Tesla's Attic

Friday evening, Nick meets Petula at a fancy restaurant. She’s wearing a satin dress designed for a curvy body, though she has no curves. She chides Nick for wearing jeans, then tells him he must date her if he wants her information. A waiter sets down a dish of calamari; she tells a reluctant Nick to sit and “eat some squid” (89).

Nick says he can’t afford the place; she says she has a gift certificate but admits that it’s expired. They eat and talk about Tesla. Petula says the inventor was having an affair when he lived in town, and Nick realizes it was with his great-aunt Greta. Petula wonders why Tesla hid his inventions in her attic. When they go to leave, Petula feigns ignorance about the gift certificate, and the restaurant lets them off.

Petula wants Nick to walk her home; he agrees to go as far as the end of her street. He asks again about the camera; Petula insists it’s nothing special. She wants a hug, but Nick just says goodbye and hurries home.

Vince is waiting for Nick. He heard a police report about snowfall inside an apartment complex, went there, and cadged a strange-looking electric fan that had been at the garage sale.