When I saw Mrs. Xlptl again, she wasn't little Sally. She was a shoulderless almost-human, penguin-like creature from somewhere. "So strong, so virile ..." she said again. That look was in her new eyes.
It was a living room. I wished to hell Xlptl would come. I didn't like that look. I knew what she wanted. I wasn't buying now. I'd had enough for one day with almost scrubbing beautiful backs and watching strippers perform and almost getting clobbered and then having Mrs. Xlptl look at me that way, her eyes saying she wanted one final fling on Earth, in the person of a private eye named Brody.
And she wasn't going to give up easily. She moved toward me, then stopped and looked down at herself. "It wouldn't be much fun with this—me—" She made a hopeless gesture.
I wanted to be polite. "But it was fun while it lasted."
"Yes. Maybe there's some way we could do it again—just once more before I go back—"
Her offer was tempting. I had to admit that. But things were different now. What was over was over and she had to understand. "No—no," I said. "You'll be happy back where you belong."
Her eyes flashed anger. "I belong here! With you! We can do it again!"
"Xlptl!" I called. "Hey, Xl—"
He came in. He went over to his wife. She sighed, looking disappointed.
"You're going back now?" I asked Xlptl as he paid me.