My sister got real close to me and whispered, ‘If you do this, I’ll do *anything* you want me too.’ I stood there for a few minutes, getting my ...ourage up. Emily and Suzy stood there looking at me anxiously. Slowly, I began walking into the store. I walked into the perfume and lotion section and began acting like I was browsing. Emily and Suzy followed close behind me. I picked up some of the lotions and smelled them, like I was really browsing. I could feel my legs shaking. I slowly worked my. "He's a magi, mom said. If he sees us, things could go bad." But kids are going to get hurt in there!" I hissed."No. Mom said she has called for some help." The police? What could they do?" Not the police, but mom said we'll see."And indeed we did. A moment later, there was a flash of lightning, andsuddenly there was a young woman dressed in a short tunic and carrying abow with a quiver of arrows on her back.I wouldn't call what happened next a 'fight", exactly, as it was almostimmediately. The Captain suggested the crew be paid dollar for dollar when they cashed in their chips and went home with him. They could be paid in gold bullion at Earth value when they left on the ship for Earth.They had a healthy stock of gold in storage thanks to Gavin and DT, and since most of it and the silver and other minerals belonged to the Community of Futura, it could be stored back down here, now the Big Recycler was up and going.Magda suggested they could set up a debit card system. They could. It would suit your squint. You’d look like an old, handsome cowboy. Weather beaten. Sorta sexy.”“Well, thank y’all,” I drawled. “You’re a purdy handsome looking filly, yourself.”Rachael burst into laughter. “Handsome? Filly? You’re a hoot!”She turned and sat cross-legged, facing me. “Why do you live so far away from everything?”“You hear that?” I asked.She tilted her head, listened, then asked, “What? I don’t hear anything.”“That’s why. Your mom probably told you she grew up in Tucson. I lived.