Чужак в чужой стране

           AndI’mthefix-itboy,sameasIwasforJubal"

           "Musttakequiteagangtomaintainaplacethissize."

           "Ben,you’dbesurprisedhowlittleittakes.Asidefromkeepinganeyeontheplumbing–andsometimeyoumustseeMike’suniquewayofdealingwithastoppedtoilet–Idon’thavetoplayplumberverymuch.Asidefromplumbing,ninetypercentofthegadgetryinthisbuildingisrighthereinthekitchen?andit’snotasgadgetedasJubal’skitchen."

           "Ihadtheimpressionthatyouhavesomeverycomplicatedgadgetsforsomeofthetempleceremonies."

           "Uuhuh,naryagadget.Somelightingcontrols,that’sall,andsimpleones.Actually"Dukegrinned."-Oneofmymostimportantjobsisnojobatall.Firewarden"

           "Huh?"

           "I’malicenseddeputyfirewarden,examinedandeverything,andsameforsanitationandsafetyinspector–neitheronetakesanywork.Butitmeansthatweneverhavetoletanoutsidergothroughthejoint–andwedon’t.Theyattendouterservices?buttheynevergetanyfartherunlessMikegivesanupcheck."

           Theytransferredfoodtoplatesandsatdownatatable.Dukesaid,"You’restaying,aren’tyou,Ben?"

           "Idon’tseehowIcan,Duke."

           "Mmmm?IhadhopedthatyouwouldhavemoresensethanIhad.Icameforjustashortvisit,too?wentbackandmopedaroundfornearlyamonthbeforeItoldJubalIwasleavingandwouldn’tbeback.Butnevermind;you’llbeback.Don’tmakeanyfinaldecisionsbeforethewatersharingtonight."