"I think I understand now," she said when he finished. "The stasis spheres. Somehow mine and George Ladd's were fractured, so that we emerged on the bench. He was in the green one."
"You mean you were in one of those marbles?" Earl exclaimed.
"Where is the ship?" Nadine said.
Earl took her to the window and pointed out the spot. "You can't see it from here," he said. "But I have some of the—what did you call them? Stasis spheres? I'll show you."
He unlocked the drawer. Nadine leaned over, seeming to look inside of each translucent marble.
"Yes," she said, straightening. "It's gone wrong, somehow. The Cyberene will be most annoyed."
"The Cyberene? What's that?"
Nadine stared down into the drawer, frowning. "You wouldn't understand," she said. And then, "I'm hungry."
Earl frowned. "That reminds me. I have to go to dinner at Dr. Glassman's in a little while, or Mrs. Glassman will come barging in here. I'll fix you something first. After I get back I'll take you to a hotel."
Nadine perched on the edge of the table in his kitchenette while he opened some cans and heated their contents.