Black and white sedan rushed just by his nose, the driver seemed not even to notice him. The brakes squealed loudly making Mr. O'Neal look at the car again. It stopped just by the Pallazio Hotel. A man in the car get out banging the door heavily. Then he disappeared in the doorway...
It was still daylight when he came home to his small flat in downtown. Leaving his keys on the counter in the hallway, he was almost fallen out of step by a grey bloodhound of his. "Dear, my, stop it, I beg you, let me at least take my shoes off!", he said.
In a while he entered the kitchen, the dog following at his heels. Looked out of the window seeing actually nothing new around him. The same spleen stroke him just like this afternoon. "I have to read something", he said to himself.
So, he went to the hall, contemplated a small bookcase for a while and chose his favourite Shelly. He sat in the chair and began to read. He didn't notice it getting dark in the room. Neither did he notice him falling asleep.
The next thing he remembered was his phone ringing. Who can it be? - Yes?
- Professor O'Neil? It's Alice, do you remember me?
- Yes, my dear, why are calling me?
- I need your help just right now. Badly. Come to the Ceaser's. It's on the 23rd street, I guess you know.
- But what's...
- No more words, just come. Please, I beg you!...
He wanted to object about the time but the only answer to him would have been long beeps. So he sighed, took his leather coat on, and went out into the night streets of the city...
