Everybody has work.”
Thor looked at him pityingly. “For how long? We’re ripping off not only the resources of Earth but now of the whole solar system. Ninety percent of the efforts are going into space and so-called defense. How long before we’ve stripped ourselves naked?”
Don had never thought about it. And he still didn’t give a damn. He had his and would continue to have it for the rest of his life. If what Thor said was correct, let the powers that be figure it out when the time came. After him the deluge? Okay, let it rain.
XIV
Harry came up hesitantly, a camera in his heavy freckled hands and said “Colonel Mathers, I bought me this here Tri-Di camera on the off-chance you might come by again some day. I wanted to get a shot of you, here in my bar, so I could frame it and hang it on the wall and people’d know you usta hang out here before you got famous.”
“Sure, Harry,” Don said, standing. “Where do you want me?”
“How about up against the bar?”
Thor stood too and said, “Why not let me take it? You get behind the bar, uh, Harry. And let Don get in front of it. Then you’ll both be in the shot.”
Harry radiated at that. “You don’t mind, Colonel Mathers?”
“Of course not.”
Thor Bjornsen took three pictures in all, from different angles, and then he and Don went back to the booth.
The Scandinavian looked at him. “Do you get much of that sort of thing?”
“Yes.”
Thor said, “To get back to the radioactives thing. Who’s in it with you?”
Don wondered whether or not to answer, but, after all, it would probably soon be in the news. He said, “Lawrence Demming and Maximilian Rostoff, who already have large investments in the field and plenty of know- how, are putting up the initial capital to get going.”
The other took him in in horror. “Demming and Rostoff? They’re the two biggest crooks in the system.”
“I’m to be president of the corporation. I’ll keep them in line.”
“What do you get out of it, Don?”
“Nothing. Nothing except my expenses.”
Thor Bjornsen frowned. “And nobody else is in it at all?”
“Well, actually, Peter Fodor has been given a chunk of stock. He’s going to throw the weight of the Church behind the, uh, crusade.”
“Almighty Ultimate! If Demming and Rostoff are’ the two biggest crooks in the system, he’s the third.”
“What are you talking about? He’s the Grand Presbyter.”
“Yes, and like most big organized religions down through the centuries, his church is a racket, with him the chief racketeer. Religions might start humbly with the leaders really living up to their vows of poverty and
“I’m not up on politics,” Don admitted.
“Well,” the other said. “My point was that big business, such as Demming’s and Rostoff’s type, big politics, and even big religion are headed by corrupt men, since power corrupts.”
Don was getting tired of it. He had made his decision and there was no way to back out of it, even if he had wanted to, and he didn’t.”
He looked at his wrist chronometer and said, “Sorry, Thor, I’m going to have to get underway.”
The other nodded unhappily. “All right, Don. But think about what I’ve said. The human race is bleeding the system white with all this so-called defense preparation. If you’d throw your prestige onto the scales, you’d be able to counter this industrial-military-political combine that’s now in control.”
Don stood and said, “I’ll think about it, Thor.”
He headed for the door, calling over his shoulder, “So long, Harry. Thanks for the drinks.”
The bartender looked after him, wistfully, worshipfully.
Thor came up, pulling his Universal Credit Card from an inner pocket. He said, “How much do I owe you?”
Harry looked at him indignantly. “No man who’s been drinking with Colonel Donal Mathers pays in this bar.”
“Oh, excuse me,” the big fellow said, trying to keep sarcasm from his voice.
Don had little difficulty in getting back to Demming’s place. He didn’t make the mistake of going in the front entrance of the building, strongly suspecting that there’d be a multitude of media people there. Instead, he had dialed the hovercab for the motor pool area in the basements. He got the cab as near as possible to Demming’s private elevator bank before getting out and strolling rapidly toward the nearest one. He was stopped only twice for handshakes and gushing congratulations.
His intention had been to go directly to Rostoff’s office but when he left the elevator he was halted in his tracks for a moment.
In the huge foyer a magnificent sign had been raised. DONAL MATHERS RADIOACTIVES MINING CORPORATION.
Evidently, he decided, the new corporation had taken over this entire floor. Things were moving. One thing you had to give his two partners, Demming and Rostoff, they didn’t drag their heels.
Actually, he hadn’t as yet been able to come to definite conclusions about the position he was in.
He was being used by the two magnates, but he couldn’t figure any way of getting out from under. However, he was also aware of the fact that they couldn’t twist his arm too much. They needed him a damn sight more than he needed them. In fact, nothing would please him more than if they’d both drop dead.
He reached Rostoff’s office, after wading through an ocean of smiles from office personnel, and was immediately passed through by the worshipful receptionist.
Rostoff was alone. He looked up at Don’s entrance.
“Where the hell have you been, you damned rummy? I can smell your breath from here.”
It was still difficult for Don Mathers to adjust himself to his sudden change in status, whenever he was alone with either of his two supposed partners. When among others, he was treated like a semi-god. When alone with Demming or Rostoff, he was treated like a peasant.
He said, “I’ve been resigning from the Space Service.
“Good,” Maximilian Rostoff said. He took in Don’s suit. “I see you’ve already adopted the simplicity look. Your suit looks as though you earn about seventy-five pseudo-dollars a week.”
Don sighed and took a chair. “It’s the only suit I had in my locker at the base.”
“Well, keep wearing that type of clothing whenever you’re in public.”
Don hesitated before saying, “There’s something you probably ought to know. On the way over to the base, Frank Cockney tried to pump me.”
Rostoff was suddenly alert, eyes narrowed. “What do you mean? Exactly what did he say?”
“I can’t remember the exact words, but he thought it quite a coincidence that you and Demming had sent for me just previous to my knocking out the Kraden, and then immediately after my award, you getting together with me again and the corporation being formed. In fact, I got the feeling that he knew the corporation was already being formed
“Who else was there?”
“His sidekick, Bil Golenpaul.”
“What did he say?”
