When he came out of the ‘fresher, he put his weapons where he could reach them before sprawling in sleep.
He came instantly wide awake with a weapon in each hand . . . then remembered where he was, relaxed, and looked around to see what had wakened him.
It was a murmur of voices through the air duct. Poor soundproofing he decided, and Mary must be entertaining callers-in which case he should not be slug-a-bed. He got up, refreshed himself, strapped his best friends back on his thighs, and went looking for his hostess.
As the door to the lounge dilated noiselessly in front of him the sound of voices became loud and very interesting. The lounge was el-shaped and he was out of sight; he hung back and listened shamelessly. Eavesdropping had saved his skin on several occasions; it worried him not at all-he enjoyed it. A man was saying, “Mary, you’re completely unreasonable! You know you’re fond of me, you admit that marriage to me would be to your advantage. So why won’t you?”
“I told you, Bork. Age difference.”
“That’s foolish. What do you expect? Adolescent romance? Oh, I admit that I’m not as young as you are . . . but a woman needs an older man to look up to and keep her steady. I’m not too old for you; I’m just at my prime.”
Lazarus decided that he already knew this chap well enough to dislike him. Sulky voice.
Mary did not answer. The man went on: “Anyhow, I have a surprise for you on that point. I wish I could tell you now, but . . . well, it’s a state secret.”
“Then don’t tell me. It can’t change my mind in any case, Bork.”
“Oh, but it would! Mmm . . . I will tell you-I know you can be trusted.”
“Now, Bork, you shouldn’t assume that-”
“It doesn’t matter; it will be public knowledge in a few days anyhow. Mary . . . I’ll never grow old on you!”
“What do you mean?” Lazarus decided that her tone was suddenly suspicious.
“Just what I said. Mary, they’ve found the secret of eternal youth!”
“What? Who? How? When?”
“Oh, so now you’re interested, eh? Well, I won’t keep you waiting. You know these old Johnnies that call themselves the Howard Families?’
“Yes . . . I’ve heard of them, of course,” she admitted slowly. “But what of it? They’re fakes.”
“Not at all. I know. The Administration has been quietly investigating their claims. Some of them are unquestionably more than a hundred years old-and still young!”
“That’s very hard to believe.”
“Nevertheless it’s true.”
“Well . . . how do they do it?”
“Ah! That’s the point. They claim that it is a simple matter of heredity, that they live a long time because they come from long lived stock. But that’s preposterous, scientifically incompatible with the established facts. The Administration checked most carefully and the answer is certain: they have the secret of staying young.”
“You can’t be sure of that.”
“Oh, come, Mary! You’re a dear girl but you’re questioning the expert opinion of the best scientific brains in the world. Never mind. Here’s the part that is confidential. We don’t have their secret yet-but we will have it shortly. Without any excitement or public notice, they are to be picked up and questioned. We’ll get the secret-and you and I will never grow old! What do you think of that? Eh?”
Mary answered very slowly, almost inaudibly, “It would be nice if everyone could live a long time.”
“Huh? Yes, I suppose it would. But in any case you and I will receive the treatment, whatever it is. Think about us, dear. Year after year after year of happy, youthful marriage. Not less than a century. Maybe even–”
“Wait a moment, Bork. This ‘secret’ It wouldn’t be for everybody?”
“Well, now . . . that’s a matter of high policy. Population pressure is a pretty unwieldy problem even now. In practice it might be necessary to restrict it to essential personnel-and their wives. But don’t fret your lovely head about it; you and I will have it.”
“You mean I’ll have it if I marry you.”