e a t h s o f r i c h b u r n i n g air. " I a m d a z z l e d b y t h a t v i s i o n , " t h e r e b b e s a i d . " M a y b e as b l i n d e d b y i t , i n m y o w n w a y , as t h e e v a n g e l i c a l s . So p r e c i o u s is t h e t r e a s u r e . So i n c a l c u l a b l y s w e e t . " No.

I t w a s n o t , or n o t only, t h e h e a t a n d r i p e n e s s of t h e s h v i t z

t h a t w e r e m a k i n g L i t v a k ' s p u l s e t h r u m a n d h i s h e a d s p i n . H e felt

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c e r t a i n of t h e w i s d o m of his g u t : S h p i l m a n was a b o u t t o reject h i s p r o p o s a l . B u t as t h a t l i k e l i h o o d d r e w n e a r e r , a n e w p o s s i b i l i t y b e g a n t o d i z z y h i m , t o c o u r s e t h r o u g h h i m . It was t h e thrill of a dazzling move. " S t i l l , i t ' s n o t e n o u g h , " t h e r e b b e w a s s a y i n g . " I l o n g for M e s s i a h as I l o n g for n o t h i n g e l s e i n t h i s w o r l d . " H e s t o o d u p , a n d h i s b e l l y p o u r e d over his h i p s a n d groin like scalded m i l k foaming d o w n t h e s i d e s o f a p o t . " B u t I a m a f r a i d . I ' m a f r a i d o f f a i l u r e . I ' m afraid o f t h e p o t e n t i a l for g r e a t l o s s o f life a m o n g m y y i d s a n d t h e u t t e r d e s t r u c t i o n o f e v e r y t h i n g w e ' v e w o r k e d for t h e s e l a s t s i x t y y e a r s . T h e r e w e r e e l e v e n V e r b o v e r s left a t t h e e n d o f t h e w a r , L i t v a k . Eleven. I p r o m i s e d m y w i f e ' s f a t h e r o n h i s d e a t h b e d t h a t I w o u l d n e v e r let s u c h d e s t r u c t i o n befall us a g a i n . " A n d , finally, t r u t h f u l l y , I fear t h i s all m a y b e a fool's e r r a n d . T h e r e a r e n u m e r o u s a n d p e r s u a s i v e t e a c h i n g s a g a i n s t a c t i n g in any w a y t o h a s t e n t h e c o m i n g o f M e s s i a h . J e r e m i a h c o n d e m n s i t . So d o t h e O a t h s of S o l o m o n . Yes, of c o u r s e , I w a n t t o see m y y i d s s e t t l e d i n a n e w h o m e w i t h f i n a n c i a l a s s u r a n c e s f r o m t h e U . S . , offers o f a s s i s t a n c e a n d o f a c c e s s t o all t h e u n i m a g i n a b l y v a s t n e w m a r k e t s y o u r success in t h i s o p e r a t i o n w o u l d create. A n d I w a n t Messiah like I w a n t t o s i n k , after t h i s h e a t , i n t o t h e cold d a r k w a t e r s of t h e m i k v a h in t h e n e x t r o o m . B u t , G o d s h o u l d forgive m e t h e s e w o r d s , I a m a f r a i d . So a f r a i d t h a t e v e n t h e t a s t e o n m y l i p s o f M e s s i a h is n o t e n o u g h . A n d y o u can tell t h e m t h a t d o w n in W a s h i n g t o n . Tell t h e m t h e V e r b o v e r r e b b e w a s a f r a i d . " T h e i d e a o f h i s fear s e e m e d a l m o s t t o e n t r a n c e h i m w i t h its novelty, like a t e e n a g e r t h i n k i n g of d e a t h o r a w h o r e of t h e c h a n c e of an i m m a c u l a t e love. " W h a t ? " L i t v a k h e l d u p h i s r i g h t i n d e x finger. H e h a d s o m e t h i n g , o n e m o r e t h i n g t o offer t h e r e b b e . O n e m o r e c l a u s e for t h e c o n t r a c t . H e h a d n o i d e a h o w h e w o u l d d e l i v e r i t o r if i n d e e d i t c o u l d b e d e l i v e r e d . B u t as t h e r e b b e p r e p a r e d t o t u r n h i s m a s s i v e b a c k o n J e r u s a l e m a n d on t h e c o m p l i c a t e d h u g e n e s s of t h e deal t h a t L i t v a k h a d b e e n p u t t i n g t o g e t h e r for m o n t h s , h e felt i t w e l l u p i n h i m like a chess brilliancy, n o t a t e d w i t h d o u b l e exclamation marks.

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H e s c r a m b l e d t o o p e n his p a d . H e s c r a w l e d t w o w o r d s o n t h e first c l e a n leaf, b u t in h i s h a s t e a n d p a n i c , h e p r e s s e d t o o h a r d a n d h i s pen ripped through the w e t paper. " W h a t is i t ? " S h p i l m a n s a i d , " Y o u h a v e s o m e t h i n g m o r e

to

offer?" Litvak nodded, once, twice. "Something more than Zion? Messiah? A home, a fortune?" L i t v a k g o t u p a n d p a d d e d a c r o s s t h e t i l e floor u n t i l h e s t o o d just beside t h e rebbe. N a k e d m e n b e a r i n g t h e tales of their r u i n e d bodies. Each of t h e m , in his way, bereft, alone. L i t v a k r e a c h e d o u t a n d , w i t h t h e force a n d i n s p i r a t i o n o f t h a t l o n e l i n e s s , a n d w i t h t h e t i p o f h i s finger, i n s c r i b e d t w o w o r d s i n t h e v a p o r c o n d e n s e d o n a w h i t e s q u a r e of tile. T h e rebbe read t h e m and looked up, and t h e y beaded over once more and were gone. " M y s o n , " t h e r e b b e said. It's more than a game, L i t v a k w r o t e n o w , i n t h e office a t P e r i l S t r a i t , as h e a n d R o b o y a w a i t e d t h e a r r i v a l o f t h a t w a y w a r d a n d u n r e d e e m e d s o n . I would rather fight to take a prize

however

doubtful

than wait to see what scraps I may be fed " I s u p p o s e t h e r e ' s a c r e d o in t h e r e s o m e p l a c e , " R o b o y said. " M a y b e t h e r e ' s h o p e for y o u y e t . " I n r e t u r n for p r o v i d i n g t h e m w i t h m a n p o w e r , a M e s s i a h , a n d financing b e y o n d their wildest d r e a m s , t h e only t h i n g t h a t L i t v a k h a d ever asked of his p a r t n e r s , clients, e m p l o y e r s , a n d associates in this v e n t u r e was that he never be expected to believe t h e nonsense t h a t t h e y believed. W h e r e t h e y saw t h e fruit of d i v i n e w i s h e s in a n e w b o r n r e d heifer, h e s a w t h e p r o d u c t o f $ 1 m i l l i o n i n t a x p a y e r dollars spent secretly on bull semen and in v i t r o fertilization. In t h e e v e n t u a l b u r n i n g o f t h i s l i t t l e r e d cow, t h e y s a w t h e p u r i f i c a t i o n o f all I s r a e l a n d t h e f u l f i l l m e n t o f a m i l l e n n i a - o l d p r o m i s e ; L i t v a k saw, at m o s t , a necessary m o v e in an a n c i e n t g a m e — t h e survival of t h e Jews. Oh I wouldn't go that far

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T h e r e w a s a k n o c k a t t h e door, a n d M i c k y V a y n e r p u t in his head. " I c a m e t o r e m i n d y o u , sir," h e said in his g o o d

American

Hebrew. L i t v a k s t a r e d b l a n k l y a t t h e p i n k face w i t h i t s p e e l i n g e y e l i d s and baby-fat chin. " F i v e m i n u t e s before t w i l i g h t . You said t o r e m i n d y o u . " L i t v a k w e n t t o t h e w i n d o w . T h e s k y w a s s t r i p e d in t h e p i n k , g r e e n , a n d l u m i n o u s g r a y of a salmon's hide. Sure e n o u g h , he saw a s t a r o r p l a n e t o v e r h e a d . H e n o d d e d his t h a n k s t o M i c k y Vayner. T h e n h e closed t h e box of c h e s s m e n a n d h o o k e d t h e clasp. " W h a t ' s at t w i l i g h t ? " R o b o y said. H e t u r n e d t o M i c k y Vayner. "What's today?" M i c k y V a y n e r s h r u g g e d ; as far as h e k n e w , i t w a s , b y t h e l u n a r calendar, an o r d i n a r y d a y in t h e m o n t h of N i s a n . T h o u g h , like his y o u n g c o m r a d e s , h e h a d b e e n t r a i n e d t o believe in t h e f o r e o r d a i n e d r e e s t a b l i s h m e n t of t h e biblical k i n g d o m of J u d a e a a n d in

the

d e s t i n y of J e r u s a l e m t o b e t h e e t e r n a l capital of t h e J e w s , h e was n o m o r e s t r i c t or nice in his o b s e r v a n c e t h a n any of t h e o t h e r s . T h e y o u n g A m e r i c a n Jews at Peril Strait o b s e r v e d t h e principal holidays, a n d for t h e m o s t p a r t , t h e y k e p t t h e d i e t a r y l a w s . T h e y w o r e t h e s k u l l c a p a n d t h e f o u r - c o r n e r s b u t k e p t t h e i r b e a r d s in m i l i t a r y trim. T h e y avoided work and training on the Sabbath, though not w i t h o u t e x c e p t i o n . A f t e r f o r t y y e a r s as a s e c u l a r w a r r i o r , L i t v a k c o u l d s t o m a c h t h a t m u c h . E v e n in t h e w a k e of t h e accident, w i t h his Sora gone, w i t h t h e w i n d w h i s t l i n g t h r o u g h t h e hole she had left i n L i t v a k ' s life, w i t h a t h i r s t for m e a n i n g a n d a h u n g e r for s e n s e a n d an e m p t y c u p a n d a b a r r e n dish, Alter Litvak could n o t have t a k e n a p l a c e a m o n g t r u l y r e l i g i o u s m e n . H e n e v e r c o u l d h a v e fallen h a p p i l y , for e x a m p l e , a m o n g t h e b l a c k h a t s . I n f a c t , h e c o u l d n o t abide black hats, and since t h e m e e t i n g at t h e baths, he had kept t o a m i n i m u m h i s c o n t a c t s w i t h t h e V e r b o v e r s , as t h e y p r e p a r e d in secret t o be airlifted en m a s s e t o Palestine.

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Today is nothing, h e w r o t e b e f o r e h e p o c k e t e d t h e n o t e p a d a n d w a l k e d o u t o f t h e r o o m . Call me when they

arrive

In his r o o m L i t v a k t o o k o u t his d e n t a l plates a n d d r o p p e d t h e m w i t h a c h i m e of dice i n t o a d r i n k i n g glass. H e u n l a c e d his b o o t s a n d sat d o w n heavily o n a folding c o t . W h e n e v e r h e c a m e o u t t o Peril S t r a i t , h e s l e p t in t h i s t i n y r o o m — o n t h e b l u e p r i n t s , it h a d b e e n s h o w n as a u t i l i t y c l o s e t — d o w n t h e h a l l f r o m R o b o y ' s office. H i s clothes he h u n g on a h o o k b e h i n d t h e door, his kit he stashed u n d e r the cot. H e leaned back against t h e cold wall of p a i n t e d cinder block a n d looked at t h e wall, over t h e steel shelf t h a t h e l d t h e glass w i t h h i s t e e t h . T h e r e w a s n o w i n d o w , so L i t v a k i m a g i n e d a n e a r l y s t a r . A wheeling duck. T h e p h o t o g r a p h moon. T h e sky slowly t u r n i n g t o t h e color of a g u n . A n d an a i r p l a n e , c o m i n g in low from

the

s o u t h e a s t , b e a r i n g t h e m a n w h o w a s , in L i t v a k ' s p l a n , b o t h p r i s o n e r and d y n a m i t e , tower and trapdoor, bull's-eye and dart. L i t v a k s t o o d u p slowly, w i t h a g r u n t of p a i n . T h e r e w e r e s c r e w s in h i s h i p s , w h i c h a c h e d ; h i s k n e e s t h u d d e d a n d g o n g e d l i k e t h e pedals of an old piano. T h e r e w a s a c o n s t a n t t h r u m of w i r e in t h e h i n g e s o f h i s jaw. H e r a n h i s t o n g u e a c r o s s t h e e m p t y z o n e s o f h i s m o u t h w i t h t h e i r feel o f s l i c k p u t t y . H e w a s a c c u s t o m e d t o p a i n and breakage, b u t since t h e accident, his b o d y n o longer s e e m e d to belong to him. It was s o m e t h i n g sawed and nailed together o u t of borrowed parts. A b i r d h o u s e built of scrap w o o d a n d p r o p p e d on a pole, in w h i c h his soul n a p p e d like a fugitive b a t . H e h a d b e e n b o r n , like e v e r y Jew, i n t o t h e w r o n g w o r l d , t h e w r o n g c o u n t r y , at t h e w r o n g t i m e , a n d n o w h e w a s l i v i n g in t h e w r o n g body, t o o . I n t h e e n d m a y b e i t w a s t h a t s e n s e o f w r o n g n e s s , t h a t fist i n t h e J e w i s h belly, b i n d i n g A l t e r L i t v a k t o t h e c a u s e o f t h e y i d s w h o h a d m a d e him their general. H e w e n t over to t h e steel shelf t h a t was b o l t e d to t h e wall u n d e r his n o t i o n a l window. A l o n g s i d e t h e d r i n k i n g glass

that

held t h e p r o o f of B u c h b i n d e r ' s g e n i u s , t h e r e s t o o d a s e c o n d glass.

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T h a t o n e c o n t a i n e d a few o u n c e s of paraffin h a r d e n e d a r o u n d a p i e c e of w h i t e s t r i n g . L i t v a k h a d b o u g h t t h i s c a n d l e in a g r o c e r y s t o r e n o t q u i t e a y e a r after his wife d i e d , w i t h t h e i n t e n t i o n of b u r n i n g it o n t h e a n n i v e r s a r y of h e r d e a t h . N o w a n u m b e r of such anniversaries h a d c o m e a n d g o n e , a n d L i t v a k h a d evolved his o w n quaint tradition. Every year he b r o u g h t the yahrzeit candle out, a n d looked at it, a n d t h o u g h t a b o u t lighting it. H e imagined t h e shy

flutter

o f a flame. H e e n v i s i o n e d h i m s e l f l y i n g i n t h e d a r k n e s s

w i t h t h e m e m o r i a l candle's light d a n c i n g over his head, scattering an alefbeys of s h a d o w s across t h e ceiling of t h e t i n y r o o m . H e p i c t u r e d t h e glass e m p t y at t h e close of t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s , t h e wick c o n s u m e d , t h e paraffin c o m b u s t e d , t h e m e t a l t a b d r o w n e d at t h e b o t t o m in w a x y d r e g s . A n d after t h a t — b u t h e r e his i m a g i n a t i o n t e n d e d t o fail h i m . L i t v a k r u m m a g e d i n t h e p o c k e t s o f h i s s u i t p a n t s for

his

l i g h t e r , j u s t t o g i v e h i m s e l f t h e o p t i o n , t h e c h a n c e o f finding o u t , if h e c o u l d b r i n g h i m s e l f t o d o i t , w h a t i t m i g h t m e a n t o s e t fire t o t h e m e m o r y of his wife. T h e l i g h t e r w a s a steel Z i p p o e t c h e d w i t h t h e R a n g e r s insignia in w o r n black lines on o n e side, a n d on t h e o t h e r d e n t e d d e e p l y w h e r e it h a d deflected s o m e o n c o m i n g b i t of t h e car, o r t h e r o a d , o r t h e c h o k e c h e r r y t r e e , from p i e r c i n g L i t v a k ' s h e a r t . For t h e sake of his t h r o a t , L i t v a k no longer smoked; t h e l i g h t e r w a s o n l y a h a b i t , a t o k e n of his s u r v i v o r s h i p , an ironical c h a r m t h a t n e v e r left h i s b e d s i d e o r h i s p a n t s . B u t n o w i t w a s i n neither place. H e p a t t e d himself d o w n w i t h the sheepish m e t h o d o f o l d m a n . H e s t e p p e d b a c k w a r d t h r o u g h h i s day, w o r k i n g h i s w a y t o t h a t m o r n i n g , w h e n , as e v e r y m o r n i n g , h e h a d s l i d t h e l i g h t e r i n t o his h i p p o c k e t . H a d n ' t he? All a t o n c e h e c o u l d n o t r e m e m b e r h a v i n g p o c k e t e d his Z i p p o t h a t m o r n i n g , or laying it on

the

steel shelf last n i g h t w h e n h e w e n t t o sleep. P e r h a p s he h a d been f o r g e t t i n g i t for d a y s . I t m i g h t b e i n S i t k a , i n t h e b a c k r o o m a t t h e Blackpool Hotel. It m i g h t be anywhere. Litvak lowered himself to t h e g r o u n d , d r a g g e d his kit from u n d e r t h e cot, and ransacked it,

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his h e a r t p o u n d i n g . N o lighter. N o m a t c h e s , either. O n l y a c a n d l e in a j u i c e glass, a n d a m a n w h o d i d n o t k n o w h o w t o l i g h t it e v e n w h e n h e h a d a s o u r c e o f fire. L i t v a k t u r n e d t o t h e d o o r j u s t as h e h e a r d s o m e o n e a p p r o a c h . A soft k n o c k . H e s l i p p e d t h e y a h r z e i t candle i n t o t h e h i p p o c k e t of his j a c k e t . " R e b L i t v a k , " said M i c k y Vayner. " T h e y ' r e h e r e , sir." L i t v a k p u t in his t e e t h a n d t u c k e d in his s h i r t . I want everyone in quarters

I don't want anybody to see him now

" H e isn't ready," M i c k y Vayner said, a little doubtfully, w a n t i n g to be reassured. H e d i d n ' t know, had never seen M e n d e l Shpilman. H e had only heard stories of long-ago b o y i s h miracles a n d p e r h a p s c a u g h t an acrid whiff of s p o i l e d g o o d s t h a t s o m e t i m e s c u r l e d in t h e air over t h e m e n t i o n of S h p i l m a n ' s n a m e . He is unwell but we will heal him It was n e i t h e r p a r t of t h e i r d o c t r i n e n o r n e c e s s a r y t o

the

s u c c e s s o f L i t v a k ' s p l a n for M i c k y V a y n e r o r a n y o f t h e P e r i l S t r a i t Jews to believe t h a t M e n d e l Shpilman was t h e T z a d d i k Ha-Dor. A M e s s i a h w h o a c t u a l l y a r r i v e s is n o g o o d t o a n y b o d y . A h o p e fulfilled is a l r e a d y h a l f a d i s a p p o i n t m e n t . " W e k n o w he's j u s t a m a n , " said M i c k y Vayner dutifully. " W e all k n o w t h a t , R e b L i t v a k . O n l y a m a n a n d n o t h i n g m o r e , a n d t h i s is b i g g e r t h a n a n y m a n , w h a t w e ' r e d o i n g . " It isn't

the man I'm worried

about,

L i t v a k w r o t e . Everyone

in

quarters A s h e s t o o d o n t h e floatplane d o c k a n d w a t c h e d N a o m i L a n d s m a n help M e n d e l S h p i l m a n d o w n from t h e c o c k p i t of h e r S u p e r C u b , L i t v a k c o n s i d e r e d t h a t if h e d i d n o t k n o w b e t t e r , h e w o u l d h a v e t a k e n t h e m for o l d l o v e r s . T h e r e w a s a b r u s q u e f a m i l i a r i t y i n t h e w a y s h e g r i p p e d h i s u p p e r a r m , fished h i s s h i r t c o l l a r f r o m t h e l a p e l s of his r u m p l e d p i n - s t r i p e d j a c k e t , p i c k e d a s t r i n g of c e l l o p h a n e f r o m h i s hair. S h e w a t c h e d h i s face, o n l y h i s f a c e , as S h p i l m a n e y e d R o b o y a n d L i t v a k ; s h e w a s t e n d e r as a n e n g i n e e r l o o k i n g for cracks, fatigue in t h e m a t e r i a l . It s e e m e d i n c o n c e i v a b l e t h a t t h e y

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h a d k n o w n e a c h o t h e r , as far as L i t v a k w a s a w a r e , for s l i g h t l y u n d e r t h r e e h o u r s . T h r e e h o u r s . T h a t w a s all i t h a d t a k e n for h e r t o seal u p h e r fate w i t h his. " W e l c o m e , " Dr. R o b o y said, p o s e d beside a w h e e l c h a i r w i t h his necktie

flapping

in t h e b r e e z e . G o l d a n d T u r t e l t o y b , a S i t k a boy,

j u m p e d d o w n from t h e plane to t h e dock, T u r t e l t o y b heavy e n o u g h t o m a k e it r i n g like a s l a m m e d t e l e p h o n e . T h e w a t e r smacked t h e p i l i n g s . T h e air s m e l l e d of r o t t e n n e t t i n g a n d b r a c k i s h p u d d l e s in t h e b o t t o m s o f o l d b o a t s . I t w a s a l m o s t d a r k , a n d t h e y all l o o k e d v a g u e l y g r e e n i n t h e l i g h t o f t h e floods o n t h e s t a n d a r d s , e x c e p t for S h p i l m a n , w h o l o o k e d w h i t e as a f e a t h e r a n d as h o l l o w . " Y o u a r e genuinely welcome." " Y o u d i d n ' t n e e d t o send an a i r p l a n e , " S h p i l m a n said. H e had a w r y , a c t o r i s h v o i c e , h i s d i c t i o n s t u d i e d , e x c e l l e n t , w i t h a low, soft u n d e r t h r o b of t h e sorrowful U k r a i n e . " I ' m perfectly capable of flying

on m y o w n . "

"Yes,

well—"

" X - r a y v i s i o n . B u l l e t p r o o f . T h e w h o l e b i t . W h o is t h e w h e e l c h a i r for, me?" H e o u t s p r e a d his a r m s , laid his feet p r i m l y side b y side, a n d gave himself a slow once-over, looking p r e p a r e d to be shocked at w h a t h e found. Ill-fitting p i n - s t r i p e d suit, hatless, tie loosely k n o t t e d , o n e s h i r t t a i l h a n g i n g o u t , s o m e t h i n g t e e n a g e in his u n r u l y g i n g e r curls. I m p o s s i b l e t o see in t h a t s l e n d e r fragile frame, t h a t sleepy face, a n y h i n t o f t h e m o n s t r o u s f a t h e r . O r m a y b e a l i t t l e , a r o u n d t h e eyes. S h p i l m a n t u r n e d t o t h e pilot, affecting t o be surprised, e v e n h u r t , b y t h e i m p l i c a t i o n t h a t h e w a s s o far g o n e as t o n e e d a wheelchair. B u t L i t v a k saw t h a t h e was p u t t i n g it on to cover his real surprise a n d h u r t at t h e implication. " Y o u s a i d I l o o k e d all r i g h t , M i s s L a n d s m a n , " S h p i l m a n s a i d , t e a s i n g her, a p p e a l i n g t o her, p l e a d i n g w i t h her. "You look terrific, k i d , " t h e L a n d s m a n told h i m . She was dressed in b l u e jeans t u c k e d i n t o high black b o o t s , a man's w h i t e oxford

THE Y I D D I S H

shirt, an old Sitka C e n t r a l

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j a c k e t t h a t said L A N D S M A N

over t h e p o c k e t . "You look fabulous." "Ah, y o u ' r e lying, y o u liar." "You look like thirty-five h u n d r e d dollars t o m e , S h p i l m a n , " t h e L a n d s m a n said, n o t unkindly. " H o w a b o u t w e leave it at t h a t ? " "I won't be needing the wheelchair, doctor," Shpilman

said

w i t h o u t r e p r o a c h . " B u t t h a n k y o u for t h i n k i n g o f m e . " "Are y o u ready, M e n d e l ? " Dr. R o b o y a s k e d h i m in his g e n t l e a n d s e n t e n t i o u s way. " D o I need t o b e r e a d y ? " M e n d e l said. "If I n e e d t o b e ready, w e m a y h a v e t o p u s h t h i s b a c k a few w e e k s . " T h e w o r d s e m e r g e d from L i t v a k ' s t h r o a t like a k i n d of v e r b a l d u s t devil, a tangle of g r i t a n d g u s t s , u n b i d d e n . A n awful s o u n d , like a glob of b u r n i n g r u b b e r p l u n g e d i n t o a b u c k e t of ice. "You d o n ' t need to be ready," L i t v a k said. "You only need t o b e here." T h e y all l o o k e d s h o c k e d , h o r r i f i e d , e v e n G o l d , w h o h a p p i l y c o u l d have read a comic b o o k b y t h e light of a b u r n i n g m a n . Shpilman t u r n e d slowly, a s m i l e t u c k e d i n t o o n e c o r n e r o f h i s m o u t h l i k e a baby carried on the hip. "Alter Litvak, I p r e s u m e , " he said, h o l d i n g o u t

his

hand,

scowling at L i t v a k , affecting t o b e t o u g h a n d m a s c u l i n e in a w a y t h a t m o c k e d t o u g h n e s s and m a s c u l i n i t y a n d his o w n relative lack o f b o t h q u a l i t i e s . " W h a t a g r i p , oy, i t ' s l i k e a r o c k . " His

own

grip was

soft,

warm,

not

quite

dry, eternally

a

schoolboy's. S o m e t h i n g i n Litvak resisted it, t h e w a r m t h a n d softness of it. H e w a s h i m s e l f horrified b y t h e p t e r o s a u r e c h o of his o w n v o i c e , b y t h e fact t h a t h e h a d s p o k e n a t a l l . H e w a s h o r r i f i e d t o s e e t h a t t h e r e w a s s o m e t h i n g a b o u t M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , a b o u t his puffy face a n d h i s b a d s u i t , h i s k i d - p r o d i g y s m i l e a n d h i s b r a v e a t t e m p t t o h i d e t h e fact t h a t h e w a s a f r a i d , t h a t h a d p r o m p t e d L i t v a k , for t h e first t i m e i n y e a r s , t o s p e a k . L i t v a k k n e w t h a t c h a r i s m a w a s a r e a l if i n d e f i n a b l e q u a l i t y , a c h e m i c a l fire t h a t c e r t a i n h a l f - f o r t u n a t e

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m e n g a v e off. L i k e a n y fire o r t a l e n t , i t w a s a m o r a l , u n c o n n e c t e d to goodness or wickedness, power or usefulness or s t r e n g t h . H e f e l t , s h a k i n g S h p i l m a n ' s h o t h a n d , h o w s o u n d h i s t a c t i c s w e r e . If R o b o y could get Shpilman u p and r u n n i n g again, then Shpilman c o u l d i n s p i r e a n d lead n o t m e r e l y a few h u n d r e d a r m e d believers or t h i r t y t h o u s a n d b l a c k - h a t t e d h u s t l e r s l o o k i n g for n e w turf, b u t a n entire lost and w a n d e r i n g nation. Litvak's plan was going to work because there was something about Mendel Shpilman that could m a k e a m a n w i t h a b r o k e n voice box w a n t to speak. It was against t h e s o m e t h i n g in S h p i l m a n t h a t s o m e t h i n g in L i t v a k p u s h e d b a c k , r e v u l s e d . H e felt a n u r g e t o c r u s h t h a t s c h o o l b o y h a n d i n h i s o w n , to b r e a k t h e bones of it. " W h a t ' s u p , y i d ? " t h e L a n d s m a n said t o L i t v a k . " L o n g t i m e . " Litvak nodded, and he shook the Landsman's hand. H e was t o r n , as h e h a d a l w a y s b e e n , b e t w e e n h i s n a t u r a l i m p u l s e t o a d m i r e a c o m p e t e n t p r a c t i t i o n e r of a difficult t r a d e a n d his s u s p i c i o n t h a t t h e w o m a n w a s a l e s b i a n , a h u m a n c a t e g o r y t h a t h e failed a l m o s t on principle to understand. "All r i g h t , t h e n , " s h e s a i d . S h e w a s s t i l l h o l d i n g o n t o S h p i l m a n , a n d as t h e w i n d p i c k e d u p , s h e m o v e d c l o s e r t o h i m a n d p u t h e r a r m a r o u n d his shoulder, d r a w i n g h i m t o her, giving h i m a squeeze. S h e s c a n n e d t h e g r e e n i s h faces o f t h e m e n w h o w a i t e d for h e r t o h a n d o v e r t h e c a r g o . " Y o u g o i n g t o b e all r i g h t , t h e n ? " L i t v a k w r o t e in his p a d a n d p a s s e d it t o Roboy. " I t ' s l a t e , " R o b o y s a i d . " A n d d a r k . L e t u s p u t y o u u p for t h e night." S h e a p p e a r e d t o c o n s i d e r r e j e c t i n g t h e offer for a l o n g m o m e n t . T h e n she n o d d e d . " G o o d i d e a , " she said. A t t h e b o t t o m of t h e long, w i n d i n g stair, S h p i l m a n s t o p p e d to t a k e in t h e p a r t i c u l a r s of t h e climb a n d t h e p l a t f o r m of t h e inclined e l e v a t o r , a n d h e s e e m e d t o suffer a q u a l m — a f o r e s h o c k , a s u d d e n access of u n d e r s t a n d i n g of e v e r y t h i n g t h a t w o u l d from n o w on be e x p e c t e d of h i m . W i t h a certain d r a m a , he collapsed i n t o Roboy's wheelchair.

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" I left m y c a p e a t h o m e , " h e s a i d . W h e n t h e y reached t h e t o p , he stayed in t h e chair a n d allowed t h e L a n d s m a n to wheel h i m i n t o t h e m a i n building. T h e strain of t r a v e l o r t h e s t e p h e h a d finally t a k e n o r t h e p l u m m e t i n g l e v e l o f h e r o i n in his b l o o d s t r e a m w a s b e g i n n i n g t o tell. B u t w h e n

they

r e a c h e d t h e r o o m o n t h e g r o u n d floor t h a t h a d b e e n p r e p a r e d for h i m — a b e d , a d e s k , a c h a i r , a n d a fine E n g l i s h c h e s s s e t — h e r a l l i e d . H e reached i n t o t h e p o c k e t of his creased suit a n d t o o k o u t a black and bright-yellow cardboard package. " N u , I u n d e r s t a n d a m a z e l t o v is i n o r d e r ? " h e s a i d , p a s s i n g o u t half a dozen

fine-looking

C o h i b a cigars. T h e smell of

them,

even u n l i t a n d t h r e e feet from his n o s t r i l s , w a s e n o u g h t o w h i s p e r promises to Litvak of well-earned respite, clean sheets, h o t water, b r o w n w o m e n , t h e q u i e t a f t e r m a t h of b r u t a l battles. " T h e y tell m e it's a girl." For a m o m e n t nobody k n e w w h a t he was talking about, and t h e n t h e y all l a u g h e d n e r v o u s l y , e x c e p t for L i t v a k a n d T u r t e l t o y b , w h o s e c h e e k s t u r n e d t h e c o l o r o f b o r s c h t . T u r t e l t o y b k n e w , as each of t h e m knew, t h a t S h p i l m a n w a s n o t t o b e p r o v i d e d w i t h a n y d e t a i l s o f t h e p l a n , i n c l u d i n g t h e n e w b o r n heifer, u n t i l L i t v a k g a v e t h e order. L i t v a k k n o c k e d t h e c i g a r f r o m S h p i l m a n ' s soft h a n d . H e s c o w l e d at T u r t e l t o y b , h a r d l y able t o see h i m t h r o u g h t h e b l o o d - r e d b r o t h o f h i s o w n a n g e r . T h e c e r t a i n t y h e h a d felt d o w n o n t h e d o c k t h a t Shpilman would serve their needs was t u r n e d a b r u p t l y on its head. A m a n like S h p i l m a n , a t a l e n t like S h p i l m a n ' s , c o u l d n e v e r serve a n y o n e ; i t c o u l d o n l y b e s e r v e d , a b o v e all b y t h e o n e w h o w i e l d e d i t . N o w o n d e r t h e p o o r b a s t a r d h a d b e e n h i d i n g f r o m i t for so l o n g . Out T h e y r e a d h i s m e s s a g e a n d filed o n e b y o n e o u t o f t h e r o o m , l a s t o f all t h e L a n d s m a n , w h o m a d e a p o i n t o f a s k i n g w h e r e s h e w o u l d b e s l e e p i n g a n d t h e n of t e l l i n g M e n d e l p o i n t e d l y t h a t s h e w o u l d see h i m in t h e m o r n i n g . A t t h e t i m e L i t v a k h a d a v a g u e i d e a s h e m i g h t b e a r r a n g i n g a t r y s t , b u t h i s n o t i o n o f h e r as a l e s b i a n c a n c e l e d i t

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o u t before he h a d t i m e to give it any consideration. It d i d n ' t occur t o L i t v a k t h a t t h e J e w e s s , i n h e r r e a d i n e s s for a n y a d v e n t u r e , w a s a l r e a d y l a y i n g t h e g r o u n d w o r k for t h e d a r i n g e s c a p e t h a t M e n d e l had not yet decided to attempt. T h e Landsman struck a match, puffed at h e r cigar t o get it lit. T h e n she s a u n t e r e d o u t . " D o n ' t h o l d it a g a i n s t t h e boy, R e b L i t v a k , " S h p i l m a n

said

w h e n t h e y w e r e alone. "People have a w a y of telling m e things. B u t I g u e s s y o u n o t i c e d t h a t . Please, h a v e a cigar. G o o n . It's a v e r y good one." S h p i l m a n p i c k e d u p t h e c o r o n a t h a t L i t v a k h a d k n o c k e d from his grasp, a n d w h e n L i t v a k n e i t h e r accepted nor refused it, t h e yid lifted it t o L i t v a k ' s m o u t h a n d fitted it g e n t l y b e t w e e n his lips. It h u n g t h e r e , e x u d i n g its smells of g r a v y a n d cork a n d m e s q u i t e , c u n t i s h smells t h a t s t i r r e d old longings. T h e r e w a s a click, and a scrape, and then Litvak leaned wonderingly forward and poked the e n d o f t h e c i g a r i n t o t h e f l a m e o f h i s o w n Z i p p o l i g h t e r . H e felt t h e m o m e n t a r y s h o c k of a miracle. T h e n h e g r i n n e d a n d n o d d e d his t h a n k s , feeling a k i n d of g i d d y relief at t h e b e l a t e d arrival of a l o g i c a l e x p l a n a t i o n : H e m u s t h a v e left t h e l i g h t e r b a c k i n S i t k a , w h e r e G o l d or T u r t e l t o y b h a d found it a n d b r o u g h t it along on t h e flight t o Peril S t r a i t . S h p i l m a n h a d b o r r o w e d it a n d , w i t h his j u n k i e i n s t i n c t s , p o c k e t e d it after l i g h t i n g a p a p i r o s . Yes, g o o d . T h e cigar c a u g h t w i t h a crackle a n d flared. W h e n L i t v a k looked back u p from t h e glowing coal, Shpilman was staring at him w i t h t h o s e s t r a n g e m o s a i c e y e s , flecks o f g o l d a n d g r e e n . G o o d , L i t v a k t o l d h i m s e l f a g a i n . A v e r y g o o d cigar. " G o a h e a d , " S h p i l m a n said. H e p r e s s e d t h e Z i p p o i n t o Litvak's h a n d . " G o , R e b L i t v a k . L i g h t t h e c a n d l e . T h e r e ' s n o p r a y e r y o u say. T h e r e ' s n o t h i n g y o u h a v e t o d o o r feel. You j u s t l i g h t i t . G o o n . " As logic d r a i n e d away from t h e world, never entirely to r e t u r n , Shpilman reached into Litvak's jacket pocket and took out

the

glass a n d t h e w a x a n d t h e wick. For this trick, L i t v a k could m a k e h i m s e l f n o e x p l a n a t i o n . H e t o o k t h e c a n d l e from S h p i l m a n a n d set i t o n a t a b l e . H e s t r u c k t h e flint w i t h a s c r a t c h o f h i s t h u m b . H e

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felt t h e i n t e n s e w a r m t h o f S h p i l m a n ' s h a n d o n h i s s h o u l d e r . T h e fist o f h i s h e a r t b e g i n t o s l a c k e n i t s g r i p , t h e w a y i t m i g h t w h e n t h e d a y c a m e t h a t h e finally s e t f o o t i n t h e h o m e w h e r e h e w a s m e a n t t o dwell. It was a terrifying sensation. H e o p e n e d his m o u t h . "No,"

h e said in a voice t h a t h a d in i t , t o his w o n d e r , a n o t e of

the human. H e snapped the lighter shut and knocked Shpilman's hand aside with such violence that Shpilman lost his balance, s t u m b l e d , a n d h i t h i s h e a d o n t h e m e t a l shelf. T h e f o r c e o f t h e b l o w j a r r e d l o o s e t h e c a n d l e a n d s e n t i t c r a s h i n g t o t h e t i l e floor. T h e g l a s s c r a c k e d i n t o t h r e e large pieces. T h e cylinder of w a x split in t w o . "I don't w a n t it," Litvak croaked. " I ' m not ready." But w h e n he looked d o w n at Shpilman, sprawled on t h e

floor,

dazed, b l e e d i n g from a c u t on his r i g h t t e m p l e , h e k n e w t h a t it w a s already too late.

J

u s t as L i t v a k lays d o w n h i s p e n , y o u c a n h e a r a t u m u l t o u t s i d e : half a c u r s e , glass b r e a k i n g , t h e w i n d huffing o u t of somebody's lungs. T h e n

Berko

Shemets

comes

promenading

into

the

b e d r o o m . H e has G o l d ' s h e a d n e s t l e d u n d e r o n e a r m like a nice roast and the rest of Gold draggling along behind. T h e

ganef's

heels p l o w d e e p furrows in t h e c a r p e t . Berko slams t h e d o o r b e h i n d t h e m . H e has his s h o l e m o u t , a n d it h u n g e r s like a c o m p a s s needle for t h e m a g n e t i c n o r t h o f A l t e r L i t v a k . H e r t z ' s b l o o d is m a p p e d a c r o s s B e r k o ' s h u n t i n g s h i r t a n d j e a n s . B e r k o ' s h a t is p u s h e d b a c k i n a w a y t h a t m a k e s h i s face l o o k all b r o w a n d e y e w h i t e s . T h e h e a d of G o l d glares o r a c u l a r from t h e c r o o k of Berko's a r m . "You should shit blood and p u s , " Gold intones. "You should get scabies like J o b . " Berko's gun swings a r o u n d to get a look at t h e y o u n g yid's b r a i n in its b r e a k a b l e container. G o l d s t o p s s t r u g g l i n g , a n d t h e g u n r e s u m e s its one-eyed inspection of A l t e r Litvak's chest. " B e r k o , " L a n d s m a n says. " W h a t ' s t h i s c r a z i n e s s ? " Berko heaves his gaze t o w a r d L a n d s m a n like a great b u r d e n . H e o p e n s his lips, closes t h e m , d r a w s a b r e a t h . H e seems t o have s o m e t h i n g i m p o r t a n t t h a t h e w a n t s t o express, a n a m e , a spell, an

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equation t h a t can b e n d t i m e or u n k n i t t h e strings of t h e world. O r m a y b e he's t r y i n g t o k e e p from c o m i n g u n k n i t himself. " T h a t y i d , " h e s a y s , a n d t h e n softer, h i s v o i c e a l i t t l e h u s k y , "My mother." L a n d s m a n h a s m a y b e s e e n a p h o t o g r a p h o f L a u r i e J o Bear. H e manages to scare u p a v a g u e m e m o r y of teased black b a n g s , p i n k i s h g l a s s e s , a w i s e a s s s m i l e . B u t t h e w o m a n is n o t e v e n a g h o s t t o h i m . B e r k o u s e d t o t e l l s t o r i e s a b o u t life i n t h e I n d i a n e r - L a n d s . B a s k e t b a l l , seal h u n t s , d r u n k s a n d u n c l e s , W i l l i e D i c k s t o r i e s , t h e s t o r y of t h e h u m a n ear on t h e table. L a n d s m a n d o e s n ' t r e m e m b e r any stories a b o u t t h e mother. H e supposes t h a t he always k n e w t h e r e h a d t o be s o m e k i n d of cost t o Berko in t u r n i n g h i m s e l f inside o u t t h e w a y h e d i d , s o m e k i n d of h e r o i c feat of f o r g e t t i n g . H e j u s t n e v e r b o t h e r e d t o t h i n k o f i t as a l o s s . A f a i l u r e o f i m a g i n a t i o n , a w o r s e s i n in a s h a m m e s t h a n g o i n g i n t o a h o t p l a c e w i t h n o b a c k u p . O r m a y b e it w a s t h e s a m e sin in a different f o r m . " N o d o u b t , " L a n d s m a n says, t a k i n g a s t e p t o w a r d his p a r t n e r . " B a d guy. W o r t h a b u l l e t . " " Y o u h a v e t w o l i t t l e b o y s , B e r k o , " B i n a says i n h e r f l a t t e s t t o n e . "You have E s t e r - M a l k e . You have a f u t u r e n o t t o t h r o w away." " H e d o e s n o t , " G o l d s a y s , o r t r i e s t o say. B e r k o p u t s a d e e p e r squeeze on h i m , a n d G o l d gags, t r y i n g t o t u r n over, t o gain p u r c h a s e w i t h his feet. L i t v a k scrawls s o m e t h i n g in t h e b a c k of t h e p a d w i t h o u t t a k i n g h i s e y e s off o f B e r k o . " W h a t is i t ? " B e r k o says. " W h a t d i d h e s a y ? " No future

here for any Jew

" Y e a h , y e a h , " says L a n d s m a n . " W e g e t i t a l r e a d y . " H e g r a b s t h e p e n a n d t h e p a d a w a y f r o m L i t v a k . H e flips o v e r t h e last p a g e a n d w r i t e s , in A m e r i c a n , D O N ' T B E A N IDIOT! Y O U R A C T I N G LIKE M E ! H e tears o u t t h e sheet of paper, t h e n tosses t h e p a d a n d p e n b a c k t o L i t v a k . H e h o l d s t h e s h e e t u p in front of B e r k o ' s face so t h a t h i s p a r t n e r c a n r e a d i t . I t ' s a fairly p e r s u a s i v e

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a r g u m e n t . B e r k o l e t s g o o f G o l d r i g h t as t h e y i d is t u r n i n g a b r u i s e d c o l o r all over. G o l d d r o p s t o t h e floor, g a s p i n g for b r e a t h . T h e g u n i n B e r k o ' s fist w a v e r s . " H e k i l l e d y o u r sister,

Meyer."

" I d o n ' t k n o w if h e d i d o r n o t , " L a n d s m a n says. H e t u r n s t o Litvak. "Did you?" L i t v a k shakes his head a n d starts to w r i t e s o m e t h i n g o u t on t h e pad, b u t before he

finishes,

a c h e e r goes u p in t h e o u t e r r o o m .

T h e heartfelt b u t self-conscious w h o o p of y o u n g m e n w a t c h i n g s o m e t h i n g g r e a t o n t e l e v i s i o n . A g o a l h a s b e e n s c o r e d . A girl p l a y i n g b e a c h v o l l e y b a l l h a s fallen o u t o f h e r b i k i n i t o p . A m o m e n t later, L a n d s m a n hears t h e cheer echoing, t h e s o u n d of it carried t h r o u g h t h e o p e n w i n d o w o f t h e p e n t h o u s e as if o n a w i n d f r o m far a w a y , t h e H a r k a v y , t h e N a c h t a s y l . L i t v a k s m i l e s a n d p u t s d o w n t h e p a d a n d p e n w i t h a s t r a n g e finality, as if h e h a s n o t h i n g left t o say. A s if h i s w h o l e c o n f e s s i o n w a s l e a d i n g t o — w a s m a d e p o s s i b l e b y — only t h i s m o m e n t . G o l d crawls t o t h e door, d r a g s it o p e n , a n d t h e n s t a g g e r s t o his feet a n d i n t o t h e o u t e r r o o m . Bina goes over t o B e r k o a n d h o l d s o u t h e r h a n d , a n d a f t e r a m o m e n t B e r k o lays t h e gun across her palm. In t h e o u t e r r o o m of t h e p e n t h o u s e , t h e y o u n g believers h u g o n e a n o t h e r a n d j u m p u p a n d d o w n in t h e i r suits. T h e i r y a r m u l k e s t u m b l e f r o m t h e i r h e a d s . T h e i r faces s h i n e w i t h t e a r s . O n t h e b i g t e l e v i s i o n s c r e e n , L a n d s m a n g e t s h i s first l o o k a t an i m a g e t h a t will soon b e s p l a s h e d across t h e front p a g e of e v e r y n e w s p a p e r in t h e w o r l d . All over t o w n , p i o u s h a n d s will clip it a n d t a p e it t o t h e i r front d o o r s a n d w i n d o w s . T h e y will frame it a n d h a n g it b e h i n d t h e c o u n t e r s of their shops. Some hustler, i n e v i t a b l y , w i l l w o r k t h e t h i n g u p as a f u l l - s i z e p o s t e r , t w o feet b y t h r e e . T h e h i l l t o p in J e r u s a l e m , c r o w d e d w i t h alleys a n d houses. T h e b r o a d e m p t y m e s a of p a v i n g s t o n e . T h e j a g g e d j a w b o n e of b u r n t t e e t h . T h e magnificent p l u m e of black smoke. A n d at t h e b o t t o m t h e l e g e n d , i n b l u e l e t t e r s , A T L A S T ! T h e s e p o s t e r s w i l l sell a t t h e s t a t i o n e r s ' for b e t w e e n t e n d o l l a r s a n d $ 1 2 . 9 5 .

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"Sweet God. W h a t are they doing? W h a t did they do?" T h e r e is a l o t t h a t s h o c k s L a n d s m a n a b o u t t h e i m a g e o n t h e t e l e v i s i o n s c r e e n , b u t t h e m o s t s h o c k i n g t h i n g o f all is s i m p l y t h a t an object eight t h o u s a n d miles away has been a c t e d u p o n b y J e w s from Sitka. It seems t o v i o l a t e s o m e f u n d a m e n t a l law of t h e e m o t i o n a l p h y s i c s t h a t L a n d s m a n u n d e r s t a n d s . S i t k a s p a c e - t i m e is a c u r v e d p h e n o m e n o n ; a y i d c o u l d r e a c h o u t i n a n y d i r e c t i o n as far as h e w a s a b l e a n d e n d u p o n l y t a p p i n g h i m s e l f o n t h e b a c k . " W h a t a b o u t M e n d e l ? " h e says. " I g u e s s t h e y w e r e t o o far a l o n g t o s t o p , " B i n a says. " I g u e s s they just went ahead without h i m . " I t ' s p e r v e r s e , b u t for s o m e r e a s o n , t h e t h o u g h t m a k e s L a n d s m a n feel s a d o n M e n d e l ' s behalf. E v e r y t h i n g a n d e v e r y o n e , f r o m n o w o n , will b e g o i n g a h e a d w i t h o u t h i m . For a couple of m i n u t e s Bina stands t h e r e w a t c h i n g t h e boys c a r r y o n , h e r a r m s f o l d e d , h e r face w i t h o u t e x p r e s s i o n e x c e p t a t t h e corners of her eyes. T h e w a y she looks r e m i n d s L a n d s m a n of an e n g a g e m e n t p a r t y t h e y w e n t t o y e a r s a g o , for a f r i e n d o f B i n a ' s . T h e b r i d e - t o - b e w a s m a r r y i n g a m e x i c a n , a n d as a k i n d o f j o k e , t h e p a r t y h a d a C i n c o d e M a y o t h e m e . T h e y h u n g a p a p i e r - m â c h é p e n g u i n from a t r e e in t h e yard. Children were blindfolded and sent forth, a r m e d with a stick, to deal t h e p e n g u i n blows until it b r o k e open. T h e children beat t h e p e n g u i n w i t h savagery, a n d t h e n t h e c a n d y c a m e s h o w e r i n g d o w n . I t w a s j u s t a b u n c h o f w r a p p e d toffees, p e p p e r m i n t , b u t t e r s c o t c h , t h e kind y o u r g r e a t - a u n t could b e relied u p o n t o s u p p l y from a d u s t y c r e v i c e o f h e r h a n d b a g . B u t as i t r a i n e d f r o m t h e sky, t h e c h i l d r e n s w a r m e d w i t h a b e s t i a l joy. A n d B i n a s t o o d t h e r e w a t c h i n g t h e m w i t h her a r m s folded a n d a pleat at t h e c o r n e r s of h e r eyes. She passes Berko b a c k his sholem a n d u n h o l s t e r s h e r o w n . " S h u t u p , " B i n a says, a n d t h e n in A m e r i c a n , " S h u t t h e fuck u p ! " Some of t h e y o u n g m e n have taken o u t their Shoyfers a n d are t r y i n g t o call p e o p l e , b u t e v e r y o n e i n S i t k a m u s t b e t r y i n g t o c a l l people. T h e y show one another the error messages they are getting

360

MICHAEL

CHABDN

o n t h e i r t e l e p h o n e s ' s c r e e n s . T h e n e t w o r k is b u s y . B i n a g o e s o v e r t o t h e television a n d kicks its c o r d . T h e p l u g snaps o u t of t h e wall. T h e television sighs. S o m e d a r k fuel s e e m s t o d r a i n f r o m t h e y o u n g m e n ' s t a n k s w h e n t h e t e l e v i s i o n g o e s off. " Y o u a r e u n d e r a r r e s t , " B i n a says g e n t l y , n o w t h a t s h e h a s t h e i r a t t e n t i o n . " G o over and p u t your h a n d s on t h e wall. Meyer." L a n d s m a n p a t s t h e m d o w n o n e b y one, c r o u c h i n g like a tailor m e a s u r i n g a n i n s e a m . F r o m t h e six a l o n g t h e w a l l , h e c o l l e c t s e i g h t h a n d g u n s a n d t w o e x p e n s i v e h u n t i n g k n i v e s . As h e finishes w i t h each o n e , h e tells h i m t o sit d o w n . H i s t h i r d search recovers t h e B e r e t t a t h a t B e r k o l e n t t o h i m b e f o r e h e left for Yakovy. L a n d s m a n h o l d s i t u p for B e r k o t o enjoy. " L i t t l e c u t i e , " Berko says, k e e p i n g his b i g s h o l e m level. W h e n L a n d s m a n is t h r o u g h , t h e y o u n g b e l i e v e r s t a k e t h e i r s e a t s , t h r e e o n t h e c o u c h , t w o i n a p a i r o f a r m c h a i r s , o n e in a d i n i n g c h a i r p u l l e d from an alcove. All at o n c e , s i t t i n g in t h e i r chairs, t h e y look y o u n g and lost. T h e y are t h e r u n t s . T h e ones t h a t have been left b e h i n d . T h e y t u r n as o n e , faces f l u s h e d , t o t h e d o o r o f L i t v a k ' s b e d r o o m , l o o k i n g for g u i d a n c e . T h e d o o r t o t h e b e d r o o m is c l o s e d . Bina o p e n s t h e door, t h e n p u s h e s it wide w i t h a toe. She stands, l o o k i n g i n , for a full five s e c o n d s . "Meyer. Berko." T h e b l i n d r a t t l e s in t h e w i n d . T h e b a t h r o o m d o o r s t a n d s o p e n , t h e b a t h r o o m d a r k . A l t e r L i t v a k is g o n e . T h e y look in t h e closet. T h e y look in t h e shower. Bina goes o v e r t o t h e r a t t l i n g b l i n d a n d j e r k s it h i g h . A s l i d i n g glass d o o r s t a n d s o p e n , w i d e e n o u g h t o a d m i t an i n t r u d e r or an escapee. T h e y go o u t o n t o t h e roof a n d look around. T h e y search behind t h e a i r - c o n d i t i o n e r u n i t , a n d all a r o u n d a w a t e r t a n k , a n d u n d e r a t a r p t h a t conceals a pile of folding chairs. T h e y peer over t h e c o r n i c e s . T h e r e is n o s h a t t e r e d p o r t r a i t o f L i t v a k d r a w n i n oils o n t h e surface of t h e p a r k i n g lot. T h e y go b a c k d o w n t o t h e p e n t h o u s e of t h e Blackpool.

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I n t h e m i d d l e o f h i s c o t lie L i t v a k ' s p e n a n d p a d a n d a n i l l - u s e d g u n m e t a l Z i p p o . L a n d s m a n picks u p t h e p a d t o read t h e last w o r d s t h a t L i t v a k w r o t e before h e laid it d o w n . I didnt kill her she was a good man " T h e y s m u g g l e d h i m o u t , " B i n a says. " T h o s e b a s t a r d s . T h o s e b a s t a r d U.S. A r m y R a n g e r f r i e n d s o f h i s . " B i n a calls t o t h e m e n d o w n a r o u n d t h e h o t e l ' s d o o r s . N o n e o f t h e m s a w a n y o n e l e a v e n o r a n y t h i n g u n u s u a l , for e x a m p l e , a s q u a d of coal-faced w a r r i o r s on r a p p e l l i n g cables b e i n g l o w e r e d from a Black H a w k . " B a s t a r d s , " s h e says a g a i n , i n A m e r i c a n t h i s t i m e , a n d w i t h greater heat. "Fucking Bible-thumping Yankee motherfuckers." " L a n g u a g e , lady, j e e z ! " " Y e a h , w h o a , t a k e it easy, t h e r e , m a ' a m . " S o m e A m e r i c a n s in s u i t s , a n u m b e r of t h e m , t o o m a n y a n d t o o b u n c h e d u p for L a n d s m a n t o c o u n t a c c u r a t e l y , c a l l i t s i x , h a v e a r r a n g e d t h e i r s h o u l d e r s in t h e d o o r w a y t o t h e o u t e r r o o m . Big m e n , w e l l fed, l o v i n g t h e i r j o b s . O n e w e a r s a s n a p p y o l i v e - d r a b d u s t e r a n d an a p o l o g e t i c smile u n d e r his w h i t e - g o l d hair. L a n d s m a n almost doesn't recognize h i m w i t h o u t t h e p e n g u i n sweater. " O k a y , n o w , " says t h e m a n w h o m u s t b e C a s h d o l l a r . everybody t r y to calm d o w n . " " F B I , " says B e r k o . " C l o s e e n o u g h , " says C a s h d o l l a r .

"Let's

• § 4 1

(F

a n d s m a n pisses away t h e n e x t t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s in t h e h u m of a c h a l k - w h i t e r o o m w i t h a m i l k - w h i t e carpet on t h e seventh floor o f t h e H a r o l d I c k e s F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g o n S e w a r d S t r e e t . I n t e a m s o f t w o , six m e n w i t h t h e v a r i e g a t e d s u r n a m e s o f d o o m e d c r e w m e n in a s u b m a r i n e m o v i e r o t a t e in a n d o u t of t h e r o o m i n f o u r - h o u r s h i f t s . O n e is a b l a c k m a n a n d o n e a L a t i n o , a n d t h e o t h e r s a r e fluid p i n k g i a n t s w i t h h a i r c u t s t h a t o c c u p y t h e neat interval between astronaut and pedophile scoutmaster. G u m chewers, overgrown boys with good manners and

Bible-school

s m i l e s . I n e a c h o f t h e m a t m o m e n t s L a n d s m a n sniffs o u t t h e d i e s e l h e a r t o f a p o l i c e m a n , b u t h e is baffled b y t h e f a i r i n g s o f

their

s o u t h e r n a n d g e n t i l e g l a m o u r . D e s p i t e t h e s m o k e screen of b a c k t a l k t h a t L a n d s m a n p u t s u p , t h e y m a k e h i m feel r a t t l e t r a p , a t w o stroke old beater. N o one threatens him or tries to intimidate him. addresses him by rank,

taking care to pronounce

Landsman's

n a m e t h e w a y h e p r e f e r s . W h e n L a n d s m a n t u r n s surly, or evasive, t h e Americans display forbearance and

Everyone

flippant,

schoolteacher

poise. B u t w h e n L a n d s m a n d a r e s t o give o u t w i t h a q u e s t i o n of his o w n , an e x t i n g u i s h i n g silence r a i n s d o w n like a t h o u s a n d gallons of w a t e r d r o p p e d from a p l a n e . T h e A m e r i c a n s will say n o t h i n g a b o u t

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t h e w h e r e a b o u t s or situation of D e t e c t i v e S h e m e t s or I n s p e c t o r G e l b f i s h . T h e y h a v e n o t h i n g t o say, e i t h e r , a b o u t A l t e r L i t v a k ' s vanishing act, and t h e y appear never to have h e a r d of

Mendel

Shpilman or N a o m i L a n d s m a n . T h e y w a n t to k n o w w h a t L a n d s m a n k n o w s , o r t h i n k s h e k n o w s , a b o u t U.S. i n v o l v e m e n t in t h e a t t a c k on the Q u b b a t As-Sakhrah, and about t h e p e r p e t r a t o r s , principals, ancillaries, a n d v i c t i m s of t h a t a t t a c k . A n d t h e y d o n o t w a n t h i m t o k n o w w h a t t h e y k n o w , if a n y t h i n g , a b o u t a n y o f t h a t . T h e y h a v e b e e n so w e l l t r a i n e d i n t h e i r a r t t h a t t h e y a r e d e e p i n t o t h e s e c o n d shift b e f o r e L a n d s m a n r e a l i z e s t h a t t h e A m e r i c a n s a r e a s k i n g h i m t h e same r o u g h l y t w o d o z e n q u e s t i o n s over a n d over, i n v e r t i n g a n d r e p h r a s i n g a n d c o m i n g at t h e m from o d d angles. T h e i r q u e s t i o n s a r e l i k e t h e f u n d a m e n t a l m o v e s o f t h e six d i f f e r e n t c h e s s p i e c e s , endlessly r e c o m b i n e d u n t i l t h e y n u m b e r w i t h t h e n e u r o n s in t h e brain. A t r e g u l a r i n t e r v a l s L a n d s m a n is p r o v i d e d w i t h t e r r i b l e coffee a n d a series of increasingly rigid a p r i c o t a n d c h e r r y D a n i s h . A t o n e p o i n t h e is s h o w n i n t o a b r e a k r o o m a n d i n v i t e d t o i n h a b i t a sofa. T h e coffee a n d D a n i s h r o t a t e i n a n d o u t o f t h e c h a l k - w h i t e r o o m o f Landsman's brain while he j a m s his eyes s h u t a n d p r e t e n d s t o nap. T h e n i t is t i m e t o g o b a c k t o t h e s t e a d y w h i t e n o i s e o f t h e w a l l s , t h e l a m i n a t e t a b l e t o p , t h e s q u e a k of vinyl u n d e r his ass. "Detective Landsman." H e o p e n s his eyes a n d sees w o o z y b l a c k m o i r e o n

brown.

L a n d s m a n ' s c h e e k b o n e is n u m b f r o m t h e p r e s s u r e o f t h e t a b l e t o p against it. H e hoists his head, leaving b e h i n d a p u d d l e of spit. A sticky filament c o n n e c t s his lip t o t h e table, t h e n snaps. " I c k , " says C a s h d o l l a r . H e t a k e s a l i t t l e p a c k a g e o f K l e e n e x o u t of t h e r i g h t p o c k e t of his s w e a t e r a n d slides it across t h e t a b l e t o L a n d s m a n , past an o p e n box of D a n i s h . C a s h d o l l a r has on a n e w sweater, a d a r k gold cardigan w i t h front panels of

coffee-brown

suede, leather b u t t o n s , suede patches on the elbows. He's sitting u p r i g h t on a m e t a l chair, n e c k t i e k n o t t e d , cheeks s m o o t h , b l u e eyes s o f t e n e d b y a t t r a c t i v e j e t - p i l o t w r i n k l e s . H i s h a i r is t h e p r e c i s e

364

MICHAEL

CHABDN

g o l d o f t h e foil i n a p a c k a g e o f B r o a d w a y s . H e s m i l e s w i t h o u t e n t h u s i a s m o r c r u e l t y . L a n d s m a n w i p e s h i s face a n d t h e m e s s h e m a d e on t h e table d u r i n g his nap. "Are y o u h u n g r y ? W o u l d y o u like a d r i n k ? " L a n d s m a n says h e w o u l d l i k e a g l a s s o f w a t e r . C a s h d o l l a r r e a c h e s i n t o t h e left p o c k e t o f h i s s w e a t e r a n d t a k e s o u t a s m a l l b o t t l e o f m i n e r a l water. H e tips it o n its side a n d rolls it across t h e table to L a n d s m a n . H e is n o t a y o u n g m a n , b u t t h e r e is s o m e t h i n g b o y i s h l y serious a b o u t t h e w a y he aims t h e b o t t l e a n d launches it and steers it w i t h b o d y English to its destination. L a n d s m a n uncaps t h e bottle a n d t a k e s a s w a l l o w . H e d o e s n ' t r e a l l y c a r e for m i n e r a l w a t e r . " I u s e d t o w o r k for a m a n , " C a s h d o l l a r says. " T h e m a n w h o h a d this j o b before me. H e h a d a lot of c u t e catchphrases he liked to d r o p i n t o a conversation. It's kind of a c o m m o n trait a m o n g people w h o d o w h a t I do. We c o m e o u t of t h e military, you know, we c o m e o u t of t h e b u s i n e s s w o r l d . W e t e n d t o like o u r c a t c h p h r a s e s . S h i b b o l e t h s . T h a t ' s a H e b r e w w o r d , y o u k n o w . J u d g e s , C h a p t e r 12. A r e y o u s u r e y o u a r e n ' t h u n g r y ? I can get y o u a b a g of p o t a t o chips. C u p of noodles. T h e r e ' s a m i c r o w a v e . " "No,

t h a n k s , " L a n d s m a n says. " S o . S h i b b o l e t h s . "

" T h i s m a n , m y p r e d e c e s s o r . H e u s e d t o say, ' W e a r e t e l l i n g a story, Cashdollar. T h a t ' s w h a t w e d o . ' " T h e voice he adopts to q u o t e h i s f o r m e r s u p e r i o r is b i g g e r a n d n o t as f o l k s y as h i s o w n p r i m t e n o r twang. M o r e p o m p o u s . " ' T e l l t h e m a story, Cashdollar. T h a t ' s all t h e p o o r s u c k e r s w a n t . ' O n l y h e d i d n ' t s a y ' s u c k e r s . ' " " P e o p l e w h o d o w h a t y o u d o , " L a n d s m a n says. " M e a n i n g w h a t ? S p o n s o r t e r r o r i s t a t t a c k s o n M u s l i m h o l y places? S t a r t in w i t h t h e C r u s a d e s all o v e r a g a i n ? K i l l i n n o c e n t w o m e n w h o n e v e r d i d a n y t h i n g b u t fly t h e i r s m a l l a i r p l a n e s a n d t r y t o h e l p s o m e b o d y o u t of a j a m o n c e in a while? S h o o t defenseless j u n k i e s in t h e h e a d ? E x c u s e m e , I f o r g e t w h a t i t is y o u d o , y o u p e o p l e w i t h y o u r shibboleths." " F i r s t of all, D e t e c t i v e , w e h a d n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h M e n a s h e Shpilman's

death."

He

pronounces

Shpilman's

Hebrew

name

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

365

" M e n - a s h y . " " I w a s as s h o c k e d a n d p u z z l e d b y t h a t as a n y b o d y . I n e v e r m e t t h e fellow, b u t I k n o w h e w a s a r e m a r k a b l e i n d i v i d u a l w i t h r e m a r k a b l e a b i l i t i e s , a n d w e a r e v e r y m u c h w o r s e off w i t h o u t him. H o w about a cigarette?" H e holds o u t an u n o p e n e d package of W i n s t o n s . " C o m e on. I k n o w y o u like t o s m o k e . T h e r e y o u g o . " H e produces a package of m a t c h e s a n d passes t h e m w i t h t h e W i n s t o n s across t h e table. " N o w , as for y o u r s i s t e r , h e y , l i s t e n . I a m so v e r y s o r r y a b o u t y o u r sister. N o , I really a m . F o r w h a t it's w o r t h , a n d I s u p p o s e that's not a lot, you have m y sincere apology on that. T h a t was a b a d call m a d e b y t h e m a n w h o p r e c e d e d m e i n t h i s j o b , t h e f e l l o w I w a s j u s t t a l k i n g a b o u t . A n d h e p a i d for i t . N o t w i t h h i s life, o f course." Cashdollar bares his big square teeth. " M a y b e you wish he had. But he paid. H e was w r o n g . T h e m a n was w r o n g a b o u t a lot of things. For one, h u h - u h , sorry." H e gives his h e a d a g e n t l e shake. "But we aren't telling a story." "No?" " H u h - u h . T h e s t o r y , D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n , is t e l l i n g u s . J u s t l i k e it has d o n e from t h e b e g i n n i n g . W e ' r e p a r t of t h e story. You. M e . " T h e b o o k of m a t c h e s c o m e s from a place in W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . , c a l l e d H o g a t e ' s S e a f o o d , a t N i n t h a n d M a i n e A v e n u e , SW. T h e v e r y r e s t a u r a n t , if h e r e m e m b e r s h i s h i s t o r y , i n f r o n t o f w h i c h D e l e g a t e A n t h o n y D i m o n d , p r i m e o p p o n e n t of t h e Alaskan S e t t l e m e n t A c t , was run d o w n by a taxicab while chasing an e r r a n t r u m b u n into the street. Landsman strikes a match. " J e s u s ? " h e says, l o o k i n g u p c r o s s - e y e d over t h e flame. "Jesus, t o o . " " J e s u s is o k a y w i t h m e . " " I ' m glad. H e ' s okay w i t h m e , too. A n d Jesus w a s n ' t on killing, on h u r t i n g people, on d e s t r u c t i o n . I k n o w t h a t .

keen The

Q u b b a t A s - S a k h r a h w a s a fine o l d p i e c e o f a r c h i t e c t u r e , a n d I s l a m is a v e n e r a b l e r e l i g i o n , a n d o t h e r t h a n t h e f a c t t h a t i t ' s c o m p l e t e l y m i s t a k e n on a f u n d a m e n t a l level, I have n o q u a r r e l w i t h it p e r

366

se.

MICHAEL

CHABDN

I wish there was some way to do this job that didn't require

taking such actions. But sometimes there isn't. A n d Jesus k n e w t h a t . ' W h o s o shall offend o n e of t h e s e l i t t l e o n e s w h i c h believe in me,

i t w e r e b e t t e r for h i m t h a t a m i l l s t o n e w e r e h a n g e d a b o u t h i s

n e c k , a n d t h a t h e w e r e d r o w n e d in t h e d e p t h of t h e sea.' R i g h t ? I m e a n , t h o s e a r e J e s u s ' w o r d s . T h e m a n c o u l d b e fairly h a r s h w h e n he needed to be." " H e was kick-ass," Landsman suggests. "Yes,

h e w a s . N o w , y o u m i g h t n o t c r e d i t t h e fact, b u t

the

e n d t i m e s a r e c o m i n g . A n d I for o n e v e r y m u c h l o o k f o r w a r d t o s e e i n g t h e m c o m e . B u t for t h a t t o h a p p e n , J e r u s a l e m a n d t h e H o l y L a n d h a v e t o b e l o n g t o t h e J e w s a g a i n . T h a t ' s w h a t i t says in t h e B o o k . Sadly, t h e r e is n o w a y t o d o t h a t w i t h o u t s o m e b l o o d s h e d , unfortunately. W i t h o u t a c e r t a i n a m o u n t of d e s t r u c t i o n . T h a t ' s j u s t w h a t is w r i t t e n , y o u k n o w ? B u t I a m t r y i n g v e r y h a r d , u n l i k e m y i m m e d i a t e p r e d e c e s s o r , t o h o l d all t h a t d o w n t o t h e a b s o l u t e m i n i m u m . F o r J e s u s ' s a k e a n d for t h e s a k e o f m y o w n s o u l a n d all o u r s a k e s . T o k e e p t h i n g s r u n n i n g c l e a n . H o l d t h i s o p e r a t i o n t o g e t h e r u n t i l w e have it s o r t e d o u t over t h e r e . Lay us d o w n s o m e facts on t h e g r o u n d . " " Y o u d o n ' t w a n t a n y b o d y t o k n o w y o u ' r e b e h i n d it. You p e o p l e who do what you do." " W e l l , b u t , t h a t ' s k i n d o f o u r M O , if y o u k n o w w h a t I m e a n . " "And you w a n t m e to keep m y m o u t h s h u t . " " I k n o w it's asking a l o t . " " J u s t u n t i l y o u lay t h e s e facts d o w n o n J e r u s a l e m . M o v e s o m e A r a b s o u t a n d s o m e V e r b o v e r s i n . R e n a m e a few s t r e e t s . " "Just u n t i l w e get s o m e of t h a t good old critical mass going. S t r a i g h t e n o u t s o m e of t h e noses this has p u t o u t of joint. A n d t h e n g e t b u s y , y o u k n o w . F u l f i l l i n g w h a t is w r i t t e n . " L a n d s m a n takes a swallow of mineral water. It's w a r m

and

tastes of t h e inside of t h e p o c k e t of a cardigan. " I w a n t m y gun a n d m y b a d g e , " h e says. " A n d t h a t ' s w h a t I w a n t . " " I l o v e p o l i c e m e n , " C a s h d o l l a r says w i t h o u t m u c h e n t h u s i a s m .

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" I really d o . " H e covers his m o u t h w i t h o n e h a n d a n d takes a contemplative breath

through

his nostrils. H i s h a n d

sports

a

manicure, b u t one thumbnail has been gnawed. "It's going to get awfully I n d i a n a r o u n d h e r e , mister. J u s t b e t w e e n y o u a n d m e . You get your gun and badge back, you d o n ' t stand to hold on to t h e m for v e r y l o n g . T r i b a l P w o n ' t b e h i r i n g t o o m a n y J e w b o y s t o s e r v e and protect." "Maybe not. But they'll take Berko." " T h e y aren't taking anyone w h o doesn't have the paper." " O h , y e a h , " L a n d s m a n says. " T h a t ' s t h e o t h e r t h i n g I w a n t . " " Y o u ' r e t a l k i n g a b o u t a lot of paper, D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n . " "You need a lot of q u i e t . " " I n d e e d I d o , " C a s h d o l l a r says. C a s h d o l l a r s t u d i e s L a n d s m a n for a l o n g s e c o n d o r t w o , a n d L a n d s m a n u n d e r s t a n d s from a c e r t a i n a l e r t n e s s in t h e m a n ' s eyes, a l o o k o f a n t i c i p a t i o n , t h a t t h e r e is a g u n c o n c e a l e d s o m e w h e r e o n C a s h d o l l a r ' s p e r s o n a n d a n i t c h i n h i s finger t o g o w i t h i t . T h e r e a r e m o r e d i r e c t ways of k e e p i n g L a n d s m a n ' s m o u t h s h u t t h a n b u y i n g h i m off w i t h a g u n a n d s o m e d o c u m e n t a t i o n . C a s h d o l l a r g e t s u p from t h e chair a n d r e t u r n s it carefully t o its p l a c e u n d e r t h e table. H e starts to w o r k his t h u m b i n t o his t e e t h b u t t h i n k s b e t t e r of it. "If I could just get m y Kleenex back?" L a n d s m a n tosses t h e package, b u t it goes awry, a n d C a s h d o l l a r fumbles t h e catch. T h e p a c k a g e of Kleenex splats d o w n i n t o t h e box o f s t a l e D a n i s h , l a n d i n g i n a s h i n y p a t c h o f r e d jelly. A n g e r o p e n s a seam in C a s h d o l l a r ' s p l a c i d gaze, t h r o u g h w h i c h y o u can see t h e b a n i s h e d s h a d e s o f m o n s t e r s a n d a v e r s i o n s . 7#i? last thing he wants, Landsman remembers,

any hint of a mess. C a s h d o l l a r t w e e z e s a

K l e e n e x f r o m t h e p a c k a g e a n d u s e s i t t o w i p e t h e p a c k a g e off, t h e n tucks t h e rest back i n t o t h e safety of his r i g h t p o c k e t . H e fidgets t h e b o t t o m b u t t o n of his sweater b a c k t h r o u g h its b u t t o n h o l e , a n d in t h e b r i e f t u g o f w o o l e n w a i s t b a n d o v e r h i p , L a n d s m a n s p o t s t h e b u l g e of t h e s h o l e m . "Your p a r t n e r , " h e tells L a n d s m a n , " h a s a g r e a t deal t o lose.

368

MICHAEL

CHABDN

A v e r y g r e a t d e a l . So d o e s y o u r e x - w i f e . A fact t h a t t h e y b o t h r e c o g n i z e all t o o w e l l . M a y b e i t ' s t i m e y o u c a m e t o t h e

same

conclusion about yourself." L a n d s m a n c o n s i d e r s t h e t h i n g s t h a t r e m a i n his t o lose: a p o r k p i e hat. A travel chess set a n d a Polaroid p i c t u r e of a dead messiah. A b o u n d a r y m a p of Sitka, profane, ad hoc, encyclopedic, c r i m e scenes a n d low dives a n d c h o k e b e r r y b r a m b l e s , p r i n t e d on t h e tangles of h i s b r a i n . W i n t e r fog t h a t b l a n k e t s t h e h e a r t , s u m m e r a f t e r n o o n s t h a t s t r e t c h e n d l e s s as a r g u m e n t s a m o n g J e w s . G h o s t s o f I m p e r i a l Russia t r a c e d in t h e o n i o n d o m e of St. Michael's C a t h e d r a l , and o f W a r s a w i n t h e r o c k i n g a n d s a w i n g o f a café v i o l i n i s t . C a n a l s , fishing b o a t s , islands, stray dogs, canneries, d a i r y r e s t a u r a n t s . T h e n e o n m a r q u e e of t h e Baranof T h e a t r e reflected on w e t asphalt, c o l o r s r u n n i n g l i k e w a t e r c o l o r as y o u c o m e o u t o f a s h o w i n g o f W e l l e s ' s Heart

of Darkness,

w h i c h y o u h a v e j u s t s e e n for t h e t h i r d

t i m e , w i t h t h e girl of y o u r d r e a m s o n y o u r a r m . " F u c k w h a t is w r i t t e n , " L a n d s m a n says. " Y o u k n o w w h a t ? " A l l a t o n c e h e feels w e a r y o f g a n e f s a n d p r o p h e t s , g u n s a n d sacrifices a n d t h e infinite g a n g s t e r w e i g h t of G o d . H e ' s t i r e d of

hearing

a b o u t t h e p r o m i s e d l a n d a n d t h e i n e v i t a b l e b l o o d s h e d r e q u i r e d for i t s r e d e m p t i o n . " I d o n ' t c a r e w h a t is w r i t t e n . I d o n ' t c a r e w h a t s u p p o s e d l y g o t p r o m i s e d t o s o m e sandal-wearing idiot w h o s e claim t o f a m e is t h a t h e w a s r e a d y t o c u t h i s o w n s o n ' s t h r o a t for t h e s a k e of a h a r e - b r a i n e d idea. I d o n ' t care a b o u t r e d heifers a n d patriarchs a n d l o c u s t s . A b u n c h o f o l d b o n e s i n t h e s a n d . M y h o m e l a n d is i n m y h a t . It's in m y ex-wife's t o t e b a g . " H e sits d o w n . H e lights a n o t h e r cigarette. " F u c k y o u , " L a n d s m a n c o n c l u d e s . " A n d fuck J e s u s , t o o , h e w a s a pussy." " T i c k a l o c k , L a n d s m a n , " C a s h d o l l a r says softly, m i m i n g t h e t w i s t of a k e y in t h e hole of his m o u t h .

• § 4 2

W

g»

h e n L a n d s m a n s t e p s o u t s i d e t h e I c k e s B u i l d i n g a n d fits h i s h a t t o h i s v o i d e d h e a d , h e finds t h a t t h e w o r l d h a s s a i l e d i n t o a fog b a n k . T h e n i g h t is a c o l d s t i c k y s t u f f t h a t b e a d s u p o n

t h e s l e e v e s o f h i s o v e r c o a t . K o r c z a k P l a t z is a b o w l f u l o f b r i g h t

mist, smeared here and t h e r e w i t h t h e p a w p r i n t s of s o d i u m lamps. Half-blind a n d cold in his b o n e s , h e t r u d g e s along M o n a s t i r S t r e e t to Berlevi S t r e e t , t h e n over to M a x N o r d a u S t r e e t , w i t h a k i n k in his b a c k a n d an ache in his h e a d a n d a s h a r p t h r o b b i n g p a i n in his d i g n i t y . T h e s p a c e r e c e n t l y o c c u p i e d b y h i s m i n d h i s s e s l i k e t h e fog in h i s e a r s , h u m s l i k e a b a n k o f f l u o r e s c e n t t u b e s . H e feels t h a t h e suffers f r o m t i n n i t u s o f t h e s o u l . When

he drags

himself

into

the

lobby

of

the

Zamenhof,

T e n e n b o y m h a n d s h i m t w o l e t t e r s . O n e is f r o m t h e b o a r d , i n f o r m i n g h i m t h a t t h e h e a r i n g i n t o his c o n d u c t in t h e d e a t h s of Z i l b e r b l a t and

Flederman

has

been

scheduled

for

nine

A . M . tomorrow

m o r n i n g . T h e o t h e r l e t t e r is a c o m m u n i c a t i o n f r o m t h e h o t e l ' s n e w o w n e r s h i p . A M s . R o b i n N a v i n of t h e J o y c e / G e n e r a l i H o t e l G r o u p has w r i t t e n t o inform L a n d s m a n t h a t e x c i t i n g c h a n g e s are afoot in t h e c o m i n g m o n t h s for t h e Z a m e n h o f , t o b e k n o w n as o f J a n u a r y 1 as t h e L u x i n g t o n P a r e S i t k a . P a r t o f t h e g e n e r a l e x c i t e m e n t s t e m s f r o m t h e fact t h a t L a n d s m a n ' s m o n t h l y l e a s e h a s b e e n t e r m i n a t e d ,

370

MICHAEL CHABDN

e f f e c t i v e o n D e c e m b e r 1. A l l t h e p i g e o n h o l e s b e h i n d t h e f r o n t d e s k c o n t a i n l o n g w h i t e e n v e l o p e s , e a c h o n e s l o t t e d w i t h t h e s a m e fatal b e n d s i n i s t e r i n t w e n t y - p o u n d l a i d . E x c e p t for t h e

pigeonhole

labeled 208. N o t h i n g in t h a t one. "You heard about

what

happened?" Tenenboym

says

after

L a n d s m a n has r e t u r n e d from his e p i s t o l a r y j o u r n e y i n t o t h e b r i g h t , gentile future of t h e H o t e l Zamenhof. " I saw it o n t h e t e l e v i s i o n , " L a n d s m a n says, t h o u g h t h e m e m o r y feels s e c o n d h a n d , f o g g e d - o v e r , a c o n s t r u c t t h a t h i s i n t e r r o g a t o r s implanted through persistent questioning. " A t f i r s t t h e y s a i d i t w a s a m i s t a k e , " T e n e n b o y m says, g o l d t o o t h p i c k j i g g l i n g in a c o r n e r of his m o u t h . " S o m e A r a b s m a k i n g b o m b s in a t u n n e l u n d e r t h e T e m p l e M o u n t . T h e n t h e y said it was deliberate. T h e ones fighting the other ones." "Sunnis and Shiites?" " M a y b e . S o m e b o d y got careless w i t h a rocket launcher." "Syrians and Egyptians?" " W h o e v e r . T h e p r e s i d e n t w a s on, saying t h e y m i g h t have to go in. Saying it's a holy c i t y to e v e r y b o d y . " " T h a t d i d n ' t t a k e l o n g , " L a n d s m a n says. H i s o n l y o t h e r p i e c e o f m a i l is a p o s t c a r d a d v e r t i s i n g a d e e p discount

on

lifetime

membership

at

a gym

where

Landsman

w o r k e d o u t for a f e w m o n t h s a f t e r h i s d i v o r c e . T h e s u g g e s t i o n w a s m a d e at t h e t i m e t h a t exercise m i g h t help his moods. It was a good s u g g e s t i o n . L a n d s m a n c a n ' t r e m e m b e r if i t p r o v e d c o r r e c t o r n o t . T h e c a r d d e p i c t s a fat J e w t o t h e left a n d a t h i n J e w t o t h e r i g h t . T h e J e w t o t h e left is h a g g a r d , s l e e p l e s s , s c l e r o t i c , s t r a g g l y , w i t h cheeks like t w o spoonfuls of sour cream, and t w o b r i g h t , m e a n l i t t l e e y e s . T h e J e w t o t h e r i g h t is l e a n , t a n n e d , a n d t r i m - b e a r d e d , relaxed, self-confident. H e looks a lot like o n e of Litvak's y o u n g m e n . T h e J e w of t h e future, L a n d s m a n thinks. T h e unlikely claim is m a d e b y t h e p o s t c a r d t h a t t h e l e f t - h a n d J e w a n d t h e J e w o n t h e right are one and the same person.

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371

" D i d y o u see t h e m o u t in t h e n e i g h b o r h o o d s ? " T e n e n b o y m says, the golden pick clicking against a bicuspid. " O n t h e television?" L a n d s m a n shakes his head. " I imagine t h e r e w a s d a n c i n g ? " "Such dancing. Fainting. Crying. A mass orgasm." " N o t on an e m p t y s t o m a c h , I b e g you, T e n e n b o y m . " " B l e s s i n g t h e A r a b s for

fighting

with each other. Blessing the

m e m o r y of M o h a m m e d . " " T h a t seems cruel." " O n e of these black hats was on t h e r e saying h o w he's going to m o v e o v e r t o t h e L a n d o f I s r a e l , g e t h i m s e l f a g o o d s e a t for w h e n Messiah shows u p . " H e removes t h e t o o t h p i c k and surveys its tip for a h i n t o f t r e a s u r e , t h e n r e t u r n s i t , d i s a p p o i n t e d . " A s k m e , I s a y p u t all t h o s e n u t j o b s o n a g r e a t b i g a i r p l a n e , s e n d t h e m all t h e h e l l over there, a black year on t h e m . " " T h a t w h a t y o u say, T e n e n b o y m ? " " I ' l l fly t h a t a i r p l a n e m y s e l f . " Landsman

stuffs

the letter

from

the Joyce/Generali

Hotel

G r o u p back i n t o its envelope a n d slides it across t h e c o u n t e r t o T e n e n b o y m . " T o s s t h a t for m e , w o u l d y o u ? " " Y o u h a v e t h i r t y d a y s , D e t e c t i v e , " T e n e n b o y m says. " Y o u w i l l find

something." " Y o u b e t I w i l l , " L a n d s m a n says. " W e ' l l all find s o m e t h i n g . " " U n l e s s s o m e t h i n g finds u s first, a m I r i g h t ? " " W h a t a b o u t you? T h e y going to let y o u k e e p y o u r j o b ? " " M y status remains under review." " T h a t sounds hopeful." "Or hopeless." " O n e or the other." L a n d s m a n t a k e s t h e e l e v a t o r o t o t h e fifth floor. H e w a l k s d o w n

t h e corridor, his overcoat slung on a crooked

fingertip

from o n e

shoulder, loosening his necktie w i t h t h e o t h e r h a n d . T h e d o o r to his r o o m h u m s its simple lyric:

five-oh-five.

It means nothing. Lights

i n t h e fog. T h r e e A r a b i c n u m e r a l s . I n v e n t e d i n I n d i a , a c t u a l l y , l i k e

372

MICHAEL

CHABON

t h e g a m e of chess, b u t d i s s e m i n a t e d b y Arabs. Sunnis, Shiites. S y r i a n s , E g y p t i a n s . L a n d s m a n w o n d e r s h o w l o n g it will t a k e t h e v a r i o u s c o n t e n d i n g factions in Palestine t o figure o u t t h a t n o n e of t h e m w a s r e s p o n s i b l e for t h e a t t a c k . A d a y o r t w o , m a y b e a w e e k . J u s t l o n g e n o u g h for t e r m i n a l c o n f u s i o n t o s e t i n , L i t v a k t o g e t h i s boys in place, C a s h d o l l a r t o send in t h e air s u p p o r t . N e x t t h i n g y o u k n o w , T e n e n b o y m ' s w o r k i n g as t h e n i g h t m a n a g e r o f t h e J e r u s a l e m Luxington Pare. L a n d s m a n gets i n t o b e d a n d takes o u t t h e pocket chess set. H i s a t t e n t i o n flits a l o n g t h e l i n e s o f f o r c e , h o p s f r o m s q u a r e t o s q u a r e in p u r s u i t of t h e killer of M e n d e l S h p i l m a n a n d N a o m i L a n d s m a n . L a n d s m a n f i n d s , t o h i s s u r p r i s e a n d relief, t h a t h e a l r e a d y k n o w s w h o t h e k i l l e r i s — i t is t h e S w i s s - b o r n p h y s i c i s t , w i n n e r o f t h e N o b e l Prize, a n d m e d i o c r e chess player A l b e r t Einstein. Einstein w i t h his fog o f h a i r a n d h i s e n o r m o u s s w e a t e r - j a c k e t a n d h i s e y e s l i k e t u n n e l s r e a c h i n g d e e p i n t o t h e d a r k n e s s o f t i m e itself. L a n d s m a n p u r s u e s A l b e r t E i n s t e i n across t h e m i l k - w h i t e , c h a l k - w h i t e ice, h o p p i n g from s q u a r e t o s h a d o w e d s q u a r e across relativistic chessboards of c u l p a b i l i t y a n d a t o n e m e n t , across t h e i m a g i n a r y land of p e n g u i n s and Eskimos that the Jews never quite managed to inherit. H i s d r e a m m a k e s a k n i g h t m o v e , a n d w i t h c h a r a c t e r i s t i c fervor, his little sister, N a o m i , begins t o explain t o L a n d s m a n Einstein's famous p r o o f of t h e E t e r n a l R e t u r n of t h e J e w a n d h o w it can be m e a s u r e d o n l y in t e r m s of t h e E t e r n a l Exile of t h e Jew, a p r o o f t h a t t h e g r e a t m a n d e d u c e d from o b s e r v i n g t h e w o b b l e in t h e w i n g o f a n a i r p l a n e a n d t h e d r i f t o f a d a r k b l o o m o f s m o k e r i s i n g from t h e slope of an ice m o u n t a i n . L a n d s m a n ' s d r e a m calves o t h e r slow iceberg d r e a m s , a n d t h e ice h u m s w i t h

fluorescence.

At some point

t h e h u m m i n g t h a t has p l a g u e d L a n d s m a n a n d his people since t h e d a w n o f t i m e , w h i c h s o m e i n t h e i r f o o l i s h n e s s h a v e m i s t a k e n for t h e voice of G o d , g e t s t r a p p e d in t h e w i n d o w s of r o o m 505 like s u n l i g h t in t h e h e a r t of an iceberg. L a n d s m a n o p e n s h i s e y e s . I n t h e s e a m s o f t h e Venetian b l i n d s , d a y l i g h t b u z z e s l i k e a t r a p p e d fly. N a o m i is d e a d a g a i n , a n d t h a t

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fool o f a n E i n s t e i n is i n n o c e n t o f all w r o n g d o i n g i n t h e S h p i l m a n c a s e . L a n d s m a n k n o w s n o t h i n g a t a l l . H e feels a n a c h e i n h i s a b d o m e n t h a t h e t a k e s a t first for s o r r o w b e f o r e d e t e r m i n i n g , a m o m e n t l a t e r , t h a t w h a t h e ' s f e e l i n g is h u n g e r . T h e d e s i r e , i n f a c t , for s t u f f e d c a b b a g e . H e c h e c k s h i s S h o y f e r for t h e t i m e , b u t t h e b a t t e r y has died. T h e day clerk reports, w h e n L a n d s m a n d o w n t o t h e d e s k , t h a t i t is 9 : 0 9 A . M . ,

calls

T h u r s d a y . Stuffed cabbage!

E v e r y W e d n e s d a y n i g h t is R u m a n i a n i g h t a t t h e V o r s h t , a n d M r s . K a l u s h i n e r a l w a y s h a s s o m e t h i n g left o v e r t h e n e x t m o r n i n g . T h e o l d b a t s e r v e s t h e finest s a r m a l i i n S i t k a . A t o n c e l i g h t a n d d e n s e , favoring h o t p e p p e r over s w e e t - a n d - s o u r , drizzled w i t h fresh sour c r e a m , t o p p e d w i t h sprigs of fresh dill. L a n d s m a n shaves

and

d r e s s e s i n t h e s a m e b l o w n s u i t a n d a t i e f r o m off t h e d o o r k n o b . H e is r e a d y t o c o n s u m e h i s o w n w e i g h t i n s a r m a l i . B u t w h e n h e gets downstairs, he glances at the clock over t h e mail slots and r e a l i z e s t h a t h e is n i n e m i n u t e s l a t e for h i s h e a r i n g b e f o r e

the

review committee. By t h e t i m e L a n d s m a n comes s c r a b b l i n g like a d o g o n slick tile d o w n t h e c o r r i d o r of t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n m o d u l a r , i n t o r o o m 102,

h e is t w e n t y - t w o m i n u t e s l a t e . H e finds n o t h i n g b u t a l o n g

v e n e e r t a b l e w i t h five c h a i r s , o n e for e a c h m e m b e r o f t h e r e v i e w b o a r d , a n d h i s c o m m a n d i n g officer, s i t t i n g o n t h e e d g e o f t h e t a b l e , legs d a n g l i n g , c r o s s e d a t t h e a n k l e , h e r p o i n t y - t o e d p u m p s a i m i n g s t r a i g h t for L a n d s m a n ' s h e a r t . T h e five b i g h i g h - b a c k e d

leather

chairs are empty. Bina looks like hell, only hotter. H e r s e a g u l l - b r o w n

suit

is

rumpled and misbuttoned. H e r hair appears to be tied back with a plastic d r i n k i n g straw. H e r p a n t y h o s e a r e l o n g g o n e , h e r legs b a r e a n d d a p p l e d w i t h pale freckles. L a n d s m a n recalls w i t h a s t r a n g e pleasure t h e w a y she w o u l d trash a laddered pair of

stockings,

s h r e d d i n g t h e m into a p o m p o n of rage before tossing t h e m i n t o the can. " S t o p l o o k i n g a t m y l e g s , " s h e says. " C u t i t o u t , M e y e r . L o o k at m y face."

374

MICHAEL

CHABDN

L a n d s m a n complies, s t a r i n g r i g h t d o w n t h e bores of her doubleb a r r e l e d g a z e . " I o v e r s l e p t , " h e says. " I ' m s o r r y . T h e y k e p t m e for twenty-four hours, and by the t i m e — " " T h e y k e p t m e for t h i r t y - o n e h o u r s , " s h e says. " I j u s t

got

out." " S o f u c k m e a n d m y w h i n i n g , for s t a r t e r s . " "For starters." " H o w was it b y y o u ? " " T h e y w e r e so n i c e , " B i n a says b i t t e r l y . " I t o t a l l y f o l d e d . T o l d them everything." "Same here." "So,"

she says, g e s t u r i n g

to the room

around

them

u p t u r n e d h a n d s , like she j u s t m a d e s o m e t h i n g disappear.

with Her

j o c u l a r t o n e is n o t a g o o d s i g n . " G u e s s w h a t ? " " I ' m d e a d , " L a n d s m a n tries. " T h e board sprinkled m e with quicklime and plowed me under." "As a m a t t e r o f f a c t , " s h e s a y s , " I g o t a call o n m y m o b i l e t h i s m o r n i n g , i n t h i s r o o m , a t e i g h t - f i f t y - n i n e . A f t e r I m a d e a t o t a l ass o f m y s e l f a n d s c r e a m e d m y h e a d off u n t i l t h e y l e t m e o u t o f t h e F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g , so I c o u l d g e t d o w n h e r e a n d m a k e s u r e I w a s in that chair behind you, on time and ready to stand up and support my detective." "Urn." "Your hearing was canceled." Bina reaches into her bag, r u m m a g e s around, and comes out w i t h a g u n . S h e a d d s i t t o t h e b a t t e r y c o m p r i s i n g h e r rifled g a z e a n d t h e toes of her p o i n t e d shoes. A c h o p p e d M - 3 9 . A manila tag dangles on a s t r i n g from its b a r r e l . She arcs it t o w a r d L a n d s m a n ' s head. H e manages to catch t h e gun b u t fumbles the badge holder t h a t c o m e s flying a f t e r i t . T h e n c o m e s a l i t t l e b a g w i t h L a n d s m a n ' s clip. A n o t h e r brief search of h e r b a g p r o d u c e s a m u r d e r o u s - l o o k i n g f o r m a n d its t r i p l i c a t e h e n c h m e n . "After y o u g o a h e a d a n d b r e a k y o u r h e a d o n t h i s D P D - 2 2 5 5 , D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n , y o u will have

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b e e n r e i n s t a t e d , w i t h full p a y a n d b e n e f i t s , as a n a c t i v e m e m b e r o f t h e D i s t r i c t Police, Sitka C e n t r a l D i v i s i o n . " " I ' m back on the j o b . " " F o r , w h a t is i t , five m o r e w e e k s ? E n j o y . " Landsman

weighs

the

sholem

like

a

Shakespearean

hero

c o n t e m p l a t i n g a s k u l l . " I s h o u l d h a v e a s k e d for a m i l l i o n d o l l a r s , " h e says. " I ' l l b e t h e w o u l d h a v e c o u g h e d i t u p . " " G o d d a m n h i m , " B i n a says. " G o d d a m n t h e m a l l . I a l w a y s k n e w t h e y w e r e t h e r e . D o w n t h e r e in W a s h i n g t o n . U p t h e r e over o u r heads. Holding the strings. Setting the agenda. O f course I k n e w t h a t . W e all k n e w t h a t . W e all g r e w u p k n o w i n g t h a t , r i g h t ? W e a r e h e r e o n s u f f e r a n c e . H o u s e g u e s t s . B u t t h e y i g n o r e d u s for so l o n g . Left u s t o o u r o w n d e v i c e s . I t w a s e a s y t o k i d y o u r s e l f . M a k e y o u t h i n k y o u h a d a l i t t l e a u t o n o m y , i n a s m a l l w a y , n o t h i n g fancy. I t h o u g h t I w a s w o r k i n g for everyone. Y o u k n o w . S e r v i n g t h e p u b l i c . U p h o l d i n g t h e law. B u t r e a l l y I w a s j u s t w o r k i n g for C a s h d o l l a r . " "You think I should have been discharged, don't you?" "No,

Meyer."

" I k n o w I g o a l i t t l e t o o far. P l a y t h e h u n c h e s . T h e l o o s e - c a n n o n routine." "You think I'm a n g r y because t h e y gave you back your badge and your gun?" " W e l l , n o t so m u c h t h a t , n o . B u t t h e h e a r i n g b e i n g c a n c e l e d . I k n o w h o w m u c h y o u like t h i n g s d o n e b y t h e b o o k . " " I d o like t h i n g s d o n e b y t h e b o o k , " she says, h e r voice t i g h t . " I b e l i e v e in t h e b o o k . " "I know you d o . " "If you a n d I h a d played it b y t h e b o o k a little m o r e , " she says, and s o m e t h i n g dangerous seems to well u p b e t w e e n t h e m . "You and your hunches, a black year on t h e m . " H e w a n t s t o tell it t o h e r t h e n : t h e s t o r y t h a t has b e e n t e l l i n g h i m for t h e p a s t t h r e e y e a r s . H o w , a f t e r D j a n g o w a s h u s k e d f r o m her body, L a n d s m a n s t o p p e d t h e d o c t o r in t h e hall o u t s i d e

the

37G

MICHAEL

CHABDN

o p e r a t i n g r o o m . Bina had i n s t r u c t e d L a n d s m a n to ask this good d o c t o r w h e t h e r t h e r e was some use, some aim or study, to which the half-grown bones and organs might be put. " M y wife w a s w o n d e r i n g , " L a n d s m a n b e g a n , t h e n faltered. " W h e t h e r t h e r e w a s any visible defect?" t h e d o c t o r said. " N o . N o t h i n g a t all. T h e b a b y a p p e a r e d t o b e n o r m a l . " H e r e m a r k e d , t o o l a t e , t h e l o o k o f h o r r o r b l o o m i n g o n L a n d s m a n ' s face. " O f c o u r s e , that doesn't mean there was nothing wrong." " O f c o u r s e , " L a n d s m a n said. H e n e v e r saw t h i s d o c t o r again. T h e u l t i m a t e fate of t h e little body, of t h e b o y L a n d s m a n sacrificed t o t h e god of his o w n d a r k hunches, was something he had neither the heart nor the stomach to investigate. " I m a d e t h e s a m e f u c k i n g d e a l , M e y e r , " B i n a says b e f o r e h e c a n confess t o her. " F o r m y s i l e n c e . " " T h a t you get to keep being a cop?" "No.

T h a t you do."

" T h a n k s , " L a n d s m a n says. " B i n a , t h a n k s a l o t . I ' m g r a t e f u l . " S h e p r e s s e s h e r face i n t o h e r h a n d s a n d m a s s a g e s h e r t e m p l e s . " I ' m g r a t e f u l t o y o u , t o o , " s h e says. " I ' m g r a t e f u l for t h e r e m i n d e r o f j u s t h o w m e s s e d u p all o f t h i s i s . " " M y p l e a s u r e , " h e says. " G l a d I c o u l d h e l p . " " F u c k i n g M r . C a s h d o l l a r . T h e m a n ' s h a i r d o e s n ' t m o v e . It's like it's w e l d e d to his h e a d . " " H e s a i d h e h a d n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h N a o m i , " L a n d s m a n says. H e p a u s e s a n d n i b b l e s o n his lip. " H e said it w a s t h e m a n w h o h a d t h e j o b before h i m . " H e t r i e s t o k e e p h i s h e a d u p w h i l e h e says i t , b u t a f t e r a m o m e n t h e finds h i m s e l f l o o k i n g at t h e s t i t c h e s of his shoes. Bina reaches, h e s i t a t e s , t h e n gives his s h o u l d e r a s q u e e z e . She leaves h e r h a n d on h i m for all o f t w o s e c o n d s , j u s t l o n g e n o u g h t o r i p a s e a m o r t w o in L a n d s m a n . "Also h e d e n i e d a n y i n v o l v e m e n t in S h p i l m a n . I forgot t o ask h i m a b o u t L i t v a k , t h o u g h . " L a n d s m a n looks up, and she takes her

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h a n d away. " D i d C a s h d o l l a r t e l l y o u w h e r e t h e y t o o k h i m ? Is h e o n his w a y t o J e r u s a l e m ? " " H e tried to look mysterious a b o u t it, b u t I t h i n k he was j u s t w i t h o u t a c l u e . I o v e r h e a r d h i m o n h i s cell p h o n e , t e l l i n g s o m e b o d y t h e y w e r e b r i n g i n g in a forensic t e a m from S e a t t l e t o go over t h e room at t h e Blackpool. M a y b e t h a t was s o m e t h i n g he w a n t e d m e t o h e a r . B u t I h a v e t o s a y t h e y all s e e m e d n o n p l u s s e d a b o u t o u r f r i e n d A l t e r L i t v a k . T h e y s e e m t o h a v e n o i d e a w h e r e h e is. M a y b e he took t h e m o n e y and ran. H e could be halfway to M a d a g a s c a r by now." " M a y b e , " L a n d s m a n says, t h e n , m o r e slowly, " m a y b e . " " G o d help me, I sense another h u n c h c o m i n g o n . " "You said y o u ' r e grateful t o m e . " " I n a b a c k h a n d e d , i r o n i c a l way. Y e a h . " "Look, I could use a little backup. I w a n t to have another look at Litvak's r o o m . " " W e c a n ' t g e t i n t o t h e B l a c k p o o l . T h e w h o l e j o i n t is u n d e r s o m e kind of secret federal l o c k d o w n . " "Only I don't w a n t to get into the Blackpool. I w a n t to get under it." "Under it?" "I heard there m i g h t be some, well, some tunnels d o w n t h e r e . " "Tunnels." "Warsaw tunnels, I heard they're called." " Y o u n e e d m e t o h o l d y o u r h a n d , " s h e says. " I n a d e e p d a r k nasty old t u n n e l . " " O n l y i n t h e m e t a p h o r i c a l s e n s e , " h e says.

• § 4 3

Â

0*

t t h e t o p of t h e stairs, Bina takes a key-ring

flashlight

from

h e r c o w h i d e b a g a n d passes it to L a n d s m a n . It p r o m o t e s or p o s s i b l y allegorizes t h e services of a Yakovy funeral

home.

T h e n she moves aside s o m e dossiers, a sheaf of c o u r t d o c u m e n t s , a wooden

hairbrush,

a mummified

boomerang

that

may

once

h a v e b e e n a b a n a n a i n a Z i p l o c , a c o p y o f People, a n d c o m e s u p w i t h a s l a c k b l a c k h a r n e s s s u g g e s t i v e o f s a d o m a s o c h i s t i c sex play, e q u i p p e d w i t h a kind of r o u n d canister. She plunges her head into t h e m i d s t of it a n d involves her hair w i t h t h e black webbing. W h e n s h e s i t s u p a n d t u r n s h e r h e a d , a s i l v e r l e n s flares a n d w a n e s , r a k i n g L a n d s m a n ' s face. L a n d s m a n c a n feel t h e i m m i n e n t d a r k n e s s , c a n feel t h e v e r y w o r d " t u n n e l " b u r r o w i n g t h r o u g h h i s r i b c a g e . T h e y go d o w n t h e steps, t h r o u g h the lost-articles room. T h e t a x i d e r m y m a r t e n l e e r s a t t h e m as t h e y p a s s . T h e l o o p o f r o p e o n t h e d o o r o f t h e c r a w l s p a c e d a n g l e s . L a n d s m a n t r i e s t o r e c a l l if h e r e t u r n e d it t o its h o o k before his inglorious r e t r e a t last T h u r s d a y n i g h t . H e s t a n d s t h e r e , r a c k i n g h i s m e m o r y , a n d t h e n h e gives u p . " I ' l l g o first," B i n a s a y s . She gets d o w n on her bare knees and works herself into the c r a w l space. L a n d s m a n h a n g s back. H i s t h r o b b i n g p u l s e , his d r y t o n g u e , h i s a u t o n o m i c s y s t e m s a r e c a u g h t u p in t h e

tiresome

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h i s t o r y o f h i s p h o b i a , b u t t h e c r y s t a l s e t t h a t is h a n d e d o u t t o e v e r y Jew, t u n e d t o receive t r a n s m i s s i o n s from M e s s i a h , r e s o n a t e s at t h e sight of Bina's ass, t h e long i n d e n t e d arc of it like s o m e k i n d of m a g i c a l p h a b e t letter, a r u n e w i t h t h e p o w e r t o roll away t h e s t o n e s l a b b e h i n d w h i c h h e h a s e n t o m b e d h i s d e s i r e for h e r . H e is pierced b y t h e k n o w l e d g e t h a t n o m a t t e r h o w p o t e n t a spell it still c a s t s o v e r h i m , h e w i l l n e v e r a g a i n find h i m s e l f p e r m i t t e d , w o n d e r of w o n d e r s , t o b i t e it. T h e n it v a n i s h e s i n t o t h e d a r k n e s s , a l o n g w i t h t h e r e s t o f h e r , a n d L a n d s m a n is left s t r a n d e d . H e m u t t e r s t o himself, r e a s o n s w i t h h i m s e l f , d a r e s h i m s e l f t o g o i n a f t e r h e r , a n d t h e n Bina says, " G e t in h e r e , " a n d L a n d s m a n o b e y s . S h e s p a n s a n a r c o f t h e p l y w o o d d i s k w i t h h e r f i n g e r t i p s , lifts i t , a n d p a s s e s i t t o L a n d s m a n , h e r face f l i c k e r i n g w i t h t h e g l o w o f h i s flashlight a n d w i t h a p r a n k i s h s o l e m n i t y h e has n o t seen in years. W h e n t h e y w e r e kids, h e w o u l d climb t o h e r b e d r o o m in t h e n i g h t , s n e a k i n g in a n d o u t t h e w i n d o w t o s l e e p w i t h h e r , a n d t h i s w a s t h e face s h e w o r e as s h e e a s e d u p t h e s a s h . " I t ' s a ladderl" s h e says. " M e y e r , y o u d i d n ' t g o d o w n t h i s ? W h e n you came here that night?" " W e l l , n o , I w a s k i n d of, I w a s n ' t r e a l l y — " " Y e a h , o k a y , " s h e says g e n t l y . " I k n o w . " She lowers herself d o w n o n e steel cleat at a t i m e , a n d again L a n d s m a n g o e s a f t e r h e r . H e c a n h e a r h e r g r u n t as s h e l e t s h e r s e l f d r o p , t h e m e t a l l i c s c r a p e o f h e r s h o e s . T h e n h e falls d o w n i n t o t h e d a r k n e s s . She c a t c h e s h o l d of h i m a n d half s u c c e e d s in k e e p i n g h i m o n h i s feet. T h e l a m p o n B i n a ' s f o r e h e a d s p l a s h e s l i g h t h e r e , h e r e , here, m a k i n g a h a s t y sketch of t h e t u n n e l . It's a n o t h e r a l u m i n u m p i p e , r u n n i n g p e r p e n d i c u l a r t o t h e o n e they j u s t c a m e d o w n . L a n d s m a n ' s h a t b r u s h e s against t h e arc of it w h e n he s t a n d s e r e c t . It e n d s b e h i n d t h e m in a c u r t a i n of d a n k black e a r t h a n d r u n s s t r a i g h t away from t h e m , u n d e r M a x N o r d a u S t r e e t , t o w a r d t h e B l a c k p o o l . T h e a i r is c o l d a n d p l a n e t a r y , w i t h a n i r o n t a i n t . A floor o f p l y w o o d h a s b e e n l a i d , a n d as t h e y c l u n k a l o n g it, their lights pick o u t t h e i m p r i n t s of t h e b o o t s of passing m e n .

38D

MICHAEL

CHABDN

W h e n t h e y reckon themselves to be a b o u t halfway across M a x N o r d a u , t h e y meet another pipeline r u n n i n g away to the east and w e s t , l i n k i n g t h i s t u n n e l t o t h e n e t w o r k laid a g a i n s t t h e likelihood of future annihilation. T u n n e l s leading to tunnels, storehouses, bunkers. L a n d s m a n co n s id ers t h e c o h o r t of yids w h o arrived w i t h his father, t h o s e w h o w e r e n o t b r o k e n b y suffering a n d h o r r o r b u t rather somehow resolved. T h e former partisans, the

resisters,

C o m m u n i s t g u n m e n , l e f t - Z i o n i s t s a b o t e u r s — t h e r a b b l e , as t h e y w e r e s t y l e d i n t h e n e w s p a p e r s o f t h e s o u t h — w h o s h o w e d u p in Sitka after t h e w a r w i t h t h e i r v u l c a n i z e d souls a n d fought w i t h Polar B e a r s l i k e H e r t z S h e m e t s t h e i r brief, d o o m e d b a t t l e for c o n t r o l o f t h e D i s t r i c t . T h e y k n e w , t h o s e b o l d a n d d e v a s t a t e d m e n , k n e w as t h e y k n e w t h e flavor o f t h e i r t o n g u e s in t h e i r m o u t h s , t h a t t h e i r saviors would one day b e t r a y t h e m . T h e y walked into this wild c o u n t r y t h a t h a d n e v e r s e e n a J e w a n d s e t a b o u t p r e p a r i n g for t h e d a y w h e n t h e y w o u l d b e r o u n d e d u p , s e n t p a c k i n g , forced t o m a k e a stand. T h e n , one by one, these wised-up, angry men and women h a d b e e n c o o p t e d , p i c k e d off, f a t t e n e d u p , s e t a g a i n s t o n e a n o t h e r , or defanged b y U n c l e H e r t z a n d his endless o p e r a t i o n s . "Not

all o f

t h e m , " Bina says, h e r voice, like

Landsman's,

c a r o m i n g off t h e a l u m i n u m w a l l s o f t h e t u n n e l . " S o m e o f t h e m j u s t got comfortable here. T h e y s t a r t e d to forget a little bit. T h e y felt a t h o m e . " " I g u e s s t h a t ' s h o w i t a l w a y s g o e s , " L a n d s m a n says. " E g y p t . Spain. Germany." " T h e y w e a k e n e d . I t ' s h u m a n t o w e a k e n . T h e y h a d t h e i r lives. Come on." T h e y follow t h e p l a n k s u n t i l t h e y c o m e t o a n o t h e r p i p e t h a t o p e n s o v e r h e a d , a l s o fitted w i t h c l e a t s . " Y o u g o first t h i s t i m e , " B i n a says. " L e t m e c h e c k o u t y o u r ass for a c h a n g e . " L a n d s m a n hoists himself u p to t h e lowest cleat and t h e n m o u n t s t o t h e top. A s w a t c h of w e a k light shows t h r o u g h a b r e a k or hole

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in t h e lid t h a t c a p s t h i s e n d o f t h e p i p e . L a n d s m a n p u s h e s a g a i n s t t h e h a t c h and it shoves back, a t h i c k sheet of p l y w o o d t h a t d o e s n ' t b u d g e or buckle. H e p u t s his shoulder i n t o it. " W h a t ' s t h e m a t t e r ? " B i n a says f r o m b e n e a t h h i s f e e t , h e r l a m p w o b b l i n g i n t o his eyes. " I t w o n ' t m o v e , " L a n d s m a n says. " T h e r e m u s t b e s o m e t h i n g o n it. O r — " H e feels for t h e h o l e , a n d h i s h a n d b r u s h e s a g a i n s t s o m e t h i n g cold a n d rigid. H e recoils, t h e n his fingers r e t u r n to w o r k o u t t h e sense of an iron rod, a cable, pulled t a u t . H e shines his light. A r u b b e r i z e d c a b l e , k n o t t e d a n d fed t h r o u g h t h e f i n g e r h o l e f r o m t h e t o p side, t h e n d r a w n t i g h t a n d lashed to t h e t o p m o s t cleat of t h e ladder underneath. " W h a t is i t , M e y e r ? W h a t d i d t h e y d o ? " " T h e y t i e d i t s h u t b e h i n d t h e m so t h a t n o b o d y c o u l d f o l l o w t h e m b a c k d o w n , " L a n d s m a n says. " T i e d i t w i t h a n i c e b i g p i e c e of s t r i n g . "

Â

g a n e f w i n d has b l o w n d o w n from t h e m a i n l a n d to p l u n d e r t h e S i t k a t r e a s u r y o f fog a n d r a i n , l e a v i n g b e h i n d o n l y c o b w e b s a n d o n e b r i g h t p e n n y in a v a u l t of p o l i s h e d b l u e . A t 12:03 t h e

s u n has a l r e a d y p u n c h e d its t i c k e t . Sinking, it stains t h e cobbles

a n d s t u c c o of t h e p l a t z in a violin-colored t h r o b of light t h a t you w o u l d h a v e t o b e a s t o n e n o t t o find p o i g n a n t . L a n d s m a n , a c u r s e o n h i s h e a d , m a y b e a s h a m m e s , b u t h e is n o s t o n e . Driving onto Verbov Island, coming west on Avenue 225, he and B i n a c a t c h s t r o n g whiffs a t e v e r y c o r n e r o f t h e b u b b l i n g t z i m m e s t h a t is c o o k i n g u p all o v e r t o w n . T h e s m e l l b l o w s m o r e i n t e n s e a n d r i c h e r w i t h b o t h j o y a n d p a n i c o n t h i s island t h a n a n y w h e r e else. Signs a n d b a n n e r s a n n o u n c e t h e i m m i n e n t proclamation of

the

k i n g d o m o f D a v i d a n d e x h o r t t h e p i o u s t o p r e p a r e for t h e r e t u r n t o E r e t z Y i s r o e l . M a n y o f t h e s i g n s l o o k s p o n t a n e o u s , s p r a y e d in d r i p p i n g c h a r a c t e r s o n b e d linens a n d sheets of b u t c h e r

paper.

I n t h e s i d e s t r e e t s , c r o w d s o f w o m e n a n d h a n d l e r s yell a t o n e another, t r y i n g to hold d o w n or hyperinflate t h e price of luggage, concentrated

laundry

soap, sunscreen,

batteries, protein

bars,

b o l t s of t r o p i c a l - w e i g h t wool. D e e p e r i n t o t h e alleys, L a n d s m a n i m a g i n e s , in t h e b a s e m e n t s a n d d o o r w a y s , a q u i e t e r m a r k e t b u r n s l i k e a b a n k e d fire: p r e s c r i p t i o n d r u g s , g o l d , a u t o m a t i c w e a p o n s .

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T h e y drive past h u d d l e d g r o u p s of s t r e e t - c o r n e r geniuses s p i n n i n g c o m m e n t a r y on w h i c h families are t o b e given w h i c h

contracts

w h e n t h e y reach t h e H o l y L a n d , w h i c h of t h e wiseguys will r u n the policy rackets, the cigarette smuggling, the gun

franchises.

F o r t h e first t i m e s i n c e G a y s t i k t o o k t h e c h a m p i o n s h i p , s i n c e t h e W o r l d ' s F a i r , m a y b e for t h e first t i m e i n s i x t y y e a r s , o r so i t feels t o L a n d s m a n , s o m e t h i n g is a c t u a l l y h a p p e n i n g i n t h e S i t k a D i s t r i c t . W h a t t h a t s o m e t h i n g will t u r n o u t t o be, n o t even t h e m o s t learned of t h e s i d e w a l k r e b b e s has t h e f a i n t e s t idea. B u t w h e n t h e y reach t h e h e a r t of t h e island, t h e faithful replica o f t h e l o s t h e a r t o f o l d V e r b o v , t h e r e is n o h i n t o f t h e e n d o f e x i l e , r a m p a n t price gouging, messianic revolution. D o w n at t h e wide e n d of t h e p l a t z , t h e h o u s e of t h e Verbover r e b b e s t a n d s l o o k i n g s o l i d a n d e t e r n a l as a h o u s e i n a d r e a m . S m o k e h a s t e n s l i k e a r e m i t t a n c e from its lavish c h i m n e y , o n l y t o b e w a y l a i d b y t h e w i n d . T h e morning's Rudashevskys loiter darkly at their posts, and on t h e r i d g e of t h e h o u s e , t h e black r o o s t e r p e r c h e s , coattails flapping, with

his

semiautomatic

mandolin.

Around

the

platz,

women

d e s c r i b e t h e o r d i n a r y c i r c u i t s o f t h e i r day, p u s h i n g s t r o l l e r s , t r a i l i n g g i r l s a n d b o y s t o o y o u n g for s c h o o l . H e r e a n d t h e r e t h e y s t o p t o k n i t a n d unravel t h e skeins of b r e a t h t h a t t a n g l e t h e m t o g e t h e r . Scraps of n e w s p r i n t , leaves, a n d d u s t get u p i m p r o m p t u

games

o f d r e y d l in t h e a r c h w a y s o f t h e h o u s e s . A p a i r o f m e n i n l o n g c o a t s l e a n s i n t o t h e w i n d , m a k i n g for t h e r e b b e ' s h o u s e , s i d e l o c k s s w i n g i n g . F o r t h e first t i m e t h e t r a d i t i o n a l c o m p l a i n t , t a n t a m o u n t to a creed or at least a philosophy, of t h e Sitka Jew—Nobody a damn about us, stuck up here between Hoonah and

gives

Hotzeplotz—strikes

L a n d s m a n as h a v i n g b e e n a b l e s s i n g t h e s e p a s t s i x t y y e a r s , a n d n o t t h e affliction t h e y h a d a l l , i n t h e i r b a c k w a t e r o f g e o g r a p h y a n d history, supposed. " W h o e l s e is g o i n g t o w a n t t o l i v e i n t h i s c h i c k e n c o o p ? " B i n a says, e c h o i n g h i s t h o u g h t i n h e r o w n f a s h i o n , z i p p i n g h e r o r a n g e parka u p past her chin. She slams t h e d o o r of L a n d s m a n ' s car a n d trades ritual glares w i t h a g a t h e r i n g of w o m e n across t h e lane from

384

MICHAEL

CHABON

t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n ' s s h o p . " T h i s p l a c e is l i k e a g l a s s e y e , i t ' s a w o o d e n leg, y o u c a n ' t p a w n i t . " In front of t h e s o m b e r b a r n , t h e bachelor t o r m e n t s a rag w i t h a b r o o m h a n d l e . T h e r a g is s l o s h e d i n s o l v e n t w i t h a p s y c h o t r o p i c odor, a n d t h e b o y has b e e n exiled t o t h r e e hopeless islands of a u t o m o b i l e grease on t h e c e m e n t . H e jabs and caresses the rag with t h e e n d o f h i s p o l e . W h e n h e t a k e s n o t e o f B i n a , h e d o e s so w i t h a s a t i s f y i n g m i x t u r e o f h o r r o r a n d a w e . If B i n a w e r e M e s s i a h c o m e t o r e d e e m h i m in an o r a n g e p a r k a , t h e expression on t h e pisher's face w o u l d b e m o r e o r less t h e s a m e . H i s g a z e g e t s s t u c k t o h e r , a n d t h e n h e has t o d e t a c h it w i t h b r u t a l care, like s o m e o n e r e m o v i n g his t o n g u e from a frozen p u m p . " R e b Z i m b a l i s t ? " L a n d s m a n says. " H e ' s t h e r e , " says t h e b a c h e l o r , n o d d i n g t o w a r d t h e d o o r o f t h e shop. " B u t he's really busy." "As b u s y as y o u ? " T h e b a c h e l o r g i v e s t h e r a g a n o t h e r d e s u l t o r y p o k e . " I w a s in t h e w a y . " H e m a k e s t h e c i t a t i o n w i t h a flourish of self-pity, t h e n aims a c h e e k b o n e at Bina w i t h o u t i m p l i c a t i n g any of his o t h e r features o f h i s face i n t h e g e s t u r e . " S h e c a n ' t g o i n t h e r e , " h e says firmly. " I t isn't appropriate." " S e e t h i s , s w e e t n e s s ? " Bina has fished o u t h e r b a d g e . " I ' m like a c a s h gift. I ' m always a p p r o p r i a t e . " T h e bachelor takes a step backward, and the m o p d i s a p p e a r s b e h i n d h i s b a c k as if s o m e h o w i t m i g h t

handle

incriminate

h i m . " A r e y o u g o i n g t o a r r e s t R e b I t z i k ? " h e says. " N o w , " L a n d s m a n says, t a k i n g a s t e p t o w a r d t h e bachelor, " w h y would we w a n t to do that?" O n e t h i n g a b o u t a Yeshiva bachelor, h e k n o w s his w a y a r o u n d a question. " H o w s h o u l d I k n o w ? " h e says. " I f I w a s a f a n c y - p a n t s l a w y e r , tell m e , please, w o u l d I b e s t a n d i n g o u t h e r e s l o p p i n g a r o u n d w i t h a rag on the e n d of a stick?"

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Inside the shop, they have gathered around the big m a p table, I t z i k Z i m b a l i s t a n d his crew, a d o z e n s t r a p p i n g J e w s in y e l l o w coveralls, their chins u p h o l s t e r e d w i t h t h e n e t t e d rolls of

their

b e a r d s . T h e p r e s e n c e o f a w o m a n i n t h e s h o p flits a m o n g t h e m l i k e a b o t h e r s o m e m o t h . Z i m b a l i s t is t h e l a s t t o l o o k u p f r o m t h e p r o b l e m s p r e a d o u t o n t h e t a b l e before h i m . W h e n h e sees w h o h a s c o m e w i t h t h e l a t e s t t h o r n y q u e s t i o n for t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n , h e n o d s a n d g r u n t s w i t h a s u g g e s t i o n o f h u f f i n e s s , as if L a n d s m a n a n d B i n a a r e l a t e for t h e i r a p p o i n t m e n t . " G o o d m o r n i n g , g e n t l e m e n , " Bina says, h e r voice w e i r d l y fluting a n d u n p e r s u a s i v e in t h i s b i g m a l e b a r n . " I ' m I n s p e c t o r G e l b f i s h . " " G o o d m o r n i n g , " says t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n . H i s s h a r p a n d f l e s h l e s s face is i l l e g i b l e as a b l a d e o r a s k u l l . H e rolls u p t h e p l a n or c h a r t w i t h p r a c t i c e d h a n d s , ties it in a l e n g t h of c o r d , a n d t u r n s t o s h e a t h it in t h e r a c k , w h e r e it d i s a p p e a r s a m o n g a t h o u s a n d of its fellows. H i s m o v e m e n t s a r e t h o s e of an old m a n t o w h o m h a s t e is a f o r g o t t e n v i c e . H i s s t e p is h e r k y - j e r k , b u t h i s hands mannered and accurate. " L u n c h is o v e r , " h e t e l l s t h e c r e w , t h o u g h t h e r e is n o t a t r a c e o f food t o b e s e e n . The

men

hesitate,

forming

an

irregular

eruv

around

the

b o u n d a r y m a v e n , r e a d y t o shield h i m from t h e secular t r o u b l e t h a t s t a n d s h u n g w i t h a c o u p l e of b a d g e s in t h e i r m i d s t . " M a y b e t h e y ' d b e t t e r s t i c k a r o u n d , " L a n d s m a n says. " W e m i g h t need to talk to them, t o o . " " G o w a i t in t h e v a n s , " Z i m b a l i s t tells t h e m . " Y o u ' r e in t h e way." T h e y start across t h e s u p p l y area to t h e garage. O n e of t h e c r e w t u r n s back, p r e s s i n g d o u b t f u l l y at t h e roll of his b e a r d . " S e e i n g as h o w l u n c h is o v e r , R e b I t z i k , " h e s a y s , " i s i t all r i g h t w i t h y o u if w e h a v e o u r s u p p e r n o w ? " " E a t y o u r b r e a k f a s t , t o o , " Z i m b a l i s t says. " Y o u ' r e g o i n g t o b e u p all n i g h t . "

386

MICHAEL

CHABON

" L o t o f w o r k t o d o ? " B i n a says. "Are you kidding? It's going to take t h e m years to pack u p this mess. I'm going to need a cargo container." H e goes to t h e electric tea k e t t l e and begins to set u p t h r e e glasses. " N u , L a n d s m a n , I h e a r d m a y b e y o u lost t h e use of t h a t b a d g e o f y o u r s for a l i t t l e w h i l e , " h e says. " Y o u h e a r a l o t , d o n ' t y o u ? " L a n d s m a n says. "I hear what I hear." " H a v e y o u e v e r h e a r d t h a t p e o p l e d u g t u n n e l s all u n d e r t h e U n t e r s h t a t , j u s t in case t h e A m e r i c a n s t u r n e d on us a n d decided to stage an

aktionV

" I ' d s a y i t r i n g s a b e l l , " Z i m b a l i s t says. " N o w t h a t y o u m e n t i o n it." " S o y o u w o u l d n ' t h a p p e n t o possess, b y any chance, a plan of those tunnels? Showing how they run, where they connect, et cetera?" T h e old m a n still has his b a c k t o t h e m , t e a r i n g o p e n t h e p a p e r e n v e l o p e s t h a t h o l d t h e t e a b a g s . " I f I d i d n ' t , " h e says, " w h a t k i n d of a b o u n d a r y m a v e n w o u l d I b e ? " " S o if, for w h a t e v e r r e a s o n , y o u w a n t e d t o g e t s o m e b o d y , say, i n t o or o u t of t h e b a s e m e n t of t h e H o t e l Blackpool on M a x N o r d a u Street w i t h o u t being seen. C o u l d you d o t h a t ? " " W h y w o u l d I w a n t t o d o t h a t ? " Z i m b a l i s t says. " I w o u l d n ' t b o a r d m y m o t h e r - i n - l a w ' s C h i h u a h u a in t h a t fleabag." H e u n p l u g s t h e k e t t l e before t h e w a t e r has boiled a n d soaks t h e tea bags o n e - t w o - t h r e e . H e p u t s t h e glasses on a t r a y w i t h a p o t of j a m a n d t h r e e s m a l l s p o o n s , a n d t h e y s i t d o w n a t h i s d e s k in t h e corner. T h e tea bags s u r r e n d e r their color unwillingly to the tepid water. L a n d s m a n hands around papiroses and lights them. From t h e vans c o m e t h e s o u n d s of m e n s h o u t i n g , or laughing, L a n d s m a n isn't quite sure. Bina walks around the workshop, admiring the mass and variety of s t r i n g , s t e p p i n g carefully t o avoid a t u m b l e w e e d of k n o t t e d wire, gray rubber with a blood-red copper stump.

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" E v e r m a k e a m i s t a k e ? " Bina asks t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n . "Tell someone he can carry w h e r e he's n o t allowed t o carry? D r a w a line w h e r e no line needs to be d r a w n ? " " I d o n ' t d a r e t o m a k e m i s t a k e s , " Z i m b a l i s t says. " C a r r y i n g o n t h e S a b b a t h , it's a serious violation. People s t a r t t h i n k i n g

they

can't rely on m y maps, I'm t h r o u g h . " " W e still d o n ' t have a ballistic

fingerprint

on t h e g u n t h a t killed

M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , " B i n a says w i t h c a r e . " B u t y o u s a w t h e w o u n d , Meyer." "I did." " D i d i t l o o k l i k e i t w a s m a d e by, say, a G l o c k , o r a T E C - 9 , o r a n y kind of an a u t o m a t i c ? " " I n m y h u m b l e o p i n i o n , " L a n d s m a n says, " n o . " "You spent a lot of q u a l i t y t i m e w i t h Litvak's c r e w and their firearms." "And loved e v e r y m i n u t e . " "Did

you

see a n y t h i n g

in

their

toybox

that

was

not

an

automatic?" "No,"

L a n d s m a n says. " N o , I n s p e c t o r , I d i d n o t . "

" W h a t does that prove?" Zimbalist

says, e a s i n g his

tender

b o t t o m d o w n o n t o t h e inflatable-donut c u s h i o n of his d e s k chair. " M o r e importantly, why should I care?" "Aside from y o u r g e n e r a l , p e r s o n a l i n t e r e s t in s e e i n g j u s t i c e d o n e i n t h i s m a t t e r , o f c o u r s e , " says B i n a . " A s i d e f r o m t h a t , " Z i m b a l i s t says. " D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n , do you t h i n k Alter L i t v a k killed Shpilman or ordered him killed?" L a n d s m a n l o o k s r i g h t i n t o t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n ' s face a n d s a y s , " H e didn't. H e wouldn't. H e didn't just need Mendel. T h e yid had s t a r t e d t o believe i n M e n d e l . " Z i m b a l i s t b l i n k s a n d fingers t h e b l a d e o f h i s n o s e , t h i n k i n g t h i s over, as if i t is t h e r u m o r o f a n e w b o r n c r e e k t h a t w i l l f o r c e h i m t o r e d r a w o n e of his m a p s .

288

MICHAEL

CHABDN

" I d o n o t b u y i t , " h e c o n c l u d e s . " A n y b o d y else. E v e r y b o d y else. Not that yid." L a n d s m a n d o e s n ' t b o t h e r t o a r g u e . Z i m b a l i s t r e a c h e s for h i s t e a . A v e i n of r u s t t w i s t s in t h e w a t e r like t h e r i b b o n in a glass marble. "What

would

you

do

if

something

you

had

been

telling

e v e r y b o d y w a s o n e of t h e lines o n y o u r m a p , " Bina says, " t u r n e d o u t t o b e , say, a c r e a s e ? A h a i r . A s t r a y p e n m a r k . S o m e t h i n g l i k e t h a t . W o u l d y o u tell anyone? W o u l d y o u go t o t h e rebbe? W o u l d you admit that you made a mistake?" "It would never happen." " B u t if i t d i d . W o u l d y o u b e a b l e t o l i v e w i t h y o u r s e l f ? " " I f y o u k n e w y o u h a d s e n t a n i n n o c e n t m a n t o p r i s o n for m a n y y e a r s , I n s p e c t o r G e l b f i s h , for t h e r e s t o f h i s life, w o u l d y o u b e a b l e t o live w i t h y o u r s e l f ? " " I t h a p p e n s all t h e t i m e , " B i n a says. " B u t h e r e I a m . " " W e l l , t h e n , " t h e m a v e n says. " I g u e s s y o u k n o w h o w I feel. B y t h e way, I use t h e t e r m ' i n n o c e n t ' v e r y loosely." "As d o I , " says B i n a . " N o d o u b t a b o u t i t . " " M y w h o l e life, I k n e w o n l y o n e m a n I w o u l d u s e t h a t w o r d t o describe." " Y o u ' r e a h e a d o f m e , t h e n , " B i n a says. "Me,

t o o , " says L a n d s m a n , m i s s i n g M e n d e l S h p i l m a n as if t h e y

h a d b e e n , for m a n y y e a r s , t h e b e s t o f f r i e n d s . " I a m v e r y s o r r y t o say." " Y o u k n o w w h a t p e o p l e a r e s a y i n g ? " Z i m b a l i s t says. " T h e s e geniuses I dwell among? T h e y ' r e saying Mendel's coming back. T h a t i t ' s all h a p p e n i n g j u s t t h e w a y i t w a s w r i t t e n . T h a t w h e n t h e y g e t t o J e r u s a l e m , M e n d e l is g o i n g t o b e t h e r e , w a i t i n g for t h e m . Ready to rule over Israel." Tears start to r u n d o w n t h e b o u n d a r y maven's sallow cheeks. After a m o m e n t Bina r e m o v e s a h a n d k e r c h i e f from h e r bag, clean a n d p r e s s e d . Z i m b a l i s t t a k e s i t a n d l o o k s a t i t for a m o m e n t . T h e n he blows a g r e a t tekiah on his shofar of a nose.

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" I w o u l d l i k e t o s e e h i m a g a i n , " h e says. " I w i l l a d m i t i t . " Bina hoists her b a g to her shoulder, a n d it r e s u m e s its s t e a d y mission

to

drag

her

down.

"Get

your

things

together,

Mr.

Zimbalist." T h e o l d m a n a p p e a r s s t a r t l e d . H e puffs h i s l i p s as if t r y i n g t o l i g h t a n i n v i s i b l e cigar. H e p i c k s u p a l o o p o f r a w h i d e t h o n g l y i n g on his d e s k , ties a k n o t in it, a n d p u t s it d o w n a g a i n . T h e n h e p i c k s i t u p a n d u n t i e s i t . " M y t h i n g s , " h e says finally. " A r e y o u s a y i n g I ' m under arrest?" "No,"

B i n a says. " B u t I w o u l d l i k e y o u t o c o m e d o w n so t h a t w e

c a n t a l k s o m e m o r e . Y o u m i g h t w a n t t o call y o u r l a w y e r . " " M y l a w y e r , " h e says. "I t h i n k you took Alter L i t v a k o u t of his hotel r o o m . I t h i n k you've d o n e s o m e t h i n g w i t h h i m , p u t h i m on ice, possibly killed h i m . I ' d l i k e t o find o u t . " "You

have

no

evidence,"

Zimbalist

says.

"You're

just

guessing." " S h e h a s a l i t t l e e v i d e n c e , " L a n d s m a n says. " A b o u t t h r e e f e e t , " says B i n a . " C a n y o u h a n g a m a n w i t h t h r e e feet o f r o p e , M r . Z i m b a l i s t ? " T h e maven shakes his head, half irritated, half a m u s e d , his poise a n d his bearings regained. " Y o u ' r e j u s t w a s t i n g m y t i m e a n d y o u r s , " h e says. " I h a v e a h u g e a m o u n t o f w o r k t o d o . A n d y o u , b y your own admission, by your own theory, have not found whoever i t w a s t h a t k i l l e d M e n d e l e . So w i t h all d u e r e s p e c t , w h y d o n ' t y o u j u s t w o r r y a b o u t t h a t , all r i g h t , a n d l e a v e m e a l o n e ? C o m e b a c k w h e n y o u ' v e c a u g h t t h e s u p p o s e d a c t u a l killer, a n d I'll tell y o u w h a t I k n o w a b o u t L i t v a k , w h i c h a t t h e m o m e n t , b y t h e w a y , is officially a n d e v e r l a s t i n g l y n o t h i n g . " " I t d o e s n ' t w o r k t h a t w a y , " L a n d s m a n says. "All r i g h t , " says B i n a . "All r i g h t ! " Z i m b a l i s t says. L a n d s m a n l o o k s a t B i n a . "All r i g h t ? " " W e c a t c h w h o e v e r killed M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , " Bina says, " y o u give

MICHAEL

390

CHABDN

u s i n f o r m a t i o n . Helpful i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t L i t v a k ' s d i s a p p e a r a n c e . If he's still alive, y o u give m e L i t v a k . " " Y o u h a v e a d e a l , " t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n says. H e t h r u s t s o u t h i s r i g h t claw, all s p o t s a n d k n u c k l e s , a n d B i n a s h a k e s i t . L a n d s m a n , feeling s t u n n e d , gets u p a n d shakes h a n d s w i t h t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n . T h e n h e follows Bina o u t of t h e s h o p i n t o t h e w a n i n g day, a n d h i s s h o c k i n t e n s i f i e s w h e n h e finds t h a t B i n a is c r y i n g . U n l i k e Z i m b a l i s t ' s , h e r s a r e t e a r s o f fury. " I c a n ' t b e l i e v e I did t h a t , " s h e s a y s , a v a i l i n g h e r s e l f o f a t i s s u e f r o m h e r e n d l e s s s t a s h . " T h a t is t h e k i n d o f t h i n g you w o u l d d o . " " P e o p l e I k n o w k e e p h a v i n g t h a t p r o b l e m , " L a n d s m a n says. " S u d d e n l y a c t i n g like m e . " " W e ' r e l a w officers. W e u p h o l d t h e l a w . " " P e o p l e o f t h e b o o k , " L a n d s m a n says. "As i t w e r e . " "Fuck you." " D o y o u w a n t t o g o b a c k i n t h e r e a n d a r r e s t h i m ? " h e says. " W e can. W e have t h e cable from t h e t u n n e l . We can hold h i m . Start from t h e r e . " S h e s h a k e s h e r h e a d . T h e b a c h e l o r o n h i s m a p o f s t a i n s is s t a r i n g at t h e m , h i t c h i n g u p t h e seat of his black serge trousers and taking i t all i n . L a n d s m a n d e c i d e s h e ' d b e t t e r g e t h e r o u t o f t h e r e . H e p u t s h i s a r m a r o u n d h e r for t h e first t i m e i n t h r e e y e a r s a n d u s h e r s h e r o v e r t o t h e S u p e r S p o r t , t h e n g o e s a r o u n d t o h i s s i d e a n d c l i m b s in behind the wheel. " T h e l a w , " s h e says. " I d o n ' t e v e n k n o w w h a t l a w I ' m t a l k i n g about anymore. N o w I'm just making this shit u p . " They

s i t s i l e n t l y as L a n d s m a n w r e s t l e s w i t h t h e

perennial

d e t e c t i v e p r o b l e m of b e i n g obliged to state t h e obvious. " I k i n d o f l i k e t h i s n e w c r a z y , c o n f u s e d B i n a a n d a l l , " h e says. " B u t I feel I h a v e t o p o i n t o u t t h a t w e h a v e n o r e a l l e a d s o n t h e S h p i l m a n case. N o witnesses. N o s u s p e c t . " " W e l l , t h e n , y o u a n d y o u r p a r t n e r h a d b e t t e r f u c k i n g get m e a s u s p e c t , " s h e says. " H a d n ' t y o u ? " "Yes,

ma'am."

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"Let's go." H e s t a r t s t h e i g n i t i o n , p u t s t h e S u p e r S p o r t in gear. " H o l d o n , " s h e says. " W h a t ' s t h a t ? " Across the platz, a big black four-by-four pulls u p a r o u n d t h e east side of t h e rebbe's house. T w o R u d a s h e v s k y s get o u t of it. O n e goes a r o u n d t o open t h e rear gate of t h e vehicle. T h e o t h e r w a i t s at t h e b o t t o m of t h e side steps, h a n d s k n o t t e d loosely b e h i n d h i m . A m o m e n t later, t w o m o r e R u d a s h e v s k y s c o m e o u t of t h e h o u s e , h u m p i n g several h u n d r e d cubic m e t e r s of w h a t a p p e a r s t o b e h a n d p a i n t e d F r e n c h l u g g a g e . Q u i c k l y a n d w i t h l i t t l e r e g a r d for t h e l a w s o f s o l i d g e o m e t r y , t h e f o u r R u d a s h e v s k y s m a n a g e t o fit all o f t h e t r u n k s a n d bags i n t o t h e b a c k of t h e four-by-four. O n c e t h e y have a c c o m p l i s h e d t h a t feat, a b i g c h u n k of t h e h o u s e i t s e l f b r e a k s off a n d falls i n t o t h e i r a r m s , w e a r i n g a g o r g e o u s f a w n colored alpaca coat. T h e Verbover rebbe does n o t look u p , or back, o r a r o u n d a t t h e w o r l d h e r e b u i l t a n d is n o w a b a n d o n i n g . H e l e t s the Rudashevskys do their q u a n t u m origami on h i m , folding h i m a n d his canes i n t o t h e backseat of t h e four-by-four. T h e y i d j u s t joins his luggage a n d rolls on. Fifty-five s e c o n d s later, a s e c o n d four-by-four p u l l s u p , a n d t w o w o m e n in l o n g d r e s s e s , h e a d s c o v e r e d , a r e h e l p e d i n t o t h e b a c k a l o n g w i t h t h e i r c i t y of b a g g a g e a n d a n u m b e r of c h i l d r e n . T h e p r o c e s s is r e p e a t e d w i t h f e m a l e s a n d c h i l d r e n a n d b l a c k f o u r - b y f o u r s for t h e n e x t e l e v e n m i n u t e s . " I h o p e t h e y h a v e a v e r y b i g a i r p l a n e , " L a n d s m a n says. " I d i d n ' t s e e h e r , " B i n a says. " D i d y o u s e e h e r ? " " I d o n ' t t h i n k so. I d i d n ' t s e e B i g S h p r i n t z l , e i t h e r . " H a l f a second later, Bina's Shoyfer rings. " G e l b f i s h . Yes. W e d i d w o n d e r . Yes. I u n d e r s t a n d . " S h e s n a p s t h e p h o n e s h u t . " D r i v e a r o u n d t h e b a c k o f t h e h o u s e , " s h e says. "She saw your car." L a n d s m a n guides t h e Super S p o r t t h r o u g h a n a r r o w alley a n d i n t o a c o u r t y a r d b e h i n d t h e r e b b e ' s h o u s e . A p a r t from t h e car, t h e r e is n o t h i n g t h a t w o u l d h a v e b e e n o u t o f p l a c e a h u n d r e d y e a r s a g o .

MICHAEL

332

CHABDN

S t o n e flags, s t u c c o w a l l s , l e a d e d g l a s s , a l o n g h a l f - t i m b e r e d gallery. T h e flags a r e s l i c k , a n d w a t e r d r i p s f r o m a r o w o f p o t t e d f e r n s t h a t h a n g from t h e u n d e r s i d e of t h e gallery. "She's coming out?" Bina d o e s n ' t answer, a n d after a m o m e n t , a blue w o o d e n d o o r o p e n s i n a l o w w i n g o f t h e g r e a t h i g h h o u s e . T h e w i n g is s e t a t a c r o o k e d angle t o t h e r e s t of t h e b u i l d i n g , a n d it sags

with

p i c t u r e s q u e a c c u r a c y . B a t s h e v a S h p i l m a n is s t i l l d r e s s e d m o r e o r l e s s for a f u n e r a l , h e r h e a d a n d face w r a p p e d i n a l o n g , s h e e r v e i l . S h e d o e s n ' t cross t h e g a p of p e r h a p s e i g h t feet s e p a r a t i n g h e r from t h e car; s h e j u s t s t a n d s o n t h e d o o r s t e p w i t h t h e faithful b u l k of S h p r i n t z l R u d a s h e v s k y l o o m i n g in t h e s h a d o w s b e h i n d her. Bina rolls d o w n t h e w i n d o w on her side. "You aren't leaving?" s h e says. "Did you catch him?" Bina doesn't play games or act stupid. She j u s t shakes her head. " T h e n I'm not leaving." " I t m i g h t take a while. It m i g h t take longer t h a n w e really have." " I c e r t a i n l y h o p e n o t , " says M e n d e l S h p i l m a n ' s m o t h e r . " T h a t m a n Z i m b a l i s t is s e n d i n g h i s i d i o t s i n t h e i r y e l l o w p a j a m a s o v e r h e r e t o n u m b e r e v e r y s t o n e i n t h i s h o u s e so t h a t i t c a n b e d i s a s s e m b l e d a n d t h e n r e a s s e m b l e d in J e r u s a l e m . If I ' m still h e r e in t w o w e e k s , I ' m g o i n g t o b e sleeping in S h p r i n t z l ' s g a r a g e . " " I t w o u l d b e m y v e r y g r e a t h o n o r , " says w h a t is e i t h e r a v e r y g r a v e t a l k i n g d o n k e y or S h p r i n t z l R u d a s h e v s k y from b e h i n d t h e r e b b e ' s wife. " W e w i l l c a t c h h i m , " B i n a says. " D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n j u s t s w o r e m e an o a t h t o t h a t effect." " I k n o w w h a t h i s p r o m i s e s a r e w o r t h , " M r s . S h p i l m a n says. " S o do you." " H e y ! " L a n d s m a n says, b u t she has a l r e a d y t u r n e d a n d gone b a c k i n t o t h e c r o o k e d little b u i l d i n g from w h i c h she e m e r g e d .

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"All r i g h t , " B i n a s a y s , c l a p p i n g h e r h a n d s t o g e t h e r . " L e t ' s g e t started. What do we do now?" L a n d s m a n taps t h e wheel, considering his promises and their w o r t h . H e w a s n e v e r u n f a i t h f u l t o B i n a . B u t t h e r e is n o d o u b t t h a t w h a t b r o k e t h e m a r r i a g e w a s L a n d s m a n ' s lack of faith. A faith n o t in G o d , n o r in Bina a n d h e r c h a r a c t e r , b u t in t h e f u n d a m e n t a l p r e c e p t t h a t e v e r y t h i n g befalling t h e m from t h e m o m e n t t h e y m e t , good a n d b a d , was m e a n t t o be. T h e foolish c o y o t e faith t h a t c o u l d k e e p y o u flying as l o n g as y o u k e p t k i d d i n g y o u r s e l f t h a t y o u c o u l d fly. "All d a y I ' v e b e e n c r a v i n g s t u f f e d c a b b a g e , " h e says.

• § 45

F

r o m t h e s u m m e r o f 1 9 8 6 t o t h e s p r i n g o f 1 9 8 8 , w h e n t h e y defied t h e w i s h e s of Bina's p a r e n t s a n d m o v e d in t o g e t h e r , L a n d s m a n s n e a k e d i n a n d o u t o f t h e G e l b f i s h h o m e t o m a k e l o v e w i t h her.

E v e r y n i g h t u n l e s s t h e y w e r e q u a r r e l i n g , a n d s o m e t i m e s in t h e t h i c k of a q u a r r e l , L a n d s m a n climbed t h e d r a i n p i p e and t u m b l e d in t h r o u g h Bina's b e d r o o m w i n d o w t o share h e r n a r r o w b e d . Just before d a w n she w o u l d send him back d o w n again. T o n i g h t i t t o o k h i m l o n g e r a n d c o s t h i m m o r e effort t h a n h i s v a n i t y w o u l d care to a d m i t . As he passed t h e halfway m a r k , j u s t a b o v e M r . O y s h e r ' s d i n i n g r o o m w i n d o w , L a n d s m a n ' s left

loafer

s l i p p e d , a n d h e d a n g l e d free a n d t h r i l l i n g o v e r t h e b l a c k v o i d o f t h e G e l b f i s h b a c k y a r d . T h e s t a r s o v e r h e a d , t h e Bear, t h e S n a k e , exchanged places w i t h t h e r h o d o d e n d r o n and the wreckage the neighbors' sukkoh. In regaining a purchase, Landsman

of tore

t h e leg of his t r o u s e r s on t h e a l u m i n u m b r a c k e t , his old e n e m y i n t h e s t r u g g l e for c o n t r o l o f t h e d r a i n p i p e . F o r e p l a y b e t w e e n t h e lovers c o m m e n c e d w i t h Bina balling u p a tissue to blot t h e c u t on L a n d s m a n ' s shin. H i s shin w i t h its b l o t c h e s a n d freckles, w i t h its s t r a n g e midlife b l o o m of b l a c k hair. T h e y lie t h e r e o n t h e i r s i d e s , a c o u p l e o f a g i n g y i d s

stuck

t o g e t h e r like p a g e s of an a l b u m . H e r s h o u l d e r b l a d e s dig i n t o his

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

335

c h e s t . T h e k n o b s o f h i s p a t e l l a s a r e n o t c h e d a g a i n s t t h e soft m o i s t backs of h e r k n e e s . H i s lips can b l o w softly across t h e t e a c u p of h e r ear. A n d a p a r t o f L a n d s m a n t h a t h a s b e e n t h e s y m b o l a n d t h e s i t e o f h i s l o n e l i n e s s for a v e r y l o n g t i m e h a s f o u n d s h e l t e r i n s i d e o f h i s c o m m a n d i n g officer, t o w h o m h e w a s o n c e m a r r i e d for t w e l v e y e a r s . A l t h o u g h , it's t r u e , his t e n u r e inside her has g r o w n p r e c a r i o u s . O n e good sneeze could p o p h i m loose. " T h e w h o l e t i m e , " B i n a says. " T w o y e a r s . " " T h e whole time." " N o t once." " N o t even." "Weren't you lonely?" " P r e t t y lonely." "And blue?" " B l a c k . B u t n e v e r b l a c k *or l o n e l y e n o u g h t o k i d m y s e l f

that

h a v i n g sex w i t h a r a n d o m J e w e s s w a s g o i n g t o m a k e m e feel a n y less." " A c t u a l l y , r a n d o m sex o n l y m a k e s i t w o r s e , " s h e says. "You speak from e x p e r i e n c e . " " I f u c k e d a c o u p l e o f m e n i n Yakovy. I f t h a t ' s w h a t y o u w a n t t o know." " I t ' s s t r a n g e , " L a n d s m a n says u p o n r e f l e c t i o n . " B u t I t h i n k I d o not." "A c o u p l e o r t h r e e . " "I don't need a report." "So,

n u , " she says, " s o y o u j u s t b e a t off?"

"With

a discipline you m i g h t

find

surprising

in a y i d

so

unruly." " A n d w h a t a b o u t n o w ? " s h e says. " N o w ? N o w is m a d n e s s , " h e says. " N o t t o m e n t i o n u n c o m f o r t ­ a b l e . P l u s I t h i n k m y l e g is s t i l l b l e e d i n g . " " I m e a n t , " s h e s a y s , " w h a t a b o u t n o w , d o y o u feel

lonely"

"You're kidding, right? Squashed into this bread box?" H e b u r i e s h i s n o s e i n t h e t h i c k soft r a s p o f B i n a ' s h a i r a n d t a k e s

MICHAEL

3BE

CHABDN

a d e e p b r e a t h . R a i s i n s , vinegar, a salt whiff of t h e sweat of her nape. " W h a t does it smell like?" " I t s m e l l s r e d , " h e says. "It does n o t . " " I t smells like R u m a n i a . " " Y o u s m e l l l i k e a R u m a n i a n , " s h e says. " W i t h s h o c k i n g l y h a i r y legs." "I've become such a geezer." "Me,

too."

" I c a n ' t even c l i m b stairs. M y hair's falling o u t . " " M y a s s is l i k e a t o p o g r a p h i c a l m a p . " H e confirms

this information

w i t h his fingers. R i d g e s

d e p r e s s i o n s , h e r e a n d t h e r e a p i m p l e i n h i g h relief. H e

and

threads

his h a n d s u n d e r a n d over her waist and reaches a r o u n d to weigh a b r e a s t i n e a c h h a n d . A t first h e r e t r i e v e s n o m e m o r y o f t h e i r f o r m e r size or e s t a t e t o c o m p a r e t h e m w i t h , a n d h e panics a little. T h e n h e d e c i d e s t h a t t h e y a r e t h e s a m e as t h e y h a v e a l w a y s b e e n , s p a n n e d exactly b y his p a l m a n d his o u t s t r e t c h e d

fingers,

formed

from s o m e m y s t e r i o u s c o m p o u n d of g r a v i t y a n d give. " I ' m n o t g o i n g b a c k d o w n t h a t d r a i n p i p e , " h e says. " I c a n t e l l you that much." " I said y o u could j u s t t a k e t h e stairs. T h e d r a i n p i p e was your idea." " I t w a s all m y i d e a , " h e says. " I t w a s a l w a y s m y i d e a . " " D o n ' t I k n o w i t , " s h e says. T h e y lie t h e r e for a l o n g t i m e w i t h o u t s a y i n g a n y t h i n g m o r e . L a n d s m a n c a n feel t h e s k i n b e s i d e h i m s l o w l y filling w i t h d a r k w i n e . A few m i n u t e s l a t e r , B i n a b e g i n s t o s n o r e . T h e r e is n o d o u b t t h a t h e r s n o r i n g has n o t c h a n g e d in t w o years. It has a d o u b l e - r e e d e d h u m , t h e b u m b l e b e e c o n t i n u o of M o n g o l i a n t h r o a t - s i n g i n g . It has t h e slow g r a n d e u r of a whale's respiration. L a n d s m a n begins to drift across t h e surface of h e r b e d a n d of t h e s u s u r r a t i o n of Bina's b r e a t h . In h e r a r m s , in t h e scent of h e r on t h e b e d l i n e n s — a s t r o n g

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNION

397

b u t p l e a s a n t s m e l l l i k e n e w l e a t h e r g l o v e s — L a n d s m a n feels safe for t h e first t i m e i n a g e s . D r o w s y a n d c o n t e n t . H e r e y o u g o , L a n d s m a n , h e t h i n k s . H e r e is t h e s m e l l a n d t h e h a n d o n y o u r b e l l y t h a t y o u t r a d e d for a l i f e t i m e o f s i l e n c e . H e sits u p , w i d e a w a k e a n d hateful t o himself, c r a v e n , m o r e u n w o r t h y t h a n e v e r o f t h e fine k i d s k i n w o m a n i n h i s a r m s . Y e s , all r i g h t , L a n d s m a n u n d e r s t a n d s , so g o s h i t i n t h e o c e a n , t h a t h e m a d e not the right b u t the only choice. H e u n d e r s t a n d s t h a t the n e c e s s i t y o f c o v e r i n g u p for t h e d a r k d e e d s o f t h e b o y s i n t h e t o p d r a w e r is o n e t h a t n o z z e s h a v e b e e n m a k i n g i n t o a v i r t u e s i n c e t h e d a w n o f p o l i c e w o r k . H e u n d e r s t a n d s t h a t if h e w e r e t o t r y t o t e l l s o m e o n e , say D e n n i s B r e n n a n , w h a t h e k n o w s , t h e n t h e b o y s in t h e t o p d r a w e r w o u l d find a n o t h e r w a y t o s i l e n c e h i m , t h i s t i m e o n t h e i r o w n t e r m s . So w h y is h i s h e a r t r u n n i n g l i k e a j a i l b i r d ' s s t e e l c u p a l o n g t h e b a r s of his r i b cage? W h y d o e s Bina's f r a g r a n t b e d s u d d e n l y feel l i k e a w e t s o c k , a p a i r o f u n d e r p a n t s r i d i n g u p o n h i m , a wool suit on a h o t afternoon? You m a k e a deal, t a k e w h a t y o u c a n g e t , m o v e o n . G e t o v e r i t . So d i s t a n t m e n i n a s u n n y c o u n t r y h a v e b e e n l u r e d i n t o k i l l i n g o n e a n o t h e r so t h a t w h i l e t h e i r b a c k s a r e t u r n e d , t h e i r s u n n y c o u n t r y c a n b e b o o s t e d a n d f e n c e d . So t h e fate o f t h e S i t k a D i s t r i c t h a s b e e n s e a l e d . So t h e k i l l e r o f M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , w h o e v e r i t w a s , is w a l k i n g a r o u n d free. S o , so w h a t ? L a n d s m a n gets o u t of t h e b e d . D i s c o n t e n t m e n t g a t h e r s like ball l i g h t n i n g a r o u n d t h e c h e s s b o a r d in t h e p o c k e t of his c o a t . H e unfolds it a n d c o n t e m p l a t e s it a n d t h i n k s , I m i s s e d s o m e t h i n g in t h e r o o m . N o , h e d i d n ' t m i s s a n y t h i n g ; b u t if h e m i s s e d s o m e t h i n g , it's g o n e b y now. O n l y h e d i d n ' t m i s s a n y t h i n g in t h e r o o m . B u t h e m u s t have missed something. H i s t h o u g h t s are a t a t t o o needle i n k i n g t h e s p a d e on an ace. T h e y are a t o r n a d o going back and forth over t h e same d a m n pancaked trailer. T h e y n a r r o w a n d d a r k e n u n t i l t h e y d e s c r i b e a t i n y black circle, t h e hole at t h e b a c k of M e n d e l S h p i l m a n ' s h e a d . H e r e - c r e a t e s t h e s c e n e i n h i s i m a g i n a t i o n , as h e s a w i t t h a t n i g h t w h e n T e n e n b o y m k n o c k e d on his door. T h e freckled e x p a n s e

398

>>>>>

MICHAEL

CHABDN

of pale back. T h e w h i t e u n d e r p a n t s . T h e b r o k e n m a s k of t h e eyes, t h e r i g h t h a n d t u m b l e d f r o m t h e b e d t o b r u s h t h e floor w i t h i t s fingers. T h e c h e s s b o a r d on t h e n i g h t s t a n d . L a n d s m a n lays t h e b o a r d o n B i n a ' s n i g h t s t a n d , i n t h e p a l e o f d i m l i g h t f r o m t h e l a m p , a y e l l o w p o r c e l a i n affair w i t h a b i g y e l l o w daisy on t h e green shade. W h i t e facing t h e wall. B l a c k — S h p i l m a n , L a n d s m a n — f a c i n g t h e m i d d l e of t h e r o o m . M a y b e it's t h e c o n t e x t at o n c e familiar a n d s t r a n g e , t h e p a i n t e d b e d s t e a d , t h e daisy l a m p , t h e daisies on t h e wallpaper, t h e dresser in w h o s e t o p d r a w e r she u s e d t o k e e p h e r d i a p h r a g m . O r m a y b e i t ' s t h e l i n g e r i n g t r a c e s o f e n d o r p h i n i n h i s b l o o d s t r e a m . B u t as L a n d s m a n s t a r e s a t t h e c h e s s b o a r d , s t a r i n g a t a c h e s s b o a r d , for t h e f i r s t t i m e i n h i s life, feels g o o d . I t feels p l e a s u r a b l e , i n f a c t . S t a n d i n g t h e r e , m o v i n g t h e pieces in his m i n d , s e e m s t o slow or at least t o d i s l o d g e t h e n e e d l e i n k i n g over t h e black s p o t in his b r a i n . H e f o c u s e s o n t h e p r o m o t i o n a t b 8 . W h a t if y o u c h a n g e d t h a t p a w n to a bishop, a rook, a queen, a knight? L a n d s m a n r e a c h e s for a c h a i r t o t a k e W h i t e ' s p l a c e a t t h e b o a r d , t o s i t d o w n i n h i s i m a g i n a t i o n for a f r i e n d l y g a m e a g a i n s t S h p i l m a n . T h e r e ' s a chair at the desk, painted to match the daisy-green bed, in t h e c o r n e r of Bina's r o o m . It's r i g h t a b o u t w h e r e t h e fold-down d e s k w o u l d b e in r e l a t i o n t o t h e b e d in S h p i l m a n ' s r o o m at t h e Z a m e n h o f . L a n d s m a n lowers h i m s e l f i n t o t h e green chair, eyes on the board. A k n i g h t , h e decides. A n d t h e n Black has to m o v e t h e p a w n a t d 7 — b u t t o w h e r e ? H e s e t t l e s in t o p l a y it o u t , n o t b e c a u s e of s o m e forlorn h o p e t h a t it m i g h t lead h i m t o t h e killer, b u t b e c a u s e h e r e a l l y n e e d s , all o f a s u d d e n , t o p l a y t h e g a m e o u t . A n d t h e n , as if t h e s e a t is w i r e d t o a d m i n i s t e r a c h a r g e , L a n d s m a n l e a p s t o h i s f e e t . H e y a n k s t h e g r e e n c h a i r o n e - h a n d e d i n t o t h e air. F o u r r o u n d i n d e n t a t i o n s in t h e low-pile w h i t e c a r p e t , faint b u t d i s t i n c t . H e a l w a y s a s s u m e d t h a t S h p i l m a n , as t h e r e c e p t i o n c l e r k s all r e p o r t e d , n e v e r h a d v i s i t o r s , t h a t t h e g a m e h e left b e h i n d w a s a form of chess solitaire played from m e m o r y , from t h e pages

THE Y I D D I S H

o f Three Hundred

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

399

Chess Games, m a y b e j u s t a g a i n s t h i m s e l f . B u t if

Shpilman did have a visitor, m a y b e that visitor pulled u p a chair to sit d o w n at t h e b o a r d across from his o p p o n e n t . Across

the

c a r d b o a r d chessboard from his v i c t i m . A n d t h a t p h a n t o m p a t z e r ' s c h a i r w o u l d h a v e left i n d e n t a t i o n s i n t h e c a r p e t . N o d o u b t b y n o w t h e y h a v e f a d e d o r b e e n v a c u u m e d over. B u t t h e y m i g h t b e v i s i b l e in o n e of S h p r i n g e r ' s p h o t o g r a p h s , b o x e d u p in s o m e s t o r a g e r o o m at t h e forensic lab. L a n d s m a n steps i n t o his trousers, b u t t o n s his shirt, k n o t s his tie.

H e takes his coat from t h e d o o r a n d , c a r r y i n g his shoes, goes

t o p u l l t h e c o v e r s m o r e s n u g l y o v e r B i n a . A s h e b e n d s t o s w i t c h off t h e b e d s i d e l i g h t , a r e c t a n g l e o f p a p e r falls o u t o f h i s c o a t p o c k e t . It's t h e p o s t c a r d he received from t h e g y m t h a t h e used t o f r e q u e n t , w i t h i t s offer o f a l i f e t i m e m e m b e r s h i p g o o d for t h e n e x t

two

m o n t h s . H e studies t h e glossy side of t h e card, w i t h its e n c h a n t e d Jew. B e f o r e ; after. F a t ; t h i n . S t a r t h e r e ; f i n i s h t h e r e . W i s e ; h a p p y . C h a o s ; order. Exile; h o m e l a n d . Before, a n e a t d i a g r a m in a b o o k , its grid carefully c r o s s h a t c h e d at t h e black s q u a r e s a n d a n n o t a t e d l i k e a p a g e o f T a l m u d ; after, a b a t t e r e d o l d c h e s s b o a r d w i t h a V i c k s inhaler at b8. L a n d s m a n feels i t t h e n . A h a n d l a i d o n h i s , t w o d e g r e e s w a r m e r t h a n n o r m a l . A quickening, an unfurling

like a b a n n e r in

his

t h o u g h t s . B e f o r e a n d after. T h e t o u c h o f M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , m o i s t , electric, conveying some k i n d of s t r a n g e blessing on L a n d s m a n . A n d t h e n n o t h i n g b u t t h e cold air of Bina Gelbfish's bedroom. T h e

flowering

childhood

O'Keeffe v a g i n a on t h e wall. T h e

stuffed

Shnapish sagging on a bookshelf beside Bina's w r i s t w a t c h

and

her c i g a r e t t e s . A n d Bina, s i t t i n g u p in b e d , p r o p p e d o n an elbow, w a t c h i n g h i m , sort of t h e w a y she w a t c h e d t h o s e kids go after t h a t hapless penguin pinata. " Y o u still d o t h a t h u m m i n g t h i n g , " s h e says. " W h e n thinking. Like Oscar Peterson, only with no piano." " F u c k , " L a n d s m a n says. "What, Meyer?"

you're

4DD

MICHAEL

CHABDN

" B i n a ! " I t ' s G u r y e h G e l b f i s h , t h a t o l d w h i s t l i n g m a r m o t , from across t h e hall. A n a n c i e n t t e r r o r m o m e n t a r i l y seizes L a n d s m a n . " W h o is t h e r e w i t h y o u ? " " N o b o d y , Pa, go t o s l e e p ! " A g a i n she says, in a low whisper, "Meyer, what?" L a n d s m a n s i t s d o w n o n t h e e d g e o f t h e b e d . B e f o r e ; after. T h e exaltation

of

understanding;

then

understanding's

bottomless

regret. " I k n o w w h a t k i n d o f a g u n k i l l e d M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , " h e says. "All r i g h t , " B i n a says. " I t w a s n ' t a c h e s s g a m e , " L a n d s m a n says a f t e r a m o m e n t . " O n t h e b o a r d i n S h p i l m a n ' s r o o m . I t w a s a problem.

It seems obvious

n o w , I s h o u l d h a v e s e e n i t , t h e s e t u p w a s so freaky. S o m e b o d y c a m e t o see S h p i l m a n t h a t n i g h t , a n d S h p i l m a n p o s e d h i m a p r o b l e m . A t r i c k y o n e . " H e moves t h e pieces of t h e p o c k e t chess set, his g r a s p o f t h e m s u r e , h i s h a n d s t e a d y . " W h i t e is all s e t u p t o p r o m o t e h i s p a w n , see. A n d h e w a n t s t o p r o m o t e i t t o a k n i g h t .

That's

called u n d e r p r o m o t i o n , b e c a u s e usually, y o u w a n t to get yourself a q u e e n . W i t h a k n i g h t here, he has t h r e e different ways to m a t e , h e t h i n k s . B u t t h a t ' s a m i s t a k e , b e c a u s e it leaves B l a c k — t h a t was M e n d e l — w i t h a w a y t o d r a g t h e g a m e o u t . If y o u ' r e W h i t e , y o u have to ignore the obvious thing. Just make a dull move with the b i s h o p , h e r e a t c 2 . Y o u d o n ' t e v e n n o t i c e i t a t first. B u t a f t e r y o u m a k e it, every m o v e Black has leads directly to a mate. H e can't move without

finishing

himself. H e has n o good m o v e s . "

" N o g o o d m o v e s , " B i n a says. " T h e y c a l l t h a t Zugzwang"

L a n d s m a n says. " ' F o r c e d t o m o v e . '

I t m e a n s B l a c k w o u l d b e b e t t e r off if h e c o u l d j u s t p a s s . " " B u t y o u a r e n ' t allowed t o pass, are you? You have t o

do

something, don't you?" "Yes,

y o u d o , " L a n d s m a n says. " E v e n w h e n y o u k n o w i t ' s o n l y

going to lead to y o u g e t t i n g c h e c k m a t e d . " L a n d s m a n c a n s e e i t s t a r t i n g t o m e a n s o m e t h i n g t o h e r , n o t as e v i d e n c e o r p r o o f o r a c h e s s p r o b l e m , b u t as p a r t o f t h e s t o r y o f

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

4DI

a c r i m e . A c r i m e c o m m i t t e d a g a i n s t a m a n w h o f o u n d h i m s e l f left w i t h n o g o o d m o v e s a t all. " H o w ' d y o u d o t h a t ? " she says, u n a b l e t o s u p p r e s s c o m p l e t e l y a m i l d a s t o n i s h m e n t at t h i s e v i d e n c e of m e n t a l fitness o n his p a r t . " H o w ' d you get the solution?" " I saw i t , a c t u a l l y , " L a n d s m a n says. " B u t a t t h e t i m e I d i d n ' t k n o w I w a s s e e i n g i t . I t w a s a n ' a f t e r ' p i c t u r e — t h e wrong

picture,

a c t u a l l y — t o t h e ' b e f o r e ' p i c t u r e in S h p i l m a n ' s r o o m . A

board

where W h i t e had three knights. O n l y chess sets don't c o m e w i t h t h r e e W h i t e k n i g h t s . So s o m e t i m e s y o u h a v e t o u s e s o m e t h i n g e l s e t o s t a n d i n for t h e p i e c e y o u d o n ' t h a v e . " "Like a penny? O r a bullet?" "Any k i n d of t h i n g a m a n m i g h t have in his p o c k e t , " L a n d s m a n says. " S a y a V i c k s i n h a l e r . "

* § 46

T

h e r e a s o n y o u n e v e r d e v e l o p e d a t c h e s s , M e y e r l e , is b e c a u s e y o u

d o n ' t h a t e t o lose b a d l y e n o u g h . " H e r t z S h e m e t s , s p r u n g f r o m t h e h o s p i t a l w i t h a n a s t y flesh

w o u n d a n d t h a t Sitka G e n e r a l smell on h i m of onion b r o t h and w i n t e r g r e e n s o a p , is l y i n g o n t h e c o u c h i n h i s s o n ' s l i v i n g r o o m , h i s t h i n s h a n k s s t i c k i n g o u t of his pajamas like t w o u n c o o k e d noodles. E s t e r - M a l k e h a s a t i c k e t for B e r k o ' s b i g l e a t h e r a r m c h a i r , w i t h B i n a a n d L a n d s m a n in t h e cheap seats, a folding stool and t h e armchair's leather o t t o m a n . Ester-Malke looks sleepy a n d confused, h u n k e r e d d o w n i n h e r b a t h r o b e , h e r left h a n d f i d d l i n g w i t h s o m e t h i n g i n t h e p o c k e t t h a t L a n d s m a n f i g u r e s for l a s t w e e k ' s p r e g n a n c y t e s t . B i n a ' s s h i r t is u n t u c k e d , a n d h e r h a i r is a m e s s ; t h e effect p a r t a k e s of shrubbery, s o m e k i n d of o r n a m e n t a l hedge. Landsman's

face

i n t h e p i e r g l a s s o n t h e w a l l is a n i m p a s t o o f s h a d o w s a n d scurf. O n l y Berko S h e m e t s c o u l d look s h a r p at this little h o u r of

the

m o r n i n g , p e r c h e d o n t h e coffee t a b l e b y t h e c o u c h , c l a d i n a p a i r of r h i n o c e r o s - g r a y p a j a m a s , n e a t l y c r e a s e d a n d cuffed, his initials w o r k e d over t h e p o c k e t in m o u s e - g r a y crewel. H a i r c o m b e d , cheeks e t e r n a l l y i n n o c e n t of w h i s k e r or blade. " I a c t u a l l y p r e f e r l o s i n g , " L a n d s m a n says. " T o b e h o n e s t . I s t a r t winning, I get suspicious."

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNION

4D3

" I h a t e i t . M o s t o f all I h a t e d l o s i n g t o y o u r f a t h e r . " U n c l e H e r t z ' s v o i c e is a b i t t e r c r o a k , t h e v o i c e o f h i s o w n g r e a t - a u n t c a l l i n g o u t from b e y o n d t h e grave or t h e Vistula. H e ' s t h i r s t y , t i r e d , rueful, a n d in p a i n , h a v i n g refused any m e d i c a t i o n s t r o n g e r t h a n aspirin. T h e inside of his h e a d has g o t t o b e r i n g i n g like t h e s l a m m e d h o o d o f a car. " B u t l o s i n g t o A l t e r L i t v a k . T h a t w a s a l m o s t as b a d . " U n c l e H e r t z ' s eyelids flutter, t h e n settle over his eyes. Bina claps her h a n d s , o n e - t w o , a n d t h e eyes snap o p e n . " T a l k , H e r t z , " B i n a says. " B e f o r e y o u g e t t i r e d o r g o i n t o a c o m a or s o m e t h i n g . You k n e w S h p i l m a n . " " Y e s , " H e r t z says. H i s b r u i s e d e y e l i d s h a v e t h e v e i n e d l u s t e r o f p u r p l e q u a r t z or t h e w i n g of a butterfly. "I k n e w h i m . " "You m e t him how? A t t h e Einstein?" H e starts to nod, t h e n tilts his head to o n e side, c h a n g i n g his m i n d . " I m e t h i m w h e n h e w a s a boy. B u t I d i d n ' t r e c o g n i z e h i m . W h e n I s a w h i m a g a i n . H e h a d c h a n g e d t o o m u c h . H e w a s a fat l i t t l e boy. N o t a fat m a n . T h i n . A j u n k i e . H e s t a r t e d c o m i n g a r o u n d t h e E i n s t e i n , h u s t l i n g c h e s s for d r u g m o n e y . I w o u l d s e e h i m t h e r e . Frank. H e wasn't the usual patzer. From t i m e to time, I don't know, I w o u l d l o s e five, t e n d o l l a r s t o h i m . " " D i d y o u h a t e t h a t ? " E s t e r - M a l k e says, a n d t h o u g h she k n o w s n o t h i n g a b o u t S h p i l m a n at all, she s e e m s t o have a n t i c i p a t e d or guessed at his answer. "No,"

h e r f a t h e r - i n - l a w says. " S t r a n g e l y , I d i d n ' t m i n d . "

"You liked h i m . " " I d o n ' t like anybody, E s t e r - M a l k e . " H e r t z licks his lips, l o o k i n g p a i n e d , s t i c k i n g o u t his t o n g u e . Berko gets o u t of t h e chair a n d takes a p l a s t i c t u m b l e r from t h e coffee t a b l e . H e h o l d s i t t o h i s f a t h e r ' s l i p s , a n d t h e i c e j i n g l e s i n t h e tumbler. H e helps H e r t z to drain half of it w i t h o u t spilling. H e r t z d o e s n ' t t h a n k h i m . H e lies t h e r e for a l o n g t i m e . Y o u c a n h e a r t h e water sluicing through him. " L a s t T h u r s d a y , " B i n a says. S h e s n a p s h e r f i n g e r s . " C o m e o n . You w e n t t o his r o o m . A t t h e Z a m e n h o f . "

404

MICHAEL

CHABON

"I w e n t to his r o o m . H e invited me. H e asked m e to b r i n g M e l e k h G a y s t i k ' s g u n . H e w a n t e d t o see it. I d o n ' t k n o w h o w h e k n e w I h a d it, I never told h i m . H e seemed to k n o w a lot a b o u t m e t h a t I never t o l d h i m . A n d h e t o l d m e t h e story. H o w L i t v a k was p r e s s i n g h i m t o play t h e T z a d d i k again, t o r o p e in t h e black hats. H o w h e ' d b e e n h i d i n g from L i t v a k , b u t h e t i r e d of h i d i n g . H e h a d b e e n h i d i n g h i s w h o l e life. So h e l e t L i t v a k find h i m a g a i n , b u t h e r e g r e t t e d i t r i g h t away. H e d i d n ' t k n o w w h a t t o d o . H e d i d n ' t w a n t to keep using. H e didn't w a n t to stop. H e didn't w a n t to be what h e w a s n ' t , h e d i d n ' t k n o w h o w t o b e w h a t h e w a s . So h e a s k e d m e if I w o u l d h e l p h i m . " " H e l p h i m h o w ? " B i n a says. H e r t z p u r s e s his lips, gives a s h r u g , a n d his gaze sidles t o w a r d a d a r k c o r n e r o f t h e r o o m . H e is n e a r l y e i g h t y y e a r s o l d , a n d b e f o r e this he has never confessed to anything. " H e s h o w e d m e t h a t d a m n e d p r o b l e m of his, t h e m a t e in t w o , " H e r t z says. " H e s a i d h e g o t i t off s o m e R u s s i a n . H e s a i d if I s o l v e d it, then I would u n d e r s t a n d h o w he felt." " Z u g z w a n g , " B i n a says. " W h a t ' s t h a t ? " E s t e r - M a l k e says. " I t ' s w h e n y o u h a v e n o g o o d m o v e s , " B i n a says. " B u t y o u s t i l l have to move." " O h , " says E s t e r - M a l k e , r o l l i n g h e r e y e s . "Chess." " I t ' s b e e n d r i v i n g m e c r a z y for d a y s , " H e r t z says. " I s t i l l c a n ' t g e t a m a t e in fewer t h a n t h r e e m o v e s . " " B i s h o p t o c 2 , " L a n d s m a n says. " E x c l a m a t i o n p o i n t . " I t t a k e s H e r t z w h a t feels t o L a n d s m a n l i k e a l o n g t i m e , w i t h h i s eyes closed, t o w o r k it o u t , b u t at last t h e old m a n nods. " Z u g z w a n g , " h e says. " W h y , o l d m a n ? W h y w o u l d h e t h i n k y o u w o u l d d o t h a t for h i m ? " B e r k o says. " Y o u b a r e l y k n e w e a c h o t h e r . " " H e k n e w m e . H e k n e w m e v e r y w e l l , I d o n ' t r e a l l y k n o w how. H e k n e w h o w b a d l y I h a t e losing. T h a t I c o u l d n ' t let L i t v a k b r i n g a b o u t t h i s f o o l i s h n e s s . I c o u l d n ' t . E v e r y t h i n g I w o r k e d for all m y

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNION

405

l i f e . " T h e r e m u s t b e a b i t t e r t a s t e i n h i s m o u t h ; h e m a k e s a face. "And n o w look w h a t happened. T h e y did i t . " " Y o u g o t in t h r o u g h t h e t u n n e l ? " M e y e r says. " I n t o t h e h o t e l ? " " W h a t t u n n e l ? I w a l k e d i n t h e f r o n t d o o r . I d o n ' t k n o w if y o u ' v e noticed, Meyerle, b u t it's n o t exactly a h i g h - s e c u r i t y b u i l d i n g you live i n . " T w o or t h r e e long m i n u t e s u n w i n d from their spool. O u t on their closed-in balcony, G o l d y a n d P i n k y m u t t e r a n d curse and h a m m e r at their b e d s like g n o m e s at t h e i r forges d e e p b e n e a t h t h e earth. " I h e l p e d h i m fix h i m s e l f u p , " H e r t z says finally. " I w a i t e d till h e w a s u n d e r . Way, d e e p d o w n u n d e r . T h e n I t o o k o u t G a y s t i k ' s g u n . I w r a p p e d i t in t h e p i l l o w . G a y s t i k ' s . 3 8 D e t e c t i v e S p e c i a l . R o l l e d t h e b o y o v e r o n t o h i s belly. B a c k o f t h e h e a d . I t w a s q u i c k . T h e r e was no pain." H e licks h i s l i p s a g a i n , a n d B e r k o is t h e r e w i t h a n o t h e r c o o l swallow. " T o o b a d y o u c o u l d n ' t d o as g o o d a j o b o n y o u r s e l f , " B e r k o says. "I t h o u g h t I was d o i n g t h e r i g h t thing, t h a t it w o u l d p u t a s t o p to L i t v a k . " T h e old m a n sounds plaintive, childish. " B u t then t h e bastards w e n t ahead a n d decided to t r y it w i t h o u t h i m . " E s t e r - M a l k e t a k e s t h e lid f r o m a g l a s s j a r o f m i x e d n u t s o n t h e t a b l e b e s i d e t h e c o u c h a n d stuffs a h a n d f u l i n t o h e r m o u t h . " D o n ' t t h i n k I ' m n o t t o t a l l y d i s t u r b e d a n d h o r r i f i e d b y all o f t h i s , f r i e n d s , " s h e says, h o i s t i n g h e r s e l f t o h e r f e e t . " B u t I ' m a t i r e d l a d y in h e r first t r i m e s t e r , a n d I ' m g o i n g t o b e d . " " I w a n t t o s i t w i t h h i m , s w e e t n e s s , " B e r k o says. H e a d d s , " I n c a s e he's faking a n d he tries to steal t h e television once w e ' r e asleep." " D o n ' t w o r r y , " B i n a says. " H e ' s a l r e a d y u n d e r a r r e s t . " Landsman stands by the couch, w a t c h i n g the old man's chest r i s e a n d fall. H e r t z ' s face h a s t h e h o l l o w s a n d f a c e t s o f a arrowhead. " H e ' s a b a d m a n , " L a n d s m a n says. " A n d h e a l w a y s w a s . "

flaked

4QG

MICHAEL

"Yes,

CHABON

b u t h e m a d e u p for i t b y b e i n g a t e r r i b l e f a t h e r . " B e r k o

s t a r e s a t H e r t z for a l o n g t i m e w i t h t e n d e r n e s s a n d c o n t e m p t . T h e old m a n looks like s o m e k i n d of d e m e n t e d s w a m i in t h a t b a n d a g e . " W h a t are you going to do?" " N o t h i n g , what do you mean what am I going to do?" " I d o n ' t k n o w , y o u h a v e t h a t t w i t c h y t h i n g h a p p e n i n g . You look like y o u ' r e going to do s o m e t h i n g . " "What?" "That's what I'm asking you." " I ' m n o t g o i n g t o d o a n y t h i n g , " L a n d s m a n says. " W h a t

can

I do?" E s t e r - M a l k e walks Bina a n d L a n d s m a n d o w n t h e hall to t h e front d o o r of t h e a p a r t m e n t . L a n d s m a n p u t s on his p o r k p i e hat. "So,"

E s t e r - M a l k e says.

"So,"

say Bina a n d L a n d s m a n .

" I n o t e t h a t t h e t w o of y o u are leaving t o g e t h e r . " " Y o u w a n t u s t o l e a v e s e p a r a t e l y ? " L a n d s m a n says. " I c a n t a k e t h e stairs a n d Bina can r i d e d o w n in t h e elevator." " L a n d s m a n , l e t m e t e l l y o u s o m e t h i n g , " E s t e r - M a l k e says. "All t h e s e p e o p l e r i o t i n g o n t h e t e l e v i s i o n in Syria, B a g h d a d , E g y p t ? I n L o n d o n ? B u r n i n g c a r s . S e t t i n g fire t o e m b a s s i e s . U p i n Yakovy, d i d y o u see w h a t h a p p e n e d , t h e y w e r e d a n c i n g , t h o s e

fucking

m a n i a c s , t h e y w e r e so h a p p y a b o u t all t h i s c r a z i n e s s , t h e w h o l e floor c o l l a p s e d r i g h t o n t o t h e a p a r t m e n t u n d e r n e a t h . A c o u p l e o f l i t t l e girls sleeping in t h e i r b e d s , t h e y g o t c r u s h e d t o d e a t h . T h a t ' s t h e k i n d of s h i t w e h a v e t o l o o k f o r w a r d t o now. B u r n i n g cars a n d h o m i c i d a l d a n c i n g . I h a v e n o i d e a w h e r e t h i s b a b y is g o i n g t o b e b o r n . M y m u r d e r i n g , s u i c i d a l f a t h e r - i n - l a w is s l e e p i n g i n m y l i v i n g r o o m . M e a n w h i l e , I ' m g e t t i n g t h i s v e r y s t r a n g e v i b r a t i o n from t h e t w o o f y o u . So l e t m e j u s t s a y t h a t if y o u a n d B i n a a r e p l a n n i n g t o g e t b a c k t o g e t h e r , e x c u s e m e , b u t t h a t ' s all I n e e d . " L a n d s m a n c o n s i d e r s t h i s . A n y k i n d o f w o n d e r s e e m s likely. T h a t t h e J e w s w i l l p i c k u p a n d s e t sail for t h e p r o m i s e d l a n d t o feast o n giant grapes a n d toss their beards in t h e desert wind. T h a t

the

THE Y I D D I S H

POLICEMEN'S

UNION

407

T e m p l e w i l l b e r e b u i l t , s p e e d i l y a n d i n o u r day. W a r w i l l c e a s e , e a s e a n d p l e n t y a n d r i g h t e o u s n e s s will b e universal, a n d h u m a n k i n d will be t r e a t e d to t h e regular spectacle of lions a n d lambs cohabiting. E v e r y m a n will b e a r a b b i , e v e r y w o m a n a h o l y b o o k , a n d e v e r y s u i t will c o m e w i t h t w o p a i r s of p a n t s . M e y e r ' s seed, e v e n now, m a y b e wandering through darkness toward r e d e m p t i o n , striking at the m e m b r a n e t h a t separates t h e legacy of t h e yids w h o m a d e h i m from t h a t of t h e y i d s w h o s e e r r o r s , griefs, h o p e s , a n d c a l a m i t i e s w e n t i n t o t h e p r o d u c t i o n of Bina Gelbfish. " M a y b e i t w o u l d b e b e t t e r if I t o o k t h e s t a i r s , " L a n d s m a n says. " Y o u g o r i g h t a h e a d a n d d o t h a t , M e y e r , " says B i n a . B u t t h e n w h e n h e finally m a k e s i t all t h e w a y d o w n , h e f i n d s h e r a t t h e b o t t o m , w a i t i n g for h i m . " W h a t t o o k y o u so l o n g ? " s h e says. "I had to stop a time or two on the way." "You need to quit smoking. Quit again." " I d o . I w i l l . " H e fishes o u t h i s p a c k a g e o f B r o a d w a y s , fifteen left to b u r n , a n d arcs it i n t o t h e l o b b y t r a s h can like a d i m e c a r r y i n g a w i s h i n t o a f o u n t a i n . H e ' s f e e l i n g a l i t t l e g i d d y , a l i t t l e t r a g i c . H e is r i p e for t h e g r a n d g e s t u r e , t h e o p e r a t i c m i s t a k e . M a n i c is p r o b a b l y the word. "But that's not what held m e u p . " "You're really h u r t . Tell m e you're n o t really h u r t ,

walking

a r o u n d so t o u g h a n d m a c h o w h e n y o u n e e d t o b e i n t h e g o d d a m n h o s p i t a l . " S h e r e a c h e s for h i s w i n d p i p e w i t h t h e f i n g e r s o f b o t h h a n d s , r e a d y , as e v e r , t o c h o k e t h e life f r o m L a n d s m a n t o s h o w h o w m u c h she cares. "Are y o u h u r t badly, y o u i d i o t ? " " O n l y i n m y s o u l , s w e e t n e s s , " M e y e r says. T h o u g h h e s u p p o s e s i t ' s p o s s i b l e t h a t Ran" Z i l b e r b l a t ' s b u l l e t c r e a s e d m o r e t h a n h i s s k u l l . "I j u s t had to s t o p a couple of times. T o t h i n k . O r n o t to t h i n k , I d o n ' t k n o w . E v e r y t i m e I l e t m y s e l f t r y t o , y o u k n o w , breathe, j u s t for t e n s e c o n d s , w i t h t h e a i r full o f t h i s t h i n g w e ' r e l e t t i n g t h e m g e t a w a y w i t h , I d o n ' t k n o w , I feel l i k e I ' m s u f f o c a t i n g a l i t t l e b i t . " Landsman

s i n k s o n t o a sofa w h o s e b r u i s e - c o l o r e d

cushions

408

MICHAEL

CHABON

g i v e off a s t r o n g S i t k a o d o r o f m i l d e w , c i g a r e t t e s , a c o m p l i c a t e d s a l t i n e s s t h a t is p a r t s t o r m y s e a , p a r t s w e a t o n t h e l i n i n g o f a w o o l f e d o r a . T h e l o b b y o f t h e D n y e p e r is all b l o o d - p u r p l e v e l v e t a n d gilded c r u s t , b l o w n - u p h a n d - t i n t e d p o s t c a r d s of t h e great Black Sea r e s o r t s i n T s a r i s t t i m e s . L a d i e s w i t h t h e i r l a p d o g s o n s u n s t r u c k p r o m e n a d e s . G r a n d h o t e l s t h a t n e v e r h o u s e d a Jew. " I t ' s l i k e a s t o n e i n m y belly, t h i s d e a l w e m a d e , " L a n d s m a n says. " J u s t l y i n g t h e r e . " Bina rolls h e r eyes, h a n d s on h e r hips, glances at t h e door. T h e n she comes over and drops her bag and plops d o w n beside him. H o w m a n y t i m e s , he w o n d e r s , can she have e n o u g h of h i m , already, and still have n o t q u i t e e n o u g h ? " I c a n ' t r e a l l y b e l i e v e y o u a g r e e d t o i t , " s h e says. "I know." "I'm supposed to be the brownnose around here." "Tell me about it." " T h e ass licker." "It's killing m e . " " I f I c a n ' t r e l y o n y o u t o t e l l t h e b i g s h o t s t o f u c k off, M e y e r , why do I keep you around?" H e tries t o explain t o her, t h e n , t h e c o n s i d e r a t i o n s t h a t led h i m t o m a k e his o w n p e r s o n a l v e r s i o n of t h e deal. H e n a m e s s o m e of t h e small t h i n g s — t h e c a n n e r i e s , t h e violinists, t h e m a r q u e e of t h e Baranof T h e a t r e — t h a t it pleased h i m t o cherish a b o u t Sitka w h e n he was coming to terms w i t h Cashdollar. " Y o u a n d y o u r g o d d a m n e d Heart

of Darkness"

B i n a says. " I ' m

not sitting t h r o u g h that movie ever again." She shrinks her m o u t h d o w n to a hard m a r k . "You forgot s o m e t h i n g , asshole. O n your s w e e t l i t t l e list. You w e r e o n e i t e m s h o r t , I'd say." "Bina." " Y o u h a v e n o p l a c e for m e o n t h a t l i s t o f y o u r s ? B e c a u s e I h o p e you k n o w you're at the fucking t o p of m i n e . " " H o w is t h a t p o s s i b l e ? " L a n d s m a n says. " I j u s t d o n ' t s e e h o w that could be."

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

4D9

"Why not?" " B e c a u s e , y o u k n o w . I failed y o u . I l e t y o u d o w n . I feel l i k e I j u s t l e t y o u d o w n so b a d l y . " "In what way?" " B e c a u s e of w h a t I m a d e y o u do. T o D j a n g o . I d o n ' t k n o w h o w you can even stand to look at m e . " "Made m e ? Y o u t h i n k y o u made m e kill o u r b a b y ? " "No,

Bina, I — "

" L e t m e tell y o u s o m e t h i n g , M e y e r . " She g r a b s his

hand,

d i g g i n g h e r n a i l s i n t o h i s s k i n . " T h e d a y y o u ever h a v e t h a t m u c h control over m y behavior, it will be b e c a u s e s o m e b o d y ' s asking you, should she get the pine box or a plain w h i t e s h r o u d ? " She d i s c a r d s h i s h a n d , t h e n r e t r i e v e s i t a n d s t r o k e s a t t h e fiery l i t t l e m o o n s she carved i n t o his

flesh.

" O h my God, your hand,

I'm

sorry. Meyer, I ' m sorry." L a n d s m a n , o f c o u r s e , is s o r r y , t o o . H e h a s a l r e a d y a p o l o g i z e d t o her several t i m e s , alone a n d in t h e p r e s e n c e of o t h e r s , orally a n d in w r i t i n g , formally in m e a s u r e d p h r a s e s a n d in u n t r a m m e l e d s p a s m s : Sorry I'm sorry I'm so, so sorry. H e h a s a p o l o g i z e d for h i s c r a z i n e s s , h i s e r r a t i c b e h a v i o r , h i s g l o o m s a n d j a g s , for t h e y e a r s o f r o u n d - r o b i n e x a l t a t i o n a n d d e s p a i r . H e h a s a p o l o g i z e d for l e a v i n g h e r , a n d for b e g g i n g h e r t o t a k e h i m b a c k a g a i n , a n d for b r e a k i n g d o w n t h e d o o r t o t h e i r o l d a p a r t m e n t w h e n s h e d e c l i n e d t o d o so. H e h a s a b a s e d himself, a n d r e n t his g a r m e n t s , a n d g r o v e l e d at h e r shoes. M o s t of t h e t i m e Bina h a s , g o o d a n d c a r i n g w o m a n t h a t she is, offered L a n d s m a n t h e w o r d s h e w a n t e d t o h e a r . H e h a s p r a y e d t o h e r for r a i n , a n d s h e h a s s e n t c o o l s h o w e r s . B u t w h a t h e r e a l l y r e q u i r e s is a flood t o w a s h h i s w i c k e d n e s s f r o m t h e face o f t h e e a r t h . T h a t o r t h e blessing of a y i d w h o will n e v e r bless a n y o n e again. " I t ' s all r i g h t , " L a n d s m a n says. S h e g e t s u p a n d g o e s o v e r t o t h e l o b b y t r a s h c a n a n d fishes o u t L a n d s m a n ' s p a c k a g e of Broadways. F r o m h e r coat p o c k e t she pulls a d e n t e d Z i p p o , bearing t h e insignia of t h e 7 5 t h R a n g e r r e g i m e n t , a n d l i g h t s a p a p i r o s for e a c h o f t h e m .

4ID

MICHAEL

CHABDN

" W e d i d w h a t s e e m e d r i g h t a t t h e t i m e , M e y e r . W e h a d a few facts. W e k n e w o u r l i m i t a t i o n s . A n d w e called t h a t a choice. B u t w e d i d n ' t have any choice. All w e h a d w a s , I d o n ' t know, t h r e e lousy facts a n d a b o u n d a r y m a p of o u r o w n l i m i t a t i o n s . T h e t h i n g s w e k n e w w e c o u l d n ' t h a n d l e . " She takes h e r Shoyfer o u t of her b a g a n d h a n d s i t t o L a n d s m a n . " A n d r i g h t n o w , if y o u ' r e a s k i n g m e , a n d I k i n d of g o t t h e idea y o u w e r e , y o u also d o n ' t really have any choice." W h e n h e j u s t s i t s t h e r e , h o l d i n g t h e p h o n e , s h e flips i t o p e n a n d d i a l s a n u m b e r a n d p u t s i t i n t o h i s h a n d . H e r a i s e s i t t o h i s ear. " D e n n i s B r e n n a n , " says t h e c h i e f a n d s o l e o c c u p a n t o f t h e S i t k a b u r e a u o f t h a t m a j o r A m e r i c a n daily. " B r e n n a n . It's M e y e r L a n d s m a n . " L a n d s m a n h e s i t a t e s again. H e covers t h e m o u t h hole of t h e phone with a thumb. "Tell h i m to get his big head d o w n here and w a t c h us arrest your u n c l e for m u r d e r , " B i n a says. " T e l l h i m h e h a s t w e n t y m i n u t e s . " L a n d s m a n tries t o w e i g h t h e fates of Berko, of his uncle H e r t z , of Bina, of t h e J e w s , of t h e A r a b s , of t h e w h o l e u n b l e s s e d a n d homeless planet, against the promise he made to Mrs. Shpilman, a n d t o h i m s e l f , e v e n t h o u g h h e h a d l o s t h i s b e l i e f i n fate a n d promises. " I d i d n ' t h a v e t o w a i t for y o u t o d r a g y o u r l a m e n t a b l e h i d e d o w n t h o s e l o u s y s t a i r s , " B i n a says. " Y o u k n o w t h a t . I c o u l d j u s t have walked out the g o d d a m n e d door." " Y e a h , so w h y d i d n ' t y o u ? " " B e c a u s e I k n o w y o u , M e y e r . I c o u l d see w h a t w a s g o i n g t h r o u g h y o u r m i n d , s i t t i n g u p t h e r e , l i s t e n i n g t o H e r t z . I c o u l d see y o u h a d s o m e t h i n g y o u n e e d e d t o say." She p u s h e s t h e p h o n e b a c k t o h i s l i p s a n d b r u s h e s t h e m w i t h h e r s . " S o j u s t g o a h e a d a n d say i t already. I ' m t i r e d of w a i t i n g . " For days L a n d s m a n has been t h i n k i n g t h a t h e missed his chance w i t h M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , t h a t in t h e i r exile at t h e H o t e l

Zamenhof,

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

4M

w i t h o u t even realizing, h e b l e w his o n e s h o t at s o m e t h i n g like r e d e m p t i o n . B u t t h e r e is n o M e s s i a h o f S i t k a . L a n d s m a n

has

n o h o m e , n o future, n o fate b u t Bina. T h e land t h a t h e a n d she w e r e p r o m i s e d was b o u n d e d only b y t h e fringes of t h e i r w e d d i n g canopy, b y t h e dog-eared c o r n e r s of t h e i r c a r d s of m e m b e r s h i p in an i n t e r n a t i o n a l f r a t e r n i t y w h o s e m e m b e r s c a r r y t h e i r p a t r i m o n y in a t o t e b a g , t h e i r w o r l d o n t h e t i p of t h e t o n g u e . " B r e n n a n , " L a n d s m a n says. " I h a v e a s t o r y for y o u . "

AUTHDR'S NOTE a m g r a t e f u l for t h e h e l p o f t h e f o l l o w i n g p e o p l e , w o r k s , w e b s i t e s , institutions, and establishments: The

MacDowell

Colony, Peterborough,

New

Hampshire;

Davia N e l s o n ; Susie T o m p k i n s Buell; M a r g a r e t G r a d e a n d t h e staff of M a n k a ' s Inverness L o d g e , I n v e r n e s s , California; P h i l i p Pavel a n d t h e staff o f t h e C h a t e a u M a r m o n t , L o s A n g e l e s , C a l i f o r n i a ; B o n n i e Pietila a n d h e r fellow d e n i z e n s of Springfield;

Paul

Hamburg,

l i b r a r i a n for t h e J u d a i c a C o l l e c t i o n s , U n i v e r s i t y o f C a l i f o r n i a ; A r i Y. Kelman; T o d d Hasak-Lowy; Roman Skaskiw; the Alaska Library, Juneau, Alaska; Dee Longebaugh, O b s e r v a t o r y

State Books,

Juneau, Alaska; Jake Bassett of t h e O a k l a n d Police D e p a r t m e n t ; M a r y E v a n s ; Sally W i l l c o x , M a t t h e w S n y d e r , a n d D a v i d C o l d e n ; Devin M c l n t y r e ; Kristina Larsen, Lisa Eglinton, a n d C a r m e n D a r i o ; E l i z a b e t h Gaffney, K e n n e t h T u r a n , J o n a t h a n L e t h e m ; C h r i s t o p h e r Potter;

Jonathan

Burnham;

Michael

McKenzie;

Scott

Rudin;

Leonard Waldman, Robert Chabon, and Sharon Chabon; Sophie, Zeke, Ida-Rose, and A b r a h a m Messiah

Texts, R a p h a e l P a t a i ; Modern

Dictionary, of

Chabon, and their mother;

Yiddish,

English-Tiddish

Yiddish-English

U r i e l W e i n r e i c h ; Our Gang, J e n n a J o s e l i t ; The B e n j a m i n H a r s h a v ; Blessings,

Psycho-Ostensive

Expressions

in Yiddish,

The

Curses, Hopes and

Benjamin Matisoff;

Meaning Fears: English-

414

AUTHOR'S

Yiddish

Dictionary,

S l o b i n ; Against Alaska,

NOTE

A l e x a n d e r H a r k a v y ; American Culture:

Development,

Politics,

Klezmer,

and Religion

Mark

in Indian

K i r k D o m b r o w s k i ; Will the Time Ever Come? A Tlingit

Source

Book, A n d r e w H o p e I I I a n d T h o m a s F. T h o r n t o n , e d s . ; The Chess Artist,

J. C . H a l l m a n ;

F r a e n k e l ) ; Treasury (http://

of

The Pleasures Chess Lore,

of

Chess, A s s i a c

Mendele

shakti.trincoll.edu/~mendele/index.utf-8.htm);

C h e s s v i l l e ( w w w . c h e s s v i l l e . c o m ) ; Eruvin Areas,

(Heinrich

Fred Reinfeld, ed.;

Yosef

Gavriel

baistefila/eruvpl.htm);

Bechhofer Yiddish

in Modern

Metropolitan

(http://www.aishdas.org/ Dictionary

Online

(www.

yiddishdictionaryonline.com); and Courtney Hodell, editor and r e d e e m e r of this novel. T h e H a n d s of Esau b r o t h e r h o o d was founded b y and appears h e r e w i t h t h e kind p e r m i s s i o n of its g r a n d c h a i r m a n and president for life, J e r o m e C h a r y n ; t h e Z u g z w a n g o f M e n d e l S h p i l m a n w a s d e v i s e d b y R e b V l a d i m i r N a b o k o v a n d is p r e s e n t e d i n h i s Speak, Memory. This

novel

was

written

on

Macintosh

Devonthink Pro and Nisus Writer Express.

computers

using