[ as part of her self-imposed hiatus from all things central city, linda had purposefully kept herself as tuned out as possible. she'd kept up with the combines, watching late-night games in sports bars or from the comfort of her couch, but she'd avoided the news.

ignorance is bliss, they say. she wasn't so sure it was necessarily blissful, but in any case, her smile in recognition is unmarred by any actions of the past that her seat neighbor may have undertaken. ]

Hey, you. [ maybe she's had a little? a lot? of champagne so far, but whatever he's ordering looks pretty good. ] You know, one of these days you're really going to have to introduce yourself properly. I can't just call you hot parka guy forever.