his traveling companions have a refreshing rest while he and Miss Jade began their briefing. "Let's adjourn to the memorial room, Jasmine," Dweeb instructed, relishing his initial use of her given name. "We'll have exclusive use of the dome for our rehearsals. All the regular tours have been postponed. Our currently registered guests will receive two nights of gratuitous lodgings as compensation for the inconvenience. They'll be issued vouchers reserving their places in the tours recommencing Wednesday morning. Imagine how excited they'll be to follow in your fair footsteps the very day after the program airs!"
Jasmine was thinking what an unmitigated snob the arrogant, little twerp was. Her hesitant expression was misinterpreted by the confident conniver as a simple case of nerves over the upcoming international event, which was certainly to be expected from an unsophisticated rural girl. "Now, now," Dweeb crooned comfortingly, lightly touching the same wiped palm on Jasmine's shoulder, briefly feeling the softness of her hair. "There's no need to be nervous." Miss Jade's spine stiffened at Dweeb's quick, calculated touch. The repulsed reaction wasn't noticeable. Her back was concealed by the plush curtain of shimmering hair flowing to within six inches of her knees. Jasmine watched to see if Dorky would inspect and wipe the hand again. She was ready to pounce if he did. He didn't. To her incredulous disgust, Dweeb actually sniffed his paw and panted, "That's an enticing perfume you're wearing, Miss Jade! It's unfortunate our technology has not yet advanced to the point of allowing us to air such a sultry scent in the program. Perhaps, that will be the next breakthrough in broadcasting."
For an instant Jasmine's eyes narrowed. Then they relaxed and she smiled. Dweeb almost whimpered. She didn't intend for the malicious grin to be seductive but a smile from Jasmine Jade was seldom taken any other way. "What you smell, Mr. Dorky, is shampoo. I buy it for a dollar a pint at a small store down the street. If you like its scent that much, I'll bring you a bottle tomorrow." Her explanation and offer caused Geek and Piercely to quickly cover two tight smiles.
Precious giggled at the sudden flush suffusing Dweeb's falling face. She then excitedly asked, "Mommie, can we get a bottle of that shampoo, too?"
Her unexpected question incited the four adults to break into spontaneous laughter. The tension between them slackened. Dweeb's howling laugh was forced. He silently thanked himself for having the foresight to bring Precious. "Yes!" Dweeb yipped. "I see you are a natural, Miss Jade. We couldn't have chosen a better representative. The public will been enamored by your straightforward personality. Of course, they already adore Precious." Dorky smiled at the younger Miss Tatts as he spoke the last phrase. She beamed at him. Dweeb gently patted Precious on the head in an avuncular fashion. The cunning executive had decided early on that the benefit of bringing Precious, in addition to the reasons he had proposed to Dr. Barker, was that she'd be the perfect prop for his foreseen program of
