Lizzie closed her eyes, and said, "I've never been married. I wonder what it's like to wake up every morning and have that special person lying next to you. I can't believe I. . .I'm not dreaming, am I, Ted?"

"No, Lizzie, you're not dreaming. I think you committed big-time, and I think it will be everything you want it to be. You guys going to practice law together? I can see it now, Cricket and Fox. Or, Fox and Cricket. Who the hell is going to hire you with a firm named Cricket and Fox?"

Lizzie started to laugh and couldn't stop.

Ted opened the box he was holding on his lap and held up a pair of white leather boots studded with colored rhinestones. Size 8.

Annie de Silva was going to go over the moon. His fingers, whose blisters had blisters, tapped the words Happy ending on his BlackBerry.

At six o'clock the vigilantes closed up the condo and made their way down the eighteen flights of steps to the back of the building, which had no windows. There were three gigantic Dumpsters blocking the entrance, allowing room for only a single car to pass through. Huge signs in bright red letters said the Dumpsters were full and to use the ones on the south side of the building.

Their vehicle stood, black, shiny, and ominous, just outside the exit door. Kathryn shivered and observed, "I do believe our ride is here."

The women took a moment to stare at their transportation: a long black hearse driven by Jack Emery, with Harry Wong, his assistant, sitting on the passenger side. Both men wore somber black suits.

No one was in a hurry to climb into the back of the hearse. Jack and Harry had to prod them.

"It creeps me out," Kathryn grumbled.

"What's that smell?" Annie asked.

"Beats me," Jack said cheerfully.

Harry slammed the door shut with such violence that the curtains on the side of the hearse fell to the floor. As one, the women screamed. Harry and Jack laughed.

"How long before we get there?" Isabelle asked in a quaking voice.

"As long as it takes," Harry said. "Lots of traffic today."

The women sat on the floor in the back of the vehicle as they hissed and snarled at one another and blamed Charles for this affront to their dignity.

Annie looked around at their surroundings. "So this is what it's like. Well, when we finally have to take our last ride, we'll know. And I didn't get my boots either. Oh, I just hate this."

Myra reached up and pinched her nose to make her stop talking.

"Just breathe through your mouth," Nikki said, as Annie made gagging sounds.

"You guys better not get sick back there," Jack hooted. "Want some music? There's a DVD player up here." When there were no takers, he observed, "This is really a smooth ride, isn't it, Harry? These babies must have some superb shocks in them."