I make a few glances at the door, as I scarf down my eggs as quick as possible. They burn the roof of my mouth. But not as bad as the coffee does. I don't want to sit here any longer than I have to. But running out the door would draw unwanted attention in my direction.

I consider calmly standing up and slowly walking out the door. That would be the natural thing to do. I don't know if this is one of the few places that expect payment or not.

Ultimately I decide it's best to wave down the waitress.

"More coffee hun?"

She asks. From across the restaurant.

I shrink down into my booth and keep my head down as I wait for her to approach.

"More coffee hun?"

She says. Repeating the question as she once again leans onto my table.

"No, no I uh... I'm done."

"Okay."

Her only response. She just stares at me with dead eyes and a smile. Unmoving, until I get out of the seat. Pushing myself past her. And exit the restaurant.

Out on the street again. I keep my head down. And pull my collar up to help shield my face what little bit I can. I try to look around without raising my head. Barely making out the shops around me. I look for any clothing store where I can get something with a hood. Even a hat would be better than walking around fully exposed.

The crowd is thick and I can't make out much. I move along against the wall, and continue on towards the subway. Looking into the windows of each shop as I pass. By the fourth store I see sweaters hanging in the window.

I enter the store, the only other person inside is the clerk behind the counter. They greet me from across the store. Head still lowered, I simply raise a hand as a wave.

I waste no time. Grabbing the first hooded sweater I see, that looks like it will be my size. I drop my jacket too the ground and quickly toss the grey sweater on. Lifting the hood up. I put my jacket back on over top.

Tearing the tag off the sweater I bring it up to the clerk and pass it to her. She takes it, looks at the tag, then stares at the computer on the desk between us.

A few moments pass. Figuring I'm in the clear, I turn to leave.

"That'll be $87.36 sir. Will you be paying cash or card."

She says.

I get flustered fishing out my wallet. I brought a few bills along with me. Whatever I could find around the house. Germaine had some old money kicking around from before the collapse. But neither of us could remember how much she had. Or where it all was. Having had no need for it until now.

I can't remember the exact amount I brought. I had a few twenties and some fives. Searching in my pockets I find a twenty. I hand it to the cashier and continue searching for the rest.

The twenty was in my inside pocket but the others most be somewhere else. As Germaine was finding them in her old clothes she was handing them too me. Instead of collecting it all together, I had been shoving it where ever was most convenient at the time.

"Here you go sir."

Confused, I look up at the cashier as she holds out a receipt. Apparently having not counted what I gave her. And simply accepting any amount. Counting myself lucky, and not wanting to push it further. I grab the receipt and rush out.

Keeping my hood up and my face down. I'm confident no one is getting a good look at my face. Still, with some time to spare before I get on the subway. I don't want to risk waiting it out in a restaurant, store or anywhere else other people may be.

Instead, I tuck into an alley near the subway station and call Germaine on the radio. Filling her in on all that has happened since last we've spoken. She laughs wholeheartedly at me, as I tell her about my picture in the paper. I asked if she'd heard from Choren yet. But she reminds me it's not uncommon for him to get so wrapped up in a project. That days, and sometimes weeks go by. Before we hear from him.

I try to talk to Jed for a bit, but he just says.

"Hello. Goodbye."

Germaine assures me he's just having too much fun and wants to go back out and play. Neither of us know exactly what time it is. But I think it's about time for me to go. So we say our goodbyes. And I head down to the subway platform.

A clock on the wall lets me know I still have half an hour. It's longer than I'm comfortable sitting in such a public space. But I don't won't risk missing it.

I find a free bench against a wall and sit, keeping my head down. A train comes a goes after fifteen minutes. Everyone around me shuffling on. as another group shuffles off. I worry I look suspicious remaining seated. But take comfort in knowing that anyone that saw me there before the train, is gone. And anyone that's there after didn't see me before. So it's likely no one noticed.

Another fifteen minutes pass and a second train pulls up. This time it's the one I want. I count the cars and make sure I get on the right one. All eyes are on me as I enter the car. Many peering over newspapers. I pull the hood down low over my face and sit beside the man I came to see. His paper is held wide open. My own face staring back at me. Written in big letters over the article are the words.

"Don't say anything. Stay a few steps behind and follow me."