The boys also know that they haveboundaries and if they cross them there will be trouble from Thomas, Rick,Michael, Reed, and the fathers. Plus there ...s the ever looming bat, map,and shovel threat."Emma grew concerned and asked for an explanation. Deborah giggled andexplained, "It's an old joke among the fathers and started when Uncle Johnoffered a shovel and bat to Aunt Valerie when he first watched Michaelbefore they married. He also gave her the name of a good divorce lawyer andhis mother's. Beverly's secret transvestism was not going to get out until the legal structure and control of the company was bound up and watertight. Nobody was going to use her sexuality to have her declared insane or incapable and thus deprive her of her ownership of the rights to antigravity and space warping. We woke the next morning expecting to find the town alive with reporters and gutter press looking for some obscene angle to our forthcoming marriage but we were pleasantly surprised to find all. ”Gregory’s mouth fell open as he heard his own concern reflected back at him; but before he could respond Ellen said calmly, “This has been brought to your attention many times, Thymea. That’s why we initiated the siren call.”Thymea’s voice sounded irritated as he replied, “Yes, but that will not be enough! It has been decided that Miss Bloom was to receive an upgrade and now she must be prepared for the task and rebuff the attack.Ruben restlessly paced in a circle in his small living room as. .. fine," Mr. Houston said briskly. "Before our first sessions next week, if the two of you could fill out these questionnaires for me, I would appreciate it," he told them, handing a manila folder to each of them from his lower desk drawer. Then he leaned back in his chair."Okay, let's set up some ground rules, and then I'd like to define the biggest problem you have between you before we end tonight," he continued. "You're not currently working... is that correct, Mrs. Curtis?" Barbara.