”‘‘So we are doing Bread and Circuses? What else? Men for orgies overnight?”“Any men who stay overnight have to have blood tests.”“Even ...im?”“Even David,” Margaret said with a smile. “No sense having all the hen house out of order because of one little dick infecting one little chick. But I wanted to ask you something else. You know that five of those ladies in waiting are volunteers?”“Yes. Oh. You are thinking of substitution forms? Not easily done unless you have compelling reasons and they. Locking myself in my bedroom, I remained there, locked away for the next two days, until I had to dress and come out to attend the funeral services.At the funeral home, I was barely one step above being a zombie. I went where I was led and sat where I was directed. People came to express their condolences and share concern for me, but I wasn’t aware of it at the time.At the graveside service I lost it, completely. As the casket was lowered into the ground I jumped up from my chair and screamed. ." I said. "Where are all the girls at?" He looked at me and smiled, "yeah... but it's not so bad... more for me..." He replied. I was confused.. what did he mean more for him... "What do you mean more for you?" He smiled back at me again, "I'm gay...." I was taken aback as I tried to not look surprised but I never had such a sudden encounter before. "Oh.... I see... that's cool...." I said back. Another long moment of silent and it got even more awkward. I figured it would be best to just. She kissed him lightly on the cheek, "Bah," she said, "As soon as you said you were working together, I knew you were going to have to talk business. I'll go get to work on my homework." As she skipped past Jonas, she kissed him the same way, "Don't keep him out too late. He has homework to do, too."Thule's mind was in turmoil as they walked, in silence, up to the meadow they'd been at earlier in the day. It was near dark now. Jonas led him up to one of the glacial erratics, far enough away.