Чужак в чужой стране

           Doyougrokradio?Orstereovision?Orelectroniccomputers?"

           "Me?No."

           "NordoI,I’veneverstudiedelectronics.ButI’msureIcouldifItookthetimeandthehardsweattolearnthelanguageofe1ctronics.Idon’tthinkit’smiraculous–justcomplex.Teleportationisquitesimple,onceyoulearnthelanguage–it’sthelanguagethatissodifficult."

           "Ben,youcanteleportthings?"

           "Me?Oh,no,theydon’tteachthatinkindergarten.Oh,I’madeaconbycourtesy,simplybecauseI’m‘FirstCalled’andNinthCircle–butmyactualprogressisaboutFourthCircle,buckingforFifth.Why,I’mjustbeginningtogetcontrolofmyownbody.Pattyistheonlyoneofuswhousesteleportationherselfwithanyregularity?andI’mnotsuresheeverdoesitwithoutMike’ssupport.Oh,Mikesaysshe’squitecapableofit,butPattyissuchacuriouslynaiveandhumblepersonforthegeniussheisthatsheisquitedependentonMike.Whichsheneedn’tbe.Jubal,Igrokthis:wedon’tactuallyneedMike–Oh,I’mnotrunninghimdown;don’tgetmewrong.ButyoucouldhavebeentheManfromMars.Orevenme.

           It’slikethefirstmantodiscoverfire.Firewasthereallalong–andafterheshowedthatitcouldbeused,anybodycoulduseit?anybodywithsenseandsavvyenoughnottogetburnedwithit.Followme?"

           "Igrok,somewhatatleast."

           "MikeisourPrometheus–butremember,PrometheuswasnotGod.Mikekeepsemphasizingthis.ThouartGod,IamGod,heisGodthatgroks.