XI
Nate Mannett IV experienced the flowers, the bees, the birds fluttering gently, and the clouds drifting all about him. Ice cream cones of all flavors floated through the air, and he willed one to approach. It was strawberry, delicious, and as he ate it, he grasped a popcorn ball drifting just within reach. Happy laughter was all around him.
Nate Mannett III frowned upon him.
“I don’t know, Sheil, it doesn’t seem right to go out and just leave him here, glued to the alsens.”
“If we shut it off, he’ll cry. He’s more and more cross, lately. He acts as if he hates the world. This is the only way I can keep him quiet. He insists on it.”
“Well—if he insists on it—”