It was hard for me to tell because of that bored attitude of hers, but I got the impression that she was gradually coming over to my side. I don't say it immodestly, since the competition was hardly tough. Old Lizzie couldn't attract much, and she certainly would have trouble attracting something as special, such a gourmet taste as Lizzie, who was strictly hamburger if I can extend the metaphor a moment.

Lizzie too, I think, was starting to get with the realities of the situation. She was less and less interested in Cindy Lou, or that is to say she was getting more and more philosophic and less seductive. Maybe the drinking helped a little too.

I finally got seated on the couch with Cindy Lou. She yawned.

"Feeling tired, darling?" I said to her, leaning close to look her in the face. And such a sweet, adorable face it was too, I thought.

"No, not really… a little bit, I suppose," she said languidly.

Bored again, I thought. But not in any nasty way, as if to tell the two of that we were boring. No, it was more in that self-pitying adolescent way that bemoans the lack of excitement for a teenager in this day and age.

I got closer to her and put an arm around her shoulders. They were such nice shoulders. Such very slim but soft, adorable shoulders. I thought to myself.

She glanced up at me and batted her lashes. I thought she was going to smile at me but I was a bit mistaken on that. That was all right. There was no hostility in the girl, none at all. And I was thinking that if she was bored there was one way I knew would excite the girl. At least, that is, if she was human. If she had any feelings, and had all the usual equipment that a young lady has.

"Poor girl," I said, winking at Lizzie. "I guess you had a very long day today. I bet you'd like to lie down and rest for a little while."

She shrugged her shoulders. I moved my hand down and rubbed her bare arm.