I love a good spy story, from John Le Carre’s classic “Smiley” books to my latest read, Joseph Kanon’s Leaving Berlin. One of my favorite current tv shows is “The Americans,” a story of embedded Russian spies during the Cold War.

Not even the scariest “Dexter” episode gets me on edge as much as a good “drop” scene. Will the spy be caught by a slip of the tongue? Because his wig falls off? Because her FBI-agent neighbor inadvertently catches her radioing her handler? No Internet hacking story is as thrilling.

Every scene in a spy book or a movie or tv show has the potential for a disastrous outing.

Old-fashioned as it is, here’s a list of “Moscow Rules,” said to have been developed by the CIA for spies working in Moscow during the Cold War. The list varies, but here’s a version I like. Tell me if this doesn’t apply to all areas of life and love!

1. Assume nothing.
2. Never go against your gut.
3. Everyone is potentially under opposition control.
4. Don’t look back; you’re never completely alone.
5. Blend in.
6. Vary your pattern and stay within your cover.
7. Lull them into a sense of complacency.
8. Don’t harass the opposition.
9. Pick the time and place for action.
10. Keep your options open.

So, would you make a good spy?