I start feeling my face and then ask worriedly, "Is my head really that big?"
She focuses in on the right photo: Chloe in a practiced daze, me staring intently into the paparazzi's lens.
"Yes, that looks like you," she says. "And that's Chloe Byrnes, right?"
"I date her," I say, then, "I mean, I used to date her."
"Well, I dated Peter Morton," she says, handing back the magazine. "Peter Morton and I used to get photographed together too."
"So you're saying we're in the same boat?" I ask.
"Well, actually we are," she says, gesturing around, rolling her eyes and groaning inwardly at the line she has to deliver.
"Well, yeah, yes," I faux-chuckle. "That we, um, are."
"Marina," she says. "Marina Cannon."
"Hey, Victor Ward." I pause, letting the name resonate, then offer my hand and she takes it lightly. "And you're off to..." I leave an opening for the name of a place.
"Paris, she says. "Actually, Cherbourg and then Paris."
"Why Paris?" I ask. Then, quite suavely, "Though of course, why not?"
"Oh..." She pauses, looks at all that boring black water. "Let's just say certain individuals weren't sticking to the plan and leave it at that."
I immediately sense boyfriend troubles and pounce gingerly. "What's his name?" I ask softly.
"Gavin," she says, a bit perturbed but still smiling.
I make a face, mock-shiver. "Ooh, I don't trust anyone named Gavin." I make another face, grimacing, holding the expression until she notices, then ask casually, "Where's Gavin now?"
"Gavin plans to run with the bulls in Pamplona," she says dryly.
"He's a basketball player?" I ask, wilting. "I thought the Bulls were in Chicago."
She just stares at me, a flicker of panic creasing her features. Suddenly the g*y German youth bounds down the stairs onto the pool deck, wearing a Garth Brooks tour T-shirt and giant black Nikes. He spots me and starts bounding over. I immediately feign sleep. Soon I feel a shadow cross my face and linger, followed by the sounds of footsteps bounding away. When I feel enough time has passed I open my eyes. Countless Japanese splash around in the pool. The noon whistle goes off. Elderly report: they're everywhere.