He twisted so he could see the back and hequivered a little as he saw the string disappear between his cheeks.They felt a little awkward on him but he...felt they made him feel, well,sexy was the word that sprang to his mind.He jumped as he heard a soft knock on his door, and Chris called out,‘Are you awake? Can I come in?’Shit, shit, shit, Rick thought. ‘Wait a minute, I’m just getting myjeans on.’Chris ignored him and opened the door anyway, just as Rick was pullinghis jeans over his knees.. . I’m still not sure what’s up with that. Let’s call her and me the exception that proves the rule. None of the other Villagers bother with me. Not even her two best friends.”“Does she have anything to do with Liddington-Phipps?”“Depends on who you believe. Some say she stands to inherit the company lock stock when she turns eighteen. Others say different. There’s one theory that whoever she marries will be the next person to run the company. But we’re not supposed to be talking about Clarissa.. ... Anyway, whydon't we just swap back again?" Can't. There's always a concealed trick in the products I sell. Foolsthe customers. I like fooling customers. The trick with this one is thatyou can't change back again with it. It's a one-shot deal." The glow andshimmer had gone out of the object. "You have to use something else." Well, then why not use something else?" Because I don't *have* anything else just now, you fool!" You mean in this whole store full of junk you don't have. I'm okay with it. I'm not just humouring you, I want to do this, so shut up asking questions and take the fucking pictures."My dad must be the least decisive man in existence. Other men can lead armies into war knowing that the fate of thousands of men lies only with their cast iron belief in their own ability as a commander. My father second guesses himself half a dozen times when choosing his breakfast cereal. Which is a shame, because he has a brilliant mind, he just has no faith in it.