“Oxygen in those? I thought it was air.”
“Couldn’t afford the space penalty. So we can’t risk fire, even a cigarette. I opened one inlet for a check. Very hot- heat ‘hot’ as well as making a Geiger counter chatter. Folks, I don’t know how long we’ll be on bottled breathing. I figured thirty-six hours for four people, so it’s nominally twenty-four hours for six, but that’s not the pinch. I’m sweating-and so are you. We can take it to about a hundred and twenty. Above that, we’ll have to use oxygen just to cool the place. It might end in a fine balance between heat and suffocation. Or worse.”
“Daddy-‘Hugh,’ I mean. Are you breaking it gently that we are going to be baked alive?”
“You won’t be, Karen. I won’t let you be.”
“Well . . . I prefer a bullet.”
“Nor will you be shot. I have enough sleeping pills to let twenty people die painlessly. But we aren’t here to die. We’ve had vast luck; with a little more we’ll make it. So don’t be morbid.”
“How about radioactivity?” asked Duke.
“Can you read an integrating counter?”
“No.”
“Take my word for it that we are in no danger yet. Now about sleeping- This side, where Grace is, is the girls’ dorm; this other side is ours. Only four bunks but that’s okay; one person has to monitor air and heat, and the other one without a bed can keep him awake. However, I’m taking the watch tonight and won’t need company; I’ve taken Dexedrine.”
“I’ll stand watch.”
“I’ll stay up with you.”
“I’m not sleepy.”
“Slow down!” Hugh said. “Joe, you can’t stand watch now because you have to relieve me when I’m tuckered out. You and I will alternate until the situation is safe.”
Joe shrugged and kept quiet. Duke said, “Then it’s my privilege.”
“Can’t either of you add? Two bunks for women, two for men. What’s left over? We’ll fold this table and the gal left over can sprawl on the floor here. Joe, break out the blankets and put a couple here and a couple in the tank space for me.”
“Right away, Hugh!”
Both girls insisted on standing watch. Hugh shut them off. “Cut for it.”
“But-”
“Pipe down, Barbara. Ace low, and low girl sleeps in a bunk, the other here on the floor. Duke, do you want a sleeping pill?”
“That’s one habit I don’t have.”
“Don’t be an iron man.”
“Well. . . a rain check?”
“Surely. Joe? Seconal?”
“Well, I’m so relieved that I don’t have to take that quiz tomorrow. . .”
“Glad somebody is happy. All right.”
“I was going to add that I’m pretty keyed up. You’re sure you won’t need me?”
“I’m sure. Karen, get one for Joe. You know where?”
“Yes, and I’m going to get one for me, since I won the cut. I’m no iron man! And a Miltown on top of it.”
“Do that. Sorry, Barbara, you can’t have one; I might have to wake you and have you keep me awake. You can have Miltown. You’ll probably sleep from it.”
“I don’t need it.”
“As you wish. Bed, everybody. It’s midnight and two of you are going on watch in eight hours.”
In a few minutes all were in bed, with Barbara where the table had been; all lights out save one in the tank space. Hugh squatted on blankets there, playing solitaire-badly.
Again the floor heaved, again came that terrifying rumble. Karen screamed.
Hugh was up at once. This one was not as violent; he was able to stay on his feet. He hurried into the girls’ dorm. “Baby! Where are you?” He fumbled, found the light switch.
“Up here, Daddy. Oh, I’m scared! I was just dropping off and it almost threw me out. Help me down.”
He did so; she clung to him, sobbing. “There, there,” he said, patting her. “You’ve been a brave girl, don’t let it throw you.”
“I’m not brave. I’ve been scared silly all along. I just didn’t want it to show.”
“Well . . . I’m scared too. So let’s not show it, huh? Better have another pill. And a stiff drink.”