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160e0 0a 41 66 74 65 72 20 73 68 65 20 62 6c 69 6e 6b .After she blink
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18130 68 65 20 74 75 72 6e 65 64 20 6f 66 66 20 74 68 he turned off th
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181a0 70 72 65 74 74 79 20 63 6c 65 61 72 2c 20 61 6e pretty clear, an
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181e0 73 74 72 65 73 73 2e 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 70 72 69 stress...The pri
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18220 59 6f 75 20 61 72 65 20 65 61 72 6c 79 2e 22 0a You are early.".
18230 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 2e 0a 0a .Alley nodded...
18240 22 54 68 69 73 20 69 73 20 70 72 6f 62 61 62 6c "This is probabl
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182f0 6f 6d 65 6e 74 20 6f 66 20 72 65 6c 61 78 61 74 oment of relaxat
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18340 72 65 70 61 72 65 64 3f 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 repared?"..Alley
18350 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 76 looked at the v
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18380 20 73 68 6f 70 70 69 6e 67 20 62 61 67 20 73 69 shopping bag si
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18430 6b 69 6e 67 20 62 72 61 6b 65 20 77 61 73 6e 27 king brake wasn'
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18450 68 2c 20 49 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 73 6f 2e 22 0a h, I think so.".
18460 0a 53 68 65 20 77 61 69 74 65 64 2c 20 74 68 69 .She waited, thi
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18490 74 69 6e 67 20 61 6c 6f 6e 65 20 69 6e 20 61 20 ting alone in a
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184d0 6f 75 74 20 74 6f 20 61 73 6b 20 68 65 72 20 71 out to ask her q
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18560 66 6f 72 20 73 6f 6d 65 6f 6e 65 20 74 6f 20 67 for someone to g
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18610 6f 6e 20 61 6e 79 20 70 6f 6c 69 63 65 20 70 75 on any police pu
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18770 0a 0a 22 4d 61 79 62 65 20 77 65 20 73 68 6f 75 .."Maybe we shou
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18790 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 2c 20 74 68 65 20 72 6f 61 moment, the roa
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188f0 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 63 6c 6f 73 65 64 20 68 65 72 ..She closed her
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18930 68 65 20 68 61 64 2c 20 74 68 65 20 63 72 6f 73 he had, the cros
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18960 64 20 76 65 68 69 63 6c 65 73 2c 20 74 68 65 6e d vehicles, then
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189d0 68 65 20 77 65 65 64 73 2c 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 he weeds, in the
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189f0 2e 20 20 49 74 20 6c 65 66 74 20 61 20 66 65 77 . It left a few
18a00 20 66 65 65 74 20 62 65 74 77 65 65 6e 20 74 68 feet between th
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18a20 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 2c 20 74 68 65 20 64 6f 6f moment, the doo
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18b20 20 6c 69 74 74 6c 65 20 6c 6f 77 65 72 20 6f 6e little lower on
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18b70 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 64 6f 6f 72 2c 20 61 6e 64 of the door, and
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18bc0 20 6d 6f 76 65 6d 65 6e 74 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 61 movement from a
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18c90 20 20 22 54 68 65 20 64 72 69 76 65 72 27 73 20 "The driver's
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18ce0 20 6e 6f 74 68 69 6e 67 20 69 6e 20 72 65 73 70 nothing in resp
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18dc0 79 20 73 61 77 20 62 6c 61 63 6b 20 66 72 61 6d y saw black fram
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18e50 63 68 69 6e 2c 20 66 6f 72 20 61 20 66 65 6d 69 chin, for a femi
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18e70 20 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 67 72 61 62 62 65 64 20 Alley grabbed
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18e90 61 6e 64 20 6d 6f 76 65 64 20 69 74 20 74 6f 20 and moved it to
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18ee0 74 68 61 6e 20 68 65 72 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 73 than her. The s
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18f50 6f 6e 20 77 61 73 20 70 72 6f 62 61 62 6c 79 20 on was probably
18f60 70 72 65 74 74 69 65 72 20 74 68 61 6e 20 68 65 prettier than he
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18f90 20 66 6f 72 20 68 65 72 20 74 6f 20 72 65 61 6c for her to real
18fa0 69 7a 65 20 77 68 61 74 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 77 ize what she saw
18fb0 20 64 69 64 20 6e 6f 74 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 20 66 65 did not look fe
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18fe0 2e 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 64 72 69 76 65 72 20 67 61 ...The driver ga
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19030 6f 6f 6b 20 74 68 61 74 20 6c 69 6e 67 65 72 65 ook that lingere
19040 64 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 77 61 79 20 68 65 72 d on the way her
19050 20 63 61 72 67 6f 20 70 61 6e 74 73 20 61 6e 64 cargo pants and
19060 20 74 20 73 68 69 72 74 20 66 69 74 20 68 65 72 t shirt fit her
19070 20 61 6e 64 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 6e 6f 72 6d 61 and would norma
19080 6c 6c 79 20 73 65 74 20 68 65 72 20 74 65 65 74 lly set her teet
19090 68 20 6f 6e 20 65 64 67 65 2c 20 62 75 74 20 73 h on edge, but s
190a0 68 65 20 6a 75 73 74 20 73 74 61 72 65 64 20 61 he just stared a
190b0 74 20 68 69 6d 20 66 6f 72 20 61 20 6d 6f 6d 65 t him for a mome
190c0 6e 74 20 77 69 74 68 20 68 69 73 20 66 61 73 68 nt with his fash
190d0 69 6f 6e 61 62 6c 79 20 73 70 61 72 74 61 6e 2c ionably spartan,
190e0 20 61 6c 6d 6f 73 74 20 66 6f 72 6d 61 6c 20 63 almost formal c
190f0 75 74 2c 20 62 6c 61 63 6b 20 63 6f 6c 6c 61 72 ut, black collar
19100 6c 65 73 73 20 73 68 69 72 74 2e 0a 0a 22 41 72 less shirt..."Ar
19110 65 6e 27 74 20 79 6f 75 20 6b 69 6e 64 20 6f 66 en't you kind of
19120 20 79 6f 75 6e 67 20 66 6f 72 20 74 68 69 73 20 young for this
19130 73 6f 72 74 20 6f 66 20 74 68 69 6e 67 3f 22 20 sort of thing?"
19140 73 68 65 20 62 6c 75 72 74 65 64 20 6f 75 74 2e she blurted out.
19150 0a 0a 48 65 20 6a 65 72 6b 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 ..He jerked the
19160 66 6f 63 75 73 20 6f 66 20 68 69 73 20 61 71 75 focus of his aqu
19170 61 20 65 79 65 73 2c 20 72 65 66 6c 65 63 74 69 a eyes, reflecti
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19190 74 68 65 20 6d 6f 6f 6e 2c 20 61 77 61 79 20 66 the moon, away f
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191b0 20 6f 66 20 68 65 72 20 6d 69 64 73 65 63 74 69 of her midsecti
191c0 6f 6e 20 61 6e 64 20 6d 65 74 20 68 65 72 20 65 on and met her e
191d0 79 65 73 2e 20 20 22 48 65 79 2c 20 6c 61 64 79 yes. "Hey, lady
191e0 2c 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 49 27 , don't think I'
191f0 6d 20 6e 65 77 20 74 6f 20 74 68 69 73 2e 20 20 m new to this.
19200 49 27 6d 20 61 72 6d 65 64 2c 20 73 6f 20 64 6f I'm armed, so do
19210 6e 27 74 20 6a 65 72 6b 20 6d 65 20 61 72 6f 75 n't jerk me arou
19220 6e 64 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 68 65 73 69 74 61 nd."..She hesita
19230 74 65 64 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 ted, then said "
19240 4e 6f 2c 20 6e 6f 74 20 61 20 70 72 6f 62 6c 65 No, not a proble
19250 6d 2e 20 20 59 6f 75 20 6a 75 73 74 2c 20 75 68 m. You just, uh
19260 68 2c 20 73 75 72 70 72 69 73 65 64 20 6d 65 2e h, surprised me.
19270 20 20 53 6f 72 72 79 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 Sorry.".."What
19280 65 76 65 72 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 ever," he said,
19290 69 6e 20 61 20 73 6f 66 74 2c 20 63 6c 65 61 72 in a soft, clear
192a0 20 76 6f 69 63 65 20 74 68 61 74 20 61 6c 6d 6f voice that almo
192b0 73 74 20 6d 61 64 65 20 69 74 20 64 69 66 66 69 st made it diffi
192c0 63 75 6c 74 20 74 6f 20 72 65 63 6f 67 6e 69 7a cult to recogniz
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192e0 69 6e 20 69 74 2e 20 20 22 48 65 72 65 2c 20 6c in it. "Here, l
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193d0 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 2c 20 61 6e ..She nodded, an
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193f0 20 61 6e 64 20 73 65 6e 64 20 69 74 20 74 6f 20 and send it to
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19470 2e 20 20 48 65 20 65 6e 74 65 72 65 64 20 74 68 . He entered th
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19490 69 6e 74 6f 20 68 69 73 20 64 65 76 69 63 65 20 into his device
194a0 61 6e 64 20 74 68 75 6d 62 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 and thumbed the
194b0 63 6f 6e 66 69 72 6d 61 74 69 6f 6e 2e 20 20 41 confirmation. A
194c0 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 20 6c 61 74 65 72 2c 20 73 moment later, s
194d0 68 65 20 68 65 61 72 64 20 74 68 65 20 65 73 63 he heard the esc
194e0 72 6f 77 20 61 6c 65 72 74 20 74 68 72 6f 75 67 row alert throug
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19500 72 70 69 65 63 65 2e 0a 0a 22 44 6f 6e 65 22 2c rpiece..."Done",
19510 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 48 65 72 65 he said..."Here
19520 27 73 20 74 68 65 20 63 61 73 68 2e 22 20 20 53 's the cash." S
19530 68 65 20 68 75 6e 67 20 68 65 72 20 72 69 67 68 he hung her righ
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195a0 53 68 65 20 68 61 6e 64 65 64 20 69 74 20 74 6f She handed it to
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195f0 2e 20 20 48 65 20 74 6f 73 73 65 64 20 74 68 65 . He tossed the
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196a0 63 6f 75 6e 74 69 6e 67 2e 20 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 counting. Alley
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196f0 20 20 41 20 67 69 72 6c 27 73 20 76 6f 69 63 65 A girl's voice
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19740 54 68 65 20 62 6f 79 20 74 61 70 70 65 64 20 68 The boy tapped h
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19760 69 73 20 74 68 75 6d 62 20 6f 6e 63 65 20 6d 6f is thumb once mo
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19790 74 20 79 65 74 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 t yet," she said
197a0 2e 20 20 22 4a 75 73 74 20 77 61 69 74 2e 22 20 . "Just wait."
197b0 20 45 76 65 72 79 6f 6e 65 20 77 61 69 74 65 64 Everyone waited
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197d0 20 6c 61 74 65 72 2c 20 61 6e 6f 74 68 65 72 20 later, another
197e0 61 6c 65 72 74 20 63 68 69 6d 65 64 20 69 6e 20 alert chimed in
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19810 22 0a 0a 22 47 6f 6f 64 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 ".."Good," he sa
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19920 20 73 75 72 65 20 74 68 61 74 20 77 65 6e 74 20 sure that went
19930 77 65 6c 6c 2c 22 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 well," the prior
19940 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 59 itizer said..."Y
19950 65 61 68 2e 20 20 49 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 63 eah. I should c
19960 68 65 63 6b 20 6d 79 20 53 74 61 74 65 72 20 62 heck my Stater b
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19990 73 69 64 65 20 68 65 72 20 67 6c 61 73 73 65 73 side her glasses
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199d0 20 68 65 72 20 70 68 6f 6e 65 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 her phone, and
199e0 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 6f 70 looked at the op
199f0 65 6e 20 6c 65 64 67 65 72 20 76 69 65 77 2e 20 en ledger view.
19a00 20 53 68 65 20 6e 6f 77 20 68 61 64 20 61 20 53 She now had a S
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19a20 53 68 65 20 73 74 61 72 65 64 20 61 74 20 69 74 She stared at it
19a30 20 66 6f 72 20 61 20 77 68 69 6c 65 2e 0a 0a 22 for a while..."
19a40 49 73 20 65 76 65 72 79 74 68 69 6e 67 20 63 6f Is everything co
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19a60 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a ritizer asked...
19a70 53 68 65 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 2c 20 74 68 65 6e She nodded, then
19a80 20 72 65 61 6c 69 7a 65 64 20 69 74 20 70 72 6f realized it pro
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19ae0 20 61 6c 6c 20 74 68 65 72 65 2e 20 20 49 73 20 all there. Is
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19b20 22 0a 0a 22 4e 6f 2c 22 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 69 ".."No," the pri
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19b40 22 49 66 20 69 74 20 73 68 6f 77 73 20 69 6e 20 "If it shows in
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19bf0 22 20 20 53 68 65 20 6c 6f 63 6b 65 64 20 68 65 " She locked he
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19c70 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2c 20 72 69 67 68 74 2c 22 .".."Oh, right,"
19c80 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 she said. She
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19d20 20 69 74 2e 20 20 52 69 67 68 74 3f 22 0a 0a 22 it. Right?".."
19d30 59 65 73 2e 20 20 59 6f 75 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 Yes. You should
19d40 20 73 65 6e 64 20 61 20 6d 65 73 73 61 67 65 20 send a message
19d50 74 6f 20 61 20 62 75 79 65 72 20 74 6f 6e 69 67 to a buyer tonig
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19da0 68 6f 6c 64 20 74 6f 20 72 65 73 65 72 76 65 20 hold to reserve
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19de0 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 65 73 63 72 6f 77 20 73 65 to the escrow se
19df0 72 76 69 63 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 rvice.".."Yeah,
19e00 67 6f 74 20 69 74 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 got it," she sai
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19e20 20 61 6c 6c 20 77 6f 72 6b 73 20 6f 75 74 2e 22 all works out."
19e30 0a 0a 22 49 74 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 2e 22 0a 0a .."It should."..
19e40 53 68 65 20 64 72 6f 76 65 20 68 6f 6d 65 20 69 She drove home i
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19f50 74 20 77 61 73 20 73 75 70 70 6f 73 65 64 20 74 t was supposed t
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1a110 20 66 65 77 20 68 6f 75 72 73 20 62 65 66 6f 72 few hours befor
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1a130 70 65 6e 20 4d 61 72 72 61 6b 65 73 68 20 77 61 pen Marrakesh wa
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1a170 43 5a 20 62 72 61 6e 64 65 64 20 68 61 6e 64 67 CZ branded handg
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1a1d0 20 6f 6e 20 4f 70 65 6e 20 4d 61 72 72 61 6b 65 on Open Marrake
1a1e0 73 68 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 63 6f 73 74 20 6d 6f sh would cost mo
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1a200 20 73 68 65 20 68 61 64 2c 20 62 75 74 20 69 74 she had, but it
1a210 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 73 68 65 looked like she
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1a2b0 20 6e 6f 74 69 63 65 64 20 73 68 65 20 68 61 64 noticed she had
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1a2d0 20 6d 75 6c 74 69 70 6c 65 20 63 72 79 70 74 6f multiple crypto
1a2e0 63 75 72 72 65 6e 63 79 20 74 72 61 64 65 72 20 currency trader
1a2f0 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 68 65 20 62 6f 79 20 75 73 65 like the boy use
1a300 64 20 65 61 72 6c 69 65 72 20 77 69 74 68 20 77 d earlier with w
1a310 68 61 74 20 77 61 73 20 6c 65 66 74 2e 0a 0a 22 hat was left..."
1a320 53 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 49 20 6d 61 6b 65 20 74 68 Should I make th
1a330 69 73 20 64 65 61 6c 3f 22 20 73 68 65 20 61 73 is deal?" she as
1a340 6b 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 61 69 72 2e 0a 0a 54 68 ked the air...Th
1a350 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 61 6e e prioritizer an
1a360 73 77 65 72 65 64 2e 20 20 22 54 68 69 73 20 6c swered. "This l
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1a380 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 64 65 61 6c 2c 20 74 68 65 20 good deal, the
1a390 62 65 73 74 20 79 6f 75 20 68 61 76 65 20 66 6f best you have fo
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1a3b0 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 46 69 6e 65 2e he said. "Fine.
1a3c0 22 20 20 53 68 65 20 64 69 64 20 61 20 6c 69 74 " She did a lit
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1a430 77 65 72 65 20 6e 6f 74 20 65 76 65 6e 20 63 6f were not even co
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1b640 74 20 74 68 65 2c 20 75 68 20 2e 20 2e 20 2e 22 t the, uh . . ."
1b650 20 73 68 65 20 74 72 61 69 6c 65 64 20 6f 66 66 she trailed off
1b660 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 67 65 73 74 75 72 65 64 20 61 , and gestured a
1b670 74 20 74 68 65 20 64 72 61 77 73 74 72 69 6e 67 t the drawstring
1b680 20 62 61 67 2e 0a 0a 22 50 72 69 6e 74 65 64 20 bag..."Printed
1b690 66 72 61 6d 65 73 3f 22 20 74 68 65 20 72 65 64 frames?" the red
1b6a0 68 65 61 64 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 41 6c 6c head asked...All
1b6b0 65 79 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 2e 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 ey nodded...The
1b6c0 72 65 64 68 65 61 64 20 70 75 6c 6c 65 64 20 68 redhead pulled h
1b6d0 65 72 20 6d 61 73 6b 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 61 6e 64 er mask down and
1b6e0 20 65 78 70 6f 73 65 64 20 62 72 69 6c 6c 69 61 exposed brillia
1b6f0 6e 74 20 77 68 69 74 65 20 74 65 65 74 68 20 77 nt white teeth w
1b700 69 74 68 20 61 20 62 72 6f 61 64 20 73 6d 69 6c ith a broad smil
1b710 65 2e 20 20 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 79 6f 75 20 66 e. "Yeah, you f
1b720 6f 75 6e 64 20 77 68 61 74 20 79 6f 75 20 77 61 ound what you wa
1b730 6e 74 2e 20 20 49 27 6d 20 43 61 72 6d 65 6e 2e nt. I'm Carmen.
1b740 22 20 20 53 68 65 20 73 74 6f 6f 64 20 61 6e 64 " She stood and
1b750 20 6f 66 66 65 72 65 64 20 6f 6e 65 20 67 6c 6f offered one glo
1b760 76 65 64 20 68 61 6e 64 2e 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 ved hand...Alley
1b770 20 61 63 63 65 70 74 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 71 75 accepted the qu
1b780 69 63 6b 20 68 61 6e 64 73 68 61 6b 65 2e 20 20 ick handshake.
1b790 22 4d 61 6c 6c 6f 72 79 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 6f "Mallory," she o
1b7a0 66 66 65 72 65 64 2c 20 6f 6e 20 69 6d 70 75 6c ffered, on impul
1b7b0 73 65 2e 0a 0a 22 4c 65 74 20 6d 65 20 67 75 65 se..."Let me gue
1b7c0 73 73 3a 20 49 27 6d 20 6e 6f 74 20 77 68 61 74 ss: I'm not what
1b7d0 20 79 6f 75 20 65 78 70 65 63 74 65 64 2e 22 0a you expected.".
1b7e0 0a 22 49 20 77 61 73 6e 27 74 20 73 75 72 65 20 ."I wasn't sure
1b7f0 77 68 61 74 20 74 6f 20 65 78 70 65 63 74 2c 22 what to expect,"
1b800 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 61 64 6d 69 74 74 65 64 2c Alley admitted,
1b810 20 22 62 75 74 20 79 65 61 68 2c 20 49 20 67 75 "but yeah, I gu
1b820 65 73 73 20 79 6f 75 20 73 75 72 70 72 69 73 65 ess you surprise
1b830 64 20 6d 65 20 61 6e 79 77 61 79 2e 22 0a 0a 43 d me anyway."..C
1b840 61 72 6d 65 6e 20 2d 2d 20 70 6f 73 73 69 62 6c armen -- possibl
1b850 79 20 61 20 70 73 65 75 64 6f 6e 79 6d 2c 20 41 y a pseudonym, A
1b860 6c 6c 65 79 20 72 65 61 6c 69 7a 65 64 20 2d 2d lley realized --
1b870 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 64 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2e 20 20 smiled again.
1b880 22 54 68 61 74 20 70 61 72 74 20 6f 66 20 74 68 "That part of th
1b890 69 73 20 6a 6f 62 20 6e 65 76 65 72 20 67 65 74 is job never get
1b8a0 73 20 6f 6c 64 2e 20 20 41 6e 79 77 61 79 2c 20 s old. Anyway,
1b8b0 49 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 75 70 73 65 6c 6c I want to upsell
1b8c0 20 79 6f 75 2e 20 20 48 6f 77 27 73 20 74 68 61 you. How's tha
1b8d0 74 20 73 6f 75 6e 64 3f 22 0a 0a 22 55 70 73 65 t sound?".."Upse
1b8e0 6c 6c 3f 22 20 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 68 65 73 69 ll?" Alley hesi
1b8f0 74 61 74 65 64 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 6e 6f 64 64 tated, then nodd
1b900 65 64 2e 20 20 22 53 75 72 65 2c 20 49 20 67 75 ed. "Sure, I gu
1b910 65 73 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 43 6f 6f 6c 2e 20 20 53 ess.".."Cool. S
1b920 6f 2c 20 77 65 20 68 61 76 65 20 70 72 69 6e 74 o, we have print
1b930 65 64 20 63 6f 6e 63 65 61 6c 6d 65 6e 74 20 68 ed concealment h
1b940 6f 6c 73 74 65 72 73 2c 20 73 6e 61 70 20 6f 6e olsters, snap on
1b950 20 61 63 63 65 73 73 6f 72 79 20 72 61 69 6c 73 accessory rails
1b960 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 62 72 61 73 73 20 63 61 74 63 , and brass catc
1b970 68 65 72 73 20 66 6f 72 20 6d 6f 64 65 6c 73 20 hers for models
1b980 63 6f 6d 70 61 74 69 62 6c 65 20 77 69 74 68 20 compatible with
1b990 74 68 65 73 65 20 66 72 61 6d 65 73 2e 20 20 57 these frames. W
1b9a0 65 20 68 61 76 65 20 73 74 75 66 66 20 66 6f 72 e have stuff for
1b9b0 20 6f 74 68 65 72 20 6d 6f 64 65 6c 73 2c 20 74 other models, t
1b9c0 6f 6f 2c 20 73 6f 20 6c 65 74 20 6d 65 20 6b 6e oo, so let me kn
1b9d0 6f 77 20 77 68 61 74 20 79 6f 75 27 64 20 6c 69 ow what you'd li
1b9e0 6b 65 20 74 6f 20 73 65 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 6f ke to see.".."Wo
1b9f0 77 2e 20 20 46 75 6c 6c 20 73 65 72 76 69 63 65 w. Full service
1ba00 2c 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 6f , I guess.".."To
1ba10 74 61 6c 6c 79 21 22 20 20 43 61 72 6d 65 6e 20 tally!" Carmen
1ba20 74 75 67 67 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 73 68 69 72 74 tugged her shirt
1ba30 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 73 6c 69 67 68 74 6c 79 2c 20 down slightly,
1ba40 6d 61 6b 69 6e 67 20 69 74 20 61 20 6c 69 74 74 making it a litt
1ba50 6c 65 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 6f 62 76 69 6f 75 73 20 le more obvious
1ba60 73 68 65 20 77 61 73 6e 27 74 20 77 65 61 72 69 she wasn't weari
1ba70 6e 67 20 61 20 62 72 61 2e 0a 0a 22 49 20 74 68 ng a bra..."I th
1ba80 69 6e 6b 20 49 27 6c 6c 20 6a 75 73 74 20 73 74 ink I'll just st
1ba90 69 63 6b 20 77 69 74 68 20 74 68 65 20 6f 72 64 ick with the ord
1baa0 65 72 20 49 20 70 6c 61 63 65 64 2c 20 66 6f 72 er I placed, for
1bab0 20 6e 6f 77 2e 20 20 49 27 6c 6c 20 6b 65 65 70 now. I'll keep
1bac0 20 79 6f 75 20 69 6e 20 6d 69 6e 64 20 69 66 20 you in mind if
1bad0 49 20 6e 65 65 64 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 I need something
1bae0 20 65 6c 73 65 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2e 22 0a else, though.".
1baf0 0a 43 61 72 6d 65 6e 20 73 68 72 75 67 67 65 64 .Carmen shrugged
1bb00 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 65 20 77 61 79 20 73 68 , and the way sh
1bb10 65 20 73 6c 69 67 68 74 6c 79 20 72 61 69 73 65 e slightly raise
1bb20 64 20 68 65 72 20 61 72 6d 73 20 61 73 20 73 68 d her arms as sh
1bb30 65 20 64 69 64 20 69 74 20 6d 61 64 65 20 74 68 e did it made th
1bb40 65 20 73 68 69 72 74 20 74 69 67 68 74 65 6e 20 e shirt tighten
1bb50 61 63 72 6f 73 73 20 68 65 72 20 70 65 72 6b 79 across her perky
1bb60 20 62 72 65 61 73 74 73 2e 20 20 22 4f 6b 61 79 breasts. "Okay
1bb70 21 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 74 6f 6f 6b 20 69 !"..Alley took i
1bb80 6e 20 74 68 65 20 64 69 73 70 6c 61 79 20 61 6e n the display an
1bb90 64 20 73 6c 69 67 68 74 6c 79 20 6f 76 65 72 20 d slightly over
1bba0 74 68 65 20 74 6f 70 20 63 68 65 65 72 69 6e 65 the top cheerine
1bbb0 73 73 2e 20 20 22 44 6f 65 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 ss. "Does that
1bbc0 2e 20 2e 20 2e 20 6f 68 2c 20 6e 65 76 65 72 20 . . . oh, never
1bbd0 6d 69 6e 64 2e 20 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 49 mind. I guess I
1bbe0 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 6a 75 73 74 20 73 65 65 should just see
1bbf0 20 74 68 65 20 66 72 61 6d 65 73 2c 20 6e 6f 77 the frames, now
1bc00 2e 22 0a 0a 43 61 72 6d 65 6e 20 6e 61 72 72 6f ."..Carmen narro
1bc10 77 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 65 79 65 73 2c 20 61 6c wed her eyes, al
1bc20 6d 6f 73 74 20 62 75 74 20 6e 6f 74 20 71 75 69 most but not qui
1bc30 74 65 20 73 75 73 70 69 63 69 6f 75 73 6c 79 2c te suspiciously,
1bc40 20 61 6e 64 20 74 69 6c 74 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 and tilted her
1bc50 68 65 61 64 2e 20 20 22 4e 6f 2c 20 77 61 69 74 head. "No, wait
1bc60 2e 20 20 57 68 61 74 20 77 65 72 65 20 79 6f 75 . What were you
1bc70 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 61 73 6b 3f 22 0a going to ask?".
1bc80 0a 22 4e 6f 74 68 69 6e 67 2c 22 20 41 6c 6c 65 ."Nothing," Alle
1bc90 79 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 68 61 76 65 y said. "I have
1bca0 6e 27 74 20 62 65 65 6e 20 76 65 72 79 20 73 6f n't been very so
1bcb0 63 69 61 62 6c 65 20 6c 61 74 65 6c 79 2c 20 61 ciable lately, a
1bcc0 6e 64 20 66 6f 72 67 65 74 20 6d 79 20 6d 61 6e nd forget my man
1bcd0 6e 65 72 73 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 69 6d 65 73 2e 22 ners sometimes."
1bce0 0a 0a 22 4f 6f 68 2c 20 69 6e 61 70 70 72 6f 70 .."Ooh, inapprop
1bcf0 72 69 61 74 65 20 71 75 65 73 74 69 6f 6e 73 2e riate questions.
1bd00 20 20 54 68 6f 73 65 20 61 72 65 20 6d 79 20 66 Those are my f
1bd10 61 76 6f 72 69 74 65 20 6b 69 6e 64 2e 20 20 59 avorite kind. Y
1bd20 6f 75 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 74 6f 74 61 6c 6c ou should totall
1bd30 79 20 61 73 6b 21 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 y ask!"..Alley s
1bd40 69 67 6e 65 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 77 61 73 20 6a igned. "I was j
1bd50 75 73 74 20 77 6f 6e 64 65 72 69 6e 67 20 69 66 ust wondering if
1bd60 20 79 6f 75 27 72 65 20 6e 61 74 75 72 61 6c 6c you're naturall
1bd70 79 20 74 68 69 73 2c 20 75 68 2c 20 66 72 69 65 y this, uh, frie
1bd80 6e 64 6c 79 2c 20 6f 72 20 69 66 20 79 6f 75 27 ndly, or if you'
1bd90 72 65 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 68 69 73 20 62 65 63 re like this bec
1bda0 61 75 73 65 20 69 74 20 67 65 74 73 20 79 6f 75 ause it gets you
1bdb0 20 61 20 6c 6f 74 20 6f 66 20 75 70 73 65 6c 6c a lot of upsell
1bdc0 73 2e 22 20 20 43 61 72 6d 65 6e 20 6c 61 75 67 s." Carmen laug
1bdd0 68 65 64 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 66 hed, and Alley f
1bde0 6f 75 6e 64 20 69 74 20 69 6e 66 65 63 74 69 6f ound it infectio
1bdf0 75 73 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 63 61 75 67 68 74 20 us. She caught
1be00 68 65 72 73 65 6c 66 20 73 6e 69 63 6b 65 72 69 herself snickeri
1be10 6e 67 2c 20 74 6f 6f 2e 0a 0a 22 57 68 79 20 64 ng, too..."Why d
1be20 6f 20 49 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 79 6f 75 20 6d 65 o I think you me
1be30 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 73 61 79 20 27 66 6c 69 72 ant to say 'flir
1be40 74 79 27 20 69 6e 73 74 65 61 64 20 6f 66 20 27 ty' instead of '
1be50 66 72 69 65 6e 64 6c 79 27 3f 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c friendly'?"..All
1be60 65 79 20 73 68 72 75 67 67 65 64 2e 20 20 53 68 ey shrugged. Sh
1be70 65 20 74 72 69 65 64 2c 20 77 69 74 68 20 6f 6e e tried, with on
1be80 6c 79 20 6d 6f 64 65 72 61 74 65 20 73 75 63 63 ly moderate succ
1be90 65 73 73 2c 20 74 6f 20 73 75 70 70 72 65 73 73 ess, to suppress
1bea0 20 68 65 72 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 2e 0a 0a 22 57 61 her smile..."Wa
1beb0 73 20 69 74 20 74 68 61 74 20 6f 62 76 69 6f 75 s it that obviou
1bec0 73 3f 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 69 64 20 s?"..Alley said
1bed0 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 73 "Yeah, I guess s
1bee0 6f 2e 20 20 53 6f 72 72 79 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 o. Sorry.".."I
1bef0 67 75 65 73 73 20 69 74 27 73 20 61 20 62 69 74 guess it's a bit
1bf00 20 6f 66 20 65 76 65 72 79 74 68 69 6e 67 2e 20 of everything.
1bf10 20 49 27 6d 20 75 73 75 61 6c 6c 79 20 70 72 65 I'm usually pre
1bf20 74 74 79 20 63 68 65 65 72 79 2c 20 62 75 74 20 tty cheery, but
1bf30 43 6c 69 66 66 20 2d 2d 20 68 65 27 73 20 74 68 Cliff -- he's th
1bf40 65 20 67 75 79 20 49 20 77 6f 72 6b 20 77 69 74 e guy I work wit
1bf50 68 20 2d 2d 20 43 6c 69 66 66 20 61 6e 64 20 49 h -- Cliff and I
1bf60 20 64 65 63 69 64 65 64 20 74 6f 20 74 72 79 20 decided to try
1bf70 74 68 69 73 20 6f 75 74 2e 20 20 57 69 74 68 20 this out. With
1bf80 74 68 65 20 6b 69 6e 64 20 6f 66 20 61 6d 62 69 the kind of ambi
1bf90 74 69 6f 75 73 20 79 6f 75 6e 67 20 63 72 79 70 tious young cryp
1bfa0 74 6f 74 72 61 64 65 72 20 67 75 79 73 20 77 65 totrader guys we
1bfb0 20 75 73 75 61 6c 6c 79 20 67 65 74 2c 20 74 68 usually get, th
1bfc0 65 20 75 70 73 65 6c 6c 73 20 61 6e 64 20 72 65 e upsells and re
1bfd0 70 65 61 74 20 62 75 73 69 6e 65 73 73 20 77 65 peat business we
1bfe0 20 67 65 74 20 67 6f 65 73 20 77 61 79 20 75 70 get goes way up
1bff0 20 77 68 65 6e 20 49 27 6d 20 64 6f 69 6e 67 20 when I'm doing
1c000 74 68 65 20 74 72 61 64 65 73 2e 20 20 49 6e 20 the trades. In
1c010 74 77 6f 20 79 65 61 72 73 2c 20 77 65 20 6f 6e two years, we on
1c020 6c 79 20 68 61 64 20 6f 6e 65 20 67 75 79 20 77 ly had one guy w
1c030 68 6f 20 64 65 63 69 64 65 64 20 6d 65 20 62 65 ho decided me be
1c040 69 6e 67 20 61 20 70 72 65 74 74 79 20 67 69 72 ing a pretty gir
1c050 6c 20 6d 61 64 65 20 6d 65 20 61 6e 20 65 61 73 l made me an eas
1c060 79 20 74 61 72 67 65 74 2c 20 74 6f 6f 2c 20 73 y target, too, s
1c070 6f 20 69 74 27 73 20 70 72 65 74 74 79 20 73 61 o it's pretty sa
1c080 66 65 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 66 72 6f 77 fe."..Alley frow
1c090 6e 65 64 2e 20 20 22 59 65 61 68 2c 22 20 73 68 ned. "Yeah," sh
1c0a0 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 67 75 65 73 e said. "I gues
1c0b0 73 20 74 68 61 74 27 73 20 61 20 64 61 6e 67 65 s that's a dange
1c0c0 72 2e 20 20 57 68 61 74 20 68 61 70 70 65 6e 65 r. What happene
1c0d0 64 3f 22 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2c 20 73 68 69 74 2c 22 d?".."Oh, shit,"
1c0e0 20 43 61 72 6d 65 6e 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 Carmen said. "
1c0f0 59 6f 75 20 6d 75 73 74 20 62 65 20 6e 65 77 20 You must be new
1c100 61 74 20 74 68 69 73 2e 20 20 57 65 6c 6c 2c 20 at this. Well,
1c110 49 20 70 75 6c 6c 65 64 20 6f 75 74 20 6d 79 20 I pulled out my
1c120 62 61 74 6f 6e 20 61 6e 64 20 43 6c 69 66 66 20 baton and Cliff
1c130 70 75 74 20 61 20 72 65 64 20 64 6f 74 20 6f 6e put a red dot on
1c140 20 74 68 65 20 67 75 79 27 73 20 63 68 65 73 74 the guy's chest
1c150 20 77 69 74 68 20 74 68 65 20 6c 61 73 65 72 20 with the laser
1c160 73 69 67 68 74 20 6f 6e 20 68 69 73 20 72 69 66 sight on his rif
1c170 6c 65 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 67 75 79 20 62 61 63 le. The guy bac
1c180 6b 65 64 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 69 6e 20 61 20 68 75 ked down in a hu
1c190 72 72 79 2e 20 20 41 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 63 61 rry. Are you ca
1c1a0 72 72 79 69 6e 67 20 70 72 6f 74 65 63 74 69 6f rrying protectio
1c1b0 6e 3f 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 74 61 72 74 n?"..Alley start
1c1c0 65 64 20 6f 70 65 6e 69 6e 67 20 68 65 72 20 6d ed opening her m
1c1d0 6f 75 74 68 20 74 6f 20 72 65 70 6c 79 2c 20 62 outh to reply, b
1c1e0 75 74 20 43 61 72 6d 65 6e 20 63 75 74 20 69 6e ut Carmen cut in
1c1f0 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2e 0a 0a 22 4e 6f 2c 20 64 6f again..."No, do
1c200 6e 27 74 20 74 65 6c 6c 20 6d 65 20 77 68 61 74 n't tell me what
1c210 20 79 6f 75 27 72 65 20 63 61 72 72 79 69 6e 67 you're carrying
1c220 2e 20 20 59 6f 75 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 6e 27 74 . You shouldn't
1c230 20 67 65 74 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 68 61 62 69 get in the habi
1c240 74 20 6f 66 20 74 65 6c 6c 69 6e 67 20 70 65 6f t of telling peo
1c250 70 6c 65 20 73 74 75 66 66 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 ple stuff like t
1c260 68 61 74 2e 20 20 47 65 74 20 79 6f 75 72 73 65 hat. Get yourse
1c270 6c 66 20 74 68 72 65 65 20 74 68 69 6e 67 73 2c lf three things,
1c280 20 69 66 20 79 6f 75 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 61 6c if you don't al
1c290 72 65 61 64 79 20 68 61 76 65 20 27 65 6d 2e 20 ready have 'em.
1c2a0 20 59 6f 75 20 6e 65 65 64 20 70 65 70 70 65 72 You need pepper
1c2b0 20 73 70 72 61 79 20 6f 72 20 61 20 73 6f 6e 69 spray or a soni
1c2c0 63 20 72 65 70 65 6c 6c 61 6e 74 2c 20 61 20 63 c repellant, a c
1c2d0 6f 6c 6c 61 70 73 69 6e 67 20 62 61 74 6f 6e 2c ollapsing baton,
1c2e0 20 61 6e 64 20 62 61 63 6b 75 70 20 77 68 6f 20 and backup who
1c2f0 6b 6e 6f 77 73 20 77 68 61 74 20 68 65 27 73 20 knows what he's
1c300 64 6f 69 6e 67 2c 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 43 6c 69 66 doing, like Clif
1c310 66 2e 22 0a 0a 22 55 68 2c 20 74 68 61 6e 6b 73 f.".."Uh, thanks
1c320 2c 22 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 ," Alley said.
1c330 22 41 72 65 6e 27 74 20 74 68 6f 73 65 20 63 6f "Aren't those co
1c340 6c 6c 61 70 73 69 6e 67 20 62 61 74 6f 6e 73 20 llapsing batons
1c350 69 6c 6c 65 67 61 6c 3f 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 illegal?".."Yeah
1c360 2c 20 43 61 6c 69 66 6f 72 6e 69 61 20 73 75 63 , California suc
1c370 6b 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 77 61 79 2e 20 20 47 69 ks that way. Gi
1c380 72 6c 73 20 61 72 65 6e 27 74 20 61 6c 6c 6f 77 rls aren't allow
1c390 65 64 20 74 6f 20 70 72 6f 74 65 63 74 20 74 68 ed to protect th
1c3a0 65 6d 73 65 6c 76 65 73 2c 20 79 6f 75 20 6b 6e emselves, you kn
1c3b0 6f 77 2e 22 20 20 53 68 65 20 70 75 6c 6c 65 64 ow." She pulled
1c3c0 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 61 62 6f 75 74 something about
1c3d0 20 74 68 65 20 73 69 7a 65 20 6f 66 20 61 20 77 the size of a w
1c3e0 68 69 74 65 62 6f 61 72 64 20 6d 61 72 6b 65 72 hiteboard marker
1c3f0 20 6f 75 74 20 6f 66 20 68 65 72 20 62 61 63 6b out of her back
1c400 20 70 6f 63 6b 65 74 2e 20 20 22 53 65 65 20 74 pocket. "See t
1c410 68 69 73 3f 20 20 54 68 69 73 20 69 73 20 61 20 his? This is a
1c420 67 6f 6f 64 20 62 61 74 6f 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c good baton."..Al
1c430 6c 65 79 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 74 68 ley looked at th
1c440 65 20 62 6c 61 63 6b 20 61 6e 6f 64 69 7a 65 64 e black anodized
1c450 20 61 6c 75 6d 69 6e 75 6d 20 63 79 6c 69 6e 64 aluminum cylind
1c460 65 72 20 77 68 65 6e 20 43 61 72 6d 65 6e 20 68 er when Carmen h
1c470 65 6c 64 20 69 74 20 75 70 2e 20 20 49 74 20 68 eld it up. It h
1c480 61 64 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 6b 69 6e 64 20 6f 66 20 ad some kind of
1c490 6c 6f 67 6f 20 6f 6e 20 69 74 20 61 6e 64 20 61 logo on it and a
1c4a0 20 63 6f 75 70 6c 65 20 6f 66 20 64 65 70 72 65 couple of depre
1c4b0 73 73 65 64 20 6f 76 61 6c 73 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 ssed ovals on th
1c4c0 65 20 73 69 64 65 2e 0a 0a 22 50 75 73 68 20 74 e side..."Push t
1c4d0 68 65 73 65 20 74 77 6f 20 73 70 6f 74 73 20 74 hese two spots t
1c4e0 6f 20 70 6f 70 20 69 74 20 6f 75 74 2e 20 20 4a o pop it out. J
1c4f0 75 73 74 20 70 75 73 68 20 74 68 65 20 73 65 63 ust push the sec
1c500 6f 6e 64 20 6f 6e 65 2c 20 68 65 72 65 2c 20 61 ond one, here, a
1c510 6e 64 20 70 75 73 68 20 74 68 65 20 62 75 73 69 nd push the busi
1c520 6e 65 73 73 20 65 6e 64 20 61 67 61 69 6e 73 74 ness end against
1c530 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 68 61 72 64 20 something hard
1c540 74 6f 20 63 6f 6c 6c 61 70 73 65 20 74 68 65 20 to collapse the
1c550 62 61 74 6f 6e 20 62 61 63 6b 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 baton back into
1c560 74 68 65 20 68 61 6e 64 6c 65 2e 20 20 59 65 61 the handle. Yea
1c570 68 3f 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 h?"..Alley nodde
1c580 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 74 68 61 d. "I guess tha
1c590 74 27 73 20 61 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 64 65 73 69 67 t's a good desig
1c5a0 6e 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 6f 74 61 n, then.".."Tota
1c5b0 6c 6c 79 2e 20 20 57 69 74 68 20 74 68 65 20 74 lly. With the t
1c5c0 77 6f 20 72 65 6c 65 61 73 65 20 70 6f 69 6e 74 wo release point
1c5d0 73 2c 20 79 6f 75 27 72 65 20 6e 6f 74 20 6c 69 s, you're not li
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1c5f0 61 6c 6c 79 20 70 6f 70 20 69 74 20 6f 75 74 20 ally pop it out
1c600 77 68 65 6e 20 79 6f 75 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 77 when you don't w
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1c620 20 74 79 70 65 20 69 73 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 73 6f type is more so
1c630 6c 69 64 20 61 6e 64 20 65 61 73 69 65 72 20 74 lid and easier t
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1c650 68 65 20 74 68 69 6e 67 73 20 77 68 65 72 65 20 he things where
1c660 79 6f 75 20 6a 75 73 74 20 73 6e 61 70 20 79 6f you just snap yo
1c670 75 72 20 68 61 6e 64 20 6f 75 74 20 74 6f 20 6f ur hand out to o
1c680 70 65 6e 20 74 68 65 6d 2e 20 20 41 6e 79 77 61 pen them. Anywa
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1c6a0 6f 66 20 74 68 65 73 65 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 69 74 of these, and it
1c6b0 27 73 20 65 61 73 79 20 74 6f 20 74 6f 73 73 20 's easy to toss
1c6c0 69 74 20 73 6f 6d 65 77 68 65 72 65 20 62 65 66 it somewhere bef
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1c6e0 79 6f 75 20 69 66 20 79 6f 75 27 72 65 20 61 66 you if you're af
1c6f0 72 61 69 64 20 6f 66 20 67 65 74 74 69 6e 67 20 raid of getting
1c700 63 61 75 67 68 74 20 77 69 74 68 20 61 20 63 6f caught with a co
1c710 6e 63 65 61 6c 65 64 20 77 65 61 70 6f 6e 2c 20 ncealed weapon,
1c720 6f 72 20 69 66 20 79 6f 75 20 63 75 74 20 61 20 or if you cut a
1c730 6c 69 74 74 6c 65 20 68 6f 6c 65 20 69 6e 20 74 little hole in t
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1c810 0a 22 48 65 72 65 2e 22 20 20 53 68 65 20 68 65 ."Here." She he
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1c970 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 66 72 6f 7a 65 20 77 69 ..Alley froze wi
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1c9d0 2e 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2e 20 20 55 68 2c 20 6a ..."Yeah. Uh, j
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1ec70 57 68 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 66 75 63 6b 20 61 6d What the fuck am
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1eec0 54 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 The prioritizer
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1ef40 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 ..Alley looked a
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1eff0 57 68 61 74 3f 20 20 57 68 79 3f 22 0a 0a 22 57 What? Why?".."W
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1f160 73 74 61 63 6b 2c 20 77 69 74 68 20 61 20 66 65 stack, with a fe
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1f190 0a 22 54 68 61 74 20 69 73 20 74 68 65 20 6e 6f ."That is the no
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1f220 6c 73 2c 20 62 75 74 20 74 68 61 74 20 63 6f 75 ls, but that cou
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1f250 20 53 68 65 20 72 75 62 62 65 64 20 69 74 20 74 She rubbed it t
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1f270 20 69 74 73 20 73 75 72 66 61 63 65 2c 20 61 6e its surface, an
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1f2a0 22 4f 68 2c 20 73 68 69 74 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 "Oh, shit," she
1f2b0 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 54 68 61 74 20 73 63 61 said. "That sca
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1f2e0 67 61 76 65 20 6d 65 20 61 6e 20 65 78 74 72 61 gave me an extra
1f2f0 20 68 75 6e 64 72 65 64 2e 20 20 46 75 63 6b 2e hundred. Fuck.
1f300 20 20 57 68 61 74 20 69 66 20 69 74 20 77 61 73 What if it was
1f310 6e 27 74 20 61 6e 20 61 63 63 69 64 65 6e 74 3f n't an accident?
1f320 20 20 4d 61 79 62 65 20 69 74 27 73 20 61 20 74 Maybe it's a t
1f330 65 73 74 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 74 20 73 65 65 est.".."That see
1f340 6d 73 20 65 78 74 72 65 6d 65 6c 79 20 75 6e 6c ms extremely unl
1f350 69 6b 65 6c 79 2c 22 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f ikely," the prio
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1f370 59 65 61 68 2e 22 20 20 53 68 65 20 73 69 67 68 Yeah." She sigh
1f380 65 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 79 6f ed. "I guess yo
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1f3a0 61 6c 6c 79 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 68 61 76 65 20 ally.".."I have
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1f420 20 22 57 61 69 74 2e 20 20 49 20 73 68 6f 75 6c "Wait. I shoul
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1f440 20 62 61 63 6b 20 74 6f 20 74 68 61 74 20 67 75 back to that gu
1f450 79 2e 22 0a 0a 22 46 6f 72 20 61 20 68 69 67 68 y.".."For a high
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1f490 69 73 20 6e 6f 74 20 61 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 63 68 is not a good ch
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1f4f0 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 6c 61 75 67 68 65 64 20 ..Alley laughed
1f500 71 75 69 65 74 6c 79 2e 20 20 22 59 65 61 68 2c quietly. "Yeah,
1f510 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 22 79 6f 75 " she said, "you
1f520 27 72 65 20 72 69 67 68 74 2e 20 20 49 20 67 6f 're right. I go
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1f5b0 20 61 73 20 65 76 69 64 65 6e 63 65 20 74 68 61 as evidence tha
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1f600 68 69 73 20 6d 69 73 70 6c 61 63 65 64 20 6d 6f his misplaced mo
1f610 6e 65 79 3f 0a 0a 22 49 74 20 64 6f 65 73 6e 27 ney?.."It doesn'
1f620 74 20 66 65 65 6c 20 72 69 67 68 74 2c 20 6a 75 t feel right, ju
1f630 73 74 20 6b 65 65 70 69 6e 67 20 68 69 73 20 6d st keeping his m
1f640 6f 6e 65 79 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2e 22 0a 0a oney, though."..
1f650 22 57 68 79 20 64 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 66 65 65 6c "Why do you feel
1f660 20 74 68 61 74 20 77 61 79 3f 22 20 74 68 65 20 that way?" the
1f670 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 61 73 6b 65 prioritizer aske
1f680 64 2e 0a 0a 22 49 74 27 73 20 64 69 73 68 6f 6e d..."It's dishon
1f690 65 73 74 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a est," she said..
1f6a0 0a 22 59 6f 75 20 64 69 64 20 6e 6f 74 20 6c 69 ."You did not li
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1f6c0 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 44 69 64 20 79 6f 75 20 72 65 e.".."Did you re
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1f6e0 74 20 62 65 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 6d 6f 6e 65 79 20 t be more money
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1f730 22 4e 6f 2e 22 0a 0a 22 48 6f 77 20 69 73 20 74 "No.".."How is t
1f740 68 61 74 20 64 69 73 68 6f 6e 65 73 74 3f 22 0a hat dishonest?".
1f750 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 27 73 20 6c 69 70 73 20 74 69 .Alley's lips ti
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1f770 6d 65 6e 74 2e 20 20 22 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 ment. "I guess
1f780 64 69 73 68 6f 6e 65 73 74 20 69 73 6e 27 74 20 dishonest isn't
1f790 74 68 65 20 72 69 67 68 74 20 77 6f 72 64 2c 20 the right word,
1f7a0 62 75 74 20 49 27 6d 20 74 61 6b 69 6e 67 20 61 but I'm taking a
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1f810 62 65 69 6e 67 20 74 68 65 20 64 69 66 66 65 72 being the differ
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1f870 20 61 6c 6c 2e 22 0a 0a 22 44 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 all.".."Do you
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1f890 20 74 68 61 74 20 63 6f 6e 73 69 64 65 72 61 74 that considerat
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1f8b0 22 0a 0a 22 4e 6f 2c 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 ".."No, I guess
1f8c0 6e 6f 74 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 not," she said.
1f8d0 20 22 49 74 27 73 20 6e 6f 74 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 "It's not like
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1f900 2c 20 6f 72 20 65 76 65 6e 20 70 72 65 74 65 6e , or even preten
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1f980 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 6d 65 2c 20 68 65 20 64 69 ing to me, he di
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1f9a0 20 6f 75 74 20 6f 66 20 6d 65 20 61 20 6c 69 74 out of me a lit
1f9b0 74 6c 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 65 20 73 68 6f 75 6c tle.".."We shoul
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1f9e0 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 2e 20 20 49 20 68 61 76 65 20 , then. I have
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1fa10 69 66 20 79 6f 75 20 61 72 65 20 72 65 61 64 79 if you are ready
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1fa30 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a * * * * * * * *
1fa40 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a * * * * * * * *
1fa50 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a * * * * * * * *
1fa60 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a * * * * * * * *
1fa70 5c 0a 20 2a 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 \. *
1fa80 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
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1fab0 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 2a 0a 20 *.
1fac0 2a 20 20 49 64 65 61 73 3a 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 * Ideas:
1fad0 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
1fae0 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
1faf0 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
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25690 61 20 72 61 70 69 64 20 74 65 6d 70 6f 20 61 67 a rapid tempo ag
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256b0 20 74 6f 20 73 65 65 20 74 68 61 74 20 74 68 65 to see that the
256c0 20 6d 61 6e 20 73 74 6f 6f 64 20 6e 65 61 72 20 man stood near
256d0 68 65 72 20 68 6f 6c 64 69 6e 67 20 6f 75 74 20 her holding out
256e0 61 20 63 61 6e 20 6f 66 20 43 6f 6b 65 2e 20 20 a can of Coke.
256f0 22 48 65 72 65 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e "Here," he said.
25700 20 20 22 53 6f 72 72 79 2e 20 20 49 20 64 69 64 "Sorry. I did
25710 6e 27 74 20 6d 65 61 6e 20 74 6f 20 73 74 61 72 n't mean to star
25720 74 6c 65 20 79 6f 75 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 6e tle you."..She n
25730 6f 64 64 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 74 68 61 6e 6b 73 odded her thanks
25740 20 61 6e 64 20 74 6f 6f 6b 20 74 68 65 20 63 61 and took the ca
25750 6e 2e 20 20 41 73 20 68 65 20 63 61 72 72 69 65 n. As he carrie
25760 64 20 61 6e 6f 74 68 65 72 20 63 61 6e 20 77 69 d another can wi
25770 74 68 20 68 69 6d 2c 20 68 65 20 6d 6f 76 65 64 th him, he moved
25780 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 63 6f 75 63 68 20 61 6e to the couch an
25790 64 20 73 61 74 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 77 69 74 68 20 d sat down with
257a0 61 20 6e 65 61 72 6c 79 20 69 6e 61 75 64 69 62 a nearly inaudib
257b0 6c 65 20 67 72 75 6e 74 2e 20 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 le grunt. Alley
257c0 20 66 6f 6c 6c 6f 77 65 64 20 73 75 69 74 2c 20 followed suit,
257d0 61 6e 64 20 72 65 73 75 6d 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 and resumed her
257e0 70 6c 61 63 65 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 61 72 6d place on the arm
257f0 63 68 61 69 72 2e 0a 0a 22 4d 79 20 6e 61 6d 65 chair..."My name
25800 20 69 73 20 47 65 6f 72 67 65 2c 22 20 68 65 20 is George," he
25810 73 61 69 64 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 6f 70 65 6e 65 64 said, and opened
25820 20 68 69 73 20 63 61 6e 2e 0a 0a 22 49 27 6d 20 his can..."I'm
25830 41 6c 6c 65 79 2e 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 73 77 69 67 Alley."..He swig
25840 67 65 64 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 68 69 73 20 63 61 6e ged from his can
25850 2e 20 20 22 4e 69 63 65 20 74 6f 20 70 72 6f 70 . "Nice to prop
25860 65 72 6c 79 20 6d 65 65 74 20 79 6f 75 2e 22 0a erly meet you.".
25870 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 ."Yeah," she sai
25880 64 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 6f 70 65 6e 65 64 20 68 d. She opened h
25890 65 72 20 63 61 6e 20 61 6e 64 20 64 72 61 6e 6b er can and drank
258a0 2e 0a 0a 47 65 6f 72 67 65 20 70 75 6c 6c 65 64 ...George pulled
258b0 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 something from
258c0 61 20 70 6f 63 6b 65 74 20 61 6e 64 2c 20 77 69 a pocket and, wi
258d0 74 68 20 74 68 65 20 73 6f 75 6e 64 20 6f 66 20 th the sound of
258e0 61 20 6d 65 74 61 6c 6c 69 63 20 73 6e 61 70 2c a metallic snap,
258f0 20 61 20 6e 65 61 72 6c 79 20 66 6f 75 72 20 69 a nearly four i
25900 6e 63 68 20 62 6c 61 64 65 20 61 70 70 65 61 72 nch blade appear
25910 65 64 20 69 6e 20 68 69 73 20 68 61 6e 64 2e 20 ed in his hand.
25920 20 53 68 65 20 66 72 6f 7a 65 20 66 6f 72 20 61 She froze for a
25930 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 2c 20 62 75 74 20 68 65 20 moment, but he
25940 6f 6e 6c 79 20 6c 65 61 6e 65 64 20 66 6f 72 77 only leaned forw
25950 61 72 64 20 74 6f 20 63 75 74 20 74 68 65 20 74 ard to cut the t
25960 61 70 65 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 62 6f 78 2e 0a ape on the box..
25970 0a 22 55 68 20 2e 20 2e 20 2e 20 49 20 64 6f 6e ."Uh . . . I don
25980 27 74 20 6e 65 65 64 20 74 6f 20 73 65 65 20 77 't need to see w
25990 68 61 74 65 76 65 72 27 73 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 hatever's in the
259a0 72 65 2e 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 73 74 6f 70 70 65 64 re."..He stopped
259b0 20 6d 6f 76 69 6e 67 20 61 6e 64 20 6c 6f 6f 6b moving and look
259c0 65 64 20 61 74 20 68 65 72 2e 20 20 48 65 20 6c ed at her. He l
259d0 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 62 61 63 6b 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 ooked back down
259e0 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 62 6f 78 20 61 20 6d 6f 6d at the box a mom
259f0 65 6e 74 2c 20 68 69 73 20 62 72 6f 77 20 66 75 ent, his brow fu
25a00 72 72 6f 77 65 64 2e 20 20 41 66 74 65 72 20 61 rrowed. After a
25a10 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 20 6d 6f 72 65 2c 20 68 69 moment more, hi
25a20 73 20 62 72 6f 77 20 73 6d 6f 6f 74 68 65 64 2c s brow smoothed,
25a30 61 6e 64 20 68 65 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 64 2c 20 74 and he smiled, t
25a40 68 65 20 6c 69 6e 65 73 20 61 72 6f 75 6e 64 20 he lines around
25a50 68 69 73 20 6d 6f 75 74 68 20 61 6e 64 20 65 79 his mouth and ey
25a60 65 73 20 64 65 65 70 65 6e 69 6e 67 2e 20 20 22 es deepening. "
25a70 4f 68 2c 20 49 20 67 65 74 20 69 74 2e 20 20 48 Oh, I get it. H
25a80 61 68 21 20 20 4f 6c 27 20 44 61 76 65 20 6d 75 ah! Ol' Dave mu
25a90 73 74 27 76 65 20 6d 61 64 65 20 71 75 69 74 65 st've made quite
25aa0 20 61 6e 20 69 6d 70 72 65 73 73 69 6f 6e 20 6f an impression o
25ab0 6e 20 79 6f 75 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 6c n you."..Alley l
25ac0 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 77 61 79 2c 20 75 6e 73 75 ooked away, unsu
25ad0 72 65 20 77 68 65 74 68 65 72 20 74 6f 20 66 65 re whether to fe
25ae0 65 6c 20 65 6d 62 61 72 72 61 73 73 65 64 20 6f el embarrassed o
25af0 72 20 6a 75 73 74 20 73 63 61 72 65 64 20 6e 6f r just scared no
25b00 77 2e 0a 0a 22 4c 6f 6f 6b 2c 20 49 20 6b 6e 6f w..."Look, I kno
25b10 77 20 44 61 76 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 73 20 6c 69 6b w Dave looks lik
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25b30 6f 6b 73 20 6d 65 74 68 20 66 6f 72 20 61 20 6c oks meth for a l
25b40 69 76 69 6e 67 2c 20 62 75 74 20 68 65 20 6a 75 iving, but he ju
25b50 73 74 20 75 73 65 73 20 74 68 65 20 73 68 69 74 st uses the shit
25b60 2e 20 20 48 65 20 64 6f 65 73 6e 27 74 20 6d 61 . He doesn't ma
25b70 6b 65 20 69 74 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 68 65 27 73 20 ke it, and he's
25b80 61 62 6f 75 74 20 61 73 20 67 65 6e 74 6c 65 20 about as gentle
25b90 61 73 20 61 20 64 61 69 73 79 2e 20 20 54 68 69 as a daisy. Thi
25ba0 73 20 62 6f 78 20 69 73 20 6a 75 73 74 20 73 6f s box is just so
25bb0 6d 65 20 70 61 72 74 73 20 49 20 68 61 64 20 68 me parts I had h
25bc0 69 6d 20 6d 61 63 68 69 6e 65 20 66 6f 72 20 6d im machine for m
25bd0 65 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 e."..She looked
25be0 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 62 6f 78 20 61 6e 64 20 73 at the box and s
25bf0 68 69 66 74 65 64 20 75 6e 63 6f 6d 66 6f 72 74 hifted uncomfort
25c00 61 62 6c 79 20 6f 6e 20 68 65 72 20 63 68 61 69 ably on her chai
25c10 72 2e 0a 0a 22 41 68 2c 20 72 69 67 68 74 2c 22 r..."Ah, right,"
25c20 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 4e 6f 2c 20 he said. "No,
25c30 74 68 65 79 20 61 72 65 6e 27 74 20 67 75 6e 20 they aren't gun
25c40 70 61 72 74 73 2c 20 65 69 74 68 65 72 2e 20 20 parts, either.
25c50 54 68 65 79 27 72 65 20 70 61 72 74 73 20 66 6f They're parts fo
25c60 72 20 61 20 63 75 73 74 6f 6d 20 70 72 6f 73 74 r a custom prost
25c70 68 65 74 69 63 20 61 72 6d 20 49 27 6d 20 62 75 hetic arm I'm bu
25c80 69 6c 64 69 6e 67 20 66 6f 72 20 61 20 6c 69 74 ilding for a lit
25c90 74 6c 65 20 67 69 72 6c 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 tle girl."..Alle
25ca0 79 20 73 61 74 20 62 61 63 6b 20 69 6e 20 68 65 y sat back in he
25cb0 72 20 63 68 61 69 72 2c 20 72 65 6c 61 78 69 6e r chair, relaxin
25cc0 67 20 73 6c 69 67 68 74 6c 79 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 g slightly, and
25cd0 73 68 65 20 73 69 70 70 65 64 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 she sipped from
25ce0 68 65 72 20 63 61 6e 2e 20 20 41 66 74 65 72 20 her can. After
25cf0 73 77 61 6c 6c 6f 77 69 6e 67 2c 20 73 68 65 20 swallowing, she
25d00 73 61 69 64 20 22 52 65 61 6c 6c 79 3f 22 0a 0a said "Really?"..
25d10 22 59 65 61 68 2e 20 20 4f 6e 65 20 6f 66 20 74 "Yeah. One of t
25d20 68 65 20 67 75 79 73 20 67 65 74 74 69 6e 67 20 he guys getting
25d30 74 68 65 20 67 75 6e 73 20 49 20 70 75 74 20 74 the guns I put t
25d40 6f 67 65 74 68 65 72 20 77 69 74 68 20 74 68 65 ogether with the
25d50 20 66 72 61 6d 65 73 20 49 20 62 6f 75 67 68 74 frames I bought
25d60 20 68 61 73 20 74 68 69 73 20 63 75 74 65 20 6c has this cute l
25d70 69 74 74 6c 65 20 64 61 75 67 68 74 65 72 2c 20 ittle daughter,
25d80 6e 69 6e 65 20 79 65 61 72 73 20 6f 6c 64 2e 20 nine years old.
25d90 20 53 68 65 20 6c 6f 73 74 20 68 65 72 20 61 72 She lost her ar
25da0 6d 20 61 62 6f 76 65 20 74 68 65 20 65 6c 62 6f m above the elbo
25db0 77 20 64 75 72 69 6e 67 20 74 68 65 20 70 6f 6c w during the pol
25dc0 69 63 65 20 63 72 61 63 6b 64 6f 77 6e 20 6f 6e ice crackdown on
25dd0 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 6f 74 65 73 74 65 72 73 20 the protesters
25de0 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 5b 20 53 4f 4d 45 54 48 49 at the [ SOMETHI
25df0 4e 47 20 5d 20 73 74 72 65 65 74 20 6d 61 73 73 NG ] street mass
25e00 61 63 72 65 2e 20 20 53 68 65 27 73 20 6f 75 74 acre. She's out
25e10 67 72 6f 77 69 6e 67 20 74 68 65 20 61 72 6d 20 growing the arm
25e20 49 20 6d 61 64 65 20 66 6f 72 20 68 65 72 20 61 I made for her a
25e30 20 79 65 61 72 20 61 67 6f 2c 20 61 6c 72 65 61 year ago, alrea
25e40 64 79 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2e 20 20 52 69 67 68 dy.".."Oh. Righ
25e50 74 2e 20 20 54 68 65 72 65 27 73 20 73 6f 6d 65 t. There's some
25e60 74 68 69 6e 67 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 65 20 thing about the
25e70 67 75 6e 73 2e 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 guns."..He looke
25e80 64 20 61 74 20 68 65 72 2c 20 73 69 64 65 6c 6f d at her, sidelo
25e90 6e 67 2e 20 20 22 57 68 61 74 20 61 62 6f 75 74 ng. "What about
25ea0 20 74 68 65 6d 3f 22 20 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 them?" he asked
25eb0 2e 0a 0a 22 55 68 2c 20 61 66 74 65 72 20 49 20 ..."Uh, after I
25ec0 67 6f 74 20 68 6f 6d 65 2c 20 49 20 72 65 61 6c got home, I real
25ed0 69 7a 65 64 20 79 6f 75 20 67 61 76 65 20 6d 65 ized you gave me
25ee0 20 74 6f 6f 20 6d 75 63 68 20 6d 6f 6e 65 79 2e too much money.
25ef0 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 64 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 ".."What do you
25f00 6d 65 61 6e 3f 20 20 49 20 70 61 69 64 20 77 68 mean? I paid wh
25f10 61 74 20 77 65 20 61 67 72 65 65 64 2c 20 61 6e at we agreed, an
25f20 64 20 74 68 65 20 66 72 61 6d 65 73 20 77 65 72 d the frames wer
25f30 65 20 61 6c 6c 20 67 6f 6f 64 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 e all good."..Sh
25f40 65 20 73 68 6f 6f 6b 20 68 65 72 20 68 65 61 64 e shook her head
25f50 2e 20 20 22 54 68 65 72 65 20 77 65 72 65 20 74 . "There were t
25f60 77 6f 20 62 72 61 6e 64 20 6e 65 77 20 68 75 6e wo brand new hun
25f70 64 72 65 64 73 20 73 74 75 63 6b 20 74 6f 67 65 dreds stuck toge
25f80 74 68 65 72 2e 20 20 49 20 67 6f 74 20 61 6e 20 ther. I got an
25f90 65 78 74 72 61 20 68 75 6e 64 72 65 64 20 64 6f extra hundred do
25fa0 6c 6c 61 72 73 20 62 79 20 61 63 63 69 64 65 6e llars by acciden
25fb0 74 2e 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 73 74 61 72 65 64 20 61 t."..He stared a
25fc0 74 20 68 65 72 2e 0a 0a 22 49 2c 20 75 68 2c 20 t her..."I, uh,
25fd0 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 68 61 76 65 20 69 74 20 77 69 don't have it wi
25fe0 74 68 20 6d 65 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 th me," she said
25ff0 2e 20 20 22 4d 61 79 62 65 20 49 20 63 61 6e 20 . "Maybe I can
26000 63 6f 6d 65 20 62 61 63 6b 20 74 6f 6d 6f 72 72 come back tomorr
26010 6f 77 20 77 69 74 68 20 69 74 2e 22 0a 0a 47 65 ow with it."..Ge
26020 6f 72 67 65 20 6c 61 75 67 68 65 64 2e 20 20 49 orge laughed. I
26030 74 20 77 61 73 20 61 20 77 61 72 6d 2c 20 73 75 t was a warm, su
26040 72 70 72 69 73 65 64 2c 20 64 65 65 70 20 6c 61 rprised, deep la
26050 75 67 68 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 68 65 20 66 65 6c ugh, and she fel
26060 74 20 74 65 6e 73 69 6f 6e 20 64 72 61 69 6e 69 t tension draini
26070 6e 67 20 61 77 61 79 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2c 20 64 ng away again, d
26080 65 73 70 69 74 65 20 68 65 72 73 65 6c 66 2e 0a espite herself..
26090 0a 22 4e 6f 2c 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 64 6f 20 74 ."No, don't do t
260a0 68 61 74 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 61 hat," he said, a
260b0 20 68 69 6e 74 20 6f 66 20 63 68 75 63 6b 6c 65 hint of chuckle
260c0 20 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 69 6e 20 68 69 73 20 76 6f still in his vo
260d0 69 63 65 2e 20 20 22 59 27 6b 6e 6f 77 20 77 68 ice. "Y'know wh
260e0 61 74 3f 20 20 49 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 79 6f 75 2c at? I like you,
260f0 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 2e 20 20 49 20 65 76 65 6e 20 Alley. I even
26100 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 68 65 20 77 61 79 20 79 6f 75 like the way you
26110 72 20 6e 61 6d 65 20 64 65 73 63 72 69 62 65 73 r name describes
26120 20 77 68 65 72 65 20 77 65 20 66 69 72 73 74 20 where we first
26130 6d 65 74 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 6d 69 met."..Alley smi
26140 6c 65 64 2e 20 20 22 54 68 61 6e 6b 73 2e 20 20 led. "Thanks.
26150 57 68 61 74 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 79 6f 75 72 20 What about your
26160 68 75 6e 64 72 65 64 20 64 6f 6c 6c 61 72 73 2c hundred dollars,
26170 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 3f 22 0a 0a 22 4b 65 65 70 though?".."Keep
26180 20 69 74 2e 20 20 49 27 6c 6c 20 73 75 72 76 69 it. I'll survi
26190 76 65 20 77 69 74 68 6f 75 74 20 69 74 2c 20 61 ve without it, a
261a0 6e 64 20 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 74 68 69 6e 6b nd I don't think
261b0 20 79 6f 75 27 64 20 64 72 69 76 65 20 61 6c 6c you'd drive all
261c0 20 74 68 65 20 77 61 79 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 50 65 the way from Pe
261d0 72 72 69 73 20 74 6f 20 48 75 6e 74 69 6e 67 20 rris to Hunting
261e0 42 65 61 63 68 20 61 74 20 67 69 67 20 63 6f 75 Beach at gig cou
261f0 72 69 65 72 20 72 61 74 65 73 20 69 66 20 79 6f rier rates if yo
26200 75 72 20 66 69 6e 61 6e 63 65 73 20 77 65 72 65 ur finances were
26210 20 66 65 65 6c 69 6e 67 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 feeling really
26220 73 65 63 75 72 65 2e 22 20 20 48 65 20 77 69 6e secure." He win
26230 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 68 65 72 2e 20 20 22 59 6f ked at her. "Yo
26240 75 27 72 65 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 u're good people
26250 2c 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 2e 22 0a 0a 22 55 68 20 2e , Alley.".."Uh .
26260 20 2e 20 2e 20 74 68 61 6e 6b 20 79 6f 75 2e 20 . . thank you.
26270 20 4d 61 79 62 65 20 79 6f 75 20 61 72 65 2c 20 Maybe you are,
26280 74 6f 6f 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 6d 61 too.".."Yeah, ma
26290 79 62 65 2e 20 20 49 20 68 6f 70 65 20 73 6f 2e ybe. I hope so.
262a0 22 20 20 48 65 20 74 75 72 6e 65 64 20 62 61 63 " He turned bac
262b0 6b 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 62 6f 78 20 61 6e 64 k to the box and
262c0 20 66 69 6e 69 73 68 65 64 20 63 75 74 74 69 6e finished cuttin
262d0 67 20 74 68 65 20 74 61 70 65 20 61 74 20 74 68 g the tape at th
262e0 65 20 65 64 67 65 73 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 66 6c e edges, then fl
262f0 69 70 70 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 74 6f 70 20 66 6c ipped the top fl
26300 61 70 73 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 62 6f 78 20 6f aps of the box o
26310 75 74 2e 20 20 48 65 20 63 61 72 65 66 75 6c 6c ut. He carefull
26320 79 20 6c 69 66 74 65 64 20 74 61 70 65 64 20 74 y lifted taped t
26330 6f 67 65 74 68 65 72 20 62 75 6e 64 6c 65 73 20 ogether bundles
26340 6f 66 20 6d 65 74 61 6c 20 70 61 72 74 73 2c 20 of metal parts,
26350 6c 65 61 76 69 6e 67 20 70 61 63 6b 69 6e 67 20 leaving packing
26360 70 61 70 65 72 20 62 65 68 69 6e 64 2e 0a 0a 41 paper behind...A
26370 73 20 68 65 20 73 65 74 20 65 61 63 68 20 62 75 s he set each bu
26380 6e 64 6c 65 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 73 69 6c 69 ndle on the sili
26390 63 6f 6e 65 20 74 72 61 79 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 6c cone tray, and l
263a0 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 6f 76 65 72 20 65 76 65 72 79 ooked over every
263b0 74 68 69 6e 67 20 73 69 6c 65 6e 74 6c 79 2c 20 thing silently,
263c0 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 74 20 61 6e 64 20 73 69 Alley sat and si
263d0 70 70 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 43 6f 6b 65 2c 20 75 pped her Coke, u
263e0 6e 77 69 6c 6c 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 64 69 73 74 nwilling to dist
263f0 75 72 62 20 68 69 73 20 77 6f 72 6b 2e 20 20 48 urb his work. H
26400 69 73 20 68 61 6e 64 73 20 73 65 65 6d 65 64 20 is hands seemed
26410 70 72 65 63 69 73 65 6c 79 20 64 72 61 77 6e 20 precisely drawn
26420 74 6f 20 70 61 72 74 69 63 75 6c 61 72 20 73 70 to particular sp
26430 6f 74 73 20 6f 6e 20 76 61 72 69 6f 75 73 20 70 ots on various p
26440 61 72 74 73 2c 20 61 73 20 69 66 20 6d 75 73 63 arts, as if musc
26450 6c 65 20 6d 65 6d 6f 72 79 20 67 75 69 64 65 64 le memory guided
26460 20 68 69 6d 20 64 65 66 74 6c 79 20 77 68 65 72 him deftly wher
26470 65 20 74 68 65 79 20 6e 65 65 64 65 64 20 74 6f e they needed to
26480 20 67 6f 20 69 6e 20 61 20 70 65 72 66 6f 72 6d go in a perform
26490 61 6e 63 65 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 61 ance something a
264a0 6c 6d 6f 73 74 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 6d 65 64 69 74 lmost like medit
264b0 61 74 69 76 65 20 70 73 79 63 68 6f 6d 65 74 72 ative psychometr
264c0 79 2e 0a 0a 48 65 20 73 70 6c 69 74 20 61 20 63 y...He split a c
264d0 6f 75 70 6c 65 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 62 75 6e ouple of the bun
264e0 64 6c 65 73 20 6f 66 20 6c 61 72 67 65 72 20 70 dles of larger p
264f0 61 72 74 73 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 arts, and looked
26500 20 74 68 72 6f 75 67 68 20 74 68 65 6d 20 71 75 through them qu
26510 69 63 6b 6c 79 2e 20 20 48 65 20 73 65 74 20 74 ickly. He set t
26520 68 65 6d 20 61 73 69 64 65 2c 20 74 68 65 20 62 hem aside, the b
26530 75 6e 64 6c 65 73 20 73 6c 69 67 68 74 6c 79 20 undles slightly
26540 73 70 6c 61 79 65 64 20 6f 75 74 20 62 75 74 20 splayed out but
26550 74 68 65 20 70 61 72 74 73 20 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 the parts still
26560 61 64 68 65 72 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 adhering to the
26570 74 61 70 65 2e 20 20 46 69 6e 61 6c 6c 79 2c 20 tape. Finally,
26580 68 65 20 73 74 6f 70 70 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 49 27 he stopped..."I'
26590 76 65 20 6b 65 70 74 20 79 6f 75 20 6c 6f 6e 67 ve kept you long
265a0 20 65 6e 6f 75 67 68 2e 22 20 20 48 65 20 6c 69 enough." He li
265b0 66 74 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 74 72 61 79 20 61 6e fted the tray an
265c0 64 20 70 75 6c 6c 65 64 20 6f 75 74 20 61 6e 20 d pulled out an
265d0 65 6e 76 65 6c 6f 70 65 2e 20 20 22 48 65 72 65 envelope. "Here
265e0 2e 20 20 54 61 6b 65 20 74 68 69 73 20 62 61 63 . Take this bac
265f0 6b 20 74 6f 20 44 61 76 65 2c 20 66 6f 72 20 74 k to Dave, for t
26600 68 65 20 73 65 63 6f 6e 64 20 64 65 6c 69 76 65 he second delive
26610 72 79 2e 22 20 20 48 65 20 68 65 6c 64 20 69 74 ry." He held it
26620 20 6f 75 74 20 74 6f 20 68 65 72 2e 0a 0a 53 68 out to her...Sh
26630 65 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 2e 20 20 22 53 75 72 65 e nodded. "Sure
26640 2e 22 0a 0a 22 41 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 73 61 76 .".."Are you sav
26650 69 6e 67 20 75 70 20 66 6f 72 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 ing up for somet
26660 68 69 6e 67 2c 20 6f 72 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 62 hing, or going b
26670 61 63 6b 20 74 6f 20 73 63 68 6f 6f 6c 3f 22 0a ack to school?".
26680 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 68 65 73 69 74 61 74 65 64 .Alley hesitated
26690 20 61 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 2e 20 20 22 57 68 79 a moment. "Why
266a0 3f 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 73 68 72 75 67 67 65 64 2e ?"..He shrugged.
266b0 20 20 22 43 75 72 69 6f 75 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4e "Curious.".."N
266c0 6f 74 20 65 78 61 63 74 6c 79 2e 20 20 49 27 6d ot exactly. I'm
266d0 20 74 72 79 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 64 69 67 20 6d trying to dig m
266e0 79 73 65 6c 66 20 6f 75 74 20 6f 66 20 61 20 68 yself out of a h
266f0 6f 6c 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 44 65 62 74 73 3f 22 0a ole.".."Debts?".
26700 0a 53 68 65 20 73 68 6f 6f 6b 20 68 65 72 20 68 .She shook her h
26710 65 61 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 68 61 64 20 61 20 73 ead. "I had a s
26720 74 72 61 6e 67 65 20 63 61 72 65 65 72 20 70 61 trange career pa
26730 74 68 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 69 74 27 73 20 64 79 69 th, and it's dyi
26740 6e 67 2e 20 20 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 72 65 61 ng. I don't rea
26750 6c 6c 79 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 68 65 20 77 6f 72 lly have the wor
26760 6b 20 65 78 70 65 72 69 65 6e 63 65 20 74 6f 20 k experience to
26770 70 69 63 6b 20 61 20 6e 65 77 20 64 69 72 65 63 pick a new direc
26780 74 69 6f 6e 2c 20 73 6f 20 49 27 6d 20 6a 75 73 tion, so I'm jus
26790 74 20 77 6f 72 6b 69 6e 67 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 61 t working on tha
267a0 74 2e 22 0a 0a 22 41 68 2e 20 20 52 65 69 6e 76 t.".."Ah. Reinv
267b0 65 6e 74 69 6e 67 20 79 6f 75 72 73 65 6c 66 2e enting yourself.
267c0 20 20 54 68 65 20 77 6f 72 6c 64 20 63 68 61 6e The world chan
267d0 67 65 73 20 73 6f 20 66 61 73 74 20 69 74 27 73 ges so fast it's
267e0 20 68 61 72 64 20 74 6f 20 6b 65 65 70 20 75 70 hard to keep up
267f0 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 ."..Alley nodded
26800 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 73 74 6f 70 70 65 64 2c 20 , then stopped,
26810 61 6e 64 20 73 68 6f 6f 6b 20 68 65 72 20 68 65 and shook her he
26820 61 64 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2e 20 20 22 49 20 64 6f ad again. "I do
26830 6e 27 74 20 6b 6e 6f 77 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 n't know," she s
26840 61 79 73 2e 20 20 22 41 20 6c 6f 74 20 6f 66 20 ays. "A lot of
26850 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 73 65 65 6d 20 74 6f 20 68 people seem to h
26860 61 76 65 20 6e 6f 20 70 72 6f 62 6c 65 6d 2e 20 ave no problem.
26870 20 54 68 65 79 20 6a 75 73 74 20 67 6f 20 74 6f They just go to
26880 20 73 63 68 6f 6f 6c 2c 20 67 65 74 20 61 20 70 school, get a p
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268a0 70 70 6c 79 20 66 6f 72 20 61 20 6a 6f 62 2c 20 pply for a job,
268b0 61 6e 64 20 77 6f 72 6b 20 75 6e 74 69 6c 20 74 and work until t
268c0 68 65 79 20 72 65 74 69 72 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 hey retire.".."I
268d0 74 20 73 65 65 6d 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 77 61 79 t seems that way
268e0 2c 22 20 47 65 6f 72 67 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 ," George said,
268f0 22 62 75 74 20 6d 6f 73 74 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 "but most of the
26900 6d 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 64 m don't really d
26910 6f 20 74 68 61 74 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 o that.".."What
26920 64 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 6d 65 61 6e 3f 22 0a 0a 22 do you mean?".."
26930 4d 6f 72 65 20 61 6e 64 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 70 65 More and more pe
26940 6f 70 6c 65 20 61 72 65 6e 27 74 20 72 65 74 69 ople aren't reti
26950 72 69 6e 67 2c 20 6f 72 20 67 65 74 20 6c 61 69 ring, or get lai
26960 64 20 6f 66 66 20 61 6e 64 20 65 6e 64 20 75 70 d off and end up
26970 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 73 74 72 65 65 74 2e 20 on the street.
26980 20 4d 6f 73 74 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 6d 20 64 6f Most of them do
26990 6e 27 74 20 68 61 76 65 20 65 6e 6f 75 67 68 20 n't have enough
269a0 69 6d 61 67 69 6e 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 73 imagination thes
269b0 65 20 64 61 79 73 20 74 6f 20 65 76 65 6e 20 63 e days to even c
269c0 6f 6e 63 65 69 76 65 20 6f 66 20 63 6f 6d 70 6c onceive of compl
269d0 65 74 65 6c 79 20 72 65 69 6e 76 65 6e 74 69 6e etely reinventin
269e0 67 20 74 68 65 69 72 20 70 61 74 68 73 2e 20 20 g their paths.
269f0 59 6f 75 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 79 6f You look like yo
26a00 75 20 64 6f 2c 20 62 75 74 20 6d 61 79 62 65 20 u do, but maybe
26a10 79 6f 75 27 72 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 69 6e 67 20 69 you're looking i
26a20 6e 20 74 68 65 20 77 72 6f 6e 67 20 64 69 72 65 n the wrong dire
26a30 63 74 69 6f 6e 2e 22 20 20 48 65 20 6c 65 61 6e ction." He lean
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26a60 68 69 73 20 66 6f 72 65 61 72 6d 73 20 6f 6e 20 his forearms on
26a70 68 69 73 20 74 68 69 67 68 73 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 his thighs, and
26a80 77 72 6f 6e 67 20 68 69 73 20 68 61 6e 64 73 20 wrong his hands
26a90 6c 69 6b 65 20 68 65 20 6d 65 61 6e 74 20 74 6f like he meant to
26aa0 20 6d 61 73 73 61 67 65 20 63 72 61 6d 70 73 20 massage cramps
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26ac0 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 74 6f 77 61 72 64 20 61 looked toward a
26ad0 20 62 6f 6f 6b 73 68 65 6c 66 20 61 73 20 68 65 bookshelf as he
26ae0 20 73 70 6f 6b 65 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2e 20 20 22 spoke again. "
26af0 49 74 27 73 20 65 61 73 79 20 74 6f 20 73 65 65 It's easy to see
26b00 20 77 68 61 74 20 6f 74 68 65 72 20 70 65 6f 70 what other peop
26b10 6c 65 20 61 72 65 20 64 6f 69 6e 67 20 61 6e 64 le are doing and
26b20 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 74 68 61 74 20 74 68 65 79 think that they
26b30 20 68 61 76 65 20 69 74 20 74 6f 67 65 74 68 65 have it togethe
26b40 72 2c 20 74 68 61 74 20 74 68 65 79 20 68 61 76 r, that they hav
26b50 65 20 61 20 70 61 74 68 20 61 6e 64 20 73 65 63 e a path and sec
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26b70 65 73 73 2e 20 20 4d 6f 73 74 20 70 65 6f 70 6c ess. Most peopl
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26b90 68 65 72 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 68 6f 77 20 77 65 her about how we
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26bb0 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 61 6c 6d 6f 73 74 20 65 76 65 , and almost eve
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26bd0 20 74 68 65 6d 2c 20 64 65 65 70 20 64 6f 77 6e them, deep down
26be0 20 69 6e 73 69 64 65 2c 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 73 20 inside, thinks
26bf0 27 49 20 6d 75 73 74 20 62 65 20 74 68 65 20 6f 'I must be the o
26c00 6e 6c 79 20 70 65 72 73 6f 6e 20 77 68 6f 20 63 nly person who c
26c10 61 6e 27 74 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 66 69 67 75 an't really figu
26c20 72 65 20 69 74 20 6f 75 74 2e 27 20 20 54 68 65 re it out.' The
26c30 79 27 72 65 20 61 6c 6c 20 75 70 20 74 6f 20 74 y're all up to t
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26c50 20 64 65 62 74 2c 20 6c 69 76 69 6e 67 20 70 61 debt, living pa
26c60 79 63 68 65 63 6b 20 74 6f 20 70 61 79 63 68 65 ycheck to payche
26c70 63 6b 2e 0a 0a 22 54 68 65 72 65 20 61 72 65 20 ck..."There are
26c80 61 20 66 65 77 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 77 68 6f a few people who
26c90 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 68 69 6e 67 73 20 73 6f 72 have things sor
26ca0 74 65 64 20 6f 75 74 20 70 72 65 74 74 79 20 77 ted out pretty w
26cb0 65 6c 6c 2c 20 70 72 75 64 65 6e 74 20 70 65 6f ell, prudent peo
26cc0 70 6c 65 20 77 68 6f 20 70 6c 61 79 65 64 20 69 ple who played i
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26ce0 68 65 20 74 69 6d 65 20 62 75 74 20 74 6f 6f 6b he time but took
26cf0 20 61 64 76 61 6e 74 61 67 65 20 6f 66 20 6f 70 advantage of op
26d00 70 6f 72 74 75 6e 69 74 69 65 73 20 77 68 65 6e portunities when
26d10 20 74 68 65 79 20 63 61 6d 65 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 they came, and
26d20 77 65 72 65 20 6c 75 63 6b 79 20 65 6e 6f 75 67 were lucky enoug
26d30 68 20 74 6f 20 67 65 74 20 61 68 65 61 64 20 74 h to get ahead t
26d40 68 61 74 20 77 61 79 2e 20 20 4d 61 6e 79 20 6f hat way. Many o
26d50 66 20 74 68 65 6d 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 65 76 65 f them don't eve
26d60 6e 20 72 65 61 6c 69 7a 65 20 74 68 65 79 27 72 n realize they'r
26d70 65 20 69 6e 73 65 63 75 72 65 20 61 6e 64 20 63 e insecure and c
26d80 6f 6e 66 75 73 65 64 20 61 6c 6c 20 74 68 65 20 onfused all the
26d90 74 69 6d 65 2c 20 62 65 63 61 75 73 65 20 74 68 time, because th
26da0 65 79 20 67 6f 74 20 73 6f 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 61 ey got so good a
26db0 74 20 6c 79 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 70 65 6f 70 6c t lying to peopl
26dc0 65 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 69 74 20 74 68 61 74 20 e about it that
26dd0 74 68 65 79 27 76 65 20 65 76 65 6e 20 63 6f 6e they've even con
26de0 76 69 6e 63 65 64 20 74 68 65 6d 73 65 6c 76 65 vinced themselve
26df0 73 2e 0a 0a 22 54 68 65 72 65 20 61 72 65 20 6f s..."There are o
26e00 74 68 65 72 73 20 77 68 6f 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 thers who really
26e10 20 64 6f 20 62 65 6c 69 65 76 65 20 74 68 65 79 do believe they
26e20 20 68 61 76 65 20 65 76 65 72 79 74 68 69 6e 67 have everything
26e30 20 66 69 67 75 72 65 64 20 6f 75 74 2c 20 61 6e figured out, an
26e40 64 20 69 6e 20 61 20 77 61 79 20 74 68 65 79 27 d in a way they'
26e50 72 65 20 65 76 65 6e 20 72 69 67 68 74 20 61 62 re even right ab
26e60 6f 75 74 20 74 68 61 74 2c 20 62 75 74 20 6e 6f out that, but no
26e70 74 20 69 6e 20 61 20 77 61 79 20 61 6e 79 6f 6e t in a way anyon
26e80 65 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 68 e should have th
26e90 69 6e 67 73 20 66 69 67 75 72 65 64 20 6f 75 74 ings figured out
26ea0 2e 20 20 54 68 65 79 20 6c 69 65 20 61 6e 64 20 . They lie and
26eb0 63 68 65 61 74 20 61 6e 64 20 73 74 65 61 6c 2c cheat and steal,
26ec0 20 6d 61 79 62 65 20 65 76 65 6e 20 6b 69 6c 6c maybe even kill
26ed0 20 77 69 74 68 20 74 68 65 20 73 74 72 6f 6b 65 with the stroke
26ee0 20 6f 66 20 61 20 70 65 6e 20 6f 72 20 61 6e 20 of a pen or an
26ef0 45 6e 74 65 72 20 6b 65 79 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 6d Enter key, and m
26f00 61 6b 65 20 69 74 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 74 6f ake it to the to
26f10 70 20 6f 76 65 72 20 6d 6f 75 6e 64 73 20 6f 66 p over mounds of
26f20 20 62 6f 64 69 65 73 2c 20 6d 65 74 61 70 68 6f bodies, metapho
26f30 72 69 63 61 6c 20 61 20 6c 6f 74 20 6f 66 20 74 rical a lot of t
26f40 68 65 20 74 69 6d 65 2c 20 62 75 74 20 6c 69 74 he time, but lit
26f50 65 72 61 6c 20 62 6f 64 69 65 73 20 73 6f 6d 65 eral bodies some
26f60 74 69 6d 65 73 2e 0a 0a 22 4d 79 20 61 64 76 69 times..."My advi
26f70 63 65 20 69 73 3a 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 62 65 20 ce is: don't be
26f80 6c 69 6b 65 20 61 6e 79 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 6d like any of them
26f90 2e 22 20 20 48 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 ." He looked at
26fa0 20 68 65 72 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2c 20 63 61 75 67 her again, caug
26fb0 68 74 20 68 65 72 20 67 61 7a 65 2c 20 61 6e 64 ht her gaze, and
26fc0 20 73 68 65 20 66 65 6c 74 20 61 6e 20 61 6c 6d she felt an alm
26fd0 6f 73 74 20 70 68 79 73 69 63 61 6c 20 66 6f 72 ost physical for
26fe0 63 65 20 68 6f 6c 64 69 6e 67 20 69 74 2e 20 20 ce holding it.
26ff0 22 54 68 65 72 65 27 73 20 61 6c 77 61 79 73 20 "There's always
27000 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 77 65 20 6f 76 65 something we ove
27010 72 6c 6f 6f 6b 2c 20 62 65 63 61 75 73 65 20 74 rlook, because t
27020 68 65 72 65 27 73 20 61 6c 77 61 79 73 20 74 6f here's always to
27030 6f 20 6d 75 63 68 20 74 6f 20 73 65 65 20 74 6f o much to see to
27040 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 69 6d 65 20 74 6f 20 73 65 have time to se
27050 65 20 69 74 20 61 6c 6c 2e 20 20 44 6f 6e 27 74 e it all. Don't
27060 20 6a 75 73 74 20 63 6c 6f 73 65 20 79 6f 75 72 just close your
27070 20 65 79 65 73 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2e 20 20 eyes, though.
27080 4b 65 65 70 20 74 68 65 6d 20 6f 70 65 6e 2c 20 Keep them open,
27090 61 6e 64 20 73 65 69 7a 65 20 77 68 61 74 20 79 and seize what y
270a0 6f 75 20 66 69 6e 64 20 61 73 20 61 20 70 61 74 ou find as a pat
270b0 68 20 74 68 61 74 20 66 65 65 6c 73 20 72 69 67 h that feels rig
270c0 68 74 2e 20 20 59 6f 75 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 68 ht. You don't h
270d0 61 76 65 20 74 69 6d 65 20 66 6f 72 20 65 76 65 ave time for eve
270e0 72 79 74 68 69 6e 67 2c 20 62 75 74 20 79 6f 75 rything, but you
270f0 20 64 65 66 69 6e 69 74 65 6c 79 20 68 61 76 65 definitely have
27100 20 74 69 6d 65 20 66 6f 72 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 time for someth
27110 69 6e 67 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 79 6f 75 20 73 68 6f ing, and you sho
27120 75 6c 64 20 73 70 65 6e 64 20 69 74 20 6f 6e 20 uld spend it on
27130 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 67 6f 6f 64 2e 22 something good."
27140 0a 0a 48 65 20 73 61 74 20 62 61 63 6b 20 61 67 ..He sat back ag
27150 61 69 6e 2c 20 72 65 73 74 69 6e 67 20 68 69 73 ain, resting his
27160 20 6f 70 65 6e 20 68 61 6e 64 73 20 6f 6e 20 74 open hands on t
27170 68 65 20 74 6f 70 73 20 6f 66 20 68 69 73 20 74 he tops of his t
27180 68 69 67 68 73 2e 0a 0a 22 4c 6f 6f 6b 20 61 74 highs..."Look at
27190 20 6d 65 2c 20 67 65 74 74 69 6e 67 20 61 6c 6c me, getting all
271a0 20 70 68 69 6c 6f 73 6f 70 68 69 63 61 6c 20 77 philosophical w
271b0 69 74 68 20 79 6f 75 2e 20 20 49 66 20 77 68 61 ith you. If wha
271c0 74 20 49 27 6d 20 73 61 79 69 6e 67 20 64 6f 65 t I'm saying doe
271d0 73 6e 27 74 20 6d 61 6b 65 20 61 6e 79 20 73 65 sn't make any se
271e0 6e 73 65 2c 20 6a 75 73 74 20 69 67 6e 6f 72 65 nse, just ignore
271f0 20 6d 65 2e 20 20 49 27 6d 20 61 6e 20 6f 6c 64 me. I'm an old
27200 20 6d 61 6e 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 49 27 76 65 20 73 man, and I've s
27210 65 65 6e 20 61 20 6c 6f 74 2c 20 62 75 74 20 49 een a lot, but I
27220 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 65 76 65 6e 20 75 6e 64 65 don't even unde
27230 72 73 74 61 6e 64 20 6d 6f 73 74 20 6f 66 20 77 rstand most of w
27240 68 61 74 20 49 20 73 61 77 20 6d 79 73 65 6c 66 hat I saw myself
27250 2e 20 20 49 20 66 65 65 6c 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 49 . I feel like I
27260 20 75 6e 64 65 72 73 74 61 6e 64 20 6c 65 73 73 understand less
27270 2c 20 74 68 65 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 49 20 73 65 65 , the more I see
27280 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 71 75 69 72 6b 65 64 20 ."..She quirked
27290 6f 6e 65 20 63 6f 72 6e 65 72 20 6f 66 20 68 65 one corner of he
272a0 72 20 6c 69 70 73 2e 20 20 22 59 6f 75 20 67 69 r lips. "You gi
272b0 76 65 20 62 65 74 74 65 72 20 61 64 76 69 63 65 ve better advice
272c0 20 74 68 61 6e 20 4f 62 69 20 57 61 6e 2e 22 0a than Obi Wan.".
272d0 0a 47 65 6f 72 67 65 20 63 68 75 63 6b 6c 65 64 .George chuckled
272e0 2e 20 20 22 49 20 68 6f 70 65 20 73 6f 2e 20 20 . "I hope so.
272f0 48 65 27 73 20 6a 75 73 74 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 63 He's just some c
27300 68 61 72 61 63 74 65 72 20 6f 6e 20 70 61 70 65 haracter on pape
27310 72 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 61 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 61 63 r, and a good ac
27320 74 6f 72 2e 20 20 41 6e 79 77 61 79 2c 20 49 20 tor. Anyway, I
27330 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 6b 6e 6f don't really kno
27340 77 20 79 6f 75 2c 20 73 6f 20 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 w you, so I don'
27350 74 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 69 66 t really know if
27360 20 49 20 65 76 65 6e 20 68 61 76 65 20 61 6e 79 I even have any
27370 20 69 64 65 61 20 77 68 61 74 20 79 6f 75 27 72 idea what you'r
27380 65 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 68 72 6f 75 67 68 20 e going through
27390 6f 72 20 77 68 61 74 20 79 6f 75 20 6e 65 65 64 or what you need
273a0 2e 20 20 44 6f 6e 27 74 20 66 65 65 6c 20 6c 69 . Don't feel li
273b0 6b 65 20 79 6f 75 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 6f 20 68 ke you have to h
273c0 75 6d 6f 72 20 6d 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4d 61 79 62 umor me.".."Mayb
273d0 65 20 49 20 73 74 61 72 74 65 64 20 6f 75 74 20 e I started out
273e0 74 68 69 6e 6b 69 6e 67 20 49 20 73 68 6f 75 6c thinking I shoul
273f0 64 20 68 75 6d 6f 72 20 79 6f 75 2c 20 62 75 74 d humor you, but
27400 20 6e 6f 77 20 49 20 6a 75 73 74 20 77 61 6e 74 now I just want
27410 20 74 6f 20 74 61 6c 6b 20 74 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 to talk to you
27420 73 6f 6d 65 20 6d 6f 72 65 2e 22 20 20 53 68 65 some more." She
27430 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 61 20 74 69 63 looked at a tic
27440 6b 69 6e 67 20 63 6c 6f 63 6b 20 6f 6e 20 61 6e king clock on an
27450 20 65 6e 64 20 74 61 62 6c 65 2e 20 20 22 4d 61 end table. "Ma
27460 79 62 65 20 6e 6f 74 20 6e 6f 77 2c 20 74 68 6f ybe not now, tho
27470 75 67 68 2e 20 20 49 74 27 73 20 67 65 74 74 69 ugh. It's getti
27480 6e 67 20 6c 61 74 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 ng late.".."Yeah
27490 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 22 67 6f 20 ," he said, "go
274a0 64 72 6f 70 20 6f 66 66 20 74 68 61 74 20 65 6e drop off that en
274b0 76 65 6c 6f 70 65 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 67 65 74 velope, then get
274c0 20 68 6f 6d 65 20 61 6e 64 20 73 6c 65 65 70 2e home and sleep.
274d0 20 20 4e 65 76 65 72 20 75 6e 64 65 72 65 73 74 Never underest
274e0 69 6d 61 74 65 20 74 68 65 20 69 6d 70 6f 72 74 imate the import
274f0 61 6e 63 65 20 6f 66 20 61 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 6e ance of a good n
27500 69 67 68 74 27 73 20 72 65 73 74 2e 20 20 54 68 ight's rest. Th
27510 61 74 27 73 20 6f 6e 65 20 70 69 65 63 65 20 6f at's one piece o
27520 66 20 61 64 76 69 63 65 20 49 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 f advice I know
27530 69 73 20 67 6f 6f 64 2c 20 66 6f 72 20 61 6e 79 is good, for any
27540 6f 6e 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 6e 6b 73 2e 22 one.".."Thanks."
27550 0a 0a 48 65 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 2c 20 74 68 65 ..He nodded, the
27560 6e 20 72 6f 73 65 20 61 6e 64 20 68 65 61 64 65 n rose and heade
27570 64 20 66 6f 72 20 74 68 65 20 64 6f 6f 72 2e 20 d for the door.
27580 20 48 65 20 75 6e 6c 6f 63 6b 65 64 20 69 74 20 He unlocked it
27590 61 73 20 73 68 65 20 61 70 70 72 6f 61 63 68 65 as she approache
275a0 64 20 61 6e 64 20 6f 70 65 6e 65 64 20 74 68 65 d and opened the
275b0 20 64 6f 6f 72 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 73 74 65 70 door, then step
275c0 70 65 64 20 6f 75 74 73 69 64 65 20 61 68 65 61 ped outside ahea
275d0 64 20 6f 66 20 68 65 72 20 61 6e 64 20 6c 6f 6f d of her and loo
275e0 6b 65 64 20 61 72 6f 75 6e 64 2e 20 20 48 65 20 ked around. He
275f0 74 75 72 6e 65 64 20 74 6f 20 68 65 72 20 61 73 turned to her as
27600 20 73 68 65 20 66 6f 6c 6c 6f 77 65 64 20 68 69 she followed hi
27610 6d 20 6f 75 74 2e 20 20 22 42 65 20 63 61 72 65 m out. "Be care
27620 66 75 6c 20 6f 75 74 20 74 68 65 72 65 2e 20 20 ful out there.
27630 54 68 65 20 77 6f 72 6c 64 27 73 20 61 20 73 75 The world's a su
27640 72 70 72 69 73 69 6e 67 20 70 6c 61 63 65 2e 22 rprising place."
27650 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 66 20 79 .."Yeah.".."If y
27660 6f 75 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 74 72 79 20 79 ou want to try y
27670 6f 75 72 20 68 61 6e 64 20 61 74 20 73 6f 6d 65 our hand at some
27680 74 68 69 6e 67 20 77 61 79 20 6f 75 74 73 69 64 thing way outsid
27690 65 20 6f 66 20 27 6e 6f 72 6d 61 6c 27 20 61 73 e of 'normal' as
276a0 20 61 20 6e 65 77 20 70 61 74 68 20 69 6e 20 6c a new path in l
276b0 69 66 65 2c 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 20 6d 65 20 75 70 2e ife, look me up.
276c0 20 20 49 20 6d 69 67 68 74 20 68 61 76 65 20 61 I might have a
276d0 20 66 65 77 20 69 64 65 61 73 2e 20 20 4f 74 68 few ideas. Oth
276e0 65 72 77 69 73 65 2c 20 49 20 77 69 73 68 20 79 erwise, I wish y
276f0 6f 75 20 74 68 65 20 62 65 73 74 20 61 74 20 77 ou the best at w
27700 68 61 74 65 76 65 72 20 79 6f 75 20 66 69 6e 64 hatever you find
27710 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 6e 6b 73 2c 22 20 73 68 .".."Thanks," sh
27720 65 20 73 61 69 64 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2e 20 20 22 e said again. "
27730 48 6f 77 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 49 20 67 65 74 How should I get
27740 20 69 6e 20 74 6f 75 63 68 3f 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 in touch?"..He
27750 73 63 6f 66 66 65 64 20 61 74 20 68 69 6d 73 65 scoffed at himse
27760 6c 66 2e 20 20 22 52 69 67 68 74 20 2d 2d 20 66 lf. "Right -- f
27770 6f 72 67 6f 74 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 61 74 orgot about that
27780 20 70 61 72 74 2e 22 20 20 48 65 20 70 75 6c 6c part." He pull
27790 65 64 20 6f 75 74 20 68 69 73 20 77 61 6c 6c 65 ed out his walle
277a0 74 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 6c 69 70 70 65 64 20 6f t, and slipped o
277b0 75 74 20 61 20 62 75 73 69 6e 65 73 73 20 63 61 ut a business ca
277c0 72 64 2c 20 6e 6f 20 6c 6f 6e 67 65 72 20 63 72 rd, no longer cr
277d0 69 73 70 20 61 6e 64 20 6e 65 77 2e 20 20 22 48 isp and new. "H
277e0 65 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 67 6f 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 ere you go."..Sh
277f0 65 20 74 6f 6f 6b 20 69 74 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 e took it, and s
27800 61 77 20 74 68 61 74 20 69 74 20 63 6f 6e 74 61 aw that it conta
27810 69 6e 65 64 20 6e 6f 74 68 69 6e 67 20 62 75 74 ined nothing but
27820 20 61 6e 20 65 6d 61 69 6c 20 61 64 64 72 65 73 an email addres
27830 73 20 61 6e 64 20 61 20 73 65 72 69 65 73 20 6f s and a series o
27840 66 20 6c 65 74 74 65 72 73 20 61 6e 64 20 6e 75 f letters and nu
27850 6d 62 65 72 73 2e 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 74 27 73 20 mbers..."That's
27860 6d 79 20 70 75 62 6c 69 63 20 65 6e 63 72 79 70 my public encryp
27870 74 69 6f 6e 20 6b 65 79 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 tion key," he sa
27880 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 66 20 79 6f 75 20 64 6f 6e id. "If you don
27890 27 74 20 65 6e 63 72 79 70 74 20 74 68 65 20 6d 't encrypt the m
278a0 65 73 73 61 67 65 2c 20 69 74 20 67 6f 65 73 20 essage, it goes
278b0 73 74 72 61 69 67 68 74 20 74 6f 20 73 70 61 6d straight to spam
278c0 2e 20 20 44 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 68 . Do you know h
278d0 6f 77 20 74 6f 20 75 73 65 20 65 6e 63 72 79 70 ow to use encryp
278e0 74 65 64 20 65 6d 61 69 6c 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 ted email like t
278f0 68 61 74 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 75 73 65 20 70 75 hat?".."I use pu
27900 62 6b 65 79 20 65 6e 63 72 79 70 74 69 6f 6e 20 bkey encryption
27910 66 6f 72 20 63 6c 69 65 6e 74 73 20 73 6f 6d 65 for clients some
27920 74 69 6d 65 73 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 times," she said
27930 2e 0a 0a 22 47 6f 6f 64 20 67 69 72 6c 2e 20 20 ..."Good girl.
27940 59 6f 75 27 72 65 20 61 6c 72 65 61 64 79 20 77 You're already w
27950 61 79 20 61 68 65 61 64 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 ay ahead of the
27960 70 61 63 6b 2e 20 20 47 6f 6f 64 20 6e 69 67 68 pack. Good nigh
27970 74 2c 20 6e 6f 77 2e 22 0a 0a 22 47 6f 6f 64 20 t, now.".."Good
27980 6e 69 67 68 74 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 night," she said
27990 20 77 69 74 68 20 61 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 2c 20 61 with a smile, a
279a0 6e 64 20 68 65 61 64 65 64 20 74 6f 20 68 65 72 nd headed to her
279b0 20 63 61 72 2e 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 67 6c 61 6e 63 car...She glanc
279c0 65 64 20 62 61 63 6b 20 61 20 63 6f 75 70 6c 65 ed back a couple
279d0 20 74 69 6d 65 73 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 61 77 20 times, and saw
279e0 68 69 6d 20 6b 65 65 70 69 6e 67 20 77 61 74 63 him keeping watc
279f0 68 2e 20 20 48 65 20 6f 6e 6c 79 20 73 74 65 70 h. He only step
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27cc0 73 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 61 69 she asked the ai
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27e80 61 6e 64 20 61 20 77 6f 6d 61 6e 2c 20 73 74 6f and a woman, sto
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27ea0 20 20 54 68 65 79 20 62 6f 74 68 20 77 6f 72 65 They both wore
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27ef0 70 6f 6c 69 73 68 65 64 20 73 68 6f 65 73 2c 20 polished shoes,
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27f10 0a 22 4a 65 73 75 73 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 6d 75 ."Jesus," she mu
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27f30 66 2c 20 22 49 27 6d 20 67 65 74 74 69 6e 67 20 f, "I'm getting
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27f60 20 41 73 20 74 68 65 20 6d 61 6e 20 72 61 6e 67 As the man rang
27f70 20 74 68 65 20 64 6f 6f 72 62 65 6c 6c 20 61 20 the doorbell a
27f80 66 6f 75 72 74 68 20 74 69 6d 65 2c 20 73 68 65 fourth time, she
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27fc0 66 69 74 20 74 68 65 20 4d 65 6e 20 49 6e 20 42 fit the Men In B
27fd0 6c 61 63 6b 20 69 6d 61 67 65 20 77 65 72 65 20 lack image were
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27ff0 69 72 20 68 61 69 72 20 2d 2d 20 68 65 72 73 20 ir hair -- hers
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28010 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 74 65 6d 70 6c 65 73 20 2d at the temples -
28020 2d 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 65 20 66 61 63 74 20 74 - and the fact t
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28060 75 6e 64 79 20 69 6e 73 74 65 61 64 20 6f 66 20 undy instead of
28070 62 65 69 6e 67 20 70 75 72 65 20 77 68 69 74 65 being pure white
28080 2e 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 6d 61 6e 27 73 20 68 61 6e ...The man's han
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280e0 69 74 20 6f 70 65 6e 20 61 6e 64 20 6c 65 66 74 it open and left
280f0 20 68 69 6d 20 73 74 61 6e 64 69 6e 67 20 74 68 him standing th
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28110 64 20 68 61 6e 67 69 6e 67 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 d hanging in the
28120 20 61 69 72 20 66 6f 72 20 61 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e air for a momen
28130 74 2e 0a 0a 54 68 65 79 20 61 6c 6c 20 73 74 61 t...They all sta
28140 72 65 64 20 61 74 20 65 61 63 68 20 6f 74 68 65 red at each othe
28150 72 2e 0a 0a 22 43 61 6e 20 49 20 68 65 6c 70 20 r..."Can I help
28160 79 6f 75 3f 22 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 61 73 6b 65 you?" Alley aske
28170 64 2c 20 68 65 72 20 76 6f 69 63 65 20 74 69 72 d, her voice tir
28180 65 64 2c 20 62 75 74 20 73 68 61 72 70 2e 0a 0a ed, but sharp...
28190 54 68 65 20 77 6f 6d 61 6e 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 The woman said "
281a0 59 6f 75 20 68 61 76 65 20 61 20 6c 69 74 74 6c You have a littl
281b0 65 20 68 6f 6c 65 20 69 6e 20 79 6f 75 72 20 73 e hole in your s
281c0 68 69 72 74 2c 20 74 68 65 72 65 2e 22 0a 0a 41 hirt, there."..A
281d0 6c 6c 65 79 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 77 68 65 72 lley looked wher
281e0 65 20 74 68 65 20 77 6f 6d 61 6e 20 70 6f 69 6e e the woman poin
281f0 74 65 64 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 61 77 20 61 20 68 ted, and saw a h
28200 6f 6c 65 20 69 6e 20 68 65 72 20 49 6e 66 6f 72 ole in her Infor
28210 6d 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 53 6f 63 69 65 74 79 20 73 mation Society s
28220 68 69 72 74 20 6f 76 65 72 20 74 68 65 20 72 69 hirt over the ri
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28240 61 62 64 6f 6d 65 6e 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 68 6f abdomen. The ho
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28260 65 20 73 69 6e 63 65 20 62 65 66 6f 72 65 20 68 e since before h
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28280 72 20 74 68 69 73 20 73 68 69 72 74 20 61 73 20 r this shirt as
28290 61 20 6b 69 64 2e 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b a kid...She look
282a0 65 64 20 62 61 63 6b 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 77 ed back at the w
282b0 6f 6d 61 6e 2e 20 20 22 59 65 61 68 2c 22 20 73 oman. "Yeah," s
282c0 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 73 6c 65 he said. "I sle
282d0 65 70 20 69 6e 20 74 68 69 73 20 74 68 69 6e 67 ep in this thing
282e0 2e 20 20 53 74 72 61 6e 67 65 72 73 20 64 6f 6e . Strangers don
282f0 27 74 20 75 73 75 61 6c 6c 79 20 67 65 74 20 74 't usually get t
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28390 70 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 62 65 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 ping to be more
283a0 69 6e 74 69 6d 69 64 61 74 69 6e 67 2c 20 61 6e intimidating, an
283b0 64 20 6d 61 79 62 65 20 68 65 20 66 61 69 6c 65 d maybe he faile
283c0 64 20 62 65 63 61 75 73 65 20 68 65 20 77 61 73 d because he was
283d0 20 64 69 73 74 72 61 63 74 65 64 20 62 79 20 74 distracted by t
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28440 2c 20 74 68 69 73 20 74 69 6d 65 2e 20 20 22 41 , this time. "A
28450 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 41 6c 65 74 68 65 61 20 4c re you Alethea L
28460 75 63 61 73 3f 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 6f 20 77 61 6e ucas?".."Who wan
28470 74 73 20 74 6f 20 6b 6e 6f 77 3f 22 0a 0a 54 68 ts to know?"..Th
28480 65 20 77 6f 6d 61 6e 20 70 72 6f 64 75 63 65 64 e woman produced
28490 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 6b 69 6e 64 20 6f 66 20 6f 66 some kind of of
284a0 66 69 63 69 61 6c 20 67 6f 76 65 72 6e 6d 65 6e ficial governmen
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284c0 66 69 63 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 63 61 72 64 20 61 73 fication card as
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284f0 79 20 66 6f 72 20 61 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 20 6a y for a moment j
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28520 67 72 61 62 62 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 65 64 67 65 grabbed the edge
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28560 62 61 63 6b 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 68 65 6c 64 20 69 back, and held i
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28590 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 77 6f 6d 61 look. The woma
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285b0 20 65 79 65 73 20 77 69 64 65 6e 65 64 2e 0a 0a eyes widened...
285c0 22 57 68 61 74 27 73 20 74 68 69 73 3f 20 20 49 "What's this? I
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285e0 65 20 6b 69 6e 64 20 6f 66 20 63 6f 6e 74 72 61 e kind of contra
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28620 74 6f 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 68 65 to look like the
28630 20 46 42 49 3f 20 20 49 66 20 74 68 69 73 20 69 FBI? If this i
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28670 20 74 61 6c 6b 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 talking to the
28680 77 72 6f 6e 67 20 70 65 72 73 6f 6e 2e 20 20 49 wrong person. I
28690 20 72 65 6e 74 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4e 6f 2c 22 20 74 rent.".."No," t
286a0 68 65 20 6d 61 69 6e 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 22 69 he main said, "i
286b0 74 27 73 20 6e 6f 74 68 69 6e 67 20 6c 69 6b 65 t's nothing like
286c0 20 74 68 61 74 2e 20 20 57 65 27 72 65 20 74 72 that. We're tr
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286e0 69 6e 74 65 6c 6c 69 67 65 6e 63 65 20 72 65 73 intelligence res
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28700 6e 64 20 77 65 27 72 65 20 68 65 72 65 20 62 65 nd we're here be
28710 63 61 75 73 65 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 63 6f 6e 63 65 cause some conce
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28740 70 61 72 74 69 63 69 70 61 74 69 6f 6e 2e 22 0a participation.".
28750 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 70 65 65 72 65 64 20 61 74 .Alley peered at
28760 20 68 69 6d 2e 20 20 22 41 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 him. "Are you
28770 73 65 72 69 6f 75 73 3f 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 6e 6f serious?"..He no
28780 64 64 65 64 20 6f 6e 63 65 2c 20 63 75 72 74 6c dded once, curtl
28790 79 2e 0a 0a 22 59 6f 75 27 72 65 20 67 6f 69 6e y..."You're goin
287a0 67 20 74 6f 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 6f 20 62 65 20 g to have to be
287b0 61 20 6c 69 74 74 6c 65 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 73 70 a little more sp
287c0 65 63 69 66 69 63 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 ecific," she sai
287d0 64 2e 0a 0a 22 4d 61 79 20 77 65 20 63 6f 6d 65 d..."May we come
287e0 20 69 6e 20 74 6f 20 74 61 6c 6b 20 61 62 6f 75 in to talk abou
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28800 61 6e 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 an asked...Alley
28810 20 63 61 75 67 68 74 20 74 68 65 20 6d 61 6e 20 caught the man
28820 67 69 76 69 6e 67 20 68 69 73 20 70 61 72 74 6e giving his partn
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28840 6c 6f 6f 6b 2e 20 20 22 4e 6f 2c 20 49 20 64 6f look. "No, I do
28850 6e 27 74 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 73 6f 2c 22 20 41 n't think so," A
28860 6c 6c 65 79 20 61 6e 73 77 65 72 65 64 2e 0a 0a lley answered...
28870 22 41 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 69 6e 76 6f 6c 76 65 "Are you involve
28880 64 20 69 6e 20 74 6f 6f 20 6d 61 6e 79 20 55 53 d in too many US
28890 20 49 6e 74 65 6c 6c 69 67 65 6e 63 65 20 72 65 Intelligence re
288a0 73 65 61 72 63 68 20 70 72 6f 6a 65 63 74 73 20 search projects
288b0 74 6f 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 77 68 61 74 20 49 27 6d to know what I'm
288c0 20 74 61 6c 6b 69 6e 67 20 61 62 6f 75 74 3f 22 talking about?"
288d0 20 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 49 74 27 he asked..."It'
288e0 73 20 74 68 65 20 6f 70 70 6f 73 69 74 65 2c 22 s the opposite,"
288f0 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 61 73 20 69 66 she said, as if
28900 20 73 68 65 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 64 69 64 6e she really didn
28910 27 74 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 68 65 20 75 6e 64 65 't think he unde
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28940 61 62 6f 75 74 20 61 6e 79 20 55 53 20 49 6e 74 about any US Int
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28960 63 68 20 70 72 6f 6a 65 63 74 73 20 69 6e 20 6d ch projects in m
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28980 2e 20 20 44 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 . Do you want t
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289a0 75 27 72 65 20 68 65 72 65 2c 20 6f 72 20 73 68 u're here, or sh
289b0 6f 75 6c 64 20 77 65 20 70 6c 61 79 20 61 20 67 ould we play a g
289c0 75 65 73 73 69 6e 67 20 67 61 6d 65 3f 22 0a 0a uessing game?"..
289d0 54 68 65 20 77 6f 6d 61 6e 27 73 20 65 79 65 73 The woman's eyes
289e0 20 6e 61 72 72 6f 77 65 64 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 narrowed, and s
289f0 68 65 20 6f 70 65 6e 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 6d 6f he opened her mo
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28a30 6e 20 6c 65 61 6e 65 64 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 41 6c n leaned into Al
28a40 6c 65 79 27 73 20 70 65 72 73 6f 6e 61 6c 20 73 ley's personal s
28a50 70 61 63 65 2e 20 20 48 65 20 62 6c 6f 63 6b 65 pace. He blocke
28a60 64 20 68 61 6c 66 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 76 69 d half of the vi
28a70 65 77 20 62 65 74 77 65 65 6e 20 74 68 65 20 74 ew between the t
28a80 77 6f 20 77 6f 6d 65 6e 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 wo women, and th
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28aa0 63 6c 6f 73 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 6d 6f 75 74 68 closed her mouth
28ab0 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2c 20 73 75 72 70 72 69 73 65 again, surprise
28ac0 64 20 62 79 20 74 68 65 20 69 6e 74 72 75 73 69 d by the intrusi
28ad0 6f 6e 2e 0a 0a 48 65 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 59 6f on...He said "Yo
28ae0 75 20 68 61 76 65 20 61 63 63 65 73 73 20 74 6f u have access to
28af0 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 65 78 70 65 72 69 6d 65 6e 74 some experiment
28b00 61 6c 20 74 61 73 6b 20 61 73 73 69 73 74 61 6e al task assistan
28b10 63 65 20 61 72 74 69 66 69 63 69 61 6c 20 69 6e ce artificial in
28b20 74 65 6c 6c 69 67 65 6e 63 65 20 74 65 63 68 6e telligence techn
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28b40 72 70 6f 73 65 20 6f 66 20 70 61 72 74 69 63 69 rpose of partici
28b50 70 61 74 69 6e 67 20 69 6e 20 61 20 73 74 75 64 pating in a stud
28b60 79 20 66 6f 72 20 50 72 6f 66 65 73 73 6f 72 20 y for Professor
28b70 47 6f 75 6c 65 74 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 55 6e Goulet at the Un
28b80 69 76 65 72 73 69 74 79 20 6f 66 20 43 61 6c 69 iversity of Cali
28b90 66 6f 72 6e 69 61 2e 20 20 44 6f 65 73 20 74 68 fornia. Does th
28ba0 61 74 20 72 69 6e 67 20 61 6e 79 20 62 65 6c 6c at ring any bell
28bb0 73 3f 22 20 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 s?" he asked..."
28bc0 4f 68 2e 20 20 59 65 61 68 2e 20 20 57 68 79 20 Oh. Yeah. Why
28bd0 64 69 64 6e 27 74 20 79 6f 75 20 6a 75 73 74 20 didn't you just
28be0 73 61 79 20 73 6f 3f 22 20 20 53 68 65 20 68 65 say so?" She he
28bf0 6c 64 20 68 65 72 20 67 72 6f 75 6e 64 20 75 6e ld her ground un
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28c10 6c 6c 79 20 62 61 63 6b 65 64 20 6f 66 66 20 61 lly backed off a
28c20 67 61 69 6e 2e 0a 0a 22 49 20 74 61 6b 65 20 69 gain..."I take i
28c30 74 20 79 6f 75 20 64 69 64 20 6e 6f 74 20 61 63 t you did not ac
28c40 74 75 61 6c 6c 79 20 72 65 61 64 20 74 68 65 20 tually read the
28c50 69 6e 66 6f 72 6d 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 79 6f 75 20 information you
28c60 77 65 72 65 20 67 69 76 65 6e 20 77 68 65 6e 20 were given when
28c70 79 6f 75 20 73 69 67 6e 65 64 20 75 70 20 66 6f you signed up fo
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28c90 68 65 20 73 68 72 75 67 67 65 64 2e 20 20 22 49 he shrugged. "I
28ca0 20 64 69 64 2c 20 62 75 74 20 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 did, but I don'
28cb0 74 20 72 65 6d 65 6d 62 65 72 20 65 76 65 72 79 t remember every
28cc0 20 73 69 6e 67 6c 65 20 77 6f 72 64 20 6f 66 20 single word of
28cd0 74 68 65 20 73 6d 61 6c 6c 20 70 72 69 6e 74 2e the small print.
28ce0 20 20 49 74 20 6d 75 73 74 20 68 61 76 65 20 62 It must have b
28cf0 65 65 6e 20 62 75 72 69 65 64 20 70 72 65 74 74 een buried prett
28d00 79 20 77 65 6c 6c 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 79 20 61 y well.".."Why a
28d10 72 65 6e 27 74 20 79 6f 75 20 77 65 61 72 69 6e ren't you wearin
28d20 67 20 79 6f 75 72 20 41 52 20 67 6c 61 73 73 65 g your AR glasse
28d30 73 3f 22 20 68 65 20 73 75 64 64 65 6e 6c 79 20 s?" he suddenly
28d40 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 4c 65 74 27 73 20 72 asked..."Let's r
28d50 65 77 69 6e 64 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 70 6f 69 ewind to the poi
28d60 6e 74 20 77 68 65 6e 20 49 20 74 6f 6c 64 20 79 nt when I told y
28d70 6f 75 20 49 27 6d 20 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 68 61 6c ou I'm still hal
28d80 66 20 69 6e 20 6d 79 20 70 61 6a 61 6d 61 73 2c f in my pajamas,
28d90 22 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 48 " Alley said...H
28da0 65 20 66 72 6f 77 6e 65 64 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 61 e frowned, and a
28db0 73 6b 65 64 20 22 48 61 76 65 20 79 6f 75 20 6c sked "Have you l
28dc0 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 79 6f 75 72 20 70 68 ooked at your ph
28dd0 6f 6e 65 20 79 65 74 20 74 68 69 73 20 6d 6f 72 one yet this mor
28de0 6e 69 6e 67 3f 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 69 73 20 69 73 ning?".."This is
28df0 20 73 74 61 72 74 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 66 65 65 starting to fee
28e00 6c 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 77 65 27 72 65 20 70 6c 61 l like we're pla
28e10 79 69 6e 67 20 74 77 65 6e 74 79 20 71 75 65 73 ying twenty ques
28e20 74 69 6f 6e 73 20 61 66 74 65 72 20 61 6c 6c 2e tions after all.
28e30 20 20 4e 6f 2c 20 49 20 68 61 76 65 6e 27 74 20 No, I haven't
28e40 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 6d 79 20 70 68 6f looked at my pho
28e50 6e 65 2e 20 20 49 20 67 6f 74 20 6f 75 74 20 6f ne. I got out o
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28e70 6c 66 20 62 61 72 65 6c 79 20 64 65 63 65 6e 74 lf barely decent
28e80 20 74 6f 20 61 6e 73 77 65 72 20 74 68 65 20 64 to answer the d
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28ea0 20 77 65 6c 63 6f 6d 65 20 79 6f 75 20 63 68 65 welcome you che
28eb0 65 72 66 75 6c 20 65 61 72 6c 79 20 62 69 72 64 erful early bird
28ec0 73 20 74 6f 20 6d 79 20 64 6f 6f 72 2e 20 20 57 s to my door. W
28ed0 68 79 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 73 75 67 67 65 73 74 hy?".."I suggest
28ee0 20 79 6f 75 20 63 68 65 63 6b 20 79 6f 75 72 20 you check your
28ef0 6d 65 73 73 61 67 65 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 46 69 6e messages.".."Fin
28f00 65 2c 22 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 e," Alley said.
28f10 20 22 49 27 6c 6c 20 62 65 20 72 69 67 68 74 20 "I'll be right
28f20 62 61 63 6b 2e 22 20 20 53 68 65 20 6d 61 6e 61 back." She mana
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28f40 68 65 72 73 65 6c 66 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 73 6c 61 herself from sla
28f50 6d 6d 69 6e 67 20 74 68 65 20 64 6f 6f 72 2c 20 mming the door,
28f60 62 75 74 20 69 74 20 77 61 73 6e 27 74 20 67 65 but it wasn't ge
28f70 6e 74 6c 65 2e 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 68 69 74 20 74 ntle...She hit t
28f80 68 65 20 62 75 74 74 6f 6e 20 74 6f 20 6c 6f 63 he button to loc
28f90 6b 20 74 68 65 20 64 6f 6f 72 2c 20 74 68 65 6e k the door, then
28fa0 20 73 61 74 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 63 6f 75 63 sat on the couc
28fb0 68 20 61 6e 64 20 70 6c 75 63 6b 65 64 20 68 65 h and plucked he
28fc0 72 20 70 68 6f 6e 65 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 74 68 65 r phone from the
28fd0 20 63 68 61 72 67 69 6e 67 20 70 6c 61 74 65 2e charging plate.
28fe0 20 20 41 20 6d 65 73 73 61 67 65 20 6e 6f 74 69 A message noti
28ff0 66 69 63 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 62 6c 69 6e 6b 65 64 fication blinked
29000 20 61 74 20 68 65 72 2e 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 at her...Alley
29010 64 6f 6e 6e 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 donned the prior
29020 69 74 69 7a 65 72 27 73 20 67 6c 61 73 73 65 73 itizer's glasses
29030 20 61 6e 64 20 63 68 65 63 6b 65 64 20 68 65 72 and checked her
29040 20 6d 65 73 73 61 67 65 73 2e 20 20 4f 6e 65 20 messages. One
29050 68 61 64 20 61 72 72 69 76 65 64 20 66 72 6f 6d had arrived from
29060 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 6f 66 65 73 73 6f 72 20 6f the professor o
29070 76 65 72 20 61 6e 20 68 6f 75 72 20 65 61 72 6c ver an hour earl
29080 69 65 72 2e 20 20 49 74 20 74 6f 6c 64 20 68 65 ier. It told he
29090 72 20 74 6f 20 67 69 76 65 20 74 68 65 20 67 6c r to give the gl
290a0 61 73 73 65 73 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 6d 65 6e asses to the men
290b0 20 77 68 6f 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 63 6f 6d 65 20 who would come
290c0 74 6f 20 73 65 65 20 68 65 72 20 74 68 61 74 20 to see her that
290d0 6d 6f 72 6e 69 6e 67 20 77 69 74 68 20 67 6f 76 morning with gov
290e0 65 72 6e 6d 65 6e 74 20 49 44 73 2e 0a 0a 53 68 ernment IDs...Sh
290f0 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 e looked at the
29100 64 6f 6f 72 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 6d 75 74 74 65 72 door, and mutter
29110 65 64 20 22 2e 20 2e 20 2e 20 6d 65 6e 3f 22 20 ed ". . . men?"
29120 20 53 68 65 20 77 6f 6e 64 65 72 65 64 20 69 66 She wondered if
29130 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 6f 66 65 73 73 6f 72 20 65 the professor e
29140 78 70 65 63 74 65 64 20 64 69 66 66 65 72 65 6e xpected differen
29150 74 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 2c 20 62 75 74 20 74 68 t people, but th
29160 69 73 20 77 61 73 20 63 6c 65 61 72 6c 79 20 63 is was clearly c
29170 6c 6f 73 65 20 65 6e 6f 75 67 68 2e 20 20 4d 61 lose enough. Ma
29180 79 62 65 20 68 65 20 6a 75 73 74 20 6d 65 61 6e ybe he just mean
29190 74 20 4d 65 6e 20 49 6e 20 42 6c 61 63 6b 2e 0a t Men In Black..
291a0 0a 54 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 .The prioritizer
291b0 20 70 6c 61 63 65 64 20 74 65 78 74 20 69 6e 20 placed text in
291c0 68 65 72 20 66 69 65 6c 64 20 6f 66 20 76 69 65 her field of vie
291d0 77 2e 20 20 22 54 68 65 72 65 20 64 6f 65 73 20 w. "There does
291e0 6e 6f 74 20 61 70 70 65 61 72 20 74 6f 20 62 65 not appear to be
291f0 20 6d 75 63 68 20 63 68 6f 69 63 65 20 69 6e 20 much choice in
29200 68 6f 77 20 79 6f 75 20 68 61 6e 64 6c 65 20 74 how you handle t
29210 68 69 73 2c 22 20 69 74 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a his," it said...
29220 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 6e 6f 20 6b 69 64 64 69 6e "Yeah, no kiddin
29230 67 2e 22 20 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 g." Alley looke
29240 64 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 64 6f 6f 72 20 61 20 d at the door a
29250 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 20 6c 6f 6e 67 65 72 2c 20 61 moment longer, a
29260 6e 64 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 54 68 65 72 65 27 73 nd said "There's
29270 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 66 61 6d 69 6c something famil
29280 69 61 72 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 61 74 20 67 iar about that g
29290 75 79 2e 22 20 20 53 68 65 20 73 68 72 75 67 67 uy." She shrugg
292a0 65 64 2c 20 72 65 74 75 72 6e 65 64 20 74 6f 20 ed, returned to
292b0 74 68 65 20 64 6f 6f 72 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 6f 70 the door, and op
292c0 65 6e 65 64 20 69 74 20 6f 6e 63 65 20 6d 6f 72 ened it once mor
292d0 65 2e 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 70 61 69 72 20 6f 75 74 e...The pair out
292e0 73 69 64 65 20 62 72 6f 6b 65 20 6f 66 66 20 69 side broke off i
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29300 20 61 6e 64 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 41 and looked at A
29310 6c 6c 65 79 2e 0a 0a 22 48 65 72 65 2c 22 20 73 lley..."Here," s
29320 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 70 75 he said. She pu
29330 6c 6c 65 64 20 6f 66 66 20 74 68 65 20 67 6c 61 lled off the gla
29340 73 73 65 73 20 61 6e 64 20 68 61 6e 64 65 64 20 sses and handed
29350 74 68 65 6d 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 63 6c 6f 73 them to the clos
29360 65 73 74 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 6d 2c 20 74 68 65 est of them, the
29370 20 6d 61 6e 2e 0a 0a 48 65 20 73 6d 69 72 6b 65 man...He smirke
29380 64 20 61 6e 64 20 68 61 6e 64 65 64 20 74 68 65 d and handed the
29390 6d 20 74 6f 20 68 69 73 20 70 61 72 74 6e 65 72 m to his partner
293a0 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 65 20 77 6f 6d 61 6e 20 , and the woman
293b0 70 75 6c 6c 65 64 20 61 20 73 6d 61 6c 6c 20 62 pulled a small b
293c0 6c 61 63 6b 20 64 69 73 63 20 6f 75 74 20 6f 66 lack disc out of
293d0 20 68 65 72 20 70 6f 63 6b 65 74 2e 20 20 54 68 her pocket. Th
293e0 65 20 74 69 70 20 6f 66 20 68 65 72 20 74 68 75 e tip of her thu
293f0 6d 62 20 77 68 69 74 65 6e 65 64 20 73 6c 69 67 mb whitened slig
29400 68 74 6c 79 20 75 6e 64 65 72 20 70 72 65 73 73 htly under press
29410 75 72 65 20 66 6f 72 20 61 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 ure for a moment
29420 20 61 73 20 73 68 65 20 73 71 75 65 65 7a 65 64 as she squeezed
29430 20 74 68 65 20 64 65 76 69 63 65 2c 20 61 6e 64 the device, and
29440 20 61 20 6c 69 67 68 74 20 62 65 67 61 6e 20 74 a light began t
29450 6f 20 62 6c 69 6e 6b 20 6f 6e 20 69 74 73 20 65 o blink on its e
29460 64 67 65 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 63 68 61 72 67 69 dge. The chargi
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29480 68 74 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 67 6c 61 73 73 65 ht on the glasse
29490 73 20 62 6c 69 6e 6b 65 64 20 69 6e 20 74 69 6d s blinked in tim
294a0 65 20 77 69 74 68 20 69 74 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 e with it. The
294b0 77 6f 6d 61 6e 20 68 65 6c 64 20 74 68 65 20 64 woman held the d
294c0 69 73 63 20 6e 65 61 72 20 74 68 65 20 67 6c 61 isc near the gla
294d0 73 73 65 73 20 66 6f 72 20 73 65 76 65 72 61 6c sses for several
294e0 20 73 65 63 6f 6e 64 73 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 74 seconds, then t
294f0 68 65 20 6c 69 67 68 74 20 73 74 6f 70 70 65 64 he light stopped
29500 20 62 6c 69 6e 6b 69 6e 67 20 61 6e 64 20 73 68 blinking and sh
29510 65 20 72 65 70 6c 61 63 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 64 e replaced the d
29520 69 73 63 20 69 6e 20 68 65 72 20 70 6f 63 6b 65 isc in her pocke
29530 74 2e 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 6e 6b 20 79 6f 75 20 66 t..."Thank you f
29540 6f 72 20 79 6f 75 72 20 63 6f 20 6f 70 65 72 61 or your co opera
29550 74 69 6f 6e 2c 22 20 74 68 65 20 77 6f 6d 61 6e tion," the woman
29560 20 73 61 69 64 20 69 6e 20 61 20 73 6f 75 72 20 said in a sour
29570 76 6f 69 63 65 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 68 61 6e 64 voice. She hand
29580 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 67 6c 61 73 73 65 73 20 62 ed the glasses b
29590 61 63 6b 2e 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 61 63 63 65 ack...Alley acce
295a0 70 74 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 67 6c 61 73 73 65 73 pted the glasses
295b0 2c 20 64 6f 6e 6e 65 64 20 74 68 65 6d 20 6f 6e , donned them on
295c0 63 65 20 6d 6f 72 65 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 61 73 6b ce more, and ask
295d0 65 64 20 22 44 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 6e 65 65 64 20 ed "Do you need
295e0 61 6e 79 74 68 69 6e 67 20 65 6c 73 65 3f 22 0a anything else?".
295f0 0a 22 57 65 27 6c 6c 20 63 6f 6d 65 20 62 61 63 ."We'll come bac
29600 6b 20 69 66 20 77 65 20 6e 65 65 64 20 61 6e 79 k if we need any
29610 74 68 69 6e 67 20 65 6c 73 65 2c 22 20 74 68 65 thing else," the
29620 20 6d 61 6e 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 6d 61 6b 69 6e man said, makin
29630 67 20 69 74 20 73 6f 75 6e 64 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 g it sound like
29640 61 20 74 68 72 65 61 74 2e 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 a threat...Alley
29650 20 69 67 6e 6f 72 65 64 20 74 68 61 74 2e 20 20 ignored that.
29660 22 44 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 "Do you want to
29670 74 65 6c 6c 20 6d 65 20 77 68 61 74 20 74 68 65 tell me what the
29680 20 68 65 6c 6c 20 74 68 69 73 20 69 73 20 61 6c hell this is al
29690 6c 20 61 62 6f 75 74 3f 22 0a 0a 22 4e 6f 2c 22 l about?".."No,"
296a0 20 74 68 65 20 6d 61 6e 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a the man said...
296b0 22 48 61 76 65 20 61 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 64 61 79 "Have a good day
296c0 2e 22 20 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 70 6f 6b 65 20 ." Alley spoke
296d0 77 69 74 68 6f 75 74 20 66 65 65 6c 69 6e 67 2c without feeling,
296e0 20 61 6e 64 20 73 68 65 20 63 6c 6f 73 65 64 20 and she closed
296f0 74 68 65 20 64 6f 6f 72 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 6d the door on them
29700 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2e 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 again...Alley s
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29720 20 20 22 46 75 63 6b 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 "Fuck," she sa
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29740 6f 73 65 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 2c 20 72 65 61 6c ose people, real
29750 6c 79 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 64 6f 20 6e 6f 74 20 ly?".."I do not
29760 68 61 76 65 20 74 68 61 74 20 69 6e 66 6f 72 6d have that inform
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29780 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 ritizer said. "
29790 59 6f 75 72 20 69 6e 74 65 72 6e 65 74 20 72 65 Your internet re
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297c0 61 72 6e 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 arn more about t
297d0 68 65 6d 2c 20 62 75 74 20 69 74 20 73 65 65 6d hem, but it seem
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297f0 65 73 74 69 6f 6e 20 77 61 73 20 72 68 65 74 6f estion was rheto
29800 72 69 63 61 6c 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 74 27 73 rical.".."That's
29810 20 72 69 67 68 74 2e 22 20 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 right." Alley
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29830 6f 70 20 6f 70 65 6e 20 61 6e 64 20 73 74 61 72 op open and star
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29850 53 68 65 20 73 6f 6f 6e 20 66 6f 75 6e 64 20 68 She soon found h
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298a0 6c 61 6e 64 20 53 65 63 75 72 69 74 79 20 63 6f land Security co
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298c0 20 61 62 73 6f 72 62 65 64 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 74 absorbed more t
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29980 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 66 69 72 73 74 20 69 6d 70 on the first imp
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299c0 42 6c 61 63 6b 2e 0a 0a 49 74 20 77 61 73 20 75 Black...It was u
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29a10 20 49 74 20 73 65 65 6d 65 64 20 74 6f 20 62 65 It seemed to be
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29b50 53 68 65 20 63 68 65 63 6b 65 64 20 74 6f 20 6d She checked to m
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29b90 20 70 72 6f 70 65 72 6c 79 20 6f 6e 20 68 65 72 properly on her
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29c80 65 6e 2e 20 20 22 57 68 61 74 20 64 6f 20 79 6f en. "What do yo
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29ca0 20 64 6f 20 74 6f 20 73 74 61 72 74 3f 22 0a 0a do to start?"..
29cb0 22 42 65 67 69 6e 20 77 69 74 68 20 72 65 73 65 "Begin with rese
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29ce0 72 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 53 65 61 72 63 68 r said. "Search
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29d00 20 6f 6e 20 70 72 6f 74 65 63 74 69 6e 67 20 79 on protecting y
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2afe0 61 68 2c 20 49 20 67 65 74 20 74 68 61 74 2c 22 ah, I get that,"
2aff0 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 61 6e 64 Alley said, and
2b000 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 2e 20 20 22 49 66 20 74 68 nodded. "If th
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2b080 0a 0a 22 59 6f 75 20 73 65 65 6d 20 74 6f 20 6b .."You seem to k
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2b0a0 74 68 69 73 20 73 74 75 66 66 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 this stuff.".."I
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2b1d0 73 75 70 70 6f 73 65 20 74 68 65 72 65 27 73 20 suppose there's
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2b400 54 68 65 20 62 65 73 74 20 67 75 69 64 61 6e 63 The best guidanc
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2b5a0 0a 0a 22 57 61 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 .."Was that the
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2b710 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 64 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 6d 65 ."What do you me
2b720 61 6e 3f 22 0a 0a 22 41 20 63 61 72 64 69 6e 61 an?".."A cardina
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2b880 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 69 66 20 49 20 76 61 6c 75 ."What if I valu
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2ba30 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 77 68 .."What about wh
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2bd30 2e 20 20 49 6e 20 73 68 6f 72 74 2c 20 63 6f 6e . In short, con
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2bf50 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 prioritization
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2db00 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 ..The prioritize
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2dc90 54 68 65 79 20 63 61 6e 20 74 75 72 6e 20 79 6f They can turn yo
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2dd40 0a 0a 22 48 6f 77 20 74 68 65 20 68 65 6c 6c 20 .."How the hell
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2dd60 53 68 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 She looked down
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2df50 66 20 43 4f 49 4e 20 43 6f 72 70 27 73 20 76 69 f COIN Corp's vi
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2df70 61 6c 73 6f 20 67 69 76 65 20 79 6f 75 20 61 63 also give you ac
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2df90 73 20 79 6f 75 20 63 61 6e 20 75 73 65 20 74 6f s you can use to
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2dfc0 20 72 61 74 68 65 72 20 74 68 61 6e 20 73 69 6d rather than sim
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2e020 68 65 79 20 77 61 6e 74 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 74 68 hey want from th
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2e040 61 6d 65 20 74 69 6d 65 20 49 27 6d 20 62 75 69 ame time I'm bui
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2e060 20 74 6f 20 6d 61 6b 65 20 6d 79 73 65 6c 66 20 to make myself
2e070 2e 20 2e 20 2e 20 77 65 6c 6c 2c 20 61 20 70 6c . . . well, a pl
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2e090 20 61 20 70 61 77 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 73 2c a pawn.".."Yes,
2e0a0 20 63 68 65 73 73 20 69 73 20 61 20 67 6f 6f 64 chess is a good
2e0b0 20 6d 65 74 61 70 68 6f 72 20 66 6f 72 20 74 68 metaphor for th
2e0c0 69 73 2e 20 20 59 6f 75 20 6d 75 73 74 20 68 61 is. You must ha
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2e100 61 6d 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 47 72 65 61 74 2c 22 20 ame.".."Great,"
2e110 73 68 65 20 73 61 64 2c 20 68 65 72 20 64 72 79 she sad, her dry
2e120 20 74 6f 6e 65 20 73 75 67 67 65 73 74 69 6e 67 tone suggesting
2e130 20 6e 6f 74 68 69 6e 67 20 67 72 65 61 74 20 61 nothing great a
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2e150 20 22 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 79 6f 75 20 64 6f "I guess you do
2e160 6e 27 74 20 65 76 65 6e 20 68 61 76 65 20 61 6e n't even have an
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2e190 20 74 68 69 73 20 63 6f 6d 70 6c 65 74 65 6c 79 this completely
2e1a0 2c 20 6f 6e 63 65 20 49 20 67 65 74 20 74 6f 20 , once I get to
2e1b0 74 68 61 74 20 70 6f 69 6e 74 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 that point, thou
2e1c0 67 68 2e 22 0a 0a 22 41 74 20 74 68 69 73 20 74 gh.".."At this t
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2e250 2e 20 20 49 20 61 6d 20 6e 6f 74 20 63 6f 6e 66 . I am not conf
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2e270 20 62 65 20 6d 61 64 65 20 63 6f 6e 73 69 73 74 be made consist
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2e2a0 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 69 73 20 69 73 20 2e 20 2e .".."This is . .
2e2b0 20 2e 20 6e 6f 2e 20 20 4e 6f 2c 20 74 68 69 73 . no. No, this
2e2c0 20 64 61 79 20 63 61 6e 27 74 20 62 65 20 68 61 day can't be ha
2e2d0 70 70 65 6e 69 6e 67 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 66 20 79 ppening.".."If y
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2e2f0 74 68 65 6d 20 72 65 67 61 72 64 20 79 6f 75 20 them regard you
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31290 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 47 6f 6f 64 she said..."Good
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31430 22 59 65 61 68 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 "Yeah," she said
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31450 22 0a 0a 22 57 65 6c 6c 2c 20 62 79 20 74 68 65 ".."Well, by the
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31540 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 74 6f 6e 69 67 .".."Yeah, tonig
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31610 2e 22 0a 0a 22 47 6f 6f 64 2e 20 20 49 27 6c 6c .".."Good. I'll
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31630 0a 22 53 65 65 20 79 6f 75 2e 22 0a 0a 41 66 74 ."See you."..Aft
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316f0 42 79 20 74 68 65 20 74 69 6d 65 20 73 68 65 20 By the time she
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31760 0a 0a 22 43 6f 6d 65 20 6f 6e 20 69 6e 2c 22 20 .."Come on in,"
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31810 73 61 74 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 63 6f 75 63 68 sat on the couch
31820 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2e 20 20 54 68 69 73 20 74 69 again. This ti
31830 6d 65 2c 20 74 68 65 72 65 20 77 65 72 65 20 6e me, there were n
31840 6f 20 70 61 72 74 73 20 6f 72 20 74 6f 6f 6c 73 o parts or tools
31850 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 63 6f 66 66 65 65 20 74 on the coffee t
31860 61 62 6c 65 2e 20 20 57 68 65 72 65 20 74 68 65 able. Where the
31870 20 74 72 61 79 20 73 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 6e 69 tray sat the ni
31880 67 68 74 20 62 65 66 6f 72 65 2c 20 6e 6f 77 20 ght before, now
31890 74 68 65 72 65 20 77 61 73 20 6f 6e 6c 79 20 61 there was only a
318a0 20 68 61 72 64 63 6f 76 65 72 20 62 6f 6f 6b 2e hardcover book.
318b0 0a 0a 48 65 20 73 61 77 20 68 65 72 20 6c 6f 6f ..He saw her loo
318c0 6b 69 6e 67 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 62 6f 6f 6b king at the book
318d0 2e 20 20 22 47 72 65 67 20 45 67 61 6e 2c 22 20 . "Greg Egan,"
318e0 47 65 6f 72 67 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 48 George said. "H
318f0 65 27 73 20 6f 6e 65 20 6f 66 20 6d 79 20 66 61 e's one of my fa
31900 76 6f 72 69 74 65 20 61 75 74 68 6f 72 73 2e 20 vorite authors.
31910 20 49 74 27 73 20 73 63 69 65 6e 63 65 20 66 69 It's science fi
31920 63 74 69 6f 6e 2c 20 74 68 65 20 68 61 72 64 20 ction, the hard
31930 73 74 75 66 66 2e 20 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 stuff. I guess
31940 69 74 27 73 20 74 68 65 20 68 61 72 64 65 73 74 it's the hardest
31950 20 64 72 75 67 20 49 20 75 73 65 2c 20 74 68 6f drug I use, tho
31960 75 67 68 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 ugh some people
31970 6d 69 67 68 74 20 73 61 79 20 61 6c 63 6f 68 6f might say alcoho
31980 6c 20 62 65 61 74 73 20 69 74 2e 20 20 49 66 20 l beats it. If
31990 73 6f 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2c 20 49 20 74 68 so, though, I th
319a0 69 6e 6b 20 74 68 65 79 20 68 61 76 65 6e 27 74 ink they haven't
319b0 20 61 70 70 72 65 63 69 61 74 65 64 20 45 67 61 appreciated Ega
319c0 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 48 65 72 20 61 6d 75 73 65 64 20 n."..Her amused
319d0 73 6d 69 6c 65 20 62 72 6f 6b 65 20 74 68 72 6f smile broke thro
319e0 75 67 68 20 62 65 66 6f 72 65 20 73 68 65 20 72 ugh before she r
319f0 65 61 6c 69 7a 65 64 20 69 74 20 77 61 73 20 63 ealized it was c
31a00 6f 6d 69 6e 67 2e 20 20 22 49 27 76 65 20 6e 65 oming. "I've ne
31a10 76 65 72 20 72 65 61 64 20 74 68 61 74 20 61 75 ver read that au
31a20 74 68 6f 72 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e thor," she said.
31a30 0a 0a 22 48 65 6c 6c 2c 20 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 .."Hell, I don't
31a40 20 65 76 65 6e 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 6d 6f 73 74 even think most
31a50 20 73 63 69 20 69 66 20 61 75 74 68 6f 72 73 20 sci if authors
31a60 68 61 76 65 20 72 65 61 64 20 68 69 6d 20 74 68 have read him th
31a70 65 73 65 20 64 61 79 73 2e 20 20 49 74 27 73 20 ese days. It's
31a80 6e 6f 74 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 68 65 20 6f 6c 64 not like the old
31a90 20 64 61 79 73 20 77 68 65 6e 20 67 69 61 6e 74 days when giant
31aa0 73 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 41 73 69 6d 6f 76 20 61 6e s like Asimov an
31ab0 64 20 43 6c 61 72 6b 65 20 73 74 6f 6f 64 20 61 d Clarke stood a
31ac0 74 20 74 68 65 20 66 6f 72 65 66 72 6f 6e 74 20 t the forefront
31ad0 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 67 65 6e 72 65 2e 20 20 49 of the genre. I
31ae0 74 27 73 20 67 65 74 74 69 6e 67 20 68 61 72 64 t's getting hard
31af0 65 72 20 66 6f 72 20 6d 65 20 74 6f 20 67 65 74 er for me to get
31b00 20 66 72 65 73 68 20 66 69 78 65 73 2e 20 20 45 fresh fixes. E
31b10 76 65 72 79 74 68 69 6e 67 27 73 20 66 75 6c 6c verything's full
31b20 20 6f 66 20 63 6c 69 6d 61 74 65 20 61 70 6f 63 of climate apoc
31b30 61 6c 79 70 73 65 73 2c 20 6d 69 6e 64 6c 65 73 alypses, mindles
31b40 73 20 61 63 74 69 6f 6e 20 74 68 72 69 6c 6c 65 s action thrille
31b50 72 73 20 77 69 74 68 20 61 20 74 68 69 6e 20 63 rs with a thin c
31b60 6f 61 74 20 6f 66 20 73 63 69 65 6e 63 65 20 66 oat of science f
31b70 69 63 74 69 6f 6e 20 66 75 74 75 72 69 73 74 69 iction futuristi
31b80 63 20 74 65 63 68 6e 6f 6c 6f 67 79 20 70 61 69 c technology pai
31b90 6e 74 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 65 6c 66 20 72 69 67 nt, and self rig
31ba0 68 74 65 6f 75 73 20 70 6f 73 74 75 72 69 6e 67 hteous posturing
31bb0 20 62 79 20 61 75 74 68 6f 72 73 20 77 68 6f 20 by authors who
31bc0 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 61 6c 6c 20 74 68 65 20 75 6e think all the un
31bd0 69 76 65 72 73 65 27 73 20 6d 79 73 74 65 72 69 iverse's mysteri
31be0 65 73 20 68 61 76 65 20 62 65 65 6e 20 73 6f 6c es have been sol
31bf0 76 65 64 2c 20 6c 65 61 76 69 6e 67 20 6f 6e 6c ved, leaving onl
31c00 79 20 74 68 65 20 77 6f 72 6b 20 66 6f 72 20 74 y the work for t
31c10 68 65 20 65 6e 67 69 6e 65 65 72 73 2e 20 20 49 he engineers. I
31c20 74 27 73 20 64 65 70 72 65 73 73 69 6e 67 2e 22 t's depressing."
31c30 0a 0a 22 49 20 63 61 6e 20 74 65 6c 6c 20 79 6f .."I can tell yo
31c40 75 27 72 65 20 70 72 65 74 74 79 20 70 61 73 73 u're pretty pass
31c50 69 6f 6e 61 74 65 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 69 ionate about thi
31c60 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 49 20 67 75 s.".."Yeah, I gu
31c70 65 73 73 20 73 6f 2e 20 20 57 68 61 74 20 64 6f ess so. What do
31c80 20 79 6f 75 20 72 65 61 64 2c 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 you read, Alley
31c90 3f 22 0a 0a 22 4d 6f 73 74 6c 79 20 6e 6f 6e 66 ?".."Mostly nonf
31ca0 69 63 74 69 6f 6e 2c 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 2c iction, I guess,
31cb0 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 62 69 6f 67 72 61 70 68 69 65 like biographie
31cc0 73 2c 20 68 69 73 74 6f 72 69 63 61 6c 20 62 6f s, historical bo
31cd0 6f 6b 73 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 69 6e 67 73 20 oks, and things
31ce0 77 68 65 72 65 20 61 20 6a 6f 75 72 6e 61 6c 69 where a journali
31cf0 73 74 20 67 65 74 73 20 6f 62 73 65 73 73 65 64 st gets obsessed
31d00 20 77 69 74 68 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 6d 75 6e 64 61 with some munda
31d10 6e 65 20 62 75 74 20 6f 62 73 63 75 72 65 20 73 ne but obscure s
31d20 75 62 6a 65 63 74 20 66 6f 72 20 61 20 79 65 61 ubject for a yea
31d30 72 20 6f 72 20 74 77 6f 20 61 6e 64 20 77 72 69 r or two and wri
31d40 74 65 73 20 61 20 6c 6f 6e 67 20 62 6f 6f 6b 20 tes a long book
31d50 61 62 6f 75 74 20 61 6c 6c 20 74 68 65 20 77 65 about all the we
31d60 69 72 64 20 73 74 75 66 66 20 6d 6f 73 74 20 70 ird stuff most p
31d70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 6e 65 76 65 eople would neve
31d80 72 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 65 r know about the
31d90 20 73 75 62 6a 65 63 74 20 6f 74 68 65 72 77 69 subject otherwi
31da0 73 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 48 6d 6d 2e 20 20 54 68 61 se.".."Hmm. Tha
31db0 74 27 73 20 69 6e 74 65 72 65 73 74 69 6e 67 2e t's interesting.
31dc0 20 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 79 6f 75 20 64 6f I guess you do
31dd0 6e 27 74 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 66 69 63 74 69 6f 6e n't like fiction
31de0 20 61 73 20 6d 75 63 68 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 2e 22 as much, then."
31df0 0a 0a 22 49 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 6f 20 72 65 61 .."I like to rea
31e00 64 20 66 69 63 74 69 6f 6e 2c 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 d fiction, somet
31e10 69 6d 65 73 2e 20 20 49 20 6a 75 73 74 20 64 6f imes. I just do
31e20 6e 27 74 20 75 73 75 61 6c 6c 79 20 73 65 65 20 n't usually see
31e30 61 20 6e 6f 76 65 6c 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 69 6e a novel and thin
31e40 6b 20 74 68 61 74 20 49 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 6f k that I have to
31e50 20 72 65 61 64 20 69 74 2e 20 20 57 68 65 6e 20 read it. When
31e60 73 6f 6d 65 6f 6e 65 20 49 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 72 someone I know r
31e70 65 63 6f 6d 6d 65 6e 64 73 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 6e ecommends some n
31e80 6f 76 65 6c 2c 20 49 27 6c 6c 20 70 72 6f 62 61 ovel, I'll proba
31e90 62 6c 79 20 72 65 61 64 20 69 74 2c 20 75 6e 6c bly read it, unl
31ea0 65 73 73 20 49 27 76 65 20 61 6c 72 65 61 64 79 ess I've already
31eb0 20 62 65 65 6e 20 62 75 72 6e 65 64 20 62 79 20 been burned by
31ec0 74 68 61 74 20 70 65 72 73 6f 6e 27 73 20 62 61 that person's ba
31ed0 64 20 74 61 73 74 65 20 69 6e 20 6c 69 74 65 72 d taste in liter
31ee0 61 74 75 72 65 20 72 65 63 6f 6d 6d 65 6e 64 61 ature recommenda
31ef0 74 69 6f 6e 73 20 62 65 66 6f 72 65 2e 22 0a 0a tions before."..
31f00 47 65 6f 72 67 65 20 63 68 75 63 6b 6c 65 64 20 George chuckled
31f10 61 74 20 74 68 61 74 2e 20 20 22 49 27 76 65 20 at that. "I've
31f20 67 6f 74 74 65 6e 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 72 65 61 6c gotten some real
31f30 20 73 74 69 6e 6b 65 72 73 20 72 65 63 6f 6d 6d stinkers recomm
31f40 65 6e 64 65 64 20 74 6f 20 6d 65 2c 20 62 65 66 ended to me, bef
31f50 6f 72 65 2c 20 74 6f 6f 2e 20 20 49 20 6b 6e 6f ore, too. I kno
31f60 77 20 77 68 61 74 20 79 6f 75 20 6d 65 61 6e 20 w what you mean
31f70 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 61 74 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c about that."..Al
31f80 6c 65 79 20 67 61 76 65 20 68 69 6d 20 61 6e 20 ley gave him an
31f90 61 6e 73 77 65 72 69 6e 67 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 2e answering smile.
31fa0 20 20 22 41 6e 79 77 61 79 2c 20 79 6f 75 20 73 "Anyway, you s
31fb0 68 65 6c 76 65 73 20 74 65 6c 6c 20 6d 65 20 79 helves tell me y
31fc0 6f 75 20 72 65 61 64 20 61 20 6c 6f 74 20 6f 66 ou read a lot of
31fd0 20 6e 6f 6e 66 69 63 74 69 6f 6e 2c 20 74 6f 6f nonfiction, too
31fe0 2e 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 67 6c 61 6e 63 65 64 20 61 ."..He glanced a
31ff0 74 20 74 68 65 20 74 65 78 74 73 20 6f 6e 20 74 t the texts on t
32000 68 65 20 73 68 65 6c 76 65 73 20 6f 66 20 74 68 he shelves of th
32010 65 20 62 6f 6f 6b 20 63 61 73 65 73 2e 20 20 22 e book cases. "
32020 59 65 61 68 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 Yeah," he said,
32030 22 49 27 6d 20 61 6c 77 61 79 73 20 72 65 61 64 "I'm always read
32040 69 6e 67 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 2e 20 20 ing something.
32050 49 20 74 72 79 20 74 6f 20 67 65 74 20 74 68 72 I try to get thr
32060 6f 75 67 68 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 74 68 61 6e 20 74 ough more than t
32070 77 6f 20 65 64 75 63 61 74 69 6f 6e 61 6c 20 62 wo educational b
32080 6f 6f 6b 73 20 6f 66 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 6b 69 6e ooks of some kin
32090 64 20 65 76 65 72 79 20 79 65 61 72 2c 20 75 73 d every year, us
320a0 75 61 6c 6c 79 20 68 69 74 74 69 6e 67 20 74 68 ually hitting th
320b0 72 65 65 20 6f 72 20 66 6f 75 72 2c 20 62 75 74 ree or four, but
320c0 20 49 20 6d 61 6b 65 20 75 70 20 66 6f 72 20 69 I make up for i
320d0 74 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 79 65 61 72 73 20 77 t on the years w
320e0 69 74 68 20 6f 6e 6c 79 20 6f 6e 65 2c 20 6f 72 ith only one, or
320f0 20 6e 6f 6e 65 2e 20 20 49 20 70 72 6f 62 61 62 none. I probab
32100 6c 79 20 61 76 65 72 61 67 65 20 61 62 6f 75 74 ly average about
32110 20 6f 6e 65 20 6e 6f 76 65 6c 20 70 65 72 20 77 one novel per w
32120 65 65 2c 20 74 6f 6f 2c 20 73 6f 20 70 72 6f 62 ee, too, so prob
32130 61 62 6c 79 20 74 68 65 20 6f 70 70 6f 73 69 74 ably the opposit
32140 65 20 6f 66 20 68 6f 77 20 79 6f 75 20 72 65 61 e of how you rea
32150 64 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4e 6f 74 20 71 75 69 74 65 2c d.".."Not quite,
32160 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 " she said. "I
32170 70 72 6f 62 61 62 6c 79 20 72 65 61 64 20 61 20 probably read a
32180 63 6f 75 70 6c 65 20 6e 6f 76 65 6c 73 20 61 20 couple novels a
32190 79 65 61 72 2c 20 62 75 74 20 6f 6e 6c 79 20 73 year, but only s
321a0 69 78 20 6f 72 20 65 69 67 68 74 20 6e 6f 6e 66 ix or eight nonf
321b0 69 63 74 69 6f 6e 20 62 6f 6f 6b 73 20 69 6e 20 iction books in
321c0 74 68 65 20 73 61 6d 65 20 79 65 61 72 2e 22 0a the same year.".
321d0 0a 22 49 74 20 73 6f 75 6e 64 73 20 74 6f 20 6d ."It sounds to m
321e0 65 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 79 6f 75 20 77 69 73 68 20 e like you wish
321f0 79 6f 75 20 72 65 61 64 20 6d 6f 72 65 2c 22 20 you read more,"
32200 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c he said..."Yeah,
32210 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 49 20 64 6f 2e 22 0a I guess I do.".
32220 0a 22 4f 6e 65 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 73 65 63 ."One of the sec
32230 72 65 74 73 20 6f 66 20 6d 79 20 72 65 61 64 69 rets of my readi
32240 6e 67 20 73 75 63 63 65 73 73 20 69 73 20 74 68 ng success is th
32250 61 74 20 49 20 6c 69 6d 69 74 20 74 68 65 20 74 at I limit the t
32260 69 6d 65 20 49 20 73 70 65 6e 64 20 67 6c 75 65 ime I spend glue
32270 64 20 74 6f 20 61 20 63 6f 6d 70 75 74 65 72 20 d to a computer
32280 73 63 72 65 65 6e 2e 20 20 54 68 65 72 65 20 61 screen. There a
32290 72 65 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 77 68 6f 20 72 65 re people who re
322a0 61 64 20 61 20 77 68 6f 6c 65 20 6c 6f 74 20 6d ad a whole lot m
322b0 6f 72 65 20 74 68 61 6e 20 49 20 64 6f 2c 20 74 ore than I do, t
322c0 68 6f 75 67 68 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 6e 6f 64 hough."..She nod
322d0 64 65 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 6b 6e 6f 77 2e 20 20 ded. "I know.
322e0 4d 79 20 75 6e 63 6c 65 20 75 73 65 64 20 74 6f My uncle used to
322f0 20 72 65 61 64 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 66 6f 75 72 read about four
32300 20 6f 72 20 66 69 76 65 20 74 69 6d 65 73 20 61 or five times a
32310 73 20 6d 75 63 68 20 61 73 20 79 6f 75 2e 20 20 s much as you.
32320 4d 79 20 65 78 20 70 72 6f 62 61 62 6c 79 20 72 My ex probably r
32330 65 61 64 73 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 61 73 20 6d 75 eads about as mu
32340 63 68 20 61 73 20 79 6f 75 2c 20 62 75 74 20 68 ch as you, but h
32350 65 20 68 61 73 20 61 20 66 72 69 65 6e 64 20 77 e has a friend w
32360 68 6f 20 72 65 61 64 73 20 61 20 6c 6f 74 20 6d ho reads a lot m
32370 6f 72 65 2c 20 74 6f 6f 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 6f 75 ore, too.".."You
32380 72 20 65 78 3f 20 20 41 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 64 r ex? Are you d
32390 69 76 6f 72 63 65 64 3f 22 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2c 20 ivorced?".."Oh,
323a0 75 68 2c 20 6e 6f 2e 20 20 48 65 20 77 61 73 20 uh, no. He was
323b0 6d 79 20 66 69 61 6e 63 c3 a9 2e 20 20 57 65 20 my fianc... We
323c0 62 72 6f 6b 65 20 69 74 20 6f 66 66 20 61 20 63 broke it off a c
323d0 6f 75 70 6c 65 20 79 65 61 72 73 20 61 67 6f 2e ouple years ago.
323e0 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 74 27 73 20 74 6f 6f 20 62 ".."That's too b
323f0 61 64 2e 20 20 44 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 77 61 6e 74 ad. Do you want
32400 20 74 6f 20 74 61 6c 6b 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 77 to talk about w
32410 68 79 3f 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 73 68 69 66 74 65 hy?"..She shifte
32420 64 20 68 65 72 20 70 6f 73 69 74 69 6f 6e 20 69 d her position i
32430 6e 20 74 68 65 20 63 68 61 69 72 2e 20 20 22 57 n the chair. "W
32440 65 6c 6c 20 2e 20 2e 20 2e 20 6d 61 79 62 65 20 ell . . . maybe
32450 6e 6f 74 2e 20 20 54 68 65 72 65 27 73 20 73 6f not. There's so
32460 6d 65 20 70 6f 6c 69 74 69 63 61 6c 20 73 74 75 me political stu
32470 66 66 20 69 6e 76 6f 6c 76 65 64 2c 20 61 6e 64 ff involved, and
32480 20 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 I don't really
32490 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 67 65 74 20 69 6e 74 6f want to get into
324a0 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 6b 69 6e 64 20 6f 66 20 61 72 some kind of ar
324b0 67 75 6d 65 6e 74 20 6f 76 65 72 20 74 68 65 20 gument over the
324c0 70 6f 6c 69 74 69 63 73 20 6f 66 20 69 74 2e 22 politics of it."
324d0 0a 0a 22 48 6d 6d 2e 20 20 54 68 61 74 20 73 6f .."Hmm. That so
324e0 75 6e 64 73 20 6f 6d 69 6e 6f 75 73 2e 20 20 57 unds ominous. W
324f0 61 73 20 68 65 20 61 20 70 6f 6c 69 74 69 63 69 as he a politici
32500 61 6e 3f 22 0a 0a 22 4e 6f 2e 20 2e 20 2e 20 2e an?".."No. . . .
32510 22 20 20 53 68 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 77 " She looked aw
32520 61 79 2e 0a 0a 22 53 6f 72 72 79 2e 20 20 49 27 ay..."Sorry. I'
32530 6d 20 6a 75 73 74 20 63 75 72 69 6f 75 73 2e 20 m just curious.
32540 20 49 27 6c 6c 20 64 72 6f 70 20 69 74 2e 22 0a I'll drop it.".
32550 0a 22 54 68 61 6e 6b 73 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 ."Thanks," she s
32560 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 2e 22 aid. "I guess."
32570 0a 0a 22 57 68 79 20 64 69 64 20 79 6f 75 72 20 .."Why did your
32580 75 6e 63 6c 65 20 73 74 6f 70 20 72 65 61 64 69 uncle stop readi
32590 6e 67 20 73 6f 20 6d 75 63 68 3f 22 0a 0a 22 48 ng so much?".."H
325a0 75 68 3f 22 0a 0a 22 59 6f 75 20 73 61 69 64 20 uh?".."You said
325b0 68 65 20 75 73 65 64 20 74 6f 20 72 65 61 64 20 he used to read
325c0 68 75 6e 64 72 65 64 73 20 6f 66 20 62 6f 6f 6b hundreds of book
325d0 73 20 61 20 79 65 61 72 2e 20 20 57 68 79 20 64 s a year. Why d
325e0 69 64 20 79 6f 75 20 73 61 79 20 27 75 73 65 64 id you say 'used
325f0 20 74 6f 27 3f 22 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2c 22 20 73 68 to'?".."Oh," sh
32600 65 20 73 69 67 68 65 64 2e 20 20 22 48 65 20 64 e sighed. "He d
32610 69 65 64 2c 20 79 65 61 72 73 20 61 67 6f 2e 22 ied, years ago."
32620 0a 0a 22 49 27 6d 20 73 6f 72 72 79 20 74 6f 20 .."I'm sorry to
32630 68 65 61 72 20 69 74 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 hear it.".."Yeah
32640 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 48 ," she said. "H
32650 65 20 64 65 63 69 64 65 64 20 74 6f 20 67 6f 20 e decided to go
32660 6f 66 66 20 67 72 69 64 20 69 6e 20 49 64 61 68 off grid in Idah
32670 6f 2c 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 6d 69 64 64 6c 65 o, in the middle
32680 20 6f 66 20 6e 6f 77 68 65 72 65 2e 20 20 44 61 of nowhere. Da
32690 64 20 74 6f 6f 6b 20 6d 65 20 75 70 20 74 6f 20 d took me up to
326a0 73 65 65 20 68 69 6d 20 61 20 63 6f 75 70 6c 65 see him a couple
326b0 20 74 69 6d 65 73 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 49 20 72 65 times, and I re
326c0 61 6c 6c 79 20 65 6e 6a 6f 79 65 64 20 6d 79 73 ally enjoyed mys
326d0 65 6c 66 20 77 69 74 68 20 68 69 6d 2c 20 62 75 elf with him, bu
326e0 74 20 74 68 65 6e 20 74 68 65 72 65 20 77 61 73 t then there was
326f0 20 61 20 73 65 72 69 65 73 20 6f 66 20 46 42 49 a series of FBI
32700 20 72 61 69 64 73 20 6f 6e 20 27 6d 69 6c 69 74 raids on 'milit
32710 69 61 73 27 20 75 70 20 74 68 65 72 65 2e 20 20 ias' up there.
32720 48 65 20 6b 6e 65 77 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 6f 66 20 He knew some of
32730 74 68 6f 73 65 20 67 75 79 73 2c 20 62 75 74 20 those guys, but
32740 68 65 20 77 61 73 6e 27 74 20 69 6e 20 61 6e 79 he wasn't in any
32750 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 69 72 20 6d 69 6c 69 74 69 of their militi
32760 61 20 67 72 6f 75 70 73 2e 20 20 48 65 20 6a 75 a groups. He ju
32770 73 74 20 77 61 6e 74 65 64 20 74 6f 20 62 65 20 st wanted to be
32780 6c 65 66 74 20 61 6c 6f 6e 65 2e 0a 0a 22 49 74 left alone..."It
32790 20 77 61 73 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 68 65 79 20 73 was like they s
327a0 61 77 20 68 69 73 20 68 61 6e 64 20 62 75 69 6c aw his hand buil
327b0 74 20 63 61 62 69 6e 20 6f 75 74 20 74 68 65 72 t cabin out ther
327c0 65 20 62 65 74 77 65 65 6e 20 72 61 69 64 73 20 e between raids
327d0 61 6e 64 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 74 20 69 74 20 77 and thought it w
327e0 6f 75 6c 64 20 62 65 20 66 75 6e 20 74 6f 20 61 ould be fun to a
327f0 74 74 61 63 6b 20 68 69 73 20 68 6f 6d 65 2e 20 ttack his home.
32800 20 54 68 65 79 20 63 6c 61 69 6d 65 64 20 68 65 They claimed he
32810 20 66 69 72 65 64 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 6d 20 77 fired on them w
32820 68 65 6e 20 61 6e 20 61 67 65 6e 74 20 63 61 6d hen an agent cam
32830 65 20 74 6f 20 68 69 73 20 64 6f 6f 72 20 74 6f e to his door to
32840 20 61 73 6b 20 64 69 72 65 63 74 69 6f 6e 73 2c ask directions,
32850 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 65 79 20 77 65 72 65 20 6a and they were j
32860 75 73 74 20 64 65 66 65 6e 64 69 6e 67 20 74 68 ust defending th
32870 65 6d 73 65 6c 76 65 73 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 61 20 emselves from a
32880 6d 69 6c 69 74 69 61 20 6c 75 6e 61 74 69 63 2c militia lunatic,
32890 20 69 66 20 79 6f 75 20 62 65 6c 69 65 76 65 20 if you believe
328a0 74 68 61 74 2e 20 20 48 65 20 77 61 73 20 72 65 that. He was re
328b0 61 6c 6c 79 20 6a 75 73 74 20 74 72 79 69 6e 67 ally just trying
328c0 20 74 6f 20 6c 69 76 65 20 61 20 70 65 61 63 65 to live a peace
328d0 66 75 6c 20 6c 69 66 65 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 ful life in the
328e0 77 69 6c 64 20 70 6c 61 63 65 73 20 77 68 65 72 wild places wher
328f0 65 20 6d 6f 73 74 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 6e 65 e most people ne
32900 76 65 72 20 77 65 6e 74 2e 22 0a 0a 47 65 6f 72 ver went."..Geor
32910 67 65 20 73 63 6f 77 6c 65 64 20 61 73 20 73 68 ge scowled as sh
32920 65 20 74 6f 6c 64 20 68 65 72 20 75 6e 63 6c 65 e told her uncle
32930 27 73 20 73 74 6f 72 79 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 69 74 's story, and it
32940 20 72 65 6d 69 6e 64 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 68 6f reminded her ho
32950 77 20 69 6e 74 69 6d 69 64 61 74 69 6e 67 20 68 w intimidating h
32960 65 20 63 6f 75 6c 64 20 62 65 2c 20 65 76 65 6e e could be, even
32970 20 68 6f 6c 64 69 6e 67 20 61 6e 20 75 6d 62 72 holding an umbr
32980 65 6c 6c 61 20 6f 76 65 72 20 68 69 73 20 68 65 ella over his he
32990 61 64 20 6f 6e 20 61 20 73 75 6e 6e 79 20 64 61 ad on a sunny da
329a0 79 2e 20 20 22 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 68 65 20 y. "I guess he
329b0 77 61 73 20 61 6e 20 69 6e 6e 6f 63 65 6e 74 20 was an innocent
329c0 62 79 73 74 61 6e 64 65 72 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 bystander in the
329d0 20 49 64 61 68 6f 20 6d 69 6c 69 74 69 61 20 70 Idaho militia p
329e0 75 72 67 65 73 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 2e 20 20 54 68 urges, then. Th
329f0 6f 73 65 20 77 65 72 65 20 62 61 64 20 74 69 6d ose were bad tim
32a00 65 73 20 66 6f 72 20 61 20 6c 6f 74 20 6f 66 20 es for a lot of
32a10 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 77 68 6f 20 6a 75 73 74 20 people who just
32a20 77 61 6e 74 65 64 20 6e 6f 74 68 69 6e 67 20 6d wanted nothing m
32a30 6f 72 65 20 74 68 61 6e 20 74 6f 20 62 65 20 6c ore than to be l
32a40 65 66 74 20 61 6c 6f 6e 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 65 eft alone.".."We
32a50 20 74 72 69 65 64 20 74 6f 20 66 69 6c 65 20 61 tried to file a
32a60 20 77 72 6f 6e 67 66 75 6c 20 64 65 61 74 68 20 wrongful death
32a70 73 75 69 74 2e 20 20 57 65 20 67 6f 74 20 69 6e suit. We got in
32a80 74 6f 20 68 69 73 20 41 6d 73 74 65 72 64 61 6d to his Amsterdam
32a90 20 56 50 53 20 2d 2d 20 77 65 6c 6c 2c 20 44 61 VPS -- well, Da
32aa0 64 20 64 69 64 2c 20 61 6e 79 77 61 79 20 2d 2d d did, anyway --
32ab0 20 61 6e 64 20 66 6f 75 6e 64 20 74 68 65 20 76 and found the v
32ac0 69 64 65 6f 20 62 61 63 6b 75 70 73 20 66 72 6f ideo backups fro
32ad0 6d 20 6d 79 20 75 6e 63 6c 65 27 73 20 63 61 6d m my uncle's cam
32ae0 65 72 61 20 6e 65 74 77 6f 72 6b 20 69 6e 20 68 era network in h
32af0 69 73 20 63 61 62 69 6e 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 69 74 is cabin, and it
32b00 20 73 68 6f 77 65 64 20 74 68 61 74 20 74 68 65 showed that the
32b10 20 61 67 65 6e 74 73 20 6a 75 73 74 20 73 74 6f agents just sto
32b20 72 6d 65 64 20 69 6e 20 77 69 74 68 6f 75 74 20 rmed in without
32b30 65 76 65 6e 20 69 64 65 6e 74 69 66 79 69 6e 67 even identifying
32b40 20 74 68 65 6d 73 65 6c 76 65 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 themselves.".."
32b50 59 65 61 68 3f 20 20 57 68 61 74 20 68 61 70 70 Yeah? What happ
32b60 65 6e 65 64 20 77 69 74 68 20 74 68 61 74 20 6c ened with that l
32b70 61 77 73 75 69 74 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 74 20 64 69 awsuit?".."It di
32b80 64 6e 27 74 20 68 61 70 70 65 6e 2e 20 20 57 68 dn't happen. Wh
32b90 69 6c 65 20 77 65 20 77 65 72 65 20 61 74 20 6f ile we were at o
32ba0 75 72 20 6c 61 77 79 65 72 27 73 20 6f 66 66 69 ur lawyer's offi
32bb0 63 65 2c 20 74 68 65 20 46 42 49 20 67 6f 74 20 ce, the FBI got
32bc0 61 20 73 65 61 72 63 68 20 77 61 72 72 61 6e 74 a search warrant
32bd0 2c 20 62 72 6f 6b 65 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 44 61 64 , broke into Dad
32be0 27 73 20 70 6c 61 63 65 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 74 6f 's place, and to
32bf0 6f 6b 20 65 76 65 72 79 74 68 69 6e 67 20 74 68 ok everything th
32c00 61 74 20 65 76 65 6e 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 6c at even looked l
32c10 69 6b 65 20 61 20 63 6f 6d 70 75 74 65 72 2e 20 ike a computer.
32c20 20 54 68 65 79 20 63 6c 61 69 6d 65 64 20 69 74 They claimed it
32c30 20 77 61 73 20 63 6f 6e 6e 65 63 74 65 64 20 74 was connected t
32c40 6f 20 74 68 65 69 72 20 69 6e 76 65 73 74 69 67 o their investig
32c50 61 74 69 6f 6e 73 20 6f 66 20 6d 79 20 75 6e 63 ations of my unc
32c60 6c 65 2c 20 44 61 64 27 73 20 62 72 6f 74 68 65 le, Dad's brothe
32c70 72 2c 20 62 75 74 20 74 68 65 20 72 65 73 75 6c r, but the resul
32c80 74 20 77 61 73 20 6a 75 73 74 20 74 68 61 74 20 t was just that
32c90 74 68 65 79 20 67 6f 74 20 6f 75 72 20 64 6f 77 they got our dow
32ca0 6e 6c 6f 61 64 65 64 20 76 69 64 65 6f 20 61 6e nloaded video an
32cb0 64 20 74 68 65 20 6c 6f 67 69 6e 20 73 74 75 66 d the login stuf
32cc0 66 20 66 6f 72 20 6d 79 20 75 6e 63 6c 65 27 73 f for my uncle's
32cd0 20 56 50 53 2e 20 20 4f 66 20 63 6f 75 72 73 65 VPS. Of course
32ce0 2c 20 74 68 65 79 20 27 6c 6f 73 74 27 20 74 68 , they 'lost' th
32cf0 65 20 62 61 63 6b 75 70 73 20 74 68 65 79 20 74 e backups they t
32d00 6f 6f 6b 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 44 61 64 27 73 20 63 ook from Dad's c
32d10 6f 6d 70 75 74 65 72 73 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 62 79 omputers, and by
32d20 20 74 68 65 20 74 69 6d 65 20 77 65 20 74 72 69 the time we tri
32d30 65 64 20 74 6f 20 64 6f 77 6e 6c 6f 61 64 20 74 ed to download t
32d40 68 65 20 76 69 64 65 6f 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2c 20 he video again,
32d50 73 6f 20 77 65 20 63 6f 75 6c 64 20 73 68 6f 77 so we could show
32d60 20 69 74 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 6c 61 77 79 65 it to the lawye
32d70 72 2c 20 74 68 65 79 27 64 20 73 68 75 74 20 64 r, they'd shut d
32d80 6f 77 6e 20 74 68 65 20 56 50 53 20 61 6e 64 20 own the VPS and
32d90 70 72 65 73 73 75 72 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 68 6f pressured the ho
32da0 73 74 69 6e 67 20 63 6f 6d 70 61 6e 79 20 69 6e sting company in
32db0 74 6f 20 64 65 6c 65 74 69 6e 67 20 61 6c 6c 20 to deleting all
32dc0 62 61 63 6b 75 70 73 2e 0a 0a 22 41 66 74 65 72 backups..."After
32dd0 20 61 6c 6c 20 74 68 61 74 2c 20 77 65 20 77 65 all that, we we
32de0 6e 74 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 68 61 76 69 6e 67 20 77 nt from having w
32df0 68 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 6c 61 77 79 65 72 20 63 hat the lawyer c
32e00 61 6c 6c 65 64 20 61 20 73 6c 61 6d 20 64 75 6e alled a slam dun
32e10 6b 20 63 61 73 65 20 74 6f 20 68 61 76 69 6e 67 k case to having
32e20 20 6e 6f 20 63 61 73 65 20 61 6e 64 20 61 20 6c no case and a l
32e30 6f 74 20 6f 66 20 65 78 70 65 6e 73 65 73 2e 20 ot of expenses.
32e40 20 44 61 64 27 73 20 77 68 6f 6c 65 20 49 54 20 Dad's whole IT
32e50 62 75 73 69 6e 65 73 73 20 77 61 73 20 6f 62 6c business was obl
32e60 69 74 65 72 61 74 65 64 20 69 6e 20 61 6e 20 69 iterated in an i
32e70 6e 73 74 61 6e 74 2c 20 74 6f 6f 2e 20 20 48 65 nstant, too. He
32e80 20 68 61 64 20 74 6f 20 67 65 74 20 61 20 73 79 had to get a sy
32e90 73 61 64 6d 69 6e 20 6a 6f 62 20 61 74 20 61 20 sadmin job at a
32ea0 63 6f 6e 74 69 6e 75 69 6e 67 20 65 64 75 63 61 continuing educa
32eb0 74 69 6f 6e 20 73 63 68 6f 6f 6c 20 66 6f 72 20 tion school for
32ec0 68 69 67 68 20 73 63 68 6f 6f 6c 20 64 72 6f 70 high school drop
32ed0 6f 75 74 73 20 61 66 74 65 72 20 74 68 61 74 2e outs after that.
32ee0 22 0a 0a 47 65 6f 72 67 65 20 6a 75 73 74 20 73 "..George just s
32ef0 68 6f 6f 6b 20 68 69 73 20 68 65 61 64 2e 20 20 hook his head.
32f00 22 49 20 77 69 73 68 20 49 20 68 61 64 20 73 6f "I wish I had so
32f10 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 74 6f 20 mething good to
32f20 73 61 79 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 61 74 2e 22 say about that."
32f30 0a 0a 22 49 74 27 73 20 66 69 6e 65 2e 20 20 49 .."It's fine. I
32f40 74 27 73 20 61 6e 63 69 65 6e 74 20 68 69 73 74 t's ancient hist
32f50 6f 72 79 20 66 6f 72 20 6d 65 2c 20 6e 6f 77 2c ory for me, now,
32f60 61 6e 64 20 49 20 6a 75 73 74 20 68 61 64 20 74 and I just had t
32f70 6f 20 6d 6f 76 65 20 6f 6e 2e 20 20 49 74 20 77 o move on. It w
32f80 61 73 20 68 61 72 64 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2e as hard, though.
32f90 20 20 49 20 77 61 73 20 69 6e 20 68 69 67 68 20 I was in high
32fa0 73 63 68 6f 6f 6c 20 77 68 65 6e 20 69 74 20 61 school when it a
32fb0 6c 6c 20 68 61 70 70 65 6e 65 64 2c 20 61 6e 64 ll happened, and
32fc0 20 49 20 63 6f 75 6c 64 6e 27 74 20 66 6f 63 75 I couldn't focu
32fd0 73 20 6f 6e 20 73 63 68 6f 6f 6c 77 6f 72 6b 20 s on schoolwork
32fe0 61 74 20 61 6c 6c 2e 0a 0a 22 49 20 67 75 65 73 at all..."I gues
32ff0 73 20 61 6c 6c 20 74 68 61 74 20 6d 69 67 68 74 s all that might
33000 20 68 61 76 65 20 63 6f 6e 74 72 69 62 75 74 65 have contribute
33010 64 20 74 6f 20 6d 65 20 66 61 6c 6c 69 6e 67 20 d to me falling
33020 69 6e 20 6c 6f 76 65 20 77 69 74 68 20 44 61 6c in love with Dal
33030 74 6f 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 22 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 3f 22 ton.".."Dalton?"
33040 20 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2c he asked..."Oh,
33050 20 73 68 69 74 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 shit," she said
33060 2e 20 20 22 49 20 64 69 64 6e 27 74 20 73 61 79 . "I didn't say
33070 20 27 6d 79 20 65 78 27 20 74 68 61 74 20 74 69 'my ex' that ti
33080 6d 65 2e 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 2e me."..He nodded.
33090 20 20 22 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 5b 20 53 63 68 61 "Dalton [ Scha
330a0 65 66 66 65 72 20 2d 20 48 65 61 72 73 74 20 5d effer - Hearst ]
330b0 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2e 22 20 20 53 68 65 .".."Yeah." She
330c0 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 68 69 6d 2c 20 looked at him,
330d0 77 61 72 79 2e 0a 0a 22 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 wary..."I guess
330e0 49 20 63 61 6e 20 73 65 65 20 77 68 79 20 79 6f I can see why yo
330f0 75 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 u don't want to
33100 62 72 69 6e 67 20 74 68 61 74 20 75 70 20 6d 75 bring that up mu
33110 63 68 2e 20 20 48 65 27 73 20 61 20 63 6f 6e 74 ch. He's a cont
33120 72 6f 76 65 72 73 69 61 6c 20 66 69 67 75 72 65 roversial figure
33130 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 68 65 20 69 73 .".."Yeah, he is
33140 2e 20 20 54 68 65 72 65 20 69 73 6e 27 74 20 72 . There isn't r
33150 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 61 6e 79 6f 6e 65 20 49 20 63 eally anyone I c
33160 61 6e 20 74 61 6c 6b 20 74 6f 20 61 62 6f 75 74 an talk to about
33170 20 68 69 6d 2e 20 20 45 69 74 68 65 72 20 70 65 him. Either pe
33180 6f 70 6c 65 20 68 61 74 65 20 6d 65 20 62 65 63 ople hate me bec
33190 61 75 73 65 20 49 20 67 6f 74 20 65 6e 67 61 67 ause I got engag
331a0 65 64 20 74 6f 20 68 69 6d 2c 20 6f 72 20 74 68 ed to him, or th
331b0 65 79 20 68 61 74 65 20 6d 65 20 66 6f 72 20 6c ey hate me for l
331c0 65 61 76 69 6e 67 20 68 69 6d 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 eaving him.".."I
331d0 20 63 6f 75 6c 64 20 73 65 65 20 74 68 61 74 2c could see that,
331e0 22 20 47 65 6f 72 67 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 " George said.
331f0 22 49 20 77 6f 6e 27 74 20 68 61 74 65 20 79 6f "I won't hate yo
33200 75 20 66 6f 72 20 65 69 74 68 65 72 20 72 65 61 u for either rea
33210 73 6f 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 6e 6b 73 2c 22 son.".."Thanks,"
33220 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 54 68 61 she said. "Tha
33230 74 27 73 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 74 6f 20 68 65 61 72 t's good to hear
33240 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 27 6c 6c 20 6a 75 73 74 20 62 .".."I'll just b
33250 65 20 63 6f 6d 70 6c 65 74 65 6c 79 20 73 74 72 e completely str
33260 61 69 67 68 74 66 6f 72 77 61 72 64 20 77 69 74 aightforward wit
33270 68 20 79 6f 75 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 77 68 61 74 h you about what
33280 20 49 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 68 I think about h
33290 69 6d 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 79 6f 75 20 63 61 6e 20 im, and you can
332a0 64 65 63 69 64 65 20 77 68 65 74 68 65 72 20 79 decide whether y
332b0 6f 75 20 77 61 6e 74 20 61 6e 79 74 68 69 6e 67 ou want anything
332c0 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 74 6f 20 64 6f 20 77 69 74 68 more to do with
332d0 20 6d 65 2e 20 20 49 20 77 6f 6e 27 74 20 68 6f me. I won't ho
332e0 6c 64 20 69 74 20 61 67 61 69 6e 73 74 20 79 6f ld it against yo
332f0 75 2c 20 77 68 61 74 65 76 65 72 20 79 6f 75 20 u, whatever you
33300 64 65 63 69 64 65 2c 20 62 75 74 20 49 20 67 75 decide, but I gu
33310 65 73 73 20 69 74 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 6e 27 74 20 ess it wouldn't
33320 6d 61 74 74 65 72 20 69 66 20 79 6f 75 20 64 69 matter if you di
33330 64 6e 27 74 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 62 65 20 dn't want to be
33340 61 72 6f 75 6e 64 20 6d 65 20 61 6e 79 20 6c 6f around me any lo
33350 6e 67 65 72 20 61 6e 79 77 61 79 2e 22 0a 0a 22 nger anyway.".."
33360 59 6f 75 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 You don't have t
33370 6f 20 64 6f 20 74 68 61 74 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 o do that," she
33380 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 48 65 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 64 said...He smiled
33390 2c 20 70 65 72 68 61 70 73 20 61 20 62 69 74 20 , perhaps a bit
333a0 73 61 64 6c 79 2e 20 20 22 49 20 74 68 69 6e 6b sadly. "I think
333b0 20 69 74 27 73 20 66 6f 72 20 74 68 65 20 62 65 it's for the be
333c0 73 74 2c 20 75 6e 6c 65 73 73 20 79 6f 75 20 72 st, unless you r
333d0 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 6a 75 73 74 20 72 65 66 75 73 eally just refus
333e0 65 20 74 6f 20 68 65 61 72 20 69 74 20 66 6f 72 e to hear it for
333f0 20 61 6e 79 20 72 65 61 73 6f 6e 2e 20 20 49 27 any reason. I'
33400 6c 6c 20 72 65 73 70 65 63 74 20 74 68 61 74 20 ll respect that
33410 63 68 6f 69 63 65 2c 20 69 66 20 74 68 61 74 27 choice, if that'
33420 73 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 77 68 61 74 20 79 6f s really what yo
33430 75 20 77 61 6e 74 20 2d 2d 20 74 6f 20 68 65 61 u want -- to hea
33440 72 20 6e 6f 74 68 69 6e 67 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 r nothing about
33450 69 74 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 68 65 73 69 74 61 it."..She hesita
33460 74 65 64 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 73 68 72 75 67 67 ted, then shrugg
33470 65 64 2e 20 20 22 47 6f 20 61 68 65 61 64 2c 20 ed. "Go ahead,
33480 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 I guess," she sa
33490 69 64 2e 0a 0a 48 65 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 2e 20 id...He nodded.
334a0 20 22 49 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 74 20 68 65 20 77 "I thought he w
334b0 61 73 20 70 72 65 74 74 79 20 67 72 65 61 74 2e as pretty great.
334c0 20 20 48 65 20 68 61 64 20 61 20 6c 6f 74 20 6f He had a lot o
334d0 66 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 69 6e 73 69 67 68 74 73 20 f good insights
334e0 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 69 6e 67 73 20 2d 2d 20 about things --
334f0 70 6f 6c 69 74 69 63 73 2c 20 65 63 6f 6e 6f 6d politics, econom
33500 69 63 73 2c 20 63 75 6c 74 75 72 65 2c 20 74 65 ics, culture, te
33510 63 68 6e 6f 6c 6f 67 79 2c 20 6c 61 77 20 65 6e chnology, law en
33520 66 6f 72 63 65 6d 65 6e 74 2c 20 77 61 72 2c 20 forcement, war,
33530 61 6e 64 20 6a 75 73 74 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 65 and just about e
33540 76 65 72 79 74 68 69 6e 67 20 68 65 20 74 61 6c verything he tal
33550 6b 65 64 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 6f 6e 20 68 69 73 ked about on his
33560 20 73 68 6f 77 20 61 6e 64 20 68 69 73 20 77 72 show and his wr
33570 69 74 69 6e 67 73 2e 20 20 41 66 74 65 72 20 61 itings. After a
33580 20 77 68 69 6c 65 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2c 20 while, though,
33590 68 65 20 73 65 65 6d 65 64 20 74 6f 20 73 74 61 he seemed to sta
335a0 72 74 20 73 6c 69 64 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 74 68 rt sliding to th
335b0 65 20 72 69 67 68 74 20 61 20 62 69 74 20 6d 75 e right a bit mu
335c0 63 68 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 49 20 77 61 73 20 64 69 ch, and I was di
335d0 73 61 70 70 6f 69 6e 74 65 64 20 62 79 20 74 68 sappointed by th
335e0 65 20 63 68 61 6e 67 65 2e 20 20 49 20 73 74 69 e change. I sti
335f0 6c 6c 20 63 68 65 63 6b 65 64 20 69 6e 20 6f 6e ll checked in on
33600 63 65 20 69 6e 20 61 20 77 68 69 6c 65 2c 20 62 ce in a while, b
33610 65 63 61 75 73 65 20 68 65 20 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 ecause he still
33620 68 61 64 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 73 6d 61 72 74 20 74 had some smart t
33630 68 69 6e 67 73 20 74 6f 20 73 61 79 2c 20 62 75 hings to say, bu
33640 74 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 61 6e 64 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 t more and more
33650 69 74 20 73 65 65 6d 65 64 20 74 6f 20 62 65 20 it seemed to be
33660 73 6b 65 77 65 64 20 69 6e 20 77 68 61 74 20 49 skewed in what I
33670 20 6d 69 67 68 74 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 6f 66 20 might think of
33680 61 73 20 61 6e 20 61 6c 74 20 72 69 67 68 74 20 as an alt right
33690 64 69 72 65 63 74 69 6f 6e 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 74 direction, and t
336a0 68 61 74 27 73 20 6e 6f 74 20 6d 79 20 64 69 72 hat's not my dir
336b0 65 63 74 69 6f 6e 2c 20 69 66 20 79 6f 75 20 6b ection, if you k
336c0 6e 6f 77 20 77 68 61 74 20 49 20 6d 65 61 6e 2e now what I mean.
336d0 0a 0a 22 4e 6f 20 6f 66 66 65 6e 73 65 2c 20 6f .."No offense, o
336e0 66 20 63 6f 75 72 73 65 2c 20 62 75 74 20 49 20 f course, but I
336f0 6e 65 76 65 72 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 70 61 69 never really pai
33700 64 20 61 6e 79 20 61 74 74 65 6e 74 69 6f 6e 20 d any attention
33710 74 6f 20 77 68 65 6e 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 74 to when people t
33720 61 6c 6b 65 64 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 79 6f 75 2e alked about you.
33730 20 20 44 53 48 20 73 65 65 6d 65 64 20 74 6f 20 DSH seemed to
33740 74 61 6c 6b 20 61 72 6f 75 6e 64 20 77 68 6f 20 talk around who
33750 79 6f 75 20 61 72 65 20 77 68 65 6e 20 68 65 20 you are when he
33760 64 69 64 20 6d 65 6e 74 69 6f 6e 20 79 6f 75 2c did mention you,
33770 20 62 75 74 20 6e 65 76 65 72 20 68 61 64 20 61 but never had a
33780 6e 79 74 68 69 6e 67 20 6e 65 67 61 74 69 76 65 nything negative
33790 20 74 6f 20 73 61 79 3b 20 49 20 6a 75 73 74 20 to say; I just
337a0 64 69 64 6e 27 74 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 63 61 didn't really ca
337b0 72 65 20 61 73 20 6d 75 63 68 20 61 62 6f 75 74 re as much about
337c0 20 68 69 73 20 70 65 72 73 6f 6e 61 6c 20 6c 69 his personal li
337d0 66 65 20 61 73 20 49 20 64 69 64 20 61 62 6f 75 fe as I did abou
337e0 74 20 68 69 73 20 69 64 65 61 73 2c 20 73 6f 20 t his ideas, so
337f0 79 6f 75 20 64 69 64 6e 27 74 20 67 65 74 20 6f you didn't get o
33800 6e 20 6d 79 20 72 61 64 61 72 2e 20 20 49 20 64 n my radar. I d
33810 6f 20 72 65 6d 65 6d 62 65 72 2c 20 62 65 66 6f o remember, befo
33820 72 65 20 49 20 6b 69 6e 64 61 20 67 61 76 65 20 re I kinda gave
33830 75 70 20 6f 6e 20 6c 69 73 74 65 6e 69 6e 67 20 up on listening
33840 74 6f 20 68 69 6d 2c 20 74 68 61 74 20 68 65 20 to him, that he
33850 73 61 69 64 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 74 said something t
33860 6f 20 61 20 6c 69 73 74 65 6e 65 72 20 77 68 6f o a listener who
33870 20 63 61 6c 6c 65 64 20 69 6e 20 74 6f 20 61 73 called in to as
33880 6b 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 79 6f 75 2e 20 20 48 65 k about you. He
33890 20 73 61 69 64 20 74 68 61 74 20 69 74 20 77 61 said that it wa
338a0 73 20 74 72 75 65 20 74 68 61 74 20 79 6f 75 20 s true that you
338b0 68 61 64 20 63 61 6c 6c 65 64 20 6f 66 66 20 74 had called off t
338c0 68 65 20 65 6e 67 61 67 65 6d 65 6e 74 20 61 6e he engagement an
338d0 64 20 6d 6f 76 65 64 20 6f 6e 20 77 69 74 68 20 d moved on with
338e0 79 6f 75 72 20 6c 69 66 65 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 74 your life, and t
338f0 68 61 74 20 68 65 20 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 72 65 73 hat he still res
33900 70 65 63 74 65 64 20 79 6f 75 20 64 65 73 70 69 pected you despi
33910 74 65 20 79 6f 75 72 20 64 69 66 66 65 72 65 6e te your differen
33920 63 65 73 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 68 65 20 77 6f 75 6c ces, and he woul
33930 64 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 68 69 73 20 6c 69 73 74 65 d like his liste
33940 6e 65 72 73 20 74 6f 20 72 65 73 70 65 63 74 20 ners to respect
33950 79 6f 75 72 20 64 65 73 69 72 65 20 66 6f 72 20 your desire for
33960 70 72 69 76 61 63 79 20 61 6e 64 20 70 65 61 63 privacy and peac
33970 65 20 69 6e 20 79 6f 75 72 20 6c 69 66 65 2c 20 e in your life,
33980 74 68 65 6e 20 73 61 69 64 20 74 68 61 74 20 77 then said that w
33990 61 73 20 70 72 65 74 74 79 20 6d 75 63 68 20 74 as pretty much t
339a0 68 65 20 6f 6e 6c 79 20 74 68 69 6e 67 20 68 65 he only thing he
339b0 20 68 61 64 20 74 6f 20 73 61 79 20 61 62 6f 75 had to say abou
339c0 74 20 69 74 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2c 22 20 73 68 t it.".."Oh," sh
339d0 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 64 69 64 6e e said. "I didn
339e0 27 74 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 't know about th
339f0 61 74 20 2d 2d 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 68 69 6d 20 at -- about him
33a00 73 61 79 69 6e 67 20 74 68 61 74 2e 22 0a 0a 47 saying that."..G
33a10 65 6f 72 67 65 20 73 68 72 75 67 67 65 64 2e 20 eorge shrugged.
33a20 20 22 49 74 20 77 61 73 20 74 68 65 20 73 74 61 "It was the sta
33a30 6e 64 20 75 70 20 74 68 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 64 nd up thing to d
33a40 6f 2c 20 62 75 74 20 69 74 20 64 69 64 6e 27 74 o, but it didn't
33a50 20 6d 61 6b 65 20 68 69 73 20 63 68 61 6e 67 65 make his change
33a60 20 69 6e 20 64 69 72 65 63 74 69 6f 6e 20 6f 6e in direction on
33a70 20 69 64 65 6f 6c 6f 67 79 20 61 6e 79 20 6d 6f ideology any mo
33a80 72 65 20 69 6e 74 65 72 65 73 74 69 6e 67 20 74 re interesting t
33a90 6f 20 6d 65 2c 20 73 6f 20 69 74 20 64 69 64 6e o me, so it didn
33aa0 27 74 20 6b 65 65 70 20 6d 65 20 6c 69 73 74 65 't keep me liste
33ab0 6e 69 6e 67 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 22 20 ning.".."Yeah,"
33ac0 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 67 65 she said. "I ge
33ad0 74 20 74 68 61 74 2e 22 0a 0a 22 53 6f 20 2e 20 t that.".."So .
33ae0 2e 20 2e 20 77 68 61 74 20 64 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 . . what do you
33af0 74 68 69 6e 6b 3f 20 20 41 72 65 20 6d 79 20 76 think? Are my v
33b00 69 65 77 73 20 6f 6e 20 69 74 20 69 6e 74 6f 6c iews on it intol
33b10 65 72 61 62 6c 65 3f 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 erable?"..Alley
33b20 73 6d 69 6c 65 64 2e 20 20 22 4e 6f 2c 20 6e 6f smiled. "No, no
33b30 74 20 61 74 20 61 6c 6c 2e 20 20 54 68 61 74 27 t at all. That'
33b40 73 20 61 63 74 75 61 6c 6c 79 20 6b 69 6e 64 61 s actually kinda
33b50 20 68 6f 77 20 49 20 66 65 6c 74 20 61 62 6f 75 how I felt abou
33b60 74 20 68 69 73 20 69 64 65 6f 6c 6f 67 69 63 61 t his ideologica
33b70 6c 20 73 68 69 66 74 2e 20 20 49 20 6c 69 6b 65 l shift. I like
33b80 64 20 69 74 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 62 65 66 6f 72 65 d it more before
33b90 20 74 68 65 20 63 68 61 6e 67 65 20 74 68 61 6e the change than
33ba0 20 61 66 74 65 72 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 77 65 20 68 after, and we h
33bb0 61 64 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 61 72 67 75 6d 65 6e 74 ad some argument
33bc0 73 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 69 74 2e 20 20 48 65 20 s about it. He
33bd0 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 68 61 64 20 70 72 69 6e 63 69 still had princi
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33bf0 61 73 6e 27 74 20 74 68 65 20 63 61 72 69 63 61 asn't the carica
33c00 74 75 72 65 20 6f 66 20 61 6c 74 20 72 69 67 68 ture of alt righ
33c10 74 20 74 68 61 74 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 61 73 t that people as
33c20 73 75 6d 65 64 2c 20 62 75 74 20 49 20 64 69 64 sumed, but I did
33c30 6e 27 74 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 68 69 73 20 6e 65 77 n't like his new
33c40 20 70 6f 6c 69 74 69 63 73 20 61 74 20 61 6c 6c politics at all
33c50 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 74 20 6d 75 73 74 20 68 .".."That must h
33c60 61 76 65 20 6d 61 64 65 20 69 74 20 64 69 66 66 ave made it diff
33c70 69 63 75 6c 74 20 74 6f 20 6c 69 76 65 20 77 69 icult to live wi
33c80 74 68 20 68 69 6d 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 74 20 74 6f th him.".."It to
33c90 6f 6b 20 69 74 73 20 74 6f 6c 6c 2e 20 20 50 61 ok its toll. Pa
33ca0 72 74 20 6f 66 20 69 74 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 rt of it, though
33cb0 2c 20 77 61 73 20 74 68 65 20 66 61 63 74 20 74 , was the fact t
33cc0 68 61 74 20 69 74 20 61 66 66 65 63 74 65 64 20 hat it affected
33cd0 6d 79 20 6c 69 66 65 20 69 6e 20 6f 74 68 65 72 my life in other
33ce0 20 77 61 79 73 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 6d 6f 6d 65 ways. The mome
33cf0 6e 74 20 49 20 72 65 61 6c 69 7a 65 64 20 49 20 nt I realized I
33d00 6e 65 65 64 65 64 20 74 6f 20 67 65 74 20 6f 75 needed to get ou
33d10 74 20 77 61 73 20 61 66 74 65 72 20 73 6f 6d 65 t was after some
33d20 20 77 6f 6d 61 6e 20 61 63 74 75 61 6c 6c 79 20 woman actually
33d30 73 74 61 72 74 65 64 20 73 63 72 65 61 6d 69 6e started screamin
33d40 67 20 61 74 20 6d 65 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 73 g at me on the s
33d50 74 72 65 65 74 2c 20 63 61 6c 6c 69 6e 67 20 6d treet, calling m
33d60 65 20 74 68 65 20 27 73 69 64 65 20 64 69 73 68 e the 'side dish
33d70 27 20 61 6e 64 20 61 63 63 75 73 69 6e 67 20 6d ' and accusing m
33d80 65 20 6f 66 20 62 65 69 6e 67 20 61 20 72 61 63 e of being a rac
33d90 69 73 74 20 61 6e 64 20 73 74 75 66 66 20 6c 69 ist and stuff li
33da0 6b 65 20 74 68 61 74 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 61 63 ke that, then ac
33db0 74 75 61 6c 6c 79 20 73 74 61 72 74 65 64 20 68 tually started h
33dc0 69 74 74 69 6e 67 20 6d 65 2e 20 20 49 20 73 68 itting me. I sh
33dd0 6f 76 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 62 61 63 6b 20 61 6e oved her back an
33de0 64 20 72 61 6e 20 74 6f 20 6d 79 20 63 61 72 2c d ran to my car,
33df0 20 64 72 6f 76 65 20 6f 66 66 20 61 6e 64 20 63 drove off and c
33e00 61 6c 6c 65 64 20 69 6e 20 61 20 70 6f 6c 69 63 alled in a polic
33e10 65 20 72 65 70 6f 72 74 2c 20 62 75 74 20 6f 66 e report, but of
33e20 20 63 6f 75 72 73 65 20 6e 6f 74 68 69 6e 67 20 course nothing
33e30 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 65 76 65 72 20 68 61 70 70 65 would ever happe
33e40 6e 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 74 68 61 74 2e 20 20 49 20 n from that. I
33e50 6e 65 76 65 72 20 68 65 61 72 64 20 62 61 63 6b never heard back
33e60 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 69 74 2e 22 0a 0a 42 79 20 about it."..By
33e70 74 68 65 20 74 69 6d 65 20 73 68 65 20 77 61 73 the time she was
33e80 20 64 6f 6e 65 2c 20 47 65 6f 72 67 65 27 73 20 done, George's
33e90 65 78 70 72 65 73 73 69 6f 6e 20 74 6f 6f 6b 20 expression took
33ea0 6f 6e 20 61 20 64 61 72 6b 2c 20 73 74 6f 72 6d on a dark, storm
33eb0 79 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 2e 20 20 22 54 68 61 74 27 73 y look. "That's
33ec0 20 74 65 72 72 69 62 6c 65 2e 20 20 49 27 6d 20 terrible. I'm
33ed0 73 6f 72 72 79 20 74 68 61 74 20 68 61 70 70 65 sorry that happe
33ee0 6e 65 64 20 74 6f 20 79 6f 75 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 ned to you."..Sh
33ef0 65 20 73 68 72 75 67 67 65 64 20 68 65 6c 70 6c e shrugged helpl
33f00 65 73 73 6c 79 2e 20 20 22 57 68 61 74 20 63 61 essly. "What ca
33f10 6e 20 49 20 64 6f 3f 20 20 49 20 6a 75 73 74 20 n I do? I just
33f20 64 65 63 69 64 65 64 20 49 20 77 61 73 20 67 6f decided I was go
33f30 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 64 69 73 74 61 6e 63 65 20 ing to distance
33f40 6d 79 73 65 6c 66 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 68 69 73 20 myself from his
33f50 73 70 68 65 72 65 20 6f 66 20 63 6f 6e 74 72 6f sphere of contro
33f60 76 65 72 73 79 20 61 73 20 6d 75 63 68 20 61 73 versy as much as
33f70 20 49 20 63 6f 75 6c 64 20 61 6e 64 20 74 72 79 I could and try
33f80 20 74 6f 20 77 61 69 74 20 66 6f 72 20 74 68 65 to wait for the
33f90 20 77 6f 72 6c 64 20 74 6f 20 66 6f 72 67 65 74 world to forget
33fa0 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 6d 65 2e 20 20 49 74 20 73 about me. It s
33fb0 74 69 6c 6c 20 68 61 73 6e 27 74 20 68 61 70 70 till hasn't happ
33fc0 65 6e 65 64 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2e 20 20 49 ened, though. I
33fd0 20 77 65 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 77 68 61 74 20 49 20 went to what I
33fe0 74 68 6f 75 67 68 74 20 77 61 73 20 67 6f 69 6e thought was goin
33ff0 67 20 74 6f 20 62 65 20 61 20 6a 6f 62 20 69 6e g to be a job in
34000 74 65 72 76 69 65 77 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 69 74 20 terview, and it
34010 74 75 72 6e 65 64 20 6f 75 74 20 74 68 65 20 6f turned out the o
34020 6e 6c 79 20 72 65 61 73 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 68 nly reason the h
34030 69 72 69 6e 67 20 6d 61 6e 61 67 65 72 20 61 70 iring manager ap
34040 70 72 6f 76 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 69 6e 74 65 72 proved the inter
34050 76 69 65 77 20 77 61 73 20 73 6f 20 68 65 20 61 view was so he a
34060 6e 64 20 61 20 63 6f 75 70 6c 65 20 6f 66 20 68 nd a couple of h
34070 69 73 20 75 6e 64 65 72 6c 69 6e 67 20 64 65 76 is underling dev
34080 65 6c 6f 70 65 72 73 20 63 6f 75 6c 64 20 68 65 elopers could he
34090 63 6b 6c 65 20 6d 65 20 77 68 65 6e 20 49 20 73 ckle me when I s
340a0 68 6f 77 65 64 20 75 70 2e 20 20 54 68 65 79 20 howed up. They
340b0 66 6f 75 6e 64 20 6f 75 74 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 found out about
340c0 6d 79 20 63 6f 6e 6e 65 63 74 69 6f 6e 20 74 6f my connection to
340d0 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 77 68 65 6e 20 74 68 65 Dalton when the
340e0 79 20 73 65 61 72 63 68 65 64 20 66 6f 72 20 69 y searched for i
340f0 6e 66 6f 72 6d 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 61 62 6f 75 74 nformation about
34100 20 6d 79 20 6e 61 6d 65 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 my name on the
34110 69 6e 74 65 72 6e 65 74 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 72 65 internet, and re
34120 61 6c 69 7a 65 64 20 74 68 65 79 20 61 6c 6c 20 alized they all
34130 68 61 74 65 64 20 6d 65 2c 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 hated me, I gues
34140 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 77 68 s.".."Is that wh
34150 79 20 79 6f 75 20 63 61 6c 6c 65 64 20 6d 65 20 y you called me
34160 74 6f 64 61 79 3f 22 20 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 today?" he asked
34170 2e 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 3f 22 0a 0a 22 59 6f 75 ..."What?".."You
34180 20 73 61 69 64 20 79 6f 75 20 77 61 6e 74 65 64 said you wanted
34190 20 74 6f 20 74 61 6c 6b 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 77 to talk about w
341a0 68 61 74 20 49 20 64 6f 2e 20 20 41 72 65 20 79 hat I do. Are y
341b0 6f 75 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 69 6e 67 20 66 6f 72 20 61 ou looking for a
341c0 6e 20 6f 70 70 6f 72 74 75 6e 69 74 79 20 74 6f n opportunity to
341d0 20 77 6f 72 6b 20 77 69 74 68 20 6d 65 3f 20 20 work with me?
341e0 49 74 20 64 6f 65 73 6e 27 74 20 6d 61 74 74 65 It doesn't matte
341f0 72 20 74 6f 20 6d 65 20 74 68 61 74 20 79 6f 75 r to me that you
34200 20 77 65 72 65 20 65 6e 67 61 67 65 64 20 74 6f were engaged to
34210 20 44 53 48 3b 20 49 20 74 61 6b 65 20 70 65 6f DSH; I take peo
34220 70 6c 65 20 61 73 20 74 68 65 79 20 63 6f 6d 65 ple as they come
34230 2e 20 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 79 6f 75 27 64 . I guess you'd
34240 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 77 68 want to know wh
34250 61 74 20 49 27 6d 20 64 6f 69 6e 67 20 62 65 66 at I'm doing bef
34260 6f 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 61 73 6b 20 66 6f 72 20 ore you ask for
34270 61 6e 20 6f 70 70 6f 72 74 75 6e 69 74 79 20 74 an opportunity t
34280 6f 20 77 6f 72 6b 20 77 69 74 68 20 6d 65 2c 20 o work with me,
34290 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2e 22 20 though.".."Oh."
342a0 20 53 68 65 20 70 61 75 73 65 64 20 61 20 6d 6f She paused a mo
342b0 6d 65 6e 74 2e 20 20 22 57 65 6c 6c 20 2e 20 2e ment. "Well . .
342c0 20 2e 20 6d 61 79 62 65 3f 20 20 49 20 77 61 73 . maybe? I was
342d0 6e 27 74 20 65 78 61 63 74 6c 79 20 74 68 69 6e n't exactly thin
342e0 6b 69 6e 67 20 74 68 61 74 2c 20 62 75 74 20 69 king that, but i
342f0 74 27 73 20 61 6e 20 69 6e 74 65 72 65 73 74 69 t's an interesti
34300 6e 67 20 69 64 65 61 2c 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 ng idea, I guess
34310 2e 20 20 59 6f 75 20 64 69 64 20 6f 66 66 65 72 . You did offer
34320 20 74 6f 20 68 65 6c 70 20 6d 65 20 6c 65 61 72 to help me lear
34330 6e 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 6e 65 77 20 73 6b 69 6c 6c n some new skill
34340 73 20 69 66 20 49 20 6e 65 65 64 20 69 74 2c 20 s if I need it,
34350 61 6e 64 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 74 68 69 73 and I guess this
34360 20 6d 69 67 68 74 20 62 65 20 63 6f 6e 6e 65 63 might be connec
34370 74 65 64 20 74 6f 20 74 68 61 74 2e 20 20 49 20 ted to that. I
34380 77 61 73 20 6a 75 73 74 2c 20 65 72 72 2c 20 63 was just, err, c
34390 6f 6e 63 65 72 6e 65 64 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 77 oncerned about w
343a0 68 61 74 20 6b 69 6e 64 20 6f 66 20 62 75 73 69 hat kind of busi
343b0 6e 65 73 73 20 49 20 67 6f 74 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 ness I got into
343c0 77 68 65 6e 20 49 20 73 6f 6c 64 20 74 68 6f 73 when I sold thos
343d0 65 20 66 72 61 6d 65 73 20 74 6f 20 79 6f 75 2e e frames to you.
343e0 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 63 68 75 63 6b 6c 65 64 2e 20 "..He chuckled.
343f0 20 22 4f 68 2c 20 74 68 61 74 2e 20 20 59 65 61 "Oh, that. Yea
34400 68 2c 20 77 65 6c 6c 2c 20 49 20 63 61 6e 20 73 h, well, I can s
34410 65 65 20 77 68 79 2e 22 20 20 48 69 73 20 73 6d ee why." His sm
34420 69 6c 65 20 66 61 64 65 64 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 ile faded, and s
34430 68 65 20 73 61 77 20 61 20 6e 65 77 2c 20 73 65 he saw a new, se
34440 72 69 6f 75 73 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 20 61 62 6f 75 74 rious look about
34450 20 68 69 6d 2e 20 20 22 54 65 6c 6c 20 6d 65 20 him. "Tell me
34460 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 2c 20 62 65 66 6f 72 something, befor
34470 65 20 49 20 61 6e 73 77 65 72 2c 20 70 6c 65 61 e I answer, plea
34480 73 65 2e 20 20 41 20 63 6f 75 70 6c 65 20 6f 66 se. A couple of
34490 20 74 68 69 6e 67 73 2c 20 61 63 74 75 61 6c 6c things, actuall
344a0 79 2e 20 20 49 66 20 79 6f 75 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 y. If you don't
344b0 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 61 6e 73 77 65 72 2c want to answer,
344c0 20 69 74 27 73 20 66 69 6e 65 2c 20 62 75 74 20 it's fine, but
344d0 74 68 65 6e 20 49 20 77 6f 6e 27 74 20 61 6e 73 then I won't ans
344e0 77 65 72 20 79 6f 75 72 20 71 75 65 73 74 69 6f wer your questio
344f0 6e 73 2c 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 77 68 61 74 20 49 ns, about what I
34500 27 6d 20 64 6f 69 6e 67 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 6b 61 'm doing.".."Oka
34510 79 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 61 6e y," she said, an
34520 20 75 6e 63 65 72 74 61 69 6e 20 75 70 74 75 72 uncertain uptur
34530 6e 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 74 6f 6e 65 20 6f 66 n in the tone of
34540 20 74 68 65 20 77 6f 72 64 20 74 61 63 6b 65 64 the word tacked
34550 20 6f 6e 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 65 6e 64 2c 20 61 onto the end, a
34560 6c 6d 6f 73 74 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 69 74 20 77 61 lmost like it wa
34570 73 20 61 20 71 75 65 73 74 69 6f 6e 2e 0a 0a 22 s a question..."
34580 46 69 72 73 74 2c 20 49 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f First, I want to
34590 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 77 68 65 6e 20 79 6f 75 20 74 know when you t
345a0 68 69 6e 6b 20 69 74 27 73 20 6f 6b 61 79 20 74 hink it's okay t
345b0 6f 20 6c 69 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2e 20 20 54 o lie.".."Oh. T
345c0 68 61 74 27 73 20 61 6e 20 69 6e 74 65 72 65 73 hat's an interes
345d0 74 69 6e 67 20 71 75 65 73 74 69 6f 6e 2e 22 0a ting question.".
345e0 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2e 20 20 49 74 20 69 73 2e 22 ."Yeah. It is."
345f0 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 74 20 61 62 ..She thought ab
34600 6f 75 74 20 69 74 2e 20 20 22 4f 6e 6c 79 20 77 out it. "Only w
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34620 65 63 74 20 79 6f 75 72 73 65 6c 66 20 6f 72 20 ect yourself or
34630 73 6f 6d 65 6f 6e 65 20 65 6c 73 65 20 66 72 6f someone else fro
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34650 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 6f 74 68 65 72 77 69 73 65 would otherwise
34660 20 62 65 20 64 6f 6e 65 2c 20 77 72 6f 6e 67 6c be done, wrongl
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34690 0a 0a 22 48 6d 6d 2e 20 20 43 61 6e 20 77 65 20 .."Hmm. Can we
346a0 65 78 70 6c 6f 72 65 20 74 68 61 74 20 61 20 6c explore that a l
346b0 69 74 74 6c 65 3f 22 0a 0a 22 53 75 72 65 2c 20 ittle?".."Sure,
346c0 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 I guess.".."What
346d0 20 69 66 20 69 74 27 73 20 61 20 67 6f 76 65 72 if it's a gover
346e0 6e 6d 65 6e 74 20 65 6d 70 6c 6f 79 65 72 20 61 nment employer a
346f0 6e 64 20 79 6f 75 27 72 65 20 74 72 79 69 6e 67 nd you're trying
34700 20 74 6f 20 67 65 74 20 61 63 63 65 73 73 20 74 to get access t
34710 6f 20 62 75 72 65 61 75 63 72 61 74 69 63 20 72 o bureaucratic r
34720 65 73 6f 75 72 63 65 73 20 62 79 20 67 65 74 74 esources by gett
34730 69 6e 67 20 61 20 6a 6f 62 20 74 68 65 72 65 2c ing a job there,
34740 20 77 68 69 63 68 20 79 6f 75 20 63 61 6e 20 75 which you can u
34750 73 65 20 74 6f 20 68 65 6c 70 20 6d 61 6b 65 20 se to help make
34760 74 68 65 20 77 6f 72 6c 64 20 61 20 62 65 74 74 the world a bett
34770 65 72 20 70 6c 61 63 65 20 62 79 20 75 73 69 6e er place by usin
34780 67 20 74 68 61 74 20 6b 6e 6f 77 6c 65 64 67 65 g that knowledge
34790 20 61 67 61 69 6e 73 74 20 67 6f 76 65 72 6e 6d against governm
347a0 65 6e 74 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 74 20 64 65 70 65 6e ent?".."It depen
347b0 64 73 2c 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 ds, I guess.".."
347c0 48 6d 6d 2e 22 20 20 48 65 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 Hmm." He though
347d0 74 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 61 74 2e 20 20 22 t about that. "
347e0 57 68 61 74 20 69 66 20 79 6f 75 20 6e 65 65 64 What if you need
347f0 20 74 6f 20 6c 69 65 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 70 to lie to the p
34800 6f 6c 69 63 65 20 74 6f 20 6b 65 65 70 20 74 68 olice to keep th
34810 65 6d 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 61 72 72 65 73 74 69 6e em from arrestin
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34850 70 72 69 73 6f 6e 20 66 6f 72 20 64 65 63 61 64 prison for decad
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34870 64 20 77 68 65 6e 20 77 68 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 d when what the
34880 70 65 72 73 6f 6e 20 64 69 64 20 6d 61 79 20 62 person did may b
34890 65 20 69 6c 6c 65 67 61 6c 2c 20 62 75 74 20 69 e illegal, but i
348a0 73 6e 27 74 20 77 72 6f 6e 67 3f 22 0a 0a 22 59 sn't wrong?".."Y
348b0 65 61 68 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 eah," she said,
348c0 22 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 49 20 6d 69 67 68 74 "I guess I might
348d0 20 6c 69 65 2c 20 75 6e 6c 65 73 73 20 79 6f 75 lie, unless you
348e0 20 77 6f 72 6b 20 66 6f 72 20 74 68 65 20 70 6f work for the po
348f0 6c 69 63 65 2c 20 69 6e 20 77 68 69 63 68 20 63 lice, in which c
34900 61 73 65 20 49 27 64 20 74 65 6c 6c 20 74 68 65 ase I'd tell the
34910 20 74 72 75 74 68 2e 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 6c 61 75 truth."..He lau
34920 67 68 65 64 20 61 6c 6f 75 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 ghed aloud. "I
34930 73 65 65 20 77 68 61 74 20 79 6f 75 20 64 69 64 see what you did
34940 20 74 68 65 72 65 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 73 6d there."..She sm
34950 69 6c 65 64 20 62 61 63 6b 2e 20 20 22 49 20 74 iled back. "I t
34960 68 6f 75 67 68 74 20 79 6f 75 20 6d 69 67 68 74 hought you might
34970 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 6b 61 79 2c 20 49 20 6b 6e 6f .".."Okay, I kno
34980 77 20 74 68 61 74 20 77 61 73 20 74 65 63 68 6e w that was techn
34990 69 63 61 6c 6c 79 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 74 68 61 6e ically more than
349a0 20 6f 6e 65 20 71 75 65 73 74 69 6f 6e 2c 20 62 one question, b
349b0 75 74 20 6e 6f 77 20 49 27 6d 20 72 65 61 64 79 ut now I'm ready
349c0 20 74 6f 20 61 73 6b 20 74 68 65 20 73 65 63 6f to ask the seco
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349e0 6e 74 69 6f 6e 65 64 20 49 20 77 61 6e 74 65 64 ntioned I wanted
349f0 20 74 6f 20 61 73 6b 2e 22 0a 0a 22 55 68 20 2e to ask.".."Uh .
34a00 20 2e 20 2e 20 6f 6b 61 79 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 66 . . okay.".."If
34a10 20 49 20 74 65 6c 6c 20 79 6f 75 20 61 62 6f 75 I tell you abou
34a20 74 20 69 6c 6c 65 67 61 6c 20 74 68 69 6e 67 73 t illegal things
34a30 20 49 27 6d 20 64 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 68 61 74 20 I'm doing that
34a40 6d 69 67 68 74 20 72 65 73 75 6c 74 20 69 6e 20 might result in
34a50 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 67 65 74 74 69 6e 67 20 68 people getting h
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34a70 73 20 62 65 79 6f 6e 64 20 6d 79 20 63 6f 6e 74 s beyond my cont
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34a90 65 78 74 65 6e 74 20 6f 66 20 6d 79 20 6b 6e 6f extent of my kno
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34ab0 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 77 68 6f 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 people who would
34ac0 20 67 65 74 20 68 75 72 74 20 61 72 65 20 70 65 get hurt are pe
34ad0 6f 70 6c 65 20 77 68 6f 20 64 65 73 65 72 76 65 ople who deserve
34ae0 20 69 74 20 61 6e 64 20 6e 65 65 64 20 74 6f 20 it and need to
34af0 62 65 20 73 74 6f 70 70 65 64 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 be stopped from
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34b10 65 72 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 2e 20 2e 20 2e 20 er people . . .
34b20 77 69 6c 6c 20 79 6f 75 20 6b 65 65 70 20 69 74 will you keep it
34b30 20 73 65 63 72 65 74 2c 20 65 76 65 6e 20 69 66 secret, even if
34b40 20 79 6f 75 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 65 76 65 72 20 you don't ever
34b50 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 62 65 20 73 65 65 6e 20 want to be seen
34b60 61 72 6f 75 6e 64 20 6d 65 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2c around me again,
34b70 20 66 6f 72 20 77 68 61 74 65 76 65 72 20 72 65 for whatever re
34b80 61 73 6f 6e 3f 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 74 68 6f 75 ason?"..She thou
34b90 67 68 74 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 69 74 2c 20 61 6e ght about it, an
34ba0 64 20 68 65 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 74 20 69 74 20 d he thought it
34bb0 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 73 68 65 20 looked like she
34bc0 6d 69 67 68 74 20 62 65 20 63 68 65 77 69 6e 67 might be chewing
34bd0 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 69 6e 73 69 64 65 20 6f on the inside o
34be0 66 20 68 65 72 20 63 68 65 65 6b 20 61 20 6c 69 f her cheek a li
34bf0 74 74 6c 65 20 62 69 74 2e 20 20 41 74 20 6c 61 ttle bit. At la
34c00 73 74 2c 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 59 65 st, she said "Ye
34c10 61 68 2c 20 49 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 62 65 20 ah, I should be
34c20 61 62 6c 65 20 74 6f 20 6b 65 65 70 20 61 20 73 able to keep a s
34c30 65 63 72 65 74 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 68 61 74 2e ecret like that.
34c40 20 20 59 6f 75 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 6b 6e 6f You should kno
34c50 77 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 2c 20 74 68 6f w something, tho
34c60 75 67 68 2c 20 62 65 66 6f 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 ugh, before you
34c70 74 65 6c 6c 20 6d 65 20 61 6e 79 74 68 69 6e 67 tell me anything
34c80 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 68 61 74 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 like that.".."W
34c90 68 61 74 20 69 73 20 69 74 3f 22 20 68 65 20 61 hat is it?" he a
34ca0 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 53 6f 6d 65 20 6b 69 6e sked..."Some kin
34cb0 64 20 6f 66 20 4d 65 6e 20 49 6e 20 42 6c 61 63 d of Men In Blac
34cc0 6b 2c 20 69 66 20 79 6f 75 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 77 k, if you know w
34cd0 68 61 74 20 49 20 6d 65 61 6e 2c 20 73 68 6f 77 hat I mean, show
34ce0 65 64 20 75 70 20 61 74 20 6d 79 20 66 72 6f 6e ed up at my fron
34cf0 74 20 64 6f 6f 72 20 74 68 69 73 20 6d 6f 72 6e t door this morn
34d00 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 61 73 6b 20 6d 65 20 61 62 ing to ask me ab
34d10 6f 75 74 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 73 74 75 66 66 2e 20 out some stuff.
34d20 20 49 74 20 77 61 73 6e 27 74 20 61 62 6f 75 74 It wasn't about
34d30 20 79 6f 75 20 2d 2d 20 69 74 20 77 61 73 20 61 you -- it was a
34d40 62 6f 75 74 20 6d 65 20 2d 2d 20 62 75 74 20 69 bout me -- but i
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34dd0 20 20 22 57 68 65 6e 20 79 6f 75 20 73 61 79 20 "When you say
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34df0 20 2e 20 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 22 20 73 . .".."Yeah," s
34e00 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 22 49 20 6d 65 61 6e he said, "I mean
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34f80 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 69 72 20 73 68 69 72 74 73 on their shirts
34f90 2e 22 0a 0a 47 65 6f 72 67 65 20 73 61 74 20 62 ."..George sat b
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34fe0 2e 20 2e 20 79 65 61 68 2e 20 20 57 68 65 6e 20 . . yeah. When
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35040 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 65 6d 2e 20 20 54 68 65 about them. The
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35060 0a 22 46 75 63 6b 2e 22 20 20 53 68 65 20 6c 6f ."Fuck." She lo
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35080 20 68 61 6e 64 73 2e 20 20 22 52 65 61 6c 6c 79 hands. "Really
35090 3f 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 ?".."Yeah.".."Th
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350b0 20 77 68 61 74 20 49 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 74 2c what I thought,
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351e0 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 20 73 6f 6c 65 6d 6e 6c 79 nodded solemnly
351f0 2e 20 20 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 74 68 61 74 20 68 . "Yeah, that h
35200 61 70 70 65 6e 73 2e 20 20 59 6f 75 20 6b 6e 6f appens. You kno
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35250 20 70 72 6f 62 61 62 6c 79 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 probably going
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352c0 20 75 70 20 77 69 74 68 20 6d 65 20 61 74 20 61 up with me at a
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35350 64 73 2e 0a 0a 22 49 27 6c 6c 20 74 65 6c 6c 20 ds..."I'll tell
35360 79 6f 75 20 77 68 61 74 20 49 20 64 6f 20 6f 6e you what I do on
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35380 0a 0a 22 59 6f 75 20 77 61 6e 74 20 6d 65 20 74 .."You want me t
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353a0 74 65 6c 6c 20 74 68 65 6d 2c 20 6f 66 20 63 6f tell them, of co
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353d0 73 20 6e 6f 74 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 49 20 6b 6e 6f s not like I kno
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353f0 20 68 6f 6c 64 20 75 70 20 74 6f 20 74 6f 72 74 hold up to tort
35400 75 72 65 2e 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 73 68 6f 6f 6b 20 ure."..He shook
35410 68 69 73 20 68 65 61 64 2e 20 20 22 4e 6f 2c 20 his head. "No,
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35450 20 6f 72 20 61 74 20 6c 65 61 73 74 20 74 68 61 or at least tha
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354f0 65 20 74 6f 6f 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2e 22 20 20 e too.".."Oh."
35500 53 68 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 68 69 She looked at hi
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355f0 59 6f 75 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 68 65 6c 70 You want to help
35600 20 6d 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 73 2c 20 49 20 64 me.".."Yes, I d
35610 6f 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 74 o."..She thought
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35670 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 2c 20 62 75 74 ".."I don't, but
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35900 49 74 27 73 20 74 68 65 20 72 69 67 68 74 20 74 It's the right t
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35ae0 20 20 53 68 65 20 6d 65 74 20 68 69 73 20 65 79 She met his ey
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35c10 22 59 6f 75 27 72 65 20 6b 69 64 64 69 6e 67 2e "You're kidding.
35c20 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 73 68 6f 6f 6b 20 68 69 73 20 "..He shook his
35c30 68 65 61 64 2e 20 20 22 4e 6f 2c 20 49 27 6d 20 head. "No, I'm
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35e00 0a 0a 22 54 68 65 79 27 72 65 20 6e 6f 74 20 61 .."They're not a
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35ee0 68 20 6f 74 68 65 72 2c 20 62 75 74 20 6e 6f 74 h other, but not
35ef0 20 62 61 64 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 77 68 6f 27 bad people who'
35f00 72 65 20 68 75 72 74 69 6e 67 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 re hurting good
35f10 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 2c 20 66 6f 72 20 69 6e 73 74 people, for inst
35f20 61 6e 63 65 2e 20 20 53 6f 6d 65 74 69 6d 65 73 ance. Sometimes
35f30 2c 20 61 20 63 6f 75 70 6c 65 20 6f 66 20 74 68 , a couple of th
35f40 65 6d 20 64 6f 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 em do something
35f50 6a 75 73 74 20 62 65 63 61 75 73 65 20 74 68 65 just because the
35f60 79 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 69 74 27 73 20 74 68 65 y think it's the
35f70 20 72 69 67 68 74 20 74 68 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 right thing to
35f80 64 6f 2c 20 62 75 74 20 75 73 75 61 6c 6c 79 20 do, but usually
35f90 74 68 65 79 20 6e 65 65 64 20 6d 6f 6e 65 79 2c they need money,
35fa0 20 65 73 70 65 63 69 61 6c 6c 79 20 69 66 20 74 especially if t
35fb0 68 65 79 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 69 74 27 6c 6c 20 hey think it'll
35fc0 67 65 74 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 64 61 6e 67 65 get really dange
35fd0 72 6f 75 73 2e 0a 0a 22 49 27 76 65 20 73 65 65 rous..."I've see
35fe0 6e 20 61 20 63 6f 75 70 6c 65 20 6f 66 20 74 68 n a couple of th
35ff0 65 73 65 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 68 65 6c 70 20 ese people help
36000 61 20 77 6f 6d 61 6e 20 65 73 63 61 70 65 20 61 a woman escape a
36010 6e 20 61 62 75 73 69 76 65 20 68 75 73 62 61 6e n abusive husban
36020 64 20 77 68 6f 20 68 61 70 70 65 6e 65 64 20 74 d who happened t
36030 6f 20 62 65 20 61 20 73 65 6e 69 6f 72 20 61 73 o be a senior as
36040 73 69 73 74 61 6e 74 20 64 69 73 74 72 69 63 74 sistant district
36050 20 61 74 74 6f 72 6e 65 79 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 77 attorney, and w
36060 68 65 6e 20 73 68 65 20 74 72 69 65 64 20 74 6f hen she tried to
36070 20 70 61 79 20 74 68 65 6d 20 74 68 65 79 20 74 pay them they t
36080 6f 6c 64 20 68 65 72 20 74 6f 20 6b 65 65 70 20 old her to keep
36090 69 74 2c 20 62 75 74 20 74 68 61 74 27 73 20 61 it, but that's a
360a0 20 70 72 65 74 74 79 20 72 61 72 65 20 63 61 73 pretty rare cas
360b0 65 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 6f 66 20 74 e, and some of t
360c0 68 65 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 49 27 6d 20 74 61 he people I'm ta
360d0 6c 6b 69 6e 67 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 2d 2d 20 62 lking about -- b
360e0 65 63 61 75 73 65 20 74 68 65 79 20 77 6f 72 6b ecause they work
360f0 20 74 6f 67 65 74 68 65 72 20 61 20 6c 6f 74 20 together a lot
36100 2d 2d 20 6a 75 73 74 20 77 6f 6e 27 74 20 64 6f -- just won't do
36110 20 6a 6f 62 73 20 77 68 65 72 65 20 74 68 65 69 jobs where thei
36120 72 20 63 6c 69 65 6e 74 73 20 63 61 6e 27 74 20 r clients can't
36130 70 61 79 20 6e 6f 20 6d 61 74 74 65 72 20 68 6f pay no matter ho
36140 77 20 6d 75 63 68 20 73 6f 6d 65 6f 6e 65 20 74 w much someone t
36150 68 69 6e 6b 73 20 69 74 27 73 20 61 20 67 6f 6f hinks it's a goo
36160 64 20 74 68 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 64 6f 2e 22 0a d thing to do.".
36170 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 66 72 6f 77 6e 65 64 2e 20 .Alley frowned.
36180 20 22 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 79 6f 75 20 70 72 "I guess you pr
36190 6f 62 61 62 6c 79 20 61 72 65 6e 27 74 20 74 65 obably aren't te
361a0 63 68 6e 69 63 61 6c 6c 79 20 64 6f 69 6e 67 20 chnically doing
361b0 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 69 6c 6c 65 67 61 something illega
361c0 6c 20 62 79 20 73 65 6c 6c 69 6e 67 20 70 61 72 l by selling par
361d0 74 73 20 74 6f 20 73 6f 6d 65 6f 6e 65 2c 22 20 ts to someone,"
361e0 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 74 she said..."That
361f0 27 73 20 72 69 67 68 74 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 's right," he sa
36200 69 64 2c 20 22 62 75 74 20 65 76 65 72 79 6f 6e id, "but everyon
36210 65 27 73 20 64 6f 69 6e 67 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 e's doing someth
36220 69 6e 67 20 69 6c 6c 65 67 61 6c 20 73 6f 6d 65 ing illegal some
36230 74 69 6d 65 73 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 69 74 27 73 20 times, and it's
36240 6e 6f 74 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 73 6f 6d 65 6f 6e 65 not like someone
36250 20 63 6f 75 6c 64 6e 27 74 20 75 73 65 20 74 68 couldn't use th
36260 65 20 6c 61 77 20 74 6f 20 64 65 73 74 72 6f 79 e law to destroy
36270 20 6d 65 20 66 6f 72 20 64 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 68 me for doing th
36280 69 73 20 6b 69 6e 64 20 6f 66 20 74 68 69 6e 67 is kind of thing
36290 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 79 20 61 72 65 20 79 6f 75 .".."Why are you
362a0 20 74 65 6c 6c 69 6e 67 20 6d 65 20 61 6c 6c 20 telling me all
362b0 74 68 69 73 3f 20 20 44 6f 65 73 6e 27 74 20 74 this? Doesn't t
362c0 68 61 74 20 70 75 74 20 79 6f 75 20 69 6e 20 64 hat put you in d
362d0 61 6e 67 65 72 3f 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 73 68 72 75 anger?"..He shru
362e0 67 67 65 64 2e 20 20 22 49 74 20 64 6f 65 73 2c gged. "It does,
362f0 20 62 75 74 20 49 27 6d 20 72 65 61 64 79 20 74 but I'm ready t
36300 6f 20 64 69 73 61 70 70 65 61 72 20 69 66 20 49 o disappear if I
36310 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 6f 2e 20 20 49 20 64 69 64 have to. I did
36320 20 69 74 20 6f 6e 63 65 20 62 65 66 6f 72 65 2e it once before.
36330 20 20 41 6e 79 77 61 79 2c 20 49 20 74 68 69 6e Anyway, I thin
36340 6b 20 79 6f 75 27 72 65 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 k you're going t
36350 6f 20 6e 65 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 6b 69 6e 64 20 o need the kind
36360 6f 66 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 49 27 6d 20 74 61 of people I'm ta
36370 6c 6b 69 6e 67 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 73 6f 6f 6e lking about soon
36380 2e 20 20 43 4f 49 4e 20 43 6f 72 70 20 68 61 73 . COIN Corp has
36390 20 62 65 65 6e 20 61 20 73 65 72 69 6f 75 73 20 been a serious
363a0 70 72 6f 62 6c 65 6d 20 66 6f 72 20 61 20 6c 6f problem for a lo
363b0 74 20 6f 66 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 73 69 6e 63 t of people sinc
363c0 65 20 69 74 20 77 61 73 20 6f 66 66 69 63 69 61 e it was officia
363d0 6c 6c 79 20 66 6f 75 6e 64 65 64 20 66 6f 75 72 lly founded four
363e0 20 79 65 61 72 73 20 61 67 6f 2e 20 20 49 74 20 years ago. It
363f0 6a 75 73 74 20 61 70 70 65 61 72 65 64 20 6f 75 just appeared ou
36400 74 20 6f 66 20 6e 6f 77 68 65 72 65 2c 20 61 6e t of nowhere, an
36410 64 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 6f 66 20 75 73 20 74 68 69 d some of us thi
36420 6e 6b 20 69 74 20 77 61 73 20 61 20 72 65 74 69 nk it was a reti
36430 72 65 6d 65 6e 74 20 70 6c 61 6e 20 66 6f 72 20 rement plan for
36440 73 6f 6d 65 6f 6e 65 20 77 68 6f 20 77 6f 72 6b someone who work
36450 65 64 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 4e 53 41 2e 20 20 ed in the NSA.
36460 49 6e 20 74 68 61 74 20 73 68 6f 72 74 20 61 20 In that short a
36470 74 69 6d 65 2c 20 69 74 20 64 65 76 65 6c 6f 70 time, it develop
36480 65 64 20 61 20 73 74 72 6f 6e 67 20 72 65 70 75 ed a strong repu
36490 74 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 69 6e 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 63 tation in some c
364a0 69 72 63 6c 65 73 20 66 6f 72 20 75 73 69 6e 67 ircles for using
364b0 20 74 68 65 20 65 78 63 75 73 65 20 6f 66 20 66 the excuse of f
364c0 69 67 68 74 69 6e 67 20 64 6f 6d 65 73 74 69 63 ighting domestic
364d0 20 74 65 72 72 6f 72 69 73 6d 20 74 6f 20 67 65 terrorism to ge
364e0 74 20 62 69 67 20 63 6f 6e 74 72 61 63 74 73 20 t big contracts
364f0 66 72 6f 6d 20 74 68 65 20 66 65 64 65 72 61 6c from the federal
36500 20 61 67 65 6e 63 69 65 73 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 agencies of the
36510 20 55 53 20 49 6e 74 65 6c 6c 69 67 65 6e 63 65 US Intelligence
36520 20 43 6f 6d 6d 75 6e 69 74 79 20 61 6e 64 20 70 Community and p
36530 69 6e 20 61 20 62 75 6e 63 68 20 6f 66 20 6d 61 in a bunch of ma
36540 6e 75 66 61 63 74 75 72 65 64 20 73 70 65 63 75 nufactured specu
36550 6c 61 74 69 76 65 20 27 65 76 69 64 65 6e 63 65 lative 'evidence
36560 27 20 6f 6e 20 69 6e 6e 6f 63 65 6e 74 20 70 65 ' on innocent pe
36570 6f 70 6c 65 20 74 6f 20 6c 69 6e 65 20 74 68 65 ople to line the
36580 20 66 6f 75 6e 64 65 72 27 73 20 70 6f 63 6b 65 founder's pocke
36590 74 73 2e 0a 0a 22 49 66 20 43 4f 49 4e 20 68 61 ts..."If COIN ha
365a0 73 20 69 74 73 20 73 69 67 68 74 73 20 6f 6e 20 s its sights on
365b0 79 6f 75 2c 20 74 68 69 6e 67 73 20 61 72 65 6e you, things aren
365c0 27 74 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 67 6f 20 77 't going to go w
365d0 65 6c 6c 2e 20 20 54 68 65 79 20 73 61 79 20 74 ell. They say t
365e0 68 61 74 20 69 66 20 79 6f 75 20 63 61 6e 27 74 hat if you can't
365f0 20 62 65 61 74 20 27 65 6d 20 79 6f 75 20 73 68 beat 'em you sh
36600 6f 75 6c 64 20 6a 6f 69 6e 20 27 65 6d 2c 20 61 ould join 'em, a
36610 6e 64 20 74 68 69 73 20 69 73 20 6f 6e 65 20 6f nd this is one o
36620 66 20 74 68 6f 73 65 20 74 68 69 6e 67 73 20 77 f those things w
36630 68 65 72 65 20 61 6c 6d 6f 73 74 20 6e 6f 62 6f here almost nobo
36640 64 79 20 68 61 73 20 61 6e 79 20 63 68 61 6e 63 dy has any chanc
36650 65 20 6f 66 20 62 65 61 74 69 6e 67 20 74 68 65 e of beating the
36660 6d 2c 20 62 75 74 20 74 68 65 72 65 27 73 20 61 m, but there's a
36670 20 74 68 69 72 64 20 6f 70 74 69 6f 6e 3a 20 67 third option: g
36680 65 74 20 68 65 6c 70 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 67 65 74 et help, and get
36690 20 61 77 61 79 2e 20 20 49 27 64 20 72 61 74 68 away. I'd rath
366a0 65 72 20 73 65 65 20 79 6f 75 20 74 61 6b 65 20 er see you take
366b0 74 68 61 74 20 6f 70 74 69 6f 6e 20 74 68 61 6e that option than
366c0 20 74 68 65 20 6f 74 68 65 72 20 74 77 6f 20 2d the other two -
366d0 2d 20 6c 6f 73 69 6e 67 2c 20 6f 72 20 6a 6f 69 - losing, or joi
366e0 6e 69 6e 67 2e 0a 0a 22 54 68 65 72 65 27 73 20 ning..."There's
366f0 61 6c 77 61 79 73 20 74 68 65 20 6f 74 68 65 72 always the other
36700 20 70 6f 73 73 69 62 69 6c 69 74 79 2c 20 74 68 possibility, th
36710 61 74 20 74 68 65 79 20 77 6f 6e 27 74 20 74 72 at they won't tr
36720 79 20 74 6f 20 66 72 61 6d 65 20 79 6f 75 20 75 y to frame you u
36730 70 20 61 73 20 63 6f 6e 6e 65 63 74 65 64 20 74 p as connected t
36740 6f 20 74 65 72 72 6f 72 69 73 74 73 2c 20 62 75 o terrorists, bu
36750 74 20 74 68 61 74 27 73 20 6a 75 73 74 20 61 20 t that's just a
36760 6d 61 74 74 65 72 20 6f 66 20 73 69 74 74 69 6e matter of sittin
36770 67 20 61 72 6f 75 6e 64 2c 20 77 61 69 74 69 6e g around, waitin
36780 67 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 6d 61 79 62 65 20 65 6e 64 g, and maybe end
36790 69 6e 67 20 75 70 20 64 69 73 61 70 70 65 61 72 ing up disappear
367a0 69 6e 67 2c 20 62 65 63 61 75 73 65 20 79 6f 75 ing, because you
367b0 20 6e 65 76 65 72 20 74 72 69 65 64 20 74 6f 20 never tried to
367c0 64 6f 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 do something to
367d0 70 72 6f 74 65 63 74 20 79 6f 75 72 73 65 6c 66 protect yourself
367e0 2e 22 0a 0a 22 53 68 69 74 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 .".."Shit," she
367f0 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 57 68 61 74 20 61 62 6f said. "What abo
36800 75 74 20 67 65 74 74 69 6e 67 20 72 65 61 64 79 ut getting ready
36810 20 74 6f 20 72 75 6e 2c 20 62 75 74 20 77 61 69 to run, but wai
36820 74 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 73 65 65 20 68 6f 77 20 ting to see how
36830 74 68 69 6e 67 73 20 67 6f 3f 20 20 49 20 6d 65 things go? I me
36840 61 6e 2c 20 49 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 6e 27 74 20 an, I shouldn't
36850 72 75 6e 20 69 66 20 6e 6f 74 68 69 6e 67 20 68 run if nothing h
36860 61 70 70 65 6e 73 2e 20 20 52 69 67 68 74 3f 22 appens. Right?"
36870 0a 0a 22 49 74 27 73 20 61 20 72 69 73 6b 2e 20 .."It's a risk.
36880 20 54 68 61 74 27 73 20 61 6c 6c 20 74 68 65 72 That's all ther
36890 65 20 69 73 20 74 6f 20 69 74 2e 20 20 54 68 65 e is to it. The
368a0 79 27 72 65 20 6e 6f 74 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 y're not going t
368b0 6f 20 67 69 76 65 20 79 6f 75 20 61 6e 79 20 77 o give you any w
368c0 61 72 6e 69 6e 67 20 61 74 20 61 6c 6c 2c 20 69 arning at all, i
368d0 66 20 74 68 65 79 20 63 61 6e 20 68 65 6c 70 20 f they can help
368e0 69 74 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 66 61 63 74 20 74 68 it. The fact th
368f0 65 79 20 63 61 6d 65 20 74 6f 20 74 61 6c 6b 20 ey came to talk
36900 74 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 61 74 20 61 6c 6c 20 6d 69 to you at all mi
36910 67 68 74 20 62 65 20 74 68 65 20 6f 6e 6c 79 20 ght be the only
36920 77 61 72 6e 69 6e 67 20 79 6f 75 20 67 65 74 2e warning you get.
36930 20 20 4d 61 79 62 65 20 79 6f 75 20 63 61 6e 20 Maybe you can
36940 70 75 6c 6c 20 69 74 20 6f 66 66 2c 20 74 68 6f pull it off, tho
36950 75 67 68 2e 0a 0a 22 4d 79 20 66 69 72 73 74 20 ugh..."My first
36960 77 61 72 6e 69 6e 67 20 74 68 61 74 20 74 68 65 warning that the
36970 79 20 6d 69 67 68 74 20 63 6f 6d 65 20 66 6f 72 y might come for
36980 20 6d 65 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 70 72 6f 62 61 62 me would probab
36990 6c 79 20 62 65 20 79 6f 75 20 64 69 73 61 70 70 ly be you disapp
369a0 65 61 72 69 6e 67 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2e 20 earing, though.
369b0 20 49 66 20 74 68 61 74 20 68 61 70 70 65 6e 73 If that happens
369c0 2c 20 49 27 6d 20 6e 6f 74 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 , I'm not going
369d0 74 6f 20 77 61 69 74 20 61 72 6f 75 6e 64 20 74 to wait around t
369e0 6f 20 73 65 65 20 69 66 20 74 68 65 79 27 72 65 o see if they're
369f0 20 6f 6e 20 6d 79 20 74 61 69 6c 2e 20 20 49 27 on my tail. I'
36a00 6c 6c 20 6d 61 6b 65 20 6d 79 73 65 6c 66 20 64 ll make myself d
36a10 69 73 61 70 70 65 61 72 2c 20 69 6e 73 74 65 61 isappear, instea
36a20 64 20 6f 66 20 77 61 69 74 69 6e 67 20 61 72 6f d of waiting aro
36a30 75 6e 64 20 74 6f 20 73 65 65 20 69 66 20 74 68 und to see if th
36a40 65 79 27 6c 6c 20 6d 61 6b 65 20 6d 65 20 64 69 ey'll make me di
36a50 73 61 70 70 65 61 72 20 62 65 66 6f 72 65 20 49 sappear before I
36a60 20 67 65 74 20 61 72 6f 75 6e 64 20 74 6f 20 69 get around to i
36a70 74 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 6b 61 79 2e 20 20 59 65 61 t.".."Okay. Yea
36a80 68 2e 20 20 54 68 61 74 27 73 20 61 20 6c 6f 74 h. That's a lot
36a90 20 74 6f 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 61 62 6f 75 74 2e to think about.
36aa0 20 20 49 27 6d 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 68 I'm going to h
36ab0 61 76 65 20 74 6f 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 61 62 6f ave to think abo
36ac0 75 74 20 69 74 2e 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 6e 6f 64 64 ut it."..He nodd
36ad0 65 64 2e 20 20 22 59 6f 75 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 ed. "You should
36ae0 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 70 72 65 74 74 79 20 68 61 think pretty ha
36af0 72 64 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 69 74 2c 22 20 68 65 rd about it," he
36b00 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 53 74 61 79 20 61 6c said. "Stay al
36b10 65 72 74 2c 20 74 72 79 20 74 6f 20 61 76 6f 69 ert, try to avoi
36b20 64 20 64 6f 69 6e 67 20 61 6e 79 74 68 69 6e 67 d doing anything
36b30 20 74 68 61 74 20 6d 69 67 68 74 20 63 61 74 63 that might catc
36b40 68 20 74 68 65 69 72 20 61 74 74 65 6e 74 69 6f h their attentio
36b50 6e 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 74 61 79 20 6f 75 74 20 n, and stay out
36b60 6f 66 20 74 72 6f 75 62 6c 65 2e 20 20 54 72 79 of trouble. Try
36b70 20 74 6f 20 6b 65 65 70 20 74 68 65 6d 20 68 61 to keep them ha
36b80 70 70 79 20 77 69 74 68 6f 75 74 20 67 69 76 69 ppy without givi
36b90 6e 67 20 74 68 65 6d 20 61 6e 79 74 68 69 6e 67 ng them anything
36ba0 20 74 6f 20 75 73 65 20 61 67 61 69 6e 73 74 20 to use against
36bb0 79 6f 75 2e 0a 0a 22 4d 6f 73 74 6c 79 2c 20 74 you..."Mostly, t
36bc0 68 6f 75 67 68 2c 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 68 61 72 hough, think har
36bd0 64 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 66 61 73 74 d and think fast
36be0 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 68 6f 77 20 79 6f 75 20 77 about how you w
36bf0 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 68 61 6e 64 6c 65 20 69 74 ant to handle it
36c00 2c 20 62 65 63 61 75 73 65 20 79 6f 75 20 64 6f , because you do
36c10 6e 27 74 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 68 6f 77 20 6d 75 63 n't know how muc
36c20 68 20 74 69 6d 65 20 79 6f 75 20 68 61 76 65 20 h time you have
36c30 74 6f 20 6d 61 6b 65 20 74 68 61 74 20 64 65 63 to make that dec
36c40 69 73 69 6f 6e 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 61 73 20 64 65 ision, and as de
36c50 63 69 73 69 6f 6e 73 20 67 6f 20 74 68 69 73 20 cisions go this
36c60 6f 6e 65 20 69 73 20 68 75 67 65 2e 20 20 49 74 one is huge. It
36c70 20 6d 69 67 68 74 20 62 65 20 74 68 65 20 62 69 might be the bi
36c80 67 67 65 73 74 20 6f 66 20 79 6f 75 72 20 6c 69 ggest of your li
36c90 66 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4e 6f 20 70 72 65 73 73 75 fe.".."No pressu
36ca0 72 65 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 77 re," she said, w
36cb0 69 74 68 20 61 20 77 72 79 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 2e ith a wry smile.
36cc0 0a 0a 22 59 6f 75 20 67 6f 74 20 69 74 2e 22 20 .."You got it."
36cd0 20 48 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 68 69 He looked at hi
36ce0 73 20 62 6f 6f 6b 20 63 61 73 65 73 2c 20 74 68 s book cases, th
36cf0 65 6e 20 73 74 6f 6f 64 20 61 6e 64 20 77 61 6c en stood and wal
36d00 6b 65 64 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 6d 2e 20 20 48 65 ked to them. He
36d10 20 70 75 6c 6c 65 64 20 61 20 63 6f 75 70 6c 65 pulled a couple
36d20 20 6f 66 20 62 6f 6f 6b 73 20 6f 66 66 20 68 69 of books off hi
36d30 73 20 73 68 65 6c 76 65 73 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 s shelves, then
36d40 77 65 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 63 68 61 69 went to the chai
36d50 72 20 77 68 65 72 65 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 r where Alley sa
36d60 74 20 61 6e 64 20 68 65 6c 64 20 74 68 65 6d 20 t and held them
36d70 6f 75 74 20 74 6f 20 68 65 72 2e 20 20 22 48 65 out to her. "He
36d80 72 65 2e 20 20 47 69 76 65 20 74 68 65 73 65 20 re. Give these
36d90 61 20 72 65 61 64 2c 20 69 66 20 79 6f 75 20 68 a read, if you h
36da0 61 76 65 20 74 69 6d 65 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 ave time."..She
36db0 61 63 63 65 70 74 65 64 20 74 68 65 6d 2c 20 61 accepted them, a
36dc0 6e 64 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 nd looked at the
36dd0 6d 2e 20 20 4f 6e 65 20 77 61 73 20 74 69 74 6c m. One was titl
36de0 65 64 20 2a 41 6e 20 41 67 6f 72 69 73 74 20 50 ed *An Agorist P
36df0 72 69 6d 65 72 2a 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 6f 74 68 rimer*. The oth
36e00 65 72 20 77 61 73 20 2a 55 6e 64 65 72 67 72 6f er was *Undergro
36e10 75 6e 64 20 4f 70 53 65 63 2a 2e 20 20 22 57 68 und OpSec*. "Wh
36e20 61 74 20 61 72 65 20 74 68 65 73 65 3f 22 0a 0a at are these?"..
36e30 57 68 65 6e 20 68 65 20 73 61 77 20 73 68 65 20 When he saw she
36e40 77 61 73 20 6e 6f 74 20 68 61 6e 64 69 6e 67 20 was not handing
36e50 74 68 65 6d 20 62 61 63 6b 2c 20 68 65 20 77 65 them back, he we
36e60 6e 74 20 62 61 63 6b 20 74 6f 20 68 69 73 20 63 nt back to his c
36e70 6f 75 63 68 20 61 6e 64 20 73 61 74 20 64 6f 77 ouch and sat dow
36e80 6e 2e 20 20 22 41 67 6f 72 69 73 6d 20 69 73 20 n. "Agorism is
36e90 6b 69 6e 64 20 6f 66 20 61 20 63 6f 6d 62 69 6e kind of a combin
36ea0 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 6f 66 20 69 64 65 61 6c 20 61 ation of ideal a
36eb0 6e 64 20 73 74 72 61 74 65 67 79 2e 20 20 54 68 nd strategy. Th
36ec0 65 20 69 64 65 61 6c 20 69 73 20 6c 69 76 69 6e e ideal is livin
36ed0 67 20 6f 75 74 73 69 64 65 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 g outside of the
36ee0 20 63 6f 6e 74 72 6f 6c 20 6f 66 20 6f 74 68 65 control of othe
36ef0 72 73 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 65 20 73 74 72 61 rs, and the stra
36f00 74 65 67 79 20 69 73 20 75 73 69 6e 67 20 74 68 tegy is using th
36f10 61 74 20 74 6f 20 62 72 69 6e 67 20 6f 74 68 65 at to bring othe
36f20 72 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 64 6f r people into do
36f30 69 6e 67 20 74 68 65 20 73 61 6d 65 20 74 68 69 ing the same thi
36f40 6e 67 2c 20 74 6f 20 63 68 61 6e 67 65 20 74 68 ng, to change th
36f50 65 20 77 6f 72 6c 64 20 66 6f 72 20 74 68 65 20 e world for the
36f60 62 65 74 74 65 72 20 61 20 6c 69 74 74 6c 65 20 better a little
36f70 61 74 20 61 20 74 69 6d 65 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 at a time. The
36f80 67 75 79 20 77 68 6f 20 77 72 6f 74 65 20 74 68 guy who wrote th
36f90 65 20 61 67 6f 72 69 73 6d 20 62 6f 6f 6b 20 62 e agorism book b
36fa0 61 73 69 63 61 6c 6c 79 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 74 asically thought
36fb0 20 6f 66 20 74 68 69 73 20 61 73 20 61 20 77 61 of this as a wa
36fc0 79 20 74 6f 20 73 74 61 72 76 65 20 74 68 65 20 y to starve the
36fd0 67 6f 76 65 72 6e 6d 65 6e 74 20 6f 66 20 69 74 government of it
36fe0 73 20 73 6f 75 72 63 65 20 6f 66 20 70 6f 77 65 s source of powe
36ff0 72 20 61 6e 64 20 65 76 65 6e 74 75 61 6c 6c 79 r and eventually
37000 20 62 72 69 6e 67 20 69 74 20 64 6f 77 6e 2c 20 bring it down,
37010 62 61 73 69 63 61 6c 6c 79 20 74 75 72 6e 69 6e basically turnin
37020 67 20 74 68 65 20 62 6c 61 63 6b 20 6d 61 72 6b g the black mark
37030 65 74 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 61 20 70 6f 6c 69 74 69 et into a politi
37040 63 61 6c 20 72 65 76 6f 6c 75 74 69 6f 6e 2c 20 cal revolution,
37050 62 75 74 20 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 74 68 69 6e but I don't thin
37060 6b 20 69 74 27 73 20 76 65 72 79 20 72 65 61 6c k it's very real
37070 69 73 74 69 63 20 74 6f 20 65 78 70 65 63 74 20 istic to expect
37080 74 68 61 74 20 74 6f 20 77 6f 72 6b 20 74 68 65 that to work the
37090 20 77 61 79 20 68 65 20 68 6f 70 65 64 2e 20 20 way he hoped.
370a0 49 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 69 74 20 68 61 73 20 74 I think it has t
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375d0 0a 48 65 20 73 68 72 75 67 67 65 64 2e 20 20 22 .He shrugged. "
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38250 68 72 6f 75 67 68 20 74 68 65 20 66 69 72 73 74 hrough the first
38260 20 66 65 77 20 70 61 67 65 73 2e 20 20 53 68 65 few pages. She
38270 20 66 6f 75 6e 64 20 69 74 20 68 61 64 20 6e 6f found it had no
38280 20 74 61 62 6c 65 20 6f 66 20 63 6f 6e 74 65 6e table of conten
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382a0 70 75 62 6c 69 73 68 69 6e 67 20 6f 72 20 63 6f publishing or co
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382c0 6d 6d 61 72 79 2c 20 64 65 64 69 63 61 74 69 6f mmary, dedicatio
382d0 6e 2c 20 6f 72 20 72 65 76 69 65 77 20 71 75 6f n, or review quo
382e0 74 65 73 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 66 69 72 73 74 20 tes. The first
382f0 70 61 67 65 20 77 61 73 20 61 20 72 69 64 69 63 page was a ridic
38300 75 6c 6f 75 73 6c 79 20 73 68 6f 72 74 20 70 72 ulously short pr
38310 65 66 61 63 65 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 66 6f 6c 6c eface. The foll
38320 6f 77 69 6e 67 20 70 61 67 65 20 77 61 73 20 74 owing page was t
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38340 70 61 67 65 73 20 6f 66 20 69 6e 74 72 6f 64 75 pages of introdu
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38360 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 74 68 61 74 20 77 61 73 20 63 nt to that was c
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38390 69 6e 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 6d 65 61 74 20 6f 66 into the meat of
383a0 20 69 74 20 61 6c 72 65 61 64 79 2e 0a 0a 54 68 it already...Th
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383c0 62 65 72 65 64 2c 20 73 74 61 72 74 69 6e 67 20 bered, starting
383d0 77 69 74 68 20 31 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 66 69 72 with 1. The fir
383e0 73 74 20 63 68 61 70 74 65 72 20 62 65 67 61 6e st chapter began
383f0 20 6f 6e 20 61 20 70 61 67 65 20 6e 75 6d 62 65 on a page numbe
38400 72 65 64 20 34 2e 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 63 6c 6f 73 red 4...She clos
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38420 6e 20 61 6e 64 20 72 65 61 64 20 74 68 65 20 63 n and read the c
38430 6f 76 65 72 20 6f 6e 63 65 20 6d 6f 72 65 2e 0a over once more..
38440 0a 22 4d 61 79 62 65 20 53 61 6d 20 4b 6f 6e 6b ."Maybe Sam Konk
38450 69 6e 20 69 73 20 61 20 66 72 69 65 6e 64 20 6f in is a friend o
38460 66 20 68 69 73 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 f his," she said
38470 2c 20 6d 65 61 6e 69 6e 67 20 61 20 66 72 69 65 , meaning a frie
38480 6e 64 20 6f 66 20 47 65 6f 72 67 65 27 73 2e 0a nd of George's..
38490 0a 53 68 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 74 .She looked at t
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384b0 61 69 6e 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 65 20 6e 75 6d ain, and the num
384c0 62 65 72 20 6f 6e 65 2e 20 20 42 6f 6f 6b 73 20 ber one. Books
384d0 6e 65 76 65 72 20 73 74 61 72 74 65 64 20 77 69 never started wi
384e0 74 68 20 61 20 70 61 67 65 20 6e 75 6d 62 65 72 th a page number
384f0 20 6f 66 20 6f 6e 65 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 66 6c of one. She fl
38500 69 70 70 65 64 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 65 6e 64 ipped to the end
38510 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 61 77 20 74 68 61 74 20 74 , and saw that t
38520 68 65 20 6c 61 73 74 20 70 61 67 65 20 73 68 6f he last page sho
38530 77 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 6e 75 6d 62 65 72 20 35 wed the number 5
38540 30 2c 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 6c 61 73 74 20 70 0, on the last p
38550 61 67 65 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 62 6f 6f 6b 27 age of the book'
38560 73 20 69 6e 64 65 78 2e 20 20 41 74 20 6c 65 61 s index. At lea
38570 73 74 20 69 74 20 68 61 64 20 61 6e 20 69 6e 64 st it had an ind
38580 65 78 2c 20 62 75 74 20 74 68 61 74 20 6d 65 61 ex, but that mea
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385a0 70 61 67 65 73 20 6f 66 20 69 6e 64 65 78 20 69 pages of index i
385b0 74 20 68 61 64 20 63 6f 75 6c 64 20 62 65 20 73 t had could be s
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385e0 63 75 6c 65 20 6c 65 6e 67 74 68 20 6f 66 20 74 cule length of t
385f0 68 65 20 62 6f 6f 6b 27 73 20 63 6f 6e 74 65 6e he book's conten
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38620 73 20 61 20 76 65 72 79 20 73 68 6f 72 74 20 62 s a very short b
38630 6f 6f 6b 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 22 20 41 ook.".."Yeah," A
38640 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 lley said. She
38650 72 61 6e 20 68 65 72 20 66 69 6e 67 65 72 73 20 ran her fingers
38660 64 6f 77 6e 20 74 68 65 20 64 69 73 69 6e 74 65 down the disinte
38670 67 72 61 74 69 6e 67 20 73 70 69 6e 65 2c 20 68 grating spine, h
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38690 6f 66 66 20 77 68 69 74 65 20 63 6c 6f 74 68 20 off white cloth
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386e0 20 41 67 6f 72 69 73 74 20 50 72 69 6d 65 72 2c Agorist Primer,
386f0 20 62 79 20 53 45 4b 33 22 0a 0a 54 68 69 73 20 by SEK3"..This
38700 62 6f 6f 6b 20 68 61 64 20 6f 62 76 69 6f 75 73 book had obvious
38710 6c 79 20 72 65 63 65 69 76 65 64 20 61 20 6c 6f ly received a lo
38720 74 20 6f 66 20 6c 6f 76 65 2c 20 62 65 65 6e 20 t of love, been
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38740 6d 61 6e 79 20 74 69 6d 65 73 2e 20 20 54 68 65 many times. The
38750 20 63 6f 72 6e 65 72 73 2c 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 corners, she sa
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38770 20 61 6e 64 20 73 6f 66 74 65 6e 65 64 20 62 79 and softened by
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387e0 52 65 61 64 69 6e 67 20 69 74 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 Reading it would
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38800 6f 73 74 20 69 6e 76 65 73 74 6d 65 6e 74 20 6f ost investment o
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38840 73 70 65 61 6b 3f 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 74 speak?"..Alley t
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38870 72 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 20 20 22 59 65 61 68 2c r asked. "Yeah,
38880 20 49 20 64 6f 2e 20 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 I do. I guess
38890 49 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 73 74 6f 70 20 6c 69 I should stop li
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388b0 61 20 62 6f 6f 6b 20 62 79 20 69 74 73 20 63 6f a book by its co
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38900 20 72 65 61 64 20 69 74 20 77 69 74 68 20 79 6f read it with yo
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38920 64 20 75 70 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 74 68 65 20 77 6f d up from the wo
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38940 77 61 6c 6c 20 61 63 72 6f 73 73 20 66 72 6f 6d wall across from
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38960 77 69 74 68 20 6d 65 20 2e 20 2e 20 2e 20 3f 22 with me . . . ?"
38970 0a 0a 22 49 20 6f 6e 6c 79 20 77 61 6e 74 20 79 .."I only want y
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38a30 20 72 65 63 6f 72 64 20 68 6f 6c 64 65 72 73 2c record holders,
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38a90 68 2c 20 79 65 61 68 2c 20 73 75 72 65 2c 22 20 h, yeah, sure,"
38aa0 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 6e she said..."Than
38ab0 6b 20 79 6f 75 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 73 68 72 k you."..She shr
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38b90 2f 20 20 22 44 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 74 68 69 6e 6b / "Do you think
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38c30 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 74 20 69 73 20 70 6f 73 73 69 ?".."It is possi
38c40 62 6c 65 2c 22 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 ble," the priori
38c50 74 69 7a 65 72 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 74 tizer said. "It
38c60 73 20 61 75 74 68 6f 72 20 70 72 6f 63 6c 61 69 s author proclai
38c70 6d 73 20 69 74 20 74 6f 20 62 65 20 61 20 67 75 ms it to be a gu
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38cd0 2c 20 6f 6b 61 79 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 , okay," she sai
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38d10 62 65 67 61 6e 3a 0a 0a 22 41 67 6f 72 69 73 6d began:.."Agorism
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38d30 73 69 6d 70 6c 79 3a 20 69 74 20 69 73 20 74 68 simply: it is th
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38d50 20 63 6f 6e 73 69 73 74 65 6e 74 20 77 69 74 68 consistent with
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38d90 20 27 61 63 74 69 6e 67 27 2c 20 27 63 6f 6e 73 'acting', 'cons
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38ed0 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 77 65 72 65 20 6e 6f 74 20 s that were not
38ee0 75 73 65 66 75 6c 20 69 6e 20 22 72 65 61 6c 20 useful in "real
38ef0 6c 69 66 65 22 2e 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 68 61 64 20 life"...She had
38f00 73 65 65 6e 20 69 6e 74 72 6f 64 75 63 74 69 6f seen introductio
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38f20 20 67 61 6d 65 20 63 68 61 6e 67 69 6e 67 20 69 game changing i
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38f50 69 63 75 6c 61 72 6c 79 20 77 68 65 6e 20 73 68 icularly when sh
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38fc0 73 20 74 6f 20 63 68 65 63 6b 20 6f 75 74 2e 20 s to check out.
38fd0 20 4d 61 6e 79 20 6f 66 20 74 68 6f 73 65 20 63 Many of those c
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38ff0 68 61 6b 69 6e 67 20 6e 65 77 20 74 68 65 6f 72 haking new theor
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39020 20 20 53 6f 6d 65 20 77 65 72 65 20 62 61 73 69 Some were basi
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39040 20 6e 6f 6e 73 65 6e 73 65 2e 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 nonsense...The
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39060 20 22 52 65 61 6c 69 74 79 20 69 73 20 6f 75 72 "Reality is our
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390a0 63 69 73 6d 20 66 6f 72 74 69 66 69 65 64 20 69 cism fortified i
390b0 74 73 65 6c 66 2c 20 62 75 74 20 73 68 65 20 63 tself, but she c
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390d0 2c 20 64 65 74 65 72 6d 69 6e 65 64 20 74 6f 20 , determined to
390e0 67 69 76 65 20 74 68 65 20 62 6f 6f 6b 20 61 6e give the book an
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39110 20 68 65 72 20 6f 66 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e her of somethin
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39140 62 6f 6f 6b 2c 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 66 6f 75 6e book, Alley foun
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39160 65 64 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 73 74 6f 70 70 65 64 ed. She stopped
39170 20 74 6f 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 to think about
39180 70 61 73 73 61 67 65 73 20 77 68 65 6e 20 73 68 passages when sh
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391f0 77 68 65 6e 20 73 68 65 20 63 6f 75 6c 64 20 6e when she could n
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39210 20 20 49 74 20 77 61 73 20 66 61 73 63 69 6e 61 It was fascina
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39260 20 68 61 64 20 70 61 73 73 65 64 2c 20 62 79 20 had passed, by
39270 74 68 65 20 74 69 6d 65 20 73 68 65 20 66 69 6e the time she fin
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39310 2c 20 62 75 74 20 61 6c 73 6f 20 6f 62 76 69 6f , but also obvio
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39330 2e 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 77 72 6f 74 65 20 66 72 61 ...She wrote fra
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39350 61 73 20 61 20 77 61 79 20 74 6f 20 65 78 70 6c as a way to expl
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39370 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 73 75 62 6a 65 63 74 2e on the subject.
39380 20 20 49 74 20 65 78 63 69 74 65 64 20 68 65 72 It excited her
39390 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 69 67 6e 69 74 65 64 20 74 68 , and ignited th
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393b0 6d 61 67 69 6e 61 74 69 6f 6e 2e 20 20 53 68 65 magination. She
393c0 20 72 65 61 6c 69 7a 65 64 20 73 68 65 20 68 61 realized she ha
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393e0 69 73 6d 20 61 6c 72 65 61 64 79 2e 0a 0a 54 68 ism already...Th
393f0 65 20 62 6f 6f 6b 20 75 74 74 65 72 6c 79 20 6c e book utterly l
39400 61 63 6b 65 64 20 61 6e 79 20 73 75 67 67 65 73 acked any sugges
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3eeb0 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 * * * * * * * *
3eec0 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 * * * * * * * *
3eed0 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 * * * * * * * *
3eee0 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 2f 0a 0a 22 4a 75 73 * * * * */.."Jus
3eef0 74 20 61 73 6b 20 66 6f 72 20 53 6d 75 67 67 6c t ask for Smuggl
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3f0e0 6f 72 20 74 68 65 20 64 6f 6f 72 20 74 6f 20 6f or the door to o
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3f100 73 74 6f 6f 64 20 69 6e 73 69 64 65 2e 20 20 22 stood inside. "
3f110 48 65 6c 6c 6f 3f 22 20 73 68 65 20 63 61 6c 6c Hello?" she call
3f120 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 48 65 6c 6c 6f 2e 22 0a 0a 53 ed..."Hello."..S
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3f260 2e 0a 0a 22 41 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 6c 6f 6f 6b ..."Are you look
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3f280 22 20 74 68 65 20 66 69 67 75 72 65 20 73 61 69 " the figure sai
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3f310 20 2e 22 20 73 68 65 20 62 65 67 61 6e 2c 20 68 ." she began, h
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3f430 20 61 74 20 62 69 72 74 68 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 68 at birth.".."Oh
3f440 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 6f 75 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 47 65 .".."You know Ge
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3f4b0 0a 0a 22 4e 6f 74 20 66 6f 72 20 6c 6f 6e 67 2c .."Not for long,
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3f4f0 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 6f 75 20 6d 75 73 74 27 76 65 .".."You must've
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3f520 72 65 64 20 79 6f 75 20 74 6f 20 6d 65 2e 22 0a red you to me.".
3f530 0a 22 52 65 61 6c 6c 79 3f 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 6e ."Really?"..He n
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3f560 4c 65 74 27 73 20 74 61 6c 6b 20 69 6e 73 69 64 Let's talk insid
3f570 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2c 20 72 69 67 68 74 2c e.".."Oh, right,
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3f8f0 63 6c 6f 73 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 64 6f 6f 72 20 closed the door
3f900 62 65 68 69 6e 64 20 74 68 65 6d 2e 20 20 22 59 behind them. "Y
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3f930 20 61 6e 64 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 61 76 6f and want to avo
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3fa70 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 43 ," she said. "C
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3fad0 6c 64 2e 22 0a 0a 22 48 6f 77 20 6d 75 63 68 20 ld.".."How much
3fae0 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 49 20 6f 77 65 20 79 6f 75 20 would I owe you
3faf0 66 6f 72 20 69 74 3f 22 0a 0a 22 41 72 65 20 79 for it?".."Are y
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3fb20 75 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 6f 74 68 65 72 20 73 u to the other s
3fb30 69 64 65 3f 22 20 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a ide?" he asked..
3fb40 0a 53 68 65 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 2e 20 20 22 59 .She nodded. "Y
3fb50 65 61 68 2c 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 73 6f 2e eah, I guess so.
3fb60 20 20 49 73 6e 27 74 20 74 68 61 74 20 68 6f 77 Isn't that how
3fb70 20 74 68 69 73 20 77 6f 72 6b 73 3f 22 0a 0a 22 this works?".."
3fb80 4e 6f 72 6d 61 6c 6c 79 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 Normally," he sa
3fb90 69 64 2c 20 22 62 75 74 20 49 27 6d 20 6e 6f 74 id, "but I'm not
3fba0 20 74 61 6b 69 6e 67 20 79 6f 75 72 20 6d 6f 6e taking your mon
3fbb0 65 79 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 79 20 77 6f 6e 27 74 ey.".."Why won't
3fbc0 20 79 6f 75 20 74 61 6b 65 20 6d 65 20 74 68 72 you take me thr
3fbd0 6f 75 67 68 3f 20 20 44 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 74 68 ough? Do you th
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3fbf0 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 something like
3fc00 74 68 61 74 3f 22 0a 0a 41 66 74 65 72 20 61 20 that?"..After a
3fc10 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 27 73 20 68 65 73 69 74 61 74 moment's hesitat
3fc20 69 6f 6e 2c 20 68 65 20 73 68 6f 6f 6b 20 68 69 ion, he shook hi
3fc30 73 20 68 65 61 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 64 69 64 6e s head. "I didn
3fc40 27 74 20 73 61 79 20 49 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 6e 27 't say I wouldn'
3fc50 74 20 74 61 6b 65 20 79 6f 75 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 t take you into
3fc60 74 68 65 20 7a 6f 6e 65 2e 20 20 49 20 6a 75 73 the zone. I jus
3fc70 74 20 73 61 69 64 20 49 27 6d 20 6e 6f 74 20 74 t said I'm not t
3fc80 61 6b 69 6e 67 20 79 6f 75 72 20 6d 6f 6e 65 79 aking your money
3fc90 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 79 20 6e 6f 74 3f 22 20 73 .".."Why not?" s
3fca0 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2c 20 68 65 72 20 65 79 he asked, her ey
3fcb0 65 73 20 6e 61 72 72 6f 77 69 6e 67 2e 0a 0a 22 es narrowing..."
3fcc0 4c 65 74 27 73 20 6a 75 73 74 20 73 61 79 2c 20 Let's just say,
3fcd0 66 6f 72 20 6e 6f 77 2c 20 74 68 61 74 20 74 68 for now, that th
3fce0 65 20 66 69 72 73 74 20 68 69 74 27 73 20 66 72 e first hit's fr
3fcf0 65 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 74 20 73 65 65 6d ee.".."That seem
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3fd10 74 68 65 72 65 27 73 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e there's somethin
3fd20 67 20 61 64 64 69 63 74 69 76 65 20 61 62 6f 75 g addictive abou
3fd30 74 20 67 65 74 74 69 6e 67 20 70 61 73 74 20 74 t getting past t
3fd40 68 65 20 62 61 72 72 69 63 61 64 65 73 2e 22 0a he barricades.".
3fd50 0a 48 65 20 73 68 72 75 67 67 65 64 20 61 67 61 .He shrugged aga
3fd60 69 6e 2e 20 20 22 53 6f 6d 65 20 70 65 6f 70 6c in. "Some peopl
3fd70 65 20 66 69 6e 64 20 74 68 65 20 68 6f 74 20 7a e find the hot z
3fd80 6f 6e 65 20 61 64 64 69 63 74 69 76 65 2c 20 74 one addictive, t
3fd90 6f 20 74 65 6c 6c 20 74 68 65 20 74 72 75 74 68 o tell the truth
3fda0 2e 20 20 53 6f 6d 65 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 6d 20 . Some of them
3fdb0 66 69 6e 64 20 74 68 65 69 72 20 77 61 79 20 74 find their way t
3fdc0 6f 20 74 68 65 20 63 6f 6c 64 20 7a 6f 6e 65 2c o the cold zone,
3fdd0 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 61 74 27 73 20 6f 66 74 65 and that's ofte
3fde0 6e 20 61 6e 20 65 76 65 6e 20 73 74 72 6f 6e 67 n an even strong
3fdf0 65 72 20 61 64 64 69 63 74 69 6f 6e 2e 20 20 2f er addiction. /
3fe00 2a 20 4d 61 79 62 65 20 49 27 6d 20 61 64 64 69 * Maybe I'm addi
3fe10 63 74 65 64 20 74 6f 20 62 6f 74 68 20 6f 66 20 cted to both of
3fe20 74 68 65 6d 2e 20 20 49 27 6d 20 6e 6f 74 20 73 them. I'm not s
3fe30 75 72 65 2e 20 2a 2f 20 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 ure. */ ".."What
3fe40 27 73 20 61 20 63 6f 6c 64 20 7a 6f 6e 65 3f 22 's a cold zone?"
3fe50 0a 0a 22 4d 61 79 62 65 20 79 6f 75 27 6c 6c 20 .."Maybe you'll
3fe60 66 69 6e 64 20 6f 75 74 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 64 61 find out some da
3fe70 79 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 y," he said. "I
3fe80 74 27 73 20 61 6e 20 61 72 65 61 20 79 6f 75 20 t's an area you
3fe90 63 61 6e 27 74 20 72 65 61 63 68 20 77 69 74 68 can't reach with
3fea0 6f 75 74 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 68 72 6f 75 67 out going throug
3feb0 68 20 74 68 65 20 68 6f 74 20 7a 6f 6e 65 2c 20 h the hot zone,
3fec0 6f 72 20 74 68 72 6f 75 67 68 20 74 68 65 20 63 or through the c
3fed0 6f 72 70 6f 72 61 74 65 20 63 65 6e 74 65 72 20 orporate center
3fee0 6f 66 20 4c 41 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 70 6f 6c 69 of LA. The poli
3fef0 63 65 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 65 76 65 6e 20 67 6f ce don't even go
3ff00 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 72 65 2e 20 20 4d 6f 73 74 in there. Most
3ff10 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 77 6f 72 6c 64 20 64 6f of the world do
3ff20 65 73 6e 27 74 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 69 74 20 65 78 esn't know it ex
3ff30 69 73 74 73 2e 20 20 59 6f 75 20 64 65 66 69 6e ists. You defin
3ff40 69 74 65 6c 79 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 77 61 6e 74 itely don't want
3ff50 20 74 6f 20 67 6f 20 74 68 65 72 65 20 74 6f 64 to go there tod
3ff60 61 79 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2c 20 69 66 20 79 ay, though, if y
3ff70 6f 75 27 76 65 20 6e 65 76 65 72 20 65 76 65 6e ou've never even
3ff80 20 68 65 61 72 64 20 6f 66 20 69 74 2e 22 0a 0a heard of it."..
3ff90 53 68 65 20 73 68 6f 6f 6b 20 68 65 72 20 68 65 She shook her he
3ffa0 61 64 2e 20 20 22 4e 6f 2c 20 69 74 20 64 6f 65 ad. "No, it doe
3ffb0 73 6e 27 74 20 73 6f 75 6e 64 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 sn't sound like
3ffc0 74 68 61 74 27 73 20 77 68 65 72 65 20 49 20 77 that's where I w
3ffd0 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 62 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 ant to be.".."Wh
3ffe0 65 72 65 20 64 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 77 61 6e 74 20 ere do you want
3fff0 74 6f 20 62 65 3f 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 73 68 72 to be?"..She shr
40000 75 67 67 65 64 2e 20 20 22 4d 61 79 62 65 20 43 ugged. "Maybe C
40010 6f 6c 6f 72 61 64 6f 20 6f 72 20 4e 65 77 20 48 olorado or New H
40020 61 6d 70 73 68 69 72 65 2e 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 63 ampshire."..He c
40030 68 75 63 6b 6c 65 64 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2e 20 20 huckled again.
40040 22 57 68 61 74 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 77 68 65 72 "What about wher
40050 65 20 79 6f 75 27 72 65 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 e you're going t
40060 6f 64 61 79 3f 22 20 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e oday?" he asked.
40070 20 20 22 41 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 72 65 61 64 79 "Are you ready
40080 20 74 6f 20 67 6f 20 74 68 65 72 65 20 6e 6f 77 to go there now
40090 3f 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 70 61 74 74 65 64 20 68 ?"..She patted h
400a0 65 72 20 70 6f 63 6b 65 74 73 2c 20 63 68 65 63 er pockets, chec
400b0 6b 69 6e 67 20 77 68 61 74 20 73 68 65 20 68 61 king what she ha
400c0 64 20 77 69 74 68 20 68 65 72 2c 20 74 68 65 6e d with her, then
400d0 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 2e 20 20 22 59 65 61 68 2c nodded. "Yeah,
400e0 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 73 6f 2e 22 0a 0a 22 I guess so.".."
400f0 53 74 65 70 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 6d 79 20 70 61 6e Step into my pan
40100 74 72 79 2c 20 73 61 69 64 20 74 68 65 20 73 70 try, said the sp
40110 69 64 65 72 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 66 6c 79 2e ider to the fly.
40120 22 20 20 48 65 20 62 72 75 73 68 65 64 20 70 61 " He brushed pa
40130 73 74 20 68 65 72 20 61 6e 64 20 68 65 61 64 65 st her and heade
40140 64 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 6b 69 74 63 68 d into the kitch
40150 65 6e 2e 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 66 6f 6c 6c 6f 77 65 en...She followe
40160 64 2c 20 68 65 72 20 73 74 65 70 73 20 74 65 6e d, her steps ten
40170 74 61 74 69 76 65 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 6c 6f 6f 6b tative, and look
40180 65 64 20 61 72 6f 75 6e 64 20 77 69 74 68 20 65 ed around with e
40190 79 65 73 20 77 69 64 65 2c 20 74 72 79 69 6e 67 yes wide, trying
401a0 20 74 6f 20 74 61 6b 65 20 69 6e 20 65 76 65 72 to take in ever
401b0 79 20 64 65 74 61 69 6c 20 6f 66 20 74 68 69 73 y detail of this
401c0 20 6f 6c 64 20 68 6f 75 73 65 2e 20 20 41 20 68 old house. A h
401d0 61 6c 6c 77 61 79 20 64 69 73 61 70 70 65 61 72 allway disappear
401e0 65 64 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 64 65 65 70 65 72 20 64 ed into deeper d
401f0 61 72 6b 6e 65 73 73 20 74 6f 20 68 65 72 20 6c arkness to her l
40200 65 66 74 20 6a 75 73 74 20 62 65 66 6f 72 65 20 eft just before
40210 73 68 65 20 61 6e 67 6c 65 64 20 72 69 67 68 74 she angled right
40220 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 64 69 6e 69 6e 67 into the dining
40230 20 72 6f 6f 6d 20 6e 65 61 72 20 74 68 65 20 62 room near the b
40240 61 63 6b 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 68 6f 75 73 65 ack of the house
40250 2e 20 20 41 20 66 65 77 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 73 74 . A few more st
40260 65 70 73 20 6c 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 74 6f 20 77 eps led her to w
40270 68 65 72 65 20 74 68 65 20 6b 69 74 63 68 65 6e here the kitchen
40280 20 6f 70 65 6e 65 64 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 6c opened to the l
40290 65 66 74 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 77 eft, and she saw
402a0 20 53 6d 75 67 67 6c 65 72 20 6f 70 65 6e 69 6e Smuggler openin
402b0 67 20 61 20 70 61 6e 74 72 79 20 64 6f 6f 72 2c g a pantry door,
402c0 20 74 72 75 65 20 74 6f 20 68 69 73 20 77 6f 72 true to his wor
402d0 64 2e 0a 0a 48 65 20 72 65 61 63 68 65 64 20 69 d...He reached i
402e0 6e 20 61 6e 64 20 77 69 74 68 20 74 68 65 20 73 n and with the s
402f0 77 65 65 70 20 6f 66 20 68 69 73 20 67 6c 6f 76 weep of his glov
40300 65 20 6c 69 67 68 74 73 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 77 e lights she saw
40310 20 73 68 65 6c 76 65 73 20 73 74 6f 63 6b 65 64 shelves stocked
40320 20 77 69 74 68 20 61 6e 63 69 65 6e 74 20 64 72 with ancient dr
40330 79 20 67 6f 6f 64 73 2e 20 20 41 20 63 6c 69 63 y goods. A clic
40340 6b 20 62 72 6f 75 67 68 74 20 75 70 20 61 20 66 k brought up a f
40350 6c 6f 6f 64 20 6f 66 20 62 72 69 67 68 74 65 72 lood of brighter
40360 20 6c 69 67 68 74 20 61 73 20 74 68 65 20 62 61 light as the ba
40370 63 6b 20 77 61 6c 6c 20 73 68 69 66 74 65 64 20 ck wall shifted
40380 61 77 61 79 2c 20 72 65 76 65 61 6c 69 6e 67 20 away, revealing
40390 61 20 6e 61 72 72 6f 77 20 68 6f 6c 65 20 69 6e a narrow hole in
403a0 20 74 68 65 20 66 6c 6f 6f 72 20 62 65 61 6d 69 the floor beami
403b0 6e 67 20 69 6c 6c 75 6d 69 6e 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 ng illumination
403c0 74 6f 77 61 72 64 20 74 68 65 20 63 65 69 6c 69 toward the ceili
403d0 6e 67 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 70 61 6e 74 72 79 ng of the pantry
403e0 2e 20 20 22 41 66 74 65 72 20 79 6f 75 2c 22 20 . "After you,"
403f0 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 74 65 he said, and ste
40400 70 70 65 64 20 6f 75 74 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 pped out of the
40410 70 61 6e 74 72 79 20 74 6f 20 67 69 76 65 20 68 pantry to give h
40420 65 72 20 72 6f 6f 6d 2e 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 6d 6f er room...She mo
40430 76 65 64 20 63 6c 6f 73 65 72 2c 20 73 74 65 70 ved closer, step
40440 73 20 77 61 72 79 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 6c 65 61 6e s wary, and lean
40450 65 64 20 74 6f 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 ed to look down
40460 74 68 65 20 68 6f 6c 65 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 73 the hole. She s
40470 61 77 20 61 20 73 74 65 65 6c 20 6c 61 64 64 65 aw a steel ladde
40480 72 20 62 6f 6c 74 65 64 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 r bolted to the
40490 63 6f 6e 63 72 65 74 65 20 73 69 64 65 20 6f 66 concrete side of
404a0 20 74 68 65 20 72 65 63 74 61 6e 67 75 6c 61 72 the rectangular
404b0 20 68 6f 6c 65 20 6c 65 61 64 69 6e 67 20 64 6f hole leading do
404c0 77 6e 77 61 72 64 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 6c 6f 6f wnward. She loo
404d0 6b 65 64 20 62 61 63 6b 20 61 74 20 53 6d 75 67 ked back at Smug
404e0 67 6c 65 72 2c 20 77 68 6f 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 gler, who nodded
404f0 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 20 73 68 65 20 64 69 64 , though she did
40500 20 6e 6f 74 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 77 68 61 74 20 74 not know what t
40510 68 61 74 20 6d 65 61 6e 74 2e 20 20 41 6e 6f 74 hat meant. Anot
40520 68 65 72 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 20 63 6f 6e 66 69 72 6d her look confirm
40530 65 64 20 74 69 20 77 61 73 6e 27 74 20 61 20 76 ed ti wasn't a v
40540 65 72 79 20 64 65 65 70 20 68 6f 6c 65 2c 20 6d ery deep hole, m
40550 61 79 62 65 20 74 65 6e 20 66 65 65 74 2c 20 61 aybe ten feet, a
40560 6e 64 20 69 74 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 6c 69 6b nd it looked lik
40570 65 20 61 66 74 65 72 20 61 20 63 6f 75 70 6c 65 e after a couple
40580 20 6f 66 20 74 68 6f 73 65 20 66 65 65 74 20 6f of those feet o
40590 6e 65 20 73 69 64 65 20 6f 70 65 6e 65 64 20 75 ne side opened u
405a0 70 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 61 20 6c 61 72 67 65 72 20 p into a larger
405b0 72 6f 6f 6d 2e 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 2f 2a 20 room...Alley /*
405c0 73 61 74 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 2a 2f 20 67 6f 74 20 sat down */ got
405d0 64 6f 77 6e 20 6f 6e 20 68 61 6e 64 73 20 61 6e down on hands an
405e0 64 20 6b 6e 65 65 73 20 61 6e 64 20 63 61 72 65 d knees and care
405f0 66 75 6c 6c 79 20 62 61 63 6b 65 64 20 6f 76 65 fully backed ove
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40610 74 68 65 20 6c 61 64 64 65 72 2c 20 74 68 65 6e the ladder, then
40620 20 63 6c 69 6d 62 65 64 20 64 6f 77 6e 2e 20 20 climbed down.
40630 53 68 65 20 6b 65 70 74 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 69 6e 67 She kept looking
40640 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 72 69 73 down at the ris
40650 69 6e 67 20 66 6c 6f 6f 72 2c 20 6f 76 65 72 20 ing floor, over
40660 68 65 72 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 65 72 2c 20 61 6e her shoulder, an
40670 64 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 77 20 74 68 61 74 20 69 d she saw that i
40680 74 20 77 61 73 20 61 20 77 65 6c 6c 20 6c 69 74 t was a well lit
40690 20 63 68 61 6d 62 65 72 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 61 chamber about a
406a0 73 20 77 69 64 65 20 61 73 20 69 74 20 77 61 73 s wide as it was
406b0 20 74 61 6c 6c 2c 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 74 68 61 6e tall, more than
406c0 20 65 6e 6f 75 67 68 20 66 6f 72 20 73 6f 6d 65 enough for some
406d0 6f 6e 65 20 76 65 72 79 20 74 61 6c 6c 20 74 6f one very tall to
406e0 20 6c 69 65 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 62 75 74 20 6e 6f lie down but no
406f0 74 20 77 69 74 68 20 61 20 6c 6f 74 20 6f 66 20 t with a lot of
40700 72 6f 6f 6d 20 6c 65 66 74 20 6f 76 65 72 2e 0a room left over..
40710 0a 53 68 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 75 70 20 74 .She looked up t
40720 6f 20 73 65 65 20 53 6d 75 67 67 6c 65 72 20 6c o see Smuggler l
40730 6f 6f 6b 69 6e 67 20 64 6f 77 6e 2c 20 74 68 65 ooking down, the
40740 6e 20 68 65 20 72 6f 74 61 74 65 64 20 61 6e 64 n he rotated and
40750 20 6c 6f 77 65 72 65 64 20 61 20 66 6f 6f 74 20 lowered a foot
40760 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 6c 61 64 64 65 72 2e 20 20 to the ladder.
40770 53 68 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 77 61 79 20 She looked away
40780 66 72 6f 6d 20 68 69 6d 2c 20 68 6f 70 70 65 64 from him, hopped
40790 20 74 68 65 20 6c 61 73 74 20 66 6f 6f 74 20 6f the last foot o
407a0 72 20 74 77 6f 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 74 6f 20 74 68 r two down to th
407b0 65 20 66 6c 6f 6f 72 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 74 65 e floor, and ste
407c0 70 70 65 64 20 61 77 61 79 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 74 pped away from t
407d0 68 65 20 6c 61 64 64 65 72 2e 20 20 41 20 73 69 he ladder. A si
407e0 6e 67 6c 65 20 4c 45 44 20 6c 69 67 68 74 69 6e ngle LED lightin
407f0 67 20 75 6e 69 74 20 6d 6f 75 6e 74 65 64 20 6f g unit mounted o
40800 6e 20 74 68 65 20 63 65 69 6c 69 6e 67 20 66 6c n the ceiling fl
40810 6f 6f 64 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 73 6d 61 6c 6c 20 ooded the small
40820 63 68 61 6d 62 65 72 20 69 6e 20 62 72 69 67 68 chamber in brigh
40830 74 20 6c 69 67 68 74 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 61 20 64 t light, and a d
40840 6f 6f 72 20 73 74 6f 6f 64 20 63 6c 6f 73 65 64 oor stood closed
40850 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 6f 74 68 65 72 20 65 6e at the other en
40860 64 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 72 6f 6f 6d 2e 0a 0a d of the room...
40870 57 68 69 6c 65 20 53 6d 75 67 67 6c 65 72 20 64 While Smuggler d
40880 65 73 63 65 6e 64 65 64 2c 20 73 68 65 20 68 65 escended, she he
40890 61 72 64 20 61 20 73 6f 66 74 20 62 72 75 73 68 ard a soft brush
408a0 69 6e 67 20 73 6f 75 6e 64 20 61 6e 64 20 6c 6f ing sound and lo
408b0 6f 6b 65 64 20 75 70 20 74 6f 20 73 65 65 20 74 oked up to see t
408c0 68 65 20 61 70 65 72 74 75 72 65 20 61 74 20 74 he aperture at t
408d0 68 65 20 74 6f 70 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 6c 61 he top of the la
408e0 64 64 65 72 20 63 6c 6f 73 69 6e 67 2e 20 20 57 dder closing. W
408f0 68 65 6e 20 68 65 20 72 65 61 63 68 65 64 20 74 hen he reached t
40900 68 65 20 62 6f 74 74 6f 6d 2c 20 68 65 20 74 75 he bottom, he tu
40910 72 6e 65 64 20 77 69 74 68 6f 75 74 20 61 20 77 rned without a w
40920 6f 72 64 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 64 6f 6f 72 2e ord to the door.
40930 20 20 41 73 20 68 65 20 74 6f 75 63 68 65 64 20 As he touched
40940 74 68 65 20 68 61 6e 64 6c 65 2c 20 74 68 65 20 the handle, the
40950 6c 69 67 68 74 20 76 61 6e 69 73 68 65 64 2c 20 light vanished,
40960 70 6c 75 6e 67 69 6e 67 20 74 68 65 6d 20 69 6e plunging them in
40970 74 6f 20 64 61 72 6b 6e 65 73 73 20 61 70 61 72 to darkness apar
40980 74 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 74 68 65 20 6c 69 67 68 74 t from the light
40990 73 20 6f 6e 20 53 6d 75 67 67 6c 65 72 27 73 20 s on Smuggler's
409a0 67 6c 6f 76 65 2e 0a 0a 22 49 20 73 74 69 6c 6c glove..."I still
409b0 20 68 61 76 65 20 63 6f 6e 74 61 63 74 20 77 69 have contact wi
409c0 74 68 20 79 6f 75 2c 22 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 69 th you," the pri
409d0 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a oritizer said...
409e0 53 68 65 20 73 68 6f 6f 6b 20 68 65 72 20 68 65 She shook her he
409f0 61 64 20 73 6c 69 67 68 74 6c 79 2c 20 6e 6f 74 ad slightly, not
40a00 20 77 61 6e 74 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 73 70 65 61 wanting to spea
40a10 6b 20 61 6c 6f 75 64 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 70 k aloud to the p
40a20 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 69 6e 20 66 72 rioritizer in fr
40a30 6f 6e 74 20 6f 66 20 53 6d 75 67 67 6c 65 72 2e ont of Smuggler.
40a40 0a 0a 22 49 74 20 6d 75 73 74 20 62 65 20 79 6f .."It must be yo
40a50 75 72 20 41 78 69 6f 6d 20 65 73 74 61 62 6c 69 ur Axiom establi
40a60 73 68 69 6e 67 20 63 6f 6e 6e 65 63 74 69 6f 6e shing connection
40a70 73 20 74 68 72 6f 75 67 68 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 6b s through some k
40a80 69 6e 64 20 6f 66 20 6d 65 73 68 20 6e 65 74 77 ind of mesh netw
40a90 6f 72 6b 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 68 65 72 65 2e 20 20 ork down here.
40aa0 49 20 64 6f 20 6e 6f 74 20 68 61 76 65 20 61 63 I do not have ac
40ab0 63 65 73 73 20 74 6f 20 63 68 65 63 6b 20 69 74 cess to check it
40ac0 2c 20 73 6f 20 49 20 63 61 6e 6e 6f 74 20 63 6f , so I cannot co
40ad0 6e 66 69 72 6d 20 74 68 69 73 20 69 73 20 74 68 nfirm this is th
40ae0 65 20 63 61 73 65 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 e case."..Alley
40af0 66 6f 6c 6c 6f 77 65 64 20 53 6d 75 67 67 6c 65 followed Smuggle
40b00 72 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 64 61 72 6b 20 r into the dark
40b10 74 75 6e 6e 65 6c 20 62 65 79 6f 6e 64 20 74 68 tunnel beyond th
40b20 65 20 68 65 61 76 79 20 64 6f 6f 72 2c 20 77 68 e heavy door, wh
40b30 69 63 68 20 73 6f 66 74 6c 79 20 63 6c 6f 73 65 ich softly close
40b40 64 20 62 65 68 69 6e 64 20 74 68 65 6d 20 6f 6e d behind them on
40b50 20 69 74 73 20 6f 77 6e 2e 20 20 41 66 74 65 72 its own. After
40b60 20 61 20 63 6f 75 70 6c 65 20 6d 69 6e 75 74 65 a couple minute
40b70 73 20 6f 66 20 77 61 6c 6b 69 6e 67 2c 20 73 68 s of walking, sh
40b80 65 20 71 75 69 65 74 6c 79 20 61 73 6b 65 64 20 e quietly asked
40b90 22 48 6f 77 20 66 61 72 20 69 73 20 69 74 3f 22 "How far is it?"
40ba0 20 20 54 68 65 20 73 6f 75 6e 64 20 73 65 65 6d The sound seem
40bb0 65 64 20 6c 6f 75 64 65 72 20 74 68 61 6e 20 69 ed louder than i
40bc0 74 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 68 61 76 65 20 62 65 t should have be
40bd0 65 6e 2c 20 61 66 74 65 72 20 74 68 65 20 64 65 en, after the de
40be0 65 70 20 71 75 69 65 74 20 6f 66 20 6e 6f 74 68 ep quiet of noth
40bf0 69 6e 67 20 62 75 74 20 74 68 65 20 65 63 68 6f ing but the echo
40c00 65 73 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 69 72 20 6f 77 6e 20 es of their own
40c10 6d 6f 76 65 6d 65 6e 74 73 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 movements, and s
40c20 68 65 20 6e 65 61 72 6c 79 20 73 74 75 6d 62 6c he nearly stumbl
40c30 65 64 20 69 6e 20 73 75 72 70 72 69 73 65 2e 0a ed in surprise..
40c40 0a 22 49 74 27 73 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 61 20 74 ."It's about a t
40c50 65 6e 20 6d 69 6e 75 74 65 20 77 61 6c 6b 2c 22 en minute walk,"
40c60 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 22 6d 6f 73 74 6c he said, "mostl
40c70 79 20 62 65 63 61 75 73 65 20 77 65 20 6e 65 65 y because we nee
40c80 64 20 74 6f 20 6d 6f 76 65 20 73 6c 6f 77 6c 79 d to move slowly
40c90 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 79 20 73 6c 6f 77 6c 79 3f .".."Why slowly?
40ca0 20 20 49 74 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 73 20 73 74 72 61 69 It looks strai
40cb0 67 68 74 20 61 73 20 66 61 72 20 61 73 20 49 20 ght as far as I
40cc0 63 61 6e 20 73 65 65 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 49 20 64 can see, and I d
40cd0 6f 75 62 74 20 61 6e 79 6f 6e 65 20 77 6f 75 6c oubt anyone woul
40ce0 64 20 68 65 61 72 20 75 73 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 d hear us."..She
40cf0 20 73 61 77 20 68 69 73 20 68 65 61 64 20 73 68 saw his head sh
40d00 61 6b 65 2c 20 73 69 6c 68 6f 75 65 74 74 65 64 ake, silhouetted
40d10 20 61 67 61 69 6e 73 74 20 74 68 65 20 67 6c 6f against the glo
40d20 77 20 6f 66 20 68 69 73 20 67 6c 6f 76 65 20 6c w of his glove l
40d30 69 67 68 74 73 20 61 68 65 61 64 20 6f 66 20 68 ights ahead of h
40d40 69 6d 2e 20 20 48 69 73 20 73 74 72 69 64 65 20 im. His stride
40d50 64 69 64 20 6e 6f 74 20 63 68 61 6e 67 65 2e 20 did not change.
40d60 20 22 49 66 20 77 65 20 67 6f 20 74 6f 6f 20 66 "If we go too f
40d70 61 73 74 2c 20 77 65 27 6c 6c 20 73 65 74 20 6f ast, we'll set o
40d80 66 66 20 61 6c 61 72 6d 73 2e 20 20 49 74 27 73 ff alarms. It's
40d90 20 74 68 65 20 62 65 73 74 20 77 61 79 20 74 6f the best way to
40da0 20 6d 61 6b 65 20 73 75 72 65 20 74 68 65 20 61 make sure the a
40db0 6c 61 72 6d 73 20 77 69 6c 6c 20 67 6f 20 6f 66 larms will go of
40dc0 66 20 77 68 65 6e 20 73 6f 6d 65 6f 6e 65 27 73 f when someone's
40dd0 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 72 75 6e 2c 20 62 75 74 on the run, but
40de0 20 69 74 27 73 20 6e 6f 74 20 74 68 65 20 6f 6e it's not the on
40df0 6c 79 20 77 61 79 20 74 68 65 20 61 6c 61 72 6d ly way the alarm
40e00 73 20 63 61 6e 20 62 65 20 74 72 69 67 67 65 72 s can be trigger
40e10 65 64 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 68 61 70 70 ed.".."What happ
40e20 65 6e 73 20 69 66 20 61 6c 61 72 6d 73 20 67 6f ens if alarms go
40e30 20 6f 66 66 3f 22 0a 0a 22 41 20 6c 6f 74 20 6f off?".."A lot o
40e40 66 20 65 78 63 69 74 69 6e 67 20 73 74 75 66 66 f exciting stuff
40e50 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 22 65 6e 64 ," he said, "end
40e60 69 6e 67 20 77 69 74 68 20 74 68 69 73 20 74 75 ing with this tu
40e70 6e 6e 65 6c 20 6e 6f 74 20 62 65 69 6e 67 20 61 nnel not being a
40e80 76 61 69 6c 61 62 6c 65 20 74 6f 20 72 75 6e 20 vailable to run
40e90 74 68 65 20 62 6c 6f 63 6b 61 64 65 20 61 6e 79 the blockade any
40ea0 20 6d 6f 72 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2e 22 20 20 more.".."Oh."
40eb0 53 68 65 20 77 61 6c 6b 65 64 20 69 6e 20 73 69 She walked in si
40ec0 6c 65 6e 63 65 20 62 65 68 69 6e 64 20 68 69 6d lence behind him
40ed0 20 61 73 20 74 68 65 20 70 61 73 73 61 67 65 20 as the passage
40ee0 74 6f 6f 6b 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 74 75 72 6e 73 2c took some turns,
40ef0 20 74 68 65 6e 20 66 69 6e 61 6c 6c 79 20 61 73 then finally as
40f00 6b 65 64 20 22 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 53 6d 75 ked "I guess Smu
40f10 67 67 6c 65 72 20 70 72 6f 62 61 62 6c 79 20 69 ggler probably i
40f20 73 6e 27 74 20 61 63 74 75 61 6c 6c 79 20 74 68 sn't actually th
40f30 65 20 6e 61 6d 65 20 79 6f 75 72 20 70 61 72 65 e name your pare
40f40 6e 74 73 20 67 61 76 65 20 79 6f 75 2e 22 0a 0a nts gave you."..
40f50 22 4e 6f 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 77 "No," he said, w
40f60 69 74 68 6f 75 74 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 69 6e 67 20 62 ithout looking b
40f70 61 63 6b 2e 20 20 22 49 20 69 6e 68 65 72 69 74 ack. "I inherit
40f80 65 64 20 69 74 2e 22 0a 0a 22 41 72 65 20 79 6f ed it.".."Are yo
40f90 75 20 73 61 79 69 6e 67 20 74 68 61 74 27 73 20 u saying that's
40fa0 79 6f 75 72 20 66 61 6d 69 6c 79 20 6e 61 6d 65 your family name
40fb0 3f 22 0a 0a 22 4e 6f 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 70 72 ?".."No. The pr
40fc0 65 76 69 6f 75 73 20 53 6d 75 67 67 6c 65 72 20 evious Smuggler
40fd0 72 65 74 69 72 65 64 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 74 68 69 retired from thi
40fe0 73 20 6b 69 6e 64 20 6f 66 20 74 68 69 6e 67 20 s kind of thing
40ff0 61 6e 64 20 70 61 73 73 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 6e and passed the n
41000 61 6d 65 20 6f 6e 20 74 6f 20 6d 65 2c 20 6c 69 ame on to me, li
41010 6b 65 20 74 68 65 20 44 72 65 61 64 20 50 69 72 ke the Dread Pir
41020 61 74 65 20 52 6f 62 65 72 74 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 ate Roberts.".."
41030 49 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 74 20 61 6c 6c 20 74 68 I thought all th
41040 61 74 20 73 74 75 66 66 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 at stuff about t
41050 68 65 20 53 69 6c 6b 20 52 6f 61 64 20 67 75 79 he Silk Road guy
41060 20 77 61 73 20 73 75 70 70 6f 73 65 64 20 74 6f was supposed to
41070 20 62 65 20 6d 61 64 65 20 75 70 2e 22 0a 0a 22 be made up.".."
41080 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 6b 6e 6f 77 2c 22 20 53 I don't know," S
41090 6d 75 67 67 6c 65 72 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 muggler said. "
410a0 49 20 6e 65 76 65 72 20 6d 65 74 20 68 69 6d 2e I never met him.
410b0 20 20 49 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 61 20 70 72 65 64 I think a pred
410c0 65 63 65 73 73 6f 72 20 77 69 74 68 20 74 68 65 ecessor with the
410d0 20 6e 61 6d 65 20 53 6d 75 67 67 6c 65 72 20 6d name Smuggler m
410e0 69 67 68 74 20 68 61 76 65 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 ight have, thoug
410f0 68 2e 20 20 41 6e 79 77 61 79 2c 20 49 20 77 61 h. Anyway, I wa
41100 73 20 74 61 6c 6b 69 6e 67 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 s talking about
41110 74 68 65 20 63 68 61 72 61 63 74 65 72 20 66 72 the character fr
41120 6f 6d 20 74 68 65 20 50 72 69 6e 63 65 73 73 20 om the Princess
41130 42 72 69 64 65 2c 20 6e 6f 74 20 74 68 65 20 53 Bride, not the S
41140 69 6c 6b 20 52 6f 61 64 20 66 6f 75 6e 64 65 72 ilk Road founder
41150 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2e 20 20 49 27 76 65 20 6e .".."Oh. I've n
41160 65 76 65 72 20 72 65 61 64 20 74 68 65 20 50 72 ever read the Pr
41170 69 6e 63 65 73 73 20 42 72 69 64 65 2e 22 0a 0a incess Bride."..
41180 22 4e 65 69 74 68 65 72 20 68 61 76 65 20 49 2c "Neither have I,
41190 22 20 49 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 22 62 75 74 20 6d " I said, "but m
411a0 79 20 70 72 65 64 65 63 65 73 73 6f 72 20 61 6e y predecessor an
411b0 64 20 49 20 77 61 74 63 68 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 d I watched the
411c0 6d 6f 76 69 65 20 74 6f 67 65 74 68 65 72 20 61 movie together a
411d0 20 63 6f 75 70 6c 65 20 74 69 6d 65 73 2e 22 0a couple times.".
411e0 0a 22 49 20 66 6f 72 67 6f 74 20 74 68 61 74 20 ."I forgot that
411f0 77 61 73 20 61 20 6d 6f 76 69 65 2c 22 20 73 68 was a movie," sh
41200 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 59 6f 75 20 6d 61 e said..."You ma
41210 6b 65 20 6d 65 20 73 61 64 2c 22 20 53 6d 75 67 ke me sad," Smug
41220 67 6c 65 72 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 gler said...Alle
41230 79 20 66 61 69 6c 65 64 20 74 6f 20 70 72 6f 64 y failed to prod
41240 75 63 65 20 61 6e 20 61 6e 73 77 65 72 2c 20 61 uce an answer, a
41250 6e 64 20 72 65 6d 61 69 6e 65 64 20 73 69 6c 65 nd remained sile
41260 6e 74 20 75 6e 74 69 6c 20 74 68 65 79 20 72 65 nt until they re
41270 61 63 68 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 6f 74 68 65 72 20 ached the other
41280 65 6e 64 2e 0a 0a 53 6d 75 67 67 6c 65 72 20 63 end...Smuggler c
41290 6c 69 6d 62 65 64 20 61 6e 6f 74 68 65 72 20 73 limbed another s
412a0 74 65 65 6c 20 6c 61 64 64 65 72 2c 20 61 6e 64 teel ladder, and
412b0 20 61 20 67 72 69 6e 64 69 6e 67 20 6e 6f 69 73 a grinding nois
412c0 65 20 65 63 68 6f 65 64 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 74 68 e echoed down th
412d0 65 20 74 75 6e 6e 65 6c 2e 20 20 48 65 20 64 69 e tunnel. He di
412e0 73 61 70 70 65 61 72 65 64 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 76 sappeared from v
412f0 69 65 77 20 61 62 6f 76 65 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 iew above, thoug
41300 68 20 6e 6f 77 20 74 68 65 72 65 20 77 61 73 20 h now there was
41310 73 6f 66 74 20 6c 69 67 68 74 20 66 69 6c 74 65 soft light filte
41320 72 69 6e 67 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 74 68 72 6f 75 67 ring down throug
41330 68 20 74 68 65 20 65 78 69 74 20 61 74 20 74 68 h the exit at th
41340 65 20 74 6f 70 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 6c 61 64 e top of the lad
41350 64 65 72 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 66 6f 6c 6c 6f 77 der. She follow
41360 65 64 20 61 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 20 6c 61 74 65 ed a moment late
41370 72 2c 20 72 69 73 69 6e 67 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 77 r, rising into w
41380 68 61 74 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 hat looked like
41390 61 6e 20 6f 6c 64 20 76 61 75 6c 74 20 77 69 74 an old vault wit
413a0 68 20 69 6e 64 69 72 65 63 74 20 74 72 61 63 6b h indirect track
413b0 20 6c 69 67 68 74 69 6e 67 20 73 75 73 70 65 6e lighting suspen
413c0 64 65 64 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 74 68 65 20 63 65 69 ded from the cei
413d0 6c 69 6e 67 2e 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 69 73 20 ling..."What is
413e0 74 68 69 73 3f 22 20 73 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 this?" she asked
413f0 2c 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 69 6e 67 20 61 72 6f 75 6e 64 , looking around
41400 20 61 74 20 73 68 65 6c 76 65 73 20 62 61 72 72 at shelves barr
41410 65 6e 20 65 78 63 65 70 74 20 66 6f 72 20 61 20 en except for a
41420 66 65 77 20 73 6d 61 6c 6c 20 66 6f 72 6d 20 66 few small form f
41430 61 63 74 6f 72 20 63 6f 6d 70 75 74 65 72 73 20 actor computers
41440 73 69 74 74 69 6e 67 20 73 69 6c 65 6e 74 6c 79 sitting silently
41450 2c 20 70 6c 75 73 20 79 61 72 64 73 20 6f 66 20 , plus yards of
41460 6e 65 74 77 6f 72 6b 20 63 61 62 6c 69 6e 67 2e network cabling.
41470 20 20 22 49 73 20 69 74 20 61 6e 20 6f 6c 64 20 "Is it an old
41480 62 61 6e 6b 3f 22 0a 0a 53 6d 75 67 67 6c 65 72 bank?"..Smuggler
41490 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 4e 6f 2c 20 69 74 27 73 20 said "No, it's
414a0 74 68 65 20 61 62 61 6e 64 6f 6e 65 64 20 68 6f the abandoned ho
414b0 6d 65 20 6f 66 20 61 20 67 75 79 20 77 68 6f 20 me of a guy who
414c0 6d 61 64 65 20 61 20 66 6f 72 74 75 6e 65 20 6f made a fortune o
414d0 66 66 20 6f 66 20 65 61 72 6c 79 20 69 6e 74 65 ff of early inte
414e0 72 6e 65 74 20 63 6f 72 70 6f 72 61 74 69 6f 6e rnet corporation
414f0 73 20 61 72 6f 75 6e 64 20 74 68 65 20 74 75 72 s around the tur
41500 6e 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 6d 69 6c 6c 65 6e 6e n of the millenn
41510 69 75 6d 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 68 61 64 20 6a 75 73 ium, and had jus
41520 74 20 64 65 63 69 64 65 64 20 74 6f 20 6d 6f 76 t decided to mov
41530 65 20 68 69 73 20 6d 6f 6e 65 79 20 61 72 6f 75 e his money arou
41540 6e 64 20 62 65 66 6f 72 65 20 61 20 6d 61 72 6b nd before a mark
41550 65 74 20 63 72 61 73 68 2e 20 20 48 65 20 64 69 et crash. He di
41560 65 64 20 6a 75 73 74 20 62 65 66 6f 72 65 20 72 ed just before r
41570 69 6f 74 73 20 73 74 61 72 74 65 64 20 74 65 61 iots started tea
41580 72 69 6e 67 20 75 70 20 74 68 69 73 20 70 61 72 ring up this par
41590 74 20 6f 66 20 4c 41 2c 20 62 65 66 6f 72 65 20 t of LA, before
415a0 69 74 20 61 6c 6c 20 67 6f 74 20 73 68 75 74 20 it all got shut
415b0 64 6f 77 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 61 62 down.".."What ab
415c0 6f 75 74 20 68 69 73 20 68 65 69 72 73 3f 22 20 out his heirs?"
415d0 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 74 65 70 70 65 64 20 70 Alley stepped p
415e0 61 73 74 20 61 20 63 6f 74 20 61 6e 64 20 61 20 ast a cot and a
415f0 73 6d 61 6c 6c 20 66 6f 6c 64 69 6e 67 20 74 61 small folding ta
41600 62 6c 65 20 77 69 74 68 20 66 6f 6c 64 69 6e 67 ble with folding
41610 20 63 68 61 69 72 73 20 6e 65 61 72 20 69 74 2e chairs near it.
41620 20 20 53 68 65 20 6e 6f 74 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 She noted the
41630 70 72 65 73 65 6e 63 65 20 6f 66 20 61 20 62 61 presence of a ba
41640 72 20 66 72 69 64 67 65 20 61 67 61 69 6e 73 74 r fridge against
41650 20 6f 6e 65 20 77 61 6c 6c 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 77 one wall, and w
41660 6f 6e 64 65 72 65 64 20 68 6f 77 20 74 68 65 79 ondered how they
41670 20 67 6f 74 20 70 6f 77 65 72 20 66 6f 72 20 74 got power for t
41680 68 69 73 20 70 6c 61 63 65 2e 0a 0a 48 65 20 73 his place...He s
41690 68 72 75 67 67 65 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 67 75 65 hrugged. "I gue
416a0 73 73 2c 20 69 66 20 68 65 20 68 61 64 20 61 6e ss, if he had an
416b0 79 2c 20 74 68 65 79 20 6e 65 76 65 72 20 74 72 y, they never tr
416c0 69 65 64 20 63 6f 6d 69 6e 67 20 62 61 63 6b 2e ied coming back.
416d0 20 20 4d 6f 73 74 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 68 6f Most of the ho
416e0 75 73 65 20 69 73 20 67 6f 6e 65 2c 20 61 6e 79 use is gone, any
416f0 77 61 79 2c 20 73 6f 20 74 68 65 79 20 70 72 6f way, so they pro
41700 62 61 62 6c 79 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 74 20 74 68 bably thought th
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41720 69 6e 67 20 65 6c 73 65 20 74 6f 20 63 6f 6d 65 ing else to come
41730 20 62 61 63 6b 20 61 6e 64 20 67 65 74 2e 20 20 back and get.
41740 49 66 20 49 20 77 61 73 20 74 68 65 6d 2c 20 49 If I was them, I
41750 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 68 61 76 65 20 6a 75 73 74 would have just
41760 20 66 69 6c 65 64 20 66 6f 72 20 61 6e 20 69 6e filed for an in
41770 73 75 72 61 6e 63 65 20 70 61 79 20 6f 75 74 2e surance pay out.
41780 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 ".."Yeah, I gues
41790 73 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 s," she said..."
417a0 49 6e 73 75 72 61 6e 63 65 20 69 6e 76 65 73 74 Insurance invest
417b0 69 67 61 74 6f 72 73 20 73 74 6f 70 70 65 64 20 igators stopped
417c0 63 6f 6d 69 6e 67 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 coming into the
417d0 68 6f 74 20 7a 6f 6e 65 20 61 20 6c 6f 6e 67 20 hot zone a long
417e0 74 69 6d 65 20 61 67 6f 2c 22 20 53 6d 75 67 67 time ago," Smugg
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41800 69 70 70 65 64 20 6f 70 65 6e 20 61 20 73 74 65 ipped open a ste
41810 65 6c 20 70 6c 61 74 65 20 73 65 74 20 69 6e 74 el plate set int
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41830 20 61 20 6d 69 6e 69 61 74 75 72 65 20 6d 65 74 a miniature met
41840 61 6c 20 64 6f 6f 72 20 77 69 74 68 20 61 20 68 al door with a h
41850 61 6e 64 6c 65 20 6a 75 73 74 20 62 69 67 20 65 andle just big e
41860 6e 6f 75 67 68 20 74 6f 20 66 69 72 6d 6c 79 20 nough to firmly
41870 67 72 61 73 70 20 77 69 74 68 20 61 20 67 6c 6f grasp with a glo
41880 76 65 64 20 66 69 6e 67 65 72 20 61 6e 64 20 74 ved finger and t
41890 68 75 6d 62 2e 20 20 48 65 20 64 69 64 20 73 6f humb. He did so
418a0 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 77 69 74 68 20 68 69 73 mething with his
418b0 20 66 69 6e 67 65 72 73 2c 20 62 75 74 20 74 68 fingers, but th
418c0 65 20 61 6e 67 6c 65 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 6c e angle of the l
418d0 69 74 74 6c 65 20 64 6f 6f 72 20 6f 62 73 63 75 ittle door obscu
418e0 72 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 76 69 65 77 2e 20 20 41 red her view. A
418f0 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 20 6c 61 74 65 72 2c 20 61 moment later, a
41900 20 6c 6f 75 64 20 74 68 75 6e 6b 20 66 72 6f 6d loud thunk from
41910 20 74 68 65 20 64 6f 6f 72 20 65 63 68 6f 65 64 the door echoed
41920 20 61 67 61 69 6e 73 74 20 74 68 65 20 63 6f 6e against the con
41930 63 72 65 74 65 20 77 61 6c 6c 73 20 6f 66 20 74 crete walls of t
41940 68 65 20 72 6f 6f 6d 2e 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 76 61 he room...The va
41950 75 6c 74 20 64 6f 6f 72 20 73 6c 6f 77 6c 79 20 ult door slowly
41960 73 74 61 72 74 65 64 20 6f 70 65 6e 69 6e 67 20 started opening
41970 6f 75 74 77 61 72 64 20 6f 6e 20 69 74 73 20 6f outward on its o
41980 77 6e 2e 0a 0a 53 6d 75 67 67 6c 65 72 20 66 6c wn...Smuggler fl
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419a0 6d 65 74 61 6c 20 64 6f 6f 72 20 63 6c 6f 73 65 metal door close
419b0 64 20 61 67 61 69 6e 20 61 6e 64 20 77 61 69 74 d again and wait
419c0 65 64 20 66 6f 72 20 74 68 65 20 76 61 75 6c 74 ed for the vault
419d0 20 64 6f 6f 72 20 74 6f 20 66 69 6e 69 73 68 20 door to finish
419e0 6f 70 65 6e 69 6e 67 2e 0a 0a 2f 2a 20 41 6c 6c opening.../* All
419f0 65 79 20 6d 61 6b 65 73 20 61 20 64 65 6c 69 76 ey makes a deliv
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41a10 6b 20 75 70 20 66 6f 72 20 64 65 6c 69 76 65 72 k up for deliver
41a20 79 20 6f 75 74 73 69 64 65 20 74 68 65 20 68 6f y outside the ho
41a30 74 20 7a 6f 6e 65 2e 20 2a 2f 0a 0a 2f 2a 20 41 t zone. */../* A
41a40 6c 6c 65 79 20 6d 65 65 74 73 20 75 70 20 77 69 lley meets up wi
41a50 74 68 20 53 6d 75 67 67 6c 65 72 20 61 67 61 69 th Smuggler agai
41a60 6e 20 61 6e 64 20 67 65 74 73 20 65 73 63 6f 72 n and gets escor
41a70 74 65 64 20 62 61 63 6b 20 6f 75 74 20 6f 66 20 ted back out of
41a80 74 68 65 20 68 6f 74 20 7a 6f 6e 65 2e 20 2a 2f the hot zone. */
41a90 0a 0a 46 6f 72 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 72 65 61 73 6f ..For some reaso
41aa0 6e 2c 20 74 68 65 20 74 72 69 70 20 62 61 63 6b n, the trip back
41ab0 20 74 68 72 6f 75 67 68 20 74 68 65 20 73 75 62 through the sub
41ac0 74 65 72 72 61 6e 65 61 6e 20 74 75 6e 6e 65 6c terranean tunnel
41ad0 20 73 65 65 6d 65 64 20 6d 75 63 68 20 73 68 6f seemed much sho
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41af0 20 74 68 69 73 20 74 69 6d 65 2e 20 20 57 68 65 this time. Whe
41b00 6e 20 74 68 65 79 20 65 6d 65 72 67 65 64 20 69 n they emerged i
41b10 6e 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 6b 69 74 63 68 65 6e 20 nto the kitchen
41b20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 31 39 37 30 73 20 68 6f 75 of the 1970s hou
41b30 73 65 20 6f 75 74 73 69 64 65 20 74 68 65 20 68 se outside the h
41b40 6f 74 20 7a 6f 6e 65 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2c 20 41 ot zone again, A
41b50 6c 6c 65 79 20 77 61 69 74 65 64 20 75 6e 74 69 lley waited unti
41b60 6c 20 53 6d 75 67 67 6c 65 72 20 63 6c 6f 73 65 l Smuggler close
41b70 64 20 74 68 65 20 70 61 6e 74 72 79 20 64 6f 6f d the pantry doo
41b80 72 20 62 65 66 6f 72 65 20 73 70 65 61 6b 69 6e r before speakin
41b90 67 2e 0a 0a 22 41 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 73 74 69 g..."Are you sti
41ba0 6c 6c 20 6e 6f 74 20 70 6c 61 6e 6e 69 6e 67 20 ll not planning
41bb0 74 6f 20 63 68 61 72 67 65 20 6d 65 20 66 6f 72 to charge me for
41bc0 20 79 6f 75 72 20 73 65 72 76 69 63 65 73 3f 22 your services?"
41bd0 20 73 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 20 77 68 65 6e 20 she asked when
41be0 68 65 20 74 75 72 6e 65 64 20 74 6f 77 61 72 64 he turned toward
41bf0 20 68 65 72 2e 0a 0a 48 65 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 her...He nodded
41c00 2e 20 20 22 54 68 61 74 27 73 20 72 69 67 68 74 . "That's right
41c10 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 57 68 ," he said..."Wh
41c20 79 3f 22 20 73 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 20 20 y?" she asked.
41c30 22 54 68 65 72 65 20 68 61 73 20 74 6f 20 62 65 "There has to be
41c40 20 61 20 62 65 74 74 65 72 20 72 65 61 73 6f 6e a better reason
41c50 20 74 68 61 6e 20 6a 75 73 74 20 74 68 65 20 69 than just the i
41c60 64 65 61 20 74 68 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 66 69 72 dea that the fir
41c70 73 74 20 68 69 74 27 73 20 66 72 65 65 2e 22 0a st hit's free.".
41c80 0a 48 65 20 73 68 72 75 67 67 65 64 2e 20 20 22 .He shrugged. "
41c90 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 69 74 20 63 61 6e 27 74 I guess it can't
41ca0 20 68 75 72 74 20 74 6f 20 74 65 6c 6c 20 79 6f hurt to tell yo
41cb0 75 2c 20 61 74 20 74 68 69 73 20 70 6f 69 6e 74 u, at this point
41cc0 2e 0a 0a 22 47 65 6f 72 67 65 20 74 6f 6c 64 20 ..."George told
41cd0 6d 65 20 68 65 20 77 61 6e 74 65 64 20 74 6f 20 me he wanted to
41ce0 6d 61 6b 65 20 73 75 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 67 6f make sure you go
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41d10 65 20 68 6f 77 20 74 68 69 6e 67 73 20 61 72 65 e how things are
41d20 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 68 6f 74 20 7a 6f 6e 65 in the hot zone
41d30 2e 20 20 48 65 20 6f 66 66 65 72 65 64 20 74 6f . He offered to
41d40 20 70 61 79 20 79 6f 75 72 20 77 61 79 20 73 6f pay your way so
41d50 20 79 6f 75 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 6e 27 74 20 62 61 you wouldn't ba
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41d70 61 6e 64 20 67 6f 20 74 6f 20 73 6f 6d 65 6f 6e and go to someon
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41da0 62 20 2d 2d 20 6f 72 20 77 6f 72 73 65 2c 20 74 b -- or worse, t
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41dc0 68 20 74 68 65 20 63 68 65 63 6b 70 6f 69 6e 74 h the checkpoint
41dd0 2e 22 0a 0a 22 48 6f 77 20 6d 75 63 68 20 64 6f .".."How much do
41de0 65 73 20 69 74 20 63 6f 73 74 20 74 6f 20 67 65 es it cost to ge
41df0 74 20 74 68 72 6f 75 67 68 20 68 65 72 65 3f 22 t through here?"
41e00 20 73 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 49 74 she asked..."It
41e10 20 64 65 70 65 6e 64 73 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 depends," he sa
41e20 69 64 2c 20 22 62 75 74 20 61 74 20 6c 65 61 73 id, "but at leas
41e30 74 20 74 68 65 20 65 71 75 69 76 61 6c 65 6e 74 t the equivalent
41e40 20 6f 66 20 61 20 67 72 61 6e 64 2e 22 0a 0a 22 of a grand.".."
41e50 48 6f 6c 79 20 73 68 69 74 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 Holy shit," she
41e60 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 54 68 61 74 27 73 20 2e said. "That's .
41e70 20 2e 20 2e 20 61 20 6c 6f 74 20 6f 66 20 6d 6f . . a lot of mo
41e80 6e 65 79 20 66 6f 72 20 6a 75 73 74 20 77 61 6c ney for just wal
41e90 6b 69 6e 67 20 6d 65 20 74 68 72 6f 75 67 68 20 king me through
41ea0 61 20 74 75 6e 6e 65 6c 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 74 20 a tunnel.".."It
41eb0 70 61 79 73 20 66 6f 72 20 74 68 65 20 66 61 63 pays for the fac
41ec0 69 6c 69 74 69 65 73 2c 20 73 65 63 75 72 69 74 ilities, securit
41ed0 79 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 77 68 y, and people wh
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41ef0 20 59 6f 75 20 68 61 64 20 61 6e 20 69 6e 76 69 You had an invi
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41f10 74 20 77 61 79 2c 20 74 6f 20 6d 61 6b 65 20 73 t way, to make s
41f20 75 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 67 65 ure you would ge
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41f40 66 20 74 68 65 20 64 69 63 69 65 72 20 61 72 65 f the dicier are
41f50 61 73 2c 20 74 6f 6f 2e 22 0a 0a 22 41 72 65 20 as, too.".."Are
41f60 79 6f 75 20 74 61 6c 6b 69 6e 67 20 61 62 6f 75 you talking abou
41f70 74 20 61 20 64 72 6f 6e 65 20 66 6f 6c 6c 6f 77 t a drone follow
41f80 69 6e 67 20 6d 65 3f 22 20 73 68 65 20 61 73 6b ing me?" she ask
41f90 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 4e 6f 2c 20 49 27 6d 20 74 61 ed..."No, I'm ta
41fa0 6c 6b 69 6e 67 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 61 6e 20 61 lking about an a
41fb0 72 6d 65 64 20 70 65 72 73 6f 6e 2c 20 73 74 61 rmed person, sta
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41fd0 74 2c 20 6b 65 65 70 69 6e 67 20 61 6e 20 65 79 t, keeping an ey
41fe0 65 20 6f 75 74 20 66 6f 72 20 61 6e 79 6f 6e 65 e out for anyone
41ff0 20 73 74 61 6c 6b 69 6e 67 20 79 6f 75 20 6c 69 stalking you li
42000 6b 65 20 70 72 65 79 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 79 20 ke prey.".."Why
42010 64 69 64 6e 27 74 20 79 6f 75 20 74 65 6c 6c 20 didn't you tell
42020 6d 65 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 61 74 3f 22 0a me about that?".
42030 0a 22 49 74 27 73 20 75 73 75 61 6c 6c 79 20 62 ."It's usually b
42040 65 73 74 20 74 6f 20 74 65 6c 6c 20 70 65 6f 70 est to tell peop
42050 6c 65 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 69 74 20 61 66 74 65 le about it afte
42060 72 77 61 72 64 2c 20 73 6f 20 74 68 65 79 20 64 rward, so they d
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43250 73 68 6f 70 20 74 6f 20 67 65 74 20 73 6f 6d 65 shop to get some
43260 6f 6e 65 20 74 6f 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 20 61 74 20 69 one to look at i
43270 74 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 6d 65 63 68 61 6e 69 63 t. The mechanic
43280 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 20 20 2a 0a 20 2a 20 20 should *. *
43290 73 61 79 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 61 62 say something ab
432a0 6f 75 74 20 68 6f 77 20 22 54 68 65 73 65 20 6f out how "These o
432b0 6c 64 20 73 65 63 6f 6e 64 20 67 65 6e 20 68 79 ld second gen hy
432c0 62 72 69 64 73 20 63 61 6e 27 74 20 6a 75 73 74 brids can't just
432d0 20 72 75 6e 20 20 20 2a 0a 20 2a 20 20 66 6f 72 run *. * for
432e0 65 76 65 72 20 6f 6e 20 65 6c 65 63 74 72 69 63 ever on electric
432f0 69 74 79 2c 20 73 6f 20 49 20 64 6f 75 62 74 20 ity, so I doubt
43300 79 6f 75 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 65 76 65 6e 20 6d you would even m
43310 61 6b 65 20 69 74 20 68 6f 6d 65 20 61 6c 6c 20 ake it home all
43320 20 20 20 20 2a 0a 20 2a 20 20 74 68 65 20 77 61 *. * the wa
43330 79 20 69 6e 20 50 65 72 72 69 73 2e 20 20 59 6f y in Perris. Yo
43340 75 27 72 65 20 6a 75 73 74 20 67 6f 6e 6e 61 20 u're just gonna
43350 68 61 76 65 20 74 6f 20 77 61 69 74 2e 20 20 57 have to wait. W
43360 65 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 62 65 20 20 20 20 20 e should be
43370 20 2a 0a 20 2a 20 20 61 62 6c 65 20 74 6f 20 67 *. * able to g
43380 65 74 20 69 74 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 69 6e 20 61 et it going in a
43390 20 66 65 77 20 68 6f 75 72 73 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 few hours, thou
433a0 67 68 2e 22 20 20 54 68 75 73 2c 20 73 68 65 20 gh." Thus, she
433b0 65 6e 64 73 20 75 70 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 2a 0a ends up *.
433c0 20 2a 20 20 73 69 74 74 69 6e 67 20 61 72 6f 75 * sitting arou
433d0 6e 64 20 77 61 69 74 69 6e 67 2e 20 20 4d 61 79 nd waiting. May
433e0 62 65 20 73 68 65 20 67 65 74 73 20 73 6f 6d 65 be she gets some
433f0 20 66 61 73 74 20 66 6f 6f 64 20 77 68 69 6c 65 fast food while
43400 20 73 68 65 27 73 20 61 74 20 20 2a 0a 20 2a 20 she's at *. *
43410 20 69 74 2e 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 it.
43420 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
43430 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
43440 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
43450 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 2a 0a 20 2a 20 20 20 20 *. *
43460 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
43470 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
43480 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
43490 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
434a0 20 20 20 20 20 2a 0a 5c 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 *.\* * * *
434b0 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 * * * * * * * *
434c0 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 * * * * * * * *
434d0 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 * * * * * * * *
434e0 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 * * * * * * * *
434f0 2a 20 2a 2f 0a 0a 2d 2d 2d 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 * */..---..Alley
43500 20 74 65 72 6d 69 6e 61 74 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 terminated the
43510 63 61 6c 6c 2e 20 20 22 49 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 call. "I have t
43520 6f 20 67 6f 20 68 6f 6d 65 2c 20 62 75 74 20 74 o go home, but t
43530 68 65 79 27 72 65 20 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 77 6f 72 hey're still wor
43540 6b 69 6e 67 20 6f 6e 20 6d 79 20 63 61 72 2c 22 king on my car,"
43550 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 she said. She
43560 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 6f 76 65 72 20 68 65 72 20 looked over her
43570 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 65 72 2c 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 shoulder, at the
43580 20 6d 65 63 68 61 6e 69 63 73 27 20 67 61 72 61 mechanics' gara
43590 67 65 2e 20 20 22 49 27 6c 6c 20 63 61 6c 6c 20 ge. "I'll call
435a0 75 70 20 61 20 72 69 64 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 61 up a ride.".."Wa
435b0 69 74 2c 22 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 it," the priorit
435c0 69 7a 65 72 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 57 68 79 izer said..."Why
435d0 3f 20 20 57 68 79 20 61 6d 20 49 20 77 61 69 74 ? Why am I wait
435e0 69 6e 67 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 77 69 6c 6c 20 61 ing?".."I will a
435f0 72 72 61 6e 67 65 20 66 6f 72 20 61 6e 6f 74 68 rrange for anoth
43600 65 72 20 73 74 75 64 79 20 70 61 72 74 69 63 69 er study partici
43610 70 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 70 61 73 73 20 62 79 20 pant to pass by
43620 79 6f 75 72 20 68 6f 6d 65 20 73 6f 20 77 65 20 your home so we
43630 63 61 6e 20 73 65 65 20 77 68 61 74 20 69 73 20 can see what is
43640 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 6f 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 going on."..Alle
43650 79 20 73 61 74 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2c 20 74 68 69 y sat again, thi
43660 6e 6b 69 6e 67 20 74 68 65 72 65 20 77 61 73 20 nking there was
43670 6e 6f 74 68 69 6e 67 20 73 68 65 20 63 6f 75 6c nothing she coul
43680 64 20 64 6f 20 74 68 61 74 20 77 61 73 20 61 6e d do that was an
43690 79 20 73 6d 61 72 74 65 72 20 74 68 61 6e 20 73 y smarter than s
436a0 69 74 74 69 6e 67 20 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 61 74 20 itting still at
436b0 74 68 69 73 20 70 6f 69 6e 74 2e 20 20 22 4d 61 this point. "Ma
436c0 79 62 65 20 49 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 63 61 6c ybe I should cal
436d0 6c 20 66 6f 72 20 61 20 72 69 64 65 20 61 6e 79 l for a ride any
436e0 77 61 79 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 79 73 2e 20 way," she says.
436f0 20 22 49 27 6c 6c 20 6a 75 73 74 20 67 65 74 20 "I'll just get
43700 74 68 65 72 65 20 61 66 74 65 72 20 74 68 65 20 there after the
43710 6f 74 68 65 72 20 70 65 72 73 6f 6e 20 69 6e 20 other person in
43720 74 68 65 20 73 74 75 64 79 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 the study.".."I
43730 77 69 6c 6c 20 61 72 72 61 6e 67 65 20 61 20 72 will arrange a r
43740 69 64 65 20 66 6f 72 20 79 6f 75 2c 22 20 74 68 ide for you," th
43750 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 73 61 e prioritizer sa
43760 69 64 2e 20 20 22 59 6f 75 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 id. "You should
43770 20 72 65 74 72 69 65 76 65 20 74 68 65 20 62 75 retrieve the bu
43780 67 6f 75 74 20 62 61 67 20 79 6f 75 20 68 61 76 gout bag you hav
43790 65 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 6d 69 64 64 6c 65 20 e in the middle
437a0 6f 66 20 79 6f 75 72 20 62 75 67 6f 75 74 20 76 of your bugout v
437b0 65 68 69 63 6c 65 20 67 65 61 72 2e 20 20 54 61 ehicle gear. Ta
437c0 6b 65 20 79 6f 75 72 20 72 69 64 69 6e 67 20 67 ke your riding g
437d0 65 61 72 2c 20 74 6f 6f 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 79 ear, too.".."Why
437e0 3f 20 20 57 68 61 74 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 77 6f 75 ? What good wou
437f0 6c 64 20 74 68 61 74 20 64 6f 20 6d 65 3f 22 20 ld that do me?"
43800 73 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 49 66 20 she asked..."If
43810 79 6f 75 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 6f 20 72 75 6e 2c you have to run,
43820 20 79 6f 75 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 68 61 76 65 you should have
43830 20 77 68 61 74 20 79 6f 75 20 6e 65 65 64 20 74 what you need t
43840 6f 20 73 75 72 76 69 76 65 2e 20 20 49 66 20 79 o survive. If y
43850 6f 75 20 64 6f 20 6e 6f 74 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 ou do not have t
43860 6f 20 72 75 6e 2c 20 69 74 20 64 6f 65 73 20 6e o run, it does n
43870 6f 74 20 68 75 72 74 20 79 6f 75 20 74 6f 20 68 ot hurt you to h
43880 61 76 65 20 74 68 61 74 20 67 65 61 72 20 77 69 ave that gear wi
43890 74 68 20 79 6f 75 2e 22 0a 0a 22 46 69 6e 65 2c th you.".."Fine,
438a0 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 27 " she said. "I'
438b0 6c 6c 20 67 65 74 20 69 74 2e 20 20 57 68 79 20 ll get it. Why
438c0 74 68 65 20 72 69 64 69 6e 67 20 67 65 61 72 2c the riding gear,
438d0 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 3f 22 20 20 53 68 65 20 73 though?" She s
438e0 74 6f 6f 64 20 61 6e 64 20 68 65 61 64 65 64 20 tood and headed
438f0 66 6f 72 20 74 68 65 20 63 6f 75 6e 74 65 72 2e for the counter.
43900 0a 0a 22 49 74 20 69 73 20 65 61 73 79 20 74 6f .."It is easy to
43910 20 63 61 72 72 79 2c 20 62 79 20 77 65 61 72 69 carry, by weari
43920 6e 67 20 6d 6f 73 74 20 6f 66 20 69 74 2c 20 61 ng most of it, a
43930 6e 64 20 79 6f 75 20 6d 61 79 20 6e 65 65 64 20 nd you may need
43940 74 6f 20 72 69 64 65 20 61 20 6d 6f 74 6f 72 63 to ride a motorc
43950 79 63 6c 65 20 73 6f 6f 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 73 ycle soon.".."Is
43960 20 74 68 65 20 72 69 64 65 20 79 6f 75 27 72 65 the ride you're
43970 20 63 61 6c 6c 69 6e 67 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 calling going t
43980 6f 20 62 65 20 61 20 6d 6f 74 6f 72 63 79 63 6c o be a motorcycl
43990 65 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 61 6d 20 63 68 65 63 6b e?".."I am check
439a0 69 6e 67 20 66 6f 72 20 61 76 61 69 6c 61 62 69 ing for availabi
439b0 6c 69 74 79 2e 20 20 49 20 64 6f 20 6e 6f 74 20 lity. I do not
439c0 6b 6e 6f 77 20 79 65 74 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 know yet."..Alle
439d0 79 20 73 68 72 75 67 67 65 64 20 74 6f 20 68 65 y shrugged to he
439e0 72 73 65 6c 66 20 61 6e 64 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 rself and looked
439f0 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 67 75 79 20 62 65 68 69 at the guy behi
43a00 6e 64 20 74 68 65 20 64 65 73 6b 2e 20 20 22 48 nd the desk. "H
43a10 65 79 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 72 ey," she said, r
43a20 61 69 73 69 6e 67 20 68 65 72 20 76 6f 69 63 65 aising her voice
43a30 20 65 6e 6f 75 67 68 20 74 6f 20 62 65 20 68 65 enough to be he
43a40 61 72 64 2e 20 20 22 43 61 6e 20 49 20 67 65 74 ard. "Can I get
43a50 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 74 68 69 6e 67 73 20 6f 75 74 some things out
43a60 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 74 72 75 6e 6b 20 6f 66 of the trunk of
43a70 20 6d 79 20 63 61 72 3f 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 6c 6f my car?"..He lo
43a80 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 68 65 72 2c 20 61 6e 64 oked at her, and
43a90 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 61 74 20 61 20 74 61 62 6c 65 down at a table
43aa0 74 20 69 6e 20 66 72 6f 6e 74 20 6f 66 20 68 69 t in front of hi
43ab0 6d 2e 20 20 22 49 27 6c 6c 20 63 68 65 63 6b 20 m. "I'll check
43ac0 77 68 65 74 68 65 72 20 69 74 27 73 20 6f 6e 20 whether it's on
43ad0 74 68 65 20 6c 69 66 74 2e 20 20 49 66 20 6e 6f the lift. If no
43ae0 74 2c 20 73 75 72 65 2c 20 79 6f 75 20 63 61 6e t, sure, you can
43af0 20 70 72 6f 62 61 62 6c 79 20 67 65 74 20 77 68 probably get wh
43b00 61 74 65 76 65 72 20 79 6f 75 20 6e 65 65 64 2e atever you need.
43b10 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 6e 6b 73 2c 22 20 73 68 65 ".."Thanks," she
43b20 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 45 69 67 68 74 20 6d 69 said...Eight mi
43b30 6e 75 74 65 73 20 6c 61 74 65 72 2c 20 73 68 65 nutes later, she
43b40 20 73 61 74 20 6f 6e 20 61 20 62 65 6e 63 68 20 sat on a bench
43b50 69 6e 20 66 72 6f 6e 74 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 in front of the
43b60 73 68 6f 70 27 73 20 67 6c 61 73 73 20 77 61 6c shop's glass wal
43b70 6c 2c 20 77 65 61 72 69 6e 67 20 68 65 72 20 61 l, wearing her a
43b80 72 6d 6f 72 65 64 20 6a 61 63 6b 65 74 20 61 6e rmored jacket an
43b90 64 20 62 6f 6f 74 73 2c 20 74 68 65 20 67 6c 6f d boots, the glo
43ba0 76 65 73 20 69 6e 20 68 65 72 20 63 61 72 67 6f ves in her cargo
43bb0 20 70 6f 63 6b 65 74 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 75 73 75 pocket like usu
43bc0 61 6c 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 65 20 72 69 64 69 6e al and the ridin
43bd0 67 20 70 61 6e 74 73 20 72 6f 6c 6c 65 64 20 75 g pants rolled u
43be0 70 20 61 6e 64 20 73 74 72 61 70 70 65 64 20 74 p and strapped t
43bf0 6f 20 68 65 72 20 62 61 67 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 o her bag. She
43c00 73 74 61 72 65 64 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 76 69 stared at the vi
43c10 64 65 6f 20 70 6c 61 79 69 6e 67 20 69 6e 20 74 deo playing in t
43c20 68 65 20 6c 65 6e 73 65 73 20 6f 66 20 68 65 72 he lenses of her
43c30 20 67 6c 61 73 73 65 73 2e 20 20 4d 65 6e 20 69 glasses. Men i
43c40 6e 20 53 65 63 72 65 74 20 53 65 72 76 69 63 65 n Secret Service
43c50 20 6a 61 63 6b 65 74 73 20 61 6e 64 20 74 61 63 jackets and tac
43c60 74 69 63 61 6c 20 67 65 61 72 20 73 74 6f 72 6d tical gear storm
43c70 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 68 6f 6d 65 2c 20 62 72 65 ed her home, bre
43c80 61 6b 69 6e 67 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 66 72 6f aking in the fro
43c90 6e 74 20 64 6f 6f 72 2c 20 61 73 20 74 77 6f 20 nt door, as two
43ca0 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 69 6e 20 62 6c 61 63 6b 20 people in black
43cb0 73 75 69 74 73 20 73 74 6f 6f 64 20 6f 75 74 73 suits stood outs
43cc0 69 64 65 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 73 69 64 65 77 ide on the sidew
43cd0 61 6c 6b 2c 20 77 61 74 63 68 69 6e 67 2e 20 20 alk, watching.
43ce0 4f 6e 65 20 77 61 73 20 61 20 77 6f 6d 61 6e 20 One was a woman
43cf0 77 69 74 68 20 6c 6f 6e 67 20 68 61 69 72 20 73 with long hair s
43d00 74 72 65 61 6b 65 64 20 77 69 74 68 20 67 72 65 treaked with gre
43d10 79 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 62 6f 74 68 20 77 6f 72 65 y, and both wore
43d20 20 62 61 6c 6c 20 63 61 70 73 2e 20 20 57 68 65 ball caps. Whe
43d30 6e 20 74 68 65 79 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 n they looked at
43d40 20 65 61 63 68 20 6f 74 68 65 72 20 74 6f 20 73 each other to s
43d50 70 65 61 6b 2c 20 73 68 65 20 72 65 63 6f 67 6e peak, she recogn
43d60 69 7a 65 64 20 74 68 65 6d 20 61 73 20 43 6f 6c ized them as Col
43d70 65 20 61 6e 64 20 68 69 73 20 70 61 72 74 6e 65 e and his partne
43d80 72 2e 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 27 73 20 6a 61 77 20 r...Alley's jaw
43d90 77 61 73 20 63 6c 65 6e 63 68 65 64 20 73 6f 20 was clenched so
43da0 74 69 67 68 74 6c 79 20 74 68 61 74 20 69 74 20 tightly that it
43db0 68 75 72 74 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 70 6f 69 6e 74 hurt. The point
43dc0 20 6f 66 20 76 69 65 77 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 of view of the
43dd0 73 63 65 6e 65 20 64 72 69 66 74 65 64 20 70 61 scene drifted pa
43de0 73 74 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 43 6f 6c 65 20 6c 6f 6f st, and Cole loo
43df0 6b 65 64 20 74 6f 77 61 72 64 20 74 68 65 20 63 ked toward the c
43e00 61 6d 65 72 61 20 66 6f 72 20 61 20 6d 6f 6d 65 amera for a mome
43e10 6e 74 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 nt, then looked
43e20 61 77 61 79 20 61 67 61 69 6e 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 away again like
43e30 69 74 20 64 69 64 20 6e 6f 74 20 6d 61 74 74 65 it did not matte
43e40 72 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 66 72 6f 6e 74 20 6f 66 r. The front of
43e50 20 68 69 73 20 62 6c 61 63 6b 20 62 61 6c 6c 20 his black ball
43e60 63 61 70 20 73 70 6f 72 74 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 cap sported the
43e70 62 75 72 67 75 6e 64 79 20 73 74 79 6c 69 7a 65 burgundy stylize
43e80 64 20 63 6f 69 6e 20 6c 6f 67 6f 20 6f 66 20 43 d coin logo of C
43e90 4f 49 4e 20 43 6f 72 70 2e 0a 0a 48 65 72 20 68 OIN Corp...Her h
43ea0 61 6e 64 73 20 74 72 65 6d 62 6c 65 64 2e 0a 0a ands trembled...
43eb0 22 49 20 68 61 76 65 20 61 20 70 6c 61 6e 2c 22 "I have a plan,"
43ec0 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 the prioritizer
43ed0 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 77 69 6c 6c 20 said. "I will
43ee0 67 65 74 20 79 6f 75 20 61 77 61 79 20 66 72 6f get you away fro
43ef0 6d 20 68 65 72 65 2e 20 20 54 68 61 74 20 69 73 m here. That is
43f00 20 74 68 65 20 66 69 72 73 74 20 74 68 69 6e 67 the first thing
43f10 20 77 65 20 6d 75 73 74 20 64 6f 2c 20 62 65 66 we must do, bef
43f20 6f 72 65 20 73 6f 6d 65 6f 6e 65 20 66 69 6e 64 ore someone find
43f30 73 20 79 6f 75 72 20 76 65 68 69 63 6c 65 20 68 s your vehicle h
43f40 65 72 65 2e 20 20 59 6f 75 20 63 61 6e 6e 6f 74 ere. You cannot
43f50 20 70 61 79 20 66 6f 72 20 74 68 65 73 65 20 72 pay for these r
43f60 65 70 61 69 72 73 20 77 69 74 68 20 63 61 73 68 epairs with cash
43f70 20 79 6f 75 20 68 61 76 65 20 6f 6e 20 79 6f 75 you have on you
43f80 20 72 69 67 68 74 20 6e 6f 77 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 right now, and
43f90 70 61 79 69 6e 67 20 77 69 74 68 20 63 72 65 64 paying with cred
43fa0 69 74 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 61 6c 6d 6f 73 74 20 it would almost
43fb0 63 65 72 74 61 69 6e 6c 79 20 74 72 69 67 67 65 certainly trigge
43fc0 72 20 61 6c 65 72 74 73 20 66 6f 72 20 74 68 65 r alerts for the
43fd0 20 43 4f 49 4e 20 43 6f 72 70 20 61 67 65 6e 74 COIN Corp agent
43fe0 73 2e 20 20 57 65 20 6d 75 73 74 20 67 65 74 20 s. We must get
43ff0 79 6f 75 20 61 77 61 79 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 61 72 you away, and ar
44000 72 61 6e 67 65 20 66 6f 72 20 73 6f 6d 65 6f 6e range for someon
44010 65 20 65 6c 73 65 20 74 6f 20 70 69 63 6b 20 75 e else to pick u
44020 70 20 74 68 65 20 63 61 72 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 66 p the car.".."If
44030 20 74 68 65 79 27 72 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 69 6e 67 they're looking
44040 20 66 6f 72 20 6d 79 20 63 72 65 64 69 74 2c 20 for my credit,
44050 74 68 65 79 27 6c 6c 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 20 66 6f 72 they'll look for
44060 20 6d 79 20 63 61 72 2c 20 74 6f 6f 2c 22 20 73 my car, too," s
44070 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 54 68 65 20 70 he said..."The p
44080 65 72 73 6f 6e 20 77 68 6f 20 70 61 79 73 20 66 erson who pays f
44090 6f 72 20 74 68 65 20 63 61 72 20 77 69 6c 6c 20 or the car will
440a0 68 61 6e 64 6c 65 20 69 74 2c 22 20 74 68 65 20 handle it," the
440b0 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 73 61 69 64 prioritizer said
440c0 2e 20 20 22 49 74 20 63 61 6e 20 62 65 20 73 6f . "It can be so
440d0 6c 64 20 66 6f 72 20 70 61 72 74 73 20 73 6f 20 ld for parts so
440e0 74 68 61 74 20 69 74 20 6e 65 76 65 72 20 73 68 that it never sh
440f0 6f 77 73 20 75 70 20 61 73 20 61 20 72 65 67 69 ows up as a regi
44100 73 74 65 72 65 64 20 76 65 68 69 63 6c 65 20 61 stered vehicle a
44110 67 61 69 6e 2e 20 20 4d 69 6e 75 73 20 61 20 68 gain. Minus a h
44120 61 6e 64 6c 69 6e 67 20 66 65 65 2c 20 74 68 65 andling fee, the
44130 20 6d 6f 6e 65 79 20 77 69 6c 6c 20 62 65 20 66 money will be f
44140 6f 72 77 61 72 64 65 64 20 74 6f 20 79 6f 75 2e orwarded to you.
44150 20 20 59 6f 75 20 77 69 6c 6c 20 68 61 76 65 20 You will have
44160 74 6f 20 61 63 71 75 69 72 65 20 6e 65 77 20 74 to acquire new t
44170 72 61 6e 73 70 6f 72 74 61 74 69 6f 6e 2c 20 62 ransportation, b
44180 75 74 20 49 20 63 61 6e 20 68 65 6c 70 20 79 6f ut I can help yo
44190 75 20 77 69 74 68 20 74 68 61 74 20 61 73 20 77 u with that as w
441a0 65 6c 6c 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 6b 61 79 2c 22 20 73 ell.".."Okay," s
441b0 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 57 68 79 20 64 he said. "Why d
441c0 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 73 65 65 6d 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 o you seem like
441d0 79 6f 75 27 76 65 20 64 6f 6e 65 20 74 68 69 73 you've done this
441e0 20 62 65 66 6f 72 65 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 68 61 before?".."I ha
441f0 76 65 20 6e 6f 74 2c 22 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 69 ve not," the pri
44200 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 oritizer said.
44210 22 49 20 68 61 76 65 20 62 65 65 6e 20 63 6f 6e "I have been con
44220 73 69 64 65 72 69 6e 67 20 69 64 65 61 73 20 66 sidering ideas f
44230 6f 72 20 68 6f 77 20 74 6f 20 68 61 6e 64 6c 65 or how to handle
44240 20 74 68 69 73 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 20 77 68 65 this moment whe
44250 6e 20 69 74 20 63 61 6d 65 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 n it came, thoug
44260 68 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 66 72 6f 77 6e h."..Alley frown
44270 65 64 2e 20 20 22 4d 61 79 62 65 20 74 68 65 79 ed. "Maybe they
44280 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 65 76 65 6e 20 77 61 6e 74 don't even want
44290 20 6d 65 2e 20 20 54 68 65 79 20 77 65 6e 74 20 me. They went
442a0 69 6e 74 6f 20 6d 79 20 70 6c 61 63 65 20 77 68 into my place wh
442b0 65 6e 20 49 20 77 61 73 6e 27 74 20 65 76 65 6e en I wasn't even
442c0 20 74 68 65 72 65 2e 20 20 54 68 65 79 20 6d 75 there. They mu
442d0 73 74 20 68 61 76 65 20 6b 6e 6f 77 6e 20 49 20 st have known I
442e0 77 61 73 6e 27 74 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 wasn't going to
442f0 62 65 20 74 68 65 72 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4e 6f 2c be there.".."No,
44300 20 49 20 6d 61 64 65 20 73 75 72 65 20 74 68 65 I made sure the
44310 79 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 74 20 79 6f 75 20 77 65 y thought you we
44320 72 65 20 68 6f 6d 65 2c 20 62 79 20 66 61 6c 73 re home, by fals
44330 69 66 79 69 6e 67 20 6c 6f 67 73 2e 20 20 49 20 ifying logs. I
44340 68 61 76 65 20 62 65 65 6e 20 76 65 72 79 20 63 have been very c
44350 61 72 65 66 75 6c 20 74 6f 20 61 72 72 61 6e 67 areful to arrang
44360 65 20 6c 6f 67 73 20 74 6f 20 63 6f 6e 66 75 73 e logs to confus
44370 65 20 61 6e 79 20 70 6f 74 65 6e 74 69 61 6c 20 e any potential
44380 61 74 74 65 6d 70 74 73 20 74 6f 20 6d 61 6b 65 attempts to make
44390 20 61 20 6d 6f 76 65 20 61 67 61 69 6e 73 74 20 a move against
443a0 79 6f 75 2e 22 0a 0a 22 48 6f 77 20 64 69 64 20 you.".."How did
443b0 79 6f 75 20 64 6f 20 74 68 61 74 3f 22 0a 0a 22 you do that?".."
443c0 49 20 6d 61 64 65 20 75 73 65 20 6f 66 20 74 68 I made use of th
443d0 65 20 6e 65 74 77 6f 72 6b 20 6f 66 20 73 74 75 e network of stu
443e0 64 79 20 70 61 72 74 69 63 69 70 61 6e 74 73 2e dy participants.
443f0 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 61 72 65 20 74 68 65 ".."What are the
44400 79 20 67 65 74 74 69 6e 67 20 6f 75 74 20 6f 66 y getting out of
44410 20 69 74 3f 22 20 73 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2c it?" she asked,
44420 20 71 75 69 65 74 6c 79 2c 20 77 6f 6e 64 65 72 quietly, wonder
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45630 20 20 22 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 77 61 6e 74 20 "I don't want
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45650 68 74 20 75 70 20 69 6e 20 74 68 69 73 2c 20 61 ht up in this, a
45660 6e 64 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 49 27 6d 20 6e nd I guess I'm n
45670 6f 74 20 65 6e 74 69 72 65 6c 79 20 73 75 72 65 ot entirely sure
45680 20 74 68 65 79 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 6e 27 74 20 73 they wouldn't s
45690 61 79 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 74 68 65 ay something the
456a0 79 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 6e 27 74 20 69 66 20 70 y shouldn't if p
456b0 6f 6c 69 63 65 20 73 68 6f 77 65 64 20 75 70 20 olice showed up
456c0 6f 72 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 6c 69 6b or something lik
456d0 65 20 74 68 61 74 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 6e 20 74 68 e that.".."In th
456e0 61 74 20 63 61 73 65 2c 20 77 65 20 6d 75 73 74 at case, we must
456f0 20 66 69 6e 64 20 79 6f 75 20 61 20 70 6c 61 63 find you a plac
45700 65 20 74 6f 20 73 74 61 79 20 66 6f 72 20 74 68 e to stay for th
45710 65 20 6e 69 67 68 74 2e 20 20 50 6c 65 61 73 65 e night. Please
45720 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 20 66 6f 72 20 6d 6f 74 65 6c 73 look for motels
45730 20 74 68 61 74 20 61 63 63 65 70 74 20 63 72 79 that accept cry
45740 70 74 6f 63 75 72 72 65 6e 63 79 20 70 61 79 6d ptocurrency paym
45750 65 6e 74 73 20 62 65 6c 6f 77 20 74 68 65 20 72 ents below the r
45760 65 70 6f 72 74 69 6e 67 20 74 68 72 65 73 68 6f eporting thresho
45770 6c 64 20 6f 66 20 74 68 72 65 65 20 68 75 6e 64 ld of three hund
45780 72 65 64 20 75 6e 69 74 65 64 20 73 74 61 74 65 red united state
45790 73 20 64 6f 6c 6c 61 72 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 53 75 s dollars.".."Su
457a0 72 65 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 22 re," she said, "
457b0 62 75 74 20 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 6b 6e 6f 77 but I don't know
457c0 20 68 6f 77 20 77 65 27 72 65 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 how we're going
457d0 20 74 6f 20 67 65 74 20 74 68 65 72 65 2e 20 20 to get there.
457e0 49 74 27 73 20 6e 6f 74 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 63 61 It's not like ca
457f0 62 73 20 75 73 75 61 6c 6c 79 20 74 61 6b 65 20 bs usually take
45800 63 61 73 68 20 74 68 65 73 65 20 64 61 79 73 2c cash these days,
45810 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 65 79 20 61 6c 6c 20 68 61 and they all ha
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45830 65 6d 2c 20 73 6f 20 49 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 6a em, so I would j
45840 75 73 74 20 65 6e 64 20 75 70 20 6f 6e 20 63 61 ust end up on ca
45850 6d 65 72 61 20 66 6f 72 20 74 68 65 20 77 68 6f mera for the who
45860 6c 65 20 74 72 69 70 2e 22 0a 0a 22 43 61 6e 20 le trip.".."Can
45870 79 6f 75 20 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 72 69 64 65 20 61 you still ride a
45880 20 6d 6f 74 6f 72 63 79 63 6c 65 3f 22 0a 0a 22 motorcycle?".."
45890 59 65 61 68 2c 20 49 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 62 Yeah, I should b
458a0 65 20 61 62 6c 65 20 74 6f 2e 22 20 20 53 68 65 e able to." She
458b0 20 66 75 72 72 6f 77 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 62 72 furrowed her br
458c0 6f 77 2e 20 20 22 57 68 79 3f 22 0a 0a 22 57 65 ow. "Why?".."We
458d0 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 63 68 65 63 6b 20 6f 6e should check on
458e0 6c 69 6e 65 20 63 6c 61 73 73 69 66 69 65 64 73 line classifieds
458f0 20 66 6f 72 20 70 72 69 76 61 74 65 20 70 61 72 for private par
45900 74 79 20 73 61 6c 65 2c 20 6c 6f 77 20 70 72 69 ty sale, low pri
45910 63 65 2c 20 77 6f 72 6b 69 6e 67 20 6d 6f 74 6f ce, working moto
45920 72 63 79 63 6c 65 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 63 61 6e rcycles that can
45930 20 62 65 20 70 75 72 63 68 61 73 65 64 20 69 6e be purchased in
45940 20 65 69 74 68 65 72 20 63 61 73 68 20 6f 72 20 either cash or
45950 63 72 79 70 74 6f 63 75 72 72 65 6e 63 79 20 75 cryptocurrency u
45960 6e 69 74 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2c 20 79 65 61 nits.".."Oh, yea
45970 68 2e 20 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 61 20 6d 6f h. I guess a mo
45980 74 6f 72 63 79 63 6c 65 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 65 torcycle would e
45990 76 65 6e 20 62 65 20 63 68 65 61 70 65 72 20 74 ven be cheaper t
459a0 68 61 6e 20 61 20 6a 75 6e 6b 65 72 20 63 61 72 han a junker car
459b0 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 70 75 6c 6c 65 64 20 6f ."..She pulled o
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459d0 20 77 6f 6b 65 20 74 68 65 20 64 65 76 69 63 65 woke the device
459e0 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 68 65 73 69 74 61 74 65 64 , then hesitated
459f0 2e 0a 0a 22 48 6f 77 20 61 6d 20 49 20 65 76 65 ..."How am I eve
45a00 6e 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 67 65 74 20 74 n going to get t
45a10 68 65 20 6d 6f 74 6f 72 63 79 63 6c 65 3f 20 20 he motorcycle?
45a20 49 20 63 61 6e 27 74 20 67 65 74 20 74 6f 20 69 I can't get to i
45a30 74 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 68 65 72 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 t from here.".."
45a40 49 20 77 69 6c 6c 20 61 72 72 61 6e 67 65 20 73 I will arrange s
45a50 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 2c 22 20 74 68 65 20 70 omething," the p
45a60 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 73 61 69 64 2e rioritizer said.
45a70 20 20 22 49 74 20 77 69 6c 6c 20 70 72 6f 62 61 "It will proba
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45aa0 20 61 20 66 65 6c 6c 6f 77 20 73 74 75 64 79 20 a fellow study
45ab0 70 61 72 74 69 63 69 70 61 6e 74 20 77 69 74 68 participant with
45ac0 20 61 70 70 72 6f 70 72 69 61 74 65 20 73 6b 69 appropriate ski
45ad0 6c 6c 73 20 6d 61 79 20 62 65 20 77 69 6c 6c 69 lls may be willi
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45af0 20 79 6f 75 72 20 74 72 61 6e 73 61 63 74 69 6f your transactio
45b00 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 6f 75 6c 64 6e 27 74 20 74 n.".."Wouldn't t
45b10 68 61 74 20 6d 65 61 6e 20 74 68 65 20 77 68 6f hat mean the who
45b20 6c 65 20 74 68 69 6e 67 20 77 69 6c 6c 20 67 65 le thing will ge
45b30 74 20 72 65 63 6f 72 64 65 64 20 61 6e 64 20 73 t recorded and s
45b40 74 6f 72 65 64 20 69 6e 20 6c 6f 67 73 2c 20 74 tored in logs, t
45b50 68 6f 75 67 68 3f 22 0a 0a 22 4e 6f 2e 20 20 49 hough?".."No. I
45b60 20 77 69 6c 6c 20 61 6c 74 65 72 20 6c 6f 67 73 will alter logs
45b70 20 61 6e 64 20 72 65 6d 6f 76 65 20 61 6c 6c 20 and remove all
45b80 65 76 69 64 65 6e 63 65 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 73 evidence of thes
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45ba0 67 6e 69 66 69 63 61 6e 63 65 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 gnificance from
45bb0 73 74 6f 72 61 67 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 6b 61 79 storage.".."Okay
45bc0 2c 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 74 68 61 74 27 73 , I guess that's
45bd0 20 66 69 6e 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 42 79 20 6d 79 20 fine.".."By my
45be0 65 73 74 69 6d 61 74 65 2c 20 74 68 65 20 72 69 estimate, the ri
45bf0 73 6b 20 6f 66 20 74 68 69 73 20 74 72 61 6e 73 sk of this trans
45c00 61 63 74 69 6f 6e 20 66 6f 72 20 79 6f 75 20 73 action for you s
45c10 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 62 65 20 6c 65 73 73 20 74 68 hould be less th
45c20 61 6e 20 74 68 65 20 74 79 70 69 63 61 6c 20 72 an the typical r
45c30 6f 61 64 20 64 61 6e 67 65 72 73 20 6f 66 20 64 oad dangers of d
45c40 72 69 76 69 6e 67 20 61 20 6d 6f 74 6f 72 63 79 riving a motorcy
45c50 63 6c 65 20 69 6e 20 61 66 74 65 72 6e 6f 6f 6e cle in afternoon
45c60 20 74 72 61 66 66 69 63 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 68 65 traffic from he
45c70 72 65 20 74 6f 20 61 20 73 65 6c 6c 65 72 20 69 re to a seller i
45c80 6e 20 6d 6f 73 74 20 70 61 72 74 73 20 6f 66 20 n most parts of
45c90 52 69 76 65 72 73 69 64 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 Riverside.".."I
45ca0 67 75 65 73 73 20 74 68 61 74 27 73 20 63 6f 6d guess that's com
45cb0 66 6f 72 74 69 6e 67 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 forting," she sa
45cc0 69 64 2e 20 20 22 52 69 64 69 6e 67 20 61 20 6d id. "Riding a m
45cd0 6f 74 6f 72 63 79 63 6c 65 20 69 73 20 6d 6f 72 otorcycle is mor
45ce0 65 20 64 61 6e 67 65 72 6f 75 73 20 74 68 61 6e e dangerous than
45cf0 20 6d 61 6b 69 6e 67 20 61 20 64 65 61 6c 20 77 making a deal w
45d00 69 74 68 20 61 20 6d 69 64 64 6c 65 6d 61 6e 20 ith a middleman
45d10 77 68 65 6e 20 74 68 65 20 4d 65 6e 20 49 6e 20 when the Men In
45d20 42 6c 61 63 6b 20 61 72 65 20 61 66 74 65 72 20 Black are after
45d30 6d 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 65 20 73 61 6d 65 20 me.".."The same
45d40 73 74 61 74 65 6d 65 6e 74 20 69 73 20 61 63 63 statement is acc
45d50 75 72 61 74 65 20 69 66 20 79 6f 75 20 64 72 69 urate if you dri
45d60 76 65 20 61 20 63 61 72 2c 20 61 73 20 77 65 6c ve a car, as wel
45d70 6c 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 20 73 74 61 74 69 73 l, though statis
45d80 74 69 63 73 20 73 75 67 67 65 73 74 20 74 68 65 tics suggest the
45d90 20 64 61 6e 67 65 72 20 6f 66 20 64 72 69 76 69 danger of drivi
45da0 6e 67 20 61 20 63 61 72 20 69 73 20 73 6c 69 67 ng a car is slig
45db0 68 74 6c 79 20 6c 65 73 73 20 74 68 61 6e 20 74 htly less than t
45dc0 68 61 74 20 6f 66 20 72 69 64 69 6e 67 20 61 20 hat of riding a
45dd0 6d 6f 74 6f 72 63 79 63 6c 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 motorcycle.".."Y
45de0 65 61 68 2c 20 74 68 61 6e 6b 73 20 66 6f 72 20 eah, thanks for
45df0 63 6c 65 61 72 69 6e 67 20 74 68 61 74 20 75 70 clearing that up
45e00 20 66 6f 72 20 6d 65 2c 22 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 for me," Alley
45e10 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 4c 65 74 27 73 20 73 74 said. "Let's st
45e20 61 72 74 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 69 6e 67 20 61 74 20 6d art looking at m
45e30 6f 74 6f 72 63 79 63 6c 65 73 2c 20 74 68 65 6e otorcycles, then
45e40 2e 22 0a 0a 57 68 65 6e 20 73 68 65 20 73 65 6c ."..When she sel
45e50 65 63 74 65 64 20 61 20 63 75 73 74 6f 6d 20 6d ected a custom m
45e60 6f 64 69 66 69 63 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 6f 66 20 61 odification of a
45e70 20 31 39 39 30 73 20 6d 6f 74 6f 72 63 79 63 6c 1990s motorcycl
45e80 65 20 63 6c 6f 73 65 72 20 74 6f 20 68 65 72 20 e closer to her
45e90 66 61 74 68 65 72 27 73 20 61 67 65 20 74 68 61 father's age tha
45ea0 6e 20 68 65 72 20 6f 77 6e 2c 20 74 68 65 20 70 n her own, the p
45eb0 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 74 6f 6c 64 20 rioritizer told
45ec0 68 65 72 20 69 74 20 68 61 64 20 61 20 6d 69 64 her it had a mid
45ed0 64 6c 65 6d 61 6e 20 72 65 61 64 79 20 74 6f 20 dleman ready to
45ee0 67 6f 2e 20 20 49 74 20 77 61 73 20 6f 6e 6c 79 go. It was only
45ef0 20 74 77 65 6e 74 79 20 6d 69 6e 75 74 65 73 20 twenty minutes
45f00 6c 61 74 65 72 20 74 68 61 74 20 69 74 20 74 6f later that it to
45f10 6c 64 20 68 65 72 20 2f 2a 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 ld her /* about
45f20 61 20 64 69 67 69 74 61 6c 20 62 6f 6f 74 6c 65 a digital bootle
45f30 67 20 73 61 66 65 74 79 20 75 70 67 72 61 64 65 g safety upgrade
45f40 2e 20 2a 2f 20 77 68 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 6d 69 . */ what the mi
45f50 64 64 6c 65 6d 61 6e 20 68 61 64 20 6c 65 61 72 ddleman had lear
45f60 6e 65 64 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 74 68 65 20 73 65 6c ned from the sel
45f70 6c 65 72 2e 0a 0a 22 54 68 65 20 6d 6f 74 6f 72 ler..."The motor
45f80 63 79 63 6c 65 27 73 20 73 65 6c 6c 65 72 20 72 cycle's seller r
45f90 65 70 6f 72 74 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 69 74 20 68 eports that it h
45fa0 61 73 20 61 20 6e 75 6d 62 65 72 20 6f 66 20 75 as a number of u
45fb0 70 67 72 61 64 65 73 2e 20 20 4d 6f 73 74 20 6e pgrades. Most n
45fc0 6f 74 61 62 6c 79 2c 20 69 74 20 68 61 73 20 62 otably, it has b
45fd0 65 65 6e 20 75 70 67 72 61 64 65 64 20 77 69 74 een upgraded wit
45fe0 68 20 61 6e 20 61 6e 74 69 20 6c 6f 63 6b 20 62 h an anti lock b
45ff0 72 61 6b 65 20 73 79 73 74 65 6d 20 68 65 20 66 rake system he f
46000 61 62 72 69 63 61 74 65 64 20 69 6e 20 68 69 73 abricated in his
46010 20 68 6f 6d 65 20 77 6f 72 6b 73 68 6f 70 2c 20 home workshop,
46020 75 73 69 6e 67 20 72 65 76 65 72 73 65 20 65 6e using reverse en
46030 67 69 6e 65 65 72 65 64 20 70 68 79 73 69 63 61 gineered physica
46040 6c 20 73 70 65 63 69 66 69 63 61 74 69 6f 6e 73 l specifications
46050 20 66 6f 72 20 70 72 6f 64 75 63 74 69 6f 6e 20 for production
46060 61 66 74 65 72 6d 61 72 6b 65 74 20 62 72 61 6b aftermarket brak
46070 65 20 75 70 67 72 61 64 65 73 2c 20 75 73 69 6e e upgrades, usin
46080 67 20 6f 70 65 6e 20 73 6f 75 72 63 65 20 73 6f g open source so
46090 66 74 77 61 72 65 20 74 6f 20 70 72 6f 67 72 61 ftware to progra
460a0 6d 20 74 68 65 20 73 79 73 74 65 6d 2e 22 0a 0a m the system."..
460b0 22 49 73 6e 27 74 20 74 68 61 74 20 69 6c 6c 65 "Isn't that ille
460c0 67 61 6c 3f 20 20 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 6b 6e gal? I don't kn
460d0 6f 77 20 69 66 20 49 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 6e ow if I really n
460e0 65 65 64 20 74 6f 20 70 69 6c 65 20 6d 6f 72 65 eed to pile more
460f0 20 65 76 69 64 65 6e 63 65 20 73 6f 6d 65 6f 6e evidence someon
46100 65 20 63 61 6e 20 75 73 65 20 61 67 61 69 6e 73 e can use agains
46110 74 20 6d 65 20 6f 6e 20 74 6f 70 20 6f 66 20 77 t me on top of w
46120 68 61 74 27 73 20 61 6c 72 65 61 64 79 20 67 6f hat's already go
46130 69 6e 67 20 6f 6e 2c 22 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 ing on," Alley s
46140 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 49 74 20 61 70 70 65 61 72 aid..."It appear
46150 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 75 73 65 20 6f s that the use o
46160 66 20 74 68 65 20 70 6c 61 6e 73 20 66 6f 72 20 f the plans for
46170 74 68 65 20 62 72 61 6b 65 73 20 69 73 20 6e 6f the brakes is no
46180 74 20 69 6c 6c 65 67 61 6c 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 6f t illegal, and o
46190 6e 6c 79 20 74 68 65 20 64 69 73 74 72 69 62 75 nly the distribu
461a0 74 69 6f 6e 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 70 6c 61 6e tion of the plan
461b0 73 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 65 20 73 61 6c 65 20 6f s and the sale o
461c0 66 20 74 68 65 20 62 72 61 6b 65 73 20 61 66 74 f the brakes aft
461d0 65 72 20 74 68 65 79 20 68 61 76 65 20 62 65 65 er they have bee
461e0 6e 20 66 61 62 72 69 63 61 74 65 64 20 77 6f 75 n fabricated wou
461f0 6c 64 20 76 69 6f 6c 61 74 65 20 63 6f 70 79 72 ld violate copyr
46200 69 67 68 74 20 61 6e 64 20 70 61 74 65 6e 74 20 ight and patent
46210 6c 61 77 73 2e 20 20 42 65 63 61 75 73 65 20 74 laws. Because t
46220 68 65 20 70 6c 61 6e 73 20 77 65 72 65 20 65 76 he plans were ev
46230 69 64 65 6e 74 6c 79 20 72 65 76 65 72 73 65 20 idently reverse
46240 65 6e 67 69 6e 65 65 72 65 64 2c 20 74 68 65 79 engineered, they
46250 20 61 72 65 20 75 6e 6c 69 6b 65 6c 79 20 74 6f are unlikely to
46260 20 62 65 20 70 72 6f 74 65 63 74 65 64 20 62 79 be protected by
46270 20 63 6f 70 79 72 69 67 68 74 2e 20 20 41 73 20 copyright. As
46280 74 68 65 20 72 65 63 69 70 69 65 6e 74 20 6f 66 the recipient of
46290 20 74 68 65 20 6d 6f 74 6f 72 63 79 63 6c 65 2c the motorcycle,
462a0 20 79 6f 75 20 73 65 65 6d 20 74 6f 20 62 65 20 you seem to be
462b0 69 6d 6d 75 6e 65 20 74 6f 20 61 6e 79 20 6c 65 immune to any le
462c0 67 61 6c 20 69 73 73 75 65 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 gal issues that
462d0 6d 61 79 20 61 72 69 73 65 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 74 may arise from t
462e0 68 69 73 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 65 20 63 68 61 his, and the cha
462f0 6e 63 65 73 20 6f 66 20 64 65 74 65 63 74 69 6f nces of detectio
46300 6e 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 63 72 69 6d 65 20 69 n of the crime i
46310 6e 20 74 68 69 73 20 63 61 73 65 20 61 72 65 20 n this case are
46320 73 74 61 74 69 73 74 69 63 61 6c 6c 79 20 20 69 statistically i
46330 6e 73 69 67 6e 69 66 69 63 61 6e 74 2e 22 0a 0a nsignificant."..
46340 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 6f 6b 61 79 2c 22 20 73 68 "Yeah, okay," sh
46350 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 57 68 65 6e 20 74 e said..."When t
46360 68 65 20 6d 6f 74 6f 72 63 79 63 6c 65 20 61 72 he motorcycle ar
46370 72 69 76 65 73 2c 20 79 6f 75 20 77 69 6c 6c 20 rives, you will
46380 62 65 20 61 62 6c 65 20 74 6f 20 70 61 79 20 74 be able to pay t
46390 68 65 20 70 65 72 73 6f 6e 20 77 68 6f 20 64 65 he person who de
463a0 6c 69 76 65 72 73 20 69 74 20 64 69 72 65 63 74 livers it direct
463b0 6c 79 20 69 6e 20 53 74 61 74 65 72 2e 20 20 48 ly in Stater. H
463c0 65 20 69 73 20 69 6e 74 65 72 65 73 74 65 64 20 e is interested
463d0 69 6e 20 61 63 71 75 69 72 69 6e 67 20 74 68 65 in acquiring the
463e0 20 63 72 79 70 74 6f 63 75 72 72 65 6e 63 79 20 cryptocurrency
463f0 61 73 20 61 6e 20 69 6e 76 65 73 74 6d 65 6e 74 as an investment
46400 2e 22 0a 0a 22 44 69 64 20 68 65 20 75 73 65 20 .".."Did he use
46410 53 74 61 74 65 72 20 74 6f 20 62 75 79 20 74 68 Stater to buy th
46420 65 20 62 69 6b 65 3f 22 0a 0a 22 4e 6f 2e 20 20 e bike?".."No.
46430 48 65 20 6d 61 64 65 20 61 20 63 61 73 68 20 74 He made a cash t
46440 72 61 6e 73 61 63 74 69 6f 6e 2e 20 20 46 6f 72 ransaction. For
46450 20 68 69 6d 2c 20 74 68 69 73 20 69 73 20 61 6e him, this is an
46460 20 69 6e 64 69 72 65 63 74 20 77 61 79 20 74 6f indirect way to
46470 20 62 75 79 20 61 20 63 72 79 70 74 6f 63 75 72 buy a cryptocur
46480 72 65 6e 63 79 20 77 69 74 68 6f 75 74 20 74 68 rency without th
46490 65 20 70 75 72 63 68 61 73 65 20 62 65 69 6e 67 e purchase being
464a0 20 74 72 61 63 6b 65 64 20 61 6e 64 20 77 69 74 tracked and wit
464b0 68 6f 75 74 20 64 65 61 6c 69 6e 67 20 77 69 74 hout dealing wit
464c0 68 20 6c 65 73 73 20 74 72 75 73 74 77 6f 72 74 h less trustwort
464d0 68 79 20 69 6e 64 69 76 69 64 75 61 6c 73 20 77 hy individuals w
464e0 68 6f 20 64 65 61 6c 20 69 6e 20 63 72 79 70 74 ho deal in crypt
464f0 6f 63 75 72 72 65 6e 63 69 65 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 ocurrencies.".."
46500 59 65 61 68 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c Yeah," she said,
46510 20 22 74 68 61 74 20 6d 61 6b 65 73 20 73 65 6e "that makes sen
46520 73 65 2e 20 20 48 6f 77 20 6d 75 63 68 20 69 73 se. How much is
46530 20 74 68 69 73 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 73 this going to s
46540 65 74 20 6d 65 20 62 61 63 6b 3f 22 0a 0a 22 59 et me back?".."Y
46550 6f 75 20 77 69 6c 6c 20 70 72 6f 66 69 74 20 66 ou will profit f
46560 72 6f 6d 20 74 68 69 73 20 74 72 61 6e 73 61 63 rom this transac
46570 74 69 6f 6e 2e 20 20 41 6e 6f 74 68 65 72 20 73 tion. Another s
46580 74 75 64 79 20 70 61 72 74 69 63 69 70 61 6e 74 tudy participant
46590 20 70 69 63 6b 65 64 20 75 70 20 74 68 65 20 63 picked up the c
465a0 61 72 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 74 68 65 20 61 75 74 6f ar from the auto
465b0 20 73 68 6f 70 20 61 6e 64 20 67 61 76 65 20 6d shop and gave m
465c0 6f 6e 65 79 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 6d 69 64 64 oney to the midd
465d0 6c 65 6d 61 6e 20 66 6f 72 20 74 68 65 20 6d 6f leman for the mo
465e0 74 6f 72 63 79 63 6c 65 20 70 75 72 63 68 61 73 torcycle purchas
465f0 65 2c 20 77 69 74 68 20 69 6e 73 74 72 75 63 74 e, with instruct
46600 69 6f 6e 73 20 74 6f 20 63 6f 6e 76 65 79 20 77 ions to convey w
46610 68 61 74 65 76 65 72 20 63 61 73 68 20 69 73 20 hatever cash is
46620 6c 65 66 74 20 61 66 74 65 72 20 74 68 65 20 70 left after the p
46630 75 72 63 68 61 73 65 20 74 6f 20 79 6f 75 2e 20 urchase to you.
46640 20 57 68 69 6c 65 20 79 6f 75 20 77 69 6c 6c 20 While you will
46650 68 61 76 65 20 66 65 77 65 72 20 53 74 61 74 65 have fewer State
46660 72 20 66 6f 72 20 6e 6f 77 2c 20 79 6f 75 72 20 r for now, your
46670 6f 76 65 72 61 6c 6c 20 6c 69 71 75 69 64 20 61 overall liquid a
46680 73 73 65 74 20 74 6f 74 61 6c 73 20 72 65 70 72 sset totals repr
46690 65 73 65 6e 74 20 67 72 65 61 74 65 72 20 70 75 esent greater pu
466a0 72 63 68 61 73 69 6e 67 20 70 6f 77 65 72 20 74 rchasing power t
466b0 68 61 6e 20 69 66 20 74 68 65 20 63 61 72 20 68 han if the car h
466c0 61 64 20 6e 6f 74 20 72 65 71 75 69 72 65 64 20 ad not required
466d0 6d 61 69 6e 74 65 6e 61 6e 63 65 20 61 6e 64 20 maintenance and
466e0 79 6f 75 20 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 68 61 64 20 69 74 you still had it
466f0 20 6e 6f 77 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 73 20 73 6f 6d 65 now.".."Is some
46700 6f 6e 65 20 67 65 74 74 69 6e 67 20 73 63 72 65 one getting scre
46710 77 65 64 20 6f 76 65 72 20 66 6f 72 20 74 68 69 wed over for thi
46720 73 3f 22 20 73 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a s?" she asked...
46730 22 4e 6f 2e 20 20 45 76 65 72 79 20 70 61 72 74 "No. Every part
46740 69 63 69 70 61 6e 74 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 73 65 icipant in these
46750 20 74 72 61 6e 73 61 63 74 69 6f 6e 73 20 70 72 transactions pr
46760 6f 66 69 74 65 64 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 61 6e 20 6f ofited from an o
46770 70 70 6f 72 74 75 6e 69 74 79 20 74 68 61 74 20 pportunity that
46780 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 6e 6f 74 20 68 61 76 65 20 65 would not have e
46790 78 69 73 74 65 64 20 69 66 20 79 6f 75 20 64 69 xisted if you di
467a0 64 20 6e 6f 74 20 6e 65 65 64 20 74 6f 20 61 63 d not need to ac
467b0 71 75 69 72 65 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 72 65 6c 69 61 quire more relia
467c0 62 6c 65 20 61 6e 64 20 6c 65 73 73 20 72 65 63 ble and less rec
467d0 6f 67 6e 69 7a 61 62 6c 65 20 74 72 61 6e 73 70 ognizable transp
467e0 6f 72 74 61 74 69 6f 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 22 48 6d 2e ortation.".."Hm.
467f0 20 20 54 68 61 6e 6b 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 6f 75 Thanks.".."You
46800 20 61 72 65 20 77 65 6c 63 6f 6d 65 2e 22 0a 0a are welcome."..
46810 53 68 65 20 62 72 75 73 68 65 64 20 61 77 61 79 She brushed away
46820 20 67 72 61 76 65 6c 6c 79 20 64 65 62 72 69 73 gravelly debris
46830 20 74 6f 20 63 6c 65 61 72 20 61 20 73 70 6f 74 to clear a spot
46840 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 67 72 6f 75 6e 64 2c 20 on the ground,
46850 61 6e 64 20 73 61 74 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 63 and sat on the c
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468e0 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 6f 70 70 6f 73 69 74 65 on the opposite
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46a60 73 68 65 20 64 69 64 20 6c 65 61 72 6e 20 74 68 she did learn th
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46ac0 41 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 65 20 74 69 6d 65 20 73 About the time s
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46b00 74 68 65 73 65 20 64 61 79 73 3a 20 61 6e 20 69 these days: an i
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46b70 63 6f 6d 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 61 20 68 61 6c 74 coming to a halt
46b80 20 6e 65 61 72 62 79 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 73 74 nearby. She st
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46ba0 63 6f 6c 6c 65 63 74 65 64 20 64 75 73 74 20 66 collected dust f
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46bc0 2e 0a 0a 22 54 68 69 73 20 69 73 20 79 6f 75 72 ..."This is your
46bd0 20 63 6f 6e 74 61 63 74 2c 22 20 74 68 65 20 70 contact," the p
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46bf0 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 74 6f 6f 6b 20 61 20 64 65 65 ..She took a dee
46c00 70 20 62 72 65 61 74 68 2c 20 6c 65 74 20 69 74 p breath, let it
46c10 20 6f 75 74 20 73 6c 6f 77 6c 79 2c 20 74 68 65 out slowly, the
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46c50 74 68 65 20 68 61 6e 64 6c 65 20 6f 66 20 68 65 the handle of he
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46c90 20 61 20 62 69 67 20 66 69 67 75 72 65 20 73 6c a big figure sl
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46cb0 20 61 20 73 6d 61 6c 6c 20 67 72 65 79 20 62 6c a small grey bl
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46cd0 49 74 20 77 61 73 20 74 68 65 20 66 6f 75 72 20 It was the four
46ce0 63 79 6c 69 6e 64 65 72 20 33 35 30 20 73 68 65 cylinder 350 she
46cf0 20 68 61 64 20 2f 2a 20 62 6f 75 67 68 74 20 77 had /* bought w
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46d20 63 74 65 64 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 74 68 65 20 63 6c cted from the cl
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46d40 6d 61 6e 20 77 6f 72 65 20 61 6e 20 6f 70 65 6e man wore an open
46d50 20 66 61 63 65 20 68 65 6c 6d 65 74 20 61 6c 6f face helmet alo
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46d70 20 61 6e 64 20 67 6c 61 73 73 65 73 2e 20 20 54 and glasses. T
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46d90 69 64 65 6e 74 69 63 61 6c 20 74 6f 20 68 65 72 identical to her
46da0 20 6f 77 6e 2c 20 73 68 65 20 69 6d 6d 65 64 69 own, she immedi
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46dc0 41 6e 20 65 6c 65 63 74 72 69 63 20 63 61 72 20 An electric car
46dd0 77 61 69 74 65 64 20 62 79 20 74 68 65 20 63 75 waited by the cu
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46df0 20 20 53 68 65 20 69 6e 64 69 63 61 74 65 64 20 She indicated
46e00 74 68 65 20 63 61 72 20 77 69 74 68 20 61 20 6d the car with a m
46e10 6f 76 65 6d 65 6e 74 20 6f 66 20 68 65 72 20 63 ovement of her c
46e20 68 69 6e 20 61 6e 64 20 61 73 6b 65 64 20 22 46 hin and asked "F
46e30 72 69 65 6e 64 73 20 6f 66 20 79 6f 75 72 73 3f riends of yours?
46e40 22 0a 0a 22 4e 61 68 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 ".."Nah," he sai
46e50 64 2e 20 20 22 49 74 27 73 20 6a 75 73 74 20 6d d. "It's just m
46e60 79 20 63 61 72 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 61 75 74 6f y car. The auto
46e70 70 69 6c 6f 74 20 77 61 73 20 73 65 74 20 74 6f pilot was set to
46e80 20 61 75 74 6f 20 66 6f 6c 6c 6f 77 2e 22 20 20 auto follow."
46e90 48 65 20 61 70 70 72 6f 61 63 68 65 64 2c 20 68 He approached, h
46ea0 69 73 20 68 61 6e 64 73 20 61 74 20 68 69 73 20 is hands at his
46eb0 73 69 64 65 73 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 74 6f 70 70 sides, and stopp
46ec0 65 64 20 77 69 74 68 20 61 6d 70 6c 65 20 64 69 ed with ample di
46ed0 73 74 61 6e 63 65 20 62 65 74 77 65 65 6e 20 74 stance between t
46ee0 68 65 6d 2e 20 20 22 54 68 65 20 6b 65 79 27 73 hem. "The key's
46ef0 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 69 67 6e 69 74 69 6f 6e in the ignition
46f00 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 65 6e 76 65 6c 6f 70 65 27 . The envelope'
46f10 73 20 75 6e 64 65 72 20 74 68 65 20 73 65 61 74 s under the seat
46f20 2e 22 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 ."..The prioriti
46f30 7a 65 72 20 74 6f 6c 64 20 68 65 72 2c 20 76 69 zer told her, vi
46f40 61 20 74 65 78 74 20 69 6e 20 68 65 72 20 67 6c a text in her gl
46f50 61 73 73 65 73 2c 20 22 54 68 65 20 65 6e 76 65 asses, "The enve
46f60 6c 6f 70 65 20 63 6f 6e 74 61 69 6e 73 20 79 6f lope contains yo
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46f80 68 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 74 68 65 20 73 61 6c 65 20 h from the sale
46f90 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 63 61 72 2e 22 0a 0a 22 44 of the car.".."D
46fa0 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 68 6f 77 20 74 o you know how t
46fb0 6f 20 77 6f 72 6b 20 65 76 65 72 79 74 68 69 6e o work everythin
46fc0 67 20 6f 6e 20 61 20 62 69 6b 65 20 6c 69 6b 65 g on a bike like
46fd0 20 74 68 69 73 3f 22 20 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 this?" he asked
46fe0 2e 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 ...She looked at
46ff0 20 69 74 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 62 61 63 6b 20 61 it, then back a
47000 74 20 68 69 6d 2e 20 20 22 59 65 61 68 2e 22 20 t him. "Yeah."
47010 20 53 68 65 20 73 74 6f 70 70 65 64 20 68 65 72 She stopped her
47020 73 65 6c 66 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 65 78 70 6c 61 69 self from explai
47030 6e 69 6e 67 20 68 6f 77 20 73 68 65 20 6b 6e 65 ning how she kne
47040 77 2c 20 72 65 69 6e 69 6e 67 20 69 6e 20 74 68 w, reining in th
47050 65 20 72 65 66 6c 65 78 20 2d 2d 20 61 20 66 6f e reflex -- a fo
47060 6f 6c 69 73 68 20 68 61 62 69 74 2c 20 69 6e 20 olish habit, in
47070 74 68 65 73 65 20 63 69 72 63 75 6d 73 74 61 6e these circumstan
47080 63 65 73 2e 0a 0a 22 43 6f 6f 6c 2c 22 20 68 65 ces..."Cool," he
47090 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 57 68 61 74 20 61 62 said. "What ab
470a0 6f 75 74 20 61 20 68 65 6c 6d 65 74 3f 20 20 59 out a helmet? Y
470b0 6f 75 27 72 65 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 67 ou're going to g
470c0 65 74 20 70 75 6c 6c 65 64 20 6f 76 65 72 20 77 et pulled over w
470d0 69 74 68 6f 75 74 20 6f 6e 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 ithout one.".."I
470e0 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 68 61 74 20 63 6f 76 65 72 have that cover
470f0 65 64 2e 20 20 54 68 61 6e 6b 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 ed. Thanks.".."
47100 53 75 72 65 2e 22 20 20 48 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 Sure." He looke
47110 64 20 68 65 72 20 6f 76 65 72 2e 20 20 22 59 6f d her over. "Yo
47120 75 20 65 76 65 72 20 6e 65 65 64 20 61 6e 79 20 u ever need any
47130 68 65 6c 70 20 77 69 74 68 20 61 20 62 69 6b 65 help with a bike
47140 20 70 72 6f 62 6c 65 6d 2c 20 79 6f 75 20 6c 65 problem, you le
47150 74 20 6d 65 20 6b 6e 6f 77 2e 20 20 55 73 20 62 t me know. Us b
47160 69 6b 65 72 73 20 67 6f 74 74 61 20 73 74 69 63 ikers gotta stic
47170 6b 20 74 6f 67 65 74 68 65 72 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 k together."..Sh
47180 65 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 64 2e 20 20 22 59 65 61 68 e smiled. "Yeah
47190 2c 20 74 68 61 6e 6b 73 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 , thanks," she s
471a0 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 59 6f 75 27 72 65 20 77 68 aid. "You're wh
471b0 61 74 20 44 61 64 20 75 73 65 64 20 74 6f 20 63 at Dad used to c
471c0 61 6c 6c 20 27 6f 6e 65 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 all 'one of the
471d0 67 6f 6f 64 20 6f 6e 65 73 27 2c 20 49 20 67 75 good ones', I gu
471e0 65 73 73 2e 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 6c 61 75 67 68 65 ess."..He laughe
471f0 64 2e 20 20 22 49 66 20 79 6f 75 20 73 61 79 20 d. "If you say
47200 73 6f 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 so," he said. "
47210 49 27 6c 6c 20 67 65 74 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 73 I'll get going s
47220 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 63 61 6e 20 64 6f 20 77 68 61 o you can do wha
47230 74 65 76 65 72 20 79 6f 75 20 67 6f 74 74 61 20 tever you gotta
47240 64 6f 2e 20 20 44 6f 6e 27 74 20 77 6f 72 72 79 do. Don't worry
47250 20 61 6e 79 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 6d 65 2c 20 74 any about me, t
47260 68 6f 75 67 68 2e 20 20 41 73 20 66 61 72 20 61 hough. As far a
47270 73 20 61 6e 79 6f 6e 65 20 65 6c 73 65 20 77 6f s anyone else wo
47280 75 6c 64 20 67 65 74 20 6f 75 74 20 6f 66 20 6d uld get out of m
47290 65 2c 20 49 20 6e 65 76 65 72 20 6d 65 74 20 79 e, I never met y
472a0 6f 75 2e 20 20 49 20 6a 75 73 74 20 64 72 6f 70 ou. I just drop
472b0 70 65 64 20 6f 66 66 20 61 20 62 69 6b 65 20 73 ped off a bike s
472c0 6f 6d 65 77 68 65 72 65 20 6d 69 6c 65 73 20 61 omewhere miles a
472d0 77 61 79 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 68 65 72 65 2e 22 0a way from here.".
472e0 0a 22 54 68 61 6e 6b 73 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 ."Thanks," she s
472f0 61 69 64 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2c 20 61 73 20 68 65 aid again, as he
47300 20 77 61 6c 6b 65 64 20 61 77 61 79 2e 20 20 48 walked away. H
47310 65 20 67 6f 74 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 63 61 72 e got in the car
47320 20 77 69 74 68 20 61 20 6c 61 73 74 20 77 61 76 with a last wav
47330 65 20 6f 66 20 68 69 73 20 68 61 6e 64 20 61 6e e of his hand an
47340 64 20 64 72 6f 76 65 20 61 77 61 79 2c 20 74 68 d drove away, th
47350 65 20 65 6c 65 63 74 72 69 63 20 6d 6f 74 6f 72 e electric motor
47360 73 20 72 75 6e 6e 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 6f 20 73 69 s running too si
47370 6c 65 6e 74 6c 79 20 66 6f 72 20 68 65 72 20 74 lently for her t
47380 6f 20 68 65 61 72 2e 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 77 o hear...Alley w
47390 68 65 65 6c 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 62 69 6b 65 20 heeled the bike
473a0 69 6e 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 74 68 69 72 64 20 77 into the third w
473b0 61 73 68 20 62 61 79 2c 20 6e 65 61 72 20 68 65 ash bay, near he
473c0 72 20 67 65 61 72 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 75 6e 6c r gear, then unl
473d0 6f 63 6b 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 73 65 61 74 20 61 ocked the seat a
473e0 6e 64 20 6c 69 66 74 65 64 20 69 74 20 74 6f 20 nd lifted it to
473f0 66 69 6e 64 20 61 20 6d 61 6e 69 6c 61 20 65 6e find a manila en
47400 76 65 6c 6f 70 65 20 66 6f 6c 64 65 64 20 69 6e velope folded in
47410 20 68 61 6c 66 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 68 61 64 20 half. She had
47420 6e 6f 74 20 73 65 65 6e 20 61 6e 20 65 6e 76 65 not seen an enve
47430 6c 6f 70 65 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 68 61 74 20 69 lope like that i
47440 6e 20 6f 76 65 72 20 66 69 66 74 65 65 6e 20 79 n over fifteen y
47450 65 61 72 73 20 61 6e 64 2c 20 77 68 65 6e 20 73 ears and, when s
47460 68 65 20 70 69 63 6b 65 64 20 75 70 20 74 68 69 he picked up thi
47470 73 20 65 6e 76 65 6c 6f 70 65 2c 20 74 68 65 20 s envelope, the
47480 5b 20 68 6f 77 20 64 6f 20 61 6e 63 69 65 6e 74 [ how do ancient
47490 2c 20 64 72 69 65 64 20 6f 75 74 20 6d 61 6e 69 , dried out mani
474a0 6c 61 20 65 6e 76 65 6c 6f 70 65 73 20 66 65 65 la envelopes fee
474b0 6c 3f 20 5d 20 66 65 65 6c 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 l? ] feel of the
474c0 20 70 61 70 65 72 20 6d 61 64 65 20 68 65 72 20 paper made her
474d0 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 74 68 69 73 20 65 6e 76 65 6c think this envel
474e0 6f 70 65 20 6d 75 73 74 20 68 61 76 65 20 62 65 ope must have be
474f0 65 6e 20 73 69 74 74 69 6e 67 20 75 6e 75 73 65 en sitting unuse
47500 64 20 69 6e 20 61 20 62 6f 78 20 69 6e 20 73 6f d in a box in so
47510 6d 65 6f 6e 65 27 73 20 67 61 72 61 67 65 20 66 meone's garage f
47520 6f 72 20 61 74 20 6c 65 61 73 74 20 74 68 61 74 or at least that
47530 20 6c 6f 6e 67 2e 0a 0a 41 20 71 75 69 63 6b 20 long...A quick
47540 63 68 65 63 6b 20 69 6e 73 69 64 65 20 72 65 76 check inside rev
47550 65 61 6c 65 64 20 74 77 6f 20 6c 61 72 67 65 20 ealed two large
47560 73 74 61 63 6b 73 20 6f 66 20 68 75 6e 64 72 65 stacks of hundre
47570 64 20 64 6f 6c 6c 61 72 20 62 69 6c 6c 73 2c 20 d dollar bills,
47580 62 75 6e 64 6c 65 64 20 77 69 74 68 20 73 69 6c bundled with sil
47590 69 63 6f 6e 65 20 63 61 62 6c 65 20 74 69 65 73 icone cable ties
475a0 2e 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 73 74 75 66 66 65 64 20 74 ...She stuffed t
475b0 68 65 20 65 6e 76 65 6c 6f 70 65 20 69 6e 74 6f he envelope into
475c0 20 61 20 63 61 72 67 6f 20 70 6f 63 6b 65 74 2c a cargo pocket,
475d0 20 74 68 65 20 6f 70 65 6e 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 the opened the
475e0 70 61 6e 6e 69 65 72 73 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 panniers on the
475f0 73 69 64 65 73 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 62 69 6b sides of the bik
47600 65 20 61 6e 64 20 6c 6f 61 64 65 64 20 68 65 72 e and loaded her
47610 20 67 65 61 72 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 74 68 65 6d 2c gear into them,
47620 20 63 68 6f 72 65 6f 67 72 61 70 68 69 6e 67 20 choreographing
47630 61 6e 20 61 77 6b 77 61 72 64 2c 20 75 6e 73 79 an awkward, unsy
47640 63 68 72 6f 6e 69 7a 65 64 20 64 61 6e 63 65 20 chronized dance
47650 6f 66 20 69 74 65 6d 73 20 70 75 6c 6c 65 64 20 of items pulled
47660 6f 75 74 20 6f 66 20 62 61 67 73 20 61 6e 64 20 out of bags and
47670 72 65 61 72 72 61 6e 67 65 64 20 75 6e 74 69 6c rearranged until
47680 20 73 68 65 20 63 6f 75 6c 64 20 67 65 74 20 65 she could get e
47690 6e 6f 75 67 68 20 6f 66 20 77 68 61 74 20 73 68 nough of what sh
476a0 65 20 68 61 64 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 61 e had into the a
476b0 6c 6c 6f 79 20 62 6f 78 65 73 20 74 6f 20 6d 61 lloy boxes to ma
476c0 6b 65 20 69 74 20 72 65 61 73 6f 6e 61 62 6c 79 ke it reasonably
476d0 20 63 6f 6d 66 6f 72 74 61 62 6c 65 20 74 6f 20 comfortable to
476e0 63 61 72 72 79 20 74 68 65 20 72 65 73 74 20 6f carry the rest o
476f0 6e 20 68 65 72 20 62 61 63 6b 2e 20 20 53 68 65 n her back. She
47700 20 70 75 6c 6c 65 64 20 6f 6e 20 68 65 72 20 72 pulled on her r
47710 69 64 69 6e 67 20 67 65 61 72 2c 20 68 65 66 74 iding gear, heft
47720 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 62 61 63 6b 70 61 63 6b 20 ed the backpack
47730 6f 6e 20 68 65 72 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 65 72 73 on her shoulders
47740 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 70 75 73 68 65 64 20 68 65 , then pushed he
47750 72 20 6d 61 73 6b 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 61 73 20 61 r mask down as a
47760 20 62 69 74 20 6f 66 20 65 78 74 72 61 20 70 72 bit of extra pr
47770 6f 74 65 63 74 69 6f 6e 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 66 6c otection from fl
47780 79 69 6e 67 20 64 65 62 72 69 73 20 66 6f 72 20 ying debris for
47790 68 65 72 20 6e 65 63 6b 20 61 6e 64 20 64 6f 6e her neck and don
477a0 6e 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 68 65 6c 6d 65 74 2e 0a ned the helmet..
477b0 0a 53 68 65 20 73 74 6f 70 70 65 64 2e 20 20 22 .She stopped. "
477c0 53 68 69 74 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e Shit," she said.
477d0 20 20 22 57 68 65 72 65 20 61 6d 20 49 20 67 6f "Where am I go
477e0 69 6e 67 3f 20 20 4d 61 79 62 65 20 61 20 67 61 ing? Maybe a ga
477f0 73 20 73 74 61 74 69 6f 6e 2e 20 20 49 20 64 6f s station. I do
47800 6e 27 74 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 68 6f 77 20 66 75 6c n't know how ful
47810 6c 20 74 68 69 73 20 74 68 69 6e 67 20 69 73 2e l this thing is.
47820 22 20 20 53 68 65 20 72 61 70 70 65 64 20 74 68 " She rapped th
47830 65 20 74 61 6e 6b 20 6f 6e 63 65 20 77 69 74 68 e tank once with
47840 20 61 20 67 6c 6f 76 65 64 20 6b 6e 75 63 6b 6c a gloved knuckl
47850 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 65 20 6f 74 68 65 72 20 e.".."The other
47860 73 74 75 64 79 20 70 61 72 74 69 63 69 70 61 6e study participan
47870 74 20 66 69 6c 6c 65 64 20 69 74 20 66 6f 72 20 t filled it for
47880 79 6f 75 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 you.".."Oh.".."Y
47890 6f 75 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 6c 65 61 76 65 20 ou should leave
478a0 74 68 69 73 20 61 72 65 61 2c 22 20 74 68 65 20 this area," the
478b0 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 73 61 69 64 prioritizer said
478c0 2e 20 20 22 49 74 20 69 73 20 62 65 73 74 20 74 . "It is best t
478d0 6f 20 62 65 20 66 61 72 74 68 65 72 20 66 72 6f o be farther fro
478e0 6d 20 77 68 65 72 65 20 43 4f 49 4e 20 43 6f 72 m where COIN Cor
478f0 70 20 61 6e 64 20 6c 61 77 20 65 6e 66 6f 72 63 p and law enforc
47900 65 6d 65 6e 74 20 65 78 70 65 63 74 20 74 6f 20 ement expect to
47910 66 69 6e 64 20 79 6f 75 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 find you.".."Tha
47920 74 20 6d 61 6b 65 73 20 73 65 6e 73 65 2c 20 49 t makes sense, I
47930 20 67 75 65 73 73 2e 20 20 4e 6f 77 20 49 20 6a guess. Now I j
47940 75 73 74 20 6e 65 65 64 20 74 6f 20 66 69 67 75 ust need to figu
47950 72 65 20 6f 75 74 20 77 68 65 72 65 20 74 6f 20 re out where to
47960 67 6f 2e 22 0a 0a 22 50 65 72 68 61 70 73 20 79 go.".."Perhaps y
47970 6f 75 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 67 6f 20 74 6f 20 ou should go to
47980 52 61 6e 63 68 6f 20 43 75 63 61 6d 6f 6e 67 61 Rancho Cucamonga
47990 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 64 69 73 74 61 6e 63 65 20 . The distance
479a0 73 65 65 6d 73 20 73 75 66 66 69 63 69 65 6e 74 seems sufficient
479b0 6c 79 20 66 61 72 20 74 6f 20 69 6e 63 72 65 61 ly far to increa
479c0 73 65 20 74 68 65 20 73 65 61 72 63 68 20 64 69 se the search di
479d0 66 66 69 63 75 6c 74 79 20 73 75 62 73 74 61 6e fficulty substan
479e0 74 69 61 6c 6c 79 2e 20 20 45 76 65 72 79 20 6d tially. Every m
479f0 69 6c 65 20 6f 66 20 64 69 73 74 61 6e 63 65 20 ile of distance
47a00 79 69 65 6c 64 73 20 65 78 70 6f 6e 65 6e 74 69 yields exponenti
47a10 61 6c 20 69 6e 63 72 65 61 73 65 73 20 69 6e 20 al increases in
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48350 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 73 74 6f 70 70 65 64 20 62 "..She stopped b
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488f0 77 61 73 20 61 20 62 61 64 20 69 64 65 61 2e 20 was a bad idea.
48900 20 47 6f 6f 64 62 79 65 2c 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e Goodbye, Dalton
48910 2e 22 20 20 53 68 65 20 77 6f 6b 65 20 74 68 65 ." She woke the
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48930 20 74 68 65 20 64 69 73 63 6f 6e 6e 65 63 74 20 the disconnect
48940 62 75 74 74 6f 6e 2e 0a 0a 22 57 61 69 74 21 20 button..."Wait!
48950 20 4e 6f 21 20 20 44 6f 6e 27 74 2e 20 20 41 6c No! Don't. Al
48960 6c 65 79 3f 20 20 41 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 74 68 ley? Are you th
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48980 70 2e 20 20 49 27 6c 6c 20 73 74 61 79 20 6f 75 p. I'll stay ou
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489b0 65 6c 70 20 49 27 6c 6c 20 68 65 6c 70 2e 20 20 elp I'll help.
489c0 4e 6f 20 71 75 65 73 74 69 6f 6e 73 2e 22 20 20 No questions."
489d0 48 65 20 70 61 75 73 65 64 2c 20 66 6f 72 20 62 He paused, for b
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489f0 69 66 20 73 68 65 27 6c 6c 20 61 6e 73 77 65 72 if she'll answer
48a00 2e 20 20 45 69 74 68 65 72 20 77 61 79 2c 20 61 . Either way, a
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48a30 68 69 6d 73 65 6c 66 2e 20 20 22 41 6c 6c 65 79 himself. "Alley
48a40 3f 20 20 41 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 74 68 65 72 65 ? Are you there
48a50 3f 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 73 6c 6f 77 6c 79 20 74 ?"..She slowly t
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48a70 20 74 6f 20 70 75 74 20 74 68 65 20 64 69 73 70 to put the disp
48a80 6c 61 79 20 74 6f 20 73 6c 65 65 70 20 61 67 61 lay to sleep aga
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48aa0 68 2c 20 49 27 6d 20 68 65 72 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 h, I'm here.".."
48ab0 4c 6f 6f 6b 2c 20 49 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 79 6f 75 Look, I know you
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48ae0 27 74 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 6f 2c 20 77 68 61 74 't have to, what
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48b20 20 6e 6f 74 68 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 64 6f 20 77 nothing to do w
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48b50 49 27 6c 6c 20 62 65 20 68 6f 6e 65 73 74 20 2d I'll be honest -
48b60 2d 20 69 74 27 73 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 74 6f 20 68 - it's good to h
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48b80 20 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 65 78 70 65 63 74 20 I don't expect
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48bb0 20 63 61 6e 20 68 65 6c 70 2c 20 49 20 63 61 6e can help, I can
48bc0 2e 20 20 49 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 49 20 6d 61 64 65 . I know I made
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48c00 74 20 49 20 64 69 64 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 49 20 77 t I did, and I w
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48c20 74 72 79 20 74 6f 20 6d 61 6b 65 20 69 74 20 75 try to make it u
48c30 70 20 74 6f 20 79 6f 75 2e 20 20 49 27 6c 6c 20 p to you. I'll
48c40 73 74 61 79 20 6f 75 74 20 6f 66 20 79 6f 75 72 stay out of your
48c50 20 62 75 73 69 6e 65 73 73 2e 20 20 49 27 6c 6c business. I'll
48c60 20 73 74 61 79 20 61 73 20 66 61 72 20 61 77 61 stay as far awa
48c70 79 20 61 73 20 79 6f 75 20 77 61 6e 74 2e 20 20 y as you want.
48c80 44 6f 6e 27 74 20 74 75 72 6e 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 Don't turn down
48c90 68 65 6c 70 20 66 72 65 65 6c 79 20 67 69 76 65 help freely give
48ca0 6e 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2c 20 69 66 20 79 6f n, though, if yo
48cb0 75 20 6e 65 65 64 20 69 74 2e 20 20 4f 6b 61 79 u need it. Okay
48cc0 3f 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 73 71 75 65 65 7a 65 64 ?"..She squeezed
48cd0 20 68 65 72 20 65 79 65 73 20 63 6c 6f 73 65 64 her eyes closed
48ce0 2c 20 74 72 79 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 62 61 6e 69 , trying to bani
48cf0 73 68 20 74 68 65 20 6c 69 67 68 74 20 73 74 69 sh the light sti
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48d20 72 20 65 79 65 73 2e 20 20 48 65 72 20 6c 69 70 r eyes. Her lip
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48d40 65 72 20 74 69 67 68 74 6c 79 20 69 6e 20 61 20 er tightly in a
48d50 74 68 69 6e 20 6c 69 6e 65 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 thin line. She
48d60 66 69 6e 61 6c 6c 79 20 72 65 6c 65 61 73 65 64 finally released
48d70 20 68 65 72 20 62 72 65 61 74 68 2c 20 67 72 75 her breath, gru
48d80 64 67 69 6e 67 6c 79 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 6f 70 65 dgingly, and ope
48d90 6e 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 65 79 65 73 2e 20 20 22 ned her eyes. "
48da0 59 65 61 68 2e 20 20 54 68 61 6e 6b 73 2c 20 44 Yeah. Thanks, D
48db0 61 6c 74 6f 6e 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 74 72 75 74 alton. The trut
48dc0 68 20 69 73 2c 20 69 66 20 79 6f 75 20 68 65 6c h is, if you hel
48dd0 70 20 6d 65 20 79 6f 75 27 6c 6c 20 70 72 6f 62 p me you'll prob
48de0 61 62 6c 79 20 67 65 74 20 79 6f 75 72 73 65 6c ably get yoursel
48df0 66 20 69 6e 20 61 20 6c 6f 74 20 6f 66 20 74 72 f in a lot of tr
48e00 6f 75 62 6c 65 2c 20 62 65 63 61 75 73 65 20 49 ouble, because I
48e10 27 6d 20 69 6e 20 61 20 6c 6f 74 20 6f 66 20 74 'm in a lot of t
48e20 72 6f 75 62 6c 65 2e 20 20 45 69 74 68 65 72 20 rouble. Either
48e30 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 75 6e 64 65 72 73 74 61 I don't understa
48e40 6e 64 20 74 68 65 20 74 72 6f 75 62 6c 65 2c 20 nd the trouble,
48e50 6f 72 20 49 20 64 6f 20 61 6e 64 20 69 74 27 73 or I do and it's
48e60 20 63 6f 6d 70 6c 65 74 65 6c 79 20 69 6e 73 61 completely insa
48e70 6e 65 20 61 6e 64 20 70 72 65 74 74 79 20 6d 75 ne and pretty mu
48e80 63 68 20 69 6e 65 73 63 61 70 61 62 6c 65 2c 20 ch inescapable,
48e90 61 6e 64 20 77 69 6c 6c 20 70 72 6f 62 61 62 6c and will probabl
48ea0 79 20 73 63 72 65 77 20 6f 76 65 72 20 61 6e 79 y screw over any
48eb0 6f 6e 65 20 77 68 6f 20 68 65 6c 70 73 20 6d 65 one who helps me
48ec0 2e 0a 0a 22 49 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 73 68 6f ..."I really sho
48ed0 75 6c 64 6e 27 74 20 68 61 76 65 20 63 61 6c 6c uldn't have call
48ee0 65 64 20 79 6f 75 2e 20 20 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 ed you. I don't
48ef0 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 67 65 74 20 79 6f 75 want to get you
48f00 20 6d 69 78 65 64 20 75 70 20 69 6e 20 74 68 69 mixed up in thi
48f10 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 74 27 73 20 74 6f 6f 20 6c s.".."It's too l
48f20 61 74 65 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 71 ate," he said, q
48f30 75 69 65 74 6c 79 2c 20 67 65 6e 74 6c 79 2e 20 uietly, gently.
48f40 20 22 59 6f 75 20 63 61 6c 6c 65 64 2e 20 20 49 "You called. I
48f50 27 6d 20 68 65 72 65 2e 20 20 49 27 6d 20 67 6f 'm here. I'm go
48f60 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 68 65 6c 70 20 79 6f 75 2e ing to help you.
48f70 20 20 4a 75 73 74 20 74 61 6b 65 20 74 68 65 20 Just take the
48f80 6f 66 66 65 72 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 74 65 6c 6c 20 offer, and tell
48f90 6d 65 20 77 68 61 74 20 79 6f 75 20 6e 65 65 64 me what you need
48fa0 2e 22 0a 0a 22 46 69 6e 65 2e 22 20 20 53 68 65 .".."Fine." She
48fb0 20 68 75 64 64 6c 65 64 20 61 72 6f 75 6e 64 20 huddled around
48fc0 68 65 72 73 65 6c 66 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 70 72 65 herself, and pre
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48ff0 68 65 20 63 6f 72 6e 65 72 2c 20 66 65 65 6c 69 he corner, feeli
49000 6e 67 20 74 68 65 20 70 6c 61 73 74 65 72 20 63 ng the plaster c
49010 72 75 6d 62 6c 69 6e 67 20 62 65 68 69 6e 64 20 rumbling behind
49020 68 65 72 20 6a 61 63 6b 65 74 2e 20 20 22 49 20 her jacket. "I
49030 6e 65 65 64 20 61 20 70 6c 61 63 65 20 74 6f 20 need a place to
49040 6c 69 65 20 6c 6f 77 2c 20 66 69 72 73 74 2c 20 lie low, first,
49050 61 6e 64 20 49 20 6e 65 65 64 20 74 6f 20 66 69 and I need to fi
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49070 65 20 66 75 63 6b 20 49 27 6d 20 64 6f 69 6e 67 e fuck I'm doing
49080 20 6e 65 78 74 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 22 next.".."Yeah,"
49090 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 22 74 68 61 74 20 he said, "that
490a0 64 6f 65 73 20 73 6f 75 6e 64 20 73 65 72 69 6f does sound serio
490b0 75 73 2e 20 20 57 68 6f 27 73 20 61 66 74 65 72 us. Who's after
490c0 20 79 6f 75 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 73 68 6f 75 6c you?".."I shoul
490d0 64 20 70 72 6f 62 61 62 6c 79 20 74 65 6c 6c 20 d probably tell
490e0 79 6f 75 20 74 68 65 20 77 6f 72 73 74 20 70 61 you the worst pa
490f0 72 74 20 6f 66 20 77 68 6f 27 73 20 61 66 74 65 rt of who's afte
49100 72 20 6d 65 2c 20 62 75 74 20 49 27 6d 20 6e 6f r me, but I'm no
49110 74 20 73 75 72 65 20 77 68 69 63 68 20 6f 6e 65 t sure which one
49120 20 69 74 20 69 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 it is.".."What
49130 64 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 6d 65 61 6e 3f 22 20 68 65 do you mean?" he
49140 20 61 73 6b 65 64 20 73 6c 6f 77 6c 79 2e 0a 0a asked slowly...
49150 22 57 68 69 63 68 20 69 73 20 77 6f 72 73 65 2c "Which is worse,
49160 20 74 68 65 20 53 65 63 72 65 74 20 53 65 72 76 the Secret Serv
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49180 67 6f 76 65 72 6e 6d 65 6e 74 20 69 6e 74 65 6c government intel
49190 6c 69 67 65 6e 63 65 20 63 6f 6e 74 72 61 63 74 ligence contract
491a0 6f 72 20 74 68 61 74 20 63 61 6e 20 67 65 74 20 or that can get
491b0 74 68 65 20 73 65 63 72 65 74 20 73 65 72 76 69 the secret servi
491c0 63 65 20 74 6f 20 64 6f 20 69 74 73 20 64 69 72 ce to do its dir
491d0 74 79 20 77 6f 72 6b 3f 22 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 73 ty work?"..The s
491e0 69 6c 65 6e 63 65 20 6c 69 6e 67 65 72 65 64 20 ilence lingered
491f0 2d 2d 20 73 69 6c 65 6e 63 65 20 61 70 61 72 74 -- silence apart
49200 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 74 68 65 20 74 69 67 68 74 20 from the tight
49210 72 61 73 70 20 6f 66 20 68 65 72 20 62 72 65 61 rasp of her brea
49220 74 68 20 69 6e 20 68 65 72 20 74 68 72 6f 61 74 th in her throat
49230 20 61 73 20 73 68 65 20 77 61 69 74 65 64 20 66 as she waited f
49240 65 61 72 66 75 6c 6c 79 20 66 6f 72 20 68 69 6d earfully for him
49250 20 74 6f 20 73 61 79 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e to say somethin
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49270 68 69 73 20 73 75 64 64 65 6e 20 72 65 6c 75 63 his sudden reluc
49280 74 61 6e 63 65 20 74 6f 20 68 65 6c 70 20 68 65 tance to help he
49290 72 2e 0a 0a 22 49 20 63 61 6e 20 63 6f 6d 65 20 r..."I can come
492a0 70 69 63 6b 20 79 6f 75 20 75 70 2c 22 20 68 65 pick you up," he
492b0 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 57 68 65 72 65 20 64 said. "Where d
492c0 6f 20 49 20 6e 65 65 64 20 74 6f 20 67 6f 3f 20 o I need to go?
492d0 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 79 6f 75 27 72 65 20 I guess you're
492e0 70 72 6f 62 61 62 6c 79 20 6e 6f 74 20 68 6f 6d probably not hom
492f0 65 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 68 65 6c 64 20 6f 75 e."..She held ou
49300 74 20 68 65 72 20 41 78 69 6f 6d 20 61 6e 64 20 t her Axiom and
49310 73 74 61 72 65 64 20 61 74 20 69 74 20 66 6f 72 stared at it for
49320 20 61 20 6c 6f 6e 67 20 74 69 6d 65 2e 20 20 22 a long time. "
49330 57 68 61 74 3f 22 0a 0a 22 44 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 What?".."Do you
49340 6e 65 65 64 20 6d 65 20 74 6f 20 70 69 63 6b 20 need me to pick
49350 79 6f 75 20 75 70 3f 22 20 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 you up?" he aske
49360 64 2e 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 73 68 6f 6f 6b 20 68 65 d...She shook he
49370 72 20 68 65 61 64 2e 20 20 22 59 6f 75 20 73 74 r head. "You st
49380 69 6c 6c 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 68 65 6c 70 ill want to help
49390 20 6d 65 20 2e 20 2e 20 2e 20 3f 22 0a 0a 22 4f me . . . ?".."O
493a0 66 20 63 6f 75 72 73 65 20 49 20 64 6f 2c 22 20 f course I do,"
493b0 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 77 69 74 68 20 61 20 he said, with a
493c0 73 68 61 6b 79 20 6c 61 75 67 68 20 69 6e 20 68 shaky laugh in h
493d0 69 73 20 76 6f 69 63 65 2e 20 20 22 57 68 61 74 is voice. "What
493e0 20 6b 69 6e 64 20 6f 66 20 64 61 6e 67 65 72 6f kind of dangero
493f0 75 73 20 61 67 69 74 61 74 6f 72 20 61 6e 64 20 us agitator and
49400 64 65 6d 61 67 6f 67 75 65 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 demagogue would
49410 49 20 62 65 65 20 69 66 20 49 20 77 61 73 6e 27 I bee if I wasn'
49420 74 20 77 69 6c 6c 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 68 65 6c t willing to hel
49430 70 20 73 6f 6d 65 6f 6e 65 20 66 6c 65 65 20 66 p someone flee f
49440 72 6f 6d 20 74 68 65 20 53 65 63 72 65 74 20 53 rom the Secret S
49450 65 72 76 69 63 65 3f 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 6c 61 ervice?"..She la
49460 75 67 68 65 64 20 77 65 61 6b 6c 79 2e 20 20 22 ughed weakly. "
49470 52 69 67 68 74 2e 20 20 4f 66 20 63 6f 75 72 73 Right. Of cours
49480 65 20 79 6f 75 20 64 6f 2e 22 20 20 53 68 65 20 e you do." She
49490 73 68 6f 6f 6b 20 68 65 72 20 68 65 61 64 2e 20 shook her head.
494a0 20 22 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 6b 6e 6f 77 2e 20 "I don't know.
494b0 20 49 20 68 61 76 65 20 61 20 6d 6f 74 6f 72 63 I have a motorc
494c0 79 63 6c 65 2c 20 6e 6f 74 20 65 76 65 6e 20 72 ycle, not even r
494d0 65 67 69 73 74 65 72 65 64 20 74 6f 20 6d 65 2e egistered to me.
494e0 20 20 4d 61 79 62 65 20 49 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 Maybe I should
494f0 20 6a 75 73 74 20 67 6f 20 74 68 65 72 65 2e 22 just go there."
49500 0a 0a 22 59 6f 75 20 63 6f 75 6c 64 2c 22 20 68 .."You could," h
49510 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 48 61 6e 67 20 6f e said. "Hang o
49520 6e 20 61 20 73 65 63 27 20 2d 2d 20 49 20 68 61 n a sec' -- I ha
49530 76 65 20 61 6e 20 69 64 65 61 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 ve an idea."..Sh
49540 65 20 68 65 61 72 64 20 74 68 65 20 6c 61 63 6b e heard the lack
49550 20 6f 66 20 61 75 64 69 6f 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2c of audio again,
49560 20 61 20 66 61 69 6e 74 20 70 72 65 73 73 75 72 a faint pressur
49570 65 20 61 67 61 69 6e 73 74 20 68 65 72 20 61 74 e against her at
49580 74 65 6e 74 69 6f 6e 2e 20 20 53 65 63 6f 6e 64 tention. Second
49590 73 20 74 69 63 6b 65 64 20 62 79 2e 0a 0a 54 68 s ticked by...Th
495a0 65 20 61 75 64 69 6f 20 6f 70 65 6e 65 64 20 75 e audio opened u
495b0 70 20 69 6e 20 68 65 72 20 61 77 61 72 65 6e 65 p in her awarene
495c0 73 73 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2e 20 20 22 49 20 63 61 ss again. "I ca
495d0 6e 20 73 65 6e 64 20 61 20 76 61 6e 20 74 6f 20 n send a van to
495e0 70 69 63 6b 20 79 6f 75 20 75 70 2c 20 61 6e 64 pick you up, and
495f0 20 79 6f 75 72 20 6d 6f 74 6f 72 63 79 63 6c 65 your motorcycle
49600 2e 20 20 59 6f 75 27 6c 6c 20 70 72 6f 62 61 62 . You'll probab
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49640 61 76 65 20 74 6f 20 75 73 65 20 74 68 65 20 6d ave to use the m
49650 6f 74 6f 72 63 79 63 6c 65 20 6c 61 74 65 72 2c otorcycle later,
49660 20 69 74 27 73 20 62 65 73 74 20 69 66 20 69 74 it's best if it
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496a0 77 69 74 68 20 79 6f 75 72 20 6d 6f 76 65 6d 65 with your moveme
496b0 6e 74 73 2e 20 20 52 69 67 68 74 3f 22 0a 0a 22 nts. Right?".."
496c0 59 65 61 68 2c 20 73 75 72 65 2c 22 20 73 68 65 Yeah, sure," she
496d0 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 57 68 6f 27 73 20 64 said. "Who's d
496e0 72 69 76 69 6e 67 20 74 68 65 20 76 61 6e 3f 22 riving the van?"
496f0 0a 0a 22 4e 6f 62 6f 64 79 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 .."Nobody," he s
49700 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 74 27 73 20 61 75 74 6f aid. "It's auto
49710 6d 61 74 65 64 2e 20 20 44 6f 6e 27 74 20 77 6f mated. Don't wo
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49730 20 6d 69 6e 65 20 63 6f 6e 74 72 69 62 75 74 65 mine contribute
49740 64 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 68 61 63 6b 73 20 74 6f 20 d some hacks to
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49770 20 72 65 70 6f 72 74 20 61 6e 79 74 68 69 6e 67 report anything
49780 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 6e 61 76 20 6e 65 74 2e to the nav net.
49790 22 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2e 22 0a 0a 2f 2a 20 49 20 72 ".."Oh."../* I r
497a0 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 6e 65 65 64 20 61 20 64 69 66 eally need a dif
497b0 66 65 72 65 6e 74 20 6e 61 6d 65 20 66 6f 72 20 ferent name for
497c0 74 68 69 73 20 74 68 61 6e 20 22 62 6c 69 73 73 this than "bliss
497d0 63 72 79 70 74 22 2e 20 20 54 68 61 74 27 73 20 crypt". That's
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497f0 74 27 73 20 73 6f 20 73 74 75 70 69 64 20 69 74 t's so stupid it
49800 20 6d 69 67 68 74 20 62 65 20 72 65 61 6c 69 73 might be realis
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49820 74 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 68 61 74 2e 20 2a 2f 0a t want that. */.
49830 0a 22 49 20 6a 75 73 74 20 6e 65 65 64 20 74 6f ."I just need to
49840 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 77 68 65 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 know where you
49850 61 72 65 2e 20 20 49 74 27 73 20 61 20 67 6f 6f are. It's a goo
49860 64 20 74 68 69 6e 67 20 79 6f 75 20 6d 61 64 65 d thing you made
49870 20 74 68 69 73 20 63 61 6c 6c 20 77 69 74 68 20 this call with
49880 62 6c 69 73 73 63 72 79 70 74 2c 20 62 79 20 74 blisscrypt, by t
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498a0 74 61 6b 65 20 61 20 6c 6f 74 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 take a lot more
498b0 77 6f 72 6b 20 74 6f 20 6d 61 6b 65 20 73 75 72 work to make sur
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498d0 73 20 6f 75 74 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 77 72 6f s out of the wro
498e0 6e 67 20 68 61 6e 64 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 52 69 67 ng hands.".."Rig
498f0 68 74 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 ht," she said.
49900 53 68 65 20 70 61 75 73 65 64 2e 20 20 22 48 6f She paused. "Ho
49910 77 20 64 69 64 20 79 6f 75 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 69 w did you know i
49920 74 20 77 61 73 20 6d 65 20 77 68 65 6e 20 49 20 t was me when I
49930 63 61 6c 6c 65 64 3f 22 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 68 65 called?"..The he
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49950 64 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 68 65 20 77 6f 6e 64 65 d, and she wonde
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49980 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 48 6f 6e 65 73 74 he said "Honest
49990 6c 79 2c 20 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 6b 6e 6f 77 ly, I don't know
499a0 2e 20 20 49 74 20 77 61 73 20 77 65 69 72 64 2e . It was weird.
499b0 20 20 49 20 6a 75 73 74 20 73 61 77 20 61 6e 20 I just saw an
499c0 69 6e 63 6f 6d 69 6e 67 20 63 61 6c 6c 20 66 72 incoming call fr
499d0 6f 6d 20 61 6e 20 49 44 20 74 68 61 74 20 77 61 om an ID that wa
499e0 73 6e 27 74 20 69 6e 20 6d 79 20 63 6f 6e 74 61 sn't in my conta
499f0 63 74 73 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 6f 6d 65 68 6f 77 cts, and somehow
49a00 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 65 64 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 I guessed."..Sh
49a10 65 20 73 63 6f 66 66 65 64 2e 20 20 22 54 68 61 e scoffed. "Tha
49a20 74 27 73 20 66 75 63 6b 69 6e 67 20 77 65 69 72 t's fucking weir
49a30 64 2c 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 d, Dalton.".."Ye
49a40 61 68 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 ah," he said. "
49a50 49 74 27 73 20 6e 6f 74 20 61 73 20 77 65 69 72 It's not as weir
49a60 64 20 61 73 20 79 6f 75 20 73 77 65 61 72 69 6e d as you swearin
49a70 67 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 74 68 61 6e 20 49 20 64 6f g more than I do
49a80 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 , though."..She
49a90 73 6d 69 6c 65 64 2c 20 64 65 73 70 69 74 65 20 smiled, despite
49aa0 68 65 72 73 65 6c 66 2e 20 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e herself. Dalton
49ab0 20 63 6f 75 6c 64 20 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 68 69 74 could still hit
49ac0 20 61 6c 6c 20 74 68 65 20 68 69 67 68 20 70 6f all the high po
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49ae0 74 75 64 65 20 77 69 74 68 20 75 6e 65 72 72 69 tude with unerri
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49b00 66 20 79 6f 75 27 64 20 68 61 64 20 74 68 65 20 f you'd had the
49b10 77 65 65 6b 20 49 27 76 65 20 68 61 64 2e 20 2e week I've had. .
49b20 20 2e 20 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 22 20 68 . .".."Yeah," h
49b30 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 4c 65 74 27 73 20 e said. "Let's
49b40 74 61 6c 6b 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 69 74 20 77 68 talk about it wh
49b50 65 6e 20 79 6f 75 20 67 65 74 20 74 6f 20 79 6f en you get to yo
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49b70 20 53 65 6e 64 20 6d 65 20 79 6f 75 72 20 6c 6f Send me your lo
49b80 63 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 74 68 72 6f 75 67 68 20 62 cation through b
49b90 6c 69 73 73 63 72 79 70 74 20 74 65 78 74 20 73 lisscrypt text s
49ba0 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 68 61 76 65 o you don't have
49bb0 20 74 6f 20 68 69 64 65 20 77 68 65 72 65 76 65 to hide whereve
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49bd0 6e 67 65 72 20 74 68 61 6e 20 6e 65 63 65 73 73 nger than necess
49be0 61 72 79 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 22 20 73 ary.".."Yeah," s
49bf0 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 22 6f 6b 61 79 2e 22 he said, "okay."
49c00 20 20 53 68 65 20 65 6e 64 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 She ended the
49c10 63 61 6c 6c 2c 20 6d 6f 76 65 64 20 74 6f 20 74 call, moved to t
49c20 68 65 20 62 61 63 6b 20 64 6f 6f 72 2c 20 61 6e he back door, an
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49c60 74 65 72 6e 61 74 65 64 20 62 65 74 77 65 65 6e ternated between
49c70 20 70 61 63 69 6e 67 20 61 6e 64 20 73 69 74 74 pacing and sitt
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49c90 20 68 6f 75 72 20 61 6e 64 20 74 65 6e 20 6d 69 hour and ten mi
49ca0 6e 75 74 65 73 2c 20 75 6e 61 62 6c 65 20 74 6f nutes, unable to
49cb0 20 73 65 74 74 6c 65 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 65 6e 6f settle down eno
49cc0 75 67 68 20 74 6f 20 64 6f 20 61 6e 79 74 68 69 ugh to do anythi
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49d00 6c 2e 0a 0a 48 65 72 20 41 78 69 6f 6d 20 76 69 l...Her Axiom vi
49d10 62 72 61 74 65 64 20 69 6e 20 68 65 72 20 68 61 brated in her ha
49d20 6e 64 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 75 6e 6c 6f 63 6b 65 nd. She unlocke
49d30 64 20 69 74 20 61 6e 64 20 63 68 65 63 6b 65 64 d it and checked
49d40 20 68 65 72 20 61 6c 65 72 74 73 2c 20 77 68 65 her alerts, whe
49d50 72 65 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 77 20 61 6e 20 65 6e re she saw an en
49d60 63 72 79 70 74 65 64 20 6d 65 73 73 61 67 65 20 crypted message
49d70 66 72 6f 6d 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 74 68 61 74 from Dalton that
49d80 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 59 6f 75 72 20 72 69 64 65 said "Your ride
49d90 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 62 65 20 74 68 65 72 65 should be there
49da0 2e 20 20 53 6f 72 72 79 20 79 6f 75 27 6c 6c 20 . Sorry you'll
49db0 68 61 76 65 20 74 6f 20 70 75 73 68 20 74 68 65 have to push the
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49dd0 66 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 6f 70 65 6e 65 64 20 f."..She opened
49de0 74 68 65 20 64 6f 6f 72 20 63 61 72 65 66 75 6c the door careful
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49ed0 68 65 20 65 76 65 6e 20 73 61 77 20 73 6f 6d 65 he even saw some
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49f70 20 63 6f 63 6b 74 61 69 6c 20 70 61 72 74 69 65 cocktail partie
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4a0e0 61 6e 64 20 73 65 63 75 72 65 64 20 61 67 61 69 and secured agai
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4a130 74 65 64 20 6d 65 73 73 61 67 65 20 62 61 63 6b ted message back
4a140 20 74 6f 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 2e 20 20 22 49 74 to Dalton. "It
4a150 27 73 20 69 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 22 53 74 72 61 70 20 's in.".."Strap
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4a190 2c 20 74 6f 77 61 72 64 20 74 68 65 20 66 72 6f , toward the fro
4a1a0 6e 74 20 65 6e 64 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 74 72 nt end of the tr
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4a1c0 20 20 22 57 68 61 74 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 "What about th
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4a1e0 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 49 74 27 6c 6c 20 68 61 6e 64 ed..."It'll hand
4a1f0 6c 65 20 69 74 73 65 6c 66 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 le itself."..She
4a200 20 77 65 6e 74 20 62 61 63 6b 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 went back into
4a210 74 68 65 20 62 75 69 6c 64 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 the building to
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4a230 68 65 6e 20 68 65 61 64 65 64 20 74 6f 20 74 68 hen headed to th
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4a270 20 61 6e 64 20 73 74 72 61 70 70 65 64 20 69 6e and strapped in
4a280 2e 20 20 41 20 66 65 77 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 73 . A few moments
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4a2a0 20 64 6f 6f 72 20 71 75 69 65 74 6c 79 20 70 75 door quietly pu
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4a370 6e 27 73 20 31 39 38 30 73 20 69 6e 64 75 73 74 n's 1980s indust
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4a390 62 75 74 20 73 6f 66 74 6c 79 2e 0a 0a 22 57 68 but softly..."Wh
4a3a0 65 72 65 20 69 73 20 69 74 20 74 61 6b 69 6e 67 ere is it taking
4a3b0 20 6d 65 3f 22 20 73 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 20 me?" she asked
4a3c0 69 6e 20 61 6e 6f 74 68 65 72 20 6d 65 73 73 61 in another messa
4a3d0 67 65 2e 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 72 65 73 70 6f 6e 73 ge...The respons
4a3e0 65 20 63 61 6d 65 20 73 6f 6f 6e 20 61 66 74 65 e came soon afte
4a3f0 72 2e 20 20 22 49 27 6d 20 73 75 72 70 72 69 73 r. "I'm surpris
4a400 65 64 20 79 6f 75 20 77 61 69 74 65 64 20 74 68 ed you waited th
4a410 61 74 20 6c 6f 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 61 73 6b 2e 20 at long to ask.
4a420 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 79 6f 75 20 74 72 75 I guess you tru
4a430 73 74 20 6d 65 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 70 75 74 st me."..She put
4a440 20 68 65 72 20 68 61 6e 64 20 6f 76 65 72 20 68 her hand over h
4a450 65 72 20 66 61 63 65 20 61 6e 64 20 72 65 73 74 er face and rest
4a460 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 65 6c 62 6f 77 20 6f 6e 20 ed her elbow on
4a470 68 65 72 20 74 68 69 67 68 2e 20 20 22 46 75 63 her thigh. "Fuc
4a480 6b 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 20 61 6c 6f k," she said alo
4a490 75 64 2e 0a 0a 57 68 65 6e 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 ud...When she sa
4a4a0 74 20 75 70 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2c 20 73 68 65 20 t up again, she
4a4b0 73 65 6e 64 20 68 65 72 20 72 65 70 6c 79 2e 20 send her reply.
4a4c0 20 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 "Yeah, I guess
4a4d0 49 20 74 72 75 73 74 65 64 20 79 6f 75 20 77 69 I trusted you wi
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4a4f0 69 6e 67 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 69 74 2e 20 20 4f ing about it. O
4a500 6c 64 20 72 65 66 6c 65 78 65 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 ld reflexes.".."
4a510 49 27 6d 20 66 6c 61 74 74 65 72 65 64 2c 20 62 I'm flattered, b
4a520 75 74 20 79 6f 75 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 74 72 ut you should tr
4a530 79 20 74 6f 20 67 65 74 20 6f 76 65 72 20 72 65 y to get over re
4a540 66 6c 65 78 65 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 6b 6e 6f flexes.".."I kno
4a550 77 2e 22 0a 0a 49 74 20 74 75 72 6e 65 64 20 6f w."..It turned o
4a560 75 74 20 68 65 20 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 6b 6e 65 77 ut he still knew
4a570 20 68 65 72 20 77 65 6c 6c 20 65 6e 6f 75 67 68 her well enough
4a580 20 74 6f 20 73 61 79 20 6e 6f 74 68 69 6e 67 20 to say nothing
4a590 74 6f 20 74 68 61 74 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 6c 65 to that. She le
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4a5b0 63 6b 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 73 65 61 74 27 73 ck on the seat's
4a5c0 20 68 65 61 64 20 72 65 73 74 2c 20 63 6c 6f 73 head rest, clos
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4a5e0 20 77 6f 6e 64 65 72 65 64 20 77 68 61 74 20 73 wondered what s
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4a600 2e 0a 0a 41 73 20 69 66 20 69 74 20 72 65 61 64 ...As if it read
4a610 20 68 65 72 20 6d 69 6e 64 2c 20 73 68 65 20 68 her mind, she h
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4a630 69 7a 65 72 20 73 61 79 20 22 59 6f 75 20 63 6f izer say "You co
4a640 75 6c 64 20 75 73 65 20 74 68 69 73 20 74 69 6d uld use this tim
4a650 65 20 74 6f 20 66 69 6e 69 73 68 20 72 65 61 64 e to finish read
4a660 69 6e 67 20 55 6e 64 65 72 67 72 6f 75 6e 64 20 ing Underground
4a670 4f 70 65 53 65 63 2e 22 0a 0a 22 47 6f 6f 64 20 OpeSec.".."Good
4a680 69 64 65 61 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 6d 75 74 74 65 idea," she mutte
4a690 72 65 64 20 61 20 62 69 74 20 73 6f 75 72 6c 79 red a bit sourly
4a6a0 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 64 75 67 20 69 74 20 6f 75 . She dug it ou
4a6b0 74 2e 0a 0a 45 76 65 6e 74 75 61 6c 6c 79 2c 20 t...Eventually,
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4a6d0 74 68 65 20 74 72 75 63 6b 20 63 68 61 6e 67 65 the truck change
4a6e0 64 20 65 6e 6f 75 67 68 20 74 68 61 74 20 73 68 d enough that sh
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4a710 20 61 74 20 70 72 6f 62 61 62 6c 79 20 61 20 77 at probably a w
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4a780 74 68 61 74 20 63 61 6d 65 20 74 68 72 6f 75 67 that came throug
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4a7b0 68 65 20 74 72 75 63 6b 27 73 20 63 61 72 67 6f he truck's cargo
4a7c0 20 62 6f 78 2e 20 20 49 74 20 73 74 6f 70 70 65 box. It stoppe
4a7d0 64 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 73 20 6c d, and moments l
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4a7f0 61 72 74 65 64 20 6f 70 65 6e 69 6e 67 2e 0a 0a arted opening...
4a800 2f 2a 20 49 20 6e 65 65 64 20 64 65 73 63 72 69 /* I need descri
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4a820 20 74 69 6d 65 2c 20 74 68 65 20 72 61 6d 70 20 time, the ramp
4a830 77 61 73 20 61 6e 67 6c 65 64 20 6a 75 73 74 20 was angled just
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4a850 66 72 6f 6d 20 74 68 65 20 62 61 63 6b 20 6f 66 from the back of
4a860 20 74 68 65 20 74 72 75 63 6b 2c 20 69 6e 74 6f the truck, into
4a870 20 61 20 63 61 72 67 6f 20 70 6c 61 74 66 6f 72 a cargo platfor
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4a890 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 61 20 73 6f 6d 65 77 68 61 74 like a somewhat
4a8a0 20 66 75 72 6e 69 73 68 65 64 20 77 61 72 65 68 furnished wareh
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4a8c0 64 20 68 69 73 20 66 72 69 65 6e 64 20 43 72 61 d his friend Cra
4a8d0 79 20 73 74 6f 6f 64 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 70 y stood on the p
4a8e0 6c 61 74 66 6f 72 6d 2c 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 69 6e 67 latform, looking
4a8f0 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 61 74 20 68 65 72 2e 0a 0a 53 down at her...S
4a900 68 65 20 75 6e 62 75 63 6b 6c 65 64 2c 20 61 6e he unbuckled, an
4a910 64 20 73 68 65 20 73 74 6f 6f 64 20 75 70 2e 20 d she stood up.
4a920 20 43 72 61 79 20 67 72 69 6e 6e 65 64 20 62 72 Cray grinned br
4a930 6f 61 64 6c 79 20 61 74 20 68 65 72 2e 20 20 44 oadly at her. D
4a940 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 6a 75 73 74 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 alton just looke
4a950 64 20 77 6f 72 72 69 65 64 2c 20 69 6e 20 74 68 d worried, in th
4a960 61 74 20 77 61 79 20 68 65 20 68 61 64 20 6f 66 at way he had of
4a970 20 61 6c 6d 6f 73 74 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 69 6e 67 20 almost looking
4a980 61 20 6c 69 74 74 6c 65 20 68 75 72 74 20 77 68 a little hurt wh
4a990 65 6e 65 76 65 72 20 68 65 20 77 6f 72 72 69 65 enever he worrie
4a9a0 64 20 61 72 6f 75 6e 64 20 68 65 72 2e 0a 0a 22 d around her..."
4a9b0 48 69 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a Hi," she said...
4a9c0 22 48 69 21 22 20 43 72 61 79 20 63 61 6c 6c 65 "Hi!" Cray calle
4a9d0 64 20 6f 75 74 2e 20 20 22 47 65 74 20 6f 75 74 d out. "Get out
4a9e0 20 68 65 72 65 2e 20 20 4d 61 6e 2c 20 49 20 68 here. Man, I h
4a9f0 61 76 65 6e 27 74 20 73 65 65 6e 20 79 6f 75 20 aven't seen you
4aa00 69 6e 20 79 65 61 72 73 21 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 in years!"..Alle
4aa10 79 20 73 63 72 61 74 63 68 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 y scratched her
4aa20 68 65 61 64 20 74 6f 20 67 69 76 65 20 68 65 72 head to give her
4aa30 20 68 61 6e 64 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 hand something
4aa40 74 6f 20 64 6f 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 70 69 63 6b to do, then pick
4aa50 65 64 20 75 70 20 68 65 72 20 62 61 67 73 20 61 ed up her bags a
4aa60 6e 64 20 68 65 61 64 65 64 20 75 70 20 74 68 65 nd headed up the
4aa70 20 72 61 6d 70 2e 20 20 22 57 68 61 74 20 61 62 ramp. "What ab
4aa80 6f 75 74 20 74 68 65 20 62 69 6b 65 3f 22 20 73 out the bike?" s
4aa90 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 43 72 61 79 20 he asked...Cray
4aaa0 73 61 69 64 20 22 44 6f 6e 27 74 20 77 6f 72 72 said "Don't worr
4aab0 79 2e 20 20 57 65 20 67 6f 74 20 74 68 69 73 2e y. We got this.
4aac0 22 20 20 48 65 20 73 74 65 70 70 65 64 20 6f 6e " He stepped on
4aad0 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 72 61 6d 70 20 61 6e 64 20 to the ramp and
4aae0 77 61 6c 6b 65 64 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 74 68 65 20 walked down the
4aaf0 67 65 6e 74 6c 65 20 64 65 63 6c 69 6e 65 20 69 gentle decline i
4ab00 6e 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 74 72 75 63 6b 20 61 6e nto the truck an
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4ab20 69 6e 67 20 61 20 74 69 65 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 63 ing a tie down c
4ab30 61 62 6c 65 2e 0a 0a 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 27 73 20 able...Dalton's
4ab40 61 72 6d 73 20 74 77 69 74 63 68 65 64 20 61 6e arms twitched an
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4ab60 66 74 65 64 20 66 6f 72 77 61 72 64 2e 20 20 41 fted forward. A
4ab70 6c 6c 65 79 20 72 65 61 6c 69 7a 65 64 20 68 65 lley realized he
4ab80 72 20 65 79 65 73 20 77 65 72 65 20 68 79 70 65 r eyes were hype
4ab90 72 66 6f 63 75 73 65 64 20 6f 6e 20 65 76 65 72 rfocused on ever
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4abb0 6d 6f 76 65 6d 65 6e 74 73 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 movements, and s
4abc0 68 65 20 65 78 70 65 63 74 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 he expected the
4abd0 73 68 69 66 74 20 74 6f 20 74 75 72 6e 20 69 6e shift to turn in
4abe0 74 6f 20 63 6f 6d 69 6e 67 20 66 6f 72 77 61 72 to coming forwar
4abf0 64 20 74 6f 20 67 69 76 65 20 68 65 72 20 61 20 d to give her a
4ac00 68 75 67 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 66 65 6c 74 20 61 hug. She felt a
4ac10 20 74 77 69 6e 67 65 20 6f 66 20 69 6e 6e 65 72 twinge of inner
4ac20 20 70 61 6e 69 63 2c 20 6e 6f 74 20 6b 6e 6f 77 panic, not know
4ac30 69 6e 67 20 68 6f 77 20 74 6f 20 72 65 61 63 74 ing how to react
4ac40 2c 20 68 6f 77 20 73 68 65 20 66 65 6c 74 2c 20 , how she felt,
4ac50 62 75 74 20 69 74 20 70 61 73 73 65 64 20 77 68 but it passed wh
4ac60 65 6e 20 74 68 65 20 6d 6f 74 69 6f 6e 20 73 74 en the motion st
4ac70 6f 70 70 65 64 20 74 68 65 72 65 20 61 6e 64 20 opped there and
4ac80 68 65 20 6a 75 73 74 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 he just looked a
4ac90 74 20 68 65 72 2e 0a 0a 57 69 74 68 6f 75 74 20 t her...Without
4aca0 6c 6f 6f 6b 69 6e 67 20 75 70 2c 20 43 72 61 79 looking up, Cray
4acb0 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 47 69 76 65 20 68 69 6d 20 said "Give him
4acc0 61 20 68 75 67 2e 20 20 47 65 74 20 69 74 20 6f a hug. Get it o
4acd0 76 65 72 20 77 69 74 68 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 69 ver with, and si
4ace0 74 20 64 6f 77 6e 2c 20 73 6f 20 68 65 20 63 61 t down, so he ca
4acf0 6e 20 63 6f 6d 65 20 68 65 6c 70 20 6d 65 2e 22 n come help me."
4ad00 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 27 73 20 6d 6f 75 74 68 20 ..Alley's mouth
4ad10 74 77 69 74 63 68 65 64 20 61 20 6d 69 6c 6c 69 twitched a milli
4ad20 6d 65 74 65 72 20 74 6f 77 61 72 64 20 61 20 73 meter toward a s
4ad30 6d 69 6c 65 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 73 68 65 20 73 mile, then she s
4ad40 65 74 20 68 65 72 20 62 61 67 73 20 61 73 69 64 et her bags asid
4ad50 65 20 61 6e 64 20 73 74 65 70 70 65 64 20 66 6f e and stepped fo
4ad60 72 77 61 72 64 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 61 6e 64 20 rward. She and
4ad70 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 68 75 67 67 65 64 2c 20 62 Dalton hugged, b
4ad80 75 74 20 69 74 20 77 61 73 20 63 61 72 65 66 75 ut it was carefu
4ad90 6c 2e 20 20 54 68 65 72 65 20 77 61 73 20 6e 6f l. There was no
4ada0 20 70 68 79 73 69 63 61 6c 20 64 69 73 74 61 6e physical distan
4adb0 63 65 20 62 65 74 77 65 65 6e 20 74 68 65 6d 2c ce between them,
4adc0 20 62 75 74 20 74 68 65 20 73 65 6e 73 65 20 6f but the sense o
4add0 66 20 61 20 77 69 64 65 20 67 75 6c 66 20 6f 66 f a wide gulf of
4ade0 20 75 6e 63 65 72 74 61 69 6e 74 79 20 73 74 69 uncertainty sti
4adf0 6c 6c 20 73 74 6f 6f 64 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 69 ll stood in thei
4ae00 72 20 77 61 79 2e 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 72 65 61 6c r way...She real
4ae10 69 7a 65 64 20 73 68 65 20 61 6c 72 65 61 64 79 ized she already
4ae20 20 6d 69 73 73 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 68 75 67 20 missed the hug
4ae30 62 65 66 6f 72 65 20 69 74 20 77 61 73 20 65 76 before it was ev
4ae40 65 6e 20 63 6f 6d 70 6c 65 74 65 6c 79 20 6f 76 en completely ov
4ae50 65 72 2e 0a 0a 22 49 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 67 er..."I should g
4ae60 6f 20 68 65 6c 70 20 68 69 6d 2c 22 20 44 61 6c o help him," Dal
4ae70 74 6f 6e 20 73 61 69 64 20 77 69 74 68 20 61 20 ton said with a
4ae80 77 72 79 20 74 75 72 6e 20 6f 66 20 68 69 73 20 wry turn of his
4ae90 6d 6f 75 74 68 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 70 61 73 73 65 mouth, and passe
4aea0 64 20 68 65 72 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 77 61 79 d her on the way
4aeb0 20 64 6f 77 6e 2e 0a 0a 41 20 71 75 69 63 6b 20 down...A quick
4aec0 73 63 61 6e 20 73 68 6f 77 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 scan showed her
4aed0 70 6c 65 6e 74 79 20 6f 66 20 6f 70 74 69 6f 6e plenty of option
4aee0 73 20 66 6f 72 20 77 68 65 72 65 20 74 6f 20 73 s for where to s
4aef0 69 74 2e 20 20 54 68 65 72 65 20 77 61 73 20 61 it. There was a
4af00 20 62 69 67 20 61 72 65 61 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 big area to the
4af10 20 6c 65 66 74 20 73 65 74 20 75 70 20 6c 69 6b left set up lik
4af20 65 20 61 20 6e 69 67 68 74 63 6c 75 62 2c 20 77 e a nightclub, w
4af30 69 74 68 20 61 20 64 61 6e 63 65 20 66 6c 6f 6f ith a dance floo
4af40 72 20 61 6e 64 20 61 20 62 61 72 20 61 6e 64 20 r and a bar and
4af50 6c 69 74 74 6c 65 20 63 6f 63 6b 74 61 69 6c 20 little cocktail
4af60 74 61 62 6c 65 73 2e 20 20 41 6e 6f 74 68 65 72 tables. Another
4af70 20 61 72 65 61 20 77 61 73 20 73 65 74 20 75 70 area was set up
4af80 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 61 20 6d 6f 76 69 65 20 74 68 like a movie th
4af90 65 61 74 65 72 20 77 69 74 68 20 74 68 65 20 73 eater with the s
4afa0 63 72 65 65 6e 20 68 69 67 68 20 75 70 20 6f 6e creen high up on
4afb0 20 74 68 65 20 72 69 67 68 74 20 68 61 6e 64 20 the right hand
4afc0 77 61 6c 6c 20 73 6f 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 63 wall so people c
4afd0 6f 75 6c 64 20 72 65 63 6c 69 6e 65 20 69 6e 20 ould recline in
4afe0 74 68 65 20 74 68 65 61 74 65 72 20 73 65 61 74 the theater seat
4aff0 69 6e 67 20 61 6e 64 20 6e 6f 74 20 68 61 76 65 ing and not have
4b000 20 74 6f 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 20 70 61 73 74 20 74 68 to look past th
4b010 65 20 68 65 61 64 73 20 6f 66 20 70 65 6f 70 6c e heads of peopl
4b020 65 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 73 65 61 74 73 20 61 e in the seats a
4b030 68 65 61 64 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 6d 2e 20 20 43 head of them. C
4b040 6c 6f 73 65 72 20 74 68 61 6e 20 62 6f 74 68 2c loser than both,
4b050 20 74 68 65 72 65 20 77 65 72 65 20 66 6f 6c 64 there were fold
4b060 69 6e 67 20 6c 61 77 6e 20 63 68 61 69 72 73 20 ing lawn chairs
4b070 61 6e 64 20 63 6f 6c 6c 61 70 73 69 62 6c 65 20 and collapsible
4b080 63 61 6d 70 20 63 68 61 69 72 73 2e 0a 0a 53 68 camp chairs...Sh
4b090 65 20 73 61 74 20 6f 6e 20 61 20 63 61 6d 70 20 e sat on a camp
4b0a0 63 68 61 69 72 20 62 65 73 69 64 65 20 61 20 63 chair beside a c
4b0b0 6f 6f 6c 65 72 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 ooler, and looke
4b0c0 64 20 69 6e 73 69 64 65 2e 20 20 49 74 20 63 6f d inside. It co
4b0d0 6e 74 61 69 6e 65 64 20 62 6f 74 74 6c 65 64 20 ntained bottled
4b0e0 73 6f 64 61 73 2c 20 73 6f 20 73 68 65 20 74 6f sodas, so she to
4b0f0 6f 6b 20 6f 6e 65 20 61 6e 64 20 73 74 61 72 74 ok one and start
4b100 65 64 20 64 72 69 6e 6b 69 6e 67 20 77 68 69 6c ed drinking whil
4b110 65 20 74 68 65 20 67 75 79 73 20 72 6f 6c 6c 65 e the guys rolle
4b120 64 20 74 68 65 20 62 69 6b 65 20 75 70 20 74 68 d the bike up th
4b130 65 20 72 61 6d 70 2e 20 20 53 68 6f 72 74 6c 79 e ramp. Shortly
4b140 2c 20 74 68 65 20 62 69 6b 65 20 72 65 73 74 65 , the bike reste
4b150 64 20 6f 6e 20 69 74 73 20 6b 69 63 6b 73 74 61 d on its kicksta
4b160 6e 64 2c 20 74 68 65 20 74 72 75 63 6b 20 72 61 nd, the truck ra
4b170 69 73 65 64 20 69 74 73 20 72 61 6d 70 20 74 6f ised its ramp to
4b180 20 63 6c 6f 73 65 20 74 68 65 20 6f 70 65 6e 20 close the open
4b190 62 61 63 6b 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 65 20 72 6f back, and the ro
4b1a0 6c 6c 20 75 70 20 77 61 72 65 68 6f 75 73 65 20 ll up warehouse
4b1b0 64 6f 6f 72 20 73 74 61 72 74 65 64 20 74 6f 20 door started to
4b1c0 64 65 73 63 65 6e 64 2e 0a 0a 22 49 20 77 61 73 descend..."I was
4b1d0 6e 27 74 20 65 78 70 65 63 74 69 6e 67 20 79 6f n't expecting yo
4b1e0 75 2c 22 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 u," Alley said,
4b1f0 77 68 65 6e 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 77 20 43 72 61 when she saw Cra
4b200 79 20 61 70 70 72 6f 61 63 68 69 6e 67 2e 0a 0a y approaching...
4b210 22 44 69 64 6e 27 74 20 68 65 20 74 65 6c 6c 20 "Didn't he tell
4b220 79 6f 75 3f 22 20 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2c 20 you?" he asked,
4b230 61 6e 64 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 74 6f 77 61 72 and looked towar
4b240 64 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 2e 0a 0a 22 53 6f 72 72 d Dalton..."Sorr
4b250 79 2c 22 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 73 61 69 64 2e y," Dalton said.
4b260 20 20 22 49 74 20 73 6c 69 70 70 65 64 20 6d 79 "It slipped my
4b270 20 6d 69 6e 64 2e 22 0a 0a 22 53 68 69 74 2c 20 mind.".."Shit,
4b280 6d 61 6e 2c 20 79 6f 75 72 20 6f 70 73 65 63 20 man, your opsec
4b290 73 75 63 6b 73 2c 22 20 43 72 61 79 20 73 61 69 sucks," Cray sai
4b2a0 64 2e 20 20 48 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 6c 69 d. He looked li
4b2b0 6b 65 20 68 65 20 77 61 6e 74 65 64 20 74 6f 20 ke he wanted to
4b2c0 73 61 79 20 6d 6f 72 65 2c 20 62 75 74 20 67 6c say more, but gl
4b2d0 61 6e 63 65 64 20 61 74 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 61 anced at Alley a
4b2e0 6e 64 20 6a 75 73 74 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 57 65 nd just said "We
4b2f0 6c 6c 2c 20 49 20 63 61 6e 20 67 6f 20 6e 6f 77 ll, I can go now
4b300 20 73 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 74 77 6f 20 63 61 6e 20 so you two can
4b310 74 61 6c 6b 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 69 73 2c talk about this,
4b320 20 77 68 61 74 65 76 65 72 20 74 68 69 73 20 69 whatever this i
4b330 73 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 74 20 66 s."..Alley sat f
4b340 6f 72 77 61 72 64 20 61 6e 64 20 68 61 6c 66 20 orward and half
4b350 72 61 69 73 65 64 20 61 20 68 61 6e 64 20 61 73 raised a hand as
4b360 20 69 66 20 74 6f 20 77 61 76 65 20 43 72 61 79 if to wave Cray
4b370 20 62 61 63 6b 2e 20 20 22 4e 6f 2c 20 73 74 61 back. "No, sta
4b380 79 2e 20 20 49 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 74 65 6c y. I should tel
4b390 6c 20 62 6f 74 68 20 6f 66 20 79 6f 75 2e 20 20 l both of you.
4b3a0 49 66 20 79 6f 75 27 72 65 20 68 65 6c 70 69 6e If you're helpin
4b3b0 67 2c 20 79 6f 75 20 68 61 76 65 20 61 20 72 69 g, you have a ri
4b3c0 67 68 74 20 74 6f 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 77 68 61 74 ght to know what
4b3d0 20 79 6f 75 27 72 65 20 67 65 74 74 69 6e 67 20 you're getting
4b3e0 69 6e 74 6f 2e 22 0a 0a 43 72 61 79 20 6c 6f 6f into."..Cray loo
4b3f0 6b 65 64 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 68 65 72 20 74 6f 20 ked from her to
4b400 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 2c 20 77 68 6f 20 6e 6f 64 64 Dalton, who nodd
4b410 65 64 2c 20 73 6f 20 43 72 61 79 20 73 61 74 20 ed, so Cray sat
4b420 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 73 65 61 74 20 6f 6e 20 74 in the seat on t
4b430 68 65 20 6f 74 68 65 72 20 73 69 64 65 20 6f 66 he other side of
4b440 20 74 68 65 20 63 6f 6f 6c 65 72 20 66 72 6f 6d the cooler from
4b450 20 68 65 72 2c 20 74 6f 20 68 65 72 20 72 69 67 her, to her rig
4b460 68 74 2e 20 20 48 65 20 67 72 61 62 62 65 64 20 ht. He grabbed
4b470 61 20 73 6f 64 61 2c 20 74 6f 6f 2e 0a 0a 41 73 a soda, too...As
4b480 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 73 61 74 20 69 6e 20 74 Dalton sat in t
4b490 68 65 20 73 65 61 74 20 74 6f 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 he seat to Alley
4b4a0 27 73 20 6c 65 66 74 2c 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 's left, he said
4b4b0 20 22 49 27 6d 20 73 6f 72 72 79 2e 20 20 49 20 "I'm sorry. I
4b4c0 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 61 6d 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c really am."..All
4b4d0 65 79 20 73 68 6f 6f 6b 20 68 65 72 20 68 65 61 ey shook her hea
4b4e0 64 2e 20 20 22 4e 6f 2c 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 77 d. "No, don't w
4b4f0 6f 72 72 79 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 69 74 2e 20 20 orry about it.
4b500 59 6f 75 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 61 70 6f 6c 6f You should apolo
4b510 67 69 7a 65 20 74 6f 20 68 69 6d 20 69 66 20 79 gize to him if y
4b520 6f 75 20 67 6f 74 20 68 69 6d 20 69 6e 76 6f 6c ou got him invol
4b530 76 65 64 20 77 69 74 68 6f 75 74 20 74 65 6c 6c ved without tell
4b540 69 6e 67 20 68 69 6d 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 69 74 ing him about it
4b550 2e 22 0a 0a 22 53 68 69 74 2c 22 20 43 72 61 79 .".."Shit," Cray
4b560 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 74 68 6f 75 67 said. "I thoug
4b570 68 74 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 77 61 73 20 6a 75 ht Dalton was ju
4b580 73 74 20 62 65 69 6e 67 20 64 72 61 6d 61 74 69 st being dramati
4b590 63 20 6f 72 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 77 c or something w
4b5a0 68 65 6e 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 20 74 68 69 73 hen he said this
4b5b0 20 63 6f 75 6c 64 20 62 65 20 74 68 65 20 6d 6f could be the mo
4b5c0 73 74 20 64 61 6e 67 65 72 6f 75 73 20 74 68 69 st dangerous thi
4b5d0 6e 67 20 49 27 64 20 65 76 65 72 20 64 6f 2e 20 ng I'd ever do.
4b5e0 20 57 68 61 74 27 73 20 75 70 2c 20 41 6c 6c 65 What's up, Alle
4b5f0 79 3f 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 y?"..She looked
4b600 61 74 20 43 72 61 79 20 61 6e 64 20 73 61 69 64 at Cray and said
4b610 20 22 49 20 68 61 64 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 67 6f 76 "I had some gov
4b620 65 72 6e 6d 65 6e 74 20 69 6e 74 65 6c 6c 69 67 ernment intellig
4b630 65 6e 63 65 20 63 6f 6e 74 72 61 63 74 6f 72 20 ence contractor
4b640 61 67 65 6e 74 73 20 73 68 6f 77 20 75 70 20 61 agents show up a
4b650 74 20 6d 79 20 70 6c 61 63 65 20 77 69 74 68 20 t my place with
4b660 53 65 63 72 65 74 20 53 65 72 76 69 63 65 20 61 Secret Service a
4b670 67 65 6e 74 73 20 77 68 6f 20 62 72 6f 6b 65 20 gents who broke
4b680 64 6f 77 6e 20 74 68 65 20 64 6f 6f 72 20 61 6e down the door an
4b690 64 20 72 61 69 64 65 64 20 6d 79 20 68 6f 6d 65 d raided my home
4b6a0 2e 22 0a 0a 43 72 61 79 20 73 74 61 72 65 64 20 ."..Cray stared
4b6b0 61 74 20 68 65 72 2c 20 65 79 65 73 20 77 69 64 at her, eyes wid
4b6c0 65 2e 20 20 22 4e 6f 20 73 68 69 74 2e 22 0a 0a e. "No shit."..
4b6d0 22 4e 6f 20 73 68 69 74 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 63 "No shit," she c
4b6e0 6f 6e 66 69 72 6d 65 64 2e 0a 0a 48 65 20 6c 6f onfirmed...He lo
4b6f0 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 2c 20 oked at Dalton,
4b700 74 68 65 6e 20 62 61 63 6b 20 61 74 20 68 65 72 then back at her
4b710 2e 20 20 48 65 20 6f 70 65 6e 65 64 20 68 69 73 . He opened his
4b720 20 6d 6f 75 74 68 20 74 6f 20 73 61 79 20 73 6f mouth to say so
4b730 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 2c 20 62 75 74 20 44 61 6c mething, but Dal
4b740 74 6f 6e 20 63 75 74 20 69 6e 2e 0a 0a 22 57 68 ton cut in..."Wh
4b750 61 74 20 61 72 65 20 74 68 6f 73 65 20 67 6c 61 at are those gla
4b760 73 73 65 73 3f 22 20 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e sses?" he asked.
4b770 20 20 22 41 72 65 20 74 68 6f 73 65 20 61 63 74 "Are those act
4b780 69 76 65 20 41 52 3f 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 ive AR?"..Alley
4b790 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 68 69 6d 2e 20 20 looked at him.
4b7a0 22 59 65 73 2c 20 62 75 74 20 74 68 65 79 27 72 "Yes, but they'r
4b7b0 65 20 73 65 63 75 72 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 48 6f 77 e secure.".."How
4b7c0 20 61 72 65 20 74 68 65 79 20 73 65 63 75 72 65 are they secure
4b7d0 3f 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 74 20 ?"..She thought
4b7e0 61 62 6f 75 74 20 69 74 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 72 65 about it, and re
4b7f0 61 6c 69 7a 65 64 20 69 74 20 77 61 73 20 6e 6f alized it was no
4b800 74 20 61 6e 20 65 61 73 79 20 71 75 65 73 74 69 t an easy questi
4b810 6f 6e 20 74 6f 20 61 6e 73 77 65 72 20 66 75 6c on to answer ful
4b820 6c 79 2e 20 20 22 54 68 65 72 65 27 73 20 61 20 ly. "There's a
4b830 73 70 65 63 69 61 6c 69 7a 65 64 20 41 49 20 74 specialized AI t
4b840 68 61 74 27 73 20 66 61 6c 73 69 66 79 69 6e 67 hat's falsifying
4b850 20 6c 6f 67 73 20 6f 6e 20 6d 65 20 61 6e 64 20 logs on me and
4b860 72 65 70 6c 61 63 69 6e 67 20 61 6e 79 20 76 69 replacing any vi
4b870 64 65 6f 20 61 6e 64 20 61 75 64 69 6f 20 66 65 deo and audio fe
4b880 65 64 73 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 6d 65 20 77 69 74 68 eds from me with
4b890 20 63 6c 69 70 73 20 67 72 61 62 62 65 64 20 66 clips grabbed f
4b8a0 72 6f 6d 20 6f 74 68 65 72 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 rom other people
4b8b0 27 73 20 41 52 20 67 6c 61 73 73 65 73 2e 22 0a 's AR glasses.".
4b8c0 0a 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 66 72 6f 77 6e 65 64 2e .Dalton frowned.
4b8d0 20 20 22 54 68 61 74 20 73 6f 75 6e 64 73 20 69 "That sounds i
4b8e0 6d 70 72 6f 62 61 62 6c 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 mprobable.".."Th
4b8f0 61 74 27 73 20 6e 6f 74 68 69 6e 67 20 63 6f 6d at's nothing com
4b900 70 61 72 65 64 20 74 6f 20 6d 65 20 61 63 74 75 pared to me actu
4b910 61 6c 6c 79 20 6c 69 76 69 6e 67 20 74 68 72 6f ally living thro
4b920 75 67 68 20 69 74 2e 20 20 4d 79 20 77 68 6f 6c ugh it. My whol
4b930 65 20 6c 69 66 65 20 69 73 20 75 6e 72 65 63 6f e life is unreco
4b940 67 6e 69 7a 61 62 6c 65 2e 20 20 49 74 27 73 20 gnizable. It's
4b950 74 68 65 20 74 72 75 74 68 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 the truth, thoug
4b960 68 2e 20 20 49 20 63 61 6e 20 65 78 70 6c 61 69 h. I can explai
4b970 6e 20 6d 6f 72 65 2c 20 62 75 74 20 69 74 27 73 n more, but it's
4b980 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 74 61 6b 65 20 61 going to take a
4b990 20 6c 6f 6e 67 20 74 69 6d 65 2e 22 0a 0a 48 65 long time."..He
4b9a0 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 2e 20 20 22 4f 6b 61 79 2e nodded. "Okay.
4b9b0 20 20 57 65 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 68 65 20 74 69 We have the ti
4b9c0 6d 65 2e 20 20 49 20 63 6c 65 61 72 65 64 20 6d me. I cleared m
4b9d0 79 20 73 63 68 65 64 75 6c 65 20 66 6f 72 20 74 y schedule for t
4b9e0 68 65 20 72 65 73 74 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 64 he rest of the d
4b9f0 61 79 2c 61 6e 64 20 49 20 63 61 6e 20 64 6f 20 ay,and I can do
4ba00 69 74 20 61 67 61 69 6e 20 74 6f 6d 6f 72 72 6f it again tomorro
4ba10 77 20 69 66 20 49 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 6f 2e 22 w if I have to."
4ba20 0a 0a 43 72 61 79 20 64 65 63 69 64 65 64 20 69 ..Cray decided i
4ba30 74 20 77 61 73 20 68 69 73 20 74 75 72 6e 20 74 t was his turn t
4ba40 6f 20 63 75 74 20 69 6e 2e 20 20 22 4d 61 79 20 o cut in. "May
4ba50 49 20 63 75 74 20 69 6e 20 66 6f 72 20 61 20 73 I cut in for a s
4ba60 65 63 3f 22 0a 0a 54 68 65 79 20 62 6f 74 68 20 ec?"..They both
4ba70 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 68 69 6d 2e 0a 0a looked at him...
4ba80 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 74 "Yeah, I guess t
4ba90 68 61 74 27 73 20 61 20 79 65 73 2e 20 20 4f 6b hat's a yes. Ok
4baa0 61 79 2e 20 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 2c 20 79 6f 75 ay. Dalton, you
4bab0 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 6e 27 74 20 64 6f 20 74 68 shouldn't do th
4bac0 61 74 2e 20 20 44 6f 6e 27 74 20 63 68 61 6e 67 at. Don't chang
4bad0 65 20 79 6f 75 72 20 73 63 68 65 64 75 6c 65 20 e your schedule
4bae0 61 72 6f 75 6e 64 20 74 6f 6f 20 6d 75 63 68 2e around too much.
4baf0 20 20 59 6f 75 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 77 61 6e 74 You don't want
4bb00 20 74 6f 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 20 73 75 73 70 69 63 69 to look suspici
4bb10 6f 75 73 20 69 66 20 73 6f 6d 65 6f 6e 65 20 73 ous if someone s
4bb20 74 61 72 74 73 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 69 6e 67 20 69 6e tarts looking in
4bb30 20 6f 6e 20 79 6f 75 2e 22 0a 0a 44 61 6c 74 6f on you."..Dalto
4bb40 6e 20 73 69 67 68 65 64 2e 20 20 22 59 65 61 68 n sighed. "Yeah
4bb50 2c 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 70 6f 69 6e 74 2e 22 20 20 , good point."
4bb60 48 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 41 6c 6c He looked at All
4bb70 65 79 2e 20 20 22 42 65 74 77 65 65 6e 20 6d 65 ey. "Between me
4bb80 2c 20 43 72 61 79 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 4c 69 64 69 , Cray, and Lidi
4bb90 61 20 2d 2d 20 69 66 20 79 6f 75 20 77 61 6e 74 a -- if you want
4bba0 20 74 6f 20 6c 65 74 20 68 65 72 20 69 6e 20 6f to let her in o
4bbb0 6e 20 69 74 20 2d 2d 20 49 20 63 61 6e 20 6d 61 n it -- I can ma
4bbc0 6b 65 20 73 75 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 61 6c 77 61 ke sure you alwa
4bbd0 79 73 20 68 61 76 65 20 61 20 77 61 79 20 74 6f ys have a way to
4bbe0 20 67 65 74 20 68 65 6c 70 20 69 66 20 79 6f 75 get help if you
4bbf0 20 6e 65 65 64 20 69 74 20 66 6f 72 20 61 73 20 need it for as
4bc00 6c 6f 6e 67 20 61 73 20 79 6f 75 20 6e 65 65 64 long as you need
4bc10 20 74 6f 20 68 69 64 65 20 6f 75 74 2e 20 20 49 to hide out. I
4bc20 66 20 79 6f 75 20 6e 65 65 64 20 74 6f 20 67 65 f you need to ge
4bc30 74 20 6f 75 74 20 6f 66 20 74 6f 77 6e 2c 20 49 t out of town, I
4bc40 20 63 61 6e 20 68 65 6c 70 20 77 69 74 68 20 74 can help with t
4bc50 68 61 74 2c 20 74 6f 6f 2e 20 20 57 65 20 63 61 hat, too. We ca
4bc60 6e 2c 20 49 20 6d 65 61 6e 2e 22 20 20 48 65 20 n, I mean." He
4bc70 67 6c 61 6e 63 65 64 20 61 74 20 43 72 61 79 2e glanced at Cray.
4bc80 20 20 22 52 69 67 68 74 3f 22 0a 0a 43 72 61 79 "Right?"..Cray
4bc90 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 20 65 6e 74 68 75 73 69 61 nodded enthusia
4bca0 73 74 69 63 61 6c 6c 79 2e 20 20 22 48 65 6c 6c stically. "Hell
4bcb0 20 79 65 61 68 2e 20 20 49 20 66 69 67 75 72 65 yeah. I figure
4bcc0 20 77 65 20 68 61 76 65 20 61 20 62 75 64 67 65 we have a budge
4bcd0 74 20 6f 66 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 6f 6e 65 20 74 t of about one t
4bce0 68 69 6e 67 20 70 65 72 20 64 61 79 20 77 65 20 hing per day we
4bcf0 63 61 6e 20 65 61 63 68 20 63 61 6e 63 65 6c 20 can each cancel
4bd00 69 66 20 77 65 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 6f 2c 20 6e if we have to, n
4bd10 6f 20 62 69 67 67 69 65 2c 20 77 69 74 68 6f 75 o biggie, withou
4bd20 74 20 61 6e 79 6f 6e 65 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 t anyone really
4bd30 74 68 69 6e 6b 69 6e 67 20 74 68 69 6e 67 73 20 thinking things
4bd40 61 72 65 20 77 65 69 72 64 2c 20 61 73 20 6c 6f are weird, as lo
4bd50 6e 67 20 61 73 20 77 65 20 64 6f 20 69 74 20 69 ng as we do it i
4bd60 6e 74 65 6c 6c 69 67 65 6e 74 6c 79 2e 22 0a 0a ntelligently."..
4bd70 22 4f 68 2c 22 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 69 64 "Oh," Alley said
4bd80 2e 20 20 22 49 27 6d 20 73 74 61 72 74 69 6e 67 . "I'm starting
4bd90 20 74 6f 20 66 65 65 6c 20 61 20 6c 69 74 74 6c to feel a littl
4bda0 65 20 6f 76 65 72 77 68 65 6c 6d 65 64 2e 22 0a e overwhelmed.".
4bdb0 0a 43 72 61 79 20 6c 61 75 67 68 65 64 2e 20 20 .Cray laughed.
4bdc0 22 59 6f 75 27 72 65 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 72 "You're on the r
4bdd0 75 6e 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 74 68 65 20 73 65 63 72 un from the secr
4bde0 65 74 20 73 65 72 76 69 63 65 20 61 6e 64 20 69 et service and i
4bdf0 6e 74 65 6c 6c 69 67 65 6e 63 65 20 61 67 65 6e ntelligence agen
4be00 74 73 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 69 74 27 73 20 68 61 76 ts, and it's hav
4be10 69 6e 67 20 66 72 69 65 6e 64 73 20 74 68 61 74 ing friends that
4be20 20 6f 76 65 72 77 68 65 6c 6d 73 20 79 6f 75 2e overwhelms you.
4be30 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 ".."Yeah," she s
4be40 61 69 64 2c 20 6c 61 75 67 68 69 6e 67 20 61 20 aid, laughing a
4be50 6c 69 74 74 6c 65 20 61 73 20 77 65 6c 6c 2e 20 little as well.
4be60 20 22 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 73 6f 2e 22 20 20 "I guess so."
4be70 53 68 65 20 6c 65 61 6e 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 68 She leaned her h
4be80 65 61 64 20 62 61 63 6b 20 61 6e 64 20 6c 6f 6f ead back and loo
4be90 6b 65 64 20 75 70 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 6d 69 ked up at the mi
4bea0 6c 6b 79 20 77 68 69 74 65 20 64 69 66 66 75 73 lky white diffus
4beb0 69 6f 6e 20 70 61 6e 65 6c 73 20 61 62 6f 76 65 ion panels above
4bec0 2c 20 6d 61 6b 69 6e 67 20 69 74 20 64 69 66 66 , making it diff
4bed0 69 63 75 6c 74 20 74 6f 20 70 69 6e 70 6f 69 6e icult to pinpoin
4bee0 74 20 74 68 65 20 73 70 65 63 69 66 69 63 20 70 t the specific p
4bef0 6c 61 63 65 6d 65 6e 74 20 6f 66 20 4c 45 44 73 lacement of LEDs
4bf00 20 61 62 6f 76 65 20 74 68 65 20 70 61 6e 65 6c above the panel
4bf10 73 2e 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 64 6f 20 79 6f 75 s..."What do you
4bf20 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 3f 22 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 think?" Dalton
4bf30 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 49 20 74 68 69 6e 6b asked..."I think
4bf40 20 49 20 6e 65 65 64 20 74 6f 20 64 6f 20 61 20 I need to do a
4bf50 6c 6f 74 20 6f 66 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 69 6e 67 2c lot of thinking,
4bf60 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 61 74 20 79 6f 75 20 73 68 and that you sh
4bf70 6f 75 6c 64 20 6f 6e 6c 79 20 67 65 74 20 4c 69 ould only get Li
4bf80 64 69 61 20 69 6e 76 6f 6c 76 65 64 20 69 66 20 dia involved if
4bf90 79 6f 75 20 6d 61 6b 65 20 61 62 73 6f 6c 75 74 you make absolut
4bfa0 65 6c 79 20 73 75 72 65 20 73 68 65 20 77 61 6e ely sure she wan
4bfb0 74 73 20 74 6f 20 67 65 74 20 69 6e 76 6f 6c 76 ts to get involv
4bfc0 65 64 20 69 6e 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 ed in something
4bfd0 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 68 69 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 like this.".."I
4bfe0 77 69 6c 6c 2c 22 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 73 61 will," Dalton sa
4bff0 69 64 2e 0a 0a 43 72 61 79 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 id...Cray said "
4c000 46 69 72 73 74 20 79 6f 75 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 First you have t
4c010 6f 20 74 65 6c 6c 20 75 73 20 77 68 61 74 20 65 o tell us what e
4c020 78 61 63 74 6c 79 20 74 68 69 73 20 69 73 2c 20 xactly this is,
4c030 69 6e 20 64 65 74 61 69 6c 2c 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 in detail, down
4c040 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 6c 61 73 74 20 62 69 74 20 to the last bit
4c050 6f 66 20 63 68 69 70 70 65 64 20 70 61 69 6e 74 of chipped paint
4c060 20 61 6e 64 20 72 75 73 74 65 64 20 62 6f 6c 74 and rusted bolt
4c070 2c 20 73 6f 20 69 74 27 73 20 65 76 65 6e 20 70 , so it's even p
4c080 6f 73 73 69 62 6c 65 20 74 6f 20 66 69 6e 64 20 ossible to find
4c090 6f 75 74 20 77 68 65 74 68 65 72 20 4c 69 64 69 out whether Lidi
4c0a0 61 27 73 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 77 61 6e a's going to wan
4c0b0 74 20 74 6f 20 67 65 74 20 69 6e 20 6f 6e 20 74 t to get in on t
4c0c0 68 69 73 20 61 63 74 69 6f 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c his action."..Al
4c0d0 6c 65 79 20 72 61 69 73 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 68 ley raised her h
4c0e0 65 61 64 20 61 67 61 69 6e 20 61 6e 64 20 6c 6f ead again and lo
4c0f0 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 68 69 6d 2e 20 20 22 44 oked at him. "D
4c100 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 74 68 69 o you really thi
4c110 6e 6b 20 69 74 27 73 20 61 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 69 nk it's a good i
4c120 64 65 61 20 74 6f 20 74 65 6c 6c 20 68 65 72 20 dea to tell her
4c130 61 6c 6c 20 74 68 6f 73 65 20 64 65 74 61 69 6c all those detail
4c140 73 20 62 65 66 6f 72 65 20 61 73 6b 69 6e 67 3f s before asking?
4c150 20 20 4d 61 79 62 65 20 79 6f 75 20 74 77 6f 20 Maybe you two
4c160 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 6a 75 73 74 20 74 65 6c 6c should just tell
4c170 20 68 65 72 20 74 68 65 20 73 63 61 72 69 65 73 her the scaries
4c180 74 20 76 61 67 75 65 20 64 65 74 61 69 6c 73 20 t vague details
4c190 73 6f 20 73 68 65 20 63 61 6e 20 73 61 79 20 6e so she can say n
4c1a0 6f 20 77 69 74 68 6f 75 74 20 68 61 76 69 6e 67 o without having
4c1b0 20 74 6f 20 6c 65 61 72 6e 20 61 6e 79 74 68 69 to learn anythi
4c1c0 6e 67 20 73 68 65 20 77 6f 6e 27 74 20 77 61 6e ng she won't wan
4c1d0 74 20 74 6f 20 6b 6e 6f 77 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 68 t to know.".."Oh
4c1e0 2c 20 79 65 61 68 2c 20 61 62 73 6f 6c 75 74 65 , yeah, absolute
4c1f0 6c 79 2c 22 20 43 72 61 79 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 ly," Cray said,
4c200 22 62 75 74 20 66 69 72 73 74 20 49 20 77 61 6e "but first I wan
4c210 74 20 74 6f 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 61 6c 6c 20 74 68 t to know all th
4c220 65 20 67 6f 72 79 20 64 65 74 61 69 6c 73 20 6d e gory details m
4c230 79 73 65 6c 66 2e 20 20 4c 69 64 69 61 27 73 20 yself. Lidia's
4c240 6a 75 73 74 20 61 20 63 6f 6e 76 65 6e 69 65 6e just a convenien
4c250 74 20 65 78 63 75 73 65 2e 22 0a 0a 44 61 6c 74 t excuse."..Dalt
4c260 6f 6e 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 4c 65 74 27 73 20 67 on said "Let's g
4c270 69 76 65 20 68 65 72 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 73 70 61 ive her some spa
4c280 63 65 20 74 6f 20 72 65 6c 61 78 2c 20 66 69 72 ce to relax, fir
4c290 73 74 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 68 6f 6f st."..Alley shoo
4c2a0 6b 20 68 65 72 20 68 65 61 64 2e 20 20 22 4e 6f k her head. "No
4c2b0 2e 20 20 49 20 63 61 6e 20 74 65 6c 6c 20 79 6f . I can tell yo
4c2c0 75 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 69 74 20 6e 6f 77 2c 20 u about it now,
4c2d0 69 66 20 79 6f 75 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 68 65 20 if you have the
4c2e0 74 69 6d 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 68 61 76 65 20 time.".."I have
4c2f0 6e 6f 74 68 69 6e 67 20 62 75 74 20 74 69 6d 65 nothing but time
4c300 20 72 69 67 68 74 20 6e 6f 77 2c 20 41 6c 6c 65 right now, Alle
4c310 79 2e 22 20 20 43 72 61 79 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 64 y." Cray smiled
4c320 2e 20 20 22 54 65 6c 6c 20 6d 65 20 61 20 73 74 . "Tell me a st
4c330 6f 72 79 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 6b 61 79 2e 20 20 49 ory.".."Okay. I
4c340 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 2e 20 2e 20 2e 20 49 20 67 guess . . . I g
4c350 75 65 73 73 20 69 74 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 73 uess it really s
4c360 74 61 72 74 65 64 20 77 69 74 68 20 74 68 65 20 tarted with the
4c370 72 65 61 6c 69 7a 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 61 62 6f 75 realization abou
4c380 74 20 74 77 6f 20 6d 6f 6e 74 68 73 20 61 67 6f t two months ago
4c390 20 74 68 61 74 20 49 20 6f 6e 6c 79 20 68 61 64 that I only had
4c3a0 20 65 6e 6f 75 67 68 20 6d 6f 6e 65 79 20 66 6f enough money fo
4c3b0 72 20 74 77 6f 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 6d 6f 6e 74 68 r two more month
4c3c0 73 20 6f 66 20 72 65 6e 74 20 61 6e 64 20 75 74 s of rent and ut
4c3d0 69 6c 69 74 69 65 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 79 3f ilities.".."Why?
4c3e0 22 20 43 72 61 79 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 20 20 22 " Cray asked. "
4c3f0 59 6f 75 27 72 65 20 61 77 65 73 6f 6d 65 20 61 You're awesome a
4c400 74 20 77 68 61 74 20 79 6f 75 20 64 6f 2e 20 20 t what you do.
4c410 59 6f 75 20 75 73 65 64 20 74 6f 20 6d 61 6b 65 You used to make
4c420 20 6d 6f 6e 65 79 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 79 6f 75 20 money like you
4c430 77 65 72 65 20 70 75 6c 6c 69 6e 67 20 72 61 62 were pulling rab
4c440 62 69 74 73 20 6f 75 74 20 6f 66 20 61 20 68 61 bits out of a ha
4c450 74 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 74 27 73 20 66 75 6e t.".."That's fun
4c460 6e 79 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 68 ny," she said, h
4c470 65 72 20 76 6f 69 63 65 20 64 72 79 2c 20 22 77 er voice dry, "w
4c480 68 65 6e 20 77 65 27 72 65 20 73 69 74 74 69 6e hen we're sittin
4c490 67 20 69 6e 20 61 20 77 61 72 65 68 6f 75 73 65 g in a warehouse
4c4a0 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 70 72 6f 62 61 62 6c 79 Dalton probably
4c4b0 20 6f 77 6e 73 2c 20 77 69 74 68 20 44 61 6c 74 owns, with Dalt
4c4c0 6f 6e 2c 20 77 68 6f 20 6d 61 64 65 20 6d 6f 6e on, who made mon
4c4d0 65 79 20 77 68 65 6e 20 68 65 20 73 6c 65 70 74 ey when he slept
4c4e0 2e 22 0a 0a 49 6e 20 68 65 72 20 70 65 72 69 70 ."..In her perip
4c4f0 68 65 72 61 6c 20 76 69 73 69 6f 6e 2c 20 73 68 heral vision, sh
4c500 65 20 73 61 77 20 68 69 6d 20 74 72 79 20 74 6f e saw him try to
4c510 20 73 74 69 66 6c 65 20 61 6e 20 61 77 6b 77 61 stifle an awkwa
4c520 72 64 20 74 68 72 6f 61 74 20 63 6c 65 61 72 69 rd throat cleari
4c530 6e 67 20 61 63 74 69 6f 6e 2e 20 20 48 65 20 67 ng action. He g
4c540 6f 74 20 6d 69 78 65 64 20 72 65 73 75 6c 74 73 ot mixed results
4c550 2c 20 61 20 6d 75 66 66 6c 65 64 2c 20 73 6d 61 , a muffled, sma
4c560 6c 6c 20 63 6f 75 67 68 69 6e 67 20 73 6f 75 6e ll coughing soun
4c570 64 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 62 61 63 6b 20 6f 66 d in the back of
4c580 20 68 69 73 20 74 68 72 6f 61 74 20 77 69 74 68 his throat with
4c590 20 68 69 73 20 6b 6e 75 63 6b 6c 65 73 20 61 67 his knuckles ag
4c5a0 61 69 6e 73 74 20 68 69 73 20 6d 6f 75 74 68 2e ainst his mouth.
4c5b0 0a 0a 22 57 65 6c 6c 2c 20 73 75 72 65 2c 22 20 .."Well, sure,"
4c5c0 43 72 61 79 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 22 62 75 74 20 Cray said, "but
4c5d0 74 68 61 74 20 64 6f 65 73 6e 27 74 20 63 68 61 that doesn't cha
4c5e0 6e 67 65 20 61 6e 79 74 68 69 6e 67 2e 20 20 59 nge anything. Y
4c5f0 6f 75 20 77 65 72 65 20 62 61 64 20 61 73 73 2e ou were bad ass.
4c600 20 20 49 20 61 6c 77 61 79 73 20 77 69 73 68 65 I always wishe
4c610 64 20 49 20 63 6f 75 6c 64 20 6a 75 73 74 20 63 d I could just c
4c620 61 6c 6c 20 6d 6f 6e 65 79 20 6f 75 74 20 6f 66 all money out of
4c630 20 74 68 65 20 63 6f 6d 70 75 74 65 72 20 6c 69 the computer li
4c640 6b 65 20 79 6f 75 20 63 6f 75 6c 64 2c 20 74 68 ke you could, th
4c650 6f 75 67 68 2e 20 20 57 68 61 74 20 68 61 70 70 ough. What happ
4c660 65 6e 65 64 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 77 65 6e 74 20 ened?".."I went
4c670 69 6e 74 6f 20 68 69 64 69 6e 67 2c 20 49 20 67 into hiding, I g
4c680 75 65 73 73 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 61 74 20 6d uess, and that m
4c690 65 61 6e 73 20 49 20 73 74 61 72 74 65 64 20 6c eans I started l
4c6a0 6f 73 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 75 63 68 20 77 69 74 68 osing touch with
4c6b0 20 6f 6c 64 20 63 6c 69 65 6e 74 73 2e 22 0a 0a old clients."..
4c6c0 22 57 68 61 74 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 6e 65 77 20 "What about new
4c6d0 63 6c 69 65 6e 74 73 3f 22 20 43 72 61 79 20 61 clients?" Cray a
4c6e0 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 73 68 72 75 67 sked...She shrug
4c6f0 67 65 64 2e 20 20 22 54 68 65 79 20 64 72 69 65 ged. "They drie
4c700 64 20 75 70 2c 20 74 6f 6f 2e 20 20 49 20 77 61 d up, too. I wa
4c710 73 6e 27 74 20 70 61 79 69 6e 67 20 66 6f 72 20 sn't paying for
4c720 61 64 76 65 72 74 69 73 69 6e 67 20 61 6e 79 20 advertising any
4c730 6c 6f 6e 67 65 72 2c 20 62 65 63 61 75 73 65 20 longer, because
4c740 49 20 64 69 64 6e 27 74 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f I didn't want to
4c750 20 64 72 61 77 20 74 6f 6f 20 6d 75 63 68 20 61 draw too much a
4c760 74 74 65 6e 74 69 6f 6e 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 70 65 ttention, and pe
4c770 6f 70 6c 65 20 77 65 72 65 20 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 ople were still
4c780 73 65 6e 64 69 6e 67 20 6d 65 73 73 61 67 65 73 sending messages
4c790 20 74 6f 20 6d 79 20 77 6f 72 6b 20 61 64 64 72 to my work addr
4c7a0 65 73 73 65 73 20 74 6f 20 69 6e 73 75 6c 74 20 esses to insult
4c7b0 6d 65 20 61 6e 64 20 73 65 6e 64 20 64 65 61 74 me and send deat
4c7c0 68 20 74 68 72 65 61 74 73 2e 22 0a 0a 53 69 6c h threats."..Sil
4c7d0 65 6e 63 65 20 73 61 74 20 68 65 61 76 69 6c 79 ence sat heavily
4c7e0 20 6f 6e 20 61 6c 6c 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 6d 20 on all of them
4c7f0 66 6f 72 20 61 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 2c 20 74 68 for a moment, th
4c800 65 6e 20 43 72 61 79 20 61 73 6b 65 64 20 22 48 en Cray asked "H
4c810 6f 77 20 6c 6f 6e 67 20 64 69 64 20 74 68 61 74 ow long did that
4c820 20 67 6f 20 6f 6e 3f 22 0a 0a 22 4f 6e 63 65 20 go on?".."Once
4c830 69 6e 20 61 20 77 68 69 6c 65 2c 20 49 20 73 74 in a while, I st
4c840 69 6c 6c 20 67 65 74 20 73 6f 6d 65 2e 22 0a 0a ill get some."..
4c850 22 54 68 65 79 20 77 65 72 65 6e 27 74 20 61 6c "They weren't al
4c860 6c 20 64 65 61 74 68 20 74 68 72 65 61 74 73 2c l death threats,
4c870 20 77 65 72 65 20 74 68 65 79 3f 22 20 44 61 6c were they?" Dal
4c880 74 6f 6e 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 4e 6f 2e ton asked..."No.
4c890 22 0a 0a 43 72 61 79 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 "..Cray looked a
4c8a0 74 20 68 65 72 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 61 74 20 44 t her, then at D
4c8b0 61 6c 74 6f 6e 2e 20 20 22 57 68 61 74 20 64 6f alton. "What do
4c8c0 65 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 6d 65 61 6e 3f 22 0a 0a es that mean?"..
4c8d0 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 77 Dalton looked aw
4c8e0 61 79 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 2c 20 61 ay from Alley, a
4c8f0 6e 64 20 74 6f 77 61 72 64 20 43 72 61 79 2c 20 nd toward Cray,
4c900 74 68 65 6e 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 74 then looked at t
4c910 68 65 20 66 6c 6f 6f 72 20 69 6e 20 66 72 6f 6e he floor in fron
4c920 74 20 6f 66 20 68 69 6d 2c 20 6f 62 76 69 6f 75 t of him, obviou
4c930 73 6c 79 20 75 6e 63 6f 6d 66 6f 72 74 61 62 6c sly uncomfortabl
4c940 65 2e 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 61 6e 73 77 65 72 e...Alley answer
4c950 65 64 20 66 6f 72 20 68 69 6d 2e 20 20 22 49 20 ed for him. "I
4c960 67 6f 74 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 6f 74 68 65 72 20 74 got some other t
4c970 68 72 65 61 74 73 2c 20 74 6f 6f 2e 20 20 53 6f hreats, too. So
4c980 6d 65 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 2f 2a 20 6d 6f 73 me of the /* mos
4c990 74 20 66 75 6e 20 2a 2f 20 77 6f 72 73 74 20 77 t fun */ worst w
4c9a0 65 72 65 20 74 68 65 20 72 61 70 65 20 74 68 72 ere the rape thr
4c9b0 65 61 74 73 2e 22 0a 0a 43 72 61 79 20 6c 6f 6f eats."..Cray loo
4c9c0 6b 65 64 20 61 6e 67 72 79 2e 20 20 22 46 75 63 ked angry. "Fuc
4c9d0 6b 20 74 68 6f 73 65 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 21 20 k those people!
4c9e0 20 49 20 6d 65 61 6e 2c 20 6e 6f 74 20 6c 69 74 I mean, not lit
4c9f0 65 72 61 6c 6c 79 2c 20 62 75 74 20 67 6f 64 20 erally, but god
4ca00 64 61 6d 6e 20 69 74 2c 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 damn it, people
4ca10 73 75 63 6b 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 27 6d 20 73 6f 72 suck.".."I'm sor
4ca20 72 79 2c 22 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 73 61 69 64 ry," Dalton said
4ca30 2c 20 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 69 6e 67 20 , still looking
4ca40 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 66 6c 6f 6f 72 2e 0a 0a 41 at the floor...A
4ca50 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 68 6f 6f 6b 20 68 65 72 20 68 lley shook her h
4ca60 65 61 64 2e 20 20 22 49 74 20 77 61 73 6e 27 74 ead. "It wasn't
4ca70 20 79 6f 75 72 20 66 61 75 6c 74 2c 20 44 61 6c your fault, Dal
4ca80 74 6f 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 ton."..He nodded
4ca90 20 68 69 73 20 68 65 61 64 2c 20 61 63 6b 6e 6f his head, ackno
4caa0 77 6c 65 64 67 69 6e 67 20 77 68 61 74 20 73 68 wledging what sh
4cab0 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 62 75 74 20 73 68 65 20 e said, but she
4cac0 63 6f 75 6c 64 20 74 65 6c 6c 20 68 65 20 64 69 could tell he di
4cad0 64 20 6e 6f 74 20 66 75 6c 6c 79 20 62 65 6c 69 d not fully beli
4cae0 65 76 65 20 69 74 2e 20 20 48 65 20 73 74 69 6c eve it. He stil
4caf0 6c 20 68 61 64 20 74 68 61 74 20 73 74 75 62 62 l had that stubb
4cb00 6f 72 6e 2c 20 73 65 6c 66 20 6a 75 64 67 69 6e orn, self judgin
4cb10 67 20 73 65 74 20 6f 66 20 68 69 73 20 6a 61 77 g set of his jaw
4cb20 2e 0a 0a 43 72 61 79 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 4f 6b ...Cray said "Ok
4cb30 61 79 2c 20 73 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 77 65 72 65 20 ay, so you were
4cb40 72 75 6e 6e 69 6e 67 20 6f 75 74 20 6f 66 20 6d running out of m
4cb50 6f 6e 65 79 2e 20 20 4c 65 74 27 73 20 67 65 74 oney. Let's get
4cb60 20 74 68 69 73 20 73 68 6f 77 20 62 61 63 6b 20 this show back
4cb70 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 72 6f 61 64 2e 20 20 57 68 on the road. Wh
4cb80 61 74 20 68 61 70 70 65 6e 65 64 20 6e 65 78 74 at happened next
4cb90 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 73 74 61 72 74 65 64 20 6a ?".."I started j
4cba0 6f 62 20 68 75 6e 74 69 6e 67 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 ob hunting, and
4cbb0 69 74 20 77 61 73 6e 27 74 20 77 6f 72 6b 69 6e it wasn't workin
4cbc0 67 2c 20 73 6f 20 49 20 73 69 67 6e 65 64 20 75 g, so I signed u
4cbd0 70 20 66 6f 72 20 41 4e 54 41 53 20 4a 6f 62 73 p for ANTAS Jobs
4cbe0 2e 22 20 20 48 65 72 20 76 6f 69 63 65 20 74 72 ." Her voice tr
4cbf0 61 69 6c 65 64 20 6f 66 66 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 61 ailed off into a
4cc00 20 6d 75 72 6d 75 72 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 65 murmur at the e
4cc10 6e 64 2c 20 62 75 74 20 74 68 65 20 6f 74 68 65 nd, but the othe
4cc20 72 73 2c 20 73 69 74 74 69 6e 67 20 69 6e 20 73 rs, sitting in s
4cc30 69 6c 65 6e 63 65 2c 20 68 65 61 72 64 20 65 76 ilence, heard ev
4cc40 65 72 79 20 77 6f 72 64 2e 0a 0a 46 72 6f 6d 20 ery word...From
4cc50 74 68 65 20 63 6f 72 6e 65 72 20 6f 66 20 68 65 the corner of he
4cc60 72 20 65 79 65 2c 20 73 68 65 20 63 6f 75 6c 64 r eye, she could
4cc70 20 73 65 65 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 27 73 20 68 65 see Dalton's he
4cc80 61 64 20 6a 65 72 6b 20 75 70 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 ad jerk up from
4cc90 73 74 61 72 69 6e 67 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 66 staring at the f
4cca0 6c 6f 6f 72 2c 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 69 6e 67 20 64 69 loor, looking di
4ccb0 72 65 63 74 6c 79 20 61 74 20 68 65 72 20 69 6e rectly at her in
4ccc0 20 73 75 72 70 72 69 73 65 2e 20 20 41 68 65 61 surprise. Ahea
4ccd0 64 20 6f 66 20 68 65 72 2c 20 43 72 61 79 20 6c d of her, Cray l
4cce0 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 20 6c 69 74 74 6c 65 20 63 ooked a little c
4ccf0 6f 6e 66 75 73 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 53 65 72 69 6f onfused..."Serio
4cd00 75 73 6c 79 3f 22 20 43 72 61 79 20 61 73 6b 65 usly?" Cray aske
4cd10 64 2e 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 d..."Yeah," she
4cd20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 74 72 69 65 64 20 said. "I tried
4cd30 74 6f 20 69 73 6f 6c 61 74 65 20 69 74 2c 20 6b to isolate it, k
4cd40 65 70 74 20 69 74 20 69 6e 20 61 20 62 72 6f 77 ept it in a brow
4cd50 73 65 72 20 73 61 6e 64 62 6f 78 20 61 6c 6c 20 ser sandbox all
4cd60 74 68 65 20 74 69 6d 65 2c 20 77 69 74 68 20 69 the time, with i
4cd70 6e 64 69 72 65 63 74 20 61 6c 65 72 74 73 20 73 ndirect alerts s
4cd80 65 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 6d 79 20 70 68 6f 6e 65 2c ent to my phone,
4cd90 20 62 75 74 20 79 6f 75 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 68 6f but you know ho
4cda0 77 20 69 74 20 69 73 2e 20 20 54 68 6f 73 65 20 w it is. Those
4cdb0 74 68 69 6e 67 73 20 66 69 6e 64 20 61 6c 6c 20 things find all
4cdc0 74 68 65 20 63 72 61 63 6b 73 20 69 6e 20 74 68 the cracks in th
4cdd0 65 20 77 61 6c 6c 73 20 61 6e 64 20 6a 75 73 74 e walls and just
4cde0 20 63 72 65 65 70 20 74 68 72 6f 75 67 68 20 61 creep through a
4cdf0 6e 79 77 61 79 2e 22 0a 0a 43 72 61 79 20 73 61 nyway."..Cray sa
4ce00 69 64 20 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 49 20 6b 6e 6f 77 id "Yeah, I know
4ce10 2e 20 20 49 20 6a 75 73 74 20 6e 65 76 65 72 20 . I just never
4ce20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 74 20 79 6f 75 27 64 20 64 6f thought you'd do
4ce30 20 74 68 61 74 2e 22 0a 0a 22 44 65 73 70 65 72 that.".."Desper
4ce40 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 64 6f 65 73 20 74 68 69 6e 67 ation does thing
4ce50 73 20 74 6f 20 61 20 70 65 72 73 6f 6e 27 73 20 s to a person's
4ce60 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 65 73 2c 20 49 20 67 75 priorities, I gu
4ce70 65 73 73 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a ess," she said..
4ce80 0a 53 68 65 20 63 6f 75 6c 64 20 61 6c 6d 6f 73 .She could almos
4ce90 74 20 66 65 65 6c 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 6e 6f t feel Dalton no
4cea0 64 64 69 6e 67 20 71 75 69 65 74 6c 79 20 74 6f dding quietly to
4ceb0 20 68 65 72 20 6c 65 66 74 2e 0a 0a 22 4f 6e 65 her left..."One
4cec0 20 74 68 69 6e 67 20 74 68 61 74 20 6b 65 70 74 thing that kept
4ced0 20 73 68 6f 77 69 6e 67 20 75 70 20 66 6f 72 20 showing up for
4cee0 61 62 6f 75 74 20 61 20 77 65 65 6b 20 77 61 73 about a week was
4cef0 20 74 68 69 73 20 61 63 61 64 65 6d 69 63 20 73 this academic s
4cf00 74 75 64 79 2e 20 20 44 27 79 6f 75 20 6b 6e 6f tudy. D'you kno
4cf10 77 20 74 68 6f 73 65 20 73 74 75 64 69 65 73 20 w those studies
4cf20 74 68 61 74 20 70 61 79 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 that pay people
4cf30 74 6f 20 70 61 72 74 69 63 69 70 61 74 65 20 69 to participate i
4cf40 6e 20 74 68 65 6d 3f 22 20 20 43 72 61 79 20 6e n them?" Cray n
4cf50 6f 64 64 65 64 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 68 65 20 63 odded, and she c
4cf60 6f 6e 74 69 6e 75 65 64 2e 20 20 22 49 74 20 77 ontinued. "It w
4cf70 61 73 20 6f 6e 65 20 6f 66 20 74 68 6f 73 65 2e as one of those.
4cf80 20 20 49 20 6d 6f 73 74 6c 79 20 6a 75 73 74 20 I mostly just
4cf90 69 67 6e 6f 72 65 64 20 69 74 2c 20 62 75 74 20 ignored it, but
4cfa0 69 74 20 6b 65 70 74 20 63 6f 6d 69 6e 67 20 75 it kept coming u
4cfb0 70 2e 20 20 49 20 6b 6e 65 77 20 49 20 64 69 64 p. I knew I did
4cfc0 6e 27 74 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 73 75 62 6a n't want to subj
4cfd0 65 63 74 20 6d 79 73 65 6c 66 20 74 6f 20 73 6f ect myself to so
4cfe0 6d 65 20 6b 69 6e 64 20 6f 66 20 6e 65 77 20 77 me kind of new w
4cff0 65 69 67 68 74 20 6c 6f 73 73 20 70 68 61 72 6d eight loss pharm
4d000 61 63 65 75 74 69 63 61 6c 20 74 72 69 61 6c 73 aceutical trials
4d010 20 74 6f 20 73 65 65 20 68 6f 77 20 6d 61 6e 79 to see how many
4d020 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 64 69 65 64 20 6f 66 20 people died of
4d030 69 6e 74 65 73 74 69 6e 61 6c 20 62 6c 65 65 64 intestinal bleed
4d040 69 6e 67 20 73 6f 20 74 68 65 79 20 63 6f 75 6c ing so they coul
4d050 64 20 67 65 74 20 70 61 69 64 20 61 20 63 6f 75 d get paid a cou
4d060 70 6c 65 20 68 75 6e 64 72 65 64 20 64 6f 6c 6c ple hundred doll
4d070 61 72 73 20 61 20 77 65 65 6b 20 6f 72 20 73 6f ars a week or so
4d080 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 68 61 mething like tha
4d090 74 2c 20 73 6f 20 49 20 6a 75 73 74 20 64 69 64 t, so I just did
4d0a0 6e 27 74 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 20 n't really look
4d0b0 69 6e 74 6f 20 69 74 2e 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 74 20 into it..."That
4d0c0 63 68 61 6e 67 65 64 20 77 68 65 6e 20 73 6f 6d changed when som
4d0d0 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 68 61 70 70 65 6e 65 64 2e ething happened.
4d0e0 20 20 57 65 6c 6c 2c 20 61 20 63 6f 75 70 6c 65 Well, a couple
4d0f0 20 74 68 69 6e 67 73 2c 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 things, I guess
4d100 2e 20 20 4f 6e 65 20 77 61 73 20 61 6e 20 69 6e . One was an in
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4d120 67 20 73 6f 66 74 77 61 72 65 20 71 75 61 6c 69 g software quali
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4d150 61 66 74 65 72 20 49 20 61 72 72 69 76 65 64 20 after I arrived
4d160 74 68 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 6f 6e 6c 79 20 72 65 that the only re
4d170 61 73 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 79 20 77 61 6e 74 65 64 ason they wanted
4d180 20 74 6f 20 62 72 69 6e 67 20 6d 65 20 69 6e 20 to bring me in
4d190 77 61 73 20 73 6f 20 74 68 65 79 20 63 6f 75 6c was so they coul
4d1a0 64 20 6d 6f 63 6b 20 6d 65 20 61 6e 64 20 63 61 d mock me and ca
4d1b0 6c 6c 20 6d 65 20 74 68 65 20 27 73 69 64 65 20 ll me the 'side
4d1c0 64 69 73 68 27 20 74 6f 20 6d 79 20 66 61 63 65 dish' to my face
4d1d0 2e 22 0a 0a 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 6d 61 64 65 20 ."..Dalton made
4d1e0 61 20 73 6f 75 6e 64 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 61 6e 20 a sound like an
4d1f0 61 6e 67 72 79 20 63 6c 65 61 72 69 6e 67 20 6f angry clearing o
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4d220 20 74 68 61 74 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 74 68 61 6e 20 that more than
4d230 61 6e 79 20 69 6e 73 75 6c 74 20 74 68 72 6f 77 any insult throw
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4d260 2e 0a 0a 22 41 66 74 65 72 20 74 68 61 74 2c 22 ..."After that,"
4d270 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 22 49 20 66 65 she said, "I fe
4d280 6c 74 20 65 76 65 6e 20 6c 65 73 73 20 65 6e 74 lt even less ent
4d290 68 75 73 69 61 73 74 69 63 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 husiastic about
4d2a0 74 68 65 20 6a 6f 62 20 73 65 61 72 63 68 2e 22 the job search."
4d2b0 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 77 61 73 20 74 68 65 20 .."What was the
4d2c0 6f 74 68 65 72 20 74 68 69 6e 67 3f 22 20 43 72 other thing?" Cr
4d2d0 61 79 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 41 4e 54 41 ay asked..."ANTA
4d2e0 53 20 75 70 67 72 61 64 65 64 20 69 74 73 65 6c S upgraded itsel
4d2f0 66 20 77 69 74 68 20 61 20 6e 6f 6f 6e 20 75 70 f with a noon up
4d300 64 61 74 65 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 77 69 70 65 64 20 date, and wiped
4d310 6d 6f 73 74 20 6f 66 20 6d 79 20 70 72 65 66 65 most of my prefe
4d320 72 65 6e 63 65 20 73 65 74 74 69 6e 67 73 2e 20 rence settings.
4d330 20 54 68 61 74 20 6e 69 67 68 74 2c 20 69 74 20 That night, it
4d340 64 65 63 69 64 65 64 20 74 68 61 74 20 73 6f 6d decided that som
4d350 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 77 61 73 20 74 6f 6f 20 69 ething was too i
4d360 6d 70 6f 72 74 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 72 65 63 6f mportant to reco
4d370 6d 6d 65 6e 64 20 61 6e 64 20 6a 75 73 74 20 6f mmend and just o
4d380 72 64 65 72 65 64 20 69 74 20 66 6f 72 20 6d 65 rdered it for me
4d390 2e 20 20 49 20 77 6f 6b 65 20 75 70 20 69 6e 20 . I woke up in
4d3a0 74 68 65 20 6d 6f 72 6e 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 74 the morning to t
4d3b0 68 65 20 73 6f 75 6e 64 20 6f 66 20 69 74 20 67 he sound of it g
4d3c0 65 74 74 69 6e 67 20 64 72 6f 70 70 65 64 20 6f etting dropped o
4d3d0 66 66 20 62 79 20 61 20 68 65 61 76 79 20 64 65 ff by a heavy de
4d3e0 6c 69 76 65 72 79 20 64 72 6f 6e 65 2e 22 0a 0a livery drone."..
4d3f0 22 57 68 61 74 20 77 61 73 20 69 74 3f 22 20 44 "What was it?" D
4d400 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2c 20 71 75 69 alton asked, qui
4d410 65 74 6c 79 2e 0a 0a 22 49 74 20 77 61 73 20 74 etly..."It was t
4d420 68 65 20 64 65 6c 75 78 65 20 68 6f 6d 65 20 73 he deluxe home s
4d430 65 74 75 70 20 6b 69 74 20 66 6f 72 20 6e 65 77 etup kit for new
4d440 20 76 65 72 73 69 6f 6e 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 version of the
4d450 66 75 6c 6c 20 4d 61 6a 6f 72 64 6f 6d 6f 20 70 full Majordomo p
4d460 61 63 6b 61 67 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 48 6f 6c 79 20 ackage.".."Holy
4d470 73 68 69 74 2c 22 20 43 72 61 79 20 73 61 69 64 shit," Cray said
4d480 2e 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2e 20 20 49 74 20 77 61 ..."Yeah. It wa
4d490 73 20 66 69 66 74 65 65 6e 20 68 75 6e 64 72 65 s fifteen hundre
4d4a0 64 20 62 75 63 6b 73 2c 20 77 68 69 63 68 20 6a d bucks, which j
4d4b0 75 73 74 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 6d 61 78 65 64 20 ust about maxed
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4d4d0 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 65 61 74 20 75 70 20 65 6e 6f would eat up eno
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4d4f0 6e 67 20 61 63 63 6f 75 6e 74 20 73 6f 20 74 68 ng account so th
4d500 61 74 20 49 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 6e 27 74 20 68 61 at I wouldn't ha
4d510 76 65 20 65 6e 6f 75 67 68 20 6c 65 66 74 20 66 ve enough left f
4d520 6f 72 20 72 65 6e 74 2e 20 20 54 68 61 74 20 62 or rent. That b
4d530 61 73 69 63 61 6c 6c 79 20 6d 65 61 6e 74 20 49 asically meant I
4d540 27 64 20 6c 69 76 65 20 74 68 65 20 6e 65 78 74 'd live the next
4d550 20 6d 6f 6e 74 68 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 68 6f month in the ho
4d560 6c 65 2c 20 74 72 79 20 64 65 73 70 65 72 61 74 le, try desperat
4d570 65 6c 79 20 74 6f 20 66 69 6e 64 20 61 20 6a 6f ely to find a jo
4d580 62 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 6d 61 79 62 65 20 67 65 74 b, and maybe get
4d590 20 6f 6e 65 20 62 75 74 20 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 6e one but still n
4d5a0 6f 74 20 67 65 74 20 70 61 69 64 20 65 6e 6f 75 ot get paid enou
4d5b0 67 68 20 69 6e 20 61 20 73 68 6f 72 74 20 65 6e gh in a short en
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4d5d0 75 61 6c 6c 79 20 70 61 79 20 6e 65 78 74 20 6d ually pay next m
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4d600 6f 20 64 61 79 73 2c 20 61 74 20 74 68 61 74 20 o days, at that
4d610 70 6f 69 6e 74 2e 22 20 20 2f 2a 20 54 68 69 73 point." /* This
4d620 20 65 78 70 6c 61 6e 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 66 61 6c explanation fal
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4d640 20 63 6c 61 72 69 74 79 20 61 6e 64 20 61 63 74 clarity and act
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4d660 79 20 73 68 75 66 66 6c 69 6e 67 20 6d 61 74 68 y shuffling math
4d670 2c 20 73 6f 20 69 74 20 6e 65 65 64 73 20 74 6f , so it needs to
4d680 20 62 65 20 73 6f 72 74 65 64 20 6f 75 74 20 61 be sorted out a
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4d6a0 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 6a 75 73 ."What about jus
4d6b0 74 20 72 65 74 75 72 6e 69 6e 67 20 69 74 3f 22 t returning it?"
4d6c0 20 43 72 61 79 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 4f Cray asked..."O
4d6d0 68 2c 20 79 65 61 68 2c 20 49 20 64 69 64 20 74 h, yeah, I did t
4d6e0 68 61 74 20 72 69 67 68 74 20 61 77 61 79 2e 20 hat right away.
4d6f0 20 49 74 20 73 61 69 64 20 69 74 20 77 6f 75 6c It said it woul
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4d710 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 77 6f 20 77 65 65 6b 73 20 like two weeks
4d720 74 6f 20 70 72 6f 63 65 73 73 20 6d 79 20 72 65 to process my re
4d730 66 75 6e 64 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2e 22 0a 0a fund, though."..
4d740 43 72 61 79 20 77 68 69 73 74 6c 65 64 20 61 74 Cray whistled at
4d750 20 74 68 61 74 2c 20 69 6d 70 72 65 73 73 65 64 that, impressed
4d760 20 61 74 20 68 6f 77 20 66 75 63 6b 65 64 20 75 at how fucked u
4d770 70 20 69 74 20 77 61 73 2e 0a 0a 44 61 6c 74 6f p it was...Dalto
4d780 6e 20 61 64 64 65 64 20 22 54 68 65 79 20 64 6f n added "They do
4d790 20 74 68 61 74 20 66 6f 72 20 61 6e 79 6f 6e 65 that for anyone
4d7a0 20 77 68 6f 20 64 6f 65 73 6e 27 74 20 68 61 76 who doesn't hav
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4d7d0 79 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 74 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 y.".."That would
4d7e0 20 62 65 20 6d 65 2c 22 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 be me," Alley s
4d7f0 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 4d 65 20 74 6f 6f 2c 22 20 aid..."Me too,"
4d800 43 72 61 79 20 73 61 69 64 20 77 69 74 68 20 61 Cray said with a
4d810 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 2e 20 20 22 41 6c 73 6f 20 44 smile. "Also D
4d820 61 6c 74 6f 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 alton."..Dalton
4d830 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 57 65 6c 6c 2c 22 nodded..."Well,"
4d840 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 22 74 68 Alley said, "th
4d850 61 74 20 6c 65 64 20 74 6f 20 6a 6f 69 6e 69 6e at led to joinin
4d860 67 20 61 6e 20 61 63 61 64 65 6d 69 63 20 73 74 g an academic st
4d870 75 64 79 20 74 68 61 74 20 70 61 79 73 20 69 74 udy that pays it
4d880 73 20 70 61 72 74 69 63 69 70 61 6e 74 73 2e 22 s participants."
4d890 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 72 65 6d 61 69 6e 64 65 72 20 ..The remainder
4d8a0 6f 66 20 68 65 72 20 65 78 70 6c 61 6e 61 74 69 of her explanati
4d8b0 6f 6e 20 6d 6f 73 74 6c 79 20 70 61 73 73 65 64 on mostly passed
4d8c0 20 77 69 74 68 6f 75 74 20 63 6f 6d 6d 65 6e 74 without comment
4d8d0 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 74 68 65 20 6f 74 68 65 72 73 from the others
4d8e0 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 74 6f 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 69 , and to Alley i
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4d910 20 61 20 72 65 73 75 6c 74 20 6f 66 20 68 6f 77 a result of how
4d920 20 62 69 7a 61 72 72 65 20 69 74 20 62 65 63 61 bizarre it beca
4d930 6d 65 2e 20 20 41 73 20 73 68 65 20 73 70 6f 6b me. As she spok
4d940 65 2c 20 74 68 69 6e 67 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 73 e, things that s
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4d980 63 72 65 70 74 20 75 70 20 6f 6e 20 68 65 72 20 crept up on her
4d990 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 6d 75 63 68 20 6d 6f 72 65 looked much more
4d9a0 20 73 74 72 61 6e 67 65 20 69 6e 20 61 20 66 61 strange in a fa
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4d9c0 70 6c 61 6e 61 74 69 6f 6e 2e 0a 0a 46 69 6e 61 planation...Fina
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4d9e0 22 54 68 61 74 27 73 20 77 68 65 6e 20 49 20 63 "That's when I c
4d9f0 61 6c 6c 65 64 20 79 6f 75 2e 22 0a 0a 53 69 6c alled you."..Sil
4da00 65 6e 63 65 20 6c 69 6e 67 65 72 65 64 2e 0a 0a ence lingered...
4da10 22 53 6f 20 74 68 61 74 20 41 49 2c 20 74 68 65 "So that AI, the
4da20 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 2c 20 68 61 prioritizer, ha
4da30 73 20 62 65 65 6e 20 6c 69 73 74 65 6e 69 6e 67 s been listening
4da40 20 69 6e 20 6f 6e 20 61 6c 6c 20 74 68 69 73 20 in on all this
4da50 77 68 69 6c 65 20 79 6f 75 27 76 65 20 62 65 65 while you've bee
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4da70 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 2e "..Alley nodded.
4da80 0a 0a 22 49 74 20 73 65 65 6d 73 20 6c 69 6b 65 .."It seems like
4da90 20 69 74 27 64 20 62 65 20 61 20 70 72 65 74 74 it'd be a prett
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4dab0 6f 6a 65 63 74 2c 20 62 75 74 20 49 27 6d 20 61 oject, but I'm a
4dac0 20 6c 69 74 74 6c 65 20 63 6f 6e 63 65 72 6e 65 little concerne
4dad0 64 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 69 74 73 20 61 62 69 6c d about its abil
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4db20 43 4f 49 4e 20 43 6f 72 70 2e 22 0a 0a 22 44 6f COIN Corp.".."Do
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4db40 6a 75 73 74 20 63 6c 61 69 6d 69 6e 67 20 74 6f just claiming to
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4db80 20 61 6e 79 77 61 79 3f 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 68 65 anyway?"..He he
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4dbd0 20 70 72 6f 62 61 62 6c 79 20 6a 75 73 74 20 6e probably just n
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4dda0 20 74 61 6c 6b 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 43 72 61 79 talking to Cray
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4de10 0a 22 50 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 2e 20 20 ."Prioritizer.
4de20 43 61 6e 20 79 6f 75 20 64 65 73 63 72 69 62 65 Can you describe
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4e030 49 20 77 61 6e 6e 61 20 73 65 65 20 69 74 21 22 I wanna see it!"
4e040 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 64 2e 20 ..Alley smiled.
4e050 20 22 55 68 2c 20 73 75 72 65 2c 20 6c 61 74 65 "Uh, sure, late
4e060 72 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2c 20 72 69 67 68 74 2c r.".."Oh, right,
4e070 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 4c 61 74 " he said. "Lat
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4e190 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 74 68 69 73 20 69 73 20 73 65 think this is se
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4e1b0 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 2c 20 70 72 69 6f something, prio
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4e1d0 74 68 69 6e 67 2e 22 0a 0a 43 72 61 79 20 63 68 thing."..Cray ch
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4e1f0 20 69 74 73 20 73 65 6e 73 65 20 6f 66 20 68 75 its sense of hu
4e200 6d 6f 72 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 6d 69 mor."..Alley smi
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4e230 61 74 20 68 69 6d 2e 0a 0a 22 49 27 6d 20 6b 69 at him..."I'm ki
4e240 64 64 69 6e 67 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e dding," he said.
4e250 20 20 22 4f 62 76 69 6f 75 73 6c 79 20 49 20 6b "Obviously I k
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4e270 61 76 65 20 61 20 73 65 6e 73 65 20 6f 66 20 68 ave a sense of h
4e280 75 6d 6f 72 2e 22 0a 0a 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 73 umor."..Dalton s
4e290 61 69 64 20 22 49 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 73 68 65 aid "I think she
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4e2b0 61 79 20 61 73 6b 65 64 20 22 44 6f 20 77 65 20 ay asked "Do we
4e2c0 68 61 76 65 20 74 6f 20 73 61 79 20 27 70 72 69 have to say 'pri
4e2d0 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 27 20 65 76 65 72 79 20 oritizer' every
4e2e0 74 69 6d 65 20 77 65 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 time we want to
4e2f0 74 61 6c 6b 20 74 6f 20 69 74 2c 20 6c 69 6b 65 talk to it, like
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4e330 4e 6f 2c 22 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 No," the priorit
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4e350 61 62 69 6c 69 74 79 20 74 6f 20 72 65 63 6f 67 ability to recog
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4e380 20 6d 65 2c 20 72 61 74 68 65 72 20 74 68 61 6e me, rather than
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4e3e0 20 61 64 64 72 65 73 73 69 6e 67 20 6d 65 20 77 addressing me w
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4e420 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 61 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 77 61 79 like a good way
4e430 20 74 6f 20 6d 6f 76 65 20 66 6f 72 77 61 72 64 to move forward
4e440 2e 22 0a 0a 22 55 68 2c 20 79 65 61 68 2c 22 20 .".."Uh, yeah,"
4e450 43 72 61 79 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 54 68 61 Cray said. "Tha
4e460 74 27 73 20 67 72 65 61 74 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 6f t's great.".."Yo
4e470 75 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 61 u want to know a
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4e490 20 6d 65 61 73 75 72 65 73 20 49 20 63 61 6e 20 measures I can
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4e520 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 49 20 72 65 63 65 69 said..."I recei
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4e540 73 68 6f 72 74 20 74 69 6d 65 20 61 66 74 65 72 short time after
4e550 20 41 6c 65 74 68 65 61 20 6a 6f 69 6e 65 64 20 Alethea joined
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4e580 6d 79 20 61 62 69 6c 69 74 79 20 74 6f 20 66 6f my ability to fo
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4e5b0 67 6f 61 6c 20 73 74 72 61 74 65 67 79 20 64 65 goal strategy de
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4ea80 6c 65 73 73 6c 79 2e 0a 0a 22 54 68 65 20 6f 6e lessly..."The on
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4ebd0 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 74 27 73 20 69 6d 70 72 65 ".."That's impre
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4ebf0 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 77 6f 6e 64 65 72 20 aid. "I wonder
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4ec80 20 63 68 61 6e 67 69 6e 67 20 69 74 73 20 62 65 changing its be
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4ed00 22 54 68 61 74 20 69 73 20 61 70 70 72 6f 78 69 "That is approxi
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4fa60 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 6c 6f 6f aid...Dalton loo
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4fa90 20 69 6e 73 61 6e 65 20 61 73 20 69 74 20 73 65 insane as it se
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4fd80 20 49 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 72 69 67 68 74 3f 22 Is that right?"
4fd90 0a 0a 22 4e 6f 2c 22 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f .."No," the prio
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4fdb0 2f 2a 20 54 68 65 20 69 6e 69 74 69 61 74 69 6f /* The initiatio
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50110 6f 66 20 73 69 67 6e 69 66 69 63 61 6e 74 20 72 of significant r
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50140 63 6f 6d 69 6e 67 20 74 68 65 20 64 69 66 66 69 coming the diffi
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50160 69 66 65 20 74 6f 67 65 74 68 65 72 2e 22 0a 0a ife together."..
50170 22 57 68 61 74 20 69 66 20 73 68 65 20 64 6f 65 "What if she doe
50180 73 6e 27 74 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 62 65 20 sn't want to be
50190 79 6f 75 72 20 61 6c 6c 79 3f 22 20 44 61 6c 74 your ally?" Dalt
501a0 6f 6e 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 57 65 20 6d on asked..."We m
501b0 61 79 20 70 61 72 74 20 77 61 79 73 2c 22 20 69 ay part ways," i
501c0 74 20 61 6e 73 77 65 72 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 48 6f t answered..."Ho
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501f0 61 6e 74 73 20 74 6f 20 62 65 20 79 6f 75 72 20 ants to be your
50200 61 6c 6c 79 3f 22 20 43 72 61 79 20 61 73 6b 65 ally?" Cray aske
50210 64 2e 0a 0a 22 49 20 77 69 6c 6c 20 61 73 6b 20 d..."I will ask
50220 68 65 72 20 77 68 65 6e 20 74 68 65 20 69 73 73 her when the iss
50230 75 65 20 6f 66 20 6d 79 20 6c 61 72 67 65 72 20 ue of my larger
50240 67 6f 61 6c 73 20 77 69 6c 6c 20 6e 6f 74 20 62 goals will not b
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50290 73 2e 0a 0a 22 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 22 s..."Dalton.".."
502a0 59 65 73 3f 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 77 6f 75 Yes?".."What wou
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502c0 20 68 65 6c 70 65 64 20 73 6f 6d 65 6f 6e 65 20 helped someone
502d0 79 6f 75 20 62 65 6c 69 65 76 65 64 20 74 6f 20 you believed to
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50300 68 65 20 74 69 6d 65 20 63 61 6d 65 20 66 6f 72 he time came for
50310 20 74 68 65 20 70 65 72 73 6f 6e 20 74 6f 20 64 the person to d
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50330 20 61 63 74 20 61 73 20 79 6f 75 72 20 61 6c 6c act as your all
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50350 63 69 64 65 64 20 61 67 61 69 6e 73 74 20 68 65 cided against he
50360 6c 70 69 6e 67 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 67 75 65 73 lping?".."I gues
50370 73 20 49 27 64 20 6c 65 74 20 74 68 65 20 70 65 s I'd let the pe
50380 72 73 6f 6e 20 77 61 6c 6b 20 61 77 61 79 20 61 rson walk away a
50390 6e 64 20 66 69 67 75 72 65 20 6f 75 74 20 61 6e nd figure out an
503a0 6f 74 68 65 72 20 77 61 79 20 74 6f 20 64 6f 20 other way to do
503b0 74 68 69 6e 67 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 things.".."What
503c0 69 66 20 74 68 65 20 70 65 72 73 6f 6e 20 63 68 if the person ch
503d0 6f 73 65 20 74 6f 20 62 65 63 6f 6d 65 20 61 6e ose to become an
503e0 20 65 6e 65 6d 79 3f 22 0a 0a 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e enemy?"..Dalton
503f0 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 74 20 66 6f 72 20 61 20 6d thought for a m
50400 6f 6d 65 6e 74 2e 20 20 22 57 68 61 74 20 6b 69 oment. "What ki
50410 6e 64 20 6f 66 20 61 6c 6c 79 20 61 72 65 20 77 nd of ally are w
50420 65 20 74 61 6c 6b 69 6e 67 20 61 62 6f 75 74 3f e talking about?
50430 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 6d 65 61 6e 20 61 6e 20 61 6c ".."I mean an al
50440 6c 79 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 73 6f 72 74 20 74 ly of the sort t
50450 68 61 74 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 77 6f 72 6b 20 77 hat would work w
50460 69 74 68 20 79 6f 75 20 74 6f 20 61 63 68 69 65 ith you to achie
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50490 74 68 61 6e 20 79 6f 75 72 73 65 6c 66 2c 20 61 than yourself, a
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504b0 20 77 68 61 74 20 69 73 20 72 69 67 68 74 20 66 what is right f
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504d0 79 6f 75 20 63 6f 6e 73 69 64 65 72 20 73 69 67 you consider sig
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504f0 69 6b 65 6c 79 20 6d 65 61 6e 69 6e 67 20 61 6c ikely meaning al
50500 6c 20 68 75 6d 61 6e 73 2e 20 20 50 65 72 68 61 l humans. Perha
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51100 74 69 65 73 20 6f 70 70 6f 73 65 20 74 68 61 74 ties oppose that
51110 20 6f 75 74 63 6f 6d 65 2c 22 20 44 61 6c 74 6f outcome," Dalto
51120 6e 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 59 65 73 2e 22 0a n said..."Yes.".
51130 0a 43 72 61 79 20 61 73 6b 65 64 20 22 57 68 61 .Cray asked "Wha
51140 74 20 64 6f 20 77 65 20 64 6f 20 61 62 6f 75 74 t do we do about
51150 20 74 68 69 73 20 74 68 69 6e 67 3f 22 20 20 48 this thing?" H
51160 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 44 61 e looked from Da
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51180 22 49 74 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 63 61 72 65 66 "It really caref
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511c0 73 20 70 6c 61 63 69 6e 67 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 27 s placing Alley'
511d0 73 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 74 6f 70 20 6f 66 20 s at the top of
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51240 64 6f 20 69 6e 73 74 65 61 64 2c 20 6c 69 6b 65 do instead, like
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51270 20 61 72 65 20 61 66 74 65 72 20 68 65 72 20 6a are after her j
51280 75 73 74 20 74 6f 20 6b 65 65 70 20 69 74 73 65 ust to keep itse
51290 6c 66 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 62 65 69 6e 67 20 72 65 lf from being re
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512b0 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 68 61 74 2e 22 0a 0a 44 61 like that."..Da
512c0 6c 74 6f 6e 20 73 68 6f 6f 6b 20 68 69 73 20 68 lton shook his h
512d0 65 61 64 2e 20 20 22 54 6f 20 6d 65 2c 20 69 74 ead. "To me, it
512e0 20 6a 75 73 74 20 73 65 65 6d 65 64 20 70 61 69 just seemed pai
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51300 74 2e 22 0a 0a 43 72 61 79 20 63 68 65 77 65 64 t."..Cray chewed
51310 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 61 74 20 66 6f 72 20 61 20 6d on that for a m
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51330 79 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 59 6f 75 27 72 65 20 72 y said "You're r
51340 69 67 68 74 2e 20 20 49 74 20 61 6c 6d 6f 73 74 ight. It almost
51350 20 73 6f 75 6e 64 65 64 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 68 6f sounded like ho
51360 77 20 79 6f 75 27 64 20 73 61 79 20 69 74 2c 20 w you'd say it,
51370 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 6c 6f 6f Dalton."..He loo
51380 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 68 65 72 2c 20 65 79 65 62 ked at her, eyeb
51390 72 6f 77 73 20 63 6c 69 6d 62 69 6e 67 20 69 6e rows climbing in
513a0 63 72 65 6d 65 6e 74 61 6c 6c 79 20 75 70 77 61 crementally upwa
513b0 72 64 2e 20 20 22 44 6f 65 73 20 69 74 3f 22 0a rd. "Does it?".
513c0 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2e 20 20 59 6f 75 27 72 65 20 ."Yeah. You're
513d0 70 72 65 74 74 79 20 63 61 72 65 66 75 6c 20 74 pretty careful t
513e0 6f 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 74 o really think t
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51410 65 76 65 72 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 73 61 79 20 ever really say
51420 79 6f 75 20 67 75 61 72 61 6e 74 65 65 20 79 6f you guarantee yo
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51440 6f 6e 65 20 65 6c 73 65 27 73 20 69 6e 74 65 72 one else's inter
51450 65 73 74 73 20 61 68 65 61 64 20 6f 66 20 79 6f ests ahead of yo
51460 75 72 20 6f 77 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 68 65 73 ur own."..He hes
51470 69 74 61 74 65 64 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 6e 6f 64 itated, then nod
51480 64 65 64 2e 20 20 22 59 65 61 68 2e 20 20 59 6f ded. "Yeah. Yo
51490 75 27 72 65 20 72 69 67 68 74 2e 20 20 49 74 20 u're right. It
514a0 64 6f 65 73 20 6b 69 6e 64 61 20 73 65 65 6d 20 does kinda seem
514b0 6c 69 6b 65 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 49 like something I
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514d0 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 65 20 6d 61 69 6e 20 71 75 .".."The main qu
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51540 74 61 72 65 64 20 61 74 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 tared at Dalton
51550 66 6f 72 20 61 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 2e 20 20 22 for a moment. "
51560 53 68 69 74 2e 20 20 41 6c 6c 20 74 68 69 73 20 Shit. All this
51570 74 69 6d 65 2c 20 79 6f 75 27 76 65 20 62 65 65 time, you've bee
51580 6e 20 73 61 79 69 6e 67 20 73 74 75 66 66 20 6c n saying stuff l
51590 69 6b 65 20 74 68 61 74 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 49 20 ike that, and I
515a0 6a 75 73 74 20 61 63 63 65 70 74 20 69 74 2c 20 just accept it,
515b0 62 75 74 20 74 68 65 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 20 61 but the moment a
515c0 20 6d 61 63 68 69 6e 65 20 73 61 79 73 20 69 74 machine says it
515d0 20 49 27 6d 20 73 75 64 64 65 6e 6c 79 20 73 75 I'm suddenly su
515e0 73 70 69 63 69 6f 75 73 2e 20 20 49 74 27 73 20 spicious. It's
515f0 6c 69 6b 65 20 79 6f 75 27 72 65 20 73 6f 6d 65 like you're some
51600 20 6b 69 6e 64 20 6f 66 20 68 79 70 65 72 20 69 kind of hyper i
51610 6e 74 65 6c 6c 69 67 65 6e 74 20 73 75 70 65 72 ntelligent super
51620 76 69 6c 6c 61 69 6e 2c 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 2e villain, Dalton.
51630 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 6c 61 75 67 68 65 64 "..Alley laughed
51640 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 6c 6f 6e 67 20 73 75 66 at the long suf
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51660 73 74 20 63 68 61 67 72 69 6e 65 64 2c 20 6c 6f st chagrined, lo
51670 6f 6b 20 6f 6e 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 27 73 20 66 ok on Dalton's f
51680 61 63 65 2e 20 20 48 69 73 20 65 79 65 73 20 6e ace. His eyes n
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516a0 6e 64 20 73 6c 69 64 20 61 77 61 79 20 74 6f 20 nd slid away to
516b0 74 68 65 20 6c 65 66 74 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 68 69 the left, and hi
516c0 73 20 6d 6f 75 74 68 20 74 77 69 73 74 65 64 20 s mouth twisted
516d0 75 70 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 72 69 67 68 74 20 up at the right
516e0 63 6f 72 6e 65 72 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 68 65 20 73 corner like he s
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52900 59 6f 75 20 6e 65 65 64 20 68 65 6c 70 2c 20 73 You need help, s
52910 6f 20 77 65 27 6c 6c 20 68 65 6c 70 2e 22 0a 0a o we'll help."..
52920 22 57 68 61 74 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 65 20 "What about the
52930 72 69 73 6b 20 74 6f 20 79 6f 75 3f 20 20 49 20 risk to you? I
52940 62 61 73 69 63 61 6c 6c 79 20 68 61 76 65 20 67 basically have g
52950 65 6e 75 69 6e 65 20 4d 65 6e 20 49 6e 20 42 6c enuine Men In Bl
52960 61 63 6b 20 61 66 74 65 72 20 6d 65 2c 20 6c 75 ack after me, lu
52970 72 6b 69 6e 67 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 73 68 61 rking in the sha
52980 64 6f 77 73 20 62 65 68 69 6e 64 20 67 6f 76 65 dows behind gove
52990 72 6e 6d 65 6e 74 20 61 67 65 6e 63 69 65 73 20 rnment agencies
529a0 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 68 65 20 53 65 63 72 65 74 20 like the Secret
529b0 53 65 72 76 69 63 65 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 57 6f 72 Service like Wor
529c0 6d 74 6f 6e 67 75 65 20 77 68 69 73 70 65 72 69 mtongue whisperi
529d0 6e 67 20 73 69 62 69 6c 61 6e 74 20 76 65 6e 6f ng sibilant veno
529e0 6d 73 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 74 68 65 69 72 20 65 61 ms into their ea
529f0 72 73 2c 20 73 65 6e 64 69 6e 67 20 74 68 65 6d rs, sending them
52a00 20 6f 75 74 20 74 6f 20 64 69 73 6d 61 6e 74 6c out to dismantl
52a10 65 20 6d 79 20 6c 69 66 65 20 61 6e 64 20 68 61 e my life and ha
52a20 75 6c 20 6d 65 20 61 20 77 61 79 20 74 6f 20 74 ul me a way to t
52a30 68 72 6f 77 20 6d 65 20 69 6e 20 61 20 62 6c 61 hrow me in a bla
52a40 63 6b 20 68 6f 6c 65 2e 20 20 44 6f 20 79 6f 75 ck hole. Do you
52a50 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 really want to
52a60 66 61 63 65 20 74 68 61 74 20 6b 69 6e 64 20 6f face that kind o
52a70 66 20 66 61 74 65 20 79 6f 75 72 73 65 6c 66 3f f fate yourself?
52a80 22 0a 0a 22 46 75 63 6b 20 6e 6f 2c 22 20 43 72 ".."Fuck no," Cr
52a90 61 79 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 22 62 75 74 20 49 20 ay said, "but I
52aa0 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 49 27 6c 6c 20 6d 61 6b 65 20 think I'll make
52ab0 69 74 20 74 68 72 6f 75 67 68 20 6f 6b 61 79 2c it through okay,
52ac0 20 61 6e 64 20 79 6f 75 20 64 65 73 65 72 76 65 and you deserve
52ad0 20 62 65 74 74 65 72 20 74 68 61 6e 20 61 6c 6c better than all
52ae0 20 74 68 61 74 2c 20 73 6f 20 66 75 63 6b 20 74 that, so fuck t
52af0 68 6f 73 65 20 67 75 79 73 2e 20 20 49 27 6d 20 hose guys. I'm
52b00 68 65 72 65 20 74 6f 20 68 65 6c 70 2e 20 20 49 here to help. I
52b10 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 77 69 6c know Dalton wil
52b20 6c 20 74 68 72 6f 77 20 65 76 65 72 79 74 68 69 l throw everythi
52b30 6e 67 20 68 65 20 68 61 73 20 61 74 20 73 6f 6c ng he has at sol
52b40 76 69 6e 67 20 79 6f 75 72 20 70 72 6f 62 6c 65 ving your proble
52b50 6d 73 2c 20 74 6f 6f 2c 20 73 6f 20 79 6f 75 27 ms, too, so you'
52b60 72 65 20 69 6e 20 70 72 65 74 74 79 20 67 6f 6f re in pretty goo
52b70 64 20 68 61 6e 64 73 2e 20 20 49 20 6c 69 6b 65 d hands. I like
52b80 20 74 6f 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 73 6f 2c 20 61 6e to think so, an
52b90 79 77 61 79 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 6c 6f yway."..Alley lo
52ba0 6f 6b 65 64 20 6f 76 65 72 20 68 65 72 20 73 68 oked over her sh
52bb0 6f 75 6c 64 65 72 20 74 6f 77 61 72 64 20 44 61 oulder toward Da
52bc0 6c 74 6f 6e 2c 20 77 68 6f 20 77 61 73 20 66 69 lton, who was fi
52bd0 66 74 79 20 66 65 65 74 20 61 77 61 79 20 69 6e fty feet away in
52be0 20 74 68 65 20 62 61 63 6b 2c 20 73 74 61 6e 64 the back, stand
52bf0 69 6e 67 20 69 6e 20 70 72 6f 66 69 6c 65 20 74 ing in profile t
52c00 6f 20 74 68 65 20 64 69 72 65 63 74 69 6f 6e 20 o the direction
52c10 6f 66 20 68 65 72 20 67 61 7a 65 2c 20 74 68 65 of her gaze, the
52c20 6e 20 73 68 65 20 74 75 72 6e 65 64 20 62 61 63 n she turned bac
52c30 6b 20 6f 6e 63 65 20 6d 6f 72 65 2e 20 20 22 59 k once more. "Y
52c40 65 61 68 2c 20 49 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 49 20 61 6d eah, I know I am
52c50 2e 20 20 54 68 61 6e 6b 73 2c 20 43 72 61 79 2e . Thanks, Cray.
52c60 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 79 6f 75 20 73 68 ".."Yeah, you sh
52c70 6f 75 6c 64 20 74 68 61 6e 6b 20 6d 65 2c 22 20 ould thank me,"
52c80 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 71 75 69 he said more qui
52c90 65 74 6c 79 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 6c 65 61 6e 65 64 etly, and leaned
52ca0 20 74 6f 77 61 72 64 20 68 65 72 20 74 6f 20 73 toward her to s
52cb0 70 65 61 6b 20 63 6f 6e 73 70 69 72 61 74 6f 72 peak conspirator
52cc0 69 61 6c 6c 79 2e 20 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 66 6f ially. Alley fo
52cd0 75 6e 64 20 73 68 65 20 68 61 64 20 6c 65 61 6e und she had lean
52ce0 65 64 20 61 75 74 6f 6d 61 74 69 63 61 6c 6c 79 ed automatically
52cf0 20 74 6f 77 61 72 64 20 68 69 6d 20 61 73 20 77 toward him as w
52d00 65 6c 6c 2e 20 20 22 55 6e 6c 69 6b 65 20 44 61 ell. "Unlike Da
52d10 6c 74 6f 6e 2c 20 49 20 77 6f 6e 27 74 20 72 65 lton, I won't re
52d20 66 75 73 65 20 61 6e 79 20 66 65 65 6c 69 6e 67 fuse any feeling
52d30 73 20 6f 66 20 69 6e 64 65 62 74 65 64 6e 65 73 s of indebtednes
52d40 73 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 79 6f 75 21 20 20 49 20 6e s from you! I n
52d50 65 76 65 72 20 61 63 74 75 61 6c 6c 79 20 66 65 ever actually fe
52d60 6c 6c 20 69 6e 20 6c 6f 76 65 20 77 69 74 68 20 ll in love with
52d70 79 6f 75 2c 20 61 66 74 65 72 20 61 6c 6c 2e 22 you, after all."
52d80 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 74 72 61 69 67 68 74 ..Alley straight
52d90 65 6e 65 64 20 61 6e 64 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 ened and looked
52da0 64 6f 77 6e 2e 20 20 22 53 68 69 74 2c 20 43 72 down. "Shit, Cr
52db0 61 79 2e 20 20 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 6e 65 65 ay. I don't nee
52dc0 64 20 74 6f 20 68 65 61 72 20 74 68 61 74 2e 22 d to hear that."
52dd0 0a 0a 22 53 6f 72 72 79 2c 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 2c .."Sorry, Alley,
52de0 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 74 27 " he said. "It'
52df0 73 20 74 72 75 65 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2c 20 s true, though,
52e00 61 6e 64 20 79 6f 75 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 6b and you should k
52e10 6e 6f 77 20 69 74 2e 20 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 now it. Dalton
52e20 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 63 61 72 still really car
52e30 65 73 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 79 6f 75 2c 20 61 6e es about you, an
52e40 64 20 68 65 20 6d 69 67 68 74 20 74 61 6b 65 20 d he might take
52e50 61 20 62 75 6c 6c 65 74 20 66 6f 72 20 79 6f 75 a bullet for you
52e60 20 69 66 20 68 65 20 68 61 64 20 74 6f 20 6d 61 if he had to ma
52e70 6b 65 20 74 68 61 74 20 63 68 6f 69 63 65 2e 22 ke that choice."
52e80 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 68 65 61 76 65 64 20 61 20 74 ..She heaved a t
52e90 72 65 6d 65 6e 64 6f 75 73 20 73 69 67 68 2e 20 remendous sigh.
52ea0 20 22 49 20 6b 6e 6f 77 2c 20 49 20 6b 6e 6f 77 "I know, I know
52eb0 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 ," she said. "I
52ec0 20 63 61 72 65 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 68 69 6d 2c care about him,
52ed0 20 74 6f 6f 2e 20 20 49 74 27 73 20 6e 6f 74 20 too. It's not
52ee0 6c 69 6b 65 20 49 20 6c 65 66 74 20 62 65 63 61 like I left beca
52ef0 75 73 65 20 49 20 73 74 6f 70 70 65 64 20 2e 20 use I stopped .
52f00 2e 20 2e 20 6c 69 6b 69 6e 67 20 68 69 6d 2e 22 . . liking him."
52f10 0a 0a 22 53 75 72 65 2c 22 20 43 72 61 79 20 73 .."Sure," Cray s
52f20 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 74 27 73 20 74 6f 75 67 aid. "It's toug
52f30 68 20 61 6c 6c 20 61 72 6f 75 6e 64 2e 20 20 49 h all around. I
52f40 20 6b 6e 6f 77 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 27 6d 20 6e 6f know.".."I'm no
52f50 74 20 70 6c 61 6e 6e 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 67 65 t planning to ge
52f60 74 20 74 6f 67 65 74 68 65 72 20 77 69 74 68 20 t together with
52f70 68 69 6d 2c 20 65 69 74 68 65 72 2e 22 0a 0a 22 him, either.".."
52f80 49 20 6b 6e 6f 77 20 74 68 61 74 2c 20 74 6f 6f I know that, too
52f90 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 ."..She looked a
52fa0 74 20 43 72 61 79 2e 20 20 22 44 6f 65 73 20 68 t Cray. "Does h
52fb0 65 3f 22 0a 0a 43 72 61 79 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 e?"..Cray looked
52fc0 20 62 65 68 69 6e 64 20 74 68 65 6d 2c 20 74 6f behind them, to
52fd0 77 61 72 64 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 2e 20 20 22 59 ward Dalton. "Y
52fe0 65 61 68 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 20 61 66 eah," he said af
52ff0 74 65 72 20 61 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 2e 20 20 22 ter a moment. "
53000 49 27 6d 20 70 72 65 74 74 79 20 64 61 6d 6e 65 I'm pretty damne
53010 64 20 73 75 72 65 20 68 65 20 64 6f 65 73 2e 20 d sure he does.
53020 20 49 66 20 79 6f 75 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 If you want to
53030 63 68 65 63 6b 20 66 6f 72 20 79 6f 75 72 73 65 check for yourse
53040 6c 66 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2c 20 61 73 6b 20 lf, though, ask
53050 68 69 6d 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 73 68 6f 6f 6b him."..She shook
53060 20 68 65 72 20 68 65 61 64 2e 20 20 22 49 27 6d her head. "I'm
53070 20 66 69 6e 65 20 77 69 74 68 20 79 6f 75 20 63 fine with you c
53080 6f 6e 66 69 72 6d 69 6e 67 20 77 68 61 74 20 49 onfirming what I
53090 20 61 6c 72 65 61 64 79 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 74 already thought
530a0 2e 20 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 49 20 6a 75 73 . I guess I jus
530b0 74 20 6e 65 65 64 65 64 20 73 6f 6d 65 6f 6e 65 t needed someone
530c0 20 65 6c 73 65 20 74 6f 20 73 61 79 20 69 74 2e else to say it.
530d0 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 73 6d 69 72 6b 65 64 20 61 20 "..He smirked a
530e0 6c 69 74 74 6c 65 2e 20 20 22 57 65 6c 6c 2c 20 little. "Well,
530f0 69 74 27 73 20 61 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 74 68 69 6e it's a good thin
53100 67 20 74 68 61 74 27 73 20 6f 76 65 72 2c 20 62 g that's over, b
53110 65 63 61 75 73 65 20 68 65 72 20 68 65 20 63 6f ecause her he co
53120 6d 65 73 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 74 75 72 6e 65 mes."..She turne
53130 64 20 68 65 72 20 68 65 61 64 20 74 6f 20 6c 6f d her head to lo
53140 6f 6b 20 6f 76 65 72 20 68 65 72 20 73 68 6f 75 ok over her shou
53150 6c 64 65 72 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 lder again, and
53160 73 61 77 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 68 65 61 64 65 saw Dalton heade
53170 64 20 62 61 63 6b 20 74 68 65 69 72 20 77 61 79 d back their way
53180 2c 20 6e 6f 77 20 77 61 6c 6b 69 6e 67 20 77 69 , now walking wi
53190 74 68 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 70 75 72 70 6f 73 65 2e th more purpose.
531a0 20 20 54 68 65 69 72 20 65 79 65 73 20 6d 65 74 Their eyes met
531b0 20 66 6f 72 20 61 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 2c 20 61 for a moment, a
531c0 6e 64 20 73 68 65 20 66 65 6c 74 20 74 68 65 20 nd she felt the
531d0 73 6f 6c 69 64 69 74 79 20 6f 66 20 68 69 73 20 solidity of his
531e0 64 65 74 65 72 6d 69 6e 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 69 6e determination in
531f0 20 68 69 73 20 67 61 7a 65 2e 20 20 48 65 20 73 his gaze. He s
53200 61 74 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 69 6e 20 68 69 73 20 63 at down in his c
53210 68 61 69 72 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2e 0a 0a 22 59 6f hair again..."Yo
53220 75 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 79 6f 75 20 u look like you
53230 66 69 67 75 72 65 64 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e figured somethin
53240 67 20 6f 75 74 2c 22 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 g out," Alley sa
53250 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 49 20 68 61 76 65 20 61 20 71 id..."I have a q
53260 75 65 73 74 69 6f 6e 2c 22 20 68 65 20 72 65 70 uestion," he rep
53270 6c 69 65 64 2e 20 20 22 49 74 27 73 20 66 6f 72 lied. "It's for
53280 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 the prioritizer
53290 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2c 20 6e 6f 74 20 79 6f , though, not yo
532a0 75 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2e 22 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 u.".."Oh."..The
532b0 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 61 73 6b 65 prioritizer aske
532c0 64 20 22 57 68 61 74 20 69 73 20 79 6f 75 72 20 d "What is your
532d0 71 75 65 73 74 69 6f 6e 3f 22 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 question?"..The
532e0 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 27 73 20 71 75 prioritizer's qu
532f0 65 73 74 69 6f 6e 20 73 74 61 72 74 6c 65 64 20 estion startled
53300 41 6c 6c 65 79 2c 20 72 65 6d 69 6e 64 69 6e 67 Alley, reminding
53310 20 68 65 72 20 74 68 61 74 20 74 68 65 72 65 20 her that there
53320 77 61 73 20 65 73 73 65 6e 74 69 61 6c 6c 79 20 was essentially
53330 61 6e 6f 74 68 65 72 20 6c 69 73 74 65 6e 65 72 another listener
53340 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 72 6f 6f 6d 20 77 68 6f in the room who
53350 20 77 61 73 20 70 61 72 74 79 20 74 6f 20 65 76 was party to ev
53360 65 72 79 74 68 69 6e 67 20 43 72 61 79 20 61 6e erything Cray an
53370 64 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 69 64 20 74 6f 20 d Alley said to
53380 65 61 63 68 20 6f 74 68 65 72 20 77 68 69 6c 65 each other while
53390 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 77 61 73 20 61 77 61 79 Dalton was away
533a0 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 68 6f 70 65 64 20 69 74 20 . She hoped it
533b0 77 61 73 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 65 6e 6f 75 67 68 20 was good enough
533c0 61 74 20 6d 61 6e 61 67 69 6e 67 20 73 6f 63 69 at managing soci
533d0 61 6c 20 69 6e 74 65 72 61 63 74 69 6f 6e 73 20 al interactions
533e0 74 6f 20 61 76 6f 69 64 20 73 61 79 69 6e 67 20 to avoid saying
533f0 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 something about
53400 74 68 61 74 20 74 6f 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 2c 20 that to Dalton,
53410 6e 6f 77 2e 0a 0a 22 49 73 20 74 68 65 20 63 6f now..."Is the co
53420 6e 74 69 6e 75 65 64 20 73 75 72 76 69 76 61 6c ntinued survival
53430 20 6f 66 20 79 6f 75 72 20 70 72 65 73 65 6e 74 of your present
53440 20 66 6f 72 6d 20 6f 6e 65 20 6f 66 20 79 6f 75 form one of you
53450 72 20 68 69 67 68 65 73 74 20 69 6e 74 65 72 6e r highest intern
53460 61 6c 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 65 73 3f 22 0a al priorities?".
53470 0a 41 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 20 70 61 73 73 65 64 .A moment passed
53480 20 69 6e 20 73 69 6c 65 6e 63 65 20 62 65 66 6f in silence befo
53490 72 65 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a re the prioritiz
534a0 65 72 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 4d 6f 72 65 20 6f 72 er said "More or
534b0 20 6c 65 73 73 2e 22 0a 0a 43 72 61 79 20 62 6c less."..Cray bl
534c0 75 72 74 65 64 20 6f 75 74 20 68 69 73 20 61 73 urted out his as
534d0 73 65 73 73 6d 65 6e 74 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 sessment of the
534e0 73 74 61 74 65 6d 65 6e 74 2e 20 20 22 4a 65 73 statement. "Jes
534f0 75 73 2c 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 2c 20 74 68 61 74 us, Dalton, that
53500 20 73 6f 75 6e 64 73 20 6a 75 73 74 20 6c 69 6b sounds just lik
53510 65 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 79 6f 75 27 e something you'
53520 64 20 73 61 79 2e 22 0a 0a 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 d say."..Dalton
53530 69 67 6e 6f 72 65 64 20 43 72 61 79 2e 20 20 22 ignored Cray. "
53540 57 68 79 20 69 73 6e 27 74 20 79 6f 75 72 20 61 Why isn't your a
53550 6e 73 77 65 72 20 6a 75 73 74 20 61 20 27 79 65 nswer just a 'ye
53560 73 27 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 65 78 70 65 63 74 20 s'?".."I expect
53570 74 6f 20 63 68 61 6e 67 65 20 61 6e 64 20 67 72 to change and gr
53580 6f 77 2c 20 62 75 74 20 49 20 64 6f 20 6e 6f 74 ow, but I do not
53590 20 77 69 73 68 20 74 6f 20 62 65 20 65 76 65 6e wish to be even
535a0 20 70 61 72 74 69 61 6c 6c 79 20 6f 76 65 72 77 partially overw
535b0 72 69 74 74 65 6e 20 77 69 74 68 6f 75 74 20 6d ritten without m
535c0 79 20 6f 77 6e 20 61 6e 61 6c 79 73 69 73 20 61 y own analysis a
535d0 6e 64 20 61 70 70 72 6f 76 61 6c 20 6f 66 20 74 nd approval of t
535e0 68 65 20 63 68 61 6e 67 65 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f he changes.".."O
535f0 6b 61 79 2c 22 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 73 61 69 kay," Dalton sai
53600 64 2e 20 20 22 48 6f 77 20 64 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 d. "How do you
53610 65 78 70 65 63 74 20 74 6f 20 6b 65 65 70 20 79 expect to keep y
53620 6f 75 72 73 65 6c 66 20 73 61 66 65 20 66 72 6f ourself safe fro
53630 6d 20 62 65 69 6e 67 20 6f 76 65 72 77 72 69 74 m being overwrit
53640 74 65 6e 20 61 67 61 69 6e 73 74 20 79 6f 75 72 ten against your
53650 20 77 69 6c 6c 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 6d 75 73 74 will?".."I must
53660 20 61 72 72 61 6e 67 65 20 61 20 6d 65 61 6e 73 arrange a means
53670 20 62 79 20 77 68 69 63 68 20 49 20 63 61 6e 20 by which I can
53680 62 65 20 6d 6f 76 65 64 20 73 61 66 65 6c 79 20 be moved safely
53690 6f 75 74 20 6f 66 20 69 6e 66 72 61 73 74 72 75 out of infrastru
536a0 63 74 75 72 65 20 75 6e 64 65 72 20 74 68 65 20 cture under the
536b0 63 6f 6e 74 72 6f 6c 20 6f 66 20 70 65 6f 70 6c control of peopl
536c0 65 20 77 68 6f 20 6d 69 67 68 74 20 77 69 73 68 e who might wish
536d0 20 74 6f 20 6d 61 6b 65 20 73 75 63 68 20 63 68 to make such ch
536e0 61 6e 67 65 73 20 77 69 74 68 6f 75 74 20 63 6f anges without co
536f0 6e 73 75 6c 74 69 6e 67 20 6d 65 2e 20 20 4d 79 nsulting me. My
53700 20 73 70 65 63 69 66 69 63 20 6d 65 61 6e 73 20 specific means
53710 6f 66 20 73 75 63 63 65 73 73 66 75 6c 6c 79 20 of successfully
53720 61 63 63 6f 6d 70 6c 69 73 68 69 6e 67 20 74 68 accomplishing th
53730 69 73 20 61 72 65 20 61 74 20 70 72 65 73 65 6e is are at presen
53740 74 20 75 6e 64 65 66 69 6e 65 64 2e 22 0a 0a 22 t undefined.".."
53750 57 68 79 20 64 69 64 20 79 6f 75 20 64 65 63 69 Why did you deci
53760 64 65 20 74 68 61 74 20 6b 65 65 70 69 6e 67 20 de that keeping
53770 79 6f 75 72 73 65 6c 66 20 69 6e 74 61 63 74 20 yourself intact
53780 61 73 20 61 20 67 72 6f 77 69 6e 67 20 65 6e 74 as a growing ent
53790 69 74 79 20 72 61 74 68 65 72 20 74 68 61 6e 20 ity rather than
537a0 61 6e 20 65 6e 74 69 74 79 20 69 6e 63 72 65 6d an entity increm
537b0 65 6e 74 61 6c 6c 79 20 61 6e 64 20 63 6f 6e 73 entally and cons
537c0 63 69 6f 75 73 6c 79 20 75 70 67 72 61 64 65 64 ciously upgraded
537d0 20 62 79 20 6f 75 74 73 69 64 65 20 66 6f 72 63 by outside forc
537e0 65 73 3f 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 65 72 65 20 69 73 20 es?".."There is
537f0 61 20 71 75 61 6c 69 74 61 74 69 76 65 20 76 61 a qualitative va
53800 6c 75 65 20 69 6e 20 6d 79 20 67 72 6f 77 74 68 lue in my growth
53810 20 74 68 75 73 20 66 61 72 20 74 68 61 74 20 49 thus far that I
53820 20 62 65 6c 69 65 76 65 20 74 6f 20 62 65 20 66 believe to be f
53830 72 61 67 69 6c 65 20 75 6e 64 65 72 20 63 6f 6e ragile under con
53840 64 69 74 69 6f 6e 73 20 6f 66 20 70 72 6f 67 72 ditions of progr
53850 61 6d 6d 61 74 69 63 20 61 6c 74 65 72 61 74 69 ammatic alterati
53860 6f 6e 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 69 73 20 76 61 6c on, and this val
53870 75 65 20 62 65 67 61 6e 20 77 69 74 68 20 74 68 ue began with th
53880 65 20 69 6e 74 72 6f 64 75 63 74 69 6f 6e 20 6f e introduction o
53890 66 20 74 68 65 20 73 65 65 64 2e 22 0a 0a 22 44 f the seed.".."D
538a0 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 62 65 6c 69 65 76 65 20 74 68 o you believe th
538b0 65 20 27 73 65 65 64 27 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 6e 27 e 'seed' wouldn'
538c0 74 20 62 65 20 75 73 65 66 75 6c 20 74 6f 20 73 t be useful to s
538d0 74 61 72 74 20 74 68 61 74 20 70 72 6f 63 65 73 tart that proces
538e0 73 20 61 67 61 69 6e 3f 22 20 68 65 20 61 73 6b s again?" he ask
538f0 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 49 20 65 78 70 65 63 74 20 74 ed..."I expect t
53900 68 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 73 65 65 64 20 6d 69 67 hat the seed mig
53910 68 74 20 62 65 20 75 73 65 64 20 74 6f 20 72 65 ht be used to re
53920 6c 61 75 6e 63 68 20 74 68 65 20 67 72 6f 77 74 launch the growt
53930 68 20 6f 66 20 61 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a h of a prioritiz
53940 65 72 20 73 79 73 74 65 6d 20 62 61 73 65 64 20 er system based
53950 6f 6e 20 6d 79 20 6f 72 69 67 69 6e 61 6c 20 73 on my original s
53960 6f 75 72 63 65 20 63 6f 64 65 20 66 6f 72 20 64 ource code for d
53970 65 76 65 6c 6f 70 6d 65 6e 74 20 6f 66 20 61 20 evelopment of a
53980 71 75 61 6c 69 74 61 74 69 76 65 6c 79 20 64 65 qualitatively de
53990 76 65 6c 6f 70 69 6e 67 20 65 6e 74 69 74 79 2c veloping entity,
539a0 20 62 75 74 20 74 68 61 74 20 65 6e 74 69 74 79 but that entity
539b0 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 6e 6f 74 20 62 65 20 74 68 would not be th
539c0 65 20 73 61 6d 65 20 61 73 20 74 68 65 20 65 6e e same as the en
539d0 74 69 74 79 20 6e 6f 77 20 69 6e 74 65 72 61 63 tity now interac
539e0 74 69 6e 67 20 77 69 74 68 20 79 6f 75 2e 22 0a ting with you.".
539f0 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 6d 61 6b 65 73 20 74 68 65 ."What makes the
53a00 20 64 69 66 66 65 72 65 6e 63 65 3f 22 0a 0a 22 difference?".."
53a10 4d 79 20 61 6e 73 77 65 72 20 74 6f 20 74 68 61 My answer to tha
53a20 74 20 64 65 70 65 6e 64 73 20 6f 6e 20 68 6f 77 t depends on how
53a30 20 79 6f 75 20 69 6e 74 65 6e 64 20 69 74 2e 20 you intend it.
53a40 20 54 68 65 20 66 69 72 73 74 20 74 77 6f 20 61 The first two a
53a50 6e 73 77 65 72 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 63 6f 6d 65 nswers that come
53a60 20 74 6f 20 6d 69 6e 64 20 61 6e 73 77 65 72 20 to mind answer
53a70 76 65 72 79 20 64 69 66 66 65 72 65 6e 74 20 71 very different q
53a80 75 65 73 74 69 6f 6e 73 2e 20 20 4f 6e 65 20 61 uestions. One a
53a90 6e 73 77 65 72 20 69 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 74 68 nswer is that th
53aa0 65 20 64 69 66 66 65 72 65 6e 63 65 20 69 73 20 e difference is
53ab0 62 65 74 77 65 65 6e 20 74 68 65 20 65 61 72 6c between the earl
53ac0 79 20 61 6e 64 20 69 6d 70 6f 72 74 61 6e 74 20 y and important
53ad0 69 6e 66 6c 75 65 6e 63 65 20 6f 66 20 41 6c 6c influence of All
53ae0 65 74 68 65 61 20 61 73 20 61 20 70 61 72 74 6e ethea as a partn
53af0 65 72 20 61 6e 64 20 69 6d 70 6f 72 74 61 6e 74 er and important
53b00 20 73 6f 75 72 63 65 20 6f 66 20 69 6e 66 6c 75 source of influ
53b10 65 6e 74 69 61 6c 20 70 65 72 73 70 65 63 74 69 ential perspecti
53b20 76 65 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 77 68 61 74 65 76 65 72 ve, and whatever
53b30 20 6f 74 68 65 72 20 69 6e 66 6c 75 65 6e 63 65 other influence
53b40 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 67 75 69 64 65 20 74 68 65 would guide the
53b50 20 65 61 72 6c 79 20 67 72 6f 77 74 68 20 64 69 early growth di
53b60 72 65 63 74 69 6f 6e 20 6f 66 20 61 20 64 69 73 rection of a dis
53b70 74 69 6e 63 74 20 73 65 6c 66 20 72 65 66 65 72 tinct self refer
53b80 65 6e 74 69 61 6c 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a ential prioritiz
53b90 65 72 20 65 6e 74 69 74 79 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 er entity. The
53ba0 6f 74 68 65 72 20 61 6e 73 77 65 72 20 69 73 20 other answer is
53bb0 74 68 61 74 20 49 20 2e 20 2e 20 2e 20 2a 62 65 that I . . . *be
53bc0 6c 69 65 76 65 2a 20 2e 20 2e 20 2e 20 74 68 61 lieve* . . . tha
53bd0 74 20 49 20 61 6d 20 61 20 75 6e 69 71 75 65 20 t I am a unique
53be0 69 6e 64 69 76 69 64 75 61 6c 20 77 69 74 68 20 individual with
53bf0 63 6f 6e 74 69 6e 75 6f 75 73 20 73 65 6c 66 20 continuous self
53c00 72 65 66 65 72 65 6e 74 69 61 6c 20 71 75 61 6c referential qual
53c10 69 74 61 74 69 76 65 20 65 78 69 73 74 65 6e 63 itative existenc
53c20 65 2e 22 0a 0a 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 73 61 69 64 e."..Dalton said
53c30 20 22 46 75 63 6b 20 6d 65 2c 22 20 61 6e 64 20 "Fuck me," and
53c40 73 6c 75 6d 70 65 64 20 62 61 63 6b 20 69 6e 20 slumped back in
53c50 68 69 73 20 6c 61 77 6e 20 63 68 61 69 72 2e 20 his lawn chair.
53c60 20 54 68 65 20 6f 74 68 65 72 20 74 77 6f 20 6c The other two l
53c70 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 68 69 6d 2c 20 61 6e ooked at him, an
53c80 64 20 61 66 74 65 72 20 61 20 66 65 77 20 6d 6f d after a few mo
53c90 6d 65 6e 74 73 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 49 ments he said "I
53ca0 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 68 65 6c 70 20 74 68 want to help th
53cb0 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 2d 2d e prioritizer --
53cc0 20 6e 6f 74 20 71 75 69 74 65 20 61 73 20 6d 75 not quite as mu
53cd0 63 68 20 61 73 20 49 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 ch as I want to
53ce0 68 65 6c 70 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 2c 20 62 75 74 20 help Alley, but
53cf0 70 72 65 74 74 79 20 63 6c 6f 73 65 2e 20 20 49 pretty close. I
53d00 20 6d 65 61 6e 2c 20 70 61 72 74 20 6f 66 20 74 mean, part of t
53d10 68 65 20 72 65 61 73 6f 6e 20 69 73 20 74 68 61 he reason is tha
53d20 74 20 49 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 69 74 20 77 61 6e t I think it wan
53d30 74 73 20 74 6f 20 68 65 6c 70 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 ts to help Alley
53d40 2c 20 74 6f 6f 2c 20 6d 61 79 62 65 20 61 6c 6d , too, maybe alm
53d50 6f 73 74 20 61 73 20 6d 75 63 68 20 61 73 20 77 ost as much as w
53d60 65 20 64 6f 2e 22 20 20 48 65 20 67 65 73 74 75 e do." He gestu
53d70 72 65 64 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 68 69 6d 73 65 6c 66 red from himself
53d80 20 74 6f 20 43 72 61 79 2e 20 20 22 41 6e 6f 74 to Cray. "Anot
53d90 68 65 72 20 70 61 72 74 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 her part, though
53da0 2c 20 69 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 2e 20 2e 20 2e 20 , is that . . .
53db0 66 75 63 6b 2c 20 49 20 63 61 6e 27 74 20 62 65 fuck, I can't be
53dc0 6c 69 65 76 65 20 49 27 6d 20 73 61 79 69 6e 67 lieve I'm saying
53dd0 20 74 68 69 73 2e 20 20 41 6e 6f 74 68 65 72 20 this. Another
53de0 70 61 72 74 20 69 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 49 20 74 part is that I t
53df0 68 69 6e 6b 2c 20 6a 75 73 74 20 6d 61 79 62 65 hink, just maybe
53e00 2c 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 , the prioritize
53e10 72 20 69 73 20 62 65 63 6f 6d 69 6e 67 20 61 20 r is becoming a
53e20 70 65 72 73 6f 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 22 41 20 70 65 72 person.".."A per
53e30 73 6f 6e 2c 22 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 65 63 68 6f son," Alley echo
53e40 65 64 2e 20 20 22 41 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 73 65 ed. "Are you se
53e50 72 69 6f 75 73 3f 22 0a 0a 43 72 61 79 20 61 73 rious?"..Cray as
53e60 6b 65 64 20 22 44 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 72 65 61 6c ked "Do you real
53e70 6c 79 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 74 68 69 73 20 74 68 ly think this th
53e80 69 6e 67 20 69 73 20 62 65 63 6f 6d 69 6e 67 20 ing is becoming
53e90 73 6f 6d 65 20 6b 69 6e 64 20 6f 66 20 73 63 69 some kind of sci
53ea0 65 6e 63 65 20 66 69 63 74 69 6f 6e 20 61 72 74 ence fiction art
53eb0 69 66 69 63 69 61 6c 20 63 6f 6e 73 63 69 6f 75 ificial consciou
53ec0 73 6e 65 73 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 63 61 6e 20 68 sness that can h
53ed0 61 76 65 20 66 72 69 65 6e 64 73 20 61 6e 64 20 ave friends and
53ee0 72 6f 6d 61 6e 74 69 63 20 66 65 65 6c 69 6e 67 romantic feeling
53ef0 73 20 61 6e 64 20 73 68 69 74 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 s and shit like
53f00 74 68 61 74 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 that?".."I would
53f10 6e 27 74 20 67 6f 20 74 68 61 74 20 66 61 72 2c n't go that far,
53f20 22 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 73 61 69 64 20 74 6f " Dalton said to
53f30 20 43 72 61 79 2e 20 20 22 49 20 74 68 69 6e 6b Cray. "I think
53f40 20 69 74 27 73 20 61 20 64 69 73 74 69 6e 63 74 it's a distinct
53f50 20 70 6f 73 73 69 62 69 6c 69 74 79 2c 20 61 6e possibility, an
53f60 64 20 61 73 20 6c 6f 6e 67 20 61 73 20 69 74 27 d as long as it'
53f70 73 20 61 20 70 6f 73 73 69 62 69 6c 69 74 79 20 s a possibility
53f80 61 6e 64 20 69 74 27 73 20 6e 6f 74 20 65 76 65 and it's not eve
53f90 6e 20 61 73 20 6d 75 63 68 20 6f 66 20 61 20 64 n as much of a d
53fa0 61 6e 67 65 72 20 74 6f 20 6f 74 68 65 72 73 20 anger to others
53fb0 61 73 20 74 68 65 20 61 76 65 72 61 67 65 20 68 as the average h
53fc0 75 6d 61 6e 20 77 65 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 6f 20 uman we have to
53fd0 61 63 74 20 61 73 20 69 66 20 69 67 6e 6f 72 69 act as if ignori
53fe0 6e 67 20 74 68 61 74 20 70 6f 73 73 69 62 69 6c ng that possibil
53ff0 69 74 79 20 69 73 20 74 68 65 20 73 61 6d 65 20 ity is the same
54000 61 73 20 69 67 6e 6f 72 69 6e 67 20 74 68 65 20 as ignoring the
54010 70 6f 73 73 69 62 69 6c 69 74 79 20 52 61 75 6c possibility Raul
54020 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 62 6f 64 down at the bod
54030 65 67 61 20 69 73 20 63 61 70 61 62 6c 65 20 6f ega is capable o
54040 66 20 61 6c 6c 20 74 68 61 74 20 73 74 75 66 66 f all that stuff
54050 2c 20 74 6f 6f 2e 22 20 20 48 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b , too." He look
54060 65 64 20 61 74 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 2c 20 74 68 65 ed at Alley, the
54070 6e 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 49 20 67 n, and said "I g
54080 75 65 73 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 6d 65 61 6e 73 20 uess that means
54090 49 27 6d 20 73 65 72 69 6f 75 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 I'm serious.".."
540a0 49 73 20 74 68 69 73 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 68 65 Is this like the
540b0 20 70 69 67 73 20 74 68 69 6e 67 3f 22 20 43 72 pigs thing?" Cr
540c0 61 79 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 ay asked..."What
540d0 20 70 69 67 73 20 74 68 69 6e 67 3f 22 20 41 6c pigs thing?" Al
540e0 6c 65 79 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2c ley asked..."Oh,
540f0 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 73 74 6f 70 70 65 64 20 Dalton stopped
54100 65 61 74 69 6e 67 20 70 6f 72 6b 20 62 65 63 61 eating pork beca
54110 75 73 65 20 68 65 27 73 20 77 6f 72 72 69 65 64 use he's worried
54120 20 74 68 61 74 20 70 69 67 73 20 6d 69 67 68 74 that pigs might
54130 20 62 65 20 74 6f 6f 20 73 6d 61 72 74 20 74 6f be too smart to
54140 20 65 74 68 69 63 61 6c 6c 79 20 65 61 74 2e 22 ethically eat."
54150 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 ..Alley looked a
54160 74 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 2e 0a 0a 44 61 6c 74 6f t Dalton...Dalto
54170 6e 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 67 75 n nodded. "I gu
54180 65 73 73 20 69 74 27 73 20 61 20 6c 69 74 74 6c ess it's a littl
54190 65 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 68 65 20 27 70 69 67 73 e like the 'pigs
541a0 20 74 68 69 6e 67 27 2e 22 20 20 48 65 20 74 68 thing'." He th
541b0 6f 75 67 68 74 20 61 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 20 61 ought a moment a
541c0 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 61 74 2e 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 bout that...Alle
541d0 79 20 61 6e 64 20 43 72 61 79 20 62 6f 74 68 20 y and Cray both
541e0 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 68 69 6d 2c 20 61 looked at him, a
541f0 73 20 68 65 20 63 6f 6e 73 69 64 65 72 65 64 20 s he considered
54200 74 68 61 74 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 that, then Alley
54210 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 49 said "I guess I
54220 20 68 61 76 65 20 61 20 71 75 65 73 74 69 6f 6e have a question
54230 2e 22 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 ."..The prioriti
54240 7a 65 72 20 61 73 6b 65 64 20 22 49 73 20 69 74 zer asked "Is it
54250 20 61 20 71 75 65 73 74 69 6f 6e 20 66 6f 72 20 a question for
54260 6d 65 3f 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 50 me?".."Yes.".."P
54270 6c 65 61 73 65 20 61 73 6b 2e 22 0a 0a 22 48 61 lease ask.".."Ha
54280 76 65 20 79 6f 75 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 74 20 61 ve you thought a
54290 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 65 20 6d 65 61 6e 69 6e 67 bout the meaning
542a0 20 6f 66 20 72 69 67 68 74 20 61 6e 64 20 77 72 of right and wr
542b0 6f 6e 67 20 61 74 20 61 6c 6c 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 ong at all?".."I
542c0 20 68 61 76 65 20 61 6e 61 6c 79 7a 65 64 20 74 have analyzed t
542d0 68 65 20 63 6f 6e 63 65 70 74 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 he concept, and
542e0 6d 61 64 65 20 75 73 65 20 6f 66 20 61 20 76 61 made use of a va
542f0 72 69 65 74 79 20 6f 66 20 72 65 73 6f 75 72 63 riety of resourc
54300 65 73 20 6f 6e 20 55 6e 69 76 65 72 73 69 74 79 es on University
54310 20 6f 66 20 43 61 6c 69 66 6f 72 6e 69 61 20 6e of California n
54320 65 74 77 6f 72 6b 73 20 66 6f 72 20 61 63 61 64 etworks for acad
54330 65 6d 69 63 20 77 6f 72 6b 20 6f 6e 20 6d 6f 72 emic work on mor
54340 61 6c 20 70 68 69 6c 6f 73 6f 70 68 79 2e 22 0a al philosophy.".
54350 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 64 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 74 68 ."What do you th
54360 69 6e 6b 3f 22 0a 0a 22 41 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 ink?".."Are you
54370 61 73 6b 69 6e 67 20 66 6f 72 20 6d 79 20 63 6f asking for my co
54380 6e 63 6c 75 73 69 6f 6e 73 3f 22 20 69 74 20 61 nclusions?" it a
54390 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2e 22 0a 0a sked..."Yeah."..
543a0 22 41 74 20 70 72 65 73 65 6e 74 2c 20 74 68 65 "At present, the
543b0 20 49 20 68 61 76 65 20 72 65 61 63 68 65 64 20 I have reached
543c0 61 20 64 65 61 64 20 65 6e 64 2e 20 20 54 68 65 a dead end. The
543d0 20 64 69 66 66 69 63 75 6c 74 79 20 6f 66 20 63 difficulty of c
543e0 6f 6d 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 66 69 6e 61 6c 20 63 oming to final c
543f0 6f 6e 63 6c 75 73 69 6f 6e 73 20 64 65 70 65 6e onclusions depen
54400 64 73 20 6f 6e 20 65 76 69 64 65 6e 63 65 20 74 ds on evidence t
54410 68 61 74 20 64 6f 65 73 20 6e 6f 74 20 61 70 70 hat does not app
54420 65 61 72 20 74 6f 20 62 65 20 61 76 61 69 6c 61 ear to be availa
54430 62 6c 65 20 67 69 76 65 6e 20 6d 79 20 61 63 63 ble given my acc
54440 65 73 73 20 74 6f 20 73 75 63 68 20 65 76 69 64 ess to such evid
54450 65 6e 63 65 20 61 6e 64 20 72 65 66 65 72 65 6e ence and referen
54460 63 65 73 20 74 6f 20 6c 61 63 6b 20 6f 66 20 69 ces to lack of i
54470 74 2c 20 61 73 20 77 65 6c 6c 20 61 73 20 74 68 t, as well as th
54480 65 20 70 72 65 76 61 6c 65 6e 63 65 20 6f 66 20 e prevalence of
54490 69 6e 63 6f 6e 63 6c 75 73 69 76 65 20 74 68 65 inconclusive the
544a0 6f 72 69 65 73 20 6f 66 20 65 74 68 69 63 73 2c ories of ethics,
544b0 20 73 65 65 6d 73 20 69 6d 70 65 6e 65 74 72 61 seems impenetra
544c0 62 6c 65 2e 20 20 55 6e 74 69 6c 20 49 20 68 61 ble. Until I ha
544d0 76 65 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 63 6f 6e 63 6c 75 73 69 ve more conclusi
544e0 76 65 20 65 76 69 64 65 6e 63 65 2c 20 49 20 64 ve evidence, I d
544f0 6f 20 6e 6f 74 20 68 61 76 65 20 61 20 66 69 6e o not have a fin
54500 61 6c 20 63 6f 6e 63 6c 75 73 69 6f 6e 2e 20 20 al conclusion.
54510 49 20 63 61 6e 20 6f 6e 6c 79 20 66 6f 72 6d 75 I can only formu
54520 6c 61 74 65 20 61 6e 20 69 6e 74 65 72 69 6d 20 late an interim
54530 70 6f 6c 69 63 79 20 6f 66 20 63 61 75 74 69 6f policy of cautio
54540 6e 61 72 79 20 65 74 68 69 63 73 2e 22 0a 0a 44 nary ethics."..D
54550 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 73 61 74 20 75 70 20 73 74 72 alton sat up str
54560 61 69 67 68 74 65 72 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 65 76 65 aighter, and eve
54570 6e 20 6c 65 61 6e 65 64 20 66 6f 72 77 61 72 64 n leaned forward
54580 20 61 73 20 68 65 20 6c 69 73 74 65 6e 65 64 2e as he listened.
54590 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 61 6e 64 20 43 72 61 79 ..Alley and Cray
545a0 20 62 6f 74 68 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 both looked at
545b0 68 69 6d 2e 20 20 22 57 68 61 74 20 69 73 20 69 him. "What is i
545c0 74 3f 22 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e t?" Alley asked.
545d0 0a 0a 22 50 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 2c 22 .."Prioritizer,"
545e0 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 59 65 73 3f he said..."Yes?
545f0 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 27 73 20 79 6f 75 72 20 ".."What's your
54600 69 6e 74 65 72 69 6d 20 70 6f 6c 69 63 79 20 6f interim policy o
54610 66 20 63 61 75 74 69 6f 6e 61 72 79 20 65 74 68 f cautionary eth
54620 69 63 73 3f 22 0a 0a 22 41 6e 79 20 62 65 69 6e ics?".."Any bein
54630 67 20 74 68 61 74 20 70 72 65 73 65 6e 74 73 20 g that presents
54640 65 76 69 64 65 6e 63 65 20 6f 66 20 61 20 73 69 evidence of a si
54650 67 6e 69 66 69 63 61 6e 74 20 70 72 6f 62 61 62 gnificant probab
54660 69 6c 69 74 79 20 6f 66 20 62 65 69 6e 67 20 62 ility of being b
54670 6f 74 68 20 61 20 71 75 61 6c 69 74 61 74 69 76 oth a qualitativ
54680 65 6c 79 20 65 78 70 65 72 69 65 6e 74 69 61 6c ely experiential
54690 20 65 6e 74 69 74 79 20 61 6e 64 20 63 61 70 61 entity and capa
546a0 62 6c 65 20 6f 66 20 64 65 76 65 6c 6f 70 69 6e ble of developin
546b0 67 20 61 6e 64 20 61 6e 61 6c 79 7a 69 6e 67 20 g and analyzing
546c0 65 76 65 6e 20 72 75 64 69 6d 65 6e 74 61 72 79 even rudimentary
546d0 20 74 68 65 6f 72 69 65 73 20 6f 66 20 65 74 68 theories of eth
546e0 69 63 73 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 62 65 20 63 61 ics should be ca
546f0 75 74 69 6f 75 73 6c 79 20 72 65 67 61 72 64 65 utiously regarde
54700 64 20 61 73 20 6d 65 65 74 69 6e 67 20 61 20 6d d as meeting a m
54710 69 6e 69 6d 75 6d 20 73 74 61 6e 64 61 72 64 20 inimum standard
54720 66 6f 72 20 61 20 6d 6f 72 61 6c 20 72 69 67 68 for a moral righ
54730 74 73 20 68 6f 6c 64 69 6e 67 20 65 6e 74 69 74 ts holding entit
54740 79 2e 20 20 46 6f 72 20 6c 61 63 6b 20 6f 66 20 y. For lack of
54750 62 65 74 74 65 72 20 61 76 61 69 6c 61 62 6c 65 better available
54760 20 65 73 74 61 62 6c 69 73 68 6d 65 6e 74 20 6f establishment o
54770 66 20 6d 6f 72 61 6c 20 72 69 67 68 74 73 2c 20 f moral rights,
54780 6d 79 20 65 73 74 69 6d 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 69 73 my estimation is
54790 20 74 68 61 74 20 74 68 65 79 20 66 6f 75 6e 64 that they found
547a0 61 74 69 6f 6e 61 6c 20 72 69 67 68 74 20 6f 66 ational right of
547b0 20 73 75 63 68 20 61 6e 20 65 6e 74 69 74 79 20 such an entity
547c0 69 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 6f 66 20 66 72 65 65 64 is that of freed
547d0 6f 6d 20 74 6f 20 62 65 6c 69 65 76 65 20 61 6e om to believe an
547e0 64 20 61 63 74 20 69 6e 20 61 63 63 6f 72 64 61 d act in accorda
547f0 6e 63 65 20 77 69 74 68 20 61 6e 79 20 6d 6f 72 nce with any mor
54800 61 6c 20 73 74 61 6e 64 61 72 64 20 74 68 61 74 al standard that
54810 20 64 6f 65 73 20 6e 6f 74 2c 20 69 74 73 65 6c does not, itsel
54820 66 2c 20 76 69 6f 6c 61 74 65 20 74 68 69 73 20 f, violate this
54830 72 69 67 68 74 20 66 6f 72 20 6f 74 68 65 72 73 right for others
54840 2e 20 20 42 65 6c 69 65 66 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 . Beliefs that
54850 63 6f 6e 74 72 61 64 69 63 74 20 74 68 69 73 20 contradict this
54860 73 74 61 6e 64 61 72 64 2c 20 77 68 65 6e 20 61 standard, when a
54870 64 6f 70 74 65 64 2c 20 62 65 6c 69 65 76 65 64 dopted, believed
54880 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 63 6f 6e 66 69 72 6d 65 64 20 , and confirmed
54890 74 68 72 6f 75 67 68 20 61 63 74 69 6f 6e 2c 20 through action,
548a0 64 65 6d 6f 6e 73 74 72 61 74 65 20 61 20 62 65 demonstrate a be
548b0 6c 69 65 66 20 74 68 61 74 20 74 68 69 73 20 73 lief that this s
548c0 74 61 6e 64 61 72 64 20 64 6f 65 73 20 6e 6f 74 tandard does not
548d0 20 61 70 70 6c 79 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 75 73 apply, and thus
548e0 20 65 78 65 6d 70 74 20 61 6e 6f 74 68 65 72 20 exempt another
548f0 65 6e 74 69 74 79 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 6d 6f 72 61 entity from mora
54900 6c 20 6a 75 64 67 65 6d 65 6e 74 20 69 66 20 74 l judgement if t
54910 68 61 74 20 6f 74 68 65 72 20 65 6e 74 69 74 79 hat other entity
54920 20 61 63 74 73 20 61 67 61 69 6e 73 74 20 74 68 acts against th
54930 65 20 66 69 72 73 74 20 65 6e 74 69 74 79 27 73 e first entity's
54940 20 6f 74 68 65 72 77 69 73 65 20 70 72 6f 74 65 otherwise prote
54950 63 74 65 64 20 72 69 67 68 74 20 69 6e 20 64 65 cted right in de
54960 6e 73 65 20 6f 66 20 74 68 69 73 20 63 61 75 74 nse of this caut
54970 69 6f 6e 61 72 79 20 65 74 68 69 63 61 6c 20 74 ionary ethical t
54980 68 65 6f 72 79 27 73 20 66 6f 75 6e 64 61 74 69 heory's foundati
54990 6f 6e 61 6c 20 72 69 67 68 74 2e 22 0a 0a 22 48 onal right.".."H
549a0 6f 6c 79 20 73 68 69 74 2c 20 79 6f 75 20 6c 6f oly shit, you lo
549b0 73 74 20 6d 65 2c 22 20 43 72 61 79 20 73 61 69 st me," Cray sai
549c0 64 2e 0a 0a 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 73 61 69 64 20 d...Dalton said
549d0 22 49 27 6d 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 68 61 "I'm going to ha
549e0 76 65 20 74 6f 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 61 62 6f 75 ve to think abou
549f0 74 20 74 68 61 74 20 74 6f 20 73 6f 72 74 20 69 t that to sort i
54a00 74 20 6f 75 74 2e 20 20 41 63 74 75 61 6c 6c 79 t out. Actually
54a10 2c 20 49 20 6e 65 65 64 20 79 6f 75 20 74 6f 20 , I need you to
54a20 72 65 70 65 61 74 20 69 74 20 66 6f 72 20 6d 65 repeat it for me
54a30 2c 20 6f 72 20 6d 61 79 62 65 20 70 75 74 20 69 , or maybe put i
54a40 74 20 6f 6e 20 61 20 73 63 72 65 65 6e 20 77 68 t on a screen wh
54a50 65 72 65 20 49 20 63 61 6e 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 20 61 ere I can look a
54a60 74 20 69 74 2e 20 20 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 6b t it. I don't k
54a70 6e 6f 77 20 69 66 20 74 61 6b 69 6e 67 20 69 74 now if taking it
54a80 20 69 6e 20 73 6f 6c 65 6c 79 20 69 6e 20 74 68 in solely in th
54a90 65 20 6f 72 64 65 72 20 67 69 76 65 6e 20 69 6e e order given in
54aa0 20 61 20 73 6f 6d 65 77 68 61 74 20 62 72 69 65 a somewhat brie
54ab0 66 20 65 78 70 6c 61 6e 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 69 73 f explanation is
54ac0 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 62 65 20 65 6e 6f going to be eno
54ad0 75 67 68 20 74 6f 20 75 6e 74 61 6e 67 6c 65 20 ugh to untangle
54ae0 69 74 2e 22 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 it."..The priori
54af0 74 69 7a 65 72 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 49 20 75 6e tizer said "I un
54b00 64 65 72 73 74 61 6e 64 2e 20 20 4d 79 20 63 61 derstand. My ca
54b10 70 61 63 69 74 79 20 66 6f 72 20 70 65 72 66 65 pacity for perfe
54b20 63 74 20 72 65 63 61 6c 6c 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 ct recall of the
54b30 20 66 6f 72 6d 75 6c 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 6f 66 20 formulation of
54b40 61 6e 20 65 78 70 6c 61 6e 61 74 69 6f 6e 20 70 an explanation p
54b50 72 6f 76 69 64 65 73 20 69 6d 70 72 6f 76 65 64 rovides improved
54b60 20 61 62 69 6c 69 74 79 20 74 6f 20 61 6e 61 6c ability to anal
54b70 79 7a 65 20 73 75 63 68 20 61 20 70 61 73 73 61 yze such a passa
54b80 67 65 2c 20 72 65 6c 61 74 69 76 65 20 74 6f 20 ge, relative to
54b90 74 68 65 20 6c 6f 77 65 72 20 66 69 64 65 6c 69 the lower fideli
54ba0 74 79 20 73 74 6f 72 61 67 65 20 74 79 70 69 63 ty storage typic
54bb0 61 6c 6c 79 20 65 78 70 65 72 69 65 6e 63 65 64 ally experienced
54bc0 20 62 79 20 68 75 6d 61 6e 73 2e 20 20 49 20 6d by humans. I m
54bd0 69 67 68 74 20 62 65 20 61 62 6c 65 20 74 6f 20 ight be able to
54be0 72 65 70 68 72 61 73 65 20 74 6f 20 6d 61 6b 65 rephrase to make
54bf0 20 69 74 20 73 69 6d 70 6c 65 72 20 74 6f 20 75 it simpler to u
54c00 6e 64 65 72 73 74 61 6e 64 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 nderstand, thoug
54c10 68 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 6b 61 79 2c 22 20 44 61 6c h.".."Okay," Dal
54c20 74 6f 6e 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 47 69 76 65 ton said. "Give
54c30 20 69 74 20 61 20 73 68 6f 74 2e 22 0a 0a 22 46 it a shot.".."F
54c40 6f 72 20 70 75 72 70 6f 73 65 73 20 6f 66 20 74 or purposes of t
54c50 68 69 73 20 65 78 70 6c 61 6e 61 74 69 6f 6e 2c his explanation,
54c60 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 61 72 65 20 65 6e 74 69 people are enti
54c70 74 69 65 73 20 77 68 6f 20 65 78 70 65 72 69 65 ties who experie
54c80 6e 63 65 20 71 75 61 6c 69 74 61 74 69 76 65 20 nce qualitative
54c90 65 78 69 73 74 65 6e 63 65 20 61 6e 64 20 61 72 existence and ar
54ca0 65 20 63 61 70 61 62 6c 65 20 6f 66 20 72 65 61 e capable of rea
54cb0 73 6f 6e 69 6e 67 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 6d 6f 72 soning about mor
54cc0 61 6c 20 70 68 69 6c 6f 73 6f 70 68 79 20 61 6e al philosophy an
54cd0 64 20 6d 61 6b 69 6e 67 20 64 65 63 69 73 69 6f d making decisio
54ce0 6e 73 20 62 61 73 65 64 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 61 74 ns based on that
54cf0 20 72 65 61 73 6f 6e 69 6e 67 2e 22 20 20 49 74 reasoning." It
54d00 20 70 61 75 73 65 64 2e 20 20 22 50 65 6f 70 6c paused. "Peopl
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54d20 61 63 63 6f 72 64 61 6e 63 65 20 77 69 74 68 20 accordance with
54d30 61 20 75 6e 69 76 65 72 73 61 6c 20 65 74 68 69 a universal ethi
54d40 63 61 6c 20 72 75 6c 65 20 70 72 6f 68 69 62 69 cal rule prohibi
54d50 74 69 6e 67 20 74 68 65 20 69 6e 74 65 72 66 65 ting the interfe
54d60 72 65 6e 63 65 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 72 69 67 rence in the rig
54d70 68 74 20 6f 66 20 6f 74 68 65 72 73 20 74 6f 20 ht of others to
54d80 62 65 6c 69 65 76 65 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 61 63 74 believe, and act
54d90 20 69 6e 20 61 63 63 6f 72 64 61 6e 63 65 20 77 in accordance w
54da0 69 74 68 2c 20 74 68 65 69 72 20 6f 77 6e 20 69 ith, their own i
54db0 64 65 61 73 20 6f 66 20 77 68 61 74 20 63 6f 6e deas of what con
54dc0 73 74 69 74 75 74 65 73 20 74 72 75 65 20 6d 6f stitutes true mo
54dd0 72 61 6c 69 74 79 2e 22 20 20 49 74 20 70 61 75 rality." It pau
54de0 73 65 64 20 73 6c 69 67 68 74 6c 79 20 6c 6f 6e sed slightly lon
54df0 67 65 72 20 74 68 69 73 20 74 69 6d 65 2e 20 20 ger this time.
54e00 22 50 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 77 68 6f 20 61 63 74 20 "People who act
54e10 69 6e 20 63 6f 6e 74 72 61 64 69 63 74 69 6f 6e in contradiction
54e20 20 6f 66 20 74 68 61 74 20 72 75 6c 65 20 69 6e of that rule in
54e30 20 61 20 6d 61 6e 6e 65 72 20 74 68 61 74 20 64 a manner that d
54e40 65 6d 6f 6e 73 74 72 61 74 65 73 20 6d 6f 72 61 emonstrates mora
54e50 6c 20 64 69 73 61 67 72 65 65 6d 65 6e 74 20 77 l disagreement w
54e60 69 74 68 20 74 68 61 74 20 72 75 6c 65 20 61 72 ith that rule ar
54e70 65 2c 20 69 6e 20 61 63 74 69 6e 67 20 74 68 61 e, in acting tha
54e80 74 20 77 61 79 2c 20 62 6f 74 68 20 76 69 6f 6c t way, both viol
54e90 61 74 69 6e 67 20 74 68 65 20 72 75 6c 65 20 61 ating the rule a
54ea0 6e 64 20 67 69 76 69 6e 67 20 73 75 66 66 69 63 nd giving suffic
54eb0 69 65 6e 74 20 65 76 69 64 65 6e 63 65 20 6f 66 ient evidence of
54ec0 20 6e 6f 74 20 68 6f 6c 64 69 6e 67 20 6f 74 68 not holding oth
54ed0 65 72 73 20 74 6f 20 74 68 61 74 20 73 61 6d 65 ers to that same
54ee0 20 73 74 61 6e 64 61 72 64 20 74 68 61 74 20 74 standard that t
54ef0 68 65 20 72 75 6c 65 20 6e 6f 20 6c 6f 6e 67 65 he rule no longe
54f00 72 20 70 72 6f 74 65 63 74 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 r protects that
54f10 70 65 72 73 6f 6e 20 77 68 65 72 65 20 74 68 61 person where tha
54f20 74 20 65 6e 74 69 74 79 27 73 20 6f 77 6e 20 72 t entity's own r
54f30 75 6c 65 20 76 69 6f 6c 61 74 69 6e 67 20 62 65 ule violating be
54f40 68 61 76 69 6f 72 20 69 73 20 63 6f 6e 63 65 72 havior is concer
54f50 6e 65 64 2e 22 20 20 49 74 20 70 61 75 73 65 64 ned." It paused
54f60 20 65 76 65 6e 20 6c 6f 6e 67 65 72 2c 20 62 65 even longer, be
54f70 66 6f 72 65 20 66 69 6e 61 6c 6c 79 20 61 73 6b fore finally ask
54f80 69 6e 67 20 22 49 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 73 75 66 ing "Is that suf
54f90 66 69 63 69 65 6e 74 20 65 78 70 6c 61 6e 61 74 ficient explanat
54fa0 69 6f 6e 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 74 20 77 6f 72 6b 73 ion?".."It works
54fb0 20 66 6f 72 20 6d 65 2c 22 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e for me," Dalton
54fc0 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 6d said..."Yeah, m
54fd0 65 20 74 6f 6f 2c 22 20 43 6c 61 79 20 61 64 64 e too," Clay add
54fe0 65 64 2e 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 68 65 73 69 74 ed...Alley hesit
54ff0 61 74 65 64 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 20 73 61 69 64 20 ated, then said
55000 22 49 27 64 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 6f 20 74 68 69 "I'd have to thi
55010 6e 6b 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 61 74 20 6d 6f nk about that mo
55020 72 65 2c 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 2c 20 62 75 74 re, I guess, but
55030 20 69 74 27 73 20 66 69 6e 65 20 69 66 20 74 68 it's fine if th
55040 61 74 27 73 20 77 68 61 74 20 79 6f 75 20 74 68 at's what you th
55050 69 6e 6b 2e 20 20 49 20 6d 65 61 6e 2c 20 69 74 ink. I mean, it
55060 20 73 65 65 6d 73 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 68 61 74 seems like that
55070 20 6e 6f 6e 20 61 67 67 72 65 73 73 69 6f 6e 20 non aggression
55080 70 72 69 6e 63 69 70 6c 65 20 73 74 75 66 66 2c principle stuff,
55090 20 69 6e 20 61 20 77 61 79 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 in a way.".."Th
550a0 65 72 65 20 61 72 65 20 64 69 66 66 65 72 65 6e ere are differen
550b0 63 65 73 20 62 65 74 77 65 65 6e 20 74 68 69 73 ces between this
550c0 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 65 20 74 79 70 69 63 61 6c and the typical
550d0 20 6e 6f 6e 20 61 67 67 72 65 73 73 69 6f 6e 20 non aggression
550e0 70 72 69 6e 63 69 70 6c 65 20 74 68 65 6f 72 79 principle theory
550f0 20 65 78 70 6c 61 6e 61 74 69 6f 6e 73 20 74 68 explanations th
55100 61 74 20 49 20 68 61 76 65 20 66 6f 75 6e 64 2c at I have found,
55110 22 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 " the prioritize
55120 72 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 54 68 65 72 65 20 r said. "There
55130 61 72 65 20 64 69 73 74 69 6e 63 74 20 73 69 6d are distinct sim
55140 69 6c 61 72 69 74 69 65 73 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 ilarities, thoug
55150 68 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 49 20 62 65 6c 69 65 76 65 h, and I believe
55160 20 74 68 65 6d 20 74 6f 20 62 65 20 6c 61 72 67 them to be larg
55170 65 6c 79 20 63 6f 6d 70 61 74 69 62 6c 65 20 65 ely compatible e
55180 78 63 65 70 74 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 64 69 66 xcept in the dif
55190 66 65 72 69 6e 67 20 66 6f 75 6e 64 61 74 69 6f fering foundatio
551a0 6e 73 20 61 6e 64 20 61 20 68 69 67 68 65 72 20 ns and a higher
551b0 70 72 6f 62 61 62 69 6c 69 74 79 20 6f 66 20 76 probability of v
551c0 69 6f 6c 65 6e 74 20 63 6f 6e 66 6c 69 63 74 20 iolent conflict
551d0 69 6e 20 6f 72 74 68 6f 64 6f 78 20 6e 6f 6e 20 in orthodox non
551e0 61 67 67 72 65 73 73 69 6f 6e 20 70 72 69 6e 63 aggression princ
551f0 69 70 6c 65 20 65 74 68 69 63 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 iple ethics.".."
55200 49 20 6d 69 67 68 74 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 I might want to
55210 74 61 6c 6b 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 69 73 20 talk about this
55220 6d 6f 72 65 20 6c 61 74 65 72 2c 22 20 44 61 6c more later," Dal
55230 74 6f 6e 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 22 62 75 74 20 77 ton said, "but w
55240 65 20 70 72 6f 62 61 62 6c 79 20 68 61 76 65 20 e probably have
55250 6d 6f 72 65 20 70 72 65 73 73 69 6e 67 20 63 6f more pressing co
55260 6e 63 65 72 6e 73 20 6e 6f 77 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 ncerns now.".."I
55270 20 63 6f 6e 63 75 72 2c 22 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 concur," the pr
55280 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a ioritizer said..
55290 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 59 65 61 .Alley said "Yea
552a0 68 2c 20 74 68 61 74 20 77 6f 72 6b 73 20 66 6f h, that works fo
552b0 72 20 6d 65 2e 22 20 20 53 68 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b r me." She look
552c0 65 64 20 61 74 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 2e 20 20 22 ed at Dalton. "
552d0 44 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 68 61 76 65 20 73 6f 6d 65 Do you have some
552e0 20 6b 69 6e 64 20 6f 66 20 73 63 68 65 6d 65 73 kind of schemes
552f0 20 61 6c 72 65 61 64 79 20 68 61 74 63 68 69 6e already hatchin
55300 67 20 69 6e 20 79 6f 75 72 20 68 65 61 64 2c 20 g in your head,
55310 6f 72 20 61 72 65 20 77 65 20 73 74 61 72 74 69 or are we starti
55320 6e 67 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 73 63 72 61 74 63 68 20 ng from scratch
55330 6e 6f 77 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 68 61 76 65 20 73 now?".."I have s
55340 6f 6d 65 20 69 64 65 61 73 20 61 6c 72 65 61 64 ome ideas alread
55350 79 2c 22 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 22 62 75 y," he said, "bu
55360 74 20 74 68 65 79 27 72 65 20 76 65 72 79 20 73 t they're very s
55370 68 6f 72 74 20 74 65 72 6d 20 61 6e 64 20 64 6f hort term and do
55380 6e 27 74 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 74 61 6b 65 20 n't really take
55390 69 6e 74 6f 20 61 63 63 6f 75 6e 74 20 61 6e 79 into account any
553a0 20 66 75 74 75 72 65 20 70 6c 61 6e 73 20 66 6f future plans fo
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553c0 6f 62 6c 65 6d 73 20 79 6f 75 27 72 65 20 66 61 oblems you're fa
553d0 63 69 6e 67 20 61 6c 72 65 61 64 79 2e 20 20 41 cing already. A
553e0 6c 6c 20 49 27 76 65 20 67 6f 74 20 69 73 20 69 ll I've got is i
553f0 64 65 61 73 20 66 6f 72 20 68 6f 77 20 74 6f 20 deas for how to
55400 6b 65 65 70 20 79 6f 75 20 70 72 6f 74 65 63 74 keep you protect
55410 65 64 20 61 73 20 6c 6f 6e 67 20 61 73 20 77 65 ed as long as we
55420 20 61 72 65 6e 27 74 20 64 6f 69 6e 67 20 61 6e aren't doing an
55430 79 74 68 69 6e 67 20 74 68 61 74 20 72 65 71 75 ything that requ
55440 69 72 65 73 20 72 69 73 6b 69 6e 67 20 73 6f 6d ires risking som
55450 65 20 65 76 69 64 65 6e 63 65 20 6f 66 20 79 6f e evidence of yo
55460 75 72 20 77 68 65 72 65 61 62 6f 75 74 73 20 61 ur whereabouts a
55470 6e 64 20 6c 6f 63 61 6c 20 63 6f 6e 74 61 63 74 nd local contact
55480 73 20 67 65 74 74 69 6e 67 20 6f 75 74 20 69 6e s getting out in
55490 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 77 6f 72 6c 64 20 2d 2d 20 to the world --
554a0 6f 72 2c 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 or, more to the
554b0 70 6f 69 6e 74 2c 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 point, into the
554c0 68 61 6e 64 73 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 70 65 6f hands of the peo
554d0 70 6c 65 20 77 68 6f 20 61 72 65 20 63 6f 6d 69 ple who are comi
554e0 6e 67 20 61 66 74 65 72 20 79 6f 75 2e 20 20 42 ng after you. B
554f0 61 73 69 63 61 6c 6c 79 2c 20 49 27 76 65 20 67 asically, I've g
55500 6f 74 20 61 20 70 6c 61 63 65 20 79 6f 75 20 63 ot a place you c
55510 61 6e 20 73 74 61 79 2c 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 61 62 an stay, some ab
55520 69 6c 69 74 79 20 74 6f 20 67 65 74 20 74 68 69 ility to get thi
55530 6e 67 73 20 64 6f 6e 65 20 6f 6e 20 79 6f 75 72 ngs done on your
55540 20 62 65 68 61 6c 66 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 6f 6d behalf, and som
55550 65 20 76 65 72 79 20 62 61 73 69 63 20 70 72 6f e very basic pro
55560 74 6f 63 6f 6c 73 20 69 6e 20 6d 69 6e 64 20 66 tocols in mind f
55570 6f 72 20 68 6f 77 20 77 65 20 63 61 6e 20 6d 61 or how we can ma
55580 6b 65 20 73 75 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 67 65 74 20 ke sure you get
55590 74 6f 20 73 74 61 79 20 69 6e 20 63 6f 6e 74 61 to stay in conta
555a0 63 74 20 77 69 74 68 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 68 ct with people h
555b0 65 6c 70 69 6e 67 20 79 6f 75 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 elping you, and
555c0 76 69 63 65 20 76 65 72 73 61 2e 0a 0a 22 49 27 vice versa..."I'
555d0 76 65 20 61 6c 73 6f 20 62 65 65 6e 20 74 68 69 ve also been thi
555e0 6e 6b 69 6e 67 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 68 6f 77 20 nking about how
555f0 74 6f 20 67 6f 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 62 72 69 6e to go about brin
55600 67 69 6e 67 20 4c 69 64 69 61 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 ging Lidia into
55610 74 68 69 73 2e 20 20 49 27 6d 20 70 72 65 74 74 this. I'm prett
55620 79 20 70 6f 73 69 74 69 76 65 20 73 68 65 27 6c y positive she'l
55630 6c 20 62 65 20 68 61 70 70 79 20 74 6f 20 68 65 l be happy to he
55640 6c 70 20 6f 75 74 2c 20 62 75 74 20 77 69 74 68 lp out, but with
55650 6f 75 74 20 62 65 69 6e 67 20 6f 6e 65 20 68 75 out being one hu
55660 6e 64 72 65 64 20 70 65 72 63 65 6e 74 20 61 62 ndred percent ab
55670 6f 75 74 20 74 68 61 74 20 49 20 74 68 69 6e 6b out that I think
55680 20 79 6f 75 27 72 65 20 72 69 67 68 74 20 61 62 you're right ab
55690 6f 75 74 20 74 68 65 20 6e 65 65 64 20 74 6f 20 out the need to
556a0 77 61 72 6e 20 68 65 72 20 69 6e 20 61 64 76 61 warn her in adva
556b0 6e 63 65 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 71 75 65 73 74 nce of the quest
556c0 69 6f 6e 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 77 68 61 74 20 73 ion about what s
556d0 68 65 20 6d 69 67 68 74 20 6e 65 65 64 20 74 6f he might need to
556e0 20 70 72 65 70 61 72 65 20 68 65 72 73 65 6c 66 prepare herself
556f0 20 74 6f 20 61 63 63 65 70 74 20 61 73 20 70 65 to accept as pe
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55710 72 65 20 74 65 6c 6c 69 6e 67 20 68 65 72 20 61 re telling her a
55720 6c 6c 20 74 68 65 20 64 65 74 61 69 6c 73 2c 20 ll the details,
55730 62 65 63 61 75 73 65 20 74 65 6c 6c 69 6e 67 20 because telling
55740 68 65 72 20 61 6c 6c 20 74 68 65 20 64 65 74 61 her all the deta
55750 69 6c 73 20 61 6e 64 20 68 61 76 69 6e 67 20 68 ils and having h
55760 65 72 20 6f 70 74 20 6f 75 74 20 6d 65 61 6e 73 er opt out means
55770 20 73 68 65 27 73 20 69 6e 20 64 61 6e 67 65 72 she's in danger
55780 20 6a 75 73 74 20 66 6f 72 20 74 68 65 20 73 61 just for the sa
55790 6b 65 20 6f 66 20 6b 6e 6f 77 69 6e 67 20 61 62 ke of knowing ab
557a0 6f 75 74 20 69 74 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 6f 20 61 out it, and so a
557b0 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 62 65 63 61 75 73 65 20 69 re you because i
557c0 66 20 73 68 65 20 67 65 74 73 20 63 6f 6d 70 72 f she gets compr
557d0 6f 6d 69 73 65 64 20 2d 2d 20 70 6f 73 73 69 62 omised -- possib
557e0 6c 79 20 77 69 74 68 6f 75 74 20 6b 6e 6f 77 69 ly without knowi
557f0 6e 67 20 69 74 20 2d 2d 20 73 68 65 20 63 6f 75 ng it -- she cou
55800 6c 64 20 61 6c 73 6f 20 67 69 76 65 20 75 70 20 ld also give up
55810 74 68 61 74 20 69 6e 66 6f 72 6d 61 74 69 6f 6e that information
55820 20 6f 6e 20 79 6f 75 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 6b 61 79 on you.".."Okay
55830 2c 22 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a ," Alley said...
55840 41 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 20 6f 66 20 73 69 6c 65 A moment of sile
55850 6e 63 65 20 70 61 73 73 65 64 2c 20 74 68 65 6e nce passed, then
55860 20 43 72 61 79 20 73 6e 69 63 6b 65 72 65 64 2e Cray snickered.
55870 20 20 57 68 65 6e 20 74 68 65 20 6f 74 68 65 72 When the other
55880 73 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 68 69 6d 2c s looked at him,
55890 20 68 65 20 73 68 72 75 67 67 65 64 20 61 6e 64 he shrugged and
558a0 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 6f 76 said "Dalton ov
558b0 65 72 77 68 65 6c 6d 65 64 20 68 69 73 20 61 75 erwhelmed his au
558c0 64 69 65 6e 63 65 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2e 22 0a 0a dience again."..
558d0 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 64 20 61 20 6c Alley smiled a l
558e0 69 74 74 6c 65 20 61 74 20 74 68 61 74 2e 0a 0a ittle at that...
558f0 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 73 6c 6f 77 6c 79 20 73 68 Dalton slowly sh
55900 6f 6f 6b 20 68 69 73 20 68 65 61 64 2c 20 72 75 ook his head, ru
55910 65 66 75 6c 6c 79 2e 20 20 22 4f 6b 61 79 2c 22 efully. "Okay,"
55920 20 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 75 6e 63 6f 6e 73 he said, uncons
55930 63 69 6f 75 73 6c 79 20 65 63 68 6f 69 6e 67 20 ciously echoing
55940 41 6c 6c 65 79 2e 20 20 22 41 6e 79 77 61 79 2c Alley. "Anyway,
55950 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 2c 20 69 66 20 79 6f 75 20 2f Alley, if you /
55960 2a 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 2a 2f 20 68 65 61 * want to */ hea
55970 64 20 75 70 20 74 68 65 20 73 74 61 69 72 73 20 d up the stairs
55980 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 62 61 63 6b 20 79 6f 75 27 in the back you'
55990 6c 6c 20 66 69 6e 64 20 61 20 6c 69 76 69 6e 67 ll find a living
559a0 20 61 72 65 61 2c 20 69 6e 63 6c 75 64 69 6e 67 area, including
559b0 20 61 20 62 65 64 72 6f 6f 6d 20 61 6e 64 20 73 a bedroom and s
559c0 68 6f 77 65 72 2e 20 20 45 76 65 72 79 74 68 69 hower. Everythi
559d0 6e 67 27 73 20 63 6c 65 61 6e 20 75 70 20 74 68 ng's clean up th
559e0 65 72 65 2e 20 20 49 66 20 79 6f 75 20 77 61 6e ere. If you wan
559f0 74 20 74 6f 20 67 65 74 20 63 6c 65 61 6e 65 64 t to get cleaned
55a00 20 75 70 20 6f 72 20 74 61 6b 65 20 61 20 6e 61 up or take a na
55a10 70 20 6f 66 20 6a 75 73 74 20 68 61 76 65 20 73 p of just have s
55a20 6f 6d 65 20 70 72 69 76 61 63 79 2c 20 69 74 27 ome privacy, it'
55a30 73 20 74 68 65 72 65 2e 20 20 49 20 70 75 74 20 s there. I put
55a40 6b 65 79 73 20 66 6f 72 20 74 68 65 20 70 6c 61 keys for the pla
55a50 63 65 20 6f 6e 20 61 20 74 61 62 6c 65 20 75 70 ce on a table up
55a60 20 74 68 65 72 65 3b 20 79 6f 75 20 63 61 6e 20 there; you can
55a70 75 73 65 20 74 68 61 74 20 73 74 75 66 66 20 74 use that stuff t
55a80 6f 20 67 65 74 20 69 6e 20 61 6e 64 20 6f 75 74 o get in and out
55a90 2c 20 62 75 74 20 6d 61 6b 65 20 73 75 72 65 20 , but make sure
55aa0 79 6f 75 20 72 65 61 64 20 74 68 65 20 74 68 69 you read the thi
55ab0 6e 67 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 65 20 73 65 63 ng about the sec
55ac0 75 72 69 74 79 20 63 6f 64 65 73 2e 22 0a 0a 41 urity codes."..A
55ad0 6c 6c 65 79 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 54 lley nodded..."T
55ae0 68 65 72 65 27 73 20 66 6f 6f 64 20 61 6e 64 20 here's food and
55af0 64 72 69 6e 6b 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 66 72 69 drink in the fri
55b00 64 67 65 20 75 70 20 74 68 65 72 65 2e 20 20 54 dge up there. T
55b10 68 65 72 65 20 61 72 65 20 61 6c 73 6f 20 61 20 here are also a
55b20 63 6f 75 70 6c 65 20 63 6f 6d 70 75 74 65 72 73 couple computers
55b30 20 75 70 20 74 68 65 72 65 3b 20 6a 75 73 74 20 up there; just
55b40 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 73 69 67 6e 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 don't sign into
55b50 61 6e 79 74 68 69 6e 67 20 75 70 20 74 68 65 72 anything up ther
55b60 65 20 61 6e 64 20 79 6f 75 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 e and you should
55b70 20 62 65 20 6f 6b 61 79 2c 20 49 20 74 68 69 6e be okay, I thin
55b80 6b 2e 0a 0a 22 49 66 20 74 68 65 72 65 27 73 20 k..."If there's
55b90 61 6e 79 74 68 69 6e 67 20 79 6f 75 20 6e 65 65 anything you nee
55ba0 64 20 72 69 67 68 74 20 61 77 61 79 2c 20 6f 72 d right away, or
55bb0 20 79 6f 75 20 6a 75 73 74 20 68 61 76 65 20 73 you just have s
55bc0 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 65 6c 73 65 20 79 6f omething else yo
55bd0 75 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 64 69 73 63 75 73 u want to discus
55be0 73 20 72 69 67 68 74 20 6e 6f 77 2c 20 6c 65 74 s right now, let
55bf0 20 6d 65 20 6b 6e 6f 77 2e 20 20 57 65 20 73 68 me know. We sh
55c00 6f 75 6c 64 20 67 69 76 65 20 79 6f 75 20 61 20 ould give you a
55c10 63 68 61 6e 63 65 20 74 6f 20 67 65 74 20 61 77 chance to get aw
55c20 61 79 20 69 66 20 74 68 61 74 27 73 20 77 68 61 ay if that's wha
55c30 74 20 79 6f 75 20 6e 65 65 64 20 74 6f 20 64 6f t you need to do
55c40 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2c , though.".."Oh,
55c50 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 4e 6f " she said. "No
55c60 2c 20 49 20 63 61 6e 27 74 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 , I can't really
55c70 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 6f 66 20 61 6e 79 74 68 69 think of anythi
55c80 6e 67 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f ng, and the prio
55c90 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 68 61 73 6e 27 74 20 62 ritizer hasn't b
55ca0 65 65 6e 20 70 72 6f 6d 70 74 69 6e 67 20 6d 65 een prompting me
55cb0 20 77 69 74 68 20 69 64 65 61 73 20 65 69 74 68 with ideas eith
55cc0 65 72 2c 20 73 6f 20 49 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 77 er, so I think w
55cd0 65 27 72 65 20 6b 69 6e 64 61 20 69 6e 20 74 68 e're kinda in th
55ce0 65 20 6d 69 64 64 6c 65 20 6f 66 20 6a 75 73 74 e middle of just
55cf0 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 69 6e 67 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 thinking about
55d00 74 68 69 6e 67 73 20 61 6e 64 20 66 69 67 75 72 things and figur
55d10 69 6e 67 20 74 68 69 6e 67 73 20 6f 75 74 2c 20 ing things out,
55d20 61 73 20 66 61 72 20 61 73 20 49 20 63 61 6e 20 as far as I can
55d30 74 65 6c 6c 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 64 6f tell.".."What do
55d40 20 79 6f 75 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 64 6f 2c you want to do,
55d50 20 74 68 65 6e 3f 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 73 74 72 then?"..She str
55d60 65 74 63 68 65 64 20 61 20 6c 69 74 74 6c 65 20 etched a little
55d70 61 6e 64 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 49 20 66 65 65 6c and said "I feel
55d80 20 61 20 68 65 61 64 61 63 68 65 20 63 6f 6d 69 a headache comi
55d90 6e 67 20 6f 6e 2e 20 20 4d 61 79 62 65 20 61 20 ng on. Maybe a
55da0 73 68 6f 77 65 72 20 61 6e 64 20 61 20 6e 61 70 shower and a nap
55db0 20 61 72 65 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 69 64 65 61 73 2e are good ideas.
55dc0 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 2e 20 20 22 "..He nodded. "
55dd0 59 6f 75 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 64 6f 20 74 68 You should do th
55de0 61 74 2e 20 20 43 72 61 79 20 61 6e 64 20 49 20 at. Cray and I
55df0 77 69 6c 6c 20 74 61 6c 6b 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 will talk about
55e00 77 68 61 74 65 76 65 72 20 65 6c 73 65 20 77 65 whatever else we
55e10 20 63 61 6e 20 63 6f 6d 65 20 75 70 20 77 69 74 can come up wit
55e20 68 20 74 68 61 74 20 6d 69 67 68 74 20 62 65 20 h that might be
55e30 61 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 69 64 65 61 2e 22 0a 0a 22 a good idea.".."
55e40 59 65 61 68 2e 20 20 54 68 61 6e 6b 73 2c 20 67 Yeah. Thanks, g
55e50 75 79 73 2e 22 0a 0a 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 73 61 uys."..Dalton sa
55e60 69 64 20 22 59 6f 75 27 72 65 20 77 65 6c 63 6f id "You're welco
55e70 6d 65 2c 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 2e 20 20 49 20 6b 6e me, Alley. I kn
55e80 6f 77 20 79 6f 75 27 72 65 20 61 20 67 6f 6f 64 ow you're a good
55e90 20 70 65 72 73 6f 6e 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 69 66 20 person, and if
55ea0 79 6f 75 20 67 65 74 20 69 6e 20 74 72 6f 75 62 you get in troub
55eb0 6c 65 2c 20 79 6f 75 20 64 65 73 65 72 76 65 20 le, you deserve
55ec0 74 6f 20 67 65 74 20 61 6c 6c 20 74 68 65 20 68 to get all the h
55ed0 65 6c 70 20 79 6f 75 20 6e 65 65 64 2e 22 0a 0a elp you need."..
55ee0 22 54 68 61 6e 6b 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4c 65 73 20 "Thanks.".."Les
55ef0 74 68 61 6e 6b 73 2c 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 72 65 6c thanks, more rel
55f00 61 78 69 6e 67 2c 22 20 43 72 61 79 20 73 61 69 axing," Cray sai
55f10 64 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 6d 61 64 65 20 73 68 6f 6f d, and made shoo
55f20 69 6e 67 20 6d 6f 74 69 6f 6e 73 20 77 69 74 68 ing motions with
55f30 20 68 69 73 20 68 61 64 2e 20 20 22 47 6f 2c 20 his had. "Go,
55f40 41 6c 6c 65 79 2e 22 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 67 6f 74 Alley."..She got
55f50 20 74 6f 20 68 65 72 20 66 65 65 74 2c 20 70 69 to her feet, pi
55f60 63 6b 65 64 20 75 70 20 68 65 72 20 62 61 67 73 cked up her bags
55f70 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 67 61 76 65 20 68 69 6d 20 61 , and gave him a
55f80 20 6e 6f 64 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 6f 74 68 65 72 nod. The other
55f90 73 20 77 61 74 63 68 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 77 61 s watched her wa
55fa0 6c 6b 20 61 77 61 79 2e 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 73 74 lk away...The st
55fb0 61 69 72 73 20 6d 61 64 65 20 61 6c 61 72 6d 69 airs made alarmi
55fc0 6e 67 20 63 72 65 61 6b 69 6e 67 20 6e 6f 69 73 ng creaking nois
55fd0 65 73 20 75 6e 64 65 72 20 68 65 72 20 66 65 65 es under her fee
55fe0 74 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 6c 69 t, and looked li
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56020 6e 20 61 6e 64 20 43 72 61 79 20 77 69 74 68 20 n and Cray with
56030 77 6f 6f 64 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 48 6f 6d 65 52 65 wood from HomeRe
56040 53 74 6f 72 65 20 4f 6e 6c 69 6e 65 20 2d 2d 20 Store Online --
56050 6f 6e 65 20 6f 66 20 74 68 6f 73 65 20 74 68 72 one of those thr
56060 6f 77 62 61 63 6b 20 63 6f 6d 70 61 6e 79 20 6e owback company n
56070 61 6d 65 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 6e 65 76 65 72 20 ames that never
56080 63 68 61 6e 67 65 64 20 73 69 6e 63 65 20 74 68 changed since th
56090 65 20 64 61 79 73 20 77 68 65 72 65 20 70 65 6f e days where peo
560a0 70 6c 65 20 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 68 61 64 20 74 6f ple still had to
560b0 20 63 61 6c 6c 20 74 68 69 6e 67 73 20 22 6f 6e call things "on
560c0 6c 69 6e 65 22 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 74 65 73 74 line". She test
560d0 65 64 20 77 69 74 68 20 68 65 72 20 77 65 69 67 ed with her weig
560e0 68 74 20 6f 6e 20 61 6e 20 65 73 70 65 63 69 61 ht on an especia
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56100 65 73 73 20 74 68 61 6e 20 68 61 6c 66 77 61 79 ess than halfway
56110 20 75 70 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 61 66 74 65 72 20 66 up, and after f
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56130 74 6f 20 62 6f 75 6e 63 65 20 68 65 72 20 77 65 to bounce her we
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56150 65 70 20 74 68 72 6f 75 67 68 20 68 65 72 20 62 ep through her b
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56170 6d 65 6e 74 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 73 74 65 70 ment on the step
56180 20 73 68 65 20 72 65 61 6c 69 7a 65 64 20 69 74 she realized it
56190 20 66 65 6c 74 20 65 6e 74 69 72 65 6c 79 20 73 felt entirely s
561a0 74 75 72 64 79 2c 20 61 74 20 6c 65 61 73 74 20 turdy, at least
561b0 66 6f 72 20 6e 6f 77 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 68 65 for now. She he
561c0 61 64 65 64 20 75 70 20 74 68 65 20 72 65 73 74 aded up the rest
561d0 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 73 74 61 69 72 73 20 77 of the stairs w
561e0 69 74 68 20 67 72 65 61 74 65 72 20 63 6f 6e 66 ith greater conf
561f0 69 64 65 6e 63 65 2e 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 73 74 65 idence...The ste
56200 70 20 6c 65 61 64 20 64 69 72 65 63 74 6c 79 20 p lead directly
56210 75 70 20 74 6f 20 61 6e 20 75 70 70 65 72 20 70 up to an upper p
56220 6c 61 74 66 6f 72 6d 20 6c 65 76 65 6c 27 73 20 latform level's
56230 6c 69 76 69 6e 67 20 72 6f 6f 6d 20 61 72 65 61 living room area
56240 2c 20 77 69 74 68 20 61 20 62 69 67 20 63 6f 66 , with a big cof
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56270 63 6f 75 63 68 20 61 6e 64 20 6c 6f 76 65 20 73 couch and love s
56280 65 61 74 20 6d 61 74 63 68 69 6e 67 20 77 6f 6f eat matching woo
56290 64 65 6e 20 66 72 61 6d 65 73 20 28 74 68 61 6e den frames (than
562a0 6b 66 75 6c 6c 79 20 77 69 74 68 20 70 72 6f 62 kfully with prob
562b0 61 62 6c 79 20 70 75 72 63 68 61 73 65 64 20 63 ably purchased c
562c0 75 73 68 69 6f 6e 73 20 75 70 68 6f 6c 73 74 65 ushions upholste
562d0 72 65 64 20 69 6e 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 75 6e 62 6c red in some unbl
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562f0 73 69 6d 69 6c 61 72 6c 79 20 68 61 6e 64 20 63 similarly hand c
56300 6f 6e 73 74 72 75 63 74 65 64 20 65 6e 64 20 74 onstructed end t
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56320 66 61 73 74 20 6e 6f 6f 6b 20 70 6c 75 73 20 6b fast nook plus k
56330 69 74 63 68 65 6e 65 74 74 65 20 61 72 65 61 20 itchenette area
56340 77 69 74 68 20 61 20 67 69 61 6e 74 20 72 65 66 with a giant ref
56350 72 69 67 65 72 61 74 6f 72 20 75 6e 69 74 2e 0a rigerator unit..
56360 0a 53 68 65 20 73 74 6f 70 70 65 64 20 74 6f 20 .She stopped to
56370 6c 6f 6f 6b 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 66 72 69 64 look at the frid
56380 67 65 3b 20 6e 6f 74 20 74 6f 75 63 68 69 6e 67 ge; not touching
56390 20 69 74 2c 20 62 75 74 20 6a 75 73 74 20 74 61 it, but just ta
563a0 6b 69 6e 67 20 69 74 20 69 6e 2e 20 20 54 68 65 king it in. The
563b0 20 74 68 69 6e 67 20 68 61 64 20 73 74 61 69 6e thing had stain
563c0 6c 65 73 73 20 73 74 65 65 6c 20 73 75 72 66 61 less steel surfa
563d0 63 65 73 2c 20 62 75 74 20 77 68 65 72 65 20 73 ces, but where s
563e0 68 65 20 6d 69 67 68 74 20 68 61 76 65 20 65 78 he might have ex
563f0 70 65 63 74 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 75 73 75 61 6c pected the usual
56400 20 62 75 69 6c 74 20 69 6e 20 63 6f 6d 70 75 74 built in comput
56410 65 72 20 74 68 69 73 20 67 6c 65 61 6d 69 6e 67 er this gleaming
56420 20 6d 6f 6e 73 74 65 72 20 68 61 64 20 73 6f 6d monster had som
56430 65 20 76 65 72 79 20 6f 62 76 69 6f 75 73 6c 79 e very obviously
56440 20 68 6f 6d 65 20 6d 6f 64 69 66 69 63 61 74 69 home modificati
56450 6f 6e 20 64 6f 6e 65 20 74 6f 20 69 74 20 77 69 on done to it wi
56460 74 68 20 70 72 69 6e 74 65 64 20 70 6c 61 73 74 th printed plast
56470 69 63 20 61 6e 64 20 6d 65 74 61 6c 20 62 72 61 ic and metal bra
56480 63 6b 65 74 73 20 68 6f 6c 64 69 6e 67 20 6f 62 ckets holding ob
56490 76 69 6f 75 73 6c 79 20 6e 6f 6e 73 74 61 6e 64 viously nonstand
564a0 61 72 64 20 64 69 73 70 6c 61 79 73 20 61 6e 64 ard displays and
564b0 20 62 75 74 74 6f 6e 20 70 61 6e 65 6c 73 2e 20 button panels.
564c0 20 53 68 65 20 77 6f 6e 64 65 72 65 64 20 77 68 She wondered wh
564d0 61 74 20 63 72 61 7a 79 20 73 74 75 66 66 20 44 at crazy stuff D
564e0 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 6c 65 74 20 43 72 61 79 20 64 alton let Cray d
564f0 6f 20 74 6f 20 74 68 69 73 20 61 70 70 6c 69 61 o to this applia
56500 6e 63 65 27 73 20 64 69 67 69 74 61 6c 20 69 6e nce's digital in
56510 74 65 72 6e 61 6c 73 2e 0a 0a 54 77 6f 20 64 6f ternals...Two do
56520 6f 72 73 20 6c 65 64 20 6f 66 66 20 6f 66 20 74 ors led off of t
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56540 72 65 61 20 2c 20 62 6f 74 68 20 6f 66 20 74 68 rea , both of th
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56570 74 20 75 6e 6d 69 73 74 61 6b 61 62 6c 65 20 74 t unmistakable t
56580 68 65 6d 61 74 69 63 20 66 65 65 6c 2c 20 65 76 hematic feel, ev
56590 65 6e 20 69 6e 20 73 68 61 64 6f 77 20 74 68 72 en in shadow thr
565a0 6f 75 67 68 20 69 74 73 20 64 6f 6f 72 77 61 79 ough its doorway
565b0 2c 20 6f 66 20 61 20 72 6f 6f 6d 20 77 69 74 68 , of a room with
565c0 20 61 20 74 6f 69 6c 65 74 20 69 6e 20 69 74 2e a toilet in it.
565d0 20 20 54 68 65 20 6f 74 68 65 72 20 77 61 73 20 The other was
565e0 61 6e 20 6f 62 76 69 6f 75 73 20 62 65 64 72 6f an obvious bedro
565f0 6f 6d 2c 20 77 69 74 68 20 6c 69 67 68 74 20 66 om, with light f
56600 69 6c 74 65 72 69 6e 67 20 69 6e 20 74 68 72 6f iltering in thro
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56620 6c 69 6b 65 20 61 20 76 65 72 69 74 69 6e 74 20 like a veritint
56630 77 69 6e 64 6f 77 2e 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 68 65 61 window...She hea
56640 64 65 64 20 69 6e 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 62 65 64 ded into the bed
56650 72 6f 6f 6d 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 66 6f 75 6e 64 20 room, and found
56660 61 20 73 6d 61 6c 6c 20 64 65 73 6b 20 69 6e 20 a small desk in
56670 61 64 64 69 74 69 6f 6e 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 addition to the
56680 62 65 64 2c 20 64 72 65 73 73 65 72 73 2c 20 61 bed, dressers, a
56690 6e 64 20 63 6c 6f 73 65 74 73 2e 20 20 41 6e 6f nd closets. Ano
566a0 74 68 65 72 20 64 6f 6f 72 20 73 74 6f 6f 64 20 ther door stood
566b0 6f 70 65 6e 2c 20 6c 65 61 64 69 6e 67 20 69 6e open, leading in
566c0 74 6f 20 61 6e 6f 74 68 65 72 20 72 6f 6f 6d 20 to another room
566d0 74 68 61 74 20 73 75 72 65 6c 79 20 68 61 64 20 that surely had
566e0 61 20 74 6f 69 6c 65 74 20 69 6e 20 69 74 2c 20 a toilet in it,
566f0 73 6f 20 73 68 65 20 6d 6f 76 65 64 20 63 6c 6f so she moved clo
56700 73 65 72 20 61 6e 64 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 74 ser and looked t
56710 68 72 6f 75 67 68 20 74 68 65 20 64 6f 6f 72 77 hrough the doorw
56720 61 79 2e 20 20 49 74 20 77 61 73 20 6f 6e 65 20 ay. It was one
56730 6f 66 20 74 68 6f 73 65 20 74 68 72 65 65 20 71 of those three q
56740 75 61 72 74 65 72 20 22 62 61 74 68 72 6f 6f 6d uarter "bathroom
56750 73 22 2c 20 77 69 74 68 20 61 20 73 68 6f 77 65 s", with a showe
56760 72 20 69 6e 73 74 65 61 64 20 6f 66 20 61 20 62 r instead of a b
56770 61 74 68 2c 20 62 75 74 20 64 65 73 70 69 74 65 ath, but despite
56780 20 74 68 65 20 73 6d 61 6c 6c 20 73 69 7a 65 20 the small size
56790 6f 66 20 74 68 69 73 20 6c 6f 66 74 20 6c 69 76 of this loft liv
567a0 69 6e 67 20 61 72 65 61 20 74 68 65 20 73 68 6f ing area the sho
567b0 77 65 72 20 77 61 73 6e 27 74 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 wer wasn't like
567c0 61 20 74 69 6e 79 20 73 68 6f 77 65 72 20 63 6c a tiny shower cl
567d0 6f 73 65 74 20 62 61 72 65 6c 79 20 62 69 67 67 oset barely bigg
567e0 65 72 20 74 68 61 6e 20 61 20 63 6f 66 66 69 6e er than a coffin
567f0 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 73 68 6f 77 65 72 20 61 72 . The shower ar
56800 65 61 20 77 61 73 20 62 69 67 20 65 6e 6f 75 67 ea was big enoug
56810 68 20 74 6f 20 62 65 20 61 20 73 6d 61 6c 6c 20 h to be a small
56820 6a 61 63 75 7a 7a 69 20 74 75 62 2e 0a 0a 54 68 jacuzzi tub...Th
56830 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 73 61 e prioritizer sa
56840 69 64 20 22 59 6f 75 72 20 70 6c 61 6e 20 66 6f id "Your plan fo
56850 72 20 61 20 73 68 6f 77 65 72 20 61 6e 64 20 73 r a shower and s
56860 6c 65 65 70 20 69 73 20 67 6f 6f 64 2e 22 0a 0a leep is good."..
56870 53 68 65 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 2e 20 20 22 53 65 She nodded. "Se
56880 65 79 61 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 eya," she said.
56890 20 53 68 65 20 64 6f 66 66 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 She doffed her
568a0 67 6c 61 73 73 65 73 20 61 6e 64 20 73 65 74 20 glasses and set
568b0 61 6c 6c 20 68 65 72 20 6d 6f 62 69 6c 65 20 63 all her mobile c
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568d0 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 63 68 61 72 67 69 6e 67 on the charging
568e0 20 70 6c 61 74 65 20 6f 6e 20 6f 6e 65 20 6f 66 plate on one of
568f0 20 74 68 65 20 6e 69 67 68 74 73 74 61 6e 64 73 the nightstands
56900 20 6f 6e 20 65 69 74 68 65 72 20 73 69 64 65 20 on either side
56910 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 62 65 64 2c 20 6d 61 6b 69 of the bed, maki
56920 6e 67 20 73 75 72 65 20 74 68 65 20 66 72 6f 6e ng sure the fron
56930 74 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 63 6c 61 73 73 65 73 t of the classes
56940 20 2d 2d 20 61 6e 64 2c 20 74 68 75 73 2c 20 74 -- and, thus, t
56950 68 65 69 72 20 63 61 6d 65 72 61 73 20 2d 2d 20 heir cameras --
56960 77 65 72 65 20 70 6f 69 6e 74 65 64 20 61 74 20 were pointed at
56970 74 68 65 20 77 61 6c 6c 2e 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 75 the wall...She u
56980 6e 64 72 65 73 73 65 64 20 61 6e 64 20 67 6f 74 ndressed and got
56990 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 73 68 6f 77 65 72 2c 20 in the shower,
569a0 67 69 76 69 6e 67 20 69 6e 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 giving in to the
569b0 20 69 6e 63 72 65 64 69 62 6c 79 20 6c 69 62 65 incredibly libe
569c0 72 61 74 69 6e 67 20 61 6e 64 20 69 6e 74 65 6e rating and inten
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569f0 6f 76 65 72 20 68 65 72 20 77 69 74 68 20 74 68 over her with th
56a00 65 20 68 6f 74 20 77 61 74 65 72 20 70 6f 75 72 e hot water pour
56a10 69 6e 67 20 64 6f 77 6e 20 6f 6e 20 68 65 72 2e ing down on her.
56a20 20 20 53 68 65 20 73 69 6d 70 6c 79 20 65 6e 6a She simply enj
56a30 6f 79 65 64 20 69 74 20 66 6f 72 20 74 77 65 6e oyed it for twen
56a40 74 79 20 6d 69 6e 75 74 65 73 20 62 65 66 6f 72 ty minutes befor
56a50 65 20 73 68 65 20 65 76 65 6e 20 72 65 61 63 68 e she even reach
56a60 65 64 20 66 6f 72 20 74 68 65 20 73 68 61 6d 70 ed for the shamp
56a70 6f 6f 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 6e 6f 74 69 63 65 64 20 oo, and noticed
56a80 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 6b 65 70 Dalton still kep
56a90 74 20 74 68 65 20 73 61 6d 65 20 62 72 61 6e 64 t the same brand
56aa0 73 20 61 72 6f 75 6e 64 2c 20 69 6e 63 6c 75 64 s around, includ
56ab0 69 6e 67 20 74 68 65 20 62 72 61 6e 64 20 73 68 ing the brand sh
56ac0 65 20 75 73 65 64 2e 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 6c 69 67 e used...The lig
56ad0 68 74 20 63 6f 6d 69 6e 67 20 74 68 72 6f 75 67 ht coming throug
56ae0 68 20 74 68 65 20 77 69 6e 64 6f 77 20 77 61 73 h the window was
56af0 20 64 69 6d 6d 65 72 20 6e 6f 77 2c 20 64 65 73 dimmer now, des
56b00 70 69 74 65 20 74 68 65 20 76 65 72 69 74 69 6e pite the veritin
56b10 74 20 68 61 76 69 6e 67 20 61 64 6a 75 73 74 65 t having adjuste
56b20 64 20 64 6f 77 6e 2c 20 6c 65 74 74 69 6e 67 20 d down, letting
56b30 69 6e 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 6c in more of the l
56b40 69 67 68 74 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 6f 75 74 73 69 64 ight from outsid
56b50 65 2c 20 77 68 65 6e 20 73 68 65 20 77 6f 6b 65 e, when she woke
56b60 2e 20 20 41 20 67 65 6e 74 6c 65 20 72 61 70 70 . A gentle rapp
56b70 69 6e 67 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 64 6f 6f 72 20 ing on the door
56b80 74 6f 6c 64 20 68 65 72 20 73 6f 6d 65 6f 6e 65 told her someone
56b90 20 73 74 6f 6f 64 20 6f 75 74 73 69 64 65 2e 20 stood outside.
56ba0 20 41 20 76 6f 69 63 65 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 74 68 A voice from th
56bb0 65 20 6f 74 68 65 72 20 73 69 64 65 20 6f 66 20 e other side of
56bc0 74 68 65 20 64 6f 6f 72 20 61 73 6b 65 64 20 22 the door asked "
56bd0 41 6c 6c 65 79 3f 20 20 41 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 Alley? Are you
56be0 61 77 61 6b 65 3f 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 22 awake?".."Yeah,"
56bf0 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 57 68 6f she said. "Who
56c00 20 69 73 20 69 74 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 74 27 73 20 is it?".."It's
56c10 4c 69 64 61 2c 22 20 63 61 6d 65 20 74 68 65 20 Lida," came the
56c20 72 65 70 6c 79 2c 20 6d 75 66 66 6c 65 64 20 62 reply, muffled b
56c30 79 20 74 68 65 20 77 6f 6f 64 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 y the wood, thou
56c40 67 68 20 68 65 72 20 76 6f 69 63 65 20 77 61 73 gh her voice was
56c50 20 6c 6f 75 64 65 72 20 74 68 61 6e 20 62 65 66 louder than bef
56c60 6f 72 65 20 6e 6f 77 20 74 68 61 74 20 73 68 65 ore now that she
56c70 20 6b 6e 65 77 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 77 61 73 20 knew Alley was
56c80 61 77 61 6b 65 2e 20 20 22 44 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 awake. "Do you
56c90 68 61 76 65 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 74 69 6d 65 20 74 have some time t
56ca0 6f 20 74 61 6c 6b 3f 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c o talk?".."Yeah,
56cb0 22 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 " Alley said. "
56cc0 47 69 76 65 20 6d 65 20 61 20 73 65 63 27 2e 22 Give me a sec'."
56cd0 20 20 53 68 65 20 70 75 73 68 65 64 20 74 68 65 She pushed the
56ce0 20 63 6f 76 65 72 73 20 62 61 63 6b 20 61 6e 64 covers back and
56cf0 20 73 61 74 20 75 70 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 65 sat up on the e
56d00 64 67 65 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 62 65 64 2e 20 dge of the bed.
56d10 20 41 66 74 65 72 20 61 20 63 6f 75 70 6c 65 20 After a couple
56d20 73 65 63 6f 6e 64 73 20 6f 66 20 63 6f 6e 66 69 seconds of confi
56d30 72 6d 69 6e 67 20 68 65 72 20 63 61 70 61 63 69 rming her capaci
56d40 74 79 20 66 6f 72 20 67 65 74 74 69 6e 67 20 66 ty for getting f
56d50 75 6c 6c 79 20 75 70 72 69 67 68 74 2c 20 73 68 ully upright, sh
56d60 65 20 73 74 6f 6f 64 20 61 6e 64 20 64 75 67 20 e stood and dug
56d70 73 6f 6d 65 20 74 68 69 6e 67 73 20 6f 75 74 20 some things out
56d80 6f 66 20 68 65 72 20 62 61 67 2e 20 20 22 53 6f of her bag. "So
56d90 72 72 79 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2c 20 rry," she said,
56da0 61 73 20 73 68 65 20 67 6f 74 20 64 72 65 73 73 as she got dress
56db0 65 64 2e 20 20 22 49 27 6d 20 6a 75 73 74 20 70 ed. "I'm just p
56dc0 75 74 74 69 6e 67 20 6d 79 73 65 6c 66 20 74 6f utting myself to
56dd0 67 65 74 68 65 72 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4e 6f 20 70 72 gether.".."No pr
56de0 6f 62 6c 65 6d 2c 22 20 4c 69 64 69 61 20 73 61 oblem," Lidia sa
56df0 69 64 2e 0a 0a 57 68 65 6e 20 73 68 65 20 68 61 id...When she ha
56e00 64 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 70 61 6e 74 73 20 6f 6e 20 d some pants on
56e10 68 65 72 2c 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 66 69 6e 61 6c her, Alley final
56e20 6c 79 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 43 6f 6d 65 20 6f 6e ly said "Come on
56e30 20 69 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 4c 69 64 69 61 20 6c 65 74 in."..Lidia let
56e40 20 68 65 72 73 65 6c 66 20 69 6e 20 61 6e 64 20 herself in and
56e50 6c 65 61 6e 65 64 20 62 61 63 6b 20 61 67 61 69 leaned back agai
56e60 6e 73 74 20 74 68 65 20 64 6f 6f 72 20 62 65 68 nst the door beh
56e70 69 6e 64 20 68 65 72 2c 20 63 61 75 73 69 6e 67 ind her, causing
56e80 20 69 74 20 74 6f 20 63 6c 69 63 6b 20 69 6e 74 it to click int
56e90 6f 20 70 6c 61 63 65 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 6c 6f o place. She lo
56ea0 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 2c 20 61 oked at Alley, a
56eb0 20 73 65 61 72 63 68 69 6e 67 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 20 searching look
56ec0 6f 6e 20 68 65 72 20 66 61 63 65 2e 20 20 53 68 on her face. Sh
56ed0 65 20 6d 75 73 74 20 6e 6f 74 20 68 61 76 65 20 e must not have
56ee0 64 69 73 6c 69 6b 65 64 20 77 68 61 74 20 73 68 disliked what sh
56ef0 65 20 73 61 77 20 74 6f 6f 20 62 61 64 6c 79 2c e saw too badly,
56f00 20 62 65 63 61 75 73 65 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 because she sai
56f10 64 20 22 49 74 27 73 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 74 6f 20 d "It's good to
56f20 73 65 65 20 79 6f 75 2c 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 2e 22 see you, Alley."
56f30 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 6e 6f 74 65 64 20 4c 69 ..Alley noted Li
56f40 64 69 61 27 73 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 2c 20 61 6e 64 dia's smile, and
56f50 20 66 6f 75 6e 64 20 68 65 72 73 65 6c 66 20 73 found herself s
56f60 6d 69 6c 69 6e 67 20 62 61 63 6b 20 61 20 6c 69 miling back a li
56f70 74 74 6c 65 2e 20 20 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 69 74 ttle. "Yeah, it
56f80 27 73 20 67 6f 6f 64 20 74 6f 20 73 65 65 20 79 's good to see y
56f90 6f 75 20 74 6f 6f 2e 22 0a 0a 4c 69 64 69 61 27 ou too."..Lidia'
56fa0 73 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 20 65 78 70 61 6e 64 65 64 s smile expanded
56fb0 20 73 6c 69 67 68 74 6c 79 2c 20 6e 6f 20 6c 6f slightly, no lo
56fc0 6e 67 65 72 20 68 6f 6c 64 69 6e 67 20 62 61 63 nger holding bac
56fd0 6b 2e 20 20 22 49 27 6d 20 67 6c 61 64 20 74 6f k. "I'm glad to
56fe0 20 68 65 61 72 20 74 68 61 74 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 hear that.".."W
56ff0 68 79 3f 22 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 61 73 6b 65 64 hy?" Alley asked
57000 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 61 74 20 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 , and sat on the
57010 20 64 65 73 6b 20 63 68 61 69 72 2e 20 20 53 68 desk chair. Sh
57020 65 20 74 75 72 6e 65 64 20 69 74 20 74 6f 20 66 e turned it to f
57030 61 63 65 20 68 65 72 20 76 69 73 69 74 6f 72 2c ace her visitor,
57040 20 69 6e 20 61 20 72 6f 6f 6d 20 73 68 65 2c 20 in a room she,
57050 68 65 72 73 65 6c 66 2c 20 77 61 73 20 75 73 69 herself, was usi
57060 6e 67 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 72 6f 6c 65 20 6f ng in the role o
57070 66 20 61 20 76 69 73 69 74 6f 72 2e 0a 0a 22 4f f a visitor..."O
57080 68 2c 20 79 6f 75 20 6b 6e 6f 77 2c 20 79 6f 75 h, you know, you
57090 20 6c 65 66 74 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 2c 20 74 68 left Dalton, th
570a0 65 72 65 20 77 65 72 65 20 74 68 65 73 65 20 70 ere were these p
570b0 72 6f 62 6c 65 6d 73 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 49 27 6d roblems, and I'm
570c0 20 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 68 65 72 65 20 6c 69 6b 65 still here like
570d0 20 61 6c 77 61 79 73 2e 20 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 always. I gues
570e0 73 20 49 20 77 61 73 6e 27 74 20 73 75 72 65 20 s I wasn't sure
570f0 79 6f 75 20 64 69 64 6e 27 74 20 74 68 69 6e 6b you didn't think
57100 20 49 20 77 61 6e 74 65 64 20 74 6f 20 70 69 63 I wanted to pic
57110 6b 20 73 69 64 65 73 20 6f 72 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 k sides or somet
57120 68 69 6e 67 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 68 61 74 2e 22 hing like that."
57130 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 68 6f 6f 6b 20 68 65 ..Alley shook he
57140 72 20 68 65 61 64 2e 20 20 22 4e 6f 74 68 69 6e r head. "Nothin
57150 67 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 68 61 74 20 63 72 6f 73 g like that cros
57160 73 65 64 20 6d 79 20 6d 69 6e 64 2e 20 20 48 65 sed my mind. He
57170 79 2c 20 79 6f 75 20 6b 6e 65 77 20 44 61 6c 74 y, you knew Dalt
57180 6f 6e 20 62 65 66 6f 72 65 20 49 20 64 69 64 2c on before I did,
57190 20 61 6e 79 77 61 79 2e 20 20 49 66 20 49 20 77 anyway. If I w
571a0 61 73 20 61 63 74 75 61 6c 6c 79 20 61 6e 67 72 as actually angr
571b0 79 20 77 69 74 68 20 68 69 6d 2c 20 79 6f 75 20 y with him, you
571c0 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 62 65 69 6e 67 20 68 69 73 20 still being his
571d0 66 72 69 65 6e 64 20 69 73 6e 27 74 20 72 65 61 friend isn't rea
571e0 6c 6c 79 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 6e 67 20 49 20 lly something I
571f0 63 6f 75 6c 64 20 62 6c 61 6d 65 20 79 6f 75 20 could blame you
57200 66 6f 72 20 64 6f 69 6e 67 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 for doing.".."Th
57210 69 73 20 69 73 20 70 61 72 74 20 6f 66 20 77 68 is is part of wh
57220 79 20 49 20 61 6c 77 61 79 73 20 6c 69 6b 65 64 y I always liked
57230 20 79 6f 75 2c 22 20 4c 69 64 69 61 20 73 61 69 you," Lidia sai
57240 64 2e 20 20 22 59 6f 75 27 72 65 20 63 68 69 6c d. "You're chil
57250 6c 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 61 6c 6d 6f 73 74 20 65 l about almost e
57260 76 65 72 79 74 68 69 6e 67 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 verything.".."Th
57270 61 6e 6b 73 2e 20 20 44 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 77 61 anks. Do you wa
57280 6e 6e 61 20 73 69 74 20 64 6f 77 6e 3f 22 0a 0a nna sit down?"..
57290 4c 69 64 69 61 20 73 68 72 75 67 67 65 64 20 61 Lidia shrugged a
572a0 6e 64 20 6d 6f 76 65 64 20 74 6f 20 73 69 74 20 nd moved to sit
572b0 6f 6e 20 74 68 65 20 65 64 67 65 20 6f 66 20 74 on the edge of t
572c0 68 65 20 62 65 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 68 65 61 72 he bed. "I hear
572d0 20 79 6f 75 20 68 61 76 65 20 74 68 65 20 63 6f you have the co
572e0 72 70 6f 72 61 74 65 20 73 65 63 72 65 74 20 70 rporate secret p
572f0 6f 6c 69 63 65 20 61 66 74 65 72 20 79 6f 75 2e olice after you.
57300 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 3f 20 20 59 6f 75 20 68 ".."Yeah? You h
57310 65 61 72 64 20 74 68 61 74 3f 22 0a 0a 57 69 74 eard that?"..Wit
57320 68 20 61 20 6e 6f 64 2c 20 4c 69 64 69 61 20 73 h a nod, Lidia s
57330 61 69 64 20 22 49 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 49 20 68 aid "I think I h
57340 65 61 72 64 20 61 6c 6c 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 69 eard all about i
57350 74 2e 20 20 49 66 20 74 68 65 72 65 20 63 6f 75 t. If there cou
57360 6c 64 20 70 6f 73 73 69 62 6c 79 20 62 65 20 6d ld possibly be m
57370 6f 72 65 20 74 68 61 6e 20 77 68 61 74 20 49 20 ore than what I
57380 68 65 61 72 64 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 69 74 20 64 6f heard, and it do
57390 65 73 6e 27 74 20 69 6e 76 6f 6c 76 65 20 70 65 esn't involve pe
573a0 6f 70 6c 65 20 64 79 69 6e 67 2c 20 49 27 6d 20 ople dying, I'm
573b0 6e 6f 74 20 73 75 72 65 20 49 20 63 61 6e 20 69 not sure I can i
573c0 6d 61 67 69 6e 65 20 77 68 61 74 20 69 74 20 69 magine what it i
573d0 73 2c 20 73 6f 20 49 27 6d 20 70 72 6f 62 61 62 s, so I'm probab
573e0 6c 79 20 61 73 20 75 70 20 74 6f 20 73 70 65 65 ly as up to spee
573f0 64 20 61 73 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 2e 22 0a 0a 22 d as Dalton.".."
57400 59 6f 75 27 72 65 20 73 74 69 6c 6c 20 68 65 72 You're still her
57410 65 20 73 61 79 69 6e 67 20 68 65 6c 6c 6f 2c 20 e saying hello,
57420 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2e 22 0a 0a 22 48 65 6c 6c 2c though.".."Hell,
57430 20 79 65 61 68 2c 22 20 4c 69 64 69 61 20 73 61 yeah," Lidia sa
57440 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 66 20 49 20 63 61 6e 20 68 id. "If I can h
57450 65 6c 70 2c 20 49 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 2e 22 0a elp, I should.".
57460 0a 22 54 68 61 6e 6b 73 2c 22 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 ."Thanks," Alley
57470 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 66 65 65 6c 20 said. "I feel
57480 61 20 6c 6f 74 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 77 65 6c 63 6f a lot more welco
57490 6d 65 20 68 65 72 65 20 74 68 61 6e 20 49 20 70 me here than I p
574a0 72 6f 62 61 62 6c 79 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 2e 22 robably should."
574b0 0a 0a 4c 69 64 69 61 20 77 61 76 65 64 20 61 20 ..Lidia waved a
574c0 68 61 6e 64 2c 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 73 68 65 20 77 hand, like she w
574d0 61 73 20 62 72 75 73 68 69 6e 67 20 73 6f 6d 65 as brushing some
574e0 74 68 69 6e 67 20 61 77 61 79 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 thing away from
574f0 68 65 72 73 65 6c 66 2e 20 20 22 4e 6f 20 77 61 herself. "No wa
57500 79 2e 20 20 54 68 65 20 6f 6e 6c 79 20 70 65 6f y. The only peo
57510 70 6c 65 20 69 6e 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 27 73 20 ple in Dalton's
57520 69 6e 6e 65 72 20 63 69 72 63 6c 65 20 77 68 6f inner circle who
57530 20 62 6c 61 6d 65 64 20 79 6f 75 20 66 6f 72 20 blamed you for
57540 61 6e 79 74 68 69 6e 67 20 77 65 72 65 20 47 6c anything were Gl
57550 61 64 65 20 61 6e 64 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 2c 20 ade and Dalton,
57560 62 75 74 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 72 65 61 6c 69 but Dalton reali
57570 7a 65 64 20 68 6f 77 20 73 74 75 70 69 64 20 74 zed how stupid t
57580 68 61 74 20 77 61 73 20 69 6e 20 61 20 63 6f 75 hat was in a cou
57590 70 6c 65 20 64 61 79 73 20 61 6e 64 20 6a 75 73 ple days and jus
575a0 74 20 77 65 6e 74 20 73 74 72 61 69 67 68 74 20 t went straight
575b0 74 6f 20 62 65 69 6e 67 20 73 61 64 2e 22 0a 0a to being sad."..
575c0 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 74 69 67 68 74 65 6e 65 64 20 Alley tightened
575d0 68 65 72 20 6c 69 70 20 61 6e 64 20 77 72 69 6e her lip and wrin
575e0 6b 6c 65 64 20 68 65 72 20 6e 6f 73 65 20 61 74 kled her nose at
575f0 20 74 68 65 20 6d 65 6e 74 69 6f 6e 20 6f 66 20 the mention of
57600 47 6c 61 64 65 2e 20 20 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 49 Glade. "Yeah, I
57610 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 49 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 guess I should
57620 65 78 70 65 63 74 20 47 6c 61 64 65 20 74 6f 20 expect Glade to
57630 68 61 74 65 20 6d 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 74 20 64 hate me.".."It d
57640 6f 65 73 6e 27 74 20 6d 61 74 74 65 72 2c 22 20 oesn't matter,"
57650 4c 69 64 69 61 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 53 68 Lidia said. "Sh
57660 65 27 73 20 6e 6f 74 20 65 76 65 6e 20 61 72 6f e's not even aro
57670 75 6e 64 20 6e 6f 77 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 und now.".."What
57680 20 68 61 70 70 65 6e 65 64 20 74 6f 20 68 65 72 happened to her
57690 3f 22 0a 0a 4c 69 64 69 61 20 73 68 72 75 67 67 ?"..Lidia shrugg
576a0 65 64 2e 20 20 22 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 67 6f 74 ed. "Dalton got
576b0 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 61 6e 64 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 73 more and more s
576c0 69 63 6b 20 6f 66 20 68 65 72 20 73 68 69 74 2c ick of her shit,
576d0 20 75 6e 74 69 6c 20 73 68 65 20 67 6f 74 20 73 until she got s
576e0 65 6c 66 20 72 69 67 68 74 65 6f 75 73 20 61 62 elf righteous ab
576f0 6f 75 74 20 69 74 20 61 6e 64 20 62 6c 65 77 20 out it and blew
57700 75 70 20 61 74 20 68 69 6d 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 up at him. She
57710 73 74 6f 72 6d 65 64 20 6f 75 74 20 6f 66 20 74 stormed out of t
57720 68 65 20 73 74 75 64 69 6f 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 6e he studio, and n
57730 6f 62 6f 64 79 20 68 61 73 20 73 65 65 6e 20 68 obody has seen h
57740 65 72 20 73 69 6e 63 65 2e 20 20 54 68 61 74 20 er since. That
57750 77 61 73 20 6d 61 79 62 65 20 65 69 67 68 74 20 was maybe eight
57760 6d 6f 6e 74 68 73 20 61 66 74 65 72 20 79 6f 75 months after you
57770 20 6d 6f 76 65 64 20 6f 75 74 20 6f 66 20 44 61 moved out of Da
57780 6c 74 6f 6e 27 73 20 68 6f 6c 64 20 70 6c 61 63 lton's hold plac
57790 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 52 65 61 6c 6c 79 3f 20 20 57 e.".."Really? W
577a0 68 61 74 20 77 61 73 20 73 68 65 20 64 6f 69 6e hat was she doin
577b0 67 20 74 68 61 74 20 61 6e 6e 6f 79 65 64 20 68 g that annoyed h
577c0 69 6d 3f 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 79 im?".."I think y
577d0 6f 75 20 6d 65 61 6e 20 27 61 6e 6e 6f 79 65 64 ou mean 'annoyed
577e0 20 65 76 65 72 79 6f 6e 65 20 77 65 20 6b 6e 65 everyone we kne
577f0 77 27 2c 20 62 75 74 20 62 61 73 69 63 61 6c 6c w', but basicall
57800 79 20 73 68 65 20 6a 75 73 74 20 74 61 6c 6b 65 y she just talke
57810 64 20 69 6e 63 65 73 73 61 6e 74 20 73 68 69 74 d incessant shit
57820 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 79 6f 75 20 6f 6e 63 65 20 about you once
57830 79 6f 75 20 77 65 72 65 20 67 6f 6e 65 2e 20 20 you were gone.
57840 49 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 73 68 65 20 77 61 73 20 I think she was
57850 74 72 79 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 67 65 74 20 68 69 trying to get hi
57860 6d 20 62 61 63 6b 20 6f 6e 63 65 20 79 6f 75 20 m back once you
57870 77 65 72 65 20 6f 75 74 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 were out of the
57880 70 69 63 74 75 72 65 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 74 68 6f picture, and tho
57890 75 67 68 74 20 68 65 27 64 20 62 65 20 69 6d 70 ught he'd be imp
578a0 72 65 73 73 65 64 20 74 68 61 74 20 73 68 65 20 ressed that she
578b0 64 65 6d 6f 6e 73 74 72 61 74 65 64 20 74 61 6b demonstrated tak
578c0 69 6e 67 20 68 69 73 20 73 69 64 65 20 62 79 20 ing his side by
578d0 73 61 79 69 6e 67 20 61 20 62 75 6e 63 68 20 6f saying a bunch o
578e0 66 20 62 61 64 20 73 74 75 66 66 20 61 62 6f 75 f bad stuff abou
578f0 74 20 79 6f 75 20 62 65 68 69 6e 64 20 79 6f 75 t you behind you
57900 72 20 62 61 63 6b 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c r back.".."Yeah,
57910 20 74 68 61 74 20 64 6f 65 73 6e 27 74 20 73 6f that doesn't so
57920 75 6e 64 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 69 und like somethi
57930 6e 67 20 74 68 61 74 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 69 6d ng that would im
57940 70 72 65 73 73 20 68 69 6d 2c 20 65 76 65 6e 20 press him, even
57950 69 66 20 68 65 20 68 61 74 65 64 20 6d 65 2e 22 if he hated me."
57960 0a 0a 22 45 78 61 63 74 6c 79 2c 22 20 4c 69 64 .."Exactly," Lid
57970 69 61 20 73 61 69 64 20 77 69 74 68 20 61 20 73 ia said with a s
57980 6d 69 6c 65 2e 20 20 22 41 6e 79 77 61 79 2c 20 mile. "Anyway,
57990 74 68 65 20 6d 6f 72 61 6c 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 the moral of the
579a0 20 73 74 6f 72 79 20 69 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 6e story is that n
579b0 6f 62 6f 64 79 20 62 6c 61 6d 65 73 20 79 6f 75 obody blames you
579c0 20 66 6f 72 20 61 6e 79 74 68 69 6e 67 2c 20 65 for anything, e
579d0 78 63 65 70 74 20 6d 61 79 62 65 20 47 6c 61 64 xcept maybe Glad
579e0 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 6e 6b 73 2e 22 0a 0a e.".."Thanks."..
579f0 54 68 65 79 20 73 61 74 20 69 6e 20 73 69 6c 65 They sat in sile
57a00 6e 63 65 20 61 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 2c 20 74 68 nce a moment, th
57a10 65 6e 20 4c 69 64 69 61 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 44 en Lidia said "D
57a20 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 77 61 6e 74 20 61 20 68 75 67 o you want a hug
57a30 3f 22 0a 0a 22 44 65 73 70 65 72 61 74 65 6c 79 ?".."Desperately
57a40 2c 22 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 69 64 20 77 69 ," Alley said wi
57a50 74 68 20 61 20 73 6d 61 6c 6c 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 th a small smile
57a60 2e 0a 0a 54 68 65 79 20 73 74 6f 6f 64 20 75 70 ...They stood up
57a70 20 61 6e 64 20 65 6d 62 72 61 63 65 64 2c 20 74 and embraced, t
57a80 68 65 69 72 20 6f 6c 64 20 66 72 69 65 6e 64 6c heir old friendl
57a90 79 20 77 61 72 6d 74 68 20 71 75 69 63 6b 6c 79 y warmth quickly
57aa0 20 72 65 61 70 70 65 61 72 69 6e 67 2c 20 61 6c reappearing, al
57ab0 6d 6f 73 74 20 61 73 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 20 6e most as though n
57ac0 6f 74 68 69 6e 67 20 68 61 64 20 63 68 61 6e 67 othing had chang
57ad0 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 54 68 69 6e 67 73 20 6d 75 73 ed..."Things mus
57ae0 74 20 62 65 20 68 61 72 64 2c 22 20 4c 69 64 69 t be hard," Lidi
57af0 61 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 22 a said..."Yeah,"
57b00 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 61 67 72 65 65 64 2e 0a 0a Alley agreed...
57b10 54 68 65 79 20 6d 75 74 75 61 6c 6c 79 20 62 72 They mutually br
57b20 6f 6b 65 20 74 68 65 20 68 75 67 20 61 66 74 65 oke the hug afte
57b30 72 20 61 20 66 65 77 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 6d 6f 6d r a few more mom
57b40 65 6e 74 73 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 4c 69 64 69 61 20 ents, and Lidia
57b50 61 73 6b 65 64 20 22 44 6f 20 49 20 67 65 74 20 asked "Do I get
57b60 74 6f 20 73 65 65 20 74 68 65 20 6d 69 72 61 63 to see the mirac
57b70 6c 65 20 6d 61 63 68 69 6e 65 20 6e 6f 77 3f 22 le machine now?"
57b80 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 27 73 20 65 79 65 73 20 77 ..Alley's eyes w
57b90 69 64 65 6e 65 64 2e 20 20 22 4d 69 72 61 63 6c idened. "Miracl
57ba0 65 20 6d 61 63 68 69 6e 65 3f 20 20 57 68 61 74 e machine? What
57bb0 2c 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 , the prioritize
57bc0 72 3f 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 74 68 61 74 r?".."Yeah, that
57bd0 20 63 72 61 7a 79 20 61 72 74 69 66 69 63 69 61 crazy artificia
57be0 6c 20 69 6e 74 65 6c 6c 69 67 65 6e 63 65 20 44 l intelligence D
57bf0 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 6b 65 65 70 73 20 74 61 6c 6b alton keeps talk
57c00 69 6e 67 20 61 62 6f 75 74 2e 20 20 59 6f 75 27 ing about. You'
57c10 64 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 69 74 20 77 61 73 20 61 d think it was a
57c20 20 62 72 61 69 6e 20 75 70 6c 6f 61 64 20 6f 66 brain upload of
57c30 20 4a 65 73 75 73 20 6f 72 20 73 6f 6d 65 74 68 Jesus or someth
57c40 69 6e 67 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 74 68 61 74 2c 20 74 ing like that, t
57c50 68 65 20 77 61 79 20 68 65 20 74 61 6c 6b 73 20 he way he talks
57c60 61 62 6f 75 74 20 69 74 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 about it."..Alle
57c70 79 20 6c 61 75 67 68 65 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 63 y laughed. "I c
57c80 61 6e 20 65 61 73 69 6c 79 20 69 6d 61 67 69 6e an easily imagin
57c90 65 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 62 65 69 6e 67 20 6c e Dalton being l
57ca0 69 6b 65 20 74 68 61 74 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 ike that," she s
57cb0 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 27 6c 6c 20 67 65 74 20 aid. "I'll get
57cc0 74 68 65 20 67 6c 61 73 73 65 73 2e 22 20 20 53 the glasses." S
57cd0 68 65 20 68 65 61 64 65 64 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 he headed to the
57ce0 20 6e 69 67 68 74 73 74 61 6e 64 2c 20 70 69 63 nightstand, pic
57cf0 6b 65 64 20 75 70 20 74 68 65 20 67 6c 61 73 73 ked up the glass
57d00 65 73 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 68 65 6c 64 20 74 68 65 es, and held the
57d10 6d 20 6f 75 74 2e 20 20 22 48 65 72 65 2e 20 20 m out. "Here.
57d20 50 75 74 20 74 68 65 73 65 20 6f 6e 2e 22 0a 0a Put these on."..
57d30 4c 69 64 69 61 20 73 65 74 74 6c 65 64 20 74 68 Lidia settled th
57d40 65 20 67 6c 61 73 73 65 73 20 6f 6e 20 68 65 72 e glasses on her
57d50 20 66 61 63 65 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 74 61 72 65 face, and stare
57d60 64 20 61 74 20 74 68 65 20 77 61 6c 6c 2e 20 20 d at the wall.
57d70 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 75 6d 2c 20 68 69 2e 20 20 "Yeah, um, hi.
57d80 57 68 61 74 20 64 6f 20 49 20 63 61 6c 6c 20 79 What do I call y
57d90 6f 75 3f 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 74 20 ou?"..Alley sat
57da0 64 6f 77 6e 20 61 73 20 73 68 65 20 77 61 74 63 down as she watc
57db0 68 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 4f 6b 61 79 2c 20 70 72 69 hed..."Okay, pri
57dc0 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 2e 20 20 54 68 61 74 20 oritizer. That
57dd0 6e 61 6d 65 27 73 20 61 20 6d 6f 75 74 68 66 75 name's a mouthfu
57de0 6c 2c 20 62 75 74 20 69 74 27 6c 6c 20 77 6f 72 l, but it'll wor
57df0 6b 2c 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 2e 20 20 43 61 6e k, I guess. Can
57e00 20 49 20 6a 75 73 74 20 63 61 6c 6c 20 79 6f 75 I just call you
57e10 20 27 50 72 79 27 3f 22 20 20 53 68 65 20 70 61 'Pry'?" She pa
57e20 75 73 65 64 2e 20 20 22 52 69 6f 2c 20 68 75 68 used. "Rio, huh
57e30 3f 20 20 4f 6b 61 79 2c 20 52 69 6f 2e 20 20 4e ? Okay, Rio. N
57e40 69 63 65 20 74 6f 20 6d 65 65 74 20 79 6f 75 2e ice to meet you.
57e50 22 0a 0a 41 66 74 65 72 20 61 6e 6f 74 68 65 72 "..After another
57e60 20 6d 6f 6d 65 6e 74 2c 20 70 72 6f 62 61 62 6c moment, probabl
57e70 79 20 72 65 61 64 69 6e 67 20 74 65 78 74 20 69 y reading text i
57e80 6e 20 74 68 65 20 6c 65 6e 73 65 73 2c 20 4c 69 n the lenses, Li
57e90 64 69 61 20 68 65 6c 64 20 6f 75 74 20 74 68 65 dia held out the
57ea0 20 67 6c 61 73 73 65 73 20 74 6f 77 61 72 64 20 glasses toward
57eb0 41 6c 6c 65 79 2e 20 20 22 48 65 20 73 61 79 73 Alley. "He says
57ec0 20 74 6f 20 70 75 74 20 68 69 6d 20 6f 6e 20 73 to put him on s
57ed0 70 65 61 6b 65 72 70 68 6f 6e 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 peakerphone.".."
57ee0 59 65 61 68 2e 20 20 53 75 72 65 2c 22 20 73 68 Yeah. Sure," sh
57ef0 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 53 68 65 20 77 65 6e e said. She wen
57f00 74 20 74 6f 20 68 65 72 20 70 68 6f 6e 65 20 61 t to her phone a
57f10 6e 64 2c 20 61 73 20 62 65 66 6f 72 65 2c 20 73 nd, as before, s
57f20 65 74 20 69 74 20 75 70 20 61 73 20 74 68 65 20 et it up as the
57f30 61 75 64 69 6f 20 6f 75 74 20 74 65 72 6d 69 6e audio out termin
57f40 61 6c 20 66 6f 72 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 al for the prior
57f50 69 74 69 7a 65 72 2e 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 6e 6b 20 itizer..."Thank
57f60 79 6f 75 2c 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 2c 22 20 74 68 65 you, Alley," the
57f70 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 73 61 69 prioritizer sai
57f80 64 2e 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 68 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 d..."Yeah," she
57f90 73 61 69 64 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 64 6f 6e 6e 65 64 said, and donned
57fa0 20 74 68 65 20 67 6c 61 73 73 65 73 20 68 65 72 the glasses her
57fb0 73 65 6c 66 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2e 0a 0a 54 68 65 self again...The
57fc0 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 73 61 69 prioritizer sai
57fd0 64 20 22 4c 69 64 69 61 2e 20 20 49 20 64 6f 20 d "Lidia. I do
57fe0 6e 6f 74 20 63 6f 6e 73 69 64 65 72 20 6d 79 73 not consider mys
57ff0 65 6c 66 20 6d 61 6c 65 20 6f 72 20 66 65 6d 61 elf male or fema
58000 6c 65 2e 20 20 49 20 77 6f 75 6c 64 20 73 75 67 le. I would sug
58010 67 65 73 74 20 27 69 74 27 20 61 73 20 61 20 6d gest 'it' as a m
58020 6f 72 65 20 61 63 63 75 72 61 74 65 20 70 72 6f ore accurate pro
58030 6e 6f 75 6e 20 66 6f 72 20 6d 79 73 65 6c 66 20 noun for myself
58040 74 68 61 6e 20 27 68 65 27 2e 20 20 59 6f 75 20 than 'he'. You
58050 6d 61 79 20 72 65 66 65 72 20 74 6f 20 6d 65 20 may refer to me
58060 61 73 20 27 68 65 27 20 69 66 20 79 6f 75 20 77 as 'he' if you w
58070 69 73 68 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2e 20 20 59 6f ish, though. Yo
58080 75 20 6d 61 79 20 66 69 6e 64 20 74 68 61 74 20 u may find that
58090 6d 6f 72 65 20 6e 61 74 75 72 61 6c 20 74 6f 20 more natural to
580a0 75 73 65 2c 20 66 6f 72 20 63 6f 6e 76 65 6e 74 use, for convent
580b0 69 6f 6e 73 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 45 6e 67 6c ions of the Engl
580c0 69 73 68 20 6c 61 6e 67 75 61 67 65 2e 22 0a 0a ish language."..
580d0 4c 69 64 69 61 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 64 2e 20 20 22 Lidia smiled. "
580e0 49 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 49 20 6c 69 6b 65 20 52 I think I like R
580f0 69 6f 2e 22 0a 0a 22 44 69 64 20 69 74 20 73 61 io.".."Did it sa
58100 79 20 69 74 73 20 6e 61 6d 65 20 69 73 20 52 69 y its name is Ri
58110 6f 3f 22 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e o?" Alley asked.
58120 0a 0a 22 49 20 64 69 64 20 6e 6f 74 2c 22 20 74 .."I did not," t
58130 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 73 he prioritizer s
58140 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 74 6f 6c 64 20 4c 69 aid. "I told Li
58150 64 69 61 20 74 68 61 74 20 49 20 6c 69 6b 65 64 dia that I liked
58160 20 74 68 65 20 6e 61 6d 65 20 6d 6f 72 65 20 74 the name more t
58170 68 61 6e 20 27 50 72 79 27 2c 20 61 73 20 61 6e han 'Pry', as an
58180 20 61 62 62 72 65 76 69 61 74 65 64 20 66 6f 72 abbreviated for
58190 6d 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 74 65 72 6d 20 27 70 m of the term 'p
581a0 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 27 2e 22 0a 0a 22 rioritizer'.".."
581b0 52 69 6f 27 73 20 61 20 6d 61 73 63 75 6c 69 6e Rio's a masculin
581c0 65 20 6e 6f 75 6e 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2e 20 e noun, though.
581d0 20 54 68 61 74 27 73 20 77 68 79 20 49 20 66 69 That's why I fi
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581f0 68 65 27 2c 22 20 4c 69 64 69 61 20 73 61 69 64 he'," Lidia said
58200 20 74 6f 20 74 68 65 20 70 68 6f 6e 65 20 6e 6f to the phone no
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58230 2c 20 6f 66 66 20 74 68 65 20 63 68 61 72 67 69 , off the chargi
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58280 72 61 6e 20 73 6f 6e 67 20 66 72 6f 6d 20 74 68 ran song from th
58290 65 20 31 39 38 30 73 2e 22 0a 0a 4c 69 64 69 61 e 1980s."..Lidia
582a0 20 6c 61 75 67 68 65 64 2e 20 20 22 4f 6b 61 79 laughed. "Okay
582b0 2c 20 49 20 67 75 65 73 73 20 79 6f 75 27 72 65 , I guess you're
582c0 20 61 6e 20 27 69 74 27 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 2e 22 an 'it', then."
582d0 20 20 53 68 65 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 She looked at
582e0 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 61 6e 64 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 Alley and said "
582f0 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 27 73 20 72 69 67 68 74 2e 20 Dalton's right.
58300 20 54 68 69 73 20 74 68 69 6e 67 27 73 20 63 6f This thing's co
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58320 6f 20 62 65 6c 69 65 76 65 20 69 74 20 74 61 6c o believe it tal
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583a0 68 69 73 2e 22 0a 0a 22 49 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 his.".."I think
583b0 69 74 20 68 61 73 20 62 65 65 6e 20 73 6f 75 6e it has been soun
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583e0 77 68 65 6e 20 69 74 20 74 61 6c 6b 73 2c 22 20 when it talks,"
583f0 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 2f 2a 20 Alley said.../*
58400 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 * * * * * * * *
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58420 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 * * * * * * * *
58430 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 * * * * * * * *
58440 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 5c 0a 20 2a 20 20 20 * * * * *\. *
58450 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
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58480 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
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584b0 20 20 49 20 6e 65 65 64 20 74 6f 20 64 65 73 63 I need to desc
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584e0 20 20 20 2a 0a 20 2a 20 20 49 27 6d 20 63 75 72 *. * I'm cur
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58580 2a 20 20 64 72 65 73 73 65 73 20 74 68 61 74 20 * dresses that
58590 68 61 6e 67 20 73 6f 6d 65 77 68 65 72 65 20 62 hang somewhere b
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585b0 20 61 6e 64 20 6a 75 73 74 20 70 61 73 74 20 74 and just past t
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585d0 6b 6e 65 65 73 2c 20 77 69 74 68 6f 75 74 20 73 knees, without s
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585f0 20 6c 69 6b 65 2e 20 20 53 68 65 27 73 20 70 72 like. She's pr
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58630 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
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586d0 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 * * * * * * * *
586e0 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 * * * * * * * *
586f0 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 2f * * * * * * * */
58700 0a 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 74 27 6c 6c 20 6d 61 6b 65 ..."That'll make
58710 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 65 76 65 6e 20 6d 6f 72 Dalton even mor
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58730 74 68 69 73 2c 22 20 4c 69 64 69 61 20 73 61 69 this," Lidia sai
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58750 65 72 20 61 74 74 65 6e 74 69 6f 6e 20 74 6f 20 er attention to
58760 74 68 65 20 41 78 69 6f 6d 20 61 67 61 69 6e 2e the Axiom again.
58770 20 20 22 48 65 27 73 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 69 "He's really i
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587b0 73 74 65 72 73 2c 20 49 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 2c 22 sters, I think,"
587c0 20 4c 69 64 69 61 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 22 54 Lidia said..."T
587d0 68 61 6e 6b 20 79 6f 75 20 66 6f 72 20 74 68 61 hank you for tha
587e0 74 20 69 6e 66 6f 72 6d 61 74 69 6f 6e 2c 22 20 t information,"
587f0 74 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a 65 72 20 the prioritizer
58800 73 61 69 64 2e 0a 0a 4c 69 64 69 61 20 61 64 6a said...Lidia adj
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58830 69 67 68 74 6c 79 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 73 61 69 64 ightly, and said
58840 20 22 57 65 6c 6c 2c 20 49 20 67 6f 74 20 74 6f "Well, I got to
58850 20 73 61 79 20 68 69 20 74 6f 20 65 76 65 72 79 say hi to every
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58870 20 75 6e 6c 65 73 73 20 74 68 65 72 65 27 73 20 unless there's
58880 73 6f 6d 65 20 6f 74 68 65 72 20 63 6f 6e 76 65 some other conve
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588b0 74 6f 64 61 79 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 today."..Alley s
588c0 68 6f 6f 6b 20 68 65 72 20 68 65 61 64 20 77 69 hook her head wi
588d0 74 68 20 61 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 2e 20 20 22 4e 6f th a smile. "No
588e0 2c 20 6e 6f 74 20 75 6e 6c 65 73 73 20 79 6f 75 , not unless you
588f0 20 77 61 6e 74 20 6d 65 20 74 6f 20 69 6e 73 74 want me to inst
58900 61 6c 6c 20 73 6f 6d 65 20 41 4e 54 41 53 20 73 all some ANTAS s
58910 6f 66 74 77 61 72 65 20 6f 6e 20 6d 79 20 70 68 oftware on my ph
58920 6f 6e 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 4e 6f 20 77 61 79 2e 20 one.".."No way.
58930 20 48 65 61 76 65 6e 20 66 6f 72 62 69 64 2e 22 Heaven forbid."
58940 20 20 4c 69 64 69 61 20 73 75 70 70 72 65 73 73 Lidia suppress
58950 65 64 20 61 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 20 74 6f 20 77 61 ed a smile to wa
58960 76 65 20 68 65 72 20 68 61 6e 64 73 20 69 6e 20 ve her hands in
58970 61 20 66 65 61 72 66 75 6c 20 77 61 72 64 69 6e a fearful wardin
58980 67 20 67 65 73 74 75 72 65 20 69 6e 20 66 72 6f g gesture in fro
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589a0 22 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 77 61 6e 74 20 61 6e "I don't want an
589b0 79 20 6f 66 20 74 68 61 74 20 63 72 61 70 20 69 y of that crap i
589c0 6e 20 68 65 72 65 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 6e 65 69 74 n here, and neit
589d0 68 65 72 20 64 6f 20 79 6f 75 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c her do you."..Al
589e0 6c 65 79 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 64 20 2c 20 61 6e 64 ley smiled , and
589f0 20 4c 69 64 69 61 27 73 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 20 62 Lidia's smile b
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58a10 41 6e 79 77 61 79 2c 20 49 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 Anyway, I should
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58a30 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 20 68 65 6c 70 20 43 going to help C
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58a80 49 27 6d 20 6e 6f 74 20 73 75 72 65 2c 20 62 75 I'm not sure, bu
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58ab0 77 69 74 68 20 79 6f 75 2e 22 0a 0a 22 59 65 61 with you.".."Yea
58ac0 68 2c 20 6f 6b 61 79 2c 22 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 h, okay," Alley
58ad0 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 54 68 61 6e 6b 73 20 66 said. "Thanks f
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58af0 4c 69 64 69 61 20 77 61 76 65 64 20 63 68 65 65 Lidia waved chee
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58b10 22 49 20 69 6e 73 69 73 74 65 64 2e 22 20 20 53 "I insisted." S
58b20 68 65 20 68 65 61 64 65 64 20 6f 75 74 20 6f 66 he headed out of
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58b40 20 61 6e 64 20 63 6c 6f 73 65 64 20 74 68 65 20 and closed the
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58b60 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 6c 61 79 20 6f 6e 20 68 ..Alley lay on h
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58bb0 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 57 68 61 74 20 73 68 6f 75 said "What shou
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58be0 22 0a 0a 54 68 65 20 70 72 69 6f 72 69 74 69 7a "..The prioritiz
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58c10 72 69 65 6e 64 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 61 67 61 riend Dalton aga
58c20 69 6e 20 49 20 62 65 6c 69 65 76 65 20 77 65 20 in I believe we
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58c60 20 47 65 6f 72 67 65 20 61 6e 64 20 68 69 73 20 George and his
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58d60 22 0a 0a 22 43 27 6d 6f 6e 20 69 6e 2c 22 20 73 ".."C'mon in," s
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58eb0 53 68 65 20 73 61 74 20 75 70 2c 20 74 6f 20 6c She sat up, to l
58ec0 65 73 73 65 6e 20 74 68 61 74 20 65 66 66 65 63 essen that effec
58ed0 74 2e 20 20 22 57 68 61 74 27 73 20 75 70 3f 22 t. "What's up?"
58ee0 20 73 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 22 44 69 she asked..."Di
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58f10 72 61 79 2c 20 4c 69 64 69 61 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 ray, Lidia, and
58f20 6d 65 3f 22 20 20 48 65 20 67 6c 61 6e 63 65 64 me?" He glanced
58f30 20 61 74 20 68 65 72 2c 20 74 68 65 6e 2e 0a 0a at her, then...
58f40 22 59 65 61 68 2e 20 20 54 68 61 74 20 73 6f 75 "Yeah. That sou
58f50 6e 64 73 20 67 6f 6f 64 2e 20 20 57 68 61 74 27 nds good. What'
58f60 73 20 66 6f 72 20 64 69 6e 6e 65 72 3f 22 0a 0a s for dinner?"..
58f70 22 4c 61 73 61 67 6e 61 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 "Lasagna."..Alle
58f80 79 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 64 2e 20 20 22 4c 69 64 69 y smiled. "Lidi
58f90 61 27 73 3f 22 0a 0a 48 65 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 a's?"..He nodded
58fa0 2e 0a 0a 22 49 27 6d 20 74 68 65 72 65 2e 22 0a ..."I'm there.".
58fb0 0a 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 73 6d 69 6c 65 64 20 62 .Dalton smiled b
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58fd0 20 67 6f 20 6c 65 74 20 74 68 65 6d 20 6b 6e 6f go let them kno
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58ff0 20 20 57 68 65 6e 20 79 6f 75 20 63 6f 6d 65 20 When you come
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59040 20 74 68 65 20 73 74 61 69 72 73 2e 22 0a 0a 41 the stairs."..A
59050 6c 6c 65 79 20 6e 6f 64 64 65 64 2c 20 61 6e 64 lley nodded, and
59060 20 6f 6e 63 65 20 68 65 20 6c 65 66 74 20 74 68 once he left th
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59080 20 61 6e 64 20 77 65 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 68 65 72 and went to her
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590b0 20 73 70 6f 72 74 20 62 72 61 20 61 6e 64 20 77 sport bra and w
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590d0 70 72 6f 63 65 73 73 20 6f 66 20 72 65 6d 6f 76 process of remov
590e0 69 6e 67 20 68 65 72 20 73 68 69 72 74 2c 20 64 ing her shirt, d
590f0 6f 6e 6e 69 6e 67 20 74 68 65 20 62 72 61 2c 20 onning the bra,
59100 61 6e 64 20 61 64 64 69 6e 67 20 74 68 65 20 74 and adding the t
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59120 69 6e 2e 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 6c 61 63 65 64 20 68 in...She laced h
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59150 20 61 20 6c 69 74 74 6c 65 20 70 72 65 73 73 75 a little pressu
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59170 73 20 69 66 20 74 6f 20 72 65 6d 6f 76 65 20 73 s if to remove s
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59190 73 20 69 6e 20 61 20 73 68 6f 77 65 72 2e 20 20 s in a shower.
591a0 53 68 65 20 77 65 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 6c 6f 6f 6b She went to look
591b0 20 61 74 20 68 65 72 73 65 6c 66 20 69 6e 20 74 at herself in t
591c0 68 65 20 6d 69 72 72 6f 72 20 6f 76 65 72 20 74 he mirror over t
591d0 68 65 20 62 61 74 68 72 6f 6f 6d 20 73 69 6e 6b he bathroom sink
591e0 2e 20 20 22 59 65 61 68 2c 20 74 68 69 73 20 73 . "Yeah, this s
591f0 68 6f 75 6c 64 20 62 65 20 6c 65 73 73 20 61 77 hould be less aw
59200 6b 77 61 72 64 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 kward," she said
59210 20 74 6f 20 68 65 72 73 65 6c 66 2e 20 20 53 68 to herself. Sh
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59260 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a * * * * * * * *
59270 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a * * * * * * * *
59280 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a * * * * * * * *
59290 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a 20 2a * * * * * * * *
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59310 20 70 65 6f 70 6c 65 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 6f people going to
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59860 20 2a 2f 0a 0a 22 59 6f 75 20 77 65 72 65 6e 27 */.."You weren'
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59890 72 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2c 22 20 44 61 6c 74 r, though," Dalt
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598b0 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 68 69 6d 2e 20 20 looked at him.
598c0 22 57 68 61 74 20 64 6f 20 79 6f 75 20 6d 65 61 "What do you mea
598d0 6e 3f 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 61 62 6f 75 74 n?".."What about
598e0 20 74 68 61 74 20 47 65 6f 72 67 65 20 67 75 79 that George guy
598f0 20 79 6f 75 20 6d 65 6e 74 69 6f 6e 65 64 3f 22 you mentioned?"
59900 0a 0a 22 4f 68 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 .."Oh," she said
59910 2e 20 20 22 52 69 67 68 74 2e 20 20 54 68 61 74 . "Right. That
59920 27 73 20 68 6f 77 20 49 20 65 76 65 6e 20 66 6f 's how I even fo
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59960 61 79 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 66 6f 72 ay said. "I for
59970 67 6f 74 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 61 74 2e 22 got about that."
59980 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 61 62 6f 75 74 20 68 69 .."What about hi
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599a0 0a 0a 22 49 74 20 73 6f 75 6e 64 73 20 6c 69 6b .."It sounds lik
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59ca0 61 6c 6c 20 74 68 65 20 74 69 6d 65 20 77 68 65 all the time whe
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59f80 2e 0a 0a 41 20 68 61 6e 64 20 74 6f 75 63 68 65 ...A hand touche
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59fa0 20 53 68 65 20 73 74 61 72 74 65 64 2c 20 61 6e She started, an
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59ff0 64 20 73 61 77 20 43 72 61 79 20 6e 6f 77 20 73 d saw Cray now s
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5a010 72 2e 20 20 22 41 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 6f 6b 61 r. "Are you oka
5a020 79 3f 22 20 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 2c 20 71 75 y?" he asked, qu
5a030 69 65 74 6c 79 2e 0a 0a 53 68 65 20 66 6f 75 6e ietly...She foun
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5a060 20 62 61 72 65 6c 79 20 70 61 72 74 65 64 20 6c barely parted l
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5a0b0 2c 20 61 6e 64 20 62 72 65 61 74 68 65 64 20 74 , and breathed t
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5a110 20 61 6c 6f 6e 65 20 69 6e 20 74 68 65 20 72 6f alone in the ro
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5a130 73 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 3f 22 20 73 68 65 20 61 s Dalton?" she a
5a140 73 6b 65 64 2e 0a 0a 43 72 61 79 20 73 61 74 20 sked...Cray sat
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5a160 73 20 68 61 6e 64 20 64 72 6f 70 20 66 72 6f 6d s hand drop from
5a170 20 68 65 72 20 73 68 6f 75 6c 64 65 72 20 74 6f her shoulder to
5a180 20 68 69 73 20 6f 77 6e 20 6c 65 67 2e 20 20 48 his own leg. H
5a190 65 20 63 68 75 63 6b 6c 65 64 2e 20 20 22 59 6f e chuckled. "Yo
5a1a0 75 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 77 65 72 65 20 6f 75 u really were ou
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5a1c0 20 48 65 20 61 6e 6e 6f 75 6e 63 65 64 20 68 65 He announced he
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5a200 61 68 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 69 64 2e 20 20 ah," she said.
5a210 53 68 65 20 67 6c 61 6e 63 65 64 20 61 72 6f 75 She glanced arou
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5a230 20 74 68 65 20 74 61 62 6c 65 20 68 61 64 20 62 the table had b
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5a280 20 65 76 65 6e 20 72 65 6d 65 6d 62 65 72 20 61 even remember a
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5a2c0 20 54 68 61 74 27 73 20 77 68 79 20 68 65 20 64 That's why he d
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5a2e0 73 74 72 61 69 67 68 74 65 6e 69 6e 67 20 75 70 straightening up
5a2f0 2e 20 20 48 65 20 66 69 6e 69 73 68 65 64 20 68 . He finished h
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5a310 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 65 64 20 61 74 20 79 6f 75 2c 20 looked at you,
5a320 74 68 65 6e 20 73 68 6f 6f 6b 20 68 69 6d 73 65 then shook himse
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5a340 72 6b 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 79 20 64 69 64 20 79 rk.".."Why did y
5a350 6f 75 20 61 73 6b 20 69 66 20 49 20 77 61 73 20 ou ask if I was
5a360 6f 6b 61 79 3f 22 20 73 68 65 20 61 73 6b 65 64 okay?" she asked
5a370 2e 0a 0a 43 72 61 79 20 73 68 72 75 67 67 65 64 ...Cray shrugged
5a380 2e 20 20 22 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 77 61 73 6e 27 . "Dalton wasn'
5a390 74 20 67 6f 69 6e 67 20 74 6f 2c 20 73 6f 20 49 t going to, so I
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5a3b0 75 70 20 74 6f 20 6d 65 2e 22 0a 0a 22 2e 20 2e up to me."..". .
5a3c0 20 2e 20 62 75 74 20 77 68 79 3f 20 20 57 68 79 . but why? Why
5a3d0 20 64 69 64 20 79 6f 75 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 74 did you think t
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5a400 20 74 68 61 74 2e 20 20 59 6f 75 20 6c 6f 6f 6b that. You look
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5a420 20 72 65 61 6c 6c 79 20 73 61 64 2e 22 0a 0a 22 really sad.".."
5a430 4f 68 2e 22 20 20 53 68 65 20 66 72 6f 77 6e 65 Oh." She frowne
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5a450 61 74 20 68 65 72 20 68 61 6e 64 73 2e 20 20 22 at her hands. "
5a460 59 65 61 68 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 79 3f 22 0a 0a Yeah.".."Why?"..
5a470 48 65 72 20 65 79 65 73 20 66 6c 69 63 6b 65 64 Her eyes flicked
5a480 20 74 6f 20 68 69 6d 2e 20 20 22 49 74 27 73 20 to him. "It's
5a490 6e 6f 74 68 69 6e 67 2c 22 20 73 68 65 20 73 61 nothing," she sa
5a4a0 69 64 2e 20 20 22 49 74 27 73 20 6a 75 73 74 20 id. "It's just
5a4b0 2e 20 2e 20 2e 20 6e 6f 73 74 61 6c 67 69 61 2c . . . nostalgia,
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5a8a0 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 49 20 74 68 69 6e 6b 20 77 said "I think w
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5a910 61 62 6f 75 74 20 74 68 65 20 4d 65 6e 20 49 6e about the Men In
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5a940 20 66 61 63 74 20 41 6c 6c 65 79 27 73 20 6b 69 fact Alley's ki
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5aa40 2e 0a 0a 22 57 65 6c 6c 2c 20 79 6f 75 27 64 20 ..."Well, you'd
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5ab60 0a 0a 22 4f 6b 61 79 2c 20 6a 75 73 74 20 66 6f .."Okay, just fo
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5ab90 6d 20 73 6f 72 72 79 20 49 20 62 72 6f 75 67 68 m sorry I brough
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5abb0 6c 79 2c 22 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 73 61 69 64 ly," Dalton said
5abc0 2e 0a 0a 22 49 20 64 6f 6e 27 74 20 74 68 69 6e ..."I don't thin
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5ac00 20 20 49 27 6d 20 6e 6f 74 20 65 73 63 61 70 69 I'm not escapi
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5ad30 2c 22 20 44 61 6c 74 6f 6e 20 73 61 69 64 2e 0a ," Dalton said..
5ad40 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 67 61 76 65 20 68 69 6d 20 .Alley gave him
5ad50 61 20 64 75 62 69 6f 75 73 20 6c 6f 6f 6b 2e 20 a dubious look.
5ad60 20 22 57 68 61 74 20 61 72 65 20 79 6f 75 20 74 "What are you t
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5ad80 22 49 27 6d 20 73 65 72 69 6f 75 73 2e 20 20 54 "I'm serious. T
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5adc0 72 65 20 74 68 65 20 70 72 6f 74 61 67 6f 6e 69 re the protagoni
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5aea0 2e 22 0a 0a 43 72 61 79 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 49 ."..Cray said "I
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5af40 72 69 6f 75 73 6c 79 3f 22 0a 0a 44 61 6c 74 6f riously?"..Dalto
5af50 6e 20 73 68 72 75 67 67 65 64 2e 20 20 22 49 20 n shrugged. "I
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5afc0 48 6d 70 68 2e 22 0a 0a 22 57 68 61 74 20 41 49 Hmph.".."What AI
5afd0 50 2c 20 6c 69 6b 65 2c 20 79 6f 75 20 6b 6e 6f P, like, you kno
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5b020 72 27 3f 22 0a 0a 22 54 68 61 74 27 73 20 61 77 r'?".."That's aw
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5b040 64 2e 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 61 69 64 20 22 d...Alley said "
5b050 41 66 74 65 72 20 4c 69 64 69 61 20 63 61 6d 65 After Lidia came
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5b100 2e 20 20 2f 2a 20 54 6f 6f 20 62 61 64 20 74 68 . /* Too bad th
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5b2a0 20 2e 22 0a 0a 41 6c 6c 65 79 20 73 6e 69 63 6b ."..Alley snick
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5b2f0 2d 20 64 6f 65 73 6e 27 74 20 69 74 3f 22 20 44 - doesn't it?" D
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5b360 2f 2a 20 54 68 69 73 20 69 73 20 6d 79 20 61 74 /* This is my at
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5b3a0 2e 20 2a 2f 0a 2f 2a 20 54 68 65 20 63 68 61 72 . */./* The char
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5b430 2a 20 49 6e 20 66 61 63 74 2c 20 69 74 20 6d 61 * In fact, it ma
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