TETOVIRANI ČOVEK

LISICA I ŠUMA

LISICA I ŠUMA	The Fox and the Forest
Već prve noći bio je vatromet, nešto čega bi možda trebalo da se plašiš, jer bi te moglo podsetiti na druge strašnije stvari; ali ove su bile divne, rakete koje su se dizale u drevno meko nebo Meksika i rasprskavale zvezde u plave i bele komadiće. Sve je bilo dobro i lepo, vazduh od one mešavine mrtvog i živog, kiša i prašina, tamjana iz crkve i mesinganog mirisa pozauna na podijumu za orkestar koje su, pulsirale razvučenim ritmovima La Palome. Crkvena vrata bila su širom otvorena i izgledalo je kao da je džinovsko žuto sazvežde palo sa oktobarskog neba i leži izdišući vatru na crkvene zidove; bezbrojne sveće razastirale su unaokolo svoju boju i dim. Novije i bolje rakete letele su kao komete u hodu po zategnutom užetu preko popločanog skvera, udarale o ćerpične zidove kafanica, zatim jurile po svojim vrelim putanjama da bi tresnule o visoki toranj crkve u kome su se videle samo gole noge dečaka kako udaraju i opet udaraju, njihanjem i zanjihavanjem nateruju čudovišna zvona na čudovišnu muziku. Jedan raspaljen bik posrtao je po trgu goneći nasmejane ljude i uzvrištalu decu.	THERE WERE fireworks the very first night, things that you should be afraid of perhaps, for they might remind you of other more horrible things, but these were beautiful, rockets that ascended into the ancient soft air of Mexico and shook the stars apart in blue and white fragments. Everything was good and sweet, the air was that blend of the dead and the living, of the rains and the dusts, of the incense from the church, and the brass smell of the tubas on the bandstand which pulsed out vast rhythms of “La Paloma.” The church doors were thrown wide and it seemed as if a giant yellow constellation had fallen from the October sky and lay breathing fire upon the church walls; a million candles sent their color and fumes about. Newer and better fireworks scurried like tight-rope walking comets across the cool-filed square, banged against adobe café walls, then rushed on hot wires to bash the high church tower, in which boys’ naked feet alone could be seen kicking and re-kicking, clanging and tilting and re-tilting the monster bells into monstrous music. A flaming bull blundered about the plaza chasing laughing men and screaming children.
"Godina 1938", reče Vilijam Trevis, stojeći uz svoju ženu na ivici gomile koja je urlala, i nasmeši se. "Dobra godina."	“The year is 1938,” said William Travis, standing by his wife on the edge of the yelling crowd, smiling. “A good year.”
Bik jurnu na njih. Vrdajući, par potrča pod kišom vatrenih kuglica, pored muzike i gužve, pored crkve, orkestra, ispod zvezda, čvrsto se držeći jedno za drugo, smejući se. Bik prođe, lak teret na ramenima Meksikanaca u trku, ram od bambusa i sumporastog baruta.	The bull rushed upon them. Ducking, the couple ran, with fire balls pelting them, past the music and riot, the church, the band, under the stars, clutching each other, laughing. The bull passed, carried lightly on the shoulders of a charging Mexican, a framework of bamboo and sulphurous gunpowder.
"U životu se nikad nisam ovoliko zabavljala." Suzana Trevis je zastala da povrati dah.	“I’ve never enjoyed myself so much in my life.” Susan Travis had stopped for her breath.
"Čudo jedno", reče Vilijam.	“It’s amazing,” said William.
"Trajaće i dalje, je l' da?"	“It will go on, won’t it?”
"Celu noć."	“All night.”
"Ne, ja mislim na naš put."	“No, I mean our trip.”
On se namršti i opipa džep na grudima. "Imam dosta putnih čekova za ceo život. Zabavljaj se. Zaboravi na to. Nikada nas neće naći."	He frowned and patted his breast pocket. “I’ve enough traveler’s checks for a lifetime. Enjoy yourself. Forget it. They’ll never find us.”
"Nikada?"	“Never?”
"Nikada."	“Never.”
Sada je neko puštao džinovske petarde, bacao ih sa velikog zvonika crkve u oblačićima dima dok je gomila dole uzmicala od opasnosti a prskalice eksplodirale sa divnim praskovima među razigranim nogama i zanjihanim telima ljudi. Svuda u vazduhu lebdeo je čudesni miris prženih tortilja, a u kafanama za stolovima sedeli su ljudi sa vrčevima piva u smeđim rukama.	Now someone was setting off giant crackers, hurling them from the great bell-tolling tower of the church in a sputter of smoke, while the crowd below fell back under the threat and the crackers exploded in wonderful concussions among their dancing feet and flailing bodies. A wondrous smell of frying tortillas hung all about, and in the cafés men sat at tables looking out, mugs of beer in their brown hands.
Bik je bio mrtav. Vatra je dogorela iz bambusovih cevi i s njim je bilo gotovo. Radnik skide ram sa ramena. Dečaci se zgrnuše da opipaju veličanstvenu glavu od kaširane hartije, prave rogove.	The bull was dead. The fire was out of the bamboo tubes and he was expended. The laborer lifted the framework from his shoulders. Little boys clustered to touch the magnificent papier-mâché head, the real horns.
"Da pregledamo bika", reče Vilijam.	“Let’s examine the bull,” said William.
Dok su prolazili pored ulaza u kafanu, Suzana primeti jednog čoveka kako iznutra gleda u njih, belog čoveka u snežno belom odelu, sa plavom kravatom i plavom košuljom, i sićušnim licem opaljenim od sunca. Kosa mu je bila plava i prava, i oči su mu bile plave, i posmatrao ih je dok su prolazili.	As they walked past the café entrance Susan saw the man looking out at them, a white man in a salt-white suit, with a blue tie and blue shirt, and a thin, sunburned face. His hair was blond and straight and his eyes were blue, and he watched them as they walked.
Nikada ga ne bi primetila da nije bilo boca uz njegov besprekorno čist lakat; jedna kabasta boca krem likera od nane, prozirna boca vermuta, pljoska sa konjakom, i još sedam boca odabranih pića, i, na dohvatu prstiju, deset polunapunjenih čašica iz kojih je, ne skidajući oči sa ulice, srkutao, povremeno čkiljio, stiskao tanka usta uživajući u ukusu pića. U slobodnoj ruci pušila mu se tanka havana, a na stolici stajalo dvadeset velikih kutija turskih cigareta, šest kutija cigara, i nekoliko upakovanih kolonjskih voda.	She would never have noticed him if it had not been for the bottles at his immaculate elbow; a fat bottle of crème de menthe, a clear bottle of vermouth, a flagon of cognac, and seven other bottles of assorted liqueurs, and, at his finger tips, ten small half-filled glasses from which, without taking his eyes off the street, he sipped, occasionally squinting, pressing his thin mouth shut upon the savor. In his free hand a thin Havana cigar smoked, and on a chair stood twenty cartons of Turkish cigarettes, six boxes of cigars, and some packaged colognes.
"Bile..." prošapta Suzana.	“Bill——” whispered Susan.
"Ne uznemiravaj se", reče on. "On je niko i ništa."	“Take it easy,” he said. “He’s nobody.”
"Jutros sam ga videla na skveru."	“I saw him in the plaza this morning.”
"Ne osvrći se, nastavi da ideš. Ispitaj ovog kaširanog bika. Tako je, postavljaj pitanja."	“Don’t look back, keep walking. Examine the papier-mâché bull here. That’s it, ask questions.”
"Šta misliš, da li je on od Tragača?"	“Do you think he’s from the Searchers?”
"Ne bi nas mogli pratiti!"	“They couldn’t follow us!”
"Mogli bi!"	“They might!”
"Što je lep bik", reče Vilijam čoveku kome je pripadao bik.	“What a nice bull,” said William to the man who owned it.
"Nije mogao ići za nama unazad kroz dve stotine godina, zar ne?"	“He couldn’t have followed us back through two hundred years, could he?”
"Pazi se, za ime Boga", reče Vilijam.	“Watch yourself, for God’s sake,” said William.
Ona se zaljulja. On joj čvrsto stisnu lakat i okrenu je na drugu stranu.	She swayed. He crushed her elbow tightly, steering her away.
"Nemoj da se onesvestiš." Nasmeši se da bi ostavio dobar utisak. "Povratićeš se. Hajde da uđemo pravo u tu kafanicu, da pijemo pred njim, tako da ako jeste ono što mi mislimo da jeste, neće posumnjati."	“Don’t faint.” He smiled, to make it look good. “You’ll be all right. Let’s go right in that café, drink in front of him, so if he is what we think he is, he won’t suspect.”

"Ne, ja ne bih mogla."	“No, I couldn’t.”
"Moramo. Hajde sada. I tako kažem ja Dejvidu, to je smešno!" Ovo poslednje reče glasno dok su se uspinjali uz kafanske stepenice.	“We’ve got to. Come on now. And so I said to David, that’s ridiculous!” This last in a loud voice as they went up the café steps.
Ovde smo, mislila je Suzana. Ko smo mi? Kamo idemo? Čega se plašimo? Počni od početka, reče sebi držeći se svoje zdrave pameti, kada oseti pod od ćerpiča pod svojim nogama.	We are here, thought Susan. Who are we? Where are we going? What do we fear? Start at the beginning, she told herself, holding to her sanity, as she felt the adobe floor underfoot.
Zovem se En Kristen; moj muž se zove Rodžer. Rođeni smo 2155. godine n. e. I živeli smo u jednom svetu koji je bio zao. U svetu sličnom velikom crnom brodu koji se udaljava od obale zdravog duha i civilizacije, urlajući svojom crnom sirenom u noći, i odnosi sa sobom dve milijarde ljudi, želeli oni to ili ne, u smrt, preko ivice zemlje i mora u radioaktivni plamen i ludilo.	My name is Ann Kristen; my husband’s name is Roger. We were born in the year 2155 A.D. And we lived in a world that was evil. A world that was like a great black ship pulling away from the shore of sanity and civilization, roaring its black horn in the night, taking two billion people with it, whether they wanted to go or not, to death, to fall over the edge of the earth and the sea into radioactive flame and madness.
Uđoše u kafanicu. Čovek je buljio u njih. Zazvoni telefon.	They walked into the café. The man was staring at them. A phone rang.
Telefon prepade Suzanu. Ona se seti jednog telefona koji je zvonio dve stotine godina u budućnosti, onog plavog aprilskog jutra 2155. godine, i sebe kako odgovara na poziv.	The phone startled Susan. She remembered a phone ringing two hundred years in the future, on that blue April morning in 2155, and herself answering it:
"En, ovde Rene! Jesi li čula? Mislim za Agenciju Putovanje kroz vreme? Imaju putovanja za Rim u 21. veku pre Nove ere, putovanja za Napoleonov Vaterlo - u svako vreme, za svako mesto!"	“Ann, this is Rene! Have you heard? I mean about Travel in Time, Incorporated? Trips to Rome in 21 B.C., trips to Napoleon’s Waterloo—any time, any place!”
"Rene, ti se šališ."	“Rene, you’re joking.”
"Ne. Klinton Smit je jutros otputovao za Filadelfiju 1776. Agencija Putovanje kroz vreme organizuje sve. Grdno košta. Ali, pomisli - videti stvarno Rim kako gori. Kubla Kana, Mojsija i Crveno more! Verovatno si već dobila reklamu u cevastoj pošti."	“No. Clinton Smith left this morning for Philadelphia in 1776. Travel in Time, Inc., arranges everything. Costs money. But, think—to actually see the burning of Rome, Kubla Khan, Moses and the Red Sea! You’ve probably got an ad in your tube mail now.
Bila je otvorila usisnu poštansku cev, i našla reklamu na metalnoj foliji:	She had opened the suction mail tube and there was the metal foil advertisement:
RIM I BORDŽIJE	ROME AND THE BORGIAS!
BRAĆA RAJT kod KITI HOKA!	THE WRIGHT BROTHERS AT KITTY HAWK!
Putovanje kroz vreme, Inc., može vas snabdeti kostimom, smestiti vas u gomilu prilikom ubistva Linkolna ili Cezara! Garantujemo da ćemo vas naučiti svakom jeziku koji vam je potreban za slobodno kretanje u svakoj civilizaciji, ma koje godine, bez teškoća. Latinski, grčki, stari američki svakodnevni jezik. Provedite odmor u Vremenu kao i u Mestu!	Travel in Time, Inc., can costume you, put you in a crowd during the assassination of Lincoln or Caesar! We guarantee to teach you any language you need to move freely in any civilization, in any year, without friction. Latin, Greek, ancient American colloquial. Take your vacation in Time as well as Place!
Reneov glas je zujao na telefonu. "Tom i ja sutra polazimo za 1492. godinu. Tom ima aranžman da plovi sa Kolumbom. Zar nije bajno!"	Rene’s voice was buzzing on the phone. “Tom and I leave for 1492 tomorrow. They’re arranging for Tom to sail with Columbus. Isn’t it amazing!”
"Da", promrmlja En zapanjeno. "Šta kaže Vlada o toj vremeplovskoj kompaniji?"	“Yes,” murmured Ann, stunned. “What does the Government say about this Time Machine company?”
"A, policija je drži na oku. Kukavice bi mogle da izvrdaju tako vojsku, da beže i skrivaju se u Prošlosti. Svako mora da ostavi za sobom neku zalogu bezbednosti, kuću i stvari koje mu pripadaju, da bi garantovao da će se vratiti. Rat je, na kraju krajeva."	“Oh, the police have an eye on it. Afraid people might evade the draft, run off and hide in the Past. Everyone has to leave a security bond behind, his house and belongings, to guarantee return. After all, the war’s on.”
"Da, rat", promrmlja En. "Rat."	“Yes, the war,” murmured Ann. “The war.”
Stojeći tako, sa telefonskom slušalicom u ruci, mislila je, evo šanse o kojoj moj muž i ja pričamo i za koju se molimo već toliko godina. Ne volimo ovaj svet 2.155. godine. Želimo da pobegnemo od njegovog posla u fabrici bombi, a ja sa svog mesta u jedinicama kultura zaraznih bolesti. Možda postoji šansa da pobegnemo, da bežimo stolećima u neku divlju zemlju godina gde nas nikada neće naći da nas vrate ovamo da nam spaljuju knjige, cenzurišu misli, sažižu razum strahom, teraju nas na marševe, vrište na nas radio-aparatima...	Standing there, holding the phone, she had thought, Here is the chance my husband and I have talked and prayed over for so many years. We don’t like this world of 2155. We want to run away from his work at the bomb factory, I from my position with disease-culture units. Perhaps there is a chance for us to escape, to run for centuries into a wild country of years where they will never find and bring us back to burn our books, censor our thoughts, scald our minds with fear, march us, scream at us with radios . . .
Bili su u Meksiku godine 1938. Gledala je u zaprljan zid kafanice.	They were in Mexico in the year 1938. She looked at the stained café wall.
Dobrim radnicima za Državu budućnosti dozvoljavalo se da idu na odsustva u Prošlost da bi se izbegao premor. Tako su se ona i njen muž preselili unazad u 1938. godinu u jednu sobu u Njujork Sitiju, i zabavljali se u pozorištima i uživali u Kipu slobode koji je još stajao zelen u luci. A trećeg dana promenili su odeću, imena, i odleteli da se sakriju u Meksiko!	Good workers for the Future State were allowed vacations into the Past to escape fatigue. And so she and her husband had moved back into 1938, a room in New York City, and enjoyed the theaters and the Statue of Liberty which still stood green in the harbor. And on the third day they had changed their clothes, their names, and had flown off to hide in Mexico!
"To mora da je on", prošapta Suzana, gledajući stranca za stolom. "Te cigarete, cigare, piće. To ga izdaje. Sećaš se naše prve večeri u Prošlosti?"	“It must be him,” whispered Susan, looking at the stranger seated at the table. “Those cigarettes, the cigars, the liquor. They give him away. Remember our first night in the Past?”
Pre mesec dana, njihove prve večeri u Njujorku, pre nego što su krenuli avionom, pili su sva ona čudna pića, naslađivali se i kupovali neobične vrste hrane, parfeme, cigarete od stotinu retkih marki, jer toga je bilo malo u Budućnosti, gde je rat bio sve. Tako su pravili budale od sebe, utrčavali u radnje, salone, trafike, istrčavali odande, peli se u svoju sobu gde bi im slatko pozlilo.	A month ago, their first night in New York, before their flight, drinking all the strange drinks, savoring and buying odd foods, perfumes, cigarettes of ten dozen rare brands, for they were rare in the Future, where war was everything. So they had made fools of themselves, rushing in and out of stores, salons, tobacconists, going up to their room to get wonderfully ill.
A sada ovaj stranac tu čini nešto što bi činio samo čovek iz Budućnosti koji je već godinama gladovao za pićima i cigaretama.	And now here was this stranger doing likewise, doing a thing that only a man from the Future would do who had been starved for liquors and cigarettes for many years.
Suzana i Vilijam sedoše i poručiše piće.	Susan and William sat and ordered a drink.
Nepoznati je ispitivački posmatrao njihovu odeću, kosu, nakit - način na koji su hodali i seli.	The stranger was examining their clothes, their hair, their jewelry—the way they walked and sat.
"Sedi komotno", reče Vilijam u po glasa. "Da izgledaš kao da si se tako oblačila celog života."	“Sit easily,” said William under his breath. “Look as if you’ve worn this clothing style all your life.”
"Nije trebalo ni da pokušamo da bežimo."	“We should never have tried to escape.”
"Moj Bože!" reče Vilijam, "dolazi ovamo. Pusti mene da govorim."	“My God!” said William, “he’s coming over. Let me do the talking.”
Stranac se pokloni pred njima. Potpetice jedva čujno lupnuše jedna o drugu. Suzana se ukoči. Taj vojnički zvuk - nepogrešiv kao ono određeno gadno kucanje u vrata u ponoć.	The stranger bowed before them. There was the faintest tap of heels knocking together. Susan stiffened. That military sound!—unmistakable as that certain ugly rap on your door at midnight.
"Gospodine Rodžere Kristene", reče stranac, "niste povukli nogavice na gore kada ste sedali."	“Mr. Roger Kristen,” said the stranger, “you did not pull up your pant legs when you sat down.”

Vilijam se sledi. Pogleda u svoje šake položene na nogama, nevino. Suzani je srce brzo udaralo.	William froze. He looked at his hands lying on either leg, innocently. Susan’s heart was beating swiftly.
"Obratili ste se pogrešnoj osobi", reče brzo Vilijam. "Ja se ne zovem Knzler."	“You’ve got the wrong person,” said William quickly. “My name’s not Krisler.”
"Kristen", ispravi stranac.	“Kristen,” corrected the stranger.
"Ja sam Vilijam Trevis", reče Vilijam. "I ne vidim kakve veze imaju sa vama moje nogavice od pantalona."	“I’m William Travis,” said William. “And I don’t see what my pant legs have to do with you!”
"Izvinite." Stranac privuče jednu stolicu. "Recimo da sam pomislio da vas znam zato što niste povukli pantalone nagore. Svako to čini. Ako ih ne povlače, pantalone se brzo istegle kao kese. Daleko sam od kuće, g.-Trevis, i treba mi društvo. Zovem se Sims."	“Sorry.” The stranger pulled up a chair. “Let us say I thought I knew you because you did not pull your trousers up. Everyone does. If they don’t, the trousers bag quickly. I am a long way from home, Mr.—Travis, and in need of company. My name is Simms.”
"Gospodine Simse, mi shvatamo vašu usamljenost, ali smo umorni. Sutra putujemo za Akapulko."	“Mr. Simms, we appreciate your loneliness, but we’re tired. We’re leaving for Acapulco tomorrow.”
"Slatko mesto. Baš sam tamo bio, tražio neke moje prijatelje. Negde se nalaze. Još ću ih ja naći. Oh, je li gospođi malo pripala muka?"	“A charming spot. I was just there, looking for some friends of mine. They are somewhere. I shall find them yet. Oh, is the lady a bit sick?”
"Laku noć, gospodine Simse."	“Good night, Mr. Simms.”
Pođoše ka vratima, Vilijam je čvrsto držao Suzanu za ruku. Nisu se osvrnuli kada g. Sims pozva: "Oh, samo još jedna stvar." Zaćuta, pa onda polako izgovori:	They started out the door, William holding Susan’s arm firmly. They did not look back when Mr. Simms called, “Oh, just one other thing.” He paused and then slowly spoke the words:
"2155. godina Nove ere."	“2155 AD.”
Suzana zatvori oči i oseti kako joj se zemlja ljulja pod nogama. Nastavi da ide, stupi na skver obasjan vatrama, ne videći ništa.	Susan shut her eyes and felt the earth falter under her. She kept going, into the fiery plaza, seeing nothing.
Zaključaše vrata svoje hotelske sobe. Onda se ona zaplaka i ostadoše u mraku, dok se soba okretala oko njih. U daljini su se rasprskavale rakete, sa skvera je dopirao smeh.	They locked the door of their hotel room. And then she was crying and they were standing in the dark, and the room tilted under them. Far away firecrackers exploded, and there was laughter in the plaza.
"Koji su to živci, kao konopci", reče Vilijam. "Da sedi tamo i odmerava nas kao da smo životinje, puši svoje proklete cigarete, ispija pića. Trebalo je onda da ga ubijem!" Glas mu je bio gotovo histeričan. "Čak je imao smelosti da se koristi svojim pravim imenom. Šef Tragača. I ta stvar sa nogavicama. Gospode bože, trebalo je da ih povučem nagore kada sam sedao. To je automatski gest ovog dana i veka. Kada to nisam učinio, to me je izdvojilo od ostalih; zbog toga je on pomislio, evo čoveka koji nikada nije nosio pantalone, čoveka naviklog na uniforme i krojeve iz budućnosti. Ubio bih se što sam nas odao!"	“What a damned, loud nerve,” said William. “Him sitting there, looking us up and down like animals, smoking his damn cigarettes, drinking his drinks. I should have killed him then!” His voice was nearly hysterical. “He even had the nerve to use his real name to us. The Chief of the Searchers. And the thing about my pant legs. My God, I should have pulled them up when I sat. It’s an automatic gesture of this day and age. When I didn’t do it, it set me off from the others; it made him think, Here’s a man who never wore pants, a man used to breech uniforms and future styles. I could kill myself for giving us away!”
"Ne, ne, to je zbog mog hoda - ove visoke potpetice - to je. Kako smo ošišani - tako novo šišanje, tako sveže. Sve na nama neobično i ukrućeno."	“No, no, it was my walk—these high heels—that did it. Our haircuts—so new, so fresh. Everything about us odd and uneasy.”
On upali svetlo. "Još nas on ispituje. Nije siguran za nas - ne potpuno. Ne možemo onda da izletimo ispred njega. Ne možemo mu dozvoliti da bude siguran. Ići ćemo u Akapulko natenane."	He turned on the light. “He’s still testing us. He’s not positive of us—not completely. We can’t run out on him, then. We can’t make him certain. We’ll go to Acapulco leisurely.”
"Možda on jeste siguran da smo to mi, ali se samo poigrava."	“Maybe he is sure of us, but is just playing.”
"Ne bih mu ja dao da se premišlja. On ima sve vreme na svetu. Može ovde da se zavitlava ako hoće, i da nas vrati u Budućnost šezdeset sekundi pošto odemo. Mogao bi da nas drži danima da lutamo i da nam se smeje."	“I wouldn’t put it past him. He’s got all the time in the world. He can daily here if he wants, and bring us back to the Future sixty seconds after we left it. He might keep us wondering for days, laughing at us.”
Suzana sede na krevet brišući lice od suza, udišući stari miris ugljena i tamjana.	Susan sat on the bed, wiping the tears from her face, smelling the old smell of charcoal and incense.
"Neće napraviti scenu, je l' tako?"	“They won’t make a scene, will they?”
"Neće se usuditi. Moraće da nas uhvate nasamo da bi nas stavili u onu Vremensku mašinu i poslali nazad."	“They won’t dare. They’ll have to get us alone to put us in that Time Machine and send us back.”
"Onda ima jedno rešenje", reče ona. "Nećemo nikad biti sami; uvek ćemo biti u gomili. Sprijateljićemo se sa bezbroj ljudi, ići po pijacama, spavati u službenim zgradama u svakom gradu, platiti šefu policije da nas štiti sve dok ne nađemo neki način da ubijemo Simsa i pobegnemo, prerušimo se u nova odela, možda u Meksikance."	“There’s a solution then,” she said. “We’ll never be alone; we’ll always be in crowds. We’ll make a million friends, visit markets, sleep in the Official Palaces in each town, pay the Chief of Police to guard us until we find a way to kill Simms and escape, disguise ourselves in new clothes, perhaps as Mexicans.”
Spolja se začuše koraci pored njihovih zaključanih vrata.	Footsteps sounded outside their locked door.
Ugasiše svetlo i svukoše se u tišini. Koraci se udaljiše. Jedna vrata se zatvoriše.	They turned out the light and undressed in silence. The footsteps went away. A door closed.
Suzana je stajala kraj prozora i gledala dole na skver u mraku. "Znači ona zgrada tamo je crkva?"	Susan stood by the window looking down at the plaza in the darkness. “So that building there is a church?”
"Da."	“Yes.”
"Često sam se pitala kako izgleda crkva. Toliko dugo je već niko nije video. Možemo li da odemo do nje sutra?"	“I’ve often wondered what a church looked like. It’s been so long since anyone saw one. Can we visit it tomorrow?”
"Naravno. Hajde u krevet."	“Of course. Come to bed.”
Ležali su u mračnoj sobi.	They lay in the dark room.
Pola sata kasnije zazvoni im telefon. Ona diže slušalicu.	Half an hour later their phone rang. She lifted the receiver.
"Halo?"	“Hello?”

"Zečevi se mogu sakriti u šumi", reče jedan glas, "ali lisica uvek može da ih nađe."	“The rabbits may hide in the forest,” said a voice, “but a fox can always find them.”
Ona spusti slušalicu i leže nazad u krevet, napeta i hladna.	She replaced the receiver and lay back straight and cold in the bed.
Napolju, u godini 1938. jedan čovek svirao je na gitari tri melodije, jednu za drugom.	Outside, in the year 1938, a man played three tunes upon a guitar, one following another.
Tokom te noći ona ispruži ruku i gotovo dotače godinu 2155. Osetila je kako joj prsti klize preko prohladnog prostora vremena kao preko izbrazdane površine i čula je uporan bat nogu u maršu dok su bezbrojni okrestri svirali bezbrojne vojničke pesme; videla pedeset hiljada redova; kultura zaraznih klica u aseptičnim staklenim epruvetama, rukom posezala za njima na svom poslu u onoj ogromnoj fabrici u Budućnosti; epruvete sa leprom, nicinom, tifusom, tuberkulozom, pa onda velika eksplozija. Videla je svoju izgorelu šaku koja je ličila na osušenu šljivu, osetila je kako se trza unazad od tako ogromnog udara vazduha da je svet poleteo uvis pa tresnuo dole, dok su se sve zgrade rušile a iz ljudi koji su ćuteći ležali liptala krv. Veliki vulkani, mašine, vetrovi, lavine skliznuše u tišinu i ona se probudi, jecajući, u krevetu u Meksiku, na mnogo godina odande...	During the night she put her hand out and almost touched the year 2155. She felt her fingers slide over cool spaces of time, as over a corrugated surface, and she heard the insistent thump of marching feet, a million bands playing a million military tunes, and she saw the fifty thousand rows of disease cultures in their aseptic glass tubes, her hand reaching out to them at her work in that huge factory in the Future; the tubes of leprosy, bubonic, typhoid, tuberculosis, and then the great explosion. She saw her hand burned to a wrinkled plum, felt it recoil from a concussion so immense that the world was lifted and let fall and all the buildings broke and people hemorrhaged and lay silent. Great volcanoes, machines, winds, avalanches slid down to silence and she awoke, sobbing, in the bed, in Mexico, many years away. . . .
U rano jutro, omamljeni snom od jednog jedinog sata koji su najzad bili u stanju da sastave, probudiše se na zvuk glasnih automobila na ulici. Suzana se zagleda dole sa gvozdenog balkona u omanju gomilu od osmoro ljudi koji su se tek sad pojavljivali, brbljajući, derući se, iz kamiona i kola sa crvenim natpisima. Za kamionima je išla gomila Meksikanaca.	In the early morning, drugged with the single hour’s sleep they had finally been able to obtain, they awoke to the sound of loud automobiles in the street. Susan peered down from the iron balcony at a small crowd of eight people only now emerging, chattering, yelling, from trucks and cars with red lettering on them. A crowd of Mexicans had followed the trucks.
"Que pasa?" doviknu Suzana jednom dečaku.	“Qué pasa?” Susan called to a little boy.
Dečak odgovori.	The boy replied.
Suzana se okrete mužu. "Jedna američka filmska kompanija, tu su se smestili."	Susan turned back to her husband. “An American motion-picture company, here on location.”
"Zanimljivo", Vilijam je bio pod tušem. "Hajde da ih gledamo. Mislim da ne bi bilo bolje da danas idemo. Pokušaćemo da zavaramo Simsa. Da gledamo kako se prave filmovi. Kažu da je primitivna proizvodnja filmova bila stvarno nešto. Da odvratimo misli od sebe."	“Sounds interesting.” William was in the shower. “Let’s watch them. I don’t think we’d better leave today. We’ll try to lull Simms. Watch the films being made. They say the primitive film making was something. Get our minds off ourselves.”
Sebe, mislila je Suzana. Za trenutak, na sjajnom suncu, bila je zaboravila da se negde u hotelu po svoj prilici nalazi čovek koji čeka i puši bezbrojne cigarete. Videla je dole osam bučnih srećnih Amerikanaca i poželela da im dovikne: "Spasite me, sakrijte me, pomozite mi! Obojite mi kosu, oči; obucite me u čudnu odeću. Potrebna mi je vaša pomoć. Ja sam iz godine 2155!"	Ourselves, thought Susan. For a moment, in the bright sun, she had forgotten that somewhere in the hotel, waiting, was a man smoking a thousand cigarettes, it seemed. She saw the eight loud happy Americans below and wanted to call to them: “Save me, hide me, help me! Color my hair, my eyes; clothe me in strange clothes. I need your help. I’m from the year 2155!”
Ali reči su joj ostajale u grlu. Službenici Kompanije Putovanja kroz vreme nisu bili budale. Pre nego što si krenuo na put, u mozak su ti postavili jednu psihološku zapreku. Nikome ne možeš reći svoje pravo vreme i mesto rođenja, niti onima u Prošlosti možeš otkriti išta od Budućnosti. Prošlost i Budućnost moraju biti zaštićene jedna od druge. Samo sa tim psihološkim blokom dozvoljavalo se ljudima da nečuvani putuju kroz vekove. Budućnost mora da se zaštiti od svake promene koju bi prouzrokovali njeni ljudi koji putuju po Prošlosti. Čak kada bi želela i svim srcem, nijednom od tih srećnih ljudi dole na skveru ne bi mogla da kaže ko je, ili u kakvoj se nevolji nalazi.	But the words stayed in her throat. The functionaries of Travel in Time, Inc., were not foolish. In your brain, before you left on your trip, they placed a psychological bloc. You could tell no one your true time or birthplace, nor could you reveal any of the Future to those in the Past. The Past and the Future must be protected from each other. Only with this psychological bloc were people allowed to travel unguarded through the ages. The Future must be protected from any change brought about by her people traveling in the Past. Even if she wanted to with all her heart, she could not tell any of those happy people below in the plaza who she was, or what her predicament had become.
"Hoćemo li na doručak?" reče Vilijam.	“What about breakfast?” said William.
Doručak su služili u ogromnoj trpezariji. Šunka i jaja za sve. Hotel je bio pun turista. Udoše filmadžije, svih osmoro - šestorica muškaraca i dve žene, kikoćući se, gurajući stolice. I Suzana je sedela blizu njih, osećajući njihovu toplinu i zaštitu čak i kada g. Sims siđe niza stepenice u hol, žestoko vukući Dimove iz svoje turske cigarete. On im izdaleka klimnu glavom, i Suzana mu odvrati klimanjem, osmehnuvši se, zato što ovde nije mogao ništa da im učini, pred osam filmadžija i još dvadeset turista.	Breakfast was being served in the immense dining room. Ham and eggs for everyone. The place was full of tourists. The film people entered, all eight of them—six men and two women, giggling, shoving chairs about. And Susan sat near them, feeling the warmth and protection they offered, even when Mr. Simms came down the lobby stairs, smoking his Turkish cigarette with great intensity. He nodded at them from a distance, and Susan nodded back, smiling, because he couldn’t do anything to them here, in front of eight film people and twenty other tourists.
"Ti glumci", reče Vilijam. "Možda bih mogao da najmim dvojicu njih, kažem da je reč o šali, obučem ih u našu odeću, pa da se odvezu u našim kolima kada je Sims na takvom mestu da ne može da im vidi lica. Ako bi dvoje ljudi koji se pretvaraju da smo mi moglo da ga odmami za nekoliko časova, možda bismo uspeli da se dokopamo Meksiko Sitija. Bile bi mu potrebne godine da nas tamo nađe!"	“Those actors,” said William. “Perhaps I could hire two of them, say it was a joke, dress them in our clothes, have them drive off in our car when Simms is in such a spot where he can’t see their faces. If two people pretending to be us could lure him off for a few hours, we might make it to Mexico City. It’d take him years to find us there!”
"Hej!"	“Hey!”
Jedan debeo čovek, koji je zaudarao na alkohol, nasloni im se na sto. "Američki turisti!" uzviknu. "Toliko mi se smučilo da gledam Meksikance, da mi dođe da vas poljubim!" Prodrma ih za ruke. "Hajde da jedete s nama. Beda voli društvo. Ja sam Beda, ovo je gospodica Tmura, a ovo gospodin i gospoda Što-mrzimo-Meksiko! Svi ga mrzimo. Ali tu imamo neko probno snimanje za jedan drljavi film. Sutra stižu i ostali. Zovem se Džo Melton. Ja sam režiser. A koji je ovo užas od zemlje! Pogrebi po ulicama, ljudi umiru. Hajde, pređite ovamo. Dođite u društvo; da nas razvedrite!"	A fat man, with liquor on his breath, leaned on their table. “American tourists!” he cried. “I’m so sick of seeing Mexicans, I could kiss you!” He shook their hands. “Come on, eat with us. Misery loves company. I’m Misery, this is Miss Gloom, and Mr. and Mrs. Do-We-Hate-Mexico! We all hate it. But we’re here for some preliminary shots for a damn film. The rest of the crew arrives tomorrow. My name’s Joe Melton. I’m a director. And if this ain’t a hell of a country! Funerals in the streets, people dying. Come on, move over. Join the party; cheer us up!”
I Suzana i Vilijam se nasmejaše.	Susan and William were both laughing.
"Jesam li smešan?" zapita g. Melton najbližu okolinu.	“Am I funny?” Mr. Melton asked the immediate world.
"Divan!" Suzana pređe za njihov sto.	“Wonderful!” Susan moved over.
Sa drugog kraja trpezarije, na njih se bečio g. Sims. Ona mu uputi grimasu.	Mr. Simms was glaring across the dining room at them. She made a face at him.
G. Sims krenu između stolova.	Mr. Simms advanced among the tables.
"Gospodine i gospodo Trevis", pozva on. "Mislio sam da doručkujemo zajedno, sami."	“Mr. and Mrs. Travis,” he called. “I thought we were breakfasting together, alone.”
"Žao mi je", reče Vilijam.	“Sorry,” said William.
"Sedaj, drugaru", reče g. Melton. "Svaki njihov prijatelj je i moj drugar."	“Sit down, pal,” said Mr. Melton. “Any friend of theirs is a pal of mine.”
G. Sims sede. Filmadžije su glasno razgovarale, i dok su oni razgovarali, g. Sims tiho reče: "Nadam se da ste dobro spavali."	Mr. Simms sat. The film people talked loudly, and while they talked, Mr. Simms said quietly, “I hope you slept well.”
"A vi?"	“Did you?”
"Nisam navikao na dušeke s federima", odgovori g. Sims kriveći se. "Ali zato ima drugo. Pola noći sam sedeo i probao nove cigarete i vrste hrane. Neobično, zadivljujuće. Čitav jedan nov spektar čulnog doživljaja, to su vam ti stari poroci."	“I’m not used to spring mattresses,” replied Mr. Simms wryly. “But there are compensations. I stayed up half the night trying new cigarettes and foods. Odd, fascinating. A whole new spectrum of sensation, these ancient vices.”
"Ne znamo o čemu govorite", reče Suzana.	“We don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Susan.
"Stalno to pretvaranje", nasmeja se Sims. "Ne vredi vam. Kao ni taj štos sa gomilama. Uhvatiću ja vas već nasamo. Imam ogromno strpljenje."	“Always the play acting.” Simms laughed. “It’s no use. Nor is this stratagem of crowds. I’ll get you alone soon enough. I’m immensely patient.”
"Čujte", upade g. Melton, zajapuren u licu. "je li vam ovaj tip dosađuje?"	“Say,” Mr. Melton broke in, his face flushed, “is this guy giving you any trouble?”

"Sve u redu."	“It’s all right.”
"Samo kažite, ima da ga sredim."	“Say the word and I’ll give him the bum’s rush.”
Melton se opet okrete svojim saradnicima urlajući. U tom smehu, g. Sims nastavi: "Da pređemo na stvar. Mesec dana vas pratim da vam uđem u trag kroz varoši i gradove, i bio mi je potreban ceo jučerašnji dan da budem siguran da ste to vi. Ako mirno pođete sa mnom, možda bih mogao da vas izvučem bez kazne, ukoliko se slažete da se vratite da radite na hidrogen-plus bombi."	Melton turned back to yell at his associates. In the laughter, Mr. Simms went on: “Let us come to the point. It took me a month of tracing you through towns and cities to find you, and all of yesterday to be sure of you. If you come with me quietly, I might be able to get you off with no punishment, if you agree to go back to work on the hydrogen-plus bomb.”
"Što ovaj za doručkom prosipa nauku!" primeti g. Melton napola slušajući.	“Science this guy talks at breakfast!” observed Mr. Melton, half listening.
Sims nastavi, neuznemireno. "Porazmislite. Ne možete pobeći. Ako me ubijete, drugi će za vama."	Simms went on, imperturbably. “Think it over. You can’t escape. If you kill me, others will follow you.”
"Ne znamo o čemu govorite."	“We don’t know what you’re talking about.”
"Prestanite s tim!" povika razdraženo Sims. "Mućnite glavom! Znate da ne možemo da vas pustimo da se izvučete sa ovim bekstvom. Drugi ljudi u godini 2155. mogli bi da dođu na istu ideju i da učine to što ste vi učinili. Potrebni su nam ljudi."	“Stop it!” cried Simms irritably. “Use your intelligence! You know we can’t let you get away with this escape. Other people in the year 2155 might get the same idea and do what you’ve done. We need people.”
"Da vodite vaše ratove", reče najzad Vilijam.	“To fight your wars,” said William at last.
"Bile!"	“Bill!”
"U redu, Suzana. Sad ćemo razgovarati po njegovom. Ne možemo pobeći."	“It’s all right, Susan. We’ll talk on his terms now. We can’t escape.”
"Odlično", reče Sims. "Zaista, oboje ste bili neverovatno romantični, da tako pobegnete od svojih obaveza."	“Excellent,” said Simms. “Really, you’ve both been incredibly romantic, running away from your responsibilities.”
"Pobegli smo od užasa."	“Running away from horror.”
"Besmislica. To je samo jedan rat."	“Nonsense. Only a war.”
"O čemu vi to, momci, pričate?" zapita g. Melton.	“What are you guys talking about?” asked Mr. Melton.
Suzana je želela da mu kaže. Ali moglo se govoriti samo uopšteno. Uopšteno, kao što su sada razgovarali Sims i Vilijam.	Susan wanted to tell him. But you could only speak in generalities. The psychological bloc in your mind allowed that. Generalities, such as Simms and William were now discussing.
"Samo rat", reče Vilijam. "Pola sveta pomrlo od leproznih bombi!"	“Only the war,” said William. “Half the world dead of leprosy bombs!”
"Pa ipak", istače Sims, "stanovnici Budućnosti ne podnose da se vas dvoje skrivate na tropskom ostrvu, da tako kažemo, dok oni strmoglavce lete u pakao. Smrt voli smrt, ne život. Umirući vole da znaju da i drugi umiru sa njima. Utešno je saznati da nisi sam u pećnici, u grobu. Ja sam staratelj njihove zajedničke mržnje prema vama dvoma."	“Nevertheless,” Simms pointed out, “the inhabitants of the Future resent you two hiding on a tropical isle, as it were, while they drop off the cliff into hell. Death loves death, not life. Dying people love to know that others die with them. It is a comfort to learn you are not alone in the kiln, in the grave. I am the guardian of their collective resentment against you two.”
"Pogledajte staratelja mržnji!" reče g. Melton svojim pratiocima.	“Look at the guardian of resentments!” said Mr. Melton to his companions.
"Što me duže pustite da čekam, to će teže biti za vas. Potrebni ste nam na projektu bombe, g. Trevise. Vratite se sada - neće biti mučenja. Kasnije, nateraćemo vas na rad, a pošto završite bombu, isprobaćemo jedan broj komplikovanih novih uređaja na vama, gospodine."	“The longer you keep me waiting, the harder it will go for you. We need you on the bomb project, Mr. Travis. Return now—no torture. Later, we’ll force you to work, and after you’ve finished the bomb, we’ll try a number of complicated new devices on you, sir.”
"Imam jedan predlog", reče Vilijam. "Ja ću se vratiti sa vama ako moja žena ostane ovde živa, bezbedna, daleko od tog rata."	“I’ve a proposition,” said William. “I’ll come back with you if my wife stays here alive, safe, away from that war.”
Gospodin Sims razmisli. "U redu. Sačekajte me na skveru za deset minuta. Uzmite me u kola. Odvezite me do jednog pustog mesta. Urediću da nas tamo pokupi Vremenska mašina."	Mr. Simms considered it. “All right. Meet me in the plaza in ten minutes. Pick me up in your car. Drive me to a deserted country spot. I’ll have the Travel Machine pick us up there.”
"Bile!" Suzana mu je čvrsto stiskala ruku.	“Bill!” Susan held his arm tightly.
"Ne raspravljaj se." Pogleda je. "Sređeno je." Onda se obrati Simsu: "Jedna stvar. Prošle noći mogli ste da nam upadnete u sobu i da nas kidnapujete. Zašto niste?"	“Don’t argue.” He looked over at her. “It’s settled.” To Simms: “One thing. Last night you could have gotten in our room and kidnaped us. Why didn’t you?”
"Da kažem da sam se zabavljao?" odvrati g. Sims mlitavo, sisajući svoju novu cigaru. "Ne napušta mi se ova divna atmosfera, ovo sunce, ovaj odmor. Žao mi je da ostavim vino i cigarete. Uh, što mi je žao. Onda znači na skveru, kroz deset minuta. Vaša žena će biti zaštićena i može da ostane ovde koliko god hoće. Oprostite se."	“Shall we say that I was enjoying myself?” replied Mr. Simms languidly, sucking his new cigar. “I hate giving up this wonderful atmosphere, this sun, this vacation. I regret leaving behind the wine and the cigarettes. Oh, how I regret it. The plaza then, in ten minutes. Your wife will be protected and may stay here as long as she wishes. Say your good-bys.”
Gospodin Sims se podiže i izađe.	Mr. Simms arose and walked out.
"Eno ode gospon Pričalo!" dreknu g. Melton na gospodina koji je odlazio. Okrete se i pogleda Suzanu. "Hej. Čujem da neko plače. Za doručkom se ne plače. Je li tako?"	“There goes Mr. Big Talk!” yelled Mr. Melton at the departing gentleman. He turned and looked at Susan. “Hey. Someone’s crying. Breakfast’s no time for people to cry. Now is it?”
U devet i petnaest Suzana je stajala na balkonu sobe i gledala dole na skver. Tamo je sedeo g. Sims, sa uredno prekrštenim nogama, na lepoj bronzanoj klupi. Pažljivo je palio cigaru, odgrizavši joj vrh.	At nine-fifteen Susan stood on the balcony of their room, gazing down at the plaza. Mr. Simms was seated there, his neat legs crossed, on a delicate bronze bench. Biting the tip from a cigar, he lit it tenderly.
Suzana ču brektanje motora, zatim daleko sa ulice, iz jedne garaže pa niz kaldrmisano brdo, polako, pođe Vilijam u svojim kolima.	Susan heard the throb of a motor, and far up the street, out of a garage and down the cobbled hill, slowly, came William in his car.
Kola uhvatiše brzinu. Trideset, pa četrdeset, pa pedeset milja na sat. Pred njima se razbežaše pilići.	The car picked up speed. Thirty, now forty, now fifty miles an hour. Chickens scattered before it.
G. Sims skide svoj beli šešir od paname i obrisa ružičasto čelo, vrati šešir na glavu, i onda ugleda kola.	Mr. Simms took off his white panama hat and mopped his pink forehead, put his hat back on, and then saw the car.

I jurila su šezdeset milja na sat, pravo na skver.	It was rushing sixty miles an hour, straight on for the plaza.
"Vilijame!" vrisnu Suzana.	“William!” screamed Susan.
Kola s treskom udariše o nizak ivičnjak na skveru; poskočiše, jurnuše preko ćerpiča prema zelenoj klupi gde sada g. Sims ispusti cigaru, kriknu, zamlatara rukama. Kola udariše u njega. Telo mu polete visoko, visoko u vazduh, zatim pade, ludački, na ulicu.	The car hit the low plaza curb, thundering; it jumped up, sped across the tiles toward the green bench where Mr. Simms now dropped his cigar, shrieked, flailed his hands, and was hit by the car. His body flew up and up in the air, and down and down, crazily, into the street.
Kola se zaustaviše na drugom kraju skvera, sa slomljenim prednjim točkom. Ljudi potrčaše.	On the far side of the plaza, one front wheel broken, the car stopped. People were running.
Suzana uđe u sobu i zatvori vrata od balkona.	Susan went in and closed the balcony doors.
Tačno u podne, siđoše niza stepenice Zvanične palate zajedno, ruku pod ruku, bledih lica.	They came down the Official Palace steps together, arm in arm, their faces pale, at twelve noon.
"Adios, senor", reče gradonačelnik za njima. "Senora."	“Adiós, señor,” said the mayor behind them. “Señora.”
Stajali su na skveru gde je gomila prstom pokazivala na krv.	They stood in the plaza where the crowd was pointing at the blood.
"Hoće Ii opet hteti da te vide?" zapita Suzana.	“Will they want to see you again?” asked Susan.
"Ne, sto puta smo pretresli stvar. Bio je nesrećan slučaj. Izgubio sam kontrolu nad kolima. Plakao sam pred njima. Bog zna da sam nekako morao da se spasem. Došlo mi je da plačem. Bilo mi je strašno da ga ubijem. Nikada nisam želeo da učinim tako nešto u životu."	“No, we went over and over it. It was an accident. I lost control of the car. I wept for them. God knows I had to get my relief out somewhere. I felt like weeping. I hated to kill him. I’ve never wanted to do anything like that in my life.”
"Neće te sudski goniti?"	“They won’t prosecute you?”
"Pričali su o tome, ali neće. Ja sam bio brži. Veruju mi. Bio je udes. Gotovo je."	“They talked about it, but no. I talked faster. They believe me. It was an accident. It’s over.”
"Gde ćemo? U Meksiko Siti? Uruapan?"	“Where will we go? Mexico City? Uruapan?”
"Kola su u radionici na popravci. Biće gotova u četiri popodne. Onda kidamo."	“The car’s in the repair shop. It’ll be ready at four this afternoon. Then we’ll get the hell out.”
"Da li će nas pratiti? Je li Sims radio sam?"	“Will we be followed? Was Simms working alone?”
"Ne znam. Ali bar imamo malu prednost u polasku, mislim."	“I don’t know. We’ll have a little head start on them, I think.”
Filmadžije su izlazile iz hotela kada se oni približiše. G. Melton požuri, namrgođeno. "Ej, čuo sam šta se desilo. Gadno boga mi. Je li sada sve u redu? Hoćete malo da skrenete misli? Pravimo neke probne snimke tamo dole na ulici. Ako želite da gledate, samo izvolte. Hajde, dobro će vam činiti."	The film people were coming out of the hotel as they approached. Mr. Melton hurried up, scowling. “Hey I heard what happened. Too bad. Everything okay now? Want to get your minds off it? We’re doing some preliminary shots up the street. You want to watch, you’re welcome. Come on, do you good.”
Pođoše.	They went.
Stajali su na kaldrmisanoj ulici dok se kamera nameštala. Suzana je gledala ulicu koja je vodila dole i u daljinu, i autoput koji je išao u Akapulko i na more, pored piramida i ruševina i gradića od ćerpiča sa žutim zidovima, plavim zidovima, i purpurnim zidovima, i mislila: ići ćemo tim drumovima, putovati sa čoporima i gomilama, ići po pijacama, javnim zgradama, podmićivati policiju da spavamo u blizini, zaključavati dvostruke brave, ali uvek u gomili, nikada više sami, večito u strahu da sledeća osoba koja prođe može biti drugi Sims. Nikada nećemo znati da li smo zavarali Tragače i umakli im. A tamo napred, u Budućnosti, čekaće nas da nas dovedu natrag, čekaće bombama da nas sagore i boleštinom da od nje istrulimo, i sa njihovom policijom koja nam naređuje da se prevrćemo, okrećemo, skačemo, kroz obruč! I tako ćemo stalno trčati kroz šumu i više nikada u životu nećemo se zaustaviti niti ćemo mirno spavati.	They stood on the cobbled street while the film camera was being set up. Susan looked at the road leading down and away, and the highway going to Acapulco and the sea, past pyramids and ruins and little adobe towns with yellow walls, blue walls, purple walls and flaming bougainvillea, and she thought, We shall take the roads, travel in clusters and crowds, in markets, in lobbies, bribe police to sleep near, keep double locks, but always the crowds, never alone again, always afraid the next person who passes may be another Simms. Never knowing if we’ve tricked and lost the Searchers. And always up ahead, in the Future, they’ll wait for us to be brought back, waiting with their bombs to burn us and disease to rot us, and their police to tell us to roll over, turn around, jump through the hoop! And so we’ll keep running through the forest, and we’ll never ever stop or sleep well again in our lives.
Gomila se skupila da gleda kako se pravi fiIm. Suzana je posmatrala gomilu i ulice.	A crowd gathered to watch the film being made. And Susan watched the crowd and the streets.
"Jesi li videla nekog sumnjivog?"	“Seen anyone suspicious?”
"Ne. Koliko je sati?"	“No. What time is it?”
"Tri. Trebalo bi da su kola skoro gotova."	“Three o’clock. The car should be almost ready.”
Probni film je bio završen u tri i četrdeset pet. Svi se vratiše u hotel, pričajući. Vilijam zastade kod garaže. "Kola će biti gotova u šest", reče izlazeći, zabrinut.	The test film was finished at three forty-five. They all walked down to the hotel, talking. William paused at the garage. “The car’ll be ready at six,” he said, coming out, worried.
"Ali valjda ne kasnije?"	“But no later than that?”
"Biće gotova, ne brini."	“It’ll be ready, don’t worry.
U hotelskom holu pogledaše oko sebe da vide da li ima još ljudi koji putuju sami, ljudi koji liče na g. Simsa, ljudi sveže podšišanih i sa i suviše mnogo duvanskog dima i mirisa kolonjske vode na sebi, ali hol je bio prazan. Penjući se uza stepenice, g. Melton reče: "Pa, danas smo se dobro umorili. Ko bi da trgne koju na kraju? A društvo? Martini? Pivo?"	In the hotel lobby they looked around for other men traveling alone, men who resembled Mr. Simms, men with new haircuts and too much cigarette smoke and cologne smell about them, but the lobby was empty. Going up the stairs, Mr. Melton said, “Well, it’s been a long hard day. Who’d like to put a header on it? You folks? Martini? Beer?”
"Možda jedno."	“Maybe one.”
Čitava gomila nagrnu u sobu g. Meltona, i započe pijanka.	The whole crowd pushed into Mr. Melton’s room and the drinking began.
"Pazi na vreme", reče Vilijam.	“Watch the time,” said William.

Vreme, mislila je Suzana. Kada bi samo imali vremena. Želela je samo da sedi na skveru celog jednog dugog svetlog dana u oktobru, bez ijedne brige ili misli, sa suncem na licu i rukama, zatvorenih očiju, da se osmehuje na toplotu, i da se i ne pomakne. Samo da spava na meksičkom suncu, da spava toplo i lagodno, polako i srećno, danima i danima...	Time, thought Susan. If only they had time. All she wanted was to sit in the plaza all of a long bright day in October, with not a worry or a thought, with the sun on her face and arms, her eyes closed, smiling at the warmth, and never move. Just sleep in the Mexican sun, and sleep warmly and easily and slowly and happily for many, many days. . . .
Gospodin Melton otvori šampanjac.	Mr. Melton opened the champagne.
"Jednoj vrlo lepoj gospođi, dovoljno divnoj za film", reče on, nazdravljajući Suzani. "Mogao bih vas čak isprobati."	“To a very beautiful lady, lovely enough for films,” be said, toasting Susan. “I might even give you a test.”
Ona se nasmeja.	She laughed.
"Stvarno mislim", reče Melton. "Vrlo ste simpatični. Mogao bih da napravim filmsku zvezdu od vas."	“I mean it,” said Melton. “You’re very nice. I could make you a movie star.”
"I da me odvedete u Holivud?" uzviknu Suzana.	“And take me to Hollywood?” cried Susan.
"Da se izvučete iz Meksika, sigurno!"	“Get the hell out of Mexico, sure!”
Suzana baci pogled na Vilijama, a on podiže jednu obrvu i klimnu glavom. To bi bila promena scene, odeće, mesta, imena, možda; i još bi putovali sa još osmoro ljudi, što bi svakako bila dobra zaštita od svakog pokušaja iz Budućnosti.	Susan glanced at William and he lifted an eyebrow and nodded. It would be a change of scene, clothing, locale, name, perhaps; and they would be traveling with eight other people, a good shield against any interference from the Future.
"Divno zvuči", reče Suzana.	“It sounds wonderful,” said Susan.
Sada je osećala šampanjac. Popodne je odmicalo; društvo se vitlalo oko nje. Po prvi put za mnogo godina oseti se istinski srećno, i dobro i živo.	She was feeling the champagne now. The afternoon was slipping by; the party was whirling about her. She felt safe and good and alive and truly happy for the first time in many years.
"Za kakav film bi bila dobra moja žena?" zapita Vilijam ponovo puneći čašu.	“What kind of film would my wife be good for?” asked William, refilling his glass.
Melton uze da odmerava Suzanu. Društvo prestade sa smehom i poče da sluša.	Melton appraised Susan. The party stopped laughing and listened.
"Pa, voleo bih da napravim jednu priču o neizvesnosti", reče Melton. "Priču o čoveku i ženi kao što ste vi."	“Well, I’d like to do a story of suspense,” said Melton. “A story of a man and wife, like yourselves.”
"Nastavite."	“Go on.”
"Možda kao neku ratnu priču", reče režiser ispitujući boju svog pića naspram sunčeve svetlosti.	“Sort of a war story, maybe,” said the director, examining the color of his drink against the sunlight.
Suzana i Vilijam su čekali.	Susan and William waited.
"Možda jednu priču o mužu i ženi koji žive u maloj kući u jednoj uličici godine 2155", reče Melton. "To je po želji, razumete. Ali taj čovek i ta žena suočavaju se sa strašnim ratom, super-plus hidrogenskim bombama, cenzurom, smrću te godine, i - evo cake - oni beže u Prošlost a za njima ide čovek za koga misle da je zao, ali koji samo pokušava da im pokaže šta im je dužnost."	“A story about a man and wife who live in a little house on a little street in the year 2155, maybe,” said Melton. “This is ad lib, understand. But this man and wife are faced with a terrible war, super-plus hydrogen bombs, censorship, death in that year, and—here’s the gimmick—they escape into the Past, followed by a man who they think is evil, but who is only trying to show them what their duty is.”
Vilijam ispusti čašu na pod.	William dropped his glass to the floor.
G. Melton nastavi: "I taj par nađe utočište u jednoj grupi ljudi sa filma u koju stekne poverenje. Bezbednost je u gomili, kažu oni sebi."	Mr. Melton continued: “And this couple take refuge with a group of film people whom they learn to trust. Safety in numbers, they say to themselves.”
Suzana oseti kako je skliznula u stolicu. Svi su gledali u režisera. On gucnu malo vina. "E, to je dobro vino. Pa, taj čovek i žena, izgleda, ne shvataju koliko su značajni za Budućnost. Čovek, posebno, predstavlja ključnu ličnost za jedan nov metal za bombe. Zato Tragači, nazovimo ih tako, ne štede truda ni troška da nađu, uhvate, i dovedu kući čoveka i ženu, kada ih najzad uhvate potpuno same, u hotelskoj sobi, gde niko ne može da vidi. Strategija. Tragači rade sami, ili u grupama po osam. Jedan ili drugi trik će uspeti. Šta misliš, zar ne bi to bio čudesan film, Suzana? A ti, Bile?" Onda ispi piće do kraja.	Susan felt herself slip down into a chair. Everyone was watching the director. He took a little sip of wine. “Ah, that’s a fine wine. Well, this man and woman, it seems, don’t realize how important they are to the Future. The man, especially, is the keystone to a new bomb metal. So the Searchers, let’s call them, spare no trouble or expense to find, capture, and take home the man and wife, once they get them totally alone, in a hotel room, where no one can see. Strategy. The Searchers work alone, or in groups of eight. One trick or another will do it. Don’t you think it would make a wonderful film, Susan? Don’t you, Bill?” He finished his drink.
Suzana je sedela sa očima upravljenim pravo ispred sebe.	Susan sat with her eyes straight ahead of her.
"Hoćeš da popiješ?" reče g. Melton.	“Have a drink?” said Mr. Melton.
Vilijamov pištolj je bio izvučen, i opali tri puta. Jedan od ljudi pade, ostali potrčaše napred. Suzana vrisnu. Jedna šaka joj zatisnu usta. Sada je revolver bio na podu, a Vilijam se otimao dok su ga držali.	William’s gun was out and fired three times, and one of the men fell, and the others ran forward. Susan screamed. A hand was clamped to her mouth. Now the gun was on the floor and William was struggling, held.
G. Melton reče: "Molim vas", stojeći tamo gde je pre stajao, na prstima mu se videla krv. "Nemojte da pogoršavamo stvari."	Mr. Melton said, “Please,” standing there where he had stood, blood showing on his fingers. “Let’s not make matters worse.”
Neko jako zalupa na vratima od hola. "Pustite me unutra!"	Someone pounded on the hall door. “Let me in!”
"Direktor", suvo reče g. Melton. Odsečnim pokretom glave dade znak. "Hajdemo, svi!"	“The manager,” said Mr. Melton dryly. He jerked his head. “Everyone, let’s move!”
"Pustite me da uđem! Zvaću policiju!"	“Let me in! I’ll call the police!”
Suzana i Vilijam brzo pogledaše jedno u drugo, zatim u vrata.	Susan and William looked at each other quickly, and then at the door.
"Direktor želi da uđe", reče g. Melton. "Brzo!"	“The manager wishes to come in,” said Mr. Melton. Quick!”
Donesoše napred kameru. Iz nje blesnu plava svetlost koja u trenutku obuhvati sobu. Svetlost se proširi i ljudi iz društva iščeznuše, jedan po jedan.	A camera was carried forward. From it shot a blue light which encompassed the room instantly. It widened out and the people of the party vanished, one by one.

"Brzo!"	“Quickly!”
Kroz prozor, u trenutku pre nego što je iščezla, Suzana vide zelenu zemlju i purpurne žute plave, i grimizne zidove i kaldrmu kako teku kao reka, čoveka kako na magarcu jaše u topla brda, dečaka kako pije sok od pomorandže; osetila je slatku tečnost u grlu, vide čoveka kako sa gitarom stoji pod senovitim drvetom na skveru, oseti svoju ruku na žicama gitare i, u daljini, plavo i nežno more, oseti kako se ono prevaljuje preko nje i uzima je u sebe.	Outside the window, in the instant before she vanished, Susan saw the green land and the purple and yellow and blue and crimson walls and the cobbles flowing down like a river, a man upon a burro riding into the warm hills, a boy drinking Orange Crush, she could feel the sweet liquid in her throat a man standing under a cool plaza tree with a guitar, she could feel her hand upon the strings, and, far away, the sea, the blue and tender sea, she could feel it roll her over and take her in.
Onda je nestala. Njen muž nestade.	And then she was gone. Her husband was gone.
Vrata se s treskom otvoriše. Direktor i osoblje hotela utrčaše u sobu.	The door burst wide open. The manager and his staff rushed in.
Soba je bila prazna.	The room was empty.
"Ali sad su bili tu! Video sam ih kako ulaze, a sada ih - nema!" povika direktor. "Na prozorima su gvozdene rešetke. Tuda nisu mogli izaći!"	“But they were just here! I saw them come in, and now—gone!” cried the manager. “The windows are covered with iron grating. They couldn’t get out that way!”
Predveče pozvaše sveštenika, opet otvoriše sobu i provetriše je, i sveštenik je poprska svetom vodicom po svim uglovima i blagoslovi je.	In the late afternoon the priest was summoned and they opened the room again and aired it out, and had him sprinkle holy water through each corner and give it his blessing.
"Šta ćemo s ovim?" zapita spremačica.	“What shall we do with these?” asked the charwoman.
Pokaza malu ostavu u kojoj je bilo 67 boca šartreza, konjaka, creme de cacao, apsinta, vermuta, tekile, 106 velikih kutija turskih cigareta, i 198 žutih kutija čistih Havana od pedeset centi...	She pointed to the closet, where there were 67 bottles of chartreuse, cognac, crème de cacao, absinthe, vermouth, tequila, 106 cartons of Turkish cigarettes, and 198 yellow boxes of fifty-cent pure Havana-filler cigars. . . .

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