“How did you know?”“It wasn’t all that difficult. You just have to actually pay attention to a person. Too many people only think of themselve... and never see the other person.”“You got that right sister. I think I’m doomed to a single life until I get out of this town.”“You and me both Dannie. I’m getting seriously tired of taking care of myself this past year.”“Ummm Hmmm, I hear you on that girl.”They sat for a little longer and Dannie asked, “Brit, you want to hang?”“Dannie, let me be. Except this time, I felt it! I could feel my heels dig into the hardmattress as I stretched my suddenly mobile legs. The feeling hadn'treturned entirely, I could only feel my legs from below my knees and Ithink my hands. I also felt a strange heaviness on my chest. I didn'twasn't strong enough or even physically capable of moving, but if Icould I would have jumped up in excitement. So I had to settle forturning to wake up mom."Hey mom wake up!" I yelled.But I saw she wasn't there, I guess she. Prostitution, gambling, alcohol, etc. All of it is under the control of state-sanctioned private monopolies, though anything not related to vice has largely remained in independent hands. Most local business tycoons have shrewdly made terms with the new regime, which calls itself the Garden State Alliance, but has no one fooled at all.“The police, the remaining puppet DAs, the city governments, governor, etc. They’re all under the guiding hand of the Leadership Council of the GSA. Democrats,. Thanks again,” he said as I closed the door. I turned toward the bathroom door and knocked. “You can come out now,” I told Andrea.She stepped naked and glorious into the short hallway.“Stephen Pritchard?” she asked.I nodded.“As in Pritchard Enterprises?”“That’s my father, but, yes.”“I know you,” she said, almost in wonder. “Well, not you. I mean, except for today. But I know who you are.”“Okay,” I said, walking over to remove the covers off the four plates on the tray the bellman had left. .