Stranger in a Strange Land

«Eh? Thank you, son!» Jubal picked up the ash tray. It was as commonplace as ever. «Yes, thank you. For the most amazing experience I've had since the hired girl took me up into the attic.» He looked up. «Anne, you trained at Rhine.»

«Yes.»

«Have you seen levitation before?»

She hesitated. «I've seen what was called telekinesis with dice — but I'm no mathematician and cannot testify that it was telekinesis.»

«Hell's bells, you wouldn't testify that the sun had risen if the day was cloudy.»

«How could I? Somebody might be supplying artificial light above the cloud layer. One of my classmates could apparently levitate objects about the mass of a paper clip — but he had to be three drinks drunk. I was not able to examine it closely enough to testify … because I had been drinking, too.»

«You've never seen anything like this?»

«No.»

«Mmm … I'm through with you professionally. If you want to stay, hang up your robe and drag up a chair.»

«Thanks, I will. But, in view of your lecture about mosques and synagogues, I'll change in my room.»

«Suit yourself. Wake up Duke and tell him I want the cameras serviced.»

«Yes, Boss. Don't let anything happen until I get back.» Anne headed for the door.

«No promises. Mike, sit at my desk. Now, can you pick up that ash tray? Show me.»

«Yes, Jubal.» Smith reached out and took it in his hand.

«No, no!»

«I did wrongly?»

«No, it was my mistake. I want to know if you can lift it without touching it?»

«Yes, Jubal.»

«Well? Are you tired?»

«No, Jubal.»

«Then what's the matter? Does it have to have a “wrongness”?»

«No, Jubal.»

«Jubal,» Jill interrupted, «you haven't told him to — you just asked if he could.»

«Oh.» Jubal looked sheepish. «Mike, will you please, without touching it, lift that ash tray a foot above the desk?»

«Yes, Jubal.» The ash tray raised, floated above the desk. «Will you measure, Jubal?» Mike said anxiously. «If I did wrongly, I will move it.»

«That's fine! Can you hold it? If you get tired, tell me.»

«I will tell.»

«Can you lift something else, too? Say this pencil? If you can, do it.»

«Yes, Jubal.» The pencil ranged itself by the ash tray.

By request, Mike added other articles to the floating objects. Anne returned, pulled up a chair and silently watched. Duke came in carrying a step ladder, glanced, looked a second time, said nothing and set up the ladder. At last Mike said uncertainly, «I am not sure, Jubal. I — » He seemed to search for a word. «I am idiot in these things.»

«Don't wear yourself out.»

«I can think one more. I hope.» A paper weight stirred, lifted — and the dozen-odd floating objects all fell down. Mike seemed about to weep. «Jubal, I am utmostly sorry.»

Harshaw patted his shoulder. «You should be proud. Son, what you just did is — » Jubal searched for a comparison within Mike's experience. «What you did is harder than tying shoe-strings, more wonderful than doing a one-and-a-half gainer perfectly. You did it, uh, “brightly, brightly, and with beauty.” You grok?»

Mike looked surprised. «I should not feel shame?»

«You should feel proud.»

«Yes, Jubal,» he answered contentedly. «I feel proud.»

«Good. Mike, I cannot lift even one ash tray without touching it.»

Smith looked startled. «You cannot?»

«No. Can you teach me?»

«Yes, Jubal. You — » Smith stopped, looked embarrassed. «I again have not words. I will read and read and read, until I find words. Then I will teach my brother.»

«Don't set your heart on it.»

«Beg pardon?»

«Mike, don't be disappointed if you do not find the words. They may not be in the English language.»

Smith considered this. «Then I will teach my brother the language of my nest.»

«You may have arrived fifty years late.»

«I have acted wrongly?»

«Not at all. You might start by teaching Jill your language.»

«It hurts my throat,» objected Jill.

«Try gargling aspirin.» Jubal looked at her. «That's a feeble excuse, Nurse. You're hired as research assistant for Martian linguistics … which includes extra duties as may be necessary. Anne, put her on the payroll — and be sure it gets in the tax records.»

«She's been doing her share in the kitchen. Shall I date it back?»

Jubal shrugged. «Don't bother me with details.»

«But, Jubal,» Jill protested, «I don't think I can learn Martian !»

«You can try .»

«But — »

«What was that about “gratitude”? Do you take the job?»

Jill bit her lip. «I'll take it. Yes … Boss.»

Smith timidly touched her hand. «Jill… I will teach.»

Jill patted his. «Thanks, Mike.» She looked at Harshaw. «I'm going to learn it just to spite you!»

He grinned at her. «That motive I grok — you'll learn it. Mike, what else can you do that we can't?»

Smith looked puzzled. «I do not know.»

«How could he,» protested Jill, «when he doesn't know what we can and can't do?»

«Mmm … yes. Anne, change that title to “assistant for Martian linguistics, culture, and techniques.” Jill, in learning their language you are bound to stumble onto things that are different, really different — and when you do, tell me. And, Mike, if you notice anything which you can do but we don't, tell me.»