Just when things were starting to get going the new government, a large number of Foreigners - many of them friends - went home. Pepper has tried to keep busy, tried not to let it throw her off balance, but it's been hard. She's tried to keep to her schedule when she's not holed up in her room, but even she needs a break.

Gene's made tea, so Pepper goes to the kitchen to avail herself of some and spots the notebook she's seen him with a few times.

"What're you writing?" she asks, pouring herself a mug.