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She studied me as a suspicious puppy might, then said, "I'm sorry, too."
3
"I'm sorry, too."
2
"I suppose I sound like I'm bragging when I talk of the things I'm tired of."
3
"Only because you are."
3
She smiled.
1
I had to grin, so I did.
1
"True."
0
"If you wish, he may be dinner."
3
"I love you."
1
"And I, you."
1
Months earlier, we might have sought a bed, a couch, or a comfortable chair at this point.
1
Instead, I asked, "Is he handsome?"
0
"Is he handsome?"
2
"You're jealous."
2
"A tiny bit.
3
Extremely."
0
"Content yourself, old one.
0
He's four inches shorter than I, his nose is big and broken, and --"
2
But as soon as I coughed, I laughed, and I did not try to kill myself that night.
2
"This is cosmetic?"
2
"He's not that ugly.
3
I think they're his natural features."
0
"Interesting."
2
"You could write a play about someone like him."
1
"Perhaps."
3
"I think his face is his form of vanity.
3
It's the reverse of you with those ridiculous stomach muscles.
2
Old men should be fat."
1
"Is Emil?"
0
"Yes."
1
"I am jealous.
2
I'll eat two dinners tonight.
1
Five deserts."
2
She giggled.
1
And then we did make love.
2
I've been thinking about the mindwipe, now two days away.
1
Who said that those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it?
3
I fear that may be true for me.
0
Add this to the reasons I write now: to remember something, perhaps even to learn --
3
This work is hereby released into the Public Domain.
1
Emil Malaquez arrived after sundown, carrying a small package wrapped in what looked like real paper.
0
His evening dress was formal, expensive, and slightly stained, as that of all forgetful artists should be.
3
He was a jovial man with an easy laugh, and even uglier than Tasha had suggested.
1
I liked him immediately.
1
"Señor Malaquez?"
1
"Please.
1
Call me Emil.
3
You must be Bernardo.
0
Tasha's told me much about you."
0
"All of it outrageous praise?"
2
"Ah, she is wonderfully perceptive."
1
He raised an eyebrow, then guffawed.
0
"Has she said as much about me?"
2
"She thinks you are a genius.
1
Do come in."
1
"Thank you."
1
Stepping into the living room, he said, "A beautiful house."
1
"A beautiful house."
1
"I'm glad you came after dark."
1
Tasha, by accident or design, had found an innocently erotic posture on the couch, where she lay with a book of M'duvian prints.
1
"Emil!"
2
She leapt up.
2
"I did not expect you --"
2
" --on time.
0
It's unforgiveable, but you're forgiven."
3
"What's that?"
2
"For your kindness in inviting a stranger into your home."
1
"Oh!"
2
Tasha snatched it from him to rip away the paper.
2
I went walking, but after N'apulco, Rio seems no fit abode for a creature of flesh.
3
I walked from this hotel to the old city, past the end of the slidewalks and softwalks to the hard, cracked pavement of City Park.
0
But Undersiders left me alone.
2
Perhaps they recognized a fellow ghost.
2
Last year, I rented a small house on Vega IV, a sea world, all islands and reefs and archipelagos, turquoise waters and aquamarine skies, sunrises like symphonies and sunsets like stars gone supernova.
1
Tasha oohed in awe.
1
I said, "Frodo's been visiting you, eh?"
3
"Frodo's been visiting you, eh?"
1
Malaquez said, "Your pet?"
0
"Your pet?"
2
"Hardly.
3
He lives around here somewhere.
2
I suppose he was attracted to the commotion up the hill."
1
"Ah,"
2
"Ah," Malaquez said.
1
"Why 'Frodo'?"
0
Tasha said, "A little fellow with big, furry feet.
0
"A little fellow with big, furry feet.
1
She handed the sculpture to me.
0
I almost dropped it; I expected it to weigh no more than a holo.
2
"Heavy,"
2
"Heavy," I said, as if he might not have known.
3
He laughed.
1
"My last piece was of four old Undersiders crouched around a trash fire.
3
Be glad someone didn't toss that to you."
1
He spoke of his art with the enthusiasm of a seven-year-old.
1
"Um, I should wait to importune you, but..."
0
"A confession, and then a request.
3
It's not easy for me to ask a favor."
2
"Relax,"
1
"Relax," I said.
3