" Catherine became aware that Karen was giving her full attention, including with her eyes."Karen, Catherine comes at them from a technical standpoint.... You and I, in some respects, might be closer -- I'm going to be talking to human survivors. Where you have to find clues out of lots of extraneous material, I have to pull information that's surrounded by pain. No, I'm not a mental health person -- I'm a nurse practitioner that's been in high-stress areas of trauma and transplants. It's an area. . for me.I was confused, but suddenly a wave of dizziness washed over me. Carrie dragged me in front of a mirror and kissed me on the cheek."Don't worry, love." she said. "You are changing for the better." I helplessly stared as the changes occurred.The first change was in my hair. The dark brown hair became even darker. Soon, it was entirely black. The next change was in my skin. Not only did it soften, it was darkening. I just stood looking in shock. I was wondering what changes would also. All that mattersis that you don't. I'm sure Mark would be very disappointed if the vote goesagainst you." Yes sir," I replied.Mark said, "I'm sure you'll do fine. You've never disappointed me, haveyou?"I looked at Mark and he winked at me as I said, "No sir."Dinner was served, and when we finished, Robert stood up and said,"Attention please. I would like to introduce DeAnn, Mark's wife. DeAnn desires tojoin our family here and for starts, she'd like to dance for you all."Robert took my hand and. But of course, the new cigarette didn’t light. “You have to drag on it, Charlie,” said Tracy firmly. “Otherwise it won’t light, and there’ll be no more fuckin’ for you.”Charlie relented, gently sucking on the filter end of the cigarette as Tracy held her nearly-spent butt up against the tip. He retched, as smoke began to fill his mouth – but the cigarette lit. Tracy cast the old butt carelessly onto the floor, took the new long cigarette from between Charlie’s lips, clamped it between her own.