"Remember," Grnthk brained, "in an emergency, you can pull the eject cord." Krnthp brained back assent. The aliens had done their research. Their observation suit mimicked the most common human form, determined through study of their picture waves. Designated as observer, Krnthp studied human stories until Krnthp fully understood their society. That exhausting process took hours.

Krnthp appeared in the globe's most important city, and Krnthp began observing the natives. They were friendly. Some asked for photos with Krnthp, some for Krnthp to write a name on paper. Those seemed confused afterward. One group invited Krnthp to go drinking, and Krnthp went with them.

At the recreational drinking room, everyone was friendly. More people asked for a written name and left confused. Several child-bearers asked what Krnthp was doing later.

One pulled Krnthp into a waste chamber and pressed Krnthp against a wall. "Is this a robbery?" Krnthp asked. She laughed, then reached into Krnthp's pants and pulled the eject cord.

She screamed and screamed. Not surprising, since she'd just watched Brad Pitt launch his brain across the room and collapse in the toilet.

Krnthp's last thought before smashing into the wall at lethal speeds was "How did it know?"