Card Sharks

expedite matters for me to continue my dauerschlaf in a well-padded packing case. The agent also made us reservations at a place called La Fonda, in Santa Fe.

'And so I have no memories to speak of concerning the train trip. I went to sleep in Rudo's apartment and woke up in a packing case in a hotel room in Santa Fe. It's no fun being luggage. I woke in a pretzeled condition, with a little light leaking in around the upper edges of my confinement. The lid was still nailed tightly in place — as we'd agreed, to prevent any curious hotel maid from thinking the good doctor'd included a corpse as part of his travel gear. I listened for a while — a thing we'd also agreed upon — but heard no voices. Then I rapped on the nearest side of the case, to get his attention if he were present. There was no response. Since I could detect no motion, chances were I wasn't in transit. And the light seemed an indication I was no longer in a boxcar. So I assumed I was either on a railroad platform, in the hotel lobby awaiting transport to a room, or in the room itself with Rudo having gone out somewhere. It seemed too quiet for a platform or a lobby, though. So …

'Twisting myself into a more congenial position, I extended my arms upward, felt the lid, and began to push. There followed a squealing of nails as it rose, and more light came to me. The lid came free on my right, then above my feet and head, finally falling aside to the left, nails bending, the wood making small splintering sounds.

'One deep breath then, and I rose to my feet, still unsteady. I was nude, since shape changing tends to ruin garments. But my suitcase held a variety of clothing, purchased with my target physique in mind; and even as I rose I saw that piece of luggage, across the room on a rack.

'I stepped out of the case and made my way into the bathroom, where I showered. The mirror showed me a dark-haired, dark-eyed man as I shaved; about five-foot-eight, and of medium build. I finished putting myself in order and went back into the room, where I opened my suitcase and hunted out suitable garments.

'After I'd dressed I departed the room and found my way downstairs and into a Spanish-style lobby. From there, I saw a bar with tables at which people were eating. Which was what I was looking for — food. I was, as always on awakening, ravenous. But I stepped outside for a few moments first. There was a lot of adobe around me and what looked like a small park off to my left. There was a cathedral off to the right. I could investigate them later. The sun, which I'd come out to check, stood a little past midheaven. Since I didn't know which way was east or west, it could be a little before noon or a little after. Either way, lunchtime, with half a day ahead of me.

'I went back inside and made my way into the bar. I found myself a table and read the menu. A number of items, such as enchiladas, were unfamiliar to me. So I just decided to order everything on the menu and work my way through. I'd also stopped at a newsstand I'd noticed off the lobby and picked up copies of all the papers they had, as is my wont upon awakening, to find out what had happened in the world while I slept.

'I had a succession of interesting things wrapped in tortillas, to the accompaniment of refried beans and rice, and was sitting there reading and waiting for the desserts to start arriving when Rudo came in, clad in a white suit and natty sportshirt, camera over his shoulder. I was puzzled not at all as he strode on by me to order a Ramos Gin Fizz at the bar. You get used to being ignored by friends and acquaintances when you change your appearance every time you sleep.

'I caught his attention when he turned to sweep the room with his gaze. I raised my hand and nodded.

''Ah! The eminent Dr. Rudo,' I said, faking a slight German accent.

'His eyes widened, then narrowed. He rose from his stool immediately and approached me, brow furrowed, drink still in his hand.

''I don't believe I recall …' he began.

'I rose and extended my hand.

''Meyerhoff,' I said, since I sometimes like to put people on. 'Carl Meyerhoff. We met before the war. Was it Vienna or Zurich? You were doing work with that long sleep business. Fascinating stuff. You had your little problems, I recall. I trust everything is going satisfactorily for you these days?'

'Quickly, he looked over both shoulders as I seated myself again. How long could I keep this going? I wondered. Several minutes would be great. So long as he didn't switch to another language….

'He drew out the chair across from me and seated himself quickly.

''Meyerhoff …' he said then. 'I am trying to remember…. You are a medical man?'

''Surgeon,' I replied, figuring that was far enough away from psychiatry that he wouldn't trip me up with some comment involving his specialty. 'I got out when things got bad,' I added cryptically.

'He nodded.

''I was fortunate in that respect, also,' he said. 'So, you are practicing here in the southwest?'

''California,' I said. 'I'm returning from a medical conference now. Just stopped here to do a little sightseeing. Yourself?'

''I am practicing in New York,' he said. 'This is a holiday for me, also. Striking landscapes here for painting, and the light is so pure. We met at a conference — or some hospital perhaps?'

'I nodded.

''I heard you speak once on this dauerschlaf therapy. I believe there was a small party that evening. We spoke for a time of some of the troubles….' I let it trail off, open to interpretation as to troubles with the therapy, with friends, associates, family, European politics. His reactions had me curious now, and I wanted to see what he'd say. And if he got very evasive that would be interesting, too.

'He sighed.

''They looked at things differently in those days,' he said, 'where I came from. And the early work, of course, had to be experimental.'

''Of course,' I said.

''When did you leave?'

''1944,' I replied. 'Spent some time in Argentina. Came here later under the Project Paper Clip dispensation.'

'He raised his drink and took a swallow.

''Yes, I've heard of it,' he said. 'Governments can be gracious — when they want something.'

'He laughed. I joined him.

''Fortunately, there was no need for me to employ such a route,' he went on. 'Some of the past died with the bombings and the records they destroyed, as I understand it.'

'He took another drink.

''You are staying here at the hotel?' he asked.

''Yes.'

''We should have dinner together. Would you care to meet in the lobby — say, seven o'clock?'

''That would be pleasant,' I replied.

'He began to rise, just as the waitress arrived with four desserts and my check. I picked up the check and glanced at it.

''May I sign for this?' I asked her.

''Sure' she answered. 'Be sure to put down your room number.'

''That would be 208,' I said, accepting the pen she offered me.

'Rudo froze, looking back, studying my face.

''Croyd …?' he said.

'I smiled.

'His face went through an amazing variety of changes, finally settling into a scowl. Then he seated himself and leaned forward.

''That — was — not — funny,' he told me. 'I — do — not — aprrreciate — such — monkeyshining.'

''When you get a chance like this every time you wake up, you might as well play it for a few laughs,' I said.

''I am not amused.'

''Sorry,' I said, as I attacked the flan. 'Just wanted to brighten our day.'

'He succeeded in convincing me that he had no sense of humor. But after a few minutes he was mollified, watching me eat desserts.

''I have located the office where we must obtain visitors passes,' he finally said, 'for our trip to Los Alamos. It is nearby. Our names should be on the list of expected visitors. Photographs will be required. We should stop by this afternoon and take care of that.'

''Yes,' I said. 'How'd they get on the list?'