Wikus uttered a profanity best not mentioned, and fumbled with the seatbelt buckle, his uncoordinated Poleepkwa hand which he'd instinctively reached to unbuckle with only got in the way and he swore again, only managing to frustrate himself in his haste. The girl noticed his trouble and reached over, pressing the button for him quickly. He nodded in thanks and all but scrambled into the back seat, squeezing down through the space between the seats to curl up on the floor. He shut his eyes tight, silently praying that all would go well. His stomach dropped when the vehicle came to a lurching stop, and the sound of the window rolling down was heard. Silently he listened to the conversation taking place in the front seat;

"Hey there dude, what's up?"

"What are you in here for? Do you have written permission?"

"Well I'm supposed to be studying non-human anatomy.. Here, I got someone in the MNU office to sign this little slip for me, if that's what you're looking for."

"Yeah that'll work. Alright, go on."

There was a pause, and then the vehicle lurched into motion yet again, passing through the gate and leaving behind District 9. Wikus breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed, pulling himself up and sitting in the back seat. The lady smiled back at him and said,

"There we go- now what was it you were saying?" Wikus crossed his arms and looked out the tinted window.

"I was about to ask you what you meant by 'help'." He replied promptly but politely. It felt good to exchange civil conversation with another human. How long had it been? Two days, perhaps? Nevertheless, it felt like months- no, years since he'd been able to have such a comfortable atmosphere with his own species.

"Well.. You obviously need a place to stay. I am willing to grant you asylum in my home until the change has fully taken place.. After that you can blend in without trouble." She began, glancing back to see the incredulous look on his face. That elicited a small chuckle out of her, but she was quick to continue:

"It also seems you're in need of some clothes.. Shoes, in particular it would seem. I also think you'll need some food- you're a little scrawnier than you look on TV." She paused as she turned a corner and began driving down a rather deserted road that led to a more rural part of town.

"Hold on now!" Wikus said suddenly, looking at her with a more suspicious expression. After running it over in his head once, he'd decided that it was far too good to be true- there had to be a catch. "There has to be a catch."

The lady looked back at him, grinning.

"Of course there is.. It's nothing you can't afford though, I promise." She said reassuringly, though he still looked a bit suspicious.

"Alright then.. What do you want from me?" He asked a bit begrudgingly, his mood visibly souring. The woman laughed aloud.

"Relax boy, don't get your bowels in an uproar. All I want is something very simple- permission to use you for artistic reference." As she said this, Wikus frowned a bit and his head involuntarily tilted a bit to the side.

"What.. Do you mean by that..?" He asked.

"Well, as you may have overheard me say to the guard at the gate, I have been given permission to venture into District 9 to study Non-Human anatomy on a more personal level... Up close, you know? I'm an artist so my main ambition is to draw up detailed and useful diagrams of Non-Human anatomy so that they can be studied without having to harm them or intrude upon their personal privacy in any way." She paused for a minute, turning down the AC, much to Wikus' pleasure, for he'd been attempting not to shiver ever since he'd gotten into the vehicle.

"All I want from you, is permission to do so in exchange for all that I'm offering you. Sounds pretty fair, right?" She asked suddenly. Wikus considered it for a brief moment before deciding it was a very small price to pay in exchange for the great kindness she was willing to give him. He nodded.

"Call it done." He said, allowing a small smile to come over his face briefly. There was a silence before he suddenly spoke again.

"So.. What's your name?"

"Vivi. Call me Vivi."

"Well then, Vivi.. I'm glad I met you."