"Oh, my God, it has a viking hat and everything," Kate said, getting to her feet and leading the other two into the Compound and down to the room she shared with Marshall. As always, his side of the room was spotless, while hers looked like, well, a teenaged girl lived there.

"It's here somewhere," she said, rummaging through the clothes she had and pulling out one thigh high, bright red vinyl boot and then the other.