«Her. Her name is Madame Alexandra Vesant, Washington Exchange. That's V, E, S, A, N, T.»
«I've got it,» Jubal said happily. «Tom, you've done me a world of good!»
«Hope so. Anything for the network?»
«Hold it.» Jubal glanced at a note Miriam had placed at his elbow. It read: «Larry says the transceiver won't
«I'll send somebody.»
«Thanks. Thanks twice.»
Jubal switched off, placed the call by name and instructed the operator to use hush and scramble if the number was equipped for it. It was, not to his surprise. Soon Madame Vesant's dignified features appeared in his screen. He grinned at her and called, «Hey, Rube!»
She looked startled, then stared. «Why, Doc Harshaw, you old scoundrel! Lord love you, it's good to see you. Where have you been hiding?»
«Just that, Becky — hiding. The clowns are after me.»
Becky Vesey answered instantly, «What can I do to help? Do you need money?»
«I've got plenty of money, Becky. I'm in much more serious trouble than that — and nobody can help me but the Secretary General himself. I need to talk to him — right away.»
She looked blank. «That's a tall order, Doc.»
«Becky, I know. I've been trying to get through to him … and I can't. But don't you get mixed up in it… girl, I'm hotter than a smoky bearing. I took a chance that you might be able to advise me — a phone number, maybe, where I could reach him. But I don't want you in it personally. You'd get hurt — and I'd never be able to look the Professor in the eye… God rest his soul.»
«I know what the Professor would want me to do!» she said sharply. «Knock off the nonsense, Doc. The Professor always swore that you were the only sawbones fit to carve people. He never forgot that time in Elkton.»
«Now, Becky, we won't bring that up. I was paid.»
«You saved his life.»
«I did no such thing. It was his will to fight — and your nursing.»
«Uh… Doc, we're wasting time. Just how hot are you?»
«They're throwing the book… and anybody near me will get splashed. There's a warrant out — a Federation warrant — and they know where I am and I
«You'll be sprung. I guarantee that.»
«Becky… I'm sure you would. But it might take a few hours. It's that “back room”, Becky. I'm too old for a session in the back room.»
«But — Oh, goodness! Doc, can't you give me some details? I ought to cast a horoscope, then I'd know what to do. You're Mercury, of course, since you're a doctor. But if I knew what house to look in, I could do better.»
«Girl, there isn't time.» Jubal thought rapidly. Whom to trust? «Becky, just knowing could put you in as much trouble as I am in.»
«Tell me, Doc. I've never taken a powder at a clem yet — and you know it.»
«All right. So I'm “Mercury”. But the trouble lies in Mars.»
She looked at him sharply. «How?»
«You've seen the news. The Man from Mars is supposed to be in the Andes. Well, he's not. That's just to hoax the yokels.»
Becky seemed not as startled as Jubal had expected. «Where do you figure in this, Doc?»
«Becky, there are people all over this sorry planet who want to lay hands on that boy. They want to use him, make him geek. He's my client and I won't hold still for it. But my only chance is to talk with Mr. Douglas.»
«The Man from Mars is your client? You can turn him up?»
«Only to Mr. Douglas. You know how it is, Becky — the mayor can be a good Joe, kind to children and dogs. But he doesn't know everything his town clowns do — especially if they haul a man in and take him into that back room.»
She nodded. «Cops!»
«So I need to dicker with Mr. Douglas before they haul me in.»
«All you want is to talk to him?»
«Yes. Let me give you my number — and I'll sit here, hoping for a call… until they pick me up. If you can't swing it… thanks anyway, Becky. I'll know you tried.»
«Don't switch off!»
«Eh?»
«Keep the circuit, Doc. If I have any luck, they can patch through this phone and save time. So hold on.» Madame Vesant left the screen, called Agnes Douglas. She spoke with calm confidence, pointing out that this was the development foretold by the stars — exactly on schedule. Now had come the critical instant when Agnes must guide her husband, using her womanly wit and wisdom to see that he acted wisely and without delay. «Agnes dear, this configuration will not be repeated in a thousand years — Mars, Venus, and Mercury in perfect trine, just as Venus reaches meridian, making Venus dominant. Thus you see — »
«Allie, what do the Stars tell me to do? You know I don't understand the scientific part.»
This was hardly surprising, since the described relationship did not obtain. Madame Vesant had not had time to compute a horoscope and was improvising. She was untroubled by it; she was speaking a «higher truth,» giving good advice and helping her friends. To help two friends at once made Becky Vesey especially happy. «Dear, you do understand it, you have born talent. You are Venus, as always, and Mars is reinforced, being both your husband and that young man Smith for the duration of this crisis. Mercury is Dr. Harshaw. To offset the imbalance caused by the reinforcement of Mars, Venus must sustain Mercury until the crisis is past. But you have very little time; Venus waxes in influence until reaching meridian, only seven minutes from now — after that your influence will decline. You must act quickly.»
«You should have warned me.»
«My dear, I have been waiting by my phone all day, ready to act instantly. The Stars tell us the nature of each crisis; they never tell details. But there is still time. I have Dr. Harshaw on the telephone; all that is necessary is to bring them face to face — before Venus reaches meridian.»
«Well — All right, Allie. I must dig Joseph out of some silly conference. Give me the number of the phone you have this Doctor Rackshaw on — or can you transfer the call?»
«I can switch it here. Just get Mr. Douglas. Hurry, dear.»
«I will.»
When Agnes Douglas left the screen, Becky went to another phone. Her profession required ample phone service; it was her largest business expense. Humming happily she called her broker.
XVII
As BECKY left the screen Jubal leaned back. «Front,» he said.
«Okay, Boss,» Miriam acknowledged.
«This is for the “Real-Experiences” group. Specify that the narrator must have a sexy contralto voice — »
«Maybe I should try for it.»
«Not that sexy. Dig out that list of null surnames we got from the Census Bureau, pick one and put an innocent, mammalian first name with it, for pen name. A girl's name ending in “a” — that always suggests a “C” cup.»
«Huh! And not one of us with a name ending in “a”. You louse!»
