Heiser-The-Facade - Sparkling Eyes

"Beats me—why do we have you?""I give up, why?""Aww ... !" Malcolm grinned."I have no idea why I'm here, if you really want to know.""Hmmm . . . it is kind of odd," Malcolm mused, rubbing his chin. "So is sex, like,against your beliefs? Sorry, but I'll be wondering about it until you tell me; I'm like that-I just have to know. I don't bother people or get in their face, but people are interesting,you know. If you're bugged just tell me—Malcolm can take it. I never met anyone whothought so that wasn't a priest or holy man.""You still haven't," Brian informed him between bites. "No, Malcolm, I don't havea problem with sex. I just believe it should be kept within marriage.""Oh ... well, that's cool." Malcolm said, still curious. "That must be awfullydifficult.""What?""You know, a life of abstinence. I can't imagine it.""And I don't want to. Actually, it's been easy. It takes a woman you know.""Uh . . . yeah . . . I don't get it.""Practically speaking, my religious mores are beside the point. My standardwould only be a challenge if the opportunity presented itself. Can't say I've ever been inthe situation.""Oh ..." Malcolm replied a little uneasily. "We can talk about something else. I'mkind of interested in religion, too. Did you read The Celestine Prophecy?""I'm relieved that you have other interests, Malcolm. And, yes, I've read the book.Now I have a question for you.""Shoot.""Is the confinement here getting to you? I mean, do they let you out much?" Brianasked, with an amused smile.Malcolm chuckled. "Not if they can help it! Truthfully, they have us holed up inlabs most of the time. The other scientists on this project and myself haven't seen much ofeach other, lately. In the beginning, we did, but now we're sort of isolated, you know,working on individual topics for data gathering and experimentation within each of ourspecialties. I'm lucky to see a civilian, even at meals." "You had breakfast with those menthis morning. Aren't they your friends?""An act of desperation. Getting any of those guys to say two peeps is almostimpossible. They spend so much time guarding their little secrets that they think everyoneoutside their little cabal is trying to milk them for information. It's pathetic. To makematters worse, the other scientists don't seem to go out of their way to sit with me orshoot the bull even when we do cross paths.""I find that really hard to believe."Malcolm smiled understandingly. "I really don't usually just blather on like this,honest.""Bummer. I was kind of hoping you did. Just keep it clean and you can gab allyou want to me.""Thanks," Malcolm said appreciatively. He looked at his watch. "You still have afew minutes.""Right," Brian responded as he hurried to finish his meal.28