The Cosmos, The Arrivals, Book 1, Chapter 17, Section 1, Babs Greets Beka & Elle: Backyard Reveille: Beka & Elle, (Day 11), Cosmos Morning Lineup & Reveille Elle is rousted out from the Doghouse beneath the Back Door Landing early on the morning of Day Eleven; she sees the Cosmos in their morning Lineup. Reveille, only today in the Backyard. This is Elle’s second encounter with Robyn, whom Elle still misconstrues as Monitor Babs. Robyn opens the door of the smelly box and hisses, “Don’t mess with me. I know why your lady-parts are all n-words. Now squirm on your belly toward the Lineup.” The dirty, bedraggled Pledge scratches herself on concrete, gravel, and grass. Elle titters as Robyn stands her up and positions herself at one end of the Cosmos Lineup. Elle finds herself next to a looking-straight-ahead-and-ignoring-her Beka. {My friend and Roommate.} Elle strains her neck and watches Robyn fall into formation toward the far end of the Lineup. This last action worries Elle. In a glance she had detected that two Pledge stand topless, one presents wearing a see-through croptop, one sports a minidress with a very large button hole and spaghetti straps, and that the Pledge Elle thinks is Babs wears a swimsuit with a tiny buttonhole. Elle feels dazed, and she again needs to pee. Mud streaks across her face, belly, arms, legs, and back. Across all of her chest too, except where her halter covers, although the halter, like her jeans shorts, is also covered with grime. Elle wonders about Beka, standing next to her but obediently face-forward and ignoring her. {Did Beka also suffered a horrific sle ep-fitful night?} No Pledge has fresh makeup and no Pledge has showered, but none rival Elle’s muddy face, dirty hair, streaked stomach, and muddy hands and feet. And none rival her vapor.
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