MICHAEL CRICHTON

Amy stopped shredding. In her world, “button” was the acknowledged term fora person of high status.Amy was extremely sensitive to individual moods and behavior, and she hadno difficulty observing the staff and deciding who was superior to whom. Butamong strangers, Amy as a gorilla was utterly impervious to formal human statuscues; the principal indicators—clothing, bearing, and speech—had no meaning toher.As a young animal, she had inexplicably attacked policemen. After severalbiting episodes and threatened lawsuits,they finally learned that Amy found police uniforms with their shiny buttonsclown like and ridiculous; she assumed that anyone so foolishly dressed must beof inferior status and safe to attack. After they had taught her the concept of“button,” she treated anyone in uniform with deference.Amy now stared at “button” Ross with new respect. Surrounded by the tornpaper, she seemed suddenly embarrassed, as if she had made a social error.Without being told, she went and stood in the corner, facing the wall.“What’s that about?” Ross said.“She knows she’s been bad.”“You make her stand in the corner, like a child? She didn’t mean any harm.”Before Elliot could warn against it, she went over to Amy. Amy stared steadfastlyat the corner.Ross unshouldered her purse and set it on the floor within Amy’s reach.Nothing happened for a moment. Then Amy took the purse, looked at Karen,then looked at Peter.Peter said, “She’ll wreck whatever’s inside.”“That’s all right.”Amy immediately opened the brass clasp, and dumped the contents on thefloor. She began sifting through, signing, Lipstick lipstick, Amy like Amy wantlipstick want.“She wants lipstick.”Ross bent over and found it for her. Amy removed the cap and smeared a redcircle on Karen’s face. She then smiled and grunted happily, and crossed theroom to her mirror, which was mounted on the floor. She applied lipstick.“I think we’re doing better,” Karen Ross said.51