Чужак в чужой стране

           "SupposeIdosignanexclusiveseven-yearcontract?"

           Mackenzielookedasifhisteethhurt,"Istillcouldn’tdoit.I’dlosemyjob–andyouwouldstillhavetocarryoutyourcontract."

           JubalconsideredcallingMikeoverintotheinstrument’svisualpickupandnaminghim.Hediscardedtheideaatonce.Mackenzie’sownprogrammeshadrunthefake‘ManfromMars’interviews–andMackenziewaseithercrookedandinonthehoax?orhewashonest,asJubalthoughthewas,andsimplywouldnotbelievethathehimselfhadbeenhoaxed."Allright,Tom,Iwon’ttwistyourarm.ButyouknowyourwayaroundinthegovernmentbetterthanIdo.WhocallsDouglaswheneverhelikes–andgetshim?Idon’tmeanSanforth"

           "Noone."

           "Damnit,nomanlivesinavacuum!Theremustbeatleastadozenpeoplewhocanphonehimandnotgetbrushedoffbyasecretary."

           "Someofhiscabinet,Isuppose.Andnotallofthem."

           "Idon’tknowanyofthem,either;I’vebeenoutoftouch.ButIdon’tmeanprofessionalpoliticos.Whoknowshimsowellthattheycancallhimonaprivatelineandinvitehimtoplaypoker?"

           "Umm?youdon’twantmuch,doyou?Well,there’sJakeAllenby.Nottheactor,theotherJakeAllenby.Oil."

           "I’vemethim.Hedoesn’tlikeme.Idon’tlikehim.Heknowsit."

           "Douglasdoesn’thaveverymanyintimatefriends.Hiswiferatherdiscourages-Say,Jubal?howdoyoufeelaboutastrology?"

           "Nevertouchthestuff.Preferbrandy."

           "Well,that’samatteroftaste.