All the same it would not be good for Jack to walk into Agent Hannah at any time in the future especially given as how she seems to be not entirely persuaded of my deadness.

“Smart lady.”

Doc says: “Huh.”

“What huh?”

“That is her?”

“The agent yes that is her.”

“Attractive.”

“No?”

“Yes. Diametrically contrasting with me in physical structure and psychosocial sexual cues.”

“Had not noticed that at all gosh is she really?”

“Price, for there is no need to be coy about it, she is eminently bedable. I have said to you before I do not require you to have no sexual contact with other women it is simply that there is a high percentage chance I will murder them if you do. It would appear you engaged in some close combat at least.”

“Yes but that was in the line of escaping. Come on Doc—”

“It’s not as if I won’t murder this one anyway.”

“Why are you so keen on this idea it is freaking me out?”

“Vicarious desire perhaps or maybe an instinct that it might be advantageous to the group. Sadly now that you have made her look like an Aryan coati I suspect your chances are greatly diminished.”

“Aw come on that will totally fade in a few days—”

“Nonetheless a stumbling block on the road to coitus.”

“Yes well I’m sure that’s a sad thing for all of us.”

“I’m somewhat relieved actually I had wondered why you did not simply kill her when you had the chance. You are perfectly capable.”

“Because—”

“Yes?”

“…”

“…”

“…Huh.”

“Exactly.”

“Enough of your sexual adventurism, science barbarian! My art is calling!”

“I am sure that it is.”

FIVE

“HALLO MR. TELEMARK HALLO HALLO I am Inge Désirée MY GOD what a pleasure I had NO IDEA you had accepted! HOW splendid I believe this is your first conventional fair, huh? We are quite honored actually to have you here. No, you must not be modest, that is entirely inappropriate! When the fair is over you may be self-effacing, huh, but not now, no. Not at all. You must make genius quite loudly. Let us be the platform for what you want to say!”

In fact Frau Désirée spent the last two days trying really hard to uninvite Banjo Telemark whom she has never heard of but somehow the press release went out and he has an invitation which is unquestionably signed by her and somehow Banjo is here and that would be a terrible fuckup except it turns out he is this important secret brand artist whose work is all about the fluidity of understanding and context in a blah blah blah I do not know Charlie made me say it.