Summary

In Section 1, while Hodges is learning he has cancer Holly has been researching the background of the Zappit. She has learned there were thousands of Zappits that were not sold when the company that made them filed bankruptcy. Hodges has filled a prescription for pain killers and feels better. When Holly asks his diagnosis he lies and tells her he has an ulcer. She indicates she is glad because she is afraid she would have to go back to live with her mother if anything happened to him. Hodges remembers in what bad shape Holly was when she lived with her parents. When Hodges goes into his office and closes his door, something he rarely does, Holly knows there is something wrong other than just an ulcer.

In Section 2, Holly thinks over a strange message that Z-Boy sent to Hodges through an Internet...