In a moment the waiter was back, looking directly at Chandler. He looped his own wrist with his fingers and nodded. Hsi said softly, "'We' is the Society of Slaves. That's all of us--slaves--but only a few of us belong to the Society. We--" There was a crash of glass. The waiter had dropped their tray. Across the table from Chandler, Hsi looked suddenly changed. His left hand lay on the table before him, his right hand poised over it. Apparently he had been about to show Chandler again the sign he had made. But he could not do it. His hand paused and fluttered, like a captured bird. Captured it was. Hsi was captured. Out of Hsi's mouth, with Hsi's voice, came the light, tonal rhythms of Rosalie Pan. "_This_ is an unexpected pleasure, love! I never expected to see you here. Enjoying your meal?" IX Chandler had his empty glass halfway to his lips, automatically, before he realized there was nothing in it to brace him. He said hoarsely, "Yes, thanks. Do you come here often?" It was like the banal talk of a language guide, wildly inappropriate to what had been going on a moment before. He was shaken. "Oh, I love it," cooed Hsi, investigating the dishes before him. "All finished, I see. Too bad. Your friend doesn't feel like he ate much, either." "I guess he wasn't hungry," Chandler managed. "Well, I am." Hsi cocked his head and smiled like a female impersonator. "I know! Are you doing anything special right now, love? I know you've eaten, but--well, I've been a good girl and I guess I can eat a real meal, I mean not with somebody else's teeth, and still keep the calories in line. Suppose I meet you down at the Beach? There's a place there where the luau is divine. I can be there in half an hour." Chandler's breathing was back to normal. Why not? "I'll be delighted." "Luigi the Wharf Rat, that's the name of it. They won't let you in, though, unless you tell them you're with me. It's special." Hsi's eye closed in Rosalie Pan's wink. "Half an hour," Hsi said, and was again himself. He began to shake. The waiter brought him straight whiskey and, pretense abandoned, stood by while Hsi drank it. After a moment he said, "Scares you. But--I guess we're all right. She couldn't have heard much. You'd better go, Chandler. I'll talk to you again some other time." Chandler stood up. But he couldn't leave Hsi like that. "Are you all right?" Hsi almost managed control. "Oh--I think so. Not the first time it's come close, you know. Sooner or later it'll come closer still, and that will be the end, but--yes, I'm all right for now." Chandler tarried. "You were saying something about the Society of Slaves." "Damn it, go!" Hsi barked. "She'll be waiting for you.... Sorry, I didn't mean to shout. But go." As Chandler turned, he said more quietly, "Come around to the store tomorrow. Maybe we can finish our talk then." * * * * *