Чужак в чужой стране

           "Oh,no,no!OnlytheprimerknowledgethatIhaveofit–hadofit,mybrain’sanemptysack.ButhighbrowslikeStinkywillbegoingbacktoMarsforacenturytofillinwhatIneverlearned.ButIdidturnoutquiteajob–aboutsixweeksofsubjectivetimesincearoundfivethismorningorwheneveritwasweadjournedthemeeting–andnowthestalwartsteadytypescanfinishitandI’mfreetovisitwithJubalwithnothingonmymind."Mikestretchedandyawned."Feelsgood.Finishingajobalwaysfeelsgood."

           "You’llbeslavingawayatsomethingelsebeforethedayisout.Boss,thisMartianmonstercan’ttakeitorleaveitalone.Iknowforafactthatthisisthefirsttimehehassimplyrelaxedanddonenothingforovertwomonths.Heoughttosignupwith‘WorkersAnonymous.’Oryououghttovisitusmoreoften.You’reagoodinfluenceonhim."

           "GodforbidthatIshouldeverbeagoodinfluenceonanybody."

           "Andyougetoutofhere,Cannibal,andquittellingliesaboutme."

           "Lies,hell.Youturnedmeintoacompulsivetruth-teller?andit’sagreathandicapinsomeofthejointswhereIhangout."Dukeleftthem.

           Mikeliftedhisglass."Sharewater,mybrotherFatherJubal"

           "Drinkdeep,son."

           "ThouartGod."

           "Takeiteasy,Mike.I’llputupwiththatfromtheothersandansweritpolitely.Butdon’tyoucomegoddingatme.Iknewyouwhenyouwere‘onlyanegg’."

           "Okay,Jubal."

           "That’sbetter.