"It's not so much of what you've done," the double says, averting his eyes with feigned shame, "as what you are."

He sighs, sidling past the alien to his room to gather some of his things. He'll dump them into the river later, or perhaps light them on fire. That'll warm them up after their time in the frosty apartment.

"Remember what you said to me? About Emily's party and how others might view the company she keeps?"