What do you say? We orphans… we’ve got to stick together, eh?” Harry held out his hand and Patrick, with the slightest of smiles, shook it. Harr...y took in a deep breath.“You know,” Harry said, “there’s no point in sulking around this dull place. I hear there’s a dance tonight in the Great Hall; how about we go check it out?” Wiping his eyes with the handkerchief, Patrick smiled fully.“Sounds great,” he said with a much lighter voice. “James told me there might be a live band.”“Well, there’s only. .. Where is Julie?" I don't know. Probably being seduced by my brother."Ben's heart sank. Was his beautiful sister actually with Abel? Was he fucking her? He knew he had no right to be jealous but he couldn't help it. "I better go check up on her." And leave me here all alone?" Yvette pouted.Ben raised his body up and cupped her face. He leaned down to kiss her softly. Soon enough, they began to share a hot wet kiss.Abel offered Julie his hand. Julie took his hand and stared into his brown. Off to the side was a modern-enough kitchenette with a stove, fridge, microwave (sadly no dishwasher, though). ‘This is what ten thousand a year gets you?’ her dad started. Reema found the bright three-piece washroom. ‘I think it’s nice.’ He ignored her, though. Her mom said nothing. Her bedroom was a sizable one for what she expected. Single bed only, but there was a desk with plenty of workspace, a night table, and a nicely sized closet. Once inside it, Reema’s mom and dad went about. Planned obsolescence: every marketer's wet dream.The Ekasa gurus figured the music boys would love 'em to death for the idea. Sure, the public would get screwed, but they'd sell the new discs as much harder and scratch-resistant. When the CD's started warping years later? Oh, so sorry. But good news is they will disappear completely in few years -- good for environment, no?Some of our bunch were a little ticked about helping them pull off a scam like that, and it took a lot of talking around.