The doorbell rings. Simon looks at Chris and Sparky and shrugs. He
heads downstairs wearing Chris' clothes and opens the door. Two young
men in white shirts and blue trousers are on the doorstep. Bicycles
are parked nearby, and one is holding a blue Book of Mormon.
They go right into their spiel, but Simon is not really listening. He
pretends to be attentive, but the whole time he is sizing the two up
for alteration by the Chronivac. He might be 20 now, but he is still
behaving like a kid with a new toy.
Feigning interest, Simon invites the missionaries in for lemonade and
cookies. He gets them settled in the living room, then Sparky wanders
in with Chris still knotted to him. Simon serves them lemonade and
cookies, while they look uncomfortably at each other and at the gay
dogs.
As they start to explain about their faith, Simon interrupts, and
apologizes, "Excuse me, but I have to save something on the computer.
I was working on it when you rang the bell and forgot to save it. Help
yourself to more cookies. I'll be right back."
Simon heads straight for the Chronivac. Two new subjects glow on the
screen. He sits down and starts typing.