"Our Church would like to help you expand services to your corporate guests. Do you know the Church of Ishtar?"

"I'm not sure I follow you," Laura said carefully. "We at

Rizome consider religion a private matter."

"We Temple women believe in the divinity of the sexual act." Reverend Morgan leaned back in her bucket seat, strok- ing her hair with both hands. "The erotic power of the

Goddess can destroy evil."

The slogan found a niche in Laura's memory. "I see,"

Laura said politely. "The Church of Ishtar. I know your movement, but I hadn't recognized the name."

"It's a new name-old principles. You're too young to remember the Cold War." Like many of her generation, the reverend seemed to have a positive nostalgia for it the good old bilateral days. When things were simpler and every morn- ing might be your last. "Because we put an end to it. We invoked the Goddess to take the war out of men. We melted the cold war with divine body heat. " The reverend sniffed.

"Male power mongers claimed the credit, of course. But the triumph belonged to our Goddess. She saved Mother Earth from the nuclear madness. And She continues to heal society today."

Laura nodded helpfully.

"Galveston lives by tourism, Mrs. Webster. And tourists expect certain amenities. Our Church has come to an arrange- ment with the city and the police. We'd like an understanding with your group as well."

Laura rubbed her chin. "I think I can follow your reason- ing, Reverend."

"No civilization has ever existed without us," the reverend said coolly. "The Holy Prostitute is an ancient, universal figure. The Patriarchy degraded and oppressed her. But we restore her ancient role as comforter and healer."

"I was about to mention the medical angle," Laura said.

"Oh, yes," said the reverend. "We take the full range of precautions. Clients are tested for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes, as well as the retroviruses. All our temples have fully equipped clinics. Sexual disease rates drop dramatically wherever we practice our art-I can show you statistics. We also offer health insurance. And we guarantee confidentiality, of course."