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           Someonesteppedoutandstoodswayingforonelongterriblemoment,andthencollapsedtotheconcrete.Richardshiveredandstoppedinhistracks.Jessicatuggedhimintomotion.

           "Now,whenyou’retalkingtoMisterStockton,youmustmakesureyoudon’tinterrupthim.Ordisagreewithhim—hedoesn’tliketobedisagreedwith.Whenhemakesajoke,laugh.Ifyou’reinanydoubtastowhetherornothe’smadeajoke,lookatme.I’ll...mm,tapmyforefinger."

           Theyhadreachedthepersononthesidewalk.Jessicasteppedoverthecrumpledform.Richardhesitated."Jessica?"

           "You’reright.HemightthinkI’mbored,"shemused."Iknow,"shesaidbrightly,"ifhemakesajoke,I’llrubmyearlobe."

           "Jessica?"Hecouldhotbelievethatshewassimplyignoringthefigureattheirfeet.

           "What?"Shewasnotpleasedtobejerkedoutofherreverie.

           "Look."

           Hepointedtothesidewalk.Thepersonwasfacedown,andenvelopedinbulkyclothes;Jessicatookhisarmandtuggedhimtowardher."Oh.Isee.Ifyoupaythemanyattention,Richard,they’llwalkalloveryou.Theyallhavehomes,really.Onceshe’ssleptitoff,I’msureshe’llbefine."She?Richardlookeddown.Itwasagirl.Jessicacontinued,"Now,I’vetoldMisterStocktonthatwe..."Richardwasdownononeknee."Richard?Whatareyoudoing?"

           "Sheisn’tdrunk,"saidRichard."She’shurt."Helookedathisfingertips."She’sbleeding."