I said, What are you, a federal employee or just a freelance zombie? - Pat Cadigan

There were those who insisted this had already happened, but they could never come up with any solid examples, only vague stories involving the cousin of a daughter of a friend-of-a-friend who overheard someone on an all-night bus telling someone else about it.

It was a lonely thing. There was no way to be sure if it meant the same thing to both of you. He’d forgotten that part of making love, how you couldn’t assume that intent was as joined as bodies were.

If you need someone to believe something, make them go for a walk with you. Walking takes up most of the energy they’d use to disbelieve you.