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last time Susan had written, things like washing Snookers, cooking flowers and popping pills had quickly followed, then came professional help, and more pills.
    "Writing?" asked Robert.
    "Yeah, writing.  Francois thinks I should finish my last book."
    Robert looked at Susan like he was inspecting a fatal gunshot wound. "Sure Susan. No problem—by the way, how are you feeling?"
    "Fine, I feel fine. But I’m not sure about Buddy…"
    "---Buddy? Is he okay?"
    "He ate my mother’s flowers today and then threw them up all over the house."
    Thank God, only flowers-- no spin cycle, too big for that. Robert promised himself he would fix his marriage. 
    "Sorry to hear about that.  We can always buy more."
    "I know, but he passed gas all day.  I spoke about it to Francois, he helped me again today."
    "That’s great.  He’s the best." Robert chugged his beer.
    "He understands me, loves my new book, and he’ll help me finish it."
    "Well, be careful.  You know these shrinks can take advantage of people---"
    "He’s not a shrink,and he’s taking me to Parisnext summer."
    Robert spit out his beer. "Sorry, what?    I thought you wanted to go to Paris with me, what the hell are you talking about?"
    "Oh Robert, be more trusting.  You work all the time, let’s talk about this later. The kids will be home soon."
    Susan stared back at the picture of Paris. The people sitting at the cafes were turning into penguins and then back to people.  Paris without the penguins would be nice she thought.
     
    Gill sat at his redwood custom built desk reading the financial news the old fashioned way; a printed copy of the day’s stock movements and top stories. In a few minutes two-star General Schwarz would be arriving to discuss what he’d said over a secure phone channel was an important situation. Usually that meant money, so in a sense it was important , thought Gill. As Gill scanned the news he couldn’t believe his eyes:
     
    Navy Sailor Discovers Miracle Drug for Guilianni Labs—Drug pushed up Stock (and users) 
     
    According to recent reports Guilianni Labs (NASDAQ: GLAB) has discovered miracle-like effects from an eco-friendly barnacle remover.  On the strength of these reports the stock jumped 35% today.
    A US sailor in Yokosuka Japan allegedly did the research.  The sailor states he discovered that drinking the non-toxic eco-friendly friendly solution created hair growth as well as increasing his sexual performance. There are also unsubstantiated claims that the drug has youth-building characteristics, possibly including growth of the male sexual organ. CMM Financial News makes no claim to the accuracy of this report.
    The sailor said during an exclusive CMM interview:
    "Jeez, can’t believe I made it to the news on CMM…I’d like to tell my mom hi…hi mom, I’m fine…and don’t worry I’ll be home by Easter after they let me out of the lab. I want everyone to know when I made the discovery—it wasn’t illegal ya know, the bottle said it was non-toxic and a friendly chemical so I just tasted it one day, and then I tasted a little more the next.  It was very tasty—like sweet raspberries. But ya shouldn’t drink the whole bottle—I did that one day when I was thirsty and felt kinda strange—but ya know—nothing happened, I mean nothing bad that is. Later that day I felt strong, so strong and a few days later my head started growing back all my lost hair.  All I do is take a sip every day and wow…feel great and…"
    Gill could read no more: he was now number two on the Fortune money list.
    A phone rang and Gill picked it up. "What’s up Betty?" Gill threw the newspaper into the wastebasket.
    "General Schwartz and his three aides just arrived at the front gate."
    "Send them in, and please get me a large bottle of water and everyone else coffee."
    "Sure Mr. Applebee."
    Well, well thought Gill.  General Schwartz, you have an important situation. You military pukes are always looking for a free ride on the