Authors: Robin Cook
Tags: #Fiction, #Suspense, #Onbekend, #Unabridged Audio - Fiction, #Suspense & Thriller
Abduction (16 page)
"No need to worry, bro," Richard said. "Michael and I are professionals."
"Let's party!" Michael said enthusiastically. Perry and Suzanne had to be nudged forward. Both had been bowled over by Arak's explanations, particularly Suzanne. All at once she had answers to two of the mysteries of oceanography, namely, why magma wells up at the mid-oceanic ridges and why there are oceanic currents, particularly the Gulf Stream. The answers to both questions had completely eluded scientists. The group climbed the stairs with Arak in the lead. As they passed between two of the massive columns supporting the domed roof, Suzanne caught sight of Richard's overeager expression. Worried what his conduct might be under the influence, she leaned toward him and whispered, "Remember to behave yourself."
Richard glanced at her. His expression was one of scornful disbelief. "I'm serious, Richard," Suzanne added. "We have no idea what we are up against, and we don't want to put ourselves in any more jeopardy than we already are. If you have to drink, do it sparingly." "Drop dead!" Richard said. He quickened his pace and caught up to Arak just as two oversized bronze doors swung open.
The first thing that greeted the visitors was the murmur of thousands of excited voices as they reverberated around the pavilion's vast, white marbled interior. The level they'd entered formed a ballustraded balcony that ran around the circular hall. Together the group moved to the top of a grand staircase and looked down.
"Talk about a party!" Richard cried. "My god! There must be a thousand people here." "We could have had ten thousand if we'd had the room," Arak told them. In the center of the huge domed ballroom was a round pool illuminated in such a way as to make it appear like an enormous aquamarine cabochon jewel. Surrounding the pool was a foot-high, ten-foot-wide lip. Numerous stairways connected the balcony to the level below. The floor of the pavilion was packed with people. Everyone was dressed in the same simple white satin outfits except for an occasional worker clone in their usual black. The worker clones were carrying large trays loaded with golden goblets and food. Each guest sported a velvet ribbon tied around his or her neck just like the one Arak had on. Only the color varied, not the size, the shape, or the way it was tied. And as before, everyone was strikingly beautiful or handsome. Word that the visitors had arrived spread like wildfire through the crowd. Conversations stopped and faces tilted up. It was a dramatic sight to look down on so many silently expectant people. Arak raised his hands over his head with his palms toward the audience. "Greetings to everyone! I am pleased to announce that all our visitors, save one, have graciously deigned to come to our celebration of their arrival to Saranta."
A general cheer erupted from the audience as everyone lifted their arms, mirroring Arak's gesture. "Come!" Arak said. He motioned for the group to follow him as he started down the broad flight of
"Let's party!" Michael said enthusiastically. Perry and Suzanne had to be nudged forward. Both had been bowled over by Arak's explanations, particularly Suzanne. All at once she had answers to two of the mysteries of oceanography, namely, why magma wells up at the mid-oceanic ridges and why there are oceanic currents, particularly the Gulf Stream. The answers to both questions had completely eluded scientists. The group climbed the stairs with Arak in the lead. As they passed between two of the massive columns supporting the domed roof, Suzanne caught sight of Richard's overeager expression. Worried what his conduct might be under the influence, she leaned toward him and whispered, "Remember to behave yourself."
Richard glanced at her. His expression was one of scornful disbelief. "I'm serious, Richard," Suzanne added. "We have no idea what we are up against, and we don't want to put ourselves in any more jeopardy than we already are. If you have to drink, do it sparingly." "Drop dead!" Richard said. He quickened his pace and caught up to Arak just as two oversized bronze doors swung open.
The first thing that greeted the visitors was the murmur of thousands of excited voices as they reverberated around the pavilion's vast, white marbled interior. The level they'd entered formed a ballustraded balcony that ran around the circular hall. Together the group moved to the top of a grand staircase and looked down.
"Talk about a party!" Richard cried. "My god! There must be a thousand people here." "We could have had ten thousand if we'd had the room," Arak told them. In the center of the huge domed ballroom was a round pool illuminated in such a way as to make it appear like an enormous aquamarine cabochon jewel. Surrounding the pool was a foot-high, ten-foot-wide lip. Numerous stairways connected the balcony to the level below. The floor of the pavilion was packed with people. Everyone was dressed in the same simple white satin outfits except for an occasional worker clone in their usual black. The worker clones were carrying large trays loaded with golden goblets and food. Each guest sported a velvet ribbon tied around his or her neck just like the one Arak had on. Only the color varied, not the size, the shape, or the way it was tied. And as before, everyone was strikingly beautiful or handsome. Word that the visitors had arrived spread like wildfire through the crowd. Conversations stopped and faces tilted up. It was a dramatic sight to look down on so many silently expectant people. Arak raised his hands over his head with his palms toward the audience. "Greetings to everyone! I am pleased to announce that all our visitors, save one, have graciously deigned to come to our celebration of their arrival to Saranta."
A general cheer erupted from the audience as everyone lifted their arms, mirroring Arak's gesture. "Come!" Arak said. He motioned for the group to follow him as he started down the broad flight of
stairs.
Richard and Michael scampered forward eagerly, followed by a more hesitant Suzanne and Perry. "This is too much!" Richard whispered in excitement. "Look at the women! It looks like a Victoria's Secret slumber party."
"Every one of them could be a centerfold," Michael responded. "It's hard to keep this all in perspective," Suzanne whispered to Perry. "I feel like we're in a 1950's Cecil B. DeMille movie spectacular."
"I know what you mean," Perry answered. "It also gives me an idea what it's like to be a rock star. These people are really happy to see us. And look how young everybody is. Most of these people appear as if they're in their early twenties." "True, but there's a significant number of children," Suzanne said. "I can see a few that can't be any more than three or four."
"Not very many senior citizens," Perry commented. At the base of the stairs the people shrank back as the group descended, but as soon as they reached the floor, the crowd surged forward with their hands held up, palms forward. Suzanne and Perry instinctively retreated a few steps back despite the obvious warmth of the crowd. In contrast Richard and Michael allowed themselves to be engulfed. The two divers soon realized that the crowd wanted physical contact with their hands, and the divers happily reached out to touch the palms that sought theirs. It was a greeting similar to the one Arak had employed when he'd first welcomed Suzanne earlier.
"I love you all," Richard cried out, to the pleasure of the Interterrans in his immediate vicinity, but he selectively chose the palms of young, beautiful women as he worked his way through the crowd. In his enthusiasm he even grabbed a few and kissed them--which brought the festivity to a sudden, screeching halt.
Richard eyed the women he'd kissed and wondered for a fleeting moment if he should retreat up the stairs. The stunned women proceeded to touch their lips, then examine their fingers as if they expected to see blood. Clearly kissing was not part of the Interterrans' normal salutational repertoire. Richard glanced guiltily at Michael, who was equally tense at the precipitous change in the mood of the crowd. "I couldn't help myself," Richard explained. Three women he'd kissed looked at each other and burst out laughing. Then all three launched themselves simultaneously at Richard to return the gesture. The crowd cheered with delight and pressed in around the two divers even more. After several fumbled attempts at kissing, the three women graciously moved away to make room for others. A sly smile spread across Richard's face. "Looks like we're going to be teaching these chicks a thing or two," he said beaming. He felt encouraged enough to be even more demonstrative. Michael, seeing Richard's successes, quickly followed suit. But soon their activities were interrupted by a worker clone who had responded to a suggestion of Arak's to give their guests something to drink. The clones arrived and pressed golden goblets into their hands.
Richard and Michael scampered forward eagerly, followed by a more hesitant Suzanne and Perry. "This is too much!" Richard whispered in excitement. "Look at the women! It looks like a Victoria's Secret slumber party."
"Every one of them could be a centerfold," Michael responded. "It's hard to keep this all in perspective," Suzanne whispered to Perry. "I feel like we're in a 1950's Cecil B. DeMille movie spectacular."
"I know what you mean," Perry answered. "It also gives me an idea what it's like to be a rock star. These people are really happy to see us. And look how young everybody is. Most of these people appear as if they're in their early twenties." "True, but there's a significant number of children," Suzanne said. "I can see a few that can't be any more than three or four."
"Not very many senior citizens," Perry commented. At the base of the stairs the people shrank back as the group descended, but as soon as they reached the floor, the crowd surged forward with their hands held up, palms forward. Suzanne and Perry instinctively retreated a few steps back despite the obvious warmth of the crowd. In contrast Richard and Michael allowed themselves to be engulfed. The two divers soon realized that the crowd wanted physical contact with their hands, and the divers happily reached out to touch the palms that sought theirs. It was a greeting similar to the one Arak had employed when he'd first welcomed Suzanne earlier.
"I love you all," Richard cried out, to the pleasure of the Interterrans in his immediate vicinity, but he selectively chose the palms of young, beautiful women as he worked his way through the crowd. In his enthusiasm he even grabbed a few and kissed them--which brought the festivity to a sudden, screeching halt.
Richard eyed the women he'd kissed and wondered for a fleeting moment if he should retreat up the stairs. The stunned women proceeded to touch their lips, then examine their fingers as if they expected to see blood. Clearly kissing was not part of the Interterrans' normal salutational repertoire. Richard glanced guiltily at Michael, who was equally tense at the precipitous change in the mood of the crowd. "I couldn't help myself," Richard explained. Three women he'd kissed looked at each other and burst out laughing. Then all three launched themselves simultaneously at Richard to return the gesture. The crowd cheered with delight and pressed in around the two divers even more. After several fumbled attempts at kissing, the three women graciously moved away to make room for others. A sly smile spread across Richard's face. "Looks like we're going to be teaching these chicks a thing or two," he said beaming. He felt encouraged enough to be even more demonstrative. Michael, seeing Richard's successes, quickly followed suit. But soon their activities were interrupted by a worker clone who had responded to a suggestion of Arak's to give their guests something to drink. The clones arrived and pressed golden goblets into their hands.
Even Suzanne and Perry's reserve began to erode in the face of the infectious conviviality. They were
surrounded by friendly, beautiful people eager to press palms with them. Some of the welcomes were the very young children Suzanne had seen when they'd first arrived. Suzanne asked one of them her age after being impressed by her flawless English and apparent intelligence. "How old are
you
?" the child asked without answering Suzanne's question. Suzanne was about to respond when a man who could have played a Greek god in the Cecil B. DeMille movie she'd imagined asked her if she lived with a mate. Before Suzanne could answer this curious question an older man, no less attractive, asked her if she knew her parents. "Just a moment here," Arak said, coming between Suzanne and her admirers. "As you all know, we have specifically told our guests that their questions must wait until tomorrow. It is only fair that ours wait as well. Tonight is to celebrate this wonderful event for Saranta and to enjoy." "Hey, Arak!" Richard yelled from the center of a group of fans. He was holding up his golden goblet. "Is this the crystal liquor you were talking about?" "It is indeed," Arak called out.
"It's fantastic!" Richard yelled back. "I really dig it." "I'm glad," Arak said.
"One other thing," Richard yelled. "Don't you guys have any music? I mean, what's a party without music?"
"Right on," Michael yelled.
"Workers, music!" Arak shouted over the din. Within moments background music miraculously could be heard over the babble. It was as soothing as the music in the decon living quarters. Michael let out a contemptuous laugh.
"I'm not talking about elevator music," Richard shouted back at Arak. "I mean something with some base and a beat. Something we can dance to." Arak barked another order to the worker clones and soon the music changed. Richard and Michael exchanged bewildered glances. The music had more base and a beat, but with its strange syncopation it was not like any music they had ever heard. "What the hell is this?" Michael asked. He cocked his head to the side to listen better. "Beats me," Richard said. He closed his eyes and moved his head in an undulating fashion. At the same time he took a few unsteady steps and swiveled his hips. His movements brought some giggles from the girls he'd amassed around him.
"You like that, huh?" Richard questioned.
surrounded by friendly, beautiful people eager to press palms with them. Some of the welcomes were the very young children Suzanne had seen when they'd first arrived. Suzanne asked one of them her age after being impressed by her flawless English and apparent intelligence. "How old are
you
?" the child asked without answering Suzanne's question. Suzanne was about to respond when a man who could have played a Greek god in the Cecil B. DeMille movie she'd imagined asked her if she lived with a mate. Before Suzanne could answer this curious question an older man, no less attractive, asked her if she knew her parents. "Just a moment here," Arak said, coming between Suzanne and her admirers. "As you all know, we have specifically told our guests that their questions must wait until tomorrow. It is only fair that ours wait as well. Tonight is to celebrate this wonderful event for Saranta and to enjoy." "Hey, Arak!" Richard yelled from the center of a group of fans. He was holding up his golden goblet. "Is this the crystal liquor you were talking about?" "It is indeed," Arak called out.
"It's fantastic!" Richard yelled back. "I really dig it." "I'm glad," Arak said.
"One other thing," Richard yelled. "Don't you guys have any music? I mean, what's a party without music?"
"Right on," Michael yelled.
"Workers, music!" Arak shouted over the din. Within moments background music miraculously could be heard over the babble. It was as soothing as the music in the decon living quarters. Michael let out a contemptuous laugh.
"I'm not talking about elevator music," Richard shouted back at Arak. "I mean something with some base and a beat. Something we can dance to." Arak barked another order to the worker clones and soon the music changed. Richard and Michael exchanged bewildered glances. The music had more base and a beat, but with its strange syncopation it was not like any music they had ever heard. "What the hell is this?" Michael asked. He cocked his head to the side to listen better. "Beats me," Richard said. He closed his eyes and moved his head in an undulating fashion. At the same time he took a few unsteady steps and swiveled his hips. His movements brought some giggles from the girls he'd amassed around him.
"You like that, huh?" Richard questioned.
The women nodded.
Richard brought his goblet to his lips and tossed off the entire drink, to the surprise of the people around him. Putting the vessel on the floor he grabbed the hand of the nearest woman and charged toward the raised platform surrounding the pool in the center of the arena. With lots of laughter the crowd gave way and shouted encouragement to the couple. Reaching his goal, Richard leaped up and dragged the woman with him. He turned to face her and was momentarily taken aback by her beauty. Having seen so many beautiful people he'd already had begun to take it for granted, but he was particularly struck by this one's looks.
"You're gorgeous!" he whispered, his words slightly slurred. "Thank you," she said. "You're attractive as well." "You think so?" Richard asked.
"You're very entertaining," the woman said. "I'm glad," Richard said. He then had to take a lateral step to regain his balance. For a second the image of the woman went out of focus. He was feeling light-headed. "Are you all right?" the woman asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Richard assured her. He could feel the ends of his fingers tingling. "That crystal stuff packs a wallop."
"It's my favorite," the woman said.
"Then it's mine, too," Richard said. "Hey, do you want to learn to dance?" "What does that mean exactly?" the woman asked. "Like I was doing before," Richard said. "Only we do it together." Richard closed his eyes and repeated his earlier gyrations. It only lasted for a second since he had to open his eyes to catch his balance a second time. The crowd responded with cheers and applause. They shouted for more.
Richard faced out into the audience and did an exaggerated bow. There were more cheers. Turning back to the woman, Richard began to strut, twist, and shake as best as he could to the music. The woman watched him with great interest and amusement but had trouble imitating him. The only thing she was able to do with any degree of accomplishment was raise her hands in the air and move them as Richard was doing.
"Let me show you," Richard said. He reached out and grasped the woman about the hips and tried to get her to shake rhythmically. She couldn't get the idea but found her awkward attempts hilarious. So did the crowd.
Suzanne and Perry watched with understandable misgivings. Suzanne told Perry she was worried that Richard was drunk, and Perry agreed. But they couldn't help but notice how much the crowd was enjoying his antics.
Richard brought his goblet to his lips and tossed off the entire drink, to the surprise of the people around him. Putting the vessel on the floor he grabbed the hand of the nearest woman and charged toward the raised platform surrounding the pool in the center of the arena. With lots of laughter the crowd gave way and shouted encouragement to the couple. Reaching his goal, Richard leaped up and dragged the woman with him. He turned to face her and was momentarily taken aback by her beauty. Having seen so many beautiful people he'd already had begun to take it for granted, but he was particularly struck by this one's looks.
"You're gorgeous!" he whispered, his words slightly slurred. "Thank you," she said. "You're attractive as well." "You think so?" Richard asked.
"You're very entertaining," the woman said. "I'm glad," Richard said. He then had to take a lateral step to regain his balance. For a second the image of the woman went out of focus. He was feeling light-headed. "Are you all right?" the woman asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Richard assured her. He could feel the ends of his fingers tingling. "That crystal stuff packs a wallop."
"It's my favorite," the woman said.
"Then it's mine, too," Richard said. "Hey, do you want to learn to dance?" "What does that mean exactly?" the woman asked. "Like I was doing before," Richard said. "Only we do it together." Richard closed his eyes and repeated his earlier gyrations. It only lasted for a second since he had to open his eyes to catch his balance a second time. The crowd responded with cheers and applause. They shouted for more.
Richard faced out into the audience and did an exaggerated bow. There were more cheers. Turning back to the woman, Richard began to strut, twist, and shake as best as he could to the music. The woman watched him with great interest and amusement but had trouble imitating him. The only thing she was able to do with any degree of accomplishment was raise her hands in the air and move them as Richard was doing.
"Let me show you," Richard said. He reached out and grasped the woman about the hips and tried to get her to shake rhythmically. She couldn't get the idea but found her awkward attempts hilarious. So did the crowd.
Suzanne and Perry watched with understandable misgivings. Suzanne told Perry she was worried that Richard was drunk, and Perry agreed. But they couldn't help but notice how much the crowd was enjoying his antics.
"Your friend is very amusing," a voice said behind Perry. He turned to face a darling young woman
whom he guessed to be around eighteen. She had lively light blue eyes that reminded him of Suzanne's and an infectious smile. She reached out with her palm. Perry pressed his against hers self-consciously; he could feel his face flush. The woman was disarmingly attractive and several inches taller than he. "My name is Luna," the woman said in a voice that made Perry's knees feel weak. "I'm Perry."
"I know," Luna said. "You are very appealing. I see you have whiter teeth than Richard." Perry blushed even more. He nodded. "Thank you," he managed to say. Luna's eyes drifted out toward the center of the arena. "Can you dance like Richard?" Perry glanced back at the diver, who was now doing an interpretation of break dancing. At that moment he was on his back spinning around with his legs thrust up in the air. "I can, I suppose," Perry said noncommittally. "Maybe not quite as well as Richard. He's a bit more extroverted than I. But to tell you the truth, I haven't tried dancing for a few years." "I think Richard is as good as an entertainment clone," Luna said. She seemed to be mesmerized by Richard, who was now moon walking to the enjoyment of the crowd. "That's a compliment I bet Richard has never gotten before," Perry said. Forever the follower, Michael took the hand of one of the women surrounding him and joined Richard on the pool's raised border. No sooner had he started to dance than a dozen other women stepped up on the platform to join in.
There was now a bevy of beautiful women surrounding Richard and Michael, trying to move their arms and swivel their hips in imitation of the two tipsy divers. But it was not easy. Even the divers were having trouble coordinating their movements to the peculiar beat of the music. Several of the more adventuresome young Interterran men climbed onto the platform to attempt the strange dance. Richard was not amused. Without interrupting his gyrations, he worked his way over to each of the men in turn. With sudden, exaggerated movements of his hips, he knocked each in turn off the platform. The crowd and even the men themselves loved it, thinking it was all part of the exercise. After a half hour of uninterrupted dancing, the limits of endurance were reached. Forever the leader, Richard swept his arms out and grabbed as many women as he could before collapsing in giggles to the floor. Michael aped Richard's maneuver, adding to the pile to create a tangle of legs, arms, and lightly clad, perspiring torsos. The recumbent divers didn't mind keeping up with the palm pressing, and the women were happy to return the favor with kisses. At Arak's suggestion, worker clones rushed up with more drinks.
"This place is a dream come true," Michael cried after taking a swig from his freshly filled goblet. "Poor Mazzola," Richard said. "Good old bell diver misses all the fun."
whom he guessed to be around eighteen. She had lively light blue eyes that reminded him of Suzanne's and an infectious smile. She reached out with her palm. Perry pressed his against hers self-consciously; he could feel his face flush. The woman was disarmingly attractive and several inches taller than he. "My name is Luna," the woman said in a voice that made Perry's knees feel weak. "I'm Perry."
"I know," Luna said. "You are very appealing. I see you have whiter teeth than Richard." Perry blushed even more. He nodded. "Thank you," he managed to say. Luna's eyes drifted out toward the center of the arena. "Can you dance like Richard?" Perry glanced back at the diver, who was now doing an interpretation of break dancing. At that moment he was on his back spinning around with his legs thrust up in the air. "I can, I suppose," Perry said noncommittally. "Maybe not quite as well as Richard. He's a bit more extroverted than I. But to tell you the truth, I haven't tried dancing for a few years." "I think Richard is as good as an entertainment clone," Luna said. She seemed to be mesmerized by Richard, who was now moon walking to the enjoyment of the crowd. "That's a compliment I bet Richard has never gotten before," Perry said. Forever the follower, Michael took the hand of one of the women surrounding him and joined Richard on the pool's raised border. No sooner had he started to dance than a dozen other women stepped up on the platform to join in.
There was now a bevy of beautiful women surrounding Richard and Michael, trying to move their arms and swivel their hips in imitation of the two tipsy divers. But it was not easy. Even the divers were having trouble coordinating their movements to the peculiar beat of the music. Several of the more adventuresome young Interterran men climbed onto the platform to attempt the strange dance. Richard was not amused. Without interrupting his gyrations, he worked his way over to each of the men in turn. With sudden, exaggerated movements of his hips, he knocked each in turn off the platform. The crowd and even the men themselves loved it, thinking it was all part of the exercise. After a half hour of uninterrupted dancing, the limits of endurance were reached. Forever the leader, Richard swept his arms out and grabbed as many women as he could before collapsing in giggles to the floor. Michael aped Richard's maneuver, adding to the pile to create a tangle of legs, arms, and lightly clad, perspiring torsos. The recumbent divers didn't mind keeping up with the palm pressing, and the women were happy to return the favor with kisses. At Arak's suggestion, worker clones rushed up with more drinks.
"This place is a dream come true," Michael cried after taking a swig from his freshly filled goblet. "Poor Mazzola," Richard said. "Good old bell diver misses all the fun."
"What do you think this crystal liquor is made from?" Michael asked. He peered into his glass. The fluid
was completely transparent.
"Who cares?" Richard squealed as he reached out and gave an exuberant one-armed hug to one of the women pressed up against his chest. In the process he spilled his drink on his chest to the merriment of all who noticed.
"Michael, I have something for you," a blue-eyed, dark brunette said. "What, gorgeous?" Michael asked. He was on his back, gazing up at the inverted image of the woman who was standing next to the raised platform. She smiled and held up a small jar. "I want you to try some caldorphin," she said as she unscrewed the jar's top. She extended the jar toward Michael, who used his free hand to scoop out a glob of the creamy contents. "That's a bit more than you need," she said, "but it's okay." "Sorry," Michael said. "What do I do with it?" He brought it to his nose and sniffed. It was odorless. "Rub it on your hand," she said. "I'll do the same and then we touch palms." "Hey, Richie," Michael said as he rolled over and sat up. "Here's something new." Richard didn't respond. He was busy getting another refill of crystal. Michael rubbed the cream on his palm and then looked up at the attractive woman who'd given it to him. She had a dreamy look about her, her eyes were half closed. Slowly she raised her hand, and Michael pressed his palm against hers.
The reaction for Michael was swift and overpowering. His eyes shot open, then closed in utter pleasure. For a few minutes of rapturous ecstasy he couldn't move. When he was finally able to, he snatched the jar away from the woman. He reached over and yanked on Richard's arm. "Richie!" Michael yelled. "You got to try this stuff." Richard tried to detach himself from Michael's grasp, but Michael hung on. "Hey, can't you see I'm occupied," Richard said. He was trying to kiss two women at the same time. "Richie, you got to try this stuff," Michael repeated. He held out the jar. "What the hell is it?" Richard said. He pushed himself up on one elbow. "It's hand cream," Michael said.
"You're interrupting me to try some hand cream?" Richard couldn't believe it. "What's the matter with you?"
"Try it," Michael said. "It's like no hand cream you've ever tried. It's better than coke. I tell you it's dynamite!"
Sighing, Richard reached out and took a small amount of the cream and rubbed it on his hands. He looked up at Michael. "So, now what's supposed to happen?"
was completely transparent.
"Who cares?" Richard squealed as he reached out and gave an exuberant one-armed hug to one of the women pressed up against his chest. In the process he spilled his drink on his chest to the merriment of all who noticed.
"Michael, I have something for you," a blue-eyed, dark brunette said. "What, gorgeous?" Michael asked. He was on his back, gazing up at the inverted image of the woman who was standing next to the raised platform. She smiled and held up a small jar. "I want you to try some caldorphin," she said as she unscrewed the jar's top. She extended the jar toward Michael, who used his free hand to scoop out a glob of the creamy contents. "That's a bit more than you need," she said, "but it's okay." "Sorry," Michael said. "What do I do with it?" He brought it to his nose and sniffed. It was odorless. "Rub it on your hand," she said. "I'll do the same and then we touch palms." "Hey, Richie," Michael said as he rolled over and sat up. "Here's something new." Richard didn't respond. He was busy getting another refill of crystal. Michael rubbed the cream on his palm and then looked up at the attractive woman who'd given it to him. She had a dreamy look about her, her eyes were half closed. Slowly she raised her hand, and Michael pressed his palm against hers.
The reaction for Michael was swift and overpowering. His eyes shot open, then closed in utter pleasure. For a few minutes of rapturous ecstasy he couldn't move. When he was finally able to, he snatched the jar away from the woman. He reached over and yanked on Richard's arm. "Richie!" Michael yelled. "You got to try this stuff." Richard tried to detach himself from Michael's grasp, but Michael hung on. "Hey, can't you see I'm occupied," Richard said. He was trying to kiss two women at the same time. "Richie, you got to try this stuff," Michael repeated. He held out the jar. "What the hell is it?" Richard said. He pushed himself up on one elbow. "It's hand cream," Michael said.
"You're interrupting me to try some hand cream?" Richard couldn't believe it. "What's the matter with you?"
"Try it," Michael said. "It's like no hand cream you've ever tried. It's better than coke. I tell you it's dynamite!"
Sighing, Richard reached out and took a small amount of the cream and rubbed it on his hands. He looked up at Michael. "So, now what's supposed to happen?"
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