When Bandicut went to the lounge that evening, looking for Julie, he was thoroughly depressed. He glanced around, and saw no sign of her, which was perhaps just as well, considering his mood. Georgia Patwell was playing EineySteiney with her husband and several other friends. He opted to remain by the bar, sipping a beer and resting his aching ankle. It occurred to him that he hadn’t checked in with Cole Jackson today, either in person or on the system board, but by then he was into his second beer, and after thinking about it, he just shook his head and said screw it. So what if it cost him a demerit or two? What was the good of being on the disabled list if you had to check with the boss every time you turned around?
During a break in her game, Georgia came over to the bar to say hi. “I hear you and Julie hit it off pretty well last night,” she said, with a gleam in her eye.
“Uh—yeah, until I turned into a cripple here with my ankle,” he said, indicating his fastract cast to try to hide his blush.
“You’ll be out of that soon, won’t you? We miss you in ops.” Georgia chuckled. “Especially Lonnie.”
“Oh yeah, I’ll bet. Lonnie must be dying for me to come back.”
“Well, he hasn’t had anyone to abuse lately.” Georgia glanced back at the pool table where her husband was waiting. “Anyway, I hear you’re getting your rover back, as soon as you’re off the hit list.”
“Really? No one’s told me about it.”
“Well, I’d check with Cole, if I were you.” Georgia picked up her refilled glass. “By the way, Julie asked me to tell you she can’t be here tonight—in case you were waiting for her. She said she left you a message, but wasn’t sure if you’d get it before you came.”
“Oh, uh—thanks.” He blushed again.
“Don’t mention it. She was going to come, but it turned out she had to work overtime to reconstruct some files that went ffft-t-t when the net crashed. She’ll probably be here tomorrow, though.”
Bandicut bobbed his head.
Georgia looked at him slyly. “I think she likes you. Anyway, catch you later. Come join us, if you want.” With a wave, Georgia wandered back to the pool table.
Bandicut continued to bob his head for a moment, then took a swallow of beer and turned back to the bar, moving his left foot carefully.
/// I had nothing to do with Julie not coming.
I hope you realize that. ///
He rolled his eyes and didn’t bother to reply.
/// Why don’t you check and see if it’s true. ///
/What, whether Julie’s working overtime?/
/// No—about you getting your rover back. ///
/Oh./ He shrugged. /Yeah, I suppose that’s a good idea./ He took another swallow.
/// Instead of sitting here making yourself miserable,
I mean. ///
/Stop making sense, will you?/ Hoisting his glass, he drained his beer. /All right—you appear to have a one-day reprieve. I hope you’re getting ready for it./
/// Beg pardon? ///
/One day. And then I will have my crude, tawdry animal fling. Comprende?/
/// Oh. Uh— ///
/What?/
/// Do you really intend to . . . have sex?
Just like that?
I thought it took more,
I don’t know, buildup . . . ///
/Aw, shut up about the facts and just let me keep my fantasies, will you?/ Bandicut got up and walked from the room, leaving the quarx puzzling silently in a back corner of his mind.