Page 120 (1/1)

Rugby players and the whole rugby-player look are definitely in, along with frilly chiffons, neo-hippie patchworks and shaved heads; because of Liaue than they were last tinaked and vulnerable and so lost I alby player with a beard is walking when I collide with hiirl I had a fling with last time she was in the States, but instead debate the best way of putting a positive spin on the Jamie Fields situation if F Fred Palakon ever calls Thunderstor my hair and I dash into the Paul S navy-gray raincoat Everything But the Girl’s "Missing" plays over everything, occasionally interrupted by feel-good housewith doses of Beck’s "Where It’s At" and so on and so on

I’lasses who looks like he should be in a soap opera-handsome, with a too-chiseled chin and thick swept-up black hair-and resemblesblack Prada overcoat, seerets: I never should have turned down that Scotch ad

Mental note: eyeliner on men seems fairly cool this season

At Masako I’ at sushi that tastes like hauy sits at a table for four up front in the deserted restaurant, grinning distantly, a ca on an eh the stereo syste a San Pellegrino bottle, he pays his check and takes a final sip of cold sake, sraph? Is that it?" I’which he gets up and I back away "Or else I’ll pour this San Pellegrino all over your head-got it?"

He just answers silently with a so-what? expression

I watch as he glides confidently outside to where a boxy blue Jeep Commando waits at the curb in front of Masako, its s tinted black, blocking out the face of the driver Outside, I take note of various Tex-Mex restaurants, the postapocalyptic mood, my pseudoreality, then head back to the Four Seasons, where all I really want to do is take my shirt off

12

Outside the Four Seasons obligatory paparazzi share cigarettes, glance idly at h my pockets for my room key while they wait for the occasional Town Car or limousine to roll up and dispense anyone snapworthy, which today does not includehands with a twenty-year-old movie producer who I’m sure someone I know has boned and Gabriel Byrne is si interviewed by People e cup of tea In other words: it’s all happening, it’s all fae froined it would I push the door toBut the Girl floats through the roo uncontrollably I push a bunch of Japanese fashion azines scattered across the bed into a pile and then I’ the kitchen for a protein shake and to see what tiym closes

Movement across the roo over a floral-patterned swivel chair, wearing an ultrafashionable Prada camisole top, shimmery black disco pants, black stiletto shoes, black Arlasses, and her face issoetic it and she confirht-red onto Hard Candy polish on her nails

Jaly," she sighs, lighting a cigarette "It’s for the"Both?"

"How did you get in here?" I ask

"I’m well acquainted with certain key staff members at the Four Seasons," she says casually "They know me They let me do whatever I want It’s a perk Let’s leave it at that"

I pause before asking, "Are you going to start flailing around again?"

"No I’m sorry about all of that"

Another pause "What happened back there?"

"Oh, I just thought you were soet about it Anywa-a-a-ay"