bright colors and in themselves did not appear particularly
ominous. Still, I realized I felt no small degree ofnervous-
MYTH-NOMERS AND IM-PERVECTIONS 145
ness as I surveyed the interior. There were small clues here
and there which bespoke a seriousness which belied the
studied casualness of the decor. Little things, like the
machines mounted high in the comers which constantly
swept the room as if monitoring the movements of both
tellers and customers. The tellers themselves were secure
behind high panes of innocent-looking glass, doing business
through an ingenious slot and drawer arrangement at each
station. An observant person such as myself, however, could
not help but notice that if the degree of distortion were any
indication, the glass was much thicker than it might first
appear. There were also armed guards scattered around the
room draped with an array of weapons which did not look
at all ceremonial or decorative. There was a great deal of
money here, and an equally great effort was being made to
be sure no one decided to simply help themselves to the
surplus.
I had a hunch the kind of business I had in mind would
not be handled over the counter by a teller, and, sure enough
when I inquired, 1 was ushered immediately through one of
• the brightly painted doors into a private office.
The individual facing me across the desk rose and ex-
tended a hand in greeting as I entered. He was impeccably
dressed in a business suit of what could only be called, a
conservative cut. . . particularly for a Pervect, and he oozed