Ursula Legvin- Dan Pre Revolucije

8/13/2019 Ursula Legvin- Dan Pre Revolucije

1/15

THE DAY BEFORE THE REVOLUTION

Ursula K. Leguin

In memoriam Paul Gooman! "#""$"#%&

'( no)el T*e Dis+ossesse is a,ou- a small orl/ul o/ +eo+le *o 0all

-*emsel)es Oonians. T*e name is -a1en /rom -*e /ouner o/ -*eir so0ie-(! Oo!

*o li)e se)eral genera-ions ,e/ore -*e -ime o/ -*e no)el! an *o -*ere/ore

oesn2- ge- in-o -*e a0-ion$$ e30e+- im+li0i-l(! in -*a- all -*e a0-ion s-ar-e i-*

*er.

Oonianism is anar0*ism. No- -*e ,om,$in$-*e$+o01e- s-u//! *i0* is -errorism!

*a-e)er name i- -ries -o igni/( i-sel/ i-*4 no- -*e so0ial$Darinis- e0onomi0

5li,er-arianism5 o/ -*e /ar rig*-4 ,u- anar0*ism. as +re/igure in earl( Taois-

-*oug*-! an e3+oune ,( 6*elle( an Kro+o-1in! Golman an Gooman.

Anar0*ism2s +rin0i+al -arge- is -*e au-*ori-arian 6-a-e 70a+i-alis- or so0ialis-84 i-s+rin0i+al moral$+ra0-i0al -*eme is 0oo+era-ion 7soliari-(! mu-ual ai8. I- is -*e

mos- iealis-i0! an -o me -*e mos- in-eres-ing! o/ all +oli-i0al -*eories.

To em,o( i- in a no)el! *i0* *a no- ,een one ,e/ore! as a long an *ar

9o, /or me! an a,sor,e me -o-all( /or man( mon-*s. :*en i- as one I /el- los-

e3ile$$a is+la0e +erson. I as )er( gra-e/ul! -*ere/ore! *en Oo 0ame ou- o/

-*e s*aos an a0ross -*e gul/ o/ Pro,a,ili-(! an an-e a s-or( ri--en! no-

a,ou- -*e orl s*e mae! ,u- a,ou- *ersel/.

T*is s-or( is a,ou- one o/ -*e ones *o al1e aa( /rom Omelas.

T*e s+ea1er2s )oi0e as as lou as em+-( ,eer$-ru01s in a s-one s-ree-! an -*e

+eo+le a- -*e mee-ing ere 9amme u+ 0lose! 0o,,les-ones! -*a- grea- )oi0e,ooming o)er -*em. Ta)iri as some*ere on -*e o-*er sie o/ -*e *all. 6*e *a


2/15

-o ge- -o *im. 6*e orme an +us*e *er a( among -*e ar1$0lo-*e! 0lose$

+a01e +eo+le. 6*e i no- *ear -*e ors! nor see -*e /a0es; onl( -*e ,ooming!

an -*e ,oies +resse one ,e*in -*e o-*er. 6*e 0oul no- see Ta)iri! s*e as

-oo s*or-. A ,roa ,la01$)es-e ,ell( an 0*es- loome u+! ,lo01ing *er a(. 6*e

mus- ge- -*roug* -o Ta)iri. 6ea-ing! s*e 9a,,e /ier0el( i-* *er /is-. I- as li1e

*i--ing s-one! *e i no- mo)e a- all! ,u- -*e *uge lungs le- ou- rig*- o)er *er*ea a +roigious noise! a ,ello.. 6*e 0oere. T*en s*e uners-oo -*a- -*e

,ello *a no- ,een a- *er. O-*ers ere s*ou-ing. T*e s+ea1er *a sai

some-*ing! some-*ing /ine a,ou- -a3es or s*aos. T*rille! s*e 9oine -*e

s*ou-ing$$5Yes< Yes


3/15

I- mae *er gi( -o s-an u+ suenl(. 6*e *a -o +u- ou- *er *an -o -*e ,e$

-a,le! /or s*e reae /alling. A- -*a- s*e -*oug*- o/ rea0*ing ou- -o Ta)iri in -*e

ream.

:*a- *a *e sai> 6*e 0oul no- remem,er. 6*e as no- sure i/ s*e *a e)en

-ou0*e *is *an. 6*e /rone! -r(ing -o /or0e memor(. I- *a ,een so long sin0e

s*e *a reame a,ou- Ta)iri4 an no no- e)en -o remem,er *a- *e *a sai5 Ho long sin0e s*e *a

sai *is name>

Asieo sai. :*en Asieo an I ere in +rison in -*e Nor-*. Be/ore I me- Asieo.

Asieo2s -*eor( o/ re0i+ro0i-(. O* (es! s*e -al1e a,ou- *im! -al1e a,ou- *im -oo

mu0* no ou,-! maunere! ragge *im in. Bu- as 5Asieo!5 -*e las- name! -*e

+u,li0 man. T*e +ri)a-e man as gone! u--erl( gone. T*ere ere so /e le/- *o

*a e)en 1non *im. T*e( *a all use -o ,e in 9ail. One laug*e a,ou- i- in

-*ose a(s! all -*e /riens in all -*e 9ails. Bu- -*e( eren2- e)en -*ere! -*ese a(s.

T*e( ere in -*e +rison 0eme-eries. Or in -*e 0ommon gra)es.

5O*! o* m( ear!5 Laia sai ou- lou! an s*e san1 on on-o -*e ,e again

,e0ause s*e 0oul no- s-an u+ uner -*e remem,ran0e o/ -*ose /irs- ee1s in

-*e For-! in -*e 0ell! -*ose /irs- ee1s o/ -*e nine (ears in -*e For- in Drio! in -*e

0ell! -*ose /irs- ee1s a/-er -*e( -ol *er -*a- Asieo *a ,een 1ille in -*e /ig*-ing

in ?a+i-ol 6=uare an *a ,een ,urie i-* -*e Four-een Hunre in -*e lime$

i-0*es ,e*in Oring Ga-e. In -*e 0ell. Her *ans /ell in-o -*e ol +osi-ion on *er

la+! -*e le/- 0len0*e an lo01e insie -*e gri+ o/ -*e rig*-! -*e rig*- -*um,

or1ing ,a01 an /or-* a li--le +ressing an ru,,ing on -*e 1nu01le o/ -*e le/- /irs-/inger. Hours! a(s! nig*-s. 6*e *a -*oug*- o/ -*em all! ea0* one! ea0* one o/

-*e Four-een Hunre! *o -*e( la(! *o -*e =ui01lime or1e on -*e /les*! *o

-*e ,ones -ou0*e in -*e ,urning ar1. :*o -ou0*e *im> Ho i -*e slener

,ones o/ -*e *an lie no> Hours! (ears.

5Ta)iri! I *a)e ne)er /orgo--en (ou


4/15

a- all! s*e *a gone in a 0ir0le. 6*e s-oo u+ i-* a grun- o/ e//or- an

isa++ro)al! an en- -o -*e 0lose- /or *er ressing gon.

T*e (oung +eo+le en- a,ou- -*e *alls o/ -*e House in ,e0oming immoes-(! ,u-

s*e as -oo ol /or -*a-. 6*e in2- an- -o s+oil some (oung man2s ,rea1/as-

i-* -*e sig*- o/ *er. Besies! -*e( *a gron u+ in -*e +rin0i+le o/ /reeom o/

ress an se3 an all -*e res-! an s*e *an2-. All s*e *a one as in)en- i-. I-2s

no- -*e same.

Li1e s+ea1ing o/ Asieo as 5m( *us,an.5 T*e( in0e. T*e or s*e s*oul use

as a goo Oonian! o/ 0ourse! as 5+ar-ner.5 Bu- *( -*e *ell i s*e *a)e -o ,e

goo Oonian>

6*e s*u//le on -*e *all -o -*e ,a-*rooms. 'airo as -*ere! as*ing *er *air in

a la)a-or(. Laia loo1e a- -*e long! slee1! e- *an1 i-* amira-ion. 6*e go- ou-

o/ -*e House so selom no -*a- s*e in2- 1no *en s*e *a las- seen a

res+e0-a,l( s*a)en s0al+! ,u- s-ill -*e sig*- o/ a /ull *ea o/ *air ga)e *er

+leasure! )igorous +leasure. Ho mane -imes *a s*e ,een 9eere a-! Long*air!

Long*air! *a *er *air +ulle ,( +oli0emen or (oung -oug*s! *a *er *air s*a)e

o// on -o -*e s0al+ ,( a grinning solier a- ea0* ne +rison> An -*en *a

gron i- all o)er again! -*roug* -*e /u@@!-o -*e /ri@@! -o -*e 0urls! -o -*e mane. . . .

In -*e ol a(s. For Go2s lo)e! 0ouln2- s*e -*in1 o/ an(-*ing -oa( ,u- -*e ola(s>

Dresse! *er ,e mae! s*e en- on -o 0ommons. I- as a goo ,rea1/as-! ,u-

s*e *a ne)er go- *er a++e-i-e ,a01 sin0e -*e amne s-ro1e. 6*e ran1 -o

0u+s o/ *er, -ea! ,u- 0ouln2- /inis* -*e +ie0e o/ /rui- s*e *a -a1en. Ho s*e *a

0ra)e /rui- as a 0*il ,al( enoug* -o s-eal i-4 an in -*e For-$$o*! /or Go2s lo)e

s-o+ i-< 6*e smile an re+lie -o -*e gree-ings an /rienl( in=uiries o/ -*e o-*er

,rea1/as-ers an ,ig Ae)i *o as ser)ing -*e 0oun-er -*is morning. I- as *e

*o *a -em+-e *er i-* -*e +ea0*! 5Loo1 a- -*is! I2)e ,een sa)ing i- /or (ou!5

an *o 0oul s*e re/use> An(a( s*e *a ala(s lo)e /rui-! an ne)er go-

enoug*4 on0e *en s*e as si3 or se)en s*e *a s-olen a +ie0e o// a )enor2s

0ar- in Ri)er 6-ree-. Bu- i- as *ar -o ea- *en e)er(one as -al1ing so

e30i-el(. T*ere as nes /rom T*u! real nes. 6*e as in0line -o is0oun- i- a-

/irs-! ,eing ar( o/ en-*usiasms! ,u- a/-er s*e *a rea -*e ,e-een -*e lines o/

i-! s*e -*oug*-! i-* a s-range 1in o/ 0er-ain-(! ee+ ,u- 0ol. :*(! -*is is i-; i-

*as 0ome. An in T*u! no- *ere. T*u ill ,rea1 ,e/ore -*is 0oun-r( oes4 -*e

Re)olu-ion ill /irs- +re)ail -*ere. As i/ -*a- ma--ere< T*ere ill ,e no more

na-ions. An (e- i- i ma--er some*o! i- mae *er a li--le 0ol an sa$en)ious!

in /a0-. O/ all -*e in/ini-e s-u+ii-ies. 6*e i no- 9oin in -*e -al1 mu0*! an soongo- u+ -o go ,a01 -o *er room! /eeling sorr( /or *ersel/. 6*e 0oul no- s*are -*eir


5/15

e30i-emen-. 6*e as ou- o/ i-! reall( ou- o/ i-. I-2s no- eas(! s*e sai -o *ersel/ in

9us-i/i0a-ion! la,oriousl( 0lim,ing -*e s-airs! -o a00e+- ,eing ou- o/ i- *en (ou2)e

,een in i-! in -*e 0en-er o/ i-! /or /i/-( (ears. O*! /or Go2s lo)e. :*ining Ver( li1el(. A/-er all! *o -*e *ell an-e -o room i-* a

rooling ol oman> Bu- i- as *ar -o ,e sure. Fa)ori-ism! eli-ism! leaer$

ors*i+! -*e( 0re+- ,a01 an 0ro++e ou- e)er(*ere. Bu- s*e *a ne)er *o+e

-o see -*em erai0a-e in *er li/e-ime! in one genera-ion. Onl( Time or1s -*e

grea- 0*anges. 'ean*ile -*is as a ni0e! large! sunn( room! +ro+er /or a

rooling ol oman *o *a s-ar-e a orl re)olu-ion.

Her se0re-ar( oul ,e 0oming in an *our -o *el+ *er es+a-0* -*e a(2s or1.

6*e s*u//le o)er -o -*e es1! a ,eau-i/ul! ,ig +ie0e! a +resen- /rom -*e Noi

?a,ine-ma1ers2 6(ni0a-e ,e0ause some,o( *a *ear *er remar1 on0e -*a-

-*e onl( +ie0e o/ /urni-ure s*e *a e)er reall( longe /or as a es1 i-* raers

an enoug* room on -o+ . . . amn! -*e -o+ as +ra0-i0all( 0o)ere i-* +a+ersi-* no-es 0li++e -o -*em! mos-l( in Noi2s small 0lear *anri-ing; Urgen-.$$

Nor-*ern Pro)in0es.$$?onsul- R. T.>

Her on *anri-ing *a ne)er ,een -*e same sin0e Asieo2s ea-*. I- as o!

*en (ou -*oug*- a,ou- i-. A/-er all! i-*in /i)e (ears a/-er *is ea-* s*e *a

ri--en -*e *ole Analog(. An -*ere ere -*ose le--ers! *i0* -*e -all guar i-*

-*e a-er( gre2 e(es! *a- as *is name! ne)er min! *a smuggle ou- o/ -*e

/or- /or *er /or -o (ears. T*e Prison Le--ers -*e( 0alle -*em no! -*ere ere a

o@en i//eren- ei-ions o/ -*em. All -*a- s-u//! -*e le--ers *i0* +eo+le 1e+--elling *er ere so /ull o/ 5s+iri-ual s-reng-*5$$*i0* +ro,a,l( mean- s*e *a

,een l(ing *ersel/ ,lue in -*e /a0e *en s*e ro-e -*em! -r(ing -o 1ee+ *er

s+iri-s u+$$an -*e Analog( *i0* as 0er-ainl( -*e solies- in-elle0-ual or1 s*e

*a e)er one! all o/ -*a- *a ,een ri--en in -*e For- in Drio! in -*e 0ell! a/-er

Asieo2s ea-*. One *a -o o some-*ing! an in -*e For- -*e( le- one *a)e +a+er

an +ens. . . . Bu- i- *a all ,een ri--en in -*e *as-(! s0ri,,ling *an *i0* s*e

*a ne)er /el- as *ers! no- *er on li1e -*e roun! ,la01 s0rolling o/ -*e

manus0ri+- o/ 6o0ie-( :i-*ou- Go)ernmen-! /or-($/i)e (ears ol. Ta)iri *a -a1en

no- onl( *er ,o(2s an *er *ear-2s esire -o -*e =ui01lime i-* *im! ,u- e)en *er

goo 0lear *an$ri-ing.


6/15

Bu- *e *a le/- *er -*e Re)olu-ion.

Ho ,ra)e o/ (ou -o go on! -o or1! -o ri-e! in +rison! a/-er su0* a e/ea- /or -*e

'o)emen-! a/-er (our +ar-ner2s ea-*! +eo+le *a use -o sa(. Damn /ools. :*a-

else *a -*ere ,een -o o> Bra)er(! 0ourage$$*a- as 0ourage> 6*e *a ne)er

/igure i- ou-. No- /earing! some sai. Fearing (e- going on! o-*ers sai. Bu- *a-

0oul one o ,u- go on> Ha one an( real 0*oi0e! e)er>

To ie as merel( -o go on in ano-*er ire0-ion.

I/ (ou an-e -o 0ome *ome (ou *a -o 1ee+ going on! -*a- as *a- s*e mean-

*en s*e ro-e 5True 9ourne( is re-urn!5 ,u- i- *a ne)er ,een more -*an anin-ui-ion! an s*e as /ar-*er -*an e)er no /rom ,eing a,le -o ra-ionali@e i-. 6*e

,en- on! -oo suenl( so -*a- s*e grun-e a li--le a- -*e 0rea1 in *er ,ones!

an ,egan -o roo- in a ,o--om raer o/ -*e es1. Her *an 0ame on an age$

so/-ene /oler an re i- ou-! re0ogni@ing i- ,( -ou0* ,e/ore sig*- 0on/irme;

-*e manus0ri+- o/ 6(ni0al Organi@a-ion in Re)olu-ionar( Transi-ion. He *a

+rin-e -*e -i-le on -*e /oler an ri--en *is name uner i-! Ta)iri Oo Asieo! I

%C". T*ere as an elegan- *anri-ing! e)er( le--er ell$/orme! ,ol! an

/luen-. Bu- *e *a +re/erre -o use a )oi0e+rin-er. T*e manus0ri+- as all in

)oi0e+rin-! an *ig* =uali-( -oo! *esi-an0ies a9us-e an iios(n0rasies o/

s+ee0* normali@e. You 0ouln2- see -*ere *o *e *a sai 5o5 ee+ in *is -*roa-as -*e( i on -*e Nor-* ?oas-. T*ere as no-*ing o/ *im -*ere ,u- *is min. 6*e

*a no-*ing o/ *im a- all e30e+- *is name ri--en on -*e /oler. 6*e *an2- 1e+-

*is le--ers! i- as sen-imen-al -o 1ee+ le--ers. Besies! s*e ne)er 1e+- an(-*ing.

6*e 0ouln2- -*in1 o/ an(-*ing -*a- s*e *a e)er one /or more -*an a /e

(ears! e30e+- -*is rams*a01le ol ,o(! o/ 0ourse! an s*e as s-u01 i-* -*a-. . .

.

Duali@ing again. 56*e5 an 5i-.5 Age an illness mae one ualis-! mae one

es0a+is-4 -*e min insis-e! I-2s no- me! i-2s no- me. Bu- i- as. 'a(,e -*e m(s-i0s

0oul e-a0* min /rom ,o(! s*e *a ala(s ra-*er is-/ull( en)ie -*em -*e

0*an0e! i-*ou- *o+e o/ emula-ing -*em. Es0a+e *a ne)er ,een *er game. 6*e

*a soug*- /or /reeom *ere! no! ,o( an soul.

Firs- sel/$+i-(! -*en sel/$+raise! an *ere s*e s-ill sa-! /or Go2s lo)e! *oling

Asieo2s name in *er *an! *(> Din2- s*e 1no *is name i-*ou- loo1ing i- u+>

:*a- as rong i-* *er> 6*e raise -*e /oler -o *er li+s an 1isse -*e

*anri--en name /irml( an s=uarel(! re+la0e -*e /oler in -*e ,a01 o/ -*e

,o--om raer! s*u- -*e raer! an s-raig*-ene u+ in -*e 0*air. Her rig*- *an


7/15

-ingle. 6*e s0ra-0*e i-! an -*en s*oo1 i- in -*e air! s+i-e/ull(. I- *a ne)er =ui-e

go- o)er -*e s-ro1e. Nei-*er *a *er rig*- leg or rig*- e(e! or -*e rig*- 0orner o/

*er mou-*. T*e( ere sluggis*! ine+-! -*e( -ingle. T*e( mae *er /eel li1e a

ro,o- i-* a s*or- 0ir0ui-.

An -ime as ge--ing on! Noi oul ,e 0oming! *a- *a s*e ,een oing e)er

sin0e ,rea1/as->

6*e go- u+ so *as-il( -*a- s*e lur0*e! an gra,,e a- -*e 0*air,a01 -o ma1e

sure s*e i no- /all. 6*e en- on -*e *all -o -*e ,a-*room an loo1e in -*e

,ig mirror -*ere. Her gre( 1no- as loose an roo+(! s*e *an2- one i- u+ ell

,e/ore ,rea1/as-. 6*e s-ruggle i-* i- a *ile. I- as *ar -o 1ee+ *er arms u+ in

-*e air. Amai! running in -o +iss! s-o++e an sai! 5Le- me o i-


8/15

-*a- as -*e re0i+e. Ta)iri! o/ 0ourse. T*is ,o( asn2- a +a-0* on Ta)iri /or ,rains!

nor e)en /or loo1s! ,u- -*ere i- as; s*e in2- an- *im -o see *er i-* ri,,le

on *er 0ollar an *er *air 0oming unone.

Her -*in! gre( *air.

Noi 0ame in! 9us- +ausing in -*e o+en oora($$m( Go! s*e *an2- e)en s*u- -*e

oor *ile 0*anging *er s*ir-< 6*e loo1e a- *im an sa *ersel/. T*e ol

oman.

You 0oul ,rus* (our *air an 0*ange (our s*ir-! or (ou 0oul ear las- ee12s

s*ir- an las- nig*-2s ,rais! or (ou 0oul +u- on 0lo-* o/ gol an us- (ours*a)en s0al+ i-* iamon +oer. None o/ i- oul ma1e -*e slig*-es-

i//eren0e. T*e ol oman oul loo1 a li--le less! or a li--le more! gro-es=ue.

One 1ee+s onesel/ nea- ou- o/ mere e0en0( mere sani-(! aareness o/ o-*er

+eo+le.

An /inall( e)en -*a- goes! an one ri,,les unas*ame.

5Goo morning!5 -*e (oung man sai in *is gen-le )oi0e.

5Hello! Noi.5

No! ,( Go! i- as no- ou- o/ mere e0en0(. De0en0( ,e amne. Be0ause -*eman s*e *a lo)e! an -o *om *er age oul no- *a)e ma--ere$$,e0ause *e

as ea! mus- s*e +re-en s*e *a no se3> 'us- s*e su++ress -*e -ru-*! li1e a

amne +uri-an au-*ori-arian> E)en si3 mon-*s ago! ,e/ore -*e s-ro1e! s*e *a

mae men loo1 a- *er an li1e -o loo1 a- *er4 an no! -*oug* s*e 0oul gi)e no

+leasure! ,( Go s*e 0oul +lease *ersel/.

:*en s*e as si3 (ears ol! an Pa+a2s /rien Gaeo use -o 0ome ,( -o -al1

+oli-i0s i-* Pa+a a/-er inner! s*e oul +u- on -*e gol$0olore ne01la0e -*a-

'ama *a /oun on a -ras* *ea+ an ,roug*- *ome /or *er. I- as so s*or- -*a- i-ala(s go- *ien uner *er 0ollar *ere no,o( 0oul see i-. 6*e li1e i- -*a-


9/15

a(. 6*e 1ne s*e *a i- on. 6*e sa- on -*e oors-e+ an lis-ene -o -*em -al1!

an 1ne -*a- s*e loo1e ni0e /or Gaeo. He as ar1! i-* *i-e -ee-* -*a-

/las*e. 6ome-imes *e 0alle *er 5+re--( Laia.5 5T*ere2s m( +re--( Laia '( *ea2s ull. I *a a -erri,le nig*-.5 I- as -rue. 6*e *a sle+- e)en less

-*an usual.

5I as as1ing i/ (ou2 seen -*e +a+ers -*is morning.5

6*e noe.

5Please a,ou- 6oine*e>5

6oine*e as -*e +ro)in0e in T*u *i0* *a e0lare i-s se0ession /rom -*e

T*u)ian 6-a-e las- nig*-.

He as +lease a,ou- i-. His *i-e -ee-* /las*e in *is ar1! aler- /a0e. Pre--(Laia.

5Yes. An a++re*ensi)e.5

5I 1no. Bu- i-2s -*e real -*ing! -*is -ime. I-2s -*e ,eginning o/ -*e en o/ -*e

Go)ernmen- in T*u. T*e( *a)en2- e)en -rie -o orer -roo+s in-o 6oine*e! (ou

1no. I- oul merel( +ro)o1e -*e soliers in-o re,ellion sooner! an -*e( 1noi-.5

6*e agree i-* *im. 6*e *ersel/ *a /el- -*a- 0er-ain-(. Bu- s*e 0oul no- s*are

*is elig*-. A/-er a li/e-ime o/ li)ing on *o+e ,e0ause -*ere is no-*ing ,u- *o+e!

one loses -*e -as-e /or )i0-or(. A real sense o/ -rium+* mus- ,e +re0ee ,( real

es+air. 6*e *a unlearne es+air a long -ime ago. T*ere ere no more

-rium+*s. One en- on.

56*all e o -*ose le--ers -oa(>5


10/15

5All rig*-. :*i0* le--ers>5

5To -*e +eo+le in -*e Nor-*!5 *e sai i-*ou- im+a-ien0e.

5In -*e Nor-*>5

5Par*eo! Oaiun.5

6*e *a ,een ,orn in Par*eo! -*e ir-( 0i-( on -*e ir-( ri)er. 6*e *a no- 0ome*ere -o -*e 0a+i-al -ill s*e as -en-($-o an rea( -o ,ring -*e Re)olu-ion!

-*oug* in -*ose a(s! ,e/ore s*e an -*e o-*ers *a -*oug*- i- -*roug*! i- *a

,een a )er( green an +uerile re)olu-ion. 6-ri1es /or ,e--er ages! re+resen-a-ion

/or omen. Vo-es an ages$$Poer an 'one(! /or -*e lo)e o/ Go< :ell! one

oes learn a li--le! a/-er all! in /i/-( (ears.

Bu- -*en one mus- /orge- i- all.

56-ar- i-* Oaiun!5 s*e sai! si--ing on in -*e arm0*air. Noi as a- -*e es1

rea( -o or1. He rea ou- e30er+-s /rom -*e le--ers s*e as -o anser. 6*e -rie

-o +a( a--en-ion! an su00eee ell enoug* -*a- s*e i0-a-e one *ole le--er

an s-ar-e on ano-*er. 5Remem,er -*a- a- -*is s-age (our ,ro-*er*oo is

)ulnera,le -o -*e -*rea- o/... no! -o -*e anger... -o...5 6*e gro+e -ill Noi

sugges-e! 5T*e anger o/ leaer$ors*i+>5

5All rig*-. An -*a- no-*ing is so soon 0orru+-e ,( +oer$see1ing as al-ruism.No. An -*a- no-*ing 0orru+-s al-ruism$no. O /or Go2s lo)e (ou 1no *a- I2m

-r(ing -o sa(! Noi! (ou ri-e i-. T*e( 1no i- -oo! i-2s 9us- -*e same ol s-u//! *(

0an2- -*e( rea m( ,oo1s


11/15

5All rig*-! ,u- I2m -ire o/ ,eing -ou0*e. I/ (ou2ll ri-e -*e le--er I2ll sign i- ,u- I

0an2- ,e ,o-*ere i-* i- -*is morning.5 He as loo1ing a- *er i-* a li--le

=ues-ion or 0on0ern. 6*e sai! irri-a,le! 5T*ere is some-*ing else I *a)e -o o 6*e oul go ou-

/or a al1.


12/15

5:*a- is an anar0*is-> One *o! 0*oosing! a00e+-s -*e res+onsi,ili-( o/ 0*oi0e.5

On -*e a( ons-airs s*e e0ie! s0oling! -o s-a( an see -*e /oreign

s-uen-s. Bu- -*en s*e oul go ou-.

T*e( ere )er( (oung s-uen-s! )er( earnes-; oe$e(e! s*agg(! 0*arming

0rea-ures /rom -*e :es-ern Hemis+*ere. Ben,ili an -*e 1ingom o/ 'an! -*e

girls in *i-e -rousers! -*e ,o(s in long 1il-s! arli1e an ar0*ai0. T*e( s+o1e o/

-*eir *o+es. 5:e in 'an are so )er( /ar /rom -*e Re)olu-ion -*a- ma(,e e are

near i-!5 sai one o/ -*e girls! is-/ul an smiling; 5T*e ?ir0le o/ Li/e5

For *er *ear- en- ou- -o -*em! an -*eirs -o *er! an s*e e30*ange 1isses all

roun! laug*ing! elig*-e ,( -*e ar1 (oung 0*ee1s! -*e a//e0-iona-e e(es! -*e

s0en-e *air! ,e/ore s*e s*u//le o//. 6*e as reall( a li--le -ire! ,u- -o go u+ an

-a1e a na+ oul ,e a e/ea-. 6*e *a an-e -o go ou-. 6*e oul go ou-. 6*e

*a no- ,een alone ou-oors sin0e$*en> 6in0e in-er< ,e/ore -*e s-ro1e. No

oner s*e as ge--ing mor,i. I- *a ,een a regular 9ail sen-en0e. Ou-sie! -*e

s-ree-s! -*a-2s *ere s*e li)e.

6*e en- =uie-l( ou- -*e sie oor o/ -*e House! +as- -*e )ege-a,le +a-0*! -o -*e

s-ree-. T*e narro s-ri+ o/ sour 0i-( ir- *a ,een ,eau-i/ull( garene an as

+rou0ing a /ine 0ro+ o/ ,eans an 0eea! ,u- Laia2s e(e /or /arming as

unenlig*-ene. O/ 0ourse i- *a ,een 0lear -*a- anar0*is- 0ommuni-ies! e)en in

-*e -ime o/ -ransi-ion! mus- or1 -oars o+-imal sel/$su++or-! ,u- *o -*a- as

-o ,e manage in -*e a( o/ a0-ual ir- an +lan-s asn2- *er ,usiness. T*ere

ere /armers an agronomis-s /or -*a-. Her 9o, as -*e s-ree-s! -*e nois(!

s-in1ing s-ree-s o/ s-one! *ere s*e *a gron u+ an li)e all *er li/e! e30e+- /or-*e /i/-een (ears in +rison.

6*e loo1e u+ /onl( a- -*e /a0ae o/ -*e House. T*a- i- *a ,een ,uil- as a ,an1

ga)e +e0uliar sa-is/a0-ion -o i-s +resen- o00u+an-s. T*e( 1e+- -*eir sa01s o/ meal

in -*e ,om,$+roo/ mone($)aul-! an age -*eir 0ier in 1egs in sa/e e+osi-

,o3es. O)er -*e /uss( 0olumns -*a- /a0e -*e s-ree- 0ar)e le--ers s-ill rea!

5Na-ional In)es-ors an Grain Fa0-ors Ban1ing Asso0ia-ion.5 T*e 'o)emen- as

no- s-rong on names. T*e( *a no /lag. 6logans 0ame an en- as -*e nee i.

T*ere as ala(s -*e ?ir0le o/ Li/e -o s0ra-0* on alls an +a)emen-s *ereAu-*ori-( oul *a)e -o see i-. Bu- *en i- 0ame -o names -*e( ere ini//eren-!


13/15

a00e+-ing an ignoring *a-e)er -*e( go- 0alle! una/rai o/ ,eing +inne on

an +enne in! una/rai o/ ,eing a,sur. 6o -*is ,es- 1non an se0on oles- o/

all -*e 0oo+era-i)e Houses *a no name e30e+- T*e Ban1.

I- /a0e on a ie an =uie- s-ree-! ,u- onl( a ,lo01 aa( ,egan -*e Teme,a! an

o+en mar1e-! on0e /amous as a 0en-er /or ,la01mar1e- +s(0*ogeni0s an

-era-ogeni0s! no reu0e -o )ege-a,les! se0on*an 0lo-*es! an misera,le

sies*os. I-s 0ra+ulous )i-ali-( as gone! lea)ing onl( *al/$+aral(@e al0o*oli0s.

ai0-s! 0ri++les! *u01s-ers! an /i/-* ra-e *ores! +ans*o+s! gam,ling ens

/or-une$-ellers! ,o($s0ul+-ors! an 0*ea+ *o-els. Laia -urne -o -*e Teme,a as

a-er see1s i-s le)el.

6*e *a ne)er /eare or es+ise -*e 0i-(. I- as *er 0oun-r(. T*ere oul no- ,eslums li1e -*is! i/ -*e Re)olu-ion +re)aile. Bu- -*ere oul ,e miser(. T*ere

oul ala(s ,e miser(! as-e! 0ruel-(. 6*e *a ne)er +re-ene -o ,e 0*anging

-*e *uman 0oni-ion! -o ,e 'ama -a1ing -rage( aa( /rom -*e 0*ilren so -*e(

on2- *ur- -*emsel)es. An(-*ing ,u-. 6o long as +eo+le ere /ree -o 0*oose! i/

-*e( 0*ose -o rin1 /l(,ane an li)e in seers! i- as -*eir ,usiness. us- so long

as i- asn2- -*e ,usiness o/ Business! -*e sour0e o/ +ro/i- an -*e means o/ +oer

/or o-*er +eo+le.

6*e *a /el- all -*a- ,e/ore s*e 1ne an(-*ing4 ,e/ore s*e ro-e -*e /irs-+am+*le-! ,e/ore s*e le/- Par*eo! ,e/ore s*e 1ne *a- 50a+i-al5 mean-! ,e/ore

s*e2 ,een /ar-*er -*an Ri)er 6-ree- *ere s*e +la(e roll-aggie 1neeling on

s0a,,( 1nees on -*e +a)emen- i-* -*e o-*er si3$(ear$ols! s*e *a 1non i-;

-*a- s*e! an -*e o-*er 1is! an *er +aren-s! an -*eir +aren-s! an -*e run1s

an *ores an all o/ Ri)er 6-ree-! ere al -*e ,o--om o/ some-*ing$$ere -*e

/ouna-ion! -*e reali-(! -*e sour0e. Bu- ill (ou rag 0i)ili@a-ion on in-o -*e

mu> 0rie -*e s*o01e e0en- +eo+le! la-er on! an s*e *a -rie /or (ears -o

e3+lain -o -*em -*a- i/ all (ou *a as mu! -*en i/ (ou ere Go (ou mae i-

in-o *uman ,eings! an i/ (ou ere *uman (ou -rie -o ma1e i- in-o *ouses

*ere *uman ,eings 0oul li)e. Bu- no,o( *o -*oug*- *e as ,e--er -*an mu0oul uners-an. No! a-er see1ing i-s le)el! mu -o mu! Laia s*u//le

-*roug* -*e /oul! nois( s-ree-! an all -*e ugl( ea1ness o/ *er ol age as a-

*ome. T*e slee+( *ores! -*eir la0=uere *air$arrangemen-s ila+ia-e an

as1e! -*e one$e(e oman earil( (elling *er )ege-a,les -o sell! -*e *al/$i-

,eggar sla++ing /lies! -*ese ere *er 0oun-r(omen. T*e( loo1e li1e *er! -*e(

ere all sa! isgus-ing! mean! +i-i/ul! *ieous. T*e( ere *er sis-ers *er on

+eo+le.

6*e i no- /eel -oo ell. I- *a ,een along -ime sin0e s*e *a al1e so /ar! /ouror /i)e ,lo01s ,( *ersel/! in -*e noise an +us* an s-ri1ing summer *ea- o/ -*e


14/15

s-ree-s. 6*e *a an-e -o ge- -o Kol( Par1! -*e -riangle o/ s0ru//( grass a- -*e

en o/ -*e Teme,a an si- -*ere /or a *ile i-* -*e o-*er ol men an omen

*o ala(s sa- -*ere! -o see *a- i- as li1e -o si- -*ere an ,e ol4 ,u- i- as

-oo /ar. I/ s*e in2- -urn ,a01 no! s*e mig*- ge- a i@@( s+ell! an s*e *a a

rea o/ /alling on! /alling on an *a)ing -o lie -*ere an loo1 u+ a- -*e

+eo+le 0ome -o s-are a- -*e ol oman in a /i-. 6*e -urne an s-ar-e *ome!/roning i-* e//or- an sel/$isgus-. 6*e 0oul /eel *er /a0e )er( re! an a

simming /eeling 0ame an en- in *er ears. I- go- a ,i- mu0*! s*e as reall(

a/rai s*e mig*- 1eel o)er. 6*e sa a oors-e+ in -*e s*ae an mae /or i-! le-

*ersel/ on 0au-iousl(! sa-! sig*e.

Near,( as a /rui-$seller! si--ing silen- ,e*in *is us-(! i-*ere s-o01. Peo+le

en- ,(. No,o( ,oug*- /rom *im. No,o( loo1e a- *er. Oo! *o as Oo>

Famous re)olu-ionar(! au-*or o/ ?ommuni-(! T*e Analog(! e-0. e-0. 6*e! *o as

s*e> An ol oman i-* gre( *air an a re /a0e si--ing on a ir-( oors-e+ in a

slum! mu--ering -o *ersel/.

True> :as -*a- s*e> ?er-ainl( i- as *a- an(,o( +assing *er sa. Bu- as i-

s*e! *ersel/! an( more -*an -*e /amous re)olu-ionar(! e-0.! as> No. I- as no-.

Bu- *o as s*e! -*en>

T*e one *o lo)e Ta)iri.

Yes. True enoug*. Bu- no- enoug*. T*a- as gone4 *e *a ,een ea so long.

5:*o am I>5 Laia mu--ere -o *er in)isi,le auien0e! an -*e( 1ne -*e anser

an -ol i- -o *er i-* one )oi0e. 6*e as -*e li--le girl i-* s0a,,( 1nees! si--ing

on -*e oors-e+ s-aring on -*roug* -*e ir-( golen *a@e o/ Ri)er 6-ree- in -*e

*ea- o/ la-e summer! -*e si3$(ear$ol! -*e si3-een$(ear$ol! -*e /ier0e! 0ross!ream$rien girl! un-ou0*e! un-ou0*a,le. 6*e as *ersel/. Inee s*e *a

,een -*e -ireless or1er an -*in1er! ,u- a ,loo 0lo- in a )ein *a -a1en -*a-

oman aa( /rom *er. Inee s*e *a ,een -*e lo)er! -*e simmer in -*e mis-

o/ li/e! ,u- Ta)iri! (ing! *a -a1en -*a- oman aa( i-* *im. T*ere as no-*ing

le/-! reall(! ,u- -*e /ouna-ion. 6*e *a 0ome *ome4 s*e *a ne)er le/- *ome.

5True )o(age is re-urn.5 Dus- an mu an a oors-e+ in -*e slums. An ,e(on!

a- -*e /ar en o/ -*e s-ree-! -*e /iel /ull o/ -all r( ees ,loing in -*e in as

-*e nig*- 0ame.

5Laia< :*a- are (ou oing *ere> Are (ou all rig*->5


15/15

One o/ -*e +eo+le /rom -*e House! o/ 0ourse! a ni0e oman! a ,i- /ana-i0al an

ala(s -al1ing. Laia 0oul no- remem,er *er name -*oug* s*e *a 1non *er /or

(ears. 6*e le- *ersel/ ,e -a1en *ome! -*e oman -al1ing all -*e a(. ln -*e ,ig

0ool 0ommon room 7on0e o00u+ie ,( -ellers 0oun-ing mone( ,e*in +olis*e0oun-ers su+er)ise ,( arme guars8 Laia sa- on in a 0*air. 6*e as una,le

9us- as (e- -o /a0e 0lim,ing -*e s-airs! -*oug* s*e oul *a)e li1e -o ,e alone.

T*e oman 1e+- on -al1ing! an o-*er e30i-e +eo+le 0ame in. I- a++eare -*a- a

emons-ra-ion as ,eing +lanne. E)en-s in T*u ere mo)ing so /as- -*a- -*e

moo *ere *a 0aug*- /ire! an some-*ing mus- ,e one. Da( a/-er -omorro!

no! -omorro! -*ere as -o ,e a mar0*! a ,ig one! /rom Ol Ton -o ?a+i-ol

6=uare -*e ol rou-e. 5Ano-*er Nin-* 'on-* U+rising!5 sai a (oung man! /ier(

an laug*ing! glan0ing a- Laia. He *a no- e)en ,een ,orn a- -*e -ime o/ -*e

Nin-* 'on-* U+rising! i- as all *is-or( -o *im. No *e an-e -o ma1e some

*is-or( o/ *is on. T*e room *a /ille u+. A general mee-ing oul ,e *el *ere!-omorro! a- eig*- in -*e morning. 5You mus- -al1! Laia.5

5Tomorro> O*! I on2- ,e *ere -omorro!5 s*e sai ,rus=uel(. :*oe)er *a

as1e *er smile! ano-*er one laug*e! -*oug* Amai glan0e roun a- *er i-* a

+u@@le loo1. T*e( en- on -al1ing an s*ou-ing. T*e Re)olu-ion. :*a- on ear-*

*a mae *er sa( -*a-> :*a- a -*ing -o sa( on -*e e)e o/ -*e Re)olu-ion! e)en i/

i- as -rue.

6*e ai-e *er -ime! manage -o ge- u+ an! /or all *er 0lumsiness! -o sli+ aa(

unno-i0e among -*e +eo+le ,us( i-* -*eir +lanning an e30i-emen-. 6*e go- -o

-*e *all! -o -*e s-airs! an ,egan -o 0lim, -*em one ,( one. 5T*e general s-ri1e!5

a )oi0e! -o )oi0es! -en )oi0es ere sa(ing in -*e room ,elo! ,e*in *er. 5T*e

general s-ri1e 5 Laia mu--ere! res-ing /or a momen- on -*e laning. A,o)e!

a*ea! in *er room! *a- aai-e *er> T*e +ri)a-e s-ro1e. T*a- as mill( /unn(.

6*e s-ar-e u+ -*e se0on /lig*- o/ s-airs! one ,( one! one leg a- a -ime! li1e a

small 0*il. 6*e as i@@( ,u- s*e as no longer a/rai -o /all. On a*ea! on

-*ere! -*e r( *i-e /loers noe an *is+ere in -*e o+en /iels o/ e)ening.

6e)en-($-o (ears an s*e *a ne)er *a -ime -o learn *a- -*e( ere 0alle.

Ursula Legvin- Dan Pre Revolucije

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