I leaped up, jumped on my bike, hightailed it home, and refused to go outside again for the rest of the day.

When I realized this, one night as I drifted unhappily to sleep, it jerked me straight up in my bed!

Only someone with bad news would be on the other end. I bolted upright and grabbed the receiver.

It snapped everyone awake and created a sense of urgency that is paying off to this day.

Now she turned abruptly and snorted. ''This is a hell,'' she said sharply, speaking with passion for the first time. ''You think I want to do this?