Beyond This Horizon Read Free

psychological weapon, Cliff.”
    “It’s noisy.”
    “It’s more than that. It’s a terror weapon. You wouldn’t even have to hit with your first shot. Your man would be so startled you’d have time to get him with the second shot. And that isn’t all. Think…the braves around town are used to putting a man to sleep with a bolt that doesn’t even muss his hair. This thing’s bloody. You saw what happened to that piece of vitrolith. Think what a man’s face will look like after it stops one of those slugs. Why a necrocosmetician would have to use a stereo-sculp to produce a reasonable facsimile for his friends to admire. Who wants to stand up to that kind of fire?”
    “Maybe you’re right. I still say it’s noisy. Let’s go to dinner.”
    “Good idea. Say—you’ve got a new nail tint haven’t you? I like it.”
    Monroe-Alpha spread his fingers. “It is smart, isn’t it? Mauve Iridescent it’s called. Care to try some?”
    “No, thank you. I’m too dark for it, I’m afraid. But it goes well with your skin.”
    They ate in the pay-restaurant Hamilton had discovered. Monroe-Alpha automatically asked for a private room when they entered; Hamilton, at the same moment, demanded a table in the ring. They compromised on a balcony booth, semi-private, from which Hamilton could amuse himself by staring down at the crowd in the ring.
    Hamilton had ordered the meal earlier in the day, which was the point which had caused his friend to consent to venture out. It was served promptly. “What is it?” Monroe-Alpha demanded suspiciously.
    “Bouillabaisse. It’s halfway between a soup and a stew. More than a dozen kinds of fish, white wine, and the Great Egg alone knows how many sorts of herbs and spices. All natural foods.”
    “It must be terribly expensive.”
    “It’s a creative art and it’s a pleasure to pay for it. Don’t worry your head about it. You know I can’t help making money.”
    “Yes, I know. I never could understand why you take so much interest in games. Of course, it pays well.”
    “You don’t understand me. I’m not interested in games. Have you ever seen me waste a slug or a credit on one of my own gadgets—or any other? I haven’t played a game since I was a boy. For me, it is already well established that one horse can run faster than another, that the ball falls either on red or on black, and that three of a kind beats two pair. It’s that I can’t see the silly toys that people play with without thinking of one a little more complicated and mysterious. If I am bored and have nothing better to do, I may sketch one and dispatch it to my agent. Presently in comes some more money.” He shrugged.
    “What are you interested in?”
    “People. Eat your soup.”
    Monroe-Alpha tasted the mess cautiously, looked surprised, and really went to work on it. Hamilton looked pleased, and undertook to catch up.
    “Felix—”
    “Yes, Cliff.”
    “Why did you group me in the ninety-eight?”
    “The ninety-eight? Oh, you mean the sourpuss survey. Shucks, pal, you rated it. If you are gay and merry-merry-be behind that death mask, you conceal it well.”
    “I’ve nothing to be unhappy about.”
    “No, not to my knowledge. But you don’t look happy.”
    They ate in silence for a few minutes more. Monroe-Alpha spoke again. “It’s true, you know. I’m not.”
    “Not what?”
    “Not happy.”
    “So? Mmmm…why not?”
    “I don’t know. If I did I could do something about it. My family psychiatrist doesn’t seem to be able to get at the reason.”
    “You’re on the wrong frequency. A psychiatrist is the last man to see about a thing like that. They know everything about a man, except what he is and what makes him tick. Besides, did you ever see a worry-doctor that was sane himself? There aren’t two in the country who can count their own fingers and get the same answer twice running.”
    “It’s true that he hasn’t been able to help me much.”
    “Of course not. Why?