“Fall backwards, being careful not to touch the rug,” I instructed the agent who did as it was told. It lay on the ground without moving as I went over and took a closer look at the rug. I had seen one rather like this in a room where I had fought with Philbean. Just to check I threw a coin onto it; the coin lay flat on the rug. I frowned at both, which had no effect. A possibility occurred to me.
I said, “Stand up and step on the rug.”
The agent did so and stood on the rug beside the coin waiting for further instructions. I was nearly sure, but I needed to be positive. I needed something living that was not me, and I saw a flicker of movement out of the corner of my eye. Turning around I saw a large snake was slowing winding itself up the body of another of the E-IPS agents. The agent w
