‘It’s a pleasure to meet you both,’ he said, then slumped down again. ‘But I’m afraid I won’t be good company.’

This was an attempt to elicit sympathy. His confidence had collapsed. The two most exquisite women in the Universe were standing before him. Tancredi reasoned that the game between the sexes must be played at a far higher level on this planet. He was confused and searching for ways to protect himself. Perhaps Cocomo hadn’t used a ‘neg’. He wasn’t equipped to deal with such overwhelming beauty.

‘Grow up,’ said Cocomo harshly. ‘I’m not falling for the “oh poor me” trick.’

Tancredi’s descent into chaos continued. The chase was afoot and he was a novice compared to this hunter-killer. At this moment he wished to perform Tamany’s disappearing trick, or touch the calming softness of Kasbek’s coat. If pity wasn’t going to work, perhaps he could try the grandiloquent statement. The one he invoked at least had the benefit of being the truth.

‘I come from a faraway place,’ he said, looking dejected, ‘seeking to save it from destruction. I’ve travelled on a space ship which exploded and to a health planet which turned out to be sick. Everywhere I find people venal and foolish.

I’m beginning to despair. Is no one in the Universe thoughtful?’

‘No,’ Cocomo said with a laugh, ‘especially not you, fool! You’ve come to the wrong place. Eros One is a pleasure moon dedicated to gratification. Eros Two, the planet I come from, can’t solve your problem, but at least we’re good at human relations.’

‘Is that so?’ interrupted Bonnita, ‘That’s an interesting concept coming from you. In what way?’

‘The famous divorce ceremony, of course. Everyone who fails in marriage must undergo the ordeal. As a result people think before making the commitment, unlike here where relationships have no meaning.’

‘And are you superior, given your profession?’ Bonnita asked with contempt.

‘As a matter of fact I am,’ Cocomo replied, looking straight at Tancredi rather than her inquisitor. ‘A prostitute with a mission outranks a mediocrity who thinks only about herself.’

To Tancredi’s embarrassment, a prudish look spread across his face. He groped for a way forward.

‘Let’s have a drink,’ he said. ‘Tell me about yourselves.’

If he could encourage a debate between a dissolute woman and a living angel, he might even dodge the bullets. As the girls sat down, glaring at each other, another thought flashed unbidden through Tancredi’s mind: there was nothing to prevent him from finding love on his adventure.

X
Cocomo’s Story

I come from a good family and had an education of sorts, but we fell on hard times. My papa was a spendthrift, my mama couldn’t make ends meet. At seventeen, I knew it was me against the rest of the world. I felt frightened but liberated.

‘When I left home to make my fortune, I had no intention of doing this job. I wanted to use my looks to work as a bar hostess, make big tips, save money. Immediately men began to bother me like flies around dung. At first I thought it was funny. I was offered dinner dates, shopping trips, weekend breaks. But what was the point? I was here to make money. I’m not stupid, I wasn’t going to fall for those tricks.