“You gave me the sign.” Tamy gave the finger-across-the-throat sign.

“Yes, that’s ‘off air’ not ‘hang up’” said Penny.

“I thought this was ‘off air.’” Tamy gave a thumbs-down.

“No, that’s ‘find me a better caller.’”

“No, this is ‘find me a better caller.’” Tamy waggled her finger in a circular motion.

“That isn’t anything, I’ve never done that.”

“Well, you’ve never used it, I know, but I thought it was because I always got you good callers.”

“That is seriously in question, Tamy. Anyway, this is irrelevant, the point is I need to speak to Emma and I can’t. Did she say anything else before you cut her off?”

“No.”

Penny gave a grunt of frustration and returned to her console.

255

Johansson’s cab sped to the airport. He asked the cabdriver if he was afraid of flying. The cabdriver said he didn’t used to be, but he was feeling edgy about it now. Johansson said planes could fly themselves. Pilots just baby-sat. The cabdriver asked if autopilots got drunk. Johansson said they should try it.

254

. . . feminine hygiene products, eat-all-you-can buffets. And then back to the show.

253

“Next caller,” said Penny. The show hadn’t really caught fire yet. “You had a caller on earlier called Emma. I think it was my wife.”

“John?”

“Yes. Did she say where she was?”

“What makes you think she was your wife, John?” said Ali. “Who’s this?” said John.

“That was our guest therapist, John, Dr. Frankburg.”

“Hello, Doctor.”

“Hello, John.”

“I recognized my wife’s voice,” said John.

“That’s not really proof, though, is it?” said Ali.

“What?”

“True,” said Penny, “although I recognized her voice as well.”

“But she’s not your wife, is she?” said Ali.

“No.”

Small pause.

“What point are you making?” said Penny.

“Hey,” shouted John. “Was it Emma or wasn’t it?”

“It’s a bit of a bad line, John. Where are you calling from?”

“I’m on . . . where am I?” John turned to Dan.

Dan was sitting morosely on his suitcase.

“Brooklyn Bridge.”

“I’m on the Brooklyn Bridge. Where was Emma calling from?”

“She didn’t say,” said Penny.

“Did you hear the whole call, John? Because she didn’t mention anything about a husband,” said Ali.

“Didn’t she?”

“No.”

“Right.”

“Have you two had a breakup, John?” asked Penny.

“I don’t know.”

“She mentioned a guy called Graham,” said Ali.

“Graham?”

“Is that your middle name?”

“No.”

“I think she was talking about my Graham,” said Penny.

“Really?” said Ali. “That’s interesting.”

“I don’t see what’s interesting about it,” said Penny.

“Well, she didn’t mention anyone called John.”

“Well, whether she did or she didn’t . . .” said John,

[muffled in the background: “Beth!”]

“What was that, John?”

“Oh Jesus.”

“What’s the matter, John?”

“Um, sorry, I’ve got to go. I think my friend is about to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge.”

“You’re kidding!” said Ali.

252

Beth Davies looked down. It was getting dark and the water was disappearing below. Turning black. There was a chill in the air.