Чужак в чужой стране

           Haveyoubeenwatchingthemarkettoday?"

           "No,anddon’ttellmeaboutit.Comeoverandhaveadrinkinstead."

           "Uh,I’dbetternot.Ipromised,well,aratherimportantclientthatIwouldbeavailableforinstantconsultation."

           "Isee.Mmm?Beckydoyousupposethatthestarswouldshowthatthiswholematterwouldturnoutbestforeverybodyifitwereallwrappedup,signed,sealed,andnotarizedtoday?Maybejustafterthestockmarketcloses?"

           Shelookedthoughtful."Icouldlookintoit."

           "Youdothat.Andcomestaywithuswhenyouaren’tsobusy.Stayaslongasyoulikeandneverwearyourhurtin’shoesthewholetime.You’llliketheboy.He’sasweirdassnake’ssuspendersbutsweetasastolenkiss,too."

           "Uh?Iwill.AssoonasIcan.Thanks,Doc."

           Theysaidgood-byandJubalreturnedtofindthatDr.NelsonhadtakenMikeintooneofthebedroomsandwascheckinghimover.HejoinedthemtoofferNelsontheuseofhiskitsinceNelsonhadnothadwithhimhisprofessionalbag.

           JubalfoundMikestrippeddownandtheship’ssurgeonlookingbaffled."Doctor,"Nelsonsaid,almostangrily,"Isawthispatientonlytendaysago.Tellmewherehegotthosemuscles?"

           "Why,hesentinacouponfromthebackcoverofRut:TheMagazineforHe-Men.Youknow,theadthattellshowaninety-poundweaklingcan-"

           "Doctor,please!"

           "Whydon’tyouaskhim?"Jubalsuggested.

           Nelsondidso."Ithinkedthem,"Mikeanswered.

           "That’sright,"Jubalagreed."He‘thinked’’em.