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. Justice in the Golden Rule might
be astigmatic if not totally blind; it could not be slow.
We left Bill in the outer foyer of the Manager's offices, with our
baggage-my duffel bag and bundle, Gwen's cases, the bonsai maple (watered before
we left Gwen's compartment)- with instructions to Bill to sit on the duffel bag,
guard the bonsai with his life (Gwen's phrasing), and watch the rest. We went
inside.
There we each, separately, left our names at the reception desk, then found
seats. Gwen opened her purse, got out a Casio game board. "What'll it be, dear?
Chess, cribbage, backgammon, go, or what?"
"You're expecting a long wait?"
"Yes, I am, sir. Unless we build a fire under the mule."
"I think you're right. Any ideas about how to build that fire? Without
setting fire to the wagon, I mean. Oh, what the devil!-go ahead and set fire to
the wagon. But how?"
"We could use a variation on the old standard: 'My husband knows all.' Or
'Your wife has found out.' But our variation would have to be quite novel, as
the basic ploy has long white whiskers." She added, "Or I can go into labor
pains. That is always good for attention."
"But you don't look pregnant."
"Want to bet? So far no one has taken a good look at me. Just give me five
minutes alone in that ladies' lounge across there and you'll be certain I'm nine
months gone. Richard, this ploy I learned years ago when I was a claims
investigator for an insurance company
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