My_APPGE parents_NN2 ,_, with_IW admirable_JJ foresight_NN1 ,_, had_VHD their_APPGE first_MD child_NN1 while_CS they_PPHS2 were_VBDR on_II fellowships_NN2 in_II the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 ._. 
My_APPGE mother_NN1 was_VBDZ in_II public_JJ health_NN1 ,_, and_CC my_APPGE father_NN1 in_II a_AT1 library-science_JJ program_NN1 ._. 
Having_VHG an_AT1 American_JJ baby_NN1 was_VBDZ ,_, my_APPGE mother_NN1 once_RR said_VVD ,_, like_II putting_VVG money_NN1 in_II the_AT bank_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 lived_VVD near_II downtown_JJ Baltimore_NP1 ,_, by_II the_AT hospital_NN1 where_CS my_APPGE mother_NN1 was_VBDZ studying_VVG ,_, in_II a_AT1 neighborhood_NN1 of_IO dilapidated_JJ row_NN1 houses_NN2 ._. 
Baltimore_NP1 was_VBDZ abject_JJ ,_, ugly_JJ ,_, my_APPGE mother_NN1 said_VVD ._. 
Cold_NN1 in_II winter_NNT1 ,_, a_AT1 sauna_NN1 in_II summer_NNT1 ,_, a_AT1 violently_RR segregated_JJ city_NN1 ,_, full_JJ of_IO fearful_JJ whites_NN2 and_CC angry_JJ blacks_NN2 ._. 
America_NP1 ,_, in_II those_DD2 days_NNT2 ,_, had_VHD all_DB its_APPGE dirty_JJ laundry_NN1 available_JJ for_IF inspection_NN1 --_NN1 the_AT world_NN1 's_GE most_RGT powerful_JJ nation_NN1 making_VVG war_NN1 with_IW itself_PPX1 in_II the_AT streets_NN2 ,_, in_II universities_NN2 ,_, in_II the_AT South_ND1 ,_, in_II Vietnam_NP1 ,_, in_II the_AT capital_NN1 just_RR down_II the_AT road_NN1 ._. 
And_CC yet_RR my_APPGE parents_NN2 set_VV0 about_RP trying_VVG to_TO make_VVI babies_NN2 :_: on_II spring_NN1 nights_NNT2 ,_, when_RRQ they_PPHS2 made_VVD the_AT room_NN1 smell_NN1 of_IO earth_NN1 ,_, summer_NNT1 nights_NNT2 ,_, when_RRQ the_AT city_NN1 felt_VVD like_II a_AT1 swamp_NN1 ,_, autumn_NNT1 nights_NNT2 ,_, falling_VVG asleep_JJ on_II31 top_II32 of_II33 the_AT covers_NN2 ,_, winter_NNT1 nights_NNT2 ,_, when_RRQ the_AT room_NN1 boiled_VVN with_IW sex_NN1 ._. 
For_IF their_APPGE efforts_NN2 ,_, they_PPHS2 were_VBDR rewarded_VVN with_IW a_AT1 son_NN1 ,_, whom_PNQO they_PPHS2 named_VVD Francisco_NP1 ._. 
The_AT district_NN1 they_PPHS2 lived_VVD in_RP was_VBDZ one_MC1 of_IO the_AT poorest_JJT in_II the_AT country_NN1 at_II the_AT time_NNT1 ,_, and_CC once_RR the_AT birth_NN1 was_VBDZ registered_VVN my_APPGE parents_NN2 were_VBDR entitled_VVN to_TO free_VVI baby_NN1 formula_NN1 ,_, delivered_VVN to_II their_APPGE doorstep_NN1 every_AT1 Monday_NPD1 morning_NNT1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 found_VVD this_DD1 astonishing_JJ ,_, and_CC later_RRR learned_VVD that_CST many_DA2 of_IO the_AT foreign_JJ doctors_NN2 at_II the_AT hospital_NN1 were_VBDR receiving_VVG this_DD1 benefit_NN1 ,_, too_RR ,_, even_RR a_AT1 few_DA2 who_PNQS did_VDD n't_XX yet_RR have_VHI children_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 gigantic_JJ bribe_NN1 ,_, my_APPGE father_NN1 said_VVD ,_, the_AT government_NN1 pleading_VVG with_IW its_APPGE poverty-stricken_JJ residents_NN2 :_: Please_RR ,_, please_RR do_VD0 n't_XX riot_VVI !_! 
Baltimore_NP1 was_VBDZ adorned_VVN with_IW reminders_NN2 of_IO the_AT last_MD civil_JJ disturbance_NN1 :_: a_AT1 burned-out_JJ block_NN1 of_IO storefronts_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 boarded-up_JJ and_CC untended_JJ house_NN1 whose_DDQGE roof_NN1 had_VHD collapsed_VVN after_II a_AT1 snowstorm_NN1 ._. 
Every_AT1 morning_NNT1 ,_, the_AT sidewalks_NN2 were_VBDR littered_VVN with_IW shattered_JJ car_NN1 windows_NN2 ,_, tiny_JJ bits_NN2 of_IO glass_NN1 glinting_VVG like_II diamonds_NN2 in_II the_AT limpid_JJ sun_NN1 ._. 
No_PN121 one_PN122 used_JJ money_NN1 in_II the_AT neighborhood_NN1 stores_NN2 ,_, only_JJ coupons_NN2 ;_; and_CC ,_, in_II31 lieu_II32 of_II33 birds_NN2 ,_, the_AT skies_NN2 featured_VVD plastic_NN1 bags_NN2 held_VVN aloft_RL on_II a_AT1 breeze_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB none_PN of_IO this_DD1 mattered_VVD ,_, because_CS my_APPGE parents_NN2 were_VBDR happy_JJ ._. 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR in_II love_NN1 and_CC they_PPHS2 had_VHD a_AT1 beautiful_JJ boy_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE photo_NN1 affixed_VVN to_II a_AT1 blue_JJ First_MD World_NN1 passport_NN1 ._. 
Their_APPGE American_JJ moment_NN1 did_VDD n't_XX last_VVI long_RR ._. 
They_PPHS2 would_VM have_VHI had_VHN another_DD1 child_NN1 --_NN1 they_PPHS2 would_VM have_VHI had_VHN me_PPIO1 --_JJ if_CS their_APPGE visas_NN2 had_VHD n't_XX run_VVN out_RP ._. 
By_II the_AT time_NNT1 my_APPGE mother_NN1 was_VBDZ done_VDN nursing_JJ Francisco_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 coup_NN1 had_VHD taken_VVN place_NN1 back_RP home_RL ,_, and_CC the_AT military_JJ junta_NN1 that_CST came_VVD to_II power_NN1 was_VBDZ not_XX entirely_RR friendly_JJ with_IW the_AT Johnson_NP1 Administration_NN1 ._. 
My_APPGE parents_NN2 were_VBDR required_VVN to_TO renew_VVI their_APPGE papers_NN2 every_AT1 eighteen_MC months_NNT2 ,_, and_CC that_DD1 year_NNT1 ,_, to_II their_APPGE great_JJ surprise_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 were_VBDR denied_VVN ._. 
Appeals_NN2 ,_, they_PPHS2 were_VBDR told_VVN ,_, could_VM be_VBI filed_VVN only_RR from_II the_AT home_NN1 country_NN1 ._. 
The_AT university_NN1 hospital_NN1 wrote_VVD a_AT1 letter_NN1 on_II my_APPGE mother_NN1 's_GE behalf_NN1 ,_, but_CCB this_DD1 well-meaning_JJ document_NN1 vanished_VVD into_II some_DD bureaucrat_NN1 's_GE file_NN1 cabinet_NN1 in_II suburban_JJ Virginia_NP1 ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 soon_RR became_VVD clear_JJ that_CST there_EX was_VBDZ nothing_PN1 to_TO be_VBI done_VDN ._. 
Rather_CS21 than_CS22 be_VBI deported_JJ --_NN1 how_RRQ undignified_JJ !_! --_NN1 my_APPGE parents_NN2 left_VVN of_IO their_APPGE own_DA accord_NN1 ._. 
And_CC then_RT their_APPGE gaze_NN1 turned_VVD ,_, back_RP to_II their_APPGE families_NN2 ,_, their_APPGE friends_NN2 ,_, the_AT places_NN2 they_PPHS2 had_VHD known_VVN ,_, and_CC those_DD2 they_PPHS2 had_VHD forgotten_VVN they_PPHS2 knew_VVD ._. 
They_PPHS2 bought_VVD a_AT1 house_NN1 in_II a_AT1 suburb_NN1 of_IO the_AT capital_NN1 ,_, where_CS I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ raised_VVN ,_, an_AT1 out-of-the-way_JJ place_NN1 that_CST has_VHZ since_RR been_VBN swallowed_VVN entirely_RR by_II the_AT city_NN1 's_GE growth_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 guess_VV0 they_PPHS2 lost_VVD that_CST old_JJ Baltimore_NP1 feeling_NN1 ,_, because_CS I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX born_VVN for_IF another_DD1 seven_MC years_NNT2 ,_, a_AT1 crying_NN1 ,_, red-faced_JJ bit_NN1 of_IO flesh_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 runt_NN1 ,_, undersized_JJ even_RR then_RT ._. 
No_AT blue_JJ passport_NN1 for_IF me_PPIO1 ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 consoled_VVD themselves_PPX2 by_II giving_VVG me_PPIO1 an_AT1 Anglo_JJ name_NN1 ,_, Nelson_NP1 ,_, which_DDQ was_VBDZ the_AT fashion_NN1 at_II the_AT time_NNT1 ._. 
Eventually_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 got_VVD my_APPGE Third_MD World_NN1 passport_NN1 ,_, the_AT color_NN1 of_IO spilled_JJ red_JJ wine_NN1 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 was_VBDZ just_RR for_IF show_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 still_RR have_VH0 n't_XX had_VHN a_AT1 chance_NN1 to_TO use_VVI it_PPH1 ._. 
After_CS some_DD deliberation_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 bought_VVD him_PPHO1 a_AT1 dark-blue_JJ necktie_NN1 embroidered_VVN with_IW the_AT logo_NN1 of_IO the_AT National_JJ Library_NN1 ._. 
My_APPGE father_NN1 approved_VVD ,_, said_VVD it_PPH1 would_VM help_VVI him_PPHO1 get_VVI a_AT1 good_JJ job_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 joke_NN1 ,_, really_RR ;_; we_PPIS2 knew_VVD that_CST Francisco_NP1 was_VBDZ n't_XX interested_JJ in_II the_AT sort_NN1 of_IO job_NN1 where_CS he_PPHS1 might_VM need_VVI a_AT1 necktie_NN1 ._. 
The_AT three_MC of_IO us_PPIO2 signed_VVD a_AT1 card_NN1 ;_; separately_RR ,_, my_APPGE father_NN1 wrote_VVD a_AT1 long_JJ letter_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT whole_JJ thing_NN1 was_VBDZ wrapped_VVN and_CC sealed_JJ and_CC ready_JJ to_TO go_VVI ._. 
Naturally_RR ,_, there_EX was_VBDZ no_AT talk_NN1 of_IO trusting_VVG our_APPGE local_JJ postal_JJ service_NN1 for_IF this_DD1 ,_, or_CC for_IF anything_PN1 ,_, really_RR ._. 
We_PPIS2 would_VM ask_VVI Luz_NP1 to_TO take_VVI it_PPH1 for_IF us_PPIO2 and_CC drop_VVI it_PPH1 in_II an_AT1 American_JJ mailbox_NN1 ._. 
Perhaps_RR ,_, my_APPGE mother_NN1 said_VVD ,_, Luz_NP1 could_VM even_RR hand-deliver_VVI it_PPH1 ,_, should_VM her_APPGE itinerary_NN1 include_VVI a_AT1 jaunt_NN1 through_II Alabama_NP1 ,_, and_CC ,_, upon_II her_APPGE return_NN1 ,_, report_NN1 back_NN1 --_NN1 tell_VV0 us_PPIO2 how_RRQ she_PPHS1 'd_VHD found_VVN Francisco_NP1 ,_, what_DDQ she_PPHS1 thought_VVD of_IO his_APPGE prospects_NN2 in_II the_AT U.S._NP1 One_MC1 Sunday_NPD1 afternoon_NNT1 ,_, my_APPGE mother_NN1 and_CC I_PPIS1 crossed_VVD the_AT street_NN1 and_CC knocked_VVD on_II Luz_NP1 's_GE door_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 seemed_VVD surprised_JJ to_TO see_VVI us_PPIO2 ,_, a_RR21 little_RR22 embarrassed_JJ ,_, but_CCB beckoned_VVD us_PPIO2 into_II the_AT house_NN1 all_RR31 the_RR32 same_RR33 ._. 
Immediately_RR ,_, we_PPIS2 encountered_VVD a_AT1 problem_NN1 :_: there_EX was_VBDZ n't_XX anywhere_RL to_TO sit_VVI ._. 
Sometime_RT in_II the_AT previous_JJ months_NNT2 ,_, much_DA1 of_IO the_AT furniture_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN moved_VVN out_RP ,_, and_CC the_AT rooms_NN2 ,_, half_DB empty_JJ now_RT ,_, seemed_VVD lonely_JJ and_CC sad_JJ ._. 
Of_IO the_AT chairs_NN2 that_CST remained_VVD ,_, no_AT two_MC faced_VVD each_PPX221 other_PPX222 ._. 
We_PPIS2 strolled_VVD through_RP to_II the_AT living_NN1 room_NN1 ,_, where_CS a_AT1 small_JJ television_NN1 set_NN1 rested_VVD awkwardly_RR on_II a_AT1 wooden_JJ chair_NN1 ._. 
Luz_NP1 was_VBDZ thinner_JJR than_CSN I_PPIS1 remembered_VVD her_PPHO1 ,_, subdued_JJ ;_; she_PPHS1 seemed_VVD to_TO have_VHI staggered_VVN recklessly_RR toward_II old_JJ age_NN1 ,_, as_CS21 if_CS22 trying_VVG to_TO make_VVI up_RP in_II a_AT1 matter_NN1 of_IO weeks_NNT2 the_AT ten_MC years_NNT2 that_CST separated_VVD her_PPHO1 from_II Alejandro_NP1 's_GE new_JJ lover_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE hair_NN1 had_VHD faded_VVN to_II a_AT1 stringy_JJ yellowing_JJ gray_JJ --_NN1 she_PPHS1 'd_VHD stopped_VVN dyeing_VVG it_PPH1 ,_, my_APPGE mother_NN1 explained_VVD later_JJR --_NN1 and_CC her_APPGE skin_NN1 had_VHD taken_VVN on_RP a_AT1 similarly_RR unhealthy_JJ pallor_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE eyes_NN2 ,_, even_RR in_II the_AT dim_JJ light_NN1 ,_, were_VBDR glassy_JJ and_CC unfocussed_JJ ._. 
Luz_NP1 asked_VVD me_PPIO1 to_TO put_VVI the_AT television_NN1 on_II the_AT floor_NN1 ._. 
Luz_NP1 and_CC my_APPGE mother_NN1 went_VVD through_II the_AT protocols_NN2 of_IO a_AT1 civilized_JJ visit_NN1 :_: inoffensive_JJ questions_NN2 ,_, anodyne_JJ chitchat_NN1 ,_, the_AT usual_JJ phrases_NN2 and_CC gestures_NN2 intended_VVD to_TO fill_VVI up_RP space_NN1 rather_CS21 than_CS22 convey_VVI meaning_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 occurred_VVD to_II me_PPIO1 as_CSA I_PPIS1 listened_VVD that_CST my_APPGE mother_NN1 and_CC Luz_NP1 were_VBDR not_XX close_JJ ._. 
They_PPHS2 spoke_VVD without_IW much_DA1 fluency_NN1 about_II a_AT1 minor_JJ universe_NN1 of_IO events_NN2 that_CST affected_VVD neither_DD1 of_IO them_PPHO2 :_: the_AT vagaries_NN2 of_IO neighborhood_NN1 life_NN1 ,_, people_NN they_PPHS2 both_DB2 knew_VVD but_CCB did_VDD n't_XX much_RR care_VVI about_II ._. 
My_APPGE mother_NN1 seemed_VVD determined_VVN not_XX to_TO speak_VVI of_IO our_APPGE family_NN1 ,_, of_IO my_APPGE father_NN1 ,_, my_APPGE brother_NN1 ,_, or_CC even_VV0 me_PPIO1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ excessive_JJ decorum_NN1 ,_, as_CS21 if_CS22 the_AT very_JJ mention_NN1 of_IO family_NN1 might_VM be_VBI insulting_JJ to_II our_APPGE grieving_JJ hostess_NN1 ._. 
The_AT strain_NN1 to_TO keep_VVI the_AT words_NN2 coming_VVG was_VBDZ noticeable_JJ ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 wondered_VVD how_RGQ long_RR it_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI necessary_JJ to_TO maintain_VVI this_DD1 charade_NN1 before_II coming_VVG to_II the_AT point_NN1 of_IO the_AT visit_NN1 ,_, Francisco_NP1 's_GE gift_NN1 ._. 
Ten_MC minutes_NNT2 ?_? 
Twenty_MC ?_? 
An_AT1 entire_JJ hour_NNT1 ?_? 
Luz_NP1 ,_, as_CSA she_PPHS1 spoke_VVD ,_, as_CSA she_PPHS1 listened_VVD ,_, scanned_VVD the_AT room_NN1 as_CS21 if_CS22 looking_VVG for_IF someone_PN1 who_PNQS was_VBDZ not_XX there_RL ._. 
The_AT easy_JJ assumption_NN1 would_VM have_VHI been_VBN that_CST the_AT someone_PN1 was_VBDZ Alejandro_NP1 ,_, but_CCB I_PPIS1 understood_VVD instinctively_RR that_CST this_DD1 was_VBDZ n't_XX the_AT case_NN1 ._. 
There_EX were_VBDR many_DA2 people_NN in_II the_AT room_NN1 with_IW us_PPIO2 ,_, it_PPH1 seemed_VVD ,_, a_AT1 wide_JJ variety_NN1 of_IO people_NN my_APPGE mother_NN1 and_CC I_PPIS1 could_VM not_XX see_VVI :_: principally_RR ,_, the_AT players_NN2 in_II Luz_NP1 's_GE life_NN1 ,_, those_DD2 who_PNQS 'd_VHD known_VVN her_PPHO1 at_II various_JJ stages_NN2 of_IO childhood_NN1 ,_, adolescence_NN1 ,_, and_CC adulthood_NN1 ,_, at_II moments_NN2 of_IO joy_NN1 ,_, of_IO whimsy_NN1 ,_, of_IO expectation_NN1 ._. 
Of_IO anxiety_NN1 and_CC fear_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 seemed_VVD to_II me_PPIO1 that_CST Luz_NP1 was_VBDZ wondering_VVG ,_, How_RRQ did_VDD I_PPIS1 get_VVI to_II this_DD1 place_NN1 ?_? 
How_RRQ did_VDD this_DD1 happen_VVI ?_? 
Or_CC perhaps_RR ,_, What_DDQ are_VBR all_DB these_DD2 people_NN doing_VDG in_II my_APPGE house_NN1 ,_, and_CC what_DDQ must_VM they_PPHS2 think_VVI of_IO me_PPIO1 now_RT ?_? 
And_CC it_PPH1 was_VBDZ all_RR she_PPHS1 could_VM do_VDI not_XX to_TO ask_VVI these_DD2 questions_NN2 aloud_RR ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ gritting_VVG her_APPGE teeth_NN2 ,_, forcing_VVG her_APPGE way_NN1 through_II a_AT1 conversation_NN1 with_IW my_APPGE mother_NN1 ,_, an_AT1 artificial_JJ exchange_NN1 about_II nothing_PN1 at_RR21 all_RR22 ,_, hoping_VVG soon_RR to_TO return_VVI to_II her_APPGE more_RGR important_JJ ,_, unfinished_JJ dialogue_NN1 with_IW this_DD1 other_JJ ,_, floating_JJ gallery_NN1 of_IO observers_NN2 ._. 
This_DD1 was_VBDZ my_APPGE theory_NN1 ,_, of_RR21 course_RR22 ._. 
Luz_NP1 's_GE eyes_NN2 drifted_VVD to_II the_AT near_JJ distance_NN1 ,_, to_II the_AT seemingly_RR empty_JJ space_NN1 just_RR behind_II us_PPIO2 and_CC around_II us_PPIO2 ._. 
To_II the_AT window_NN1 ,_, to_II the_AT floor_NN1 ,_, to_II the_AT ceiling_NN1 ._. 
Of_RR21 course_RR22 ,_, I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX the_AT only_JJ one_PN1 with_IW family_NN1 abroad_RL ;_; these_DD2 were_VBDR the_AT days_NNT2 when_RRQ everyone_PN1 was_VBDZ trying_VVG to_TO leave_VVI ._. 
Our_APPGE older_JJR brothers_NN2 applied_VVN for_IF scholarships_NN2 in_II fields_NN2 they_PPHS2 did_VDD n't_XX even_RR like_VVI ,_, just_RR for_IF the_AT chance_NN1 to_TO overstay_VVI their_APPGE visas_NN2 in_II cold_JJ and_CC isolated_JJ northern_JJ cities_NN2 ._. 
Our_APPGE sisters_NN2 were_VBDR married_VVN off_RP to_II tourists_NN2 or_CC were_VBDR shipped_VVN to_II Europe_NP1 to_TO work_VVI as_CSA nannies_NN2 ._. 
We_PPIS2 were_VBDR a_AT1 nation_NN1 busy_VV0 inventing_VVG French_JJ great-grandparents_NN2 ,_, falsifying_VVG Spanish_JJ paperwork_NN1 ,_, bribing_VVG notaries_NN2 for_IF counterfeit_JJ birth_NN1 certificates_NN2 from_II Slavic_JJ countries_NN2 that_CST were_VBDR hardly_RR better_JJR off_JJ than_CSN we_PPIS2 were_VBDR ._. 
Genealogies_NN2 were_VBDR examined_VVN in_II great_JJ detail_NN1 --_NN1 was_VBDZ there_RL an_AT1 ancestor_NN1 to_TO exploit_VVI ,_, anyone_PN1 with_IW an_AT1 odd_JJ ,_, foreign-sounding_JJ last_MD name_NN1 ?_? 
A_AT1 Nazi_JJ war_NN1 criminal_NN1 in_II your_APPGE family_NN1 's_GE dark_NN1 past_RL ?_? 
What_DDQ luck_NN1 !_! 
Pack_VV0 your_APPGE bags_NN2 ,_, kids_NN2 --_NN1 we_PPIS2 're_VBR going_VVG to_II Germany_NP1 !_! 
This_DD1 was_VBDZ simply_RR the_AT spirit_NN1 of_IO the_AT times_NNT2 ._. 
The_AT Japanese_JJ kids_NN2 headed_VVN back_RP to_II Tokyo_NP1 ,_, the_AT Jewish_JJ kids_NN2 to_II Israel_NP1 ._. 
A_AT1 senile_JJ Portuguese_JJ shut-in_NN1 who_PNQS had_VHD n't_XX spoken_VVN a_AT1 coherent_JJ sentence_NN1 in_II fifteen_MC years_NNT2 was_VBDZ dusted_VVN off_RP and_CC taken_VVN to_TO petition_VVI the_AT Embassy_NN1 ;_; suddenly_RR all_DB his_APPGE grandchildren_NN2 were_VBDR moving_VVG to_II Lisbon_NP1 ._. 
The_AT state-employee_JJ strike_NN1 did_VDD n't_XX last_VVI forever_RT ._. 
It_PPH1 ended_VVD ,_, as_CSA everything_PN1 did_VDD in_II those_DD2 days_NNT2 ,_, with_IW an_AT1 uneasy_JJ and_CC temporary_JJ resolution_NN1 :_: across-the-board_JJ pay_NN1 cuts_NN2 but_CCB no_AT immediate_JJ layoffs_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 surfeit_NN1 of_IO mistrust_NN1 and_CC rancor_NN1 on_II all_DB sides_NN2 ._. 
My_APPGE father_NN1 was_VBDZ there_RL at_II the_AT climactic_JJ march_NN1 ,_, when_CS a_AT1 bank_NN1 in_II the_AT old_JJ center_NN1 was_VBDZ burned_VVN by_II government_NN1 infiltrators_NN2 and_CC dozens_NNO2 of_IO protesters_NN2 were_VBDR beaten_VVN and_CC jailed_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ gassed_VVN and_CC shot_VVN at_II with_IW rubber_JJ bullets_NN2 ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 ,_, like_II tens_MC2 of_IO thousands_NNO2 of_IO others_NN2 ,_, fled_VVD the_AT violence_NN1 like_II a_AT1 madman_NN1 ,_, running_VVG at_II full_JJ speed_NN1 through_II the_AT chaotic_JJ streets_NN2 of_IO the_AT capital_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 wet_JJ rag_NN1 tied_VVN across_II his_APPGE nose_NN1 and_CC mouth_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ ,_, he_PPHS1 told_VVD me_PPIO1 later_RRR ,_, the_AT moment_NN1 he_PPHS1 realized_VVD he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX young_JJ anymore_RR ._. 
The_AT dreaded_JJ election_NN1 came_VVD and_CC went_VVD ;_; the_AT crisis_NN1 deepened_VVD ._. 
The_AT new_JJ President_NN1 privatized_VVN everything_PN1 ,_, selling_VVG the_AT state_NN1 off_II piece_NN1 by_II piece_NN1 and_CC dividing_VVG the_AT profits_NN2 among_II his_APPGE friends_NN2 ._. 
The_AT truce_NN1 that_CST had_VHD been_VBN reached_VVN at_II the_AT end_NN1 of_IO the_AT strike_NN1 was_VBDZ broken_VVN ,_, and_CC the_AT next_MD year_NNT1 thousands_NNO2 of_IO workers_NN2 ,_, including_II my_APPGE mother_NN1 ,_, were_VBDR suddenly_RR laid_VVN off_RP ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ unemployed_JJ for_IF months_NNT2 ._. 
Prices_NN2 shot_VVD up_RP ,_, the_AT currency_NN1 crashed_VVD ,_, the_AT violence_NN1 spread_NN1 ,_, and_CC our_APPGE world_NN1 became_VVD very_RG small_JJ and_CC very_RG precarious_JJ ._. 
We_PPIS2 waited_VVD in_II breadlines_NN2 ,_, carrying_VVG impossibly_RR large_JJ stacks_NN2 of_IO banknotes_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ had_VHD become_VVN a_AT1 requirement_NN1 for_IF even_RR the_AT tiniest_JJT transaction_NN1 ._. 
People_NN spoke_VVD less_RRR ;_; strangers_NN2 distrusted_VVD one_PPX121 another_PPX122 ._. 
The_AT streets_NN2 ,_, even_RR during_II morning_NNT1 rush_NN1 ,_, had_VHD a_AT1 perverse_JJ emptiness_NN1 to_II them_PPHO2 ._. 
We_PPIS2 listened_VVD to_II the_AT radio_NN1 in_II the_AT dark_NN1 and_CC emerged_VVD each_DD1 morning_NNT1 fearful_JJ to_TO discover_VVI what_DDQ tragedy_NN1 had_VHD befallen_VVN us_PPIO2 in_II the_AT night_NNT1 ._. 
These_DD2 emotions_NN2 are_VBR quite_RR beside_II the_AT point_NN1 now_RT ,_, like_II an_AT1 artifact_NN1 looted_VVD from_II an_AT1 ancient_JJ grave_NN1 ,_, an_AT1 oddly_RR shaped_JJ tool_NN1 whose_DDQGE utility_NN1 no_PN121 one_PN122 can_VM quite_RR decipher_VVI ._. 
But_CCB back_RP then_RT ,_, walking_VVG through_II the_AT gray_JJ ,_, shuddering_VVG city_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 thought_VVD about_II my_APPGE brother_NN1 all_DB the_AT time_NNT1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ ten_MC ,_, I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ eleven_MC ,_, unfree_JJ but_CCB hopeful_JJ ;_; I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ thirteen_MC ,_, I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ fourteen_MC ,_, and_CC my_APPGE brother_NN1 had_VHD escaped_VVN ._. 
Fifteen_MC ,_, sixteen_MC :_: waiting_VVG for_IF something_PN1 to_TO happen_VVI ,_, reading_VVG obsessively_RR about_II a_AT1 place_NN1 I_PPIS1 would_VM never_RR see_VVI for_IF myself_PPX1 ,_, in_II a_AT1 language_NN1 I_PPIS1 would_VM never_RR actually_RR need_VVI ._. 
Twenty_MC ,_, twenty-one_MC :_: small_JJ failures_NN2 ,_, each_DD1 humiliation_NN1 a_AT1 revelation_NN1 ,_, further_JJR proof_NN1 that_CST my_APPGE real_JJ life_NN1 was_VBDZ elsewhere_RL ._. 
Twenty-five_MC ,_, twenty-six_MC :_: a_AT1 dawning_JJ awareness_NN1 that_CST my_APPGE condition_NN1 as_II a_AT1 citizen_NN1 of_IO the_AT Third_MD World_NN1 was_VBDZ terminal_JJ ._. 
And_CC Francisco_NP1 lived_VVD through_RP none_PN of_IO this_DD1 ._. 
As_CSA punishment_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 set_VV0 about_RP trying_VVG to_TO forget_VVI him_PPHO1 :_: the_AT sound_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE laughter_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE height_NN1 relative_II21 to_II22 mine_PPGE ,_, the_AT content_NN1 of_IO the_AT conversations_NN2 we_PPIS2 'd_VHD had_VHN after_II the_AT lights_NN2 went_VVD out_RP but_CCB before_CS we_PPIS2 fell_VVD asleep_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 never_RR managed_VVD it_PPH1 ,_, of_RR21 course_RR22 ._. 
The_AT waitress_NN1 seemed_VVD to_TO know_VVI Perkus_NP1 ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX greet_VVI her_PPHO1 ,_, or_CC touch_VV0 his_APPGE menu_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 asked_VVD for_IF a_AT1 cheeseburger_NN1 deluxe_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 Coca-Cola_NP1 ._. 
Helpless_JJ ,_, I_PPIS1 dittoed_VVD his_APPGE order_NN1 ._. 
Perkus_NP1 seemed_VVD to_TO dwell_VVI in_II this_DD1 place_NN1 as_CSA he_PPHS1 had_VHD at_II Criterion_NN1 's_GE offices_NN2 ,_, indifferently_RR ,_, obliquely_RR ,_, as_CS21 if_CS22 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN born_VVN there_RL yet_RR still_RR had_VHD n't_XX taken_VVN notice_NN1 of_IO the_AT place_NN1 ._. 
