The whole time we were there, Eric seemed to be intensely preoccupied with scouting the horizon for female companionship, while he told nonstop stories about the fullness of his dating calendar and the details of his sexual escapades. Lewis seemed inclined to put up with and even encourage this braggart litany, but I never have trusted guys who feel the need to paint themselves to other men as ultimate Romeos. It made me wonder if any of the information Eric might give us about the phone companies—our mission’s sole purpose—could be believed, even if we could draw it out of him.