"I'll pick you up at ten. How do I get to your place?" He gave directions and then suggested that she meet him at Tops instead.
"That way I can get some writing done early, and it won't matter if you get held up."
"Tops—near the Ilikai?"
"Yes."
"O.K. Ten o'clock. Joe, have you written down the story about the girl and the cat burglar?"
"No."
"It's your responsibility,"Alison said.
"Mmm. My daughter's getting married! I just heard."
"Wonderful! You can tell me all about it, Saturday. What kind of car do you like to drive?"
"Something heavy . . . with a machine gun."