This much Earl saw in that first startled, incredible instant; then details began to filter into his awareness. The man was green. The girl was blue. They were entirely nude, and the color of their skin was uniform—of the same pastel softness as the colored spheres!
And the girl—Earl found his eyes drawn toward her almost to the exclusion of everything else. She was beautiful beyond anything he had ever imagined.
Her smile was calm, slightly amused, more than a little satisfied and content at some inner thought.
Without thinking, Earl shouted and leaped toward them. His hand descended to catch them. The miniature man looked up at him, startled, then in a desperate attempt to escape leaped over the edge of the table.
The girl had no time to do more than attempt to rise before Earl's fingers closed around her, imprisoning her. He lifted her so that he could see her face more clearly. She stared at him, at first with unmasked terror, then with slowly emerging perplexity and interest.
He became acutely aware of her contours against his hand. What should he do with her? He remembered the man. He would have to catch the man too!
He looked around on the floor—and saw the man peering at him from behind a table leg.
Something would have to be done with the girl. He ran to the door of his room and slipped inside. The windows were closed. She was certainly too small to lift them and escape.
He looked around swiftly, then went to a bookcase and placed her gently on the top shelf.
"Stay there!" he warned. He left the room, closing and locking the door.