It escalated from there. Betty was never sure afterwards whether she'd had more of her meal or of Stacy's. Both were delicious.They both relaxed a bit...after finishing the main course, before ordering dessert, and just leaned back. Betty ordered another half-litre of wine. She also asked to see a menu, wanting to know what other desserts were available. Their host brought them desserts-only menus. Everything had pictures, even the weekly special. Betty thought she'd gain five pounds just. It sliced through the air, directly into Flockhart’s neck. It thudded into him, making a sickening sound — both squishy and crunchy. He collapsed on his back, his head smashing into the hardwood floor. I spun back to McGrady, both barrels pointed at his chest, hammers already cocked.He was staring down as Flockhart turned purple, his heels kicking up and down on the floor. He clutched both hands to his throat as he strangled to death, his windpipe crushed. I used my foot to slide the Peacemaker. "Greetings, Earthman. Is this your language?"In his current state it seemed perfectly logical to Jason that he should be talking with an alien. Wasn't there something in the news about aliens coming into the US from Mexico? It seemed like he had read that. He answered, "Yes, it is. Greetings."The man moved closer. Jason could see that he looked quite handsome from a human standpoint if one ignored the pale blue skin. Jason held out his own hand and the stranger, after only a second's. He opened eyes again, seeing her totally engaged in what she was doing. Her neck and upper arms were shiny with sweat, due to the strength she was using.“Er, sir, your muscles are so hard and stiff, it looks like you are under great deal of stress?' she asked suddenly.“Yes, I have been working hard the past few months” he replied unwittingly.“Then just massaging your muscles wont remove all that built up tension. Would you let me do something bit out of ordinary that might help?”He wasn't.