Cryptonomicon

This is what happens when Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon is fed through MS Word's AutoSummarizer when it's set to summarize to 1% of the original. I've read this novel a couple dozen times and I still had a hard time following this summarization.

Summary: 4,092 words in 921 sentences
Original document: 409,122 words in 26,046 sentences

Lawrence asked a couple of times. Time just blazed by. "All right," Randy says. Avi sighs. "Right. Randy laughs.

Avi continues. Randy pays no attention to it.

Avi says.

RANDALL LAWRENCE WATERHOUSE.

Avi said.

"I guess so," Randy said. Randy didn't call him on it, though. Randy said. "I believe you, Avi," Randy said. Avi didn't hear him, so Randy assumed that meant yes. Randy went back into the restaurant. Goto Dengo's waving to him.

Shaftoe runs over and snatches it. A nice souvenir for Bobby Shaftoe.

Shaftoe wasn't a boxer. Shaftoe hollers. "Well, goddamn," Bobby Shaftoe says. Shaftoe bites his tongue. "Private Shaftoe! Shaftoe says blurrily. From time to time they host academic conferences. Randy begins typing. Inside Randy's computer is a precise clock. Randy is trying to generate one that is ridiculously long. Randy rests his tired hand. To Randy Waterhouse, it sounded like the beginnings of a pretty cool game. Randy read some and skimmed all. By the time Randy extricated himself from this conversation, his mind was reeling. "Sir! Sir!" Randy Waterhouse is in merely decent physical condition. Randy signed on as the head technologist. Randy could see where it was going. Randy finished the thought. Randy said.

Randy walks to it, doggedly. Sir? Tiny comets of pee strike Randy's pant legs. Randy always wears long pants no matter how hot it is.

Sometimes Randy walks along the top of the Spanish wall. "What's on your mind, Randy?"

"Lines of sight," Randy says.

"Long story. Shaftoe blacks out.

Shaftoe needs morphine. Shaftoe screams. "We have five minutes," Randy says.

"Randy Waterhouse," he says.

Amy Shaftoe," she says. Amy walks past Randy a couple of times, but avoids looking him in the eye. "Thanks for giving me the ride," Randy says.

Randy asks.

Randy infers that looking at big rusty boats is more interesting than talking to Randy.

Randy's a little nonplussed. Randy tries to be careful.

Randy sips his coffee. Randy hits the fast-forward. "Okay, good," Randy says, a little off balance. "Right."

Shaftoe says.

Something big descends towards Shaftoe. Shaftoe doesn't have to think very long. Shaftoe yells. Shaftoe's body is saturated with morphine. Shaftoe says.

Shaftoe says. "Sir! "Sir! "Sir! "Sir! Shaftoe says.

"Sir! Shaftoe begins.

"Sir! "Sir! "Sir! "Sir! "Sir! "Sir! "Sir! "Sir! "Sir! "Sir! "Sir! Do you follow me, Shaftoe?"

"Sir! An Annapolis man. Very good men. "Sir! Waterhouse says.

"I understand, sir," Waterhouse says.

"Clearly," Waterhouse says.

Waterhouse says. Randy's in no hurry to expose himself. Randy follow's her. Randy asks. Randy asks, looking at the photograph.

Randy hunches over and peers at it. Randy's nonplussed. Gold. "Thanks for the tour," Randy says. Randy says. "Why are you in business, Randy?" "Rui Faleiro was Magellan's cosmographer," Randy says.

"The brains of the operation," Randy says, tapping his head.

Doctor Kepler," Randy says. "Yes," Randy says cautiously.

Randy shook his head in disgust and amazement. "Never mind. Randy said. Right?"

"Right."

Avi said. "Sex is more complicated than that, Randy. "Randy," he says. Medals clink together as he grips Randy's right hand and shakes it. "Don't be deceived, Randy," says Douglas MacArthur Shaftoe, "I'm not on active duty. Doug Shaftoe nods impassively. "Okay," Randy says. "Ah," Randy says. "Hmmmm," Randy says. "On one condition," Doug Shaftoe says.

Randy asks.

Waterhouse likes trains.

"Captain Waterhouse? "2702," Waterhouse says.

Waterhouse swallows. Waterhouse blurts. Shaftoe barges past him and heads straight for the building's exit, ignoring Ethridge's queries: "Shaftoe? Shaftoe opens his eyes and looks around.

"Blond," Shaftoe says.

"Blue-eyed."

"Sir! "Sir! Sir!"

Shaftoe says. "Sir! "Sir! "Twenty-six, sir!" responds Shaftoe crisply.

"Sir! Shaftoe says to Private Nathan.

Shaftoe clarifies. Shaftoe says. Bobby Shaftoe says.

Shaftoe hefts it and whistles. The chastened Shaftoe sets about his work. "Deal," Shaftoe says.

"I guess so," Shaftoe grumbles. Bobby Shaftoe asks.

Shaftoe shrugs. "Right! Shaftoe says.

For the first time, Shaftoe hazards movement. Shaftoe asks.

Shaftoe says. Shaftoe hears distant pocking noises. Root glances up and locks eyes with Shaftoe. Shaftoe holds his gaze for a long moment. Shaftoe nods imperceptibly, and Root's gaze softens.

Shaftoe nods. "Yeah," Shaftoe says.

Shaftoe glances away and nods. "Finux," Avi mumbles, answering Randy's unspoken question.

Randy types "Finux" and hits the return key. Randy says.

Randy raises his eyebrows.

"Those look new," Randy says. The sixth was Randy's Second Business Foray. Avi says. Randy breaks in. "We've already established a foothold there. Randy watches them squint and tilt their heads from side to side. Avi says. Randy does Internet, Eb does weird stuff, Beryl does money. Avi's nodding. Avi says. Waterhouse knows this perfectly well. Lawrence Waterhouse."

Waterhouse hands him the magic pass. "Right. "Howdy," Waterhouse says.

"If only we could!" Waterhouse says. Randy blurts, annoyed with himself. Both men laugh. "No," Randy answers. Goto fires back.

Goto says. Randy hesitates. Goto understands. "Leave me a message," Randy says. "Ministry of Information," Randy says.

Randy trails his hand along the wall. Randy says.

"Interlibrary loan," Randy says.

Randy begins to descend the steps.

Randy looks nervously at the ceiling. Randy asks. Tom says, laughing at the expression on Randy's face.

"Heavy, heavy deja vu," Randy says. "Yeah," Randy says, "I've seen this before."

"Where?"

Actually, Shaftoe doesn't mind this mission. Shaftoe is a grunt, and understands.

Bobby Shaftoe holsters his revolver. "Fuck me," Shaftoe exclaims.

If only Alan were here!

"Ma'am," Waterhouse says. Waterhouse turns to look at her. Waterhouse smiles. "Quite right, actually," Waterhouse says.

Waterhouse asks. Eventually the information reaches Randy's computer, which spews noise back. Randy declines to answer those messages just now.

To: randy@tombstone.epiphyte.com

Randy closes that one without responding. Randy opens up a terminal window and types

Scrolling down, Randy finds:

The key is stored on Randy's hard disk. The last time Randy changed his pass phrase, he was reading another World War II memoir. Nothing works.

Both men laugh.

Randy says, "You're looking encouragingly pale."

Randy laughs. So Randy decides to play devil's advocate. "Maybe it's in the business plan?" ventures Randy.

A year ago," admits Randy.

Randy changes the subject. My job's pretty simple," Randy says. Randy pauses and swigs Guinness, building the drama. Randy says. Randy considers it. Cantrell raises his eyebrows, a little worried about Randy's feelings. "It's true," Randy says. Randy says.

Randy asks.

"Well, at least he got something right," Randy says. If it's not moving, it's not working. Waterhouse says.

It swings five times, ten times, twenty. Waterhouse stands as if his feet were planted in mortar. Waterhouse says hopelessly.

Is it all right if I call you Lawrence?" Waterhouse essays.

"Well. "Lawrence? Shaftoe likes the sound of this. "Shaftoe! Shaftoe looks blank.

Shaftoe says, a little less certainly. Shaftoe looks at the crates. Shaftoe says indignantly.

Look, Shaftoe! Look! Shaftoe says. "Okay," Shaftoe said to the men. Many strafings have turned Bobby Shaftoe into a big flincher. "Sergeant Shaftoe!" says Root peremptorily. Shaftoe straightens up reflexively.

"Lieutenant Root!" Shaftoe is startled by this. "Fuck off," Shaftoe says.

"Absolutely," Shaftoe says.

"Sergeant Shaftoe? Monkberg's turn. Shaftoe asks.

Right?"

"Right!" Shaftoe says.

"Lieutenant Root?" Shaftoe says.

"Yes, Sergeant Shaftoe?"

Root looks up into Shaftoe's eyes. Sergeant Shaftoe says.

"What is it now, Shaftoe?" Shaftoe says. "Sergeant Shaftoe!" Shaftoe returns.

Root insists.

"We are," Randy says.

"You're talking shareholderese," Randy warns.

Randy and John Cantrell exchange a look.

Randy says, getting to his feet.

Randy holds up his hands, palms out, in surrender.

An image from the Cold War comes into Randy's head. Eb looks slightly pained by Randy's simple-mindedness. Avi has known Randy forever, and knows that Randy won't really be bothered by what is to come.

All eyes turn towards Randy, and Beryl picks up the thread. "I accept that," Randy says. Randy says, "I was afraid of that."

Finally Randy stands, and holds out his hands as if warding them off. Clever Avi! "Okay," Randy says. Avi says.

Randy asks.

"Oh, shit," Randy says.

"I don't think so," Randy says. "Got it," Randy says, and zips up. Waterhouse says puckishly. Shaftoe follows a few moments later.

Sergeant Shaftoe says. German. Then Shaftoe turns and leaves Waterhouse alone in the cabin.

Sergeant Shaftoe says. The problem is with Bobby Shaftoe's brain.

Shaftoe hollers. Shaftoe turns right. Shaftoe smells electricity. Dear Randy,

"Good morning, Mr. Waterhouse! Randy counts three women and two men. Randy asks.

Avi says. All eyes turn to Randy. Randy blurts.

Avi says. Randy asks.

I don't remember," Randy says. "Not to worry," Randy says, "I jammed it."

Eb asks, not catching the irony in Randy's voice. "I was joking," Randy explains. Encrypted messages," Waterhouse says. "Breaking the code, Waterhouse?" "Waterhouse! Waterhouse asks blankly. Waterhouse says. "No," Waterhouse says. "Well! Randy scoffs. "I'm impressed," Randy says. Now Randy is starting to remember this guy. "Probably both," Randy guesses. Randy bends and looks too. Randy pulls his chair back and falls into it. Randy looks at Cantrell, who's nodding slyly.

Randy can't believe he's hearing this. Randy knows several people who worked and studied with him during those years. Randy's attention wanders. Randy begins looking around the table.

As usual, Randy cannot remember his name. Goto Dengo looks away.

This time Goto Dengo watches it carefully. Like Shaftoe. Kepler's just as surprised as Randy. What can Randy do right now to enhance shareholder value? Randy doesn't have to write that stuff. Randy fires up the software. "Yeah," Randy lies.

Kepler turns around and gives Randy a searching look. Can we compete against them, Randy?"

Waterhouse says.

Waterhouse is not offended. Randy opens the door. "You got that right," Randy says. "Oh," Randy says, "Tom Howard's room is right next door?"

Randy asks.

Randy's heard of this product. Randy asks, and Cantrell says, "Yes," without even turning around. Randy clicks on RIST 9E03 and gets

Randy uses it.

Randy says.

Randy asks.

By the time Goto Dengo reaches him, he is stone dead.

Goto Dengo falls off the house.

wonders Shaftoe. Shaftoe says.

Shaftoe asks. Shaftoe asks Root.

"Lieutenant Enoch Root."

"We need a new category," Randy said. Randy,

Randy asks.

Randy.

Randy figures there's no better time to ask this question. Randy says.

"Dilemma," Randy says.

"Right. Randy asks Tom Howard.

Randy asks.

At the same time Randy grins, he senses someone's stare. So Randy stares right back into Prag's black eyes, and grins. Avi sighs. Randy says.

Everyone looks at Randy. "Just an educated guess," Randy says, shaking his head. "Randy's right," Avi says. Randy asks.

Dönitz: Nice work, Bischoff! "The Holocaust," Randy says dutifully.

Randy asks.

The Aztecs can go fuck themselves, Randy! You know what those fucking Aztecs did, Randy?"

Randy uses his hands to squeegee away sweat from his face. "Avi?"

Avi scoffs. "Human nature doesn't change, Randy. Randy sits and ponders for a while. I haven't even started," Randy says.

Avi blinks. Randy says testily, meaning Yes, of course. "I got e-mail from Doug Shaftoe a few days ago," Randy says. "No, no, no," Randy says. Same basic idea," Randy says. Randy keeps talking. Doug Shaftoe is one of those people. "Right. "Right. "I assumed wrong," Randy admits. Avi says.

On personal honor," Randy says. "Damn, Randy! "The answer can only be Douglas MacArthur Shaftoe," Randy says. Shaftoe is lost now. "Fuck you," Shaftoe says.

"Good work. Root suggests.

Shaftoe says.

The man rolls over, exposing his back to Shaftoe. Shaftoe mulls it over. Shaftoe's desperate. Gold. "Not petty cash," Shaftoe says. For god's sake, Shaftoe! Long silence.

Shaftoe shouts. Fuck you and your mother if I did," Shaftoe says.

Shaftoe asks.

Shaftoe hears the word morphium several times. First, Shaftoe addresses Bischoff. "Shoot," Shaftoe says.

Shaftoe's never felt better. "Shit," Shaftoe says.

Bischoff

Big deal. Shaftoe shrugs. Shaftoe chuckles delightedly. It doesn't work. From: randy@epiphyte.com

Randall Lawrence Waterhouse

To: randy@epiphyte.com

Randy.

Randy asks. Noting Randy's interest, Doug Shaftoe squats alongside it to point out the features. "Clear!" shouts Amy Shaftoe, sounding rather impatient.

Randy says.

Randy's calculator watch beeps twice. "Randy?" Randy is speechless for a while.

"Right. Doug and Randy look at the TV screen. A bomber," Randy says. "Looks pretty crusty," Randy says.

Randy says.

"Why isn't it lying flat, Randy?"

"My god," says Douglas MacArthur Shaftoe. "Well, here's to it," Randy says.

Goto Dengo says.

"Oh," Goto Dengo says.

Goto Dengo shouts back.

"Thank you," Goto Dengo says. "I'll chop more," Shaftoe says. "Manila," Bobby Shaftoe says, "if she's even still alive."

Now Bobby Shaftoe is dead for sure. Why doesn't Randy have a diving plan?

To: randy@epiphyte.com

Randy,

To: randy@epiphyte.com

"Randy?" says Doug Shaftoe, and beckons him into his wardroom.

Randy checks them out. Randy bends over and peers at it. Randy asks, wiggling his fingers into the gloves.

WATERHOUSE LAVENDER ROSE.


"No doubt," Waterhouse says.

"Right."

Waterhouse asks.


Shaftoe says. "Gold," says Shaftoe, quietly.

"Right!" Randy goes into his living room with it. Now, with a flake-type of cereal, Randy's strategy would never work. To: randy@epiphyte.com

Randy,

Dear Randy,

Randy shrugs. "Was your grandfather a crypto guy, Randy?" Randy is really racking his brain now. Waterhouse gets a tour. Shaftoe covers his face. Waterhouse. Shaftoe asks. Shaftoe says. Shaftoe asks.

Sergeant Shaftoe can be--"

Shaftoe snorts. Root freezes.

Shaftoe says. Randall Lawrence Waterhouse

Randall Lawrence Waterhouse

Shaftoe can't believe himself. Shaftoe recognizes him, and he recognizes Shaftoe, at the same moment. Shaftoe says. Shaftoe asks again. Shaftoe says.

Shaftoe can't imagine worse.

"Germans. German."

Shaftoe hollers disgustedly. "Okay," Shaftoe mutters.

Shaftoe continues. "Right." "I understand," Shaftoe says. Root exclaims. Shaftoe's pretty good at foresight. "God will know," Shaftoe says.

"Let's go, then," Shaftoe says.

Shaftoe consults the instructions. Shaftoe kills him. "Right," Shaftoe says, and leaves the room.

"Display some fucking adaptability," Shaftoe says. "Manila!?"

Waterhouse seeks happiness. Big room. Finally, Waterhouse places that accent. Waterhouse nods. Waterhouse looks; it's Mary. Waterhouse nods.

Goto Dengo tries again:

Time to change the subject. "Yes, it does," Randy says.

Avi asks.

Randy asks.

"Right."

"We are bankers," Randy says. "Gold? "Well. Consider it a cry for help," Randy says. Avi stops and straightens, as if pulled up short. Amy Shaftoe."

"It all hangs together," Randy says.

Yeah," Randy says.

"Thank you, Randy."

Randy opens his eyes from out of a sliding nightmare. Randy laughs. Randy laughs with surprising heartiness.

"If I'd known--Jesus. "Well . . ."

Right?"

"Absolutely right. Randy sighs.

Randy can do nothing but roll his eyes. Randy feels quizzical and mildly irritated. "Never mind."

Randy says reasonably.

Randy sighs.

"Chow time!"

Randy!" says America Shaftoe. Randy asks. Lieutenant Goto bows. Goto Dengo says. COMPUTER

"Assertions," Waterhouse says. "Correction, Waterhouse," Comstock says. Waterhouse says. Waterhouse shrugs. Running over people's feet. Waterhouse looks a little defensive. Waterhouse asks.

Waterhouse asks.

Waterhouse says brightly. "The RAM," Waterhouse says. Waterhouse says. "Hmmm," Waterhouse says. Waterhouse asks brightly.

I'll show it to you," Randy says. Randy says, not getting this last bit.

To Randy it's just been aimless ventilating. Randy still has some money. "How long?"

Randy, my family sticks together. "Amy, Amy. "The Shaftoe mailing list."

Randy says, slapping himself in the face. "So tell me about your family, Randy."

"What's an electronic banknote look like, Randy?"

"Not if you have good crypto," Randy says. Randy laughs. Randy demands.

Shaftoe starts tailing flyboys. "It's a trick question," Shaftoe says. Shaftoe says.

Shaftoe swallows hard and thinks fast. Shaftoe flinches.

Shaftoe guns it across the runway. Shaftoe falters. Shaftoe swings wide around it. "All right, back up the hill, Shaftoe!"

Shaftoe's a bit off balance now. "Go there, Bobby Shaftoe!" says The General. Randy nods almost imperceptibly. "It is actually shockingly difficult," Randy says. "That has no impact mathematically," Randy whispers.

Randy nears the steamed-up Impala. Randy rejoins his aunt at the Origin. High-tech is a small town," Randy says.

Robin Shaftoe is already running towards them. Aunt Nina says, "How about you, Randy? Goto Dengo gawks. Goto Dengo grins. Goto Dengo turns to see if Ninomiya is joking. "Of course he would," Randy says.

"I am sorry if I make you feel bad sometimes," Randy says. Randy gets embarrassed.

Randy catches his eye and asks, "Chester?"

"Hey, Randy."

"Amy hasn't seen the articles," Randy says.

"Oh! Randy and Amy follow Chester into his house. Randy already knows what it is. "It's like a resource to them," Randy guesses.

"Hai!" answers Goto Dengo. Goto Dengo turns on some electric lights as well. To: randy@epiphyte.com

Randy.

"I doubt it," Randy says. Gives me the creeps," Randy says. "Gollum," Randy says.

Avi says.

Avi laughs.

Randy says. "Oh, come on, Randy. Randy says. Randy says. "Oh, Randy, it's not about that. Randy throws back his head and laughs.

Because we are badass, Randy. Avi nods.

"Right. Randy grins. Randy nods. "That works. Randy asks.

"If I do, it's encrypted."

Avi asks. Randy says.

Randy's nodding. "The most cigarettes," Randy says. Randy notices that his stride is longer now. "I detect some resentment in your voice, Randy."

Right?"

"Right. No paper trail there," Randy says. "Never?"

"Never. "I'm against it," Randy says. "It almost certainly is," Randy says. "Avi, it's full of fucking gold bars," Randy says.

Avi says. "It is make-or-break," Randy agrees.

"Hi, Avi? "Hi, Avi? "Randy, get this through your head. Goto Dengo says. Waste of time!"

"Orders," Goto Dengo says. Goto Dengo says. Randy barely has time to read the bumper sticker: MEAN PEOPLE SUCK.

Randy opens a terminal window and types

A bunch of junk scrolls up Randy's screen. Randy truncates the commercial message with the whack of a key, and logs in as Randy. Besides, time is running low. Randy shouts.

Bruce falters and looks over in Randy's direction. "Randy," he says.

Randy types:

randy

Randy looks over toward the old van. Randy sighs. "We're going to Israel, Randy. So Randy dials the number for Douglas MacArthur Shaftoe's GSM telephone. "It's Randy. On a plane," says Randy. "Randy! Nothing at all," Randy says. "What troubles are those, Randy?"

Randy is certain he's never heard this voice before. The man laughs. "You should be a billionaire, Randy. "Well done, Randy."

"It's true," Randy says. Randy cannot even remember ever uttering the word "Arethusa." "Chester's got this retired ETC engineer working on his card machinery," Randy says. Called me from the cellphone on his boat, Randy."

"Why? Randy says, kind of awed. "You're welcome, Randy. Bobby Shaftoe sheds his sandals. Douglas MacArthur Shaftoe."

Shaftoe asks. "Good to see you, John," Randy says.

"You too, Randy," John says, and each man averts his eyes shyly.

Randy stops. "Oh, that's great," Randy says. Randy asks.

Randy asks.

Right?"

The question sounds a little querulous to Randy. Randy: (1) Lawsuit & whether Epiphyte can continue to exist. Ordo computer room door.

"Wow," Randy says. Good evening, Randy."

Randy asks Tom.

"Nice job, Randy." He lumbers forward and shakes Randy's hand. "Let's talk out here," Randy says. Randy changes the subject. Doug looks up and eyes Randy carefully. Randy senses everyone's looking at him. Randy wonders.

Right?"

"Right!" Right?" "Right. "I have bad news," Randy says. You can do this," Randy says. "Randy!" Randy jokes.

Right?"

"Right."

"I have no idea," Randy says.

Randy snorts. "Ho-ly shit," Randy says.

Randy takes a long, deep breath. Goto Dengo nods. Randy steps into the lane. Randy shrugs. That pocket was empty," Randy says.

Shaftoe grins appreciatively. Shaftoe's head is clearing now. Shaftoe snorts. Someone hands Shaftoe a cigarette, already lit. Then, Shaftoe remembers. Shaftoe says. Shaftoe says. Shaftoe asks him. Randy's ready for it. Attorney Alejandro decides to act as if Randy has never made this last comment. Randy's feeling better already.

"I can't imagine," Randy says.

Randy says. Randy says.

"I hear you," Randy says. "Let me ask you this," Randy says. "I didn't think so," says Randy. "Avi?"

Randy says.

"No! Randy demands.

Randy mutters. No dress this time. It's all a part of you, Randy. Shaftoe risks rising to a crouch. Shaftoe looks up. Goto Dengo says. "Fuck that," Shaftoe says. Right?"

Shaftoe says. Goto Dengo says. Shaftoe says. "Shaftoe. . . Shaftoe! SHAFTOE!" he says.

"Pardon my manners, sir," Shaftoe says, turning sideways. "Sir, my friend Goto Dengo. "Shaftoe will get us there. Goto Dengo says. Shaftoe finds MacArthur and Goto Dengo first, and excuses himself. "I understand that, sir," Shaftoe says.

"I'll be right back," Shaftoe says.

"Where are you going, Shaftoe?"

Randy said. Randy mumbled through cotton.

The filing cabinet is evidently meant to serve as Randy's work table. Randy fires up the laptop just to prove that it still works. "Randy Waterhouse," he says.

Randy echoes, feeling and probably sounding rather stupid.

"Fifty-four," Randy muses. Shaftoe hollers. Bobby Shaftoe has landed. "Randy."

"Thank you," Randy says. Randy asks.

Randy guesses he's intended to play stupid. Enoch Root nods. Root nods. Randy pretends to daub sauce off his beard.

"Greater love hath no man," Randy says. "I was sure that you would, Randy."

Randy asks.

Randy asks, squinting.

"I was trained as an astronomer," Randy says. Randy asks.

How does that work, Randy?"

"Let's face it, Randy, we've all known guys like Ares. "Oh, come now, Randy! Randy doesn't.

WATERHOUSE, perhaps. "Australian currency," Waterhouse says.

"If the Nips had won..." Waterhouse says, and shrugs. So Randy does that. "Oh, Randy, you know what I mean."

Randy asks, kind of rhetorically. Just stop," Randy says. "Obviously," Randy says.

Randy arches his back and stretches. Consequently Wing knows that Randy has Arethusa. Waterhouse replaces them. Waterhouse does. Randy goes back to work with the pencil eraser. "Tell me about wires," Randy says.

"Of course I do," Randy says. "That it's like nuclear war," Randy says. Avi says. Light dawns in Randy's mind. "The world doesn't work that way anymore, Randy. Avi shrugs. Avi shrugs. Randy blurts. "Wing's digging for gold in Bundok," Randy says. Avi says. Randy asks.

"I'm with you," Randy says. "What old man?"

"Right! "Rudy's system?"

Time's up. "How did Shaftoe die?"

GOTO-SAMA

Avi meets Randy in the hotel lobby. There's a brief exchange of small talk that goes right over Randy's head. Randy and Avi get the girl menus, with no prices. Avi asks.

Much time. "A hole," Randy ventures, after much uncomfortableness.

Goto Dengo chuckles. Randy says. Randy says, "Goto Engineering is a distinguished company. Avi grins. "If I may," Avi says. "Better than that," Randy says. "Yes," Randy says.

Goto Dengo starts writing. Randy holds out his card, numbers facing down, and Goto Dengo holds out his. Randy cups Goto-sama's card in his palm and turns it into the light. Finally Avi says something that Randy doesn't hear. Randy shrugs. "Everyone doesn't know," Randy says. Randy and Avi look into their cups. Randy and Avi do--a bit nervously. "It's stupid," Randy says.

Goto Dengo nods solemnly. Goto Dengo raises his eyebrows. It's the deepest bow Randy's ever seen. Goto Dengo turns his head to look into Root's eyes. Goto Dengo asks.

Goto Dengo asks. Goto Dengo shudders. Goto Dengo shakes his head. Goto Dengo says, "Educated men created this cemetery."

Goto Dengo sighs. Enoch Root stares mercilessly into Goto Dengo's tormented face. Randy wonders if they could have done this any more conspicuously. Randy smokes a cigarette. "Close the door," Amy says, and Randy does. Randy's life is essentially complete at the moment. Randy's toe knuckles pop audibly. Nothing more," Randy says.

"Well--"

"I know where we are going, Randy." Randy asks kind of hotly.

"Goto Dengo told me."

Doug Shaftoe's laughing. Randy says.

Doug Shaftoe says, "You're right. Randy says, "This is it." Waterhouse is their enemy.

Waterhouse exclaims. Waterhouse asks.

Waterhouse laughs.

Waterhouse jokes.

"Lawrence!" Waterhouse laughs. Randy involuntarily looks towards Amy. "Well, I should hope so," Randy says. "Big. "Randy, don't do that," says Doug Shaftoe. "Amy's been shot with an arrow," Randy says.

Amy shows Randy the palm of one hand. "I love you," Randy says. "Oh, Jesus Christ," Doug Shaftoe says. "It wasn't fired by a Huk," Randy says. Finally, Randy's there. Randy says. "Not one of your better ideas, Randy!" Enoch Root ignores him, squats down at Randy's feet and begins probing.

Randy turns around and looks at Amy. Something's moving in the corner of Randy's eye. "Right. Waterhouse shrugs it off. For the first time, now, Waterhouse gets it. Waterhouse chuckles. Waterhouse shrugs. Goto Dengo blanches. "Only if they decrypt those old messages," Waterhouse says.

"Only if they have them," Waterhouse says.

Goto Dengo is shocked, horrified. "Rudy? Rudy?"