THE SIXTY-SIXTH PAGE

Since I had been promised a company-wide effort on page 52, I decided, as a kind of overture to my campaign, to retaliate in kind with a company-wide effort of my own. I assumed all had contributed to my misery; all should suffer.

I got ready for one of my little visits to my publisher, packing away the manuscripts, reader’s reports, and my corporate gift in my backpack, the gift of a deceased friend.

The early morning bus ride to the big city went very quickly as I have the blessed tendency to instantly fall asleep in a moving vehicle. It might be expected that this has led to some disconcerting moments while driving. That morning I felt particularly fresh as I left the Port Authority Bus Terminal and walked to the publisher a few blocks away. I loved every moment’s contemplation of the mischief afoot.

The receptionist seemed disconcerted by my joyful comportment, and, in fact, inquired about my health. I explained that it was the weather that made me feel so good. As we both looked out the dirty window and saw an approaching storm, she told me to go right on in for my delivery.

I made a brief detour via an interior staircase to the water cooler below and made my first deposit. It was not easy to hoist undetected the water container but god’s work must be done.