The_AT magicians_NN2 Quentin_NP1 did_VDD a_AT1 magic_NN1 trick_VVI ._. 
Nobody_PN1 noticed_VVD ._. 
They_PPHS2 picked_VVD their_APPGE way_NN1 along_II the_AT cold_NN1 ,_, uneven_JJ sidewalk_NN1 together_RL :_: James_NP1 ,_, Julia_NP1 ,_, and_CC Quentin_NP1 ._. 
James_NP1 and_CC Julia_NP1 held_VVD hands_NN2 ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ how_RRQ things_NN2 were_VBDR now_RT ._. 
The_AT sidewalk_NN1 was_VBDZ n't_XX quite_RG wide_JJ enough_RR ,_, so_CS Quentin_NP1 trailed_VVD after_II them_PPHO2 ,_, like_II a_AT1 sulky_JJ child_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 would_VM rather_RR have_VHI been_VBN alone_JJ with_IW Julia_NP1 ,_, or_CC just_RR alone_JJ period_NN1 ,_, but_CCB you_PPY could_VM n't_XX have_VHI everything_PN1 ._. 
Or_CC at_RR21 least_RR22 the_AT available_JJ evidence_NN1 pointed_VVD overwhelmingly_RR to_II that_DD1 conclusion_NN1 ._. 
"_" Okay_RR !_! "_" 
James_NP1 said_VVD over_RP his_APPGE shoulder_NN1 ._. 
"_" Q._NP1 Let_VM21 's_VM22 talk_VVI strategy_NN1 ._. "_" 
James_NP1 seemed_VVD to_TO have_VHI a_AT1 sixth_MD sense_NN1 for_IF when_RRQ Quentin_NP1 was_VBDZ starting_VVG to_TO feel_VVI sorry_JJ for_IF himself_PPX1 ._. 
Quentin_NP1 's_GE interview_NN1 was_VBDZ in_II seven_MC minutes_NNT2 ._. 
James_NP1 was_VBDZ right_JJ after_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" Nice_JJ firm_JJ handshake_NN1 ._. 
Lots_PN of_IO eye_NN1 contact_NN1 ._. 
Then_RT when_CS he_PPHS1 's_VBZ feeling_VVG comfortable_JJ ,_, you_PPY hit_VVD him_PPHO1 with_IW a_AT1 chair_NN1 and_CC I_PPIS1 'll_VM break_VVI his_APPGE password_NN1 and_CC e-mail_NN1 Princeton_NP1 ._. "_" 
"_" Just_RR be_VBI yourself_PPX1 ,_, Q_ZZ1 ,_, "_" Julia_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
Her_APPGE dark_JJ hair_NN1 was_VBDZ pulled_VVN back_RP in_II a_AT1 wavy_JJ bunch_NN1 ._. 
Somehow_RR it_PPH1 made_VVD it_PPH1 worse_JJR that_CST she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ always_RR so_RG nice_JJ to_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" How_RRQ is_VBZ that_DD1 different_JJ from_II what_DDQ I_PPIS1 said_VVD ?_? "_" 
Quentin_NP1 did_VDD the_AT magic_NN1 trick_VVI again_RT ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 very_RG small_JJ trick_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 basic_JJ one-handed_JJ sleight_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 nickel_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 did_VDD it_PPH1 in_II his_APPGE coat_NN1 pocket_NN1 where_CS nobody_PN1 could_VM see_VVI ._. 
He_PPHS1 did_VDD it_PPH1 again_RT ,_, then_RT he_PPHS1 did_VDD it_PPH1 backward_RL ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 have_VH0 one_MC1 guess_NN1 for_IF his_APPGE password_NN1 ,_, "_" James_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" Password_NN1 ._. "_" 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ kind_RR21 of_RR22 incredible_JJ how_RGQ long_RR this_DD1 had_VHD been_VBN going_VVG on_RP ,_, Quentin_NP1 thought_VVD ._. 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR only_RR seventeen_MC ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 felt_VVD like_CS he_PPHS1 'd_VHD known_VVN James_NP1 and_CC Julia_NP1 forever_RT ._. 
The_AT school_NN1 systems_NN2 in_II Brooklyn_NP1 sorted_VVD out_RP the_AT gifted_JJ ones_NN2 and_CC shoved_VVD them_PPHO2 together_RL ,_, then_RT separated_VVN the_AT ridiculously_RR brilliant_JJ ones_NN2 from_II the_AT merely_RR gifted_JJ ones_NN2 and_CC shoved_VVD them_PPHO2 together_RL ,_, and_CC as_II a_AT1 result_NN1 they_PPHS2 'd_VHD been_VBN bumping_VVG into_II each_PPX221 other_PPX222 in_II the_AT same_DA speaking_JJ contests_NN2 and_CC regional_JJ Latin_JJ exams_NN2 and_CC tiny_JJ ,_, specially_RR convened_VVN ultra-advanced_JJ math_NN1 classes_NN2 since_CS elementary_JJ school_NN1 ._. 
The_AT nerdiest_JJT of_IO the_AT nerds_NN2 ._. 
By_RT21 now_RT22 ,_, their_APPGE senior_JJ year_NNT1 ,_, Quentin_NP1 knew_VVD James_NP1 and_CC Julia_NP1 better_RRR than_CSN he_PPHS1 knew_VVD anybody_PN1 else_RR in_II the_AT world_NN1 ,_, not_XX excluding_VVG his_APPGE parents_NN2 ,_, and_CC they_PPHS2 knew_VVD him_PPHO1 ._. 
Everybody_PN1 knew_VVD what_DDQ everybody_PN1 else_RR was_VBDZ going_VVGK to_TO say_VVI before_CS they_PPHS2 said_VVD it_PPH1 ._. 
Everybody_PN1 who_PNQS was_VBDZ going_VVG to_II sleep_NN1 with_IW anybody_PN1 else_RR had_VHD already_RR done_VDN it_PPH1 ._. 
Julia_NP1 --_JJ pale_JJ ,_, freckled_VVD ,_, dreamy_JJ Julia_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS played_VVD the_AT oboe_NN1 and_CC knew_VVD even_RR more_DAR physics_NN1 than_CSN he_PPHS1 did_VDD --_NN1 was_VBDZ never_RR going_VVG to_II sleep_NN1 with_IW Quentin_NP1 ._. 
Quentin_NP1 was_VBDZ thin_JJ and_CC tall_JJ ,_, though_CS he_PPHS1 habitually_RR hunched_VVN his_APPGE shoulders_NN2 in_II a_AT1 vain_JJ attempt_NN1 to_TO brace_VVI himself_PPX1 against_II whatever_DDQV blow_NN1 was_VBDZ coming_VVG from_II the_AT heavens_NN2 ,_, and_CC which_DDQ would_VM logically_RR hit_VVI the_AT tall_JJ people_NN first_MD ._. 
His_APPGE shoulder-length_JJ hair_NN1 was_VBDZ freezing_JJ in_II clumps_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 should_VM have_VHI stuck_VVN around_RP to_TO dry_VVI it_PPH1 after_II gym_NN1 ,_, especially_RR with_IW his_APPGE interview_NN1 today_RT ,_, but_II21 for_II22 some_DD reason_NN1 --_NN1 maybe_RR he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ in_II a_AT1 self-sabotaging_JJ mood_NN1 --_NN1 he_PPHS1 had_VHD n't_XX ._. 
The_AT low_JJ gray_JJ sky_NN1 threatened_VVD snow_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 seemed_VVD to_II Quentin_NP1 like_II the_AT world_NN1 was_VBDZ offering_VVG up_RP special_JJ little_JJ tableaux_NN2 of_IO misery_NN1 just_RR for_IF him_PPHO1 :_: crows_NN2 perched_VVN on_II power_NN1 lines_NN2 ,_, stepped-in_JJ dog_NN1 shit_NN1 ,_, windblown_JJ trash_NN1 ,_, the_AT corpses_NN2 of_IO innumerable_JJ wet_JJ oak_NN1 leaves_NN2 being_VBG desecrated_VVN in_II innumerable_JJ ways_NN2 by_II innumerable_JJ vehicles_NN2 and_CC pedestrians_NN2 ._. 
"_" God_NP1 ,_, I_PPIS1 'm_VBM full_JJ ,_, "_" James_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 ate_VVD too_RG much_DA1 ._. 
Why_RRQ do_VD0 I_PPIS1 always_RR eat_VVI too_RG much_DA1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Because_CS you_PPY 're_VBR a_AT1 greedy_JJ pig_NN1 ?_? "_" 
Julia_NP1 said_VVD brightly_RR ._. 
"_" Because_CS you_PPY 're_VBR tired_JJ of_IO being_VBG able_JK to_TO see_VVI your_APPGE feet_NN2 ?_? 
Because_CS you_PPY 're_VBR trying_VVG to_TO make_VVI your_APPGE stomach_NN1 touch_VVI your_APPGE penis_NN1 ?_? "_" 
James_NP1 put_VVD his_APPGE hands_NN2 behind_II his_APPGE head_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE fingers_NN2 in_II his_APPGE wavy_JJ chestnut_NN1 hair_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE camel_NN1 cashmere_NN1 coat_NN1 wide_RR open_JJ to_II the_AT November_NPM1 cold_NN1 ,_, and_CC belched_VVD mightily_RR ._. 
Cold_NN1 never_RR bothered_VVD him_PPHO1 ._. 
Quentin_NP1 felt_VVD cold_JJ all_DB the_AT time_NNT1 ,_, like_CS he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ trapped_VVN in_II his_APPGE own_DA private_JJ individual_JJ winter_NNT1 ._. 
James_NP1 sang_VVD ,_, to_II a_AT1 tune_NN1 somewhere_RL between_II "_" Good_JJ King_NNB Wenceslas_NP1 "_" and_CC "_" Bingo_NN1 "_" :_: In_II olden_JJ times_NNT2 there_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 boy_NN1 Young_NP1 and_CC strong_JJ and_CC brave-o_VV0 He_PPHS1 wore_VVD a_AT1 sword_NN1 and_CC rode_VVD a_AT1 horse_NN1 And_CC his_APPGE name_NN1 was_VBDZ Dave-o_NP1 ..._... 
"_" God_NP1 !_! "_" 
Julia_NP1 shrieked_VVD ._. 
"_" Stop_VV0 !_! "_" 
James_NP1 had_VHD written_VVN this_DD1 song_NN1 five_MC years_NNT2 ago_RA for_IF a_AT1 middle-school_JJ talent_NN1 show_NN1 skit_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 still_RR liked_VVD to_TO sing_VVI it_PPH1 ;_; by_RT21 now_RT22 they_PPHS2 all_DB knew_VVD it_PPH1 by_II heart_NN1 ._. 
Julia_NP1 shoved_VVD him_PPHO1 ,_, still_RR singing_VVG ,_, into_II a_AT1 garbage_NN1 can_VM ,_, and_CC when_CS that_DD1 did_VDD n't_XX work_VVI she_PPHS1 snatched_VVD off_RP his_APPGE watch_NN1 cap_NN1 and_CC started_VVD beating_VVG him_PPHO1 over_II the_AT head_NN1 with_IW it_PPH1 ._. 
"_" My_APPGE hair_NN1 !_! 
My_APPGE beautiful_JJ interview_NN1 hair_NN1 !_! "_" 
King_NNB James_NP1 ,_, Quentin_NP1 thought_VVD ._. 
Le_NP1 roi_NN2 s'amuse_VV0 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 hate_VV0 to_TO break_VVI up_RP the_AT party_NN1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, "_" but_CCB we_PPIS2 've_VH0 got_VVN like_II two_MC minutes_NNT2 ._. "_" 
"_" Oh_UH dear_UH ,_, oh_UH dear_UH !_! "_" 
Julia_NP1 twittered_VVD ._. 
"_" The_AT duchess_NN1 !_! 
We_PPIS2 shall_VM be_VBI quite_RG late_JJ !_! "_" 
Two_MC months_NNT2 later_RRR it_PPH1 was_VBDZ November_NPM1 ._. 
Not_XX Brakebills_NN2 November_NPM1 ,_, real_JJ November_NPM1 --_NN1 Quentin_NP1 had_VHD to_TO keep_VVI reminding_VVG himself_PPX1 that_CST they_PPHS2 were_VBDR on_II regular_JJ real-world_JJ time_NNT1 now_RT ._. 
He_PPHS1 lolled_VVD his_APPGE temple_NN1 against_II the_AT cold_JJ apartment_NN1 window_NN1 ._. 
Far_RR below_RL he_PPHS1 could_VM see_VVI a_AT1 neat_JJ little_JJ rectangular_JJ park_NN1 where_CS the_AT trees_NN2 were_VBDR red_JJ and_CC brown_JJ ._. 
The_AT grass_NN1 was_VBDZ threadbare_JJ ,_, with_IW dirt_NN1 patches_NN2 ,_, like_II a_AT1 worn-out_JJ rug_NN1 with_IW the_AT canvas_NN1 backing_NN1 showing_VVG through_II the_AT woven_JJ surface_NN1 ._. 
Quentin_NP1 and_CC Alice_NP1 lay_VVD on_II their_APPGE backs_NN2 on_II a_AT1 wide_JJ ,_, candy-striped_JJ daybed_NN1 by_II the_AT window_NN1 ,_, limply_RR holding_VVG hands_NN2 ,_, looking_VVG and_CC feeling_NN1 like_CS they_PPHS2 'd_VHD just_RR washed_VVN ashore_RL on_II a_AT1 raft_NN1 that_CST had_VHD been_VBN gently_RR ,_, limply_RR deposited_VVN by_II the_AT surf_NN1 on_II the_AT beach_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 silent_JJ deserted_JJ island_NN1 ._. 
The_AT lights_NN2 were_VBDR off_RP ,_, but_CCB milky-white_JJ afternoon_NNT1 sunlight_NN1 filtered_VVN into_II the_AT room_NN1 through_II half-closed_JJ blinds_NN2 ._. 
The_AT remains_NN2 of_IO a_AT1 game_NN1 of_IO chess_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 sloppy_JJ ,_, murderous_JJ draw_NN1 ,_, lay_VVD on_II a_AT1 nearby_JJ coffee_NN1 table_NN1 ._. 
The_AT apartment_NN1 was_VBDZ undecorated_JJ and_CC barely_RR furnished_VVN except_II21 for_II22 an_AT1 eclectic_JJ collection_NN1 they_PPHS2 'd_VHD trucked_VVN in_RP as_II the_AT need_NN1 arose_VVD ._. 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR squatting_VVG :_: a_AT1 tiresomely_RR complex_JJ magical_JJ arrangement_NN1 had_VHD allowed_VVN them_PPHO2 to_TO secure_VVI this_DD1 particular_JJ scrap_NN1 of_IO underutilized_JJ Lower_RRR East_ND1 Side_NN1 real_JJ estate_NN1 while_CS its_APPGE rightful_JJ owners_NN2 were_VBDR otherwise_RR occupied_VVN ._. 
A_AT1 deep_JJ ,_, thick_JJ silence_NN1 hung_VVN in_II the_AT still_JJ air_NN1 ,_, like_II stiff_JJ white_JJ sheets_NN2 on_II a_AT1 clothesline_NN1 ._. 
Nobody_PN1 spoke_VVD ,_, and_CC nobody_PN1 had_VHD spoken_VVN for_IF about_RG an_AT1 hour_NNT1 ,_, and_CC nobody_PN1 felt_VVD the_AT need_NN1 to_TO speak_VVI ._. 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR in_II lotus-land_NN1 ._. 
"_" What_DDQ time_NNT1 is_VBZ it_PPH1 ?_? "_" 
Alice_NP1 said_VVD finally_RR ._. 
"_" Two_MC ._. 
Past_II two_MC ._. "_" 
Quentin_NP1 turned_VVD his_APPGE head_NN1 to_TO look_VVI at_II the_AT clock_NN1 ._. 
"_" Two_MC ._. "_" 
The_AT buzzer_NN1 rang_VVD ._. 
Neither_DD1 of_IO them_PPHO2 moved_VVD ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ probably_RR Eliot_NP1 ,_, "_" Quentin_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" Are_VBR you_PPY going_VVG over_RP early_RR ?_? "_" 
"_" Yes_UH ._. 
Probably_RR ._. "_" 
"_" You_PPY did_VDD n't_XX tell_VVI me_PPIO1 you_PPY were_VBDR going_VVG early_RR ._. "_" 
Quentin_NP1 sat_VVD up_RP slowly_RR ,_, using_VVG just_RR his_APPGE stomach_NN1 muscles_NN2 ,_, at_II the_AT same_DA time_NNT1 extracting_VVG his_APPGE arm_NN1 from_II beneath_II Alice_NP1 's_GE head_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM probably_RR going_VVG early_RR ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 buzzed_VVD Eliot_NP1 in_RP ._. 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR going_VVG to_II a_AT1 party_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ only_RR two_MC months_NNT2 since_CS graduation_NN1 ,_, but_CCB already_RR Brakebills_NP2 seemed_VVD like_II a_AT1 lifetime_NNT1 ago_RA --_JJ yet_RR another_DD1 lifetime_NNT1 ,_, Quentin_NP1 thought_VVD ,_, reflecting_VVG world-wearily_RR that_CST at_II the_AT age_NN1 of_IO twenty-one_MC he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ already_RR on_II his_APPGE third_MD or_CC fourth_MD lifetime_NNT1 ._. 
When_CS he_PPHS1 left_VVD Brakebills_NP2 for_IF New_NP1 York_NP1 ,_, Quentin_NP1 had_VHD expected_VVN to_TO be_VBI knocked_VVN down_RP and_CC ravished_VVN by_II the_AT sheer_JJ gritty_JJ reality_NN1 of_IO it_PPH1 all_DB :_: going_VVG from_II the_AT jeweled_JJ chrysalis_NN1 of_IO Brakebills_NP2 to_II the_AT big_JJ ,_, messy_JJ ,_, dirty_JJ city_NN1 ,_, where_CS real_JJ people_NN led_VVD real_JJ lives_NN2 in_II the_AT real_JJ world_NN1 and_CC did_VDD real_JJ work_NN1 for_IF real_JJ money_NN1 ._. 
And_CC for_IF a_AT1 couple_NN1 of_IO weeks_NNT2 he_PPHS1 had_VHD been_VBN ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ definitely_RR real_JJ ,_, if_CS by_II real_JJ you_PPY meant_VVD non-magical_JJ and_CC obsessed_JJ with_IW money_NN1 and_CC amazingly_RR filthy_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD completely_RR forgotten_VVN what_DDQ it_PPH1 was_VBDZ like_JJ to_TO be_VBI in_II the_AT mundane_JJ world_NN1 all_DB the_AT time_NNT1 ._. 
Nothing_PN1 was_VBDZ enchanted_VVN :_: everything_PN1 was_VBDZ what_DDQ it_PPH1 was_VBDZ and_CC nothing_PN1 more_DAR ._. 
Every_AT1 conceivable_JJ surface_NN1 was_VBDZ plastered_VVN with_IW words_NN2 --_JJ concert_NN1 posters_NN2 ,_, billboards_NN2 ,_, graffiti_NN ,_, maps_NN2 ,_, signs_NN2 ,_, warning_NN1 labels_NN2 ,_, alternate-side_JJ parking_NN1 regulations_NN2 --_JJ but_CCB none_PN of_IO it_PPH1 meant_VVD anything_PN1 ,_, not_XX the_AT way_NN1 a_AT1 spell_NN1 did_VDD ._. 
At_II Brakebills_NN2 every_AT1 square_JJ inch_NNU1 of_IO the_AT House_NN1 ,_, every_AT1 brick_NN1 ,_, every_AT1 bush_NN1 ,_, every_AT1 tree_NN1 ,_, had_VHD been_VBN marinated_VVN in_II magic_NN1 for_IF centuries_NNT2 ._. 
Here_RL ,_, out_RP in_II the_AT world_NN1 ,_, raw_JJ unmodified_JJ physics_NN1 reigned_VVD ,_, and_CC mundanity_NN1 was_VBDZ epidemic_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ like_II a_AT1 coral_NN1 reef_NN1 with_IW the_AT living_JJ vital_JJ meaning_NN1 bleached_VVN out_II21 of_II22 it_PPH1 ,_, leaving_VVG nothing_PN1 but_II an_AT1 empty_JJ colored_JJ rock_NN1 behind_RL ._. 
To_II a_AT1 magician_NN1 's_GE eyes_NN2 ,_, Manhattan_NP1 looked_VVD like_II a_AT1 desert_NN1 ._. 
Though_CS like_II a_AT1 desert_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 did_VDD have_VHI some_DD stunted_JJ ,_, twisted_JJ traces_NN2 of_IO life_NN1 ,_, if_CS you_PPY dug_VVD for_IF them_PPHO2 ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 magical_JJ culture_NN1 in_II New_NP1 York_NP1 outside_II the_AT handful_NN1 of_IO Brakebills-educated_JJ elite_NN1 who_PNQS resided_VVD there_RL ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 existed_VVD on_II the_AT city_NN1 's_GE immigrant_JJ margins_NN2 ._. 
The_AT older_JJR Physical_JJ Kids_NN2 --_NN1 a_AT1 name_NN1 they_PPHS2 had_VHD left_VVN behind_RL at_II Brakebills_NP2 and_CC would_VM never_RR use_VVI again_RT --_NN1 gave_VVD Quentin_NP1 and_CC Alice_NP1 the_AT outer-borough_JJ subway_NN1 tour_NN1 ._. 
In_II a_AT1 windowless_JJ second-story_JJ cafe_NN1 on_II Queens_NP1 Boulevard_NP1 ,_, they_PPHS2 watched_VVD Kazakhs_NN2 and_CC Hasidim_NP1 construe_NN1 number_NN1 theory_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 ate_VVD dumplings_NN2 with_IW Korean_JJ mystics_NN2 in_II Flushing_VVG and_CC watched_VVD modern-day_JJ Isis_NP1 worshippers_NN2 rehearse_VV0 Egyptian_JJ street_NN1 hexes_VVZ in_II the_AT back_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 bodega_NN1 on_II Atlantic_NP1 Avenue_NNL1 ._. 
Once_CS they_PPHS2 took_VVD the_AT ferry_NN1 across_RL to_II Staten_NP1 Island_NNL1 ,_, where_CS they_PPHS2 stood_VVD around_RP a_AT1 dazzlingly_RR blue_JJ swimming_NN1 pool_NN1 sipping_VVG gin_NN1 and_CC tonics_NN2 at_II a_AT1 conclave_NN1 of_IO Filipino_JJ shamans_NN2 ._. 
Her_APPGE kindness_NN1 was_VBDZ the_AT most_RGT touching_JJ thing_NN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD seen_VVN since_CS he_PPHS1 left_VVD Brakebills_NP2 ._. 
And_CC he_PPHS1 had_VHD n't_XX had_VHN sex_NN1 ,_, good_JJ God_NP1 ,_, since_CS the_AT time_NNT1 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD slept_VVN with_IW Janet_NP1 ._. 
It_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI so_RG easy_JJ to_TO go_VVI with_IW her_PPHO1 ._. 
But_CCB he_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX ._. 
Even_RR as_CSA they_PPHS2 stood_VVD there_RL he_PPHS1 felt_VVD something_PN1 tingle_VVI in_II his_APPGE fingertips_NN2 ,_, under_II his_APPGE fingernails_NN2 ,_, some_DD residue_NN1 left_VVN by_II the_AT thousands_NNO2 of_IO spells_NN2 that_CST had_VHD flowed_VVN through_II them_PPHO2 over_II the_AT years_NNT2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 could_VM still_RR feel_VVI them_PPHO2 there_RL ,_, the_AT hot_JJ white_JJ sparks_NN2 that_CST had_VHD once_RR come_VVN streaming_VVG so_RG freely_RR from_II his_APPGE hands_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ wrong_JJ :_: blaming_VVG magic_NN1 for_IF Alice_NP1 's_GE death_NN1 was_VBDZ n't_XX going_VVGK to_TO help_VVI him_PPHO1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ too_RG easy_JJ ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 'd_VHD had_VHN enough_DD of_IO doing_VDG things_NN2 the_AT easy_JJ way_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ all_DB well_JJ and_CC good_JJ for_IF Emily_NP1 Greenstreet_NP1 to_TO forgive_VVI him_PPHO1 ,_, but_CCB people_NN were_VBDR responsible_JJ for_IF Alice_NP1 's_GE death_NN1 ._. 
Jane_NP1 Chatwin_NP1 was_VBDZ ,_, and_CC Quentin_NP1 was_VBDZ ,_, and_CC so_RR was_VBDZ Alice_NP1 herself_PPX1 ._. 
And_CC people_NN would_VM have_VHI to_TO atone_VVI for_IF it_PPH1 ._. 
In_II that_DD1 instant_NNT1 he_PPHS1 looked_VVD at_II Emily_NP1 Greenstreet_NP1 and_CC saw_VVD a_AT1 lost_JJ soul_NN1 ,_, alone_RR in_II a_AT1 howling_JJ wasteland_NN1 ,_, not_XX so_RG different_JJ from_II the_AT way_NN1 her_APPGE one-time_JJ lover_NN1 Professor_NNB Mayakovsky_NP1 had_VHD looked_VVN standing_VVG alone_RR at_II the_AT South_ND1 Pole_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX ready_JJ to_TO join_VVI her_PPHO1 there_RL ._. 
But_CCB where_RRQ else_RR could_VM he_PPHS1 go_VVI ?_? 
What_DDQ would_VM Alice_NP1 have_VHI done_VDN ?_? 
Another_DD1 month_NNT1 went_VVD by_RP ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 was_VBDZ November_NPM1 ,_, and_CC Quentin_NP1 was_VBDZ sitting_VVG in_II his_APPGE corner_NN1 office_NN1 staring_VVG out_RP the_AT window_NN1 ._. 
The_AT building_NN1 across_II the_AT street_NN1 was_VBDZ considerably_RR shorter_JJR than_CSN the_AT Grunnings_NP1 Hunsucker_NP1 Swann_NP1 building_NN1 ,_, so_CS he_PPHS1 had_VHD a_AT1 clear_JJ view_NN1 of_IO its_APPGE rooftop_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ consisted_VVD of_IO a_AT1 neat_JJ beige_JJ gravel_NN1 walkway_NN1 running_VVG around_RP a_AT1 gray_JJ grid_NN1 of_IO massive_JJ ,_, complicated_JJ air-conditioning_NN1 and_CC heating_NN1 units_NN2 ._. 
With_IW the_AT coming_NN1 of_IO the_AT bitter_JJ late_JJ fall_NN1 weather_NN1 the_AT air-conditioning_NN1 had_VHD gone_VVN silent_JJ and_CC the_AT heaters_NN2 had_VHD sprung_VVN into_II life_NN1 ,_, and_CC huge_JJ nebulae_NN2 of_IO steam_NN1 curled_VVN off_II them_PPHO2 in_II abstract_JJ whorls_NN2 :_: hypnotic_JJ ,_, silent_JJ ,_, slowly_RR turning_VVG shapes_NN2 that_CST never_RR stopped_VVN and_CC never_RR repeated_VVN themselves_PPX2 ._. 
Smoke_VV0 signals_NN2 sent_VVN by_II no_PN121 one_PN122 ,_, to_II no_PN121 one_PN122 ,_, signifying_VVG nothing_PN1 ._. 
Lately_RR Quentin_NP1 spent_VVD a_AT1 lot_NN1 of_IO time_NNT1 watching_VVG them_PPHO2 ._. 
His_APPGE assistant_NN1 had_VHD quietly_RR given_VVN up_RP attempting_VVG to_TO schedule_VVI appointments_NN2 for_IF him_PPHO1 ._. 
All_RR31 at_RR32 once_RR33 ,_, and_CC with_IW no_AT warning_NN1 ,_, the_AT tinted_JJ floor-to-ceiling_JJ window_NN1 that_CST made_VVD up_RP one_MC1 entire_JJ wall_NN1 of_IO Quentin_NP1 's_GE office_NN1 shattered_VVN and_CC burst_VV0 inward_RL ._. 
Quentin_NP1 's_GE ultra-modern_JJ ,_, narrow-wale_JJ Venetian_JJ blinds_NN2 went_VVD crazily_RR askew_JJ ._. 
Cold_JJ air_NN1 and_CC raw_JJ unfiltered_JJ sunlight_NN1 came_VVD flooding_VVG in_RP ._. 
Something_PN1 small_JJ ,_, round_JJ ,_, and_CC very_RG heavy_RR rolled_VVN across_II the_AT carpet_NN1 and_CC bumped_VVN into_II his_APPGE shoe_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 looked_VVD down_RP at_II it_PPH1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 bluish_JJ marble_NN1 sphere_NN1 :_: the_AT stone_NN1 globe_NN1 they_PPHS2 used_VMK to_TO use_VVI to_TO start_VVI a_AT1 welters_NN2 match_VV0 ._. 
Three_MC people_NN were_VBDR floating_VVG in_II midair_NN1 outside_II his_APPGE window_NN1 ,_, thirty_MC stories_NN2 up_RP ._. 
Janet_NP1 looked_VVD older_JJR somehow_RR ,_, which_DDQ of_RR21 course_RR22 she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ ,_, but_CCB there_EX was_VBDZ something_PN1 else_RR different_JJ about_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
Her_APPGE eyes_NN2 ,_, the_AT irises_NN2 ,_, radiated_VVD a_AT1 seething_JJ violet_JJ mystical_JJ energy_NN1 like_II nothing_PN1 Quentin_NP1 had_VHD ever_RR seen_VVN before_RT ._. 
She_PPHS1 wore_VVD a_AT1 tight_JJ black_JJ leather_NN1 bustier_JJR that_CST she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ in_II imminent_JJ danger_NN1 of_IO spilling_VVG out_II21 of_II22 ._. 
Silver_NP1 stars_NN2 were_VBDR falling_VVG all_DB around_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
Eliot_NP1 had_VHD acquired_VVN a_AT1 pair_NN of_IO immense_JJ white_JJ feathery_JJ wings_NN2 somewhere_RL that_CST spread_VV0 out_RP behind_II him_PPHO1 ,_, with_IW which_DDQ he_PPHS1 hovered_VVD on_II an_AT1 intangible_JJ wind_NN1 ._. 
On_II his_APPGE head_NN1 was_VBDZ the_AT golden_JJ crown_NN1 of_IO Fillory_NN1 that_CST Quentin_NP1 had_VHD last_MD seen_VVN in_II Ember_NP1 's_GE underground_JJ chamber_NN1 ._. 
Between_II Janet_NP1 and_CC Eliot_NP1 ,_, her_APPGE arms_NN2 wrapped_VVN in_II black_JJ silk_NN1 ,_, floated_VVD a_AT1 tall_JJ ,_, painfully_RR skinny_JJ woman_NN1 with_IW long_JJ wavy_JJ black_JJ hair_NN1 that_CST undulated_VVD in_II the_AT air_NN1 as_CS21 if_CS22 she_PPHS1 were_VBDR underwater_RL ._. 
