The Cosmos, The Arrivals, Book 1, Chapter 4, Tiffany Transparent: Arrives at Cosmos House, Day 1, Section 6, Babs & Janet: Penny & Coco Threats & Acquisitions ¶ BB opens her eyes and steps back from the windows. She can still see the Backyard outside: the Garage and alley, the Post Henge, the Mudpit. She hesistates, “You know Janet, I feel bad about what I did in the Mudpit.” ¶ Janet shimmies. “Hey, the Mudpit holds legacy for both of us.” She gestures toward the Baseboard Strippers. “We stripped them naked and dispatched them to the Nugget!” ¶ BB hedges, “Whatever happened in the Mudpit better stay in the Mudpit.” ¶ “Maybe you don’t like the process, but you’re fine with the outcome,” Janet teases a friend. ¶ Babs sighs, “Monitoring is going to be a real challenge. Except that the alternative, what happened to Penny and Coco, is even more of a burden.” ¶ Janet spins on a heel—barefoot—and points toes at the two bottom brunettes on the Dining Room wall. “Baseboard Strippers. Penny Prancer and Coco Cachachas.” ¶ “You’re making that up,” Babs laughs. “But not the Strippers part. That’s real.” Babs saddens. “They’re not just losing the privilege of wearing clothes; they’re losing any and all privacy of their own bodies… and bodily functions!” ¶ Janet throws her shoulders back and waggles hands in the air. “Hello, Prefecture!” Janet speaks to both bare spread and naked Baseboard Strippers. “May your contributions to sex media grow and prosper, and may your cream and cum attract Gamer fans.” ¶ Babs feels even worse for the defeated Penny and Coco and details more of their woes: “Opt Downs to Strippers, earn one tattoo and one piercing each; that’s not going to make them very happy.” ¶ Janet breezes, “In a Game where pairs count as one piece this means {both} of them can get {both} of their nipples pierced!” ¶ Babs feels a cringe coming on. ¶ And Janet caps, “And may their tattoos be big, bold, and conspicuous!” ¶ “And they shall blame us for doing this to them,” Babs tightens. ¶ “Blame us?” Janet exclaims. “We’re all playing the Game. We’re not here to lose after all. Except some Gamers can’t get to the bottom fast enough.” ¶ Babs feels reluctant to study the Pictures for early traces of ink or steel, and she trails Janet through the Living Room almost to the Front Door when a lost thought bolts through her mind. “Tiffany! She’s still standing by the Bell outside the Back Door! Waiting.” ¶ Janet waves a dismissive hand. “Oh, she’ll wait for you. Wait for us, as if that should make a difference.” ¶ “No,” BB hurries, then shakes her shoulders. “Yes. Right. She can stand there indefinitely. Hours.” ¶ And they almost laugh together.