His mind flashed back to a couple of days ago. Around the time of all the Spider Island nonsense, Carlie Cooper, Peter’s latest girlfriend had left him.
He went to the Bugle. Betty was taking Peter to lunch, just to cheer him up.
That’s where he met Norah. she was smacking her bubblegum while fiddling with the copy machine. Peter helped her set the machine for double sided. They started to talk. It was fun talking to Norah. Not very poignant, but fun. They both competed to make
the goofiest ironic comment or smart remark.
He got to talking about Carlie. Norah mentioned that she was meeting her Tuesday, for a comment. Carlie was a forensics scientist, and worked on cases that coincide with Norah’s stories.
she smacked her gum again, then offered to put in a good word for Peter. Pete thanked her, then remembering who she is, warned her not to say anything.
“Don’t worry Pete, I’ll tell her all about what a mess you are without her.”
“What! Don’t tell her that.”
“I’ll tell her how you cry yourself to sleep every night, whispering Carlie.”
“don’t you dare Norah!”
Laughing she skated off, sometimes the girl actually wore roller skates to work.
Peter looked at the clock. They’d probably be meeting in another hour. “If only I could keep her from saying anything crazy”
His hands began typing practically on there own. What he wrote surprised even him, but he hit enter anyway.
He typed: Let me see Carlie, instead of Norah.
The computer clicked and hummed, as though not sure what to do with that command. Then there was a flash like the shudder of a camera.
Peter looked around, the world coming back into focus. She lifted a hand to rub her temples, but found something else along the way. On her chest she felt Norah’s perky little breast. Agitated she jumped from her seat, then immediately slipped hitting her
bottom. Peter / Norah groaned. "Why do they let her wear skates at work? I think I swallowed my gum."