Чужак в чужой стране

           ’Oursponsorssupportus;theydeserveyoursupport.BrotherArt,I’msorrytohavetobringupsuchasubject-"

           "That’sokay,Shepherd!Pouriton!"

           "-atatimeofsuchgreathappiness.Butwemustneverforgetthat-"Jubalreachedoverandswitchedoffthespeakercircuit.

           "Mike,that’snotanythingyouneedtosee."

           "Not?"

           "Uh-"Jubalthoughtaboutit.Shucks,theboywasgoingtohavetolearnaboutsuchthingssoonerorlater."Allright,goahead.Butcometalktomeaboutitlater."

           "Yes,Jubal."

           HarshawwasabouttoaddsomeadviceintendedtooffsetMike’stendencytotakeliterallyanythinghesaworheard.Butthetelephone’ssoothing"hold"musicsuddenlywentdownandout,andthescreenfilledwithanimage–amaninhisfortieswhomJubalatoncelabeledinhismindas"cop."

           Jubalsaidaggressively,"Youaren’tGilBerquist."

           Themansaid,"WhatisyourinterestinGilbertBerquist?"

           Jubalansweredwithpainedpatience,"Iwishtospeaktohim.Seehere,mygoodman,areyouapublicemployee?"

           Themanbarelyhesitated."Yes.Youmust-"

           "I‘must’nothing!Iamacitizeningoodstandingandmytaxesgotopayyourwages.AllmorningIhavebeentryingtomakeasimplephonecall–andIhavebeenpassedfromonebutterfly-brainedbovinetoanother,andeveryoneofthemfeedingoutofthepublictrough.IamsickofitandIdonotintendtoputupwithitanylonger.Andnowyou.Givemeyourname,yourjobtitle,andyourpaynumber.ThenI’llspeaktoMr.Berquist."