“Right. Just like old times. You disappear while I’m not looking and it’s my fault. Some people actually say things. You know? Like ‘Good-bye,’ or ‘See you later,’ or ‘Sorry I’m ripping your heart out, but have a nice day.’ Stuff like that.”

Giselle shook her head. She opened her hands to take in the apartment. “Why didn’t you take the job today? So you could come back to this? So you could go back to jail?”

“I don’t like being kidnapped and I don’t like ultimatums. And I don’t like Nelson or Salzman.”

“Hello? What about me? It’s like I told you right at the DOPS. You don’t have to do everything on your own. I can help.”

“Until I do something you don’t like. Then you’re the Road Runner. A dot on the horizon.”

Giselle shook her head and stood up. “It was stupid coming here. I’m sorry I hurt you, Coop. I was hoping we could try and maybe get past it, but I guess it’s too late for that.”

There was a knock at the door. “Dinner,” said Coop. “And just in time.”

“Are you at least going to invite me to have some pizza?”

Coop shook his head. “Not tonight.”

“All right. I tried,” she said. “Remember that when Anne Francis flies off with the spaceship captain and you’re all alone. Remember I’m the one who gave it a shot.”

Coop got out his money and Giselle trailed him to the door. When he opened it, he took a step back from the gun leveled at his face.

I’ve got to stop just opening doors for people.

Giselle bumped into him and gasped. Coop took a slight step over, getting between her and the grizzly with the gun.

“Hey, Coop,” said Fast Eddie. “Who’s your friend?”

“The cleaning lady. She just finished the drapes. Why don’t you let her go and we’ll talk things over in private?”

Eddie, who towered over Coop, looked past him. “She doesn’t look like a cleaning lady. She all dressed up and stuff.”

“It’s a special service. Formal maids. Costs a little more, but it makes Morty and me feel like Fred Astaire.”

Eddie pushed his way into the apartment. Coop stayed in front of Giselle as they took a step back. “Where is Morty?” said Eddie.

“Out. He had a date. You probably haven’t heard of those. They’re something people do.”

Eddie shut the door behind him. “Sit,” he said and motioned with the gun barrel for them to sit on the couch. Coop and Giselle went over. This time, instead of heading to other ends, they sat pressed up against each other.

“Don’t I know you, lady?” said Fast Eddie.

“Nope,” said Giselle.

“Yeah. You were there that night. You’re a Marilyn, aren’t you?”

“Leave her alone, Eddie,” said Coop.