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I checked into my room. I was exhausted. It had been a long day. I thought about Louie driving back to Bridgeport. That $70. tip probably made his day. What a simple life.
I called Ophelia. She was having a drink at the Lexicographer's club in Manhattan. I told her about my day. I told her I missed her. I told her my plans for tomorrow. I would ride Train 470 to Springfield to connect with the Lake Shore Limited headed to Chicago.
Ophelia said she'd like to travel with me. I told her she could board the Lake Shore in New York and we could meet in Albany. It would be nice to travel together. I had visions of a romantic encounter in a sleeper.
Then I got ready for bed. I undressed and went into the bathroom. I decided to smoke a cigar and shave. As I was shaving I thought about the microchip in my right hand. I was kind of lost in my thoughts. I didn't notice heating duct. I didn't notice the poisonous snake that slithered through the vent. I didn't stop to realize that Mr. Adrian's agents knew my whereabouts.
Suddenly I saw the snake in the mirror behind me. I froze. I slowly reached for the aerosol anti-perspirant on the countertop. I grabbed my lighter. I spun around. I lit the lighter and pushed down on the aerosol nozzle. A bolt of flame shot out. It killed the snake. I casually turned around and resumed shaving.
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