Back and Forth, Part 8

This fictional account contains adult language and graphic sexual themes and
descriptions.  If such language, themes and descriptions offend you, please do
not read further.  The persons and events described in this work are purely
fictional.  Any similarity to actual persons or events is strictly
coincidental.  Copyright 2002 by SSTORYMAN.  All rights reserved.  Permission
is hereby granted to reproduce this story in any form and for any purpose as
long as this notice is reproduced and no financial remuneration is received,
directly or indirectly, by the person reproducing or using it.

BACK AND FORTH
by SSTORYMAN

8.	Further Exploring the Brave New World.

   Kylee left her first period class.  She wandered into the hall.  Many of
her classmates were lighting up.  She did, too.  As she took her initial hit
and sucked smoke into her chest her friend Karyn approached.  They had the
same class second period.  It was customary for them to walk together to the
room.

   "Hey, Karyn," Kylee smiled, exhaling.  "How's it going?"

   "Fine."  Karyn stared too long at the cigarette hanging from Kylee's
mouth.  "I have some big news for you."

   "And what's that?"

   Karyn took a deep breath.  "I did what you suggested.  On my way home
yesterday I stopped at the gas station.  I bought myself a pack of Marlboro
Lights 100s.  I decided if I was going to take your advice about smoking I
might as well get started."

   Kylee grinned.  "And?"

   "I took `em home and practiced in my room for awhile.  You were right.
The lights are real easy for a new smoker like me to get used to.  And after
you showed me how yesterday it really wasn't hard at all."  Karyn was
smiling.

   "Great, Karyn.  God, it sounds like pretty soon you and I will be smoking
together."

   Karyn fidgeted.  "Not pretty soon, Kylee.  How about now?"  She took a
pack of Marlboro Lights 100s from her pocket.  She smiled.  "I think I'd
like one now."

   Kylee was delighted.  She could hardly believe her eyes.  After one brief
session of encouragement her best friend was joining in.  Kylee nodded
eagerly.  "Karyn, you have just enough time till the next bell," she
advised.  "Go ahead.  Light one up!"

   Karyn took a cigarette from her pack and put it between her lips.  She
looked nervous as it hung there precariously.  Kylee got out her lighter and
clicked it for her friend.  Karyn leaned in and caught the light.  She took a
modest initial puff and inhaled gingerly.

   "God, that's fuckin' great, Karyn."  Kylee noticed her friend's pack
was only half full.  "Hey, so exactly how much did you smoke last night?"

   Karyn released a cloud of smoke.  "That's what I wanted to tell you,"
she said as they walked down the hall.  "After having one in my room I
decided to tell Mom.  Hell, I figured if I was going to smoke I should at
least tell her."

   "And?"

   Karyn laughed.  "It was pretty cool.  Mom was fine with it, of course.  I
mean, how couldn't she be?  But Mom said she'd been thinking about starting
to smoke herself.  She and Dad divorced a few years ago.  Dad and his new
girlfriend smoke now but Mom never has.  After I told her I intended to start
she said she'd join me."

   "So?"

   "So last night I taught Mom to smoke.  I showed her all the same stuff
you explained to me about how to do it.  Like I said, it was pretty cool."

   "God, that's great, Karyn.  Now let me see you take another puff.  I
want to examine your progress more carefully."

   Under Kylee's watchful eye Karyn self-consciously hit on her cigarette
and pulled some smoke down into her lungs.

   "Very nice," Kylee approved as she watched Karyn exhale.  "Very nice
indeed.  And now you're smoking out in public and everything.  You're one
of _us_ now.  You're a smoker!"

   Karyn nodded.  "Yeah, I really think I am.  So thanks, Kylee."

   They reached their classroom and stood in the hall awaiting the bell.  A
large sand ashtray stood outside the door.  The two girls lingered by the
door finishing their cigarettes with many other students.  Kylee sighed
contentedly.  Allyson was now in the fold as was Karyn.  Finishing Josh was
her only remaining project.

   She wondered how her mom was doing.  If she figured out a way to get the
Sheridan treatment they'd return home right away, maybe for good.  She
groaned and hit on her B&H.  She missed her own world but she hated the
thought of constantly fighting with her mom about smoking once they returned.
She tipped her head and exhaled a long stream of milky white smoke.  "I'll
cross that bridge when I come to it," she told herself.

   The bell rang.  She and Karyn put their cigarettes in the ashtray and
walked into their next  class.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Vicki hung up.  Shit!  The asshole receptionist at her internist's office
was _so_ fuckin' unreasonable!  God!  Just because she wasn't bleeding to
death she couldn't get an appointment with the doctor till next week.  She
took it, but the blood work to confirm the absence of the Sheridan
inoculation in her system would take a couple more days after that.  So it
meant she'd spend well over a week in this universe till she finally got the
Sheridan treatment.

   She turned to her computer.  She'd been so preoccupied all morning.  She
didn't get much done.  But she consoled herself by remembering it was her
twin's life she was screwing up.  Eventually she'd go back home.  If Vicki
Bergen was behind in her work when she left this universe, well, it
ultimately wouldn't be _her_ problem!

   "Hey Vicki.  How are you doing?"

   Gina was at the door.  "Fine," she answered.  It was a half truth.
"I'm doing great."

   "Are you sure?" her assistant asked as she stepped inside.  "It's
almost time for lunch.  I'm going to go a little early.  But I thought I
ought to check on you first."

   "No, I'm fine, Gina," Vicki repeated.  "Why?  What's worrying you?"

   "I don't know," her red-headed assistant admitted.  She came in and sat
down across the desk.  She had her purse with her.  "It's just that, well,
you seem slightly off today."

   God, if you only knew, Vicki sighed.  "Gina, I told you, I'm just fine.
Well, I suppose I haven't been _quite_ myself," she added whimsically.
"But there's no big problem or anything."

   Her assistant went on.  "It's just that -.  Well, to be honest you're
not smoking as much as usual."  Before Vicki could protest she continued.
"Look at your ashtray.  I just counted.  Only five butts.  Usually by
lunchtime you smoke twice that many!"

   "Really?  Are you sure?"  Vicki was sincerely curious.  She felt like
she smoked like a fiend all morning.  Five cigarettes seemed like a huge
number.   But apparently not to Gina!

   "You and I talked about that the other day," Gina went on.  "By lunch
you always smoke ten or more.  Otherwise you said you can't hit two packs by
the end of the day."  She frowned.  "That's why I'm worried, Vicki.  Are
you sure you feel okay?"

   Vicki sighed.  She clearly had to pick up her smoking tempo.  "Actually,
Gina, there is one thing you _can_ do for me."  From her face she saw Gina
genuinely wanted to know how to help.  "I'd love one of your menthols right
now if you don't mind."

   Gina laughed.  "That's easy, Vicki."  She got her pack of Marlboro
Menthol 100s from her purse and handed Vicki a cork-tipped cigarette.  "Here
you go!"

   Back in college Vicki smoked menthols exclusively.  She didn't know why
her counterpart smoked non-menthol cigarettes.  But as long as she was here,
if she had to do it she might as well indulge with her old love.  And
Marlboro Menthol 100s were as good as any!

   As Gina lit up a cigarette with her Vicki did her patented double-pump.
In part she did it for her assistant to see but in part because she cherished
the cool menthol flavor of the cigarette.

   "Oh my God," she groaned ecstatically while holding smoke deep in her
chest.  "Damn, that tastes good!  Now _this_ is what smoking's all about!"
She reluctantly pursed her lips and spurted out consecutive bursts of exhaled
smoke.  "Thanks, Gina.  Now _this_ is how I remember smoking!"

   "I'm glad you like it," Gina grinned.  "I never knew you were a
menthol girl."

   "Back in college I was _exclusively_ a menthol girl," Vicki said before
hitting on the cigarette again.  "God," she whispered after inhaling.
"Why did I start smoking Benson & Hedges?  Not that they're bad," she
quickly added.  "But these are just so much better!"

   "I thought it was mainly because your husband does," Gina offered.
"Because by both smoking the same brand you never run out of cigarettes.
That's what you said."  She smiled.  "I'm glad you like my menthols,
Vicki.  Since I switched I'm much happier smoking more."

   Vicki drew on the cigarette.  "Yeah, I may need to consider buying myself
a pack of these," she muttered.  She exhaled through her nose this time.
"God, these are great!"

   "Keep the rest of my pack if you want," Gina suggested.  "Seriously,
Vicki.  I don't mind.  I've got another whole pack in my purse."

   "Sure.  Of course you do."  For a moment Vicki stared at the gold and
red pack of Benson & Hedges 100s on her desk.  She frowned.  It was half
empty when she put it in her purse.  It was almost gone now.  She would soon
need more cigarettes.  "Okay, deal," she smiled.  "I'll be a menthol girl
the rest of the afternoon."

   Gina stood.  "Great.  Hey, I gotta go to lunch.  Randi Simmons and I are
going out."  She paused.  "You know Randi?  She's Dr. Bennett's assistant
up in the county health department."

   "Excuse me.  What did you say, Gina?"

   "Randi is Dr. Bennett's assistant," she repeated.  "You know Randi."

   "Yeah, of course I do," Vicki robotically replied.  "God.  I never
thought of that.  Alexis Bennett.  She's a doctor.  Of course!"

   "Vicki, what are you talking about?"

   "Nothing, Gina.  Nothing at all.  God, it's just that I need free
medical advice.  Damn, I never thought of asking Alexis."  She grinned.
"Thanks, Gina.  Yeah, thanks more than you know."

   When Gina left Vicki picked up the phone.  She dialed Alexis Bennett's
number.  Alexis was head of the county health department.  Alexis owed her.
She got Alexis her job as director of the health department.  If she hurried
she'd reach her assistant before she and Gina left for lunch.

   "Dr. Bennett's office.  This is Randi."

   "Hi, Randi.  This is Vicki Bergen.  Is Alexis in?"

   "She's in a meeting, Ms. Bergen.  Can I have Dr. Bennett call you after
lunch?"

   Vicki frowned.  "Randi, do me a favor.  I know you and Gina are about to
leave for lunch.  But take a quick look at Alexis' schedule for me.  Does
she have any time available?"

   There was a brief pause.  "Yeah, it looks like she's free at one thirty.
Do you want me to pencil you in?"

   "Yeah, please.  Tell Alexis I'll stop by her office at one thirty.  I
need to talk to her for half an hour."  She hesitated.  "Tell her it's
pretty important."

   "Got it," Randi said pleasantly.  "Oops, here's Gina.  I gotta go.
Goodbye, Ms. Bergen."

   Vicki hung up.  She tapped an ash off her Marlboro Menthol 100 and drew
heartily on the cigarette.  She sucked the mentholated smoke deep inside her
lungs and grinned.  Yeah, Alexis owed her.  Maybe she'd get herself the
Sheridan inoculation today after all!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Kylee and Karyn together carried their trays to an empty table in the
smoking section of the school cafeteria.  As they sat down Kylee sighed
gratefully.  She still couldn't get over how cool it was to be allowed to
smoke over lunch at school!  She hadn't had a cigarette since before her
last class.  Mischievously she decided it was time to do something she always
wanted to try.  Karyn began to eat.  But Kylee took out her cigarettes and
lit one up.

   Her friend frowned.  "Hey, Kylee, aren't you going to eat?"

   "Sure, but first I always wanted to try this."  After a long puff she
laid her burning cigarette in the ashtray on the table.  "I always thought
it'd be cool to smoke and eat at the same time."  She took a bite of her
tuna noodle casserole while expelling smoke through her nostrils.  "It's
pretty neat.  I'm hungry and I also want to smoke.  This way I can do both
at once."

   Karyn laughed.  "God, you're fuckin' crazy, girl."

   Kylee again hit her cigarette and took another big bite of tuna casserole.
Smoke squirted from her nostrils and lips while she chewed her latest
mouthful.  "I always wanted to do this," she went on grinning at her
friend.  "At least in this world no one's going to think it's too gross."

   Karyn lowered her voice.  "So when do you go back?  I mean, assuming you
weren't shitting me last night about the alternative universe stuff, I guess
eventually you'll go home."

   Shaking her short blond hair Kylee laughed.  "I don't know for sure.
You may not believe it, Karyn, but last night my mom came over from the other
universe, too."  Raising her cigarette to her lips she sucked hard.
"There's no Sheridan treatment in our world.  Mom just learned she has
breast cancer.  So she came over so she can get inoculated here.  Mom wants
to go back as soon as she can.  So it depends on when she can get treated
here."

   Karyn raised her eyebrows.  "This keeps getting weirder.  You mean if I
talk to your mom she'll tell me the same story about the two universes?"

   Kylee nodded.  "Yep.  In fact, come over this afternoon.  You can talk to
her.  I'd like you to see that it really is true."

   "Wow," Karyn whistled.  "The craziest part is, I actually believe you.
The Kylee I know would never have smoked while she ate."  She paused.
"She'd never have been smoking at all."

   "I guess the other Kylee's been experimenting with smoking in my world.
Remember, in my universe you and my little sister both smoke.  Kylee's had a
hard time not trying it."  She smiled.  "She even admitted to me last night
that she kind of likes it."

   "That's not hard to believe," Karyn laughed.  "So, if my friend Kylee
comes back she'll be a smoker?"

   "I don't know," Kylee admitted.  "But what do you mean, if?"

   "Maybe you'll both decide you like being where you are," Karyn went on.
"Maybe you guys won't want to switch places and go back to where you
belong."

   "No offense," Kylee smiled.  She manicured her cigarette before another
long hit.  "But Mom wants to go back as soon as she can and I guess I sort
of do, too.  I mean, it's cool being here in this pro-smoking universe and
all.  But it's not home.  Not really.  You know?  Even though you and
Allyson and everybody else here _seem_ mostly the same, I know you're really
not.  It's weird.  So I think eventually I do want to go back, too.  If Mom
goes I probably will as well."  She paused for another bite of casserole and
another puff.  "But don't worry, Karyn.  From time to time I'll come back
to visit you.  I would like that!"

   "If I didn't know better I'd think this whole thing was pure bullshit,
Kylee," said Karyn shaking her head.  "But you convinced me.  I don't
understand it, but I believe it."  She hesitated.  "Oops.  Don't look now,
but here comes the love of your life.  Or should I say, the love of your
twin's life?"

   "Josh is the love of my life, too," Kylee replied with a twinkle in her
eye.  "Let's see how Josh is doing with the smoking thing."

   Tall and athletic Josh Allen walked up to their table.  "Hey, guys.  Can
I join you?"

   "Sure, lover," Karyn teased.  "Hey Josh.  God, I sure wish Kylee would
let me have some of what you two are enjoying these days."

   "Be careful what you ask for, Karyn," Kylee kidded.  "You might get it.
Hey, I think doing a three way with Karyn sounds like fun.  What do you
think, Josh?"

   The conservative young man blushed.  "You guys are terrible," he sighed.
He kissed Kylee on the cheek and changed the subject.  "How are you doing?"

   "Great, Josh," she answered.  She reached for her cigarette and picked
it up.  "I'm having a cigarette here while I eat.  It's so incredibly
degenerate.  I love it!"

   Josh saw her take a powerful drag and resume eating.  "I thought a lot
about what you said last night, Ky.  About me smoking, I mean."

   "Great, Josh.  By the way, did you know that Karyn smokes now?"

   He looked at the brunette in disbelief.  "You too, Karyn?"

   "Yeah, me too, Josh.  Kylee made me try it.  She told me it's out of
this world."  She laughed at her inside joke.  "Yeah, I decided I like
smoking."  To prove her point she reached in her book bag and produced her
Marlboro Lights 100s.  "I was just thinking about having one, as a matter of
fact."

   Josh shook his head.  "Kylee, you won't stop till you get all of us,
will you?"

   "Nope," she said simply.  "I won't.  And you're next, babe.  Will you
come quietly or must we have another training session like the other night?"

   Karyn was taking her first puff on her cigarette.  "Don't be an ass,
Josh.  Come along willingly," she laughingly teased.  "It's really not so
bad."

   "I know," he admitted.  "After we talked on the phone yesterday, Kylee,
I decided to practice.  So I smoked at home last night."

   "You did?"  Both girls asked at once.

   Josh nodded.  "Yeah, I know how important it is to you that I smoke, Ky.
And I want to make you happy.  I really do."

   "How much, Josh?" Kylee asked.  "How much did you smoke?"

   "I only tried one cigarette.  I stole it from my mom.  That was a big
step," he groaned.  "I've always hated her cigarettes.  But I felt like if
I could smoke one of hers, it'd prove I can finally conquer my phobia."

   "And?"

   "And I did it," he said.  "It wasn't so bad; not really," he grinned.
"You were right about that, Ky.  I can't say I liked it.  Not exactly.  But
at least now I think I can learn to like it."

   Kylee was delighted.  She gave him a gentle kiss.  "Good boy, Josh.  Very
good!  You know there's a reward for doing that?  So maybe we can get
together after school.  You can demonstrate your smoking for me and I can
give you your prize.  You know what I'm talking about?"

   Karyn groaned.  "Oh my God!  You're going to do the nasty with Josh just
because he smoked a silly little cigarette?  I don't believe it!"

   Josh looked embarrassed.  Kylee just grinned.

   "Karyn, honey, I want Josh and me to be together.  But he knows that
won't happen unless he starts smoking pretty soon.  Once you settle in as a
smoker you'll understand."  She looked at her boyfriend.  "Josh, do you
want to smoke right here?  Right now?  With us?"

   He paled.  "Oh God, Ky, I'd be too embarrassed."  He looked around
nervously.  "Maybe when we're alone -."

   The blond girl giggled and retrieved another cigarette from her pack.  She
fired it up using the spent butt of her first one.  "Okay, Josh.  Let's go
right after school."  The second cigarette dangled from her lips as she
crushed out the first one.  "We can drive to your folks' cabin and do it
and be back by dinner.  What do you say?"

   "Uh, okay," he muttered.  He was embarrassed that Karyn was listening to
this exchange.  "Yeah, sure, I guess that'd be fine."

   Kylee giggled again.  She drew on her B&H.  "Josh, honey, don't be an
ass.  It'll be much more than just fine."  She winked at him and then at
Karyn.  Kylee never consciously began to exhale.  The smoke simply began to
escape as she talked.  "Babe, I'm gonna make you a bona fide smoker!  God,
your mom will love me for that, won't she?  And eventually so will you,
Josh.  You'll love me and you'll love smoking, too, by the time I'm done
with you!"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Vicki resolutely walked up to the third floor of the county government
building, the location of the County Health Department.  She glanced at her
watch.  It was one twenty nine.

   Randi greeted her.  "Hi, Ms. Bergen.  Dr. Bennett is in her office
waiting for you."

   "Thanks, Randi," Vicki smiled.  She walked into Alexis Bennett's
office.

   A tall statuesque brunette in her mid forties greeted her.  "Oh my!
It's Vicki.  Goodness, what a pleasant surprise!  To what do I owe this
unexpected visit?"

   "Knock off the bullshit, Alexis.  I'm here to ask you a favor.  I hope
you can help me."

   "Vicki, for you, anything.  You know how I feel about you, dear!"

   Vicki sat down across from her desk.  Alexis had a large ashtray on her
desk.  Like everyone else's in this universe, the ashtray was full of
cigarette butts.  As she thought about it she realized it made perfect sense.
Besides being a prominent Democrat Alexis was a physician.  And virtually all
doctors in this world had become smokers, especially the political ones.

   "Look, Alexis.  Your health department supervises most of the
immunization activities in the county.  Correct?"  Her friend nodded.
"That includes the Sheridan treatment.  Right?"  Another nod.  "Well, for
reasons I can't explain I need to be inoculated, or reinoculated, with the
Sheridan treatment as soon as possible.  I talked to my doctor's office and
they'll make me jump through too many hoops before they'll do it.  I
wondered if I can prevail upon you to give me the shot today?"

   Alexis sat stone-faced during Vicki's explanation.  She then smiled and
leisurely reached into her top desk drawer.  From it she extracted a gold and
green box of cigarettes.  She took one of the extraordinarily long
cork-tipped cigarettes from the box and put it in between her lips.  She
picked up an expensive lighter from the desk top.  Deliberately she lifted it
to touch the tip of her dangling cigarette.  With the push of a button a
flame jumped up.  She had ignition.

   "Vicki, honey, I hardly know what to tell you," Alexis said, exhaling
through a warm smile.  "God, you know how anal the feds are about all that
inoculation shit.  I can't give you another shot, honey.  And there's no
reason to.  I never heard of anyone needing a booster."

   "Alexis, I don't want to argue with you.  It's a favor; nothing more,
nothing less.  But I need that shot.  You have the stuff or can get it.  Can
you help me?"

   Alexis took another long leisurely drag on her 120 millimeter cigarette.
"Well, I could get in real trouble, you know," she observed with a clinical
but laid-back grin.  "I'm not your physician.  I shouldn't give you
medication you don't need."  She tipped her head back and exhaled.  "So,
Vicki, how do you propose to make it worth my while?"

   Vicki feared this.  Alexis was the consummate opportunist.  With her
everything was always about some quid pro quo.  She sighed.  "God, Alexis, I
don't know.  What can I do that'd make it worthwhile for you to help me out
with no questions asked?"

   Alexis gave a wicked grin and raised the 120 millimeter cork-tipped
cigarette to her lips.  "Now, now.  Shame on you, Vicki.  I thought you were
smarter than that.  God, honey, you know what I want from you.  It's the
same thing I've always wanted from you."

   Vicki was distracted because she suddenly realized she'd never before
seen a 120 millimeter cigarette with a cork tip like the one Alexis was
smoking.  And it smelled absolutely heavenly!  "Excuse me, Alexis.  But I
have to know.  What brand are you smoking?"

   "This?"  Alexis laughed.  "Why, it's the same brand you were
experimenting with the other day."  She picked up the long box and displayed
it.  "These are Saratoga 120s, dear, except mine are the menthol version."
Alexis put the cigarette in her mouth and took a lingering unhurried drag.
"I just _love_ the longer length of these things," she sighed.  She turned
her head and showed Vicki a profile exhale.  "They're so elegant."

   Vicki was fascinated.  "They're menthol?  Can I try one?"

   "Of course, dear," Alexis happily agreed.  "The other day you told me
that one of the other members on your smoking commission was smoking
non-menthol Saratogas.  That's why you bought yourself a pack to try.  But I
never heard how you liked `em."

   "They were fine," Vicki fibbed.  It was the Vicki from this world who
did it so of course she didn't know.  "But I'm thinking of switching back
to menthols," she added as she accepted one of the unlit super long
cork-tipped cigarettes from Alexis.  "I'd love to try one of these."

   "Be my guest," Alexis grinned.  And she waited.

   The long cigarette was in her mouth but Vicki realized she hadn't brought
anything with her.  "Damn," she muttered.  "I forgot my lighter!"

   "No problem, dear," Alexis cooed.  "Use mine."

   Vicki examined the gold implement now resting in her hand.  It looked so
elegant!  There was a tiny button on the side.  She pushed it.  Immediately a
tiny flame erupted from the hole on the top.  "God, this is really cool,"
she grinned self-consciously.  She gently touched the steady flame against
the tip of the long cigarette in her mouth.  She did her usual double-pump
while she gave the lighter back to Alexis.

   "Mm," she moaned.  "God, Alexis, these _are_ good!"

   "Of course, Vicki dear.  You know me.  Would I smoke anything that
wasn't good?"  Alexis laughed at her own joke and took another hit herself.
"I love these Saratoga 120s because they're so much longer.  And I love to
smoke longer," she added, batting her eyes.

   Vicki released a long satisfied exhale.  God!  She definitely _had_ to
switch back to menthols.  First Gina's Marlboro Menthols and now these!
"Gee, thanks, Alexis," she said as she turned her attention back to her
friend.  "Now, what was it you were saying before I got totally distracted
by your yummy long menthol cigarettes?"

   Alexis stretched lazily in her chair.  "I said I'd help you if you give
me something I crave.  It's the same thing I've always wanted, Vicki.  I
think you know what I'm talking about."

   "Oh my God!  You don't mean -?"

   Alexis cocked her head and smiled wantonly.  "Yeah, that's right, honey.
You know me.  And you know what I like.  I've always wanted to get you into
bed, Vicki.  You know that.  So just how much do you want me to bend the
rules and give you the Sheridan inoculation?"

   It was well known in Democratic circles that Dr. Alexis Bennett was a
vocal gay rights advocate.  People didn't know she was a confirmed lesbian.
A few years back she and Vicki went out for drinks one night and ultimately
Alexis tried to seduce her.  Vicki showed no interest that night but ever
since it'd been a standing joke between them.

   "God!  You're not serious, Alexis.  Are you?"

   "As serious as heart attack, honey," smiled the tall brunette.  She put
her Saratoga to her lips, wrapped them around the cork-tipped filter and
sucked hard.  "I've always wanted to have you, Vicki.  What the hell?  I
figure this may be my best chance."  She released staccato bursts of smoke
as she laughed.

   With shaking fingers Vicki raised her cigarette to her mouth.  She took an
unusually long drag.  "Alexis," she objected.  "God damn it!  I'm
married, for Christ's sake!  I'm no lesbian."

   "Yeah, I know.  Too bad," Alexis laughed wickedly.  "But know what?  I
figure there's always hope for poor straight girls like you, honey.  Who
knows?  Maybe a taste of female pussy will help you come around.  I can
always hope."  She manicured her cigarette in the ashtray.  "Those are the
terms, Vicki.  Take it or leave it.  I could get in a shit-load of trouble
giving a non-patient another inoculation.  Doctors get their licenses
suspended for less.  You could even turn me in."  She giggled.  "But not if
I have some dirt on you, honey!"

   Vicki thought.  Shit, she had to get the shot.  The longer she hung around
in this world the harder it'd be to ultimately quit smoking.  Another week
and she'd definitely be totally hooked.  She hit on her cigarette.  It
wasn't that she didn't enjoy smoking.  She did.  But she hated the thought
of suffering more than necessary when she returned home.

   "Well, we can't do it here and now," she lamely responded.  "I mean,
Christ, it's the middle of the business day!"  Then she brightened.  "But
how about if you give me the shot now and I agree to get together with you
later?"

   "No dice, honey," Alexis shook her head firmly.  "You'll just blow me
off later.  No, I want it now.  First we eat pussy; _then_ you get your
shot."  She laughed and hit hard on her Saratoga.  "Take it or leave it,
Vicki.  I don't fuckin' care."

   Vicki thought again.  Never in her life had she touched another woman.
Not the way Alexis wanted.  She shivered.  She was desperate.  "Okay,
Alexis.  You win.  How do you suggest we do this?"

   Alexis threw her head back and roared with laughter.  "Oh my God!  I
don't believe it!  This is fuckin' great."  She composed herself and
leaned forward.  "You have to get it today?  No questions?"  Vicki shook
her head.  "Okay.  A deal's a deal.  I'll go upstairs and get the vaccine.
My calendar's clear this afternoon.  I hope yours is, too."  She looked at
her watch.  "I'll meet you at my place at, say, three thirty?"

   Vicki again nervously drew on her cigarette.  If nothing else she knew the
stress she was feeling at that moment would increase her cigarette
consumption.  "Okay," she finally agreed.  "I'll do it.  But I won't
like it, Alexis.  And I don't appreciate you doing this to me.  God, I
thought we were friends!"

   "Oh, we are," Alexis answered with a syrupy smile.  "As you're about
to find out, honey, this is what friends are for!"

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