Stuck in a dead-end job with the same dull routine night after night, James Patterson felt, more than anything else, lonely.
He didn't have the knack for interaction generically labeled "social skills." He remained off to himself, easily identified as a loner.
Looking down in his palm, he felt his heartbeat flutter as he realized that he held a real little man in his hand.
"How'd you do this?" James asked.
Eric cringed at the loud voice coming at him from such close proximity.
"I work here..." Eric began as he looked up, trembling, from the giant's palm.
"So do I!" James said, somewhat too excitedly.
"Yeah, that's nice," Eric said. "Look, I need your help."
"What can I do?" James asked quickly, eager to be of assistance.
Eric frowned. His shrink ray needed some precise repairs. The young man holding him didn't look too technically-minded. "Maybe you should find someone else who can help me," Eric said.
James looked dejected. "I can take care of you, little guy," he said, almost pleading.
Suddenly, the lab door opened. Before Eric could react, he felt the huge fingers close around him.
He kicked and tried to scream. He felt smothered in the giant's closed fist.
Don, Eric's graduate assistant, recognized James. "How are you this evening?" The graduate student asked the young man.
"I am fine," he said, careful to conceal his closed fist behind him.
"I needed to see Dr. Brevard," Don said. "Have you seen him?"
"No."
Don turned to leave, but James coughed. "Uh, what goes on in here?"
"Research," Don said. "Why do you ask?"
"No reason."
"Well, I'll see you later," Don said.
After he left the lab, James uncurled his fist. Eric, who had heard Don's voice, began to yell. "Don! Wait! Where is he?"
"Calm down," James admonished in a stern voice.
"That was my assistant!" Eric exclaimed. "He could help me."
James smiled. "I've got a better idea..."
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