Page 120 of Total Exposure

“What did Smith say?”

“He said, ‘Game’s over.’” And then we both laugh. “And that’s it. Right? So I told him. Basically spelled it out as far as I’m concerned. And he just heard what he wanted to hear.”

Fuckin’ Chella. “This shit is gonna catch up with you, ya know that, right?

“What shit?” she asks, innocent, bewildered look on her face. “I’m just trying to help a girl out. You know, kinda like you do.” And then she winks at me.

“I dunno,” I say. “I’m kinda sick of games. Maybe I should just... be a fuckin’ lawyer? Ya know? Stop all this bullshit. Settle down with a girl or something.”

“Just one?” she teases. “And no men?”

I roll my eyes at her. “My point is, maybe it’s time to just butt out let people live their lives.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Chella laughs. “And besides, people need this, Jordan. Like this girl I know. She’s a really cool chick, right? Got her shit so together… I mean, her life is sewed up tight.”

“Sounds kinda boring,” I sigh.

“Exactly! She’s dying of boredom.”

I shake my head and give in. “What kind of game is she looking for?”

“Well, there’s the thing, OK? She’s not exactly looking for a game. But she totally needs one. She just doesn’t know it yet.”

“Chella,” I say, my tone cautioning.

“Trust me,” she says, “I know what I’m doing. She needs this, Jordan. Just give her what she needs.”

I shake my head. “You know I can’t do that.”

“Listen.” She says, putting up a hand to stop my objections. “The game is called… The Pleasure of Panic.”

“You got a name for it already?” I ask, kinda chuckling at her audacity.

“It’s good, right?” She laughs. “So much better than Total Exposure. Say it with me, Jordan. The Pleasure of Panic.”

“So this girl you’re just looking to help out—she needs…?”

“Take a guess,” Chella says, her Cheshire Cat smile wide and wild. “You’ll never guess.”

I can take a good guess at what The Pleasure of Panic Game might look like.