,,! ,,GRTE/ ,,MAN ,,9 ,,C$> ,,HOLE

           ,,/EPHANIE ,,DOYON


       ,PUBLI%$ 0,SIMON & ,S*U/]
               ,NEW ,YORK
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DET]M9$ 6W$GE X OP54 ,SAY+ NO 6! :OLE
D1L 0 ALR M DI6ICULT ?AN X _H BE5 TW5TY
M9UTES AGO4

  8,I WANT 6GET A JOB =! SUMM]10 ,NAD9E
ANN\NC$ OV] H] MORN+ CORNFLAKES4
  ,B]NIE CRAN$ H] NECK 9 SURPRISE1 A
GE/URE T ,NAD9E ?"\ MADE H] "M LOOK L A
3DEMN$ TURKEY4 8,": 9 ! HELL DID ? IDEA
-E F80
  8,A9SLEY'S TRY+ 6WRITE =! .,GAZETTE4
,X SEEMS L A GD IDEA40
  8,I SUPPOSE "!'S NO?+ WR;G ) WRIT+ >-
TICLES40 ,B]NIE P\R$ H]F A CUP ( C(FEE &
MADE H] WAY OV] 6! KIT*5 TA#4 8,X'LL
PROBABLY HELP Y ) YR S*OOL"W40
  8,I DON'T WANT 6"W =! NEWSPAP]4 ,I 0
?9K+ ( MAYBE WAIT+ TA#S AT ,%ORTY'S40
  ,B]NIE ROLL$ H] EYES4 8,OH6 ,T'S ALL
,I NE$4 ,D Y "K :AT WD HAPP5 IF Y GOT A
JOB "!8 ,GUMS WD 2 FLAPP+ ALL OV] T[N4
,! ,LADIES' ,AUXILI>Y WD L1VE M TUNA
CASS]OLES ON ! DOOR/EP4 ,*UR* GR\PS WD
/>T PRAY] *A9S4 ,P WD 2 SAY+ T ,I C'T
TAKE C>E ( MY [N *40                #DDC
  8,S9CE :5 D Y C>E :AT P ?9K80
  8,WE'D LOSE \R PRIVACY1 ,NAD9E40 ,B]-
NIE S(T5$1 TUCK+ A LOOSE CURL 2H H]
DAU<T]'S E>4 8,X'S YR LA/ SUMM] 2F HI<
S*OOL4 ,Y %D 5JOY X1 N SP5D X P\R+ C(FEE
= IMBECILES40
  ,= ,NAD9E1 "! 0 NO WAY ( EXPLA9+ H]
R1SONS )\T CAUS+ 9JURY4 ,X WASN'T T %E
"PICUL>LY LIK$ ! IDEA ( "W S M* Z %E
LOV$ ! IDEA ( SP5D+ M "T AWAY F H] "M4
,%E _H GR[N WE>Y (! BLANK EMPTI;S (A
H\SE TOO BIG = TWO P1 & H] "M'S BITT]
RANTS AB ! %ORTCOM+S ( O!RS &! WOLF-PACK
M5TAL;Y (A SMALL T[N4 8,"O ( ^! "DS ,I'M
GO+ 6GET MYF A LEMM+ & LET HM RUN "R (F
! RO( (! LIBR>Y10 %E 0 TIR$ ( HE>+ H] "M
SAY4 8,I'LL F9I% (F ! 5TIRE POPUL,N (
,C$> ,HOLE 9 A S+LE AFN40
  ,OV] ,*RI/MAS1 ,NAD9E _H TRI$ 6BUY H]
"M A LEMM+1 B ! PET /ORE AT ! ,MT4 ,ETNA
,MALL DIDN'T /OCK !M4 ,%E _H IMAG9$ H[
SWEET X WD H BE5 J 6WAT* H] UNWRAP !
CAGE1 ! DAUNT+ LOOK T WD %AD[ H] SMILE Z
%E R1LIZ$ T H] SNIDE ^WS WD F9,Y H 6BE
BACK$ UP ) AC;N4 ,9 LIEU (! LEM-    #DDD
M+1 ,NAD9E _H CUT \ ! ,PALMDALE R1L ES-
TATE LI/+S F ! .,GAZETTE & PUT !M 9 A
PICTURE FRAME4
  8,:AT AN 9T]E/+ PIECE ( >T Y H "H1
,NAD9E10 ,B]NIE _H SD1 PUTT+ ON H] R1D+
GLASSES 6TAKE A CLOS] LOOK4 8,V 3CEPTU-
AL40
  8,X'S N >T4 ,X'S A H9T40
  8,Y WANT 6MOVE80
  8,NO1 B Y D4 ,LET'S G ANY": T W MAKE Y
HAPPY40
  ,B]NIE _H SEEM$ 3FUS$ 0! A3US,N4 8,MY
JOB IS "H1 ! H\SE IS PD =--PLUS1 WE C'T
AF=D ,PALMDALE40 ,%E ADMIR$ ! GIFT1 N"O-
!.S1 Z ONLY A "M CD1 & HUNG ! FRAME 9 !
BA?ROOM1 ON ! WALL "R ABV ! TOILET4
  ,NAD9E LIFT$ ! LID (! SUG> B[L & SPR9-
KL$ A T1SPOON OV] H] C]1L4 8,I'M GO+ TO
NE$ CLO!S & NOTEBOOKS = S*OOL40
  8,HAV5'T ,I ALW GIV5 Y "EY?+ Y NE$$80
  8,:AT AB COLLEGE8 ,%DN'T ,I />T SAV+ =
T80
  8,:AT IF Y & ,I TOOK A TRIP8 ,WE CD G
"S": =A FEW MON?S1 "SPLACE ": WE CD BR1!
A LL40                              #DDE
  ,NAD9E L[]$ H] H1D OV] H] B[L1 PRET5D+
N 6HE> ! DESP]ATE P9* 9 H] "M'S VOICE4
  8,I'D LOVE 6G "SPLACE SUNNY1 W>M10
,B]NIE SD4 8,MAYBE D[N ,S\?4 ,WDN'T T 2
GD80
  8,I DON'T "K40
  8,?9K AB X10 ,B]NIE SD4 ,NAD9E _H N"E
HE>D H] "M S.D S HOPE;L4 8,MAYBE T'S ALL
WE NE$4 ,A LL "T AWAY40

  8,WAKE UP4 ,!Y WANT 6SEE U40
  ,ON/AGE1 ,JOE 0 TROTT+ BACK & =?1
DRON+ AB ! WOND]S ( DIRECT M>KET+4 ,9 A
LE?>GIC FOG1 ,FRANCIS FELT HMF 2+ BR"\
6HIS FEET & PU%$ 6! 5D (! R[1 ": A SMIL-
EY MAN 9 A SUIT &A L;G-LE7$ WOMAN 9 A
SKIRT ABSORB$ ,FRANCIS & ,M>TY 96_!
FOLD4
  8,WE'VE BE5 REVIEW+ YR ,=M ;,A10 !
WOMAN SD1 TAK+ A FIRM HOLD ( ,FRANCIS'S
UPP] >M4 ,! "N TAG ABV H] AMPLE BR1/ R1D
.,JANET4 8,WE'D L 6H A ,PRODUCT ,3F];E )
Y40 ,BRISKLY1 ,FRANCIS & ,M>TY 7 U%]$ \
(! BALLROOM & D[N A L;G CORRIDOR 96A
W9D[.S 3F];E ROOM4 ,9SIDE1 "! 0 A   #DDF
R.D TA# ) F\R *AIRS &A PLATT] PIL$ )
PA/RIES4
  8,WE'RE V EXCIT$ AB YR PRODUCT10 ! MAN
SD1 CLOS+ ! DOOR4 ,8 "N 0 ,T]RY1 & HE
2GAN SP1K+ EV5 2F "EY"O _H TAK5 A S1T4
8,X APPE>S 6H "EY?+ ,RICE ,9DU/RIES IS
LOOK+ =40
  ,M>TY SQUIRM$1 L1N+ F> =W>D ON 8 FOLD$
H&S4 ,FRANCIS BL9K$ BACK ! SLEEP 9 8
EYES & R1*$ =A *EESE ,DANI%4
  ,T]RY TOOK A FANCY BLACK & GOLD P5 F 8
JACKET POCKET & SCRIB#D NOTES 9 ! M>G9S
(! =M4 8,:AT D Y "K AB ! SPR+ WAT] BUSI-
;S80
  8,X'S MA9LY AN URBAN PRODUCT10 ,M>TY
SD1 9 A /R;G1 SELF-ASSUR$ VOICE T MADE
,FRANCIS D A D\#-TAKE4 8,WE WANT 6T>GET
C;Y FOLKS ) 4POSA# 9COME :O DON'T H AC-
CESS 6GD-TA/+--0
  8,NO?+10 ,FRANCIS 9T]RUPT$4 8,WE "K
NO?+40
  8,I IMAG9E T'S :Y Y'RE "H10 ,JANET SD
)A LAU<4 8,6LE>N "EY?+ Y C40
  ,T]RY TAPP$ ! 5D ( 8 P5 AG/ ! TA#TOP4
8,H[ F> AL;G >E Y 9 YR BUSI;S       #DDG
PLAN80
  ,M>TY OP5$ 8 M\? B ,FRANCIS CUT HM (F4
8,WE HAV5'T D"O A ?+4 ,! SPR+'S J BU2L+
\ (! GR.D4 ,I MI<T N EV5 D ANY?+ ) X--J
LET X PU4LE UP10 HE SD )A N]V\S LAU<4
  8,X'S GD T Y HAV5'T D"O ANY?+--X'S
BE/1 RE,Y10 ,T]RY SD4 8,MR4 ,RICE W 2 V
PL1S$40
  8,Y'RE 9 A PRIME POSI;N10 ,JANET SD1
NO4+4
  8,& :AT DOES T M1N80 ,FRANCIS TOOK A
BITE ( 8 ,DANI%4
  8,%E'S REF]R+ 6YR /ATUS Z A POSSI# IN-
VE/;T = ,RICE ,9DU/RIES10 ,T]RY SD4 8,WE
ONLY "W )! BE/ ?REE ID1S F EA* REGIONAL
3F];E40
  ,JANET L1N$ 9 T[>D ,FRANCIS4 ,%E
SMELL$ L TALCUM P[D]4 8,IF ,MR4 ,RICE
*OOSES ,P9KHAM'S ,NATURAL ,SPR+ ,WAT]1
HE W BUILD YR BUSI;S F ! GR.D UP--S TO
SP1K10 %E SD )A GI7LE4
  8,:AT'S ? ALL GO+ 6CO/ ME8 ,TW5TY-FIVE
?\S& &A KIDNEY80
  ,T]RY SNI6$ POLITELY4 8,"! >E NO
/>T-UP FEES1 ,MR4 ,P9KHAM4 ,RICE    #DDH
,9DU/RIES TAKES C>E ( "EY?+ F EQUIP;T TO
ADV]TIS+ & 4TRIBU;N4 ,ALL T IS REQUIR$ (
Y IS FULFILL;T (! ORD]S40
  ,JANET LAID H] H& LI<TLY ON ,FRANCIS'S
WRI/4 8,X'S L ANY BUSI;S REL,N%IP1
,FRANCIS4 ,ALL T ,MR4 ,RICE ASKS = IS A
FAIR P]C5TAGE ( SALES40
  8,& H[ M* IS T80 ,FRANCIS ASK$1 HOP+
,JANET WDN'T TAKE H] H& AWAY ANY"T SOON4
  8,T W 2 NEGOTIAT$ 2T Y & ,MR4 ,RICE AT
! APPROPRIATE "T10 ,T]RY SD4
  8,X'S FAIR1 ?\<10 ,JANET A4$4 8,HE'S A
FAIR MAN4 ,HE DOESN'T NE$ ! BUSI;S1 RE,Y
--HE DOES ? 2C HE LIKES 6HELP O!RS GET
/>T$4 ,HE W MAKE Y RI*40
  ,M>TY SUCK$ 9 A BR1? ( AIR & NUDG$
,FRANCIS4
  ,T]RY CLE>$ 8 ?ROAT4 8,LET'S N />T
MAK+ PROMISES L T J YET1 ,JANET4 ,!Y / H
6BE SELECT$40
  ,JANET FR[N$ %EEPI%LY & PULL$ H] H&
AWAY4 8,SORRY--,I C GET C>RI$ AWAY "S-
"TS4 ,X'S J V EXCIT+40
  ,M>TY1 :O 0 TWIT*+ 6! PO9T ( BUR/+1
F9,Y SPOKE4 8,:AT C WE D 69CR1SE    #DDI
\R *.ES ( GETT+ SELECT$80
  8,M>TY--0 ,FRANCIS W>N$4
  8,NO1 NO1 X'S F9E10 ,T]RY SD4 8,5?USI-
ASM IS DEF9ITELY 5C\RAG$4 ,WE AL REQUIRE
A C]TA9 LEVEL ( -MIT;T F \R BUSI;S "P-
N]S4 ,WE WANT 6"K Y'RE S]I\S1 J Z1 ,I'M
SURE1 Y WANT 6"K T WE >E40
  8,WE'RE V S]I\S10 ,M>TY SD4 8,MY "F
[NS 8 [N L&SCAP+ BUSI;S40
  8,I M[ LAWNS1 BASIC,Y10 ,FRANCIS COR-
RECT$4 8,& ,I'M PRETTY HAPPY DO+ T4 ,6BE
H"O/1 ,I'M N 9T]E/$ AT ALL 9 />T+ A WAT]
BUSI;S4 ,X SEEMS M TR\# ?AN X'S WOR?40
  8,2+ A BUSI;SMAN ALR1 Y "K :AT X
TAKES10 ,T]RY SD4 8,X'S H>D "W40
  8,Y'RE "R AB T40 ,FRANCIS L1N$ BACK 9
8 *AIR & GL>$ AT 8 SON1 HAPPY 6HE> 8
OP9ION CORROBORAT$ 0"S"O ELSE4 8,WE GET
0F9E "R N[4 ,I DON'T SEE M* R1SON = MAK+
MY LIFE H>D]40
  ,JANET'S EYES TOOK ON A DR1MY HAZE &
SU45LY H] H& 0 BACK ON HIS1 C>ESS+ 8
VE9S )! TIPS ( H] F+]NAILS4 8,FRANCIS1
,I WANT Y 6IMAG9E "S?+ =A M9UTE4 ,IMAG9E
:AT YR LIFE WD 2 L IF X 0 .EASI]4   #DEJ
,IMAG9E HAV+ M M"OY ?AN Y "E ?"\ POSSI#4
,IMAG9E HAV+ ! ADMIR,N ( YR FAMILY &
FRS40 ,H] VOICE 4SOLV$ 96A :ISP]4 8,G
AH1D & CLOSE YR EYES4 ,IMAG9E40
  ,FRANCIS 0 BO? EMB>RASS$ & PACIFI$ 0!
RHY?MIC /ROKE ( ,JANET'S F+]NAILS1 &
LAU<T] ROSE UP F 8 BELLY Z HE CLOS$ 8
EYES1 B QKLY DI$ 9 8 ?ROAT4
  8,C Y SEE X80
  8,OH Y1H1 ,I SEE X10 ,FRANCIS LI$4
,ALL HE SAW 0 ! BACKS ( 8 EYELIDS4
  8,:AT D Y SEE80
  ,FRANCIS SI<$4 ,HE WAIT$ S"EAL L;G MO-
;TS1 HOP+ "S SORT ( VI.N WD SU45LY AP-
PE>1 B NO?+ CAME 6HM4 8,NO?+4 ,I DON'T
SEE ANY?+40
  8,TRY10 ,JANET SD1 WRAPP+ H] F+]S >.D
HIS4
  ,FRANCIS BR1!D 9 DEEPLY1 HOP+ 6GIVE !
APPE>.E ( IMAG9,N1 B 8 M9D 0 FOCUS$
SOLELY ON ,JANET'S F+]S & H] "N TAG1 : 0
AT T V M9UTE ONLY 9*ES AWAY F HM1 HOV]+
ABV T V WELL-%AP$ BR1/4
  ,HE OP5$ 8 EYES4 8,:AT AM ,I SUPPOS$
6SEE80                              #DEA
  ,M>TY DROPP$ 8 *9 6HIS *E/ & HAMM]$ !
TOP ( 8 H1D ) 8 FI/S4 8,Y'RE SUPPOS$ TO
PRET5D--C'T Y .PRET5D80
  8,X'S ALL "R10 ,JANET SD4 8,"S"TS X
TAKES A :ILE 6GET US$ 6NEW POSSIBILI-
TIES40
  8,WE %DN'T KEEP Y ANY L;G] ?AN WE H
ALR--"! >E _M M 9T]VIEWS 6D40 ,T]RY /OOD
UP & (F]$ ,FRANCIS 8 H& 6%AKE4 8,X 0 A
PL1SURE MEET+ BO? Y & YR SON40
  ,JANET SMIL$4 8,WE'LL 3TACT Y 0PH"O
"S"T )9 ! NEXT FEW WEEKS IF ,MR4 ,RICE
DECIDES 6G ) YR -PANY40 ,%E %OOK 8 H&
W>MLY4 8,WE D HOPE T Y'LL /AY "? ! AFN--
,JOE HAS "S WOND];L M>KET+ PRES5T,NS
PLANN$ T ,I ?9K WD 2 V HELP;L 6Y40
  8,& 2 SURE 6FILL \ ,=M ;,B 9 YR FOLD]
2F Y G4 ,X'S A P]SONAL;Y PROFILE T ,MR4
,RICE NE$S Z "P (! EVALU,N PROCESS10
,T]RY A4$4 ,HE GAVE ,M>TY A FIRM PAT ON
! %\LD]4 8,NO *1T+1 N[1 ,M>TY4 ,YR "F
NE$S 6FILL ? "O \ ON 8 [N40
  ,JANET OP5$ ! DOOR4 8,D Y H ANY QK "QS
2F Y G1 ,FRANCIS80
  8,YES10 HE SD1 SMOO?+ D[N 8       #DEB
HAIR4 8,Y P S]V+ LUN*80

  ,:5 ,KITTY ,HI79S HE>D T ,A9SLEY WANT$
6COV] ! D$IC,N C]EMONY =! .,GAZETTE1 %E
CDN'T H BE5 M PL1S$4 ,%E RETRIEV$ ! OLD
METAL BOX %E KEPT HI< 9 ! LIBR>Y'S KIT*5
CUPBO>D & PRES5T$ X 6HM4 8,E GD ?+ T "E
HAPP5$ "H 9 ,C$> ,HOLE IS 9 ? BOX4 ,MAY-
BE X W 9SPIRE Y ! SAME WAY X 9SPIR$
,ROB]T40
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6CLOSE -PLETELY4 ,A9SLEY C>RI$ X OV] 6!
R1D+ TA#1 8 /IFF H&S PRESS+ & PI\S4 ,NA-
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  8,X'S H1VY10 HE SD4
  8,I %D GET A BI7] BOX10 ,KITTY SD4
  ,NAD9E LIFT$ ! LID4 ,9SIDE 7 HUNDR$S (
CLIPP+S F ! .,GAZETTE--E S+LE >TICLE T
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2T ! >TICLES 7 9DEX C>DS WRITT5 9 ,KIT-
TY'S [N H&1 DETAIL+ ,ROB]T'S [N ACTS (
CR1TIV;Y & K9D;S4
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8,? IS FANTA/IC4 ,D Y ?9K ,I CD TAKE X
HOME80                              #DEC
  8,I'D R Y KEPT X "H10 ,KITTY SD4 8,B Y
C LOOK AT X :5"E Y WANT40
  ,NAD9E CLOS$ H] EYES & LET H] F+]S RUN
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DIDN'T Y1 ,KITTY80
  8,NORM & ,I N"E _H *N ( \R [N4 ,I ALW
?"\ ( HM L A SON40
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?"\1 B L1VE X 6H] "M 6TURN AN 9NOC5T RE-
L,N%IP 96"S?+ ILLICIT4 8,HE LOV$ Y1
TOO40
  8,OH1 ,I DON'T "K10 ,KITTY SD1 BIT+ H]
LIP4 8,I'D J L 6?9K T ,I MADE 8 LIFE A
LL BETT]40
  ,A9SLEY PULL$ AN 9DEX C>D F ! BOX4
8,8,ROB]T V[S 6RAISE 5 M"OY 6R5OVATE !
LIBR>Y HMF10'0 HE R1D AL\D4 8,H[ M* DID
HE RAISE80
  8,WE N"E GOT T F>4 ,B ,I H NO D\BT T
HE WD H D"O X4 ,HE 0 J T TYPE ( P]SON40
  8,MOM'S GIV+ Y ! DESK1 Y "K10 ,NAD9E
REMEMB]$4 8,%E SD Y C PICK X UP AF ! D$-
IC,N C]EMONY40
  ,2N H] -POS$ LIBR>IAN EXT]IOR1    #DED
,KITTY ,HI79S SEEM$ 6BE BR1K+ A"P 9 ?REE
4T9CT PHASES4 ,F/1 ,NAD9E NOT$ A LOOK (
%OCK FLITT+ 9 H] EYES1 FOLL[$ 0! SURR5D]
( EXHAU/$ RELIEF1 & F9,Y--& EV5 M "U/&A-
BLY--! IMM TI<T5+ ( SUSPICION4 ,X 0 A
CIRCLE ( EMO;N ,NAD9E _H RI45 H]F "T &
"T AG4
  8,IS ? A JOKE80 ,H] H&S 7 LO/ HUMM+-
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BL\SE4 8,OR IS %E J TRY+ 6"W ME OV]80
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"S?+8 ,IF %E RE,Y M1NS X80
  8,DON'T GET TOO EXCIT$10 ,NAD9E CAU-
;N$1 SLI<TLY PANICK$ AT ! V R1L POSSI-
BIL;Y ( H] "M RETRACT+ H] PROMISE4 8,X'S
N 9 ! BE/ 3DI;N40
  8,YR "F WANT$ ME 6H X4 ,I'LL TAKE X NO
MATT] :AT 3DI;N X'S IN40




              ,*APT] ,EI<T          #DEE
         ,SPUD ,TAKES ,A ,MEET+

  ,! PH"O CALL CAME E>LY ON ,SUN"D MORN-
+1 2F ,FRANCIS EV5 _H A *.E 6F9I% 8 F/
CUP ( C(FEE4
  8.,FRANCIS8 ,X'S .,JANET F ! ,B"R
,ID1S ,SEM9>10 %E *IRP$4 8,H[ >E .Y ?
MORN+80
  ,FRANCIS 0 SU45LY AWA% 9 W>M MEMORIES
( *EESE ,DANI%ES & ,JANET'S G5]\S BOSOM4
8,I'M DO+ ALL "R40
  8,I H T]RIFIC NEWS6 ,MR4 ,RICE WANTS
6MEET ) Y 9 P]SON6 ,ISN'T T WOND];L80
  ,FRANCIS SWALL[$ A QK SWIG ( C(FEE4
8,HOLD ON A SECOND--,I ?"\ Y SD X WD
TAKE WEEKS 6HE> BACK40
  8,NORM,Y X DOES1 B YR PROPOSAL IS S
/R;G T HE WANTS 6SEE Y "R AWAY4 ,? IS .V
GD NEWS = Y1 ,FRANCIS4 ,I'VE N"E SE5 HM
? 9T]E/$ 2F--H[ DOES ELEV5-?IRTY S.D80
  8,? MORN+80
  ,JANET GI7L$4 8,D Y H BETT] PLANS80
  ,FRANCIS ?"\ AB 8 WEEKLY DATE )! TELE-
VI.N &A SIX-PACK ( BE]4 8,X'S MY "D (F40
  8,I "U/&--& 2LIEVE ME1 NORM,Y     #DEF
,MR4 ,RICE WDN'T EXPECT 6MEET "S"O ON S*
%ORT NOTICE1 .ESPECI,Y ON A ,SUN"D1 B HE
FEELS /R;GLY T WE MOVE ON ? OPPORTUN;Y
"R AWAY4 ,! M>KET IS "R & WE DON'T WANT
6WA/E PRECI\S "T40
  ,FRANCIS SCRAT*$ 8 UN%AV5 JAW4 8,I
DON'T EV5 "K ": HE IS--0
  8,HE'LL -E 6Y4 ,HE'S ON 8 WAY N[10 %E
SD4 8,HE'D L 6TAKE YR FAMILY \ = BRUN*40
  8,BRUN*1 HUH80 ,FRANCIS LAU<$4 8,S.DS
FANCY40
  8,NO?+ IS REQUIR$ ( Y--"!'S NO -MIT;T
AT ? "T4 ,J 5JOY YR FREE M1L & LI/5 6:AT
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.S EXCIT$ = Y1 ,FRANCIS4 ,? IS A TREM5-
D\S OPPORTUN;Y4 ,I'M SURE YR SON ,M>TY W
2 ?RILL$ 6HE> ! GD NEWS40
  ,FRANCIS />$ \ ! KIT*5 WID[ AT ! /& (
P9ES 9 8 BACKY>D4 ,! PU4LE GLI/5$ SLICK
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GO+ 6D BUSI;S ) HM1 "U/&8 ,I'M J GO+ TO
HE> HM \40
  8,"U/OOD4 ,S ELEV5-?IRTY1 !N60 ,JANET
HUMM$4 8,X'S BE5 NICE TALK+ 6Y AG4 ,MR4
,RICE LOOKS =W>D 6MEET+ Y40         #DEG
  ,HE HUNG UP ! PH"O & SAT D[N AT !
KIT*5 TA#1 QUIETLY DR9K+ ! RE/ ( 8 C(FEE
2F MAK+ ! ANN\NCE;T T WD UNL1% *AOS ON !
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SLIPP]Y1 ALR 9 MO;N & WRI7L+ AWAY F HM
2F HE EV5 _H A *.E 6DECIDE :E!R OR N HE
WANT$ 6BE "P ( X4
  ,2F HE _H A *.E 6SEE ! BOTTOM ( 8 CUP1
,ANITA PA4$ 96! KIT*5 9 H] QUILT$ BA?-
ROBE & T]RY-CLO? SLIPP]S4 ,FRANCIS
GROAN$ 9W>DLY4 ,A FANCY BRUN* 0 J ! SORT
( ?+ %E LIV$ =4 ,J ! SORT ( ?+ HE DIDN'T
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  8,:O 0 T ON ! PH"O80
  8,JANET--F ,RICE ,9DU/RIES40
  ,ANITA FROZE ) H] H& ON ! REFRIG]ATOR
DOOR4 8,X'S E>LY10 %E SD T5TATIVELY4
  8,MR4 ,RICE WANTS 6SEE U4 ,? MORN+40
  8,? MORN+80 ,%E GA!R$ ! ROBE >.D H] &
OP5$ ! REFRIG]ATOR4 8,I'D BETT] GET 6!
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  8,I F9D GD M5 L YRF :O WANT 6/>T A
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8,I GIVE !M ! CAPITAL &! 3TACTS NEC 6GET
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  ,FRANCIS RETRIEV$ 8 *AMPAGNE FLUTE1
ONLY 6F9D X EMPTY4 8,X SEEMS 6ME T "S"O
:O'S ROLL+ 9 M"OY HAS BETT] ?+S 6D ) 8
"T40
  ,ANITA PAL$4 8,FRANCIS--0         #DGD
  8,WELL1 LET'S 2 H"O/ "H--,I M1N1 LOOK
AT ! C>4 ,IF Y'VE GOT A C> L T1 :Y BO!R
YRF )A BUN* ( HALF-WITS :O DON'T "K :AT
!Y'RE DO+80
  ,ANITA'S LIPS P9*$4 8,MR4 ,RICE1 ,I
APOLOGIZE40
  ,MR4 ,RICE %OOK 8 H1D GRACI\SLY4
8,"!'S NO NE$4 ,? IS A S]I\S "UTAK+ & Y
H E "R 6ASK "QS4 ,NO1 ,I DON'T NE$ !
M"OY1 B LET ME ASK Y ?1 ,FRANCIS--:AT WD
Y D IF Y _H A MILLION DOLL>S80
  8,I'D N"E "W ANO!R "D 9 MY LIFE40
  ,MR4 ,RICE NO4$4 8,I SD ! V SAME ?+--B
Z SOON Z ,I E>N$ MY F/ MILLION1 ,I FELT
DI6]5TLY4 ,LIFE C SU45LY GET /RANGE :5 Y
H M"OY4 ,DON'T GET ME WR;G--X'S WOND];L
6PROVIDE =! P Y LOVE & 6BUY :AT"E Y WANT
--B ,I _H BE5 /RU7L+ S L;G T ,I FELT LO/
! MO;T ! /RU7LE 0 OV]4 ,I 0 MIS]A# SITT+
HOME ALL "D1 BU6+ MY FANCY C>S4 ,IMAG-
9E60
  8,I C'T1 RE,Y40
  8,I TOLD MYF1 ,I SD1 ,8,WELDON1 Y NE$
A *ALL5GE4 ,:Y N HELP O!RS :O >E LESS
=TUNATE MAKE _! DR1MS -E TRUE80'    #DGE
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8,Y SEEM V SELF-AW>E40
  8,:5 ! TRU?'S />+ Y /RAI<T 9 ! FACE1
X'S H>D N 6LOOK4 ,I MET A GUY J \TSIDE (
,ALBUQU]QUE1 ,NEW ,MEXICO1 :O _H A DE-
SIGN =A YO-YO--,I C'T REMEMB] :AT 0 S
SPECIAL AB X1 PROBABLY NO?+1 6BE H"O/4
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GAVE 8 PRODUCT A CAT*Y "N & S5T X (F 6A
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CATALOG & WE MOV$ TWO HUNDR$ ?\S& UNITS
! F/ YE> AL"O40
  8,W[60 ,ANITA SD4
  8,X'S N T\<1 RE,Y4 ,X'S J A MATT] (
RECOGNIZ+ A GD IDEA1 "K+ ! "R 9DU/RY P1
& HAV+ A KNACK = GETT+ A PRODUCT 96! H&S
(! PUBLIC40
  8,YO-YOS1 HUH80 ,FRANCIS SD4
  8,N A V EXCIT+ IDEA1 ,I "K10 ,MR4
,RICE LAU<$4 8,B X'S ALL 9 "K+ :AT 6D )
X4 ,CR1TIVE M>KET+4 ,= 9/.E1 :AT K9D (
CATALOG D Y SUPPOSE ,I SOLD ! YO-YOS
IN80                                #DGF
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8 NECKTIE & COLL> & TU7$ AT ! KNOT4
8,OH1 ,I DON'T "K10 HE SD4 8,I DON'T "K
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  8,TAKE A GUESS40
  8,A TOY CATALOG80 ,ANITA V5TUR$4
  8,AHA60 ,MR4 ,RICE RAIS$ AN 9DEX F+] 9
! AIR ) AN EXPECTANT DELI<T4 8,T'S :AT
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  8,N AT ALL--,I DID ! RESE>*4 ,YO-YOS
>E FREQU5TLY US$ 9 NURS+ HOMES 6HELP !
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YELL[ BOAT )! NUMB] 8#DI0 ON XS SAIL
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  8,I'M ONLY %>+ ? /ORY ) Y 6%[ Y :AT ,I
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  ,ANITA F9I%$ ! LA/ ( H] *AMPAGNE4 8,Y
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  8,?ANK Y1 ,MRS4 ,P9KHAM40
  8,B :AT C Y D = WAT]80 ,FRANCIS SD4
8,X SEEMS 6ME T ONLY A FOOL WD PAY = "S-
?+ !Y CD GET = FREE40
  ,MR4 ,RICE MO;N$ 6A NE>BY WAITRESS &
BECKON$ H] 6GET HM A SLICE ( CAKE   #DGH
F ! BU6ET & ANO!R R.D ( *AMPAGNE4 8,I
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Z9ES40
  8,"!'S A W1L? ( GD 9=M,N 6BE _H 9 ^?
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M P >E "W+ AT DESK JOBS1 ": !Y >E SITT+
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WAITRESS Z %E SET D[N A ?ICK SLAB ( *OC-
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9E80
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CITIES40
  8,"!'S NO "Q40 ,MR4 ,RICE RAPP$   #DHJ
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                                    #DHB
























              ,*APT] ,N9E           #DHC
             ,HEIR ,APP>5T

  ,ON ! MORN+ (! D$IC,N C]EMONY1 ,NAD9E
WRE/L$ 96H] F/ PAIR ( NYLONS & /OLE A
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  8,I DON'T "K4 ,I ?"\ ,I MI<T TRIM MY
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8,ACTU,Y1 ,I GOT "S TRAVEL BOOKS = \R
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( H] SKIRT4                         #DHE
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                                    #EJD
























               ,*APT] ,T5           #EJE
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_H ! HELP.S FEEL+ T NO?+ WD KEEP HM QUI-
ET4
  8,:AT WE'VE GOT PLANN$10 ,M>TY SD1 8IS
BI7] ?AN ANY ( Y C IMAG9E40

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WA7+ A F+] AT ! CR[D4
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  8,SPUD80 ,DELIA SQU9T$ H>D4 8,HE CL1NS
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  8,T'S 5\<10 ,FRANCIS 0 SAY+4 8,WE'RE
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  8,I'M M[+ LAWNS & DELIV]+ GROC]IES1
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  8,WE'RE J TAK+ A LL RIDE1 T'S ALL10
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WE BUY \R [N40
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  ,B ! M ,FRANCIS SEEM$ 6PROTE/1 ! M !
CR[D DIDN'T 2LIEVE HM4 ,A9SLEY CAME
TROTT+ UP 6,NAD9E ) 8 NOTEBOOK OP5 & 8
P5 9 H&4 8,I C'T 2LIEVE ?10 HE :ISP]$ TO
H]4 8,TWO /ORIES 9 "O "D40 ,HE /EPP$ 96!
MI4LE (! CIRCLE & RAIS$ 8 H&4 8,MR4
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,M>TY ALL ! WAY D[N ! FRONT /EPS (! LI-
BR>Y & ACR ! /REET4 ,! BOYS1 %E NOTIC$1
/OOD TALL & PR\D1 B ,FRANCIS KEPT 8 H1D
L[ ! 5TIRE "T1 8 EYES N"E L1V+ ! PAVE;T4

  8,I'VE J AB _H X ) Y TWO10 ,FRANCIS SD
Z HE PU%$ !M T[>D ! ,ROLLS4 8,Y C =GET
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(F40
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CIS 0 R1*+ =! DOOR H&LE1 A TRUCK PULL$
UP AL;GSIDE ! C>4 8,:AT 9 ! HELL IS GO+
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SI/]S4 8,N M*40
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  8,NICE JOB ON ! LIBR>Y SIGN4 ,LOOKS
GRT40
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RE,Y1 :AT'S GO+ ON "H80
  ,FRANCIS L1N$ 96! TRUCK & DROPP$ 8
VOICE L[4 8,WE'RE HAV+ BRUN* ) AN OLD
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  ,JACKIE SQU9T$4 8,:O80
  8,WELDON ,RICE40
  8,N"E HE>D ( HM40                 #EAB
  8,HE'S F ,PALMDALE4 ,W5T 6ELE;T>Y
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  8,OLD FR ( ,ANITA'S1 HUH80 ,JACKIE'S
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  8,I'LL KEEP T 9 M9D10 HE SD1 GETT+ 96!
C> 2F %E CD ASK HM ANY?+ ELSE4

  ,AF ! D$IC,N C]EMONY1 ,DELIA ,PRATT
DROVE 6! ,C$> ,HOLE ,POLICE /,N "U H] [N
IMPAIR$ P[] 6H X \ ) ,H>VEY ,-/OCK4 ,!
CUP ( BLACK C(FEE & PIECE ( CAKE ,NAD9E
_H GIV5 H] HELP$ %>P5 H] REFLEXES "S:AT1
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;LLY 9TACT4
  ,Z ,DELIA 0 TE>+ 96! P>K+ LOT1 ,H>VEY
0 J DOZ+ 6! CRACKLE (! SCANN]1 SLUMP$
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: ,H>VEY =GOT 6REMOVE ! PLA/IC F 2F MI-
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AL]T+ ! ,BURNSVILLE POLICE 6A       #EAC
RECK.S DRIV] ON ! \TSKIRTS ( ,PALMDALE1
& 9 ,H>VEY'S DR[SY1 PREDIGE/IVE /ATE1 HE
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! DIRT (! /,N LOT DID NO?+ 6R\SE HM2 R1
8 M9D 9CORPORAT$ ! S.D 96! DR1M4 ,X
WASN'T UNTIL ,DELIA TR\NC$ 96! /,N &
SLAMM$ ! DOOR 2H H] T ,H>VEY SNAPP$ TO
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  ,DELIA'S LUNGS BURN$ HOT F ! CIG>ETTE
%E SUCK$ D[N ON ! WAY OV]4 8,X'S .,DEL-
IA10 %E SNAPP$ AT 8 BLANK LOOK4 8,OR
MAYBE Y DON'T RECOGNIZE ME 2C ,I'M N
FLAT ON MY BACK ) MY KNEES UP 6MY E>S40
  ,H>VEY PU%$ ! ,,TV D9N] TRAY ASIDE1 !
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8,Y'RE N SUPPOS$ 6BE "H4 ,! %]IFF MI<T
/OP BY40
  8,& :AT IF HE DOES8 ,>E Y GO+ 6>RE/
ME80
  8,I CD--Y'VE BE5 DR9K+40 ,HE SD ? 9 !
FAMILI> POLICEMAN'S CAD;E1 Z ?\< HE 7
9=M+ H] ( "S?+ %E DIDN'T ALR "K4 8,:Y
DON'T ,I DRIVE U "S":8 ,I CD L1VE   #EAD
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DOOR40
  8,I'M N GO+ 6T /9K+ L&FILL AG40
  ,H>VEY TU7$ AT H] ELB[1 & )\T ANY FUR-
!R P]SUA.N1 ,DELIA SANK 96! *AIR 2S 8
DESK4 8,H "S C(FEE10 HE SD4
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SICKLY SWEET SMELL CALM$ H] MOOD4 8,Y'LL
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8,A ,ROLLS8 ,:O80
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  8,NO %IT40
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  8,HUNH40 ,H>VEY SCRAT*$ 8 H1D4 8,T
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ME ?9K+1 ?\<4 ,IF ,SPUD C GET 8     #EAE
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  8,JEE%1 ,DELIA1 S AM ,I40
  8,X'S N ! SAME = Y40 ,9 ,DELIA'S M9D1
M5 DIDN'T SU3UMB 6AGE Z QKLY Z WOM5 DID4
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WR9KLES4 ,! L9ES T RADIAT$ F ! CORN]S (
8 EYES 7 F9] ?AN H]S4 ,9/1D ( MAK+ HM
LOOK WE>Y1 !Y GAVE ,H>VEY A S(T K9D;S4
  ,DELIA />$ 96H] CUP4 ,H] H1D BUZZ$4
8,H[ -E Y N"E M>RI$ ME80
  ,H>VEY DRANK D[N HALF ( 8 C(FEE 9 TWO
GULPS4 8,I DIDN'T "K Y WANT$ TO40
  8,H[ CD Y8 ,Y N"E ASK$40
  8,I DIDN'T ?9K Y 7 9T]E/$4 ,Y ALW
SEEM$ F9E 5 ON YR [N10 HE SD4 8,TRU? 2
TOLD1 ,DELIA1 ,I N"E ?"\ Y LIK$ ME M*40
  ,DELIA KICK$ ! PO9T$ TOE ( H] PUMP 96!
SIDE ( ,H>VEY'S METAL DESK1 MAK+ A ?"U\S
BOOM4 8,I WA/$ ALL MY "T ON Y :5 ,I
%D'VE BE5 GO+ AF ,ROB]T ,CUTL]4 .,HE WD
H M>RI$ ME40
  8,/ATE LAW SAYS Y H 6BE AT L1/    #EAF
EI<TE5 YE>S ( AGE 6M>RY4 ,PLUS X'S ILLE-
GAL 6H REL,NS )A M9OR40
  8,N :5 HE 0 A KID1 NITWIT--LAT]1 :5 HE
0 A MAN40 ,DELIA SANK H] TEE? 96! S(T
$GE (! ,/YROFOAM CUP4 8,"! 0 ONLY FIFTE5
YE>S 2T U4 ,:5 HE CAME 6S*OOL T "D ,I
TRI$ 6GET 8 ATT5;N B 8 EYES 7 ALL OV]
,B]NIE40
  ,H>VEY HOOK$ 8 ?UMBS 96! FRONT ( 8
BELT4 8,Y N"E TOLD ME Y LIK$ HM40
  8,( C\RSE ,I LIK$ HM4 ,HE 0 ! ONLY DE-
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N"E TOLD ME Y LIK$ HM 9 .T WAY40
  ,TE>S CLOTT$ ,DELIA'S LA%ES4 8,Y "K1
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ME1 ,H>VEY4 ,I'VE _H PL5TY ( (F]S40
  8,F :O80
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*AIR1 8 H&S BRAC$ ON ! >MRE/S4 8,HAS
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  8,H>VEY--0
  8,PL1SE ANSW] ! "Q40
  ,DELIA 0 TAK5 ABACK 0,H>VEY'S SU45 %[
( J1L\SY4 ,) 8 BULKY FRAME & PUDGY *EEKS
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M5T,Y /UNT$ ,CABOT4 8,NO4 .,(FIC]40
  8,GD40 ,H>VEY BACK$ AWAY F ! *AIR &
NO4$1 Z ?\< HE _H J PROV5 AN IMPORTANT
PO9T4 8,IF ANY"O "E DOES1 Y TELL ME1
'CAUSE ,I WD L 6H A ^W ) !M40
  8,I W4 ,I PROMISE40
  8,ALL "R1 !N40 ,H>VEY PLOPP$ D[N 96HIS
*AIR4 ,HE SWIVEL$ BACK & =? A FEW "TS1 &
SOON 8 FACE MELT$ F A LOOK ( T5.N BACK
96XS =M] UNDISTURB$ SELF4 ,8 J1L\SY 0 A
SLIPP]Y SNAKE T ELUD$ ,DELIA Z QKLY Z %E
_H CAPTUR$ X4 ,%E CROSS$ H] LEGS & AT-
TEMPT$ ANO!R DESP]ATE GRASP4
  8,NORM ,HI79S FLIRTS ) ME AT ! M1T
C.T] "S"TS40
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  8,L T MAKES ANY DI6];E10 %E SC(F$4
8,I'M TELL+ Y1 HE'S .Q 9T]E/$40     #EAH
  ,H>VEY SL[LY TURN$ HMF =W>D & L1N$ OV]
! DESK4 ,PROPP+ 8 FACE ) 8 H&S1 HE SE-
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  ,DELIA GRA2$ 8 >M 9 PANIC4 8,NO1 Y
DON'T4 ,DON'T />T ANY TR\#40
  8,I H TO4 ,X'S ONLY "R40
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  8,I DON'T L ?10 HE FUM$1 PAC+ ! L5G? (
! /,N4 8,I DON'T L ? AT ALL40
  8,I'M A S+LE WOMAN1 ,H>VEY4 ,T'S :AT
HAPP5S40
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  8,I DON'T "K4 ,PROBABLY40
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HOLD+ CELL & BACK AG4 8,ALL "R1 !N10 HE
SD AF S"EAL L;G B1TS4 8,I'LL M>RY Y4
,Y'LL 2 MY GIRL40
  8,Y'RE /UCK 9 ! FIFTIES1 ,H>VEY4 ,!Y
SAY FIANC@EE N[40
  8,Y C 2 T1 TOO1 IF Y WANT40
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  8,OKAY40                          #EAI
  8,& NO M TRIPS 6! L&FILL4 ,F N[ ON1 Y
TAKE ME 6YR H\SE40
  8,IF Y GET A R+1 :AT D ,I GET80
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?9K AB X40
  ,DELIA BLEW ,H>VEY A KISS F ACR ! ROOM
& /RODE \ (! ,C$> ,HOLE ,POLICE ,/,N A
HUSSY NO M4

  8,Y ?9K Y "K P10 ,A9SLEY SD Z !Y FOLD$
& /ACK$ *AIRS4 8,:O WD H ?"\ T ALL ? "T
,MR4 ,P9KHAM 0 A MILLIONAIRE80
  8,I DON'T "K T HE IS10 ,NAD9E SD4
  8,WELL1 Y DON'T G RID+ >.D 9 A ,ROLLS-
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HE'S UP TO4 ,I M1N1 H[ C Y KEEP "S?+ L T
A SECRET80
  ,( ANY"O 9 ,C$> ,HOLE1 ,NAD9E ?"\
,FRANCIS ,P9KHAM MI<T H ! EASIE/ "T
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%E 0 "Y1 %E H>DLY KNEW ANY?+ AB HM O!R
?AN T HE 0 QUIET & =GET;L4 ,%E KNEW HE 0
QUIET 2C HE R>ELY SPOKE1 EXCEPT MAYBE A
BRIEF 3V]S,N ) ,B]NIE E N[ & !N1    #EBJ
& AL T HE 0 =GET;L 2C HE ALW PUT EXTRA
GROC]IES 9 _! BAG & GAVE BACK TOO M*
*ANGE4 ,NAD9E AL KNEW T _M YE>S AGO1 :5
HE 0 A TE5AG]1 ,MR4 ,P9KHAM _H -PET$ AG/
H] "F 9 ! RODEO & LO/4 ,GR[+ UP1 %E'D
HE>D T HE N"E Q GOT OV] ! LOSS1 T HE 0 A
BITT] & J1L\S MAN4 ,Z A RESULT1 %E _H
ALW BE5 A LL AFRAID ( ,FRANCIS ,P9KHAM1
?9K+ T MAYBE ! ANIMOS;Y HE FELT T[>D H]
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  8,Y DON'T SUPPOSE X 0 ALL A HOAX1 L
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  8,I DON'T "K1 MAYBE10 ,A9SLEY SD4 8,B
Y'D H 6BE A CRAZY P]SON 6TAKE "S?+ T
F>40
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CAKE & PUT X BACK80 %E SD1 TOSS+ A HALF-
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"S"O TRY+ 6TELL ME "S?+80
  8,I ?"\ X 0 GD10 ,A9SLEY SD4
  8,I'LL LET Y TAKE ! RE/ HOME1 !N4
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8,I CALL$ HM1 0! WAY4 ,HE'S GETT+ ! VAN4
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  8,DON'T GET TOO EXCIT$10 ,NAD9E W>N$4
8,REMEMB]1 ! DESK IS 9 PRETTY R\< %APE40
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DESK4 ,B N[ ! DESK 0 G"O1 &! ?ICK *A9 T
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SIGN ( ,B]NIE'S GD FAI?4 8,LOOKS L %E
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  8,I H "S LEFTOV]S F ! RECEP;N10 ,NAD9E
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  8,ANY ( YR FAM\S APPLE CAKE1 ,KITTY80
  8,UN=TUNATELY1 NO4 ,I GAVE X 6,A9S-
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FRIDGE8 ,WE DON'T WANT X 6SPOIL \ 9 !
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DIDN'T MOVE4
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Y W]5'T FEEL+ WELL40                #EBC
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8,I WON'T KEEP Y L;G4 ,Z SOON Z ,NORM
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  8,I'M SORRY Y BO!R$ HM AT "W10 ,B]NIE
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  8,P ALW NE$ _! M1T40
  8,WELL1 MAYBE "!'S / "T 6CAT* HM 2F HE
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