Chapter 17

           AsMadameVesantleftthescreenJubalHarshawleanedbackfromhisphone."Front,"hesaid.

           "Okay,Boss,"Miriamacknowledged.

           "Thisisoneforthe‘Real-Experiences’group.SpecifyonthecoversheetthatIwantthenarratortohaveasexycontraltovoice-"

           "MaybeIshouldtryoutforit."

           "Notthatsexy.Shutup.DigoutthatlistofnullsurnameswegotfromtheCensusBureau,pickoneandputaninnocent,mammalianfirstnamewithit,forthepenname.Agirl’snameendingin‘a’-thatalwayssuggestsa‘C’cup."

           "Huh!Andnotoneofuswithanameendingin‘a.’Why,youlouse!"

           "Flat-chestsbunch,aren’tyou?‘Angela.’Hernameis‘Angela.’Title:‘IMarriedaMartian.’Start:AllmylifeIhadlongedtobecomeanastronaut.Paragraph.WhenIwasjustatinything,withfrecklesonmynoseandstarsinmyeyes,Isavedboxtopsjustasmybrothersdid–andcriedwhenMummywouldn’tletmewearmySpaceCadethelmettobed.Paragraph.InthosecarefreechildhooddaysIdidnotdreamtowhatstrange,bittersweetfatemytomboyambitionwould-"

           "Boss!"

           "Yes,Dorcas?"

           "Herecometwomoreloads."

           Jubalgotupfromthetelephonechair."Holdforcontinuation.Miriam,sitdownatthephone."Hewenttothewindow,sawthetwoaircarsDorcashadspotted,decidedthattheycouldbesquadcars,andmightbeabouttolandonhisproperty."Larry,boltthedoortothisroom.Anne,putonyourrobe.Watchthembutstandbackfromthewindow;Iwantthemtothinkthehouseisempty.