Page 227

By Jack Joseph Smith

(42. \ they were with his figure up out of the canyoned valleys Prankster then left Davenport and Driver, and went to stand with arms folded at the far West Bide of the circle, There near the outside of the medow, the wind turned thin branched twige, and bunched weed tumbled every so often with the shifte inge Blacknar came across the last hill beforea: dip and ‘then a slope-up to the peak would take=hinr to where-he imagined’ Shotgun Man would be «standing, ° ! but a sudden flash saw him spot Shotgun coming down the last slope toward him, Because the -diatance be=-- tween the two men was not extreamly far, Blackman knew it strange: that hia good eyesight een not: distinguish Peatures: on Shotgun's moon face. Quick= ly though the image of breaking down sculptured Gold artifaote with white fire substantiated his conviet- ions, and he recognized that’ the-features: of Shot- gun'g face-had’ been melted’ flat from fears "So the licenced monsters have come again," he spoke aloud to himself, "This time we-will all deo end3 my body, ,and their minds," ‘ He did’ not’ pick his pace-up into a:run, but steady timed’ his shoulders and spine bowed’ out ina gate assured to powerful animals. in dangers

Original Scan

Page 227

AI Interpretation

GPT

The moment Blackman sees Shotgun's altered face, the deal becomes a confrontation with state violence, betrayal, and inevitable collision.

The image of melted features is crucial. It turns fear into visible damage and lets Blackman's response feel not merely strategic but mythic, as if he is reading doom directly off another man's body.

Claude

The instant Blackman sees Shotgun's altered face, the deal becomes a confrontation with state violence rather than commerce. The page is the pivot from market to history.