"Julie smiled because she was right on the money. OK, it was 11 years and not nine. Still, that doesn't make me his mama."I work down here in Washingt...on. I do research for a committee on budget things. Kind of boring but it pays good."Armand didn't seem too interested in anything involving a committee or a budget, so that would go down as a big IDC (I don't care) in chat speak."I love the blue of your little frilly pants and the blue of your nice shoes. They look like dancing shoes. Are you a. All of the kids were interested in what was happening, so they were glued to the TVs.Dewey, Ben, Moleson, Marty, Sue, Kathy, Juanita, Beth, and Carlotta were sitting in the huge lounge theater area that had a low stage at the center. I had just asked, "Where are Merlin, Mercy, and Missy?" when I had the answer without any announcement.Merlin threw some of his grenades to the floor and appeared through the smoke. He threw another handful and Missy appeared, then another for Mercy's appearance.. But both women continued to stand around my desk and stare at me with compassionate looks on their faces. Finally I said, “Relax. I just had to buy them some beer.”Helen looked at me skeptically and said, “For more than three hours?!”I shrugged and admitted, “I didn’t get to use money.”I sent them out of the office so I could return my calls but before they left I said, “I won’t be in on Wednesday.”They turned to look at me and the alarm on their faces made it clear that they understood.. “I don't know. You'll have to ask them. I passed out in the second hand of strip-poker," I said pointing my thumb over my shoulder in the general direction of our sleeping quarters."Interesting," Sheila said with an amused smile as she scribbled a note on the old-fashioned, green, ink-felt blotter that covered much of her desk. A maze of cryptic notes covered the surface.Sheila's eyes were unblinking and unashamed as she leaned back in her chair and gazed at me. Like twin moons orbiting an.