[Illustration 11] In the centre of the seventh-floor lobby, Ryan accepts the brass token from the elevator boy’s bare, shadow-black hand. Their fingers touch briefly; the young man’s other hand remains covered by a spotless white glove. In the distance, the faceless receptionist waits behind the desk while every pair of hollow eyes upon the dome watches from above.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtJJFhL9tr
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The voice in the receiver rose sharply.
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“Mr. Glenz, would you like to extend your stay?”
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Ryan turned around.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLfWuYk6YL
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The faceless receptionist remained perfectly still, holding the receiver out.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr4GD4UC08
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The dome, the walls, and every reflection in the polished floor waited for his answer.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeilyJNGQo
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Ryan's fist closed around the brass token.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSN5oqnRAg
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The dark red woman's shoe.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsb84x8lFHI
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The portraits on the sixth floor.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvp7NoP32F
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The guests lifting empty forks to their mouths.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIM8OAmroPf
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The little girl clutching her worn teddy bear.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcbeKiPUG7
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And the painting bearing his name, the face in it growing clearer by the hour.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZkbnIOosq
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Every image flashed through his mind.
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“No.”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuF9dire8O
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His voice was not loud.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtjM7b81Ao
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But there was no hesitation, no pause in it.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaffhiuvq5
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The faceless receptionist went rigid.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg42WcFIeXs
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On the dome, the angels stopped turning.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo5E2xXsY9
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A piercing engaged tone came out of the receiver.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBLjuuXlSL
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With a sharp click, a narrow slot sprang open on the right side of the black telephone.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTUDzHBMk8
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Ryan pushed the token inside.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmy2r6WkDfH
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The telephone swallowed the coin.
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And a second later—35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZbQpqNPr3
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BRRRRING—!35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1Z96gW3J0
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The sound came from Ryan's pocket.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzehi5l4N6H
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He looked down sharply.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6tF69Hqbv
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The mobile phone that had not been there with him was now vibrating through the fabric of his pants.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50elZDrOLc
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No caller’s name.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ2KmV1kQ7
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Only a field of blinding white light.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKduQF0LLD
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“Answer it,” the elevator boy said.
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Ryan pulled out the phone. His thumb hovered above the answer button.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06R8SxCJXr
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But he did not press it.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghInAulH9K
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“What about you?”
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“Someone has to operate the elevator.”
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“You can't come with me?”
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“The call is for you.”
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Behind him, the brass gate began to close.
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Ryan suddenly looked up to meet with the elevator boy’s gaze.
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“Your name.”
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The elevator boy looked at him in silence.
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“Now?”
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“Yes. Now.”
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“This does not seem like a suitable occasion for exchanging names.”
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“Isn't it because nobody remembers them that people here lose their faces?”
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The gate was already halfway closed.
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Ryan met his gaze through the crossing strips of brass.
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“I needed to know who I'm supposed to remember.”
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The elevator boy fell silent.
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For one long moment, Ryan thought he would refuse to answer.
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“Julien Moreau”
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He spoke the name softly.
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“Julien Moreau.” Ryan repeated it once inside his head.
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Not a single syllable left out.
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Julien stepped backwards into the elevator. Beneath the brim of his cap, his face disappeared once more into shifting light and shadow.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrlVAZn8UQ
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Only his eyes remained fixed upon Ryan.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPb0XzkIFD
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“Go, Mr. Glenz.”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvyfkhwCdB
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“Will we see each other again?”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6HH3zL92Y
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Julien did not answer.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFnWdfrMZH
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“Please remember to put your shoes on properly… Ryan.”
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The brass gate closed completely.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZeEK6X76h
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The elevator began to descend.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWTOEIhSUn
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Ryan looked down at the phone still buzzing in his hand.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMX1WmsSxWl
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Before the seventh ring could end, he pressed the answer button.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZAmi937S5
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and then Add to home screen.