in the middle is a curtain of thick black velvet , similar to a stages curtain . say , old-timer , white-hair speaks up , his voice little more than a thin whistle . the process took longer than the experience inside the changing chute . stupid is too generous a word for you . anna was pressed up against her on one side and rob on the other . the last thing she said to me that night was you can be my friend now . tears stung his eyes as he hugged her back . 