Heroic Measures: Introducing a Random Factor (continued)

She laughed. It had a light, merry sound.

“That’s okay,” she told him. Her eyes sparkled. “They’re probably all true.”

Walter did not know what to say to that.

They walked to the elevator together in silence. The hallway was empty; everyone else had gone. After several seconds, the next elevator car arrived and they stepped inside.

“One?” Walter asked politely.

Random flashed him a bright smile. “Please.”

He pressed the button and the doors closed. They said nothing as the elevator descended. In truth, Walter had no idea what to say. A part of him was struggling with the fact that he was alone in an elevator with a woman. It always felt awkward, at so many levels. And there was something about her—something that exuded an assured femaleness that touched on all of his senses in a way that he could not quite define.

“I know a few things about you,” Random said, breaking through his reverie.

Walter swallowed, feeling his cheeks grow warm again.

“You do?” he managed to get out without stammering.

“I do,” she echoed. “For example,” she went on after a moment. “I hear that you enjoy a good Scotch. Single-malt, if I’ve heard right.”

Walter found himself smiling, somewhat relieved if this was the most of his secrets that she held.

“You’ve heard correctly,” he said.

“Hard to find it here in the States,” Random went on.

Walter nodded in agreement. It was true. He had managed to locate only a few stores inside the city that stocked much of it at all. He was usually driven to request special orders and then carefully ration it to make it last.

“I found an Irish pub,” she continued. “It’s off a little alley downtown. It’s a good place,” she paused meaningfully, “to hear things.”

Walter took the hint and was about to ask her where it was when the elevator chimed and the doors opened. In the foyer beyond, Walter could see some the heroes still milling about in worried conversation.

“It was nice meeting you, Walter,” Random said, and walked out of the elevator.

Walter watched her wordlessly as she strode purposefully past the other lingering heroes and out through the main doors. A few of their heads turned as she went past, with one or two shaking their heads slightly before returning to their conversations. He stared after her, at the large glass doors through which she had just passed.

Walter found himself, once again, at a loss for words, and left wondering what had just happened.