“Mum, ich hab das im Fernsehen gesehen, da kommen dann die Besitzer nach einer Woche wieder, und wenn’s gut gegangen ist, hast du eine Heidenarbei... mit dem Aufraeumen, und wenn’s schlecht gegangen ist, waren ein paar Penner da und haben dir den Laden verwuestet. Nein danke, ohne mich! Ich bleib hier und pass auf, wird schon nicht so viel passieren!”Keiner der Angestellten hatte sich auf dieses Vabaque-Spielchen einlassen wollen. Ausser Cherryl, die klein gebaute, schmaechtige Kassiererin. Judy. I gave it to her good because I was totally and irreversibly jealous and I hated myself for such emotional weakness. One would think that I had feelings of closeness to the irritating little troublemaker.Mrs. Stern thought it was the funniest thing she had ever heard and parodied my sad hang-dog look so well that I was forced to laugh at my own discomfort. Eventually, I was persuaded to get down on my knees and show her my contrition with my devious tongue. I did enjoy her squirming and sounds. You know you are welcome here any time, Paul. You're my favourite nephew." You don't have any others, Sally." I keep talking people out of having babies. It's my job." Stop distracting me. Anyway, if I was going to camp properly, I'd need to light a fire, and cook my own food." In my back yard?" Yeah, that's the problem, I guess." How about you just camp during the hours of darkness?" Does that sound right to you, Sally?" Yeah, it does. Hey, you better not be planning to dig latrines out. . Just as well I suppose. What happens now?...__At the thought there was a soft sound from just behind him. It sounded vaguely like something coarse softly trailing along the ground and the quiet padding of footsteps. He turned slowly, and was both surprised and awed by what stood before him. It had a vaguely feminine humanoid form, but was comprised of what looked to be constantly shifting black shadows in various undefinable shapes, and Jack couldn't seem to focus entirely on the figure.