Executive

…18

Tom and Alex exited the elegant, white building, walking side by side. Alex started turning left, heading for her car.

"This way, please," Tom said, "follow me."

Intrigued, Alex followed, without asking anything. They must have worked on my car, she thought, that would explain a few things. Tom stopped between two rows of parked cars and handed her a set of car keys, attached to a simple, triangular keychain without any markings.

"Here you go. Come on, open it up," he said.

Alex was still trying to locate her car, but it was nowhere in sight. She pressed the remote button and a silver Toyota 4Runner flashed all four hazard lights. Confused, she looked at Tom.

"Go on, get in. This is your car from now on, at least for a while. I hope you like it."

Alex was speechless. Wow. Moving like in a dream, she opened the door and sat inside, taking in the exquisite, unmistakable new car smell.

"The only downside," Tom said, "is that you can't use your old car for a while. That one will remain parked here, or somewhere else at your discretion. Or we could sell it for you." Tom smiled. "This is the new you. Enjoy. You'll find this car has all the accessories you might expect: navigation, CD player, satellite radio, and, of course, air conditioning. I am sure you remember Brian and his words about air conditioning," he said, continuing to smile.