my troop. Would you like to buy some?” Amazingly, she’s able to fish out a ten-dollar bill without putting down either the phone or the kid. “Have you got Thin Mints?” That’s something I’ve learned in the past hour. Everybody loves the Thin Mints. Luckily, I’ve got a huge supply of all flavors. (I happen to have an entire warehouse at my disposal.) Obviously, I can’t bring the whole warehouse with me. But Eli found a loading dolly that we piled up, and I’ve been selling the stuff around the neighborhood. And business is booming. It definitely beats carrying groceries. I hand over her Thin Mints and her change. She’s about to close the door, when she asks suddenly, “Shouldn’t you be in your uniform?” I give her my best smile, the one with all the teeth. “They have mercy on us in the summer. The outfit’s really hot. Thanks again!” In Serenity they taught us that honesty was the most important of the Three Essential Qualities of Serenity Citizens (honesty, harmony, and contentment). Here in the outside world, though, a lie comes to me as easily as breathing. It used to make me sad, but now I’m so focused on
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