The man looked surprised to be addressed, before acknowledging the value of the leaves that he was fingering and changing the subject to my round.<br/><br/>" No, I'm just temporary security for this area." I replied. " So much was lost that will take time to replace that there's a chance somebody will try and take something that they aren't entitled to." I gestured at the plants. Though they were nowhere near bearing fruit I hoped he got the message.<br/><br/>" Just so long as you know that leaves are important, not decoration," I continued, " And the more people brush their hands across them idly the more chance there is of the plant getting damaged when the leaves get knocked off. Some leaves are edible, and breaking them off makes them nothing more than mulch and compost when they could be food. Mature leaves can be broken down into medicines and such, and leaves store food and water for when the plants fruits need them. The more leaves get broken off, the less chance of the plant thriving. Some leaves absorb carbon dioxide, and we all know how vital that is. I'm sure you understand where I'm coming from." I smiled at him. "Sir." I added after a second.<br/><br/>I stepped away as a woman approached him. I eyed her up, but all I could see when I looked at any woman these days was that she wasn't Sarah, and I bade him a good night with a brief nod. Engineers and techies get all the action, I reflected sadly. VeeGees like me were seen as the enemy, unwelcome until we were needed to sort out the messes some of these people were apt to get themselves into. That brought a wry smile to my face as it suddenly struck me that I was much more of an enemy than their petty inconsequential guilts could ever comprehend.