Elena, for her part, was hanging out in her alcove and painting her toenails. A nice deep plum color. Then she was going to go to the beach, later, and work on her tan.

Okay, Elena didn't tan very much. Too many years under a plate. Stupid plate.

So she was really going to lay out and burn in ways that would clash with her plum toenail polish. The heck with it.

Oooh, Reno's ringtone!

"No, I will not lend you money for booze," she said cheerfully.