If I had more time, I might fire them and do it myself, but that seems like more headache than it’s worth.”“Especially when you can just ramp up...nanotube production and make more cash at the monthly auction.”I smiled. “That was a pretty good idea Candace and I worked out. I’ve been inching up the production volume and the price seems to hold steady each month around $95 a gram.”“Do you think they’re fixing it?”“Maybe. If the price stays in that range, I’ll just let them play their political. Hers was set back from the street a little more then its neighbors and it was painted a light blue with darker blue shutters. It was neat, the yard and shrubs surrounding it well tended, the entire picture one of a well cared for home. It was so different from the place we lived in before I went to jail; not only the size and location, but just the whole idea of living in a place like this. That my son and my ex-wife lived there was a little hard for me to grasp.As I slowed, I saw two bikes. To Scott, Chris said, “Scotty, go in the kitchen and get some sodas for us in the refrigerator--”Scott got up from the couch and walked toward the kitchen. I just sat, waiting in silence, wishing that none of this was happening. A minute later, Scott returned with five cans of Coke. He handed me one and tossed one over to Chris, who caught the can in one hand and popped the lid open with the other. There was a few moments of silence, and then from nowhere, Chris asked Jason, “So, Jason, did you. "Alright, let's go. Boss is waiting for us."No questions asked.They were safe.For now.-----------------------------Livia stood on a literal mountain of men, piled up high enough to offer her eyes a splendid vista of skyscrapers. Each one of them tried to court her with words and riches; they were barely a nudge away from falling down, and she took pleasure to topple a few for her personal pleasure. Livia had a great time, really, but it would have been greater without this pressure and itching.