Chapter 37

           JUBALANDTHEMANFROMMARSstrolledslowlyintothelivingroomwiththebigstereotank.ApparentlytheentireNestwasgathered,watchingit.Itshowedadenseandturbulentcrowd,somewhatrestrainedbypolicemen.Mikeglancedatitandlookedserenelyhappy."Theycome.Nowisthefullness."ThesenseofecstaticexpectancyJubalhadfeltgrowingeversincehisarrivalswelledgreatly,butnoonemoved.

           "It’samightybigtip,sweetheart,"Jillagreed.

           "Andreadytoturn,"addedPatty.

           "I’dbetterdressforit,"Mikecommented."HaveIgotanyclothesaroundthisdump?Patty?"

           "Rightaway,Michael."

           Jubalsaid,"Son,thatmoblooksprettyuglytome.Areyousurethisisanytimetotacklethem?"

           "Oh,sure,"saidMike."They’vecometoseeme?sonowIgodowntomeetthem."Hepausedwhilesomeclothinggotoutofthewayofhisface;hewasbeingdressedatbreak-neckspeedwiththeunnecessaryhelpofseveralwomen–unnecessaryaseachgarmentseemedtoknowwheretogoandhowtodrapeitself."Thisjobhasitsobligationsaswellasitsprivileges–thestarhastoshowupfortheshow?grokme?Themarksexpectit."

           Dukesaid,"Mikeknowswhathe’sdoing,Boss."

           "Well?Idon’ttrustmobs."

           "Thatcrowdismostlycuriosityseekers,theyalwaysare.Oh,therearesomeFosteritesandsomeotherswithgrudges–butMikecanhandleanycrowd.You’llsee.Right,Mike?"

           "Keerect,Cannibal.Pullinatip,thengive’emashow.Where’smyhat?Can’twalkinthenoondaysunwithoutahat.