,transcrib]'s ,note3      ,?is etext 0  
produc$ f ,planet ,/ories ,july #aieb4  
,ext5sive     rese>* did n uncov] any   
evid5ce t ! ,u4,s4 copyright on     ?is 
publication 0 r5ew$4                    
,illu/ration                        ,,! 
,,man ,,:o ,,/ak$ ,,! ,,/>s             
,by ,,*>les ,,dye        ,bryce ,c>t]   
c\ld af=d a smug smile4 ,= hadn't he    
ris5       glori\sly f ,?ieves ,r[ to   
director ( fam$ ,u4,t48 ,0       n ,e>?1
 ,moon1 & all ! ,belt1 at ?is v mom5t   
await+ 8 comm& = ! gr& c\p8 ,& wasn't 8 
c\s9-f-,monteh$o a />-s5t help8         
99       99       99       99       99  
,:at d ,i d = a liv+8 repeat$ ! slim    
d>k-sk9n$ "y man 9 ! next seat ( !      
,e>?-,moon l9]4 ,i'm a wit* doctor1 he  
answ]$ ) complete s9c]ity4  ,:at d y d8 
,i mean1 :at d !y hire y =8 ask$        
,donahue ) und]/&able confusion & a t\* 
( n]v\sness4  ,illu/ration3 ,brac+      
!mselves1 ,bryce & ,pi]ce gave ! body a 
comb9$ /rong %ove t[>d ,e>?4 ,two gone4 
,i'm regi/]$ z a psy*o!rapi/1 said !    

d>k-sk9n$ "y man4 ,he look$ too "y to be
 practic+ a pr(ession1 b>ely n9ete51 b t
 c\ld be m]ely a sign ( tal5t1 ,donahue 
reflect$4 ,! new tea*+ & te/+ me?ods    
graduat$ !m "y4  ,i "k ,i am a wit*     
doctor because my gr&fa!r & 8 fa!r & 8  
fa!r's fa!r 7 wit* doctors & ,i le>n$ a 
special te*nique f my uncles :o are     
regi/]$ !rapi/s ) m$ical degrees l m9e4 
,b ! te*nique is n ! "o y f9d 9 ! books1
 x is 444 unusual4 ,!y don't say :]e !y 
le>n$ x b x's n h>d to guess4 ,! d>k y\?
 %rugg$ *e]fully4 ,s--,i'm a wit*       
doctor4  ,t's an int]e/+ ?\ght1 said    
,donahue4 ,x w\ld be a long ?ree day    
trip to ! ,moon & he _h expect$ to be   
bor$1 b ?is conv]sation 0 n bor+4 ,:at d
 y d8 he aga9 ask$4 ,specifically4      
,donahue _h rugg$ features1 a d>k tan & 
attractively sun-blea*$ hair worn a     
little too long4 ,he exud$ a sort ( r\gh
 *>m :i* br&$ him "o ( ! class (        
politicians1 & he knew h[ to draw p out1
 s n[ he settl$ himself m com=tably = an
 ext5d$ spell ( li/5+4 ,tell me m & jo9 

me 9 a dr9k4 ,he signall$ ! ho/ess &    
cont9u$ ) ! "r mixture ( admir+ int]e/ &
 condesc5d+ scepticism4 ,y don't *ant   
spells & hire gho/s1 d y8  ,n exactly4  
,! d>k innoc5t look+ "y face smil$ ) a  
*e]ful fla% ( :ite tee?4 ,i'll tell y   
:at ,i did to a man1 a man nam$ ,bryce  
,c>t]4         99       99       99     
99       99  ,a gr\p ( m5 sat 9 a       
skyscrap] at ,cape ,hatt]as1 ) _! table 
runn+ p>allel to a huge floor-to-ceil+  
w9d[ t ov]look$ ! cl\d$ sky & gray waves
 ( ! ,atlantic4 ,!y 7 ! respect$        
directors ( ,union ,transport1 &1 l mo/ 
m5 ( high position1 !y _h a ke5 s5se (  
self-pres]vation & a k ( ways & means t 
includ$ little 9 ! way ( scruples4  ,!  
*airman rapp$ lightly4 ,g5tlem51 y\r    
att5tion please4 ,i h an ann\ncem5t to  
make4  ,! buzz ( talk at ! long table   
/opp$ & ! f\rte5 m5 turn$ _! faces4 ,!  
meet+ _h be5 call$ a full week e>ly1 &  
!y expect$ "s em]g5cy z an explanation4 
,a di/urb+ ann\ncem5t1 ,i am afraid4    
,someone is us+ ?is corporation =       

illegal purposes4 ,! *airman's voice 0  
mild & apologetic4  ,bryce ,c>t]1 second
 f ! opposite end1 0 br\ght to a %ock ( 
t5se balanc$ al]tness4 ,h[ mu* did he   
"k8 ,he gave no sign ( emotion1 b rea*$ 
= a cig>ette to cov] any *ange 9 8      
brea?+1 fumbl+ p]haps m ?an usual4  ,!  
m5 at ! long table wait$1 %[+ a v>iety (
 bor$ expressions t nev] _h any         
connection ) _! true reactions4 ,!      
*airman 0 a small1 inconspicu\s1        
s&y-hair$ man ^: ability !y respect$ s  
deeply t !y _h elect$ him ! *airman to h
 him :]e !y c\ld wat* him4 ,!y knew he 0
 n "o to m5tion trifles1 & !re 0 a mom5t
 ( sil5ce4 ,all "r1 ,john1 said "o1     
lett+ out 8 held brea? & lean+ back1    
,i'll bite4 ,:at k9d ( illegal purposes8
  ,i don't "k mu*1 ! small man          
apologiz$1 ,only t ! crime rate has ris5
 =ty p]c5t 9 ! av]age ( ! cities s]v$ by
 ,,ut1 & 9 ,calla/ro ,city1 ,calla/ro1 &
 ,panama ,city1 :]e we j put 9 a        
spaceport1 x m ?an d\bl$4  ,funny       
co9cid5ce1 someone grunt$4  ,v funny1   

said ano!r4 ,if ! police notice x1 & !  
public he>s ( x--  ,!re 0 no man !re :o 
w\ld will+ly h p>t$ ) 8 place at t      
table1 no "o :o 0 unaw>e t 9 fight+ 8   
way to a place at t table he _h seiz$ "s
 "p ( control ( ! de/9y ( ! sol> sy/em4 
,,ut--,union ,transport1 spread ! me%es 
( its transportation s]vice ?r\gh almo/ 
e city ( ,e>? & ! hamlets & roads & bus 
& railroad & airl9es betwe5--& ev5 to ! 
few f> ports :]e mank9d _h f\nd a       
toehold 9 space4 ,b its exi/5ce 0       
prec>i\sly balanc$ on public tru/4      
,,ut's unity f city to city & c\ntry to 
c\ntry1 its spread+ gr[? _h sav$ !      
public mu* discom=t & exp5se ( ov]lapp+ 
co/s & transf]s & confusion1 & s !      
public1 on ! advice ( economi/s1        
grudg+ly all[$ ,,ut to gr[ ev] bigg]4   
,!re 0 a cons]vative movem5t to put all 
su* outsize bus9esses "u gov]nm5t       
own]%ip z _h be5 ! tr5d 9 ! la/ g5]ation
 b ! economy 0 mu%room+ too fa/ = !     
necess>y neatness1 & ! public rightly   
w\ld n tru/ politicos 9 any op]ation too

 confus+ = !m to be wat*$1 & pref]r$ to 
leave su* bus9esses to private op]ation1
 accept+ ! dang] = ! pr(it ( effici5t & 
p5uri\s op]ation1 divid5ds & fall+ co/s4
  ,b all ^! advantages 7 b>ely en\gh to 
buy ,,ut's life f ye> to ye>4 ,x _h gr[n
 too big4  ,its directors held p[] to   
make or break any city & ! prosp]ity (  
its inhabitants by m]e small %ifts 9    
%ipp+ fees1 a decision to put 9 a l9e1  
or a t]m9al1 or a crossroad4 ,! p[] 0   
indirectly recogniz$ 9 ! honors & high] 
(fices1 ! free ent]ta9m5t & lavi%       
privileges available to !m f any *amb] (
 comm]ce & any political repres5tative1 
lobby+ discreetly = a slight bias (     
*oice t w\ld place an airport or        
spaceport 9 _! di/rict r ?an ano!r4     
,p]haps "s ( ! directors us$ _! position
 = p]sonal pleasure & advantage1 b p[]  
us$ = ! sake ( controll+ ! direction (  
gr[? ( races & nations1 p[] = its own   
sake 0 ! game :i* 0 play$ at t table1   
its memb]s play+ ! game ( control aga9/ 
ea* o!r & ! _w = high /akes ( great]    

control1 nurs+ beh9d _! untell+ faces :o
 kn[s :at megalomaniac dreams ( dom9ion4
  ,yet !y us$ _! control discreetly1    
s]v+ ! public welf>e & keep+ ! public   
good-w4 ,:5 x 0 possible4  ,z always    
,bryce ,c>t] sat relax$1 lazily smil+1 8
 expression n *ang+ to 8 ?\ghts4  ,:o   
kn[s ( ?is besides u8 someone ask$4  ,! 
*airman answ]$ mildly4 ,x 0 a company   
/ati/ician 9 ! publicity dep>tm5t :o    
notic$ x4 ,he 0 look+ = favorable       
correlations1 ,i believe4 ,8 pale blue  
eyes rang$ across _! faces1 t\*+ ,bryce 
,c>t]'s face expressionlessly 9 pass+4  
,i reque/$ t he tell no "o else until ,i
 _h inve/igat$4 ,he add$ apologetically1
 ,commitm5ts = drug addiction correlate 
too4  ,t 0 worse news4 ,n>cotics        
inve/igators are no fools1 someone said 
?\ghtfully4         99       99       99
       99       99  ,neiswang]1 a ?9    
ord]ly man ne> ! head ( ! table1 press$ 
8 f+]tips toge!r1 fr[n+ slightly4 ,i    
take x !n t our corporation is be+ us$ z
 a crim9al means ( l>ge scale smuggl+ ( 

drugs1 transport ( crim9als on false    
id5tification & transport = resale ( !  
goods result+ f _! !fts4 ,is t correct8 
,neiswang] always lik$ to h ?+s neatly  
li/$4  ,i ?9k s1 said ! *airman4  ,& y  
w\ld say t ! organization responsible is
 c5t]$ 9 ?is corporation8  ,x w\ld seem 
likely1 yes4  ,! memb]s ( ! bo>d /irr$  
uneasily1 see+ a bla/ ( s5sational      
headl9es1 inve/igations :i* w\ld spread 
to _! private lives1 !mselves giv+      
repetitive te/imony to inquisitive      
politicians 9 a gl>e ( television lights
 :ile ! ,f$]at$ ,nations anti-c>tel     
commission vivisect$ ! ,,ut giant into  
puny1 sep>ate squabbl+ midgets4  ,x 0 n 
an appeal+ prospect4  ,we'll h to /op x1
 ( c\rse1 said a lean1 blond man ^: "n 0
 ,/\t4 ,he c\ld be reli$ on to say !    
obvi\s & keep a discussion driv+ to !   
po9t4 ,i und]/& we h a good detective   
ag5cy4 ,if we put !m on ?is ) paym5t =  
spe$ & sil5ce--  ,& :5 we "k :o is      
responsible1 ask$ ,neiswang]1 ,!n :at d 
we d8  ,!re 0 sil5ce z !y came to ano!r 

full /op 9 ?9k+4 ,turn+ culprits ov] to 
! police 0 out ( ! "q1 an admission t   
su* crimes _h happ5$1 & c\ld happ5 aga94
 ,fir+ ! few detect$ c\ld n impress !   
undetect$ & unfir$ ones en\gh to        
disc\rage !m f _! pr(itable crim9ality4 
,hire "s kill+s1 said ! r\nd fac$ ,mr4  
,beldman1 ) simplicity4  ,! *airman     
laugh$4 ,y are jok+ ( c\rse1 ,mr4       
,beldman4  ,( c\rse1 said ,mr4 ,beldman1
 & laugh$ b>k+ly1 be+ well aw>e ( !     
p]man5t film record tak5 ( all meet+s4  
,b he 0 n jok+4 ,nobody !re 0 jok+4  ,! 
detective ag5cy & ! hir$ kill]s w\ld be 
arrang$ =4  ,bryce ,c>t] lean$ back ) ! 
slight cynical smile on 8 lean face t 0 
8 habitual expression4 ,suppose ! top   
man is high 9 ! company8 he sugge/$     
s(tly4 ,:at !n8 ,he did n ne$ to po9t   
out t ! disappe>ance ( su* a man w\ld be
 en\gh to />t a police & /ock-hold]s    
inve/igation ( ! company 9 itself4 ,!   
implication 0 cle>4 ,su* a man c\ld n be
 t\*$4  ,a hypnoti/1 sugge/$ ,raal4     
,someone to make our top man back track 

& clean up 8 own mess4  ,illegal1       
dang]\s & difficult1 ,mr4 ,raal1 ,irv+  
said s\rly4 ,!re are extremely sev]e    
p5alties aga9/ any complicity 9 !       
unsup]vis$ use ( hypnotism or hypnotic  
drugs1 & _! use aga9/ ! w ( ! subject is
 a major crime4  ,a circulat+ company   
psy*ologi/ w\ld be legal1 sugge/$ ! lean
 blond man ^: "n 0 ,/\t4  ,we h ov]     
sev5ty-five ( ^? on ! company payrolls  
already & ,i fail to see :at use--  ,"o 
( ! special high pric$ boys :o iron out 
k9ks 9 gr\ps by jo9+ !m & work+ ) !m = a
 :ile1 l t ,conf]5ce ,manag] we _h ) u  
la/ ye>4 ,e memb] ( ! gr\p t hires "o   
has to sign an application = treatm5t1 &
 a legal release4 ,!y are v quiet &     
don't broadca/ :at !y d or :o !y talk$  
)1 b !y h a good record ( results4 ,!   
gr\ps :o hire !m report bett] "w & easi]
 "w4 ,we c\ld use "o z a tr\ble %oot]4  
,are !y a special organization8 someone 
ask$4 ,i ?9k ,i've he>d ( !m4  ,yes1 "s 
sort ( a union4 ,i c't rememb] ! "n4    
,:at w\ld y expect !m to d = u8 ask$    

,irv+4  ,i he>-- ,/\t said vaguely1 8   
eyes w&]+ f face to face1 t !y h a      
special t\gh te*nique = h>d case tr\ble 
mak]s4 ,= ^? :o knew him1 ! vague look 0
 a veil ov] "s ?\ght :i* pleas$ him4    
,presumably he 0 ?9k+ ! ?+ :i* _h       
occurr$ to !m all4         99       99  
99       99       99  ,! culprit might  
be a memb] ( ! ,bo>d4 ,!re 0 a sudd5    
*e]ful int]e/ visible among !m z !y     
wond]$ :o 0 qu>ry = ! t\gh treatm5t4    
,i've he>d ( t1 said ,wan ,lun1         
rememb]+4 ,x has be5 said t !y n only d 
n in=m o!rs ( ! fact ( treatm5t b       
frequ5tly d n in=m ! man "u treatm5t b  
seem to be only a new fri5d until--po(4 
,he smil$4 ,i ?9k ! guild "n is ,manoba4
 ,! ,manoba ,gr\p4  ,/\t said1 ,!y'll   
probably *>ge en\gh = ! skill4  ,wan    
said1 smil+1 ,i also he>d "s idle rumor 
t 9 a few su* cases discord )9 a gr\p 0 
alleviat$ by sudd5 suicide4 ,presumably 
a psy*ologi/ c gr[ impati5t & pu% a     
c]ta9 button 9 ! m9d--  ,s\nds l a good 
idea1 ,beldman said4 ,d y ?9k if we (f]$

 ?is ,manoba ! "r k9d ( money--  ,y     
don't mean t1 ,mi/] ,beldman1 cut 9 !   
*airman reprov+ly4 ,y're jok+ aga94     
,we're all great jok]s1 said ,beldman1 &
 laugh$4  ,ev]yone laugh$4  ,i move we  
vote a sum = ! hir+ ( a ,manoba         
psy*ologi/4  ,second$1 h[ ab\t five     
hundr$ ?\s&8  ,i don't "k _! fees1 !    
*airman object$ cauti\sly4  ,y c turn   
back any surplus4 ,we /& to lose m ?an t
 by sev]al ord]s ( magnitude4 ,sp5d x at
 y\r discretion4  ,make x sev5 hundr$   
?\s&4 ,give him a little m room4  ,i s  
move4  ,second$4  ,c>ry x to a vote4    
,!y slipp$ _! h&s "u ! table edge be=e  
_! respective seats1 & ea* man ran 8    
f+]s ov] two buttons conceal$ !re1 be=e 
him1 *ose betwe5 ! yes & ! no button &  
pu%$ "o1 ! *oice ( 8 f+]s unse5 by !    
o!rs4  ,two numb]s lit up on ! small    
divid$ panel be=e ! *airman4 ,he look$  
at !m ) 8 mild face expressionless4     
,reject$ by "o vote4  ,unanimity 0 ! law
 on ,bo>d decisions1 :i* by a natural   
law 0 probably ! reason :y no love 0 lo/

 among !m1 b ?is "t irritation 0 curb$  
by int]e/4 ,!y sat wat*+ ea* o!r's      
expressions ) glances :i* seem$ casual4 
,^: 0 ! "o vote8  ,i move t ! vote be   
repeat$ & made op51 someone said4       
,second$4  ,all 9 favor ( !             
appropriation = ! psy*ologi/ raise y\r  
left h&1 ! *airman reque/$4  ,!y compli$
 & look$ at ea* o!r4 ,all h&s 7 up4     
,c>ri$ on ! second vote1 ! *airman said 
)\t app>5t int]e/4 ,= my own curiosity w
 ! g5tleman :o vot$ nay on ! secret vote
 ! fir/ "t speak up & expla9 8          
objections1 & :y he *ang$ 8 m9d on ! op5
 vote8  ,!re 0 sil5ce a                 
mom5t--,neiswang] look+ at 8 neat       
f+]nails1 ,bryce ,c>t] smok+1 & smil+   
slightly z he always smil$1 ,/\t lean+  
back casually scann+ 8 eyes f face to   
face4 ,beldman lit a cig> & releas$ a   
cl\d ( blue smoke ) a cont5t$ sigh4 ,no 
"o spoke4  ,g5tlem51 said ! *airman4 ,x 
is entirely likely t ! culprit is among 
u4  ,nev] m9d ! melodrama1 ,john4 ,irv+ 
tapp$ ! table impati5tly4 ,we've dealt )

 t4 ,let's get on to ! next bus9ess4    
,,ii  ,9 ! exit l\nge at floor five     
,bryce ,c>t] /opp$ a mom5t & glanc$ at  
himself 9 ! mirror4 ,?ick neck1 ?ick    
body--a physique s ev5ly & heavily      
muscl$ t x look$ fat until he mov$4     
,atop ! ?ick body a lean face t he      
didn't l />$ back at him4 ,x 0 d>kly    
tann$1 ) und]ly+ freckles t 7 almo/     
black4 ,ye>s _h pass$ s9ce he _h work$ 9
 space1 b ! space-tan rema9$ indelible4 
,x 0 n a bl& or pretty face4  ,at !     
d9n]1 deep 9 discussion ) ,mr4 ,wan1 he 
_h be5 surpris$ to f9d himself smil+ at 
int]vals1 irrepressibly4 ,he hop$ x _h  
look$ cordial1 & n too mu* l a cat      
enjoy+ ! company ( mice4  ,!y _h no     
def5se aga9/ him4 ,! drugs organization 
c\ld nev] be trac$ to him4 ,! connection
 0 too well conceal$4 ,ev5 !            
organization knew no?+ ab\t him4  ,!    
only evid5ce :i* c\ld make ! connection 
0 9 8 own m9d4 ,! only witness aga9/ him
 0 himself4 ,he ca/ 8 m9d back ov] !    
meet+ & d9n] b !re _h be5 no slips pa/ !

 fir/ %ock ( ! *airman's ann\ncem5t1 & t
 _h be5 unobs]v$ by anyone4 ,!          
psy*ologi/ !y _h hir$ might p]haps get a
 betray+ flick] ( expression f him 9 an 
int]view1 _m well-tra9$ obs]v]s ( human 
reactions c\ld read expressions t ke5ly1
 b ! int]view+ ( all ! ,bo>d by !       
psy*ologi/ 0 n likely4 ,! ,directors ( !
 ,bo>d 7 ev5 n[ climb+ into tra9s &     
/rato planes to scatt] back to ! f>     
po9ts ( ! e>?4 ,x w\ld take _m days = an
 inve/igat+ psy*ologi/ to foll[ to      
int]view ea* "o4 ,he & ,irv+ w\ld be la/
 on ! li/1 = he w5t to ,moonbase ,city1 
& ,irv+ to ,luna ,city4  ,he _h weeks4  
,he smil$1 fa/5+ b&s 9 8 cuffs t fold$  
!m tightly on 8 wri/s1 zipp+ up 8       
suitcoat & slipp+ on gloves4 ,he look$  
at himself aga94 ,:]e he _h be5 we>+ a  
cons]vative d>k silk bus9ess suit ) a   
%ort cape1 he n[ seem$ to be we>+ a     
tailor$ ski-suit ) an odd c[l1 or a     
pressure suit )\t boots or helmet1 :i* 0
 :at x 04 ,c>ry+ ! zipp] up fur!r w\ld h
 turn$ ! cape to an airtight helmet     

bubble4  ,employes & executives pass+ 9 
& out ( ! ,,ut build+ gave ! clo!s an   
approv+ & int]e/$ glance z !y pass$4 ,! 
ju/ification by utility 0 obvi\s4 ,x _h 
co/ money to h a pressure suit design$  
light & flexible en\gh = com=table we>1 
b long ago he _h gr[n irk$ by !         
repetiti\s bus9ess ( climb+ 9 & out (   
clo!s e "t "o /epp$ ?r\gh a space lock1 
:ile ov]capes & hoods 7 ne$$ /epp+      
outside ( any temp]ate zone ,e>? build+ 
9 w9t]4  ,a pressure suit 0 completely  
indep5d5t ( wea!r & regulat$ its own    
int]nal heat4 ,s9ce ! suit _h be5       
design$ ! manufactur] _h begun to       
receive an increas+ numb] ( ord]s =     
duplicates1 & 0 n[ be+ put into mass    
production4 ,probably 9 ^! five m9utes  
he _h j made _m m sales = ! manufactur]4
  ,he 0 sett+ a /yle1 he ?\ght 9 pleas$ 
surprise1 /epp+ out ( ! build+4 ,! salt 
w9d hit him ) a bla/ ( cold1 & !        
automatic !rmo/atic wir+ 9 ! suit c\nt]$
 ) a wave ( w>m? z he lean$ into ! w9d &
 />t$ to walk4 ,! connection betwe5 !   

,union ,hotel & ! build+ he _h j left 0 
an ar*$ sidewalk t curv$ betwe5 !m1 five
 /ories above ! s& & surf4  ,! hotel 0  
an impressively t[]+ build+ aga9/ !     
ragg$ sky1 & z he walk$ a gleam broke   
?r\gh f ! hidd5 sunset & spotlight$ x & 
! l[ scudd+ cl\ds 9 a sudd5 gl[+ r$4 ,he
 /opp$ & lean$ aga9/ ! balu/rade to wat*
 ! r$ gleams reflect+ f ! bay4 ,r$ &    
purple cl\ds fl$ by l[ ov]head1 _!      
colors *ang+ z !y mov$4 ,?is 0 some?+ a 
man c\ldn't see 9 space or on ! moon4   
,b aft] a mom5t he c\ldn't fully enjoy  
x1 because he 0 be+ wat*$4 ,! feel+ 0   
di/urb+4  ,damn rubb]necks1 he ?\ght1 & 
turn$ irritably1 half hop+ t at lea/ x  
w\ld be an acqua9tance or "s pretty     
girls4  ,b !re 0 no "o wat*+ him4  ,a   
few p$e/rians walk$ by hurri$ly because 
x 0 gr[+ d>k & ! view t !y _h come to   
enjoy 0 fad+4 ,! w9d wrapp$ _! envelop+ 
capes ar\nd !m & made !m all look       
abnormally tall & column>4  ,x 0 d>k]4  
,! sidewalk lights abruptly flick$ on 9 
a flood ( amb] light t ?ick5$ ! twilight

 beyond _! circle to an opaque purple   
curta9 ( d>kness4  ,he notic$ a p$e/rian
 walk+ sl[ly t[>ds him f ! direction he 
_h come4 ,! figure approa*$ m sl[ly ?an 
seem$ natural1 ) 8 head b[$ & 8 h&s 9 8 
pockets z ?\gh lo/ 9 ?\ght4         99  
99       99       99       99  ,a trail]
 f ! detective ag5cy8 ,x 0 too soon = t4
 ,if x 7 arrang$ t e memb] ( ! ,bo>d be 
trail$1 /ill x c\ld n h be5 arrang$ &   
begun s soon4  ,illu/ration  ,besides1  
!re 0 some?+ m deadly ?an t 9 ! walk+   
man's indiff]5ce4  ,a kill] arrang$ by  
,beldman8 ,x w\ld be natural = ,beldman 
or ,/\t to take a *ance & fight back !  
direct way4 ,b !re 0 no evid5ce4 ,h[    
c\ld ei!r ( !m h decid$ :o to blame or  
:o to fight8  ,! few huge build+s t /ood
 d>k aga9/ ! night sky 7 be+ bright5$ n[
 by lights go+ on 9 hundr$s ( w9d[s4 ,9 
long sl5d] spans betwe5 !m /ret*$ !     
a]ial walks & ! necklaces ( amb] lights 
t outl9$ !m4 ,! w9d blew cold] across ! 
walks & ! view ( sea & sky t _h be5     
visible f !m n[ 0 blott$ out by night4  

,! walk]s 7 go+ 94 ,!re 0 small *ance ( 
%elt]+ himself 9 a cr[d1 or ev5 ( keep+ 
only "o or two walk]s betwe5 himself & !
 "o :o foll[$ him4  ,at ! fir/ sight ( !
 approa*+ figure he _h in/9ctively lean$
 back aga9/ ! concrete rail+ & tak5 8   
gun f its pocket hol/]1 hold+ x lightly 
9 8 glov$ h&4  ,an ag$ c\ple & a vigor\s
 middle-ag$ woman hurry+ 9 ! opposite   
direction glanc$ at him )\t int]e/ or   
al>m4 ,8 pose 0 n m5ac+1 & anyway mo/ m5
 ) money en\gh to travel c>ri$ h& arms4 
,?is 0 an indirect effect ( a ,f$]at$   
,nations rul+ t only h& arms ( a        
regulat$ deadl9ess be manufactur$ z !   
armam5t ( nations4 ,! rul+ _h be5       
c>efully consid]$ = o!r second>y        
effects1 = any nation gr[+ ov]-c5traliz$
 & milit>i/ic 0 likely to arm its       
citiz5s univ]sally = great] milit>y p[] 
by numb]s1 & !n suff] ! natural         
consequ5ces ( hav+ arm$ _! public       
op9ion4  ,an arm$ man ne$ n vote to be  
c\nt$1 & once hav+ le>n$ t lesson1 !    
feel+ t an arm$ man c>ri$ 8 bill (      

rights 9 8 pocket made ?is ! fir/ clause
 ( ! writt5 & unwritt5 con/itutions ( _m
 sudd5ly democratic nations4 ,! "r ( !  
yoemanry to c>ry arms %all n be abridg$4
 ,!y kept _! guns4  ,& ) weapons        
in/antly available to hot temp]s1 duel+ 
came back into cu/om 9 mo/ places4  ,all
 ?is _h little effect on ! l>ge calm    
manufactur+ c\ntries :o _h run ! ,,un & 
n[ ran ! ,,fn1 b x made easy _! decision
 t s9ce1 9 space1 polic+ is almo/       
impossible1 ! citiz5s :o v5ture !re mu/ 
be arm$ to protect !mselves4 ,?us1 9    
spite ( ! cont9u$ outcry ( a m9ority (  
,*ri/ian morali/s1 a hol/] pocket 0 n[  
built into all space suits4  ,bryce _h  
gr[n up 9 a fam9e c\ntry1 an almo/      
unpolic$ area1 & weapons _h be5 z       
famili> to 8 h&s z f+]s s9ce he _h pass$
 twelve4 ,& :51 z a /eel-work]1 he _h   
be5 "o ( ! fir/ settl]s 9 ! f\ndry t[ns 
( ! ,a/]oid ,belt1 he _h f\nd life no   
g5tl] !re4 ,b x 0 all "r z f> z he 0    
conc]n$4 ,he _h he>d ( saf] & dull] ways
 to live b _h nev] want$ !m4 ,life z a  

moonbas$ transport manag] _h be5 a %ort 
int]val ( nonviol5ce1 five ye>s ( />tl+ 
calm :i* he _h n yet gr[n accu/om$ to4  
,! gun fitt$ into 8 h& z com=tably z 8  
?umb1 or z ! h&%ake ( an old & tru/$    
fri5d1 b x 0 useless "h4 ,reluctantly he
 slipp$ x back into 8 pocket & began    
walk+ aga94 ,a director ( ,,ut c\ldn't  
%oot p on intuition4  ,he _h b>ely /opp$
 = a c\nt ( t51 & !re 0 /ill di/ance    
betwe5 !m :5 he _h turn$1 b ! foll[]    
c\ld be walk+ fa/] n[1 n>r[+ ! di/ance  
betwe5 !m4  ,if he _h wait$ & fir$1 an  
inspection ( ! man's pockets c\ld h     
confirm$ 8 judgm5t by ! f9d+ ( an       
assass9's illegal ne$le gun4 ,t alone   
might be en\gh to satisfy ! police if he
 7 /ill m]ely a spacework]1 b a         
,director ( ,,ut c\ldn't live t         
casually4 ,x w\ld be difficult to expla9
 8 c]ta9ty to ! police1 & /ill m        
difficult to expla9 to ! newspap]s4 ,he 
c\ld n af=d t sort ( publicity4  ,bryce 
let out a s(t curse & l5g!n$ 8 /ride4   
,he _h to wait = pro( ( ! foll[]'s      

int5tions4 ,& ! only pro( w\ld be to be 
attack$1 & ! fir/ pro( ( t1 s9ce ne$le  
guns are s\ndless & inconspicu\s1 w\ld  
probably be a cur>e-load$ ne$le 9 8     
back4  ,aft] t ! foll[] c\ld            
inconspicu\sly drop 8 weapon ov] !      
balu/rade1 its self-de/roy+ me*anism set
 to melt x be=e x rea*$ ! s&s f> bel[4  
,h[ev] s9ce ! foll[] c]ta9ly w\ld n     
op5ly run aft] him1 ! mo/ logical ?+ to 
d1 ,bryce decid$1 0 to run to ! hotel z 
if he 7 9 a hurry4 ,! idea irritat$ him4
  ,he walk$ on1 sl[+ p]v]sely4 ,x 0     
irrational to walk1 & he knew x1 b he   
walk$1 & ! k t x 0 irrational irritat$  
him fur!r4 ,! sk9 betwe5 8 %\ld] blades 
it*$ m$itatively 9 its own imag9ative   
anticipation ( an ent]+ ne$le4 ,:at good
 did x d him to be pr\d ( 8 bra9s :5 he 
put himself 9 a spot :]e he walk$ ar\nd 
l a t>get8  ,he controll$ a ris+ rage b 
he walk$4  ,! sky 0 totally d>k n[ & !re
 7 only two or ?ree c\ples ahead on !   
sl5d] concrete span & "o old c\ple he _h
 j pass$1 s t !y 7 betwe5 himself & !   

foll[]4 ,b t 0 no adequate scre54  ,f>  
above so>$ ! sky taxis4 ,& n[ he want$ a
 taxi4 ,he 0 approa*+ a place :]e !re 0 
a hack /&4 ,j ahead1 at ! midway po9t1  
:]e ! upw>d curve ( ! sidewalk level$ (f
 & began to curve d[n1 a n>r[ catwalk   
jutt$ into space ) a small l&+ plat=m at
 its end4 ,,taxi a lum9esc5t arr[ gl[$  
at him direct+ly z he came abrea/ ( x4  
99       99       99       99       99  
,he walk$ rapidly out along ! rail$     
catwalk1 mak+ a p]fect t>get he knew1   
silh\ett$ aga9/ ! gl[4 ,he curs$ "u 8   
brea?1 rea*+ ! end ( x4 ,"h he made an  
ev5 m p]fect t>get1 ) ! s+le bright     
light t p\r$ d[n brilliance on ! b5* &  
l&+ plat=m spotlight+ him aga9/ !       
d>kness ( ! night4 ,! b5* 0 ?9 iron     
grillwork4 ,x (f]$ no cov]4  ,he ne$$   
cov]4 ,he consid]$ ! :ite concrete pill>
 ( ! lamp1 put 8 h& on ! rail+ & jump$  
up to sit on ! rail+ casually1 a "o     
hundr$ fifty foot fall beh9d him & !    
wid? ( ! lamp po/ betwe5 him & ! foll[]1
 :o n[ 0 an unmov+ figure lean+ aga9/ ! 

rail+ ( ! sidewalk ne> :]e ! catwalk    
began4  ,! sight ( ! insol5tly l\ng+    
figure did no?+ to soo? 8 irritation4   
,?is escape 0 n ! way he want$ to deal )
 a ?reat4 ,!re 0 an oddity 9 ! man's    
wait+4 ,! range 0 poor1 & he probably 0 
n fir+1 al?\gh he w\ld look z if he 7 n 
9 any case1 b if he 7 n go+ to take ?is 
*ance = 8 murd] attempt1 :y did he op5ly
 exhibit himself1 ar\s+ suspicion &     
cutt+ (f future *ances8 ,an innoc5t     
/roll] or ev5 a m]e trail] f ! detective
 ag5cy w\ld h /roll$ on4  ,above came ! 
ne>+ drone ( a taxi :i* _h spott$ him 9 
! bright pool ( light at ! hack /&4     
,!re 0 some?+ 9 ! c>eless confid5ce ( ! 
foll[]'s op5 int]e/ 9 him t rais$ 8 neck
 hair z no direct ?reat c\ld h1 & fill$ 
! rumble ( ! night-hidd5 surf ) obscure 
m5ace4 ,! man act$ z if 8 job 0 ov]1    
cl9*$4  ,bryce rea*$ ! answ] z ! taxi   
float$ d[n on hiss+ rot] blades & settl$
 to ! plat=m4 ,slid+ d[n f ! rail+ he   
walk$ t[>d x1 /iff-legg$4 ,! light 0 out
 inside x1 & ! cabby did n climb out or 

attempt to op5 ! door = him4 ,bryce     
turn$ 8 head & look$ back z if = a la/  
glance at ! wat*+ figure1 grasp+ ! door 
h&le ) 8 "r h& z if fumbl+ bl9dly4 ,he 0
 left h&$4 ,:5 ! door 0 op5 a crack1 x  
/opp$ op5+1 & ^? inside saw ! muzzle ( a
 magnamatic 9 8 left h& look+ ?r\gh !   
crack at !m4  ,x's easi] to cat* wolves 
if y're disguis$ z a rabbit1 ,pop ,yak  
_h told him once4 ,he mu/ h look$ a     
complete suck]1 />t+ to climb into a d>k
 cab ) 8 head turn$ backw>d6  ,don't    
move1 ,bryce said1 "s ( 8 ang] rea*+ 8  
voice 9 a bit+ rasp4 ,inside1 ! driv] 0 
froz5 ) 8 head turn$ en\gh to see ! gl9t
 ( a muzzle beh9d 8 neck1 & 9 ! d>k5$ f>
 corn] ( ! back seat :]e !re %\ld h be5 
no "o !re 0 ! pale blur ( a face1 & a h&
 hold+ some?+4 ,bryce knew t !re 0 no   
way a %ot c\ld rea* him except ?r\gh !  
%ield+ /eel door or ! %att]pro( w9d[1 & 
a man w\ld hesitate be=e %oot+ ?r\gh    
glass :5 he 0 look+ d[n ! ?roat (       
,bryce's gun4 ,bryce wait$ = him to ?9k 
x ov]4  ,! h& ( ! man 9 ! back seat came

 into focus z 8 eyes adju/$ to ! d>k    
inside1 & he c\ld see t x 0 hold+ a gun4
 ,! gun 0 n po9t+ at any?+ 9 p>ticul>4  
,x 0 froz5 9 mid-motion4 ,! man _h a    
half-smile froz5 on 8 face1 probably 9 !
 way he _h be5 smil+ j be=e ,bryce      
spoke4  ,op5 y\r h&4 ,drop x4 ,! gl9t ( 
! gun disappe>$1 & !re 0 a fa9t ?ud f ! 
floor4 ,bryce op5$ ! door & slid into ! 
re> seat1 wat*ful = motion1 ready to    
%oot4 ,face front6 ,!y fac$ front l two 
puppets1 p]haps ! uncontrollable rasp 9 
8 voice 0 conv9c+4 ,he /ill did n "k ^: 
m5 !y 71 or :y !y _h be5 hir$4 ,x w\ld  
be no use que/ion+ !m = !y w\ld n "k    
ei!r4 ,he c\ld guess :o x 01 a "n came  
to m9d1 b !re 0 no way ( *eck+ up4 ,?is 
k9d ( bus9ess did n fit well ) ! crucial
 balance ( 8 plans = ! next two weeks4  
,be c>eful1 he said p]haps unnecess>ily1
 ,i'm n]v\s4 ,union ,hotel please4  ,!  
%ort ride to ! hotel 0 made 9 dead      
sil5ce1 ) ! man 9 ! opposite corn] b>ely
 mov+ en\gh to bl9k 8 eyes4 ,he 0       
middle-ag$1 ) ! resign$ sagg+ l9es to 8 

face ( ambition disappo9t$1 b he sat ) a
 wait+ /illness t ,bryce recogniz$ z    
some?+ to wat*4 ,!re 0 probably ano!r   
gun )9 quick rea* ( t passive "r h&4  ,!
 rot] drift$ d[n to a l&+ space on !    
floodlight$ l&+ ro( ( ! hotel & settl$ )
 a slight bump4 ,don't move4 ,! clumsy  
c>eful bus9ess ( op5+ ! door backw>d ) 8
 "r h& & slid+ out )\t tak+ 8 eyes f    
ei!r ( !m 0 t$i\sly sl[4  ,once out1 he 
slamm$ ! door briskly4 ,take (f4 ,n     
until ! r$ & gre5 lights _h fad$ into ! 
di/ance did he turn away1 pocket 8 gun &
 walk into ! wide doorway to !          
elevators4 ,z he bru%$ pa/ ! hotel      
detective /&+ 9 ! doorway ! detective 0 
rehol/]+ a l>ge size police pacifi]4    
,app>5tly he _h be5 ready to imp>tially 
/un ev]yone conc]n$ at ! fir/ sign (    
tr\ble1 :i* probably expla9$ :y ^? 9 !  
aircab _h n attempt$ any retaliation4 ,!
 detective gave ,bryce a cold />e z he  
w5t by1 probably 9 disapproval ( gue/s  
wav+ weapons on hotel premises4   ,,iii 
,9 8 luxuri\s hotel room ,bryce *eck$ 8 

wat*4 ,eight o'clock4 ,a telephone call 
0 s*$ul$ = "s "t 9 ! half h\r4 ,he fil$ 
! "q ( :o 0 beh9d ! night's attack &    
pick$ up ! phone4 ,! dial sy/em 0 9     
automatic contact ) any city 9 ! _w4 ,he
 dial$4  ,some:]e 9 a city1 a phone     
rang4 ,x rang unhe>d1 = x 0 lock$ into a
 safe 9 a t9y r5t$ (fice ) "s unusual   
me*anisms atta*$4 ,! r++ 0 /opp$        
abruptly & a record$ voice answ]$1      
,yeah8  ,bryce took a dial phone f !    
night table :]e x _h be5 sitt+ innoc5tly
 l a toy he _h b\ght = "s *ild4 ,hi ,al1
 he said *e]fully to ! automatic        
me*anism at ! o!r end4 ,li/51 ,i ?9k    
,i've got a new phrase = t transition   
!me4 ,h['s ?is8 ,he put ! receiv] aga9/ 
! back ( ! toy & dial$ ! toy dial4 ,x   
respond$ to ea* lett] & numb] ) a r++   
note ( diff]5t pit* t play$ a %ort      
unmelodi\s tune4  ,! pit* notes w5t ov] 
! l9e & ent]$ ! me*anism1 mak+ !        
contacts )9 x t dial$ ! numb] he _h     
dial$ on ! toy phone4  ,h['s t8 ,bryce  
said *e]fully4  ,! record$ voice said1  

,s\nds good4 ,i'll see :at ,i c d ) x4  
,some:]e f> away & unhe>d ano!r phone _h
 begun to r+4 ,want to speak to ,george8
  ,sure4  ,a phone rang 9 a pay boo?    
some:]e 9 a great city railroad /ation1 
& someone br[s+ at a magaz9e /& or sitt+
 on a suitcase app>5tly wait+ = a tra9  
/roll$ casually to answ] x4  ,hello8    
said a noncommittal voice1 prep>$ to    
claim t he 0 m]ely a /rang] answ]+ !    
phone because x 0 r++ 9 public4  ,hello 
,george1 h['s ev]y?+ go+8 ,bryce ask$4  
,^? words 7 8 trade m>k1 ! passwords t  
id5tifi$ him to ev]yone z ! ,voice :o   
gave ,tips4 ,among ! mon/] organization 
:i* _h gr[n f ! prov5 reliability ( ^?  
tips1 ! voice 0 kn[n z ,hello ,george4  
,hello ,george's tips 7 always good1 s  
!y _h come to be foll[$ z bl9dly z tips 
f ,god1 ev5 :5 !y 7 n und]/ood4 ,c]ta9ty
 0 "o ?+ m5 9 ! f5c+ & drug smuggl+     
bus9ess mo/ sorely lack$4  ,!y          
communicat$ only by phone4 ,!y          
transmitt$ _! w>es by leav+ !m 9 public 
lock]s & mail+ ! key4 ,!y nev] saw ea*  

o!r's faces or he>d ea* o!r's names1 b  
ev5 ! use ( a key c\ld be a trap t w\ld 
br+ a circle ( n>cotics ag5ts ( ,,inc   
ar\nd ! un=tunate :o attempt$ to op5 !  
lock]4  ,f> away ov] ! bulge ( ! ,e>?   
betwe51 a man sat 9 a phone boo? wait+ =
 8 tip4 ,pretty well4 ,no compla9ts4    
,h['s ) y1 any news8  ,i ?9k y'd bett]  
cut connections ) ,union ,transport4    
,!y're gett+ pretty sloppy4 ,i ?9k !y   
might spill some?+4  ,wadja say8 ask$ ! 
man at ! o!r end cauti\sly1 ,i didn't   
get y4  ,bett] /op us+ ,,ut = %ipp+1    
,bryce repeat$1 word+ 8 s5t5ce c>efully4
 ,!y ar5't c>eful en\gh anymore4 ,y     
don't want !m to break an inc case wide 
op51 d y8 ,,inc 0 ! ,int]national       
,n>cotics ,control ag5cy ( ! ,f4 ,n4 ,b 
! conv]sation w\ld h s\nd$ l an innoc5t 
discussion ( %ipp+ difficulties to any  
*ance li/5] on ! telephone l9es4  ,!    
flat tones 7 pla9tive & aggriev$4 ,b    
we're expect+ a load ( /uff ,friday4    
,our buy]s are expect+ x4 ,/uff 0 drug1 
& expect+ 0 a mild ^w = ! ne$ ( drug    

addicts6 ,& we've got a lotta loads (   
miscellane\s items to g out4 ,! contact 
0 a small man 9 ! organization b he     
evid5tly knew j h[ hot f5c$ goods c\ld  
be4 ,t c't wait6  ,he _h plann$ ?is4    
,maybe !y are all "r = %ipm5ts ?is week4
 ,i'll *ew !m out to be c>eful1 *eck up 
& call back ,friday4 ,mean:ile break )  
!m4  ,tell !m a few ?+s f me1 !-- !     
di/ant voice add$ a surpris+ /r+ (      
d]ogatory adjectives4 ,friday :58       
,friday ab\t--ab\t six4 ,! d\ble ab\t   
confirm$ ! signal = a telephone         
appo9tm5t t 0 g5]al = all contact       
numb]s4  ,friday ab\t six1 ,okay4 ,!re 0
 a fa9t click t meant he _h hung up & ! 
phone 9 ! safe 0 op5 = m dial+s on 8 toy
 dial4  ,bryce hung up1 lean$ back on 8 
b$ & pu%$ a button t turn$ on ! radio to
 a semiclassical program4 ,soo?+ music  
came into ! room & sl[ waves ( color$   
light mov$ across ! ceil+4 ,he tun$ to a
 book play]1 & *ose a heavy economics   
/udy f ! curr5t sell] li/ ( titles :i*  
appe>$ on ! ceil+4 ,! daily moon %ip 0  

s*$ul$ to bla/ (f at five ?irty1 its    
optimum at ?is week's position ( !      
,moon4 ,by ?is "t tomorr[ night1 he &   
all ! o!r memb]s ( ! ,bo>d w\ld be out (
 rea* ( any easy obs]vation or analysis 
by _! hir$ psy*ological m9d-hunt]4  ,) a
 slight *ill+ ( ! sk9 he rememb]$ !     
cop-psy*os ! gangs _h w>n$ him ab\t 9 8 
scrambl+ & desp]ate *ildhood1 & :at !y 7
 suppos$ to d to y :5 !y caught y 9 a   
?ird (f5se4  ,he _h be5 born into an    
ex-,european qu>t] 9 a ,*9ese city1 a   
desc5dant ( some?+ prideful & =gott5    
call$ an ,empire ,build]1 & grew ) !    
mix$ gangs ( *ildr5 ( all colors :o     
roam$ ! back /reets at night1 loot+ &   
/eal+ & break+4 ,population control 0   
almo/ impossible 9 a l& :]e ! only      
social security aga9/ />vation 9 old age
 0 sons1 & social security 0 impossible 
9 a l& s corrupt$ by ! desp]ation (     
fam9es1 s little able to sp>e ! necess>y
 taxes4 ,! nation 0 too huge to be f$ f 
outside1 & s _h be5 left by ! ,,fn to   
/ew 9 its own mis]y until its p solv$ _!

 basic problem4  ,s1 9 an enlight5$     
clean & weal?y _w1 ,bryce ,c>t] _h gr[n 
up 9 a slum ^: sw>m+ vici\sness 0 a     
matt] ( take1 /eal1 kill1 climb or die4 
,p]haps "u ^? special circum/ances      
police p5al compulsion _h to be brutally
 /rong1 /rong] ?an ! drive = life       
itself1 z brutal z ! lurid tales he _h  
he>d4 ,p]haps 9 o!r c\ntries ! me?ods 7 
diff]5t1 a hypno-conv]t$ man n a horror 
to 8 fri5ds1 b he _h _h no "t to /udy & 
inve/igate if x 7 s1 & ! horror & hatr$ 
rema9$4  ,b !re 0 no ne$ to ?9k ab\t !  
psy*o-hunt] ! ,bo>d _h put on him = by !
 "t ! hunt] c\ld rea* him ,,ut w\ld h   
fall5 z a legal entity1 its corruption  
w\ld be completely public1 & !          
psy*ologi/ w\ld be call$ (f be=e        
discov]+ any?+4 ,bryce ?\ght ( ! slight 
n]v\sness he _h let %[ at ! fir/ words (
 ! *airman's ann\ncem5t4 ,! only witness
 aga9/ him 0 himself4 ,8 control wasn't 
p]fect4 ,no "o's 04 ,b he 0 safe4  ,he  
conc5trat$ on ! op5+ pages ( ! ,basic   
,pr9ciples ( ,economies4         99     

99       99       99       99  ,9 !     
d>k5$ ,,ut build+ :i* c\ld be se5 f 8   
w9d[ a few lights /ill burn$ :]e ! night
 %ift dealt ) em]g5cies4  ,9 a small    
projection room on ! fifty-fif? floor a 
man sat & look$ at a film ( ! ,,ut ,bo>d
 meet+ ( t day4 ,he play$ only a c]ta9  
small tw5ty m9ute int]val1 li/5+ closely
 to ! voices--,g5tlem51 y\r att5tion    
please-- ,wat*+ ! faces--,d ! police "k 
( ?is8 444 ,d y ?9k if we (f]$ ?is      
,manoba ! "r k9d ( money4444 ,w !       
g5tleman :o vot$ nay on ! secret vote ! 
fir/ "t speak up & expla94444 ,x is     
entirely likely t ! conspirator is among
 u4 ,on ! scre5 %[$ ! app>5tly bor$     
faces & relax$ poses ( m5 accu/om$ to ! 
p[] game1 habitually mask+ _! feel+s f  
ea* o!r1 %ift+ _! positions slightly    
sometimes1 "s smok+4 ,we've dealt ) t1  
let's get on to ! next bus9ess4  ,!     
wat*] /opp$ ! film & sil5tly reset x4 ,x
 began aga9 ) ! *airman on ! scre5 rapp+
 ! table lightly4 ,g5tlem51 y\r         
att5tion4444  ,9 ! d>k5$ projection room

 ! *airman sat to "o side smok+ & ?9k+  
:ile ! psy*ologi/ play$ ! film ?r\gh = !
 f\r? "t4  ,! *airman 0 wond]+ j h[     
s]i\sly ! wat*] 0 tak+ ,mr4 ,beldman's  
proposals ab\t :at he %\ld d to !       
culprit1 & :e!r he w\ld raise 8 fee4  ,!
 telephone rang4         99       99    
99       99       99  ,f\r ?irty1 ,mr4  
,c>t]1 said ! voice ( ! night cl]k 9 !  
receiv]4  ,x 0 "t to cat* ! five ?irty  
,moon %ip4 ,he spla%$ cold wat] on 8    
face & ! back ( 8 neck until he 0 awake1
 took a hot %[]1 dress$ rapidly1 & gave 
up 8 key at ! desk at #d3de4  ,a lett] =
 y1 ,mi/] ,c>t]1 %e smil$1 h&+ x to him4
 ,f ! wall speak]s a mild b p5etrat+    
voice began repeat+1 ,bus l9e =         
spaceport leav+ 9 twelve m9utes4 ,all   
pass5g]s = ,luna ,city1 ,moon ,base1    
,a/]oid ,belt & po9ts out1 please g to !
 l&+ deck4 ,bus l9e = spaceport leav+ 9 
twelve m9utes--  ,he op5$ ! lett] :5 he 
_h settl$ d[n 9 a com=table morris *air 
9 ! airbus4 ,! lett]head said ,,manoba  
,gr\p ,psy*o!rapeutic ,rese>* &         

,conf]5ce ,managem5t4  ,"o %eet ( x 0 a 
half page contract 9 f9e pr9t1 app>5tly 
a /&>d =m ) ! "n ( ,union ,transport    
,corporation typ$ 9 ! appropriate       
blanks4 ,above x 0 pr9t$ 9 cle> ,engli% 
& l>ge type = ! b5efit ( ^? read]s      
unaccu/om$ to contracts4 ,,w>n+4 ,aft] y
 h sign$ ?is release y h no legal       
rec\rse or claim z an individual aga9/  
any physical or m5tal injury or         
inconv5i5ce y may claim to h su/a9$ z a 
result ( ! activities ( ! contract$     
psy*o!rapi/7s7 9 ! c\rse ( gr\p !rapy4  
,y\r gr\p is ! responsible ag5t4 ,x mu/ 
make all claims & compla9ts z a unit1 & 
may )draw f ! contract z a unit4 ,^? :o 
)draw f ! gr\p )draw f p>ticipation 9 ! 
contract4  ,bryce smil$4 ,or 9 o!r      
words1 if y didn't l x1 y c\ld quit y\r 
job & get out6  ,! o!r %eet he glanc$ at
 casually4 ,x seem$ to be an explanatory
 page to ! effect t ! ,manoba's "w 0    
/rictly confid5tial & !y 7 "u no        
obligation to expla9 :at !y _h done or 7
 do+ or give _! id5tities to any memb] (

 ! corporation :o _h hir$ !m4 ,!re 0    
no?+ resembl+ a sales talk ab\t results1
 & ! only ?+ approa*+ x 0 a /iff la/    
s5t5ce ref]r+ anyone :o 0 curi\s ab\t ! 
results ( su* treatm5t to ! ,national   
,c]tifi$ ,analytical ,/ati/ics (        
,pr(essional ,/&+ 9 su* & su* bullet9s (
 su* & su* ye>s4  ,he sign$ ! contract1 
smil+1 & mail$ x at a h&y po/al &       
telegraph w9d[ at ! spaceport be=e bo>d+
 ! space%ip4         99       99        
99       99       99  ,! phone 0 r++4   
,bryce roll$ ov] sleepily & pick$ x up4 
,eight ,a4,m4 ,l4,s4 ,s4,s4 ,sir1 said !
 s(t voice ( ! desk cl]k4  ,okay1 he    
grunt$1 glanc+ at 8 wat* & hang+ up4 ,x 
0 two m9utes aft] eight1 b he didn't    
*eck h] up on x4 ,if he plac$ ! voice   
rightly1 x belong$ to an exceptionally  
pretty brunette4 ,he _h n tri$ to date  
h] yet1 b %e look$ accessible1 & ,mona 0
 becom+ tiresome4  ,he turn$ ! dial 9 ! 
headbo>d t rev]s$ ! pol>ization ( ! w9d[
 & rose reluctantly1 /ret*+ z sunlight  
flood$ ! room4 ,x 0 daylight on         

,moonbase ,city4 ,x _h be5 daylight = a 
week1 & x w\ld be daylight /ill = ano!r 
week4  ,?r\gh ! s(t5+ filt] ( ! airtight
 glass ! view ( di/ant crat] walls & !  
airseal$ t[]s ( ,moonbase ,city %one 9  
et*$ magnific5ce1 b he gave x only a    
glance4 ,x 0 always ! same4 ,!re 0 no   
wea!r on ! ,moon & no v>iety ( view4    
,good morn+1 he smil$1 pass+ a bellboy 9
 ! luxuri\s1 deep color$ halls4  ,good  
morn+1 ,mi/] ,c>t]1 ! boy answ]$ rapidly
 ) an eag] n]v\s smile4  ,bryce _h      
caught ! managem5t up %>ply on sev]al   
small lapses1 & !y all knew him n[4 ,he 
/rode on1 pleas$4 ,effici5cy4444 ,no "o 
gave him a second glance or notic$ him 9
 ! tube tra9s1 b he 0 n irritat$ by x4  
,som$ay !y w\ld4 ,som$ay ! :ole _w w\ld 
"k 8 face z well z !y knew _! own4 ,he  
promis$ t to !m sil5tly & !n settl$ d[n 
to conc5trate on "s con/ructive plann+  
be=e rea*+ ! (fice4 ,he 0 n go+ to wa/e 
8 "t gawk+ at ads or li/5+ to ! music l 
! o!rs4  ,mi/] ,c>t]8 said a hesitant   
voice beh9d him z he 0 rea*+ = ! h&le ( 

! (fice doors4  ,:at is x8 he ask$      
crisply1 turn+1 b z he saw :o _h spok5  
he knew exactly :at x w\ld be4  ,p>don  
me ,mi/] ,c>t]1 b-- ,x 0 a spaceman1 a  
sk9ny wreck ( a man 9 clo!s t hung on   
him4 ,a junky1 a drug addict4 ,bryce    
knew ! signs4 ,he _h sp5t all 8 money & 
gone )\t food = 8 drug1 & n[ he _h      
rememb]$ f ,belt talk t ,bryce ,c>t] 0 a
 s(t t\* = a loan4 ,nev] m9d1 ,bryce    
sn>l$1 rea*+ = ! door aga94  ,he assi/$ 
! smuggl+ ( ! /uff b t did n mean t he  
_h to admire ! fools :o took x4 ,! man 0
 mutt]+ some?+ ab\t a loan :5 ! door %ut
 & cut (f 8 words4 ,! loan w\ld be sp5t 
on m junk4 ,if he _h want$ food he c\ld 
h sign$ into a /ate hospital to take !  
,cure1 & be imprison$ & f$ until ! hung]
 = 8 drug _h pass$ & releas$ him4 ,!    
,cure 0 a brief hell1 b x 0 fair paym5t 
= hav+ _h 8 fun1 & if ! addict _h any   
guts he w\ld face x4 ,any "t he 0 ready 
to pay ! price ( exit he c\ld g back to 
be+ a man4  ,bryce /rode ?r\gh ! (fices 
irritably4 ,x did n matt] if ,e>?l+s    

*ose to wa/e _! "t 9 artificial ec/asy1 
b x 0 diff]5t to see a good ,belt       
spaceman let himself g4  ,! receptioni/ 
look$ up ) fright 9 h] eyes z he pass$ &
 gave him a special good-morn+1 ) a     
smile t 0 tremul\s & v eag] to please4  
,he /ill _h h] 9 ! /age ( new employm5t 
:]e %e 0 kept afraid ( los+ h] new job )
 a bad ref]5ce4 ,x 0 be/ to put !m all  
ov] ! hurdles at fir/4  ,he gave h] a   
condesc5d+ smile z he w5t ?r\gh into !  
inn] (fices4 ,good morn+4 ,%e 0 %aky    
en\gh4 ,a few well fak$ cold rages aga9/
 m9or errors _h done well4 ,f n[ on %e  
w\ld ne$ only smiles to give ! utmo/ 9  
loyalty & h>d "w4 ,:at _h ,ma*iavelli   
said8 ,make !m fe> y\r wra?1 & !y w be  
grateful = y\r =ebe>ance4  ,he did n    
bo!r to speak to ,kesby :5 he pass$ 8   
op5 (fice door4 ,kesby didn't ne$ smiles
 or praise1 he work$ loyally j = ! r>e  
curt ackn[l$gem5t t he _h done well4    
,?ree ye>s ( manag+ _h made him a good  
lieut5ant1 completely fai?ful4 ,:5      
,bryce quit ,union ,transport ,kesby    

w\ld foll[ him4   ,,iv  ,he w5t into 8  
luxuri\s inn] (fice ) its deep rugs &   
eye-relax+ colors & its com=table wide  
desk ) its speak] box & telephones t 7 l
 ! n]ve wires ( p[]1 & sat d[n com=tably
 l a k+ on a ?rone or a mule sk9n] 9 !  
driv]'s seat ) t5 pairs ( re9s 9 ea* h&4
 ,he nev] felt completely awake & up to 
8 full size 9 ! morn+ until he 0 "h4    
,!re 0 a good /ack ( lett]s & memos on !
 desk wait+ = him4 ,on top ( ! mail /ack
 0 a lett] label$ ,,private 9 a beam$   
spacegram envelope4 ,he did n recognize 
! "n at ! head ( x b ! return address 0 
,g5]al ,deliv]y1 ,reef ,?ree1 ,! ,belt4 
,x read3  ,some?+ urg5t has come up4    
,mu/ see y4 ,arrange :54 ,bob4 ,rob]to  
,orillo1 :o _h be5 8 manag] 9 ! small   
l9e t ,,ut _h tak5 f him1 n[ ! own] ( a 
t9y l9e ( 8 own :i* c>efully avoid$     
competition ) ,,ut 9 ! ,belt4  ,arrange 
:54 ,!y c\ld only meet 9 secret4 ,:at   
w\ld ,orillo want to discuss8  ,! !ory  
he _h held 9 ! back ( 8 m9d = ?ree days 
gave answ]--,murd]6 ,x 0 ,orillo :o 0   

beh9d ! attempt$ attack on ,e>?4 ,?is   
meet+ 0 ano!r trap4 ,orillo want$ him   
dead4  ,rob]to ,orillo _h be5 8 fir/    
help] ) ! %ipp+ & deliv]y s]vice ,bryce 
_h built up f ! days :5 he _h be5 m]ely 
an a/]oid prospector ) a %ip ov]/ock$ ) 
supplies & an oblig+ will+ness to sell 8
 surplus4  ,aft] he put 8 travel+ /ores 
on s*$ule he notic$ t an increas+ numb] 
( p began mov+ into ! ,belt to settle   
along 8 r\te )\t inve/+ 9 ! prop] %ip or
 supplies1 dep5d+ on him1 us+ 8 %ip = a 
/ore & bus s]vice1 swell+ 8 pr(its4 ,he 
f\nd t :]ev] he *ose to ext5d a r\te &  
(f] cr$it = a /ake settl]s w\ld appe> & 
a community beg9 to gr[4  ,he absorb$ t 
lesson & laid plans4  ,,ut block$ !m4   
,runn+ 8 /ore %ips on _! regul> r\nds1  
mak+ loans1 m$iat+ deals1 tak+ half     
int]e/s 9 ideas t look$ pr(itable1 sell+
 fuel & p[]1 subtly b9d+ 8 cu/om]s to   
him ) bonds ( dep5d5cy deep] ?an        
peonage1 ,bryce f\nd sudd5ly t ,,ut1 ^: 
trade m>k _h nev] be5 se5 9 ! ,belt     
be=e1 _h slipp$ 9 five %ips patt]n$     

precisely aft] 81 b l>g]1 m magnific5t &
 exp5sive1 & set !m runn+ on ! same     
c\rse z 8 b "o day ahead4 ,8 cu/om]s    
told him4 ,!y 7 apologetic b !y _h b\ght
 at ! %ip :i* came e>lie/1 entic$ by !  
glitt] & ! b>ga9 prices4  ,x 0 a kill+  
bl[1 & 0 obvi\sly meant to be s4 ,! ,,ut
 manag]s 7 wise 9 ! ways ( p[]1 & )     
limitless money c\ld bankrupt him4  ,t  
day ,bryce saw t he c\ld n fight ,,ut f 
outside1 & he saw a dream ( empire      
great] ?an ,alex&] ev] dream$ ( be+     
ripp$ f 8 h&s4 ,:5 a tactful &          
conciliat+ (f] came f ,,ut = a m]g] & an
 ex*ange ( /ock at d\ble its value1 he  
saw x 0 an indirect bribe = 8 sil5t     
submission )\t compla9ts to ,spaceways  
or to ! ,anti-,c>tel ,commission ( !    
,,fn1 & he saw t ! only way to compete )
 ! gigantic corporation 0 to de/roy x f 
)94  ,he held out = a seat on ! ,bo>d ( 
,directors4 ,!y gave x to him4  ,& 9    
?ree ye>s _h done an effici5t job (     
corrupt+ & und]m9+ ,,ut to ! po9t :]e x 
0 ready to fall4 ,,ut _h a week m to    

live 9 respect$ public s]vice be=e an   
outrag$ public tore x ap>t4  ,bryce _h  
left ,orillo 9 ! ,belt to =m a small    
deliv]y company s]vic+ ?9ly settl$      
outly+ po9ts :]e ! pr(its 7 too small to
 di/urb ,,ut4 ,x w\ld be ?is company t  
w\ld take ov] & buy out ! ,,ut equipm5t 
:5 ,spaceways *opp$ up ! mon/]          
corporation1 & x 0 plann$ t ,orillo (f] 
,bryce full p>tn]%ip :5 ?is ev5t took   
place4  ,b p]haps ,orillo object$ to %>+
 8 reign ) a p>tn]4 ,& p]haps ,orillo _h
 always object$ to ! fact t ,bryce 0 !  
only "o :o knew ,orillo 0 a fugitive f  
ju/ice4 ,bryce _h nev] q be5 able to    
tell :at w5t on beh9d ! h&some blond    
face & impassive blue eyes ( 8 assi/ant4
  ,bryce _h tak5 him 9 h& & giv5 him a  
job aft] ,orillo fl$ f a murd] *>ge 9   
,s\? ,africa4 ,& ,bryce _h arrang$ !    
op]ations t gave ,orillo a new face1 new
 f+]pr9ts & an unworri$ future4 ,only   
,bryce c\ld n[ give ! ^w to ! police :i*
 c\ld br+ ! exam9ation t w\ld %[        
,orillo's ret9a talli$ ) t ( a want$    

man4  ,b if murd] _h always la9 beh9d ^?
 impassive pale blue eyes1 :y _h !re be5
 no attempts be=e8 ,! answ] to t 0 easy4
 ,up to ?is "t ,bryce's activities _h   
be5 pr(itable to ,orillo4 ,he _h se5 :]e
 ,bryce's plans 7 lead+ & want$ !m to   
succe$1 s t he might /ep into ,bryce's  
%oes & reap ! results4  ,9 ?ree m mon?s 
,bryce's dea? w\ld be ! dea? ( a p>tn]1 
& br+ ! unwant$ spotlight ( police      
inve/igation on ,orillo himself1 b n[1  
at ?is po9t1 ! disappe>ance ( ,bryce    
,c>t] w\ld br+ police inquiry &         
suspicion only to ! already %aky &      
und]m9$ fabric ( ,,ut4  ,bryce c\nt$ !  
pr(it & loss ( 8 dea? to ! man he _h    
help$1 & smil$ ruefully4 ,yet ! reque/ =
 ! meet+ might be g5u9e & important4 ,he
 _h to take a *ance on x & meet 8       
ex-assi/ant & future p>tn] some:]e f>   
away f witnesses1 recognition--or       
protection4  ,tak+ a memo pad he pr9t$1 
,i'll meet y ,friday2 #c3,,pm ,,lm1 &   
wrote 9 ! coord9ates ( a position 9     
space n v f> out f ,e>?1 indicat$ ! rad>

 bl9k signals = its buoy & clipp$ ! memo
 %eet to ! envelope ) its false "n &    
return address4 ,r++ = 8 secret>y1 he   
h&$ x to h]4  ,see t t gets beam$ back  
imm$iately4 ,fri5d ( m9e seems to be 9  
"s sort ( a jam4  ,t 0 t4 ,he turn$ to 8
 "w4 ,aft] an h\r or s ! int]com box    
click$ & ,kesby said unexpect$ly1       
,visitor to see y1 boss4 ,c ,i s5d him  
98  ,yes4 ,! receptioni/ _h /rict ord]s 
to keep out ev]yone except ^? s*$ul$ =  
appo9tm5t1 & to ann\nce ! names &       
bus9esses ( dubi\s cases = 8 decid+1 b  
,kesby mu/ h ov]ridd5 h] decision4 ,he  
s\nd$ confid5t4 ,probably someone       
important4         99       99       99 
99       99  ,kesby op5$ ! door ) an    
expression half n]v\s1 half mis*iev\s1  
,y\r visitor1 & clos$ x ha/ily z ! p]son
 /epp$ 94  ,he didn't belong 9 !re4 ,x 0
 obvi\s to ,bryce t :oev] he 01 he _h   
gott5 9 ?r\gh a lie4  ,! "y man :o /ood 
inside 8 (fice wat*+ him 0 no "o        
connect$ ) ! bus9ess4 ,he 0 too "y = any
 position ( importance4 ,! sl5d] frailty

 ( *ildhood 0 /ill ) him4 ,yet t        
impression soon fad$ "u ! impressiv5ess 
( 8 /ance4 ,x 0 m ?an j arrogance or    
poise1 x 0 an un%akable confid5ce4 ,z if
 no failure c\ld be conceiv$4  ,he /ood 
balanc$ to move ei!r =w>d or back4 ,8   
voice 0 aga9 a surprise4 ,absolute total
 cl>ity1 almo/ )\t inflection z if !    
words rea*$ ! m9d )\t ne$+ a voice4 ,if 
y're go+ to ?r[ me out1 ?is is ! be/ "t 
to d x4 ,d>k br[n sk9 ( "o ( ! d>k      
races1 jet black /raight hair1 a d>k    
pair ( eyes t 7 m]ry & wat*ful & _h !   
impact ( some?+ dang]\s4 ,colossal gall1
 ,bryce *>act]iz$ x to himself4 ,he     
might be z good z he ?9ks he is4 ,he 0  
probably sell+ ! ,brooklyn ,bridge1 & he
 %\ld nev] h gott5 91 b ! fact t he _h  
someh[ gott5 pa/ ,kesby made him wor? a 
few que/ions be=e be+ ?r[n out4  ,:at d 
y want8  ,he came =w>d to ! desk to     
answ]4 ,i want to be y\r "r arm4 ,he    
took out a pack ( cig>ettes1 %ak+ "o    
free & (f]+ x ) c\rtesy4 ,h "o8 ,bryce  
%ook 8 head & ! boy put "o betwe5 8 own 

lips & put ! pack away4 ,my "n is       
,pi]ce1 he said1 light+ ! cig>ette ) !  
flame cupp$ 9 8 h&s z if he 7 us$ to    
smok+ 9 ! w9d4 ,he look$ up ) 8 eyes    
squ9t+ aga9/ ! smoke1 %ook ! mat* out & 
dropp$ x 9 ! desk a% tray4 ,roy ,pi]ce4 
,he 0 z mu* at home z an invad+ army4   
,bryce felt an impulse to laugh4  ,he   
knew ?is kid v well1 b he c\ldn't place 
:]e1 :51 or h[4 ,am ,i suppos$ to "k !  
"n8  ,d y rememb] ,pop ,yak8  ,bryce    
rememb]$ ,pop ,yak4 ,he gave 9 ) a sigh1
 & ord]$ 9 ! s+song v]nacul> ( 8        
*ildhood4 ,okay4 ,sitselfdel1 speeltalk 
cut*op6  ,pop ,yak 0 a grizzl$ man :o _h
 wat*$ ,bryce fight+ ) ano!r kid4       
,aft]w>d he _h tak5 ,bryce into 8 /ore &
 giv5 him ice cream & "s po9t]s on dirty
 fight+4 ,n mu* _h p5etrat$ ! fir/ "t b 
,bryce w5t back = advice aga91 le>n+ t t
 0 ! place to be told h[ to d ?+s & get 
:at he want$4 ,pop 0 always pati5t ) 8  
tea*+1 & always "r4  ,he _h *os5 ,bryce 
z 8 ag5t to sell m9or drugs to ! o!r    
kids & act$ z a f5ce = ! ?+s he /ole1 & 

he enc\rag$ him to /udy 9 ! compulsory  
s*ool & loan$ him books4 ,& ,pop 0 !    
fir/ to give him ! tip on legitimate    
bus9ess & h[ to pull money on ! "r side 
( ! law & make a pr(it !y c\ldn't kick  
ab\t4 ,good old ,pop4 ,w-pay4 ,! boy sat
 d[n & lean$ =w>d ) a slight int5t      
motion ( a h& t 0 ,pop's favorite       
ge/ure1 "o ,bryce _h pick$ up f him     
himself4  ,he told me y're on ! way up4 
,roy ,pi]ce held him ) a /eady d>k gaze4
 ,i want a slice ( t1 & ,i want x ! easy
 way1 hit*+ my wagon to y\r rocket4 ,y c
 use me4 ,a big man is too public4 ,y   
ne$ a new h& & a new voice1 "o t does   
:at y want done1 & c d x 9 ! d>k or !   
light1 )\t y\r "n--a /&-9 = alibis1 & a 
contriv] ( accid5ts s !y break = y )\t  
y\r motion4 ,a left arm t y\r enemies   
don't recognize z y\rs4  ,he 0 ask+ to  
be ,bryce's sub/itute 9 ! ?+s t _h to be
 done )\t connection to himself1 & yet  
_h to be done by ,bryce himself1 because
 no "o c\ld be tru/$ ) ! k ( !m4  ,c\ld 
he be tru/$8 ,8 com+ c\ld be ano!r trap 

by ! unid5tifi$ enemy4 ,x 0 almo/ too   
provid5tial1 almo/ too well tim$4       
,ref]5ces & abilities8  ,roy ,pi]ce     
rea*$ into 8 wallet & h&$ out an        
aptitude pr(ile c>d back$ by ! univ]sal 
te/ score li/+s 9 tra9+ & skills on !   
o!r side4 ,bryce play$ ) ! c>d & /udi$ !
 y\?4 ,! boy 0 well dress$ 9 a d>k      
tailor$ suit ( ! k9d ,bryce favor$4 ,he 
look$ able1 clean1 cool & ru?less4      
,arm$8 ,bryce ask$4  ,a ?+ l a v ?ick   
cig> sudd5ly appe>$ 9 ,pi]ce's h&4 ,!   
end ( x po9t+ at him 0 solid except = a 
v small hole4 ,a ne$le gun1 obvi\sly1   
load$ ) two & a half in* groov$ drug    
c>ry+ ne$les4  ,sleep or dea?8 ,bryce   
ask$4  ,sleep1 ,pi]ce said1 putt+ x     
away4 ,x's lic5s$4 ,bryce wond]$ :at    
made him s sure he c\ld tru/ ?is kid4   
,he analyz$ :ile he que/ion$4 ,he did n 
bo!r to look at ! c>d4  ,languages8     
,basic coa/ pidg91 symbolic & glot4     
,basic ,engli% & ,poliglot1 ! two       
univ]sals4  ,detector pro($8 ,lie       
detectors c\ld be a nuisance1 = !y 7 us$

 casually & univ]sally )\t ne$+ ! legal 
w>rants & def]5ce to con/itutional      
immunities & m$ical sup]vision (        
hypno-que/ion+4  ,pi]ce smil$ ) a fla% (
 :ite tee?4 ,fir/ ?+ ,i ev] sav$ my     
money =4  ,?\gh !y spoke /&>d ,engli%1  
,bryce _h plac$ 8 intonations almo/ to !
 block he grew up 94 ,almo/ to ! half   
block6 ,he 0 z famili> z ,pop ,yak1 z   
famili> z 8 own face 9 ! mirror1 & z    
und]/&able4 ,bryce knew ! inside ( 8 m9d
 z well z if x 7 a sudd5ly atta*$ lobe (
 8 own4 ,x 0 l look+ back ?r\gh "t at   
himself y\ng] & less complex4  ,pop ,yak
 _h turn$ out ano!r on ! same model1 a  
y\ng] simpl] duplicate ( himself4 ,pi]ce
 0 do+ exactly :at he said1 (f]+ s]vice 
to ,bryce z he w\ld (f] him a sword1    
simply = ! risk & delight ( be+ an      
in/rum5t 9 a p[] game ) /akes z high z  
he _h guess$ ,bryce's game to be4 ,!re 0
 no dang] ( him be+ a plant1 & no dang] 
( him squeal+ "u pressure3 ! risk ( dea?
 or arre/ 0 "p ( 8 pay4         99      
99       99       99       99  ,okay1   

,bryce said4 ,he ge/ur$ ) 8 head to a   
corn] ( ! room beh9d him4 ,sit ov] !re4 
,y're my c\s9 f ,monteh$o1 & ,i'm %[+ y 
! t[n4 ,he turn$ to 8 appo9tm5t pad aga9
 & read4 ,aft] ,pi]ce _h plac$ a *air 9 
! indicat$ position1 ,bryce said )\t    
turn+4 ,?is week ,i c use a bodygu>d4   
,someone's hir+ kill]s = me4  ,!re 0 no 
s\nd ( motion = a mom5t4 ,bryce got !   
idea t ,pi]ce 0 m surpris$ ?an ! fact   
w>rant$4 ,b 8 "q 0 g5tle & deadly4 ,any 
idea :o8  ,! l9e =ms to ! left4 ,bryce  
said dryly1 ,put away t ne$le gun & buy 
some?+ legal t kills4 ,he h&$ back a    
%eaf ( lett]s1 memos & graphs4 ,read ^! 
& le>n4 ,= "s reason he felt exhil>at$4 
,he turn$ back to "w1 r\t+ %ipm5ts1     
%ift+ rates to balance %ift+ co/s1 l[]+ 
rates = prelim9>y inc5tive on l9es t    
c\ld run at l[] co/ ) a heavi] load1    
occasionally us+ ! ,bell communication  
load analyz] & ,kesby's =mula analysis =
 a *oice ( ways ( av]t+ bottl5ecks &    
ov]load sl[-d[n po9ts1 sometimes        
consult+ ! sol> sy/em maps on ! walls4  

,good s]vice built up cu/om] dem& &     
dep5d5cy on good s]vice4 ,produc]s      
manufactur+ n[ on ,e>? ) ! new mat]ials 
%ipp$ 9 f space c\ld n be cut (f f      
access to ! new mat]ials )\t ru9 to !   
manufactur]s4 ,e>? 0 becom+ dep5d5t on  
space transport4  ,once ! cu/om]s 7 giv5
 x1 !y grew to ne$ x4 ,he smil$ at !    
?\ght4 ,x 0 ano!r k9d ( drug traffic1 & 
wield$ ! same k9d ( pot5tially inf9ite  
p[] ov] ! cu/om]s4  ,"o ?+ he _h le>n$ f
 ! ,economics tome he _h /ruggl$ ) f\r  
nights ago1 a simple inexorable pr9ciple
 he _h recogniz$ dimly be=e--t s9ce x 0 
difficult & m exp5sive to %ip out goods 
f ,e>? to space ?an x 0 to drop goods   
into ,e>? f space1 ev5tually spacepeople
 might be indep5d5t ( ,e>?1 & ,e>?      
totally dep5d5t on space products4  ,!  
pot5tialities ( ! bus9ess game 7 amaz+  
pa/ any?+ ,pop ,yak _h ev] h9t$1 b !    
funny ?+ 0 he _h to f9d x out /ep by /ep
 = himself4 ,t k9d ( excitem5t wasn't 9 
/ories4 ,! adv5tures ( explor]s1 rese>* 
m51 & detectives 7 writt5 into /ories1 b

 n money m54 ,! life & gr[? & dea? &    
blackmail ( individuals 7 9 ! /ories he 
_h read1 b n ! murd] ( planets & cities1
 ! control & blackmail ( :ole           
populations1 9 ?is odd legal game ) !   
simple rules4 ,funny !re hadn't be5     
lurid /ories ab\t ?is 9 ! magaz9es he   
read z a kid4  ,he gr9n$--,well1 ! kids 
w\ld read ab\t him4 ,9 fifte5 ye>s he'd 
h ev]yone "u 8 ?umb & !y'd smile & b[ & 
be fright5$ j speak+ to him4  ,! "w     
vani%$ rapidly1 ! pile ( accumulat$     
lett]s & reports dw9dl+1 & ! phone r++  
at int]vals4  ,compla9ts he dealt )     
c>efully1 word+ ea* lett] 9 reply s z to
 give ! impression t he1 ,bryce ,c>t]1 0
 p]sonally break+ ! corporation policy  
to satisfy ! compla9]1 & add+ a ^w (    
praise on ! intellig5ce & lucidity ( !  
compla9+ lett]4 ,s f> he _h made a total
 ( "s six hundr$ lett]-writ+ allies t   
way4 ,compla9ants 7 usually loquaci\s1  
int]f]+ types :o express$ m ?an _! %>e (
 public op9ion1 & _m w\ld glorify him to
 ev]yone ^: e> !y c\ld hold1 if only to 

h x kn[n t !y 7 on pally t]ms ) a       
,director ( ! great ,,ut4  ,_m ( !      
lett]s 7 m]ely fri5dly & *atty1 tell+ ( 
money tr\bles1 successes & family       
affairs4 ,to ^! he record$ a few fri5dly
 rem>ks on wire spool1 tell+ ! same joke
 to ea*1 & slipp$ ea* loop ( wire into  
an envelope to be mail$4  ,pi]ce1 /udy+ 
a transport r\t+ map1 look$ ov] & gr9n$ 
at ! six? repetition ( ! joke1 & ,bryce 
gr9n$ back & cont9u$ on record+ a lett] 
to an address 9 ! ,oz>ks4 ,got a "y c\s9
 ( m9e 9 f ,monteh$o1 ,miss ,furnald1   
he's sitt+ "h wat*+ to see h[ a big     
bus9ess (fice op]ates & he's gr9n+ at me
 because x looks l ,i want to j sit &   
talk at my fri5ds all day long4 ,i h    
fifty-n9e bus9ess lett]s "h to          
answ]--hone/ to ,god--fifty-n9e1 ,i j   
c\nt$ !m1 s ,i guess ,i'll cut (f & %[ !
 "y squirt h[ ,i c "w4 ,s5d me t photo (
 y\r si/]'s new baby4  ,he hung up !    
record m\?piece4 ,"o m vot] & loyal     
fri5d to pull = him :5 he 0 a public    
figure & ! go+ got r\gh4  ,he gr9n$4 ,x 

0 a /range life & a /range game4   ,v   
,:5 he left ! (fice ) ,pi]ce1 someone   
/epp$ out ( a corn] ( ! corridor &      
clut*$ at 8 sleeve1 speak+ rapidly4     
,bryce bru%$ (f ! h& c>elessly & walk$  
on4  ,a junky1 he rem>k$ to ,pi]ce4 ,!re
 0 a quick fla% ( motion beh9d !m t s5t 
!m :irl+ to "o side4 ,pi]ce /ood aside )
 ! small ne$le gun 9 8 palm wait+ to see
 if x w\ld be ne$$1 :ile ,bryce f9i%$ ! 
d[n/roke ( 8 h& t s5t ! knife & ! junky 
reel+ to ! rubb]y corridor floor+4      
,%all ,i report him8 ,pi]ce ask$1 mak+ 8
 ne$le gun vani% 9 ! same smoo? motion x
 _h appe>$1 & indicat+ a phone sign4    
,no4 ,x doesn't matt]1 ,bryce walk$ on  
?\ghtfully4 ,ev]yone wants to kill me at
 once4  ,pi]ce said1 ,x's easy to sway a
 mis]able man to ! po9t ( p9n+ all 8    
tr\bles & hate on to "o "n1 l ,bryce    
,c>t]4  ,i "k1 said ,bryce4 ,he saw t ! 
smil+ d>k "y man 0 al]t1 walk+ a little 
ahead ( him & glanc+ quickly left & "r z
 !y approa*$ corn]s & int]sections &    
recess$ doorways :]e a man c\ld wait    

unse51 do+ 8 job z a bodygu>d effici5tly
 & inconspicu\sly4 ,if x's ! man ,i ?9k 
x is1 ,bryce told him1 fall+ into /ep   
aga9 aft] !y pass$ ! turn into ! tube   
tra9s1 he's work+ aga9/ a deadl9e4 ,x's 
n[ or nev]4 ,!re won't be any m ( ?is   
aft] next mon?4  ,pi]ce answ]$ aft] a   
glance at a pass+ mirror to see if !y 7 
foll[$1 & a quick scan ( ! tra9 plat=m4 
,y\r usual haunts w be booby trapp$4    
,bett] /ay out ( r\t9e4  ,t night1 9 !  
spaceh&s end ( ! city1 !y ate ! d9n] t  
he usually _h ) ,mona at a nightclub1 or
 alone look+ = a good pickup 9 an       
exp5sive cocktail l\nge4 ,x 0 9 ! %ipp+ 
area ar\nd ! docks1 at ! opposite end ( 
! city f 8 usual haunts4 ,! ceil+ 0 l[ &
 ! glasses %iv]$ & danc$ ) ! con/ant    
mut$ ?und] ( jets t %udd]$ ?r\gh ! floor
 f ! ne>by l&+ fields4  ,8 new assi/ant 
& bodygu>d 0 pleasantly def]5tial1      
light+ cig>ettes = him1 li/5+           
respectfully to 8 op9ions1 draw+ him out
 ) que/ions t %[$ he und]/ood :at he 0  
li/5+ to4  ,bryce c\ld n rememb] hav+ _h

 su* a good "t talk+ s9ce he left !     
company ( ! meteorite m9]s at ! ,belt4  
,ev]y?+ he said seem$ "r & ev5          
brilliant4 ,z he talk$ & told anecdotes 
( 8 life & sket*$ "s ( 8 plans he saw 8 
pa/ life ) peculi> vividness z if he 7 a
 /rang] see+ x = ! fir/ "t4 ,9 !        
reflect$ light ( ! int]e/ & en?usiasm ( 
8 audi5ce1 ev5ts took on a new gl[ (    
ent]ta9m5t & adv5ture & success :]e !y  
_h seem$ to be j "w & risk & r\t9e at ! 
"t4  ,!y _h an ev5+ to pass4 ,someh[    
,pi]ce got into conv]sation ) a little  
,egyptian :o c\ld h /ood = ,cyrano & _h 
! same m]ry impetu\s way ab\t him4 ,raz 
,anna 0 8 "n4 ,he claim$ to be ! ,caliph
 ( ,baghdad1 /ill incognito1 or p]haps a
 pr(essional explor] disguis$ z a       
native4 ,aft] a few dr9ks he enli/$ !m1 
some:at confus$ly1 z ! two miss+        
muskete]s & !y f\nd !mselves w&]+ arm 9 
arm f b> to b> & up & d[n d>k alleys    
int]view+ ! hea!n natives4  ,bryce      
realiz$ t he 0 laugh+ /eadily & enjoy+  
himself 9 a way t _h no?+ to d ) ! small

 numb] ( dr9ks he _h _h4  ,he c\ldn't   
get any def]5ce out ( ,raz4 ,raz w\ldn't
 h def]r$ to ,god himself1 & x 0 no use 
try+ to impress him1 = no?+ impress$    
him4 ,app>5tly ! hook-nos$1 m]ry little 
man _h no ambition & no envy ( anyone1 &
 want$ no bett] ( life ?an he _h at !   
mom5t4  ,x 0 a /range new _w !y l$      
,bryce ?r\gh--,n ! ragg$1 />v+1 cr[d$   
vici\sness ( 8 *ildhood--n ! fight+     
equality ( spacem5 & rock m9]s1 _m ( !m 
want$ by ! law--n ! simple b>r5         
hospitality ( ! settl]s 9 ! ,belt :o ow$
 him money1 & :o invit$ him to _! sp>se 
d9n]s 9 gratitude--,^? he _h always     
manag$ to keep 9 _! places & exact a    
c]ta9 measure ( respect4  ,ev5 ! smoo?  
p[]ful m5 ( weal? ar\nd him n[ accord$  
him a c]ta9 measure ( def]5ce t 0 an    
ackn[l$gem5t ( /r5g?4 ,b ! two muskete]s
 he 0 ) & ! _w !y op5$ = him seem$ to   
respect nei!r di/ance nor polit5ess1 nor
 hold any fe> = /r5g?4 ,fri5dly insults1
 & uncritical fri5dl9ess m+l$ oddly ) ! 
mock-solemn pret5se ( ! fairy tale1 & t 

"p 0 g5u9e & spontane\s4 ,x didn't seem 
to be a diff]5t k9d ( p he 0 meet+      
exactly3 x 0 ! same k9d ( p approa*$    
diff]5tly4 ,he didn't "k exactly h[ x 0 
done1 & he let ! o!r two take ! lead4   
,p]haps he _h drunk too mu*1 he ?\ght z 
he rode ! hotel elevator4 ,= 9          
retrospect1 ! ev5+ 0 a haze ( pleasure t
 0 h>d to p9 8 att5tion to4 ,ev]y?+ he  
_h said1 ev]y?+ t _h happ5$ seem$       
pr(\ndly "r1 an atmosph]e :i* he _h     
enc\nt]$ r>ely be=e & only !n 9 ! la/   
/age ( drunk5ness4 ,b he 0 sob]4 ,he _h 
_h only a few dr9ks1 & 8 p]ceptions     
seem$ %>p5$ r ?an blurr$4 ,yet1 :]e !re 
%\ld h be5 critical ?\ghts & regrets =  
errors & re/less plans 9 8 m9d1 !re 0   
only a pleasant empty buzz4  ,too mu*   
talk1 he ?\ght1 yawn+ z he walk$ d[n !  
luxuri\s hotel corridor to 8 room4      
99       99       99       99       99  
,x 0 t night t he fir/ notic$ some?+    
wrong ) ! mirror4  ,he glanc$ into x    
casually :ile undress+1 !n n s casually1
 walk+ up to x & inspect+ 8 face4 ,a    

slight1 unpleasant t+le c\rs$ along 8   
n]ves4  ,a /rang]--,:5 he tri$ to focus 
on :at 0 wrong he c\ld f9d no?+ t look$ 
any diff]5t1 yet ! total effect 0       
completely wrong4 ,he decid$ t x mu/ be 
! mirror1 "s subtle di/ortion ( !       
reflection4 ,! old "o mu/ h be5 brok5 9 
clean+ & a new "o put 94  ,! *ill pass$ 
& /ill ! good blank feel+ la/$4 ,he w5t 
to b$ review+ ! ev5+ & smil+1 & w5t to  
sleep )\t resort+ to ! m5tal ari?metic t
 he g5]ally us$ to cle> 8 m9d (         
dissatisfactions4  ,! next morn+ !      
mirror /ill look$ peculi>4 ,!re seem$ to
 be no?+ wrong ) ! reflect$ image ( !   
room1 b :5 he gave himself ! usual      
inspection be=e /epp+ out into !        
corridor ! feel+ ( /rang5ess return$ & 8
 eyes felt z if !y 7 blurr+4  ,he put 8 
h& up to 8 eyes in/9ctively & felt a    
di/9ct %ock :5 ! mirror$ image did !    
same4  ,odd4  ,a sl5d] smil+ "y man jo9$
 him 9 ! lobby1 ris+ & fall+ into /ep ) 
him z he pass$1 go+ ?r\gh doors be=e him
 ) ! inconspicu\s al]tness & precaution4

 ,he did 8 duties z a bodygu>d well1    
,bryce not$1 b t 0 only to be expect$4  
,effici5cy is1 & %\ld be1 unnoticeable4 
,"o ?+ he discov]$ dur+ ! work+ morn+ at
 ! (fice4 ,!re _h be5 no?+ wrong ) !    
mirror 9 8 hotel room4 ,! wa%room mirror
 0 worse6  ,he /ood = a :ile1 froz5 9   
mid/ep1 :ile he look$ at a lean tann$ & 
freckl$ face :i* look$ l a color movie (
 81 e feature 9 its prop] place z he    
rememb]$ x1 b yet n 84 ,x didn't belong 
to him4 ,he made faces at x1 & x made   
faces back z if x 7 81 :ile he tri$ to  
believe t he 0 look+ out ( ! gray eyes  
:i* look$ back at him1 !n he he>d       
someone com+ 9 & left sudd5ly &         
%eepi%ly4  ,t aft]noon1 aft] ,pi]ce got 
into ! sw+ ( ! "w1 he began to be       
useful1 fitt+ himself into ! "w r\t9e z 
?\gh he _h always be5 "p ( x1 mak+ ! "r 
calls & contacts & appo9tm5ts on ! b>e/ 
h9ts1 h&+ him ! phone intuitively z he  
ne$$ x1 always at ! "r "t ) almo/       
telepa?ic in/9ct4 ,:ile *eck+ ov] !     
decisions & plans ( ,kesby & ! /aff t   

ne$$ 8 okay1 & sign+ typ$ lett]s ,bryce 
talk$ ! ?\ghts & plans :i* came half =m$
 to m9d1 almo/ ?9k+ al\d4 ,& :5 8 rem>ks
 /ruck some?+ t s\nd$ l x w\ld be good  
to d soon1 he saw ,pi]ce jott+ !m d[n1  
lat] detail+ ! prelim9>y /eps = ,bryce's
 use4  ,& too1 all ! small tasks 7 be+  
tak5 f him ) easy naturalness1 sav+ him 
mu* "t4 ,8 assi/ant 0 be+ :at he _h     
claim$ he w\ld be1 a g5u9ely useful left
 h&4 ,bryce f\nd himself pr\d ( ! kid's 
manife/ effici5cy1 = he 0 a product ( ! 
same s*ool t ,bryce himself _h climb$ f4
  ,on ! way back to ! hotel1 aft] "w1 he
 caught ,pi]ce glanc+ at him ) a        
?\ghtful expression1 & realiz$ t he _h  
be5 falt]+ & giv+ a second glance to e  
public mirror t he _h pass$4 ,he 0      
mom5t>ily emb>rass$1 wond]+ if any /ra9 
_h %[$ on 8 expression4  ,!re 0 a p>ty  
he _h to g to t night s he *ang$ to =mal
 clo!s & /epp$ (f aga9 = ! home ( ! ,,fn
 ,adm9i/rative ,gov]nor ( ! ,moon4  ,he 
did n want to att5d4 ,x w\ld be ano!r ( 
^? /iff1 lonesome d9n]s he _h suff]$    

?r\gh be=e1 b he _h to le>n to make     
fri5ds on 8 own social level1 & be easy 
& convivial ) ! k9d ( p he w\ld be      
associat+ ) ! re/ ( 8 life4  ,aft] !    
fir/ h\r _h giv5 him a good te/1 ,bryce 
decid$ t ! ev5+ 0 z bad z he _h         
anticipat$4 ,he /ood on ! outskirts ( a 
small gr\p1 hold+ a dr9k & wat*+        
res5tfully z a />tl+ly beautiful woman  
laugh$ & talk$ ) ! o!rs ( ! gr\p & n )  
him4 ,%e _h be5 introduc$ to him z      
,%eila ,wesley4 ,! jokes %e _h ) ! o!rs 
7 quick & subtle fla%es ( wit & insight1
 & seem$ to be bas$ on a mutual und]/&+ 
t he c\ld n %>e1 ev5 ?\gh "s ( ! o!rs _h
 j be5 introduc$ & _h be5 /rang]s to ea*
 o!r a few m9utes back2 x 0 some?+ he   
grasp$ vaguely z a common backgr\nd &   
approa* to life t !y %>$1 p]haps ?r\gh  
education4  ,!re 7 quick ref]5ces to    
political situations !y all seem$       
famili> )1 or a "n t c\ld h be5 "s "* 9 
a book !y might all h read1 or c\ld h   
be5 somebody 9 hi/ory1 ea* ref]5ce      
foll[$ by a subdu$ laugh & an add$ witty

 /atem5t f "s o!r qu>t]4 ,no "o ( !m    
gave a ^w to him or notic$ t he 0 !re4  
,:y %\ld !y8 ,he 0 dress$ well &        
exp5sively1 b s 7 !y all4 ,he 0 a p]son 
( prom95ce & p[]1 b s 7 !y all1 & bor$  
by x4 ,he c\ld n talk l ! o!rs4 ,!n :at 
c\ld he d to make ,%eila ,wesley smile  
at him ! way %e smil$ d[n at ! ridicul\s
 little fat man beside h] z he excitably
 /utt]$ out 8 op9ions4         99       
99       99       99       99  ,%eila   
,wesley 0 n l ,mona1 to be captur$ by   
money & clo!s & influ5ce4 ,w\ld %e be   
impress$ ev5 by ! p[] he w\ld h lat]8   
,he tri$ to picture h] z tremul\s & aw$1
 hang+ on 8 words & flatt]+ him1 b he   
c\ldn't believe x4 ,%e probably w\ldn't 
notice him any m ?an n[4 ,!re 0 no?+ he 
c\ld d to impress h]4 ,he _h ?\ght ,mona
 _h poise1 b n[ he saw t h] mann] 0 j an
 inadequate c>bon copy ( a completely   
spontane\s orig9al4 ,! woman1 ,%eila1   
manag$ to be pois$1 alo(1 & yet fri5dly 
to ev]yone1 simultane\sly w>m &         
unatta9able4  ,he desir$ to be bit+ly   

rude4 ,t1 at lea/1 w\ld make h] admit t 
he exi/$4 ,%e 0 smil+ at t ridicul\s    
little fat man aga94  ,he dra9$ 8 glass 
&1 completely unnotic$1 left ! p>ty4    
,nobody w\ld miss him1 he 0 sure4       
,outside 9 ! corridor1 ,roy ,pi]ce1 8   
assi/ant1 0 engag$ 9 conv]sation ) two  
"y m5 & two girls4  ,!re he is n[1 he   
he>d ,pi]ce say4  ,& "o ( ! "y m5 came  
t[>d him laugh+4  ,is x true t ?is      
lunatic _c g & make up ) ! lady ( 8 he>t
 because %e has _h him bann$8 ,if we all
 try to smuggle him 9--  ,& "o ( !      
girls1 a really gorge\s blonde1 call$1  
,he 0 j tell+ u ab\t t "t y 7 9 space ) 
! pirates aft] y & !y _h /ol5 ! big     
focus+ mirror f ! fir/ ,belt f\ndry     
furnace4 ,i'm sure y c tell x bett]--y  
tell x4  ,he 0 surr\nd$ by ! five !n4 ,g
 ahead1 !y 7 urg+1 laugh+1 ,g ahead6 ,x 
didn't really happ5 did x8  ,?is        
accusation 0 made by ! pretty blonde4   
,he look$ at h] half indignantly4 ,i    
don't "k h[ he tells x b x happ5$4 ,& he
 began to tell :at _h happ5$4  ,! two   

girls & ! two "y m5 li/5$1 add+         
occasional />tl$ int]jections & admir+  
laught]4  ,pi]ce ins]t$ an occasional "q
 & ,bryce became aw>e t 9 answ]+ !m he 0
 guid$ to /ress & amplify po9ts t made  
cle>] ! dang] & com$y4 ,lat] he became  
aw>e t he 0 half consci\sly foll[+ !    
clues ( ,pi]ce's expression = ! "r /ress
 & mood ( ! tell+1 n[ (f-h& & smil+ 9   
tell+ :at he _h done1 n[ heavily        
dramatic mimick+ & burlesqu+ ! tones &  
?reats ( ! outlaws1 n[ ironic & bitt]ly 
indiff]5t 9 pass+ ov] damage & dea?s--z 
a wryly lift$ eyebr[ 9 ! d>k "y face    
li/5+1 & a fa9t imp]ceptible %rug made  
him see :at _h happ5$ f a diff]5t angle 
?an he _h se5 x !n4 ,pi]ce app>5tly _h  
some?+ he ne$$1 a good /ory s5se4       
,foll[+ him mu/ be some?+ he _h le>n$   
unconsci\sly la/ night1 b x work$4 ,he  
c\ld see h[ well x work$ 9 ! expressions
 ( 8 audi5ce4  ,someone leav+ ! p>ty _h 
/opp$ to li/51 /&+ beh9d 8 "r %\ld]4 ,:5
 he f9i%$1 amid ! exclamations & sighs (
 8 li/5]s a cool1 famili> voice drawl$4 

,t's q a /ory4 ,i pick$ up some?+ ab\t t
 at ! new f\ndry on reef five1 b x 0    
already an old y>n !n4 ,%e /ood be=e    
him1 /ill smoo? & pois$ & lovely1 (f]+  
h] h&4 ,i'm glad to he> x f ! horse's   
m\?4 ,ar5't y ,bryce ,c>t]8 ,we 7       
introduc$ 9 !re1 ,i ?9k1 b ! "n didn't  
click4  ,x 0 ,%eila ,wesley4  ,t ev5+ 0 
some?+ to rememb]4  ,fir/ !y 7 a private
 p>ty at a nightclub1 !n at a small     
re/aurant4 ,tom1 ,betty1 :o 0 ! pretty  
blonde1 ,ralph & ! pretty brunette ^: "n
 0 ,m>%a1 ,pi]ce1 himself & ,%eila4 ,!  
talk rang$ wildly ov] a multitude (     
subjects1 break+ sometimes into         
collective fantasies ( nons5se l a hat  
full ( fireworks t left !m laugh+       
helplessly1 sometimes %ift+ to          
philosophy & mutual confid5ces4 ,e s (t5
 ,pi]ce br\ght ! subject ar\nd to some?+
 t /ruck home to ,bryce & he f\nd       
himself hold+ =? ) unexpect$ passion &  
eloqu5ce1 & he 0 surpris$ to see t !    
o!rs 7 ke5ly int]e/$4  ,pi]ce r>ely said
 m ?an an occasional *e]ful rem>k1 b 9 !

 m subtle plays ( conv]sation ,bryce    
f\nd himself /ill half consci\sly       
consult+ ! cues ( 8 expression to f9d   
:at 8 own reaction %\ld be1 to f9d ! "r 
^w & ! "r attitude t pleas$ ! table &   
urg$ !m all on to great] & m fanta/ic   
heights ( talk4 ,x 0 obvi\s t ,pi]ce    
nev] _h any difficulty und]/&+ anyone4  
,he _h an in/9ct t ,bryce lack$1 &      
,bryce will+ly surr5d]$ to sup]ior skill
 & foll[$ 8 sil5t lead4  ,%eila he      
discov]$1 besides be+ a memb] ( "o ( !  
top diplomatic families1 _h work$ = a   
%ort :ile z a consultant at ! ,belt     
pla/ic manufactory :5 x 0 be+ set up1 & 
_h tak5 to space life4 ,%e %>$ 8        
en?usiasm ab\t ! future ( ! ,a/]oid     
,belts4  ,x 0 an unprec$5t$ ev5+4 ,at ! 
close ( x he _h f\r new fri5ds1 & _h    
discov]$ t ,tom 0 ,?omas ,may]nick1 "o (
 ! attorneys ( ! ,spaceways ,commission1
 & "o ( ! m5 :om he _h gone to ! d9n] to
 meet4  ,& ,%eila1 tall & sl5d] &       
beautiful1 press$ 8 h& z ! gr\p p>t$1 & 
said 9 h] wond]ful voice1 ,i want to see

 y aga9 ,bryce1 %e smil$4 ,i eat at !   
te*nicians' end ( t[n1 y "k4 ,i'll be ) 
a ,gr\p at ,geig]'s ,c\nt]1 tomorr[     
lun*4 ,if y be> ! company ( slide rule  
arti/s we'd be glad to see y any "t4    
,he /ood = a mom5t1 oddly surpris$4     
,say ?ank y to ! lady4 ,pi]ce smil$4 ,& 
to ,%eila1 ,y %\ldn't />tle p l t1      
,ma'm4 ,8 he>t's weak4  ,i j dropp$     
dead1 ,bryce said1 f9d+ words4 ,y ar5't 
lead+ me on8 ,y'll be !re8  ,on my      
honor1 %e smil$4 ,good night1 ,bryce4   
,%e 0 us$ to su* tributes4 ,half mock+ z
 !y 71 %e knew h[ mu* !y 7 basically    
s9c]e1 & accept$ _! tribute to h] beauty
 z a matt] ( c\rse4 ,:at a wife to h &  
introduce z 8 wife to o!r m51 & see !   
look 9 _! eyes4  ,he rememb]$ sudd5ly t 
he _h n once m5tion$ t he 0 a ,director 
( ,,ut4 ,someh[ ! conv]sation _h nev]   
be5 l$ to a subject :]e he c\ld h said  
x4 ,he made a m5tal note to tell h] next
 "t4 ,x seem$ /range t he _h be5 ) five 
p s _m h\rs )\t in=m+ !m t he 0 a       
,director ( ,,ut4 ,he _h done ! same ?+ 

la/ night1 n[ he rememb]$4 ,b !y _h     
seem$ to l him )\t x4  ,he let himself  
into 8 hotel room & turn$ on ! light1 b 
! fir/ sidewise glimpse ( himself 9 !   
mirror 0 di/urb+4 ,he solv$ t problem by
 ! rem>kably simple exp$i5t ( turn+ !   
light out aga91 & undress$ 9 ! d>k1     
gr9n+ fooli%ly4   ,,vi  ,approa*+ !     
sci5ti/s' & te*nicians' r[ along !      
subsurface arcades1 ! exp5sive          
re/aurants grew few] & 7 replac$ by     
,g]man-type be] halls1 s*ools ) c\rses  
adv]tis$ 9 _! po/$ s*$ules ^: titles 7  
completely un9telligible to him1 &      
second h& book/alls sell+ batt]$        
te*nical books & j\rnals ^: titles 7    
undeciph]able 9 any tongue ,bryce c\ld  
?9k (4 ,! lun* h\r cr[ds 7 beg9n+ to p\r
 out into ! arcades f elevators & tube  
tra9s 9 a ru% to get fir/ place 9 _!    
favorite eat+ places4  ,pi]ce half turn$
 z if 8 eyes caught on ! expression ( a 
face beh9d !m4  ,c>t]6 ,!re y are1 y    
ba/>d6 ,! voice came f beh9d him1 ?ick )
 rage1 b m ?an t 0 ! insult4 ,x meant   

*all5ge4 ,?is 0 no?+ 9 :i* ,pi]ce c\ld  
def5d him6  ,bryce :eel$1 left h&       
automatically pluck+ out 8 magnomatic1  
wond]+ if ! attack] w\ld be ! honorable 
k9d ( dueli/ :o w\ld hold fire long     
en\gh = him to get 8 gun out4           
,miracul\sly x seem$ to be happ5+4 ,he  
already _h 8 sights halfway on to !     
speak] :5 he recogniz$ him1 a gross     
heavy figure he _h se5 a hundr$ times4  
,mr4 ,beldman ( ! ,bo>d ( ,directors4   
,:at 0 he do+ on ! ,moon8  ,beldman /ood
 ) 8 fi/s on 8 hips & 8 legs spraddl$1  
sne]+ at ,bryce4 ,t's "r1 he said1      
heavily s>ca/ic1 />t %oot9' :5 y're     
surr\nd$ by innoc5t spectators2 :5 y "k 
,i c't draw on y4 ,t's ! way ( a crook4 
,! husky base voice e*o$ f ! walls4     
,beh9d him to ! b5d ( ! corridor p 7    
scatt]+ ha/ily out ( ! fir+ l9e4  ,crook
 0 ! c5tral ^w4 ,someh[ ,beldman _h f\nd
 out t ,bryce 0 responsible = !         
corruption ( ,,ut1 & he 0 deal+ ) !     
matt] 9 ! mo/ direct way t x c\ld be    
dealt )1 = a dea? 9 a private duel w\ld 

be laid to a qu>rel & n inve/igat$4  ,h[
 _h he f\nd out8 ,bryce =c$ d[n ! "q z  
he /iffly rehol/]$ 8 magnomatic4 ,!re 0 
no use ?9k+ ( t until ! "q ( surviv+ !  
next five m9utes 0 settl$4 ,he /ood ) 8 
h&s empty1 feel+ curi\sly empty inside1 
oddly miss+ ! :ite rage & love ( murd] t
 usually c>ri$ him ?r\gh su* ?+s4  ,x   
seem$ too good a day to spoil4 ,he w\ld 
r h cont9u$ 8 way to lun* ) ,%eila1 &   
let ! man live--or let himself live4    
,?is w\ld be no duel = a little         
bloodlett+4 ,beldman's purpose 0 to     
kill4 ,& ,beldman himself1 kn[+ :at he  
knew1 _h to die4 ,d y und]/& :at y h    
said1 sir8 ,bryce us$ ! =mal words ( !  
duel+ c\ntries4  ,y're damn well "r ,i  
d6  ,are y prep>$ to take ! consequ5ces1
 sir8  ,m ready ?an y are1 ,beldman     
said1 8 h&s /ill on 8 hips4 ,he amplifi$
 8 rem>k ) a few well *os5 words t h>k$ 
back to 8 truck driv+ days4  ,h[ _m     
%ots8 ,bryce ask$ m s(tly1 beg9n+ to    
want to kill4  ,until "o ( u is d[n ) 8 
gun out ( 8 h&4  ,bryce repeat$ !       

provision to ! cr[d t _h drawn up       
discreetly along ! side-l9es4 ,we fire  
until "o ( u is bo? d[n & dis>m$4  ,!re 
0 a murmur ( surprise among ! cr[d = t 0
 an unusual & deadly provision = a =mal 
duel4 ,z ,bryce pac$ backw>d ! requir$  
numb] ( paces1 c\nt+ al\d1 two m5       
volunte]$ z seconds4 ,!y came =w>d to   
comp>e ! guns rapidly & %[ !m to !      
dueli/s4 ,x _h to be done & f9i%$       
rapidly1 = lun* h\r _h begun ) its flood
 ( p into ! corridors1 & !y 7 hold+ up  
traffic4  ,bryce's gun 0 a 4#db         
magnomatic1 work+ on an electrical      
accel]ation ( ! slug by electromagnetic 
r+s 9 ! ?ick b>rel4 ,x 0 s\ndless except
 = a legal built-9 radio yeep t ann\nc$ 
its fir+ & numb] to ! police em]g5cy    
receiv]s4 ,beldman's gun 0 ano!r maggy (
 ! same make b heavi] ) a wide-m\!d     
b>rel app>5tly ?r[+ a mu* heavi] calib] 
slug4  ,ready8 ,! second /epp$ back to !
 edge ( ! cr[d & began c\nt+ (f half a  
m9ute by seconds4  ,! faces ( ! cr[d    
fad$ f 8 consci\sness4 ,bryce /ood ) 8  

h&s empty at 8 sides z ! seconds 7      
c\nt$4 ,?irty1 tw5ty-n9e1 tw5ty-eight1  
tw5ty-sev51 came ! voice1 c\nt+ ev5ly & 
l\dly4 ,! _w n>r[$ to a corridor ( space
 ) ! blocky figure ( ,beldman at "o end 
& himself at ! o!r4 ,funny1 ,bryce      
?\ght1 t he _h nev] consid]$ t          
bull-head$ impati5ce & /r5g? z dang]\s4 
,he 0 a massive block ( a man2 :]e      
,bryce 0 ?ick ) muscle1 ,j4 ,h4 ,beldman
 0 s wide 9 %\ld] & b>rel & s ?ick 9 arm
 t he look$ almo/ r\nd4 ,l ,bryce he _h 
work$ up f ! bottom1 ,bryce rememb]$1   
/>t+ z a truck driv] & labor organiz]1 &
 !n own+ 8 own l9e & giv+ ,,ut a /iff   
battle be=e be+ b\ght out4 ,crude1 b t  
didn't mean t !re wasn't a lightn+ bra9 
beh9d t r\nd face4  ,tw5ty-six1         
tw5ty-five1 tw5ty-f\r1 tw5ty-?ree--  ,he
 _h und]e/imat$ ! deadl9ess ( ! man4    
,beldman 0 obvi\sly subject to rages1 & 
9 ! grip ( "o n[1 & if he _h surviv$ all
 ! duels & battles t 8 rages _h br\ght  
long en\gh to gr[ z old z he 0 !n 8 age 
0 an indication n ( weakness1 b ( !     

degree ( 8 deadl9ess4 ,! irritable ?\ght
 came t he might well be kill$ by ?is   
ox4  ,tw5ty-two1 tw5ty-"o1 tw5ty1       
n9ete5--  ,he flex$ 8 f+]s re/lessly1 & 
felt 9 8 m9d ! spe$ & sur5ess ( 8 draw &
 fir+4 ,t big blocky figure 0 j ano!r   
ob/acle /&+ 9 8 way1 to be bla/$ aside4 
,a l\d m\? to be %ut4  ,t51 n9e-- ,he   
conc5trat$ on ! c\nt+1 --six1 five1     
f\r-- sur5ess gr[+ l a coil$ spr+ 9 e   
muscle4 --?ree-- ,he cr\*$ slightly4 ,t 
blocky figure t 0 all ! re/ ( ! _w 0 no 
m ?an a t>get4 ,a big t>get4            
,two--"o--fire4  ,some?+ confus+ happ5$4
 ,z ! ^w came x seem$ t a gigantic bl[  
hit him some:]e on 8 left %\ld]1 twi/+  
him ar\nd s he c\ldn't see 8 t>get4 ,he 
spun back1 will+ himself to %oot aga9   
quickly1 b 8 legs buckl$ oddly z he     
turn$4 ,he reel$1 f9d+ 8 balance ) great
 ef=t4  ,heavy slug1 he ?\ght1 see+ z   
delay$ memory ! coil$ spr+ spe$ ) :i*   
,beldman _h mov$4 ,bryce's left arm did 
n seem to h any connection ) 8 m9d4     
,glanc+ d[n briefly he saw t x dangl$4  

99       99       99       99       99  
,b ! maggy 0 /ill !re1 held 9 ! numb1   
unfeel+ h&1 po9t$ limply at ! gr\nd4    
,he wond]$ if he _h fir$ x yet4  ,drop x
 & fall d[n1 advis$ ,pi]ce's cle> voice 
f some:]e4  ,!re 0 a /irr+ & :isp] f !  
blur ( ! cr[d :o /ood wat*+ to see t !  
rules 7 obs]v$4 ,beldman 0 walk+ t[>ds  
him4  ,d y end ! duel8 ask$ someone1    
probably ! second4  ,no1 ! blur (       
,beldman answ]$ & sudd5ly he came into  
focus1 walk+ up1 8 wide m\!d gun unwav]+
 9 8 h&4 ,bryce rememb]$ ! provisions ( 
! duel4 ,fire until "o is d[n &         
weaponless4 ,!re 0 no?+ said ab\t rema9+
 at a fix$ di/ance4 ,beldman int5d$ to  
walk up close en\gh to %oot him betwe5 !
 eyes4 ,x 0 too late to let himself fall
 & end ! duel4 ,beldman w\ld fire if he 
saw ,bryce beg9 to fall n[4 ,he 0       
already close en\gh = a sure head %ot4  
,feel+ 0 return+ to 8 left arm4 ,x      
dangl$ abnormally f> & probably look$   
brok5 & useless1 b !re 0 no?+ actually  
wrong ) x1 only some?+ 9 8 %\ld] 0      

brok54 ,aft] ! fir/ cold numbness (     
impact1 s5sation return$ t+l+ 9 8 f+]s1 
& pa9 0 beg9n+ to burn 9 8 %\ld]4 ,bryce
 wait$ a few m seconds1 feel+ ! control 
return+ to 8 f+]s1 n *ang+ ! glaz$ (f   
focus ( 8 eyes4 ,h[ _m duels _h ,beldman
 won l ?is8 ,! impact ( "o ( ^? heavy   
slugs hitt+ bone 0 a daz+ bl[1 en\gh to 
/un "s m51 & he probably c\nt$ on t     
effect4  ,! squ>e figure lumb]$ clos]1 a
 lumpi% clumsy c>icature ( ! self-made  
man1 brutally /rong1 una%am$ly misfit to
 ! society ( ! smoo?-wise1 smil+1 easy  
mann]$ p t he & ,bryce _h jo9$2 a model 
( ev]y?+ t ,bryce 0 try+ to de/roy 9    
himself4  ,) a quick twi/ ( ! wri/      
,bryce swung 8 palm flat up flipp+ !    
magnomatic muzzle into l9e ) x & put a  
bullet into ! r\nd face4  ,9 t position 
( 8 h& ! back kick ( ! %ot twi/$ 8 arm  
back 9 its brok5 %\ld] & pull$ ! maggy f
 8 h&1 b x didn't matt]4 ,! duel 0 ov]4 
,! motionless cr[d dissolv$ aga9 into   
talk+ individuals go+ to lun*4  ,pi]ce  
pick$ up ! maggy & made ! usual qu]y (  

^? :o *ose to rema94  ,:i* ( y has any  
compla9t ( unfairness or advantage tak5 
by ei!r p>ty ( ?is duel8  ,mo/ ( !m 7   
leav+1 anticipat+ ! arrival ( ! police )
 _! "t-consum+ que/ions1 b tw5ty or s   
cr[d$ close ar\nd ,bryce & ! corpse4    
,press a ?umb on y\r %\ld] sub-clavian1 
man1 someone advis$ ,bryce4 ,y're ble$+ 
l a faucet4  ,pi]ce's cle> voice said ! 
/&>d words ov] ! murmur & %uffle ( feet4
 ,no unfairness hav+ be5 obs]v$1 :5     
call$ to give te/imony y c !n say t he  
%ot 9 self-def5se & "u duress4  ,a l[   
wail ( sir5s 0 he>d4         99       99
       99       99       99  ,:o 0 t "*8
 ,pi]ce ask$ lat]1 sitt+ beside ! table 
:ile a surgeon pati5tly piec$ toge!r !  
?ree or f\r %att]$ pieces ( ,bryce's    
coll>bone & fa/5$ !m ) +5i\s pla/ic     
bolts4  ,bryce abs5tly wat*$ ! process 9
 a l>ge tilt$ mirror slung ov]head4     
,m$ic9e bor$ him4 ,j4 ,h4 ,beldman1     
memb] ( ! ,bo>d ( ,directors1 he        
expla9$1 & = ! b5efit ( ! policeman /&+ 
beside ! door he add$1 ,bad temp]$ z !y 

come4 ,he look$ into ! mirror uneasily1 
try+ to focus on 8 face4  ,8 clo!s 7 be+
 clean$ ( blood & dri$ some:]e4 ,:5 !   
doctor _h f9i%$ sew+ & pat*+ ,bryce %[]$
 & dress$ 9 a small dress+ room beside !
 em]g5cy w>d1 :]e he f\nd 8 clo!s hang+ 
neatly 9 a dry+ closet4  ,z he f9i%$ a  
man 9 pla9 clo!s ent]$ & dismiss$ ! cop 
) a ^w1 & h&$ ,bryce a pr9t$ notice & 8 
magnomatic2 ,y're cle>1 he said1 leav+  
aga9 ) a fri5dly half salute4 ,no *>ges4
 ,! police _h already record$ ! te/imony
 ( ! witnesses & inspect$ ! weapons us$4
 ,x _h be5 a fair duel & ! survivor 0   
cle> ) a /&>d case = self-def5se4 ,!    
pr9t$ notice call$ him to te/ify at !   
coron]'s inque/ into ! dea? ( ,j4 ,h4   
,beldman dur+ ! next ,saturday1 b !re   
w\ld be no *>ges & no inve/igation4     
,!re w\ld be no tr\ble f ,beldman1 b :o 
else knew :at he _h kn[n1 t ,bryce ,c>t]
 0 responsible = ! corruption ( ,,ut8   
,h[ _h he le>n$ x8 ,if someone else     
knew1 !re 0 go+ to be tr\ble4  ,com+ out
 ( ! em]g5cy w>d1 he *eck$ 8 wat*4      

,"o-fifte54 ,too late to f9d ,%eila     
,wesley /ill at ,geig]'s ,c\nt]4 ,b he  
knew he c\ld see h] ano!r day--& ) a    
good /ory to expla9 :y he _h n turn$ up 
! fir/ "t4  ,!y ate at ! ne>e/ /& & w5t 
back to "w4 ,try+ to write 0 almo/      
impossible1 & ev5 us+ 8 left h& = m9or  
tasks 0 difficult4 ,9 spite ( quick     
heal+ ( muscle & fle% f ! am9o & nucleic
 acid p[d]s ! doctor _h pack$ 91 ! %\ld]
 a*$ ) a tightness t spoil$ 8           
coord9ation4 ,he %ift$ to writ+ clumsily
 ) 8 "r h&4  ,aft] tw5ty m9utes he      
ab&on$ ! pret5se ( work+ & began        
?\ghtfully do+ practice draws ) 8 "r h&4
 ,x 0 /iff & clumsy1 & !re 0 no hol/] 9 
8 "r pocket to make grasp+ easy4 ,!     
second "t ! maggy caught on 8 pocket    
edge & slipp$ f 8 h& he left x on ! rug 
:]e x _h fall51 sitt+ look+ at x        
?\ghtfully = a mom5t4 ,today 0 ! day he 
w\ld meet ,orillo4  ,h[ well c y h&le a 
f\r tube cab9 cruis]8  ,l9e ( sight     
only4 ,i'm no navigator1 ,pi]ce         
respond$4  ,bryce said sob]ly1 realiz+  

:at he _h decid$1 ,?is is a good day to 
h a bodygu>d :o's a good %ot4 ,i h an   
appo9tm5t to meet a fri5d--& ,i'm n sure
 he's a fri5d4  ,i %oot1 ,pi]ce said1   
writ+ at "o ( ! lett]s he _h be5 set to4
 ,happy to oblige4 ,%all ,i we> my      
bulletpro( clo!s8  ,y c\ld d ) some?+ l 
t1 ,bryce said sob]ly4  ,pi]ce look$ up 
f ! lett]s4 ,w\ld ?is be ! man beh9d all
 ^! bullets1 & y're meet+ him 9 space8  
,yes4  ,9 armor plat$ tanks ) heavy     
artill]y8  ,no4  ,no light & heavy      
cruis]s4 ,no m>9es8  ,j y4 ,bryce 0     
smil+ at ,pi]ce's mock a/oni%m5t4 ,he   
knew t ! kid didn't c>e 9 ! slighte/ :]e
 ,bryce l$ him z long z !re 0 a fight at
 ! end ( x1 & he left x to ,bryce to    
*oose ! odds4  ,! odds might be ev5     
en\gh4 ,orillo himself1 if he came )    
murd] z 8 int5tion1 w\ld br+ no help]s =
 witnesses1 & he w\ld expect ,bryce to  
br+ none4 ,or if he _h hir$ assass9s1 he
 w\ld n come himself1 & !y w\ld n "k :o 
_h hir$ !m1 b !y w\ld h be5 told to     
expect "o man only4         99       99 

99       99       99  ,! secrecy ( any  
meet+ 9 space is practically absolute4  
,if !re is "o ?+ :i* space has pl5ty (1 
x's di/ance--di/ance en\gh to lose ?+s  
91 di/ance en\gh to hide 91 di/ance     
en\gh s t ev5 if y "k :]e some?+ is by  
all ! figures ( its coord9ates1 if x's  
small] ?an a planet y c't f9d x ev5 :5 y
 are !re4 ,to put x crudely1 :at space  
has is space4 ,& f9d+ some?+ t doesn't  
want to be f\nd 9 space is l look+ = a  
miss+ g]m 9 ! ,atlantic4  ,he _h !      
coord9ates ( ! beacon he _h *os5 = 8    
appo9tm5t po9t & ! robot pilot took him 
to t area ) automatic precision4 ,b once
 !re he _h to cruise manually back & =? 
?ree times ?r\gh ! p]p5dicul> plane (   
,e>?'s equator be=e pick+ up ! rad> pip 
( ! buoy1 :i* 0 set to broadca/ its     
pres5ce by a circul> sweep ( rad> pulses
 on a flat plane correspond+ to ! ,e>?  
equatorial av]age4  ,he f\nd x no lat]  
?an expect$1 :i* 0 ov] an h\r e>ly1 on !
 pr9ciple t he :o arrives fir/ f9ds no  
ambu%4  ,he left ,pi]ce ) c]ta9         

in/ructions & float$ f ! %ip to !       
famili> globe t spun s placidly on !    
an*or+ rod t atta*$ x to ! controll+    
buoy4 ,! buoy 0 p[]$ /rongly en\gh to h 
controll$ ! orbits ( fifty su* globes   
)\t /ra94 ,buoys ( t type 7 j beg9n+ to 
be popul> 9 ! ,belt4  ,once inside he   
op5$ 8 faceplate1 look+ ar\nd ) ! same  
pleasure he always felt on 8 visits "h4 
,x 0 l be+ back at ! ,belt = a "t4 ,aft]
 ! raw h>%ness ( ! moon & ! artificial  
luxuries ( its cities1 aft] !           
agoraphobic va/ness ( ,e>?'s giant      
surface1 to be )9 ?is little close-knit 
famili> _w 0 soo?+ & relax+4 ,x 0 a gre5
 glade ( leaves & bran*es1 gre5ness     
und]foot & ov]head1 a br[n metal cliff )
 v9es & a door to 8 left1 a l>g] br[n   
metal cliff l ! r\nd head ( a b>rel )   
doors 9 x to 8 "r1 & a circul> silv]    
door 9 ! c5t]4 ,beh9d ! small "r h&     
cliff 0 ! small am\nt ( regulat+ ma*9]y 
requir$1 beh9d ! doors ( ! l>g] cliff 0 
a small kit*51 & conv]tible             
/udy-b$rooms4 ,beh9d ! silv] door 0 a   

corridor lead+ to ! airlock & space4 ,x 
0 =ty feet f cliff to cliff1 & f ! gr[+ 
gre5]y und]foot to ! gr[+ gre5]y        
ov]head1 z spaci\s z a wide glade 9 !   
woods ( ,e>?4  ,he pick$ 8 way among !  
v9es & %rubs to a c>petlike pat* ( gre5 
moss & sat d[n com=tably to wait4 ,pi]ce
 _h drawn ! %ip (f beyond detector range
 by n[1 & x w\ld seem to any %ip        
approa*+ t he _h n yet arriv$4  ,x 0    
peaceful !re1 no breeze /irr$ ! leaves4 
,tw5ty feet above1 fix$ 9 ! air on cle> 
spokes ( lucite1 ! cry/al globe t 0 !   
sun = ?is small _w gave =? its w>m+     
flood ( light1 sunlight borr[$ f !      
sunlight outside & l$ 9 on ! lucite     
spokes4  ,he _h an int]e/ 9 its         
manufacture1 & _h an*or$ 8 globe "h z a 
comm]cial sample ( a spaceglobe = !     
view+ ( likely settl]s4 ,x 0 slightly   
bett] & m compact1 s9ce x 0 a new]      
model1 conta9$ 9 an ovoid hull t 0 only 
=ty-six by sixty-six feet1 b 9 ess5ce x 
0 l any ( ! f>ms & homes ( ! a/]oid     
belt1 & !re 0 no?+ l x on any planet 9 !

 univ]se4   ,,vii  ,beh9d ! silv] door a
 bell rang sudd5ly4 ,a space%ip 0       
approa*+4  ,x 0 /ill e>ly4 ,!y w\ld see 
! globe alone & assume t ,bryce _h n yet
 arriv$4 ,! space%ip itself might be    
arm$ illegally1 b ^? )9 w\ld n bla/ !   
globe )\t *eck+ its int]ior4 ,bryce     
glanc$ up at ! silv] door 9 ! cliff &   
arrang$ 8 position s z to be l\ng+ on "o
 elb[1 ) 8 gun h& ly+ relax$ "u a ?9    
curta9 ( leaves4 ,! magnomatic 0 po9t+  
up t[>ds ! corridor door4  ,!re 7 a few 
tall bu%es betwe5 ! base ( ! cliff &    
himself1 b ! silv] c5tral door 0 five   
feet up a flight ( /eps & 9 cle> view4  
,f\r flights ( /eps radiat$ away f !    
circul> door to ! hull1 l spokes f an   
axle1 all ( !m lead+ d[n to ! inside    
surface ( ! globe4 ,z he wait$ he he>d !
 fa9t clang ( magnetic soles hitt+ !    
metal ( ! airlock1 & !n ! door *imes t  
ann\nc$ t ! airlock 0 be+ us$4 ,someone 
0 com+ 94  ,he c\ld foll[ _! actions 9 8
 m9d1 tim+ !m4 ,n[ !y w\ld be float+ 9 !
 ve/ibule1 fac+ a circul> wall ) a door1

 ! wall sp9n+ sil5tly & rapidly1 & !    
door 9 its c5t] turn+ sl[ly end ov] end4
 ,! door m>k$ ! axis ( rotation4 ,!re 0 
a turn+ b> ) h&les runn+ ?r\gh ! c5t] ( 
! airlock4 ,!y w\ld float up to t & grip
 x to pick up sp91 until ! ve/ibule     
seem$ to be rotat+ ar\nd !m & only !    
circul> wall & ! c5tral door seem$ to be
 /eady4 ,beyond x w\ld be ! corridor1 & 
!n ! silv] door4  ,! door 9 ! cliff     
dilat$ sil5tly4 ,two spacesuit$ m5 /ood 
9 x4  ,x 0 incr$ible t he _h let !m come
 9 )\t see+ ! door op54 ,9 ! fir/ split 
second he saw t nei!r ( !m 0 ,orillo4 ,9
 ! second in/ant he saw t no weapons 7  
visible1 b t "o /ood slightly beh9d !   
o!r & 8 "r arm 0 hidd54  ,!y _h happ5$  
to come to ! entrance at an angle to 8  
ori5tation1 almo/ at "r angles1 & !y    
w\ld be confus$ = a mom5t1 be=e !y      
id5tifi$ 8 %ape1 = to _! ori5tation if  
!y us$ ,e>?-?\ght = x1 he w\ld seem to  
be lean+ head d[nw>d on an almo/ v]tical
 slope4 ,he took advantage ( ! lag to   
move 8 gun "u its curta9 ( leaves & get 

! sights l9$ on !m4  ,!y swung _! eyes  
ar\nd ! circle & saw him4 ,mi/] ,c>t]8  
ask$ ! =emo/ "o4 ,_! faceplates 7 /ill  
clos$1 & _! voices slightly di/ort$ by  
transmission ?r\gh ! helmet speak]1 b he
 c\ld he> a note ( surprise4 ,z ! fir/  
"o spoke ! second "o mov$ 8 hidd5 arm   
slightly1 z if he 7 hold+ some?+4       
,bryce did n tight5 8 f+] on ! trigg]4  
,^! c\ld be m]e innoc5t sight-se]s4 ,!  
position ( 8 head1 almo/ upside d[n     
relative to !irs1 0 probably confus+ !m1
 ?\gh almo/ c]ta9ly !y _h /udi$         
trim5sional photographs ( him4 ,at any  
rate !y probably 7 aw>e t !y 7 /&+ l    
t>gets 9 ! corridor doorway & w\ld be 9 
no mood to po/pone action4  ,take (f y\r
 helmets1 g5tlem51 make y\rselves at    
home4 ,x 0 a p>tial admission t he 0 !  
man !y want$1 b n c]ta9 en\gh = a       
decision4 ,he saw ! %\ld]-twit* t meant 
t ! second "o's hidd5 h& j]k$ 9 a mom5t 
( unc]ta9ty1 & he ?\ght he saw some?+   
glitt] "u ! fir/ "o's arm--! old trick (
 %oot+ f "u a fri5d's scre5+ arm4444    

,mr4 ,bryce ,c>t]8 ! =emo/ "o 0 ask+    
aga94  ,bryce smil$4 ,no1 ,pi]ce1 he    
said4 ,he _h turn$ on ! two-way speak] &
 tun$ x to ! %ip z he came 94           
,imm$iately ! voice came 9 ! corridor   
beh9d !m4 ,/& /ill4 ,y're cov]$4  ,!re 0
 no *ance t anyone c\ld g5u9ely be beh9d
 !m1 b ! re> "o :irl$ & snapp$ a />tl$  
%ot into ! d>k5$ corridor1 & ! o!r leap$
 sidewise d[n f ! doorway1 draw+ 8 gun )
 blurr$ spe$1 & level+ on ,bryce z 8    
feet left contact ) ! sill4 ,he 0 fall+ 
sl[ly1 almo/ float+1 & x %\ld h be5 an  
easy %ot1 except = some?+ he _h obvi\sly
 =gott51 or he nev] w\ld h leap$4       
,bryce disreg>d$ him z a dang]1 & ?rew  
?ree %ots at ! o!r1 :o /ill /ood />tl$ &
 (f balance 9 ! corridor1 fir+ ?ree ) 8 
inexp]i5c$ "r h& to make sure ( plac+   
ev5 "o4 ,! figure dropp$ out ( sight 9 !
 corridor4         99       99       99 
99       99  ,9 ! flick ( "t t ,bryce's 
eyes _h be5 away f ! fall+ "o1 ! pa? ( !
 man's leap _h begun to curve /rangely1 
until n[ he seem$ to be float+ 9 a      

curve1 fly+ sidewise & upw>d1 fa/] &    
fa/] z he approa*$ ! hull4 ,! rule (    
cons]vation ( mom5tum 0 hav+ its way4   
,to ! man's dizzi$ eyes1 z he tri$ to   
keep ,bryce )9 8 sights long en\gh to   
fire1 x mu/ h seem$ t ! gr\nd began     
inexplicably to turn & slide by1 t      
sudd5ly ! :ole %ell 0 turn+ ar\nd him l 
a big :eel1 c>ry+ 8 t>get up ! wall &   
ov] 8 head4  ,he 0 almo/ to ! slid+     
gr\nd :5 a bu% caught at 8 feet & yank$ 
!m f "u him ) a crackl+ ( bran*es1 & !  
bottom tread ( a flight ( /airs swung at
 8 head l a gigantic club4 ,among !     
sudd5 spl9t]+ ( bran*es & snapp+ ( v9es 
0 a crun*+ ?ud :i* s\nd$ f9al4  ,to     
anyone )9 a globe1 x did n ord9>ily     
appe> to be sp9n+1 ! only sign x 01 0 ! 
com=table pseudo-gravity = anyone /&+ on
 hull level4 ,b to ^? :o approa*$ !     
gr\nd f ! light] ,g corridor1 ! /airs 7 
necess>y--/airs ^: treads 7 oddly dipp$ 
9 ! middle 9 a %all[ ,u4 ,by brac+ aga9/
 "o side ( ! ,u com+ d[n1 & on ! o!r go+
 up1 "o invisibly pick$ up en\gh spe$ to

 mat* ! spe$ ( ! gr\nd level4 ,jump+ 0 !
 equival5t ( jump+ out ( a mov+ c> at   
=ty feet a second1 ! sixte5 feet a      
second1 half ( ! corridor plus an extra 
?irty feet a second sp91 ! side slip    
spe$ ( an eighte5 foot drop :]e x _h    
look$ l five4  ,x 0 probably ^! add$    
extra di/ances 9 ! air1 ,bryce decid$1 t
 sometimes made ! bird flights look s   
bewild]+ly v>iable 9 spe$ & direction4  
,he _h n ?\ght be=e h[ difficult x w\ld 
be to plot a /raight c\rse f "o side ( !
 globe to ! o!r4  ,he wait$ = a sign (  
motion1 8 magnomatic ready1 look+ up at 
! gunman ly+ ov]head1 =ty feet away on !
 o!r side ( ! globe4 ,! limp figure 0   
unmov+1 x look$ badly tangl$ 9 v9es1 &  
its gun 0 gone4 ,!re 0 no ne$ to %oot1 b
 he wond]$ sudd5ly1 if he _h1 :at k9d ( 
a curve w\ld ! bullet h foll[$8  ,!re 0 
no s\nd f ! o!r1 b ,bryce hesitat$ to   
climb ! /airs & put 8 head above floor  
level ( ! corridor4 ,a voice might give 
! o!r direction = a snap %ot if t 0 :at 
he 0 wait+ =4 ,bryce *anc$ speak+4      

,i've got ?is "o1 ,pi]ce4 ,h['s ! o!r8  
,! teleview] 9 ! entrance hall repli$1  
,ly+ on 8 back ) 8 gun five feet away4  
,y all "r8  ,yes4 ,bryce walk$ ar\nd !  
circumf]5ce ( ! globe & se>*$ 9 ! v9es =
 ! miss+ weapon ( numb] "o4 ,! body 9 ! 
spacesuit ne>by 0 q def9itely a corpse4 
,he saw ! gun glitt]+ a little fur!r on 
& pick$ x up1 wip+ (f leaf pulp on a    
clean pat* ( moss4 ,x 0 a heavy duty    
police pacifi]1 a di/ance /unn]1 adju/$ 
to a n>r[ beam4  ,he climb$ to !        
corridor & collect$ ! o!r weapon4 ,x 0 a
 police pacifi] too4 ,!y _h n meant     
direct murd] !n1 b only to /un him &    
deliv] him to ,orillo1 ,c4 ,o4 ,d4  ,h[ 
are y do+ ) _! %ip8 ,bryce ask$1 ,is x  
arm$8 ,armam5t = space%ips 0 illegal1 & 
c>eful (ficial inspection made x r>e4   
,i didn't wait to see1 ,pi]ce's voice   
came apologetically aft] a pause 9 :i*  
"s backgr\nd noise s\nd+ l a cra% came  
ov] ! teleview] speak]4 ,x />t$ sw++    
ar\nd :5 ,i came 9 sight1 s ,i j ramm$ x
 ) t pretty ornam5tal nose spike4 ,i'm  

back+ (f n[ ) ! =w>d brak+ jets4  ,!n   
:oev]'s inside is probably ei!r         
spacefroz5 or cook$4 ,jockey t %ip ar\nd
 on ! spike & give h] a f\r m9ute %ove  
t[>d ,e>?1 !n pu% t button t collapses !
 ornam5tal vanes on ! spike & let x pull
 loose :5 y />t brak+4 ,i don't want any
 %ip hulks float+ ar\nd "h4  ,aye-aye1  
,cap4  ,g sl[ on ^? brak+ jets :5 y pull
 loose4 ,! back wa% c\ld t\* y\r hull4  
,pi]ce return$ & came 9 to help ,bryce  
drag ! corpses ?r\gh ! airlock & into   
space4  ,!y brac$ aga9/ ! silv] curve ( 
! float+ space%ip & gave ! body a comb9$
 /rong %ove t[>ds ,e>?4 ,sp9n+ sl[ly end
 ov] end x dw9dl$ into a d>k speck aga9/
 ! gl[+ orb ( ,e>?1 de/9$ to be a       
meteorite & make a small bright /reak 9 
! ,e>? sky sev]al days lat]4      ,:5 ! 
tubes conk out1 ! fuel runs d[n1      ,!
 cold creeps 9 to :]e ,i lie4  ,pi]ce 0 
recit+ z !y w5t back into ! globe = !   
second corpse4      ,i'll take !        
meteor's trail--g home to ,e>?      ,&  
make a ,vik+'s fun]al 9 ! sky4  ,?is is 

too easy1 ,bryce compla9$ z !y wat*$ !  
second corpse fade f sight4 ,! tr\ble   
is1 9 space all corpses are delicti4    
,x's an inc5tive4 ,laun* y\r enemies4   
,gau*o c\ntry did all "r "u t sy/em1    
,pi]ce said somb]ly1 & s did ! ,am]ican 
fronti]4 ,he float$ motionless1 a       
spacesuit$ figure turn$ t[>d ! gray-gre5
 mi/$ globe ( ,e>? t %one aga9/ ! black 
/>-spr9kl$ sky z if he c\ld h rea*$ out 
& t\*$ x4 ,! sun caught ! planet on its 
day hemisph]e & reflect$ brilliantly f a
 %ad[y blue glaze ( wat] t 0 !          
,m$it]ranean1 turn+ half ( x to :ite    
fire4  ,bryce's e>phones pick$ up       
,pi]ce's voice aga94 ,fronti]-born      
nations always look back & say t ! fir/ 
ye>s 7 ! be/4  ,! words caught at some?+
 ,bryce _h felt be=e4 ,he look$ at ,e>? 
hang+ spl5didly 9 space4 ,x 0 beautiful 
& he 0 fond ( x1 b--,he said1 ,i don't  
?9k we'll ev] g back4 ,nor w\ld mank9d  
itself4 ,nev] aga9--?r\gh all conque/s f
 ?is po9t 9 "t--w\ld mank9d g back d[n  
into ! me% ( gravity to be a ?9 film ov]

 ! surface ( a planet4  ,give old ,e>? a
 smile1 ,bryce1 we've hat*$4  ,= a mom5t
 long] ,bryce hung1 wat*+ ,e>? turn+    
bel[4 ,! managem5t ( ,,ut 0 d[n !re4    
,he'd be damn$ if he'd let !m get away )
 ?9k+ !y c\ld tell him :at to d1 or tell
 ! ,belt :]e a l9e %\ld be ext5d$ & a   
colony plant$4 ,! belt 0 8 c\ntry1 n    
!irs4 ,space belong$ to ! p :o liv$ 9 x4
  ,no taxation )\t repres5tation1 ,pi]ce
 said irrelevantly1 z if he _h be5 read+
 ,bryce's ?\ghts4 ,!y jett$ back to !   
%ip & into ! spacelock4  ,fronti]       
c\ntry-- ,bryce said z he /epp$ into !  
cubical ( ! revolv+ door4 ,g5tly tight5+
 ela/ic b&s drew him into position )9 ! 
man-%ap$ mold4 ,:at's a fronti] on y\r  
t]ms1 ,roy8 ,:5 he 0 9 place ! o!r half 
( ! rubb]y1 air-exclud+ mold clos$ on   
him & ! airtight cyl9d] rotat$1 deliv]+ 
him into ! int]ior ( ! %ip4 ,he pu%$ !  
button impati5tly to h x revolve back = 
,pi]ce1 b x rema9$ ob/9ately op51 its   
s]vo refus+ to close on a mold full (   
air & rotate air back = release into    

space4  ,bryce rememb]$ !n4 ,?is 0      
some?+ he didn't h to bo!r ) :5 he flew 
alone1 = :5 go+ 9 or out he 0 always 9 !
 door :5 x rotat$2 x nev] turn$ empty4  
,beside ! door on a hook hung an inflat$
 pressure suit1 complete ) gloves1      
boots1 & helmet4 ,except = ! abs5ce (   
any sign ( a head or face inside ! d>k  
transluc5ce ( ! helmet x look$ l a      
full-siz$ man4 ,bryce rea*$ x d[n &     
plac$ x 9 ! mold1 & wat*$ gr9n+ z ! mold
 clos$ & ! door rotat$1 deliv]+ ! man-=m
 to an equival5t hook 9 ! spacelock4 ,! 
doll 0 kn[n by all spacem5 z ,hector    
,dimwitty1 & e %ip _h "o or two4 ,!re 7 
a ?\s& y>ns & jokes circulat+ ab\t !    
adv5tures ( ! ,hectors1 mo/ ( !m lewd1 &
 a few ( !m true4  ,pi]ce's answ] 0 9 8 
e>phones1 ,a fronti] is :]e p g :5 !y   
are "y1 broke1 or h ! cops aft] !m4     
,"r4 ,suppose ,i /ake ! broke1 & loan !m
 transport1 & (f] ! fugitives unregi/]$ 
safety to receive mail & to buy         
supplies8  ,y d t8 ,pi]ce /epp$ out ( ! 
door & !y took (f _! helmets4  ,yes1 :5 

,i am my own man1 n work+ = ,,ut4  ,if y
 d t1 y br+ 9 t5 times z _m ( ! broke :o
 want$ to settle !re1 &-- ,pi]ce took a 
long jump 9 und]/&+1 say+ s(tly1 ,!y're 
dep5d5t on y4 ,h&cuff$ to y & pray+ =   
y\r heal? & prosp]ity z long z y hold _!
 loans & secrets1 = ) y\r dea? or       
bankruptcy1 ano!r man might come to y\r 
books to read ! records ( y\r loans1 &  
dem& paym5t1 & give ! secrets to !      
police or keep !m = 8 blackmail4 ,b to d
 x is to take a risk ( murd] or arre/1 &
 a high co/ 9 h>d "w & money4 ,:y d y   
want to d ?is8 ,:at paym5t d y take8    
,!y pay by be+ my m51 grateful & ready  
to back me up :5 ,i want help lat]4 ,!y 
don't h to be grateful1 = !y "k ,i c    
call any loan if ! own] crosses me1 &   
,i've built a reputation = an occasional
 fit ( irrational temp] t is ?reat en\gh
 = anyone to avoid cross+ me1 )\t feel+ 
t ,i h want$ to ?reat5 or =ce !m4 ,z = !
 fugitives !y pay en\gh by want+ ! ,belt
 to be organiz$ z a nation indep5d5t (  
,e>?1 s t ! h& ( ! law c't /ret* out &  

drag !m back1 & !y c become weal?y 9 op5
 bus9ess1 9 ! million *ances = weal? t  
lie ar\nd !m 9 ! ,belt4 ,!y don't "k t  
!y want ?is yet1 b !y w see x :5 x is   
told to !m4 ,i c't d any ( ?is n[--x's  
susp5d$ = z long z ,i am "p ( ,,ut & h  
to drag ! dead weight ( t5 ,e>?-ti$     
cons]vatives ) me 9 e decision4   ,,viii
  ,he /opp$ to set 9 ! coord9ates ( !   
,moon = ! robot pilot1 b he f\nd himself
 /ill want+ to talk4 ,man has rea*$     
space--d y ?9k he'll ev] g back to !    
gr\nd8 ,9 space he has gravity only :5  
he wants x1 & any weight ( gravity he   
likes1 dep5d+ on h[ fa/ he sp9s 8 h\se4 
,& no gravity :5 he wants t4 ,y see :at 
t means to eng9e]s 9 ! advantage (      
build+ ?+s8 ,no weight 9 transportation1
 no weight 9 travel1 limitless spe$ &   
almo/ no co/ z long z he /ays away f    
planet pulls4 ,8 h\se is 9 ! sky1 & :5  
he /eps out ( x he c fly l a bird4 ,&   
food4 ,to gr[ food !re is sunlight ,e>? 
nev] dream$ (4 ,= heat & p[] !re is     
sunlight to focus4 ,space is flood$ )   

heat1 irradiat$ ) p[]--  ,x's n *ild's  
play tam+ x1 & ^? on ! gr\nd don't see x
 yet4 ,b ! next /ep ( mank9d is out into
 space1 & x's nev] com+ back4  ,pi]ce1  
sitt+ 9 "o ( ! %ock tank arm*airs1 ask$1
 ,:at "p d y h 9 ?is8  ,bryce look$ at  
him ) a feel+ almo/ ( surprise1 z if he 
_h be5 call$ back f a long di/ance4 ,me8
 he laugh$1 a little aw$ by ! imm5sity (
 ! goal1 & ! ease ( x4444 ,fir/         
,presid5t ( ! ,belt & political boss =  
life4 ,t's en\gh4  ,en\gh to hold ! sol>
 sy/em 9 ! palm ( 8 h&1 if he *ose4 ,he 
:o rules space1 rules ! planets4 ,x 0 ! 
fir/ "t he _h ev] m5tion$ 8 goal to     
anyone4  ,roy ,pi]ce ask$1 ,:at d ,i d  
ab\t ?is 'fri5d' ( y\rs :o lays traps8  
,! la/ attack _h settl$ ! "q ( :o 0     
beh9d ! o!r attacks1 & :o _h told       
,beldman1 b ,orillo w\ld /ill be a      
useful pawn4 ,all t 0 necess>y 0 to     
evade 8 attempts at murd] = a mon? or s 
until p>tn]%ip ti$ !m too close = murd]4
  ,bryce expla9$ "s ( t to ,pi]ce1 sett+
 up a *ess bo>d to pass away ! "t until 

!y arriv$ back at ,moonbase ,city4      
,:at's my next assignm5t8 ,pi]ce ask$1  
:5 !y 7 sev]al moves into ! game4       
,bryce recall$ a dang] he _h made no    
move to gu>d aga9/4 ,! ,bo>d hir$ a     
psy*ologi/1 a m9d hunt]1 to f9d out :o's
 do+ ! und]m9+4 ,he's "o ( ! ,manoba    
gr\p4 ,rememb] ! "n1 look x up & f9d out
 :at _! me?ods are1 h[ to recognize !m1 
& report back :at to d ab\t x4  ,i'll   
take c>e ( him1 ,roy ,pi]ce said        
abs5tly1 mov+ 8 knight to ?reat5        
,bryce's bi%op4  ,no unnecess>y tr\ble4 
,rememb] ,i h to keep my "n clean4      
,bryce mov$ a pawn "o /ep to cov] !     
bi%op & leave room = 8 o!r bi%op to     
m5ace ! knight4  ,i'll be c>eful4       
,!re'll be no publicity4 ,he won't get  
hurt1 ,pi]ce said1 mov+ ! knight into   
,bryce's second l9e :]e x ?reat5$ ! k+ &
 a corn]$ ca/le4 ,*eck4 ,& he add$1 z if
 apologiz+ = hav+ delay$ 8 move1 ,i     
don't l to move until ,i'm sure :at's   
go+ on4  ,! rem>k didn't seem to be     
suit$ to ! game1 z if he _h ref]r$ to   

some?+ else4         99       99        
99       99       99  ,x 0 dur+ d9n] on 
! ,moon t he & ,pi]ce loos5$ up = ! fir/
 "t s9ce ! ambu%4 ,pi]ce _h be5         
comp>atively sil5t s9ce ! *ess game on !
 trip back & ,bryce too1 :e!r 9 sympa?y 
) him or 9 a naturally p>allel mood1 _h 
little to say4 ,b n[ ! t5sion _h diffus$
 &1 ) ! /imulus ( aromatic food1 !y     
climb$ out ( _! depression ( emotional  
solemnity4  ,! decorations ( ! d9+ room 
7 lu%4 ,:ile !y ate1 ! mat]ialism ( _!  
lives 0 re9=c$4 ,f silv]$-&-tape/ri$    
wall to wall !re 0 life "h1 l[-key$ )   
excitem5t 9 ! bl5d ( subdu$ talk & !    
%ift+ arti/ry ( lights & music4 ,_!     
table 0 almo/ 9 ! c5t] ( ! isl&s (      
tables & pott$ trees1 & ar\nd !m 7 !    
d9]s1 _! voices wa%+ up at !m bo?1      
invit+ !m ) g5tle tugs to surr5d] _!    
resi/ance1 beckon+ !m into ! sea (      
simple pleasures4  ,we owe ourselves "s 
fun1 ,bryce4  ,at ,pi]ce's words1 ,bryce
 %>p5$ 8 eyes on ! face across ! table4 
,!re 0 a t\* ( s]i\sness 9 ^? words2 m l

 a /atem5t ?an a sugge/ion4  ,pi]ce     
smil$ wryly & took a vial out ( 8 pocket
 & p\r$ x into 8 dr9k4 ,he spun ! empty 
bottle betwe5 ?umb & f+]s4  ,we owe     
ourselves "s fun1 ,pi]ce repeat$4 ,we've
 no?+ on ! fire tonight1 no?+ to d t's  
crucial4 ,x's a good night to exp]im5t4 
,! w>m voice waves lapp+ at ,bryce's m9d
 sudd5ly rec$$ & left a *ill4 ,)        
in/9ctive w>9ess he ?\ght ( hypnotics & 
s+le-%ot addictors4  ,pi]ce c\ldn't h   
miss$ ! emotionless freeze on ! o!r's   
face4 ,/ill twirl+ ! vial casually1 he  
began to expla94 ,x 0 a new drug1 he    
said1 f\nd be+ us$ by a tribe 9 ,c5tral 
,africa4 ,i've he>d ( x = "s "t & :at y 
m5tion$ a little :ile back rem9d$ me (  
x4  ,bryce caught ! hidd5 ref]5ce4      
,c5tral ,africa--& ! ,manoba gr\p4 ,s   
,pi]ce _h n dismiss$ ! m9d hunt] f 8    
?\ghts z a problem to be easily dealt )4
  ,x's /ill 9 ! te/+ /age1 ,pi]ce add$4 
,b "s ( x is circulat+ among m$ical     
/ud5ts4 ,! te/s h int]e/+ effects4 ,&1 z
 ,i say1 tonight's a good night to      

exp]im5t1 x's call$ ,b'nyab i'io4  ,!   
*ill 9 ,bryce's head & sp9e 0 ?aw+ out4 
,y're n conn+ me8 ,he said x ) a gr91 b 
!re 0 an edge to ! "q :i* dem&$ an      
answ]4  ,pi]ce gave x to him1 = a brief 
mom5t deadly s]i\s4 ,y c\ldn't get      
addict$ if y swam 9 x4  ,bryce believ$  
him4 ,he />$ at ! glass4 ,:at does x d  
to ! ,i4,q48 ,we've got to collect "s   
in=mation "h & !re ?is ev5+4 ,i want to 
be able to read & talk4 ,he smil$       
crook$ly4 ,no worse ?an usual1 t is4    
,ei!r raises ! ,i4,q4 or leaves x alone4
  ,:at's ! effect8  ,x affects diff]5t p
 diff]5t ways4 ,aft] he>+ ! reports ,i'd
 l to see h[ x hits u4 ,pi]ce pu%$ x    
t[>ds him1 gr9n+4 ,leave half = me4     
,bryce's w>y ?\ghts t\*$ poison &       
immunity & murd]1 b inw>dly he began to 
sc(f at 8 own habits ( suspicion4       
,h[ev]1 be=e he c\ld rea* = ! glass1    
,pi]ce _h giv5 a %ort snort z ?\gh 9    
recognition ( 8 presumptu\sness & drank 
8 own %>e fir/4  ,!n ,bryce rais$ ! cold
 glass to 8 lips4  ,z he put x d[n he   

c\ld feel ! *ange beg9n+ to spread ?r\gh
 8 blood1 w>m+ & relax+1 br++ clos] !   
memories ( pleasure & good times4 ,!    
re/aurant 0 n[ completely s$uctive1 ) ! 
surf ( voices pleasant 9 8 e>s1 call+ to
 him to jo9 ! _w & its (f]s (           
uncomplicat$ pleasures4 ,he felt himself
 bl5d+ ) ! e!real backgr\nd mixture (   
light & s\nd4  ,i l ?is1 he decid$4  ,we
 %\ld take notes4 ,pi]ce 0 smil+ z he   
/uff$ ! empty vial back 9 8 pocket4     
99       99       99       99       99  
,! next day ,bryce look$ back on t ev5+ 
) pleasure4 ,ev]yone _h be5 rem>kably   
pleasant1 fri5dly & consid]ate1 & ,pi]ce
 _h always _h ! "r fri5dly ^w & ge/ure  
to rew>d !m1 speak+ = ,bryce1 kn[+ 8 way
 ar\nd ! cities ( ! ,moon to ! "r places
 = ! in=mation !y s\ght1 always speak+ =
 ,bryce ,c>t]1 8 employ]1 gett+ him !   
?+s he want$1 giv+ ! ord]s he want$ to  
give be=e ,bryce _h ev5 fully realiz$ t 
he want$ !m4 ,bryce _h ne$$ to say no?+ 
! :ole "t except ,"r4 ,t's x1 & ev]y?+  
w5t z he want$ x4  ,a p]fect left h&    

man1 he smil$1 /ret*+1 & turn$ !        
pol>ization dial to let 9 ! sunlight4   
,! telephone rang4 ,he pick$ x up & !   
desk cl]k said 9 a def]5tially hu%$     
voice1 ,eight o'clock1 ,mi/] ,c>t]4  ,= 
"s reason ! hu%$ voice /ruck him z      
funny4 ,?anks1 ,i'm up4 ,he hung up &   
/ret*$ aga94 ,x 0 soo?+ to h someone    
solicit\s t he arose on "t1 if only a   
hotel4 ,! hotel _h giv5 him a lot ( good
 s]vice4 ,he felt sudd5ly grateful = all
 ! pleasures & luxuries & small s]vices 
!y surr\nd$ him )4 ,x 0 a good place4   
,he 0 feel+ good t morn+4 ,maybe because
 ! sun 0 s bright4444  ,he lik$ ! look (
 ! p pass+ 9 ! lobby z ,pi]ce jo9$ him1 
& he lik$ ! look ( ! pass5g]s 9 ! tube  
tra9s on ! way to ! (fice4 ,!y all look$
 m fri5dly4 ,& z he pu%$ ?r\gh ! second 
glass door into 8 (fices he lik$ ! clean
 %9e ( ! glass & ! ri* bl5d$ colors &   
s(t rugs & gray textur$ desks & ! s(t   
effici5t hum ( "w 9 progress4  ,bryce   
usually pass$ ,kesby's (fice ) a        
bus9esslike nod1 b ,pi]ce smil$ 91 /opp+

 = an in/ant ) ,bryce4 ,good morn+1     
,kesby4 ,we're glad to see y4 ,x 0 true 
en\gh & express$ :at he felt4  ,bryce   
ex*ang$ a gr9 ) ,kesby at ! boy's       
insol5ce & !n w5t on into 8 (fice4  ,x 0
 a good day4  ,x 0 a good day = :at he  
_h to d4  ,9 ! luxury ( 8 inn] (fice he 
sank into ! deepe/1 s(te/ *air1 lett+ 8 
c\s9-f-,monteh$o sort ! mail1 agree+ ) !
 boy's sugge/ions = action or sometimes 
issu+ 8 own in/ructions1 keep+ only half
 8 m9d on ! r\t9e day's bus9ess1 rely+  
on ,pi]ce1 & conc5trat+ ! o!r half on ! 
de$ to be done4 ,! plan 0 set 9 8 m9d b 
he _h *anges to make4  ,he 0 b>ely      
consci\s ( ! "t slipp+ by z he lay1     
r>ely mov+1 9 8 *air1 :ile ,pi]ce work$ 
at top spe$4  ,by "o o'clock ! deck 0   
cle>$ = action4  ,bryce /ood up1 /ret*$1
 & *eck$ 8 wat* aga94 ,x 0 #acjd h\rs4  
,a telephone call 0 s*$ul$ 9 ab\t ano!r 
h\r1 & five m successively ab\t a half  
h\r ap>t4  ,ord] u "s lun*1 ,pi]ce1 be=e
 ,i lift ! drawbridge4  ,! food came 9 z
 he 0 in/ruct+ 8 /aff to leave !m       

undi/urb$ = ! re/ ( ! aft]noon4  ,by !  
"t !y _h f9i%$ eat+1 _! isolation 0     
complete4 ,! (fice 0 a comm& po/ n[1 )  
only ! sl5d]1 unatt5d$ telephone wires  
connect+ !m ) ! outside worlds4  ,bryce 
mov$ ov] beh9d 8 desk4 ,he drew !       
telephone t[>d him & dial$ a numb]4     
,some:]e1 9 ! lock$ safe1 ! phone rang4 
,f ! case he took a toy dial phone4     
,pi]ce's eyes 7 on x1 8 eyebr[s lift$   
quizzically1 b ,bryce (f]$ no           
explanation4 ,! boy 0 due = a s]ies (   
surprises4 ,& :5 x 0 ov]1 he w\ld "k    
ev]y?+ )\t any explanations1 & too late 
to int]f]e4  ,hi ,al1 ,bryce said to !  
record$ ,yeah8 at ! o!r end4 ,he dial$ a
 numb] on ! toy dial1 ! "o receiv] aga9/
 ! o!r's back4 ,aft] ! usual ritual1    
,bryce said1 ,hello ,george1 h['s ev]y?+
 go+8  ,?is is x1 ,bryce ?\ght4 ,?is 0 !
 fir/ "p ( ! f9al bl[ to ,,ut4 ,& ! only
 in/rum5t he ne$$ 9 8 delightfully      
simple me?od 0 a telephone4 ,orig9ally  
he _h plann$ six brief w>n+ calls to !  
six key numb]s ( ! gr\nd organization4  

,he w\ld tell !m to refuse to take any?+
 f ! h&s ( ! ,,ut bran*1 & break contact
 ) !m imm$iately aft] accept+ ca% =     
miscellane\s items4 ,t w\ld set ! /age4 
,! police trap w\ld close on all memb]s 
( ! ,,ut bran* ( ! organization :ile !y 
7 encumb]$ ) a maximum ( incrim9at+     
objects to dispose ( 9 too little "t4   
,!n w\ld come 8 anonym\s tip to !       
police4 ,he'd in=m !m t c]ta9 employees 
( ,,ut 9 a few li/$ cities w\ld be f\nd 
to be smuggl+ 9 l>ge quantities ( drugs4
 ,! ?+ w\ld be s simple4 ,& ! :ole works
 w\ld bl[ up ) ! effici5cy ( ! calculat$
 explosion ( nucle> reaction4  ,t _h be5
 8 orig9al plan4  ,b ?+s w\ld be diff]5t
 n[4 ,! morn+ 9 ! easy *air _h *ang$ 8  
approa*4 ,! new]1 m elaborate program1  
/ill rem>kably simple1 w\ld br+ d[n !   
:ole /ructure )9 ,,ut )\t ! help ( !    
police1 b by himself alone1 plann+ x1   
initiat+ x1 execut+ x ) no "o's help4 ,n
 ev5 ,pi]ce's4  ,he he>d himself say+3  
,?is is ',hello ,george4' ,li/5 to me & 
don't int]rupt4  ,somebody has talk$4   

,i've be5 betray$ myself4 ,get t8 ,hello
 ,george is wa%$ up4 ,"r n[ ! cops are  
tapp+ ?is l9e4 ,x doesn't make any      
diff]5ce to me1 n[4 ,b x does to y4 ,?is
 is an op5 w>n+ f ,hello ,george to y4  
,spread ! ^w4 ,i'll keep mak+ calls     
until !y break 9 on me & cut ?is l9e4   
,mean:ile1 spread ! ^w4 ,break          
connections ) me & ! :ole organization4 
,get out ( range be=e ! trap closes4 ,b 
pass on ?is w>n+ fir/4  ,i'll hold out  
aga9/ que/ion+ a %ort "t4 ,! police w   
get me ev5tually1 ( c\rse4 ,& :5 !y d   
!y'll pump me dry4 ,!y'll get names &   
addresses4 ,! :ole works w get grabb$1  
unless y move fa/4 ,spread ! ^w4  ,bryce
 paus$ & w9k$ at ,pi]ce :o 0 /&+ at 8   
elb[1 ,any que/ions8 ,yes1 ,i'm sure4 ,(
 c\rse ,i'm sure4 ,any o!r que/ions8    
,good luck1 ,okay4  ,he hung up4  ,z    
,caes> once said1 ! dice 7 roll+4       
,pi]ce1 beside him ?r\gh x all1 simply  
/ood !re1 8 eyes wide & 8 face %>p )    
curiosity & incr$ulity1 8 body twit*+ n[
 & !n f ! infection ( ! excitem5t :i*   

rippl$ ov] ! room4 ,t excitem5t _h be5  
!re1 ?\gh ,bryce _h n p]mitt$ himself to
 indulge 9 x 9 any visible way4 ,he _h  
%[$ ,pi]ce a new facet to 8 op]ations1  
"o :i* ,pi]ce c\ld n anticipate         
imm$iately1 "o 9 :i* only he1 ,bryce1   
c\ld make ! snap decisions & evaluate ! 
imm$iate responses dem&$ ( him4  ,t 0 ) 
! fir/ call4         99       99        
99       99       99  ,) ! second "o    
,pi]ce began to contribute1 ris+ to !   
occasion z he _h s (t5 & quickly done 9 
! pa/4 ,he began pac+ up & d[n betwe5   
calls1 smok+ furi\sly & laugh+ "u 8     
brea?4  ,tell 'em ! police are break+   
d[n ! door1 he sugge/$ dur+ ! ?ird call4
 ,say y're hypno$ to hold out aga9/     
que/ion+ five days at ! mo/1 two h\rs m 
likely4  ,8 sugge/ions 7 a h[l4 ,bryce  
repeat$ !m into ! phone ) c\nt]feit     
desp]ation & 0 rew>d$ by ! s\nds ( panic
 at ! o!r end4 ,he & ,pi]ce *ortl$ ov] !
 frantic qu]ies & exclamations f !      
victim4 ,! :ole ?+1 succ9ct & po9t$ & ) 
! dramatic p[] ( simplicity1 0 "o sup]  

practical joke :i* w\ld set ! entire    
sol> sy/em scurry+ ar\nd = ! next few   
weeks4  ,! ramifications w\ld be        
endless4 ,p]sons w\ld vani% abruptly &  
take up new names & id5tities 9 !       
obscure c\ntries1 o!rs w\ld draw out _! 
heavy sav+s & take ! fir/ rocket out f  
,e>?4 ,!re w\ld be a new influx (       
refugees to ! ,belt1 new settl]s to be  
hone/ f>m]s & factory work]s & repair   
m54  ,yes1 ! situation 0 dramatic4  ,!  
day 0 a good day4  ,b z ,bryce hung up  
on ! la/ call1 a depress+ s5se (        
calamity1 unsettl+ly anti-climatic1     
began to press d[n on him4 ,pi]ce 0     
talk+ ab\t plans = ! next week ) an     
en?usiasm :i* %\ld h be5 completely     
contagi\s4  ,b !re 0 some?+ wrong4 ,!re 
0 some?+ wrong4  ,:at 0 x8  ,bryce felt 
,pi]ce's en?usiasm cat* at him & />t to 
sweep him away4 ,he savor$ ! pleas$ gl[ 
produc$ by ! %att]+ *anges he _h manag$ 
to cram into "o day4 ,) six telephone   
calls he _h brok5 ! drug r+ completely &
 =ev]1 brok5 x s completely t no memb] (

 x w\ld ev] h deal+s ) any memb] ( x    
aga94 ,all ( !m 7 out ( bus9ess1 flee+ )
 ! imag9>y h\nds ( ! law bay+ at _!     
heels4  ,he smil$ at ! ?\ght4  ,& !n 8  
smile fad$ = "s /range reason & he ceas$
 li/5+ to ,pi]ce = a mom5t1 look$ away &
 ceas$ li/5+1 = he>+ ,pi]ce j !n        
di/ract$ oddly f ! cl>ity ( 8 ?9k+4 ,he 
want$ to review :at he _h j done4  ,:at 
0 wrong8  ,:at8  ,he /ruggl$ ) a m\nt+  
confusion1 ! desk top & telephones      
blurr+ z he tri$ to conc5trate )        
desp]ate ef=t4  ,unexpect$ly ! "q sprang
 into focus4 ,x 0 z if ! room turn$     
inside out1 ! day turn$ upside d[n4  ,he
 _h sma%$ himself--n ,,ut6  ,:y8  ,:y _h
 he made ^? calls--*ang$ 8 plans--& made
 ^? calls8  ,) ! mo/ p]fect & t]rible   
cl>ity he saw ! results ( :at he _h     
done4 ,! organization de/roy$4 ,!       
contacts he _h made fifte5 ye>s ago z an
 anonym\s "y dock h&1 contacts t z      
,bryce ,c>t] he c\ld nev] make          
aga9--vani%+--m]g+ ) ! great mass ( !   
public--becom+ gray unkn[n figures4 ,!  

build+ ( ye>s melt+ l a sug> ca/le melts
 into ! tide--! invisible army t _h     
obey$ 8 s\rceless voice )\t be+ able to 
blackmail or rebel1 ! p]fectly balanc$  
tool 9 8 h&s t c\ld be us$ = ! brib+ (  
v5al politicians1 ) a limitless fund = !
 brib]y1 ! gr[+ secret control ( ! mo/  
v5al ( ! political ma*9es ( ,e>?1 t by !
 "t he ne$$ x x w\ld h be5 an           
irresi/ible weapon 9 8 h& = ! s+le swift
 political bl[ t w\ld rip ! ,belt f ,e>?
 control1 & give x a seat on ! ,assembly
 ( ! ,f$]at$ ,nations1 & ma/]y ( ! sol> 
sy/em--  ,b z he sat !re ! organization 
dissolv$4  ,he grasp$ ! phone1 b !re 0  
nobody to call n[1 no "o w\ld answ]4 ,he
 c\ld nev] rea* !m aga94  ,?is 0 sanity 
n[1 b :at _h x be5 be=e :5 he 0 *e]fully
 de/roy+ 8 future8 ,x seem$ to him t !re
 7 two halves to 8 bra91 ea* want+      
diff]5t ?+s4 ,= a mom5t ! "o t _h       
controll$ ! day 0 gone1 & he 0 sane     
aga91 b h[ long w\ld t mom5t la/8 ,:at  
sign _h !re be5 :5 x took control8 ,w\ld
 he "k x :5 x came aga98  ,he rememb]$ t

 9 ! tube tra9 t morn+ he & ,pi]ce _h _h
 a half jok+ argum5t ab\t ! be/         
%ort-&-m]ry life4 ,"o ( ! happy ones on 
! li/ _h be5 ! ,,inc ag5t1 because !y   
sp5t s mu* ( _! lives work+ into smuggl+
 gangs t !y _h all ! pleasures & pr(its 
( be+ a crook & an hone/ man too4 ,0 t  
:]e he _h slipp$ 8 cog8  ,look+ back on 
! ?+s he _h done t day he saw t mu* ( x 
_h fitt$ an ab/ract patt]n ( ju/ice1 z  
if he _h be5 ?9k+ ( himself z an ,,inc  
man4 ,or z if--  ,he ?\ght ( ! ?+s he _h
 se5 9 8 *ildhood t !y _h call$ zombies1
 & je]$ at & torm5t$ )\t fe> ( any      
retaliation or v5geance f _! gray-fac$  
victims4 ,imprison$ m5--!y look$        
normal--b !y _h be5 m5tally imprison$4  
,law-zombies1 memoriz+ & foll[+ laws &  
be+ hone/ ) a simple & t]rify+          
lit]alness4  ,he _h n kn[n t he _h any  
capacity = t]ror4  ,bryce ,c>t]4 ,he _h 
8 "n1 8 id5tity & 8 memory1 & !y 7 8    
own4 ,sometimes he _h _h no?+ else1 only
 ! pride & /r5g? ( kn[+ 8 id5tity1 t x 0
 8 & /rong] ?an o!rs1 j z 8 h&s 7       

/rong]1 a ?+ !y c\ldn't take f him4     
,c\ld !y8 ,!re 0 a nightm>e he _h _h m  
?an once1 t he rememb]$ sudd5ly = ! fir/
 "t1 ) all its atmosph]e ( *ildi%       
/rang5ess4 ,! cop psy*os 7 aft] him4 ,he
 0 trapp$ 9 a big room ) lights & !y _h 
8 head op5 & 7 *as+ him ar\nd inside 8  
head someh[1 try+ to cat* him1 & kill   
him1 ! him t liv$ 9 8 m9d4  ,w\ld he "k 
if x 0 gone8  ,! black %>p-edg$ %ad[s ( 
! crat] walls 7 draw+ across ! l&+ pla9 
outside1 br++ to a close ! two weeks (  
daylight1 & ! reflect$ sunlight 0 dimm+ 
9 ! room4 ,he c\ld he> ! rumble ( a     
heavy %ip ( a c>go fleet l[]+ 9 to a    
l&+4  ,8 assi/ant 0 sitt+ quietly on !  
edge ( ! desk z he _h be5 = "s "t1      
motionlessly wat*+ ! ?9 plume ( smoke t 
rose f a cig>ette 9 8 h&4 ,he 0 z /ill z
 if he 7 li/5+ = "s subtle s\nd f> away4
 ,rocket jets fla%$ an orange gl[ ?r\gh 
! v5etian bl9ds & fell 9 /ripes ( orange
 light across ! d>k "y face4 ,! brief   
rumble ( a rocket take-(f came1         
transmitt$ ?r\gh ! gr\nd & ! build+4    

,smoke curl+ up f ! cig>ette 0 ! only   
motion4  ,roy1 is ,pi]ce y\r real "n8   
,! light fla%$ & fad$ 9 b>s ( orange    
across ! "y face he _h ?\ght 0 l 8 own1 
! boy he _h ?\ght _h come f ,pop ,yak4  
,! quick deep rumble ( s\nd came & fad$ 
9 ! walls ar\nd !m4 ,a fleet+ smile t\*$
 ! face1 & ! d>k eyes re/$ on 8 = a     
mom5t z ,roy ,pi]ce gave ! in=mation    
casually z if x 7 any o!r in=mation1    
answ]+ ! "q t _h be5 meant4 ,x is my    
"m's "n4 ,we always take our "m's names4
 ,i am a ,manoba--a ,manoba ( ,j>a*o4   
,,ix  ,look+ into ,bryce's face he slid 
to 8 feet sl[ly1 gr\nd out ! /ub ( 8    
cig>ette & /ood be=e ! desk4  ,bryce    
took out 8 gun & held x :]e ,pi]ce c\ld 
see x4 ,are ,manobas ev] %ot8 ,x 0 a    
heavy little gun1 8 maggy1 its b>rel    
sleek & r\nd$1 ! heavy metal w>m f be+  
worn close to ! sk94  ,sometimes4 ,x's a
 natural en\gh reaction4  ,x 0 a        
spacewor?y gun ) adju/able velocity =   
driv+ ?r\gh padd$ suits & pressure      
suits4 ,! velocity 0 set high1 b x w\ld 

be in>ti/ic to bl[ a l>ge hole ?r\gh a  
psy*o!rapi/4 ,bryce turn$ ! dial d[n    
sl[ly1 wat*+ him4  ,d ! pr(essional     
e?ics ( privacy & non-publicity cov] ?is
 k9d ( situation8  ,pi]ce 0 smil+       
slightly ) a t\* ( bitt] humor4 ,x's    
undiplomatic to tell y t1 b yes1 !      
cont+5cy is cov]$4 ,!re is no?+ to      
connect myself ) y z a case 9 any       
records1 nor any?+ to id5tify me z a    
memb] ( ! ,manoba gr\p contract$ by y\r 
company4 ,! e?ic ( privacy is all[$ to h
 no exceptions = ! family's record4  ,a 
cool curiosity held him4 ,tell me--:5 y 
saw t ,i 0 beg9n+ to ?9k1 :y didn't y j 
ne$le me d[n = a %ort nap & leave8  ,!  
smile rema9$4 ,i am suppos$ to control !
 %ock ( realization1 & make sure t x is 
assimilat$ )\t damage to ! subject4 ,8  
d>k expressionless eyes met ,bryce's1 & 
,bryce felt ! impact ( !m1 & realiz$ = !
 fir/ "t t !re 0 ! same slight bitt]    
(f-h& smile on 8 own lips1 & inw>dly !  
quiet ironical mood ) ! /ill cl>ity ( a 
deep pool4 ,8 own mood8 ,he heft$ ! gun 

9 8 h&1 feel+ its weight & balance4 ,y  
c\ld h done t ov] ! teleview]1 he po9t$ 
out dispassionately4 ,:at is ! av]age   
mortality1 d y "k8  ,n high4 ,x is only 
inexp]i5ce t is dang]\s4 ,if "o c get   
?r\gh "o's fir/ ?ree or f\r cases1 x's  
safe en\gh4  ,look+ back ov] ! pa/ days 
x 0 q cle> t ,pi]ce _h control ov] 8    
emotions4 ,any emotion ,pi]ce *ose him  
to feel he w\ld feel4 ,x rema9$ to be   
se5 h[ mu* t c\ld influ5ce :at he 0 go+ 
to d4 ,! d>k-sk9n$ "y man /ood be=e !   
desk casually & answ]$ que/ions ) a     
slight re/ra9$ smile t set ! wry irony (
 bo? _! m9ds4  ,a man does :at he wants4
 ,t is fre$om1 b :at he want$ c\ld be   
controll$ app>5tly4 ,a man is :at he    
wants4 ,b :at he want$ c\ld be *ang$4   
,h[ easy _h x be5 to *ange him4 ,bryce  
tri$ himself ) a ?\ght ( ! p[] & glory (
 rule1 ! reign & ma/]y ( space--a goal t
 _h w>m$ 8 ?\ghts = _m ye>s4  ,he didn't
 want x4  ,!re 0 a numbness :]e !re %\ld
 h be5 emotion1 & all he c\ld feel = 8  
loss 0 ! resignation & ! fa9t bitt]     

humor p]mitt$ him by ,pi]ce's smile4    
,wat*+ t smile he %ift$ ! heavy little  
gun 9 8 h&1 turn+ x ov] casually1 feel+ 
its famili> weight & ! texture ( its    
surfaces4  ,he spoke g5tly4 ,if y don't 
m9d my ask+1 h y pass$ ?r\gh y\r fir/   
?ree cases yet8  ,y are my fir/1 said   
,roy ,pi]ce1 :om he _h tru/$4 ,i'm      
afraid ,i 0 clumsy4  ,oh--y did all "r4 
,bryce %ot him !n1 plac+ ! bullet       
c>efully 9 ! pit ( 8 /oma* :]e x w\ld   
hurt4 ,t 0 = do+ well4 ,= ju/ice4 ,no   
man has ! "r to m$dle 9 ano!r man's m9d4
  ,pi]ce _h be5 />t+ to speak4 ,he sway$
 back a half /ep ) a flick] ( *ange     
cross+ 8 face !n /ood /eady & smil+     
aga94 ,t brief grimace t\*$ ,bryce's    
n]ves ) a s5sation t 0 l ! jangle (     
some?+ heavy dropp$ inside a piano1 a   
s\nd he _h he>d once4 ,b ! numbness did 
n lift f 8 feel+s4 ,he 0 /ill smil+4 ,! 
?ird bullet w\ld be betwe5 ! eyes4  ,!  
words 7 l[ & rapid b cle>4  ,bryce did n
 li/54 ,?is is = do+ a good job1 he     
said1 ov]rid+ ! o!r voice ) 8 own1 &    

pull$ ! trigg] aga91 plac+ ! slug       
slightly l[] ?is "t1 9 ! belly1 :]e if x
 entangl$ 9 "o ( ! sp9al plexus x c\ld  
hurt pa/ belief4 ,pi]ce sway$ slightly4 
,8 face w5t to ! clay-blue color t comes
 to d>k-sk9n$ races :5 !y pale4 ,ble$+  
inside some:]e1 & already dead unless he
 7 giv5 help1 ,bryce figur$4  ,= a mom5t
 ,bryce saw some?+ l ef=t 9 ! d>k       
unreadable eyes4 ,!n sudd5ly ,pi]ce     
smil$1 8 "y face dis>m+ly innoc5t &     
m]ry4 ,oh1 come on1 ,bryce1 x's n t     
s]i\s4 ,be a good sport4 ,y don't want  
to--  ,sudd5ly ,bryce saw ! situation z 
! %e]e/ humor1 a sort ( lunatic f>ce = !
 laught] ( "s cosmic jok]4 ,he swung !  
gunsights up t[>ds ! smil+ face4        
,amusem5t bubbl$ 9 8 blood & he he>d    
himself laugh--he>d x ) a grim second>y 
amusem5t4  ,! joke's on y1 he said1 &   
pull$ ! trigg]1 !n laugh$ aga94 ,! joke 
0 on him4  ,he _h miss$4 ,he _h miss$ at
 a di/ance ( ?ree feet4 ,yet 8 h& 0     
rock-/eady4 ,pi]ce's control _h him4 ,8 
laught] /opp$ z ! humor 9 ,pi]ce's      

attitude fad$ d[n aga9 to ! small wry   
smile t _h be5 !re f ! beg9n+4  ,bryce  
_h n lo/4 ,he _h only to wait a little &
 he _h won4 ,unless ,pi]ce c\ld use 8   
control to =ce him to call help4 ,he set
 himself to resi/ & n to li/54 ,!re 0 n 
long to g4 ,! expressionless d>k eyes t 
held 8 7 beg9n+ to wid5 slightly 9 an   
ef=t ( sight t meant t a private d>kness
 0 clos+ 9 on ! psy*o!rapi/4 ,! rumble (
 di/ant rockets seem$ l\d]1 cov]+ 8 fad+
 voice4 ,x's y\r *oice1 ,bryce4 ,i give 
x to y4 ,y won't want ?is               
lat]--,bryce--b don't--hung] to undo4 ,x
 is paym5t en\gh = all--times l ?is--t y
 *ange--& d n--want--!m any--aga9--     
,pi]ce pull$ 9 a /rangl+ brea?1 sway+ m 
visibly4 ,gun1 he :isp]$1 rea*+ out 9   
,bryce's direction1 8 eyes go+          
sightless4  ,bryce h&$ him ! magnomatic1
 & wat*$ z ,pi]ce fumbl$ 8 h&s ov] x1   
putt+ 8 pr9ts on x bl9dly1 8 knees b5d+4
  ,:5 he fell1 ,bryce pick$ up ! phone &
 call$ ,em]g5cy4 ,! em]g5cy squad w\ld  
be cruis+ ar\nd 9 ! halls some:]e ne>by1

 look+ = ! s\rce ( ! ?ree radio notes t 
_h told !m t a gun 0 fir$4         99   
99       99       99       99  ,t 0 !   
la/ ,i saw ( him1 ! "y man /opp$ talk+ &
 look$ pleas$ ) himself4  ,donahue dra9$
 8 dr9k irritably & put x on ! b> t _h  
be5 set up on ! ceil+ :5 ! ,gs w5t (f4  
,x clung magnetically4 ,make x ! same1  
please4 ,he turn$ to ,roy ,pi]ce1 float+
 beside him4 ,/op ne$l+ me1 man1 f9i% ! 
/ory4 ,! way y tell x1 ,i don't "k :at y
 did1 h[ y did x1 or ev5 :e!r y di$ or  
n4  ,oh1 ,i di$1 said ,roy ,pi]ce4 ,b !y
 reviv$ me1 he add$4  ,good6 ,i'm glad  
to he> t6 said ,donahue m *e]fully1     
wond]+ sudd5ly j h[ ext5sively he 0 be+ 
kidd$4 ,= a mom5t !re y _h me worri$4   
,n[ expla9 ab\t ?is treatm5t4  ,x's     
call$ s\l eat+1 expla9$ ! d>k-sk9n$1    
/raight-hair$ boy1 ,i don't ?9k y c\ld d
 x4  ,donahue ?\ght t in=mation ov]     
c>efully4 ,maybe n4 ,h['s x done8  ,9 ! 
tribes ( my p ! s\l is suppos$ to be an 
invisible d\ble :o walks at y\r side1   
protect+ y & speak+ sil5tly to y\r m9d4 

,its face is ! face t looks out (       
mirrors & up f pools at y1 & ! %ad[ t   
walks on ! gr\nd beside y4 ,evildo]s1   
aft] !y _h spok5 to a ,manoba1 w\ld say 
t _! reflections 7 gone4 ,our family 0  
call$ ,! ,eat]s ( ,s\ls1 & all ! tribes 
7 afraid ( u = n9e hundr$ miles ar\nd4  
,s am ,i1 said ,donahue compactly4 ,z my
 ,yiddi% gr&mo!r on my "m's side w\ld   
say1 x s\nds f w]ewolves4  ,i c expla9  
x4  ,no magic8  ,look1 said ! y\?       
t]sely1 ,d ,i want to get kick$ out ( ! 
,,fnma8 ,:at if ,i _h sat 9 a jungle    
circle load$ to ! e>s ) h]bs & spells1 )
 ! drums ( my c\s9s ?robb+ ar\nd me1 &  
le>n$ ! be/ & subtle/ ways ( my te*nique
 back 9 "t look+ ?r\gh ! eyes ( my great
 gr&fa!r1 or conv]s+ ) 8 gho/4 ,d y ?9k 
,i w\ld say s8  ,no1 ,donahue admitt$4  
,he edg$ away a little4  ,! y\? spoke   
gloomily4 ,rapport & int5sifi$ empa?y is
 some?+ y le>n by expos+ y\rself to     
mirrors4 ,! te*nique is publi%$1 kn[n & 
accept$ among psy*ologi/s1 b mo/ ( !m j 
don't try4 ,x backfires too easily1 & x 

takes too high a level ( skill4 ,x      
orig9at$ ) my family4 ,! y\? spoke ev5 m
 gloomily4 ,:at ,i d is obvi\s en\gh if 
,i make x s4 ,x's simply prior mimicry4 
,i wat* ! tr5d ( :at goes on 9 8 ?\ghts1
 & express approximately :at he is feel+
 & ?9k+ a little be=e he does4 ,s t     
pres5tly1 subconsci\sly he is dep5d+ on 
me to tell him :at he ?9ks & h[ he      
feels4  ,i 0 8 mirror1 8 prior mirror4  
,i am a cle>1 expressive und]play+ actor
 z an actor1 & ea* %ade ( reaction is   
sep>ate & unmi/akable4 ,! subconsci\s is
 n rational1 b x g5]alizes f regul>ities
 t ! consci\s m9d nev] has ! subtlety to
 notice4 ,x saw me consi/5tly repres5t+ 
its own int]nal reactions1 h\r aft] h\r 
9 e situation m cle>ly ?an ,bryce ev]   
saw himself express any?+ 9 a mirror1 & 
m /eadily ?an he ev] saw any mirror4 ,! 
subconsci\s !n associat$ ! inside       
emotion ) ! correspond+ outside image = 
ea* "o4 ,i became ,bryce's subconsci\s  
self image4 ,:5 he ?9ks ( do+ any?+1 !  
image 9 ! imag9ation t does x is n      

himself1 x is me4 ,?is c cause          
consid]able m5tal confusion4  ,x %\ld6  
,donahue agre$ f]v5tly4  ,i put him 9   
new places & situations :]e he 0 unsure 
& ,i 0 sure1 s t :5 ,i div]g$ f mirror+ 
him1 he gave me ! lead & mirror$ me4 ,"o
 ( u _h to be ! orig9ator & ! o!r !     
reflection1 b n[ x 0 rev]s$4 ,he did n  
fight x subconsci\sly because ! results 
7 pleasant4 ,i kept ! lead & l$ him a   
m5tal dance ?r\gh ?\ghts & reactions he 
_h nev] _h be=e1 9 a p]sonality patt]n  
completely =eign to 8 own1 "o t ,i want$
 him to h4 ,i hadn't be5 hir$ = t1 b ,i 
_h "t to pass be=e ,i c\ld untangle t   
,,ut problem1 & ,i want$ to d x = him4  
,! mirror l9k 0 complete ! fir/ day1 b  
,i'm afraid ! extra days made x         
indelible4 ,he'll always be me 9 8 m9d1 
& mirrors w nev] look "r to him4        
99       99       99       99       99  
,x's s simple1 x's obvi\s1 said ,donahue
 ) disappo9tm5t4 ,x doesn't s\nd l magic
 to me4  ,! y\? 0 ?\ghtful1 fr[n+4      
,sometimes x doesn't to me ei!r4 ,i     

wond] if ! gho/ ( my gr&fa!r 0 tell+ me 
! "r--  ,=get ! gho/ ( y\r gr&fa!r1     
,donahue int]rupt$ ha/ily4 ,on 8 few    
space trips he c\ld nev] get us$ to ?is 
bus9ess ( float+ e]ily ar\nd 9 ! air1 & 
x seem$ a poor "t to talk ab\t gho/s4   
,:at ab\t ,bryce ,c>t]4 ,:at became (   
him8 ,y "k1 he said defiantly1 ,i l 8   
plans = organiz+ ! ,belt & break+ ,,ut4 
,&1 come to ?9k ( x1 if ,i _h be5 !re :5
 y 7 int]f]+ ) t1 ,i ?9k ,i w\ld h %ot y
 myself4  ,,ut _h only hir$ me to f9d ! 
organiz] ( ! smuggl+ r+ & p]suade him to
 disb& 8 organization 9 ,,ut4 ,i _h done
 t4 ,s ! ?ird day1 :5 ,i c\ld walk1 ,i  
left ! hospital & w5t back to ,e>?1 &   
collect$ my fee = a job done4 ,_m p _h  
vani%$ sudd5ly f _! payrolls1 & ! crime 
/ati/ics 9 "s cities _h %[n a />tl+     
lull4 ,!y knew ,i _h done x1 & s !y paid
 & 7 grateful4 ,! d>k y\? %rugg$4 ,i    
didn't feel ,i _h to tell !m ab\t       
,orillo4 ,he tipp$ ! police & />t$ a    
rumor1 & !re 0 evid5ce en\gh 9 ! crime  
/ati/ics ( ! mon?s be=e1 :5 !y 7        

correlat$ ) ! di/ribution ( bran*es (   
,union ,transport1 ?\gh !re 0 no?+ to   
po9t at anyone 9 p>ticul> except ! ones 
:o _h disappe>$4  ,donahue rememb]$4    
,sure t's t inve/igation (              
transportation monopolies t rais$ su* a 
/9k la/ ye>4 ,i saw "p ( x 9 ,congress4 
,pi]ce h&$ him a travel fold]4 ,gaudily 
illu/rat$1 x adv]tis$ ! advantages ( !  
,c,o l9es = space t\ri/s4 ,c>t] &       
,orillo4  ,donahue look$ up1 puzzl$1 ,b 
?is is ! next /ep 9 :at he plann$4 ,i   
?\ght y *ang$ him4  ,mahatma ,g&hi w\ld 
h foll[$ out ^? plans1 ,pi]ce said ) a  
t\* ( grimness4 ,z y po9t$ out1 !y are  
attractive4 ,b ,i *ang$ him4 ,i won't   
give y p]sonality dynamics1 b if y want 
a li/ ( *anges--,he's m>ri$ to ,%eila   
,wesley1 t's "o *ange4 ,& in/ead ( go+  
home nights he roi/]s ar\nd 9 b>s &     
re/aurants1 talk+ to ev]ybody1 li/5+ to 
ev]ybody1 lik+ !m all & en?usia/ically  
mak+ fri5ds 9 c>load lots4 ,t's ano!r   
*ange4 ,he doesn't look into mirrors    
because !y make him feel cross-ey$4 ,t's

 because he unconsci\sly expects to see 
me 9 ! mirror4 ,& he w organize ! ,belt 
& be presid5t z he plann$4 ,i won't /op 
him 9 t4 ,! diff]5ce w be t he won't    
want ! p[] he'll get4 ,pi]ce said       
grimly1 ,a p[]-lu/+ man c nev] be tru/$ 
) p[]3 he goes megalomaniacal4 ,c>t] 0  
already halfway !re4 ,b he's safe f t   
n[4 ,he's go+ to be giv5 pl5ty ( p[]1 & 
see x only z responsibility1 & n want x4
 ,t's ! only safe k9d ( man to h 9 a    
p[]ful position4  ,t-- said ,donahue )  
great e>ne/ness1 --is l s5d+ a poor     
damn$ s\l to ,kismetic p>adise z a      
eunu*4 ,y psy*ologi/s are all complete  
sadi/s1 he said lift+ 8 dr9k4 ,i suppose
 y've put some?+ 9 my dr9k8  ,absolutely
 no?+1 ,roy ,pi]ce assur$ him1 gr9n+4   
,funny ?+ 01 :5 ,i got back to ,e>? t   
"t1 ,i kept feel+ cross-ey$ :5 ,i look$ 
into a mirror4 ,& my fri5ds said ,i 0 n 
myself4 ,if ,i 0 n myself1 ,i knew ,i   
mu/ /ill be ,bryce ,c>t]4 ,?+s _h seem$ 
diff]5t1 & !y _h w>n$ me t ! te*nique   
sometimes backfir$ :5 ,i 0 le>n+4 ,s ,i 

call$ my uncle ,mord& on !              
teleview]--he's ! head ( ! family1 & he 
lives 9 an e/ate 9 ! jungle--& he--     
,donahue 0 fasc9at$ aga94  ,!re 0 a     
diff]5t approa* = ea* case1 ,pi]ce _h   
f\nd4 ,x 0 n ord9>ily e?ical to discuss 
any case hi/ory1 b he knew ) great      
surety t ,donahue c\ld be tru/$ n to    
repeat :at he 0 be+ told4 ,! only reason
 !re wasn't some?+ extra 9 8 curr5t dr9k
 0 because !re _h be5 some?+ 9 ! la/    
dr9k4  ,?is 0 case five4         99     
99       99       99       99