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well be
    attractive. Now they seemed more like lenses specifically for microscopic scrutinizing.
    “Please, have a seat Doctor Morris. We appreciate your making the special trip.”
    “Not at all. We’re excited about the house and the development.”
    “I’m glad. Your prospective new home is one of my favorites. I designed it myself.”
    “Did you? Good job.”
    “Thank you. Let me explain our setup here first. We feel it’s our unique community
    government that has made Emerald Lakes the real jewel of upstate New York, maybe of the entire East Coast. We’re zealots of a new sort, paying homage to the simplest and yet the most important aspects of development life, everything geared primarily to one thing
    —maintaining and improving the value of our homes.
    “At the risk of sounding preachy,” Philip continued, “a home is more than a mere
    structure consisting of wood, metal, and mortar. It’s an environment. How that
    environment is shaped will determine how the residents are shaped. One acts upon the other.” He smiled. “A simple fact of life, yet one so often ignored by other homeowners associations.”
    Teddy nodded, but Kristin just stared at Slater. He directed himself to her.
    “I understand you compose music.”
    “Oh, I just tinker.”
    “Did you know that one of our residents, Claude Simmons, is a theatrical agent? He
    might know where and to whom you should submit your creations.”
    “Oh, I’m not good enough to—”
    “That would be great,” Teddy said. “Kristin is far too modest. I’ll do the promoting.”
    “That’s a nice quality to see in a woman these days,” Philip Slater said. Kristin tipped her head and smiled with a question on her lips. “Modesty,” he explained. “Anyway, we just have a few questions for you. Nikki?”
    Nikki Stanley gazed at her notepad and then looked up with beady eyes.
    “What do you expect from a development like this?” she asked.
    “Expect?” Teddy looked at Kristin. “Oh, I suppose good relationships with our
    neighbors, for one thing. Sort of a camaraderie,” he added. Philip Slater nodded. “And all the other things like security. We’ve never lived in a gated community before. It does give you a more secure feeling.”
    “I’m impressed with how well the streets and grounds are kept. It’s picture perfect,”
    Kristin said.
    “Yes, it is,” Philip said proudly.
    “You don’t mind following rules that keep it that way?” Nikki demanded.
    “Of course not. Why should we?” Teddy responded. “I agree with what Mr. Slater said.”
    “Call me Philip, please. Enough people call me Mr. Slater at work.”
    “Philip. Real estate values are directly related to what the grounds and surroundings are like.”
    “Tell us what your experiences with your present home have been like, your neighbors, your community. What annoyed you? What do you want to see continued?” Nikki asked.
    Kristin smiled. It was like some sort of an oral exam, an audition.
    They talked for nearly an hour. Some of the questions seemed silly, but she didn’t, as she was tempted to do at times, belittle them or reply sarcastically. Finally, Philip nodded and rose.
    “I think we’ve heard enough. Just give us a minute, please,” he said.
    Teddy and Kristin left the room with Jennifer, who had behaved better than they had hoped, partly because she was fascinated with the event herself. Not more than five minutes later, Philip Slater emerged to shake Teddy’s hand.
    “Welcome to Emerald Lakes,” he said. “My committee is in full agreement. You will be a real asset.”
    Exactly twenty-five days later, after what was a remarkably fast and problem-free escrow period, Teddy and Kristin Morris and their five-year-old daughter moved their clothes and other essential possessions into their new home. The only pieces of furniture they moved was Kristin’s piano and Jennifer’s bedroom furniture.
    When they arrived, they were given a report as to what had been