Griff watched Caydance pull out of the Huygens parking lot. Instead of thinking about Saturday's game against the La Basin Swifts and their loathsome Hurry Up Spread Offense, he was thinking about spending the night at her studio. Her blue Volvo was soon out of sight. The Swifts had a large staff. Maybe their game film had already arrived.

Durango emerged from Presidents House. Mira was in San Diego for a week. For last night’s dinner, he had opened a can of beef stew. "Lunch?" he asked Griff.

"The cafeteria is where I am heading."

"The cafeteria does not serve beer."

"Before their defense tired, the first half was brutal," Griff remarked. Plates loaded with hot Pastrami sandwiches and -- among other side dishes, deep fried onion rings -- arrived at their Faculty Club table. Brief silence.

Because when Mira called, she would probably ask what he had been eating, Durango had also ordered a salad. He helped himself to Griff’s French Fries. "Former Trojans Center, Coach "Skyscraper" Cole. Master of the no huddle offense," he grunted. At Halftime, thanks to their high tech training facilities and that athletic quarterback, they had a two touchdown lead. Cougar Joe Thatcher. Wasn't he a senior?"

arrow "Redshirted. We can expect to see him again. On his own territory in a new stadium with a loud crowd. The good news is that the Swifts have on campus housing for visiting teams. Distractions in Oxnard hotels," Griff called for a second beer. "I've been there."