Чужак в чужой стране

           "Shesatup,reachedtowardtheendofthecouch–anditlookedtoCanonasifapackofcigarettesontheendtablejumpedthelastfewinchesintoherhand.

           "Youseemedtohavepickedupsomesleight-of-handtricks,too."

           Sheseemedmomentarilypuzzled,thenshesmiled."Some.Nothingmuch.Parlortricks.‘Iamonlyanegg,’toquotemyteacher."

           "Howdidyoudothattrick?"

           "Why,IjustwhistledtoitinMartian.Firstyougrokathing,thenyougrokwhatyouwantitto–Mike!"Shewaved."We’reoverhere,dear!"

           "Coming."TheManfromMarscamestraighttoBen,tookhishands,pulledhimtohisfeet."Letmelookatyou,Ben!Golly,it’sgoodtoseeyou!"

           "It’sgoodtoseeyou.Andtobehere."

           "Andwe’regoingtotwistyourarmtokeepyouhere.What’sthisaboutthreedays?Threedaysindeed!"

           "I’maworkingman,Mike."

           "We’llsee.Thegirlsareallexcited,gettingreadyforyourpartytonight.Mightjustaswellshutdownservicesandclassesfortherestoftheday–theywon’tbeworthadamn."

           "Pattyhasalreadydoneanynecessaryrescheduling,"JilltoldMike."Shejustdidn’tbotheryouwithit.DawnandRuthandSamaregoingtotakecareofwhat’snecessary.PattydecidedtosloughtheOutermatinee–soyou’rethroughfortheday."

           "That’sgoodnews."Mikesatdown,pulledJill’sheadintohislap,pulledBendown,putanarmaroundhim,andsighed.HewasdressedasBenhadseenhimintheoutermeeting,smarttropicalbusinesssuit,lackingonlyshoes.