“This will hurt, he tells her. Even with the Oxy in his system, it will be excruciating. In fact, maybe he should take another right now. Just to be safe. Because he’s got to do it. It’s very important. The limb must freeze.

“Because as painful as the dry ice will be, it’s nothing compared to how it will feel if he saws through his leg unfrozen.

“Harmony doesn’t know what to do. For one thing, she’s still not sure she believes him. Who cuts off their own leg? Who goes through life thinking their own limb is an alien? But as she watches, the man calmly wraps his silk tie above his knee and pulls it so tight, she can watch his thigh turn red, while below the knee, his lower leg slowly but surely goes white.

“‘Perfect,’ the man declares.

“Now, in order for her to earn the five thousand dollars, this is what he needs. He’ll do the hard part, don’t worry. But . . . this is going to be difficult. He’s studied it, researched it, planned it. And based on everything he’s read, as much as he wants his own leg gone, the process is agonizing and it’s going to come down to a matter of will.

“He’d like her to hold his hand. Perhaps dole out more painkillers, in case he needs them. He’d really appreciate it. For the record, he doesn’t want to die. He just wants the leg gone. He’s willing to do the amputation part himself, but based on what he’s read, he might pass out. It’s a distinct possibility. At which time, he needs her to call nine-one-one for him. He has it all programmed in his phone, ready to go. She just needs to hit the button.

“Now here’s the catch. When the EMTs arrive, they won’t just load him on the stretcher, they’ll take his leg, too. Medical protocol. Save the limb to be reattached. And because the limb will just be frozen, maybe some crack surgeon will be able to sew it back on while the man’s unconscious and can’t protest.

“Basically, he needs her to take the hammer to the leg. Given its frozen state, it should shatter easily. At least according to what he’s read online. So if she could please deliver a couple of good whacks to the offensive body part, that should do it. He’ll finally be free.

“Harmony doesn’t know what to think. Harmony doesn’t know what to say. While she’s sitting there, still trying to sort this out in her mind, the man reaches inside the duffel bag and withdraws a stack of cash. Thousand dollars, he tells her. A show of good faith. When he gets out of the hospital, he’ll bring her the other four. He’s good for it. And frankly, it’s a small price to pay to finally feel whole.

“Harmony’s pretty sure the guy is nuts. But cash is cash, and no one, not the night manager, not anyone, knows about this money, which makes it even better. The beginnings of a nest egg, maybe even a way out if the idiot actually lives. He seems just crazy enough to be that lucky.