The two women exchanged the kind of glance women use when no knife is handy.

He was startled, but there was that about him which made it impossible to show what he felt, an instant and utter reflex of stillness to counteract all outward evidence of surprise, fear, anything.

Why did people do it? Why this herd curiosity about a street, a house, windows, doors? He was a public servant, the Inspector mused, but there were times when he would enjoy loading all the rubbernecks onto barges and towing them out to sea to be served, with ceremony, to sharks.

This is the best tour, man, and it's all women! ... I wanted to do this because I was excited about playing to a different audience than I might normally play to at a hip-hop show. The vibes are right.

... I've seen it around the world, in the poorest countries and in countries riven with conflict, ... It is women who are the key to breaking out of poverty, breaking out of stagnation. ... It's women who can contribute to achieving real security -- not bombs and bullets and repressive governments.

I think the reason I am here is to inspire African-American women who are rappers, full-figured women to know that they can do it too.