“Well?” asked the Complexitor.

“I can live with it,” said Damien. “But what’s this over here?” He pulled up a piece of paper with hastily-scribbled notes on it. “Who’s Tristiana?”

“She’s a business associate.” The Complexitor began to sweat.

Damien perused the paper. “So that’s why this is a list of escape plans? It sounds like a date to me.”

The Complexitor glowered.

“I have to say, that’s totally the wrong attitude, man! You need to enjoy it! So you have a thing for this girl, huh? Nice name.”

The words turned the Complexitor’s general annoyance with his cousin into a raging inferno of anger. Before Damien could utter another word, the Complexitor leaped over and snatched the paper from his hand.

“I didn’t want to go on this date! I don’t have ‘a thing’ for her!” Catching his breath, he added, “Why am I even explaining this to you? This isn’t even your business!”

* * * * *