Land of the Giants: A Love Story

By JR Thomas

Chapter Ten: Interlude Too

The next morning very little conversation passed between Sylvana and Steve as they prepared to leave for the Archon’s estate. Sylvana was still annoyed with Steve’s rebuke from the previous night, and Steve, for his part, was disappointed with her seeming lack of sympathy and understanding regarding the ordeal he’d been through with Doctor Lefay. Sylvana made it clear with her cold demeanor that she wished to avoid touching him, and when they were ready to depart she just set her purse down in front of him and opened it. Upon arriving at the Archon’s, Sylvana went to the workshop and quickly deposited Steve on the main workshop table then headed for her office. At no time was Steve’s outburst about wanting to move back in with the rest of the Spindrift crew brought up, though it weighed heavily on both their minds.

The day was a flood of activity in the workshop. Grond Harko reinserted the engine modules into the Spindrift, and under Mark Wilson’s direction, Steve and Dan spent the balance of the day reattaching the engines to the control and fuel interfaces. By the late afternoon they were becoming very excited. All that was left was to load the fuel cells and test the engines. If all went well they would be on their way home in under a fortnight.

As quitting time approached Steve hadn’t seen Sylvana all day, and he was starting to wonder uncomfortably if the two of them were on the verge of another split-up. He was putting his jacket on when Mrs. Obek entered the workshop.

She glanced around the table looking for Steve, and when she spied his tell-tale red uniform, leaned down and spoke to him. “Captain Burton, may I borrow you for a second?”

Valerie, Mark, and Betty were close by, and they looked at Steve wondering what was going on.

Steve approached the edge of the table and looked up at the giant matron. “Sure Honoria. What’s up?”

The kindly woman gave him a secretive grin. “Oh, Steve, I think it would be easier just to show you.”

Steve looked at the others and shrugged, then returned his gaze to the giant woman standing over the low table. “OK Honoria, let’s go.” He lifted his arms as her huge fingers wrapped around his torso. She slowly lifted him off the table and headed out the workshop door.

Steve felt Mrs. Obek gently squeezing him as she walked down the hall. He thought with some humor that these giant women seemed to love handling him every chance they got, though he didn’t really mind as long as they were gentle with him.

It came as no surprise to Steve when she took him into Sylvana’s private upstairs office. He noticed Sylvana sitting at her desk; the backside of her striking auburn hair shining in the light seeping into the room between the window blinds. Sylvana turned around in her chair, greeting her visitors with a pleasant smile. Mrs. Obek exchanged some quick small talk with Sylvana as she placed Steve on the desk, then made her excuses and departed.

Sylvana looked down at the little man with a trace of apprehension in her voice. “Uh, Steve, I’m sorry about last night.” She moved forward slightly. “You were right. You’d just come through a very trying experience, but I was only thinking of myself.”

One look at Sylvana’s beautiful ruby-red lips, gorgeous hair, and delicately manicured fingernails fluttering around his body, and any lingering annoyance he might have had melted away. “No Sylvana, I’m the one who should apologize for snapping at you. I’m sorry, I was tired. I know that’s no excuse though.”

She exhaled joyfully. “Oh, you wonderful man!”

Sylvana pulled her right foot up on the chair so that she was sitting partially on her leg. Her movements caught Steve’s attention, and when he allowed his gaze to fall slightly couldn’t help noticing her conservative blue/grey dress hiked far up her leg, exposing her stocking top and thigh.

Sylvana noticed the little man enjoying her, and she looked down at her leg then back to him. “Do you like, Steve?” she asked as she laid her hands on the desk close to him.

“Yes I do Sylvana, very much” he replied, his gaze still transfixed on her gorgeous legs.

She let out a naughty giggle and lowered her head so it was within his reach. Without saying anything he moved forward and stretched out his arms. He placed his tiny hands on her chin, then kissed her on her enormous lips. They remained in contact with each other for several minutes, both enjoying the erotic sensations of the other’s flesh.

Having temporarily satiated each other’s needs, Sylvana gave him a handkerchief. While Steve wiped the lipstick off his face, she laid back on her chair thinking of what they could do this evening besides the usual hot and steamy sex, not that there was anything usual about that, she thought.

It suddenly came to her, and she sat up with a start.

“Steve?”

He set the gigantic handkerchief down and gazed up at his girlfriend. “Yes dear?”

“Let’s do something different this evening.”

This sparked his curiosity. “What did you have in mind Sylvana?”

“Steve honey, I thought we’d go to Enya’s; the best women’s clothing store in the whole city. You know you’ve been wanting me to buy some more sexy clothes”, she said playfully as she brushed her hand lightly against his side.

“Oh really…….” Steve said apprehensively.

She moved her leg out from underneath her and sat up in the chair. “And after that I thought we’d have dinner out. I know a nice, cozy little restaurant that would be perfect.”

Steve paused, rubbing his chin with his hand. “Sylvana, it sounds like fun, but are you sure it’s safe?”

She gave him a disarming smile. “Don’t you worry your little head Steve, I know the places quite well and I won’t let you out of my sight. Bedsides, I do have the permit in case anyone hassles us.”

“Swell”, he replied with a definite lack of enthusiasm. Steve still didn’t like the idea of the permit. Although he understood the necessity for it, he found the whole thing degrading in the extreme.

She crossed her arms on the desktop and moved her face close to him. “Oh please Steve; you’ll have a wonderful time, I promise.”

One look at those big, beautiful, imploring eyes, and he couldn’t say no. “Oh, all right Sylvana.”

She gave him a gigantic smile. “Oh Steve, you won’t regret it. Stay here while I get my purse.” She got up from her chair and walked to the other side of the room.

Steve rolled his eyes. With him standing on her desktop, he wondered where she expected him to go?

**************************

Steve was lying inside Sylvana’s purse, listening to the conversation going on in the giant store outside.

“Thank you ma’am, the dresses are beautiful, but what I really wanted was something a little more, uh, revealing” Sylvana said. “You know, short skirts, bare arms, bare backs.”

The saleslady replied with a trace of surprise in her voice. “Oh really Miss Noor, would you like me to take you to the young woman’s section?”

“Well, uh, sure ma’am” Sylvana responded sheepishly.

“Your size is a bit on the high end for a young lady, but I think we should be able to find some things that would fit” the woman said officiously. “Come this way.”

Sylvana followed the saleslady as she led her to the young woman’s clothing department. Steve rightly surmised that Sylvana felt stung by her comment, but he hoped she didn’t take it too seriously. After all, he thought he’d told her more than once that he loved the way the ‘few extra pounds’ added some nice curvature to her arms, legs, and overall figure, to say nothing of her chest!

As Sylvana traversed through the store Steve felt his body rock back in forth inside her purse as if he were on some amusement part ride. He waited patiently in darkness for the next 15-20 minutes while she picked out some clothing and nylons. After a time he noticed the noise and conversation outside diminish, and when all at once he felt the purse set down on a solid surface, he figured they must now be in the ladies dressing room.

Sure enough, when Sylvana opened the purse and lifted Steve out, looking around he could see he was standing on a chair inside what looked like a very spacious fitting room, resplendent with a full-length triple mirror. Sylvana had seven outfits to try on, and leaning back against her purse, Steve relaxed and enjoyed the show.

And what a show it was! Steve thought that until now he only had gotten a glimpse of just how sexy Sylvana could be. He looked on in wonder as she proceeded to put on and take off the beautiful, sexy outfits. She strutted before the mirror in her miniskirts and bare-backed mini-dresses, rotated her huge, magnificent body, and then hovered around him as if he were a judge at some giant fashion show. He gasped in awe as her thighs moved by him, slowly, sultrily, seductively. At one point she slowly took off her hosiery as if doing a strip-tease, and then dropped them right on top of him! He basked in her feminine scents, covered as he was in the silky, sensuous material. Steve sighed in total ecstasy, thinking although he’d occasionally enjoyed watching his girlfriends back on Earth give him a ‘personal’ fashion show, they were nothing compared to this grand spectacle!

“Aren’t you glad you came Steve?” she said enticingly.

He crawled out from under the nylons and looked up lovingly at his giant girlfriend. “Sylvana, put on a few more show more shows like this and there’s no way I’ll be going back to Earth!” he shouted. They both laughed, although Sylvana wondered if he was being at all serious. She hoped he was.

Sylvana slipped back into a pair of dark nylons and black mini-dress she was buying, and then kneeled down close to Steve who was still standing on the chair next to her purse. “Steve, there’s one more thing I need before we go to dinner.”

“What’s that hon?”

“Shoes!” She gave him a big smile and winked.

Steve looked up at her approvingly, though he thought it would be unfortunate that he would have to sit this one out in her purse.

Steve again rode around in the darkness of her handbag while Sylvana picked out some shoes; one moment at rest when she stopped, the next swaying back and forth when she moved along. He figured it was just as well though, as he could hear that the salesperson assisting her was a man. After about ten minutes Steve could feel the purse come to rest and he lay back and closed his eyes, figuring he could get in a quick nap before dinner. Much to his chagrin though, a few moments later the purse opened, flooding him in light. Sylvana reached in and pulled him out, and the next thing Steve knew he was standing on the floor next to her feet. She was sitting on a chair, leaning over and looking down on him.

He looked up imploringly. “Sylvana, are you sure this is wise?”

She smiled at him. “Relax Steve, you’ll enjoy this.”

Before he could question her more on the wisdom of exposing him in the open in this giant department store, he heard the giant shoe salesman approach.

THUMP! THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!

“Miss Noor, these should fit. Let me………” The man went silent as his gaze fell across tiny Steve on the floor at his customer’s feet.

“Miss Noor! Don’t move!” he said excitedly. “There’s one of those little people on the floor next to your purse! Don’t worry, I’ll get him.” As he reached down to grab Steve, Sylvana clutched his arm.

“It’s OK. That’s Captain Burton. He’s with me” she said nonchalantly.

The man looked like he’d seen a ghost. “Wha, wha……..”

Steve shouted at the giant. “Hey, watch where you step pal!”

The salesman looked down at the tiny man on the floor, too flustered to think clearly, and he just nodded at Steve.

“I, I, I guess it’s alright, although it’s highly unusual. We’ve never had little people in the store, at least none that I know of.”

Steve rolled his eyes.

“Sir, may I try on the shoes?” Sylvana said pointedly to the salesman to get things moving.

The man looked up from his state of mild shock. “Uh, uh, yes Miss Noor. Of course.”

“And please watch out for Captain Burton” Sylvana added. She smiled at the man, and he returned an awkward grin.

He struggled putting the first shoe that Sylvana was trying; a smart-looking black suede pump, on her hosed foot; obviously still feeling nervous with the situation.

Steve perceived with satisfaction that the enormous shoe was very flattering to her foot. He walked up close to it, and noted how the spike of the shoe was nearly five feet high! From the sexy shoe, his eyes followed up her leg, taking in the beautiful contour of her calf and thigh. Very, very sexy, he thought.

The next shoe she tried was a dressy, low-heeled mule, and as the salesman slipped it on Sylvana, Steve thought he noticed the man’s hands linger a bit too long on her foot. Steve put his hands on his hips and looked up at the man with much indignation. “Hey buddy! You can remove your hands from her foot any time now!”

He quickly withdrew his hands, and darted a glance at tiny Steve then up at Sylvana. “Uh, uh, sorry ma’am”, he said with much embarrassment.

Sylvana turned her gaze from Steve up to the face of the salesman. “Be careful” she said teasingly. “Steve’s the jealous type.”

He forced a discomfited smile, then reached for the box containing the next pair of shoes.

Steve watched admiringly as Sylvana tried on several more very expensive-looking pairs, including some very sexy dress sandals. He marveled at the ridiculousness, and yet sexiness, of the situation. After all, due to his tiny size, Sylvana’s clean, well-formed and well-manicured feet were one of the first things he’d noticed about her when they’d first met in the park well over two months ago. He smiled and shook his head from side-to-side, thinking how crazy, but how exciting and sensual his life had become.

As Steve stood on the ground next to Sylvana’s purse admiring the POV view of his giant girlfriend, he started to notice movement and voices. Turning around he discerned four or five pairs of woman’s feet and lower legs standing nearby; just behind the shoe salesman. Following his gaze up the legs, he could make out a group of giant women, all looking down on him with wonder and adoration.

“Oh, he is so adorable.” Laughter

“She is so lucky.” Giggles

“Where can I find one just like him?” Laughter

Steve smirked and rolled his eyes. By now he was almost getting used to the attention, ogling, and fawning that he had been receiving from the giant women wherever he went these days. Life had indeed become very strange, he thought.

“I’d like to take him home with me.” Giggles

“I’d give my boyfriend the old ‘heave ho’ if I could find one of those little men.” Laughter

The salesman noticed the small crowd of ladies forming around them. He got up and confronted them, assuming his best professional demeanor. “Ladies, please move along. Don’t crowd us. I’ll be with you in a minute.”

He herded the curious women out into the main store aisle next to the shoe department, and then quickly returned to Sylvana. “I’m sorry ma’am.” He looked down at Steve. “Sir”.

“Sylvana gave the salesman a warm smile and then looked down at Steve, still at her feet. “Don’t worry about it. I think Steve is rather used to it by now”. Steve lifted his arms and shrugged his shoulders.

Sylvana returned her gaze to the salesmen. “Thank you sir, you’ve been most helpful, but I think we’re finished. I’ll take all five pairs.”

The man gave her a big smile, thinking of the tidy bonus he would get for this large sale of expensive shoes. Steve folded his arms and grinned, thinking of a woman from Earth history named Ivana Trump.

**************************

Four members of the Brobdinian Supreme Council were having a social dinner at a posh, expensive restaurant in Nar Shadaa city. ‘Social’, meaning, of course, that the dinner was mostly business.

An elderly, white-haired gentleman looked at the elegant blond women sitting to his right. “Galla, it seems your bold gamble to support Obek in his dealings with the little people have paid off. Our society is already starting to reap the benefits of their advanced technology.” He raised his wine glass to her. “You are to be commended for your efforts.”

The Councilman sitting on the other side of the woman gave the man a dry smile, interjecting a sarcastic comment. “……and let’s not forget how your coffers are now full to overflowing as well.”

The first man looked at him with indignation. “What’s good for my Firm is good for Brobdinia sir!”

The darkly handsome Councilmen sitting between the other two men tapped the second one on the shoulder. “My dear Dargo, I don’t see you suffering from malnutrition.” The three men chuckled.

Supreme Council Deputy Galla Placidia looked at the men with mild irritation. “I think it’s clear that we’ve all benefited from the advanced Earth technology.” She took a sip of wine. “Now if you’re quite through with your petty squabbling, I’d like to move on to the business at hand.”

They nodded their acquiescence, and the woman continued. “I’m willing to support each of you as regards your patent claims on the Earth technology.”

“Splendid. Good, good.” The men muttered.

“But there is something I want in return” she added.

The three men looked at her expectantly.

She gazed at them with cool, calculating eyes. “In the next assembly of the Supreme Council I will be putting forth a proposed amendment to our marriage laws, and I will require your support for it to pass.”

The three men gazed at her silently for a few moments, and then the elderly gentleman sitting on her left spoke up. “What kind of amendment, my dear?”

The man sitting next to Dargo spoke up. “Oh come now Phormio, I think we know what our esteemed Deputy wants”. He smiled knowingly, and then gave the woman a probing look. “Why don’t you ask Deputy Placidia about her kept boyfriend?” He paused for effect, and then continued. “…..although I wish Galla would give me a tumble. After all, our esteemed Deputy has the best legs on the Supreme Council.” He sat back in his chair and gave her a carnal grin. “Your lips are made for kissing, my dear.”

“But not by you!” she curtly retorted.

The three men laughed.

Galla was infuriated at Councilmen Nihlis’s blatantly sexist and disrespectful comment, but she was much too cool and intelligent to take his bait further. In any case she needed his support, for now. She gave the man a cold stare, but otherwise remained silent.

“Well, this is the first I’ve heard of it, Nihilis”, Councilman Dargo said. “Suppose you enlighten us?”

The two councilmen’s faces turned a whiter shade of pale as Nihilis filled them in on Galla’s proposed amendment.

Galla sighed, thinking this was going to be a long and difficult evening. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a vaguely familiar woman being seated at the semi-private table in the corner of the restaurant. In a moment it came to her. It was Archon Obek’s secretary, Sylvana Noor. Rumor has it she’s dating one of the Earthman working with Obek. Interesting coincidence, she thought.

**************************

Steve was sitting in a tiny chair that Sylvana had brought along in her purse, and he was situated next to her giant plate, eating from tiny portions she had cut for him and set down at the corner of the plate. Steve was enjoying some giant caviar, thinking that going out with Sylvana had turned out to be much safer, and an altogether more pleasant experience than he had anticipated. Sylvana had warned the manager when calling in the reservation that she was bringing one of the little people, and he assured her that he would do his utmost to ensure their privacy. He gave them their best, most secluded table for two, well out of the way of most customer traffic. Additionally, the soft, romantic lighting and the fact that the exclusive restaurant was only half-full all helped ensure their privacy. Indeed, the only people who knew the little Earthman was there were the manager, who came by Syvlana’s table briefly, partly to introduce himself, but mostly because he’d never seen one of the little people, and of course the waitress.

The waitress was a pleasant, comely girl in her late twenties, and the only problem there was what, to Steve, was rapidly becoming the usual one. That is, the giant girl was totally enthralled with the handsome little man, and to Sylvana’s increasing annoyance and jealousy it seemed she was making excuses to check on their table every few minutes. Eventually the manager had a word with her, admonishing the girl not to draw unnecessary attention to their table, and her visits tapered off.

Steve looked up at his giant date. “Sylvana, can I help that I’m so irresistible to women?” he said with a grin.

She put her fork down and shook her head back and forth. “You!” she exclaimed with mock indignation. “Steve, all I can say is that you better hope I never catch you with another woman, I don’t care what their size. The day I do you’re going to be in big trouble!” She gave him a wink.

Steve put his hand over his head, feigning fright. They laughed heartily.

“Sylvana?”

“Yes dear?”

“I just wanted you to know that I was apprehensive at first about going out, but I’ve had a great time this evening. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome Steve. So have I.”

Steve got up from his chair. “I’ll never forget the look on that shoe salesman’s face when he saw me at your feet. Where’s a camera when you need one?” She smiled, remembering the comical scene, and they chuckled.

She moved her face close to him. “And Steve, what about those women at the store?” She started mocking some of the things they had said – “Look at the little man, he is soooooooo adorable! Oh, I want to take him home and love him! He is so hot!” Sylvana waved a hand in front of her face.

Steve laughed so hard at her impersonations that Sylvana wondered if the couple at the nearest table would hear him.

When the two had recovered from their merriment, Steve walked up to a point just below and in front of her chin. “Sylvana, I don’t mind saying that watching your fashion show got me so hot I thought I wasn’t going to need the Spindrift to get into space.”

Steve detected a sudden sadness in her eyes, and realized that his figurative remark may have not been the most tactful thing to say. The mention of his ship reminded her that he would be returning home, and he saw a tear form in her eye.

He stretched his arms up towards her. “Oh Sylvana, I……….”

“Pardon me, sorry to interrupt……..”

Sylvana and Steve were startled by the sudden intrusion on their tender moment, and they looked up to see a woman standing next to their table.

Steve instinctively backed away from the giant, and Syvlana quickly sat up in her seat.

“Why, Deputy Placidia. It’s an honor to see you here.” Sylvana started to get up, but the woman motioned her to stay seated.

“I take it you two know each other?” Steve asked.

Sylvana looked down at Steve nervously. “Ste, Steve, allow me to introduce Deputy Galla Placidia of the Supreme Council.”

Steve folded his arms and looked up at the woman but said nothing. It was not lost on him though that she was a striking woman in her mid-40’s with intelligent-looking eyes and platinum blond shoulder-length hair.

“Please to meet you Captain Burton. I’ve heard so much about you.”

She offered Steve her hand. He grasped the end of her index finger and placed a kiss on her bright red nail. Although Sylvana had grown very possessive of Steve lately, there was no way she was going to raise any objections concerning Deputy Placidia.

Sylvana lower her head close to Captain Burton. “Steve, Deputy Placidia is Archon Obek’s chief supporter on the Supreme Council. It was largely on her account that the Archon was able to get permission to deal with you and your people.”

Steve shook his head in understanding. He looked up at the giant woman. “In that case, the pleasure is all mine ma’am. We owe you a great deal.”

She leaned close to the table to better communicate with the little man. “Oh, not at all Steve. Both our peoples have benefited greatly.” She smiled. “Oh, and please call me Galla.” She smiled at them.

Steve moved closer to the giant woman. “Galla, I’m delighted the Supreme Council seems to be listening to people other than Inspector Kobick these days.”

Galla shook her head back and forth at the mention of the inspector’s name. “I don’t think you will have to worry about Inspector Kobick anymore Steve. We heard about his attempted raid on Archon Obek’s estate, and we are in the process of disbanding the SID.”

Steve gave the giant women the biggest smile his tiny countenance could muster.

Galla gazed on them warmly. “Sylvana, it would be my pleasure if you would bring Captain Burton to my place for dinner sometime next week. I think we all would have much to discuss.”

“How so Galla?” Steve queried.

“Look, I’d love to talk more now, but I have other members of the Supreme Council at my table. I really should be getting back to them.”

“We understand Deputy, uh, Galla”, Sylvana said. “And yes, we would be honored to have dinner with you.”

The woman clasped her hands to her front and turned to Miss Noor. “Excellent. My secretary will be calling you to make the arrangements.”

Steve watched the giant woman admiringly as she walked away from their table, then looked up at his date. “Considering all she’s done for us, it would be ungracious not to accept her invitation.” He folded his arms. “Still, I wonder what she wants to talk with us about?”

“Who knows?” Sylvana replied. “But Steve, the way you’ve been girl-watching tonight, I think I’d better get you home”, she said half-joking, half-seriously. “And when the waitress comes with the check, I should be very displeased if you flirt with her.”

He walked a few paces closer to his giant date. “Sylvana, the women of your world are very lovely, but you are the goddess!”

Sylvana put her elbows on the table, and clasping her hands under her chin, moved her face close to him. Steve gazed pleasingly at the giant bracelet on her arm.

“……and a very jealous goddess at that,” she said with a broad smile. “If I catch your eyes wandering any more, you’ll be staying in your dollhouse tonight.”

Steve grinned. “Sylvana, after seeing your fashion show at the department store, I don’t think I could stand that.”

He walked up and put his head in the crevice of her enormous lips. They were still kissing a few moments later when the waitress returned with the check. She was most disappointed to see that the cute little man was obviously taken.

**************************

Sylvana and Steve were in the living room, drinking some coffee and awaiting the arrival of her son and daughter. Steve was sitting at a dollhouse furniture set Sylvana had placed on her coffee table. It was an interesting curiosity to see the tiny sofa and coffee table set amidst their giant counterparts.

Steve took a sip from his tiny cup, and then looked up at his giant girlfriend. “This is really great coffee Sylvana; the first decent cup I’ve had in three years.”

She looked down at him and smiled. “Glad you like it dear. It’s a special blend from the groves of Anorien. Not too bitter, not too strong, just right.”

Steve took a few more sips and then set his cup down. He got up and moved closer to Sylvana so as not to have to shout when talking with her. He admired her shapely knees that were at eye level with him.

“How old did you say your kids were honey?” Steve asked.

Sylvana put her cup down on the table, close to the dollhouse furniture set. Steve looked at Sylvana’s cup, thinking for a moment how unnerving it could be to see giant objects in juxtaposition to items his own size. After all this time on the giant world, it was still something that was very bizarre to him.

Sylvana uncrossed her legs and leaned close to her tiny boyfriend.

“Gard is now twenty-one, and Tarla is twenty” she answered. “As I may have mentioned before, they’re both students at Nar Shadaa University. He’s studying engineering, and she’s in medicine.”

Steve looked up at Sylvana’s face as they talked, occasionally allowed his gaze to fall back to eye level were Sylvana’s beautiful legs were jutting out at an angle to him.

“They must be very smart, like their mother.”

His compliment prompted a warm smile from her. “Thank you Steve. Yes, Gard and Tarla are my pride and joy.”

Steve noticed a wistful look in her eyes. “What’s wrong dear?”

She breathed out slowly. “Oh, I was just thinking of their father.”

“What happened?”

She didn’t answer immediately, and Steve could see in her huge eyes that it was obviously an uncomfortable subject with her.

“Oh, he just couldn’t keep it at home”, she answered pensively.

“I’m very sorry Sylvana. It was definitely his loss.”

Sylvana’s countenance brightened considerably at Steve’s comment. “Thank you Steve, you’re so sweet. Why can’t men my own size be as nice?”

Sylvana continued. “It was very hard for a time after the divorce as I hadn’t worked in a while, but luckily I got the job with Archon Obek who pays very well. As it turned out, not only could I dispense with my ex’s child support, which in any event was sporadic, but could also afford to send Gard and Tarla to university.”

Steve folded his arms across his chest and looked up at her. “I’m happy things have turned out well for you Sylvana. You deserve no less.”

“Thank you Steve”. She reached down and brushed his side lightly with her hand.

“Sylvana, as I told you, I’m still a bit concerned about meeting them, but since we’ve been seeing each other for a while now, I didn’t see how I can refuse.”

“Oh Steve, don’t worry. You’ll like them. They’re very well-mannered.”

Steve started pacing slowly over the coffee table. “But Sylvana, what do they think of little people?”

She leaned close to him with her hands resting on her knees. “Like me, they were dismayed by the SID’s treatment of you little people, and applauded the fall of the old coalition in the Supreme Council and the rise of Deputy Placidia and the Liberal Party.”

Steve was still apprehensive. He stopped his pacing and looked up at her. “I’m glad to hear that Sylvana, but what I really meant was, do they know about us?”

“You mean???????” She giggled, and gave him a mischievous grin. “Well, no dear, which is one reason I’ve invited them to stop by today.”

“Well that’s just great!” Steve said with much irritation evident in his voice. He looked away from her.

She sat on the edge of the sofa and leaned over to keep close to the tiny man. “Oh come now Steve, you’ve moved in with me! They’ll have to find out sooner or later.”

He stopped and turned around to face her. “I suppose you’re right Sylvana. I was just hoping that by the time they did……..”

“Yes Steve?” She prompted him to continue his thought.

He looked down. “I’m sorry Sylvana. I guess I was thinking that by the time they did find out, I’d be gone.”

A frown came upon her face. “Well Steve, if that’s the way you feel, maybe you should leave now!” She crossed her arms and looked away, now feeling quite irritated herself.

“Forgive me Sylvana.” The giant woman’s leg just below her knee was bushing against the side of the coffee table, and Steve walked up and put his hand on it. He gently caressed her hosed flesh. “I’m sorry dear.”

She looked down and gave him a perplexed look. All at once they could hear a car pull up out front.

Sylvana looked towards the front door. “That’s them”, she said.

Saved by the bell, Steve thought.

She got up from the sofa, straightened her blouse and skirt, and walked to the door. Steve positioned himself close to the forward edge of the coffee table just in front of the dollhouse furniture.

The living room coffee table was not too close to the front door, so Gard and Tarla did not immediately notice Steve when Sylvana let them in. It gave him a moment to observe the two giants while they hugged and exchanged greetings and small talk with their mother. Gard was moderately handsome for a giant man. He wore glasses and had thick dark hair which covered the upper half of his ears. Steve noticed some stubble on his chin, meaning he hadn’t shaved or was trying to grow a beard. He was dressed in what Steve thought looked like trendy Bohemian clothing.

Tarla, however, was another story entirely. To say that he was impressed by this young giant woman was an understatement. He felt, somewhat uncomfortably considering she was the daughter of his girlfriend, that Tarla was a real looker. To Steve she was a young version of Sylvana with longer hair. Her mane was a light reddish-brown and flowed down well past her shoulders. She wore a dark red loose-fitting blouse that exposed much of the milky-white skin of her shoulders.

Due to Steve’s small size and his viewing perspective on the coffee table, however, Tarla’s legs stood out more than anything. She had on a tight-fitting miniskirt that matched her blouse, and with her black high-heels and lack of nylons, she had arguably the most beautiful legs Steve had seen, since, well, her mother! She had the same well-contoured, lightly muscled legs, the difference being that she was a little taller than Sylvana.

“There’s someone very special I’d like you to meet” Sylvana said to her son and daughter.

Steve took a deep breath and braced himself as the three giants approached the coffee table he was standing on.

“Gard, Tarla, I’d like to introduce to you Captain Steve Burton” Sylvana said proudly.

The two young adults looked around, obviously confused. “Wha, Where?” Gard asked.

Sylvana smiled and nodded down in the direction of the coffee table.

Two sets of eyes bulged out of their heads, and two sets of jaws dropped to the floor. Steve reflected on how although he would have thought he’d be used to the giants’ astonishment when first seeing him by now, after three years it was still a curious, uncomfortable feeling.

He raised a hand and shouted “Hello” at the top of his voice.

Gard and Tarla walked up to the coffee table and dropped on their knees to get a better look at Steve.

After a few awkward moments, Tarla broke the silence. “Ohmygod, it’s the little man from Doctor Lefay’s picture!” She gasped pleasurably.

Sylvana gave her a surprised look. “Come again dear?”

She turned her head around and looked up at her mother. “I attended one of Doctor Lefay’s lectures on the little people recently, and she passed around a picture of this little man.”

Sylvana still seemed puzzled, and she joined her son and daughter on their knees next to the coffee table. “What she talking about Steve?”

“It’s a long story Sylvana. Suffice to say that Doctor Lefay had taken a picture of me during an interview at the Archon’s a few weeks ago.”

“Oh” Sylvana muttered.

Tarla’s eyes brightened. “Say little man, you’re even cuter in person, but you are sooooooo small!” She smacked her lips.

Normally Steve would have been embarrassed by the giant girls’ ogling, but just this minute he was thankful Tarla didn’t mention the fact that he had been in his underwear and standing next to Doctor Lefay’s high heel in that photograph!

Gard looked at his mother. “Mom, if I were to ask what the little man was doing here, would I regret it?”

“Why Gard, didn’t I mention that Archon Obek has been working with Captain Burton and the other little people? They’ve been giving us technology in exchange for help repairing their spaceship”.

Steve accosted Sylvana’s son, and the three giants looked in his direction. “Gard, your mother tells me you’re studying engineering. You should meet our engineer Mark Wilson sometime. He’s a genius.”

If Steve thought his comment would endear Sylvana’s son closer to him, he was mistaken. Gard completely ignored Steve, and looked at his mother with consternation evident in his face. Tarla continued eyeballing and smiling with deep admiration at the tiny man standing before them on the coffee table.

“Mom, I understand the Archon is working with the little people, but that doesn’t answer my question. What’s the little man doing here?”

It was not lost on Steve that Gard phrased his question in such a way that he apparently considered him insignificant; a non-entity. Steve sighed, thinking that as he had feared, things were taking a turn for the worse.

Sylvana averted her son’s gaze and replied nervously. “Why, why, uh, Steve and I are, are, uh, friends, Gard.”

Astonished gazes again swept over the faces of her son and daughter, but whereas Tarla’s was tinged with a naughty look, Gard seemed shocked; horrified even.

He stood up and looked down at his mother. “Mom, are you kidding me?” he said with much annoyance. “Have you gone completely off your rocker!”

Sylvana stood on her feet, looking very hurt at her son’s words. “Gard, please don’t take that tone with me in my house.”

By now Gard was confused, flustered, and upset. He glanced down at his sister, still kneeling in front of the coffee table admiring Captain Burton. “Tarla, I’ll be out in the car.”

He turned around and headed for the door.

“Gard!” his mother called to him, but he didn’t look back or break his stride.

Sylvana was by now nearly in tears, and quickly followed her son out the front door.

Steve suddenly found himself alone with Tarla, and the way she was eyeing him, he wondered if it were such a good idea that Sylvana had left him unattended with her.

Tarla looked towards the door, and then returned her gaze to Steve. “They’ll be OK, I think” she said.

Steve put his hands on his hips and approached Tarla’s face hovering over him. Her long hair draped down like a curtain to Steve’s front.

“So your mother and I seeing each other doesn’t bother you Tarla?”

“No, why should it? I’m envious” she said with much sincerity. “Steve, my knees are starting to hurt sitting like this. Let’s move over to the bar.”

Without waiting for permission, the girl wrapped her fingers around him and lifted him off the coffee table.

“Wow Captain Burton, you’ve got nice little muscles” she said with a giggle, holding him up to her face. She walked over to the bar/divider separating the kitchen from the dinning room, and placing Steve on the bar top, proceeded to set herself down on one of the barstools.

“So Steve, do you and my mom………”

“Do we what?”

She looked at him coyly. “You know……”

Steve paced over the bar top. “And what if I said we did?”

She smiled at him glowingly. “With that muscled little body of yours, I’ll bet you feel nice.” She giggled.

“You don’t mince words, do you Tarla?” Steve grinned, thinking that although the girl had a lot of audacity; it was in a friendly, non-threatening way. She was nothing if not spirited.

Tarla was sitting far enough away that Steve could gaze out on the entire length of her huge, enchanting body. Knowing that he was admiring her, she moved her legs sideways, giving him a profile view. Bending her nearest knee caused her skirt to hike up, and she slipped a foot partially out of her shoe.

“Do you really like my mother?” she asked.

“More than that Tarla, I love her.”

She smiled approvingly. “You do? Cooooool! She must be the luckiest woman on Brobdinia.”

The giant girl turned to face Steve, then leaned her head close to him. “Steve, almost afraid to ask, but are there any other cute little guys in your group?”

Steve smirked, thinking that this girl didn’t waste any time. “Sorry Tarla, but Mark and Dan are taken, Barry’s only sixteen, and Fitzhugh, well, the less said about him the better” he noted with a grin.

“Oh”, she replied dejectedly.

“Cheer up Tarla. You’re a very beautiful young woman. I’d think you’d want to find a guy your own size to have a family with.”

She brushed a hand through her long locks, looking away. “I guess”, she replied, none too convincingly.

They heard the front door open. “Tarla?” The giant girl and the Earthman looked in the direction of her mother’s voice coming from the living room.

“We’re in here mom!”

Tarla returned her gaze to Steve, eying him mischievously. Before he knew what was happening, she had grabbed him around the waist, lifted him up, and quickly planted a kiss on the side of his face. She set him back on the bar seconds before Sylvana entered the room. Although taken aback Tarla’s bold gesture, Steve thought better of bringing it up in front of her mother. He did, however, quickly wipe her lipstick off the side of his face.

Tarla and Steve could see that Sylvana still looked a bit out of sorts from the altercation with her son, but at least she wasn’t crying. “So, are you two getting better acquainted?” Sylvana asked.

“Yes Mom, and you are so lucky, I mean totally.”

Sylvana face brightened noticeably at her daughter’s comment.

“Sylvana?” Steve shouted to be heard by her, as she was not close to where he was standing on the bar top. Barely hearing him, she moved in his direction.

Steve continued. “I’m sorry about Gard. I hope everything’s alright.”

“I think he’ll come around Steve. We just need to give him some time, that’s all.” She replied.

“Don’t worry mom, I’ll work on him. And besides, he’d better be nice if he expects me to introduce him to my friend Zira.” The three chuckled at her comment.

“Mom, if you ever need anyone to look after Captain Burton while you’re gone, please give me a call”, she said enthusiastically.

Steve grinned at the girl’s thinly-veiled flirtation, and Sylvana looked at her daughter with mock sternness. “I appreciate your concern Tarla, but I don’t think that will be necessary.” They laughed again.

After a few more minutes Sylvana and Steve bade farewell to Tarla, and he gazed on admiringly at Tarla’s long, long legs as she walked out the door. He thought she would be a great catch for some nice man someday, no matter what their size.

He still felt a tinge of guilt over admiring the daughter of his girlfriend, just as he would if he were back on Earth with women his own size. His feelings were also exacerbated by the fact that Steve stood roughly midway in age between the two women, though he reflected with some humor that the age issue was trivial compared to the size differences. Steve reflected on the ‘what if’s’, thinking that if things had turned out differently, he might now be enjoying Tarla instead of her mother Sylvana.

On the balance though, he considered himself fortunate. Sylvana was beautiful, caring, successful, intelligent, and good lord, he’d had to fight a giant man for her! Furthermore, if the Dektora Lefay incident had taught him anything, he had learned that it was a very dangerous game to play the field with these beautiful, but gigantic creatures. But all this was academic, he thought. After all, he would be returning to Earth as soon as the Spindrift became airworthy. Or was he?

As Gard and Tarla drove to the university, Tarla couldn’t get Captain Burton off her mind. He was the cutest, most handsome little thing she’d ever seen! I wonder if all the little Earthmen are that good looking? Judging from the way her mother tended to glow when around him, he obviously kept her satisfied. She smiled roguishly, wondering where she could find a little man of her own?

**************************

At about three in the afternoon Sylvana entered the workshop to pick up Steve. The two were quitting work early on account of their dinner engagement at Supreme Councilwoman Galla Placidia’s home. The Archon was very pleased with this, reminding Sylvana (though she didn’t need reminding) that to be invited to Councilwoman’s Placidia’s residence - his benefactor, was a great honor.

Steve had expected Sylvana to put him in her purse, but was mildly surprised when she set him on top of it instead. Holding on to the purse strap for support, he called up to her. “Sylvana, you’re being a little bold, aren’t you?”

She looked down at her tiny boyfriend, smiling. “Not at all Steve. It’s a beautiful day, and I thought you’d like to ride outside for a change. You’re not concerned about falling off are you? Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.”

“No, I’m fine Sylvana, but aren’t you worried someone might see me?”

“Oh Steve”, she exhaled pleasurably. “It’s only a short walk to and from my car, but anyway, I’m not troubled in the least with what others’ may think. I’m proud to be seen with you!”

Steve looked up and smiled. “Thank you, Sylvana. You’ve made my day.” Steve reflected happily that in the entire time they’d known each other she had time and again resisted the temptation to treat him like a doll or a pet, and above all, had never, never taken advantage of her huge size to force herself on him. Yet again he was starting to feel many orders of magnitude larger than he actually was on this giant world.

As Sylvana walked out the front door, Steve noticed that it was indeed a very beautiful day, and sitting on her purse was in fact much better than being cloistered inside it when traveling. The purse hung down to a point just above her knees, and although he enjoyed the outdoors scenery, he found himself looking mostly in Sylvana’s direction, watching her intoxicating legs as they moved back and forth. Of course riding on top the purse also allowed them to talk in the car, making the twenty-minute drive go much faster.

When they arrived at her house, Sylvana got out of the car with Steve and her purse in hand and walked up to the mailbox.

“Hi there Sylvana.”

Stopping, she turned around to face her next-door neighbor. She had noticed the middle-aged woman out front tending her flowers when she had first pulled in the driveway. Sylvana raised her hand in greeting. “Hi Neda, how’s it going?”

“Just fine Sylvana. The Archon still keeping ya’ busy?”

“Oh, for sure”, Sylvana replied. “Say Neda, your flowers are lovely. You’re making me feel guilty. I’ve been neglecting my own lately.”

The woman smiled proudly at Sylvana’s compliment. She let her glance fall slightly and thought she noticed something strange on Sylvana’s purse. She adjusted her glasses, and Sylvana could see her smile gradually replaced by a baffled look.

Sylvana grinned, looked at Steve, then returned her gaze to her neighbor. “Anything the matter Neda?”

When the little man sitting on Sylvana’s purse came into focus, the woman’s jaw dropped to the ground.

“Neda, I’d like you to meet my boyfriend, Captain Steve Burton.”

Steve stood up on Sylvana’s purse and waved at her. “Hi Neda. Pleased to meet you.”

“Uh, uh, uh, uh.” The stunned woman turned around and headed for her front door. Her walk turned into a fast pace, then into a full run. “Abgar! Abgar!” she shouted hysterically as she ran into the house.

Steve and Sylvana looked at each other and laughed. She retrieved the mail, and by the time her neighbor came back outside with her reluctant husband in tow, Sylvana was safely ensconced within her own home.

In an hour they were ready to depart for their dinner appointment. From where he was standing in front of the dollhouse, Steve gazed up admiringly at Sylvana’s elegant black one-piece dress with hem well above her knees, off-black nylons, and formal matching pumps rimmed with a gold braid. She tenderly picked Steve up and set him on her purse, and they headed out the door into the cool evening air.

When Sylvana pulled in to Galla Placidia’s nearly forty minutes later, she and Steve were very impressed by the mansion. Archon Obek’s seemed modest by comparison. They thought on hindsight though that they shouldn’t really be surprised. Ms. Placidia was, after all, a member of the Brobdinian Supreme Council.

Sylvana walked up to the door, still carrying Steve on her purse in full-view. She rang the doorbell, and in a moment one of Galla’s handmaidens opened the door and let her in. Steve, being the man that he was, always made a point of checking out these colossal, feminine creatures. She was a slightly severe looking but not uncomely woman in her late-40’s. She was wearing a black dress fringed with white lace, and had long dark hair pinned up in a bun. The woman greeted Sylvana, and noting Steve on her purse, gave them both a knowing smile. She ushered them into the spacious living room, inviting Sylvana to make herself at home while she fetched the mistress.

The couple admired the sumptuous room with its posh furniture and decorative chandeliers. Sylvana glanced down at Steve on her purse. “I’ve never been in the house of a Supreme Council member before. Very impressive, isn’t it?”

Steve nodded his ascent. He continued to scan the room from his perch, and looking behind him noticed what looked like a large framed photo of Galla Placidia hanging on the wall.

“Sylvana, look at this.”

She looked down at her passenger and then faced in the direction he was pointing. From a distance they could see that it was a beautiful glamour shot of Councilwoman Placidia standing next to a single red rose in a vase on the ground. The picture was enclosed within a very expensive-looking ornate gold frame. When Sylvana got close to it though, something else came into view. Steve smiled, and Sylvana gasped in astonishment. A tiny man was standing at her feet.

They remained silent for a moment staring at the photo. Sylvana grinned, thinking that she had seemed to have found a kindred spirit in a most unexpected place. Looking at the picture gave Steve an odd feeling, making him think rather affectedly of his own situation.

Suddenly they heard a woman’s voice from behind them. “The photographer did a wonderful job, don’t you think?”

Sylvana turned around, and standing before her was their hostess Galla Placidia with a tiny man cupped in her hands.

“Ye, ye, yes, your Excellency, it is beautiful.” Sylvana replied nervously.

“There’s no need to be so formal dear. My friends call me Galla.”

“Yes Galla”, she replied, still feeling some mild shock at the revelation that she was not the only woman who had taken a tiny Earthman as her………lover.

Galla looked down at Steve. “How nice to see you again Captain Burton.”

Steve, for his part, was most impressed with their hostess, noting that she looked even better than she had last week in the restaurant. Her platinum blond hair glowed radiantly in the soft light. She was wearing a tasteful above-the knee green skirt with matching designer blouse. Her fresh-looking skin was even lighter than Sylvana’s, giving Steve pause to compare these giant, feminine creatures with the ladies of his own planet. He reflected that although many women of Earth seemed to favor the brown, tanned look (and many men seemed to like them that way too), he preferred these light-skin women of Brobdinia. To his way of thinking, they were like Nordic/Aryan goddesses out of Earth mythology.

Galla gave them a warm, friendly look. “Sylvana, Steve, please allow me to introduce my fiancée, John Roberts.” The little man stood up in her palms and raised a hand in greeting.

Sylvana and Steve looked at each other, stunned. “Fiancée?” Sylvana asked.

“Why yes dear. John and I are going to be married as soon as I get the amendment to our marriage laws passed.”

There was silence for a moment while Sylvana and Steve contemplated what they’d just been told. Sylvana’s mind raced with the possibilities, and Steve just sat on the purse in bewildered silence.

“Why, why, congratulations!” Sylvana responded enthusiastically.

Galla smiled appreciatively, then gazed down at the man standing in her hands. “John, why don’t you give Miss Noor a proper welcome.” She set him on the carpet, and he walked up to Sylvana. Kneeling down, he kissed her on the foot where her skin was exposed just above the vamp. She smiled delightfully, thinking she’d never get tired of the little men kissing her feet. Why is it that men my own size don’t know how to treat a woman? She pondered.

Taking the queue from their hostess, Sylvana lifted Steve off her purse and set him on the ground next to John. The two men shook hands and eyed each other with some embarrassment, as neither thought they would ever meet another Earthman who was also an admirer of these giant women.

Looking up, Steve noticed Galla peering down at him expectantly. In a moment it occurred to him what she was waiting for, and he walked up to her. As the little man approached Galla, she slid a foot out of her shoe. Steve cradled her big toe in his hands and kissed it just above the nail. He thought that like Sylvana, this woman knew how to take care of her feet. He detected no disagreeable odors nor any unsightly calluses or blemishes. Steve marveled at her perfectly manicured toes, wondering if John had done it for her? He thought he’d have to give Sylvana a pedicure sometime. She’d probably really enjoy it.

Sylvana addressed their hostess. “Galla, you were right when you said we’d have much to discuss.”

The two women exchanged perceptive glances, and Galla gazed down at the two little men standing between her and Sylvana. “John, why don’t you show Steve your house while Sylvana and have some girl chat.”

Her fiancé nodded his assent, and as Galla kneeled down to pick them up, John raised his hand. “That’s alright honey. I’m in the mood for a stretch; I think we’ll walk.”

“Are you sure it’s safe?” Sylvana asked.

Galla stood up from her kneeling position, facing her guest. “Yes Sylvana, there’s only my handmaiden here at the moment, and we’ve gotten into the habit of looking down at the floor whenever we enter a room to avoid, well……..you know.” The two women giggled.

“We’ll come and fetch you guys when dinner’s ready”, Galla said.

The two giant women watched with adoring stares as their little men made their way across the carpet and out of the room.

“Sylvana, care for a drink while we wait? I took the liberty of asking Rumina to fix us up something.”

“Well, I don’t know……”

“Don’t worry dear; it’s just something light to get the taste buds going before dinner.”

“Sure, why not?” Sylvana replied.

The two women sat down facing each other, and as if on queue a few moments later Galla’s handmaiden brought in a tray with two drinks on it.

“Sylvana, I wanted to say that I admire your courage, taking Steve out on a date like you did last week. I was very surprised to see him with you at the restaurant. I must confess that I’ve not yet had the nerve to take John out of the house.”

Sylvana cautiously sipped from her drink, and found it much to her liking. It was fruity sweet, with just a touch of liquor. “Actually Galla, it went very well and we had a nice time. I even took him shopping with me at Enya’s.”

“You don’t say?” Galla looked pleasantly surprised.

Sylvana continued. “I just made sure we went to places I was well acquainted with, and I cleared things ahead of time with the restaurant manager when I made the reservation.” She reached in her purse and produced a legal document. “And I’ve made a habit of always having Steve’s permit handy.”

An uncomfortable look came over Galla. “Yes, the Little People permit.” She sighed. “I’ve got one for John too. You know Sylvana, I’ve tried and tried to find an alternative to the permit. It’s so humiliating to John.”

“I hear you Galla”, Sylvana replied. “Steve doesn’t care much for it either.”

Galla took a sip of her drink, then resumed the discussion. “The trouble is, without the permit identifying John and designating him as belonging to me, it would be nearly impossible to protect him under our legal system should anything unfortunate happen. You know Sylvana, there are many Brobdinians out there holding little people illegally, and in most cases probably against their will.”

“Why that’s terrible!” Sylvana noted with distress.

“Yes, quite.”

Galla leaned forward with her arms on her lap. “Sylvana, that’s one reason why I’m pushing to get an amendment to our marriage laws allowing us to wed Earthmen. With a marriage license, a permit would be unnecessary.”

Sylvana’s face brightened. “I hadn’t thought of that.” She set her drink on the table. “Galla, so you’re serious about marrying your little man?”

Galla sat up. “Yes I am.”

“Congratulations, I envy you.” The two women smiled at each other.

“Thank you dear. I know I’m opening myself to criticism by doing this, but I think the attitudes towards the little people are starting to change, thanks in no small part I might add, to the good work you and the Archon have done.”

Sylvana smiled proudly. “Oh, it’s been mostly the Archon’s doing. I’m just his assistant.”

“You’re too modest Sylana, but I like that. I encounter little enough of it on the Supreme Council. But anyway dear, concerning John and I, I’m now 44, my child rearing days are over, so why shouldn’t I be allowed to spend the rest of my life with whomever I please?”

“I agree Galla.” Her words struck a chord with Sylvana. After all, the two women were nearly the same age and in much the same circumstances concerning their personal lives.

“Forgive me for asking Sylvana, but what about you and Steve?”

Sylvana’s face suddenly turned pensive. “To be honest, I hadn’t really thought about marriage with him. It’s not yet legal, and in any case would be most unusual. And……” She sighed.

Galla prompted her. “And what dear?”

“I think Steve is going to return to Earth when his little ship is repaired.”

“Well now Sylvana, I’m assuming you love your little man as much as I love mine, yes?”

Sylvana nodded in agreement.

Galla gave her a sly grin. “I guess that means you’d better get working on him then, doesn’t it?”

The two women laughed heartily for the better part of a minute. After they’d had their jollity, they got up and hugged, each happy to find a kindred spirit.

“Sylvana, dinner will be served shortly. Would you like a quick tour of the house before we retrieve our men?”

“I’d like that Galla, this is some place you have here”, Sylvana said with much enthusiasm as she looked around.

**************************

The two Earthmen men had been making their way to John’s dollhouse, or private quarters, as he rather referred to it. Steve marveled at the huge, opulent décor and furnishings of Galla’s mansion. At his relative small size, the high, vaulted ceilings reminded him of the Gothic cathedrals at Notre Dame and Chartes.

At one point in their journey Galla’s handmaiden passed by. Upon feeling the tremors from her giant footsteps, Steve instinctively had been ready to run for cover. His guide steadied him though, and the giant woman just smiled and waived at the two tiny men on the floor as her flats and darkly-hosed legs passed within a few yards of them.

As they continued on their journey, Steve was beginning to think this was turning into a long trip, and wondered if it wouldn’t have been a better if they had let Galla or the handmaiden carry them?

“John, how much further is it?”

“Not far Steve, just beyond the next room.”

Steve nodded, then accosted his fellow Earthman again. “Tell me John, so what’s your story? How did you come to be here?”

“You mean here on Brobdinia, or here with Galla?” he replied. John had been walking a little ahead of Steve to guide him, and he dropped back until he was side-by-side with the Spindrift Captain.

“Well, both actually” Steve responded.

“About a year ago I was member of the geological survey team serving on the explorer ship Persephone. We were investigating the asteroid belt. Pilot Scott Carey and I were taking the scout ship out with the intention of setting down on the asteroid Eros, but we never made it.”

“What happened?” Steve asked.

“As we started our descent, a large, luminous, green gaseous sphere appeared as if out of nowhere. Our communications went dead and the controls froze up, and the next thing we knew we were orbiting this planet. Short on fuel and not knowing what had happened or what to do next, the only option we had was to descend into the atmosphere of this strange planet. As it happened, we landed on a parking lot in a densely populated area. Scott was able to get out and make his escape, but before I could do the same a giant seized the ship with me still in it, and promptly turned me over to the SID for some kind of reward.”

“What happened next?”

“I was a guest of Inspector Kobick for nearly a month, and let me tell you Steve, it was a whole lot of no fun! He interrogated me, starved me, humiliated me…….tortured me.” John rubbed his other arm, as if the discussion had brought back some very painful memories.

Before Steve cou