Чужак в чужой стране

           I’malmostsorrywe’llneverhavethesameface.It’sveryhandy,Ben,forDawnandmyselftolooksomuchalike.Wehavetohavetwohighpriestesses;it’salltwoofuscandotokeepupwithMike.Wecantradeplacesrightinthemiddleofaservice–andsometimesdo.Andbesides,"sheadded,swallowing,"Dawncanbuyafitteddressanditfitsme,too.Savesmethenuisanceofshoppingforclothes.Whenwewearclothes."

           "Iwasn’tsure,"Bensaidslowly,"thatyoustillworeclothesatall.Exceptthesepriestessthings."

           Jilllookedsurprised."Doyouthinkwewouldgooutdancinginthese?Weweareveningdresses,sameaseverybodyelse.That’sourfavoritewayofnotgettingourbeautysleep,isn’tit,dear?Sitbackdownandfinishyoursupper;Benhasstaredatuslongenoughforthemoment.Ben,there’samaninthattransitiongroupyouwerejustwithwho’saperfectlydreamydancerandthistownisloadedwithgoodnightclubs–andDawnandIhavekeptthepoorfellowsobusy,alternatedkeepinghimupsomanynightsinarow,thatwe’vehadtohelphimstayawakeinlanguageclasses.Buthe’llbeallright;onceyoureachEighthCircleyoudon’tneednearlysomuchsleep.Whatevermadeyouthinkweneverdressed,dear?"

           "Uh-"Benfinallyblurtedouttheembarrassingpredicamenthehadbeenin.

           Jilllookedwide-eyed,thenbarelygiggled–andstoppeditatonce,atwhichBenrealizedthathehadheardnoneofthesepeoplelaughonlythe"marks"intheouterservice."Isee.