"Why, why ... what do you mean?" croaked Matheny.
"Haven't you guessed?"
She kissed him. It was rather like being caught in a nuclear turbine with soft blades.
Matheny, said Matheny, you represent your planet.
Matheny, said Matheny, shut up.
Time passed.
"Have another drink," said Peri, "while I slip into something more comfortable."
Her idea of comfort was modest in one sense of the word: a nightdress or something, like a breath of smoke, and a seat on Matheny's lap.