t Excedrin was the only
nonprescription drug ever invented that could stop a hangover dead in its
tracks。 Absolutely the only one。 He had begun to think of his morning…after
thumpers as Excedrin Headache Number Vat 69。
〃No Excedrin；〃 she said。 〃Sorry。〃
〃That's okay；〃 he said； 〃these'll do just fine。〃 But of course they wouldn't；
and she should have known it； too。 At times she could be the stupidest bitch 。。。
〃Want some water？〃 she asked brightly。
（No I just want you to GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE！） 。
〃I'll get some at the drinking fountain when I go up。 Thanks。〃
〃Okay。〃 She started up the stairs； good legs moving gracefully under a short
tan wool skirt。 〃We'll be in the park。〃
〃Right。〃 He slipped the tin of Anacin absently into his pocket； went back to
the reader； and turned it off。 When he was sure she was gone； he went upstairs
himself。 God； but it was a lousy headache。 If you were going to have a vise…
gripper like this one； you ought to at least be allowed the pleasure of a few
drinks to balance it off。
He tried to put the thought from his mind； more ill tempered than ever。 He
went to the main desk； fingering a matchbook cover with a telephone number on
it。
〃Ma'am； do you have a pay telephone？〃
〃No； sir； but you can use mine if it's local。〃
〃It's long…distance； sorry。〃
〃Well then； I guess the drugstore would be your best bet。 They have a booth。〃
〃Thanks。〃
He went out and down the walk； past the anonymous Civil War general。 He began
to walk toward the business block； hands stuffed in his pockets； head thudding
like a leaden bell。 The sky was also leaden； it was November 7； and with th