Fade to Black

“Oh, now I know—he’s Lily’s good friend,” she put in, appraising me with purple eyes. I sensed a shrewdness beneath the surface effervescence. “I recognize the name. I’ve heard so much about you, Mr. Goodwin—it’s a real pleasure.” Those see-all eyes danced when she said it, making me want to believe every word that passed her nicely formed lips. I assured her the pleasure was mutual, but that it would increase exponentially if she’d call me Archie. She solemnly promised she would, but it was clear that at the moment, all she could think about was Mills’s commercial. “Come on, hurry,” she said to both of us, taking a somber Mills by the hand and smiling at me. I trotted along and found myself joined by one L. Rowan, who linked her arm in mine.
“I see you’ve met Rod and Dawn,” she said as we fell a few steps behind them. “Aren’t they a good-looking couple?”

“Why do you think I’m keeping one eye on that stupid screen? Certainly not because of the game.” He gestured dismally toward the nearest tube. “It’s going to be shown at halftime—the network willing. I quit smoking two years ago, but God, I could use a cigarette now.”