>|NN Hotel|NNP California|NNP 
Fact|NNP :|: Sound|NNP is|VBZ a|DT vibration|NN .|. 
Sound|NNP travels|VBZ as|IN a|DT mechanical|JJ wave|NN through|IN a|DT medium|NN ,|, and|CC in|IN space|NN ,|, there|EX is|VBZ no|DT medium|NN .|. 
So|RB when|WRB my|PRP$ shuttle|NN malfunctioned|JJ and|CC the|DT airlocks|NNS did|VBD n't|RB keep|VB the|DT air|NN in|IN ,|, I|PRP heard|VBD nothing|NN .|. 
After|IN the|DT first|JJ whoosh|VBP of|IN the|DT air|NN being|VBG sucked|JJ away|RB ,|, there|EX was|VBD lightning|NN ,|, but|CC no|DT thunder|NN .|. 
Eyes|NNS bulging|VBG in|IN panic|NN ,|, but|CC no|DT screams|VBZ .|. 
Quiet|NNP and|CC peaceful|JJ ,|, right|NN ?|. 
Such|JJ a|DT relief|NN to|TO never|RB again|RB hear|VB my|PRP$ crewmate|NN Jesse|NNP natter|NN about|IN his|PRP$ girl|NN back|RB on|IN Earth|NNP and|CC that|IN all-expenses-paid|JJ vacation-for-two|NN she|PRP won|VBD last|JJ time|NN he|PRP was|VBD on|IN leave|NN .|. 
I|PRP swore|VBD ,|, if|IN I|PRP ever|RB had|VBD to|TO see|VB a|DT photo|NN of|IN him|PRP in|IN a|DT skimpy|JJ bathing|NN suit|NN again|RB ,|, giving|VBG the|DT camera|NN a|DT cheesy|JJ thumbs-up|JJ from|IN a|DT lounge|NN chair|NN on|IN one|CD of|IN those|DT white|JJ sandy|JJ beaches|NNS ,|, I|PRP 'd|MD kiss|NNS a|DT monkey|NN .|. 
Metaphorically|NNP ,|, of|IN course|NN .|. 

Fact|NNP :|: If|IN ,|, before|IN all|PDT the|DT air|NN is|VBZ sucked|JJ out|IN of|IN the|DT ship|NN ,|, a|DT person|NN is|VBZ so|RB lucky|JJ to|TO have|VB stuffed|VBD him|PRP or|CC herself|PRP into|IN a|DT space|NN suit|NN ,|, that|DT person|NN has|VBZ less|JJR than|IN twenty-four|JJ hours|NNS to|TO live|VB .|. 
This|DT is|VBZ more|JJR than|IN the|DT person|NN would|MD have|VB sans|NNS space|NN suit|NN .|. 
Me|PRP ,|, I|PRP found|VBD a|DT space|NN suit|NN ,|, but|CC it|PRP was|VBD statistically|RB unlikely|JJ that|IN I|PRP ,|, and|CC whomever|NN else|RB has|VBZ followed|VBN suit|NN (|( pun|NN intended|VBN )|) ,|, would|MD manage|VB to|TO repair|VB our|PRP$ ship|NN before|IN the|DT less-than-twenty-four|JJ hours|NNS are|VBP up|RB ;|: yes|UH ,|, studies|NNS have|VBP been|VBN done|VBN .|. 
So|RB ,|, twenty-four|JJ hours|NNS .|. 
Give|VB or|CC take|VB .|. 

About|IN the|DT time|NN I|PRP was|VBD composing|VBG my|PRP$ last|JJ words|NNS in|IN my|PRP$ head|NN ,|, trying|VBG not|RB to|TO think|VB too|RB much|JJ about|IN what|WP suffocating|VBG felt|VBN like|IN ,|, that|DT 's|VBZ when|WRB I|PRP heard|VBD a|DT bell|NN .|. 

My|PRP$ first|JJ thought|NN :|: I|PRP was|VBD going|VBG crazy|JJ .|. 
Twenty-four|CD hours|NNS of|IN silence|NN (|( vacuum|NN ,|, remember|VB )|) ;|: was|VBD I|PRP hallucinating|VBG noises|NNS now|RB ?|. 

I|PRP heard|VBD it|PRP again|RB .|. 
It|PRP was|VBD a|DT fine|NN bell|NN ,|, reminiscent|NN of|IN ancient|JJ stone|NN churches|NNS and|CC the|DT towering|JJ cathedrals|NNS I|PRP 'd|MD seen|VBN in|IN documentaries|NNS .|. 
And|CC accompanying|VBG the|DT bell|NN ,|, I|PRP saw|VBD a|DT light|NN .|. 

Now|RB ,|, there|EX were|VBD two|CD things|NNS here|RB that|WDT made|VBD ridiculously|RB small|JJ amounts|NNS of|IN sense|NN .|. 
First|CD ,|, the|DT whole|JJ in-a-vacuum|JJ why|WRB '|POS s-there-a-bell|JJ thing|NN .|. 
Second|JJ ,|, I|PRP was|VBD floating|VBG in|IN the|DT dark|JJ remnants|NNS of|IN my|PRP$ broken|JJ ship|NN ,|, and|CC any|DT conceivable|JJ light|JJ sources|NNS were|VBD not|RB within|IN view|NN ;|: starlight|NN is|VBZ a|DT distinctly|RB different|JJ color|NN and|CC significantly|RB less|RBR bright|JJ .|. 

These|DT signals|NNS were|VBD the|DT heralds|NNS of|IN my|PRP$ saviors|NNS .|. 

The|DT first|JJ words|NNS they|PRP said|VBD to|TO me|PRP meant|VBD nothing|NN .|. 
I|PRP was|VBD n't|RB listening|VBG ;|: I|PRP did|VBD n't|RB care|VB ;|: I|PRP was|VBD going|VBG to|TO live|VB ;|: I|PRP was|VBD going|VBG to|TO keep|VB breathing|VBG .|. 
Next|JJ to|TO those|DT ,|, nothing|NN else|RB mattered|VBN .|. 
The|DT recycled|JJ air|NN tasted|JJ sweet|JJ in|IN my|PRP$ mouth|NN ,|, and|CC all|DT thoughts|NNS that|WDT crossed|VBD my|PRP$ mind|NN were|VBD cheap|JJ metaphors|NNS about|IN life-giving|JJ substances|NNS and|CC how|WRB breathing|VBG was|VBD like|IN sex|NN ,|, only|RB better|JJR .|. 
(|( I|NN reserved|VBD the|DT right|NN to|TO revise|VB this|DT opinion|NN later|RB .|. )|) 

When|WRB I|PRP was|VBD done|VBN mentally|RB exclaiming|VBG over|IN my|PRP$ impossible|JJ rescue|NN ,|, I|PRP looked|VBD around|IN .|. 
The|DT ship|NN ,|, it|PRP was|VBD odd|JJ and|CC old|JJ ,|, either|CC so|RB outdated|JJ or|CC so|RB heavily|RB modified|VBN that|IN I|PRP could|MD n't|RB tell|VB what|WP make|VB it|PRP was|VBD ,|, and|CC somehow|RB ,|, the|DT crew|NN standing|NN around|IN me|PRP fit|VBP the|DT same|JJ description|NN ,|, a|DT singularly|RB atypical|JJ amalgamation|NN of|IN folk|NN .|. 
And|CC me|PRP ,|, I|PRP guess|VBP I|PRP was|VBD one|CD more|JJR piece|NN in|IN their|PRP$ puzzle|NN .|. 
I|PRP was|VBD one|CD more|JJR scrap|NN to|TO weld|NN onto|IN the|DT rest|NN ,|, one|CD more|RBR stranded|VBN survivor|NN who|WP was|VBD found|VBN .|. 

I|PRP was|VBD now|RB one|CD of|IN them|PRP .|. 

This|DT story|NN ,|, it|PRP 's|VBZ our|PRP$ story|NN .|. 
The|DT survivors|NNS of|IN the|DT unfortunate|JJ accidents|NNS ,|, the|DT catastrophic|JJ malfunctions|NNS ,|, the|DT fateful|JJ crashes|NNS :|: this|DT is|VBZ us|PRP .|. 
Floating|VBG alone|RB ,|, each|DT of|IN us|PRP facing|VBG the|DT silence|NN of|IN the|DT vacuum|NN ,|, we|PRP were|VBD found|VBN .|. 

Once|RB found|VBD ,|, we|PRP can|MD never|RB be|VB lost|VBN .|. 

This|DT is|VBZ our|PRP$ Hotel|NNP California|NNP .|. 

We|PRP can|MD never|RB leave|VB .|. 

“|NN So|RB ,|, I|PRP 'm|VBP on|IN a|DT ship|NN now|RB ?|. 
You|PRP do|VBP this|DT a|DT lot|NN ?|. ”|NN 

A|DT woman|NN ,|, introduced|VBN as|IN Tiffany|NNP and|CC neither|DT tall|JJ nor|CC beautiful|JJ ,|, shrugged|VBD .|. 
“|NN Now|RB and|CC then|RB .|. ”|NN 

“|NN What|WP about|IN my|PRP$ crewmates|NNS ?|. 
Why|WRB did|VBD n't|RB you|PRP save|VBP them|PRP ?|. ”|NN 
As|RB much|JJ as|IN Jesse|NNP had|VBD irritated|JJ me|PRP ,|, I|PRP did|VBD n't|RB like|VB the|DT picture|NN my|PRP$ brain|NN drew|VBD of|IN him|PRP floating|VBG in|IN his|PRP$ grave|JJ ,|, body|NN swollen|JJ and|CC bloated|JJ .|. 
Who|WP would|MD tell|VB his|PRP$ girl|NN how|WRB he|PRP had|VBD died|VBN ?|. 

“|NN Could|MD n't|RB ,|, ”|NN said|VBD the|DT captain|NN .|. 
Jefferson|NNP ,|, he|PRP called|VBN himself|PRP ,|, clean-shaven|JJ and|CC smart|JJ ,|, a|DT picture|NN of|IN the|DT perfect|JJ entrepreneur|NN .|. 
An|DT opportunist|NN and|CC a|DT businessman|NN ,|, that|WDT was|VBD Jefferson|NNP .|. 
“|NN We|PRP 're|VBP selective|JJ about|IN our|PRP$ passengers|NNS ,|, ”|NN he|PRP continued|VBD .|. 
“|NN You|PRP fit|VBP the|DT bill|NN .|. 
They|PRP did|VBD n't|RB .|. ”|NN 

Tiffany|NNP ,|, she|PRP looked|VBD at|IN the|DT captain|NN ,|, grinned|JJ and|CC flipped|VBD her|PRP$ greasy|NN brown|JJ locks|NNS over|IN her|PRP$ shoulder|NN .|. 
She|PRP turned|VBD to|TO me|PRP .|. 
“|NN Come|VBN on|IN ,|, ”|NN she|PRP said|VBD ,|, before|IN I|PRP could|MD say|VB anything|NN else|RB ,|, “|NN let|VB 's|POS get|VB you|PRP settled|VBD in|IN .|. ”|NN 
No|DT time|NN for|IN questions|NNS .|. 
No|DT time|NN for|IN answers|NNS .|. 

The|DT ship|NN had|VBD all|PDT the|DT usual|JJ accoutrements|NNS (|( artificial|JJ gravity|NN ,|, tastefully|RB painted|VBN walls|NNS ,|, sound|NN dampeners|NNS to|TO keep|VB the|DT noise|NN of|IN the|DT engines|NNS from|IN driving|VBG the|DT crew|NN batshit|NN insane|JJ ,|, recycled|VBN air|NN systems|NNS )|) ,|, and|CC a|DT few|JJ less-usual|JJ :|: lush|JJ carpeting|NN ,|, lighting|NN that|WDT was|VBD decorative|JJ as|IN well|RB as|IN functional|JJ ,|, spacious|JJ corridors|NNS .|. 
The|DT occasional|JJ painting|NN hung|VBD on|IN the|DT wall|NN (|( generic|JJ landscapes|NNS and|CC portraits|NNS of|IN old|JJ people|NNS no|DT one|CD has|VBZ ever|RB met|VBN ,|, primarily|RB )|) .|. 
Glimpses|NNP of|IN elegant|JJ rooms|NNS down|RP the|DT branching|VBG hallways|NNS ;|: music|NN ;|: voices|NNS ;|: the|DT aroma|NN of|IN real|JJ food|NN .|. 

This|DT was|JJ heaven|NN .|. 
No|DT seventy-two|JJ virgins|NNS ,|, but|CC it|PRP would|MD do|VB .|. 

“|NN Where|WRB are|VBP we|PRP going|VBG ?|. ”|NN 
I|PRP asked|VBD .|. 

Tiffany|NNP looked|VBD back|RB .|. 
“|NN To|TO your|PRP$ quarters|NNS .|. 
It|PRP 's|VBZ not|RB far|RB ;|: you|PRP 're|VBP not|RB going|VBG to|TO get|VB blisters|NNS .|. ”|NN 

“|NN No|DT ,|, I|PRP meant|VBD ,|, where|WRB 's|VBZ the|DT ship|NN going|VBG ?|. 
What|WP 's|VBZ our|PRP$ destination|NN ?|. ”|NN 

Tiffany|NNP ,|, she|PRP stopped|VBD walking|VBG .|. 
She|PRP gave|VBD me|PRP a|DT look|NN ,|, pitying|VBG and|CC a|DT little|RB pleased|JJ that|IN she|PRP got|VBD to|TO be|VB the|DT one|CD to|TO share|VB the|DT news|NN .|. 
“|NN Honey|NNP ,|, ”|NN she|PRP said|VBD ,|, “|NN You|PRP 're|VBP going|VBG to|TO be|VB delighted|JJ .|. 
Destination|NNP everywhere|RB .|. 
Destination|NNP nowhere|RB .|. ”|NN 

This|DT was|JJ hell|NN .|. 
I|PRP died|VBD in|IN those|DT last|JJ moments|NNS ,|, suffocating|VBG on|IN my|PRP$ own|JJ exhaled|VBD breath|NN ,|, and|CC this|DT ,|, this|DT was|VBD my|PRP$ reward|NN .|. 

Fact|NNP :|: The|DT speed|NN of|IN sound|NN in|IN dry|JJ air|NN at|IN twenty|CD degrees|NNS Celsius|NNP or|CC sixty-eight|JJ degrees|NNS Fahrenheit|NN is|VBZ three|CD hundred|CD and|CC forty-three|JJ meters|NNS per|IN second|JJ ,|, or|CC one|CD thousand|CD one|CD hundred|CD twenty-five|JJ feet|NNS per|IN second|NN .|. 

It|PRP took|VBD me|PRP a|DT couple|NN days|NNS to|TO realize|VB I|PRP was|VBD ,|, in|IN fact|NN ,|, still|RB alive|JJ .|. 
I|PRP mean|VBP ,|, sure|JJ ,|, I|PRP 'd|MD had|VBD my|PRP$ moment|NN of|IN elation|NN when|WRB I|PRP had|VBD first|RB realized|VBN I|PRP 'd|MD been|VBN rescued|VBD ,|, but|CC it|PRP did|VBD n't|RB sink|VB in|IN .|. 
After|IN watching|VBG my|PRP$ ship|NN tear|VB apart|RB ,|, after|IN spending|VBG a|DT good|JJ twenty-three|JJ hours|NNS floating|VBG in|IN silence|NN in|IN the|DT wreck|NN ,|, wondering|VBG whether|IN I|PRP was|VBD currently|RB facing|VBG stars|NNS belonging|VBG to|TO the|DT constellation|NN Libra|NNP or|CC the|DT constellation|NN Orion|NNP when|WRB those|DT stars|NNS were|VBD viewed|VBN from|IN Earth|NNP ,|, wondering|VBG what|WP it|PRP felt|VBD like|IN to|TO suffocate|NN ,|, and|CC after|IN the|DT feeling|NN that|IN yes|UH ,|, I|PRP was|VBD in|IN fact|NN going|VBG to|TO die|VB alone|RB in|IN space|NN had|VBD sunk|VBN in|IN ,|, it|PRP took|VBD time|NN for|IN that|DT feeling|NN to|TO dissipate|VB .|. 

Fact|NNP :|: I|PRP was|VBD n't|RB dead|JJ .|. 

After|IN I|PRP realized|VBD this|DT ,|, I|PRP left|VBD my|PRP$ quarters|NNS .|. 
The|DT lightscreen|NN provided|VBN had|VBD informed|VBN me|PRP when|WRB and|CC where|WRB official|JJ meals|NNS were|VBD taking|VBG place|NN ,|, but|CC I|PRP had|VBD n't|RB bothered|VBN to|TO acknowledge|VB the|DT invitations|NNS .|. 
It|PRP had|VBD n't|RB seemed|VBN relevant|JJ ,|, somehow|RB ,|, given|VBN that|IN I|PRP was|VBD still|RB reeling|VBG over|IN the|DT explosion|NN ,|, the|DT deaths|NNS of|IN my|PRP$ crewmates|NNS ,|, and|CC the|DT rescue|NN .|. 
I|PRP 've|VBP heard|VBN there|EX are|VBP a|DT number|NN of|IN stages|NNS of|IN grief|NN and|CC shock|NN ;|: I|PRP guess|VBP I|PRP was|VBD working|VBG my|PRP$ way|NN through|IN them|PRP .|. 
Food|NNP was|VBD delivered|VBN to|TO my|PRP$ quarters|NNS .|. 
Initially|RB ,|, I|PRP could|MD n't|RB figure|VB out|IN why—|NN I|PRP had|VBD n't|RB requested|VBN any|DT be|VB sent|VBN .|. 
Then|RB I|PRP realized|VBD ,|, someone|NN must|MD have|VB noticed|VBN I|PRP had|VBD n't|RB left|VBN ,|, and|CC was|VBD nice|JJ enough|RB to|TO send|VB food|NN my|PRP$ way|NN .|. 
The|DT accompanying|VBG bottle|NN of|IN wine|NN was|VBD a|DT nice|JJ touch|NN .|. 
I|PRP must|MD have|VB consumed|VBN it|PRP ,|, too|RB ,|, because|IN later|RB on|RB ,|, the|DT plates|NNS and|CC the|DT bottle|NN were|VBD both|DT empty|JJ .|. 
I|PRP spent|VBD a|DT lot|NN of|IN time|NN lying|VBG on|IN my|PRP$ back|RB on|IN the|DT bed|NN ,|, staring|VBG up|RP at|IN the|DT little|RB etched|JJ swirls|NNS in|IN the|DT ceiling|NN ,|, or|CC slumped|VBD in|IN the|DT old-fashioned|JJ armchair|NN ,|, staring|VBG out|RP the|DT windows|NNS at|IN the|DT stars|NNS .|. 
I|PRP did|VBD a|DT lot|NN of|IN staring|VBG and|CC not|RB moving|VBG .|. 

Man|NN ,|, was|VBD it|PRP good|JJ to|TO be|VB done|VBN with|IN that|DT stage|NN .|. 

It|PRP was|VBD time|NN to|TO find|VB out|IN what|WP hell|NN looked|VBD like|IN .|. 

Fact|NNP :|: Hell|NNP is|VBZ other|JJ people|NNS .|. 
Sure|RB ,|, the|DT ship|NN was|VBD spacious|JJ .|. 
We|PRP did|VBD n't|RB pick|VB up|RP many|JJ passengers—just|NN the|DT select|VB ,|, special|JJ few|JJ ,|, scattered|VBN here|RB and|CC there|RB between|IN the|DT stars|NNS .|. 
But|CC we|PRP were|VBD all|DT on|IN this|DT ship|NN ,|, and|CC we|PRP were|VBD on|IN it|PRP together|RB .|. 

Cliques|NNP form|NN in|IN any|DT decent-sized|JJ group|NN of|IN people|NNS .|. 
Me|PRP ,|, I|PRP was|VBD singled|VBN out|IN by|IN Sarah|NNP ,|, an|DT unassuming|JJ forty-something|JJ lady|NN with|IN a|DT glass|NN of|IN champagne|NN in|IN one|CD hand|NN and|CC the|DT arm|NN of|IN a|DT scrawny|NN but|CC tall|JJ blond|JJ man|NN in|IN the|DT other|JJ .|. 
She|PRP sidled|JJ up|IN to|TO me|PRP as|IN I|PRP was|VBD scooping|VBG little|JJ round|NN crackers|NNS and|CC what|WP appeared|VBD to|TO be|VB a|DT baked|JJ cilantro|NN cream|NN dip|NN onto|IN a|DT plate|NN .|. 
The|DT plate|NN ,|, by|IN the|DT way|NN ,|, was|VBD already|RB loaded|VBN with|IN folded|VBD pieces|NNS of|IN smoked|VBD pink|JJ fish|NN ,|, paprika-dusted|JJ deviled|JJ eggs|NNS ,|, toothpicks|NNS stabbed|VBN through|IN green|JJ vegetables|NNS and|CC slices|NNS of|IN cheese|NN ,|, and|CC balls|NNS of|IN meat|NN smothered|VBN in|IN a|DT tomato-based|JJ sauce|NN .|. 
Luxurious|JJ ,|, even|RB compared|VBN to|TO the|DT fare|NN one|PRP would|MD find|VB in|IN the|DT high-class|JJ space|NN stations|NNS and|CC pleasure|NN cruisers|NNS .|. 
Compared|VBN to|TO what|WP a|DT mere|JJ engineer|NN would|MD get|VB on|IN your|PRP$ typical|JJ cargo|NN ship|NN ,|, it|PRP was|VBD mouthwateringly|RB ,|, lip-smackingly|JJ gorgeous|JJ .|. 
I|PRP wondered|VBD if|IN the|DT food|NN delivered|VBN to|TO my|PRP$ quarters|NNS the|DT past|JJ few|JJ days|NNS had|VBD been|VBN similarly|RB amazing|JJ .|. 
I|PRP decided|VBD it|PRP could|MD n't|RB have|VB been|VBN .|. 

“|NN Liking|NNP the|DT taste|NN of|IN the|DT sweet|JJ life|NN ,|, eh|NN ?|. 
I|PRP 'm|VBP Sarah|NNP ,|, and|CC this|DT is|VBZ Alexis—you|NNP must|MD be|VB the|DT new|JJ pickup|NN .|. ”|NN 
She|PRP looked|VBD me|PRP over|IN approvingly|RB .|. 
“|NN Come|VBN on|IN ,|, let|VB 's|POS get|VB you|PRP a|DT glass|NN of|IN champagne|NN .|. ”|NN 
I|PRP looked|VBD longingly|RB at|IN the|DT slices|NNS of|IN cheddar|NN olive|NN bread|NN as|IN she|PRP whisked|VBN me|PRP over|IN to|TO the|DT bar|NN ,|, but|CC did|VBD n't|RB protest|VB .|. 

The|DT bar|NN was|VBD manned|VBD by|IN an|DT expensive|JJ humanoid|NN robot|NN .|. 
It|PRP turned|VBD toward|IN Sarah|NNP 's|POS wave|NN and|CC acknowledged|VBD her|PRP with|IN a|DT nod|NN ,|, moments|NNS later|RB setting|VBG a|DT fluted|JJ glass|NN of|IN sparkling|JJ liquid|NN in|IN front|NN of|IN her|PRP .|. 
I|PRP marveled|VBD at|IN the|DT robot|NN 's|POS smoothness|NNS and|CC coordination|NN .|. 
Clearly|RB ,|, it|PRP was|VBD a|DT high-end|JJ model|NN .|. 
Sarah|NNP transferred|VBD the|DT glass|NN to|TO my|PRP$ free|JJ hand|NN and|CC pulled|VBD me|PRP away|RB from|IN the|DT bar|NN for|IN more|JJR introductions|NNS ,|, with|IN Alexis|NNP trailing|VBG after|IN us|PRP .|. 

I|PRP spent|VBD the|DT evening|NN listening|VBG ,|, mostly|RB .|. 
Listening|NNP and|CC stuffing|VBG my|PRP$ face|NN with|IN all|PDT the|DT bits|NNS of|IN fine|NN food|NN provided|VBN .|. 
No|DT one|NN minded|VBD ;|: Sarah|NNP 's|POS inner|JJ circle|NN was|VBD content|NN to|TO fill|VB our|PRP$ circle|NN of|IN couches|NNS with|IN plenty|NN of|IN chatter|NN .|. 
Ray|NNP ,|, a|DT plump|NN man|NN who|WP was|VBD grey|JJ where|WRB he|PRP was|VBD n't|RB bald|JJ .|. 
Zheng|NNP ,|, short|JJ and|CC dark|JJ and|CC lean|JJ ,|, with|IN a|DT very|RB intense|JJ gaze|VBP .|. 
He|PRP made|VBD me|PRP a|DT little|RB uncomfortable|JJ .|. 
Kishori|NNP ,|, petite|JJ ,|, her|PRP$ hair|NN strung|NN out|IN in|IN a|DT series|NN of|IN braids|NNS that|WDT reached|VBD nearly|RB to|TO her|PRP$ waist|NN .|. 
I|PRP categorized|VBN them|PRP based|VBN on|IN their|PRP$ appearances|NNS ,|, hoping|VBG I|PRP 'd|MD be|VB able|JJ to|TO pick|VB them|PRP out|IN of|IN the|DT crowd|NN again|RB later|RB .|. 
Most|JJS of|IN their|PRP$ chatter|NN was|VBD meaningless|JJ to|TO me—stories|NNS of|IN day-to-day|JJ activities|NNS ,|, how|WRB so-and-so|JJ had|VBD been|VBN seen|VBN in|IN so-and-so|JJ 's|POS table|NN at|IN lunch|NN and|CC my|PRP$ was|VBD n't|RB that|IN a|DT surprise|NN ,|, and|CC why|WRB had|VBD n't|RB the|DT chef|NN concocted|VBN this|DT delectable|JJ a|DT selection|NN of|IN appetizers|NNS for|IN the|DT dance|NN the|DT other|JJ night|NN ,|, but|CC of|IN course|NN those|DT rolled|JJ meat|NN pastries|NNS reminded|VBD one|CD of|IN the|DT pastries|NNS back|RB on|IN Earth|NNP ,|, did|VBD n't|RB they|PRP ,|, and|CC this|DT was|VBD somehow|RB an|DT interesting|JJ fact|NN .|. 

After|IN the|DT first|JJ half-hour|NN ,|, I|PRP stopped|VBD expending|VBG effort|NN to|TO keep|VB names|NNS and|CC stories|NNS and|CC gossip|NN straight|JJ .|. 
I|PRP was|VBD n't|RB learning|VBG anything|NN useful|JJ .|. 
I|PRP could|MD have|VB started|VBN asking|VBG questions|NNS ,|, but|CC I|PRP wanted|VBD to|TO get|VB my|PRP$ bearings|NNS first|JJ .|. 
Tonight|NNP was|VBD for|IN observation|NN .|. 
I|PRP did|VBD n't|RB bother|VB trying|VBG to|TO seek|VB out|RP a|DT different|JJ group|NN of|IN potentially|RB more|RBR interesting|JJ people|NNS ,|, though|RB .|. 
They|PRP all|DT looked|VBD the|DT same|JJ :|: clusters|NNS of|IN social|JJ butterflies|NNS surrounded|VBN by|IN the|DT less|RBR apt|JJ ,|, the|DT hangers-on|JJ ,|, the|DT circle|NN with|IN whom|WP the|DT gossip|NN was|VBD shared|VBN .|. 
I|PRP wondered|VBD at|IN the|DT ship|NN instead|RB .|. 
All|DT the|DT fine|NN food|NN and|CC the|DT ornamental|JJ lighting|NN ,|, it|PRP had|VBD to|TO be|VB exorbitantly|RB pricey|JJ to|TO maintain|VB .|. 
If|IN the|DT barkeep|NN was|VBD any|DT indication|NN ,|, I|PRP suspected|VBD similarly|RB high-class|JJ robots|NNS fulfilled|VBD other|JJ positions|NNS on|IN the|DT ship|NN .|. 
How|WRB they|PRP were|VBD all|DT powered|VBN was|VBD a|DT mystery—as|NNS good|JJ as|IN the|DT technology|NN got|VBD ,|, a|DT quality|NN robot|NN like|IN that|DT was|VBD still|RB an|DT energy|NN sink|NN .|. 
It|PRP was|VBD the|DT brain|NN ,|, mostly|RB ;|: the|DT amount|NN of|IN information|NN the|DT machine|NN had|VBD to|TO process|VB to|TO be|VB able|JJ to|TO function|VB at|IN the|DT level|NN it|PRP did|VBD ate|VBD up|RP a|DT lot|NN of|IN resources|NNS .|. 

Sarah|NNP 's|POS crowd|NN took|VBD turns|VBZ taking|VBG my|PRP$ champagne|NN flute|NN to|TO the|DT bar|NN to|TO be|VB refilled|JJ ,|, all|DT seemingly|RB pleased|VBN to|TO have|VB a|DT new|JJ set|NN of|IN ears|NNS to|TO talk|VB at|IN .|. 
I|PRP slowly|RB returned|VBD my|PRP$ attention|NN to|TO the|DT conversation|NN and|CC was|VBD pleasantly|RB surprised|VBN to|TO find|VB that|IN it|PRP had|VBD turned|VBN to|TO a|DT heated|JJ analysis|NN of|IN a|DT recent|JJ abstract|JJ film—done|NN in|IN the|DT style|NN of|IN old|JJ flatscreen|NN movies—that|NN I|PRP had|VBD seen|VBN during|IN off-time|JJ at|IN Geminia|NNP Station|NNP .|. 

By|IN the|DT end|NN of|IN the|DT evening|NN ,|, when|WRB I|PRP finally|RB followed|VBD the|DT slow|JJ trickle|NN of|IN people|NNS out|IN of|IN the|DT room|NN ,|, a|DT satisfying|VBG haze|NN had|VBD settled|VBN on|IN my|PRP$ mind|NN .|. 
It|PRP was|VBD nice|JJ ,|, I|PRP decided|VBD .|. 
This|DT ship|NN .|. 
This|DT life|NN .|. 
The|DT nagging|JJ questions|NNS about|IN where|WRB the|DT ship|NN had|VBD come|VBN from|IN and|CC what|WP its|PRP$ purpose|NN in|IN rescuing|VBG me|PRP was|VBD still|RB nagged|JJ ,|, but|CC somehow|RB ,|, seemed|VBD less|RBR urgent|JJ .|. 
Did|VBD it|PRP truly|RB matter|VBP what|WP the|DT ship|NN 's|POS origin|NN was|VBD and|CC why|WRB Jefferson|NNP had|VBD saved|VBN me|PRP ,|, if|IN now|RB ,|, I|PRP was|VBD content|NN ?|. 

Fact|NNP :|: It|PRP 's|VBZ easy|JJ to|TO fall|VB into|IN patterns|NNS .|. 
I|PRP would|MD wake|NN late|JJ ,|, checking|VBG the|DT clock|NN on|IN my|PRP$ room|NN 's|POS lightscreen|NN to|TO make|VB sure|JJ I|PRP had|VBD n't|RB slept|VBD through|IN brunch|NN .|. 
I|PRP would|MD join|VB the|DT rest|NN of|IN the|DT ship|NN for|IN meals|NNS ,|, and|CC I|PRP would|MD take|VB my|PRP$ turn|NN in|RP the|DT weight|NN room|NN .|. 
I|PRP would|MD watch|VB old|JJ films|NNS on|IN the|DT entertainment|NN screens|NNS ,|, taking|VBG mental|JJ notes|NNS for|IN later|RB dinnertime|NN discussions|NNS .|. 
I|PRP would|MD immerse|NN myself|PRP in|IN new|JJ virtual|JJ reality|NN flicks|NNS .|. 
I|PRP would|MD attend|VB afternoon|NN dance|NN classes|NNS ,|, so|IN that|IN when|WRB the|DT evening|NN dances|NNS came|VBD around|IN (|( modeled|VBD after|IN the|DT historical|JJ social|JJ gatherings|NNS of|IN several|JJ hundred|CD years|NNS prior|RB )|) ,|, I|PRP would|MD be|VB less|JJR of|IN an|DT embarrassment|NN to|TO myself|PRP .|. 

I|PRP did|VBD not|RB ask|VB questions|NNS .|. 
I|PRP told|VBD myself|PRP I|PRP should|MD .|. 
I|PRP told|VBD myself|PRP that|DT tonight|NN ,|, the|DT observation|NN period|NN would|MD end|VB and|CC I|PRP 'd|MD start|VB puzzling|JJ out|RP the|DT ship|NN 's|POS mystery|NN .|. 
But|CC I|PRP fell|VBD under|IN the|DT ship|NN 's|POS sway|NN .|. 
Bereft|NNP of|IN my|PRP$ previous|JJ familiar|JJ life|NN ,|, I|PRP latched|VBN onto|IN Kishori|NNP and|CC Ray|NNP and|CC Zheng|NNP ,|, and|CC Sarah|NNP with|IN Alexis|NNP dragged|VBD along|IN on|IN her|PRP$ arm|NN now|RB and|CC then|RB (|( he|PRP was|VBD mostly|RB her|PRP$ favorite|JJ dancing|NN partner|NN ;|: she|PRP confided|VBD to|TO us|PRP one|CD night|NN that|IN his|PRP$ conversational|NN skills|NNS left|VBD something|NN to|TO be|VB desired|VBN )|) .|. 
I|PRP smothered|VBN thoughts|NNS of|IN friends|NNS back|RB on|IN Earth—this|NNP was|VBD my|PRP$ long-awaited|JJ vacation|NN ,|, my|PRP$ clean|VB break|VB and|CC my|PRP$ temporary|JJ retreat|NN ;|: I|PRP 'd|MD try|VB contacting|VBG those|DT friends|NNS tomorrow|NN .|. 
I|PRP continued|VBD to|TO care|VB little|JJ for|IN shipwide|NN gossip|NN ,|, but|CC our|PRP$ discussions|NNS of|IN films|NNS and|CC flicks|NNS ,|, old|JJ and|CC new|JJ ,|, brought|VBN out|RP my|PRP$ artistic|JJ ,|, story-loving|JJ ,|, argumentative|JJ side|NN ,|, a|DT side|NN of|IN me|PRP I|PRP 'd|MD tucked|VBN into|IN a|DT back|JJ storage|NN compartment|NN during|IN my|PRP$ years|NNS as|IN an|DT engineer|NN .|. 
It|PRP was|VBD a|DT good|JJ life|NN ,|, if|IN surreal|JJ .|. 
But|CC I|PRP was|VBD n't|RB sure|JJ I|PRP wanted|VBD the|DT dream|NN stage|NN to|TO end|VB .|. 

Fact|NNP :|: Some|DT places|NNS are|VBP timeless|JJ .|. 
Days|NNS passed|VBN ,|, weeks|NNS passed|VBN ,|, but|CC I|PRP could|MD n't|RB tell|VB if|IN it|PRP had|VBD been|VBN months|NNS or|CC years|NNS since|IN I|PRP was|VBD rescued|VBD .|. 
All|DT there|EX was|VBD ,|, all|DT I|PRP remembered|VBD ,|, was|VBD a|DT blur|VB .|. 
Gathering|NNP for|IN drinks|NNS in|IN the|DT parlors|NNS ,|, playing|VBG dress|NN up|RB with|IN all|PDT the|DT fine|NN clothes|NNS I|PRP found|VBD in|IN the|DT closets|NNS (|( some|DT of|IN it|PRP modern|JJ ,|, some|DT of|IN it|PRP period|NN dress|NN for|IN special|JJ themed|VBN events|NNS )|) ,|, idling|VBG in|IN the|DT lounges|NNS .|. 
Now|RB and|CC then|RB ,|, a|DT new|JJ face|NN mingled|JJ in|IN the|DT crowd|NN .|. 
Other|JJ faces|VBZ washed|VBN out|IN ,|, fading|VBG into|IN the|DT backdrop|NN of|IN carpets|NNS and|CC fake|JJ glass|NN chandeliers|NNS and|CC the|DT muted|JJ hum|NN of|IN the|DT engines|NNS .|. 

One|CD of|IN these|DT evenings|NNS ,|, we|PRP were|VBD gathered|VBN in|IN the|DT South|NNP Ballroom|NNP for|IN post-dinner|JJ drinks|NNS ,|, lounging|VBG on|IN couches|NNS and|CC watching|VBG other|JJ members|NNS of|IN our|PRP$ populace|NN move|NN in|IN circles|NNS on|IN the|DT dance|NN floor|NN .|. 
(|( The|NNP '|POS South|NNP '|POS was|VBD in|IN the|DT title|NN to|TO suggest|VB that|IN there|EX were|VBD more|JJR ballrooms|NNS .|. 
There|EX were|VBD n't|RB .|. )|) 
Sarah|NNP 's|POS circle|NN had|VBD picked|VBN up|RP another|DT newcomer|NN ,|, Adrienne|NNP ,|, a|DT short|JJ blond|JJ girl|NN who|WP we|PRP all|DT agreed|VBD was|VBD barely|RB old|JJ enough|RB to|TO attend|VB a|DT traditional|JJ university|NN back|RB on|IN Earth|NNP ,|, let|VB alone|RB work|NN on|IN the|DT ship|NN in|IN whose|WP$ wreck|NN Jefferson|NNP had|VBD found|VBN her|PRP .|. 
Maybe|RB it|PRP was|VBD her|PRP$ curiosity|NN ,|, asking|VBG a|DT question|NN I|PRP should|MD have|VB asked|VBN long|RB before|RB ,|, that|WDT turned|VBD the|DT conversation|NN serious|JJ ;|: maybe|RB there|EX was|VBD just|RB something|NN special|JJ about|IN that|DT evening|NN .|. 
Maybe|RB we|PRP had|VBD all|DT tired|JJ of|IN the|DT frivolity|NN of|IN our|PRP$ life|NN ,|, hitting|VBG some|DT threshold|NN or|CC some|DT breaking|NN point|NN .|. 
Regardless|RB ,|, when|WRB Adrienne|NNP asked|VBD what|WP the|DT ship|NN 's|POS purpose|NN was|VBD ,|, we|PRP all|DT gave|VBD it|PRP a|DT measure|NN of|IN thought|VBD .|. 
We|PRP dredged|JJ up|RB half-fledged|JJ theories|NNS and|CC inchoate|NN explanations|NNS ,|, tossing|VBG these|DT out|RP the|DT same|JJ way|NN we|PRP pitched|VBD ideas|NNS about|IN the|DT art|NN films|NNS .|. 

“|NN I|PRP believe|VBP we|PRP 'll|MD see|VB the|DT end|NN of|IN the|DT universe|NN ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Tiffany|NNP .|. 
Captain|NNP 's|POS cohort|NN ,|, she|PRP had|VBD a|DT glass|NN of|IN orange-brown|JJ liquid|NN in|IN one|CD hand|NN ;|: it|PRP might|MD have|VB been|VBN orange|NN juice|NN and|CC some|DT kind|NN of|IN berry|NN liquor|NN .|. 
She|PRP swirled|JJ it|PRP speculatively|RB .|. 
I|PRP watched|VBD Adrienne|NNP .|. 
She|PRP tilted|JJ her|PRP$ head|NN ,|, listening|VBG ,|, not|RB speaking|VBG .|. 

“|NN Impossible|JJ ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Zheng|NNP ,|, sitting|VBG in|IN the|DT chair|NN to|TO her|PRP$ left|JJ .|. 
“|NN We|PRP ca|MD n't|RB live|VB that|IN long|JJ .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Maybe|RB the|DT universe|NN will|MD end|VB sooner|RBR than|IN you|PRP think|VBP ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Jefferson|NNP .|. 
Yeah|UH ,|, the|DT captain|NN was|VBD there|RB ,|, with|IN the|DT rest|NN of|IN us|PRP .|. 
He|PRP did|VBD n't|RB drink|VB ,|, but|CC he|PRP made|VBD a|DT point|NN of|IN mingling|VBG with|IN all|PDT the|DT various|JJ cliques|NNS .|. 

“|NN Maybe|RB we|PRP 'll|MD travel|VB at|IN the|DT speed|NN of|IN light|JJ and|CC we|PRP wo|MD n't|RB age|NN ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Sarah|NNP ,|, setting|VBG her|PRP$ wine|NN glass|NN on|IN the|DT little|JJ round|NN end|NN table|NN by|IN her|PRP$ couch|NN .|. 
“|NN Maybe|RB we|PRP 're|VBP already|RB traveling|VBG at|IN the|DT speed|NN of|IN light|NN .|. ”|NN 

Tiffany|NNP ,|, she|PRP nodded|JJ eagerly|RB .|. 
“|NN Relatively|RB says|VBZ it|PRP all|DT .|. ”|NN 

Zheng|NNP scoffed|VBD .|. 
“|NN Also|RB impossible|JJ .|. 
Even|RB if|IN we|PRP were|VBD traveling|VBG at|IN ninety-nine|JJ percent|NN of|IN the|DT speed|NN of|IN light—that|NN 's|POS assuming|VBG you|PRP ignore|VBP science|NN and|CC pretend|VB that|IN such|JJ a|DT thing|NN is|VBZ possible|JJ ,|, because|IN it|PRP isn|NN '|'' t—we|NN 'd|MD still|RB age|NN .|. 
We|PRP 'd|MD just|RB appear|VB to|TO age|NN slower|JJR than|IN people|NNS not|RB traveling|VBG as|RB fast|RB as|IN us|PRP .|. ”|NN 

“|NN And|CC ?|. ”|NN 
said|VBD Sarah|NNP .|. 
“|NN Aging|NNP is|VBZ relative|JJ ,|, anyway|RB .|. 
Besides|IN ,|, I|PRP would|MD n't|RB mind|VB being|VBG around|IN forever|RB .|. 
Give|VB our|PRP$ ancestors|NNS purpose|NN .|. 
Keep|VB their|PRP$ dreams|NNS alive|JJ .|. ”|NN 

“|NN New|NNP hypothesis|NNS ,|, ”|NN suggested|VBD Kishori|NNP ,|, slipping|VBG into|IN the|DT conversation|NN .|. 
“|NN No|DT one|NN 's|POS immortal|NN .|. 
In|IN fact|NN ,|, the|DT opposite|JJ :|: We|PRP 're|VBP all|DT going|VBG to|TO die|VB .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Bleak|NNP ,|, ”|NN commented|VBD Zheng|NNP .|. 
“|NN But|CC I|PRP like|VBP it|PRP .|. ”|NN 
He|PRP grinned|JJ at|IN Sarah|NNP ,|, who|WP frowned|JJ .|. 
Ray|NNP took|VBD a|DT drink|NN from|IN his|PRP$ glass|NN of|IN ice|NN water|NN ,|, and|CC shook|VBD his|PRP$ head|NN .|. 

“|NN We|PRP 're|VBP all|DT going|VBG to|TO die|VB ,|, so|RB what|WP better|JJR thing|NN to|TO do|VB than|IN enjoy|VB the|DT time|NN we|PRP have|VBP ?|. ”|NN 
Kishori|NNP gestured|VBD to|TO the|DT bar|NN ,|, the|DT carpets|NNS ,|, the|DT paintings|NNS .|. 
“|NN All|DT the|DT luxuries|NNS money|NN can|MD buy|VB .|. ”|NN 

Tiffany|NNP took|VBD a|DT drink|NN ,|, thinking|VBG .|. 
“|NN All|DT the|DT luxuries|NNS money|NN can|MD buy|VB ,|, ”|NN she|PRP echoed|VBD .|. 

Zheng|NNP looked|VBD skeptical|JJ .|. 
“|NN Paid|VBN for|IN how|WRB ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN Smuggling|NNP ,|, ”|NN responded|VBD Kishori|NNP .|. 
Matter-of-fact|NNP .|. 
Jefferson|NNP snorted|JJ ,|, amused|JJ .|. 
“|NN Think|VBP about|IN it|PRP ,|, ”|NN Kishori|NNP continued|VBD ,|, “|NN where|WRB else|RB would|MD we|PRP get|VB the|DT money|NN to|TO buy|VB all|PDT this|DT ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN Renegade|NNP smugglers|NNS .|. 
So|RB what|WP 's|VBZ our|PRP$ cargo|NN ,|, eh|NN ,|, captain|NN ?|. ”|NN 
Zheng|NNP joked|VBD ,|, leaning|VBG back|RB in|IN his|PRP$ chair|NN with|IN his|PRP$ glass|NN of|IN wine|NN .|. 

Jefferson|NNP shook|VBD his|PRP$ head|NN and|CC stood|VBD up|RB .|. 
“|NN I|PRP 'll|MD leave|VB you|PRP to|TO your|PRP$ speculation|NN ,|, ”|NN he|PRP said|VBD .|. 
A|DT chorus|NN of|IN good|JJ nights|NNS followed|VBD him|PRP out|RP the|DT door|NN .|. 

After|IN the|DT captain|NN left|VBD ,|, Zheng|NNP leaned|VBD in|IN .|. 
He|PRP set|VBD his|PRP$ glass|NN down|RB on|IN an|DT end|NN table|NN ,|, steepled|JJ his|PRP$ fingers|NNS together|RB .|. 
“|NN We|PRP 're|VBP revolting|VBG ,|, ”|NN he|PRP told|VBD us|PRP .|. 
“|NN And|CC I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB mean|VB that|IN you|PRP disgust|NN me|PRP .|. 
No|DT ,|, we|PRP 're|VBP the|DT start|NN of|IN a|DT rebellion|NN .|. 
Did|VBD you|PRP hear|VBP what|WP the|DT captain|NN said|VBD earlier|RBR ?|. 
He|PRP means|VBZ ,|, we|PRP 're|VBP going|VBG to|TO change|VB the|DT future|NN .|. 
The|DT universe|NN as|IN we|PRP know|VBP it|PRP wo|MD n't|RB be|VB the|DT same|JJ .|. ”|NN 

“|NN That|DT 's|VBZ dumb|JJ ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Sarah|NNP .|. 
“|NN Would|MD n't|RB we|PRP know|VB it|PRP if|IN we|PRP were|VBD part|NN of|IN a|DT rebellion|NN ?|. 

Zheng|NNP shook|VBD his|PRP$ head|NN .|. 
“|NN The|DT captain|NN selected|VBD us|PRP for|IN a|DT reason|NN .|. 
He|PRP has|VBZ inside|IN intelligence—how|NN else|RB would|MD he|PRP know|VB where|WRB to|TO find|VB us|PRP ?|. 
He|PRP knows|VBZ about|IN us|PRP .|. ”|NN 

“|NN That|DT 's|VBZ still|RB dumb|JJ ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Sarah|NNP .|. 
“|NN Inside|IN intelligence|NN ?|. 
Do|VBP n't|RB you|PRP remember|VBP ,|, there|EX 's|VBZ not|RB exactly|RB one|CD big|JJ galactic|JJ government|NN from|IN which|WDT to|TO steal|VB information|NN .|. ”|NN 

“|NN I|PRP still|RB like|IN my|PRP$ idea|NN ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Tiffany|NNP .|. 

Me|PRP ,|, I|PRP followed|VBD Adrienne|NNP 's|POS example|NN and|CC did|VBD n't|RB speak|VB up|RP (|( fabricating|VBG excuses|NNS to|TO myself|PRP to|TO stay|VB safely|RB in|IN gather-info|JJ observation|NN mode|NN )|) ,|, though|IN I|PRP thought|VBD Zheng|NNP had|VBD a|DT point|NN .|. 
Jefferson|NNP did|VBD n't|RB share|VB how|WRB he|PRP found|VBD people|NNS .|. 
He|PRP did|VBD n't|RB share|VB how|WRB he|PRP knew|VBD exactly|RB where|WRB the|DT wrecks|NNS were|VBD ,|, or|CC why|WRB he|PRP saved|VBD some|DT people|NNS but|CC not|RB others|NNS .|. 
But|CC then|RB again|RB ,|, no|DT one|CD asked|VBD .|. 
I|PRP guess|VBP we|PRP all|DT figured|VBD ,|, he|PRP knew|VBD what|WP he|PRP was|VBD doing|VBG .|. 
He|PRP had|VBD been|VBN at|IN this|DT savior|NN business|NN longer|RBR than|IN any|DT of|IN us|PRP .|. 
I|PRP wondered|VBD if|IN Adrienne|NNP would|MD ask|VB about|IN that|DT .|. 

“|NN We|PRP 're|VBP going|VBG to|TO mean|VB something|NN ,|, ”|NN Zheng|NNP was|VBD saying|VBG .|. 
“|NN What|WP we|PRP do|VBP ,|, rebelling|VBG against|IN the|DT oppression|NN of|IN the|DT many|JJ governments|NNS that|WDT oppose|VBP us|PRP ,|, we|PRP 're|VBP going|VBG to|TO leave|VB a|DT legacy|NN .|. ”|NN 
He|PRP sounded|VBD certain|JJ .|. 
Enthusiastic|NNP ,|, even|RB .|. 

Ray|NNP ,|, he|PRP shook|VBD his|PRP$ head|NN ,|, and|CC broke|VBD the|DT quiet|JJ he|PRP 'd|MD held|VBN most|JJS of|IN the|DT evening|NN .|. 
“|NN You|PRP 've|VBP got|VBN it|PRP all|DT wrong|NN .|. ”|NN 
He|PRP looked|VBD from|IN Sarah|NNP ,|, to|TO Adrienne|NNP ,|, to|TO Zheng|NNP ,|, to|TO Kishori|NNP and|CC Tiffany|NNP ,|, to|TO me|PRP .|. 
“|NN Obviously|RB ,|, we|PRP ca|MD n't|RB last|VB longer|RBR than|IN the|DT rest|NN of|IN the|DT universe|NN .|. 
We|PRP are|VBP n't|RB giving|VBG anyone|NN purpose|NN .|. 
We|PRP 're|VBP not|RB even|RB going|VBG to|TO leave|VB a|DT legacy|NN .|. 
All|DT we|PRP 're|VBP doing|VBG is|VBZ existing|VBG .|. 
All|DT we|PRP 're|VBP doing|VBG is|VBZ eating|VBG and|CC drinking|VBG and|CC shitting|VBG ,|, breathing|VBG and|CC fucking|VBG and|CC nothing|NN important|JJ ,|, ever|RB .|. 
We|PRP are|VBP n't|RB special|JJ .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Again|RB ,|, bleak|JJ ,|, ”|NN commented|VBD Zheng|NNP .|. 
Adrienne|NNP gestured|VBD for|IN him|PRP to|TO be|VB quiet|JJ .|. 
She|PRP leaned|VBD forward|RB ,|, setting|VBG her|PRP$ elbows|NNS on|IN the|DT foot|NN stool|NN in|IN front|NN of|IN her|PRP .|. 

“|NN You|PRP never|RB know|VBP when|WRB it|PRP will|MD end|VB ,|, ”|NN Ray|NNP continued|VBD ,|, not|RB addressing|VBG any|DT one|CD of|IN us|PRP in|IN particular|NN .|. 
“|NN You|PRP ca|MD n't|RB hold|VB on|IN forever|RB ,|, even|RB if|IN you|PRP do|VBP n't|RB ever|RB ,|, ever|RB want|VBP to|TO forget|VB .|. 
How|WRB long|RB until|IN the|DT memories|NNS slip|VBP away|RB ?|. 
How|WRB long|RB until|IN all|DT you|PRP remember|VBP is|VBZ this|DT ,|, the|DT ship|NN ,|, the|DT thick|JJ red|JJ carpeting|NN ,|, the|DT chandeliers|NNS ,|, the|DT empty|JJ conversations|NNS you|PRP hold|VBP with|IN the|DT other|JJ shells|NNS who|WP used|VBD to|TO be|VB people|NNS ?|. 
When|WRB your|PRP$ life|NN ,|, the|DT reason|NN you|PRP lived|VBD ,|, the|DT people|NNS and|CC faces|VBZ and|CC places|VBZ ,|, the|DT emotions|NNS you|PRP felt|VBD ,|, who|WP and|CC what|WP you|PRP loved|VBD ,|, when|WRB all|DT that|WDT is|VBZ gone|VBN ,|, faded|VBN ,|, what|WP will|MD you|PRP have|VB left|VBN ?|. ”|NN 

I|PRP wondered|VBD how|WRB long|JJ Ray|NNP had|VBD been|VBN on|IN this|DT ship|NN .|. 
I|PRP wondered|VBD why|WRB ,|, if|IN he|PRP had|VBD such|JJ an|DT unpropitious|JJ outlook|NN ,|, he|PRP had|VBD n't|RB tried|VBN to|TO change|VB his|PRP$ situation|NN .|. 
I|PRP wanted|VBD to|TO ask|VB ,|, but|CC he|PRP was|VBD still|RB talking|VBG ,|, and|CC I|PRP was|VBD too|RB self-conscious|JJ to|TO interrupt|VB .|. 

“|NN You|PRP can|MD try|VB to|TO hold|VB on|RB ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Ray|NNP .|. 
“|NN You|PRP can|MD try|VB and|CC try|VB and|CC try|VB .|. 
Repeat|NN stories|NNS to|TO yourself|PRP in|IN the|DT artificial|JJ night|NN ,|, sketch|NN faces|VBZ in|IN your|PRP$ mind|NN .|. 
You|PRP can|MD make|VB their|PRP$ names|VBZ your|PRP$ mantra|NN .|. 
But|CC words|NNS ,|, if|IN you|PRP repeat|NN them|PRP enough|JJ times|NNS ,|, lose|VB their|PRP$ meaning|VBG .|. 
Emily|NNP emily|RB em-ill-ee|JJ em-i-lee|JJ eh-mill-ee|JJ eh-mih-lee|JJ .|. 
My|PRP$ wife|NN 's|POS name|NN ,|, once|RB .|. 
Repeat|NN it|PRP enough|JJ times|NNS ,|, it|PRP 's|VBZ just|RB a|DT sound|NN .|. 
No|RB longer|RBR grounded|VBN .|. ”|NN 

Ray|NNP ,|, he|PRP said|VBD ,|, “|NN If|IN we|PRP last|JJ forever|RB ,|, if|IN our|PRP$ eyes|NNS are|VBP the|DT last|JJ eyes|NNS watching|VBG as|IN the|DT stars|NNS blink|NN out|IN ,|, it|PRP wo|MD n't|RB mean|VB a|DT thing|NN to|TO us|PRP .|. 
We|PRP wo|MD n't|RB care|VB that|IN we|PRP 're|VBP last|JJ and|CC we|PRP wo|MD n't|RB care|VB that|IN there|EX are|VBP no|DT more|JJR stars|NNS .|. 
We|PRP are|VBP n't|RB angels|NNS .|. 
We|PRP 're|VBP just|RB dumb|JJ and|CC lucky|JJ .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Pure|NNP dumb|JJ luck|NN ,|, ”|NN he|PRP said|VBD .|. 

“|NN Struck|NNP a|DT nerve|NN ,|, huh|NN ?|. ”|NN 
said|VBD Zheng|NNP .|. 

“|NN Sorry|JJ ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Ray|NNP .|. 

“|NN How|WRB long|RB ago|RB was|VBD that|IN ?|. ”|NN 
asked|VBD Adrienne|NNP .|. 
“|NN Leaving|VBG your|PRP$ wife|NN ,|, I|PRP mean|VBP .|. 
Traveling|VBG on|IN this|DT ship|NN .|. ”|NN 

Ray|NNP ,|, he|PRP looked|VBD down|RB at|IN his|PRP$ hands|NNS ,|, folded|VBD together|RB in|IN his|PRP$ lap|NN ,|, fingers|NNS interlaced|JJ .|. 
“|NN I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB know|VB ,|, ”|NN he|PRP said|VBD .|. 
We|PRP were|VBD all|DT quiet|NN for|IN a|DT moment|NN .|. 
Ray|NNP shrugged|VBD ,|, then|RB got|VBD up|RP and|CC left|VBD .|. 
We|PRP let|VBP him|PRP go|VB .|. 
Silent|NNP .|. 
Self-conscious|NNP .|. 
More|JJR excuses|NNS were|VBD made|VBN ,|, and|CC after|IN a|DT few|JJ moments|NNS ,|, only|RB Adrienne|NNP and|CC I|PRP were|VBD left|VBN sitting|VBG in|IN the|DT ballroom|NN .|. 
She|PRP looked|VBD across|IN the|DT circle|NN of|IN couches|NNS at|IN me|PRP .|. 

“|NN What|WP 's|VBZ your|PRP$ theory|NN ?|. ”|NN 
she|PRP asked|VBD me|PRP .|. 

I|PRP shrugged|VBD .|. 

“|NN How|WRB long|JJ have|VBP you|PRP been|VBN here|RB ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN Not|RB that|IN long|JJ ,|, ”|NN I|PRP said|VBD .|. 
“|NN A|DT couple|NN weeks|NNS ,|, I|PRP guess|VBP .|. 
Maybe|RB a|DT month|NN or|CC two|CD .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Why|WRB do|VBP n't|RB you|PRP know|VBP for|IN sure|JJ ?|. ”|NN 
she|PRP asked|VBD .|. 

I|PRP shrugged|VBD .|. 
I|PRP had|VBD n't|RB been|VBN counting|VBG days|NNS .|. 

“|NN What|WP did|VBD you|PRP do|VB before|IN this|DT ?|. 
How|WRB were|VBD you|PRP found|VBD ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN I|PRP was|VBD an|DT engineer|NN .|. ”|NN 
I|PRP explained|VBD how|WRB my|PRP$ ship|NN had|VBD malfunctioned|JJ ,|, no|DT warning|NN at|IN all|DT .|. 
The|DT explosions|NNS ,|, the|DT impossible|JJ rescue|NN .|. 
“|NN I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB know|VB how|WRB Jefferson|NNP knew|VBD to|TO find|VB me|PRP there|RB .|. ”|NN 

She|PRP nodded|JJ .|. 
“|NN The|DT ship|NN I|PRP was|VBD on|IN ,|, I|PRP guess|VBP that|DT 's|VBZ what|WP happened|VBD ,|, too|RB .|. 
Some|DT vital|JJ part|NN broke|VBD ,|, and|CC ...|... 
well|RB ,|, boom|NN .|. 
It|PRP was|VBD all|DT so|RB fast|RB .|. ”|NN 
She|PRP took|VBD a|DT sip|NN of|IN her|PRP$ drink|NN ,|, plain|JJ water|NN because|IN ,|, she|PRP had|VBD explained|VBN earlier|RBR ,|, she|PRP had|VBD never|RB liked|VBN the|DT taste|NN of|IN alcohol|NN ,|, then|RB fixed|VBN her|PRP$ gaze|VBP on|IN me|PRP .|. 
“|NN I|PRP 'm|VBP going|VBG to|TO figure|VB it|PRP out|IN ,|, ”|NN she|PRP said|VBD .|. 
“|NN How|WRB and|CC why|WRB this|DT ship|NN exists|VBZ .|. 
I|PRP 'll|MD figure|VB it|PRP out|IN ,|, then|RB I|PRP 'm|VBP going|VBG to|TO find|VB a|DT way|NN home|NN .|. ”|NN 

I|PRP paced|VBN my|PRP$ room|NN that|DT night|NN ,|, unable|JJ to|TO sleep|VB .|. 
The|DT more|JJR I|PRP thought|VBD about|IN it|PRP ,|, the|DT less|JJR sense|NN the|DT ship|NN made|VBN .|. 
Worse|JJR ,|, Adrienne|NNP had|VBD made|VBN this|DT clear|JJ to|TO me|PRP with|IN a|DT single|JJ question|NN .|. 
I|PRP had|VBD spent|VBN weeks|NNS asking|VBG nothing|NN ,|, contentedly|RB getting|VBG nowhere|RB .|. 

Fact|NNP :|: Adrienne|NNP intimidated|VBN me|PRP .|. 

Fact|NNP :|: It|PRP 's|VBZ too|RB easy|JJ to|TO fall|VB into|IN patterns|NNS .|. 

I|PRP resolved|VBD to|TO break|VB the|DT pattern|NN .|. 

Another|DT evening|NN ,|, another|DT chandeliered|JJ room|NN ,|, another|DT swirl|NN of|IN conversations|NNS and|CC dances|NNS and|CC hor|NN d|SYM '|POS oevres|NNS .|. 
Another|DT circle|NN of|IN chairs|NNS and|CC couches|NNS ,|, another|DT uncomfortable|JJ question|NN .|. 

“|NN Has|VBZ anyone|NN ever|RB left|VBD ?|. ”|NN 
Adrienne|NNP looked|VBD at|IN each|DT of|IN us|PRP in|IN turn|NN .|. 

Ray|NNP exchanged|VBD a|DT glance|NN with|IN Zheng|NNP .|. 

Sarah|NNP frowned|JJ .|. 
“|NN Now|RB that|IN you|PRP mention|VBP it|PRP ,|, I|PRP have|VBP n't|RB seen|VBN Alexis|NNP in|IN days|NNS .|. 
I|PRP assumed|VBD he|PRP was|VBD indisposed|JJ .|. ”|NN 
Kishori|NNP nodded|JJ in|IN agreement|NN .|. 

I|PRP looked|VBD at|IN Ray|NNP and|CC raised|VBD an|DT eyebrow|NN .|. 
“|NN What|WP ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN Well|RB ,|, ”|NN Ray|NNP said|VBD ,|, slowly|RB ,|, “|NN People|NNS do|VBP leave|VB .|. 
The|DT approximate|JJ number|NN of|IN people|NNS at|IN any|DT given|JJ event|NN is|VBZ always|RB the|DT same|JJ .|. 
But|CC we|PRP see|VBP new|JJ faces|VBZ .|. ”|NN 

“|NN You|PRP 're|VBP sure|JJ it|PRP 's|VBZ not|RB just|RB some|DT people|NNS being|VBG indisposed|JJ ?|. ”|NN 
asked|VBD Adrienne|NNP ,|, using|VBG Sarah|NNP 's|POS phrasing|NN .|. 

Zheng|NNP shook|VBD his|PRP$ head|NN and|CC picked|VBD up|RP a|DT handful|NN of|IN candied|JJ pecans|NNS from|IN a|DT little|JJ dish|NN on|IN the|DT end|NN table|NN .|. 
“|NN Keep|VB adding|VBG people|NNS long|RB enough|RB ,|, regardless|RB ,|, you|PRP get|VBP more|RBR overall|JJ .|. 
A|DT couple|NN people|NNS staying|VBG in|IN their|PRP$ rooms|NNS ,|, even|RB if|IN you|PRP switch|VBP out|RP the|DT people|NNS ,|, wo|MD n't|RB make|VB a|DT difference|NN .|. ”|NN 
He|PRP dropped|VBD the|DT pecans|NNS back|RB into|IN the|DT dish|NN ,|, one|CD by|IN one|CD .|. 

“|NN So|RB where|WRB do|VBP they|PRP go|VBP ?|. ”|NN 
Adrienne|NNP focused|VBD on|IN Zheng|NNP .|. 

I|PRP cut|VBP in|IN .|. 
“|NN Maybe|RB a|DT better|JJR question|NN is|VBZ ,|, does|VBZ anyone|NN ever|RB come|VB back|RB ?|. ”|NN 

Ray|NNP and|CC Zheng|NNP exchanged|VBD another|DT glance|NN .|. 
Kishori|NNP chewed|VBD her|PRP$ lip|NN .|. 
Sarah|NNP shrugged|VBD and|CC sipped|VBD at|IN her|PRP$ drink|NN .|. 
After|IN a|DT moment|NN ,|, Ray|NNP said|VBD ,|, “|NN I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB think|VB so|RB .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Are|VBP there|RB patterns|NNS ?|. ”|NN 
Adrienne|NNP asked|VBD .|. 
“|NN Who|WP leaves|VBZ ?|. ”|NN 

Again|RB ,|, there|EX was|VBD an|DT uncomfortable|JJ moment|NN of|IN silence|NN .|. 
I|PRP hazarded|JJ a|DT guess|NN .|. 
“|NN You|PRP do|VBP n't|RB notice|VB ,|, do|VBP you|PRP .|. ”|NN 

Sarah|NNP looked|VBD indignant|NN .|. 
“|NN Of|IN course|NN we|PRP notice|VBP .|. 
But|CC ...|... well|RB ,|, no|DT one|CD important|JJ ever|RB disappears|VBZ ,|, so|IN it|PRP does|VBZ n't|RB really|RB matter|VB ,|, does|VBZ it|PRP .|. ”|NN 
I|PRP could|MD tell|VB she|PRP was|VBD trying|VBG to|TO remember|VB whom|WP she|PRP had|VBD known|VBN who|WP had|VBD left|VBN ,|, and|CC failing|VBG .|. 
No|DT one|NN contradicted|JJ her|PRP .|. 
No|DT one|NN offered|VBD a|DT different|JJ answer|NN .|. 

I|PRP looked|VBD at|IN Adrienne|NNP .|. 
Mission|NNP accomplished|VBN :|: Our|PRP$ routine|JJ insouciance|NN had|VBD been|VBN disrupted|VBN .|. 
The|DT scales|NNS had|VBD tipped|VBD .|. 
Even|RB when|WRB the|DT conversation|NN returned|VBD to|TO lighter|JJR tones|NNS ,|, as|IN it|PRP soon|RB did|VBD ,|, I|PRP dwelt|NN on|IN Adrienne|NNP 's|POS questions|NNS .|. 
From|IN the|DT looks|NNS on|IN my|PRP$ companions|NNS '|POS faces|VBZ ,|, I|PRP knew|VBD they|PRP were|VBD thinking|VBG the|DT same|JJ .|. 

“|NN How|WRB long|JJ have|VBP you|PRP been|VBN here|RB ?|. ”|NN 

The|DT question|NN ,|, previously|RB posed|VBN to|TO me|PRP ,|, was|VBD presented|VBN to|TO the|DT rest|NN of|IN our|PRP$ group|NN (|( excluding|VBG Ray|NNP ;|: Adrienne|NNP had|VBD been|VBN tactful|JJ enough|RB to|TO wait|VB until|IN he|PRP had|VBD gone|VBN for|IN a|DT refill|NN ,|, recalling|VBG the|DT last|JJ time|NN the|DT subject|NN was|VBD broached|JJ )|) .|. 

Sarah|NNP ,|, she|PRP tilted|JJ her|PRP$ head|NN and|CC tapped|VBD a|DT finger|NN on|IN the|DT side|NN of|IN her|PRP$ wine|NN glass|NN .|. 
“|NN A|DT long|JJ time|NN .|. 
Got|NNP to|TO be|VB months|NNS and|CC months|NNS ,|, at|IN least|JJS .|. 
”|NN 
“|NN You|PRP were|VBD here|RB before|IN I|PRP was|VBD ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Kishori|NNP ,|, “|NN and|CC so|RB was|VBD Tiffany|NNP .|. ”|NN 

I|PRP looked|VBD at|IN Zheng|NNP ;|: he|PRP shrugged|VBD .|. 
“|NN Time|NNP passes|VBZ in|IN a|DT weird|JJ way|NN here|RB .|. 
I|PRP kept|VBD track|NN for|IN a|DT while—thirty-eight|JJ days—but|NN after|IN that|DT ...|... 
I|PRP guess|VBP I|PRP did|VBD n't|RB see|VB the|DT point|NN .|. ”|NN 

Fact|NNP :|: Some|DT places|NNS are|VBP timeless|JJ .|. 

“|NN Why|WRB not|RB ?|. ”|NN 
asked|VBD Adrienne|NNP .|. 

“|NN Days|NNS do|VBP n't|RB matter|VB ,|, ”|NN he|PRP said|VBD .|. 
“|NN The|DT eleventh|NN of|IN a|DT month|NN or|CC the|DT seventeenth|NN ,|, whether|IN it|PRP 's|VBZ Wednesday|NNP or|CC Sunday|NNP ,|, summer|NN back|RB on|IN Earth|NNP or|CC winter|NN ,|, it|PRP does|VBZ n't|RB affect|VB us|PRP here|RB .|. ”|NN 

Tiffany|NNP nodded|JJ ,|, but|CC Kishori|NNP spoke|VBD before|IN the|DT other|JJ woman|NN could|MD .|. 
“|NN Why|WRB are|VBP you|PRP so|RB interested|JJ ?|. ”|NN 
she|PRP asked|VBD Adrienne|NNP .|. 

Adrienne|NNP met|VBD her|PRP$ gaze|VBP .|. 
“|NN I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB want|VB to|TO be|VB here|RB forever|RB .|. ”|NN 

“|NN But|CC we|PRP 're|VBP not|RB here|RB forever|RB ,|, ”|NN objected|VBD Sarah|NNP .|. 
“|NN Remember|VB ?|. 
Alexis|NNP left|VBD .|. ”|NN 

“|NN Disappeared|NNP ,|, ”|NN I|PRP corrected|VBD her|PRP .|. 
“|NN We|PRP do|VBP n't|RB know|VB how|WRB or|CC why|WRB he|PRP left|VBD .|. 
Or|CC where|WRB he|PRP went|VBD .|. ”|NN 

Zheng|NNP looked|VBD thoughtful|JJ .|. 
He|PRP picked|VBD up|RP his|PRP$ glass|NN ,|, swirled|JJ the|DT liquid|NN around|IN ,|, took|VBD a|DT sip|NN ,|, then|RB set|VBD the|DT glass|NN back|RB down|RB .|. 
He|PRP glanced|VBD around|IN at|IN the|DT rest|NN of|IN us|PRP .|. 
“|NN Do|VBP you|PRP want|VB to|TO leave|VB ?|. ”|NN 
he|PRP asked|VBD .|. 
“|NN Could|MD you|PRP live|VB anywhere|RB else|RB now|RB ?|. ”|NN 

I|PRP spoke|VBD up|RB .|. 
“|NN Yes|UH ,|, ”|NN I|PRP said|VBD .|. 
“|NN I|PRP would|MD n't|RB miss|VB this|DT ,|, much|JJ .|. ”|NN 
No|DT one|NN else|RB said|VBD anything|NN .|. 
I|PRP watched|VBD Adrienne|NNP 's|POS eyes|NNS move|VBP from|IN one|CD face|NN to|TO the|DT next|JJ .|. 

Zheng|NNP ,|, he|PRP addressed|VBD me|PRP again|RB ,|, leaning|VBG forward|RB with|IN his|PRP$ elbows|NNS on|IN his|PRP$ knees|NNS and|CC an|DT intense|JJ ,|, steady|JJ gaze|VBP .|. 
“|NN You|PRP think|VBP that|IN ,|, ”|NN he|PRP said|VBD ,|, “|NN but|CC is|VBZ it|PRP true|JJ ?|. 
Would|MD you|PRP be|VB happy|JJ back|RB in|IN a|DT normal|JJ life|NN ,|, working|VBG and|CC living|VBG and|CC crying|VBG in|IN the|DT drudgery|NN of|IN whatever|WDT the|DT hell|NN normal|JJ is|VBZ these|DT days|NNS ?|. ”|NN 

I|PRP did|VBD n't|RB answer|VB .|. 

Fact|NNP :|: It|PRP 's|VBZ too|RB easy|JJ to|TO fall|VB into|IN patterns|NNS .|. 

Fact|NNP :|: I|PRP was|VBD n't|RB sure|JJ I|PRP wanted|VBD the|DT dream|NN stage|NN to|TO end|VB .|. 

My|PRP$ quarters|NNS felt|VBD stifling|VBG .|. 
Asphyxiating|NNP my|PRP$ mind|NN .|. 
I|PRP sat|VBD sideways|RB in|IN the|DT armchair|NN ,|, feet|NNS dangling|VBG over|IN one|CD arm|NN ,|, neck|NN resting|VBG against|IN the|DT other|JJ ,|, absently|RB tracing|VBG invisible|JJ lines|NNS between|IN the|DT stars|NNS outside|IN my|PRP$ window|NN as|IN I|PRP ruminated|VBD on|IN the|DT situation|NN .|. 
The|DT lightscreen|NN had|VBD proved|VBN singularly|RB unhelpful|JJ .|. 
I|PRP inspected|VBD the|DT arrays|NNS of|IN entertainment|NN options—abstract|NN ,|, old-style|JJ flatscreens|NNS ,|, engrossing|VBG VR|NNP flicks|NNS and|CC action|NN games|NNS ,|, a|DT selection|NN of|IN quondam|NN bestsellers|NNS and|CC a|DT few|JJ recently|RB released|VBN novels|NNS hoping|VBG to|TO gain|VB popularity|NN .|. 
There|EX was|VBD a|DT schedule|NN advertising|NN upcoming|JJ on-ship|JJ events|NNS ,|, such|JJ as|IN dance|NN classes|NNS ,|, craft|NN sessions|NNS ,|, and|CC discussion|NN groups|NNS ,|, and|CC a|DT list|NN of|IN dinner|NN invitations|NNS for|IN me|PRP to|TO respond|VB to|TO .|. 
A|DT menu|NN of|IN display|NN options|NNS ,|, allowing|VBG me|PRP to|TO customize|NN all|DT the|DT lightscreen|NN 's|POS superficial|JJ characteristics|NNS .|. 
A|DT simple|JJ contact|NN system|NN for|IN communicating|VBG with|IN other|JJ people|NNS on|IN the|DT ship|NN .|. 
That|DT was|VBD all|DT .|. 

A|DT methodical|JJ search|NN of|IN my|PRP$ two|CD adjoining|JJ rooms|NNS ,|, the|DT ample|JJ closet|NN space|NN ,|, and|CC the|DT attached|JJ bathroom|NN facility|NN had|VBD similarly|RB provided|VBN no|DT fodder|NN .|. 
Furniture|NNP (|( dark|JJ wood|NN ,|, expensive|JJ ,|, polished|JJ ,|, no|DT secret|JJ compartments|NNS )|) ,|, clothes|NNS ,|, leftover|NN tray|NN of|IN half-consumed|JJ food|NN from|IN the|DT previous|JJ day|NN 's|POS lunch|NN ,|, toiletries|NNS (|( complete|JJ with|IN miniature|JJ bottles|NNS of|IN sweet-smelling|JJ apricot|NN honey|NN lotion|NN )|) ,|, lightscreen|NN ,|, me|PRP .|. 

I|PRP was|VBD discouraged|VBN and|CC frustrated|VBN .|. 
I|PRP wanted|VBD to|TO prove|VB to|TO Adrienne|NNP that|IN I|PRP wanted|VBD solve|VB the|DT ship|NN 's|POS mystery|NN just|RB as|RB much|JJ as|IN she|PRP did|VBD .|. 
I|PRP wanted|VBD to|TO find|VB something|NN ,|, anything|NN ,|, that|WDT would|MD prove|VB all|PDT this|DT was|VBD normal|JJ and|CC sane|NN .|. 
I|PRP did|VBD n't|RB want|VB to|TO think|VB about|IN disappearances|NNS and|CC time|NN and|CC purposes|NNS and|CC consequences|NNS .|. 

I|PRP wanted|VBD my|PRP$ contentment|NN back|RB .|. 

I|PRP cornered|VBN Adrienne|NNP at|IN dinner|NN that|DT night|NN .|. 
In|IN one|CD hand|NN I|PRP balanced|JJ my|PRP$ plate|NN of|IN star-shaped|JJ crackers|NNS ,|, globs|NNS of|IN elegant|JJ dips|NNS and|CC garnishes|NNS ,|, little|RB rolled|VBN balls|NNS of|IN meats|NNS and|CC cheeses|NNS stabbed|VBN through|IN with|IN spears|NNS of|IN some|DT pale|JJ green|JJ plant|NN ,|, and|CC an|DT array|NN of|IN other|JJ delectable|JJ ,|, bite-sized|JJ items|NNS .|. 
My|PRP$ other|JJ hand|NN pointedly|RB steered|VBD Adrienne|NNP to|TO a|DT small|JJ table|NN against|IN a|DT wall|NN .|. 
She|PRP glared|JJ at|IN me|PRP ,|, but|CC obediently|RB let|VB me|PRP pull|VB her|PRP along|IN .|. 

“|NN Tell|VB me|PRP ,|, ”|NN I|PRP said|VBD ,|, after|IN we|PRP sat|VBD ,|, “|NN what|WP you|PRP have|VBP found|VBN .|. ”|NN 
It|PRP was|VBD n't|RB a|DT question|NN .|. 

She|PRP gave|VBD me|PRP a|DT grumpy|NN look|NN that|WDT informed|VBD me|PRP ,|, quite|RB clearly|RB ,|, of|IN her|PRP$ current|JJ opinion|NN of|IN me|PRP .|. 
“|NN Not|RB if|IN you|PRP 're|VBP going|VBG to|TO be|VB rude|JJ about|IN it|PRP .|. ”|NN 

I|PRP sighed|VBD .|. 
“|NN Sorry|JJ .|. ”|NN 
I|PRP was|VBD n't|RB ,|, not|RB really|RB ,|, but|CC I|PRP 'd|MD lie|VB to|TO get|VB the|DT conversation|NN going|VBG .|. 
“|NN I|PRP want|VBP to|TO know|VB .|. ”|NN 
I|PRP explained|VBD ,|, in|IN two|CD brief|JJ sentences|NNS ,|, my|PRP$ earlier|JJR impasse|NN .|. 

“|NN I|PRP do|VBP n't|RB know|VB much|JJ ,|, ”|NN she|PRP said|VBD ,|, still|RB annoyed|VBD but|CC at|IN least|JJS cooperative|JJ .|. 
She|PRP reviewed|VBD the|DT information|NN gleaned|VBN from|IN our|PRP$ previous|JJ dinner|NN conversations|NNS ,|, adding|VBG ,|, “|NN I|PRP heard|VBD the|DT captain|NN say|VBP something|NN yesterday|NN ,|, as|IN I|PRP walking|VBG to|TO the|DT Pyrope|NNP Parlor|NNP .|. 
I|PRP was|VBD just|RB coming|VBG up|RP on|IN a|DT corner|NN and|CC he|PRP was|VBD around|IN the|DT other|JJ side|NN ,|, talking|VBG to|TO a|DT couple|NN people|NNS ,|, and|CC they|PRP must|MD not|RB have|VB known|VBN I|PRP was|VBD there|RB .|. 
He|PRP said|VBD something|NN about|IN a|DT wreck|NN going|VBG well|RB .|. 
And|CC listen|VB ,|, when|WRB they|PRP came|VBD round|NN the|DT corner|NN ,|, Ray|NNP was|VBD with|IN the|DT captain|NN .|. ”|NN 

The|DT next|JJ time|NN the|DT captain|NN stopped|VBN by|IN our|PRP$ group|NN ,|, Tiffany|NNP tagging|VBG along|RB (|( pretending|VBG that|IN she|PRP ,|, too|RB ,|, was|VBD a|DT social|JJ butterfly|NN who|WP could|MD mingle|VBP equally|RB well|RB with|IN everyone|NN )|) ,|, we|PRP were|VBD ready|JJ .|. 

“|NN Is|VBZ there|EX a|DT doctor|NN on|IN board|NN ?|. ”|NN 
asked|VBD Adrienne|NNP .|. 
“|NN I|PRP 've|VBP been|VBN having|VBG headaches|NNS .|. ”|NN 
It|PRP was|VBD a|DT lie|NN ,|, but|CC we|PRP needed|VBD information|NN .|. 

Jefferson|NNP nodded|JJ .|. 
“|NN Down|IN past|JJ the|DT Emerald|NNP Lounge|NNP ,|, second|JJ door|NN on|IN the|DT left|NN .|. 
All|DT hours|NNS .|. ”|NN 
A|DT robot|NN ,|, then|RB .|. 
Medical|NNP AI|NNP were|VBD even|RB more|RBR expensive|JJ than|IN the|DT barkeep|NN .|. 
I|PRP wondered|VBD how|WRB many|JJ people|NNS it|PRP treated|VBD .|. 
Had|VBD anyone|NN on|IN the|DT ship|NN ever|RB fallen|VBN seriously|RB ill|JJ ?|. 

“|NN Does|VBZ he|PRP age|VBP ?|. ”|NN 
asked|VBD Adrienne|NNP .|. 

“|NN The|DT captain|NN ?|. ”|NN 
I|PRP shrugged|VBD .|. 
“|NN I|PRP never|RB thought|VBD about|IN it|PRP .|. ”|NN 

Adrienne|NNP steepled|JJ her|PRP$ fingers|NNS and|CC studied|VBD my|PRP$ face|NN .|. 
“|NN That|DT does|VBZ n't|RB answer|VB my|PRP$ question|NN ,|, ”|NN she|PRP said|VBD .|. 

Adrienne|NNP only|RB picked|VBD at|IN her|PRP$ food|NN .|. 

“|NN Not|RB hungry|JJ ?|. ”|NN 
asked|VBD Kishori|NNP sympathetically|RB .|. 

“|NN No|DT ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Adrienne|NNP .|. 

“|NN At|IN least|JJS have|VBP a|DT drink|NN ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Sarah|NNP .|. 
“|NN I|PRP find|VBP it|PRP takes|VBZ the|DT edge|NN off|IN .|. ”|NN 

“|NN She|PRP does|VBZ n't|RB drink|VB ,|, remember|VB ?|. ”|NN 
said|VBD Kishori|NNP .|. 

“|NN Maybe|RB that|DT 's|VBZ the|DT problem|NN ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Sarah|NNP .|. 

“|NN One|CD hundred|CD and|CC forty-seven|JJ is|VBZ a|DT magic|JJ number|NN ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Sarah|NNP .|. 
“|NN You|PRP ever|RB heard|VBD of|IN Dunbar|NNP ?|. 
Well|RB ,|, we|PRP 've|VBP got|VBN the|DT perfect-size|JJ group|NN right|RB here|RB .|. ”|NN 
Just|RB enough|RB for|IN us|PRP all|DT to|TO recognize|VB each|DT other|JJ .|. 
Just|RB enough|RB for|IN us|PRP all|DT to|TO be|VB able|JJ to|TO barely|RB avoid|VB killing|VBG each|DT other|JJ .|. 

“|NN Why|WRB does|VBZ n't|RB anyone|NN mutiny|NN ?|. ”|NN 
Adrienne|NNP asked|VBD .|. 
“|NN If|IN you|PRP dislike|VBP this|DT place|NN so|RB much|JJ ,|, why|WRB do|VBP n't|RB you|PRP do|VB something|NN about|IN it|PRP ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN We|PRP ca|MD n't|RB ,|, ”|NN said|VBD Ray|NNP .|. 
“|NN What|WP would|MD we|PRP do|VB ?|. ”|NN 

Adrienne|NNP shook|VBD her|PRP$ head|NN and|CC made|VBD a|DT sound|NN of|IN disgust|NN .|. 
“|NN You|PRP could|MD force|VB the|DT captain|NN to|TO set|VB down|RB somewhere|RB .|. 
Let|VB us|PRP off|IN the|DT ship|NN .|. 
If|IN he|PRP refuses|VBZ ,|, threaten|VB him|PRP .|. 
If|IN he|PRP still|RB refuses|VBZ ,|, well|RB ,|, of|IN all|DT of|IN us|PRP ,|, is|VBZ n't|RB there|EX someone|NN who|WP can|MD drive|VB a|DT ship|NN ?|. ”|NN 

“|NN That|DT 's|VBZ murder|NN ,|, ”|NN objected|VBD Sarah|NNP .|. 

“|NN That|DT 's|VBZ survival|NN ,|, ”|NN Adrienne|NNP corrected|VBD her|PRP .|. 
“|NN Do|VBP you|PRP want|VB to|TO be|VB stuck|VBN here|RB for|IN the|DT rest|NN of|IN your|PRP$ life|NN ?|. ”|NN 

Sarah|NNP did|VBD n't|RB reply|VB .|. 

I|PRP shifted|VBD my|PRP$ feet|NNS in|IN the|DT plush|JJ green|JJ carpeting|NN of|IN the|DT Emerald|NNP Lounge|NNP ,|, looking|VBG out|RP the|DT windows|NNS at|IN the|DT stars|NNS .|. 
Times|NNP like|IN that|DT ,|, running|VBG on|IN less|JJR sleep|NN than|IN I|PRP should|MD ,|, alone|RB because|IN everyone|NN else|RB had|VBD had|VBN the|DT sense|NN to|TO retire|VB for|IN the|DT night|NN ,|, I|PRP had|VBD a|DT tendency|NN to|TO get|VB all|DT meditative|JJ about|IN the|DT universe|NN and|CC my|PRP$ place|NN in|IN it|PRP .|. 
The|DT stillness|NNS of|IN the|DT room|NN contributed|VBD ,|, as|IN did|VBD the|DT view|NN .|. 
Black|NNP and|CC more|RBR black|JJ ,|, speckled|JJ by|IN tiny|JJ points|NNS of|IN light|JJ that|WDT flared|VBN up|RP to|TO break|VB the|DT emptiness|NNS ,|, if|IN only|RB for|IN a|DT brief|JJ time|NN .|. 
All|DT of|IN it|PRP was|VBD temporary|JJ ,|, save|VB for|IN the|DT black|NN .|. 
That|DT was|JJ tonight|NN 's|POS melodramatic|JJ theme|NN :|: the|DT ephemeral|NN nature|NN of|IN life|NN .|. 
Everything|NN temporary|JJ .|. 
Everything|NN to|TO fade|VB away|RB ,|, lost|VBD as|IN dust|NN and|CC scattered|VBN atoms|NNS between|IN the|DT stars|NNS ,|, and|CC every|DT one|CD of|IN us|PRP to|TO be|VB left|VBN as|RB alone|RB as|IN the|DT moment|NN we|PRP were|VBD born|VBN .|. 

Thinking|NNP about|IN that|DT ,|, I|PRP wondered|VBD if|IN Sarah|NNP 's|POS theory|NN was|VBD right|NN after|IN all|DT .|. 
Some|DT things|NNS in|IN this|DT world|NN ,|, we|PRP have|VBP to|TO make|VB them|PRP permanent|JJ ourselves|PRP .|. 
And|CC Jefferson|NNP ,|, he|PRP had|VBD done|VBN that|IN .|. 
He|PRP had|VBD made|VBN us|PRP a|DT constant|JJ .|. 
He|PRP made|VBD this|DT ship—this|NNS life—a|NN constant|JJ .|. 
The|DT one|CD thing|NN that|WDT was|VBD known|VBN .|. 
The|DT one|CD thing|NN that|WDT would|MD n't|RB change|VB .|. 

Maybe|RB everything|NN we|PRP did|VBD ,|, all|PDT the|DT stories|NNS we|PRP told|VBD ,|, maybe|RB it|PRP was|VBD all|DT lies|VBZ .|. 
Maybe|RB we|PRP 'd|MD never|RB know|VB each|DT other|JJ ,|, not|RB truly|RB ,|, because|IN we|PRP all|DT hid|VBD behind|IN the|DT stories|NNS ,|, creating|VBG the|DT realities|NNS we|PRP wanted|VBD to|TO see|VB .|. 
But|CC ultimately|RB ,|, this|DT ship|NN ,|, its|PRP$ purpose|NN ,|, our|PRP$ purpose—did|NN it|PRP matter|VBP ?|. 
We|PRP each|DT had|VBD our|PRP$ own|JJ theory|NN .|. 
Maybe|RB that|WDT was|VBD enough|RB .|. 
And|CC all|DT of|IN us|PRP ,|, we|PRP were|VBD permanent|JJ characters|NNS in|IN each|DT others|NNS '|POS stories|NNS .|. 
Maybe|RB that|WDT made|VBD us|PRP more|RBR real|JJ .|. 
Maybe|RB it|PRP made|VBD us|PRP feel|VBP less|RBR alone|RB .|. 

“|NN Mind|VB if|IN I|PRP join|VBP you|PRP ?|. ”|NN 

I|PRP turned|VBD to|TO see|VB Adrienne|NNP in|IN the|DT doorway|NN .|. 
She|PRP smiled|VBD ,|, then|RB crossed|VBD the|DT room|NN to|TO join|VB me|PRP by|IN the|DT window|NN ,|, not|RB waiting|VBG for|IN an|DT answer|NN .|. 

“|NN Some|DT nights|NNS ,|, ”|NN I|PRP said|VBD ,|, “|NN I|PRP ca|MD n't|RB see|VB the|DT meaning|VBG in|IN any|DT of|IN it|PRP .|. 
All|DT these|DT things|NNS I|PRP do|VBP ,|, they|PRP 're|VBP just|RB to|TO pass|VB the|DT time|NN until|IN I|PRP die|VBP .|. ”|NN 

Adrienne|NNP looked|VBD at|IN me|PRP ,|, then|RB back|RB out|IN through|IN the|DT window|NN .|. 
“|NN You|PRP do|VBP n't|RB see|VB a|DT meaning|VBG because|IN there|EX is|VBZ no|DT meaning|NN ,|, ”|NN she|PRP said|VBD .|. 

After|IN all|DT of|IN it|PRP ,|, as|RB much|JJ as|IN we|PRP feared|VBD being|VBG alone|RB ,|, we|PRP feared|VBD being|VBG vulnerable|JJ even|RB more|JJR .|. 
Our|PRP$ instinct|NN was|VBD to|TO hide|VB .|. 

“|NN Look|NN what|WP I|PRP found|VBD ,|, ”|NN Adrienne|NNP said|VBD .|. 
In|IN her|PRP$ hands|NNS was|VBD a|DT bottle|NN .|. 

And|CC what|WP happens|VBZ to|TO Adrienne|NNP ?|. 

I|PRP could|MD n't|RB find|VB her|PRP .|. 

Jefferson|NNP was|VBD in|IN the|DT Captain|NNP 's|POS Lounge|NNP ,|, 

Fact|NNP :|: Sound|NNP is|VBZ a|DT vibration|NN .|. 
The|DT speed|NN of|IN sound|NN in|IN dry|JJ air|NN at|IN twenty|CD degrees|NNS Celsius|NNP or|CC sixty-eight|JJ degrees|NNS Fahrenheit|NN is|VBZ three|CD hundred|CD and|CC forty-three|JJ meters|NNS per|IN second|JJ ,|, or|CC one|CD thousand|CD one|CD hundred|CD twenty-five|JJ feet|NNS per|IN second|NN .|. 

“|NN Up|IN his|PRP$ dosage|NN ,|, ”|NN I|PRP heard|VBD the|DT captain|NN say|VBP .|. 
“|NN I|PRP 've|VBP got|VBN a|DT replacement|NN lined|VBN up|RP .|. ”|NN 

I|PRP ran|VBD .|. 

I|PRP did|VBD n't|RB want|VB to|TO forget|VB .|. 

I|PRP did|VBD n't|RB want|VB to|TO be|VB harvested|VBN .|. 

The|DT last|JJ thing|NN I|PRP remember|VBP ,|, I|PRP was|VBD tearing|VBG down|RP the|DT corridors|NNS .|. 
Life|NNP boats|NNS ,|, I|PRP thought|VBD .|. 
Every|DT ship|NN had|VBD life|NN boats|NNS .|. 
In|IN case|NN of|IN emergency|NN ,|, break|VB glass|NN .|. 
I|PRP 'd|MD find|VB one|CD .|. 
I|PRP 'd|MD put|VB on|IN a|DT space|NN suit|NN ,|, I|PRP 'd|MD get|VB out|IN of|IN this|DT ship|NN ,|, I|PRP 'd|MD find|VB civilization|NN again|RB .|. 
A|DT planet|NN .|. 
A|DT space|NN station|NN .|. 
Some|DT other|JJ ship|NN .|. 
Any|DT place|NN but|CC this|DT place|NN .|. 

Failing|NNP all|DT else|RB ,|, I|PRP 'd|MD suffocate|NN .|. 
Alone|NNP .|. 

Ray|NNP ,|, he|PRP caught|VBD me|PRP as|IN I|PRP pounded|VBN on|IN the|DT corridor|NN walls|NNS ,|, finding|VBG no|DT glass|NN to|TO break|VB .|. 
“|NN Relax|NNP ,|, ”|NN he|PRP told|VBD me|PRP ,|, sliding|VBG a|DT needle|NN into|IN my|PRP$ arm|NN .|. 
“|NN It|PRP 'll|MD pass|VB ,|, ”|NN he|PRP told|VBD me|PRP .|. 
He|PRP held|VBD me|PRP in|IN his|PRP$ arms|NNS until|IN I|PRP stopped|VBD flailing|VBG .|. 

It|PRP passed|VBD .|. 

This|DT is|VBZ my|PRP$ Hotel|NNP California|NNP .|. 

I|PRP can|MD never|RB leave|VB .|. 

