August 2005: The Old Ones

           Andwhatmorenaturalthanthat,atlast,theoldpeoplecometoMars,followinginthetrailleftbytheloudfrontiersmen,thearomaticsophisticates,andtheprofessionaltravelersandromanticlecturersinsearchofnewgrist.

           Andsothedryandcracklingpeople,thepeoplewhospenttheirtimelisteningtotheirheartsandfeelingtheirpulsesandspooningsyrupsintotheirwrymouths,thesepeoplewhooncehadtakenchaircarstoCaliforniainNovemberandthird-classsteamerstoItalyinApril,thedried-apricotpeople,themummypeople,cameatlasttoMars…