What does Helen think? Helen thinks she is too young to watch herself be surpassed, and too old to be this hungry.
-- Helen (Helen)

Importance: This is a useful introduction to Helen and her motivations. At 53, Helen is worried her career is almost over, and she is not yet ready to give it up. She is as ambitious as ever, and anxious to go on the Mars mission. Mireille might prefer a mother that could be satisfied staying home, but this will never be Helen.

If her mother goes to Mars, then that will be the only story of Mireille's life. It will wipe out everything. Mireille wants to stay with that thought a little, but promises herself she will return to it later, when she has more time to savor how awful it is.
-- Mireille (Mireille)

Importance: This tells us two things about Mireille. First, that she is worried about being defined by her mother's...