"There can be no spirituality, no sanctity, no truth without the female sex."

Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider, Northern Exposure, Revelations, 1993

Tibby had just finished unpacking. She had to meet her friend Dan in the lobby in five minutes. They, along with two other classmates, had received a grant to do a documentary about the Florida Everglades. She smiled at her surroundings. Being the only girl in the group had its perks. She had a single king bed and hotel room all to herself. Tibby already missed the sisterhood again. Sure, being the sole female in a group of males could be fun, but she missed the female friendship, and was now feeling very alone. A silent hotel room became creepy. She decided that she should leave, and go down to find the others.

"So what are we going to do?" asked Tibby at the dinner meeting.

"I've hired a boat and a guide to take us around the 'glades tomorrow to get a scout of the location," supplied one of the other guy, Steven.

"Good," replied Dan.

"Should we get interviews from the locals?" Tibby suggested.

"Maybe later on," replied Andrew, "We've got the boat, lets make the most of it."

"Okay," replied Tibby sheepishly.

"So its settled," Dan smiled as if Tibby had not shown any signs of embarrassment.

Tibby scooped up her last spoonful of soup, "I'm done!" she announced, standing up, "I'm tired. I'm going up to my room. Goodnight!"

"But its only 8:30!" Dan yelled after her, "We were going to go out to a club. Don't you want to come?"

"Thanks, but I want to write some letters to a my friends and take a nice warm bubble bath."

"Well, we'll miss you. I'll come and pick you up for breakfast around 8:30. Our boat leaves at 10:30."

"Okay," Tibby smiled weakly, "Goodnight all."

They mumbled their good nights.

Carma,

There is way too much testosterone on this trip. I am the only girl stuck with four boys. I wish one of you were here with me. Two of the guys are totally insensitive. You could tell them off much better than I could. The hotel is nice. I have an entire room to myself (it would not be proper for a university to sponsor a co-ed trip and have the males and the female share a hotel room, would it? ;) ). I have never had a hotel room to myself. It is almost creepy.

Hope you're having fun there.

Love,

Tibby."