So,” I said at last, staring at my hands. “How’s, uh, your car?” “I left it out on the street. Figured it’ll be fine there while I’m gone.
With my sister perched on my arm, I walked to the elevator. A business man with a rolling suitcase was waiting by the doors. His eyes widened as he saw me. I must’ve looked pretty strange—a tall black kid in dirty, ragged Egyptian clothes, with a weird box tucked under one arm and a bird of prey perched on the other. “How’s it going?” I said. “I’ll take the stairs. ” He hurried off.
How’s the patient?” asked Derby. “Dead to the world. ” “But not actually dead. ” “No. ” “How nice - to feel nothing, and still get full credit for being alive.
How’s Norbert doin’?” Norbert?” Charlie laughed. “The Norwegian Ridgeback? We call her Norberta now. ” Wha—Norbert’s a girl?
How’s Her Royal Bitchiness?” “Alive. ” “Pity.