Scene 1. Boys

Lilly awakens with a start. She is back in her waking world and something is happening. I guess it is time. She shakes Roc. “It’s time, take me in or I will be increasing your family right here in your bed!” Roc’s eyes are wide as he jumps up and into his clothes. He quickly wraps Lilly and telephones Trish. She has insisted on being called first if anything happens. Trish is there at the door in minutes with her long touring-car. Roc places Lilly inside on the back seat. Trish then drives Roc and Lilly to the hospital. The staff at the hospital wheel Lilly into the maternity ward, just in time. Only minutes later the nurse is at the door with a bundle and another nurse with a bundle shortly after. Twins again, boys this time. Roc places one of the twin boys on each side of Lilly’s chest, “The girls will be thrilled with little brothers!” The doctor walks in smiling, “Everyone is healthy and so Lilly and the twins can go home later today." Lilly is lying in bed, looking very relieved.

Trish drives Lilly, Roc and the boys back home. Lilly is helped to her chair and Roc places a new ‘white snowflake’ is on each breast. Roc then stands back, “Lilly, can I get you anything?”

“Yes, pizza!”

Then the chaos begins as the twin girls come bouncing into the room, each waving small white cloth sheet in her fore-hoof, “Diapers! Diapers!” Lilly smiles, “I guess that is covered, until they get tired of it.” Rod’s second daughter, Isabella, enters the room with drinks for everyone. Isabella is the new nanny now that Elaina has started college. Trish is sitting across the room, watching the show “Lilly!” “Hurry up!” “I want to hold a kid before I have to go home!”

…..

Lilly finally gets a break and carefully crawls into bed. She immediately falls asleep the moment her back touches Roc’s.

Scene 2. Beast-Folk

Lilly awakens back at Apollo’s and performs her morning ritual, she staggers a bit down to the kitchen.

Apollo continues his lecture from yesterday, “The beast-folk retain many of the features and characteristics that are so endearing to us humans from the original, unmodified versions of their various species.” “Thus they quickly became our ideal helpers, laborers and companions.”

“The Horse-men and the Bull-men (or Minotaur's) are very strong manual laborers, but unlike the automatons, the beast-men don’t jam or rust.” “It is no longer necessary to keep an array of specialized androids on site for all of the different tasks that might come up.” “The beast-men just put down the spade and pick up the ax.” “Special automatons do not have to be retrieved from storage to work in common work conditions such as water or mud.” “The transition times for changing work requirements are fast, without a long work break for a specialized automaton exchange.” “Also the beast-men are stronger and lighter than the humanoid android models of the same size.” “Military androids are strong enough for some construction jobs but, in general, they are not well suited, because they are too big, too heavy, and too expensive.” “And the heavy military automatons tend to sink into the mud.”

“The beast-folk look scary to everyone initially, but they are all very amiable and quickly make friends with the other human and beast-folk workers.” “Most domestic-species beast-folk like humans and they also like to be in groups, or herds.” “The beast-folk quickly learn to tell human jokes, play human games and fit themselves right in with the human group.” “They are fans of the human professional sports games and form a measurable fraction of the spectators.” “The beast-men now have their own teams and attract their own crowds of spectators.”

Lilly stares at Ticktock, Ticktock then speaks to Apollo, “Lilly is asking, ‘Why don’t you ‘humans’ do this work?’.” Apollo reply’s to Lilly’s question, “Because we ‘humans’ have much more important things to do with our time.” Lilly looks away from Ticktock,

and that is why you humans are all such unhealthy, out-of-shape slugs!

Scene 3. Companion

Standing outside of yet another building, Apollo speaks to Lilly, “These beast-folks are being trained to be ‘companions’.” “They will become domestic servants, health care assistants, day care assistants, and even lovers.” “This program has been an overwhelming success.” “There was some initial apprehension about turning all of these tasks over to non-human entities, especially after the disastrous experience with automatons.” “But once a few humans tried these new creatures, the new creatures became very popular. Now you see them everywhere, walking the dog, strolling the baby, carrying the groceries and so forth. There have been no verifiable reports of violence, or even of misbehavior. Not that all of this has gone entirely trouble free, but we will talk about those issues later.

“Because Lilly, 'today' is a special day.” “Although I am not sure when your birthday actually is, I am getting you your birthday present today!” “Today we are selecting you a beast-folk 'companion'. This companion will help us out around the house, cook and clean,” “They will also be your company, if I have to go away and cannot take you,” “Someone with whom you can watch the ‘frame’," "And with whom you can go out hiking," "Maybe even hike to places that would be hard or impossible for me.”

Lilly just stares at Apollo, Well, this is unexpected. A beast-folk 'companion'? for me? How about you just never leave me home alone” How about you always take me with you?

“Lets take a look at ‘the goods’!” Apollo is sporting a big smile and turns toward building entrance door.

Apollo, you are looking awfully happy about this.

Is this going to be a gift for me or a gift for you?

The door opens into yet another shocking scene. It is a barracks like hall with bunk beds, trunks and standing clothing closets. The figures in the room are the real surprise, they are the biped beast-folk of her world, of all species, and all are either older children or young adults. The males and females are divided by a curtain down the center of the hall. All are very nicely dressed, as if for school, or for a job interview.

One wolf-man looks at Lilly and speaks but Lilly cannot understand him. She shakes her head, “Can you understand my thought projections?” No response. Nuts again.

Apollo speaks to the wolf-man and the wolf-man smiles at Lilly. Lilly frowns at Apollo, What did you tell him about me!

The wolf-man seems to be in charge of the group and walks to the front of the room, to one of Lilly’s telephone amplifier’s voice input units. He speaks, but Lilly does not understand what he is saying. However everyone in the room then turns around to face her. The crowd of beast-folk is about fifty or so. The crowd seems to represent a cross-section of the beast-folk species, both male and female, all young. Apollo faces Lilly, “Okay Lilly! Pick out one of these deserving entities for us!”

What! You want me to pick one? Out of this crowd? She turns and looks carefully at the crowd, Maybe I should do this before he changes his mind. She walks along in front of the group, sniffing. I better pick someone that I can get along with, better then I can with Ticktock anyway, and that shouldn’t be too hard. And to distract Apollo, so I can watch my shows on the ‘frame’ in peace.

Mmmmmm I smell a wolf! She sees a young wolf-boy, holding school books. She frowns,

On no, He looks too much like Timmy. So no, not him.

Scene 4. Sally

Apollo walks past Lilly and into the crowd. He immediately pulls out a surprised looking young sheep-woman, “How about her?” Lilly looks at the sheep-woman staring with a surprised look at Apollo, who continues to drag her by the right fore-leg toward Lilly. She is quite young,

She must be just out of one of those ‘finishing schools’ that teaches these beast-folk trades.

Apollo speaks to her, “Hi, I’m Apollo and this is Lilly,” he points to Lilly. The sheep-woman grimaces and speaks, “My name is Saaaaaaaally,” She bleats.

Lilly is shocked, eyes wide, I can understand her. Maybe it's because Apollo is listening.

Lilly is still looking over this ‘Sally’, It’s another fat, buxom sheep girl. She has the same ivory colored fluffy fleece as one of The Professor’s assistants! Lilly then looks down, a bit ashamed of herself,

I can’t just think of myself here. Apollo is alone and probably he is very lonely. He doesn’t even seem to have any friends in this world. And I cannot talk to him, at least not in any useful and relaxing conversational way. And Ticktock, well… And I cannot give Apollo satisfactory (almost human) female attention either...

Lilly looks at Apollo and he is still smiling at Sally. And Sally is smiling back, demurely, with the fore-hoof at her mouth with her eyes closed. Her closed eyelids are smiling too.

You’re overplaying 'the ‘cute act' Sally. And there is no need as you already have Apollo ‘in the bag’.

Okay, Apollo, you win this one. But you owe me!

Lilly slowly walks up to face Sally. Sally smells like flowers. Lilly then sits on her haunches and raises her right fore-hoof. Sally reaches out, touches and holds Lilly’s hoof, “I am Glaaaaaad to meet you, Lilly!” Sally bleats.

Lilly then concentrates, “Okay here goes,” “Sally, can you hear me?” “I am sending you my thoughts.”

Sally suddenly looks surprised and answers, speaking, “Yes Lilly, I Caaaaaan hear you!”

Lilly cannot contain herself with the joy of two-way communication, with someone other than the dangerous Al, that is. Lilly jumps straight up high into the air, over and over, as if she is on springs. Apollo is worried about the show Lilly is putting on in front of all the beast-folk, “Lilly please calm down! We’ll play with Sally later!” He jerks on Lilly’s thick mane, but not too hard. Lilly gets the message and hunches down, Sorry!

Apollo turns back to Sally, still holding Lilly’s mane, “We all obviously choose you, Sally!” “Welcome, Sally, and I hope that you enjoy working with my, somewhat unusual, family!” Apollo stares down at Lilly, frowning. Lilly is fully couched down, motionless, with her head down on her fore-legs and her tail down on her rump. “I said I am Sorry! You just can’t hear me.”

Sally tries to help Lilly, bleating, “I think Lilly really is Sooooorry!” Apollo looks at one and then the other of the two sturdy bovids, so quickly bonded, I hope that I don’t end up regretting this.

Apollo waves to the remaining beast-folk, “Thank you all, goodbye and good luck!” Apollo’s expanded new family leaves the beast-folk building and he flags a car to return home. Apollo laughs, “We need a larger car than last time.” Lilly looks at Sally who is taking almost two car seats with her big butt. Wow, Sally is even bigger than the ‘me’ in the other world, and I just had two kids.

Scene 5. Domestic

Back at Apollo’s home, Lilly and Apollo fight to see who is going to get to show Sally around the house. Apollo starts by introducing Sally to Ticktock, “Sally this is Ticktock.” “Ticktock is an automaton.” “Ticktock helps with cooking and cleaning.” Ticktock’s scratchy voice reply’s, “Hello, Sally” “I am Ticktock, use the name ‘Ticktock’ to summon me.”

Lilly is projecting thoughts to Sally, with an evil grin, “And Ticktock sucks at both cooking and cleaning.” “And Ticktock scares my kids when they visit.” “Oh, didn’t Apollo tell you? I have twin girls that visit sometimes.” Apollo watches as Sally stares intently at Lilly to receive her thoughts, They’re already plotting against me.

Sally stands back and smiles at Apollo, “If you aaaaaall have groceries and haaaaaven’t eaten yet, why don’t you let me fix you aaaaaall dinner?” “Lilly would you show me where things aaaaaaare? Lilly nods, “Sure!”

Lilly is impressed, “Wow! Thank you Sally! Dinner was delicious, not just chopped raw vegetables from Apollo, not that those were bad, but the new cooked cuisine is much more inviting.”

Ticktock cleans up from the cooking show and places the dishes in the dish washer. Apollo points to the living room, “Let’s watch some ‘frame’ shows!” The sheep and the goat both nod. Sally sits on the couch, next to Apollo. Lilly retires to her pad on the floor. Thank you Apollo for putting on a visual comedy show, without much dialog and with no War!

After a while, Lilly looks up at the couch occupants. Apollo has snuggled up against the side of fluffy Sally. Sally has removed her coat to reveal her bulging halter top. She is proudly displaying her short-clipped, ivory fleeced, prominent chest and her large round abdomen. She is also wearing a short skirt proudly displaying her thick thighs. She has moved over closer to Apollo and she has placed his hand on her inner thigh.

Sally smiles, triumphant, down at Lilly who is couched on the floor, .

Wow, no innocent sheep-girls around here! Sally came here prepared to 'meet' her master!

Sally, you get to win in this world, but you wouldn’t stand a chance against me in my world.

I guess this is what I, ideally, expected them to do. Apollo is alone no more…

But how does Sally stand that awful human smell?

“Sally, you need to know that the ‘me’ in this body now isn’t always the entity in this goat-body.” “There is another, and I don’t think she can ‘thought communicate’ with you, or anyone else, as I have.” “Be nice to ‘her’.”

Sally speaks to Lilly, “Lilly, I am Niiiiiice to everyone!”

“Oh, and have Apollo take you to The Farm and look up the billy goat ‘Al’.” “See if you can ‘thought communicate’ with him, as I can.” “And you’ll get to meet my daughters too.”

“Please don’t let Apollo sell me!”

Scene 6. I

Lilly awakens feeling her back against Roc’s once again.

I really don’t know what to think about everything I have seen.

Maybe it's all a dream?

Maybe nothing is real?

She carefully extracts herself from the bed and starts her morning ritual.

But today it is going to be different!

She strides up to the full-length mirror in the bedroom and carefully and completely regards her reflection. She places a fore hoof against her postpartum belly,

I do know that I can do better than this. I’ll call Liz today and see if I can waddle out to the tennis courts and maybe even hit the ball.

I need to resume college, the new college president said I could likely get a graduate degree if I write a thesis on my research at the observatory.

I need to get back to The Base and work on the 'air-craft' with Otto and Oliver.

I need to get The Base tennis club back in action.

I wonder if my parents are still in town?

I need to ask The General where he got that ‘hand’.

I need to find a philosophy teacher at the college, someone to help me figure out who I am and what, if anything, I should do next.

I have The Chief and The General, but I need the advice of an old person, someone that has outlived any agenda they once had, and maybe one that smells good too…

Damn that itch!

…..

At the tennis courts, Lilly holds the net pole and gasps, “Liz I have to take a break!” “Sorry I can't do a full set, maybe I can pair up with Otto at The Base.”

The tall Liz smiles and strides over the net, “What the hell are you sorry about?” “You have the family I wish I had.” “Of course that takes a toll, but take a look at what you got for it!” “I am just glad to see your big butt out here on the courts today, really giving it college try.” “It’ll all come back to you, but it might take a little time.” “Come on, let’s go grab lunch.” “Want to see some of my art?” “I am finally good enough to have my stuff on display in the library foyer.”

Lilly picks up a flier in the library while viewing Liz’s artwork. The flier announcing a series of popular college ‘emeritus’ lectures open to the public on a variety of subjects. One catches Lilly’s eye, it is titled Modern Philosophy. The lecture is being given by the old retired Philosophy Department head. His image is shown in an accompanying photograph. The picture is of a proud, old, lion with thick spectacles and a huge black mane, tinged with gray.

OMG! Is he ever handsome! I can already smell him!

Uh oh, I feel ‘my old problem’ arising again!