Чужак в чужой стране

           "Sure,sure-noantibodies.ButfromwhatIheararoundthemesshail,DoctorNelson-thesurgeonintheChampion,Imean-DoctorNelsontookcareofthatonthetripback.Repeatedmutualtransfusionuntilhehadreplacedabouthalfofhisbloodtissue."

           "Really?CanIusethat,Jill?That’snews."

           "Allright,justdon’tquoteme.Theygavehimshotsforeverythingbuthousemaid’sknee,too.But,Ben,eveniftheywanttoprotecthimfrominfection,thatdoesn’ttakearmedguardsoutsidehisdoor."

           "Mmmm

           "Oh,Iwon’t."

           "It’salongstory.Wantarefill?"

           "No,let’sstartthesteak.Where’sthebutton?"

           "Righthere."

           "Well,pushit."

           "Me?Youofferedtocookdinner.Where’sthatGirlScoutspirityouwereboastingabout?"

           "BenCaxton,IwilllierighthereinthegrassandstarvebeforeIwillgetuptopushabuttonthatissixinchesfromyourrightforefinger."

           "Asyouwish."Hepressedthebuttontotellthestovetocarryoutitspre-setorders."Butdon’tforgetwhocookeddinner.NowaboutValentineMichaelSmith.Inthefirstplacethereisgravedoubtastohisrighttothename’Smith.’"

           "Repeat,please?"

           "Honey,yourpalappearstobethefirstinterplanetarybastardofrecord.Imean’lovechild.’"

           "Thehellyousay!"

           "Pleasebemoreladylikeinyourspeech.DoyourememberanythingaboutthecrewoftheEnvoy?Nevermind,I’llhitthehighpoints.Eightpeople,fourmarriedcouples.