So I got a rag and went back out. The two of them werewhispering, and they both looked over at me as I walked towards thetable. “Stephanie”... John said like a parent about to give bad news toa c***d, “Mr. Barnes would like you to do something for him.” I lookedat the trucker and the smile on his face. “Clean up your mess, sweetie pie.” he drawled, grinning likethe Cheshire cat. I was about to wipe it up when he grabbed my wrist. “Let go of the rag and. "Barbie, Ken, where is Ben?"Babs looked at me. I shrugged mentally and said, "Hannah, Ben has left. He was in our room last night. Babs and I had set up cameras in the basement and many of us watched what went on last night. He didn't like it. He is on his way to move his things out of the apartment. It's safe to say that you two are no longer a couple."She looked surprised and, perhaps, upset. I said, "You knew he didn't go down to the basement last night. It was a real issue between the two. "I stayed silent, tears now streaming down my face, guilt, seeing whatI'd done to the one I loved for my own selfish benefit, waiting... Hegulped, forcing down the tears, and turned to face me."You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, you've shown me somuch, and we're so close... But there's something I need to tell you,but I'm so scared, I'm scared I'll lose you, and you'll hate me, and..."He shut his eyes, lowering his head, and visibly gathered his courage."I want to be a girl."I. Or the candy machine stocked with brands you've never heard of, next to a drink machine selling only boxes of something called Ribena. What's a blackcurrant? Why do the same flavors show up in regular and "toothfriendly" versions? In this world, does green kryptonite make Superman stronger?Sorry if I'm getting too weird for you. The Tube can do that -- because it transports you to another world.It's a world with no national boundaries. Sit on the Tube for just a few stops and you'll hear.