It is true, not Monica, but I am standing in for her for a little bit. She'll be back shortly. May I help you in the meantime?" Not at all mollified...by Sean's words, the young man carried on. "I want to... I want to see Monica. I need to talk to her." "Hmmmmm." Sean stroked his chin. A totally artificial gesture, but one that went right over the head of the intended audience. "Well... say, what is your name, anyway?" "David," came the somewhat resentful answer. "Well, David, Monica will. When I looked at the clockon my vanity table, it was already midnight, but I still had a lot to doto get ready. I decided to call in sick the next day and that would giveme a whole morning to get ready. Chapter 5 ? Big dayThe next morning, I packed all my outfits in the luggage and I calledJohn, and made sure he was available. I arrived at his salon right ontime."So, what is the urgency, that you want me to clear the afternoon foryou?" John asked."I am going out on a date tonight, and I plan to. We put Mark in the back seat of their car and Michele and I decided to take that car. Jim offered to drive Karen back and we all headed out. We put Mark in the extra bedroom and went back into the family room just when Karen and Jim arrived. We opened some wine and sat around and started talking. We all knew we were there for sex but no one seemed to want to be the first to say anything. Finally Michele blurted out, "If no one else is going to get this started I guess since I am the host I have. "How so, Mage Q'kollan?" As much as I would contend that our esteemed Guildmaster does have -- and should have -- great leeway in leading this Guild, I do admit to some concerns and questions about this Portal research." I beg your pardon, Q'kollan?" the Guildmaster demanded.Q'kollan regarded Q'ixanna with a placid look. "With all due respect, Guildmaster, the issue of the research is explosive enough that it needs to be decided. And I feel that knowing if the courier is related to this matter.