— And incidentally yes there’s no need to bother my aunts any further is there, surely my husband’s interest in the company together with my father’s estate is sufficient majority for any decisions I come to? this old lawsuit you mentioned for instance, I want the judgment on it the moment you learn it so we can act appropriately without any delay in fact, Mister Coen, on the chance it goes against General Roll you might begin to get material together for an appeal I don’t intend to see it lost, I think that’s all clear?
— Why, why yes Mrs Angel of course yes, yes here let me get the door…
— And thank you again you’ve been terribly helpful. Driver? we’re going uptown, it’s on Ninety-sixth Street isn’t it Edward?
— Yes it’s, it’s between Second and Third yes, Ninety-sixth between Second and Third driver… he squared the pages loose against him at the lurch of the cab, knees tight holding him forward to the edge of the seat looking out as though aware that his back, the back of his head was being looked at, looking down as abruptly as the knee crossed under his elbow, crossing his own.
— Is there anything you can do about those trousers Edward, we could certainly stop and get you something and a coat, you haven’t even a coat…
— No! I’m, I’m fine… he thrust the pages away pulling, tucking at his waist, paired his knees again coming forward — did you know that he, my father did you know he was coming back?
— I suggested it to them.
— Oh… he sat hunched to the window there staring at the massive side of a truck where five dwarfs heralding None Of Us Grew But The Business moved ahead, fell back for a hatless woman blowing her nose, U S Mail, Dumor Delivery Service, a brown dog muzzling glass.
— I didn’t hear you.
— Nothing I didn’t say anything…! a bus bullied passage, fell away for Department of Correction, the woman wadding her handkerchief now, Ace Photo Service, Emergency — this next corner… National Casket Co, XL Cab — driver…?
— You still don’t understand do you! You think he, that he knew what would happen? the courage it took for him to go on facing the…
— Driver! it’s, it’s up behind that ambulance…
— Where’s all the ashcans out front?
— That’s it yes… he brought the papers close coming forward for the door — right here, yes… he was out, holding the cab’s door open. — You’d better wait here till I see what’s…
— I’d intended to.
— Yes well if he’s, if Mister Gibbs is up there what shall I tell him you want.
— Nothing. Nothing! no you won’t understand will you! that your own selfish suffering’s easier than facing suffering you’ve caused and can never call back Edward don’t you think I, Edward? Well you will…!
He caught balance as the door was pulled from him in his turn between the burned car hulk and the ambulance backed open at the curb, clattered through doors to linoleum mounting two steps at a time — sorry…! he backed down a step, two, turned to wait at the foot as whites took shape descending, filling the narrow stairs.
— Want to hold that door for us there? That’s it, little wider can you get it any wider?
— It’s no, no this is as far as…
— Wait just lower your end a little Jim, should have used the window sling on this one.
— Only four stories of rope how could we.
— Mister?
— That’s it a little harder now, that’s it…
— Mister could I ride to the hospital with you Mister?
— Not going to no hospital, that’s it, there. Got it now?
— But my vife Mister, I could ride with her where you’re going?
The doors clattered. He held the cold metal of the newel and then climbed hand on the rail a step at a time to the top and the turn for the end of the hall, where the door stood leaning free against the wall there. — Hello? he knocked on it — is, oh Mister Eigen hello is Mis…
— Christ where have you been come in, I’m on the phone.
— I just got out of the hosp…
— What…?
— Out of the hos…
