Olivia directed Jake toward an all-night coffee shop with a vibe somewhere between hipster and homeless. No one seemed especially surprised to see two well-dressed refugees from a black-tie event slide into a booth. They ordered cheeseburgers and fries, while Jake added a cup of black coffee.
“So how did you get Stacy to talk to you?” she asked him once the weary waitress had taken their order. “And did she say anything useful?”
“I asked her for help. I find that most people want to be helpful, and everyone wants to be considered smart. Stacy isn’t used to being asked for advice, so she jumped at the chance to show off. I told her I had trouble with faces, and that I was terrified of calling someone by the wrong name.”
“Ahh, and of course she knows everyone.”
“Yes, she was great. She p
