Three weeks later, Jane arrived at work wearing a pair of sunglasses. The District Supervisor knew humans often wore sunglasses to protect their eyes from the strong California summer sun, but it was surprised she wore them while working inside the building. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alien

That afternoon, it was standing by the gates, checking the security. Jane was waiting just outside the gates. A car pulled to the curb, and a man tossed a cigarette butt from the window. Jane opened the passenger door, climbed in, and the car rolled away. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alien

“Thank you for making that clear. Will I be paid?”
“Yes, you will be paid the prevailing wage. That is our law.”
“Then I would be happ… I will translate for you.”
Jane arrived promptly the next morning, pleasing the District Supervisor. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alieninvasion #shortstory

“I understand. Thank you. Would you be willing to translate other passages?”
“Of course.”
“It is not a requirement. No retribution will ensue if you are unwilling to work for us.”
“Thank you for making that clear. Will I be paid?”
#lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alieninvasion #shortstory #alien

“The word ‘moon’ is used in this context to indicate that, when the boys in the car passed the other boys, they pulled down their pants and underwear, and presented their bottoms to the other boys. It is a sign of disrespect.”
“A sign of disrespect?”
“Yes.”
#lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alien

“When the car passed their rivals from the other high school, the teenage boys bent over and mooned them.”
“How can your moon be used as a verb?” the lizard asked.
Jane struggled successfully to keep a straight face. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alieninvasion

“I know the name of your orbiter, but the way the word is used in this manner is inexplicable.”
It indicated a book lying on the desk, and then pushed it toward Jane. Jane picked up the book and read aloud the highlighted section.
#lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alieninvasion #shortstory #alien

When it was alone with the human, it said, “I am updating our language database. I have encountered a word with which I am unfamiliar. The word is ‘moon’.”
Jane tilted her head sideways, puzzlement in her expression. “You’re not familiar with our moon?”
#lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #shortstory

The manner in which the human fidgeted signaled her apprehension, and it noted how she rubbed her hands against the sides of her skirt.
“You are Jane Laurence?”
She nodded. “Yes, sir… I mean, yes. Yes, I am Jane Laurence.”
The Ragoon waved its underling from the room.
#lookinmybriefs #alieninvasion

The District Supervisor was sitting behind a massive desk when Jane, accompanied by its underling, entered its office. It reached for its translator and attached the device to its face. The manner in which the human fidgeted signaled her apprehension. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alieninvasion

‘District Supervisor’ was the title given to aliens who administered sections of Earth and its population. Her District Supervisor usually resided at the Human Rehabilitation Center located in Merced, California, but it was presently living in Livermore. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #shortstory

She couldn’t imagine what the lizard wanted. She recognized the mechanical translator covering its snout, so she wasn’t surprised when it spoke.
“You are Jane Laurence, the English teacher?”
“Yes.”
“The District Supervisor has requested your presence.”
#lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #shortstory

Her propensity toward politeness helped her hide her sudden nervousness.
“May I help you?”
She would have added “sir” or “ma’am” if the visitor had been human, but the aliens were hermaphrodites, and they took offense when humans labeled them with a gender. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alien

The District Office was in the city of Merced. The Fourth Assistant was surprised at this development, but it was grateful for the opportunity. It expressed its gratitude, was dismissed, and left the same day for California. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alieninvasion #shortstory #alien

Afterwards, the coordinator spoke to the junior colleague who was the Fourth Assistant to the Overall Supervisor of the Caribbean Islands. It congratulated the younger alien on the excellent suggestion it had given regarding the woman. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alieninvasion #shortstory

The humans heard noise that they took to be Ragoon laughter. When it became clear that no serious objections would be raised, the coordinator declared that the suggestion was acceptable, and it would be implemented. The meeting ended on this positive note. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alien

They used a word in Ragoon that in English would be most accurately translated as 'janitor.' The humans heard noise that they took to be Ragoon laughter. When it became clear that no serious objections would be raised, the coordinator declared that the suggestion was acceptable. #lookinmybriefs

There was confusion as the others consulted their computers, to ascertain the meaning of the word 'custodian.' As the various meanings became clear, amusement overcame their annoyance at the junior colleagues' interruption. They began to make jokes. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon #alieninvasion

They turned the other way to where the man holding the mop stood at the entrance to the room. He froze when he realized that he had suddenly become the subject of their discussion.
There was a babble of grunts, hisses, and clicks, and the Supervisors began to speak all at once. #lookinmybriefs

The other aliens were surprised into silence by the abrupt interruption from someone not sitting at the table. The woman was also startled to suddenly hear a voice, albeit a mechanical voice, speaking in English. They all turned their heads to look at the speaker. #lookinmybriefs #talesoftheragoon