“Another day or so and the nanobots will have your hair back to a reasonable length,” Claire said during my morning checkup. “Beyond that, you’re good to go home.”

“You’re going to send me out with my hair looking like this?” Zoe asked pointing to my head. She gave Doc her best sad puppy dog eyes.

“Don’t try that with me. I’m married and don’t want kids, so that doesn’t work.”

Zoe shrugged. “It was worth a shot.”

“True,” Claire laughed. “I hadn’t realized you are that vain.”

“I can’t help it. I love my hair,” Zoe replied.

“Is that so?” Doc asked. I nodded. “In that case, you might like to get NanoHair.”

“What kind of hair implant is that?”

“They allow you to control the length, style, and color of your hair without ever going to a stylist. Some of the more expensive models even let you light up and have your hair blink like Christmas lights,” Claire answered.

“I…I think I want that,” Zoe admitted. Claire laughed and shook her head.

“I thought you might. Once you start making money, I’ll be glad to add them to you.”

“Is NanoHair expensive?”

“Not really. Even the more expensive models are only 1000 credits including installation.”

“Do you know anyone with the extensions, and do they like them?” Zoe asked as Doc Brown walked to the door.

“I love mine,” Claire said as her hair tips turned bright pink and started to flash from pink to red to yellow to neon green. Zoe laughed. “Jimmy will be here in half an hour to pick you up.”

*

“Looking good cousin,” Jimmy laughed as Zoe got into the car.

“Shut up! The way my hair looks is not funny,” Zoe stated. “I should have borrowed a scarf or cap from Claire and Zane.”

“The way parts are sticking out every which way is a little funny,” Jimmy countered. “And you know it too.”

“No wonder you don’t have a girlfriend. You know the right things to say to the ladies.”

“I don’t have a girlfriend because I don’t want one,” Jimmy huffed. Zoe grinned and Jimmy grinned in return. Both then laughed. “I’m glad your surgery went well, and you’re all healed up.”

“Me too. I’ll be even happier after tomorrow or the next day when my hair is longer.”

“Did Doc Brown give you an injection or something for it to grow back so fast?” Jimmy asked.

“Yeah. I’m sure it was added to the bill,” Zoe replied.

“Probably. So, where to?” Jimmy asked putting the car into drive.

“Home James. I wish to stay out of the public until after tomorrow,” Zoe answered with another grin on her face.

“As the madam wishes,” Jimmy said in a mock English accent before bursting into laughter.

“Your English accent is terrible,” Zoe laughed.

“Yeah, it’s pretty bad,” Jimmy agreed.

*

“Where are you off to this morning?” Aunt Anne asked Zoe the next morning.

“Going for a run,” Zoe answered.

“Going to wear a cap?”

“No. My hair is a short bob now, so that isn’t too bad,” Zoe replied.

“Going to take a water bottle?”

“No. I have my camelback canteen,” Zoe answered turning around so her aunt could see the small pack on her back. She turned back and lifted the straw tube. “It’s already full, so I just need to lift this and sip.”

“That’s good,” Aunt Anne replied.

“Where’s Jimmy?” Zoe asked.

“Didn’t come home last night,” Anne answered.

“Is that unusual?”

“No. Sometimes it’s work related, others…”

“Out partying?”

“Yeah. So, there’s no telling which kept him out,” Anne complained. “That boy should know better unless it’s for work.”

“He’s grown,” Zoe replied feeling the need to defend her cousin some.

“True, but he’s still my child and living under my roof,” Aunt Anne retorted.

“Good point,” Zoe conceded. She didn’t want to fight with her aunt.

“Want something to eat before going on your run?” Anne asked.

“No thanks. I’d rather work up an appetite than run until I hurl,” Zoe replied favoring her aunt with a smile. Anne returned the smile. “I’ll be back.”

“Be careful. This is a safe neighborhood, but a young woman can never be too cautious.”

“I promise to be careful.”

“Here,” Aunt Anne said walking to a cabinet. She withdrew a small container and held it out to Zoe.”

“What’s this?”

“Pepper spray. It’s not as good as a Taser, but it’ll do the trick on most people that would harass you.”

“Thanks Aunt Anne,” Zoe said taking the canister. It had a little clip, so Zoe stuck in on the inside of her shorts with the clip sticking out. “It should stay there against my hip, be out of the way, and be within easy reach.”

“Good thinking,” Anne said. The two hugged and Zoe headed out the door.

*

Zoe wanted to go to the roof and try her hand at parkour where she would be out of sight of most people. She took the elevator up to the top floor and found the door going to the roof. It was locked with an electronic lock.

“I should have gotten a Lockpick daemon,” Zoe muttered to herself. “Oh well. I’ll try a roof run in a day or so after getting a Lockpick. I’ll risk running on the street level.” Zoe told herself turning and heading back to the elevator.

On the ride down, Zoe accessed her GPS software and some satellite images. She planned a short route to run that included several walkways with rails, stairs, and low walls to jump. Zoe started stretching to warm up.