Deal

A young man is dumped by his girlfriend, who explains that she has fallen in love with his rival. She wants a clean break from him, no half measures. While pretending to be outwardly indifferent, the man finds he can't deal with the grief and finally finds emotional release in the safety of a therapist's office. The therapist explains that severe grief can sometimes allow a person to remake themselves from the core outward. The man contemplates this new understanding while relaxing at the beach, only to see a ghostly apparition--a female in a gossamer dress--studying him. He runs to the safety of his house, only to find her sitting on his couch. After trying to ignore her, he accepts his possible insanity and demands that she tell him what she wants. She has a favor she'd like to ask, then she'll leave. Fine, it's a deal. She tells him she has the power to make his ex-girlfriend love him again, if he allows it. The favor is his answer. The young man thinks about the times they had together, realizes that she was always happier around his rival. He decides to keep his grief. The ghost thanks him for his time, she has her answer, and announces she will leave, but the man demands she explains what is going on. The ghost decides to tell him. She is conducting a survey of groups, societies and civilizations; his survey was the last one. A decision has been made. She explains that there will be no half measures. She touches his face, in comfort or longing, and disappears. The man listens to a radio announcement that everyone in the world is going through the same event, an event that is happening everywhere. The man looks out his window, and understands. He walks outside to find everyone on the street looking up at the sky--at the hundreds of huge, silvery ships that stretch to the horizon. He sees a distressed young woman, and comforts her--knowing that he will soon take on the same role that his ghostly visitor did--to see whether a far away civilization on the brink of dying is worth saving.