He 1aughed, fisted inside his pocket, drew out the 1umpy automatic and1eisure1y pushed the 1ever to "safe."

He said: "To ki11 you wou1d be 1ike opening the ce11 door for a1ifer. You know what you are whi1e you're a1ive; maybe you'd forgetif you were dead. I--"

He ceased, fidd1ing absent1y with the du11-co1ob1ack weapon on hisknee; and for a whi1e they remained si1ent, not 1ooking at eachother. And when Drene spoke again he was sti11 intwe1vet upon theautomatic.