The chairman’s gavel pounded. “There’s been enough of this,” he said. “Nobody who knows anything about the history of this guild doubts the loyalty of Brother Harvey. We’ll continue with the regular order of business.” He stopped to clear his throat. “Ordinarily we don’t open our floor to outsiders, and some of you boys have expressed a distaste for some of the engineers we work under, but there is one engineer we always like to listen to whenever he can get away from his pressing duties. I guess maybe it’s because he’s had dirt under his nails the same as us. Anyhow, I present at this time Mr. Shorty Van Kleeck-”
A shout from the floor stopped him. “Brother Van Kleeck!”
“O.K.-Brother Van Kleeck, Chief Deputy Engineer of this road-town.”
“Thanks, Brother Chairman.” The guest speaker came briskly forward, and grinned expansively at the crowd, seeming to swell under their approval. “Thanks, Brothers. I guess our chairman is right. I always feel more comfortable here in the Guild Hall of the Sacramento Sector – or any guild hail, for that matter – than I do in the engineers’ dubhouse. Those young punk cadet engineers get in my hair. Maybe I should have gone to one of the fancy technical institutes, so I’d have the proper point of view, instead of coming up from ‘down inside’.
“Now about those demands of yours that the Transport Commission just threw back in your face – Can I speak freely?”
“Sure you can, Shorty!” – “You can trust us!”
“Well, of course I shouldn’t say anything, but I can’t help but understand how you feel. The roads are the big show these days, and you are the men that make them roll. It’s the natural order of things that your opinions should be listened to, and your desires met. One would think that even politicians would be bright enough to see that. Sometimes, lying awake at night, I wonder why we technicians don’t just take things over, and-”
“Your wife is calling, Mr. Gaines.”
“Very well.” He picked up the handset and turned to the visor screen.
“Yes, darling, I know I promised, but … You’re perfectly right, darling, but Washington has especially requested that we show Mr. Blekinsop anything be wants to see. I didn’t know he was arriving today…. No, I can’t turn him over to a subordinate. It wouldn’t be courteous. He’s Minister of Transport for Australia. I told you that…. Yes, darling, I know that courtesy begins at home, but the roads must roll. It’s my job; you knew that when you married me. And this is part of my job. That’s a good girl. We’ll positively have breakfast together. Tell you what, order horses and a breakfast pack and we’ll make it a picnic. I’ll meet you in Bakersfield – usual place…. Goodbye, darling. Kiss Junior goodnight for me.”
He replaced the handset on the desk whereupon the pretty, but indignant, features of his wife faded from the visor screen. A young woman came into his office. As she opened the door she exposed momentarily the words printed on its outer side; “DIEGO-RENO ROADTOWN, Office of the Chief Engineer.” He gave her a harassed glance.
“Oh, it’s you. Don’t marry an engineer, Dolores, marry an artist. They have more home life.”
“Yes, Mr. Gaines. Mr. Blekinsop is here, Mr. Gaines.”
“Already? I didn’t expect him so soon. The Antipodes ship must have grounded early.”
“Yes, Mr. Gaines.”
“Dolores, don’t you ever have any emotions?”
“Yes, Mr. Gaines.”
“Hmmm, it seems incredible, but you are never mistaken. Show Mr. Blekinsop in.”
“Very good, Mr. Gaines.”
Larry Gaines got up to greet his visitor. Not a particularly impressive little guy, he thought, as they shook hands and exchanged formal amenities. The rolled umbrella, the bowler hat were almost too good to be true.
An Oxford accent partially masked the underlying clipped, flat, nasal twang of the native Australian. “It’s a pleasure to have you here, Mr. Blekinsop, and I hope we can make your stay enjoyable.”
The little man smiled. “I’m sure it will be. This is my first visit to your wonderful country. I feel at home already. The eucalyptus trees, you know, and the brown hills-“