There was no way to cross the Road without risking almost certain destruction. For this reason, he moved to a spot directly across from the Volkswagen. As he did, the car's door opened and a short man with a small moustache emerged.

"Red!" he called. "Red!..."

"What is it, Adolph?" he hollered. "Still looking for the place where you won?"

"Listen, Red," said the other. "I didn't know whether to tell you this or not, because I couldn't make up my mind whether I hated you more than I felt I owed you. But then, I could not dedde whether the information would be harmful or useful to you. So I guess it all balances out. I am going to tell you. I was way the hell down the Road earlier, and I saw it happen at the exit marked with the blue ziggurat—"

"The blue ziggurat?"

"The blue ziggurat. I saw you turn over going off there. I saw your truck bum."

Red Dorakeen was silent for several moments. Then he laughed.

"Death," he said, "will surely be puzzled if he passes me soon. He will say, 'What is this man doing in Themistocles' Athens when he has a date with me on the last exit to Babylon?'"

His great frame shook as he laughed again. Then he blew smoke and raised his right arm in a gesture of mock salute.

"But thanks," he said. "It may be a good thing for me to know."

He turned and started back toward his truck. "One thing more," the other called after him. He halted and turned his head. "What's that?"

"You could have been a great man. Good-bye." "Auf wiedersehen."

Red mounted to the cab and started the engine. Soon the sky was blue again.

Two

As dawn worked its way above the still and shattered skyline, Strangulena stirred on her barge in the East River.