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           Caxtonfeltasifhewerebeingtakento"viewtheremains"andsuppressedanervousneedtolaugh.

           Theroomwasquitegloomy."Wekeepitsemi-darkenedbecausehiseyesarenotaccustomedtoourlightlevels,"Tannerexplainedinahushedvoice.Heturnedtoahydraulicbedwhichfilledthecenteroftheroom."Mike,I’vebroughtsomefriendstoseeyou."

           Caxtonpressedcloser,Floatingtherein,halfconcealedbythewayhisbodysankintotheplasticskincoveringtheliquidinthetankandfartherconcealedbyasheetuptohisarmpits,wasayoungman.Helookedbackatthembutsaidnothing;hissmooth,roundfacewasexpressionless.

           SofarasBencouldtellthiswasthemanwhohadbeenonstereothenightbefore.HehadasuddensickfeelingthatlittleJill,withthebestofintentions,hadtossedhimalivegrenade-aslandersuitthatmightverywellbankrupthim."YouareValentineMichaelSmith?"

           "Yet"

           "TheManfromMars?"

           "Yet"

           "Youwereonstereolastnight?"

           Themaninthetankbeddidnotanswer.Tannersaid,"Idon’tthinkheknowstheword.Letmetry.Mike,yourememberwhatyoudidwithMr.Douglaslastnight?"

           Thefacelookedpetulant."Brightlights.Hurt."

           "Yes,thelightshurtyoureyes.Mr.Douglashadyousayhellotopeople."

           Thepatientsmiledslightly."Longrideinchair."

           "Okay,"agreedCaxton."Icatchon.Mike,aretheytreatingyouallrighthere?"

           "Yes."

           "Youdon’thavetostayhere,youknow.Canyouwalk?"

           Tannersaidhastily,"Nowseehere,Mr.Caxton-"Berquistputahandonhisarmandheshutup.