9781804991251

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‘ We will lie, cheat, steal, fight, kill and sin our way to Napoli. We will trust no one but each other, and we will remember that in this place, at this time, there is no way to tell friend from foe.’

The bombing of Rome in 1943 leaves fourteen-year-old Massimo orphaned and with no choice but to set out on a perilous journey to find his remaining family in Naples.

A chance meeting with the mysterious and charismatic Pietro Houdini will deliver both of them to the doors of the monastery of Monte Cassino, a centuries-old haven of contemplation, learning and art.

But the abbey is in the path of the relentless Allied advance to Rome. Pietro and Massimo need a plan to survive the coming onslaught and that means outmaneuvering the Germans, who are as interested in the abbey’s art collection as in the murder of two of their officers in the town below.

For their plan to work, they must dissemble, disguise and outwit two armies using skills that Pietro has in spades, but as war edges ever closer it becomes clear that Massimo is not without a surprise or two either. . .

‘A compellingly chaotic blend of art-heist thriller, wartime adventure, historical epic and coming-of-age drama’ Observer I S B N 978-1-8049-9125-1

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‘Darkly funny, readable and intelligent’ Times

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Praise for The Curse of Pietro Houdini ‘The novel works equally well as wartime tale, heist thriller, coming-of-age story, and sweeping history and art lesson . . .

A brilliantly imagined World War II saga’ Kirkus ‘A compellingly chaotic blend of art-heist thriller, wartime adventure, historical epic and coming-of-age drama’ Observer ‘Derek B Miller has crafted an ambitious, sometimes tricksy story full of colourful characters . . . darkly funny, readable and intelligent’ Times ‘[An] urgent work that slyly honors authors both ancient and modern . . . Mr Miller’s book has the ring of truth and the echo of myth, and it deserves all the lucky readers who discover it’ The Wall Street Journal ‘Epic’ The Washington Post ‘The historical adventure is worth the price of admission’ Publisher’s Weekly

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by Derek B. Miller B. Miller Norwegian Norwegian

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by Night The Girl TheinGirl Green in Green American American

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by Day RadioRadio Life Life QuietQuiet Time Time (An Audible (An Audible Original Original Novel) Novel) How to How Find to Your Find Way Yourin Way theinDark the Dark

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PEN GU IN B O O K S

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TRANSWORLD PUBLISHERS Penguin Random House, One Embassy Gardens, 8 Viaduct Gardens, London SW11 7BW www.penguin.co.uk Transworld is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com

First published in Great Britain in 2024 by Doubleday an imprint of Transworld Publishers Penguin paperback edition published 2025 Copyright © Derek B. Miller 2024 Derek B. Miller has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

This book is a work of fiction and, except in the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Every effort has been made to obtain the necessary permissions with reference to copyright material, both illustrative and quoted. We apologize for any omissions in this respect and will be pleased to make the appropriate acknowledgements in any future edition.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781804991251 Printed and bound in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, Elcograf S.p.A. The authorized representative in the EEA is Penguin Random House Ireland, Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau Street, Dublin D02 YH68.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner for the purpose of training artificial intelligence technologies or systems. In accordance with Article 4(3) of the DSM Directive 2019/790, Penguin Random House expressly reserves this work from the text and data mining exception.

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1

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Inspired by many actual events

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This book This isbook dedicated is dedicated to my tofriend my friend Michael Michael Kim Kim because because time istime precious. is precious.

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Do you Docare, you do care, youdocare, you do care, youdoheed you these heed things, these things, O God, O from God, your fromthrone your throne in high inheaven? high heaven?

My city Myiscity perishing, is perishing, endingending in fireinand fireonrushing and onrushing flame.flame.

—Chorus, —Chorus, The Trojan The Trojan Women, Women, Euripides, Euripides, 415 BC 415 BC

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AUTHOR’S AUTHOR’S NOTE NOTE

Before Before the the Americans Americans bombed bombed our our abbeyabbey at Montecassino at Montecassino in in 1944—the 1944—the same same abbeyabbey founded founded

by St.by Benedict St. Benedict in 529inAD—I 529 AD—I stole three stole three paintings paintings from from the Nazis the Nazis who were who stealing were stealing them them from from the monks. the monks.

I was I was fourteen fourteen years years old. Th old. e story The story of how of three how three Tiziano Tiziano paintings paintings from from the the Renaissance Renaissance survived survived the war theiswar therefore is therefore the story the story of how of Ihow survived, I survived, and and the story the story of how of Ihow survived I survived is the isstory the story of Pietro of Pietro Houdini Houdini and his andcurse. his curse.

I was Icontacted was contacted in March in March 1979 1979 by thebyItalian the Italian Ministry Ministry of Cultural of Cultural Heritage Heritage and Activities and Activities aboutabout conferring conferring on meonthe mesilver the silver Medaglia Medaglia ai ai Benemeriti Benemeriti della Cultura della Cultura e Dell’arte—the e Dell’arte—the ItalianItalian MedalMedal of Merit of Merit for Culfor Culture and tureArt—for and Art—for savingsaving the paintings. the paintings.

The medal The medal came came with awith request: a request: they wanted they wanted me tome write to write the story the story of how of ithow all it came all came to pass. to pass.

I wasIrewas reluctant. luctant.

They Th were ey were insistent. insistent.

I triedI tried to warn to warn them them that this that was this not wasanot a hero’shero’s story.story.

It wasItawas survivor’s a survivor’s story.story.

“What’s “What’s the diff theerence?” difference?” they asked. they asked.

“Honor “Honor and mercy,” and mercy,” I said.I Th said. ey Th didn’t ey didn’t understand. understand.

I’d brought I’d brought the three the three paintings paintings to thetoattention the attention of theofauthorities the authorities on on an autumn an autumn day inday 1973. in 1973.

I did Ithis didby this walking by walking alongalong the paths the paths through through the green the green gardens gardens outside outside the Museo the Museo di Capodimonte di Capodimonte in Naples, in Naples, past the past the bug-eyed bug-eyed fish on fish theonFontana the Fontana del Belvedere, del Belvedere, and into andthe intofront the front door. door.

I was I was holding holding three three cardboard cardboard tubes.tubes.

“I’m here “I’mto here seetotheseedirector the director of theofmuseum,” the museum,” I saidItosaid a woman to a woman who who looked looked properly properly officious. officious.

Her slack Her slack face was face awas provocation, a provocation, so I said: so I said: “Under “Under my arm myare armthree are three Tiziano Tiziano paintings paintings that were that lost wereinlost time in to time theto the

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archives archives of Montecassino of Montecassino AbbeyAbbey but were but were savedsaved by a young by a young girl and girlan and an agingaging man in man 1943 in 1943 beforebefore the Nazis the Nazis couldcould steal them steal them and the andAllies the Allies couldcould bombbomb them.them.

They Th areeystudies are studies for three for three of theofsixthe poesie six poesie paintings, paintings, which, which, I assume I assume you know, you know, are among are among the greatest the greatest masterpieces masterpieces of theofRenaisthe Renaissance.sance.

I’ll beI’ll in be theincafé theuntil café until I’m not.”

I’m not.”

Despite Despite my being my being ratherrather well dressed, well dressed, they they didn’tdidn’t believe believe me, of me, of course. course.

I watched I watched the director the director approach approach me ten meminutes ten minutes later in later hisin threehis threepiece piece suit and suitpocket and pocket square. square.

He looked He looked me over, me assessed over, assessed my wristwatch, my wristwatch, considered considered my shoes my shoes and the andlikely the likely cost ofcost myofhairdo, my hairdo, and tried and to tried decide to decide if I came if I came from from a family a family worthworth talking talking to; such to; issuch Italy. is Italy.

“Montecassino,” “Montecassino,” I said,I holding said, holding my cup. my cup.

He looked He looked at theattubes the tubes besidebeside me onme a chair. on a chair.

If anything If anything convinced convinced him tohim take tome takeseriously me seriously it wasitprobably was probably the German the German writing writing on theontubes the tubes (Inhalt, (Inhalt, Qualität, Qualität, Herkunft, Herkunft, Bestimmungsort) Bestimmungsort) or, perhaps, or, perhaps, the swastikas. the swastikas.

“Come “Come with me, withplease,” me, please,” he said heassaid though as though it wasithis wasidea. his idea.

BeforeBefore the curator the curator of theofrelevant the relevant collection, collection, a master a master of artofrestoraart restoration, tion, a bureaucratic-looking a bureaucratic-looking man Iman tookI took to be to a lawyer, be a lawyer, and two andarmed two armed guards, guards, the director—Dr. the director—Dr. Giacomo Giacomo Esposito—placed Esposito—placed the tubes the tubes on anon an enormous enormous table in table a room in a room of marble of marble and wooden and wooden cabinets. cabinets.

One by One onebyheone he opened opened the tubes. the tubes.

The backs The backs of theofcanvases the canvases mademade his eyes hisopen eyes open wide,wide, and and the master the master of artofrestoration art restoration became became flushed. flushed.

The fabric The fabric emerging emerging from from the Nazi the tubes Nazi tubes was exactly was exactly what what I claimed I claimed it was.it was.

Their Th faces, eir faces, however, however, became became drawndrawn and then and then agitated agitated whenwhen they they opened opened each one eachand onesaw andwhat saw what PietroPietro had done had done to them. to them.

“What “What . . . what . . . what is this?” is this?”

“Oh. “Oh. Yes. Th Yes. at. Th You at. see, Youthe see,paintings the paintings are hidden, are hidden, Dr. Esposito,” Dr. Esposito,” I I said gently. said gently.

“To escape, “To escape, everything everything was hidden. was hidden.

The paintings.

The paintings.

Me. Pietro Me. Pietro Houdini, Houdini, of course. of course.

Also Dino Also Dino and Lucia, and Lucia, Harald Harald and Ada. and Th Ada. e abbot The abbot had had to hide to in hide theincrypt. the crypt.

I think I think even Tobias even Tobias had tohad hide to himself hide himself from from God. God. Only Only Ferrari, Ferrari, our mule, our mule, faced faced it all directly. it all directly.

It wasIta was war,ayou war,see. you see.

“To understand “To understand what what you have you have here, here, you are yougoing are going to have to have to pa-to pa-

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tientlytiently uncover uncover what what is hidden is hidden to reveal to reveal the mystery the mystery and the andvalue the value within. within.

If youIfdo you that, do as that, I learned, as I learned, the rewards the rewards are beyond are beyond measure.” measure.”

“Is this “Isathis game?” a game?” he said hetosaid me.to me.

“If it “If is, we it is, areweallare a part all aof part it,”ofI replied. it,” I replied.

WhatWhat follows follows is myisway my of way explaining of explaining what what came came to be.toItbe. is aItstory is a story aboutabout war, sex, war,violence, sex, violence, transformation, transformation, and death; and death; some some of it Ioflearned it I learned at theattime, the time, some some I learned I learned later and later wove and wove throughout throughout as needed. as needed.

It is It is a story a story that has thatconvinced has convinced me ofme theoftruth the truth of a paradox of a paradox that Ithat cannot I cannot reconcile: reconcile: I am Inow am certain—I now certain—I know—that know—that we arewea are parta of part something of something larger;larger; something something mystical mystical and beyond and beyond the realm the realm of human of human understandunderstanding that ingimpinges that impinges on ouronstories our stories and our andlives. our lives.

But I But also Iknow also know that being that being part of part something of something largerlarger does not doesmean not mean we arewepart are of part something of something good; good; something something just, fair, just,orfair, virtuous. or virtuous.

I cannot I cannot reconcile reconcile these these truths.truths.

WhatWhat it it meansmeans to me—what to me—what it means it means for me—is for me—is there there is no bottom is no bottom whenwhen we fallwe fall into tragedy. into tragedy.

This may Thishelp mayexplain help explain how Ihow managed I managed to savetothree save three paintings paintings from from oblivion. oblivion.

It mayIt also mayexplain also explain how Ihow was Iresponsible was responsible for the fordestructhe destruction of tion theofabbey the abbey at Montecassino. at Montecassino.

—Bologna, —Bologna, October October 17, 1980 17, 1980

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PART PARTI I

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Pietro Pietro Houdini Houdini claimed claimed that that life clung life clung to him to like himalike curse a curse and ifand he if he couldcould escapeescape it he would. it he would.

His namesake—the His namesake—the Hungarian, Hungarian, the American, the American, the Jew, thethe Jew,illusionist—died the illusionist—died in 1926, in 1926, a full aseventeen full seventeen years years beforebefore PietroPietro and I and metIinmet theindirt theby dirt thebyside theofside theofroad the in road an in Italian an Italian villagevillage beneath beneath the long the shadow long shadow of theofabbey the abbey of Montecassino. of Montecassino.

I was Ibloodied was bloodied and blue, and blue, lying lying in a gutter, in a gutter, and he and washestanding was standing aboveabove me, white me, white and glowing and glowing and and pristine pristine like a like marble a marble god. god.

In hisInlate hisfilate fties,fifties, PietroPietro seemed seemed immortal immortal to me.toHe me.had Heahad mane a mane of of long, long, thick thick whitewhite hair tohair histo shoulders, his shoulders, a closea close beard,beard, an angular an angular face, and face, and a muscular a muscular body.body.

He reached He reached out his outhand his hand and I and tookI it. took it.

I had Ibeen had in been theingutter the gutter because because I had Ibeen had an been orphan an orphan fleeingfleeing southsouth from from RomeRome after the afterbombings the bombings and I and never I never stopped stopped until until a group a group of boys of boys assaulted assaulted me, choked me, choked me, and me,left andme leftformedead. for dead.

PietroPietro had been had been standing standing over me overfor mereasons for reasons of hisofown, his own, some some of of them them soon soon to be to announced be announced and declared, and declared, othersothers hidden hidden and protected and protected until until the very the end. very He end.carried He carried a brown a brown suitcase suitcase and aand canvas a canvas shoulder shoulder bag and, bag he and, said, he was said,on was hisonway histhrough way through the town the town of Cassino of Cassino and toand theto the abbeyabbey itself itself to seetothe seeabbot the abbot after aafter longa trip longfrom trip from Bologna.

Bologna.

He had Heseen had seen the boys the kicking boys kicking me and meran andthem ran them off with off awith wavea wave of hisofhand. his hand.

“Are you “Areplanning you planning to staytothere?” stay there?” he’d asked he’d asked me inme a northern in a northern accentaccent I found I found sophisticated sophisticated and comforting. and comforting.

“Or are “Oryou aregoing you going to gettoup?” get up?”

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DerekDerek B. Miller B. Miller

I could I could see that seehethat washenot wasa not normal a normal man. man.

His clothes His clothes were not werethe not drab the drab browns browns of theofcountryside the countryside and his and eyes hiswere eyes not werethe notbrowns the browns of most of Italians. most Italians.

Instead Instead his suithiswas suitwhite was white and his and eyes hiswere eyesblue. were His blue.skin Hiswas skinnot wasthe not pinkish the pinkish hue ofhue theofnortherners the northerners but had butthe hadbronze the bronze of people of people bakedbaked by thebysummer the summer sun. Th sun. e wrinkles The wrinkles around around his eyes hisand eyeson and hisonforehead his forehead spokespoke more more of wear of wear than years than and yearsI and felt his I felt presence his presence to be dramatic to be dramatic and theatrical and theatrical and magnetic: and magnetic: as though as though my eyes mycouldn’t eyes couldn’t help but helpfall butonfall him, on and him,when and when they did—like they did—like being being drawndrawn to a performer to a performer underunder a spotlight a spotlight onstage—I onstage—I was unable was unable to break to break away because away because of theofpromise the promise of some of some inexplicable inexplicable dramadrama yet toyet come. to come.

I was Iright was right aboutabout all of all it. of it.

Pietro Pietro Houdini Houdini found found me onme theonfifth the of fifth August of August 1943.1943.

My parents My parents had had been nice beenand nicegentle and gentle peoplepeople with roots with roots up north up north and extended and extended familyfamily in thein the south,south, some some of whom of whom I knew I knew and liked. and liked.

My mother’s My mother’s sister sister lived in lived Naples in Naples with awith second a second husband husband whosewhose namename I’d forgotten, I’d forgotten, and Iand hadI ahad younger a younger cousincousin namednamed ArturoArturo I had Imet hadonly met twice. only twice.

My father My father had taught had taught finance finance and accounting and accounting at Sapienza at Sapienza University, University, and on andtheonevening the evening beforebefore I fledI fled Rome,Rome, my mother my mother and I and met Ihim metnear himhis near offihis ce.offi Thce. e plan The was plantowas carry to carry on on to a party to a party for some for some of their of friends. their friends.

I remember I remember hearing hearing the planes the planes moments moments beforebefore we joined we joined him inhim theinwide the piazza wide piazza near the nearentrance the entrance to thetoschool. the school.

I had Iheard had heard planesplanes beforebefore and I and was Igenerally was generally scaredscared of them. of them.

ThereTh was ere was a storya story passing passing through through northern northern Italy at Italy theattime, the time, a storya story that had thatcome had come downdown to Rome. to Rome.

It wasItabout was about a plane a plane calledcalled Pippo.Pippo.

It wasItunderstood was understood to be to be AlliedAllied and itand wasitsomething was something to fear. toItfear. wasItnot wasa not normal a normal plane.plane.

It wasIta was su- a supernatural pernatural one. Aone. mystical A mystical plane.plane.

The fascist The fascist newspapers newspapers covered covered the stories the stories aboutabout PippoPippo too. I too. still don’t I still know don’t know why. Nevertheless, why. Nevertheless, those those storiesstories confirmed confirmed or created or created or re-created or re-created everything everything Italians Italians fearedfeared most about most about the dark. the dark.

“Is that “Is Pippo, that Pippo, Mamma?”

Mamma?”

I asked, I asked, inquiring inquiring after after the mysterious the mysterious planeplane that could that could only be only heard be heard and never and never seen. seen.

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“Probably,” “Probably,” she had she answered, had answered, because—for because—for all theallanxiety the anxiety PippoPippo created—Pippo created—Pippo nevernever did anything. did anything.

PippoPippo nevernever showed showed up. up.

But itBut wasit not was Pippo. not Pippo.

It wasIt not was one not plane—not one plane—not the plane—but the plane—but many.many.

The Allies The Allies had come, had come, not tonot liberate to liberate us from us from Mussolini’s Mussolini’s tyranny tyranny and Hitler’s and Hitler’s twisted twisted alliance alliance with us, withbut us,tobut bomb to bomb us. us.

I knew, I knew, in some in some manner, manner, that the thatAmericans the Americans were our wereenemies our enemies but but I didn’t I didn’t reallyreally believe believe it. Not it. until Not until I saw Iit.saw Looking it. Looking up, I up, saw Ithe sawbomb the bomb doorsdoors open open and the andblack the black cylinders cylinders fall out. fall Iout. saw Ithe sawexplosions the explosions in thein the city not cityfar not from far from me and meI and . . . Ididn’t . . . didn’t understand. understand.

I knewI knew what was whathappening. was happening.

But I But had Inever had never seen buildings seen buildings fall orfall balls or balls of fireofinfiarecity. in aIcity. had Inever had never experienced experienced the industrial the industrial force force of hatred of hatred and and revenge. revenge.

I could I could not absorb not absorb the notion the notion that my thatcountry, my country, Italy, Italy, had wanted had wanted this. Had this. asked Had asked for this. forTh this. at the Thattimeless the timeless buildings buildings were simply were simply gone.gone.

That That we (me, we my (me,mother, my mother, my father, my father, the people the people I saw Irunning) saw running) were guilty were guilty of of something. something.

I mayInot mayhave notbeen have raised been raised a proper a proper Catholic Catholic but the but core theteachcore teachings were ingsthe were very thelifeblood very lifeblood of theof Italian the Italian peoplepeople and were andtherefore were therefore inescapinescapable. Iable. knewI knew that we that were we punished were punished for guilt, for guilt, not for not innocence. for innocence.

A stray A stray bomb—caught bomb—caught by thebywind—landed the wind—landed at ouratfeet ourinfeet SaninLoSan Lorenzo,renzo, near the nearuniversity. the university.

WhenWhen the airtheraid air sirens raid sirens started, started, my parents my parents had instinctively had instinctively thrustthrust me ahead me ahead toward toward a building a building with awith bomb a bomb sheltershelter in it, in andit,Iand hadIrun hadinrun that in direction, that direction, assuming assuming they were they were right right behind behind me, but me,they buthad theystopped had stopped to take tothe takehands the hands of an of aging an aging friend.friend.

A moment A moment later they later were they all were dead all from dead from fallingfalling rubble. rubble.

I ran Iback ran and backdug andfor dugthem for them through through the debris. the debris.

I found I found them.them.

My mother’s My mother’s butterfl butterfl y clip.y My clip.father’s My father’s watch.watch.

I ran Isouth ran south following following the Via theMerulana.

Via Merulana.

I had Ino had money no money or suitcase. or suitcase.

I saw Ia saw truck a truck full offull people of people and they and waved they waved to metotome jointothem. join them.

I had Ino had no

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idea then—how idea then—how couldcould I?—that I?—that RomeRome wouldwould be declared be declared an open an open city city only aonly month a month later and laterIand would I would have been have been safer there safer there than where than where I was I was headed. headed.

My clothes My clothes were ripped were ripped and dusty and dusty and foul, and so foul, a woman so a woman on theontruck the truck gave me gavesome me some of herofson’s her clothes son’s clothes out ofout pity. of Ipity. put Ion put a white on a white shirt and shirt and waistcoat waistcoat and cap. and cap.

WhenWhen the truck the truck finallyfinally stopped stopped a hundred a hundred kilometers kilometers southsouth with the with the last oflast theofpeople the people who wanted who wanted to go to that gofar, thatI stood far, I stood by thebyside theofside theofroad the road near Frosinone near Frosinone and then and continued then continued walking. walking.

My aunt My was auntinwas that indirecthat direction and tionmy anddead my parents dead parents were behind were behind me. Th me. at created That created a lineaI line followed.

I followed.

I walked.

I walked.

I slept.

I slept.

I walked I walked more.more.

I stayed I stayed with kind with people kind people for days forat days at a time. a time.

I got as I got far as far theasvillage the village of Cassino of Cassino in early in August early August beforebefore someone someone put his puthands his hands around around my throat. my throat.

The cause The cause of thatoffithat ght and fightwhat and they whatwanted they wanted doesn’tdoesn’t mattermatter now. What now. What matters matters is theyisdidn’t they didn’t get it,get andit,soon andafter soonthe after skirmish the skirmish was over, wasPietro over, Pietro foundfound me broken me broken by theby side theofside theof road. the road.

It wasIta was gooda thing good thing he didn’t he didn’t ask myask name my name in thatinmoment that moment because, because, there there in theinfilth the and filthblood, and blood, I hadn’t I hadn’t decided decided on on one yet. oneI yet. had Idecided had decided only that onlythe thatold theme oldwas megone was and gonesoand wassomy washistory. my history.

The old Theme oldwas mean was only an child only child who was whoraised was raised uneventfully uneventfully in Rome in Rome to loving to loving parents parents who shielded who shielded me from me from the wider the wider politics politics of Mussolini’s of Mussolini’s Italy and Italythe andwar theallwar around all around us. us.

The old Theme oldhad mebeen had studious been studious and had andahad few aclose few close friends friends at school, at school, but had butnever had never been especially been especially popular popular or admired. or admired.

The old Theme oldwas mecomfortable was comfortable in theincompany the company of adults of adults and liked and liked to to listenlisten and pretend and pretend I understood I understood everything everything happening happening around around me even me even whenwhen the topics the topics turnedturned to matters to matters far beyond far beyond my comprehension. my comprehension.

That Th meathad me been had been happyhappy because because I hadI been had been sheltered sheltered from from what what wouldwould later cause later cause me the megreatest the greatest pain. pain.

However: However: That other That other me had mebeen had been weak weak and Iand wanted I wanted to be to strong. be strong.

The other The other me was mevulnerable was vulnerable and I and wanted I wanted to be to a warrior. be a warrior.

The other The other me had mebeen had been

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taughttaught that being that being weak weak and vulnerable and vulnerable was a was product a product of myofbirth my birth and that and that it could it could nevernever change change because because I was Iborn was inferior born inferior and lacked and lacked the creativity the creativity and courage and courage for greatness. for greatness.

That was Thatthe wasperson the person I was Icommitted was committed to leaving to leaving behind behind in theingutter the gutter as myasparents my parents had been had left beeninleft theinrubble the rubble below.below.

I was Ia was newborn a newborn without without a name; a name; a childa child who matured who matured on theonspot. the spot.

He was Hebig wasbut bighebut washenot wasa not threatening a threatening presence. presence.

He sounded He sounded edu- educated,cated, whichwhich to metomeant me meant safe. safe.

“Who“Who are you areunder you under all that?” all that?” he asked. he asked.

“Just “Just a boy,”a boy,” I said.I said.

WhatWhat he said he next—I said next—I think—was think—was maschio. maschio.

It means It means “manly” “manly” or or “masculine.” “masculine.”

I suppose I suppose he washespeaking was speaking to himself. to himself.

Perhaps Perhaps he washebeing was being sarcastic. sarcastic.

I don’tI don’t know.know.

Through Through my ringing my ringing ears, though, ears, though, I heard I heard “Mas-“Massimo.”simo.”

Or was Oritwas the itother the other way around? way around?

Did he Did sayhe“massimo” say “massimo” and I and ner-I nervouslyvously heardheard “maschio”? “maschio”?

EitherEither way, what way, what I saidIaloud said aloud was “Massimo.” was “Massimo.”

He reached He reached downdown and pulled and pulled me upme and uprepeated: and repeated: “Massimo.”

“Massimo.”

Did he Did name he name me orme didorI did name I name myself? myself?

Regardless, Regardless, the transformathe transformation was tionnearly was nearly complete. complete.

My face My was faceaswas softasassoft a baby’s, as a baby’s, my shoulders my shoulders slender. slender.

My eyes My too eyes too big. But big.now But my nowname my name was maximum, was maximum, the top, thethe top,peak; the peak; all to all describe to describe a a half-dead half-dead child child with snot withrunning snot running downdown a broken a broken nose and noseblood and blood mixing mixing with the withsalt theofsalt tears. of tears.

“Just “Just a boy?” a boy?” he asked. he asked.

“Yes,”“Yes,” I said.I said.

“All right, “All right, Massimo,” Massimo,” he said, he looking said, looking me over. me “I over. am“IPietro am Pietro Houdini.

Houdini.

Chemist.

Chemist.

Painter.

Painter.

Scholar.

Scholar.

Master Master artist artist and confi and dant confidant of theofVatican.” the Vatican.”

He looked He looked up theupmountain the mountain at theatabbey the abbey for emphasis for emphasis or affior rmation. affirmation.

Its Its walls walls were white were white and refl and ected reflected the sun. the Itsun. wasItawas vibrant a vibrant thing thing as though as though the light the came light came from from insideinside it. “I have it. “I time. have time.

I will Itake willyou takehome.” you home.”

“No!”“No!” I yelled.

I yelled.

This confused This confused him. him.

I could I could see bysee thebyway thehe way flinched he flinched that he that mishe mis-

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understood. understood.

He thought He thought I’d feltI’dthreatened felt threatened by him, by him, like he likemight he might be a be a new attacker. new attacker.

But I But was Inever was never afraidafraid of Pietro of Pietro Houdini.

Houdini.

It wasItthe wasword the word “home” “home” that had thatterrifi had terrifi ed me.edI me. would I would nevernever go back go to back Rome. to Rome.

RomeRome was was haunted haunted by death by death and I and needed I needed to go to south. go south.

To goTo away. go away.

“You “You already already decided decided not tonot staytohere. stay here.

So . . So . where?” . . . where?” he asked. he asked.

“Naples,” “Naples,” I said.I said.

“Naples,” “Naples,” he repeated he repeated as if toasconfi if to rm confi myrmorder my order at a café. at a “Where café. “Where are are your parents?” your parents?”

I didn’t I didn’t answer. answer.

After After a long-enough a long-enough time for timehim forto him understand to understand the words the words not sponot spoken heken said, he “So said,. “So . . Naples.” . . . Naples.”

“Yes. “Yes. I will Igo will there go there or I will or Idie,” will Idie,” explained.

I explained.

He nodded He nodded his understanding, his understanding, not atnot theatvalue the value of myofwords my words but atbut at the intractability the intractability of myofideas, my ideas, my determination, my determination, and this andnew thisencounter new encounter that he that could he could not explain not explain but could but could also not alsoignore. not ignore.

He responded He responded gently: gently: “Whether “Whether you are yougoing are going to Naples to Naples or not, ormy not, my friend,friend, you are younot aregoing not going now. now.

The Allies The Allies have won have the wonbattle the battle for North for North Africa.Africa.

Now Now they are theyfighting are fighting in Sicily. in Sicily.

They Th areeycoming are coming for Naples. for Naples.

Rac- Racing them ing them is notisa not gooda good idea. One idea. should One should nevernever be anywhere be anywhere near soldiers near soldiers fresh fresh from from combat, combat, my young my young Massimo.”

Massimo.”

He stood He stood there there with his with arms his crossed arms crossed over his over chest his chest and his and eyes hislookeyes looking toing heaven to heaven for intervention for intervention or guidance or guidance or—ator—at the very the least—to very least—to en- ensure there sure there was a was witness. a witness.

“You “You are alone?” are alone?”

I didn’t I didn’t answer answer that either. that either.

The word The word “yes” “yes” was not wasavailable not available because because of its of finality. its finality.

PietroPietro Houdini Houdini stoodstood silently silently and stared and stared at me,atasking me, asking a question a question I I couldn’t couldn’t hear. It hear. wasIthot wasand hothis andbody his body was perfectly was perfectly still. His still.mind, His mind, I felt,I felt, was building was building a plana as plan bigasasbig a cathedral. as a cathedral.

WhenWhen the plan the was planfiwas nished finished he said, he “Okay. said, “Okay.

You will Youcome will come with me. with me.

You will You not willunderstand not understand this but thisthe butmonks the monks of Montecassino of Montecassino have have re- re-

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quested quested my presence my presence to help to protect help protect one ofone theofgreatest the greatest repositories repositories of artof art in Western in Western civilization. civilization.

War isWar badisfor badculture, for culture, as it happens. as it happens.

That place, That place, up there, up there, is oneisthousand, one thousand, four hundred, four hundred, and fourteen and fourteen years years old. Itold. is aIt is a fortress fortress filled fiwith lled wonders. with wonders.

They Th toreeydown tore down the temple the temple of Apollo of Apollo to erect to erect it. Heit.was Hethe wasgod theofgod war. of Iwar. suspect I suspect he remains he remains angry.angry.

I alsoIsuspect also suspect that that the abbey the abbey has a has verya good very good wine wine cellar cellar that isthat poorly is poorly guarded guarded and shameand shamefully catalogued, fully catalogued, all of all which of which is to my is togreat my great benefibenefi t. If one t. Ifneeds one needs to stayto stay out ofout sight of sight and wait and for waita for darka moment dark moment to pass, to pass, there there are worse are worse placesplaces than athan fortifi a fortifi ed wine ed wine cellar cellar on a mountaintop. on a mountaintop.

Believe Believe me, I’ve me,checked.

I’ve checked.

“So,” “So,” he continued. he continued.

“You “You and I and shareI share the same the same problem problem and the andsame the same destination, destination, whichwhich is whyisthe whyabbey the abbey is the isonly the solution only solution for theformoment. the moment.

If youIfcome you come with me withthere me there are conditions. are conditions.

So listen.

So listen.

No talking No talking whenwhen we we get there. get there.

Talking Talking is for is me. forYou me.listen You listen or elseorpretend else pretend to listen. to listen.

You will Youbewill be doingdoing a greata great deal of deal listening of listening and pretending and pretending to listen. to listen.

Now Now . . . fix. .your . fix your cap, Massimo. cap, Massimo.

You’llYou’ll want want to tuck to that tuckhair thatinhair andinthen and get thenit get cut.itSecrets cut. Secrets and lies andare liesillusions are illusions and one andmust one must commit commit to thetoillusion the illusion if it isiftoit work! is to work!

This isThwhy is isIwhy am called I am called Houdini.”

Houdini.”

He started He started off and offI and followed I followed him. Bruised, him. Bruised, limp, limp, weak.weak.

For the Fornext the next two hours two hours I dragged I dragged myselfmyself up a fiup ve-hundred-meter a five-hundred-meter mountain mountain without without ever asking—without ever asking—without even wondering—why even wondering—why he wanted he wanted me tome come. to come.

Fol- Following lowing PietroPietro Houdini Houdini seemed seemed the most the most natural natural act inact theinworld. the world.

The white The white beastbeast and its andwalls its walls came came into view into through view through the trees the like treesalike a mirage—ancient mirage—ancient and foreboding—and and foreboding—and then disappeared. then disappeared.

“The “Th foundations e foundations were were raisedraised in 529 inAD,” 529 AD,” PietroPietro said, sensing said, sensing but but overintellectualizing overintellectualizing my curiosity. my curiosity.

“That“Th wasatthe wassame the same year the yearChristhe Christian emperor tian emperor Justinian Justinian closedclosed Plato’sPlato’s Academy Academy in Athens in Athens by defunding by defunding it, thereby it, thereby ensuring ensuring the downfall the downfall of what of what they considered they considered paganpagan philosphilosophy.ophy.

Symbolically, Symbolically, my young my young Massimo, Massimo, the intellectual the intellectual life oflife theofWest the West

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shifted shifted from from the academy the academy to thetocloisters. the cloisters.

To right To right there.there.

It wouldn’t It wouldn’t returnreturn to theto academy the academy until until the pagans the pagans foundfound their their voicesvoices againagain in in the Renaissance, the Renaissance, all without all without my help! my help!

Up there,” Up there,” he added, he added, “is where “is where St. Benedict St. Benedict wrotewrote his Rule his and Rulemonastic and monastic life began. life began.

EveryEvery monkmonk you’veyou’ve ever seen ever got seenhis gotideas his ideas aboutabout how to how livetofrom live from an oldandocument old document written written right right up there. up there.

Its signifi Its signifi cancecance to thetoChristian the Christian mindmind can’t be can’t overstated. be overstated.

We are Wegoing are going to calltoitcall home it home for a for littlea little while.while.

It is an It is island an island in a rising in a rising sea ofsea despair. of despair.

You may You think may think you’veyou’ve seen hard seen times, hard times, but harder but harder still are still are coming. coming.

MathMath does not doeslie.” not lie.”

I was Iintimidated was intimidated and awed and awed whenwhen I arrived I arrived at theattop. theFrom top. From the botthe bottom the tomabbey the abbey had looked had looked like a like toy, aa toy, dollhouse. a dollhouse.

But when But when I was Istanding was standing besidebeside it theitwalls the walls were as were heavy as heavy and thick and thick as those as those of a castle. of a castle.

The winThe windows dows were small were small and there and there was only was one onlyway oneinside, way inside, through through an archway an archway with the withword the word “PAX”“PAX” inscribed inscribed at theattop. the top.

PEACE. PEACE. It looked It looked more more like a like threat a threat or a command or a command than athan prayer. a prayer.

PeacePeace . . . or. else. . . or else.

My father—perhaps My father—perhaps as a joke, as a joke, because because fathersfathers lie to lie their to their children children for humor—had for humor—had led me ledtome believe to believe that voices that voices live inside live inside rock. rock.

WhenWhen I I was little, was little, maybemaybe six, hesix, took he took me tome thetoPantheon the Pantheon in Rome. in Rome.

InsideInside was was the domed the domed roof with roof the withhole thein hole theintop thewhere top where the rain thehad rainbeen had pouring been pouring in since in since 128 AD 128(long AD (long beforebefore Montecassino Montecassino was built). was built).

WhenWhen you stand you stand beneath beneath that dome, that dome, toward toward the sides, the sides, you can youhear can whispers. hear whispers.

They Th come ey come from from all over allthe overroom, the room, but when but when I was Ia was childa child I did not I didbelieve not believe they came they came from from the other the other people. people.

I was Icertain—and was certain—and my father my father confirmed confirmed it—that it—that the words the words came came from from the rocks, the rocks, and they and spoke they spoke in Latin in Latin and Greek and Greek and and Hebrew Hebrew and other and other ancient ancient and exciting and exciting languages languages because because it wasitnot wasthe not the rocks rocks speaking speaking but instead but instead the remembered the remembered wordswords spoken spoken in there in there by by the dead. the dead.

RocksRocks did not didspeak, not speak, but instead but instead retained retained the sounds, the sounds, the very the very vibrations, vibrations, of every of every word word spoken spoken in their in presence. their presence.

Somehow, Somehow, whenwhen forcesforces aligned, aligned, those those wordswords were released were released and ifand youiflistened you listened carefully carefully you could you could

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hear the hearconversations the conversations of theofdead. the dead.

“Not “Not ghosts,” ghosts,” my father my father said. said.

“The “The past. Which past. Which is far is more far more interesting.” interesting.”

To me, To Montecassino me, Montecassino was made was made of theofsame the same rock. rock.

Standing Standing there,there, however, however, I sensed I sensed more:more: Unlike Unlike the Pantheon, the Pantheon, whichwhich was a was deada place dead place and and a museum a museum and aand tourist a tourist attraction, attraction, this monastery this monastery was no was relic, no relic, no ruin. no ruin.

It wasItalive. was alive.

WordsWords were being were being spoken spoken in those in those languages languages even now, even now, and and so many so many more.more.

InsideInside the rock the were rock the werestories the stories of fifteen of fifteen hundred hundred years;years; storiesstories that were that not weretrapped not trapped in theincloisters the cloisters but had butalready had already broken broken free free long ago longtoago change to change the world. the world.

Outside Outside the entrance the entrance I could I could feel the feelpulse the pulse of theofworld the world thumping thumping beneath beneath the floors the fland oorsIand could I could already already hear the hear the whisperings whisperings of theofcrypts. the crypts.

In Cassino, In Cassino, I hadIhad hadno hadidea no any ideaofany thisofwas thisup washere: up here: a fortress a fortress in in the clouds. the clouds.

For someone For someone who wanted who wanted to hide to as hide I did, as Ithere did, there was perhaps was perhaps no better no better place.place.

WhenWhen we entered we entered the compound the compound through through the archway, the archway, the scorchthe scorching sun ingrefl sun ected reflected off theoffsandstone, the sandstone, making making the airthe shimmer air shimmer and become and become heavy.heavy.

Through Through the archways the archways to mytoleft myI saw left Ithe sawbrown the brown and green and green of theof the valleyvalley dotteddotted by thebysmall the small villages villages below.below.

Around Around me there me there were monks, were monks, like back like in back Rome. in Rome.

“I’m thirsty,” “I’m thirsty,” I saidItosaid Pietro, to Pietro, hidinghiding the rest theofrest myofconcerns. my concerns.

“I know.”

“I know.”

“I need “I to need pee.” to pee.”

“We will “Weget willwater get water in andinout andofout youofsoon.” you soon.”

“I have “I to have go to now,” go now,” I said.I said.

“We “We will now will meet now meet the abbot,” the abbot,” he said he with said with my emphasis. my emphasis.

“He “He is veryis old. very Old old. enough Old enough to have to have shrunk. shrunk.

ThereTh will erebe will anbeexchange an exchange of of paperspapers and blessings. and blessings.

Your Your relief relief will be willthat be much that much greater greater whenwhen all is all is done.”done.”

He turned He turned to me,tolooking me, looking serious. serious.

“Again: “Again: be quiet be quiet and, no and, matno matter what ter what I say, Iyou say,contradict you contradict nothing nothing or there or there will be will nobefood, no food, water,water, or toilet or toilet for you.” for you.”

The old Theman old arrived man arrived a few aminutes few minutes later dressed later dressed in theinblack the black robes robes of of

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the other the other monks. monks.

He must He must have been have been eightyeighty years years old. Two old. other Two other monks monks flanked flanked him, their him, hands their hands clasped clasped insideinside their long their sleeves. long sleeves.

PietroPietro said something said something in Latin, in Latin, or what or what I assumed I assumed was Latin was Latin because because it wasn’t it wasn’t ItalianItalian and itand involved it involved monks. monks.

The abbot The abbot responded responded in kind. in kind.

Pi- Pietro handed etro handed the abbot the abbot a letter, a letter, whichwhich had been had sealed. been sealed.

The monk The monk opened opened it anditread and itread immediately. it immediately.

It looked It looked very offi very cial offiand cialhad andmany had many stamps. stamps.

WhenWhen the abbot the abbot nodded, nodded, PietroPietro introduced introduced me inme Italian in Italian as Massimo as Massimo (no (no familyfamily name)name) and then and christened then christened me a me second a second time that time day thatby day giving by giving me a me title:a title: assistente assistente del maestro del maestro di restauro di restauro e conservazione—assistant e conservazione—assistant to to the master the master of artofrestoration art restoration and conservation. and conservation.

This isThhow is is Ihow was Iintrowas introducedduced to thetomonks—a the monks—a teenager, teenager, my eyes my black eyes black and swollen, and swollen, two blue two blue handprints handprints around around my neck. my neck.

One by One one bythey one shook they shook my thin my hand thin hand and and welcomed welcomed me tome thistohouse this house of God of with God not witha not question a question asked.asked.

Such Such were the weretimes: the times: Assistente.

Assistente.

Maestro.

Maestro.

I thought I thought it wasita was jokeabut jokethe butmonks the monks accepted accepted it, andit,after and my afterneeds my needs were met wereand metIand was Ifed, wasIfed, was Iled wastoled a room to a room wherewhere I thenI slept then for sleptmore for more than twelve than twelve hours.hours.

Maestro Maestro Houdini Houdini kept his kept other his other promise promise and put andme puttome work to work the next the next day, rising day, rising at seven at seven in thein morning, the morning, long after longthe after first theprayers first prayers by theby monks. the monks.

So began So began a period a period of peace of peace and healing and healing and exploration. and exploration.

But also Butdelay. also delay.

On the On very the very firstfirst day Pietro day Pietro came came into my intoroom my room and saw andthat saw Ithat was I was fed, washed, fed, washed, and rested, and rested, he said, he “Stay said, “Stay here. You here.will Youhave will work have work to do to soon do soon

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enough. enough.

BeforeBefore that Ithat mustI must prepare prepare my tools my tools and establish and establish my authority my authority and presence and presence here so here whatever so whatever I choose I choose to do to later do will laternot willbenot questioned. be questioned.

Magic, Magic, my young my young friend,friend, is all is about all about preparation. preparation.

And illusion And illusion is about is about drama. drama.

MoreMore on this onanother this another time. time.

Now Now I mustI must go.” go.”

Five minutes Five minutes after he after left, hesoleft, didsoI.did Who I. Who wouldn’t? wouldn’t?

ThereTh was ereno was map noof map theofmonastery. the monastery.

No guide.

No guide.

It wasItnot wasa not shape a shape that that one can oneeasily can easily describe describe and itsand layout its layout lackedlacked the symmetry the symmetry one expects one expects to to find infind a great in a great cathedral. cathedral.

No, this No,was thisa was place a place unlikeunlike any other any other place.place.

As I As I snucksnuck out ofout myofroom my room and ventured and ventured into the intohalls the and hallscorridors, and corridors, archives archives and basilica, and basilica, alongalong the outer the outer walls,walls, and deep and into deepthe intolabyrinths the labyrinths below— below— some some of vaulted of vaulted gray stone gray stone and dust and and dustothers and others of mosaics of mosaics of blues of blues and and golds—I golds—I came came to imagine to imagine the place the place as a mighty as a mighty ship. ship.

Unfortunately, Unfortunately, the only themighty only mighty ship Iship knew I knew by name by name was the wasTitanic. the Titanic.

Imagine Imagine a shipaon ship a sea on of a sea green of green grass at grass theathighest the highest pointpoint of a mounof a mountain with tain nothing with nothing else surrounding else surrounding it. From it. From its decks its decks one could one could see allsee all around around without without obstruction; obstruction; the village the village of Cassino of Cassino below,below, the road the that road that snaked snaked its way itsup way and updown, and down, the fields the fiand eldsfland owers flowers outside, outside, the tiny thegoat tiny goat pathspaths leading leading to further to further mysteries mysteries in theinhills theand hillsforests and forests beyond. beyond.

The ship Theitself ship was itselfmade was made of white of white stone stone exceptexcept the lower the lower parts parts of theof the walls walls wherewhere the foundations the foundations flaredfloutward ared outward like alike fortress a fortress and the andglimthe glimmering mering abbeyabbey aboveabove gave way gaveto way tentomillion ten million stonesstones below.below.

The roof The was roof was mademade of reddish of reddish and orange and orange tiles, even tiles, the evenbasilica the basilica in theinmiddle the middle and toand toward ward the prow. the prow.

The two Theexceptions two exceptions were the weregreen the green domes: domes: one above one above the the church church and the andother the other near the nearouter the outer walls.walls.

On either On either side ofside theofnave—all the nave—all safe within safe within the walls—were the walls—were two cloistwo cloisters with ters green with green parks parks in theinmiddle the middle and archways and archways that led thattoled walkways to walkways around around them.them.

At theAtentrance the entrance to thetobasilica the basilica itself itself was awas massive a massive stone stone patio patio with with a fountain a fountain in theinmiddle. the middle.

Leaving Leaving it behind, it behind, I would I would walk walk underunder the porticos the porticos and come and come to thetotop theoftop theofenormous the enormous staircase; staircase; a stair-a staircase ascase wide as wide as theaschurch the church itself itself that went that went downdown toward toward the back the back of theof the ship, passed ship, passed between between the statues the statues of St. of Benedict St. Benedict on one onside oneand sidehis and sister, his sister,

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Scholastica, Scholastica, on theonother, the other, passedpassed the fountain the fountain from from whichwhich the monks the monks still still drew drew water,water, to mytofavorite my favorite outside outside spot: spot: the archways the archways that looked that looked west- westward ward and over and the overrolling the rolling hills that hillsmasked that masked any sign anyofsign human of human life. life.

It wasItnot wasthe notouter the outer walls walls of theofmonastery, the monastery, however, however, that liked that liked to to talk. Ittalk. wasItthe wasinterior the interior walls.walls.

It wasItthe waswalls the walls of theofmuseum the museum that no that one no one frequented frequented but me, butand me,the andarchive the archive roomsrooms with the withtens theof tens thousands of thousands of of paperspapers and books and books and manuscripts and manuscripts and scrolls. and scrolls.

It wasItthe wasdark the corners dark corners wherewhere secretssecrets had been had been exchanged exchanged over the overmillennia, the millennia, and where and where every-everything thing undocumented undocumented and hidden and hidden had produced had produced their force. their force.

The voices The voices grew louder grew louder the deeper the deeper I went.

I went.

ThereTh were ere were stairs.stairs.

Too many Too many to mention. to mention.

I would I would open open a wooden a wooden door door and fiand nd stairs. find stairs.

I would I would see a see wrought a wrought iron gate iron and gate behind and behind it it were stairs. were stairs.

ThereTh were ere stairs were stairs behind behind bookcases bookcases like inlike theinold thestories old stories of of haunted haunted houses houses and there and there were were stairs stairs goinggoing downdown into places into places too dark too dark to visit. to visit.

On that On fithat rst day firstI day covered I covered as much as much ground ground as a child as a child couldcould and itand it was a was miracle a miracle I evenI found even found the surface the surface again.again.

Over Over the months the months to follow, to follow, the abbey the abbey of Montecassino of Montecassino wouldwould become become the building—the the building—the structure—I structure—I knewknew best in best theinworld, the world, betterbetter than my thanschool my school in Rome. in Rome.

BetterBetter than the than the halls of halls theofuniversity the university wherewhere I would I would explore, explore, bored,bored, waiting waiting for myforfather my father to emerge to emerge from from one overwrought one overwrought meeting meeting or another. or another.

“Are “Are you ready?” you ready?”

Pietro Pietro askedasked me inme theinmorning. the morning.

“For what?”

“For what?”

“Work.

“Work.

Perhaps Perhaps you’veyou’ve heardheard of it?”of it?”

“What “What work?” work?”

“You “You are the areassistente the assistente del maestro del maestro di restauro di restauro e conservazione. e conservazione.

Or have Or have you forgotten you forgotten already?” already?”

“You “You were serious?” were serious?”

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“As far“As as far youasare youaware, are aware, we arewehere are to here protect to protect and safeguard and safeguard the artthe art of Montecassino of Montecassino from from the challenges the challenges posedposed by thebywar thearound war around us. Thus. e The rumbling. rumbling.

The pollution.

The pollution.

The unforeseen.”

The unforeseen.”

“How?” “How?” I asked.

I asked.

“I’ll worry “I’ll worry aboutabout that.”that.”

“I want “I want to go to to go Naples,” to Naples,” I said,I though said, though after four after days four in days theinpeace the peace and excitement and excitement of theofmonastery the monastery I was Ino was longer no longer so sure. so sure.

“No one’s “No stopping one’s stopping you. But you.your But timing your timing is poor. is poor.

Is someone Is someone waiting waiting for you?” for you?”

I admitted I admitted they were they not werebut notI but had Ipeople had people there.there.

“Are you “Arecertain you certain they are theythere?” are there?”

I admitted I admitted I was Inot. wasBut not.where But where else would else would they be? they be?

The obvious The obvious answer—dead—eluded answer—dead—eluded me then. me then.

“I suggest “I suggest you wait you for waittheforright the right moment,” moment,” he said hetosaid me.to me.

“When “When is that?” is that?”

“Moments “Moments present present themselves. themselves.

That’sTh what at’s what makesmakes them them moments.” moments.”

I didn’t I didn’t understand understand and the andblankness the blankness on myonface my must face must have been have been readable readable because because he responded he responded to mytosilence: my silence: “The “Th ancient e ancient Greeks Greeks had had two words two words for time. for time.

One was One‘chronos.’ was ‘chronos.’

That Th wasatlike was. like . . time . . . passing. time passing.

Minutes Minutes and hours and hours and such. and such.

The other The other was ‘kairos.’ was ‘kairos.’

That meant That meant the right the right or opportune or opportune moment, moment, like the likeperfect the perfect instant instant to loose to loose an arrow. an arrow.

TodayToday we have we lost havethat lostdistinction that distinction but the butGreeks the Greeks were right, were right, as usual. as usual.

Put your Put your trust trust in kairos, in kairos, not chronos, not chronos, Massimo.

Massimo.

ThereTh really ere really are opportune are opportune mo- momentsments if youifopen you open yourself yourself to seeing to seeing them.them.

Now:Now: I see from I see from your shirt your that shirt that you’veyou’ve had breakfast. had breakfast.

So . . So . if.you’re . . if you’re not leaving not leaving immediately, immediately, we can wegocan go be productive, be productive, yes?” yes?”

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Pietro Pietro Houdini Houdini mentioned mentioned the curse the curse to metoa me month a month later when later when we we were in were theinabbey the abbey on a hot on aWednesday hot Wednesday morning morning in lateinSeptember, late September, deep deep underground underground in oneinofone theofvaults. the vaults.

PietroPietro was touching was touching up a fresco up a fresco and Iand I was doing was doing whatever whatever he told heme toldtome do.toOn do.that Onday, thatlike day,most like most other other days, days, I I was cleaning was cleaning the already-clean the already-clean brushes brushes and listening and listening to himtotalk. himMy talk.sense My sense of urgency of urgency to go to south go south was suspended was suspended if notifgone. not gone.

I was Icontent was content to be to outbe out of Rome of Rome with awith comfortable a comfortable place place to hide. to hide.

The particular The particular frescofresco he washeworking was working on was oncalled was called The Annunciation.

The Annunciation.

Maybe Maybe a thirda third of it remained of it remained on theonwall. the Iwall. remember I remember it having it having pinkspinks and and yellows yellows and presenting and presenting a summer a summer day with day with one fione gurefistanding gure standing beforebefore another, another, bent at bent theatknee. the knee.

I was Ifourteen was fourteen and only and marginally only marginally a Catholic. a Catholic.

My father My father was a was professor a professor and secretly and secretly leanedleaned toward toward the socialists the socialists in ourin our fascistfascist Italy. Italy.

I didn’t I didn’t properly properly understand understand the figures the figures in theinfresco the fresco or what or what they meant. they meant.

AngelsAngels and saints, and saints, I supposed.

I supposed.

The vaults The vaults were generally were generally cool because cool because they were they deep were deep underground underground but this butone thiswas onehot wasbecause hot because of theofpowerful the powerful lampslamps he used he used to illumito illuminate the natecave the and caveits and paintings. its paintings.

PietroPietro was shirtless was shirtless and caked and caked in theindust the dust kickedkicked up byupour bypresence. our presence.

Our bodies Our bodies were were both both damp,damp, my own my shirt own shirt soaked. soaked.

I understood, I understood, to a point, to a point, the work the work he was he doing was doing because because he had he had explained explained it when it when I firstIfollowed first followed him down him down one ofone those of those long staircases long staircases into the intofirst theoffirst several of several vaultsvaults we’d work we’d work in. Already, in. Already, though, though, I had Isome had some

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suspicions suspicions that he that might he might not benot who behe who said hehe said was. heRather was. Rather than worrying than worrying me, itme, wasita was comfort. a comfort.

It meant—in It meant—in this respect this respect at least—he at least—he was more was more like like me than me other than other peoplepeople were. were.

“When “When I’m not I’mwith not you withI’m youusually I’m usually up inup theinarchives the archives doingdoing some some homework. homework.

ThereTh areeresome, are some, shall we shall say, weitems say, items I’m trying I’m trying to find tothat findare that are related, related, shall we shallsay, wetosay, mytosouthern my southern journey. journey.

Unfortunately, Unfortunately, the monks the monks have not havedone not done a terribly a terribly good good job classifying job classifying their their loot. So loot. it’sSoa bit it’s of a bit a of a project. project.

WhenWhen I’m with I’m you, with we’re you, we’re doingdoing this,” this,” he said, he as said, though as though it were it were obvious. obvious.

“If the“Ifpainting the painting does not doesflnot ake and flakeisand onlyis dirty,” only dirty,” he said, he “there said, “there is no isneed no need to take to risks take by risks using by using paint.paint.

It is enough It is enough to puttofiput ve drops five drops of of lemonlemon juice juice into ainto teacup a teacup of lukewarm of lukewarm waterwater and then—using and then—using a cotton a cotton ball—moisten ball—moisten the cotton the cotton and dab andthe daboils. the Th oils. ey Th willeycome will come alive as alive youas you do. Later, do. Later, after it after is dry, it is Idry, dissolve I dissolve half ahalf teaspoon a teaspoon of sodium of sodium carbonate carbonate crystals crystals in a cup in aofcup warm of warm water.water.

And then And Ithen dab Ithe dabsurface, the surface, beingbeing carefulcareful not tonot remove to remove any ofany theofpaint the paint that might that might flake.flIfake. it does If it fldoes ake,flIake, keepI it keep it to myself to myself and tell andnotell one.” no one.”

OtherOther days we days would we would catalogue catalogue art upstairs, art upstairs, or elseorcheck else check the mountthe mountings on ings paintings on paintings so they so might they might not fall notofffallif off the ifworld the world started started to shake. to shake.

OtherOther times—rather times—rather arbitrarily, arbitrarily, I thought—he’d I thought—he’d remove remove some some other other piecespieces from from the walls the walls and wrap and wrap them them in fabric in fabric and box andthem. box them.

It all Itseemed all seemed madcap madcap to me, to but me,his butactions his actions and my andunderstandmy understanding mattered ing mattered far less far than less than our time our time together together and the andwords the words spoken. spoken.

Our best Ourconversations—or best conversations—or I should I should say, his say,best hisoratory—were best oratory—were alwaysalways underground, underground, whenwhen we were we were most most isolated, isolated, most most protected, protected, and most and most alone.alone.

He spoke He spoke as he worked as he worked and I and watched.

I watched.

At times At times his topics his topics were inforwere informational. mational.

OtherOther timestimes he rambled. he rambled.

PietroPietro Houdini Houdini had the hadsorted the sorted mindmind of a scientist of a scientist but the butspirit the spirit of a shaman of a shaman who had who seen had too seenmuch too much and and expected expected to seetomuch see much more more of it. of Rather it. Rather than recoil than recoil into silence into silence as others as others might—as might—as manymany did during did during that war—he that war—he exploded exploded into words. into words.

The man The man I knew I knew was awas thinker a thinker and aand storyteller a storyteller and aand liar awho liar had whoashad little as reverlittle rever-

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ence for encethe forfacts the as facts P. T. as Barnum.

P. T. Barnum.

And yet, Andhis yet,dedication his dedication to truth—to to truth—to God’sGod’s own truth, own truth, a truth a truth PietroPietro claimed claimed to know to know and Iand nowI believe now believe he he did—was did—was bottomless. bottomless.

“Bottomless” “Bottomless” was a was gooda good word word too: Itoo: hearIhim hearnow him now fallingfalling endlessly endlessly towards towards the truth the truth and leaving and leaving behind behind him the himwake the wake of an of an eternal eternal scream. scream.

Everything Everything was fodder was fodder for Pietro’s for Pietro’s tall tales tall and talesexaggerations, and exaggerations, but itbut it was his wasradical his radical capacity capacity to livetothat liveeventually that eventually kept us kept all us alive all as alive long as as long as it could. it could.

“I met“Iamet mosta most interesting interesting monkmonk the other the other day,” day,” he said heassaid I watched as I watched him do himnext do to next nothing: to nothing: dabbing dabbing a single a single squaresquare of a blue of a mosaic blue mosaic tile tile for what for what seemed seemed like hours. like hours.

“His name “His name is Tobias. is Tobias.

I put Ihim put in him hisinearly his early thirties thirties but he butbarely he barely needsneeds to shave, to shave, making making me think me think he’s younger, he’s younger, and yet andhis yetmagnanimous his magnanimous spirit spirit makesmakes me feel me he’s feel older. he’s older.

I therefore I therefore have no haveidea no and ideabecause and because I haveI no haveidea no Iidea chose I chose not tonot asktobecause ask because the the uncertainty uncertainty is fun.is fun.

“He comes “He comes from from Aosta,Aosta, southsouth of Geneva of Geneva and west and of west Milan. of Milan.

I haveI have alwaysalways thought thought of Aosta of Aosta as ugly as and uglyindustrial and industrial and Iand saidI so, saidbut so,hebut in-he insists to sists metothat me the thatcenter the center has a has charm a charm I haveI not haveexperienced, not experienced, that the that the peoplepeople have ahave warmth a warmth I haveI not havefelt, notand felt,the andscent the scent of theofalpine the alpine glaciers glaciers reaches reaches them them on just onthe justright the right days and daysaccentuates and accentuates the taste the of taste theoffood. the food.

I believe I believe none none of thisofbut thisI but found I found his attempt his attempt to defend to defend the city thenoble city noble and itand touched it touched me because me because it carries it carries with itwith the itunstated the unstated premise premise that the that the entireentire population population will bewill better be better off if only off if he only canheconvince can convince me ofme what of what he he sincerely sincerely believes. believes.

I findIthat findself-sacrifi that self-sacrifi cing as cing wellasaswell flattering. as flattering.

So I now So I now have complete have complete faith in faith him.” in him.”

“Why?” “Why?” “Why? “Why? Why? Why? ThereTh heere is,he willing is, willing to risktoridicule risk ridicule and contradiction and contradiction only to only raise to the raisereputation the reputation of a people of a people who cannot who cannot even hear even or hear benefi or benefi t t from from his effhis orts. effTh orts. is isThthe is isheart the heart of a good of a good man. man.

Misguided, Misguided, perhaps, perhaps, but but . . . he’s . . .a he’s monk, a monk, so onesoexpects one expects that sort thatofsort thing. of thing.

WhenWhen he isn’t heroused isn’t roused aboutabout the magic the magic of Aosta of Aosta he likes he to likes talk to about talk about music.music.

He was He telling was telling

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me,” he me,” added, he added, “about“about the music the music collection collection here at here Montecassino. at Montecassino.

It is aIt is a fascinating fascinating subject! subject!

Most Most of theofmusic the music is considered is considered profane—that profane—that is, notis, not sacredsacred or religious or religious music—because music—because the collection the collection was formed was formed organically organically through through the donations the donations of various of various collectors, collectors, most most of whom of whom were Neapoliwere Neapolitan families, tan families, mostlymostly between between the years the years of 1837 of 1837 and 1839. and 1839.

Normally Normally all all the nineteenth-century the nineteenth-century booksbooks and private and private documents documents are kept are deep, kept deep, deep deep underground underground in theincellars the cellars that no that one noever onevisits. ever visits.

But inBut thisincase, this acase, spe-a special room cial room was selected was selected in 1838 in 1838 to house to house the entire the entire musicmusic collection. collection.

Ten Ten thousand thousand manuscripts! manuscripts!

No one Nohad oneany hadidea anywhat idea what was down was down there.there.

Which Which composers composers were were downdown there.there.

Whether Whether operasoperas and arias and and ariassymphonies and symphonies were were downdown there there that were that were otherwise otherwise lost tolost thetoentire the entire world.world.

Imagine.

Imagine.

One single One single copy of copy an of opera an opera that has thatnever has never been heard been heard and that andmight that might in- inspire generations spire generations of other of other musicians; musicians; mightmight bring bring joy and joylight and and lighttragedy and tragedy and understanding and understanding to millions. to millions.

In a single In a single spot below spot below our feet ourright feet now. right now.

“Well,“Well, as it as happens, it happens, I wasI not was the notfithe rst one first to onethink to think aboutabout this. this.

TobiasTobias said that saidathat Benedictine a Benedictine monkmonk and organist and organist named named Don Luigi Don Luigi De De Sario Sario arrived arrived and he and took he ittook upon it upon himself himself to check to check that all that theallmusic the music was was indeed indeed ordered ordered by thebyname the name of theofcomposer, the composer, was correctly was correctly classificlassifi ed, and ed, and had ahad proper a proper location location number. number.

TobiasTobias says there says there is music is music goinggoing back back to to the sixteenth the sixteenth century! century!

He says Hethere says there are a number are a number of firstofeditions first editions includincluding Breitkopf ing Breitkopf editions editions of Mozart of Mozart operasoperas as well as as well an asF. an A. F. Hoff A. meister Hoffmeister from from Vienna.

Vienna.

No one Noknows one knows they’rethey’re here. here.

I think I think I might I might steal one stealbefore one before we leave. we leave.

In anyInevent, any event, all of all thisofhas thisa has funny a funny way of way making of making me think me think aboutabout paperwork. paperwork.

It is the It isscientist the scientist in me,inalas. me, Ialas. see the I seeabsence the absence of order, of order, and I and feel Ithe feelhunger the hunger to difftoerentiate differentiate what what is diffiserent, different, to build to build classificlassifi ca- cation systems, tion systems, to build to build an index! an index!

Oh, the Oh,allure the allure of a fiof neaindex fine index is something is something a child a child cannot cannot understand, understand, so I will so Iconfess will confess this tothis God to later God rather later rather than than burden burden you. To you. seeToeverything see everything in your in reach, your reach, and have and ithave under it under such consuch control, istrol, a feeling is a feeling of power of power that borders that borders on theon. .the . well. . . . Again, well. Again, you are you but area but a child.child.

The Germans,” The Germans,” he said, he pointing said, pointing at theatceiling the ceiling because because all Germans all Germans everywhere everywhere were upstairs, were upstairs, “understand “understand this kind this of kind elation, of elation, but for butthem for them

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it is a itrelief is a relief and not anda not joy. aJoy joy.is Joy notisfor notthem. for them.

This isThwhy is isthese why these particular particular Germans Germans cannot cannot be trusted.” be trusted.”

ThereTh was eremore. was more.

MoreMore dates.dates.

MoreMore names. names.

MoreMore great great eventsevents (“Did(“Did you know you know that inthat in 1936,1936, only aonly few ayears few ago, yearsthey ago,discovered they discovered the first theLatin first Latin Passion Passion play, writplay, written right ten right here athere theatabbey, the abbey, that preceded that preceded the earliest the earliest one known one known by more by more than two thanhundred two hundred years?years?

It came It came into being into being because because of a new of aconcentration new concentration on Christ’s on Christ’s human human suffering. suffering.

It culminated It culminated in newinreligious new religious art. Right art. Right here, here, Massimo!”).

Massimo!”).

MoreMore testimonials testimonials (“This(“Th is not is isonly not aonly repository, a repository, or a place or a place of idleofprayer, idle prayer, Massimo.

Massimo.

It is aItcultural is a cultural centercenter wherewhere the West the West produced produced its its most most signifisignifi cant works cant works . . .”)..More . .”). More peoplepeople and their and views. their views.

MoreMore reasons reasons to to tell God tell or, God under or, under no circumstances, no circumstances, admitadmit something something to Him. to Him. It wasItallwas incomprehensible all incomprehensible and thoroughly and thoroughly hypnotic. hypnotic.

I didn’t I didn’t wear awear watch, a watch, but I but knew I knew it wasitshortly was shortly after Terce, after Terce, or midor midmorning morning prayerprayer at theatabbey, the abbey, on that onhot thatWednesday hot Wednesday morning morning whenwhen Pi- Pietro made etro made that statement that statement that seized that seized my attention my attention and imagination. and imagination.

I I knewknew this because this because the Benedictines the Benedictines held to held a rigid to a rigid schedule schedule that Ithat hadI had learned learned quickly quickly on arrival on arrival so I could so I could makemake sense sense of theofbells the and bellsmoveand movement ment around around me. Second me. Second prayerprayer was atwas nine. at nine.

Even Even though though I couldn’t I couldn’t see see or hear orthem hear them aboveabove us, I could us, I could feel them feel them at prayer. at prayer.

I would I would like tolike saytothat say that I could I could sense sense their words their words traveling traveling to God to but Godthat butwas thatnot wasthe notsensation the sensation I I had. Rather, had. Rather, it felt itasfelt though as though the abbey the abbey was emptied was emptied as theasmonks the monks turnedturned away away from from corporeal corporeal matters, matters, and asand theasspirits the spirits of theofmonks the monks faced faced the di-the divine, vine, I became I became more more free tofree breathe; to breathe; free tofree move to move and escape and escape the scrutiny the scrutiny of questioning of questioning eyes and eyesthe andcurious the curious attention attention of theofadults. the adults.

FromFrom my arrival my arrival at Montecassino at Montecassino that August that August until that untilparticularly that particularly hot hot Wednesday Wednesday I had Irarely had rarely spoken spoken and only and listened. only listened.

I had Ilittle had to little saytoand sayno and no desiredesire to talk. to When talk. When I was Irestless was restless I would I would explore explore the abbey the abbey (inside(inside and and

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out, top out,totop bottom, to bottom, hidinghiding from from the monks the monks like they like were they wraiths). were wraiths).

My My silencesilence had not hadbeen not abeen problem a problem because because PietroPietro had done had done enough enough talking talking for for both of both us.of I spent us. I spent most most of myoftime my that timelate thatsummer late summer cleaning cleaning brushes brushes and and listening. listening.

ThoseTh were ose my weretwo myjobs. two “Keep jobs. “Keep cleaning cleaning the brushes, the brushes, especially especially if youifhear you someone hear someone coming. coming.

And listen And listen to metotalk. me You talk.don’t You don’t have to have payto pay attention. attention.

ThereTh will erebewill nobe test. noBut test.you Butmust you must feign feign interest interest at all times.” at all times.”

I likedI both liked of both myofjobs. my Th jobs. e brushes The brushes were beautiful were beautiful instruments instruments mademade of sable. of sable.

WhenWhen no one nowas onelooking was looking I would I would run their run their soft bristles soft bristles acrossacross my face my the faceway the Iway hadIseen had my seenmother my mother applyapply makeup. makeup.

I hadInever had never felt felt anything anything so luxurious. so luxurious.

Making Making them them wet seemed wet seemed a shame a shame but they butfelt theythe felt the same same once once they were they dry wereagain, dry again, so it didn’t so it didn’t pain me. painTh me. e brushes—aside The brushes—aside from from their contact their contact with my withskin—were my skin—were nevernever dirty because dirty because nevernever once did once did he usehethem use them to touch to touch the surface the surface of a painting of a painting or mosaic or mosaic or fresco. or fresco.

Not Not a single a single time, time, in those in those early days, early days, did I did see the I seeman the paint man paint anything anything at all;at all; not innot those in those early days, early days, and certainly and certainly not tonot restore to restore anything. anything.

Instead, Instead, he he applied applied his cocktails his cocktails of chemical of chemical solutions solutions to thetofrescos the frescos with damp with damp cloths,cloths, or elseorheelse closed he closed off rooms off rooms to thetomonks the monks and staff and and staffvisitors and visitors with the with the pronouncement pronouncement that itthat wasittheir was breath their breath that was thatcausing was causing the deterioration: the deterioration: “Your“Your life is life killing is killing them,” them,” he said. he “You said. “You may enjoy may enjoy them them or youormay you may save them, save them, but you butcannot you cannot do both.” do both.”

OtherOther timestimes we would we would place place buckets buckets of salts of in salts damp in damp roomsrooms to drytoout drythe outairtheand airregulate and regulate the moisture. the moisture.

All All of thisofwas thiswork was work of a sort, of a but sort,none but none of it involved of it involved painting painting and none and none of it of it was work was work as I would as I would ever have ever so have named so named it before. it before.

And ifAnd it was if itwork— was work— whichwhich it appeared it appeared to be—how to be—how did itdid work? it work?

Pietro’s Pietro’s actions actions seemed seemed like like those those of an of alchemist an alchemist and his andramblings his ramblings part of part an of incantation. an incantation.

WhatWhat was happening, was happening, though, though, was being was being done done with flwith air. flair.

That Th September at September morning morning I watched I watched him work him work and listened and listened to him to him talk and talkthrough and through his ramblings his ramblings I found I found my own myvoice own voice again;again; as though as though his his curiosity curiosity and interest and interest and words and words were awere current a current and Iand had Ino hadchoice no choice but but eventually eventually to submit to submit and start and talking start talking too. too.

WhenWhen I did Iitdid wasitnot wasinnot theinonly-child the only-child voice voice I hadIhad hadwith had with my my

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parents parents in Rome, in Rome, not the notone thethat one insisted, that insisted, that yelled that yelled to friends, to friends, that that blathered blathered aboutabout the other the other children children at school, at school, or theorvoice the voice that accompathat accompanied my niedslaps my slaps on theontable the table whenwhen I was Icertain—certain was certain—certain the way the only way aonly a fourteen-year-old fourteen-year-old during during a world a world war could war could be certain—about be certain—about whatever whatever damndamn thingthing I’d been I’d certain been certain about.about.

No. Th No. at voice That voice was silenced. was silenced.

The one The one that returned that returned to meto(that me (that came came to me?) to me?) was awas smaller a smaller one but onefar butmore far more powerful. powerful.

It wasItawas questioning a questioning voice.voice.

A voice A voice of inquiry. of inquiry.

PietroPietro calledcalled it it “the voice “the voice of creation” of creation” because because it wasitquestions was questions that created that created possibility. possibility.

I wanted I wanted to know to know aboutabout that word that word he used he when used when he made he made his prohis pronouncement: nouncement: curse.curse.

I believed I believed in curses in curses as much as much as I believed as I believed in spiders in spiders and clouds and clouds and and bombs. bombs.

TheseTh things ese things were were real. If real.

Pietro If Pietro was cursed was cursed I wanted I wanted to know to know aboutabout it. More it. More than that: than that: I wanted I wanted to know to know how ithow worked. it worked.

How How cursescurses worked worked seemed seemed important. important.

Pietro Pietro was in was a mood in a mood that morning that morning and itand wasn’t it wasn’t because because he’d been he’d afbeen affectedfected by hisby own his rant ownor rant because or because the Benedictines the Benedictines were at were prayer. at prayer.

Rather, Rather, he washeinwas a mood in a mood because because the Germans the Germans were back. were back.

They They had been had been coming coming to seetothe seeabbot the abbot over the overlast thefew lastdays few and days the and the visits visits were on were Pietro’s on Pietro’s mind.mind.

He hated He hated the German the German soldiers, soldiers, like everyone like everyone else did, elsebut did,something but something aboutabout their presence their presence annoyed annoyed him. He him. had Heseen hadtwo seen two German German officers offistart cers to start “haunt to “haunt the abbey” the abbey” (his phrase) (his phrase) and he and had heheard had heard they were they asking were asking for theforabbot. the abbot.

He didn’t He didn’t knowknow why and whyheand wanted he wanted to. Heto. He sensedsensed it wasitimportant. was important.

If it involved If it involved Montecassino, Montecassino, he said, he itsaid, hadittohad be to be important. important. (“Nothing (“Nothing insignifi insignifi cant has cantever has happened ever happened here, here, including including us, us, Massimo.

Massimo.

Believe Believe me. We me.are We already are already part ofpart theofhistory the history of thisofplace.”) this place.”)

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I couldn’t I couldn’t makemake sense sense of hisoffrustration. his frustration.

The Germans The Germans were were every-everywhere,where, weren’t weren’t they? they?

Why Why not here? not here?

Consequently, Consequently, his mind his mind was going was going in onein direction one direction whilewhile mine mine was going was going in another in another and his andhands his hands were were busy while busy while mine mine were idle. were Th idle. e inharmonious The inharmonious moodmood forcedforced me tome speak. to speak.

After After all, I took all, I his took pronouncement his pronouncement aboutabout the curse the curse at faceatvalue. face value.

It never It never crossed crossed my mind my mind that maybe that maybe he wasn’t he wasn’t cursed. cursed.

After After all, I all, certainly I certainly was. was.

My parents My parents had been. had been.

Italy was Italyclearly was clearly cursed. cursed.

Probably Probably the entire the entire worldworld was. Itwas. wasIta was world a world war, I’d war, heard.

I’d heard.

Such Such a thing a thing can’t happen can’t happen naturally. naturally.

PietroPietro seemed seemed to have to have some some insight insight into how into it how all itworked all worked and Iand I needed needed to know. to know.

Curious Curious as I was as Iabout was about the curse, the curse, I was Istill wastoo stillscared too scared of theofanswer the answer to asktoitask directly it directly so I started so I started someplace someplace else with else my withnewfound my newfound inquisiinquisitiveness: tiveness: “Is that “Iswhy thatyou whychose you chose his name? his name?

Houdini’s?”

Houdini’s?”

“What?”

“What?” he said, he his said,hands his hands stopping. stopping.

He turned He turned to metoasme if aware as if aware of of my presence my presence for the forfirst thetime. first time.

It wasItreasonable. was reasonable.

Perhaps Perhaps I had Ionly had just only just arrived. arrived.

“You “You said that saidlife thatclings life clings to youtolike youa like curse a curse and you andwould you would escapeescape it it if youifcould. you could.

Houdini Houdini was a was master a master of escape. of escape.

Is thatIswhy that you whychose you chose that that name?name?

Because Because he toohewas tooa was master a master of illusion of illusion and escape?” and escape?”

“You “You thinkthink Houdini Houdini is notismy notreal myname?” real name?”

I smiled I smiled for the forfirst thetime first since time since the bombing. the bombing.

Not because Not because his queshis question was tionfunny was funny but because but because it wasitsowas outrageous. so outrageous.

“Houdini “Houdini isn’t aisn’t reala real name,” name,” I said.I “Is said. it?”

“Is it?”

“It was “ItHarry’s was Harry’s name.name.

Why Why not mine?” not mine?”

“I heard “I heard he made he made it up.”it up.”

“Who“Who told you toldthat?” you that?”

“My father.”

“My father.”

“Did “Did he likeheHarry like Harry Houdini?”

Houdini?”

“Yes.”“Yes.” “Your“Your fatherfather was right. was right.

And so And aresoyou. are Well you. done.”

Well done.”

“Are you “Areescaping you escaping from from something?” something?”

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11/6/24 10:19:51 AM