THE PULITZER PRIZE W I N N I N G A U T H O R DE
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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.
F
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 Y I D D I S H P O L I C E M E N ' S UNION
ALSD BY MICHAEL CHABON The Mysteries A Model
of
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Werewolves Amazing
Pittsburgh
Boys
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Summerland The Final
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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
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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
UNIDN
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
POLICEMEN'S
UNION
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.
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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
POLICEMEN'S
figures
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
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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
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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 . "
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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
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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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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
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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
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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
THE Y I D D I S H
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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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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
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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
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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
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MICHAEL
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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 . "
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" 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
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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
MICHAEL
CHABON
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 . "
8G
MICHAEL
CHABDN
" 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?
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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"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
128
MICHAEL
CHABON
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
MICHAEL
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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.
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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
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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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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
MICHAEL
CHABDN
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
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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 . "
158
MICHAEL
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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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165
" 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
THE Y I D D I S H
PDLICEMEN'S
UNIDN
169
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
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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
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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
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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
182
MICHAEL
CHABDN
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
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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
MICHAEL
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 .
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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 .
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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."
THE Y I D D I S H
PDLICEMEN'S
UNIDN
2D9
" 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
THE Y I D D I S H
POLICEMEN'S
UNION
21
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
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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 -
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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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"No,
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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.
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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
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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,
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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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" 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.
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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
240
MICHAEL CHABDN
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
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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
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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
254
MICHAEL CHABDN
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
THE Y I D D I S H
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UNIDN
257
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
MICHAEL
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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259
" 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
PDLICEMEN'S
UNIDN
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
THE Y I D D I S H
PDLICEMEN'S
UNIDN
2G3
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
THE Y I D D I S H
POLICEMEN'S
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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
MICHAEL
CHABDN
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
THE Y I D D I S H
PDLICEMEN'S
UNIDN
267
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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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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" 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
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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 .
THE Y I D D I S H
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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 .
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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MICHAEL
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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."
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MICHAEL
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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."
THE Y I D D I S H
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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
306
MICHAEL CHABDN
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."
THE Y I D D I S H P D L I C E M E N ' S
UNIDN
3D7
" 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
THE Y I D D I S H
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3D9
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 . "
314
MICHAEL
CHABON
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
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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 . "
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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 . "
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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
328
MICHAEL
CHABON
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,
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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
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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
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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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t h r o u g h t h e m i s t y glass d o o r t o t h e s t e a m r o o m , t o c o n f r o n t
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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
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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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MICHAEL CHABDN
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
354
MICHAEL
CHABDN
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
358
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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
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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 .
THE Y I D D I S H
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UNIDN
367
" 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
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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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" 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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."
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" 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
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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