,,?+S ,,N ,,SE5 ,,&REW ,,CLE;TS ,PUBLI%$ 0,PU69 ,BOOKS1 ,NEW ,YORK ,COPY"R #BJJB 0,&REW ,CLE;TS ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4 ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY ,%>ON ,CILLEY1 ,PET] ,MORSE1 ,B>B>A ,PESKURIC1 ,K>5 ,H>A1 & ,C>KL ,/UD] ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON ,9 #C ,VOLUMES ,VOLUME #C ,PAGES ;I-;II & #BBC-C ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP ( ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK & ,BRL ,LIBR>Y ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON #BJJD ;II *APT] #AI #BBC ,,G5]AL ,,BO2Y ,I DON'T H A GD NIE RECORDS1 !N "! >E "NS4 ,"NS ( P4 ,& X'S J POSSI# T ANY "O ( ^? P CD 2 ''' L ME4 ,DAD'S ALR G"O 0! "T ,I GET UP4 ,MOM SAYS HE /AY$ UP LATE1 RUNN+ DI6]- #BBD 5T TE/S1 WRIT+ D[N RESULTS4 ,!N HE LEFT =! LAB E>LY4 8,& HE SD N 64TURB ANY?+ 9 ! P>LOR40 ,S ,DAD HASN'T RE,Y GIV5 UP ON ! BLANKET EI4 ,/1 EV5 IF HE 0 HOME N[1 ,I'M N SURE ,I'D TALK 6HM AB MY IDEA4 ,MOM L1VES 6GET R1DY = H] T5 O'C ,IN- TRODUC;N 6,LIT]ATURE CLASS1 & ,I GRAB A P5 & PAP] & G 6! P>LOR ! M9UTE %E'S G"O4 ,I ?"\ MAYBE ,DAD _H TAK5 ! 9=M,N %EETS AB ! BLANKET 6"W ) HM1 B !Y'RE ON ! PIA- NO B5*4 ,! FRONTS & BACKS ( ALL F\R %EETS >E COV]$ ) ,DAD'S T9Y1 PRECISE H&- WRIT+4 ,B ,I'M N 9T]E/$ 9 ANY ( T4 ,I DON'T NE$ 6=MULATE A "WA# !ORY4 ,ALL ,I NE$ IS ! MODEL NUMB] &! MANUFACTUR]4 ,X TAKES LESS ?AN T5 SECONDS 6JOT D[N4 ,MY BLANKET IS A TW9-SIZE1 S+LE-3TROL1 ,DYNA-,RE/ ,SUPREME ELECTRIC BLANKET1 MODEL ,,DRS-T-#ACDI-G;,A4 ,! FAD$ /ICK] ON ! METAL BOTTOM (! 3TROLL] UNIT HAS ! SAME NUMB]S4 ,&! BLANKET IS UNCONDI;N,Y GU>ANTE$ =A P]IOD ( ?REE YE>S 0,SE>S1 ,ROEBUCK & ,-PANY1 ,*ICAGO1 ,ILL9OIS4 ,ON MY WAY 96! D51 ,I D ! MA?4 ,! BLANKET ISN'T "U W>RANTY4 ,MOM #BBE GOT ME ? BLANKET ! F/ "D WE MOV$ "H F ,H\/ON1 : 0 9 ,M>* ( MY FIF?-GRADE YE>4 ,I REMEMB] ! "D EXACTLY--COLD & W9DY1 NO AZAL1S 9 BLOOM1 NO H1T$ SWIMM+ POOL 9 ! BACKY>D4 ,SE>S4 ,Y C'T LIVE 9 ,*ICAGO )\T "K+ ": ,SE>S IS4 ,SE>S ,T[] IS ! TALLE/ ?+ 9 ! C;Y1 &=A L;G "T X 0 ! TALLE/ BUILD+ 9 ! _W4 ,& Y ?9K IF Y "K ": ! ,SE>S ,T[] IS1 Y "K ": ,SE>S IS4 ,WR;G4 ,T'S AN ILLU.N4 ,2C ,I D A LL ,9T]NET SE>* & LE>N T ,SE>S MOV$ _! -PANY (FICES \ 6! SUBURBS YE>S AGO1 AB ?IRTY-FIVE MILES WE/--S F> AWAY1 !Y C'T EV5 SEE _! HUGE T[]4 ,I PICK UP ! PH"O & />T 6DIAL ! MA9 NUMB]1 & !N ,I REMEMB]4 ,I HANG UP1 G 6MY ROOM1 GET ,MOM'S CELL PH"O1 C>RY X 6! D51 & DIAL AG4 8,?ANK Y = CALL+ ,SE>S4 ,? CALL+ M5U HAS *ANG$1 S PL1SE LI/5 C>E;LLY4 ,IF Y "K ! FIVE DIGIT EXT5.N (! "PY Y >E TRY+ 6R1* '''0 ,&! RECORD+ GOES ON = AB ?REE M9UTES4 ,I "W MY WAY "? ! M5US & GET 6! #BBF 3SUM] M]*&ISE CU/OM] S]VICE L9E4 ,!N ,I H 6SLOG "? N9E *OICES UNTIL F9,Y ,I'M ASK$ 6HOLD =! NEXT AVAILA# CU/OM] S]VICE REPRES5TATIVE4 ,AF F\RTE5 M9UTES &A LOT ( BAD MUSIC1 A VOICE SAYS1 8,HELLO1 ? IS ,R5EE4 ,MAY ,I HELP Y80 ,I TRY 6S.D Z GR[N-UP Z POSSI#1 2C NO- BODY AT ANY -PANY "E WANTS 6TALK 6A KID AB ANY?+4 8,YES1 ,R5EE1 ,I'M CALL+ AB A POSSI# PRO#M ) MY ELECTRIC BLANKET40 8,YES1 SIR4 ,B F/1 MAY ,I H YR "N & TELEPH"O NUMB]80 ,S ,I GIVE H] ,DAD'S "N &! HOME NUMB]1 & !N %E WANTS \R ,SE>S *>GE A3.T NUMB]4 8,I DON'T H ! C>D ) ME AT ! MO;T1 2C ALL ,I RE,Y WANT IS "S 9=M,N40 8,YES1 SIR8 ,I W 2 HAPPY 6GIVE Y 9=M,N AB YR ,SE>S PRODUCT4 ,MAY ,I H ! "N &! MODEL NUMB]1 PL1SE80 ,I GIVE H] ! 9=M,N1 & :ILE %E'S TAPP+ AWAY ON A KEYBO>D1 ,I SAY1 8,I NE$ 6"K IF "!'S BE5 A PRO#M ) ? BLANKET40 8,>E Y EXP]I5C+ A DI6ICULTY 9 US+ OR MA9TA9+ YR ,SE>S PRODUCT1 SIR80 #BBG ,? IS TRICKY4 8,WELL1 ,I'M N SURE4 ,X MIT PACEMAK]1 SIR80 8,A :AT80 8,A HE>T PACEMAK]1 SIR40 8,NO4 ,I ''' ,I J WANT 6"K IF "! H BE5 ANY PRO#MS ) ? "PICUL> BLANKET40 8,SIR1 ! NOTES ,I H = ? PRODUCT %[ T WE >E 5C\RAG+ ANY CU/OM] :O HAS ? ITEM 6S5D X 6\R CU/OM] S]VICE C5T] & RCV A -P>A# PRODUCT ( EQUAL OR GRT] VALUE 9 EX*ANGE4 ,ANY P]SON US+ A HE>T PACEMAK] %D 2 5C\RAG$ N 6USE ? PRODUCT4 ,& ,SE>S W PAY ! %IPP+ & H&L+ FEES =! EX*ANGE4 ,WD Y L ME 6G AH1D & S*$ULE A ,,UPS PICKUP1 SIR80 8,C Y TELL ME H[ _M ( ^! BLANKETS H BE5 RETURN$80 8,I D N H T 9=M,N1 SIR4 ,WE >E 5C\RAG+ ANY CU/OM] :O HAS ? ITEM 6S5D X 6\R CUS- TOM] S]VICE C5T] & RCV A -P>A# PRODUCT ( EQUAL OR GRT] VALUE 9 EX*ANGE4 ,& ,SE>S W PAY ! %IPP+ & H&L+ FEES4 ,WD Y L ME 6G AH1D & S*$ULE ! ,,UPS PICKUP1 SIR80 8,DOES ANY"O H A RECORD ( :O #BBH HAS RETURN$ ? PRODUCT 6,SE>S80 8,I DON'T "K ANY?+ AB T1 SIR4 ,B Y C RETURN T MODEL NUMB] =A PRODUCT ( EQUAL OR GRT] VALUE4 ,WD Y L ME 6G AH1D & S*$- ULE A ,,UPS PICKUP = YR BLANKET1 SIR80 8,NO4 ,NO1 ?ANKS4 ,GD-BYE40 8,GD-BYE1 SIR1 & ?ANK Y = CALL+ ,SE>S ,CU/OM] ,S]VICE40 ,MY NEXT CALL IS ,ALICIA4 8,GUESS :AT80 8,UM ''' Y WOKE UP ? MORN+ P]FECTLY NORMAL1 & Y'VE AL FIGUR$ \ :AT'S WR;G ) MY EYES40 8,NICE GUESS4 ,B Y "K MY ELECTRIC BLANKET8 ,X'S MADE 0,SE>S1 & :5 ,I CALL$ CU/OM] S]VICE J N[ & ASK$ AB ? MODEL1 ! LADY TOLD ME T ANY"O :O CALLS AB X IS SUPPOS$ 6S5D X BACK =A FREE REPLACE;T4 ,&! LADY ASK$ ME IF ,I USE A HE>T PACE- MAK]1 2C ! NOTE 9 ! FILE SAYS 6TELL ANY- "O )A PACEMAK] N 6USE X40 ,ALICIA SAYS1 8,S ''' T M1NS "S?+'S S]I\SLY WR;G ) YR BLANKET4 ,H[ _M'VE BE5 RETURN$80 8,DON'T "K4 ,B IF !Y'RE (F]+ TO #BBI REPLACE X1 A LOT ( P M/ H _H TR\# ) X40 8,S C WE TALK 6"S ( !M8 ,Y GET ANY "NS80 8,NO NUMB]S1 NO "NS4 ,T'S :Y ,I CALL$ Y4 ,:O %D ,I CALL NEXT80 ,ALICIA DOESN'T HESITATE A SECOND4 8,DEF9ITELY ! LEGAL DE"P;T4 ,MY MOM US$ 6D PUBLIC REL,NS = BIG -PANIES1 & "S"TS %E _H 6D DAMAGE 3TROL4 ,T'S :AT %E CALL$ X4 ,Y "K1 A -PANY HAS A BAD PRODUCT1 & !Y FIX X1 & !N !Y H 6D A M$IA CAMPAIGN 6MAKE SURE P "K "EY?+'S ALL FIX$4 ,B ! LAWY]S >E ALW 9 ! MI4LE ( X4 ,S Y CALL ! LEGAL DE"P;T1 & Y TELL !M Y'VE GOT A "Q AB PRODUCT LIABIL;Y4 ,MOM SAYS T MAKES BIG -PANIES CRAZY4 ,Y "K1 L :5 ALL ^? TIRES W5T BAD ON ,,SUV'S8 ,T'S :Y BIG -PANIES HIRE JILLIONS ( LAWY]S4 ,Y SAY1 ,8,? IS ,DAVID ,S-&-S F ! PRODUCT LIA- BIL;Y RESE>* C5T] 9 ,BALTIMORE OR "S":1 & WE'VE GOTT5 A REPORT T S*-&-S* A BLAN- KET IS MALFUNC;N+40' ,"S?+ L T1 J MAKE X UP4 ,& SEE IF Y C GET "SBODY 6TELL Y H[ _M CLAIMS !Y'VE _H1 :O KEEPS ! RECORDS1 ALL T /UFF40 #BCJ ,I GULP4 8,I CDN'T D T4 ,!Y'D N"E BE- LIEVE ME ''' B H[ AB ?8 ,H[ AB ,I R1D Y ! PH"O NUMB] = ,SE>S & .Y CALL !M8 ,Y S.D L Y "K :AT Y'RE TALK+ AB ''' & ,I ?9K Y'RE A BETT] ACTOR ?AN ,I AM40 8,Y ?9K ,I'M A BETT] ACTOR8 ,:AT DOES T M1N8 ,Y ?9K ,I'M A GD LI>1 IS T X80 8,JEEZ--T\*Y1 T\*Y4 ,X'S A -PLI;T4 ,I M1N Y CD PROBABLY S.D L Y "K "S?+1 & ,I'M J GONNA S.D L ? DUMB KID1 T'S ALL4 ,S1 W Y D X80 ,ALICIA PAUSES4 8,OKAY4 ,WAIT TILL ,I RECORD ! NUMB]S40 8,Y'VE GOT A TAPE RECORD] 9 YR PH"O80 8,NO4 ,MY DAD GOT ME ? T9Y DICT,N ?+Y LA/ YE>4 ,X'S L A NOTEPAD4 ,I C RECORD /UFF & !N PLAY X BACK A C\PLE "TS TILL X'S MEMORIZ$4 ,MY MEMORY'S GOTT5 PRETTY GD40 8,COOL40 ,!N ,I TELL H] ! 9=M,N AB ! BLANKET1 & ! NUMB] AT ,SE>S1 & %E SAYS %E'LL CALL ME BACK4 ,TW5TY M9UTES LAT]1 ,I'VE GOT MY M\? FULL ( ,5GLI% MU69 &! CELL PH"O #BCA R+S4 8,HI4 ,:AT'S ! NEWS80 8,NO NEWS4 ,^! P >5'T GIV+ ANY?+ AWAY40 8,:AT HAPP5$80 8,I TOLD ! GUY :O ANSW]$ 9 ! LEGAL (- FICE T ,I 0 DO+ A PRODUCT LIABIL;Y IN- QUIRY AB BLANKET MODEL NUMB] S-&-S1 & ?REE SECONDS LAT] ? LADY "ND ,AMB] ,C>- SON PICKS UP4 ,R1L S]I\S4 ,S ,I TELL H] ,I'M 9VE/IGAT+ A -PLA9T F A FAMILY 9 ,*ICAGO AB ? BLANKET1 & "R AWAY %E J %UTS D[N1 TELLS ME NO?+4 ,I ASK$ H] H[ _M -PLA9TS !Y'VE _H4 ,%E SAYS1 ,8,I'M N AT LIB]TY 6%>E T 9=M,N40' ,%E SAYS1 ,8,S5D ME A LR10' & T 0 X4 ,5D ( 3V]SA- N40 ,AF A PAUSE ,ALICIA A4S1 8,I'M SURE !Y H A LI/ ( P :O'VE RETURN$ ^? BLAN- KETS1 B "!'S NO WAY !Y'RE GIV+ \ ANY "NS40 8,& Y ?9K ! RECORDS >E 9 ! LEGAL DE"P- ;T "S":80 8,SURE4 ,9 _! -PUT] SY/EM4 ,!Y'VE PROBABLY GOT A :OLE T1M "W+ ON BAD PROD- UCTS & RECALLS & CLAIMS4 ,B ?9K AB X3 ,IF Y 7 !M1 WD Y H& T 9=M,N OV] J #BCB 2C "S"O ASKS80 8,NO10 ,I SAY1 8B :O SD ANY?+ AB ASK+8 ,IF !Y'VE GOT X1 !N WE G & TAKE X40 ,ALICIA LAUD $GE 6MY VOICE1 & A PLAN =MS Z ,I TALK4 8,Y'RE ! "O :O SD ,I %DN'T J SIT >.D = FIVE "DS & D NO?+1 REMEMB]8 ,S >E Y R1DY =A LL FIELD TRIP80 ,ALICIA IS /UNN$4 8,:AT8 ''' ,G \ "! & TRY 6./1L ! 9=M,N8 ,& :AT D Y M1N1 AM .,I R1DY8 ,:AT D ,I H 6D ) ANY ( ?80 ,I'M ! ,GREEK W>RIOR AG1 M L A G5]AL N[1 PLANN+ MY CAMPAIGN1 GETT+ MY TROOPS R1DY = BATTLE4 8,SIMPLE4 ,I C GET 9SIDE ! BUILD+1 F9D ! "R (FICE1 GET ! 9=M,N1 & !N PR9T \ A LI/ OR MAKE A DISK OR "S?+1 B ,I C'T C>RY FLOAT+ PAP] OR PLA/IC >.D1 AT L1/ N = V L;G4 ,IF ,I 0 A HACK] & _H A WEEK 6TRY 69VADE _! -PUT] SY/EM1 ,I WD4 ,B ,I DON'T "K H[ 6D T1 & ,I DON'T H A WEEK4 ,S ,I NE$ "S"O 6HELP4 ,MY P>5TS & YR P>5TS >E ! ONLY O!R C&IDATES4 ,S9CE ,I DON'T ?9K !Y'D GET 2H ! IDEA ( /1L+ CORPORATE SECRETS1 T L1VES Y40 8,B ''' Y CD J D L :5 Y W5T 6! #BCC HOSPITAL 6VISIT YR MOM40 8,NO WAY4 ,TOO W>M TD4 ,IF X'S SIXTY- FIVE DEGREES & Y WE> GLOVES &A /OCK+ HAT & SUNGLASSES &A SC>F >.D YR FACE1 Y LOOK L A BANK RO2]4 ,& !N ONCE ,I GOT "! LOOK+ V SUSPICI\S1 ,I'D H 6H A PLACE TO TAKE (F MY CLO!S & HIDE !M1 & !N -E BACK & GET !M--X'S TOO -PLICAT$4 ,I NE$ YR HELP1 ,ALICIA4 ,Y 2 MY BODY1 & ,I'LL 2 YR EYES4 ,HELP ME HAIL A CAB1 & TALK 6! DRIV] & PAY ! F>E1 WAIT = ME 6-E BACK & H& (F ! /UFF1 !N WE TAKE A CAB HOME AG40 ,SIL;E4 ,!N %E SAYS1 8,:AT IF Y DON'T -E BACK8 ,L IF "S?+ HAPP5S 6Y80 ,I L ! WAY %E SAYS T1 ! T"O ( H] VOICE4 ,B ,I KEEP 2+ ! W>RIOR4 8,NO?+'S GO+ 6HAPP54 ,I'M ! SECRET W1PON1 REMEMB]8 ,& EV5 IF "S?+ DID HAP- P51 L IF X TOOK TOO L;G & ,I DIDN'T -E BACK 6Y ON "T--SAY1 AF AN H\R--!N Y F9D "S"O 6HELP Y GET A CAB1 Y TELL ! GUY YR A4RESS1 & Y -E HOME4 ,& ,I'D TAKE C>E ( MYF4 ,B ,I'M SURE X'LL 2 ALL "R4 ,S1 :AT D Y ?9K8 ,C Y GET \1 L1 TELL YR MOM Y'RE GO+ 6! LIBR>Y E>LY OR "S?+80 #BCD 8,Y1H ''' ,I ?9K ,I C GET \4 ''' ,BOB- BY1 >E Y SURE ? IS WOR? DO+80 8,SURE8 ,H[ CD ,I 2 SURE8 ,( C\RSE ,I'M N SURE4 ,B X B1TS DO+ NO?+1 "R80 8''' ,I GUESS S4 ''' ,:AT AB CAB MON- EY80 8,ALL SET4 ,I'VE GOT 5 CA%1 MY [N MON- EY1 BIR?"DS & /UFF4 ,& IF WE RUN \1 ,I C J WALK 96A RE/AURANT OR "S /ORE1 & ,I'LL HELP MYF 6! REGI/] ''' OR MAYBE ,I'LL TRY A LL PICKPOCKET+40 ,NO RESPONSE4 8,I'M JOK+1 ,ALICIA1 ,I'M JOK+40 8,N FUNNY1 ,BO2Y40 ,NO SMILE 9 ! VOICE4 8,C'MON1 ,ALICIA1 LI BILLS4 ,ON MY WAY "? ! KIT*51 ,I /OP & WRITE A %ORT NOTE3 ,MOM--G"O 6,ALICIA'S4 ,I'LL CALL Y LAT]4 ,BO2Y ,& T'S TRUE4 ,I PROBABLY W 5D UP AT ,ALICIA'S H\SE4 ,J N "R AWAY4 ,& !N ,I'M D[N ! KIT*5 /EPS & \ ! SIDE DOOR4 ,I'M (F 6-MIT MY F/ R1L CRIME4 #BCF *APT] #BJ #BCG ,,DE/9,NS ,A HALF H\R LAT] ,I'M %IV]+1 /&+ AT ! CORN] ( ,FIFTY-SEV5? & ,ELLIS4 ,MY H& IS CRAMP+ UP F HOLD+ ! ROLL ( M"OY S TI & TUCK ! CA% 2T MY LEFT >M & MY RIB CAGE1 HI45 0A LAY] ( NON-REFLECTIVE FLE%4 ,ALICIA IS LATE4 ,I LOOK AT ! BANK CLOCK & DECIDE 6GIVE H] UNTIL #AA3BB4 ,!N ,I SEE H] TAPP+ T[>D ME1 & ,I />T TROTT+ ! HALF BLOCK 6MEET H]4 ,X'S TOO CR[D$1 S ,I C'T CALL \ 8,HEY1 ,ALICIA60 OR "S?+4 ,I GET CLOSE1 & ,I'M AB 6SAY A QUIET 8,HI10 B "!'S "S?+ AB ! LOOK ON ,ALI- CIA'S FACE T /OPS ME4 ,I LOOK 2H H] & ,I SEE ! PRO#M4 ,! BL GIRL HAS A %AD[4 ,X'S H] MOM4 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,DORN IS AB ?IRTY FEET BACK1 HOLD+ A BOOK OP5 9 "O H& & GLANC+ D[N AT X E FEW /EPS S %E WON'T LOOK ODD = WALK+ S SL[LY4 ,FALL+ 9 /EP AL;GSIDE ,ALICIA1 ,I :IS- P]1 8,DON'T /OP1 & DON'T LOOK T[>D MY VOICE--YR MOM IS 2H Y40 #BCH ,)\T BR1K+ /RIDE OR TURN+ H] H1D1 ,ALICIA HISSES1 8,I "K6 ,%E C ALW TELL :5 ,I'M LY+1 & X MAKES ME CRAZY6 ,& %E'S S /UPID T %E ?9KS ,I C'T TELL :5 %E'S FOLL[+ ME6 ,\R FRONT DOOR MAKES ? SQU1K+ GROAN1 & ,I C HE> X HALF A BLOCK AWAY40 8,S1 :AT >E Y GONNA D80 8,G 6! LIBR>Y L ,I TOLD H]4 ,& ONCE ,I'M "!1 %E'LL GET BOR$ & L1VE40 ,WE GET 6! LIBR>Y & ,ALICIA GOES 9 & UP ! ELEVATOR1 & H] "M J SITS D[N ON A B5* \ FRONT1 R1D+ H] BOOK & GLANC+ UP AT ! DOORWAY N[ & !N4 ,! LOOK ON ,MRS4 ,VAN ,DORN'S FACE MAKES ME FEEL SORRY = H]4 ,%E SEEMS S SAD & AL"O4 ,%E'S WE>+ ! SAME LOOK ,I KEEP SEE+ ON ,MOM'S FACE4 ,I'LL WALK QUIETLY 96! D5 OR ! KIT*51 & ,MOM W 2 9 ! MI4LE ( "S?+1 B /OPP$1 N PAY+ ATT5;N 6! -PUT] OR ! BOOK %E'S R1D+1 & %E'LL H T SAME K9D ( SAD1 4TANT LOOK 9 H] EYES4 ,& ,I ALW H ! FEEL+ T %E'S ?9K+ AB ME4 ,I ?9K ,ALICIA'S MOM M/ D A LOT ( WORRY+ TOO4 ,T5 M9UTES G BY1 & !N ,MRS4 #BCI ,VAN ,DORN GETS UP1 H1VES A BIG SI<1 PUTS H] BOOK "U H] >M1 & />TS WALK+ SL[- LY BACK T[>D H] H\SE4 ,%E C G 2 SAD & L"OLY AT HOME4 ,:5 ,I'M SURE %E'S RE,Y G"O1 ,I G UP 6! ?IRD FLOOR (! LIBR>Y1 F9D ,ALICIA1 & 9 FIVE M9UTES WE'RE LOOK+ =A CAB 6TAKE U 6! ,SE>S CORPORATE H1DQU>T]S 9 ,H(FMAN ,E/ATES4 ,! F/ TWO CABS REFUSE ! F>E1 & ,I DON'T BLAME !M4 ,X'S AB A =TY-MILE TRIP4 ,! ?IRD CA2Y LOOKS AT ,ALICIA & SAYS1 8,= Y1 FIFTY-FIVE DOLL>S--"O-WAY4 ,OKAY80 ,I :ISP]1 8,OKAY10 ,ALICIA NODS 6! DRIV]1 & WE GET 9SIDE4 ,:5 WE'RE SET- TL$1 ,I TAKE H] "R H& & PRESS MY M"OY 96H] PALM4 ,\R DRIV] H1DS /RAI.D 9 "S LO2Y = AN H\R40 8,( C\RSE Y C4 ,LO2IES >E MADE = LOI- T]+40 8,GRT4 ,I J LOVE 6LOIT]40 ,S ,I SAY1 8,F9E4 ,"H'S A BETT] IDEA4 ,:5 WE GET "!1 Y C ASK "SBODY ": Y G TO GET A JOB APPLIC,N40 ,ALICIA WR9KLES H] NOSE4 8,A JOB AP- PLIC,N8 ,ME80 8,SURE4 ,-PANIES LOVE X :5 ''' UM ''' P L Y APPLY = JOBS40 ,! EYEBR[S G UP4 8,P L .ME80 %E SAYS4 8,Y M1N P ) 4ABILITIES1 "R8 ,G AH1D & SAY :AT Y M1N1 ,BO2Y4 ,I "K ,I'VE GOT A 4ABIL;Y1 OKAY8 ,I'M N A BABY4 ,J SAY X-- 4ABIL;Y60 ,! DRIV] IS CRAN+ 8 NECK1 LOOK+ AT ,ALICIA 9 8 MIRROR1 UNEASY AB ? ANGRY \TBUR/ F 8 L"O PASS5G]4 ,I :ISP]1 8,%H1 ! DRIV]4 ,OKAY1 OKAY3 P :O H 4ABILITIES4 ,!Y'LL 2 HAPPY 69T]- VIEW Y 2C !Y ACTU,Y H 6PROVE T !Y TRY TO HIRE "EY"O4 ,X'S A F$]AL LAW OR "S?+40 ,ALICIA HISSES1 8,X'S CALL$ ! ,AM]ICANS ) ,4ABILITIES ,ACT1 #BDA ,MR4 ,SM>TGUY1 & ,I "K ALL AB X1 OKAY80 8,F9E40 ,& ,I SIT BACK & LOOK \ ! W9D[ PA/ ! LAKESIDE P>K 6! *OPPY WAT]S ( ,LAKE ,MI*IGAN4 ,A MILE OR S \ 6SEA1 A HUGE TANK] IS /1M+ NOR?4 ,I WI% ,I 7 ON X4 ,ONCE WE'RE ON ! ,K5N$Y ,EXPRESSWAY1 WE />T TALK+ AG & "W \ ! RE/ (! PLAN4 ,NO?+ M* 6X4 ,& !N ,I LOOK \ ! W9D[ & />T C.T+ ! PLANES CIRCL+ ,O',H>E ,AIRPORT4 ,I SPOT SEV5 )\T EV5 TRY+4 ,!N ,I />T WAT*+ ,ALICIA'S FACE4 ,& X'S AMAZ+ 6ME1 2C ,I C LOOK AT "EY?+--! :OLE OV]POPULAT$1 OV]TRAVEL$1 OV]TRUCK$1 OV]PAV$1 OV]BILLBO>D$1 FULL-COLOR1 ?REE- DIM5.NAL _W ZIPP+ 0AT SEV5TY MILES AN H\R--& ,I C GET BOR$4 ,& ,ALICIA'S GOT NO?+ B H] [N ?"\S & :AT"E %E SEES 9SIDE H] H1D1 & %E'S N BOR$ AT ALL4 ,%E'S SOAK+ UP ! TRIP4 ,-PLETELY AL]T4 ,I WAT*1 & %E HAS A SLI#D BUR/S F ! DRIV]'S #BDB TWO-WAY1 ! RUM# (A BIG ,K5WOR? TRACTOR1 ! :9E (A JET ON APPROA*1 AN AMBUL.E SCR1M+ PA/ ON ! EA/B.D SIDE4 ,A 3/ANT FL[1 B"R1 FRE% PICTURES ) E SECOND4 ,Z WE SWAY & B\NCE & *ANGE LANES & BRAKE & A3EL]ATE & FEEL \R WAY AL;G ! HIE L A WILD PONY SNI6+ ! W9D1 & ,I "K ,ALICIA'S AL PROCESS+ ! SMELLS-- ! EXHAU/ & K]OS5E1 ! A3UMULAT$ SC5T (A ?\S& CAB PASS5G]S1 T HALF-EAT5 T9 ( SAL- AD ON ! S1T 0! DRIV]--AN OC1N ( AIRBORNE 9=M,N 6SIFT & SORT4 ,& WAT*+ H]1 ,I'M N BOR$4 ,/1 X'S A L;G RIDE4 ,:5 WE F9,Y >RIVE1 ,I'M N PREP>$ =! SCALE ( ?+S4 ,! 3CRETE & GLASS BUILD+S >E HUGE1 N TALL1 B WIDE & DEEP & F> A"P4 ,! PLACE LOOKS M L A COLLEGE CAMPUS ?AN ! HOME (A RETAIL GI- ANT4 ,X'S L !Y TOOK ! :OLE HUGE1 BLACK ,SE>S ,T[]1 BROKE X UP 96%ORT *UNKS1 PA9T$ X ) FRLI] SUBURBAN COLORS1 & !N SPR1D X \ OV] TWO HUNDR$ ACRES ( F>ML&4 ,BIKE PA?S1 A FAKE POND OR TWO1 A BAS- KETBALL C\RT1 A HUGE "D-C>E FACIL;Y4 ,V PL1SANT4 ,UN.S Y DON'T "K ": Y'RE #BDC GO+4 ,! "Y WOMAN AT ! RECEP;N DESK 9SIDE ! FOY] (! MA9 BUILD+ LOOKS AT ,ALICIA1 TAKES 9 ! :OLE PICTURE1 & !N SAYS1 8,MISS8 ,MAY ,I HELP Y F9D "S"O80 ,ALICIA GOES 6"W4 ,%E FACES ! WOMAN'S VOICE1 SMILES1 & SAYS1 8,YES4 ,I'D L TO SP1K ) "S"O 9 ! EMPLOY;T (FICE4 ,I DON'T H AN APPO9T;T4 ,I'M J LOOK+ = "S 9=M,N ''' AB HIR+ PRACTICES = P]SONS ) 4ABILI- TIES40 8,( C\RSE4 ,MAY ,I H YR "N80 8,ALICIA ,VAN ,DORN40 8,PL1SE WAIT J A MO;T1 ,MISS ,VAN ,DORN40 ,:ILE ! LADY PUN*ES \ NUMB]S ON H] PH"O1 ,I SCAN ! ,SE>S ,M]*&ISE ,GR\P MAP & DIRECTORY ON ! WALL 2H ! DESK4 ,& ,I F9D :AT ,I NE$4 ,LEGAL S]VICES IS 9 A BUILD+ AB A QU>T] MILE AWAY4 ,I MAKE A M5TAL NOTE ( ": ! EMPLOY;T (FICES >E1 & N[ ,I C L1VE4 ,T'S :AT ,ALICIA & ,I PLANN$4 ,%E'S GO+ 6D H] ?+1 & ,I'M GO+ 6D M9E4 ,:5 ,I'M D"O1 ,I F9D H]4 ,X 0 #AA3DE :5 WE GOT \ (! #BDD CAB4 ,! D1L IS T IF ,I DON'T F9D H] BY #A3AE1 %E HAS "S"O CALL H] A CAB1 & %E GOES BACK 6! LIBR>Y 9 ,HYDE ,P>K4 ,B ,I DON'T L1VE4 ,I WAIT4 ,& ,I C'T TALK1 B ,I TAP LI+ *9OS &A BLUE DRESS %IRT )A L\D TIE -ES \ (A CORRIDOR & WALKS "R OV] 6,ALICIA4 8,MISS ,VAN ,DORN80 ,ALICIA TURNS & SMILES4 8,YES80 8,HI4 ,I'M ,JOHN ,FREEMAN4 ,I'M ) P]- SONNEL1 & ,I'D 2 HAPPY 6TRY 6ANSW] YR "QS4 ,LET'S H1D ? WAY4 ,WD Y L 6TAKE MY >M80 ,HE TURNS & (F]S 8 LEFT >M1 ELB[ CROOK$ J "R4 ,HE'S HELP$ BL P 2F4 ,& HE LOOKS L A NICE 5 GUY4 ,ALICIA SAYS1 8,?ANKS10 LIFTS ! 5D ( H] CANE (F ! FLOOR1 & TAKES HOLD ( 8 EL- B[4 ,& !Y'RE (F4 ,& N[ ,I'VE GOT "O H\R & T5 M9UTES TO F9D ! "NS ( "S UNHAPPY CU/OM]S4 *APT] #BA #BDE ,,F9D+S ,NEWS FLA%3 ,9VISI# P MAKE EXCELL5T SPIES & ?IEVES4 ,F9D+ EXACTLY :AT ,I WANT AT ! LEGAL DE"P;T IS RIDICUL\SLY EASY4 ,A3ESS "? ! SECUR;Y DOORS8 ,A SNAP3 ,I WAIT =A SL[ MOV+ P]SON ( 3SID]A# SIZE & SLIDE "? ! DOORWAY "R 2H 8 2H4 ,F9D+ ! "R 9=M,N8 ,A C9*3 ,I'VE GOT A "N 6"W )4 ,AMB] ,C>SON IS ! WOMAN :O /"OWALL$ ,ALICIA ON ! PH"O AB TWO & HALF H\RS AGO4 ,I F9D H] (FICE ON ! F\R? FLOOR1 : IS ! ONLY H>D "P1 & !N ,I WAIT PATI5TLY 9 AN EMPTY CUBICLE UNTIL %E GOES 6LUN* AT #AB3BE4 ,MS4 ,C>SON APP>5TLY TRU/S ALL H] CO- "W]S1 2C %E DOESN'T LOG (F ( H] -PUT]4 ,: IS GD 2C X SAVES ME ! TR\# ( F9D+ ,ALICIA & TELL+ H] T ? IS GO+ 6TAKE A LOT L;G]--: X WD H1 2C ,I'D H _H 6WAIT UNTIL ,AMB] ,C>SON GOT BACK F LUN*1 !N ,I'D H _H 6LOOK OV] H] %\LD] 6LE>N H] PASS^W1 & !N WAIT = H] 6L1VE H] (FICE AG S ,I CD USE H] -PUT]4 #BDF ,I DON'T "K IF ,I CD "E 2 A GD LAWY]4 ,LAWY]S >E ORGANIZ$4 ,! FOLKS AT ,SE>S KEEP _! FILES 9 S* GD ORD] T ,I BET ,I CD />T F NO?+ & F9D :AT"E ,I NE$$ 9 FIF- TE5 M9UTES OR LESS4 ,B ,I DON'T EV5 H 6D AN ACTUAL SE>*4 ,T'S 2C ,I'VE GOT 9SIDE 9=M,N4 ,I HAPP5 6"K T ,AMB] ,C>SON AC- CESS$ ! V FILE ,I'M LOOK+ = E>LI] TD :5 ,ALICIA CALL$ H]4 ,S ALL ,I H 6D IS USE ! 8,REC5T ,DOCU;TS0 UTIL;Y ON H] -PUT]3 PO9T1 CLICK1 & "! X IS4 ,: IS K9D (A %AME4 ,I W5T 6A LOT ( TR\# 6MEMORIZE ! MODEL NUMB] (! BLANKET--ALL T5 "*S--& N[ ,I DON'T EV5 NE$ 6USE X4 ,! DATABASE NOTES %[ ! 5TIRE HI/ORY ( MY DOOM$ ELECTRIC BLANKET4 ,TURNS \ #I1CJH BLANKETS 7 SOLD 2F X 0 4COV]$ T "S P]C5TAGE (! 3TROLL] UNITS _H BE5 MAN- UFACTUR$ ) FAULTY RESI/ORS4 ,Z ( TD1 #CGI 3SUM]S H -PLA9$1 &( ^?1 #AFC H AC- CEPT$ A NEW BLANKET4 ,:5 ! PRO#M 0 F/ NOTIC$1 ! LEGAL C\NSEL _H ADVIS$ T "! %D 2 NO PRODUCT RECALL1 B R1 ,CU/OM] ,S]V- ICE %D G )A 8REPLACE Z REQUE/$0 PLAN4 ,ONLY "O CU/OM] _H -PLA9$ T HE #BDG 2LIEV$ ! BLANKET MADE 8 HE>T PACEMAK] MALFUNC;N1 B "! 0 NO 9JURY & NO LAWSUIT4 ,/1 6BE ON ! SAFE SIDE1 ! LEGAL /AFF SET ! POLICY T ANY -PLA9+ CU/OM] )A PACEMAK] %D 2 ADVIS$ 64CONT9UE USE (! BLANKET & RETURN X IMMLY = REFUND1 CR$IT1 OR EX- *ANGE4 ,I'M GLAD ,I "K 5 AB -PUT]S1 2C ALL ,I RE,Y WANT F ! FILE IS ! LI/ ( #CGI P :O -PLA9$ AB ! BLANKET4 ,&)A C\PLE SIMPLE SORT FUNC;NS1 ,I'VE GOT _! "NS & A4RESS- ES & PH"O NUMB]S ISOLAT$ 9 A LI/4 ,PR9T+ \ ! LI/ WD MAKE A BIG /ACK ( PAP]--UN.S Y "K H[ 6=MAT1 : ,I D4 ,& X TURNS \ T ,AMB] ,C>SON IS AN IMPORTANT 5 P]SON 9 ! ,SE>S LEGAL DE"P;T 6H H] [N LL LAS] PR9T] ON A "WTA# 0A W9D[ T LOOKS \ OV] ! ROLL+ LAWN4 ,S ,I PUT ! :OLE LI/ 96SEV5- PO9T TYPE1 S+LE-SPACE X1 =MAT X 96SIX COLUMNS1 & PR9T X \4 ,I 5D UP ) J ?REE PAGES--V SMALL TYPE1 B R1DA#4 ,I FOLD ! /ACK ( PAGES 9W>D F TOP TO BOTTOM ?REE "TS1 & !N FOLD ! RESULT 9 HALF L5G?WISE TWICE M4 ,:AT ,I 5D UP ) IS A WAD ( PAP] AB AN 9* WIDE & #BDH TWO 9*ES L;G1 ! P]FECT SIZE 6/ICK UP 9TO MY LEFT >MPIT--GROSS & UNCOM=TA#1 B EF- FECTIVE4 ,Z L;G Z ,I KEEP MY LEFT >M CLAMP$ AG/ MY SIDE1 ! PAP] IS -PLETELY HI454 ,0#AB3DG1 ,I'M ON MY WAY 6HUNT = ,ALI- CIA4 ,I CD J G 6! MA9 5TR.E & WAIT = H]1 2C T 0 \R PLAN4 ,2 :AT'S ! FUN ( T8 ,I'D R TRACK H] D[N4 ,I GLIDE "? ?REE DI6]5T DOORS1 !N D[N "O /AIRWELL1 AL;G "O CORRIDOR1 "? "O LA/ DOOR1 & !N ,I'M \TSIDE4 ,X'S A LOT M SPR+-L 9 ,H(FMAN ,E/ATES ?AN X 0 9 ,HYDE ,P>K4 ,P >E ALL OV] ! PLACE1 EAT+ LUN*1 RE/+1 TALK+ ) FRS4 ,!Y LOOK L CR1TURES :O H CRAWL$ \ ( BURR[S 6SOAK UP "S SUNLI.D1 LOOK+ SORT ( DEF5SIVE4 ,!Y'RE N \TSIDE =! FRE% AIR4 ,I HOLD MY BR1? :5 ,I G PA/ S ,I DON'T H 6SMELL ! /UFF4 ,! MAP AT ! RECEP;N >EA SD ! P]SONNEL (FICES >E 9 A BUILD+ T'S CLOSE 6! MA9 5TR.E4 ,AG ,I WAIT = "S"O 6HELP #BDI ME "? ! SECUR;Y DOORS4 ,ONCE 9SIDE1 ,I'M LO/4 ,I'M ON ! GR.D FLOOR1 & X'S AN >EA AB ! SIZE ( ?REE FOOTBALL FIELDS4 ,"! >E "PI;NS & CORRIDORS1 NICE (FICES >.D ! P]IMET]1 PA9T+S & PO/]S "EY":1 B"R & *E]Y1 B X'S / L A MAZE4 ,? IS AN EMPLOY- EES-ONLY >EA1 S "! >E NO SIGNS1 NO HELP- ;L MAPS OR DIAGRAMS EXCEPT =! O3A.NAL EM]G5CY EVACU,N PO/]4 ,S ,I J W&]4 ,MY %\LD] IS A*+ & MY >M IS />T+ 6G 6SLEEP F ! PRESSURE (! CLUMP ( PAP] 9 MY >MPIT4 ,I'M ALM R1DY 6GIVE UP & H1D = \R R5DEZV\S SPOT4 ,!N ,I HE> ,ALICIA'S LAU<1 -PLETE ) T LL SNORT AT ! 5D4 ,I FOLL[ ! S.D 6A GLASS-WALL$ 3F];E ROOM ": %E'S SITT+ )A BOTTLE ( ,SNAPPLE &A ?ICK BLUE FOLD] ON ! TA# 9 FRONT ( H]4 ,ALICIA'S SMIL+ & NO4+1 MOV+ H] H1D 6FOLL[ ! VOICES (! P AT ! TA#4 ,%E LOOKS L %E CD H J GRADUAT$ F COLLEGE4 ,) HONORS4 ,& ?REE PROPOSALS ( M>RIAGE4 ,APP>5TLY ! GUY :O PICK$ H] UP F RE- CEP;N IS ! BIG JOK]1 2C Z ,I APPROA*1 HE SAYS "S?+ ,I C'T Q HE>1 & ,ALICIA #BEJ &! TWO O!R P 9 ! ROOM />T CACKL+ AG4 ,AL AT ! TA# IS A MAN :O LOOKS Z OLD Z MY DAD1 B )A WR9KLY FACE )A GRAY MU/A*E & N M* HAIR UP TOP4 ,HE'S WE>+ 9CR$IBLY ?ICK GLASSES4 ,! F\R? P]SON IS A WOMAN :O'S MAYBE ?IRTY1 MAYBE "Y]4 ,%E'S GOT %ORT BLOND HAIR & BIG E>R+S1 & %E'S WE>+ A S(T GRAY PANTS-&-JACKET \TFIT )A P9K %IRT4 ,A NICE 5 FACE1 A GD SMILE1 B SQU9T+4 ,!N ,I SEE ? LADY'S L ,ALICIA4 ,%E'S GOT A :ITE CANE ON ! FLOOR 0H] *AIR4 ,! MEET+'S J BR1K+ UP1 & ,I'M \TSIDE LOOK+ IN4 ,I GET TOO CLOSE 6! GLASS1 & MY BR1? FOGS X UP1 S ,I MOVE BACK A LL4 ,I WAT* ,ALICIA4 ,%E %AKES H&S1 F/ )! OLD] MAN & !N ! WOMAN4 ,! SMILES & H&- CLASPS >E S /R;G1 S R1L & W>M4 ,& X'S L ? WAVE SWEEPS OV] ME1 & MY EYES GET BLURRY1 & ,I SWALL[ H>D4 ,ALICIA TAKES ! >M (! "Y] MAN1 & ,I TURN & WALK AWAY FA/4 ,I DON'T WANT H] 6"K ,I SAW ANY ( ?4 ,I DON'T WANT H] 6FEEL L ,I'VE BE5 SPY+ ON H]4 ,I "K %E CAME ON ? TRIP TO HELP ME \4 ,B ? MEET+ %E J _H8 #BEA ,^! P %E'S MET & TALK$ 6& LAU<$ )8 ,? IS "S?+ %E'S D"O ON H] [N4 ,X'S "P ( H] LIFE1 N M9E4 ,X'S GOT NO?+ 6D ) ME4 ,I'M 9 ! RECEP;N >EA :5 ,ALICIA & H] GUIDE APPE>1 & ,I KEEP WELL AWAY4 ,ANO!R W>M H&%AKE1 !N HE'S G"O1 &! WOMAN AT ! DESK SAYS1 8,ALICIA1 ,I NOTIC$ Y >RIV$ 0CAB E>LI]4 ,WD Y L ME 6CALL "O = Y80 ,ALICIA HESITATES1 S ,I HURRY OV] & G5TLY TAP ON H] CANE4 ,%E'S />TL$1 B DOESN'T %[ X1 & !N SAYS 6! LADY1 8,YES1 T'D 2 GRT4 ,& 2 SURE ! DRIV] "KS ? IS =A RIDE 6,HYDE ,P>K 9 ,*ICAGO4 ,"S DRIV]S DON'T WANT 6G T F>4 ,& ?ANK Y40 8,C]TA9LY4 ,WE GET GD S]VICE F ! LOCAL CAB -PANY4 ,!Y'LL TAKE Y :]"E Y NE$ 6G4 ,"!'S A B5* 6! LEFT \TSIDE ! FRONT 5TR.E IF Y'D L 6WAIT \TDOORS4 ,O!RWISE1 ,I C %[ Y 6A S1T 9SIDE ! DOORWAY40 ,ALICIA SMILES AG1 SAYS1 8,?ANKS10 & H1DS =! DOORWAY4 ,?9K+ ,I'LL 2 HELP;L1 ,I TAKE HOLD ( H] CANE \ 9 FRONT ( H] H&4 ,%E /OPS & %AKES H] H1D %>PLY4 ,I PULL MY H& AWAY1 & !N FOLL[ H] \TSIDE4 ,I WAIT UN- #BEB TIL %E'S F.D ! B5* & SITS D[N4 ,NO "O'S NE>1 S ,I SAY1 8,I GOT IN1 & ,I PR9T$ \ A L;G LI/ ( "NS4 ,C ,I PUT X 9 YR BACKPACK80 ,ALICIA NODS1 SW+S ! PACK (F H] BACK1 & UNZIPS ! MA9 -"P;T1 HOLD+ X OP54 ,"! 9 ! BAG ,I C SEE ! ?ICK BLUE FOLD] T %E _H 9 ! 3F];E ROOM4 ,I GL.E >.D1 TAKE ! LI/ F "U MY >M1 & DROP X IN4 ,ALICIA FEELS X HIT ! BACKPACK1 S %E PULLS ! ZIPP] CLOS$1 SW+S ! BAG 2H H]1 & LOOPS ! /RAPS BACK OV] H] %\LD]S4 ,%E :ISP]S1 8,S1 Y GOT "S?+80 ,& ,I :ISP] BACK1 8,Y1H40 ,! CAB T >RIVES HAS NO DIVID] 2T ! FRONT & BACK S1T1 S ,I C'T TALK 6,ALI- CIA4 ,"!'S NO?+ 6D B SETTLE BACK 9 ! S1T & LOOK \ ! W9D[4 ,! \T] HI5'T TOO CR[D$1 B :5 WE GET CLOS] 6,O',H>E1 "EY?+ BOGS D[N4 ,! CAB IS CRAWL+ "? AFN TRA6IC1 ,I'M ?REE FEET AWAY F TWO O!R P1 & ,I C'T TALK 6EI ( !M4 ,I'VE N"E FELT ? AL"O4 ,&! WOR/ "P IS T ,ALICIA SEEMS P]FECTLY 3T5T N TO TALK4 ,%E SEEMS GLAD T %E DOESN'T #BEC EV5 H 6TRY4 ,! DRIV] LOOKS UP 96HIS MIRROR & SAYS1 8,MY SI/]8 ,%E "WS AT ,SE>S \ 9 ,ROCK=D4 ,GD -PANY1 Y'"K8 ,GD B5EFITS40 ,ALICIA NODS & SMILES1 !N TURNS H] FACE T[>D ! W9D[4 ,! CA2Y MAKES A FEW O!R ATTEMPTS 6GET A 3V]S,N GO+1 B ,ALI- CIA J NODS OR MURMURS A LL1 S ! GUY GIVES UP & PUN*ES UP A C.TRY /,N ON ! RADIO4 ,X'S A SL[ RIDE HOME4 ,X'S ALM ?REE1 & "R ON S*$ULE1 ! CAB >RIVES AT MY H\SE4 ,I'VE GOT ! LI/ ( "NS /U6$ BACK "U MY >M4 ,! DRIV] PUTS ! C> 96P>K & SAYS1 8,T'LL 2 FIFTY-EIS1 MISS40 ,ALICIA PU%ES H] DOOR OP5 & ,I SCRAM# \4 ,!N ,I L1N BACK 9SIDE & ,I :ISP]1 8,CALL Y LAT]4 ,& ?ANKS40 ,ALICIA NODS SLIY ON ,FIFTY-SIX? ,/REET 2T ,UNIV]- S;Y & ,ELLIS80 ,2C T 0 \R PLAN4 ,! DRIV] %RUGS & PUTS ! C> BACK 9 GE>4 8,X'S YR M"OY40 #BED ,ALICIA CLOSES H] DOOR1 &! CAB PULLS AWAY4 ,I WAT* H] G4 ,"!'S A GU/ ( W9D F ! EA/1 & ,I %IV]4 ,I TURN 6G 9SIDE4 ,& ,I FEEL L "S?+ HAS 5D$4 ,OR MAYBE 2GUN4 ,OR MAYBE BO?4 *APT] #BB #BEE ,,CALLS ,,FIFTY-N9E ,,& ,,SIXTY ,AF ,I'M HOME1 & AF ,I GET ,MOM (F MY CASE = 2+ G"O S L;G1 & AF ,I GET MY DOOR LOCK$ & PUT ON "S CLO!S1 ,I UNFOLD ! LI/ & FLATT5 X \4 ,I />E AT ! "NS & ,I ?9K AB H[ ,I GOT !M1 & ,I'M N PR\D ( MYF = 2+ A SN1K ?IEF4 ,B X _H 6BE D"O4 ,2C "S- ?+ _H 6BE D"O4 ,C'T J SIT >.D & D NO?+4 ,& ,I ?9K AB ,ALICIA4 ,I FEEL L ,I %D CALL 6MAKE SURE %E GOT HOME OKAY4 ,B %E'D PROBABLY J GET ALL HISSY AB H[ %E C TAKE C>E ( H]F4 ,S ,I ROOT >.D 9 MY DESK UNTIL ,I F9D A CLIPBO>D & PUT ! LI/ ON X4 ,!N ,I PULL ! CELL PH"O LOOSE F ! *>G] WIRE1 FLOP D[N ON MY B$1 & G 6"W4 ,MY F/ FIFTY-EIE LESS2 FIVE WIVES :O DON'T "K _! HUSB&S _H EX- *ANG$ AN ELECTRIC BLANKET1 & :O AL CDN'T C>E LESS2 SIX L"OLY OLD P :O REMEMB] "S?+ AB A BAD ELECTRIC BLANKET1 B :O RE,Y J WANT TO TALK 6ME AB _! GR&*N1 OR .,:EEL .( .,=TUNE1 OR ! W1!R1 OR ! CO/ ( H1T+ OIL1 OR ANY?+ AT ALL2 EIE ACTU,Y PL1SANT & COOP]ATIVE1 B _H NO /RANGE BLANKET EV5TS 6TELL ME AB4 ,FIFTY-EIT] ( T51 & ,I MAKE ! FIFTY-N9? CALL4 ,I "K X'S K9D ( LATE1 B ,I SKIP AH1D TWO "NS 6A P]SON :O LIVES 9 ,D5V]1 2C X'S AN H\R E>LI] "!4 8,MR4 ,BORD580 8,YES80 8,SORRY 6BO!R Y AT HOME1 B ,I'M DO+ A SURVEY AB YR EXP]I;E )A ,SE>S ELECTRIC BLANKET40 8,A BLANKET80 8,YES1 F ,SE>S4 ,D Y RECALL EX*ANG+ ! BLANKET80 8,Y1H1 WE _H A P9K "O4 ,X 0 PROB'LY MY WIFE DID X4 ,B X WASN'T RE,Y \R BLANKET4 ,X 0 J ''' LEFT "H40 8,LEFT "!8 ,Y M1N AT YR HOME80 ,! MAN DOESN'T ANSW] AT ONCE4 ,8 VOICE IS /RA9$4 8,MY DAU ! CAT* 9 8 VOICE4 ,& T C]TA9 WAY HE USES ! ^W 8G"O40 ,I DON'T "K :AT 6SAY4 8,OH4 ,I ''' ,I'M S SORRY1 ,MR4 ,BORD54 ,I HOPE Y DON'T M9D ME ASK+1 B ? IS PRETTY IMPOR- TANT4 ,D Y ?9K YR DAUS N[40 ,I FEEL ! HAIR ON MY >MS /& UP--9VISI# GOOSE BUMPS4 8,G"O1 Y M1N L ''' H[8 ,L RUN AWAY F HOME8 ,"S?+ L T80 ,! MAN BL[S 8 NOSE1 CLE>S 8 ?ROAT4 8,DON'T RE,Y "K4 ,%E DROPP$ \ ( COLLEGE1 MOV$ BACK HOME1 GETS A JOB4 ,!N %E TAKES UP ) "S ( H] OLD FRS1 />TS /AY+ \ LATE4 ,CAME HOME DRUNK MO/ NID F H] #BEI S9CE80 8,ONLY ONCE4 ,%E CALL$1 ASK$ CD WE S5D H] TWO ?\S& DOLL>S--TWO ?\S& .M ?AN ! F\R %E ALR /OLE :5 %E LEFT4 ,S5D X ,WE/- ]N ,UNION1 %E SAYS1 6? GROC]Y /ORE 9 ,FLORIDA4 ,S ,I DID X4 ,PROBABLY /UPID1 B IF Y H KIDS1 Y "K :Y ,I _H 6D X4 ,T'S AB TWO YE>S AGO4 ,S9CE !N1 NO?+--'CEPT A NOTE LA/ ,*RI/MAS4 ,& X'S N L X 0 EV5 A C>D OR "S?+ NICE = H] "M4 ,J "O ( ^? -PUT] MESSAGES40 ,MY HE>T ALM /OPS4 8,Y M1N AN ;E- MAIL80 8,I GUESS S4 ,X'S J PLA9 LRS ON A PIECE ( TYP+ PAP]4 ,S5T X 6,MRS4 ,H>- LAN'S H\SE NEXT DOOR1 !N H] BOY MADE A COPY ON 8 -PUT] & BR"\ X OV] 6U40 8,MR4 ,BORD51 X'S RE,Y IMPORTANT T ,I TALK 6YR DAUDS--"EY?+4 ,TORE H] UP :5 ,%EI- LA LEFT40 8,CD Y F9D T PAP] = ME80 #BFJ 8,Y M1N "R N[80 8,PL1SE ''' IF X'S N TOO M* TR\#4 ,X MIE S SW1TY1 X'S H>D 6HOLD ! BALLPO9T4 ,HE'S TAK+ A L;G "T4 ,"!'S A CLICK ON ! L9E Z ,MR4 ,BORD5 PICKS UP ANO!R EXT5.N4 8,Y / "!80 8,YES1 SIR40 8,OKAY4 ,"H'S :AT X SAYS3 ,8,DE> ,MOM & ,DAD1 ,I J WANT$ 6SAY ,M]RY ,*RI/MAS4 ,I "K ,I LEFT S SU45LY1 B ,I ?9K X 0 ! BE/ ?+ = ALL ( U4 ,SORRY IF X HURT Y4 ,I ?9K AB Y A LOT1 & ,I HOPE ,I C -E HOME 6SEE Y AG4 ,LOVE1 ,%EILA40'0 ,I DON'T WANT 6HE> ALL ?1 B ONCE HE'S />T$1 ,I C'T 9T]RUPT4 ,8 VOICE IS ?ICK AT ! 5D1 & :5 HE /OPS1 ,I SAY1 8,MR4 ,BORD51 AT ! TOP (! PAGE1 IS "! "S?+ T HAS ! ,8AT0' SYMBOL 9 X--A LL ;A 9SIDE A CIRCLE8 ,X MIE %AK+4 ,MAYBE ? IS NO?+1 J A CO9CID;E4 ,B IF "!'S ANY?+ AT ALL 6F9D \1 ,I W4 ,2C N[ ,I H ,%EILA ,BORD5'S ;E-MAIL A4RESS3 _+EILASH@GLOWZ.NET_:4 ,H] DAD PROBABLY N"E EV5 NOTIC$ T 8EILASH0 IS J 8,%EILA0 MIX$ >.D A LL4 ,T'S PROBABLY ! ONLY ;E- MAIL HE "E GOT 9 8 LIFE4 ,DAD & ,MOM >E BO? 9 ! /UDY1 #BFB SITT+ 9 ! BIG >M*AIRS ON EI SIDE (! TALL R1D+ LAMP4 ,DAD IS DOZ+1 A CLIPBO>D ) NOTES & DIAGRAMS LY+ 9 8 LAP4 ,MOM LOOKS UP F H] BOOK & SMILES :5 MY CLO!S WALK IN4 ,I SIT D[N AT ! -PUT]1 & %E FR[NS4 8,X'S ALM B$"T1 ,BO2Y40 8,I J H 6USE ! ,NET A FEW M9UTES40 ,%E GOES BACK 6H] BOOK1 & :5 ! -PUT] IS R1DY1 ,I OP5 UP A SE>* 5G9E4 ,I F9D ! P SE>* F1TURES1 & JUMP >.D UNTIL ,I SEE :AT ,I NE$4 ,X'S A REV]SE-HUNT 5G9E3 ,Y PUT 9 AN ;E-MAIL A4RESS1 & UN.S ! P]SON Y >E LOOK+ = HAS BE5 A FR1K AB ONL9E PRIVACY1 T ;E-MAIL A4RESS L1DS Y "R 6! RE/ ( _! DATA4 ,S ,I SCROLL 6! "R BOX1 & ,I KEY 9 8_+EILASH@GLOWZ.NET_:40 ,I'VE GOT H]3 ,%EILA ,BORD5 LIVES 9 ,MIAMI1 & ,I'VE GOT H] /REET A4RESS & H] PH"O NUMB]6 ,:5 ,I %\T1 ,DAD SITS UP /RAID CLATT]S 6! FLOOR4 ,MOM />ES OV] H] BOOK AT ME4 8,:AT80 8,OH1 SORRY4 ,NO?+4 ,J F.D A #BFC COOL WEBSITE1 T'S ALL40 ,2C ,I DON'T WANT 6J9X ?4 ,X'S PROBABLY NO?+1 & 2SS1 ,I DON'T WANT 6GET /UCK TRY+ 6EXPLA9 AB MY FIELD TRIP 6,SE>S =! RE/ (! NI8 ,OR IS %E J SUSPICI\S-- FI%+ = .9FO8 ,I SAY1 8,I DID SEE H] AT ! LIBR>Y1 IF T'S :AT Y M1N40 ,2C T'S TRUE1 & N[ X'S H] TURN 6GIVE ME ANO!R CLUE AB ": ? IS -+ F4 ,I'M A PRO AT ? GAME4 ,I C HE> ! WORRY 9 H] VOICE4 8,%E 0 \ ALM F\R H\RS ? AFN1 & %E WON'T TALK 6ME AB X4 ,D Y "K ANY?+ ELSE80 ,AHA4 ,! MOM DOESN'T "K4 ,%E'S FI%+4 ,? NEXT "P HAS 6BE J "R1 OR ,I'M BLACK- LI/$ 0! "M & HAT$ 0! DAU5TS40 ,NICE-- NO1 BETT] ?AN NICE--BRILLIANT4 ,& X HITS ME3 ,?REE WEEKS AGO ,I CDN'T H EV5 .?"\ T1 M* LESS SD X 6"SBODY L ,ALICIA'S MOM4 ,ANO!R PAUSE1 PLUS A MOM-SI<4 8,YES1 ,I SUPPOSE Y >E "R1 ,BO2Y4 ,I'LL CALL ,ALICIA40 #BFE ,& :ILE ,I WAIT1 ,I'M ?9K+ MAYBE ,I %D 2COME A FAMILY C\NSELOR1 OR MAYBE A HOS- TAGE NEGOTIATOR4 8,BO2Y80 8,HI1 ,ALICIA40 8,J A M9UTE40 ,!N AWAY F ! PH"O %E YELLS1 8,"M8 ,HANG ,,UP60 ,& ,I HE> ! O!R PH"O CLICK (F4 8,%E ALW TRIES 6EAVESDROP4 ,S1 DID MY MOM SAY ANY?+ 6Y80 8,%E ASK$ ME IF ,I W5T "S": ) Y TD40 8,& Y SD '''0 8,T ,I DID SEE Y AT ! LIBR>Y4 ,& !N %E SD Y WDN'T TELL H] ": Y 7 = F\R H\RS1 & DID ,I H ANY 9=M,N1 & !N ,I SD ,I DIDN'T ?9K ,I %D GET 2T A FR & H] P>5TS40 8,Y SD .T860 8,I DID4 ,& %E SD1 ,8,YES1 ,I SUPPOSE Y'RE "R40' ,Y MAY APPLAUD N[1 OR ?R[ FL[]S IF Y WI%40 8,I'M IMPRESS$40 8,I KNEW Y WD BE4 ,T'S :Y ,I TOLD Y40 8,OKAY1 SM>T GUY4 ,S :AT DID Y D :5 Y GOT HOME80 8,Y M1N AF ,I D1LT ) .MY "M80 #BFF 8,( C\RSE40 8,I MADE A JILLION PH"O CALLS--FIFTY- EIS1 B %E S5T AN ;E-MAIL 6H] FOLKS LA/ ,*RI/MAS1 & ,I GOT H] ;E-MAIL AD- DRESS1 & !N ,I LOOK$ UP H] A4RESS & PH"O40 8,Y CALL$ H]80 8,I ''' ,I WANT$ 6TALK 6Y F/40 8,OH40 ,& !N1 8,H[ -E80 8,6SEE :AT Y ?9K ,I %D SAY 6H]40 8,H[ %D ,I "K80 8,I M1N1 ,I C'T J CALL UP & SAY1 ,8,I "K Y _H ? DEFECTIVE P9K BLANKET1 & T Y LEFT HOME V SU45LY--S TELL ME1 ,%EILA1 >E Y 9VISI#80' ,I C'T SAY "S?+ L T1 OR %E'LL J HANG UP4 ,& 2SS1 X'S PRETTY LATE40 ,ALICIA'S QUIET = AB T5 SECONDS4 8,BO2Y80 #BFG 8,:AT80 ,ANO!R PAUSE1 & !N X'S H] QUIET VOICE4 8,Y'RE V SM>T4 ,Y "K EXACTLY H[ 6TALK 6? WOMAN4 ,I "K T4 ,S :Y DID Y CALL ME80 ,=! SECOND "T DUR+ ? PH"O CALL1 ,I'VE GOT 6GET "S?+ J "R1 F/ TRY4 8,2C ? AFN ''' 2C X FELT L WE RODE \ "! 6,SE>S TGR1 & ''' & !N WE CAME HOME AL"O4 ,& ,I DIDN'T L X40 ,SIL;E4 ,& ,I'M ?9K+ ,I'VE SD TOO M* OR MAYBE TOO LL OR MAYBE J ! -PLETELY WR;G ?+ 2C ,I'M AN IDIOT4 ,B %E SAYS1 8,T'S MY FAULT--B DON'T ?9K X'S 2C ,I DIDN'T WANT 6BE ) Y OR HELP Y ''' OR T ,I DON'T L Y1 2C ,I D L Y4 ,X'S ''' X'S 2C ,I TALK$ ) ^? P AB 2+ BL & "W+ ''' L RE,Y "W+ 9 A R1L JOB AT A BIG -PANY & "EY?+4 ,I M1N1 "S LADY AT ! ,LIE = BL P1 B T 0 L A YE> AGO1 & ,I DIDN'T 2LIEVE X _H ANY?+ 6D ) ME4 ,B TD1 X 0 DI6]5T4 ,& X 0 S NEW4 ,6?9K AB MYF T WAY4 ,& X 0 SC>Y1 & ''' & X MADE FEEL AL"O4 ,X MADE ME FEEL AL"O40 8,OH40 #BFH ,%E OP5S UP H] HE>T 6ME1 & :AT D ,I SAY8 ,I SAY 8,OH40 ,& ,I'M S MAD AT MYF4 ,2C ,I CD H SD1 8,B Y'RE N AL"O1 ,ALI- CIA4 ,I'M "H4 ,I'LL ALW 2 "H40 ,& !N ! LIT PLAY+1 & ,I TAKE H] FACE 2T MY H&S ''' OH1 JEEZ4 ,I AM 9 BIG TR\#4 ,"R AWAY ,I SAY1 8,B X'S GD1 :AT HAP- P5$ 6Y4 ,MAYBE Y MEET+ ^? P 0 :AT TD 0 RE,Y AB1 Y "K :AT ,I M1N8 ,2C ? ,%EILA WOMAN1 & ALL ! O!R TWO HUNDR$ & "S P ON MY LI/8 ,MAYBE ALL T IS NO?+1 L ''' NO?- +4 ,B :AT HAPP5$ = Y TD1 T 0 R1L1 "R8 ,S T'S GD40 8,Y1H4 ,X 0 GD4 ,I ?9K T'S TRUE40 ,!N ?+S FEEL AWKW>D1 &=A SECOND ,I'M AFRAID ,I MIE HOOK$ 6H] TEMPLES1 & %E'S /RA9+ AT H] *A9S1 & B1MS ( %>P GRE5 LIE %OOT+ \ ( H] EYES & BURN+ HOLES 9 ! CEIL+4 ,H(FMAN IS WE>+ A CAVEMAN SUIT MADE \ ( OLD BR[N PANTS TI$ ON ) NECK- TIES1 & HE'S GOT 8 H&S ON ! P[] DIALS1 & 2H HM "! >E TWO JAIL CELLS ) ,MOM 9 "O & ,DAD 9 ! O!R4 ,I SIT UP 9 B$ & =CE MYF 6WAKE UP4 ,! CLOCK ON MY DRESS] SAYS #I3BJ4 ,& ,I "K X'S ,W$NES"D1 & ,I'M 9 MY H\SE 9 ,HYDE ,P>K4 ,& ,I'M GLAD ALL T 0 A DR1M4 ,N T R1L;Y IS A :OLE LOT BETT]4 ,OR LESS RAN- DOM4 ,& ,I DON'T L T IMAGE ( ,MOM & ,DAD 2H B>S4 ,I H 6%AKE (F A FEEL+ ( DR1D4 ,2C IF Y LET X1 ! FE> J KEEPS -+4 #BGB ,I D MY BE/ ?9K+ 9 ! %[]4 ,X'S S ODD 6SEE ! T9Y /R1MS ( WAT] B\NCE >.D1 SEE ! %APES ( MY H&S & >MS & LEGS4 ,W>M WAT] RUNS D[N MY BACK1 & ,I PLAN \ MY TALK ) ,%EILA ,BORD54 ,2C T'S ! BIG EV5T = TD4 ,MAYBE ! BI7E/ EV5T 9 MY LIFE4 ,& MAYBE H]S TOO4 ,I TURN (F ! WAT] & DRIP DRY A LL1 SLIDE BACK ! CURTA91 & /EP \ (! TUB4 ,& "!'S NO T[EL4 ,I OP5 ! DOOR1 & ,I'M AB 6YELL & SEE IF ,MOM IS / HOME4 ,B ,I HOLD ! YELL J 9 "T4 ,2C ,I HE> ,MOM TALK+ D[N 9 ! 5TRY HALL4 ,& ,I "K ! VOICE T ANSW]S H]4 ,X'S ,MS4 ,PAGETT4 ,I CREEP 6! BANI/] AT ! TOP (! /AIRWELL4 ,I C'T SEE EI ( !M1 B ! AC\/ICS >E GRT4 8,! PRO#M8 ,! PRO#M IS T ,I'VE N[ HE>D F ! ,FLORIDA AU?ORITIES1 ,MRS4 ,PHIL- LIPS4 ,!Y H CALL$ & VISIT$ ! HOME ( ,MRS4 ,E!L ,LEIT$LY & SAYS1 8,WELL1 T'S ,AUNT ,E!L = Y4 ,%E'S A LL #BGC FLIE TWO V /A# P1 & ,I'M SURE !Y'RE J F9E1 & :5 !Y GET A *.E1 !Y'LL *ECK IN4 ,& ,I AM S SORRY T ? IS PROV+ DI6ICULT = Y & YR FRS 9 ,FLORIDA40 ,MS4 ,PAGETT TAKES H] "T ANSW]+4 8,MRS4 ,PHILLIPS1 ? ISN'T DI6ICULT4 ,DI6ICULT IS :5 A * IS DCLD 6BE =M,Y MISS+ "U SUSPICI\S CIRCUM/.ES4 ,2C AT T PO9T1 ! FULL RES\RCES (! /ATE ( ,ILL9OIS JUMP 96AC;N--& POSSIBLY ! ,,FBI Z WELL4 ,:5 T HAPP5S1 ^! ?+S (T5 GET 96! NEWSPA- P]S4 ,X C A6ECT LIVES & C>E]S4 ,X C GET Q MESSY1 & ''' DI6ICULT40 8,T S.DS A LOT L A ?R1T1 ,MISS ,BADG]40 #BGD 8,MY "N IS ,MS4 ,PAGETT1 & X'S N A ?R1T4 ,X'S A PROMISE40 ,MOM PAUSES4 8,D !Y T1* ! P 9 YR AG5CY ANY?+ AB ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES ,3/ITU;N8 ,"O ( ! BE/ ID1S 9 ! ,3/ITU;N IS T LL "P AB H[ A CITIZ5 % 2 PRESUM$ 9NOC5T UNTIL PROV5 GUILTY4 .,PROV54 ,TELL ME1 DID Y HAPP5 6BR+ AL;G ANO!R SE>* W>RANT ? MORN+80 8,NO40 8,F9E4 ,!N Y H A NICE "D1 ,MISS ,PAG- ETT40 ,&! FRONT DOOR SLAMS %UT4 ,X C'T 2 A GD IDEA1 TR1T+ ! WOMAN L T4 ,I'M N SURE ,I L HAV+ ,MOM ACT L "S T\< GUY F A ,CL9T ,EA/WOOD MOVIE4 ,B Z ) ALM "EY?+ ELSE ^! "DS1 X'S \ ( MY H&S4 ,S ,I GET ON )! BUSI;S ( F9D+ A T[EL4 ,Z ,I GRAB A QK BR1KFA/1 ,MOM IS CL1N+ UP 9 ! KIT*54 ,%E DOESN'T SAY ANY?+ AB ,MS4 ,PAGETT1 & ,I DON'T ASK4 ,B ,I C TELL %E'S ON $GE4 ,I'M GLAD %E HAS A T5 O'C CLASS4 ,X'LL GET H] M9D (F ! L;G >M (! LAW1 & X'LL AL GET H] \ ( MY WAY4 ,T5 M9UTES LAT]1 ,MOM'S G"O1 & ,I'M AT ! DESK 9 MY ROOM4 ,I H "S NOTES #BGE ON A PAD ( PAP]4 ,I "K :AT ,I'LL SAY IF ,I GET AN ANSW]+ MA*9E1 :AT ,I'LL SAY IF ,%EILA PICKS UP H]F1 :AT ,I'LL SAY IF X'S A KID OR A BOYFR OR "S"O4 ,& ,I ?9K ,I "K H[ ,I C GET H] 6TELL ME IF %E "KS ANY?+ USE;L4 ,& Z ,I PUN* 9 H] PH"O NUMB]1 ,I'M 2+ C>E;L4 ,= MYF1 ,I M1N4 ,I'M 2+ C>E;L N 6GET MY HOPES UP4 ,I'M J GO+ 6ASK ? LADY A FEW "QS4 ,IF H] ANSW]S HELP1 F9E4 ,IF !Y DON'T1 !N ,I G BACK 6! BIG LI/ & CALL ANO!R HUNDR$1 ANO!R TWO HUNDR$ P--:AT"E X TAKES 6SEE :AT"E "! IS 6SEE4 ,: MIETTES4 8,%EILA ,BORD580 8,YES1 T'S "R40 ,AWAKE N[1 ON GU>D4 8,I'M CALL+ 2C ,I ?9K Y MIE Y "O ( ^? KIDS F ,/UD5TS ,AG/ ,DRUNK ,DRIV+8 ,2C ,I ALR SD NO 6Y P TWO "DS AGO40 8,NO1 X'S NO?+ L T4 ,I'M CALL+ #BGF 2C ( "S?+ ELSE4 ,I'M CALL+ 2C ,I TALK$ ) YR "F LA/ NI1 MAYBE A LL ANG]4 8,NO1 N RE,Y AB Y1 N SPECIFIC,Y40 ,& ? IS ! SC>Y "P ( MY PLAN4 ,2C ,I'VE DECID$ 6J TELL ! TRU?4 ,2C X TAKES TRU? 6F9D TRU?1 "R8 ,T'S :AT MY DAD SAYS4 ,& :AT'S ! RISK8 ,%E HAS NO IDEA :O ,I AM4 ,I'M J ? VOICE ON ! PH"O4 ,S ,I SAY1 8,I CALL$ YR DAD 2C ,I WOKE UP "O MORN+ AB ?REE &A HALF WEEKS AGO & ,I 0 ''' .G"O4 ,J L Y40 ,TICK1 TICK1 TICK4 ,!N %E SAYS1 8,:AT >E Y TALK+ AB8 ,Y GOT UP "O MORN+ & Y RAN AWAY F HOME80 ,& ,I NOTICE %E'S N HANG+ UP ON ME4 ,%E'S TALK+1 ?9K+4 ,I SAY1 8,I DIDN'T RUN AWAY F HOME4 ,F S*OOL1 YES--B ONLY K9D (40 ,I PAUSE1 2C ,I WANT H] 6H "T 6?9K4 8,I 0 J ''' .G"O40 ,%E'S ANGRY N[4 8,IS ? "S K9D (A PRANK8 ,I DON'T 2LIEVE Y TALK$ 6MY "F4 ,ANYBODY CD CALL ANYBODY & SAY T4 ,:AT'S 8 A4RESS & PH"O NUMB]80 #BGG ,I'M R1DY = T "O4 ,I R1D (F ! 9=M,N4 8,OKAY1 S Y TALK$ 6MY DAD4 ,S :AT8 ,:AT'S ? GOT 6D ) ME8 ,H[ -E Y'RE CALL- +80 ,S ,I USE MY BIG "Q4 8,:5 ,I SAY T ,I WOKE UP "O MORN+ & ,I 0 ,8G"O10' :AT D Y ?9K ,I M1N 0T80 ,J ! SLID T ,I HE> X B\NCE (F ONTO ! FLOOR1 HE> H] SWE>+ & GRA2+ = X1 & !N A SECOND SLAM1 &! L9E GOES D1D4 ,& ,I'M AFRAID ,I'VE LO/ H]4 ,RE,Y AFRAID4 ,I PUN* REDIAL4 ,TWO1 ?REE1 FIVE R+S1 &! ANSW]+ MA*9E PICKS UP4 ,X'S H] VOICE ON ! MESSAGE1 ALL B"R & *E]Y & #BGH E6ICI5T3 8,? IS ,%EILA AT ,EILA% ,TE*NI- CAL4 ,L1VE A MESSAGE1 OR S5D AN ;E-MAIL F \R WEBSITE1 ,EILA% DOT COM4 ,T'S ,E-,I-,L-,A-,S-,H DOT COM4 ,BYE40 ,!N "!'S ! BEEP1 & ,I'M RU%+4 ,I'M RU%+ 6SAY "EY?+1 & ,I'M TALK+ WAY TOO FA/1 & ,I'M PROBABLY SAY+ TOO M*1 B ,I DON'T C>E4 8,%EILA8 ,I DIDN'T M1N 6GET Y MAD OR ANY?+4 ,I'M J TRY+ 6F9D "S?+ \4 ,2C ,I ''' ,I RE,Y DID WAKE UP T MORN+1 & ,I RE,Y 0 G"O4 ,L ,I CDN'T SEE MYF4 ,T'S :AT ,I M1N4 ,& ,I'M TRY+ 6FIGURE X \1 ,I .H 6FIGURE X \1 ,I .H TO1 & ,I J ?"\ T IF--0 ,%E PICKS UP ! PH"O & ,I HE> H] ANSW]+ MA*9E CLICK (F4 ,"!'S A DEEP TIR$;S 9 H] VOICE1 A WE>I;S4 8,Y C'T J CALL "S"O UP & SAY1 ,8,I TURN$ 9VISI# "O "D10' C Y80 ,& ,I "K4 ,I DON'T 2LIEVE X YET1 B ,I "K4 ,I GULP1 & ,I FEEL TE>S AT ! CORN]S ( MY EYES4 ,2C X'S L ,I'M F9D+ A LO/ SI/] OR "S?+ ''' L A REUNION ) AN >MY BU4Y1 AN OLD ,GREEK W>RIOR4 8,S ''' S X RE,Y DID HAPP5 6Y TOO80 ,ALM A :ISP]4 8,RE,Y40 ,!N1 #BGI 8,H[ DID Y F9D ME80 ,S ,I TELL H]1 & %E'S BL[N AWAY4 8,A .BLANKET8 ,T'S S WILD6 ,A BLANKET8 ,F ,SE>S '''0 ,%E PAUSES1 !N1 8,OH1 MAN ''' WE CD 2 TALK+ AB A .BIG LAWSUIT "H4 .,SE>S1 = ,GOD'S SAKE6 .,BIG M"OY1 D Y R1LIZE T8 ,MILLIONS60 ,%E WANTS 6TALK4 ,I C TELL T4 ,B ,I LOOK AT MY NOTES1 & ,I H 6KEEP 6MY [N PROGRAM4 8,S1 C Y REMEMB] ! DATE T X HAPP5$ TO Y80 ,%E LAUY TWELF?1 ?REE YE>S AGO4 ,H>D 6=GET A "D T TOT,Y SCRAM#S YR LIFE1 DON'T Y ?9K80 ,& !N %E NE$S 6TALK1 & ,I LI/5 6H] :OLE /ORY4 ,H[ %E PANICK$ T MORN+1 H[ %E />T$ 6TELL H] P>5TS1 B !N /OPP$4 ,%E AC- TU,Y LIV$ AT HOME ?REE "DS AF X HAPP5$4 ,%E SAW H] P>5TS CRY+ AB H]4 ,%E LIV$ 9 H] [N ROOM1 LE>N$ 6SN1K >.D1 LE>N$ H[ TO C>RY SMALL /UFF 2T H] >MS & H] RIB CAGE4 ,%E /OLE H] DAD'S SAV+S A3.T 9=M,N1 W5T 6! PUBLIC LIBR>Y1 US$ ! ,9T]NET1 #BHJ & TRANSF]R$ F\R ?\S& DOLL>S 96! A3.T %E _H US$ AT COLLEGE4 ,!N %E SET UP AN A3.T = H]F AT A BANK 9 ,MIAMI & TRANSF]R$ ! M"OY "!4 ,%E /OLE X 2C %E DIDN'T "K :AT ELSE 6D4 ,: TELLS ME A LOT AB H]1 & AB ME4 ,2C ! F/ ?+ ,I DID :5 X HAPP5$ 0 TELL MY P>5TS4 ,%E DIDN'T FEEL L %E CD D T4 ,I ASK1 8,:Y ,FLORIDA80 8,:Y D Y ?9K8 ,"E TRY WALK+ >.D NAK$ 9 ,D5V] 9 ! W9T]"T80 ,& ,I SEE :Y %E W5T S\?4 ,%E TOOK A PLANE4 ,J RODE ! BUS 6,D5V] ,9T]N,NAL1 F.D A FLIY1 %E F.D A *1P A"P;T & PD ! DEPOS- IT ELECTRONIC,Y4 8,DIDN'T Y H 6SIGN PAP]S OR "S?+8 ,L1 9 P]SON80 8,"E SEE A ,MUSLIM WOMAN -PLETELY COV- ]$ 9 A BLACK VEIL8 ,T'S :AT ,I DID4 ,NO "O EV5 BL9K$4 ,I WE> X :5 ,I G GROC]Y %OPP+ TOO4 ,"!'S A PRETTY GD SIZ$ #BHA ,ISLAMIC -MUN;Y >.D "H4 ,! ONLY BAD "P IS :5 ,I'M AT ! SUP]M>KET1 & ANO!R VEIL$ WOMAN -ES OV] & />TS YAKK+ AT ME 9 ,F>SI OR ,URDU OR "S?+1 & ALL ,I C D IS NOD & SAY ,8,SALAAM40' ,B O!R ?AN T1 X "WS GRT40 ,=! PA/ ?REE YE>S1 %E'S BE5 E>N+ GD M"OY DESIGN+ WEBSITES4 ,%E B"\ A FA/ -PUT] T 0 DELIV]$ 6H] DOOR1 B"\ "S GD S(TW>E1 & LE>N$ H[ 6USE X4 8,I _H PL5TY ( "T1 "K :AT ,I M1N8 ,&! ,9T]NET8 ,X'S MADE = P L ME--L U4 ,Y DON'T "E H 6G \TSIDE IF Y DON'T WANT TO4 ,I F9D DESIGN JOBS ON ! ,NET1 ,I "W AT HOME1 ,I UPLOAD MY PROJECTS OV] ! ,NET1 & ,I GET PD 0DIRECT M"OY TRANSF] 96MY A3.TS4 ,"WS GRT40 8,:AT AB ''' L1 FRS80 ,%E LAUROT =A :ILE1 B X DI$4 ,S ? IS SIMPL]4 ,I D MY [N ?+1 & T'S #BHB ALL "! IS 6X40 8,:AT AB DOCTORS & D5TI/S1 /UFF L T80 8,! ONLY ?+ ,I WORRY AB IS IF ,I GET RE,Y SICK4 ,I _H ! FLU LA/ W9T] = AB TWO WEEKS1 & ,I ALM ?"\ ,I'D H 6G 6! HOSPI- TAL4 ,B ,I J TOOK A BUN* ( ASPIR9 & T\<$ X \40 8,H[ AB IF ?+S GOT S]I\S80 8,I'VE ?"\ AB T4 ,F/1 ,I'D F9D A V RI* WOMAN DOCTOR1 ! RI*] ! BETT]4 ,& ,I'D WALK 96H] (FICES WE>+ MY BLACK \TFIT4 ,:5 WE'RE AL"O1 ,I'D REM9D H] %E'S RE- QUIR$ 6KEEP MY 3DI;N A SECRET1 & ,I'D MAKE H] SIGN A PROMISE ( -PLETE M$ICAL 3FID5TIAL;Y4 ,!N ,I'D TAKE (F MY VEILS4 ,& IF %E "E BROKE H] PROMISE1 ,I'D SUE H] "R D[N 6H] PANTY HOSE40 ,? LADY'S DEF9ITELY A ,GREEK W>RIOR1 ONLY %E'S PROBABLY T\<] ?AN ! GUYS W]E4 8,S1 NO O!R FRS80 8,TWO4 ,BO? WOM54 ,P ,I C TRU/4 ,B T'S 5\<4 ,N"E _H ALL T _M FRS ANYWAY4 ,H[ AB Y80 8,K9D (! SAME4 ,AT F/ X 0 J MY P>5TS4 ,!N ,I />T$ TALK+ 6? BL GIRL40 #BHC 8,9T]E/+--,I ?"\ AB T TOO4 ,S1 DOES %E "K80 8,Y1H1 B %E'S BE5 GRT AB "EY?+4 ,& H] P>5TS TOO40 8,S1 H[ L;G HAS X BE5 = Y8 ,LESS ?AN A MON?80 8,UH-HUH1 B ,I ?9K "! MIS F N[ & %E RATS ME \ 6"S SL1ZY SUP]M>KET TABLOID8 ,!N :AT8 ,!N ,I'M SCREW$1 T'S :AT40 8,ALICIA'S N L T4 ,REMEMB]1 %E "KS AB ME TOO4 ,I TRU/ H]40 8,B MAYBE T'S 2C Y'RE "Y & DON'T "K ANY BETT]4 ,OR MAYBE Y'RE /UPID OR "S- ?+40 ,I'M AB 6/>T %\T+ :5 %E SAYS1 8,SORRY4 ,I DON'T M1N 6S.D NA/Y AB ?1 B ,I'VE _H 6MOVE TWICE 9 ! LA/ ?REE YE>S 2C ,I ?"\ ,I CD TRU/ "S P4 ,?+S L T HAPP51 & X MAKES Y PRETTY P>ANOID4 ''' #BHE ,WELL1 LOOK1 IF Y'VE GOT 6TELL ? GIRL1 !N ,I C'T /OP Y1 B DON'T TELL ANYBODY ELSE1 & MAKE H] .PROMISE 6KEEP X A SE- CRET1 OKAY8 ,X'S IMPORTANT4 ,D Y "U/&80 8,YES40 8,& Y PROMISE80 8,I PROMISE4 ,& ,I "K ,ALICIA W TOO40 8,GD4 ,S ''' GD LUCK4 ,I HOPE "EY?+ "WS \ ! WAY Y WANT X TO40 8,?ANKS4 ,ME TOO4 ,& ,I'LL GET BACK 9 T\* IF "!'S ANY NEWS40 ,AF WE SAY GD-BYE1 ,I FLOP ONTO MY B$ & LOOK AT ! CEIL+4 ,I NE$ 6TAKE /OCK ( :AT ,I "K4 ,?REE YE>S4 ,%E'S BE5 G"O = ?REE YE>S4 ,S ? IS N A TEMPOR>Y 3DI;N4 ,T'S "O ?+ ,I "K4 ,? 3DI;N DID H A SPECIFIC CAUSE1 &! BLANKET IS "P ( X4 ,I'M SURE ( T N[4 ,B ! BLANKET'S N ALL ( X4 ,IF X 0 J ! BLANKET CAUS+ ?1 !N M P WD H BE5 A6ECT$4 ,!N AG1 MAYBE M 7 & ,I J HAV5'T CALL$ !M YET4 ,& ,I "K T X HAPP5$ 6,%EILA ON ,JANU>Y TWELF? ?REE YE>S AGO 9 ,D5V]1 #BHF ,COLORADO1 & X HAPP5$ 6ME ,FEBRU>Y TW5TY-?IRD--BO? 9 ! W9T]4 ,DUH4 ,BIG CO- 9CID;E4 ,W9T] IS :5 Y USE AN ELECTRIC BLANKET4 ,B /1 ,I'VE GOT TWO LOC,NS1 TWO BLAN- KETS1 & TWO DATES4 ,PLUS TWO 9VISI# P4 ,& LY+ "! ON MY B$1 TRAC+ ! MAZE ( CRACKS 9 ! PLA/] ON MY CEIL+1 ,I FACE A FACT3 ,:AT ,I'VE ACTU,Y GOT IS ONLY SLI+ ? F ,DAD ALL MY LIFE4 ,N[ ,I GET X4 ,= EXAMPLE1 SPLIT ! ATOM & Y GET NEUTRONS & ELECTRONS & PRO- TONS4 ,KEEP SPLITT+ & Y GET NEUTR9OS & QU>KS & MUONS & ANTIQU>KS & MESONS--ON & ON & ON1 SMALL] & SMALL] & SMALL]4 ,LESS & LESS MASS1 M & M 5]GY4 ,X ALL GETS D[N 6! LL ?+S4 ,L TWO BLANKETS1 TWO CITIES1 TWO DATES1 & TWO P4 ,AF ,I TALK 6,%EILA1 ,I DON'T SEE H[ ! FACTS C ADD UP 6ANY?+4 ,B X'S N"E J AB ! FACTS4 ,%]LOCK ,HOLMES PROVES T1 CASE AF CASE4 ,X'S ALL AB :AT Y D )! FACTS1 H[ Y LOOK AT !M4 ,:5 ,I D AN 9/ANT MESSAGE 6,ALICIA ON ,W$NES"D AFN1 %E />TS "R 9 ASK+ ME A MILLION "QS AB ,%EILA--H[ DID %E REACT1 :AT DID %E S.D L1 0 %E HAPPY1 DOES %E H A BOYFR1 IS %E EXCIT$ AB F9D+ "S"O ELSE L H]--ON & ON4 ,9/ANT MESSAG+ ) ,ALICIA TAKES ="E4 ,X'S N ! 3NEC;N1 2C #BHH %E'S GOT "O ( ^? L9ES T'S ALW 3NECT$4 ,X'S 2C ! TEXT-TO-SPEE* FUNC;N ON H] 5D HAS 6SAY "EY?+ \ L\D 2F %E C TYPE BACK AN ANSW]4 ,I F9,Y H 6%UT H] (F 2C ,I NE$ 6J ?9K AB :AT 6D4 ,B ,ALICIA DOESN'T WANT ME TO ?9K AB X4 ,%E WANTS ME 6CALL MY DAD & TELL HM ! NEWS1 & !N H MY DAD CALL H] DAD S !Y C TALK AB X4 BOBBY#GBGB3 NO C D4 I PROMIS$ ,%EILA I WDN'T TELL ANY"O AB H]4 EXCEPT Y4 I TOLD H] I _H 6TELL Y4 ALEESHAONE3 _H TO8 :Y8 BOBBY#GBGB3 ISN'T T OBVI\S8 ALEESHAONE3 MAYBE4 TELL ME ANYWAY BOBBY#GBGB3 I TOLD H] ,I WDN'T LIE 6Y ALEESHAONE3 S T\*+4 /1 ;U H 6TELL YR DAD & MY DAD4 !Y C HELP4 BOBBY#GBGB3 I'LL ?9K AB X ALEESHAONE3 DON'T ?9K4 D4 "T'S UP4 X'S "T 6D4 BOBBY#GBGB3 DON'T ;B BOSSY ALEESHAONE3 ,,D6 ,,D6 ,,D6 BOBBY#GBGB3 GOTTA G #BHI ALEESHAONE3 C[>D BOBBY#GBGB3 ;M N ALEESHAONE3 R#B BOBBY#GBGB3 ;M N4 I DON'T WANT 6BR1K A PROMISE4 ALEESHAONE3 S J GIVE ! DADS ! 9FO4 DON'T GIVE ! S\RCE4 B !Y H 6H ! 9FO4 & MAYBE M4 ;U MIT 6DIAL ,DAD'S NUMB] ?REE "TS1 & ?REE "TS ,I /OP4 ,I F.D ? WOMAN4 ,N HM4 ,X'S MY 4COV]Y4 ,N HIS4 ,B AF ,I WRE/LE ) X = AB FIVE M9UTES1 ,I "K ,I'D #BIJ 2 /UPID N 6TELL HM4 ,& ,I'LL / 2 ! "O :O F.D H]4 ,T'S N GO+ 6*ANGE4 ,:5 ,I R1* ,DAD AT 8 (FICE & TELL HM1 HE ALM GOES NUTS4 8,:AT86 ,Y'RE KI4+6 ,? IS FANTA/IC1 ,BO2Y6 ,HOLD ON--,I'VE GOT 6%UT MY (FICE DOOR40 ,!N -ES ! H>D "P1 2C HE WANTS 6"K "EY- ?+1 B ,I'M N TELL+4 8,DAD1 ,I PROMIS$ TO PROTECT ? O!R P]SON4 ,S ALL ,I "K "R N[ IS T X HAPP5$ 9 ,D5V]1 ,COLORADO1 ON ! NIY TWELF? ?REE YE>S AGO1 &! SAME K9D ( BLANKET 0 2+ US$40 8,& ? P]SON IS AB H[ OLD80 8,DOES T MATT]80 8,CD1 ,BO2Y4 ,"EY?+ CD MATT]4 ,L :AT K9D (A H\SE X HAPP5$ IN1 ANY O!R APPLI- .ES 9 ! ROOM1 ! EXACT LOC,N (! H\SE-- "EY?+ CD 2 V IMPORTANT40 8,WELL1 ALL ,I C TELL Y "R N[ IS ! DATE &! YE> &! PLACE4 ,IF WE NE$ M1 ,I CD MAYBE CALL H] BACK &--0 8,AHA6 ,S1 X'S A WOMAN6 ,SEE1 T CD 2 IMPORTANT6 ,2C M5 & WOM5 H DI6]5T *EMICAL MAKEUPS1 DI6]5T MUSCLE #BIA D5SITIES4 ,WE NE$ M DATA1 ,BO2Y4 ,! M ! BETT]40 ,DAD'S GIV+ ME ! ?IRD DEGREE1 MAJOR 9T]ROG,N1 & X RE,Y TICKS ME (F4 ,=! PA/ FEW YE>S ,I'VE J BE5 GRITT+ MY TEE? & KICK+ MY DOOR & SWE>+ "U MY BR1? AT HM AB /UFF L ?4 ,I "K HE'S EXCIT$1 & ,I "K T ! GUY LIVES = DATA4 ,B "H ,I AM1 & ,I'M TELL+ HM ,I'VE MADE A PROMISE1 & HE ACTS L T DOESN'T MATT]4 ,I'M AB 6%\T "S?+ & SLAM D[N ! PH"O4 ,B 9/1D1 ,I GET ? CALM FEEL+ & ,I SAY1 R1L QUIETLIKE1 8,DAD1 ? LADY WANTS 6/AY \ ( ALL ?1 & ,I PROMIS$ H] ,I'D RESPECT T4 ,S ,I'M N TELL+ ANY"O1 N EV5 Y4 ,:5 ,I MAKE A PROMISE1 X HAS 6BE R1L40 ,I GUESS ,I M/ H S.D$ L ! PRESID5T OR "S?+1 & X'S S QUIET =A SECOND T ,I ?9K MAYBE HE FELL (F 8 *AIR4 ,!N HE SAYS1 8,( C\RSE4 ,Y'RE "R4 ,SORRY1 ,BO2Y4 ,WE'LL "W ) ?1 & SEE ": X L1DS U4 ,Q "R1 SON4 ,H 6KEEP YR ^W40 ,& X'S L ! :OLE _W HAS %IFT$ AB T5 FEET 6! "R4 ,I'M N ": ,I US$ 6BE1 & ,I SEE X1 & ,DAD SEES X TOO1 & HE #BIB SEES ME SEE+ HM SEE ME4 ,ANYWAY1 HE SAYS HE'S GO+ 6CALL ,LEO-- T'S ,PROFESSOR ,VAN ,DORN--& HE'LL TALK 6ME TN :5 HE GETS HOME4 ,!N HE SAYS1 8,I DON'T "K H[ Y LOCAT$ ? WOMAN1 ,BO2Y1 B X'S N A SMALL ?+4 ,? IS F/-CLASS "W1 SON4 ,F/ CLASS40 ,X'S ! T"O ( 8 VOICE T GETS ME4 ,HE DOESN'T SAY1 8,I'M PR\D ( Y40 ,HE DOESN'T USE ^? ^WS4 ,B T'S :AT ,I HE>4 ,MY DAD'S PR\D ( ME4 *APT] #BE #BIC ,,B+O6 .,REL,NAL .DATABASE .ANALYSIS4 ,I _H N"E EV5 HE>D ^? ^WS UNTIL ,DAD -ES HOME F ! LAB & />TS MAK+ D9N] ON ,W$NES"D4 ,HE'S GOT MY 9VISI# H&S BUSY *OPP+ CEL]Y & C>ROTS :ILE HE CUTS UP *UNKS ( *ICK5 = A BIG POT ( S\P1 & HE'S GU%+ AB 8 TALK ) ,DR4 ,VAN ,DORN4 ,! PROFESSOR SAYS HE 0 SURE ! BLANKET 0 "P (! CAUSE1 & HE'S ALL EXCIT$ 2C HE SAYS HE C D TONS ( RESE>* J US+ ^? TWO DATES &! TWO LOC,NS4 ,& T'S 2C ( ? REL,NAL DATABASE ?+4 ,3D5S+ FIFTE5 M9UTES ( ,DAD TALK+ Z FA/ Z HE C 96AB F\R S5T;ES1 ? K9D ( DATA-HUNT+ IS BASIC,Y L US+ AN ,9T]NET SE>* 5G9E1 EXCEPT X'S M PRECISE & X USES MON/] -PUT] P[]--L ,CRAY SUP]COMPUT]S1 ! R1L D1L4 ,S Y LOAD 9 YR DATA1 Y GIVE ! SE>* PROGRAM "S CLUES AB :AT SORT ( RE- SULTS Y'D L X 6LOOK =1 & !N Y PU% A BUT- TON4 ,& X -BS ALL ^! SCI5TIFIC >TICLES & CATALOGS ( EV5TS & PH5OM5A & FACTS & !O- RIES1 & IF ANY?+ MAT*ES UP ANY": 9 ! SCI5TIFIC RECORDS 9 ANY LANGUAGE #BID ANY": 9 ! _W1 X F9DS X & SPITS X ALL BACK AT Y4 ,PRETTY COOL4 ,B Y H 6"K H[ 6PROGRAM ! ?+1 OR ELSE Y GET SWAMP$ ) JUNK DATA4 ,& :O'S "O (! TOP P AT DO+ ? K9D ( SE>*8 ,\R PAL ,DR4 ,VAN ,DORN4 ,& AN H\R &A HALF LAT]1 :5 WE'RE J SITT+ D[N 6EAT HOMEMADE *ICK5 NOODLE S\P1 ! DOC HMF IS P.D+ ON \R FRONT DOOR4 ,HE WALKS "R IN1 PUTS 8 OLD BRIEFCASE ON ! D9+ ROOM TA#1 YANKS X OP51 & PULLS \ A /ACK ( WIDE GRE5B> -PUT] PAP]4 ,8 EYES >E WILD1 & HE'S TALK+ S FA/ T LL BITS ( SPIT >E FLY+ >.D4 8,? HAS GOT 6BE :AT WE'RE LOOK+ =6 ,I RAN ! SE>* F\R DI6]5T WAYS1 F\R DI6]5T SETS ( P>AMET]S1 &! SAME DATA F ! ,,ACE SPACECRAFT PROJ- ECT KEPT %[+ UP4 ,R1DY8 ,SOL> W9D6 ,JAN- U>Y TWELF? & ,FEBRU>Y TW5TY-?IRD1 ?REE YE>S A"P1 & ON BO? DATES ! UPP] LATI- TUDES (! ,U4,S4 F ! ,ROCKIES 6! ,GRT ,LAKES 7 /RAF$ 0A MAJOR BUR/ ( A3EL]AT$ SOL> "PICLES & RADI,N--! K9D T KNOCK \ P[] GRIDS & S5D ! BIG JETS DIV+ = L[] ALTITUDES6 ,N TRUE SOL> MAXIMA OR ANY?+1 B ! BOMB>D;T ON BO? DATES 0 WAY1 #BIE WAY UP ON ! SCALE1 &! E>?'S MAGNETIC FIELD 0 SIGNIFICANTLY 4TORT$4 ,S '''0 ,DAD IS LOOK+ OV] ! PROFESSOR'S %\LD]1 NO4+1 8 D9N] NAPK9 / TUCK$ 96! COLL> ( 8 BLUE DRESS %IRT4 8,S ? BLA/ ) HI<-5]GY "PICLES CUTS "? ! EXA7]AT$ ELECTRICAL FIELD CAUS$ 0! FAULTY BLANKET 3TROLL]1 & B+O6 ,NO M ,BO2Y60 8,EXACTLY4 ,&( C\RSE1 WE DON'T RE,Y "K H[ OR :Y1 & WE'RE A L;G WAY F RE,Y "U/&+ ! 9T]AC;N (! =CES4 ,B ,I'M ALM C]TA9 WE "K R\-AWAY-IN-PHYSICS-L& LOOK4 ,MOM ASKS :AT ,I'M ?9K+3 8,B ,LEO1 H[ C WE REV]SE ! PROCESS8 ,H[ D WE GET ?+S BACK 6NORMAL8 ,& H[ D WE D X 2F ! POLICE -E 6HAUL U AWAY80 ,DAD & ,DR4 ,VAN ,DORN LOOK AT EA* O?- ]1 J =A SECOND4 ,& X'S L !Y'RE HOLD+ ? HI<-LEVEL1 SIL5T 3F];E1 & ,I SEE "EY?+1 & X'S ALM L ,I HE> !M TALK+ BACK #BIF & =?3 ..,9CR$IBLY -PLEX--,POSSIBLY YE>S J 6DEVELOP A "WA# !ORY--,HUNDR$S ( V>IA- #S 6ISOLATE & TE/--,N 6M5;N "QS AB BODY *EMI/RY & 5VIRON;TAL .FACTORS4 ,I C SEE ? K9D ( /UFF FLA%+ "? _! M9DS4 ,!N ,DAD SAYS1 8,H>D 6SAY1 ,EMILY4 ,MAYBE A WEEK1 MAYBE L;G]40 ,&! LOOK ON ,DR4 ,VAN ,DORN'S FACE SAYS1 .,MAYBE .YE>S4 ,I SEE X ALL4 ,I C'T TAKE X4 ,& ,I'M N HUNGRY ANY- MORE4 ,I PU% MY *AIR BACK & /& UP4 8,Y'RE N 2+ H"O/1 NEI ( Y4 ,EV5 IF Y'VE F.D ! CAUSE1 RE,Y FIGUR+ X \ & REV]S+ X CD TAKE ="E4 ,& WE DON'T H ="E4 ,I AM N[ WANT$ 0! LAW 9 TWO /ATES1 & ,DAD ISN'T GO+ 6GET 6D M* RESE>* 9 JAIL4 ,S TM WE CALL T LADY & WE GET H] OV] "H1 & WE TELL H]4 ,!N WE TELL ! UNIV]S;Y &! P :O RUN ,F]MI,LAB1 TELL "EYBODY4 ,%[ !M4 ,!N WE DON'T H 6ACT L CRIM9ALS4 ,!N "!'LL 2 TONS ( RESE>* M"OY & FACILITIES1 & WE C RE,Y FIGURE ? ?+ \40 ,DAD LOOKS AT ME1 AT ! SPACE ABV MY COLL> ": HE GUESSES MY EYES >E4 ,& "!'S S M* SAD;S 9 8 FACE4 8,BO2Y1 ,DR4 #BIG ,VAN ,DORN & ,I 4CUSS$ ? SITU,N :5 WE SPOKE ? AFN4 ,& WE BO? DECID$ T WE D N WANT ? 62COME PUBLIC4 ,N "E4 ,X'S TOO DANG]\S4 ,I M1N1 X'S N L ! ,MANHATTAN ,PROJECT OR ANY?+1 N L DEVELOP+ A NUCLE> W1PON4 ,B /1 ? K9D ( SCI;E C HURT P4 ,D WE WANT 9VISI# SOLDI]S & POLICE & SPIES ALL OV] ! PLACE8 ,OR 9VISI# CRIM9ALS8 ,C Y IMAG9E ! LEVEL ( SECUR;Y WE'D ALL H TO LIVE ) IF ? TE*NOLOGY 2COMES WIDELY "KN8 ,& EV5 M IMPORTANT1 D WE WANT 6SACRIFICE ANY *.E = Y 6EV5TU,Y H A NORMAL LIFE AG8 ,WE'VE EA* PROMIS$ 6KEEP ? AN ABSOLUTE SECRET1 J \R TWO FAMILIES4 ,! BUSI;S )! POLICE W G AWAY4 ,X HAS TO4 ,!Y C'T PROVE ANY?+4 ,NO MOTIVE1 NO CRIME1 NO EVID;E4 ,YR MOM & ,I TALK$1 & RE,Y1 ALL WE'VE D"O WR;G IS LIE AB Y GO+ 6,FLORI- DA4 ,& WE C J SAY WE DID T 2C Y'D RUN AWAY1 & WE WANT$ Y 6H "T 6-E HOME )\T ANY P5ALTIES OR BAD E6ECTS ON YR RECORD AT S*OOL4 ,P>5TS C'T 2 PUNI%$ 2C A KID DECIDES 6RUN AWAY F HOME4 ,S WE J H TO *ANGE \R /ORY4 ,I'M SURE ? IS ! BE/ WAY4 ,WE'RE ALL SURE X IS40 #BIH ,DUR+ ? SPEE*1 X'S L ,I'M 9 A "T MA- *9E4 ,ALL ,I HE> IS :AT ,I'VE BE5 HE>+ = FIFTE5 YE>S3 ,"EY"O ELSE HAS DECID$ :AT'S BE/ = ME4 ,!Y'RE ALL SURE4 ,!Y'VE MADE UP _! M9DS4 ,& N[ !Y'RE TELL+ ME4 ,!Y'RE TELL+ ME H[ !Y'VE DECID$ MY LIFE W BE4 ,I'M A RUNAWAY4 ,I'M A FUGITIVE4 ,I'M A MILK-C>TON KID4 ,I'M (FICI,Y MISS+4 .,!Y'VE .DECID$4 ,MY JAW MUSCLES TI & /OMP MY FEET & BR1K UP "S *AIRS & ?R[ *ICK5 S\P ALL OV] ! PLACE4 ,& ,I WANT 6YELL1 ..,X'S MY LIFE6 ,Y C'T L1VE ME \ (! DECI.NS AB MY [N LIFE6 ,Y >E N 9 *>GE ."H6 ,B ,I 3TROL MYF4 ,9 A CALM VOICE ,I SAY1 8,I ?9K ,I NE$ 6GET "S RE/4 ,I'LL EAT LAT]40 ,Z ,I L1VE ! TA#1 ,MOM LOOKS SU45LY WORRI$1 & ,DAD LOOKS 3FUS$4 ,DR4 ,VAN ,DORN SEEMS EMB>RASS$1 S HE LOOKS D[N AT 8 PRECI\S /ACK ( DATA4 #BII ,& ,I'M AL"O 9 MY ROOM4 ,AL"O4 ,MOM & ,DAD >E D[N "!1 SPOONS CL9K+ ON _! B[LS1 LADL+ \ S\P = _! UN9VIT$ D9N] GUE/1 _! FELL[ 3SPIRATOR4 ,& ,I'M AL"O4 #CJJ *APT] #BF #CJA ,,NIM CLOCK TELLS ME X'S #AA3CG P4M41 S F ! "T ,I LAY D[N ON MY B$ 6N[ IS ALM F\R H\RS4 ,ALL ,I M1NT 6D 0 ?9K A LL4 ,9/1D1 ,I'VE _H F\R H\RS ( FREEDOM4 ,F\R H\RS ( N 2+ FURI\S ) MY P>5TS & ,ALICIA'S DAD = TRY+ 6TELL ME H[ !Y'VE PLANN$ \ ! RE/ ( MY LIFE4 ,F\R H\RS ( N B1T+ MY BRA9S AG/ A WALL TRY+ 6FIGURE \ :AT 6D NEXT4 ,F\R H\RS ( N WORRY+ AB 2+ ? WAY ="E4 ,SLEEP IS ! GRT ESCAPE4 ,MOM M/ H BE5 "H1 2C "S"O HAS TAK5 (F MY %OES1 &! D[N -=T] IS TUCK$ >.D ME4 ,MOM & ,DAD LOOK$ 9 6MAKE SURE _! LL BA- BY ,BO2Y 0 ALL "R4 ,MY EYES >E WIDE OP54 ,/REETLAMP LI.D ! $GES (! W9D[ %ADES4 ,! NI A BUS MAK+ XS LA/ RUN ON ! /REET \ FRONT4 ,LY+ / 9 ! D>K1 ,I TRY 6IMAG9E #CJB T "EY?+ IS NORMAL AG4 ,I'M J A HI< S*OOL KID4 ,SOON X'LL 2 A REGUL> ,?URS"D MORN- +1 & ,I'LL GET UP & EAT BR1KFA/ & CAT* ! BUS = S*OOL4 ,I'LL DOZE "? MA?1 AVOID SP1K+ 9 ,FR5*1 TRY 6LOOK SM>T 9 ,5GLI%1 EAT LUN* ) ,K5NY & ,PHIL1 PLAY MY TRUM- PET 9 ! JAZZ B& DUR+ SIX? P]IOD1 & AF S*OOL ,I'LL G 6! LIBR>Y & LI/5 6"S R>E ,MILES ,DAVIS CUTS4 ,B ,I "K ALL T'S A LIE4 ,NO?+ IS NOR- MAL4 ,I REPLAY ,DR4 ,VAN ,DORN'S VISIT 6\R D9N] TA#4 ,TWO ?+S /& \4 ,F/1 T ,,ACE SPACECRAFT4 ,X'S :AT COLLECTS ! DATA HE F.D AB ! TWO DATES4 ,I'VE N"E HE>D ( T 2F4 ,I'VE N"E HE>D ( BILLIONS ( ?+S4 ,TRU? IS1 ,I "K PRACTIC,Y NO?+4 ,EXCEPT H[ 6TAKE ALM ANY?+ T HAPP5S & MAKE MYF FEEL /UPID 2C ( X4 ,: IS :AT ,I'M DO+ "R N[4 ,! O!R ?+ ,I RECALL IS ! QK LOOK ,DR4 ,VAN ,DORN & ,DAD PASS$ 2T !M4 ,X 0 A SECRET LOOK1 ! K9D P EX*ANGE :5 :AT !Y'RE ?9K+ IS TOO T]RI# = ^WS4 ,!Y EX*ANG$ ! LOOK :5 ,MOM ASK$ AB #CJC REV]S+ ! PROCESS4 ,DR4 ,VAN ,DORN DOESN'T 2LIEVE X'S POSSI#4 ,HE ?9KS "!'S NO GO+ BACK4 ,MOVE OV]1 ,%EILA4 ,MAKE "S ROOM 9 ! LIFEBOAT = ,BO2Y4 ,ROLL+ (F ! B$1 ,I L& S(TLY ON MY FEET4 ,! HALLWAY IS FA9TLY LIT1 & ,I C TELL ,MOM & ,DAD >E ASLEEP4 ,_! TURN = "S FREEDOM4 ,I TIPTOE D[N ! BACK /AIRS1 G "? ! KIT*5 & D9+ ROOM 6! D54 ,! -PUT] S.DS L A DIESEL TRUCK />T+ UP1 B ,I "K X'S N RE,Y T L\D4 ,! BR[S] OP5S UP1 & ,I GET 6A SE>* PAGE1 & ,I PUN* 9 8,,ACE SPACECRAFT40 ,& "! X IS1 PICTURES & "EY?+4 ,,ACE /&S = ,ADV.ED ,-POSI;N ,EXPLOR]4 ,? ?+ IS \ #A.E MILLION KILOMET]S F ,E>?1 FE$+ A 3/ANT /R1M ( DATA 6A BUN* ( GR.D TRACK+ /,NS ALL OV] ! _W4 ,SCI5TI/S 9 ,JAPAN1 ,5GL&1 ,9DIA1 ! ,U4,S41 !Y'RE ALL LOOK+ AT 9=M,N F T5 DI6]5T 9/RU;TS ON BO>D4 ,I CLICK ON ! ,R1L ,"T ,SOL> ,W9D ,DATA1 & ,I'M PLU7$ IN4 ,I'VE GOT GRAPHS & TA#S & NEWS F \T] SPACE1 &! ?+ IS UPDAT$ E FIFTE5 M9UTES--L ! REPORTS AB #CJD TRA6IC ON ! ,DAN ,RYAN ,EXPRESSWAY4 ,!N ,I CLICK ON A L9K = ,,SOHO--! ,SO- L> & ,HELIOSPH]IC ,OBS]VATORY--& X'S AN- O!R SATELLITE UP "! 9 ! SUNLI?'S 5VIRON;T IS CURR5TLY BOMB>D$ 0HI<-5]GY "PICLES A3EL]AT$ 0A P[];L SOL> ERUP;N LA/ NIE 7,M#I7 & CORONAL MASS EJEC;N 7 OBS]V$ 0! ,,SOHO 9/RU;TS4 ,! FLUX ( HI<-5]GY PROTONS NE> ,E>? N[ IS #AJJ1JJJ "TS GRT] ?AN NORMAL4 ,? IS ! F\R? L>GE/ PROTON EV5T 9 ! PA/ ?REE YE>S1 & W LIKELY 3T9UE AT OR ABV ! CURR5T LEVEL =! NEXT S"EAL WEEKS Z WE APPROA* ! SOL> MAXIMUM4 ,&! DATE ON ! NEWS REL1SE IS #AA3DE P4M4 ,FEBRU>Y #BD--& "!'S BE5 AN UPDATE E TW5TY-F\R H\RS "R UP 6YE/]"D4 ,! BOM- B>D;T HAS SL[$ DUR+ ! LA/ MON?1 B N 0M*4 ,S :AT ,I'M R1D+ AB "H ON ! SCRE51 ? IS / GO+ ON4 ,N[4 ,& X MAKES ME SMILE4 ,I WI% ,I #CJE _H A CAT OR "S?+4 ,I'D WRAP X UP 9 MY MAGIC BLANKET1 & PO(--9VISI# KITTY4 ,: WD 2 T\< ON ! NEITS TALK+ 6ME4 B I WASN'T SLEEP+ ANYWAY4 MY SLEEP PATT]NS >E ALL SCREWY CUZ X'S ALW NI5TS4 SD HE'S MADE "S PROGRESS )! 9=M,N1 ! DATES--/UFF AB SOL> "PICLES1 "R8 S T'S GD4 BOBBY#GBGB3 IS X8 S.D$ BAD 6ME4 S.DS L YE>S ( RESE>* 6ME4 YE>S4 ALEESHAONE3 YE>S DON'T SC>E ME M* ANY- MORE4 BOBBY#GBGB3 ALL HAIL ! GRT PHILOSOPH] ALEESHAONE3 I'M IGNOR+ T4 :Y S GRIM8 BOBBY#GBGB3 2C I'M BACK ": I WAS1 ONLY WORSE CUZ "!'S NO HOPE4 ALEESHAONE3 NO HOPE8 H[ D Y FIGURE8 BOBBY#GBGB3 Y HE>D YR DAD4 HE ?9KS MAYBE WE "K ! CAUSE1 B T'S N ! CURE4 IF HE'S "R AB ! CAUSE WE CD ZAP A CAT OR A DOG OR "S?+ "R N[4 OR Y--WANNA GET 9VISI#8 I'LL BR+ MY BLANKIE OV]1 TURN ON ! JUICE1 & LET ] RIP4 #CJG ALEESHAONE3 --:AT >E Y TALK+ AB8 BOBBY#GBGB3 "R N[ "!'S A BIG SOL> EV5T-- J *ECK$ ! WEBSITE4 BIG HI 5]GY "PICLE %[]4 S WE GRAB A BLACK LAB1 PUT HM 9 ! BLANKET1 TURN ON ! P[]1 & ,,ZAP1 Y CD 2 ! F/ BL KID ON YR BLOCK 6H AN 9VISI# SEE+ EYE DOG6 COOL1 HUH8 ALEESHAONE3 M L SICK4 H[ AB Y WRAP YRF UP & 4APPE> -PLETELY =A :ILE--D U ALL A FAVOR BOBBY#GBGB3 NAUCASM ) S>CASM--TWO WR;GS DON'T MAKE A "R ALEESHAONE3 B D ?REE "RS MAKE A LEFT8 BOBBY#GBGB3 V DEEP4 I HE> ! S.D ( "O H& CLAPP+4 BOBBY#GBGB3 Y / "!8 BOBBY#GBGB3 ALICIA8 ALEESHAONE3 / "H4 I'M ?9K+4 TWO WR;GS DON'T MAKE A "R4 B TWO NEGATIVES MAKE A POSITIVE1 "R8 L 9 5GLI%4 I'M N N GO+ M1NS I'M GO+1 "R8 BOBBY#GBGB3 ''' & YR PO9T IS8 ALEESHAONE3 9 MA? Y MULTIPLY A NEGATIVE NUMB] 0A NEGATIVE1 Y GET A #CJH POSITIVE1 "R8 BOBBY#GBGB3 / WAIT+ =! PO9T ''' ALEESHAONE3 G TURN ON ! BLANKET & TAKE A "PICLE BA?--Y C'T GET M 9VISI#--MAYBE X'LL 2 L TWO NEGATIVES MAKE A POSITIVE --T'S ! PO9T1 SM>TY PANTS6 BOBBY#GBGB3 "R1 L I'M J GO+ 6TURN X ON & SEE :AT HAPP5S4 ALEESHAONE3 Y'RE ! "O :9+ AB 2+ S HOPE- .S4 "H'S "S HOPE4 :AT D Y H 6LOSE8888 ALEESHAONE3 BO2Y8 ALEESHAONE3 BO2Y1 ANSW] ME4 BOBBY#GBGB3 I'LL GET BACK 6Y4 ALEESHAONE3 BO2Y--WAIT4 DON'T4 I'M SOR- RY4 RE,Y1 DON'T4 "S?+ CD HAPP54 BOBBY#GBGB3 Y M1N "S?+ BAD8 "S?+ WORSE ?AN ?8 I DON'T ?9K S4 I'LL CALL Y 9 ! AM4 ,& ,I %UT ! :OLE ?+ D[N4 ,! TR\# ) SCRE5 TALK+ IS X KEEPS GO+ ON & ON UNTIL "S"O F9,Y DECIDES 6GET BACK 6R1L LIFE4 ,& T'S :AT ,I'M DO+4 ,I WALK UP 6! FRONT P>LOR1 OP5 ! ,FR5* DOORS SL[LY S !Y WON'T SQU1K & #CJI WAKE UP ,DAD4 ,HE'S GOT MY BLANKET C>E- ;LLY FOLD$ 96A SUIT BOX )! 3TROLL] ALL REASSEM#D1 SET 6TAKE 6! LAB 9 ! MORN+4 ,2C MY BLANKET IS A SCI5TIFIC >TIFACT N[4 ,I PICK UP ! BOX & W9D MY WAY "? ! D>K H\SE AG1 UP ! BACK /AIRS & 96MY ROOM4 ,I PLUG ! BLANKET 96! 3TROLL] & PUT ! 3TROLL] "R ": X ALW SITS ON MY B$SIDE TA#4 ,AF ,I TOSS ! F1!R -=T] ONTO ! FLOOR1 ,I SPR1D ! BLANKET \ OV] ! B$4 ,!N ,I PLUG ! 3TROL UNIT 96! WALL1 "R ": X 0 PLU7$ 9 ON T ,MON"D NI.D 9 ! D>K UNTIL ,I F9D ! 3TROLL]1 !N ! DIAL1 & !N ! LL SWIT*4 ,B ,I DON'T FLIP X4 ,I C'T4 ,2C :AT W HAPP58 ,W ,I DIE8 ,^? ANGRY ^WS ,I TYP$ D[N 9 ! D51 >E ^? ! LA/ ^WS ,I'LL "E SAY 6,ALICIA8 ,B ,I H 6D "S?+4 ,I H TO4 ,& ,I D4 ,I FLIP X ON4 ,A FA9T ORANGE GL[ LI W9D BL[+ ! />DU/ >.D1 TRILLIONS ( 5]GIZ$ "PICLES BOMB>D+ ! E>?1 RADI,N ,I C'T SEE OR FEEL4 ,& !N ,I IMAG9E ,I C FEEL ! ;,X RAYS &! GAMMA RAYS1 FEEL !M P++ ON MY EYELIDS1 %OOT+ "? MY SKULL1 MAK+ ! PALMS ( MY H&S T+LE L !Y'VE FALL5 ASLEEP4 ,& ,I'M "U MY BLANKET1 & X'S W>M & TOA/Y1 & MY HE>T IS ?UMP+ & MY M9D IS RAC+1 & ,I'M WAT*+ 6SEE IF ! ROOM />TS 6%IMM] OR GL[4 ,& ,I FEEL L AN IDIOT4 ,L MAYBE ,I %D />T *ANT+ "S MAGIC ^WS4 ,2C ? :OLE ?+ IS S RIDICUL\S4 ,I'M TRY+ 6RECR1TE "S?+ T 0 PROBABLY A "O-IN-A-BILLION EV5T4 ,I M1N1 X CD H BE5 A C]TA9 CL\D ABV \R H\SE ) "S WEIRD MIX ( POLLU;N & *EMICALS 9 X F "S P[] PLANT 9 ,JOLIET4 ,MAYBE T CL\D MESS$ )! SOL>-W9D JUNK 2F X GOT 6ME SLEEP+ 9 MY B$4 ,OR ,DR4 ,VAN ,DORN CD H J GOTT5 ! :OLE ?+ WR;G4 ,MAYBE ! TWO DATES RELATE 6"S PH5OM5ON NO "O HAS EV5 #CAA 4COV]$ YET4 ,:O SAYS HE & ,DAD "K S M* ANYWAY8 ,_! MA*9ES >E BIG & %9Y & !Y :IR & HUM1 B D !Y RE,Y "K M ?AN "S ,/"O ,AGE WIT* DOCTOR )A RATTLE &A G\RD FULL ( GR.D-UP FROG B"OS8 ..,YE>S DON'T SC>E ME M* .ANYMORE4 ,T'S :AT ,ALICIA J SD4 ,%E'S N WI%+ H] LIFE 0 DI6]5T4 ,%E'S D1L+ )! LIFE %E HAS4 ,%E'S N TRY+ 6GET BACK 6H[ ?+S US$ 6BE4 ,H[ ?+S US$ 6BE4 ,I DON'T WANT T4 ,N EXACTLY4 ,I'LL N"E 2 EXACTLY L ,I WAS4 ,I J WANT "S *OICES BACK4 ,EV5 ,ALICIA'S GOT *OICES 6MAKE4 ,N ME4 ,I H ONLY TWO4 ,/AY HI451 OR G PUBLIC4 ,& IF ,I G PUB- LIC1 9/ANTLY ,I'M A SCI5TIFIC O4;Y1 FRONT-PAGE NEWS4 ,TWO *OICES1 & !Y BO? /9K4 ,FIFTE5 M9UTES 0! CLOCK1 & "!'S NO?+4 ,NO UNE>?LY GL[+1 NO /RANGE CRACKL+ S.DS1 NO >C+ ELECTRICAL *>GES4 ,NO?+4 ,I FEEL L ,I %D GET UP & G MESSAGE ,ALICIA4 ,%E PROBABLY ?9KS ,I'M TURN+ MYF 96A GOB ( PROTOPLASM OR "S?+4 ,B X'S #AB3JG N[4 ,! DIGITAL !RMO/AT HAS CUT ! TEM- #CAB P]ATURE 9 ! H\SE BACK 6#EE4 ,& ,I'VE BE5 MISS+ MY GD OLD BLANKET4 ,X'S TOO -=TA# 6GET UP & G D[N/AIRS AG4 ,2SS1 T MI* ,,& ,,SEIZURE ,L\D VOICES4 ,X'S / D>K1 #D3CJ A4M4 0MY AL>M CLOCK4 ,L\D VOICES4 ,MOM'S IS ! L\DE/4 8,H[ D>E Y6 ,? IS \TRAGE\S60 ,A MAN'S VOICE1 DEEP1 &A WOMAN'S1 BO? TOO S(T 6HE>4 ,B ,I "K T WOMAN4 ,X'S ,MS4 ,PAGETT4 ,FOOT/EPS UP ! FRONT /AIRCASE4 ,& FRAG;TS F AN ANGRY ,MISS ,PAGETT3 8''' REP1T$ W>N+S ''' NEW 9=M,N ''' SE>* IS FULLY W>RANT$40 ,MOM SPLUTT]S "S?+1 & X'S ! MAN :O AN- SW]S4 8''' REPORTS ( LIE -+ D[N ! HALL1 & X'S ! DEEP VOICE AG4 8,? IS 8 ROOM40 ,DAD3 8,>E WE *>G$ ) "S CRIME8 ,? IS H>ASS;T60 ,! DEEP VOICE3 8,/EP ASIDE1 SIR40 ,I'M \ ( B$ N[1 & ,I'VE PULL$ (F MY BOX]S & TOSS$ !M 96! OP5 CLOSET4 ,? IS BAD4 ,TOO _M P 9 A SMALL ROOM4 ,"S"O'S GO+ 6BUMP ME OR /EP ON #CAD ME4 ,& :AT IF "S"O /AYS 9 ! DOORWAY8 ,NO ESCAPE4 ,! DOOR OP5S1 &A %APE FILLS ! OP5+1 & AN >M R1*ES =! LIM40 ,!N HE TURNS & LOOKS AT ! PAP]S &! CELL PH"O ON MY DESK1 & HE SAYS1 8,:AT !6 '''0 ,HE'S LOOK+ AT MY DESK4 ,! LI/ F ,SE>S6 ,&! CELL PH"O--) ALL ^? NUMB]S 9 XS MEMORY4 ,B "!'S NO?+ ,I C D1 S ,I J /& /4 ,HE -ES T[>D ! DESK1 "R T[>D ME1 & ,I'M R1DY 6DUCK & ROLL1 MAYBE GET "U ! B$4 ,& HE LOOKS ME "R 9 ! EYES & SAYS1 8,:O >E Y80 ,I /& /OCK-/4 ,HE'S / LOOK+ 96MY EYES4 8,I SD1 :O >E Y80 ,MS4 ,PAGETT IS 9 ! DOORWAY4 ,%E'S LOOK+ AT ME TOO4 ,& 2H H]1 ,MOM & #CAE ,DAD4 ,I LOOK D[N1 & "! ,I AM4 ,MY BODY4 ,ME4 8,I--,I'M ,BO2Y ,PHILLIPS40 ,& ,I'M NAK$1 & ,I GRAB UP A SW1T%IRT F ! FLOOR & USE X 6COV] UP4 ,& ,I'M DAZ$1 & ,I M/ LOOK L AN IDIOT 2C ,I C'T /OP GR9N+4 ,MS4 ,PAGETT HAS TURN$ 6FACE MY MOM1 FURI\S4 8,:AT IS GO+ ON "H60 ,MOM "KS %E HAS 6SAY "S?+ 6,MS4 ,PAG- ETT1 B %E KEEPS LOOK+ PA/ H] 6SMILE AT ME4 ,!N %E FOCUSES1 TAKES A DEEP BR1?1 & SAYS1 8,:AT'S GO+ ON8 ,Y WANT 6"K :AT'S GO+ ON8 ,Y'VE J BUR/ 96MY HOME & T]RIFI$ MY SON1 T'S :AT4 ,HE GOT HOME F ,FLORIDA LATE LA/ NIM$ /ORM TROOP]S CRA%+ 96HIS ROOM AT F\R 9 ! MORN+60 8,WELL ''' :Y WASN'T ,I NOTIFI$ ( 8 RETURN80 ,MS4 ,PAGETT IS / TRY+ 6S.D T\<1 B %E'S ALR RETR1T+1 & ,MOM IS ON ! ATTACK4 8,:Y80 ,MOM TAKES A /EP T[>D ,MS4 ,PAGETT1 &! LADY FL9*ES4 ,MOM'S VOICE IS %RILL4 8,:Y W]5'T Y .NOTIFI$8 ,2C #CAF ? PRO#M Y'VE BE5 TRY+ 6SOLVE HAS N"E BE5 ANY ( YR BUSI;S1 T'S :Y4 ,"!'S N"E BE5 A R1L PRO#M4 ,Y'VE TRI$ 6MAKE \R FAMILY'S ACTIVITIES 96! /ATE'S BUSI;S1 & Y ASSUM$ ,BO2Y 0 LO/ OR MISS+ OR :O-"KS-:AT4 ,B WE H N"E BE5 UNC]TA9 AB 8 SAFETY OR 8 ":ABS = "O MO;T4 ,& DID Y EXPECT ME TO CALL Y AT HOME LA/ NIDS Y _H R1SONA# CAUSE = 3C]N4 ,& :5 MY WIFE HAS _H ! RE/ ( H] SLEEP1 ,I'M SURE %E'LL 2 LESS ANGRY ?AN %E IS AT ! MO;T4 ,N[1 IS "! ANY?+ ELSE WE C D = Y80 ,!N1 TURN+ 6! COP1 ,DAD SAYS1 8,(FIC]1 IS "! "S?+ ELSE Y NE$ 6SE>* =80 ,! COP LOOKS AT ,MS4 ,PAGETT1 & HE'S EMB>RASS$4 ,HE SAYS1 8,NO4 ,I ?9K T DOES X1 "R80 ,MS4 ,PAGETT NODS4 ,MOM /EPS BACK1 & ,DAD MOVES ASIDE1 &! POLICEMAN & ,MS4 ,PAGETT WALK \ ( MY ROOM1 D[N ! #CAG /AIRS1 & \ ( \R H\SE4 ,"H'S ! SUMM>Y ( :AT HAPP5S NEXT3 HUGS1 KISSES1 "S TE>S1 "S HOT *OCOLATE1 M HUGS1 &A LOT ( TALK4 ,F/1 ,I EXPLA9 AB ! ,,ACE &! ,,SOHO WEBSITES1 !N AB MES- SAG+ ,ALICIA & H] D\#-NEGATIVE IDEA4 ,& !N H[ ,I J GOT ! BLANKET1 PLU7$ X IN1 & GOT 96B$4 ,I DON'T TELL !M H[ MY LA/ ?"\S 7 AB ,ALICIA4 ,DAD ALM FLIPS \ 2C HE'S N"E P]=M$ A BIG EXP]I;T )\T ?9K+ AB X = AT L1/ A YE> OR TWO4 ,! PHYSICI/ IS ANGRY AB ME TAK+ ? /EP ) 8S* AN 9COMPLETE ASSESS;T (! V>- IA#S &! RISK FACTORS40 ,B ! "F IS PR\D AB ME 2+ S BOLD4 ,& BO? ! PHYSICI/ &! "F >E BL[N AWAY )! RESULTS4 ,B Z ,I TALK ) ,DAD1 ,I C SEE ! :EELS SP9N+ 9 8 H1D1 & ,I "K T ! SCI5TI/ IS J IT*+ 6TAKE T BLANKET & TRY X \ ON "S?+ ELSE--MAYBE A LL :ITE M\SE4 ,MOM WON'T LET G ( MY H&4 ,WE'RE D[N- /AIRS ON ! C\* 9 ! LIV+ ROOM1 & %E KEEPS R1*+ OV] 6PU% MY HAIR UP (F MY =EH1D4 ,MY HAIR'S A LOT L;G] ?AN X 0 A MON? AGO4 ,& %E KEEPS TILT+ H] H1D & #CAH SMIL+ ? GO(Y SMILE AT ME4 ,I FEEL L H] EYES >E DEV\R+ MY FACE4 ,B Y C ONLY TAKE S M* ( ? K9D ( /UFF1 & AF AB HALF AN H\R1 ,I />T YAWN+4 ,& ,MOM C SEE ME YAWN4 ,%E C SEE ,I LOOK TIR$4 ,& %E C SEE ME SMILE :5 %E SAYS ,I "\ 6G BACK 6B$4 ,& ,DAD SAYS1 8,B .N "U T BLANKET-- PL1SE60 ,& WE ALL LAU<1 & T SETS (F ANO!R R.D ( HUGS4 ,MOM -ES UP/AIRS ) ME4 ,%E TAKES ! BLANKET (F MY B$1 FOLDS X C>E;LLY1 & PUTS X ON MY DESK *AIR4 ,!N %E PICKS ! -=T] UP (F ! FLOOR1 SPR1DS X OV] ME1 & TUCKS ME IN4 ,& %E B5DS D[N1 RUNS A H& "? MY HAIR1 & GIVES ME A KISS ON ! *EEK4 ,& ,I'M GLAD4 ,AL"O 9 ! D>K;S 2F DAWN1 ?\<1 ,I C'T SLEEP4 ,M* TOO EXCIT$4 ,TD W 2 ,?URS"D4 ,I CD GET UP AT #F3DE1 %[]1 EAT AT #G3AE1 CAT* ! BUS AT #G3CG1 G 6S*OOL1 & H A REGUL> "D4 ,REGU- L> ,BO2Y HAV+ A REGUL> "D4 ,B ,I DON'T ?9K T'S GO+ 6HAPP54 #CAI ,"!'S "S O!R /UFF ,I NE$ 6TAKE C>E (4 #CBJ *APT] #BH #CBA ,,LOOK+ ,,AG ,X'S AB #I3JJ A4M41 & ,I SP5D AT L1/ FIVE M9UTES 9 FRONT (! MIRROR AF MY %[]4 ,: IS AB T5 "TS M "T ?AN ,I "E SP5T BACK !N1 BACK 2F4 ,=A MON? "! 0 NO?+ 6SEE4 ,X'S L ,I H 6REMEMB] H[ ,I LOOK AG4 ,MOM DOESN'T WANT 6G T1* H] T5 O'C CLASS4 ,%E WANTS 6/AY HOME & MOON >.D1 F9D "S M EXCUSES 6SIT & LOOK AT ME4 ,%E WANTS 6FIX ME ANO!R BR1KFA/1 MAYBE G ) ME 6! B>B]%OP4 ,%E WANTS 6BE ! NEW1 IM- PROV$ ,MOM4 ,: IS ACTU,Y Q NICE4 ,B ,I DON'T WANT 6G 6! B>B]%OP4 ,I L MY HAIR ? L;G4 ,MAYBE EV5 L;G]4 ,X LOOKS GD4 ,ONLY "T W TELL4 ,"T4 ,N[ ,I H "T = ?+S L GR[+ MY HAIR4 ,:5 ,MOM F9,Y L1VES AT ! V LA/ SECOND1 ,I'M GLAD4 ,I'VE GOT /UFF ,I'VE BE5 WAIT+ 6D4 ,! F/ ?+ IS 6CALL ,%EILA4 ,%E ANSW]S ON ! ?IRD R+4 8,%EILA8 ,? IS ,BO2Y ,PHILLIPS4 ,WE TALK$ AB YR BLANKET A C\PLE "DS AGO80 8,HI1 KID4 ,H['S X GO+80 #CBB 8,I'M BACK40 8,NO60 8,RE,Y4 ,& X 0 S SIMPLE4 ,I PROMIS$ ,I'D LET Y "K1 S ''' ,I'M LETT+ Y "K40 8,& X 0 SIMPLE80 8,EASY Z FALL+ ASLEEP4 ,B ,I ?9K Y MIT$ 4APPE>+ A L;G "T 2F ? HAPP5$ 6ME4 ,IF X _HN'T BE5 ?1 ,I WD H 4APPE>$ "S O!R WAY4 ,BOOZE OR DRUGS MAYBE1 MAYBE ?REE M BAD BOYFRS--T WD H D"O X4 ,I 0 ALR 4APPE>+1 A LL BIT AT A "T4 ,X 0 BET- T] HAPP5+ ALL AT ONCE4 ,& N[ ,I DON'T WANT 6G BACK4 ,I DON'T WANT 6/>T WORRY+ AB MY WEIE1 OKAY80 8,OKAY4 ,S L;G4 ,& Y C CALL ME ANY"T1 IF Y WANT TO40 ,B %E'S ALR HUNG UP4 ,%E'S G"O4 ,& ,I PUT ! PH"O D[N4 ,%EILA ?9KS ,I DON'T "U/& H]4 ,B ,I D4 ,T'S ! ?+4 ,I D "U/&4 ,2C A WEEK AGO1 BACK :5 "! 0 NO HOPE (A -EBACK1 ,I DIDN'T H ANY RESPONSIBILITIES4 #CBD ,N"O4 ,I 0 A FLOAT]4 ,A WEEK AGO X 0 ALL AB LIV+1 J LIV+1 M9UTE 0M9UTE4 ,NO TM1 NO FUTURE4 ,NO TRACKS4 ,NO EXPECT,NS4 ,N RE,Y "H4 ,MO/LY G"O4 ,& "!'S A K9D ( FREEDOM 9 T4 ,& ,I WOND] IF ,I'LL MISS X4 ,& N[ T ,I "K H[ X'S D"O1 WD ,I D X AG "S"D1 ON PURPOSE8 ,S ,I CD TAKE A VAC,N F LIFE8 ,& :AT AB MY DAD & ,DR4 ,VAN ,DORN8 ,>E !Y GO+ 6BE A# 6LET X LIE8 ,OR >E !Y GO+ 6T1M UP & TRY 6W9 ! ,NOBEL ,PRIZE 9 PHYSICS "O "D8 ,PUBLI% _! F9D+ ON ! ,9T]NET8 ,":'S X RE,Y GO+ 65D8 ,%EILA'S ALR DECID$ ": X 5DS4 ,X 5DS ) H]4 ,%E'S MADE A LIFE T %E LIKES4 ,%E'S L ! GUY :O SP5DS SIXTE5 YE>S 9 JAIL1 & !N GETS \1 & HATES HAV+ 6MAKE ALL ! DE- CI.NS ( REGUL> LIFE4 ,S HE /1LS A C> OR "S?+ 6GET HMF S5T BACK 9SIDE4 ,BACK ": X'S W>M & DRY1 ": Y ALR "K AB ALL ! DAN- G]S1 ": Y DON'T H 6MAKE ANY DECI.NS4 ,%EILA LIKES H] PRISON4 ,X WON'T SUR- PRISE ME IF %E MOVES 6A NEW T[N 9 A WEEK OR S4 ,%E'LL PROBABLY *ANGE ! "N #CBE ( H] BUSI;S1 COV] H] TRACKS4 ,I'M N H] RESCU]4 ,I'M A ?R1T4 ,"S"T ,I'LL SIT D[N & TRY 6FIGURE \ :Y ,I'M N L ,%EILA4 ,B N TD4 ,TOO M* 6D4 ,I DON'T TAKE ! BUS 6,ALICIA'S H\SE4 ,X'S A L;G WAY1 B ! SUN IS \1 X'S 9 ! MID-FIFTIES1 & ,I AM WE>+ A %IRT1 "S J1NS1 A JACKET1 ,NIKES--"EY?+4 ,X'S A GRT "D4 ,I WALK PA/ S*OOL1 & ,I ?9K MAYBE ,I %D G 9 & SAY HI 6! NURSE4 ,I CD D "S PU%-UPS = H]1 LET H] "K ,I'M F9E1 TELL H] T ,I'LL 2 BACK 9 S*OOL SOON4 ,OR MAY- BE N4 ,MAYBE ,I RE,Y W TAKE ! RE/ (! SE- ME/] (F4 ,MI4 ,S :AT8 ,YE>S DON'T SC>E ME M* ANYMORE4 ,I MADE ,MOM & ,DAD PROMISE N 6CALL ,ALICIA'S P>5TS4 ,I WANT$ 6TELL ,ALICIA MYF1 9 P]SON4 ,&! CLOS] ,I GET 6H] H\SE1 ! M N]V\S ,I FEEL4 ,2C ?+S >E DI6]5T N[4 ,& H[ D ,I TALK 6! P]SON :O J GAVE ME BACK MY LIFE8 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,DORN ANSW]S ! DOOR #CBF & LOOKS AT ME1 H] EYEBR[S UP4 8,YES80 %E SAYS4 ,I GUESS ,I ?"\ MAYBE %E'D 2 A# 6REC- OGNIZE ME1 L MAYBE "S WEIRD SORT ( 9TUI- ;N WD KICK 9 & %E'D GIVE ME ? BIG SMILE & SAY1 8,WAIT--Y .M/ 2 ,BO2Y60 ,X'S N HAPP5+4 ,%E HAS NO IDEA :O ,I AM4 8,MRS4 ,VAN ,DORN1 ,I'M ,BO2Y ,PHIL- LIPS40 ,H] M\? DROPS OP51 & H] EYES BUG \1 & %E SAYS1 8,OH6 ,MY GD;S1 Y'RE ''' Y'RE "H6 ,BO2Y1 ,I'M S HAPPY = Y--&= YR P>- 5TS6 ,? IS WOND];L6 ,( C\RSE1 ,I FEEL L ,I "K Y1 B X'S V NICE TO ''' 6SEE Y ? WAY4 ,PL1SE1 -E IN1 -E IN60 ,& ,I "K T :AT %E RE,Y LIKES BE/ IS T %E DOESN'T H 6IMAG9E ME WALK+ 9 H] FRONT DOOR NAK$ ANYMORE4 ,& %E'S GLAD T ,I DON'T LOOK L "S -PLETE ,NE&]?AL ) MY KNUCKLES DRA7+ ON ! GR.D4 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,DORN IS 96LOOKS1 & N[ %E C RELAX 2C %E "KS :AT H] DAU.E V]SUS R1L;Y1 B ,I HE> #CBG ,ALICIA CALL1 8,:O IS X1 ,MOM80 ,& H] MOM CALLS BACK1 8,X'S = Y1 ,ALI- CIA10 & %E SMILES A SCRUN*Y SMILE AT ME & :ISP]S1 8,I'LL 2 9 ! KIT*540 ,2C N[ T %E "KS :AT ,I LOOK L1 X'S SAFE 6L1VE ME AL"O ) H] DAU+ ! GRE5 SW1T] & R$ CORDUROY PANTS %E WORE T F/ "D ,I TALK$ 6H] 9 ! LI/5+ ROOM4 ,H] H1D'S TILT$1 H] HAIR FALL+ AWAY F H] *EEK4 ,%E'S TRY+ 6PICK UP ON :AT'S HAPP5+4 8,HELLO80 ,US+ A NEUTRAL T"O ( VOICE1 ,I SAY1 8,HI1 ,ALICIA40 ,%E'S -+ D[N N[1 /EPP+ SURELY1 "R H& ON ! RAIL+1 H] FACE A FLURRY ( EMO;NS4 8,I 0 S WORRI$ AB Y LA/ NID ME1 R1*+ \1 & ,I /& / & MEET H] H&S ) M9E1 & %E FEELS MY JACK- ET SLEEVES1 !N QKLY UP ! >MS 6MY %\LD] & NECK1 FEELS MY COLL>1 & !N RUNS A H& D[N MY %IRTFRONT 6MY BELT4 ,X'S A CLO!S *ECK1 6MAKE SURE ,I'M RE,Y WE>+ !M4 ,& !N %E BR+S H] H&S UP AG1 ? "T T[>D MY FACE4 ,& %E GETS A %Y SMILE ON H] FACE & SAYS1 8,I H 6D ?1 OKAY80 ,I GUIDE "O ( H] H&S 6MY *EEK1 & %E FEELS ME NOD Z ,I SAY1 8,OKAY40 ,H] F+]S >E LIY %IV] RUNS D[N MY SP9E Z H] F+]S TRACE #CBI ACR MY =EH1D 6T\* MY HAIR1 & !N BACK D[N ACR MY BR[4 ,H] ?UMBS MEET ON ! BRIDGE ( MY NOSE1 & ,I FEEL L A BOOK 2+ R1D1 ^W 0^W4 ,EYEBR[S1 LA%ES1 *EEKB"OS1 NOSE1 LIPS1 *91 JAWB"O--! O4E/ T5 SECONDS ( MY :OLE LIFE4 ,& WAT*+ H] FACE Z %E TAKES H] M5TAL T\R ''' ,I'D L 6BE T\*+ H] FACE TOO4 ,I WAT* H] & TRY 6IMAG9E H] SEE+ ME1 WAT* H] TRY 6MAT* UP ? NEW PHYSICAL IMAGE ) :AT %E ALR "KS4 ,%E L[]S H] H&S1 & %E'S BLU%+1 ! SPELL BROK54 ,!N %E SAYS1 8,-E ON60 & GRABS ME 0! H& & PULLS ME T[>D ! FAMILY ROOM4 8,TELL ME "EY?+60 ,%E'S ! BE/ AUDI;E4 ,X'S S M* FUN 6SEE H] FACE Z %E PICTURES "EY?+ ,I DESCRIBE4 ,& :5 %E C'T 2LIEVE "S?+1 ,I H 6TELL X AG & ADD M & M DETAILS UNTIL %E'S 3V9C$ X HAPP5$4 ,L )! COP SE>*+ MY ROOM AT #D3CJ A4M4 8,NO WAY60 %E SAYS4 8,? GUY'S LOOK+ "R AT Y1 & Y DON'T "K X8 ,H[ CD Y N "K X80 8,2C A MON? ( 2+ 9VISI# MAKES Y FEEL T WAY1 T'S H[ -E4 ,& !N HE'S "R 9 FRONT ( ME LOOK+ ME 9 ! EYES4 ,T'S ! F/ #CCJ "T "S"O'S LOOK$ ME 9 ! EYES =A MON?4 ,& T'S :5 ,I KNEW40 8,DIDN'T Y DIE1 L1 /&+ "! ) NO?+ ON1 & "EY"O LOOK+ AT Y80 8,WELL1 Y1H1 & ,I GRA2$ A %IRT & HELD X 9 FRONT ( ME--B RE,Y1 ,I 0 J S BL[N AWAY4 ,RE,Y4 ,L1 FEEL+ EMB>RASS$ 0 WAY D[N ! LI/4 ,& !N Y %D H HE>D MY MOM />T SP9N+ \ ? /ORY AB H[ ,I J GOT BACK LA/ NI5TS1 SAY+ H[ !Y'D DECID$ "EY?+ = ME4 ,!Y DIDN'T H ! "R4 ,J L WE C'T TELL ,%EILA :AT 6D40 ,ALICIA NODS4 8,"R4 ,B Y C'T HELP FEEL+ L Y %D "S"TS4 ,! WAY ,%EILA'S /ORY MAKES ME FEEL80 ,%E DROPS H] VOICE 6A :ISP] & PO9TS T[>D ! NOISES H] MOM IS MAK+ 9 ! KIT*54 8,X'S PROBABLY ! #CCA WAY MY MOM FEELS AB ME--L %E HAS 6BUTT 9 & TRY 6HELP ALL ! "T40 ,& !N NEI ( U "KS :AT 6SAY4 ,B ! SIL;E ISN'T /RA9$4 ,WE'RE BO? -=TA#1 J SITT+ "H ON ! C\*1 N T\*+1 B CLOSE4 ,I LOOK AT H] LEFT H&4 ,X'S RE/+ ON ! DULL R$ COR- DUROY ( H] PANTS1 PALM UP1 L;G F+]S SLIE *EW$ D[N 6! QK4 ,I'VE N"E NOTIC$ T 2F4 ,& )\T ?9K+1 ,I R1* D[N & TAKE H] H& & LIFT X UP S ,I C SEE X BETT]1 FEEL+ ! TIP ( H] 9DEX F+] ) MY ?UMB4 8,Y ALM *EW$ ? :OLE F+] (F40 ,%E'S TURN$ T[>D ME ON ! C\*1 & ,I'M LOOK+ 96H] FACE1 & X'S H>D 62LIEVE EYES ? PRETTY DON'T "W4 ,& ,I'M FEEL+ L ,I WANT 6KISS H]4 ,: IS N ! F/ "T ,I'VE FELT ? WAY1 B )\T A BODY1 ) J A %AD[- BODY1 X N"E FELT "R 2F4 ,X 0 "O ( ^? ?+S ,I CDN'T SEE MYF DO+4 ,I'M />T+ 6L1N D[N T[>D H] FACE :5 SU45LY %E PULLS H] H& BACK & TURNS AWAY4 ,TE>S AG4 ,I ASK1 8,:AT IS X80 ,%E SWIPES AT H] EYES ) H] #CCB SLEEVE1 & %AKES H] H1D4 8,M/ 2 "S?+40 8,DUH60 %E SNAPS4 ,& !N MOCK+1 8,8,M/ 2 "S?+40' ,BRILLIANT1 ,BO2Y1 BRILLIANT4 ,9 FACT1 ,I ?9K ,I'LL CALL Y ,BRILLIANT ,BO2Y--H['S T80 ,%E /&S UP1 TOSSES H] H1D1 FEELS H] WAY 6! 5D (! C\*1 GETS H] BE>+S1 & !N /ALKS \4 ,I HE> H] FOOT/EPS ACR ! TILE 9 ! 5TRY HALL1 & !N %E /OMPS UP ! FRONT /AIRS4 ,A 4TANT DOOR SLAMS %UT4 ,JEEZ4 ,MRS4 ,VAN ,DORN -ES 96! FAMILY ROOM4 ,MY FACE M/ TELL H] "EY?+4 ,I'M \ ( PRACTICE4 ,=A MON? ,I HAV5'T _H 6HIDE :AT ,I'M FEEL+4 ,%E -ES OV] & PUTS H] H& ON MY >M4 8,DON'T TAKE X P]SON,Y1 ,BO2Y4 ,%E GETS MAD AT ALM ANY?+4 ,MAYBE GIVE H] A CALL ? AFN1 OKAY80 ,& %E WALKS ME 6! FRONT DOOR1 & %E TELLS ME AG H[ HAPPY %E IS = ME & H[ GRT X IS T "EY?+'S OKAY N[4 ,B Z ,I />T WALK+ HOME1 "EY?+'S N OKAY N[4 ,ALL ,I C ?9K AB >E ^? LL #CCC F+]NAILS1 *EW$ D[N 6NO?+4 ,BACK HOME ,I G 96! D51 TURN ON ! COM- PUT]1 & OP5 UP ,9/ANT ,MESS5G]4 ,I CLICK >.D 6SEE IF ,ALICIA'S ONL9E4 ,%E IS4 BOBBY#GBGB3 HI ALICIA4 X'S ME4 ,NO?+4 ,& ,I TRY AB SIX M GREET+S4 ,NO?+4 ,S ,I J L1VE X ON & HURRY D[N 6! BASE- ;T 6F9D A C>DBO>D BOX4 ,2C WALK+ HOME1 ,I DECID$ 6D "S?+4 ,"S?+ ONLY ,I C D4 ,I GRAB A BOX & RUN UP ! /AIRS 6MY ROOM 2C ,I H 6D ? FA/1 L1 MAYBE X'S ALR TOO LATE4 ,2C MAYBE X'S G"O4 ,! BLANKET4 ,2C ,I DIDN'T ACTU,Y SEE X ? MORN+4 ,MAYBE ,DAD TOOK X 6! LAB4 ,B HE DIDN'T4 ,X'S FOLD$ UP ON ! S1T ( MY DESK *AIR1 "R ": ,MOM PUT X E>LY ? MORN+4 ,S1 ,I PUT ! BLANKET &! 3TROLL] 96! BOX4 ,I GRAB ! %EET ) ,%EILA'S A4RESS & /UFF X 96! BACK POCKET ( MY J1NS4 ,I PUT ! LI/ ( "NS F ,SE>S 96! BOX1 & ,I #CCD PICK UP ! CELL PH"O & CLE> XS MEMORY4 ,I TAKE ! BOX1 TROT D[N 6! P>LOR1 SCOOP UP ALL ,DAD'S NOTES & DIAGRAMS PLUS ! 9=M,N %EETS AB ! ELECTRIC BLAN- KET1 & TOSS !M 96! BOX4 ,BACK 9 ! D5 ,I *ECK ! MESS5G] W9D[4 ,NO RESPONSE YET F ,ALICIA4 ,I OP5 UP ! BR[S]1 F9D ! ,,SOHO PAGE ,I LOOK$ AT LA/ NI.D = ALM T5 M9- UTES1 B ,I C'T F9D ANY /R;G TAPE4 ,B ,I D F9D A BLACK ,MAGIC ,M>K]1 & ,I PUT T 96MY JACKET POCKET4 ,?REE BLOCKS AWAY1 ,I HURRY UP ! FRONT /EPS (! PO/ (FICE4 ,AT A TA# ,I WRITE ,%EILA'S "N & A4RESS ON ! BOX4 ,!N ,I WAIT 9 L9E )! BOX4 ,! MAN 9 ! BLUE %IRT HAS A BIG MU/A*E4 8,REGUL> DELIV]Y OR EXPRESS ON ?80 8,UM1 SURFACE IS OKAY40 8,P>CEL PO/ W CO/ ''' ?REE DOLL>S & T5 C5TS4 ,T'LL TAKE AB A WEEK1 MAYBE M4 ,OR Y C S5D X PRIOR;Y4 ,2 "! 9 TWO "DS1 B X'LL CO/ Y ''' SIX DOLL>S & #CCE SEV5TY-FIVE C5TS40 8,PRIOR;Y1 PL1SE4 ,& C Y CLOSE X UP ) "S ( T TAPE80 8,SURE40 ,Z HE R1*ES =! TAPE1 ,I SAY1 8,HEY--C ,I PUT "O M ?+ 9 "!80 8,YUP1 B Y'LL H 6GET BACK 9 L9E40 ,I TAKE ! BOX BACK 6! TA#1 & ON ! BLANK SIDE ( AN 9SUR.E =M ,I WRITE1 ,%EILA-- ,I WANT$ Y 6H ? /UFF1 J 9 CASE4 ,BO2Y ,I'M N TELL+ ,%EILA :AT 6D4 ,I J WANT H] 6"K T ANY"T ! SUN ACTS UP1 %E HAS A *OICE4 ,FIVE M9UTES LAT]1 ! BOX IS 9 ! H&S (! PO/AL S]VICE4 ,:5 ,I GET HOME1 "!'S A MESSAGE WAIT+ = ME ON ! -PUT] SCRE51 V %ORT4 ALEESHAONE3 *ECK YR EMAIL #CCF ,I D1 &A LR IS WAIT+4 DE> BO2Y1 SORRY IM S* A MESS4 FACE X4 IM A MESS4 IM N"E GO+ 6BE FUN 6BE >.D4 IVE BE5 KI4+ MYF 96?9K+ WE 7 S* FRS4 M ?AN FRS4 Y 7 L ME4 ?ATS H[ X WAS4 Y _H A PRO#M4 I _H A PRO#M1 I CD EV5 HELP Y4 I DONT GET 6HELP M*4 "EY"O HELPS ME4 & "P ( ME WANT$ Y TO N"E GET BACK4 6NE$ ME4 N N[4 N[ Y\RE BACK4 BACK 6S*OOL & FRS & GIRLS & PROM & COLLEGE & "EY?+4 Y\RE BACK & IM N4 I 0 ONL9E ) NANCY :5 Y KEPT TRY+ 6MES- SAGE ME ? MORN+4 I TOLD H] AB Y1 AB "EY- ?+4 I DONT ?9K %E 2LIEVES X ALL1 B %E 2LIEVES Y\RE R1L4 %E ASK$ ME IF Y "E KISS$ ME4 ,I SD ALM4 ! LA/ "T I KISS$ A BOY 0 #H? GRADE4 TOMMY S1V]S4 KID /UFF4 Y ALM KISS$ ME TD4 I FELT Y4 S CLOSE4 B X WD H KILL$ ME4 2C I DONT "K IF I C SEE T4 I CANT SEE U4 I C SEE Y1 B I / NE$ 6SEE ME4 & I FEEL L Y SEE ME4 D Y8 Y D4 Y ALM KISS$ ME4 S CLOSE4 ) Y XS N KID /UFF4 #CCG I WROTE A POEM4 N AB T4 AB "EY?+4 BASE;T ROOM I ?9K XS RA9+ F MY BASE;T ROOM4 B BASE;TS MAKE = F>AWAY E>S1 & RA9 DRIES UP S QKLY4 I / ?9K X 0 RA94 I ?9K A W9D IS BL[+ UP ABV4 B W9D IS S* A M1N+.S ?+1 9VISI# & ALW G"O4 I / ?9K X 0 W9D4 I ?9K IM UP "! 9 ! W9D & RA94 B DR1M+ IS ALW D"O 9 B$1 & S _M W9DS & RA9S >E DR1MS4 I / ?9K X 0 ME4 L X8 NANCY ?9KS XS GD1 & MY MOM ! LIT MAJOR SAYS %E DOESNT RE,Y GET X1 & MY DAD HASNT _H "T 6R1D X4 FIGURES4 HOPE Y L X4 SEE T8 H[ I HOPE Y L X8 IM J SURE Y >E GO+ ON4 GO+ AWAY F ME4 (F 96! BIG #CCH B"R _W4 A :OLE LIFE ?ATS N NE> M9E4 HURTS4 & !N TD4 S CLOSE4 & X FELT L MAYBE Y W]5T GO+ AWAY4 L Y CAME 6SEE ME4 6SEE ME4 & T 0 SC>Y TOO4 "! >E MIRRORS 9 MY H\SE4 I REMEMB] !M4 I / T\* !M4 SMOO? & COLD4 I US$ 6LOOK4 ALL ! "T4 P D T4 N J ME4 XS TRUE4 /ORE W9D[S4 LL MIRRORS 9 C>S4 MAKEUP MIRRORS4 ANY?+ T REFLECTS4 & N J GIRLS4 "EYBODY4 ALL ! "T4 6REMEMB] :AT !Y LOOK L4 6MAKE SURE !Y DONT 4APPE>4 L MAYBE !YRE ALR G"O4 I 0 ALM G"O BO2Y4 I 0 ALM ALL ! WAY 4APPE>$4 I CDNT REMEMB] IF I 0 R1L4 I CDNT SEE :O CD LOVE ME4 I CDNT SEE ANY?+ "! 6LOVE4 I CDNT F9D A REFLEC;N4 ANY":4 I NE$$ A MIRROR S BAD4 & T 0 Y BO2Y4 9VISI# MIRROR4 I SEE ME4 I SEE Y4 LOVE ALICIA ,P TALK AB CRY+ F HAPPI;S1 & X S.DS /UPID--CRY+ F HAPPI;S4 ,I N"E KNEW :AT X M1NT4 ,X'S N RE,Y HAPPI;S T MAKES #CCI ! TE>S4 ,X'S "EY?+ AT ONCE1 "EY?+ T'S GD & SAD & WOND];L ALL AT ONCE1 EXCEPT ! ?+S T >E WOND];L M1N S M* M ?AN ! SAD ?+S4 ,CRY+ F HAPPI;S1 "R "!1 SITT+ 9 FRONT (! -PUT]1 R1D+ ,ALICIA'S ;E-MAIL4 ,I WIPE MY EYES ON ! SLEEVE ( MY JACK- ET1 & ,I />T 6OP5 UP ,9/ANT ,MESS5G]4 ,!N ,I /OP1 & ,I PR9T \ ,ALICIA'S ;E-MAIL1 & !N ,I %UT ! -PUT] D[N4 ,I FOLD UP ! LR & /ICK X 9 MY POCKET4 ,Z ,I OP5 ! FRONT DOOR1 "S?+ MOVES4 ,I TURN1 />TL$4 ,X'S ME1 9 ! BIG HALL MIR- ROR4 ,B ,I DON'T /OP 6LOOK4 ,I'M \ ! DOOR4 ,I'M 9 A HURRY4 ,I'VE GOT 6GET OV] 6,ALICIA'S H\SE4 ,I NE$ 6TELL H] H[ M* ,I LOVE ''' H[ M* ,I LOVE H] POEM4 ,& ,I NE$ 6BE "! 6SEE H] FACE :5 ,I TELL H]4 ,&REW ,CLE;TS IS ! AU?OR ( OV] #CDJ FIFTY BOOKS = *N1 9CLUD+ ! BE/-SELL+ NOVEL .,FR9DLE1 : WON ! ,*RI/OPH] ,AW>D4 ,MR4 ,CLE;TS 0 A T1*] = SEV5 YE>S1 & HE / 5JOYS VISIT+ S*OOLS & SP1K+ 6*N & T1*- ]S4 ,HE LIVES 9 ,MASSA*USETTS ) 8 FAMI- LY4