The Yiddish Policemen's Union: A Novel

THE PULITZER PRIZE W I N N I N G A U T H O R DE

USA SZE95 CANADA 133.95

FROM THE ACCLAIMED AUTHOR OF THE PULITZER PRIZE WINNER ^ A M A Z I N G ADVENTURES OF K A V A L I E R & - C L A Y COMES AN EQUALLY DAZZLING. ORIGINAL. AND IMAGINATIVE WORK OF FICTION.

F

or sixty years, Jewish refugees and their descen­ dants have prospered in the Federal District of Sitka, a "temporary" safe haven created in the wake

of revelations of the Holocaust and the shocking 1948 collapse of the fledgling state of Israel. Proud, grateful, and longing to be American, the Jews of the Sitka Dis­ trict have created their own little world in the Alaskan panhandle, a vibrant, gritty, soulful, and complex fron­ tier city that moves to the music of Yiddish. For sixty years they have been left alone, neglected and halfforgotten in a backwater of history. Now the District is set to revert to Alaskan control, and their dream is coming to an end: once again the tides of history threaten to sweep them up and carry them off into the unknown. But

homicide detective Meyer Landsman of the

District Police has enough problems without worrying about the upcoming Reversion. His life is a shambles, his marriage a wreck, his career a disaster. He and his half-Tlingit partner, Berko Shemets, can't catch a break in any of their outstanding cases. Landsman's new supervisor is the love of his life—and also his worst nightmare. And in the cheap hotel where he has washed up, someone has just committed a murder—right under Landsman's nose. Out of habit, obligation, and a mysterious sense that it somehow offers him a shot at redeeming himself, Landsman begins to investigate the killing of his neighbor, a former chess prodigy. But when word comes down from on high that the case is to be dropped immediately, Landsman soon finds himself contending with all the powerful forces of faith, obsession, hopefulness, evil, and salvation that

[ C O N T I N U E D DN BACK F L A P )

05D7

[CONTINUED FRDM FRONT F L A P )

are his heritage—and with the unfinished business of his marriage to Bina Gelbfish, the one person who understands his darkest fears. At once a gripping whodunit, a love story, an hom­ age to 1940s noir, and an exploration of the mysteries of exile and redemption, The Tiddish 'Policemen's Union is a novel only Michael Chabon could have written.

- M I C H A E L CHABON is the bestselling author of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, which won the 1001 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. He lives in Berkeley, California, with his wife, the novelist Ayelet Waldman, and their children.

J A C K E T DESIGN BY WILL STAEHLE AUTHOR PHDTOGRAPH © 2DD7 STEPHANIE RAUSSER

Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins authors. Available from HarperAudio and HarperLuxe

HarperCollins.P^Wzs/?ers www.harpercollins.com

O

P R A I S E FOR T H E W O R K DF

IIIIAIi

-Mil:

H»]

'A PROSE MAGICIAN. CHABON IS THAT RARE LITERARY ANOMALY:

A GENTLE-SPIRITED WRITER OF BOUNDLESS AMBITION." -TIE YllUSE MSS ON THE FINAL SOLUTION

60SH°WOW. SUPER-COLOSSAL-SMART, FUNNY AND A CONTINUAL PLEASURE TD READ."

"ABSOLUTELY

- wmsrumTsm

mu

01 WE AMAIINB

ADVENTURES

OF KAVAUER

6 CLAY

"THE DEPTH OF CHABDN'S THDUGHT, HIS SHARP LANGUAGE, HIS INVENTIVENESS, AND HIS AMBITIDN MAKE THIS A NDVEL DF TOWERING ACHIEVEMENT" -EU

YM MES BU SEWN ON THE AMAIINE ABVENTURES OF KAVAUER 8 CLAY

"A TOWERING, SWASHBUCKLING THRILL OF A BOOK." -mEVffl

ON THE AMAIINE

ADVENTURES

OE KAVAUER

5

CLAY

THE Y I D D I S H P O L I C E M E N ' S UNION

ALSD BY MICHAEL CHABON The Mysteries A Model

of

World and Other Wonder

Werewolves Amazing

Pittsburgh

Boys

in Their

Adventures

Touth

of Kavalier

Summerland The Final

Stories

Solution

>>>>

MICHAEL

CHABDN

" S t r a n g e times to be a Jew," the old m a n agrees. H e

turns

from t h e b a r a n d p r e s e n t s L a n d s m a n w i t h a h i g h b a l l glass fitted with a lemon-slice yarmulke. T h e n he pours himself a generous s h o t of slivovitz a n d raises it t o L a n d s m a n w i t h an expression of h u m o r o u s c r u e l t y t h a t L a n d s m a n k n o w s well a n d in w h i c h he long since ceased t o see a n y h u m o r . " T o s t r a n g e t i m e s , " t h e o l d m a n says. H e eases it back, a n d w h e n he looks at L a n d s m a n , he glows like a m a n w h o j u s t said s o m e t h i n g w i t t y t h a t b r o k e u p a room. L a n d s m a n k n o w s h o w m u c h it m u s t be killing H e r t z to w a t c h t h e skiff h e p o l e d for s o m a n y y e a r s , w i t h all h i s c r a f t a n d s t r e n g t h , d r i f t i n g e v e r n e a r e r t o t h e falls o f R e v e r s i o n . H e p o u r s h i m s e l f a second q u i c k o n e a n d knocks it back w i t h no show of pleasure. N o w it's L a n d s m a n ' s t u r n to raise an eyebrow. " Y o u h a v e y o u r d o c t o r , " U n c l e H e r t z says. " I h a v e m i n e . " U n c l e H e r t z ' s c a b i n is a s i n g l e l a r g e r o o m w i t h a loft

that

g o e s all t h e w a y a r o u n d t h r e e s i d e s . A l l t h e t r i m a n d f u r n i s h i n g is h o r n , b o n e , s i n e w , h i d e , a n d p e l t . Y o u r e a c h t h e loft b y a s t e e p c o m p a n i o n w a y at t h e back, next to t h e kitchenette. In one corner is t h e o l d m a n ' s b e d , n e a t l y m a d e . B e s i d e t h e b e d , o n a s m a l l , r o u n d table, stands a chessboard. T h e pieces are rosewood and maple. O n e o f W h i t e ' s m a p l e k n i g h t s is m i s s i n g i t s left h o r s e ear. O n e o f B l a c k ' s r o s e w o o d p a w n s h a s a b l o n d flaw o n i t s k n o b . T h e b o a r d has a n e g l e c t e d , c h a o t i c air; a Vicks inhaler s t a n d s a m i d t h e pieces at one end, a possible threat to White's king at e l . " I see y o u ' r e p l a y i n g t h e M e n t h o l y p t u s D e f e n s e , " L a n d s m a n says, t u r n i n g t h e b o a r d t o get a b e t t e r look.

"Correspondence

game?" H e r t z is c r o w d i n g L a n d s m a n , e x h a l i n g h i s b r e a t h o f

plum

b r a n d y , t h e u n d e r n o t e o f h e r r i n g so o i l y a n d s h a r p y o u c a n feel t h e l i t t l e b o n e s in it. J o s t l e d , L a n d s m a n tips t h e w h o l e t h i n g t o t h e g r o u n d w i t h a clatter. " Y o u w e r e a l w a y s t h e m a s t e r o f t h a t m o v e , " H e r t z says. " T h e Landsman Gambit."

THE Y I D D I S H

POLICEMEN'S

UNION

305

"Shit, Uncle H e r t z , I'm sorry." Landsman crouches and gropes a r o u n d u n d e r t h e o l d m a n ' s b e d for t h e p i e c e s . " D o n ' t w o r r y a b o u t i t ! " t h e o l d m a n says. " I t ' s all r i g h t . I t w a s n ' t a g a m e , I was j u s t fooling a r o u n d . I d o n ' t play b y mail a n y m o r e . I l i v e a n d d i e b y t h e sacrifice. I l i k e t o d a z z l e t h e m w i t h s o m e c r a z y , beautiful combination. T o u g h to do t h a t on a postcard. D o you recognize the set?" H e r t z helps L a n d s m a n r e t u r n t h e pieces t o their box, also m a p l e , lined w i t h green velveteen. T h e inhaler h e slips i n t o a p o c k e t . "No,"

L a n d s m a n says. L a n d s m a n is t h e o n e , e x e c u t i n g

the

Landsman G a m b i t during a t a n t r u m m a n y years ago, w h o cost the W h i t e k n i g h t i t s ear. " W h a t d o you think? You gave it to h i m . " T h e r e a r e five b o o k s s t a c k e d o n t h e n i g h t s t a n d b y t h e o l d man's b e d . A Yiddish t r a n s l a t i o n of C h a n d l e r . A F r e n c h b i o g r a p h y of M a r c e l D u c h a m p . A p a p e r b a c k a t t a c k o n t h e w i l y a g e n d a of t h e T h i r d R u s s i a n R e p u b l i c t h a t w a s p o p u l a r in t h e U.S. t h e year b e f o r e . A P e t e r s o n field g u i d e t o m a r i n e m a m m a l s . A n d s o m e t h i n g c a l l e d Kampf

in t h e original G e r m a n , b y E m a n u e l Lasker.

T h e toilet

flushes,

a n d t h e r e is t h e s o u n d o f B e r k o d a s h i n g

w a t e r over his hands. " S u d d e n l y , e v e r y b o d y ' s r e a d i n g L a s k e r , " L a n d s m a n says. H e p i c k s u p t h e b o o k , heavy, black, t h e t i t l e e m b o s s e d in gilded black letter, a n d is m i l d l y s u r p r i s e d t o d i s c o v e r t h a t i t h a s n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h chess. N o d i a g r a m s , no

figurine

q u e e n s a n d h o r s e s , j u s t p a g e after

p a g e of t h o r n y G e r m a n prose. " S o t h e m a n w a s a p h i l o s o p h e r , t o o ? " " H e considered it his t r u e calling. E v e n t h o u g h h e was a genius a t c h e s s a n d h i g h e r m a t h e m a t i c s . I ' m s o r r y t o say, as a p h i l o s o p h e r , m a y b e h e w a s n ' t s u c h a g e n i u s . W h y , w h o e l s e is r e a d i n g E m a n u e l Lasker? N o b o d y reads E m a n u e l Lasker a n y m o r e . " " T h a t ' s even m o r e t r u e n o w t h a n it w a s a w e e k a g o , " Berko says, c o m i n g o u t o f t h e b a t h r o o m , d r y i n g h i s h a n d s o n a t o w e l . H e gravitates naturally toward the dinner table. T h e big wood­ b l o c k t a b l e is l a i d for t h r e e . T h e p l a t e s a r e e n a m e l e d t i n , t h e g l a s s e s

306

MICHAEL CHABDN

plastic, and t h e knives have bone handles and fearsome blades, the k i n d y o u m i g h t u s e t o c u t t h e liver still t h r o b b i n g from t h e a b d o m e n o f a b e a r . T h e r e is a p i t c h e r o f i c e d t e a a n d a n e n a m e l e d p o t o f coffee. T h e m e a l t h a t H e r t z S h e m e t s h a s p r e p a r e d is p l e n t i f u l , h o t , and heavily weighted toward moose. " M o o s e c h i l i , " t h e o l d m a n says. " I g r o u n d t h e m e a t l a s t fall, I h a v e it in v a c u u m b a g s in t h e d e e p freeze. Killed t h e m o o s e , t o o , of c o u r s e . A cow, a t h o u s a n d - p o u n d e r . T h e chili I m a d e today, t h e b e a n s are k i d n e y b e a n s , a n d I t h r e w in a can of t u r t l e beans I h a d l y i n g a r o u n d . O n l y I w a s n ' t s u r e i t w o u l d b e e n o u g h , so I h e a t e d u p a f e w m o r e t h i n g s I h a d i n t h e freezer. T h e r e ' s a q u i c h e l o r r a i n e — t h a t ' s e g g , n a t u r a l l y , w i t h t o m a t o a n d b a c o n , t h e b a c o n is m o o s e bacon. I s m o k e d it myself." " T h e eggs a r e m o o s e e g g s , " B e r k o says, d u p l i c a t i n g perfectly his father's mildly p o m p o u s tone. T h e old m a n p o i n t s t o a w h i t e glass b o w l piled h i g h w i t h uniform m e a t b a l l s i n a r e d d i s h - b r o w n g r a v y . " S w e d i s h m e a t b a l l s , " h e says. " M o o s e m e a t b a l l s . A n d t h e n s o m e c o l d r o a s t m o o s e , if a n y b o d y w a n t s a s a n d w i c h . I b a k e d t h e b r e a d myself. A n d t h e m a y o n n a i s e is h o m e m a d e . I c a n ' t abide m a y o n n a i s e from a j a r . " T h e y sit d o w n t o e a t w i t h t h e lonely old m a n . Years ago his d i n i n g r o o m w a s a lively r e g i o n , t h e o n l y t a b l e in t h e s e d i v i d e d islands at w h i c h Indians a n d Jews regularly sat d o w n t o g e t h e r to eat g o o d food w i t h o u t rancor. T h e r e w a s California w i n e t o d r i n k a n d b e e x p a t i a t e d u p o n b y t h e old m a n . Silent t y p e s , h a r d cases, and t h e o d d special a g e n t or l o b b y i s t from W a s h i n g t o n m i n g l e d w i t h t o t e m carvers, chess b u m s , and Native fishermen. H e r t z submitted t o t h e raillery of M r s . P u l l m a n . H e w a s t h e k i n d of d o m i n e e r i n g old c u t t h r o a t w h o chose to m a r r y a w o m a n w h o would knock him d o w n a p e g or t w o in front of his friends. S o m e h o w it only m a d e him look stronger. " I p u t i n a c a l l o r t w o , " U n c l e H e r t z says a f t e r s e v e r a l m i n u t e s of c h e s s - d e e p c o n c e n t r a t i o n o n his food. "After y o u called t o say you were coming down."

THE Y I D D I S H P D L I C E M E N ' S

UNIDN

3D7

" D i d y o u ? " B e r k o says. "A c a l l o r t w o . " " T h a t ' s r i g h t . " H e r t z has a w a y of smiling, or of p r o d u c i n g a s m i l e - l i k e effect, w h e r e h e lifts o n l y t h e u p p e r l i p o n t h e r i g h t s i d e o f h i s m o u t h , a n d o n l y for h a l f a s e c o n d , f l a s h i n g o n e y e l l o w i n c i s o r . It looks like s o m e o n e has c a u g h t h i m b y t h e lip o n an invisible f i s h h o o k a n d is g i v i n g t h e l i n e a s h a r p t u g . " F r o m w h a t I g a t h e r , y o u have been m a k i n g a n u i s a n c e of yourself, M e y e r l e . U n p r o f e s s i o n a l conduct. Erratic behavior. Lost your badge and g u n . " W h a t e v e r e l s e h e m a y h a v e b e e n , for f o r t y y e a r s U n c l e H e r t z w a s a s w o r n officer o f t h e l a w w i t h a f e d e r a l s h i e l d i n h i s b i l l f o l d . T h o u g h h e u n d e r s e l l s i t , t h e n o t e o f r e p r o a c h is u n m i s t a k a b l e . H e t u r n s to his son. "And I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t y o u t h i n k y o u ' r e d o i n g , " h e says. " E i g h t w e e k s a w a y f r o m t h e v o i d . T w o c h i l d r e n a n d , m a z e l tov and kaynahora, a third on the way." Berko doesn't b o t h e r to ask h o w his father k n o w s t h a t EsterM a l k e is p r e g n a n t . I t w o u l d o n l y feed t h e o l d m a n ' s v a n i t y . H e j u s t n o d s a n d p u t s a w a y a few m o r e m o o s e m e a t b a l l s . T h e y a r e g o o d , t h e meatballs, moist w i t h h i n t s of r o s e m a r y a n d smoke. " Y o u a r e r i g h t , " B e r k o says. " I t ' s m a d n e s s . A n d I d o n ' t s a y t h a t I love o r c a r e for t h a t b u f f a l o t h e r e , l o o k a t h i m , w i t h n o b a d g e a n d no gun, b o t h e r i n g people and r u n n i n g a r o u n d w i t h frostbite on his k n e e c a p s , a n y m o r e t h a n I d o for m y w i f e o r m y c h i l d r e n , b e c a u s e I d o n ' t . O r t h a t i t m a k e s a n y s e n s e for m e t o t a k e r i s k s w i t h t h e i r f u t u r e o n h i s behalf, b e c a u s e i t d o e s n ' t . " A s h e c o n t e m p l a t e s

the

bowl of meatballs, his b o d y e m i t s a w e a r y s o u n d , a Yiddish s o u n d , h a l f w a y b e t w e e n a b e l c h a n d a l a m e n t a t i o n . " B u t if w e ' r e t a l k i n g a b o u t v o i d s , w h a t c a n I say, t h a t ' s n o t t h e t y p e o f c i r c u m s t a n c e s I w a n t t o b e facing w i t h o u t M e y e r a r o u n d . " " Y o u see h o w l o y a l , " U n c l e H e r t z tells L a n d s m a n . " T h a t ' s j u s t h o w I felt a b o u t y o u r f a t h e r , m a y h i s n a m e b e for a b l e s s i n g , b u t t h e c o w a r d left m e h i g h a n d d r y . " His tone aspires to lightness, b u t t h e s u b s e q u e n t blot of silence s e e m s t o d a r k e n t h e r e m a r k . T h e y c h e w t h e i r f o o d , a n d life feels long and ponderous. H e r t z gets u p and pours himself another shot.

3DB

MICHAEL

CHABDN

H e s t a n d s b y t h e w i n d o w , w a t c h i n g t h e s k y t h a t is l i k e a m o s a i c pieced t o g e t h e r from t h e b r o k e n shards of a t h o u s a n d mirrors, each o n e t i n t e d a different s h a d e of g r a y T h e w i n t e r sky of s o u t h e a s t e r n A l a s k a is a T a l m u d o f g r a y , a n i n e x h a u s t i b l e c o m m e n t a r y o n a T o r a h of rain clouds a n d d y i n g light. U n c l e H e r t z has always been t h e m o s t c o m p e t e n t , s e l f - a s s u r e d m a n L a n d s m a n k n o w s , n e a t as an o r i g a m i airplane, a q u i c k p a p e r needle folded w i t h precision, impervious to turbulence. Accurate, methodical,

dispassionate.

T h e r e w e r e always h i n t s of shadow, of i r r a t i o n a l i t y a n d violence, b u t t h e y w e r e c o n t a i n e d b e h i n d t h e wall of H e r t z ' s m y s t e r i o u s I n d i a n a d v e n t u r e s , h i d d e n o n t h e far s i d e o f t h e L i n e , c o v e r e d o v e r b y h i m w i t h t h e careful b a c k w a r d kicks of an a n i m a l concealing i t s spoor. B u t n o w a m e m o r y surfaces in L a n d s m a n from t h e days following his father's d e a t h , of U n c l e H e r t z s i t t i n g c r u m p l e d like a w a d of tissue in a c o r n e r of t h e k i t c h e n on A d l e r S t r e e t , shirttails h a n g i n g , n o o r d e r t o his hair, s h i r t m i s b u t t o n e d , t h e d w i n d l i n g c o n t e n t s of a b o t t l e of slivovitz on t h e kitchen table beside him m a r k i n g l i k e a b a r o m e t e r t h e p l u m m e t i n g a t m o s p h e r e o f h i s grief. " W e h a v e o u r s e l v e s a p u z z l e , U n c l e H e r t z , " says L a n d s m a n . " I s why we're here." " T h a t a n d t h e m a y o n n a i s e , " B e r k o says. "A p u z z l e . " T h e o l d m a n t u r n s f r o m t h e w i n d o w , h i s e y e s h a r d again and wary. " I h a t e puzzles." " W e ' r e n o t a s k i n g y o u t o s o l v e a n y , " B e r k o says. " D o n ' t take t h a t t o n e w i t h m e , John Bear," the old m a n snaps. " I d o n ' t c a r e for i t . " " T o n e ? " B e r k o says, h i s v o i c e s t a c k e d l i k e a m e a s u r e o f m u s i c a l score w i t h a half-dozen t o n e s , a c h a m b e r e n s e m b l e of insolence, r e s e n t m e n t , s a r c a s m , p r o v o c a t i o n , i n n o c e n c e , a n d s u r p r i s e . "Tone?" L a n d s m a n g i v e s B e r k o a l o o k t h a t is m e a n t t o r e m i n d

him

n o t o f h i s a g e a n d s t a t i o n i n life b u t o f t h e m a n i f e s t u n c o o l n e s s o f b i c k e r i n g w i t h o n e ' s r e l a t i v e s . I t ' s a n o l d a n d w e l l - w o r n facial e x p r e s s i o n d a t i n g f r o m t h e t i m e o f B e r k o ' s first strife-filled y e a r s

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

3D9

w i t h t h e L a n d s m a n s . I t n e v e r t a k e s l o n g e r t h a n a few m i n u t e s , w h e n e v e r t h e y g e t t o g e t h e r , for e v e r y o n e t o r e v e r t t o t h e s t a t e o f n a t u r e , like a p a r t y m a r o o n e d b y a s h i p w r e c k . T h a t ' s w h a t a family is. A l s o t h e s t o r m a t s e a , t h e s h i p , a n d t h e u n k n o w n s h o r e . A n d t h e h a t s a n d t h e w h i s k e y stills t h a t y o u m a k e o u t of b a m b o o a n d c o c o n u t s . A n d t h e fire t h a t y o u l i g h t t o k e e p a w a y t h e b e a s t s . "There's something we're trying to explain," Landsman begins a g a i n . "A s i t u a t i o n . A n d t h e r e a r e a s p e c t s o f t h e s i t u a t i o n

that

r e m i n d e d us of y o u . " Uncle H e r t z p o u r s a n o t h e r shot of slivovitz, carries it to t h e t a b l e , a n d s i t s d o w n . " S t a r t f r o m t h e s t a r t , " h e says. " T h e s t a r t is a d e a d j u n k i e i n m y h o t e l . " "Aha." "You've been following i t . " " I h e a r d s o m e t h i n g o n t h e r a d i o , " t h e o l d m a n says. " M a y b e I read a little s o m e t h i n g in t h e paper, t o o . " H e always b l a m e s t h e n e w s p a p e r s for t h e t h i n g s h e k n o w s . " H e w a s t h e s o n o f H e s k e l S h p i l m a n . T h e o n e t h e y h a d s u c h h i g h h o p e s for w h e n h e w a s a kid." " H e w a s m u r d e r e d , " L a n d s m a n says. " C o n t r a r y t o w h a t y o u m i g h t have read. A n d w h e n h e died, h e was in hiding. H e ' d b e e n in h i d i n g , f r o m o n e t h i n g a n d a n o t h e r , for m o s t o f h i s life, b u t w h e n he died, I think he was trying to duck some men he had run out on. I was able t o trace his m o v e m e n t s back t o t h e Yakovy a i r p o r t last April. H e showed u p there the day before N a o m i d i e d . " " T h i s has s o m e t h i n g to d o w i t h N a o m i ? " " T h e s e m e n w h o w e r e l o o k i n g for S h p i l m a n . A n d w h o , w e ' r e a s s u m i n g , k i l l e d h i m . L a s t A p r i l t h e y h i r e d N a o m i t o fly t h e g u y o u t to a farm t h e y r u n , s u p p o s e d t o b e s o m e k i n d of a t h e r a p y f a c i l i t y for t r o u b l e d k i d s . O u t i n P e r i l S t r a i t . B u t w h e n h e g o t t h e r e , he panicked. H e wanted out. H e came to N a o m i to help him, and s h e s n e a k e d h i m o u t o f t h e r e a n d flew h i m b a c k t o c i v i l i z a t i o n . T o Yakovy. S h e d i e d t h e n e x t d a y . "

MICHAEL

310

CHABDN

" P e r i l S t r a i t ? " t h e o l d m a n says. " T h e s e a r e N a t i v e s , t h e n ? Y o u ' r e s a y i n g Indians k i l l e d M e n d e l S h p i l m a n ? " "No,"

B e r k o says. " T h e s e m e n w i t h t h e y o u t h r e h a b . O n a g o o d

t h o u s a n d acres j u s t n o r t h of t h e village t h e r e . It seems t o have been b u i l t w i t h m o n e y from A m e r i c a n Jews. T h e people r u n n i n g it a r e y i d s . A n d as far as w e c a n t e l l , t h e p l a c e is a f r o n t for t h e i r r e a l operation." " W h i c h is w h a t ? G r o w i n g m a r i j u a n a ? " " W e l l , for o n e t h i n g , t h e y h a v e a h e r d o f A y r s h i r e d a i r y c o w s , " B e r k o says. " M a y b e a h u n d r e d h e a d o f t h e m . " " T h a t ' s for o n e t h i n g . " " F o r a n o t h e r , t h e y seem t o b e r u n n i n g s o m e k i n d of p a r a m i l i t a r y t r a i n i n g facility. T h e i r l e a d e r m i g h t b e a n o l d m a n , a Jew. W i l f r e d D i c k g o t a l o o k a t h i m , h e w a s t h e r e . B u t t h e face m e a n t n o t h i n g t o D i c k . W h o e v e r h e is, h e s e e m s t o h a v e ties t o t h e Verbovers, or at least to A r y e h Baronshteyn. But we d o n ' t k n o w w h y or what kind." " T h e r e w a s a n A m e r i c a n t h e r e , t o o , " L a n d s m a n says. " H e flew i n for a m e e t i n g w i t h B a r o n s h t e y n a n d t h e s e o t h e r

mysterious

J e w s . T h e y all s e e m e d a l i t t l e w o r r i e d a b o u t t h e A m e r i c a n . T h e y seemed to t h i n k he m i g h t n o t be h a p p y w i t h t h e m or how they were running things." T h e old m a n g e t s u p from t h e table a n d goes t o a h u t c h t h a t separates his e a t i n g from his sleep. F r o m a h u m i d o r he takes a cigar a n d rolls it b e t w e e n his p a l m s . H e rolls it a long t i m e , back and forth, u n t i l it seems t o d i s a p p e a r from his t h o u g h t s entirely. " I h a t e p u z z l e s , " h e says finally. " W e k n o w t h a t , " B e r k o says. "You know that." U n c l e H e r t z r u n s t h e cigar b a c k a n d forth u n d e r his nose, i n h a l i n g deeply, eyes closed, t a k i n g p l e a s u r e n o t o n l y in t h e smell, it s e e m s t o L a n d s m a n , b u t i n t h e c o o l n e s s o f t h e s m o o t h leaf a g a i n s t t h e flesh o f h i s n o s t r i l s .

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

211

" T h i s is m y first q u e s t i o n , " U n c l e H e r t z s a y s , o p e n i n g h i s e y e s . " M a y b e m y only one." T h e y w a i t for t h e q u e s t i o n w h i l e h e t r i m s t h e c i g a r , fits i t t o h i s narrow lips, works t h e m u p a n d d o w n . " W h a t c o l o r w e r e t h e c o w s ? " h e says.

• § 3 6

T

(F

h e r e w a s a r e d o n e , " B e r k o s a y s , slow, a b i t g r u d g i n g , l i k e h e missed it w h e n t h e coin got p a l m e d , even t h o u g h he was staring hard at the magician's hands.

"All r e d ? " t h e o l d m a n s a y s . " R e d f r o m h o r n t o t a i l ? " " S h e w a s d i s g u i s e d , " B e r k o says. " S p r a y e d w i t h s o m e k i n d o f

w h i t e p i g m e n t . I c a n ' t t h i n k of a n y reason y o u ' d w a n t to d o t h a t unless you had s o m e t h i n g a b o u t her t h a t you w a n t e d to hide. Such as t h a t s h e w a s , y o u k n o w . " H e w i n c e s . " W i t h o u t b l e m i s h . " " O h , for G o d ' s s a k e , " t h e o l d m a n says. " W h o are t h e s e p e o p l e , U n c l e H e r t z ? You know, d o n ' t y o u ? " " W h o a r e t h e s e p e o p l e ? " H e r t z S h e m e t s says. " T h e y ' r e y i d s . Yids w i t h a scheme. I k n o w that's a tautology." H e c a n ' t s e e m t o m a k e u p his m i n d t o l i g h t t h e cigar. H e sets it d o w n , picks it u p , sets it d o w n again. L a n d s m a n g e t s t h e feeling h e ' s w e i g h i n g a s e c r e t r o l l e d t i g h t i n i t s d a r k - v e i n e d leaf. A c o u r s e of action, a tricky exchange of pieces. "All r i g h t , " H e r t z says a t l a s t , " s o I l i e d : H e r e ' s a n o t h e r q u e s t i o n for y o u . M e y e r , m a y b e y o u r e m e m b e r a y i d , w h e n y o u w e r e a l i t t l e boy, h e u s e d t o c o m e a r o u n d t h e E i n s t e i n C h e s s C l u b . H e u s e d t o j o k e w i t h y o u , y o u h a d q u i t e a t h i n g for h i m . Y i d n a m e d L i t v a k . "

THE Y I D D I S H

POLICEMEN'S

UNION

" I s a w A l t e r L i t v a k t h e o t h e r d a y , " L a n d s m a n says. " A t

313

the

Einstein." "Did you?" " H e lost his voice." "Yes,

he w a s in an a c c i d e n t , his t h r o a t w a s c r u s h e d b y t h e w h e e l .

H i s wife w a s k i l l e d . I t w a s o u t o n R o o s e v e l t B o u l e v a r d , w h e r e t h e y p l a n t e d all t h o s e c h o k e c h e r r y t r e e s . T h e o n l y o n e t h a t d i d n ' t d i e , t h a t w a s t h e t r e e t h e y h i t . T h e o n l y c h o k e c h e r r y t r e e in t h e S i t k a District." " I r e m e m b e r w h e n t h e y p l a n t e d t h o s e t r e e s , " L a n d s m a n says. "For the World's Fair." " D o n ' t g e t w i s t f u l o n m e , " t h e o l d m a n says. " G o d k n o w s I ' v e h a d m y fill o f w i s t f u l J e w s , s t a r t i n g w i t h myself. Y o u n e v e r s e e a wistful I n d i a n . " "That's because they hide them when they hear you're coming a r o u n d , " B e r k o says. " T h e w o m e n a n d w i s t f u l I n d i a n s . S h u t u p a n d tell us a b o u t L i t v a k . " " H e u s e d t o w o r k for m e , " H e r t z says. " F o r m a n y , m a n y y e a r s . " H i s t o n e g o e s flat, a n d L a n d s m a n is s u r p r i s e d t o s e e t h a t h i s u n c l e is a n g r y . L i k e all S h e m e t s e s , H e r t z w a s h a n d e d d o w n a h o t t e m p e r , b u t i t s e r v e d h i m ill i n h i s w o r k , so a t s o m e p o i n t h e h a d it killed. " A l t e r L i t v a k w a s a f e d e r a l a g e n t ? " L a n d s m a n says. "No.

H e w a s n o t . T h e m a n h a s n o t d r a w n a n official g o v e r n m e n t

salary, as far as I k n o w , s i n c e h e w a s h o n o r a b l y d i s c h a r g e d f r o m t h e U.S.

A r m y thirty-five years ago." " W h y a r e y o u so a n g r y a t h i m ? " B e r k o s a y s , w a t c h i n g h i s f a t h e r

t h r o u g h t h e l a n t e r n slits of his eyes. H e r t z is s t a r t l e d b y t h e q u e s t i o n , t r i e s t o h i d e i t . " I n e v e r g e t a n g r y , " h e says. " E x c e p t w i t h y o u , s o n . " H e s m i l e s . " S o h e s t i l l goes to t h e E i n s t e i n . I d i d n ' t k n o w t h a t . H e w a s always m o r e of a c a r d p l a y e r t h a n a patzer. H e d i d b e t t e r in g a m e s t h a t favor t h e bluff. D e c e i t . C o n c e a l m e n t . "

314

MICHAEL

CHABON

L a n d s m a n r e m e m b e r s t h e pair of tough-looking y o u n g m e n w h o m L i t v a k i n t r o d u c e d as h i s g r a n d n e p h e w s . T h e r e w a s o n e o f t h e m in t h e w o o d s at Peril S t r a i t , he realizes, d r i v i n g t h e F o r d C a u d i l l o w i t h t h e s h a d o w in t h e backseat. T h e s h a d o w of a m a n w h o d i d n ' t w a n t L a n d s m a n t o g e t a l o o k a t h i s face. " H e was t h e r e , " L a n d s m a n tells Berko. "At Peril Strait. H e was t h e m y s t e r y m a n in t h e car." " W h a t d i d L i t v a k d o for y o u ? " B e r k o says. " F o r all t h o s e m a n y , many years?" H e r t z h e s i t a t e s , looking from Berko t o L a n d s m a n and back. " S o m e o f t h i s , s o m e o f t h a t . A l l s t r i c t l y off t h e b o o k s . H e h a d a n u m b e r of useful skills. A l t e r L i t v a k m a y b e t h e m o s t t a l e n t e d m a n I e v e r m e t . H e u n d e r s t a n d s s y s t e m s a n d c o n t r o l . H e is p a t i e n t and methodical. H e used to be incredibly strong. A good pilot, a t r a i n e d m e c h a n i c . W o n d e r f u l a t o r i e n t e e r i n g . V e r y e f f e c t i v e as a teacher. As a trainer. Shit." H e s t a r e s d o w n in m i l d w o n d e r at t h e s n a p p e d halves of his cigar, o n e in each h a n d . H e d r o p s t h e m o n t o his p l a t e of sauce s t r e a k s a n d s p r e a d s a n a p k i n over t h e e v i d e n c e of his e m o t i o n . " T h e y i d b e t r a y e d m e , " h e says. " T o t h a t r e p o r t e r . H e c o l l e c t e d e v i d e n c e o n m e for y e a r s a n d t h e n h a n d e d i t all o v e r t o B r e n n a n . " " W h y w o u l d h e d o t h a t ? " B e r k o says. " I f h e w a s y o u r y i d ? " " I really c a n ' t a n s w e r y o u r q u e s t i o n . " H e r t z shakes his head, h a t i n g p u z z l e s , f a c e d for t h e r e s t o f h i s life w i t h t h i s o n e . " M o n e y , m a y b e , t h o u g h I n e v e r k n e w h i m t o t a k e a n i n t e r e s t i n t h e stuff. C e r t a i n l y n o t his beliefs. L i t v a k has n o beliefs. N o c o n v i c t i o n s . N o loyalty except to t h e m e n w h o serve u n d e r h i m . H e saw h o w things w e r e g o i n g w h e n t h i s b u n c h t o o k over in W a s h i n g t o n . H e k n e w t h a t I w a s t h r o u g h b e f o r e I k n e w i t myself. I s u p p o s e h e d e c i d e d t h e m o m e n t w a s r i p e . M a y b e h e g o t t i r e d o f w o r k i n g for m e , h e w a n t e d t h e j o b for h i m s e l f . E v e n a f t e r t h e A m e r i c a n s g o t r i d o f m e a n d s h u t d o w n t h e i r official o p e r a t i o n s , t h e y s t i l l n e e d e d a m a n i n S i t k a . T h e y r e a l l y c o u l d n ' t find a n y o n e b e t t e r for t h e i r m o n e y t h a n A l t e r L i t v a k . M a y b e h e j u s t g o t t i r e d of losing t o m e at chess.

THE Y I D D I S H

POLICEMEN'S

UNION

315

M a y b e he saw a chance t o b e a t m e , a n d h e t o o k it. B u t h e was never m y yid. Permanent Status never m e a n t anything to him. Neither, I ' m c e r t a i n , d o e s t h e c a u s e h e ' s w o r k i n g for n o w . " " T h e r e d h e i f e r , " B e r k o says. " A n d so t h e i d e a , f o r g i v e m e , " L a n d s m a n s a y s , " b u t t a l k m e t h r o u g h i t . F i n e , y o u h a v e a r e d h e i f e r w i t h o u t a s i n g l e flaw. A n d s o m e h o w or o t h e r , y o u g e t it over t o J e r u s a l e m . " " T h e n y o u kill i t , " B e r k o says. " A n d y o u b u r n i t t o a s h e s , a n d you m a k e a p a s t e of t h e ashes, a n d you d a b a little of t h a t on y o u r priests. O t h e r w i s e t h e y c a n ' t go i n t o t h e Sanctuary, in t h e T e m p l e , because t h e y are u n c l e a n . " H e checks w i t h his father. " D o I have that right?" " M o r e or less." "Okay, b u t here's t h e t h i n g I d o n ' t get. Isn't t h e r e — w h a t ' s it c a l l e d ? " L a n d s m a n says. " T h a t m o s q u e . O n t h e h i l l t h e r e w h e r e t h e Temple used to be?" " I t i s n ' t a m o s q u e , M e y e r l e . I t ' s a s h r i n e , " H e r t z says. " Q u b b a t As-Sakhrah. T h e D o m e of t h e R o c k . T h e t h i r d holiest site in Islam. B u i l t in t h e s e v e n t h c e n t u r y b y A b d a l - M a l i k , o n t h e p r e c i s e s i t e of t h e t w o T e m p l e s of t h e Jews. T h e s p o t w h e r e A b r a h a m w e n t t o sacrifice I s a a c , w h e r e J a c o b s a w t h e l a d d e r r e a c h i n g u p t o h e a v e n . T h e n a v e l o f t h e w o r l d . Yes. If y o u w a n t e d t o r e b u i l d t h e T e m p l e a n d r e i n s t i t u t e t h e o l d r i t u a l s , as a w a y o f h a s t e n i n g t h e c o m i n g o f Messiah, t h e n you w o u l d need to do s o m e t h i n g a b o u t t h e D o m e of t h e R o c k . It's in t h e way." "Bombs,"

Berko

says

with

an

exaggerated

nonchalance.

"Explosives. T h a t p a r t of t h e p a c k a g e w i t h A l t e r L i t v a k ? " " D e m o l i t i o n s , " t h e o l d m a n says. H e r e a c h e s for h i s d r i n k , b u t i t ' s g o n e . " Y e s , t h e y i d is a n e x p e r t . " L a n d s m a n p u s h e s b a c k from t h e table a n d s t a n d s up. H e g e t s his h a t f r o m t h e d o o r . " W e n e e d t o g e t b a c k , " h e says. " W e n e e d t o t a l k to somebody. W e n e e d to tell B i n a . " H e o p e n s h i s p h o n e , b u t t h e r e ' s n o s i g n a l t h i s far o u t f r o m S i t k a . H e goes to t h e t e l e p h o n e on t h e wall, b u t Bina's n u m b e r kicks h i m

31B

MICHAEL CHABDN

r i g h t o v e r t o v o i c e m a i l . " Y o u n e e d t o find A l t e r L i t v a k , " h e t e l l s her. " F i n d h i m a n d h o l d h i m a n d d o n o t let h i m g o . " W h e n h e t u r n s b a c k t o t h e t a b l e , h e sees father a n d son still s i t t i n g t h e r e ; B e r k o is p u t t i n g s o m e i n t e n s e q u e s t i o n t o H e r t z S h e m e t s w i t h o u t s a y i n g a n y t h i n g . Berko has his h a n d s folded in h i s l a p l i k e a w e l l - b e h a v e d c h i l d , b u t h e is n o t a w e l l - b e h a v e d c h i l d , a n d if h e k e e p s h i s fingers i n t e r t w i n e d , t h e n i t is o n l y t o p r e v e n t t h e m from e n a c t i n g s o m e mischief or h a r m . After an interval t h a t feels t o L a n d s m a n l i k e a v e r y l o n g t i m e , U n c l e H e r t z l o o k s d o w n . " T h e p r a y e r h o u s e a t S t . C y r i l , " B e r k o says. " T h e r i o t s . " " T h e St. Cyril r i o t s , " H e r t z S h e m e t s agrees. "God damn it." "Berko—" " G o d d a m n i t ! I n d i a n s a l w a y s said i t w a s t h e J e w s t h a t b l e w it u p . " "You have to u n d e r s t a n d the pressure we were under," H e r t z says. " A t t h e t i m e . " " O h , I d o , " B e r k o says. " B e l i e v e m e . T h e b a l a n c i n g a c t . T h e fine l i n e . " " T h o s e Jews, those fanatics, t h e people m o v i n g into t h e disputed areas. T h e y w e r e e n d a n g e r i n g t h e s t a t u s of t h e e n t i r e D i s t r i c t . C o n f i r m i n g t h e A m e r i c a n s ' w o r s t fears a b o u t w h a t w e w o u l d d o if t h e y gave us P e r m a n e n t S t a t u s . " " U h - h u h , " B e r k o says. " Y e a h . O k a y . A n d w h a t a b o u t M o m ? W a s she endangering the District, too?" U n c l e H e r t z speaks t h e n , o r r a t h e r t h e w i n d e m e r g e s from his l u n g s t h r o u g h t h e g a t e s of his t e e t h in a w a y t h a t r e s e m b l e s h u m a n speech. H e looks d o w n at his lap and makes t h e s o u n d again, and L a n d s m a n realizes t h a t he's saying he's sorry. S p e a k i n g a language in w h i c h h e has never b e e n schooled. " Y o u k n o w , I t h i n k I m u s t h a v e a l w a y s k n o w n , " B e r k o says, g e t t i n g u p from t h e table. H e takes his h a t a n d coat from t h e h o o k . " B e c a u s e I n e v e r l i k e d y o u . N o t f r o m t h e first m i n u t e , y o u b a s t a r d . C o m e on, Meyer."

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

317

L a n d s m a n follows his p a r t n e r o u t . G o i n g t h r o u g h t h e door, h e h a s t o g e t o u t o f t h e w a y so t h a t B e r k o c a n g o b a c k i n . B e r k o t o s s e s aside his h a t a n d c o a t . H e h i t s h i m s e l f in t h e h e a d t w i c e , w i t h b o t h h a n d s at once. T h e n h e c r u s h e s an invisible s p h e r e , r o u g h l y t h e size of his father's c r a n i u m , b e t w e e n his o u t s p r e a d fingers. " I t r i e d m y w h o l e l i f e , " h e says finally. " I m e a n , f u c k , l o o k a t me!"

H e snatches t h e skullcap from t h e b a c k of his h e a d a n d holds

i t u p , c o n t e m p l a t i n g i t w i t h a s u d d e n h o r r o r as if i t ' s t h e flesh o f h i s s c a l p . H e flicks i t t o w a r d t h e o l d m a n . I t h i t s H e r t z o n t h e n o s e a n d falls o n t o t h e p i l e w i t h t h e n a p k i n , t h e b r o k e n c i g a r , t h e m o o s e gravy. " L o o k at t h i s s h i t ! " H e g r a b s t h e front of his s h i r t a n d y a n k s it o p e n in a s k i t t e r of b u t t o n s . H e e x p o s e s t h e h o m e l y w h i t e p a n e l o f h i s f r i n g e d f o u r - c o r n e r s , l i k e t h e w o r l d ' s flimsiest flak j a c k e t , h i s holy w h i t e Kevlar, t r i m m e d w i t h a s t r i p e of s e a - c r e a t u r e blue. " I h a t e this fucking t h i n g . " T h e four-corners comes u p over his head, a n d h e s h r u g s a n d w h i p s i t off, w h i c h l e a v e s h i m i n a w h i t e c o t t o n tee.

" E v e r y d a m n d a y o f m y life, I g e t u p i n t h e m o r n i n g a n d p u t

t h i s s h i t o n a n d p r e t e n d t o b e s o m e t h i n g I ' m n o t . S o m e t h i n g I'll n e v e r b e . F o r you." " I never asked y o u t o o b s e r v e t h e r e l i g i o n , " t h e old m a n says, not looking up. "I don't think I ever p u t any kind " I t h a s n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h religion" to do, G o d d a m n it, w i t h

of—"

B e r k o says. " I t h a s e v e r y t h i n g

fathers."

It comes t h r o u g h t h e m o t h e r , of course, one's b e i n g or n o t b e i n g a Jew. B u t B e r k o k n o w s t h a t . H e ' s k n o w n i t s i n c e t h e d a y h e m o v e d t o Sitka. H e sees it e v e r y t i m e h e looks i n t o a m i r r o r . " I t ' s all n o n s e n s e , " t h e o l d m a n g o e s o n , a l i t t l e m u m b l y , h a l f t o himself. "A s l a v e r e l i g i o n . T y i n g y o u r s e l f u p . B o n d a g e g e a r ! I ' v e n e v e r w o r n t h a t n o n s e n s e in m y life." "No?"

B e r k o says.

I t c a t c h e s L a n d s m a n off g u a r d , h o w q u i c k a n d h o w m a s s i v e is t h e transfer of Berko S h e m e t s from t h e d o o r w a y of t h e cabin t o t h e d i n i n g t a b l e . B e f o r e L a n d s m a n c a n q u i t e u n d e r s t a n d w h a t is happening, Berko has jerked t h e ritual u n d e r g a r m e n t d o w n over

318

MICHAEL

CHABON

t h e o l d m a n ' s h e a d . H e c r a d l e s t h e h e a d in o n e a r m w h i l e , w i t h t h e o t h e r , h e w i n d s t h e k n o t t e d fringes a r o u n d a n d a r o u n d , defining in fine s t r a n d s o f w o o l t h e c o n t o u r s o f t h e o l d m a n ' s face. I t ' s as if h e ' s p a c k i n g a s t a t u e for s h i p m e n t . T h e o l d m a n k i c k s , r a k e s a t t h e a i r w i t h his

fingernails.

" Y o u n e v e r w o r e o n e , e h ? " B e r k o says. " Y o u n e v e r f u c k i n g w o r e one!

T r y mine! T r y mine, you prick!" " S t o p . " L a n d s m a n goes t o t h e r e s c u e of t h e m a n w h o s e a d d i c t i o n

t o t a c t i c s of sacrifice led, m a y b e n o t p r e d i c t a b l y b u t directly, t o t h e d e a t h o f L a u r i e J o Bear. " B e r k o , c o m e o n . S t o p n o w . " H e t a k e s h o l d of Berko's e l b o w a n d drags h i m aside, a n d w h e n he's got himself b e t w e e n t h e t w o , h e s t a r t s s h o v i n g t h e b i g m a n t o w a r d t h e door. " O k a y . " Berko t h r o w s u p his hands and lets L a n d s m a n push h i m a c o u p l e o f f e e t i n t h a t d i r e c t i o n . " O k a y , I ' m d o n e . G e t off m e , Meyer." L a n d s m a n eases u p , l e t t i n g go of his p a r t n e r . Berko t u c k s his tee i n t o h i s t r o u s e r s a n d s t a r t s t o b u t t o n h i s s h i r t , b u t all t h e b u t t o n s h a v e flown away. H e l e a v e s i t , s m o o t h s d o w n t h e b l a c k b a d g e r o f h i s h a i r w i t h a w i d e p a l m , s t o o p s t o r e t r i e v e h i s h a t a n d c o a t from t h e floor, a n d w a l k s o u t . N i g h t c o m e s c u r l i n g w i t h t h e fog i n t o t h e house on its stilts above t h e water. L a n d s m a n t u r n s b a c k t o t h e o l d m a n , w h o is s i t t i n g t h e r e w i t h his h e a d s h r o u d e d in t h e four-corners, like a h o s t a g e w h o c a n n o t b e p e r m i t t e d t o s e e t h e faces o f h i s c a p t o r s . " Y o u w a n t s o m e h e l p , U n c l e H e r t z ? " L a n d s m a n says. "I'm

fine,"

t h e o l d m a n says, his voice faint, muffled b y t h e

cloth. " T h a n k you." " Y o u j u s t w a n t t o sit t h e r e like t h a t ? " T h e old m a n d o e s n ' t reply. L a n d s m a n p u t s o n his h a t a n d walks out. T h e y are j u s t g e t t i n g i n t o t h e car w h e n t h e y hear t h e g u n s h o t , a b o o m t h a t in t h e d a r k n e s s m a p s t h e m o u n t a i n s , lights t h e m u p w i t h r e f l e c t e d e c h o e s , t h e n f a d e s away.

THE Y I D D I S H

POLICEMEN'S

UNION

319

" F u c k , " B e r k o says. H e is b a c k i n s i d e t h e h o u s e b e f o r e L a n d s m a n has even reached t h e stairs. By t h e t i m e L a n d s m a n r u n s in, Berko has c r o u c h e d d o w n beside his father, w h o has a s s u m e d a s t r a n g e a t t i t u d e o n t h e floor b e s i d e h i s b e d , a h u r d l e r ' s s t r i d e , o n e l e g d r a w n t o h i s c h e s t a n d t h e o t h e r flung o u t b e h i n d h i m . I n h i s r i g h t h a n d , he keeps a loose g r i p on a black s n u b - n o s e d revolver; in his left h a n d , t h e r i t u a l f r i n g e . B e r k o s t r a i g h t e n s h i s f a t h e r o u t , r o l l s h i m o v e r o n t o h i s b a c k , a n d feels for a p u l s e a t t h e t h r o a t . T h e r e is a slick r e d p a t c h on t h e r i g h t side of t h e old m a n ' s f o r e h e a d , j u s t above t h e c o r n e r of his eye. Scorched hair m a t t e d w i t h blood. A p o o r s h o t , from t h e look of it. " O h , s h i t , " B e r k o says. " O h , s h i t , o l d m a n . Y o u f u c k e d i t u p . " " H e fucked it u p , " L a n d s m a n agrees. " O l d m a n ! " Berko shouts, and t h e n he lowers his voice to a g u t t u r a l r a s p a n d c r o o n s s o m e t h i n g , a w o r d or t w o , in t h e l a n g u a g e t h a t h e left b e h i n d . T h e y stop t h e bleeding a n d pack t h e w o u n d . L a n d s m a n looks a r o u n d for t h e b u l l e t a n d finds t h e w o r m h o l e t h a t i t c h e w e d t h r o u g h the plywood wall. " W h e r e ' d he get t h i s ? " L a n d s m a n says, p i c k i n g u p t h e g u n . It's a h o m e l y t h i n g , w o r n at t h e e d g e s , an o l d m a c h i n e . " T h e .38 Detective Special?" " I d o n ' t know. H e has a lot of g u n s . H e likes g u n s . T h a t ' s t h e one t h i n g w e h a d in c o m m o n . " " I t h i n k it m i g h t b e t h e g u n t h a t M e l e k h G a y s t i k u s e d in t h e Café E i n s t e i n . " " T h a t w o u l d n ' t s u r p r i s e m e a t a l l , " B e r k o says. H e s h o u l d e r s t h e b u r d e n of his father, a n d t h e y c a r r y h i m d o w n t o t h e car a n d lay h i m i n t h e b a c k s e a t o n a p i l e o f t o w e l s . L a n d s m a n s w i t c h e s o n t h e u n d e r c o v e r s i r e n t h a t h e h a s u s e d m a y b e t w i c e i n five y e a r s . T h e n they drive back u p over t h e m o u n t a i n . T h e r e is a n u r g e n t - c a r e c e n t e r a t N a y e s h t a t , b u t m a n y h a v e d i e d t h e r e so t h e y d e c i d e t o t a k e h i m all t h e w a y i n t o

Sitka

32D

MICHAEL

CHABDN

G e n e r a l . A l o n g t h e w a y , B e r k o c a l l s h i s wife. H e e x p l a i n s t o h e r , n o t v e r y coherently, t h a t his father a n d a m a n n a m e d Alter Litvak w e r e i n d i r e c t l y r e s p o n s i b l e for h i s m o t h e r ' s d e a t h d u r i n g t h e w o r s t I n d i a n - J e w v i o l e n c e in t h e s i x t y - y e a r h i s t o r y of t h e D i s t r i c t , and t h a t his f a t h e r has s h o t h i m s e l f in t h e h e a d . H e tells h e r t h a t t h e y are going to d u m p the old man at the Sitka General ER, because h e is a p o l i c e m a n , G o d d a m n i t , a n d h e h a s a j o b t o d o , a n d b e c a u s e t h e o l d m a n c a n g o a n d d i e for all h e c a r e s . E s t e r - M a l k e a p p e a r s t o a c c e p t t h i s p r o j e c t as s t a t e d , a n d B e r k o h a n g s u p t h e p h o n e . T h e y d i s a p p e a r i n t o a z o n e w i t h o u t c e l l u l a r t e l e p h o n e c o v e r a g e for t e n o r fifteen m i n u t e s , a n d w h e n t h e y e m e r g e f r o m i t , h a v i n g s a i d n o t h i n g , t h e y a r e n e a r l y t o t h e c i t y l i m i t s a n d t h e S h o y f e r is r i n g i n g . "No,"

Berko says, a n d t h e n , m o r e angrily, " N o . " H e listens

t o h i s w i f e ' s r e a s o n i n g for a l i t t l e u n d e r a m i n u t e . L a n d s m a n h a s n o i d e a w h a t s h e ' s s a y i n g t o h i m , w h e t h e r s h e ' s p r e a c h i n g from t h e t e x t of professional c o n d u c t , or of c o m m o n decency, or of forgiveness, or of t h e d u t y of a son t o a father t h a t t r a n s c e n d s or p r e c e d e s t h e m all. I n t h e e n d Berko s h a k e s his h e a d . H e looks over t h e b a c k s e a t a t t h e o l d J e w s t r e t c h e d o u t t h e r e . "All r i g h t . " H e closes t h e t e l e p h o n e . " Y o u c a n d r o p m e off a t t h e h o s p i t a l , " h e s a y s ,

sounding

d e f e a t e d . " J u s t c a l l m e w h e n y o u find t h a t f u c k i n g L i t v a k . "

n e e d t o s p e a k t o K a t h e r i n e S w e e n e y , " B i n a says i n t o t h e t e l e p h o n e . S w e e n e y , t h e a s s i s t a n t U n i t e d S t a t e s A t t o r n e y , is e a r n e s t

and

c o m p e t e n t a n d m a y v e r y well listen t o w h a t Bina has called her t o say. L a n d s m a n r e a c h e s o v e r , d a r t s h i s h a n d a c r o s s h e r d e s k , a n d cuts the connection with a

fingertip.

Bina stares at h i m w i t h great

slow w i n g b e a t s of her eyelids. H e has t a k e n her b y surprise. A r a r e feat. "They

are behind

this," Landsman

says, his

finger

on

the

button. " K a t h y S w e e n e y is b e h i n d t h i s , " s h e s a y s , k e e p i n g t h e r e c e i v e r t o h e r ear. "Well, no. I d o u b t t h a t . " " T h e S i t k a U S . A t t o r n e y ' s office is b e h i n d i t ? " "Maybe. No, probably not." "But you're saying the Justice D e p a r t m e n t . " "Yes. I d o n ' t know. Bina, I ' m sorry. I j u s t d o n ' t k n o w h o w h i g h u p it goes." T h e s u r p r i s e h a s f a d e d ; h e r g a z e is s t e a d y a n d

unblinking.

"Okay. N o w , y o u listen t o m e . F i r s t of all, t a k e y o u r h a i r y d a m n e d finger

off o f m y t e l e p h o n e . "

322

MICHAEL

CHABDN

L a n d s m a n w i t h d r a w s t h e offending digit before t h e laser b e a m s from her eyes can sever it cleanly at t h e knuckle. "Don't you touch my telephone, Meyer." "Never again." " I f t h e s t o r y y o u h a v e b e e n t e l l i n g m e is t r u e , " B i n a says, a teacher addressing a roomful

of imbecile five-year-olds,

"then

I n e e d t o tell K a t h y Sweeney. I p r o b a b l y n e e d t o tell t h e State D e p a r t m e n t . I m a y even n e e d t o get h o l d of t h e D e p a r t m e n t of Defense." "But—" " B e c a u s e I d o n ' t k n o w if y o u a r e a w a r e o f t h i s , b u t the Holy Land is not part of this

precinct."

" G r a n t e d , of course. B u t listen. S o m e o n e w i t h w e i g h t , serious w e i g h t , g o t i n t o t h e F A A d a t a b a s e a n d v a n i s h e d t h a t file. T h e s a m e kind of weight promised t h e T l i n g i t Council they could have the D i s t r i c t b a c k if t h e y l e t L i t v a k r u n h i s p r o g r a m o u t o f P e r i l S t r a i t for a l i t t l e w h i l e . " "Dick told you that?" " H e s u g g e s t e d i t s t r o n g l y . A n d w i t h all d u e r e s p e c t t o t h e L e d e r e r s from Boca R a t o n , I a m sure t h a t same w e i g h t has been w r i t i n g c h e c k s for t h e c l a n d e s t i n e s i d e o f t h e o p e r a t i o n .

The

t r a i n i n g facility. W e a p o n s a n d s u p p o r t . T h e c a t t l e b r e e d i n g . T h e y are behind this." " T h e U.S. G o v e r n m e n t . " " T h i s is w h a t I ' m s a y i n g . " "Because t h e y t h i n k t h e idea of a b u n c h of crazy yids r u n n i n g a r o u n d A r a b Palestine, b l o w i n g u p shrines a n d following Messiahs a n d s t a r t i n g W o r l d W a r T h r e e is a r e a l l y g o o d i d e a . " " T h e y ' r e j u s t as c r a z y , B i n a . Y o u k n o w t h e y a r e . M a y b e t h e y ' r e hoping for W o r l d W a r T h r e e . M a y b e t h e y w a n t t o c r a n k u p a n e w C r u s a d e . M a y b e t h e y t h i n k if t h e y d o t h i s t h i n g , i t w i l l m a k e J e s u s c o m e back. O r m a y b e it has n o t h i n g to d o w i t h any of t h a t , and i t ' s all r e a l l y a b o u t o i l , y o u k n o w , s e c u r i n g t h e i r s u p p l y o f t h e s t u f f o n c e a n d for a l l . I d o n ' t k n o w . "

THE Y I D D I S H

POLICEMEN'S

323

UNIDN

" G o v e r n m e n t conspiracies, Meyer." "I k n o w h o w it s o u n d s . " "Talking chickens, Meyer." "I'm sorry." "You promised." "I know." She picks u p t h e t e l e p h o n e a n d dials t h e A U S A . "Bina. Please. H a n g u p t h e p h o n e . " " I have been in a lot of d a r k c o r n e r s w i t h y o u , M e y e r L a n d s m a n , " s h e says. " I ' m n o t g o i n g t o g o t o t h i s o n e . " L a n d s m a n g u e s s e s h e c a n ' t b l a m e h e r for t h a t . W h e n s h e g e t s S w e e n e y o n t h e l i n e , B i n a fills h e r i n o n

the

r u d i m e n t s of L a n d s m a n ' s tale: T h e Verbovers a n d a g r o u p

of

messianic Jews have banded together and are planning to attack an i m p o r t a n t

Muslim

s h r i n e in Palestine. She leaves o u t

the

s u p e r n a t u r a l a n d c o m p l e t e l y speculative e l e m e n t s . She leaves o u t t h e deaths of N a o m i L a n d s m a n a n d M e n d e l S h p i l m a n . She m a n a g e s to m a k e it s o u n d j u s t far-fetched e n o u g h t o be credible. " I ' m g o i n g t o s e e if w e c a n m a y b e t r a c k t h i s L i t v a k d o w n , " s h e tells Sweeney. " O k a y , Kathy. T h a n k s . I k n o w it does. I h o p e it i s . " She hangs u p t h e p h o n e . She picks u p t h e s o u v e n i r globe on t h e desk, w i t h its m i n i a t u r e skyline of Sitka, gives it a shake, a n d watches t h e s n o w c o m e d o w n . She has m o v e d e v e r y t h i n g else o u t of t h e office, t h e b r i c - a - b r a c , t h e p h o t o g r a p h s . J u s t t h e s n o w g l o b e a n d h e r s h e e p s k i n s i n f r a m e s o n t h e w a l l . A r u b b e r t r e e a n d a ficus a n d a w h i t e - s p o t t e d p i n k o r c h i d i n a g r e e n g l a s s p o t . I t ' s all s t i l l as p r e t t y as t h e u n d e r s i d e o f a b u s . B i n a s i t s i n t h e m i d d l e o f i t i n a n o t h e r g r i m p a n t s u i t , her hair piled u p a n d h e l d in place b y m e t a l clasps, r u b b e r b a n d s , a n d o t h e r useful i t e m s from h e r d e s k drawer. " S h e d i d n ' t l a u g h , " L a n d s m a n says. " D i d s h e ? " " S h e ' s n o t t h e t y p e , " B i n a says. " B u t n o . S h e w a n t s

more

information. For w h a t it's w o r t h , I g o t t h e feeling this w a s n ' t t h e first

she'd h e a r d a b o u t A l t e r L i t v a k . She said she'd like t o m a y b e

b r i n g h i m i n if w e c a n find h i m . "

324

MICHAEL

CHABON

" B u c h b i n d e r , " L a n d s m a n says. " D r . R u d o l f B u c h b i n d e r . You r e m e m b e r , he was going o u t of t h e Polar-Shtern t h e o t h e r night when you were coming in." " T h a t d e n t i s t from d o w n on Ibn Ezra S t r e e t ? " " H e t o l d m e h e w a s r e l o c a t i n g t o J e r u s a l e m , " L a n d s m a n says. " I thought he was talking nonsense." " T h e S o m e t h i n g I n s t i t u t e , " she remembers. " W i t h an M . " "Miryam." "Moriah." S h e g e t s o n h e r c o m p u t e r a n d f i n d s a l i s t i n g for t h e M o r i a h I n s t i t u t e in t h e u n l i s t e d - n u m b e r directory, at 822 M a x Street, seventh

Nordau

floor.

" E i g h t - t w e n t y - t w o , " L a n d s m a n says. " H u h . " " I s n ' t t h a t y o u r block?" Bina dials t h e t e l e p h o n e n u m b e r she found. " R i g h t across t h e s t r e e t , " L a n d s m a n says, feeling

sheepish.

" T h e Blackpool H o t e l . " " M a c h i n e , " s h e says. S h e k i l l s t h e call w i t h a f i n g e r t i p

and

p u n c h e s i n a f o u r - d i g i t . " T h i s is G e l b f i s h . " S h e a r r a n g e s for p a t r o l m e n a n d p l a i n c l o t h e s officers t o s t a k e o u t t h e d o o r s a n d e n t r y w a y s of t h e H o t e l Blackpool. She r e t u r n s t h e p h o n e to its cradle a n d t h e n sits there, looking at it. " O k a y , " L a n d s m a n says. " L e t ' s g o . " But Bina doesn't move. " Y o u k n o w , i t w a s n i c e n o t h a v i n g t o l i v e w i t h all y o u r b u l l s h i t . N o t having to put up with twenty-four-hour Landsmania." " I e n v y y o u t h a t , " L a n d s m a n says. " H e r t z , Berko, y o u r m o t h e r , y o u r father. All of y o u . " She a d d s in A m e r i c a n , " B u n c h of fucking n u t j o b s . " "I know." " N a o m i w a s t h e o n l y s a n e p e r s o n in t h e family." " S h e u s e d t o s a y t h e s a m e t h i n g a b o u t y o u , " L a n d s m a n says. " O n l y s h e u s e d t o say, ' i n t h e w o r l d . ' "

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

325

T w o quick raps on t h e door. L a n d s m a n gets u p , t h i n k i n g it's going to be Berko. "Hi,

t h e r e , " says t h e m a n a t t h e d o o r i n A m e r i c a n . " I d o n ' t

t h i n k I've h a d t h e p l e a s u r e . " " W h o a r e y o u ? " L a n d s m a n says. " M e is y o u r b u r i a l s o c i e t i e s , " t h e m a n says i n w r e t c h e d

but

energetic Yiddish. " M r . S p a d e is h e r e t o o v e r s e e t h e t r a n s i t i o n , " B i n a says. " I t h i n k I mentioned that he might be coming, Detective L a n d s m a n . " "I think you did." " D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n , " S p a d e says, l a p s i n g mercifully

into

American. " T h e notorious." He's n o t t h e potbellied golf t y p e L a n d s m a n imagined.

He's

too young, plain-faced, big a r o u n d t h e chest a n d shoulders. H e ' s wearing a gray worsted suit b u t t o n e d over a w h i t e shirt w i t h a n e c k t i e t h e s t i p p l e d b l u e o f v i d e o s t a t i c . H i s n e c k is a m a s s o f r a z o r b u m p s and missed whiskers. T h e p r o t r u s i o n of his A d a m ' s apple suggests u n f a t h o m a b l e d e p t h s of e a r n e s t n e s s a n d sincerity. In his lapel h e w e a r s a p i n in t h e s h a p e of a stylized

fish.

" H o w a b o u t y o u a n d I s i t d o w n w i t h y o u r c o m m a n d i n g officer for a m o m e n t ? " "All r i g h t , " L a n d s m a n says. " B u t I p r e f e r t o s t a n d . " " S u i t yourself. H o w a b o u t w e g e t o u t of t h e d o o r w a y , t h o u g h . " Landsman steps aside, waving him into the room. Spade shuts t h e door. " D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n . I have reason t o b e l i e v e , " S p a d e says, " t h a t you have been c o n d u c t i n g an u n a u t h o r i z e d a n d , given t h e fact t h a t y o u a r e c u r r e n t l y u n d e r s u s p e n s i o n — " " W i t h p a y , " L a n d s m a n says. " — i l l e g a l investigation i n t o a case t h a t has been d e s i g n a t e d inactive. W i t h h e l p from

Detective Berko

officially Shemets,

also u n a u t h o r i z e d . A n d , t a k i n g a w i l d guess, well, I w o u l d n ' t b e s u r p r i s e d if y o u t u r n e d o u t t o h a v e b e e n h e l p i n g h i m , t o o , I n s p e c t o r Gelbfish."

32G

MICHAEL

CHABON

" S h e has b e e n n o t h i n g b u t a p a i n in t h e ass, a c t u a l l y , " L a n d s m a n says. " T o b e h o n e s t . N o h e l p at a l l . " " I j u s t c a l l e d t h e A U S A ' s o f f i c e , " B i n a says. " D i d you really?" " T h e y m a y be taking this one over." "For real?" "It's o u t of m y jurisdiction. T h e r e ' s b e e n — t h e r e m a y have b e e n — a t h r e a t . A g a i n s t a foreign t a r g e t . By D i s t r i c t r e s i d e n t s . " " H u h - u h ! " S p a d e l o o k s a t o n c e s c a n d a l i z e d a n d p l e a s e d . "A threat? G e t o u t of t o w n ! " A c o l d d e n s e f l u i d fills B i n a ' s g a z e , s o m e w h e r e b e t w e e n m e r c u r y a n d s l u d g e . " I ' m t r y i n g t o find a m a n n a m e d A l t e r L i t v a k , " s h e says, a g r e a t w e a r i n e s s d r a g g i n g at t h e c o r n e r s of her voice. " H e m a y or m a y n o t b e involved w i t h t h i s t h r e a t . In any case, I'd like t o see w h a t h e k n o w s a b o u t t h e m u r d e r of M e n d e l S h p i l m a n . " " U h - h u h , " S p a d e says a m i a b l y , a l i t t l e d i s t r a c t e d , m a y b e , l i k e s o m e o n e p r e t e n d i n g t o t a k e a n i n t e r e s t i n t h e m i n u t i a e o f y o u r life w h i l e surfing s o m e i n n e r I n t e r n e t of his m i n d . " O k a y , b u t , see, t h e t h i n g i s , m a ' a m . S p e a k i n g a s — W h a t d o y o u call i t a g a i n ? T h e m a n from t h e , u h , Burial Society w h o sits w i t h t h e c o r p s e w h e n it's a Jew?" " T h e y c a l l t h a t a s h o m e r , " B i n a says. " R i g h t . S p e a k i n g as t h e l o c a l s h o m e r a r o u n d h e r e , I h a v e t o say: No.

W h a t y o u a r e g o i n g t o d o is t o l e a v e t h i s m e s s , a n d M r . L i t v a k ,

alone." Bina w a i t s a l o n g t i m e before s a y i n g a n y t h i n g . T h e w e a r i n e s s of h e r v o i c e s e e m s t o flow i n t o h e r s h o u l d e r s , h e r j a w , t h e l i n e s o f h e r face. " A r e y o u m i x e d u p i n t h i s , S p a d e ? " s h e says. " M e personally? N o , m a ' a m . T h e transition team? H u h - u h . T h e A l a s k a R e v e r s i o n C o m m i s s i o n ? N o way. T h e t r u t h i s , I d o n ' t k n o w v e r y m u c h a b o u t t h i s m e s s at all. A n d w h a t I d o k n o w , I ' m n o t a t l i b e r t y t o say. I ' m i n r e s o u r c e m a n a g e m e n t , I n s p e c t o r . T h a t ' s w h a t I d o . A n d I ' m h e r e t o t e l l y o u , w i t h all d u e r e s p e c t ,

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

327

t h a t e n o u g h of y o u r resources have a l r e a d y b e e n w a s t e d on this matter." " T h e y a r e m y r e s o u r c e s , M r . S p a d e , " B i n a says. " F o r t w o m o r e m o n t h s , I can talk to w h a t e v e r witnesses I w a n t to talk to. I can arrest whoever I want to arrest." " N o t if t h e A U S A t e l l s y o u t o b a c k off." T h e telephone rings. " T h a t w i l l b e t h e A U S A , " L a n d s m a n says. B i n a p i c k s u p t h e p h o n e . " H e l l o , K a t h y , " s h e says. S h e l i s t e n s for a m i n u t e , n o d d i n g , saying n o t h i n g . T h e n she says, " I u n d e r s t a n d , " a n d h a n g s u p t h e p h o n e . H e r v o i c e is c a l m a n d d e v o i d o f f e e l i n g . T h e r e ' s a t i g h t s m i l e o n h e r face, a n d s h e d u c k s h e r h e a d i n h u m i l i t y , as if s h e h a s b e e n b e a t e n fair a n d s q u a r e . L a n d s m a n c a n feel t h a t s h e is d e l i b e r a t e l y n o t l o o k i n g a t h i m , b e c a u s e if s h e l o o k s a t h i m , s h e might tear up. A n d he k n o w s h o w o u t r a g e d Bina Gelbfish has to get b e f o r e t h e r e is a n y d a n g e r o f t e a r s . " A n d I h a d e v e r y t h i n g fixed u p so n i c e , " s h e says. " A n d t h i s p l a c e , l e t m e t e l l y o u , " L a n d s m a n says. " B e f o r e y o u got here, it was a s h a m b l e s . " " I w a s j u s t g o i n g t o h a n d i t all o v e r t o y o u , " s h e t e l l s S p a d e . "All w r a p p e d up. Free of c r u m b s . N o loose s t r i n g s . " She w o r k e d it w i t h such care, a c c u m u l a t e d t h e c r e d i t s , kissed t h e asses t h a t n e e d e d t o b e kissed. S w e p t o u t t h e stables. T i e d u p Sitka C e n t r a l and a t t a c h e d herself t o t h e t o p like a d e c o r a t i v e bow. " I e v e n g o t r i d o f t h a t w r e t c h e d l o v e s e a t , " s h e says. " W h a t t h e h e l l is g o i n g o n h e r e , S p a d e ? " " I h o n e s t l y d o n ' t k n o w , m a ' a m . A n d e v e n if I d i d k n o w , I w o u l d say t h a t I d i d n ' t . " "Your orders are to keep things s m o o t h on this e n d . " "Yes,

ma'am."

" T h e other end being Palestine." " I d o n ' t k n o w m u c h a b o u t P a l e s t i n e , " S p a d e says. " I ' m

from

328

MICHAEL

CHABON

L u b b o c k . M y w i f e is f r o m N a c o g d o c h e s , t h o u g h , a n d t h a t ' s o n l y a b o u t forty miles from P a l e s t i n e . " B i n a l o o k s b l a n k for a m o m e n t , a n d t h e n u n d e r s t a n d i n g s e e m s t o r e d d e n her cheeks like anger. " D o n ' t y o u s t a n d t h e r e and m a k e j o k e s , " s h e says. " D o n ' t y o u d a r e . " "No,

m a ' a m , " S p a d e says, a n d it's his t u r n t o go a little red.

" I t a k e t h i s j o b v e r y s e r i o u s l y , Mr. S p a d e . A n d y o u h a d b e t t e r , let m e tell y o u , y o u h a d b e t t e r fucking t a k e m e seriously." "Yes,

ma'am."

Bina g e t s u p from b e h i n d t h e d e s k a n d takes her o r a n g e p a r k a from its h o o k . " I a m g o i n g t o b r i n g in A l t e r L i t v a k . Q u e s t i o n h i m . Possibly a r r e s t h i m . You w a n t t o s t o p m e , t r y to s t o p m e . " Parka w h u f f i n g , s h e b r u s h e s p a s t S p a d e , w h o ' s c a u g h t off g u a r d b y t h e m o v e . " B u t if y o u t r y t o s t o p m e , t h i n g s w i l l n o t b e smooth o n y o u r end. I promise you that." A n d s h e ' s g o n e for a s e c o n d . T h e n s h e s t i c k s h e r h e a d b a c k i n t o the doorway, pulling on her dazzling orange coat. " H e y , y i d , " she tells L a n d s m a n . " I could use a little b a c k u p . " L a n d s m a n p u t s on his h a t a n d goes after her, n o d d i n g to Spade on his w a y o u t . " P r a i s e t h e L o r d , " L a n d s m a n says.

• § 3 8

T

(F

h e M o r i a h I n s t i t u t e is t h e s o l e o c c u p a n t o f t h e s e v e n t h a n d u p p e r m o s t s t o r y o f t h e H o t e l B l a c k p o o l . T h e r e is f r e s h p a i n t on t h e walls of t h e c o r r i d o r a n d a spotless m a u v e c a r p e t on t h e

floor. A t t h e far e n d , b e s i d e t h e d o o r t o 7 0 7 , s m a l l b l a c k c h a r a c t e r s on a discreet brass p l a t e spell o u t t h e n a m e of t h e I n s t i t u t e in A m e r i c a n a n d Yiddish, a n d b e n e a t h t h a t , in r o m a n c h a r a c t e r s : S O L

A N D DOROTHY ZIEGLER CENTER. Bina pushes a buzzer. She looks u p i n t o t h e lens of t h e s e c u r i t y c a m e r a t h a t looks d o w n at t h e m . "You r e m e m b e r t h e d e a l , " Bina tells h i m . It's n o t a q u e s t i o n . "I am to shut u p . " " T h a t ' s such a small p a r t of i t . " "I am not even here. I don't even exist." S h e b u z z e s a g a i n , a n d j u s t as s h e r a i s e s h e r k n u c k l e s t o k n o c k , B u c h b i n d e r o p e n s t h e d o o r . H e is w e a r i n g a d i f f e r e n t

enormous

s w e a t e r - j a c k e t , t h i s o n e i n c o r n f l o w e r b l u e w i t h flecks o f p a l e g r e e n a n d s a l m o n , o v e r b a g g y c h i n o s a n d a B r o n f m a n U. s w e a t s h i r t . H i s face a n d h a n d s a r e s m u d g e d w i t h i n k o r g r e a s e . " I n s p e c t o r G e l b f i s h , " Bina says, s h o w i n g h i m h e r b a d g e . " S i t k a C e n t r a l . I ' m l o o k i n g for A l t e r L i t v a k . I h a v e r e a s o n t o b e l i e v e h e may be here."

330

MICHAEL

CHABON

A d e n t i s t is n o t a m a n o f g u i l e , as a r u l e . B u c h b i n d e r ' s face r e a d s plainly and w i t h o u t concealment: H e was expecting them. " I t is v e r y l a t e , " h e t r i e s . " U n l e s s y o u — " " A l t e r L i t v a k , D r . B u c h b i n d e r . Is h e h e r e ? " L a n d s m a n can see B u c h b i n d e r w r e s t l i n g w i t h t h e m e c h a n i c s a n d t r a j e c t o r i e s , t h e w i n d s h e a r o f t e l l i n g a lie. "No.

N o , h e is n o t . "

" D o you k n o w w h e r e he is?" "No.

N o , Inspector, I do not."

" U h - h u h . O k a y . A n y c h a n c e y o u m i g h t b e l y i n g t o m e , Dr. Buchbinder?" T h e r e is a brief, d e n s e p a u s e . T h e n h e c l o s e s t h e d o o r in t h e i r faces. B i n a r a p s , h e r fist t h e r e l e n t l e s s h e a d a n d b i l l o f a w o o d p e c k e r . A m o m e n t later, B u c h b i n d e r o p e n s t h e door, t u c k i n g his Shoyfer away i n t o a p o c k e t of his sweater. H e n o d s , his cheeks, jowls, a n d t h e t w i n k l e i n h i s e y e a r r a n g e d t o g e n i a l effect. S o m e o n e h a s d e c a n t e d a small h o p p e r of m o l t e n iron i n t o his spine. " P l e a s e c o m e i n , " h e says. " M r . L i t v a k w i l l s e e y o u . H e is upstairs." " I s n ' t t h i s t h e t o p f l o o r ? " B i n a says. " T h e r e is a p e n t h o u s e . " " F l e a b a g s d o n ' t h a v e p e n t h o u s e s , " L a n d s m a n says. B i n a s h o o t s him a look. He's supposed to be invisible, inaudible, a ghost. B u c h b i n d e r l o w e r s h i s v o i c e . " I t u s e d t o b e for t h e m a i n t e n a n c e m a n , I g a t h e r . B u t t h e y h a v e fixed i t u p . T h i s w a y , p l e a s e , t h e r e is a back stair." T h e internal walls have been knocked out, and

Buchbinder

leads t h e m t h r o u g h t h e gallery of t h e Ziegler Center. It's a cool, d i m space, p a i n t e d w h i t e , n o t h i n g like t h e g r i m y old e x - s t a t i o n e r y s h o p on I b n E z r a S t r e e t . T h e l i g h t e m e r g e s from a g r i d w o r k of glass or L u c i t e c u b e s set a t o p c a r p e t e d pedestals. Each c u b e displays its o b j e c t , a silver shovel, a c o p p e r b o w l , an inexplicable g a r m e n t like s o m e t h i n g w o r n b y t h e Z o r v o l d i a n a m b a s s a d o r in a space o p e r a . T h e r e m u s t b e m o r e t h a n a h u n d r e d objects on display, m a n y

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

331

of t h e m w o r k e d in gold a n d g e m s t o n e s . E a c h of t h e m a d v e r t i s e s the names of t h e A m e r i c a n Jews w h o s e g e n e r o s i t y m a d e

their

construction possible. " Y o u ' v e c o m e u p i n t h e w o r l d , " L a n d s m a n says. "Yes,

i t ' s w o n d e r f u l , " B u c h b i n d e r says. "A m i r a c l e . "

A d o z e n l a r g e p a c k i n g c r a t e s h a v e b e e n l i n e d u p a t t h e far e n d of t h e r o o m , spilling e x u b e r a n t coils of shaved p i n e . A d e l i c a t e silver h a n d l e p r o t r u d e s from t h e excelsior, c h a s e d w i t h gold. A t t h e c e n t e r of t h e r o o m , o n a low, b r o a d t a b l e , a s c a l e m o d e l o f a s t o n e furrowed b a r e hill soaks u p t h e g l o w of a d o z e n h a l o g e n s p o t s . T h e h i l l t o p , w h e r e I s a a c w a i t e d for h i s f a t h e r t o p r y t h e m u s c l e o f life from h i s b o d y , is as flat as a p l a c e m a t o n a t a b l e . O n i t s f l a n k s , s t o n e houses, s t o n e alleys, t i n y olive a n d c y p r e s s trees w i t h fuzzy foliage. T i n y J e w s w r a p p e d i n t i n y p r a y e r s h a w l s c o n t e m p l a t e t h e v o i d a t t h e t o p o f t h e h i l l , as if t o i l l u s t r a t e o r m o d e l t h e p r i n c i p l e , thinks Landsman, that every Jew has a personal Messiah w h o never comes. " I d o n ' t see t h e T e m p l e , " Bina says, s e e m i n g l y in s p i t e of herself. B u c h b i n d e r e m i t s an o d d g r u n t , animal a n d c o n t e n t e d . T h e n he p r e s s e s a b u t t o n i n t h e floor w i t h t h e t o e o f o n e loafer. T h e r e f o l l o w s a soft c l i c k a n d t h e h u m o f a t i n y fan. A n d t h e n , b u i l t t o s c a l e , the Temple, erected by Solomon, destroyed by the Babylonians, rebuilt, r e s t o r e d b y t h e same king of Judaea w h o c o n d e m n e d C h r i s t to die, destroyed b y t h e R o m a n s , sealed and b u i l t over b y

the

Abbasids, resumes its rightful place at t h e navel of t h e world. T h e technology generating the image imparts a miraculous radiance to t h e m o d e l . It s h i m m e r s like a fata m o r g a n a . In d e s i g n , t h e p r o p o s e d T h i r d T e m p l e is a r e s t r a i n e d d i s p l a y o f s t o n e m a s o n m i g h t , c u b e s and pillars and sweeping plazas. H e r e a n d t h e r e a carved S u m e r i a n m o n s t e r l e n d s a t o u c h o f t h e b a r b a r i c . T h i s is t h e p a p e r t h a t G o d left t h e J e w s h o l d i n g , L a n d s m a n t h i n k s , t h e p r o m i s e t h a t w e h a v e been banging H i m a kettle a b o u t ever since. T h e rook t h a t a t t e n d s t h e k i n g at t h e e n d g a m e of t h e w o r l d .

332

MICHAEL

CHABON

" N o w t u r n o n t h e c h o o - c h o o , " L a n d s m a n says. A t t h e b a c k of t h e space t h e r e ' s a n a r r o w stair, o p e n on one side a n d flush a g a i n s t t h e wall o n t h e other. I t leads u p t o an e n a m e l e d b l a c k s t e e l d o o r . B u c h b i n d e r g i v e s a soft k n o c k . T h e y o u n g m a n w h o o p e n s t h e d o o r is o n e o f t h e g r a n d n e p h e w s from t h e Einstein, t h e driver of t h e Caudillo, t h e p l u m p , broadshouldered American kid with the pink nape. " I b e l i e v e M r . L i t v a k is e x p e c t i n g m e , " B i n a says b r i g h t l y . " I ' m Inspector Gelbfish." " Y o u c a n h a v e five m i n u t e s , " says t h e y o u n g m a n i n s e r v i c e a b l e Y i d d i s h . H e c a n ' t b e o l d e r t h e n t w e n t y . H e h a s a t u r n e d - i n left e y e a n d m o r e a c n e t h a n b e a r d o n h i s b a b y c h e e k s . " M r . L i t v a k is a b u s y man." "And. w h o a r e y o u ? " " Y o u can call m e M i c k y . " She steps right u p to h i m and jams her chin toward the meat o f h i s t h r o a t . " M i c k y , I k n o w t h i s m a k e s m e a b a d p e r s o n in y o u r e y e s , b u t I d o n ' t r e a l l y c a r e h o w b u s y M r . L i t v a k is. I n e e d t o t a l k t o h i m for as l o n g as i t t a k e s m e t o d o t h a t . N o w t a k e m e t o h i m , s w e e t n e s s , o r y o u ' r e n o t g o i n g t o b e b u s y a t all for a v e r y l o n g time." M i c k y s h o o t s a l o o k a t L a n d s m a n as if t o say, What a

ballbreaker.

Landsman pretends not to understand. " I f y o u w i l l e x c u s e m e , p l e a s e , " B u c h b i n d e r says w i t h a b o w t o each of t h e m . " I have v e r y m u c h w o r k t o d o . " " A r e y o u g o i n g s o m e w h e r e , D o c t o r ? " L a n d s m a n says. " I a l r e a d y t o l d y o u t h i s , " t h e d e n t i s t says. " M a y b e y o u o u g h t t o try writing things down." T h e p e n t h o u s e o f t h e B l a c k p o o l H o t e l is n o t h i n g s p e c i a l . A t w o - r o o m suite. T h e o u t e r room holds a sleeper couch, a wet bar a n d m i n i - f r i d g e , an a r m c h a i r , a n d seven y o u n g m e n in d a r k suits a n d b a d h a i r c u t s . T h e b e d is all f o l d e d away, b u t y o u c a n s m e l l t h a t t h e r o o m h a s b e e n s l e p t i n b y y o u n g m e n , m a y b e as m a n y as s e v e n .

THE Y I D D I S H

POLICEMEN'S

UNION

333

T h e p i p e d c o r n e r of a b e d s h e e t p o k e s from t h e c r a c k of t h e seat c u s h i o n l i k e a s h i r t t a i l c a u g h t i n a fly. T h e young m e n are watching a very large television

tuned

to a satellite n e w s channel. O n t h e screen, t h e p r i m e m i n i s t e r of M a n c h u r i a is s h a k i n g h a n d s w i t h five M a n c h u r i a n a s t r o n a u t s . T h e b o x t h a t t h e t e l e v i s i o n c a m e i n is s i t t i n g o n t h e floor b e s i d e i t s f o r m e r contents. Bottled sports drinks a n d bags of sunflower seeds on t h e coffee t a b l e , s c a t t e r e d a m o n g d r i f t s o f s u n f l o w e r h u l l s . L a n d s m a n marks three guns, automatics, two j a m m e d into waistbands, one into a sock. M a y b e t h e b u t t of a fourth u n d e r somebody's t h i g h . N o b o d y is h a p p y t o s e e t h e d e t e c t i v e s . I n f a c t , t h e y o u n g m e n s e e m sullen, keyed up. Anxious to be a n y w h e r e else b u t here. " S h o w us t h e w a r r a n t . " It's Gold, t h e s h a r p e n e d little prison s h a n k of a mexican from Peril S t r a i t . H e peels h i m s e l f from

the

couch and comes t o w a r d t h e m . W h e n he recognizes L a n d s m a n , his single e y e b r o w gets tangled at its apex. "Lady, t h a t o n e has n o r i g h t to be here. G e t him o u t . " " T a k e i t e a s y , " B i n a says. " W h a t ' s y o u r n a m e ? " " H e ' s G o l d , " says L a n d s m a n . "Ah, yes. G o l d , look at t h e s i t u a t i o n . T h e r e a r e o n e , t w o , t h r e e , seven of y o u . T h e r e a r e t w o of u s . " "I'm

not even h e r e , " L a n d s m a n

says. " Y o u ' r e j u s t

imagin­

ing m e . " "I a m here to talk to A l t e r L i t v a k , a n d I d o n ' t need a piece of p a p e r t o d o t h a t , s w e e t n e s s . E v e n if I w a n t e d t o a r r e s t h i m , I c o u l d always get t h e w a r r a n t later." She gives h i m h e r w i n n i n g smile, slightly shopworn. " H o n e s t . " G o l d h e s i t a t e s . H e s t a r t s t o c h e c k w i t h h i s six c o m r a d e s t o s e e w h a t t h e y t h i n k he should do, b u t s o m e aspect of t h a t process, or o f life i n g e n e r a l , s t r i k e s h i m as p o i n t l e s s . H e g o e s t o t h e d o o r o f t h e b e d r o o m and knocks. O n t h e o t h e r side of t h e door, a set of p u n c t u r e d b a g p i p e s gives o u t a d y i n g w h e e z e . T h e r o o m is as s p a r t a n a n d n e a t as H e r t z S h e m e t s ' s

cabin,

334

MICHAEL

CHABON

c o m p l e t e w i t h chessboard. N o television. N o radio. Just a chair a n d a b o o k s h e l f a n d a folding c o t in t h e corner. A steel b l i n d t h a t r e a c h e s t o t h e floor r a t t l e s i n t h e w i n d off t h e Gulf. L i t v a k s i t s on t h e c o t , k n e e s t o g e t h e r , a b o o k o p e n on his lap, sipping some k i n d o f c a n n e d n u t r i t i o n a l s h a k e t h r o u g h a flexible g r e e n d r i n k i n g straw. W h e n Bina a n d L a n d s m a n w a l k in, L i t v a k sets t h e can d o w n on t h e bookshelf b e s i d e t h e m a r b l e d pad. H e m a r k s his place w i t h a l e n g t h o f r i b b o n a n d c l o s e s h i s b o o k . L a n d s m a n c a n s e e t h a t i t is a n o l d h a r d b a c k e d i t i o n o f T a r r a s c h , p o s s i b l y Three Hundred Chess Games. T h e n L i t v a k l o o k s u p . H i s e y e s a r e t w o d u l l p e n n i e s . H i s face is n o t h i n g b u t h o l l o w s a n d a n g l e s , a n a n n o t a t i o n i n t h e y e l l o w l e a t h e r o f h i s s k u l l . H e w a i t s as if t h e y h a v e c o m e t o s h o w h i m a c a r d t r i c k , a c o m p l i c a t e d g r a n d f a t h e r l y e x p r e s s i o n o n h i s face, prepared both to be disappointed and to pretend to be amused. " I ' m Bina Gelbfish. You k n o w M e y e r L a n d s m a n . " I k n o w y o u , t o o , say t h e old m a n ' s eyes. " R e b L i t v a k d o e s n ' t s p e a k , " G o l d says. " H e ' s c r i p p l e d i n t h e voice b o x . " " I u n d e r s t a n d , " says B i n a . S h e t a k e s m e a s u r e o f t h e d e v a s t a t i o n w r o u g h t b y t i m e , injury, a n d physics on t h e m a n w i t h

whom,

seventeen,

at

eighteen

years

ago, she danced

the rumba

the

w e d d i n g of L a n d s m a n ' s cousin Shefra Sheynfeld. H e r b r a s h ladys h a m m e s m a n n e r h a s b e e n p u t away, t h o u g h n o t a b a n d o n e d . N e v e r a b a n d o n e d . H o l s t e r e d , say, w i t h t h e s a f e t y off, a n d o n e h a n d p o i s e d , fingers flexing, at h e r hip. " M r . L i t v a k , I have b e e n h e a r i n g s o m e p r e t t y wild stories a b o u t y o u from m y d e t e c t i v e h e r e . " L i t v a k r e a c h e s for t h e p a d , c r o s s e d w i t h t h e s l e e k e b o n y c i g a r of his W a t e r m a n . H e o p e n s t h e p a d w i t h t h e fingers of o n e h a n d , spreads it on his k n e e , s t u d y i n g Bina t h e w a y he studied

the

c h e s s b o a r d a t t h e E i n s t e i n C l u b , l o o k i n g for h i s o p e n i n g , s e e i n g t w e n t y possibilities, e l i m i n a t i n g n i n e t e e n . H e u n s c r e w s his pen. H e ' s on t h e v e r y last page. H e m a r k s it. Tou don't care for wild "No,

stories

sir, I d o n ' t . T h a t ' s r i g h t . I h a v e b e e n a p o l i c e d e t e c t i v e for

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNION

335

a lot of years, a n d I can c o u n t on o n e h a n d t h e n u m b e r of t i m e s t h a t somebody's wild s t o r y of w h a t h a p p e n e d in a case t u r n s o u t t o b e useful or t r u e . " Tough break—to

favor simple explanations

in a world full of

Jews

"Agreed." A hard lot to be a Jewish policeman

then

" I l i k e i t , " B i n a says s i m p l y , w i t h f e e l i n g . " I ' m g o i n g t o m i s s i t w h e n it's d o n e . " L i t v a k s h r u g s as if t o s u g g e s t t h a t h e w o u l d l i k e t o s y m p a t h i z e , if o n l y h e c o u l d . H i s h a r d , b r i g h t r e d - r i m m e d e y e s s l i d e t o t h e d o o r w a y a n d , w i t h o n e a r c h e d e y e b r o w , f o r m a q u e s t i o n for G o l d . G o l d shakes his head. T h e n h e goes b a c k to t h e w a t c h i n g t h e T V " I r e a l i z e i t ' s n o t e a s y , " B i n a says. " B u t s u p p o s e y o u t e l l u s w h a t you k n o w about Mendel Shpilman, Mr. Litvak." "And N a o m i L a n d s m a n , " L a n d s m a n p u t s in. Tou think I killed Mendel you're as clueless as he is " I d o n ' t t h i n k a n y t h i n g a t a l l , " B i n a says. Lucky you " I t ' s a gift I h a v e . " Litvak

checks his watch

and

makes

a broken

sound

that

L a n d s m a n t a k e s for a p a t i e n t s i g h . H e s n a p s h i s f i n g e r s , a n d w h e n G o l d t u r n s , L i t v a k w a v e s t h e filled-in n o t e p a d . G o l d goes i n t o t h e o u t e r r o o m a n d c o m e s b a c k h o l d i n g a fresh p a d . H e crosses t h e r o o m a n d p a s s e s i t t o L i t v a k , a l o n g w i t h a l o o k t h a t offers t o dispense w i t h or dispose of t h e a n n o y i n g visitors b y any o n e of a n u m b e r o f i n t e r e s t i n g m e t h o d s . L i t v a k w a v e s t h e k i d away, s e n d s h i m back t o t h e d o o r w a y w i t h one h a n d . T h e n h e slides over a n d pats the vacated space beside him. Bina unzips her p a r k a a n d sits d o w n . L a n d s m a n d r a g s over t h e b e n t w o o d chair. L i t v a k o p e n s t h e n o t e p a d t o i t s first f r e s h p a g e . Every Messiah fails, himself

w r i t e s L i t v a k , the moment he tries to redeem

• § 3 9

(F

T

h e y h a d a pilot of their o w n , a good one, a C u b a veteran n a m e d F r u m w h o flew t h e b u s r u n f r o m S i t k a . F r u m h a d s e r v e d u n d e r L i t v a k at M a t a n z a s a n d in t h e b l o o d y debacle of Santiago. H e

w a s b o t h faithful a n d w i t h o u t a s h r e d of faith, a c o m b i n a t i o n of traits prized b y L i t v a k , w h o found himself obliged to c o n t e n d on e v e r y side w i t h t h e s o m e t i m e s v o l u n t a r y t r e a c h e r y of believers. T h e p i l o t F r u m believed only w h a t his i n s t r u m e n t panel said. H e was sober, m e t i c u l o u s , c o m p e t e n t , quiet, t o u g h . W h e n he landed a l o a d o f r e c r u i t s a t P e r i l S t r a i t , t h e b o y s left F r u m ' s a i r p l a n e w i t h a sense of w h a t k i n d of soldier t h e y w a n t e d to become. Send Frum,

Litvak w r o t e w h e n they received the news

from

t h e case h a n d l e r , M r . C a s h d o l l a r , of a m i r a c u l o u s b i r t h in O r e g o n . F r u m left o n a T u e s d a y . O n W e d n e s d a y — h o w , t h e b e l i e v e r s w o u l d say, c o u l d

this

be

mere

chance?—Mendel

Shpilman

stumbled

i n t o B u c h b i n d e r ' s c a b i n e t o f w o n d e r s o n t h e s e v e n t h floor o f t h e Blackpool H o t e l , saying h e w a s d o w n t o his last blessing a n d ready t o s p e n d it o n himself. By n o w t h e p i l o t F r u m was a t h o u s a n d miles away, o n a r a n c h o u t s i d e of C o r v a l l i s , w h e r e Fligler a n d Cashdollar, w h o flew o u t f r o m W a s h i n g t o n , w e r e h a v i n g t r o u b l e c o m i n g t o t e r m s w i t h t h e b r e e d e r of t h e magical red animal. T h e r e w e r e , o f c o u r s e , o t h e r p i l o t s a v a i l a b l e t o fly S h p i l m a n

THE Y I D D I S H

POLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

337

o u t t o Peril S t r a i t , b u t t h e y w e r e o u t s i d e r s , or y o u n g believers. A n outsider could never be trusted, and Litvak worried that Shpilman might disappoint a y o u n g believer and start

t h e evil

tongues

w a g g i n g . S h p i l m a n w a s in a v e r y fragile c o n d i t i o n , a c c o r d i n g t o Dr. Buchbinder. H e was agitated and crotchety, or sleepy and listless, a n d h e w e i g h e d o n l y fifty-five k i l o s . R e a l l y , h e w a s n o t m u c h i n t h e w a y of a T z a d d i k H a - D o r at all. O n such short notice, there was one o t h e r pilot w h o m Litvak considered, a n o t h e r one u t t e r l y w i t h o u t faith, b u t discreet

and

reliable, a n d w i t h an ancient tie t o L i t v a k on w h i c h h e d a r e d t o pin h i s h o p e s . A t first h e t r i e d t o d i s m i s s t h e n a m e f r o m h i s t h o u g h t s , b u t i t k e p t r e t u r n i n g . H e w a s w o r r i e d t h a t if t h e y h e s i t a t e d , t h e y w o u l d lose S h p i l m a n again; t w i c e a l r e a d y t h e y i d h a d b a c k e d o u t of a p r o m i s e t o s e e k t r e a t m e n t w i t h R o b o y a t P e r i l S t r a i t . So L i t v a k ordered this faithless, reliable pilot t r a c k e d d o w n a n d

offered

t h e j o b . S h e t o o k i t , for a t h o u s a n d d o l l a r s m o r e t h a n L i t v a k h a d i n t e n d e d t o pay. "A woman"

said t h e d o c t o r , shifting his q u e e n s i d e r o o k , a m o v e

t h a t g a v e h i m n o a d v a n t a g e t h a t L i t v a k c o u l d see. D r . R o b o y , i n Litvak's m e a s u r e d view, had a vice c o m m o n to believers: H e w a s all s t r a t e g y a n d n o t a c t i c s . H e w a s p r o n e t o m o v e for t h e s a k e o f m o v i n g , t o o focused on t h e goal t o b o t h e r w i t h t h e i n t e r v e n i n g sequence. " H e r e . In this place." T h e y w e r e s i t t i n g i n t h e office o n t h e s e c o n d floor o f t h e m a i n building, w i t h a view of t h e strait, t h e r a g t a g Indian village w i t h its nets a n d crazed b o a r d w a l k , t h e j u t t i n g a r m of t h e b r a n d - n e w floatplane

d o c k . T h e office w a s R o b o y ' s , w i t h a d e s k i n t h e c o r n e r

for M o i s h F l i g l e r w h e n h e w a s a r o u n d a n d c o u l d b e k e p t b e h i n d a desk. Alter L i t v a k preferred to d o w i t h o u t t h e l u x u r y of a desk, a n office, a h o m e . H e s l e p t i n g u e s t r o o m s , g a r a g e s , o n s o m e b o d y ' s c o u c h . H i s d e s k w a s a k i t c h e n t a b l e , h i s office t h e t r a i n i n g g r o u n d , t h e Einstein Chess C l u b , t h e back r o o m of t h e M o r i a h I n s t i t u t e . We have men in this place who are less manly, L i t v a k w r o t e i n h i s n o t e p a d , I should have hired her before

338

MICHAEL

CHABON

H e forced an e x c h a n g e of b i s h o p s , o p e n i n g a s u d d e n b r e a c h in W h i t e ' s c e n t e r . H e s a w t h a t h e h a d m a t e , in o n e of t w o w a y s , w i t h i n f o u r m o v e s . T h e p r o s p e c t o f v i c t o r y w a s t e d i o u s . H e w o n d e r e d if h e h a d e v e r c a r e d a t all for t h e g a m e o f c h e s s . H e t o o k u p h i s p e n a n d w r o t e o u t a n i n s u l t , e v e n t h o u g h , i n a l m o s t five y e a r s , i t h a d p r o v e d i m p o s s i b l e t o g e t a rise o u t of Roboy. If we had a hundred like her I would be cleaning your clock by now on a terrace overlooking the Mount

of

" H u m p h , " said Dr. Roboy,

Olives fingering

a pawn, watching Litvak's

face as L i t v a k w a t c h e d t h e sky. Dr. R o b o y sat w i t h his back t o t h e window, a d a r k p a r e n t h e s i s b r a c k e t i n g t h e c h e s s b o a r d , h i s l o n g , j u t t i n g face s l a c k w i t h

the

effort of g u e s s i n g a t t h e b l e a k n e s s of his i m m e d i a t e chess future. B e h i n d h i m t h e w e s t e r n s k y w a s all m a r m a l a d e a n d s m o k e . T h e c r u m p l e d m o u n t a i n s , folds o f g r e e n t h a t l o o k e d b l a c k , a n d p u r p l e that looked black, and luminous blue

fissures

o f w h i t e snow. T o

t h e s o u t h w e s t a full m o o n w a s s e t t i n g early, s h a r p - e d g e d a n d gray, l o o k i n g like a h i g h - r e s o l u t i o n b l a c k - a n d - w h i t e p h o t o g r a p h of itself p a s t e d t o t h e sky. " E v e r y t i m e y o u look o u t t h e w i n d o w , " R o b o y said, "I t h i n k it's because t h e y ' r e here. I wish y o u w o u l d stop. You're m a k i n g m e n e r v o u s . " H e t i p p e d over his king, p u s h e d b a c k from t h e b o a r d , a n d u n f u r l e d h i s g r e a t m a n t i s b o d y o n e j o i n t a t a t i m e . " I c a n ' t play, I ' m sorry. You win. I ' m t o o keyed u p . " H e s t a r t e d t o s t a l k b a c k a n d f o r t h a c r o s s t h e office. I don't see what you are so worried about you have the easy job "Is t h a t so?" He has to redeem Israel, you just have to redeem him R o b o y s t o p p e d p a c i n g a n d t u r n e d t o face L i t v a k , w h o p u t d o w n his pen a n d set a b o u t r e t u r n i n g t h e pieces to their maple box. " T h r e e h u n d r e d boys are r e a d y t o die at his b a c k , " R o b o y said, p e e v i s h . " T h i r t y t h o u s a n d V e r b o v e r s w i l l b e s t a k i n g t h e i r lives and fortunes on this man. U p r o o t i n g their homes, p u t t i n g their f a m i l i e s a t r i s k . If o t h e r s follow, t h e n w e a r e t a l k i n g a b o u t m i l l i o n s .

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

333

I'm glad you can m a k e jokes a b o u t t h a t . I ' m glad it d o e s n ' t m a k e you nervous to look out that w i n d o w and w a t c h t h e sky and k n o w t h a t h e is finally o n h i s w a y . " Litvak stopped p u t t i n g away the pieces and looked o u t

the

w i n d o w a g a i n . C o r m o r a n t s , g u l l s , a d o z e n fanciful v a r i a t i o n s o n t h e basic d u c k , h a v i n g n o n a m e s in Y i d d i s h . A t a n y m o m e n t a n y o n e o f t h e m , w i n g s s p r e a d a g a i n s t t h e s u n s e t , m i g h t b e t a k e n for a n a p p r o a c h i n g P i p e r S u p e r C u b , c o m i n g in l o w from t h e s o u t h w e s t . Looking at t h e sky was m a k i n g L i t v a k n e r v o u s , too. B u t theirs w a s not by definition an endeavor t h a t a t t r a c t e d m e n w i t h t h e t a l e n t for w a i t i n g . I hope that he is the Tz H-D I really do "No,

y o u d o n ' t , " R o b o y s a i d . " T h a t ' s a lie. Y o u ' r e j u s t i n i t for

the stakes. For the g a m e . " Following t h e a c c i d e n t t h a t t o o k L i t v a k ' s wife a n d his voice, it w a s Dr. R u d o l f B u c h b i n d e r , t h e m a d d e n t i s t o f I b n E z r a S t r e e t , w h o h a d r e b u i l t h i s jaw, r e s t o r e d i t s m a s o n r y i n a c r y l i c a n d t i t a n i u m . A n d w h e n L i t v a k found himself a d d i c t e d t o painkillers, it was t h e d e n t i s t w h o h a d s e n t h i m for t r e a t m e n t t o a n o l d f r i e n d , D r . M a x R o b o y . Y e a r s l a t e r , w h e n C a s h d o l l a r a s k e d h i s m a n i n S i t k a for h e l p fulfilling t h e d i v i n e l y i n s p i r e d m i s s i o n o f t h e p r e s i d e n t o f A m e r i c a , L i t v a k t h o u g h t at once of B u c h b i n d e r a n d Roboy. It had taken a lot longer, n o t to m e n t i o n every last o u n c e of chutzpah Litvak had, to work Heskel Shpilman into the

plan.

E n d l e s s p i l p u l a n d h a g g l i n g t h r o u g h B a r o n s h t e y n . Stiff r e s i s t a n c e from c a r e e r m e n a t J u s t i c e w h o v i e w e d S h p i l m a n a n d L i t v a k — w i t h j u s t i c e — a s a ganglord a n d a h a t c h e t m a n . A t last, after m o n t h s of false a l a r m s a n d c a n c e l l a t i o n s , a m e e t i n g w i t h t h e b i g m a n a t t h e Ringelblum Avenue Baths. A T u e s d a y m o r n i n g , s n o w t w i s t i n g d o w n in s l o p p y helixes, four i n c h e s o f n e w s n o w o n t h e g r o u n d . T o o n e w , t o o e a r l y for t h e snowplow. A t t h e corner of R i n g e l b l u m and G l a t s h t e y n , a c h e s t n u t vendor, snow on his red umbrella, hiss a n d s h i m m e r of t h e r o a s t i n g box, parallel grooves of his cart wheels framing t h e s l u r r y of his

340

MICHAEL

CHABDN

f o o t p r i n t s i n t h e s n o w . So q u i e t y o u c o u l d h e a r t h e c l o c k w o r k t h u n k i n g i n t h e traffic s i g n a l b o x a n d t h e v i b r a t i o n o f t h e p a g e r o n t h e hip of t h e g u n m a n b y t h e door. A pair of g u n m e n , those great r e d bears t h e y k e p t to g u a r d t h e b o d y of t h e Verbover rebbe. A s t h e R u d a s h e v s k y biks h a n d e d L i t v a k a l o n g from t h e door, u p t h e c e m e n t s t a i r s w i t h t h e v i n y l t r e a d s , d o w n t h e m i n e shaft o f a h a l l w a y t o t h e f r o n t d o o r o f t h e b a t h s , t h e fists o f t h e i r faces all c u p p e d a m i n o r l i g h t . M i s c h i e f , p i t y , t h e g l i n t o f a p r a n k s t e r , a t o r t u r e r , a p r i e s t p r e p a r i n g t o u n c o v e r t h e c a n n i b a l g o d . A s for t h e a n c i e n t R u s s i a n cashier in his steel cage, t h e b u r l y a t t e n d a n t i n h i s b u n k e r o f f o l d e d w h i t e t o w e l s , t h e s e y i d s h a d n o e y e s a t all, as far as L i t v a k e v e r k n e w . T h e y k e p t t h e i r h e a d s d o w n , b l i n d e d b y fear a n d d i s c r e t i o n . T h e y w e r e e l s e w h e r e , d r i n k i n g coffee a t t h e P o l a r - S h t e r n , still at h o m e in t h e i r b e d s w i t h t h e i r wives. T h e b a t h s w e r e n o t e v e n o p e n for b u s i n e s s a t t h i s h o u r . T h e r e w a s n o b o d y h e r e , n o b o d y a t all, a n d t h e a t t e n d a n t w h o slid a pair of t h r e a d b a r e towels across t h e c o u n t e r to Litvak was a ghost serving up a winding sheet to a dead man. L i t v a k s t r i p p e d a n d h u n g u p his clothes on t w o steel hooks. H e c o u l d s m e l l t h e t i d a l flux o f t h e b a t h s , c h l o r i n e a n d a r m p i t a n d a ripe salt v a p o r t h a t m i g h t on second t h o u g h t have been t h e p i c k l e f a c t o r y o n t h e g r o u n d floor. T h e r e w a s n o t h i n g t o w e a k e n h i m , if t h a t w a s p a r t o f t h e i n t e n t , i n o b l i g i n g h i m t o t a k e off his clothes. H i s scars w e r e n u m e r o u s , in certain instances horrible, a n d t h e y h a d t h e i r effect. H e h e a r d a l o w w h i s t l e f r o m o n e o f t h e t w o Rudashevskys w o r k i n g t h e locker room. Litvak's body was a p a r c h m e n t scribed by pain and violence on which they could only h o p e t o m a k e t h e b a r e s t exegesis. H e s l i p p e d his p a d from t h e h i p p o c k e t of his jacket on its hook. Like what you see? T h e R u d a s h e v s k y s c o u l d n o t a g r e e o n a f i t t i n g reply.

One

n o d d e d ; t h e o t h e r shook his head. T h e y exchanged responses, to t h e satisfaction of neither. T h e n t h e y gave h i m u p and sent him

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

t h r o u g h t h e m i s t y glass d o o r t o t h e s t e a m r o o m , t o c o n f r o n t

341

the

body they guarded. T h a t b o d y , t h e h o r r o r a n d t h e s p l e n d o r o f i t , n a k e d as a g i a n t b l o o d s h o t eyeball w i t h o u t a socket. L i t v a k h a d seen it o n l y o n c e b e f o r e , y e a r s a g o , t o p p e d w i t h a f e d o r a , r o l l e d t i g h t as a w a d o f P i n a r d e l R i o i n t o a stiff b l a c k g r e a t c o a t t h a t s w e p t t h e t o e s o f h i s d a i n t y black b o o t s . N o w it e m e r g e d p o n d e r o u s from t h e s t e a m , a s l a b o f w e t l i m e s t o n e w e b b e d w i t h a b l a c k l i c h e n o f h a i r . L i t v a k felt like a f o g b o u n d a i r p l a n e buffeted b y u p d r a f t s i n t o t h e s u r p r i s e of a m o u n t a i n . T h e belly p r e g n a n t w i t h e l e p h a n t triplets, t h e breasts full a n d p e n d u l o u s , e a c h t i p p e d w i t h a p i n k l e n t i l o f a n i p p l e . T h e t h i g h s g r e a t h a n d - r o l l e d m a r b l e d loaves of h a l v a h . L o s t in

the

shadows b e t w e e n t h e m , a thick umbilicus of g r a y i s h - b r o w n m e a t . Litvak lowered t h e u n i n s u l a t e d a r m a t u r e of his frame t o t h e h o t grid of tiles o p p o s i t e t h e r a b b i . T h e t i m e he h a d passed S h p i l m a n in t h e s t r e e t , t h e m a n ' s eyes lay in t h e a m b i t of s h a d o w c a s t b y t h e sundial of his h a t b r i m . N o w t h e y w e r e t r a i n e d on L i t v a k a n d his v a n d a l i z e d body. T h e y w e r e k i n d l y eyes, L i t v a k t h o u g h t , or eyes w h o s e e m p l o y e r h a d schooled t h e m in t h e uses of k i n d l i n e s s . T h e y read Litvak's scars, t h e p u c k e r e d p u r p l e m o u t h on his right s h o u l d e r , t h e s l a s h e s o f r e d v e l o u r o n h i s h i p , t h e p i t i n h i s left t h i g h d e e p e n o u g h t o h o l d an o u n c e of gin. T h e y offered s y m p a t h y , r e g a r d , e v e n g r a t i t u d e . T h e w a r i n C u b a w a s n o t o r i o u s for i t s futility, b r u t a l i t y , a n d w a s t e . Its v e t e r a n s h a d b e e n s h u n n e d o n t h e i r r e t u r n . N o o n e h a d offered t h e m forgiveness, u n d e r s t a n d i n g , a chance at healing. H e s k e l S h p i l m a n w a s offering L i t v a k a n d his w a r - t o r n h i d e all t h r e e . " T h e n a t u r e of y o u r h a n d i c a p , " t h e r e b b e said, " h a s

been

e x p l a i n e d t o m e , a l o n g w i t h t h e s u b s t a n c e o f y o u r offer." H i s g i r l i s h v o i c e , baffled b y s t e a m a n d p o r c e l a i n t i l e , s e e m e d t o e m e r g e f r o m someplace o t h e r t h a n t h e k e t t l e d r u m c h e s t . " I see y o u ' v e b r o u g h t a l o n g y o u r p a d a n d a p e n , in s p i t e of m y clear i n s t r u c t i o n s t h a t y o u were to carry nothing at all."

342

MICHAEL

CHABDN

Litvak held u p t h e offending items, beaded with steam. H e c o u l d feel t h e w a r p , t h e b u c k l e , i n t h e p a g e s o f h i s p a d . "You w o n ' t need t h e m . " T h e birds of Shpilman's h a n d s roosted o n t h e r o c k o f h i s belly, a n d h e c l o s e d h i s e y e s , d e p r i v i n g L i t v a k o f t h e i r s y m p a t h y , r e a l o r f e i g n e d , a n d l e a v i n g L i t v a k t o s t e w for a m i n u t e o r t w o in t h e s t e a m . L i t v a k h a d always h a t e d a s h v i t z . B u t this fixture of t h e old Harkavy, secular and squalid, was t h e only place that the Verbover rebbe could contrive to do private business away from his c o u r t , his gabay, his world. " I d o n ' t plan to r e q u i r e a n y further r e s p o n s e or i n q u i r y from y o u . " Litvak nodded and prepared to stand. His mind told him that Shpilman would not have bothered to s u m m o n him to this nude a n d o n e - s i d e d i n t e r v i e w if h e p l a n n e d t o t u r n L i t v a k d o w n . B u t h e felt i n h i s g u t t h a t t h e e r r a n d w a s d o o m e d , t h a t S h p i l m a n h a d c a l l e d h i m d o w n t o R i n g e l b l u m A v e n u e t o d e l i v e r t h e r e f u s a l in all t h e e l e p h a n t i n e a u t h o r i t y of his person. "I w a n t you to know, Mr. Litvak, that I have been giving a great d e a l o f c o n s i d e r a t i o n t o t h i s p r o p o s a l . I h a v e a t t e m p t e d t o follow its logic from e v e r y angle. " L e t ' s b e g i n w i t h o u r s o u t h e r n f r i e n d s . If i t w e r e s i m p l y a c a s e o f their w a n t i n g s o m e t h i n g , s o m e tangible feature or resource . . . oil, for e x a m p l e . O r if t h e y w e r e p r o m p t e d b y a m o r e p u r e l y s t r a t e g i c c o n c e r n w i t h r e g a r d t o Russia o r Persia. In e i t h e r case, t h e y clearly d o n ' t n e e d us. H o w e v e r difficult a c o n q u e s t t h e H o l y L a n d m i g h t be,

o u r physical p r e s e n c e , o u r willingness t o fight, o u r a r m s , can't

m a k e a great difference to their b a t t l e plan. I have studied their c l a i m s o f s u p p o r t for t h e J e w i s h c a u s e i n P a l e s t i n e , a n d

their

theology, and to the extent that I can, based on Rabbi Baronshteyn's r e p o r t s , I have tried to form a j u d g m e n t of t h e gentiles and their aims. A n d I can o n l y c o n c l u d e t h a t w h e n t h e y say t h e y wish t o see J e r u s a l e m r e s t o r e d t o J e w i s h sovereignty, t h e y m e a n it. T h e i r reasoning, t h e so-called prophecies a n d a p o c r y p h a whose supposed a u t h o r i t y u n d e r l i e s t h i s w i s h , m a y b e i t all s t r i k e s m e as l a u g h a b l e . A b o m i n a b l e , e v e n . I p i t y t h e g e n t i l e s for t h e i r c h i l d l i k e t r u s t i n

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

343

t h e i m m i n e n t r e t u r n of o n e w h o n e v e r in t h e first p l a c e d e p a r t e d , let alone arrived. B u t I a m q u i t e s u r e t h a t they, in t u r n , p i t y us o u r o w n t a r d y M e s s i a h . A s a f o u n d a t i o n for a p a r t n e r s h i p , m u t u a l p i t y is n o t t o b e d e s p i s e d . "As for y o u r a n g l e i n t h i s m a t t e r , t h a t is e a s y , yes? Y o u a r e a s o l d i e r for h i r e . Y o u e n j o y t h e c h a l l e n g e a n d t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f generalship. I u n d e r s t a n d t h a t . I do. You like t o fight, a n d y o u like k i l l i n g , as l o n g as t h o s e w h o d i e a r e n ' t y o u r m e n . A n d , I d a r e say, a f t e r all t h e s e y e a r s w i t h S h e m e t s — a n d n o w , o n y o u r o w n b e h a l f — y o u are long in t h e h a b i t of a p p e a r i n g t o please t h e A m e r i c a n s . " F o r t h e V e r b o v e r s , t h e r e is g r e a t r i s k . O u r e n t i r e c o m m u n i t y c o u l d b e lost in t h i s a d v e n t u r e . W i p e d o u t in a m a t t e r of d a y s , if y o u r t r o o p s a r e ill p r e p a r e d o r s i m p l y , as s e e m s n o t u n l i k e l y , o u t m a n n e d . B u t if w e s t a y h e r e , w e l l , t h e n w e a r e f i n i s h e d , t o o . S c a t t e r e d t o t h e w i n d s . O u r friends in t h e s o u t h have m a d e t h a t clear. T h a t is t h e ' s t i c k . ' R e v e r s i o n as t h e fire i n t h e s e a t o f t h e p a n t s , yes? A r e s t o r e d J e r u s a l e m as t h e b u c k e t o f i c e w a t e r . S o m e o f o u r y o u n g e r m e n a r g u e for m a k i n g a s t a n d h e r e , d a r i n g t h e m t o d i s l o d g e u s . B u t t h a t is m a d n e s s . " O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , if w e a g r e e , a n d y o u a r e s u c c e s s f u l , t h e n w e have regained a t r e a s u r e of such incalculable v a l u e — I m e a n Z i o n , of c o u r s e — t h a t t h e m e r e t h o u g h t of it o p e n s a l o n g - s h u t t e r e d w i n d o w in m y soul. I h a v e t o shield m y eyes from t h e b r i l l i a n c e . " H e r a i s e d t h e b a c k o f h i s left h a n d t o h i s e y e s . H i s t h i n w e d d i n g b a n d w a s e n g u l f e d i n h i s f i n g e r s l i k e a n a x h e a d l o s t i n t h e flesh o f a t r e e . L i t v a k felt t h e p u l s e i n h i s t h r o a t , a t h u m b p l u c k i n g o v e r a n d over at t h e lowest s t r i n g of a h a r p . Dizziness. A s e n s a t i o n of b a l l o o n i n g i n h i s feet a n d a r m s . I t m u s t b e t h e h e a t , h e t h o u g h t . H e t o o k s h a l l o w t i m i d b r e a t h s o f r i c h b u r n i n g air. " I a m d a z z l e d b y t h a t v i s i o n , " t h e r e b b e s a i d . " M a y b e as b l i n d e d b y i t , i n m y o w n w a y , as t h e e v a n g e l i c a l s . So p r e c i o u s is t h e t r e a s u r e . So i n c a l c u l a b l y s w e e t . " No.

I t w a s n o t , or n o t only, t h e h e a t a n d r i p e n e s s of t h e s h v i t z

t h a t w e r e m a k i n g L i t v a k ' s p u l s e t h r u m a n d h i s h e a d s p i n . H e felt

344

MICHAEL

CHABDN

c e r t a i n of t h e w i s d o m of his g u t : S h p i l m a n was a b o u t t o reject h i s p r o p o s a l . B u t as t h a t l i k e l i h o o d d r e w n e a r e r , a n e w p o s s i b i l i t y b e g a n t o d i z z y h i m , t o c o u r s e t h r o u g h h i m . It was t h e thrill of a dazzling move. " S t i l l , i t ' s n o t e n o u g h , " t h e r e b b e w a s s a y i n g . " I l o n g for M e s s i a h as I l o n g for n o t h i n g e l s e i n t h i s w o r l d . " H e s t o o d u p , a n d h i s b e l l y p o u r e d over his h i p s a n d groin like scalded m i l k foaming d o w n t h e s i d e s o f a p o t . " B u t I a m a f r a i d . I ' m a f r a i d o f f a i l u r e . I ' m afraid o f t h e p o t e n t i a l for g r e a t l o s s o f life a m o n g m y y i d s a n d t h e u t t e r d e s t r u c t i o n o f e v e r y t h i n g w e ' v e w o r k e d for t h e s e l a s t s i x t y y e a r s . T h e r e w e r e e l e v e n V e r b o v e r s left a t t h e e n d o f t h e w a r , L i t v a k . Eleven. I p r o m i s e d m y w i f e ' s f a t h e r o n h i s d e a t h b e d t h a t I w o u l d n e v e r let s u c h d e s t r u c t i o n befall us a g a i n . " A n d , finally, t r u t h f u l l y , I fear t h i s all m a y b e a fool's e r r a n d . T h e r e a r e n u m e r o u s a n d p e r s u a s i v e t e a c h i n g s a g a i n s t a c t i n g in any w a y t o h a s t e n t h e c o m i n g o f M e s s i a h . J e r e m i a h c o n d e m n s i t . So d o t h e O a t h s of S o l o m o n . Yes, of c o u r s e , I w a n t t o see m y y i d s s e t t l e d i n a n e w h o m e w i t h f i n a n c i a l a s s u r a n c e s f r o m t h e U . S . , offers o f a s s i s t a n c e a n d o f a c c e s s t o all t h e u n i m a g i n a b l y v a s t n e w m a r k e t s y o u r success in t h i s o p e r a t i o n w o u l d create. A n d I w a n t Messiah like I w a n t t o s i n k , after t h i s h e a t , i n t o t h e cold d a r k w a t e r s of t h e m i k v a h in t h e n e x t r o o m . B u t , G o d s h o u l d forgive m e t h e s e w o r d s , I a m a f r a i d . So a f r a i d t h a t e v e n t h e t a s t e o n m y l i p s o f M e s s i a h is n o t e n o u g h . A n d y o u can tell t h e m t h a t d o w n in W a s h i n g t o n . Tell t h e m t h e V e r b o v e r r e b b e w a s a f r a i d . " T h e i d e a o f h i s fear s e e m e d a l m o s t t o e n t r a n c e h i m w i t h its novelty, like a t e e n a g e r t h i n k i n g of d e a t h o r a w h o r e of t h e c h a n c e of an i m m a c u l a t e love. " W h a t ? " L i t v a k h e l d u p h i s r i g h t i n d e x finger. H e h a d s o m e t h i n g , o n e m o r e t h i n g t o offer t h e r e b b e . O n e m o r e c l a u s e for t h e c o n t r a c t . H e h a d n o i d e a h o w h e w o u l d d e l i v e r i t o r if i n d e e d i t c o u l d b e d e l i v e r e d . B u t as t h e r e b b e p r e p a r e d t o t u r n h i s m a s s i v e b a c k o n J e r u s a l e m a n d on t h e c o m p l i c a t e d h u g e n e s s of t h e deal t h a t L i t v a k h a d b e e n p u t t i n g t o g e t h e r for m o n t h s , h e felt i t w e l l u p i n h i m like a chess brilliancy, n o t a t e d w i t h d o u b l e exclamation marks.

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

345

H e s c r a m b l e d t o o p e n his p a d . H e s c r a w l e d t w o w o r d s o n t h e first c l e a n leaf, b u t in h i s h a s t e a n d p a n i c , h e p r e s s e d t o o h a r d a n d h i s pen ripped through the w e t paper. " W h a t is i t ? " S h p i l m a n s a i d , " Y o u h a v e s o m e t h i n g m o r e

to

offer?" Litvak nodded, once, twice. "Something more than Zion? Messiah? A home, a fortune?" L i t v a k g o t u p a n d p a d d e d a c r o s s t h e t i l e floor u n t i l h e s t o o d just beside t h e rebbe. N a k e d m e n b e a r i n g t h e tales of their r u i n e d bodies. Each of t h e m , in his way, bereft, alone. L i t v a k r e a c h e d o u t a n d , w i t h t h e force a n d i n s p i r a t i o n o f t h a t l o n e l i n e s s , a n d w i t h t h e t i p o f h i s finger, i n s c r i b e d t w o w o r d s i n t h e v a p o r c o n d e n s e d o n a w h i t e s q u a r e of tile. T h e rebbe read t h e m and looked up, and t h e y beaded over once more and were gone. " M y s o n , " t h e r e b b e said. It's more than a game, L i t v a k w r o t e n o w , i n t h e office a t P e r i l S t r a i t , as h e a n d R o b o y a w a i t e d t h e a r r i v a l o f t h a t w a y w a r d a n d u n r e d e e m e d s o n . I would rather fight to take a prize

however

doubtful

than wait to see what scraps I may be fed " I s u p p o s e t h e r e ' s a c r e d o in t h e r e s o m e p l a c e , " R o b o y said. " M a y b e t h e r e ' s h o p e for y o u y e t . " I n r e t u r n for p r o v i d i n g t h e m w i t h m a n p o w e r , a M e s s i a h , a n d financing b e y o n d their wildest d r e a m s , t h e only t h i n g t h a t L i t v a k h a d ever asked of his p a r t n e r s , clients, e m p l o y e r s , a n d associates in this v e n t u r e was that he never be expected to believe t h e nonsense t h a t t h e y believed. W h e r e t h e y saw t h e fruit of d i v i n e w i s h e s in a n e w b o r n r e d heifer, h e s a w t h e p r o d u c t o f $ 1 m i l l i o n i n t a x p a y e r dollars spent secretly on bull semen and in v i t r o fertilization. In t h e e v e n t u a l b u r n i n g o f t h i s l i t t l e r e d cow, t h e y s a w t h e p u r i f i c a t i o n o f all I s r a e l a n d t h e f u l f i l l m e n t o f a m i l l e n n i a - o l d p r o m i s e ; L i t v a k saw, at m o s t , a necessary m o v e in an a n c i e n t g a m e — t h e survival of t h e Jews. Oh I wouldn't go that far

346

MICHAEL

CHABDN

T h e r e w a s a k n o c k a t t h e door, a n d M i c k y V a y n e r p u t in his head. " I c a m e t o r e m i n d y o u , sir," h e said in his g o o d

American

Hebrew. L i t v a k s t a r e d b l a n k l y a t t h e p i n k face w i t h i t s p e e l i n g e y e l i d s and baby-fat chin. " F i v e m i n u t e s before t w i l i g h t . You said t o r e m i n d y o u . " L i t v a k w e n t t o t h e w i n d o w . T h e s k y w a s s t r i p e d in t h e p i n k , g r e e n , a n d l u m i n o u s g r a y of a salmon's hide. Sure e n o u g h , he saw a s t a r o r p l a n e t o v e r h e a d . H e n o d d e d his t h a n k s t o M i c k y Vayner. T h e n h e closed t h e box of c h e s s m e n a n d h o o k e d t h e clasp. " W h a t ' s at t w i l i g h t ? " R o b o y said. H e t u r n e d t o M i c k y Vayner. "What's today?" M i c k y V a y n e r s h r u g g e d ; as far as h e k n e w , i t w a s , b y t h e l u n a r calendar, an o r d i n a r y d a y in t h e m o n t h of N i s a n . T h o u g h , like his y o u n g c o m r a d e s , h e h a d b e e n t r a i n e d t o believe in t h e f o r e o r d a i n e d r e e s t a b l i s h m e n t of t h e biblical k i n g d o m of J u d a e a a n d in

the

d e s t i n y of J e r u s a l e m t o b e t h e e t e r n a l capital of t h e J e w s , h e was n o m o r e s t r i c t or nice in his o b s e r v a n c e t h a n any of t h e o t h e r s . T h e y o u n g A m e r i c a n Jews at Peril Strait o b s e r v e d t h e principal holidays, a n d for t h e m o s t p a r t , t h e y k e p t t h e d i e t a r y l a w s . T h e y w o r e t h e s k u l l c a p a n d t h e f o u r - c o r n e r s b u t k e p t t h e i r b e a r d s in m i l i t a r y trim. T h e y avoided work and training on the Sabbath, though not w i t h o u t e x c e p t i o n . A f t e r f o r t y y e a r s as a s e c u l a r w a r r i o r , L i t v a k c o u l d s t o m a c h t h a t m u c h . E v e n in t h e w a k e of t h e accident, w i t h his Sora gone, w i t h t h e w i n d w h i s t l i n g t h r o u g h t h e hole she had left i n L i t v a k ' s life, w i t h a t h i r s t for m e a n i n g a n d a h u n g e r for s e n s e a n d an e m p t y c u p a n d a b a r r e n dish, Alter Litvak could n o t have t a k e n a p l a c e a m o n g t r u l y r e l i g i o u s m e n . H e n e v e r c o u l d h a v e fallen h a p p i l y , for e x a m p l e , a m o n g t h e b l a c k h a t s . I n f a c t , h e c o u l d n o t abide black hats, and since t h e m e e t i n g at t h e baths, he had kept t o a m i n i m u m h i s c o n t a c t s w i t h t h e V e r b o v e r s , as t h e y p r e p a r e d in secret t o be airlifted en m a s s e t o Palestine.

THE Y I D D I S H

POLICEMEN'S

UNION

347

Today is nothing, h e w r o t e b e f o r e h e p o c k e t e d t h e n o t e p a d a n d w a l k e d o u t o f t h e r o o m . Call me when they

arrive

In his r o o m L i t v a k t o o k o u t his d e n t a l plates a n d d r o p p e d t h e m w i t h a c h i m e of dice i n t o a d r i n k i n g glass. H e u n l a c e d his b o o t s a n d sat d o w n heavily o n a folding c o t . W h e n e v e r h e c a m e o u t t o Peril S t r a i t , h e s l e p t in t h i s t i n y r o o m — o n t h e b l u e p r i n t s , it h a d b e e n s h o w n as a u t i l i t y c l o s e t — d o w n t h e h a l l f r o m R o b o y ' s office. H i s clothes he h u n g on a h o o k b e h i n d t h e door, his kit he stashed u n d e r the cot. H e leaned back against t h e cold wall of p a i n t e d cinder block a n d looked at t h e wall, over t h e steel shelf t h a t h e l d t h e glass w i t h h i s t e e t h . T h e r e w a s n o w i n d o w , so L i t v a k i m a g i n e d a n e a r l y s t a r . A wheeling duck. T h e p h o t o g r a p h moon. T h e sky slowly t u r n i n g t o t h e color of a g u n . A n d an a i r p l a n e , c o m i n g in low from

the

s o u t h e a s t , b e a r i n g t h e m a n w h o w a s , in L i t v a k ' s p l a n , b o t h p r i s o n e r and d y n a m i t e , tower and trapdoor, bull's-eye and dart. L i t v a k s t o o d u p slowly, w i t h a g r u n t of p a i n . T h e r e w e r e s c r e w s in h i s h i p s , w h i c h a c h e d ; h i s k n e e s t h u d d e d a n d g o n g e d l i k e t h e pedals of an old piano. T h e r e w a s a c o n s t a n t t h r u m of w i r e in t h e h i n g e s o f h i s jaw. H e r a n h i s t o n g u e a c r o s s t h e e m p t y z o n e s o f h i s m o u t h w i t h t h e i r feel o f s l i c k p u t t y . H e w a s a c c u s t o m e d t o p a i n and breakage, b u t since t h e accident, his b o d y n o longer s e e m e d to belong to him. It was s o m e t h i n g sawed and nailed together o u t of borrowed parts. A b i r d h o u s e built of scrap w o o d a n d p r o p p e d on a pole, in w h i c h his soul n a p p e d like a fugitive b a t . H e h a d b e e n b o r n , like e v e r y Jew, i n t o t h e w r o n g w o r l d , t h e w r o n g c o u n t r y , at t h e w r o n g t i m e , a n d n o w h e w a s l i v i n g in t h e w r o n g body, t o o . I n t h e e n d m a y b e i t w a s t h a t s e n s e o f w r o n g n e s s , t h a t fist i n t h e J e w i s h belly, b i n d i n g A l t e r L i t v a k t o t h e c a u s e o f t h e y i d s w h o h a d m a d e him their general. H e w e n t over to t h e steel shelf t h a t was b o l t e d to t h e wall u n d e r his n o t i o n a l window. A l o n g s i d e t h e d r i n k i n g glass

that

held t h e p r o o f of B u c h b i n d e r ' s g e n i u s , t h e r e s t o o d a s e c o n d glass.

348

MICHAEL

CHABDN

T h a t o n e c o n t a i n e d a few o u n c e s of paraffin h a r d e n e d a r o u n d a p i e c e of w h i t e s t r i n g . L i t v a k h a d b o u g h t t h i s c a n d l e in a g r o c e r y s t o r e n o t q u i t e a y e a r after his wife d i e d , w i t h t h e i n t e n t i o n of b u r n i n g it o n t h e a n n i v e r s a r y of h e r d e a t h . N o w a n u m b e r of such anniversaries h a d c o m e a n d g o n e , a n d L i t v a k h a d evolved his o w n quaint tradition. Every year he b r o u g h t the yahrzeit candle out, a n d looked at it, a n d t h o u g h t a b o u t lighting it. H e imagined t h e shy

flutter

o f a flame. H e e n v i s i o n e d h i m s e l f l y i n g i n t h e d a r k n e s s

w i t h t h e m e m o r i a l candle's light d a n c i n g over his head, scattering an alefbeys of s h a d o w s across t h e ceiling of t h e t i n y r o o m . H e p i c t u r e d t h e glass e m p t y at t h e close of t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s , t h e wick c o n s u m e d , t h e paraffin c o m b u s t e d , t h e m e t a l t a b d r o w n e d at t h e b o t t o m in w a x y d r e g s . A n d after t h a t — b u t h e r e his i m a g i n a t i o n t e n d e d t o fail h i m . L i t v a k r u m m a g e d i n t h e p o c k e t s o f h i s s u i t p a n t s for

his

l i g h t e r , j u s t t o g i v e h i m s e l f t h e o p t i o n , t h e c h a n c e o f finding o u t , if h e c o u l d b r i n g h i m s e l f t o d o i t , w h a t i t m i g h t m e a n t o s e t fire t o t h e m e m o r y of his wife. T h e l i g h t e r w a s a steel Z i p p o e t c h e d w i t h t h e R a n g e r s insignia in w o r n black lines on o n e side, a n d on t h e o t h e r d e n t e d d e e p l y w h e r e it h a d deflected s o m e o n c o m i n g b i t of t h e car, o r t h e r o a d , o r t h e c h o k e c h e r r y t r e e , from p i e r c i n g L i t v a k ' s h e a r t . For t h e sake of his t h r o a t , L i t v a k no longer smoked; t h e l i g h t e r w a s o n l y a h a b i t , a t o k e n of his s u r v i v o r s h i p , an ironical c h a r m t h a t n e v e r left h i s b e d s i d e o r h i s p a n t s . B u t n o w i t w a s i n neither place. H e p a t t e d himself d o w n w i t h the sheepish m e t h o d o f o l d m a n . H e s t e p p e d b a c k w a r d t h r o u g h h i s day, w o r k i n g h i s w a y t o t h a t m o r n i n g , w h e n , as e v e r y m o r n i n g , h e h a d s l i d t h e l i g h t e r i n t o his h i p p o c k e t . H a d n ' t he? All a t o n c e h e c o u l d n o t r e m e m b e r h a v i n g p o c k e t e d his Z i p p o t h a t m o r n i n g , or laying it on

the

steel shelf last n i g h t w h e n h e w e n t t o sleep. P e r h a p s he h a d been f o r g e t t i n g i t for d a y s . I t m i g h t b e i n S i t k a , i n t h e b a c k r o o m a t t h e Blackpool Hotel. It m i g h t be anywhere. Litvak lowered himself to t h e g r o u n d , d r a g g e d his kit from u n d e r t h e cot, and ransacked it,

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

343

his h e a r t p o u n d i n g . N o lighter. N o m a t c h e s , either. O n l y a c a n d l e in a j u i c e glass, a n d a m a n w h o d i d n o t k n o w h o w t o l i g h t it e v e n w h e n h e h a d a s o u r c e o f fire. L i t v a k t u r n e d t o t h e d o o r j u s t as h e h e a r d s o m e o n e a p p r o a c h . A soft k n o c k . H e s l i p p e d t h e y a h r z e i t candle i n t o t h e h i p p o c k e t of his j a c k e t . " R e b L i t v a k , " said M i c k y Vayner. " T h e y ' r e h e r e , sir." L i t v a k p u t in his t e e t h a n d t u c k e d in his s h i r t . I want everyone in quarters

I don't want anybody to see him now

" H e isn't ready," M i c k y Vayner said, a little doubtfully, w a n t i n g to be reassured. H e d i d n ' t know, had never seen M e n d e l Shpilman. H e had only heard stories of long-ago b o y i s h miracles a n d p e r h a p s c a u g h t an acrid whiff of s p o i l e d g o o d s t h a t s o m e t i m e s c u r l e d in t h e air over t h e m e n t i o n of S h p i l m a n ' s n a m e . He is unwell but we will heal him It was n e i t h e r p a r t of t h e i r d o c t r i n e n o r n e c e s s a r y t o

the

s u c c e s s o f L i t v a k ' s p l a n for M i c k y V a y n e r o r a n y o f t h e P e r i l S t r a i t Jews to believe t h a t M e n d e l Shpilman was t h e T z a d d i k Ha-Dor. A M e s s i a h w h o a c t u a l l y a r r i v e s is n o g o o d t o a n y b o d y . A h o p e fulfilled is a l r e a d y h a l f a d i s a p p o i n t m e n t . " W e k n o w he's j u s t a m a n , " said M i c k y Vayner dutifully. " W e all k n o w t h a t , R e b L i t v a k . O n l y a m a n a n d n o t h i n g m o r e , a n d t h i s is b i g g e r t h a n a n y m a n , w h a t w e ' r e d o i n g . " It isn't

the man I'm worried

about,

L i t v a k w r o t e . Everyone

in

quarters A s h e s t o o d o n t h e floatplane d o c k a n d w a t c h e d N a o m i L a n d s m a n help M e n d e l S h p i l m a n d o w n from t h e c o c k p i t of h e r S u p e r C u b , L i t v a k c o n s i d e r e d t h a t if h e d i d n o t k n o w b e t t e r , h e w o u l d h a v e t a k e n t h e m for o l d l o v e r s . T h e r e w a s a b r u s q u e f a m i l i a r i t y i n t h e w a y s h e g r i p p e d h i s u p p e r a r m , fished h i s s h i r t c o l l a r f r o m t h e l a p e l s of his r u m p l e d p i n - s t r i p e d j a c k e t , p i c k e d a s t r i n g of c e l l o p h a n e f r o m h i s hair. S h e w a t c h e d h i s face, o n l y h i s f a c e , as S h p i l m a n e y e d R o b o y a n d L i t v a k ; s h e w a s t e n d e r as a n e n g i n e e r l o o k i n g for cracks, fatigue in t h e m a t e r i a l . It s e e m e d i n c o n c e i v a b l e t h a t t h e y

350

MICHAEL

CHABDN

h a d k n o w n e a c h o t h e r , as far as L i t v a k w a s a w a r e , for s l i g h t l y u n d e r t h r e e h o u r s . T h r e e h o u r s . T h a t w a s all i t h a d t a k e n for h e r t o seal u p h e r fate w i t h his. " W e l c o m e , " Dr. R o b o y said, p o s e d beside a w h e e l c h a i r w i t h his necktie

flapping

in t h e b r e e z e . G o l d a n d T u r t e l t o y b , a S i t k a boy,

j u m p e d d o w n from t h e plane to t h e dock, T u r t e l t o y b heavy e n o u g h t o m a k e it r i n g like a s l a m m e d t e l e p h o n e . T h e w a t e r smacked t h e p i l i n g s . T h e air s m e l l e d of r o t t e n n e t t i n g a n d b r a c k i s h p u d d l e s in t h e b o t t o m s o f o l d b o a t s . I t w a s a l m o s t d a r k , a n d t h e y all l o o k e d v a g u e l y g r e e n i n t h e l i g h t o f t h e floods o n t h e s t a n d a r d s , e x c e p t for S h p i l m a n , w h o l o o k e d w h i t e as a f e a t h e r a n d as h o l l o w . " Y o u a r e genuinely welcome." " Y o u d i d n ' t n e e d t o send an a i r p l a n e , " S h p i l m a n said. H e had a w r y , a c t o r i s h v o i c e , h i s d i c t i o n s t u d i e d , e x c e l l e n t , w i t h a low, soft u n d e r t h r o b of t h e sorrowful U k r a i n e . " I ' m perfectly capable of flying

on m y o w n . "

"Yes,

well—"

" X - r a y v i s i o n . B u l l e t p r o o f . T h e w h o l e b i t . W h o is t h e w h e e l c h a i r for, me?" H e o u t s p r e a d his a r m s , laid his feet p r i m l y side b y side, a n d gave himself a slow once-over, looking p r e p a r e d to be shocked at w h a t h e found. Ill-fitting p i n - s t r i p e d suit, hatless, tie loosely k n o t t e d , o n e s h i r t t a i l h a n g i n g o u t , s o m e t h i n g t e e n a g e in his u n r u l y g i n g e r curls. I m p o s s i b l e t o see in t h a t s l e n d e r fragile frame, t h a t sleepy face, a n y h i n t o f t h e m o n s t r o u s f a t h e r . O r m a y b e a l i t t l e , a r o u n d t h e eyes. S h p i l m a n t u r n e d t o t h e pilot, affecting t o be surprised, e v e n h u r t , b y t h e i m p l i c a t i o n t h a t h e w a s s o far g o n e as t o n e e d a wheelchair. B u t L i t v a k saw t h a t h e was p u t t i n g it on to cover his real surprise a n d h u r t at t h e implication. " Y o u s a i d I l o o k e d all r i g h t , M i s s L a n d s m a n , " S h p i l m a n s a i d , t e a s i n g her, a p p e a l i n g t o her, p l e a d i n g w i t h her. "You look terrific, k i d , " t h e L a n d s m a n told h i m . She was dressed in b l u e jeans t u c k e d i n t o high black b o o t s , a man's w h i t e oxford

THE Y I D D I S H

shirt, an old Sitka C e n t r a l

PDLICEMEN'S

firing-range

UNIDN

351

j a c k e t t h a t said L A N D S M A N

over t h e p o c k e t . "You look fabulous." "Ah, y o u ' r e lying, y o u liar." "You look like thirty-five h u n d r e d dollars t o m e , S h p i l m a n , " t h e L a n d s m a n said, n o t unkindly. " H o w a b o u t w e leave it at t h a t ? " "I won't be needing the wheelchair, doctor," Shpilman

said

w i t h o u t r e p r o a c h . " B u t t h a n k y o u for t h i n k i n g o f m e . " "Are y o u ready, M e n d e l ? " Dr. R o b o y a s k e d h i m in his g e n t l e a n d s e n t e n t i o u s way. " D o I need t o b e r e a d y ? " M e n d e l said. "If I n e e d t o b e ready, w e m a y h a v e t o p u s h t h i s b a c k a few w e e k s . " T h e w o r d s e m e r g e d from L i t v a k ' s t h r o a t like a k i n d of v e r b a l d u s t devil, a tangle of g r i t a n d g u s t s , u n b i d d e n . A n awful s o u n d , like a glob of b u r n i n g r u b b e r p l u n g e d i n t o a b u c k e t of ice. "You d o n ' t need to be ready," L i t v a k said. "You only need t o b e here." T h e y all l o o k e d s h o c k e d , h o r r i f i e d , e v e n G o l d , w h o h a p p i l y c o u l d have read a comic b o o k b y t h e light of a b u r n i n g m a n . Shpilman t u r n e d slowly, a s m i l e t u c k e d i n t o o n e c o r n e r o f h i s m o u t h l i k e a baby carried on the hip. "Alter Litvak, I p r e s u m e , " he said, h o l d i n g o u t

his

hand,

scowling at L i t v a k , affecting t o b e t o u g h a n d m a s c u l i n e in a w a y t h a t m o c k e d t o u g h n e s s and m a s c u l i n i t y a n d his o w n relative lack o f b o t h q u a l i t i e s . " W h a t a g r i p , oy, i t ' s l i k e a r o c k . " His

own

grip was

soft,

warm,

not

quite

dry, eternally

a

schoolboy's. S o m e t h i n g i n Litvak resisted it, t h e w a r m t h a n d softness of it. H e w a s h i m s e l f horrified b y t h e p t e r o s a u r e c h o of his o w n v o i c e , b y t h e fact t h a t h e h a d s p o k e n a t a l l . H e w a s h o r r i f i e d t o s e e t h a t t h e r e w a s s o m e t h i n g a b o u t M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , a b o u t his puffy face a n d h i s b a d s u i t , h i s k i d - p r o d i g y s m i l e a n d h i s b r a v e a t t e m p t t o h i d e t h e fact t h a t h e w a s a f r a i d , t h a t h a d p r o m p t e d L i t v a k , for t h e first t i m e i n y e a r s , t o s p e a k . L i t v a k k n e w t h a t c h a r i s m a w a s a r e a l if i n d e f i n a b l e q u a l i t y , a c h e m i c a l fire t h a t c e r t a i n h a l f - f o r t u n a t e

352

MICHAEL CHABDN

m e n g a v e off. L i k e a n y fire o r t a l e n t , i t w a s a m o r a l , u n c o n n e c t e d to goodness or wickedness, power or usefulness or s t r e n g t h . H e f e l t , s h a k i n g S h p i l m a n ' s h o t h a n d , h o w s o u n d h i s t a c t i c s w e r e . If R o b o y could get Shpilman u p and r u n n i n g again, then Shpilman c o u l d i n s p i r e a n d lead n o t m e r e l y a few h u n d r e d a r m e d believers or t h i r t y t h o u s a n d b l a c k - h a t t e d h u s t l e r s l o o k i n g for n e w turf, b u t a n entire lost and w a n d e r i n g nation. Litvak's plan was going to work because there was something about Mendel Shpilman that could m a k e a m a n w i t h a b r o k e n voice box w a n t to speak. It was against t h e s o m e t h i n g in S h p i l m a n t h a t s o m e t h i n g in L i t v a k p u s h e d b a c k , r e v u l s e d . H e felt a n u r g e t o c r u s h t h a t s c h o o l b o y h a n d i n h i s o w n , to b r e a k t h e bones of it. " W h a t ' s u p , y i d ? " t h e L a n d s m a n said t o L i t v a k . " L o n g t i m e . " Litvak nodded, and he shook the Landsman's hand. H e was t o r n , as h e h a d a l w a y s b e e n , b e t w e e n h i s n a t u r a l i m p u l s e t o a d m i r e a c o m p e t e n t p r a c t i t i o n e r of a difficult t r a d e a n d his s u s p i c i o n t h a t t h e w o m a n w a s a l e s b i a n , a h u m a n c a t e g o r y t h a t h e failed a l m o s t on principle to understand. "All r i g h t , t h e n , " s h e s a i d . S h e w a s s t i l l h o l d i n g o n t o S h p i l m a n , a n d as t h e w i n d p i c k e d u p , s h e m o v e d c l o s e r t o h i m a n d p u t h e r a r m a r o u n d his shoulder, d r a w i n g h i m t o her, giving h i m a squeeze. S h e s c a n n e d t h e g r e e n i s h faces o f t h e m e n w h o w a i t e d for h e r t o h a n d o v e r t h e c a r g o . " Y o u g o i n g t o b e all r i g h t , t h e n ? " L i t v a k w r o t e in his p a d a n d p a s s e d it t o Roboy. " I t ' s l a t e , " R o b o y s a i d . " A n d d a r k . L e t u s p u t y o u u p for t h e night." S h e a p p e a r e d t o c o n s i d e r r e j e c t i n g t h e offer for a l o n g m o m e n t . T h e n she n o d d e d . " G o o d i d e a , " she said. A t t h e b o t t o m of t h e long, w i n d i n g stair, S h p i l m a n s t o p p e d to t a k e in t h e p a r t i c u l a r s of t h e climb a n d t h e p l a t f o r m of t h e inclined e l e v a t o r , a n d h e s e e m e d t o suffer a q u a l m — a f o r e s h o c k , a s u d d e n access of u n d e r s t a n d i n g of e v e r y t h i n g t h a t w o u l d from n o w on be e x p e c t e d of h i m . W i t h a certain d r a m a , he collapsed i n t o Roboy's wheelchair.

THE Y I D D I S H

POLICEMEN'S

UNION

353

" I left m y c a p e a t h o m e , " h e s a i d . W h e n t h e y reached t h e t o p , he stayed in t h e chair a n d allowed t h e L a n d s m a n to wheel h i m i n t o t h e m a i n building. T h e strain of t r a v e l o r t h e s t e p h e h a d finally t a k e n o r t h e p l u m m e t i n g l e v e l o f h e r o i n in his b l o o d s t r e a m w a s b e g i n n i n g t o tell. B u t w h e n

they

r e a c h e d t h e r o o m o n t h e g r o u n d floor t h a t h a d b e e n p r e p a r e d for h i m — a b e d , a d e s k , a c h a i r , a n d a fine E n g l i s h c h e s s s e t — h e r a l l i e d . H e reached i n t o t h e p o c k e t of his creased suit a n d t o o k o u t a black and bright-yellow cardboard package. " N u , I u n d e r s t a n d a m a z e l t o v is i n o r d e r ? " h e s a i d , p a s s i n g o u t half a dozen

fine-looking

C o h i b a cigars. T h e smell of

them,

even u n l i t a n d t h r e e feet from his n o s t r i l s , w a s e n o u g h t o w h i s p e r promises to Litvak of well-earned respite, clean sheets, h o t water, b r o w n w o m e n , t h e q u i e t a f t e r m a t h of b r u t a l battles. " T h e y tell m e it's a girl." For a m o m e n t nobody k n e w w h a t he was talking about, and t h e n t h e y all l a u g h e d n e r v o u s l y , e x c e p t for L i t v a k a n d T u r t e l t o y b , w h o s e c h e e k s t u r n e d t h e c o l o r o f b o r s c h t . T u r t e l t o y b k n e w , as each of t h e m knew, t h a t S h p i l m a n w a s n o t t o b e p r o v i d e d w i t h a n y d e t a i l s o f t h e p l a n , i n c l u d i n g t h e n e w b o r n heifer, u n t i l L i t v a k g a v e t h e order. L i t v a k k n o c k e d t h e c i g a r f r o m S h p i l m a n ' s soft h a n d . H e s c o w l e d at T u r t e l t o y b , h a r d l y able t o see h i m t h r o u g h t h e b l o o d - r e d b r o t h o f h i s o w n a n g e r . T h e c e r t a i n t y h e h a d felt d o w n o n t h e d o c k t h a t Shpilman would serve their needs was t u r n e d a b r u p t l y on its head. A m a n like S h p i l m a n , a t a l e n t like S h p i l m a n ' s , c o u l d n e v e r serve a n y o n e ; i t c o u l d o n l y b e s e r v e d , a b o v e all b y t h e o n e w h o w i e l d e d i t . N o w o n d e r t h e p o o r b a s t a r d h a d b e e n h i d i n g f r o m i t for so l o n g . Out T h e y r e a d h i s m e s s a g e a n d filed o n e b y o n e o u t o f t h e r o o m , l a s t o f all t h e L a n d s m a n , w h o m a d e a p o i n t o f a s k i n g w h e r e s h e w o u l d b e s l e e p i n g a n d t h e n of t e l l i n g M e n d e l p o i n t e d l y t h a t s h e w o u l d see h i m in t h e m o r n i n g . A t t h e t i m e L i t v a k h a d a v a g u e i d e a s h e m i g h t b e a r r a n g i n g a t r y s t , b u t h i s n o t i o n o f h e r as a l e s b i a n c a n c e l e d i t

354

MICHAEL

CHABDN

o u t before he h a d t i m e to give it any consideration. It d i d n ' t occur t o L i t v a k t h a t t h e J e w e s s , i n h e r r e a d i n e s s for a n y a d v e n t u r e , w a s a l r e a d y l a y i n g t h e g r o u n d w o r k for t h e d a r i n g e s c a p e t h a t M e n d e l had not yet decided to attempt. T h e Landsman struck a match, puffed at h e r cigar t o get it lit. T h e n she s a u n t e r e d o u t . " D o n ' t h o l d it a g a i n s t t h e boy, R e b L i t v a k , " S h p i l m a n

said

w h e n t h e y w e r e alone. "People have a w a y of telling m e things. B u t I g u e s s y o u n o t i c e d t h a t . Please, h a v e a cigar. G o o n . It's a v e r y good one." S h p i l m a n p i c k e d u p t h e c o r o n a t h a t L i t v a k h a d k n o c k e d from his grasp, a n d w h e n L i t v a k n e i t h e r accepted nor refused it, t h e yid lifted it t o L i t v a k ' s m o u t h a n d fitted it g e n t l y b e t w e e n his lips. It h u n g t h e r e , e x u d i n g its smells of g r a v y a n d cork a n d m e s q u i t e , c u n t i s h smells t h a t s t i r r e d old longings. T h e r e w a s a click, and a scrape, and then Litvak leaned wonderingly forward and poked the e n d o f t h e c i g a r i n t o t h e f l a m e o f h i s o w n Z i p p o l i g h t e r . H e felt t h e m o m e n t a r y s h o c k of a miracle. T h e n h e g r i n n e d a n d n o d d e d his t h a n k s , feeling a k i n d of g i d d y relief at t h e b e l a t e d arrival of a l o g i c a l e x p l a n a t i o n : H e m u s t h a v e left t h e l i g h t e r b a c k i n S i t k a , w h e r e G o l d or T u r t e l t o y b h a d found it a n d b r o u g h t it along on t h e flight t o Peril S t r a i t . S h p i l m a n h a d b o r r o w e d it a n d , w i t h his j u n k i e i n s t i n c t s , p o c k e t e d it after l i g h t i n g a p a p i r o s . Yes, g o o d . T h e cigar c a u g h t w i t h a crackle a n d flared. W h e n L i t v a k looked back u p from t h e glowing coal, Shpilman was staring at him w i t h t h o s e s t r a n g e m o s a i c e y e s , flecks o f g o l d a n d g r e e n . G o o d , L i t v a k t o l d h i m s e l f a g a i n . A v e r y g o o d cigar. " G o a h e a d , " S h p i l m a n said. H e p r e s s e d t h e Z i p p o i n t o Litvak's h a n d . " G o , R e b L i t v a k . L i g h t t h e c a n d l e . T h e r e ' s n o p r a y e r y o u say. T h e r e ' s n o t h i n g y o u h a v e t o d o o r feel. You j u s t l i g h t i t . G o o n . " As logic d r a i n e d away from t h e world, never entirely to r e t u r n , Shpilman reached into Litvak's jacket pocket and took out

the

glass a n d t h e w a x a n d t h e wick. For this trick, L i t v a k could m a k e h i m s e l f n o e x p l a n a t i o n . H e t o o k t h e c a n d l e from S h p i l m a n a n d set i t o n a t a b l e . H e s t r u c k t h e flint w i t h a s c r a t c h o f h i s t h u m b . H e

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

355

felt t h e i n t e n s e w a r m t h o f S h p i l m a n ' s h a n d o n h i s s h o u l d e r . T h e fist o f h i s h e a r t b e g i n t o s l a c k e n i t s g r i p , t h e w a y i t m i g h t w h e n t h e d a y c a m e t h a t h e finally s e t f o o t i n t h e h o m e w h e r e h e w a s m e a n t t o dwell. It was a terrifying sensation. H e o p e n e d his m o u t h . "No,"

h e said in a voice t h a t h a d in i t , t o his w o n d e r , a n o t e of

the human. H e snapped the lighter shut and knocked Shpilman's hand aside with such violence that Shpilman lost his balance, s t u m b l e d , a n d h i t h i s h e a d o n t h e m e t a l shelf. T h e f o r c e o f t h e b l o w j a r r e d l o o s e t h e c a n d l e a n d s e n t i t c r a s h i n g t o t h e t i l e floor. T h e g l a s s c r a c k e d i n t o t h r e e large pieces. T h e cylinder of w a x split in t w o . "I don't w a n t it," Litvak croaked. " I ' m not ready." But w h e n he looked d o w n at Shpilman, sprawled on t h e

floor,

dazed, b l e e d i n g from a c u t on his r i g h t t e m p l e , h e k n e w t h a t it w a s already too late.

J

u s t as L i t v a k lays d o w n h i s p e n , y o u c a n h e a r a t u m u l t o u t s i d e : half a c u r s e , glass b r e a k i n g , t h e w i n d huffing o u t of somebody's lungs. T h e n

Berko

Shemets

comes

promenading

into

the

b e d r o o m . H e has G o l d ' s h e a d n e s t l e d u n d e r o n e a r m like a nice roast and the rest of Gold draggling along behind. T h e

ganef's

heels p l o w d e e p furrows in t h e c a r p e t . Berko slams t h e d o o r b e h i n d t h e m . H e has his s h o l e m o u t , a n d it h u n g e r s like a c o m p a s s needle for t h e m a g n e t i c n o r t h o f A l t e r L i t v a k . H e r t z ' s b l o o d is m a p p e d a c r o s s B e r k o ' s h u n t i n g s h i r t a n d j e a n s . B e r k o ' s h a t is p u s h e d b a c k i n a w a y t h a t m a k e s h i s face l o o k all b r o w a n d e y e w h i t e s . T h e h e a d of G o l d glares o r a c u l a r from t h e c r o o k of Berko's a r m . "You should shit blood and p u s , " Gold intones. "You should get scabies like J o b . " Berko's gun swings a r o u n d to get a look at t h e y o u n g yid's b r a i n in its b r e a k a b l e container. G o l d s t o p s s t r u g g l i n g , a n d t h e g u n r e s u m e s its one-eyed inspection of A l t e r Litvak's chest. " B e r k o , " L a n d s m a n says. " W h a t ' s t h i s c r a z i n e s s ? " Berko heaves his gaze t o w a r d L a n d s m a n like a great b u r d e n . H e o p e n s his lips, closes t h e m , d r a w s a b r e a t h . H e seems t o have s o m e t h i n g i m p o r t a n t t h a t h e w a n t s t o express, a n a m e , a spell, an

THE Y I D D I S H

POLICEMEN'S

UNION

357

equation t h a t can b e n d t i m e or u n k n i t t h e strings of t h e world. O r m a y b e he's t r y i n g t o k e e p from c o m i n g u n k n i t himself. " T h a t y i d , " h e s a y s , a n d t h e n softer, h i s v o i c e a l i t t l e h u s k y , "My mother." L a n d s m a n h a s m a y b e s e e n a p h o t o g r a p h o f L a u r i e J o Bear. H e manages to scare u p a v a g u e m e m o r y of teased black b a n g s , p i n k i s h g l a s s e s , a w i s e a s s s m i l e . B u t t h e w o m a n is n o t e v e n a g h o s t t o h i m . B e r k o u s e d t o t e l l s t o r i e s a b o u t life i n t h e I n d i a n e r - L a n d s . B a s k e t b a l l , seal h u n t s , d r u n k s a n d u n c l e s , W i l l i e D i c k s t o r i e s , t h e s t o r y of t h e h u m a n ear on t h e table. L a n d s m a n d o e s n ' t r e m e m b e r any stories a b o u t t h e mother. H e supposes t h a t he always k n e w t h e r e h a d t o be s o m e k i n d of cost t o Berko in t u r n i n g h i m s e l f inside o u t t h e w a y h e d i d , s o m e k i n d of h e r o i c feat of f o r g e t t i n g . H e j u s t n e v e r b o t h e r e d t o t h i n k o f i t as a l o s s . A f a i l u r e o f i m a g i n a t i o n , a w o r s e s i n in a s h a m m e s t h a n g o i n g i n t o a h o t p l a c e w i t h n o b a c k u p . O r m a y b e it w a s t h e s a m e sin in a different f o r m . " N o d o u b t , " L a n d s m a n says, t a k i n g a s t e p t o w a r d his p a r t n e r . " B a d guy. W o r t h a b u l l e t . " " Y o u h a v e t w o l i t t l e b o y s , B e r k o , " B i n a says i n h e r f l a t t e s t t o n e . "You have E s t e r - M a l k e . You have a f u t u r e n o t t o t h r o w away." " H e d o e s n o t , " G o l d s a y s , o r t r i e s t o say. B e r k o p u t s a d e e p e r squeeze on h i m , a n d G o l d gags, t r y i n g t o t u r n over, t o gain p u r c h a s e w i t h his feet. L i t v a k scrawls s o m e t h i n g in t h e b a c k of t h e p a d w i t h o u t t a k i n g h i s e y e s off o f B e r k o . " W h a t is i t ? " B e r k o says. " W h a t d i d h e s a y ? " No future

here for any Jew

" Y e a h , y e a h , " says L a n d s m a n . " W e g e t i t a l r e a d y . " H e g r a b s t h e p e n a n d t h e p a d a w a y f r o m L i t v a k . H e flips o v e r t h e last p a g e a n d w r i t e s , in A m e r i c a n , D O N ' T B E A N IDIOT! Y O U R A C T I N G LIKE M E ! H e tears o u t t h e sheet of paper, t h e n tosses t h e p a d a n d p e n b a c k t o L i t v a k . H e h o l d s t h e s h e e t u p in front of B e r k o ' s face so t h a t h i s p a r t n e r c a n r e a d i t . I t ' s a fairly p e r s u a s i v e

358

MICHAEL

CHABDN

a r g u m e n t . B e r k o l e t s g o o f G o l d r i g h t as t h e y i d is t u r n i n g a b r u i s e d c o l o r all over. G o l d d r o p s t o t h e floor, g a s p i n g for b r e a t h . T h e g u n i n B e r k o ' s fist w a v e r s . " H e k i l l e d y o u r sister,

Meyer."

" I d o n ' t k n o w if h e d i d o r n o t , " L a n d s m a n says. H e t u r n s t o Litvak. "Did you?" L i t v a k shakes his head a n d starts to w r i t e s o m e t h i n g o u t on t h e pad, b u t before he

finishes,

a c h e e r goes u p in t h e o u t e r r o o m .

T h e heartfelt b u t self-conscious w h o o p of y o u n g m e n w a t c h i n g s o m e t h i n g g r e a t o n t e l e v i s i o n . A g o a l h a s b e e n s c o r e d . A girl p l a y i n g b e a c h v o l l e y b a l l h a s fallen o u t o f h e r b i k i n i t o p . A m o m e n t later, L a n d s m a n hears t h e cheer echoing, t h e s o u n d of it carried t h r o u g h t h e o p e n w i n d o w o f t h e p e n t h o u s e as if o n a w i n d f r o m far a w a y , t h e H a r k a v y , t h e N a c h t a s y l . L i t v a k s m i l e s a n d p u t s d o w n t h e p a d a n d p e n w i t h a s t r a n g e finality, as if h e h a s n o t h i n g left t o say. A s if h i s w h o l e c o n f e s s i o n w a s l e a d i n g t o — w a s m a d e p o s s i b l e b y — only t h i s m o m e n t . G o l d crawls t o t h e door, d r a g s it o p e n , a n d t h e n s t a g g e r s t o his feet a n d i n t o t h e o u t e r r o o m . Bina goes over t o B e r k o a n d h o l d s o u t h e r h a n d , a n d a f t e r a m o m e n t B e r k o lays t h e gun across her palm. In t h e o u t e r r o o m of t h e p e n t h o u s e , t h e y o u n g believers h u g o n e a n o t h e r a n d j u m p u p a n d d o w n in t h e i r suits. T h e i r y a r m u l k e s t u m b l e f r o m t h e i r h e a d s . T h e i r faces s h i n e w i t h t e a r s . O n t h e b i g t e l e v i s i o n s c r e e n , L a n d s m a n g e t s h i s first l o o k a t an i m a g e t h a t will soon b e s p l a s h e d across t h e front p a g e of e v e r y n e w s p a p e r in t h e w o r l d . All over t o w n , p i o u s h a n d s will clip it a n d t a p e it t o t h e i r front d o o r s a n d w i n d o w s . T h e y will frame it a n d h a n g it b e h i n d t h e c o u n t e r s of their shops. Some hustler, i n e v i t a b l y , w i l l w o r k t h e t h i n g u p as a f u l l - s i z e p o s t e r , t w o feet b y t h r e e . T h e h i l l t o p in J e r u s a l e m , c r o w d e d w i t h alleys a n d houses. T h e b r o a d e m p t y m e s a of p a v i n g s t o n e . T h e j a g g e d j a w b o n e of b u r n t t e e t h . T h e magnificent p l u m e of black smoke. A n d at t h e b o t t o m t h e l e g e n d , i n b l u e l e t t e r s , A T L A S T ! T h e s e p o s t e r s w i l l sell a t t h e s t a t i o n e r s ' for b e t w e e n t e n d o l l a r s a n d $ 1 2 . 9 5 .

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNION

359

"Sweet God. W h a t are they doing? W h a t did they do?" T h e r e is a l o t t h a t s h o c k s L a n d s m a n a b o u t t h e i m a g e o n t h e t e l e v i s i o n s c r e e n , b u t t h e m o s t s h o c k i n g t h i n g o f all is s i m p l y t h a t an object eight t h o u s a n d miles away has been a c t e d u p o n b y J e w s from Sitka. It seems t o v i o l a t e s o m e f u n d a m e n t a l law of t h e e m o t i o n a l p h y s i c s t h a t L a n d s m a n u n d e r s t a n d s . S i t k a s p a c e - t i m e is a c u r v e d p h e n o m e n o n ; a y i d c o u l d r e a c h o u t i n a n y d i r e c t i o n as far as h e w a s a b l e a n d e n d u p o n l y t a p p i n g h i m s e l f o n t h e b a c k . " W h a t a b o u t M e n d e l ? " h e says. " I g u e s s t h e y w e r e t o o far a l o n g t o s t o p , " B i n a says. " I g u e s s they just went ahead without h i m . " I t ' s p e r v e r s e , b u t for s o m e r e a s o n , t h e t h o u g h t m a k e s L a n d s m a n feel s a d o n M e n d e l ' s behalf. E v e r y t h i n g a n d e v e r y o n e , f r o m n o w o n , will b e g o i n g a h e a d w i t h o u t h i m . For a couple of m i n u t e s Bina stands t h e r e w a t c h i n g t h e boys c a r r y o n , h e r a r m s f o l d e d , h e r face w i t h o u t e x p r e s s i o n e x c e p t a t t h e corners of her eyes. T h e w a y she looks r e m i n d s L a n d s m a n of an e n g a g e m e n t p a r t y t h e y w e n t t o y e a r s a g o , for a f r i e n d o f B i n a ' s . T h e b r i d e - t o - b e w a s m a r r y i n g a m e x i c a n , a n d as a k i n d o f j o k e , t h e p a r t y h a d a C i n c o d e M a y o t h e m e . T h e y h u n g a p a p i e r - m â c h é p e n g u i n from a t r e e in t h e yard. Children were blindfolded and sent forth, a r m e d with a stick, to deal t h e p e n g u i n blows until it b r o k e open. T h e children beat t h e p e n g u i n w i t h savagery, a n d t h e n t h e c a n d y c a m e s h o w e r i n g d o w n . I t w a s j u s t a b u n c h o f w r a p p e d toffees, p e p p e r m i n t , b u t t e r s c o t c h , t h e kind y o u r g r e a t - a u n t could b e relied u p o n t o s u p p l y from a d u s t y c r e v i c e o f h e r h a n d b a g . B u t as i t r a i n e d f r o m t h e sky, t h e c h i l d r e n s w a r m e d w i t h a b e s t i a l joy. A n d B i n a s t o o d t h e r e w a t c h i n g t h e m w i t h her a r m s folded a n d a pleat at t h e c o r n e r s of h e r eyes. She passes Berko b a c k his sholem a n d u n h o l s t e r s h e r o w n . " S h u t u p , " B i n a says, a n d t h e n in A m e r i c a n , " S h u t t h e fuck u p ! " Some of t h e y o u n g m e n have taken o u t their Shoyfers a n d are t r y i n g t o call p e o p l e , b u t e v e r y o n e i n S i t k a m u s t b e t r y i n g t o c a l l people. T h e y show one another the error messages they are getting

360

MICHAEL

CHABDN

o n t h e i r t e l e p h o n e s ' s c r e e n s . T h e n e t w o r k is b u s y . B i n a g o e s o v e r t o t h e television a n d kicks its c o r d . T h e p l u g snaps o u t of t h e wall. T h e television sighs. S o m e d a r k fuel s e e m s t o d r a i n f r o m t h e y o u n g m e n ' s t a n k s w h e n t h e t e l e v i s i o n g o e s off. " Y o u a r e u n d e r a r r e s t , " B i n a says g e n t l y , n o w t h a t s h e h a s t h e i r a t t e n t i o n . " G o over and p u t your h a n d s on t h e wall. Meyer." L a n d s m a n p a t s t h e m d o w n o n e b y one, c r o u c h i n g like a tailor m e a s u r i n g a n i n s e a m . F r o m t h e six a l o n g t h e w a l l , h e c o l l e c t s e i g h t h a n d g u n s a n d t w o e x p e n s i v e h u n t i n g k n i v e s . As h e finishes w i t h each o n e , h e tells h i m t o sit d o w n . H i s t h i r d search recovers t h e B e r e t t a t h a t B e r k o l e n t t o h i m b e f o r e h e left for Yakovy. L a n d s m a n h o l d s i t u p for B e r k o t o enjoy. " L i t t l e c u t i e , " Berko says, k e e p i n g his b i g s h o l e m level. W h e n L a n d s m a n is t h r o u g h , t h e y o u n g b e l i e v e r s t a k e t h e i r s e a t s , t h r e e o n t h e c o u c h , t w o i n a p a i r o f a r m c h a i r s , o n e in a d i n i n g c h a i r p u l l e d from an alcove. All at o n c e , s i t t i n g in t h e i r chairs, t h e y look y o u n g and lost. T h e y are t h e r u n t s . T h e ones t h a t have been left b e h i n d . T h e y t u r n as o n e , faces f l u s h e d , t o t h e d o o r o f L i t v a k ' s b e d r o o m , l o o k i n g for g u i d a n c e . T h e d o o r t o t h e b e d r o o m is c l o s e d . Bina o p e n s t h e door, t h e n p u s h e s it wide w i t h a toe. She stands, l o o k i n g i n , for a full five s e c o n d s . "Meyer. Berko." T h e b l i n d r a t t l e s in t h e w i n d . T h e b a t h r o o m d o o r s t a n d s o p e n , t h e b a t h r o o m d a r k . A l t e r L i t v a k is g o n e . T h e y look in t h e closet. T h e y look in t h e shower. Bina goes o v e r t o t h e r a t t l i n g b l i n d a n d j e r k s it h i g h . A s l i d i n g glass d o o r s t a n d s o p e n , w i d e e n o u g h t o a d m i t an i n t r u d e r or an escapee. T h e y go o u t o n t o t h e roof a n d look around. T h e y search behind t h e a i r - c o n d i t i o n e r u n i t , a n d all a r o u n d a w a t e r t a n k , a n d u n d e r a t a r p t h a t conceals a pile of folding chairs. T h e y peer over t h e c o r n i c e s . T h e r e is n o s h a t t e r e d p o r t r a i t o f L i t v a k d r a w n i n oils o n t h e surface of t h e p a r k i n g lot. T h e y go b a c k d o w n t o t h e p e n t h o u s e of t h e Blackpool.

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNION

361

I n t h e m i d d l e o f h i s c o t lie L i t v a k ' s p e n a n d p a d a n d a n i l l - u s e d g u n m e t a l Z i p p o . L a n d s m a n picks u p t h e p a d t o read t h e last w o r d s t h a t L i t v a k w r o t e before h e laid it d o w n . I didnt kill her she was a good man " T h e y s m u g g l e d h i m o u t , " B i n a says. " T h o s e b a s t a r d s . T h o s e b a s t a r d U.S. A r m y R a n g e r f r i e n d s o f h i s . " B i n a calls t o t h e m e n d o w n a r o u n d t h e h o t e l ' s d o o r s . N o n e o f t h e m s a w a n y o n e l e a v e n o r a n y t h i n g u n u s u a l , for e x a m p l e , a s q u a d of coal-faced w a r r i o r s on r a p p e l l i n g cables b e i n g l o w e r e d from a Black H a w k . " B a s t a r d s , " s h e says a g a i n , i n A m e r i c a n t h i s t i m e , a n d w i t h greater heat. "Fucking Bible-thumping Yankee motherfuckers." " L a n g u a g e , lady, j e e z ! " " Y e a h , w h o a , t a k e it easy, t h e r e , m a ' a m . " S o m e A m e r i c a n s in s u i t s , a n u m b e r of t h e m , t o o m a n y a n d t o o b u n c h e d u p for L a n d s m a n t o c o u n t a c c u r a t e l y , c a l l i t s i x , h a v e a r r a n g e d t h e i r s h o u l d e r s in t h e d o o r w a y t o t h e o u t e r r o o m . Big m e n , w e l l fed, l o v i n g t h e i r j o b s . O n e w e a r s a s n a p p y o l i v e - d r a b d u s t e r a n d an a p o l o g e t i c smile u n d e r his w h i t e - g o l d hair. L a n d s m a n almost doesn't recognize h i m w i t h o u t t h e p e n g u i n sweater. " O k a y , n o w , " says t h e m a n w h o m u s t b e C a s h d o l l a r . everybody t r y to calm d o w n . " " F B I , " says B e r k o . " C l o s e e n o u g h , " says C a s h d o l l a r .

"Let's

• § 4 1

(F

a n d s m a n pisses away t h e n e x t t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s in t h e h u m of a c h a l k - w h i t e r o o m w i t h a m i l k - w h i t e carpet on t h e seventh floor o f t h e H a r o l d I c k e s F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g o n S e w a r d S t r e e t . I n t e a m s o f t w o , six m e n w i t h t h e v a r i e g a t e d s u r n a m e s o f d o o m e d c r e w m e n in a s u b m a r i n e m o v i e r o t a t e in a n d o u t of t h e r o o m i n f o u r - h o u r s h i f t s . O n e is a b l a c k m a n a n d o n e a L a t i n o , a n d t h e o t h e r s a r e fluid p i n k g i a n t s w i t h h a i r c u t s t h a t o c c u p y t h e neat interval between astronaut and pedophile scoutmaster. G u m chewers, overgrown boys with good manners and

Bible-school

s m i l e s . I n e a c h o f t h e m a t m o m e n t s L a n d s m a n sniffs o u t t h e d i e s e l h e a r t o f a p o l i c e m a n , b u t h e is baffled b y t h e f a i r i n g s o f

their

s o u t h e r n a n d g e n t i l e g l a m o u r . D e s p i t e t h e s m o k e screen of b a c k t a l k t h a t L a n d s m a n p u t s u p , t h e y m a k e h i m feel r a t t l e t r a p , a t w o stroke old beater. N o one threatens him or tries to intimidate him. addresses him by rank,

taking care to pronounce

Landsman's

n a m e t h e w a y h e p r e f e r s . W h e n L a n d s m a n t u r n s surly, or evasive, t h e Americans display forbearance and

Everyone

flippant,

schoolteacher

poise. B u t w h e n L a n d s m a n d a r e s t o give o u t w i t h a q u e s t i o n of his o w n , an e x t i n g u i s h i n g silence r a i n s d o w n like a t h o u s a n d gallons of w a t e r d r o p p e d from a p l a n e . T h e A m e r i c a n s will say n o t h i n g a b o u t

THE Y I D D I S H

POLICEMEN'S

UNION

202

t h e w h e r e a b o u t s or situation of D e t e c t i v e S h e m e t s or I n s p e c t o r G e l b f i s h . T h e y h a v e n o t h i n g t o say, e i t h e r , a b o u t A l t e r L i t v a k ' s vanishing act, and t h e y appear never to have h e a r d of

Mendel

Shpilman or N a o m i L a n d s m a n . T h e y w a n t to k n o w w h a t L a n d s m a n k n o w s , o r t h i n k s h e k n o w s , a b o u t U.S. i n v o l v e m e n t in t h e a t t a c k on the Q u b b a t As-Sakhrah, and about t h e p e r p e t r a t o r s , principals, ancillaries, a n d v i c t i m s of t h a t a t t a c k . A n d t h e y d o n o t w a n t h i m t o k n o w w h a t t h e y k n o w , if a n y t h i n g , a b o u t a n y o f t h a t . T h e y h a v e b e e n so w e l l t r a i n e d i n t h e i r a r t t h a t t h e y a r e d e e p i n t o t h e s e c o n d shift b e f o r e L a n d s m a n r e a l i z e s t h a t t h e A m e r i c a n s a r e a s k i n g h i m t h e same r o u g h l y t w o d o z e n q u e s t i o n s over a n d over, i n v e r t i n g a n d r e p h r a s i n g a n d c o m i n g at t h e m from o d d angles. T h e i r q u e s t i o n s a r e l i k e t h e f u n d a m e n t a l m o v e s o f t h e six d i f f e r e n t c h e s s p i e c e s , endlessly r e c o m b i n e d u n t i l t h e y n u m b e r w i t h t h e n e u r o n s in t h e brain. A t r e g u l a r i n t e r v a l s L a n d s m a n is p r o v i d e d w i t h t e r r i b l e coffee a n d a series of increasingly rigid a p r i c o t a n d c h e r r y D a n i s h . A t o n e p o i n t h e is s h o w n i n t o a b r e a k r o o m a n d i n v i t e d t o i n h a b i t a sofa. T h e coffee a n d D a n i s h r o t a t e i n a n d o u t o f t h e c h a l k - w h i t e r o o m o f Landsman's brain while he j a m s his eyes s h u t a n d p r e t e n d s t o nap. T h e n i t is t i m e t o g o b a c k t o t h e s t e a d y w h i t e n o i s e o f t h e w a l l s , t h e l a m i n a t e t a b l e t o p , t h e s q u e a k of vinyl u n d e r his ass. "Detective Landsman." H e o p e n s his eyes a n d sees w o o z y b l a c k m o i r e o n

brown.

L a n d s m a n ' s c h e e k b o n e is n u m b f r o m t h e p r e s s u r e o f t h e t a b l e t o p against it. H e hoists his head, leaving b e h i n d a p u d d l e of spit. A sticky filament c o n n e c t s his lip t o t h e table, t h e n snaps. " I c k , " says C a s h d o l l a r . H e t a k e s a l i t t l e p a c k a g e o f K l e e n e x o u t of t h e r i g h t p o c k e t of his s w e a t e r a n d slides it across t h e t a b l e t o L a n d s m a n , past an o p e n box of D a n i s h . C a s h d o l l a r has on a n e w sweater, a d a r k gold cardigan w i t h front panels of

coffee-brown

suede, leather b u t t o n s , suede patches on the elbows. He's sitting u p r i g h t on a m e t a l chair, n e c k t i e k n o t t e d , cheeks s m o o t h , b l u e eyes s o f t e n e d b y a t t r a c t i v e j e t - p i l o t w r i n k l e s . H i s h a i r is t h e p r e c i s e

364

MICHAEL

CHABDN

g o l d o f t h e foil i n a p a c k a g e o f B r o a d w a y s . H e s m i l e s w i t h o u t e n t h u s i a s m o r c r u e l t y . L a n d s m a n w i p e s h i s face a n d t h e m e s s h e m a d e on t h e table d u r i n g his nap. "Are y o u h u n g r y ? W o u l d y o u like a d r i n k ? " L a n d s m a n says h e w o u l d l i k e a g l a s s o f w a t e r . C a s h d o l l a r r e a c h e s i n t o t h e left p o c k e t o f h i s s w e a t e r a n d t a k e s o u t a s m a l l b o t t l e o f m i n e r a l water. H e tips it o n its side a n d rolls it across t h e table to L a n d s m a n . H e is n o t a y o u n g m a n , b u t t h e r e is s o m e t h i n g b o y i s h l y serious a b o u t t h e w a y he aims t h e b o t t l e a n d launches it and steers it w i t h b o d y English to its destination. L a n d s m a n uncaps t h e bottle a n d t a k e s a s w a l l o w . H e d o e s n ' t r e a l l y c a r e for m i n e r a l w a t e r . " I u s e d t o w o r k for a m a n , " C a s h d o l l a r says. " T h e m a n w h o h a d this j o b before me. H e h a d a lot of c u t e catchphrases he liked to d r o p i n t o a conversation. It's kind of a c o m m o n trait a m o n g people w h o d o w h a t I do. We c o m e o u t of t h e military, you know, we c o m e o u t of t h e b u s i n e s s w o r l d . W e t e n d t o like o u r c a t c h p h r a s e s . S h i b b o l e t h s . T h a t ' s a H e b r e w w o r d , y o u k n o w . J u d g e s , C h a p t e r 12. A r e y o u s u r e y o u a r e n ' t h u n g r y ? I can get y o u a b a g of p o t a t o chips. C u p of noodles. T h e r e ' s a m i c r o w a v e . " "No,

t h a n k s , " L a n d s m a n says. " S o . S h i b b o l e t h s . "

" T h i s m a n , m y p r e d e c e s s o r . H e u s e d t o say, ' W e a r e t e l l i n g a story, Cashdollar. T h a t ' s w h a t w e d o . ' " T h e voice he adopts to q u o t e h i s f o r m e r s u p e r i o r is b i g g e r a n d n o t as f o l k s y as h i s o w n p r i m t e n o r twang. M o r e p o m p o u s . " ' T e l l t h e m a story, Cashdollar. T h a t ' s all t h e p o o r s u c k e r s w a n t . ' O n l y h e d i d n ' t s a y ' s u c k e r s . ' " " P e o p l e w h o d o w h a t y o u d o , " L a n d s m a n says. " M e a n i n g w h a t ? S p o n s o r t e r r o r i s t a t t a c k s o n M u s l i m h o l y places? S t a r t in w i t h t h e C r u s a d e s all o v e r a g a i n ? K i l l i n n o c e n t w o m e n w h o n e v e r d i d a n y t h i n g b u t fly t h e i r s m a l l a i r p l a n e s a n d t r y t o h e l p s o m e b o d y o u t of a j a m o n c e in a while? S h o o t defenseless j u n k i e s in t h e h e a d ? E x c u s e m e , I f o r g e t w h a t i t is y o u d o , y o u p e o p l e w i t h y o u r shibboleths." " F i r s t of all, D e t e c t i v e , w e h a d n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h M e n a s h e Shpilman's

death."

He

pronounces

Shpilman's

Hebrew

name

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

365

" M e n - a s h y . " " I w a s as s h o c k e d a n d p u z z l e d b y t h a t as a n y b o d y . I n e v e r m e t t h e fellow, b u t I k n o w h e w a s a r e m a r k a b l e i n d i v i d u a l w i t h r e m a r k a b l e a b i l i t i e s , a n d w e a r e v e r y m u c h w o r s e off w i t h o u t him. H o w about a cigarette?" H e holds o u t an u n o p e n e d package of W i n s t o n s . " C o m e on. I k n o w y o u like t o s m o k e . T h e r e y o u g o . " H e produces a package of m a t c h e s a n d passes t h e m w i t h t h e W i n s t o n s across t h e table. " N o w , as for y o u r s i s t e r , h e y , l i s t e n . I a m so v e r y s o r r y a b o u t y o u r sister. N o , I really a m . F o r w h a t it's w o r t h , a n d I s u p p o s e that's not a lot, you have m y sincere apology on that. T h a t was a b a d call m a d e b y t h e m a n w h o p r e c e d e d m e i n t h i s j o b , t h e f e l l o w I w a s j u s t t a l k i n g a b o u t . A n d h e p a i d for i t . N o t w i t h h i s life, o f course." Cashdollar bares his big square teeth. " M a y b e you wish he had. But he paid. H e was w r o n g . T h e m a n was w r o n g a b o u t a lot of things. For one, h u h - u h , sorry." H e gives his h e a d a g e n t l e shake. "But we aren't telling a story." "No?" " H u h - u h . T h e s t o r y , D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n , is t e l l i n g u s . J u s t l i k e it has d o n e from t h e b e g i n n i n g . W e ' r e p a r t of t h e story. You. M e . " T h e b o o k of m a t c h e s c o m e s from a place in W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . , c a l l e d H o g a t e ' s S e a f o o d , a t N i n t h a n d M a i n e A v e n u e , SW. T h e v e r y r e s t a u r a n t , if h e r e m e m b e r s h i s h i s t o r y , i n f r o n t o f w h i c h D e l e g a t e A n t h o n y D i m o n d , p r i m e o p p o n e n t of t h e Alaskan S e t t l e m e n t A c t , was run d o w n by a taxicab while chasing an e r r a n t r u m b u n into the street. Landsman strikes a match. " J e s u s ? " h e says, l o o k i n g u p c r o s s - e y e d over t h e flame. "Jesus, t o o . " " J e s u s is o k a y w i t h m e . " " I ' m glad. H e ' s okay w i t h m e , too. A n d Jesus w a s n ' t on killing, on h u r t i n g people, on d e s t r u c t i o n . I k n o w t h a t .

keen The

Q u b b a t A s - S a k h r a h w a s a fine o l d p i e c e o f a r c h i t e c t u r e , a n d I s l a m is a v e n e r a b l e r e l i g i o n , a n d o t h e r t h a n t h e f a c t t h a t i t ' s c o m p l e t e l y m i s t a k e n on a f u n d a m e n t a l level, I have n o q u a r r e l w i t h it p e r

366

se.

MICHAEL

CHABDN

I wish there was some way to do this job that didn't require

taking such actions. But sometimes there isn't. A n d Jesus k n e w t h a t . ' W h o s o shall offend o n e of t h e s e l i t t l e o n e s w h i c h believe in me,

i t w e r e b e t t e r for h i m t h a t a m i l l s t o n e w e r e h a n g e d a b o u t h i s

n e c k , a n d t h a t h e w e r e d r o w n e d in t h e d e p t h of t h e sea.' R i g h t ? I m e a n , t h o s e a r e J e s u s ' w o r d s . T h e m a n c o u l d b e fairly h a r s h w h e n he needed to be." " H e was kick-ass," Landsman suggests. "Yes,

h e w a s . N o w , y o u m i g h t n o t c r e d i t t h e fact, b u t

the

e n d t i m e s a r e c o m i n g . A n d I for o n e v e r y m u c h l o o k f o r w a r d t o s e e i n g t h e m c o m e . B u t for t h a t t o h a p p e n , J e r u s a l e m a n d t h e H o l y L a n d h a v e t o b e l o n g t o t h e J e w s a g a i n . T h a t ' s w h a t i t says in t h e B o o k . Sadly, t h e r e is n o w a y t o d o t h a t w i t h o u t s o m e b l o o d s h e d , unfortunately. W i t h o u t a c e r t a i n a m o u n t of d e s t r u c t i o n . T h a t ' s j u s t w h a t is w r i t t e n , y o u k n o w ? B u t I a m t r y i n g v e r y h a r d , u n l i k e m y i m m e d i a t e p r e d e c e s s o r , t o h o l d all t h a t d o w n t o t h e a b s o l u t e m i n i m u m . F o r J e s u s ' s a k e a n d for t h e s a k e o f m y o w n s o u l a n d all o u r s a k e s . T o k e e p t h i n g s r u n n i n g c l e a n . H o l d t h i s o p e r a t i o n t o g e t h e r u n t i l w e have it s o r t e d o u t over t h e r e . Lay us d o w n s o m e facts on t h e g r o u n d . " " Y o u d o n ' t w a n t a n y b o d y t o k n o w y o u ' r e b e h i n d it. You p e o p l e who do what you do." " W e l l , b u t , t h a t ' s k i n d o f o u r M O , if y o u k n o w w h a t I m e a n . " "And you w a n t m e to keep m y m o u t h s h u t . " " I k n o w it's asking a l o t . " " J u s t u n t i l y o u lay t h e s e facts d o w n o n J e r u s a l e m . M o v e s o m e A r a b s o u t a n d s o m e V e r b o v e r s i n . R e n a m e a few s t r e e t s . " "Just u n t i l w e get s o m e of t h a t good old critical mass going. S t r a i g h t e n o u t s o m e of t h e noses this has p u t o u t of joint. A n d t h e n g e t b u s y , y o u k n o w . F u l f i l l i n g w h a t is w r i t t e n . " L a n d s m a n takes a swallow of mineral water. It's w a r m

and

tastes of t h e inside of t h e p o c k e t of a cardigan. " I w a n t m y gun a n d m y b a d g e , " h e says. " A n d t h a t ' s w h a t I w a n t . " " I l o v e p o l i c e m e n , " C a s h d o l l a r says w i t h o u t m u c h e n t h u s i a s m .

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

367

" I really d o . " H e covers his m o u t h w i t h o n e h a n d a n d takes a contemplative breath

through

his nostrils. H i s h a n d

sports

a

manicure, b u t one thumbnail has been gnawed. "It's going to get awfully I n d i a n a r o u n d h e r e , mister. J u s t b e t w e e n y o u a n d m e . You get your gun and badge back, you d o n ' t stand to hold on to t h e m for v e r y l o n g . T r i b a l P w o n ' t b e h i r i n g t o o m a n y J e w b o y s t o s e r v e and protect." "Maybe not. But they'll take Berko." " T h e y aren't taking anyone w h o doesn't have the paper." " O h , y e a h , " L a n d s m a n says. " T h a t ' s t h e o t h e r t h i n g I w a n t . " " Y o u ' r e t a l k i n g a b o u t a lot of paper, D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n . " "You need a lot of q u i e t . " " I n d e e d I d o , " C a s h d o l l a r says. C a s h d o l l a r s t u d i e s L a n d s m a n for a l o n g s e c o n d o r t w o , a n d L a n d s m a n u n d e r s t a n d s from a c e r t a i n a l e r t n e s s in t h e m a n ' s eyes, a l o o k o f a n t i c i p a t i o n , t h a t t h e r e is a g u n c o n c e a l e d s o m e w h e r e o n C a s h d o l l a r ' s p e r s o n a n d a n i t c h i n h i s finger t o g o w i t h i t . T h e r e a r e m o r e d i r e c t ways of k e e p i n g L a n d s m a n ' s m o u t h s h u t t h a n b u y i n g h i m off w i t h a g u n a n d s o m e d o c u m e n t a t i o n . C a s h d o l l a r g e t s u p from t h e chair a n d r e t u r n s it carefully t o its p l a c e u n d e r t h e table. H e starts to w o r k his t h u m b i n t o his t e e t h b u t t h i n k s b e t t e r of it. "If I could just get m y Kleenex back?" L a n d s m a n tosses t h e package, b u t it goes awry, a n d C a s h d o l l a r fumbles t h e catch. T h e p a c k a g e of Kleenex splats d o w n i n t o t h e box o f s t a l e D a n i s h , l a n d i n g i n a s h i n y p a t c h o f r e d jelly. A n g e r o p e n s a seam in C a s h d o l l a r ' s p l a c i d gaze, t h r o u g h w h i c h y o u can see t h e b a n i s h e d s h a d e s o f m o n s t e r s a n d a v e r s i o n s . 7#i? last thing he wants, Landsman remembers,

any hint of a mess. C a s h d o l l a r t w e e z e s a

K l e e n e x f r o m t h e p a c k a g e a n d u s e s i t t o w i p e t h e p a c k a g e off, t h e n tucks t h e rest back i n t o t h e safety of his r i g h t p o c k e t . H e fidgets t h e b o t t o m b u t t o n of his sweater b a c k t h r o u g h its b u t t o n h o l e , a n d in t h e b r i e f t u g o f w o o l e n w a i s t b a n d o v e r h i p , L a n d s m a n s p o t s t h e b u l g e of t h e s h o l e m . "Your p a r t n e r , " h e tells L a n d s m a n , " h a s a g r e a t deal t o lose.

368

MICHAEL

CHABDN

A v e r y g r e a t d e a l . So d o e s y o u r e x - w i f e . A fact t h a t t h e y b o t h r e c o g n i z e all t o o w e l l . M a y b e i t ' s t i m e y o u c a m e t o t h e

same

conclusion about yourself." L a n d s m a n c o n s i d e r s t h e t h i n g s t h a t r e m a i n his t o lose: a p o r k p i e hat. A travel chess set a n d a Polaroid p i c t u r e of a dead messiah. A b o u n d a r y m a p of Sitka, profane, ad hoc, encyclopedic, c r i m e scenes a n d low dives a n d c h o k e b e r r y b r a m b l e s , p r i n t e d on t h e tangles of h i s b r a i n . W i n t e r fog t h a t b l a n k e t s t h e h e a r t , s u m m e r a f t e r n o o n s t h a t s t r e t c h e n d l e s s as a r g u m e n t s a m o n g J e w s . G h o s t s o f I m p e r i a l Russia t r a c e d in t h e o n i o n d o m e of St. Michael's C a t h e d r a l , and o f W a r s a w i n t h e r o c k i n g a n d s a w i n g o f a café v i o l i n i s t . C a n a l s , fishing b o a t s , islands, stray dogs, canneries, d a i r y r e s t a u r a n t s . T h e n e o n m a r q u e e of t h e Baranof T h e a t r e reflected on w e t asphalt, c o l o r s r u n n i n g l i k e w a t e r c o l o r as y o u c o m e o u t o f a s h o w i n g o f W e l l e s ' s Heart

of Darkness,

w h i c h y o u h a v e j u s t s e e n for t h e t h i r d

t i m e , w i t h t h e girl of y o u r d r e a m s o n y o u r a r m . " F u c k w h a t is w r i t t e n , " L a n d s m a n says. " Y o u k n o w w h a t ? " A l l a t o n c e h e feels w e a r y o f g a n e f s a n d p r o p h e t s , g u n s a n d sacrifices a n d t h e infinite g a n g s t e r w e i g h t of G o d . H e ' s t i r e d of

hearing

a b o u t t h e p r o m i s e d l a n d a n d t h e i n e v i t a b l e b l o o d s h e d r e q u i r e d for i t s r e d e m p t i o n . " I d o n ' t c a r e w h a t is w r i t t e n . I d o n ' t c a r e w h a t s u p p o s e d l y g o t p r o m i s e d t o s o m e sandal-wearing idiot w h o s e claim t o f a m e is t h a t h e w a s r e a d y t o c u t h i s o w n s o n ' s t h r o a t for t h e s a k e of a h a r e - b r a i n e d idea. I d o n ' t care a b o u t r e d heifers a n d patriarchs a n d l o c u s t s . A b u n c h o f o l d b o n e s i n t h e s a n d . M y h o m e l a n d is i n m y h a t . It's in m y ex-wife's t o t e b a g . " H e sits d o w n . H e lights a n o t h e r cigarette. " F u c k y o u , " L a n d s m a n c o n c l u d e s . " A n d fuck J e s u s , t o o , h e w a s a pussy." " T i c k a l o c k , L a n d s m a n , " C a s h d o l l a r says softly, m i m i n g t h e t w i s t of a k e y in t h e hole of his m o u t h .

• § 4 2

W

g»

h e n L a n d s m a n s t e p s o u t s i d e t h e I c k e s B u i l d i n g a n d fits h i s h a t t o h i s v o i d e d h e a d , h e finds t h a t t h e w o r l d h a s s a i l e d i n t o a fog b a n k . T h e n i g h t is a c o l d s t i c k y s t u f f t h a t b e a d s u p o n

t h e s l e e v e s o f h i s o v e r c o a t . K o r c z a k P l a t z is a b o w l f u l o f b r i g h t

mist, smeared here and t h e r e w i t h t h e p a w p r i n t s of s o d i u m lamps. Half-blind a n d cold in his b o n e s , h e t r u d g e s along M o n a s t i r S t r e e t to Berlevi S t r e e t , t h e n over to M a x N o r d a u S t r e e t , w i t h a k i n k in his b a c k a n d an ache in his h e a d a n d a s h a r p t h r o b b i n g p a i n in his d i g n i t y . T h e s p a c e r e c e n t l y o c c u p i e d b y h i s m i n d h i s s e s l i k e t h e fog in h i s e a r s , h u m s l i k e a b a n k o f f l u o r e s c e n t t u b e s . H e feels t h a t h e suffers f r o m t i n n i t u s o f t h e s o u l . When

he drags

himself

into

the

lobby

of

the

Zamenhof,

T e n e n b o y m h a n d s h i m t w o l e t t e r s . O n e is f r o m t h e b o a r d , i n f o r m i n g h i m t h a t t h e h e a r i n g i n t o his c o n d u c t in t h e d e a t h s of Z i l b e r b l a t and

Flederman

has

been

scheduled

for

nine

A . M . tomorrow

m o r n i n g . T h e o t h e r l e t t e r is a c o m m u n i c a t i o n f r o m t h e h o t e l ' s n e w o w n e r s h i p . A M s . R o b i n N a v i n of t h e J o y c e / G e n e r a l i H o t e l G r o u p has w r i t t e n t o inform L a n d s m a n t h a t e x c i t i n g c h a n g e s are afoot in t h e c o m i n g m o n t h s for t h e Z a m e n h o f , t o b e k n o w n as o f J a n u a r y 1 as t h e L u x i n g t o n P a r e S i t k a . P a r t o f t h e g e n e r a l e x c i t e m e n t s t e m s f r o m t h e fact t h a t L a n d s m a n ' s m o n t h l y l e a s e h a s b e e n t e r m i n a t e d ,

370

MICHAEL CHABDN

e f f e c t i v e o n D e c e m b e r 1. A l l t h e p i g e o n h o l e s b e h i n d t h e f r o n t d e s k c o n t a i n l o n g w h i t e e n v e l o p e s , e a c h o n e s l o t t e d w i t h t h e s a m e fatal b e n d s i n i s t e r i n t w e n t y - p o u n d l a i d . E x c e p t for t h e

pigeonhole

labeled 208. N o t h i n g in t h a t one. "You heard about

what

happened?" Tenenboym

says

after

L a n d s m a n has r e t u r n e d from his e p i s t o l a r y j o u r n e y i n t o t h e b r i g h t , gentile future of t h e H o t e l Zamenhof. " I saw it o n t h e t e l e v i s i o n , " L a n d s m a n says, t h o u g h t h e m e m o r y feels s e c o n d h a n d , f o g g e d - o v e r , a c o n s t r u c t t h a t h i s i n t e r r o g a t o r s implanted through persistent questioning. " A t f i r s t t h e y s a i d i t w a s a m i s t a k e , " T e n e n b o y m says, g o l d t o o t h p i c k j i g g l i n g in a c o r n e r of his m o u t h . " S o m e A r a b s m a k i n g b o m b s in a t u n n e l u n d e r t h e T e m p l e M o u n t . T h e n t h e y said it was deliberate. T h e ones fighting the other ones." "Sunnis and Shiites?" " M a y b e . S o m e b o d y got careless w i t h a rocket launcher." "Syrians and Egyptians?" " W h o e v e r . T h e p r e s i d e n t w a s on, saying t h e y m i g h t have to go in. Saying it's a holy c i t y to e v e r y b o d y . " " T h a t d i d n ' t t a k e l o n g , " L a n d s m a n says. H i s o n l y o t h e r p i e c e o f m a i l is a p o s t c a r d a d v e r t i s i n g a d e e p discount

on

lifetime

membership

at

a gym

where

Landsman

w o r k e d o u t for a f e w m o n t h s a f t e r h i s d i v o r c e . T h e s u g g e s t i o n w a s m a d e at t h e t i m e t h a t exercise m i g h t help his moods. It was a good s u g g e s t i o n . L a n d s m a n c a n ' t r e m e m b e r if i t p r o v e d c o r r e c t o r n o t . T h e c a r d d e p i c t s a fat J e w t o t h e left a n d a t h i n J e w t o t h e r i g h t . T h e J e w t o t h e left is h a g g a r d , s l e e p l e s s , s c l e r o t i c , s t r a g g l y , w i t h cheeks like t w o spoonfuls of sour cream, and t w o b r i g h t , m e a n l i t t l e e y e s . T h e J e w t o t h e r i g h t is l e a n , t a n n e d , a n d t r i m - b e a r d e d , relaxed, self-confident. H e looks a lot like o n e of Litvak's y o u n g m e n . T h e J e w of t h e future, L a n d s m a n thinks. T h e unlikely claim is m a d e b y t h e p o s t c a r d t h a t t h e l e f t - h a n d J e w a n d t h e J e w o n t h e right are one and the same person.

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

371

" D i d y o u see t h e m o u t in t h e n e i g h b o r h o o d s ? " T e n e n b o y m says, the golden pick clicking against a bicuspid. " O n t h e television?" L a n d s m a n shakes his head. " I imagine t h e r e w a s d a n c i n g ? " "Such dancing. Fainting. Crying. A mass orgasm." " N o t on an e m p t y s t o m a c h , I b e g you, T e n e n b o y m . " " B l e s s i n g t h e A r a b s for

fighting

with each other. Blessing the

m e m o r y of M o h a m m e d . " " T h a t seems cruel." " O n e of these black hats was on t h e r e saying h o w he's going to m o v e o v e r t o t h e L a n d o f I s r a e l , g e t h i m s e l f a g o o d s e a t for w h e n Messiah shows u p . " H e removes t h e t o o t h p i c k and surveys its tip for a h i n t o f t r e a s u r e , t h e n r e t u r n s i t , d i s a p p o i n t e d . " A s k m e , I s a y p u t all t h o s e n u t j o b s o n a g r e a t b i g a i r p l a n e , s e n d t h e m all t h e h e l l over there, a black year on t h e m . " " T h a t w h a t y o u say, T e n e n b o y m ? " " I ' l l fly t h a t a i r p l a n e m y s e l f . " Landsman

stuffs

the letter

from

the Joyce/Generali

Hotel

G r o u p back i n t o its envelope a n d slides it across t h e c o u n t e r t o T e n e n b o y m . " T o s s t h a t for m e , w o u l d y o u ? " " Y o u h a v e t h i r t y d a y s , D e t e c t i v e , " T e n e n b o y m says. " Y o u w i l l find

something." " Y o u b e t I w i l l , " L a n d s m a n says. " W e ' l l all find s o m e t h i n g . " " U n l e s s s o m e t h i n g finds u s first, a m I r i g h t ? " " W h a t a b o u t you? T h e y going to let y o u k e e p y o u r j o b ? " " M y status remains under review." " T h a t sounds hopeful." "Or hopeless." " O n e or the other." L a n d s m a n t a k e s t h e e l e v a t o r o t o t h e fifth floor. H e w a l k s d o w n

t h e corridor, his overcoat slung on a crooked

fingertip

from o n e

shoulder, loosening his necktie w i t h t h e o t h e r h a n d . T h e d o o r to his r o o m h u m s its simple lyric:

five-oh-five.

It means nothing. Lights

i n t h e fog. T h r e e A r a b i c n u m e r a l s . I n v e n t e d i n I n d i a , a c t u a l l y , l i k e

372

MICHAEL

CHABON

t h e g a m e of chess, b u t d i s s e m i n a t e d b y Arabs. Sunnis, Shiites. S y r i a n s , E g y p t i a n s . L a n d s m a n w o n d e r s h o w l o n g it will t a k e t h e v a r i o u s c o n t e n d i n g factions in Palestine t o figure o u t t h a t n o n e of t h e m w a s r e s p o n s i b l e for t h e a t t a c k . A d a y o r t w o , m a y b e a w e e k . J u s t l o n g e n o u g h for t e r m i n a l c o n f u s i o n t o s e t i n , L i t v a k t o g e t h i s boys in place, C a s h d o l l a r t o send in t h e air s u p p o r t . N e x t t h i n g y o u k n o w , T e n e n b o y m ' s w o r k i n g as t h e n i g h t m a n a g e r o f t h e J e r u s a l e m Luxington Pare. L a n d s m a n gets i n t o b e d a n d takes o u t t h e pocket chess set. H i s a t t e n t i o n flits a l o n g t h e l i n e s o f f o r c e , h o p s f r o m s q u a r e t o s q u a r e in p u r s u i t of t h e killer of M e n d e l S h p i l m a n a n d N a o m i L a n d s m a n . L a n d s m a n f i n d s , t o h i s s u r p r i s e a n d relief, t h a t h e a l r e a d y k n o w s w h o t h e k i l l e r i s — i t is t h e S w i s s - b o r n p h y s i c i s t , w i n n e r o f t h e N o b e l Prize, a n d m e d i o c r e chess player A l b e r t Einstein. Einstein w i t h his fog o f h a i r a n d h i s e n o r m o u s s w e a t e r - j a c k e t a n d h i s e y e s l i k e t u n n e l s r e a c h i n g d e e p i n t o t h e d a r k n e s s o f t i m e itself. L a n d s m a n p u r s u e s A l b e r t E i n s t e i n across t h e m i l k - w h i t e , c h a l k - w h i t e ice, h o p p i n g from s q u a r e t o s h a d o w e d s q u a r e across relativistic chessboards of c u l p a b i l i t y a n d a t o n e m e n t , across t h e i m a g i n a r y land of p e n g u i n s and Eskimos that the Jews never quite managed to inherit. H i s d r e a m m a k e s a k n i g h t m o v e , a n d w i t h c h a r a c t e r i s t i c fervor, his little sister, N a o m i , begins t o explain t o L a n d s m a n Einstein's famous p r o o f of t h e E t e r n a l R e t u r n of t h e J e w a n d h o w it can be m e a s u r e d o n l y in t e r m s of t h e E t e r n a l Exile of t h e Jew, a p r o o f t h a t t h e g r e a t m a n d e d u c e d from o b s e r v i n g t h e w o b b l e in t h e w i n g o f a n a i r p l a n e a n d t h e d r i f t o f a d a r k b l o o m o f s m o k e r i s i n g from t h e slope of an ice m o u n t a i n . L a n d s m a n ' s d r e a m calves o t h e r slow iceberg d r e a m s , a n d t h e ice h u m s w i t h

fluorescence.

At some point

t h e h u m m i n g t h a t has p l a g u e d L a n d s m a n a n d his people since t h e d a w n o f t i m e , w h i c h s o m e i n t h e i r f o o l i s h n e s s h a v e m i s t a k e n for t h e voice of G o d , g e t s t r a p p e d in t h e w i n d o w s of r o o m 505 like s u n l i g h t in t h e h e a r t of an iceberg. L a n d s m a n o p e n s h i s e y e s . I n t h e s e a m s o f t h e Venetian b l i n d s , d a y l i g h t b u z z e s l i k e a t r a p p e d fly. N a o m i is d e a d a g a i n , a n d t h a t

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

373

fool o f a n E i n s t e i n is i n n o c e n t o f all w r o n g d o i n g i n t h e S h p i l m a n c a s e . L a n d s m a n k n o w s n o t h i n g a t a l l . H e feels a n a c h e i n h i s a b d o m e n t h a t h e t a k e s a t first for s o r r o w b e f o r e d e t e r m i n i n g , a m o m e n t l a t e r , t h a t w h a t h e ' s f e e l i n g is h u n g e r . T h e d e s i r e , i n f a c t , for s t u f f e d c a b b a g e . H e c h e c k s h i s S h o y f e r for t h e t i m e , b u t t h e b a t t e r y has died. T h e day clerk reports, w h e n L a n d s m a n d o w n t o t h e d e s k , t h a t i t is 9 : 0 9 A . M . ,

calls

T h u r s d a y . Stuffed cabbage!

E v e r y W e d n e s d a y n i g h t is R u m a n i a n i g h t a t t h e V o r s h t , a n d M r s . K a l u s h i n e r a l w a y s h a s s o m e t h i n g left o v e r t h e n e x t m o r n i n g . T h e o l d b a t s e r v e s t h e finest s a r m a l i i n S i t k a . A t o n c e l i g h t a n d d e n s e , favoring h o t p e p p e r over s w e e t - a n d - s o u r , drizzled w i t h fresh sour c r e a m , t o p p e d w i t h sprigs of fresh dill. L a n d s m a n shaves

and

d r e s s e s i n t h e s a m e b l o w n s u i t a n d a t i e f r o m off t h e d o o r k n o b . H e is r e a d y t o c o n s u m e h i s o w n w e i g h t i n s a r m a l i . B u t w h e n h e gets downstairs, he glances at the clock over t h e mail slots and r e a l i z e s t h a t h e is n i n e m i n u t e s l a t e for h i s h e a r i n g b e f o r e

the

review committee. By t h e t i m e L a n d s m a n comes s c r a b b l i n g like a d o g o n slick tile d o w n t h e c o r r i d o r of t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n m o d u l a r , i n t o r o o m 102,

h e is t w e n t y - t w o m i n u t e s l a t e . H e finds n o t h i n g b u t a l o n g

v e n e e r t a b l e w i t h five c h a i r s , o n e for e a c h m e m b e r o f t h e r e v i e w b o a r d , a n d h i s c o m m a n d i n g officer, s i t t i n g o n t h e e d g e o f t h e t a b l e , legs d a n g l i n g , c r o s s e d a t t h e a n k l e , h e r p o i n t y - t o e d p u m p s a i m i n g s t r a i g h t for L a n d s m a n ' s h e a r t . T h e five b i g h i g h - b a c k e d

leather

chairs are empty. Bina looks like hell, only hotter. H e r s e a g u l l - b r o w n

suit

is

rumpled and misbuttoned. H e r hair appears to be tied back with a plastic d r i n k i n g straw. H e r p a n t y h o s e a r e l o n g g o n e , h e r legs b a r e a n d d a p p l e d w i t h pale freckles. L a n d s m a n recalls w i t h a s t r a n g e pleasure t h e w a y she w o u l d trash a laddered pair of

stockings,

s h r e d d i n g t h e m into a p o m p o n of rage before tossing t h e m i n t o the can. " S t o p l o o k i n g a t m y l e g s , " s h e says. " C u t i t o u t , M e y e r . L o o k at m y face."

374

MICHAEL

CHABDN

L a n d s m a n complies, s t a r i n g r i g h t d o w n t h e bores of her doubleb a r r e l e d g a z e . " I o v e r s l e p t , " h e says. " I ' m s o r r y . T h e y k e p t m e for twenty-four hours, and by the t i m e — " " T h e y k e p t m e for t h i r t y - o n e h o u r s , " s h e says. " I j u s t

got

out." " S o f u c k m e a n d m y w h i n i n g , for s t a r t e r s . " "For starters." " H o w was it b y y o u ? " " T h e y w e r e so n i c e , " B i n a says b i t t e r l y . " I t o t a l l y f o l d e d . T o l d them everything." "Same here." "So,"

she says, g e s t u r i n g

to the room

around

them

u p t u r n e d h a n d s , like she j u s t m a d e s o m e t h i n g disappear.

with Her

j o c u l a r t o n e is n o t a g o o d s i g n . " G u e s s w h a t ? " " I ' m d e a d , " L a n d s m a n tries. " T h e board sprinkled m e with quicklime and plowed me under." "As a m a t t e r o f f a c t , " s h e s a y s , " I g o t a call o n m y m o b i l e t h i s m o r n i n g , i n t h i s r o o m , a t e i g h t - f i f t y - n i n e . A f t e r I m a d e a t o t a l ass o f m y s e l f a n d s c r e a m e d m y h e a d off u n t i l t h e y l e t m e o u t o f t h e F e d e r a l B u i l d i n g , so I c o u l d g e t d o w n h e r e a n d m a k e s u r e I w a s in that chair behind you, on time and ready to stand up and support my detective." "Urn." "Your hearing was canceled." Bina reaches into her bag, r u m m a g e s around, and comes out w i t h a g u n . S h e a d d s i t t o t h e b a t t e r y c o m p r i s i n g h e r rifled g a z e a n d t h e toes of her p o i n t e d shoes. A c h o p p e d M - 3 9 . A manila tag dangles on a s t r i n g from its b a r r e l . She arcs it t o w a r d L a n d s m a n ' s head. H e manages to catch t h e gun b u t fumbles the badge holder t h a t c o m e s flying a f t e r i t . T h e n c o m e s a l i t t l e b a g w i t h L a n d s m a n ' s clip. A n o t h e r brief search of h e r b a g p r o d u c e s a m u r d e r o u s - l o o k i n g f o r m a n d its t r i p l i c a t e h e n c h m e n . "After y o u g o a h e a d a n d b r e a k y o u r h e a d o n t h i s D P D - 2 2 5 5 , D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n , y o u will have

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNION

375

b e e n r e i n s t a t e d , w i t h full p a y a n d b e n e f i t s , as a n a c t i v e m e m b e r o f t h e D i s t r i c t Police, Sitka C e n t r a l D i v i s i o n . " " I ' m back on the j o b . " " F o r , w h a t is i t , five m o r e w e e k s ? E n j o y . " Landsman

weighs

the

sholem

like

a

Shakespearean

hero

c o n t e m p l a t i n g a s k u l l . " I s h o u l d h a v e a s k e d for a m i l l i o n d o l l a r s , " h e says. " I ' l l b e t h e w o u l d h a v e c o u g h e d i t u p . " " G o d d a m n h i m , " B i n a says. " G o d d a m n t h e m a l l . I a l w a y s k n e w t h e y w e r e t h e r e . D o w n t h e r e in W a s h i n g t o n . U p t h e r e over o u r heads. Holding the strings. Setting the agenda. O f course I k n e w t h a t . W e all k n e w t h a t . W e all g r e w u p k n o w i n g t h a t , r i g h t ? W e a r e h e r e o n s u f f e r a n c e . H o u s e g u e s t s . B u t t h e y i g n o r e d u s for so l o n g . Left u s t o o u r o w n d e v i c e s . I t w a s e a s y t o k i d y o u r s e l f . M a k e y o u t h i n k y o u h a d a l i t t l e a u t o n o m y , i n a s m a l l w a y , n o t h i n g fancy. I t h o u g h t I w a s w o r k i n g for everyone. Y o u k n o w . S e r v i n g t h e p u b l i c . U p h o l d i n g t h e law. B u t r e a l l y I w a s j u s t w o r k i n g for C a s h d o l l a r . " "You think I should have been discharged, don't you?" "No,

Meyer."

" I k n o w I g o a l i t t l e t o o far. P l a y t h e h u n c h e s . T h e l o o s e - c a n n o n routine." "You think I'm a n g r y because t h e y gave you back your badge and your gun?" " W e l l , n o t so m u c h t h a t , n o . B u t t h e h e a r i n g b e i n g c a n c e l e d . I k n o w h o w m u c h y o u like t h i n g s d o n e b y t h e b o o k . " " I d o like t h i n g s d o n e b y t h e b o o k , " she says, h e r voice t i g h t . " I b e l i e v e in t h e b o o k . " "I know you d o . " "If you a n d I h a d played it b y t h e b o o k a little m o r e , " she says, and s o m e t h i n g dangerous seems to well u p b e t w e e n t h e m . "You and your hunches, a black year on t h e m . " H e w a n t s t o tell it t o h e r t h e n : t h e s t o r y t h a t has b e e n t e l l i n g h i m for t h e p a s t t h r e e y e a r s . H o w , a f t e r D j a n g o w a s h u s k e d f r o m her body, L a n d s m a n s t o p p e d t h e d o c t o r in t h e hall o u t s i d e

the

37G

MICHAEL

CHABDN

o p e r a t i n g r o o m . Bina had i n s t r u c t e d L a n d s m a n to ask this good d o c t o r w h e t h e r t h e r e was some use, some aim or study, to which the half-grown bones and organs might be put. " M y wife w a s w o n d e r i n g , " L a n d s m a n b e g a n , t h e n faltered. " W h e t h e r t h e r e w a s any visible defect?" t h e d o c t o r said. " N o . N o t h i n g a t all. T h e b a b y a p p e a r e d t o b e n o r m a l . " H e r e m a r k e d , t o o l a t e , t h e l o o k o f h o r r o r b l o o m i n g o n L a n d s m a n ' s face. " O f c o u r s e , that doesn't mean there was nothing wrong." " O f c o u r s e , " L a n d s m a n said. H e n e v e r saw t h i s d o c t o r again. T h e u l t i m a t e fate of t h e little body, of t h e b o y L a n d s m a n sacrificed t o t h e god of his o w n d a r k hunches, was something he had neither the heart nor the stomach to investigate. " I m a d e t h e s a m e f u c k i n g d e a l , M e y e r , " B i n a says b e f o r e h e c a n confess t o her. " F o r m y s i l e n c e . " " T h a t you get to keep being a cop?" "No.

T h a t you do."

" T h a n k s , " L a n d s m a n says. " B i n a , t h a n k s a l o t . I ' m g r a t e f u l . " S h e p r e s s e s h e r face i n t o h e r h a n d s a n d m a s s a g e s h e r t e m p l e s . " I ' m g r a t e f u l t o y o u , t o o , " s h e says. " I ' m g r a t e f u l for t h e r e m i n d e r o f j u s t h o w m e s s e d u p all o f t h i s i s . " " M y p l e a s u r e , " h e says. " G l a d I c o u l d h e l p . " " F u c k i n g M r . C a s h d o l l a r . T h e m a n ' s h a i r d o e s n ' t m o v e . It's like it's w e l d e d to his h e a d . " " H e s a i d h e h a d n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h N a o m i , " L a n d s m a n says. H e p a u s e s a n d n i b b l e s o n his lip. " H e said it w a s t h e m a n w h o h a d t h e j o b before h i m . " H e t r i e s t o k e e p h i s h e a d u p w h i l e h e says i t , b u t a f t e r a m o m e n t h e finds h i m s e l f l o o k i n g at t h e s t i t c h e s of his shoes. Bina reaches, h e s i t a t e s , t h e n gives his s h o u l d e r a s q u e e z e . She leaves h e r h a n d on h i m for all o f t w o s e c o n d s , j u s t l o n g e n o u g h t o r i p a s e a m o r t w o in L a n d s m a n . "Also h e d e n i e d a n y i n v o l v e m e n t in S h p i l m a n . I forgot t o ask h i m a b o u t L i t v a k , t h o u g h . " L a n d s m a n looks up, and she takes her

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNION

377

h a n d away. " D i d C a s h d o l l a r t e l l y o u w h e r e t h e y t o o k h i m ? Is h e o n his w a y t o J e r u s a l e m ? " " H e tried to look mysterious a b o u t it, b u t I t h i n k he was j u s t w i t h o u t a c l u e . I o v e r h e a r d h i m o n h i s cell p h o n e , t e l l i n g s o m e b o d y t h e y w e r e b r i n g i n g in a forensic t e a m from S e a t t l e t o go over t h e room at t h e Blackpool. M a y b e t h a t was s o m e t h i n g he w a n t e d m e t o h e a r . B u t I h a v e t o s a y t h e y all s e e m e d n o n p l u s s e d a b o u t o u r f r i e n d A l t e r L i t v a k . T h e y s e e m t o h a v e n o i d e a w h e r e h e is. M a y b e he took t h e m o n e y and ran. H e could be halfway to M a d a g a s c a r by now." " M a y b e , " L a n d s m a n says, t h e n , m o r e slowly, " m a y b e . " " G o d help me, I sense another h u n c h c o m i n g o n . " "You said y o u ' r e grateful t o m e . " " I n a b a c k h a n d e d , i r o n i c a l way. Y e a h . " "Look, I could use a little backup. I w a n t to have another look at Litvak's r o o m . " " W e c a n ' t g e t i n t o t h e B l a c k p o o l . T h e w h o l e j o i n t is u n d e r s o m e kind of secret federal l o c k d o w n . " "Only I don't w a n t to get into the Blackpool. I w a n t to get under it." "Under it?" "I heard there m i g h t be some, well, some tunnels d o w n t h e r e . " "Tunnels." "Warsaw tunnels, I heard they're called." " Y o u n e e d m e t o h o l d y o u r h a n d , " s h e says. " I n a d e e p d a r k nasty old t u n n e l . " " O n l y i n t h e m e t a p h o r i c a l s e n s e , " h e says.

• § 4 3

Â

0*

t t h e t o p of t h e stairs, Bina takes a key-ring

flashlight

from

h e r c o w h i d e b a g a n d passes it to L a n d s m a n . It p r o m o t e s or p o s s i b l y allegorizes t h e services of a Yakovy funeral

home.

T h e n she moves aside s o m e dossiers, a sheaf of c o u r t d o c u m e n t s , a wooden

hairbrush,

a mummified

boomerang

that

may

once

h a v e b e e n a b a n a n a i n a Z i p l o c , a c o p y o f People, a n d c o m e s u p w i t h a s l a c k b l a c k h a r n e s s s u g g e s t i v e o f s a d o m a s o c h i s t i c sex play, e q u i p p e d w i t h a kind of r o u n d canister. She plunges her head into t h e m i d s t of it a n d involves her hair w i t h t h e black webbing. W h e n s h e s i t s u p a n d t u r n s h e r h e a d , a s i l v e r l e n s flares a n d w a n e s , r a k i n g L a n d s m a n ' s face. L a n d s m a n c a n feel t h e i m m i n e n t d a r k n e s s , c a n feel t h e v e r y w o r d " t u n n e l " b u r r o w i n g t h r o u g h h i s r i b c a g e . T h e y go d o w n t h e steps, t h r o u g h the lost-articles room. T h e t a x i d e r m y m a r t e n l e e r s a t t h e m as t h e y p a s s . T h e l o o p o f r o p e o n t h e d o o r o f t h e c r a w l s p a c e d a n g l e s . L a n d s m a n t r i e s t o r e c a l l if h e r e t u r n e d it t o its h o o k before his inglorious r e t r e a t last T h u r s d a y n i g h t . H e s t a n d s t h e r e , r a c k i n g h i s m e m o r y , a n d t h e n h e gives u p . " I ' l l g o first," B i n a s a y s . She gets d o w n on her bare knees and works herself into the c r a w l space. L a n d s m a n h a n g s back. H i s t h r o b b i n g p u l s e , his d r y t o n g u e , h i s a u t o n o m i c s y s t e m s a r e c a u g h t u p in t h e

tiresome

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

379

h i s t o r y o f h i s p h o b i a , b u t t h e c r y s t a l s e t t h a t is h a n d e d o u t t o e v e r y Jew, t u n e d t o receive t r a n s m i s s i o n s from M e s s i a h , r e s o n a t e s at t h e sight of Bina's ass, t h e long i n d e n t e d arc of it like s o m e k i n d of m a g i c a l p h a b e t letter, a r u n e w i t h t h e p o w e r t o roll away t h e s t o n e s l a b b e h i n d w h i c h h e h a s e n t o m b e d h i s d e s i r e for h e r . H e is pierced b y t h e k n o w l e d g e t h a t n o m a t t e r h o w p o t e n t a spell it still c a s t s o v e r h i m , h e w i l l n e v e r a g a i n find h i m s e l f p e r m i t t e d , w o n d e r of w o n d e r s , t o b i t e it. T h e n it v a n i s h e s i n t o t h e d a r k n e s s , a l o n g w i t h t h e r e s t o f h e r , a n d L a n d s m a n is left s t r a n d e d . H e m u t t e r s t o himself, r e a s o n s w i t h h i m s e l f , d a r e s h i m s e l f t o g o i n a f t e r h e r , a n d t h e n Bina says, " G e t in h e r e , " a n d L a n d s m a n o b e y s . S h e s p a n s a n a r c o f t h e p l y w o o d d i s k w i t h h e r f i n g e r t i p s , lifts i t , a n d p a s s e s i t t o L a n d s m a n , h e r face f l i c k e r i n g w i t h t h e g l o w o f h i s flashlight a n d w i t h a p r a n k i s h s o l e m n i t y h e has n o t seen in years. W h e n t h e y w e r e kids, h e w o u l d climb t o h e r b e d r o o m in t h e n i g h t , s n e a k i n g in a n d o u t t h e w i n d o w t o s l e e p w i t h h e r , a n d t h i s w a s t h e face s h e w o r e as s h e e a s e d u p t h e s a s h . " I t ' s a ladderl" s h e says. " M e y e r , y o u d i d n ' t g o d o w n t h i s ? W h e n you came here that night?" " W e l l , n o , I w a s k i n d of, I w a s n ' t r e a l l y — " " Y e a h , o k a y , " s h e says g e n t l y . " I k n o w . " She lowers herself d o w n o n e steel cleat at a t i m e , a n d again L a n d s m a n g o e s a f t e r h e r . H e c a n h e a r h e r g r u n t as s h e l e t s h e r s e l f d r o p , t h e m e t a l l i c s c r a p e o f h e r s h o e s . T h e n h e falls d o w n i n t o t h e d a r k n e s s . She c a t c h e s h o l d of h i m a n d half s u c c e e d s in k e e p i n g h i m o n h i s feet. T h e l a m p o n B i n a ' s f o r e h e a d s p l a s h e s l i g h t h e r e , h e r e , here, m a k i n g a h a s t y sketch of t h e t u n n e l . It's a n o t h e r a l u m i n u m p i p e , r u n n i n g p e r p e n d i c u l a r t o t h e o n e they j u s t c a m e d o w n . L a n d s m a n ' s h a t b r u s h e s against t h e arc of it w h e n he s t a n d s e r e c t . It e n d s b e h i n d t h e m in a c u r t a i n of d a n k black e a r t h a n d r u n s s t r a i g h t away from t h e m , u n d e r M a x N o r d a u S t r e e t , t o w a r d t h e B l a c k p o o l . T h e a i r is c o l d a n d p l a n e t a r y , w i t h a n i r o n t a i n t . A floor o f p l y w o o d h a s b e e n l a i d , a n d as t h e y c l u n k a l o n g it, their lights pick o u t t h e i m p r i n t s of t h e b o o t s of passing m e n .

38D

MICHAEL

CHABDN

W h e n t h e y reckon themselves to be a b o u t halfway across M a x N o r d a u , t h e y meet another pipeline r u n n i n g away to the east and w e s t , l i n k i n g t h i s t u n n e l t o t h e n e t w o r k laid a g a i n s t t h e likelihood of future annihilation. T u n n e l s leading to tunnels, storehouses, bunkers. L a n d s m a n co n s id ers t h e c o h o r t of yids w h o arrived w i t h his father, t h o s e w h o w e r e n o t b r o k e n b y suffering a n d h o r r o r b u t rather somehow resolved. T h e former partisans, the

resisters,

C o m m u n i s t g u n m e n , l e f t - Z i o n i s t s a b o t e u r s — t h e r a b b l e , as t h e y w e r e s t y l e d i n t h e n e w s p a p e r s o f t h e s o u t h — w h o s h o w e d u p in Sitka after t h e w a r w i t h t h e i r v u l c a n i z e d souls a n d fought w i t h Polar B e a r s l i k e H e r t z S h e m e t s t h e i r brief, d o o m e d b a t t l e for c o n t r o l o f t h e D i s t r i c t . T h e y k n e w , t h o s e b o l d a n d d e v a s t a t e d m e n , k n e w as t h e y k n e w t h e flavor o f t h e i r t o n g u e s in t h e i r m o u t h s , t h a t t h e i r saviors would one day b e t r a y t h e m . T h e y walked into this wild c o u n t r y t h a t h a d n e v e r s e e n a J e w a n d s e t a b o u t p r e p a r i n g for t h e d a y w h e n t h e y w o u l d b e r o u n d e d u p , s e n t p a c k i n g , forced t o m a k e a stand. T h e n , one by one, these wised-up, angry men and women h a d b e e n c o o p t e d , p i c k e d off, f a t t e n e d u p , s e t a g a i n s t o n e a n o t h e r , or defanged b y U n c l e H e r t z a n d his endless o p e r a t i o n s . "Not

all o f

t h e m , " Bina says, h e r voice, like

Landsman's,

c a r o m i n g off t h e a l u m i n u m w a l l s o f t h e t u n n e l . " S o m e o f t h e m j u s t got comfortable here. T h e y s t a r t e d to forget a little bit. T h e y felt a t h o m e . " " I g u e s s t h a t ' s h o w i t a l w a y s g o e s , " L a n d s m a n says. " E g y p t . Spain. Germany." " T h e y w e a k e n e d . I t ' s h u m a n t o w e a k e n . T h e y h a d t h e i r lives. Come on." T h e y follow t h e p l a n k s u n t i l t h e y c o m e t o a n o t h e r p i p e t h a t o p e n s o v e r h e a d , a l s o fitted w i t h c l e a t s . " Y o u g o first t h i s t i m e , " B i n a says. " L e t m e c h e c k o u t y o u r ass for a c h a n g e . " L a n d s m a n hoists himself u p to t h e lowest cleat and t h e n m o u n t s t o t h e top. A s w a t c h of w e a k light shows t h r o u g h a b r e a k or hole

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

381

in t h e lid t h a t c a p s t h i s e n d o f t h e p i p e . L a n d s m a n p u s h e s a g a i n s t t h e h a t c h and it shoves back, a t h i c k sheet of p l y w o o d t h a t d o e s n ' t b u d g e or buckle. H e p u t s his shoulder i n t o it. " W h a t ' s t h e m a t t e r ? " B i n a says f r o m b e n e a t h h i s f e e t , h e r l a m p w o b b l i n g i n t o his eyes. " I t w o n ' t m o v e , " L a n d s m a n says. " T h e r e m u s t b e s o m e t h i n g o n it. O r — " H e feels for t h e h o l e , a n d h i s h a n d b r u s h e s a g a i n s t s o m e t h i n g cold a n d rigid. H e recoils, t h e n his fingers r e t u r n to w o r k o u t t h e sense of an iron rod, a cable, pulled t a u t . H e shines his light. A r u b b e r i z e d c a b l e , k n o t t e d a n d fed t h r o u g h t h e f i n g e r h o l e f r o m t h e t o p side, t h e n d r a w n t i g h t a n d lashed to t h e t o p m o s t cleat of t h e ladder underneath. " W h a t is i t , M e y e r ? W h a t d i d t h e y d o ? " " T h e y t i e d i t s h u t b e h i n d t h e m so t h a t n o b o d y c o u l d f o l l o w t h e m b a c k d o w n , " L a n d s m a n says. " T i e d i t w i t h a n i c e b i g p i e c e of s t r i n g . "

Â

g a n e f w i n d has b l o w n d o w n from t h e m a i n l a n d to p l u n d e r t h e S i t k a t r e a s u r y o f fog a n d r a i n , l e a v i n g b e h i n d o n l y c o b w e b s a n d o n e b r i g h t p e n n y in a v a u l t of p o l i s h e d b l u e . A t 12:03 t h e

s u n has a l r e a d y p u n c h e d its t i c k e t . Sinking, it stains t h e cobbles

a n d s t u c c o of t h e p l a t z in a violin-colored t h r o b of light t h a t you w o u l d h a v e t o b e a s t o n e n o t t o find p o i g n a n t . L a n d s m a n , a c u r s e o n h i s h e a d , m a y b e a s h a m m e s , b u t h e is n o s t o n e . Driving onto Verbov Island, coming west on Avenue 225, he and B i n a c a t c h s t r o n g whiffs a t e v e r y c o r n e r o f t h e b u b b l i n g t z i m m e s t h a t is c o o k i n g u p all o v e r t o w n . T h e s m e l l b l o w s m o r e i n t e n s e a n d r i c h e r w i t h b o t h j o y a n d p a n i c o n t h i s island t h a n a n y w h e r e else. Signs a n d b a n n e r s a n n o u n c e t h e i m m i n e n t proclamation of

the

k i n g d o m o f D a v i d a n d e x h o r t t h e p i o u s t o p r e p a r e for t h e r e t u r n t o E r e t z Y i s r o e l . M a n y o f t h e s i g n s l o o k s p o n t a n e o u s , s p r a y e d in d r i p p i n g c h a r a c t e r s o n b e d linens a n d sheets of b u t c h e r

paper.

I n t h e s i d e s t r e e t s , c r o w d s o f w o m e n a n d h a n d l e r s yell a t o n e another, t r y i n g to hold d o w n or hyperinflate t h e price of luggage, concentrated

laundry

soap, sunscreen,

batteries, protein

bars,

b o l t s of t r o p i c a l - w e i g h t wool. D e e p e r i n t o t h e alleys, L a n d s m a n i m a g i n e s , in t h e b a s e m e n t s a n d d o o r w a y s , a q u i e t e r m a r k e t b u r n s l i k e a b a n k e d fire: p r e s c r i p t i o n d r u g s , g o l d , a u t o m a t i c w e a p o n s .

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

383

T h e y drive past h u d d l e d g r o u p s of s t r e e t - c o r n e r geniuses s p i n n i n g c o m m e n t a r y on w h i c h families are t o b e given w h i c h

contracts

w h e n t h e y reach t h e H o l y L a n d , w h i c h of t h e wiseguys will r u n the policy rackets, the cigarette smuggling, the gun

franchises.

F o r t h e first t i m e s i n c e G a y s t i k t o o k t h e c h a m p i o n s h i p , s i n c e t h e W o r l d ' s F a i r , m a y b e for t h e first t i m e i n s i x t y y e a r s , o r so i t feels t o L a n d s m a n , s o m e t h i n g is a c t u a l l y h a p p e n i n g i n t h e S i t k a D i s t r i c t . W h a t t h a t s o m e t h i n g will t u r n o u t t o be, n o t even t h e m o s t learned of t h e s i d e w a l k r e b b e s has t h e f a i n t e s t idea. B u t w h e n t h e y reach t h e h e a r t of t h e island, t h e faithful replica o f t h e l o s t h e a r t o f o l d V e r b o v , t h e r e is n o h i n t o f t h e e n d o f e x i l e , r a m p a n t price gouging, messianic revolution. D o w n at t h e wide e n d of t h e p l a t z , t h e h o u s e of t h e Verbover r e b b e s t a n d s l o o k i n g s o l i d a n d e t e r n a l as a h o u s e i n a d r e a m . S m o k e h a s t e n s l i k e a r e m i t t a n c e from its lavish c h i m n e y , o n l y t o b e w a y l a i d b y t h e w i n d . T h e morning's Rudashevskys loiter darkly at their posts, and on t h e r i d g e of t h e h o u s e , t h e black r o o s t e r p e r c h e s , coattails flapping, with

his

semiautomatic

mandolin.

Around

the

platz,

women

d e s c r i b e t h e o r d i n a r y c i r c u i t s o f t h e i r day, p u s h i n g s t r o l l e r s , t r a i l i n g g i r l s a n d b o y s t o o y o u n g for s c h o o l . H e r e a n d t h e r e t h e y s t o p t o k n i t a n d unravel t h e skeins of b r e a t h t h a t t a n g l e t h e m t o g e t h e r . Scraps of n e w s p r i n t , leaves, a n d d u s t get u p i m p r o m p t u

games

o f d r e y d l in t h e a r c h w a y s o f t h e h o u s e s . A p a i r o f m e n i n l o n g c o a t s l e a n s i n t o t h e w i n d , m a k i n g for t h e r e b b e ' s h o u s e , s i d e l o c k s s w i n g i n g . F o r t h e first t i m e t h e t r a d i t i o n a l c o m p l a i n t , t a n t a m o u n t to a creed or at least a philosophy, of t h e Sitka Jew—Nobody a damn about us, stuck up here between Hoonah and

gives

Hotzeplotz—strikes

L a n d s m a n as h a v i n g b e e n a b l e s s i n g t h e s e p a s t s i x t y y e a r s , a n d n o t t h e affliction t h e y h a d a l l , i n t h e i r b a c k w a t e r o f g e o g r a p h y a n d history, supposed. " W h o e l s e is g o i n g t o w a n t t o l i v e i n t h i s c h i c k e n c o o p ? " B i n a says, e c h o i n g h i s t h o u g h t i n h e r o w n f a s h i o n , z i p p i n g h e r o r a n g e parka u p past her chin. She slams t h e d o o r of L a n d s m a n ' s car a n d trades ritual glares w i t h a g a t h e r i n g of w o m e n across t h e lane from

384

MICHAEL

CHABON

t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n ' s s h o p . " T h i s p l a c e is l i k e a g l a s s e y e , i t ' s a w o o d e n leg, y o u c a n ' t p a w n i t . " In front of t h e s o m b e r b a r n , t h e bachelor t o r m e n t s a rag w i t h a b r o o m h a n d l e . T h e r a g is s l o s h e d i n s o l v e n t w i t h a p s y c h o t r o p i c odor, a n d t h e b o y has b e e n exiled t o t h r e e hopeless islands of a u t o m o b i l e grease on t h e c e m e n t . H e jabs and caresses the rag with t h e e n d o f h i s p o l e . W h e n h e t a k e s n o t e o f B i n a , h e d o e s so w i t h a s a t i s f y i n g m i x t u r e o f h o r r o r a n d a w e . If B i n a w e r e M e s s i a h c o m e t o r e d e e m h i m in an o r a n g e p a r k a , t h e expression on t h e pisher's face w o u l d b e m o r e o r less t h e s a m e . H i s g a z e g e t s s t u c k t o h e r , a n d t h e n h e has t o d e t a c h it w i t h b r u t a l care, like s o m e o n e r e m o v i n g his t o n g u e from a frozen p u m p . " R e b Z i m b a l i s t ? " L a n d s m a n says. " H e ' s t h e r e , " says t h e b a c h e l o r , n o d d i n g t o w a r d t h e d o o r o f t h e shop. " B u t he's really busy." "As b u s y as y o u ? " T h e b a c h e l o r g i v e s t h e r a g a n o t h e r d e s u l t o r y p o k e . " I w a s in t h e w a y . " H e m a k e s t h e c i t a t i o n w i t h a flourish of self-pity, t h e n aims a c h e e k b o n e at Bina w i t h o u t i m p l i c a t i n g any of his o t h e r features o f h i s face i n t h e g e s t u r e . " S h e c a n ' t g o i n t h e r e , " h e says firmly. " I t isn't appropriate." " S e e t h i s , s w e e t n e s s ? " Bina has fished o u t h e r b a d g e . " I ' m like a c a s h gift. I ' m always a p p r o p r i a t e . " T h e bachelor takes a step backward, and the m o p d i s a p p e a r s b e h i n d h i s b a c k as if s o m e h o w i t m i g h t

handle

incriminate

h i m . " A r e y o u g o i n g t o a r r e s t R e b I t z i k ? " h e says. " N o w , " L a n d s m a n says, t a k i n g a s t e p t o w a r d t h e bachelor, " w h y would we w a n t to do that?" O n e t h i n g a b o u t a Yeshiva bachelor, h e k n o w s his w a y a r o u n d a question. " H o w s h o u l d I k n o w ? " h e says. " I f I w a s a f a n c y - p a n t s l a w y e r , tell m e , please, w o u l d I b e s t a n d i n g o u t h e r e s l o p p i n g a r o u n d w i t h a rag on the e n d of a stick?"

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

385

Inside the shop, they have gathered around the big m a p table, I t z i k Z i m b a l i s t a n d his crew, a d o z e n s t r a p p i n g J e w s in y e l l o w coveralls, their chins u p h o l s t e r e d w i t h t h e n e t t e d rolls of

their

b e a r d s . T h e p r e s e n c e o f a w o m a n i n t h e s h o p flits a m o n g t h e m l i k e a b o t h e r s o m e m o t h . Z i m b a l i s t is t h e l a s t t o l o o k u p f r o m t h e p r o b l e m s p r e a d o u t o n t h e t a b l e before h i m . W h e n h e sees w h o h a s c o m e w i t h t h e l a t e s t t h o r n y q u e s t i o n for t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n , h e n o d s a n d g r u n t s w i t h a s u g g e s t i o n o f h u f f i n e s s , as if L a n d s m a n a n d B i n a a r e l a t e for t h e i r a p p o i n t m e n t . " G o o d m o r n i n g , g e n t l e m e n , " Bina says, h e r voice w e i r d l y fluting a n d u n p e r s u a s i v e in t h i s b i g m a l e b a r n . " I ' m I n s p e c t o r G e l b f i s h . " " G o o d m o r n i n g , " says t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n . H i s s h a r p a n d f l e s h l e s s face is i l l e g i b l e as a b l a d e o r a s k u l l . H e rolls u p t h e p l a n or c h a r t w i t h p r a c t i c e d h a n d s , ties it in a l e n g t h of c o r d , a n d t u r n s t o s h e a t h it in t h e r a c k , w h e r e it d i s a p p e a r s a m o n g a t h o u s a n d of its fellows. H i s m o v e m e n t s a r e t h o s e of an old m a n t o w h o m h a s t e is a f o r g o t t e n v i c e . H i s s t e p is h e r k y - j e r k , b u t h i s hands mannered and accurate. " L u n c h is o v e r , " h e t e l l s t h e c r e w , t h o u g h t h e r e is n o t a t r a c e o f food t o b e s e e n . The

men

hesitate,

forming

an

irregular

eruv

around

the

b o u n d a r y m a v e n , r e a d y t o shield h i m from t h e secular t r o u b l e t h a t s t a n d s h u n g w i t h a c o u p l e of b a d g e s in t h e i r m i d s t . " M a y b e t h e y ' d b e t t e r s t i c k a r o u n d , " L a n d s m a n says. " W e m i g h t need to talk to them, t o o . " " G o w a i t in t h e v a n s , " Z i m b a l i s t tells t h e m . " Y o u ' r e in t h e way." T h e y start across t h e s u p p l y area to t h e garage. O n e of t h e c r e w t u r n s back, p r e s s i n g d o u b t f u l l y at t h e roll of his b e a r d . " S e e i n g as h o w l u n c h is o v e r , R e b I t z i k , " h e s a y s , " i s i t all r i g h t w i t h y o u if w e h a v e o u r s u p p e r n o w ? " " E a t y o u r b r e a k f a s t , t o o , " Z i m b a l i s t says. " Y o u ' r e g o i n g t o b e u p all n i g h t . "

386

MICHAEL

CHABON

" L o t o f w o r k t o d o ? " B i n a says. "Are you kidding? It's going to take t h e m years to pack u p this mess. I'm going to need a cargo container." H e goes to t h e electric tea k e t t l e and begins to set u p t h r e e glasses. " N u , L a n d s m a n , I h e a r d m a y b e y o u lost t h e use of t h a t b a d g e o f y o u r s for a l i t t l e w h i l e , " h e says. " Y o u h e a r a l o t , d o n ' t y o u ? " L a n d s m a n says. "I hear what I hear." " H a v e y o u e v e r h e a r d t h a t p e o p l e d u g t u n n e l s all u n d e r t h e U n t e r s h t a t , j u s t in case t h e A m e r i c a n s t u r n e d on us a n d decided to stage an

aktionV

" I ' d s a y i t r i n g s a b e l l , " Z i m b a l i s t says. " N o w t h a t y o u m e n t i o n it." " S o y o u w o u l d n ' t h a p p e n t o possess, b y any chance, a plan of those tunnels? Showing how they run, where they connect, et cetera?" T h e old m a n still has his b a c k t o t h e m , t e a r i n g o p e n t h e p a p e r e n v e l o p e s t h a t h o l d t h e t e a b a g s . " I f I d i d n ' t , " h e says, " w h a t k i n d of a b o u n d a r y m a v e n w o u l d I b e ? " " S o if, for w h a t e v e r r e a s o n , y o u w a n t e d t o g e t s o m e b o d y , say, i n t o or o u t of t h e b a s e m e n t of t h e H o t e l Blackpool on M a x N o r d a u Street w i t h o u t being seen. C o u l d you d o t h a t ? " " W h y w o u l d I w a n t t o d o t h a t ? " Z i m b a l i s t says. " I w o u l d n ' t b o a r d m y m o t h e r - i n - l a w ' s C h i h u a h u a in t h a t fleabag." H e u n p l u g s t h e k e t t l e before t h e w a t e r has boiled a n d soaks t h e tea bags o n e - t w o - t h r e e . H e p u t s t h e glasses on a t r a y w i t h a p o t of j a m a n d t h r e e s m a l l s p o o n s , a n d t h e y s i t d o w n a t h i s d e s k in t h e corner. T h e tea bags s u r r e n d e r their color unwillingly to the tepid water. L a n d s m a n hands around papiroses and lights them. From t h e vans c o m e t h e s o u n d s of m e n s h o u t i n g , or laughing, L a n d s m a n isn't quite sure. Bina walks around the workshop, admiring the mass and variety of s t r i n g , s t e p p i n g carefully t o avoid a t u m b l e w e e d of k n o t t e d wire, gray rubber with a blood-red copper stump.

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

387

" E v e r m a k e a m i s t a k e ? " Bina asks t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n . "Tell someone he can carry w h e r e he's n o t allowed t o carry? D r a w a line w h e r e no line needs to be d r a w n ? " " I d o n ' t d a r e t o m a k e m i s t a k e s , " Z i m b a l i s t says. " C a r r y i n g o n t h e S a b b a t h , it's a serious violation. People s t a r t t h i n k i n g

they

can't rely on m y maps, I'm t h r o u g h . " " W e still d o n ' t have a ballistic

fingerprint

on t h e g u n t h a t killed

M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , " B i n a says w i t h c a r e . " B u t y o u s a w t h e w o u n d , Meyer." "I did." " D i d i t l o o k l i k e i t w a s m a d e by, say, a G l o c k , o r a T E C - 9 , o r a n y kind of an a u t o m a t i c ? " " I n m y h u m b l e o p i n i o n , " L a n d s m a n says, " n o . " "You spent a lot of q u a l i t y t i m e w i t h Litvak's c r e w and their firearms." "And loved e v e r y m i n u t e . " "Did

you

see a n y t h i n g

in

their

toybox

that

was

not

an

automatic?" "No,"

L a n d s m a n says. " N o , I n s p e c t o r , I d i d n o t . "

" W h a t does that prove?" Zimbalist

says, e a s i n g his

tender

b o t t o m d o w n o n t o t h e inflatable-donut c u s h i o n of his d e s k chair. " M o r e importantly, why should I care?" "Aside from y o u r g e n e r a l , p e r s o n a l i n t e r e s t in s e e i n g j u s t i c e d o n e i n t h i s m a t t e r , o f c o u r s e , " says B i n a . " A s i d e f r o m t h a t , " Z i m b a l i s t says. " D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n , do you t h i n k Alter L i t v a k killed Shpilman or ordered him killed?" L a n d s m a n l o o k s r i g h t i n t o t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n ' s face a n d s a y s , " H e didn't. H e wouldn't. H e didn't just need Mendel. T h e yid had s t a r t e d t o believe i n M e n d e l . " Z i m b a l i s t b l i n k s a n d fingers t h e b l a d e o f h i s n o s e , t h i n k i n g t h i s over, as if i t is t h e r u m o r o f a n e w b o r n c r e e k t h a t w i l l f o r c e h i m t o r e d r a w o n e of his m a p s .

288

MICHAEL

CHABDN

" I d o n o t b u y i t , " h e c o n c l u d e s . " A n y b o d y else. E v e r y b o d y else. Not that yid." L a n d s m a n d o e s n ' t b o t h e r t o a r g u e . Z i m b a l i s t r e a c h e s for h i s t e a . A v e i n of r u s t t w i s t s in t h e w a t e r like t h e r i b b o n in a glass marble. "What

would

you

do

if

something

you

had

been

telling

e v e r y b o d y w a s o n e of t h e lines o n y o u r m a p , " Bina says, " t u r n e d o u t t o b e , say, a c r e a s e ? A h a i r . A s t r a y p e n m a r k . S o m e t h i n g l i k e t h a t . W o u l d y o u tell anyone? W o u l d y o u go t o t h e rebbe? W o u l d you admit that you made a mistake?" "It would never happen." " B u t if i t d i d . W o u l d y o u b e a b l e t o l i v e w i t h y o u r s e l f ? " " I f y o u k n e w y o u h a d s e n t a n i n n o c e n t m a n t o p r i s o n for m a n y y e a r s , I n s p e c t o r G e l b f i s h , for t h e r e s t o f h i s life, w o u l d y o u b e a b l e t o live w i t h y o u r s e l f ? " " I t h a p p e n s all t h e t i m e , " B i n a says. " B u t h e r e I a m . " " W e l l , t h e n , " t h e m a v e n says. " I g u e s s y o u k n o w h o w I feel. B y t h e way, I use t h e t e r m ' i n n o c e n t ' v e r y loosely." "As d o I , " says B i n a . " N o d o u b t a b o u t i t . " " M y w h o l e life, I k n e w o n l y o n e m a n I w o u l d u s e t h a t w o r d t o describe." " Y o u ' r e a h e a d o f m e , t h e n , " B i n a says. "Me,

t o o , " says L a n d s m a n , m i s s i n g M e n d e l S h p i l m a n as if t h e y

h a d b e e n , for m a n y y e a r s , t h e b e s t o f f r i e n d s . " I a m v e r y s o r r y t o say." " Y o u k n o w w h a t p e o p l e a r e s a y i n g ? " Z i m b a l i s t says. " T h e s e geniuses I dwell among? T h e y ' r e saying Mendel's coming back. T h a t i t ' s all h a p p e n i n g j u s t t h e w a y i t w a s w r i t t e n . T h a t w h e n t h e y g e t t o J e r u s a l e m , M e n d e l is g o i n g t o b e t h e r e , w a i t i n g for t h e m . Ready to rule over Israel." Tears start to r u n d o w n t h e b o u n d a r y maven's sallow cheeks. After a m o m e n t Bina r e m o v e s a h a n d k e r c h i e f from h e r bag, clean a n d p r e s s e d . Z i m b a l i s t t a k e s i t a n d l o o k s a t i t for a m o m e n t . T h e n he blows a g r e a t tekiah on his shofar of a nose.

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

m

" I w o u l d l i k e t o s e e h i m a g a i n , " h e says. " I w i l l a d m i t i t . " Bina hoists her b a g to her shoulder, a n d it r e s u m e s its s t e a d y mission

to

drag

her

down.

"Get

your

things

together,

Mr.

Zimbalist." T h e o l d m a n a p p e a r s s t a r t l e d . H e puffs h i s l i p s as if t r y i n g t o l i g h t a n i n v i s i b l e cigar. H e p i c k s u p a l o o p o f r a w h i d e t h o n g l y i n g on his d e s k , ties a k n o t in it, a n d p u t s it d o w n a g a i n . T h e n h e p i c k s i t u p a n d u n t i e s i t . " M y t h i n g s , " h e says finally. " A r e y o u s a y i n g I ' m under arrest?" "No,"

B i n a says. " B u t I w o u l d l i k e y o u t o c o m e d o w n so t h a t w e

c a n t a l k s o m e m o r e . Y o u m i g h t w a n t t o call y o u r l a w y e r . " " M y l a w y e r , " h e says. "I t h i n k you took Alter L i t v a k o u t of his hotel r o o m . I t h i n k you've d o n e s o m e t h i n g w i t h h i m , p u t h i m on ice, possibly killed h i m . I ' d l i k e t o find o u t . " "You

have

no

evidence,"

Zimbalist

says.

"You're

just

guessing." " S h e h a s a l i t t l e e v i d e n c e , " L a n d s m a n says. " A b o u t t h r e e f e e t , " says B i n a . " C a n y o u h a n g a m a n w i t h t h r e e feet o f r o p e , M r . Z i m b a l i s t ? " T h e maven shakes his head, half irritated, half a m u s e d , his poise a n d his bearings regained. " Y o u ' r e j u s t w a s t i n g m y t i m e a n d y o u r s , " h e says. " I h a v e a h u g e a m o u n t o f w o r k t o d o . A n d y o u , b y your own admission, by your own theory, have not found whoever i t w a s t h a t k i l l e d M e n d e l e . So w i t h all d u e r e s p e c t , w h y d o n ' t y o u j u s t w o r r y a b o u t t h a t , all r i g h t , a n d l e a v e m e a l o n e ? C o m e b a c k w h e n y o u ' v e c a u g h t t h e s u p p o s e d a c t u a l killer, a n d I'll tell y o u w h a t I k n o w a b o u t L i t v a k , w h i c h a t t h e m o m e n t , b y t h e w a y , is officially a n d e v e r l a s t i n g l y n o t h i n g . " " I t d o e s n ' t w o r k t h a t w a y , " L a n d s m a n says. "All r i g h t , " says B i n a . "All r i g h t ! " Z i m b a l i s t says. L a n d s m a n l o o k s a t B i n a . "All r i g h t ? " " W e c a t c h w h o e v e r killed M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , " Bina says, " y o u give

MICHAEL

390

CHABDN

u s i n f o r m a t i o n . Helpful i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t L i t v a k ' s d i s a p p e a r a n c e . If he's still alive, y o u give m e L i t v a k . " " Y o u h a v e a d e a l , " t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n says. H e t h r u s t s o u t h i s r i g h t claw, all s p o t s a n d k n u c k l e s , a n d B i n a s h a k e s i t . L a n d s m a n , feeling s t u n n e d , gets u p a n d shakes h a n d s w i t h t h e b o u n d a r y m a v e n . T h e n h e follows Bina o u t of t h e s h o p i n t o t h e w a n i n g day, a n d h i s s h o c k i n t e n s i f i e s w h e n h e finds t h a t B i n a is c r y i n g . U n l i k e Z i m b a l i s t ' s , h e r s a r e t e a r s o f fury. " I c a n ' t b e l i e v e I did t h a t , " s h e s a y s , a v a i l i n g h e r s e l f o f a t i s s u e f r o m h e r e n d l e s s s t a s h . " T h a t is t h e k i n d o f t h i n g you w o u l d d o . " " P e o p l e I k n o w k e e p h a v i n g t h a t p r o b l e m , " L a n d s m a n says. " S u d d e n l y a c t i n g like m e . " " W e ' r e l a w officers. W e u p h o l d t h e l a w . " " P e o p l e o f t h e b o o k , " L a n d s m a n says. "As i t w e r e . " "Fuck you." " D o y o u w a n t t o g o b a c k i n t h e r e a n d a r r e s t h i m ? " h e says. " W e can. W e have t h e cable from t h e t u n n e l . We can hold h i m . Start from t h e r e . " S h e s h a k e s h e r h e a d . T h e b a c h e l o r o n h i s m a p o f s t a i n s is s t a r i n g at t h e m , h i t c h i n g u p t h e seat of his black serge trousers and taking i t all i n . L a n d s m a n d e c i d e s h e ' d b e t t e r g e t h e r o u t o f t h e r e . H e p u t s h i s a r m a r o u n d h e r for t h e first t i m e i n t h r e e y e a r s a n d u s h e r s h e r o v e r t o t h e S u p e r S p o r t , t h e n g o e s a r o u n d t o h i s s i d e a n d c l i m b s in behind the wheel. " T h e l a w , " s h e says. " I d o n ' t e v e n k n o w w h a t l a w I ' m t a l k i n g about anymore. N o w I'm just making this shit u p . " They

s i t s i l e n t l y as L a n d s m a n w r e s t l e s w i t h t h e

perennial

d e t e c t i v e p r o b l e m of b e i n g obliged to state t h e obvious. " I k i n d o f l i k e t h i s n e w c r a z y , c o n f u s e d B i n a a n d a l l , " h e says. " B u t I feel I h a v e t o p o i n t o u t t h a t w e h a v e n o r e a l l e a d s o n t h e S h p i l m a n case. N o witnesses. N o s u s p e c t . " " W e l l , t h e n , y o u a n d y o u r p a r t n e r h a d b e t t e r f u c k i n g get m e a s u s p e c t , " s h e says. " H a d n ' t y o u ? " "Yes,

ma'am."

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

391

"Let's go." H e s t a r t s t h e i g n i t i o n , p u t s t h e S u p e r S p o r t in gear. " H o l d o n , " s h e says. " W h a t ' s t h a t ? " Across the platz, a big black four-by-four pulls u p a r o u n d t h e east side of t h e rebbe's house. T w o R u d a s h e v s k y s get o u t of it. O n e goes a r o u n d t o open t h e rear gate of t h e vehicle. T h e o t h e r w a i t s at t h e b o t t o m of t h e side steps, h a n d s k n o t t e d loosely b e h i n d h i m . A m o m e n t later, t w o m o r e R u d a s h e v s k y s c o m e o u t of t h e h o u s e , h u m p i n g several h u n d r e d cubic m e t e r s of w h a t a p p e a r s t o b e h a n d p a i n t e d F r e n c h l u g g a g e . Q u i c k l y a n d w i t h l i t t l e r e g a r d for t h e l a w s o f s o l i d g e o m e t r y , t h e f o u r R u d a s h e v s k y s m a n a g e t o fit all o f t h e t r u n k s a n d bags i n t o t h e b a c k of t h e four-by-four. O n c e t h e y have a c c o m p l i s h e d t h a t feat, a b i g c h u n k of t h e h o u s e i t s e l f b r e a k s off a n d falls i n t o t h e i r a r m s , w e a r i n g a g o r g e o u s f a w n colored alpaca coat. T h e Verbover rebbe does n o t look u p , or back, o r a r o u n d a t t h e w o r l d h e r e b u i l t a n d is n o w a b a n d o n i n g . H e l e t s the Rudashevskys do their q u a n t u m origami on h i m , folding h i m a n d his canes i n t o t h e backseat of t h e four-by-four. T h e y i d j u s t joins his luggage a n d rolls on. Fifty-five s e c o n d s later, a s e c o n d four-by-four p u l l s u p , a n d t w o w o m e n in l o n g d r e s s e s , h e a d s c o v e r e d , a r e h e l p e d i n t o t h e b a c k a l o n g w i t h t h e i r c i t y of b a g g a g e a n d a n u m b e r of c h i l d r e n . T h e p r o c e s s is r e p e a t e d w i t h f e m a l e s a n d c h i l d r e n a n d b l a c k f o u r - b y f o u r s for t h e n e x t e l e v e n m i n u t e s . " I h o p e t h e y h a v e a v e r y b i g a i r p l a n e , " L a n d s m a n says. " I d i d n ' t s e e h e r , " B i n a says. " D i d y o u s e e h e r ? " " I d o n ' t t h i n k so. I d i d n ' t s e e B i g S h p r i n t z l , e i t h e r . " H a l f a second later, Bina's Shoyfer rings. " G e l b f i s h . Yes. W e d i d w o n d e r . Yes. I u n d e r s t a n d . " S h e s n a p s t h e p h o n e s h u t . " D r i v e a r o u n d t h e b a c k o f t h e h o u s e , " s h e says. "She saw your car." L a n d s m a n guides t h e Super S p o r t t h r o u g h a n a r r o w alley a n d i n t o a c o u r t y a r d b e h i n d t h e r e b b e ' s h o u s e . A p a r t from t h e car, t h e r e is n o t h i n g t h a t w o u l d h a v e b e e n o u t o f p l a c e a h u n d r e d y e a r s a g o .

MICHAEL

332

CHABDN

S t o n e flags, s t u c c o w a l l s , l e a d e d g l a s s , a l o n g h a l f - t i m b e r e d gallery. T h e flags a r e s l i c k , a n d w a t e r d r i p s f r o m a r o w o f p o t t e d f e r n s t h a t h a n g from t h e u n d e r s i d e of t h e gallery. "She's coming out?" Bina d o e s n ' t answer, a n d after a m o m e n t , a blue w o o d e n d o o r o p e n s i n a l o w w i n g o f t h e g r e a t h i g h h o u s e . T h e w i n g is s e t a t a c r o o k e d angle t o t h e r e s t of t h e b u i l d i n g , a n d it sags

with

p i c t u r e s q u e a c c u r a c y . B a t s h e v a S h p i l m a n is s t i l l d r e s s e d m o r e o r l e s s for a f u n e r a l , h e r h e a d a n d face w r a p p e d i n a l o n g , s h e e r v e i l . S h e d o e s n ' t cross t h e g a p of p e r h a p s e i g h t feet s e p a r a t i n g h e r from t h e car; s h e j u s t s t a n d s o n t h e d o o r s t e p w i t h t h e faithful b u l k of S h p r i n t z l R u d a s h e v s k y l o o m i n g in t h e s h a d o w s b e h i n d her. Bina rolls d o w n t h e w i n d o w on her side. "You aren't leaving?" s h e says. "Did you catch him?" Bina doesn't play games or act stupid. She j u s t shakes her head. " T h e n I'm not leaving." " I t m i g h t take a while. It m i g h t take longer t h a n w e really have." " I c e r t a i n l y h o p e n o t , " says M e n d e l S h p i l m a n ' s m o t h e r . " T h a t m a n Z i m b a l i s t is s e n d i n g h i s i d i o t s i n t h e i r y e l l o w p a j a m a s o v e r h e r e t o n u m b e r e v e r y s t o n e i n t h i s h o u s e so t h a t i t c a n b e d i s a s s e m b l e d a n d t h e n r e a s s e m b l e d in J e r u s a l e m . If I ' m still h e r e in t w o w e e k s , I ' m g o i n g t o b e sleeping in S h p r i n t z l ' s g a r a g e . " " I t w o u l d b e m y v e r y g r e a t h o n o r , " says w h a t is e i t h e r a v e r y g r a v e t a l k i n g d o n k e y or S h p r i n t z l R u d a s h e v s k y from b e h i n d t h e r e b b e ' s wife. " W e w i l l c a t c h h i m , " B i n a says. " D e t e c t i v e L a n d s m a n j u s t s w o r e m e an o a t h t o t h a t effect." " I k n o w w h a t h i s p r o m i s e s a r e w o r t h , " M r s . S h p i l m a n says. " S o do you." " H e y ! " L a n d s m a n says, b u t she has a l r e a d y t u r n e d a n d gone b a c k i n t o t h e c r o o k e d little b u i l d i n g from w h i c h she e m e r g e d .

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

393

"All r i g h t , " B i n a s a y s , c l a p p i n g h e r h a n d s t o g e t h e r . " L e t ' s g e t started. What do we do now?" L a n d s m a n taps t h e wheel, considering his promises and their w o r t h . H e w a s n e v e r u n f a i t h f u l t o B i n a . B u t t h e r e is n o d o u b t t h a t w h a t b r o k e t h e m a r r i a g e w a s L a n d s m a n ' s lack of faith. A faith n o t in G o d , n o r in Bina a n d h e r c h a r a c t e r , b u t in t h e f u n d a m e n t a l p r e c e p t t h a t e v e r y t h i n g befalling t h e m from t h e m o m e n t t h e y m e t , good a n d b a d , was m e a n t t o be. T h e foolish c o y o t e faith t h a t c o u l d k e e p y o u flying as l o n g as y o u k e p t k i d d i n g y o u r s e l f t h a t y o u c o u l d fly. "All d a y I ' v e b e e n c r a v i n g s t u f f e d c a b b a g e , " h e says.

• § 45

F

r o m t h e s u m m e r o f 1 9 8 6 t o t h e s p r i n g o f 1 9 8 8 , w h e n t h e y defied t h e w i s h e s of Bina's p a r e n t s a n d m o v e d in t o g e t h e r , L a n d s m a n s n e a k e d i n a n d o u t o f t h e G e l b f i s h h o m e t o m a k e l o v e w i t h her.

E v e r y n i g h t u n l e s s t h e y w e r e q u a r r e l i n g , a n d s o m e t i m e s in t h e t h i c k of a q u a r r e l , L a n d s m a n climbed t h e d r a i n p i p e and t u m b l e d in t h r o u g h Bina's b e d r o o m w i n d o w t o share h e r n a r r o w b e d . Just before d a w n she w o u l d send him back d o w n again. T o n i g h t i t t o o k h i m l o n g e r a n d c o s t h i m m o r e effort t h a n h i s v a n i t y w o u l d care to a d m i t . As he passed t h e halfway m a r k , j u s t a b o v e M r . O y s h e r ' s d i n i n g r o o m w i n d o w , L a n d s m a n ' s left

loafer

s l i p p e d , a n d h e d a n g l e d free a n d t h r i l l i n g o v e r t h e b l a c k v o i d o f t h e G e l b f i s h b a c k y a r d . T h e s t a r s o v e r h e a d , t h e Bear, t h e S n a k e , exchanged places w i t h t h e r h o d o d e n d r o n and the wreckage the neighbors' sukkoh. In regaining a purchase, Landsman

of tore

t h e leg of his t r o u s e r s on t h e a l u m i n u m b r a c k e t , his old e n e m y i n t h e s t r u g g l e for c o n t r o l o f t h e d r a i n p i p e . F o r e p l a y b e t w e e n t h e lovers c o m m e n c e d w i t h Bina balling u p a tissue to blot t h e c u t on L a n d s m a n ' s shin. H i s shin w i t h its b l o t c h e s a n d freckles, w i t h its s t r a n g e midlife b l o o m of b l a c k hair. T h e y lie t h e r e o n t h e i r s i d e s , a c o u p l e o f a g i n g y i d s

stuck

t o g e t h e r like p a g e s of an a l b u m . H e r s h o u l d e r b l a d e s dig i n t o his

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

335

c h e s t . T h e k n o b s o f h i s p a t e l l a s a r e n o t c h e d a g a i n s t t h e soft m o i s t backs of h e r k n e e s . H i s lips can b l o w softly across t h e t e a c u p of h e r ear. A n d a p a r t o f L a n d s m a n t h a t h a s b e e n t h e s y m b o l a n d t h e s i t e o f h i s l o n e l i n e s s for a v e r y l o n g t i m e h a s f o u n d s h e l t e r i n s i d e o f h i s c o m m a n d i n g officer, t o w h o m h e w a s o n c e m a r r i e d for t w e l v e y e a r s . A l t h o u g h , it's t r u e , his t e n u r e inside her has g r o w n p r e c a r i o u s . O n e good sneeze could p o p h i m loose. " T h e w h o l e t i m e , " B i n a says. " T w o y e a r s . " " T h e whole time." " N o t once." " N o t even." "Weren't you lonely?" " P r e t t y lonely." "And blue?" " B l a c k . B u t n e v e r b l a c k *or l o n e l y e n o u g h t o k i d m y s e l f

that

h a v i n g sex w i t h a r a n d o m J e w e s s w a s g o i n g t o m a k e m e feel a n y less." " A c t u a l l y , r a n d o m sex o n l y m a k e s i t w o r s e , " s h e says. "You speak from e x p e r i e n c e . " " I f u c k e d a c o u p l e o f m e n i n Yakovy. I f t h a t ' s w h a t y o u w a n t t o know." " I t ' s s t r a n g e , " L a n d s m a n says u p o n r e f l e c t i o n . " B u t I t h i n k I d o not." "A c o u p l e o r t h r e e . " "I don't need a report." "So,

n u , " she says, " s o y o u j u s t b e a t off?"

"With

a discipline you m i g h t

find

surprising

in a y i d

so

unruly." " A n d w h a t a b o u t n o w ? " s h e says. " N o w ? N o w is m a d n e s s , " h e says. " N o t t o m e n t i o n u n c o m f o r t ­ a b l e . P l u s I t h i n k m y l e g is s t i l l b l e e d i n g . " " I m e a n t , " s h e s a y s , " w h a t a b o u t n o w , d o y o u feel

lonely"

"You're kidding, right? Squashed into this bread box?" H e b u r i e s h i s n o s e i n t h e t h i c k soft r a s p o f B i n a ' s h a i r a n d t a k e s

MICHAEL

3BE

CHABDN

a d e e p b r e a t h . R a i s i n s , vinegar, a salt whiff of t h e sweat of her nape. " W h a t does it smell like?" " I t s m e l l s r e d , " h e says. "It does n o t . " " I t smells like R u m a n i a . " " Y o u s m e l l l i k e a R u m a n i a n , " s h e says. " W i t h s h o c k i n g l y h a i r y legs." "I've become such a geezer." "Me,

too."

" I c a n ' t even c l i m b stairs. M y hair's falling o u t . " " M y a s s is l i k e a t o p o g r a p h i c a l m a p . " H e confirms

this information

w i t h his fingers. R i d g e s

d e p r e s s i o n s , h e r e a n d t h e r e a p i m p l e i n h i g h relief. H e

and

threads

his h a n d s u n d e r a n d over her waist and reaches a r o u n d to weigh a b r e a s t i n e a c h h a n d . A t first h e r e t r i e v e s n o m e m o r y o f t h e i r f o r m e r size or e s t a t e t o c o m p a r e t h e m w i t h , a n d h e panics a little. T h e n h e d e c i d e s t h a t t h e y a r e t h e s a m e as t h e y h a v e a l w a y s b e e n , s p a n n e d exactly b y his p a l m a n d his o u t s t r e t c h e d

fingers,

formed

from s o m e m y s t e r i o u s c o m p o u n d of g r a v i t y a n d give. " I ' m n o t g o i n g b a c k d o w n t h a t d r a i n p i p e , " h e says. " I c a n t e l l you that much." " I said y o u could j u s t t a k e t h e stairs. T h e d r a i n p i p e was your idea." " I t w a s all m y i d e a , " h e says. " I t w a s a l w a y s m y i d e a . " " D o n ' t I k n o w i t , " s h e says. T h e y lie t h e r e for a l o n g t i m e w i t h o u t s a y i n g a n y t h i n g m o r e . L a n d s m a n c a n feel t h e s k i n b e s i d e h i m s l o w l y filling w i t h d a r k w i n e . A few m i n u t e s l a t e r , B i n a b e g i n s t o s n o r e . T h e r e is n o d o u b t t h a t h e r s n o r i n g has n o t c h a n g e d in t w o years. It has a d o u b l e - r e e d e d h u m , t h e b u m b l e b e e c o n t i n u o of M o n g o l i a n t h r o a t - s i n g i n g . It has t h e slow g r a n d e u r of a whale's respiration. L a n d s m a n begins to drift across t h e surface of h e r b e d a n d of t h e s u s u r r a t i o n of Bina's b r e a t h . In h e r a r m s , in t h e scent of h e r on t h e b e d l i n e n s — a s t r o n g

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNION

397

b u t p l e a s a n t s m e l l l i k e n e w l e a t h e r g l o v e s — L a n d s m a n feels safe for t h e first t i m e i n a g e s . D r o w s y a n d c o n t e n t . H e r e y o u g o , L a n d s m a n , h e t h i n k s . H e r e is t h e s m e l l a n d t h e h a n d o n y o u r b e l l y t h a t y o u t r a d e d for a l i f e t i m e o f s i l e n c e . H e sits u p , w i d e a w a k e a n d hateful t o himself, c r a v e n , m o r e u n w o r t h y t h a n e v e r o f t h e fine k i d s k i n w o m a n i n h i s a r m s . Y e s , all r i g h t , L a n d s m a n u n d e r s t a n d s , so g o s h i t i n t h e o c e a n , t h a t h e m a d e not the right b u t the only choice. H e u n d e r s t a n d s t h a t the n e c e s s i t y o f c o v e r i n g u p for t h e d a r k d e e d s o f t h e b o y s i n t h e t o p d r a w e r is o n e t h a t n o z z e s h a v e b e e n m a k i n g i n t o a v i r t u e s i n c e t h e d a w n o f p o l i c e w o r k . H e u n d e r s t a n d s t h a t if h e w e r e t o t r y t o t e l l s o m e o n e , say D e n n i s B r e n n a n , w h a t h e k n o w s , t h e n t h e b o y s in t h e t o p d r a w e r w o u l d find a n o t h e r w a y t o s i l e n c e h i m , t h i s t i m e o n t h e i r o w n t e r m s . So w h y is h i s h e a r t r u n n i n g l i k e a j a i l b i r d ' s s t e e l c u p a l o n g t h e b a r s of his r i b cage? W h y d o e s Bina's f r a g r a n t b e d s u d d e n l y feel l i k e a w e t s o c k , a p a i r o f u n d e r p a n t s r i d i n g u p o n h i m , a wool suit on a h o t afternoon? You m a k e a deal, t a k e w h a t y o u c a n g e t , m o v e o n . G e t o v e r i t . So d i s t a n t m e n i n a s u n n y c o u n t r y h a v e b e e n l u r e d i n t o k i l l i n g o n e a n o t h e r so t h a t w h i l e t h e i r b a c k s a r e t u r n e d , t h e i r s u n n y c o u n t r y c a n b e b o o s t e d a n d f e n c e d . So t h e fate o f t h e S i t k a D i s t r i c t h a s b e e n s e a l e d . So t h e k i l l e r o f M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , w h o e v e r i t w a s , is w a l k i n g a r o u n d free. S o , so w h a t ? L a n d s m a n gets o u t of t h e b e d . D i s c o n t e n t m e n t g a t h e r s like ball l i g h t n i n g a r o u n d t h e c h e s s b o a r d in t h e p o c k e t of his c o a t . H e unfolds it a n d c o n t e m p l a t e s it a n d t h i n k s , I m i s s e d s o m e t h i n g in t h e r o o m . N o , h e d i d n ' t m i s s a n y t h i n g ; b u t if h e m i s s e d s o m e t h i n g , it's g o n e b y now. O n l y h e d i d n ' t m i s s a n y t h i n g in t h e r o o m . B u t h e m u s t have missed something. H i s t h o u g h t s are a t a t t o o needle i n k i n g t h e s p a d e on an ace. T h e y are a t o r n a d o going back and forth over t h e same d a m n pancaked trailer. T h e y n a r r o w a n d d a r k e n u n t i l t h e y d e s c r i b e a t i n y black circle, t h e hole at t h e b a c k of M e n d e l S h p i l m a n ' s h e a d . H e r e - c r e a t e s t h e s c e n e i n h i s i m a g i n a t i o n , as h e s a w i t t h a t n i g h t w h e n T e n e n b o y m k n o c k e d on his door. T h e freckled e x p a n s e

398

>>>>>

MICHAEL

CHABDN

of pale back. T h e w h i t e u n d e r p a n t s . T h e b r o k e n m a s k of t h e eyes, t h e r i g h t h a n d t u m b l e d f r o m t h e b e d t o b r u s h t h e floor w i t h i t s fingers. T h e c h e s s b o a r d on t h e n i g h t s t a n d . L a n d s m a n lays t h e b o a r d o n B i n a ' s n i g h t s t a n d , i n t h e p a l e o f d i m l i g h t f r o m t h e l a m p , a y e l l o w p o r c e l a i n affair w i t h a b i g y e l l o w daisy on t h e green shade. W h i t e facing t h e wall. B l a c k — S h p i l m a n , L a n d s m a n — f a c i n g t h e m i d d l e of t h e r o o m . M a y b e it's t h e c o n t e x t at o n c e familiar a n d s t r a n g e , t h e p a i n t e d b e d s t e a d , t h e daisy l a m p , t h e daisies on t h e wallpaper, t h e dresser in w h o s e t o p d r a w e r she u s e d t o k e e p h e r d i a p h r a g m . O r m a y b e i t ' s t h e l i n g e r i n g t r a c e s o f e n d o r p h i n i n h i s b l o o d s t r e a m . B u t as L a n d s m a n s t a r e s a t t h e c h e s s b o a r d , s t a r i n g a t a c h e s s b o a r d , for t h e f i r s t t i m e i n h i s life, feels g o o d . I t feels p l e a s u r a b l e , i n f a c t . S t a n d i n g t h e r e , m o v i n g t h e pieces in his m i n d , s e e m s t o slow or at least t o d i s l o d g e t h e n e e d l e i n k i n g over t h e black s p o t in his b r a i n . H e f o c u s e s o n t h e p r o m o t i o n a t b 8 . W h a t if y o u c h a n g e d t h a t p a w n to a bishop, a rook, a queen, a knight? L a n d s m a n r e a c h e s for a c h a i r t o t a k e W h i t e ' s p l a c e a t t h e b o a r d , t o s i t d o w n i n h i s i m a g i n a t i o n for a f r i e n d l y g a m e a g a i n s t S h p i l m a n . T h e r e ' s a chair at the desk, painted to match the daisy-green bed, in t h e c o r n e r of Bina's r o o m . It's r i g h t a b o u t w h e r e t h e fold-down d e s k w o u l d b e in r e l a t i o n t o t h e b e d in S h p i l m a n ' s r o o m at t h e Z a m e n h o f . L a n d s m a n lowers h i m s e l f i n t o t h e green chair, eyes on the board. A k n i g h t , h e decides. A n d t h e n Black has to m o v e t h e p a w n a t d 7 — b u t t o w h e r e ? H e s e t t l e s in t o p l a y it o u t , n o t b e c a u s e of s o m e forlorn h o p e t h a t it m i g h t lead h i m t o t h e killer, b u t b e c a u s e h e r e a l l y n e e d s , all o f a s u d d e n , t o p l a y t h e g a m e o u t . A n d t h e n , as if t h e s e a t is w i r e d t o a d m i n i s t e r a c h a r g e , L a n d s m a n l e a p s t o h i s f e e t . H e y a n k s t h e g r e e n c h a i r o n e - h a n d e d i n t o t h e air. F o u r r o u n d i n d e n t a t i o n s in t h e low-pile w h i t e c a r p e t , faint b u t d i s t i n c t . H e a l w a y s a s s u m e d t h a t S h p i l m a n , as t h e r e c e p t i o n c l e r k s all r e p o r t e d , n e v e r h a d v i s i t o r s , t h a t t h e g a m e h e left b e h i n d w a s a form of chess solitaire played from m e m o r y , from t h e pages

THE Y I D D I S H

o f Three Hundred

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

399

Chess Games, m a y b e j u s t a g a i n s t h i m s e l f . B u t if

Shpilman did have a visitor, m a y b e that visitor pulled u p a chair to sit d o w n at t h e b o a r d across from his o p p o n e n t . Across

the

c a r d b o a r d chessboard from his v i c t i m . A n d t h a t p h a n t o m p a t z e r ' s c h a i r w o u l d h a v e left i n d e n t a t i o n s i n t h e c a r p e t . N o d o u b t b y n o w t h e y h a v e f a d e d o r b e e n v a c u u m e d over. B u t t h e y m i g h t b e v i s i b l e in o n e of S h p r i n g e r ' s p h o t o g r a p h s , b o x e d u p in s o m e s t o r a g e r o o m at t h e forensic lab. L a n d s m a n steps i n t o his trousers, b u t t o n s his shirt, k n o t s his tie.

H e takes his coat from t h e d o o r a n d , c a r r y i n g his shoes, goes

t o p u l l t h e c o v e r s m o r e s n u g l y o v e r B i n a . A s h e b e n d s t o s w i t c h off t h e b e d s i d e l i g h t , a r e c t a n g l e o f p a p e r falls o u t o f h i s c o a t p o c k e t . It's t h e p o s t c a r d he received from t h e g y m t h a t h e used t o f r e q u e n t , w i t h i t s offer o f a l i f e t i m e m e m b e r s h i p g o o d for t h e n e x t

two

m o n t h s . H e studies t h e glossy side of t h e card, w i t h its e n c h a n t e d Jew. B e f o r e ; after. F a t ; t h i n . S t a r t h e r e ; f i n i s h t h e r e . W i s e ; h a p p y . C h a o s ; order. Exile; h o m e l a n d . Before, a n e a t d i a g r a m in a b o o k , its grid carefully c r o s s h a t c h e d at t h e black s q u a r e s a n d a n n o t a t e d l i k e a p a g e o f T a l m u d ; after, a b a t t e r e d o l d c h e s s b o a r d w i t h a V i c k s inhaler at b8. L a n d s m a n feels i t t h e n . A h a n d l a i d o n h i s , t w o d e g r e e s w a r m e r t h a n n o r m a l . A quickening, an unfurling

like a b a n n e r in

his

t h o u g h t s . B e f o r e a n d after. T h e t o u c h o f M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , m o i s t , electric, conveying some k i n d of s t r a n g e blessing on L a n d s m a n . A n d t h e n n o t h i n g b u t t h e cold air of Bina Gelbfish's bedroom. T h e

flowering

childhood

O'Keeffe v a g i n a on t h e wall. T h e

stuffed

Shnapish sagging on a bookshelf beside Bina's w r i s t w a t c h

and

her c i g a r e t t e s . A n d Bina, s i t t i n g u p in b e d , p r o p p e d o n an elbow, w a t c h i n g h i m , sort of t h e w a y she w a t c h e d t h o s e kids go after t h a t hapless penguin pinata. " Y o u still d o t h a t h u m m i n g t h i n g , " s h e says. " W h e n thinking. Like Oscar Peterson, only with no piano." " F u c k , " L a n d s m a n says. "What, Meyer?"

you're

4DD

MICHAEL

CHABDN

" B i n a ! " I t ' s G u r y e h G e l b f i s h , t h a t o l d w h i s t l i n g m a r m o t , from across t h e hall. A n a n c i e n t t e r r o r m o m e n t a r i l y seizes L a n d s m a n . " W h o is t h e r e w i t h y o u ? " " N o b o d y , Pa, go t o s l e e p ! " A g a i n she says, in a low whisper, "Meyer, what?" L a n d s m a n s i t s d o w n o n t h e e d g e o f t h e b e d . B e f o r e ; after. T h e exaltation

of

understanding;

then

understanding's

bottomless

regret. " I k n o w w h a t k i n d o f a g u n k i l l e d M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , " h e says. "All r i g h t , " B i n a says. " I t w a s n ' t a c h e s s g a m e , " L a n d s m a n says a f t e r a m o m e n t . " O n t h e b o a r d i n S h p i l m a n ' s r o o m . I t w a s a problem.

It seems obvious

n o w , I s h o u l d h a v e s e e n i t , t h e s e t u p w a s so freaky. S o m e b o d y c a m e t o see S h p i l m a n t h a t n i g h t , a n d S h p i l m a n p o s e d h i m a p r o b l e m . A t r i c k y o n e . " H e moves t h e pieces of t h e p o c k e t chess set, his g r a s p o f t h e m s u r e , h i s h a n d s t e a d y . " W h i t e is all s e t u p t o p r o m o t e h i s p a w n , see. A n d h e w a n t s t o p r o m o t e i t t o a k n i g h t .

That's

called u n d e r p r o m o t i o n , b e c a u s e usually, y o u w a n t to get yourself a q u e e n . W i t h a k n i g h t here, he has t h r e e different ways to m a t e , h e t h i n k s . B u t t h a t ' s a m i s t a k e , b e c a u s e it leaves B l a c k — t h a t was M e n d e l — w i t h a w a y t o d r a g t h e g a m e o u t . If y o u ' r e W h i t e , y o u have to ignore the obvious thing. Just make a dull move with the b i s h o p , h e r e a t c 2 . Y o u d o n ' t e v e n n o t i c e i t a t first. B u t a f t e r y o u m a k e it, every m o v e Black has leads directly to a mate. H e can't move without

finishing

himself. H e has n o good m o v e s . "

" N o g o o d m o v e s , " B i n a says. " T h e y c a l l t h a t Zugzwang"

L a n d s m a n says. " ' F o r c e d t o m o v e . '

I t m e a n s B l a c k w o u l d b e b e t t e r off if h e c o u l d j u s t p a s s . " " B u t y o u a r e n ' t allowed t o pass, are you? You have t o

do

something, don't you?" "Yes,

y o u d o , " L a n d s m a n says. " E v e n w h e n y o u k n o w i t ' s o n l y

going to lead to y o u g e t t i n g c h e c k m a t e d . " L a n d s m a n c a n s e e i t s t a r t i n g t o m e a n s o m e t h i n g t o h e r , n o t as e v i d e n c e o r p r o o f o r a c h e s s p r o b l e m , b u t as p a r t o f t h e s t o r y o f

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

4DI

a c r i m e . A c r i m e c o m m i t t e d a g a i n s t a m a n w h o f o u n d h i m s e l f left w i t h n o g o o d m o v e s a t all. " H o w ' d y o u d o t h a t ? " she says, u n a b l e t o s u p p r e s s c o m p l e t e l y a m i l d a s t o n i s h m e n t at t h i s e v i d e n c e of m e n t a l fitness o n his p a r t . " H o w ' d you get the solution?" " I saw i t , a c t u a l l y , " L a n d s m a n says. " B u t a t t h e t i m e I d i d n ' t k n o w I w a s s e e i n g i t . I t w a s a n ' a f t e r ' p i c t u r e — t h e wrong

picture,

a c t u a l l y — t o t h e ' b e f o r e ' p i c t u r e in S h p i l m a n ' s r o o m . A

board

where W h i t e had three knights. O n l y chess sets don't c o m e w i t h t h r e e W h i t e k n i g h t s . So s o m e t i m e s y o u h a v e t o u s e s o m e t h i n g e l s e t o s t a n d i n for t h e p i e c e y o u d o n ' t h a v e . " "Like a penny? O r a bullet?" "Any k i n d of t h i n g a m a n m i g h t have in his p o c k e t , " L a n d s m a n says. " S a y a V i c k s i n h a l e r . "

* § 46

T

h e r e a s o n y o u n e v e r d e v e l o p e d a t c h e s s , M e y e r l e , is b e c a u s e y o u

d o n ' t h a t e t o lose b a d l y e n o u g h . " H e r t z S h e m e t s , s p r u n g f r o m t h e h o s p i t a l w i t h a n a s t y flesh

w o u n d a n d t h a t Sitka G e n e r a l smell on h i m of onion b r o t h and w i n t e r g r e e n s o a p , is l y i n g o n t h e c o u c h i n h i s s o n ' s l i v i n g r o o m , h i s t h i n s h a n k s s t i c k i n g o u t of his pajamas like t w o u n c o o k e d noodles. E s t e r - M a l k e h a s a t i c k e t for B e r k o ' s b i g l e a t h e r a r m c h a i r , w i t h B i n a a n d L a n d s m a n in t h e cheap seats, a folding stool and t h e armchair's leather o t t o m a n . Ester-Malke looks sleepy a n d confused, h u n k e r e d d o w n i n h e r b a t h r o b e , h e r left h a n d f i d d l i n g w i t h s o m e t h i n g i n t h e p o c k e t t h a t L a n d s m a n f i g u r e s for l a s t w e e k ' s p r e g n a n c y t e s t . B i n a ' s s h i r t is u n t u c k e d , a n d h e r h a i r is a m e s s ; t h e effect p a r t a k e s of shrubbery, s o m e k i n d of o r n a m e n t a l hedge. Landsman's

face

i n t h e p i e r g l a s s o n t h e w a l l is a n i m p a s t o o f s h a d o w s a n d scurf. O n l y Berko S h e m e t s c o u l d look s h a r p at this little h o u r of

the

m o r n i n g , p e r c h e d o n t h e coffee t a b l e b y t h e c o u c h , c l a d i n a p a i r of r h i n o c e r o s - g r a y p a j a m a s , n e a t l y c r e a s e d a n d cuffed, his initials w o r k e d over t h e p o c k e t in m o u s e - g r a y crewel. H a i r c o m b e d , cheeks e t e r n a l l y i n n o c e n t of w h i s k e r or blade. " I a c t u a l l y p r e f e r l o s i n g , " L a n d s m a n says. " T o b e h o n e s t . I s t a r t winning, I get suspicious."

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNION

4D3

" I h a t e i t . M o s t o f all I h a t e d l o s i n g t o y o u r f a t h e r . " U n c l e H e r t z ' s v o i c e is a b i t t e r c r o a k , t h e v o i c e o f h i s o w n g r e a t - a u n t c a l l i n g o u t from b e y o n d t h e grave or t h e Vistula. H e ' s t h i r s t y , t i r e d , rueful, a n d in p a i n , h a v i n g refused any m e d i c a t i o n s t r o n g e r t h a n aspirin. T h e inside of his h e a d has g o t t o b e r i n g i n g like t h e s l a m m e d h o o d o f a car. " B u t l o s i n g t o A l t e r L i t v a k . T h a t w a s a l m o s t as b a d . " U n c l e H e r t z ' s eyelids flutter, t h e n settle over his eyes. Bina claps her h a n d s , o n e - t w o , a n d t h e eyes snap o p e n . " T a l k , H e r t z , " B i n a says. " B e f o r e y o u g e t t i r e d o r g o i n t o a c o m a or s o m e t h i n g . You k n e w S h p i l m a n . " " Y e s , " H e r t z says. H i s b r u i s e d e y e l i d s h a v e t h e v e i n e d l u s t e r o f p u r p l e q u a r t z or t h e w i n g of a butterfly. "I k n e w h i m . " "You m e t him how? A t t h e Einstein?" H e starts to nod, t h e n tilts his head to o n e side, c h a n g i n g his m i n d . " I m e t h i m w h e n h e w a s a boy. B u t I d i d n ' t r e c o g n i z e h i m . W h e n I s a w h i m a g a i n . H e h a d c h a n g e d t o o m u c h . H e w a s a fat l i t t l e boy. N o t a fat m a n . T h i n . A j u n k i e . H e s t a r t e d c o m i n g a r o u n d t h e E i n s t e i n , h u s t l i n g c h e s s for d r u g m o n e y . I w o u l d s e e h i m t h e r e . Frank. H e wasn't the usual patzer. From t i m e to time, I don't know, I w o u l d l o s e five, t e n d o l l a r s t o h i m . " " D i d y o u h a t e t h a t ? " E s t e r - M a l k e says, a n d t h o u g h she k n o w s n o t h i n g a b o u t S h p i l m a n at all, she s e e m s t o have a n t i c i p a t e d or guessed at his answer. "No,"

h e r f a t h e r - i n - l a w says. " S t r a n g e l y , I d i d n ' t m i n d . "

"You liked h i m . " " I d o n ' t like anybody, E s t e r - M a l k e . " H e r t z licks his lips, l o o k i n g p a i n e d , s t i c k i n g o u t his t o n g u e . Berko gets o u t of t h e chair a n d takes a p l a s t i c t u m b l e r from t h e coffee t a b l e . H e h o l d s i t t o h i s f a t h e r ' s l i p s , a n d t h e i c e j i n g l e s i n t h e tumbler. H e helps H e r t z to drain half of it w i t h o u t spilling. H e r t z d o e s n ' t t h a n k h i m . H e lies t h e r e for a l o n g t i m e . Y o u c a n h e a r t h e water sluicing through him. " L a s t T h u r s d a y , " B i n a says. S h e s n a p s h e r f i n g e r s . " C o m e o n . You w e n t t o his r o o m . A t t h e Z a m e n h o f . "

404

MICHAEL

CHABON

"I w e n t to his r o o m . H e invited me. H e asked m e to b r i n g M e l e k h G a y s t i k ' s g u n . H e w a n t e d t o see it. I d o n ' t k n o w h o w h e k n e w I h a d it, I never told h i m . H e seemed to k n o w a lot a b o u t m e t h a t I never t o l d h i m . A n d h e t o l d m e t h e story. H o w L i t v a k was p r e s s i n g h i m t o play t h e T z a d d i k again, t o r o p e in t h e black hats. H o w h e ' d b e e n h i d i n g from L i t v a k , b u t h e t i r e d of h i d i n g . H e h a d b e e n h i d i n g h i s w h o l e life. So h e l e t L i t v a k find h i m a g a i n , b u t h e r e g r e t t e d i t r i g h t away. H e d i d n ' t k n o w w h a t t o d o . H e d i d n ' t w a n t to keep using. H e didn't w a n t to stop. H e didn't w a n t to be what h e w a s n ' t , h e d i d n ' t k n o w h o w t o b e w h a t h e w a s . So h e a s k e d m e if I w o u l d h e l p h i m . " " H e l p h i m h o w ? " B i n a says. H e r t z p u r s e s his lips, gives a s h r u g , a n d his gaze sidles t o w a r d a d a r k c o r n e r o f t h e r o o m . H e is n e a r l y e i g h t y y e a r s o l d , a n d b e f o r e this he has never confessed to anything. " H e s h o w e d m e t h a t d a m n e d p r o b l e m of his, t h e m a t e in t w o , " H e r t z says. " H e s a i d h e g o t i t off s o m e R u s s i a n . H e s a i d if I s o l v e d it, then I would u n d e r s t a n d h o w he felt." " Z u g z w a n g , " B i n a says. " W h a t ' s t h a t ? " E s t e r - M a l k e says. " I t ' s w h e n y o u h a v e n o g o o d m o v e s , " B i n a says. " B u t y o u s t i l l have to move." " O h , " says E s t e r - M a l k e , r o l l i n g h e r e y e s . "Chess." " I t ' s b e e n d r i v i n g m e c r a z y for d a y s , " H e r t z says. " I s t i l l c a n ' t g e t a m a t e in fewer t h a n t h r e e m o v e s . " " B i s h o p t o c 2 , " L a n d s m a n says. " E x c l a m a t i o n p o i n t . " I t t a k e s H e r t z w h a t feels t o L a n d s m a n l i k e a l o n g t i m e , w i t h h i s eyes closed, t o w o r k it o u t , b u t at last t h e old m a n nods. " Z u g z w a n g , " h e says. " W h y , o l d m a n ? W h y w o u l d h e t h i n k y o u w o u l d d o t h a t for h i m ? " B e r k o says. " Y o u b a r e l y k n e w e a c h o t h e r . " " H e k n e w m e . H e k n e w m e v e r y w e l l , I d o n ' t r e a l l y k n o w how. H e k n e w h o w b a d l y I h a t e losing. T h a t I c o u l d n ' t let L i t v a k b r i n g a b o u t t h i s f o o l i s h n e s s . I c o u l d n ' t . E v e r y t h i n g I w o r k e d for all m y

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNION

405

l i f e . " T h e r e m u s t b e a b i t t e r t a s t e i n h i s m o u t h ; h e m a k e s a face. "And n o w look w h a t happened. T h e y did i t . " " Y o u g o t in t h r o u g h t h e t u n n e l ? " M e y e r says. " I n t o t h e h o t e l ? " " W h a t t u n n e l ? I w a l k e d i n t h e f r o n t d o o r . I d o n ' t k n o w if y o u ' v e noticed, Meyerle, b u t it's n o t exactly a h i g h - s e c u r i t y b u i l d i n g you live i n . " T w o or t h r e e long m i n u t e s u n w i n d from their spool. O u t on their closed-in balcony, G o l d y a n d P i n k y m u t t e r a n d curse and h a m m e r at their b e d s like g n o m e s at t h e i r forges d e e p b e n e a t h t h e earth. " I h e l p e d h i m fix h i m s e l f u p , " H e r t z says finally. " I w a i t e d till h e w a s u n d e r . Way, d e e p d o w n u n d e r . T h e n I t o o k o u t G a y s t i k ' s g u n . I w r a p p e d i t in t h e p i l l o w . G a y s t i k ' s . 3 8 D e t e c t i v e S p e c i a l . R o l l e d t h e b o y o v e r o n t o h i s belly. B a c k o f t h e h e a d . I t w a s q u i c k . T h e r e was no pain." H e licks h i s l i p s a g a i n , a n d B e r k o is t h e r e w i t h a n o t h e r c o o l swallow. " T o o b a d y o u c o u l d n ' t d o as g o o d a j o b o n y o u r s e l f , " B e r k o says. "I t h o u g h t I was d o i n g t h e r i g h t thing, t h a t it w o u l d p u t a s t o p to L i t v a k . " T h e old m a n sounds plaintive, childish. " B u t then t h e bastards w e n t ahead a n d decided to t r y it w i t h o u t h i m . " E s t e r - M a l k e t a k e s t h e lid f r o m a g l a s s j a r o f m i x e d n u t s o n t h e t a b l e b e s i d e t h e c o u c h a n d stuffs a h a n d f u l i n t o h e r m o u t h . " D o n ' t t h i n k I ' m n o t t o t a l l y d i s t u r b e d a n d h o r r i f i e d b y all o f t h i s , f r i e n d s , " s h e says, h o i s t i n g h e r s e l f t o h e r f e e t . " B u t I ' m a t i r e d l a d y in h e r first t r i m e s t e r , a n d I ' m g o i n g t o b e d . " " I w a n t t o s i t w i t h h i m , s w e e t n e s s , " B e r k o says. H e a d d s , " I n c a s e he's faking a n d he tries to steal t h e television once w e ' r e asleep." " D o n ' t w o r r y , " B i n a says. " H e ' s a l r e a d y u n d e r a r r e s t . " Landsman stands by the couch, w a t c h i n g the old man's chest r i s e a n d fall. H e r t z ' s face h a s t h e h o l l o w s a n d f a c e t s o f a arrowhead. " H e ' s a b a d m a n , " L a n d s m a n says. " A n d h e a l w a y s w a s . "

flaked

4QG

MICHAEL

"Yes,

CHABON

b u t h e m a d e u p for i t b y b e i n g a t e r r i b l e f a t h e r . " B e r k o

s t a r e s a t H e r t z for a l o n g t i m e w i t h t e n d e r n e s s a n d c o n t e m p t . T h e old m a n looks like s o m e k i n d of d e m e n t e d s w a m i in t h a t b a n d a g e . " W h a t are you going to do?" " N o t h i n g , what do you mean what am I going to do?" " I d o n ' t k n o w , y o u h a v e t h a t t w i t c h y t h i n g h a p p e n i n g . You look like y o u ' r e going to do s o m e t h i n g . " "What?" "That's what I'm asking you." " I ' m n o t g o i n g t o d o a n y t h i n g , " L a n d s m a n says. " W h a t

can

I do?" E s t e r - M a l k e walks Bina a n d L a n d s m a n d o w n t h e hall to t h e front d o o r of t h e a p a r t m e n t . L a n d s m a n p u t s on his p o r k p i e hat. "So,"

E s t e r - M a l k e says.

"So,"

say Bina a n d L a n d s m a n .

" I n o t e t h a t t h e t w o of y o u are leaving t o g e t h e r . " " Y o u w a n t u s t o l e a v e s e p a r a t e l y ? " L a n d s m a n says. " I c a n t a k e t h e stairs a n d Bina can r i d e d o w n in t h e elevator." " L a n d s m a n , l e t m e t e l l y o u s o m e t h i n g , " E s t e r - M a l k e says. "All t h e s e p e o p l e r i o t i n g o n t h e t e l e v i s i o n in Syria, B a g h d a d , E g y p t ? I n L o n d o n ? B u r n i n g c a r s . S e t t i n g fire t o e m b a s s i e s . U p i n Yakovy, d i d y o u see w h a t h a p p e n e d , t h e y w e r e d a n c i n g , t h o s e

fucking

m a n i a c s , t h e y w e r e so h a p p y a b o u t all t h i s c r a z i n e s s , t h e w h o l e floor c o l l a p s e d r i g h t o n t o t h e a p a r t m e n t u n d e r n e a t h . A c o u p l e o f l i t t l e girls sleeping in t h e i r b e d s , t h e y g o t c r u s h e d t o d e a t h . T h a t ' s t h e k i n d of s h i t w e h a v e t o l o o k f o r w a r d t o now. B u r n i n g cars a n d h o m i c i d a l d a n c i n g . I h a v e n o i d e a w h e r e t h i s b a b y is g o i n g t o b e b o r n . M y m u r d e r i n g , s u i c i d a l f a t h e r - i n - l a w is s l e e p i n g i n m y l i v i n g r o o m . M e a n w h i l e , I ' m g e t t i n g t h i s v e r y s t r a n g e v i b r a t i o n from t h e t w o o f y o u . So l e t m e j u s t s a y t h a t if y o u a n d B i n a a r e p l a n n i n g t o g e t b a c k t o g e t h e r , e x c u s e m e , b u t t h a t ' s all I n e e d . " L a n d s m a n c o n s i d e r s t h i s . A n y k i n d o f w o n d e r s e e m s likely. T h a t t h e J e w s w i l l p i c k u p a n d s e t sail for t h e p r o m i s e d l a n d t o feast o n giant grapes a n d toss their beards in t h e desert wind. T h a t

the

THE Y I D D I S H

POLICEMEN'S

UNION

407

T e m p l e w i l l b e r e b u i l t , s p e e d i l y a n d i n o u r day. W a r w i l l c e a s e , e a s e a n d p l e n t y a n d r i g h t e o u s n e s s will b e universal, a n d h u m a n k i n d will be t r e a t e d to t h e regular spectacle of lions a n d lambs cohabiting. E v e r y m a n will b e a r a b b i , e v e r y w o m a n a h o l y b o o k , a n d e v e r y s u i t will c o m e w i t h t w o p a i r s of p a n t s . M e y e r ' s seed, e v e n now, m a y b e wandering through darkness toward r e d e m p t i o n , striking at the m e m b r a n e t h a t separates t h e legacy of t h e yids w h o m a d e h i m from t h a t of t h e y i d s w h o s e e r r o r s , griefs, h o p e s , a n d c a l a m i t i e s w e n t i n t o t h e p r o d u c t i o n of Bina Gelbfish. " M a y b e i t w o u l d b e b e t t e r if I t o o k t h e s t a i r s , " L a n d s m a n says. " Y o u g o r i g h t a h e a d a n d d o t h a t , M e y e r , " says B i n a . B u t t h e n w h e n h e finally m a k e s i t all t h e w a y d o w n , h e f i n d s h e r a t t h e b o t t o m , w a i t i n g for h i m . " W h a t t o o k y o u so l o n g ? " s h e says. "I had to stop a time or two on the way." "You need to quit smoking. Quit again." " I d o . I w i l l . " H e fishes o u t h i s p a c k a g e o f B r o a d w a y s , fifteen left to b u r n , a n d arcs it i n t o t h e l o b b y t r a s h can like a d i m e c a r r y i n g a w i s h i n t o a f o u n t a i n . H e ' s f e e l i n g a l i t t l e g i d d y , a l i t t l e t r a g i c . H e is r i p e for t h e g r a n d g e s t u r e , t h e o p e r a t i c m i s t a k e . M a n i c is p r o b a b l y the word. "But that's not what held m e u p . " "You're really h u r t . Tell m e you're n o t really h u r t ,

walking

a r o u n d so t o u g h a n d m a c h o w h e n y o u n e e d t o b e i n t h e g o d d a m n h o s p i t a l . " S h e r e a c h e s for h i s w i n d p i p e w i t h t h e f i n g e r s o f b o t h h a n d s , r e a d y , as e v e r , t o c h o k e t h e life f r o m L a n d s m a n t o s h o w h o w m u c h she cares. "Are y o u h u r t badly, y o u i d i o t ? " " O n l y i n m y s o u l , s w e e t n e s s , " M e y e r says. T h o u g h h e s u p p o s e s i t ' s p o s s i b l e t h a t Ran" Z i l b e r b l a t ' s b u l l e t c r e a s e d m o r e t h a n h i s s k u l l . "I j u s t had to s t o p a couple of times. T o t h i n k . O r n o t to t h i n k , I d o n ' t k n o w . E v e r y t i m e I l e t m y s e l f t r y t o , y o u k n o w , breathe, j u s t for t e n s e c o n d s , w i t h t h e a i r full o f t h i s t h i n g w e ' r e l e t t i n g t h e m g e t a w a y w i t h , I d o n ' t k n o w , I feel l i k e I ' m s u f f o c a t i n g a l i t t l e b i t . " Landsman

s i n k s o n t o a sofa w h o s e b r u i s e - c o l o r e d

cushions

408

MICHAEL

CHABON

g i v e off a s t r o n g S i t k a o d o r o f m i l d e w , c i g a r e t t e s , a c o m p l i c a t e d s a l t i n e s s t h a t is p a r t s t o r m y s e a , p a r t s w e a t o n t h e l i n i n g o f a w o o l f e d o r a . T h e l o b b y o f t h e D n y e p e r is all b l o o d - p u r p l e v e l v e t a n d gilded c r u s t , b l o w n - u p h a n d - t i n t e d p o s t c a r d s of t h e great Black Sea r e s o r t s i n T s a r i s t t i m e s . L a d i e s w i t h t h e i r l a p d o g s o n s u n s t r u c k p r o m e n a d e s . G r a n d h o t e l s t h a t n e v e r h o u s e d a Jew. " I t ' s l i k e a s t o n e i n m y belly, t h i s d e a l w e m a d e , " L a n d s m a n says. " J u s t l y i n g t h e r e . " Bina rolls h e r eyes, h a n d s on h e r hips, glances at t h e door. T h e n she comes over and drops her bag and plops d o w n beside him. H o w m a n y t i m e s , he w o n d e r s , can she have e n o u g h of h i m , already, and still have n o t q u i t e e n o u g h ? " I c a n ' t r e a l l y b e l i e v e y o u a g r e e d t o i t , " s h e says. "I know." "I'm supposed to be the brownnose around here." "Tell me about it." " T h e ass licker." "It's killing m e . " " I f I c a n ' t r e l y o n y o u t o t e l l t h e b i g s h o t s t o f u c k off, M e y e r , why do I keep you around?" H e tries t o explain t o her, t h e n , t h e c o n s i d e r a t i o n s t h a t led h i m t o m a k e his o w n p e r s o n a l v e r s i o n of t h e deal. H e n a m e s s o m e of t h e small t h i n g s — t h e c a n n e r i e s , t h e violinists, t h e m a r q u e e of t h e Baranof T h e a t r e — t h a t it pleased h i m t o cherish a b o u t Sitka w h e n he was coming to terms w i t h Cashdollar. " Y o u a n d y o u r g o d d a m n e d Heart

of Darkness"

B i n a says. " I ' m

not sitting t h r o u g h that movie ever again." She shrinks her m o u t h d o w n to a hard m a r k . "You forgot s o m e t h i n g , asshole. O n your s w e e t l i t t l e list. You w e r e o n e i t e m s h o r t , I'd say." "Bina." " Y o u h a v e n o p l a c e for m e o n t h a t l i s t o f y o u r s ? B e c a u s e I h o p e you k n o w you're at the fucking t o p of m i n e . " " H o w is t h a t p o s s i b l e ? " L a n d s m a n says. " I j u s t d o n ' t s e e h o w that could be."

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

4D9

"Why not?" " B e c a u s e , y o u k n o w . I failed y o u . I l e t y o u d o w n . I feel l i k e I j u s t l e t y o u d o w n so b a d l y . " "In what way?" " B e c a u s e of w h a t I m a d e y o u do. T o D j a n g o . I d o n ' t k n o w h o w you can even stand to look at m e . " "Made m e ? Y o u t h i n k y o u made m e kill o u r b a b y ? " "No,

Bina, I — "

" L e t m e tell y o u s o m e t h i n g , M e y e r . " She g r a b s his

hand,

d i g g i n g h e r n a i l s i n t o h i s s k i n . " T h e d a y y o u ever h a v e t h a t m u c h control over m y behavior, it will be b e c a u s e s o m e b o d y ' s asking you, should she get the pine box or a plain w h i t e s h r o u d ? " She d i s c a r d s h i s h a n d , t h e n r e t r i e v e s i t a n d s t r o k e s a t t h e fiery l i t t l e m o o n s she carved i n t o his

flesh.

" O h my God, your hand,

I'm

sorry. Meyer, I ' m sorry." L a n d s m a n , o f c o u r s e , is s o r r y , t o o . H e h a s a l r e a d y a p o l o g i z e d t o her several t i m e s , alone a n d in t h e p r e s e n c e of o t h e r s , orally a n d in w r i t i n g , formally in m e a s u r e d p h r a s e s a n d in u n t r a m m e l e d s p a s m s : Sorry I'm sorry I'm so, so sorry. H e h a s a p o l o g i z e d for h i s c r a z i n e s s , h i s e r r a t i c b e h a v i o r , h i s g l o o m s a n d j a g s , for t h e y e a r s o f r o u n d - r o b i n e x a l t a t i o n a n d d e s p a i r . H e h a s a p o l o g i z e d for l e a v i n g h e r , a n d for b e g g i n g h e r t o t a k e h i m b a c k a g a i n , a n d for b r e a k i n g d o w n t h e d o o r t o t h e i r o l d a p a r t m e n t w h e n s h e d e c l i n e d t o d o so. H e h a s a b a s e d himself, a n d r e n t his g a r m e n t s , a n d g r o v e l e d at h e r shoes. M o s t of t h e t i m e Bina h a s , g o o d a n d c a r i n g w o m a n t h a t she is, offered L a n d s m a n t h e w o r d s h e w a n t e d t o h e a r . H e h a s p r a y e d t o h e r for r a i n , a n d s h e h a s s e n t c o o l s h o w e r s . B u t w h a t h e r e a l l y r e q u i r e s is a flood t o w a s h h i s w i c k e d n e s s f r o m t h e face o f t h e e a r t h . T h a t o r t h e blessing of a y i d w h o will n e v e r bless a n y o n e again. " I t ' s all r i g h t , " L a n d s m a n says. S h e g e t s u p a n d g o e s o v e r t o t h e l o b b y t r a s h c a n a n d fishes o u t L a n d s m a n ' s p a c k a g e of Broadways. F r o m h e r coat p o c k e t she pulls a d e n t e d Z i p p o , bearing t h e insignia of t h e 7 5 t h R a n g e r r e g i m e n t , a n d l i g h t s a p a p i r o s for e a c h o f t h e m .

4ID

MICHAEL

CHABDN

" W e d i d w h a t s e e m e d r i g h t a t t h e t i m e , M e y e r . W e h a d a few facts. W e k n e w o u r l i m i t a t i o n s . A n d w e called t h a t a choice. B u t w e d i d n ' t have any choice. All w e h a d w a s , I d o n ' t know, t h r e e lousy facts a n d a b o u n d a r y m a p of o u r o w n l i m i t a t i o n s . T h e t h i n g s w e k n e w w e c o u l d n ' t h a n d l e . " She takes h e r Shoyfer o u t of her b a g a n d h a n d s i t t o L a n d s m a n . " A n d r i g h t n o w , if y o u ' r e a s k i n g m e , a n d I k i n d of g o t t h e idea y o u w e r e , y o u also d o n ' t really have any choice." W h e n h e j u s t s i t s t h e r e , h o l d i n g t h e p h o n e , s h e flips i t o p e n a n d d i a l s a n u m b e r a n d p u t s i t i n t o h i s h a n d . H e r a i s e s i t t o h i s ear. " D e n n i s B r e n n a n , " says t h e c h i e f a n d s o l e o c c u p a n t o f t h e S i t k a b u r e a u o f t h a t m a j o r A m e r i c a n daily. " B r e n n a n . It's M e y e r L a n d s m a n . " L a n d s m a n h e s i t a t e s again. H e covers t h e m o u t h hole of t h e phone with a thumb. "Tell h i m to get his big head d o w n here and w a t c h us arrest your u n c l e for m u r d e r , " B i n a says. " T e l l h i m h e h a s t w e n t y m i n u t e s . " L a n d s m a n tries t o w e i g h t h e fates of Berko, of his uncle H e r t z , of Bina, of t h e J e w s , of t h e A r a b s , of t h e w h o l e u n b l e s s e d a n d homeless planet, against the promise he made to Mrs. Shpilman, a n d t o h i m s e l f , e v e n t h o u g h h e h a d l o s t h i s b e l i e f i n fate a n d promises. " I d i d n ' t h a v e t o w a i t for y o u t o d r a g y o u r l a m e n t a b l e h i d e d o w n t h o s e l o u s y s t a i r s , " B i n a says. " Y o u k n o w t h a t . I c o u l d j u s t have walked out the g o d d a m n e d door." " Y e a h , so w h y d i d n ' t y o u ? " " B e c a u s e I k n o w y o u , M e y e r . I c o u l d see w h a t w a s g o i n g t h r o u g h y o u r m i n d , s i t t i n g u p t h e r e , l i s t e n i n g t o H e r t z . I c o u l d see y o u h a d s o m e t h i n g y o u n e e d e d t o say." She p u s h e s t h e p h o n e b a c k t o h i s l i p s a n d b r u s h e s t h e m w i t h h e r s . " S o j u s t g o a h e a d a n d say i t already. I ' m t i r e d of w a i t i n g . " For days L a n d s m a n has been t h i n k i n g t h a t h e missed his chance w i t h M e n d e l S h p i l m a n , t h a t in t h e i r exile at t h e H o t e l

Zamenhof,

THE Y I D D I S H

PDLICEMEN'S

UNIDN

4M

w i t h o u t even realizing, h e b l e w his o n e s h o t at s o m e t h i n g like r e d e m p t i o n . B u t t h e r e is n o M e s s i a h o f S i t k a . L a n d s m a n

has

n o h o m e , n o future, n o fate b u t Bina. T h e land t h a t h e a n d she w e r e p r o m i s e d was b o u n d e d only b y t h e fringes of t h e i r w e d d i n g canopy, b y t h e dog-eared c o r n e r s of t h e i r c a r d s of m e m b e r s h i p in an i n t e r n a t i o n a l f r a t e r n i t y w h o s e m e m b e r s c a r r y t h e i r p a t r i m o n y in a t o t e b a g , t h e i r w o r l d o n t h e t i p of t h e t o n g u e . " B r e n n a n , " L a n d s m a n says. " I h a v e a s t o r y for y o u . "

AUTHDR'S NOTE a m g r a t e f u l for t h e h e l p o f t h e f o l l o w i n g p e o p l e , w o r k s , w e b s i t e s , institutions, and establishments: The

MacDowell

Colony, Peterborough,

New

Hampshire;

Davia N e l s o n ; Susie T o m p k i n s Buell; M a r g a r e t G r a d e a n d t h e staff of M a n k a ' s Inverness L o d g e , I n v e r n e s s , California; P h i l i p Pavel a n d t h e staff o f t h e C h a t e a u M a r m o n t , L o s A n g e l e s , C a l i f o r n i a ; B o n n i e Pietila a n d h e r fellow d e n i z e n s of Springfield;

Paul

Hamburg,

l i b r a r i a n for t h e J u d a i c a C o l l e c t i o n s , U n i v e r s i t y o f C a l i f o r n i a ; A r i Y. Kelman; T o d d Hasak-Lowy; Roman Skaskiw; the Alaska Library, Juneau, Alaska; Dee Longebaugh, O b s e r v a t o r y

State Books,

Juneau, Alaska; Jake Bassett of t h e O a k l a n d Police D e p a r t m e n t ; M a r y E v a n s ; Sally W i l l c o x , M a t t h e w S n y d e r , a n d D a v i d C o l d e n ; Devin M c l n t y r e ; Kristina Larsen, Lisa Eglinton, a n d C a r m e n D a r i o ; E l i z a b e t h Gaffney, K e n n e t h T u r a n , J o n a t h a n L e t h e m ; C h r i s t o p h e r Potter;

Jonathan

Burnham;

Michael

McKenzie;

Scott

Rudin;

Leonard Waldman, Robert Chabon, and Sharon Chabon; Sophie, Zeke, Ida-Rose, and A b r a h a m Messiah

Texts, R a p h a e l P a t a i ; Modern

Dictionary, of

Chabon, and their mother;

Yiddish,

English-Tiddish

Yiddish-English

U r i e l W e i n r e i c h ; Our Gang, J e n n a J o s e l i t ; The B e n j a m i n H a r s h a v ; Blessings,

Psycho-Ostensive

Expressions

in Yiddish,

The

Curses, Hopes and

Benjamin Matisoff;

Meaning Fears: English-

414

AUTHOR'S

Yiddish

Dictionary,

S l o b i n ; Against Alaska,

NOTE

A l e x a n d e r H a r k a v y ; American Culture:

Development,

Politics,

Klezmer,

and Religion

Mark

in Indian

K i r k D o m b r o w s k i ; Will the Time Ever Come? A Tlingit

Source

Book, A n d r e w H o p e I I I a n d T h o m a s F. T h o r n t o n , e d s . ; The Chess Artist,

J. C . H a l l m a n ;

F r a e n k e l ) ; Treasury (http://

of

The Pleasures Chess Lore,

of

Chess, A s s i a c

Mendele

shakti.trincoll.edu/~mendele/index.utf-8.htm);

C h e s s v i l l e ( w w w . c h e s s v i l l e . c o m ) ; Eruvin Areas,

(Heinrich

Fred Reinfeld, ed.;

Yosef

Gavriel

baistefila/eruvpl.htm);

Bechhofer Yiddish

in Modern

Metropolitan

(http://www.aishdas.org/ Dictionary

Online

(www.

yiddishdictionaryonline.com); and Courtney Hodell, editor and r e d e e m e r of this novel. T h e H a n d s of Esau b r o t h e r h o o d was founded b y and appears h e r e w i t h t h e kind p e r m i s s i o n of its g r a n d c h a i r m a n and president for life, J e r o m e C h a r y n ; t h e Z u g z w a n g o f M e n d e l S h p i l m a n w a s d e v i s e d b y R e b V l a d i m i r N a b o k o v a n d is p r e s e n t e d i n h i s Speak, Memory. This

novel

was

written

on

Macintosh

Devonthink Pro and Nisus Writer Express.

computers

using