“She must be a fine woman.”

Karla grinned. “I like her.”

“Listen,” Falvey said eagerly. “Why don’t you come inside while I have a drink?”

“I don’t serve the bar, Mr. Falvey.”

“I didn’t mean that. Just…so we can talk.”

“There’s a stage due just before eleven and the change team’s not nearly ready.”

“It’d only be ten minutes.” Falvey smiled. He was trying to make the proposal sound offhand.

“I’m sorry,” Karla said. “There’s just not time.”

“Oh, come on.” He was still smiling as he reached out to take her hand, but she stepped away from him. For a moment he stood awkwardly, his arm still extended, then moved toward her again.

Karla backed away. “Maybe you’ve already had too much to drink.”

Falvey stopped. “Karla…I swear, I only want someone to talk to.”

“And I told you I didn’t have time.”

“Karla-” He hesitated, but stepped toward her again as he said more calmly, “Didn’t you ever want to relax and talk to someone? Just talk about anything, as long as it wasn’t important. Even the weather. I mean talk without raising your voice, without arguing, without knowing someone’s going to snap at the next thing you say.” He paused. “That’s all I want to do, just talk.”

“Don’t you talk to your wife?” Karla asked hesitantly.

“Have you ever?”

“Talked to her? A few times. But I don’t know your wife very well.”

“You’re fortunate,” Falvey said.

Karla stared at him. “I think you’d better go.”

“Karla, you don’t understand.”

“Mr. Falvey, I’m not going to stand here and discuss your wife with you.”

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said what I did. I started wrong.”

“Why don’t you go in and serve yourself?” Karla said. “I’ll come in when I can.”