Mrs. Winters answered, "Oh, right, I almost forgot amidst all the worry. I'm finished with that thing I had to do, and I'm on my way home now. I'll be there in... eleven minutes. Have you decided yet what you want to do about your 'Senior Prank'?"
This really threw Jon for a loop. 'Senior Prank'? What the hell? "Um, no, I haven't yet."
Karyn by now was practically frantic. She was hopping up and down and mouthing at him, "Use the stone! Use the stone!"
Jon waved her off. He agreed in principle that this was an emergency, and some kind of wish should be used, but it wouldn't be wise to make it where his mother could hear them. He gave Karyn a warning look and silently shushed her.
Mrs. Winters went into full-on babble mode, hardly pausing to draw a breath. "OK, well, don't delay too much longer. You're gonna lose the salon option in about an hour or so. I went ahead and made the appointment for you. They'll forgive me if you decide to break it. I don't think they were too busy anyway. Did you want to talk about it more? I can't see the harm in it; I think you should have some fun! Your father agrees, but that almost goes without saying."
Mom's babbling was a reassuring bit of familiarity in this new world. As long as Jon pretended like he was paying attention, she hardly required his participation. He had picked up this trick years ago from Dad. Jon was hoping Mom would let slip more info, but so far the clues she was dropping didn't make much sense without more context. Of course he didn't dare ask her any direct questions.
Jon's mother paused, and seemed to be expecting a response. Jon mentally wound back what she had said and realized she had dropped a question in the middle.
"Um, I'm gonna ask Karyn about it, and I think I'll have an answer when you get home."
Karyn realized she could ask a question Jon wasn't in a position to. "Mrs. Winters, where did you make the appointment?"
"Oh, it's at Yvonne's. It's over on this side of town near my work. I picked it because Jon isn't likely to run into any classmates there... but, Karyn, you would know more about that, wouldn't you. Is that likely?"
Karyn lucked out; she recognized the name of the establishment. "Um, no, probably not. It's pretty upscale, and it's over near the other high school."
"Oh yes, I know it's upscale, I thought Jon deserved a special experience. Oh, and you do too, Karyn! Would you like me to make an appointment for you? I'm sure they can do a number on you too! My treat. They'll do so much better than you can on your own with stuff out of a replicator, let me tell you!"
Jon could barely keep his mirth under control. "I bet Karyn would love it, wouldn't you?"
Karyn shot an angry look at him, while keeping a respectful tone of gratitude in her voice. "Thank you very much, Mrs. Winters, I appreciate it. And we can cancel if we change our minds, right, Jon?" She gently slapped his arm on the word "right".
"OK, I'll make it for you, since you're having 'interface problems.' Make sure you fix that before I get there, right?" She briefly paused, then continued. "OK, done. Yes, they won't mind if you cancel; they weren't anywhere near booked. Both appointments are at 5:30. Since I'll be home early, you can take my car; no need to spring for a cab."
Karyn was impressed at the speed with which Mrs. Winters had accomplished the extra booking, and she hadn't even needed to put them on hold or anything. And she'd offered them the use of the car! In spite of the potential trouble she and Jon were in, this was a new coolness. "Thanks for the use of the car, Mrs. Winters!"
"Oh, no trouble at all. I'll be home in a jif. Toodles!"
The Replomat announced, "The voice connection has been closed."
