{"product_id":"2940015925777","title":"THE HAPPY MAN","description":"Nelson saw the girl at the same time she saw him. He had just rounded\u003cbr\u003ean outcropping of rock about ten miles from the East Coast Mausoleum.\u003cbr\u003eThey were facing each other, poised defensively, eyes alertly on each\u003cbr\u003eother, about twenty feet apart. She was blond and lean with the\u003cbr\u003econditioning of outdoor life, almost to the point of thinness. And\u003cbr\u003ealthough not really beautiful, she was attractive and young, probably\u003cbr\u003enot yet twenty. Her features were even and smooth, her hair wild about\u003cbr\u003eher face. She wore a light blouse and faded brown shorts made from a\u003cbr\u003ecoarse homespun material. Nelson had not expected to run into anyone\u003cbr\u003eand apparently, neither had she. They stood staring at each other for\u003cbr\u003ea long time; how long, Nelson was unable to decide, later.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA little foolishly, Nelson realized that something would have to be\u003cbr\u003edone by one of them. \"I'm Hal Nelson,\" he said. It had been a long\u003cbr\u003etime since he had last spoken; his voice sounded strange in the\u003cbr\u003ewilderness. The girl moved tensely, but did not come any closer to\u003cbr\u003ehim. Her eyes stayed fixed on him and he knew that her ears were\u003cbr\u003estraining for any sound that might warn her of a trap.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNelson started to take a step, then checked himself, cursing himself\u003cbr\u003efor his eager blundering. The girl stepped back once, quickly, like an\u003cbr\u003eanimal uncertain if it had been threatened. Nelson stepped back,\u003cbr\u003eslowly, and spoke again. \"I'm a waker, like you. You can tell by my\u003cbr\u003erags.\" It was true enough, but the girl only frowned. Her alertness\u003cbr\u003edid not relax.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I've been one for ten or twelve years. I escaped from a Commune in\u003cbr\u003eTannerville when I was in my senior year. They never even got me into\u003cbr\u003eone of the coffins. As I said, I'm a waker.\" He spoke slowly, gently\u003cbr\u003eand he hoped soothingly. \"You don't have to be afraid of me. Now tell\u003cbr\u003eme who you are.\"","brand":"SAP","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47081050800368,"sku":"2940015925777","price":0.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940015925777","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}