"You really are a romantic, underneath the cynicism," Gloria said wonderingly. "I didn't think scientists were built with hearts any more." She reached across and took his hand. "But I like you that way. Do you think I could do it?" "Easily. Just pretend you are Ellen the Earthling from that comedy of yours. That's the type they want." "Yes, but when I bow out later they'll be calling me Marina the Martian Menace ... that won't be so funny." "They won't, Gloria. You can laugh it off as a publicity stunt and get them laughing with you. Who knows, it might even stop this mad fad of career women having babies without a proper home and a father to raise them." She laughed. "Are you afraid you're going to be replaced by a machine, George?" her eyes twinkled with amusement. He grinned. "Oh, we still have our uses. Time to go. Will you do it?" She stood up. "I'll play it by ear. If the audience is the type you say they are, it will be a pleasure." * * * * * The parade was over. Now, as they waited for the banquet and the speeches to begin, John Harmon spoke to Turner. "You're a lucky man, George." "Why?" "Spending so much time with Gloria. She had me laughing all the way up Wall Street with her remarks about the parade. If I didn't have to go back to the base tomorrow I'd steal her for a date." He turned to Gloria. "I mean it, honey. You really leave me weightless!" Gloria smiled at him. "I'll take a recount, John. We can blast off some other time." After the banquet the Mayor of New York made the major address of the evening. "And so, ladies and gentleman," he concluded, "you have seen today two people who represent the end of one era and the beginning of another. The lovely lady on my right is to be the first Mother America. For the first time in history, our nation is actively planning our future citizens. It is true that for years now, with the help of the Genetics Laboratories, represented so ably by Doctor Turner, individual citizens have planned their parenthood, but never before have a President and Congress given their approval, their official blessing, for such a purpose. This then is a milestone we have passed, a point in our history we will never forget." "They'll never forget me either when I back out," Gloria whispered to George. "I'm getting worried. We're in too deep." "Don't be scared, baby," George said. "I'll get you out of it, if you have to fall sick to do it." He patted her arm reassuringly but somehow, without the rosy glow of a bottle of wine to color this view, the joke didn't seem as funny as it had the previous night.