Part 13 (1/2)
”Why, Chicago, I suppose At the Institute”
”Get him here”
”Eh?”
”Get him down here Get on that visiphone and locate hio, and hire a stratocar to stand by for him I want to see hi sat up in his chair with the air of a man who is once more master of hi replenish a decision The harassed expression was gone
Silard looked dumfounded ”But, Superintendent,” he expostulated, ”you can't ring for Dr Lentz as if he were a junior clerk He'she's Lentz”
”Certainly - that's why I want hi for sympathy, either He'll coton Have the White House call hi strode out of the office
When Erickson came off watch he inquired around and found that Harper had left for town Accordingly, he dispensed with dinner at the base, shi+fted into ”drinkin' clothes,” and allowed himself to be dispatched via tube to Paradise
Paradise, Arizona, was a hard little boom tohich owed its existence to the power plant It was dedicated exclusively to the serious business of detaching the personnel of the plant from their inordinate salaries In this worthy project they received much cooperation fro from twice to ten times as much money each pay day as he had ever received in any other job, and none of as certain of living long enough to justify saving for old age
Besides, the co fund in Manhattan for their dependents; why be stingy?
It was said, with some truth, that any entertainment or luxury obtainable in New York City could be purchased in Paradise The local chaan of Reno, Nevada, ”Biggest Little City in the World” The Reno boosters retaliated by clai that, while any town that close to the atohts of death and the hereafter, hell's Gates would be a more appropriate na the rounds There were twenty-seven places licensed to sell liquor in the six blocks of the main street of Paradise He expected to find Harper in one of the the man's habits and tastes, he expected to find him in the first two or three he tried
He was notalone at a table in the rear of DeLancey's Sans Souci Bar DeLancey's was a favorite of both of them
There was an old-fashi+oned comfort about its chrome-plated bar and red leather furniture that appealed to thes of the up-to-the minute places DeLancey was conservative; he stuck to indirect lighting and soft music; his hostesses were required to be fully clothed, even in the evening
The fifth of Scotch in front of Harper was about two thirds full Erickson shoved three fingers in front of Harper's face and demanded, ”Count!”
”Three,” announced Harper ”Sit down, Gus”
”That's correct,” Erickson agreed, sliding his big fra chair ”You'll do - for now What was the outcome?”
”Have a drink Not,” he went on, ”that this Scotch is any good I think Lance has taken to watering it I surrendered, horse and foot”
”Lance wouldn't do that - stick to that theory and you'll sink in the sidewalk up to your knees How coht you planned to beat 'em about the head and shoulders, at least”
”I did,” ht If a brain ot to back him up and take you off the bomb The chief can't afford to take a chance”
”Yeah, the chief's all right, but I can't learn to love our dear psychiatrists Tell you what - let's find us one, and see if he can feel pain I'll hold hiet it, Gus Have a drink”
”A pious thought - but not Scotch I'ht to eat pretty soon”
”I'll have one, too”
”Do you good” Erickson lifted his blond head and bellowed, ”Israfell”
A large, black person appeared at his elbow ”Mistuh Erickson! Yes, suh!”
”Izzy, fetch two martinis Make oing to do now, Cal?”