Idiot! Spence shrieked to himself. Say something! The smile lingered, evaporating at the edges.
'Did you have a successful meeting?' Ari saved him by starting the conversation.
'Meeting?' Oh, no! he thought, I'm babbling again! 'You've forgotten already? You had a meeting with my father-or was that some other Dr. Reston?' 'Is he back then?'
'You mean Mr. Wermeyer hasn't called you yet? I could say something to him, if you like. Daddy's been busy since he got back, but you should have been called. I'll see what I can do; I have a certain amount of pull, you know.'
'No, I wouldn't think of asking you. I'll wait my turn.'
'Maybe it was another Dr. Reston, then. The one I had in mind was quite insistent. Very urgent-matter of life and death.'
'Apparently the crisis has passed-I had time to cool off. Thanks for the offer, though. I still do want to see him.'
'Well, you may be in luck if you care to wait for a little while. My father's coming down to get me when his meeting's over. We're going to lunch together. You could talk to him then.'
'I wouldn't intrude-'
'Don't be silly. I don't mind. Anyway, I wouldn't have offered if I still didn't feel a little guilty about treating you so disgracefully.'
'I've forgotten all about it. Believe me.'
'You're nice.' She smiled again, and Spence felt the warmth of it touch his face like the rays of the sun.
And in that moment, without either one of them thinking very much about it, without desiring it at all, they became friends. It was a natural thing for Ari; she had many friends, and made friends easily. For Spence, though, it was quite a different thing. He did not make friends easily-especially with women. He didn't know how to talk to them and never felt comfortable around them. So it was with a shock that he realized some time later that he had spent over an hour talking with Ari without for a moment feeling ill at ease.
And it was with a pang of genuine regret that Spence saw the portly, though dignified, form of the GM director approaching from across the lawn.
'Oh, Daddy!' shouted Ari, jumping up. Spence stood as well. 'Daddy, you'll remember Dr. Reston-'
'Yes, indeed!' The man called 'Daddy' held out a wide, firm hand which Spence took in his own and received vigorous shaking.
'It is good to see you again, Director Zanderson.' The last time Spence had seen the director had been at a reception for the new grant winners a few days prior to making the jump.
'I am always pleased to see one of our brightest new colleagues. In fact, I believe you have your first review coming up, do you not? Yes, I believe so. I saw it on my calendar. How do you like it here, Dr. Reston? You're finding it all you hoped it would be?'
'Yes, and much more,' Spence said truthfully.
'Daddy, I've asked Spence to join us for lunch. I know how you love a new audience.' Ari put her arm around her father, who looked amused.
'Daughter, the decorum of my office!' She kissed him on the cheek. 'What will Dr. Reston think? Tell me, did you ever see such an impertinent young lady?'
Spence was saved from having to answer by Ari who announced, 'I'm starving. Let's go to lunch this instant, or you will both have to carry my limp and languishing body through the garden to the commissary. How would that suit your precious decorum?'
'Dr. Reston, I regret my daughter's shocking manners.' His eyes twinkled at the sight of her. 'But I reiterate her invitation. Would you join us?'
There seemed to be no graceful way out, so he said, 'I'd be delighted.'
6
… ThEY WERE WALKING BACK to their respective places: Spence to his lab, the director to his office, and Ari to the cultural arts center. It had been one of the most enjoyable lunches Spence could remember. They had eaten not in the commissary as he expected, but in one of Gotham's four excellent restaurants the Belles Esprit, a very commendable copy of a French cafe.
Spence had not previously visited any of the restaurants an(was surprised and pleased to find them quite different from the commissaries. He was less surprised to find that, like exclusive restaurants on Earth, they were quite expensive. The commissaries were free; the restaurants were not.
They had dined on hearts of palm and artichoke vinaigrette and quiche lorraine. And Spence had come away feeling soothes and refreshed-as much by the company as by the food an(atmosphere. The Zandersons, father and daughter, proved them selves very convivial hosts. They had so drawn him out that he talked a great deal more about himself than he ever did as a rule but he had enjoyed it. And more than once during the meal he had looked up to discover Ari's bright blue eyes watching him with a curious expression.
Now they were nearing the junction tube where he would leave them to go back to the lab. For one who had inwardly shud dered at the luncheon invitation he was honestly sorry to se(their short time together end.
'I hope you'll consider my offer,' Director Zanderson was saying. 'I think you'd find the experience rewarding. It would even help in your research, I dare say. A smart young man like yourself-I imagine you could devise a few experiments that would make the trip quite worthwhile.'
Spence was only half listening to the director's proposition 'I'm afraid that with my review coming up…' he started to object 'Oh, that's just a formality,' grinned the director. 'Besides should you decide to lead one of the research teams on the trip the review could be postponed, or perhaps waived altogether.
Terraforming is the future-very exciting business. I wish I could go back myself; but… duties, you know.'
He looked a little awkwardly at the director. Ari noticed his discomfort and came to his aid. 'Oh, Daddy. Terraforming is your great mania, it isn't everyone's. Quit badgering him about it. I'm sure Spencer has better things to do than to go roaming about on a dusty old rock. I know I do.'
The director clucked his tongue. 'Such a worrisome girl. Well, I won't press you for an answer, Dr. Reston. But I hope you'll think it over. The Martian experience is truly fantastic.'
'I will think it over. And thank you both for a most enjoyable lunch. It was really very nice.'
'I'm glad you could join us. I always like to get better acquainted with my colleagues. Well, good-bye.'
'Good afternoon,' said Ari. They turned and strolled arm-inarm off along the main axial. Spence watched them go and then started back along the tube to the lab.
Tickler was waiting for him when he returned. The fussy assistant appeared miffed about something; he gave Spence a series of sideways glances which Spence figured were supposed to represent disapproval. Spence happily ignored the vague reproofs-after all, he had just eaten lunch with the director. There was nothing which could even remotely threaten his selfesteem at that moment.
'Well, Tickler, how are we coming along this afternoon? Are we ready for tonight's session? I plan to increase the electroencephamine quotient by another five percent. I would like to test the scanner before we run the experiment.'
'I haven't forgotten,' Tickler said. He nodded toward the control room and Spence saw that they had a visitor. 'Perhaps you will remember assigning me to secure our new assistant.'
'So soon? You certainly didn't waste a minute. Very well, let's meet him.' He motioned to the cadet who sat watching them through the control window. The young man got up and came to stand beside Tickler.
Spence offered his hand to the short young assistant. 'I see that you have already met Dr. Tickler. If I know him he's probably put you to work already. I'm Dr. Reston.'
'Yes-we've already met,' replied the stranger as they shook hands. Spence looked at him a little closer; though the cadet seemed familiar, he could not place him.
'I'm sorry…'
'I don't expect you'd remember,' said the cadet. 'I bumped into you in the garden concourse one day a week or so ago.'
'Kurt, wasn't it?' He did remember the incident.
