Retail is retail," replied Jacqueline in a rueful tone."However, I will agree with you, and say that I like to hold our storeto somewhat of a higher s...andard," as her voice took on a measure ofpride."In any case, you have nothing to be nervous about," she continued. "Infact, by hiring a young male employee may even prove to increase thenumber of customers in our store."Evan wasn't sure exactly what Jacqueline meant by that. He quicklycaught his reflection in a store mirror. At 5 feet 11, Evan. While driving off, she said, “I know what you’re going through. I was refugee from Vam, back when I was about the age of Zahra. My family, with the exception of my father, escaped from Vam in a small fishing boat. We were picked up by the Filop Navy. They took us to shore where we spent about three months in a refugee camp. It was horrible.“Then the son of General Nguyen came to the camp and got us released to his care. We stayed in another camp for a while. It was a whole lot better. We were. The damned thin’ kilt ‘im too. I found him dead as hell a couple weeks ago, sittin’ down there--dead as yesterday’s news. The doc said a stroke got ‘im.”“Jesus.”She nodded, then stuck out her hand. “Irene.” I shook with her. “Carl.”She squinted as she looked me up and down. I felt like a slab of beef. “Ya wanna buy a boat, sonny?”I should never, ever play poker. My heart raced with avarice. Jesus, to own my own boat!”“Before I say yes or no, how much we talkin’, and what sort of shape is it. " As should we all, Milady. May I get you something to foil the chill?"She laughed. One of the men moved and the tip of her epee flashed to barely touch his chest. He froze. So did everyone else in the room."I am naked, Wadsworth," she said calmly, "not chilled." Indeed," I said. "Perhaps, then, I could obtain something for you to cover your nakedness with?" I am naked because these men insisted on it," she said.She pressed the tip of the blade against a button on Horace's shirt. He had been.