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    Perfect Worlds Omnibus

    Page 8
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      Whentheygothome,theyfoundJerialreadyinherbed,soundasleep.The othersfollowedsuit.Karistaredupattheceilingforawhile,wonderingwhat ValwouldthinkifshesawKarilikethis.Wouldshelaugh?Orwouldshestart patronizingKariasifshewereachildagain?Karirolledonhersidetofacethe wallandsqueezedhereyesshut.

      ***

      Thenextmorningeverythingseemedfine,exceptJeriwasquieterthan usual.Shewouldusuallyscreamatwhoeverwasinthebathroomtohurryso shecouldtakeherbath,buttodaysheonlywaitedpatientlyonthecouch.

      Duringthebusridetowork,Karitriedtobringupthesubjectoflastnight,but Jeriwaveditaway.“It’sfine.I’msorryIwassuchaningrate.”

      Notlongaftertheygottowork,JeriwentintoTai’sofficewithaletter.

      Kari,busytranscribinganotherletter,didn’tpaymuchattentionatfirst.But afteranhourwentby,shepushedherselfoffherchairandwaddledovertoTai’s

      door.Assoonasshedid,thedooropenedonitsown.

      Jeristoodinthedoorway,onlyshewasn’treallyJerianymore.Inherplace wasamiddle-agedwomaninadowdybrownsweaterwithreadingglasses danglingfromachainaroundherneck.Herhairhadturnedadullbrownlittered withgrayandbeenpulledbackintoano-nonsensebun.Thiswomandidn’t wearanymakeupatall,ornailpolish,oranythingmorethanapairofsilver studsinherears.

      “Hello,”shesaid.Hervoicesoundedaslifelessasherbrowneyes.

      “Jeri?”

      “Whoelsewoulditbe?”

      “Whathappenedtoyou?”

      “That’snotyourbusiness,isit?”

      “Butyou’reso...differentnow.”

      “Yes,I’mnormalnow.Ifyou’llexcuseme,Ihaveworktodo.”Jeri brushedpastKaritositdownatherdesk.

      ButKariwouldn’tbebrushedasidesoeasily.ShewaddledovertoJeri’s desk.SheriandTerijoinedher.“Jeri,whatdidyoudo?”Kariasked.“Didyou makeadealwithhim?”

      “Whydoyoucare?”

      “Jeri,please,whatdidyoudo?”

      Shestareddownatthemforamomentandthensighed.“Ifitwillhelpme getbacktowork,thenI’lltellyou.IwentinthereandIbeggedforhimtomake meanormal-sizedadultagain.Hefinallyagreed,ononecondition:Ihadto givehimsomethingimportanttome.”

      Karistudiedherfriendforamomentandthentherealizationstruck.“Your beauty.That’swhatyouofferedhim.”

      “Itwasasmallpricetopayforbeingnormal,”Jerisaid.Shepattedher grayinghair.“It’snotsobad,really.ImaynotbeabletogetRauninAccounts Receivable,butIshouldbeabletofindaniceman,someonetotakecareofme.”

      “Jeri—”

      “Justleavemealone,”Jerisnapped.“ItwasmychoicetomakeandImade it.Youcandowhateveryouwant.”

      “Youmeanhe’dmakethesamedealwithme?”Teriasked.

      “Teri,no—”Karisaid.

      “Shutup.”SheturnedbacktoJeri.“Wouldhe?”

      “Yes,butyouprobablyhavetogivehimsomethingelse.Youneverwere verybeautiful.”

      Teri’seyesnarrowed,butshedidn’tsayanything.ShelookedtowardsTai’s door.Karigrabbedherarm.“Youcan’tdothis.Thisiswhathewants.He’s

      gettingyoutosurrenderyoursoulstohim.”

      “Idon’tcare,”Terisaid.ToKari’ssurprise,shebegantocry.Sheheldup hersausagelinkfingers.“I’msickofbeingthisway!I’msickofpeople laughingatme.I’msickofhavingtocaperaroundherelikeafreakingmonkey justtogetsomecoffeeorpaper.I’msickofbeingafreak.Iwanttobenormal again!”

      Shestompedtowardsthedoor.Sheri,alwayssopositiveabouttheircurrent plight,lookedupatJeriandthenoveratKari.“I’msorry,”shemumbledand thenfollowedhersister.

      KariwaitedatherdesktoseewhatwouldhappentoTeriandSheri.Over thepastfewmonthstheyhadbecomeherbestfriends.Maybetheyweren’tas closeassheandValhadbeen,buttheyhadbeenthroughsomuchtogether,first astoddlersandthenasmidgets.Karihadthoughtthatbondstrongenoughto survivethis,butlookingatJerishesupposedshewaswrong.

      Thefirstonewhocameoutwasatallwomanwithlongblackhairthat lookedpurpleinthelight.Herlipstickwasjustasdark.Evenhereyeswere blackandsmolderingwithhatred.Sheworeasheerblacktopthatshowedoff mostofheramplebreasts.Thewoman’sdarklipscurledinasneer.“Whatare youlookingat,pipsqueak?”

      “Teri?”

      “Guessagain,retard.”

      ItwasobviousthenwhatSherihadofferedtoTai.Thatupbeatnatureof hers,theonethathadallowedhertoembraceeachcrisiswithoutpanic,hadbeen strippedaway.Inherplacewasanastyshellofahumanbeing,someonewho delightedincruelty.“LookslikeIgotamuchbetterdeal,grandma,”Sherisaid asshepassedJeri’sdesk.

      “Suchimpudence,”Jerigrumbled,butthenwentbacktowork.

      Teriappearedafewminuteslater.Likeasmallanimalemergingfromits hole,shepokedherheadoutthedoorfirst.Awaveoflightbrownhairobscured mostofherface.Shebrushedthisasidetorevealadeathlypalefacedottedwith freckles.Hereyes,sopalebluetheywerealmostinvisible,dartedaroundthe roombehindherthickglasses.Karicouldn’thelpthinkingTerihadbecomeher asateenager.

      Havingmadesurethecoastwasclear,Teriscurriedtoherdesk,thehemof herdullbrowndresstrailingbehindher.Whenshesatatherdeskshe immediatelyhuncheduntilshewasbarelyvisible.Hersisterpracticallylicked herlipsasTerisatdown.ShereachedacrosstosnatchthestaplerfromTeri’s desk.“Whatareyoudoingwithmystapler?”

      “B-butt-that’sm-m-mine,”Teristammered,hervoicepracticallyawhisper.

      “W-wellt-toob-bad.It’sminenow,”Sherisaid.ShesnatchedTeri’spens andnotepadsaswell.

      Terilookeddownatherdesk,kneadingherpastyhands.“T-that’sa-allr-right.Icang-getn-newo-ones.”

      “Youdothat,moron.”

      WhileShericontinuedpickingonhersister,theintercomonKari’sdesk buzzed.“I’mreadyforyounow,MissChomar,”Taisaid.

      “Ibetyouare,”shegrumbled.

      ShestormedintoTai’soffice,slammingthedoorbehindher.Helookedup frompapersonhisdeskwithasmuggrin.“Howniceofyoutoseeme.So,are youreadytodeal?”

      “Never!I’llneversellmysoultoyou.”

      “Tsk,tsk.‘Sellyoursoul.’Somelodramatic.Ididn’ttakeyourfriends’

      souls.”

      “Closeenough.Youtooktheonethingthatmadethemuniqueandthen youtwisteditaroundtotheopposite.”

      “Verytrue.Butforyou,Iwon’taskforanythingthatmakesyou,you.I haveamuchsimpleritemyoucangiveme.”

      “What’sthat?”

      “Love.Allyouhavetodoisloveme,really,trulyloveme,andyou’llbea beautifulfull-sizewoman.”

      “EvenifIwerethatdesperate,Iwouldn’ttrustyou.”Shewaggledher sausagelinkfingers.“Thisiswhathappenedthelasttimewemadeadealwith you.”

      “Thatwasamusing.Thelookonyourfacewaspriceless.Buthere,letme demonstratemysincerity.”

      TheStoneofChangewinkedatKari.Thistimeshefoundherselfgrowing.

      Ashadhappenedbackinthenurseryofthepreschool,Kari’sfatstretchedoutas shegrew.Herbreastsswelledtothesamesizeaswhenshehadfirstbecome Tai’ssecretarywhileherwaistnarrowedandherhipsbroadened.Herlongred hairwounditselfintoanelegantupdo,onewaveofhairfallingacrossher forehead.Thefrecklesclearedfromherface,leavingitunblemishedforthefirst timeineightmonths.Lastly,herredsweaterbecameacardigan,awhiteblouse underneathwhilehergrayskirtwentdowntoherknees.Lookinginthemirror shesawabeautiful,classyyoungwoman,the
    kindwhocouldbeaqueenfora king.

      AllshehadtodowasloveTai.Sheturnedtohimsittingthereathisdesk withhissmuggrininplace.Tolookprettyand“normal”allshehadtodowas lovethemanwhohadsabotagedherlifeagainandagain,drivingherandVal

      apartandnowdestroyinghernewfriends.

      Karishookherhead.“No.Iwon’tdoit.Iwon’teverloveyou.”

      “Whatapity.Ithoughtyouwouldfinallyseereason.”Hetookapuffon hiscigar.“Incaseyouhaven’trealizedityet,you’velost.LookwhatIdidto yourfriendsthere.Theygotdownontheirkneestobegmetochangethem back.Theykissedmyringjustasyoudidonce.JustlikeValdidattheend.”

      “You’relying.Valwouldneverkissyourring.Shewouldnevergiveinto you!”

      “Maybeyoushouldaskheryourself.”

      “Whereisshe?”

      “You’llsee.”

      Withthat,KaridisappearedfromTai’soffice.

      Part4

      Chapter10

      Karifoundherselfstandingbehindaglitteringsilvercurtain.Loudmusic blaredfromspeakersnearby.Evenwhensheputherhandstoherears,herhead ached.Shetookastepback,butsomeonebrushedpasther.“Watchit,”a womansnarled.

      Shelookedaroundattherestofhersurroundings,buttherewasn’tmuchto seebesidesthecurtainandanarrowcorridor.Karidecidedtopartoneendof thecurtaintoseewhereTaihadtakenher.

      Assoonasshedid,shegasped.Awomandressedonlyinagreenbraand pantiesgyratedaroundonabrasspole.Thewomanstoppedhergyrationstodry humpthepoleandevenlickedit.Kariwasabouttoturnawaywhenthewoman turnedtolookather.Despitethewoman’stannercomplexion,longerhair,and lackoffreckles,Karistillknewher.

      ItwasVal!

      Karibackedawayfromthecurtain,againbrushingagainstsomeone.This timethewoman’svoicesaid,“Thereyouare.Bosssaidweweregettinganew onetoday.”

      Kariturnedaroundtoseeamountainouswomanblockingherpath.“Anew what?”

      “Anewdancer.Whatelse?”

      “Me?YouthinkI’man...exoticdancer?”

      “Wellexcusemeforsaying,toots,butyoudon’tlooklikenoplumber.”

      “Theremustbesomemistake,”Karistammered,thoughsheknewitwasno mistake.ThiswasTai’snextgame.Hewouldhumbleherbymakingherstrip forabunchofdisgusting,hornymen.HeapparentlyalreadyhadValdoingthe samething.Butwhy?WhywouldValgoalongwithit?Herfianceehadnever beenshyaboutgettingnakedinfrontofstrangers,butthatwasinthebarracks shower,notonastagewheremenwerethrowingmoneyather.TheValshe knewwouldneverstoopthatlow.

      Thewomanclearedherthroat.“That’saprettygoodnaughtyteacherlook yougotgoingthere.Gointhebackandgetyourselfarulerandsomeglasses.”

      “But—”

      “GetyourassingearbeforeIhaveBrunoteachyousomerespect.”

      Karididn’twanttoseewhoBrunowasorwhathewoulddototeachher respect.Shehurrieddownthehallway,stumblingintoadressingroom.There wereahalf-dozenchairsfacinglightedmirrors.Threeofthechairswere occupiedatthemomentbyyoungwomenapplyingmakeuporjewelry.

      Karistoodthereforamomentandthenclearedherthroat.“Hi,”she squeaked.“I’m,um,thenewgirl.ThatladyoutsidesaidIshouldcomein

      here.”

      AgirlwearingaschoolgirloutfitsimilartotheoneKarihadbrieflywornas apreschooler,motionedherover.Theschoolgirlwasjustfinishingtightening herbrightorangepigtailswhileshesmokedacigarette.“What’syourname, hon?”

      “KariChomar.”

      “That’slousy.Fromnowonyou’regoingtobeMissHornee.”

      “Excuseme?”

      “You’redoingthenaughtyteacherbit,right?I’mdoingtheschoolgirl.

      Desiree’sdoingthenurse,Shondra’sdoingtheshowgirl,andVal’sdoingthe stewardess.”

      “Oh,Isee.Andyouallget...naked?Onstage?”

      “That’skindofthepoint,ain’tit?”Thewomanheldoutherhand.“My name’sKrisee.”

      “Hello.”

      “It’stoughatfirst,butyou’llgetusedtoit.Wealldid.”

      “EvenVal?”

      “Youcanaskheryourself.Sheshouldbebackanysecond.”Themusic hadfadedfromthestage,allowingKaritohearcatcallsandwolfwhistles.

      ApparentlyValmadeagoodstripper.

      Herformerfianceeandbestfriendappearedinthedoorwayaminutelater.

      AsKriseehadindicated,Valwaswearingastewardessuniform,thoughitwas farmorelow-cutthananormalstewardessuniforminboththeskirtandthe blouseunderneathherunbuttonedjacket.

      ThegreenofthejacketandskirtmadeKarithinkofVal’sdressuniform.

      ThelasttimeValhadwornitwasastheyboardedtheshiptotakethemonthe expedition.Valhadstoodthereproudlyinhergreenjacketfestoonedwith ribbonsforheroism.Shesnappedaparadegroundsalutetoherpassengers, followedbyturninganddoingthesametohersuperiors.Onlywhentheairlock hadsealeddidValbegintolaughuproariously.ShetookKari’shand,pulling heroverforakiss.“That’salotbetterthanasalute,isn’tit?”Valsaid.Kari couldonlynod.

      Foramomentthistanned,big-breastedValstaredatKari.Thenshe screamed,“Ohmygosh!Kari!”ShesweptKariupinahugthatnearlycracked herribsbutthatmadeKarismile.

      Theywerefinallybacktogether.

      ***

      Thehugendedfartoosoon.ThenValpriedKariaway.Shetuckedabitof loosehairbehindKari’sear.“Wow,lookatyou!You’resooooprettynow!”

      “Thanks.Soareyou.”

      “Iknow!”Valletoutagirlishsquealverymuchunlikeher.“Thisissoooo great!YouwaitrighthereandI’llgochangeandwecancatchupandstuff.”

      “Sure.”

      Whilesheapparentlyhadnoproblemtakingoffherclothesinfrontofa bunchofstrangers,shedidhaveaproblemdoingitinfrontofpeoplesheknew.

      Shewentbehindacurtaintochange,allthewhilebabblinginveryun-Val-like fashion,“Wehavesoooomuchtotalkabout!Youknow,justtheotherdayIwas wonderingwhattheheckhadhappenedtoyouandnowhereyouare,rightoutof theblue!It’ssooooamazinghowlifeworksoutsometimes,isn’tit?Imeanwe hadn’tseeneachotherinmonthsandnowwe’regoingtobeworkingtogether!

      I’msooooexcited!”

      Shefinallysteppedbackfromthecurtaininapinksweaterandgraypoodle skirt.She’dtiedherhairbackintoaponytailatthetopofherhead,theendofit floppingaroundasshepracticallyskippedovertoKariandgrabbedherarm.

      “Comeon,wecangowatchtherestoftheafternoonshow!”

      Theygotintothehallwayonlyforthefatwomantoblocktheirpath.

      “Whereareyoutakingher?”thefatwomanasked.

      “I’mjustgoingtoshowKariaroundtheplaceandgivehersomepointers, MissKilgore.Kari’satotalvirginatthiskindofthing.Oh,lookathowshe’s blushingjustwhenIsaid‘virgin!’Isn’tthatadorable?”

      “Youbetterhaveherreadyfortonight.Seveno’clock.”

      “Iwill,MissKilgore.”Valactuallykissedthefatwoman’scheek.“We’ll bebackrealsoon.”

      ValdraggedKariaway,throughadoorthatledtoabarandgroupoftables.

      Theroomwaslitonlybyblueandpinkneononthewalls.Karishiveredasshe sawthestageandimaginedhavingtoactuallybeupthere.

      Forthemomenttherewereonlyafewpeopleintheplace,soValledKari overtoatableintheback.“YouwaitrighthereandI’llgetussomedrinks.”

      ValwaggedaslenderfingeratKari,hervoicerisingasifsheweretalkingtoa smallchild.“Don’ttryrunningoff.”

      “Iknow,orBrunowillgetm
    e,right?”

      “That’sright.He’sabig,nastyguytoo.Youdon’twanttogetonhisbad side.”Valgiggledandthenadded,“Ohno,I’veprobablyscaredyoutodeath now.Justwaitrightthereandwecantalkaboutit.It’sreallynotsobad.”

      KariwatchedValsaunteroff,againlookingreadytostartskippingatany moment.Morethanthewayshedressed—andundressed—Val’sentiremanner hadbecomedifferent.Shewassobubblyandperky,twowordsthathadnever beenassociatedwithher.NotthatValhadeverbeencruelorshy;shehad

      alwaysbeenoutgoingbuttough.Thetoughnesswasdefinitelymissingnow.

      Perhapsthat’swhatTaihaddemandedfromher,justashe’dtakenitfromTeri.

      Valskippedbackacoupleofminuteslaterwithtwoglassesofclear, bubblingliquid.“It’sjustsoda.We’renotsupposedtodrinkalcoholuntilour shiftisdone.Ittotallymessesupyourcoordination.Youcouldenduplanding onyourheadorsomething.”Valstoppedherselfwithasigh.“It’sjustsoooo goodtoseeyouagain.It’shardtobelievethelasttimeIsawyou,wewereboth wearingstinkydiapers.Wasn’tthatjustawful?”

      “Itwas.”KarireachedacrossthetabletotakeVal’shand.“Val,what happenedafterthat?Whatdidhedotoyou?”

      Forthefirsttime,Val’ssmilefaded.Shelookeddownatthetable.“I reallydon’twanttotalkaboutitrightnow,youknow?”

      “Val—”

      “Whataboutyou?Whathaveyoubeenupto?”

      “Iwasjustdoingsomesecretarialwork.”

      “Yeah,Icantotallyseeyoudoingthat.Whatbringsyouhere?”

      “You.”

      “Me?Oh,that’ssoooosweet.Butyoucouldhavejuststoppedby;you didn’thavetogetawholejobhere.”

      “Itwasn’treallymychoice.”ShegaveVal’shandasqueeze.“Taiwanted metoworkhere,withyou.”

      “That’sthoughtfulofhim.”

      “Thoughtful?”

      “Well,sure.Nowwecanbefriendsagain.It’llbegreat!Theothergirls areallreallynicetoo,atleastonceyougettoknowthem.EvenMissKilgoreis arealsweetheart,thoughshetriestoactallmean.”

     


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