ch.nativetongue-第23部分

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　Joe　Winder　backed　away；　speechless。　Skink　handed　him　the　light　and　said；　〃Don't　worry；　this　is　only　temporary。〃　Winder　hoped　he　wasn't　talking　to　the　corpse。
　Skink　replaced　the　trunk　hatch　on　the　junked　Cadillac。　〃Asshole　used　to　work　Security　at　the　Kingdom。　He　and　Angel　baby。　But　I　suppose　you　already　knew　that。〃
　〃All　I　know；〃　said　Winder；　〃is　that　everything's　going　bad　and　I'm　not　sure　what　to　do。〃
　〃Tell　me　about　it。　I　still　can't　believe　they　shot　John　Lennon　and　it's　been…what；　ten　years？〃　He　sat　down　heavily　on　the　trunk　of　the　car。　〃You　ever　been　to　the　Dakota？〃
　〃Once；〃　Joe　Winder　said。
　〃What's　it　like？〃
　〃Sad。〃
　Skink　twirled　the　fishhook　in　his　mouth；　bit　off　the　barb；　and　spit　it　out　savagely。　〃Some　crazy　shithead　with　a　。38…it's　the　story　of　America；　isn't　it？〃
　〃We　live　in　violent　times。　That's　what　they　say。〃　
　〃Guys　like　that；　they　give　violence　a　bad　name。〃　Skink　stretched　out　on　the　trunk；　and　stared　at　the　stars。
　〃Sometimes　I　think　about　that　bastard　in　jail；　how　he　loves　all　the　publicity。　Went　from　being　nobody　to　The　Man　Who　Shot　John　Lennon。　I　think　some　pretty　ugly　thoughts　about　that。〃
　〃It　was　a　bad　day；〃　Joe　Winder　agreed。　He　couldn't　tell　if　the　man　was　about　to　sleep　or　explode。
　Suddenly　Skink　sat　up。　With　a　blackened　fingernail　he　tapped　the　radio　collar　on　his　neck。　〃See；　it's　best　to　keep　moving。　If　you　don't　move　every　so　often；　a　special　signal　goes　out。　Then　they　think　the　panther's　dead　and　they　all　e　searching。〃
　〃Who's　they？〃
　〃Rangers；〃　Skink　replied。　〃Game　and　Fish。〃
　〃But　the　panther　is　dead。〃
　〃You're　missing　the　whole　damn　point。〃
　As　usual。　Joe　Winder　wondered　which　way　to　take　it；　and　decided　he　had　nothing　to　lose。　〃What　exactly　are　you　doing　out　here？〃　he　asked。
　Skink　grinned；　a　stunning；　luminous　movie…star　grin。
　〃Waiting；〃　he　said。
　
　TWELVE
　On　the　morning　of　July　21；　a　Saturday；　Molly　McNamara　drove　Bud　Schwartz　and　Danny　Pogue　to　the　Amazing　Kingdom　of　Thrills　for　the　purpose　of　burglarizing　the　office　of　Francis　X。　Kingsbury。
　〃All　you　want　is　files？〃　asked　Bud　Schwartz。
　〃As　many　as　you　can　fit　in　the　camera　bag；〃　Molly　said。　〃Anything　to　do　with　Falcon　Trace。〃
　Danny　Pogue；　who　was　sitting　in　the　back　seat　of　the　El　Dorado；　leaned　forward　and　said；　〃Suppose　there's　some　other　good　stuff。　A　tape　deck　or　a　VCR；　maybe　some　crystal。　Is　it　okay　we　grab　it？〃
　〃No；　it　is　not；〃　Molly　replied。　〃Not　on　my　time。〃
　She　parked　in　the　Cindy…the…Sun…Queen　lot　and　left　the　engine　running。　The　radio　was　tuned　to　the　classical　station；　and　Bud　Schwartz　asked　if　Molly　could　turn　it　down　a　notch　or　two。　She　went　searching　through　her　immense　handbag　and　came　out　with　a　Polaroid　camera。　Without　saying　a　word；　she　snapped　a　photograph　of　Bud　Schwartz；　turned　halfway　in　the　seat　and　snapped　one　of　Danny　Pogue。　The　flashbulb　caused　him　to　flinch　and　make　a　face。　Molly　plucked　the　moist　negatives　from　the　slot　in　the　bottom　of　the　camera　and　slipped　them　into　the　handbag。
　〃What's　that　all　about？〃　said　Danny　Pogue。
　〃In　case　you　get　the　itch　to　run　away；〃　Molly　McNamara　said；　〃I'd　feel　pelled　to　send　your　photographs　to　the　authorities。　They　are　still；　I　understand；　quite　actively　investigating　the　theft　of　the　mango　voles。〃
　〃Pictures；〃　said　Bud　Schwartz。　〃That's　cute。〃
　Molly　smiled　pleasantly　and　told　both　men　to　listen　closely。　〃I　rented　you　a　blue　Cutlass。　It's　parked　over　by　the　tram　station。　Here　are　the　keys。〃
　Bud　Schwartz　put　them　in　his　pocket。　〃Something　tells　me　we　won't　be　cruising　down　to　Key　West。〃
　〃Not　if　you　know　what's　good　for　you；〃　Molly　said。
　Danny　Pogue　began　to　whine　again。　〃Ma'am；　I　don't　know　nothin〃　about　stealing　files；〃　he　said。　〃Now　I'm　a　regular　bear　for　tape　decks　and　Camcorders　and　shit　like　that；　but　frankly　I　don't　do　much　in　the　way　of；　like；　reading。　It's　just　not　my　area。〃
　Molly　said；　〃You'll　do　fine。　Get　in；　grab　what　you　can　and　get　out。〃
　〃And　hope　that　nobody　recognizes　us　from　before。〃　Bud　Schwartz　arched　his　eyebrows。　〃What　happens　then？　Or　didn't　you　think　of　that。〃
　Molly　chuckled　lightly。　〃Don't　be　silly。　No　one　will　recognize　you　dressed　the　way　you　are。〃
　She　had　bought　them　plete　golfing　outfits；　polyester　down　to　the　matching　socks。　Danny　Pogue's　ensemble　was　raspberry　red　and　Bud　Schwartz's　was　baby　blue。　The　pants　were　thin　and　baggy；　the　shirts　had　short　sleeves　and　loud　horizontal　stripes　and　a　tiny　fox　stitched　on　the　left　breast。
　Bud　Schwartz　said；　〃You　realize　we　look　like　total　dipshits。〃
　〃No；　you　look　like　tourists。〃
　〃It's　not　that　bad；〃　agreed　Danny　Pogue。
　〃Listen；〃　Molly　said　again。　〃When　you're　done　with　the　job；　get　in　the　Cutlass　and　e　straight　back　to　my　place。　The　phone　will　ring　at　one　sharp。　If　you're　not　there；　I'm　going　directly　to　the　post　office　and　mail　these　snapshots　to　the　police；　along　with　your　names。　Do　you　believe　me？〃
　〃Yeah；　sure；〃　said　Bud　Schwartz。
　She　got　out　of　the　Cadillac　and　opened　the　doors　for　the　burglars。　〃How　is　your　hand？〃　she　asked　Bud　Schwartz。　〃Better　let　your　friend　carry　the　camera　bag。〃
　She　held　Danny　Pogue's　crutch　（mending　quickly；　he　was　down　to　one）　while　he　slipped　the　camera　bag　over　his　right　shoulder。　〃The　tram's　ing；〃　she　announced。　〃Better　get　moving。〃
　As　the　men　hobbled　away；　Molly　called　out　cheerfully　and　waved　good…bye；　as　if　she　were　their　mother；　or　a　loving　old　aunt。
　With　a　trace　of　fondness；　Danny　Pogue　said；　〃Look　at　her。〃
　〃Look　at　us；〃　said　Bud　Schwartz。　〃Real　fucking　pros。〃
　〃Well；　at　least　it's　for　a　good　cause。　You　know；　saving　them　butterflies。〃
　Bud　Schwartz　eyed　his　partner　in　a　clinical　way。　〃Danny；　you　ever　had　a　CAT　scan？〃
　〃A　what？〃
　〃Nothing。〃
　The　burglars　were　huffing　pretty　heavily　by　the　time　they　made　it　to　the　tram。　They　climbed　on　the　last　car；　along　with　a　family　of　nine　from　Minneapolis。　Every　one　of　them　had　sandy　hair　and　Nordic…blue　eyes　and　eyebrows　so　blond　they　looked　white　in　the　sunlight。
　A　little　girl　of　about　seven　turned　to　Danny　Pogue　and　asked　what　had　happened　to　his　foot。
　〃I　got　shot；〃　he　said　candidly。
　The　little　girl　flashed　a　glance　at　her　mother；　whose　eyes　widened。
　〃A　tetanus　shot；〃　said　Bud　Schwartz。　〃He　stepped　on　a　rusty　nail。〃
　The　mother's　eyes　softened　with　relief。　〃Where　are　you　from？〃　she　asked　the　men。
　〃Portugal；〃　said　Danny　Pogue；　trying　to　live　up　to　the　tourist　act。
　〃Portugal；　Ohio；〃　Bud　Schwartz　said；　thinking：　There　is　no　hope　for　this　guy；　he　simply　can't　be　allowed　to　speak。
　The　tiny　blond　girl　piped　up：　〃We　heard　on　the　radio　that　the　whale　died　yesterday。　Orky　the　whale。〃
　〃Oh　no；〃　said　Danny　Pogue。　〃You　sure？〃
　The　tram　rolled　to　a　stop　in　front　of　the　main　gate；　where　the　burglars　got　off。　Nodding　good…bye　to　the　blond　Minneapolitans；　Bud　Schwartz　and　Danny　Pogue　slipped　into　the　throng　and　located　the　shortest　line　at　the　ticket　turnstiles。
　In　a　gruff　tone；　Bud　Schwartz　said；　〃Portugal？　What　kind　of　fuckhead　answer　is　that？〃
　〃I　don't　know；　Bud。　I　don't　know　a　damn　thing　about　tourists　or　where　they　e　from。〃
　〃Then　don't　say　anything；　you　understand？〃　Bud　Schwartz　got　out　the　money　that　Molly　had　given　them　to　buy　the　admission　tickets。　He　counted　out　thirty…six　dollars　and　handed　the　cash　to　his　partner。
　〃Just　hold　up　one　finger；　that's　all　you　gotta　do；〃　said　Bud　Schwartz。　〃One　finger　means　one　ticket。　Don't　say　a　goddamn　thing。〃
　〃All　right；〃　Danny　Pogue　said。　〃Man；　I　can't　believe　the　whale　croaked；　can　you？〃
　〃Shut　up；〃　said　Bud　Schwartz。　〃I'm　not　kidding。〃
　Danny　Pogue　didn't　seem　the　least　bit　nervous　about　returning　to　the　scene　of　their　crime。　To　him　the　Amazing　Kingdom　of　Thrills　was　a　terrific　place；　and　he　strutted　around　with　a　permanent　grin。　Bud　Schwartz　thought：　He's　worse　than　these　damn　kids。
　Outside　the　Magic　Mansion；　Danny　Pogue　stopped　to　shake　hands　with　Petey　Possum。　A　tourist　lady　from　Atlanta　took　a　photograph；　and　Danny　Pogue　begged　her　to　send　him　a　copy。　At　this　point　Bud　Schwartz　considered　ditching　the　dumb　shit　altogether　and　pulling　the　job　alone。
　Golf　duds　and　all；　Bud　Schwartz　was　antsy　about　being　back　on　the　premises　so　soon　after〃　the　rat…napping；　it　went　against　his　long…standing　aversion　to　dumb　risk。　He　wanted　to　hurry　up　and　get　the　hell　out。
　It　wasn't　easy　locating　Francis　X。　Kingsbury's　office　because　it　didn't　appear　on　any　of　the　colorful　maps　or　diagrams　posted　throughout　the　amusement　park。　Bud　Schwartz　and　Danny　Pogue　checked　closely；　there　was　the　Cimarron　Trail　Ride；　Orky's　Undersea　Paradise；　the　Wet　Willy；　the　Jungle　Jerry　Amazon　Boat　Cruise；　Bigfoot　Mountain；　Excitement　Boulevard；　and　so　on；　with　no　mention　of　the　administration　building。　Bud　Schwartz　decided　Kingsbury's　headquarters　must　be　somewhere　in　the　geographic　center　of　the　Amazing　Kingdom　of　Thrills；　and　for　security　reasons　probably　wasn't　marked。
　〃Why　don't　we　ask　somebody？〃　Danny　Pogue　suggested。
　〃Very　smart；〃　said　Bud　Schwartz。　〃I　got　a　better　idea。　Why　don't　we　just　paint　the　word　'thief'　in　big　red　letters　on　our　goddamn　foreheads？〃
　Danny　Pogue　wasn't　sure　why　his　partner　was　in　such　a　lousy　mood。　The　Kingdom　was　awesome；　fantastic；　sensational。　Everywhere　they　went；　elves　and　fairy　princesses　and　happy　animal　characters　waved　or　shook　hands　or　gave　a　hug。
　〃I　never　seen　so　much　friendliness；〃　he　remarked。
　〃It's　the　crutch；〃　said　Bud　Schwartz。
　〃No　way。〃
　〃It's　the　damn　crutch；　I'm　tellin'　you。　They're　only　being　nice　because　they　got　to；　Danny。　Anytime　there's　a　customer　on　crutches；　they　make　a　special　point。　You　know；　in　case　he's　dying　a　some　fatal　disease。〃
　Danny　Pogue　said；　〃You　go　to　hell。〃
　〃Ten　bucks　says　it's　right　in　the　training　manual。〃
　〃Bud；　I　swear　to　God。〃
　〃Gimme　the　crutch　and　I'll　prove　it。〃
　Danny　Pogue　said；　〃You're　the　one's　always　on　my　ass　about　attitude。　And　now　just　listen　to　yourself…all　because　people're　actin'　nice　to　me　and　not　to　you。〃
　〃That's　not　it；〃　said　Bud　Schwartz；　but　when　he　turned　around　his　partner　was　gone。　He　found　him　on　line　at　the　Wild　Bill　Hiccup　rodeo　ride；　Danny　Pogue　had　stashed　his　crutch　in　the　men's　room　and　was　determined　to　give　Wild　Bill　Hiccup　a　go。　Bud　Schwartz　was　tired　of　bickering。
　The　ride　was　set　up　in　an　indoor　corral　that　had　been　laboriousl