The Safeway Head Office resembles any ordinary office type room,  except that it's lit by torches. This flickering light illuminates a long, dark oak table in the center of the room, where ten or fifteen old men in suits are sitting in high-backed, antique chairs, watching me. The one sitting at the head of the table stands up, and smiles.

"So you've arrived," he says. He is at least sixty. His voice is low and brittle. "Welcome to the Safeway Head Office. My name used to be Jerry Kentwood, but now I'm the Big Manager here at the Safeway Ziggurat, so now my name is Mr. Safeway. What can I do for you, Mr. Marion?"

"Are you 'The Powers That Be'?" I ask.

Mr. Safeway scoffs. "Of course not. But we, among others, do represent them from time to time."

"What happened to a girl named Miriam who used to work at your Mount Vernon, Washington branch?"

"She was transferred."

"To where?"

"Why...to another store, of course."

His smile is starting to get to me. I feel my blood rising. "Another store where?"

He lifts his hands apologetically. "Isaac my boy...you know I can't tell you that."

I take an angry step forward, gritting my teeth. "Why not?"

"Because they don't want you to know, of course. It's part of their plan, their big game." He chuckles at the look on my face. "Come on now, Isaac, surely you've figured this out by now. They're having fun with you. You know they're always one move ahead, so what did you expect? You had the perfect opportunity to meet a girl who might have been the perfect match. Did you really expect them to just let it happen?"

Without thinking, I suddenly run forward, jump onto the table, grab Mr. Safeway by the shirt and slam him against the wall like a toughguy action hero. "Tell me where she is!" I bark into his face. "Now!" For a moment I feel really good, pleasantly surprised at myself for this sudden, thrilling burst of manly thunder. But this feeling drains away when I see the totally relaxed, unconcerned smile still on Mr. Safeway's face.

"Why would I tell you?" he says. "If I told you, they'd ruin me."

"What if I ruin you right now?"

He shakes his head. "Don't be ridiculous. Anything you can do to me, they can do much worse."

I hesitate, grinding my molars back and forth. I am at a loss. The strength goes out of my arms, and Mr. Safeway brushes my hands away. "I believe we are finished here, Mr. Marion," he says. He returns to his seat and folds his hands. "Good day."

I turn around and start to leave, trudging toward the door on leaden feet, my eyes staring blankly at the floor. Then I have an idea