Heinlein, Robert A – Expanded Universe

“So do I but it frightens me.”

“-fifteen. . . The Binational Solar Power Zone is now on standby power.. .

nine. . . eight-”

“Oh! Will you hold my hand? Please!”

“-four! . . – three! .. . two! – . . one! . . . LIGHT!”

A single inhalation by thousands, then came the everywhere voice in soft,

reverent tones: “Look at that bastard go!”

“-direct from O’Neill Village, Ell-Five. It’s a beautiful day here, it’s

always a beautiful day here. But today is our happiest fiesta ever; little Ariel

Henson Jones, first baby born in space, is one year old today. All four of her

grandparents are here, her father’s parents having traveled all the way from

Over-the-Rainbow, Ell-Four, via Luna City Complex, just to be here on this great

day. Don’t repeat this but a little bird, a parrot, told me that one of Ariel’s

grandmothers is pregnant again. I won’t say which one but it’s personal good news

for all of us here in the sky because, if true and I can assure you it is, it is one

more and very important datum in the rapidly growing list to show that youthfulness

in all ways is markedly extended simply by living in free-fall. Correction: the mild

acceleration we experience at the skin of our Village. . . but which we can leave

behind completely at any time for freefall sports at the axis.

“And you can enjoy them, too. This newscast comes to you sponsored by

O’Neill Village Chamber of Commerce. Visitors welcome. You haven’t lived until you

ride the Light Beam, the cheapest way to travel per thousand kilometers ever

invented by a factor of at least one hundred.. . and not uncomfortable even the

first few seconds since the installation of the new totalsupport hydraulic couches.

Also you haven’t lived until you’ve seen our free-fall ballet! You think Las Vegas

has shows? Wait till you see a Coriolis torch dance. Or what free-fall does for a

hundred-centimeter bust. Oh, boy! Or if you like to gamble we’ll take your money

with brand-new games as happily as Monte Carlo or Atlantic City. See your travel

agent for a variety of package vacations.

“Or more than a vacation. Buying a share in the Village is cheaper than

buying a house in most cities down heavyside. But if you are young and healthy and

possess certain needed skills your migration into the sky can be subsidized. Phone

the placement office here for details, same rates as from San Francisco to New York.

Wups! Almost forgot to tell you: knowledge of industrial Spanglish required, plus

some Brownie points for any other language you know.. .

It could be that way, over the Rainbow. As Madam President said, there never

has been anything incurably wrong with our country and our world-just a horrid

accumulation of silly mistakes that could be corrected with horse sense and the will

to do it.

We have a lot of healthy, intelligent people with a wide spread of useful

skills, trades, and professions. We have a wonderful big country not yet too crowded

and still wealthy in real wealthh, bankrupt on paper but that can always be

corrected with real wealth, will, and work. Actually it’s easier to be happy and get

rich than it is to go down the chute. This country has

so much going for it that it takes a lot of work combined with wrong-headed

stubbornness to ruin this country. It’s not easy.

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In the meantime dont go away. There are still a lot of sacred cows I haven’t

kicked but plan to. . . someday. So, unless I’m hit by a taxicab while swiveling on

my cane to ogle pretty girls, I’ll be back.

The End.

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