‘fez Sn art © 199 by Nae Kem A i ond Ti ivr ata amor ent Res hg Pee My Sic Seniesa wh cpa, ay mewn, ccroie mechan Sree wt pein fom te pro se Tear of eo Ay mien my pon, vm ei ay con me a a eS . Fea es ts etre cetrt ns Scot ect reac erento mati Reet iy ier nd sans oa Dyce ty we epee teeny hey st stil on his antique Eames char two people tho didi want tobe er, or one person who dit and one who resented the ober’ lucance Dr. Ong seen ths befor. Within two minutes he was sure: the ‘asthe ently fous resister She woul ose The oul pay fori late ie ways, for log Sime AI presume youve performed the necesuy cri checks Roger Carden id plesanty so lets gt ight on etal, hall we, Doctor” Ceri” Ong si“ Why drt we start your ling me the genetic moifcations youre intrested in fr the by.” “The woran shifted suddenly on er chat She asin her wentieclealy second wife— hut aed had a faded if keeping up with Roger Camden mas wearing her ‘Ong could en believe that. Min, Camdes a as she eyes were row, her sin hada brown tinge that ight have ben prey ihr check ad had any col, She ea brown coat nether fiona not cheap ane shoes that looked vaguely orthopedic, Ong glanced at his econds for her name: Hizabeth He would be people forgo it often Next to hes, Roger Camden radiated nervous vii tan in ate middle age whose buletshaped head id ror Amtch his cael hae and eink business suit Ong a ot ned to consult his fle to eal anything about Car den. A caine ofthe blltshaped head bd been the ISBN: 978.1-61242-087-8, gr Phoenia Sign up for Free Ebooks Visi the Authors Website at: worwalf:net/people/nankress/ ay PhenSJ naveveness leading graphic for yesterdays online ey) of the Wal Sire oursat Carca had les rsjor onan data-atoll investment. Ong was not sure data-atol investment vas A gi Blabeth Carden Ong a tpt peak first. ler voice was another surp ve upper-class Beth, “Blonde, Grom eyes Tal Slendee ‘Ong smiled Appearance fictors ae the essa achieve as Tm sure you already know. But all we can about len dlemess is give her a genetic disposi How you feed the child wil tually ‘Yes, yes," Roger Camden aid, that’s obvious Now: inte: ligence, High intelligence. And a sense of daring” "Tim torty Mr. Camden, personality fictors ae ao! yet un u[NANCY KRESS Camden id “This my dour and Sunn cagh he breath, When was the lst time she ha ea tae ee reverence in anyone} vice? Bur noone inches ‘oon “Wal then Susan si, ouaeady know thatthe reason, ple alesp i because a prswuret leep bale op eke Ta Ove tpt te ey pata the Shut the oly aon. Neher donee dey oe ne sleep serve fictions tat cant be eared on sie pe ey and bain ate ake. Alor goes on during Seep, on ding wakes usar wel for Neovo che mets are made “Sle served an important evotonay funtion, Once (lem Pre-Mamal wat done ling his ooh sed et ing hs spe aon sep lepe im imma aa So fom predator Sleep was anal to survival us sow ‘efiovr mechaniam, venige ke the append: roe £0 everynight but the eed gone So we as ce itch ais sour inthe gene” Ong winced. He hated when she otesimpid ike that: Or maybe it was the lightearednes Re ede Manteiner were making thi presentation, Wee’ be og Cle Pre Marna Camden id"What about the ned to dean?” “Not neces A leftover bombardment ofthe cone to keepit on semiaet in cases predator tacked dog tea ‘Wakefulness does that better.” re “Why not hae wakefulness instead then? From the sar of the elton ™ He was tetng het. Susan gave him fll ish mile ‘niin his bras. “I told you Safty fom prions re when a'modem predator atacioay, cost don soll investori afro be sso Came sot at her, "What about he igh perentage of REM sleepin ses and bale” “Sill an evolutionary hangover. Cercrum derdops per fectly well without” iba 2 Ee ng ton fing ates, ifthe DNA i progamed to do 0 No low of ne On ee prt ayes ee eet See ee pan en ee as tim glad you asked that, Mes. Camden. Because ea racer Sree tare ha ee ro any ae ee ee ree ie eeene Feral cove with random neural ngs fom the brain oer te ete es eS ee ts, which lift the mood of a sent ao BNANCY KRESS steep and people dont ge depressed. The nonsesp kids are ul egoing. joyous. Theres no other word for "Atowhat cost” Mrs. Camden said. he held her neck rigid, but the comes of he jaw worked. “They only our years old! At the most’ (Ong and Kren were studying her closely Susan sw the moment the Camden woman rized ish sank back {nto her chai drawing herr cat around het here ash, ‘Camden didnot loka is wife He blew scat of cigs rte ok “Everything has cons De Melng” Sheliked the way he sid her ame “Ontinaiy yes. Eope- ily in genetic moifcation. But we honestly have not heen abl to find any here, despite looking” She sill ety in Cand peso mich lve jt once univers has given us something wholy goed. wholly sp fran holy beac Wie ide pied ot the univer, The inteligence of peopl ike you,” Camden sid, surprising Sunan more than anything elo that tad gon before His eyes ld hers She fl her chee. Thin” Dt. Ong sid dy “that the philosophy of the niese maybe beyond our oncems here: Me Caren if Youuhive no further medical questions perhaps we cn recen {0 the egal poins Ms Sullivan and Mi Jaworski have sed. ‘hak yon De Maing” san nodked. Sheet ok again at Camden But kw what he iow ke athe war hes + ‘he house was shout what she had expected, a smock Tidor on Lake Michigan north of Chea, The ed was heaily wooded between the gute andthe hae open Beoven the house andthe srging water Patches of sow shred the domman gs. Biotech bad been working th ‘he Camaens for four months, but this ws Ge ft ne “4 ad driven to thei home. Mi walked toward the house another car drove up be- anki No.a trick conning aroun the curve driveway Ji ie enty atthe side ofthe house. One man ang 10 mre bel seond began o una planicwrapped thee fom the back ofthe truck Whitey with pink aed ly uni Susan ry closed here. IGanden opened te doo himelE She cou se ifort ot ook worse. "You ddr have to div ut, Soran Td evcome int the cy Nol did want you ro do that, Roger Me, Camden is ese” Tin the living room” Came led her nt large room I iooe focpace, English cmt hour faite and of dogs or bots ll ung eighteen inches too highs Pe share ie in Scrng Se a ot ie fom her wing cai as Suan entered. ML ne be concise and fr” San idl dont want 0 Imak this ary more dawnt for you than Ihave to, We all th amniocentesis ultrasound and Langton tx re Thefts fine, developing normally fr wo wee 0 withthe implant on the werine wall But» compl shar developed What? Canden ad. He took out «cgi, looked at vif and pt it back ult Susan said et "Mis. Carden, by sheer chance both ves reed epg last month. We removed one for gene surgery. By more sheer chance the second wa fer nd implanted. Youve crying two fees.” Blrabeth Camden grew sll" Twinn™ No, Susan sid hen she reaied what she had sis “T ye. Theyre twin, but non-identical. Only one has genetical tere The ther il be no more sina t9 than any wo lings Ia o-caled poral aby. And you dit want so-called orl bay. (Carden sid "No.1 dee” Elizabeth Camden sid did” \ 5 a(Camden shot her a ferce look that Susan cauldnit rea He took out the cigarette again, and lie it. His fice wa in profile to Sustn, an he was thinking intently, she doubtes the knew the cigarete was there, or that he was lighting it.I, the baby being affected by the other one's being tere?” No," Susan said, “No, ofcourse not. They’ just..coexis ing” *Can you abort i” “Not without aborting both of them, Removing the un altered fetus would cause changes inthe uterine lining that ‘would probably lead toa spontaneous miscarriage ofthe oth er.” She drew a deep breath. “There that option of course We can start the whole process over again. Buta I told you atthe time, you were very lucky to have thei exire fertli tion take on only the second ty. Some coupes take eight or ‘en ties. IF we started all ove, the proces could be a lengthy ‘Camden said “Is the presence ofthis second ‘etus harm ing my daughter? Taking aay nutrients or anything? Or will it change anything for her later on in the pregnancy?” "No. Except that there isa chance of prematurcbirth, Two fetuses take up alot more room in the womnb, and if it gets too crowded, birth can be premature, But the-—" “How premature? Enough o threaten survival” “Most probably not.” __ Camden went on smoking. A man appeared et the door “Sir,London calling. James Kendall for Mi. Yaga” "Til take i” Camden rose. Susan watched him study his wife’ face. When he spoke, twas to het. "Al right Elizabeth, Alright." He lft the room, For a long moment the two women sat in silence, Susan was aware ofthe disappointment; this was not the Camden she had expected to se. She became aware of Elizabeth (Camden watching her with amusement "Oh, yes, Doctor, He ike that.” Susan said nothing. “Completely overbearing. But not this ime” She laughed 16 BEGGARS INSPAIN ‘with excitement, “Two. Do you.-do you know what erence oth fetuses are female, tanked girl you know. And now I'll have one." “hen youll go sad with the pregnancy” 40h, ye Thank you for coming, Doctor ‘She was dismissed. No one saw her out. But as she was to her car, Camden rushed out of the house, coat~ Fee PSosant T wanted to thank you. For coming all he way ‘oat here tell us youre” You already thanked me.” Yes, Well. Youte sure the second fers is no threat to my @eQan si delibertely “Nor the genetically alee fe pera te eau conctved one” He smiles. is voie ws low and win And you thik hat should mater som ut mich, Ba i doc And Shou Ifa wat Especially yu" Mbesan opened het car dor. She ws ready fr ths or Tad hunged her ind or omesting Bat hen Caren oer cls the doo a his anne el no rae ones no rary ingatintion, “I Bee oder 4 playpen.” And a second carseat.” "Yes" nota second night-shift nurse.” at's up to you.” *And you.” Abruptly he leaned over and kissed heya kis polite and respectful that Susan was shocked. Neither nor conquest would have shocked her; this did. Cam- didnt give her a chance to react; he closed the car door turned back toward the house. Susan drove toward the her hands shaky on the wheel until amusement replaced i: Tt bad been a deliberate, blatant, respect kiss, an neered enigma. And nothing else could have guaranteed ‘wel that there would have to be another. 7She wondered what the Camdens would name the: daughters . De Ong strode the howpital comin, which had been tne whl gh Erte ure sien n Netra {inure stepped forward aft stop him—i was the mide ofthe night long past visting hour—got a good lok at his face and faded back inc her sain. Around comer was the viewing gas to the nursery. To Ong annoyane Susen ‘Mellng stood presed agaist the gla. To his father an noyanc, she was crying. ‘Ong realized tht he had never liked the womar. Maybe ‘ot any women. Even those with superior minds ould pot ‘emf refrain rom being made damn fot by tee emo Sons. “Look,” Susan sid, laughing 1 lite, swiping at her face "Doctor—loat.” a Behind the gas Roger Camden, gone and masked, was boing up bby ina white undrhir and pink an et. Camden ue eye-—theaticaly bea n realy Should not have sich garish eer—glowed. The bay's head ves cover with lod ist ad wide ees nd pk kn. Cade eyes above the ask sa hat othr eid ad vet hd thee abut ‘Ong si, “An uncomplicated bi” "Yes" Susan Meling sobbed. "Pee sraighorwa Bzabeh is ie. She sleep. Tent she Beal? He has the most aventura spit Ive over known She wped her sci seve Ong reed tt he a dri oe 1 was engaged once? Fifcen yan ago in tne sho Tok toffee he gew osc od tary, 0 boring. by God, I shoul be tling youl this Timor Tim sony? ‘Ong moved aay fom he Behind the glass Rogex Cam den aid the baby ina small wheeled rk. The namepite said TIABY ORL CAMDEN 69 POUNDS A night mune watched 18 BEGGARS IN SPAIN idk not wat to see Camden emerge from the nursery Pear Susan Melling say to him whatever she was going went to have the OB paged. Melling’s report was Minder the circumstances, to be trusted. A perfect, n= chance to record every detail of gene alteration a non-atred contol and Maing was oe interested sloppy’ ‘Ong would obviously have to ‘own sloppy emotions. Ong iy imal, after talking t the OB. He was hungry [xery detail. And not just about the pink-checked baby ris arms, He wanted to know everything about the ofthe child in the other glassed crib: BABY GIRL 42.51 POUNDS. The dark-haired baby withthe mot ed features, ying serunched down in her pink blanket, ”Two isha’ earliest memory was flowing lines that were not there. She knew they were not there because when she reached out her fist to touch them, her fist was empry. Later she realized tha the foving lines were light: sunshine lant ing in bars between curtains in her room, between the wood ten blinds in the dining room, between the ersscras latices in the conservatory. The day she realized the golder ow was, light she laughed out loud with the sheer joy of discovery, and Daddy turned from putting Bowers in pots and smiled ather. ‘The whole house was fll of ight. Light hounded off the lake, streamed across the high white ceilings, pudled on the shining wooden floors. She and Alice moved contin ally through light, and sometimes Leisha would sp and tip back her head and let i flow over her face. She could fel it, like wate. “The best light, of course, was in the conservatory. Thats ‘where Daddy liked to be when he was home from making money. Daddy potted plants and watered trees, summing, and Leisha and Alice ran between the wooden table of low= ers with their wonderil earthy smell, running from the dark side of the conservatory where the big purple lowers grew to the sunshine side with sprays of yellow Rowers, running back and forth in and out of the light. Growth,” Daddy said to her, “flower all falling their promise. Alice, ke carefull, 2» knocked over that orchid” Alice obedient, would Maing fora while. Daddy never told Leisha to stop Mafra while the light would go away. Alice and Leisha ave tix baths and then Alice would get quit, ot ‘She woulda play nice with Lesh even when Lei- “Guilt her choose che game or even have all the Best dolls Fen Nanny would take Alice vo bd, and Leisha would talk Mah Daddy sore more until Day sai he had to workin Tis arady with the papers that made money. Lesha always faea moment of eget ache ad go do that,but themo- pent never lasted very long because Mamsele would ative tart Lesh’ lessons, which she liked. Learing things tras so ineresting! She could already sing twenty songs and Areal theleters inthe alphaberand count wf. And by Hime lesons were done, the light had come back, and it time for breaks. eat waste only me Leisha die ike, Daddy had tothe office and Lesha and Alice had breakfast with in the big dining room. Mommy satin red robe, Tis liked, and she idee smell funny or talk Funny ray the woud ate nthe day, bu stil breakfast wasn (Momony aways stated with The Question. “Alice, sweeheart ow did you sleep?” 3, Mommy.” you have annie dreams?” Fora Tong time Alice sid no. Then one day she sd “T about a hor. Iwas siding im” Mommy clapped Thands and ised Alice and gave her an extra sticky bun. that Alice always had «dream tell Moray. ‘Once Leisha sid“ had dream, to. I dreamed light coming inthe window andie wrapped all around melike and then kissed me on my ees” ‘Mommy put down her coffee cup so hard that eofee out oF "Dont ie to me, Leuba You dd not have ream” "Ye iy” Lesha said. aNANCY HRESS| Only children who slep ean ave dreams. Dott le tom; You did not havea dream.” i Yee ui! Idi” Leisha shouted. She could seit, lm the light streaming in the window and wrapping stud her Tike a golden blanket. “Till not tolerate «child who isa liar! Do you hear me Leisha—I wont tolerate it” “Youre a liar!” Leisha shouted, knowing the words were true, hating herself because they werent tue but hatin Mommy more and that was wrong, too, and there sat Ali. stiff and fozen with her eyes wide, Alice was sewed and vas Leisha’ fale, Mommy called sharply, "Nanny! Nanny! Take Leisha t her room at once. She can sit with civilized pecpe if she ‘ant refrain from telling lis!™ ee Leisha started to cry: Nanny carved her out ofthe room LLeisha hadnt even had her breakfast. But she cide care bout tha; all she could sce while she ered was lic’ eye scared like that, reflecting broken bits of ight. ‘But Leisha didnt cry long. Nanny read her a story and thea played Data Jump with her, and then Alice came up and Nanny drove them both into Chicago tothe s00 where there were wonderful animals to see, animals Leishs could not have dreamed—nor Alice izbr. And by the time they came back Mommy had gone to her oom and Leisha knew that she would stay there with the glasses offunny-smeling ‘stuff the rest ofthe day and Leisha would not haveto see het. ‘But that night, she went ro her mother’ room, “Ihave to go tothe bathroom,” she told Mamsdle, Mam sell sxid,Do you need any help?” maybe because Alice sil needed help in the bathroom. But Leisha didat and she thanked Mamselle Then she sat on the toilet fora minute ‘even though nothing eame, so that what she had tld Mam: selle wouldet be ale. isha tiptoed down the hall She wen fist into Alice's room. A lite light in a wall socket burned near the crib. ‘There wasno er in Leish's room, Leisha looked ater sister 2 [BEGGARSIN SPAIN the bas. Alice lay on her side with her eyes closed, ofthe eyes fluttered quickly ike curtains Blowing in UNiices chin and neck looked loose closed the door very carefully and went to her par dat sleepin crib but ina huge enormous bed, with oom between them for more people. Mommy's eye~ Meret uttering; she ay on her back making a hre-herr through her nose. The funny smell was strong on het backed away and tiptoed over to Daddy. He looked "Alice, except that his neck and chin looked even looser, bof skin collapsed lke the tent that had fallen down in ytd. Ir scared Leisha to see him like that. Then eye few open so suddenly that Leisha screamed, ly rolled out of bed and picked her up looking quick- "Mommy. But she didait move. Daddy was wearing only lerpants. He carried Leisha out into the hal, where lle came rushing up saying, “Oh, Sit, Tm sotry, she sid she was going tothe bathroom—" fall ight,” Daddy sai. ‘Tl take her with me” Leis screamed, because Daddy was ony in his un and his neck had looked all funny and the room bad because of Mommy. But Daddy carried her into ‘conservatory, set her down on a bench, wrapped him- ina piece of green plastic that was supposed to cover up and sat down next her. low, what happened, Leishs? What were you doing?” Leisha didat answer *You were looking at people sleeping, werert you?" Daddy land because his voice was softer Leisha mumbled, Yes.” immediately fel etter it fle good not tole "You were looking at people sleeping because you dont pp and you were curios, werent you? Like Curious rg in your book? *Yes,"Leisha sid.“ thought you sid you made money in stay all night!” ‘Daddy smiled. “Not all night. Some of it. But then I sleep, 2BEGGARS IVSPAIN coun Leith, Excelence support yin Se od at tat counts” Dud" sateter ing you bck» Mamsle” Balint move she tuched the flower wth oe fa ert es, Das” Mets eee Seep is xt lat ims wasted Mie dest= cer NANCY KRESS although not very much.” He took Lesa on hi 3p. “I doy ‘ned much slep,s0 I et alot more done a night than mu. people. Different people need liferent amounts of sIc.° And a few, avery few are like you. You dont need any.” “Why not?” “Because you'e special, Better than other peosle. Before ‘you were born, Thad some doctors help make you that wy “Why? “So you could do anything you want to and make manife: your own individuality” cei ike you.” Leia twisted in is arms to stare at him; the words ee en special” meant nothing. Daddy reached over and touched a sing! "You sre” hy dit you make Alice special, too?” flower growing on a tall potted tree. The flower had thic! i mh : ice made herself. I didn't have a chance to make her whit pete the ream putin cote andthe eee vr igh pink “See, Le—this use mide this flower, Bec i Only this te can make thi knd of wonder lowe Tha plant hanging up theres and thew cat ether Only his tree Therefore the mos impor thing in the wo fr his tee dos grow this fowt The lowers the asin algy—that mens ur and ong cle~made man Nothing ae mates “T dort understand, Daddy” You il Sore” Be it et Leh ind Daly laughed wth pre delight and hugged er The hag ke bot Lakin weed onde, ot “When you make money tha your nda thing?” “Yes,” Daddy said happily. r “Then nobody eo an ake money? Like onl that ee can make that flower?” “Nobody ee can make jut the way Ido” for eon o ima On vit en Band oc pled we ey dead ete bate fens os yet ate epee Seite romy” Behn i at pig tek Ke Sa coin th itt Ste oes The ile of his tal, which he would give in New Yor Lot Angeles, and Chicago, with « peat 4 special address to Congress, was “The Further Pot Implications of Inexpensive Power” Leisha Camden, elev J ld waging he vat nso afer cago alk, aranged by he athe. eee eee ey ‘She had studied the theory of cold fasion at school, an! ee eae! hee global studs teacher ad traced the changes in th paella world renuling fom Yaga patented, low-cost application Me tighten” Of what had unt him, bean unworkable theory the rs eee, ing prosperity ofthe Third World; the death throes of the Iressa Vour body doo. They'éypod fax your ‘od eommuniie stems; the decline ofthe ll sates, the Fe athe babe heat By Ais die ale renewed economic power ofthe United Stats. Her study se nner anymore" My body doer havea contact soup bad writen 4 news scripted withthe schol. eg d Profesional quality equipment about how a 1985 American eee Feil lived with epenave eng costs and a bbe in ee supported help, while a 2019 family ved with cheap energy | Mmmm OM HEN her plate anda bliin the contact as the basso Gian, Par Se eel neeeue Ae ‘of her own research puzzled Leisha ts, but the peas dont! Its not a mutually beneficial con- gan thinks Kenzo Yagi was ator this om coun ee eee crap tee ‘try," she said to Daddy at supper, erat yah i Camden te outa shout of laughter. To Susan he sd, "No Camden dome Japanese think that. Watch out Spee ae uA heim fe generation, Leki Vg! pete sad red eae ait ot eee energy inthe United States becuse here there were least Eee ea Washington 3 28 2»BEGGARS INSPAIN sd s0 hard her hands hurt. Going back- ly, she thought she could hardly breathe [NANCY KRESS But even 40, Alice did not want to go hear Kenzo si She was going to sleep over a her fiend Jules ho they were going to cur theirhair together. More serprisin. Sasan wasnt coming either. She and Daddy looked ute other alittle funny at the front door, Leisha thoughs, [Leisha was too exited to think abou this. She was going hear Kenzo Yaga Yaga was a small man, dark and slim. Leisha liked accent. She liked, to0, something about him that ook her» ‘while to name. "Dad" she whiapered in the halfdarkne of the auditorium, "hea joyful man, Daddy hugged her inthe darknes. ‘Yagai spoke about spirituality and economics.“A. mani spirituality, which is only his dignity as a man, rets on hiv ‘vn efforts. Dignity and worth are not automatically cor ferred by aristocratic birth; we have only to look at ristory see that. Dignity and worth are not automaticaly conferre: by inherited wealth. A great heir may be a thit,a wast «zuel, an expoiter a person who leves the world much poo: ‘ethan he found it. Nor are dignity and worth automaticaly conferred by existence itself A mass murderer exists, but i of negative worth to his society and possesses no dignity in his lus oll “No, the only dignity the only spirituality, rests on what ‘4 man can achieve with his own efforts, To rob 4 man of the chance to achieve, and to trade what he achieves with other, is to rob him of his spiritual dignity as a man. This is why communism has failed in our ime. Al coercion—ll fore to take from a man his own efforts to achieve causes spiritual damage and weakens a society. Conscription, the, fraud, violence, welfare, lack of legislative representation al! rob a man of his chance to choose to achieve on his own, to trade the results of his achievement with others. Coercion is 8 cheat. It produces nothing new. Only freedom —the fre dom to achieve, the freedom to trade fiely the results of Achievement—creates the envionment proper to the dignity and spirituality of man." ag roll hn ad ot Tames everywhere, Dadi Me Ygtimay ay daughter Len andthe cameras moved in Teac fer, A Japan man whisper sme Be Keno Yoga ew tre looked more coly = rors herein,” somsone clad he did. A comet so ceo her fe that Leith ppd eric, Day spoke very sharply to someone, hen te’ Cnet ove. woman ulin font ae nd tea microphone she esi fel ike to neve seep aha” . laughed. The laugh was not kind. "Breeding ge- ha fan on her soe: Keon Ys ed ry and ple hes ayo the camera. Ime tages by magia line of Japanese men forme behind ering ony ox Ds through Behind he ie the Fehon moved ino a deing oom, and Kenzo Yagi the dooe bum not them other you Leia "esi in is treet sNot ever Tee aod Asian prover dogs bark bt he carvan moves on You mist hover et inal aan be lowed by he barking of re ot = dog ST wort? Lesha breathed, not sie yet what the words Mma inowing thee wa tine ater 0 them ot fa owt them with Duy. For sow se was dazed Kenzo Yaga the actual ma Himself who was changing ord wi res withoutgny by tang is ope dal clara “We vay your phiotophy a my schol Yas ¢ Kenzo Yogi looked at Dad, Duy sid “A pate 0 31NANCY KRESS sh a Lh a ss gh cn inthe public system, Slow, Keno, but i comes come Tisha noticed tate dd not sy why Alice wasn he tonight with them. Bic home, Li a in er a Bo ik er evertingthathad happened. When Alice came hon ffom Jules the net morning, Lesa rushed toward her Buy Alice seemed angry about something “Alice hari “Danityou tink ave enough to put up with schoo! already?” Alice shouted. "Everybody knows, but at lest when you stayed quite didnt mater to much! Tey stopped teasng me! Why did you have to do i” “Do wha” Leah ad beedered Alice threw something at her: a hard-copy morning paper on newsprint finer than the Camden yatems wed. The paper dropped open at [esha feet She stared at her own Picture, thee columns wide, with Kenzo Yagi The head Tne said “Yaga and the Future: Room For the Ret of Us? ¥-Eneagy Inventor Confers With ‘Slep-Tree Daghter of Mega inanier Roger Camden” ‘ic kicked the pape Ie was on TV las night o0—on 77.1 work hard not t look stuc-up or cee and you go anc do this! Now Je probably wor even item to Ber she pry nx wk She aed pte bad ng isha looked down a the paper She heard Kenzo Ys sais oie inher ead The dogs bark bu th caroon noes on She looked atthe empty stir. Aloud she sad, "Ale—your Jn ok realy prey curled ike that.” FOUR aha said, “Why have kee them from me this long? ie kept them from you at al,” Camden sad “Not is not the same as denial. Why shouldnt you be the do the asking? You'e the one who now wants i.” ha looked at him. She was fifteen in her last year at School." Why didrit you offer?” should 12" donit know,” Leisha said. “But you gave me everything lading the freedom to ask for what you want.” sha looked forthe contradiction, and found it. "Most that you provided for my education T didi ask for, re I didi know enough to ask and you a the adult id. youve never offered the opportunity For me to meet any ‘other slepless mutante—" rit use that word," Camden suid sharply. to you must either think t was not essential to my edu- n oF elke you had another motive for not wanting me to them.” Wrong,” Camden ssid. “There third possibility. Tht 1 ink meeting them is essential fo your education, that Ido 3 you to, but ths issue provided a chance to further the cation of your self-initiative by wating for you to ask" “Allright; Leisha said, alte defandy; cere seemed to 3be alot of defiance berween them lately, fr no good re She squared her shoulders. Her new breasts thrstforw. “Tim asking. How many of the Sleepless are there, why theyjand where ae they?" ‘Camden said, “If out using that teem—the Skee youl already done son ably know that there are 1,082 of you so fa inthe Unie States, more in foreign countries, most of them in i metropolitan areas. Seveny-nine are in Chicago, most them sill small children. Only nineteen anywhere ae ol than you Leisha didnt deny reading any of this. Camden les forward in his study chair to peer at her. Leisha wondered hae needed lasses. His hair was completely gray now spar: and stiff ike lonely broom stra, The Hal! Steet Journa/ ted him among the hundred riches men in America, Won iar Daily pointed out that he was the only billionaire the country who did not move in the society af internation: partes, charity balls, and social secretaries. Camdea’ jt fer ried him to business meetings around the world, tothe cha ‘manship ofthe Yagai Economics Insitute, and to ver lit clse. Over the years he had grown richer, more rechaive, a: ‘more cerebral Lesha fel a fush of her old affection, ‘She threw herself sideways into a leather chai her ln slim legs dangling over the arm. Absently she scratched ‘mosquito bite on her thigh. “Wel, then, Td like to meet Richard Kelle” He lived in Chicago and was the beta-test Sleepless closest to her own age. He was seventeen, “Why ask me? Why not just go?” reading on your own, 80 yOu pro, [BEGGARSINSPAIN| hae voice grew shriller. “Roger Tim talking to averted her eyes. Two years ago Susan had finally fie research to run Camdens house and schedule; she ad tried hard to do both. Since she had lft it scemed to Leisha, Susan had changed. Her voice ‘She was more insistent that Cook and the gar- Mellow her directions exactly, without deviation, Her brad had become sti sculptured waves of platinum, Jon," Roger said, thanks for at last answering, Am I going?” og eft the room. Leisha rose and stretched. Her long ‘on tiptoe. It fle good to reach, to stretch, to feel from the wide windows wash over her fice. She fat her father, and found him watching, her with an Keller. But be careful.” what" ‘Camden wouldnt answer. . voice on the phone had been noncommittal "Leisha fen? Yes, I know who you ar. Three otlock on Thurs "The house was modes; athrty-yearold colonial on a suburban street where small children on bicycles could che rom the font window. Few roofs had more than LLeisha thought there was a note of impatience ins vice He liked her to explore things fst, then report on them to him later. Both parts were important. Leisha laughed, "You know what, Daddy? You're predict able” ‘Camden laughed, too. Inthe middle ofthe laugh Susan came in. "He certainly is not. Roger, what about that meet ing in Buenos Aires on Thursday? Is ton or of” When he Y-energy cell, The trees, huge old sugar maples, were fl sme in,” Richard Keller sai. [He was no taller than she, stocky, with a bad case of aene ably no genetic alterations except slep, Leisha guessed had thick lark his low forehead, and bushy black brows ore he closed the door Leisha saw him staeat her carand 4 35NANCY KRESS blurted. “Youre one of only wo Sleepless whoire dvs prkedin che viveway next ta uty tm-peed hy ie Pend bia] "You and Jennifer Shasifi. But you already know Tear dive yet she id Tim sl fen “Tey easy to lean, Richard esi °So, you want to el ares : Letsa ike his directness. “To meet some other Sie dese” "You mean you never have? Not any of wt?” *You mean the rest of you know each other?” She ha expected tht. "Come to my room, Lisa,” She followed hit to the back ofthe house. No one es seemed tbe home. Hi oom wat lage and airy led wi computers and fling cabinets. A rowing machine atin o omer. I loked ikea shabbir version ofthe room of ony bright classmate at the Suley Schoo exept theres mor space withouta bed She wale vero the computer screen “Hey—you working on Bose equations” “On an aplication of them.” “Towhat “Pah migration pater.” Leisa sid, Yeah that would work. never hough o that "Richard seemed not o know wiat odo wither smile He looked at the wall then a her cin. "You intersted GGaeapattere? Tn the environment” “Wel, no" esha confested, "Not particule. go to study polis at Harvard Pre-law. But ofcourse we hu Gacaprterns at school.” Richards gaze finaly came unstuck fom her fie. He ran ‘hand through his dark hai "Sit down if you wae” eisha st ooking appreciative tthe wal overs shift ing geen on blue, ike ocean cients “I like those Did you program them yourel?™ ‘oure nora all what I petted,’ Richard sad “How did you picture me?” He dit hese “Stuck up. Supeior. Shallow, despite your TQ.” ‘Se was more hurt than she had expected tobe a Te never checked” I tc beside extracting his stocky legs Ea ot of hin in ouch tat had nosing oo tii sens, rely. Rich people dont hidrn genetical mode tobe soperior—they fang hissy pei By thi a P pcple ca afford ie We Seeples are up- Feo more Chien of profes, scents, rb val baie and ime” faeries brains and ine” Laisa si. "He' the ro Keno Yaa" Tebb,Jo you tn 1 don aleady know tha? Are rmeor what? ae Ech eat dlbentenes, “Tn ling to you ox minut se could eel the hart break through face sorry,” Richard muttered. He shot off his chair and tothe computer and back. “I am sorry. But I dont... Tunderstand what you're doing here.” lonely” Leisha said, astonished at herself. She looked im. “It's tre, Tm lonely. am. Ihave friends and Dad. “Alice. But no one relly knows, really understands— 32 dont know what Pm saying” ad smiled. The smile changed his whole fce,opened fits dark planes to the light. "Ido. Ob, do I. What do you en they say,‘Thad such a dream lastnight?” Yes!" Leisha said. "But that’s even really minor. I's when I ‘Took that up for you tonight and they get that funny ‘on ther face that means,'She'l doi while I'm asleep.” “But that's even really minor,” Richard said. “Ie when ir playing basketball inthe gym after supper and then igo 20 the diner for food and then you say, ‘Let’ have walk by the lake; and they ay, Tm realy tired. I'm going, 1¢ to bed now.” & aBut that’s really ming?” Leisha sd jumping wp, when you really ar sbrrbed bythe movi an then you the poine and i's so goddamn beautiful you leap up and “Yea! V and Susan sy, Leia rely, ou tink nun butyou ever enjoyed anything before” "Who Susan?” Richard sad. ‘The mood was broken. But not relly Letha could sy “My stepmother without mich diacomforover iat Si tad promised to be and wht she had become Richard ts inches fom het, smiling tha joyous smile nena and suddenly relief washed over Leisha so strong that sh! sald ssight over to him and put her arms nou! tec, only tightening them when she fl hie ware je She seared 0 sob—ahe, Leith, who never cred “Hey Richard aid "Hey" “Brian Lesh ud laughing. “Bilan remark” She could fel his embarassed il." Wants se my smigation curves instead?” “Noy Leica sobhed, and he went on holding het patting be ck slayings itis work thats ved with his mothe, who ad nt parti spl chy we i fhe who ad ae tena yang ln he deed rs Pra‘Tony war no alowed ol Secateurs Spl They deh is moter id ees averted rm her Ht etme ony obeyed her and wo ied See pe hs mothebeat hin. Then she moved the Sr evorhoo. He was ine yas ol Cass most long legged and sim as Leh, forthe Oya e saing She pracnd a hy burs no Sleeper ila igh chet could arte newspapers hd ot picked up the to: Tea hae ty dd they would somehow not cae Belen te tite wl ce sete me ce ae ro a Camden waited up for her, although it was past midnight investing, then to ten thousand Sane aaa [He had been smoking heavily: Through the blue ait he sid hall rina find penton ek i em aii en Sapa ton afar nto gh le “Tm glad,” he said, and put out his last cigarette, and ‘of the Sleepless, who lived in ieee Jack told Leisha, climbed the stais—slowly,stifly, he was nearly seventy T hit cidny four percent profit over two consecutive oscar te lr we ty oy oe erogsonnme oting eminent enone ao hie ow ie ao ee Yon mean because T've been protected by my father's . “They went everywhere together for nealy « yea swim ‘ming, dancing, the museums, the cheater, the ibrar. Richard Introduced her tothe others, a group of twelve kids between, fourteen and nineteen, all of them intelligent and eager. All Seples Leisha learned, ‘Tony Indivino’s parents ke her own, had divorced. But 38 E,