Only I sure had a case of the blues, all alone and lonesome in the big city. And when my doorbell rang, I could have cheered aloud. Anybody was welcome at that point, even the nosy girls from the office snooping around for more gossip to spread. That was that I thought of first; who else would drop in at this hour without phoning ahead?

I was wrong, though. And all but stunned speechless when I realized how wrong. Even loneliness was preferable to this! It was bound to lead to bloodshed. And she was so much bigger than me, the kind of adversary to avoid at all costs. But then again, well, no man's mistress is overjoyed at coming face to face with his wife all of a sudden. I recognized her only instinctively, of course, a total stranger occupying my doorway with all the impassive poise of a fire-breathing dragon…

"Hmph! Rory? You are Rory, I assume. Aren't you going to ask me in?"

"Oh. Sorry. Do come in, please."

"Thanks. About time."

I shut the door behind her. She swung around and gripped my shoulders, peering down into my face. The trench coat she wore seemed to add extra bulk to her figure, somehow. Not that she needed it, the way she towered over me, taller and heavier and bigger in every dimension. Standing so close to my small body, her statuesque form was well-nigh overpowering. I felt like a scrunchy little schoolgirl.

"You're such a tiny thing, my dear. I had no idea. You do know who I am, don't you?"

"Uh-huh."

"And why I'm here?"

"I-I guess so."

"Good. Every little bit helps. We must both make an effort to be civilized about this, don't you agree?" She let go of me and stepped back, her eyes shooting sparks, belying the serenity of her pose. "As a matter of fact, I could do with a drink right now, something to preserve this peaceful atmosphere, hmm?"