         ,,ei<t

  ,:5 ! o!r s5ior writ}s & $itors drift$ back 6_! (fices1 ,/eve ,plank 9si/$ ,buck ,williams g home & re/ 2f -+ back = an ei<t o'c meet+ t ev5+4
  8,i'd r get d"o n{ & g home =! ni<t40 8,i "k10 ! executive $itor sd1 8b we've got a lot 6d & ,i want y %>p40
  ,/1 ,buck 0 reluctant4 8,h{ soon c ,i get 6,london80
  8,:at h y got "!80
  ,buck fill$ ,/eve 9 on 8 tip ab a major ,u4,s4 f9anci} meet+ ) 9t}n,nal coll1gues & 9troduc+ a ris+ ,europ1n politico4 8,oh1 man1 ,buck10 ,/eve sd1 8we're all ov} t4 ,y m1n ,c>pa?ia40
  ,buc 0 /unn$ 8,he 0 ! guy ,ros5zweig 0 s impress$ )40
  8,y1h1 b y ?9k he's ! "o my 9=mant is--0
  8,man1 y b be5 | ( t|*10 ,/eve sd4 8,x's n t big a d1l4 ,! f9anci} has 6be ,jona?an ,/onagal1 :o seems 6be sponsor+ hm4 ,i told y ,c>pa?ia 0 -+ 6a4ress ! ,u4,n41 didn't ,i80
  8,s he's ! new ,romanian ambassador 6! ,u4,n470
  ,buck sd4
  8,h>dly40
  8,:at !n80
  8,presid5t (! c.try40
  8,didn't !y j elect a l1d}1 :at1 ei<te5 mon?s ago80 ,buck sd1 rememb}+ ,dirk's tip t a new l1d} wd seem | ( place & "t4
  8,big %ake-up "!10 ,/eve sd4 8,bett} *eck x |40
  8,i w40
  8,i don't m1n y4 ,i re,y don't ?9k "!'s m* (a /ory4 ,! guy is "y & da%+ & all t1 *>m+ & p}suasive z ,i "u/& x4 ,he _h be5 a meteoric busi;s />1 mak+ a kill+ :5 ,romanian m>kets op5$ 6! ,we/ ye>s ago4 ,b z ( la/ week he wasn't ev5 9 _! s5ate yet4 ,he 0 on 9 ! l{} h|se40
  8,! ,h|se ( ,deputies10 ,buck sd4 8,h{ did y "k t80
  ,buck gr9n$4 8,ros5zweig $ucat$ me40
  8,= a m9ute "! ,i ?"| y re,y did "k "ey?+4 ,t's :at y get a3us$ ( >.d "h1 y "k40
  8,:at a crime40
  8,b y play x ) s* humil;y40
  8,t's me4 ,s1 ,/eve1 :y don't y ?9k x's important t a guy ,c>pa?ia -es f no": 6uns1t ! presid5t ( ,romania80
  8,he didn't exactly -e f no":4 ,h's busi;ses 7 built on ,/onagal f9anc+4 ,& ,c>pa?ia has be5 a 4>ma;t crusad}1 v popul> ) 8 coll1gues &! p40
  8,b 4>ma;t doesn't fit ) ,/onagal4 ,isn't he a closet hawk80
  ,plank no4$4 8,s "! >e my/}ies40
  8,"s1 b1 ,buck1 :at cd 2 bi7} ?an ! /ory y're on8 ,y hav5't got "t 6fool )a guy :o 2comes presid5t (a non/rategic c.try40
  8,"!'s "s?+ "!1 ?|<1 ,/eve4 ,my guy 9 ,london tips me (f4 ,c>pa?ia's ti$ 9 )! mo/ 9flu5tial nonpolitician 9 ! _w4 ,he goes f l{} h|se 6presid5t )|t a popul> elec;n40
  8,&--0
  8,"!'s m8 ,: side ( ? >gu;t >e y on8 ,did he h ! sitt+ presid5t kill$ or "s?+80
  8,9t}e/+ y %d say t1 2c ! only wr9kle 9 ,c>pa?ia's hi/ory >e "s rumors t he 0 ru?.s ) 8 busi;s -peti;n ye>s ago40
  8,h{ ru?.s80
  8,p took dirt naps40
  8,ooh1 ,/eve1 y talk j l a mob/}40
  8,& li/51 ! previ|s presid5t /epp$ d{n = ,c>pa?ia4 ,9si/$ on 8 9/all,n40
  8,& y say "!'s no /ory "h80
  8,? is l ! old ,s|? ,am}ican c|ps1 ,buck4 ,a new "o e week4 ,big d1l4 ,s ,c>pa?ia's 2hold5 6,/onagal4 ,all t m1ns is t ,/onagal w h free re9 9 ! f9ancial _w ( an ,ea/}n ,europ1n c.try t ?9ks ! be/ ?+ t "e happ5$ 6x 0 ! de/ruc;n ( ,russia40
  8,b1 ,/eve1 ? is l a fre%man 3gressman 2com+ presid5t (! ,unit$ ,/ates 9 an (f-elec;n ye>1 no vote1 presid5t /eps aside1 & "eybody's happy40
  8,no1 no1 no1 big di6};e4 ,we're talk+ ,romania "h1 ,buck4 ,romania4 ,non/rategic1 scant gross n,nal product1 n"e 9vad$ anybody1 n"e any"o's /rategic ally4 ,"!'s no?+ "! b l{-level 9t}nal politics40
  8,x / smells major 6me10 ,buck sd4 8,ros5zweig 0 hi< on ? guy1 & he's an a/ute obs}v}4 ,n{ ,c>pa?ia's -+ 6sp1k at ! ,u4,n4 ,:at next80
  8,y =get he 0 -+ 6! ,u4,n4 2f he 2came presid5t ( ,romania40
  8,t's ano!r puzzle4 ,he 0 a nobody40 8,he's a new "n & face 9 4>ma;t4 ,he gets 8 s1son 9 ! sun1 8 fifte5 m9utes ( fame4 ,tru/ me1 y're n go+ 6he> ( hm ag40
  8,/onagal _h 6be 2h ! ,u4,n4 gig1 too10 ,buck sd4 8,y "k ,diamond ,john is a p}sonal fr ( |r ambassador40
  8,/onagal is a p}sonal fr ( e elect$ (ficial f ! presid5t 6! mayors ( mo/ m$ium-siz$ cities1 ,buck4 ,s :at8 ,he "ks h{ 6play ! game4 ,he rem9ds me ( old ,joe ,k5n$y or "o (! ,rockefell}s1 all "r8 ,:at's yr po9t80
  8,j t ,c>pa?ia is sp1k+ at ! ,u4,n4 on ,/onagal's 9flu;e40
  8,probably4 ,s :at80
  8,he's up 6"s?+40
  8,/onagal's alw up 6"s?+1 keep+ ! skids gr1s$ = "o ( 8 projects4 ,,ok1 s he gets a busi;sman 96,romanian politics1 maybe ev5 gets hm 9/all$ z presid5t4 ,:o "ks1 maybe he ev5 got hm 8 ll audi;e ) ,ros5zweig1 : n"e am.t$ 6any?+4 ,n{ he gets ,c>pa?ia a ll exposure4 ,t happ5s all ! "t 2c ( guys l ,/onagal4 ,wd y r *ase ? non/ory ?an tie tgr a cov} piece t tries 6make s5se (! mo/ monu;tal & tragic phe5onom5on 9 ! hi/ory (! _w80
  8,hmm1 let me ?9k ab t10 ,buck sd1 smil+1 z ,plank pun*$ hm4
  8,man1 y c sure *ase ra2it trails10 ! executive $itor sd4
  8,y us$ 6l my 9/9cts40
  8,i / d1 b y're a ll sleep-depriv$ "r n{40
  8,i'm def9itely n go+ 6,london8 ,2c ,i've got 6tell my guy40
  8,m>ge tri$ 6r1* ! guy :o 0 suppos$ 6meet yr plane4 ,%e c tell y h{ 6get "? & all t4 ,b 2 back "h 0ei<t4 ,i'm br++ 9 ! de"p;t $itors 9t}e/$ 9 ! v>i|s 9t}n,nal meet+s -+ "h ? mon?4 ,y're go+ 6be ty+ t cov}age tgr1 s--0
  8,s !y c all hate me 9 ! same meet+80 ,buck sd4
  8,!y'll feel important40
  8,b is x important8 ,y want me 6ignore ,c>pa?ia1 b y're go+ 6-plicate my life )1 :at 0 x1 an ecum5ical religi|s 3v5;n &a "o-_w-curr5cy 3fab80
  8,y >e %ort on sleep1 >5't y1 ,buck8 ,? is :y ,i'm / yr boss4 ,don't y get x8 ,yes1 ,i want coord9,n & ,i want a well-writt5 piece4 ,b ?9k ab x4 ,? gives y automatic 5tr.e 6all ~! dignit>ies4 ,we're talk+ ,jewi% ,n,nali/ l1d}s 9t}e/$ 9 "o _w gov}n;t--0
  8,unlikely & h>dly -pell+40
  0-,or?odox ,jews f all ov} ! _w look+ at rebuild+ ! temple1 or "s s*--0
  8,i'm 2+ ov}run 0,jews40
  8--9t}n,nal monet>i/s sett+ ! /age = "o _w curr5cy--0
  8,al unlikely40
  8,b ? w let y keep an eye on yr favorite p{} brok}--0
  8,/onagal40
  8,"r1 & h1ds ( v>i|s religi|s gr|ps look+ 6coop}ate 9t}n,n,y40
  8,bore me 6d1?1 :y don't y8 ,~! p >e 4cuss+ impossibilities4 ,s9ce :5 h religi|s gr|ps be5 a# 6get al;g80
  8,y're / n gett+ x1 ,buck4 ,y're go+ 6h a3ess 6all ~! p--religi|s1 moni$1 political--:ile try+ 6write a piece ab :at happ5$ & :y x happ5$4 ,y c get ! ?9k+ (! grte/ m9ds f ! mo/ div}se viewpo9ts40
  ,buck %ru7$ 9 surr5d}4 8,y've got a po9t4 ,i / say |r de"p;t $itors >e go+ 6res5t me40
  8,"!'s "s?+ 6be sd = 3si/5cy40
  8,i / want 6try 6get 6,c>pa?ia40
  8,t won't 2 h>d4 ,he's alr a m$ia d>l+ 9 ,europe4 ,eag} 6talk40
  8,& ,/onagal40
  8,y "k he n"e talks 6! press1 ,buck40
  8,i l a *all5ge40
  8,g home & take a load (f4 ,see y at ei<t40
  ,m>ge ,pott} 0 prep>+ 6l1ve z ,buck approa*$4 8,oh yes10 ,m>ge sd1 sett+ d{n h} /uff & flipp+ "? h} notebook4 8,i tri$ ,dirk ,burton s"eal "ts4 ,got "? once 6his voice mail & left hm yr message4 ,rcvd no 3firm,n4 ,,ok80
  8,?anks4 ,buck wasn't sure he'd 2 a# 6re/ at home ) "ey?+ fly+ "? 8 bra94 ,he 0 pl1santly surpris$ :5 he r1*$ /reet level 6f9d t repres5tatives ( v>i|s cab -panies 7 po/$ |tside (fice build+s1 direct+ p 6cabs t cd r1* c}ta9 >eas via circuit|s r|tes4 ,= premium f>es1 ( c|rse4 ,= ?irty doll>s1 9 a %>$ cab1 ,buck 0 let (f two blocks f 8 a"p;t4 ,9 ?ree h|rs he wd h 6be back at ! (fice1 s he made >range;ts )! ca2ie 6meet hm at ! same spot at sev5 =ty-five4 ,t1 he decid$1 wd 2 a miracle4 ,) all ! cabs 9 ,new ,york1 he _h n"e 2f _h 6make s* an >range;t1 & 6his k _h n"e ev5 se5 ! same ca2ie twice4
  ,ray=d 0 pac+1 mis}a#4 ,he came 6! pa9;l r1liz,n t ? 0 ! wor/ s1son ( 8 life4 ,he _h n"e ev5 -e close 2f4 ,8 p>5ts _h be5 old} ?an ~? ( 8 pe}s4 ,:5 !y _h di$ )9 two ye>s ( ea* o!r1 x _h be5 a relief4 ,!y 7 n well1 n lucid4 ,he lov$ !m & !y 7 no burd51 b !y _h virtu,y di$ 6hm ye>s 2f due 6/rokes & o!r ail;ts4 ,:5 !y did pass1 ,ray=d _h griev$ 9 a way1 b mo/ly he 0 j s5ti;tal ab !m4 ,he _h gd memories1 he appreciat$ ! k9d;s & sympa?y he rcvd at _! fun}als1 & he got on ) 8 life4 ,:at"e te>s he %$ 7 n f remorse or he>ta*e4 ,he felt prim>ily no/algic & melan*oly4 ,! re/ ( 8 life _h be5 )|t -plic,n or pa94 ,2com+ a pilot 0 ak9 6ris+ 6any o!r hi<ly pd profes.nal level4 ,y _h 6be 9tellig5t & 4cipl9$1 a3ompli%$4 ,he came "? ! ranks 9 ! usual way1 milit>y-res}ve duty1 small planes1 !n bi7} "os1 !n jets & fi<t}s4 ,f9,y he _h r1*$ ! p9nacle4
  ,he _h met ,ir5e 9 ,res}ve ,(fic} ,tra9+ ,corps 9 college4 ,%e _h be5 an >my brat :o _h n"e rebell$4 ,_m ( h} *ums _h turn$ _! backs on milit>y life & didn't ev5 want 6{n up 6x4 ,h} "f _h be5 kill$ 9 ,vietnam & h} "m m>ri$ ano!r milit>y man1 s ,ir5e _h se5 or liv$ on ne>ly e >my base 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates4
  ,!y 7 m>ri$ :5 ,ray=d 0 a s5ior 9 college & ,ir5e a sophomore4 ,%e dropp$ | :5 he w5t 96! milit>y1 & "ey?+ _h be5 on s*$ule s9ce4 ,!y _h ,*loe dur+ _! f/ ye> ( m>riage b1 due 6-plic,ns1 wait$ ano!r ei<t ye>s = ,ray ,jr4 ,ray=d 0 ?rill$ ) bo? *n1 b he _h 6admit he _h l;g$ =a "nsake boy4
  ,un=tunately1 ,raymie came al;g dur+ a bl1k p}iod = ,ray=d4 ,he 0 ?irty & feel+ old}1 & he didn't 5joy hav+ a pregnant wife4 ,_m p ?"|1 2c ( 8 premature b n unattractive gray hair1 t he 0 old}1 & s he 5dur$ ! jokes ab 2+ an old "f4 ,x 0 a "picul>ly di6icult pregnancy = ,ir5e1 & ,raymie 0 a c|ple ( weeks late4 ,*loe 0 a _s$ ei<t-ye>-old1 s ,ray=d 45gag$ z m* z possi#4
  ,ir5e1 he 2liev$1 slipp$ 96at l1/ "s mild depres.n dur+ t "t & 0 %ort temp}$ ) hm & weepy4 ,at "w ,ray=d 0 9 *>ge1 li/5$ to1 & admir$4 ,he _h be5 rat$ =! bi7e/1 late/1 & mo/ sophi/icat$ planes 9 ! ,pan-,3t95tal /a#4 ,8 "w life 0 go+ swimm+ly2
  ,he didn't 5joy go+ home4
  ,he _h drunk m dur+ t p}iod ?an "e 2f or s9ce1 &! m>riage _h g"o "? xs mo/ try+ "t4 ,he 0 frequ5tly late gett+ home & at "ts ev5 fi2$ ab 8 s*$ule s he cd l1ve a "d e>ly or -e back a "d late4 ,ir5e a3us$ hm ( all mann} ( a6airs1 & 2c %e 0 wr;g1 he d5i$ !m ) grt vigor &1 he felt1 ju/ifi$ ang}4
  ,! tru? was1 he 0 hop+ =& angl+ = j :at %e 0 *>g+4 ,:at fru/rat$ hm s 0 t1 despite 8 looks & be>+1 x j wasn't 9 hm 6pull x (f4 ,he didn't h ! moves1 ! patt}1 ! /yle4 ,a fli<t att5dant _h once call$ hm a hunk1 b he felt l a geek1 an e7h1d4 ,sure1 he _h a3ess 6any woman )a price1 b t 0 2n hm4 ,:ile he toy$ )& hop$ = an old-fa%ion$ a6air1 he "sh{ cdn't br+ hmf 6/oop 6"s?+ z tawdry z pay+ = sex4
  ,_h ,ir5e "kn h{ h>d he 0 try+ 6be unfai?;l1 %e wd h left hm4 ,z x 0 he _h 9dulg$ 9 t make-| ses.n at ! ,*ri/mas "py 2f ,raymie 0 born1 b he 0 s 9ebriat$ he cd h>dly rememb} x4
  ,! guilt & ne>ly spoil+ 8 image /rai<t5$ hm up & made hm cut d{n on 8 dr9k+4 ,see+ ,raymie born sob}$ hm ev5 m4 ,x 0 "t 6gr{ up & take z m* responsibil;y z a husb& & "f z he did z a pilot4
  ,b n{1 z ,ray=d ran all ~? memories "? 8 ?ro2+ h1d1 he felt ! deepe/ regret & remorse a man c feel4 ,he felt l a failure4 ,he 0 s unwor?y ( ,ir5e4 ,"sh{ he knew n{1 ?|< he _h n"e all{$ hmf 63sid} x 2f1 t %e cdn't 9 any way h be5 z naive or /upid z he _h hop$ & imag9$4 ,%e _h 6h "kn h{ vapid he was1 h{ %all{1 & yes1 *1p4 ,& yet %e _h /ay$ 0hm1 lov$ hm1 f"| 6keep ! m>riage tgr4
  ,he cdn't >gue t %e 2came a di6}5t p}son af %e swit*$ *ur*es & got s}i|s ab h} fai?4 ,%e pr1*$ at hm at f/1 sure4 ,%e 0 excit$ & want$ hm 64cov} :at %e _h f.d4 ,he ran4 ,ev5tu,y %e ei gave up or resign$ h}f 6! fact t he 0 n go+ 6-e >.d 0h} pl1d+ or cajol+4 ,n{ he knew f see+ h} li/ t %e _h n"e giv5 up4 ,%e _h simply tak5 6pray+ = hm4 ,no wond} ,ray=d _h n"e gott5 t close 6ultimately defil+ 8 m>riage ) ,hattie ,durham4 ,hattie6 ,h{ a%am$ he 0 ( t silly pursuit6 ,= all he knew1 ,hattie 0 9noc5t4 ,%e _h n"e bad-m|!d 8 wife or ! fact t he 0 m>ri$4 ,%e _h n"e su7e/$ any?+ 9appropriate1 at l1/ = h} age4 ,"y p 7 m t|*y & flirtati|s1 & %e claim$ no moral or religi|s code4 ,t ,ray=d _h obsess$ ov} ! possibilities ) ,hattie1 :ile %e probably h>dly knew x1 made hm feel all ! m fooli%4
  ,": 0 ? guilt -+ f8 ,he _h lock$ eyes ) ,hattie num}|s "ts1 & !y _h sp5t h|rs al"o tgr ov} d9n}s 9 v>i|s cities4 ,b %e _h n"e ask$ hm 6h} room or tri$ 6kiss hm or ev5 hold 8 h&4 ,maybe %e wd h respond$ _h he be5 ! a7ressor1 b maybe n4 ,%e mi<t j z easily h be5 (f5d$1 9sult$1 4appo9t$4
  ,ray=d %ook 8 h1d4 ,n only 0 he guilty ( lu/+ af a woman 6:om he _h no "r1 b he 0 / s* a klutz he _hn't ev5 "kn h{ 6pursue h}4
  ,& n{ he fac$ ! d>ke/ h|rs ( 8 s|l4 ,he 0 n}v|s ab ,*loe4 ,he want$ h} home & safe 9 ! wor/ way1 hop+ t hav+ 8 {n fle% & blood 9 ! h|se wd "sh{ assuage 8 grief & pa94 ,he knew he %d 2 hungry ag1 b no?+ app1l$4 ,ev5 ! fragrant & ta/y cookies he ?"| he wd h 6r,n _h 2come pa9;l rem9d}s ( ,ir5e4 ,maybe tm4
  ,ray=d swit*$ on ! televi.n1 n | ( 9t}e/ 9 see+ m mayhem1 b )! hope ( "s news ( ord}1 tra6ic cle>+1 p 3nect+4 ,af a m9ute or two (! same old same old1 he turn$ x (f ag4 ,he reject$ ! idea ( call+ ,o',h>e ab ! likelihood ( gett+ 9 6get 8 c>1 2c he didn't want 6tie up ! ph"o = ev5 a m9ute 9 case ,*loe 0 try+ 6get "?4 ,x _h be5 h|rs s9ce he'd he>d %e left ,palo ,alto4 ,h{ l;g wd x take 6make all ~? crazy 3nec;ns & f9,y get on an ,oz>k fli<t f ,spr+field 6! ,*icago >ea8 ,he rememb}$ ! olde/ joke 9 ! airl9e 9du/ry3 ,oz>k spell$ backw>d is ,krazo4 ,only x didn't amuse hm j !n4
  ,he l1p$ :5 ! ph"o rang1 b x 0 n ,*loe4
  8,i'm sorry1 ,capta910 ,hattie sd4 8,i promis$ 6call y back1 b ,i fell asleep af ! call ,i took & h be5 | "e s9ce40
  8,t's q all "r1 ,hattie4 ,9 fact1 ,i ne$ to--0
  8,i m1n1 ,i didn't want 6bo!r y anyway at a "t l ?40
  8,no1 t's ,,ok1 ,i u/--0
  8,h y talk$ 6,*loe80
  8,i'm wait+ = h} 6call "r n{1 s ,i re,y h 6get (f60
  ,ray=d _h be5 m curt ?an he 9t5d$ & ,hattie was1 at f/1 sil5t4 8,well1 all "r !n4 ,i'm sorry40 ,i'll call y1 ,hattie4 ,,ok80
  8,ok40
  ,%e _h s.d$ hurt4 ,he 0 sorry ab t1 b n sorry t he _h gott5 rid ( h} =! "t 2+4 ,he knew %e 0 only try+ 6help & 2 k9d1 b %e _hn't be5 li/5+4 ,%e 0 al"o & afraid j l he was1 & no d|bt 0n{ %e _h f.d | ab h} family4 ,oh1 no6 ,he _hn't ev5 ask$ ab !m6 ,%e wd hate hm1 & :y %dn't %e8 ,h{ selfi% cd ,i be8 he wond}$4
  ,eag} z he 0 6he> f ,*loe1 he _h 6risk a c|ple m m9utes on ! ph"o4 ,he dial$ ,hattie1 b h} l9e 0 busy4
  ,buck tri$ call+ ,dirk ,burton 9 ,london z soon z he got home1 n want+ 6wait l;g} )! "t di6};e ov}s1s4 ,he got a puzzl+ response4 ,dirk's p}sonal answ}+ ma*9e ran "? xs usual message1 b z soon z ! l1ve-a-message beep s.d$1 a l;g} t"o 9dicat$ t ! tape 0 full4 ,/range4 ,dirk 0 ei sleep+ "? x all or--
  ,buck _h n 3sid}$ t ,dirk cd h 4appe>$4 ,2ss l1v+ ,buck )a million "qs ab ,/onagal1 ,c>pa?ia1 ,todd-,co?ran1 &! :ole ph5om5on1 ,dirk 0 "o ( 8 be/ frs f ,pr9ceton4 ,oh1 pl1se let ? 2 a co9cid;e1 he ?"|4 ,let hm 2 travel+4
  ,z soon z ,buck hung up1 8 ph"o rang4 ,( all p1 x 0 ,hattie ,durham4 ,%e 0 cry+4 8,i'm sorry 6bo!r y1 ,mr4 ,williams1 & ,i _h promis$ myf ,i wd n"e use yr home numb}--0
  8,t's all "r1 ,hattie4 ,:at is x80
  8,well x's silly re,y1 b ,i j w5t "? "s?+1 & ,i don't h anybody 6talk 6ab x4 ,i cdn't get "? 6my "m & si/}s1 & well1 ,i j ?"| maybe y'd "u/&40
  8,try me40
  ,%e told ,buck ab h} call+ ,/eele & br"| hm up 6date on :o ,/eele was1 t he _h lo/ 8 wife & son1 & t %e _h be5 late call+ hm back af he>+ h} gd news f ,buck4 8,& !n he j bru%$ me (f 2c he's wait+ =a call f 8 dau<t}40
  8,i c "u/& t10 ,buck tri$1 roll+ 8 eyes4 ,h{ did he get 96? l"oly he>ts club8 ,didn't %e h any girlfrs 6unload on8
  8,i c1 too10 %e sd4 8,t's j x4 ,& ,i "k he's griev+ 2c x's l 8 wife & son >e d1d1 b he knew ,i 0 on p9s & ne$les ab my family1 & he n"e ev5 ask$40
  8,well1 ,i'm sure x is all j "p (! t5.n (! mo;t1 ! grief1 l y say1 &--0
  8,oh1 ,i "k x4 ,i j want$ 6talk 6"sbody1 & ,i ?"| ( y40
  8,well1 hey1 any"t10 ,buck li$4 ,oh1 boy1 he ?"|4 ,my bome numb} is def9itely go+ 6-e (f t next bat* ( busi;s c>ds4 8,li/51 ,i'd bett} let y g4 ,i've got an ev5+ meet+ tn myf1 &--0
  8,well1 ?anks = li/5+40
  8,i "u/&10 he sd1 ?|< he d|bt$ he "e wd4 ,maybe ,hattie %{$ m dep? & s5se :5 %e wasn't "u /ress4 ,he hop$ s4
  ,ray=d 0 glad ,hattie's l9e 0 busy1 2c he cd tell h} he _h tri$ 6call h} "r back1 b he didn't h 6tie up 8 ph"o any l;g}4 ,a m9ute lat}1 8 ph"o rang ag4
  8,capta91 x's me ag4 ,i'm sorry1 ,i won't keep y l;g1 b ,i ?"| y mi<t h tri$ 6call me1 & ,i've be5 on ! ph"o1 s--0
  8,z a matt} ( fact1 ,i did1 ,hattie4 ,:at h y f.d | ab yr family70
  8,!y're f9e40 ,%e 0 cry+4
  8,oh1 ?ank ,god10 he sd4
  ,ray=d wond}$ :at _h gott5 96hm4 ,he sd he 0 happy = h}1 b he _h -e 6! 3clu.n t ~? :o _h n 4appe>$ _h miss$ | on ! grte/ ev5t ( cosmic hi/ory4 ,b :at 0 he suppos$ 6say--8,oh1 ,i'm sorry yr family 0 left 2h1 too80 
  ,:5 he hung up1 ,ray=d sat next 6! ph"o )a a na7+ feel+ t he _h = sure miss$ ,*loe's call ? "t4 ,x made hm mad4 ,8 /oma* 0 gr{l+ & he knew he %d eat1 b he _h decid$ he wd hold (f z l;g z possi#1 hop+ 6eat ) ,*loe :5 %e >riv$4 ,"k+ h}1 %e wdn't h eat5 a ?+4
