Stranger in a Strange Land

«You've answered yourself, son. If all you say is true — and I'm not judging; I'm asking, you're answering — then competition, far from being eliminated, is rougher than ever. If one tenth of one percent of the population is capable of getting the news, then all you have to do is show them — and in a matter of some generations the stupid ones will die out and those with your discipline will inherit the Earth. Whenever that is — in a thousand years or ten thousand — will be soon enough to worry about some new hurdle to make them jump higher. But don't get faint-hearted because only a handful have turned into angels overnight. I never expected any to manage it. I thought you were making a damn fool of yourself by pretending to be a preacher.»

Mike sighed and smiled. «I was beginning to be afraid I was — worrying that I had let my brothers down.»

«I still wish you had called it “Cosmic Halitosis” or some such. But the name doesn't matter. If you've got the truth you can demonstrate it. Talking doesn't prove it.Show people.»

Mike did not answer. His eyelids drooped, he held perfectly still, his face was without expression. Jubal stirred restlessly, afraid that he had said too much, crowded the lad into a need to withdraw.

Then Mike's eyes opened, he grinned merrily. «You've got me all squared away, Father. I'm ready to show them now — I grok the fullness.» the Man from Mars stood up. «Waiting is ended.»

XXXVII

JUBAL and the Man from Mars strolled into the room with the big stereo tank. The entire Nest was gathered, watching it. It showed a dense and turbulent crowd, somewhat restrained by policemen. Mike glanced at it and looked serenely happy. «They come. Now is the fullness.» The sense of ecstatic expectancy Jubal had felt growing ever since his arrival swelled greatly, but no one moved.

«It's a might big tip, sweetheart,» Jill agreed.

«And ready to turn,» added Patty.

«I'd better dress for it,» Mike commented. «Have I got any clothes around this dump? Patty?»

«Right away, Michael.»

Jubal said, «Son, that mob looks ugly to me. Are you sure this is time to tackle them?»

«Oh, sure,» said Mike. «They've come to see me … so now I go down to meet them.» He paused while some clothing got out of the way of his face; he was being dressed at break-neck speed with the unnecessary help of several women — each garment seemed to know where to go and how to drape itself. «This job has obligations as well as privileges — the star has to show up for the show … grok me? The marks expect it.»

Duke said, «Mike knows what he's doing, Boss.»

«Well …I don't trust mobs.»

«That crowd is mostly curiosity seekers, they always are. Oh, there are some Fosterites and some others with grudges — but Mike can handle any crowd. You'll see. Right, Mike?»

«Keerect, Cannibal. Pull in a tip, then give 'em a show. Where's my hat? Can't walk in the noonday sun without a hat.» An expensive Panama with a sporty colored bank glided out and settled itself on his head; he cocked it jauntily. «There! Do I look all right?» He was dressed in his usual outer-services mufti, a smartly tailored, sharply creased, white business suit, shoes to match, snowy shirt, and luxurious dazzling scarf.

Ben said, «All you lack is a brief case.»

«You grok I need one? Patty, do we have one?»

Jill stepped up to him. «Ben was kidding, dear. You look just perfect.» She straightened his tie and kissed him — and Jubal felt kissed. «Go talk to them.»

«Yup. Time to turn the tip. Anne? Duke?»

«Ready, Mike.» Anne was wearing her Fair Witness cloak, wrapping her in dignity; Duke was just the opposite, being sloppily dressed, with a lighted cigarette dangling from his face, an old hat on the back of his head with a card marked «PRESS» stuck in its band, and himself hung about with cameras and kit.

They headed for the door to the foyer common to the four penthouse suites. Only Jubal followed; all the others, thirty and more, stayed around the stereo tank. Mike paused at the door. There was a hall table there, with a pitcher of water and glasses, a dish of fruit and a fruit knife. «Better not come any farther,» he advised Jubal, «or Patty would have to escort you back through her pets.»

Mike poured himself a glass of water, drank part of it. «Preaching is thirsty work.» He handed the glass to Anne, then took the fruit knife and sliced off a chunk of apple.

It seemed to Jubal that Mike sliced off one of his fingers … but his attention was distracted as Duke passed the glass to him. Mike's hand was not bleeding and Jubal had grown somewhat accustomed to legerdemain. He accepted the glass and took a sip, finding that his own throat was very dry.

Mike gripped his arm and smiled. «Quit fretting. This will take only a few minutes. See you later, Father.» They went out through the guardian cobras and the door closed. Jubal went back to the room where the others were, still carrying the glass. Someone took it from him; he did not notice, as he was watching images in the big tank.