In an apartment where an animated party is going on, Julia appears in the doorway dressed in her usual style of satin dress and high-heeled sandals. She is with two other women dressed in like style, about the same age. Julia looks pale and tired. She has dark circles under her eyes.

Her friend, Cindy is saying, "Julia, you have been so quiet! You are not yourself, girl!"

Her other friend, Kathy says, "There are some great people here tonight. You'll have fun." Looking at Julia's response, she is not so sure, "You don't have to stay long."

Cindy says, "I can't believe it was so hard to get you to get out of that house!"

Kathy says, "Your old man said he was going to work through the night, isn't it the perfect time for you to party through the night?"

The women are playfully pushing her through the doorway. Julia sighs and gives in. They split-up, Julia heading for the drink table.

While she is sipping a champagne cocktail and looking around the room she is horrified to see one of Steve's Braille interface devices.

A couple of men are holding it up and running their hands over it and laughing. It looks innocent but Julia starts shaking. She pushes over through a couple of people just as the men are turning it on, laughing and laying their hands on it. Julia is shocked.

"Where did you get that?" Julia demands, "Where did you get that!"

Cindy and Kathy see Julia making a scene and rush over to her.

The man with the tele-tactile pad says, "This Guru guy is selling them on the internet for $5,000. You are supposed to achieve Tantric Enlightenment, you know the 'Next Level'."

He looks around, trying to explain himself, "I thought it would be a great party goof. You don't think it actually does anything?"

"Get rid of it," Julia says. She tries to act composed but is visually shaking, "Just get rid of it."

Julia quickly leaves the party. Cindy and Kathy who were standing beside her turn and follow her out. They are very concerned for Julia.

Copyright 2000 Stewart Dickson and Rebecka Dickson