XXI
THE MEETING adjourned. Jubal found his intention of getting his flock quickly away balked by the American President and Senator Boone; both realized the enhanced value of being seen on intimate terms with the Man from Mars — and both were aware that the eyes of the world were on them.
Other hungry politicos were closing in.
Jubal said quickly, «Mr. President, Senator — we're leaving at once to have lunch. Can you join us?» He reflected that two in private would be easier to handle than two dozen in public — and he had to get Mike away before anything came unstuck.
To his relief both had duties elsewhere. Jubal found himself promising not only to fetch Mike to that obscene Fosterite service but also to bring him to the White House — well, the boy could get sick, if necessa . «Please, girls!»
Mike was convoyed to the roof, Anne creating a bow wave with her height, her Valkyrie beauty, her impressive cloak. Jubal, Ben, and the officers from the Champion covered the rear. Larry and the bus were waiting; minutes later the driver left them on the roof of the New Mayflower. Newsmen caught up with them there, but the girls guarded Mike on down to a suite Duke had taken. They were enjoying it; Miriam and Dorcas displayed ferocity that reminded Jubal of a cat defending her young. A reporter that closed within three feet courted a spiked instep.
They found their corridor patrolled by S.S. troopers and an officer outside their suite.
Jubal's back hair rose, but he realized that their presence meant that Douglas was carrying out the bargain. The letter Jubal had sent before the conference had included a plea to Douglas to use his power to protect Mike's privacy — so that the unfortunate lad could lead a normal life.
So Jubal called out, «Jill! Keep Mike under control. It's okay.»
«Right, Boss.»
The officer at the door saluted, Jubal glanced at him. «Well! Howdy, Major. Busted down any doors lately?»
Major Bloch turned red and did not answer. Jubal wondered if the assignment was punishment? Duke was waiting inside. Jubal said, «Sit down, gentlemen. How about it, Duke?»
Duke shrugged. «Nobody has bugged this suite since I took it. But, Boss,any dump can be bugged so you can't find it.»
«Yes, yes — I didn»t mean that. I mean, “How about our supplies?” I'm hungry, boy, and thirsty — and we've got three more for lunch.»
«Oh, that. The stuff was unloaded under my eyes; I put it in the pantry. You've got a suspicious nature, Boss.»
«You'd better acquire one if you want to live as long as I have.»
«I don't hanker to.»
«Matter of taste. I've had a good time, on the whole. Get crackin', girls. First one back with a drink for me skips her next turn at “Front”. After our guests, I mean. Do sit down, gentlemen. Sven, what's your favorite poison? Akvavit? Larry, duck out and buy a couple of bottles. And Bols gin for the Captain.»
«Hold it, Jubal,» Nelson said. «I'd rather have Scotch.»
«Me, too,» agreed van Tromp.
«Got enough to drown a horse. Dr. Mahmoud? If you prefer soft drinks, I'm sure the girls tucked some in.»
Mahmoud looked wistful. «I should not be tempted by strong drink.»
«Allow me.» Jubal looked him over. «Son, you've been under nervous strain. Having no meprobamate, I'm forced to substitute two ounces of ninety-proof ethanol, repeat as needed. Any particular flavor?»
Mahmoud smiled. «Thank you, Doctor — but I'll sin my own sins. Gin, please, with water on the side. Or vodka. Or whatever is available.»
«Or medicinal alcohol,» Nelson added. «Don't let him kid you, Jubal. Stinky drinks anything — and regrets it.»
«I do regret it,» Mahmoud said earnestly. «It is sinful.»
«Don't needle him, Sven,» Jubal said brusquely. «If Stinky gets more mileage out of his sins by regretting, that's his business. To each his own. How about victuals, Stinky? Anne stuffed a ham into one of those hampers — and there may be other unclean items. Shall I check?»
Mahmoud shook his head. «I'm not a traditionalist, Jubal. That legislation was given long ago, for the needs of the time. The times are different now.»
Jubal suddenly looked sad. «Yes. But for the better? Never mind, this too shall pass. Eat what you will, my brother — God forgives necessity.»
«Thank you. But I often do not eat in the middle of the day.»
«Better eat or ethanol will do more than relax you. Besides, these kids who work for me may sometimes misspell words … but they are all superb cooks.»
Miriam was entering with a tray of drinks, orders filled while Jubal ranted. «Boss,» she broke in, «will you put that in writing?»
«What?»He whirled around.«Snooping! Stay after school and write one thousand times: “I will not flap my ears at private conversations.” »
«Yes, Boss. This is for you, Captain … and you, Dr. Nelson … and yours, Dr. Mahmoud. Water on the side, you said?»
«Yes, Miriam. Thank you.»
«Usual Harshaw service — sloppy but fast. Here's yours, Boss.»
«You put water in it!»
«Anne's orders. You're too tired to have it on the rocks.»
Jubal looked long-suffering. «See what I put up with, gentlemen? We should never have put shoes on 'em. Miriam, make that “one thousand times” in Sanskrit.»
«Yes, Boss.» She patted him on the head. «Go ahead and have your tizzy, dear; you've earned it. We're proud of you.»
«Back to the kitchen, woman. Has everybody got a drink? Where's Ben?»
«They have by now. Ben is phoning in his column, his drink is at his elbow.»
«Very well. You may back out quietly — and send Mike in. Gentlemen! Me ke aloha pau ole!» He drank, they joined him.
«Mike's helping. I think he's going to be a butler when he grows up.»
«I thought you had left. Send him in anyhow; Dr. Nelson wants to examine him.»
«No hurry,» put in the ship's surgeon. «Jubal, this is excellent Scotch — but what was the toast?»
«Sorry. Polynesian. “May our friendship be everlasting”. Call it a footnote to the water ceremony. By the way, gentlemen, Larry and Duke are water brothers to Mike, too, but don't let it fret you. They can't cook … but they're the sort to have at your back in a dark alley.»
«If you vouch for them, Jubal,» van Tromp assured him, «admit them and tyle the door. But let's drink to the girls. Sven, what's that toast to the flickas?»
«The one to pretty girls everywhere? Let's drink to the four who are here.Skaal!» They drank to their female water brothers and Nelson continued, «Jubal, where do you find them?»
«Raise 'em in my own cellar. Then when I've got 'em trained, some city slicker comes along and marries them. It's a losing game.»
«I see how you suffer,» Nelson said sympathetically.
«I do. I trust all you gentlemen are married?»
Two were, Mahmoud was not. Jubal looked at him bleakly. «Would you have the grace to discorporate? After lunch — I wouldn't want you to do it on an empty stomach.»
«I'm no threat, I'm a permanent bachelor.»
«Come, sir! I saw Dorcas making eyes at you … and you were purring.»
«I'm safe, I assure you.» Mahmoud thought of telling Jubal that he would never marry out of his faith, decided that a gentile would take it amiss. «But, Jubal, don't make a suggestion like that to Mike. He wouldn't grok that you were joking — and you might have a corpse on your hands. I don't know that Mike can think himself dead. But he would try.»
«I'm sure he can,» Nelson said firmly. «Doctor — “Jubal” I mean — have you noticed anything odd about Mike's metabolism?»
«Uh, let me put it this way. I haven't noticed anything about his metabolism that is not odd.»
«Exactly.»
Jubal turned to Mahmoud. «Don't worry that I might invite Mike to suicide. I grok that he doesn't grok joking.» Jubal blinked. «But I don't grok “grok”. Stinky, you speak Martian.»