`` i suspect they are , at that , '' mat said . but it 's been more difficult for her lately . he had to suppress a laugh that would almost certainly go manic on him . after lunch he went back to the hotel , got the syringe and walked back down to the wharf . if you both decide sometime during your long journey through different lives , the next birth will give you a different sex . i sat up straighter and said , `` what the hell kind of question is that , sir ? 