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minimal and he said yes, but existent. She said she didn’t want to sit in the dark and he said then she should certainly have a light on. One light. And if she went into another room she should turn out that light and turn on the one in the other room. She said he was being a bully. She said she’d had a hard day. She was so tired. She said he should just leave, go someplace else where he could be in the dark. He said, for God’s sake, could they not fight? Could she just sit quietly beside him? And she said he could sit quietly in the dark by himself. She screamed it a little, You can goddamn well sit quietly in the dark by yourself. And he swung open the back door that let out to the landing (sudden cool air), screamed, Fine, I’m leaving! walked out, walked eight blocks (black branches against red sky), turned, went back.
    There were the considerations of the bladder. Also of the stomach. Thirst. The organs had to be taken into account. The feet.
    What the hell was she doing?
    Now look, I know you weren’t at the office, he said.
    She startled from her fuzzed fruit.
    Of course not. We met over dinner with a client.
    Where?
    Why are you asking?
    Why won’t you say?
    Why are you badgering me?
    His wife, spooned hand, rising from her seat.
    This is what was going on within the plaster of their home during the months of him behind her and her never turning around, never wondering whether her own husband kept better track of his own wife than to let her toddle off down the cement. What kind of man did she suppose she had banished herself to and what kind of wife had he wound up with, a nutcase?
    There she was, walking along the dark rim of Chinatown. Stopping. Her feet on the round of a manhole cover. Then going on.
    Are you badgering me for any particular reason? she said. Are you referring to anything that has ever been in contact with this household before? Or did that question fly in from outside?
    Is there something you want to say to me that could be an accusation or a threat? she said.
    Because if so, please do, she said. Let’s see this fault of mine. Where is it?
    Woman-walker, slack-rope artist, shilly-shallier.
    Where is it? she said.
    Myers—anyone could have seen him there, enclosed within paint, insulation, flooring, and ceiling, a wife with one hand raised in exas-peration, her mouth opening and closing.
    Well? she said.
    The whole paper caboodle of city hung on the sky behind her.
    Well? she said.
    Anyone could have seen him not say.
     
    Chapter Five
    The regional manager had many interesting questions.
    What happened to you yesterday? Was it a magic trick? A sleight of hand? Did you forget to pull yourself out of a hat? I don’t need to tell you this is not the finest time for fun.
    Myers, in Syracuse, one arm running the length of the hotel room desk.
    Where’s Myers today? I said to everyone. Does anyone see him pushed up against a wall around here? Did he get stuck in a manila envelope?
    I should have called sooner, Myers said. I’m in the wrong there. The important thing is we’re speaking now.
    The regional manager made many interesting statements.
    The important thing is yesterday’s absence and the ibid of that today and the fact that my caller ID is showing me a number which does not match the number of your office phone and of which I do not recognize the area code. That is the important event in your life today.
    Yes, I need to talk to you about that, said Myers.
    Now’s the time. The world over awaits.
    I’m taking a vacation day.
    What vacation. You’ve been in our employ four months. You don’t get any vacation. You get vacation in August.
    I’m taking one yesterday and one today. (Myers looked at his watch.) And one tomorrow.
    You want, you take vacation in August. You apply for it. Like everyone does. You submit a form six weeks in advance. We plan for your absence.
    Melanie can mind my work.
    Melanie cannot mind your work. Melanie is busy minding Melanie and Melanie’s