"I could change, you see, and take things as all sorts of odd characters. If I was spotted and followed, I'd try to duck in an alley or a doorway and change again. The clothes are extra. Sometimes I could hide clothes in a lot. Most of the time, though, I'd have to change into something new. A bird, a cat. Then I'd carry what I had stolen in my beak or around my neck." She laughed softly. "Once I copped an umbrella and changed into a big dog and went off with it in my mouth." She twisted slightly in his arms. "I'm sorry. It's all sort of odd and silly. I do it." "Well, why?" "I don't know." "Beth?" He inched up, lifting her with him. "Yes?" She let him sit her in the sofa chair. "You have to go see somebody. You have to stop." She stiffened. "If it was as simple as insanity, I would." "Please, Beth." He wandered to the fireplace and threw in more wood. "The stealing _does_ bother me. I think the changing is good. I can use it to really go someplace in my acting career. Quit the secretary business altogether. I actually changed to an old woman for one of Alex's one-acters. He thought I'd just done a good job of makeup. I don't believe I want to simply stop, Ben." "You have to!" "Don't start shouting commands." Pendleton sat across from her on the sofa. "Will you promise to start seeing somebody? Maybe I can find out about a good man. Promise you'll see him." "You going to ask around? Why don't you do a TV spot? 'We are happy to announce that Beth Gershwin is daffy.'" "Relax, Beth. You decide what you want to do. I won't talk to anybody." Beth moved to the window. The wind had died. "I don't know, Ben." "Let it rest. Let's have the drink." He came to her side. "I think I'd like to be alone for a while." "I'd like to stay." "I'd like you to go. Please." "Beth." "Go on, Ben." She stared at him, then walked into her bedroom. She didn't close the door and he followed. Her robe was spread-eagled on the bed. Pendleton looked around the room. Before, there had been one carved stool at the vanity table. Now there were two. Pendleton left the apartment and ran down the hall, taking short, shallow breaths. But he couldn't just leave her. He bit his lip and went back through the still open door. "Come on, Beth. Don't be stubborn," he said into the bedroom, watching the two stools. He waited an hour. Then he turned off the lights and started to leave. Going out this time, he stepped on one of the wooden beads and almost fell onto the coffee table. Pendleton slammed Beth's door and went out into the clear night. If she could be stubborn, so could he. * * * * * It was almost two weeks before she called him to apologize. She'd got him at the agency. He didn't stay in his apartment much. He kept talking to himself if he did.