'David,' the teacher said, 'this is Miss Samson, and she'd like you to go with her now.' The agent would be wearing a dung-colored blazer over a red knit turtleneck, her heels sensibly low in case the suspect should attempt a quick getaway. To go down at exactly 2:30 on a Thursday afternoon. What would needle me later was the realization that this had all been prearranged. She entered the room and nodded at my fifth-grade teacher, who stood frowning at a map of Europe. The agent came for me during a geography lesson. I think anyone would agree that there's a lot to be said for doing things the hard way. When it comes time to decide who gets the bottom bunk, Though it probably has its moments, the average day spent in hiding is bound to beat the average day spent in prison. You're sometimes led to believe that this person isĪctually relieved, but I've never bought it. The anticipation has ruled his life, and now, finally, the wait is over. It seems he's been expecting this to happen. Occasionally it's a case of mistaken identity, but most often the suspect The suspect then chooses between doing things the hard way and doing things the easy way, and the scene ends with either gunfire or the gentlemanly application of handcuffs. If asked 'Why do I need to go anywhere with you?' they'll straighten their shirt cuffs or idly brush stray hairs from the sleeves of their sport coats and say, 'Oh, I think we both They're always remarkably calm, these agents. The door opens, and the person holding the knob is asked to identify himself. ANYONE WHO WATCHES EVEN THE SLIGHTEST amount of TV is familiar with the scene: An agent knocks on the door of some seemingly ordinary home or office.

Me talk pretty some day