The only price would be three thousand dollars on the first of the month.

The paper cup felt heavy in my hands, warm and comforting in the cold air drifting through the open window.

I rolled the window up again and shifted into drive.

Rather than turning left toward the western suburbs, I turned right and followed the access road to the financial plaza by the interstate.

I parked in the back lot of the regional bank branch, away from the glass front doors and the drive-up teller lanes.

I opened my contacts and picked the direct extension for the customer service desk inside.