THE RECOMMENDED TECHNIQUE IS TO DRINK THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE

GLASS IN ONE GO, CAPTAIN.

“It is?” Phoenix shrugged and downed the contents as instructed.

The liquid was surprisingly viscous.And very warm. Phoenix felt the warmth spread around his mouth, down his throat, through his stomach, down his legs and, he fancied, through the bed, across the floor and into the wardrobe.

He felt warm.Cuddly warm. And the taste!

“It’s like ...” Phoenix struggled with similes. “Like ... warm honey without the sweetness. What is this stuff? It’s wonderful!” Phoenix poured another glass full and downed it in one smooth motion. CAUTION IS RECOMMENDED, CAPTAIN.

“ She’s done it again,” thought Phoenix. “You still haven’t told me what this is. Make sure we have plenty of it.”

THE MANUFACTURERS TRADE IT UNDER THE NAME OF LIMPID, CAPTAIN.

Phoenix sat with his head back and eyes closed enjoying the warm sensation as it crawled around his body.

“Limpid,” he said dreamily. “What a wonderful name.”

THERE IS A BREED OF FELINE ON GAMMA FROTH CALLED THE LIMPID.SO CALLED

BECAUSE OF ITS COLOURLESS EYES. WHEN FED SOLELY ON A PARTICULARLY

HAIRY RODENT, THE BUSHY CRAB RAT, IT CAUSES THE LIMPID TO DRINK VAST

QUANTITIES OF FRESH SAP FROM THE BRETHREN TREE. THE LIMPID THEN SECRETES

A LIQUID WHICH, AFTER SOME REFINEMENT, IS BOTTLED AND SOLD IN THE FORM

THAT YOU NOW SEE.

Phoenix poured another glass and took a sip.

“Fascinating,” he said happily. He held up the glass looking at the refracted light. “I’m drinking cat’s piss!” He chuckled and finished the contents of the glass.

ONCE AGAIN, CAPTAIN. I MUST RECOMMEND CAUTION.

“Caution, caution, caution,” said Phoenix, waving an arm at Marshia. As Marshia was all around him that was quite a trick.

Phoenix sank into sullen silence. He touched his wife’s pillow once more.

“What’s Tracy doing right now, Marshia?”

SHE IS PURCHASING A RED BLOUSE AND MATCHING SHOES, CAPTAIN.

“You don’t care about such things. Do you, Marshia?”

I CAN NEVER FIND ANYTHING IN MY SIZE, CAPTAIN.

Phoenix couldn’t help feel that Marshia’s last statement was in some way of huge importance.

“Whatsort of things do you like, Marshia?”

IT PLEASES ME TO HELP MY INHABITANTS, CAPTAIN.

“Inhabitants?Is that how you see us?”

IN GENERAL, YES, CAPTAIN. SOME INHABITANTS, LIKE YOURSELF CAPTAIN, I FEEL

QUITE FOND OF.

Phoenix looked pleased and poured himself another drink. “I like you too, Marshia.” He took another sip.

“Hang on.” Phoenix was feeling the inebriating effects of the Limpid. “You’re not supposed to feel things. When did all this start?”