"Will you accept my resignation, then, Mr. Willmes?"
"Sure you won't change your mind?"
"No sir. I decided that a long time ago. And I'm sorry now that I told Mother or anyone else. No sir, I won't change my mind."
"Well, I'm sorry, Mary. You been doing awful swell work. Couple of years you could be centralled on one of the asteroids, the way you been working. But if you should change your mind, there'll always be a job for you here."
"Thank you, sir."
"No hard feelings?"
"No hard feelings."
"Okay then. You've got till March. And between you and me, I hope by then you've decided the other way."
Mary walked back down the aisle, past the rows of desks. Past the men and women. The handsome, model men and the beautiful, perfect women, perfect, all perfect, all looking alike. Looking exactly alike.
She sat down again and took up her ruler and pen.