“Someone said of the burning monk Quang Duc that the symbolism of fire was more profound than the heat of the fire.”

“Sounds like someone who’s never been burnt.”

“You’re right there.”

191

The ex-government agent looked at the meter on the taxi.

“Are we nearly there?”

The taxi driver spoke only Twi.

“How much is this going to cost me?” said the ex-agent.

The taxi driver didn’t fully understand but he recognized the signs of a nonpayer so he pulled over and gestured to the ex-agent to get out.

“What? Why?”

The taxi driver said something offensive in Twi.

The ex-agent waved his expired ID at him.

It didn’t wash.

190

John followed Penny into the studio, where he was introduced to Ali Bronski.

Edward the Fireman held back and then followed Tamy into the producer’s booth, and when she asked him what he was doing he told her to take a seat and not to get alarmed by the gun in his hand.

Tamy said Oh.

Then Okay.

Then she sat down.

He asked Tamy if the woman sitting behind the green microphone was “Dr. Frankburg.” Tamy said she was. Edward the Fireman asked Tamy if she thought Dr. Frankburg was beautiful? Tamy said it depended on your taste. Edward the Fireman said he thought she was very beautiful. Tamy said she agreed and asked if he was going to shoot Dr. Frankburg. Edward the Fireman said God no. Never. Tamy asked who he was going to shoot. He said he didn’t know. He was just here as backup.

He asked if “Dr. Frankburg” could see him through the dividing window. Tamy said yes, they could if they looked over. He said that was good, he thought it might be one-way glass.

189

“And finally, a woman of ninety-three has been reunited with her one-hundred-and-eighteen-year-old mother, according to reporter Arty Greenson. What have you got for us, Arty?”

“I’m here at the Mary Jane Rest Home in Upstate New York and with me is Nell Smithson, the one-hundred-and-eighteen-year-old mother of Jean Smithson, who, if you were listening earlier . . .”

188

The controller of KKRC had a pang of conscience at yet another faked story. Still, it was the good news station. And it could happen.

187

Graham Johansson said a few words to the passengers. Some nervous flyers who usually liked hearing the captain speak found themselves growing uneasier but couldn’t put their finger on why.

Emma Heron in 34A smiled and told the person next to her that they were in for a great trip.

The person nodded. He wasn’t convinced, he’d heard some bad things about Birmingham.

Graham Johansson waited for clearance and then took off.

186

Deafening.

Pitch black but for the occasional flashing light.

Runway hurtling beneath.

Wind swirling through me.

The terrifying pneumatic whine of the hydraulics, pushing, contracting. Vast wheels gathering themselves around me.

Burning hot from friction, penning me in, breathing choking rubber fumes into my lungs.