Tanner was flickering.
In the background, Avis screamed. And then Mr. Ainsworth was looking at him.
"I'm your friend," the creature said weakly.
Stan weakened and almost let go.
"I'm your friend," the creature repeated softly, triumphantly. "I saved your life, didn't I?"
He was lying in the alley again, back in Chicago, lying there hurt and bleeding. And Mr. Ainsworth had come up to help him. Out of all the millions of people in the city, it was only Mr. Ainsworth who had helped.
"I'm your friend," the creature purred again.
That still, quiet morning when the chill air had hung heavy over the city....
And then the conditioning was totally gone and Stan felt exultant. He hadn't realized....
He gripped the arm harder and twisted and the time pistol went skittering across the carpet.