Checkpoint

Chapter One

May 2004
Adele Hotel and Suites
Washington, D.C.

jay: Testing, testing. Testing. Testing.

ben: Is it working?

jay: I think so. [Click...click, click.] Yes, see the little readout? Where'd you get it?

ben: Circuit City.

jay: Three hundred and ninety minutes. That should definitely do it. I'll pay you back.

ben: No, it's fine, honestly.

jay: Well, thanks, man. I just feel I have a lot in my noggin right now.

ben: So I gather. You look good, Jay.

jay: Really? I was working on a fishing boat for a while, dropped some pounds. Are those new glasses?

ben: Yeah, Julie helped me pick them. Did you know Brooks Brothers made glasses frames?

jay: No, I did not. Let me see them.

ben: Sure.

jay: "Made in China." I always check. Anyway, they suit you. Really, you look less like a bird.

ben: I'm glad to hear it. So tell me what's up.

jay: Oh, let's see. Where to begin? Where to begin?

ben: Obviously you have something on your mind.

jay: That's true.

ben: You could begin with that.

jay: Okay. Uh, I'm going to-okay, I'll just say it. Um.

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