Monologue by Roberta Krause (age 24), recorded November 27, 2001:

"I just had a second visit from police detectives. They are looking for clues concerning the disappearance of small-time real estate mogul Adam Pearson. They claim that I was the last person to see him. And that if he met with foul play, I have a very good motive.

"You see, Adam bought the rent-controlled New York apartment in which I live, and had filed to convert it into a co-op. That would allow him to sell each apartment individually, after fixing up the building. And that if I couldn't come up with the $200,000 price, I'd have to leave. And where else could a woman working as a waitress in a medium-price café find a similar apartment so close to my job for only $435 a month?

"I explained to the detectives that Adam did visit me on that date. I invited him in, and served him a cup of herbal tea. And we discussed his pending conversion of my building, cordially I might add. And then he left. End of story. I even ventured an opinion that Adam wasn't dead, but alive, only where you would least expect him.

"Then the cries of a baby were heard from the next room. 'He must be hungry,' I said. So the detectives excused themselves and left, so I could attend to the baby's needs. And here he is. What's the matter, Adam? You hungry? Don't fret. Mommy's not going to give you any more of that herbal tea. Let me warm up your bottle of formula."



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