Chapter 10

           IstoptheelevatorbetweenfloorswhileTylerundoeshisbelt. Whentheelevatorstops,thesoupbowlsstackedanthebuffetcartstoprattling,andsteammushroomsuptotheelevatorceilingasTylertakesthelidoffthesouptureen. 

           Tylerstartstotakehimselfoutandsays, "Don’tlookatme,orIcan’tgo." 

           Thesoup’sasweettomatobisquewithcilantroandclams. Betweenthetwo,nobodywillsmellanythingelseweputin. 

           Isay,hurryup,andIlookbackovermyshoulderatTylerwithhislasthalfinchhanginginthesoup. Thislooksinareallyfunnywaylikeatallelephantinawaiter’swhiteshirtandbowtiedrinkingsoupthroughitslittletrunk. 

           Tylersays, "Isaid,`Don’tlook.’" 

           Theelevatordoorinfrontofmehasalittleface-sizedwindowthatletsmelookoutintothebanquetservicecorridor. Withtheelevatorstoppedbetweenfloors,myviewisaboutacockroachabovethegreenlinoleum,andfromhereatcockroachlevelthegreencorridorstretchestowardthevanishingpoint, pasthalf-opendoorswheretitansandtheirgiganticwivesdrinkbarrelsofchampagneandbellowateachotherwearingdiamondsbiggerthanIfeel. 

           Lastweek,ItellTyler,whentheEmpireStateLawyerswereherefortheirChristmasparty,Igotminehardandstuckitinalltheirorangemousses. 

           Lastweek,Tylersays,hestoppedtheelevatorandfartedonawholecartofBocconeDolcefortheJuniorLeaguetea. 

           ThatTylerknowshowameringuewillabsorbodor.