"I wish I could," she said, "but I'm just up to my neck in alligators. This commercial we've been shooting all week blew up yesterday. We need to start from scratch and re-shoot the whole ten yards."
"I'm up to my neck in alligators right now! Not one word about a serial killer in this town, hear me!" Dr. Hendrichs leaned away from Ben and looked surprised. "Well, Ben, let's see here. What's in it for me if I keep my mouth shut?"
She was up to her neck in alligators. Even if it were for only a month, it would buy her some time. "How's this; if you can bake and the customers come back for more, I'll pay you in cash."