"Now that you mention it..."

"You were too good to be true, you know? Dressed in rags, poking through junk at the water's edge, unscrubbed and unlettered, a product of civilization's decay—just as I drifted by. You conned me. What are you? An archaeologist?"

"Well..."

"....nd you knew about me. Keep your right arm up like that, but raise your head."

She rolled over onto her stomach, raised her own right arm, and clasped his hand.

"All right. Mister Toba. Start pushing as if your life depended on it. Maybe it does."

"Hey now, lady-"

His arm began bending backward. He tightened his grip, strained. It halted for a few moments. He clamped his jaw, leaned left

Suddenly he was slammed back, his arm pinned to the deck.

She smiled down at him.

"Want to try it with your left?"

"No, thanks. Look, I believe everything I've heard about you... You have—uh—exotic tastes and you're strong enough to satisfy them. I've got to admire anybody who gets what they want. This was the only way I knew to meet you, though. I've got a once-in-a-lifetime offer you can't afford to miss."

"Does it involve a good ruin?"

"You'd better believe it!" he said quickly.

"... And a good man?"

"One of the best!"

She seized his hand and jerked him to his feet

"Quick! Look at the sunlight on that broken tower!"

"Sure is something!"

"Whats his name?"

"Dorakeen. Red Dorakeen."

"That sounds familiar..."

"He's been around a lot"

"Is he picturesque?"

"Need you ever ask?"

"I could use a new barge, with some ivory inlay work..."

"Say no more. Hey! Sunlight through what's left of that bridge!"

"Quick! The camera! —You're a very lucky man, Toba." "Don't I know it!