“Just what I thought, sir. But I read some of it and, I don’t know, it had a sort of a feel about it. Something new, sir, it might catch on.”

“All right, all right. That’s enough. You’re a salesman. You’ve sold me.”

“On the book?” Ben was surprised.

“Quit pulling an old man’s leg, Ben. I’m sold on your needing a vacation. I’ll fill out your vacation pass right now.” The Old Man, still a vigorous, vital figure, turned and walked back to his Desk-sec. “Yes sir,” said the secretarial voice, “got it. Vacation clearance for Tilman, Ben, any resort.”

“And family,” said Ben.

“And family. Very good, sir.”

The Old Man made his sign on the pass and said heavily, “All right then, Ben. That’s it. Maybe if you go back up to that place for a few days and see that psycho who was writing a book again, perhaps you’ll realize how impractical it is.”

“But sir! I’m serious about that book. It really did have—” he broke off.

have—

[p 

36

]

The Old Man was sitting there, face blank, withdrawn. Ben could feel he wasn’t even listening. That damned hearing aid of his. The Old Man had cut it off. Suddenly, unreasoningly, Ben was furious. He stood by the huge desk and he reached across toward the hearing aid on the Old Man’s chest to turn up the volume. The Old Man looked up and saw Ben’s hand stretching out.

A sudden look of fear came into his china blue, clear eyes but he made no move. He sat frozen in his chair.

Ben hesitated a second. “What—?” But he didn’t have to ask. He knew.

And he also knew what he was going to do.

[p 38]“No!” said the Old Man. “No, Ben. I’ve only been trying to help; trying to serve your best interests the best way I know. Ben, you mustn’t—”

[p 

38

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