‘Pearl of the Orient, that’s what he said. Can you imagine that dirty old town, Chicago, all painted up fresh and as a babe in the morning light? We just got to see Chicago, by God!’

'He started the car, let it idle, and looked at the town.

‘Man survives,’ he murmured. ‘Man endures. Too bad we missed the big change. It must have been a fierce thing, a time of trials and testings. Samuel, I don’t recall, do you? What have we ever seen on TV?’

‘Saw a woman wrestle a bear two falls out of three, one night.'

–Who won?’

‘Damned if I know. She —‘

But then the jalopy moved and took Willy Bersinger and Samuel Fitts with it, their hair cut, oiled, and neat on their sweet–smelling skulls, their cheeks pink–shaven, their finger–nails flashing the sun. They sailed under clipped green, fresh–watered trees, through flowered lanes, past daffodil, lilac, violet, rose, and peppermint–coloured houses on the dustless road.

'Pearl of the Orient, here we come!’

A perfumed dog, with permed hair, ran out, nipped their tyres and barked, until they were gone away and completely out sight.