Чужак в чужой стране

           She’ssortofamajordomoforhim–andapriestess,ifyou’llpardontheword.Patricia–butcalled‘Pat,’or‘Patty.’"

           "Oh,yes!Jillhasspokenofher?andthinksveryhighlyofher.Nevermentionedhertattoos,however.Probablydidn’tthinkitwasrelevant.Orperhapsnoneofmybusiness."

           "Butshe’snearlytherightagetobeyourfriend.Shesays.WhenIsaid‘babe’Iwasagaingivingafirstimpression.Shelookstobeinhertwenties;sheclaimsheroldestchildisthatold.Anyhow,shetrotteduptomeetme,allbigsmile,putherarmsaroundmeandkissedme.‘You’reBen,Iknow.Welcome,brother!Igiveyouwater!’

           "Youknowme,Jubal.I’vebeeninthenewspaperracketforyears–I’vebeenaround.ButIhadneverbeenkissedbyatotallystrangebabedressedonlyintattoos?whowasdeterminedtobeasfriendlyandaffectionateasacolliepup.Iwasembarrassed."

           "PoorBen.Myheartbleeds."

           "Damnit,youwouldhavefeltthesameway."

           "No.Remember,I’vemetonetattooedlady.Theyfeelcompletelydressedinthosetattoos–andratherresenthavingtoputonclothes.OratleastthiswastrueofmyfriendSadako.Japanese,shewas.ButofcoursetheJapanesearenotbodyconsciousthewayweare."

           "Well,"Benanswered."Patisn’texactlybodyconscious,either–justabouthertattoos.Shewantstobestuffedandmounted,nude,whenshedies,asatributetoGeorge."

           "‘George’?"

           "Sorry.Herhusband