She said sharply, “You fink for the Authority?”
Even today, with almost as many women in Luna as men, I’m too much old-timer to be rude to a woman no matter what–they have so much of what we have none of. But she had flicked scar tissue and I answered almost sharply, “I am not employee of Warden. I do business with Authority–as private contractor.”
“That’s okay,” she answered, her voice warm again. “Everybody does business with the Authority, we can’t avoid it–and that’s the trouble. That’s what we’re going to change.”
We are, eh? How? I thought. Everybody does business with Authority for same reason everybody does business with Law of Gravitation. Going to change that, too? But kept thoughts to myself, not wishing to argue with a lady.
“Mannie’s okay,” Shorty said gently. “He’s mean as they come–I vouch for him. Here’s a cap for him,” he added, reaching into pouch. He started to set it on my head.
Wyoming Knott took it from him. “You sponsor him?”
“I said so.”
“Okay, here’s how we do it in Hong Kong.” Wyoming stood in front of me, placed cap on my head–kissed me firmly on mouth.
She didn’t hurry. Being kissed by Wyoming Knott is more definite than being married to most women. Had I been Mike all my lights would have flashed at once. I felt like a Cyborg with pleasure center switched on.
Presently I realized it was over and people were whistling. I blinked and said, “I’m glad I joined. What have I joined?”
Wyoming said, “Don’t you know?” Shorty cut in, “Meeting’s about to start–he’ll find out. Sit down, Man. Please sit down, Wyoh.” So we did as a man was banging a gavel.
With gavel and an amplifier at high gain he made himself heard. “Shut doors!” he shouted. “This is a closed meeting. Check man in front of you, behind you, each side–if you don’t know him and nobody you know can vouch for him, throw him out!”
“Throw him out, hell!” somebody answered. “Eliminate him out nearest lock!”
“Quiet, please! Someday we will.” There was milling around, and a scuffle in which one man’s red cap was snatched from head and he was thrown out, sailing beautifully and still rising as he passed through door. Doubt if he felt it; think he was unconscious. A women was ejected politely–not politely on her part; she made coarse remarks about ejectors. I was embarrassed.
At last doors were closed. Music started, banner unfolded over platform. It read: LIBERTY! EQUALITY! FRATERNITY! Everybody whistled; some started to sing, loudly and badly: “Arise, Ye Prisoners of Starvation–” Can’t say anybody looked starved. But reminded me I hadn’t eaten since 1400; hoped it would not last long–and that reminded me that my recorder was good for only two hours–and that made me wonder what would happen if they knew? Sail me through air to land with sickening grunch? Or eliminate me? But didn’t worry; made that recorder myself, using number-three arm, and nobody but a miniaturization mechanic would figure out what it was.
Then came speeches.
Semantic content was low to negative. One bloke proposed that we march on Warden’s Residence, “shoulder to shoulder,” and demand our rights. Picture it. Do we do this in tube capsules, then climb out one at a time at his private station? What are his bodyguards doing? Or do we put on p-suits and stroll across surface to his upper lock? With laser drills and plenty of power you can open any airlock–but how about farther down? Is lift running? Jury-rig hoist and go down anyhow, then tackle next lock?
I don’t care for such work at zero pressure; mishap in pressure suit is too permanent–especially when somebody arranges mishap. One first thing learned about Luna, back with first shiploads of convicts, was that zero pressure was place for good manners. Bad-tempered straw boss didn’t last many shifts; had an “accident”–and top bosses learned not to pry into accidents or they met accidents, too. Attrition ran 70 percent in early years–but those who lived were nice people. Not tame, not soft, Luna is not for them. But well-behaved.
But seemed to me that every hothead in Luna was in Stilyagi Hall that night. They whistled and cheered this shoulder-to-shoulder noise.