" I'm not gay," laughed Eric. And from the natural way he laughed, I knewhe wasn't lying. "You keep worrying about that. But really, Bea, I'm notgay. ... don't fancy men. I'd tell you if I did." Mum used to worry you were. Especially when you were really young andyou'd come down stairs in my old school uniform. Dad really freaked outabout that. They used to talk about it after you went to bed." What can I say, Bea. I don't like men. They're all... icky." You are just so full of contradictions,. " Business?" Yeah. Big teleconference call that lasted for hours and hours. So, getting any work done?" The usual stuff. What's up?" Tired out from yesterday?" Hey, I might be old, but not that old." In that case, what do you want to do tonight?" I was hoping for a quiet night at home." And you said you're not old." So I prefer to stay home, cook myself a meal, and catch a movie from time to time. You should try it." Is that an invitation?" Yep." When should I come by?" How about eight?" Sounds. But he's been building credit up to get this," I picked up the Game of Thrones board game off the shelf, "I haven't played it, but I know he wants it." Seventy dollars?" She looked at it, "He's worth it but that seems a lot for some cardboard and paint." And you're absolutely correct," I assured her, "But it's the price we're asked to sell it as." And you're sure he'll like this?" She seemed nervous. That was cute. I'd known Matthew for almost seven years now. A woman nervous over him was the. We have five thousand shelters ready to send out, and I would really like to get another couple thousand made and ready to ship. Let’s get working!”There was a ragged cheer in the cavernous building, before the din of machinery drowned it out. I smiled and headed back into the office of the plant.Cassandra was waiting for me.“I didn’t think I’d be back here this soon, Paul,” she said as she stood and shook my hand.“I wish it were under better circumstances. Calvin, Don, Jodi, and Allen should.