My Interview With: Collin First (SANDEFLAY)

LM: Hello, Collin! And welcome! How's everything going today?

CF: Hello, Linda! So far, so good! We're currently stationed in Idaho, in a small town outside of Boise. There's been an influx of ducts popping up here, so Randi and I are keeping a close eye on the area.

LM: You, Randi, and Bud.

CF: (laughs) Right. And Bud.

LM: There something I've been wanting to ask you. When we last saw you and Randi and Bud, you were stationed out in west Texas. Do these ducts concentrate in one area for a while, and then leave, only to reappear somewhere else?

CF: That's exactly what they do.

LM: And once they leave a certain area, they don't return?

CF: It's rare if they do, and they've been known to pop open again in an abandoned site. But the odds are in our favor that they won't.

LM: What happens if one does?

CF: That's what headquarters' job is. They target any forming ducts and direct the closest extinguisher to it.

LM: What if there's no extinguisher close enough to reach it before it begins to form?

CF: Then headquarters sends in an extinguisher from Sandeflay.

LM: How neat! Then why not do it that way, instead... never mind. (laughs) I can see the reasoning of having an extinguisher take up temporary residence if a particular area is repeatedly being hit with ducts. What's the longest you've ever spent in one place?

CF: Me personally? Umm, six months, give or take a couple of weeks. Hey! Before I forget, I wanted to let you know the good news! Randi's expecting!

LM: Oh, my gosh! That's wonderful, Collin! I'm thrilled for you! So how does an extinguisher take maternity leave?

CF: Hell if either of us know! Everything Randi does is a new one for the books! But for now she plans to stay on the job until she feels she's getting too cumbersome. Then she'll go back to Sandeflay and have the baby there.

LM: Any guesses whether or not you'll have a baby extinguisher, given the fact that both parents are ones?

CF: Although it's a solid fact that the child of an extinguisher may not necessarily be an extinguisher, too, the doctors are giving us good odds our son will be born with the mark.

LM: Your son? You already know?

CF: Oh, yes.

LM: Well, let me be the first to wish you and Randi and Bud congratulations on your new addition. How do you think Bud will react to the little one?

CF: I can't say for certain, but I'm guessing he'll be as protective of the baby as is he for us.

LM: Wow. A tygren for a babysitter. That'll be one for the books, too!

CF: Hey, Linda? We just got notification of a duct forming, so we're going to have to cut this short. Can Randi call you when we get back?

LM: Sure! No problem! Thanks again for speaking with us!

CF: It's been great! Talk to you later!