conscious； he saw the street and the girl and
boy walking up the sidewalk on the other side； holding hands because they were
（？in love？）
so happy about the day and themselves together in the day。 He saw autumn
leaves blowing along the gutter； yellow cartwheels of irregular shape。 He saw
the house they were passing and noticed how the roof was covered with
（shingles。 i guess it'll be no problem if the flashing's ok yeah that'll be
all right。 that watson。 christ what a character。 wish there was a place for him
in 〃THE PLAY。 〃 i'll end up with the whole fucking human race in it if i don't
watch out。 yeah。 shingles。 are there nails out there？ oh shit forgot to ask him
well they're simple to get。 sidewinder hardware store。 wasps。 they're nesting
this time of year。 i might want to get one of those bug bombs in case they're
there when i rip up the old shingles。 new shingles。 old）
shingles。 So that's what he was thinking about。 He had gotten the job and was
thinking about shingles。 Danny didn't know who Watson was； but everything else
seemed clear enough。 And he might get to see a wasps' nest。 Just as sure as his
name was
〃Danny 。。。 Dannee 。。。〃
He looked up and there was Tony； far up the street； standing by a stop sign
and waving。 Danny； as always； felt a warm burst of pleasure at seeing his old
friend； but this time he seemed to feel a prick of fear； too； as if Tony had
e with some darkness hidden behind his back。 A jar…of wasps which when
released would sting deeply。
But there was no question of not going。
He slumped further down on the curb； his hands sliding laxly from his thighs
and dangling below the