4. — “Used to sell these,” said Sue
— “Can’t really picture you as a Girl Scout,” said Bruce
— “Why not New York?” asked the President. “Would’ve been closer.”
— “Hope your expression means you have good news,” said the President.
— “Still two more innings.”
— Mike shouted at the screen. “Cut-off man! Hit the cut-off!”
— “At least my ancestors have a beer. Never heard of Jewish beer.”
6. Natalie glanced down at the empty chair at Luke’s table.
“Be my guest.”
“Missed you at the afternoon sessions.”
“Had some stuff to take care of back home. Caught the last couple; saw you sitting in front
like the teacher’s pet.”
She smiled and lowered her voice. “Girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.”
8. “Where’d you get it?” Stark asked.
“Street bum. Cost me ten bucks and a bottle of Johnny Walker Red. Didn’t even need to give
him the tittie magazine.”
10. The black sedan slowed as it approached the ditch.
“Don’t think we can go around,” said Smith.
“Jump it,” Stark responded.
— “Would keep Stark from putting a bullet in our heads,” said Luke.
— “Think so. Saw them passing the exit.”
— “Open to ideas,” said Luke, not bothering to hide the anxiety in his voice.
11.
12. Luke asked, “So you go to—?”
“Church, yeah, I go to church. And I shop at the local Safeway and sometimes when
I can afford it, I get my organic produce at Whole Foods. I can’t get by without my morning
Starbucks—half-caff, half-soy latte grande with rose scented syrup and vegan dark-
chocolate biscotti. I’m register to vote—independent, a click or two to the right of center. I pay
taxes although not on my tips—I know that’s technically illegal but screw ‘em. Stop wasting my
money on bullshit and maybe I’ll change my mind. I keep a clean house and tend a tiny garden
with a bird feeder I made myself which almost every day attracts a bright red cardinal I call
Ralph. In short, I’m not a monster from Mars, doc, just an average girl who happens to have sex
for a living. Got it?”
17. • Are you a Scientologist?
• Have you really never met a prostitute?
QUERY THE AUTHOR
• Do you actually talk without pronouns?
• Who is your daddy and what does he do?
