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“And now you give up that advantage?”

Rainy shakes her head “No, Don Vito, because now you’re going to have me checked out, and you’ll soon find out that I’m often used as a translator”

“I’ve always said Hebes were the smartest racenext to partenopeos That’s people from Naples, see”

Rainy stands up and discovers that her knees have gone a bit wobbly and her breathing is ragged Yes, there is so about these people that is si fro to hold a caler

Don Vito stands and comes around the desk He takes Rainy’s hand in two of his and holds hers firmly but not harshly

“You’ll do this?”

“Ifofficer orders me to, yes”

Rainy disentangles herself and leaves, by way of the pool hall There’s a new song playing, the bleary, slow-te over a mellow sax

What’s the use of getting sober

When you’re gonna get drunk again?

Rainy is tre as she reaches fresh air, and the stress catches up with her Down the street she finds an all-hours diner with a pay phone in one corner She fumbles in her purse for a nickel and makes a call to Colonel Corelli

Ten minutes later an unmarked army staff car picks her up a block away

8

RAINY SCHULTERMAN—LAGUARDIA FIELD, NEW YORK, USA

Amateur