The dining room was set up the same way it was the night before, with the candelabra and background music. This time the linen was green. It was almost the same color as the prodding fingers that Beenan had produced earlier. The table was set to accommodate twelve people. Kirby always like to have a place or two for last minute guests. He had also placed two nice floral arrangements on the table, to give it some color. Three electric, warmer plates were in various spots on the table, ready for the arrival of Kirby^'s hot meal. The shorter chairs were in place for the Ehesti, and the silver tray was already in the center, filled with everything the Ehesti enjoyed to eat. Allen went out to make sure everyone was gone and to lock the doors. There was still plenty of light flowing in from the late summer sun. Allen heard a funny noise, coming from the stage area. He went over to check it out.

No one seemed to be around, until his eye caught the toe of a shoe, sticking out from inside the podium. Okay, who is in the podium, he asked? A young reporter, named Ralph, slowly emerged. Allen wasn't sure what to expect from this kid. He looked familiar from having been in the audience earlier. He had a small disc camera in one hand and some unidentifiable black object in the other. Allen thought for a moment, it might be a gun. The kid stood up. The black object was a small tape recorder. Allen was relieved. His name was written on the name tag that everyone had to wear on their shoulder. He didn't look much older than twenty and he looked petrified. Trying to get some inside photos, asked Allen? You had better go, before I report you for trespassing. Ralph never said a work. He just grabbed his camera and left in a hurry, slamming the outside door behind him. Allen chuckled to himself. I had better make a more thorough check, he thought, there could be others hiding. This time he went around the room opening all the cupboard doors and closets. He even looked under things, just to make sure. He was pretty sure the place was clean and decided to get back to the group in the dining room.

Everyone was gathered around the bar. Cliff was pouring nine small glasses of red wine. The girls were chatting with Beem. Beenan and Bo were over by the table, admiring the layout. The smell of cooking beef, did not particularly appeal to them, but they adjusted, to accommodate their hosts.

Toast time, said Cliff. The Ehesti did not drink of course, but they did not mind participating in the ritual. Let's drink to this trip to Balenn with Kelly, said Beenan. Do you suppose someone else could come along, asked Kelly? There was a noticeable silence, while the Ehesti communicated telepathically. What about it, asked Beem, still in telepathy? We might as well ask all of them to come along, said Beenan. It wouldn't be fair otherwise. We could have everything ready to support nine people by tomorrow morning. We could stay there after it is over, said Bo. Maybe not, said Beenan. I have been reading Allen's thoughts lately, and it seems they have an extravagant welcoming ceremony planned for two days from now. We should be here for that, don't you think? Sounds all okay to me, said Beem. I don't mind staying a few more days. They went back to their voices.

We will have to prepare a life support system regardless of who comes, said Beem, so you might as well all come along, if you like. Far out, shouted Cliff. I'll toast to that. Everyone was smiling in anticipation of their upcoming adventure, while they toasted the idea. I feel like jumping up and down with joy, said Sarah. I was hoping to get this chance. Marie was a little less enthusiastic, but she didn't want to miss out on anything else. Kirby never thought he would be asked to go, so this was a surprise to him also. He gave a big smile and clicked glasses with Cliff to toast it. Everyone else followed Kirby's example and they all touched glasses. Well, who does not want to come for the ride, asked Beem? When do we go and when will be get back, asked Marie? We will have to spend the better part of this evening preparing, so how about if you all be here at nine a.m. tomorrow and we will leave then. The trip should take most of the day.

Dinner is served, interrupted Kirby. Everyone migrated to the dinner table. Kelly, you might as well sit next to me over here, said Marie, there is an empty place here. There were four empty places at the huge table, but Kelly sat next to Marie anyway, assuming Marie wanted to talk to her. This time the soup was vegetable. Kirby was crazy about mushrooms, so it was vegetable soup "a la champignon." He set the bowl down on one of the warmer plates. Before now, all his concentration was on his big fancy meal, but now that seemed unimportant, compared to what was in store for them tomorrow. He wondered if he would have to do all the cooking on that trip too. Everyone was starved, so there was a silent moment in the dining room, while everyone dug in.

Aren't you scared about going to Balenn tomorrow, whispered Marie to Kelly? Just a little, said Kelly, this is a voyage no one else on this planet may get to experience for many, many years. Sometimes you have to overcome your fear and just do it. You'll be okay, smiled Kelly, I will keep an eye on you. Marie and Kelly had only known one another for a few minutes, but already they felt like good friends. Marie was glad that Kelly seemed to be a strong person, she could rely on. She knew that Kelly hadn't transposed yet either, so they would experience it together. Sarah was a good friend, but she wasn't to patient with Marie's sheepish nature. Kelly seemed more understanding. Marie felt a little more reassured and her appetite came back, so she dug in too. She had led a sheltered life and was brought up with a strong fear of the unknown.

We will be constructing a life support system, similar in size to one of your mobile homes, said Bo. It will be transparent mostly, for good visibility and it will even have its own water and food supply built in. We have brought many other visitors to Balenn over the decades, said Bo and we are quite prepared to accommodate you. Please dress in loose, comfortable clothes when you return tomorrow. After dinner, we will try to prepare you mentally for the experience.

Kirby brought out the main course of roast beef in a mint sauce. The aroma of the meat was not pleasant to the Ehesti, although they did not say anything. They tried a few of the vegetables though and seemed to enjoy them. It looked so strange to Kelly, seeing these big eight foot Sasquatch eating hardly enough to feed a bird. They must eat something else that I'm not aware of, she thought. She was going to comment, but Kirby looked like he was going to say something, so she stayed quiet. I hope you guys will try the dessert, said Kirby. It is raspberry delight and I know you guys like berries. Sounds great, said Beem. Cliff and Allen were enjoying the beef immensely. The girls were eating as well, but not as avidly. They did not want to offend the Ehesti, by eating meat in front of them and they did not want to offend Kirby, by not eating his delicious meal. Kelly sensed the conflict the girls were having, with doing the right thing, but she didn't care. She enjoyed the food and she was going to eat all she could. The room became silent again, for a few moments. Everyone seemed to stop talking, at the same time as the music stopped to change tunes.

When did you stop eating meat Bo, asked Cliff? There is nothing wrong with eating meat or even dirt, if you wish, said Bo, but when we evolved past the point of requiring food, we gave up meat, insects, most vegetables, etc. The desire is not in us to eat, as it is in you. There is no such thing as mealtime, in Balenn. In our Balenn forms, we do not consume food at all. Meat was the first of the foods we stopped eating in these Ehesti bodies. We love and communicate with nearly all animal and oceanic life forms. To eat them also, would put a strain on our friendship, don't you think? Could you kill and eat your dog or even a cow, if you could talk to it and carry on a discussion with it? This is a very controversial subject, said Bo. What we choose to do is not necessarily the right thing for you to do. There is much emotion generated by the controversy, everything organic becomes food sooner or later, to another life form. If your talking dog or cow dies in an accident, you would bury it rather than eat it. You would let the worms and rodents eat your pet, but not yourselves. A strange set of values, don't you think?

Cliff did not answer. He did not know what to say. Many of his friends were already vegetarians and coaxing him to become one too, so he was used to that kind of talk, but coming from wise beings, like these Ehesti, put a little more value on that opinion, to Cliff. He pushed away the rest of his meat plate. I think I can take it or leave it, when it comes to eating meat, said Cliff. You made some good points though. I didn't mean to spoil your meal, said Bo. Go ahead and enjoy it. You can change your ways later, on a more slow, but progressive scale.

Everyone had pretty well finished their roast beef, feeling somewhat life Cliff, having been subjected to the vegetarian philosophy many times before. Kirby, being the perfect host, anticipated the mood, when he overheard the conversation. He quickly brought out the raspberry delight. He sang a little jingle he made up, as he carried out the dessert, oh, what a night, the sky is still bright. There's no meat for sure, in my raspberry delight. Everyone chuckled and watched him gracefully serve everyone. Beam took the first bite. Very good, he smiled at Kirby. Bo and Beenan tried it too. Beenan did not seem too enthusiastic, but Bo and Beem, who were developing a sweet tooth, were delighted. They had learned from previous experience in these Ehesti bodies, that eating too much had a strange effect on them. They also felt bad, thinking that they had put a damper on everyone's enjoyment of the meal with their comments.

Bo and Beem felt they could make amends by eating all the dessert at least. They ate it all. This was the most food they had eaten, since arriving on earth. They knew it would mostly be converted to solid waste, as it passed through them, but they ate anyway. You guys are like kids with candy, said Beenan. I hope you are ready for the consequences. Transposing on a full stomach can produce some weird effects. You both know that? We know, said Beem. It is just this once. I wonder if you will be up to returning to Balenn with me this evening as planned, with your full stomachs. Oh sure, said Beem, we'll be alright. Beenan grabbed a date and nibbled on it, but he wasn't smiling much.

Let's return to the den, suggested Allen. The quarantine is lifted, so we can use the living room again and the rest of the house. Allen re-opened the doors that were locked for the show earlier. The house was in surprisingly good shape, for the amount of people who were here, he thought to himself, except for this. He stopped next to the Banana tree that was growing in the hallway. Someone had broken three branches off of it. He picked up the broken branches and took them with him, to the garbage chute. I hope the Crowley's will forgive this, he thought. He headed back to the living room and intercepted Kirby on the way. They almost pulled a three stooges act, trying to both get through the living room door at the same time. The girls grabbed their coffees and took them with them. The living room was the sunniest room in the house and eventually everyone wound up there. The chairs  were in all directions. Most of the room was pretty messy, except for the front row and the stage area. Allen tapped the microphone to see if it was still on. It wasn't. I forgot to tell you guys, he said, but one ambitious, young reporter hid in the podium after the show ended. He wanted to get some candid shots of you Ehesti and maybe some juicy dialogue too. He took off in a hurry when I spotted him. Oh, to be young again, said Beem.

The girls sat in the first row and everyone else sat on the edge of the stage. Randy had left quite a while ago, before supper and Cliff was in the kitchen cleaning up. Everything was in the dishwasher, so he poured himself some coffee and joined the group in the living room. I guess we can put everything away now that the interview is over, asked Kirby? Yes, replied Allen, I don't think we will be having any more interviews in here anyway. There were too many of them here, said Allen. That episode at coffee break wouldn't have happened with a smaller group. Besides, if we had one more meeting like that, in this room, it would ruin the carpet. Someone broke branches off the banana tree also. I like smaller crowds, where you can keep an eye on everyone.

Would you guys mind transposing the stage back downstairs, he asked the Ehesti? Not right now, said Bo. We have seen the difficulties caused when we transpose with a full stomach. It is better to wait three or four hours or do it in the morning. How serious is over eating with you guys, asked Cliff? Not much different then when you over eat, answered Beem. We become sluggish and all our senses are not as acute. Most times, transposing on a full stomach is eventless, but thirty percent of the time, something happens. Like what, asked Cliff? Sometimes the entire object will not re-assemble properly or will not disassemble properly in the beginning.

There was one time, when Beenan and I were on Stalor 3 in the Stalor system, about 5000 light years from here. We had met and befriended some of the life forms there, as we are doing now. Most of their ceremonies centered around a meal also. They are a very slim type of people. It looked like they were very slim eaters, until we sat down for a meal with them one day. The variety and amount of food they prepared was unbelievable. They produced some of the most artistic meals I have ever seen. They ate heavily too, as you people do. We agreed to try some of their foods, in particular, the fruit called "whob." It is very tasty, so we ate more than we should have. When it came time to leave, we found we could not. The Stalor people were very gracious and entertained us for three or four hours, your time, until we were fit to travel again. It was a very embarrassing lesson for us. Since then, we have made it a practice to eat only slightly, to be hospitable and not at all, when we are at home or alone. We do not need to eat to survive, as you do. Maybe it was just the effects of the "whob" plant, asked Kirby? No, it has occurred again, with other Ehesti on other systems. It is common to all of us, and all food, replied Beem. Cliff was busy jotting down notes. Boy, he said, I thought you guys were perfect, with no weaknesses at all.

You can call it a weakness, I suppose, said Bo, but it is our so called weaknesses that motivate us. Our weakness for various aromas, will take us to various planets, where they exist. Our weakness for beautiful colors, lovable life forms, curious activity and tasty foods, all motivate us to visit the places where these things exist. Without our weaknesses, the only motivating force to travel, would be seeking out new knowledge and that can get quite boring, after a while. Beenan broke in. I guess you two are not quite ready to come to Balenn with me, to prepare for tomorrow, so I guess I'll have to go alone, Sorry Beenan, said Bo. I don't feel like taking the chance myself, what about you Beem, asked Bo? Do you think you will really need us there, asked Bo? It's not that, said Beenan. By eating all you did, you as much as told me that I had to go to Balenn. Not much freedom of choice there. You’re right of course, said Beem. I'll go in your place. I don't think the food will affect me. No, replied Beenan abruptly, I don't want to take any chances. Besides, I'm a better diplomat than you. Okay, I'm off. No more procrastinating. See you all in the morning.

Within two seconds, Beenan faded into thin air. We will have to make this up to him somehow, said Beem to Bo. If he was human, I would fix him his favorite meal, said Kirby. Where has he gone and what will he be doing all night, asked Kelly? He is back on Balenn right now I think, said Beem. He has to inform everyone of your arrival. Special preparations have to be made, not only in your life support vehicle but also everyone who wants to be visible to you, had to make the necessary metabolic changes internally, otherwise you would see nothing. Those who are tour guides and hosts, have to adapt as well.

Just as you have your favorite Master of Ceremonies, like Ed Sullivan and Oprah, we have one called Bishop. He is a delightful personality and I hope he gets the job. He speaks English well and has a nice way about him. The hosts we have, not only need to know the languages of earth, but many more, from other galaxies, as well. Bishop speaks more than fifty thousand languages, when we are out visiting other planets he stays home and learns another language. We do not prepare for your visit, the same way we would prepare for a visit from someone from Stalor or Rhimus. Every species requires different preparations. You have gone to quite a bit of trouble to accommodate us here on earth, so we will be only too happy to prepare a warm and enjoyable visit for you. There will be much color and glitter. Some of our friends from other systems will probably participate too. Most of what you see will be filmable. To see the Ehesti, as we really are; is not possible with human eyes, so the show will be a two part show. The first half will be physical and second half astral. That is our usual format.

Bo interrupted. Now that you know so much about us, tell us a little more about yourselves, and about your home life. What about you Kelly? When you are not a reporter, like today, what do you do? Kelly hesitated for a moment. Reporters don't all live a glamorous life, like Lois Lane or Walter Cronkite. Most of us live a routine life, with few events. Those that we do get to report on are usually sad or tragic events. There is nothing glamorous about that. My personal life at home is not much different. I lead a simple life, by your standards, she replied. I have a husband and two teenage children. We visit grandma and go to the park now and then. My work takes up most of my time.

What about you Marie, asked Beem, how do you live? I lead a pretty sheltered life, she said. My husband and I don't go out much. I watch television a lot and like Kelly, I spend most of my time at work. I also have a hobby that is kind of silly. I make trick toys. What do you mean by trick toys, asked Cliff? You know trick toys, like teeth that chatter, cards that won't deal, lopsided dice, etc. I don't manufacture them; I just think up new ideas and try them out. My husband has a small machine shop and he makes up the test models that I think up. I am on very friendly terms with most of the toy manufacturers. They are always looking for new ideas. We have made numerous failures along the way, like the dancing popcorn ball. It is a ball made of aluminum. It was cut into two interlocking halves. You fill it with popcorn and hang it by a chain, over an open or gas fire. When the popcorn starts to pop, the ball was supposed to dance over the fire, but it didn't work. The ball was too heavy. My inventions don't always work. If they work well, then I sell them. I invented the cards that won't deal. Here try these.

Marie handed Cliff a deck of cards that looked normal enough, until he tried to deal them. They would not come off the pile. Here, let me show you, said Marie, she took the deck from Cliff and started to deal. They all dealt out with no problems. She gathered them back together and gave them back to Cliff. Now you try again, she said. They still would not slide off one another. Try dealing left handed now, said Marie. Sure enough, that was the secret. It was awkward for Cliff to deal left handed, being a right handed person, but he managed. He was amazed at how easily each card slid off the deck. He tried them right handed again. They wouldn't slide. He had to lift off each card. He tried again left handed and sure enough they worked. They were left handed cards only. Everyone chuckled. What else have you invented, asked Bo?

Marie gathered up the cards and pulled out a small round red ball. This is the accelerator ball. It has a small weight inside it that spins from a small motor and energy cell. Watch what happens when I throw it against a hard object. She threw it on the hallway floor. It took off and hit the wall and then the other wall and then up to the ceiling and back down again, not bouncing in opposite angles like it should, but seemingly selecting its own angle. When it hit the carpet in the living room, it finally stopped. It landed near Kirby, so he picked it up to examine it. It was no bigger than the ball used to play "jacks." He took the ball out to the kitchen, where there was no carpet or soft surface to stop it. He tossed it lightly at the wall. It bounced and hit the floor. It hit the east wall on its way up from the floor and immediately headed for the west wall. It hit the picture hanging on the west wall, but didn't break it. It bounced erratically in all directions. Kirby tried to catch it, but it never bounced where he expected it to. He finally figured out the bounce angle and he caught it. It seemed to want to jump out of his closed hand. The reason a bouncing effect eventually stops in a normal ball, is because the angle it bounces is the same as when it was thrown, so it has to overcome the same amount of gravity with only the energy produced by the bounce, said Marie. This ball, when it bounces, comes out of the bounce at twice the angle it was thrown. The spinning weight causes this effect. Because the bounce angle is double, only half of the amount of gravity has to be overcome. With less gravity to overcome, the energy from the bounce is transferred into acceleration, so the ball now actually gains speed with every bounce. It will continue to do that, until it hits something soft like the carpet. I have tried to sell it, but the toy manufacturers say it is too dangerous. I suppose if you threw it hard into a small concrete room with no soft areas for it to slow down on, it would eventually destroy itself. The impact would get so forceful it would smash itself up. We have been trying to think of some practical use for it, but so far no idea. That's fantastic, said Cliff, may I look at it? Marie tossed it to him. He felt its intent to bounce right out of his hand.

Do you have any more of your trick toys with you, asked Kirby? Just one more, said Marie, as she brought out of her handbag a small vase, about 125 mm long and 50 mm wide. It looked very delicate and had Chinese etchings engraved all around it. On the bottom it said "Ming Dynasty." She passed it around so everyone could examine it. Well, this sure doesn't look like a toy to me, said Allen. This looks like an expensive piece of china. He rolled it around in his hand, admiring the beautiful artwork. I can't possibly see how this could be a trick toy. He handed it to Beem and Bo. Beem and Bo, with their super vision, could see a jigsaw type pattern, barely visible to them, in the vase. They did not say anything about it, because they knew that the others could not see it, without a magnifying glass. What is the trick, asked Cliff?

Marie got up and set the vase on the edge of a shelf, about two meters above the floor. While everyone was watching, she pretended to slip and knocked the beautiful vase on the floor, where it smashed into hundreds of tiny pieces. Oh no, everyone moaned. Beem smiled, as it dawned on him, what was happening. He had seen this life form before. Allen noted how it smashed into tiny fragments, instead of random sized pieces. Cliff was going to help Marie pick up the pieces. He couldn't help but laugh, because it was obvious to him, that Marie had deliberately broken the vase. You'll never glue that back together in a million years, he laughed. Marie smiled and didn't say anything. She used her hands to brush all the pieces into one pile. She asked Kirby if he could bring her about two liters of water in a bowl. Kirby complied. Marie put the bowl on the floor and began picking up the pieces of the vase and putting them in the bowl. Kelly and Sarah went over to help her. Within minutes they had all the pieces in the bowl of water.

Marie left the bowl of water on the floor and suggested that everyone watch carefully. Each tiny fragment of the broken vase began to move around as if alive; seeking out the piece it was to stick to and welding itself to it. This went on for about ten minutes, until the entire base was welded back to its original shape. Marie then took the vase out of the water. You could still see the lines where the pieces joined, but as it dried, the lines slowly disappeared. Well I'11 be tongue tied, said Cliff, in amazement. This is without a doubt, the neatest toy of all; a vase that is programmed to re-assemble itself. Once she was sure the vase was dry enough, Marie passed it around for everyone to inspect again. Allen examined it closely. He was still able to see the lines dividing each piece. I'll bet this has something to do with magnetism he said. He pulled out his keys to see if they were drawn to the vase, they didn't move. Obviously it's not magnetic. He handed the vase to Bo. Judging by your smile earlier, I assume you know the answer, said Marie. We were able to see the lines before you did the trick, said Bo. I suspect you are using the crustacean life form here, similar to your corral reefs.

That is it, said Marie. Every piece is alive, as in a corral reef. We were able to program their DNA to form this vase shape. As a pigeon flies home, so do these crustaceans swim home, when they are submerged in water. The vase is made from the corral reef, called Skue. Skue reefs are white in color and in their natural habitat underwater they grow with protruding tentacles, like any other corral. If you break a piece off however, the broken piece finds its way back to the original reef and re-cements itself. You can find this Skue reef, off the coast of eastern Australia. Your hobby is sure an interesting and entertaining one, said Allen. If we are all going to Balenn in the morning, I guess we should go home and get some sleep. Who is going to sleep, said Kelly? I'll be so excited about our trip, I doubt if I'll fall asleep very easily. The girls began to exit, grabbing their purses and umbrellas. Allen also carried a large black umbrella. It was no fun getting caught in a surprise rain storm. The girls left together and went to their respective cars. All three of them drove little compact cars. Kelly’s was the most expensive. It was a company fleet car. They beeped their horns as they pulled out of the estate. Traffic was light that late in the evening, so they all got home earlier than expected. The weather was still beautiful and it looked good for tomorrow too.

Allen stayed behind to help Cliff and Kirby clean up the living room, before going home. They were able to each carry four folding chairs at one time, so it went pretty smoothly. Do you think you could move the stage back downstairs now Bo and Beem? It's been quite a while since you ate. Sure, no problem, said Beem. Allen and Cliff moved everything off the stage, while Bo and Beem went back to their transposing spot which they had used to bring the stage up. They sat quietly and concentrated. Poof, the stage and Ehesti were gone and just as quickly re-assembled back in the basement as though they had never moved. It was dark down there, so they weren't sure whether they had done it properly. After a few seconds had passed, their eyes adjusted to the light. It was a little more difficult without Beenan working with us, don't you think, asked Bo? I noticed that too, replied Beem, it seemed like I was carrying a heavier load. It looks like we've done it though, said Beem. Shall we return upstairs? Bo looked around them carefully. It doesn't quite seem square, he said, but I don't think it is noticeable.

They got up and went back upstairs. They had forgotten about the edge trim and that did not go. It was still upstairs, lying on the living room floor. Bo laughed. If Beenan was here he would blame this on the food we ate. Cliff and Allen took the trim downstairs manually and nailed it back on. Sorry about that, said Beem. Beenan must have been the one to transpose the trim originally, because I never even knew it was there. We'll have it all back to normal in a jiffy, said Allen. The trim was only 100 mm wide and it wrapped around the front and side of the stage. It covered up a seam in the plywood also. It's been a long time since I've used a hammer and nails, said Allen, attempting to start up a conversation. Before he finished saying the word nails, he hit his finger with the hammer. He knew he had about thirty seconds before it would start to hurt. The basement washroom was only ten meters away, so he dashed in there, trying to get some cold water on his finger before the pain set in. He was a few seconds late, but the ice cold water numbed the pain almost immediately. Sorry about this delay, he said politely to Cliff. No problem. I've finished up anyway. Allen's finger wasn't too bad. He favored it, while they put away the tools. When the work was finally all done, Allen grabbed his umbrella and hat and made a hasty departure. Cliff and Kirby decided to have a snack before retiring.

Meanwhile, on Balenn, Beenan was busy talking with everyone preparing for the visit. Beenan had seen the 'Walt Disney movie "Alice in Wonderland" while studying from the computers and knowing how popular a show it was, tried to work in some similar interesting characters. His thoughts were on the Cheshire cat, the card people and the Un-birthday party. He thought to himself, a party atmosphere might go off good, but he didn’t want to make it too phony. Beenan had already transferred his experiences into the main storage; so many others were beginning to share his thoughts by now, especially about Alice in wonderland.

They all thought it was a marvelous idea, but they wanted to duplicate the movie, which would entertain them alright, but it would be a re-run for their guests. They decided on using the main theme of Alice in wonderland, using different but parallel characters. There would be more song, dance and characters just as weird. Everyone was enthusiastic and full of excitement. Those who had not been to main storage recently were encouraged to do so and join in with the festivities. Ideas began surfacing. Soon they had a fabulous show put together, that would not only entertain the visitors, but themselves as well.

Beenan left the planning and engineering to his friend Aries and transposed, back down to earth. Before he returned to earth though, he transposed himself to the planets Vilos and Gleo, to make final preparations there. Part of the show would be put on by people from Gleo. Another part of the show would involve a journey to the planet Vilos. They would meet with the Vilosian people also. The Ehesti had been on the best of friendly terms with both of these planets for thousands of years.

Your back, said Bo. Everything go well? Very well, Beenan replied; even you and Beem should be pleased with tomorrow's show. Everyone is working on it now. It will, I'm sure, be super, he grinned. I see you moved the stage without me. Did the trim transpose? No, it didn't, said Bo. That must have been part of your efforts that we overlooked. Or, you were still too full, snickered Beenan. Beem laughed. We knew you would blame it on the food somehow Beenan. You can be quite predictable sometimes. Perhaps you are right, said Beenan. I do tend to harp on things. I seem to recall an incident or two on Vilos one day, where you insisted you were right about seeing the spheres shatter. I was wrong of course, but you never let me forget it. In fact, you could call that, super-harping, don't you think? Beem looked kind of sheepish. Touché, he replied. Beenan didn't say anymore on the subject.

I see the girls and Allen have gone. If all goes well, we should have an interesting day tomorrow in Balenn. I was hoping you and Bo would keep your Sasquatch forms and travel with our visitors, in their life support sphere. I will be free then to direct the others. It will seem kind of strange traveling through our own planet and not in our normal form, but it should be fun. Sounds like a good plan to me, said Bo. Sure, I'll go along with that, said Beem. I know there will be quite a show; and to see it through the eyes of a Sasquatch should be fun. We'll be able to enjoy smells and sounds that we wouldn't in our Balenn form, said Bo. It will be interesting to visit Vilos too, in our Ehesti bodies, I have never experienced their gravity pull or their surface temperature. I've made arrangements with Bishop also, said Beenan. He will be with us for the entire show.

Beenan went to see what Bo and Beem were up to. They were both standing in front of the west window, watching the sun set. I guess it won't be long now and we can leave this planet for a while, said Bo. Yes, I'll kind of miss this time and the people. It will be nice to be back with my family, said Bo. When we get back, I'll introduce you to some of them. There are forty of us, who are of the same family and house. You'll find most of us around the homing device on Region 12. Most of us have visited the required number of systems to belong to the mid-way group. I think I have seen some from your family, at the meeting. I am the only one from our family that has visited earth in this time space. There will be lots of stories to tell. You don't suppose we will be reprimanded for getting so involved, do you, asked Bo? Beenan interjected. If you do, just send them to me. I am the one who put you guys up to this. I will be glad to take full responsibility. I might even come back here myself again one day. I have been refusing to answer many questions, especially those on religions and sex, so maybe in the future I might come back and try to explain those touchy subjects. I'm not sure I'm even qualified on those subjects, said Beenan. We should send someone like Bishop to take care of those topics. I suppose if I spent a little more time at main storage and Region One, than I could do it. It's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it, joked Beem. Beenan laughed. He knew he was taking himself too seriously. It takes a guy, like you, to set the right perspective, said Beem. I hope you will think to invite me, when that time comes, said Beem. I might enjoy a return visit myself. Besides, where else can we get chocolates like these?

I know where I am going after this trip, said Bo. I'm going to spend more time on Rhimus. That sounds like not a bad idea, said Beem. When would you be thinking of leaving? As soon as all the commotion is over with this visit, etc. I'll not be using this life form though, instead, I think I will go two dimensional. Rhimus has smells and sounds that these bodies can't process. I might take on the appearance of some earth characters that I have learned about recently. Like whom, asked Beenan? Maybe Mickey Mouse or Goofy, answered Bo. Have you ever heard of anyone getting mad at Goofy? Bo took on the face of Goofy for a few seconds. Beem laughed. Why not, maybe I'll go as Tinker Bell. All of life is a masquerade anyway, for us, said Beenan. That sounds like fun for here, but who on Rhimus is going to recognize Goofy or Tinker Bell? No one, I guess, said Beem, however, if they get to know us in those forms, we could start a whole new ball game. There would than be a connection between Rhimus and earth and who knows, maybe they will get to know one another over the centuries. That's not a bad idea, said Beenan; those Disney characters represent fun, laughter, respect, love, etc; all the good things about humans. An alien, showing up on earth disguised as a Disney character, would not be feared even as much as us, in these forms. I think we have struck on something here, said Beenan; that could change even our future.

Beem and Bo woke up at about the same time. Bo could smell the coffee percolating. His room was almost directly above the kitchen. This was probably the last night he was going to spend in that room, so he sat on the bed and absorbed every detail, as they did prior to moving the stage. This time it was not to move anything, but to establish a good mental fix on the spot if ever he or anyone else from Balenn wanted to follow his co-ordinates. He thought of how he and his friends might show up at anytime in the future, materializing in the Crowley Mansion. They would have to tip toe in and out of the house. Soon, so many people would see them coming and going, that the people might rename it the Sasquatch Estate. No, this is silly, he thought to himself, but if they could get the University to buy this place, than it might be a good landing co-ordinate in the future. He would talk to Beem about it, he thought. Beem was feeling better than anyone in the group. He was never to keen on earth people; from earlier experiences. He was glad to be leaving. He preferred life with the animals and birds up in the mountains, to anything the humans had to offer. This visit had made him see humans in a more favorable light though.

The first vehicle could be heard pulling up outside. It was Allen. He parked his car and hurried up the stairs. Cliff let him in. Boy that coffee smells good, he said, as he headed straight for the kitchen. Kirby was in the kitchen nibbling on the bacon. You are early today, said Kirby. Yes, replied Allen. Kirby handed him a piece of well done bacon. I came early mostly because I couldn't sleep. I was in bed, but my mind didn't want to sleep, if you know what I mean? I do indeed, replied Kirby. All I could think of, all night, were thoughts like; how will I act if we are introduced to their King or leader? Do they shake hands? What if they ask me some difficult questions that make me look stupid? It sounds like we shared the same dream, said Allen. I hope it will all go smoothly and we get plenty of film. Boy, you talk about becoming a star overnight? After today we'll all be famous. After today, I'll be a little sad, said Kirby. They sure are likeable characters. I guess you have been with them right from the start? That's right, Allen replied, from the day we thought we had captured them. That seems like months ago, but it has been only a few days. Maybe they will come back to visit, said Kirby, after all, I think they have learned to like us as well.

That we have, said Bo. Beem and Bo had just entered the kitchen, when they heard Kirby's last remark. We have not yet met any humans that we don't like, said Bo. Beem might think differently about his women of the night. No, said Beem. I even liked her, despite the purse attack. They smiled remembering the occasion. All you good people, have given us plenty of reason to come back for a visit; we will definitely come back to visit, but it could be a few years. Our time difference can get confusing. Let's not talk of leaving, said Beem. We all have a day to remember ahead of us, so let's enjoy it together while we can. You're right of course, said Allen. Kirby and I were just wondering if you have a king or president or what; on Balenn? We have a central control group, that we elect every two hundred of your earth years. They all live and work in Region One. We don't have physical needs like you do, so governing becomes quite simple and almost unnecessary. Governing functions are quite boring really, but we need some form of control to mediate disputes which almost never occur. Beenan will be nominated for a governing job at the next sitting, but he doesn't know it yet. Is Beenan up yet, asked Allen? He is not in his room, said Bo. I looked in on the way down.

There he is now, Bo pointed out the kitchen window, where Beenan was strolling around the grounds, seemingly deep in thought. There were, what looked like, twenty to thirty Monarch butterflies stuck to his shoulders and head. Their feet got tangled in his hair, so he had to remove them very carefully, at the same time shooing away others who wanted to land on him.

Why are you Monarchs all landing on me like this, he asked them telepathically? We are just trying to get your attention, one of them said. Is that you Blane, asked Beenan in surprise? Blane was a long time friend of Beenan's. He lived on Balenn also, but he didn't always act like other Ehesti. He was more playful and less serious than most. He and Beenan were almost neighbors on Balenn. They lived about two city blocks apart. Yes, it's me and my new friends, chuckled Blane. I do enjoy this butterfly form Beenan; have you tried it? No, I can't say as I have, answered Beenan, but it looks like fun. We heard you were here in your Sasquatch form, said Blane. We wanted to say "hello" and "wish you good luck" on your excursion today.

Blane traveled with a group of other Ehesti, who shared his bubbly nature. They liked to fool around a lot, so they took on life forms of various creatures to amuse themselves. Today it was "butterflies". One time, when Beenan was with them, they had taken on the shapes of a herd of elk in the Canadian North; they spent most of the summer chasing each other through the forest. They left just before hunting season though. Beenan had fond memories of some of his excursions with Blane. Thanks for the visit, said Beenan. We'll see you back on Balenn. With that, all the butterflies lifted off at once, as though they were not caught at all. They formed the word Balenn in big fluttering letters. Kirby had his camera handy and got three or four shots before the butterflies dispersed into the wind. Beenan could hear them saying "bye-bye", as they let the wind carry them away. He knew that there would be even better "good times" ahead for himself and Blane. That was one of the nicest things about being an Ehesti; you never said good-bye forever, to anyone. Every good friendship becomes even better, as time passes and every enemy becomes a friend sooner or later. This voyage today, with the humans, should also set the foundation to a friendship that could only get better also.

Beenan saw everyone looking at him through the window. He had gone outside to let the others sleep, while he enjoyed the fresh air. Obviously, everyone was up, so he headed back inside.

The girls were pulling up in the lot, on the other side of the building. The smell of Kirby's fresh coffee brought a smile to their faces. They were early, so they had time to enjoy coffee and maybe a little snack. Much to their delight, everyone was already in the kitchen. They bid "good morning" to one another. Kirby assumed they would want a coffee and was pouring already. Now that we are all together, there are a few things I should say, said Beenan. First of all, Bo, Beem and I will have to make one quick trip to Balenn first, to make sure all is ready in the life support sphere. We don't want to transpose you into outer space. That was a joke, but no one except the Ehesti realized it. Bo and Beem sat by quietly, while Beenan tried to explain that it was almost impossible to transpose anyone into outer space, because you wind up at the destination of your choosing, not randomly, as though you didn't know what you were doing. The explanation didn't help to bring the smiles back so Beenan changed the subject.

When you finish breakfast, if you would all gather in the living room, we can arrange our seating locations before transposing, said Beenan. What about transposing on a full stomach, asked Allen? Could that present some problems? Not in humans, so far, said Bo. We have done this many times before on empty and full stomachs. There were no ill effects. We have provided you with comfortable clothing also, on the sphere. They are light weight, full coverage, jump suits. You don't have to change of course, but they are available if you want them. Okay you people, finish eating. Bo, Beem and I will go into the living room and transpose to Balenn for a short time. See you later.

Bo, Beem and Beenan chose a place to sit on the carpet floor. They spaced themselves out in a circle, as if there was one person sitting on each side of them. This would allow each person to be touched by an Ehesti, so that everyone would move at the same time. They concentrated on their location and the details, within a few seconds, they faded out of sight. They materialized in their Sasquatch forms, inside the life support sphere as planned. There was no one around, that was visible, at the time, but they were more concerned with their landing spot. It was perfect, well, we didn't transpose ourselves into deep space anyway, said Beem sarcastically. Thanks a lot, replied Beenan. I didn't see you helping me explain the situation. It was your wording said Beem, you were trying to make a joke and it back fired. You're right of course, said Beenan. It sure was embarrassing. At any rate, said Bo, we seemed to have the transposing co-ordinates almost perfect, so we can forget about that part. Let's get on with the inspection.

Sorry I spoiled it, said Bo, I should have played along with it, like we did with the vase. I assume there is a chemical reaction that takes place and erases the first card, right? That's right, said Marie. It takes about one minutes to change. It is the same process used in developing pictures. The only difference being, that it works in reverse and erases the picture. If you took a look at the cards now, you will see that the work isn't as perfect as when you first examined them. The main card is painted on with water soluble latex paint. That paint is than covered with these overlays. She showed them what looked like a thin piece of cellophane, with a card imprinted on it. This overlay dissolves three minutes after it is exposed to air. The chemical that dissolves the overlay is not water soluble and therefore doesn't affect the latex paint. She ran her finger over the card, to show the chemical residue. Marie gathered up her cards and stuffed them back in her purse.

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