If she knew Pops, like I did, she wouldhave known she was being played. I heard Pops win, when Lou said, "Okay,I will drop the rotation fee."Then a m...n in his 30's in a neat uniform manned the second desk and askedif he could help me. I looked at his name tag and told him who I was andthat I'd come in sign the work order for the Rodeo. He smiled andquickly found the form and I signed it. As I did I saw in my peripheralvision both uniformed desk occupants checking me out.Roy with a big smile. .that of a body in need of a shower...wasreal as well, and he was quick to head into the waiting stall. Hehoped, for all he had to do to get ready, that he would not be toolate to get to work.But in no way was he even remotely considering typing any kind ofnotice that he was quitting his job.Because for everything that had been assaulting his senses over thepast couple of nights, he still had some fight left in him.He was still Timmy Portnoy.Or was he?The soft facial image staring back at him. ..One minute. Yet it felt like an hour. I watched the second hand spin roundon my watch. My heart was pounding away. What would he say to me? Whatwould he sound like?My mobile rang - 'number withheld' - he was being careful - I had given upcontrol over my phone to him, but I would not know anything about him.'Hello' I said nervously'Hello is that Jay?''Yes sir''So you like to be told what to do then do you Jay?''Yes sir''Good...good then describe to me what you are wearing'I told him that I was. We were at school together.’ ‘Oh God, am I never to be free of English boarding school girls?’ I looked at her questioningly but she smiled again and I realised she was teasing me. ‘I,’ she said, ‘am the product of a similar school.’ ‘They let all sorts in these days.’ ‘They do. At least they do if Daddy is an Ambassador and Mummy is a renowned surgeon.’ ‘You see. Humble beginnings are no barrier to a good education.’ ‘Quite so. But the aged parents are now happily retired in Bangalore and I,.