"Perhaps, a little. They seem so sure, somehow, that all the rest of their lives will be just as happy as this, always."
"And why not?" said Professor Larrabee.
The orchestra swayed into a final soft chord, and immediately a voice spoke from a loudspeaker in the ceiling.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Conversation stopped, the room became quiet.
"Ladies and gentlemen. The customary lifeboat drill will be held this afternoon at 1600 hours. The attendance of all passengers is requested."
The voice stopped, the orchestra resumed its playing, and the passengers sipped their coffee.
"I wonder why he said 'customary'?" said Tanya. "We've been out about three weeks, and this will be the first drill we've had. Do you suppose something is wrong?"
"I'm afraid your sense of the dramatic gets the better of you," said Alan. "What could be wrong with the Star Lord?"
"Maybe her name," murmured Professor Larrabee, and his eyes looked haunted.