"I, uh, I think Professor Hickman's in his office," Sandy said, moving behind the desk. She didn't touch the intercom. "He was working on something, I think, or maybe he was having a consultation with one of his students. I don't remember, but he didn't want to be disturbed. At least that's what he said, you know?" The skinny girl turned away and her shoulders twitched. She was trying not to laugh out loud. The bitch.

"That's all right," Joanne replied. "I really don't have time to wait. I don't even remember why I stopped by." She knew it sounded stupid but it was the only thing she could come up with. She went out the door, closed it not quite far enough for the door to latch, and she stood in the hallway a moment.

"Oh, fuck," the skinny girl said, "I think they're finished. And I wanted to listen in, too. Hey, maybe I can get my roommate's cassette recorder rid we can get them on tape. Be fun to play at parties? Is that really his wife? And she doesn't know about it? At all? My God, I don't believe it."

"Maybe she does know," Sandy said lazily. "Maybe she's frigid and lets him get his kicks when and where he can, y'know? Betcha a pair of pantyhose she was listening. Getting her jollies, huh? I've heard there are ladies who get off that way."

"Christ, don't ever let me be one of them!" the other girl laughed. "I do feel kinda sorry for her, though. I mean, if she doesn't know what's going on."

"To each her own," Sandy replied casually. "Have you got a cigarette? I'm all out." Joanne pushed the door completely shut, as quietly as she could. She went down the hallway, stumbling, angrily willing herself not to burst into tears, and she went out the door into the open air. The wind carried the scent of fresh flowers. It had started out to [missing text].