Stranger in a Strange Land

«Hold it,» said Caxton. «I want to see Valentine Michael Smith. I'm representing the Post syndicate and indirectly representing two hundred million readers. Do I see him? If not, say so out loud and state your legal authority for refusing.»

Berquist sighed. «Mark, will you tell this keyhole historian that he can't burst into a sick man's bedroom? Smith made one appearance last night — against his physician's advice. The man is entitled to peace and quiet and a chance to build up his strength.»

«There are rumors,» Caxton stated, «that the appearance last night was a fake.»

Berquist stopped smiling. «Frisby,» he said coldly, «do you want to advise your client concerning slander?»

«Take it easy, Ben.»

«I know the law on slander, Gil. But whom am I slandering? The Man from Mars? Or somebody else? Name a name. I repeat,» he went on, raising his voice, «that I have heard that the man interviewed on 3-D last night was not the Man from Mars. I want to see him and ask him.»

The crowded reception hall was very quiet. Berquist glanced at the Fair Witness, then got his expression under control and said smilingly, «Ben, it's possible that you have talked yourself into an interview — as well as a lawsuit. Wait a moment.»

He disappeared, came back fairly soon. «I arranged it,» he said wearily, «though you don't deserve it, Ben. Come along. Just you — Mark, I'm sorry but we can't have a crowd; Smith is a sick man.»

«No,» said Caxton.

«Huh?»

«All three, or none of us.»

«Ben, don't be silly; you're receiving a very special privilege. Tell you what — Mark can come and wait outside. But you don't need him.» Berquist nodded toward Cavendish; the Witness seemed not to hear.

«Maybe not. But my column will state tonight that the administration refused to permit a Fair Witness to see the Man from Mars.»

Berquist shrugged. «Come along. Ben, I hope that slander suit clobbers you.»

They took the elevator out of deference to Cavendish's age, then rode a slide-away past laboratories, therapy rooms, ward after ward. They were stopped by a guard who phoned ahead and were at last ushered into a physio-data display room used for watching critically ill patients. «This is Dr. Tanner,» Berquist announced. «Doctor, Mr. Caxton and Mr. Frisby.» He did not, of course, introduce Cavendish.

Tanner looked worried. «Gentlemen, I must warn you of one thing. Don't do or say anything that might excite my patient. He is in an extremely neurotic condition and falls very easily into a state of pathological withdrawal — a trance, if you choose to call it that.»

«Epilepsy?» asked Ben.

«A layman might mistake it for that. It is more like cate lepsy.»

«Are you a specialist, Doctor? Psychiatry?»

Tanner glanced at Berquist. «Yes,» he admitted.

«Where did you do your advanced work?»

Berquist said, «Ben, let's see the patient. You can quiz Dr. Tanner afterwards.»

«Okay.»

Tanner glanced over his dials, then flipped a switch and stared into a Peeping Tom. He unlocked a door and led them into an adjoining bedroom, putting a finger to his lips.

The room was gloomy. «We keep it semi-darkened because his eyes are not accustomed to our light levels,» Tanner explained in a hushed voice. He went to a hydraulic bed in the center of the room. «Mike, I've brought some friends to see you.»

Caxton pressed closer. Floating, half concealed by the way his body sank into the plastic skin and covered to his armpits by a sheet, was a young man. He looked at them but said nothing; his smooth, round face was expressionless.

So far as Ben could tell this was the man on stereo the night before. He had a sick feeling that little Jill had tossed him a live grenade — a slander suit that might bankrupt him. «You are Valentine Michael Smith?»

«Yes.»

«The Man from Mars?»

«Yes.»

«You were on stereo last night?»

The man did not answer. Tanner said, «I don't think he understands. Mike, you remember what you did with Mr. Douglas last night?»

The face looked petulant. «Bright lights. Hurt.»

«Yes, the lights hurt your eyes. Mr. Douglas had you say hello to people.»

The patient smiled slightly. «Long ride in chair.»

«Okay,» agreed Caxton. «I catch on. Mike, are they treating you all right?»

«Yes.»

«You don't have to stay here. Can you walk?»

Tanner said hastily, «Now see here, Mr. Caxton — » Berquist put a hand on Tanner's arm.

«I can walk … a little. Tired.»

«I'll see that you have a wheel chair. Mike, if you don't want to stay here, I'll take you anywhere you want to go.»

Tanner shook off Berquist's hand and said, «I can't have you interfering with my patient!»

«He's a free man, isn't he?» Caxton persisted. «Or is he a prisoner?»

Berquist answered, «Of course he's free! Keep quiet, Doctor. Let the fool dig his own grave.»

«Thanks, Gil. You heard him, Mike. You can go anywhere you like.»

The patient glanced fearfully at Tanner. «No! No, no, no!»

«Okay, okay.»

Tanner snapped, «Mr. Berquist, this has gone far enough!»

«All right, Doctor. Ben, that's enough.»