?" Did Mark Blakely ride with you last night?" she questioned, interrupting his words."Hell no! That writer friend of his from L.A. did, hoping to get...some sort of story, I guess," the Police Chief grunted, taking several steps toward the kitchen then stopping. "But Blakely stuck to his guns, claiming both the posse and me were off-limits invading his jurisdiction. He tried to order us to lay-off and wait for those tree-planting conservationists he's sent for to handle it, but he could see that. Now enough talking I said we're going now so get your shoeson and let's go. I don't want to hear anymore of your whining. Don't makeme go and get my hairbrush because if I do you won't be sittingcomfortably for a few days!"I sat and pulled on my shoes with shaking hands. I almost started to crybut I knew that would be just the last straw and I'd be over her knee.We stepped out into a beautiful early autumn day, the sun was bright andI could hear the sounds of people all around me. We live on a. ” she said decisively. We neared a grocery store. A robot was standing by the entrance. It was about a meter tall, and had the nice color of a half- baked toast, soaked with butter. Its eyes were blue, wide-set, and slightly bulged. Red light was flickering restlessly on its head. “Hi, I am Arthur. I am a domestic helper,” it said, turning to us. The robots are not supposed to accost strangers so we were fairly surprised. Nicole stopped and giggled childishly, then introduced herself. “You. I don't know what I'm going to do after that.March 15It's been a while since I've written in this thing.They just let me out...of the psych ward.I guess I had a complete breakdown. It's not so surprising really. Iguess the stress was just too much for me.Some of the doctors suggested a sex change might be the answer.But then what would I be? I mean, wouldn't that still just be pretending?Could I really just go back to being what I was like nothing everhappened.I guess I can never be entirely.