All the Inner Planets tuned into the courtroom that afternoon. The trend of public opinion was obvious, and judges who have political ambitions must seem to lead the pack, not follow. The Actors'
Guild's suit was dismissed on the grounds that the androids were "intelligent, reasoning beings, a subspecies of Man; that human rights, under the law, must be extended to all intelligent beings, whatever their form or origin."
Yuri gave Sugar a hug. "We're home free, Twink! It's going a lot faster than I ever thought it would. I'd say androids are about accepted. I expected it to take at least a week, and maybe as much as a month."
"I wish it would take a month," said Sugar. Looking disgustedly at him, she added, "Not that it would make any difference."
An hour later Yuri received two telefaxed messages: ALLEE ALLEE OUTS IN FREE—FROLICH. The other read, YURI SUGAR COME HOME ALL IS FORGIVEN—PEPPER GINGER.
The morning newspapers, the next day, showed a picture of a cheerful Yuri arriving, late at night, at Cheviot Preserve; they had been detained by a farewell party at the Spire. The captions were variations of Still Cheerful After Demotion— from Android Owner to Android Press Agent. Other pictures of Sugar were captioned Slavery Apparently No Great Ordeal. Yuri read them at breakfast, between sessions of watching the girls.
He had come in late that morning and ordered Sugar to get breakfast. They looked as fresh as flowers, though he suspected they had sat up until midnight while Sugar told them everything. Ginger promptly kicked him in the shin, her sharp hoof sending a wave agony up to his knee.
"Don't speak to us, Yuri Koeppels! We know all about you," she said indignantly.
"We don't associate with robo-puppets," Pepper told him with dignity.
"I thought all was forgiven?" he said, wincing.
"We're mad all over again," Pepper told him. "You insulted our sister!" Frolich came in late—he had had to leave his airmobile outside the Preserve—and called a business conference. Ginger and Sugar showed up, dancing and trying to trip each other. Yuri went after Pepper. He found her in the lounge and at first assumed she was asleep. She was lying on a relaxer, waving her feet in the air and weeping quietly.
His heart turned over and went into a power dive. "Pepper, honey," he said, feeling miserably inadequate. "What's wrong? Don't cry, Twink. Tell me about it." She lifted a wet, surprised face. "What's the matter?" she asked. Taken aback, Yuri asked, "What's the matter with you?"
"Nothing," she said, more surprised every moment "I was just crying."
"Well, but what were you crying about? Is something wrong?"
"Of course not! Everything's wonderful. Don't you ever cry?"
"Not if I can help it. Certainly not without reason."
"Well, I had a reason. I just felt like crying, that's all."
"What makes you feel that way?" asked Yuri, curious.
She shrugged and smiled, piquantly. " I don't know. I'm happy, and sad, and I think how I wasn't even alive seven months ago, and what a wonderful world it is, and I just naturally cry. Anybody would."
"I guess they would, at that," said Yuri slowly. "Maybe I better leave you alone, then."
"It's O.K. now; I'm out of the mood. What was it you wanted?"
"We're holding a business conference in the conservatory. Care to join?"
"If you'll carry me." She reached for him. "I'm out of the crying mood and into the being-carried mood." She had that listless, comfortable feeling you get after you've had a good cry. He grinned and picked her up. She wiped her face on his shoulder and was contentedly silent as he carried her into the conservatory.
"Shame, Pepper!" cried Ginger. "We're mad at him!"
"I forgot," said Pepper unrepentantly.
"Incorrigible," sighed Ginger.
Sugar shrugged wryly. "Both of them. But she's our sister and he is Yuri." Resignedly, they started to join Pepper and Yuri in the lounger.
"Hold it!" said Yuri, catching Ginger by the horn. "You may have forgiven me, but now I'm the one who's mad. You kicked me in the shin!"
Ginger halted, shamefaced. "It was just a joke," she protested meekly. She sank penitently to her knees and rubbed the offended shin, only half in jest.
Yuri looked down tenderly into Pepper's peaceful face, "I never fully realized how tragic it would be for androids to be bought and sold until I saw you crying," he told her, rubbing Ginger's head. Ginger piled into the lounger beside him. "Don't mention it," she said. "I'm glad that's over with." Frolich looked up in surprise. "Over with? What gave you that idea?"
"Isn't it?" asked Yuri tensely.
"For these girls, I think yes; they're accepted. But the battle will no doubt have to be fought all over again with each new form. Can't you just see General Oceanics getting its mermen to sign lifetime contracts the minute they come out of the incubator? I hope you don't think we've changed the shape of the human race."