Stranger in a Strange Land

Harshaw saw the Papal Nuncio come in, saw him seated at the main table, and smiled inwardly — if that long-eared debit, LaRue, had any lingering doubt about the official nature of this meeting, he would do well to forget them!

A man tapped Harshaw on the shoulder. «Is this where the Man from Mars hangs out?»

«Yes,» agreed Jubal.

«I'm Tom Boone — Senator Boone, that is — and I've got a message for him from Supreme Bishop Digby.»

Jubal put his cortex into emergency high speed. «I'm Jubal Harshaw, Senator — » He signalled Mike to stand and shake hands. « — and this is Mr. Smith. Mike, this is Senator Boone.»

«How do you do, Senator Boone,» Mike said in perfect dancing-school form. He looked at Boone with interest. He had it straightened out for him that «Senator» did not mean «Old One» as the words seemed to shape; nevertheless he was interested in seeing a «Senator.» He decided that he did not grok it.

«Pretty well, thank you, Mr. Smith. I won't take up your time; they seem about to get this shindig started. Mr. Smith, Supreme Bishop Digby sent me to give you a personal invite to attend services at Archangel Foster Tabernacle of the New Revelation.»

«Beg pardon?»

Jubal moved in. «Senator, as you know, many things here — everything — is new to the Man from Mars. But it happens that Mr. Smith has seen one of your services by stereovision — »

«Not the same thing.»

«I know. He expressed great interest and asked many questions — many of which I could not answer.»

Boone looked keenly at him. «You're not one of the faithful?»

«I must admit I am not.»

«Come along yourself. Always hope for a sinner.»

«Thank you, I will.» (I surely will, friend! — I won't let Mike go into your trap alone!)

«Next Sunday — I'll tell Bishop Digby.»

«Next Sunday if possible,» Jubal corrected. «We might be in jail.»

Boone grinned. «There's always that, ain't th'r? Send word around to me or the Supreme Bishop and you won't stay in long.» He looked around the room. «Kind o' short on chairs. Not much chance for a plain senator with all those muckamucks elbowing each other.»

«Perhaps you would honor us by joining us, Senator,» Jubal answered smoothly, «at this table?»

«Eh? Why, thank you, sir! Don't mind if I do — ringside seat.»

«That is,» Harshaw added, «if you don't mind the implications of being seen seated with the Mars delegation. We aren't trying to crowd you into an embarrassing situation.»

Boone barely hesitated. «Not at all! Matter of fact, between you and I, the Bishop is very, very interested in this young fellow.»

«Fine. There's a chair by Captain van Tromp — probably you know him.»

«Van Tromp? Sure, sure, old friends, know him well — met him at the reception.» Senator Boone nodded at Smith, swaggered down and seated himself.

Fewer were getting past the guards. Jubal watched one argument over seating and the longer he watched the more he fidgeted. At last he could not sit still and watch this indecency go on. So he spoke with Mike, made sure that, if Mike did not understand why, at least he knew what Jubal wanted.

«Jubal, I will do.»

«Thanks, son.» Jubal got up and approached a group of three: the assistant chief of protocol, the Chief of the Uruguayan Delegation, and a man who seemed angry and baffled. The Uruguayan was saying: « — seat him, then you must find seats for all local chiefs of state — eighty or more. This is Federation soil and no chief of state has precedence over any other. If exceptions are made — »

Jubal interrupted by addressing the third man. «Sir — » He waited long enough to gain attention, plunged on. « — the Man from Mars has instructed me to ask you to do him the great honor of sitting with him… if your presence is not required elsewhere.»

The man looked startled, then smiled broadly. «Why, yes, that would be satisfactory.»

The other two, palace official and Uruguayan dignitary, started to object; Jubal turned his back. «Let's hurry, sir — we have very little time.» He had seen men coming in with what appeared to be a stand for a Christmas tree and a bloody sheet — but what was certainly the «Martian Flag.» As they hurried, Mike stood up and was waiting.

Jubal said, «Sir, permit me to present Valentine Michael Smith. Michael — the President of the United States!»

Mike bowed very low.

There was barely time to seat him on Mike's right while the improvised flag was being set up. Music sounded, everyone stood, and a voice proclaimed:

«The Secretary General!»

XX

JUBAL HAD considered having Mike remain seated while Douglas came in, but had rejected the idea; he was not trying to place Mike higher than Douglas but merely to establish that the meeting was between equals. So, when he stood up, he signalled Mike to do so. Great doors at the back of the hall opened at the first strains of «Hail to Sovereign Peace» and Douglas came in. He went to his chair and started to sit down.