THE MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN

LEON KAUFMAN WAS no longer new to the city. The Palace of Delights he!" always calle" it in the "ays of his innocence. #$t that was when he!" li%e" in Atlanta an" New &or' was still a 'in" of (ro)ise" lan" where anything an" e%erything was (ossi*le. Now Ka$f)an ha" li%e" three an" a half )onths in his "rea)+city an" the Palace of Delights see)e" less than "elightf$l. Was it really only a season since he ste((e" o$t of Port A$thority #$s Station an" loo'e" $( ,-n" Street towar"s the #roa"way intersection. So short a ti)e to lose so )any treas$re" ill$sions. /e was e)*arrasse" now e%en to thin' of his nai%ety. 0t )a"e hi) wince to re)e)*er how he ha" stoo" an" anno$nce" alo$"1 2New &or' 0 lo%e yo$.! Lo%e. Ne%er. 0t ha" *een at *est an infat$ation. An" now after only three )onths li%ing with his o*3ect of a"oration s(en"ing his "ays an" nights in her (resence she ha" lost her a$ra of (erfection. New &or' was 3$st a city. /e ha" seen her wa'e in the )orning li'e a sl$t an" (ic' )$r"ere" )en fro) *etween her teeth an" s$ici"es fro) the tangles of her hair. /e ha" seen her late at night her "irty *ac' streets sha)elessly co$rting "e(ra%ity. /e ha" watche"

her in the hot afternoon sl$ggish an" $gly in"ifferent to the atrocities that were *eing co))itte" e%ery ho$r in her throttle" (assages. 0t was no Palace of Delights. 0t *re" "eath not (leas$re. E%eryone he )et ha" *r$she" with %iolence4 it was a fact of life. 0t was al)ost chic to ha%e 'nown so)eone who ha" "ie" a %iolent "eath. 0t was (roof of li%ing in that city. #$t Ka$f)an ha" lo%e" New &or' fro) afar for al)ost twenty years. /e!" (lanne" his lo%e affair for )ost of his a"$lt life. 0t was not easy therefore to sha'e the (assion off as tho$gh he ha" ne%er felt it. There were still ti)es %ery early *efore the co(+sirens *egan or at twilight when Manhattan was still a )iracle. For those )o)ents an" for the sa'e of his "rea)s he still ga%e her the *enefit of the "o$*t e%en when her *eha%io$r was less than la"yli'e. She "i"n!t )a'e s$ch forgi%eness easy. 0n the few )onths that Ka$f)an ha" li%e" in New &or' her streets ha" *een awash with s(ilt *loo". 0n fact it was not so )$ch the streets the)sel%es *$t the t$nnels *eneath those streets. 2S$*way Sla$ghter! was the catch+(hrase of the )onth. Only the (re%io$s wee' another three 'illings ha" *een re(orte". The *o"ies ha" *een "isco%ere" in one of the s$*way cars on the A5ENUE OF T/E AME607AS hac'e" o(en an" (artially "ise)*owelle" as tho$gh an efficient a*attoir o(erati%e ha" *een interr$(te" in his wor'. The 'illings were so thoro$ghly (rofessional that the (olice were inter%iewing e%ery )an on their recor"s who ha" so)e (ast

connection with the *$tchery tra"e. The )eat+(ac'aging (lants on the water+front were *eing watche" the sla$ghter+ ho$ses sco$re" for cl$es. A swift arrest was (ro)ise" tho$gh none was )a"e. This recent trio of cor(ses was not the first to *e "isco%ere" in s$ch a state4 the %ery "ay that Ka$f)an ha" arri%e" a story ha" *ro'en in The Ti)es that was still the tal' of e%ery )or*i" secretary in the office. The story went that a 8er)an %isitor lost in the s$*way syste) late at night ha" co)e across a *o"y in a train. The %icti) was a well+*$ilt attracti%e thirty+year+ol" wo)an fro) #roo'lyn. She ha" *een co)(letely stri((e". E%ery shre" of clothing e%ery article of 3ewellery. E%en the st$"s in her ears. More *i9arre than the stri((ing was the neat an" syste)atic way in which the clothes ha" *een fol"e" an" (lace" in in"i%i"$al (lastic *ags on the seat *esi"e the cor(se. This was no irrational slasher at wor'. This was a highly+ organi9e" )in"1 a l$natic with a strong sense of ti"iness. F$rther an" yet )ore *i9arre than the caref$l stri((ing of the cor(se was the o$trage that ha" then *een (er(etrate" $(on it. The re(orts clai)e" tho$gh the Police De(art)ent faile" to confir) this that the *o"y ha" *een )etic$lo$sly sha%e". E%ery hair ha" *een re)o%e"1 fro) the hea" fro) the groin fro) *eneath the ar)s4 all c$t an" scorche" *ac' to the flesh. E%en the eye*rows an" eyelashes ha" *een (l$c'e" o$t. Finally this all too na'e" sla* ha" *een h$ng *y the feet fro) one of the hol"ing han"les set in the roof of the car an" a *lac' (lastic *$c'et line" with a *lac' (lastic *ag

ha" *een (lace" *eneath the cor(se to catch the stea"y fall of *loo" fro) its wo$n"s. 0n that state stri((e" sha%e" s$s(en"e" an" (ractically *le" white the *o"y of Loretta Dyer ha" *een fo$n". 0t was "isg$sting it was )etic$lo$s an" it was "ee(ly conf$sing. There ha" *een no ra(e nor any sign of tort$re. The wo)an ha" *een swiftly an" efficiently "is(atche" as tho$gh she was a (iece of )eat. An" the *$tcher was still loose. The 7ity Fathers in their wis"o) "eclare" a co)(lete close+"own on (ress re(orts of the sla$ghter. 0t was sai" that the )an who ha" fo$n" the *o"y was in (rotecti%e c$sto"y in New :ersey o$t of sight of en;$iring 3o$rnalists. #$t the co%er+$( ha" faile". So)e gree"y co( ha" lea'e" the salient "etails to a re(orter fro) The Ti)es. E%eryone in New &or' now 'new the horri*le story of the sla$ghters. 0t was a to(ic of con%ersation in e%ery Deli an" *ar4 an" of co$rse on the s$*way. #$t Loretta Dyer was only the first. Now three )ore *o"ies ha" *een fo$n" in i"entical circ$)stances4 tho$gh the wor' ha" clearly *een interr$(te" on this occasion. Not all the *o"ies ha" *een sha%e" an" the 3$g$lars ha" not *een se%ere" to *lee" the). There was another )ore significant "ifference in the "isco%ery1 it was not a to$rist who ha" st$)*le" on the sight it was a re(orter fro) The New &or' Ti)es. Ka$f)an s$r%eye" the re(ort that s(rawle" across the front (age of the news(a(er. /e ha" no (r$rient interest in the story $nli'e his el*ow )ate along the co$nter of the Deli. All he felt was a )il" "isg$st that )a"e hi) ($sh his

(late of o%er+coo'e" eggs asi"e. 0t was si)(ly f$rther (roof of his city!s "eca"ence. /e co$l" ta'e no (leas$re in her sic'ness. Ne%ertheless *eing h$)an he co$l" not entirely ignore the gory "etails on the (age in front of hi). The article was $nsensationally written *$t the si)(le clarity of the style )a"e the s$*3ect see) )ore a((alling. /e co$l"n!t hel( won"ering too a*o$t the )an *ehin" the atrocities. Was there one (sychotic loose or se%eral each ins(ire" to co(y the original )$r"er. Perha(s this was only the *eginning of the horror. May*e )ore )$r"ers wo$l" follow $ntil at last the )$r"erer in his e<hilaration or e<ha$stion wo$l" ste( *eyon" ca$tion an" *e ta'en. Until then the city Ka$f)an!s a"ore" city wo$l" li%e in a state so)ewhere *etween hysteria an" ecstasy. At his el*ow a *ear"e" )an 'noc'e" o%er Ka$f)an!s coffee. 2Shit=! he sai". Ka$f)an shifte" on his stool to a%oi" the "ri**le of coffee r$nning off the co$nter. 2Shit ! the )an sai" again. No har) "one ! sai" Ka$f)an. /e loo'e" at the )an with a slightly "is"ainf$l e<(res+ sion on his face. The cl$)sy *astar" was atte)(ting to soa' $( the coffee with a na('in which was t$rning to )$sh as he "i" so. Ka$f)an fo$n" hi)self won"ering if this oaf with his flori" chee's an" his $nc$lti%ate" *ear" was ca(a*le of )$r"er. Was there any sign on that o%er+fe" face any cl$e in the sha(e of his hea" or the t$rn of his s)all eyes that ga%e his tr$e nat$re away.

The )an s(o'e. 2Wannanother.! Ka$f)an shoo' his hea". 27offee. 6eg$lar. Dar' ! the oaf sai" to the girl *ehin" the co$nter. She loo'e" $( fro) cleaning the grill of col" fat. 2/$h.! 27offee. &o$ "eaf.! The )an grinne" at Ka$f)an. 2Deaf ! he sai". Ka$f)an notice" he ha" three teeth )issing fro) his lower 3aw. 2Loo's *a" h$h.! he sai". What "i" he )ean. The coffee. The a*sence of his teeth. 2Three (eo(le li'e that. 7ar%e" $(.! Ka$f)an no""e". 2Ma'es yo$ thin' ! he sai". 2S$re.! 20 )ean it!s a co%er+$( isn!t it. They 'now who "i" it.! This con%ersation!s ri"ic$lo$s tho$ght Ka$f)an. /e too' off his s(ectacles an" (oc'ete" the)1 the *ear"e" face was no longer in foc$s. That was so)e i)(ro%e)ent at least. 2#astar"s ! he sai". 2F$c'ing *astar"s all of the). 0!ll lay yo$ anything it!s a co%er+$(.! 2Of what.! 2They got the e%i"ence1 they!re 3$st 'ee(ing $s in the f$c'ing "ar'. There!s so)ething o$t there that!s not h$)an.! Ka$f)an $n"erstoo". 0t was a cons(iracy theory the oaf was trotting o$t. /e!" hear" the) so often4 a (anacea. 2See they "o all this cloning st$ff an" it gets o$t of han". They co$l" *e growing f$c'ing )onsters for all we 'now. There!s so)ething "own there they won!t tell $s a*o$t. 7o%er+$( li'e 0 say. Lay yo$ anything.! Ka$f)an fo$n" the )an!s certainty attracti%e. Monsters on the (rowl. Si<

hea"s1 a "o9en eyes. Why not. /e 'new why not. #eca$se that e<c$se" his city1 that let her off the hoo'. An" Ka$f)an *elie%e" in his heart that the )onsters to *e fo$n" in the t$nnels were (erfectly h$)an. The *ear"e" )an threw his )oney on the co$nter an" got $( sli"ing his fat *otto) off the staine" (lastic stool. 2Pro*a*ly a f$c'ing co( ! he sai" as his (arting shot. 2Trie" to )a'e a f$c'ing hero )a"e a f$c'ing )onster instea".! /e grinne" grotes;$ely. 2Lay yo$ anything ! he contin$e" an" l$)*ere" o$t witho$t another wor". Ka$f)an slowly e<hale" thro$gh his nose feeling the tension in his *o"y a*ate. /e hate" that sort of confrontation1 it )a"e hi) feel tong$e+tie" an" ineffect$al. 7o)e to thin' of it he hate" that 'in" of )an1 the o(inionate" *r$te that New &or' *re" so well. 0t was co)ing $( to si< when Mahogany wo'e. The )orning rain ha" t$rne" into a light "ri99le *y twilight. The air was a*o$t as clear+s)elling as it e%er got in Manhattan. /e stretche" on his *e" threw off the "irty *lan'et an" got $( for wor'. 0n the *athroo) the rain was "ri((ing on the *o< of the air+con"itioner filling the a(art)ent with a rhyth)ical sla((ing so$n". Mahogany t$rne" on the tele%ision to co%er the noise $nintereste" in anything it ha" to offer. /e went to the win"ow. The street si< floors *elow was thic' with traffic an" (eo(le. After a har" "ay!s wor' New &or' was on its way ho)e1 to (lay to )a'e lo%e. Peo(le were strea)ing o$t of their offices an" into their a$to)o*iles. So)e wo$l" *e testy after

a "ay!s sweaty la*o$r in a *a"ly+aire" office4 others *enign as shee( wo$l" *e wan"ering ho)e "own the A%en$es $shere" along *y a ceaseless c$rrent of *o"ies. Still others wo$l" e%en now *e cra))ing on to the s$*way *lin" to the graffiti on e%ery wall "eaf to the *a**le of their own %oices an" to the col" th$n"er of the t$nnels. 0t (lease" Mahogany to thin' of that. /e was after all not one of the co))on her". /e co$l" stan" at his win"ow an" loo' "own on a tho$san" hea"s *elow hi) an" 'now he was a chosen )an. /e ha" "ea"lines to )eet of co$rse li'e the (eo(le in the street. #$t his wor' was not their senseless la*o$r it was )ore li'e a sacre" "$ty. /e nee"e" to li%e an" slee( an" shit li'e the) too. #$t it was not financial necessity that "ro%e hi) *$t the "e)an"s of history. /e was in a great tra"ition that stretche" f$rther *ac' than A)erica. /e was a night+stal'er1 li'e :ac' the 6i((er li'e 8illes "e 6ais a li%ing e)*o"i)ent of "eath a wraith with a h$)an face. /e was a ha$nter of slee( an" an awa'ener of terrors. The (eo(le *elow hi) co$l" not 'now his face4 nor wo$l" care to loo' twice at hi). #$t his stare ca$ght the) an" weighe" the) $( selecting only the ri(est fro) the (assing (ara"e choosing only the healthy an" the yo$ng to fall $n"er his sanctifie" 'nife. So)eti)es Mahogany longe" to anno$nce his i"entity to the worl" *$t he ha" res(onsi*ilities an" they *ore on hi) hea%ily. /e co$l"n!t e<(ect fa)e. /is was a secret life an" it was )erely (ri"e that longe" for recognition.

After all he tho$ght "oes the *eef sal$te the *$tcher as it thro*s to its 'nees. All in all he was content. To *e (art of that great tra"ition was eno$gh wo$l" always ha%e to re)ain eno$gh. 6ecently howe%er there ha" *een "isco%eries. They weren!t his fa$lt of co$rse. No*o"y co$l" (ossi*ly *la)e hi). #$t it was a *a" ti)e. Life was not as easy as it ha" *een ten years ago. /e was that )$ch ol"er of co$rse an" that )a"e the 3o* )ore e<ha$sting4 an" )ore an" )ore the o*ligations weighe" on his sho$l"ers. /e was a chosen )an an" that was a "iffic$lt (ri%ilege to li%e with. /e won"ere" now an" then if it wasn!t ti)e to thin' a*o$t training a yo$nger )an for his "$ties. There wo$l" nee" to *e cons$ltations with the Fathers *$t sooner or later a re(lace)ent wo$l" ha%e to *e fo$n" an" it wo$l" *e he felt a cri)inal waste of his e<(erience not to ta'e on an a((rentice. There were so )any felicities he co$l" (ass on. The tric's of his e<traor"inary tra"e. The *est way to stal' to c$t to stri( to *lee". The *est )eat for the ($r(ose. The si)(lest way to "is(ose of the re)ains. So )$ch "etail so )$ch acc$)$late" e<(ertise. Mahogany wan"ere" into the *athroo) an" t$rne" on the shower. As he ste((e" in he loo'e" "own at his *o"y. The s)all (a$nch the greying hairs on his sagging chest the scars an" (i)(les that littere" his (ale s'in. /e was getting ol". Still tonight li'e e%ery other night he ha" a 3o* to "o. Ka$f)an h$rrie" *ac' into the lo**y with his san"wich t$rning "own his collar an" *r$shing rain off his hair. The cloc' a*o%e the ele%ator rea" se%en+si<teen. /e wo$l" wor'

thro$gh $ntil ten no later. The ele%ator too' hi) $( to the twelfth floor an" to the Pa((as offices. /e trai(se" $nha((ily thro$gh the )a9e of e)(ty "es's an" hoo"e" )achines to his little territory which was still ill$)inate". The wo)en who cleane" the offices were chatting "own the corri"or1 otherwise the (lace was lifeless. /e too' off his coat shoo' the rain off it as *est he co$l" an" h$ng it $(. Then he sat "own in front of the (iles of or"ers he ha" *een t$ssling with for the *est (art of three "ays an" *egan wor'. 0t wo$l" only ta'e one )ore night!s la*o$r he felt s$re to *rea' the *ac' of the 3o* an" he fo$n" it easier to concentrate witho$t the incessant clatter of ty(ists an" ty(ewriters on e%ery si"e. /e $nwra((e" his ha) on whole+wheat with e<tra )ayonnaise an" settle" in for the e%ening. 0t was nine now. Mahogany was "resse" for the nightshift. /e ha" his $s$al so*er s$it on with his *rown tie neatly 'notte" his sil%er c$fflin's >a gift fro) his first wife? (lace" in the slee%es of his i))ac$lately (resse" shirt his thinning hair glea)ing with oil his nails sni((e" an" (olishe" his face fl$she" with cologne. /is *ag was (ac'e". The towels the instr$)ents his chain+ )ail a(ron. /e chec'e" his a((earance in the )irror. /e co$l" he tho$ght still *e ta'en for a )an of forty+fi%e fifty at the o$tsi"e. As he s$r%eye" his face he re)in"e" hi)self of his "$ty.

A*o%e all he )$st *e caref$l. There wo$l" *e eyes on hi) e%ery ste( of the way watching his (erfor)ance tonight an" 3$"ging it. /e )$st wal' o$t li'e an innocent aro$sing no s$s(icion. 0f they only 'new he tho$ght. The (eo(le who wal'e" ran an" s'i((e" (ast hi) on the streets1 who colli"e" with hi) witho$t a(ology1 who )et his ga9e with conte)(t1 who s)ile" at his *$l' loo'ing $neasy in his ill+fitting s$it. 0f only they 'new what he "i" what he was an" what he carrie". 7a$tion he sai" to hi)self an" t$rne" off the light. The a(art)ent was "ar'. /e went to the "oor an" o(ene" it $se" to wal'ing in *lac'ness. /a((y in it. The rain clo$"s ha" cleare" entirely. Mahogany )a"e his way "own A)ster"a) towar"s the S$*way at @,Ath Street. Tonight he!" ta'e the A5ENUE OF T/E AME607AS again his fa%o$rite line an" often the )ost (ro"$cti%e. Down the S$*way ste(s to'en in han". Thro$gh the a$to)atic gates. The s)ell of the t$nnels was in his nostrils now. Not the s)ell of the "ee( t$nnels of co$rse. They ha" a scent all of their own. #$t there was reass$rance e%en in the stale electric air of this shallow line. The reg$rgitate" *reath of a )illion tra%ellers circ$late" in this warren )ingling with the *reath of creat$res far ol"er4 things with %oices soft li'e clay whose a((etites were a*o)ina*le. /ow he lo%e" it. The scent the "ar' the th$n"er. /e stoo" on the (latfor) an" scanne" his fellow+ tra%ellers critically. There were one or two *o"ies he conte)(late" following *$t there was so )$ch "ross a)ongst the)1 so few worth the chase. The (hysically waste" the o*ese the ill the weary. #o"ies "estroye" *y

e<cess an" *y in"ifference. As a (rofessional it sic'ene" hi) tho$gh he $n"erstoo" the wea'ness that s(oile" the *est of )en. /e lingere" in the station for o%er an ho$r wan"ering *etween (latfor)s while the trains ca)e an" went ca)e an" went an" the (eo(le with the). There was so little of ;$ality aro$n" it was "is(iriting. 0t see)e" he ha" to wait longer an" longer e%ery "ay to fin" flesh worthy of $se. 0t was now al)ost half (ast ten an" he ha" not seen a single creat$re who was really i"eal for sla$ghter. No )atter he tol" hi)self there was ti)e yet. 5ery soon the theatre crow" wo$l" *e e)erging. They were always goo" for a st$r"y *o"y or two. The well+fe" intelligentsia cl$tching their tic'et+st$*s an" o(ining on the "i%ersions of art B oh yes there!" *e so)ething there. 0f not an" there were nights when it see)e" he wo$l" ne%er fin" so)ething s$ita*le he!" ha%e to ri"e "owntown an" corner a co$(le of lo%ers o$t late or fin" an athlete or two fresh fro) one of the gy)s. They were always s$re to offer goo" )aterial e<ce(t that with s$ch healthy s(eci)ens there was always the ris' of resistance. /e re)e)*ere" catching two *lac' *$c's a year ago or )ore with )ay*e forty years *etween the) father an" son (erha(s. They!" resiste" with 'ni%es an" he!" *een hos(italise" for si< wee's. 0t ha" *een a close fo$ght enco$nter an" one that ha" set hi) "o$*ting his s'ills. Worse it ha" )a"e hi) won"er what his )asters wo$l" ha%e "one with hi) ha" he s$ffere" a fatal in3$ry. Wo$l" he ha%e *een "eli%ere" to his fa)ily in New :ersey an" gi%en a "ecent 7hristian *$rial. Or wo$l" his carcass ha%e *een thrown into the "ar' for their own $se.

The hea"line of the New &or' Post "iscar"e" on the seat across fro) hi) ca$ght Mahogany!s eye1 2Police All+O$t to 7atch Killer!. /e co$l"n!t resist a s)ile. Tho$ghts of fail$re wea'ness an" "eath e%a(orate". After all he was that )an that 'iller an" tonight the tho$ght of ca(t$re was la$gha*le. After all wasn!t his career sanctione" *y the highest (ossi*le a$thorities. No (olice)an co$l" hol" hi) no co$rt (ass 3$"ge)ent on hi). The %ery forces of law an" or"er that )a"e s$ch a show of his ($rs$it ser%e" his )asters no less than he4 he al)ost wishe" so)e two+*it co( wo$l" catch hi) ta'e hi) in tri$)(h *efore the 3$"ge 3$st to see the loo's on their faces when the wor" ca)e $( fro) the "ar' that Mahogany was a (rotecte" )an a*o%e e%ery law on the stat$te *oo's. 0t was now well after ten+thirty. The tric'le of theatre+ goers ha" *eg$n *$t there was nothing li'ely so far. /e!" want to let the r$sh (ass anyway1 3$st follow one or two choice (ieces to the en" of the line. /e *i"e" his ti)e li'e any wise h$nter. Ka$f)an was not finishe" *y ele%en an ho$r after he!" (ro)ise" hi)self release. #$t e<as(eration an" enn$i were )a'ing the 3o* )ore "iffic$lt an" the sheets of fig$res were *eginning to *l$r in front of hi). At ten (ast ele%en he threw "own his (en an" a")itte" "efeat. /e r$**e" his hot eyes with the c$shions of his (al)s till his hea" fille" with colo$rs. 2F$c' it ! he sai". /e ne%er swore in co)(any. #$t once in a while to say f$c' it to hi)self was a great consolation. /e )a"e his way o$t

of the office "a)( coat o%er his ar) an" hea"e" for the ele%ator. /is li)*s felt "r$gge" an" his eyes wo$l" scarcely stay o(en. 0t was col"er o$tsi"e than he ha" antici(ate" an" the air *ro$ght hi) o$t of his lethargy a little. /e wal'e" towar"s the S$*way at C,th Street. 7atch an E<(ress to Far 6oc'away. /o)e in an ho$r. Neither Ka$f)an nor Mahogany 'new it *$t at DEth an" #roa"way the Police ha" arreste" what they too' to *e the S$*way Killer ha%ing tra((e" hi) in one of the $(+town trains. A s)all )an of E$ro(ean e<traction wiel"ing a ha))er an" a saw ha" cornere" a yo$ng wo)an in the secon" car an" threatene" to c$t her in half in the na)e of :eho%ah. Whether he was ca(a*le of f$lfilling his threat was "o$*tf$l. As it was he "i"n!t get the chance. While the rest of the (assengers >incl$"ing two Marines? loo'e" on the inten"e" %icti) lan"e" a 'ic' to the )an!s testicles. /e "ro((e" the ha))er. She (ic'e" it $( an" *ro'e his lower 3aw an" right chee'+*one with it *efore the Marines ste((e" in. When the train halte" at DEth the Police were waiting to arrest the S$*way #$tcher. They r$she" the car in a hor"e yelling li'e *anshees an" scare" as shit. The #$tcher was lying in one corner of the car with his face in (ieces. They carte" hi) away tri$)(hant. The wo)an after ;$estioning went ho)e with the Marines. 0t was to *e a $sef$l "i%ersion tho$gh Mahogany co$l"n!t 'now it at the ti)e. 0t too' the Police the *est (art of the night to "eter)ine the i"entity of their (risoner

chiefly *eca$se he co$l"n!t "o )ore than "rool thro$gh his shattere" 3aw. 0t wasn!t $ntil three+thirty in the )orning that one 7a(tain Da%is co)ing on "$ty recogni9e" the )an as a retire" flower sales)an fro) the #ron< calle" /an' 5asarely. /an' it see)e" was reg$larly arreste" for threatening *eha%io$r an" in"ecent e<(os$re all in the na)e of :eho%ah. A((earances "ecei%e"1 he was a*o$t as "angero$s as the Easter #$nny. This was not the S$*way Sla$ghterer. #$t *y the ti)e the co(s ha" wor'e" that o$t Mahogany ha" *een a*o$t his *$siness a long while. 0t was ele%en+fifteen when Ka$f)an got on the E<(ress thro$gh to Mott A%en$e. /e share" the car with two other tra%ellers. One was a )i""le+age" *lac' wo)an in a ($r(le coat the other a (ale acne+ri""en a"olescent who was staring at the 2Kiss My White Ass! graffiti on the ceiling with s(ace"+o$t eyes. Ka$f)an was in the first car. /e ha" a 3o$rney of thirty+ fi%e )in$tes! "$ration ahea" of hi). /e let his eyes sli"e close" reass$re" *y the rhyth)ical roc'ing of the train. 0t was a te"io$s 3o$rney an" he was tire". /e "i"n!t see Mahogany!s face either staring thro$gh the "oor *etween the cars loo'ing thro$gh for so)e )ore )eat. At @,th Street the *lac' wo)an got o$t. No*o"y got in. Ka$f)an o(ene" his eyes *riefly ta'ing in the e)(ty (latfor) at @,th then sh$t the) again. The "oors hisse" close". /e was "rifting in that war) so)ewhere *etween awareness an" slee( an" there was a fl$ttering of nascent "rea)s in his hea". 0t was a goo" feeling. The train was off again rattling "own into the t$nnels. May*e at the *ac' of his "o9ing )in" Ka$f)an half+

registere" that the "oors *etween the secon" an" first cars ha" *een sli" o(en. May*e he s)elt the s$""en g$sh of t$nnel+air an" registere" that the noise of wheels was )o)entarily lo$"er. #$t he chose to ignore it. May*e he e%en hear" the sc$ffle as Mahogany s$*"$e" the yo$th with the s(ace"+o$t stare. #$t the so$n" was too "istant an" the (ro)ise of slee( was too te)(ting. /e "rowse" on. For so)e reason his "rea)s were of his )other!s 'itchen. She was cho((ing t$rni(s an" s)iling sweetly as she cho((e". /e was only s)all in his "rea) an" was loo'ing $( at her ra"iant face while she wor'e". 7ho(. 7ho(. 7ho(. /is eyes 3er'e" o(en. /is )other %anishe". The car was e)(ty an" the yo$th was gone. /ow long ha" he *een "o9ing. /e ha"n!t re)e)*ere" the train sto((ing at West ,th Street. /e got $( his hea" f$ll of sl$)*er an" al)ost fell o%er as the train roc'e" %iolently. 0t see)e" to ha%e gathere" ;$ite a s$*stantial hea" of s(ee". May*e the "ri%er was 'een to *e ho)e wra((e" $( in *e" with his wife. They were going at a fair lic'4 in fact it was *loo"y terrifying. There was a *lin" "rawn "own o%er the win"ow *etween the cars which ha"n!t *een "own *efore as he re)e)*ere". A little concern cre(t into Ka$f)an!s so*er hea". S$((ose he!" *een slee(ing a long while an" the g$ar" ha" o%erloo'e" hi) in the car. Perha(s they!" (asse" Far 6oc'away an" the train was now s(ee"ing on its way to where%er they too' the trains for the night. 2F$c' it ! he sai" alo$". Sho$l" he go forwar" an" as' the "ri%er. 0t was s$ch a *loo"y i"iot ;$estion to as'1 where a) 0. At this ti)e of

night was he li'ely to get )ore than a strea) of a*$se *y way of re(ly. Then the train *egan to slow. A station. &es a station. The train e)erge" fro) the t$nnel an" into the "irty light of the station at West ,th Street. /e!" )isse" no sto(sF So where ha" the *oy gone. /e!" either ignore" the warning on the car wall for*i""ing transfer *etween the cars while in transit or else he!" gone into the "ri%er!s ca*in $( front. Pro*a*ly *etween the "ri%er!s legs e%en now Ka$f)an tho$ght his li( c$rling. 0t wasn!t $nhear" of. This was the Palace of Delights after all an" e%eryone ha" their right to a little lo%e in the "ar'. Ka$f)an shr$gge" to hi)self. What "i" he care where the *oy ha" gone. The "oors close". No*o"y ha" *oar"e" the train. 0t sh$nte" off fro) the station the lights flic'ering as it $se" a s$rge of (ower to (ic' $( so)e s(ee" again. Ka$f)an felt the "esire for slee( co)e o%er hi) afresh *$t the s$""en fear of *eing lost ha" ($)(e" a"renalin into his syste) an" his li)*s were tingling with ner%o$s energy. /is senses were shar(ene" too. E%en o%er the clatter an" the r$)*le of the wheels on the trac's he hear" the so$n" of tearing cloth co)ing fro) the ne<t car. Was so)eone tearing their shirt off. /e stoo" $( gras(ing one of the stra(s for *alance. The win"ow *etween the cars was co)(letely c$rtaine" off *$t he stare" at it frowning as tho$gh he )ight s$""enly "isco%er G+ray %ision. The car roc'e" an" rolle". 0t was really tra%elling again. Another ri((ing so$n".

Was it ra(e. With no )ore than a )il" %oye$ristic $rge he )o%e" "own the see+sawing car towar"s the intersecting "oor ho(ing there )ight *e a chin' in the c$rtain. /is eyes were still fi<e" on the win"ow an" he faile" to notice the s(latters of *loo" he was trea"ing in. Until B B his heel sli((e". /e loo'e" "own. /is sto)ach al)ost saw the *loo" *efore his *rain an" the ha) on whole+wheat was half+way $( his g$llet catching in the *ac' of his throat. #loo". /e too' se%eral large g$l(s of stale air an" loo'e" away B *ac' at the win"ow. /is hea" was saying1 *loo". Nothing wo$l" )a'e the wor" go away. There was no )ore than a yar" or two *etween hi) an" the "oor now. /e ha" to loo'. There was *loo" on his shoe an" a thin trail to the ne<t car *$t he still ha" to loo'. /e ha" to. /e too' two )ore ste(s to the "oor an" scanne" the c$rtain loo'ing for a flaw in the *lin"1 a ($lle" threa" in the wea%e wo$l" *e s$fficient. There was a tiny hole. /e gl$e" his eye to it. /is )in" ref$se" to acce(t what his eyes were seeing *eyon" the "oor. 0t re3ecte" the s(ectacle as (re(ostero$s as a "rea)e" sight. /is reason sai" it co$l"n!t *e real *$t his flesh 'new it was. /is *o"y *eca)e rigi" with terror. /is eyes $n*lin'ing co$l" not close off the a((alling scene thro$gh the c$rtain. /e staye" at the "oor while the train rattle" on while his *loo" "raine" fro) his e<tre)ities an" his *rain reele" fro) lac' of o<ygen. #right s(ots of light flashe" in front of his %ision *lotting o$t the atrocity. Then he fainte".

/e was $nconscio$s when the train reache" :ay Street. /e was "eaf to the "ri%er!s anno$nce)ent that all tra%ellers *eyon" that station wo$l" ha%e to change trains. /a" he hear" this he wo$l" ha%e ;$estione" the sense of it. No trains "isgorge" all their (assengers at :ay Street4 the line ran to Mott A%en$e %ia the A;$e"$ct 6ace Trac' (ast :FK Air(ort. /e wo$l" ha%e as'e" what 'in" of train this co$l" *e. E<ce(t that he alrea"y 'new. The tr$th was hanging in the ne<t car. 0t was s)iling contente"ly to itself fro) *ehin" a *loo"y chain+)ail a(ron. This was the Mi"night Meat Train. There!s no acco$nting for ti)e in a "ea" faint. 0t co$l" ha%e *een secon"s or ho$rs that (asse" *efore Ka$f)an!s eyes flic'ere" o(en again an" his )in" foc$sse" on his new+ fo$n" sit$ation. /e lay $n"er one of the seats now s(rawle" along the %i*rating wall of the car hi""en fro) %iew. Fate was with hi) so far he tho$ght1 so)ehow the roc'ing of the car )$st ha%e 3oc'eye" his $nconscio$s *o"y o$t of sight. /e tho$ght of the horror in 7ar Two an" swallowe" *ac' %o)it. /e was alone. Where%er the g$ar" was >)$r"ere" (erha(s? there was no way he co$l" call for hel(. An" the "ri%er. Was he "ea" at his controls. Was the train e%en now h$rtling thro$gh an $n'nown t$nnel a t$nnel witho$t a single station to i"entify it towar"s its "estr$ction. An" if there was no crash to *e 'ille" in there was always the #$tcher still hac'ing away a "oor!s thic'ness fro) where Ka$f)an lay. Whiche%er way he t$rne" the na)e on the "oor was Death.

The noise was "eafening es(ecially lying on the floor. Ka$f)an!s teeth were sha'ing in their soc'ets an" his face felt n$)* with the %i*ration4 e%en his s'$ll was aching. 8ra"$ally he felt strength see(ing *ac' into his e<ha$ste" li)*s. /e ca$tio$sly stretche" his fingers an" clenche" his fists to set the *loo" flowing there again. An" as the feeling ret$rne" so "i" the na$sea. /e 'e(t seeing the grisly *r$tality of the ne<t car. /e!" seen (hotogra(hs of )$r"er %icti)s *efore of co$rse *$t these were no co))on )$r"ers. /e was in the sa)e train as the S$*way #$tcher the )onster who str$ng his %icti)s $( *y the feet fro) the stra(s hairless an" na'e". /ow long wo$l" it *e *efore the 'iller ste((e" thro$gh that "oor an" clai)e" hi). /e was s$re that if the sla$ghterer "i"n!t finish hi) e<(ectation wo$l". /e hear" )o%e)ent *eyon" the "oor. 0nstinct too' o%er. Ka$f)an thr$st hi)self f$rther $n"er the seat an" t$c'e" hi)self $( into a tiny *all with his sic'+ white face to the wall. Then he co%ere" his hea" with his han"s an" close" his eyes as tightly as any chil" in terror of the #ogey)an. The "oor was sli" o(en. 7lic'. Whoosh. A r$sh of air $( fro) the rails. 0t s)elt stranger than any Ka$f)an ha" s)elt *efore1 an" col"er. This was so)ehow (ri)al air in his nostrils hostile an" $nfatho)a*le air. 0t )a"e hi) sh$""er. The "oor close". 7lic'. The #$tcher was close Ka$f)an 'new it. /e co$l" *e stan"ing no )ore than a )atter of inches fro) where he lay. Was he e%en now loo'ing "own at Ka$f)an!s *ac'. E%en now *en"ing 'nife in han" to scoo( Ka$f)an o$t of

his hi"ing (lace li'e a snail hoo'e" fro) its shell. Nothing ha((ene". /e felt no *reath on his nec'. /is s(ine was not slit o(en. There was si)(ly a clatter of feet close to Ka$f)an!s hea"4 then that sa)e so$n" rece"ing. Ka$f)an!s *reath hel" in his l$ngs 2til they h$rt was e<(elle" in a ras( *etween his teeth. Mahogany was al)ost "isa((ointe" that the slee(ing )an ha" alighte" at West ,th Street. /e was ho(ing for one )ore 3o* to "o that night to 'ee( hi) occ$(ie" while they "escen"e". #$t no1 the )an ha" gone. The (otential %icti) ha"n!t loo'e" that healthy anyway he tho$ght to hi)self he was an anae)ic :ewish acco$ntant (ro*a*ly. The )eat wo$l"n!t ha%e *een of any ;$ality. Mahogany wal'e" the length of the car to the "ri%er!s ca*in. /e!" s(en" the rest of the 3o$rney there. My 7hrist tho$ght Ka$f)an he!s going to 'ill the "ri%er. /e hear" the ca*in "oor o(en. Then the %oice of the #$tcher1 low an" hoarse. 2/i.! 2/i.! They 'new each other. 2All "one.! 2All "one.! Ka$f)an was shoc'e" *y the *anality of the e<change. All "one. What "i" that )ean1 all "one. /e )isse" the ne<t few wor"s as the train hit a (artic$larly noisy section of trac'. Ka$f)an co$l" resist loo'ing no longer. Warily he $nc$rle" hi)self an" glance" o%er his sho$l"er "own the

length of the car. All he co$l" see was the #$tcher!s legs an" the *otto) of the o(en ca*in "oor. Da)n. /e wante" to see the )onster!s face again. There was la$ghter now. Ka$f)an calc$late" the ris's of his sit$ation1 the )athe+ )atics of (anic. 0f he re)aine" where he was sooner or later the #$tcher wo$l" glance "own at hi) an" he!" *e )ince)eat. On the other han" if he were to )o%e fro) his hi"ing (lace he wo$l" ris' *eing seen an" ($rs$e". Which was worse1 stasis an" )eeting his "eath tra((e" in a hole4 or )a'ing a *rea' for it an" confronting his Ma'er in the )i""le of the car. Ka$f)an s$r(rise" hi)self with his )ettle1 he!" )o%e. 0nfinitesi)ally slowly he crawle" o$t fro) $n"er the seat watching the #$tcher!s *ac' e%ery )in$te as he "i" so. Once o$t he *egan to crawl towar"s the "oor. Each ste( he too' was a tor)ent *$t the #$tcher see)e" far too engrosse" in his con%ersation to t$rn ro$n". Ka$f)an ha" reache" the "oor. /e *egan to stan" $( trying all the while to (re(are hi)self for the sight he wo$l" )eet in 7ar Two. The han"le was gras(e"4 an" he sli" the "oor o(en. The noise of the rails increase" an" a wa%e of "an' air stin'ing of nothing on earth ca)e $( at hi). S$rely the #$tcher )$st hear or s)ell. S$rely he )$st t$rn B#$t no. Ka$f)an s'inne" his way thro$gh the slit he ha" o(ene" an" so thro$gh into the *loo"y cha)*er *eyon". 6elief )a"e hi) careless. /e faile" to latch the "oor (ro(erly *ehin" hi) an" it *egan to sli"e o(en with the *$ffeting of the train.

Mahogany ($t his hea" o$t of the ca*in an" stare" "own the car towar"s the "oor. 2What the f$c'!s that.! sai" the "ri%er. 2Di"n!t close the "oor (ro(erly. That!s all.! Ka$f)an hear" the #$tcher wal'ing towar"s the "oor. /e cro$che" a *all of consternation against the intersecting wall s$""enly aware of how f$ll his *owels were. The "oor was ($lle" close" fro) the other si"e an" the footste(s rece"e" again. Safe for another *reath at least. Ka$f)an o(ene" his eyes steeling hi)self for the sla$ghter+(en in front of hi). There was no a%oi"ing it. 0t fille" e%ery one of his senses1 the s)ell of o(ene" entrails the sight of the *o"ies the feel of fl$i" on the floor $n"er his fingers the so$n" of the stra(s crea'ing *eneath the weight of the cor(ses e%en the air tasting salty with *loo". /e was with "eath a*sol$tely in that c$**y+hole h$rtling thro$gh the "ar'. #$t there was no na$sea now. There was no feeling left *$t a cas$al re%$lsion. /e e%en fo$n" hi)self (eering at the *o"ies with so)e c$riosity. The carcass closest to hi) was the re)ains of the (i)(ly yo$th he!" seen in 7ar One. The *o"y h$ng $(si"e+"own swinging *ac' an" forth to the rhyth) of the train in $nison with its three fellows4 an o*scene "ance )aca*re. 0ts ar)s "angle" loosely fro) the sho$l"er 3oints into which gashes an inch or two "ee( ha" *een )a"e so the *o"ies wo$l" hang )ore neatly. E%ery (art of the "ea" 'i"!s anato)y was swaying

hy(notically. The tong$e hanging fro) the o(en )o$th. The hea" lolling on its slit nec'. E%en the yo$th!s (enis fla((e" fro) si"e to si"e on his (l$c'e" groin. The hea" wo$n" an" the o(en 3$g$lar still ($lse" *loo" into a *lac' *$c'et. There was an elegance a*o$t the whole sight1 the sign of a 3o* well+"one. #eyon" that *o"y were the str$ng+$( cor(ses of two yo$ng white wo)en an" a "ar'er s'inne" )ale. Ka$f)an t$rne" his hea" on one si"e to loo' at their faces. They were ;$ite *lan'. One of the girls was a *ea$ty. /e "eci"e" the )ale ha" *een P$erto 6ican. All were shorn of their hea" an" *o"y hair. 0n fact the air was still ($ngent with the s)ell of the shearing. Ka$f)an sli" $( the wall o$t of the cro$ching (osition an" as he "i" so one of the wo)en!s *o"ies t$rne" aro$n" (resenting a "orsal %iew. /e was not (re(are" for this last horror. The )eat of her *ac' ha" *een entirely cleft o(en fro) nec' to *$ttoc' an" the )$scle ha" *een (eele" *ac' to e<(ose the glistening %erte*rae. 0t was the final tri$)(h of the #$tcher!s craft. /ere they h$ng these sha%e" *le" slit sla*s of h$)anity o(ene" $( li'e fish an" ri(e for "e%o$ring. Ka$f)an al)ost s)ile" at the (erfection of its horror. /e felt an offer of insanity tic'ling the *ase of his s'$ll te)(ting hi) into o*li%ion (ro)ising a *lan' in"ifference to the worl". /e *egan to sha'e $ncontrolla*ly. /e felt his %ocal cor"s trying to for) a screa). 0t was intolera*le1 an" yet to screa) was to *eco)e in a short while li'e the creat$res in front of hi). 2F$c' it ! he sai" )ore lo$"ly than he!" inten"e" then

($shing hi)self off fro) the wall he *egan to wal' "own the car *etween the swaying cor(ses o*ser%ing the neat (iles of clothes an" *elongings that sat on the seats *esi"e their owners. Un"er his feet the floor was stic'y with "rying *ile. E%en with his eyes close" to crac's he co$l" see the *loo" in the *$c'ets too clearly1 it was thic' an" hea"y flec's of grit t$rning in it. /e was (ast the yo$th now an" he co$l" see the "oor into 7ar Three ahea". All he ha" to "o was r$n this ga$ntlet of atrocities. /e $rge" hi)self on trying to ignore the horrors an" concentrate on the "oor that wo$l" lea" hi) *ac' into sanity. /e was (ast the first wo)an. A few )ore yar"s he sai" to hi)self ten ste(s at )ost less if he wal'e" with confi"ence. Then the lights went o$t. 2:es$s 7hrist ! he sai". The train l$rche" an" Ka$f)an lost his *alance. 0n the $tter *lac'ness he reache" o$t for s$((ort an" his flailing ar)s enco)(asse" the *o"y *esi"e hi). #efore he co$l" (re%ent hi)self he felt his han"s sin'ing into the l$'ewar) flesh an" his fingers gras(ing the o(en e"ge of )$scle on the "ea" wo)an!s *ac' his fingerti(s to$ching the *one of her s(ine. /is chee' was lai" against the *al" flesh of the thigh. /e screa)e"4 an" e%en as he screa)e" the lights flic'ere" *ac' on. An" as they flic'ere" *ac' on an" his screa) "ie" he hear" the noise of the #$tcher!s feet a((roaching "own the length of 7ar One towar"s the inter%ening "oor. /e let go of the *o"y he was e)*racing. /is face was

s)eare" with *loo" fro) her leg. /e co$l" feel it on his chee' li'e war (aint. The screa) ha" cleare" Ka$f)an!s hea" an" he s$""enly felt release" into a 'in" of strength. There wo$l" *e no ($rs$it "own the train he 'new that1 there wo$l" *e no cowar"ice not now. This was going to *e a (ri)iti%e confrontation two h$)an *eings face to face. An" there wo$l" *e no tric' B none B that he co$l"n!t conte)(late $sing to *ring his ene)y "own. This was a )atter of s$r%i%al ($re an" si)(le. The "oor+han"le rattle". Ka$f)an loo'e" aro$n" for a wea(on his eye stea"y an" calc$lating. /is ga9e fell on the (ile of clothes *esi"e the P$erto 6ican!s *o"y. There was a 'nife there lying a)ongst the rhinestone rings an" the i)itation gol" chains. A long+ *la"e" i))ac$lately clean wea(on (ro*a*ly the )an!s (ri"e an" 3oy. 6eaching (ast the well+)$scle" *o"y Ka$f)an (l$c'e" the 'nife fro) the hea(. 0t felt goo" in his han"4 in fact it felt (ositi%ely thrilling. The "oor was o(ening an" the face of the sla$ghterer ca)e into %iew. Ka$f)an loo'e" "own the a*attoir at Mahogany. /e was not terri*ly fearso)e 3$st another *al"ing o%erweight )an of fifty. /is face was hea%y an" his eyes "ee(+set. /is )o$th was rather s)all an" "elicately li((e". 0n fact he ha" a wo)an!s )o$th. Mahogany co$l" not $n"erstan" where this intr$"er ha" a((eare" fro) *$t he was aware that it was another o%er+ sight another sign of increasing inco)(etence. /e )$st "is(atch this ragge" creat$re i))e"iately. After all they co$l" not *e )ore than a )ile or two fro) the en" of the

line. /e )$st c$t the little )an "own an" ha%e hi) hanging $( *y his heels *efore they reache" their "estination. /e )o%e" into 7ar Two. 2&o$ were aslee( ! he sai" recogni9ing Ka$f)an. 20 saw yo$. Ka$f)an sai" nothing. 2&o$ sho$l" ha%e left the train. What were yo$ trying to "o. /i"e fro) )e.! Ka$f)an still 'e(t his silence. Mahogany gras(e" the han" of the clea%er hanging fro) his well+$se" leather *elt. 0t was "irty with *loo" as was his chain+)ail a(ron his ha))er an" his saw. 2As it is ! he sai" 20!ll ha%e to "o away with yo$.! Ka$f)an raise" the 'nife. 0t loo'e" a little s)all *esi"e the #$tcher!s (ara(hernalia. 2F$c' it ! he sai". Mahogany grinne" at the little )an!s (retensions to "efence. 2&o$ sho$l"n!t ha%e seen this1 it!s not for the li'es of yo$ ! he sai" ta'ing another ste( towar"s Ka$f)an. 20t!s secret.! Oh so he!s the "i%inely+ins(ire" ty(e is he. tho$ght Ka$f)an. That e<(lains so)ething. 2F$c' it ! he sai" again. The #$tcher frowne". /e "i"n!t li'e the little )an!s in"ifference to his wor' to his re($tation. 2We all ha%e to "ie so)e ti)e ! he sai". 2&o$ sho$l" *e well (lease"1 yo$!re not going to *e *$rnt $( li'e )ost of the)1 0 can $se yo$. To fee" the fathers.! Ka$f)an!s only res(onse was a grin. /e was (ast *eing terrori9e" *y this gross sha)*ling h$l'.

The #$tcher $nhoo'e" the clea%er fro) his *elt an" *ran"ishe" it. 2A "irty little :ew li'e yo$ ! he sai" 2sho$l" *e than'f$l to *e $sef$l at all1 )eat!s the *est yo$ can as(ire to.! Witho$t warning the #$tcher sw$ng. The clea%er "i%i"e" the air at so)e s(ee" *$t Ka$f)an ste((e" *ac'. The clea%er slice" his coat+ar) an" *$rie" itself in the P$erto 6ican!s shan'. The i)(act half+se%ere" the leg an" the weight of the *o"y o(ene" the gash e%en f$rther. The e<(ose" )eat of the thigh was li'e (ri)e stea' s$cc$lent an" a((eti9ing. The #$tcher starte" to "rag the clea%er o$t of the wo$n" an" in that )o)ent Ka$f)an s(rang. The 'nife s(e" towar"s Mahogany!s eye *$t an error of 3$"ge)ent *$rie" it instea" in his nec'. 0t transfi<e" the col$)n an" a((eare" in a little go$t of gore on the other si"e. Straight thro$gh. 0n one stro'e. Straight thro$gh. Mahogany felt the *la"e in his nec' as a cho'ing sensation al)ost as tho$gh he ha" ca$ght a chic'en *one in his throat. /e )a"e a ri"ic$lo$s half+hearte" co$ghing so$n". #loo" iss$e" fro) his li(s (ainting the) li'e li(stic' on his wo)an!s )o$th. The clea%er clattere" to the floor. Ka$f)an ($lle" o$t the 'nife. The two wo$n"s s(o$te" little arcs of *loo". Mahogany colla(se" to his 'nees staring at the 'nife that ha" 'ille" hi). The little )an was watching hi) ;$ite (assi%ely. /e was saying so)ething *$t Mahogany!s ears were "eaf to the re)ar's as tho$gh he was $n"er water. Mahogany s$""enly went *lin". /e 'new with a nos+ talgia for his senses that he wo$l" not see or hear again. This was "eath1 it was on hi) for certain.

/is han"s still felt the wea%e of his tro$sers howe%er an" the hot s(lashes on his s'in. /is life see)e" to totter on its ti(toes while his fingers gras(e" at one last sense. Then his *o"y colla(se" an" his han"s an" his life an" his sacre" "$ty fol"e" $( $n"er a weight of grey flesh. The #$tcher was "ea". Ka$f)an "ragge" g$l(s of stale air into his l$ngs an" gra**e" one of the stra(s to stea"y his reeling *o"y. Tears *lotte" o$t the sha)*les he stoo" in. A ti)e (asse"1 he "i"n!t 'now how long4 he was lost in a "rea) of %ictory. Then the train *egan to slow. /e felt an" hear" the *ra'es *eing a((lie". The hanging *o"ies l$rche" forwar" as the careering train slowe" its wheels s;$ealing on rails that were sweating sli)e. 7$riosity o%ertoo' Ka$f)an. Wo$l" the train sh$nt into the #$tcher!s $n"ergro$n" sla$ghterho$se "ecorate" with the )eats he ha" gathere" thro$gh his career. An" the la$ghing "ri%er so in"ifferent to the )assacre what wo$l" he "o once the train ha" sto((e". Whate%er ha((ene" now was aca"e)ic. /e co$l" face anything at all4 watch an" see. The tannoy crac'le". The %oice of the "ri%er1 2We!re here )an. #etter ta'e yo$r (lace eh.! Ta'e yo$r (lace. What "i" that )ean. The train ha" slowe" to a snail!s (ace. O$tsi"e the win"ows e%erything was as "ar' as e%er. The lights flic'ere" then went o$t. This ti)e they "i"n!t co)e *ac' on. Ka$f)an was left in total "ar'ness. 2We!ll *e o$t in half+an+ho$r ! the tannoy anno$nce" so li'e any station re(ort. The train ha" co)e to a sto(. The so$n" of its wheels on

the trac's the r$sh of its (assage which Ka$f)an ha" grown so $se" to were s$""enly a*sent. All he co$l" hear was the h$) of the tannoy. /e co$l" still see nothing at all. Then a hiss. The "oors were o(ening. A s)ell entere" the car a s)ell so ca$stic that Ka$f)an cla((e" his han" o%er his face to sh$t it o$t. /e stoo" in silence han" to )o$th for what see)e" a lifeti)e. See no e%il. /ear no e%il. S(ea' no e%il. Then there was a flic'er of light o$tsi"e the win"ow. 0t threw the "oor fra)e into silho$ette an" it grew stronger *y "egrees. Soon there was s$fficient light in the car for Ka$f)an to see the cr$)(le" *o"y of the #$tcher at his feet an" the sallow si"es of )eat hanging on e%ery si"e of hi). There was a whis(er too fro) the "ar' o$tsi"e the train a gathering of tiny noises li'e the %oices of *eetles. 0n the t$nnel sh$ffling towar"s the train were h$)an *eings. Ka$f)an co$l" see their o$tlines now. So)e of the) carrie" torches which *$rne" with a "ea" *rown light. The noise was (erha(s their feet on the "a)( earth or (erha(s their tong$es clic'ing or *oth. Ka$f)an wasn!t as nai%e as he!" *een an ho$r *efore. 7o$l" there *e any "o$*t as to the intention these things ha" co)ing o$t of the *lac'ness towar"s the train. The #$tcher ha" sla$ghtere" the )en an" wo)en as )eat for these canni*als they were co)ing li'e "iners at the "inner+ gong to eat in this resta$rant car. Ka$f)an *ent "own an" (ic'e" $( the clea%er the #$tcher ha" "ro((e". The noise of the creat$res! a((roach was lo$"er e%ery )o)ent. /e *ac'e" "own the car away fro) the o(en "oors only to fin" that the "oors *ehin" hi) were also o(en an" there was the whis(er of a((roach there

too. /e shran' *ac' against one of the seats an" was a*o$t to ta'e ref$ge $n"er the) when a han" thin an" frail to the (oint of trans(arency a((eare" aro$n" the "oor. /e co$l" not loo' away. Not that terror fro9e hi) as it ha" at the win"ow. /e si)(ly wante" to watch. The creat$re ste((e" into the car. The torches *ehin" it threw its face into sha"ow *$t its o$tline co$l" *e clearly seen. There was nothing %ery re)ar'a*le a*o$t it. 0t ha" two ar)s an" two legs as he "i"4 its hea" was not a*nor)ally sha(e". The *o"y was s)all an" the effort of cli)*ing into the train )a"e its *reath coarse. 0t see)e" )ore geriatric than (sychotic4 generations of fictional )an+ eaters ha" not (re(are" hi) for its "istressing %$lnera*ility. #ehin" it si)ilar creat$res were a((earing o$t of the "ar'ness sh$ffling into the train. 0n fact they were co)ing in at e%ery "oor. Ka$f)an was tra((e". /e weighe" the clea%er in his han"s getting the *alance of it rea"y for the *attle with these anti;$e )onsters. A torch ha" *een *ro$ght into the car an" it ill$)inate" the faces of the lea"ers. They were co)(letely *al". The tire" flesh of their faces was ($lle" tight o%er their s'$lls so that it shone with tension. There were stains of "ecay an" "isease on their s'in an" in (laces the )$scle ha" withere" to a *lac' ($s thro$gh which the *one of chee' or te)(le was showing. So)e of the) were na'e" as *a*ies their ($l(y sy(hilitic *o"ies scarcely se<e". What ha" *een *reasts were leathery *ags hanging off the torso the genitalia shr$n'en away. Worse sights than the na'e" a)ongst the) were those who wore a %eil of clothes. 0t soon "awne" on Ka$f)an that

the rotting fa*ric sl$ng aro$n" their sho$l"ers or 'notte" a*o$t their )i"riffs was )a"e of h$)an s'ins. Not one *$t a "o9en or )ore hea(e" ha(ha9ar"ly on to( of each other li'e (athetic tro(hies. The lea"ers of this grotes;$e )eal+line ha" reache" the *o"ies now an" the gracile han"s were lai" $(on the shan's of )eat an" were r$nning $( an" "own the sha%e" flesh in a )anner that s$ggeste" sens$al (leas$re. Tong$es were "ancing o$t of )o$ths flec's of s(ittle lan"ing on the )eat. The eyes of the )onsters were flic'ering *ac' an" forth with h$nger an" e<cite)ent. E%ent$ally one of the) saw Ka$f)an. 0ts eyes sto((e" flic'ering for a )o)ent an" fi<e" on hi). A loo' of en;$iry ca)e o%er the face )a'ing a (aro"y of ($99le)ent. 2&o$ ! it sai". The %oice was as waste" as the li(s it ca)e fro). Ka$f)an raise" the clea%er a little calc$lating his chances. There were (erha(s thirty of the) in the car an" )any )ore o$tsi"e. #$t they loo'e" so wea' an" they ha" no wea(ons *$t their s'in an" *ones. The )onster s(o'e again its %oice ;$ite well )o"$late" when it fo$n" itself the (i(ing of a once+c$lt$re" once+char)ing )an. 2&o$ ca)e after the other yes.! 0t glance" "own at the *o"y of Mahogany. 0t ha" clearly ta'en in the sit$ation %ery ;$ic'ly. 2Ol" anyway ! it sai" its watery eyes *ac' on Ka$f)an st$"ying hi) with care. 2F$c' yo$ ! sai" Ka$f)an. The creat$re atte)(te" a wry s)ile *$t it ha" al)ost forgotten the techni;$e an" the res$lt was a gri)ace which

e<(ose" a )o$thf$l of teeth that ha" *een syste)atically file" into (oints. 2&o$ )$st now "o this for $s ! it sai" thro$gh the *estial grin. 2We cannot s$r%i%e witho$t foo".! The han" (atte" the r$)( of h$)an flesh. Ka$f)an ha" no re(ly to the i"ea. /e 3$st stare" in "isg$st as the fingernails sli" *etween the cleft in the *$ttoc's feeling the swell of ten"er )$scle. 20t "isg$sts $s no less than yo$ ! sai" the creat$re. 2#$t we!re *o$n" to eat this )eat or we "ie. 8o" 'nows 0 ha%e no a((etite for it.! The thing was "rooling ne%ertheless. Ka$f)an fo$n" his %oice. 0t was s)all )ore with a conf$sion of feelings than with fear. 2What are yo$.! /e re)e)*ere" the *ear"e" )an in the Deli. 2Are yo$ acci"ents of so)e 'in".! 2We are the 7ity fathers ! the thing sai". 2An" )others an" "a$ghters an" sons. The *$il"ers the law+)a'ers. We )a"e this city.! 2New &or'.! sai" Ka$f)an. The Palace of Delights. 2#efore yo$ were *orn *efore anyone li%ing was *orn.! As it s(o'e the creat$re!s fingernails were r$nning $( $n"er the s'in of the s(lit *o"y an" were (eeling the thin elastic layer off the l$scio$s *rawn. #ehin" Ka$f)an the other creat$res ha" *eg$n to $nhoo' the *o"ies fro) the stra(s their han"s lai" in that sa)e "elighting )anner on the s)ooth *reasts an" flan's of flesh. These too ha" *eg$n s'inning the )eat. 2&o$ will *ring $s )ore ! the father sai". 2More )eat for $s. The other one was wea'.!

Ka$f)an stare" in "is*elief. 2Me.! he sai". 2Fee" yo$. What "o yo$ thin' 0 a).! 2&o$ )$st "o it for $s an" for those ol"er than $s. For those *orn *efore the city was tho$ght of when A)erica was a ti)*erlan" an" "esert.! The fragile han" gest$re" o$t of the train. Ka$f)an!s ga9e followe" the (ointing finger into the gloo). There was so)ething else o$tsi"e the train which he!" faile" to see *efore4 )$ch *igger than anything h$)an. The (ac' of creat$res (arte" to let Ka$f)an thro$gh so that he co$l" ins(ect )ore closely whate%er it was that stoo" o$tsi"e *$t his feet wo$l" not )o%e. 28o on ! sai" the father. Ka$f)an tho$ght of the city he!" lo%e". Were these really its ancients its (hiloso(hers its creators. /e ha" to *elie%e it. Perha(s there were (eo(le on the s$rface B *$rea$crats (oliticians a$thorities of e%ery 'in" B who 'new this horri*le secret an" whose li%es were "e"icate" to (reser%ing these a*o)inations fee"ing the) as sa%ages fee" la)*s to their go"s. There was a horri*le fa)iliarity a*o$t this rit$al. 0t rang a *ell B not in Ka$f)an!s conscio$s )in" *$t in his "ee(er ol"er self. /is feet no longer o*eying his )in" *$t his instinct to worshi( )o%e". /e wal'e" thro$gh the corri"or of *o"ies an" ste((e" o$t of the train. The light of the torches scarcely *egan to ill$)inate the li)itless "ar'ness o$tsi"e. The air see)e" soli" it was so thic' with the s)ell of ancient earth. #$t Ka$f)an s)elt nothing. /is hea" *owe" it was all he co$l" "o to (re%ent hi)self fro) fainting again. 0t was there4 the (rec$rsor of )an. The original A)eri+

can whose ho)elan" this was *efore Passa)a;$o""y or 7heyenne. 0ts eyes if it ha" eyes were on hi). /is *o"y shoo'. /is teeth chattere". /e co$l" hear the noise of its anato)y1 tic'ing crac'ling so**ing. 0t shifte" a little in the "ar'. The so$n" of its )o%e)ent was aweso)e. Li'e a )o$ntain sitting $(. Ka$f)an!s face was raise" to it an" witho$t thin'ing a*o$t what he was "oing or why he fell to his 'nees in the shit in front of the Father of Fathers. E%ery "ay of his life ha" *een lea"ing to this "ay e%ery )o)ent ;$ic'ening to this incalc$la*le )o)ent of holy terror. /a" there *een s$fficient light in that (it to see the whole (erha(s his te(i" heart wo$l" ha%e *$rst. As it was he felt it fl$tter in his chest as he saw what he saw. 0t was a giant. Witho$t hea" or li)*. Witho$t a feat$re that was analogo$s to h$)an witho$t an organ that )a"e sense or senses. 0f it was li'e anything it was li'e a shoal of fish. A tho$san" sno$ts all )o%ing in $nison *$""ing *losso)ing an" withering rhyth)ically. 0t was iri"escent li'e )other of (earl *$t it was so)eti)es "ee(er than any colo$r Ka$f)an 'new or co$l" ($t a na)e to. That was all Ka$f)an co$l" see an" it was )ore than he wante" to see. There was )$ch )ore in the "ar'ness flic'ering an" fla((ing. #$t he co$l" loo' no longer. /e t$rne" away an" as he "i" so a foot*all was (itche" o$t of the train an" rolle" to a halt in front of the Father. At least he tho$ght it was a foot*all $ntil he (eere" )ore

attenti%ely at it an" recogni9e" it as a h$)an hea" the hea" of the #$tcher. The s'in of the face ha" *een (eele" off in stri(s. 0t glistene" with *loo" as it lay in front of its Lor". Ka$f)an loo'e" away an" wal'e" *ac' to the train. E%ery (art of his *o"y see)e" to *e wee(ing *$t his eyes. They were too hot with the sight *ehin" hi) they *oile" his tears away. 0nsi"e the creat$res ha" alrea"y set a*o$t their s$((er. One he saw was (l$c'ing the *l$e sweet )orsel of a wo)an!s eye o$t of the soc'et. Another ha" a han" in its )o$th. At Ka$f)an!s feet lay the #$tcher!s hea"less cor(se still *lee"ing (rof$sely fro) where its nec' ha" *een *itten thro$gh. The little father who ha" s(o'en earlier stoo" in front of Ka$f)an. 2Ser%e $s.! it as'e" gently as yo$ )ight as' a cow to follow yo$. Ka$f)an was staring at the clea%er the #$tcher!s sy)*ol of office. The creat$res were lea%ing the car now "ragging the half+eaten *o"ies after the). As the torches were ta'en o$t of the car "ar'ness was ret$rning. #$t *efore the lights ha" co)(letely "isa((eare" the father reache" o$t an" too' hol" of Ka$f)an!s face thr$sting hi) ro$n" to loo' at hi)self in the filthy glass of the car win"ow. 0t was a thin reflection *$t Ka$f)an co$l" see ;$ite well eno$gh how change" he was. Whiter than any li%ing )an sho$l" *e co%ere" in gri)e an" *loo". The father!s han" still gri((e" Ka$f)an!s face an" its forefinger hoo'e" into his )o$th an" "own his g$llet the nail scoring the *ac' of his throat. Ka$f)an gagge" on the

intr$"er *$t ha" no will left to re(el the attac'. 2Ser%e ! sai" the creat$re. 20n silence.! Too late Ka$f)an reali9e" the intention of the fingers. S$""enly his tong$e was sei9e" tight an" twiste" on the root. Ka$f)an in shoc' "ro((e" the clea%er. /e trie" to screa) *$t no so$n" ca)e. #loo" was in his throat he hear" his flesh tearing an" agonies con%$lse" hi). Then the han" was o$t of his )o$th an" the scarlet s(ittle+co%ere" fingers were in front of his face with his tong$e hel" *etween th$)* an" forefinger. Ka$f)an was s(eechless. 2Ser%e ! sai" the father an" st$ffe" the tong$e into his own )o$th chewing on it with e%i"ent satisfaction. Ka$f)an fell to his 'nees s(ewing $( his san"wich. The father was alrea"y sh$ffling away into the "ar'4 the rest of the ancients ha" "isa((eare" into their warren for another night. The tannoy crac'le". 2/o)e ! sai" the "ri%er. The "oors hisse" close" an" the so$n" of (ower s$rge" thro$gh the train. The lights flic'ere" on then off again then on. The train *egan to )o%e. Ka$f)an lay on the floor tears (o$ring "own his face tears of "isco)fit$re an" of resignation. /e wo$l" *lee" to "eath he "eci"e" where he lay. 0t wo$l"n!t )atter if he "ie". 0t was a fo$l worl" anyway. The "ri%er wo'e hi). /e o(ene" his eyes. The face that was loo'ing "own at hi) was *lac' an" not $nfrien"ly. 0t

grinne". Ka$f)an trie" to say so)ething *$t his )o$th was seale" $( with "rie" *loo". /e 3er'e" his hea" aro$n" li'e a "ri%eller trying to s(it o$t a wor". Nothing ca)e *$t gr$nts. /e wasn!t "ea". /e ha"n!t *le" to "eath. The "ri%er ($lle" hi) to his 'nees tal'ing to hi) as tho$gh he were a three+year+ol". 2&o$ got a 3o* to "o )y )an1 they!re %ery (lease" with yo$.! The "ri%er ha" lic'e" his fingers an" was r$**ing Ka$f)an!s swollen li(s trying to (art the). 2Lots to learn *efore to)orrow night. . .2 Lots to learn. Lots to learn. /e le" Ka$f)an o$t of the train. They were in no station he ha" e%er seen *efore. 0t was white+tile" an" a*sol$tely (ristine4 a station+'ee(er!s Nir%ana. No graffiti "isfig$re" the walls. There were no to'en+*ooths *$t then there were no gates an" no (assengers either. This was a line that (ro%i"e" only one ser%ice1 The Meat Train. A )orning shift of cleaners were alrea"y *$sy hosing the *loo" off the seats an" the floor of the train. So)e*o"y was stri((ing the #$tcher!s *o"y in (re(aration for "is(atch to New :ersey. All aro$n" Ka$f)an (eo(le were at wor'. A rain of "awn light was (o$ring thro$gh a grating in the roof of the station. Motes of "$st h$ng in the *ea)s t$rning o%er an" o%er. Ka$f)an watche" the) entrance". /e ha"n!t seen s$ch a *ea$tif$l thing since he was a chil". Lo%ely "$st. O%er an" o%er an" o%er an" o%er. The "ri%er ha" )anage" to se(arate Ka$f)an!s li(s. /is )o$th was too wo$n"e" for hi) to )o%e it *$t at least he co$l" *reathe easily. An" the (ain was alrea"y *eginning to s$*si"e.

The "ri%er s)ile" at hi) then t$rne" to the rest of the wor'ers in the station. 20!" li'e to intro"$ce Mahogany!s re(lace)ent. O$r new *$tcher ! he anno$nce". The wor'ers loo'e" at Ka$f)an. There was a certain "eference in their faces which he fo$n" a((ealing. Ka$f)an loo'e" $( at the s$nlight now falling all aro$n" hi). /e 3er'e" his hea" signifying that he wante" to go $( into the o(en air. The "ri%er no""e" an" le" hi) $( a stee( flight of ste(s an" thro$gh an alley+way an" so o$t on to the si"ewal'. 0t was a *ea$tif$l "ay. The *right s'y o%er New &or' was strea'e" with fila)ents of (ale (in' clo$" an" the air s)elt of )orning. The Streets an" A%en$es were (ractically e)(ty. At a "istance an occasional ca* crosse" an intersection its engine a whis(er4 a r$nner sweate" (ast on the other si"e of the street. 5ery soon these sa)e "eserte" si"ewal's wo$l" *e thronge" with (eo(le. The city wo$l" go a*o$t its *$siness in ignorance1 ne%er 'nowing what it was *$ilt $(on or what it owe" its life to. Witho$t hesitation Ka$f)an fell to his 'nees an" 'isse" the "irty concrete with his *loo"y li(s silently swearing his eternal loyalty to its contin$ance. The Palace of Delights recei%e" the a"oration witho$t co))ent.