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“Oh. Family relationships. Right. Well, I don’t have any left that count. After a certain age that’s true for everyone, and I’ve reached that age, I guess. It took a while, but I’m there.

“As I understand it, you’ve got to approve my application. If you don’t, I’ll appeal. As I have a right to. And eventually I’ll win. I’m smart, you know. When I have to be, I am. My whole family was a smart family, with very high scores. I never did much with my intelligence, I have to confess, but I’ll do this. I’ll get what I want and what I have a right to. And sincerely, Miss Latham, I do want it. I want to die. The way some people want sex, that’s how I want death. I dream about it. And I think about it. And it’s what I want.”