"A half-dozen memory tricks and friend prone to quizzing me on my references." Neal gives another little shrug. "I could also tell you the winning player and winning move of every World Chess Championship from 1948 to the present--I had to lay low for a month and there was nothing else to read. Great party trick, otherwise largely useless."

He fetches the coffee, loading the press as the water starts to simmer. "I've always been good at remembering things."