By the time Sam and Ashley arrived, the damaged church was filled to overflowing. Inside, a man stood near the alter and sang the last few lines of, "In the sweet bye and bye, we shall meet on that glorious shore ..." Not one eye was void of tears. Then Pastor Kerby offered a prayer for the dead and dismissed his congregation. Sam slipped a hundred dollar bill into the preacher's hand, glanced one last time at the golf cap still on Ashley's head and slipped away. More than a hundred blocks and a waterway yet separated him from his son. He adjusted his earphones and continued on.

"This is KMPR in Seattle. I'm Collin Slater with the worst news this announcer has ever had to report. At approximately 4:30 this afternoon Seattle suffered a catastrophic earthquake followed by several strong aftershocks. America, if you can hear me, we have severe damage and are in desperate need of help. The number of dead and dying increase by the moment. And personally, I could use another pack of cigarettes."

Seated in the control room, Max let his head flop forward, "Collin, it's against the law to smoke in a public building in Seattle, remember."

"Yes? Let 'em come arrest me Max! Half of Queen Anne Hill is gone, people are dying across the street, we don't know where our wives are, and you're worried about some stupid ordinance? I can't take it Max, I really can't ... Aftershock!"