"Who's this?" Veda said. She was touching a yellowed clipping taped to the side of the machine, a photograph torn from a newspaper.

"That's Richard Godersely," said Oysterette. "He's the only good-looking investment banker anyone has ever seen."

The man in the photo was sitting rakishly across the corner of a desk. He had a strong, square face with curious cupid lips, and a great deal of wavy gold hair.

"He looks as if he's made entirely of frosting," Veda said.