“And this is where Phelan-Brown makes a hasty exit before we’re called to answer subpoenas!” Jackie laughed.Elyse offered to walk Jackie and Jer...miah out, and Kimmy and I stayed behind to talk.“I’m going to need some help with the Japanese decor,” she said. “That’s way beyond anything I know about.”“I’m seeing a Japanese friend of mine on Sunday. I’ll ask her if it’s OK to put you in touch. She has a good handle on traditional Japanese culture and she should be amenable.”“Is the new dress code. .. scenery,” Diana offered.“Uh, yes. I think a change of scenery would probably help to stimulate their minds, and that is the basis of what we are trying to do, is it not?”“Absolutely,” Jeff agreed. “What did you do to your two women that maybe made them fight off the drug so quickly? I know that you were having sex with them, but you told me that you were already doing that before you took them to your quarters, right?”“I...”One of the alien women interrupted, “He was good to us. He allowed. She knew he was just trying to find an excuse so he could buy it for her. It made her uncomfortable, she explained. Her mother and her friends told her she was entitled to the car, but it didn't feel right. She didn't know how to turn it down without alienating him.I listened as all this came pouring out of her, thinking to myself that most people would tell her to count herself lucky, and take the damn car. I honestly have no idea why I said what I did next."Tell him to stuff the car," I said. She crouches down, peering in. Her face is strangely doll-like, framed by a blonde bob cut. “Where are you heading?” she asks. “Where are you going?” “Home.” “And where’s home?” She tells me. “Hop in.” And we’re driving through open farmland, headlamps sweeping across fields, fauna dashing hither and thither in the glow. My hand is on the gear stick, my mind on the black nylon stretched tightly across her firm thighs. “So what’s the story?” I ask. “It’s a long one.” “We’ve got time.” “Maybe we.