Susan heard a knock at her door as she was slipping on her bridal stockings. She threw on a robe and approached the door.
"Who is it?"
"It's Reed, Susan!" the voice of her ex-husband caried through. "I must talk to you!"
Susan rolled her eyes and opened the door enough to peer through. She glared at him.
"This is very important," Reed said, producing a handheld device. "I've detected some residual telepathic energy, originating from--"
"Enough, Reed, okay?" Susan said angrily. "Of course you're detecting telepathy from Heather. She's a telepath! And another thing: you're not going to win me back with your scientific double-talk, not anymore. You were always neglecting the children and
I for your endless experiments, and that's over now. You had your chance. I love Heather and we're getting married. Object all you want, it's not going to change how I feel!"
She shut the door in Reed's face and sighed, rubbing her temples. She didn't like to be so harsh, but Reed was becoming infuriating with his sudden interest in her. She walked over to her dressing table and picked up an opera-length cigarette holder. She
sat down and fitted a slender cigarette in the end and lit it up, breathing the wonderfully calming smoke in like a pro.
Susan had taken up smoking after she met Heather but before she'd divorced Reed. At first it was a way to simply annoy him, but she found she enjoyed the flavour and sensation of smoke. Not to mention her bald fiancee thought it was wickedly delightful.
She'd even given Susan this cigarette holder as an engagement gift!
A few more puffs and all was right with the world. She was feeling mellow and she couldn't wait to visit Titan on their honeymoon! She set down the holder as she continued to get dressed. Suddenly there was another knock at the door...