"lt is when he is assaulted in your motel," Myron said. "It is when he claims that someone got an extra key from the front desk and used it to break into the room."

Mr. Bluff Goes to Philadelphia.

"We don't have extra keys," Lipwitz said.

"Well, he got in somehow."

Still the smile. Still the polite tone. "If that were the case, sir, the police would be here."

"That's my next stop," Myron said, "if you don't cooperate."

' 'And you want to know if this young man' ' Lipwitz gestured to the photograph of Chad- "stayed here?"

"Yes."

The smile actually brightened a bit. Myron almost shaded his eyes. "But, sir, if you are telling the truth, then this young man would be able to tell if he was here. You wouldn't need me for that, correct?"

Myron's face remained neutral. Mr. Bluff had just been outsmarted by the new manager of the Court Manor lun. "That's right," he said, changing tactics on the fly.

"I already know he was here. It was just an opening question. Like when the police ask you to state your name even though they already know it. Just to get the ball rolling." Mr. Improvision Takes Over for Mr. Bluff Stuart Lipwitz took out a piece of paper and began to scribble. "This is the name and telephone number of the Court Manor Inn's attomey. He will be able to help you with any problems you may have."

"But what about that handling it personally stuff?

What about the satisfaction guarantee?"

"Sir." He leaned forward, maintaining eye contact.

Not a hint of impatience had crept into his voice or face.

"May I be bold?"

"Go for it."

"I don't believe a word you're saying."

"Thanks for the boldness," Myron said.

"No, thank you, sir. And do come again."

"Another prostitution credo."

"Pardon me?"

"Nothing," Myron said. "May I too be bold?"

"Yes."

"I may punch you in the face very hard if you don't tell me if you've seen this kid." Mr. Improvisation Loses His Cool.

The door swung open hard. A couple entwined about one another stumbled in. The woman was openly rubbing the man's crotch. "We need a room pronto," the man said.

Myron turned to them and said, "Do you have your frequent visitor card?"

"What?" .

Still the smile from Smart Lipwitz. "Good-bye, sir.

And have a nice day." Then he rejuvenated the smile and moved toward the writhing mound. "Welcome to the Court Manor Inn. My name is Smart Lipwitz. I'm the new manager."

Myron headed out to his car. He took a deep breath in the parking lot and looked back behind him. The whole visit already had an unreal feeling, like one of those descriptions of alien abductions sans the anal probe. He got in the car and dialed Win's cellular. He just wanted to leave him a message on the machine. But to Myron's surprise, Win answered.

"Articulate," he drolled.

Myron was momentarily taken aback. "It's me," he said. .