Chapter 32 Chapter Thirty-Two

"Jubbal," Caxton said earnestly, "I don't want to say a word about Dawn. I'd keep everything out there if I didn't have to explain to you why I was worried... I worried about them all. Duke , Mike, Dawn, and Jill, and Mike's other victims. Mike has them completely mesmerized. His new personality is powerful, swaggering, too much of a super-salesman, very convincing. Dawn has her too My own persuasiveness - the next morning, I've been coaxed into calming down and everything seems to be okay. It's kind of weird, but it's still very pleasant." Ben Caxton wakes up with no idea where he is.It was very dark, and he was lying on something soft.not the bed—

All the events of the previous night rushed into his mind.The last thing he remembered was lying on the soft floor of the Inner Temple talking to Dawn, quiet and intimate.She had led him there, they were in the water, they shared it, they grew close— He looked around in panic, but saw nothing. "Dawn!" The light is slightly brighter. "Here, Ben." "Oh! I thought you were gone!" "I didn't want to wake you up." She had already put on her robes.Ben suddenly felt very disappointed. "I have to go to lead the morning riser's side service. Jill hasn't come back yet. You know, it's a big class."

Dawn's words brought him back to the things she had said last night... they unsettled him despite her gentle explanations... while she reassured him, he found himself involuntarily agreeing at the end.He's still not fully enlightened.Yes, Jill was busy with the rituals of the High Priestess, that was her duty, or pleasure's duty.Although Dawn had offered to go for her, Jill declined.Ben thought he should be sorry—— But he has no regrets. "Dawn... Do you have to go?" He stood up unsteadily, and put his arms around her. "I've got to go, Ben darling... darling Ben." She collapsed against his chest.

"Leave now?" "There's never a need to be in such a hurry," she said softly. The robes no longer separated them.He was too absorbed in it to think about its whereabouts. He woke up again, and as soon as he got up, the lights in the "nest" came on.Ben stretched, only to feel refreshed.He searches around for his shorts, trying to remember where they've been kept, but can't remember ever taking them off.I definitely didn't wear it when I went into the water.Maybe by the pool.He went out and found a bathroom. A few minutes later, Ben shaved, showered, and walked into the core temple refreshed, but couldn't find his pants.He guessed that someone must have put it in the doorway, where everyone put their clothes on the street... Ben thought to himself, don't mind it, remembering that he made a big fuss about it yesterday, he couldn't help grinning.There is no need for this thing in the nest, just as there is no need for an extra head.

He and Dawn had more than a few drinks last night, but they didn't feel hungover at all.Alcohol doesn't seem to have any effect on Dawn - which is probably why he drinks too much.Dawn...what a girl!In a daze, he called Jill's name, but even then Dawn was not angry at all.On the contrary, she seemed quite happy. There was no one in the big room, and Ben began to wonder what time it was.Not that he cared about it, it's just that the growling in his stomach couldn't be ignored.He went into the kitchen to see if he could loot something. A man looked up at him, "Ben!"

"Ha! Hello, Duke!" Duke gave him a big bear hug. "Man, it's good to see you. You're God. What kind of eggs do you want?" "You are God. You cook?" "Only when you have to. Tony cooks most of the time. We all cook a little. Including Mike, unless Tony gets in his way—Mike is the worst cook in the world," Duke said, continuing to bang on the pot. egg. Ben took over the eggs. "You look at the bread and coffee. Got any Worcester sauce?" "You take your pick, Pat's got everything. Here," Duke added, "I just went to see you, but you were snoring. I've been busy since you got here, or you've been busy. "

"What's your job, Duke?" "Well, I'm a deacon. I'm going to be a priest someday. I'm not very bright, but that's okay. I learn Martian...everyone learns it. I also tinker and follow in Jubal Same there." "You installed a lot of complicated things in the temple, didn't you?" "Light control, that's all. Actually—" Duke grinned, "—my main job is not working. Fireman." "what?" "I'm an Acting Fire Guard, I'm a passer, I'm in order, and I'm a Health and Safety Inspector. We never need outsiders to interfere. Those from the government can go to outlying services, but not unless they're checked by Mike. go inside."

They put food on plates and sat down at the table.Duke asked, "You're going to stay, Ben?" "I can't, Duke." "So what? I was just going to see them myself...and went back moping for a month and then told Jubal that I was leaving. Don't mind, you'll be back. Best after tonight's water share Let's decide." "Water Sharing" "Didn't Dawn tell you?" "Hmm... I don't think so." "Wait for Mike to explain. Never mind, you'll be told about it all day. You're enlightened about sharing water; you're one of the first callers."

"'First call'? Dawn used that word too." "Referring to people who become Mike's water brothers without learning Martian. Others generally have to reach the eighth level to share water and grow intimacy...by then, they have all started thinking in Martian. Hell, some people's Martian Better than me. Of course, you can share water with someone who is not ready for the eighth floor. No one forbids you to do it-no one forbids you to do anything. Damn, I can Pick up a girl in a bar, share water, fuck her - lead her into a temple. But I won't do it. That's the point; I don't want to. Ben, straight up, I'll do it for you Fortune-telling. You've slept with a lot of pretty girls too—"

"Well... there are a few." "I knew you had it, kid. But I dare say, from now on, you will never sleep with a girl who is not Brother Shui again." "Uh……" "From today, a year from now, you tell me if the calculation is accurate. Some people are ready to share the water before reaching the seventh floor, but it's up to Mike to decide. There is a couple who just entered the third floor Mike offered water - and now both are priests...Sam and Ruth." "I haven't seen it yet." "We'll see. Only Mike can be sure that early. On rare occasions, Dawn, or Pat, will find someone... but never the third layer, and they always ask Mike's opinion first , it’s not that there are any rules and you have to do this. In short, when you enter the eighth floor, sharing and growing intimacy begin. After that is the ninth floor and the nest. Everyone is sharing water every day, but we say 'water sharing' When the time comes, it refers to the joining ceremony. The whole nest will participate in the ceremony, and the new brotherhood will always be part of the nest. You are actually already part of the nest... But we never had a ceremony for you, so all tonight Things aside, you're welcome. That's what they did for me. Ben, that's the best feeling in the world!"

"I still don't know what that is about, Duke." "Well...it's a lot of different things. Ever been to what's called a 'Hawaiian bash'? The kind where you get raided by the police and usually end up with a divorce case or two?" "Uh... participated." "Brother, it's a Sunday school picnic by comparison! That's only one aspect. Ever married?" "No." "You're married. After tonight, you won't have any doubts in your heart." Duke recalled something cheerfully. "Ben, I have been married in the past. It was good at first, and then it became solid." Hell. And this time, I love my marriage, I always have. Hell, I love it! But not just because I love living with a bunch of hot babes. I love them—love all my bros, man Girls love it. Let's just say Pat - Pat is like our mom. I think everyone needs a mom, no exception. She reminds me of Jubal.. The old wretch better hurry up here Look! What I'm trying to say is that Pat is more than a woman. Of course, she's fabulous...” "Who's brilliant?" a contralto interrupted Duke. Duke turned around sharply, "It's not me anyway, you flexible Mediterranean whore! Come here, baby, come and kiss your brother." "As for kissing, I've never been stingy in my life." The woman said as she slid towards them lightly, "I've already started handing out free kisses before anyone taught me." She carefully and thoroughly Kissing Ben thoroughly, "You're God, bro." "You are God. Share the water." "Stay away from thirst. Don't pay attention to Duke, look at his virtue, he is just a suckling child." But when she kissed Duke, it was more tender than before, and Duke also patted her plump buttocks.She is not tall, plump, with a dark, almost swarthy complexion, and a head of thick blue-black hair that hangs down to her waist. "Duke, did you see a Ladies' Home Magazine when you woke up?" She took Duke's fork, and began to eat his scrambled eggs, "Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm "It's Ben. What am I doing with Ladies' Home Magazine?" "Ben, crack two more dozen eggs, and I'll do some frying. There's an article in it I'd like Pat to read, honey." "Okay." Ben should say. "Don't even think about redecorating this shabby place! Hey, save some for me! Do you think us men can work with a little porridge?" "Tsk, tsk, Duke dear, sharing water is adding water, don't you know? Ben, don't listen to Duke complaining, he's always just talking - as long as you give him two women and food for three, he's as good as a lamb." She stuffed a fork of egg into Duke's mouth, "Stop making faces, bro; can't I make you a second meal? Maybe already Is it the third meal?" "Haven't even eaten the first meal. It's all in your stomach. Ruth, I was telling Ben about your pole vault with Sam, and you jumped from the third floor to the ninth floor. Tonight The water sharing made him a little uneasy." She finished off the last of the eggs on Duke's plate and went over to cook. "Duke, grab your coffee mug and get the hell out of here, I'll get you some porridge later. Ben, I was upset, too—but it's not really necessary, honey; Michael can make no mistakes. You belong to Here, otherwise you wouldn't be here. Ready to stay?" "Uh, no. The first pot of eggs is here, are you ready?" "Go ahead. You'll be back. Someday you'll stay. Duke was right, and Sam and I pole-vaulted. It's a real thing for a well-behaved, prim, middle-aged housewife." It's too fast." "middle aged?" "Ben, practice has many benefits, one of which is that it cleanses not only your soul, but your body as well. That really makes Christian Science right. See the pill bottle in the bathroom?" "Well, no." "There's no medicine here. How many people have kissed you?" "There are a few." "As a priest, I've kissed more than 'a few' people, but the people in the nest haven't even had a cold. In the past, I've had minor ailments, and always had some 'women's complaints,'" she said with a smile. "Now I'm more womanly than I've ever been, and I've lost twenty pounds, years younger. Nothing to complain about—I like being a woman. Duke just complimented me on being a 'Mediterranean whore', yes, and yes It's definitely more flexible. When I teach, I do the lotus position, and I used to be able to bend down, thank goodness. "Everything happened very quickly," Ruth went on. "Sam's a professor of Eastern languages; he's here purely as a professional. There's no other way to learn Martian. He's not interested in the Church at all." None. I followed him, trying to stare at him. I was extremely jealous and possessive than most people. "In this way, we went all the way up to the third floor. Sam was learning fast, and I was desperate to keep up, because I didn't want him out of my sight. Then, with a thud, a miracle happened. We started using It thinks, just a little...Michael felt it, and one night he left us alone after church...Michael and Jill gave us water. After that I knew what I was like, what I felt in other women The thing I despise is my own idiosyncrasy; I despise my husband for not seeing it all, and hate everything he does. I pour these emotions out in English, and the worst part is Heber Text. Then I cry and talk and annoy my husband to death... and then can't wait to share and get back in touch. "It was easier after that, but it wasn't easy because they were pushing us both, layer after layer, as fast as we could go. Michael knew we needed help, and he wanted to lead us into the nest, into the A safe place. When it came time for our water sharing ceremony, I had to rely on others to discipline myself. I wanted to enter the nest, but I was not sure if I would be able to blend in with the other seven. I was terrified; On the way, I almost begged Sam to turn around and go home." She looked up, without a smile on her face, but she looked happy, like an angel with a big spoon in her hand, "We walked into the core temple, a spotlight lit On me, our robes were gone... and they were all in the pool, calling us in Martian to share the water of life. I staggered into the pool, dipped, and never got up again! "Never wanted to get up either. Don't worry, Ben, you'll learn the Martian language, get the practice, and have loving help along the way. Jump in the pool tonight and I'll catch you in my arms .we all will, you are welcome home.Give this to Duke and tell him I said he was a pig...but a charming pig.And this is for you.Oh of course you can eat so much ! Give me a kiss, and go; Ruth has work to do." Kisses, messages and plates were delivered.Then Ben finds Jill.She was lying on a sofa and seemed to be asleep.He sat down facing her, lost in the sweet picture.Ben thought of Dawn, who hadn't realized how much Jill looked like her: the tanned skin was flawless and the same shade as Dawn; their bodies were the same.When resting, even the face is more similar. He took a bite and looked up to see Jill's eyes open and she was smiling. "You're God. Honey—that smells good." "You look nice, too. I didn't mean to wake you up." He came and sat down beside her and fed her. "I made it myself, with Ruth helping." "Great job. You didn't wake me up; I was just loafing when you came out. Didn't sleep all night." "—not at all?" "Didn't bat an eyelid. But I feel great. Just hungry. That's a hint. So Ben started feeding her.She let him serve him without making a move.Not long after, she asked again: "Have you slept?" "Well, I slept for a while." "How long was Dawn asleep? Was it two hours?" "Oh, more than that." "That's all right. Two hours is like the last eight. I know you're going to have a sweet night—both of you, just worried that Dawn won't have time to rest." "Well, it's nice," Ben admitted, "I'm just, uh, kind of surprised that you just pushed her over to me." "Shocked, you mean. I know you, Ben. I'd love to spend the night with you myself, really, dear! But you're new here, and you're still under the influence of jealousy. I guess it's gone by now." ,Ok?" "I think so." "You're God. I had a great night too - so carefree knowing you'll be well looked after. Best care, better than me." "Well, never, Jill!" "Really? I still get a little bit of jealousy. But we'll flush it all out." She sat up, touched his cheek, and said seriously, "And before tonight, honey. Because , of all the water brothers I love, your water sharing must never be a little less than perfect." "Well--" "Be patient." She held out a hand to the end of the sofa.It seemed to Caxton that the pack of cigarettes jumped into her hand by itself. He was glad to have the opportunity to change the subject, "You learned a few tricks, too." Jill smiled. "It's nothing special. In the teacher's words, 'I'm just an egg'. "How did you do it?" "Ah, I'm whistling at it in Martian. You get an epiphany about a thing and then what you want it to do—Mike!" She waved her hand. "Here we are, honey!" "Here we go." The Man from Mars walked right up to Ben and pulled him off the couch. "Let me see you, Ben! Goodness, it's good to see you!" "I'm glad to see you, too. And glad to be here." "I heard that you only stay for three days, what's going on? Three days!" "I'm a man with a job, Mike." "Let's see. The girls are so excited, they're getting ready for your welcome tonight. I reckon the place might as well close up—they can't do any work now." "Pat has rescheduled," Jill told Mike. "Anything that needs to be taken care of by Dawn, Ruth, and Sam. Pat canceled all morning side activities, so from now on, you can have a free time." all day." "That's great news!" Mike sat down, let Jill put his head in his lap, and Raben sat down again, put an arm around him, and sighed.He was wearing his clothes from an earlier outhouse, a smart summer suit, "Ben, don't preach. I preach every day, telling people why you should never be in a hurry, and I rush from one job to another day and night." One. You, Jill and Jubal, I owe you more than I owe anyone on this planet - and I can't come over to say hello until now. How are you doing? Looks fine .Dawn told me that you are in good health." Ben found himself blushing, "It's okay." "Very well. Tonight, those carnivores must swallow you. I will go deep and hold you up. At the end, you will look better than you started. Don't you, little brother?" "That's right," Jill agreed. "Ben, Mike can give you strength—not just mental support, but physical strength. I can do a little bit, too. But Mike can really do it." "It's more than a little bit, Jill." Mike stroked her, "Little brother is full of strength. Like last night, she was really good." He smiled at her with his head down, and opened his mouth to sing: It's hard to find a girl like Jill anywhere. No, not even one out of a billion. Behold all the ardent libertines, It's our Jill's favorite! "Isn't it, little brother?" "Bah." Jill was obviously delighted, she took his hand and pressed it tightly against herself, "Dawn is exactly like me, and he's no more reluctant than I am." "But Dawn's picking people downstairs. She's busy—you're free. That's a big difference. Isn't it, Ben?" "Possibly." Caxton was embarrassed by their demeanor, which seemed too much even in such a relaxed atmosphere.He hoped that they would stop flirting, or give him an excuse to get away. Mike continued to cuddle with Jill without letting go of the arm around Ben's waist... and Ben had to admit that Jill had been encouraging him to do so.Mike said seriously, "Ben, moments like last night's—helping a group of people jump to the eighth floor—made me unbearable. Let me tell you a little about the sixth floor. We humans have something , something that none of my former compatriots could have dreamed of. I must tell you how precious it is . What a godsend. Man and woman made him, they—the greatest wealth that we, Gods, have ever made. Jill?" "That's beautiful, Mike, and true--and Ben knows it's true. But write a song for Dawn too, dear." "it is good--" Our dear Dawn is so hot; Ben suddenly realized from her eyes—— She buys new clothes every day, Hands have never touched a pair of pants! Jill giggled. "Has she heard that?" "Yeah, boo me - plus a kiss for Ben. I said, is anyone in the kitchen? I just remembered I haven't eaten in two days. Or two years?" "I think Ruth's still there," Ben said, trying to get to his feet. Michaela sat him down. "Hey, Duke! See if I can get someone to get me something to eat! I want a bunch of wheatbread that's as tall as you, and a gallon of maple syrup." "No problem," Duke replied, "I'll do it myself." "I'm not that hungry yet! Go find Tony, or Ruth." Mike pulled Ben closer. "Ben, I realize you're not completely happy?" "Eh? Oh, I'm fine!" Mike looked into his eyes. "I wish you knew Martian, Ben. I can feel your uneasiness, but I can't read your mind." "Mike..." Jill called out. The visitor from Mars looked at him, then turned his gaze back to himself.He said slowly, "Jill just told me about your troubles, Ben—I've never been able to fully understand that kind of thing." He showed a worried expression, hesitated for a while as he did when he was just learning English, "But it dawned on me that I can't have a water sharing ceremony for you tonight. You have to wait." Mike shook his head. "I'm sorry. But the wait will be complete." Jill sat up straight. "No, Mike! We can't let Ben go like this. It's Ben!" Mike hesitated and said, "I don't have an epiphany, little brother." Then there was a long pause, a silence more suffocating than words.Finally, Mike asked Jill suspiciously, "Are you right?" "Look!" Jill suddenly got up and sat down on the other side of Ben, putting her arms around him, "Kiss me, Ben, stop worrying." Instead of waiting, she took the initiative to kiss him.Ben's worries did disappear, he was lured into a sensual passion that left no room for doubt or fear.At this moment, Mike tightened his arms around Ben's waist, and said softly: "We are getting closer in spirit. Now, Jill?" "Now! Right here, at once—oh, share the water, my dear brothers!" Ben turned his head - utter amazement took the joy out of him.Somehow, every strand of clothing on the Martian visitor suddenly disappeared.