Чужак в чужой стране

           ")

           ("!!!!")

           ("Yes.Beautifulagony.")

           AmusiccuetoldJilltobreakherposeandresumeherslowstrut.Shedidso,movingwithproudsensuousnessandfeelinglustboilupinherselfinresponsetoemotionsshewasgettingbothfromMikeandfromthestranger.TheroutinecausedhertowalkawayfromMikeandalmosttowardtheruttylittlestranger,approachinghimduringherfirstfewsteps.Shecontinuedtolockeyeswithhim.

           AtwhichpointsomethinghappenedwhichwastotallyunexpectedtoherbecauseMikehadneverexplainedthatitwaspossible.Shehadbeenlettingherselfreceiveasmuchaspossibleofthestranger’semotions,intentionallyteasinghimwitheyesandbody,andrelayingwhatshefeltfromhimbacktoMike–whensuddenlythecircuitwascompletedandshewaslookingatherself,seeingherselfthroughstrangeeyes,muchmorelavishthansheconsideredherselftobe–andfeelingtheprimitiveneedwithwhichthatstrangersawher.

           BlindlyshestumbledandwouldhavefallenflathadnotMikeinstantlysensedherhazard,caughther,liftedher,straightenedherup,andsteadiedheruntilshecouldwalkunassisted,second-sightgone.

           Theparadeofbeautiescontinuedonthroughexit.Onceoffstagethegirlbehindhersaid,"Whatthedevilhappenedtoyou,Jill?"

           "Caughtmyheel."

           "Happens.ButthatwasthewildestrecoveryIeversaw.Forasecondthereyoulookedlikeapuppetonstrings."

           (-andsoIwas,dear,andsoIwas!Butwewon’tgointothat.)"I’mgoingtoaskthestagemanagertocheckthatspot.