"I don't understand all this—but I'm willing to try."
"There will be much to learn, Dan. The full use of the mind, control of aging and disease.... Our work will require many centuries."
"Centuries? But—"
"I'll teach you, Dan."
"It sounds great," Dan said. "Too good to be true. But how do you know I'm the man for the job? Don't I have to take some kind of test?"
She looked up at him, smiling, her lips slightly parted. On impulse, Dan put a hand under her chin, drew her face close and kissed her on the mouth....
A full minute later, the Ivroy, nestled in Dan's arms, looked up at him again.
"You passed the test," she said.