Stranger in a Strange Land

As Douglas's image cleared Jubal stood up — and found Gillian's arms around his neck. «Oh, Jubal, you were wonderful! »

«We aren't out of the woods, child.»

«But if anything can save Ben, you've just done it.» She kissed him.

«Hey, none of that! I swore off before you were born. Kindly show respect for my years.» He kissed her carefully and thoroughly. «That's to take away the taste of Douglas — between kicking him and kissing him I was getting nauseated. Go smooch Mike. He deserves it — for holding still to my lies.»

«Oh, I shall!» Jill let go of Harshaw, put her arms around the Man from Mars. «Such wonderful lies, Jubal!» She kissed Mike.

Jubal watched as Mike initiated a second section of the kiss himself, performing it solemnly but not quite as a novice. Harshaw awarded him B-minus, with A for effort.

«Son,» he said, «you amaze me. I would have expected you to curl up in one of your faints.»

«I so did,» Mike answered seriously, without letting go, «on first kissing time.»

«Well! Congratulations, Jill. A.C., or D.C.?»

«Jubal, you're a tease but I love you anyhow and refuse to let you get my goat. Mike got a little upset once — but no longer, as you can see.»

«Yes,» Mike agreed, «it is a goodness. For water brothers it is a growing-closer. I will show you.» He let go of Jill.

Jubal put up a palm. «No.»

«No?»

«You'd be disappointed, son. It's a growing-closer for water brothers only if they are young girls and pretty — such as Jill.»

«My brother Jubal, you speak rightly?»

«I speak very rightly. Kiss girls all you want to — it beats the hell out of card games.»

«Beg pardon?»

«It's a fine way to grow closer… with girls. Hmm …» Jubal looked around. «I wonder if that first-time phenomenon would repeat? Dorcas, I want your help in a scientific experiment.»

«Boss, I am not a guinea pig! You go to hell.»

«In due course, I shall. Don't be difficult, girl; Mike has no communicable diseases or I wouldn't let him use the pool — which reminds me: Miriam, when Larry gets back, tell him I want the pool cleaned — we're through with murkiness. Well, Dorcas?»

«How do you know it would be our first time?»

«Mmm, there's that. Mike, have you ever kissed Dorcas?»

«No, Jubal. Only today did I learn that Dorcas is my water brother.»

«She is?»

«Yes. Dorcas and Anne and Miriam and Larry. They are your water brothers, my brother Jubal.»

«Mmm, yes. Correct in essence.»

«Yes. It is essence, the grokking — not sharing of water. I speak rightly?»

«Very rightly, Mike.»

«They are your water brothers.» Mike paused to think words. «In catenative assemblage, they are my brothers.» Mike looked at Dorcas. «For brothers, growing-closer is good.»

Jubal said, «Well, Dorcas?»

«Huh? Oh, Heavens! Boss, you're the world's worst tease. But Mike isn't teasing. He's sweet.» She went to him, stood on tiptoes, held up her arms. «Kiss me, Mike.»

Mike did. For some seconds they «grew closer.»

Dorcas fainted.

Jubal kept her from falling. Jill had to speak sharply to Mike to keep him from trembling into withdrawal. Dorcas came out of it and assured Mike that she was all right and would happily grow closer again — but needed to catch her breath.«Whew!»

Miriam had watched round-eyed. «I wonder if I dare risk it?»

Anne said, «By seniority, please. Boss, are you through with me as a Witness?»

«For the time being.»

«Then hold my cloak. Want to bet on it?»

«Which way?»

«Seven-to-two I don't faint — but I wouldn't mind losing.»

«Done.»

«Dollars, not hundreds. Mike dear… let's grow lots closer.»

Anne was forced to give up through hypoxia; Mike, with Martian training, could have gone without oxygen much longer. She gasped for air and said, «I wasn't set right. Boss, I'm going to give you another chance.»

She started to offer her face again but Miriam tapped her shoulder. «Out.»

«Don't be so eager.»

«“Out”, I said. The foot of the line, wench.»

«Oh, well!» Anne gave way. Miriam moved in, smiled, and said nothing. They grew close and continued to grow closer.

«Front!»

Miriam looked around. «Boss, can't you see I'm busy?»

«All right! Get out of the way — I'll answer the phone myself.»

«Honest, I didn't hear it.»

«Obviously. But we've got to pretend to a modicum of dignity — it might be the Secretary General.»

It was Mackenzie. «Jubal, what the devil is going on?»

«Trouble?»

«I got a call from a man who urged me to drop everything and get cracking, because you've got something for me. I had ordered a mobile unit to your place — »

«Never got here.»

«I know. They called in, after wandering around north of you. Our despatcher straightened them out and they should be there any moment. I tried to call you, your circuit was busy. What have I missed?»

«Nothing yet.» Damnation, he should have had someone monitor the babble box. Was Douglas committed? Or would a new passel of cops show up? While the kids played post office! Jubal, you're senile. «Has there been any special news flash this past hour?»