I was born in 2027, so I really don't have too many memories of the worldbefore surrogates. By the time I was 10 years old or so, it seemed likejust a...out every adult I knew had one, even my parents, who were of theliberal, eco-friendly persuasion that was least open toward the idea. Butmy dad was embarrassed by his male pattern baldness and my mom, wonderfulwoman that she is, was never a hottie; I think they both welcomed theopportunity to interact with the world through idealized versions. You were ready to cut his balls off!"Abigail ran her fingers lovingly along Allison's face. "Oh, you silly girl. That was forever ago. Things have changed since then."Jack blinked twice at statement."What do you mean?" Allison asked, voicing the question in Jack's mind. What HAD changed?Abigail hesitated. "I ... I don't really know how to explain it. I guess having you in our lives has made me look at relationships, at intimacy, differently." How so?" Jack asked."Well, way back when Allison was. (Tsubame thinks of Kenshin patting her on the head, and giggles.)Yahiko: What?Tsubame: Yahiko, it feels like you've gotten a little bigger.(Yahiko storms off.)Yahiko: Go cry all you want!Tsubame: I--I'm sorry... But it really seemed like that.Yahiko: Really... Tsubame: You said you had something to tell me to cheer me up... ?Yahiko: You're so cheerful now I don't need to tell you.Tsubame: You're so mean... Yahiko: Well, you were so low before I'll tell you anyway. Now listen up! The truth. The plane taxied to the end of the runway, then turned onto the big concrete slab. I saw her set the brakes, run the engines up to 100%, and then she released the brakes and the plane was gathering speed as it hurtled down the two-mile long runway. The plane reached takeoff speed and lifted off the ground. The landing gear folded up and the doors closed. The plane was over the ocean now. I saw the flaps retract, and the plane started accelerating and climbing faster. Soon the big, rehabilitated.