Unexpectedly in the long travel searching for the entrance to Vikari's home, Smith collapsed to his side against a tall rock. He set up to his feet regaining his bearings shaking his head with his baggy eyes feeling heavier. Something was strange was going on with his hip sockets that was made far more noticeable with this fall. The memory of John's retelling, the way he walked, dramatizing it for Maureen, drew out horror.

He was getting closer to his counterpart. He was more afraid for the Robinsons than he was of himself. He had accepted his destined appearance. His gait hadn't changed quite yet. Yet. . . The alien spider half showed everything was going to change in some weeks time if he dared to stretch. The pain emitting his shoulder blades and spine agreed with that assessment. Then it would only be a matter of time and what was left of his human mind's control until the Robinsons were no longer in danger of him.

Smith fell on to a boulder then wrapped his arms around a tall part of the boulder feeling the ground shaking beneath his feet but it wasn't shaking beneath him. A ring of panic made him sit still until it was over. He must have been there for several hours in the dark being calmed by the still and firm figure. He slid off the boulder, the world feeling right and steady, completely at ease. He traveled in the dark bumping into things and what not.

A bright light illuminated the interior of the cave system so he shielded his eyes.

"There you are, Doctor Smith!" Will's voice was the first that Smith heard.

Smith grimaced lowering his hand down as the light lowered as well.

"What are you doing here?" Smith asked.

"Searching for you," Will said.

"And I," Robot's voice chimed.

"Where are the others?" Smith asked. "Hmm? Did you go at this alone in the middle of the night?" Smith folded his arms as he leaned down toward his level raising a judgy brow. "Hmm?"

"Dad and Don are looking the other tunnel," Will said. "You must be hungry,"

"Dearly," Smith leaned up.

"We're having lunch back at the Jupiter 2," Will said. "Would you like---"

"Say no more!" Smith bolted ahead of them.

"That is the wrong way, Doctor Smith!" Will called.

"He just raced over a cliff's edge to the other side," Robot said. "I take back my earlier comment. He is cartoony as his counterpart."

Will laughed shaking his head.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////

"Vikari, your apartment is very colorful," John took a sip from a tea cup leaning back into the chair.

"Why thank you, Professor," Vikari said. "It's the kind of lifestyle I dearly like."

"I swear this apartment was more. . ." Don couldn't finish.

"Purple?" Vikari said. "I decided yellow made it stand out more in the dark."

"More animal representations and paintings that featured them," Don said. "It's very spooky with the Halloween decorations."

"Ah, it's the best I can afford for my own pleasing house interior," Vikari said

"You mean to say that you change this apartment up at random?" John asked.

"One night it's animals, another night it is the night for the dead, another night it is decorated with fake gold," Vikari said. "Next night is plants."

"If you can afford this then why did your fun mansion break apart?" Don asked while glaring a new one for Vikari.

"It was old," Vikari said.

"And you did nothing about it," Don said.

"Wasn't supposed to become rotten enough to be torn down until next year," Vikari said. "A accident."

"A accident waiting to happen," Don said. "I heard your employees went in there. You knew it was weak and yet you didn't keep that fun house close."

"People would have ignored it and gone in," Vikari said. "But a little more carefully."

"Why didn't you put that up?" John asked.

"No one was going in," Vikari said. "really." Don grasped on to John's shoulder stopping him from lunging after her as his eyes grew livid. "Didn't need to."

"My children were in that fun house and they could have nearly died today," John said. "Before I find someone who knows how to go to galactic court and set up a law suit for house neglect, I want to know," he pointed up. "What kind of presences inhabit those stations?"

"The spirit of those who like to live forever," Vikari said. "It's a attachment deal."

"Loose strings left unattached," John said.

"None at all!" Vikari said. "It comes with their consent."

John took a long sip from the glass.

"I mean taking care of the house," John's voice was firm. "You didn't tell them about neglecting their basis well being. I will ask you again, what kind of presences inhabit those stations?"

"People. Beloved pets. Wild animals. That fun house lasted for a very long time."

John grasped Don by the arm stopping him from lunging out and attacking her.

"Which part of this place did Doctor Smith fall into?" John asked.

"He fell into sector sixty-five," Vikari said. "This apartment is in sector forty-five."

John and Don took a long sip from their cups then lowered them on to the table.

"We are not coming back as customers to your carnival," John said. "Not until our lawsuit is concluded."

"I like to see you try," Vikari said.

"I met a lawyer up there so it's worth a shot," Don said. "I told him to wait for us before leaving."

The men got up to their feet.

"You better hope that when we leave this cave system, we find out Will and Robot find him," John said. "I don't like hurting people in any sort of way. Period. But if you hurt my son then you hurt me."

John walked on.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The children and Smith performed the painting overnight. Smith wore a pair of night vision goggles so he could see his way to the carnival late that night after having dinner with the Robinsons. The unplanned for startle when it came to the major prior to leaving the Jupiter 2 made the doctor's day just as he had made Will's day.

Smith hadn't had that wide smirk in a long time -- not since his impromptu destiny yanking him off world-- watching the major regain his bearings pacing back and forth insisting only accusing him with the barb, "You did that intentionally, Smith!"

And his personal classic comeback regarding the issue, "I'm innocent! Innnnoocceent!"

"And I am a artist!"

"Are you?"

"No!"

"Sometimes, it's hard to tell when people here are sarcastic," Smith said, then mentally noted to himself. Still not used to you speaking like a bullet train.

Don stopped Smith grabbing him by the shoulder.

"Smith, I really recommend you don't go there," Don said.

"Oh, I wonder why," Smith said.

"She is not a little evil," Don said. "She is all the way evil."

"The mansion was pretty old and the accident was bound to happen," Smith said.

"She knew it was ready to break apart," Don said.

"I gave her my word," Smith said. "She employed me as a painter, however I feel about it, it must be done under the proper price." Smith guided the man's hand off his long and thick shoulder. "I have to see it through."

"What is conscience telling you?" Don asked. Smith paused looking off quite regretting his deal. "I have seen you smoking several joints today just to keep yourself awake."

Smith yawned turning away from Don.

"I like to have the last of the jewels to pay for the space exterminator," Smith walked toward the elevator as the major's eyes followed him. Smith paused in his tracks then turned toward him. "You are most welcome to join us if you wish."

"I will think about it," Don said.

"Good night," Smith clicked the button then the elevator slid up.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The light fixtures of the magnotron made it glow in the dark so the paint was easy to see and he lifted his goggles up. It was long but entertaining watching the children splatter paint at each other under the dark even decorating his once pitch black cloak in bright paint. Judy joined in sometime between the fight and she too was the victim of the paint while everyone wore anti-paint gear.

It was so dark that no one could see what the other looked like. More than ample opportunity for him to be out in the dark as the way that he really was and used the excuse of how delicate that his back was to rest in his own makeshift chair. He had managed to stay up a few hours of the afternoon resisting against the temptation of sleep.

Smith hadn't dared to return in the afternoon to the carnival. Fear, terror, and a growing theory was settled in his mind. It was a feasible theory or it could be fact when it came to Vikari. He sat inside the magnotron with his illusion up sipping tea when the magnotron began to rise up in the sky over the sound of laughter.

He grasped on to the railing and knew, just then, who had just turned up at the painting trip. The major, untasteful, humor that bordered on childish, was there. He could practically sense it in his bones. Smith staggered out in his illusion form, down the stairs, his world spinning when he collapsed on to the gray and black chair that cushioned his fall.

Don's laughter echoed in his ears. Rage boiled through his veins and his hands rolled up into fists beginning to bring himself up to his feet. His laughter was the only sound that brought him down to the now. Light hearted, cheerful, malevolent that restrained him from lunging after the man. Nothing terrible had befallen him only his nerves being shot. He used the Robot as his support up to his feet rubbing at the side of his hips.

"Are your hips okay, Doctor Smith?" Will asked.

"I don't know," Smith said, sincerely. "I have no idea what is going on with my hips."

"You could be suffering a early case of arthritis, Doctor Smith," Judy said earning a loud baa in return.

"I may be old but my body isn't that old by the inside, my dear," Smith said.

"But you are," Robot said.

"You are a ogling cowardice smurgeon," Smith railed against the Robot.

"Smurgeon is not a word," Robot said.

"You are in dire need to update your thesaurus, you tin platted boob!" Smith twirled his finger at the Robot. "It means a smirking incompetent surgeon."

"Neither am I a surgeon," Robot countered. "I believe you meant curmudgeon."

"The stupidity, the stupidity," Smith rolled a eye shaking his head lifting his head up. "What did I ever do to deserve this?"

"Wronging one too many people," Don suggested.

"Bah hum bug!" Smith walked off then as soon as he had vanished into the dark the night vision was slipped over his eyes as Will looked on knowingly in the direction of the distant doctor. "Where in the heavens is the damn bathroom?"

Finally, after much seeking with the night vision on, Smith found the bathroom and promptly used it thoroughly. It was a simple tall rectangle shed that was painted bright blue and white that co-existed except for the fact that the paint was faded. It needed to be desperately tended to at a later date. Smith hung his head. He had completely neglected the restrooms. Far as he could see, the interior were otherwise clean and appeared to be brand new in lack of being used in awhile. He exited the bathroom and closed the door behind him overhearing the sound of laughter. That w as the children's laughter and a young woman's laughter--Judy had joined them.

He smiled to himself, softly, then followed the source. Boredom had plagued the Robinsons to the point that the younger members of the crew opted to have some entertainment that could be afforded and given out. This all made Smith's stomach feel fuzzy, lighter, and what Smith felt at the edges of his lips were a growing grin. The children laughed, flicking their paint brushes at each other, and Don did the same after Smith returned from the restroom.

Smith paused, smiling at the commotion, watching the splatters of paint flying between them in the amusing exchange. Until the lens of the night googles was struck with a loud splat. He wiped it off, picked up a barrel of paint, including his dropped paint brush, then approached the major.

The doctor flung his paint brush at the major. Don frowned, narrowing his eyes, and what little there was left of his hair raised on his skin expecting for the worst. Don dumped his fist in the paint with a smirk as Smith's eyes followed his hand raising up from the pool of liquid. Smith shielded his eyes turning away with a shriek.

"Didn't get into your eyes, did it?" Don asked, concerned as he took a few wary steps forward.

Smith whirred toward Don then splattered him in paint using a brush that scattered on his cheeks.

"Not at all!" Smith replied.

"Smith, I swear-" Don stopped then grinned changing his gears. "I am going to ruin YOUR CLOTHES!"

"Oh sweet heaven's!"

Smith made a bolt for it as the man chased after him taking along Judy's paint bucket. Judy laughed watching the major chase after the mutating man who ducked underneath the craft in the dark then grasped on to the pink bucket watching the major pass by him. Don paused as he came around looking around.

Smith crept out then splattered Don in a wave of paint in the same time as the major threw it at him. Smith wiped off the paint from the googles facing the laughing major then lunged forward sliding his hand into the paint and flicked it after him.

Don cackled running away from him while Smith lagged behind him. Don hid behind Robot as the man ran on past him then paused in his tracks as Will and Penny had stopped what they were doing now and were laughing in a group with Penny. He vanished behind the other aside of the magnotron. Don waited then frowned and slowly made his way to the back then up to the front searching for the man in the dark.

"Where did he go?" Don asked. "Did you see where he went?"

"No," Judy said.

"He was going too fast for me to see." Penny said.

"It's too dark to see him." Will said.

"He blends in too well." Penny agreed.

"Behind you!" Came Smith's voice.

Don turned on his heel then threw the entire bucket of paint after Smith had splattered him with a handful of his own paint. Smith threw his bucket at him, Don stepped aside, so the large colorful wave crashed upon Robot. It fell on the machine that was in the process of finishing up painting the underside of the craft. Robot bobbed his helm up toward the two men. Smith and Don fell silent then started to snicker. Penny, Will, and Judy joined their side trying to fight back their laughter.

"I do not like green!" Robot said.

"We'll clean it up in the morning, Robot." Don reassured.

"Orange looks splendid on you, my boobed friend!" With several strokes, Robot's chassis was decorated in red-orange.

"You forgot something, Doctor Smith." Penny said.

"Oh, my dear child." Smith looked down toward the young girl. "What is it?"

"The sun." Judy said, then picked up the paint brush and painted in the circular sun on the left side of Robot's chassis. Then she dabbed a lighter shade of orange on his chassis with a grin. "Much better."

"You make a beautiful canvas, Robot." Don said.

Robot twirled his helm with a hmph and returned to painting his section then closed the paint box and placed his paint brush over the lid.

"Robot does make a good painting," Will agreed.

"Ah," Smith said. "Looks like we are nearly done with the craft."

"Golly!" Penny said. "This has been so fun I haven't noticed that we have been out here for hours ."

"What is the last piece that we have to do?" Don asked.

"The window," Smith replied. "Up there. Above your head."

"Smith, can you lift me up there?" Don asked.

"I can try." Smith said, knelt down and Don grasped on to the paint bucket beside Judy then climbed on to the edges of Smith's shoulders. Don adjusted himself then paused. "Need a little more of a lift?"

"Yeah," Don said. "Five inches off."

"Stand still," Smith stood up to his full height then clasped on to the man's boots and Don was at first waving his arms about flailing with a startle. "Is that better?"

"A lot." Don said. "Your turn to stand still! But lower yourself a little."

"Do I look like a adjustable ladder, Major?" Smith asked, annoyed.

"Well, you're closest that we got." Don said.

Smith proceeded to lower himself down.

"Doctor Smith, that's enough!" Will said. "He is there!"

"Thank you, my dear boy." Smith said.

With a few strokes of the paint brush, Don admired his handy work.

"And done!" Don said. "Smith, lower me down. Please."

Smith sighed, relieved, then lowered himself down to the level that he had been before. Don leaped to the ground as Robot went to the station of the craft scanning for any abnormalities that had to be tested. Don looked toward the station then toward the craft that waited before them. Smith dusted off the foot prints from his cloak.

"Would Vikari mind one of her rides being used?" Don asked.

"I barely think so, Major." Smith said. "This carnival is for the entertainment of the consumers."

"And we are consumers." Judy said.

"Exactly, my dear." Smith said with a short lived nod.

"Hey, Robot," Don said. "Could you man the station for us?"

"Affirmative, Major West." Robot said.

"Everyone, let's have some fun for pulling a all nighter." Don said earning cheers from the small group except for Smith.

"Doctor Smith, why don't you go with us?" Judy asked. "You will have fun."

Smith scowled looking toward the magnotron as Will and Penny boarded.

"Since my back itch has ceased to be a hindrance," he turned his attention down toward the young woman. "I can have a little fun."

And Judy smiled back at him then went up the stairs to the craft.

"Your back isn't aching anymore, Doctor Smith?" Penny asked.

"It is only in constant pain," Smith reassured. "The happiness will override those uncomfortable feelings."

"Happiness always makes things better than they are." Penny said.

Smith put a hand on her shoulder then shed a small smile.

"They do, my dear child." Smith smiled back, warmly upon her. "Join your family."

Penny went up the stairs then he shifted toward Robt then watched him go over toward the station. Smith disguised the gear into a hat then slipped it on the railing beside him. He climbed up into the magnotron with his hands on the railing sliding himself up further into the craft.

The craft was dimly lit from within before his eyes standing a few steps from the interior. Smith lowered his dark hood then his disguise went up before the light revealed himself as a humanoid being with armor like skin on his face. Don and Judy were tying themselves in with great caution.

Stealthily, without making a sound, he went to the back around the circular railing then seated himself against the berth. He grabbed the long rope then tied it around the hole after a moment of searching for the hook that it latched on.

With a grunt, Smith tied it around the hole that was available at the seat. It was odd compared to the magnotrons back on Earth. Some magnotrons had straps, latches, some not at all. He sensed a presence beside him. Smith looked over toward his side spotting Will. Smith looked over to his right and spotted Penny.

"Did you move seats after seeing me enter, my dears?" Smith looked back and forth.

"No." Penny said.

Will shrugged back at the older man.

"I was here when Penny came in." Will said. "I need some help with my rope, Doctor Smith. My rope is too loose."

Smith reached his hands out and with a few hand motions, it was tight.

"Better?" Smith asked.

"A lot." Will nodded.

"Penelope, is your restraint tied?" Smith asked.

"Into knots." Penny said.

Smith looked down, spotting all the hard knots tied around the hole, then snickered to himself.

"You are thoroughly prepared." Smith said as the magnotron began to raise.

Smith clasped on the railing then looked around and noticed the ceiling of the magnotron retreated so that it became a graviton as the music continued. Except, the room became pitch black until glowing light beams glowed overhead brightly outlining the dome and filling the circular room in a soft tint of light.

Magnotrons retained their ceilings according to the last time that he rode on. The lights flickered from the station set in the middle of the room with a droid that stirred to lift then put in a record player. He grasped on the railing then watched as the craft raised in the air then began to spin.

The children shrieked in glee then Don laughed loudly in amusement. Judy took Don's outstretched hand as she joined in the laughter pinned against the berth of the craft by gravity. Smith watched as the lights from the carnival stood out and features of the planet grew smaller then before his eyes.

It was difficult to move as his back was pinned against the wall as was his head. Instead of a shriek or a scream from Smith, all that came from him was laughter. It was laughter that made Will smile broadly then turn his head away from the older man and cheered loudly as his older sister. The laughter made the older man feel good. Good. Most precisely; happy. Happier than he had been in a long time.

The kind of good that was addicting. One that he found in Kiss Bliss. One that he could make without chemicals. One that he could make by his own desire to enjoy what was around him. The warmth spread from his chest to all over him slipping over the ugly feelings (left over by the other Robinsons) and cooling them down covering them up but could still be seen through as only a image.

The ride lasted for a few but entertaining minutes. With a loud clack, their berths fell down, and they were thrust against the rope. And the lights turned to a red-orange above the heads of the group. Penny struggled to unbind herself so Smith reached out then slipped his long thin but agile transformed fingers underneath the knots and unraveled them from along the bars. In a matter of seconds, Penny was freed. Smith noticed that the boy was having difficulty with unraveling his tight knot.

"Seems I did it too tight," Smith said, regretful. "No matter. Smith is here to fix it!" He untied the knot. "Done!"

"Thank you, Doctor Smith." Will said.

"You are very welcome, my dear boy." Smith replied.

The string fell then Penny was the first one to leave as the door to the craft fell down with Robot waiting by the steps. Don and Judy were laughing, side by side, flicking off tears as they made their descent down the stairs.

"Would you like to spend the night by the Jupiter 2?" Will asked. "You don't have to sleep in it or in a room."

Smith turned aside thinking it over giving it a moment of reflection with a pause.

"I will think about it in depth." Smith said. "A decision like that is not to be made lightly for someone like me."

Will beamed back with a smirk that made his hazel eyes even more alive.

"See you in the morning, Doctor Smith." Will said.

"Time to go, Will." Penny stood at the doorway waving him over.

"A moment," Will replied. "Geeze, think she can rush me because it's late."

"You are very tired," Smith intoned as the boy yawned. "She has every right."

"Barely!" Will said.

"Good night," Smith replied.

Will walked toward the doorway.

"Good night." Will said.

"And William. . ." Smith added then Will stopped at the doorway and turned toward him. "I will need a full day of consideration."

"I get that," Will said with a smile and one hand on the frame beside him. "It isn't something to make in just a moment."

"Then we understand each other very well." Smith replied.

Will nodded, curtly.

"See you overmorrow morning, Doctor Smith." Will said.

Will turned around and bolted down the corridor then Smith lifted his hood up lowering his disguise. He came to the doorway of the craft watching them go. Smith smiled to himself, full of mirth, and fondness upon the family moving in the dark. He slid down the goggle over his eyes then came down the stairs. He turned the lights off including the machine.

Smith watched as the door closed in front of him. It had been much of a good day after all. All with the late night snacks the children had brought before they started painting the construction. It was the kind of wholesomeness that was missing from his universe. A kind that had been abruptly yanked out replacing it with bitterness, a environmental catastrophic that had been foreseen and allowed to happen, leaving it with a taint that marked a edginess that felt wrong.

He walked away from the control panel then began to collect the buckets and put the lids on them one at a time. He paused, hearing something in the distance, then leaned up scanning the area around him. He was unable to make out a shape. What was there? He couldn't exactly see color. He could see layers of green through the device squinting through it.

His eyes were squinted. He was staring off into the dark from side to side feeling something wasn't quite right in the place. A feeling that had been haunting him for the last week. He folded his arms coming to a pause beside a partially closed paint bucket and stared at the source of the noise and it all turned to pitch black.

/////////////////////////////////

Vikari was singing to herself as she strolled down the route. Loud, hearty snoring made her stop in her tracks. She slowly continued her walk until arriving to the magnotron. Smith was leaning against a ride with his arms folded coated in paint staring off toward the distance. Vikari rolled a eye then approached him and tapped on his shoulder.

Smith yelped jumping back, his back hitting the lower section of the magnotron and his elbows hit the hull kicking forth the full bucket that landed on Vikari's head dumping all of the contents down her head. She was coated in purple from head to toe then slow lifted the helmet up as the man was regained his composure across from her.

"Oh dear!" Smith said. "You startled me."

"Startled?" Vikari said. "What a joke. You tried to startle me."

"I did not!" Smith scowled. "I was fast asleep!"

"You were staring at the distance with your eyes open!"

"I don't know what is going on with you, Vikki," Smith said. "Or why you are pulling this charade."

"Let's drop this," Vikari said. "Why are you wearing night vision googles?"

Smith slid the goggles off his bald head then tossed them alongside the remaining cans of paint.

"The alien spider that stung me has terrible night vision," Smith said. "Every day is a hundred years. Feels that way. Long and agonizing."

He walked away from Vikari using the ship as his support then stood up right.

"I sent the money to the exterminator," Vikari said. "Your extra silver is in your temporary housing."

"You're a good friend when you need to be," Smith leaned forward, slightly swaying, being tempted by the idea of being well rested. "Vikari! Help."

Vikari caught Smith and supported him.

"I got you," Vikari said. "Where would you like to go?"

"My bed," Smith said. "Somewhere I can lay down and sleep preferably."

"Sure, sure," Vikari said.

"I feel so tired," Smith was guided away from the painted ride down the route then over to the lone chair.

"Staying up late does cost you," Vikari lowered him down to the chair as Smith rubbed his forehead.

"I don't know what is the matter," Smith said. "I feel this way constantly. Could have some unexpected cancer."

Vikari stepped back from Smith.

"Have you been sleeping well?" Vikari took another step back.

"I have been sleeping well enough," Smith looked up toward her.

"You did pull a all nighter painting the last artwork," Vikari said. "Even after all the time available for you after taking the pain away."

"Yes. . . But staying up all night doesn't usually . . ." he yawned, stretching his arms, then relaxed against the chair. "Feel dead tired."

Smith looked up toward Vikari struggling to keep his eyes open. Something was wrong. He didn't know what but something was unsettling.

"Do you know how I get my rides from, Doctor?" Vikari asked.

Smith tiredly nodded.

"You hire--"

Smith yawned.

"--a space construction crew--"

Smith yawned, again.

"---purchase the parts--"

Yaaawwwwwwn

"Then let them have at it,"

Smith watched Vikari become blurry as she walked away from him. He squinted trying to catch a glimpse of her. The brightness from the scenery stung his eyes in a way that forced his eyes to close. Smith instinctively tried to yank his hand off to shield his eyes only to find surprising difficulty with that minimal task.

"Why are---" he yawned. "---you stepping back?"

His eyes grew heavier as he grasped on to the arm rest of the chair then tried to lean forward, weakly, but unable to pinned against the chair.

"It helps not to be in the way when a new ride is becoming available," Vikari added.

Smith's hands became bound to the chair as the black ink from his uniform slipped down to the arm rest as his eyes fell closed.

He was leaned over when the chair magnetized him against the support rest then it went slack and he stumbled out of the chair so fast to the floor that it was a strange sensation. As if he had just discarded a heavier mass for a lighter one. He turned around then looked up to see a tall ride that was black and gray decorated in glow in the dark light fixtures featuring the colors of green, purple, yellow, orange, brown, deep brown, navy blue, and white. Eight long support beams rested behind the ride. He fell to his feet feeling unwell and weak.

"Vikari," Smith started, propping himself up, raising his head up. "What have you done?"

Vikari approached a long beam connected to a stationary part of a ride.

"You don't understand now but I have made profit," Vikari patted on the arm rest of the device. "Don't try to interfere, Doctor Smith." she turned around to face him. "Even if you tried nothing could be done about it. You are not. . . how do I say this? You don't have a body anymore."

"How dare you say that--" Smith lunged then crashed into the cart.

"Immortality," Vikari said. "It's what you have always wanted," Smith looked up toward her. "No more mutation."

"But not this way," Smith turned toward Vikari. "Undo what you have done to me. Please. I beg of you."

"I can't," Vikari said. "It's too difficult and risky. You will change your mind."

"I could," Smith said, "I rather spend immortality alive rather than dead."

"You are not a ghost," Vikari chuckled shaking her head. "You are just a living spirit."

Smith got up to his feet using the crevices that stood out among each paneling part to the ride's seat.

"Capable of interacting, touching, holding, speaking, and being a human. . ." Smith was half-way in and half-way out of the ride. "Yet. . .you still look as if you are mutating," Smith looked down toward his trembling-in-silent-fury hands. "That is strange."

"Because this is what I am," Smith raised his head up facing Vikari with so much it couldn't be possible to hold active threats. "I cannot remain this way for long."

"Can't you enjoy it?" Vikari asked. "Being without constant pain? Being able to look human? Being able to live the life you deserve?"

"I find that having a body comes with that, Vikki," Smith said, harshly. "It tells me that I am alive!"

"Soon as you walked into my home, you threw that away," Vikari said. "You don't need to eat, sleep, or age! Isn't that what you want?"

"No," Smith restrained his anger. "Nothing lasts forever and that's why it is supposed to be so beautiful. To yearn to live another day, to love, to hate, to favor, to long for, and to be pained over."

"Immortality, doctor?" Vikari became concerned. "Those stories I heard say you chase after it. And some say you have resigned to a existence as part of the family seeking for Alpha Centauri."

Smith turned his back to the woman struggling to keep the anger at bay.

"I have hired hands capable of oiling you when you get rusty, I can easily get people to paint you black as you have done to so many people, and you can exist far away from this machine," Smith turned toward Vikari. "There is no disadvantages to anyone in this gift."

The silence was more hurtful than his words as he glared at her with so much death that it made Vikari walk away then puke into a trash can.

"You should have given me the opportunity to make that immortality decision myself," Smith hissed into her ear. "Maybe I would have said yes. I will deliver you a even better candidate. Tomorrow, you will realize you tricked the wrong person."

When Vikari looked over, Smith was no where in sight.