Langley

Several floors below, Brian Boyle yawned. When that didn't help he stood up, stretched, bent down to touch his toes and stretched again. He was half way down to his toes for the second time when the door to his office opened.

"Keeping in shape or trying to stay awake?"

Brian straightened abruptly, then saw who was standing in the door.

"Alex, you dog! What are you doing here? I thought you were safely in Tokyo, not sneaking around here, spying on old friends."

"Trying to stay awake. I knew it. Good thing Kurtz didn't catch you."

Alex Lowry grinned.

"Aw, he's not so bad. He got me promoted, anyway."

"Yeah, I heard. Section Head, Japan. Congratulations!"

Alex grabbed Brian and pounded on his back.