Handing Kylie a slightly smudged glass of celebratory Chenin Blanc, Ross exclaimed, "I apologize for my lack of faith--you really are an extremely crafty negotiator," and at the last second thought better of adding, "and a very dear sweet girl."
     Kylie shifted her derriere on the stack of Commentary magazines beside his desk and grinned appreciatively as Ross gloated, "Imagine getting a set of posters plus the T-20, and only sacrificing a cheap Acme. You've outdone yourself, Kylie-girl."
     Kylie smiled winsomely, aglow in the fulsome praise, and raised her glass to clink his in a toast. As each took an appreciative sip of wine, Ross's expression suddenly darkened. "Just be sure to test the T-20. It would be just like that Dragon Lady to try to pass off a busted Sunbeam. And make sure those movie posters are originals. Duplicates will have images of holes in the corners instead of real thumbtack holes."
     "You think of everything," Kylie said brightly. "Everything devious, I mean."
     With an appropriately evil chuckle Ross said, "Now that is praise of the highest order," and then added, "So you meet Robin at five tomorrow?"
     "Yes. Here in Berkeley, at a cafe."
     "Good idea. I'd rather dear Alexia didn't know where we lived."
     "If she's clairvoyant, she already knows," Kylie remarked, and Ross responded by gulping the white wine a bit too quickly. Wiping his still-pancaked chin, he asked, "Did you ever pick up the shoes I paid for?"
     Kylie nodded and offered him a beatific smile. "Do you really think