THEY ZOOM ALONG THE deserted highway, Frodo sticking his head out the car’s passenger window, Beth talking via cellphone with her mother—who does not approve of her daughter's decision to have a baby out of wedlock, even if doing so will benefit science.
"...what about Arnold?" she continues, hearing nothing Beth has said. "He seems like such a nice boy. What? Not loser enough for you? Or are you running for head of the misandrist club?"
The diamond-shaped novelty sign—BABY ON BOARD—swings from the rearview mirror, clicks against the plastic. Beth sighs. There are flashing lights ahead of them; they are approaching what appears to be a roadblock.
"I'm not a man-hater, mother. I just ... don't trust them. You were lucky enough to find a good one, that's all."
She slows to a halt, joinin
