Beyond Bedlam

I would like to spend a little time together. Do you mind?'

Alberts was annoyed at having his train of thought broken

and rather snapped out the usual courtesy. 'Of course not.

I'm glad for both of you.'

Conrad looked the group over with a bland stare. 'Have

you lads ever tried jet-skiing? There's more genuine excite-

ment in ten minutes of it than an hour of rocket racing. Per-

sonally, I don't care if the Board does ban the rockets soon.

I'll just hop out to the Rocky Mountains on rest days.'

Conrad knew perfectly well that if he had made this asser-

tion before asking Alberts for his wife, the man would have

found some excuse to have her remain. All the faces present

displayed the aficionado's disdain for one who has just dem-

onstrated he doesn't belong. What the strait-jacket did they

think they weresome ancient order of noblemen?

Conrad took Angela's yielding arm and led her serenely

away before Alberts could think of anything to detain her.

On the way out of the lounge, she stroked his arm with

frank admiration. 'I'm so glad you were agreeable. Honestly,

Harold could talk rockets till I died.'

Conrad bent and kissed her. 'Angela, I'm sorry, but this

isn't going to be what you think. I have a ship to take off in

just a few minutes.'

She flared and dug into his arm now. 'Oh, Conrad

Manz! You . . . you made me believe . . ''

He laughed and grabbed her wrists. 'Now, now. I'm neg-

lecting you to fly a rocket, not just to talk about them. I

won't let you die.'

At last she could not suppress her husky musical laugh. 'I

found that out the last time you and I were together. Clara

and I had a drink the other day at the Citizens' Club. I don't

often use dirty language, but I told Clara she must be keep-

ing you in a strait-jacket at home.'

Conrad frowned, wishing she hadn't brought up the sub-

ject. It worried him off and on that something was wrong

with Clara, something even worse than that awful dreaming

business ten days ago. For several shifts now she had been

cold, nor was it just a temporary lack of interest in himself,

for she was also cold to the men of their acquaintance of

whom she was usually quite fond. As for himself, he had had

to depend on casual contacts such as Angela. Not that they

weren't pleasant, but a man and wife were supposed to main-

tain a healthy love life between themselves, and it usually

meant trouble with the Medicorps when this broke down.

Angela glanced at him. 'I didn't think Clara laughed well

at my remark. Is something wrong between you?'

'Oh, no,' he declared hastily. 'Clara is sometimes that

way. . . doesn't catch a joke right off.'

A page boy approached them where they stood in the

rotunda and advised Conrad that his ship was ready.