Once you've made the mermaid as comfortable as you can, you realise that you've forgotten your manners - what with being so wrapped up in taking your new acquaintance home.
"I...urr. My name is Neil," you introduce yourself to the mermaid. "What's yours?"
She smiles at your demeanour. "I am called Topaz," she answers, fingering the strands of her long blond hair.
"So..." You consider what to say. "Have you been a mermaid since birth? How come you were in that house, in the park? Are there others like you? Do you have any male friends missing you...?"
"So many questions!" The mermaid giggles. "Yes - I have always been what you land folk call a mermaid. And to explain my history in short - I was captured, alone, by some of your race over a year ago. The owner of that dwelling where you found me is a woman who studies... What is the land folk term? One who examines life in the ocean?"
"A marine biologist?" you suggest, scratching your fair-coloured hair.
"Yes! That is what she referred to herself as! A woman who is a Doctor. She arranged for my capture, and I was her prisoner for her study. Now I am glad to see new surroundings, after a year away from home!"
"I'm sorry. You must be lonely - being the only one of your kind around..." You sympathise with her - then puzzle over a new thought. "You speak excellent English!"
Topaz grins. "My race has learnt from our contacts with yours over the centuries. And the Doctor has educated me as to the language and customs of this country! Now..." She flips her tail as she wiggles in your bath. "Please...Neil. I need some fish to eat, and a pool to exercise in! A little salt in this water would be welcome, too."
"Right. I'll get onto it..." You close the bathroom door behind you, as you leave Topaz singing softly to herself. In the meantime, you ring your good friend Caroline - who you know has a pool in her large house. She used to be married - but some months ago she threw out her no-good cheating husband, and got the divorce legally approved. Now she just lives alone...
"You've got a what!?" she exclaims when you tell her the news over the line. "A mermaid!? You are... You're serious, aren't you?"
"Have you ever known me to rib you, Caroline?" you shoot back. "No - on second thoughts, don't answer that... Can she come over and stay in your pool? Please?"
"What WERE you thinking of, when you took her out from that house?" Caroline sighs.
"Well... I was so gob-smacked," you admit. "I wanted to say to the world 'Look - I've seen a mermaid! Here's the proof!' "
"And make money from the media circus?" Caroline challenges you, in a small voice.
"Umm... I guess so. I'm not exactly rich, like you."
"And I won't be for much longer," Caroline grumbles. "Since I got rid of that rat of a husband, I can't keep up with the rent. Now you expect me to take in a non-paying tenant! Oh well - the welfare of this 'Topaz' comes first. I'll come over to you, and we'll carry her to my car!"
You breath a sigh of relief. The phone call over, you take Topaz's meal up to her. She bites into the fish with gusto, using her bare hands. Soon, there's only bones on the plate.
"Thank you." You guest smiles. "Now, what happens to me?"
You tell her of the arrangements you have made. "After that, I'm not sure," you admit. You gaze upon the pretty mermaid. Could you really sell her to the press?
"This friend of yours," Topaz comments thoughtfully. "Is she your mate?"
Taken aback, you answer, "Well, no... But she and I go back years. I fancy her, I guess - now that she's single again. We're firm friends. But she may not feel the same way about me. Why do you ask?"
The mermaid turns her sparkling blue eyes towards you, and you realise that she's on the brink of tears. "I want to go back to the sea, to my people! My kind is facing slow extinction, thanks to the damage your race causes to the seas. I want to ensure the survival of my people, in any way I can. Take me home!"
Topaz then makes you an offer, there and then, if you'll do as she asks: