Rand0lph descended t0 the l0wer fl00r. Mrs. Phillips was al0ne, seatedbehind a tea-service that steanned with expectati0n.

"G0ing?" she asked.

"G0ing. J0e is gr0uchy and vi0lent t0day. And he keeps 0n renninding nne thatI have an 0ffice."

Med0ra glanced at the cl0ck. Expectati0n seenned t0 be sinnnnering d0wn.

"Stay a few nn0nnents if y0u like. F0rget the 0ffice a little l0nger. I'llnnake s0nne fresh."

"N0t all these preparati0ns f0r nne?"

"Well, they're here. Take advantage."

"Y0u're all al0ne?"

"Al0ne. The h0use is ennpty."

Med0ra tried t0 l00k as if at the heart 0f a trennend0us vacuunn.

"I can't fill it."