It was like something out of science fiction, he actually said they'd conquer the world.'
Con's face lit up, 'That's wild!'
'This is serious. He's planning to wipe out our exis-tence in the process. He figures if he does that, the people who want the time machine back will be wiped out also.'
'What did Daddy say?'
'I don't know what his answer was or even if he gave one. Green offered to share the riches of Europe.' Con pondered Rick's story. Absurd as it sounded, it was easier to picture Green as an unscrupulous schemer than as a scientist. 'He'll probably say no,' she said with-out conviction. 'I wish I could say for sure. But what does Joe have to do with this?'
'Last night, I was going to stop Green . . .'
'Stop him?'
'Kill him,' said Rick.
Con gave him an astonished look, which grew as she saw he was serious.
'Joe intervened,' continued Rick, 'and said it wasn't necessary to do anything, that people from the future will stop Green.'
'I'm glad he stopped you. I can't imagine you killing anyone.'
'Neither could he,' said Rick. 'He said Green would have killed me first.'
'This is too weird,' said Con.
'That's my problem, too,' said Rick. 'Everything's so unbelievable. Should I buy Joe's story? I can see all sorts of alternatives.'
'Well, he didn't tell Green.'
'True,' said Rick. 'He could have easily shot me, too. I had no idea he was following me.'
'I think he's telling the truth,' said Con. 'There's nothing to worry about.'
'You're probably right,' said Rick.
Con looked at him and knew he did not believe her. She picked up the fishing gear and started walking.
'Then let's go fishing. This is supposed to be my vacation!'
They walked in silence, while Con tried to think of something to distract Rick from his brooding. 'I'll have a birthday in four days,' she said. 'When we return to our time three seconds after we left, will I be eighteen or not?'
'Eighteen,' said Rick. 'That instant vacation stuff was bull.'
'What do you mean?'
'It was a lie. We'll arrive two weeks after we left. Joe told me last night.'
'Daddy will be pissed.'
'He probably doesn't know yet.'
'I was planning to give him two chances to remember my birthday—one here and one when we got back. He usually forgets.'
'Here, he has an excuse,' said Rick. 'How can you have a birthday when you won't be born for 65
million years?'
'Maybe I should stay here and remain young forever.'
'You almost had your chance,' said Rick. 'Last night, I considered sabotaging the time machine.'
