Tokugen Numataka lit his fourth cigar and kept pacing. Hesnatched up his phone and buzzed the main switchboard.

"Any word yet on that phone number?" he demandedbefore the operator could speak.

"Nothing yet, sir. It's taking a bit longer thanexpected—it came from a cellular."

A cellular, Numataka mused. Figures. Fortunatelyfor the Japanese economy, the Americans had an insatiable appetitefor electronic gadgets.

"The boosting station," the operator added, "isin the 202 area code. But we have no number yet."

"202? Where's that?" Where in the vastAmerican expanse is this mysterious North Dakota hiding?

"Somewhere near Washington, D.C., sir."

Numataka arched his eyebrows. "Call me as soon as you havea number."