Chapter 33

           "WELL,"SAIDJUBAL,"whatdidyoudo?Cheer?"

           "Likehell.Ileft,atonce.Idashedfortheouterdoor,grabbedmyclothesandshoes–forgotmybaganddidn’tgobackforit–ignoredthesignonthedoor,wentonthrough–jumpedinthatbouncetubewithmyclothesinmyarms.Blooie!Gonewithoutsayinggood-by."

           "Ratherabrupt"

           "Ifeltabrupt.Ihadtoleave.InfactIleftsofastthatIdurnnearkilledmyself.Youknowtheordinarybouncetube-"

           "Idonot."

           "Well,unlessyousetittotakeyouuptoacertainlevel,whenyougetintoityousimplysinkslowly,likecoldmolassesIdidn’tsink,IfellandIwasaboutsixstoriesup.ButjustwhenIthoughtIhadmademylastmistake,somethingcaughtme.Notasafetynet–afieldofsomesortIdidn’tquitesplash.ButMikeneedstosmoothoutthatgadget.Orputintheregularsortofbouncetube."

           Jubalsaid,"I’llsticktostairsand,whenunavoidable,elevators"

           "Well,Ihadn’trealizedthatthisonewassorisky.Buttheonlysafetyinspectorthey’vegotisDuke?andtoDukewhateverMikesaysisGospel.Jubal,thatwholeplaceisridingforafall.They’reallhypnotizedbyoneman?whoisn’trightinhishead.Whatcanbedoneaboutit?"

           Jubaljuttedouthislipsandthenscowled,"Let’sseefirstifyou’vegotitanalyzedcorrectly.Justwhataspectsofthesituationdidyoufinddisquieting?"

           "Why?thewholething."