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"I love a man with a plan," Tully said "Dont you, Kate?"

The word love paired with his name hit a little close to home, so she didnt look at him when she said, "I do "

Three abreast, they walked down the cobblestone street of the empty market

At the neon-lit sex shop on the corner, Johnny guided theht

Kate frowned There was an invisible line, like the equator, that ran down Pike Street To the south, it got ugly fast This here the tourists didnt go unless they were looking for drugs or hookers The shops and businesses on both sides of the street were seedy-looking

They walked past two adult bookstores and an X-rated theater where the Debbie Does Dallas sequel was playing on a double feature with Saturday Night Beaver

"This is great," Tully said "Kate and I never go down here "

Johnny ca wooden door that had obviously once been painted red "Ready?" he said with a smile

Tully nodded

He opened the door The ly loud

A huge black man sat on a stool at the entrance "ID, please," he said, turning on a flashlight to study their drivers licenses "Go on "

Tully and Kate showed their IDs, then moved on ahead, down the dark narrow hallway that was covered with flyers and posters and bumper stickers

The hallway opened into a long, rectangular room that was packed with people dressed in metal-enhanced black leather Kate had never seen so many bizarre hairdos in one rooelled to sawblade perfection and dyed in rainbow colors

Johnny led theh the dance floor, past a feooden tables, to the bar, where a girl with enta hair cut into spidery spikes and a safety pin in her cheek took their orders At the end of the bar, suspended up in the corner, was a good-sized TV that was currently tuned to MTV No one was paying the slightest attention to it

When the bartender returned, Johnny gave her a healthy tip and a bright smile, then led Kate and Tully to a table back in the corner, beneath the TV