Carver turns the card over.
The image, dyed in stark, bleak black and blue tones, is of a man beneath a tree. The tree is a thick yew, with sprays and bursts of glossy dark leaves along its clustered branches. It forms a dark silhouette against the sky, a looming presence above the thin, frail figure of the man. He is dressed in a simple shirt and loose pants, with bare feet, and his long, pale neck is broken by a length of slender hemp cord fastened to a branch above. His white face is eerily blank and empty.
Carver feels a chill crawl down his spine shivering, creeping and shuddering along until it burrows into his stomach. He taps his fingers nervously against the edge of the table.
"The Hanged Man," the fortune teller informs him quietly, "is the symbol of sacrifice, of losing and letting go. It indicates a suspension, a pause, a period of time for reversal and reflection..."
***
"Show him in, please--Ron, how are you? No, no, sit down, it's all right. Here, just dump your coat and briefcase over here... excellent. Take a seat. Thanks for coming in on such short notice.
"Yes, I'm afraid it is an urgent matter. It's about the Bennett case. I need to have a word with you about how it's being handled.
"I know you're doing your best, Ron, you always do. It's not about that. It's just that we feel that the case requires a... different set of skills than your own. We're giving the case over to Gary.
"Yes, the new lawyer. I'm glad you've noticed. He's a smart man, very quick and sharp-tongued. He can close this case in no time.
"Ron, it's not about you. We need this over with as quickly and quietly as possible. You always argue and debate and make things messy, but Gary--Gary can finish it off, no problem...
"Yes, I know it's important to you. I'm sure you've invested a lot of time and effort into it. You're a good lawyer, Ron, everybody agrees on that, you're just not the type of lawyer we need right now. Just... think of this as a vacation. You get time off, we'll pay you your usual salary...
"Look, I'm sorry, Ron, I really am. We'll call you as soon as we get a new case, I promise. Now, I'm sorry, but I have an appointment. I'll get in touch with you soon."
***
The image, dyed in stark, bleak black and blue tones, is of a man beneath a tree. The tree is a thick yew, with sprays and bursts of glossy dark leaves along its clustered branches. It forms a dark silhouette against the sky, a looming presence above the thin, frail figure of the man. He is dressed in a simple shirt and loose pants, with bare feet, and his long, pale neck is broken by a length of slender hemp cord fastened to a branch above. His white face is eerily blank and empty.
Carver feels a chill crawl down his spine shivering, creeping and shuddering along until it burrows into his stomach. He taps his fingers nervously against the edge of the table.
"The Hanged Man," the fortune teller informs him quietly, "is the symbol of sacrifice, of losing and letting go. It indicates a suspension, a pause, a period of time for reversal and reflection..."
***
"Show him in, please--Ron, how are you? No, no, sit down, it's all right. Here, just dump your coat and briefcase over here... excellent. Take a seat. Thanks for coming in on such short notice.
"Yes, I'm afraid it is an urgent matter. It's about the Bennett case. I need to have a word with you about how it's being handled.
"I know you're doing your best, Ron, you always do. It's not about that. It's just that we feel that the case requires a... different set of skills than your own. We're giving the case over to Gary.
"Yes, the new lawyer. I'm glad you've noticed. He's a smart man, very quick and sharp-tongued. He can close this case in no time.
"Ron, it's not about you. We need this over with as quickly and quietly as possible. You always argue and debate and make things messy, but Gary--Gary can finish it off, no problem...
"Yes, I know it's important to you. I'm sure you've invested a lot of time and effort into it. You're a good lawyer, Ron, everybody agrees on that, you're just not the type of lawyer we need right now. Just... think of this as a vacation. You get time off, we'll pay you your usual salary...
"Look, I'm sorry, Ron, I really am. We'll call you as soon as we get a new case, I promise. Now, I'm sorry, but I have an appointment. I'll get in touch with you soon."
***